The Central Coast will benefit from the NSW Government’s introduction of landmark environmental reforms that ensure NSW has the strongest environmental regulations of any state or territory in Australia.Central Coast Council’s Acting Director Environment and Planning Luke Sulkowski, said the reforms to existing legislation are welcomed, agreeing an overhaul and tougher penalties were needed.“The reforms address critical loopholes in environmental legislation and ensures the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Council, as co-regulators under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), have stronger powers to deter environmental crimes and respond faster to pollution incidents.“It means that Council can take a tougher stance on environmental crimes, including being able to issue much higher on-the-spot fines for a range of offences including pollution offences and failing to comply with lawful directions and orders.“For example, the on-the-spot fine amount for the pollution of waters was previously $4000 for an individual and $8000 for a corporation.“The same offence now carries a monetary penalty of $15,000 for an individual and $30,000 for a corporation for a first offence, and $22,500 for an individual and $45,000 for a corporation for another offence.“The same new monetary penalties apply to individuals and corporations who fail to comply with directions and orders issued under the POEO Act to remedy environmental nuisances and pollution.” Mr Sulkowski said.The NSW Government has also raised other common offences, including fines for littering small items in public places which will double to $160.Public land managers such as councils will have authority to issue illegal dumping fines of $5,000 to companies and $1,000 to individuals, increasing to $10,000 for corporations and $2,500 for individuals if the dumping occurs in sensitive places like a school, hospital or national park.Council Administrator Rik Hart applauded the NSW Government for introducing the tougher penalties and urges the community and businesses to know that Council will be implementing them in an effort to protect the Central Coast environment and community.“We live in an amazing environment on the Central Coast, and with the stronger legislation and higher fines, I hope that individuals and organisations will think twice before they commit an environmental offence.”For more information visit:https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/landmark-environmental-reforms-pass-nsw-parliamenthttps://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2024/epamedia240321-landmark-environmental-reforms-pass-nsw-parliament ENDS 

65 Sydney Avenue UMINA BEACH NSW 2257Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993-Section 47, Central Coast Council is required to give Public Notice for a proposed lease over the part of the building located in Umina Recreation Precinct used for the purposes of Café, Kiosk and Restaurant for a term of five (5) years to Gabrielle Greyem.Any submissions should be in writing and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, quoting Council's internal Folder No:

 Council’s Interim Entrance Management Procedure rolling out during recent weather events.Central Coast Council have been pro-actively and actively managing The Entrance Channel to minimise flood risk and maximise ecosystem health.

We’ve partnered again with local police to reduce casualties from speed related crashes on local roads through an education and awareness campaign this May. This road safety campaign coincides with National Road Safety Week (5-12 May 2024), which encourages drivers across Australia to slow down on the roads, look out for others and make safe decisions so no-one is injured or loses their life on our roads, including from the result of speeding. Speeding has devasting consequences for our local community but is preventable. Unfortunately, speeding remains the number one contributing factor in road casualty crashes on the Central Coast with the majority of all injury and fatal crashes occurring on roads with a 50km/h speed limit. All drivers have the power to make positive choices every time they are behind the wheel, and these can reduce the rate of injury or death - especially on local roads where there are often children, older road users, pedestrians or cyclists around.Remember that 50km/h is the default speed limit in built up urban areas in NSW unless sign posted otherwise.

MEDIA RELEASE Central Coast Council and local police have partnered up again to reduce casualties from speed related crashes on local roads through an education and awareness campaign during May.

Pelican Park Playground is set to be enjoyed for generations of families to come as construction begins on a new and improved playspace.The upgrade to the playspace will be completed thanks to a $100,000 commitment by the NSW Government under the Local Small Commitments Allocation Program in partnership with Central Coast Council, which is also contributing almost $100,000 to the project.Community consultation guided the design of the upgraded Pelican Park playspace, with the design including both nature-play and pirate-themed play concept designs.

I encourage everyone to have their say about the quality of life on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council has received $2,443,750 from the Australian and NSW Governments as part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program to improve access for Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach.The works will replace or repair vehicle and pedestrian accesses that were damaged during the severe storms in 2021 and 2022, including:Extension of the stairs in front of the Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving ClubReplacement of the northern stairs at Soldiers BeachReplacement of the concrete vehicle access ramp at Soldiers BeachRepair of the Jenny Dixon Beach stairsEach of the four projects required detailed preliminary investigation work, designs, and approvals to ensure longevity before shovels could hit the ground.Soldiers Beach Access WorksCOMPLETE: