Ordinary Council Meeting - Tuesday 22 September 2026

Topics

• Council approves $985,000 Gosford indoor stadium but cuts Toukley project allocation
  A three-year Gosford indoor sports stadium project has been approved, with the proposed budget offset reducing Toukley facilities funding from $500,000 to $100,000.
  The decision creates a new major sports project while shifting capital priorities for Toukley.
• Central Coast warns a $20 million annual grants cut could force service and capital choices
  Council is planning for a possible $20 million yearly reduction in Financial Assistance Grants and considering savings, new revenue and contingency cuts.
  The shortfall could affect services, infrastructure delivery and long-term financial planning across the region.
• Central Coast adopts new water and sewer customer charter
  Council adopted an updated customer charter after public exhibition, changing the formal service framework for water and sewer customers.
  Utility customers can use the charter to understand Council’s service commitments and customer arrangements.

Decisions

• Australia Post rates and payments motion rescinded
  Council lost a rescission motion concerning the previous resolution supporting Australia Post post offices as payment points for rates, water accounts and other council charges. The underlying resolution was therefore not rescinded, subject to the recorded outcome being confirmed in the final minutes.
  Residents who rely on in-person payment services, particularly people who are older, vulnerable, regional or digitally excluded, remain affected by Council’s position on Australia Post payment facilities.
• 2025-26 financial statements referred for external audit
  Council referred its unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 to the Audit Office of NSW after consideration by the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.
  The external audit provides public scrutiny of Council’s financial position and annual accounts.
• Water and Sewer Customer Charter adopted
  Council adopted the updated Water and Sewer Customer Charter following 28 days of public exhibition.
  The charter sets out the service commitments and customer expectations applying to Central Coast water and sewer customers.
• Gosford indoor sports stadium approved
  Council approved inclusion of the Federal Infrastructure grant-funded Gosford City Indoor Sports Stadium in the 2026-27 Capital Program, at a cost of $985,000, to be delivered over three years. An amendment seeking a different offset and stronger protection for the Toukley Community Facilities Redevelopment Project was lost.
  The project will add an indoor sports facility in Gosford, while the budget offset reduced the amount currently allocated to the Toukley facilities project from $500,000 to $100,000.
• Community Support Grants awarded
  Council allocated $17,282.42 from the 2026-27 grants budget to July 2026 Community Support Grants, including funding for Central Coast Fly Rodders, Wyong/Gosford Community Legal Services, Alliance Française de la Côte Centrale, North Entrance Surf Life Saving Club, Jopuka Productions, Disabled Surfers Association of Australia and Wyong Water Polo Club. Two applications were declined and the Community and Culture Committee was asked to review program guidelines.
  Local community, cultural, sporting, legal and accessibility organisations will receive support for activities and facilities.
• Transitional housing commercial arrangements supported
  Council endorsed changes to the Transitional Housing Model to align rental income with social housing rents, approved an increased managing-agency commission and supported the approach for future properties. Council will also ask NSW Government departments to review and protect funding for the Central Coast program.
  The decision supports the continuation of a program intended to move tenants from transitional accommodation into secure housing.
• Financial Assistance Grants shortfall raised
  Council considered advocacy and contingency planning in response to a potential $20 million annual reduction in Financial Assistance Grants. Proposed responses included operational and capital savings, additional non-rates revenue and a list of contingency cuts and funding opportunities. A draft submission to the NSW Local Government Grants Commission was amended to seek better recognition of rating capacity, community affordability, statutory revenue constraints and transitional protections.
  A reduction of this scale could affect Council services, capital works, workforce planning and future financial decisions.
• Planning panel governance position advanced
  Council noted reforms phasing out the Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel and the expiry of Central Coast Local Planning Panel memberships on 30 June 2027. It supported advocacy to remove the prohibition on councillors serving as community representatives on Local Planning Panels and to submit the issue to the NSW Local Government conference.
  The changes affect how residents and elected representatives may participate in decisions about major development proposals.

Discussion

• Phegans Bay Foreshore Masterplan
  The masterplan is to be incorporated into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program. It is currently unfunded, with future projects to be considered through capital works, annual budget and grant processes.
  The plan may guide future foreshore and estuary management, but delivery is not currently funded.
• Fire safety at 107 Henry Parry Drive, Gosford
  Council received a Fire and Rescue NSW inspection report and will receive a further report after officers review it under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
  The follow-up concerns compliance and fire safety at a specific Gosford property.
• PFAS and environmental issues
  The agenda included a notice of motion concerning PFAS in Ourimbah Creek aquatic biota and Mardi Dam sediments, although the supplied extract does not record the final decision.
  Residents near Ourimbah Creek and Mardi Dam may be affected by any future investigation or precautionary advice.
• Sister-city delegation planning
  Council continued planning with the City of Edogawa for a proposed November 2027 visit, noted $30,000 had been allocated in the 2026-27 budget and deferred further allocation to the 2027-28 budget process.
  The decision commits Council to continued planning while deferring any additional budget decision.
• ALGWA Conference 2027
  Council endorsed continued coordination and development of the Australia Local Government Women's Association Conference 2027 through an established cross-functional planning committee.
  The event may bring visitors and activity to the Central Coast, subject to future planning and budgets.
• Local government service delivery advocacy
  The Australia Post motion sought a coordinated funding and service-delivery framework involving Australia Post, the NSW Government, the Australian Government, Service NSW and local councils.
  The proposal is aimed at improving access to government and council transactions outside online channels.

Impacts

• Water and sewer customers will be covered by the adopted updated Customer Charter.
• A three-year, $985,000 Gosford indoor sports stadium project will enter the 2026-27 Capital Program.
• The Toukley Community Facilities Redevelopment Project currently has $100,000 available rather than the previously budgeted $500,000, with the issue raised as a future funding priority.
• Community organisations will receive $17,282.42 in July grant funding, while two applications were declined.
• A potential $20 million annual reduction in Financial Assistance Grants could lead to service, capital works or revenue changes if it occurs.
• The Transitional Housing Model will continue under revised rental and management arrangements.
• Future planning panel appointments and the role of councillors in planning decisions are subject to NSW Government reforms and advocacy.

Places

• Gosford (suburb and project area)
  Location of the proposed indoor sports stadium and 107 Henry Parry Drive fire-safety matter.
• Toukley (town and project area)
  Location of the Community Facilities Redevelopment Project affected by the stadium project budget offset.
• Phegans Bay (locality and foreshore)
  Subject of an unfunded foreshore masterplan.
• Ourimbah Creek (waterway)
  Named in the PFAS notice of motion concerning aquatic biota.
• Mardi Dam (water storage facility)
  Named in the PFAS notice of motion concerning sediments.
• Brisbane Water Estuary (estuary and service area)
  The Phegans Bay Masterplan is to be incorporated into the relevant coastal management program.
• Central Coast (local government area)
  Area affected by water, sewer, housing, grants, planning and financial decisions.
• Wyong (town and council location)
  Council chambers are located in Wyong and several grant recipients and projects are based in the area.

Next

• Refer the 2025-26 financial statements to the Audit Office of NSW for external audit.
  Following the meeting
• Deliver the Gosford City Indoor Sports Stadium project through the 2026-27 Capital Program.
  Over three years; commencement planned in 2026-27
• Hold a councillor workshop on the potential Financial Assistance Grants reduction and report to the Governance and Finance Committee before the quarterly review.
  Workshop in the last week of October 2026; committee report in November 2026
• Prepare and submit Council’s response to the NSW Local Government Grants Commission methodology consultation.
  After finalising the amended draft submission
• Review the Community Support Grant Program guidelines through the Community and Culture Committee.
  Future committee consideration
• Seek a review and protection of NSW Government funding for the Central Coast Transitional Housing Model.
  Following Council correspondence to relevant ministers and departments
• Continue planning for the proposed City of Edogawa delegation visit.
  Proposed November 2027 visit; further funding considered in the 2027-28 budget process
• Consider future funding and grant opportunities for the unfunded Phegans Bay Foreshore Masterplan.
  Future capital works and annual budget processes

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Ordinary Council Meeting held in the Central Coast Council Chambers 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 22 September 2026 Present Mayor/Councillor Lawrie McKinna Deputy Mayor/Councillor John Mouland Councillor Margot Castles Councillor Helen Crowley Councillor Kyla Daniels (remotely - 22 September) Councillor Doug Eaton OAM Councillor Corinne Lamont (remotely - 29 September) Councillor Kyle MacGregor Councillor/Mayor John McNamara Councillor Trent McWaide Councillor Belinda Neal Councillor Jane Smith Councillor/Deputy Mayor Rachel Stanton Councillor Sharon Walsh Councillor Jared Wright Council Officers Jamie Loader Acting Chief Executive Officer Boris...