Quarterly review shows Council progressing steadily on actions for 2021-22Council adopted the Quarter 1 Business Report for 2021-2022 including proposed budget amendments.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council actions were progressing steadily against the organisation’s operational plan activities and financial performance for the first quarter period of 2021-22. “The results reflect Council’s focus on tight budget management controls;

Council has resolved to place the Central Coast Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2022-2025 on public exhibition following the successful delivery of over 85% of the actions from the 2018-21 plan.Key deliverables include achieving a record breaking one billion in tourism expenditure in 2019, surpassing the target to achieve $921M by 2021, and completing feasibility studies for kayaking and canoeing, the RV market and Eco and Rural tourism opportunities which are informing the new DMP 2022-2025.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said the new DMP aims to create a thriving, connected and supported industry with compelling visitor experiences from headland to hinterland.“The DMP has been developed over a four-month period in collaboration with Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, industry groups and local businesses.“Strategic focuses include generating sustainable visitation patterns by increasing visitor dispersal and growing off-peak visitation, growing visitor yield, continuing to promote a cohesive and recognised brand, creating high quality amenity for residents and visitors, and empowering a unified, connected and supported tourism industry.“Key projects include creating coast to country touring itineraries, developing shared pathways including Point Clare to Gosford Railway and the continuation of the Magenta Shared Path, achieving recognition as a World Surfing Reserve, developing a business events marketing and attraction action plan, undertaking a detailed accommodation opportunities and investment study with supporting investment prospectus, and improving visitor services including implementing a wayfinding signage strategy, delivering visitor guides and regional maps, and reinvesting in The Entrance Visitor Information Centre.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said timing could not be better for the renewal of the Central Coast Destination Management Plan.“2021 has been a challenging year for the Central Coast tourism industry, who are still under pressure from the impacts on visitation and visitor expenditure from the 2019-20 bushfires, floods and ongoing uncertainty and lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Hart said.“Updating the region’s strategic priorities such as increasing visitor yield, encouraging visitation dispersal and enabling tourism product development sets a clear roadmap for recovery with a commitment from Council to support the sustainable growth of this important economic and employment sector for the region.“It is important to note that not all of the actions within the draft DMP are the responsibility of Council to carry out.

Central Coast residents are reminded that there is no local government election on 4 December 2021.

Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism team have been named a finalist in the Local Government Award for Tourism category in the NSW Tourism Awards 2021.The Destination Central Coast team have been recognised for their work in supporting local industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, for their tourism management and visitor promotion strategies, and for their creation of a new Destination Brand which heroes’ locals and local products.Local operators Australian Reptile Park, Ibis Styles The Entrance and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours at Mooney Mooney were also named finalists in the Awards along with Central Coast local Amanda Woodbine who is in the running for the Young Achiever Award.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said this was a fantastic achievement for local industry and Council’s dedicated Marketing and Tourism team.“Our region is fast becoming ‘the’ destination to visit with quality tourism products and experiences, and a strong Council team promoting our region, supporting industry opportunities and growing the visitor economy,” Mrs Cowley said.“To be named a finalist is an honour.

Council is inviting ratepayers and residents to have their say about maintaining current service levels and rates in an online survey opening today.Council Administrator Rik Hart said Council had done everything it can behind the scenes to help Council’s financial situation and now it was up to the community.“Our financial recovery is on track, but we cannot become complacent about maintaining our long term stable financial position” Mr Hart said.“I am proposing to make an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to maintain the current level of rates for a further seven years, consistent with what we asked for earlier this year.

Central Coast Council is inviting aspiring youth leaders to become members of the ‘Youth for Youth’ (or Y4Y) action team and make a difference to the lives of young people across the Coast.Applications are now open for membership in the 2022 team – a group of 12 young people, aged 14-24, who will make youth-led initiatives and ideas happen in our community.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the program engages young people, empowering them to take action, be advocates for their peers and provide advice on Council initiatives from a young person’s perspective.“Council is committed to working with young people across the Central Coast to ensure they feel respected, included and valued as part of our community,” Ms Vaughan said.“Y4Y represents a fantastic opportunity for young people to have their voice heard and make a difference.

Last week I commenced open office sessions with members of the community to further gauge community sentiment on maintaining the current level of rates for a further seven years, consistent with what we asked for earlier this year.

Central Coast Council is once again working with the NSW Police Force, the Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Waters Liquor Accords, Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee and high-profile authors to start important conversations about domestic abuse.The Central Coast has the second-highest number of domestic violence assaults in NSW* and the impact of COVID-19 has made seeking help more difficult.

Central Coast Council is taking its Green Caffeen partnership to the next level, expanding its offering to allow an additional 50 local cafés to join the free eco-minded program.The new partnership with Destination Central Coast will connect more local cafés, restaurants and takeaway venues, to the national Green Caffeen reusable cup network, which consists of more than 700 cafés and is operational in all states and territories across Australia.

This morning I released my submission-in-reply to the Commissioner leading the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council, following the conclusion of the public hearings.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Rik Hart has today released his submission-in-reply provided to the Commissioner leading the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council, following the conclusion of the public hearings.Mr Hart said his submission-in-reply outlines eight recommendations for the Commissioner’s consideration.

Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program 2021-22Council 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:5 Lands Walk is the annual 10km walkWoytopia Festival 2022The 2nd Annual Coastal Twist LGBTQIA Arts & Culture FestivalDavistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat FestivalYouth Sail NSW combined sailing regatta event and coaching clinicThe 49th Wyong District Garden Competition2022 Central Coast Pro QS3000 is one of the four key events that comprise the NSW Pro Surf SeriesLove Your Earth FestivalSpencer 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 feastThe 6th Girrakool Blues Festival held from 13–15 May 2022Long Jetty FestivalWalk from Kincumber to Davistown along the Shipbuilders Memorial Path with historical displays en-routeTwilight Markets at Terrigal2022 Bay to Bay Running FestivalActivate Mooney Mooney ecotourism is a free event that showcases the local oyster industry on the Hawkesbury RiverOcean Beach Surf Life Saving Club celebrating 100 yearsAvenue Q is an immersive theatre show that brings together performers of diverse backgrounds to work collaboratively to create performances that highlight social issuesNSW Rugby Union Under 10 and 11 State Gala CompetitionThe Ella 7’s is a Rugby competition event delivered in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, NSWRU and Rugby AustraliaEmployment NOW 2022 is a Youth Education and Careers ExpoCentral 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 daysCentury Charity Cycle Ride is a community Cycle Event including 18km,50km & 100km options for cyclists.

Central Coast Council, the National Desexing Network and participating vet clinics have joined forces to offer residents in need a subsidised desexing program to help prevent unwanted cats and dogs.Central Coast residents on pensions or low income or with too many cats or dogs to afford to desex will pay just $50 to desex their cat, or $60 for a small dog, $70 for a medium dog, $80 for a large dog and $100 for an extra large dog.The program is managed by the National Desexing Network.

Our financial recovery in on track and we want to ensure if a new Council is elected in 2022, they are in the best position to make decisions for the whole community.

The State of the Beaches Report – the annual rating of ocean and estuarine swimming sites across NSW using Beachwatch results – has been released for 2020-21 and the Central Coast has performed well overall.A ‘Good’ rating for water quality and suitability for swimming was achieved at 14 out of 15 (93 percent) of the Central Coast’s ocean beaches and all of the region’s ocean baths.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said the report is an important resource to help Council manage water quality at swimming sites across the region.“We welcome the State of the Beaches Report for 2020-21 and are pleased to see that the vast majority of our beaches are performing well in terms of water quality and suitability for swimming most of the time,” Mr Cox said.“Improvement is needed for Terrigal Beach, which moved from a ‘Good’ to ‘Poor’ rating, and our estuarine swimming locations.“We have improvement measures in place for Terrigal Beach and it is important to note that the site was suitable for swimming 87 percent of the time during dry weather and that samples for the 2020-21 period were predominately taken following rain events.“Rain can cause our waterways to be impacted by stormwater pollution and this we why we strongly advise against beach swimming following rain for a period of at least 24 hours.“Estuarine sites – such as our coastal lagoons, Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes and Lake Macquarie – are particularly susceptible to stormwater pollution due to the slower natural flushing process and swimming is not recommended at these locations for three days after a rain event.“We should not, however, rely solely on the natural flushing process for the health of our waterways, we need to work collaboratively to manage catchment runoff and other related impacts to reduce pollutant sources entering our waterways.“Council is committed to the health of our region’s waterways and we have a number of projects underway, some in partnership with the NSW Government, that are focused on improving water quality.”Council uses ongoing data analysis to identify water quality improvement measures for targeted sites.

At last night’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, I confirmed my intention to hold a Constitutional Referendum concurrently with the next local government election for the Central Coast region in 2022.This decision has been made following the rescheduling of the NSW local government elections as a result of COVID.In running a Constitutional Referendum with our region’s local government election, we will have an overall saving to Council of $1.3M, not to mention avoiding an impost on the community if run separately.The Referendum will ask Central Coast voters to determine the following question:

Council finances on track for the year to dateCouncil’s September monthly finance report shows Council is currently tracking in a satisfactory way in relation to its 2021-22 budget.Council Administrator Rik Hart said Council’s operating surplus (excluding Grants and Contributions for capital purposes) year to date was $10.4 million compared to the budget deficit of $1.9 million.“We are operationally tracking at a steady pace as we continue our path of prudent financial management and keeping costs down” Mr Hart said.“More importantly staff are consistently implementing efficiencies through better management of staff time, processes and utilisation of technology.

Central Coast Council has completed a new regional-level playspace at Green Point plus a new district-level playspace at Gwandalan, with more projects planned to commence this financial year including at Saratoga, Pretty Beach, North Avoca, Mardi, Kariong, East Gosford and Avoca Beach.Over the recent school holidays, many locals enjoyed the new play equipment, upgraded basketball courts, connected pedestrian pathways, park furniture, public barbeques, picnic tables and water refill station that Sun Valley Park, Green Point now offers as the Central Coast’s third regional level playspace.The Tunkuwallin Oval playspace, Gwandalan is also now complete with bouldering structure, inclusive custom bead and rail activity, swings, accessible carousel, timber play structure, nature play elements, fitness equipment, accessible paths, water refill station, shelter and picnic table.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said Council’s playspaces have provided a positive outlet for children right across the Coast, particularly during this latest lockdown period.“Our public playspaces, outdoor fitness equipment and skate parks promote healthy living, active lifestyles and improve the quality of life for our community – For this reason we will continue to deliver public facilities, amenities, signage and playspaces in line with our annual Operational Plan and what our community has told us is important to them,” Ms Vaughan said.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the completion of new or upgraded community assets is something that Council is striving to continue.“The continued delivery of playspace infrastructure is a result of community feedback as part of Council’s Central Coast Playspace Strategy and is important to ensure fit-for-purpose facilities that support the needs and growth of our community,” Mr Hart said.“However in three years’ time we will be facing an annual income loss of $25million and without maintaining the 15 percent special variation for the life of the 10-year Long Term Financial Plan, the delivery of many projects like this will need to be reviewed and Council may again find itself in a dire financial situation.”New playspaces to explore:Sun Valley Park, Green Point (Corner Sun Valley Rd and Dalgety Cres) – Upgrade works completed on new regional-level playspace proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Central Coast Council.Tunkuwallin Oval, Gwandalan (Kanangra Drive)  – Construction completed on new district playspace, funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions (Development Contributions) and a Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program Grant gained by Gwandalan Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group.Upcoming playspaces to be completed this financial year:Kariong Recreation Area, Kariong – Construction of a new local playspace funded by Council.Hylton Moore Oval, East Gosford – Upgrade works on an existing local playspace funded by Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.Jirramba Reserve, Saratoga – Upgrade works on an existing local playspace funded by Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.Turo Close Reserve, Pretty Beach – Upgrade works on an existing local playspace funded by Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.Palm Gully Park, North Avoca – Upgrade works on an existing local playspace funded by Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.Woolmer’s Crescent Reserve, Mardi – Upgrade works on an existing local playspace funded by Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure ProgramRoss Park, Avoca Beach – Upgrade works on an existing district playspace funded by Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and Council.Pelican Park playspace, Woy Woy:

Woy Woy is now home to a state-of-the-art wharf featuring a floating pontoon, accessibility features, solar lighting, and smart benches with mobile phone charging capability.The new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf – the largest wharf project ever completed for the Coast – is designed to rise and fall with Brisbane Water’s varying tide conditions to ensure access in most weather conditions.Central Coast Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said the new wharf will improve the daily commute for many community members and will also be popular with locals across the region and visitors.“The original wharf would become submerged during King Tide’s and severe weather conditions, but the new wharf is designed to ensure this no longer occurs.Using a floating pontoon allows the wharf to rise and fall with the tide conditions served up by Brisbane Water and this ensures access to ferry services, even during challenging weather conditions.“We have also future-proofed this important amenity by ensuring it can dock vessels up 35-metres and 250 tonnes.“Additional features of the wharf include mounting points for wheelchair lifting devices on the pontoon, covered pontoon gangway and passenger shelter, complete with solar lighting.“We have also made a number of improvements to the immediate surrounds including a boardwalk made from recycled plastic decking, dedicated fishing area, widened pathway, smart benches with mobile phone charging capability, banner poles and landscaping with salt tolerant trees.”Mr Bolgoff added that this project has been delivered under challenging circumstances given the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions at times halting construction.“Within the last week, Council has been able to have contractors on site to finalise the wharf project and is pleased to open this long-awaited wharf upgrade to the public.”The new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf was funded through $3.99million from the NSW Government’s Regional Communities Development Fund and $1.61million from Council.Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf is exactly the type of project that the Regional Communities Development Fund was designed to deliver.“The NSW Government’s investment in regional towns has helped communities with hundreds of projects just like this – ensuring they continue to be great places to live, work and play,” Mr Toole said.“The new wharf and improvements to the surrounding area will boost liveability and go a long way in enhancing the Central Coast for locals and visitors alike, which is why I am continuing to back projects like this right across regional NSW.”Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch said the NSW Government was proud to contribute $3.99 million to the $5.6 million project.“This is Central Coast Council’s largest wharf project ever undertaken and I want to congratulate the project team for getting the job done,” Mr Crouch said.“The old wharf became submerged during king tides and quite frankly was not fit for purpose.

ChromeFest – the largest rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly festival paying tribute to American classics and hot rod cars in NSW – will be streamed online this Saturday 23 October 2021.Whilst the physical event is not able to proceed due to COVID-19 restrictions, classic car enthusiasts and lovers of all things 1950s can experience event highlights through ChromeFest Overdrive TV.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the engine of ChromeFest will be kept humming this year as we transition to life with fewer measures in place to control COVID-19.“ChromeFest Overdrive TV features some of the most exciting elements of ChromeFest and really is a must-experience online event,” Ms Vaughan said.“We all can’t wait to get together in-person for fantastic events on the Coast but in the interim we will deliver some classic 1950s rock 'n' roll fun into the homes ChromeFest fans.