Central Coast Council's assertion that it needed state government approval to open a second channel opening at The Entrance to release floodwaters from Tuggerah Lakes was incorrect.
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And the council said its claim that it had applied for state government funding to dredge The Entrance channel in June, 2019, was also wrong.
The council last night issued a statement saying its staff had given the mayor incorrect information which she then shared with media.
Council CEO Gary Murphy said there was no intention on the part of the council staff to mislead the community or the Office of the Mayor.
"Staff made an honest mistake in respect of the information they provided to the Office of the Mayor," Mr Murphy said.
"The mayor has then unknowingly relayed this incorrect information to the media."
On Friday, February 14, the mayor issued a media statement in response to community questions about why the council had not dredged sand from the channel since 2018.
Many residents impacted by flooding believe that the build-up of sand in the channel had slowed the release of floodwaters from the lake into the ocean.
This delay had prolonged and added to the flooding trouble, they said.
In that February 14 media statement, mayor Lisa Matthews reiterated the council's commitment to dredging but said state government funding support for the dredging had not been forthcoming.
She said council had been waiting for state government funding since June 2019.
On Friday night, the council sought to correct the record.
The council application was, in fact, made in November 2019.
"Whilst council submitted an application to the NSW Government's Rescuing our Waterways Fund in November 2019 when the formal funding program had opened, council had also proactively submitted a prior request for funding in June 2019 outside of the program open period," the council said in the statement.
Council was advised on February 13 that the funding application had been successful, and the state government would provide $600,000 to the council for the dredging.
On Sunday, February 9, at the height of the flooding crisis, media picked up the story of the locals using shovels to dig a spillway from the channel to the ocean in an effort to release floodwaters from Tuggerah Lakes quicker.
A local man allegedly drove his excavator onto the sand to help with the digging effort.
Council eventually followed the man's lead on Tuesday, February 11, digging a second channel opening to the sea.
Locals reported an almost immediate drop in flood levels in lakeside towns and suburbs. They were grateful for the council's intervention, but many wondered why it had taken so long.
"Council staff incorrectly indicated to the Office of the Mayor that council required approval to open an additional channel at The Entrance during this natural disaster event," the council said in its statement last night.
"Central Coast Council holds licenses administered by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Crown Land) and by the NSW Department of Primary Industries authorising council to undertake maintenance dredging and beach nourishment in the vicinity of the channel at The Entrance and The Entrance North following notification to the appropriate government department."
Mr Murphy said they were honest errors.
"It is a case of staff working round the clock during and after this natural disaster event. This matter has been addressed with staff," he said.
The council statement last night also sought to address the roles and responsibilities of a mayor.
"Council also wishes to clarify the role of a mayor in any decision-making process of local government," the statement said.
"Whilst the mayor is considered to be the voice of the council and the leader of the community, the mayor's role is also that of the 'first among equals'.
"The mayor therefore has the same role and responsibilities as councillors but has additional responsibilities that reflect their leadership role. Those additional responsibilities are set out in Section 226 of the Local Government Act and include, amongst other things, carrying out civic and ceremonial functions.
"The mayor does not have power under the Local Government Act to direct the CEO without a resolution of the governing body."