Central Coast Council is celebrating National Tree Day on Sunday 30 July with community planting events at Killcare Beach and Porters Creek Wetland, Wyong.National Tree Day is Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event.Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said the National Tree Day initiative is led by Planet Ark, which aims to plant one million trees across Australia this year - with Council’s local planting events contributing to this goal.“National Tree Day involves more than planting native trees to rejuvenate local areas, it’s also a chance for our community to learn about and get involved in conserving their local environment,” Ms Howe said.“The Killcare Beach event will focus on stabilising sand dunes against wind and water erosion, while the Porters Creek event will highlight the importance of protecting our largest remaining freshwater wetland, which plays an important role in water quality of the Tuggerah Lakes and is home to a number of threatened species.“Those in attendance at each event this year can also enjoy a range of environmental workshops, kids’ activities and live music – making it the perfect day out for all ages.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that 26 million trees have been planted by five million volunteers in Australia since National Tree Day started in 1996.“By helping plant a tree, not only are you playing a role in revegetating and helping to protect our local natural areas, but you’re also providing a habitat for native wildlife and making our community a better place to live,” Mr Hart said.“I encourage you and your family, friends and neighbours to get involved, including getting your hands dirty, in support of this important national initiative!“Coming together as a community and being in nature is not only great for our environment but is also beneficial for our health and wellbeing.”Local planting events on Sunday 30 July:•    Killcare Beach, 9am-1pm•    Porters Creek Wetland, Wyong, 9am-1pm Register on the day or pre-register online.For further information about local planting events and to pre-register, search ‘Tree Day’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.auThe National Tree Day event at Porters Creek Wetland, Wyong is undertaken as a partnership between Central Coast Council and Greater Sydney Local Land Services.

Council will host two Chemical CleanOut events in July and August and is encouraging residents to clear out unwanted hazardous chemicals from around the home and correctly dispose of them for free. Community members can safely drop off their chemicals between 9am-3.30pm daily, on the following dates:Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July 2023 at Charmhaven Council Depot, Chelmsford Road, CharmhavenSaturday 5 and Sunday 6 August 2023 at Kincumber Waste Management Facility Cullens Road, KincumberItems that can be dropped off include paint tins, pesticides, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, fluorescent globes and tubes, as well as any unknown or unidentified chemicals which are accepted for identification and correct disposal.Only household quantities will be accepted.

Central Coast Council will raise the flag for NAIDOC Week on Monday 3 July with the community invited to mark the occasion at a ceremony and morning tea in Wyong.NAIDOC Week is an important annual event held across Australia from 2-9 July with the aim of celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.In 2023 the theme for the week is “For our Elders”, which recognises the role that Elders play in First Nations communities and families.

As the Central Coast gears up to host Germany and England for their team base training camps during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia &

Central Coast Council adopted the 2023-24 Operational Plan at Tuesday night’s Council Meeting.The Operational Plan identifies a focus on maintaining our road networks, caring for community open space, as well as working on improving the response time for development applications.

School holidays start next week, and once again Central Coast Council has lots of free and affordable activities and events. Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said our popular school holiday program is delivered from a range of facilities including the Gosford Regional Gallery, libraries, leisure centres and theatres.“This winter we have a mix of activities to entertain and capture the interest all ages – from a supersized gym room, stop motion workshop, glow rooms, art and craft, gaming, indigenous virtual reality and lots more,” Ms Smith said.“One of the highlights of this holiday program is the celebration of NAIDOC week through virtual reality technology, as the Pamagirri group transports viewers (in a full 360-degree view) to Far North Queensland where they will demonstrate songs, legends and art.“Gosford Regional Gallery events often book out fast, and this winter program looks to be no different.

The Central Coast is once again putting the pedal to the metal to host one of Australia’s biggest cars shows ChromeFest at The Entrance, 27-29 October. ChromeFest is inviting all classic show car owners of all makes and models  pre 1979 to register their car to showcase their prized possession at this year’s ChromeFest 2023 event. Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said that no car show compares to the Central Coast’s home-grown ChromeFest where hundreds of car enthusiasts, rock ‘n’ roll fans - including an Elvis cameo - come together for a three-day tribute to classic cars and everything 1950s and 60s.“This year we’ve opened up ChromeFest car registrations to show car owners of all makes and models pre 1979 with a passion for car shining, and who have poured their blood sweat and tears into restoring their cars to deliver a work of art, ensuring a bigger and better event,” Mr Cannard said. Show car registrations are open now until Monday 23 October or until zone allocations are exhausted, so don’t miss out on securing a spot for your unique ride.Mr Cannard said the ChromeFest weekend, in the past, has attracted over 50,000 visitors, so planning ahead is important for car show entrants.“We encourage bookings for accommodation for participating car owners, general car enthusiasts and visitors to the Central Coast, to be made early.“This is also an event for everyone, and we invite locals and visitors to partake in a fun weekend that offers something for everyone.”ChromeFest 2023 highlights include:•    Show N’Shine and iconic classic car displays•    retro market stalls, trade stalls and general market stalls•    four outdoor stages boasting undercover dancefloors and live entertainment•    vintage glamour fashion parade•    The Australian Pin Up Pageant NSW Grand final•    The Entrance Hotel Hub•    Roving entertainment•    POP up DJ•    Paint N Chrome workshops•    ChromeFest Walk of Fame (new area located in the Bayview Mall and Short Street CarparkCouncil Administrator Rik Hart said ChromeFest is one of the major events Council supports every year and which generates significant economic and social benefit for the Central Coast. “You can’t help but enjoy this nostalgic event with a walk down memory lane and soaking up the atmosphere at the outstanding cafes, restaurants and bars throughout The Entrance over the ChromeFest weekend,” Mr Hart said.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.Car owners wishing to register their vehicle to be part of ChromeFest, should visit chromefest.org for all information on eligibility and to register.Community members and visitors can find out more information to plan their ChromeFest weekend by visiting chromefest.org.ENDS

Central Coast Council is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for three community members to join the Chain Valley Colliery Community Advisory Panel.

The life stories of the famers who call the Central Coast home are set to come alive in a visual spectacular this Saturday for one afternoon only.When These Mountains Speak is an innovative series of pictures and stories that highlight the stories of seven farming families from diverse backgrounds.

Solar and battery systems have been installed at 20 Rural Fire Stations across the Central Coast to ensure services can continue to operate independently should a grid power fail occur during natural disasters.Central Coast Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe said the initiative will be of particular importance to the many community members who live in isolated and vulnerable areas across our large Local Government Area, who have previously faced limited access to basic needs such as power and vital emergency services during natural disasters.“The installation of solar and battery systems at local Rural Fire Stations will provide the community with the assurance that they can access emergency services during times of need,” Dr Howe said.Dr Howe said Council has partnered with NSW Public Works to manage this initiative, which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.“The ability to generate and store renewable energy also provides economic benefits, including savings on the consumption and cost of electricity.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this is a great move towards further ensuring that our community and local emergency services are prepared when faced with natural disasters.“It is crucial that our local fire services can maintain operational during a bush fire and these new resources will help to achieve that.

With just 36 days until kick-off in the opening matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia &

Central Coast Council's popular Harvest Festival, held over the June long weekend, has once again attracted thousands of people from near and far to experience the Coast's hinterland communities and boost the local economy.This year’s Festival had 32 event hubs run a range of unique events and experiences from farm tours, fruit picking and produce markets to food and wine fairs, and live entertainment.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Harvest Festival provides an opportunity for people to take a glimpse behind the farm gate and explore Central Coast rural farming communities and their picturesque villages, whilst supporting local businesses and the economy. "We are delighted to report that an estimated 56,000 attendees enjoyed Harvest Festival over the long weekend, bringing an estimated economic boost of $8.6million to our region," Ms Smith said."Our event hubs reported a successful weekend and received an abundance of positive feedback from participants and visitors, many of which travelled from Sydney and beyond to experience the unique events on offer within our beautiful hinterland.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Harvest Festival makes a great contribution to the local economy, whilst highlighting sustainable farming practices and shining a spotlight on the rural side of the Central Coast."For many people, the Central Coast’s abundance of beaches may be the first to come to mind but on the other side of the M1 there’s the natural beauty of our hinterland.

Five professional and two emerging local creatives have been selected to deliver innovative and contemporary new works as part of Central Coast Council’s ‘Creative Art Central’ program 2022/23.Creative Art Central is an annual commissioning program which offers funds for established and emerging creatives of diverse disciplines living on the Central Coast.

National touring exhibition William Kentridge - I Am Not Me, The Horse Is Not Mine will be travelling to the Central Coast’s Gosford Regional Gallery from 17 June to 27 August 2023.I Am Not Me, The Horse Is Not Mine premiered at the Biennale of Sydney in 2008 and was gifted to the Art Gallery of New South Wales by Anita and Luca Belgiorno-Nettis in 2017.Central Coast Council Regional Gallery Director, Tim Braham said William Kentridge is one of the most powerful voices in art today, with this ambitious moving image installation now the most significant work by the artist in an Australian museum collection. “Emerging as an artist during the apartheid regime in South Africa and grounded in the violent absurdity of that period in his country’s history, William Kentridge’s artworks draw connections between art, ideology, history and memory,” Mr Braham said. “I Am Not Me, The Horse Is Not Mine is a deeply immersive large-scale, eight-screen video installation.

12 months ago the Central Coast became the second only destination in NSW to achieve international recognition as a sustainable destination through Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination Certification program – just in time for World Environment Day.Now as one of only seven ECO Destinations in Australia, Council is proud to be home to seven ECO Certified tourism businesses on the Coast, with another 10 local operators having commenced their journey to achieve ECO Certification.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is seeking feedback from Central Coast residents and businesses about Council’s water and sewer services.The community is encouraged to share their feedback in an online survey which will be launched on Council’s website on Monday, 5 June. Council’s Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said community participation will help identify Council’s water and sewer key focus areas moving forward. “Greater participation in the survey will ensure that Council’s water and sewer services and investment are focussed towards the areas that our customers and community values most.“The survey is the third and final phase of the current community consultation, however we will continue to engage with our community into the future. “Phases one and two consisted of face-to-face forums and focus groups.

Central Coast beach patrol season came to an official close on Tuesday 25 April 2023, with the 2023/24 season to recommence on Saturday 23 September 2023.The year’s summer season saw over 3.7million visitations on the Coast’s 15 patrolled beaches during Council lifeguard and Surf Life Saving Central Coast patrolling periods.

 Artists from around Australia are invited to submit works to compete for the Central Coast’s major institutional art prize, the annual Gosford Art Prize. The Gosford Regional Gallery is accepting submissions online now until entries close on 24 July 2023 at 4pm.Gosford Art Prize offers an exciting range of opportunities for visual artists working in any art form to showcase their work to a large audience and potentially become an acquisition of the Central Coat's art collection.

Council’s 2023-24 Community Grant Programs are now open, with $900,000 in annual funding available.

Bateau Bay and Kariong Libraries are next in line to offer extended hours access as part of the Library@yourtime program.The extended library service follows the success of this initiative providing additional access at Toukley Library over the past year. The innovative program uses technology to monitor self-access, self-service loans and returns, computers, printing as well as lighting, alarms, and public safety.Central Coast Council Libraries and Education Unit Manager, Beth Burgess said Library@yourtime at Toukley Library has been embraced enthusiastically by library members. “Library@yourtime lets inducted library members have access to the library outside regular staffed hours and compliments our services during staffed hours, where library members can receive help and guidance as required. “As always, our extensive range of free online resources and services, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, homework help, music streaming and more are also available 24/7 via Council’s website,” Ms Burgess said. Participants of Library@yourtime, must be over the age of 18, and meet the terms and conditions of the program, including completing a building and safety induction course.