Draft Council plans go on exhibition

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart

Central Coast Council’s Draft Revised Community Strategic Plan, Draft Delivery Program 2022-25 including the Operational Plan and Budget 2022/23, and Draft Resourcing Strategy will be on public exhibition and available for community submissions until June 21.

Every year Council presents a plan of works that focuses on what the community has told it is important.

This includes the continued delivery of essential services and the maintenance of community facilities, recreation and open spaces.

The annual Operational Plan and Budget is year one of Council’s three-year Delivery Programs.

Pricing impacts of new water rates announced by IPART on May 24 are not incorporated in the draft budget that will go on public exhibition, but will be reflected in the final documents which return to the Council for consideration at the end of June.

Council has also refined its Community Strategic Plan (CSP) to reflect its financial recovery plan and the objectives of maintaining financial sustainability and discipline.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the recent decision from IPART to allow a seven-year extension of the 13 per cent Special Rate Variation means Council can continue to maintain service levels and comply with current banking requirements.

“Council’s financial recovery plan put in place in October 2020 has been successfully executed, with Council meeting all major milestones and targets in this recovery plan,” Hart said.

“With longer-term stability for our rates revenue, we can continue without interruption our 10-year long-term financial plan that provides financial stability for the organisation.

“The development of the draft Operational Plan, CSP and Resourcing Strategy have been informed by Council’s Financial Recovery Plan, feedback from the community during the earlier exhibition in December 2021 and January 2022, and a Community Reference Group (CRG).

“The CRG was formed to provide community advice and guidance to Council on what was important for the Central Coast community and to ensure that community opinion was heard and considered in the draft plans.

“I encourage the community to have their say on these plans as now is the time to provide feedback on where you want to see improved service levels.”

For more information on the Draft Plans and to have your say visit yourvoiceourcoast.com.

Source:
Media release, May 24
Central Coast Council