New library not ready for council meetings

Plans to hold some Central Coast Council meetings at the new regional library in Gosford are facing a roadblock.

Yes, the new library in Donnison St is open and operating but it doesn’t have a designated place for council meetings.

Council officers have to effectively test space and technology requirements to ensure the technical and operational aspects of Council and Committee meetings run smoothly and efficiently.

Four Standing Committee meetings will be held in the newly available space in November to ensure any issues are identified and resolved.

“Meetings of the Standing Committees of Council do not attract as significant attendance, compliance obligations, or technical requirements,” a report to councillors at the September 23 meeting noted.

“For that reason, Council officers propose to utilise upcoming Standing Committee meetings to implement and test equipment and technology to prepare for the advent of Ordinary Council Meetings.

“Council officers in the Information and Technology Unit, the Governance, Risk and Legal Unit, and the Facilities and Asset Management Unit are collaborating on ensuring the Gosford Regional Library space is fit for purpose prior to holding Council meetings and significant public events of similar nature.”

Issues include: capacity to livestream with adequate video and sound recording to allow councillors to participate by Audio Visual Link (subject to approval); facilitating members of the public to watch from home; addressing safety considerations given the absence of a physical barrier between the councillor floorspace and the public gallery; and the installation and storage of desk space to allow councillors to work effectively and access meeting documents during a meeting, the report said.

Councillors had planned to hold three council meetings in the second half of 2025 at the new library.

Now it plans to hold every second meeting there next year.