The Central Coast community continues to have their say on key local projects with nearly 4,000 people visiting Central Coast Council’s Your Voice Our Coast hub to help shape future Coastal Management Programs.Over three months, Council collected community feedback to understand how the Coast’s waterways are valued so this vital information can be used to help shape the future management of Tuggerah Lakes, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system including Brisbane Water, and our Open Coast and Coastal Lagoons.Council also collected community feedback for our northern and southern-most waterways including Lake Macquarie and will be sharing this with our neighbouring councils as we work together to ensure the values of these important areas are heard in those Plans as well.Feedback collected from over 1,100 survey responses, as well as focus group discussions found:94.5% of respondents stated that waterways are a significant reason that they live on the Coast.
Council has been working closely with people with disability, their family members and carers, and people working in the disability sector to strive towards providing an inclusive region for all who make up our Central Coast community.As such, here at Council we have developed a draft Central Coast Disability Action Plan 2021-2025, outlining strategies and actions we will put in place over the next four-year period.Here is some of the key achievements we’ve made over the past four years in progressing towards an inclusive and accessible region:Established the Access and Inclusion Reference Group.Created Universal Design Guideline to assist Council staff to ensure more playspaces, places, services and events are accessible.Developed the Pedestrian and Access Mobility / Bike Plan to guide footpath improvements.Installed and upgraded 86 bus stops to meet Disability Access StandardsMade beach wheelchairs available at 12 patrolled beaches and installed beach matting at Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Toowoon Bay.Ensured Companion Cards are accepted at all Council venues that charge an entrance fee.Plus moreYou can help shape the future direction of accessibility and inclusion on the Coast through having your say by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com, with feedback due by 5pm 13 September.
The Central Coast has its first Community Recycling Centre, with householders now able to drop off their problem wastes such as paints, oils, gas bottles, fluoro lights, smoke detectors and batteries for free at the Buttonderry Waste Management Facility in Jilliby, near Wyong.The Community Recycling Centre was established by Central Coast Council with the support of an Environmental Trust grant of $160,000 and work with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).The Centre at Jilliby expands on the popular travelling Chemical Cleanout Events, which are well supported in the region.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Jilliby Centre offered a permanent, free drop-off solution, complementary to existing services, that will make problem waste disposal easier for Central Coast residents.“Our community is passionate about closing the loop on waste and ensuring its safe and environmentally responsible disposal and this was evident when we consulted on our Waste Resource Management Strategy,” Mr Hart said.“We are proud that 87% of our community think it is very important to reduce the amount of waste that households generate and dispose, and we are also proud to be able to actively find opportunities that help our community do this.
Draft Financial Report shows Council on way to financial recoveryCouncil has presented the preliminary draft 2020-2021 Consolidated Income Statement for Central Coast Council, which covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.The draft report shows Council’s operating result before capital amounts is a deficit of $60.7M compared to the Q3 forecast deficit of $115.1M and FY20 deficit of $88.7M.Operating income was $541.9M, $0.1M under the Q3 forecast and $13.5M up on FY20.Operating expenditure for the year ended 30 June 2021 of $602.6M was $42.8M under the Q3 forecast through savings in restructure costs and tighter control over general expenditure and $14.6M under FY20.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the preliminary draft report shows Council is moving toward financial recovery.“Council has managed to reduce expenditure and maintain income resulting in a small surplus, which is excellent news for the short-term stability of the organisation,” Mr Hart said.“However, Council’s long-term financial sustainability is not yet assured.
Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart is calling on all Central Coast community members to strictly follow all requirements of the current Public Health Order and Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) direction in place to control the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19.“I welcome the NSW Government’s recent decision to re-classify the Central Coast region in the Public Health Orders, separating our region’s COVID-19 rules from the Greater Sydney region,” Mr Hart said.“However whilst cases of COVID-19 on the Coast have been relatively low, it is vital that we do not become complacent – our actions are key to keeping our loved ones and our communities safe.“We’ve recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at our Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant and new exposure sites continue to be announced – we must be vigilant and do the right thing. “NSW Health is leading this emergency and Council is actively sharing their key messages – stay home, mask-up, check-in, get vaccinated and seek out a COVID-19 test if you are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms.“Council is also actively supporting the LEOCON in their role of emergency operations and their efforts to protect the Central Coast.“It is going to be a beautiful weekend and heading out for exercise and a dose of Vitamin D is important for maintaining our wellbeing during this difficult time but Council is asking the Central Coast community to follow the clear directions of the Public Health Order and LEOCON.“Head out for a walk at one of the Coast’s beautiful beaches or fantastic shared pathways but remember that physical distancing is critical.“If you’re out in public areas or purchasing a coffee for example, keep your physical distance from others and follow the Public Health Order.“By working together and doing the right thing we will keep our loved ones, colleagues and communities safe.”Community members should refer to NSW Health and Central Coast Health communication channels for the latest COVID-19 information, advice and restriction details – nsw.gov.au/covid-19Vaccination eligibility details are available on this webpage – health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccinesCommunity members can access a number of COVID-19 testing clinics across the Central Coast – peoplebank.hneccphn.com.au/covid-testing-ccDetails of any COVID-19 related impacts to Council facilities and services are on Council’s website – centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.
Last week's Council meeting saw the promise of monthly financial reports and sharing information about Council’s financial position finally come to fruition, with a clear line of sight for the community into our financial position month to month.
Central Coast residents are now able to view Central Coast Council’s long-term plan to secure the region’s water supply and provide their feedback – with the document on public exhibition for 28 days from today.Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said that this plan will ensure there is enough water on the Coast for all residents until 2051.“On top of continuing to conserve water and use water efficiently, this plan makes the most of our current water assets – maximising them to their full potential – so that we can delay investing in additional supplies of water until a later date,” Mr Loader said.“It also addresses the fact that while we can plan for the future using the information we have at hand, the fact remains simple:
Central Coast Council has completed the first ever survey for Koalas across the region with Koalas detected in the Mangrove Creek Dam catchment and Watagan Mountains.Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said staff also looked at Ourimbah State Forest, Brisbane Water National Park and Council’s Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands as other potential Koala habitats.“In response to an increased number of Koala sightings being reported to us, the first ever survey for Koalas across the Central Coast was completed using a combination of phone surveys, postal surveys and an ecological study using song meters,” Mr Cox said.“Phone and postal surveys were used to help record any community Koala sightings and in Spring, song meters were deployed in 58 potential Koala habitat locations to record the bellows of male Koalas during the breeding season.“Koalas were recorded at nine sites in the far west of the region.