Time is running out to nominate a community hero for the inaugural Central Coast Council 2017 Australia Day Awards.These awards are open to anyone from across the Central Coast and include the chance to be named the first-ever Central Coast Citizen of the Year.The awards span seven categories and are designed to showcase locals who have shown outstanding dedication to their community, their workplace or the arts, culture and sport.All too often this work goes unrecognised, and these Awards are about shining a spotlight on those who give back to the Central Coast community.The categories for the Central Coast awards include:Arts, Culture and EntertainmentBusiness Connecting CommunitiesCommunity Service and ActivityVolunteer of the YearEnvironmentalSportsperson of the YearYouth of the YearThe Citizen of the Year will be selected from one of the winners of these categories and will display the highest level of skill, talent and service in their chosen field and act as a role model across all facets of the broader community.To be eligible, applicants must be an Australian Citizen and live in the Central Coast Local Government Area.Nominations must be received by 5pm, Friday 25 November 2016.

Artists from all over NSW are invited to enter Gosford Regional Gallery’s Emerging 2017 competition and exhibition.The competition is open to artists aged between 18 and 30, who are asked to submit a body of work across any visual art medium.  With over $9,000 in total prize money, the biennial competition and exhibition showcases the talents of emerging young artists across the state, giving them the opportunity to exhibit a series of works or site-specific installation at the gallery.Gosford Regional Gallery Team Leader, Tim Braham, said Emerging 2017 is an exciting opportunity for young artists to enter and compete across any medium.“Selected finalists will form an exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery from Saturday 8 April until Sunday 21 May 2017,” said Mr Braham.“This is the eighth year that we have held the Emerging competition and exhibition.

Central Coast Council is helping to bring the Coast community together with a fun International Games Day at Gosford and Lake Haven Library from 10am on Saturday 19 November.This international event gives the community a place to explore adventure games, secret decoding games, the latest tabletop games and check out the diverse range of activities the Libraries have on offer.Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, Gosford and Lake Haven Libraries will join in with over a thousand libraries around the world which are opening up their libraries on the same day for gaming.“This international initiative is supported by the Australian Library and Information Association, American Library Association and Nordic Game Day.

The award winning Wyong Lakes Festival continues this week with the final weekend expected to draw big crowds for key events.The final couple of days will see outdoor cinemas, obstacle races, street festivals, kayak tours, concerts and more.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the Festival had already proved popular with residents and visitors alike and the final weekend is expected to attract even more people to the area.“The opening weekend saw thousands of people flock to The Entrance for the free concert, breakfast, colour run and stand up paddle board competition as well as compete in the triathlon at Budgewoi,” Mr Reynolds said.“It was great to see so many people flock to our lake’s foreshore to be part of a festival that has something for everyone.“The weather was perfect and the Lakes really took centre stage – they looked pristine!“The Wyong Lakes Festival is a great chance to see the lakes from a different angle and see how beautiful the Coast really is to live, work and play.”Don’t miss out - there is something for everyone in the program designed to entertain, delight and educate.

Local Olympians and Paralympians have today been recognised in a civic reception held at Central Coast Council.Eight athletes and two officials from the Central Coast took part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio earlier this year and today’s event acknowledged their representation of our country and our community.Council Administrator Ian Reynolds said the reception provided an opportunity to formally recognise the efforts of our local athletes and officially congratulate them on their extraordinary achievements.“The Rio Games marks 120 years of Australians excelling in Olympic events, wearing the green and gold.

End of year exams are in full swing and Central Coast Council is encouraging students to take advantage of its free online tutoring service.Available through Coast libraries in the North, YourTutor is an online service where students in years 3 to 12 can get study and exam tips and help with assignments from professionals in real time.The service is free for all library members and is available from 3pm to 10pm, Sunday to Friday.Students who are members of the library can log in from any device, anywhere to access the service.Council’s Library Services Coordinator, Ms Andrea Edwards, said help was just a click away and was available in a safe online learning environment on a range of subjects, including English, maths and science, and advice was also given on study skills.“Many parents today are time poor so they struggle to help their children with homework.

An international cricket team will steam in to the Central Coast next week for a game against NSW Country.Central Coast Council has been working with the Central Coast Veterans Cricket Association (aka the Cyclones) to host a match between the NSW Country Over 60s and the touring England Over 60s on Tuesday 22 November at Baker Park, Wyong.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was really pleased when he heard the Central Coast will be hosting its first international cricket game.“What a great opportunity for the Central Coast to show off our great region to international visitors,” Mr Reynolds said.“We are happy to be working with the Cyclones and are directly sponsoring this international match through one of our grants.“Let’s hope NSW Country give the English team a good run before they take on the Australian team in three one day tests.”Council staff are working hard this week to make sure the oval is in tip top shape for the upcoming match.Baker Park has one of the best turf pitches on the Coast as well as a grand stand for great viewing so spectators won’t miss a ball.Central Coast Seniors Cricket Association President, Mr Bob Newman, was hit for six with the support he has received.“This is the first time Central Coast Cricket has hosted an international match so we wanted to make sure we had the best suited facilities and worked closely with Council to achieve this,” Mr Newman said.“Veteran’s Cricket is the biggest growing demographic in Australia and really highlights the comradery and fellowship we have.“We are lucky enough to have two Coast players representing NSW Country in the game - Doug Trigg and Greig Buscombe, with Doug named as captain!“All-round, this will be a massive day for Veteran’s Cricket on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council’s $7 million investment in the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary over the past financial year is paying off, with three areas achieving improved water quality in the past 12 months.The annual Report Card on the ecological health of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary shows that Lake Munmorah, Tuggerah Lake North and Tuggerah Lake Central have all gone up a grade, from C to B, due to an improvement in water quality.Ratings are graded from A to E, with A being excellent and E being very poor.Council’s Section Manager of Waterways and Coastal, Mr Ben Fullagar, said council had spent close to $30 million on the estuary over the past eight years, had worked hard to improve and restore important areas in the catchment area, and the results are starting to show.“In the past 12 months council has installed 14 new gross pollutant traps in urban areas, removed 1250 tonnes of pollutants from stormwater treatment devices, collected 200 tonnes of litter, dredged 60,000 cubic metres of sand from The Entrance channel to maintain connection with ocean, removed 10,500 cubic metres of seagrass wrack from nearshore areas and installed new recreational facilities at a number of locations,” Mr Fullagar said.“We are investing in the health of the stunning Tuggerah Lakes Estuary catchment area and have done work on river banks, natural wetlands and foreshore vegetation communities.”Council has been producing annual report cards on the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary since 2012 in an effort to determine whether the health of the estuary is improving, declining or remaining stable.The annual report cards are a summary of the ecological health of the estuary and are the result of scientists from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) collecting and analysing water quality data.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said while council is investing a lot of time and money into making the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary cleaner, everyone could play a role in keeping the lakes clean.“The Lakes are one of our best natural assets and we want to keep it that way,” Mr Reynolds said.“Every time you wash your car on pavement, all of those chemicals end up in the lake.

Central Coast Council is bringing an acclaimed writer, Andrew Patterson, to Tuggerah Library in November to share his debut novel ‘Harry’s World.’This award winning author will inspire his listeners to fall in love with crime fiction as he chats about his novel of corruption, crime, and politics.Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, she is excited to present such a fascinating and award winning author who has released his novel with much acclaim.“Crime fiction lovers will be enthralled as Andrew’s passion for writing and knowledge of crime really jumps out as he talks about ‘Harry’s World,’ said Ms Edwards.“Andrew’s experience as a Detective Sergeant in the Police Force and as a Chief Investigator with the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption has given him a vast amount of knowledge that really shines through this fascinating read.“Harry’s World’ is running hot off the press and if you haven’t bought your copy yet, the book will be available for purchase on the day with the author on hand to personally sign each copy.”Andrew Patterson is an independent author who has won five awards including Outstanding Mystery at the 2016 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards in Canada and the Bronze Medal Winner at the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards in Australia.Andrew will be at Tuggerah Library on 23 November at 10am until 11.30am to share his work with readers.“All of our libraries are great places to meet up with friends, catch an event or just be inspired by the dynamic learning spaces we have created", Ms Edwards added.“So drop in to one of your local libraries on the Coast and you will be amazed at what they have to offer for all ages of the community.”More information on local libraries, events and programs can be found by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Students and teachers from across the Central Coast took part in Council’s 2016 Primary School Environment Award Program encouraging students to consider stormwater issues in and around their school.This year’s theme, the drain is just for the rain, got students thinking about the impact waste has in their local environment such as waterways as well as the bigger picture of marine debris and how all drains lead to the ocean.Warnervale Public School and Mannering Park Public School were named the two overall winners for the former Wyong Shire area.Council’s Team Leader Community Education, Ms Danielle Hargreaves, said she was impressed at how Warnervale Public School has made it a key part of their everyday activities.“The school has developed a program to address the litter issues on top of their already successful environmental management program,” Ms Hargreaves said.“Extra bins have been placed in litter focus areas and during lunch and recess all the students use the Take 3 approach to make all rubbish is picked up before they go and play.“Food scraps are collected for the chickens to reduce any avoidable food waste, and the canteen now buys items with less packaging which results in less waste.“And this is just a sample of how the school is taking the 3-Rs approach – reduce, recycle and reuse.”Mannering Park Public School has also integrated the theme, the drain is for the rain, into all aspects of school life.From a waste audit, to Waste Free Wednesdays and a new recycling system, this small school is also leading the way in changing behaviours and teaching students about what goes down the drain impacts stormwater and wildlife.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, was excited at the work produced in an effort to help the local environment.“It’s great to see so many schools participate in this annual program and how the learnings from this become part of everyday life at school and home,” Mr Reynolds said.“The program gives primary school students a chance to become involved in fun, innovative and environmentally sustainable projects that make a real positive difference to our community.”Other winners announced today included Brooke Avenue Public School, Ourimbah Public School, Tacoma Public School and Wyong Creek Public School.The winners of the school in the former Gosford City area will be announced on Friday 25 November at Laycock Street Community Theatre.

Central Coast Council has completed two sections of fire trails at Mardi to help protect residences in the area from the risk of bushfire.The fire trails between Old Maitland Road and Scadden Ridge Road in Mardi have been upgraded with corrugated concrete to allow better access for emergency services to the area in the event of a fire and for hazard reduction burning activities.Corrugated concrete has proven effective in steeper areas of the Coast and significantly reduces maintenance costs.  Council has saved around $50,000 a year after a similar upgrade to Kincumba Mountain six years ago.Council’s Senior Manager, Property Management, Mr Peter Stokes, said Council had been upgrading fire trails across the Coast to ensure emergency services can better protect the community from the threat of bushfire.“Mardi has been assessed as a high risk area for bushfires which is why these trails were prioritised in this round of works,” Mr Stokes said.“We know that better fire trails mean our emergency services can get to where they need to be more quickly and every minute counts when it comes to saving lives and properties.”Council invested $240,000 on 280 metres of new fire trails through some of the most rugged terrain in the Mardi area.Council’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds, said with the threat of fire now quite real, it is time for local residents to prepare their own properties for the bushfire season, if they haven’t already done so.“We are doing everything we can to mitigate direct and indirect bushfire impacts on residents and will continue to do so,” Mr Reynolds said.“Last financial year with the support of Rural Fire Service grants programs, Council invested over $1.3 million in bush fire mitigation activities.“The threat of fire on the Coast is very real and I urge everyone to prepare a bushfire survival plan for their home and family and ensure that their property is ready for the fire season.“Embers can travel long distances and are one of the main reason houses are lost during a bushfire.

This weekend will see a hive of activity around Tuggerah Lakes as Central Coast Council kicks off its award winning Wyong Lakes Festival.The Festival will make a splash on Saturday 12 November and will continue with more than 30 events until Sunday 20 November.The opening weekend will see up to 1500 competitors take part in three massive sporting events – Colour Ya World, TriWyong and the Saltwater Festival (Stand Up Paddle Boarding).Crowds are also expected to flock to Memorial Park, The Entrance for Light up the Lake and fireworks with a free concert including headline act, Thirsty Merc on Saturday 12 November from 4pm.On Sunday 13 November, festival goers can wind down with Brunch by the Lake including a free breakfast, activities and entertainment at Memorial Park from 10am.There is something for everyone in the nine day program designed to entertain, delight and educate the community about one of the Coast’s greatest natural assets.See the full program at wyong.nsw.gov.au/wyonglakesfestival

The award-winning Wyong Lakes Festival will kick off its nine day program on Saturday and it is guaranteed to entertain, delight and educate.Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 November.The festival program is varied so it doesn’t matter whether your interest is sport or cultural experiences, family or educational activities or just getting out and enjoying the magnificent lakes and catchments, this festival is for you.Light up the Lake will launch the festival with a five hour lakeside event at Memorial Park, and will be jam-packed with great food, entertainment and lots of free activities.

Lead Instructor of The Hub Erina’s Rising Stars Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program, Noah Magnus, will compete and captain the Australian team in the World Pankration Championships in Italy from 11-14 November.Pankration means ‘all powers’.

Central Coast Council will place the draft Norah Head Village Centre Masterplan on Public Exhibition from Wednesday 9 November to Friday 9 December 2016.“This plan has been developed with great input from over 60 residents and stakeholders at two community workshops held in May and June this year,” said Mr Scott Cox, Group Leader, Environment and Planning.“Now the plan is ready for Public Exhibition and we encourage anyone interested to view the plan and provide feedback by the due date,” Mr Cox said.“This Masterplan is all about Council investing in the Norah Head community over the next 20 years to retain its distinct character whilst improving public facilities and linkages.”Some of the key features of the plan are provision for public domain improvements within the Village Centre.The plan considers car parking, shared pathways and cycleways, street furniture, lighting, signage and landscaping, public amenities and recreational facilities.Following the Public Exhibition the draft masterplan will be refined to incorporate any changes required as a result of feedback received during the exhibition period.The draft Masterplan will then be reported to Council seeking its adoption and commencement of the first stage of implementation of the Masterplan, and to gain inclusion of short to medium term recommended actions within Council’s four year delivery plan.The draft masterplan can be viewed at Toukley Library or at Central Coast Council Chambers, 2 Hely Street, Wyong or online at www.haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au/norah-head-master-planWe welcome public feedback via email ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, the Have Your Say webpage or PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259.

Resealing of 59 kilometres of Central Coast local roads has kicked off this week beginning at Chain Valley Bay.A number of streets will be resealed as part of Council’s Capital Works Program this year providing safer roads for motorists.Central Coast Council’s Construction Manager, Mr Stuart Baverstock said, this resealing program reflects part of Council’s commitment to maintain and improve local roads for the community.“Resealing roads will extend the life of the road and result in less long term road maintenance,” Mr Baverstock said.“The benefits the community can experience because of this resealing work is safer roads and money saved over the life of the road.“Council is responsible for over 2000 kilometres of sealed road pavement across our region and will continue to prioritise this work to meet the needs of our community and help reduce accidents.”Short term disruptions can take place while this work is being carried out and all updates for the program can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.A selection of the 59 kilometres of road to be resealed in the coming months include;Alan Avenue, CharmhavenAllambee Crescent, Blue HavenBlood Tree Road, Mangrove MountainBrandon Close, BudgewoiBridge Avenue, Chain Valley BayBuff Point Avenue, Buff PointCams Boulevard, Summerland PointCarpenter Street, Umina BeachCarters Road, Lake MunmorahCatalina Road, San RemoChisholm Avenue, Lake MunmorahCogra Road, Woy WoyDog Trap Road, SomersbyKurrawa Avenue, Point ClareMalkana Avenue, Forresters BeachMelba Road, Woy WoyThe Ridgeway, LisarowWards Hill Road, Empire BayWatkin Avenue, Woy Woy.For information on upcoming road work, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Council is helping to improve the community’s health and wellbeing by bringing free talks and Buddhist mediation sessions to the local Library.Central Coast Libraries regularly host meditation sessions facilitated by a local Khedruje Kadampa Buddhist teacher.These sessions give the community an opportunity to experience mediation and learn about the Buddhist way of life firsthand.Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, the Buddhist sessions have proven to be extremely popular with local residents and shows there is a strong need for this type of event in the region.“Meditation has been proven to lessen worry, reduce stress and improve optimism and that is certainly what we want for our community,” said Ms Edwards.“If you are looking for ways to destress, improve your quality of life and develop inner peace meditation just might be what you need.“The next two sessions will talk about overcoming stress and solving life’s problems in this modern world we live in,” Ms Edwards added.“Meditation can be practiced by any member of the community, no matter what race, culture, gender or age so come and join us to experience a new way of life as everyone is welcome.“The next Khedruje Kadampa sessions are on 9 November at 2.30pm at Tuggerah Library and 6 December at 10.30am at Lake Haven Library.Booking for these sessions are essential and can be made by calling the library branches directly.

110 new parking spaces are being created close to the heart of Terrigal, with work commencing on the $2.7 million upgrade to the Wilson Road parking station.

Central Coast Council is celebrating National Recycling Week, from Monday 7 November until Sunday 13 November 2016, by holding a series of free Green Living Workshops and tours around the Coast.Now in its 21st year, National Recycling Week aims to give people the tools to minimise waste and responsibly manage resources at home, work and school.Residents of all ages are invited to participate in the events, which go beyond the yellow recycling bin by looking at ways to reduce waste, reuse resources and recycle more.Learn how to make a kitchen garden without spending a cent, discover water wise ways to grow plants, set up backyard chickens, find out how to compost and set up a worm farm,  learn how to love your leftovers, save money by op-shopping, and learn about the recycling process.Central Coast Council’s Green Living Workshops during National Recycling Week:Monday 7 November, Love Food Hate Waste, 11am – 12.30pm, Wyoming Community CentreTuesday 8 November, Waste and Recycling Tour, 9am – 1pm, Woy Woy LandfillWednesday 9 November, Upcycle Kitchen Garden, 10am – 1pm, Kincumber LibraryThursday 10 November, Waste and Recycling Tour, 9am – 1pm, Buttonderry Waste Management FacilitySaturday 12 November, Wicking Bed Construction, 9am – 11am, Woy Woy Peninsula Community GardenSaturday 12 November, Remondis Open Day, 9.30am – 11am, Remondis Somersby DepotSaturday 12 November, Op Shop Hop, 9.30am – 12.30pm, Woy Woy Op Shops, meeting at Woy Woy Train StationSunday 13 November, Keeping Backyard Chickens, 9am – 12pm, Meeting Space 3, The Erina CentreSunday 13 November, Compost and Worm Farming, 1pm – 4pm, Meeting Space 3, The Erina CentreFor more information, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 4325 8222.

It’s less than two weeks before the award-winning Wyong Lakes Festival kicks off its nine day program to entertain, delight and educate.Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from 12-20 November.Council’s Event Officer, Ms Cobey Linsley, said the first weekend is set to light up The Entrance and will kick start the festival with a five hour lakeside event.“The festival kicks off with the Light up the Lake event on Saturday 12 November at Memorial Park and will be jam packed with great food, entertainment and activities,” Ms Linsley said.“We have a silent disco, photo booth, glow forest, roving entertainment that will light up, facepainting and much, much more.“But the highlight would be the main stage that will feature a line-up of artists including our headline act, Thirsty Merc.“The night will finish at 9pm with a firework spectacular over the lake and the best news of all, it’s free!”A brunch by the lake will be held the next morning, Sunday 13 November, where festival goers can indulge in a free breakfast.There will also be more free activities, a bubble pond and roving entertainment including a special appearance from the stilt lifesavers to enjoy.All eyes will be on the main stage in Memorial Park for the free music and entertainment including celebrity chef, Courtney Roulston, who we all know from MasterChef.Other events on the opening weekend include Painting by the Lake, Storytelling, Remondis Open Day, Colour Ya World, Saltwater Festival, Pedal to Paddle and the popular TriWyong.“The festival program is varied so it doesn’t matter whether your interest is sport or cultural experiences, family or educational activities or just getting out and enjoying the magnificent lakes and catchments, this festival is for you,” Ms Linsley addedCouncil’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said while the festival is fantastic for locals, it is expected to attract lots of visitors to the region as well.“With a full program of more than 30 free events, it’s no wonder our Festival is winning awards!” Mr Reynolds said.“The Festival is a great way for locals and visitors alike to take part in a wide range of interesting events and explore our beautiful lakes at the same time.”For a full program of events, visit wyong.nsw.gov.au/wyonglakesfestival