Media Releases

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to have their say on the Draft Conservation Management Plan for Gosford Memorial Park and Rotary Park, open for public exhibition from Tuesday 7 October to Tuesday 4 November 2025.The Draft Conservation Management Plan provides a comprehensive framework to guide the preservation, maintenance and future development of these much-loved parks, ensuring their heritage values are protected for generations to come. Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Gosford Memorial Park and Rotary Park are places that hold deep community significance.“These parks are more than green spaces, they are places of remembrance, gathering and connection.

Central Coast Council is inviting local artists, art groups and art organisations to apply for commissioning opportunities through Creative Art Central – a signature program that celebrates and invests in the region’s creative industries.The program supports creative practitioners across a range of disciplines, including visual arts, craft, performance and literary, with opportunities open to emerging and established artists.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the program strengthens local connections and builds opportunities for creatives.“Creative Art Central is about celebrating our people, their stories and their talents,” Mayor McKinna said.“By supporting projects that are both original and community focused, we’re helping to showcase the unique character of the Central Coast.“This program reflects Council’s vision to connect people, foster creativity and ensure everyone has the chance to be part of our cultural life.”Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the program is designed to be inclusive and community led.“Since 2021, Creative Art Central has awarded 23 commissions, reflecting Council’s continued investment in the region’s creative industries,” Ms Smith said.“We’re focused on commissioning innovative, contemporary works that engage directly with the community and encourage collaboration.“The program also prioritises accessibility, with identified categories for First Nations creatives and support available for culturally diverse artists and artists with disability.”Registrations open on Monday 13 October and close on Monday 27 October.

MEDIA RELEASECentral Coast Council is proud to announce the winners of its flagship youth music competitions, Discovered and Battle of the Bands, as part of the 2025 Creative Engineers program.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to have their say on the future of four local lagoons (Avoca, Cockrone, Terrigal and Wamberal) until Wednesday 29 October 2025.The draft Coastal Lagoons Coastal Management Program (CMP) presents a list of proposed actions to improve water quality, manage flooding and erosion, protect biodiversity and enhance recreational access.

On 23 September 2025, Central Coast Council partnered with The University of Newcastle, GHD, Rumbalara and the Central Coast Academy of STEM Excellence to deliver the H2Kn0w STEM Day, an engaging and educational event for high school students across the Central Coast.The initiative aimed to inspire young minds by showcasing the diverse and exciting career opportunities available in the water industry through hands-on learning.Seven Central Coast high schools participated in the event, with students rotating through five interactive stations designed to spark curiosity and build practical skills.

MEDIA RELEASEThe Central Coast’s beach patrol season for 2025-26 officially commences Saturday 27 September 2025, running through until Sunday 26 April 2026.Throughout the patrol season, 15 Central Coast beaches will be patrolled daily, with Central Coast Council lifeguards on duty from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and Surf Life Saving volunteers patrolling on weekends and public holidays (with patrol hours as listed on the Surf Life Saving Beachsafe website).In addition to beach patrols, Council lifeguards will also patrol the Grant McBride Baths daily, with The Entrance channel patrolled on weekends throughout the school holidays - ensuring safety across multiple popular aquatic locations.Central Coast Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Central Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, but it’s important that people stay alert and put safety first.“Each year, despite the incredible work of our lifeguards and lifesavers, tragic incidents can still occur,” Mayor McKinna said.“I strongly encourage everyone to swim at patrolled beaches and always between the red and yellow flags.

Central Coast Council is once again gearing up to host one of Australia’s most iconic car festivals—ChromeFest is returning to Memorial Park at The Entrance from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October 2025.ChromeFest is a free, family-friendly celebration of classic cars, rock ‘n’ roll culture, and retro lifestyle.

Following endorsement at the Council meeting of the 23 September, 2025 Central Coast Council is now submitting its water and sewer pricing proposal to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for the 2026–2031 period.The proposal is designed to balance affordability for customers with the need to maintain high-quality services and invest in essential upgrades to our water and sewer network.

Central Coast Council crews have commenced a four-day program of foreshore works at The Entrance Channel, to support the return of the endangered Little Terns and prepare the coastline for the spring and summer season.The endangered species migrate from South-East Asia to nest at Karagi Point, The Entrance each year.

Spring is well and truly in the air and with school holidays coming, Central Coast Council has released its much-anticipated program of activities for a fun filled break for all ages.During the school holidays (Monday 29 September to Friday 10 October) a huge selection of activities will be available across the Coast with the vast majority of these being free or at minimal cost.Some of the program highlights: Get active – swim and sport full day programs, junior basketball clinics, pool inflatables, waterslide and Splash Park, and intensive learn to swim classes.

Central Coast Council is proud to partner with the University of Newcastle in the presentation of a new lecture series honouring Professor Bob Morgan AO, a globally recognised leader in Indigenous education, research, and knowledge.The Professor Bob Morgan AO Oration series will be held at the new Gosford Regional Library on Monday 22 September 2025. The lecture series will be a free, community event focused on key issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Professor Bob Morgan AO, affectionately known as Uncle Bob, is a proud Gumilaroi man from Walgett in western NSW who has lived on Darkinjung Country on the NSW Central Coast for many years.He is a highly respected Aboriginal educator, researcher and advocate who has worked extensively throughout Australia and internationally in the field of Aboriginal knowledge and learning for more than 40 years.

MEDIA RELEASE Central Coast Council is inviting the community to enjoy two magical evenings under the stars with the return of its popular Outdoor Movie Nights this September.Families, friends and visitors are encouraged to bring a rug and cushion and settle in for a free open-air screening of The Lego Movie (rated PG), alongside fun, family-friendly activities and entertainment.Terrigal Outdoor Movie Night•    Date:

Gosford Regional Library welcomed thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds on Saturday to explore the Central Coast’s first regional library in the heart of Gosford.

Central Coast Council is working to improve the management of our region’s diverse waterways and advancing flood mitigation efforts in vulnerable locations, with several current and upcoming projects open for community feedback.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Luke Nicholls said that through collaboration, Council and the community are, improving our waterways and reducing flood risks together.“Flood management, water quality and coastal erosion are major priorities for both Council and the community.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $58,000 awarded to artists from the Central Coast and beyond.The Prize was judged by artist Stephanie nova Milne and curator Gina Mobayed.

Families across the Central Coast now have even more places to play, connect and enjoy the outdoors, with Central Coast Council delivering a new district-level playspace in Tuggerawong and completing 13 local playspace renewals across the region.These projects are part of Council’s 2024-25 playspace renewal schedule, which forms part of a 20-year program to sustainably manage the lifecycle of more than 270 playspaces across the region.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the program focuses on creating safe, inclusive and innovative playspaces that promote active and healthy lifestyles.“These playspaces offer much more than equipment, they create spaces where children and families can connect, explore and learn together,” Ms Smith said.“Each playspace is designed to provide a whole-of-park experience, with features suited to a wide range of ages, abilities and play preferences.”The new district-level playspace at Tuggerawong has transformed the former community hall site into a vibrant space for all ages.

Central Coast Council is calling on local farmers, businesses, creatives, and event organisers to express their interest in being part of 2026 Harvest Festival – one of the Central Coast’s largest and most successful annual events!In an exciting new addition to the festival, Council will introduce Harvest Nights, a vibrant evening program designed to extend the festivities after dark.

Ecological restoration works commenced yesterday at the Peninsula Recreation Precinct in Umina Beach, South of Umina Oval.

Central Coast Council is inviting people of all ages to celebrate the opening of the Gosford Regional Library at a free Community Day on Saturday 6 September.Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the Community Day will bring the new library to life and showcase just how much Gosford Regional Library has to offer.“We’re beyond excited to welcome our community into this incredible new space in the heart of Gosford CBD,” Ms Smith said. “The doors to the new Gosford Regional Library will officially open to the community at 9.30am on Saturday 6 September, marked by a ribbon-cutting by Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna.“Our Community Day promises something for everyone – from craft stations, robotics and magic shows, to live music, guided tours and more!” The new state-of-the-art library features over 30,000 books, a children’s reading area, a sound recording studio, creative spaces, bookable meeting rooms, a 300 seat multi-use auditorium, free Wi-Fi and much more.Central Coast Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Central Coast’s first regional library is a milestone the whole community can be proud of.“Gosford Regional Library belongs to our community.

Central Coast Council has developed a draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan (SMP) to help ensure that local bushland continues to support this threatened species, while balancing development needs for a growing region.The community is now invited to review the draft Plan and provide feedback online via Your Voice Our Coast, up to 16 September 2025.The Squirrel Glider, listed as a Vulnerable Species under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, is under threat due to habitat loss and urban development.The SMP outlines a framework for land use planning and development assessment to protect critical habitat areas and support the species’ recovery.The draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan includes:an understanding of the Squirrel Glider’s ecology on the Central Coasta planning framework for development proposals in key habitat areasmanagement requirements to support long-term conservation.Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Luke Nicholls said the Plan seeks to balance development with environmental protection and ensure the survival of the Squirrel Glider on the Central Coast."The draft SMP responds to Council’s Biodiversity Strategy and Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan, which call for targeted species management and monitoring," Mr Nicholls said.“Over the past five years, Council has conducted specialised studies to identify suitable habitat areas, with regions around Tuggerah Lakes and Lake Macquarie highlighted as critical for the species.