Peninsula Shire Council

Consultation

The Peninsula was amongst the hardest hit in the fallout of the Central Coast Council financial crisis, with rates increasing 45 per cent and being kept that high for the next 10 years.

With residents, with incomes of 80 percent of the State average, ultimately bearing the cost of council spending, Peninsula Council would accept an obligation to give residents a meaningful opportunity to control the council budget.

The Peninsula Council would provide financial information in a form that is readily understood by residents. It would be adequate to allow a range of options to be responsibly chosen: from increasing rates and services, to reducing services and rates, and keeping rates and services the same. It would be adequate for residents to monitor the financial performance of the council against budget and for them to provide feedback and support to their representatives.

The information would be adequate to answer the question: "Which services do you want cut back?" when expenditure is exceeding income, and budget cuts need to be made.

What would Peninsula Council do?

Listening to the Peninsula community

The Woy Woy Peninsula

The Peninsula Council would see consultation as a valuable part of the democratic process and the council's role in serving community interests.
Peninsula Council would attempt to incorporate community ideas and wishes wherever possible.
Peninsula Council would attempt to ascertain community wishes before council staff formulate their own solutions to issues at hand.
Peninsula Council would place a high value on face-to-face consultation, including community meetings held on the Peninsula at times to suit all residents, including commuters, local workers and retired people.