The Central Coast community continues to have their say on key local projects with nearly 4,000 people visiting Central Coast Council’s Your Voice Our Coast hub to help shape future Coastal Management Programs.Over three months, Council collected community feedback to understand how the Coast’s waterways are valued so this vital information can be used to help shape the future management of Tuggerah Lakes, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system including Brisbane Water, and our Open Coast and Coastal Lagoons.Council also collected community feedback for our northern and southern-most waterways including Lake Macquarie and will be sharing this with our neighbouring councils as we work together to ensure the values of these important areas are heard in those Plans as well.Feedback collected from over 1,100 survey responses, as well as focus group discussions found:94.5% of respondents stated that waterways are a significant reason that they live on the Coast.

By this stage ratepayers would have started receiving their ordinary rates notices.

Council works for an accessible and inclusive Central Coast Council will place the draft Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 on public exhibition for community feedback, following the successful delivery of its first four-year Action Plan.The past four years has seen Council:Establish the Access and Inclusion Reference Group made up of people with lived experience of disability who assist Council in the development and implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. Create universal inclusive design and planning guidelines that have been implemented into Council planning documents to ensure more playspaces, places and events are accessible.Develop the Pedestrian and Access Mobility / Bike Plan to guide footpath improvements.Install 86 bus stops that meet Disability Access Standards.Make available beach wheelchairs at 12 patrolled beaches for the community to reely use, and installed beach matting at Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Toowoon Bay.Host the ‘Including You’ sensory tent at key community events which provides free information, equipment (such as noise cancelling headphones) and a calm place for time out.Work with local businesses to help them become more accessible and therefore expand their customer base.Work with local sports and active recreation providers to help increase participation of people with disabilities in mainstream sport.Improve accessibility at its own facilities including installing hearing loops in admin buildings and The Erina Centre;

Central Coast Council is adding to further calls from NSW Health and Central Coast Health for all community members to strictly follow all Public Health Order requirements in place to control the spread of COVID-19 and to seek out a test for the virus if the mildest of symptoms are experienced.The plea follows the identification of nine cases of COVID-19 on the Coast (as at Friday 6 August) and detection of the virus at sewage treatment plants in Woy Woy, Charmhaven, Toukley, Burwood Beach, Belmont and Shortland.Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said the health advice is clear – only leave home for essential reasons when absolutely required and seek out a COVID-19 test at the onset of the mildest of symptoms.“It is extremely concerning for Council and our community to hear about cases of COVID-19 in our region and an increase in the detection of virus fragments in several of our sewerage systems,” Mr Farmer said.“NSW Health is the lead in this emergency and the advice provided by NSW Health and Central Coast Health has been regular and clear.

This week is recognised as national homelessness week.

Central Coast Council is encouraging community members to ‘adopt, not shop’ when making the commitment to bring a new companion animal into their home.This follows the NSW Government’s announcement of free lifetime pet registration for people who adopt a rescue pet from Council pounds, animal shelters and rehoming organisations.Council Unit Manager Environmental Compliance and Systems, Sara Foster said free registration for rescue pets will ensure more abandoned or surrendered cats and dogs find a forever home, reinforcing the benefits of animal adoption.“Thanks to the announcement from the NSW Government, community members who choose to adopt a rescue dog or cat from Council’s Animal Care Facilities are now entitled to free lifetime pet registration,” Ms Foster said.“Council works closely with our Animal Care Facilities at Charmhaven and Erina to ensure surrendered pets can find a suitable and safe new home.“With backyard breeding a huge issue on the Central Coast, we hope that this new initiative will make adoption an even more desirable pathway for those looking for a pet, so that we can reduce the number of people accessing unregistered breeders.“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this has on the animals in our care.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said pets are a much-loved part of the fabric of the Central Coast and this new registration fee exemption will make adoption an even more desirable choice for community members searching for a new companion animal.“If you’re looking for a new four-legged friend, I encourage you to contact Council’s Animal Welfare Facilities to find out more about the animals currently up for adoption,” Mr Hart said.“It’s important to remember that while owning a pet can be highly rewarding, it is also a big responsibility.

The constant news cycle about COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions placed on visiting our friends and family, and going about our day-to-day activities can lead to distress, anxiety and frustration.Whatever your concern, it’s important to acknowledge it and seek help if it is affecting your wellbeing.

With this year’s event attracting record crowds to the Central Coast’s hinterland region, Central Coast Council is looking for new event partners to join the Harvest Festival success story in 2022. Council Director Community and Recreation Services Julie Vaughan said expressions of interest are now open for local businesses, groups and organisations to become a 2022 Harvest Festival event hub partner. “A celebration of the Coast’s spectacular hinterland communities, Harvest Festival has become a much-loved fixture on the Central Coast event calendar and continues to grow from strength to strength,” Ms Vaughan said. “With this year’s festival drawing more than 48,000 locals and visitors to 29 event hubs over the June long weekend, the event provides a significant boost to our region’s economy as well as excellent exposure and patronage for participating event partners. “We’re keen to continue to evolve our relationship with existing partners and invite new businesses and groups to further enhance this celebration of farms, food, friends and fun!” The Harvest Festival event trail features a diverse range of experiences and activities across eight of the Coast’s hinterland communities - Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga. Expressions of Interest are sought across a range of offerings, including but not limited to:ticketed farm tours and talkspick your own produce experiencestours and talksIndigenous cultural experiences and bush tucker toursart events and installationslive music eventsfamily fun eventscooking demonstrationsfood experiences with local produceobstacle course races/fun runs.Council Administrator Rik Hart said Harvest Festival is brought to life by the unique experiences, tours and events offered by event partners. “After a very successful event in 2021, which injected close to $6 million into the local economy, Central Coast Council is looking forward to the return of the much-loved Harvest Festival in 2022,” Mr Hart said. “The event shines a spotlight on the Central Coast’s spectacular hinterland communities, as well as on the region’s fantastic local produce, venues and experiences.“Harvest Festival would not be possible without the contribution of local businesses, organisations and community groups and we look forward to seeing how we can continue to enhance this popular winter highlight.” Businesses, companies, organisations or community groups interested in being part of Harvest Festival in 2022 can complete an Expression of Interest by Monday 13 September 2021. Learn more and apply at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/EOI.  

Central Coast community members can now view Stages 1-4 of technical studies developed to inform decision-making around a long-term solution to manage coastal erosion at Wamberal Beach.The technical studies outline five seawall concept designs – ranging from revetment to vertical and promenade style structures – with concept design renders, cross-section drawings and footprint mapping developed for each option to assist with visualising the potential solutions.Central Coast Council Acting Director Environment and Planning, Luke Sulkowski said the local community is passionate about Wamberal Beach and Phase 2 consultation is an opportunity to provide initial feedback on the available options.“The current release of technical studies meets a key objective of Council’s certified Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) which includes an action to investigate long-term solutions for Wamberal Beach and seek community input into a preferred protection solution,” Mr Sulkowski said.“It is important to note that Council’s role through the CZMP is to outline a preferred protection solution but the delivery of any solution is a separate and currently unfunded process.“The Stage 5 and 6 studies, which are still under review, will include an updated Cost Benefit Analysis and will be available to the community around the end of August.“Final Seawall alignment, access points and terminal ends would need to be determined during the detailed design phase of the project.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said delivery of a long-term erosion solution at Wamberal Beach is currently not funded and proceeding with any solution would require a funding commitment from the NSW or Federal Government.“There are many technical, financial, social and environmental complexities that need to be worked through to develop a long-term solution to erosion at Wamberal Beach,” Mr Hart said."Technical studies and concept design renders are an important step forward in the exploration of a long-term solution but it needs to be clearly understood that delivery of any solution at Wamberal Beach is not yet funded.“We also need to consider that on top of the initial cost to develop a new asset of this scale there are significant ongoing maintenance and other costs.“For the best coastal erosion management solutions to be developed and delivered it is vital that all levels of government, residents and the broader community work together.“Following the release of all technical studies and a thorough community consultation process we will have a full understanding of the funding commitment that would need to be forthcoming from the NSW and/or Federal Government in order to deliver a long-term erosion solution at Wamberal Beach.”The technical studies now available to the community represent a $498,996 investment and were 50/50 funded by Council and the NSW Government through the NSW Coastal and Estuaries Grants Program, inclusive of an additional $36,380 from the NSW Government for the renders and additional engagement.As well as being a key objective of Council’s CZMP, the technical studies are an important milestone for the Wamberal Seawall Advisory Taskforce which was established by the NSW Government in July 2020 to provide Council with support to develop a sustainable long-term solution to coastal erosion issues at Wamberal Beach.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is a member of the Taskforce and said the Taskforce’s role is to break down bureaucratic barriers and provide technical expertise to Council.“The Taskforce is chaired by coastal expert Dr Phil Watson and so far has provided advice to Council on a range of Crown Lands, resource supply, legal and engineering issues,” Mr Crouch said.“We must protect the beach itself as well as the hundreds of millions of dollars of public and private assets behind it.“I want to ensure that the best possible long-term solution is developed as a product of community input, and that is why the NSW Government has provided an additional $36,380 to cover the cost of this community consultation.”Community members can provide feedback on the technical studies (Stages 1-4) during a consultation period that runs from Thursday 29 July 2021 to Friday 10 September 2021 by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com

Central Coast Council has commissioned an independent review of the model governing its water and sewer operations.Council CEO, David Farmer said the review was Council undertaking due diligence in the ordinary course of its business to explore if there were opportunities to produce better value and return on investment for the Central Coast community.“Central Coast Council is unique in New South Wales in being the only Council owned water authority alongside the State owned Sydney Water and Hunter Water.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s recent announcement that Mr Garry Fielding will head the Regional Housing Taskforce.The newly formed Taskforce will seek to combat housing supply shortage across regional New South Wales, delivering recommendations to stimulate housing supply, address housing needs and promote the delivery of affordable housing.Council Director Environment and Planning Scott Cox said Council looks forward to working with Mr Fielding and the Regional Housing Taskforce to address short and long-term housing needs on the Central Coast.“Housing supply and housing affordability are both critical issues on the Central Coast and we look forward to working with Mr Fielding and his team to gain better insight into the issues facing our region and what steps we can take to address them,” Mr Cox said.“This Taskforce will complement the work Council is currently undertaking to develop its Housing Strategy, which will examine housing demand and supply on the Coast and the amount, type and location of new housing, as well as identifying barriers to delivery and recommended actions to overcome them.“Council will take into consideration any recommendations put forward by the Taskforce in the development of its Housing Strategy and plans to exhibit a discussion paper on the Strategy in the coming months.“This also coincides with Council’s work as part of its Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy 2020, which seeks to provide effective policy solutions to address the growing need for affordable and alternative housing within the Central Coast LGA.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Taskforce is welcomed at a time where the Central Coast is experiencing significant growth, with high demand for housing supply.“Council’s Housing Strategy will be a key element of our Council-wide strategic planning framework and we look forward to working alongside the Regional Housing Taskforce to develop a plan which meets the unique demands of our region,” Mr Hart said.“Council is already achieving great outcomes through its Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy and we look forward to working with the Taskforce to achieve our vision for a fair and inclusive region, where everyone has access to affordable and sustainable housing.”The NSW Regional Housing Taskforce will seek to undertake engagement with local government, industry and the community to assist in formulating responses and recommendations relating to housing supply in regional NSW.Written submissions can be made up until 27 August 2021 via the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Planning Portal:

Constitutional Referendum postponed A Constitutional Referendum to determine the future number of Central Coast Councillors that was scheduled to be held on 4 September 2021 has been postponed to a future date to be determined.The Minister for Local Government has published an order in the Gazette under section 318C of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) postponing all council elections to 4 December 2021. The decision to postpone all council elections has been made in response to the escalating outbreak of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus in Greater Sydney and the potential for further outbreaks in regional areas. Based on this advice, these risks have been considered and the Central Coast Council constitutional referendum will be postponed to a future date.

Whilst the Central Coast has been further impacted by additional restrictions, I would like to reassure the community that Council’s essential services will continue in line with the latest COVID-19 restrictions recently put in place.    I’d like to make the community aware that council continues to undertake work to maintain public facilities and provide essential services including water and sewer services, waste collection, road repairs and childcare services.

Families across the Coast now have access to even more exciting playspaces with Central Coast Council recently completing construction on playspace projects at Budgewoi, Umina Beach, Woy Woy, Copacabana, Gwandalan and San Remo.Over recent months Council has completed improvement works on popular playspaces at Susan Fahey Park, Copacabana and John Pete Howard Reserve, San Remo and has also opened Australia Avenue Local Playspace at Umina Beach, Halekulani Oval Playspace at Budgewoi, South Eastern Park at Gwandalan, Vernon Park at Umina Beach and Anderson Park Playspace at Woy Woy.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said these new spaces have been guided by community feedback as part of Council’s recently adopted Central Coast Playspace Strategy.“Council operates and maintains over 260 playspaces across the Central Coast and we are thrilled to announce that a number of new playspaces are now open for the community to enjoy,” Ms Vaughan said.“This includes an innovative new district size playspace at Susan Fahey Park in Copacabana, which has been jointly funded by Central Coast Council with grant funding from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program.“The playspace has been upgraded with a range of exciting features including an outdoor ping pong table and chess table, adult fitness equipment, accessible BBQs and a picnic shelter, as well as an inclusive play unit.“All of these new areas are safe, inclusive and accessible for the whole community to enjoy.

In response to feedback from the community, Central Coast Council is trialling the introduction of a dedicated small dog off-leash area at Tuggerah Dog Park. Signage has now been erected to identify an off-leash zone for small dogs weighing 10kg or less only, giving smaller breeds and puppies the opportunity to socialise in a separate off-leash area away from bigger dogs at the discretion of the owner.Council Unit Manager Environmental Compliance and Systems Sara Foster said the aim of the trial is to improve dog safety and dog owner responsibility, reducing dog incidents within the off-leash area. “The Central Coast community is made up of a high proportion of dog owners, many of whom love to enjoy our off-leash parks, reserves and beautiful beaches with their dogs,” Ms Foster said.“We’ve received feedback that owners of smaller dog breeds and puppies could benefit from a dedicated area where they can safely enjoy taking their companion off-leash – a model which has worked successfully at other neighbouring councils. “We look forward to seeing how both dog owners and their four-legged companions respond to the trial and if successful, will aim to make it a permanent fixture at Tuggerah Dog Park.“As always, we ask that any dog owners entering our dog parks and off-leash areas ensure they have effective control over their dogs, pick up after them and have checked they are up to date with vaccinations.

The extended COVID-19 lockdown currently in place for the Central Coast is the perfect time to take advantage of the latest round of Love Local online guides. The Love Local guides feature an extensive range of Central Coast businesses to make it easier for community members to buy local and support exceptional operators in our region during this challenging time. Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said the Love Local guides are featured on the Love Central Coast website and have continued to grow since their launch in 2020. “Our Love Local online guides highlight the quality, creativity and breadth of businesses that call the Coast home,” Ms Cowley said. “Shopping locally delivers a substantial boost to our local economy and during difficult times such as the current required lockdown this is more important than ever. “Love Local makes it so easy to connect with local providers and once you’ve made the switch to buy locally you won’t look back.” Three new Love Local guides are featured on lovecentralcoast.com:•    Shopping – boutiques, bespoke retailers and local makers and creators who offer home delivery•    Produce – local producers that offer home delivery•    Food and drink – restaurants and cafes that offer takeaway and home deliveryCouncil Administrator, Rik Hart said the development and promotion of the guides were an important channel for Council to provide support to local businesses impacted by measures to control COVID-19. “Stay at home orders can make it extremely difficult for small businesses to continue to operate and it is vital that local communities rally to support local operators,” Mr Hart said. “So many exceptional local businesses on the Coast have created ways for us to continue to access their services online and through takeaway and home delivery – so I’d encourage everyone to explore and use the local operators featured in our Love Local online guides.” Local consumer facing businesses can sign up for a free listing on the Love Central Coast website and benefit from free promotion to Central Coast locals and visitors to the region. Community members can explore the diverse range of local businesses and the ways they have shifted to safely provide their goods and services online or through takeaway or home delivery at lovecentralcoast.com/lovelocal 

Council will consider the community consultation findings and the next stage of its Asset Sales Program (Tranche 3) at the Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 27 July.Community consultation on the proposed properties for sale ran from 30 April to 28 May attracting 1,333 submissions and 611 direct emails and letters from the public.Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said the consultation was invaluable in helping to understand in a short timeframe localised issues, stakeholder interests and likely impacts should some parcels of land proceed to sale.“Thank you to everyone who has submitted feedback and contributed to this discussion.

The Central Coast’s journey to becoming a certified ECO Destination is progressing in leaps and bounds with an additional 10 local nature-based businesses receiving funding to pursue certification. Achieving ECO Destination Certification will see the Central Coast recognised as a world-class location for sustainable and nature-based tourism, which will provide a substantial and ongoing boost to the local economy. Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said it was exciting to see so many local operators welcomed into the program. “We are working with Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia to achieve ECO Destination Certification by World Environment Day in June 2022,” Ms Cowley said. “As an important part of this journey, nature-based tourism businesses on the Coast were recently invited to submit an EOI seeking support to pursue formal recognition as an ecotourism provider, joining our region’s wider certification journey. “Through a fully-funded partnership with Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia, these businesses will receive mentoring throughout their certification journey, as well as a $500 funding incentive to assist with the first year of the process.” The Central Coast has the largest regional cohort of certified or seeking certification businesses, with the following 10 operators now welcomed into the program: •    Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park – Calga•    Bombora Ettalong Beach SUP – Ettalong Beach•    Canton Beach Paddleshack – Canton Beach•    Elixir Journeys – Bouddi National Park•    Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures – Glenworth Valley•    Grace Springs Farm – Kulnura•    Iris Lodge Alpacas – Jilliby•    Jake Cassar Bushcraft – Brisbane Water National Park•    Rocky Trail Entertainment – Lake Munmorah•    Terrigal Ocean Tours – Terrigal & Broken BayIf successful in achieving certification, new program members will join the Central Coast’s existing cohort of ECO certified operators – AquaFun Avoca Lake, Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Noonaweena in the hinterland, and TreeTops Adventure Park in Ourimbah State Forest.Chief Executive at Ecotourism Australia, Rod Hillman said the Central Coast is an outstanding candidate to become a certified ECO Destination.“The Central Coast has well managed and extensive protected areas, a strong environmental ethic within the community and Council, and high quality existing ecotourism experiences,” Mr Hillman said.“Ecotourism Australia visited the Central Coast in May to launch the region’s journey to become a certified ECO Destination with regional stakeholders and announce an incentive program to create and build new ecotourism products in the region. “Working closely with Central Coast Council, regional stakeholders and the local tourism industry, the program is designed to build on the Central Coast’s reputation as a premium location for high quality ecotourism experiences and accommodation.“The incentive program has encouraged 10 existing tourism businesses in the region to build on their sustainability credentials and practices by starting their application to be ECO Certified.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the support of Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia will ensure the region fulfills its potential as an eco-destination of choice.“The Central Coast has an abundance of world-class, nature-based tourist attractions and this sees us well-placed to attract an increasing number of visitors seeking sustainable travel experiences,” Mr Hart said.“Tourism is an important pillar of the Central Coast economy and ecotourism will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the region is front of mind for a broad mix of visitors.”The ECO Destination Certification program is fully funded by WWF-Australia as part of their Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.Businesses in the certification program are supported with online tools, resources and bootcamps delivered by Ecotourism Australia to help their business become more sustainable. For more information visit the dedicated ecotourism hub – lovecentralcoast.com/ecotourismECO Destination Certification will play an important role in helping the Coast’s tourism sector to recover following necessary COVID restrictions. The current lockdown period makes it more important than ever to support all local businesses and to make this easier Council has recently launched three new ‘Love Local’ guides – lovecentralcoast.com/lovelocal 

Central Coast Council’s work to protect the Little Tern has seen record numbers of the endangered coastal bird at Karagi Point North Entrance, officially marking the site as crucial for the species’ ongoing conservation.Council Environmental Education Officer, Nick Carson said the Karagi Point breeding colony was considered the most important nesting site in NSW for the 2020/21 breeding season.“In December last year we knew we were on track for a record baby boom of the feathered kind, but even then our estimated numbers were still shy of the final results,” Mr Carson said.“With an estimated 72 breeding pairs, 97 nests, 236 eggs (approximately 2.4 eggs per nest) and 152 chicks being observed, these figures were greater than what was observed at any other site in NSW for the 2020-21 breeding season.“An average of 0.71 chicks successfully fledged per breeding pair, and with only 350 chicks believed to have successfully fledged throughout the same period in NSW, this means that one seventh of the population can be attributed to Karagi Point alone.“This was clearly the most successful breeding season seen at Karagi Point in over 20 years of monitoring.

Central Coast Chemical CleanOut events scheduled for the coming weekends have been postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions currently in place for the region. The two events were to be held at Event Park, Kariong on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July and at Council’s Charmhaven Depot on Saturday 31 July and Sunday 1 August. Council will continue to work with the NSW Environment Protection Authority to reschedule the events and the community will be advised once new dates are confirmed. For residents who need to properly dispose of the problem wastes of paints, oils, gas bottles, fluoro lights, smoke detectors and batteries, Council’s new Community Recycling Centre is open 7 days a week and accepts household quantities of these wastes for free.