I would like to take the opportunity in this week’s message to correct the record and reassure the community of Council’s approach in our application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Central Coast Council’s Special Variation submission is now available for review and public submissions direct to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). IPART has advised it will receive public submissions from today to 7 March and submissions can be made via IPART’s website at ipart.nsw.gov.au. Council assures residents and ratepayers that their feedback made direct to Council is also being provided to IPART. Council encourages anyone who wishes to make a submission to IPART to review the background materials available on Council’s website Your Voice Our Coast, including: Information brochureInformation video Fact Sheet – Productivity Improvements Fact Sheet Engagement Report – Maintaining Services and RatesFAQsStrategic documents – Revised Community Strategic Plan;

Central Coast Council has partnered with five Hunter-based Councils to combine selected electricity requirements into a ten-year Power Purchase Agreement. The Agreement with MOJO Power which commenced January 2022, combines participating Councils’ electricity requirements of 100GWh for large sites and streetlighting, and will increase sources and consumption of renewable energy within the Councils’ regions. The six Councils participating are Lake Macquarie City Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Maitland City Council, Cessnock City Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Central Coast Council.Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said combining Central Coast’s energy load with neighbouring local government areas to increase purchasing power helped leverage competitive market pricing and made good commercial sense.“Over the past 12 months, Council has taken decisive action to implement cost management measures without largely impacting on the services it delivers to the community,” Ms Cowley said. “This Power Purchase Agreement provides Council with value for money, increases our use of renewable energy sources and further demonstrates Council’s steadfast commitment to productivity improvements.” Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said in addition to the significant economic benefits, Council is pleased to be delivering on its commitment to incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency in future design and planning.“This Agreement demonstrates such sentiment extends beyond the borders of Central Coast Council’s boundary and recognises a commitment to sustainability and long-term financial stability across participating local government areas,” Mr Hart said.The Agreement follows an open tender process run in September 2021, with the winning bid from MOJO Power providing the best value for money outcome. From November 2020, Council’s focus on financial recovery implemented a broad range of productivity improvements which have been achieved through consolidation of services, technological progression and the transition to high efficiency and purposeful equipment. Council has made numerous other productivity improvements that will continue to have ongoing positive impacts on service delivery and provide benefits to the community year on year. For more information on Council’s productivity improvements, view the Fact Sheet:

Council currently has a handful of projects and initiatives on public exhibition ready for your comment.

Council to proceed with Request for Information from aviation industries for Central Coast Airport MasterplanCouncil has authorised staff to proceed to Gateway 1 and 2 of the Central Coast Airport Development Framework.

Council has identified the proposal submitted by Venues Live for the management of Central Coast Stadium as being the preferred and is now negotiating to finalise the commercial terms of the management agreement.

Central Coast dam levels reached a record high in January 2022 – with Mangrove Creek Dam hitting 77.2 percent and topping the previous high of 76 percent achieved six years ago in February 2016.This milestone for the region demonstrates the value of optimising the capacity of existing water supply sources – a key pillar of the Central Coast Water Security Plan.Central Coast Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the recent removal of a capacity restriction for Mangrove Creek Dam improves the region’s ability to capitalise on periods of heavy rain.“It is exciting to see record dam levels on the Central Coast and we are seeking to maintain strong levels across the summer due to the current La Niña* weather pattern,” Mr Loader said.“Previously Council had to stop transferring water into Mangrove Creek Dam at 75 percent total storage and not let the level within the dam exceed 80 percent.“We have resolved the 80 percent capacity limit that had been in place for Mangrove Creek Dam after working with industry specialists to conduct a detailed risk based assessment within updated Dam Safety Regulations. “The ability to fill Mangrove Creek Dam to 100 percent puts us in a significantly stronger position to capitalise on periods of heavy rain and is a key action of Pillar 2 of the Central Coast Water Security Plan, which is focused on optimising the capacity of our existing water sources.“Further actions in Pillar 2 include maximising water transfers between the Coast and the Hunter, sustainably extracting and treating water from existing groundwater supplies, and using existing recycled water facilities to supply non-drinking water for irrigation and industry.“While we are experiencing favourable conditions at the moment, into the future we cannot rely on surface water sources alone – water availability and raw water quality can impact our ability to harvest and store more water within our dams.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said water planning is key for the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the Central Coast.“The ability to fill Mangrove Creek Dam to its full capacity is a vital step forward – put simply, we have substantially boosted our ability to store water when it is available,” Mr Hart said.“It is wonderful to see our dam levels hit new record highs but we can’t lose sight of the actions needed for water security into the future – we must be prepared for a growing population and the potential for severe and sustained drought.“Through the Central Coast Water Security Plan we are taking a multifaceted approach that encompasses sustainable water usage, making the most of our current water supply resources, and planning for the creation of new water supply sources that don’t rely on rainfall.”Recent water storage levelsSince 1 November 2021 to 3 February 2022, system operation resulted in:Mangrove Creek Dam storage increasing by 1.9 percent – 3,340 megalitres or 1,335 Olympic swimming pools.Total dam storage increasing by 3.4 percent – 6,870 megalitres or 2,750 Olympic swimming pools.*The Bureau of Meteorology in its latest climate driver update on 3 February 2022 outlined that La Niña conditions are continuing and climate models indicate these conditions will likely persist until early autumn 2022.

Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism team has received a Bronze Award in the Local Government Award for Tourism category at last night’s NSW Tourism Awards 2021.Local operators Australian Reptile Park received a Silver Award in the category for Major Tourist Attraction, and Ibis Styles The Entrance received a Bronze Award in the category 4.5 Star Accommodation.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said being recognised in the state’s prestigious industry awards was a fantastic achievement for the Central Coast and for Council’s dedicated Marketing and Tourism team.“I am immensely proud of our Marketing and Tourism team who, in a relatively short period of time since bringing the function in-house in July 2020, have propelled our region onto the world stage with a powerful Destination Central Coast brand that heroes locals, local products and our spectacular natural environment,” Mrs Cowley said.“The team are continually finding new ways to support industry opportunities and grow the visitor economy.

Central Coast Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members to join the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) Community Reference Group.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the CSP represents the highest level of strategic planning undertaken by a local council.“The CSP identifies the main priorities and aspirations of the community, with Council having a custodial role in its development or refinement on behalf of the community,” said Mr Hart.The inaugural CSP, One – Central Coast, was endorsed by Council on 25 June 2018.

Council to apply to IPART to maintain services and ratesCouncil will formally apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to maintain rates at their current levels for additional seven years, ten years in total to 2031.Administrator Rik Hart said this does not mean a rate increase as the temporary Special Variation of 15% (including rate peg) determined by IPART in May 2021 is already included in the rates which have been applied for the 2021-22 financial year.“Maintaining the rates at current levels means Council can maintain services, continue productivity improvements and meet debt repayments.

Earlier today at an Extraordinary Meeting, Council resolved to formally apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to maintain the ordinary rate at its current level for a further seven years, continuing what you are currently charged through to 2031.

Central Coast Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on 3 February 2022 in accordance with Section 366 of the Local Government Act 1993.Date:

Council will host a new Responsible Pet Ownership Event on Saturday 19 February 2022 at Terilbah Reserve, The Entrance North.The event will see SoCares and the Animal Welfare League join Council’s Community Safety team in promoting responsible pet ownership.There will also be over 15 local pet-related businesses holding stalls and delivering demonstrations on the day.

Community members are invited to share their values, stories and aspirations associated with the Mangrove Creek Dam picnic area, lookout and surrounds to influence the design of an exciting new Visitor Space at this significant site.Featuring a new amenities building, an improved picnic area and educational elements, the new Visitor Space will replace the original facilities destroyed in the 2019 Three Mile Fire.Central Coast Council has received $2.567million from the NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund to complete this important project. Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the new Visitor Space will play a key role in supporting locals who were significantly affected by the Three Mile and Gospers Mountain Fires.“Here on the Coast it was community members in our mountain and hinterland regions who were hardest hit by the devasting fires of 2019-20,” Mr Loader said.“The fires posed a threat to life, property and environment, and local businesses faced reduced patronage for an extended period of time.“Our visitor facilities at Mangrove Creek Dam were completely destroyed in the Three Mile Fire and we are seeking to create a new Visitor Space that encourages both locals and tourists to spend more time enjoying this beautiful area and supporting local businesses. “We are keen to hear from our community on how to best represent the significance of this site, which is home to a critical piece of our region’s water supply network and has a rich Indigenous and agricultural history.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the project provides an opportunity to create a space that helps to drive tourism for the Coast’s mountain and hinterland regions.“Thanks to this important NSW Government funding we have an opportunity to not only rebuild the Mangrove Creek Dam facilities we lost to the devasting Three Mile Fire but to create an improved space for both locals and visitors to enjoy.“A trip to Mangrove Creek Dam does not disappoint – is a spectacular site to behold and is nestled within beautiful bushland and alongside the Coast’s stunning hinterland region.“I encourage community members to have their say on how our new Visitor Space can feature the values and history of this site and enhance linkages with other tourism offerings.” Key features of the concept design for the new visitor space include:new amenities blocknew overhanging viewing platforms on two levelscommemorative plaqueproposed two level viewing platform at significant survey pillar and rock outcropnew picnic table shelters, bins and bench seating throughoutnew gravel and concrete pathways around the site including disabled accessnew soft native landscaping to car park and surrounding areasnew plaques at pathway intersections and areas of interest containing directions, historical, natural and cultural facts/informationnew bitumen car park area and access roadsexisting trees and natural features to be retained where possiblenew shelters to existing and new BBQ areaspathway access to significant historic Stone Culvertnew road access and parallel bus parkingexisting picnic areas to be refurbished with new low maintenance ground finishnew pergola shelters provide weather protection and signpost the pathway circulation through the sitenew children’s nature play space new adjacent picnic and BBQ areaopportunity for mural to be featured. Community members can have their say until Friday 11 March 2022 by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com/MCDvisitorspace

The popular Love Lanes Festival in Wyong is back for its fifth year on Friday 8 April, presented by Central Coast Council and Club Wyong, Mounties Group. Love Lanes was originally planned to take place in February, just two days before Valentine’s Day.

Central Coast Council is calling on community members who have an idea for a business venture that will make a difference to our community, to participate in this year’s Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program.An information session will be held on 21 February for interested people to learn more about the free program, which consists of a series of workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions that will run from late March to June 2022.Council’s Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the annual Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program supports the development of innovative new enterprise models within the region and helps to turn community focused business ideas into a reality.“The free program, which has been running since 2012, provides a step-by-step guide to research, plan, seek funding and establish a social enterprise that benefits our community – whether it be social, environmental or creative,” Mr Cannard said.“This annual program has helped start-ups, entrepreneurs, not for profit organisations and new businesses with a social vision go on to successfully launch community focused ventures such as the Iris Foundation’s ‘Wings to Succeed’ project.”Sue Liptrott, Executive Officer of Iris Foundation said taking part in the Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program was a supportive and creative experience.Ms Liptrott said “In 2021, Iris Foundation was accepted to take part in the Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program and we were so grateful for the opportunity.

Happy New Year Central Coast Community!I hope you and your families had a relaxing break.

Council endorses the Sustainability and Climate Action PlanCentral Coast Council has endorsed the Central Coast Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The Plan includes 27 actions relating to:•    natural systems•    water and energy efficiency•    community empowerment•    waste reduction•    improved strategic planning. The SCAP provides a holistic view of Council’s actions in the environmental sustainability and climate change space.

Central Coast Council is proud of its commitment to serving the vibrant and diverse Central Coast community. Council will fly the Australian Flag on Australia Day 2022, and proudly displays the Australian Flag at the Wyong Administration Building year-round, alongside the Australian Aboriginal Flag, Torres Strait Islander Flag, New South Wales State Flag and the Central Coast Council Flag. Council has not stated that it will not be flying the Australian Flag on Australia Day 2022. The banners that will line West Street in Umina on Australia Day 2022 commemorate 100 years of Ocean Beach Surf Club;

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to contribute to discussions on housing across the Central Coast, with community consultation on the Central Coast Local Housing Strategy Discussion Paper now open. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said housing is a hot topic on the Central Coast.“Record sale prices are being achieved right across the Coast at the moment, while the availability of rental properties remains at an all-time low,” Mr Hart said.“With clear housing projections set out in the Central Coast Regional Plan – 41,500 additional homes by 2036 – it’s imperative that we adequately plan for a range of housing types and densities in different locations so that we have something to offer the diverse requirements of our community.“The discussion paper is intended to bring together key concepts from the evidence base report and act as a prompt to guide discussion around the future of housing on the Central Coast.