Council’s Asset Sales Program exceeds target, reaching $62 million in sales 

Council has reached a key milestone in its Asset Sales Program with the sale of two parcels of land at Doyalson and Bateau Bay, increasing total land asset sales to over $62 million.

The land at Doyalson consisting of four lots sold for a combined $5.5 million (excluding GST), which matched the independent valuation price, while the land at Bateau Bay sold for $1.83 million (excluding GST), which exceeded the independent valuation price by $1.28 million. 

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these sales exceed the targets in Council’s Financial Recovery Plan and help bolster Council’s financial sustainability into the future. 

“The sale of underperforming land assets, or assets which are surplus to current or future needs, has been a foundational pillar of Council’s financial recovery and strengthens Council’s financial sustainability into the future,” Mr Hart said.

“Council has undertaken due diligence in all sales, including the review of sites against Council resolutions and historical records, abiding by all legislative requirements, and conducting extensive community consultation to ensure the community has had the chance to be part of the decision-making process.

“The purchasers of these land assets are bound by all zoning and usage requirements, including any applicable environmental zoning. 

“Council remains committed to being transparent with the community throughout its Asset Sales Program, and I encourage people to review the in-depth information on Council’s website.”

The following land has been sold and will be removed from Council’s land register:

A) 200 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 762 DP 746526) 
   740 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 78 DP 755245) 
   740 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 32 DP 586913) 
   1550 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 31 DP 586913)

B) 10A Cynthia Street, Bateau Bay (Lot 17 DP 262327)

For more information about the Asset Sales Program including detailed frequently asked questions (FAQs), search ‘Financial Recovery Plan’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au. 

Community feedback sought on draft Flying of Flags policy and Street Banner Poles policy and guidelines for community use

Council is seeking feedback on the Draft Flying of Flags Policy, Draft Street Banner Policy, and Draft Street Banner Guidelines, which will be placed on public exhibition online at yourvoiceourcoast.com between 27 July and 23 August 2022.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these draft policies were developed in response to community interest and we are now encouraging further feedback from the whole community during the public exhibition period.

“Council proudly flies the Australian Flag and has a firm commitment to ensuring our national flag flies continually and appropriately while complying with the State and Federal Government protocols, and in accordance with the Australian Flags Booklet publication of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Premiers Department of New South Wales publication ‘Flags and Emblems of NSW’. The Draft Flying of Flags Policy incorporates these important protocols,” Mr Hart said. 

“Council also has promotional banner infrastructure at various town centres and key roads on the Coast which provide local community groups with an opportunity to promote and celebrate various community events, activities or significant occasions.

“Two separate policies were developed which balance and distinguish the significance of flying official flags and ensuring all relevant protocols are met, while providing opportunities for our various banner infrastructure to be widely utilised and accessible to the whole community.
 
“The Flying of Flags Policy, Street Banner Policy, and Street Banner Guidelines are designed to provide clarity to local community organisations, residents, and businesses regarding Council’s approach to the management of these assets, with alignment to best practice and protocols required for the flying of official flags. 

“Our community’s voice is important as polices are developed.  Throughout the development of these draft documents, Council officers engaged with a diverse range of key stakeholders including current banner infrastructure users, town centre businesses and business chambers and we’re keen to also hear from the broader community before these policies are finalised and adopted.

“I have asked Council Officers to investigate the feasibility of installing flag infrastructure in Umina Beach CBD.”

The Draft Flying of Flags Policy proposes that flags will only be permitted to be flown on official flag poles; this approach will ensure relevant protocols can be adequately managed.  Some examples include:

• Flags will not be flown if damaged, faded or dilapidated. Flying of flags on official flagpoles is the correct mechanism to ensure this protocol is met. Numerous street banner locations are heavily exposed to extreme weather conditions and street banners are often damaged in weather events. Numerous street banner locations are also dependant on extensive traffic management processes to remove and replace banners, and often damaged banners cannot be removed immediately after they have sustained damage.
• The flag may only be flown at night when illuminated. Numerous current street banner locations do not have lighting installed that is sufficient to ensure this protocol is met, indeed many street banner locations have no lighting.
• The flag should be used in a dignified manner and reproduced completely and accurately. Council’s banner infrastructure includes banners of various sizes. Council’s official flagpoles are all designed to fly flags, specifically official national flags, in the relative dimensions and manner they have been designed to be flown. Restricting the display of official flags to official flagpoles ensures the integrity, size and designs are met.

The Flying of Flags policy does not apply to Council’s leased facilities or leased open space areas.

The Draft Street Banner Policy and Draft Street Banner Guidelines propose a uniform approach to Council’s management of banner infrastructure in various locations across the Coast and provide opportunities for this infrastructure to be widely utilised and accessible to the whole community.

The aligned approach will provide a simplified and unified way for the community to access the town centre and community banner infrastructure, with some improvements including:

• The one booking system for all relevant infrastructure.
• Clear design and content guidelines and banner specifications.
• Council, through existing fees and charges, will manage installation and removal of all banners, removing the requirement for community groups to coordinate this component themselves.

Official flags will not be permitted to be flown on town centre street and community banner infrastructure; however approved banner designs that incorporate elements of a national official flag can be displayed in these locations providing the flag component of the banner does not exceed 50% of the overall banner size.

Community members are encouraged to view the draft policies online at yourvoiceourcoast.com and submit feedback between 27 July and 23 August 2022.

Community Support Grants for Terrigal Trotters and Gosford Pre-School endorsed by Council

Council has endorsed two community groups for financial support within its Community Support Grants Program: Terrigal Trotters Incorporated ($5,000) and Gosford Pre-School Incorporated ($3,870).

The Terrigal Trotters have been recommended for funding to expand equipment hire, while Gosford Pre-School has been recommended for part funding to purchase flagpoles and flagpole installation.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said up to $5,000 per project is available each month through the Program and encourages applicants to use the support available to them when applying. 

“I’m pleased Council’s Community Support Grants Program can again provide financial assistance for community projects,” Mr Hart said.

“I strongly encourage any applicant interested in seeking in-kind or financial assistance to meet with Council staff at the grant writing workshops and information sessions available to help strengthen applications and give their project the best chance of success,” said Mr Hart. 

The Community Support Grant Program is open all year, providing funds to successful applicants on a monthly basis. The program provides assistance for community activities which require in-kind support through the provision of subsidised access to Council services, and financial assistance for community activities that require a smaller amount of support.

For more information about the Community Support Grants Program head to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants. 

ENDS