Central Coast Council was the first of the 19 new NSW councils visited by Local Government Minister, the Hon Paul Toole MP, today.Minister Toole met with Administrator Ian Reynolds, CEO Rob Noble and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and 35 Central Coast Council staff this morning to see first-hand how the new council was going and to present a cheque for $20 million to fund community infrastructure and help with merger costs.Administrator Reynolds said the funding was welcome news for staff and the community who had come together quickly to embrace the new council.”The Minister experienced the enthusiasm staff have for the new council, most of them live on the Central Coast and want to see this area thrive and prosper.“That is also the word on the street – everyone I have spoken to has embraced the change as they see it will mean bigger and better things for the Central Coast.”Minister Toole echoed the Administrator’s comments and said the Central Coast Council is shaping up to be an amalgamation success story and a credit to staff who had been working together for months beforehand to make it happen.“I got to see for myself this morning the enthusiasm of staff and respect for the new administration and I am impressed.“I was at a Chamber of Commerce dinner last night and they had nothing but praise for the way the new Council has hit the ground running.“We wanted mergers to lead to stronger communities and deliver better services and infrastructure for residents.“The new Central Coast Council is well on the way to achieving these goals.”Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said it was a truly exciting time for everyone on the Central Coast especially the staff at the new Central Coast Council.“I congratulate the staff for working so collaboratively in the lead up to the creation of our new regional council,” Mr Crouch said.“They have a truly exciting opportunity ahead to deliver for our entire community, and from what I have seen they are more than up to the task.“I believe it speaks volumes that the first visit by Local Government Minister Paul Toole to a new council in NSW was to the Central Coast Council.”

Central Coast Council is appealing to the community to report any unusual activity observed along Sparks Road Warnervale Tuesday night following the discovery of a massive amount of illegally dumped waste.The dumping is thought to have occurred sometime between 5 and 6pm, Tuesday 14 June, and judging by the huge scale of waste a large truck must have been involved.Council’s Section Manager Ranger Services, Ms Rennae Projceski, said the site was inspected this morning by a Regional Illegal Dumping officer, who estimated around 30 tonnes of rubbish has been dumped near the airport.“The waste is covering a massive area, measuring more than 62 metres in length, 6 metres deep and 1.5 metres high,” Ms Projceski said.“With such a huge amount of waste being dumped along a main road during peak hour, someone must have seen something.“Illegal dumping not only costs ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to clean, but also poses series serious environmental and health risks for the community.“We are currently searching through the waste to try and identify the dumper as our community shouldn’t have to foot the bill for those that do the wrong thing.“If you have any knowledge of the dumped waste along Sparks Road please call our Customer Contact team on 4350 5555.”On the spot fines for illegal dumping can be anywhere upwards of $2000.Ms Projceski said there is never an excuse for illegal dumping with the number of waste disposal options available to the community.“Alongside comprehensive garbage collection, residential properties are also entitled to six free kerbside collections each year,” Ms Projceski added.“We also manage three waste facilities;

Central Coast Council has today announced an interim leadership team to deliver the newly merged Council’s plans for the Coast.The appointments follow an intensive, merit based, internal recruitment process.Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Noble, said the new leadership team was created to best support the outlook and vision of the new Central Coast Council.“My vision is to build on the tradition of strong leadership of the two former Councils as we move to a new era for the Central Coast,” Mr Noble said.“I have chosen leaders who are customer-focused, collaborative, passionate and professional and can lead and support this Council and our community through this change creating an organisation that cares about people, places and quality of life on the Central Coast.”The new Executive Team for the Central Coast Council is:Chief Financial Officer – Stephen NavenGroup Leader Customer and Community Relationships – Judy JaegerGroup Leader Assets, Infrastructure and Business – Mike DowlingGroup Leader Environment and Planning – Scott CoxExecutive Manager People and Culture – Kellie ReevesExecutive Manager Governance – Brian GlendenningExecutive Manger Transition and Business Performance – Janine McKenzieThe eighth position, a Chief Information Officer, is yet to be appointed.Four senior staff have chosen to leave the organisation altogether, including Paul Anderson, former General Manager of Gosford City Council who has decided to pursue opportunities outside of the public sector.Mr Noble said he had nothing but thanks and praise for the senior staff who have served the community so well for many years.“Each and every one of them has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Central Coast community and I thank them for that.”

Registrations are now open for The Hub Erina’s most prestigious musical competitions, Battle of the Bands and the SeaFM DISCOVERED Series, both commencing this July.Battle of the Bands is open to unsigned bands of all genres, with band members aged 12-24 years, and the SeaFM DISCOVERED Series is open to unsigned singer/songwriters and cover version vocalists aged 7-24 years.Council’s Director Community Growth, Judy Jaeger said these contests build on existing programs in the youth sector to provide a platform for young people to showcase their passion and talent.“These competitions allow talented young people to showcase their skills in an intimate performance space and can provide further opportunities for young performers from our local community.“With amazing prize incentives, professional development opportunities and the chance to connect with industry professionals, Battle of the Bands and the SeaFM DISCOVERED series offer our aspiring stars a platform to launch their musical careers,” Ms.