Community groups and not-for profit organisations can apply for up to $30,000 in funding for community projects in Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park as part of a joint initiative between Central Coast Council and Delta Coal Pty Ltd.Council’s Community Partnerships Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard said the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program aims to support organisations to deliver projects that improve community infrastructure and services in Chain Valley Bay and surrounding suburbs.“Since 2013, the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program has provided funding to a range of local groups and organisations to improve and enhance the local community,” Mr Cannard said.“Past projects to receive funding include classroom laptops for Mannering Park Public School, Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre Cinema Under the Stars, the Mannering Parks Tidy Towns Group ‘Keep It Clean, Keep It Green’ initiative and a 3 Phase Converter for Manno Men’s Shed, to name just a few.“Projects that deliver social, cultural, economic or environmental benefits to communities in the four suburb areas are encouraged to apply.”Grant applications open on Monday 17 August and close on Friday 25 September 2020.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council is pleased to be supporting local groups and initiatives in such a positive way.“Council is thrilled for these investments in our community.

Our Central Coast region is a hive of activity and lends itself to an array of opportunities for a healthy and active lifestyle for our residents of all ages.From pristine beaches to bushland walking and bike trails, parks and reserves, where the whole family from young and old can enjoy the outdoors.Council is committed to creating quality spaces for the benefit of our community and to attract visitors to our region.

The endangered eastern ospreys, who have taken up residence in a purpose-built home at Central Coast Stadium, are proud new parents with three chicks hatching overnight.The chicks were spotted by staff this morning and from all accounts are healthy and happy.The eastern ospreys have been living at Central Coast Stadium since 2014, but this is the second year they have been living in a platform built especially for them by Council staff.Stadium Manager, Kath Casey, said staff were thrilled to see the new chicks hatch showing they have taken to their new home.“They have really settled in now, and with their family growing, it is a real tick of approval for what we have done to help protect this threatened species,” Ms Casey said.“We love having them at the stadium and are thrilled to welcome these new additions to the osprey family.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said she was pleased to see that positive Council action had led to an increase in osprey numbers on the Central Coast.“We are actively helping increase the numbers of a threatened species which is not only great news for the osprey but for biodiversity in our region,” Mayor Matthews said.“We know the challenges of urbanisation and development are placing on our natural environment and this shows that we can be proactive and live side by side with our most precious of species.”We can all play our part in looking after our Ospreys by keeping the Central Coast’s waterways healthy.

Over $111.373million in additional funding for the Central CoastCouncil’s proactive approach to sourcing additional revenue opportunities through grant funding, as well as the advocacy for State and Federal election commitments, has secured a total of $111,373,070 for the Central Coast community during the financial year 2019/20.These funds help support the delivery of Council services across numerous areas, with the below major categories to receive funding:Urban infrastructure - roads - $76.9MSport and recreation – sporting facilities - $8.63MUrban infrastructure - water & sewer - $6.85MEnvironment – coastal $6.02MEnvironment – emergency management - $5.02MUrban infrastructure – footpaths - $ 4.5MUrban infrastructure – other $ 2.77MMayor Lisa Matthews said Council has received grant funding from both the Australian ($92.02M) and NSW ($19.36M) Governments.“With the impacts of the bushfires and COVID-19, many grant programs have been postponed, however Council has continued advocacy for future funding on projects that are ‘shovel ready’ and could support our community’s recovery,” Mayor Matthews said.“There has also been a new Grant Finder tool that has already proved to be a valuable resource to support local businesses and community groups with more than 1,300 unique visitors and 272 registered users to the site since the launch in May.“Council is thankful to both the NSW and Australian Government for their support in funding which has enabled us to deliver vital projects in our region.

Our Town Centres are important places for our community.

Central Coast Council has released a summary report on the implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan (EMP), and the actions and achievements to date.The report reflects on the Estuary Management Plan in the lead up to a new Coastal Management Program for Tuggerah Lakes.Council Unit Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said that implementing the EMP has been an ongoing partnership between all levels of government, estuary and coastal management experts, and the community.“Since 2008 Council has spent $26.5 million in grants, with 86 of the 100 actions identified by the EMP completed or ongoing,” Mr Sulkowski said.“The EMP outlines a holistic and scientific approach to managing the estuary, with primary objectives focusing on protecting the estuaries’ water quality, plants and biodiversity, as well as meeting the social and economic needs of the community.“This summary report outlines the frameworks and objectives underlying Council’s management of Tuggerah Lakes, and goes into detail about how funding has been spent, and the key outcomes and achievements that have been delivered.“Looking forward, we will continue this work, and expand into the catchments of Budgewoi Lake and Lake Munmorah to achieve good outcomes there,” said Mr Sulkowski.The summary report provides an overview of the characteristics of Tuggerah Lakes estuary, the issues impacting it, and the actions Council has taken to protect the health of the lakes ecosystem and the immeasurable value it has to the Central Coast Community.The information in the report is also available via video on Council’s YouTube channel, offering an easy and accessible way to learn more about the Tuggerah Lakes system, key challenges and how Council is managing these challenges.View the summary report at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/tuggerahlakesestuary

The first combined Waterways report card for the Central Coast has been released.The report examines the ecological health of Southern Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, Brisbane Water and the coastal lagoons over the 2017-18 year, providing a clear picture of the estuarine sections of the whole Central Coast waterways network.Central Coast Council Environment and Planning Director, Scott Cox said that whilst the report, which is compiled from ongoing monitoring and assessments, shows overall positive results it also provides a valuable tool to Council to identify areas for further investigation.“Council uses a recognised monitoring program to assess the ecological health of our waterways, allowing us to monitor the condition, monitor changes over time and target investment and on ground works to improve ecosystem health,” Mr Cox said.“For the 2017-18 year we have seen good results in all of the southern Lake Macquarie, Cockrone and Wamberal Lagoon sites, plus the majority of sites in Tuggerah Lakes, Lake Munmorah and Brisbane Water.“Other sites that have shown a mix of poorer results, include Budgewoi Lake, Terrigal and Avoca lagoons, and some other sites where creek systems enter larger waterways.“These results will allow Council to review our management actions and plan for on ground works to help improve waterway health over time.”Council’s program is delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, using a scientifically robust methodology and is the most comprehensive program of its kinds provided by local government in NSW.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the release of the report card was an exciting step in understanding the waterways of the Central Coast as a whole.“Our local waterways make up 13% of the total area of the Central Coast, it is important to understand the state that they are in, so that we can make informed decisions,” Mayor Matthews said.“It’s exciting to have a report that that encompasses almost the whole of the Central Coast for the first time.“We acknowledge the importance of transparent reporting back to our community on the health of our waterways.“This report will enable a greater understanding of our waterways and allow the community to take a role, in partnership with Council, to help maintain and improve the health or our rivers and lakes.”The 2017-18 Waterways report card also outlines the actions Council has taken to target improvements in waterway health including:rehabilitation of natural wetlands at Elizabeth Bay, Doyalson, Budgewoi, Toukley, Tacoma, Chittaway Bay, Berkeley Vale, Erina, Davistown, Saratoga, Bensville, Point Clare and Tascottprotection and rehabilitation of Coastal Saltmarsh and foreshore bushland along the shores of Tuggerah Lake and Brisbane Water construction of new stormwater quality improvement devices at Canton Beach, Summerland Point and Mannering Park to reduce pollutant loads to the waterwaysmaintenance of a network of over 418 stormwater quality improvement devices throughout the estuary catchments to improve water qualityremoval of 967 tonnes of sediment and pollutants from stormwater quality improvement devices removal of 14,855m3 of excess seagrass wrack and floating algae from Tuggerah Lakes to enhance water quality and improve circulation in nearshore areas.For all the details visit the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary page.ENDSAdditional information/quotes for each of the waterway categoriesTuggerah Lakes Estuary Central Coast Council has been monitoring the ecological health of the Tuggerah Lakes estuary since 2011.

The first region-wide draft Land Transaction Policy in now on public exhibition by Council for the community to view and submit comments.This draft policy is a consolidation of the former Gosford City Council’s Land and Property Transactions Policy and Wyong Shire Council’s Property Transactions – Sales and Acquisitions with other policies informing its development. Council’s Executive Manager of Innovation and Futures, Ricardo Martello said this important document will provide contemporary, clear and consistent guidelines for Council’s management of land transactions across the whole region.“The consolidated policy provides a framework for Council which will inform decision and directions regarding Council’s property portfolio in a consistent manner across the Local Government Area and in accordance with relevant legislation,” Mr Martello said.“The former Wyong Shire Council and the former Gosford City Council both had similar Land and Property transaction policies.

Council has built a new nature inspired playspace at Pinyari Close Reserve, Kincumber for local families to play and connect with their neighbours.The new local level playspace was designed to complement the surrounding nature reserve with ropes and natural timbers creating spaces for kids to climb, balance and use their imaginations.

Central Coast Council has started the main construction phase of the $5.6million redevelopment of Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf.The largest wharf project ever undertaken by Council features a floating pontoon and promises to deliver substantial benefits for Woy Woy and the wider Central Coast community.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the existing Commercial Wharf had been modified to ensure ferry services could continue as scheduled throughout construction of the new wharf.“The Commercial Wharf – which will operate as the main wharf amenity for the area as we build the new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf – has undergone temporary modifications to ensure it is accessible for community members who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids,” Mr Bolgoff said.“It is very exciting to commence construction on this significant project which features a floating pontoon that will move with the varying tides and ensure access to ferry services and facilities in most tide and weather conditions.“Our new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf will benefit commuters and community members who regularly use ferry services and will undoubtedly become a centre-piece and draw-card for Woy Woy Town Centre.“Accessibility for community members who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices has been a priority throughout the design process, with one of the added key features of the project being infrastructure to accommodate a wheelchair lifting facility on the pontoon for recreational boat users.”Design features of the new wharf and surrounds include:dedicated fishing area located on boardwalknew seating benches including smart benches with mobile phone charging capabilitybanner poleslandscaping including established salt water tolerant trees.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the project received $3.99million from the NSW Government’s Regional Communities Development Fund and $1.61million  from Council.“The current jetty becomes submerged during king tides but the new pontoon wharf will rise with the tide to reduce disruption and improve disability access,” Mr Crouch said.“The new wharf is also capable of accommodating 35-metre vessels up to 250 tonnes, making it a significant asset to the Woy Woy community.“This is just one of numerous wharf upgrades – including at Davistown, Empire Bay, Spencer and South Tacoma – that the NSW Government and Central Coast Council are delivering together.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf will become an iconic amenity for the Coast.“This flagship project is a great example of different levels of government working together to deliver for our region,” Mayor Matthews said.“The new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf and surrounds will be functional and will help to make the Coast an even better place to live, work and visit.”Council is working closely with ferry services and nearby businesses and stakeholders to minimise impact during construction of this important project.Find out more information at www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/all-projects/woy-woy-town-centre-wharf-redevelopment