Council adopts a positive jobs plan for a Central Coast

The first ever Economic Development Strategy for the Central Coast has been adopted, positioning the region as the place to do business, creating jobs and prosperity for the region.

The local economy will be strengthened through targeted investment, improved partnerships between the community, business and education sectors and all levels of government.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said COVID had great challenges for local and global economies but Council is determined to lead to way with a positive plan to deliver jobs for the growing community.

“We know our community are doing it tough, we know our businesses are doing it tough but we are already seeing the signs we are coming out of this with lots of interest from people wanting to live, visit and do business here,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Creating local jobs and opportunities has always been a priority for this Council and our community - we now have a Plan to deliver it.

“We are going to directly invest in our people, infrastructure and digital capability and transform the economy of the Central Coast.” 

678 submissions were received during the exhibition of the Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 and Economic Recovery and Resilience Framework with 86% agreeing it was important for Council to develop and implement a detailed plan to grow the local economy.

“72,000 additional jobs and economic growth of $21 billion is needed by 2040 to support the population growth predicted for the region and we are pleased to have a Plan in place now that will help make that happen,” Mayor Matthews said.

Development of a new Education and Business Precinct for Warnervale a step closer

Council has endorsed a concept plan, for public exhibition, to turn Council-owned land, in Warnervale, into an Education and Business Precinct.

The land situated on the eastern side of 30 Jack Grant Avenue, is bounded by Porters Creek wetlands and the future Warnervale Link Road (connecting Wyong to Watanobbi). It is ideally located 4km north of Wyong and 3.4km east of the M1 and 900m for Warnervale Station.

Council will now call for Expressions of Interest to partner with businesses, industries and education providers to become anchor tenants for the precinct. A dedicated Project Manager will oversee the Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council was leading the way in creating new industries and exciting job opportunities on the Coast.

“Creating local jobs on the Coast is now more important than ever and it is great to see we are moving forward with a Plan to develop our own land for that purpose,” Mayor Matthews said.

“We are playing to our strengths and also the needs of our community here by providing an opportunity for the education and research industries as well as health, medical, manufacturing and professional services sectors to find a home here on the Coast. 

“I really hope they get on board and am looking forward to seeing what comes out of the EOI process.”

The concept plan involves subdivision of the land as well as an EOI process which will now be finalised. Public exhibition will follow when the Plan is finalised. 

Council supports growing skate community on the Central Coast

Council’s draft Central Coast Skatepark Action Plan, which consolidates former Wyong and Gosford Council documents into one contemporary and relevant framework for the whole Central Coast, will soon go on public exhibition for community feedback.

An independent assessment of Council’s existing 26 skateparks has been done and coupled with community and stakeholder feedback the draft Action Plan provides future management, development and activation recommendations for the next 10 years in line with industry benchmarks and good practice.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the recent success of BATO Yard and Banjo skateparks, and the ongoing popularity of these facilities, has highlighted the need for consistent short, medium and long-term management actions across the region.

“Skating is an inclusive activity with many physical, social and mental health benefits for users, plus tourism and visitation benefits for the wider community when we host regional and national skate events,” Mayor Matthews said.

“This draft Action Plan provides high-level priorities to inform the development, accessibility, management and activation of our skate facilities to meet the growing needs of the community.

“Skating is an Olympic sport now and perhaps with this Strategy and our commitment to deliver world-class skating facilities, the next Champion will be grown right here on the Coast.”

Detail about the public exhibition of the Skate Strategy will be available on Council’s engagement platform – yourvoiceourcoast.com.  

Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan for Warnervale District endorsed for public exhibition

The Warnervale District is the fastest growing area in the Central Coast and tonight Council considered two rezoning proposals together with a local infrastructure plan to support 1200 new residential lots. Ensuring that infrastructure capacity is aligned with sustainable growth is a key priority identified under Council’s recently adopted Interim Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).

The land parcels at Wadalba East (also called Precinct 2A and 2B) and Warnervale (Virginia Road) were identified initially in the Wyong Structure Plan and then in 2013 as part of the ‘Potential New Homes Program’ by the NSW Government to contribute housing that is affordable and to support infrastructure delivery at “no additional cost to government.” The rezoning proposal for Precinct 2A and 2B was endorsed tonight with the proposal for Virginia Road deferred for a site visit for Councillors. It will be reported back to the next Council Meeting. 

As well as providing for growth, the review of the infrastructure plan for Warnervale provides an opportunity for a simpler plan, updated infrastructure costs and contribution rates. ‘Developer’ plans, or more accurately called Local Infrastructure Contribution Plans, are for works provided locally and delivered either by Council or a developer. Similarly, State Infrastructure Contributions may also be collected by the NSW Government and these are for works provided regionally. For example an upgrade to a section of the M1 motorway.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the proposed Warnervale Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan  made it clear where responsibility for delivery of infrastructure lies and ensure it is delivered for the growing community.

“At the local level, Council proposed to deliver a range of essential services for the growing Warnervale area including three new road intersections, a new public reserve and new stormwater infrastructure,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Key state infrastructure works in Warnervale such as the new Link Road and upgrades to Sparks Road and the Pacific will be the responsibility of the State Government. 

“Under the plan, a Warnervale indoor Recreation Centre is intended but can only be partially funded under the local plan so we will be seeking grant funding support for the state and federal government to deliver this local as well as regionally significant infrastructure.

“This is a really exciting plan and with all levels of government working together and with contributions from developers we can create a vibrant and sustainable Warnervale now and for the future.”

Local and state works can be financed primarily by contributions from developers payable in stages as the land is subdivided. However the planning process has flexibility and allows for the works to be delivered directly by developers via a formal agreements with Council and/or the State Government.

The amended draft Warnervale District Contribution Plan will be available for community consultation over 28 days on Council’s website starting in October. Following exhibition, a further report will be provided to Council on the outcome of public exhibition. The Warnervale District is the first in a series of infrastructure plan reviews being undertaken by Council over the next 6-12 months. The existing infrastructure plans are available on Council’s website.

State of the Environment revealed for the Central Coast

A health check of the local environment has returned mostly positive results with room for improvement in relation to biodiversity threats, water quality and private transport use.  

The first State of the Environment Report for the whole Central Coast has been presented to Council highlighting good air quality, progress being made in reducing green house gas emissions, waste and energy consumption and positive strides in renewable energy and managing land. The threat to biodiversity is the Coast’s biggest environment threat, given a rating of poor and getting worse.

Waste management is tracking well with 41% (69,732 tonnes) of waste generated on the Coast diverted from landfill. The new Waste Strategy, recently adopted by Council has been developed to explore further opportunities to reduce and avoid waste in a positive result for the environment.

The report confirms the Coast’s reliance on cars to get around needs to be tackled with Council working on a solution with the NSW Government through the Future Transport Plan 2036. Water quality is mostly good with areas for improvement being addressed through the Terrigal Water Quality Audit and more results are expected this week with the release of the State of the Beaches report.

The State of the Environment Report will be referred to the Innovation and Future Reference Group for consideration of information and data to be included in the final Report due to be presented to Council in November 2021.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the community has a strong connection and love for the natural environment on the Coast and want to see it protected.

“We are lucky here on the Coast as we contain a unique, rich and diverse range of biodiversity across the landscape from our reserves and national parks, to our rich hinterland, national parks, lakes and oceans,” Mayor Matthews said.

“This health check of our natural environment is a timely reminder of how important it is that we work together to ensure its protection.

“While we have made positive strides in a number of areas, this report confirms it is the amazing and iconic creatures who we share our home with here on the Coast are facing the biggest threat.

“Tonight we adopted an updated Biodiversity Strategy that presents a scientifically-robust roadmap for the future of biodiversity on the Coast and also increase the amount of land Council owns on the Coast (currently 6,000ha) for its natural value so our iconic species can have a home here too.”

Council meetings will be held in Wyong and Gosford when face to face meetings resume

Central Coast Council has adopted a revised Code of Meeting Practice confirming Council meetings will be held in Wyong Chambers, in the first instance, when in person meetings resume. 

Council will investigate suitable locations so every second meeting can be held in Gosford within two months of COVID-19 public health orders being lifted. 

All Council meetings are currently conducted virtually and will continue to do while the health orders are in place.  

All meetings will continue to be webcast and recordings of Council Meetings will be held for a minimum of 12 months in line with the Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW.

Community groups receive boost through Council funding

Manno Men’s Shed, Tuggerah Lakes Arts Society and 4 Hope Community Outreach are part of the range of community groups and organisations will benefit from funding under Council’s Community Support Grant Program and Working Together Staying Strong Grant Program.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council’s grants programs support the community to deliver quality programs, projects or events that form connections, celebrate our local community and build capacity across the entire Central Coast community.

“With COVID-19 continuing to impact the way that many community groups and organisations deliver services across the Central Coast, Council’s grant programs provide much-needed support to local not for profits to assist with delivering important programs and services when they are needed most,” said Mayor Matthews. 

The Working Together Staying Strong grant program was developed to assist organisations to deliver essential support to vulnerable and at-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One applicant was successful for funding under the Working Together Staying Strong Grant Program in August 2020, receiving $1,450 of the $300,000 allocated to the program between 1 May and 30 September 2020.

The successful applicant, 4 Hope Community Outreach, received funding for a fridge, freezer and office equipment for outreach service to support communities affected by changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Community Support Grant Program remains open for applications from not for profit groups throughout the year and provides up to $5,000 per project per financial year in combined funding and in-kind Council services to applicants.

Eight Central Coast community groups and organisations were successful for funding in the period of July 2020, sharing a total funding pool of $18,334.82.

Successful applicants were:

• Tuggerah Lakes Christian Education Board Incorporated - F.U.S.E. Camp - $4,987
• Wyong Creek Literary Institute Inc - Rates Subsidy 2019-2020 - $641.14
• Rotary Club of Gosford City – Community meeting/presentation equipment - $1,886.20
• Probus Club of Kincumber Inc - Probus COVID-19 Active Safety Essentials for Seniors (CASES) - $1,912.00
• Manno Mens Shed Inc - Installation of Gutter Guard - $2,000
• Wyongah Progress Association - Rates Subsidy 2019-2020 - $1,595.28
• Tuggerah Lakes Art Society - 2020 FAB FAKES Art Competition and Exhibition - $3,381.70
• Charmhaven Lions Club Inc - 6 X 3 Marquee to comply with COVID-19 restrictions - $1,931.50