The weekend saw the last NRL game hosted at Central Coast Stadium of our adopted home team the New Zealand Warriors.

With the HSC just around the corner, Council is reminding local students and their families to take advantage of the many free online study resources available via its Library Service, including the online homework tool Studiosity.Available to students in Years 3-12 through to tertiary level, Studiosity connects students to vetted subject specialists, who can provide real-time feedback and support via a live chat function at any hour of the day.Council Section Manager Library Strategy and Connection, Benjamin Hartley said that the platform is an excellent resource for students looking for additional help and guidance as they prep for exams and complete assignments or homework.“With thousands of students across the Coast preparing for the HSC right now, it’s the perfect time for us to remind our local students of the free online support available to them through our Library Service,” said Mr Hartley.“Platforms like Studiosity can give students a much-needed leg up when preparing for exam season, particularly when looking for additional support and advice outside of the classroom.“Knowing that there is a subject expert available to review draft essays, provide guidance and share feedback 24/7 will help to reduce the stress and worry that students often feel when studying alone.“As added support, students can also access a range of reliable sites on topics including Modern History, Ancient History, Literature, Science, Geography and Culture and Religion via Council’s free eResources section.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that providing the community with free access to these online resources helps to level the playing field for all students.“The way students access information and support is constantly evolving and we are thrilled to offer a range of resources and platforms to benefit students of all ages and their families,” said Mayor Matthews.“One of Council’s key priorities is to cultivate a love of learning and knowledge in our community and we are proud to be contributing to this with these important initiatives.”Community members can access Studiosity using their library membership number at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/Studiosity and check out a range of free study eResources at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/eresources.Not a library member?

The Coast’s beloved ChromeFest may not be going ahead in its usual format this year but Central Coast Council has found a way to keep the engine humming in 2020.ChromeFest Overdrive TV will bring the head-turning beauty of classic American cars and some classic 1950s rock 'n' roll fun into the homes of locals and the many visitors who travel to the Coast for the event each year.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said the event will feature many interactive moments.“ChromeFest is a Central Coast institution and whilst we’ve switched gears in 2020, ChromeFest Overdrive TV will offer a lot of fun for everyone,” Mr Cannard said.“2020 has not been a great year for events and initiatives, so this will help keep the fun alive.“There’s something for everyone – vote for your favourite show cars across 18 different categories, dance to your favourite bands, and even pick up hair and makeup tricks through an online tutorial workshop.“We’ve even partnered with some local restaurants and cafés to offer ‘ChromeFeast’ meals – so be sure to pick up some sumptuous takeaway options to enjoy while watching the event from the comfort of your own homes."Mayor Lisa Matthews said the challenges of 2020 had inspired creative thinking in the events space.“We may not be lining the streets of The Entrance to watch the chrome of classic cars roll into town but we will be able to enjoy some ChromeFest fun at home,” Mayor Matthews said.“The restrictions required to manage COVID-19 have been challenging on all of us and initiatives like ChromeFest Overdrive TV are a great way to keep the fun alive and our community engaged.”‘ChromeFest Overdrive TV’ highlights include:Online Show N’ Shine in partnership with Californian Crusin’ Car Club, for the public to vote for their favourite ChromeFest car across 18 categoriesViva La Vintage hair and makeup tutorial workshopMiss ChromeFest Pinup competitionThe Sydney Swing Katz tearing up the dance floor dance displaysChromeFest 2020 bands live streamedChromeFeast – a selection of hospitality businesses from across the coast will have meal packages to be enjoyed whilst streaming the fun.‘ChromeFest Overdrive TV’ will be featured on the ChromeFest Facebook page on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2020.

Last week I hosted a Summertime 2020/21 Tourism & COVID-19 Safety Roundtable to discuss tourism opportunities to boost our local economy and operating in a COVID safe way. I was joined virtually by representatives from the Central Coast Local Health District, Destination Sydney Surrounds, Business NSW, NSW Police – Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command, Clubs NSW State Councillor Central Coast and Central Coast Council staff. Discussed were ways we can collectively support local businesses during the holiday period, manage crowds, pop up COVID testing clinics, beach patrols and promoting our region.With state borders currently closed it is anticipated there will be an influx of visitors coming to the coast and we want to ensure we are providing visitors opportunities and prepared in the current climate of COVID-19.There are currently 2,191 Central Coast businesses that are COVID-safe registered.Data from the Australian Hotels Association indicates for the Central Coast all weekend accommodation in the lead up to Christmas, as well as all accommodation over the Christmas period, is currently very near capacity.We welcome visitors to our region however be sure to share the love across the whole coast rather than the popular tourist locations.

As part of Central Coast Council continued effort to deliver consistent policies for the whole region, five consolidated draft policies that relate to open space leasing, tree vandalism, keeping of animals and smoke-free outdoor areas are now on public exhibition for the community to review and submit comments.This forms part of the ongoing program to review 68 policies from the Environment and Planning Directorate in order to consolidate all former Wyong Shire Council and Gosford City Council policies following the amalgamation.During the review process, where policies are found to have ongoing relevance, they are being updated and consolidated to ensure a single policy exists for the Central Coast Local Government Area (LGA).

I was proud to announce last week a fantastic soft plastics recycling initiative Central Coast Council is leading the way in, and the interest from our community has been phenomenal.Central Coast Council is the only council in Australia who is currently trialling a soft plastics recycling initiative.

Taking the ‘trash’ out of waste managementThe adoption of an innovative waste management strategy has underlined Central Coast Council’s commitment to being a leader in its approach to reducing waste and recovering resources which would otherwise end up in landfill.Council last night adopted its inaugural Waste Resource Management Strategy, including provision to maintain the general waste red bin weekly service for residents and investigate the introduction of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service for the Central Coast.

The adoption of an innovative waste management strategy has underlined Central Coast Council’s commitment to being a leader in its approach to reducing waste and recovering resources which would otherwise end up in landfill.Council last night adopted its inaugural Waste Resource Management Strategy including provision to maintain the general waste red bin weekly service for residents and investigate the introduction of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service for the Central Coast.

Community members are invited to provide feedback on Central Coast Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026, which outlines how Council will deliver services that support our older residents to age healthily, feel connected and enjoy an age-friendly community.Council Acting Director of Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said the draft strategy builds on the first Central Coast Positive Ageing Strategy 2014 and renews Council’s commitment to better meeting the needs and aspirations of the Coast’s growing older population.“The Central Coast has long been an attractive place for older people to live and retire, with 27 percent of the region’s population aged 60 years and above*,” said Mr Cantillon.“With the number of residents aged over 60 expected to increase by almost 39 percent by 2036, it’s vital that we ensure that our services, programs and infrastructure reflect the evolving needs of this population.“The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy has been informed by what our older residents have told us, their aspirations and expectations, as well as research and consultation with relevant service providers.“There are many areas where Council can play a key role in positive ageing, from providing options for older people to connect, learn, exercise and have fun to making Council services and facilities more accessible and providing information to older people about what is on in their community, how they can get involved and how to get support.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is part of Council’s commitment to ensuring our older community members live active, healthy and independent lives.“Older people play a vital role in our community and it is important to recognise and respect the significant contribution they make to our vibrant region as workers, volunteers, neighbours, friends, parents and grandparents,” said Mayor Matthews.“Our Positive Ageing Strategy aims to enhance participation, improve quality of life and provide support to older residents so that they can continue to participate in and contribute to community life as they grow older.”The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026 outlines four key areas of focus where Council can make a positive difference to older residents:

Central Coast Council has commenced the dredging program for The Entrance Channel.The program is set to continue through coming months, in accordance with the EPA licence and other environmental constrains and will be conducted in two stages.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it is important to see the program get underway.“Dredging The Entrance channel is important for our community, and I am glad to see the 2020-21 program begin,” Mayor Matthews said.“The sand from the dredging program will ultimately be used to nourish the highly eroded North Entrance Beach but will first be used in the preparation of staging, or work, areas near Karagi Reserve.”Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox, said the dredging program would look a little different to previous years, but that it was necessary to ensure Council met its environmental obligations.“Council has been working with coastal experts Royal HaskoningDHV to develop a program that meets the NSW EPA’s licencing requirements,” Mr Cox said.“This means that Council will now be pumping the dredged sand to the areas inside the channel near Karagi reserve where it will be ‘dewatered’ before being manually moved to areas we plan to nourish, including North Entrance Beach.“This process will be slower than previous years as the sand will have to be handled twice, and will mean that the community need to take extra care while the heavy machinery moves around on the beaches.“However, the program will remove an estimated 30,000 cubic metres of sand from the channel.“Our dredging plan also takes into consideration the imminent arrival of the Little terns and I want to assure the community we are taking measures to mitigate any impact on them while dredging is taking place.“As part of preparation of our dredging plans, Council has engaged ornithologists (bird specialists) to help develop an appropriate plan. “We will continue to monitor for the arrival of the Little Terns and when they arrive, we will seek further advice on the continuation of the program.”Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the NSW Government was contributing $600,000 to the project. “In February 2020, the NSW Government provided $600,000 to dredge The Entrance Channel and I am pleased that work is finally getting underway,” Mr Crouch said.“Council has matched this funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis, allowing for a $1.2 million dredging project.”The dredging program is funded by both Central Coast Council and the NSW Government through the Rescuing Our Waterways fund.

Join us for the fifth online Innovation Breakfast about the ‘Future of Industry’.

Central Coast Council has released a redacted version of the previously confidential Airport Review (Phase Two) Final Report, conducted by independent consultants, Morrison Low.The Report reviewed a large body of information relating to:The project to establish a regional airport at Kiar RidgeThe development of an Aviation Hub at Central Coast AirportAny activities, including works and development applications lodged, by the current Council or former Wyong Council relating to works at the airport site;

Central Coast Council has mobilised its resources in preparation for dredging to commence within a fortnight.Council’s Acting Environment and Planning Director, Andrew Roach said a site compound was being set up this week, with site offices, sheds and security to be in place within days.“The Entrance community and visitors to the area will start to see a site compound develop over the next two days, including the arrival of sheds, piping and machinery,” Mr Roach said.“Once the compound is in place, Council will begin the necessary preparations, including testing and staff training, with the aim to have dredging start within a fortnight.“We know that many are looking forward to seeing the start of the program, but we ask that the community stay away from the area, so that Council can get the preparations for dredging underway as soon as possible.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was timely for preparations to get underway for the commencement of the dredging program.“We love and care for our waterways on the coast and dredging The Entrance channel is important for our community," Mayor Matthews said.“The dredging program is carried out to help maintain tidal exchange between the ocean and the estuary.

Central Coast Council welcomes the $11million funding, from the NSW Government, towards the construction of an indoor multi-purpose sport and recreation centre at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex at Tuggerah.Council’s Acting Director Environment and Planning, Andrew Roach said the Complex was always designed to be built in two stages and this funding will bring it a step closer to realising its full potential to attract mass participation events to the region. “We are very pleased to have the NSW Government commit to funding of $11million which will go a long way in helping Council progress stage two to deliver a multi-purpose indoor sporting facility for a range of activities, change rooms, amenities, storage as well as canteen and catering space to complement the existing outdoor sporting fields,” Mr Roach said.“Since opening in 2019, the current multi-use outdoor sporting and recreational facility has already attracted over 81,000 visitors to the region, injecting over $10M in our local economy. Mayor Lisa Matthews said delivering stage two would provide a significant boost to the benefits already flowing to the region from the first stage of the Complex. “We have already seen in such a short time since the opening last year that the venue is bringing in the types of events that provide a significant boost to the region’s economy with flow on effects to small business, employment and community well-being,” Mayor Matthews said.“I commend Council staff on their ongoing efforts to seek funding for the second stage of works and thank the State Government for getting on board with this exciting second stage.

Central Coast Council’s emergency works response to mitigate coastal erosion at Wamberal and North Entrance is now complete with focus turning to recovery and future coastal management planning for the Central Coast.The State Emergency Controller (LEOCon), has signed off on the works which saw Council crews working round the clock to place over 10,000 tonnes of rock and sand at North Entrance and Wamberal beaches.Council CEO Gary Murphy praised the cooperation and hard work taken to respond to the emergency and that this would be harnessed as the focus moves to mitigating and managing coastal erosion into the future.“This has been a truly collaborative effort with Council, expert coastal engineers, residents and the community and the State Government all working together – it really saved the day,” Mr Murphy said.“We need to continue that effort as we now focus on more permanent solutions and best practice coastal management going forward.‘We will now focus on delivering Coastal Management Plans for the whole of the Central Coast, which we are aiming to complete by 2021, that will involve working with property owners, the broader community in addition to State and Federal Governments Departments.“It won’t be an easy process, but we are committed to getting it right.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said coastal management was a challenging issue for all Councils up and down the Coast and there is a need for a local as well as a national solution.“Here on the Coast we have faced many challenges with mother nature and our coastline, not just this year, but every year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Our community has had to continually be strong and resilient and I am proud of how we have pulled together and faced these challenges head on.‘We all love the natural environment on the Coast, it is a key reason we all live here and we want to be able to keep living near and enjoying our beaches and waterways into the future.“Coastal management is a priority for every Council up and down the Coast – we can learn from each other and find synergies – share what we’ve done already and find the best solutions for the future.“It can’t just be up to Local Government though.

Central Coast Council’s popular Green Living Workshops have moved online, allowing even more people than ever before to enjoy them.Kicking off in honour of this week’s National Organic Week, our first two interactive online workshops will be held this Saturday.This year’s Green Living workshop series will be delivered in two formats, allowing people with differing time commitments to learn how to Live Green:Short one-hour lunchtime workshops on weekdaysLonger workshops on weekends or evenings.Four workshops will be held during September:Composting, Saturday 12 September, 9.30am-11amWorm farming, Saturday 12 September, 11.30-1pmSustainable eating, Monday 21 September, 12-1pmPropagating your herb garden, Wednesday 30 September, 12-1pm.Council’s Acting Director Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said the new format for the workshops means even more Coast residents can learn how to live sustainably.“Our Green Living workshops can benefit anyone, whether they live in a house with a large backyard or in a unit,” Mr Cantillon said.Mayor Lisa Matthews praised Central Coast residents for their ongoing commitment to reducing waste and living in a sustainable way.“We can all do little things which not only are healthier and greener, but also reduce our personal costs and benefit the environment around us,” Mayor Matthews said.Book in now for one of our Green Living Online workshops.

Central Coast Council has ramped up its inspections of Wamberal beach with material fragments that potentially contain asbestos significantly increasing since the recent storms.Council has retrieved more material fragments from Wamberal Beach in the past month than all of 2019, leading to daily inspections of the beach.Council’s Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said Council would inspect the beach daily to improve chances of removing all fragments that may deposit on the beach.“In 2019 our beach inspection team removed just over 400 fragments that may contain asbestos from Wamberal Beach.

The weather is warming up, spring has sprung and the red and yellow flags are set to go up from 26 September 2020 on the 15 Central Coast beaches to be patrolled this season.This year Council is getting in early to help prepare beachgoers for the season ahead with new measures and message related to COVID-safe behaviour and requirements for visitors and locals who engage in rock fishing.Acting Council Director Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said it is vital that community members and tourists follow simple safety steps whilst enjoying quality time on the region’s spectacular beaches.“Our lifesavers and lifeguards do an incredible job keeping us safe across beach season but we also need to do our bit,” Mr Cantillon said.“Heading to the beach means relaxing, recharging, keeping fit and active, and it also means switching on a beach safety mind-set.“Beach safety practices we always need to follow stand true – like only swimming at patrolled beaches and always swimming between the flags – but this season COVID-safe behaviour at the beach is also incredibly important.“Please maintain 1.5 metre social distance from people who are not from your household and keep group gatherings to a maximum of 20 people, as mandated by NSW Health.“Many of our beaches are extremely popular and crowd management measures may be in place to keep our community and visitors safe.“We’ll be making regular COVID-safe reminder announcements over the loud speakers at our patrolled sites and NSW Police will also be regularly monitoring beaches.“Should it be necessary to close any Central Coast beaches this season, clear signage will be displayed.“Council has also introduced a requirement that anyone engaging in rock fishing must wear a life jacket – this requirement extends to anyone who accompanies someone who is rock fishing.“We are installing signs at various locations that clearly outline what is required for anyone engaging in rock fishing on the Coast.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said enjoying the beach season and the importance of safety always need to go hand-in-hand.“With the weather warming up and increased visitors to the Coast, it’s important we all follow basic steps to keep ourselves and others safe when enjoying the beach,” Mayor Matthews said.“Measures in place to keep us COVID-safe extend to the beach and everyone must vigilantly follow these requirements whilst soaking up the sun and surf at one of the many stunning beaches along our coastline.”Key beach safety messagesAlways swim or surf at patrolled beaches.No flags means no swimming.Swim between the red and yellow flags.If we can’t see you, we can’t sIf you get into difficulty, raise your arm, stay calm, and yell for assistance.If you are unsure of conditions, ask the lifeguard or lifesaver in attendance.Read and obey the signs and directions from the lifeguard or lifesaver.Never run and dive into water, as the depth can change regularly.Children should be supervised by an adult at all times.Always ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’.Board riders are asked to keep outside the black and white flags on each side of the red and yellow flags, as these indicate the surf craft exclusion zone. Key COVID-safe messages for the beachMaintain a 1.5 metre social distance from anyone who does not live in your household.Keep groups to fewer than 20 people. Key rock fishing messagesAnyone rock fishing in a declared location must wear an appropriate life jacket, this includes people helping you to rock fish and children.If you’re going rock fishing, plan ahead – let others know where you are going and carry a phone.Council’s Lifeguards patrol our shorelines from Monday to Friday, and Surf Life Saving volunteers keep everyone safe on weekends and public holidays.Non-peak holiday times – 26 September 2020 – 18 December 2020 and 30 January 2021 – 25 April 2021, 9am to 5pm patrols across all 15 beach locations and The Grant McBride Baths.Peak holiday period – 19 December 2020 - 29 January 2021 at all locations (including Budgewoi) will operate from 9am to 6pm.

Central Coast residents looking to take their recycling to the next level are invited to participate in a new soft plastics recycling trial by Central Coast Council in partnership with recycler iQ Renew, and their partner Nestlé.The new trial aims to reduce the amount of soft plastics going to landfill and its impact on the environment by enabling residents to recycle soft plastics using their yellow recycling bins.

Council is leading the way in innovative thinking and bringing new ideas to fruition, further cementing our commitment to exploring innovative solutions. Council is rolling out a number of projects that provide significant benefits to our community, from reducing our environmental footprint to implementing cost-effective approaches.