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Administrator Appointment
Mr Rik Hart is the Administrator of Central Coast Council

Administrator Appointment 

Mr Rik Hart is the Administrator for Central Coast Council, appointed by the then Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shelley Hancock MP. Mr Hart’s appointment followed the Minister’s announcement on 26 April 2021 of a formal Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council led by Commissioner Ms Roslyn McCulloch.

The Council was suspended on 30 October 2020 and the formal Public Inquiry led to the postponement of the local government election for Central Coast Council, which was scheduled for September 2021.

On 17 March 2022, Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman tabled the report into the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council, and took action to terminate all suspended Councillors, effective immediately.

On 1 June 2022, Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP announced the local government election for Central Coast Council (i.e., the return of Councillors) will be held on 14 September 2024. 

Until this time, the Administrator acts as the Council, effectively replacing the role previously performed by the Mayor and Councillors. 

Mr Hart assumed the role of Administrator from Mr Dick Persson AM who had been in the role since October 2020.

For information about the role of an Administrator, please read our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Administrator Community Pop-ups

Throughout 2023 Council Administrator Rik Hart will be out and about at community events to hear from residents about what matters to them.  The pop-ups will be at the following Council events and the date and time will be advised closer to the events.

•    Australia Day Community Event in Gosford (January)
•    Harvest Festival in the Central Coast Hinterland (June)
•    The Lakes Festival held Coast-wide (November)

Administrator’s Reports

Administrator's Messages

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    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Australia Day Awards Ceremony announced
    I was delighted to attend the 2024 Australia Day Awards ceremony last week, where an outstanding group of Central Coast citizens were awarded for their incredible contributions to the community. These annual awards are a way for Council and the wider community to celebrate and recognise individuals and organisations who have positively impacted the community. Our 2024 ‘Citizen of the Year’ was 18-year-old Matthew Blakemore, who was awarded for his advocacy and awareness-raising about the needs of young people with a disability.
    29/01/2024
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Kicking off 2024
    Happy New Year, Central Coast community.
    24/01/2024
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – 2023 End of Year Wrap-up
    As the year draws to a close, I’d like to take the opportunity to look back on the last 12 months and celebrate some of this year’s significant milestones. It’s been an incredibly busy year here at Council, and staff have worked very hard to deliver an enormous amount of work for the betterment of the Central Coast community. Here are just some of the highlights from 2023.
    19/12/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – CAPEX program delivery on time and on schedule
    As we edge closer to the end of 2023, we also approach the halfway mark of the current financial year.Reflecting on our progress for the first six months of 2023-2024, I’m pleased to report that Central Coast Council is on schedule in its budgeted capital works program, with a high commencement rate for total projects scheduled for the current financial year.
    13/12/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – North Avoca Paths project completed in time for summer
    Council has completed the North Avoca Paths project, which has delivered a safer network of footpaths for locals and visitors walking, cycling or driving between three busy streets in North Avoca. The new pathways in View Street, Tramway Road and Elgata Avenue will provide increased connectivity and accessibility, while promoting active lifestyles which are important for community health and wellbeing.
    06/12/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – 16 Days of Activism campaign against domestic and family violence
    Central Coast Council is once again working with community leaders to initiate important conversations around domestic and family violence. The Central Coast consistently has one of the highest number of incidences of family and domestic violence compared to any other local government area* and is an issue we must all address head-on.
    28/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Attending the 2023 LGNSW Annual Conference
    It was great to attend this year’s LGNSW Annual Conference from 12 – 14 November alongside Council’s CEO, David Farmer recently. The conference saw a high turnout of council representatives converging in Rosehill, NSW, where Councillors from all over the state debated and voted on key industry matters, and observed presentations by Members of Parliament (MPs), panellists, and other speakers. It’s clear that the key challenges for councils are largely consistent across the state.
    21/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – A golden hat trick for Central Coast tourism
    The Central Coast has achieved a golden hat trick in the NSW state tourism awards!The Coast has cemented its place as a leading destination of choice in NSW, and it’s no wonder to locals that our beautiful beaches, stunning hinterland, unique town centres and leading hospitality offerings have received these accolades on the big stage. The Coast won three gold awards at the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards, powered by Business NSW and presented in partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW:Destination Central Coast managed by Central Coast Council won the Local Government Award for Tourism categoryThe Australian Reptile Park won the Major Tourist Attractions categoryCrowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific won the Business Event Venues category. The highly respected Gold Award is the third podium win for Council’s Marketing and Tourism team in the Local Government Award for Tourism category, with Council taking out Silver and Bronze in 2022 and 2021 respectively. I’d like to say a huge congratulations to the Council Marketing and Tourism team for their incredible achievements, and extend this congratulations to the Australian Reptile Park and Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific for their role in providing outstanding experiences for locals and visitors alike.Rik Hart, Administrator 
    14/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Council continues to support the Coast’s Surf Life Savers
    Central Coast Council has presented a cheque for $116,000 to Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) as part of their sponsorship partnership with us.
    08/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Council finances stable for second consecutive year with tick of approval from Audit Office of NSW
    Council’s final 2022-2023 financial year (FY22-23) results were presented at the October Council meeting last night and showed that Council has sustained its stable financial position for a second consecutive year. The Audit Office of New South Wales conducted their formal review of Council’s consolidated financial statements and provided Council with an unqualified opinion – which means a ‘clean report’ was provided for Central Coast Council’s finances for FY22-23.
    01/11/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Enhancing safety perceptions across Gosford CBD
    How safe do you feel moving about Gosford CBD of a day or at night? Earlier this year, thousands of women, girls, and gender diverse people participated in the citizen-led engagement project Safer Cities:
    25/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Pre-election Candidate Information Session on this week
    Are you interested in becoming a councillor and representing your community?
    17/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Have your say about the future use of 1a Jaques Street, Ourimbah
    Have your say on the future of 1A Jaques Street, Ourimbah!Back in August, the 1,050 square metre site was transferred to Central Coast Council from the University of Newcastle, to return the site into community ownership. The site had been owned by the University of Newcastle since 1994, having been used for teaching for over a decade. We invited David Mehan MP, the Ourimbah Regional Residents Group (ORRG), residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the site to provide their input, which has already provided some excellent ideas as to the future of the site.We’ve now opened up consultation to the wider community for online feedback and face-to-face consultation.How you can have your say:Come and speak to Council staff at an informal pop-up on the site from 11am-3pm on Friday 13 October 2023 (address:
    11/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator Statement – Vale Anthony (Tony) Sheridan OAM
    Central Coast Council is saddened to advise the community of the passing of Anthony (Tony) Sheridan, former Mayor of Wyong Shire Council.
    04/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Revitalised Mangrove Creek Dam Visitor Space reopened for the community to enjoy!
    Over the weekend, the brand-new Mangrove Creek Dam Visitors Centre re-opened for the community to enjoy!After the devastating Three Mile Fire tore through the drinking water catchment during the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires, Council staff have worked hard to re-build the site.
    03/10/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Austin Butler Access removed from bulk reclassification process
    At last night’s Council meeting I resolved to remove the parcel of land at Austin Butler Access, Woy Woy (part Lot 9 DP 235385) from Central Coast Council’s current bulk reclassification of land process. The site was originally included in the bulk reclassification after Council was approached by Peninsula Plaza and their major tenant to purchase the site to address identified safety risks. The decision for Council to present this opportunity to the community for consideration through the reclassification process was made to provide the community with a formal opportunity to have their say. It is clear that some confusion has occurred about the steps involved in the reclassification and sale process, so to alleviate fears or concerns, I have chosen to remove the parcel entirely from this bulk reclassification process. I have asked that the community be engaged as soon as possible to seek their formal feedback on whether Council should:A) Retain the site in Council ownership, meaning the trees on the site remain in their current condition, orB) Proceed with a sale and allocate all proceeds of that sale to an extensive greening program for the Peninsula region. I have received correspondence and have had many conversations with individuals and groups from the Peninsula region who are greatly concerned about the ‘heat island’ effects present in this region. Should the majority of the community express an interest (through the formal consultation process) in proceeding with the sale and the allocation of all funds to a greening program, such a program could provide funding for approximately 8,500 trees to be sourced, planted and maintained to maturity.
    27/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Last chance to nominate for Australia Day Awards!
    Nominations for the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards are closing this Sunday 24 September.For almost a decade, these prestigious awards have acknowledged and celebrated the outstanding contributions and achievements of more than 100 locals.Don’t miss your chance to nominate an outstanding individual or community group for one of the following categories:Community Group – recognises the important and inspirational work of a community organisation, in community services, wellbeing and community safety.Community Life – recognises an individual person that has made a valuable contribution to the community through the fields of sports, arts, culture or environment.Volunteer – recognises an individual volunteer who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work within the community in a non-paid capacity.Young Person – recognises the outstanding contributions of an individual person of 25 years of age or under who has made a significant contribution to the community.
    19/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Look out for a mate this R U OK? Day
    Council is proud to be taking part in mental health awareness campaign R U OK?
    12/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Have your say on dogs in open space now!
    It’s time to have your say (again) on the new draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan.This revised draft plan has been simplified and updated in response to the community’s feedback from the first round of community consultation, additional community workshops and further technical studies. Changes to this new draft include the removal of timed beach access for certain beaches (meaning the current arrangements for dogs on beaches will remain), as well as the suitability of off leash areas (OLAs) in Davistown, Terrigal and Hamlyn Terrace. At the August Council meeting, I included further options to help find a balance on specific issues of concern at Terrigal and Davistown, including:Conducting community consultation on whether a fenced OLA at Terrigal Haven could provide a compromise between the wants of dog- and non-dog owners in the area, and the prevailing safety and other issues at the Haven.The addition of another OLA in Davistown, at Memorial Oval.While dogs on the Central Coast will always be a polarising issue, I would like to thank and acknowledge the Council staff who have facilitated the extensive consultation process Council has undertaken to ensure that the broad nature of perspectives on this issue are thoroughly understood and listened to. Have your say at www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/dogs – consultation closes 1 October 2023. Rik Hart, Administrator 
    05/09/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Affordable Housing – 29 August 2023
    I’m pleased to announce that Council is pushing ahead to deliver the next stage of its ground-breaking Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.At the 22 August Council Meeting, Council staff prepared a report which outlined Council owned sites suitable for affordable and emergency housing, which was in response to the formal request I made late last year that Council explores what it can further do to address the housing crisis gripping the Central Coast region. I was pleased to resolve that Council will progress investigations on identified and suitably located Council owned sites to be utilised for affordable housing developments.
    29/08/2023
Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Engaging our community is a core responsibly of local government and this ongoing dialogue with our community will continue. For more information about community consultation at Central Coast Council, please visit yourvoiceourcoast.com

  • On 26 April 2021 the then Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shelley Hancock MP announced a formal Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council to be led by Commissioner Ms Roslyn McCulloch. This followed a suspension order of the Central Coast Council issued by the Minister on 30 October 2020.

  • The Administrator constitutes the Council and must perform all the functions, powers and duties of the Council, which must be treated as if they were performed by the Council. The Administrator effectively acts as the Mayor and the Councillors. This means the Administrator conducts the Council Meetings and undertakes the administrative, civic and ceremonial functions of the governing body.

  • Councillors were terminated from office on 17 March 2022. Prior to this, while Councillors were suspended from 30 October 2020 until 17 March 2022, Councillors were not entitled to exercise the functions of civic office or receive any fee or other remuneration. Councillors who are suspended or terminated have the same rights as any other member of the public.

  • The administration period will continue until the Central Coast Council election on 14 September 2024. Central Coast Council has been in administration since 30 October 2020.

  • On 17 March 2022, the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP, tabled the report into the Public Inquiry of Central Coast Council.

    Commissioner Roslyn McCullouch made eight recommendations, including that an Administrator be appointed to serve until the Central Coast Council (CCC) election.

  • The status of Central Coast Council being under administration is the decision of the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP.  The Minister gave reasons for this decision in their media release on 1 June 2022, which can be accessed on the Office of Local Government’s website here: www.olg.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/ministerial-releases/certainty-for-central-coast-council-poll/

  • The Administrator is here for residents to contact and engage with. The role acts as the Council and undertakes the responsibilities of the Mayor and Councillors representing the interests of residents and our communities. You can contact the Administrator by:

    Email -  theadministrator@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

    Post - PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259 or PO Box 21, Gosford NSW 2250

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