Governance and Finance Committee - Tuesday 11 August 2026

Topics

• Council backs stronger security controls for water and sewer network
  The committee recommended including Council’s 2026 critical-infrastructure report in the Annual Report and progressing a stronger risk-management framework for water and sewer assets.
  Residents depend on secure and reliable water and sewer services, while Council must meet obligations under national critical-infrastructure legislation.
• Proactive information-release policy recommended despite dissent
  The committee recommended adoption of a policy designed to release Council information proactively, with one committee member voting against it.
  The policy could change how residents, journalists and community organisations access public Council information.
• TCorp invited to explain Council investment-management advice in November
  Council’s investment-management discussions with TCorp and Perpetual will return to the committee, with TCorp representatives invited to present publicly.
  The follow-up may clarify how Council assesses investment advice and manages public funds.

Decisions

• Water and sewer critical-infrastructure report supported
  The committee recommended that Council note the 2026 Water and Sewer Security of Critical Infrastructure Annual Report and approve its inclusion in Council’s Annual Report and online attestation to the Department of Home Affairs. It also noted a Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program to strengthen controls for managing material risks in the water and sewer network.
  Supports regulatory compliance and risk management for essential water and sewer services.
• Draft Proactive Release of Information Policy adopted
  The committee recommended that Council adopt the Draft Proactive Release of Information Policy in Attachment 1. The recommendation passed with Councillor Jane Smith voting against.
  May improve public access to Council information without residents needing to lodge individual information requests.
• Further review of Council investment management scheduled
  The committee will receive an update at its 10 November 2026 meeting on information provided by TCorp and Perpetual after discussions with Council officers. TCorp representatives were invited to present at that meeting.
  Provides a public follow-up on how Council manages and reviews investments.
• Education and care worker retention payment update noted
  The committee resolved by exception to note the status of the Federal Early Childhood Education and Care Worker Retention Payment.
  Records an update relevant to education and care workers and services, without announcing a new local payment or funding decision.

Discussion

• Critical infrastructure obligations for water and sewer services
  The committee supported reporting on Council’s compliance with the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 and noted a risk-management program for the water and sewer network.
  Essential-service reliability and management of security risks can affect households and businesses across the water and sewer service area.
• Proactive release of Council information
  A draft policy setting out proactive information-release arrangements was recommended for adoption.
  Could make more Council information publicly available and improve transparency.
• Council investment-management follow-up
  The Chief Financial Officer provided a verbal summary concerning NSW Treasury Corporation investment management, with a detailed update and TCorp presentation planned for November.
  Offers future scrutiny of public funds and investment-management advice.

Impacts

• Water and sewer risk controls and annual compliance reporting will be progressed through Council’s governance processes.
• Residents may gain easier access to Council information if the recommended policy is formally adopted by Council.
• Council’s investment-management discussions will be revisited publicly at the 10 November 2026 committee meeting.

Places

• Wyong (town)
  The meeting was held at 2 Hely Street, Wyong; the water and sewer matters concern Council’s service network, but no further service-area locations were specified.

Next

• Council to consider the committee’s recommendation on the Water and Sewer Security of Critical Infrastructure Annual Report and risk-management program.
  Following the 11 August 2026 committee meeting; exact Council date not stated.
• Submit the prescribed online critical-infrastructure attestation to the Department of Home Affairs, subject to Council approval.
  Following approval of the annual report content; exact timing not stated.
• Council to consider adopting the Draft Proactive Release of Information Policy.
  Following the 11 August 2026 committee recommendation; exact Council date not stated.
• Receive an update on TCorp and Perpetual discussions and hear from TCorp representatives.
  Governance and Finance Committee meeting scheduled for 10 November 2026.

Extract

Central Coast Council Governance and Finance Committee Minutes 11 August 2026 OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Governance and Finance Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 11 August 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, Alternate Member Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna Apology Council Officers Status Marissa Racomelara, Director Corporate Services Present Jamie Loader, Director Water and Sewer Present Melanie Smith, Chief Governance Officer Present Emma Galea, Chief Finance Officer Present Darrylen Law, C...