Community Engagement Plan (2023-24)
In accordance with the Engagement Framework and Community Participation Plan, Central Coast Council undertakes community engagement on key projects, initiatives, policies, strategies and plans to ensure a balanced and collaborative decision-making process between the community and Council is achieved.
The Engagement Framework defines Council’s approach to all engagement it undertakes, while ensuring accountability and consistent application. The Community Participation Plan outlines how the community can participate in planning matters.
Our Engagement Plan 2023-24 outlines our forecasted annual community engagement activities by project title and a quarterly timeframe. This information is updated quarterly, and offers transparency to our community on what Council will engage on and when.
There may be instances where planned activities change, or additional engagement activities arise that were not determined at the time of presenting this forward plan. We will regularly communicate and promote engagement activities through e-newsletters, media interviews, advertising, social media, printed pamphlets and letterbox drops. Additionally, Council reports back to the community about engagement activities through publicising, emailing participants directly and publishing consultation summaries and reports on this website, and providing consultation reports to the Council as part of Council Meeting Agenda items.
A great way to stay updated is by signing up to Council’s e-News.
Community engagement activities (updated April 2024)
| Targeted quarterly timeframe | Community engagement activity by title |
| Quarter 1: July 2023 to September 2023 |
1A Jaques Street Ourimbah |
| 24 Hour Night Time Economy | |
| Austin Butler Reserve | |
| Central Coast Section 7.12 Contributions Plan | |
| Community Strategic Plan - Stage 1 Consultation | |
| DA Guidelines: Resource and Waste Management Planning | |
| Detailed Design and Documentation for South Landfill Cell at Woy Woy Waste Management facility | |
| District Playspace Lions Park Woy Woy | |
| NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program | |
| Ownership Transfer: Precinct 7a 107 Virginia Rd, Warnervale | |
| Playspace Renewal - Pelican Park | |
| Proposed reclassification of land - various lots - Operational to Community | |
| Public Toilet Strategy | |
| Somersby and Kariong Catchments Overland Flood Study | |
| Water and Sewer Customer Charter and Complaints Management Framework |
| Quarter 2: October 2023 to December 2023 |
Building Renewal - Buff Point Oval Sportsground Amenities |
| Building Renewal - Halekulani Oval Sportsground Amenities | |
| Central Coast Regulatory Policy | |
| Coastal Management Program for Coastal Lagoons | |
| Coastal Management Program for Hawkesbury River including Brisbane Waters | |
| Coastal Management Program for Tuggerah Lakes | |
| Coastal Management Program for Open Coast | |
| Community Theatre Review | |
| Debt Recovery and Hardship Policy | |
| Deferred Matters Lands Planning Proposal | |
| Digital Strategy for Central Coast Council | |
| Dogs in Open Space Strategy - Stage 2 consultation | |
| Flooding and Tidal Inundation Policy | |
| Local Approvals Policy and Outdoor Trading Specifications | |
| Narara Eco Village Planning Proposal and Amended Planning Agreement | |
| Natural Disaster Remediation Program | |
| Phegans Bay Waterfront Masterplan | |
| Planning Proposal for Tuggerah Gateway | |
| Update to Ourimbah Masterplan - Jaques Street Community Land | |
| Water and Sewer Community Engagement and Education Strategy | |
| Water and Sewer Masterplan: Water and Sewer service connections program - connecting unserviced properties to the network | |
| YourGroundNSW |
| Quarter 3: January 2024 to March 2024 | 2024-25 Placemaking: East Gosford |
| Central Coast Airport Masterplan | |
| Central Coast Integrated Transport Plan 2024-25 | |
| Collongra Boat Ramp remediation and upgrade | |
| Community resilience planning in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation | |
| District Playspace Davistown | |
| Don Small Oval Car Park | |
| Gwandalan Skate Park Renewal | |
| Hardy's Bay Foreshore Masterplan | |
| Kariong Amenities Building Upgrade | |
| Kariong Playspace - Playspace Renewal | |
| Leisure and Pools Customer Satisfaction Survey | |
| Narara Eco Village Planning Proposal and Amended Planning Agreement - Stage 2 | |
| Nighttime Economy Discussion Paper | |
| Operational Plan 2024-25 and Fees and Charges | |
| Picnic Point Playspace | |
| Plan of Management for Council community land - Stage 2 | |
| Playspace Renewal - Wamberal Memorial Hall (Nature Play) | |
| Public Art Plan | |
| Public Toilets - annual renewal program | |
| Recreation Facility Development - Lake Munmorah | |
| Road Safety Strategy | |
| Safer Cities: Her Way – Stage 2 | |
| Skate Park Renewal - Gwandalan Skate Park | |
| Tuggerawong Foreshore Shared Path | |
| Wellbeing Survey | |
| Woy Woy foreshore - Public swimming baths and accessibility upgrade | |
| Wyong District Place Plan | |
| Quarter 4: April 2024 to June 2024 | Alcohol Free Zones |
| Annual Water and Sewer customer engagement (for reporting to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) | |
| Business Retention and Expansion Survey | |
| Crown Land Plan of Management | |
| Cultural Plan for Central Coast | |
| Development Control Plans (Flooding and Coastal Hazards) | |
| Engagement Framework and Community Participation Plan | |
| Finalisation of Narara Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan | |
| Water and Sewer Recycled Water Program | |
| Wayfinding |
Links
Segmented Documents
Timeline
Who's listening
Administrator's Minute - 12-month forward plan for community engagement
At the Council meeting on 27 June 2023, the Administrator formerly requested a forward plan for community engagement. He noted:
Central Coast Council is about to begin its last complete financial year under the current period of Administration before Councillors return in September 2024. During my appointment as Administrator, I have met with many individuals, community groups, resident associations, and committees to connect and engage with the community. During these conversations, some residents have expressed interest in being more involved in Council matters that impact them, or that they have a particular interest in. At times, some community members have indicated they had not been aware Council was undertaking community consultation on a certain project or weren’t sure how to stay abreast of community consultation that may be coming up during the months ahead.
To increase transparency and foresight for the community on Council’s community engagement activities, I am requesting a report back to Council that provides a 12-month forward plan of upcoming engagement projects that is publicly available and details how the community can get involved.
It should be acknowledged there may be instances when engagement projects arise during this period which were not determined at the time of this forward plan, for example, State or Federal Government developments that Council has not received 12 months’ notice on. However, I am seeking for the 12-month forward plan to present the most accurate picture of engagement for the year ahead, thereby increasing transparency with the community and allowing the community to think about and plan for the engagement activities they would like to get involved in.
He moved:
1 That Council staff prepare a report which provides a 12-month forward plan outlining the key projects, initiatives, policies, strategies and plans that Central Coast Council intends to conduct community engagement on.
2 That Council staff provide this report back to Council no later than the August 2023 Council meeting.
Council report - Community Engagement Plan for 2023-24
At its meeting on 22 August 2023, a 12-month Community Engagement Plan for 2023-24 was presented to Council in response to the Administrator’s Minute on 27 June 2023.
This report presents a 12-month forward plan outlining the key projects, initiatives, policies, strategies and plans that Council intends to engage with the Central Coast community in 2023-24.
The Administrator said:
At last night’s Council meeting, I was pleased to finalise a public, 12-month forward plan for community engagement which outlines the key projects, initiatives, policies, strategies and plans that Council will be engaging the Central Coast community on this financial year.
The Community Engagement Plan for 2023-24 was drafted in response to an Administrator Minute I tabled at the June 2023 Council Meeting and is now a public document which will soon be available to the community on Council’s engagement website, YourVoiceOurCoast.com.
I am pleased with this outcome, which means the Central Coast community now has a thorough list of projects and timelines that the community can expect to be engaged on during the course of this financial year.
The Central Coast has begun its last complete financial year under the current period of Administration before Councillors return in September 2024. This list of engagement projects can help the community stay abreast of community consultation projects that may be of interest to them which are coming up throughout the year.
Most importantly, this community engagement plan will become an annual fixture in Council’s yearly operational planning.
Q1 Update - Community Engagement Plan 2023-24
- Nearly 90 percent (16/18) of projects in the plan either have or are being actioned.
- Over 29,000 sessions with nearly 39,000 views on YVOC
- Over 21,000 new users
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Status |
|
1A Jaques Street Ourimbah |
Community consultation complete |
|
24 Hour Night Time Economy |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Austin Butler Reserve |
Open for consultation |
|
Central Coast Section 7.12 Contributions Plan |
Community consultation complete |
|
Community Strategic Plan - Stage 1 Consultation |
Community consultation complete |
|
DA Guidelines: Resource and Waste Management Planning |
Community consultation complete |
|
Detailed Design and Documentation for South Landfill Cell at Woy Woy Waste Management facility |
Open for consultation |
|
District Playspace Lions Park Woy Woy |
Community consultation complete |
|
NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program |
Project closed – NSW State project not proceeding |
|
Ownership Transfer: Precinct 7a 107 Virginia Rd, Warnervale |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Picnic Point Playspace |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Playspace Renewal - Pelican Park |
Community consultation complete |
|
Proposed reclassification of land - various lots - Operational to Community |
Community consultation complete |
|
Public Toilet Strategy |
Planning in progress |
|
Somersby and Kariong Catchments Overland Flood Study |
Community consultation complete |
|
Thematic Heritage Framework |
Planning in progress |
|
Water and Sewer consultation with large non-residential customers |
Planning in progress |
|
Water and Sewer Customer Charter and Complaints Management Framework |
Community consultation complete |
Q2 Engagement activities – anticipated changes as at 3 November 2023
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Status |
|
YourGroundNSW |
Added project – Transport for NSW |
|
Picnic Point Playspace (Q1 deliverable) |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Wamberal Memorial Hall Playspace: Renewal |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Wyong District Place Plan |
Postponed until Q3 |
|
Finalisation of Narara Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Northern District Contribution Plan |
Postponed until Q3 |
|
Building Renewal - Frost Reserve Sportsground Amenities Building |
On hold – Funding not confirmed |
|
Building Renewal - Erina Oval Sportsground Amenities |
On hold – Funding not confirmed |
Q2 Update - Community Engagement Plan 2023-24
Q2 Engagement activities summary
- Over 80 percent (26/32) of projects in the plan either have or are being actioned.
- Nearly 28,000 sessions with nearly 39,000 views on YVOC.
- Over 19,000 new users.
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Project Status |
|
Building Renewal - Buff Point Oval Sportsground Amenities |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Building Renewal - Frost Reserve Sportsground Amenities Building |
On hold – Funding not confirmed |
|
Building Renewal - Erina Oval Sportsground Amenities |
On hold – Funding not confirmed |
|
Building Renewal - Halekulani Oval Sportsground Amenities |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Central Coast Regulatory Policy |
Open |
|
Coastal Management Program for Coastal Lagoons |
Planning underway |
|
Coastal Management Program for Hawkesbury River including Brisbane Waters |
Planning underway |
|
Coastal Management Program for Tuggerah Lakes |
Planning underway |
|
Coastal Management Program for Open Coast |
Open |
|
Community Theatre Review |
Completed |
|
Debt Recovery and Hardship Policy |
Open |
|
Deferred Matters Lands Planning Proposal |
Completed |
|
Digital Strategy for Central Coast Council |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
District Playspace Davistown |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Dogs in Open Space Strategy - Stage 2 consultation |
Completed |
|
Engagement Framework and Community Participation Plan |
Planning underway |
|
Finalisation of Narara Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan |
Postponed until Q3/Q4 |
|
Flooding and Tidal Inundation Policy |
Planning underway |
|
Heritage Development Control Plan |
Planning underway |
|
Kariong Playspace - Playspace Renewal |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Local Approvals Policy and Outdoor Trading Specifications |
Open |
|
Narara Eco Village Planning Proposal and Amended Planning Agreement |
Completed |
|
Natural Disaster Remediation Program |
Planning underway |
|
Northern District Contribution Plan |
Planning underway |
|
Phegans Bay Waterfront Masterplan |
Open |
|
Planning Proposal for Tuggerah Gateway |
Planning underway |
|
Playspace Renewal - Wamberal Memorial Hall (Nature Play) |
On hold |
|
Update to Ourimbah Masterplan - Jaques Street Community Land |
Completed |
|
Water and Sewer Community Engagement and Education Strategy |
Completed |
|
Water and Sewer Masterplan: Water and Sewer service connections program - connecting unserviced properties to the network |
Completed |
|
Wyong District Place Plan |
Planning underway |
|
YourGroundNSW |
Planning underway |
Q3 Engagement activities – anticipated changes as at 3 July 2024
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Project Status |
|
Asset Management Plans – Service Levels |
|
|
Collongra Boat Ramp remediation and upgrade |
Added project – Planning underway |
|
Cultural Plan for Central Coast |
Commencing Q3 |
|
Digital Strategy for Central Coast Council |
|
|
Don Small Oval Car Park |
Added project – Planning underway |
|
Kariong Amenities Building Upgrade |
On hold – Funding not confirmed |
|
Kincumber Waste Management Facility |
Postponed to FY24-25 |
|
Listening Labs: Creative community |
Commencing Q3 |
|
Northlakes Oval - Car park and amenities building upgrade |
Postponed until FY24-25 |
|
Recreation Facility Development - Lake Munmorah |
On hold – Funding not confirmed |
|
Skate Park Renewal - Gwandalan Skate Park |
Postponed until Q4 |
Q3 Update - Community Engagement Plan 2023-24
- 75 percent (27/36) projects either completed, open for consultation or in planning.
- Nearly 28,000 sessions with nearly 39,000 views on YVOC (same as Q2)
- Over 20,000 new users
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Project Status |
|
2024-25 Placemaking: East Gosford |
Planning underway |
|
Asset Management Plans – Service Levels |
Planning underway |
|
Central Coast Airport Masterplan |
Community consultation complete |
|
Central Coast Integrated Transport Strategy |
Planning underway |
|
Central Coast Thematic History |
Community consultation complete |
|
Collongra Boat Ramp remediation and upgrade |
Planning underway |
|
INTERNAL ONLY - Community of Practice |
Planning underway |
|
INTERNAL ONLY - Depot Masterplan |
Planning underway |
|
INTERNAL ONLY - Wyong Admin refurb |
Planning underway |
|
Community resilience planning in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation |
Planning underway |
|
District Playspace Davistown |
Planning underway |
|
Don Small Oval Car Park |
Planning underway |
|
Employment Lands Strategy |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Engagement Framework and Community Participation Plan |
Planning underway |
|
Gwandalan Skate Park Renewal |
Planning underway |
|
Hardy's Bay Foreshore Masterplan |
Planning underway |
|
Kariong Amenities Building Upgrade |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Kariong Playspace - Playspace Renewal |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Leisure and Pools Customer Satisfaction Survey |
Planning underway |
|
Narara Eco Village Planning Proposal and Amended Planning Agreement - Stage 2 |
Community consultation complete |
|
Nighttime Economy Discussion Paper |
Community consultation complete |
|
Northlakes Oval - Car park and amenities building upgrade |
Postponed until FY2025 |
|
Operational Plan 2024-25 and Fees and Charges |
Planning underway |
|
Picnic Point Playspace |
Planning underway |
|
Plan of Management for Council community land - Stage 2 |
Planning underway |
|
Playspace Renewal - Wamberal Memorial Hall (Nature Play) |
Direct stakeholder engagement |
|
Public Art Plan |
Community consultation complete |
|
Public Toilets - annual renewal program |
Planning underway |
|
Recreation Facility Development - Lake Munmorah |
Postponed until FY2025 |
|
Road Safety Strategy |
Planning underway |
|
Safer Cities: Her Way – Stage 2 |
Community consultation complete |
|
Skate Park Renewal - Gwandalan Skate Park |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Tuggerawong Foreshore Shared Path |
Planning underway |
|
Wellbeing Survey |
Open for consultation |
|
Woy Woy foreshore - Public swimming baths and accessibility upgrade |
Postponed until FY2025 |
|
Wyong District Place Plan |
Postponed until Q4 |
Q4 Engagement activities – anticipated changes as at 3 July 2024
These are the known anticipated changes to projects scheduled for Q4
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Project Status |
|
Cultural Plan for Central Coast - Previously Q3 |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Development Control Plans (Flooding and Coastal Hazards) |
Postponed until Q3 FY2025 |
|
Kincumber Waste Management Facility |
Postponed until FY2025 |
|
Listening Labs - Previously Q3 |
Postponed until Q4 |
|
Food Organics Garden Organics Collection and Processing |
Postponed until Q4 FY2025 |
|
Shelly Beach Former Landfill Remediation |
Stakeholders only |
|
Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review |
Postponed until FY2025 |
Q4 Update - Community Engagement Plan 2023-24
- 56 percent (9/16) of projects completed or open for public consultation
- Nearly 33,000 sessions with nearly 45,000 views on YVOC (increase on Q3)
- Over 24,000 new users (increase on Q3)
|
Community engagement activity by title |
Project Status |
|
Alcohol Free Zones |
Community consultation complete |
|
Annual Water and Sewer customer engagement (for reporting to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) |
Open for consultation |
|
Business Retention and Expansion Survey |
Not started |
|
Crown Land Plan of Management |
Postponed until Q4 FY2025 |
|
Cultural Plan for Central Coast |
Postponed until Q3 FY2025 |
|
Development Control Plans (Flooding and Coastal Hazards) |
Postponed until Q3 FY2025 |
|
Draft Councillor Policies |
Added project – Community consultation complete |
|
Draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2024 |
Community consultation complete |
|
Engagement Framework and Community Participation Plan |
In progress |
|
Finalisation of Narara Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan |
Postponed until Q2 FY2025 |
|
Picnic Point Reserve, The Entrance District Playspace Upgrade |
Added project – Open for consultation |
|
Tuggerah Gateway Planning Proposal |
Community consultation complete |
|
Tunkuwallin Oval Gwandalan Skate Park Renewal |
Added project – Community consultation complete |
|
Water & Sewer Customer Charter and Complaints Management Framework |
Open for consultation |
|
Water and Sewer Recycled Water Program |
Not started |
|
Wayfinding |
Community consultation complete |
Community Engagement Plan (2024-25)
One of Central Coast Council's core responsibilities is to create an ongoing dialogue with our community, and engage on a range of Council projects, initiatives, policies, strategies and plans to ensure a balanced and collaborative decision-making process between the community and Council is achieved. We do this in line with our Engagement Framework and Community Participation Plan.
We have made available this annual Engagement Plan that forecasts community engagement activities so you can understand ahead of time what Council will engage on and when.
We update this information quarterly to provide transparency on what Council will engage on and when. There may be instances where planned activities change, or additional engagement activities arise that were not determined at the time of presenting this forward plan.
What is planned this financial year?
|
Targeted quarterly timeframe |
Community engagement activity by title |
|
Quarter 1: |
|
|
Quarter 2: Note: Council commits to an Engagement Blackout Period from |
|
|
Quarter 3: |
|
|
Quarter 4: |
|
Stay connected and help shape our future together
We will regularly communicate and promote engagement activities through e-newsletters, media interviews, advertising, social media, printed pamphlets and letterbox drops. Additionally, Council reports back to the community about engagement activities through publicising, emailing participants directly and publishing consultation summaries and reports on this website, and providing consultation reports to the Council as part of Council Meeting Agenda items.