Central Coast Council will reopen face-to-face customer service at Wyong and Gosford locations from 1 December and The Entrance Visitor Information Centre from 2 December.

Central Coast Council will carry out further maintenance work on the southern end of Central Coast Airport.

As we approach the festive season and bid farewell to a difficult year spent in extended lockdowns, the Central Coast will come alive with a series of Christmas offerings, designed to bring cheer to the local community this December.Town Centres across the Coast will be teeming with festive spirit, with the return of favourite Christmas Tree and Wreath installations, accompanied by activations such as Photobooths and Roving Performances.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said there will be Christmas activities and decorations at The Entrance, Gosford, Terrigal, Toukley, Wyong and Woy Woy Town Centres.“We are excited to bring back festive events across the Coast, after what has been a difficult year for locals,” Ms Vaughan said.“Many of us have been apart from family and friends due to extensive lockdowns, making the return of Christmas events more important than ever.

Central Coast Council has today announced interim leadership team changes.“As we move into the consolidation period of Council’s Financial Recovery Plan, a decision has been made to refresh the executive leadership team of the organisation” said Council’s CEO Mr David Farmer.Mr Scott Cox, Director Environment and Planning and Julie Vaughan, Director Community and Recreation Services are leaving the organisation effective close of business on Friday 26th November 2021.Two interim positions have been appointed for an approximate three-month period whilst Council undertakes a recruitment process.

Released online this week is the ability for members of the community to have their say about maintaining current service levels and rates through an online survey on Yourvoiceourcoast.comCouncil delivers a range of services for our community including patrolling beaches;

Council has resolved to place the Central Coast Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2022-2025 on public exhibition following the successful delivery of over 85% of the actions from the 2018-21 plan.Key deliverables include achieving a record breaking one billion in tourism expenditure in 2019, surpassing the target to achieve $921M by 2021, and completing feasibility studies for kayaking and canoeing, the RV market and Eco and Rural tourism opportunities which are informing the new DMP 2022-2025.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said the new DMP aims to create a thriving, connected and supported industry with compelling visitor experiences from headland to hinterland.“The DMP has been developed over a four-month period in collaboration with Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, industry groups and local businesses.“Strategic focuses include generating sustainable visitation patterns by increasing visitor dispersal and growing off-peak visitation, growing visitor yield, continuing to promote a cohesive and recognised brand, creating high quality amenity for residents and visitors, and empowering a unified, connected and supported tourism industry.“Key projects include creating coast to country touring itineraries, developing shared pathways including Point Clare to Gosford Railway and the continuation of the Magenta Shared Path, achieving recognition as a World Surfing Reserve, developing a business events marketing and attraction action plan, undertaking a detailed accommodation opportunities and investment study with supporting investment prospectus, and improving visitor services including implementing a wayfinding signage strategy, delivering visitor guides and regional maps, and reinvesting in The Entrance Visitor Information Centre.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said timing could not be better for the renewal of the Central Coast Destination Management Plan.“2021 has been a challenging year for the Central Coast tourism industry, who are still under pressure from the impacts on visitation and visitor expenditure from the 2019-20 bushfires, floods and ongoing uncertainty and lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Hart said.“Updating the region’s strategic priorities such as increasing visitor yield, encouraging visitation dispersal and enabling tourism product development sets a clear roadmap for recovery with a commitment from Council to support the sustainable growth of this important economic and employment sector for the region.“It is important to note that not all of the actions within the draft DMP are the responsibility of Council to carry out.

Quarterly review shows Council progressing steadily on actions for 2021-22Council adopted the Quarter 1 Business Report for 2021-2022 including proposed budget amendments.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council actions were progressing steadily against the organisation’s operational plan activities and financial performance for the first quarter period of 2021-22. “The results reflect Council’s focus on tight budget management controls;

Central Coast residents are reminded that there is no local government election on 4 December 2021.

Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism team have been named a finalist in the Local Government Award for Tourism category in the NSW Tourism Awards 2021.The Destination Central Coast team have been recognised for their work in supporting local industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, for their tourism management and visitor promotion strategies, and for their creation of a new Destination Brand which heroes’ locals and local products.Local operators Australian Reptile Park, Ibis Styles The Entrance and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours at Mooney Mooney were also named finalists in the Awards along with Central Coast local Amanda Woodbine who is in the running for the Young Achiever Award.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said this was a fantastic achievement for local industry and Council’s dedicated Marketing and Tourism team.“Our region is fast becoming ‘the’ destination to visit with quality tourism products and experiences, and a strong Council team promoting our region, supporting industry opportunities and growing the visitor economy,” Mrs Cowley said.“To be named a finalist is an honour.

Council is inviting ratepayers and residents to have their say about maintaining current service levels and rates in an online survey opening today.Council Administrator Rik Hart said Council had done everything it can behind the scenes to help Council’s financial situation and now it was up to the community.“Our financial recovery is on track, but we cannot become complacent about maintaining our long term stable financial position” Mr Hart said.“I am proposing to make an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to maintain the current level of rates for a further seven years, consistent with what we asked for earlier this year.

Central Coast Council is inviting aspiring youth leaders to become members of the ‘Youth for Youth’ (or Y4Y) action team and make a difference to the lives of young people across the Coast.Applications are now open for membership in the 2022 team – a group of 12 young people, aged 14-24, who will make youth-led initiatives and ideas happen in our community.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the program engages young people, empowering them to take action, be advocates for their peers and provide advice on Council initiatives from a young person’s perspective.“Council is committed to working with young people across the Central Coast to ensure they feel respected, included and valued as part of our community,” Ms Vaughan said.“Y4Y represents a fantastic opportunity for young people to have their voice heard and make a difference.

Central Coast Council is once again working with the NSW Police Force, the Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Waters Liquor Accords, Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee and high-profile authors to start important conversations about domestic abuse.The Central Coast has the second-highest number of domestic violence assaults in NSW* and the impact of COVID-19 has made seeking help more difficult.

Last week I commenced open office sessions with members of the community to further gauge community sentiment on maintaining the current level of rates for a further seven years, consistent with what we asked for earlier this year.

Central Coast Council is taking its Green Caffeen partnership to the next level, expanding its offering to allow an additional 50 local cafés to join the free eco-minded program.The new partnership with Destination Central Coast will connect more local cafés, restaurants and takeaway venues, to the national Green Caffeen reusable cup network, which consists of more than 700 cafés and is operational in all states and territories across Australia.

November is a bumper month for community and sustainability on the Coast, with Central Coast Council celebrating National Recycling Week until 14 November and taking part in Garage Sale Trail across two weekends, 13-14 and 20-21 November.In addition to participating in Garage Sale Trail for the 7th year in a row, Council is celebrating National Recycling Week by partnering with waste provider Cleanaway to create a new e-learning platform featuring fun, interactive quizzes for all ages, and running a series of webinars.Council’s Unit Manager Waste and Resource Recovery, Andrew Pearce said community participation in November’s range of waste-related events is all part of Council’s commitment to reducing landfill and supporting residents to reduce waste at home.“Our communities’ enthusiasm for reducing waste over the past few years has been so encouraging – last year’s Garage Sale Trail resulted in thousands of kilograms of household items being reused locally, much of which was destined for landfill,” Mr Pearce said.“Marking occasions like National Recycling Week with our webinars and the brand-new educational tools we’ve developed in partnership with Cleanaway and getting involved in events like Garage Sale Trail are great ways to join the incredible community ‘reuse and recycle’ movement.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said these initiatives offer a fun way for households, schools and community groups to get involved in waste education and the reuse economy.“Learning about waste through our new resources with your family, school class or community group;

This morning I released my submission-in-reply to the Commissioner leading the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council, following the conclusion of the public hearings.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Rik Hart has today released his submission-in-reply provided to the Commissioner leading the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council, following the conclusion of the public hearings.Mr Hart said his submission-in-reply outlines eight recommendations for the Commissioner’s consideration.

Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program 2021-22Council has approved the recommendation to allocate $287,137.56 for the Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program with 29 successful applications.The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program is designed to support the community to deliver community events and activities that activate spaces and places to complement activity around town centres, foreshores, lakes and open spaces for families, community and visitors.The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program for 2021-22 has a total budget of $300,000 and is funded through existing and approved Operational Plan budgets.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said COVID impacted everyone’s ability to host community events and this funding is perfectly timed as we move out of restrictions and re-connect as a community.“I’m pleased this funding will support these organisations to deliver a range of exciting, meaningful and fun events and programs for the local community and to activate our region”There are 29 Community Events and Place Activation applications which have been endorsed for funding under the program:5 Lands Walk is the annual 10km walkWoytopia Festival 2022The 2nd Annual Coastal Twist LGBTQIA Arts & Culture FestivalDavistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat FestivalYouth Sail NSW combined sailing regatta event and coaching clinicThe 49th Wyong District Garden Competition2022 Central Coast Pro QS3000 is one of the four key events that comprise the NSW Pro Surf SeriesLove Your Earth FestivalSpencer Place Activation is a one-day heritage festival in Spencer showcasing the historical significance of the village, river and its shorelines through storytelling, excursions, river tours, exhibition and celebration feastThe 6th Girrakool Blues Festival held from 13–15 May 2022Long Jetty FestivalWalk from Kincumber to Davistown along the Shipbuilders Memorial Path with historical displays en-routeTwilight Markets at Terrigal2022 Bay to Bay Running FestivalActivate Mooney Mooney ecotourism is a free event that showcases the local oyster industry on the Hawkesbury RiverOcean Beach Surf Life Saving Club celebrating 100 yearsAvenue Q is an immersive theatre show that brings together performers of diverse backgrounds to work collaboratively to create performances that highlight social issuesNSW Rugby Union Under 10 and 11 State Gala CompetitionThe Ella 7’s is a Rugby competition event delivered in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, NSWRU and Rugby AustraliaEmployment NOW 2022 is a Youth Education and Careers ExpoCentral Coast Soccer Cup is a soccer tournament for boys and girls of all ages to be held at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex over 3 daysCentury Charity Cycle Ride is a community Cycle Event including 18km,50km & 100km options for cyclists.

Central Coast Council, the National Desexing Network and participating vet clinics have joined forces to offer residents in need a subsidised desexing program to help prevent unwanted cats and dogs.Central Coast residents on pensions or low income or with too many cats or dogs to afford to desex will pay just $50 to desex their cat, or $60 for a small dog, $70 for a medium dog, $80 for a large dog and $100 for an extra large dog.The program is managed by the National Desexing Network.

Our financial recovery in on track and we want to ensure if a new Council is elected in 2022, they are in the best position to make decisions for the whole community.