Pilot tree-planting program for the Peninsula

A $150,000 tree-planting program will be piloted on the Peninsula as part of the Central Coast Council's budget for the coming year adopted last Tuesday, June 24.

Full details of the council's adopted budget and strategic planning documents will not be available until tomorrow.

Announcing the allocation, mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna said: "We have allocated $150,000 to a tree planting pilot program on the Peninsula after receiving feedback from more than 320 community members."

He said: "It was gratifying to produce a budget with input from elected representatives for the first time in four years.

"These plans represent our community's voice following the return of councillors.

"Thank you to everyone who participated in our Planning for the Future engagement sessions.

"We listened to what you had to say, and we've adapted our plans to include your feedback.

"We've added an additional $20 million over three years for road renewals, plus a further $800,000 to fix potholes."

A total of $11.5 million would be spent on the road renewal program and $1.4 million in road resealing in the coming year.

The Community Strategic Plan has been updated to show a commitment to Coastal Open Space System (COSS) and "all plans have been improved for readability".

The council adopted a capital works program totalling $1.3 billion over four years, with $320 million being planned for the next 12 months.

Projects included completing the Gosford library, developing a masterplan for Warnervale business precinct, implementing the Warnervale Airport masterplan and finalising Coastal Management Programs.

While not part of the announcement, the budget documents show that more than twice this amount will be spent in its operational budget, for wages and non-specific operating expenses.

Last week's media release stated: "the adopted 10-year Community Strategic Plan, four-year Delivery Program, one-year Operational Plan, budget and resourcing strategies can be viewed by searching for 'Delivery Program and Operational Plan' at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au".

However, it was confirmed on Friday that the documents will not in fact be available for viewing until tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1.

SOURCE:

Media release, 24 Jun 2025

Lawrie McKinna, Central Coast Council

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Mark Snell, 29 Jun 2025