Central Coast Council has welcomed the decision by striking garbage truck drivers to return to work today.The drivers are already back on the job and have started with bin collections from last Thursday (when the strike began) and will work to catch up what has been missed since then.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the end of industrial action would come as a relief to residents“I am pleased for residents this strike is finally over and they now have surety their bin will be picked up,” Mr Reynolds said.“Council’s role here has always been to ensure we have a reliable and efficient waste and recycling service for our 331,000 residents and that will not change.“My door is always open to those willing to deliver that for our community.”Residents should leave their bin out on the kerb until it is collected by Remondis drivers.Council has opened its waste management facilities at Buttonderry, Woy and Woy and Kincumber for residents wishing to dispose of their red lid bin waste sooner for free until the end of the week (Friday).

Central Coast Council is busy cleaning up after the weekend storms when almost 200 mm of rain fell in just over 24 hours.The rain has given a significant boost to dam levels with more than five weeks supply of water captured for the Central Coast.A number of local roads were closed due to flooding and repairs will need to be made throughout the network, particularly to fix potholes.Council’s Team Leader of Beach Lifeguards Craig Healy said Terrigal Beach, Avoca Beach, Ettalong Beach and Patonga Beach were the areas most affected in south of the Central Coast.“The wild weather washed plenty of sand and other debris into nearby car parks, public reserves and other areas along the coastline,” Mr Healy said.“Local surf clubs, footpaths, seawalls and access ramps in the vicinity of a number of beaches were also damaged.“At this stage, we expect the clean-up in the south will last all week.Council’s Manager of Waterways and Assets, Mr Peter Ham, said council was bracing for more to come with a minor flood warning now issued for Tuggerah Lakes.“The rain may have stopped but it will take a few days for the lakes to reach their peaks,” Mr Ham said.“Residents are used to this and are being helped by the SES with sandbags to minimise damage to their homes.’Residents in low lying areas of Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Point, South Tacoma Road, Tacoma South and The Entrance North are urged to get sand bags from the Wyong SES in preparation.Damage in the north of the council area was limited to minor road damage, erosion at beach accesses, some minor flooding issues and a couple of assets exposed to wave action such as the walkway at Cabbage Tree Harbour and the sandstone wall near The Entrance baths.

Central Coast Council is urging the community to avoid swimming and other recreational activities in public waterways until further notice following wild weather over the weekend.Along with major stormwater pollution, there were a number of sewage overflows into waterways in a number of areas due to the significant rainfall.Although council’s sewerage network is now operating as normal, public waterways including local beaches, lagoons and parts of Brisbane Water are still potentially affected.Council is working with all relevant authorities including the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Public Health Unit.The community can be assured that the drinking water supply has not been affected by these sewage overflows.

Central Coast Council is considering invoking penalty clauses in its contract with local waste contractor, Remondis if the strike by garbage truck drivers continues.Remondis is contracted by council to provide waste services, including regular bin collection, until January 31, 2018.Remondis directly employ the current garbage drivers and are responsible for their wages and conditions.  The Transport Workers Union (TWU) lodged the intention to take strike action in the Fair Work Commission, against Remondis, not council.Council’s CEO Mr Rob Noble said he was tired of the blame game and wants Remondis to get on with what it is paid to do and pick up the bins.“This protracted action is starting to take its toll on everyone – particularly our residents who see rubbish piling up in the streets.“We have a broader responsibility to provide the best possible services to our 331,000 residents.“The new waste tender hasn’t even been released yet so there is plenty of time for workers to secure their conditions.“In the meantime our residents are being made to pay for this ill-advised action.“They need to get to work and pick up the bins - that is what they are paid to do.”Council has moved to lessen the impact on residents by opening up its three waste facilities at Buttonderry, Kincumber and Woy Woy for the free drop off of domestic waste.“We know this won’t be convenient for everyone but it is a step we can take now at our expense until the backlog is cleared.”Residents should leave their bin out on the kerb until it is collected by Remondis.

Very low usage and the availability of other, free parking in Gosford’s city centre will see the former Kibbleplex site’s commuter car park close on weekends starting this month.From Saturday 11 June 2016, the operating hours for the site’s 400 free commuter car parks will change to Monday to Friday between 5.30am and 9pm each weekday.Central Coast Council’s Director of Community Growth Judy Jaeger said that except for major city centre events the commuter car park was virtually empty on weekends.“Council worked hard as part of the site’s sale earlier this year to make sure it would be business as usual at the car park for the foreseeable future,” Ms Jaeger said.“But with weekend usage at the car park very low and plenty of other free parking available in the city centre, especially at the nearby Imperial Centre, the cost to the community of keeping the car park open seven days a week is no longer sustainable.“We also expect that closing the car park on Saturdays and Sundays will reduce some of the security issues at the site.“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank the community for their understanding,” Ms Jaeger said.Council will continue to liaise with the site’s new owner to have the car park opened at certain times on those weekends when a major event is being held.“I can also assure the community that we’re continuing to develop a long-term car parking strategy for Gosford’s CBD,” Ms Jaeger added.“This strategy will look at a number of options including possible changes to council’s current Baker Street car park, potential sites for new car parks, as well as lobbying the NSW Government to provide more parking to support all its facilities and services in Gosford.”

Central Coast Council will start work on Monday to upgrade the carparks at a popular reserve at Long Jetty.Saltwater Creek Reserve boasts a regional play space with an all access swing, mini BMX track, barbecues and picnic facilities, open reserve, free Wi-Fi and a boat ramp to access Tuggerah Lakes.Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Mr Greg McDonald, said the upgrade will complement the popular reserve.“Both carparks desperately need an upgrade and we promise you will notice an improvement to the surface and have more parking as a result,” Mr McDonald said.“In order to carry out these works though, we need to close both carparks temporarily.“We know this closure will be inconvenient to users, but it’s the best option to carry out the works in a safe and timely manner.”Weather permitting, work is expected to be finished at the end of July and includes:A new boat and trailer car park that will provide 10 formalised spaces for boats and trailers as well as improved rigging and turning areasA new main carpark that will provide 83 formalised car spaces - providing an additional 14 spaces, more than there is nowRealignment of the shared path off road to improve safetyA new and improved boat ramp (4.5 metres wide) to access Tuggerah Lakes.During the works, boat ramps users can still launch their vessel from the nearby ramp at Picnic Point, The Entrance.“The park, play space and BMX track will be open – residents will just need to find parking nearby to the park,” Mr McDonald added.Parking is available across the Central Coast Highway at the Lions Park (aka Rocket Park) as well as along Tuggerah Parade and the adjoining streets.

Central Coast Council’s current tender process for a new waste contract to start in February 2018 is not a reason for local garbage drivers to strike.The dispute lodged by the TWU in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) is between drivers and Remondis and does not involve council.

Central Coast Council’s Administrator has urged the Waste Contractor Remondis to go to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to resolve its dispute with local garbage drivers.The workers, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) lodged a dispute with the FWC over their working conditions with Remondis and called a strike from 2am this morning.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said council has been unfairly dragged into the dispute because of the tender process it is undertaking for a new waste contract in 2018.  This has nothing to do with the current dispute between workers and Remondis.“I have listened to both parties now and understand their concerns.  I want a quick resolution so the community can have confidence that their bins will be picked up when they put them out.”“The ball is in Remondis’ court now.“Council certainly respects the rights and entitlements of the Remondis drivers but we also have a broader commitment to deliver services to 331,000 residents on the Central Coast.“And they want their waste picked up today.”Residents affected by the strike are advised to leave their bin out and it will be picked up.  All enquiries regarding bin collection should be referred to Remondis on 1300 126 278.