Central Coast Council’s draft budget reveals local road upgrades and long awaited projects

Council’s 2022/23 draft budget is out with a focus on local roads and vital services. However there are projects to get excited about. See what’s in store now council are not longer going broke.

Local roads have emerged as the winner in Central Coast Council’s draft budget for 2022/23.

The council has publicly released its draft budget along with a host of other documents setting a path for council over the coming years as it emerges from its financial crisis which saw the council plunge into $565m debt.

Earlier this week, Administrator Rik Hart revealed that due to the recent IPART approvals to increase Central Coast water rates and maintain the 15 per cent rate rise for another seven years, “the financial crisis is behind us”.

A huge focus for the council, which was forced to cut staff and services and sell assets over the past 19 months, is now the continued delivery of essential services and maintenance of community facilities and recreation areas.

The budget concentrates on essential services and maintenance, following a tumultuous 18 months for the council.

A capital works program of $168.2m has been allocated in the draft 2022-23 budget, with the council expected to receive $593.6m in operating income.

Roads has the biggest investment with $39.7m, followed by $38.6m on the region’s sewerage network, $28m on buildings and $21m on water supply.

Council states that a majority – $142.2m – of the capital works program targets “renewal and upgrade works to existing assets” to address the asset backlog, while $26m is for new assets.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the major community spends and big wins for 2022/23.

Drainage works will be carried out at Lakedge Ave, Berkeley Vale, which is regularly plagued by flooding. Picture: Richard Noone

ROAD UPGRADES

■ Del Monte Pl, Copacabana – $3.3m

■ Ridgway Rd, Lisarow – $2.28m

■ Ocean Beach Rd and Rawson Rd intersection in Woy Woy – $3.6m in 2022/23, $6.9m in 2023/24 and $10.5m in 2024/25

■ Tramway Rd, View St and Elgata Ave, North Avoca – $2.4m

■ Steyne Rd, $3.1m, $4.1m in 2023/24 and $3m in 2024/25

■ Kala Ave and Walu Ave Budgewoi drainage upgrade – $1.1m

The Ridgeway at Lisarow has also been highlighted for further upgrades.

■ Avoca Dr drainage upgrade, Avoca Beach – $1.5m

■ Lushington St, East Gosford – $1.17m

■ Springwood St, Ettalong – $2.2m

■ Lakedge Ave drainage upgrade, Berkeley Vale – $2.25m

■ Shelly Beach Rd – Shelly Beach – $2.19m

■ Old Maitland Rd Wyong shoulder widening – $1.7m

BIG SPENDS

Artists impression of the Gosford Regional Library.

■ Council has committed $14.2m to the highly anticipated Gosford Regional Library to be built in Donnison St in Gosford, with $11.5m to follow in the 2023/24 financial year.

The funding is coming from grants as well as contributions.

■ Council’s plant and fleet vehicle acquisitions – $10.3m.

■ Umina Skate Park has been identified for a massive upgrade with $2.84m committed to the peninsula facility.

■ A long awaited shared pathway is on the cards for Magenta to the tune of $2.5m, along with the Tuggerawong Foreshore -shared pathway with $2.1m allocated.

Umina Skate Park is set for a $2.8m revamp.

■ Umina Oval is also an area of focus with the amenities building on Melbourne Ave set for a $1.2m upgrade and building on Etta Rd to receive a $1.8m revamp.

■ The Peninsula Leisure Centre is set for an airconditioning replacement at a cost of $1.9m

■ Replacement of Little Wobby Wharf in Gosford – $1.5m

■ The Entrance town centre is receiving some love with a $1.6m upgrade to The Entrance Visitor Information Centre and $500,000 upgrade to the Memorial Park carpark.

■ Central Coast Airport upgrades at Warnervale – $536,000

■ MacMasters Beach Seawall – $640,000 – along with sand dune stabilisation at Umina Beach – $590,000.

The Entrance has also received funding for upgrades. Picture: Sue Graham

Council’s draft delivery program sets out a range of goals over the next three years including revitalising Gosford City Centre, Gosford Waterfront and town centres, targeting economic development, increasing inclusivity as well as providing more sports and theatre opportunities and improving community safety.

The council has also released its draft updated Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which identifies the council’s main priorities and aspirations of the community over the next 10 years.

The CSP was initially adopted in 2018 however the financial crisis changed many factors.

“The CSP as it stands did not reflect the current community sentiment or acknowledgment of council’s commitment to financial responsibility on behalf of the community,” the council stated.

All of the draft documents are on public exhibition until June 21.