Have your say on Council’s draft plans for the years ahead

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to review and provide feedback on its draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget, and share feedback on whether the plans reflect community priorities.

Council’s draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Operational Plan 2026-27, Fees and Charges 2026-27 and updated Long Term Financial Plan are on public exhibition for 28 days, closing on 6 May 2026.

Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said it’s now time for the community to review Council’s draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget and help refine our priorities as we plan our delivery for the years ahead.

“When Council was elected, one of the first things we did was put our long-term strategic documents in place, including the Community Strategic Plan, our four-year Delivery Program and the annual Operational Plan, so we could clearly map how we will deliver what our community needs,” Mayor McKinna said.

“The second year of our four-year year Delivery Program builds on our success in year one and remains focused on delivering the projects and services that bring our community’s vision to life.

“The draft plans show we’re delivering on our promise to improve local roads and have allocated an additional $13.55 million over four years, on top of the $20 million already committed, bringing the total investment in road renewal to $203 million over four years.

“We’re continuing significant upgrades to water and sewer services, investing in pathways, playspaces, sports fields and community assets, while ensuring we maintain strong financial management with a modest surplus forecast in the draft budget.

“Now is the time for our community to review these important plans and tell us if we’ve got it right.”

The draft plans show how Council is proposing to turn community identified priorities into actions, projects and budgets, and were developed based on what the community has told Council is important through elected Councillors, last year’s Integrated Planning and Reporting engagement process, ongoing community engagement and insights from customer service and social media.

Strong financial management underpins the draft plan and budget, ensuring services and infrastructure are delivered in line with community expectations while balancing financial sustainability.

Community members are encouraged to review what is proposed, share feedback and help refine Council’s focus and delivery for the years ahead.

Following the public exhibition period, Council will consider all submissions before the updated plans are referred to Council before adoption in June 2026.

To find out more and have your say, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com.    

Highlights of the draft Delivery Program 2025-29 and draft Operational Plan 2026-27 are outlined in Appendix A.

ENDS

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Appendix A – Highlights of the draft Delivery Program 2025-29 and draft Operational Plan 2026-27

In response to community feedback, and enabled through ongoing sound financial management, increased investment in the following community priorities is proposed in the draft Delivery Program 2025-29 and draft Operational Plan 2026-27.

Capital Works Program: Council has budgeted to invest $343.1m on assets to renew, improve and add to the asset portfolio. The 2026-27 Capital Works Program is targeted at renewing existing assets, with $169.4m, or 49.4% of the Capital Works Program, allocated to renewal works, and $124.9m, or 36.4% to upgrade existing assets to provide additional capacity or functionality. For upgraded assets, the major component of expenditure is for renewal of the asset. Council has also budgeted $48.8m, or 14.2% of the Capital Works Program, for new assets.

Further acceleration of the Road Renewal Program: An additional $13.55m over four years, on top of the $20m already committed, bringing total investment in road renewal to $203m over four years. This will improve road conditions, strengthen resilience during weather events and reduce ongoing maintenance needs.

Additional heavy patching on roads: An additional $1.15m in 2026-27 and then $1.5m per year for the following four years to improve road condition and customer satisfaction, with a focus on high traffic roads, town centres, schools and aged care precincts.

Pathways: $1m over four years to deliver additional pathways, building on existing grant funded programs and improving connectivity and accessibility across the region.

Roadside vegetation maintenance (mowing): A further $1.4m per year for the next five years to increase mowing frequency and improve roadside safety and presentation.

Tree planting and urban greening programs: An extension of the current street planting program trial on the Peninsula with a further $0.1m per year invested across the Central Coast Region through to 2030-31.

Implementation of the Open Coast Coastal Management Program: Continued delivery of the Tuggerah Lakes dredging program with $1m per year for four years, plus $3.5m over four years, (with $0.5m in the first year) in capital works to support implementation of the Coastal Management Program and seek 2:1 state government funding.

Town Centre Planning and Improvement Program: $1m over four years from 2027-28 in capital works, along with $0.3m per year in operational funding for five years starting in 2026-27, to establish a rolling town centre planning and improvement program. This will support planning, streetscape and public domain upgrades, improved access, traffic flow and safety.