Council’s Operational Plan 2021/22 ensures services continue for the community

Council will place its draft Operational Plan 2021-2022 including proposed Fees and Charges on exhibition for community feedback.

Council’s Operational Plan provides residents with an overview of essential services, programs and capital works projects for the year ahead and is exhibited annually for community input.

As part of Council’s plan towards financial recovery, the 2021/22 Operational Plan forecasts Council’s operating income as $666.8M (if IPART determine a 15% Special Rate Variation) from which Council will spend $659.8M on services and operational costs resulting in a modest surplus of $7.0M. This excludes capital grants and contributions, which will be allocated towards the repayment of the restricted reserves debt.

It is also proposed that $173.5M will be spent on capital works projects, with a focus on maintaining Council’s existing infrastructure. This includes over 350 capital works projects in 2021-2022, with the draft Operational Plan 2021-2022 also including details of capital works projects for the following three years.

Should IPART determine no Special Variation, then the numbers that Council is working towards would reduce and more budget cuts will need to be applied.

Administrator Dick Persson AM said the draft Operational Plan takes into consideration Council’s current financial situation and structural reduction in staff expenses.

“Every year Council presents a plan of works to the community in line with what they have told us is important to them, which is the continued delivery of essential services, the environment, community facilities and open space and recreation,” Mr Persson said.

“It is important to note that Council has actively taken steps towards financial stability, and while there is a calculated reduction in service levels this does not mean the delivery of services will stop.

“We are still looking at delivering over 70 essential projects that will better our region and community, and we can do this because we are aware of how much money we have available, we have prioritised spend and this is the core business of Local Governments – to put back into the community.

“I encourage everyone interested to take a look at the plan and Have Your Say.”

The draft Operational Plan including proposed Fees and Charges will be on exhibition from Thursday 29 April to Wednesday 26 May 2021. View the plan and Have Your Say at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Council creates solution to region’s growing need for affordable housing

Central Coast Council has developed an Affordable Housing Land Proposal, which will be placed on public exhibition shortly for community feedback.

The proposal has been drafted as a framework for identifying Council land sites for affordable housing developments, meeting key outcomes of the Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.

Administrator Dick Persson AM said there is a common misconception that affordable housing refers to only social or public housing, which is not the case.

“Affordable housing describes the cost of reasonable housing as a percentage of a households income,” Mr Persson explained.

“The most common benchmark utilised is that housing does not absorb more than 30 percent of the gross income of very low to moderate-income households.

“The Proposal presents a potential cost-neutral partnership opportunity to address a key social issue across the region, while putting underutilised Council assets to better use. 

“Council will now commence a site-specific Expression of Interest process for 23-25 Ashton Avenue at The Entrance, to identify a panel of Affordable Housing Providers who possess the relevant experience and capability in the development of affordable housing models.”

Additional sites have been identified for potential affordable housing and will be subject to a separate expression of interest process.

Flood response and recovery efforts acknowledged

Council acknowledged the response and recovery efforts of external emergency response agencies, the community and Council staff following the recent flood events on the Central Coast.

Administrator Dick Persson AM thanked everyone for their coordinated efforts and commended Council staff on keeping the community informed and the staff proactive operational efforts.  He also noted that Council is still continuing to assist some communities with the clean-up. 

“With the declaration of a natural disaster for the Central Coast, support services are available for impacted residents to aid recovery. I encourage anyone who still needs assistance to reach out,” said Mr Persson.

To date Council has:

• collected more than 306 tonnes of wrack, including from the road reserve in front 180 residential properties around Tuggerah Lakes, and flood debris from over 4km of foreshore
• collected 710 tonnes of debris from beaches: Terrigal 615 tonnes (seaweed), and the remainder from Patonga, Umina, Ettalong, Killcare, Avoca and Shelly Beach
• repaired more than 3,000 potholes across our road networks
• made safe 22 landslip sites within road reserves
• identified 15 sites of significant road damage with four repaired, nine made safe with interim works, two scheduled for repair and three remaining closed due to severity
• completed 4,400 bulk kerbside collections across the Coast in the two weeks post the storm event
• commenced composting 882 tonnes of seagrass and seaweed which will be processed into soil products
• Established over 120 road closures due to flooding over the road

The Central Coast community has delivered:

• 127 tonnes of storm related waste to Council’s waste management facilities with over 70% of this material diverted from landfill
• 1.38 tonnes of seagrass wrack to Councils waste facilities free of charge.

The cost to Council from the recovery efforts to date is $739,907, with identified further encumbrances of $434,022.  It is expected there will be further costs associated with the recovery efforts in addition to this, meaning total costs are likely to exceed $1.1 million. Resilience NSW has advised that a portion of the costs will be able to be reimbursed, with that value not yet determined.

Revitalisation of Gosford Waterfront on the horizon

Central Coast Council has adopted the Gosford Waterfront Renewal Framework that will help with the realisation of the many opportunities for locals and tourists alike.

The framework aligns with the NSW Government’s Urban Development Framework, which will ensure collaboration between the various State Government agencies.

Administrator Dick Persson AM said Gosford Waterfront has long been identified as having significant potential as a regional attractor and key public open space.

“This Framework will help achieve optimal development outcomes to deliver a range of economic, cultural, and social benefits for the region and community,” Mr Persson said.

“Council will now engage with relevant stakeholders and prepare three options in consultation with specialist consultants and accompanied by detailed financial assessment to assure proof of concept.

“Where possible internal resources will be utilised, and there are restricted funds for any consultant costs that will be incurred.”

Once a detailed business case has been completed, Council will issue an Expression of Interest to private partners to explore potential development sites along the Waterfront and if required lodge a Planning Proposal to amend the SEPP zoning categorization that will change permitted land use, building heights and floor space ratio.

Council to purchase or swap land with Central Coast Aero Club

Council will purchase or swap two parcels of land at 25 Jack Grant Avenue, Warnervale owned by the Central Coast Aero Club.

The land purchase/swap arrangement will enable Central Coast Aero Club to be situated in a more logical location in the future, which is key to the development of the Operations Plan for the Airport and the Draft Central Coast Airport Masterplan.

Board members of the Central Coast Aero Club indicated they are generally supportive of the proposal at a meeting with Council staff earlier this month. 

Administrator Dick Persson AM said the land arrangement with Central Coast Aero Club is an important step to ensure Central Coast Airport delivers significant economic and social benefits for the region.

“As the ninth largest region in Australia and a recognised substantial growth corridor, the Central Coast deserves a recognised and supported Airport and the host of benefits that this will bring,” Mr Persson said.

“This latest arrangement with the aero club will ensure we can move forward with the development of the Draft Central Coast Airport Masterplan, which local community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on.

“It is important to reiterate that the protection of environmental land will be a key feature of the Masterplan for the airport.”

Council has available property restricted funds for the development of the initial stages of the works associated with the proposed land purchase/swap and Draft Central Coast Airport Masterplan. The development of an Operations Plan for Central Coast Airport is a requirement under the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Repeal Bill 2020 and the development a Draft Central Coast Airport Masterplan was a resolution from the Council Meeting held on 13 April 2021.

Council remains focused on priority future planning

Council has committed to prioritising the Central Coast Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plan, plus other planning projects including but not limited to:

• Phase 1 of the Central Coast Housing Strategy
• Stage 3 of the Consolidated Central Coast Section 7.11 Contribution Plan
• Phase 2 of the Environmental Lands Review
• Central Coast Employment Land Audit and Strategy
• Comprehensive Review of Central Coast Section 7.11 Contribution Plan
• Review of Character Statements
• Greater Warnervale Area Structure Plan

Administrator Dick Persson AM said it is important for both Council and the community that planning for their future continues.

“While the number of strategic planning projects being delivered over the next two years has ultimately reduced as we continue to move towards financial stability, Council has prioritised those most important for the Coast while also continuing to assess and determine Planning Proposals and Planning Agreements,” Mr Persson said.

“Council’s key plans and strategies outline how we’ll identify and plan funding priorities, manage regional challenges and plan for a sustainable future – it is a priority that this planning continues to move forward for the future of the Central Coast.”

New member and Charter for Council’s ARIC ensures continued independent governance

Council also appointed Mr Arthur Butler as an Independent External Member of the ARIC to fill a vacancy on the committee from 27 April when one member’s appointment will cease.

Mr Butler has significant relevant experience including experiences with major utilities such as Sydney Water and the Electricity Commission. He also has experience in local government including being the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (which includes oversight of the Office of Local Government).

Administrator Dick Persson AM said the ARIC has an important role in the governance framework of Council and in providing independent advice to Council that informs decision making.

“The ARIC provides independent oversight, objective assurance and monitoring of Council’s financial and audit processes, internal controls, external reporting, risk management activities, compliance of and with Council’s policies and procedures, and performance improvement activities,” Mr Persson said.

“Since amalgamation, Central Coast Council has had an Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in place, in line with the NSW Government requirement to do so, and the recruitment of a new member and changes to the charter ensures the committee functions to its fullest ability.”

Local Planning Panel appointed until May 2023

Council has extended the appointment of the current Central Coast Local Planning Panel (LPP) members until 11 May 2023, in line with the maximum term set out by the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979.

The Central Coast LPP was established following a regulatory amendment put in place by the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, The Hon. Rob Stokes MP to ensure independent review and increased transparency in determining development applications for Local Government Areas.

In the first nine months since the commencement of the Central Coast LPP, the panel has met 14 times, determined 40 development applications and provided advice on two Planning Proposals.

Council Code of Meeting Practice to improve decision making

Council has adopted a Code of Meeting Practice which will see transparent, informed and inclusive decisions are being made on behalf of the community, in a respectful, orderly and effective way.

The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all meetings of Council and Committees of Council of which the members are Councillors (or an Administrator acting as Council). Moving forward:

• Council meetings will be conducted in the Wyong Chambers
• the publication day of agenda papers is 3 business days prior to a Council Meeting
• Mayoral Minutes and Notices of Motion will identify the source of funds where there is a financial impact
• the CEO (or appropriate delegate) will be consulted in preparing Mayoral Minutes or Notices of Motion to identify source of funds
• the number of Notices of Motion will be limited to one per Councillor per meeting
• the complexity and number of Questions with Notice will be limited to one per Councillor per meeting
• Councillors are required to make reasonable efforts to attend pre-Meeting briefings.

The four public submissions received during the exhibition period were considered with no changes being made to the exhibited draft Code.

Council announces 2021-22 Community Grants Program

Central Coast Council has announced its Community Grants Program for the 2021-21 financial year, with $900,000 in funding available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile programs and events to the community.

Administrator Dick Persson AM said that Council has reviewed and modified its grants program to ensure it can continue to deliver this vital program to the community, while also aligning with Council’s reduced operational budget.

“Grants are a vital part of Council’s work within our communities to connect people, build capacity and create local solutions and initiatives,” Mr Persson said.

“While the Community Grants Program has been modified in consideration of Council’s financial situation, Council recognises the critical role it plays in strengthening our community and is thrilled to provide a platform to support local not for profits in delivering fantastic programs, events and initiatives on the Coast.”

Council’s 2021-22 Community Grants Program will include:

• Community Development Grant Program – Opening 1 July 2021 - up to $20,000 per application with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000. 
• Community Events and Place Activation Program – Opening 1 July 2021 - up to $20,000 per application with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000.  
• Community Support Program – Open all year round and assessed monthly - up to $5,000 per application and/or in-kind support with a total available annual program allocation of $300,000. 
• Council has also announced that it will provide $45,000 in 2020-21 financial partnership support to the Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS), a non-profit sporting organisation that provides locally based sports development opportunities for athletes, coaches, officials and administrators across the Central Coast.

CCAS is dependent on support from the NSW Government, Central Coast Council and corporate partners to ensure it can continue to provide important support to the Central Coast sporting community.

The financial partnership support of $45,000 has been funded through the existing 2020-21 Awarding Sponsorship budget.

For information on Council’s grants and sponsorships programs, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Council calls for zero-tolerance on dog attacks

Council will develop a Responsible Pet Ownership Policy to clearly set community expectations of pet owners on the Central Coast.

Administrator Dick Persson AM said that with the coast having the highest population of dogs in New South Wales, this was an important community safety issue.

“I have been deeply disturbed by the trauma caused to a pet owner through a dog attack resulting in the fatality of their pet,” said Mr Persson.

“Whilst the overall number of dog attack incidents on the coast has decreased over the previous four years, given our high rate of dog ownership, dog attacks are still a serious issue for the community and Council’s community safety staff.”

The policy will include a zero-tolerance approach for dog attacks with mandatory penalties where an attack has led to the fatality of another dog unless there are extenuating circumstances to be reviewed by an Enforcement Review Panel led by a Council Executive.   Council will also write to the State Government seeking the review of the list of dangerous dog breeds.