Council’s strong financial position backed by Independent Audit

The NSW Auditor-General has confirmed Central Coast Council’s financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of Council as at 30 June 2017, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the period 13 May 2016 to 30 June 2017 in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and Australian Accounting Standards.

Read separate media release here.

Council confirms Ettalong Channel dredging is a State Government responsibility after considering external legal advice

Council has maintained its long held view that it is under no statutory obligation to dredge the Brisbane Water Entrance Channel.

The bed below mean high water level is NSW Crown Land, and NSW Roads and Maritime Services is responsible for the safety of navigational waterways and channel. The NSW Department of Lands has recently dredged the Channel on two occasions removing 3000 cubic metres of sand.

Mayor Jane Smith said that the Council has carefully considered legal advice, and has confirmed its long held view that dredging of Box Head and the Ettalong Channel is and should be a State Government responsibility.

“Council is not pushing responsibility on to the State Government, as dredging of navigable waters has always been their responsibility,” Mayor Smith said.

“The sea bed is Crown Land, and the removal of sand accumulation on that sea bed to permit maritime activity is a State responsibility.  There is no obligation under any NSW Legislation for Council to dredge the Channel.

“The State Government collects significant fees from maritime activities on Brisbane Water including licensing, boat registrations, licences issued to the ferry service itself and the use of moorings and other State-owned facilities.

“These fees should be the funding that is put back into the Brisbane Water to make it navigable for all boat owners. That’s the way it works in other areas of NSW so there is no reason why the Central Coast should be disadvantaged by a different process, put in place unilaterally by the State Government, and associated cost.

“If Council were to pay for dredging that would be at the expense of other essential projects we want to deliver for the community.”

“It is the State Government who needs to come to the table with a clear funding package to dredge the Channel.”

Rescission motion lost in respect to the Aviation Hub Masterplan for Central Coast Airport

A motion to rescind the 27 November 2017 resolutions to suspend works at Central Coast Airport and divert funds earmarked for development works at the Airport was lost.

Mayor Jane Smith said there was a strong view that there are better employment generating options across the coast that Council should invest in that needed exploring.

“Council must take the lead in advocating for its residents and making the right investment that will create the jobs the Coast needs now and as it continues to grow,” Mayor Smith said.

“We also must work with key partners including the State Government who have not even included the Airport in their Central Coast Regional Plan.

“There are other options for employment generation projects beyond the Airport that can and must be explored.

“It is time to move on and work productively and cooperatively to deliver the planning and investment we need to create more jobs on the Coast.”

Council defers public exhibition of revised Tree and Vegetation Management

Council has deferred the public exhibition of revised draft Chapters of the Wyong and Gosford Development Control Plans relating to Tree and Vegetation Management, which  incorporate recent NSW Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation reforms.

Council also requested the Acting Chief Executive Officer to provide a detailed briefing on the benefits of the draft new Chapters, how they will be applied consistently across the Coast, resourcing impacts and future opportunities for Councillor and community input.

Mayor Jane Smith said there was a strong need for a consistent approach to tree management on private land on the whole of the Coast and enhance the natural urban environment on the Coast.

“Protection of the natural environment is very important to the Central Coast community which is why the development of a consistent approach to managing our trees and vegetation has been a priority of this Council,” Mayor Smith said.

“We want to ensure we have the right policies and procedures in place to protect our natural urban environment and that Council and the community understand our obligations.

The detailed report will be presented to the April 23 Council Meeting.

First Flying Fox Management Strategy for the Coast to go out for public comment

Council is seeking community feedback on the first Flying-Fox Management Strategy for the Central Coast.

Flying foxes are important for pollination and seed dispersal and they are also protected under legislation including National Parks and Wildlife Act and the Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Mayor Jane Smith said the strategy set up a framework for the proactive management of flying-fox camps across the region.

“The strategy has been developed in partnership with other Hunter-based Councils to provide a consistent approach to flying-fox management,” Mayor Smith said.

“Our community will now have the opportunity to review the strategy, which makes a number of recommendations to legally and proactively address the potential impacts that may result from flying-fox camps affecting urbanised areas.

“Once the strategy has been adopted these landholders, and Council, will be eligible to apply for funding to help manage issues that may arise from these local camps.

“Council will also undertake further education and engagement with the Central Coast community using an established Flying-fox engagement platform to inform our management activities.”

The Strategy will be publicly exhibited for 28 days and the details of the Strategy and how to put in a submission will be found at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Buskers given a stage to let their talent shine on the Central Coast  

Council tonight adopted a new busking policy to increase participation and add to the colour, life and vibrancy of the Central Coast.

Buskers will be covered by Council’s public liability insurance and will only have to pay a small, $20 fee for a Busking Approval Card.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council had now aligned the two previous Councils policies to provide a more consistent approach and an easier application process to encourage more busking in the region.

“Buskers has been a feature of our public spaces for some time and really do add colour and vibrancy to the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.

“It also gives artists a chance to showcase their talent which may even leader to greater opportunities.”

“The next big thing in the Australian music industry may get their start right here and it will be thanks to this really quite simple but very effective change in our approach to busking.”

Council will investigate the inclusion of footpaths within Town Centres in the Busking Policy.

Community Engagement focus on localised information

Feedback from recent community workshops and surveys has endorsed Council’s overall Engagement Framework as sound and on the right path in relation to how the community and stakeholders would like us to engage with them.

The report, which details the findings of workshops held in each ward in January and February this year as well as online and hard copy survey data, reveals that the range of current activities outlined in the Engagement Framework were largely accepted but improvements could be made to better localise information.

Mayor Jane Smith said that whilst the report demonstrated Council’s engagement with the community was on track, there is always room for improvement.

“Consultation with the community is one of the most important activities we undertake in Local Government - we are here to serve the community and deliver the infrastructure and services they want and need,” Mayor Smith said.

“Our community has told us they like many of the ways we currently engage including online platforms, pop up stalls in shopping centres, information sessions, workshops and public meetings when we have big issues. “Taking what we do well now and applying a more local area or place approach to engagement can further enhance our connection with our community and will be a step towards community-led and council actioned engagement.

“Our community has also told us that they want more interaction with Councillors in their local areas, so over the next couple of months we will be looking at how we get out more often so we can hear one –on-one from our community.”

For more information on current projects and initiatives including the recent Engagement Report from the consultation on the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) go to yourvoiceourcoast.com