Central Coast Council Sets Course After Governance Order Closure and Strategy Adoptions

Central Coast Council faces a projected $4.3 million end-of-year deficit for the 2026 financial year after earlier forecasts pointed to a surplus.

Financial Position and Rate Changes

The shift comes amid broader recovery efforts following the council's time in administration. Water and sewer rates for typical households will rise by 5.5 per cent, or $82, reaching $1,565 in 2026-27 under the IPART determination. The council's net financial position moved from a combined pre-merger surplus above $95 million to a post-merger deficit of $89 million, according to analysis of merger-era reports.

Recent Governance and Planning Milestones

The Performance Improvement Order issued in September 2024 on financial sustainability and governance was closed on 12 May 2026. Council endorsed the Open Coast Coastal Management Program with amendments on offshore sand nourishment for submission to the NSW Minister for Environment. It also adopted the Economic Development Strategy 2026-30, Destination Management Plan 2026-29 and Events Strategy 2026-30, while endorsing the Central Coast Employment Lands Strategy for state submission.

Key Projects and Local Initiatives

The Land and Environment Court approved a Highway Commercial Precinct development in Kariong that includes McDonald’s, KFC and Guzman & Gomez, with operations expected by the end of 2026. Council secured $600,000 from the NSW Greening Our City grant for street tree planting and vegetation work across Woy Woy, Ettalong and Umina over two-and-a-half years. A MakerSpace with 3D printers and virtual reality equipment is scheduled to open at Gosford Regional Library in late July or early August, run jointly with the University of Newcastle.

Residents should monitor council communications for details on rate billing timelines and opportunities to review the newly adopted strategies as implementation planning advances.