Community and Culture Committee - Tuesday 14 July 2026

Topics

• Draft Central Coast water and sewer charter to open for public comment
  Council is preparing to exhibit a new 2026 Water and Sewer Customer Charter for at least 28 days.
  Water and sewer customers will have a formal opportunity to comment before the charter is considered for adoption.
• Central Coast keeps $30,000 aside for delayed Edogawa visit
  A proposed August 2026 sister-city visit was declined by Edogawa, but the allocated $30,000 is proposed to remain available for a 2027 visit.
  The decision preserves a public allocation for an international delegation after the original visit did not proceed.
• Central Coast continues preparations for 2027 local government women’s conference
  Planning for the 2027 Australian Local Government Women’s Association Conference will remain under regular Committee review.
  The event could bring visitors and activity to the Central Coast, while ongoing planning provides a clear council follow-up story.

Decisions

• Water and Sewer Customer Charter public exhibition
  The Committee recommended that Council place the draft Central Coast Council Water and Sewer Customer Charter 2026 on public exhibition for at least 28 days, before considering adoption after the exhibition period.
  Residents will have an opportunity to review and comment on proposed water and sewer customer service commitments.
• Edogawa sister-city visit budget retained
  The City of Edogawa declined an August 2026 Mayoral visit and indicated a preference to visit in 2027. The Committee recommended retaining the allocated $30,000 budget for a future 2027 visit, subject to new dates being confirmed.
  The $30,000 allocation remains available for a future international sister-city visit rather than being used in August 2026.
• ALGWA Conference 2027 planning continued
  The Committee noted planning progress, directed that updates remain a standing item until the conference is completed, and recommended continued coordination through the established cross-functional planning committee.
  The Council is continuing preparations for the 2027 Australian Local Government Women’s Association Conference on the Central Coast.
• Leisure and Pools customer survey noted
  The Committee noted the information in the 2026 Leisure and Pools Customer Satisfaction Survey.
  The survey findings will inform the Council’s understanding of customer experiences at leisure and pool facilities, although detailed findings were not included in the extracted text.
• Shark management drone surveillance information received
  The Committee received information about NSW Government Shark Management Program drone surveillance funding.
  The program relates to beach safety and surveillance, but the extracted minutes do not specify funding amounts or affected beaches.

Discussion

• Draft Water and Sewer Customer Charter
  The draft 2026 charter is to be publicly exhibited for no less than 28 days and considered for adoption after community feedback.
  Water and sewer customers will be able to make submissions before the charter is adopted.
• Central Coast–Edogawa relationship
  The proposed August 2026 Mayoral visit was deferred after Edogawa indicated a preference for 2027. The Committee acknowledged the contribution of Margaret Hardy OAM to the sister-city relationship.
  The Council intends to preserve funding for a future visit and continue the sister-city relationship.
• ALGWA Conference 2027
  Planning for the Australian Local Government Women’s Association Conference 2027 will continue, with progress reported to future Committee meetings.
  The conference may bring visitors and activity to the Central Coast, although economic or logistical impacts were not specified.
• Leisure and aquatic services
  The Committee considered the 2026 customer satisfaction survey for leisure and pools services.
  The survey provides feedback about Council-operated leisure and aquatic facilities.
• Beach safety drone surveillance
  The Committee received an update on NSW Government funding for drone surveillance under the Shark Management Program.
  Drone surveillance may support shark detection and beach safety, but no site-specific implementation details were provided.

Impacts

• Residents will have at least 28 days to comment on the draft Water and Sewer Customer Charter 2026 once public exhibition begins.
• The $30,000 allocated for the postponed Edogawa visit is proposed to remain reserved for a possible 2027 visit.
• Future Committee meetings will receive ongoing updates on planning for the 2027 ALGWA Conference.
• Leisure and aquatic customer feedback and shark-management surveillance information will inform Council discussions, but detailed operational changes were not recorded.

Places

• Central Coast (local government area)
  Council area affected by the water and sewer charter, leisure and aquatic services, conference planning and sister-city activities.
• Gosford (town)
  Part of the Gosford/Central Coast sister-city relationship with Edogawa.
• Wyong (town and meeting location)
  The meeting was held at 2 Hely Street, Wyong.
• Edogawa (city)
  Japanese sister city that declined the proposed August 2026 visit and indicated a preference for 2027.

Next

• Place the draft Central Coast Council Water and Sewer Customer Charter 2026 on public exhibition.
  For at least 28 days; timing of commencement was not stated.
• Consider the Water and Sewer Customer Charter for adoption after the public exhibition period.
  After the exhibition and review of submissions.
• Retain the $30,000 Edogawa visit allocation for a possible 2027 visit, subject to confirmation of new dates.
  2027, subject to confirmation.
• Provide continuing planning updates on the ALGWA Conference 2027.
  At future Committee meetings until the conference is completed.
• Hold the next Community and Culture Committee meeting.
  8 September 2026.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Community and Culture Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 14 July 2026 Member Present Cr Margot Castles, Chairperson Present Cr Trent McWaide, Deputy Chairperson Apology Cr Kyla Daniels, Member Present Cr John McNamara, Member Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Member Present Cr Kyle MacGregor, Member Present Cr Belinda Neal, Alternate Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Alternate Member Present Councillor Guests Status Cr Helen Crowley Present Council Officers Status Mel Smith, Director Community and Recreation Services Present Jamie Loader, Director Water and Sewer Present Phil Cantillon, Unit Manager, Leisure Beach Safety a...