MEDIA RELEASEThe NSW Central Coast is set for increased visitation and a further boost to the local economy with new digital content to attract visitation to lesser-known areas of the region.This grant funded project which begun in 2021, led by Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism Section (Destination Central Coast), has enabled the development of multiple online content hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com that showcase and promote a diverse range of local tourism products, services and experiences to potential visitors – and aims to support the economic and social recovery of regional communities impacted by the bushfires of 2019-2020.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said many of the Central Coast’s unique offerings and experiences are on display to attract people from Sydney, NSW and beyond.“The newly launched content hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com offer locals and guests to the region the opportunity to explore areas of the Central Coast they may not be aware of.

Central Coast Council is currently developing a new Coastal Management Program and is seeking community input on practical management for Central Coast beaches.The Open Coast Coastal Management Program is one of five new Coastal Management Programs (CMP) for the region that will be certified by the NSW Government and used to guide coastal management decisions and funding priorities for the next 10 years.Council’s Unit Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said the objective of the Open Coast CMP is to manage the coastal environment consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development for the social, cultural and economic well-being of the people of the Central Coast.“We’re at stage three of this five stage process in completing the document and would love as much input from the community as possible,” Mr Sulkowski said.“Once we have collated everything, we will develop an options assessment and come back to the community with a final draft before sending the final document to the State Government for their certification.“Input from our local residents will help optimise coastal management for the well-being of both our community and the environment – so tell us your concerns, ideas, wants and needs related to our beautiful beaches.“We would like to thank those who came along to our earlier pop-up sessions at Terrigal, Avoca and Toowoon Bay and encourage more suggestions throughout the consultation period whether it’s online or in person.”Council offers multiple ways the community can have an input into the future management of The Open Coast CMP.

The NSW Central Coast is set for increased visitation and a further boost to the local economy with new digital content to attract visitation to lesser-known areas of the region.This grant funded project which begun in 2021, led by Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism Section (Destination Central Coast), has enabled the development of multiple online content hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com that showcase and promote a diverse range of local tourism products, services and experiences to potential visitors – and aims to support the economic and social recovery of regional communities impacted by the bushfires of 2019-2020.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said many of the Central Coast’s unique offerings and experiences are on display to attract people from Sydney, NSW and beyond.“The newly launched content hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com offer locals and guests to the region the opportunity to explore areas of the Central Coast they may not be aware of.

The sod has been formally ‘turned’ to mark the commencement of the construction of the new Gosford Regional Library in Donnison Street, Gosford.Council Administrator Rik Hart was joined by Dr Gordon Reid MP Member for Robertson and North Construction &

There’s still plenty to keep children busy and active before school goes back, with Central Coast Council’s Summer school holiday program continuing through January.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this Summer’s program has brought back the most popular activities and lots of fresh events too. “We have a huge listing of free and affordable events for all ages and interests, which are delivered by our regional gallery, libraries, leisure centres, environmental team and youth services,” Ms Smith said.“Some events have limited numbers and are booking out fast, so I encourage parents and carers to jump on Council’s web page centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/whats-on to see what’s on and secure their spots.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said Council’s school holiday program is popular with local families.“The positive feedback we receive, and the speed that the events book out, show us how valued these programs are by our community,” Mr Hart said. “Council’s school holiday program provides an opportunity for the Coast’s young people to be entertained, engaged, keep active and also meet other locals”.See what’s on at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/whats-on.  

Summer has arrived and to help the community stay safe Council has officially launched its annual campaign to help locals and tourists safely enjoy the peak holiday season.This year the message is simple – be informed, be prepared, be safe.

Central Coast Council’s draft Masterplan for the Central Coast Airport at Warnervale is now on public exhibition.The draft Airport Masterplan, informed by feedback collected via a telephone survey and industry engagement undertaken in 2020 and 2021, is aimed at driving economic activity through employment, tourism and business development.Work to support development of the draft Masterplan has also identified those areas of Porters Creek Wetland that can be established as a stewardship site. 

Central Coast Council’s Good Times Summer kicks off in Gosford on Saturday 16 December with a jam-packed schedule of community events, as part of the NSW Government’s $30M Safer Cities program.The program is a positive initiative driven by the voices of the Central Coast's women, girls and gender diverse communities.This is an important first step in delivering pilot initiatives to improve safety for women, girls and gender diverse people in streets and transport hubs across Gosford in a collaborative partnership with Transport for NSW.According to the Safer Cities survey earlier this year, 50% of participants shared that they felt unsafe in Gosford CBD and 61% had a negative perception of the city.Following these findings, laneway lighting, public art, and community events and activations were recommended as key actions to help enhance feelings of safety.Another exciting initiative to help improve safety and convenience is the free evening shuttle bus service which will travel in a loop around the Gosford CBD from Thursday to Saturday during the six-week Good Times Summer program.Visitors are encouraged to use public transport to get to Gosford, and then utilise the free shuttle bus to move around the different activities during the Good Times Summer period.This will also compliment the return of the weekly night markets in Gosford.Good Times Summer runs from Saturday 16 December 2023 until Saturday 27 January 2024.Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:“Everyone deserves to feel safe in public spaces, including on our transport network, and we know events like this can help achieve that goal.“Transport for NSW’s state-wide Safer Cities Survey found women were twice as likely to not feel safe in public spaces in NSW at night compared to men.

Central Coast Council has received state-wide recognition for two outstanding achievements in helping to manage and protect the environment at the LGNSW Excellence in the Environment Awards 2023.Council was awarded the top prize in the category of Innovation in Planning, Policies and Decision Making for its geospatially based Environment Assessment Traffic Light Tool.Council’s partnership with Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) in the Street Lighting Improvement Program was also named as a finalist in the category of Sustainable Infrastructure.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said these awards provide state-wide recognition for best practice in managing and protecting the environment. “Council's Information Services and Environment sections worked together to develop the Environment Assessment Traffic Light Tool, which is a mapping platform that can be used in environmental assessments and field work to identify environmental risks where works are to be undertaken,” Dr Howe said. “This is a fantastic achievement for all staff involved on this project and highlights how we are shaping the future, rewriting the narrative and creating something bigger than each of us.” Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said we have been working with SSROC and Ausgrid for several years in developing and implementing improved street lighting for the Central Coast region.

Central Coast Council is hosting New Year’s Eve in Memorial Park, The Entrance with a spectacular program planned for Sunday 31 December.The huge family-friendly event will have something for everyone to enjoy including a fun-filled evening of live music, amusement rides, an array of food options and a spectacular fireworks display to conclude the event at 9pm.Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith is looking forward to the New Year Eve celebrations.“This family-friendly, alcohol-free event will commence at 5.30pm with on-site food vendors, local restaurants and takeaway shops cooking up a treat, while music lovers will get the chance to enjoy Riley Lovell, Toby Wells Band, The Appointments and Sunsoli,” Ms Smith said.“We will also be rounding off the evening with a dazzling display of fireworks from 9pm.“Last year we welcomed the new year in with 20,000 attendees injecting an estimated $2million into the local economy and we anticipate this will again be another fantastic event!“If you’re looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gosford, Hunter Events Group will be bringing family-friendly fun to Leagues Club Park, proudly supported by Central Coast Council."This event will begin at 5pm bringing you a night full of live entertainment, food vendors and a fireworks display at 9pm – coinciding with the conclusion of the Central Coast Mariners game at Industree Group Stadium."Council Administrator Rik Hart said it’s fantastic that New Year’s Eve celebrations are happening across the Coast.“New Year’s Eve at The Entrance is one of Council’s biggest events and I encourage all to celebrate safely, bring a chair and a rug and connect through food, music and fun at this family-friendly alcohol-free event,” Mr Hart said.Due to the scale and popularity of these events temporary road closures will be in place at both The Entrance and Gosford on Sunday 31 December.Temporary Road Closures at The Entrance between 3-11pm:Marine Parade, The Entrance between The Entrance Road and the end of the car park.

Central Coast Council is pleased to present a new exhibition Here and Now celebrating the talents of Central Coast artists who are living with disability.Presented by Studio Gossie, the Here and Now exhibition will be at the Gosford Regional Gallery until 7 January 2024. Studio Gossie is a disability-led inclusive studio at Gosford Regional Gallery that was established to involve a community of artists with a disability.The exhibition celebrates the work of nine Central Coast artists with disability that were selected in this year’s voluntary program to develop their creative practice by engaging in weekly workshops over eight months. The group of artists in the exhibition shining a light on artists with disability include Jacqueline Batty, Jane Forno, Casey Gray, Rachel Keith, Randa Magdi, Angel Muller, Genevieve Murphy, Benjamin Jade and Nerin Whitehouse.Director of Gosford Regional Gallery, Tim Braham said guests should expect to see art that raises awareness of artists with a disability sharing diverse stories, experiences and connections of the community. “The public will be able to see how bold, funny, creative, and provocative artists with disability are which we hope to see will open avenues to them to make a living from art practice.”Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart said the Central Coast is continuously improving the opportunities for people living with a disability to help grow livable communities. “Our venues are an important part of community life with buildings and activities everyone can access,” Mr Hart said.“The Gosford Regional Gallery is a much-loved destination from a range of accessible things to do on the Coast. “Everyone is welcome for social engagement and entertainment through exhibitions, art classes and/or to simply admire the Japanese Edogawa Commemorative Garden.”“The Studio Gossie program has been supported by Museums &

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is investing $200,000 into new technology which is set to improve water service reliability and enhance water conservation on the Central Coast.The technology decreases disruption of water services for the community by eliminating the need to shut down water mains during large water main valve replacements. Council Director for Water and Sewer Jamie Loader said it is another step forward in improving the customer experience and the efficient management of water resources.“This initiative is part of our long-term plan to deliver on our customer values and environmental commitment with a focus on Council’s Water Quality Program.“A testing phase at Bateau Bay earlier this year proved successful, confirming the decision to invest funds into the equipment needed for the installation of the new technology.

Central Coast Council is tracking ahead of schedule in its budgeted capital works program, having commenced 220 projects out of a total of over 311 projects scheduled for the current financial year.  Central Coast Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said it is important to deliver to the community a capital works program the builds new and renews assets. “Most Council services are delivered to the community through the use of assets, and Council manages assets valued at $8.3 billion on behalf of the Central Coast community. 

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to join them in a discussion about enhancing the diversity of the Central Coast’s night-time economy.The Central Coast Night-Time Economy Discussion Paper has come about following Council’s Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 and the Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2022-2026, both having actions to explore options to activate the night-time economy in the region.Council’s Unit Manager of Economic Development and Property, Jamie Barclay, said Council wants local hospitality, business, and industry representatives, as well as residents and visitors to the Central Coast, to explore the discussion paper and share their thoughts.“We have prepared the Central Coast Night-Time Economy Discussion Paper with extensive key stakeholder engagement, and it provides a strategic framework with potential projects identified for the development of the night-time economy on the Central Coast,” Mr Barclay said.“The Central Coast currently has a limited and dispersed night-time economy and the discussion paper proposes ways for us to support local businesses to increase after dark operations to deliver more opportunities for employment, tourism, and the local economy.“Night-time economy businesses are more than night clubs.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is seeking feedback from residents and businesses (in two phases) on the small urban and rural communities across the Central Coast that do not have access to water and/or sewerage services.

As attention turns to the return of an elected body in September 2024, Council’s annual report for 2022-23 highlights an organisation that is financially stable and is making progress on delivering for the Central Coast community.The report, which was adopted by Administrator Rik Hart at November’s Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday night, is an important document that outlines the achievement of the organisation over the last 12 months.Some of the key highlights of 2022-23 include:•    Successfully delivering a surplus larger than forecast•    The revitalisation and renewal of The Visitors Information Centre at The Entrance, complete with community space and accessible bathrooms•    Successfully secured $800,000 in federal funding to upgrade six local playspaces across the Central Coast•    Delivered an extended events calendar with more than 176,000 attendees and an injection of approximately $21 million into the local economy•    Upgraded 23km of sewer mains and 5.5km of water mains•    Repaired 109,418 potholes•    The Central Coast Regional Complex and Central Coast Stadium was chosen as a team base camp for two highly ranked international teams (Germany and England) ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023TM•    Supported the national Sport4All program as the first local government area to sign up in New South WalesCouncil Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said it has been a successful 12 months for the organisation.“I am proud of the achievements throughout 2022-23.

Council’s 2023-2024 Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy and revised Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) were accepted at Council’s ordinary November meeting – signalling Council’s confidence in moving from financial ‘recovery’ to ‘sustainability’.The new Financial Sustainability Strategy (Strategy) identifies high-level actions that Council must take to sustain a positive operating result position, and to maintain an adequate level of unrestricted cash to support operating activities and the required investment in assets.Council CEO David Farmer said Council is moving into an exciting, yet challenging, period as it works to build on the last three years’ successful implementation of restoring Council’s financial position to enable Council to operate, repay emergency loans and meet other financial obligations.“As we have said before, Council is now out of crisis, and so we have some clear air to start implementing the Strategy that isn’t just monitoring, but rather being proactive.”The objectives of the Strategy are to:Set the parameters within which Council agrees to operate to provide financial sustainability, affordability, delivery and value for money, over the short, medium and longer termEnsure Council generates enough revenue, and controls services and infrastructure costs, to produce sufficient cash from operationsEnsure Council maintains sufficient cash (or access to cash) to meet the needs of operations, investments and financingEnsure Council can renew or replace assets to maintain the desired level of service and provide new assets to meet demand for growth in servicesAssist Council to use ratepayers’ money, together with other funding available, to provide core and other prioritised servicesProvide direction and context for decision making in the allocation, management and use of Council’s finite financial resourcesGuide the elected Council and staff in the management of its LTFP and determine financial boundaries for delivery of operational and capital plans.“Our previous strategy looked at the key metrics to manage day to day, but we are now looking 10 years into the future identifying the challenges and then identifying actions to ensure that 2020’s financial crisis cannot happen again.“Community consultation will continue to be an important factor in planning capital works and community needs, and Council will continue to seek funding from external sources, including both state and federal governments.“However, like most other councils our challenge to attain and maintain a sustainable operating position will be to look at ways to balance revenue with expenditure.“Central Coast Council has the unique situation of two of its major income streams currently having expiry deadlines and under the current regime will require applications to IPART to be maintained.

Council adopted its Water and Sewer Community Engagement and Education Strategy at its Ordinary Council meeting on 28 November 2023.The Strategy sets out how Water and Sewer will engage, communicate, educate and continue to improve its services, while building trust with customers and the community.Council’s Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the Strategy is central to enhancing engagement with our customers and the community, which was also a recommendation by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Central Coast Council is tracking well with its annual Community Engagement Program with nearly 90 percent of projects having been actioned as forecasted. Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said that having such a high action rate on forecasted engagement activities shows that Council delivers on what it said it would for the community.“Since July this year we have been consulting with the community on a number of significant projects and we have received hundreds of comments and submissions through our online engagement platform and via face-to-face workshops and information sessions. “It is pleasing to see that we are connecting with more community members with over 21,000 new visitors to our engagement platform Your Voice Our Coast.

Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of attendees of the eighth Lakes Festival, which has again given the Central Coast region a timely economic boost as local businesses look towards peak tourist season.More than 10,000 visitors attended the 10-day festival that offered over 30 exciting family-friendly activities, cultural and educational programs hosted by local organisations and businesses.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the festival has earned its spot on the calendar as an iconic Central Coast event.“The Lakes Festival is one of our region’s biggest events, with this year’s festival injecting more than $1.5 million dollars into the local economy as a result,” Mr Cannard said.“While there was the cancellation of some activations due to heavy rainfall, pleasingly our flagship event Light Up the Lake still went on and attracted nearly 5,000 people."Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the wide range of events that featured on this year’s festival program played a big part in attracting the crowds.“This family-friendly event continues to be popular among locals and visitors and wouldn’t be possible without the creative ideas from local businesses who take part,” Mr Hart said.“Council held the first Lakes Festival in 2015 and the response from the community has been extremely positive, so I’m sure it will continue to grow in the years to come.”If you would like to be part of the Lakes Festival in 2024, Council will be seeking Expressions of Interest from new and returning businesses, companies, organisations and community groups from 29 January 2024.To receive information about the Expressions of Interest, please contact events@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au to join the mailing list and keep an eye out on Council’s website.ENDS