Central Coast Council has started construction of a new carpark on the existing grassed area in front of Lake Munmorah High School on Carters Road.This project is funded by the Australian Government with $900,000 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program) and will service four local schools in the area and the growing Lake Munmorah community.Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said the 50 space carpark, including two accessible spaces, will be an invaluable resource for the community, particularly those associated with the schools in Carters Road.“Parking can be a challenge in the busy education precinct for the growing Lake Munmorah community and this new carpark will be welcome news,” Mr Bolgoff said.“The carpark and associated traffic management works are expected to help with congestion and parking during the busy school drop-off/pick-up time periods.“Traffic flow, particularly for school buses, is expected to improve when the carpark is completed.“The project includes the construction of new footpaths around the carpark to link to the designated crossing points and a new pedestrian crossing.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said improvements to traffic congestion and additional parking will not only benefit the school community, but also residents and businesses operating from Carters Road.“The community has been calling for works on Carters Road and it is great to be moving forward with projects such as this new carpark in Lake Munmorah,” Mr Persson said.

Foodies, families and fun-seekers will flock to the Central Coast hinterland over the June long weekend for the return of one of Central Coast Council’s most anticipated annual events, Harvest Festival.A celebration of the Central Coast’s spectacular hinterland, Harvest Festival 2021 will offer a wide range of unique events and experiences across thirty event hubs over 12 and 13 June.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the festival is an opportunity to recognise our region’s outstanding local produce and producers.“This is a rare chance to take a glimpse behind the farm gate as you explore eight rural farming communities and their picturesque heritage villages right here on the Central Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“Follow the Harvest Festival event trail to visit local farms, sample local produce, soak up live music and entertainment or join in a range of family-friendly activities designed to show off the unique charm of our region’s hinterland.“From paddock to plate dining experiences and wine tastings to produce picking, hands-on workshops and much more, the two-day program truly offers something for every taste and interest.“This year, a number of event hubs are offering the opportunity to pre-book experiences in advance, so be sure to check out the event program early to ensure you don’t miss out.”As a special treat for music lovers, this year's event will include a special showcase of local musicians from the Wyong Creek, Yarramalong and Jilliby communities as part of Council's 'Harvest Songs' program.Community members can tune in for a live online concert on Sunday 13 June and access a selection of home-grown songs via Spotify, with full details at info.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/harvestsongs.Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said Central Coast Council is proud to be delivering this much-loved event again in 2021, which attracts visitors from across the Coast and beyond to the region’s hinterland communities.“One of the Coast’s most popular events amongst locals and visitors alike, Harvest Festival builds local pride, celebrates sustainability and boosts the local economy,” Mr Persson said.“The 2019 event attracted over 32,000 visitors, providing the Central Coast economy with an $8million boost and while the event format moved online last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event is anticipated to deliver similar returns to our community.”Harvest Festival 2021 will run from 12-13 June 2021.

The 'Sustainability Starts With You' campaign was developed by Central Coast Council's Youth 4 Youth (Y4Y) Action Team over 2020 and 2021 to empower young people to take practical steps to reduce waste, increase sustainable habits and encourage the reduction of single use plastic. Why is this important? The Central Coast Youth Strategy has shown that 77% of young people on the Central Coast identify caring for the environment as being important to them, and plastic waste as being of most concern. The Y4Y 'Sustainability Starts With You' campaign aims to invite young people to practice sustainability principles:

Council is seeking community feedback about the next stage (Tranche 3) of the asset sales program that is part of its financial recovery plan. Council’s financial recovery plan required a review of Council’s property assets which could be disposed of to assist with the financial situation.

Council is seeking community feedback about the next steps towards developing a Central Coast Stadium Masterplan. This includes looking at the rezoning options for the Stadium and its current land classification of Community ‘Sportsground.’ These are being reviewed to help facilitate Council’s refreshed plan for the Stadium to ensure it continues to meet community’s and hirer’s needs, and supports the local economy, on a sound financial basis for Council. Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said having greater flexibility in any adopted Masterplan design was important if Council was serious about having a Stadium Precinct and providing better connectivity to the city centre and waterfront.“We need to ensure that Central Coast Stadium reaches its potential – this is an outstanding facility located in an exceptional spot – directly adjacent to the beautiful Brisbane Water and within a short walk to the Gosford CBD.” “Council is currently constrained in how it can improve the site and allow complementary uses such as new retail activity,” Mr Persson said. Submissions can be provided until 5pm 21 May 2021.

Central Coast Council has released the Stage 1 report for the Tuggerah Lakes Entrance Management Study.The report includes a summary of over 20 studies from 1987 to present relevant to entrance management at Tuggerah Lakes and provides key background information for the remainder of the study.Council Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said the conceptual models contained in the report describe the complex nature of the processes and management of the Tuggerah Lakes entrance. “Following the 2020 flooding, we engaged the NSW Government’s professional specialist advisor, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to undertake the Tuggerah Lakes Entrance Management Study, with the aim of developing an interim management procedure for The Entrance,” said Mr Cox. “Managing the entrance is a complex issue with no simple solution.

Asset sales became ‘THE STORY’ last week.The full list is now available on yourvoiceourcoast.

A joint Central Coast Council and Transport for NSW initiative is helping parents and supervisors with the important task of teaching learner drivers.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the Transport for NSW funded program sees Council deliver free workshops designed to provide practical and hands-on advice to younger drivers.“The workshops are designed to equip parents and supervisors to better explain and demonstrate the skills needed to be a good driver,” Ms Vaughan said.“We have a series of great tips to help you build an effective teacher-student dynamic and most importantly to help create safe and responsible drivers.“Younger drivers make-up almost one quarter of annual road fatalities despite representing only 15 percent of all licence holders – this is an alarming statistic that we all need to work towards bringing down.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said the workshops are an important part of Council’s commitment to road safety across the region.“When we teach the important skill of driving, we have a responsibility to help create safe and effective drivers,” Mr Persson said.“If you’re teaching a young driver or are about to start, I’d encourage you to register for one of our free workshops and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to create great drivers for the future.”The ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’ workshop is a two-hour program that provides practical advice to help supervise learner drivers and covers topics including:new licence conditions for learner and P plate drivershow to use the Learner Driver Logbookthe benefits of on-road driving sessionstips on supervising a learner driverthe importance of giving the learner constructive feedback. Erina WorkshopsDates: