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Central Coast Council’s draft Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Operational Plan and resourcing strategies will be placed on exhibition for community feedback from 1 May to 2 June 2025.

The plans have been developed following extensive community consultation and respond to the community’s vision for the future.

We encourage the community to view the draft plans, understand what’s happening in your area, and have your say.

Following consideration of all submissions, the updated plans will be referred to Council before adoption in June.

The IP&R framework allows NSW councils to draw their various plans together, to understand how they interact and inform each another, and to get the maximum benefit from their efforts by planning holistically for the future.

Councils IP&R document suite includes the following important planning documents that detail the programs and services that will achieve our community’s goals and how these will be resourced and delivered.

  • Community Strategic Plan: A ten-year vision developed through extensive community engagement, focusing on community and belonging, vibrant public spaces, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and strong leadership.
  • Delivery Program and Operational Plan: Detailed plans outlining our principal activities, budget, finances, and fees and charges. The Delivery Program is a four-year plan, while the Operational Plan sets out annual actions and budgets.
  • Long Term Financial Plan: Ensures sufficient funding for our commitments and strategic goals.
  • Asset Management Strategy: Guides the management, renewal, and planning of infrastructure to maintain sustainable facilities and public spaces.
  • Workforce Management Strategy: Focuses on recruitment, retention, and professional development to build a skilled workforce.
  • Fees and Charges: Includes a breakdown of user fees and charges proposed to be charged in the 2025-26 financial year. The fees include those that are set in line with the cost of providing the service, benchmarking with the market, or as stipulated by legislation.

Public Street Tree Planting Program

Planting our future

As part of the CSP, Our Environment is a big part of community, providing a place of recreation, reflection and connection. Protection, retention and enhancement of our natural landscapes is delivered in many ways, with one aspect of this is urban greening and creating tree canopies.

Council has a Street Tree Planting Program which includes an annual budget of $35,000 to plant approximately 60 to 70 trees within residential areas and town centres across the region, which equates to about $500 a planting. The focus includes replacing trees that are damaged, have been removed or to combat the effects of urban heat islands.

This budget includes planting a mature tree rather than seedlings, and where this is in a park or reserve regular maintenance of the tree is undertaken for up six months to ensure its survival. Council would like to understand more about what residential area/s or town centres would benefit from public street tree planting.

Two workers in bushland, one pointing up to a tree.

Why is Council asking this as part of the exhibition of the CSP and IP&R framework?

At the Council meeting on 29 April, community members shared their concern about tree canopy and urban heating within the LGA. Council then resolved to ask the community about the public street tree planting program that is delivered to understand community needs better and how Council may enhance its program. This was to be included as part of the exhibition of the draft Integrated Planning and Reporting documents, with results to be presented back to the Council meeting in June.