Central Coast Council has unveiled a new and enhanced online customer service centre for the community.Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the updated platform was part of Council’s commitment to continually improve customers' experience.“Online is another way that customers can engage and inform Council of what is occurring in their homes and in their neighbourhoods,” Ms Vaughan said.“We have made it a priority to improve our online customer services to ensure that every engagement that the community has with us is easy and simple.“We want to get the experience right, so we have simplified the process to allow users to submit a request from anywhere at any time.“The new and improved online customer service centre provides more self-service options when lodging a request, and can assist customers to find information and tips on how to resolve their issue quickly and easily.“Once registered, users can track and view any updates to their service requests via the online service centre.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the new platform is a win for the community, making initial business with Council more streamlined.“The online customer service centre is one of many services that Council has recently changed after listening to our customers about their experience, including the new Planning Portal for development applications.
A state-of-the-art Water Play Park at the Peninsula Leisure Centre (PLC) has been completed in time for Spring and the school holidays.The $1million interactive water-based play and education space is expected to attract locals and tourists.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the community-driven project has resulted in the ideal use for the outdoor space at PLC.“This fantastic new amenity is sure to be very popular with the young and the young at heart,” Ms Vaughan said.“The nautical themed Water Play Park can be enjoyed upon entry to the PLC, it combines water-based play and education and has an accessible design to be enjoyed by all community members.”Features of the Water Play Park include a tipping bucket, interactive (cause and effect) elements, shade sail, in-built filtration system and zero depth (for safety and accessibility).Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the new play park was funded by the NSW Government with $850,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund as well as over $200,000 from Council.“I want to congratulate the Council staff that have undertaken this million-dollar upgrade at the Peninsula Leisure Centre,” Mr Crouch said.“The PLC is one of Central Coast Council’s most highly-utilised assets, and thanks to the opening of this new Water Play Park, it’s becoming an even better facility for locals to enjoy.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the collaboration between local and state government had delivered another fantastic facility for the Central Coast community.“There is so much to love about this project – an accessible design that creates a space for fun, physical activity and education,” Mayor Matthews said.“This is one of many projects, Council is delivering this year with the State Government, while adhering to important COVID-19 requirements.”The Water Play Park will be open to the public from Saturday 26 September.
Since reporting the serious financial issues facing Central Coast Council, CEO, Gary Murphy, and senior executives have been undertaking meetings and conferences with key stakeholders over the past two days to build a roadmap to recovery.These discussions have included the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, and the Office of Local Government.Councillors and staff have been kept informed of the process moving forward, which includes:The establishment of a 100-Day Action Plan to RecoveryThe Office of Local Government has been instructed to provide an independent financial expert and Human Resources adviser to review Council’s financial position and identify possible options as quickly as possibleA forensic audit undertaken of Council’s financesChanges to management spending delegationsCouncil working group established to identify potential savings in capital works and operational services programsThere is no change to our full-time equivalent staff, but a review of contracted and temporary workforce is underway.The financial issues came to light after reviews commissioned by the CEO, despite previous audits and reports indicating that the Council was being prudent in its financial planning, and have led to investigations into:whether there are appropriate financial controls and structures in relation to cashflow management, the absence of which may have contributed to the current financial situationwhether the amalgamation in mid-2016 has caused significant and ongoing impacts which we estimate could be in excess of $100MThe impact of the recent IPART determination will have cost Council close to $100M over three yearsCost-shifting has cost the Council an estimated $45M or more per yearWhile expenditure is under review and measures will be implemented to wind back the deficit, there will be no change to essential services.
In the lead up to the coming bushfire and storm season, Central Coast Council is urging all residents to take proactive steps to better prepare themselves, their families and their homes for emergencies.Council are promoting Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Week, and the ‘Get Prepared’ app, as part of their ongoing emergency preparation and community resilience building ‘Get Ready Central Coast’ program.Council’s Acting Director of Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said that the ‘Get Prepared’ app is an important tool that can help build community resilience to emergencies.“The Red Cross Get Prepared app has the ability to help build community capacity to prepare for disasters through the development of individual emergency plans,” Mr Cantillon said.“It will help residents understand what resilience means to them by providing small step by step actions to enable each household to develop a plan tailored to their needs, leading to a stronger community better able to respond to and adapt more readily to shocks and stresses.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council encourages residents to download the ‘Get Prepared’ app and engage in their own emergency plan preparation.“With Covid-19 restrictions, it is going to be more important than ever that individual households understand their vulnerability to emergencies and are best prepared for them,” Mayor Matthews said.“The Red Cross Get Prepared app is not specific to any hazard, whether your property is vulnerable to fire, flood or storm, this app helps to guide in emergency planning and preparing, leading to faster responses to an emergency and quicker recovery.”Download the Red Cross Get Prepared app at getprepared.app.link/central-coast
Community members are invited to provide feedback on Central Coast Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026, which outlines how Council will deliver services that support our older residents to age healthily, feel connected and enjoy an age-friendly community.Council Acting Director of Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said the draft strategy builds on the first Central Coast Positive Ageing Strategy 2014 and renews Council’s commitment to better meeting the needs and aspirations of the Coast’s growing older population.“The Central Coast has long been an attractive place for older people to live and retire, with 27 percent of the region’s population aged 60 years and above*,” said Mr Cantillon.“With the number of residents aged over 60 expected to increase by almost 39 percent by 2036, it’s vital that we ensure that our services, programs and infrastructure reflect the evolving needs of this population.“The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy has been informed by what our older residents have told us, their aspirations and expectations, as well as research and consultation with relevant service providers.“There are many areas where Council can play a key role in positive ageing, from providing options for older people to connect, learn, exercise and have fun to making Council services and facilities more accessible and providing information to older people about what is on in their community, how they can get involved and how to get support.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is part of Council’s commitment to ensuring our older community members live active, healthy and independent lives.“Older people play a vital role in our community and it is important to recognise and respect the significant contribution they make to our vibrant region as workers, volunteers, neighbours, friends, parents and grandparents,” said Mayor Matthews.“Our Positive Ageing Strategy aims to enhance participation, improve quality of life and provide support to older residents so that they can continue to participate in and contribute to community life as they grow older.”The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026 outlines four key areas of focus where Council can make a positive difference to older residents:
Central Coast Council welcomes the $11million funding, from the NSW Government, towards the construction of an indoor multi-purpose sport and recreation centre at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex at Tuggerah.Council’s Acting Director Environment and Planning, Andrew Roach said the Complex was always designed to be built in two stages and this funding will bring it a step closer to realising its full potential to attract mass participation events to the region. “We are very pleased to have the NSW Government commit to funding of $11million which will go a long way in helping Council progress stage two to deliver a multi-purpose indoor sporting facility for a range of activities, change rooms, amenities, storage as well as canteen and catering space to complement the existing outdoor sporting fields,” Mr Roach said.“Since opening in 2019, the current multi-use outdoor sporting and recreational facility has already attracted over 81,000 visitors to the region, injecting over $10M in our local economy. Mayor Lisa Matthews said delivering stage two would provide a significant boost to the benefits already flowing to the region from the first stage of the Complex. “We have already seen in such a short time since the opening last year that the venue is bringing in the types of events that provide a significant boost to the region’s economy with flow on effects to small business, employment and community well-being,” Mayor Matthews said.“I commend Council staff on their ongoing efforts to seek funding for the second stage of works and thank the State Government for getting on board with this exciting second stage.
Central Coast Council’s emergency works response to mitigate coastal erosion at Wamberal and North Entrance is now complete with focus turning to recovery and future coastal management planning for the Central Coast.The State Emergency Controller (LEOCon), has signed off on the works which saw Council crews working round the clock to place over 10,000 tonnes of rock and sand at North Entrance and Wamberal beaches.Council CEO Gary Murphy praised the cooperation and hard work taken to respond to the emergency and that this would be harnessed as the focus moves to mitigating and managing coastal erosion into the future.“This has been a truly collaborative effort with Council, expert coastal engineers, residents and the community and the State Government all working together – it really saved the day,” Mr Murphy said.“We need to continue that effort as we now focus on more permanent solutions and best practice coastal management going forward.‘We will now focus on delivering Coastal Management Plans for the whole of the Central Coast, which we are aiming to complete by 2021, that will involve working with property owners, the broader community in addition to State and Federal Governments Departments.“It won’t be an easy process, but we are committed to getting it right.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said coastal management was a challenging issue for all Councils up and down the Coast and there is a need for a local as well as a national solution.“Here on the Coast we have faced many challenges with mother nature and our coastline, not just this year, but every year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Our community has had to continually be strong and resilient and I am proud of how we have pulled together and faced these challenges head on.‘We all love the natural environment on the Coast, it is a key reason we all live here and we want to be able to keep living near and enjoying our beaches and waterways into the future.“Coastal management is a priority for every Council up and down the Coast – we can learn from each other and find synergies – share what we’ve done already and find the best solutions for the future.“It can’t just be up to Local Government though.
Central Coast Council has ramped up its inspections of Wamberal beach with material fragments that potentially contain asbestos significantly increasing since the recent storms.Council has retrieved more material fragments from Wamberal Beach in the past month than all of 2019, leading to daily inspections of the beach.Council’s Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said Council would inspect the beach daily to improve chances of removing all fragments that may deposit on the beach.“In 2019 our beach inspection team removed just over 400 fragments that may contain asbestos from Wamberal Beach.
The weather is warming up, spring has sprung and the red and yellow flags are set to go up from 26 September 2020 on the 15 Central Coast beaches to be patrolled this season.This year Council is getting in early to help prepare beachgoers for the season ahead with new measures and message related to COVID-safe behaviour and requirements for visitors and locals who engage in rock fishing.Acting Council Director Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said it is vital that community members and tourists follow simple safety steps whilst enjoying quality time on the region’s spectacular beaches.“Our lifesavers and lifeguards do an incredible job keeping us safe across beach season but we also need to do our bit,” Mr Cantillon said.“Heading to the beach means relaxing, recharging, keeping fit and active, and it also means switching on a beach safety mind-set.“Beach safety practices we always need to follow stand true – like only swimming at patrolled beaches and always swimming between the flags – but this season COVID-safe behaviour at the beach is also incredibly important.“Please maintain 1.5 metre social distance from people who are not from your household and keep group gatherings to a maximum of 20 people, as mandated by NSW Health.“Many of our beaches are extremely popular and crowd management measures may be in place to keep our community and visitors safe.“We’ll be making regular COVID-safe reminder announcements over the loud speakers at our patrolled sites and NSW Police will also be regularly monitoring beaches.“Should it be necessary to close any Central Coast beaches this season, clear signage will be displayed.“Council has also introduced a requirement that anyone engaging in rock fishing must wear a life jacket – this requirement extends to anyone who accompanies someone who is rock fishing.“We are installing signs at various locations that clearly outline what is required for anyone engaging in rock fishing on the Coast.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said enjoying the beach season and the importance of safety always need to go hand-in-hand.“With the weather warming up and increased visitors to the Coast, it’s important we all follow basic steps to keep ourselves and others safe when enjoying the beach,” Mayor Matthews said.“Measures in place to keep us COVID-safe extend to the beach and everyone must vigilantly follow these requirements whilst soaking up the sun and surf at one of the many stunning beaches along our coastline.”Key beach safety messagesAlways swim or surf at patrolled beaches.No flags means no swimming.Swim between the red and yellow flags.If we can’t see you, we can’t sIf you get into difficulty, raise your arm, stay calm, and yell for assistance.If you are unsure of conditions, ask the lifeguard or lifesaver in attendance.Read and obey the signs and directions from the lifeguard or lifesaver.Never run and dive into water, as the depth can change regularly.Children should be supervised by an adult at all times.Always ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’.Board riders are asked to keep outside the black and white flags on each side of the red and yellow flags, as these indicate the surf craft exclusion zone. Key COVID-safe messages for the beachMaintain a 1.5 metre social distance from anyone who does not live in your household.Keep groups to fewer than 20 people. Key rock fishing messagesAnyone rock fishing in a declared location must wear an appropriate life jacket, this includes people helping you to rock fish and children.If you’re going rock fishing, plan ahead – let others know where you are going and carry a phone.Council’s Lifeguards patrol our shorelines from Monday to Friday, and Surf Life Saving volunteers keep everyone safe on weekends and public holidays.Non-peak holiday times – 26 September 2020 – 18 December 2020 and 30 January 2021 – 25 April 2021, 9am to 5pm patrols across all 15 beach locations and The Grant McBride Baths.Peak holiday period – 19 December 2020 - 29 January 2021 at all locations (including Budgewoi) will operate from 9am to 6pm.