Central Coast Council is inviting the community to share their feedback to help further inform the next iteration of the Central Coast Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).

Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said Council wants to hear from all community members about their lived experiences, values, perceptions and desires for the Central Coast region.

“The current CSP was adopted in 2018 and provides the Central Coast community’s vision for the region and describes the key objectives we can all work towards to achieve that vision over the next ten years,” Dr Howe said.

“The current interim LSPS was adopted in 2020 and frames the future land use direction for the Central Coast over the next 20 years. Together the CSP and LSPS help guide delivery of the social, environmental and economic aspirations of the community.

“The CSP is part of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting framework, and is the key guiding document for Council’s service delivery program. Council’s contribution towards the CSP is described in our four-year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan.

“We’re now seeking feedback as we prepare to update both the CSP and LSPS so that they continue to align with community values and aspirations.

"Both documents will be publicly exhibited and adopted after the next local government election.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the community’s input will influence any further changes proposed for the CSP and LSPS, to ensure the community’s voice leads Council’s strategic and operational decision making.

“The CSP and LSPS represent the highest level of strategic planning undertaken by a local council, and are developed on behalf of the community, so it’s important they represent a wide range of views,” Mr Hart said.

“Council plays a leadership role in initiating and developing the CSP, but it is not solely responsible for its implementation. Everyone can contribute to delivery of our community vision, including our partners in state government and non-government agencies, businesses and community groups, and individual members of the community.

“We want to hear from all community members on the current CSP and LSPS, to make sure that the next iteration of these important guiding documents still aligns with what the community would like to see for the future of the Central Coast.

"This survey is the first step in our engagement program and will provide us with meaningful data to help gauge what’s important to our community.”

Further consultation will be undertaken via community workshops and public exhibition of the draft documents in early 2025.

To find out more information, share your valuable feedback on these plans and to stay up to date with future engagement opportunities, please visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/CSPandLSPS

Feedback will be accepted until Monday 16 October 2023.

ENDS