Central Coast Council is busy cleaning up after the weekend storms when almost 200 mm of rain fell in just over 24 hours.The rain has given a significant boost to dam levels with more than five weeks supply of water captured for the Central Coast.A number of local roads were closed due to flooding and repairs will need to be made throughout the network, particularly to fix potholes.Council’s Team Leader of Beach Lifeguards Craig Healy said Terrigal Beach, Avoca Beach, Ettalong Beach and Patonga Beach were the areas most affected in south of the Central Coast.“The wild weather washed plenty of sand and other debris into nearby car parks, public reserves and other areas along the coastline,” Mr Healy said.“Local surf clubs, footpaths, seawalls and access ramps in the vicinity of a number of beaches were also damaged.“At this stage, we expect the clean-up in the south will last all week.Council’s Manager of Waterways and Assets, Mr Peter Ham, said council was bracing for more to come with a minor flood warning now issued for Tuggerah Lakes.“The rain may have stopped but it will take a few days for the lakes to reach their peaks,” Mr Ham said.“Residents are used to this and are being helped by the SES with sandbags to minimise damage to their homes.’Residents in low lying areas of Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Point, South Tacoma Road, Tacoma South and The Entrance North are urged to get sand bags from the Wyong SES in preparation.Damage in the north of the council area was limited to minor road damage, erosion at beach accesses, some minor flooding issues and a couple of assets exposed to wave action such as the walkway at Cabbage Tree Harbour and the sandstone wall near The Entrance baths.

Central Coast Council is urging the community to avoid swimming and other recreational activities in public waterways until further notice following wild weather over the weekend.Along with major stormwater pollution, there were a number of sewage overflows into waterways in a number of areas due to the significant rainfall.Although council’s sewerage network is now operating as normal, public waterways including local beaches, lagoons and parts of Brisbane Water are still potentially affected.Council is working with all relevant authorities including the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Public Health Unit.The community can be assured that the drinking water supply has not been affected by these sewage overflows.

Central Coast Council is considering invoking penalty clauses in its contract with local waste contractor, Remondis if the strike by garbage truck drivers continues.Remondis is contracted by council to provide waste services, including regular bin collection, until January 31, 2018.Remondis directly employ the current garbage drivers and are responsible for their wages and conditions.  The Transport Workers Union (TWU) lodged the intention to take strike action in the Fair Work Commission, against Remondis, not council.Council’s CEO Mr Rob Noble said he was tired of the blame game and wants Remondis to get on with what it is paid to do and pick up the bins.“This protracted action is starting to take its toll on everyone – particularly our residents who see rubbish piling up in the streets.“We have a broader responsibility to provide the best possible services to our 331,000 residents.“The new waste tender hasn’t even been released yet so there is plenty of time for workers to secure their conditions.“In the meantime our residents are being made to pay for this ill-advised action.“They need to get to work and pick up the bins - that is what they are paid to do.”Council has moved to lessen the impact on residents by opening up its three waste facilities at Buttonderry, Kincumber and Woy Woy for the free drop off of domestic waste.“We know this won’t be convenient for everyone but it is a step we can take now at our expense until the backlog is cleared.”Residents should leave their bin out on the kerb until it is collected by Remondis.

Very low usage and the availability of other, free parking in Gosford’s city centre will see the former Kibbleplex site’s commuter car park close on weekends starting this month.From Saturday 11 June 2016, the operating hours for the site’s 400 free commuter car parks will change to Monday to Friday between 5.30am and 9pm each weekday.Central Coast Council’s Director of Community Growth Judy Jaeger said that except for major city centre events the commuter car park was virtually empty on weekends.“Council worked hard as part of the site’s sale earlier this year to make sure it would be business as usual at the car park for the foreseeable future,” Ms Jaeger said.“But with weekend usage at the car park very low and plenty of other free parking available in the city centre, especially at the nearby Imperial Centre, the cost to the community of keeping the car park open seven days a week is no longer sustainable.“We also expect that closing the car park on Saturdays and Sundays will reduce some of the security issues at the site.“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank the community for their understanding,” Ms Jaeger said.Council will continue to liaise with the site’s new owner to have the car park opened at certain times on those weekends when a major event is being held.“I can also assure the community that we’re continuing to develop a long-term car parking strategy for Gosford’s CBD,” Ms Jaeger added.“This strategy will look at a number of options including possible changes to council’s current Baker Street car park, potential sites for new car parks, as well as lobbying the NSW Government to provide more parking to support all its facilities and services in Gosford.”

Central Coast Council will start work on Monday to upgrade the carparks at a popular reserve at Long Jetty.Saltwater Creek Reserve boasts a regional play space with an all access swing, mini BMX track, barbecues and picnic facilities, open reserve, free Wi-Fi and a boat ramp to access Tuggerah Lakes.Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Mr Greg McDonald, said the upgrade will complement the popular reserve.“Both carparks desperately need an upgrade and we promise you will notice an improvement to the surface and have more parking as a result,” Mr McDonald said.“In order to carry out these works though, we need to close both carparks temporarily.“We know this closure will be inconvenient to users, but it’s the best option to carry out the works in a safe and timely manner.”Weather permitting, work is expected to be finished at the end of July and includes:A new boat and trailer car park that will provide 10 formalised spaces for boats and trailers as well as improved rigging and turning areasA new main carpark that will provide 83 formalised car spaces - providing an additional 14 spaces, more than there is nowRealignment of the shared path off road to improve safetyA new and improved boat ramp (4.5 metres wide) to access Tuggerah Lakes.During the works, boat ramps users can still launch their vessel from the nearby ramp at Picnic Point, The Entrance.“The park, play space and BMX track will be open – residents will just need to find parking nearby to the park,” Mr McDonald added.Parking is available across the Central Coast Highway at the Lions Park (aka Rocket Park) as well as along Tuggerah Parade and the adjoining streets.

Central Coast Council’s current tender process for a new waste contract to start in February 2018 is not a reason for local garbage drivers to strike.The dispute lodged by the TWU in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) is between drivers and Remondis and does not involve council.

Central Coast Council’s Administrator has urged the Waste Contractor Remondis to go to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to resolve its dispute with local garbage drivers.The workers, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) lodged a dispute with the FWC over their working conditions with Remondis and called a strike from 2am this morning.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said council has been unfairly dragged into the dispute because of the tender process it is undertaking for a new waste contract in 2018.  This has nothing to do with the current dispute between workers and Remondis.“I have listened to both parties now and understand their concerns.  I want a quick resolution so the community can have confidence that their bins will be picked up when they put them out.”“The ball is in Remondis’ court now.“Council certainly respects the rights and entitlements of the Remondis drivers but we also have a broader commitment to deliver services to 331,000 residents on the Central Coast.“And they want their waste picked up today.”Residents affected by the strike are advised to leave their bin out and it will be picked up.  All enquiries regarding bin collection should be referred to Remondis on 1300 126 278.

Central Coast Council’s Administrator and CEO held an emergency meeting today with representatives of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) ahead of the planned industrial action by local garbage workers tomorrow.The workers are employed by Remondis which has the contract to supply garbage services to the Central Coast until January 2018.The TWU raised concerns regarding a termination clause in their enterprise agreement with Remondis Australia and wanted assurance their pay and conditions would be protected in any future garbage service collection contract.The Administrator sought a meeting with Remondis management as soon as the meeting was over and one will now take place first thing tomorrow morning.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the meeting with the TWU was amicable and it was unfortunate it had got to the stage where industrial action was being contemplated.“I was pleased to be able to meet with the TWU representatives and hear their concerns first hand and I look forward to meeting with Remondis tomorrow,” Mr Reynolds said.“Our role is to ensure that Council and the community receive the best value for money and the possible waste service from any new contract arrangements.”“My door is always open to those willing to help Council deliver that for our community.”If the strike goes ahead it will affect residents on the Central Coast whose bins are normally picked up on a Thursday morning and there is talk the strike might extend to Friday as well.Residents wanting to know what to do about their bins should check Remondis’ website at www.1coast.com.au  or call them on 1300 126 278.

Central Coast Council has welcomed last week’s announcement by Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher and Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks to commit over $2.7 million toward vital road upgrades on The Peninsula, following an election victory.The $2.7 million investment would be shared among traditional trouble-spots including:$1.1 million for Murray Street in Booker Bay$900,000 for Davis Street in Booker Bay$750,000 for Ryans Road in Umina BeachCentral Coast Council’s Administrator Ian Reynolds said that making roads on The Peninsula safer and more accessible would be a real win for the local community.“Council is continually advocating for improvements to road safety across the Central Coast, and this funding would be a real boost to improve the safety and accessibility of traditional trouble spots within our regional network,” Mr Reynolds said.“Residents on The Peninsula will be particularly pleased with local road improvements, as road safety and adequate pedestrian access are key priorities that will only enhance the surrounding business and residential community.“We are happy to see all levels of government addressing the backlog of road upgrades on The Peninsula as a key priority, and council looks forward to further announcements focused on improving Central Coast roads.”Next financial year council will spend over $100 million on local road upgrades. To find out what is planned go to www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

One lane of Showground Road in Gosford – at its intersection with Racecourse Road – will be temporarily closed for northbound traffic on Saturday 28 May 2016 from 7am to 6pm while important tree removal works are undertaken.Unfortunately, no access to Showground Road from Racecourse Road will be available during this time.The tree removal works are required to allow the construction of a safe, all-weather concrete footpath that will cater for the large number of pedestrians in this area.Southbound traffic flow on Showground Road will operate under traffic control and delays may be experienced.Warning signs are in place advising of the works and motorists will be required to detour around the work site.

Council meeting schedule adopted Council resolved to amend the Code of Meeting Practice to make it easier for residents from across the Central Coast to attend council meetings.Meetings will be held in the Council Chambers of the Gosford office on the second Wednesday of the month and the Wyong office on the fourth Wednesday of the month.   All meetings will be audio recorded.The Administrator has asked for a report on the potential web casting of future council meetings.Administrator Ian Reynolds said:

National Reconciliation Week provides the focus for a number of significant art exhibitions by international, regional and local artists opening at Central Coast Council’s Gosford Regional Gallery this weekend.Now in its fourteenth year Reconciliation 2016 is Gosford Regional Gallery’s highly popular annual exhibition and art competition.Opening this Saturday 28 May, it provides an opportunity for local Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to showcase their work and promote reconciliation in a positive and practical way across the community.This year’s prize winners will be announced at 11am this Sunday 29 May at the Gallery’s eagerly anticipated Reconciliation Award Ceremony.The day will also include an Indigenous arts and craft market from 12noon until 3pm, with 20 stalls featuring a variety of Aboriginal artwork, craft and food as well as children’s activities, live music and a bush tucker BBQ.Also opening at the Gallery on Saturday 28 May is a significant solo exhibition, Imagining Victory, by prominent artist Richard Bell.A leading force within contemporary Australian art, Richard Bell’s work confronts issues of race relations.The Imagining Victory exhibition centres on a trilogy of highly acclaimed and provocative video works that reveal how racism can be deeply lodged and passed on to future generations.Tim Braham from Gosford Regional Gallery said the new winter exhibitions address revealing aspects of community identity and participation, as well as reflect the varied aspects of the Gallery’s changing program.“As well as attracting and exhibiting work by leading international artists such as Richard Bell, the Gallery is an important platform for community achievement and connection, demonstrated by popular annual exhibitions such as Reconciliation, which this year features around 100 works of art including painting, sculpture and photography,” Mr Braham said.“A third exhibition entitled Shorelines by Robert Bennetts also opens this Saturday 28 May, whose rich abstract paintings have been inspired by the distinctive landscape of the Central Coast, particularly our region’s dramatic geography of water, land and sky.“Our new program of exhibitions and associated events provide real opportunities for Central Coast residents and visitors to engage with thought-provoking and inspiring exhibitions.“Don’t forget to drop in this Sunday 29 May from 11am to support all participants in the Reconciliation Award Ceremony and enjoy the variety of Indigenous arts and craft market stalls and cultural activities in our Gallery foyer,” Mr Braham added.For more information about these new exhibitions, visit www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/galleries.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the announcement of $3 million funding for the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary.Council has a long history of working to improve the health of the Tuggerah Lakes system.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said the funding would build on the work Council was already doing to improve the health of the catchment and reduce pollution.“This financial year alone, we will build 11 gross pollutant traps, four of which received federal funding, on the shores of Tuggerah Lake,” Mr Reynolds said.“This additional funding will allow us to build on the work already done, focus on our foreshores and put some much needed attention into the catchment areas.“We welcome the opportunity to work with all levels of government in improving the health of the Tuggerah Lakes catchment so that future generations can enjoy our amazing estuary.”

Next week Central Coast Council will be carrying out works to repair erosion damage to a section of the foreshore at Buff Point.As a result, a section of shared pathway between Weston Way, which will be used an access point for council vehicles,  and the footbridge at Edgewater Park, will be closed from 30 May to 30 June 2016.Throughout these works, the section of shared pathway will remain closed to ensure public safety due to truck and excavator movements around the area.Those wishing to use the shared pathway during this time will be required to bypass the works by accessing the below sections of Buff Point Road:Northbound users of the pathway will need to move off the path at Moola Road onto Buff Point Road and re-join the shared pathway at Edgewater Park.Southbound users of the pathway will need to move off the path at Karangal Avenue, Edgewater Park and use Buff Point Road to access Moola Road where the shared pathway can once again be accessed.Council would like thank the community for their patience and cooperation while these works are carried out.  Residents can “report an issue” to council via the Wyong website www.wyong.nsw.gov.au via their smartphone or their PC.

A $3.3 million upgrade to Kanangra Drive, Gwandalan will tomorrow be unveiled by Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter & Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), Regional General Manager, Anna Zycki.The project was recently completed by the former Wyong Shire Council and RMS, to improve the road, which provides the only access from the Pacific Highway in and out of Gwandalan and Summerland Point.“The former Wyong Council invested $1.4 million, along with funding of $1.84 million from the State Government’s NSW Safer Roads Program, to improve the safety of this very important road,” said Central Coast Council Director Infrastructure and Operations, Mr Greg McDonald, who will also be attending the official opening.The upgrade works include widening of the Kanangra Drive lane width to 3.5 metres, provision of up to a two-metre sealed road shoulder, provision of two police enforcement bays, asphalt resurfacing of the road and installation of safety barriers, signs, guide posts, new line marking and reflective pavement markers to improve the safety of the road.The need for the upgrade was identified after 33 crashes were recorded within the past five years to 31 December 2015, one of which resulted in one fatality.“We understand that roads are one of the most important services our residents expect and rely upon,” Mr McDonald added.“As a new Central Coast Council, in addition to works currently being carried out, we plan to invest more than $100 million throughout the 2016/17 financial year alone to ensure our Central Coast roads and drainage are well on the way to meeting the expectations of our community.”

Central Coast Council will kick off National Reconciliation Week celebrations tomorrow with the official opening of the Maliga Indigenous Art Showcase.Maliga, which means ‘shine’ in Darkinjung, is a School Based Art Showcase promoting local Indigenous students multimedia art and craft, reflecting their identity and cultural connection to the Central Coast.The launch will take place on Wednesday 25 May from 10am-12pm at The Entrance Community Centre and includes the presentation of the Awards and morning tea.The Maliga showcase will be on display each day from 10am-4pm until Thursday 2 June.In other celebrations, Council’s Gosford Regional Gallery will be hosting the 14th annual Reconciliation exhibition in conjunction with NSW Fair Trading.This exhibition – which opens on Saturday 28 May and runs until Sunday 17 July –  showcases local Indigenous and non-Indigenous work about Reconciliation and gives artists the opportunity to be recognised for their endeavours.The Reconciliation award ceremony is being held at the Gallery on Sunday 29 May at 11am. It will include an Indigenous art and craft market as well as children’s activities, live music and a bush tucker BBQ.National Reconciliation Week is held annually from May 27 to June 3.

Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, will hold a media conference detailing decisions of the inaugural Central Coast Council Meeting.When:

Central Coast Council welcomes the announcement for $2 million to improve EDSACC South sports facility.The amenities block was destroyed by an arson attack last year leaving a number of sporting groups without storage and canteen facilities.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this funding would be of great assistance to the community.“This $2 million promise from the Federal Government would go a long way to benefit the users and wider community,” Mr Reynolds said.EDSACC South sportsfield is used all year round by a number of groups such as rugby league, touch football, oztag, cricket and school carnivals.These upgrades will add to the amenity of the EDSACC sporting precinct which will soon be home to the region’s biggest skate place, Bato Yard.

Central Coast Council Libraries are encouraging residents to ‘Discover More’, as they launch into Library and Information Week from 23 – 29 May 2016.To help celebrate a number of events and activities have been organised, bringing awareness to the varied range of free resources and services offered.Council’s Director of Community Growth, Ms Judy Jaeger, said libraries are an integral part of the cultural fabric of the local community and are about much more than just borrowing books.“Libraries have evolved over the last decade to meet the changing needs of the community operating as research facilities, meeting places, education and training spaces as well as entertainment venues,” Ms Jaeger said.“We now have 12 library branches located across the Coast that act as community hubs for people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.“Libraries offer a vast range of services both in house and online from room hire to homework help, book clubs, language resources as well as adult colouring classes, family history and local heritage collections, to name just a few.“It’s great to see all our libraries already working so well.

One of the Central Coast’s premier entertainment venues, Laycock Street Community Theatre, is proudly hosting the Melbourne Ballet Company (MBC)’s esteemed production of Archè for a one night only event on Thursday 26 May at 7.30pm.Archè is a Greek word which indicates the beginning;