Two reports on the council’s finances were tabled at the council meeting on Wednesday night.

The meeting heard more details of council’s revised capital works program that will deliver $197.5 million in key infrastructure projects this financial year.

The council was also achieving further benefits for ratepayers through the merging of the former Wyong and Gosford councils.

Council administrator Ian Reynolds said the merger program was transforming the organisation to better provide services.

“Our priority is to build a solid foundation in preparation for the newly elected council in September, 2017, and I believe we are in great shape to achieve that,” Mr Reynolds said.

“We have established new legislative and governance requirements so we can operate as a single council, implemented a new brand, and aligned customer service processes so that residents can do business with us at whichever office they want to.

“As a unified council we have hugely increased buying power which is already paying off – we have saved $750,000 a year by consolidating supplier contracts, $700,000 in insurance costs and by removing merchant fees at our Wyong office with an estimated saving of $240,000 for ratepayers.

“These savings are just the tip of the iceberg – we have done our homework and modelled the expected benefits and costs of the merger and forecast a net benefit of around $70 million over a 10-year period.”

Mr Reynolds said the savings would be put “straight into better services and infrastructure” for the community.

Council will also adjust its budget to invest in a new technology platform – a future mode of operation – to future-proof the business and make it easier for residents to access information and services 24 hours a day. 

“This project is built off the back of us listening to our residents and taking action to ensure we can serve them to the best of our ability,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Both former councils had ageing technology systems that required a revamp so the merger has given us a great opportunity to get one great system in place to serve the whole Central Coast.

“We expect to see significant financial benefits well into the future thanks to the creation of a united, effective and efficient organisation.”

Council said the recently adopted Engagement Framework was enabling council to better engage with residents. Regular face-to-face interactions at pop-up stalls at events and shopping centres, online engagement tools, and information sessions had started.

Engagement for the first Central Coast Community Strategic Plan will start in March.This plan will help inform the new council as they set a delivery program for their term of office.