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 pleased to announce the appointment of Natalia Cowley to the role of Chief Financial Officer.

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.

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.

Since reporting the serious financial issues facing Central Coast Council, CEO, Gary Murphy, and senior executives have been undertaking meetings and conferences with key stakeholders over the past two days to build a roadmap to recovery.These discussions have included the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, and the Office of Local Government.Councillors and staff have been kept informed of the process moving forward, which includes:The establishment of a 100-Day Action Plan to RecoveryThe Office of Local Government has been instructed to provide an independent financial expert and Human Resources adviser to review Council’s financial position and identify possible options as quickly as possibleA forensic audit undertaken of Council’s financesChanges to management spending delegationsCouncil working group established to identify potential savings in capital works and operational services programsThere is no change to our full-time equivalent staff, but a review of contracted and temporary workforce is underway.The financial issues came to light after reviews commissioned by the CEO, despite previous audits and reports indicating that the Council was being prudent in its financial planning, and have led to investigations into:whether there are appropriate financial controls and structures in relation to cashflow management, the absence of which may have contributed to the current financial situationwhether the amalgamation in mid-2016 has caused significant and ongoing impacts which we estimate could be in excess of $100MThe impact of the recent IPART determination will have cost Council close to $100M over three yearsCost-shifting has cost the Council an estimated $45M or more per yearWhile expenditure is under review and measures will be implemented to wind back the deficit, there will be no change to essential services.

Central Coast Council has, following a year of natural disasters and the impact of COVID-19, undertaken a review of the council’s budget which reveals that its budgetary position has deteriorated since the March 2020 result.

It’s that time of year, the weather is warming up and the yellow and red flags are now out at 15 of our beaches!

Central Coast Council has welcomed the release a suite of reports as part of the Terrigal and coastal lagoons audit.The reports detail the scientific investigations, community engagement activities and the remediation actions of Council and the NSW Government as part of the audit thus far.Council’s Acting Director Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargraves said a lot has been achieved since the audit began in January 2019.“Council and our partners at the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the University of Technology Sydney have been investigating potential pollution sources and monitoring water quality at over 160 sites across Terrigal and the coastal lagoons,” Ms Hargraves said.“As the results of these investigations became apparent, we were able to plan and adjust the program to focus our inspections and remediation on high-risk areas in the catchment.“More than 12km of sewer pipes have already been relined and 11 illegal connections between the sewer and stormwater systems discovered.“The work doesn’t stop here though, further inspections using CCTV and smoke testing are underway.

Central Coast Council has unveiled a new and enhanced online customer service centre for the community.Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the updated platform was part of Council’s commitment to continually improve customers' experience.“Online is another way that customers can engage and inform Council of what is occurring in their homes and in their neighbourhoods,” Ms Vaughan said.“We have made it a priority to improve our online customer services to ensure that every engagement that the community has with us is easy and simple.“We want to get the experience right, so we have simplified the process to allow users to submit a request from anywhere at any time.“The new and improved online customer service centre provides more self-service options when lodging a request, and can assist customers to find information and tips on how to resolve their issue quickly and easily.“Once registered, users can track and view any updates to their service requests via the online service centre.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the new platform is a win for the community, making initial business with Council more streamlined.“The online customer service centre is one of many services that Council has recently changed after listening to our customers about their experience, including the new Planning Portal for development applications.

A state-of-the-art Water Play Park at the Peninsula Leisure Centre (PLC) has been completed in time for Spring and the school holidays.The $1million interactive water-based play and education space is expected to attract locals and tourists.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the community-driven project has resulted in the ideal use for the outdoor space at PLC.“This fantastic new amenity is sure to be very popular with the young and the young at heart,” Ms Vaughan said.“The nautical themed Water Play Park can be enjoyed upon entry to the PLC, it combines water-based play and education and has an accessible design to be enjoyed by all community members.”Features of the Water Play Park include a tipping bucket, interactive (cause and effect) elements, shade sail, in-built filtration system and zero depth (for safety and accessibility).Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the new play park was funded by the NSW Government with $850,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund as well as over $200,000 from Council.“I want to congratulate the Council staff that have undertaken this million-dollar upgrade at the Peninsula Leisure Centre,” Mr Crouch said.“The PLC is one of Central Coast Council’s most highly-utilised assets, and thanks to the opening of this new Water Play Park, it’s becoming an even better facility for locals to enjoy.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the collaboration between local and state government had delivered another fantastic facility for the Central Coast community.“There is so much to love about this project – an accessible design that creates a space for fun, physical activity and education,” Mayor Matthews said.“This is one of many projects, Council is delivering this year with the State Government, while adhering to important COVID-19 requirements.”The Water Play Park will be open to the public from Saturday 26 September.

Players and sporting groups of Tacoma’s Don Small Oval will be cheering following the completion of the new sportsground amenities building that will service the needs of this growing sporting community.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said the new sportsground amenities replace the original Wyong Lakes Australian Football Club building which was destroyed by fire in 2013 and the existing dilapidated amenities building.“Don Small Oval is home to the Wyong Lakes Australian Rules Football Club and Central Coast Cricket whose efforts to help source funding paid off with a collection of grants secured to deliver this project,” Mr Cox said.“This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government, Central Coast Council, AFL NSW/ACT and Wyong Lakes FC through grant funding received from the Australian Government and NSW Government."The new sportsground amenities building will meet the growing needs of local sporting groups, whilst ensuring compliance with current building requirements and Australian standards.

With many young people struggling to find work in the current economic climate, Council is running a free Employ Me workshop to arm young Coasties with important tools and skills for gaining employment.The workshop, which will take place at The Hub Erina on 7 October 2020, is designed to help young people put their best foot forward during the job application process and relieve some of the stress associated with job hunting.

Central Coast Council will present a ‘drive in’ concert to bring the magic of a live music event back to the Coast in a way that meets current COVID-19 restrictions.‘Live at the Drive In’ is a first for the Central Coast and will feature the modern blues genius of headliner Ash Grunwald and local support Elaskia performing to audience members sitting comfortably and safely in their own cars.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said he was excited about the Central Coast hosting a ‘drive in’ event.“Who doesn’t love a ‘drive in’ movie?

Council adopts a positive jobs plan for a Central CoastThe first ever Economic Development Strategy for the Central Coast has been adopted, positioning the region as the place to do business, creating jobs and prosperity for the region.The local economy will be strengthened through targeted investment, improved partnerships between the community, business and education sectors and all levels of government.Mayor Lisa Matthews said COVID had great challenges for local and global economies but Council is determined to lead to way with a positive plan to deliver jobs for the growing community.“We know our community are doing it tough, we know our businesses are doing it tough but we are already seeing the signs we are coming out of this with lots of interest from people wanting to live, visit and do business here,” Mayor Matthews said.“Creating local jobs and opportunities has always been a priority for this Council and our community - we now have a Plan to deliver it.“We are going to directly invest in our people, infrastructure and digital capability and transform the economy of the Central Coast.” 678 submissions were received during the exhibition of the Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 and Economic Recovery and Resilience Framework with 86% agreeing it was important for Council to develop and implement a detailed plan to grow the local economy.“72,000 additional jobs and economic growth of $21 billion is needed by 2040 to support the population growth predicted for the region and we are pleased to have a Plan in place now that will help make that happen,” Mayor Matthews said.Development of a new Education and Business Precinct for Warnervale a step closerCouncil has endorsed a concept plan, for public exhibition, to turn Council-owned land, in Warnervale, into an Education and Business Precinct.The land situated on the eastern side of 30 Jack Grant Avenue, is bounded by Porters Creek wetlands and the future Warnervale Link Road (connecting Wyong to Watanobbi).

The weekend saw the last NRL game hosted at Central Coast Stadium of our adopted home team the New Zealand Warriors.

Central Coast Council is reminding the community to keep safety top-of-mind if heading to Terrigal these school holidays, as works continue on the construction of Terrigal Boardwalk and upgrade to the existing rockpool.Council advises anyone visiting the area to follow all signage and directions and adhere to the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

With the expected influx of visitors over the school holidays Council is putting in place plans to keep the Coast COVID-safe.New signs are in place at all Town Centres reminding visitors about public health warnings around no large gatherings, social distancing, encouraging mask use and hand sanitation.

With the HSC just around the corner, Council is reminding local students and their families to take advantage of the many free online study resources available via its Library Service, including the online homework tool Studiosity.Available to students in Years 3-12 through to tertiary level, Studiosity connects students to vetted subject specialists, who can provide real-time feedback and support via a live chat function at any hour of the day.Council Section Manager Library Strategy and Connection, Benjamin Hartley said that the platform is an excellent resource for students looking for additional help and guidance as they prep for exams and complete assignments or homework.“With thousands of students across the Coast preparing for the HSC right now, it’s the perfect time for us to remind our local students of the free online support available to them through our Library Service,” said Mr Hartley.“Platforms like Studiosity can give students a much-needed leg up when preparing for exam season, particularly when looking for additional support and advice outside of the classroom.“Knowing that there is a subject expert available to review draft essays, provide guidance and share feedback 24/7 will help to reduce the stress and worry that students often feel when studying alone.“As added support, students can also access a range of reliable sites on topics including Modern History, Ancient History, Literature, Science, Geography and Culture and Religion via Council’s free eResources section.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that providing the community with free access to these online resources helps to level the playing field for all students.“The way students access information and support is constantly evolving and we are thrilled to offer a range of resources and platforms to benefit students of all ages and their families,” said Mayor Matthews.“One of Council’s key priorities is to cultivate a love of learning and knowledge in our community and we are proud to be contributing to this with these important initiatives.”Community members can access Studiosity using their library membership number at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/Studiosity and check out a range of free study eResources at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/eresources.Not a library member?