Highlights of the 27 November 2017 Council Meeting

Council asks the State Government to change the location of rail maintenance facility

Council has resolved to write to Transport for NSW to request that the site of the rail maintenance facility for the Central Coast be changed from Kangy Angy to Warnervale.

In 2014 a Transport NSW consultant report recommended land adjacent to the Link Road at Warnervale was the ideal site for the facility instead of the current location at Kangy Angy.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council was supportive of a rail maintenance facility for the local jobs it would create but wanted to ensure it was in the right location on the Central Coast.

“Warnervale is where the growth on the Coast will be, where there is the space and industrial land to accommodate a facility of this size and scale,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

‘The State Government have changed their minds on other key issues for the State, and we are asking for them to make the right decision for the Central Coast.”

Council will now write to Transport NSW requesting that they reconsider the Kangy Angy site for the proposed Rail Maintenance Facility and instead move to the Warnervale site adjacent to the Link Road.

Community members on Mangrove Mountain and Spencer Advisory Committee confirmed

All eleven community members who put in an Expression of Interest have been appointed to the Committee to advise Council on actions and to address issues relating to the Mangrove Mountain Golf Course and alleged dumping at Spencer.

Mr Mr John Asquith, Mr Gary Chestnut, Mr Stephen Goodwin, Mr Wolfgang Koerner, Ms Margaret Pontifex, Ms Marilyn Steiner, Mr Danny Willmott, Mr Stephen Rickards, Ms Pam O’Sullivan, Ms Joy Cooper and Ms Lillias Bovell are the appointed community members.

The community members will round out the committee made up of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors Marquart, MacGregor and Mehrtens as well as the Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel, other relevant staff and independent experts.

Mayor Jane Smith said with the confirmation of the community appointments the Committee can now get on with the job of helping to resolve issues relating to waste management in the best interests of the community and the Central Coast.

“We want to ensure we have everyone at the table with the expertise, knowledge and interest to ensure these issues are investigated thoroughly and the appropriate action taken as that is what our community want to see.”

“I look forward to the first meeting of this Committee and in continuing to keep the community updated on the progress of these important matters.”

Aviation Hub Masterplan for Central Coast airport on hold

Council confirmed its support for the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act and resolved that the current 1196 metre runway not be extended, removed or altered.

Council further resolved that all works at the Central Coast Airport will be suspended, unless required by law or that suspension would expose Council to liability.

Council also resolved to reallocate budget allocated to the development of Central Coast airport to employment generating projects in the former Wyong local government area, with a report to be put to the 12 February 2018 Council Meeting.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act provides safeguards for the community and that any future development of the airport must have that in mind.

“There is a view there are better employment generating options out there, other than developing the airport, and we want to explore those options,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“It is crucial for the progress of the Coast that we find the right balance between the built and natural environment.

“The airport is near the Porters Creek wetlands and we need to ensure any development is sensitive to the biodiversity of the area protects the water quality in the Tuggerah Lakes estuary now and into the future.”

Council will also prepare a report to protect the biodiversity of the Porters Creek wetlands and report back to meeting on 26 February, 2018.

Council has resolved not to move forward as originally proposed by the former Wyong Council.

Council looking to move to a fortnightly meeting schedule

Proposed amendments to Council’s Code of Meeting Practice, including fortnightly meetings, a community forum and a simplified order of business, will be put out on public exhibition.

Council is required to meet at least ten times a year, under the Local Government Act.  Council will easily meet this obligation by seeking to hold meeting on the second and fourth Monday of every month from February to November inclusive, with one further meeting on the second Monday in December.

Meetings will continue to alternate between Gosford and Wyong and will be livestreamed.

Mayor Jane Smith said with the workload of the new Council it was important to hold fortnightly meeting for openness and transparency and to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of the Central Coast community.

“We have a big job to do, and an important one and it is important we all come together regularly to make the important decisions that will move the Coast forward,” Mayor Jane Smith.

“Openness and transparency is the key which is why we will continue to live stream all Council meetings so everyone can see what is going on.”

“Residents will be able to address Council on items on the agenda or seek to speak at a community forum to raise a specific item of concern to them with all Councillors there.”

Community Forums will be held once a month between 5 and 5.30pm on a rotational basis between Gosford and Wyong with a maximum of two presentations.

The amended Code of Meeting Practice will be publicly exhibited for 42 days and will be available on yourvoiceourcoast.com

Merger funding delivering a stronger Central Coast community

Twelve not-for-profit groups on the Coast will share in just under $250,000 in funding, following the announcement of round 3 of the Stronger Communities Fund program.

The Stronger Communities Fund was established by the NSW Government for merged Councils, including the Central Coast to provide grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 to local groups. $1 million was provided to be allocated over four rounds of $250,000.

Mayor Jane Smith said the purpose of the program was to fund project that build a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive Central Coast.

“This program has definitely been a benefit of amalgamation as it has allowed great community-driven projects actually happen,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council cannot deliver every service and we need to support thosegroups who are making a real difference on the ground each and every day in our community.

“This is a great example of what can be achieved when the community, Council and the State Government work together.”

Successful recipients in this third round of funding include:

• Central Coast Baseball Association – Drainage at Baseball Park East Gosford
• Copacabana Tennis Club – resurface of the courts
• Wyongah Progress Association – Progress Hall renovation
• Rotary Club of Gosford North – Save Our Kids
• North Entrance Surf Life Saving Club – Installation of a unisex accessible toilet
• Brisbane Water Historical Society – Museum reception, work area and kitchen renovation
• Central Coast Plateau Chamber of Commerce – Harvest Trail
• Laura’s Place Family Support – Bereavement Group
• Gosford City Women’s Bowling Club – Healthy Active Lifestyle
• Kamira Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services – Repairs to bathroom
• Lutanda Children’s Services – Experiential Learning and Play
• Anglican Parish of Woy Woy – Community Hall Refurbishment

The assessment panel who made the recommendation was made up of representatives of local members of Parliament, senior executive Council staff as well as Councillors Pilon and Matthews and Mayor Jane Smith.

Extraordinary Meeting called to present Council’s Financial Statements

Council will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday 7 December 2017 to present the draft financial statements for the period from 13 May 2016 to 30 June 2017.

The draft financial statements will comply with the Local Government Act 1993 and prescribed accounting standards.

If adopted the statements will be referred to external audit for review, to be reported back at a subsequent meeting.

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 2 Hely Street in Wyong, starting at 6.30pm, be open to the public, and will be livestreamed.