Central Coast Council’s annual Lakes Festival has been recognised at the LGNSW RH Dougherty Events and Communications Awards, by winning the Innovation in Special Events Award.  The Award win is recognition of how this now iconic event, has evolved since its inception in 2014.  

Ten years on, the event is proudly recognised for its innovative partnership model, where Council partners with many other organisations to celebrate, activate and educate both the local community and visitors, about the region’s unique waterways across the coast.

Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the 2024 event saw the biggest offering of events and activations to date, with 40 events and activations over 10 days. This attracted over 24,000 attendees and equated to an estimated economic impact of $8.2 million for the Central Coast.

“The Lakes Festival is now a huge undertaking for our events team to coordinate in order to deliver a highly successful 10 day event with so many stakeholders, ensuring locals and visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities, cultural, and educational programs hosted by local organisations and businesses.

“It is wonderful to have the event and all the hard work that goes into it by everyone, being recognised at the LGNSW Awards!” Ms Smith said.

Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna congratulated everyone involved on the Award win.  

“The Lakes Festival highlights some of the region’s best natural qualities and brings people of all ages and backgrounds together.  Winning this award is a testament to how the event has evolved over the past decade—proving that creative, out-of-the-box thinking can lead to truly memorable and impactful experiences.

“This family-friendly event draws huge crowds, supported by the creative ideas and participation of local Central Coast businesses and groups,” Mayor McKinna said.

This year’s Lakes Festival will be held on 7-16 November 2025.  Visit https://www.lovecentralcoast.com/events for all information.

Background

The Lakes Festival was a 2014 initiative targeting key Council priorities and community interest around the use and understanding of the Tuggerah Lakes estuary system, and to advocate for the health of Tuggerah Lakes. It has grown to encompass all waterways on the Central Coast, educating attendees about these individually unique waterways, and the ecosystems within them. It provides opportunities for tourism development for the region, and a chance to celebrate the unique aquatic lifestyle that the Central Coast offers.

In recent years a greater focus has been placed on increasing sustainability and environmental education, partnering with more eco businesses to offer activities such as guided kayak or bush nature tours, marine tours, educational films, and opportunities to speak with experts from Council, local organisations, and other relevant agencies.