Council has prepared the Draft Central Coast Local Approvals Policy, pursuant to Section 158 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Council is improving the Umina Beach foreshore promenade area to create a more vibrant, sustainable and enjoyable space for both residents and visitors.The comprehensive landscape works encompass a range of enhancements, including the removal of existing pavers to create a grassed area for relaxation and recreation, the planting of additional trees for shade and to contribute to a healthy environment, replacement of outdoor showers, and new connective pathways to improve accessibility so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of Umina Beach.

Access to Council’s payment channel is now available and customers can safely transact with Council again through this payment method over the phone or online via Council’s website.This follows advice from external cyber security experts that it is safe for the payment channel to reopen.

Council is upgrading the drainage and irrigation at a number of sportsfields across the Central Coast to improve the recreation structure, making it more user-friendly during wet weather.It is a vital and much needed upgrade that will have long-term benefits as these four fields are utilised by hundreds of community members and different sports all year round.Buff Point Oval, Buff Point Patrick Croke Oval, KincumberKoala Park Field, ColongraHarry Moore Oval, Toukley.Works will involve installing new sprinkler systems, water storage tanks, connection to town water, new drainage pipework, drainage pits and sub-soil drainage infrastructure.This will enable the community to get better use out the playing surfaces allowing faster draining times during wet weather events.Storing water will allow the surfaces to be watered more efficiently limiting the impacts of drought conditions, especially during Summer.Works will kick off at Buff Point on Monday 5 February before heading to Kincumber in March.

In relation to the suspicious activity identified in Council’s payment system late yesterday afternoon, Council understands that a criminal cyber attack has occurred, involving the generation of random card numbers that were then tested for authenticity by making small payments to Council.

Central Coast Council placed a Draft Central Coast Local Approvals Policy and Draft Central Coast Outdoor Trading Specification on public exhibition late last year and is reminding of the opportunity to provide feedback by 22 February 2024. In addition to online submissions via yourvoiceourcoast.com, Council is running information sessions for local businesses on the proposed Outdoor Trading Specification. In-person:

🚘 WEEKLY ROAD WORKS UPDATE Each week, we have road work underway across the Coast to deliver improvements and maintenance works.

Wyong’s beloved Love Lanes Festival is back for its seventh year on Saturday 10 February.

Return to school got you feeling like this Great Barred Frog?

Congratulations to Council Director for Water and Sewer Jamie Loader who has been awarded with the Australian Fire Service Medal, among the highest honours available to emergency services personnel, in the 2024 Australia Day Honour List. The medals are awarded to recognise distinguished service demonstrated by leadership, dedication, commitment and achievement.So much of what emergency services personnel do speaks to the community spirit of generosity and looking out for neighbours. There are many transferrable skills Mr Loader has gained from his experience at Fire and Rescue NSW that he has brought to his leadership role at Council and vice versa. As the Captain of Wyong fire station (Central Coast) and in his capacity leading the Central Coast’s water and sewer services, Mr Loader oversees emergency incidents, is responsible for the safety of crew members and determining the appropriate strategy to resolve an incident. There is also the use of specialised equipment and working closely with the community in a purposeful culture. Mr Loader’s pathway to leadership at Council is a terrific example of the diverse career opportunities available.A career at Council and within a local government agency provides diverse opportunities for staff to shape the future, rewrite the narrative, and create something bigger than each of us. “There are many ways to test out your leadership skills for young people starting their careers,” Mr Loader said. “Leadership can be seen in how you approach problem solving within your team. “I believe my work experience at Fire and Rescue has helped me get other roles – it demonstrates other aspects of my skills such as willingness to work for the benefit of the community, managing competing priorities and time management.”Fire and Rescue are looking for on-call firefighters.

Central Coast Council has officially opened the new Community Hall and playground at Norah Head, with a celebration event attended by members of the community. The $1.7 million project has been completed after Central Coast Council received $935,000 from the NSW Government, with Council funding the remaining contribution of $765,000 from planned capital expenditure. Council Director for Community and Recreational Services, Melanie Smith said the opening of the new hall and playground is a fantastic outcome, and one to celebrate, with the event being attended by residents and community groups. “Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which has resulted in a fabulous modern facility, transforming what was previously in place,” Ms Smith said. Key features of the new facility include a multi-functional hall, kitchen, storage, accessible family friendly amenities, a children’s playspace and picnic area.

Central Coast Council is inviting businesses, community groups and event organisers to propose an event or activity to be a part of the annual 10-day Lakes Festival program celebrating the Coast’s diverse waterways. The Lakes Festival, scheduled to run from 8-17 November 2024, is an annual reminder of the variety of waterways available on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is turning to ‘man’s best friend’ to look for solutions to help solve leaking issues in the water and sewer network.Council’s Water and Sewer team met with Sydney Water Lead Detection Dog Team to understand how sniffer dogs detect leaks, as part of Council’s proactive leak detection program.The teams recently joined two energetic Springer Spaniels, Joey and Hydro and one Cocker Spaniel named Winnie as they ’sniffed out leaks’ over 25km of water mains and 10km of sewer rising mains across the Central Coast.Over five days, during wet and dry conditions the dogs demonstrated expertise in detecting leaks undetectable to the human senses.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is turning to ‘man’s best friend’ to look for solutions to help solve leaking issues in the water and sewer network.Council’s Water and Sewer team met with Sydney Water Lead Detection Dog Team to understand how sniffer dogs detect leaks, as part of Council’s proactive leak detection program.The teams recently joined two energetic Springer Spaniels, Joey and Hydro and one Cocker Spaniel named Winnie as they ’sniffed out leaks’ over 25km of water mains and 10km of sewer rising mains across the Central Coast.Over five days, during wet and dry conditions the dogs demonstrated expertise in detecting leaks undetectable to the human senses.

I was delighted to attend the 2024 Australia Day Awards ceremony last week, where an outstanding group of Central Coast citizens were awarded for their incredible contributions to the community. These annual awards are a way for Council and the wider community to celebrate and recognise individuals and organisations who have positively impacted the community. Our 2024 ‘Citizen of the Year’ was 18-year-old Matthew Blakemore, who was awarded for his advocacy and awareness-raising about the needs of young people with a disability.

Central Coast Council has officially opened the new Community Hall and playground at Norah Head, with a celebration event attended by members of the community. The $1.7 million project has been completed after Central Coast Council received $935,000 from the NSW Government, with Council funding the remaining contribution of $765,000 from planned capital expenditure. Council Director for Community and Recreational Services, Melanie Smith said the opening of the new hall and playground is a fantastic outcome, and one to celebrate, with the event being attended by residents and community groups. “Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which has resulted in a fabulous modern facility, transforming what was previously in place,” Ms Smith said. Key features of the new facility include a multi-functional hall, kitchen, storage, accessible family friendly amenities, a children’s playspace and picnic area.

Central Coast Council’s 2024 Australia Day Award Winners have been announced, with 18-year-old Matthew Blakemore, named as ‘Citizen of the Year.’Council Director of Community and Recreation, Melanie Smith said the annual awards are a way for Council and the wider community to celebrate and recognise individuals and organisations who enrich our community. “The recipient of the 2024 Citizen of the Year award, Matthew Blakemore embodies the word ‘community’, and strives to build greater awareness around the needs of young people with a disability,” Ms Smith said.“Matthew’s contributions extend beyond the Central Coast community, with Matthew appointed to the Research Board of the University of Technology Sydney to help ensure that research on young people is relevant, contemporary, accessible and inclusive.

The Lakes Festival is back for 2024 and will be held from 8-17 November 2024.We are looking for organisations and businesses to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to help us build The Lakes Festival program for 2024 with a range of fun and innovative activities and events.No idea is too big or too small, so let your mind soar!With the overarching theme of Central Coast’s waterways, festivals, sporting events, art events, outdoor installations, workshops, and community activities are just a few examples of the kind of elements that we are looking to have included.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is seeking feedback regarding potential water and/or sewer connections from people who occupy, own, or operate a business from an ‘unserviced property’ on the Central Coast.The second phase of consultation follows an earlier consultation phase which was open to customers who are connected to Council’s water and/or sewerage services on the Central Coast.Council Director for Water and Sewer Jamie Loader said the community consultation ensures that Council develops knowledge and customer interest for including connection of ‘unserviced properties’ into future plans.“There are approximately 7,500 ‘unserviced properties’ that are not connected to the Council water and sewer network.

Happy New Year, Central Coast community.