Holidaymakers and the Central Coast go hand-in-hand and this summer tourism season is set to be one of the region’s busiest on record. Visitor numbers for the Coast have boomed this Spring and throughout the traditionally quieter winter months, providing a welcome boost to local businesses hit hard by the impacts of bushfires and COVID-19. Central Coast Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said visitors from Sydney and across Australia are heading to the Coast. “Over this year’s October long weekend some of our key attractions saw numbers up by as much as 300 percent and most accommodation was fully booked,” Ms Vaughan said. “This follows on from consistently strong tourism numbers for the Coast since April – year-on-year growth of 20 percent or higher across key indicators like restaurant and retail spend as well as AirBnB occupancy rates*. “Every indicator suggests this summer on the Coast will be abuzz and Council has taken steps to prepare for the influx of visitors to our beautiful region. “If you head to any of our 15 patrolled beaches you will hear safety announcements, including reminders to be COVID-safe, and we’re rolling out heightened management of bins and public amenities.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the diverse appeal of the Central Coast is hard to beat. “Our stunning beaches, breathtaking bushland and picturesque hinterland region are at the heart of what makes the Coast so magnetic, but we’re also blessed with so many hidden gems that we’re encouraging visitors and locals to explore,” Mayor Matthews said. “The Coast has become a foodies paradise – we have great local produce and a vibrant dining scene across the region – and we’re also hard to beat for boutique shopping and adventure activities. “With international travel off the cards for the time being, we’re taking the time to discover and rediscover our own backyard and it’s no surprise that our spectacular region is at the top of the list. “It is important that we are all patient and kind this summer, keeping ourselves and others safe is what is most important.” A new destination brand for the Central Coast was launched in 2020 to promote the region as a vibrant, magnetically attractive place to live, work and play. For a full list of where to eat, stay and play on the Central Coast, head to lovecentralcoast.com   

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Councillors’ submission has now been formally provided to the Minister for Local Government for consideration.

Central Coast residents are being asked to avoid swimming or other recreational activities in Coast waterways for several days following this weekend’s wild weather.Heavy rain events can lead to stormwater entering the wastewater system which may cause overflows, affecting the quality of the water in our creeks, rivers, lakes, lagoons and at our beaches.Residents can be assured that the drinking water supply has not been affected by any sewage overflows.Council will work with all relevant authorities to ensure water quality, including the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Public Health Unit.

Nominations for the Australia Day 2021 Awards are now open, providing an opportunity to recognise Central Coast individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the region.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the awards are more important than ever after a year of unprecedented challenges.“An Australia Day nomination is a wonderful way to honour the local leaders who go the extra mile for our community,” Ms Vaughan said.“There is no denying that 2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges and in the midst of it all we’ve seen individuals and groups step up and make a difference in our community.“Our Australia Day nominees and winners are often unsung heroes who work quietly behind the scenes to make the Coast a better place to live, work and play.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Australia Day Awards celebrate the Central Coast’s diversity, values, national achievements and hopes for the future.“We’ve demonstrated tremendous resilience as a community in 2020 and there are so many individuals and groups who deserve recognition,” Mayor Matthews said.“The breadth of the Australia Day Award categories mean that a diverse range of contributions will be recognised and I encourage our community to nominate the local heroes they believe should be acknowledged.”The 2021 Award categories are:Arts, Culture and Entertainment - Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen art form and made a significant contribution to arts, culture and entertainment on the Coast.Business Connecting Communities - Awarded to a local business or enterprise with less than eight fulltime employees that has established a genuine involvement and long-term value to the life of their community.Community Service and Activity - Awarded to an individual or group responsible for creating community activities or services that benefit the Coast.Environmental - Awarded to an individual who is leading the way in sustainability and making the Central Coast a place where people and nature can thrive.Sportsperson of the Year - Awarded to an individual who has shown acts of sportsmanship and team building, been an outstanding sportsperson or made significant contributions as organisers or promoters of sports on the Coast.Volunteer of the Year - Awarded to an individual (26 years and over) who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work and demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to our local community.Youth of the Year - Awarded to an individual (25 years or under) who has succeeded in his or her chosen field, acts as an inspiration to his or her peers and has made a significant contribution to the Coast community.Each winner from the above categories will go into the running to be named Central Coast Citizen of the Year.Nominations are now open and close Friday 27 November at 2pm.For further information, eligibility criteria and to make a nomination search 'Australia Day' at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Last night at Council’s Ordinary Meeting held, Councillors adopted Council's submission in response to the Minister for Local Government’s Notice of Intention to issue a suspension order to Central Coast Council.This submission outlines a chronological timeline of when and how Councillors were advised of the financial crisis, including the actions to date being taken by Council to resolve the issue.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Council last night adopted Council’s submission in response to the Minister for Local Government’s Notice of Intention to Issue a Suspension Order.

Council forges ahead with financial recoveryCouncil continues progress towards financial recovery with new financial leadership and identification of $40.5million reduction in the capital works program for 2020/21.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council’s 100 Day Plan is a solid framework guiding actions towards financial recovery and has been shared with all government stakeholders.“We are getting on with our promise to the community to sort out these serious financial matters,” said Mayor Matthews.“We welcome Council’s new Chief Financial Officer Natalia Cowley starting in her role tomorrow;

Central Coast Council and the Central Coast Aero Club (CCAC) have been meeting to find common ground on the business and operation needs of the Warnervale Aircraft Landing Area (ALA) now and in the future.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council has had ongoing and productive discussions with the Aero Club about the prospect of future operational possibilities for the Warnervale ALA.“The Warnervale ALA is an important asset that facilitates a wide range of community needs and is critical to creating employment opportunities for the Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council understands that the Aero Club is committed to long-term business prospects at Warnervale ALA and is seeking direction from Council with respect to its future.‘We are happy to engage with the Aero Club in this regard.”Aero Club President, Andrew Smith said that The Central Coast Aero Club looks forward to a long, productive relationship with Council at Warnervale ALA.“At the end of the day, the CCAC wants to continue training Central Coast locals for a career in Aviation, providing scenic joy flights for the Central Coast tourism sector, Charter flights for Central Coast businesses and highly skilled maintenance apprenticeships for our local youth,” Mr Smith said.“We have successfully been doing this for many decades, and these activities align with Council’s goal of keeping the ALA in its current state, of a successful light aircraft airfield which contributes to the community through employment generation, income generation and to retain our status as a proper region.“With the recent news that the repeal of the WAR Act is progressing, CCAC sees that the this as a perfect opportunity for Council and the CCAC to move towards a new partnership, cementing the future of the ALA, and the wishes of the Central Coast community.”Council Director Boris Bolgoff said the Aero Club had been provided with ongoing updates as Council progresses the necessary measures to restore normal operations to Warnervale ALA.“Displaced runway thresholds have been introduced along the runway as we work through the environmental studies and the necessary approvals to be able to trim trees at the northern end of the runway," Mr Bolgoff said.“Council will continue to consult with the Aero Club around operational changes and associated works at the ALA.”More information about the operation of the Warnervale ALA can be found by searching ‘Warnervale’ on Council’s website.

Live performance and theatre is returning to the Coast this November with Laycock Street Community Theatre (Laycock Street Theatre) reopening with shows from three of Australia’s biggest stars.Kate Ceberano, Shane Nicholson and Johnny Manuel (The Voice) will reopen Laycock Street Theatre as part of the NSW Government’s ‘Great Southern Nights’ initiative, which will see established and emerging Australian artists perform at 1,000 gigs across the State.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said Great Southern Nights will reopen the doors to Laycock Street Theatre in spectacular form.“Council welcomes this fantastic NSW Government initiative, which will be delivered through Destination NSW and in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA),” Ms Vaughan said.“Great Southern Nights will play a vital role in stimulating the revival of the live music and entertainment sector here on the Coast and we’re thrilled to have secured three performances and to be receiving $5,000 to help host the shows,” Ms Vaughan said.“This series of shows will feature some of the best talent our country has to offer – Kate Ceberano, Shane Nicholson and Johnny Manuel – along with some incredible local talent.“I’d encourage music loving Coasties to secure their seats early as these shows are sure to be popular.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said live performance and theatre will be vital to the Coast’s recovery as COVID-19 restrictions ease.“Our community members and visitors to the Coast love live music and it is so exciting to see the sector springing back to life,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council welcomes this NSW Government initiative that will play an important role in kick-starting the live entertainment economy on the Coast.”Performances at Laycock Street Theatre as part of Great Southern Nights:Kate Ceberano, supported by Joe Kalou – Friday 13 November 2020, 8pm – $70Shane Nicholson, supported by Cass Hopetoun – Friday 20 November 2020, 8pm – $50Johnny Manuel with five piece band from The Voice – Saturday 21 November 2020, 8pm – $50As part of Laycock Street Theatre’s COVID-safe Plan the venue will be operating at 40 percent capacity and all tickets will need to be secured through the Virtual Box Office.To secure tickets to any of the Great Southern Nights performances at Laycock Street Theatre and all upcoming shows please email laycockstreettheatre@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, clearly specifying the event name, number of tickets requested and a contact phone number.All emails will be placed in a virtual queue and a member of the box office team will call to allocate tickets and take payment in order of ticket requests received.

Central Coast Council confirmed it will complete staff payroll for the week ending 18 October.This follows confirmation by the State Government Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock today at 1pm that the NSW Government will advance Council $6.2million to meet payroll expenses and overdue payments to suppliers.  An Extraordinary Council Meeting is underway this afternoon.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Council has formally acknowledged the response from Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock, to Council’s financial situation, at an Extraordinary Meeting held today.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews has today taken the extraordinary step of publicly announcing her loss of confidence in Central Coast Council’s CEO Mr Gary Murphy in the wake of revelations about long term, structural problems with the Council’s finances.Councillors and the Mayor have been provided with inadequate information about the financial position of Council and discovered the full extent of the problem only last night when it was revealed that Council would struggle to pay its own staff.“In light of the long-term problems that have been allowed to grow unchecked within the operational division of Council, the only course of action now available is to insist on a new CEO to manage the day to day operations,” Mayor Lisa Matthews said.“It is unforgivable for council staff to be left in a position where they might not be paid and it is unacceptable that the elected Councillors and I were not given information about the precariousness of Council’s finances until yesterday.” 

Council resolved tonight to undertake further urgent actions in response to Council’s serious financial situation.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council had a serious liquidity issue and the current funds in the bank were quarantined as restricted funds under the Local Government Act.“Council will make urgent representations again to Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock seeking permission for the partial utilisation of restricted funds to make staff payroll for the week ending 18 October 2020,” said Mayor Matthews.“Should the Minister’s approval not be forthcoming, then some 2,157 full time equivalent Council employees may not be paid this week.”“We urgently require a response to Council’s query made on Tuesday 13 October about borrowing from restricted funds.”To date, Council has received no formal response to this request from the Minister.Council has also asked the Acting CEO to urgently seek a commercial loan or overdraft and persist with seeking State Government support with emergency funding for Central Coast Council.Another Extraordinary Council Meeting will be held at 1.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday 21 October.For up to date information about Council’s financial situation, go to the Newspage on Council’s website at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Council commits to Action Plan towards financial recoveryCouncil committed tonight to the roadmap towards financial recovery by adopting the final 100 Day Recovery Action Plan.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Plan was a multi-pronged approach, and key to success would be keeping all stakeholders informed;

Central Coast residents can tap into the story behind their household water taps during National Water Week which starts today, 19 October.With the third largest urban water supply system in NSW, Central Coast Council supplies water to more than 342,000 people and 135,000 homes and businesses.National Water Week’s theme is ‘Reimagining our water future’, and people of all ages can do just that with a range of webinars, online tours, games, videos, and water saving tips located on the Coast’s popular ‘Love Water’ website.Highlights include:Working with Water game – a digital Sim-city style game where gamers can battle fire, flood, drought and equipment failures to supply water to more than 340,000 thirsty residentswater saving resources including a Plant Finder for gardeners and the Blue House tour for residentskids’ water fun – online water stories, animations and videoswebinar series – including a hosted virtual tour of one of our dams and water treatment plants, along with two gardening workshops to help residents create thriving gardens which use water effectively water calculator to estimate personal household useDIY maintenance guide for residents who have rainwater tankswater audit program to help small businesses save money.To access all the resources and activities, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/waterweek.Central Coast Council’s Acting Director Water & Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves said National Water Week is a great opportunity to embrace the ‘Love Water’ theme adopted during last year’s drought.“While our water reserves have increased since the drought period, it’s important we all adopt a long-term approach to water security as dry conditions will inevitably return,” Ms Hargreaves said.“Learning about the journey our water makes from rainfall to the tap helps us value this precious resource and makes it easier to adopt simple behaviour changes that help us use water wisely so there is plenty for the future.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast residents have told Council they value water security and the Coast’s ability to be resilient with our water.“The ability to access good drinking water is one of life’s essentials, and National Water Week is an opportunity to continue to ‘love water’ by learning about what it takes to produce it and how we can all use it wisely.”Get involved at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/waterweek

Your Voice Our Coast is an online hub available to our community to provide input and direction into current projects and future initiatives affecting their area and region.

Central Coast Council is seeking urgent answers from the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, and the Office of Local Government to Council’s request for assistance with its serious financial situation.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it appeared that the Minister and the NSW Government were abandoning the Central Coast community and not standing by commitments to appoint an independent financial expert and a Human Resources adviser to ascertain Council’s true financial position.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Natalia Cowley to the role of Chief Financial Officer.

Council resolved tonight to continue to focus on the finalisation of its 100-Day Action Plan to financial recovery, seek further assistance from the State Government and establish a Finance Committee.

October is Mental Health Month - a time that gives us the opportunity to break down stereotypes and raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing, including thinking about our own mental health and wellbeing and encouraging help seeking behaviours when needed.  This year’s theme ‘Tune In’ means being present, being aware of what’s happening within you and the world around you.