Councillor McWaide highly critical of Central Coast Region Report

Business at the first meeting of the new Central Coast Council on 29^th October consisted of a raft of reports from financial statements, investment reports and most significantly the Central Coast Region Report (formerly known as ‘End of Term’ Report), as well as the usual committee appointments and other items of business for Councillors to consider.

The Central Coast Region Report, a requirement of the Local Government Act spans the financial years 2021-22 through to 2023-24 and it says objectively tracks the Council’s progress against the goals and outcomes established in ‘One - Central Coast’, Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP).

The 128-page document provides a comprehensive snapshot of past performance while also identifying key areas of focus for the future. It also offers insights that will assist the incoming council in reviewing and updating the Community Strategic Plan. This ensures that the council can align its strategic direction based on past achievements, current challenges, and future opportunities.

The new councillors were expected to simply approve the report however Clr Smith opened the debate with criticism of the Report saying that no specific information about the Community Strategic Plan had been provided in the report. “The Community Strategic Plan was developed with a lot of consultation back in 2017 huge amount of work from community and staff but no information about specific objectives no measures or results included in the report,” she said.

 Supporting Clr Smith, Clr McWaide was scathing in criticism of the Report saying

he expected the Report to be “a document

brimming with insight, foresight and clarity to guide us as we make our pivotal decisions moving forward.  Instead, what I have before me leaves me underwhelmed, deeply concerned and frankly grappling with the vagueness of its content.”

He commented on the lack of direction in measurable progress over the past four years.” “Information provided offers little assurance that we are on a clear and reliable path. Residents of the Central coast deserve more that vague assurances and halfhearted promises.” He said.

“This report does not provide the foundation for us to take out region forward. It is a clear tick and flick exercise; the information is ambiguous. As an example, reported crime is on an upward trend not a downward trend as indicated.  The content is unsubstantiated and flimsy.”

A waste of time money and energy to satisfy the requirements of the LG Act

“We have a lot of work to do over the next four years,” he said.

His comments were well received by all councillors with Clr McGregor saying it was a no-nonsense speech and should have been a list of the CEO’s achievements over the time in view of the salary he is paid.