CENTRAL Coast Council’s draft operational plan for 2019-20 proposes to deliver $791 million worth of investment in services and capital works.
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Priority spending areas include roads; water and sewerage service infrastructure; protecting and enhancing the local environment; community facilities and open space and recreation infrastructure.
Council’s estimated operating income for the 2019-20 financial year is $560.1 million, leaving an estimated budgeted operating deficit of $7.7 million before capital grants and contributions.
Council was proposing "a small deficit" to ensure that it met community expectations in terms of services and infrastructure, a spokesperson for the council said.
This is part of a longer term financial strategy and council will welcome community comment on the strategy, the spokesperson said.
Mayor Jane Smith said the draft plan continued council's commitment to prioritising key community needs and aspirations for the Central Coast in line with the Community Strategic Plan - council's contract with the community.
"The draft plan details every project and initiative we will deliver over the next year with a strong focus on consolidation of council's core operating systems, delivering community infrastructure and meeting sustainability principles," Cr Smith said.
"This reflects council's focus on continuing to align services including consolidation of information on one technology platform and some major changes to our operating income and expenditure including increases in electricity and fuel costs and an adjustment in annual charges and user charges in line with our Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) submission."
Hundreds of projects were planned across the Coast in the $223.2-million capital works program, she said.
Priority spending areas include:
- $72.7 million in roads, transport and drainage;
- $38.4 million in water and sewerage;
- $21.8 million in open space and recreation;
- $16.3 million in facilities and asset management;
- $9.4 million in economic development and project delivery;
- $4.5 million in business enterprise;
- $4.3 million in waste services;
- $3.1 million in natural and environmental assets;
- $2.7 million in waterways and coastal protection;
- $2.3 million in leisure and lifestyle;
- $1.1 million in libraries; and
- $148,000 in learning and education.
"We will continue to review our operations to look for innovative ways to deliver services and take advantage of efficiencies to reduce the budgeted operating deficit," Cr Smith said.
"Council is in a strong financial position with our infrastructure, property, plant and equipment portfolio having a gross replacement cost of $10.2 billion as at June 30, 2018, and an investment portfolio which is managed to ensure that council has sufficient funds to deliver services to the community.
"Our community have identified their vision of where they want to see the Coast grow and be in 10 years' time - we want a smart, responsible, green and liveable Central Coast and for all community members to have a sense of belonging.
"This Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 will enable council to deliver this for our community and continue to pave the way for a prosperous and positive future for our region."
Council encourages the community to make submissions on the Draft Operational Plan 2019-20.
To view the Draft Plan, go to yourvoiceourcoast.com, Council libraries and offices at Wyong and Gosford.
Submissions will be received up until 5pm on Wednesday, May 1.
