Central Coast Council is doing its part to help promote positive parenting by presenting a Mindful Parenting session at Lake Haven Library on 18 August at 6pm.This information session will arm parents with ideas and strategies to combat everyday frustrations parents often experience.Council’s Section Manager Library Services, Ms Andrea Edwards, said this amazing session is aimed to help strengthen parent’s relationships with their children and give more positive choices on how to respond to their children’s needs.“Parenting has to be the most challenging job in the world and parents can use all the help they can get,” said Ms Edwards.“Council is proud to present Pam Northcote from Universal Spirit to discuss the most significant role we may ever play in our lives.“This program is filled with strategies to support parents to be a reflective and mindful parent.“So come along to pick up some fantastic parenting tips, you will be glad you did.”Bookings are essential and can be made in person at Lake Haven Library or by calling 4350 1570.

Central Coast Council is encouraging all residents to get involved so the Coast can boast that we are the biggest garage sale in Australia on 22 October.The Garage Sale Trail is an annual event where thousands of garage sales happen on one day and residents can buy and sell reused treasures.Council is encouraging local schools, community groups, charity groups, sellers, buyers, creators and everyone else to join with hundreds of Australians to think creatively about how we can reuse items that might otherwise be put out for Council collection and end up in landfill.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said council is proud to be involved in this event for the second year running and it’s great to see our community support sustainable living on the Coast.“The former Wyong Shire Council was ranked second in NSW for sale registrations last year and now we are bigger, we can take the number one spot this year, said Mr Reynolds.“This is all about making neighbourhood and community connections and doing something positive for the environment at the same time.”“It is a fun, easy way to declutter your home, make some pocket money and turn your trash into someone else’s treasure.”“Join us on the Coast to make this year’s Garage Sale Trail the best in Australia.”Registered sales will receive a free sellers pack and access to an interactive website to promote their event.  Shoppers can visit the website to track what events are on the Central Coast.To find out more on how to register go to www.garagesaletrail.com.au

Treadmills, exercise bikes and weights will be available around the clock when the Peninsula Leisure Centre’s gym starts operating 24/7 from this Saturday 13 August 2016.The move to 24/7 access comes on the back of strong feedback from gym members, especially during Central Coast Council’s recent culture surveys.Manager of Culture Phil Cantillon said the extended hours are a great example of how Council is adapting its services to meet the community’s changing lifestyle.“With health and fitness such a big part of our residents’ lives these days, it’s important we provide them with as much access as possible to the Peninsula Leisure Centre’s facilities,” Mr Cantillon said.“Opening the Centre’s gym 24 hours a day, 365 days a year means that our members can run, ride or lift their way to an active and healthy lifestyle whenever suits them.“Last year we invested $200,000 to upgrade the centre’s gym equipment, so we’re keen to see our members give it more of a workout any time of the day or night.”Any Peninsula Leisure Centre member who can currently access the gym can get a 24/7 access pass by simply completing a form and paying $25.“We are very conscious of our members’ safety and a number of security measures are in place,” Mr Cantillon added.“CCTV cameras will monitor the premises after hours, motion sensors and duress buttons have been installed, and only those members with access cards will be able to access the gym from the Blackwall Road entrance after hours.”For more information about the Peninsula Leisure Centre’s services and facilities, visit www.gosford.nsw.gov.au or call 4325 8123.

The Qantas Australian Wallabies kicked off their week long training camp at Central Coast Stadium today, which will include a free open session for fans this Thursday 11 August 2016 at 3pm.Central Coast Council’s Administrator Ian Reynolds said it is a privilege to host the Wallabies while they train for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series against the New Zealand All Blacks.“This is the first time the Wallabies have taken advantage of the Central Coast’s sporting facilities to train for such a major, international rugby series,” Mr Reynolds said.“To have the team at Central Coast Stadium as they prepare for one of international rugby’s biggest rivalries is a major coup for our region.“Plus, with many of our residents participating in local rugby union, this camp will also give them the chance to hopefully meet some of their heroes at the open training session.”Fans will be able to get their favourite player’s autograph as well as enjoy other activities and giveaways this Thursday afternoon.Parking and entry for the open training session will be available under Brian McGowan Bridge.

Central Coast Council is pleased to support the bi-annual Fire and Rescue NSW Championship – the first time it has ever been held on the Coast.Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) teams from across the state will converge at the Norah Head Sports Ground on Bungary Road for the three-day championship to be held from 27 to 29 October this year.FRNSW Assistant Commissioner and Championships Director Rob McNeil announced the championship will take place at the end of October and encouraged Central Coast residents to mark the date in their calendar and come along.“Firefighters train for this event for many months and there is a strong competitive streak within the brigades to prove who the top team is,” Assistant Commissioner McNeil said.“They compete in challenges to test their skills in setting up and deploying firefighting equipment quickly and safely.“It’s a great opportunity for the community, especially budding firefighters, to come along and see what it’s all about.

A number of professional riders from the Central Coast and inter-state will be showing off their skills at the official opening of Bato Yard.The Central Coast’s newest sporting facility is already gaining state-wide attention and the opening is going to take it to the next level on Sunday 14 August, from 10am.Central Coast Council’s Sports Development and Event Officer, Ms Karen Lightfoot, said this is one event not to be missed.“Bato Yard is something the community has wanted for a long time, so it’s only fair we give it the opening it deserves,” Karen said.“We have lined up nine pro riders to show off their skills in the two bowls and street throughout the day as well as basketball and parkour demonstrations.“There will also be food stalls, displays and giveaways as well as prizes for riders in the afternoon jam sessions.“It’s going to be such a jam-packed day, I can’t wait to see the skate, BMX and scooter pro riders mixing with the local riders and sharing their skills.“We have local pros, Mitchell Ritcher on scooter and Gareth Nash on BMX doing demos for the crowds.“We have also worked with Shredability to attract some big name skaters like local boys Bryce McKean and Matt Kitai, but the highlight would be the current Girls Combi Champion, Poppy Olsen!”One pro rider who will also be MC on the day is former World Champion, Renton Millar.Renton helped designed the Yard in the early stages at the community workshops and said he is really keen to see how Bato Yard skates.“Bato Yard is insane.

Central Coast Council continues to welcome the Pacific Highway Upgrade through Wyong and is confident it is on track.Council views the upgrade as a catalyst to easing congestion in a key bottleneck on the Coast.Council’s Administrator, Ian Reynolds, said Council has been consulted and involved in the design phase and is confident the upgrade will happen.“Council has been a champion for this project as we know it is vital for our community, Mr Reynolds said.“Council is not aware of any delays in the planning of this project and is looking forward to seeing construction begin in the coming years.”More information on the Wyong Pacific Highway upgrade is available online at www.rms.nsw.gov.au. 

Last night Central Coast Council won the Innovation in Special Events Award at the Annual RH Dougherty Awards held as part of Local Government WeekThe Award recognises a special event produced and owned by a Council in the 2015 calendar year that delivered excellence in fulfilling its objective.The first Wyong Lakes Festival made a big splash in November last year with a nine day program featuring sporting, family, cultural, educational and live music events on and surrounding the Tuggerah Lakes Catchment area.When presenting the award for Council’s Wyong Lakes Festival, the Judges said the campaign was an outstanding, innovative event that had a great partnership approach to activating places and spaces as well as and generating significant economic returns for the region.Council’s Manager Community Partnerships and Planning, Ms Julie Vaughan, was thrilled with the win and said it was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the events staff to make the dream a reality.“We were committed to delivering a Festival that showcased the Lakes and we certainly delivered, attracting people from the Central Coast and beyond,” Julie said.“We had five event hubs set up that were identified as being key locations in activating, educating and celebrating the Tuggerah Lakes system.“Over the nine days we held 35 events that promoted our area and provided elements of participation that were free to spectators, with opportunities for others to participate.“Some of the events included an evening light show on the lake and concert, breakfast by the lake, stand-up paddle boarding competition, skate competition, painting by the lake, art exhibitions, markets stalls, a triathlon and much more.”Wyong Lakes Festival provided options for forging ground-breaking partnerships between many community groups, residents, business owners and sponsors across the Coast to activate and enliven the Tuggerah Lakes system.“It was great the judges noticed the strong sustainability focus the Festival had as well as the partnerships we created to make this event a success,” Julie added.“And it was a great success!

A three volume reference book detailing much of the previously unknown history of Mann Street’s buildings, businesses and people is now available at Gosford Library.After 16 years of research and with the help of grants from Central Coast Council, local historians Pamela Williams and John Lewis recently completed the first volumes of Mann Street Gosford in the Age of Steam 1881–1960.Council’s Local Studies Librarian Geoffrey Potter said the important story this publication tells about Gosford’s local history cannot be underestimated.“Through exhaustive research of land records, newspapers, directories, photographs and council records as well as interviews with residents, Pam and John have pieced together much of Gosford’s previously lost history,” Mr Potter said.“These two dedicated and patient local historians have documented in detail the when and where of Mann Street’s buildings, who owned them, the people who lived there, and the businesses that were the lifeblood of the town in its formative years.“It traces the story of Mann Street’s individual building lots from the approval of the Homebush to Waratah railway link in 1881 through to the arrival of the electric train in 1960.”The publication’s first three volumes cover Paul’s Corner to Georgiana Terrace and both sides of Mann Street between Erina Street and Faunce Street.“Both Pam and John have a close affinity with Mann Street, having started work there in local banks in 1955,” Mr Potter added.“They are already working on several further volumes that will eventually detail from Gosford Park through to Racecourse Road.”Reference copies of Mann Street Gosford in the Age of Steam 1881–1960 are available at Gosford Library.

While Australia's elite athletes are preparing to compete for Olympic gold in Rio, closer to home Australia's elite firefighters are preparing to descend on the Central Coast for Fire and Rescue NSW's own version of the Olympics, the State Firefighter Championships.The State’s best firefighters will pit their wits and skills against each other during the three-day event to be held 27-29 October.

More information regarding enquiries and enrolments can be found on our Child Care Centres page.It’s Local Government Week, which is a great chance to highlight some of the invaluable services Council provides to the community each and every day.This year’s theme is ‘Our Council, Our Community’ and reflects how Council is closely connected to the community as well as the vital support and services we deliver that enhances people’s lives.One such service is the provision of high quality early childhood care and education that supports the needs of local families.We have been a dedicated childcare provider on the Central Coast for more than 30 years – supporting in excess of 40,000 families during this time.We run eight centres across the Central Coast at Kanwal, Kariong, Niagara Park, Northlakes, Terrigal, Toukley, Wyong and Umina.The families who attend our childcare centres know we are passionate about providing a nurturing and inspiring environment in which children can play, learn and explore.There is a strong sustainability focus in each of the centres, which gives children the opportunity to learn about things like reducing waste through worm farms, compost bins, chicken-keeping and so much more.Some centres even have their own herb and vegetable gardens and children enjoy helping maintain them.

Laycock Street Community Theatre, in partnership with Bell Shakespeare, is hosting Central Coast auditions for the 2016 John Bell Scholarship on Wednesday 17 August from 1.30pm.The new scholarship is specifically for students in regional communities, in honour of Bell Shakespeare’s Founding Artistic Director John Bell.The program is designed to offer talented young Australians the opportunity to kick-start their arts careers with the support and guidance of Bell Shakespeare.Central Coast Council Arts and Culture Coordinator, Chis King said Laycock Street Theatre has enjoyed a strong relationship with Bell Shakespeare over the years and is always committed to supporting young people pursuing careers in the arts and creative industries.“This is an amazing opportunity for young Central Coast aspiring actors to fulfil their dreams of performing.”“With incredible touring productions and education programs, Bell Shakespeare is a leading example of how live theatre can engage audiences of all ages in arts and cultural activities.”“We are always privileged to bring Bell Shakespeare productions to Central Coast audiences.

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to help identify who caused over $20,000 in damage at Northlakes Oval in San Remo.Council has been forced to close the oval after one of the floodlights was unbolted and knocked down deliberately.The 20 metre high pole has caused damage to the oval’s surface as well as shattering the lights and leaving shards of glass everywhere.

This week Central Coast Council will close the playground at The Entrance Waterfront to undertake a major upgrade and expansion to the play area.A new larger play area will be installed over the coming months as part of the $3.5m upgrade of The Entrance Waterfront.As part of this project the nearby Sails Stage has already been removed, however the much loved Vera’s Garden will stay, as will the existing large pine trees in the area.Phillip Loone, Manager of Strategic and Environmental Planning, said that the upgrade is about Council investing in creating great outdoor spaces to enhance the area’s natural beauty.“The new play area will be a larger, more diverse, more colourful and interactive play space that will cater for children of all ages,” Mr Loone said.While the playground transition is underway, families can use the nearby playground on the other side of Memorial Park, next to the Visitor Information Centre.Weekly musical entertainment at The Entrance Waterfront will be temporarily suspended and resume once the demolition and related site works are finished.Upcoming festivals and events such as the Country Music Festival, the Ukulele Festival and Chromefest will continue as usual.Mr Loone said that Council’s contractors were working tirelessly to complete the overall upgrade of The Entrance Waterfront.

Central Coast residents will have a chance to meet their new Administrator and CEO when they pop up at Council’s engagement stalls from this week.Council has been rolling out the stalls in major shopping centres across the Coast as a one stop shop to answer resident questions about the newly merged Council.Council’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds and CEO Mr Rob Noble are set to join in and will pop up at the following shopping centres:Thursday 4 August:

The Woy Woy Road rail underpass for vehicles is set to re-open this Monday 1 August 2016 following the completion of emergency repair works by Sydney Trains over the last three months.Sydney Trains has now finished constructing protection columns around the rail bridge’s support structures and installing new, 2.5 metre height restriction bars on both sides of the underpass.Central Coast Council will be putting the finishing touches on Sydney Trains repair works over the weekend by installing median strips on the approaches to the underpass.Motorists especially need to be aware that the underpass’ height limit has now been reduced to 2.5 metres.

With the joining together of the former Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils, we're now stronger together as one Central Coast Council.

The wait is over – Bato Yard opens at 3pm!Bato Yard is the biggest skate park in the region and its opening has been the hot topic of conversation for local riders of all abilities and disciplines.Council’s Landscape and Recreation Planner, Mr Boyd McMillan, said this skate park will be one of the biggest and the most diverse in Australia as it will have a few features no others can boast.“Bato Yard has been built to a competition standard and has a rare feature in that it has a competitive street area and two competitive bowls all in the one park,” Boyd said.“The quality of CONVIC’s work shows through all over the park but is on display in the deep bowl – one of the most innovative and exciting bowls in Australia.“The highlight is the 12ft deep (3.6 metres) circular bowl with 1.5ft vert that rises to central 7ft twin hip open bowl and waterfalls down to a 9ft deep square end.

Registrations are still open for the SeaFM DISCOVERED series – the Central Coast’s premier vocalist competition for singers aged 7-24 years.The next heat will be held on Friday 5 August 2016 from 6.30pm, at The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue, North South Road, Erina Fair, with a $5 entry fee at the door.This round will feature a selection of young people from across the region, performing two songs each as they contend for a place in the semi-finals in October and November.The series offers professional development opportunities for young people, and the chance for emerging vocalists and singer/songwriters to share in the spotlight.Contestants make their way through a series of heats, competing for the chance to perform in the Grand Final in December and be in the running for the first prize, $5000 in Macron Music money.The SeaFM Discovered series is presented by Central Coast Council Youth Services, and The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue.Professional development partners include:

Live streaming of fuller Council meetings on the agenda   In a move to improve efficiency, transparency and public engagement, council resolved to undertake a six month trial of live webcasting of its meetings.At the first meeting of the new council on 25 May, the Administrator called for a report on the potential to webcast meetings to provide the community with an additional and convenient means of seeing the decision-making processes of council first-hand.  That report was presented to council tonight.The trial will include the installation of fixed cameras in both the Gosford and Wyong Civic Centres, with images and audio live streamed via the internet.Council will continue to alternate meetings between Gosford and Wyong Civic Centres.A further public exhibition will get underway shortly to gauge community views on webcasting and also a proposal to hold monthly instead of fortnightly meetings.Councils are required to hold at least ten meetings a year.