Central Coast Council will invest more than $1.3 billion over four years in capital projects, with $320 million being planned for this upcoming financial year after adopting the 10-year Community Strategic Plan (CSP), four-year Delivery Program, one-year Operational Plan, budget and resourcing strategies.

Highlights include completing the Gosford Regional Library, building the Tuggerawong foreshore pathway and constructing a new Regional Animal Care facility at Mardi.

Councillor priorities focus on renewing local roads, improving accessibility in sport and recreation, developing a masterplan for Warnervale Business Precinct, upgrading shared pathways, delivering Youth Strategy actions, implementing the Warnervale Airport masterplan and finalising Coastal Management Programs.

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna, said it was gratifying to produce a budget with input from elected representatives for the first time in four years.

“These plans represent our community’s voice following the return of Councillors,” Mayor McKinna said.

“Our Long-term Financial Plan shows Council’s commitment to maintaining financial sustainability, ensuring we stay in good shape.

“Thank you to everyone who participated in our ‘Planning for the Future’ engagement sessions. We listened to what you had to say, and we’ve adapted our plans to include your feedback.

“We’ve added an additional $20 million over three years for road renewals, plus a further $800,000 to fix potholes. We have also allocated $150,000 to a tree planting pilot program on the Peninsula after receiving feedback from more than 320 community members.

“Council also resolved an additional allocation of $1.2M to fund a dredging program in Tuggerah Lake to help mitigate the extent and frequency of flooding in the area, funded as part of the favourable adjustment in budget predictions," Mayor McKinna said.

Following consultation, the Community Strategic Plan has been updated to reflect Council’s commitment to Coastal Open Space System (COSS) and all plans have been improved for readability.

Council Chief Executive Officer David Famer, thanked Councillors for their work in setting the strategic direction.

“Now that our plans have been adopted, we’re committed to getting on with the job of building and maintaining community assets and delivering services,” Mr Farmer said.

“We’re looking forward to keeping residents informed and reporting on our progress.”

In the next financial year, Council will maintain, operate and upgrade services, as well as delivering many programs and projects.

2025/26 Works program highlights

$89.8M - Sewerage network 
$66.3M - Road assets
$42.4M - Water supply 
$28M - Buildings 
$21.3M - Open space assets
$14.1M - Footpaths
$12.7M - Waste management facilities
$9.4M - Stormwater and drainage 
$1.1M - Swimming pools

2025/26 Project highlights

$21.4M - Road upgrades
$14.9M - Natural disaster infrastructure recovery program
$13.3M - Asphalt resurfacing 
$11.5M - Road renewal program 
$5.1M - Holiday Park improvements 
$3.8M - Bridges and wharves 
$2.7M - Leisure centre works
$2.5M - Parking station upgrades
$2.2M - Library works
$2.2M - Skate parks, BMX, and hard-court maintenance 
$1.8M - Childcare centre works
$1.5M - Boat ramps and jetties upgrades
$1.5M - Estuary and coastal protection works
$1.4M - Road resealing
$1.3M - Town centre refurbishments
$1.2M – Funding for dredging in Tuggerah Lakes
$1.1M - Surf Life Saving clubs renewal
$940k - Bus stops, safety barriers and other traffic facilities
$710k - improvements to Central Coast Stadium
$606k - Arthouse, Peninsula and Laycock theatre upgrades
$260k - Cemetery development
$250k - Warnervale Airport lighting upgrade

The adopted 10-year Community Strategic Plan, four-year Delivery Program, one-year Operational Plan, budget and resourcing strategies can be viewed by searching for ‘Delivery Program and Operational Plan’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au