Coast Olympians and Paralympians to be honoured with Civic Reception

Council will host a Civic Reception next month to honour the Olympians and Paralympians from the Central Coast who represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Games.

Four athletes from the Coast made their Olympic debuts in Rio including Matt Dawson in the men’s hockey team, Jesse Parahi in Rugby 7s and Lachlan Tame and Riley Fitzsimmons in canoeing.

Five Paralympians represented Australia in Rio - Liesl Tesch in sailing, Dylan Littlehales in canoeing, Rae Anderson in athletics with Matt Formston and Nick Yallouris in the cycling team.

Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said the athletes were great ambassadors for the Central Coast and the community was proud of what they have achieved.

“These athletes have taken on the best on the world’s biggest sporting stage and have done themselves, and our region, proud,” Mr Reynolds said.

“To be the best takes a lot of time and sacrifice - but it is worth it when you get to represent your country in a sport you love.”

“We are proud of how these athletes have performed in Rio and are delighted to have them as sporting ambassadors for our great region.”

The athletes and their families will be invited to a civic reception to be held within the next month.

Monthly Council meetings go live online

Central Coast Council meetings will now be held monthly and broadcast live to a potential audience of 331,000 residents.

Council will utilise new technology and install fixed cameras in both the Gosford and Wyong Chambers to allow residents to see what is discussed and decided at a council meeting.

Council’s Administrator said the community has shown this is something they want as often due to distance and time constraints they cannot always attend Council meetings themselves.

‘Like residents, I am looking forward to having the option available.  It is an open and transparent way to show how Council works,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Unfortunately, many people don’t understand how local government works which limits their opportunities to be involved.

“I hope that once the community can see the proceedings without having to attend, there will be a greater understanding of the governance of Council and how decisions are made.

Council meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of every month from January to November inclusive and continue to alternate between Gosford and Wyong.

The next Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 October in the Gosford Chambers in Mann Street.

Council shelves Gosford Land Sale Strategy 

Council has abandoned plans to reclassify a number of land parcels under the Land Sale Strategy of the former Gosford Council.

In late 2015, the former Gosford Council resolved to reclassify a number of identified parcels of public land from "community" to "operational".  The classification of public land affects how that land is to be managed and whether Council can sell that land.

A consultant was appointed in early 2016 to review the potential reclassification of community land, and to undertake community consultation process on Council’s behalf, including public meetings to gauge the views of the community.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the former Council had originally started this process with the best intention to help fund its infrastructure backlog but in the end the numbers didn’t stack up.

“After weighing it all up in the context of the merged Council, I believe Council can find more efficiencies and savings in our now consolidated budget without the need to sell community land as a strategy,” Mr Reynolds said.

“This will be welcome news to the many residents who approached me directly with concerns about the potential loss of open space in their neighbourhood and the hundreds who put in submissions.

“There is genuine benefit for Council to listen to the community. They know about their own neighbourhoods and what is needed to help sustain communities and enhance quality of life.

“I see merit in looking at a potential ‘Adopt-a-park’ scheme and I have asked the CEO to provide me with a report to outline how such a scheme could work.”

Water reprieve for retirement villages

Council will reduce the cost impact on residents in retirement villages in the former Gosford local government area (LGA) by aligning the water related service charges with those of the former Wyong Shire Council.

Retirement villages in the former Gosford LGA saw significant increases to their water, sewerage and drainage service charges in 2015/16 after being under-billed for a three year period.

Central Coast Council will waive 53% of water related service charges in 2016/17 for each resident of retirement villages in the former Gosford LGA. The financial cost will be absorbed by Council, with savings opportunities resulting from the amalgamation expected to offset the reduced revenue.

Administrator Ian Reynolds said Council listened to the concerns of residents and was working towards a fairer pricing structure.

“The decision to align water related service charges across Council will reduce confusion and bring financial relief to over 3,500 residents living in retirement villages across the former Gosford local government area.”

“Affected residents will receive a credit for 53% of their service charges, or an average of $142 in 2016/17.

“We will ensure these charges remain aligned for the following year to coincide with the next price determination by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).”

The new water, sewerage and drainage service charges for retirement villages across Council will be formally resolved as part of the 2017/18 Strategic Planning process.