Flag raising ceremony to mark NAIDOC Week

Central Coast Council held a community flag-raising ceremony and morning tea on Monday, July 3, to mark NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week is an important annual event held across Australia from July 2-9 with the aim of celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.

Elders are recognised for their leadership, knowledge, progression, advocacy, teaching and care for others.

Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services songs, legends and art through virtual reality and the Koori Kinnections school holiday workshop at Tuggerah and Erina libraries where kids can build their own canoes and play games.

Melanie Smith said that in addition to the official celebrations, local libraries would be hosting educational activities themed around Aboriginal experiences and knowledge.

“There is a rich history of First Nations culture on the Central Coast and these activities are always popular and book out fast during the July school holidays,” she said.

“Umina will be hosting Dreamtime Story events with The Aunties from Mingaletta.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart acknowledged the importance of NAIDOC Week and said Council was working hard to develop strong relationships with local First Nations people.

Administrator Rik Hart receives a $320,000 annual wage

In 2023 the theme for the week is For Our Elders, which recognises the role that Elders play in First Nations communities and families.

“Activities this year include the Pamagirri group transporting viewers, in a full 360-degree view, to far north Queensland demonstrating

“NAIDOC Week is vitally important for community education and celebration,” he said.

Source: Central Coast Council Community event For Our Elders

Wages set for our next Central Coast councillors

When new councillors are finally elected for the Central Coast in September next year, they will each be looking at an annual salary of $34,330.

The new salaries were approved at Council’s general meeting on June 27, with the Mayor to receive $106,960 per annum and the Deputy Mayor to expect $9,980 (to be deducted from the Mayor’s wage) on top of his councillor salary.

If the region were to retain 15 councillors (as it had prior to the sacking of Council) this would see a combined wages figure for elected representatives of $587,580.

If the number of councillors were to be reduced to nine, as it has been recommended by current Administrator Rik Hart, that wages package would reduce to $381,600.

The wages set are the highest amount allowable under the recent annual determination of fees for 2023-24 made by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

Central Coast Council remains in the category of Major Strategic Area, with the tribunal determining a three per cent increase in the minimum and maximum fees applicable to each category.

The remuneration span for a Major Strategic Area is the same as for a Major Regional City.

Submissions addressing fees sought an increase of 2.5 per cent or greater.

Among reasons cited for an increase were significant workload, responsibilities, capabilities, duties and expanding nature of mayor and councillor roles.

Some submissions also suggested that an increase in remuneration could assist in improving the diversity of potential candidates.

As a point of interest, Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart is currently paid $320,000 per annum – just under three times the newly approved mayoral salary and only $61,600 shy of combined mayoral and councillor wages under a nine-councillor model.

Terry Collins

Central Coast Council has adopted the Woy Woy Peninsula Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP), setting out measures to prepare for future flooding events.

The plan will serve as a guide for priorities for Council, communities and the State Emergency Service (SES).

Prepared by DHI Pty Ltd, the plan encompasses the Woy Woy Peninsula including the Kahibah Creek catchment.

The FRMSP quantifies the nature and extent of existing flooding issues and recommends actions to better manage the existing, future, and continuing flood risk.

It also seeks to build community resilience to flooding and includes flood mitigation works, emergency management plans, flood warning processes, land-use planning and suitable design of infrastructure and buildings.

The draft documents were on public exhibition from January