Central Coast Council is once again working with community leaders to initiate important conversations around domestic and family violence.The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign runs every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day) raising awareness and educating the community on this important issue.The Central Coast consistently has one of the highest number of incidences of family and domestic violence compared to any other local government area*.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council is committed to working with community to solve a range of social and health issues that impact vulnerable people, such as victims of domestic violence.“The health and safety of others is everyone’s business.

Now in its ninth year, Central Coast Council’s annual Lakes Festival has established itself as an iconic event, drawing over 20,000 attendees. Spanning 10 days in November, this year’s event was Council’s biggest program yet, proudly showcasing and celebrating the region’s magnificent waterways to locals and travellers alike. Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the festival not only brought the community together but also injected an estimated $6.5million into the local economy.“Big events like this are a driving force for our local economy, creating jobs and providing a significant boost to local businesses,” Ms Smith said. Significantly, The Lakes Festival also completed the national Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard with Ecotourism Australia, demonstrating Council’s commitment to sustainability. Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna acknowledged this significant achievement.“I want to congratulate the effort from community members, local business and our Council staff that went into ensuring this year’s Lakes Festival was a resounding success.”“With over 40 individual events, including kayaking adventures, sand sculpting, yoga by the lake, comedy nights, beach sports, fun run, theatrical performances, arts and crafts, cinema under the stars, live music and more – the festival had something for everyone.“We are grateful to all the organisations and individuals who collaborated with us to deliver a variety of fun and educational activities in 14 different locations across the Central Coast.”Council’s calendar is always packed full of events for all ages and interests.

MEDIA RELEASECentral Coast Council celebrated International Day of People with Disability on 3 December, and is raising local awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with a disability, to help create a more accessible and inclusive region.Recently, Council collaborated with local pottery school Centered Ceramics, that offered people with disabilities the opportunity to learn pottery and ceramics in a mainstream commercial studio, and then exhibit their work in a public gallery.The local business learned how to make their premises and programs more accessible to attract customers with different access needs.

MEDIA RELEASECentral Coast Council is inviting residents to clear out unwanted hazardous chemicals from around the home and safely dispose of them for free at the local Chemical CleanOut events this March.Community members can safely drop off unused, out-of-date or unwanted household chemicals for free over the first two weekends of March: Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March (9am-3.30pm), Kincumber – former Kincumber Waste Management Facility on Cullens Road.

MEDIA RELEASE Central Coast Council’s Local Housing Strategy seeks to implement a number of strategies and actions to better manage housing supply across the region.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024, at an official flag raising ceremony and breakfast BBQ on Monday morning 8 July 2024.NAIDOC Week, held across Australia from 7-14 July, honours the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.