Central Coast Council Annual Report highlights

CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL’S ANNUAL Report

2021-2022 was released by Administrator Rik Hart at the end of November 2022 providing a comprehensive account of Council’s performance from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Despite significant challenges presented during the 12-month period, including the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, La Niña wet weather conditions and Council’s financial situation, Council was able to achieve some significant outcomes.

Highlights for 2021-22 include:

• Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (CCLEP 2022) and Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022 (CCDCP 2022) finalised, providing a uniform set of planning controls for the entire Central Coast

• Preparation and endorsement of the Central Coast Water Security Plan

• ECO Destination Certification for the Central Coast, recognised by Ecotourism Australia (we are one of the first regions in the country to be recognised!)

• A full calendar of community events and activities even through COVID-19 restrictions, including Chromefest, the Harvest Festival, Taste of Toukley, Senior Week, Youth Week, and many more

• Completion of the hallmark Woy Woy

Town Centre Wharf

• Delivery of essential and community infrastructure across the region, including play spaces, road upgrades, shared pathways and more

Mr Hart said the last 12 months have seen Central Coast Council transition from ‘fixing the financial problem’ to building long term financial sustainability. As an organisation, we have met all the financial recovery plan milestones, with the focus shifting toward consolidating and improving the performance of the organisation.

“In fact, we are now in a position to pay down some debt earlier than planned. Our strong financial performance for 2021-2022 means that we can allocate surpluses to pay down some debt earlier than originally forecast and set aside funds for future needs,” he said.

Funds of $50M have been allocated to Emergency Loan Repayment and will be used to pay down a portion of the emergency loans in December 2023, while funds of $5M have been allocated to Future Projects Reserve to assist with planning ahead for future projects.

“I would like to acknowledge the persistence and dedication of Council staff who have all played a significant role in reshaping this organisation’s direction,” he said.

Council appoints Director Corporate Services

Central Coast Council in early December 2022 announced the appointment of Marissa Racomelara as Director Corporate Services.

Ms Racomelara has a career in local government spanning twenty years.

Commenting on her appointment Council CEO David Farmer said, “During her executive roles with local government, Ms Racomelara has gained vast experience in strategic planning, operational leadership, financial discipline and recovery, crisis management and working within corporate services.

Prior to joining Central Coast Council Ms Racomelara was for two years Director of Eleeca Consulting a public sector strategy, leadership, and performance consulting service.

Prior to that she held various senior positions with Wingecarribee, Armidale, Tamworth, and Sutherland councils

She replaces former Director of Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Natalia Cowley who resigned in June 2022 to take up a position as

General Manager at the City of Coffs Harbour.

Council’s Executive Management Team now comprises: David Farmer, CEO, and Internal lOmbudsman, Melanie Smith, Community and Recreation Services, Marissa Racomelara, Corporate Services, Dr Alice Howe, Environment and Planning, Boris Bolgoff, Infrastructure Services, Jamie Loader, Water and Sewer

What to do with Warnervale

It has been 40 years since the first residential subdivisions were developed at Warnervale, 35 years since Wyong Council’s plans for a Warnervale Town Centre was sunk by Woolworths because they were not part of it, 33 years since the anti-Warnervale Airport activists succeeded in stopping its development as a regional airport and some 30 years ago since the Warnervale Employment Zone (WEZ) was established that included a huge industrial area around the airport.

These days the Greater Warnervale area that includes new suburbs; Wallarah, Hamlyn Terrace, Wadalba, Woongarrah, Bushells Ridge has a population of 20,162 (Census 2021)

While the population has grown industrial and commercial land has gone nowhere due to the efforts within and outside Council.

The result is that almost all of these 20,000 people have to travel hours to get to work.

So the question obviously is, What to do with Warnervale? Start again!

At the ordinary Council Meeting on 22 November 2022, Council endorsed the draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan for the purposes of community consultation for 60 days.

In the Media Release Council says:

“As the Central Coast continues to grow as a desirable location for locals and visitors alike, Council recognises the importance of developing a vision that is responsible to both future generations and the natural environment.

The draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan identifies the long-term vision and principles that will guide land use planning in the area. It is intended to enable Greater Warnervale to grow in a sustainable way, by allowing for future growth to occur in a manner that does not compromise the attributes that make the area a desirable place to live.

The draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan establishes a framework to guide the future growth of the study area from approximately 20,162 people to approximately 57,000 people over a 20-year period.

The draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan sets a coherent framework for development, facilitating the future growth of the area, and will:

• Review economic trends and demand for employment land

Review housing trends and supply and demand for residential land

• Review existing and future infrastructure needs

• Establish an appropriate environmental and open space network

• Revise land use recommendations and associated timing

• Provide a platform for detailed planning