Central Coast Council is this week partnering with the Australian Resilience Corps and Disaster Relief Australia to support on ground disaster resilience action on the Central Coast. The Australian Resilience Corps (The Corps) is a national volunteer network established by Minderoo Foundation and NRMA Insurance, working to grow Australia's largest resource of disaster resilience volunteers to help communities prepare for fires and floods before they occur.This week, The Corps is deploying volunteers across the country to help communities prepare for fires and floods, following a year of successive extreme weather events. The Central Coast Council is partnering in the initiative with three Central Coast sites being targeted for the on-ground work being undertaken by over 100 volunteers.  The sites are Shelly and Killcare beaches and Kincumba Mountain. Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning Dr Alice Howe said the initiative is welcomed as it highlights the importance of preparing for natural disasters ahead of time and extends Council’s volunteering program, which provides opportunities for local residents to become involved in bush regeneration, habitat restoration and enhancing the resilience of the natural environment. “The 100 volunteers from The Corps are giving their time over a three-day period this week, working under supervision of trained Disaster Relief Australia personnel, to assist our community to build resilience for future fire and floods.  The initiative helps add value to the significant ongoing contributions of the 600+ volunteers already actively participating in Council’s Environmental Volunteering Program.“During their time on the ground at Shelly and Killcare beaches, the volunteers from The Corps have been removing weeds and litter from coastal dunes, to better stabilise and enhance natural dune systems and the biodiversity that they support. “As with other parts of our community, which have been placed under pressure from various disaster impacts, our dune systems have been placed under significant pressure from coastal erosion.Dr Howe said that today, at Kincumba Mountain, volunteers are undertaking maintenance of fire trails, including removal of accumulated sediment, minor reshaping of drainage lines and pruning of encroaching vegetation, as well as removing weeds from areas of native vegetation.“Kincumba Mountain is a very important asset during natural disasters as it houses a telecommunications tower, which is a vital asset for broadcasting during emergencies.  It is also rich in biodiversity and Aboriginal heritage sites, which also need to be protected from the threats of natural disasters”Nadine De Santis, Australian Resilience Corps Project Lead, said volunteers play a pivotal role in helping their communities adapt to and prepare for a changing climate and the natural threats that come with it.“If we can lift the resilience of communities across the country, we can reduce the risk of devastation from another Black Summer Fire or East Coast flooding event,” Ms De Santis said."We can’t do this without the help of volunteers.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said he was pleased Council is a partner in this very important initiative.“Extreme weather events are happening more frequently and with greater severity.  This has been very evident here on the Central Coast, with devastating results for many in the community. "We are in total agreement with Disaster Relief Australia and the Australian Resilience Corps that this is the time to focus on resilience to enable communities to break out of the cycle of response and recovery.

Central Coast Council will commence the construction of a new Visitor Centre as well as upgrade the picnic area at Mangrove Dam on Monday 14 November 2022.This work follows the destruction of the amenities building in the 2019 Three Mile Fire.

Community members who would like to take an active role in local affairs are invited to apply for a position on a Central Coast Council advisory committee for 2023. Being a community representative on an advisory committee is a unique way to have your say about issues that matter to you and your community, and I encourage anyone with a genuine passion for the following topics to apply:Social Inclusion Advisory CommitteePedestrian Access and Mobility Advisory Committee (PAMP)Mangrove Mountain and Spencer Advisory CommitteeHeritage Advisory CommitteeCouncil advisory groups help to inform the direction of policies, and therefore it’s important we hear from as many different voices as possible.Council’s engagement programs have shown the significant input and valuable perspectives that residents have to offer, and I encourage anyone who has a lived experience or strong interest in one of these areas to submit an expression of interest.Availability to attend an advisory group meeting in December and quarterly committee meetings next year is required, alongside a willingness to engage with a diverse group of people.Due to the voluntary nature of the position, community representatives won’t receive fees or costs for their time. Applications close on Sunday 13 November 2022.

Central Coast Council has a jam-packed events calendar for the local community and visitors to enjoy, during the spring and summer months. Whilst the events calendar has had some changes over the last few years, Council’s flagship events will return with favourites such as The Lakes Festival which is currently underway, Love Lanes, and Flavours by the Sea.

Central Coast Council Youth Services have launched a biannual photography competition, Your World Your Way, aimed at young people, aged 12-24, who live, work or study on the Central Coast.

Council’s commitment to deliver improved water and sewer services for the Central Coast community has been reinforced with the publishing of the first Central Coast Council Water and Sewer Delivery Plan 2022-2026.

An extraordinary project, featuring eight remarkable Pelican sculptures initiated by Central Coast Council, but led by school children on the Coast, was unveiled today at The Entrance.The Project Pelican is a fusion of environmental education and creative art to inspire students and the community to connect with the challenges and solutions involved in protecting and restoring the Tuggerah Lakes estuary.Developed and delivered by Council’s Estuary Management team, in collaboration with Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, with funding from the Australian Government, the project has involved art students in years nine and ten, from eight secondary schools. Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Recreation Mel Smith, said the aim of The Project Pelican is to help students increase their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Tuggerah Lakes system and what is needed to protect and restore this fragile environment.“Tuggerah Lakes is one of the most important and iconic estuaries on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council is now inviting community members wanting to take an active role in local affairs to apply for a position on one of several Council advisory committees for 2023.Applications are now open for community stakeholder representatives on the following committees:Social Inclusion Advisory CommitteePedestrian Access and Mobility Advisory Committee (PAMP)Mangrove Mountain and Spencer Advisory CommitteeHeritage Advisory CommitteeSuccessful applicants should have a genuine passion for their selected topic, a willingness to engage with a diverse group of people and be available to attend an advisory group meeting in December and quarterly committee meetings next year.Due to the voluntary nature of the position, community representatives won’t receive fees or costs for their time.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said a community position on an advisory committee is a unique way for residents to have their say.“Council uses advisory groups to help inform the direction of policies and it’s important that we hear from as many different voices as possible.“We know from our regular engagement programs that residents can offer excellent perspectives and I would encourage anyone who has a lived experience, or a particular passion for one of these topic areas to submit an expression of interest,” Mr Hart said.Applications for all community advisory positions close at midnight on Sunday 13 November.Find out more and apply now

The inaugural Sustainable Future Festival will be held at Mingara Recreation Club from 11 to 13 November, offering a sea of sustainability designed to celebrate all things waste related.Forming part of The Lakes Festival, this new event offers something for everyone with a jam-packed program full of environmentally friendly educational activities, displays and competitions.Central Coast Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said this exciting new event aims to educate and inspire Central Coast residents on how to live more sustainably.“Council is thrilled to partner with its waste collection contractor Cleanaway, to deliver an event that not only brings community members together to learn about all things sustainability, but also offers handy tips and tricks on how we can all minimise our carbon footprint and keep our region’s coastline as beautiful as ever,” Mr Bolgoff said.“This festival will also see a special guest appearance from former ‘The Block’ stars and Central Coast locals, Kyal and Kara on Saturday 12 November.

At the 31 October 2022 Extraordinary Council Meeting, the Monthly Financial Results for September provided an update on how Council is tracking financially year-to-date (YTD).I’m pleased to confirm that Council is trading favourably this financial year and continuing the trajectory we’ve been on for the past 18 months.

Central Coast Council, through an adjustment in the Capital Works program budget, is bringing forward a number of shovel ready projects across the coast. Council reported a year-to-date capital works expenditure to September 2022 of $28.0M.  The adjustment, approved at last night’s, 31 October Extraordinary Council meeting, allows for over $9M worth of capital Works to be brought forward.  This is a result of the capital works program budget being reduced by $9.1M, in August, largely due to delays in obtaining the Development Application, for the Gosford Regional Library.

The Lakes Festival is one of the Central Coast's most highly anticipated annual events and is back in full swing this Friday 4 until Sunday 13 November.The popular 10-day festival offers something for everyone, with a program of sporting, family, cultural, educational, art and live music events on and around our region’s waterways.Locals and visitors are encouraged to check out:Light Up the Lake at Memorial Park, The Entrance, which is a festival favourite and set to return this year in person.

Central Coast Council, in partnership with its contractor Socares Central Coast, is making it easier for you to microchip your pet by hosting a free microchipping day at the Erina and Charmhaven Animal Care Facilities on Saturday 12 November.Members of our community are encouraged to come along and have their pets microchipped for free, or update their pets’ registration details.

In August, Central Coast Council released an interactive online map to help residents stay up to date with the rollout of infrastructure works across the Central Coast. The ‘Capital Works Program Map’ is accessible via Council’s website and lists more than 350 infrastructure projects from $176 million worth of capital projects currently underway. These projects include community, roads and other urban infrastructure, water and sewer, waste, environmental, sport and recreation projects and more. Each project on the map shares key information including dates, budget and progress of works, with details updated on a monthly basis to ensure the information is current. What’s happening in the Coast’s northern suburbsThere are lots of capital works projects currently underway or earmarked for the northern suburbs of the Central Coast, some exiting projects underway or planned include:Transformation of the Visitor Information Centre at The EntranceRenovations at Toowoon Bay Holiday ParkCentral Coast Airport upgrades in WarnervaleMajor upgrades to the Charmhaven and Gwandalan Sewage Treatment PlantsShared pathway constructions at Tuggerawong Foreshore and MagentaCemetery, holiday park and community facility upgrades at Norah HeadMultiple road works, plus much more!This map makes it easy for anyone to find works planned or underway in their area and is an important way Council is being transparent about linking the delivery program with clear information for the community.To view the interactive map, go to the Capital Works Program Map page at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/capital-works-programRik Hart, Administrator 

The Façade Improvement Support Program to provide $120,000 to eligible Central Coast businesses and commercial property owners to enhance their building facades and improve accessibility to their premises with dollar-for-dollar matched funding.

Central Coast Council presented Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) with a $116,000 cheque yesterday at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

The nomination period for the 2023 Australia Day Awards has been extended – enabling more local people to be acknowledged for their community work.Central Coast Council is encouraging locals to recognise individuals and groups who help make the Coast a better place to live, work and play, by nominating them for the 2023 Australia Day Awards.Central Coast Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said extending the closing date of Australia Day Award Nominations has been done to ensure extra time for individuals who contribute to our community.“We appreciate that with the recent inclement weather, many community members have been busy looking after every-day things, including supporting those in need and may not have had time to nominate their peers,” said Ms Smith.“In extending the nomination period from the 23 October to the 30 October we are hoping to provide the community with sufficient opportunity to nominate someone they know.“This might be individuals who are leaders in the community, or who work quietly behind the scenes, to make the Central Coast a great place to live.”Nominations for the 2023 Australia Day close Sunday 30 October 2022 at 5pm.The 2023 Award categories are:Community Group AwardRecognises the important and inspirational work of a community organisation, in community services, well-being and community safety.Community Life AwardRecognises an individual that has made a valuable contribution to the community through the fields of sports, arts, culture, or environment.Volunteer AwardAn individual volunteer who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work within the community.

The Central Coast community is invited to help shape the future of the Gosford waterfront, with the first phase of community consultation now open. Council has adopted a concept plan for the Gosford waterfront – a starting point for the community’s input, and it’s now time for people to submit their ideas, feedback and opinions. Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of the Gosford waterfront by:Viewing the interactive concept plansReading the frequently asked questionsRegistering for a virtual or face-to-face drop-in information sessionContributing to and joining the conversation on the interactive concept plan and sharing ideas, suggestions and opinionsProviding feedback via the online feedback formThe feedback Council receives through this initial consultation phase and subsequent phases will inform the next level of detail for the project, which is a detailed masterplan down the track.This exciting project presents a major opportunity to unlock Gosford, and the Central Coast’s full potential and I encourage everyone to get involved to help shape the future of this region.Community consultation is open from 18 October to 1 December 2022.

The Central Coast community is being invited to help shape the future of the Gosford waterfront and have its say on the exciting revitalisation project set to boost liveability and economic growth across the entire region.The Central Coast Council has adopted a concept plan for the Gosford waterfront, a starting point for the community’s input, with the plan now on public exhibition for community members to submit their ideas, feedback and opinions.Council worked with key stakeholders to develop the concept plan including the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, Greater Cities Commission, Crown Lands, TAFE and The University of Newcastle.  Council also integrated existing research and information collected through various projects including the Gosford Challenge, Gosford Our City, Our Destiny Masterplan and Gosford Urban Design Framework.Now Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to provide their input to the concept plan and its various components.Central Coast CEO, David Farmer said the re-imagining of the Gosford waterfront is a long-term project that will stimulate significant employment and economic activity through the planning, development and operational phases.“Gosford is recognised as the Central Coast’s principal city in the NSW Government’s Greater Cities Plan.

Central Coast Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe, said the annual report is an important resource to help Council manage water quality at swimming sites across the region. “We all know what a challenging year it has been weather-wise, so it is pleasing that despite this 13 out of 15 ocean beaches (86%) rated as Good or Very Good for water quality.