General News

Report into Gosford City Council released

A report into the records and asset management practices of Gosford City Council, following recommendations from the NSW Deputy Coroner, was released in late March by the Minister for Local Government, Barbara Perry.

The report, commissioned by Minister Perry and compiled by Dick Persson AM and Alan Griffin, examines in detail Council's records and asset management system, with particular reference to Council's road assets. It followed recommendations by the Deputy Coroner into the tragic deaths of a family at a road collapse at Piles Creek, Somersby.

"Both of these reports highlight the need for councils to have good asset and records management practices in place," Ms Perry said. "The Deputy Coroner identified in his report that there were key failings in how road asset information was handled by the Gosford Council. This latest report also identifies that at the time of the road collapse, Council's inadequate reporting practices led to a failure to identify the critical need to upgrade some of its key road infrastructure. I understand that work is now underway by Council to improve these systems," Ms Perry said.

Key findings from the report included:

• A recent audit initiated by Council has identified approximately 800,000 electronic documents stored on individual computer drives rather than the central database system;
• The integrity of Council's data management systems relies on Council officers complying with that system; and
• E-mails with quotes for remedial road works that may have averted the collapse were not considered official records, and were not recorded on the computerised record system.

The report did identify, however, the systems that Council is currently implementing are considered best practice in the local government industry. "The Department of Local Government will continue to monitor the implementation by Council of appropriate asset and records management systems and practices. We want to work with Council to help ensure they are aware of the systems they must have in place to prevent tragic events such as this one," said Ms Perry.

The report by Mr Persson and Mr Griffin is available at the Department of Local Government website: www.dlg.nsw.gov.au

Council welcomes Federal Government funding

Wyong Shire Council is to receive more than $1.5 million from the Federal Government that will assist in the delivery of five local projects. Mayor Bob Graham said Council will receive $1.529 million for work on the following projects:

• $520,000 to upgrade Canton Beach playground;
• $400,000 for six new netball courts at Baker Park, Wyong;
• $259,000 for a shared pathway between Waverley Road and Griffith Street at Mannering Park;
• $250,000 for an extension to the shared pathway at Buff Point into the Budgewoi Lake foreshore reserve; and
• $100,000 for the upgrade of Saltwater Creek playground.

"I would like to thank Craig Thomson for the work he has done to help secure these funds for Council and we look forward to getting on with the job and completing all these projects by the allocated time frame of September," said Clr Graham.

Mr Thomson said he was pleased that funding for the community was announced so quickly. He said Council will receive a contract shortly and the funds will be released after it is signed.

Work starts on Kibble Park Gosford upgrade

Gosford Council has started work on Stage 5 of its upgrading of Kibble Park in the centre of Gosford CBD. Work commenced in mid-March and is expected to be completed in about twenty weeks. The project area takes in the entire site east of Eliza Street and includes redevelopment of sections of the Eliza Street road reserve.
Works in the Stage 5 reconstruction include:

• Closure of Eliza Street and reconfiguration of car parking in southern end of Eliza Street;
• Playground and shade sail installation in the northern section of Eliza Street;
• Creek water feature;
• Landscaping works - new pathways, park furniture, sculptures, turfing and planting;
• Underground water tanks;
• Lighting, electrical and CCTV Cameras (including solar panels on the café);
• Footpath upgrades along Donnison Street, Henry Parry Drive and William Street;
• Performance Area/Stage;
• All-weather shade sail installation covering walkway along William Street;
• Construction of Culvert; and
• Refurbishment of café.

Water recycling plant opens

A new water recycling plant at Woy Woy's wastewater treatment works will save 46 million litres of water annually, according to Gosford City Council. Council recently opened the $720,000 facility, with the recycled water being used for non-drinking purposes across the City.

Gosford Mayor, Clr Chris Holstein said, "Recycled water will be used for activities such as irrigation, dust suppression, landscaping and construction works to help reduce the overall demand on the Central Coast drinking water supply.Recycled water will also be used to irrigate our parklands, nature strips and general open space areas, allowing council to keep our city looking clean and during times of low rainfall.

"Currently Gosford City Council is saving over 1500 million litres of town water per year by improving water efficiency and providing alternative water sources," said Clr Holstein.

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