Our Town Centres are important places for our community.

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.

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.

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.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to have their say on the ongoing management of Central Coast Stadium.The Draft Central Coast Stadium Strategy will be placed on public exhibition until Monday 28 September for the community to provide feedback on the facility’s vision, purpose and strategic objectives as well as the value of a naming rights sponsor.Central Coast Stadium Manager, Kath Casey said the strategy aims to drive the future of the venue.“This important business strategy seeks to build on the economic, social, sporting and financial value of the Stadium, by providing a framework to enhance the Stadium as the major sporting and entertainment facility on the Central Coast,” Ms Casey said.“Council has developed a business strategy to ensure that the Stadium remains a significant and highly valued community asset and for it to continue to offer significant economic benefits to the region.“Our ambition is for the Stadium to continue to be an asset that our community are proud of and build on its current strengths to promote it as a premier venue across Australia and on an international level.“The Stadium offers many opportunities and has potential to attract and expand the events calendar to include new sporting and a wider scope of entertainment and events.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Stadium is an important community asset that delivers significant benefits for the region.“The Stadium is in one the best locations on the coast and is one of our most important and valuable community assets,” Mayor Matthews said.“For the past 20 years, it continues to be a focal point of community pride in our region and has hosted an impressive range of events.

Central Coast Council has mobilised its resources in preparation for dredging to commence within a fortnight.Council’s Acting Environment and Planning Director, Andrew Roach said a site compound was being set up this week, with site offices, sheds and security to be in place within days.“The Entrance community and visitors to the area will start to see a site compound develop over the next two days, including the arrival of sheds, piping and machinery,” Mr Roach said.“Once the compound is in place, Council will begin the necessary preparations, including testing and staff training, with the aim to have dredging start within a fortnight.“We know that many are looking forward to seeing the start of the program, but we ask that the community stay away from the area, so that Council can get the preparations for dredging underway as soon as possible.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was timely for preparations to get underway for the commencement of the dredging program.“We love and care for our waterways on the coast and dredging The Entrance channel is important for our community," Mayor Matthews said.“The dredging program is carried out to help maintain tidal exchange between the ocean and the estuary.

Central Coast Council’s emergency works response to mitigate coastal erosion at Wamberal and North Entrance is now complete with focus turning to recovery and future coastal management planning for the Central Coast.The State Emergency Controller (LEOCon), has signed off on the works which saw Council crews working round the clock to place over 10,000 tonnes of rock and sand at North Entrance and Wamberal beaches.Council CEO Gary Murphy praised the cooperation and hard work taken to respond to the emergency and that this would be harnessed as the focus moves to mitigating and managing coastal erosion into the future.“This has been a truly collaborative effort with Council, expert coastal engineers, residents and the community and the State Government all working together – it really saved the day,” Mr Murphy said.“We need to continue that effort as we now focus on more permanent solutions and best practice coastal management going forward.‘We will now focus on delivering Coastal Management Plans for the whole of the Central Coast, which we are aiming to complete by 2021, that will involve working with property owners, the broader community in addition to State and Federal Governments Departments.“It won’t be an easy process, but we are committed to getting it right.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said coastal management was a challenging issue for all Councils up and down the Coast and there is a need for a local as well as a national solution.“Here on the Coast we have faced many challenges with mother nature and our coastline, not just this year, but every year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Our community has had to continually be strong and resilient and I am proud of how we have pulled together and faced these challenges head on.‘We all love the natural environment on the Coast, it is a key reason we all live here and we want to be able to keep living near and enjoying our beaches and waterways into the future.“Coastal management is a priority for every Council up and down the Coast – we can learn from each other and find synergies – share what we’ve done already and find the best solutions for the future.“It can’t just be up to Local Government though.

Central Coast Council welcomes the $11million funding, from the NSW Government, towards the construction of an indoor multi-purpose sport and recreation centre at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex at Tuggerah.Council’s Acting Director Environment and Planning, Andrew Roach said the Complex was always designed to be built in two stages and this funding will bring it a step closer to realising its full potential to attract mass participation events to the region. “We are very pleased to have the NSW Government commit to funding of $11million which will go a long way in helping Council progress stage two to deliver a multi-purpose indoor sporting facility for a range of activities, change rooms, amenities, storage as well as canteen and catering space to complement the existing outdoor sporting fields,” Mr Roach said.“Since opening in 2019, the current multi-use outdoor sporting and recreational facility has already attracted over 81,000 visitors to the region, injecting over $10M in our local economy. Mayor Lisa Matthews said delivering stage two would provide a significant boost to the benefits already flowing to the region from the first stage of the Complex. “We have already seen in such a short time since the opening last year that the venue is bringing in the types of events that provide a significant boost to the region’s economy with flow on effects to small business, employment and community well-being,” Mayor Matthews said.“I commend Council staff on their ongoing efforts to seek funding for the second stage of works and thank the State Government for getting on board with this exciting second stage.

Community members are invited to provide feedback on Central Coast Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026, which outlines how Council will deliver services that support our older residents to age healthily, feel connected and enjoy an age-friendly community.Council Acting Director of Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said the draft strategy builds on the first Central Coast Positive Ageing Strategy 2014 and renews Council’s commitment to better meeting the needs and aspirations of the Coast’s growing older population.“The Central Coast has long been an attractive place for older people to live and retire, with 27 percent of the region’s population aged 60 years and above*,” said Mr Cantillon.“With the number of residents aged over 60 expected to increase by almost 39 percent by 2036, it’s vital that we ensure that our services, programs and infrastructure reflect the evolving needs of this population.“The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy has been informed by what our older residents have told us, their aspirations and expectations, as well as research and consultation with relevant service providers.“There are many areas where Council can play a key role in positive ageing, from providing options for older people to connect, learn, exercise and have fun to making Council services and facilities more accessible and providing information to older people about what is on in their community, how they can get involved and how to get support.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is part of Council’s commitment to ensuring our older community members live active, healthy and independent lives.“Older people play a vital role in our community and it is important to recognise and respect the significant contribution they make to our vibrant region as workers, volunteers, neighbours, friends, parents and grandparents,” said Mayor Matthews.“Our Positive Ageing Strategy aims to enhance participation, improve quality of life and provide support to older residents so that they can continue to participate in and contribute to community life as they grow older.”The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026 outlines four key areas of focus where Council can make a positive difference to older residents:

Central Coast Council has released a redacted version of the previously confidential Airport Review (Phase Two) Final Report, conducted by independent consultants, Morrison Low.The Report reviewed a large body of information relating to:The project to establish a regional airport at Kiar RidgeThe development of an Aviation Hub at Central Coast AirportAny activities, including works and development applications lodged, by the current Council or former Wyong Council relating to works at the airport site;