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YOUR WEEKLY INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER
EDITION #542 THURSDAY, 2 JULY 2026
SEE PAGE 16
News
Council backs down over new Welcome signs
P8
P9 Public murals brighten things up
Out&About
P19 Arts program to engage kids
Lisa Bellamy and Norm Harris from Kariong Progress Association
Water rates to rise by 5.5% IPART has announced the maximum prices that Central Coast Council can charge for water and wastewater services from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. A typical household’s yearly bill for water and wastewater services will increase by 5.5%. This will be about $82 for an average bill, based on 170 kilolitres of water usage per year. The average bill will increase to $1,565 in 2026-27. The one-year determination will remove the current stormwater drainage charge from the water rates
IPART has set maximum water rates for the next year
but it will now be charged with the residential rates bill. IPART will begin its next review of maximum prices for Central Coast Council’s water and wastewater services immediately to inform a new determination to take effect from July 1, 2027. The one-year ruling comes after ratepayer Kevin Brooks raised issues about IPART using consultants who had worked as contractors for Council. After hearing the news, Mr Brooks called on Council to withdraw its 2027 application.
P32 Saturday racing returns to Wyong PUZZLES PAGE 18
Continued page 4
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