October is Mental Health Month and Central Coast Council is encouraging the local community, especially men, to take time out to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and to encourage help seeking behaviours when needed.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this year’s theme is, “Let’s Talk about it”.

The Niagara Park Stadium upgrades to improve accessibility are now complete - in time for a busy season of regional and state championships. The $2.5 million project received $850,000 from the NSW Government for the upgrade works, with Council funding the remaining contribution of $1,650,000 from planned capital expenditure.With a focus on improving accessibility and delivering benefits to the community, the works included:disabled car park improvements a new driveway, accessible pedestrian pathway and entrance improvements to player facilities including new accessible amenities  new signage, improved façade and lighting for improved safety.Upcoming events that will benefit from the upgrade include the Physical Culture Central Coast Champion Ladies Tournament, Central Coast Futsal Cup and Australian National Futsal League, as well as the Coastal Classic Basketball Tournament. Importantly, the stadium is also home to a range of school and club activities including basketball, netball, martial arts, futsal, indoor hockey, volleyball, trampolining and wheelchair sports. Council Director Community and Recreational Services, Melanie Smith said the completion of the upgrades is one to celebrate. “Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which has resulted in an accessible modern facility,” Ms Smith said.“Niagara Park Stadium is a regional indoor sporting complex, and its facilities are widely used by schools, sporting clubs, and regional and state sporting organisations.

The Coast’s next generation of young people is being called upon to apply for Central Coast Council’s Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Leadership program, designed to equip local 15-24 year olds with the skills and confidence to lead and inspire change in their communities.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of its public toilet network.

Central Coast Council is once again hosting ChromeFest, one of Australia’s biggest car shows and community events at The Entrance, Central Coast, from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October.Council Director Community and Recreation Service, Melanie Smith said ChromeFest is one of NSW’s largest rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly festivals, paying tribute to all makes and models of cars pre-1979.“Hundreds of car enthusiasts and rock ‘n’ roll fans will come together on the Central Coast for a three-day tribute to cars, chrome &

Excitement is building on the Central Coast for the Spring School Holiday Program, with a range of student workshops and classes designed to cater for all ages, levels of experience and interests!

MEDIA RELEASE An opportunity is on offer for local creatives to receive up to $40,000 commission through Central Coast Council’s Creative Art Central program, which is designed to support local creative practitioners to produce new and contemporary works that demonstrates a strong connection to community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith is calling on local practitioners to be inspired to collaborate and create with the community.“We’re inviting local emerging and established creative practitioners that specialise in visual, performance, digital, literary, community arts and crafts to register their interest in developing a new work that encourages community participation during its production,” Ms Smith said.“This may be developed through an interactive community program or public presentation which encourages community engagement and participation.“By providing opportunities to commission new works and investing in the local creative landscape, Council not only assists with nurturing the growth of local creative practitioners but also in promoting stronger partnerships within the creative industries on the coast.“Our community can view videos online to hear from previous year participants about their experiences with the Creative Art Central program, which have produced a diverse range of projects including, a large-scale sculpture, documentary and short films, and other initiatives across the performance and community art space.Creative Art Central is a merit-based art in community program with an independent panel of judges.

The 2024-2025 beach patrol season kicks off this weekend, with flags being raised across 15 Central Coast beaches from Saturday 28 September.

Central Coast Council has placed an update to the Plan of Management for Council Community Land on public exhibition for community feedback.

Central Coast Council is seeking feedback from the community to guide development of a Masterplan for the Hardys Bay Foreshore. Central Coast Council Acting Director of Environment and Planning, Jamie Loader said the new Masterplan will be developed in collaboration with the local community to understand concerns and opportunities for Hardys Bay.

Central Coast Council is hosting a Morning Tea at Laycock St Theatre to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on 1 October.Council is committed to creating positive attitudes towards ageing and celebrating the role and achievements of older people in our community.Council Director Community and Recreation Service, Melanie Smith said International Day of Older Persons is about honouring our older residents and paying homage to the contribution they make in our communities, while recognising their rights to age positively.“We strive for a community that includes and values older people in all aspects of life and provides valuable opportunities for older people to participate and contribute fully within society,” Ms Smith said.“We want a society in which dignity, choice and freedom are achievable and in which older persons are supported in having independent, active and fulfilling lives.“Older persons in our community are invited to come along to Laycock St Theatre, where guest speakers will be educating our older persons about their rights in all aspects of ageing, such as residential retirement village living and aged care rights, online security and identity theft support.”The day’s events will include:•    MC - Frank O’Toole, Gosford Musical Society •    Speakers - Jenny Samuels, Seniors Right Service and Alicia Anderson, ID Support NSW •    Singing Entertainment - Sunrise MichelleCouncil Administrator, Rik Hart said Council has a key role to play in supporting our residents to live longer, healthier and fulfilled lives on the Coast.“Older persons make up the majority of the Central Coast’s population with 27% aged 60 years and above,” Mr Hart said.“Each year we plan, develop, and implement programs, activities, services and infrastructure to support our older persons to remain active participants in all aspects of community life, throughout all life stages.“What we know from developing the Positive Ageing Strategy is that a major feature of retaining a positive attitude to ageing is a sense of belonging, feeling part of a community and maintaining links with family and friends.“We encourage older persons to connect with local community groups and organisations and discover the wide range of services, activities and events available, which will enable the development and continuation of meaningful work, leadership, self-worth and resilience for older people living on the Coast.To register to attend the Morning Tea at Laycock St Theatre, search ‘International Day of Older Persons’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.auENDS 

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce a $1.65 million grant from the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, to support the redevelopment of the ‘tidal terrace’ area in Leagues Club Park.

Central Coast Council is excited to announce the release of its new Accessible Playspaces brochure, designed to provide parents and carers of children with a disability more information on accessible playspaces so they can plan ahead when taking their children out.The brochure, available both online and in print, provides valuable information around accessibility for 13 local playspaces across the Central Coast.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this resource aims to empower families to plan enjoyable outings and ensure that all children can participate in the joy of outdoor play."Playspaces are highly valued, and we understand the importance of accessible playspaces for everyone," Ms Smith said."This latest brochure contains information listing the accessible features of each playspace and is designed in an accessible format including pictograms and a pin drop map.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said that the brochure was developed in response to community feedback gained during the public exhibition of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan.“Our community told us that they want accessibility information for Central Coast destinations to better plan their family outings, and we’ve delivered!

With the arrival of the Little Terns expected to begin mid-October at Karagi Point, The Entrance North, Central Coast Council is once again undertaking works to help protect the nesting area.Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation, and Karagi Point is where the colony has historically chosen to nest.Council’s annual management works, including temporary fencing at the nesting area, will commence this month and are designed to help protect the nesting birds.

Central Coast Council has launched the 'Dunny Do’s and Dunny Don’ts' educational campaign to raise awareness about responsible toilet and sink habits.

Central Coast Council’s initiatives, implemented through the Safer Cities:

Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to ‘Get Ready’ for bush fire and storm events, by using the month of September to be more prepared and attend a community preparedness event.

Central Coast Council is ending its four years under administration in a strong financial position, with a reduction in debt of $150M from when it was put under administration. Council’s debt at the commencement of the administration period was just under $350M, due to having to take out two emergency loans, it now sits at less than $200M. Council Acting CEO, Marissa Racomelara said Central Coast Council was put in administration because of inadequate financial management leading to a financial crisis.

Residents and businesses are being asked to ‘cast the spotlight’ on individuals and groups who are making the Central Coast a better place to live by nominating them in the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards 2025.Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said the annual awards highlight the local achievements of a growing community that is a fantastic place to live.“Each year the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards celebrate the best and brightest from across the region.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $28,000 in prize money.This year 908 entries were received from across Australia, with 135 of the artworks selected as finalists for exhibition, making it a difficult job for both the selection panel and finalist judges, which comprised artist Peter Godwin and curator Libby Knott.While it was a difficult task, the judges were unanimous in their selection for the first prize winner – local Central Coast artist Maree Azzopardi, for her artwork ‘The Crossings’.