Central Coast Council is supporting emergency services and assessing the initial impact of the recent severe weather event on the Coast’s roads, water and sewer services and waterways.Council Acting Chief Executive Officer, Rik Hart said safety of road users and the community remains a priority, with crews on the ground surveying damage and responding to multiple incidents across the region.“As a result of the recent heavy rainfall and flooding across the Coast, many road surfaces have deteriorated due to water penetrating and weakening the underlying pavement.

Stay safe and don’t get complacentTrees may be unstable, so please exercise caution and keep vehicles away from large trees.Residents should call SES on 132 500 should their property be impacted by fallen trees.Multiple roads have been closed across the Central Coast and on reopening, debris and sediment may remain on the roads.

Councillors to attend financial briefing and meeting with Council’s CEOAs the Order made by the Minister for Local Government under Sections 438M and 438O of the Local Government Act 1993 expires on 29 April 2021, it is appropriate that steps be taken to transition back to an elected Council.Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said it was imperative that should Councillors return to office, they must understand their role and the systems that have been implemented to achieve good financial outcomes.“In my 30 day Interim Report I stated that Central Coast Councillors had not come to terms with the fundamental role of their position and their functions under the Local Government Act.

As of Monday morning, it is clear this major storm event will repeat the flooding of many of the homes damaged last year.

Following a weekend of very heavy rainfall and flooding across the Central Coast, Central Coast Council is urging residents to exercise caution when out on our roads, obey road warning and closure signs and avoid driving in and around floodwaters, with multiple local roads impacted by flooding. The Central Coast has experienced average rainfall of 350mm over the severe weather event, with expected moderate rainfall over the next few days.As at 5.45am this morning, flood levels at Tuggerah Lakes peaked at 1.52 metres and are currently at 1.48 metres and steady.

A selection of works from outstanding local ‘Makers and Creators’ will be featured across April as part of the inaugural creative activation 'Blank Canvas Central Coast'.Community members and visitors can experience and purchase works created by a group of world-class local artisans at pop-up retail spaces in Ettalong and Long Jetty.Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs, Natalia Cowley said ‘Blank Canvas’ is an exciting opportunity for local creators to take over a prime retail location.“This fantastic initiative is about providing a platform for local talent to showcase their bespoke work and reach new customers,” Ms Cowley said.“We have an impressive and growing creative community on the Coast but many of our makers and creators don’t have their own shop front – ‘Blank Canvas’ provides that opportunity."This project is fully funded through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program, an Australian Government bushfire recovery initiative.Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said featuring the work of talented locals would enhance the vibrancy of two major Central Coast town centres.“The ‘Blank Canvas’ pop-up shops are yet another reason for locals and visitors to head to Long Jetty and Ettalong,” Mr Persson said.“This initiative is a win-win for the Coast – not only are we creating employment pathways for local creators but we’re also helping to stimulate the local economy by driving visitation to two of our major business hubs.”A diverse selection of makers and creators will be featured across the month including indigenous artists Garry Purchase and Kylie Cassidy, surfwear designer Bird + Hill, Central Coast Drones, and fashion designer Carlie Ballard.The ‘Blank Canvas’ pop-up shops will be open from Thursday 1 April to Friday 30 April 2021 and are located at Long Jetty (Shop 11, 314-316 The Entrance Road) and Ettalong (199A Ocean View Road, Ettalong Beach, behind Lords of Pour).Find more information at lovecentralcoast.com/blankcanvas

With a state of natural disaster declared for the Central Coast region, Central Coast residents are being advised to remain alert as severe weather continues to impact the region. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for Tuesday, which includes the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council continues to monitor and respond to areas across the Central Coast impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding as part of the current severe weather event. Council workers have been on the ground managing road closures, responding to water and sewer interruptions, inspecting beaches for erosion issues and supporting emergency services.Residents requiring flood assistance or support can contact SES on 132 500.Council crews are securing some landslips, which have occurred today.