15% rate rise application submitted as part of Council’s financial recovery   Council will formally apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a 15% rate rise.

Central Coast Council is working with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia NSW and ACT Division (IPWEA) to trial new technology using video footage and machine learning to deliver an automated assessment of road conditions.The exciting new technology has the potential to deliver superior data whilst also saving time and money.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the system is designed to be easily mounted to Council vehicles which are already driven across the road network on a regular basis.“Our goal is to deliver thorough, regular and cost-effective assessments of our road network and this incredible new technology could see standard Council vehicles equipped to asses our roads,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Video and machine learning is the future of road assessments and indicators suggest that the technology we are trialling could provide a safer and more cost-effective means for monitoring and assessing 2,200 kilometres of Central Coast roads.”Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM said it is Council’s responsibility to explore and utilise the most effective techniques for maintaining and developing the local road network.“The Central Coast is an expansive region with an extensive road roadwork and it is exciting to be exploring a technology that offers the potential to provide us with better data in a more cost-effective way.”IPWEA is also working with Canterbury Bankstown, Georges River and Blayney Councils for the trial and there is no direct cost to Central Coast Council to participate.The evaluation of the trial will be released at the IPWEA state conference, at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley from Tuesday, 23 March until Thursday, 25 March 2021.

Referendum to be held to reduce Councillor numbers and consultation to be held on preference for ward structureA referendum will be held at the same time as the 2021 Local Government elections for community consideration to reduce the number of Councillors from 15 to 9.Before the referendum question is finalised consultation will be undertaken to gauge community preference for a ward structure or even for no wards at all.Administrator Dick Persson said it was important that the elected body of Council works in a constructive and effective way for the benefit of the Central Coast community.“I believe 15 Councillors is simply too many and does not facilitate collaborative and effective decision making and that has to change,” Mr Persson said.“The only way to change this is through a referendum so the community of the Coast will have a direct say in this change.“Wards is another area that needs review.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has tonight presented to the community his 3-month Progress Report at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council. Mr Persson said this report, now 3 months into his term, brings the community up-to-date on events outlined in his 30-day Interim Report into Council’s financial mismanagement delivered in late 2020.

Central Coast Council is planning the future water needs for our region and is looking to the community to be a part of the conversation.Residents can have their say on two important water projects:the Integrated Water Resource Plan:

The need for safety vigilance has been amplified as the Central Coast enters what is expected to be the busiest summer season on record.Central Coast Council’s new ‘Coast Summer Safety ’ campaign will highlight messages unique to the upcoming season – COVID-safety, record numbers at local beaches and preparing for extreme La Niña weather – as well as important safety reminders for when ‘out and about’, travelling and celebrating.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said a bumper summer season would deliver a welcome economic boost to the region but also heightened the importance of safety.“This summer is going to be a little different to others – not only are we expecting record numbers of visitors to our beautiful region but we remain in the midst of a global pandemic and a La Niña weather pattern,” Ms Vaughan said.“With more people at our beaches, cafes, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions – we must be vigilant in our COVID-safe practices.“Time in and around water is a big part of summer on the Coast but wherever there is water there is danger and this campaign emphasises what we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.“We are no strangers to extreme weather on the Coast and this summer we need to be ready for bush fires, heatwaves, storms and flooding.“Our roads and pathways will also be very busy and many of us will be travelling for holidays and to visit family and friends – this campaign reminds us what we can do to be safer on and around roads and pathways.”Coast Summer Safety will primarily be delivered via an innovative and targeted digital campaign in December, January and February across the following categories:Be COVID-safeSafety on the beach and around water‘Get Ready’ for extreme weatherSafety out and aboutSafe travelsSafe celebrationsCouncil Administrator, Dick Persson AM said safety needs to be front of mind this summer.“A bumper season means job opportunities on the Coast and a welcome boost to the local economy, particularly to businesses hit hard by COVID,” Mr Persson said.“We all need to be patient and kind and take simple steps to keep ourselves and others safe.”Explore Coast Summer Safety messages by visiting centralcoast.gov.au/CoastSummerSafety

Last Wednesday at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council I delivered my 30 Day Interim Report into Central Coast Council’s finances.The ten-page plain english report has provided the community with an insight into the catastrophic financial mismanagement that has plagued the council for the past three years. Council’s operating loss for the current financial year is on track to be in order of $115m, this follows last year’s loss of $89m. Accumulated losses for the last four years are $232m, debt has risen from $317m to $565m since amalgamation.

Central Coast Council is giving the community additional opportunities to speak about coastal erosion at Wamberal with virtual sessions added to the program this week.Council’s Environment and Planning Director, Scott Cox said he was pleased with the drop-in sessions completed last week.“The drop-in sessions we held last week were a great opportunity for our community to stop by, have a chat about their ideas and concerns, and for us to hear what is important to them,” said Mr Cox.“I’m pleased to say the sessions were a positive experience with respectful conversations covering a wide range of topics.“We have heard however, some concerns about the timing of the drop-in sessions, and so we have decided to add two opportunities for virtual sessions this week.“These sessions will be held late afternoon and over lunchtime to give people an opportunity to dial in during their lunch break or after work.”More than 90 people took the opportunity to meet with Council staff and representatives from the NSW Government and the Wamberal Taskforce last week.

Sale of assets will help Council’s bottom lineCentral Coast Council’s sale of several properties will deliver a much-needed boost to Council’s financial position and financial sustainability.

Drivers and commuters should avoid the area around Gosford High School and Gosford Hospital for 24 hours from 6pm on Tuesday, 1 December.Traffic at the intersection of Racecourse and Showground Roads will experience major disruptions while a leaking water main under the roadway is repaired.