Many residents to the south of the region will be pleased to hear that Central Coast Council meetings are set to return to the Gosford chambers.
Administrator, Dick Persson, has announced meetings will once more alternate between the Wyong and Gosford chambers, with the first Gosford meeting slated for November 30.
Following months of council meetings being held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, limited seating will be available at the meetings to meet safe social distancing requirements and residents will need to pre-register to attend on the day of the meeting.
Ordinary meetings are generally held fortnightly on Monday evenings, with Extraordinary Meeting convened from time to time and publicly notified.
With the mayor and councillors currently suspended, the interim Administrator will make decisions on behalf of the community at council meetings.
Agendas and minutes for meetings can be found on Council’s website.
Meetings are also streamed live.
The last meeting for the year will be held on December 14 at the Wyong chambers, with meetings resuming on January 25 at the Gosford chambers.
Meetings begin at 6.30pm and are preceded by an Open Forum at 5.30pm where speakers can talk on any Council-related matter and a Public Forum at 6pm, where speakers can talk on any item on that night’s agenda.
Prospective speakers must register by 10am on the day of the meeting on Council’s website.
The return of meetings to Gosford has been applauded by the Gosford Erina Business Chamber Board, which has made several representations to Council over the past seven months requesting a review of meeting operations after councillors voted earlier this year to “centralise” meetings at Wyong, citing ongoing safety concerns for councillors.
“The recent decision made by Mr Persson, Interim Administrator, to restore alternative meeting locations as of the November 30 is welcomed and appreciated by the Chamber Board and our members,” President Rod Dever said.
“Gosford is the Regional Capital City of the Central Coast and whilst we recognise the importance of having the Northern Growth Corridor where some services are housed , existing southern-based operations should only be relocated where there is a clear benefit to the wider community and the action delivers greater efficiencies operationally and financially for the future.”
Terry Collins