Council’s 2023-2024 Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy and revised Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) were accepted at Council’s ordinary November meeting – signalling Council’s confidence in moving from financial ‘recovery’ to ‘sustainability’.The new Financial Sustainability Strategy (Strategy) identifies high-level actions that Council must take to sustain a positive operating result position, and to maintain an adequate level of unrestricted cash to support operating activities and the required investment in assets.Council CEO David Farmer said Council is moving into an exciting, yet challenging, period as it works to build on the last three years’ successful implementation of restoring Council’s financial position to enable Council to operate, repay emergency loans and meet other financial obligations.“As we have said before, Council is now out of crisis, and so we have some clear air to start implementing the Strategy that isn’t just monitoring, but rather being proactive.”The objectives of the Strategy are to:Set the parameters within which Council agrees to operate to provide financial sustainability, affordability, delivery and value for money, over the short, medium and longer termEnsure Council generates enough revenue, and controls services and infrastructure costs, to produce sufficient cash from operationsEnsure Council maintains sufficient cash (or access to cash) to meet the needs of operations, investments and financingEnsure Council can renew or replace assets to maintain the desired level of service and provide new assets to meet demand for growth in servicesAssist Council to use ratepayers’ money, together with other funding available, to provide core and other prioritised servicesProvide direction and context for decision making in the allocation, management and use of Council’s finite financial resourcesGuide the elected Council and staff in the management of its LTFP and determine financial boundaries for delivery of operational and capital plans.“Our previous strategy looked at the key metrics to manage day to day, but we are now looking 10 years into the future identifying the challenges and then identifying actions to ensure that 2020’s financial crisis cannot happen again.“Community consultation will continue to be an important factor in planning capital works and community needs, and Council will continue to seek funding from external sources, including both state and federal governments.“However, like most other councils our challenge to attain and maintain a sustainable operating position will be to look at ways to balance revenue with expenditure.“Central Coast Council has the unique situation of two of its major income streams currently having expiry deadlines and under the current regime will require applications to IPART to be maintained.

Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of attendees of the eighth Lakes Festival, which has again given the Central Coast region a timely economic boost as local businesses look towards peak tourist season.More than 10,000 visitors attended the 10-day festival that offered over 30 exciting family-friendly activities, cultural and educational programs hosted by local organisations and businesses.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the festival has earned its spot on the calendar as an iconic Central Coast event.“The Lakes Festival is one of our region’s biggest events, with this year’s festival injecting more than $1.5 million dollars into the local economy as a result,” Mr Cannard said.“While there was the cancellation of some activations due to heavy rainfall, pleasingly our flagship event Light Up the Lake still went on and attracted nearly 5,000 people."Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the wide range of events that featured on this year’s festival program played a big part in attracting the crowds.“This family-friendly event continues to be popular among locals and visitors and wouldn’t be possible without the creative ideas from local businesses who take part,” Mr Hart said.“Council held the first Lakes Festival in 2015 and the response from the community has been extremely positive, so I’m sure it will continue to grow in the years to come.”If you would like to be part of the Lakes Festival in 2024, Council will be seeking Expressions of Interest from new and returning businesses, companies, organisations and community groups from 29 January 2024.To receive information about the Expressions of Interest, please contact events@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au to join the mailing list and keep an eye out on Council’s website.ENDS

Central Coast Council is once again working with community leaders to initiate important conversations around domestic and family violence.The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign runs every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day) raising awareness and educating the community on this important issue.The Central Coast consistently has one of the highest number of incidences of family and domestic violence compared to any other local government area*.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council is committed to working with community to solve a range of social and health issues that impact vulnerable people, such as victims of domestic violence.“The health and safety of others is everyone’s business.

Central Coast Council has completed the North Avoca paths project, which delivers an improved and safer network of footpaths for pedestrians between three streets in North Avoca.The project, delivered over consecutive years, has involved the construction of new footpaths, street drainage and kerb and gutter infrastructure as well as new road pavement. Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said the completed works will provide safe connectivity for pedestrians travelling between the Scenic Highway and the local North Avoca shops and nearby beach.Mr Bolgoff said community consultation was undertaken prior to commencing the project, which was an important factor, when planning the works.“While the priority for the project focused on delivering over 650 metres of continuous footpath, it also provided improved drainage and new road pavement, enhancing rideability for motorists. “Pedestrians and motorists using View Street, Tramway Road and Elgata Avenue will greatly benefit from these works,” Mr Bolgoff said.In acknowledging the completion of the project, Council Administrator Rik Hart said projects such as this are extremely important as they benefit not only local residents, but also contribute to a better experience for visitors to the area – which in turn can benefit local businesses and the local economy.“The project was made possible by grant funding of $4.3M by the Australian Government, with a Council contribution. “We thank the Australian Government for investing in the Central Coast region and providing infrastructure, highly sought-after by the community.” Mr Hart said.Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP, welcomes the completion of the footpaths in North Avoca.“The completion of these footpaths in North Avoca improves connectivity and accessibility for all people.“Footpaths promote active lifestyles which are important for community health and wellbeing.“I thank Central Coast Council for its involvement and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to identify additional projects on the Central Coast that the Australian Government can support," Dr Reid said.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

The Central Coast has confirmed its place as a leading New South Wales destination, with the exciting announcement the region has taken home three golden wins in the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards, powered by Business NSW and presented in partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW, held on 8 November at White Bay Cruise Terminal, Balmain.The three Gold wins include Destination Central Coast managed by Central Coast Council winning the category Local Government Award for Tourism, along with the Australian Reptile Park winning the Major Tourist Attractions category, and Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific also winning Gold in the Business Event Venues category. Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this is a massive testament to the Central Coast and all of those who make it a great place to work, live and play. “This highly respected Gold Award is the third win for Council’s Marketing and Tourism team in the Local Government Award for Tourism category at the NSW Tourism Awards, with Council taking out Silver in 2022 and Bronze in 2021,” Ms Smith said. “The category is open to all local government authorities and recognises excellence in tourism planning, the provision of tourism facilities and services, marketing, event development and management, and the overall contribution made to the NSW tourism industry.“We would like to extend a congratulations to the Australian Reptile Park and Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific for their incredible Gold win achievements last night, as well as Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures for achieving finalist status in the Award for Visitor Litter Prevention category presented by Long Jetty-based organisation Take 3 for the Sea.

This year as part of National Water Week 16-22 October, Central Coast Council Water and Sewer encouraged the Central Coast community to take the leap towards water conservation through several community programs.These programs included the Primary School Poster Competition, Walter Smart and Friends School Performances and workshops and Water Night.Director for Water and Sewer Jamie Loader thanked the nine schools across the region for taking the leap and getting involved through the Walter Smart and Friends stage show.“In addition to local schools getting involved, we had a great response to our National Water Week Primary School Poster Competition.

As the Little Terns start to arrive at Karagi Point, The Entrance North, to begin nesting, Central Coast Council wants to remind everyone how they can help protect the endangered species during this critical time.Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation.

Central Coast Council is pleased to present national touring exhibition OCCURRENT AFFAIR – at the Gosford Regional Gallery featuring new and recent works by influential Aboriginal artist collective proppaNOW from 18 November to 11 February 2024.Established in Brisbane in 2003, proppaNOW is one of Australia’s leading cultural collectives.

Central Coast Council has posted a modest surplus for a second year in a row, testament to the due diligence which has, and will continue, to be applied to ensure the organisation is in good shape when Councillors return in late 2024.This second year of surplus follows two large losses in the previous two years, indicative of the strengthened and stable position Council is in now.Council had budgeted for a surplus of just over $7M but has achieved a slightly larger surplus of $35M – achieved partly to an unbudgeted early payment of the government Financial Assistance Grant of $18M.Council CEO David Farmer said while Council is now out of crisis, it now moves into a similar phase to most NSW local governments, with ongoing challenges where costs are growing at a faster rate than the rate peg.“Ongoing diligence will be required to maintain satisfactory financial performance – including paying down the emergency loans taken out at the end of 2020.“Sound financial management, which has included achieving surpluses, considered asset sales, and seeking external funding to assist our capital program, will allow the largest of our emergency loans to be paid off in full in December this year, with the plan to pay off the second loan in full in November 2025.”Mr Farmer said Council has met key government benchmarks for operating results and cash levels, and Council’s audited financial statements were delivered on-time this year for the first time since the merger, and indication of Council’s growing competence.“It should be noted that the audit by NSW Audit Office is more than just finances, it also includes a review of IT and Cyber security, governance processes, payroll, procurement and asset areas.Mr Farmer added that partly a result of achieving surpluses, Council’s cash position also continues to improve with total cash increasing year on year and adequate unrestricted cash being maintained.

Council has moved a step closer to delivering a new sporting and recreation complex for the north of the Central Coast with negotiations for the purchase of land given the green light at last night’s Council Meeting and confirmation of a $6M State Government funding grant. The Colongra Sporting Complex site spans across 2 hectares on Scenic Drive at Colongra and this exciting new facility will include two new turfed sporting fields, three netball courts, sporting amenities building with accessible toilets, playspace, carpark, pathways and access road.Council CEO David Farmer said this project was already well advanced in planning both financially and with extensive community consultation having contributed to detailed design plans.“Council has an existing long term lease over the land and already undertaken extensive investigation which means development of the land can occur at relatively short notice, subject to relevant planning proposals,” Mr Farmer said. “The estimated cost of construction of the facility is between $8.5M and $10.5M. “There is $7M currently allocated in the adopted Capital Works program for Colongra Sporting Facility construction over the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years,” Mr Farmer said.