| Councils to approach Minister for Water Corporation changes |
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The Councils met informally to discuss an Expert Advisor’s report on the formation of the Water Corporation before running concurrent extraordinary meetings to adopt the Advisor’s recommendations. Gosford City Mayor Chris Holstein said the Expert Advisor had examined the current Central Coast Water Corporation Act and the Councils concerns and had come up with a way forward for everyone. “The Expert Advisor looked at the Councils’ concerns over the timing of the Corporation becoming the local Water Supply Authority and the rights of the Minister to transfer assets, rights and liabilities under the current Act,” he said. “The Councils have tonight taken the Expert Advisor’s advice and resolved to approach the Minister for changes to the Central Coast Water Corporation Act. “Subject to these amendments being made, the Councils also resolved to proceed with the necessary steps to establish the Central Coast Water Corporation.” Wyong Shire Mayor, Bob Graham said the Expert Advisor’s report also addressed the Councils’ concerns over the Board membership. “As joint owners of the Corporation the Councils wanted to ensure they had the best possible representation on the Corporation’s Board,” he said. “The Expert Advisor has advised that the Councils can address this particular issue without the need for further changes to the legislation which is great news.” Mayor Graham also praised the joint Council meeting process “The meeting tonight has again demonstrated that the Central Coast Councils can come together and discuss important regional issues to ensure the best outcome for our community,” he said. The Expert Advisor was employed by the two Councils after a successful meeting between the two Mayors and the NSW Minister for Water, Phillip Costa earlier this year. The Expert Advisor worked with a high level working party which consisted of the two Councils’ General Managers and Mark Duffy, the Director General of the NSW Department of Water and Energy to ensure the concerns of both Councils’ were addressed.
Kylie Gillett (Gosford) on 02 4304 7068 |
