Central Coast Council was the first of the 19 new NSW councils visited by Local Government Minister, the Hon Paul Toole MP, today.

Minister Toole met with Administrator Ian Reynolds, CEO Rob Noble and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and 35 Central Coast Council staff this morning to see first-hand how the new council was going and to present a cheque for $20 million to fund community infrastructure and help with merger costs.

Administrator Reynolds said the funding was welcome news for staff and the community who had come together quickly to embrace the new council.

”The Minister experienced the enthusiasm staff have for the new council, most of them live on the Central Coast and want to see this area thrive and prosper.

“That is also the word on the street – everyone I have spoken to has embraced the change as they see it will mean bigger and better things for the Central Coast.”

Minister Toole echoed the Administrator’s comments and said the Central Coast Council is shaping up to be an amalgamation success story and a credit to staff who had been working together for months beforehand to make it happen.

“I got to see for myself this morning the enthusiasm of staff and respect for the new administration and I am impressed.

“I was at a Chamber of Commerce dinner last night and they had nothing but praise for the way the new Council has hit the ground running.

“We wanted mergers to lead to stronger communities and deliver better services and infrastructure for residents.

“The new Central Coast Council is well on the way to achieving these goals.”

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said it was a truly exciting time for everyone on the Central Coast especially the staff at the new Central Coast Council.

“I congratulate the staff for working so collaboratively in the lead up to the creation of our new regional council,” Mr Crouch said.

“They have a truly exciting opportunity ahead to deliver for our entire community, and from what I have seen they are more than up to the task.

“I believe it speaks volumes that the first visit by Local Government Minister Paul Toole to a new council in NSW was to the Central Coast Council.”