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Administrator Appointment
Mr Rik Hart is the Administrator of Central Coast Council

Administrator Appointment 

Mr Rik Hart is the Administrator for Central Coast Council, appointed by the then Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shelley Hancock MP. Mr Hart’s appointment followed the Minister’s announcement on 26 April 2021 of a formal Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council led by Commissioner Ms Roslyn McCulloch.

The Council was suspended on 30 October 2020 and the formal Public Inquiry led to the postponement of the local government election for Central Coast Council, which was scheduled for September 2021.

On 17 March 2022, Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman tabled the report into the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council, and took action to terminate all suspended Councillors, effective immediately.

On 1 June 2022, Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP announced the local government election for Central Coast Council (i.e., the return of Councillors) will be held on 14 September 2024. 

Until this time, the Administrator acts as the Council, effectively replacing the role previously performed by the Mayor and Councillors. 

Mr Hart assumed the role of Administrator from Mr Dick Persson AM who had been in the role since October 2020.

For information about the role of an Administrator, please read our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Administrator Community Pop-ups

Throughout 2023 Council Administrator Rik Hart will be out and about at community events to hear from residents about what matters to them.  The pop-ups will be at the following Council events and the date and time will be advised closer to the events.

•    Australia Day Community Event in Gosford (January)
•    Harvest Festival in the Central Coast Hinterland (June)
•    The Lakes Festival held Coast-wide (November)

Administrator’s Reports

Administrator's Messages

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    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Council continues to support the Coast’s Surf Life Savers
    Central Coast Council has presented a cheque for $116,000 to Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) as part of their sponsorship partnership with us.
    08/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Council finances stable for second consecutive year with tick of approval from Audit Office of NSW
    Council’s final 2022-2023 financial year (FY22-23) results were presented at the October Council meeting last night and showed that Council has sustained its stable financial position for a second consecutive year. The Audit Office of New South Wales conducted their formal review of Council’s consolidated financial statements and provided Council with an unqualified opinion – which means a ‘clean report’ was provided for Central Coast Council’s finances for FY22-23.
    01/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Enhancing safety perceptions across Gosford CBD
    How safe do you feel moving about Gosford CBD of a day or at night? Earlier this year, thousands of women, girls, and gender diverse people participated in the citizen-led engagement project Safer Cities:
    25/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Pre-election Candidate Information Session on this week
    Are you interested in becoming a councillor and representing your community?
    17/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Have your say about the future use of 1a Jaques Street, Ourimbah
    Have your say on the future of 1A Jaques Street, Ourimbah!Back in August, the 1,050 square metre site was transferred to Central Coast Council from the University of Newcastle, to return the site into community ownership. The site had been owned by the University of Newcastle since 1994, having been used for teaching for over a decade. We invited David Mehan MP, the Ourimbah Regional Residents Group (ORRG), residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the site to provide their input, which has already provided some excellent ideas as to the future of the site.We’ve now opened up consultation to the wider community for online feedback and face-to-face consultation.How you can have your say:Come and speak to Council staff at an informal pop-up on the site from 11am-3pm on Friday 13 October 2023 (address:
    11/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator Statement – Vale Anthony (Tony) Sheridan OAM
    Central Coast Council is saddened to advise the community of the passing of Anthony (Tony) Sheridan, former Mayor of Wyong Shire Council.
    04/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Revitalised Mangrove Creek Dam Visitor Space reopened for the community to enjoy!
    Over the weekend, the brand-new Mangrove Creek Dam Visitors Centre re-opened for the community to enjoy!After the devastating Three Mile Fire tore through the drinking water catchment during the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires, Council staff have worked hard to re-build the site.
    03/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Austin Butler Access removed from bulk reclassification process
    At last night’s Council meeting I resolved to remove the parcel of land at Austin Butler Access, Woy Woy (part Lot 9 DP 235385) from Central Coast Council’s current bulk reclassification of land process. The site was originally included in the bulk reclassification after Council was approached by Peninsula Plaza and their major tenant to purchase the site to address identified safety risks. The decision for Council to present this opportunity to the community for consideration through the reclassification process was made to provide the community with a formal opportunity to have their say. It is clear that some confusion has occurred about the steps involved in the reclassification and sale process, so to alleviate fears or concerns, I have chosen to remove the parcel entirely from this bulk reclassification process. I have asked that the community be engaged as soon as possible to seek their formal feedback on whether Council should:A) Retain the site in Council ownership, meaning the trees on the site remain in their current condition, orB) Proceed with a sale and allocate all proceeds of that sale to an extensive greening program for the Peninsula region. I have received correspondence and have had many conversations with individuals and groups from the Peninsula region who are greatly concerned about the ‘heat island’ effects present in this region. Should the majority of the community express an interest (through the formal consultation process) in proceeding with the sale and the allocation of all funds to a greening program, such a program could provide funding for approximately 8,500 trees to be sourced, planted and maintained to maturity.
    27/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Last chance to nominate for Australia Day Awards!
    Nominations for the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards are closing this Sunday 24 September.For almost a decade, these prestigious awards have acknowledged and celebrated the outstanding contributions and achievements of more than 100 locals.Don’t miss your chance to nominate an outstanding individual or community group for one of the following categories:Community Group – recognises the important and inspirational work of a community organisation, in community services, wellbeing and community safety.Community Life – recognises an individual person that has made a valuable contribution to the community through the fields of sports, arts, culture or environment.Volunteer – recognises an individual volunteer who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work within the community in a non-paid capacity.Young Person – recognises the outstanding contributions of an individual person of 25 years of age or under who has made a significant contribution to the community.
    19/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Look out for a mate this R U OK? Day
    Council is proud to be taking part in mental health awareness campaign R U OK?
    12/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Have your say on dogs in open space now!
    It’s time to have your say (again) on the new draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan.This revised draft plan has been simplified and updated in response to the community’s feedback from the first round of community consultation, additional community workshops and further technical studies. Changes to this new draft include the removal of timed beach access for certain beaches (meaning the current arrangements for dogs on beaches will remain), as well as the suitability of off leash areas (OLAs) in Davistown, Terrigal and Hamlyn Terrace. At the August Council meeting, I included further options to help find a balance on specific issues of concern at Terrigal and Davistown, including:Conducting community consultation on whether a fenced OLA at Terrigal Haven could provide a compromise between the wants of dog- and non-dog owners in the area, and the prevailing safety and other issues at the Haven.The addition of another OLA in Davistown, at Memorial Oval.While dogs on the Central Coast will always be a polarising issue, I would like to thank and acknowledge the Council staff who have facilitated the extensive consultation process Council has undertaken to ensure that the broad nature of perspectives on this issue are thoroughly understood and listened to. Have your say at www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/dogs – consultation closes 1 October 2023. Rik Hart, Administrator 
    05/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Affordable Housing – 29 August 2023
    I’m pleased to announce that Council is pushing ahead to deliver the next stage of its ground-breaking Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.At the 22 August Council Meeting, Council staff prepared a report which outlined Council owned sites suitable for affordable and emergency housing, which was in response to the formal request I made late last year that Council explores what it can further do to address the housing crisis gripping the Central Coast region. I was pleased to resolve that Council will progress investigations on identified and suitably located Council owned sites to be utilised for affordable housing developments.
    29/08/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – 12-month community engagement calendar made public
    At last night’s Council meeting, I was pleased to finalise a public, 12-month forward plan for community engagement which outlines the key projects, initiatives, policies, strategies and plans that Council will be engaging the Central Coast community on this financial year. The Community Engagement Plan for 2023-24 was drafted in response to an Administrator Minute I tabled at the June 2023 Council Meeting and is now a public document which will soon be available to the community on Council’s engagement website, YourVoiceOurCoast.com. I am pleased with this outcome, which means the Central Coast community now has a thorough list of projects and timelines that the community can expect to be engaged on during the course of this financial year. The Central Coast has begun its last complete financial year under the current period of Administration before Councillors return in September 2024.
    23/08/2023
    Administrator's Message
    ADMINISTRATOR MEDIA RELEASE – Administrator encourages community to have their say on options for the future of Austin Butler Reserve, Woy Woy
    Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, is urging the community to have their say on the future of a parcel of land next to Peninsula Plaza in Woy Woy, within a consultation process that could provide millions of dollars to a community greening program.The parcel of land (Car park and curtilage, Austin Butler Access, WOY WOY, being Lot 19 DP 235385 [approximately 2000 m2part only]) was resolved to be placed on public exhibition to seek community feedback on whether the site should be retained in Council ownership or be sold to facilitate expansion of Peninsula Plaza.Administrator, Rik Hart said the community is being given the opportunity to decide about the long-term future of their area, in particular, from a community greening and street tree perspective.“Council has been contacted by the shopping centre owner and their major tenant, Woolworths, about the parcel of land next to Peninsula Plaza in Woy Woy, who are concerned about the viability of future operations in relation to logistics and public safety around current arrangements for the loading dock.
    22/08/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Next steps for the draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan
    At the 22 August Council Meeting, I will be asked to consider the revised Draft Dogs in Open Spaces Action Plan before it is again released to the community for further comment. It goes without saying that dogs on the Central Coast are a polarising matter, and the extensive consultation process taken by Council has been to ensure that the broad nature of perspectives on this issue are thoroughly understood and listened to. Many community members are dog owners whose lives are enriched by their furry family member, while other community members feel that public spaces without dogs are equally as important for the Central Coast community. The new, simplified Draft Plan will respond to the extensive and varied community feedback received during the first round of consultation, as well as further detailed studies on the key issues of concern (including time restricted beach access for dogs, and the suitability of off leash areas at Davistown, Terrigal and Hamlyn Terrace). A consultation report detailing the community input Council has received during the first round of consultation was distributed to all stakeholders who provided feedback last week, however, it’s important to note that further consultation was and is still to come.
    15/08/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Council’s façade improvement program is back!
    Council’s successful façade improvement program is back!From 1 September 2023, businesses and commercial property owners will have the opportunity to access up to $5,000 to enhance their building façades and improve accessibility on their site. Last year, the pilot program saw 30 successful applications deliver improvements in Wyong, Toukley, The Entrance and Gosford.
    08/08/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Join us for the Mariners’ Civic Reception
    Join us in celebrating the outstanding achievement of the Central Coast Mariners!
    01/08/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Preparing for the return of Councillors
    In less than 14 months’ time, elected Councillors will return to Central Coast Council, and the time leading up to the local government elections is critical to ensure that our community is ready and informed ahead of casting their vote on 14 September 2024.I have been discussing the Councillor return pathway with the Office of Local Government (OLG) and other Administrators in NSW, with a view to developing a program for interested candidates in advance of the election.
    26/07/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Welcoming world-class athletes to the Central Coast
    Over the weekend, I was pleased to attend Germany’s open training session ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia &
    19/07/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Operational Plan ready to go for this financial year
    Have you had a chance to read Council’s adopted Operational Plan for this new financial year? The Operational Plan shows the key projects and commitments Council has agreed to deliver to the community over the next 12 months.This year’s focus is on maintaining our road networks, caring for community open space, and improving the response time for development applications over the next 12 months. In addition to these key focus areas, Council is committing to improving customer responses and delivering its newly endorsed Service Optimisation Framework, which looks at the what, why, and how of a service, to determine if it’s suitable and fit for purpose. This financial year will also see construction commence on two marquee projects for the Coast;
    11/07/2023
Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Engaging our community is a core responsibly of local government and this ongoing dialogue with our community will continue. For more information about community consultation at Central Coast Council, please visit yourvoiceourcoast.com

  • On 26 April 2021 the then Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shelley Hancock MP announced a formal Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council to be led by Commissioner Ms Roslyn McCulloch. This followed a suspension order of the Central Coast Council issued by the Minister on 30 October 2020.

  • The Administrator constitutes the Council and must perform all the functions, powers and duties of the Council, which must be treated as if they were performed by the Council. The Administrator effectively acts as the Mayor and the Councillors. This means the Administrator conducts the Council Meetings and undertakes the administrative, civic and ceremonial functions of the governing body.

  • Councillors were terminated from office on 17 March 2022. Prior to this, while Councillors were suspended from 30 October 2020 until 17 March 2022, Councillors were not entitled to exercise the functions of civic office or receive any fee or other remuneration. Councillors who are suspended or terminated have the same rights as any other member of the public.

  • The administration period will continue until the Central Coast Council election on 14 September 2024. Central Coast Council has been in administration since 30 October 2020.

  • On 17 March 2022, the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP, tabled the report into the Public Inquiry of Central Coast Council.

    Commissioner Roslyn McCullouch made eight recommendations, including that an Administrator be appointed to serve until the Central Coast Council (CCC) election.

  • The status of Central Coast Council being under administration is the decision of the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP.  The Minister gave reasons for this decision in their media release on 1 June 2022, which can be accessed on the Office of Local Government’s website here: www.olg.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/ministerial-releases/certainty-for-central-coast-council-poll/

  • The Administrator is here for residents to contact and engage with. The role acts as the Council and undertakes the responsibilities of the Mayor and Councillors representing the interests of residents and our communities. You can contact the Administrator by:

    Email -  theadministrator@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

    Post - PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259 or PO Box 21, Gosford NSW 2250

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