Progress report on water and sewer plan

Central Coast Council has provided its first bi-annual progress report on its Water and Sewer Delivery Plan, designed to improve water and sewer performance, accountability, and transparency over the next four years.

The report highlights the key achievements across July to December 2022 under three focus areas: accountability, community engagement and asset management.

Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said Council was on track and progressing well across all areas of the plan.

“We have continued to listen to our customers,” he said.

“Our forums in March and May and a public survey in June will collect feedback to help improve Council’s water and sewer services, including how we report back to our customers.

“Council has awarded a pressure pipeline condition assessment contract and commenced inspections and condition assessments of major tunnels and outfalls across the region.

“We are also planning for a condition audit at Somersby Water Treatment Plant.”

The Plan is built on recommendations contained within the Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority Pricing Determination, as provided by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Administrator Rik Hart said the Pricing Determination ensured Council’s water and sewer services were financially sustainable and that decisions were made in the best interest of the community, with focus on transparency and accountability.

“The roll-out of our Delivery Plan shows our commitment to building credibility and trust with our community,” he said.

Council is also updating its Liquid Trade Waste Policy to ensure alignment with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (NSW DPE) Liquid Trade Waste Guidelines and the requirements of IPART.

In June 2022, the Central Coast achieved ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia, recognising its commitment to sustainable practices and nature-based tourism experiences.

The report says achieving ECO Destination Certification recognises the region as a world-class location for sustainable and nature-based tourism, which will provide a substantial and ongoing boost to the local economy.

“This was a key action from the DMP and places the Central Coast region on an international level as an ecotourism destination of choice,” the report says.

“Statistically, ecotourists stay longer, are more sustainably conscious travellers and are more interested in a region’s local community, nature and culture.”

The region has seven ECO certified operators and nine ECO certification applicants.

Terry Collins

for Council to work with its liquid trade waste customers, including public health and environmental protection, asset management, water conservation, and Council’s regulatory and licence compliance obligations as well as its workers’ health and safety.

It also outlines Council’s regulatory and licence compliance obligations.

The Draft Policy will be available on Council’s Your Voice Our Coast page for public feedback in April.

The NSW DPE Guidelines and associated framework prescribe sound pricing, including appropriate trade waste regulation policy and approvals.

The proposed policy will provide a regulatory framework

The Water and Sewer Delivery Plan 2022-2026 Progress Report can be viewed at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au –search ‘water delivery plan report’.

Source: Central Coast Council

Central Coast Council has come under fire for reduced performance targets in its recently released draft Central Coast Council Operational Plan 2023-24.

While Council says the plan continues a focus on delivering services for the community while supporting Council’s ongoing financial sustainability, community activist Kevin Brooks has questioned why targets have been reduced despite huge hikes in general and water rates.

Speaking at the public forum prior to the March 28 Council meeting, Brooks highlighted longer DA determination times and reduced targets for road resurfacing and drainage infrastructure as outlined in the Plan.

“Over the next four years, Council will receive – on average – an eye-watering $70M per year extra as a result of last year’s combined general and water rate hikes – plus inflation on top,” Brooks said.