Earlier this week the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal delivered their determination supporting Central Coast Council’s current rate structure for a further seven years, a decision that was a sensible one.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Central Coast Council’s 2022 Special Variation to maintain rates at their current levels for an additional seven years, equalling ten years in total to 2031.Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart said that IPART’s determination supporting the continuation of Central Coast Council’s current rate structure for a further seven years is a sensible decision. “This outcome allows Council to continue to maintain current service levels, comply with current banking requirements and most importantly, allows us to continue without interruption our 10-year long-term financial plan that provides long-term financial stability for the organisation,” Mr Hart said. “It’s a decision that factors in the unique situation this Council was in, and the recommendation made by the Public Inquiry Commissioner ‘for the Administrator to ensure the completion of the Business Recovery Plan as adopted and amended by Central Coast Council since October 2020.’“It has taken time, but we now have two independent entities on the same page. “We’ve achieved one of the most significant financial turnarounds of any organisation in under 12 months, with the current and forecasted surpluses repaying the emergency loans over the next 10 years.“For the community – there is no increase to your rates.

The community recycling centre located at Council’s Buttonderry Waste Management Facility in Jilliby has temporarily ceased receiving paint and household oils following a chemical fire at a Sydney waste facility which receives and processes the majority of NSW Councils' paints and household oils.The facility, managed by a contractor of the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (NSW EPA), experienced severe damage to the equipment which processes these materials, and is therefore unable to receive paints and household oils from Councils until further notice.The NSW EPA is working to address the impacts of the fire and determine an alternative solution for collection of these materials.

Central Coast Council has been awarded the 2022 Fleet Safety Award at the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA) Annual Networking Dinner and Fleet Awards Ceremony.The award was received on behalf of the Council by Unit Manager, Plant and Fleet, Peter Armour at the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said:

The draft Central Coast First Nations Accord and draft Acknowledgement of Country is now on public exhibition for community review and feedback at yourvoiceourcoast.com until 30 May 2022The draft Accord is an agreement between First Nations Leaders and Central Coast Council.

Since February, Council has filled over 32,000 potholes that were a result of intense and continued rainfall which created an unprecedented number of potholes.Only temporary repair works can be undertaken during wet weather, which is why potholes can reappear within only weeks of repair. Despite the high level of repairs undertaken to date, as of the end of May approximately 8,108¹ outstanding potholes are identified for repair across the region’s 2,000km road network.

To allow for vegetation maintenance works to be undertaken on median strips and roundabouts along Wyong Rd (Mardi to Long Jetty), some road lanes will be temporarily closed in May to early June to allow for the night works. •    1 May to 3 June 2022•    8pm to 4am •    Traffic limited to one lane access each direction on Wyong Rd for varying periods in specific areas from Central Coast Hwy, Long Jetty to M1, Mardi.Works include the pruning, hedging, weeding, spraying, mulching and rubbish removal on centre medians and roundabouts along Wyong Rd.Traffic management will be in place and motorists are advised to follow direction and adhere to road work speed limits. Council apologises for any inconvenience. To view any planned and unplanned road closures across the Central Coast, go to our road closure web page  ENDS 

Central Coast Council and its waste collections contractor Cleanaway have lifted the temporary pause on new bulk waste kerbside collection bookings after new bookings were temporarily paused on 14 April due to significant staff shortages caused by COVID-19.From Monday 2 May, residents are able to book a bulk waste kerbside collection at 1Coast.com.au.

Council has removed over 191 tonnes of waste from Gross Pollutant Traps in March and April following consistent heavy rainfall, stopping litter, dirt, sediment, and other pollutants from entering the Central Coast waterways with stormwater.Once the region experiences a longer period of clear weather, the conditions will be suitable for Council to program the collection and disposal of waste from other Gross Pollutant Traps yet to be serviced. Council has 339 gross pollutant traps installed at key locations across the Coast – both below and above ground.

Central Coast Council has been named a finalist in eight categories of the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.