At the time of writing I am half way through week 2.

Central Coast residents are being asked to help plan the region’s long-term water security and how water prices are charged.Over the next few months, Central Coast Council will continue to progress two important projects:the Integrated Water Resource Plan, which will select the best options to secure the Coast’s water supply for future generations.our submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) which, determines how much Council can charge customers for water.By registering their interest, residents will have the opportunity to contribute to both projects by participating in public forums, online surveys and phone interviews.Council’s Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the two projects encompass the spectrum of delivering water and sewer services now and into the future.“The Integrated Water Resource Plan is about securing our ongoing water supply for a growing population, regardless of whether we might be experiencing periods of intense rainfall or prolonged drought,” Mr Loader said.“There have been significant changes in environmental factors, water infrastructure, the operating environment and knowledge since we last planned for our region’s long-term water security, 13 years ago.

Central Coast Council has authorised the acceptance of a $50M loan from a top tier financial institution as part of its Business Recovery Plan.

Central Coast residents are being urged to step up and speak out against domestic violence as Council joins a 16-day global campaign to help end domestic violence in our community.The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.Council is running a series of educational campaigns and events throughout the 16 Days of Activism (and beyond) to make it clear that violence against women is never acceptable.Council Director Connected Communities Julie Vaughan said domestic violence is a real and serious issue impacting the Central Coast.“Statistics show that the Central Coast had the second-highest number of domestic violence Apprehended Violence Orders in New South Wales for the 12 months prior to June 2020*,” said Ms Vaughan.“We need powerful statements and actions if we are going to change the Coast’s statistics and make our communities safe for women to lead the lives they and their children deserve.“Council has been working with key partners and respected experts to help educate our community and raise awareness of this issue.”Campaigns and events being run and supported by Council throughout the 16 Days of Activism include:Lightboxes illuminate an important story:

Last night at Council’s Ordinary Meeting held, Councillors adopted Council's submission in response to the Minister for Local Government’s Notice of Intention to issue a suspension order to Central Coast Council.This submission outlines a chronological timeline of when and how Councillors were advised of the financial crisis, including the actions to date being taken by Council to resolve the issue.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews has welcomed the natural disaster declaration for the Central Coast announced by the State Government today. The declaration means that residents who have been affected by the recent event can get assistance and support to recover.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Council last night adopted Council’s submission in response to the Minister for Local Government’s Notice of Intention to Issue a Suspension Order.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews has today taken the extraordinary step of publicly announcing her loss of confidence in Central Coast Council’s CEO Mr Gary Murphy in the wake of revelations about long term, structural problems with the Council’s finances.Councillors and the Mayor have been provided with inadequate information about the financial position of Council and discovered the full extent of the problem only last night when it was revealed that Council would struggle to pay its own staff.“In light of the long-term problems that have been allowed to grow unchecked within the operational division of Council, the only course of action now available is to insist on a new CEO to manage the day to day operations,” Mayor Lisa Matthews said.“It is unforgivable for council staff to be left in a position where they might not be paid and it is unacceptable that the elected Councillors and I were not given information about the precariousness of Council’s finances until yesterday.” 

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Council has formally acknowledged the response from Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock, to Council’s financial situation, at an Extraordinary Meeting held today.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews will move a Mayoral Minute at the rescheduled Council Meeting calling on the NSW Premier to visit the Central Coast to see firsthand the devastation caused by the recent extreme weather event. Services and infrastructure have been severely impacted on the Coast with numerous roads closed, powerlines down and services out and homes and businesses inundated by floodwaters. Mayor Lisa Matthews said the repair bill was unknown at this time but is growing with each day and recovery will be long. “Following the extended drought, we thought rain was the answer to all our prayers including for our waterways and our dams but we didn’t expect it to come in quite this volume,” Mayor Matthews said.