Central Coast Council has partnered with an array of local artists, venues and organisations to host the first ever Central Coast Music Festival when it takes centre stage at Gosford in September with an array of live music and workshops, culminating with a major concert.The Central Coast Music Festival will debut on Saturday 10 September and deliver a live music festival unlike any other event in the region.

Council has completed the bulk of upgrades to amenities at the iconic, heritage-listed Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance, with further upgrades scheduled to take place over the coming months.The changerooms and public toilets have received a refresh, while a new parents room has been installed.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the upgrade has helped refresh the facilities and comply with accessibility standards.“The Grant McBride Baths is a much-loved local spot which provides a space for locals and visitors to get active outdoors while connecting with other members of the community,” Ms Smith said.“These upgrades provide a refresh of the existing facilities and improve accessibility to the changeroom and public toilets, making them available for use to the whole community.”Further works at Grant McBride Baths are planned to occur later this year, including a replacement of the roof and eaves of the hall adjacent to the baths, the connection of hot water to the hall and one shower in each of the male and female changerooms and replacement of safety fencing.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said investing in this historical venue provides value for the Central Coast community.“The iconic Grant McBride Baths are positioned along the pristine coastline at The Entrance and has long been a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors to the Central Coast,” Mr Hart said.“First constructed in 1938, these ocean pools are rich with local history and make up an important part of the social fabric of The Entrance.”The ocean pools are free to use and open year-round (subject to maintenance and cleaning) and supervised with various patrolled hours throughout the season.For more information search ‘Grant McBride Baths’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or read the FAQs here.ENDS

Central Coast Council, Resilience NSW, Service NSW, and other agencies will remain on ground at recovery assistance points (recovery hubs) to offer face-to-face recovery support and access to information and services for flood-affected Central Coast residents.Recovery assistance points remain open at The Entrance, San Remo, Chittaway and Wyong from Monday 8 August.

Council has reached a significant milestone with the consolidated Central Coast Local Environment Plan and Central Coast Development Plan finalised and in effect from 1 August 2022.  The Central Coast Local Environment Plan is the primary legal planning document for guiding land use and planning decisions made by Council.

Central Coast Council is seeking expressions of interest from local businesses, community groups, and organisations to become an event partner of the 2023 Harvest Festival - one of the largest and most successful events on the Central Coast.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Mel Smith said Harvest Festival grows in popularity each year and attracts thousands of people to our region’s hinterland from near and far.“Harvest Festival celebrates the Central Coast’s picturesque and fertile hinterland across the June long weekend, with a focus on farm, friends, food and fun.

Community groups and not-for profit organisations can apply for up to $30,000 out of a total pool of $40,000 for community projects in Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park as part of a joint initiative between Central Coast Council and Delta Coal from 1 August to 31 August 2022.Council’s Community Partnerships Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard said the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program aims to support not-for-profit community organisations to deliver projects that improve community infrastructure and services in Chain Valley Bay and surrounding suburbs.“Since 2017 the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program has provided funding to a range of local groups and organisations to improve and enhance the local community,” Mr Cannard said.

Flood-affected residents on the Central Coast continue to recover following the recent weather and flooding event.Council would like to remind local impacted residents of the support available to assist them during their recovery.

The consolidated Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (CCLEP 2022) and Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022 (CCDCP 2022) have come into effect today, 1 August 2022. The consolidated CCLEP and CCDCP provide a consistent planning framework for the region, which leads to greater efficiencies in preparing and assessing development applications - benefiting the Central Coast community, investors and Council staff.

Central Coast Council congratulates the management and board at The Art House for winning both the Excellence in Large Business and Wyong Business of Year Award at the Wyong Business (Chamber of Commerce) 2022 Annual Business Awards event recently – providing recognition of the high quality of programs and services delivered and valuable contribution this arts and cultural hub delivers for our community. The Art House Executive Director, Anne-Marie Heath said it is an honour to receive these awards for excellence from the local business community.“Our team is very proud and grateful to receive Business Wyong’s Excellence in Large Business Award, but most of all we were completely surprised and excited to have also received the main award of Business of the Year!” Ms Heath said.“It is very rewarding that The Art House is recognised for its service to the community as an arts organisation but as also for our business operations.“These awards are reflective of the wonderful Art House staff and their contribution and commitment in ensuring the Art House is shining in every moment, and the great support of the Board.”Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said The Art House is an exciting performing arts centre which brings world-class performances to local audiences and attracts visitors to our region.“The success of The Art House creates a ripple effect of economic benefits for our community with the provision of local jobs, which leads to more local business spending, and support to surrounding hospitality businesses from audiences that come from near and far,” Mr Hart said. “The management and staff of The Art House provide excellence in service and programming that matches the architectural distinction of the venue, and I’m delighted for the team on their well-deserved wins.”The Art House is owned by Council and managed by an independent not-for-profit entity with an independent board of directors.

In recognition of the challenges residents with flood impacted properties on the Central Coast are facing, Council is offering an extra two months (with no accrued interest) to pay their first 2022/23 rate instalment.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the deferral is being offered to residents with properties listed under the SES rapid damage assessment.“We anticipate this offer will benefit around 1000 property owners on the Central Coast who have been directly impacted by the recent floods in July 2022," Mr Hart said.“It has been an extremely challenging time for many on the Coast, particularly for those who the SES has recognised as having significant damage to their properties.

A silver lining to the recent heavy rainfall received on the Central Coast has meant that our dam levels have reached a record breaking high – with the Upper Mooney Dam and Mangrove Creek Dam at full capacity and Mardi Dam at 83.2%.

Council’s Asset Sales Program exceeds target, reaching $62 million in sales Council has reached a key milestone in its Asset Sales Program with the sale of two parcels of land at Doyalson and Bateau Bay, increasing total land asset sales to over $62 million.The land at Doyalson consisting of four lots sold for a combined $5.5 million (excluding GST), which matched the independent valuation price, while the land at Bateau Bay sold for $1.83 million (excluding GST), which exceeded the independent valuation price by $1.28 million. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these sales exceed the targets in Council’s Financial Recovery Plan and help bolster Council’s financial sustainability into the future. “The sale of underperforming land assets, or assets which are surplus to current or future needs, has been a foundational pillar of Council’s financial recovery and strengthens Council’s financial sustainability into the future,” Mr Hart said.“Council has undertaken due diligence in all sales, including the review of sites against Council resolutions and historical records, abiding by all legislative requirements, and conducting extensive community consultation to ensure the community has had the chance to be part of the decision-making process.“The purchasers of these land assets are bound by all zoning and usage requirements, including any applicable environmental zoning. “Council remains committed to being transparent with the community throughout its Asset Sales Program, and I encourage people to review the in-depth information on Council’s website.”The following land has been sold and will be removed from Council’s land register:A) 200 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 762 DP 746526)    740 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 78 DP 755245)    740 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 32 DP 586913)    1550 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 31 DP 586913)B) 10A Cynthia Street, Bateau Bay (Lot 17 DP 262327)For more information about the Asset Sales Program including detailed frequently asked questions (FAQs), search ‘Financial Recovery Plan’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au. Community feedback sought on draft Flying of Flags policy and Street Banner Poles policy and guidelines for community useCouncil is seeking feedback on the Draft Flying of Flags Policy, Draft Street Banner Policy, and Draft Street Banner Guidelines, which will be placed on public exhibition online at yourvoiceourcoast.com between 27 July and 23 August 2022.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these draft policies were developed in response to community interest and we are now encouraging further feedback from the whole community during the public exhibition period.“Council proudly flies the Australian Flag and has a firm commitment to ensuring our national flag flies continually and appropriately while complying with the State and Federal Government protocols, and in accordance with the Australian Flags Booklet publication of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Premiers Department of New South Wales publication ‘Flags and Emblems of NSW’.

The Central Coast continues to recover and clean-up, following the recent severe weather and flooding event.Council continues to lead recovery efforts and is working closely alongside Resilience NSW, to support the community through this recovery stage.For ongoing updates on recovery efforts and support available, head to Council’s dedicated webpage. Additional recovery hubs and community supportResilience NSW recovery team with Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Services Australia and a range of other support teams remain at rapid assistance points (recovery hubs) to offer recovery assistance and provide access to information and services for flood-affected Central Coast residents.Two recovery hubs remain open at The Entrance and Spencer, however there are changes to the opening hours from Monday 25 July 2022. Additional hubs will be open from week commencing 25 July.Current list of recovery hubs and opening hours are:The Entrance Hub: located at The Entrance Community Centre, Battley Ave, The Entrance.10am to 4pm:

Central Coast athletes, including previous gold and silver medal winners, from a variety of sporting disciplines are on their way to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart congratulated the athletes, many of whom are graduates of the Central Coast Academy of Sport or who have come through the Academy’s Future Stars program.“We are so proud of these athletes who have dedicated so much of their lives to be the best they can possibly be in their selected sport,” Mr Hart said.Australia will be taking its largest overseas contingent of Commonwealth Games athletes ever to this month’s Birmingham Games.Competing athletes from the Central Coast include backstroke champion Brad Woodward who started swimming at Mingara Swim Club, did Nippers at Shelly Beach, worked as a Council Lifeguard at age 17, and is still a volunteer Surf Lifesaver with Shelly Beach Surf Club. Brad won both silver and gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and at Birmingham will be competing in the 100m and 200m backstroke events.Matthew Dawson from Killarney Vale, a member of the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, the Kookaburras, will be representing Australia again, having also competed at the 2018 Games.

The public exhibition period for the Draft Design Requirements for Terminal Protection Works at Wamberal Beach to address coastal erosion closes on 27 July 2022.

The recent severe weather event that hit the Central Coast this month, has seen the biggest flood on Tuggerah Lakes since 1949 and the biggest flood on the Hawkesbury River in the last 100 years.Council staff worked closely alongside the NSW State Emergency Service, coordinating activities from the Emergency Operations Centre at Charmhaven.  The Central Coast local government area is included in the NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration announced on Tuesday 5 July 2022, meaning people in our community who have been affected by this severe weather and flooding event can access a range of special assistance measures.Council and flood evacuation impacted residents are now well into recovery and clean-up efforts, and this is expected to take some time.  I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly during the weather event and the recovery.

Central Coast Council is pleased to remind residents of the two upcoming Chemical Cleanout events scheduled to take place this month on 6 and 7 August in Kincumber, and 13 and 13 August in Charmhaven.Important Note:

Central Coast Council has won the Sport NSW Local Council of the Year Community Sports Award, which recognises contributions to the community in sport and active recreation.The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of community coaches, officials, administrators, organisations and local councils of the past year.Central Coast Council was described as continuing to deliver innovative approaches to participation, access and inclusion and promotion of local sport and active recreation.Council’s Unit Manager, Open Space and Recreation, Brett Sherar said the Award is a recognition of the outstanding efforts of many individuals and teams across Council.“Our submission to the Awards highlighted the many ways we collaborate with local clubs, associations, and partners to not only promote our region's variety of sport and active recreation providers, but also connect our community with sports matching their own wants, needs, abilities and interests," Mr Sherar said.“Significantly, despite enduring the highest number of COVID lockdown days outside Greater Sydney, Council provided over 34,000 opportunities for our community to engage in sport and recreation through the delivery of programs, lessons, initiatives, social sports sessions and the hosting of over 700 events across community, elite and professional sports.“Council also provided opportunities for local sporting clubs or associations to receive support to implement adjustments to make their sport or active recreation programs more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, with five local associations receiving assistance to provide modified equipment or deliver accessible programs in our community."Mr Sherar added that Council’s investment into infrastructure and facilities which promote active lifestyles for all, including a combined $16m upgrade of 16 local sportsgrounds and facilities for netball, swimming, skating and amenities for all abilities, was also recognised.“Council is committed to supporting all community members to have access to open spaces and recreational activities and supporting healthy lifestyles here on the Central Coast," Mr Sherar said.ENDSCentral Coast Council's Community Sports Award Win, (L-R) Mick Dennis, Brett Sherar, Adam Kidd, Jodie Frost-Foster, David Norbury

Flood evacuation orders for all Central Coast areas have now been removed and all flooding is back below minor flood levels.

The severe weather event driven by a powerful east coast low which drenched the Central Coast this week has begun moving off the coast, easing rainfall and allowing impacted residents to turn their sights toward the recovery and clean-up effort. Council is leading the recovery efforts and working closely alongside Resilience NSW to support the community through this clean-up, while continuing its work alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and other emergency agencies to support those still isolated or evacuated.Despite rainfall easing, flooding remains current at multiple locations around Tuggerah Lakes and the Lower Hawkesbury River.