Central Coast Council is preparing a special New Year’s Eve event at the Gosford Waterfront, with more than 10,000 locals and visitors expected to join in the celebrations.The event highlights a collaborative approach between Central Coast Council and The Central Coast Mariners with the aim to deliver an event that connects all activities in the precinct around the stadium and to create a family friendly, safe and entertaining atmosphere. New Year’s Eve at Gosford Waterfront will feature live music, food stalls, amusement rides, glow products and show bags, kids craft activities, face painting, and a spectacular fireworks display if conditions permit.Central Coast Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard invites locals and visitors to celebrate the last sunset of 2019 with family and friends on the beautiful Gosford Waterfront.“This event has something for the entire family and is a great way to celebrate 2019 and the start of the 2020s,” Mr Cannard said.“There will be food options galore, great live entertainment, amusement rides and fun activities for the kids, and of course don’t miss the spectacular fireworks display to conclude the festivities at 9.15pm (dependant on weather conditions and possible fire bans).”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council was delighted to host this special event for community members and visitors to the Central Coast.“Gosford Waterfront is magical location and a great spot to bring in the new year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Let’s come together with family, friends, our community and visitors to celebrate all that was achieved in 2019 and all 2020 has to offer.” Council’s NYE Event at Gosford Waterfront will be held at Alfred Higgs Place and under the Brian McGowan Bridge and runs from 5pm to 9.30pm. SPECIAL EVENT ROAD CLOSURESVaughan Avenue between Mann Street and Dane Drive from 6-11pm.Dane Drive between Donnison Street and Georgiana Terrace from 4-11pm.Georgiana Terrace between Baker Street and Dane Drive from 6pm-11pm.The Central Coast Highway between Hely Street and Masons Parade (including the Brian McGowan Bridge and Alfred Higgs Place) from 6-11pm.No parking under the bridge is permitted in the lead-up to the event.

Central Coast Council is continuing to improve online services with the launch of the new Library Service app that provides easier access to resources, collections, events and news.Rather than having to navigate to multiple web pages, the app collates the Library’s digital information and platforms in one mobile friendly location delivering services in the format the community have come to expect. Council’s Section Manager Library Strategy and Connection, Ben Hartley, is excited to launch the app and improve resident’s digital connection to their local library.“This new app keeps pace with technological advances, delivering the online presence our customers have asked for,” Mr Hartley said.“With the tap of the screen customers will be able to reserve items, scan book barcodes to search, view events as well as easy access to eBooks, eMags, music streaming and much, much more.“In what is sure to be a bonus for families, you can link to multiple accounts allowing carers to store their own and children’s barcodes on one device which can be scanned in-branch.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the app creates an ease of engaging with the libraries, providing access to those who live, work or study on the Coast anywhere, anytime.“This app delivers services in the format residents want, providing our community more choice to connect, learn and relax in a way that works for them, anywhere, anytime,” Mayor Matthews said.“Whether you’re after new reading material or music for your commute, online study help, children’s educational resources or want to learn a language there’s something for every age and interest.“With holidays right around the corner there’s really no better time to uncover what your modern library has to offer.”The new app is available now.

Gosford Regional Library on the horizonCentral Coast Council is moving forward with the long-awaited Gosford Regional Library and Innovation Hub at the Parkside site, Donnison Street, Gosford.Mayor Lisa Matthews said she is thrilled to see this catalyst project proceed for Gosford CBD, helping to create a vibrant and sustainable region.“There is an urgent need for the delivery of the Regional Library to provide contemporary and future multi-use spaces where our community can meet, connect and learn,” Mayor Matthews said.“The community has significant investment and interest in progressing this project, so it is essential we now put our energy and efforts into making it a reality.“To ensure the project moves as quickly as possible, planning of the tender process for design and construction has commenced and we anticipate the development application will be lodged as early as June next year.“Following discussions with the current Parkside tenants, demolition and construction works have been pushed back to February 2021 so as not to disrupt the stability of the services offered as well as ample time to relocate.“I want to reiterate this development is not dependant on the closure of existing branches, but a hero development that will help meet the ongoing social, recreational, educational and technological needs of our growing community and improve our residents’ quality of life.”Budget allocations of $1.115million for the Gosford Cultural Precinct have been reallocated for the design and development stage of the Regional Library to get underway, with further estimates and costings to be completed as part of the 2020-21 budget process.Staff are currently finalising discussions with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development to secure the $7million Federal funding to help deliver this state-of-the-art facility.As a result of the Regional Library moving ahead as a stand-alone project, all conveyancing negotiations for 135-137 Erina Street East, Gosford will be discontinued and all tenders received for the Gosford Cultural Precinct will now be declined, with applicants to be notified as soon as possible. Record breaking tourism expenditure exceeds first year targetsCouncil has reported a record breaking $1billion in tourism expenditure in the first year as outlined in the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21.The achieved expenditure has surpassed Council’s 2021 target of $921million.Mayor Lisa Matthews said in one year the Central Coast has already seen an overall shift in tourism.“It’s great to see the results of the first year of the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21 and the impacts it has had on our visitor economy,” Mayor Matthews said.“It shows the effectiveness of our targeted campaigns, with an increase of 43.9% of visits to the Visit Central Coast website and over 200 new business listings added to the site.“The results have also identified a number of opportunities to encourage visitors all year round and we held a number of events in 2019 which contributed towards achieving this, including hosting the LGNSW Tourism Conference, the development of the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and opening the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex.“The plan identifies actions to boost community support through tourism employment pathways for young people such as the development of the Young Ambassador Program.“Tourism is one of the biggest industries on the Coast, and it is recommended that the focus on tourism development and destination management be maintained.” The newly endorsed Tourism Opportunity Plan sets out three key strategic priorities, supporting priority projects and underlying actions to assist Council to take a proactive facilitative role in delivering economic and community benefits for tourism across the region. Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy to promote economic growthCouncil has adopted the Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy after a period of public consultation.The Draft Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy (the Strategy) is a set of directions, actions and catalyst projects for the community, Government and the development sector to create a sustainable Corridor that the community want to live and work in.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Strategy is important to assist in creating an economic and vibrant community into the future.“As a Council, it’s important for us that the Central Coast is seen as the growing and competitive region that it is.

The location of Monday night’s Central Coast Council’s next Council Meeting and Public Forum has changed.

Central Coast Council Offices will be closed from 1pm on Tuesday 24 December for the annual Christmas closure and reopen on Thursday 2 January 2020 at 8.30am.This includes the Gosford and Wyong Offices and Council works depots.

The newly refurbished amenities at Kalakau Avenue in Forresters Beach officially opened today ahead of the peak summer season.

Many Central Coast Council facilities and services will be closed to the public on Friday 6 December 2019 for a Local Government State Award approved Union Picnic Day.This includes the Gosford and Wyong Administration Buildings, all library branches, works depots, all Council run childcare centres, Laycock Street Community Theatre as well as Wyong Pool from 9am-3pm.

Residents across the region can learn more about their waterways and make a contribution to scientific knowledge with a series of innovative workshops to be delivered by Central Coast Council throughout summer.Citizen Science programs are an opportunity for the broader community to help scientists understand the local environment by providing valuable data and insights.

Today Mayor Lisa Matthews marked an exciting moment for current and future users of Garnet Adcock Memorial Park at West Gosford as the first sod was turned to signal commencement of construction on the first stage of the $26.2 million redevelopment of the site.Central Coast Council Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said “Over the next 12 months the community will see the construction of a state-of-the art multi-purpose sportsground amenities building that will accommodate five of the seven sporting codes that utilise this regional facility.

Central Coast Council is extremely disappointed in the alleged behaviour of a group of individuals that disturbed the Little Tern nesting site at Karagi Reserve, The Entrance North on Sunday 1 December 2019.

With a hot dry summer ahead, Central Coast Council is urging residents and businesses to continue the water saving efforts that have helped delay the introduction of water restrictions.Since Council launched the “Live to 150L” campaign in September, thousands of people have visited the online water use calculator and other tools for tips on saving water.Live to 150L encourages everyone to use no more than 150 litres of water per person per day.

Council prepares for $70M Federal Government funding injection for Coast’s roadsCouncil has approved 29 road projects across the Central Coast that will be delivered with $70million in Federal Government funding committed in the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election.Projects selected will be delivered as part of the ‘Central Coast Roads Package’ and will focus on busting congestion and increasing safety.The significant scale of the funding package means that projects will be delivered over consecutive years starting in 2019-20 and continuing through to 2024-25.Mayor Lisa Matthews said she was pleased to see the Federal Government deliver on its promise to fund local road upgrades on the Coast.“This $70million funding injection from the Federal Government will allow Council to deliver projects the community have identified as priorities on the Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.“Roads are a key priority for Council too with more than $240million in projects delivered over the past three years.“Maintaining and developing our region’s extensive road network – spanning 2,200 kilometres – requires all levels of government to work together.“The ‘Central Coast Roads Package’ is an example of a funding commitment that will make a real difference for our region.”Community to have its say on amalgamation experienceCentral Coast Council has recommended that additional questions be included in the annual Customer Experience survey for residents to provide their views on the amalgamation of the former Wyong and Gosford Councils, their experience and their satisfaction of the LGA. Council also advised that in early 2020, it will report on the estimated costs involved in amalgamating the two former Councils.The report will also outline the progress on various aspects of the amalgamation and the associated expenditures.Council supports community with over $695,900 in grantsCouncil has allocated $695,984 in funding to successful applications for community grants.Council has allocated $631,022 of funding across four programs for Round 1 of the Community Grants Program 2019-20.

Central Coast Stadium’s resident family of endangered Eastern Ospreys has grown by two with the recent successful hatching of two chicks, delighting Council, stadium staff, and bird lovers alike.It might seem like an odd place to raise a family, but the endangered sea bird has been a common sight in the stadium’s lighting tower ever since they began to occupy the area in 2014.After raising safety concerns including the issue of debris from the nest being dropped on the seats below which forced the closure of the ticketed bay, it was determined that a long-term solution was needed that was in the best interest of the birds.“In June of this year Council installed a reinforced platform for the birds to move into which was just metres away from their original home,” said Central Coast Stadium Manager Kath Kasey.“There was some initial concern that they might not take to their new nest but in the last couple of weeks stadium staff and patrons have been able to hear the cries of the hatched chicks as they pester mum and dad for their favourite food – fish!” Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was pleasing that the decision to invest in creating a new nest has paid off.

Central Coast Council has unfortunately had to cancel the Christmas in Kibble Park event scheduled for this Saturday, 23 November 2019 due to the current air quality conditions.The Central Coast is experiencing poor air quality this week due to smoke from bush fires west of the region and unfortunately conditions are expected to stay at these levels well into next week. Council has a responsibility to help keep the community as safe as possible and reduce potential negative health impacts.

Central Coast Council is urging residents to be as prepared as possible and to remain vigilant as the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) continues to fight and monitor the Gospers Mountain fire west of the Central Coast.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it is vital that all Central Coast community members regularly refer to the information provided by the RFS.“The RFS is the lead agency for bush fires and we must all refer to the RFS for the latest advice on fires currently burning and for information on how to ensure we are as prepared as possible,” Mayor Matthews said.“At this point in time it is particularly important that our residents west of the M1 are prepared and vigilantly monitoring RFS advice regarding the Gospers Mountain fire.“Please download and use the RFS ‘Fires Near Me’ mobile phone app if you haven’t already.

Central Coast Council is launching an innovative podcast series featuring the lives of six Central Coast men from various walks of life, to spotlight the changing role of masculinity.‘Man;Kind’ is Council’s first project that looks into the stereotypes around what it means to be a man in a bid to tell an alternative story about the impact of social issues, such as gender violence and equality, on the Central Coast.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the podcast aims to encourage everyone to work together to explore various perspectives on key social issues that impact on community wellbeing and vulnerable people.“What these podcasts really highlight is the fact that there is no one way to be male and we are pleased to be able to create this platform that allows Central Coast men to share their stories,” Ms Vaughan said.“Gender equality and gendered violence are extremely important topics within the community and it’s vital for the local community and local men to have a platform to share their experiences, challenges, ideas and knowledge, and realise they’re not alone.’’ 'Man;Kind’ will officially launch on 22 November at the spoken word poetry night at Wyong’s Art House, after which it will be available to download.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the podcast series reinforces the work that Council is doing to ensure our community is inclusive for all.“As a Council we have a responsibility to help alleviate the impact of social issues as well as start conversations around issues such as gender inequality, gender-based violence, domestic violence and socio-economic disadvantage,” Mayor Matthews said.“It’s important that we all have the opportunity to be heard and we’re delighted to be able launch this initiative – the first that focuses on men but is aimed to encourage discussion among everyone.”To continue these important conversations, during November and December as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Council is rolling out a ‘Healthy Relationships’ campaign for young people, running a series of ‘Supporting Healthy Relationships’ workshops and a temporary lightbox installation will be displayed on Terrigal Foreshore.Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/mankind for more information.

Central Coast Council will run a series of ‘Supporting Healthy Relationships’ workshops in November and December to help bring awareness to the issue of domestic and family violence (DFV).Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the workshops have been designed to provide the community with the tools they need to create better family relationships.“Domestic and family violence is a major health and welfare issue with current statistics showing that the Central Coast has some of the highest rates of DFV in NSW,” Ms Vaughan said.

Central Coast Council is now accepting unlimited quantities of household e-waste that can be dropped at all three Waste Management Facilities for free.The change has come about following a new contract arrangement to help maximise resource recovery and reduce the amount of electronics ending up in landfill.Council Unit Manger Waste Services and Business Development, Andrew Pearce said e-waste is recognised as the fastest growing waste stream with over 700,000 tonnes generated nationally.“Here on the Central Coast e-waste is one of the most common items placed in household bins and bulk kerbside collections,” Mr Pearce said.“When e-waste is collected and compacted in a mixed waste collection truck it becomes a missed opportunity to retrieve and reuse the precious metals and other resources while also unnecessarily consuming landfill space.“We accept all the traditional items such as televisions, computers and printers, but thanks to this new arrangement we can now also accept any electrical product with a cord that does not contain liquid.“Last year we recycled more than 135 tonnes of e-waste and with the number of new items that can now be dropped off we are hoping we can continue this upward trajectory.”E-waste collected at Councils facilities is temporarily stored and then bulk transferred to an e-waste processing facility in Sydney where it is shredded and sorted using advanced technology that creates high-quality raw materials for reuse.“Research has shown that people are suspicious about dropping off items with their personal details,” Mr Pearce added.“All data on devices is destroyed during the dismantling process, however, if you have any concerns reset and erase all data from devices before dropping them off.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council is committed to delivering options where the community can easily recycle and reuse products.“We all have old phones and other e-waste that we don’t use anymore lying around the house,” Mayor Matthews said“This is a great opportunity to get rid of it all knowing it will be reused and have a future as a new product.“This excellent initiative demonstrates what local government can achieve to help improve recycling systems that move towards a more circular economy.“Last year we paid more than $29 million via the Waste Levy and received less than half a million back to reinvest into waste minimisation, recycling and resource recovery.“We are now calling on the State Government to work collaboratively with council’s and release some of these funds to develop innovative approaches to resource recovery.”Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ewaste for a list of accepted e-waste materials and Council’s Waste Management Facility locations and opening hours.ENDS

Peninsula residents can look forward to an improved water supply this summer with Central Coast Council set to commence work on an extensive water mains maintenance program.Part of this program will see a number of dead-ends in the water supply network on the Peninsula extended to connect into the main network, which will ensure continued high-quality water to the area.Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said Council actively monitors and tests the effectiveness of the Coast’s water quality and extending dead-end water mains is a priority.“The Peninsula has a greater risk of low circulating water due to the large number of dead-end networks,” Mr Loader said.“We have flushed the mains, identified 11 sections of dead-ends that we are extending to connect into the main network and will soon eliminate these remaining dead-ends to ensure continued high-quality water to the community.”“Our goal remains to improve the integrity of the water infrastructure in the local community and regular maintenance helps us achieve this.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council’s Water Mains Cleaning Program is an essential investment with the local community benefiting directly.“There are over 2,600km of water mains that we actively maintain and upgrade, and we are committed to investing in this essential service so it meets the needs of our growing community now and into the future,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council is improving the integrity of our water infrastructure and the quality of our drinking water for the local community, with programs like this rolling out consistently each year.”Works will commence every day from 21 November to 9 December, except on Sundays, between the hours of 8am and 5pm and will not disrupt the water supply.

Council opens another door for growth and investment on the Central Coast Council has endorsed the public exhibition of a draft Tuggerah to Wyong Economic Corridor (The Corridor) Strategy and a Transport Report in the next step to enable the successful and sustained growth of the Central Coast.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the draft Corridor Strategy supports the NSW Government’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 and will implement a number of directions to guide planning and investment in the region.“The Tuggerah to Wyong Economic Corridor is a key part of the Northern Growth Corridor in line with the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036.