Artists from around Australia are invited to submit works to compete for the Central Coast’s major institutional art prize, the annual Gosford Art Prize. The Gosford Regional Gallery is accepting submissions online now until entries close on 24 July 2023 at 4pm.Gosford Art Prize offers an exciting range of opportunities for visual artists working in any art form to showcase their work to a large audience and potentially become an acquisition of the Central Coat's art collection.

Council’s 2023-24 Community Grant Programs are now open, with $900,000 in annual funding available.

Bateau Bay and Kariong Libraries are next in line to offer extended hours access as part of the Library@yourtime program.The extended library service follows the success of this initiative providing additional access at Toukley Library over the past year. The innovative program uses technology to monitor self-access, self-service loans and returns, computers, printing as well as lighting, alarms, and public safety.Central Coast Council Libraries and Education Unit Manager, Beth Burgess said Library@yourtime at Toukley Library has been embraced enthusiastically by library members. “Library@yourtime lets inducted library members have access to the library outside regular staffed hours and compliments our services during staffed hours, where library members can receive help and guidance as required. “As always, our extensive range of free online resources and services, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, homework help, music streaming and more are also available 24/7 via Council’s website,” Ms Burgess said. Participants of Library@yourtime, must be over the age of 18, and meet the terms and conditions of the program, including completing a building and safety induction course.

Opportunity to join reference group for Wrack Management StrategyCentral Coast Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from community members who would like to join a community and stakeholder reference group to help develop a new Tuggerah Lakes Wrack Management Strategy - as part of the development of the Tuggerah Lakes Coastal Management Program (CMP).Wrack is aquatic plant and vegetation material (including seagrass) that is moved about by wind and washed onto foreshores or collects in shallow areas.

Central Coast Council has partnered with twelve eateries to bring you the Taste of Toukley and Taste of Wyong community events - with a limited number of free tasting boxes at each town up for grabs on the day!Event locations:Saturday 3 June 202312pm to 3pmToukley Village GreenSaturday 10 June 202311am to 2pm Wyong Town ParkCouncil Director of Community and Culture, Melanie Smith said these community events will be a treat for all the senses!“There will be family friendly activities at each location, including workshops, craft activities, face painting, a petting zoo with baby animal feeding, roving entertainment along with live entertainment and giveaways from local businesses,” Ms Smith said.“I encourage our community to bring your friends and family along to the Taste of Wyong and Taste of Toukley community events and support local businesses.”Each eatery will be managing their own distribution of tasting boxes and you will need to visit one of the participating restaurants on the day and use the codewords “I love Toukley” on Saturday 3 June and “I love Wyong” on Saturday 10 June to receive a free box (numbers are limited and conditions apply).Taste of Toukley participating eateries: •    Mexicoast Cantina, 243 Main Rd, Toukley•    Sorrisos by Dish, 268 Main Rd, Toukley•    Spices Indian Restaurant, 231 Main Rd, Toukley•    Noble Thai, 49 Canton Beach Road, Toukley •    What the Pho, 266 Main Rd, ToukleyTaste of Wyong participating eateries:•    Chapman Coffee House, 9/14-16 Alison Road, Wyong•    Chick’n Korean Fried, 10/14-16 Alison Road, Wyong•    Eva’s Corner, 108 Pacific Highway, Wyong•    Hungry Wolf’s Wyong, shop 14, 18-34 Alison Road, Wyong•    Jerry Sent Me, 7/14-16 Alison Road, Wyong•    Sirone’s Pizza by the Meter, 7/1-11 Alison Road, Wyong •    Woodblock Bar &

A busy program of five major community events planned for the next 12 months is an exciting opportunity for local charities and not-for-profit organisations to raise their profile and secure fundraising opportunities by partnering with Central Coast Council.Expressions of interest are now open for key events in The Entrance, Gosford and Wyong 2023-24 including ChromeFest, Light Up the Lake, New Year’s Eve, Australia Day and Love Lanes.If selected as an official charity partner, charities and not-for-profit organisations will be invited to conduct fundraising opportunities at the event, taking advantage of the expected high attendance.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said it’s a great opportunity for charities to connect with the community at a large-scale event.“Attendance figures at community events over the last few years continue to grow and it’s important that we as a Council offer charities the opportunity to reach sections of the community they might not necessarily be able to target on a regular basis.”Council Administrator Rik Hart is encouraging charities to register their interest now.“Charites and not-for-profits do an enormous amount of work for the community, much of which is in the background.“As a Council we have positive relationships within the sector, and I am delighted that we offer this opportunity, particularly to those smaller organisations, to become an official event partner.“Many of our past partners have achieved very successful fundraising at our events and I have no doubt it will continue at what are very popular days out for our community and visitors to the Coast,” Mr Hart said.Find out how more to make an application and become Council’s official charity partner at an event in 2023-24 below.Applications close at 5pm Friday 2 June.  

Central Coast Council has put its support behind the national Sport4All program, as the first local government area to sign up to the program in New South Wales. Sport4All aims to help sporting clubs and schools become more accessible and inclusive to support people with disability to have choice and control over where and how they would like to participate in sport. “Sport saved my life as well as changed my life.

Council is commencing a program of proactive works to strategically move sand from the sand spit at The Entrance channel to renourish the eroded northern foreshores of Karagi Point Reserve.Council Director Environment and Planning Alice Howe said conditions are suitable for these works which will provide multiple benefits.“These works will improve access and help protect the amenity and foreshore infrastructure at Karagi Reserve carpark.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is continuing to work with the community collecting feedback to help improve our water and sewer services.On 9-10 May, Council will engage in further community consultations at Wyong and Gosford, building on insights provided during the first round of consultations held in March.

The Central Coast’s Hinterland town of Spencer is well loved by locals – and now has been recognised as an outstanding tourism destination, being selected as a finalist in the Tiny Town category in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards 2023. Known for its breathtaking scenery and cultural landmarks to locally-sourced cuisine and exhilarating activities, Spencer offers outstanding tourism experiences for visitors, at the same time delivering social and economic benefits for the community. Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Culture Melanie Smith, said it is fantastic to once again see the Central Coast shining as a outstanding tourism destination.“The NSW Top Tourism Town Awards celebrate NSW’s diverse and outstanding regional destinations.

Central Coast Council is calling on women, girls and gender-diverse people to raise their voices to improve the perception of safety within Gosford CBD.

Central Coast Council has again joined forces with local police in a campaign this May to target a reduction in speed related road crashes through an education and awareness campaign focusing on 50km/h local roads. Traffic and Highway Patrol Inspector Martin Searle hopes that this year’s campaign will help the community understand that ‘Your speed matters’ and ‘Every K counts’, which will result in drivers slowing down and the reduction of speed-related crashes.“This year’s campaign will feature a Transport for NSW video narrated by Mathematics Professor and media personality Eddie Woo, which explains how long it takes to stop at 50km/h compared to 60 or 80km/h – helping the community understand that every kilometre counts,” Mr Searle said. “We are reminding motorists that they can make a difference by making safer choices on our roads – to make road safety a priority and slow down, particularly in built up urban areas with 50km/h zones where children, older road users, cyclists and pedestrians can be.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the collaborative partnership with police helps to enhance their presence with the important objective to reduce speeding across the region.“Along with increased presence from NSW Police, Council is focusing on increasing the messaging to the community through our social media and other communication channels this May.”“Education can have a big impact on changing behaviours – we’re encouraging Coasties to slow down on local roads and to drive safely and look out for each other.”The campaign will see enhanced police enforcement across local roads and deliver educational messages to the Central Coast community.Watch the video here:

Central Coast Council has adopted a new area-wide Plan of Management (POM) for community land at last night’s Ordinary General Council Meeting.

Council is hosting a variety of free workshops and information sessions this May and June to help community groups and organisations improve their grant writing skills, ahead of the Community Grants Program application period which opens 1 June.  Council’s 2023-24 Community Grants Program will open with $900,000 in annual funding available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen our community.

Central Coast Council is continuing its commitment to provide solutions that help to address the region’s affordable housing crisis, with the launch of an educational podcast.

Central Coast Council’s ambitious program of works to support growth in Gosford is on track for a 2024 completion, with 56 of the 66 water and sewer projects either completed or underway.

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Following extensive public consultation, a report outlining a new Plan of Management (POM) for community land will be tabled at the monthly ordinary Council meeting next week.  Last year, Council resolved to publicly exhibit a draft POM for Council owned community land.

Over the last month, ratepayers across NSW have been receiving their land valuations from the NSW Valuer General.

Harvest Festival 2023 Saturday 10 June 2023 to Sunday 11 June 2023 Central Coast Hinterland  lovecentralcoast.com/harvestfestival Celebrate the Central Coast’s spectacular hinterland communities and choose your own adventure at this year’s Harvest Festival over the 10 to 11 June weekend.