The Central Coast is administered by the Central Coast Council, which became the region's local governing body after the merger of the Gosford City Council and the Wyong Shire Council in May 2016. The newly formed council governs a population of around 348,930 people, with a growth rate of approximately 1% annually. This consolidation was part of the New South Wales government's wider restructuring efforts to create more efficient local government areas, particularly under the "Fit for the Future" initiative.

Historically, the Gosford City and Wyong Shire councils operated independently, but in 2015, both councils voted to merge following recommendations from the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, which assessed that the councils did not meet the requirements to remain standalone entities. Despite significant local opposition, particularly from Wyong residents who feared being overshadowed by Gosford, the merger passed all legislative and administrative requirements. The process was costly, with an estimated $49 million spent by mid-2020 on the amalgamation efforts.

Politically, the region has been classified as an urban area, joining other regions such as Wollongong and the Hunter Region, though it is not classified as a metropolitan area. The Central Coast Council continues to manage local services, infrastructure, and planning, aiming to cater to the growing population and evolving needs of the region. Notably, Scot MacDonald served as the parliamentary secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast regions until 2015, overseeing regional development and government initiatives.

The merger's impact on local governance and community identity remains a subject of debate, but it has paved the way for a unified local government approach to managing the region's growth and infrastructure needs. The 2017 council elections marked the first time the Central Coast Council administered elections, ushering in a new chapter in the region's political history.