The weekend saw the last NRL game hosted at Central Coast Stadium of our adopted home team the New Zealand Warriors.

Central Coast Council is reminding the community to keep safety top-of-mind if heading to Terrigal these school holidays, as works continue on the construction of Terrigal Boardwalk and upgrade to the existing rockpool.Council advises anyone visiting the area to follow all signage and directions and adhere to the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

Council adopts a positive jobs plan for a Central CoastThe first ever Economic Development Strategy for the Central Coast has been adopted, positioning the region as the place to do business, creating jobs and prosperity for the region.The local economy will be strengthened through targeted investment, improved partnerships between the community, business and education sectors and all levels of government.Mayor Lisa Matthews said COVID had great challenges for local and global economies but Council is determined to lead to way with a positive plan to deliver jobs for the growing community.“We know our community are doing it tough, we know our businesses are doing it tough but we are already seeing the signs we are coming out of this with lots of interest from people wanting to live, visit and do business here,” Mayor Matthews said.“Creating local jobs and opportunities has always been a priority for this Council and our community - we now have a Plan to deliver it.“We are going to directly invest in our people, infrastructure and digital capability and transform the economy of the Central Coast.” 678 submissions were received during the exhibition of the Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 and Economic Recovery and Resilience Framework with 86% agreeing it was important for Council to develop and implement a detailed plan to grow the local economy.“72,000 additional jobs and economic growth of $21 billion is needed by 2040 to support the population growth predicted for the region and we are pleased to have a Plan in place now that will help make that happen,” Mayor Matthews said.Development of a new Education and Business Precinct for Warnervale a step closerCouncil has endorsed a concept plan, for public exhibition, to turn Council-owned land, in Warnervale, into an Education and Business Precinct.The land situated on the eastern side of 30 Jack Grant Avenue, is bounded by Porters Creek wetlands and the future Warnervale Link Road (connecting Wyong to Watanobbi).

Central Coast Council will present a ‘drive in’ concert to bring the magic of a live music event back to the Coast in a way that meets current COVID-19 restrictions.‘Live at the Drive In’ is a first for the Central Coast and will feature the modern blues genius of headliner Ash Grunwald and local support Elaskia performing to audience members sitting comfortably and safely in their own cars.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said he was excited about the Central Coast hosting a ‘drive in’ event.“Who doesn’t love a ‘drive in’ movie?

With many young people struggling to find work in the current economic climate, Council is running a free Employ Me workshop to arm young Coasties with important tools and skills for gaining employment.The workshop, which will take place at The Hub Erina on 7 October 2020, is designed to help young people put their best foot forward during the job application process and relieve some of the stress associated with job hunting.

Players and sporting groups of Tacoma’s Don Small Oval will be cheering following the completion of the new sportsground amenities building that will service the needs of this growing sporting community.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said the new sportsground amenities replace the original Wyong Lakes Australian Football Club building which was destroyed by fire in 2013 and the existing dilapidated amenities building.“Don Small Oval is home to the Wyong Lakes Australian Rules Football Club and Central Coast Cricket whose efforts to help source funding paid off with a collection of grants secured to deliver this project,” Mr Cox said.“This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government, Central Coast Council, AFL NSW/ACT and Wyong Lakes FC through grant funding received from the Australian Government and NSW Government."The new sportsground amenities building will meet the growing needs of local sporting groups, whilst ensuring compliance with current building requirements and Australian standards.

Central Coast residents can tap into the story behind their household water taps during National Water Week which starts today, 19 October.With the third largest urban water supply system in NSW, Central Coast Council supplies water to more than 342,000 people and 135,000 homes and businesses.National Water Week’s theme is ‘Reimagining our water future’, and people of all ages can do just that with a range of webinars, online tours, games, videos, and water saving tips located on the Coast’s popular ‘Love Water’ website.Highlights include:Working with Water game – a digital Sim-city style game where gamers can battle fire, flood, drought and equipment failures to supply water to more than 340,000 thirsty residentswater saving resources including a Plant Finder for gardeners and the Blue House tour for residentskids’ water fun – online water stories, animations and videoswebinar series – including a hosted virtual tour of one of our dams and water treatment plants, along with two gardening workshops to help residents create thriving gardens which use water effectively water calculator to estimate personal household useDIY maintenance guide for residents who have rainwater tankswater audit program to help small businesses save money.To access all the resources and activities, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/waterweek.Central Coast Council’s Acting Director Water & Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves said National Water Week is a great opportunity to embrace the ‘Love Water’ theme adopted during last year’s drought.“While our water reserves have increased since the drought period, it’s important we all adopt a long-term approach to water security as dry conditions will inevitably return,” Ms Hargreaves said.“Learning about the journey our water makes from rainfall to the tap helps us value this precious resource and makes it easier to adopt simple behaviour changes that help us use water wisely so there is plenty for the future.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast residents have told Council they value water security and the Coast’s ability to be resilient with our water.“The ability to access good drinking water is one of life’s essentials, and National Water Week is an opportunity to continue to ‘love water’ by learning about what it takes to produce it and how we can all use it wisely.”Get involved at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/waterweek

Central Coast Council is seeking urgent answers from the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, and the Office of Local Government to Council’s request for assistance with its serious financial situation.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it appeared that the Minister and the NSW Government were abandoning the Central Coast community and not standing by commitments to appoint an independent financial expert and a Human Resources adviser to ascertain Council’s true financial position.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Natalia Cowley to the role of Chief Financial Officer.

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