Central Coast Council has celebrated the achievements, leadership and positive impact of local young people at its 2026 Youth Week Awards, held 16 April at The Erina Centre.The annual awards honour and recognise the positive contributions of young people aged 12 to 24 across the Central Coast.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna congratulated this year’s Youth Week Award winners and finalists.“These young people are making a real difference in our community and setting a powerful example for others,” Mayor McKinna said.“Their passion and hard work are something they should be incredibly proud of.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to review and provide feedback on its draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget, and share feedback on whether the plans reflect community priorities.Council’s draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Operational Plan 2026-27, Fees and Charges 2026-27 and updated Long Term Financial Plan are on public exhibition for 28 days, closing on 6 May 2026.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said it’s now time for the community to review Council’s draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget and help refine our priorities as we plan our delivery for the years ahead.“When Council was elected, one of the first things we did was put our long-term strategic documents in place, including the Community Strategic Plan, our four-year Delivery Program and the annual Operational Plan, so we could clearly map how we will deliver what our community needs,” Mayor McKinna said.“The second year of our four-year year Delivery Program builds on our success in year one and remains focused on delivering the projects and services that bring our community’s vision to life.“The draft plans show we’re delivering on our promise to improve local roads and have allocated an additional $13.55 million over four years, on top of the $20 million already committed, bringing the total investment in road renewal to $203 million over four years.“We’re continuing significant upgrades to water and sewer services, investing in pathways, playspaces, sports fields and community assets, while ensuring we maintain strong financial management with a modest surplus forecast in the draft budget.“Now is the time for our community to review these important plans and tell us if we’ve got it right.”The draft plans show how Council is proposing to turn community identified priorities into actions, projects and budgets, and were developed based on what the community has told Council is important through elected Councillors, last year’s Integrated Planning and Reporting engagement process, ongoing community engagement and insights from customer service and social media.Strong financial management underpins the draft plan and budget, ensuring services and infrastructure are delivered in line with community expectations while balancing financial sustainability.Community members are encouraged to review what is proposed, share feedback and help refine Council’s focus and delivery for the years ahead.Following the public exhibition period, Council will consider all submissions before the updated plans are referred to Council before adoption in June 2026.To find out more and have your say, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com.

Central Coast Council invites the community to celebrate Heritage Month from 18 April to 18 May as part of the Australian Heritage Festival, with this year’s theme being ‘Change’.The theme encourages communities across Australia to reflect on how our history has shaped the places we live today, and how we continue to contribute to the stories that will shape our future.Council’s Heritage Month program builds on this theme by exploring how people, places and moments across the Central Coast have evolved over time, through a series of activities taking place in Gosford and Wyong.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said Central Coast Heritage Month is a wonderful reminder of what makes the region such a special place to call home.“By bringing heritage stories to life in our town centres, we’re celebrating our past and recognising how change continues to shape our region,” Mayor McKinna said.One of the highlights of Heritage Month is a ticketed guided walking tour of Wyong town centre, led by the Wyong Family History Group.

Central Coast Council is reaffirming its commitment to disability access and inclusion by ensuring people with disability can participate fully in community life, including entertainment, leisure and cultural activities.A key part of this commitment is improving access and creating environments where everyone can enjoy time with friends, take part in cultural activities and support local businesses.To help make opportunities for social and cultural inclusion easier to find, Council is developing an ‘Accessible Venues’ brochure that highlights entertainment venues across the region that offer accessible and inclusive experiences.The resource aims to promote venues that prioritise accessibility and inclusion and assist people with disability in choosing venues that meet their accessibility needs.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Accessible Venues brochure demonstrates Council's commitment to making community life inclusive and accessible for all.“We want to support everyone who enjoys going out, connecting with others and taking part in everything the Coast has to offer,” Mayor McKinna said.“By highlighting these venues, we’re helping to promote places where people with disability can feel welcomed, respected and able to access services.”Council is inviting local entertainment venue operators who are committed to enhancing accessibility to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be featured in the publication.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said entertainment venues that want to learn about ways to be more accessible and inclusive are encouraged to apply.“If you are a venue that prioritises accessibility and inclusivity through physical access, staff training, sensory friendly options, thoughtful design or implementing simple solutions, we want to hear from you,” Ms Smith said.“Featured venues will help community members identify places where they can participate with confidence and feel genuinely welcomed.”EOIs for the Accessible Entertainment Venues brochure are now open until 29 April 2026.For more information, visit the EOI webpage.ENDS

Central Coast Council is inviting local business operators to apply for a licence to run commercial outdoor activities on public land in 2026-27.Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are open until Thursday 16 April 2026.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said licensing ensures shared community spaces, like beaches, parks and reserves, continue to be enjoyed by everyone.“Outdoor activities bring our public spaces to life by encouraging people to get active, try something new and enjoy everything the Central Coast has to offer,” Mayor McKinna said.“Our public open spaces are shared community assets and it’s important that commercial activities complement how the community already uses and enjoys them.“Licensing helps us support local businesses while keeping our beaches, parks and reserves safe, accessible and well cared for.”The temporary licence applies to a range of activities, including:•    personal training and group fitness•    water-based recreation•    outdoor education programs•    schools and camps•    equipment hire such as kayaks, surfboards and stand-up paddleboards•    corporate training•    clinics and coaching.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said businesses must hold a licence to operate on Council managed land.“A temporary licence helps ensure activities are safe, provide a benefit to the community and minimise impacts on the environment,” Ms Smith said.“Licences for the 2026-27 financial year are available for either six or 12 months.“Temporary licensing allows Council to regulate and monitor business activities on beaches, parks and reserves to ensure ecologically sustainable use and the safety and wellbeing of the community.”Application period closes 5pm, Thursday 16 April 2026.For guidelines and application forms, click here

Central Coast Council is inviting local community groups and organisations to apply for funding through the 2026-27 Community Grants Program, which opens on 1 June 2026 to support community‑led projects, events and initiatives across the region.Funding is offered across three programs:

Central Coast Council is encouraging residents, property owners and local businesses to collect free graffiti removal kits from Council to help keep our places and spaces clean, attractive and welcoming.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said tackling illegal graffiti is a shared responsibility and an important part of maintaining a vibrant and safe community.“Graffiti can take away from the beauty of our neighbourhoods, and the longer it stays, the more it tends to spread.

Tonight, during the Ordinary Council Meeting, Council confirmed it will take the lead in planning Gosford’s future, adopting a coordinated approach to fast track the renewal of the city centre and waterfront.Council agreed on a set of actions and initiatives to strengthen governance, partnerships and delivery as Gosford continues to grow as the Central Coast’s capital city.The resolution will see Council leading the formation of a Gosford Renewal Partnership with the NSW and Australian Governments, establish a Council-led Implementation Taskforce, and prepare a comprehensive Gosford CBD and Waterfront Implementation and Business Plan to guide future investment and project delivery.Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna said Council has a clear role in driving Gosford’s long term transformation.“Gosford is the capital city of the Central Coast and its success will shape the economic future of our entire region,” Mayor McKinna said.“For too long we have talked about Gosford’s potential.

Mayor McKinna today announced significant progress in Council’s efforts to improve planning and development assessment services, following a targeted program of investment, recruitment, and process reform.“As Mayor, I’m committed to improving Council’s services and processes, especially those that enable the growth and prosperity of our region,” Mayor McKinna said.“We listened carefully when industry professionals told us that applications were taking too long and that too many were stuck ‘in the system’.

Central Coast Council has partnered with the University of Newcastle to undertake a comprehensive scientific study of ocean outfalls and surrounding marine environments, strengthening Council’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and coastal ecosystems.The Ocean Outfall Water Quality and Benthic Process Monitoring Program involves seasonal scientific surveys at Council’s three licensed near shore ocean outfalls at Winney Bay, Wonga Point and Norah Head.