Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program 2021-22

Council has approved the recommendation to allocate $287,137.56 for the Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program with 29 successful applications.

The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program is designed to support the community to deliver community events and activities that activate spaces and places to complement activity around town centres, foreshores, lakes and open spaces for families, community and visitors.

The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program for 2021-22 has a total budget of $300,000 and is funded through existing and approved Operational Plan budgets.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said COVID impacted everyone’s ability to host community events and this funding is perfectly timed as we move out of restrictions and re-connect as a community.

“I’m pleased this funding will support these organisations to deliver a range of exciting, meaningful and fun events and programs for the local community and to activate our region”

There are 29 Community Events and Place Activation applications which have been endorsed for funding under the program:

1. 5 Lands Walk is the annual 10km walk
2. Woytopia Festival 2022
3. The 2nd Annual Coastal Twist LGBTQIA Arts & Culture Festival
4. Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival
5. Youth Sail NSW combined sailing regatta event and coaching clinic
6. The 49th Wyong District Garden Competition
7. 2022 Central Coast Pro QS3000 is one of the four key events that comprise the NSW Pro Surf Series
8. Love Your Earth Festival
9. Spencer Place Activation is a one-day heritage festival in Spencer showcasing the historical significance of the village, river and its shorelines through storytelling, excursions, river tours, exhibition and celebration feast
10. The 6th Girrakool Blues Festival held from 13–15 May 2022
11. Long Jetty Festival
12. Walk from Kincumber to Davistown along the Shipbuilders Memorial Path with historical displays en-route
13. Twilight Markets at Terrigal
14. 2022 Bay to Bay Running Festival
15. Activate Mooney Mooney ecotourism is a free event that showcases the local oyster industry on the Hawkesbury River
16. Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club celebrating 100 years
17. Avenue Q is an immersive theatre show that brings together performers of diverse backgrounds to work collaboratively to create performances that highlight social issues
18. NSW Rugby Union Under 10 and 11 State Gala Competition
19. The Ella 7’s is a Rugby competition event delivered in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, NSWRU and Rugby Australia
20. Employment NOW 2022 is a Youth Education and Careers Expo
21. Central Coast Soccer Cup is a soccer tournament for boys and girls of all ages to be held at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex over 3 days
22. Century Charity Cycle Ride is a community Cycle Event including 18km,50km & 100km options for cyclists. The rides are planned to be both enjoyable and safe for participants of all abilities
23. Women's Football Festival is a 2-day mini tournament event to bring together women aged 18+ who play, volunteer, watch and enjoy football (soccer)
24. The Coast Cup Invitational Tournament is an elite youth soccer competition bringing together teams from all over Australia and potentially internationally
25. Central Coast Kids Day Out is a family festival event connecting families with local early childhood education, health and support networks to promote healthy families and stronger communities on the coast
26. The 2022 Sport Central Coast Sports Awards provide the Central Coast Sporting community the opportunity to recognise and reward local volunteers, administrators, athletes and organisations
27. Fox Superflow® Central Coast Gravity Enduro is Australia's fastest growing gravity enduro racing competition which promotes Central Coast's main Mountain Bike trail
28. The 2022 Words on Waves Writers Festival offers author panels, literacy conversations, book signings and writers' workshops
29. New Year’s Race Day is a family orientated event offering free entry and activities for children and families of the Central Coast

More information is available in the Council meeting agenda documentation on Council’s website. 

Council recommends funding stormwater services through local government rates

In response to a report published by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), Central Coast Council are proposing to fund their stormwater services through their local government rates instead of water rates, from 1 July 2026 onwards.

The IPART Information Paper, which was published last month, looks at why this transfer in rates would be more appropriate for Council – who is in the unique position of being both a local government and a water supply authority. 

Council Administrator Rik Hart said funding stormwater services through local government rates could be deemed more appropriate than water rates.

“Stormwater services are not specific to your house, and do not rely on a direct property connection like a water and sewer service,” Mr Hart said.

“The stormwater drainage network provides a region-wide benefit to all members of the community, regardless of where they live. 

“We use drains and pipes to make sure roads are safe to drive on during storms, ensure the safety of our parks and open spaces, and to minimise public land flooding.

"However, to make the switch isn’t just as simple as transferring the stormwater drainage charge from the Water Management Act to the Local Government Act – it will mean that Council will undergo another special rate variation application process. 

“While we intend on making a formal submission to IPART supporting transfer, we don’t necessarily support the timing proposed by IPART,” Mr Hart continued. 

“As it stands, IPART’s preliminary recommendation is that this transition occurs in two years’ time, mid-way through the next determination period.

“However, we recommend that the change be implemented in four years’ time, at the start of the next determination period, which we have proposed to IPART would commence on 1 July 2026. 

“By waiting until the next determination period, we could use the same resources for the stormwater special rate application process that will already be allocated to the next water and sewer determination process.

“Being prudent and efficient are vital to our operations moving forward and running a stand-alone special rate application process in two years’ time is just not good business sense.”

So, what does this mean for our Central Coast ratepayers?

“We would simply be moving the stormwater drainage charge from one bucket of money to another,” Mr Hart said.

“When this transfer eventually takes place, whether it is in two or four years’ time, it means that your water bill will go down as we remove the stormwater drainage charge, and your general rates will go up as the stormwater drainage charge is added.”

IPART is seeking feedback from the community about this proposal to fund stormwater services through local government rates.

Council encourages all community members to have their say and let them know what you think by visiting IPART’s website and completing their online survey, which closes on 15 November 2021. 

ENDS