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.

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.

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.

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  

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.

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.

   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.

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.

Nominations for Central Coast Council’s 2024 Australia Day Awards are now open, providing an opportunity to recognise local individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the region.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the awards are an opportunity to shine a light on Coasties who make a real difference in our community.“For over nine years, Central Coast Council's Australia Day Awards have acknowledged and celebrated the contributions and achievements of over 100 locals,” Mr Cannard said.“This year’s Australia Day Awards received 60 nominations, with Ryan Wilson named Citizen of the Year for his work in starting the ‘Free Trade Day’ initiative after attending a gentlemen’s home in 2017."Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these awards are important in celebrating diversity, achievements and community spirit across the Central Coast.“Now is the time to recognise someone who is doing extraordinary things in our community to ensure their efforts and achievements don’t go unnoticed,” Mr Hart said. “The different Australia Day Award categories means that a diverse range of people and their contributions will be recognised.“Anyone can nominate, so I call on the community to put forward a local individual or group accomplishing great things or supporting those in our community.”Award categories:•    Community group•    Community life•    Volunteer•    Young Person•    Senior Citizen•    Citizen of the Year (overall winner)Nominations are now open until 5pm on Sunday 24 September 2023.For further information, eligibility criteria and to make a nomination visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ausday2024

Central Coast Council has developed online flood risk tools and updated flood and emergency planning information on centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, to help the local community understand their own flood risk and be adequately prepared to respond.Council Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said we’ve experienced various types of flooding on the Central Coast and know that flooding will continue to be part of our lives, and can occur at any moment.“Whilst it’s not always possible to predict when, where, or how big the next flood will be - we can estimate the likelihood of different sizes of floods and their consequences by using computer flood modelling,” Dr Howe said.“Our new interactive online flood risk mapping tool for Tuggerah Lakes area, draws on current flood levels directly from the Bureau of Meteorology and converts it into a visual display, which shows the extent of current, minor, moderate or major flood levels for specific properties in the area.

Central Coast Council’s Façade Improvement Support program opens on Friday 1 September, providing businesses and commercial property owners with the opportunity to access up to $5,000 to enhance their building facades and improve accessibility.To increase chances of funding success, Council is hosting two free information sessions this August that provide information on program guidelines, eligibility, and timeframes.

Don’t miss out – it’s time to express your interest to be an event hub for the 2024 Harvest Festival - one of the largest and most successful events on the Central Coast!Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the Harvest Festival grows in popularity each year and attracts thousands of people to our region’s hinterland from near and far.“The Harvest Festival event highlights the Central Coast Hinterland, rural farming communities, and their gorgeous heritage villages through the delivery of lively event hubs ready for everyone to explore.

As part of improving Central Coast Council’s water and sewer services, a new water and sewer Customer Charter has been developed in partnership with the community.

Central Coast Council is pleased to confirm the makeup of its Aboriginal Advisory Committee which was officially endorsed at Tuesday night’s Council meeting.The Aboriginal Advisory Committee has a mandate to advise Council staff on identified issues that impact on local First Nations people, address relevant social issues identified in the Community Strategic Plan, and work to address outcomes aligned to the recently developed Central Coast Council First Nations AccordSignificant interest was received earlier this year when Council called for expressions of interest in a position on the committee with the following residents successfully appointed as members.•    Phillip Bligh•    BJ Duncan•    Steve Ella•    Colleen Fuller•    Vickie Parry•    Jake McDonald•    Monica McKenzie•    Shahni Wellington•    Wayne Merritt (alternate) Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the committee will play an important role with providing advice to Council.“The Aboriginal Advisory Committee is important in reconciling Council with our local First Nations People and they will provide advice to us across a number of issues but are not a decision making body.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said he is pleased with the makeup of the committee and each member brings diversity of experience and knowledge.“There was an outstanding pool of candidates who expressed their interest in being appointed to Council’s inaugural Aboriginal Advisory Committee,” Mr Hart said.“The appointed members represent significant experience and interests across a broad sector of our local Aboriginal community, with extensive experience in critical service provision such as health, education, housing, arts, culture and sport.“I am confident that the appointed members share a desire to make our community a better place and will bring great credit to the role.”

Central Coast Council is working to distribute and complete a customer satisfaction survey about Central Coast library membership services currently available for readers and visitors.

The next phase of the new state-of-the-art Mardi Water Treatment Plant has been locked in with the contract being awarded to Abergeldie Contractors Pty Ltd.The $82.5 million project will not only provide a significant boost to jobs but will help secure the region’s water future by providing up to 160 million litres of drinking water every day.The NSW Government provided $6.85 million through the Safe and Secure Water Program along with over $75 million from Central Coast Council.Director of Water and Sewer Jamie Loader said it was time we brought the plant into the 21st century.“The Mardi Water Treatment Plant typically provides around half of all drinking water to the Central Coast, future proofing this asset and ensuring it can continue to deliver safe and secure water to our customers is a key priority.“Early works have already been completed to prepare the plant for this major upgrade including remediation of the sludge lagoons, upgrade of lagoon inlet structures and clearing of the south-western lagoon for the first time since it was constructed in 1982.“This will provide a reservoir to capture any untreated water during testing and commissioning of the new processes,” Mr Loader said.Desludging of the lagoon commenced in November 2019 and was completed in May 2023, removing over 30,000m3 of sludge from the lagoon.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart congratulated Abergeldie Contractors Pty Ltd on being awarded the contract.“Mardi Water Treatment Plant was built in 1982 with the last major upgrade of the facility completed 10 years after that.

Thirty-two nations, one dream, one trophy – forever world champions.

Central Coast Council’s Trainee and Apprentice Program (TrApp) is currently seeking eligible students to build their careers with a range of roles on offer in over nine fields.The program offers students an opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification as a full-time paid employee at Council in their chosen field – which this year includes new disciplines including Landscape Construction, Horticulture and Painting.Council’s Director of Corporate Services Marissa Racomelara, said this year’s program is the largest TrApp, Undergraduate and Graduate drive Council has undertaken and aims to develop students to become job ready.“We are committed to supporting our residents studying at a vocational level with an opportunity to increase their chances of securing employment,” Ms Racomelara said.“Our TrApp Program aims to educate students, so they are qualified at a high industry standard by developing their practical and professional skills in a safe and supportive environment.“Students that complete the program are armed with workplace development and expert training, so they are more competitive in the job market, and they are also exposed to career opportunities with Council.“Local youth and mature age students looking to start a career or wanting to gain new skills in a range of fields are encouraged to apply for our 2023 program.”Administrator Rik Hart said Council’s TrApp Program has been a success and continues to provide an exciting opportunity particularly for our young people.“This important program offers our community an opportunity to build their careers within Local Government and gain valuable training in their chosen path,” the Administrator said.“Council has an important role to play in providing our youth with employment opportunities and supporting our residents with roles to live and work locally.“I am proud that Council offers opportunities for our community to gain professional experience and become job ready in their chosen career.”Applications for Council’s 2024 TrApp Program are now open – launching just after this year’s World Youth Skills day on 15 July which celebrates the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment.Visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/about-council/careers/apprenticeships-traineeships-work-experience to view our vacancies, additional information and tips on how to apply.Eligible applicants have until midnight on Sunday 13 August 2023 to apply.ENDS

Council’s Public Forum trial was concluded following the June 2023 meeting.

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for up to $30,000 in funding for community projects in Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park, as part of the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program.