First region-wide Youth Strategy adopted

Council has adopted the Central Coast Youth Strategy following a review of public submissions received during the Strategy exhibition period. 

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Strategy is a first for the region and provides the strategic direction for the delivery of contemporary youth services and programs over the next five years.

“The Strategy features six themes – Including Us, Happy and Healthy, Feeling Safe, Somewhere to Live, Living Green, and Skilled and Ready – developed following extensive research and consultation,” Mayor Matthews said. 

“The Strategy outlines Council’s plans to implement the actions and partner with the local youth sector, young people, schools and the community.”

Over 7,500 suggestions and ideas were received during the development of the Strategy, following consultation with over 1,600 young people and 67 organisations across the Coast. 

The Strategy will be available on Council’s website. 

Council calls on State Government to ‘Save our Recycling’  

Council will be once again be supporting the ‘Save Our Recycling’ campaign, which calls on the State Government to work in partnership with local governments to improve waste and recycling processes, while moving towards a circular economy.

Less than a fifth of the $772million Waste Levy revenue collected last financial year has been invested back into waste minimisation, recycling and resource recovery.  

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council already has several programs and initiatives in place to help reduce waste, but more must be done at a State level in order to tackle the expected increase in waste generation. 

“With worldwide changes to recycling processes, there is an urgent need for us to develop innovative approaches to resource recovery,” Mayor Matthews said.    

“The latest reports findings show we are generating more waste and recycling less, showing how crucial it is we invest in infrastructure and create new markets now.

“By working in partnership with the State Government we could fund and deliver modern, smart, home grown resource recovery and recycling industries our community deserves.

“This would lead to creation of much needed local jobs for our growing community without any extra cost if funded by the Waste Levy.”

Council will now formally write to local State Members and relevant State Ministers outlining the urgent need to educate, innovate and invest in local waste and recycling services via the waste levy and calling for their support for recycling.

Councillor and community members confirmed for playspaces advisory group

Six community members will join Mayor Matthews, Councillor MacGregor, Councillor Hogan and Councillor Gale Collins to form a Playspaces Advisory Committee.  

The new advisory group will provide advice and feedback to Council on community vision to help ensure the fair and equitable spread of future, accessible and inclusive playspaces across the region.

Selected community members represent each of the five Central Coast wards, with the sixth representing a demonstrated connection to accessibility and inclusivity.

This group will add to the feedback Council gathers from broader community consultation undertaken for several playspace projects each year to guide design inclusions and shape future playspace strategic planning.

Council meetings have recommenced at Gosford Chambers

Council has completed works related to the safety audit and review at Gosford Chambers.

Council meetings will now be held at both Gosford and Wyong locations, with the first meeting held at Gosford on Monday 28 October 2019. 

The remainder of meetings for 2019 will be held at the Gosford Chambers before returning to alternating between Gosford and Wyong Chambers from 2020, commencing with Gosford.

Council will also receive a report outlining the cost involved in implementing the improvements at the Gosford Chambers.

Council to increase transparency in its governance activities

Council has resolved to develop a Governance Dashboard, as well as clarifying and promoting the role of the Internal Ombudsman (IO).  

A dedicated webpage describing the IO’s role and how the community can interact with them will be developed, as well as a Charter and routine reporting by the IO.