Central Coast Council’s 2021-22 Community Grants Program will open 1 July 2021, with $900,000 in annual funding available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen our community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services Julie Vaughan said Council is running a series of free information sessions, drop-in sessions and grant writing workshops throughout June and July to support community members throughout the application process.“This year, community groups and organisations will be able to apply for funding under three programs - the Community Development Grant Program, the Community Events and Place Activation Program and the Community Support Program,” Ms Vaughan said.“These three programs have been prioritised due to the significant benefits and outcomes they will deliver to the broader community.“Unlike in previous years, there will only be one round of grant applications over the 2021-22 financial year for the Community Development and Events and Place Activation Grants programs, so if you are looking to deliver a project or event in the next 18 months, we encourage you to plan ahead by attending our upcoming information sessions and applying when applications open in July.“The sessions and workshops are open to anyone in the community and are designed to help applicants better understand the process, improve the quality of their applications and communicate some of the changes to the Community Grants Program for 2021-22.”Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart said the Community Grants Program plays an important role in supporting organisations to deliver events and programs that respond to the needs of our community.“Through its Community Grants Program, Council provides community organisations with the support to deliver activities and events which build the community’s capacity and create stronger local connections,” Mr Hart said.To book into to an upcoming information session or grant writing workshop and to learn more about the 2021-22 Community Grants Program, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants. ENDS 

Central Coast Council has completed upgrade works at Kanwal Oval, improving the lighting system, drainage and irrigation for local sporting clubs and residents. Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said completion of this project for the community will better support local sports groups and promote a healthier and more active community. “Kanwal Oval is a much loved and frequently used community facility that was in need of some TLC.

It is National Reconciliation Week and this year’s theme is ‘More than a word.

First Nations children and young people from across the Central Coast are having their creative expression celebrated through Maliga – the annual visual storytelling program that helps to mark Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week.Maliga sees First Nations young people share stories of culture and identity through visual, performance and literary expression, with artworks featured in a collaborative street flag presentation in Wyong, Toukley, Long Jetty and Umina town centres and The Entrance Bridge and along Tuggerah Straight.Central Coast Council Acting Director Community and Recreation Services, Phil Cantillon said this year’s artworks showcase both a traditional and contemporary style.“Council is thrilled to once again help celebrate the stories and talent of our young First Nations people aged three to 18 through the Maliga program,” Mr Cantillon said.“The street flag presentation is an annual highlight for the Coast and this year we can enjoy pieces by local artist Kyle Waters and the work of students from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College (The Entrance and Berkeley Vale), Kincumber Public School, Kincumber High, Wyong High School and Wadalba Community School.“Maliga means Shine in Darkinjung language and the Maliga visual storytelling program is a community led initiative that provides an outstanding platform for young First Nations people on the Coast to shine.”The Maliga flags will help to mark Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) and NAIDOC Week (4 July – 11 July).Gosford Regional Gallery and The Entrance Gallery will also be celebrating First Nations Peoples through exhibitions and events including:Cleverman exhibition (Gosford Regional Gallery)Colours of Country exhibition (Gosford Regional Gallery)Saltwater Freshwater (The Entrance Gallery).Maliga is made possible through collaborations with local Elders, cultural leaders and educational institutions and the participation of First Nations families.This year’s flags include a representation of ‘Tiddalik the Frog’ brought to life through the illustrative skills of local artist of Kamilaroi descent, Kyle Waters.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is committed to supporting reconciliation and celebrating young First Nations peoples from the Coast.“The Coast is home to a growing First Nations peoples community – including many talented young people – and it is wonderful to be able to hear their stories and experience their work through important initiatives such as Maliga,” Mr Hart said.“It is important to mark Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week and encourage everyone to enjoy the artworks across the Coast and attend the featured exhibitions at our galleries.”Find out more by searching 'Maliga' on Council's website and for details about exhibitions/events at our galleries visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/GalleriesENDS

Central Coast Council and the NSW Government have today officially opened the newly redeveloped Terrigal BMX Track, the last piece of the Duffy’s Oval Recreation Precinct revitalisation project.Works have included reshaping jumps, asphalting berms and laying a synthetic surface on dirt sections.

Central Coast Council is looking for exciting local events, programs and activities that shine the light on our region’s lakes and waterways, which are among the largest and most magnificent in Australia.The Lakes Festival is back in 2021 and the popular 10-day program will see locals and visitors come together to celebrate, discover and even re-discover those places on the Coast that make our region unique.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said The Lakes Festival is an event made special by locals and built on creative ‘outside the box’ thinking.“The Lakes Festival will look a little different this year given COVID-19 and the current environment, but it is exciting that we are able to move forward with a program that celebrates our region’s incredible waterways,” Mr Cannard said. “We’re seeking Expressions of Interest from anyone with a unique perspective on our waterways including local businesses, companies, organisations and community groups.

The role of migrant communities in the Coast’s rich history and bright future is rarely explored.‘If These Walls Could Talk’ uses visual storytelling to shine a light on the experiences and contributions of four migrant business owners from The Entrance and four from Woy Woy.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the project beautifully and powerfully captures a series of important local migrant stories.“Through photographs and written narratives, you will be immersed in the stories of eight local business owners that help to make our region a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Ms Vaughan said.“‘If These Walls Could Talk’ provides insight into the cultural, social and economic perspectives of migrant business owners who have chosen to call the Coast home.“Through this project we are creating an important platform for the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community to express aspects of their culture in a safe, inclusive and non-invasive manner, and to address misconceptions about multiculturalism.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said migrant communities make an invaluable contribution to the Central Coast.“I encourage all community members to take the time to engage with the stories of local migrant business owners featured in ‘If These Walls Could Talk,” Mr Hart said.“Cultural diversity helps to make the Coast a dynamic place and will play a crucial role in the region’s bright future.”A demountable storyboard at Memorial Park, The Entrance will showcase elements of the project to compliment the visual storytelling featured online.‘If These Walls Could Talk’ launched on 21 May 2021 to coincide with ‘World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue’, an international day to acknowledge cultural diversity within our communities.Community members can experience ‘‘If These Walls Could Talk’ by visiting ifthesewallscouldtalk.com.au

Central Coast Council has welcomed the release of the Tuggerah Lake’s Expert Panel report, labelling it a great resource to support the ongoing management of Tuggerah Lakes.Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said Council was working to integrate the recommendations of the report into the Coastal Management Program underway for the Tuggerah Lakes system.“Council is legislatively required to complete coastal management programs, and the previous Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan will expire in December,” Mr Cox said.“This report is a great resource for us to integrate into the first stage of this program, the scoping study, and will provide a basis for use to further develop actions, recommendations and community engagement options going forward.“We will consider all 52 recommended actions identified by the Panel and integrate, where appropriate, into the coastal management program. “We will be working with the relevant government agencies, our stakeholders, technical experts and the community to ensure a well-rounded and broadly supported future plan that will see the Tuggerah Lakes estuary well managed into the future.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said the community engagement opportunities for the coastal management programs had been successful so far.“We have more than 770 responses to our survey so far, staff have spoken to over 200 residents and 270 residents have registered for ongoing involvement,” Mr Hart said.“Our staff are heading out to talk to more people over the coming weeks and have extended the closing date of the consultation to give them a chance to cover more areas of the region.“I’d strongly encourage all residents on the Central Coast, regardless of how close to the Coast you live, to take part in the engagement activities – everyone’s voice matters.”To take part visit Council’s Your Voice Our Coast website to learn more about the programs being developed.The first stage of the consultation closes on 15 June 2021.