Independent financial audit and performance review into all matters relating to Central Coast airportThrough an endorsed Mayoral Minute, Council will request that the NSW Auditor General conduct an independent financial audit and performance review into all matters relating to Central Coast airport.Council will request that the review consider all relevant information related to the development of a Regional Airport including proposals for Kiar Ridge and for the development of an Aviation Hub at Central Coast Airport.Mayor Jane Smith said the future of Central Coast airport needed to be resolved.“This report will ensure transparency and openness and will equip Council with all the necessary information to move forward with decisions related to the airport,” Mayor Smith said.Council will request that relevant proposals, financial records, development applications and potential conflicts of interest be considered.It will also be requested that any review will invite and consider public submissions, including confidential submissions if necessary.Council will request that the Auditor General provide specific advice on:Processes and decision-making relating to the Airport and Wyong Employment Zone including anomalies in the process and proposals and any areas that may not meet community expectations.Any improvements needed in Council processes.Any declared or undeclared conflicts of interest.Any matters requiring referral to external agencies for further investigations.The CEO will provide Council with a quarterly report on the progress of the review and the Auditor-General will be requested to provide an interim report by the end of June 2019.Multiple measures to manage weeds in Springfield and HolgateTo manage the infestation of a weed known as Salvinia molesta in Springfield and Holgate, Central Coast Council will utilise bio-controls sourced from the Department of Primary Industries.Council will undertake the mechanical removal of some weed in the first instance to allow for the best results from the bio-controls.Mayor Jane Smith said Salvinia molesta was known to exist at numerous sites across the Central Coast, but was hopeful the biological controls could help reduce the infestation at the Springfield and Holgate sites.“Introducing a weevil that naturally feeds on the Salvinia weed will be Council’s primary line of defence in combating this infestation,” Mayor Smith said.“Our staff will monitor and report back to Council on the success of the weevils in the coming months.

Central Coast Council has extended the public exhibition period for the revised Draft Development Control Plan Chapter relating to Tree and Vegetation Management to 28 January 2019.This extension, based on community feedback, will provide residents with additional time to lodge a submission on the important harmonisation of tree and vegetation management works policies across the Central Coast.If adopted following exhibition, the existing Wyong and Gosford Development Control Plans (DCP) would be amended to include the revised Chapter providing the community with a consistent policy until such time as Council adopts a Consolidated DCP next year.Council’s revised policy relates to urban and environmental zoned lands and requires a land owner to obtain a permit before the pruning or removal of any tree or any vegetation located greater than three metres from their house or other approved building, where the proposed pruning or tree removal is not covered by a set of nominated Exemptions.

Central Coast Council has just been announced as one of the first investors in the world’s first Green Tailored Deposit to be certified by the internationally recognised Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI).The Green Tailored Deposit, launched by Westpac on 26 November, is a medium to long term investment product (1-5 years) designed for investors who want or need investments that genuinely contribute to delivering a low carbon and climate resilient economy.All deposits are associated with a defined pool of eligible assets or projects which meet the strict CBI criteria, which can include renewable energy, low carbon transport, low carbon buildings and water infrastructure.Mayor Smith said investing in green bonds will allow Council to provide finance to projects that generate positive social impacts and help create a vibrant and sustainable Central Coast.“By investing in Green Bonds, Council is directly contributing to funding sustainable initiatives like renewable energy projects and innovations in waste management providing real and lasting benefit to the community,” Mayor Smith said.“Council is committed to leading the way in addressing the impacts of climate change and green investments are an innovative and tangible way we are delivering on that promise to our community.”Green bonds were created to fund projects that have a positive environment social and/or climate benefit including but not limited to renewable energy (solar, wind and hydro), carbon reduction, commercial property energy efficiency improvements, asset finance for low emission passenger and commercial vehicles and community housing.

Central Coast Council has recently conducted an audit of the community’s waste to help shape the first Waste Management Strategy for the region.The results will tailor education programs and resource recovery efforts, working towards more than 45 per cent of domestic waste being diverted from our landfill sites each year, a key deliverable of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP).Council Unit Manager Waste Services and Business Development, Andrew Pearce said the audit has provided some real insight into waste disposal habits of residents.“The good news is we are generating less waste in all three of our household bins when compared to all previous audits from the past decade, however contamination has increased,” Mr Pearce said.“Residents have a great understanding of their garden organics bin, with only a 2.5 per cent contamination rate, which was dominated by treated timber.“There is room for improvement with household recycling, with 13 per cent of unacceptable items placed in yellow-lidded bins – in total one per cent of items placed in the recycling bins were in plastic bags making these items completely unrecoverable.“What was concerning, was that even though household recycling was relatively good, public place recycling bins contained a massive 46 per cent of unacceptable items, with contaminated paper and single use coffee cups the main culprits.“Another concerning factor was the number of hazardous items, mainly electrical items and batteries, found in household bins and bulk kerbside collections.“We have free drop off points for household batteries, mobile phones and light globes at our Wyong and Gosford administration building and library branches.“We also accept e-waste items free of charge at each of our Waste Management Facilities at Buttonderry (Jilliby), Woy Woy and Kincumber and work with the NSW EPA to host free chemical collections twice a year.”The next Chemical CleanOut events will be held next year on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February at Gosford Showground and Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March at Council’s Long Jetty Depot, 1 Morris Place, corner of The Entrance and Wyong Roads, Bateau Bay.Residents are encouraged to visit 1coast.com.au to find out what items can be placed in their household bins and bulk kerbside collections, and discover other disposal and recycling options.The audit further revealed the average household creates a total of 19.8 kilograms of waste each week, 50 per cent of which is diverted from landfill when items are correctly placed in recycling and garden organic household bins.“We found, on average, each household puts one kilogram of acceptable recyclable materials in the general waste bin each week,” Mr Pearce added.“If all recyclables were correctly placed in our yellow lidded bins we could work together to increase landfill diversion rates by five per cent, helping us to exceed our target of 45 per cent.“As part of the Waste Management Strategy we will be investigating innovative mechanisms to achieve further diversion of waste from landfill.”It is anticipated the draft Waste Management Strategy will be placed on public exhibition for community feedback by April 2019.

Central Coast Council is running community consultation to guide a concept design for the redevelopment of Umina Skate Park and adjacent recreational zones to assist in securing funding to deliver a revitalised Peninsula Recreation Precinct.

The auditor’s reports for the 2017-18 Central Coast Council consolidated financial statements are available for public inspection at Council’s Offices in Gosford and Wyong, and are also online at yourvoiceourcoast.comThe reports and financial statements for 2017-18 confirm a total income from continuing operations of $651.2million, a surplus including capital income of $66.2million and an asset base worth $7.0billion.Any person is able to make a written submission to Council on the audited financial statements until Tuesday 11 December 2018.The audited financial statements will be presented to the Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held in the Wyong Chamber on Monday 10 December 2018 from 6.30pm.

Central Coast Council has released their latest Annual Report, which provides a comprehensive account of Council’s performance from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.

MEDIA RELEASEYoung people are being asked to get involved and be part of developing the first-ever Central Coast Youth Strategy.Central Coast Council wants to hear from young people and local youth services about what they see as important for young people who live, work or study on the Coast.Throughout October and November, all young people aged 12-24 can complete an online survey which explores their views about life on the Central Coast and what they would like to see for young people, now and in the future.The online survey will be complemented by face-to-face interviews at popular youth venues, events and schools, including focus groups with youth service providers.Mayor Jane Smith said it is important that Council listens to young people to hear about their challenges, issues and opportunities.

Central Coast Council has topped local workplaces and is a national leader in donating lifesaving blood to the Red Cross’ appeal for urgently required blood and plasma.Council headed a list of more than 30 local workplaces which donated blood in the Red Cross’ Red25 group donation program between January and August.

Central Coast Council presented Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) with a $207,100 cheque yesterday at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, the second instalment of a three year sponsorship funding agreement from Central Coast Council.This funding will assist SLSCC with maintaining vital beach safety services across 15 surf clubs on the Central Coast during the 2018-19 summer season.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was pleased to support Surf Life Saving on the Central Coast.“Local surf clubs are vital to our community.