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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 – Have your say on Council’s draft plan for the next 12 months
    The Central Coast Council Operational Plan 2023-24 is now available for public comment, so it’s time to have your say!
    03/04/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Outcome of NSW State Election
    The outcome of the 25 March 2023 NSW State Election has led to a change of state government, with residents across NSW voting in the NSW Labor Party for the first time in 12 years.
    27/03/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Have your say on all things Gosford
    Last week, Council launched the Let’s Talk Gosford place-based community engagement project, which showcases multiple key projects, plans, strategies and infrastructure works planned for Gosford.
    20/03/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Inclusion for every body
    I was delighted to walk a stretch of the Tuggerah Lake Foreshore shared pathway at Long Jetty recently to check out the pictures Council has stencilled along the pathway.  The purposeful education campaign aims to raise awareness of pathway etiquette and safety for everyone and is an action of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2021-2025.
    13/03/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s message – Roads update
    I was pleased to see a report come to the February Council meeting which provided a thorough update to the community on how Council manages the Central Coast’s extensive 2,000km road network and 1,100km drainage network.  The report (Item 2.9 – Critical road related grants and funding and associated delivery methodology) outlined some of the challenges to roads and drainage management, and the various funding streams available to Council to manage these assets for the community.  Roads management is without a doubt a ‘hot topic’ for residents, and Council acknowledges the frustration the community has felt about road quality over the last few years.  The relentless wet weather driven by three consecutive La Nina climate patterns over the last two years put extreme stress on all Councils along the NSW east coast to repair their road networks after widespread damage experienced.
    07/03/2023
    Administrator's Message
    ADMINISTRATOR MEDIA RELEASE – Administrator seeks to pause sale of Woy Woy Commuter Car Park
    In response to feedback from local community members, Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, has asked Council’s CEO, David Farmer, to pause negotiations between Council and any prospective owner of the commuter carpark at Woy Woy train station until after the NSW State Election.
    01/03/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s Message – Gosford Waterfront Project: Community says ‘just get on with it’
    At the 28 February Council meeting, Council staff provided an update on the Gosford waterfront’s revitalisation project, and a comprehensive engagement report was tabled which expanded on the preliminary engagement report released in December 2022.
    28/02/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s Message – Have you had your say?
    Did you know you can have your say on a number of Council projects and plans currently on community consultation?
    20/02/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s Message – Stats show a bumper summer tourist season across the Coast
    The stats are in:
    13/02/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s Message – Correcting misinformation on draft Plan of Management for Council Community Land
    Central Coast Council is currently exhibiting its draft Plan of Management for Council Community Land and is seeking comments and feedback from the Central Coast community about what the 2,000 community land parcels across 400 sites should be used for.  The five categories which can apply to community land are:   General community use  Sportsgrounds  Parks  Culturally significant sites  Natural area:
    06/02/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator’s Message – More community pop-ups to come!
    I’d like to thank everyone who stopped by for a chat with me at the Australia Day community event in Leagues Club Park, Gosford last week, where I hosted a pop-up stall to hear from members of our community.  I really enjoyed hearing the perspectives of many residents and visitors who came by the Council tent, where our discussions ranged from the event itself, to thoughts on the plans for Gosford waterfront's revitalisation, and general Council matters like roads and infrastructure.  I value the chance to hear directly from members of our community about what matters to them and will be hosting more pop-ups at Central Coast Council events throughout the year.  Administrator pop-ups at Council events in 2023:
    30/01/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Meet the Administrator this Australia Day
    Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart will be out and about at community events throughout 2023 to hear from residents about what matters to them.
    23/01/2023
    Administrator's Message
    Administrator's Message – 2023 kicks off with Australia Day Awards
    Happy new year, Central Coast community!
    23/01/2023
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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