Contributions Plan to fund cycleways across the Coast

Contributions levied by Council on development applications will be used to fund future cycleway works across the Central Coast valued at over $32million.

Cycleway projects to be funded from the Plan include Bungary Road, Norah Head; Magenta Boardwalk, Magenta; Tuggerawong Foreshore, Tuggerawong; Kurrawa Ave, Point Clare and Avoca Drive (The Round Drive to Scenic Highway), Avoca.

It is estimated the contributions plan will generate an income of approximately $16,740,000 with an additional $3,226,040 coming from the former Wyong Section 7.12 Contributions Plan totalling $19,966,040. The balance of the shortfall will be made up through grant funding opportunities or Council’s capital works program.

Council also resolved to align s7.12 contributions across former Wyong and Gosford LGAs which will ensure consistency in levying contributions on development and consolidate exemptions for certain types of developments that are considered minor and do not warrant developer contributions.

These are dwelling houses or alterations and additions to dwelling houses or any development ordinarily incidental or ancillary to the use of the dwelling house such as swimming pools, garages, sheds and the like, as well as applications for demolition where there is not a replacement building.

Community to have their say on Biodiversity planning

The Central Coast’s first Biodiversity Strategy will be placed on exhibition for 60 days to allow the community to have their say on the future of biodiversity planning.

Mayor Jane Smith said the strategy builds on the goals of the Community Strategic Plan and the Central Coast Regional Plan by bringing together a consistent policy framework for the whole of the Central Coast.

“Council’s first biodiversity strategy brings together the previous Councils’ planning and actions and provides a road map for the future,” Mayor Smith said.

“Once adopted the strategy will provide a consistent basis for decision making and funding eligibility across the Central Coast.

“We want to make sure we have this right, which is why it is important that our community now have time to read this document and have their say.

“The strategy will be on public exhibition for 60 days to ensure our community can take their time to read the draft strategy before letting us know what they think.”

Council creates new Reference Group to propel the Coast towards a better future

Council’s new Innovation and Futures Directorate will look to develop a long-term direction for a sustainable and innovative Central Coast, identifying priorities and actions by engaging the community and stakeholders in an open dialogue.

The new open engagement model for the Innovation and Futures Reference Group is distinct from the Advisory Group model commonly used by Council because it encourages participation from a much broader group of interested parties from the region including residents, Council staff, councillors, politicians and members of the local business community.

The proposed model would see a series of flagship events held across the Coast, where thought leaders and relevant local stakeholders can come together to share their expertise and knowledge on different themes related to innovation, with the aim to inspire, engage and connect different ideas, people and places, to help propel the region towards a better future.

Longer-term challenges and opportunities of the region will be addressed by Council and the Reference Group including, but not limited to, how to build a sustainable and innovative economy, how to develop new and innovative technologies and businesses to create jobs for the future, and how to implement sustainable practices.

Council supports community with $54,000 in grants

Council’s Community Support Grant Program has allocated $54,323.98 in funding across 15 community programs.

“Council is proud to support the community through our Community Support Grant Program,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“The funding allows not-for-profit organisations to deliver a range of activities to benefit residents on the Central Coast.

“In June, Council received 19 applications for Community Support Grant Program funding. Of these, 15 applications were approved.”

The Program provides up to $5,000 per project per financial year in combined funding and in-kind Council services and has an annual budget of $300,000.

Projects with approved funding in June 2019:

1. Central Coast Group Training, CCGT Excellence in Training Awards 2019 – $5,000
2. Central Coast Country Music Association, Workshop venue hire – $455.50
3. Peninsula Environment Group, re-establishing Woy Woy Community Garden Resources – $4,745
4. For Benefits Medicines Pty Ltd, Twilight Soiree – $2,260  
5. The Bays Community Group Incorporated (TBCG), repair and paint Bays Community Hall – $4990      
6. Shelley Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc, Beachletics Carnival – $1,922.88
7. Lighthouse Church Central Coast, Doylo Lighthouse Carols – $5,000
8. Tuggerah Lakes Art Society, 2019 Fab Fakes Art Exhibition – $2,717.70
9. Terrigal Trotters Incorporated, Great North Walk Ultras Traffic Management Assistance – $5,000
10. Art at Work Incorporated, Art At Work Exhibition – $5,000
11. Gosford and District Tennis Association Incorporated, Volunteer Kitchen refurbishment – $5,000
12. Food Integrity Group Co-operative Limited, operational and event equipment –$1,162.90
13. Wyong Men’s Shed Incorporated, New equipment for volunteer group – $2,240 
14. Central Coast Conservatorium Inc, Positive Ageing – $3,850
15. Copacabana SLC, Rockstar Inclusive Nippers Programme – $4,980

Council confirms land parcel for remediation at Central Coast Airport

Central Coast Council has confirmed the parcel of land which was part of the SEPP 14 Wetland and within the fenced boundary of Central Coast Airport that will be the subject of a remediation plan.

An inspection of the 0.87 hectares parcel of land identified some native regrowth occurring suggesting that the remediation plan would potentially not involve replanting but rather regular weed removal to allow the native vegetation to re-establish. This will be confirmed or further explored through the development of the remediation plan.

Once the plan is completed, a report on the estimated costs and timeframe for remediation of the parcel of land would be prepared and submitted to Council.

Council leads by example on single use plastic

Council has further strengthened its leadership position in the war on waste following the adoption of the first Single Use Plastic Policy for the region.

Mayor Jane Smith said the policy aims to reduce the use of single use plastics across the Central Coast through increasing awareness and promoting alternatives where available and appropriate.

“The production and use of single use plastics continues to increase, having devastating effects on marine birds and animals,” Mayor Smith said.

“It is clear from the overwhelmingly positive support for the policy our community want us to take leadership in order to act locally, while thinking globally on this important environmental issue.

“The policy complements our interim Sustainable Event Management Policy and reinforces the importance of the education programs on offer.

“Council will also implement environmentally sustainable procurement initiatives, through avoiding products containing single use plastics where available.

“On behalf of our community we will continue to lobby all levels of government to drive policy change that looks to help reduce production and use of single use plastics.”

Rates to be harmonised in 2021-22 financial year

Council has resolved to adhere to the legislated timeline for ordinary rates harmonisation to occur in the 2021-22 financial year, which will allow for greater certainty and time to assess and inform ratepayers of any potential impact of rates charges.

Following amalgamation in 2016, Council was locked into the existing ordinary rates structure of the legacy Councils for the 2016-17 financial year. The NSW Government subsequently introduced further amendments which continued to ‘freeze’ the ordinary rates structure of the former Gosford City Council and former Wyong Shire Council for the 2017-18 and 2019-20 financial years.

This year, the Local Government Amendment Bill 2019 was adopted by the NSW Government which further extends the existing rates path freeze mechanism for an additional year. The effect of this change means Council is required to harmonise its Ordinary Rate structure by 1 July 2021.

Extending the ordinary rates harmonisation timeline to the 2021-22 financial year will allow Council additional time following land revaluations to consult with those ratepayer groups most impacted by changing land values and consider the implications of the IPART Review into the Local Government Rating System.

Developers can have their say on proposed water supply and sewerage development servicing plans

Council will place its draft Water Supply and Sewerage Development Servicing Plans (DSPs) on public exhibition for feedback from 3 September.

The DSPs detail the charges that are required to be paid by developers towards the provision of existing and future water supply and sewerage infrastructure on the Central Coast. The DSPs also provide a revenue source to contribute to the funding of new assets which service growth in the region.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) requires Council to update its Water Supply and Sewerage Development Servicing Plans (DSPs) every five years in accordance with parameters issued by IPART.

The plans will be on public exhibition until 14 October 2019, with final changes implemented on 1 November 2019. Feedback can be provided by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com.