Central Coast Council has performed well throughout the first half of this year, with quarter two (Q2) results reported to Council at the 26 February 2024 Council Meeting. Council has now commenced setting aside funds – $1.4M each month – to enable the final pay down of the remaining emergency loan in November 2025.

With the return of elected councillors in September 2024, Central Coast Council continues to track well financially, and also in the progress and delivery of budgeted capital works – ensuring the business is in a strong position for the new Council.After paying down one of the emergency loans in December 2023, Council has now commenced setting aside funds, $1.4M each month, to enable the final pay down of the remaining emergency loan in November 2025. Council CEO David Farmer said the extinguishment of these emergency loans is a great achievement and that moving forward it will mean more funds to allocate towards community services and projects.“It has not only been the money that has had to be put aside every month towards paying down these loans, but also the interest that has had to be paid on the loans, which has been a burden on Council for the last several years.”Other points in the Q2 Business Report review presented at the February Council meeting, include a projected increase in budgeted operating income of $5.9M, and an operational expenditure projected to increase by $3.2M.Mr Farmer said based on these proposed budget changes, Council projects a modest operating surplus for the year ending 30 June 2024. He added the projected capital income from developer contributions is being reduced, whilst projected income from grants has been increased by $8.7M to align with approved funding agreements.An increase in capital expenditure of $38.3M has been included mainly relating to the receipt of unbudgeted grants.“Overall, the Q2 Report is very good, and we are getting on with delivering projects and services in a very timely and financially prudent manner.“This was evidenced in January in our Capital Works quarterly update, that Council is tracking at 100% to budget.“Current major projects include the new Gosford Regional Library, the Mardi Dam Water Treatment major upgrade and the Hue Hue Road pavement upgrade.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said he is very pleased with the results reported in the Q2 Review and said the community should have confidence in how things are tracking."The fact that we are on track to achieve another modest surplus and our capital works program is also on track, I think means the community can be confident in how Council is functioning."For all information on the progress of Council’s capital works projects visit: https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/about-council/current-works-and-projects/capital-works-program

Council has announced ten new Y4Y (Youth for Youth) Action Team members, to represent young people on the coast.To ensure the continued and meaningful engagement of young people in the region, Council is excited to introduce the 2024 Y4Y Action Team.Y4Y Youth Action members are:Anannya Bandaru, Isabelle Ince, Janine Southwell, Jasper Blakely, Lilia Olaru-Mohr, Lily Arendse, Maddison Elwine-Wilson, Malcolm Barlett, Simran Nathani and Travis Pankhurst.The Y4Y Action Team aims to meaningfully engage young people on the Central Coast, drawing on their own skills, experience and networks and helping to further develop them.Through their position as representatives of Y4Y Action Team, members contribute to a community program, the development of a legacy item for young people and a community campaign based on a theme of the Central Coast Youth Strategy.With members aged 14 to 24 years, the Y4Y Action Team has doubled this year due to an increase in applications during recruitment.

WEEKLY ROAD WORKS UPDATEWe continue each week to roll out a sustained program of works to deliver road improvements and maintenance where possible during rainy weather.

In a continuation of Central Coast Council’s commitment to the community to be accountable and transparent in its progress to improve water and sewer services, Council has delivered an update on the Water and Sewer Delivery Plan 2022-2026.The bi-annual report highlights the key achievements across July to December 2023 under three focus areas:

In a continuation of Central Coast Council’s commitment to the community to be accountable and transparent in its progress to improve water and sewer services, Council has delivered an update on the Water and Sewer Delivery Plan 2022-2026.The bi-annual report highlights the key achievements across July to December 2023 under three focus areas:

Council has announced ten new Y4Y (Youth for Youth) Action Team members, to represent young people on the coast.To ensure the continued and meaningful engagement of young people in the region, Council is excited to introduce the 2024 Y4Y Action Team.Y4Y Youth Action members are:Anannya Bandaru, Isabelle Ince, Janine Southwell, Jasper Blakely, Lilia Olaru-Mohr, Lily Arendse, Maddison Elwine-Wilson, Malcolm Barlett, Simran Nathani and Travis Pankhurst.Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said the Y4Y Action Team aims to meaningfully engage young people on the Central Coast, drawing on their own skills, experience and networks and helping to further develop them.“Through their position as representatives of Y4Y Action Team, members contribute to a community program, the development of a legacy item for young people and a community campaign based on a theme of the Central Coast Youth Strategy,” Ms Smith said.“With members aged 14 to 24 years, the Y4Y Action Team has doubled this year due to an increase in applications during recruitment.

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to complete a short survey to help inform the development of a new 10-year Public Art Plan. The survey is the first step in a community engagement program that will be rolled out in March and April, talking with local community, groups, artists and creatives, industry professionals and businesses. This is an opportunity to shape the approach to public art which will place the community, and its creative practitioners at the heart of the plan.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said public art plays an important role in our community.“This survey is the first step in engaging with the community, understanding their values and seeking feedback on what should be included in a Public Art Plan.