Three priorities of Central Coast Council’s 2023-24 Operational Plan are maintaining road networks, caring for community open space and improving response time for development applications.
The Plan was approved at Council’s meeting on June 27 and Administrator Rik Hart said the community would continue to see the benefit of Council’s well-planned and long-term capital works program with more than 200 works in the pipeline for the year ahead.
A comprehensive roads, drainage and pathways investment of $58M will include improvement projects such as road and drainage upgrades at Lakedge Ave, Berkeley Vale; Del Monte Pl, Copacabana; Virginia Rd and Warnervale Rd at Hamlyn Terrace; Magenta Shared Path, plus extensive road renewal programs right across the region.
Key projects in the $84.15M water and sewer upgrade budget includes South Tacoma low pressure sewer system installation; an upgrade of Mardi Water Treatment Plant and ongoing sewer pump station and rising main upgrades across the region.
A significant investment of $24.14M in community and recreation facilities and programs includes start of Gosford Regional Library construction and Umina skate park upgrade; sportsground drainage and irrigation improvements; and playspace renewals right across the Central Coast.
An investment of $10.19M in other planned infrastructure projects for the community will support economic growth across the Coast including improvements at Council’s four holiday parks and the renewal of beach access at Jenny Dixon and Soldiers Beach, Norah Head.
Additionally, a further $40.46M of infrastructure projects have been identified and are dependent on successfully obtaining available funding grants.
The community can view and keep up-to-date with 2023-24 capital works projects in their suburb and across the region on Council’s online interactive capital works map. Find project details and follow progress on the project status at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.
Council Chief Executive Officer David Farmer said the Operational Plan and Fees and Charges were a considered document which supported Council’s ongoing financial stability.
“Our key goal for this year’s Plan is a focus on improving service – namely customer responses, development assessment, capital works delivery – as well implementing the newly endorsed Service Optimisation Framework, which aims to look at the what, why and how of a service and determines if it’s fit for purpose,” he said.
“Residents will notice slight variations to fees and charges with the majority of increases being below CPI.
“From July 1 this year the combined yearly bill for a typical household will increase by about $169, or $3.25 per week, for water, sewerage and stormwater rates.
“There is no increase in domestic waste charges with rates being frozen for a second consecutive year.
“It’s important to note that the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) determines how much councils can charge for rates, and the annual increase or ‘rate peg’ – which is 3.7 per cent for 2023-24.
“There is also an additional 0.1 per cent that is allowed for population growth, resulting in a total increase of 3.8 per cent.
“There is still increasing inflationary pressure on our budget, as the rising costs of materials shows no signs of slowing down.
“For the second year Council will be absorbing significant increases in some of its largest expenses, such as the huge increase in electricity costs and a 55 per cent increase in the emergency services levy set by the State Government.
“Central Coast average rates continue to compare favourably to nearby local government areas including some who have had significant special rate rises approved recently.”
Administrator Rik Hart said the community would continue to see the benefit of Council’s well-planned and long-term capital works program with more than 200 works in the pipeline for the year ahead.
“Construction will commence on two marquee projects for the Coast, the long-anticipated Gosford Regional Library contributing to the revitalisation of Gosford and an upgrade to the Mardi Water Treatment Plant,” he said.
“This is an essential project to ensure future sustainability of the Coast’s water supply.
“The organisation is appropriately positioned in its long-term works program and financial strategy as it looks towards the return of an elected body of councillors in less than 18 months.”
View the 2023-24 Operational Plan or search for delivery and operational plan on Council’s website.
Source:
Central Coast Council