Two years on from its major community consultation project ‘Let’s Talk Woy Woy’, Central Coast Council has completed a range of major works, upgrades and improvements throughout the Woy Woy town centre, with more projects currently underway.Throughout the ‘Let’s Talk Woy Woy’ project, we received over 422 formal submission from 294 stakeholders, with over 100 community members attending one of our two drop-in information sessions.This valuable feedback informed Council on a range of highly-anticipated projects including the development of the new state of the art Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf, road and infrastructure improvements, place activation projects, the formation of a Woy Woy Town Centre Strategy and much more.Yesterday, Central Coast Council issued a media statement advising that the planned demolition of the playspace at Pelican Park Woy Woy has been put on hold to enable further consultation and engagement with the broader community.

Council adopts 2021-22 Operational PlanThe Central Coast Council Operational Plan for 2021-22 has been adopted after consideration of all community submissions received during the 28 day public exhibition in May.Council reviewed 140 community submissions as an important part of the process to finalise the Operational Plan, which outlines an operating budget of $659.8M and a capital works budget of $175.0M.Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said the budget reflects a commitment to deliver essential services and key projects whilst moving Council towards financial sustainability.“Community submissions included commentary on Council’s financial situation and resultant actions, requests for additional projects, commentary on projects listed and the proposed budget, and requests to reduce specific fees,” Mr Farmer said."Following the review process the Operational Plan has been amended to include projects continuing from 2020-21, remove projects completed in 2020-21, include additional fully grant funded projects, and make minor changes to a number of proposed fees and charges.“This is a responsible budget that represents a commitment to financial sustainability whilst ensuring that Council continues to deliver for the Central Coast.“Difficult decisions have had to be made – including delaying or reducing the frequency of some initiatives and projects – but these changes are necessary to ensure our long-term sustainability.“There is a reduction to some levels of service and the community will see this reflected in the overall amenity of the Coast, where it will take us longer to do some care and maintenance works such as frequency of mowing road verges and street sweeping in town centres.“It is important to note that we have significantly reduced staff numbers to save $30M and this may result in longer customer enquiry response times in some cases but all requests will be prioritised in terms of safety and risk.”The adopted Operational Plan reflects the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) decision to approve a 15 percent special rate variation increase for the Central Coast for three years commencing in the 2021-22 financial year.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said finalising the 2021-22 Operational Plan is an important milestone in Council’s progression towards achieving financial sustainability.“Reducing capital expenditure by $70M was a fundamental component of necessary measures to ensure Council remained financially viable and to satisfy the requirements of commercial loans,” Mr Hart said."We have made significant progress towards getting Central Coast Council back on track – on top of reducing our capital expenditure, a significant organisational restructure has been completed, we have commenced asset sales in line with the refinancing understanding and have received a 15 percent special rate increase from IPART.“It is important to note that the recent IPART decision only provides security for three years and we will be seeking community feedback for our next submission to IPART to seek approval to permanently maintain the 15 percent special rate variation.”Capital works program highlights for 2021-22Road and drainage worksRoad projects account for 20.4 percent of the budgetRegion-wide road resealing program – $2.1M (reference R010)Region-wide asphalt resurfacing program – $1.3M (reference R012)Road and drainage projects across the region including in Avoca, Bateau Bay, Berkeley Vale, Chain Valley Bay, Copacabana, Davistown, Ettalong, Gosford and surrounds, Hamlyn Terrace, Lisarow, Norah Head, Somersby, Toukley, Umina, Woy Woy and WyongShared pathway and walking trail worksMagenta (The Entrance) shared pathway construction – $2M (reference L003)Tuggerawong foreshore shared pathway construction – $1.47M (reference L005)Projects in Davistown, Erina, Gosford, Lake Munmorah, Magenta, Ourimbah, Terrigal and TuggerawongWater and sewer worksWater supply projects account for 16.8 percent of the budgetSewerage network projects account for 20.5 percent of the budgetRegion-wide water mains asset renewal program – $7.03M (reference R004)Region-wide sewer main asset renewal program – $5.75M (reference R007)Gosford CBD water infrastructure reinforcements – $4.33M (reference R005)Mardi Water Treatment Plant major upgrade – $6.8M (reference R003)Gosford CBD sewer infrastructure reinforcements – $5.82M (reference R001)Warnervale Town Centre sewer infrastructure – $4.18M (reference R006)Water and sewer projects in Avoca, Charmhaven, Daleys Point, Empire Bay, Ettalong, Forresters Beach, Gosford, Gwandalan, Killcare, Kincumber, Mardi, Mooney Mooney, Saratoga, Tacoma, Tacoma South, Umina and WarnervaleWaste management facility worksConstruction of Cell 4.4 at Buttonderry Waste Management Facility, Jilliby – $6.96M (reference G001)Facility improvement and asset management worksHeating ventilation and air conditioning replacement at Peninsula Leisure Centre – $3.85M (reference L002)Upgrade of renewal of the Visitor Information Centre, The Entrance – $2.39M (reference S001)Works at Gosford Olympic Pool, Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance, Halekulani, Long Jetty, Spencer, Tacoma and Toukley Aquatic CentreNew Gosford Regional Library worksInitial works – $1.61M (reference L001)Sport field, park and playspace worksAdelaide Street Oval Sportsground (Killarney Vale) amenities building upgrade – $1.39M (reference L004)Projects in Chain Valley Bay, Gosford, Green Point, Kariong, Narara, Pretty Beach, Saratoga, Woongarrah and Woy WoyTown centre improvementsProjects in Budgewoi, Ettalong, Gosford, The Entrance, Toukley and WyongThe capital works budget of $175.0M includes a $1.5M increase from the exhibited program due to the inclusion of fully grant funded projects that will not impact Council’s operating result.The Local Government Act 1993 (sub-section 405(1)) requires Council to consider any submissions received during public exhibition and to adopt an Operational Plan before the beginning of the financial year.Council adopts rates and charges for 2021-22Council has adopted ordinary rates, special rates and waste management annual charges for the 2021-22 financial year.Charges are reflective of the 2 percent rate peg increase and 13 percent Special Variation increase (totalling 15 percent) approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in May.

Central Coast Council is implementing measures to help protect the safety of its staff and community during the current COVID-19 resurgence.Following the announcement of a NSW Government Public Health Order requiring the Central Coast to enter a two week lockdown – effective from 6pm Saturday 26 June 2021 until 11:59pm Friday 9 July 2021 – Council has temporarily closed a number of its facilities but will continue to deliver all essential services.Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said Council’s primary responsibility during this difficult time is staff and community safety.“Our community knows what is required to get COVID-19 outbreaks under control and we thank you for understanding the necessary changes that Council has put in place,” Mr Farmer said.“Council will continue to provide essential services for our community during this lockdown, this includes water and sewer services, waste collection, road repairs and child care centres.“Our parks and beaches remain open for exercise only and please note that lifeguard services are not in operation during the cooler months.“Please refer to our website and social media channels for the latest information on necessary temporary closures of some facilities and any impacts to our services.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Central Coast community has proven to be resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.“The Central Coast is all too familiar with what needs to be done to halt community transmission of COVID-19 and Council is taking necessary and required measures,” Mr Hart said.“Please carefully follow all requirements outlined by NSW Health through the current Public Health Order and we will keep you informed of any changes to Council facilities or services.”Any visitors to the Central Coast or Greater Sydney from 21 June 2021 or after must adhere to Public Health Order requirements – follow stay-at-home orders for a period of 14 days after leaving the region.Penalties for not following restrictions are enforceable by Police – this includes leaving the home for non-essential reasons, not social distancing and non-essential travel.Council urges any community members who are feeling unwell or experiencing any COVID-19 symptom to self-isolate and get tested immediately.Essential Council services continuing during current lockdown:water and sewerwaste collectionroad repairsdevelopment assessmentschild care centres remain openpublic toilets remain openparks and playspaces remain open (for exercise only)beaches remain open (please note lifeguards are not on patrol during the cooler months)holiday parks are open for essential travellers onlyCentral Coast Stadium events will be updated at centralcoaststadium.com.auafter hours call outs for emergenciescall centre for customer enquiries.Council facilities temporary closures during current lockdown:Administration buildings at Wyong and GosfordLibrariesLeisure centres, gyms and poolsTheatres and The Regional GalleryThe Entrance Visitor Information CentreSenior and Youth CentresAll our community facilities, such as halls.For the latest information on COVID-19 related impacts to Council facilities search ‘COVID-19’ on Council’s website – centralcoast.nsw.gov.auTo keep up-to-date with Council’s latest news search ‘E-News’ on Council’s website – centralcoast.nsw.gov.auPlease refer to NSW Health communication channels for the latest COVID-19 information and requirements.

A local playspace is now open at Woy Woy’s Anderson Park reserve, providing a new safe and accessible place for local families and visitors to enjoy when visiting this popular foreshore area.This fully fenced new playspace features a multiply climbing unit with double slides and rope climbs, rocker, swing set, voice tubes, twista and balance trail and accessible pathway and softfall – whilst taking advantage of the shade provided by mature trees within the reserve.Council has been improving Woy Woy Town Centre for the community and have been in discussions with local businesses and residents on plans since October 2019.This playspace reflects the recently adopted Central Coast playspace strategy developed with community input and will complement the soon to be completed Woy Woy Wharf opposite this reserve and the periodic events held at this foreshore site (such as markets and other community activities).  A continuous shared pathway on the foreshore opposite the park provides a level surface to walk, scooter or ride the 1km to Lions Park which boasts a previously renewed playspace, BBQ and picnic facilities, fish cleaning station, boat ramps, jetties and public amenities.The completion of this new playspace has been timed to coincide with the unfortunate need to soon remove the ageing but much-loved playground unit 75m away at Pelican Park.  This removal is required due to a safety audit showing that the equipment no longer meets current Australian safety standards.  With the roots of the adjoining mature tree continuing to cause safety hazards, this site was not suitable for a new playspace to be built.  However, the site of the existing Pelican Park playground will remain as a public open space area, with the existing shaded picnic tables and fencing to remain and the area that currently has the play equipment being freshly turfed.

The Central Coast has its first Community Recycling Centre, with householders now able to drop off their problem wastes such as paints, oils, gas bottles, fluoro lights, smoke detectors and batteries for free at the Buttonderry Waste Management Facility in Jilliby, near Wyong.The Community Recycling Centre was established by Central Coast Council with the support of an Environmental Trust grant of $160,000 and work with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).The Centre at Jilliby expands on the popular travelling Chemical Cleanout Events, which are well supported in the region.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Jilliby Centre offered a permanent, free drop-off solution, complementary to existing services, that will make problem waste disposal easier for Central Coast residents.“Our community is passionate about closing the loop on waste and ensuring its safe and environmentally responsible disposal and this was evident when we consulted on our Waste Resource Management Strategy,” Mr Hart said.“We are proud that 87% of our community think it is very important to reduce the amount of waste that households generate and dispose, and we are also proud to be able to actively find opportunities that help our community do this.

It was great to see the 2021 Harvest Festival return to the Coast over the long weekend showcasing over 30 event hubs in the hinterland. Over 48,000 people attended across the weekend, an increase of 16,000 from the event in 2019, with most of the visitors being from all over Sydney. The economic impact for the region was $5,390,133! Whist the figures here are impressive, venues were still restricted on numbers as a result of COVID public health orders.  17-23 May was National Volunteer Week where I had the pleasure of presenting Gabrielle Greiner as Volunteer of the Year at Central Coast’s National Volunteer Awards 2021, along with many other great volunteers being recognised for their hard work and dedication. I congratulate all volunteers!   I joined the CEO in attending, I attended the Central Coast Economic Breakfast hosted by Business NSW to hear where the Central Coast fits in global, federal and state context for growth.  I continue to meet with the local members of parliament to discuss their key concerns and grant opportunities, including one of Council’s key stakeholders, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer to discuss future opportunities and Council’s MOU.  As I work through the submissions received on the Tranche 3 Asset Sales, I am also visiting those sites of contention to gain a thorough understanding of the issues raised.     

The return of Central Coast Council’s much-loved Harvest Festival over the 12-13 June long weekend has been hailed a great success, drawing record crowds to the Coast’s hinterland communities and providing a welcomed boost to the region’s economy.A celebration of the spectacular Central Coast hinterland, this year’s Harvest Festival saw 30 event hubs run a range of unique events and experiences from farm tours, fruit picking and produce markets to food and wine fairs, degustation dinners and live entertainment.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said over 48,000 people attended the festival, bringing an estimated economic boost of $5.39 million to our region.“We are delighted to report that over 48,000 locals and visitors stepped out to enjoy Harvest Festival over the long weekend, which marks an increase of 16,000 people from our 2019 event,” Ms Vaughan said.“Our event hubs received an abundance of positive feedback from participants and visitors, many of which travelled from Sydney and beyond to experience the unique events taking place and explore the Coast’s rural communities.“A huge thank you to our attendees for being respectful and following COVID-safe rules throughout the weekend.

We continue to support our community’s learning and recreational needs via our ‘Libraries Online’ series of events for all ages, including our speaker events.