RESIDENTS who want to have a say in the shaping of the Central Coast’s future have until this Friday to add their voice to the region’s Community Strategic Plan.
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The plan, the first ever developed for the entire Central Coast, will capture the community’s vision for the region and identify key social, economic and environmental priorities as well as long-term strategies for the Coast for the next 10 years.
Over the past three months, council staff have spoken directly to thousands of residents at 44 pop-up stalls, schools, shopping centres and community events.
And they have delivered 2000 surveys to train commuters and engaged online with more than 2000 residents.
Council administrator Ian Reynolds said the quality and quantity of feedback from residents so far had been fantastic and highlighted the great passion residents had for the Central Coast.
“We have been asking residents five simple questions around what they love about their suburb and the Coast, what would make these better, and what they imagine the Coast to be in 10 years’ time,” he said.
“The information we have been gathering will guide all of council’s long-term planning and decision making, so what residents are telling us will have a significant impact – together we can make the Coast the very best it can be.”
Once the initial phase of community consultation closes this Friday, June 30, council will spend the next month collating and analysing the information collected to identify key themes and priorities.
“A community reference group, comprising members of the local community, will work with council and its partners between August and December to assist with shaping objectives and strategies for these key theme areas,” Mr Reynolds said.
“The new council, to be elected in September, will play a key role reviewing the community engagement outcomes, shaping the major themes and issues, and developing the draft Community Strategic Plan.”
The draft plan will be placed on public exhibition from March to April 2018.
Council staff will then incorporate any feedback and suggestions from the community to finalise the plan in preparation for adoption by council in June 2018.
If you haven’t had a chance to share your thoughts on the future of the Coast - where you live, work and play – jump online and have your say at yourvoiceourcoast.com before this Friday.
Residents can also complete the survey at a council administration office or library at one of our iPad stations or complete a hard copy survey and deposit it in specially marked ballot boxes at these locations.
