Council to support Wallarah 2 Coal Mine legal challenge

Council will provide $200,000 of funding to the Australian Coal Alliance, to engage experts in the Alliance’s legal challenge in the Land and Environment Court against the Planning Assessment Commission’s consent to the Wallarah 2 mine.

The funding will be given on strict conditions, to ensure proper and transparent accounting for those funds.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council would continue to stand with the community in opposing the mine due to the significant threat to the region’s water supply.

“We have said we oppose the mine, we do oppose the mine and we have decided to assist the Australian Coal Alliance by providing it with support for the experts they may need to properly present their case in the proceedings,” Mayor Smith said.

“This Council promised to serve our community and listen to and respond to their needs – this action lives up to that promise.

“We must protect the water supply of our growing community now and into the future and we will stand with the Australian Coal Alliance to continue to fight the mine.

The Australian Coal Alliance is seeking declarations that the Wallarah 2 Consent is invalid, orders restraining Wyong Coal from undertaking development in reliance of the Wallarah 2 Consent and other administrative orders.

Proceedings in the Land and Environment Court of NSW against Wyong Coal Pty Ltd Limited, Kores Australia Pty Ltd and the NSW Minister for Planning.

Council’s housing approvals ahead of State Government targets

Council’s quarterly report into the activities of the Development Assessment and Environment and Certification Units reveals a major boost for new housing with approved development for the Coast at over $242million.

767 development applications were determined in the January to March 2018 quarter including 212 additional lots and 440 dwellings including secondary dwellings, detached dwellings, dual-occupancies, multi dwelling housing and units within residential flat buildings.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to facilitating development that provides a variety of housing to suit the needs and lifestyles of the community, support local jobs and services while appreciating and protecting environmental assets as the Coast grows.

“We know from the Central Coast Regional Plan that the region will require 41,500 new homes by 2036, an average of 2075 new homes per year over the 20 years life span of the plan,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“So far, Council has approved 6,621 additional dwellings which is more than 1,952 ahead of the target of 4,669 in the Central Coast Regional Plan.

“These approvals are valued at over $242million and span across residential, commercial, retail, office, tourist, community, industrial and infrastructure developments.

“Whilst this represents significant economic stimulus for the region, we also need to make sure we maintain the Coastal lifestyle we enjoy and value, and Council is committed to doing this through a shared and collaborative process between the development sector, the State Government, Council and the community.”

Council defers decision on Ourimbah drug and alcohol facility to allow time for a site inspection

Council deferred a decision for a transitional group home for the purposes of drug and alcohol rehabilitation at Glen Road, Ourimbah to allow time for a Councillor site inspection.

A report will come to back to Council for consideration following the site inspection.

Mayor Jane Smith said there had been considerable community interest in the development and Council received 166 submissions on the application.

“This is clearly a sensitive matter for everyone in the community and Council needs to balance its responsibility not only to those living in the immediate vicinity of this proposed facility but also its overall social responsibility to those in the community who need help with addiction,” said Mayor Smith.

“Councillors want to better understand the proposed site before making this important decision.”

Armistice Day War Memorial moves to Terrigal

Council has granted consent for the erection of the Armistice Day War Memorial at the existing Terrigal War Memorial site and to relocate the Terrigal War Memorial in preparation for the Centenary of Armistice Day on 11 November 2018.

The Armistice Day War Memorial, originally located at the intersection of Terrigal Drive and the Central Coast Highway, Erina is currently situated at the Salvation Army Nursing Home at The Entrance Road, Erina.

Mayor Jane Smith said the relocation of the Armistice Day War Memorial to Terrigal Beach would allow increased public access to this significant monument of remembrance.

“Moving this important monument is particularly significant as we approach the centenary of Armistice Day on 11 November 2018,” said Mayor Smith.

“Terrigal is well established as a site for honouring our fallen and is a fitting location for the Armistice Day War Memorial.

“The public reserve at Terrigal Beach will provide higher visibility and improve accessibility to the monument.

“This memorial is an iconic structure and its relocation allows for the continued remembrance of Australian history in a local context.”

Council will investigate providing traffic control measures during the relocation process.

Council’s Operational Plan tracking well

Council’s current Operational Plan is on track for the 2017-18 financial year.

Mayor Jane Smith said the report shows Council is in a sound financial position and the objectives of the Operational Plan are tracking well.

“Our community expect us to spend our funding wisely on the services they need, want and value and that is what we are doing,” Mayor Smith said.

“We have been particularly successful in our roads capital works program, with 481 of the 573 projects for this financial year already complete and are tracking well for the rest.

$117.2 million has been spent on capital works to April this year including the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex and 481 roads, transport and drainage projects. Major roads projects on track include Ryans Road at Umina Beach, Oceana Road, Copacabana and The Ridgeway at Lisarow.

Highlights from the reporting period (January to March) include the Queen’s Baton Relay making its way through Gosford City Centre as part of the Commonwealth Games; awarding more than $30,000 to community groups as part of the Community Grants and Sponsorship Program; implementation of new technology; allowing residents to dispose of more e-waste, 1200 reusable keep cups distributed to local businesses on the Coast.

Further community consultation for next stage of pathway upgrade for popular 5 Lands Walk

Council will engage in further community consultation for the second stage of an upgrade for Winnie Bay Reserve pathway in Copacabana used for the popular 5 Lands Walk.

As a direct response to community concerns Council will re-exhibit the second stage of the project and will investigate potential improvements to Del Monte Place in terms of parking and vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Mayor Jane Smith said the project would deliver significant benefits for Copacabana and the Central Coast more broadly.

“This project will have far reaching benefits and Council will make sure everyone is well informed by re-exhibiting the second stage of the project,” said Mayor Smith.

“We have also agreed to invite all attendees at the community meeting held in April 2018 to be involved in the formation of bush care groups in the Winney Bay and Copacabana area.

“The 5 Lands Walk is about connecting people to people and people to place; improving safety and accessibility is a huge component of that.

“This event attracts thousands of people each year, and these upgrades will ensure our spectacular coastline can be admired by both locals and visitors to our area year-round.

Council is on track to deliver the first stage of the upgrade June 2018, which includes a 510 metre combined set of stairs and pathway.

The first stage of the $875,000 project was fully funded through the Federal Government Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Program. The 2m wide concrete stairway runs approximately 200m down the steepest section of the site with a 3m wide flatter section of concrete path about 310m in length, linking with the existing fire trail at the north western end of the reserve.

In April 2018, Council held a meeting at Copacabana Surf Life Saving Club attended by over 100 community members.

Council has applied for State Government funding to deliver Stage 2 of the project which involves a major upgrade including a bridge and lookout.

Council welcomes Water and Sewer Strategic Business Plan

Central Coast Council has endorsed a Water and Sewer Strategic Business Plan to be submitted to the NSW Department of Primary Industries as part of the process to allow council to levy water and sewer fees and charges for the 2018/2019 financial year.

Mayor Jane Smith said the strategic plan is an important part of the process to confirm water and sewer prices for the 2018-19 financial year.

“This plan clearly aligns with our first ever Central Coast Council Community Strategic Plan, which articulates our vision for the Central Coast.”

The Water and Sewer Strategic Plan identified three key actions – enhancing the existing water supply system, using water efficiently, and accessing additional sources of water.

Mayor Smith asked that a further Councillor workshop be undertaken within 6 months to incorporate improved catchment management and improved demand management measures.

Council’s water and sewer network services 96 percent of the population and includes 2,270 kilometres of water mains, 71 reservoir structures, 50 pumping stations, 2490 km of reticulation pipes and 324 pumping stations.

The Central Coast’s water assets have a gross replacement value of $1.7billion and have an average remaining lifespan of 38 years.

Council grants $350,000 to community groups

Council has awarded almost $350,000 to 40 organisations to undertake a diverse range of community-building projects.

Twenty-four non-profit groups will share in $291,616.34 to undertake significant projects valued between $10,000 and $50,000. The grants have been awarded from the Stronger Communities Fund provided by the NSW Government to councils which chose to amalgamate.

Mayor Jane Smith said the funding would significantly enhance non-profit organisations’ ability to contribute to the Coast community.

“I am delighted that, as a direct result of the amalgamation of the former Gosford and Wyong Councils, we can provide almost $300,000 in funding to boost the community’s capacity and provide significant support for community programs and projects,” Mayor Smith said.

“I’m also pleased that we can provide an additional $56,000 in smaller grants to organisations and individuals so they can continue to deliver valuable activities to the broader community.”

Projects to share in the Stronger Communities Fund include fitting out and upgrading several community centres, halls, hubs and club buildings, along with providing educational and information resources to targeted communities and populations.

In addition, Council also awarded $56,323 in grants of up to $5,000 to 16 community groups. These grants were provided under the Community Support, Heritage and Place Activation Grant Programs. The grants cover a diverse range of activities including a Refugees Picnic, Dads’ Day Out, purchase of garden equipment, preservation of heritage properties and staging community events.