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    Media Release
    Vacuum Sewer Refurbishment Works in Davistown, Tacoma and St Hubert’s Island.
    As part of our commitment to maintaining quality water and sewer infrastructure across the region, Central Coast Water and Sewer have been undertaking works to refurbish the Vacuum Sewer System within Davistown, Tacoma and St Hubert’s Island. Vacuum sewer systems are an effective sewer management option for flat landscapes.
    22/09/2023
    Media Release
    Central Coast Council calls on small businesses to join in breakfast and boost their business
    October is NSW Small Business month and Central Coast Council is inviting small business owners to celebrate at a breakfast seminar on Friday 6 October.This year’s theme is ‘My Small Business’ and is focused on providing assistance and tips on how small businesses can strengthen their business.Council’s Unit Manager Economic Development and Property, Jamie Barclay, said in line with this year’s theme Council will host a free breakfast seminar on increasing small business digital maturity capabilities.“The aim of the event is to get small businesses on the Coast to think about their own digital and online presence and what steps they can take to optimise it,” Mr Barclay said.“We have engaged the Fifth Element to facilitate the seminar who specialise in supporting small businesses in building a more robust enterprise through digital activation.”Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, encourages small business owners to attend the seminar to take home the tips they need to enhance their business online.“The breakfast seminar will also be a great chance to network with other local businesses in the area and share ideas,” Mr Hart said.“Small Business month focuses on the different elements of being a small business owner, and we hope our seminar will help you with your individual business needs.”The free breakfast seminar, ‘My Small Business Digital Maturity’, is proudly supported by the NSW Government Small Business Commissions and will be held on Friday 6 October from 8-10.30am at The Entertainment grounds, West Gosford.Find out more and book your seat today! ENDS 
    21/09/2023
    Media Release
    Countdown begins for the state’s largest Indigenous sporting event being held on the Coast
    It’s now less than two weeks before Central Coast Council hosts one of the largest annual Indigenous sporting events at Tuggerah in partnership with the Newcastle All Blacks – the 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout.Also referred to as the ‘Koori Knockout’, this mass participation sporting event will showcase some of the best rugby league talent in the country and holds a highly regarded and significant place on the Indigenous calendar.The Knockout will kick off on Friday 29 September at the Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Complex (CCRSRC) and will be played over the October long weekend.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said up to 150 teams are expected to participate across the four-day event, attracting thousands of people to the Coast.“With so many people expected to attend the Knockout, we have put in place a Traffic Management Plan to help cater for the extra visitors and traffic,” Ms Smith said.“With limited parking in the area for so many event goers, we’re encouraging people to take advantage of public transport - as our facility has been built in such a perfect location it’s only a short walk from the already existing train and bus services at Tuggerah Station!“To complement the public service, we will also be providing a free shuttle bus service to the complex from EDSACC Oval North, Bateau Bay and Tuggerah Dog Park that will run until 7pm every day of the Knockout.“We want everyone who’s competing or watching the Knockout to get there hassle free and enjoy some great footy at our amazing facility.”Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said Council hosted the event in 2019 with the Newcastle All Blacks and is excited to be doing it all again.“With so many more teams participating this year, Tuggerah has proven it’s the best complex to cater for the extra games and hosting such a major sporting event will deliver significant benefits to our local community,” Mr Hart said.“This event will be attracting thousands of spectators and will boost our local tourist economy by an estimated $6 million, providing a direct benefit to our region’s small businesses and local employment.“The Koori Knockout is one event not to be missed with some of the country’s best talent on display – you may even catch a close up of an NRL/NRLW star in action too!”The 51st NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout will be held at CCRSRC Tuggerah from Friday 29 September to Monday 2 October 2023.
    19/09/2023
    Media Release
    Contract awarded to address Bateau Bay Sewage Plant odour
    The $35 million upgrade to Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant is one step closer with the contract to upgrade the odour facilities being awarded to Gongues Constructions Pty Ltd.  This Contract is for the design and construction of a new inlet works Odour Control Facility and the full refurbishment of the Primary Sedimentation Tanks Odour Control Facility.  Director for Water and Sewer Jamie Loader said while the works were due to be part of the overall plant upgrade these works had been brought forward under a dedicated contract to accelerate the delivery of the new and augmented odour control infrastructure.  “The new system will replace the original with an upsized multibarrier treatment process capable of reducing odour to below detectable limits.
    14/09/2023
    Media Release
    More than 150 opportunities to Get Active in San Remo and Blue Haven this October
    More than 150 sport, active recreation and physical activity opportunities have already been unveiled as part of Get Active San Remo and Blue Haven this October.The initiative, returning for its second year, aims to encourage people in San Remo and Blue Haven to get active and discover the unique range of activities offered by sport and recreation providers in the region throughout the month. Activities already announced include basketball, rugby league, tennis, fishing, swimming, karate, walking groups and social sports – with more expected to be added over the coming weeks. It has been developed in partnership by the NSW Office of Sport, Central Coast Council and Central Coast Local Health District’s Health Promotion Service to break down the barriers people face to being physically active. To help achieve this, many of the activities will be offered for free or at low or reduced cost, with the aim to encourage people to try a new activity or sport and foster social connection – helping build a stronger and healthier community.It follows the success of last year’s inaugural Get Active initiative, which saw 155 participation opportunities offered to the community from 35 different local providers.This year sees a fresh calendar of opportunities on offer that have again been shaped by feedback from the local community.Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said Get Active is already leaving a lasting legacy.“It has been great to see so many of the activity providers who were part of last year’s calendar return again this year, as well as some new ones coming on board too,” Mr Hart said. “Whether new activities or existing ones, the support from local sport and recreation providers to offer opportunities to be active either for free or at discounted rates, provides a great incentive for people to try new activities.“What was really pleasing in the feedback from last year was that 95 per cent of those who were active during last year’s initiative said they were likely to continue to be active, while 80 per cent of providers who offered an activity continued to do so following the end of the official program. “That continuing of being active is what Get Active aims to achieve and so provides a lasting legacy in the community.” Nigel Tebb, Health Promotion Officer at Central Coast Local Health District, underlined the importance of physical activity.“Regular physical activity and exercise is so important for our physical and mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Tebb said. “That’s why we’re working in partnership with the community, listening to feedback on the type of activities they want to see and what we can do to help remove some of the barriers people face to being physically active.”To view the calendar of activities and to book to take part, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/getactive.If you are a local organisation or group wishing to get involved and offer an activity, please contact adam.kidd@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or call 0427 175 234. ENDS
    14/09/2023
    Media Release
    National Water Week Poster Competition now open!
    Ahead of National Water Week 16-22 October, primary school aged children across the Central Coast are encouraged to create a poster reflecting water-related issues that are important to them and our local area.The National Water Week Primary School Poster Competition is open to children aged between 5-12 years across the country.
    13/09/2023
    Media Release
    Council’s $1.7M of playspace upgrades this year continue to pave the way for inclusive play
    Council’s 2020-2025 Playspace Strategy provides strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces on the Central Coast, which have so far this year seen over $1.7M of upgrades.Playspaces at fourteen locations across the Central Coast including Budgewoi, Berkley Vale, Woy Woy Bay, Koolewong, Wyongah, Toukley, Killarney Vale, Tuggerah, Terrigal, Blue Haven, Hamlyn Terrace and Woongarrah have all been part of Council’s upgrade program.
    13/09/2023
    Media Release
    Creative Spaces program for 2023-24 at Toukley
    Central Coast Council is continuing to provide opportunities for local creatives to shine by showcasing their skills, art and talents in the next Creative Spaces program announced for 2023 and beyond.The line up of creatives to host activities in the Gallery Container in the Toukley Village Green for the Creative Spaces 2023-24 program will positively contribute to the cultural life and increase visitation to Toukley for the benefit of local business.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council was proud to have curated an engaging program that fills the Gallery Container with creative workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations to ensure the greatest benefit to local makers and creators, and the wider community.“Council is funding three visual arts programs to occupy three-month blocks from 11 September 2023 to 28 June 2024,” Ms Smith said.“The program is now live and is vibrant and dynamic, so we encourage all community members to explore the schedule and regularly visit Creative Spaces in Toukley’s Village Green.
    12/09/2023
    Media Release
    2023 Gosford Art Prize winners announced
    Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $28,000 in prize pool money awarded to artists from across the Central Coast and beyond.This year 948 entries were entered from across Australia.
    11/09/2023
    Media Release
    Get revved up at ChromeFest 2023
    The Central Coast is once again putting the pedal to the metal to host ChromeFest - one of NSW biggest cars shows - at The Entrance, 27-29 October.There is no car show that compares to the Central Coast’s home-grown ChromeFest where hundreds of car enthusiasts and rock ‘n’ roll fans come together to kick up their heels for a tribute to classic cars, vintage glamour and everything 1950s and 60s.ChromeFest is a free three-day event – Friday 27 October to Sunday 29 October – held at The Entrance and presented by Central Coast Council, with support from a range of sponsors.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said ChromeFest 2023 event program, is all about cars, chrome, fashion, swing dancing and tunes from the good ol’days.“Now in its 15th year, the festival’s iconic Show n’Shine classic car displays have been opened for the first time to include show car owners of all makes and models pre 1979 with a passion for car shining!
    11/09/2023
    Media Release
    Share feedback on your aspirations for the future of the Central Coast
    Central Coast Council is inviting the community to share their feedback to help further inform the next iteration of the Central Coast Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said Council wants to hear from all community members about their lived experiences, values, perceptions and desires for the Central Coast region.“The current CSP was adopted in 2018 and provides the Central Coast community’s vision for the region and describes the key objectives we can all work towards to achieve that vision over the next ten years,” Dr Howe said.“The current interim LSPS was adopted in 2020 and frames the future land use direction for the Central Coast over the next 20 years.
    11/09/2023
    Media Release
    Public to have say on plan to reclassify Council operational land as community land
    Central Coast Council is inviting residents to have their say on a proposal that will see 80 lots of land across the local government area reclassified from operational land to community land.The decision to move towards the reclassification of Council-owned land was driven by community feedback during the Council Community Land Plan of Management process earlier this year. Numerous representations were received from community members that some operational land (which is typically used for day-to-day Council operations) would be better classified as community land (which is typically held in perpetuity for public use).Lots that have been identified for reclassification in 12 suburbs across the Central Coast include:* Four sites with community facilities comprising five lots in all:* Glenning Valley:
    07/09/2023
    Council news
    Council’s revised draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan is open for feedback
    Central Coast Council is now inviting all interested community members to share their feedback on the revised draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan (revised draft Plan) until Sunday 1 October 2023.The revised draft Plan has been simplified and refined in response to the extensive community feedback received during the first round of consultation, as well as further technical studies and community workshops on key issues of concern.
    01/09/2023
    Media Release
    Central Coast it’s time to Get Ready – A month of emergency preparedness events
    In the lead-up to the coming bushfire and storm season, this September Central Coast Council is hosting a series of webinars and promoting events to empower the community to take proactive steps to better prepare themselves, their families, and their homes for emergencies.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said preparing for emergencies is important and a shared responsibility.
    31/08/2023
    Media Release
    Chemical CleanOut events see residents embrace positive waste management behaviours
    Four big Chemical CleanOut weekends in 2023 have seen Central Coast residents embrace positive waste management behaviours when it comes to disposing of hazardous items.
    30/08/2023
    Media Release
    Hybrid model planned for Pelican Park Woy Woy
    Woy Woy’s beloved Pelican Park is getting a makeover with survey results revealing the community is very invested in its future.More than 500 people made submissions during the consultation period in May which has helped inform Council’s approach to the design of the revamped playspace.In what has been one of the closest results to date through a public survey, opinion was almost equally divided between Option 1 of nature play and Option 2 of pirate theme play.As a result, a hybrid model featuring the best elements from both concepts will now progress through to a design stage.It is anticipated that the designs will be exhibited publicly in the final quarter of this year, with construction slated to begin sometime after peak summer season.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said the community’s input was vital to this project.“Council has listened to the survey results and noted community preference to ensure that  
    29/08/2023
    Media Release
    Free outdoor movie nights at towns across the Coast
    Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to attend a free outdoor movie night at the welcoming town centres of Toukley, Gosford and Wyong across the Coast these school holidays.The free open-air cinema nights are aimed to activate spaces and places to complement other activities within the town centres for families, community and visitors while supporting small businesses.
    29/08/2023
    Media Release
    Annual Engagement Plan making it easier for community participation
    Central Coast Council has launched an annual Community Engagement Plan 2023-24 which will include progress reports to Council as part of the Operational Plan.The Community Engagement Plan seeks to address community concerns about having more awareness of forward community engagement activities being undertaken by Council.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council has an Engagement Framework that defines our approach to engagement to ensure accountability and consistent application.“The annual Community Engagement Plan will be available for the community to view on Council’s Your Voice Our Coast website and will be updated quarterly in line with Council’s quarterly reporting cycle,” Ms Smith said.“Council’s engagement platform, Your Voice Our Coast sees an average of 98,000 unique visits annually hosting a range of projects from infrastructure delivery to policy updates.“While Council regularly informs the community and does see high engagement, we are always looking at ways we can improve.“By showcasing our upcoming engagement activities, the annual plan will enable a more inclusive process for community engagement, as the community can view other projects that have not yet commence engagement activities and share a preliminary comment on or even opt in to stay updated.“While this is an exciting step for our engagement with the community it is also a timely reminder that planned activities may change and additional engagement activities may be identified as we progress projects.Council Administrator Rik Hart said we’re committed to building strong relationships and delivering a great customer experience in all our interactions.“This plan will help to engage and communicate openly and honestly with the community to build a relationship based on trust, transparency, respect and use community participation and feedback to inform decision making.“This plan is a roadmap for the community to ensure a balanced and collaborative decision-making process between the community and Council is achieved.”View the Community Engagement Plan at yourvoiceourcoast.com/engagementplan and sign up to Council’s eNews to have your say.
    23/08/2023
    Media Release
    Invite for local artists aged over 50 to enter Grandma Moses Art Competition, 2023
       Central Coast Council is calling on local amateur artists over the age of 50 to enter its popular Grandma Moses Art Competition and Exhibition, hosted at Gosford’s 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this long-standing fixture on the cultural calendar is now in its 39th year. “The competition takes inspiration from the life and work of American artist Anna Mary Moses, affectionately known as Grandma Moses, who created over 1,500 artworks between the ages of 78 and 101,” Ms Smith said. “It’s never too late to expand or learn new skills, and this is a great opportunity for our older residents to brush up on their painting or drawing skills, exhibit their artwork and potentially win.
    21/08/2023
    Media Release
    Share your local knowledge on overland flooding in Somersby and Kariong
    Central Coast Council has commenced the Somersby and Kariong Catchments Overland Flood Study, and is calling on the community and stakeholders to participate in an online survey to help provide a better understanding of overland flooding in the area.An online survey is open from Monday 21 August until Sunday 22 September on Council’s engagement hub, yourvoiceourcoast.com.Council Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said the results of this survey will help Council better understand, plan for, and manage the risk of flooding across the Kariong and Somersby catchment areas.“Strategic flood studies and plans are used by Council to appropriately manage development within Central Coast floodplains and to guide mitigation works (under the NSW Government's Flood Prone Land Policy),” Dr Howe said.“We have engaged a specialist flood consultant to develop a Flood Study for the Kariong and Somersby catchment area, which will define the nature of overland flooding and provide a comprehensive technical understanding of flood behaviours and their associated risks.“The study area consists of the Kariong residential area, the Somersby industrial area, and the rural residential area immediately to its north.
    21/08/2023
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