Administrator’s message as election approaches
As he prepares to hand over to newly elected councillors, Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart has urged voters to carefully consider their vote on September 14. “A lot of…
Rik Hart
Coast heads for the polls
In just two more days, residents will head for the polls to elect new councillors for Central Coast Council for the first time since 2017. The election follows years of…
Council Administrator Rik Hart’s departure marks a new chapter
EDITORIAL After four tumultuous years, Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart is preparing to step down, leaving behind a legacy marked by both accomplishment and controversy. Hart has played a…
What will our councillors be paid?
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart received more than $180,000 in salary and expenses for the last six months of 2023. Tabled at the June Council meeting, the money included…
Council plans to keep temporary rate rise
Central Coast Council’s long-term financial plan includes a rate rise, three years after it was supposed to be removed. The issue was highlighted when Administrator Rik Hart gave an overview…
Uproar over Acknowledgement of Country change at Council
Administrator Rik Hart adjourned the first meeting of Central Coast Council for 2024 when the gallery erupted after he decided to put the words “Darkinjung Country” back into Council’s Acknowledgement…
One-man audit of councillor expenses
Despite the fact that Central Coast council has had no elected councillors since October 2020, an audit of councillor expenses was conducted in August-September last year. Councillors were sacked by…
Five more years for Council CEO
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart has given CEO David Farmer a five-year extension of his contract. Hart tabled a performance review of Farmer for the year at the December…
Councils call for change
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart threw his support behind calls for financial sustainability for councils at the NSW Local Government (LGNSW) conference this week. Hart said it was great…
Administrator heads to local government conference
Central Coast Council is not alone in its concerns about a number of issues that affect its financial position. Administrator Rik Hart will attend the NSW Local Government Conference next…
Paving the way for return of councillors
In less than 14 months’ time, councillors will return to the Central Coast – the first elected body to run the region since former councillors were suspended in October 2020…
Hart defends public forum trial
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart has hit back at criticisms of the now-abandoned public forum trial, which saw the forum moved from immediately before each Tuesday evening Council general…
Highlight your concerns at Rik Hart pop-up
If you have something you want to raise with Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart, now’s your chance to bring it to his attention. Hart will do a pop-up “meet…
Draft Operational Plan cops some criticism
Central Coast Council has come under fire for reduced performance targets in its recently released draft Central Coast Council Operational Plan 2023-24. While Council says the plan continues a focus…
Hart tries to clear up confusion over rate rise
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart has set the record straight about what he describes as some “confusion” surrounding the 13 per cent Special Rate Variation (SRV) granted to Council…
Draft region-wide policy for Planning Agreements
Six years after the merger of Gosford and Wyong Councils, a draft Planning Agreement Policy has been formulated for the entire LGA, giving developers a clearer indication of what is…
Council achieves a lot during a challenging year
Central Coast Council has released its latest Annual Report, providing a comprehensive account of its performance from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Administrator Rik Hart said the achievements…
Council on track to pay debts off early
Central Coast Council is on track to pay down some of its debt earlier than planned as it continues to reinforce long term financial sustainability. Council CEO David Farmer said…
Playspace upgrade at Pretty Beach
The Turo Reserve playspace at Pretty Beach has received a much-needed upgrade. The work was undertaken thanks to a $105,000 funding injection from the Federal Government and $5 000 from…
Ross Park playspace has a makeover
An upgrade to Avoca Beach’s Ross Park district playspace has been completed and officially marked by a visit from Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine…