Central Coast Council financial crisis: Administrator sets date to deliver report

It has been revealed when the community will be told the ‘interesting’ details of what caused Central Coast Council’s financial woes.

Central Coast interim administrator Dick Persson AM has set a date to deliver his report into council’s financial crisis.

In just over a week, the community will be told the exact details and cause of the Central Coast Council financial crisis.

Interim Administrator Dick Persson AM said he will look to deliver his report on council’s financial woes on December 2 at a special council meeting.

When Mr Persson was appointed to the council in early November, he pledged to deliver a report within 30 days.

“I think there will be things in it that people will find interesting in terms of what happened,” he told the Express.

The community will soon be told the extend of council’s financial crisis. Picture: Mark Scott

“Whether they are shocked or not, I can’t say.”

Council first announced its $89m deficit and “liquidity issues” on October 6, however higher debt figures have been circulated in the community.

Prior to their suspension, Central Coast councillors said they were shocked by the news, indicating they had been given the wrong information regarding finances in the months leading up to the announcement.

Some blamed the amalgamation of the former Gosford and Wyong councils, while others said it was financial mismanagement within the council.

“I will be doing my best to explain who should have known what and who should have done more when,” Mr Persson said.

Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock will ultimately decide if the councillors will return. Picture: Sue Graham

He said it was too early to rule out disciplinary action, however said “it is unlikely in my view”.

“There’s nothing before me that indicated any corruption,” he said.

Mr Persson said he and council staff were still working on the communications strategy for delivering the information to the community.

When he arrived on the coast, Mr Persson was quick to assure the community he would be open and honest about the situation.

A report into the findings will also be provided to Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock who will ultimately decide if the councillors will be reinstated.