Funding commitments identified for the Central Coast

Council has identified funding commitments for the Central Coast region from the New South Wales and Federal Governments in 2019 as a welcome development but says more needs to be done to ensure promises are delivered for the community.

The bulk of the funding – $387million dollars will be invested in the duplication of the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay, which will see a dual carriageway along the full route between the M1 Pacific Motorway at Kariong and Bateau Bay, easing congestion and improving safety for motorists who use this section of the Highway each day.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council will continue to work with all levels of outcomes to deliver for the Central Coast community.

“It’s fantastic that both the New South Wales and Federal Governments have recognised that the Central Coast is a growing region in its own right,” Mayor Matthews said.

“These funds are important to help us deliver important infrastructure to our community, and we look forward to seeing these projects and associated benefits come to fruition in the coming years.”

Council secures funding in December quarter

Council staff sourced, developed and successfully received grants from the NSW and Australian Government across a broad range of areas in the December quarter.

A report covering the period of October-December 2019 identified that $338,600 in funding was allocated to 19 projects, bringing the value of grants in the first two quarters to more than $9.9million dollars.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council will continue to apply for funding from the NSW and Federal Governments in order to continue to deliver important projects for the Central Coast Community.

“It has been a huge effort from staff which has resulted in many elaborate and

thoroughly considered expressions of interests, business cases and applications being submitted,” Mayor Matthews said.

“It’s important that we advocate for funding and grant opportunities wherever we can to help us deliver on our goal of delivering services, programs and infrastructure for our community.”

Council calls on State Government to allocate $50M to permanent solution for The Entrance Channel

Following a Mayoral Minute, Council will call on the State Government to allocate $50million from the 2020-2021 state budget towards a permanent solution for The Entrance Channel.

Council acknowledged the ongoing clean-up efforts and support provided by Council Staff, community groups and volunteers following the recent floods on the Central Coast.

Council noted that as of 27 February, 4,200 tonnes of additional storm waste has been sent to Council waste facilities collected from affected properties, 2,500 tonnes of wrack has been cleared from our foreshores and over 1,200 tonnes of debris has been collected from Central Coast beaches, with more expected to be cleared over the coming weeks.

The 2018-19 audited financial statements for Central Coast Council and Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority functions presented to Council

The NSW Audit Office has issued unqualified audit opinions however noted a breach of the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 from a self-reported error with administration fees which was corrected in the 2018-19 financial statements for Council.

Central Coast Council 2018-19 fast facts:

• total income from continuing operations of $637.3million
• net operating surplus of $62.4million including capital grants and contributions
• net operating deficit of $5.1million excluding capital grants and contributions
• net assets increased to $7.2billion with Infrastructure, Property, Plant and Equipment totalling $7.1billion
• exceeded the Office of Local Government performance measures for own source operating revenue ratio, unrestricted current ratio, debt service cover ratio and cash expense cover ratio
• exceeded the building and infrastructure renewals ratio.

Council’s Water Supply Authority 2018-19 fast facts:

• total income from continuing operations of $227.4million
• net operating surplus of $31.3million including capital grants and contributions
• net operating surplus of $5.4million excluding capital grants and contributions
• net assets of $3.6billion with Infrastructure, Property, Plant and Equipment totalling $3.7billion.

Community facilities review concludes

Council has developed a new Draft Facilities Leasing and Licencing Policy following an extensive review of the use and management of all community facilities.

The review focused on the use and management of community facilities that operate under lease, licence, hire and volunteer models, consisting of over 300 community facilities

During the review process community engagement was encouraged through stakeholder discussions, workshops and the opportunity to participate in an online survey.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the review was important to provide clear equity across Council’s portfolio of community facilities in a consistent and transparent manner.

“Our community facilities provide opportunities for sport, recreation, cultural activities, events, meeting spaces, social gatherings, learning, volunteering and business premises,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Council is committed to continue to provide community facilities at an affordable rate and to keep them maintained to a standard the community expects.”

The new Draft Facilities Leasing and Licencing Policy is a good news story for the community with many organisations providing vital services and programs through the wide range of community facilities that are leased, licenced or hired.

The Draft Facilities Leasing and Licencing Policy will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 60 days to enable community feedback.

Outcomes of Urban Spatial Plan consultation

Council considered the outcomes of the draft Urban Spatial Plan (USP) community consultation and public exhibition which was completed late 2019.

More than 170 submissions were received online throughout the consultation process with stakeholders and the public also engaging through community information sessions.

Community feedback and the USP will provide an initial framework for the development of the Central Coast’s first Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).

The LSPS will focus on the vision and planning priorities for land use planning in the region over the next 20 years and together with Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) will identify the long-term social, environmental and economic aspirations of the community and provide a clear direction for growth that will inform future strategic plans and planning instruments.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Community Strategic Plan or ‘One Central Coast’ is a platform to build a region that all Central Coast Community members can be proud of.

“The upcoming LSPS is an opportunity for the community to have their say and engage as we seek to make the Central Coast an even more liveable and desirable place to call home,” Mayor Matthews said.

Council defers decision on consolidated planning controls

Council recommend changes to the draft Central Coast Local Environment Plan (CCLEP) and Central Coast Development Control Plan (CCDCP) and deferred its decision on the Plans.

Councillors will receive a further briefing on the draft CCLEP and CCDCP and Councillors and Staff will meet with Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to discuss and outline a process to take key strategic planning processes forward.

The draft CCLEP and CCDCP were developed following a period of public consultation, which generated over 700 written submissions.

The purpose of the Plans is to consolidate and harmonise planning controls across the region and simplify planning processes and is the first stage in the Central Coast Comprehensive LEP Review.