Central Coast Council has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts of a $52million funding injection for infrastructure and public space in Gosford.Mayor Jane Smith said that investment in the Gosford City Centre was welcomed, however Council would be calling for an extension to the public exhibition period to the end of July on the planning changes proposed.“Whilst the promise of $52 million is certainly welcome, we need to ensure the proposed changes to planning controls serve the community’s best interests,” Mayor Smith said.“Proposed changes to planning controls can significantly impact the direction and timing of development.

Central Coast Council is celebrating fresh, seasonal local produce over the upcoming June long weekend with a special focus on a lesser known gem of our region – the hinterland.From 9-10 June, Harvest Festival Central Coast will be back with more events, more local food, more family activities and more opportunities to explore the region’s unique valleys and mountain areas.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard, said the event was developed to link with local farmers and businesses, to promote our region as a supplier of quality produce and attract people to a lesser known part of the Coast.“The inaugural event last year attracted over 10,000 attendees and brought together a community of food lovers and connoisseurs.” Mr Cannard said.“For the second year, we have turned eight rural farming communities and their gorgeous heritage villages into lively event hubs celebrating food, produce and culinary experiences.“The Central Coast is a special place and we invite locals and out-of-towners to visit our unique hinterland region this June long weekend and join in the fun that is Harvest Festival.”The Harvest Festival trail goes through Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga, allowing people to visit multiple local farms and be treated to fantastic rural experiences.The public can participate in the many activities and events across the two day festival including;

With 50 per cent of consumer plastics designed to be used only once, Central Coast Council are hoping to inspire and motivate residents to makes changes to create sustainable practices at their free World Environment Day events.To be held Tuesday 5 June, events will centre around this year’s theme Beat Plastic Pollution, providing the community tangible ways they can make lifestyle choices to reduce single use plastic.Mayor Jane Smith said with global plastic production projected to almost double in the next 10 to 15 years, consumers need to make long-term behaviour changes to become part of the solution.“Our obsession with plastic convenience has become a dire issue, with one million plastic bottles bought every minute across the globe,” Mayor Smith said.“It is time we exercise our buying power as consumers by refusing single-use plastics, demanding sustainable products and embracing sensible purchase habits.“From turning down plastic straws and cutlery, sitting at your local café rather than using takeaway and picking up litter along our beautiful beaches and coastlines, there is so much that can be done at an individual level to drive change.“If these changes are a little overwhelming and you are not sure where to start, I implore you to come along to the free World Environment Day events to equip yourself with knowledge to make easy lifestyle changes that make a huge impact.“At Laycock Street Theatre there will be market stalls with alternatives to single use plastic and bulk food purchase options to help you make the switch.“Stalls will include modern reusable nappies, net bags as well as reusable straws, cups and bottles as well as locally made biodegradable beeswax wraps - better still you can learn how to make your own beeswax wraps, or boomerang bags, at the free workshops.“Making these changes can be hard at first – to help keep you accountable I would challenge attendees to also sign up for Plastic Free July.

Central Coast Council acknowledges that there have been a small number of sewer blockages and overflows in Kanwal and Wyong from 1 July 2017 to 30 April 2018.Sewer blockages and overflows are typically caused by tree root damage in the pipe network or the disposal of inappropriate items down toilets and sinks such as wipes and fatty material.The sewer system in Kanwal and Wyong is of a good standard and is not experiencing an unusually high number of blockages and overflows.Kanwal and Wyong are heavily wooded in several areas and tree roots are usually the cause of sewer blockages and overflows in these suburbs.Council works to clear sewer blockages and overflows as quickly as possible and affected areas are cleaned, sanitised and returned to their previous condition.Council apologises for any inconvenience caused when blockages and overflows do occur.Council continually monitors the region’s water and sewer system and implements an ongoing renewal program for water and sewer mains.

‘Morbakka fenneri’ jellyfish found in Lake MacquarieCentral Coast Council and Lake Macquarie City are warning their communities to be alert to the possible presence of ‘Morbakka fenneri’ jellyfish in Lake Macquarie following the recent discovery of one of the species in the southern part of the waterway.The Morbakka is a species of Irukandji jellyfish that is more common to the Moreton Bay area but has been found between Port Douglas and Sydney.

Transport for New South Wales and Sydney Trains will deliver a $1.3million safety upgrade of the Donnison Street Bridge near Gosford Train Station. The project will require Donnison Street between Showground Road and Dane Drive to be closed to vehicles and pedestrians at all times from Sunday 27 May to Saturday 7 July 2018.

Central Coast Council is celebrating Indigenous Arts and Culture this weekend with a series of community events across the Coast to kick off National Reconciliation Week.With a theme of ‘Don’t Keep History a Mystery:

Local not-for-profit community organisation, The Central Coast Potters Society (CCPS), is celebrating 50 years with a special exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery opening this week.The Central Coast Council is pleased to support ‘Lines of Inspiration’, an exhibition which reflects on the long line of local clay workers and pays tribute to those members who continue to carry the society’s vision forward.Council Unit Manager Leisure & Lifestyle, Phil Cantillon, said the exhibition was inspired by the work of founding member Joan Matthews, ‘Raku Vessel’, which forms the centrepiece of the display.“The ‘Lines of Inspiration’ exhibition was conceived to celebrate the collective wealth of knowledge and inspiration passed down through 50 years of the Potters Society.” Mr Cantillon said.“The Society started with just five members in 1968 and over thirty members were involved in this special exhibition.“Much clay has passed through many hands since the CCPS was established and this exhibition is a fitting way to celebrate the society’s rich history with the Central Coast community.”The CCPS is a non-profit organisation that was established on the Australia Day weekend in 1968 by five locals;

Memorial Park at the Entrance is undergoing some upgrade works to ensure higher utilisation and sheltered seating spaces for the community – so everyone can enjoy the great Aussie recreational pastime that is the sausage sizzle.With works having commenced on Monday 21 May, the project will include the demolition of the current awnings and barbeques, replacing them with modern awning structures, barbeques and accessible dining settings.

Central Coast photographers will have many opportunities to enhance their technical and creative skills as part of the 2018 Exposure Photographic Program.

Central Coast Council Libraries are calling on parents and carers of young children to ‘Find yourself in a library’, which is the theme for this year’s Library and Information Week 2018.To coincide with this national event, Libraries and Council’s Childcare Centres will be launching Parker the Platypus’ eagerly awaited second book, ‘Parker visits the Library’, as part of the Paint the Central Coast REaD initiative.Acting Unit Manager Libraries, Beth Burgess, explained the program was aimed at educating parents, carers, and the community about the importance of reading, singing and rhyming with children every day from birth.“Literacy is a key success in life and research has shown that more than 20 per cent of Australian children arrive at school without the skills necessary to make the most of their early education,” Mrs Burgess said.“Through this program we aim to overcome this by creating a sense of excitement and enthusiasm around literacy and reading, which is exactly what Parker creates for children and families.“In this next instalment from Parker we follow him as he discovers all the fantastic services there are to enjoy through your local library.“‘Parker visits the Library’ is not only a fun and engaging story for children, it also promotes the great resources and programs available to help encourage literacy development and make reading fun.“Over the next few weeks Parker will be visiting Council childcare centres and select Storytime sessions at our libraries to personally hand out copies of his new book.“If you cannot make it don’t fear - free copies of his book will be given to children at all Babytime, Toddlertime and Storytime sessions this week.”Details on Parker’s appearances and more information on this initiative can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/paintthecoastreadAnother key event Council Libraries are partaking in this week is the 18th annual National Simultaneous Storytime, which aims to promote the value of reading and literacy from a young age.This year the Australian children’s book ‘Hickory Dickory Dash’ written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood has been selected to be read across the country tomorrow, Wednesday 23 May.Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said event is a valuable opportunity for parents, grandparents, teachers and carers to become actively involved in their children’s learning.“Reading to children from a young age is incredibly important as it helps build the foundation to prepare them for a lifetime of learning,” Ms Vaughan said.“There are clear benefits when young children are read to frequently – children read to six or seven days a week start Kindergarten almost a year ahead of children who are not read to as often.“It also helps develop numeracy and communication skills, rational thinking and enhances concentration and discipline, all of which helps children excel at school and later in life.“If you cannot make it along on Wednesday 23 May, ‘Hickory Dickory Dash’ will be read at all of our libraries regular Storytime sessions, which include songs and crafts to motivate involvement and help children see reading as a fun pastime to be enjoyed.”Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraries for details on National Simultaneous Storytime and regular Storytime sessions.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the State Government’s commitment today to urgently dredge the Ettalong Channel.Council called for this commitment at its last Council meeting and agreed to apply for funding under the ‘Rescuing Our Waterways’ program.  Mayor Jane Smith said she was pleased the State Government accepted responsibility to keep the Channel open and the announcement of emergency dredging was welcome news for the community.“The State Government has always had the means and the funding to be able to keep the Channel open and it is pleasing to see the Government now fulfil its responsibilities,” Mayor Smith said.

With the aim to drive more visitors to the region, AFFINITY, in partnership with the tourism industry and Central Coast Council, have officially launched the new-look website for the Central Coast destination – visitcentralcoast.com.au.As tourism is a key economic and employment generator for the Central Coast, Council has increased its investment in tourism to ensure more visitors know about the sundrenched coastline, spectacular forests, internationally acclaimed food and wines and the amazing range of services and resorts the Central Coast has to offer.Council Director Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Council wants to drive more visitors to the Central Coast and visitcentralcoast.com.au is a great digital asset to help deliver that.“With 88% of all Australians owning a smart phone*, a mobile ready destination website can effectively become a more practical and digital alternative to a traditional visitor guide,” Ms Vaughan said.“Visitcentralcoast.com.au does this by offering more information in a highly engaging, dynamic and usable form, ensuring visitors to the Central Coast have the ability to easily access destination based information which will encourage their dispersal throughout the region.”Mayor Jane Smith said that the vision for the Central Coast is to be the natural choice for leisure, business and special events in regional NSW.“We’re making sure everyone knows that the Central Coast is the ideal destination – be it a long weekend trip, a relaxing holiday or even a picturesque sea change,” says Mayor Smith.“This great new platform showcases all the adventures that the Central Coast has to offer including our beautiful beaches, exciting activities, natural environment and gourmet delights.”In order to ensure potential visitors to the Central Coast have a positive perception of the destination, visitcentralcoast.com.au provides local tourism businesses with the opportunity to list their offerings on this centralised destination website.

Expressions of Interests are now open for interested community members to sit on the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Advisory Committee (PAMAC);

Council calls on State Government to urgently dredge Ettalong ChannelCouncil agreed to apply for State Government funding to contribute to the cost of dredging the Ettalong Channel and called for the State Government to provide emergency funding in the short term.Mayor Jane Smith said the decision on dredging Ettalong Channel provides a clear path forward but requires the State Government to take action now.“We have agreed to apply to the State Government for Rescue Our Waterways funding,” said Mayor Smith.“It is clear that this funding will not be available for several months and that it will not cover even 50 percent of the cost of dredging Ettalong Channel.“In light of this, we are calling on the State Government to provide emergency funding in the short term to ensure Ettalong Channel remains open.“The State Government has dredged Ettalong Channel twice in the past, they have the equipment and funding to take immediate action and we calling on them to do this.“Today’s decision provides a way clear way forward for the Ettalong community, Council and the State Government.“To develop a long-term solution, we will create a working party of stakeholders to look at maintenance dredging, technical issues, environmental implications, community impacts and funding.”Council has agreed that any dredged sand be used to replenish works on adjacent beaches.Council’s community focused budget delivers $761M for the Central CoastThe 2018-19 Draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan including the budget (Plan) and draft Resourcing Strategy are among a suite of documents Central Coast Council has placed on exhibition for public comment.Read separate media release in full hereProposed Wamberal Child Care Centre refused by CouncilCouncil has refused to approve a development application for a proposed child care centre at 612 The Entrance Road, Wamberal.The development application was initially considered at a Council meeting on 18 December 2017, when Council resolved to seek additional information on a number of issues including previous traffic calming measures for Old Gosford Road and control plans relating to entry and exit driveways.

Central Coast Council contractors will start surveying the Terrigal boardwalk area from Tuesday 15 May as investigations get underway on a proposed Boardwalk to connect Terrigal Haven and The Esplanade.

The 2018-19 Draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan including the budget (Plan) and draft Resourcing Strategy are among a suite of documents Central Coast Council has placed on exhibition for public comment.Council’s Plan will deliver $561.5M in essential services and $199.8M in capital works in the priority areas, outlined in the first Community Strategic Plan (CSP) for the Central Coast – the road network;

Central Coast Council has begun building a $1.05M boardwalk in Springfield that will provide an essential link between the residential neighbourhood and the local community school.‘Chertsey Boardwalk’ will traverse Springfield Road Reserve with a three metre-wide, 80 metre-long raised walkway over the wetland, connecting Balfour Close with Willow Road.The project is jointly funded by a $679K contribution from Council and $375K from the Federal Government through its Improving Your Local Park and Environment program.The boardwalk is positioned within an identified reserve area which is prone to flooding during storm events.Council Director, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling said that Council has invested in an engineered design with considered materials.“Our priority is to build sustainable infrastructure to increase the quality of life for local communities now and into the future”, Mr Dowling said.“The walkway will be constructed of a strong and durable composite fibre, ensuring that this is a long-term structure that will continue to allow safer passage for many years to come.

In order to allow for installation of new mobile shelving, the main library floor in the rear of Woy Woy Library will be inaccessible this Thursday 17 and Friday 18 May.The new shelving has been organised in conjunction with the new Spike Milligan Exhibition Space to provide more active and flexible community spaces for the community.Over the two days there will be very limited access to popular collections and limited 15 minute print facilities.

Central Coast Council has reaffirmed that it is willing assist the State Government to dredge the Ettalong Channel as long as it covers the full cost.Council is seeking to help the community better understand its position, through an education campaign including an online survey.Council has received three legal opinions about this issue and it is clear that the NSW government is responsible for the dredging of the channel for navigation purposes.