The Central Coast, home to a population of approximately 348,930 as of June 2022, is governed by the Central Coast Council, which was established following the merger of Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council in May 2016. The merger was part of a broader initiative by the New South Wales government to streamline local governance, following concerns about the financial sustainability of the two councils.

In 2006, the New South Wales government classified the Central Coast, along with Wollongong and the Hunter Region, as an urban area, but it does not fall within the metropolitan classification. Politically, the Central Coast has seen ongoing change, with Scot MacDonald serving as the parliamentary secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast from 2015.

The controversial merger process began in 2015 when both Gosford City and Wyong Shire councils voted in favor of the amalgamation after an assessment by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal found that both councils failed to meet the state government’s "Fit for the Future" criteria for local councils. Despite strong opposition from local communities, especially from Wyong Shire residents who feared being absorbed into Gosford City, the merger went ahead, and the Central Coast Council officially took over in 2016.

The amalgamation has not been without its challenges, with the process costing $49 million as of mid-2020. Despite these hurdles, the Central Coast Council continues to oversee the region's growth and development, including local infrastructure, community services, and economic planning. The first elections for the newly formed Central Coast Council were held in September 2017, marking a new chapter for governance in the region. As the area continues to grow at a rate of about 1% annually, the Central Coast Council plays a vital role in ensuring that the region’s needs are met, balancing both the legacy of its two former councils and the demands of its expanding population.