Outdoor living is a big part of our culture on the Central Coast and where appropriate, local hospitality businesses are encouraged to expand their dining area and take it to the footpath!Central Coast Council is making it easier for businesses to apply for outdoor permits by putting together a step by step guide on its website.Council’s Unit Manager Economic Development and Project Delivery, Jamie Barclay said it has been great to see the innovative ways that local businesses adapted in response to COVID this year.“Whilst restrictions continue, we will continue to support local businesses and help them to trade at their highest capacity - whilst keeping their staff and customers COVID-safe.
Central Coast Council has received a Highly Commended recognition in the 2020 ‘IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards’ for its excellence in embedding the value of community engagement into its core business.The IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards are run by The International Association for Public Participation and recognise best practice in public participation.
The Central Coast is on its way to becoming a certified ECO Destination through the Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia funded partnership.Achieving ECO Destination certification will recognise the Central Coast as a world-class destination for sustainable, nature-based tourism.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia partnership will support the region with a two-year $30,000 package that covers all costs to progress through Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination program.“This partnership is a significant boost for our growing nature-based tourism sector here on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“The Central Coast has been selected along with five other bush fire affected destinations, including the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, to move toward formal recognition of our world-class eco-tourism offerings.“We have so much to offer – stunning beaches, incredible bushwalks, picturesque hinterland, adventure activities, boutique shopping, great locally produced food, a vibrant dining scene – and ECO Destination certification will help deliver this message to a broader audience.”Ecotourism Australia’s Chief Executive Rod Hillman said he was delighted to have new destinations joining the program.“We are working tirelessly to support our tourism industry that has been hit hard in 2020 by bush fires and COVID and can see tangible benefits for regional tourism through this funding program,” Mr Hillman said.“As the Central Coast offers a high number of existing ecotourism operators alongside a high proportion of national parks and protected natural spaces – the goal is to bring this all together with ECO Destination certification.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said the support of Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia would play an important role in the Central Coast’s future as a tourist destination of choice.“It has been a year of unprecedented challenges and tourism will be key to helping the Central Coast economy to recover and flourish,” Mr Persson said.“The Central Coast is home to a vast array of world-class, nature-based tourist attractions, and becoming ECO Destination certified will give us an internationally recognised stamp of approval and help to attract an increasing number of visitors seeking sustainable travel experiences.”The Central Coast currently has five operators already certified with Ecotourism Australia :TreeTops (Advanced Ecotourism and Ecotourism certified) – Ourimbah State ForestNoonaweena (Advanced Ecotourism and Nature Tourism certified) – KulnuraAquafun Avoca Lake (Ecotourism certified) – Avoca BeachCentral Coast Marine Discovery Centre (Advanced Ecotourism and Climate Action Business certified) – TerrigalPeak Potential Adventures (Ecotourism certified) – Charmhaven.As part of the ECO Destination Certification program, additional local tourism operators will have the opportunity to pursue certification and be supported with tools to help their business become more sustainable.Interested tourism businesses, stakeholders and the community can learn more through attending a satellite version of the 2020 Global EcoConference (based in Margaret River WA), which will be live streamed at a venue on the Central Coast from 1-3 December.For a full list of where to eat, stay and play on the Central Coast, head to lovecentralcoast.com
Central Coast Council staff members have led the charge in donating lifesaving blood and plasma, once again topping local workplaces and ranking amongst Australia’s top 10 Councils for blood donations to Lifeblood in 2020. Council is one of the Coast's top workplace donors as part of the Red Cross’ Lifeblood Teams program, which sees staff from more than 150 local workplaces roll up their sleeves and give urgent blood and plasma throughout the year.
Council to hold Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday 26 NovemberCentral Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday, 26 November 2020 at the Wyong Chambers at 1.00pm for consideration of a report regarding a possible Special Rate Variation by Council.Council Meeting change in 2021An Ordinary Council Meeting will now be conducted on Wednesday 27 January 2021 at 6.30pm, rather than on Monday, 25 January 2021 at the Gosford Chambers.Council continues to take steps toward financial recoveryCentral Coast Council has provided another status report on the Business Recovery Plan. Actions taken so far include:Council’s acceptance of a $50 million loan from a top tier financial institution at an interest rate below 2%Negotiations commencing for a loan to secure $50-$100m of capital worksUnderperforming property assets have been identified and prioritised for possible saleA complete review of Council’s 20/21 operating budget and capital programAn opportunities log developed detailing ways to improve Council’s financial positionA review of all monthly and quarterly Budget Pack financial reporting assumptionsFinalising the first phase engagement for the forensic audit with KPMGCouncil Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM said Council continues to closely monitor, track and reconcile its cash position on a daily basis.“Progress has been made on identifying and mitigating the key causes for the financial situation that Council finds itself in”, Mr Persson said.“The objective of the Business Recovery Plan is to achieve financial recovery and sustainability by continuing to focus on the intake of cash and expenditure reduction, coupled with more sustainable cash preservation initiatives and strategies. “Notwithstanding, I am confident we will be able to set a path that will get us to where we need to be.
Central Coast Council will notify the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to prepare an application for a one-off Special Rate Variation (SRV) of 8%.Administrator Dick Persson AM said this did not necessarily mean the application would proceed but if one wasn’t lodged the opportunity would be lost.The rate would apply from 2021-22 and remain permanently in the rate base for seven years which plus the 2% annual rate peg increase represents a total rate increase of 10%.The application for a rate rise is proposed as of part of a suite of measures being considered to address the current financial situation Council is experiencing.The need for the extraordinary meeting, at this time, came from IPART’s deadline whereby applications need to be notified by 27 November 2020.“I want to assure the community that this is not a done deal.
The issue of the week is a possible Special Rate Variation [SRV].I have been clear from week one that an SRV, possible asset sales, service reductions, and further borrowings would all be in the mix for consideration.A POSSIBLE SRV came up because there are procedural deadlines to meet for it to be considered by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).Councils wanting an SRV need to advise IPART by the end of November 2020.
Central Coast Council has advised as a result of the easing of restrictions, Central Coast Stadium will increase capacity to 9,820, just under 50 percent.This announcement coincides with confirmation from the NRL that Central Coast Stadium has once again been selected to host games during the 2021 premiership season.Council's Stadium Manager, Kath Casey also confirmed that Central Coast Mariners will continue to use the Stadium as their home ground for 13 games, with the first match of the season New Year’s Eve.“We are thrilled the capacity for the Stadium has increased in time for the much-loved New Year’s Eve Mariners match, a calendar highlight and yearly tradition for many Coasties,” Ms Casey said.“Residents have also come to expect a number of NRL matches played locally each season, and I am delighted to announce the Roosters, Manly and Souths will all have home games at the Stadium."We are proud to be able to deliver these professional sports for locals to enjoy in their own backyard, rather than having to travel to Sydney or Newcastle.”The NRL premiership season kicks off on 11 March, with the following games are scheduled for Central Coast Stadium:Roosters vs.
Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has today delivered his 30-Day Interim Report at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council. Mr Persson said this report provides the community with a picture into the history of how poor financial decisions and catastrophic budget mismanagement has led Australia’s 6th largest council to the situation they find themselves in today. “The financial crisis confronting the Central Coast Council is very serious.