Independent financial audit and performance review into all matters relating to Central Coast airport

Through an endorsed Mayoral Minute, Council will request that the NSW Auditor General conduct an independent financial audit and performance review into all matters relating to Central Coast airport.

Council will request that the review consider all relevant information related to the development of a Regional Airport including proposals for Kiar Ridge and for the development of an Aviation Hub at Central Coast Airport.

Mayor Jane Smith said the future of Central Coast airport needed to be resolved.

“This report will ensure transparency and openness and will equip Council with all the necessary information to move forward with decisions related to the airport,” Mayor Smith said.

Council will request that relevant proposals, financial records, development applications and potential conflicts of interest be considered.

It will also be requested that any review will invite and consider public submissions, including confidential submissions if necessary.

Council will request that the Auditor General provide specific advice on:

• Processes and decision-making relating to the Airport and Wyong Employment Zone including anomalies in the process and proposals and any areas that may not meet community expectations.
• Any improvements needed in Council processes.
• Any declared or undeclared conflicts of interest.
• Any matters requiring referral to external agencies for further investigations.

The CEO will provide Council with a quarterly report on the progress of the review and the Auditor-General will be requested to provide an interim report by the end of June 2019.

Multiple measures to manage weeds in Springfield and Holgate

To manage the infestation of a weed known as Salvinia molesta in Springfield and Holgate, Central Coast Council will utilise bio-controls sourced from the Department of Primary Industries.

Council will undertake the mechanical removal of some weed in the first instance to allow for the best results from the bio-controls.

Mayor Jane Smith said Salvinia molesta was known to exist at numerous sites across the Central Coast, but was hopeful the biological controls could help reduce the infestation at the Springfield and Holgate sites.

“Introducing a weevil that naturally feeds on the Salvinia weed will be Council’s primary line of defence in combating this infestation,” Mayor Smith said.

“Our staff will monitor and report back to Council on the success of the weevils in the coming months. If we need to revisit the management actions then, we will.

“Council appreciates the community’s concern for their local environment and as such will undertake some educational activities for those living around the ponds.”

Council provides report on the ongoing release of information and proactive release program

Council has provided an update on the release of information under the Government Information Public Access Act 2009 (GIPA Act) and on its proactive release program during the 2017-18 financial year.

Council responded to 107 formal information and approximately 1,100 information requests in 2017/18.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council’s website provides advice to members of the public on how they may access Council-held information under the GIPA Act.

“Our upgraded website allows for an improved overall search ability of the site to locate proactive released documents,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council’s staff responded to a large amount of formal and informal information requests during the period.”

In March 2018, Council initiated a project to create a framework that promotes proactive release of Council held information.

“Council is continually working on embedding the practice of proactive release into Councils ‘business as usual’ so that work done under the program is not reactive, but proactive,” Mayor Smith said.

Council’s CEO Gary Murphy approved the proactive release of five reports following the request at the 3 August 2018 Council meeting. The following documents were made available on Councils website:

• Gosford City Centre – Statement of Strategic Intent 2014, prepared by Roberts Day
• Gosford Regional Economic Corridor Master Plan 2015, prepared by SGS Economics and Planning.
• Gosford City Centre Floor space Incentive Contribution Rate Study 2016, prepared by AEC Group.
• Gosford Regional Economic Corridor Master Plan 2018, prepared by SGS Economics and Planning.
• Councillor briefing titled “Gosford CBD – Economic Feasibility Studies” dated 12 January 2018.

Following the 24 September Council Meeting, the CEO approved the proactive release of The Groundwater Simulation and Optimisation Modelling of the Kulnura – Mangrove Mountain Aquifer Systems report dated 10 November 2006, which can be accessed on Council’s website.

Colliery grants emphasise community activities and infrastructure

New picnic tables, a health initiative and solar lighting are among nine projects which will benefit from more than $85,000 through the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program.

The grants program is a joint initiative between Lake Coal Pty Ltd and Central Coast Council to provide funds for projects which benefit the communities of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park.

Mayor Jane Smith said the annual program, which was part of a development consent condition on Lake Coal’s operations in the area, delivers projects and infrastructure which add value to the four communities.

“I’m pleased that most of the projects receiving funding focus on enhancing the outdoor environment or have other health benefits for residents,” Mayor Smith said

Council will allocate $85,830.71 across the following successful recipients:

• Mannering Park Amateur Sailing Club – Jetty solar lighting – $9,696.
• Southlake Marketplace – Out and About project – $941.95.
• Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre – continuation of the Big Fun Up North project – $6866.60.
• Chain Valley Bay Progress Association – Chain Valley Bay North Playground covered picnic table – $6,300.
• Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group – three double-length picnic tables – $24,500.
• Chain Valley Bay Progress Association – Lockable cage for beach wheelchair at Joshua Porter Reserve – $1,600.
• Mannering Park Tidy Towns – Health for all our community – $29,920.
• Gwandalan Lioness – 30 art display stands – $5,039.
• Mannering Park Tidy Towns Group – Restoration of the community hall pelican statue – $967.16.

The Chain Valley Colliery Community Program next round of funding will be held in the second half of 2019.

For information, visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Council grants support community projects

Council last night voted to provide more than $72,000 to 22 projects through its Community Support Grant Program.

The Community Support Grant provides support for the community to deliver activities which require a small amount of funding and/or in-kind support.

Mayor Jane Smith said it is great to see a wide range of organisations accessing grant funding to run workshops and events, purchase equipment or help with accommodation costs.

“These grants are being given to organisations and volunteers who provide services to many different groups across our population,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council’s funding creates strong connections within the community.”

Council will allocate $72,802.76 across the following successful recipients:

• St John Ambulance Australia NSW – Open Emergency Services Recruitment Day – Tuggerah Lakes – $2,350.
• St John Ambulance Australia NSW – Resources for new Tuggerah Lakes volunteers – $4,470.
• For Benefits Medicines – Equipment for volunteer based community enterprise – $4,800.
• Davistown Progress Association – Rates subsidy, Davistown Progress Hall – $1,581.34.
• Toukley and Districts Art Society – Community art workshops for kids and adults – $4,520.
• The Bays Community Group – Rates subsidy, community hall $719.72 –
• Copacabana SLSC – Copacabana Rockstars inclusive nippers program equipment – $5,000.
• Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW – Upgrading of hot water unit – $1,300.
• Copacabana SLSC – Sanding and sealing of auditorium floor – $4,312.
• Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee –White Ribbon Walk 2018 – $5,000.
• Killarney Vale Preschool – Remove and replace concrete verandah slab – $5,000.
• Peninsula Chamber of Commerce – Brisbane Water Oyster Festival – $4,849.
• Central Coast Country Music Association – Music workshops – $2,120.80.
• Coast Shelter – Supporting those in need – $4,704.
• Coastal a Cappella – Portable sound system – $1,569.
• Ourimbah Region Residents Association – Hall hire subsidy – $275.
• Matcham Valley Pony Club – roof replacement – $3,861.90.
• NSWRA Region V Australia – Water ski racing competition – $1,811.
• Copacabana Community Association – Road closure and waste services – $3,500.
• Davistown Progress Association – Safety measures at Davistown Progress Hall – $4,559.00.
• Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) on behalf of Gosford Uniting Church – Carols in Kibble Park – $5,000.
• National Seniors Australia Central Coast – Wyong Branch Computer – $1,500.

Council’s Community Support Grant Program is open throughout the year and provides grants of up to $5,000 per project.

For information, visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Council focus remains on growing tourism value for the coast

A one year extension of Council’s current tourism services contract will enable a continued focus on growing tourism value for the coast.

Council commenced a two-year contract with The Affinity Partnership Pty Ltd in 1 July 2017 with the option for a one year extension. The original contract was awarded following a tender process, with the intention of extension.

Mayor Jane Smith said continuing the contract will assist with achieving the vision and goals for tourism on the Central Coast.

“Tourism plays an important role in our region’s economy. Last year it was estimated that the market value was $912.3 million. That’s an important boost to employment and local businesses,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council facilitates the delivery of tourism marketing and management in the region through planning and co-ordinated actions in collaboration with a range of stakeholders.

“The overarching goal is to boost visitor economy and establish the Central Coast as a desirable visitor destination.”

It is proposed that the one-year extension of the current services agreement will enable Council officers to remain focussed on achieving re-visioning projects, and will contribute to understanding Council’s future role and investment priorities for tourism marketing and development, including the role of external providers to deliver services.

Council’s Annual Report to be made available to Coast community

Central Coast Council’s Annual Report 2017-18 will be made available to the community and stakeholders by 30 November 2018.

The Annual Report 2017-18 is a comprehensive account of Council’s performance from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 and will include a list of Council’s achievements during this time.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Annual Report assists Council in its commitment to maintain accountability and transparency with the community.

"We are required under legislation to provide specific information on the Central Coast region, our community, our organisation and workforce and other important information including achievements,” Mayor Smith said.

A total of 101 action and targets from the Operational Plan 2017-18 will be included in this report, which will be published on Council’s website.

The audited financial statements for the 2017-18 reporting period will also be included in the Annual Report as an addendum.

Council delivers quarter 1 business report for 2018-19

Council’s quarter 1 results to 30 September 2018 include an operating surplus of $186million (before capital grants and contributions).

The current operating surplus is due to the annual rates revenue being recognised in July when the rates are levied, however operating costs reflect the three months from July to September 2018 only.

The current forecasted operating result for the 2018-19 financial year is an operating deficit (before capital grants and contributions) of $4.4million. Council will continue to review operational costs to reduce the forecasted operating deficit.

Council is in a sound financial position and has $471.7million in cash and investments as at 31 October 2018. Council is forecasted to be in a sound financial position as at 30 June 2019.

Mayor Jane Smith said that Council has delivered well against the Delivery Program and Operational Plan for the first quarter of 2018-19.

“Council is continuing to track well in delivering actions and targets proposed for 2018-19,” said Mayor Smith.

“Out of the 157 actions planned for the period, four were completed, 140 were on target and 10 were behind and three were deferred.”

Council adopted a number of budget adjustments in the first quarter Business Report for 2018-19, including:

• Additional resources required to deliver the 2018-19 operational plan targets and outcomes partially funded by savings in materials and contracts $3.1million.
• Recognising additional capital grants and contributions for Somersby Industrial Park - $1.7million.
• Recognising additional operating grants – Natural & Environmental Assets and Better Waste and Recycling Fund - $1.1 million.

A $6million increase to the capital expenditure program, taking the capital works program to $227million, $4.7million of the increase is due to grant funding.

Council continues push to end domestic, family and sexual violence

Central Coast Council last night committed to continue to work to end sexual, domestic and family violence on the Coast by supporting the NSW Women’s Alliance’s state-wide initiative “A Safe State”.

“A Safe State” calls on all political parties, including local government, to make NSW a Safe State by committing to the following key strategies:

• Create cultural change to prevent violence and promote gender equality
• Provide immediate and ongoing support for people experiencing violence
• Ensure people experiencing violence have a safe home
• Ensure people experiencing violence can access justice safely
• Enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to lead change to end violence
• Be accountable to specialist workers and the wider community.

The Council also acknowledged the work of the Status of Women Advisory Group and the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee in taking a leadership role in educating the community on this issue.

Council’s White Ribbon Accreditation Program was also commended.

Council to receive briefing on children’s park options for Wadalba

Councillors will receive a briefing on potential children’s park options for Johns Road in Wadalba, following community concern over the lack of amenity in the area.

The briefing will look at the status of plans for a park at Johns Road opposite Orchid Way.

Following the briefing Council will receive a report outlining options for a suitable park, play space or recreation area to service the many families moving into homes within new housing estates in this strategic growth region for the Central Coast.

Coast’s Town Crier Wins 2018 National Town Crier Championship

Central Coast’s Town Crier Stephen Clarke has scooped the pool at the National Town Crier Championships held in Victoria last month.

Mayor Jane Smith congratulated Mr Clarke on his achievement.

“Town crier Stephen Clarke is a popular Coast identity, and adds a very special element to Central Coast citizenship ceremonies,” Mayor Smith said.

“It is pleasing to see his skills recognised at a national level.”