Council adopts Coast’s first Climate Change Policy

Council has adopted its first Climate Change Policy, establishing a framework for the implementation of climate adaptation action for the entire Central Coast region.

The Policy sets out Council’s position on climate change with a view to maximising the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the community and guides planning and development of the region’s resilience to climate change.

The Policy also enables Council to align its operational and strategic planning with NSW State Policy to transition towards a net zero emissions region by 2050 and to accelerate actions on greenhouse gas emission reduction from Council operations.

Mayor Jane Smith said she was pleased to see the Council adopt its first Climate Change Policy following extensive community consultation earlier this year.

“Council has been developing this Policy since March 2018 and earlier this year undertook extensive community consultation which has led to a number of changes to improve the Policy and make it more meaningful for the community,” Mayor Smith said.

“Key changes to the Policy in response to community feedback were to include a greater focus on the community, involving the community in ongoing adaptation planning alongside supporting community initiatives to deal with climate change.

“The Policy will also provide guidance for the development of strategies on actions to respond to, adapt and build resilience to changing risks to the community, council assets, infrastructure and the environment.”

Other key amendments to the Policy included clearly defining the purpose of the policy for the community as follows:

• Central Coast Council to provide leadership on climate change
• to provide a framework for climate mitigation, adaptation and ongoing resilience for the Central Coast Region using a place-based approach; and
• to embed climate change risks and opportunities into Council’s strategic decision making processes and operations.

“The Policy details six strategic principles around ecologically sustainable development, using a holistic approach to developing climate change actions and ensuring decision making is evidence based, and proactive in approach,” Mayor Smith said.

“Most importantly, Council will implement a place-based approach to enhance Council and the community’s capacity for climate resilience and deliver action plans that consider people and places, involving the community in decision making that impacts them and their local area.

“This Policy provides leadership on climate change for the Central Coast and clearly establishes the framework to face the challenge of climate change for now and the future,” Mayor Smith said.

Draft Central Coast Greener Places Strategy to go on public exhibition

Council’s draft Greener Places Strategy will go on public exhibition to allow the community to provide input before the Strategy is adopted.

The Central Coast Greener Places Strategy aims to promote, maintain and enhance urban greening across the region, thus improving the liveability and attractiveness of local suburbs. The Strategy will ensure best-practice management of increased tree planting on both private and public land.

Council staff will also identify two pilot projects where staff can work with residents to focus on the greening of those communities. One project will be in the Coast’s north, while the second will be in the region’s south.

Mayor Jane Smith said this strategy creates a consistent Greener Places Strategy for the whole Central Coast LGA while providing important guidelines and actions that will see the community’s vision for greening the region come to life.

“The Community Strategic Plan identified the high value that residents place on the unique natural environment that occurs in the region and this strategy ensures that we cherish and protect its natural beauty, whilst improving local liveability and aesthetics.

“The communities voice will continue to play an important role in this plan with the public exhibition providing an opportunity for comment.”

Draft Landcare Program Strategy to be placed on public exhibition

A draft Landcare Program Strategy has been developed to identify opportunities to grow Council’s popular environment focussed volunteering program.

The strategy includes a review of current procedures, a survey of volunteers within the program, benchmarking with other external environmental volunteering programs and an analysis of the requirements in terms of Council resources to deliver the program under its current and expanded forms, including staff and financial resourcing.

The program, comprising around 600 volunteers in 83 groups, is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 10 groups wishing to commence.

Council will provide the community with opportunities to provide input and feedback on the draft Central Coast Council Landcare Program Strategy through public exhibition

Biodiversity planning underway

Council confirmed tonight its Biodiversity Strategy will address key actions from the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 and Central Coast Strategic Plan 2018-2028, One Central Coast.

The strategy will also address five key actions from the Regional Plan along with the requirements of the Strategic Plan; particularly promoting greening and ensuring the wellbeing of communities through the protection of local bushland, urban trees, tree canopies and expansion of the Coastal Open Space System (COSS).

By aligning the actions of the Biodiversity Strategy with the objectives from these two key plans, Council will ensure a robust and consistent policy framework is in place, providing a basis for decision making and funding eligibility.

The draft Biodiversity Strategy is currently under development.

Social Inclusion and Town Centre Advisory Committees established

Council has selected Councillor and community representatives for two important committees – Social Inclusion and Town Centre Advisory.

The Social Inclusion Committee will work with the three tiers of government, local service agencies and sector experts to co-ordinate and formulate collective responses to social issues affecting the Central Coast.

Council will receive advice from the Town Centre Committee on a range of issues related to Town Centre Management.

Councillors appointed to the committees are:

• Social Inclusion Advisory Committee - Councillors MacGregor, Hogan, Holstein and Pilon.
• Town Centre Advisory Committee - Mayor Jane Smith and Councillors Matthews, Mehrtens, Holstein and Pilon.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Social Inclusion and Town Centre Advisory Committees would both provide important functions for Council.

“Our Social Inclusion Committee will ensure social issues affecting the Coast are carefully considered and solutions advocated for,” she said.

“The Town Centre Advisory Committee will play a vital role in the continual improvement of our town centres to ensure we have vibrant hubs for locals and visitors.”

Community acknowledged for contributions on San Remo BMX Park project

Council has acknowledged the positive contributions made by the community and staff to deliver the San Remo BMX Park as a high-quality BMX sporting facility suitable for all skill levels of recreational usage and the functionality to run state, local and regional level competitions - during the day and night.

Mayor Jane Smith said this quality sporting precinct is a perfect example of the community and Council working together with the financial support from the NSW Government to provide our region with a facility that provides health, social and economic benefits for our community.

“Our community voted for the BMX track redevelopment as a top 10 priority project and we then fast tracked the project and worked closely with local community organisations and residents to make this park a reality in 2018.”

Council continues to invest in sporting facilities to promote healthy and active lifestyles and ensure they are well maintained and activated.