Central Coast Council has started a $1.7million project to minimise the risk of flooding on Chain Valley Bay Road, Chain Valley Bay.The project involves raising 300 metres of Chain Valley Bay Road and replacing an older drainage system with 15 large concrete culverts to transport water under the road rather than over it.Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the project would significantly reduce the risk of flooding and overtopping on this important access road.“The solution we are delivering will dramatically reduce flood incidents and prevent water from sitting on the road, which will be welcome news for the Chain Valley Bay community,” said Mr Bolgoff.The 2.4 m high by almost 2 m wide culverts will be placed three wide and five deep to form a significant drainage channel.Mayor Jane Smith said the size and diversity of the Central Coast region called for a range of innovative infrastructure solutions.“Chain Valley Bay is a beautiful part of the Coast that is unfortunately prone to flooding at this location,” said Mayor Smith.“The culvert system and new road we are installing will mean Chain Valley Bay residents of this close knit community can breathe a little easier during periods of heavy rain.”Chain Valley Bay Road will be raised using 2,000 tonnes of material and a new road pavement surface will be installed.One lane of Chain Valley Bay Road will be closed during works;

State-of-the-art integrated arts and culture precinct on the horizon for GosfordCentral Coast Council has requested a detailed design of an integrated arts and culture precinct for Gosford CBD following an intensive design workshop.Councillors were presented with a number of design options for the regional library and the Regional Performing Arts and Conference Centre (RPACC) at the workshop held on 9 May.Mayor Jane Smith said that the outcome of this design workshop was a state-of-the-art integrated arts and culture precinct, right in the heart of Gosford.“This is an excellent result for the community, as both the regional library and the RPACC are priority projects for Council to deliver,” said Mayor Smith.“Delivering both of these facilities as one integrated arts and culture precinct will be a catalyst for the revitalisation of the Gosford CBD.“The development of the library and the RPACC is essential as we work towards establishing a true capital for the Central Coast and creating the vibrant and sustainable region our community want and deserve.“We will be creating an outstanding arts and cultural precinct that the Central Coast can be proud of, and will appeal to all ages, abilities and backgrounds.Schematic designs and an indicative cost estimate will be reported back to Council on the ordinary Council meeting of 27 August 2018. Council notes proactive release of information and the establishment of a working group relating to erosion at Wamberal beachCouncil resolved to note the proactive release by the Acting CEO of two documents, in redacted form, relating to Wamberal Beach erosion.The ‘Wamberal Beach NSW Storm Erosion Remediation Report’ and the cost benefit analysis report from the Office of Environment and Heritage will be available on Council’s website in the very near future.Full Media Release available on the Central Coast Council website. Uptake of free residential Bulk Kerbside Rubbish Collections increases and Council calls for investigation on additional waste servicesCentral Coast residents are booking in more kerbside collections than ever before according to a report presented to Council.Consultation showed the current service of six on-call bulk 2m3 kerbside collections per annum was the most optimal provision for the removal of garden organic or general bulk household waste that is not appropriate for residential bins.Council has called for an investigation on the feasibility of an after-hours number for booking kerbside collections, and increased education around sorting of waste placed on the kerbside and any associated penalties.

Council resolved to note the proactive release by the Acting CEO of two documents, in redacted form, relating to Wamberal Beach erosion.The ‘Wamberal Beach NSW Storm Erosion Remediation Report’ and the cost benefit analysis report from the Office of Environment and Heritage will be available on Council’s website in the very near future.Mayor Jane Smith said the release of the documents aligned with Council’s new Proactive Release Program confirming Council’s commitment to transparency and accountability.“We want the community to have faith that we are making informed decisions in their best interests,” said Mayor Jane Smith.“We support proactive release of information that will inform our residents.“There is a great deal of community interest and concern in how Council is addressing issues of erosion at Wamberal Beach and the release of this information will help better inform the community.”Council has also established a project working group to support the implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) options related to the immediate and future erosion of Wamberal Beach and particularly to consider a Wamberal Protective Wall.The Wamberal Working Group is comprised of local community representatives and stakeholders from Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Department of Industry, and Central Coast Council.

Central Coast Council has re-signed the sister city agreement with Edogawa City Council which will see a stronger cultural exchange and continued benefits for the Coast community.The sister city agreement was a long-standing arrangement with the former Gosford City Council and was re-signed during a recent Mayoral and dignitary visit to Japan.Mayor Jane Smith said that it was an honour to meet with Mayor Masami Tada, Edogawa City Council and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the relationship by re-signing the sister city agreement.“The sister city relationship with Edogawa City during the last thirty years has delivered many benefits for the Central Coast including the establishment of the Edogawa Commemorative Gardens, Mayoral and dignitary visits, staff exchange and the youth exchange program,” said Mayor Smith.“The youth wing exchange program has provided an invaluable opportunity for local students and their families to participate in a variety of academic, social, cultural and sporting activities with students from Edogawa City.“Earlier this year, there was also a generous donation from the Urasenke Foundation to build a traditional Japanese Tea House as part of the Edogawa Gardens at the Gosford Regional Gallery.“For many years, there have been strong connections between our communities and it is pleasing that this will continue with our Central Coast Council.