Central Coast Council is progressing plans to redevelop Green Point’s Sun Valley Park with the construction of a safe, functional, inclusive regional playspace.The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Central Coast Council and is expected to be completed by June 2021.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the vision of the redevelopment is to produce a regional playspace that will create opportunities for play and social engagement.“The community will benefit from upgrades to the basketball courts and carpark, as well as the construction of an inclusive regional playspace consisting of play equipment, park furniture, barbeques, drinking fountain, pathways, landscaping, fencing and a new amenity building,” Ms Vaughan said.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the redevelopment would result in a safe, functional, high quality regional playspace for the Green Point community.“Providing this new community asset will encourage an active outdoor lifestyle for a wide range of ages and ability levels,” Mr Crouch said.“This is exactly what the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund is designed to deliver, and I’m thrilled to see it becoming a reality.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said this project delivers on a number of community nominated goals outlined in Council’s Community Strategic Plan.“Council continues to listen to the community and delivering facilities and infrastructure based on community’s needs,” Mr Persson said.“The community can have confidence that important projects like this have been budgeted for as part of Council’s revised Operational Plan, and they will continue to progress as Council moves towards financial stability.”
All Central Coast beaches will remain closed this weekend due to concerns over water quality and floating debris following the recent severe weather.All beaches and ocean baths will remain closed until Tuesday 30 March, while Central Coast Council conducts further water quality tests and inspections of local beaches.Council is strongly advising all residents and visitors not to swim or make contact with our waterways as it may be detrimental to health.Council will provide an update to the community early next week, once further water quality samples are analysed.
Councillors to attend financial briefing and meeting with Council’s CEOAs the Order made by the Minister for Local Government under Sections 438M and 438O of the Local Government Act 1993 expires on 29 April 2021, it is appropriate that steps be taken to transition back to an elected Council.Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said it was imperative that should Councillors return to office, they must understand their role and the systems that have been implemented to achieve good financial outcomes.“In my 30 day Interim Report I stated that Central Coast Councillors had not come to terms with the fundamental role of their position and their functions under the Local Government Act.
Central Coast Council is calling on the community to have their say on water, sewer and stormwater pricing.Water, sewer and stormwater prices are set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), who undertake a review of pricing every three to four years (the period is determined by IPART).This latest review by IPART requires Council to propose pricing for these services by September 2021 that will take effect from 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2026.Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said community feedback is a crucial part of putting together Council’s submission.“We want to find out what’s important to you about how we provide water, sewer and stormwater services to the Central Coast,” said Mr Loader.“We will then balance this information with our assessment of how much it costs to produce water, treat sewage and ensure that stormwater is managed.“We want to assure the community this does not mean prices go up automatically, they could in fact go down or remain the same.“IPART will independently consider Council’s submission, which will include community feedback, and will set a fair price for customers.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said that he wanted the community to understand that this submission to IPART for water, sewer and stormwater prices is completely separate to the application for a rate rise that Council recently lodged.“Council applied to IPART for a 15% rate rise to help with Council’s financial recovery.
Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has today announced Mr David Farmer as the new Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council.Mr Persson said the appointment of Mr Farmer and his experience is crucial in leading Council toward recovery and will provide strong reassurance to the community that the tough decisions taken now will not be wasted. “David has had up to 40 years’ experience in Local Government in New South Wales and Queensland, each of his last three roles have involved major challenges in governance and finance, the same challenges that face this Council, and I’m encouraged knowing that David is well equipped in leading the Council through these issues,” said Mr Persson.Mr Farmer has been Chief Executive of four Councils over the past 23 years, 10 years at both Cairns and Wollongong City Councils and more recently at Ipswich, the fastest growing Council in Queensland.“David has a proven track record of success in operating large councils and has been selected based on this solid experience.” said Mr Persson.“The Central Coast community should feel very reassured that a new and strong CEO will deliver the positive outcome everyone wants to see.“I look forward to welcoming David to the position on 12 April 2021.” EDITORS NOTESBio Attached - Mr David Farmer
Outcome of Forensic AuditCouncil will continue to focus on implementing improvements in financial management and reporting following the conclusion of the legal and financial forensic analysis conducted by Clayton Utz.The legal and financial analysis review has not identified any evidence that the Council’s current liquidity issues or use of restricted funds in breach of the Local Government Act was the result of corrupt conduct. Council engaged Clayton Utz on 26 October 2020, and Clayton Utz engaged KPMG to undertake a targeted forensic review of a sample fund to gain understanding of Council’s financial accounting practices and adherence to the Office of Local Government Guidelines. Council’s Domestic Waste Fund was selected as a sample fund.Director Corporate Affairs Natalia Cowley said that the scope of this forensic review was on reviewing a sample of actual financial transactions.“Clayton Utz’s findings from the sampling of waste transactions reviewed did not identify any transactions allocated to the Domestic Waste Fund that were not consistent with guidance provided by the Office of Local Government,” said Ms Cowley.Clayton Utz further stated that having regard to the reviews completed to date it would be reasonable for Council to conclude that further investigation would be unlikely to disclose any new or additional reasons for its current financial circumstances. For this reason, no further forensic audit reports are recommended at this time.Administrator Dick Persson AM said he believed this review drew a line under further investigation by Council.“During the development of my 30-day Interim Report, the causes of the financial crisis became known, and the findings by Clayton Utz are generally consistent with my observations,” said Mr Persson.“Their analysis agrees that the current financial circumstances appear to have arisen from legacy issues associated with financial systems, transparency from the time of Council amalgamation and poor financial management practices.”“I see no value for the community in pursuing investigation after investigation, at the expense of Council resources actually getting on with implementing improvements in Council financial management.”Council Code of Meeting Practice to improve decision makingCouncil has adopted a draft Code of Meeting Practice, which will go on public exhibition on 10 March 2021 for 42 days.The draft Code proposes changes including:the publication day of agenda papers to be changedprovide for the conduct of all Council Meetings at Wyong Administration Buildinga requirement that Mayoral Minutes and Notices of Motion identify the source of funds where there is a financial impacta requirement to consult with the CEO (or appropriate delegate) in preparing Mayoral Minutes or Notices of Motion to identify source of fundsa limit on the number of Notices of Motion to one per Councillor per meetinga limit on the complexity and number of Questions with Notice to one per Councillor per meetinga requirement that Councillors make reasonable efforts to attend pre-Meeting briefings.The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all meetings of Council and Committees of Council of which the members are Councillors.
A selection of works from outstanding local ‘Makers and Creators’ will be featured across April as part of the inaugural creative activation 'Blank Canvas Central Coast'.Community members and visitors can experience and purchase works created by a group of world-class local artisans at pop-up retail spaces in Ettalong and Long Jetty.Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley said ‘Blank Canvas’ is an exciting opportunity for local creators to take over a prime retail location.“This fantastic initiative is about providing a platform for local talent to showcase their bespoke work and reach new customers,” Ms Cowley said.“We have an impressive and growing creative community on the Coast but many of our makers and creators don’t have their own shop front – ‘Blank Canvas’ provides that opportunity."This project is fully funded through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program, an Australian Government bushfire recovery initiative.Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said featuring the work of talented locals would enhance the vibrancy of two major Central Coast town centres.“The ‘Blank Canvas’ pop-up shops are yet another reason for locals and visitors to head to Long Jetty and Ettalong,” Mr Persson said.“This initiative is a win-win for the Coast – not only are we creating employment pathways for local creators but we’re also helping to stimulate the local economy by driving visitation to two of our major business hubs.”A diverse selection of makers and creators will be featured across the month including indigenous artists Garry Purchase and Kylie Cassidy, surfwear designer Bird + Hill, Central Coast Drones, and fashion designer Carlie Ballard.The ‘Blank Canvas’ pop-up shops will be open from Thursday 1 April to Friday 30 April 2021 and are located at Long Jetty (Shop 11, 314-316 The Entrance Road) and Ettalong (199A Ocean View Road, Ettalong Beach, behind Lords of Pour).Find more information at lovecentralcoast.com/blankcanvas
Live theatre is returning to the Coast in spectacular form with Laycock Street Community Theatre announcing an exceptional line-up of performers for its 2021 season. Coasties and visitors can rediscover the joy of live performance with an incredible array of shows – from Hot Autumn Nights (Tim Freedman of The Whitlams) and James Morrison Quintet to the Victorian State Ballet’s Little Mermaid and Newk (The John Newcombe Story).Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said Laycock Street is ready to accommodate the strong appetite for quality shows on the Coast.“We’ve been starved of live theatre for nearly 12 months and it’s so exciting to once again welcome incredible artists to perform on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“Laycock is an incredible live theatre venue – it combines quality with an undeniable energy and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said Laycock Street is a vital component of the Coast’s thriving arts scene.“It is impressive to see a community theatre attract such a strong line-up of performers and I encourage locals and visitors to take advantage.”Laycock Street Community Theatre’s 2021 line-up includes:Hot Autumn Nights – Tim FreedmanSnapshot:
In looking into what has gone wrong with the Council, I formed a strong view that a major contributor was the 15-member council.Fifteen councillors are too large a number if you want them to act collaboratively.