Mayor McKinna

Mayor Lawrie McKinna was elected as Mayor of Central Coast Council in October 2024 for a term of two years.

He is committed to working hard to ensure council delivers on community priorities.

Persistence, teamwork and community are key themes for Mayor of The Central Coast, Lawrie McKinna.

Lawrie was born in Galston, on the West Coast of Scotland, and when he was two-and-a-half, his family moved to Australia. He lived in Sydney for two years then moved to Auckland, New Zealand, before returning to Scotland when he was five. At school, Lawrie was obsessed with football. He began his sporting career as a striker with Galston United, then was striker with junior side Darvel before signing with local professional club, Kilmarnock, in 1982.

Lawrie moved to Australia in 1986 and went on to play for several clubs in the National Soccer League and state leagues. His coaching career began in 1992 as Assistant Manager with Blacktown City. In 1995 he was a player/manager for Hills United before going on to hold the Assistant Coach role with Sydney Olympic, Sydney United and Parramatta Power Football Clubs.

In 2002, Lawrie’s management career took off with Northern Spirit and he won the National Soccer League ‘Coach of the Year’ Award after taking the team to their first finals campaign in three years. He has also coached Chinese Super League Club Chengdu and China League One side Chongging Lifan.

Lawrie is credited with establishing the region’s first A-League sporting team, the Central Coast Mariners, who he coached to two grand finals, as well as winning a minor premiership and pre-season cup. He served as Head Coach from 2005 to 2010 and Director of Football for the Central Coast Mariners, winning the A-League ‘Coach of the Year’ Award during the 2005/2006 season, and became the Mariner’s Ambassador in 2014.

In June 2016, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Newcastle Jets and was in the role until 2021. Lawrie is well known in football and business circles. He served as Chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast from January 2021 to 22 October 2024 and is currently on the Board of Directors at Sydney Olympic Football club, formally the CEO from January 2022 to December 2024.

Lawrie’s political career began when he became a Councillor for the City of Gosford in 2012. He was elected Mayor and served until the amalgamation of Gosford and Wyong in 2016. Lawrie led Team Central Coast in the 2024 Council elections and is now Mayor of The Central Coast for the next two years. He is honoured to have been elected Mayor and is delighted to be serving the community he loves once again.

Lawrie and his wife Christine have been married for 44 years, have two sons and two grandsons and have lived on the Central Coast for 20 years. He describes making the decision to move his wife and two young boys to Australia to play football as one of the toughest, but most fortunate, of his life. Lawrie believes that he’s learned a thing or two about teamwork over his career. He’s keen to use his team-building skills to lead the new Council as they work together to serve the community.

Publications of the Mayor's diary

Mayor McKinna Diary 5 October 2024 - 31 December 2025

Mayor

25th anniversary of Palm Grove Ourimbah Creek Landcare

I’m honoured to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of Palm Grove Ourimbah Creek Landcare, celebrated on 2 October.
- 03/10/2025
Mayor

Marion is a true champion

Marion Dreyer is the kind of Community Champion every community needs.
- 30/09/2025
Mayor

Congratulations, new citizens

We welcomed 170 of Australia’s newest citizens at a Citizenship Ceremony on 25 September at The Art House, Wyong.More than 33 countries were represented by the people taking the citizenship pledge, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, Nepal, Brazil, India, Italy, Canada and many more.At the ceremony, we heard from guest speaker, Grace Nguyen, about her family’s decision to call Australia home. It was fitting that September is also the month we acknowledge Australia Citizenship Day, creating an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of citizenship and the responsibilities we have as citizens.Becoming an Australian Citizen is a significant milestone, and it was wonderful to see the genuine enthusiasm and excitement people’s faces as they pledged their commitment to Australia. On behalf of Council and the Central Coast community, I’d like to congratulate our newest citizens on this major step and wish them a bright future as part of our great nation. Mayor Lawrie McKinna
- 25/09/2025
Mayor

We’re partnering with Lake Macquarie City Council

I’m pleased to announce that we’ve established a strategic partnership with Lake Macquarie City Council, and I thank Mayor Adam Shultz for his work in progressing this initiative.Our two councils have a combined population of close to 600,000 people and we support more than 215,000 jobs and 40,000 businesses.
- 24/09/2025
Mayor

Barang celebrates 10 years

Congratulations to Barang Regional Alliance on their 10-year anniversary. Barang, a not-for-profit organisation, is a high achiever in our community. Working with all levels of government, and partner organisations, they’re making a significant impact by empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the Central Coast and improving outcomes.Through advocacy, input into local decision-making and the development of targeted community programs, Barang supports improved outcomes in key areas including early childhood development, youth empowerment, employment and health.They support people through advocacy, understanding the evolving needs of the Aboriginal community, and providing cultural, creative and leadership programs and opportunities.The Central Coast has a rapidly growing and largest Aboriginal population in Australia so organisations like Barang are essential to the success of our whole community. Their goals of ensuring people are healthy and well, providing opportunities for connection, encouraging economic and social independence and supporting families are the cornerstones for a robust and engaged community. By creating a unified voice, they are stronger together and better equipped to represent our region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Barang means ‘tomorrow’ in the Darkinjung language, signalling their commitment to building a brighter future.
- 16/09/2025
Mayor

Gosford Regional Library – A Dream Realised

It was absolutely fantastic to see so many smiling faces at our community open day for the new Gosford Regional Library!
- 08/09/2025
Mayor

Check in on R U OK? Day  

Thursday 11 September is R U OK?
- 03/09/2025
Mayor

Community Champion Roslyn walks the talk

Our newest Community Champion, Roslyn Greener, has been coordinating a Central Coast women’s walking group called Walkie Talkies every Friday for over 22 years through the Peninsula Women’s Health Centre. Roslyn’s walking program encourages women to explore the Central Coast’s tracks and trails while enjoying exercise, connection and community.
- 25/08/2025
Mayor

Kicking goals for Sport, Leisure and Recreation

When we were preparing our strategic plans, we devised a list of Councillor priorities that aligned with community feedback.
- 11/08/2025
Mayor

Welcome to Council Sister Cities Students

I recently had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation of 14 junior and senior high school students and their teachers from Edogawa, Japan, to Council along with their hosts from Narara Valley High School.During their time here, the students enjoyed home stays with host families, attended classes at local schools and experienced Central Coast life.For more than 35 years we’ve had a Sister City relationship with Edogawa City, and have benefitted from friendship, partnerships, and cultural exchanges.The beautiful Edogawa Commemorative Gardens next to the Gosford Regional Gallery is an incredible and enduring gift from our Sister City that brings joy to residents and visitors.
- 04/08/2025
Mayor

Business owners share their insights

A remarkable 227 business owners participated in Council’s first Business Retention and Expansion survey, sharing their experiences, challenges, and priorities.Business Retention and Expansion programs provide a way for us to hear from business owners and understand their challenges so we can help them grow, create jobs and stay on the Central Coast. I’m pleased to announce that the Business Retention and Expansion Insights Report
- 21/07/2025
Mayor

Volunteers are the force behind National Tree Day

We’re hosting two community planting events this National Tree Day, Sunday 27 July, and everyone is invited to help plant trees and shrubs and enjoy free community festivities. But did you know about the work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for National Tree Day? Each month, a volunteer seed collecting group gathers seeds and cuttings from local bushland and coastal reserves for use at Council’s Erina Nursery.Nursery volunteer groups then work alongside environmental officers to sort the seeds and store them in the nursery’s seed bank.
- 21/07/2025
Mayor

Carmen and Jane are Community Champions

I met Carmen Cooper and Jane Hillyard not long after they’d opened their not-for-profit shop, Bowerbird Recycling, in William Street Plaza, Gosford.These incredible women have a vision to create a world where everyone thrives, and a mission to help make life more comfortable for people whose budget doesn’t extend to creating a cosy and welcoming space in their home. Through Bowerbird Recycling, volunteers collect pre-loved items of clothing, homewares and furniture that are new, near new or in excellent condition.They then visit families in need, see what items they lack and return with goods that will transform their place into a home. The pair’s motto is ‘helping, creating, restoring’ and they’re now using their passion and skills in interior design and property styling to ensure those who need it most have surroundings where they can feel relaxed and restored - all while promoting sustainability and reducing waste. If people don’t have anything to donate, they can still help vulnerable women and children by sponsoring a care pack of kitchen essentials or pamper items. Our Central Coast Community Champion initiative honours people who, through exceptional effort and commitment, make a difference to the lives of others. I’m sure you’ll agree that Carmen and Jane are very worthy Community Champions, and they have our gratitude and appreciation.If you know of a Community Champion, please tell me about them at themayor@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
- 16/07/2025
Mayor

We’ve put roadworks on the map

We recently engaged with residents about our strategic plans, and people sent us a strong message – roads are our top priority. In March, we released our 10-year Road Renewal Program.
- 07/07/2025
Mayor

Join us to celebrate NAIDOC Week

You’re invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week with us at our annual flag raising ceremony and free community breakfast from 9.30am on Monday 7 July 2025, outside Council at 2 Hely St, Wyong.NAIDOC Week runs from 6 to 13 July and 2025 marks the significant milestone of 50 years honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience.
- 01/07/2025
Mayor

New projects, new perspectives

What a pleasure it was to meet people and discuss our plans, projects, and budget for this term of Council. I’d like to thank everyone who came to one of our ‘Let’s Talk’ sessions to meet with Councillors and Council teams, view the plans and give feedback.
- 24/06/2025
Mayor

Thanks for your feedback

We’ve been out and about in the community, talking to people about our plans for the future. These included our 10-year Community Strategic Plan, four-year Delivery Program, one-year Operational Plan and resourcing strategies.Thank you to everyone who visited our pop-up information sessions to see for themselves what’s being proposed for their local area, and for the whole coast.
- 23/06/2025
Mayor

New maker space will inspire

I’m excited that Council is partnering with the University of Newcastle to develop a new ‘maker space’ at the Gosford Regional Library.A maker space is a supportive community hub designed to inspire exploration, creativity, ideas sharing and self-directed learning. University experts will collaborate with Council to create a state-of-the-art space within the library, equipped with 3D printing machines, virtual reality goggles, sewing and Cricut machines, that will encourage skills development, critical thinking and experimentation.
- 16/06/2025
Mayor

Our June Community Champion - Billy Isaacs

Our newest Community Champion is 12-year-old Billy Isaacs.
- 12/06/2025
Mayor

Proudly Australian citizens

Our community welcomed 160 of Australia’s newest citizens at a Citizenship Ceremony on 11 June at The Art House, Wyong.More than36 different countries were represented by the people taking the citizenship pledge, including Nepal, the Philippines, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, India and many more.At the ceremony, we heard from guest speaker Victoria Lobregat.
- 11/06/2025