Central Coast Council has today announced changes to its executive leadership team. Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley will be leaving the organisation effective 16 June 2022. Council’s Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said Ms Cowley was responsible for significant achievements at Central Coast Council which will have long-lasting positive impacts for the community.“Ms Cowley brought extensive experience with her when she joined Central Coast Council in October 2020 and used her expertise to help the organisation achieve one of the most significant financial turnarounds in Australian Local Government history,” Mr Farmer said. “I sincerely thank Ms Cowley for her service to the Central Coast community, her extensive contributions to Council’s Financial Recovery Plan and helping to secure the long-term financial future of the organisation.”Interim arrangements will be announced prior to mid-June while Council undertakes a recruitment process. “I wish Ms Cowley all the very best in her new role as General Manager at Coffs Harbour City Council,” said Mr Farmer.ENDS
Toukley will be packed with food and entertainment at the 2022 Taste of Toukley activation on Saturday 4 June!The Toukley Village Green will feature live entertainment and other family friendly activities, plus five local restaurants will provide a limited number of free tasting boxes to the community.Central Council’s Community and Culture Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard, said the Taste of Toukley’s objective is to showcase the diversity of cuisine available in Toukley, and increase awareness of what the town centre has to offer.“The Toukley town centre is a vibrant strip of businesses who are integral to the economic and social growth of the local community. We want the community and visitors to the town, to get to know what Toukley has to offer.”Mr Cannard said activities will include a petting zoo, roving entertainment and a tasting table set up in the Village Green displaying a QR code linked to takeaway menus of local restaurants and cafes.“The tasting table is a fun way to encourage people to support the local eateries," Mr Cannard said.Five local restaurants will also be offering a limited number of free takeaway tasting boxes.
At last night’s Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to publicly exhibit draft documents of the Revised Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program 2022-25, including the Operational Plan and Budget 2022/23, and the Resourcing Strategy for community feedback from Wednesday 25 May to Tuesday 21 June 2022.
Central Coast Council was named a winner in one category and highly commended in another at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards, held late last week in Sydney. Plant and Fleet for its Fleet and Driver Management Transformation project in the Innovative Leadership category (category winner)Marketing and Tourism for its Love Central Coast project in the Special Project Initiative category (highly commended) The NSW Local Government Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across Local Government that promote innovation and improvement within the community. Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer has congratulated the winning staff and team on this fantastic achievement.“Council was recognised and named finalists in eight categories in this year’s awards, so I’d like to congratulate not only the winning team and staff members who were highly commended, but also those who were nominated this year,” Mr Farmer said. “We have built a new Corporate Affairs Directorate focused on improving systems and processes to deliver better services for our ratepayers and residents, whilst driving economic initiatives to enable regional growth.
Four Central Coast town centres will come alive this April and May with ‘Social Spaces’ – a series of pop-up activations aimed at bringing the community together and attracting visitors to Gosford, Wyong, The Entrance and Toukley to create vibrant and engaging spaces.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Canard said this initiative helps boost local businesses and create vibrant spaces in important town centres this autumn.“Social Spaces is all about revealing the hidden treasures and spaces of Gosford, Wyong, Toukley and The Entrance and filling them with community events, pop-up dining experiences, school holiday activities and seasonal entertainment,” Mr Cannard said.“There will be two months of exploring amazing local food, kids’ activities, roving entertainment and more fun activities from Sunday 10 April until Sunday 29 May.”Program highlights:School holiday activities – petting zoo, laser skirmish, mobile games truck, roving easter bunny.Pop up dining experiences – if you enjoy great food, great music, festoon lighting, picnic rugs and great company, then you will enjoy Social Spaces’ pop-up dining experiences.
Council acknowledged that the commitment of both the Federal and State Governments to invest in the Tuggerah-Wyong rail upgrade was good news for the region. “This funding announcement seems to take the prospect of a high-speed rail link between Newcastle and Sydney a step closer,” said Council’s CEO Mr David Farmer. “Our community stands to benefit from these steps towards improved connectivity, better public transport capacity and infrastructure generating jobs,” Mr Farmer said. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the announcement showed that positive community outcomes can be achieved when both sides of politics work together. “Delivering essential infrastructure to accommodate the growing Central Coast region and to facilitate good economic outcomes is not a solo enterprise,” Mr Hart said. “The community benefits when all levels of government work together."
Council acknowledged the State Government announcement this week about the Greater Sydney Commission developing the Six Cities vision for metropolitan NSW.Council CEO, David Farmer said the inclusion of the Central Coast highlighted the strategic importance of our region.“Bringing the Central Coast into strategic planning alongside Newcastle, Wollongong and Sydney has the prospects of seeing more opportunities open up for funding big game changing infrastructure to benefit the whole region,” Mr Farmer said. “We look forward to working with Elizabeth Mildwater, Greater Sydney Commission’s Chief Executive Officer and Sarah Winter, Greater Sydney Commission’s Executive Director for Central Coast and Macquarie Park to ensure the Central Coast can reach its full potential as part of the overall plan."Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Greater Sydney Commission recognised that it was important for Council to have a seat at the table in planning and delivering on the strategic vision for the region. “Our community’s voice will be important in the development of the six cities strategic plan as they know what is needed for the Central Coast to thrive and be a dynamic part of the new vision for metropolitan NSW,” Mr Hart said.ENDS
Central Coast Council is delivering a jam-packed program of online and face-to-face activities and events throughout the April school holidays, giving Central Coast families plenty of ways to keep young minds entertained and bodies active over the Easter break. Parents, carers and guardians can head to the School Holidays what’s on page on Council’s website to see everything that’s taking place - from heritage tours, live entertainment and escape rooms to sports challenges, Easter crafts and skills workshops, there’s something on offer for all ages, interests and abilities. Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/schoolholidays for the full list of events, details and bookings.What's on at our Town CentresBring the kids down to any of our four town centre locations for a range of fun activities for all ages, as part of Council’s new Social Spaces event.