With the return of elected councillors in September 2024, Central Coast Council continues to track well financially, and also in the progress and delivery of budgeted capital works – ensuring the business is in a strong position for the new Council.After paying down one of the emergency loans in December 2023, Council has now commenced setting aside funds, $1.4M each month, to enable the final pay down of the remaining emergency loan in November 2025. Council CEO David Farmer said the extinguishment of these emergency loans is a great achievement and that moving forward it will mean more funds to allocate towards community services and projects.“It has not only been the money that has had to be put aside every month towards paying down these loans, but also the interest that has had to be paid on the loans, which has been a burden on Council for the last several years.”Other points in the Q2 Business Report review presented at the February Council meeting, include a projected increase in budgeted operating income of $5.9M, and an operational expenditure projected to increase by $3.2M.Mr Farmer said based on these proposed budget changes, Council projects a modest operating surplus for the year ending 30 June 2024. He added the projected capital income from developer contributions is being reduced, whilst projected income from grants has been increased by $8.7M to align with approved funding agreements.An increase in capital expenditure of $38.3M has been included mainly relating to the receipt of unbudgeted grants.“Overall, the Q2 Report is very good, and we are getting on with delivering projects and services in a very timely and financially prudent manner.“This was evidenced in January in our Capital Works quarterly update, that Council is tracking at 100% to budget.“Current major projects include the new Gosford Regional Library, the Mardi Dam Water Treatment major upgrade and the Hue Hue Road pavement upgrade.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said he is very pleased with the results reported in the Q2 Review and said the community should have confidence in how things are tracking."The fact that we are on track to achieve another modest surplus and our capital works program is also on track, I think means the community can be confident in how Council is functioning."For all information on the progress of Council’s capital works projects visit: https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/about-council/current-works-and-projects/capital-works-program

Central Coast Council is inviting residents to clear out unwanted hazardous chemicals from around the home and safely dispose of them for free at the local Chemical CleanOut events this March.Community members can safely drop off unused, out-of-date or unwanted household chemicals for free over the first two weekends of March: Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March (9am-3.30pm), Kincumber – former Kincumber Waste Management Facility on Cullens Road.

In a continuation of Central Coast Council’s commitment to the community to be accountable and transparent in its progress to improve water and sewer services, Council has delivered an update on the Water and Sewer Delivery Plan 2022-2026.The bi-annual report highlights the key achievements across July to December 2023 under three focus areas:

Council has announced ten new Y4Y (Youth for Youth) Action Team members, to represent young people on the coast.To ensure the continued and meaningful engagement of young people in the region, Council is excited to introduce the 2024 Y4Y Action Team.Y4Y Youth Action members are:Anannya Bandaru, Isabelle Ince, Janine Southwell, Jasper Blakely, Lilia Olaru-Mohr, Lily Arendse, Maddison Elwine-Wilson, Malcolm Barlett, Simran Nathani and Travis Pankhurst.Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said the Y4Y Action Team aims to meaningfully engage young people on the Central Coast, drawing on their own skills, experience and networks and helping to further develop them.“Through their position as representatives of Y4Y Action Team, members contribute to a community program, the development of a legacy item for young people and a community campaign based on a theme of the Central Coast Youth Strategy,” Ms Smith said.“With members aged 14 to 24 years, the Y4Y Action Team has doubled this year due to an increase in applications during recruitment.

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to complete a short survey to help inform the development of a new 10-year Public Art Plan. The survey is the first step in a community engagement program that will be rolled out in March and April, talking with local community, groups, artists and creatives, industry professionals and businesses. This is an opportunity to shape the approach to public art which will place the community, and its creative practitioners at the heart of the plan.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said public art plays an important role in our community.“This survey is the first step in engaging with the community, understanding their values and seeking feedback on what should be included in a Public Art Plan.

Central Coast Council is calling for artists to present and develop new performance work in Council’s ‘Performance Illuminated’ pilot program.

Central Coast Council is taking the next steps in the reclassification of 10 Council owned  properties  from community land to operational land.The sites to be reclassified were reviewed by Council in 2023 and the choice of 

The 2024 Central Coast Seniors Festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever!

If you’re a young aspiring photographer with a keen eye and love for the world around you, then Central Coast Council would love to see what you’ve got.Entries for the second ‘Your World Your Way’ youth photography competition are now open until Thursday 29 February 2024.This free-to-enter photography competition is open to young people aged 12-24 years, with judges especially looking for photographic content that includes local locations and young people.Exciting prizes include:Winner:

Central Coast Council, Central Coast Primary Health Network and the national men’s mental health and suicide prevention charity, The Men’s Table, is launching its 180th table in Doyalson in the north of the Coast.

Ten locations across the Central Coast are receiving a playspace renewal, making way for improved and accessible playspaces for locals and visitors.The ten locations will see $1.1 million of upgrades that have commenced February and are estimated to be complete by April 2024.

With the end of the busy summer holiday period, and the departure of migratory Little Terns from the Karangi sand spit, Central Coast Council will commence the next stage of works this month at The Entrance channel to ensure it is in an appropriate ‘flood ready’ state, by establishing a pilot channel.Council currently monitors the channel condition in real time (via remote cameras, satellite imagery and gauges, that monitor tidal range within the estuary) and forecasts catchment inflows and lake heights.

Canton Beach sandstone log restoration works and upgrades will commence Thursday 15 February to restore and enhance the usability of the beach, improve safety, and help prevent erosion.Central Coast Council has received $256,000 from the Australian and NSW Governments as part of the Local Government Recovery Grants Program, under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to help restore areas affected by storm and flood events in 2022.Council Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said that Council is pleased to be able to restore and upgrade the Canton Beach sandstone log wall.“After an east coast low event in March 2022 Tuggerah lakes saw levels rise above the top of the existing wall which caused erosion and pushed the sandstone logs to rotate seaward,” Dr Howe said.“Thanks to the funding from the Australian and NSW Government we will be able to reinstate and increase the height of the sandstone log wall and improve drainage behind the wall to help it withstand future weather events.”The full list of works include:Increasing the height of the wall and placing a stepped finish to help prevent erosions and subsidence, and support access to the beach.New drainage works to be installed behind the wall.Sand nourishment works – additional sand will be placed along the beach to help mitigate erosion.Supply and install turf as required along the back of the sandstone wall.“Construction is anticipated to take eight weeks with minimal impacts to the community.

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released its latest water utility customer satisfaction quarterly survey results about Council’s Water and Sewer services.

Central Coast Council’s annual ‘Dogs Day Out’ event is back on Saturday 24 February, offering an exciting day out for not only dogs and their owners, but the whole community.Now in its third year, this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever, with over 30 local businesses hosting stalls, training programs and demonstrations. Event highlights include: •  

Central Coast Council placed a Draft Central Coast Local Approvals Policy and Draft Central Coast Outdoor Trading Specification on public exhibition late last year and is reminding of the opportunity to provide feedback by 22 February 2024. In addition to online submissions via yourvoiceourcoast.com, Council is running information sessions for local businesses on the proposed Outdoor Trading Specification. In-person:

Wyong’s beloved Love Lanes Festival is back for its seventh year on Saturday 10 February.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is turning to ‘man’s best friend’ to look for solutions to help solve leaking issues in the water and sewer network.Council’s Water and Sewer team met with Sydney Water Lead Detection Dog Team to understand how sniffer dogs detect leaks, as part of Council’s proactive leak detection program.The teams recently joined two energetic Springer Spaniels, Joey and Hydro and one Cocker Spaniel named Winnie as they ’sniffed out leaks’ over 25km of water mains and 10km of sewer rising mains across the Central Coast.Over five days, during wet and dry conditions the dogs demonstrated expertise in detecting leaks undetectable to the human senses.

Central Coast Council is inviting businesses, community groups and event organisers to propose an event or activity to be a part of the annual 10-day Lakes Festival program celebrating the Coast’s diverse waterways. The Lakes Festival, scheduled to run from 8-17 November 2024, is an annual reminder of the variety of waterways available on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council has officially opened the new Community Hall and playground at Norah Head, with a celebration event attended by members of the community. The $1.7 million project has been completed after Central Coast Council received $935,000 from the NSW Government, with Council funding the remaining contribution of $765,000 from planned capital expenditure. Council Director for Community and Recreational Services, Melanie Smith said the opening of the new hall and playground is a fantastic outcome, and one to celebrate, with the event being attended by residents and community groups. “Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which has resulted in a fabulous modern facility, transforming what was previously in place,” Ms Smith said. Key features of the new facility include a multi-functional hall, kitchen, storage, accessible family friendly amenities, a children’s playspace and picnic area.