Why Central Coast Council still feels financial burden of amalgamation

More than three years after the Gosford-Wyong council merger, the effects of the amalgamation are still burning a huge hole in Central Coast Council’s budget. Read what’s in it for you.

Council's operational 2019/20 budget.

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Central Coast Council will spend in excess of $20 million over the next year on consolidating its core systems, including financial and asset management systems, along with payroll and property rating systems.

It’s the latest step in cementing the amalgamation of Gosford and Wyong councils which occurred more than three years ago in May 2016.

The council signed off on its 2019-20 Operational Budget earlier this month and the focus of the document is largely to upgrade and modernise its own facilities, processes and technology — including a $7 million spend on its vehicle fleet.

A council spokeswoman said as part of the amalgamation, council was “now implementing business critical functionality required to maintain acceptable levels of service for customers across the Central Coast”.

“A number of existing systems have been in use for the past 10-15 years and therefore require upgrades and maintenance to keep them running efficiently so council can continue to deliver acceptable levels of service for the community,” she said.

The council is spending more than $20 million on consolidating systems. Picture: Mark Scott

The council’s own assets will receive millions of dollars in upgrades, including $7 million for replacement of light vehicles, along with upgrades to all of the coast’s work depots.

At Erina depot $380,000 has been allocated for an upgrade to staff bathroom and amenities, as well as $150,000 to “renew entry pavement”.

At Woy Woy depot, workers will receive a $15,000 upgraded barbecue area.

Elsewhere, $110,000 will be forked out to replace carpet on three floors of the Gosford administration building.

The council’s 2019/20 operational plan includes $235.6 million worth of capital works.

Among these works is a $50,000 upgrade to a pelican statue (pictured below) and the installation of anti-terrorism bollards at The Entrance.

Percy as he stands today.

The pelican statue improvement plan was made at the request of Councillor Bruce McLachlan who said he wanted to improve the experience at The Entrance pelican feeding, along with introducing a wildlife show to compliment the pelican show.

“The problem is that busloads of people come for the 15 minute feeding and then disappear,” he said.

“We need to improve what we have to improve the economic spend.”

Other major spends in the plan include $53 million on local roads, $23.9 million on the sewerage network, $7.3 million design and construction of the Gosford Cultural Precinct and the $3.8 million Adcock Park redevelopment.

Central Coast Stadium is set for a makeover. Picture: Paul Barkley

Central Coast Stadium is set for a makeover, which could help the council secure NSW Waratahs home games.

The council will spend $600,000 resurfacing the stadium pitch, $900,000 upgrading the seating as well as $450,000 upgrading CCTV.

There will also be upgrades to the eastern corporate suites and replacement of perimeter fencing.

The council has also allocated $1 million to concept design works for the highly anticipated carpark strategy.

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The council’s operating income for the financial year is $537.8 million, with an estimated budgeted operating deficit of $18.6 million before capital grants and contributions.

Mayor Jane Smith admitted the deficit was larger than initially projected.

“We are projecting a larger deficit than first forecast in the draft plan due to an increase in the emergency services levy payable to the NSW State Government and an adjustment to council’s income and expenditure in line with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) final determination released in May,” she said.