Central Coast Council has launched a new podcast series, Emergency Ready Now, to provide community members with the tools and knowledge to better cope when faced with adverse challenges, such as natural disasters and emergencies.Council Director Community and Recreation Services Julie Vaughan said the new podcast shares people’s stories about disaster recovery, community and mental wellbeing. “In recent years, the Central Coast community has been exposed to a range of emergencies and disasters – from devastating bushfires, floods and storms to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Vaughan said. “As a community, we’ve displayed great strength in working through these challenges together, but what do we do after they pass and how do we learn and prepare for next time? “The new Emergency Ready Now podcast explores these important questions and looks at how we, as a community, can become more resilient and connected in the wake of disaster.”The engaging 12-episode series shares the stories of community members and industry experts to explore topics and themes including the positive impact of resilience, supporting children’s mental health during and following emergencies, preparing for and recovering from trauma and loss , and financial and environmental impacts of disasters.Council Administrator Rik Hart said the podcast provides a powerful platform to support community members impacted by natural disaster, while highlighting the importance of community connectedness. “Community stories are one of the most powerful learning tools we have,” Mr Hart said.“This new podcast shares people’s stories about disaster recovery and gives a fantastic overview of how communities can proactively ready themselves for the future.
It is fantastic to see Central Coast Council leading the way to help shape the future of soft plastics recycling nationally through the Australian-first soft plastics program rollout.All households in the Central Coast Council area can now register to be part of a soft plastics recycling program, allowing you to recycle soft plastics from the convenience and safety of your own home using the Curby Program and Council kerbside yellow bin.We are blown away that over 10,000 Central Coast households have opted into the Curby soft plastics program since its inception.Already the program has resulted in over 11,000 tonnes of soft plastics being diverted from landfill, that equates to over 2 million plastic bags, and the number continues to grow.The program is run in collaboration with Australian recyclers iQ Renew and CurbCycle and builds upon the successful soft plastics recycling trial facilitated by Council since November 2020.Currently the program is only available to households with access to a smartphone who can access the Curby app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Central Coast Council is undertaking sand building works at Karagi Point ahead of the ‘Little Tern’ bird species reaching the Central Coast for their 2021 breeding season.This important habitat and enhancement work is funded by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program and follows a record-breaking breeding season on the Central Coast for the endangered Little Terns in 2020.Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said strategic sand building works will be undertaken at a location where the Little Terns are likely to nest.“The much-loved and endangered Little Terns will be arriving on the Coast in the next three weeks or so and it is vital that we take steps to help ensure they have another successful breeding season,” Mr Cox said.“Over approximately three days, Council staff will move sand from the southern end of Karagi Point (adjacent to the channel) and deposit this 100 metres north at the location where the Little Terns are expected to nest.“These works are vital as the Little Terns are strongly site faithful and this location is currently vulnerable to inundation by high seas, tides and flooding.“To protect the Little Terns from people and dogs during this crucial nesting time, we will install a temporary fence and signage around the breeding site that has been replenished with additional sand. “We had an incredible breeding season on the Coast last year – with Karagi Point being one of the most significant breeding sites in NSW – and we’re expecting strong Little Tern numbers again this year.“By moving the sand from the southern end of the sandspit, the works will also aim to enhance the channel opening to better maintain the exchange of water between the lake and the ocean and provide for the preliminary phase of dredging which is planned to commence in 2022.”Mr Cox added that Council will also be carefully monitoring upcoming works to restore Karagi Reserve beach access to ensure it has no impact on the Little Terns.“We are also planning to restore the main access point to Karagi Reserve beach nearby which has been subject to coastal erosion. “Work plans and approvals are currently being prepared but are expected to involve placing additional basalt rocks to construct a southern end treatment to the existing emergency protection works constructed as part of the coastal erosion emergency response in 2020. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is committed to best practice management, monitoring and education to support the growth of threatened species such as the Little Tern, Eastern Osprey, Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater. “The Central Coast is critically important location to secure the future of the endangered Little Tern and we are hoping for another bumper breeding season,” Mr Hart said.“Helping threatened species is part of our commitment to leave a positive legacy for future generations and reflects the values of the Central Coast community, which are strongly tied to this beautiful natural environment. “We ask that our community support us in helping the Little Terns by staying away from the breeding site, as well as keeping their pets away from the area.”Community members can find out more about the Little Tern on Council’s website.The habitat and enhancement work at Karagi Point will require a small section of the Karagi Point / Hutton Road carpark to be closed off with temporary fencing during works (approximately three days). Works to restore Karagi Reserve beach access are expected to begin in late September and will require the adjacent carpark to be closed during construction, which is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.
Central Coast Council’s pricing proposal on water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices from 1 July 2022 has been submitted to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and is now on their website for public comment. Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said that Council is proposing an increase in rates for these services, as Council’s current pricing model is not financially sustainable. “As they currently stand, our rates for water, sewerage and stormwater drainage are the lowest in NSW,” said Mr Loader.“If we continue along with these current prices, we will not have sufficient funds to provide the community with what they need and deserve, which is a safe, clean and reliable water supply and an effective sewer and drainage system that does not harm the environment. “What we are proposing is returning our prices for these services similar to 2018-19 levels, with an allowance for subsequent inflation.
Service level consultation to inform future rate proposalCentral Coast Council will commence the next stage of community consultation in its bid to maintain the current rates income beyond three years. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the two years of heavy losses and overspending left Council having to restructure its business and budget to produce a surplus to repay the $150million debt over the next 10 years.“We cannot forget, loans of $150million were provided to Council in 2020 based on Council’s financial recovery plan which included sale of assets, reduction in costs of $50milion, capping infrastructure spending and a rate increase of 13 percent plus rate peg for 10 years in order to repay the loans.“In less than three years’ time we will be facing an average annual income loss of $25.8million over the next 7 years and this means we will be forced to reduce or cease many services.“There has been major restructuring of Council and Council is on track to achieve the $50million in cost savings including productivity gains. Together with the recent rate increase, Council is budgeting for a small surplus this financial year.“Our current plan is working, and Council is on track to be able to continue to service its community.
Lake Munmorah residents and school communities are now enjoying the convenience of a new 50 space carpark in front of Lake Munmorah High School on Carters Road.The project provides much needed parking spaces for this busy strip of road and services four nearby schools, where lack of parking and traffic congestion have previously been an issue.Central Coast Council completed the project with $900,000 in funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program).Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said the carpark is an important amenity for the growing Lake Munmorah community.“The new 50 space carpark includes two accessible spaces and will certainly be well utilised by the school communities,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Parking and traffic management can be a challenge at this busy education precinct and we have completed improvements that will help with congestion during the school drop-off/pick-up time periods.“New footpaths have also been completed around the carpark to link it to the designated crossing points and a new pedestrian crossing.”Federal Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy said he was very pleased to see the carpark project completed.“Parking and traffic congestion on Carters Road has been a major issue for a long time now particularly during school pick-up and drop-off times, and I hope this new carpark will held to address this issue.“I look forward to seeing it utilised by the local school communities as well as the broader Lake Munmorah community.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the new carpark and associated works will deliver benefits that have long been sought by the schools.“Completion of this community-driven project will be welcome news for the Lake Munmorah community, particularly those who have children who attend the schools in the area on Carters Road,” Mr Hart said.ENDS
Referral of draft Financial Reports 2020-2021 to auditThe draft Consolidated Financial Reports for Central Coast Council and the Financial Reports for Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority for the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 were referred to the Audit Office of New South Wales, for external audit.Notes extract from the Council Report:Operating ResultThe operating deficit before capital grants and contributions for the 2020-2021 financial year is ($91.5M).
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.
Nominations for the Australia Day 2022 Awards are now open, providing an opportunity to recognise Central Coast individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the region.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the awards are more important than ever after a year of unprecedented challenges.“An Australia Day nomination is a wonderful way to honour the local leaders who go the extra mile for our community,” Ms Vaughan said.“There is no denying that the past few years have presented unprecedented challenges and in the midst of it all we’ve seen individuals and groups step up and make a difference in our community.“Our Australia Day nominees and winners are often unsung heroes who work quietly behind the scenes to make the Coast a better place to live, work and play.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Australia Day Awards celebrate the Central Coast’s diversity, values, national achievements and hopes for the future.“We’ve demonstrated tremendous resilience as a community in 2021 and there are so many individuals and groups who deserve recognition,” Mr Hart said.“The breadth of the Australia Day Award categories mean that a diverse range of contributions will be recognised, and I encourage the community to nominate the local heroes they believe should be acknowledged.”The 2022 Award categories are:Arts, Culture and EntertainmentAwarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen art form and made a significant contribution to arts, culture and entertainment on the Coast.Business Connecting CommunitiesAwarded to a local business or enterprise with less than eight fulltime employees that has established a genuine involvement and long-term value to the life of their community.Community Service and ActivityAwarded to an individual or group responsible for creating community activities or services that benefit the Coast.EnvironmentalAwarded to an individual who is leading the way in sustainability and making the Central Coast a place where people and nature can thrive.Sportsperson of the YearAwarded to an individual who has shown acts of sportsmanship and team building, been an outstanding sportsperson or made significant contributions as organisers or promoters of sports on the Coast.Volunteer of the YearAwarded to an individual (26 years and over) who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work and demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to our local community.Youth of the YearAwarded to an individual (25 years or under) who has succeeded in his or her chosen field, acts as an inspiration to his or her peers and has made a significant contribution to the Coast community.Each winner from the above categories will go into the running to be named Central Coast Citizen of the Year.Nominations open Monday 11 October at 9am and close Friday 12 November at 2pm.For further information, eligibility criteria and to make a nomination visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/australiadayawardsENDS