Central Coast Council has achieved a significant financial turnaround and is working towards a strong long term financially sustainable position, as evidenced in financial reporting at this week’s Council Meeting.

As the weather warms up, Central Coast Council will deliver an engaging program of activities and events throughout the spring school holidays, offering Central Coast families plenty of choices to enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and keep young minds entertained.Parents, carers and guardians can head to the School Holidays 'What’s On' page on Council’s website to see everything on offer for kids and youth during the spring break - from themed interactive and creative workshops and live entertainment, to escape rooms and sports competitions, there’s something on offer for all ages, interests and abilities.To view a list of fun-filled events, visit Central Coast Council’s ‘What’s On’ page and search ‘School Holiday’.What’s on for our YouthCouncil’s Youth Services and local youth providers have plenty of exciting opportunities, events, and workshops to help young people across the Central Coast explore their passions, build skills, and be inspired while connecting and socialising with friends this school holidays.From entering or supporting a mate in the Central Coast Skate and Scooter Competition, enjoying the good vibes with friends at a free movie night (don’t forget to BYO beanbag!), to interactive workshops and upskilling opportunities for those with an interest in videography or construction, there will be something for minds of all ages and abilities.To view a list of exciting events suitable for young people, visit Central Coast Council’s ‘What’s On’ page and search ‘Youth’.What’s on for the whole familyThere will be plenty of opportunities for the whole family to get involved with a wide range of events and fun-filled outdoor initiatives that provide memorable family experiences these school holidays.Adults can join their children of all ages and make the most of the outdoors by discovering the plethora of sports, active recreation, and physical activity options in their own community, as part of Council’s newest initiative Get Active - San Remo & Blue Haven, proudly delivered in partnership with NSW Office of Sport and Central Coast Health District’s Health Promotion Service.

An exciting new initiative to encourage people in San Remo and Blue Haven to ‘Get Active’ and discover the breadth of sports, active recreation and physical activity options in their community will kick off on 1 October 2022.Get Active – San Remo and Blue Haven has been developed in partnership by the NSW Office of Sport, Central Coast Council and Central Coast Local Health District’s Health Promotion Service.The initiative will highlight the unique range of activities, including swimming, basketball, yoga, dance and fitness offered by sport and recreation providers in the region throughout the month of October.Importantly, many of the activities will be offered for free or at low or reduced cost, with the aim to encourage people to try a new activity or sport and foster social connection – helping build a stronger and healthier community.The campaign has involved extensive consultation with the local community to help identify the activities and support needed, and which can be made available by local providers.The diverse range of offerings, taking place at a number of locations across San Remo and Blue Haven, will ensure there is something for all ages and abilities.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the NSW Government partners were looking forward to supporting Get Active in the San Remo and Blue Haven area."Get Active offers a range of diverse and interesting activities for people of all ages and abilities,” Mr Crouch said.“With the support of local community sport and recreation providers, everyone can try a new sport or activity at Get Active San Remo and Blue Haven.”Get Active – San Remo and Blue Haven builds on work already done in the area to support community wellbeing, including the Central Coast Health Promotion Service’s Activate Your Space project.Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said he hopes the initiative leaves a lasting legacy.“We’ve been really pleased by the support from community groups and organisations who have been so supportive and willing to offer new activities or existing ones for free or at discounted rates to encourage people to get involved,” Mr Hart said.“By working with sports and active recreation providers and listening to the needs of the community, we hope to create a supply and demand for physical activity that extends beyond our October calendar and well into the future.”Health Promotion Officer at Central Coast Local Health District, Nigel Tebb, said the initiative aims to remove barriers to improving our health.“Working in partnership with the community, we hope to remove some of the barriers that prevent people from being physically active and encourage people to try new activities,” Mr Tebb said.“Regular physical activity and exercise is so important for our health and wellbeing.

The Central Coast is home to many locals and community groups who regularly help make the Coast a better place to live, work and play.

The 2022-23 beach season will commence early this year, with the red and yellow flags to be placed in the sand on Thursday 22 September at many Central Coast Beaches. From Thursday, 10 of the 15 Central Coast beaches will be patrolled including Grant McBride Baths, ensuring the safety of those community members who intend to visit our scenic coastlines during the recently declared National Day of Mourning to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Central Coast Council offices will be closed on the National Day of Mourning public holiday on 22 September 2022.Some of Council’s services and facilities are impacted however essential services will continue to operate. CUSTOMER SERVICE - partial closureCouncil’s Customer Service Centre at Wyong and Gosford will be closed on Thursday 22 September.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 during business hours.We have an out of hours service available on 1300 463 954 to call in any urgent reports such as water main breaks, sewer issues or fallen trees over roads.50+ LEISURE AND LEARNING, SENIOR CENTRES - closedClosed on Thursday 22 September and re-open as normal from Friday 23 September.BEACHES - varied patrols (conditions dependant)The following beaches will be patrolled on Thursday 22 September, from 9am to 5pm:Umina BeachOcean BeachMacmasters BeachAvoca BeachTerrigal BeachShelly BeachToowoon BayThe Entrance BeachEntrance Tower ChannelSoldiers BeachGrant McBride BathsNote:

Like many, I am saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who served her nation and the Commonwealth with complete dedication for more than 70 years.

Nominations for the Australia Day Awards 2023 are now open, providing an opportunity for locals to recognise individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the region.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the 2023 awards will help honour the local leaders that have helped make the Coast a better place to live, work and play.“Each year, we’re thrilled to see the community come together to honour the outstanding achievements and contributions of local individuals and groups who go the extra mile for our community.” Ms Smith said.“Nominating someone for an Australian Day Award is a wonderful opportunity for our region to appreciate those who have helped others this year.

Central Coast Council is continuing its work to fix potholes and other road defects after a combination of three major flood events and higher-than-average rainfall patterns over the past eight months which resulted in unprecedented damage to the local road network.Since 1 March 2022, 73,000 potholes have been patched across the Coast’s 2000km road network.Council Director of Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff, said while Council has short, medium, and long-term strategies to manage and prevent potholes impacting the roads, the on-going wet weather has resulted in the need to adapt work plans.“Pothole patching is continuing across numerous suburbs which may also receive medium and long-term solutions such as heavy patching in the near future.“It is a priority for us to keep the roads open to traffic.

Council is taking part in mental health awareness campaign, R U OK?

Council is encouraging the Central Coast community to ask their friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours “Are you ok?” ahead of R U OK?

Central Coast Council is giving the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog a helping hand by collecting and relocating tadpoles from the Bareena wetland to ponds at North Avoca, which were constructed by Council to provide additional habitat for the threatened species.

Council has completed the Tuggerah Lakes Entrance Management Study which included the development of the Interim Entrance Management Procedure, to assist in reducing flood risk and impacts to the community. The interim procedure is intended to guide Council’s channel management until the Entrance Management Strategy is completed, as part of the Tuggerah Lakes Coastal Management Program.

Central Coast Council’s 2022 household Chemical CleanOut campaign was a huge success with over 6,000 resident vehicles attending disposal locations and 260 tonnes of hazardous waste being collected!Run over four weekends in 2022, the program is aimed at encouraging residents to clear out unwanted and out-of-date hazardous items from homes, garages, and sheds to be correctly disposed for free at nominated Chemical CleanOut locations.Central Coast Council’s Unit Manager Waste and Resource Recovery Andrew Pearce, said the community should be congratulated for taking up the opportunity to dispose of hazardous materials safely, while also allowing for the recovery of reusable materials.“Incorrect disposal of chemicals, such as dumping, placing in the bin or pouring down drains, are offences that attract fines and penalties, but more importantly, they can also cause serious environmental effects by contaminating our waterways and landfill sites.“The Chemical CleanOut campaign is just one of the many resource recovery initiatives offered to residents by Council, beyond their household waste and recycling collection services.”Mr Pearce added that paint was the most common item dropped of at the events, with other items including motor oils and garden chemicals.This year’s Chemical CleanOut disposal sites were at Long Jetty Depot, Mt Penang Event Park, Charmhaven Depot and the former Kincumber Landfill.“The Kincumber site was a new site this year and proved extremely convenient for residents in that area.”Council Administrator Rik Hart, said once again he was impressed by the ongoing commitment from the community to responsibly dispose of problem wastes.“In previous years, CleanOut events across the region have attracted consistent, record-breaking numbers – and 2022 was no different.

Over the last month I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting various community groups around the Central Coast to hear about the issues that matter to them. Community members and I have discussed a range of topics – from Council finances, to potholes and general service delivery – and I have appreciated hearing the passionate and informed perspectives of Central Coast locals.In early August I attended the Wyong Neighbourhood Centre’s Tuesday Discussion Group, where I was asked about Council’s financial position, libraries and how road works are managed and prioritised, among other topics.

Road rehabilitation works have commenced on Wisemans Ferry Road which is expected to impact residents and motorists for approximately six weeks.Ongoing severe weather events in February, March and July of this year have impacted several sites along Wisemans Ferry Road, causing dangerous road conditions such as embankment failures, minor landslips and significant pavement damage.

Central Coast residents can now stay up to date on more than 350 key infrastructure projects thanks to a new interactive map.Administrator Rik Hart said the new online tool highlights the infrastructure projects from the $176 million capital projects underway across the Central Coast."Council is investing $176 million in more than 350 community, roads and other urban infrastructure, water and sewer, waste, environmental and sport and recreation projects and this map includes the details, dates, progress and costs of each project, updated monthly,” Mr Hart said."This initiative makes it easy for anyone to find works within their street or suburb and is another important way Council is being transparent and open about linking the delivery program with clear information for the community.”Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said the map also facilitates a view of projects being undertaken by the NSW Government in the Central Coast Local Government Area.“While the map shows the capital works projects, hundreds more smaller jobs and routine maintenance tasks continue to be delivered every day by Council staff.

Council has received over 3,200 submissions to its Draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan, with community consultation now closed.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said Council would like to thank all community members who shared their valuable feedback.“Council reviewed a strong community response to the Draft Plan and we now have a lot of feedback to analyse and consider,” Ms Howe said.“This is not the last conversation that Council will have with our passionate community on this topic.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the opportunity to join with other stakeholders in discussing flood mitigation and preparedness, at the meeting convened on 23 August at Wyong.  The meeting provided for a productive dialogue between the SES, as the combat agency responsible for flood events, NSW Police, Council, and the Central Coast’s state MPs so that we can improve our joint approach to flood preparedness.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe, said the meeting was also an opportunity to clarify future actions Council is already, or will be, undertaking.“Central Coast Council has received funding from the NSW Government to review and update the 2014 Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study (which will inform an updated Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan).  This project is now underway and will allow for an updated understanding of flood risk and behaviour within the Tuggerah Lakes floodplain in order to better identify and mitigate flood risk.  The updated study will be able to take into account intensified development within the catchment since the last study.

Approximately one month ago, at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 26 July 2022, I asked the community members in attendance whether they would like the opportunity to join myself, Council’s CEO, and members of Council’s senior staff to have a discussion after the Council meeting concluded.