Governance and Finance Committee - Tuesday 10 November 2026

Topics

• Central Coast Council puts AI policy up for public scrutiny
  Council will exhibit a draft policy governing its use of artificial intelligence after legal advice is considered.
  The policy may introduce requirements around AI use, email disclaimers and disclosure of AI involvement in Council reports.
• New cricket support and memorial tree fees proposed for Central Coast residents
  Council is proposing two new charges and will seek public submissions before deciding whether to adopt them.
  Cricket clubs could pay for wicket support outside standard hours, while residents seeking public memorial trees may face a new charge.
• Council backs industrial-first commercial property investment strategy
  The committee recommended a long-term Council property strategy initially prioritising industrial assets and selected commercial and retail investments.
  The strategy could lead to property acquisitions, disposals or portfolio changes intended to improve Council revenue and returns.

Decisions

• Quarter 1 operational plan and budget review
  The committee recommended adoption of the Quarter 1 Operational Plan Performance Report and the September 2026 Quarterly Budget Review Statement, including budget amendments and changes to the 2026-27 Capital Works Program. Changes affecting the longer-term financial plan are to be addressed in its next update.
  Provides an early-year update on Council’s service delivery, budget position and capital works program.
• Artificial Intelligence Framework
  The committee endorsed a draft Artificial Intelligence Implementation Policy for public exhibition, subject to consideration of legal advice and any accepted amendments. A further report is to be provided after the exhibition period.
  The policy may govern how Council uses artificial intelligence, including possible changes to email disclaimers and disclosures about AI use in Council reports.
• Intellectual Property Policy
  The committee adopted the Intellectual Property Policy.
  Sets Council’s approach to ownership and use of intellectual property created or held by Council.
• Unsolicited Proposals Policy
  The committee adopted the Unsolicited Proposals Policy.
  Provides a formal process for businesses and other parties wishing to submit unsolicited proposals to Council.
• CCTV Policy
  The committee noted amendments to the Closed-Circuit Television Policy and recommended that Council adopt the draft policy.
  May affect the governance and use of Council-operated closed-circuit television systems.
• Land Transaction Policy
  The committee adopted an updated Land Transaction Policy, approved publication on the Central Coast Council website and required another review by 30 June 2030.
  Sets rules for Council land dealings and improves public access to the policy.
• Commercial Property Improvement Strategy
  The committee recommended adoption of the public findings of the Commercial Property Asset Improvement Strategy – Part 1 and noted the confidential Part 2 findings. The strategy initially prioritises industrial assets alongside selected commercial and retail investments.
  May influence Council’s property investment, asset rationalisation and future commercial property revenue decisions.
• Protection of the Environment Trust management committee
  The committee recommended referring the POET management committee report to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee and endorsed Environment and Planning Committee members to form the management committee under clause 22 of the Trust Deed. An amendment proposing consultation with former POET members was lost.
  Determines the proposed governance arrangements for the Protection of the Environment Trust and records a public disagreement about consultation with former members.
• New open space and recreation fees
  The committee recommended public exhibition of a Cricket Wicket Support Outside Council’s Standard Working Hours Fee and a Public Memorial Tree Fee. A further report is to consider submissions before adoption.
  Sports clubs and residents seeking memorial trees may face new fees if Council adopts the proposals after consultation.
• Confidential NSW TCorp presentation
  The committee moved into confidential session to receive a presentation from NSW TCorp concerning confidential commercial information, then resumed in open session. The public details of the presentation were withheld.
  No substantive public decision or detailed information from the presentation was included in the available minutes.

Discussion

• 2026-27 budget and capital works
  The Quarter 1 operational plan and budget review included proposed budget amendments and changes to the capital works program, with implications for indicative works in later years.
  Residents can use the review to track Council’s financial position, services and planned works.
• Council use of artificial intelligence
  A draft AI implementation policy is to go to public exhibition after legal advice is considered.
  The consultation may affect transparency, accountability and how Council uses AI in its work.
• Commercial property investment
  Council is considering a long-term, investment-grade property portfolio, initially focused on industrial assets and selected commercial and retail investments.
  Future property acquisitions, sales or investment priorities could affect Council revenue and asset management.
• Environmental trust governance
  Environment and Planning Committee members were endorsed to form the POET Clause 22 Management Committee, while a proposed workshop with former trust members was not supported.
  The decision affects oversight of the Protection of the Environment Trust and its future operations.
• Proposed recreation and memorial tree charges
  Two new fees are to be publicly exhibited before a final decision: support for cricket wickets outside standard working hours and public memorial trees.
  Affected users will have an opportunity to make submissions before any charges are adopted.
• Governance and information policies
  The committee adopted or advanced policies covering intellectual property, unsolicited proposals, CCTV, land transactions and the Agency Information Guide.
  These policies shape Council transparency, property dealings, surveillance governance and interactions with external proponents.

Impacts

• Residents and organisations will be able to comment on the draft Artificial Intelligence Implementation Policy during public exhibition.
• Cricket clubs may be affected by a proposed fee for wicket support outside Council’s standard working hours.
• Residents seeking public memorial trees may be affected by a proposed new fee.
• The Quarter 1 budget review and capital works changes provide an update on Council spending and service delivery.
• The updated Land Transaction Policy is to be published on the Central Coast Council website.

Places

• Central Coast local government area (service area)
  The Council policies, budget, fees and strategies apply across the Central Coast Council area.
• Function Room 2, 2 Hely Street, Wyong (meeting facility)
  Venue of the committee meeting.

Next

• Place the draft Artificial Intelligence Implementation Policy, incorporating accepted legal-advice changes, on public exhibition.
  After legal advice is considered; exhibition period not specified.
• Prepare a further report on the AI policy after the exhibition period, including engagement results and proposed changes.
  After public exhibition.
• Place the proposed Cricket Wicket Support Outside Council’s Standard Working Hours Fee and Public Memorial Tree Fee on public exhibition.
  Following Council consideration and applicable exhibition requirements.
• Report back on submissions and seek a decision on adoption of the proposed recreation and memorial tree fees.
  After the public exhibition period.
• Refer the POET management committee report to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee for information.
  Not specified.
• Publish the updated Land Transaction Policy on the Central Coast Council website.
  Following adoption.
• Review the Land Transaction Policy again.
  No later than 30 June 2030.
• Address capital works and budget changes affecting the Long Term Financial Plan in the next update of that plan.
  Next Long Term Financial Plan update.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Governance and Finance Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 10 November 2026 Members Status Cr Jared Wright, Chairperson Present Cr Kyle MacGregor, Deputy Chairperson Apology Cr Helen Crowley, Member Present Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Member Present (Items 1.1 - 3.2) Mayor McNamara Present Council Officers Status Jamie Loader, Chief Executive Officer Present Marissa Racomelara, Director Corporate Services Present Boris Bolgolf, Director Infrastructure Services Present Phil Cantillon, Acting Director, Community and Recreation Services Present Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning...