Happy new year, Central Coast community!

The Central Coast Pets Day Out event is back on Saturday 18 February, offering an exciting day out for pets, their owners and anyone considering pet ownership.

Central Coast Council would like to advise its community on the passing of John Dawson, former General Manager of Wyong Shire Council.

Central Coast Council’s popular Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program is back for an eleventh straight year with the community encouraged to register for an online information session to find out more about this exciting project.

Community members are invited to view and have their say on the draft Woy Woy Peninsula Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, which will be placed on public exhibition for a period of four weeks commencing Wednesday 18 January 2023 to Wednesday 15 February 2023.

Central Coast Council is pleased to have won the bid to host the 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout in partnership with the Newcastle All Blacks (NAB) team, who took out the title at the 2022 event.

Council’s traffic light signage system, which makes it easier for residents to identify areas that are dog friendly and those where dogs are prohibited has been subject to vandalism and theft.

Central Coast Council is to participate in the NSW Government’s $30 million Safer Cities program, aimed at improving the safety of women, girls and gender diverse people in public spaces around transport precincts.

For the first time in three years Central Coast Council will host a New Year’s Eve event with a spectacular program planned for Memorial Park at The Entrance on Saturday 31 December.The huge family-friendly event which includes amusement rides, live music, and of course fireworks will help attendees enjoy the final sunset of 2022. Celebrations at the alcohol-free event start from 6:00pm with plenty of opportunities to satisfy all attendees.

Central Coast Council’s Gosford Regional Gallery has won the inaugural Arts in Health Award at the Imagine Awards 2022.These awards are run by Museums and Galleries NSW and supported by Create NSW to celebrate excellence in Museums and Galleries across NSW.

Central Coast Council has upgraded six local playspaces at  Avoca Beach (Ross Park), Mardi (Woolmers Crescent), East Gosford (Hylton Moore Oval), North Avoca (Palm Gully Park), Pretty Beach (Turo Reserve) and Saratoga (Jirramba Reserve) for local families and visitors to enjoy now and in years to come.Central Coast Council administrator, Rik Hart said playspaces are the heart of any neighbourhood and important community hubs.“Council manages and maintains over 260 playspaces across the region and continues to deliver innovative and high quality spaces where kids can play and learn and the community can connect, socialise, and lead active lifestyles.“We are appreciative of funding from the Australian Government, which has enabled Council to renew these playspaces with safe and engaging equipment for the benefit of local communities, and also for the contribution of additional funding from some local community groups so that accessible pathways could link around three of the playspaces to improve inclusion.”These six renewed playspaces include:Avoca Beach, Ross Park district playspace (Vine St).

Central Coast Council has endorsed its proposed Plan of Management for (POM) Council community land.The resolution at Tuesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting will see the draft plan publicly exhibited until Friday 17 February 2023, with the community invited to make submissions until Tuesday 21 February.Community land is Council owned land that cannot be sold.

Council has released its engagement summary report of the draft Dogs in Open Spaces Action Plan following the exhibition period, which garnered over 3,200 wide ranging community submissions.Council has committed to further exploring some of the key issues raised by our community during the exhibition period, and to address the significant volume of misinformation spread through the community during the consultation period.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said detailed analysis of the feedback provided is still being undertaken by Council to ensure recommendations put forward in any revised Plan reflects the values of our community.“During the consultation period, Council identified that there was general community support for the principles behind the draft Plan;

 Central Coast Council offices will be closed over the holiday season from close of business 23 December 2022, reopening on Monday 9 January 2023.Customer service – All Customer Service Centre locations will close at 5pm on Friday 23 December and reopen at 8:30am Monday 9 January.Customers can contact Council with non-emergency enquiries, requests, reporting issues or formal feedback through our online Customer Service Centre 24/7 at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, which will be progressed by our Customer Service Team when Council offices reopen. We have an out-of-hours emergency service available on 02 4306 7900 to call in any urgent reports such as water main breaks, sewer issues, dangerous potholes or fallen trees over roads.   Libraries – will be closed from Saturday 24 December and reopen on Monday 9 January.

As the end of 2022 approaches, I’d like to reflect on the year that has been.

Central Coast Council is inviting locals and visitors to join us this summer to swim, play and exercise across our leisure, aquatic, and fitness facilities.Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon said Council looks forward to welcoming back guests to our facilities this summer, following closures over the past few holiday seasons due to the pandemic.“Council is proud to operate six high quality leisure, aquatic and fitness facilities across the Central Coast including Gosford Olympic Pool, Peninsula Leisure Centre, Niagara Park Stadium, Toukley Aquatic Centre, Wyong Olympic Pool and Lake Haven Recreation Centre,” Mr Cantillon said.“This summer we’re encouraging families or anyone who likes to have fun and get active to join us across our six facilities, with plenty of options to keep you entertained and active at an affordable price.“Our aquatic centres in particular are offering a program of activities that are sure to keep the kids occupied for hours, with the return of pool inflatables and water slides.

Central Coast’s burgeoning football reputation has received another boost with confirmation that Germany and England will be based locally during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™In huge news for the region, the football association of Germany have elected to use the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex at Tuggerah as their team base camp, while England will be based at Central Coast Stadium Gosford.It is a huge coup for the Central Coast with both sides serious contenders to go deep in the tournament.

The Central Coast will again be buzzing this summer, with high numbers of both locals and visitors enjoying the beaches, waterways and outdoors spaces, not to mention the fabulous array of restaurants, summer entertainment and facilities across the Coast.While this is the time for many to kick back and relax to enjoy time with family and friends – it is also the time to remember some key safety messages, ensuring you, your loved ones and the wider community remain safe.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Coast Summer Safety is all about helping our community understand some key risks and providing simple steps to help keep everyone safe when out and about. “Council’s ‘Coast Summer Safety’ campaign will primarily be delivered via a targeted digital campaign in December, January and February and highlights messaging that’s relevant to this year’s season.

Central Coast Council is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Director of Corporate Services, Marissa Racomelara.Central Coast Council CEO, David Farmer said Ms Racomelara brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role with over 14 years’ experience working in local government.“During her executive roles with local government, Ms Racomelara has gained vast experience in strategic planning, operational leadership, financial discipline and recovery, crisis management and working within corporate services,” Mr Farmer said.“Ms Racomelara’s work across local government in regional and city areas gives her a unique ability to understand the day-to-day needs and aspirations of different communities and groups.“I am confident that Marissa will add great value to the upward trajectory already being achieved by Council, and further help strengthen our commitment to continue to improve our operations and service delivery to the community.”ENDS

Council has released its 2022 Key Enabling Projects Prospectus – a document which outlines the key future capital works projects for the Coast, from infrastructure upgrades through to community sport facilities. The Prospectus identifies 12 key projects that will benefit the community for generations to come, and provides transparency about the organisation’s short- to medium-term capital works priorities.The 12 identified projects include:Gosford Waterfront revitalisationRoad renewalTuggerawong shared pathwayEsplanade boardwalk – The EntranceLake Munmorah recreation facilityColongra sporting complexWisemans Ferry Road upgradeWarnervale business precinctCentral Coast AirportTuggerah Lakes Estuary managementSewage treatment plant augmentation – GwandalanSewage treatment plant augmentation – Bateau BayWhile the prospectus contains an infrastructure wish-list that will benefit the entire Central Coast community, it’s important Council puts in place plans to ensure that areas of population growth will get the benefits they need.