Like all of Australia the Central Coast has taken a hit due to COVID-19 but the region is also showing remarkable resilience.Key tourism measures have shown significant year-on-year spikes for the Central Coast in June and July and a number of new businesses have also emerged across the region.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the Coast had achieved impressive tourism numbers across winter.“Our region has moved from one emergency to the next in recent months so it is very heartening to see that the Coast continues to grow as a tourist destination of choice,” Ms Vaughan said.“Indicators for June and July show very positive signs for the Coast – for example AirBnB occupancies were up by approximately 20 percent compared to the same time period last year*.“Occupancy rates for our Holiday Parks were also up, along with retail and restaurant spending in our key tourist destinations.“Despite COVID we’ve also seen some exciting new businesses pop up across the Coast and a number of established businesses have undertaken makeovers.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the appeal of the Coast and the resilience of the community are unparalleled.“It is wonderful to see tourism growing on the Coast despite incredibly challenging circumstances,” Mayor Matthews said.“Our region is hard to beat as a place to live, work and visit – stunning beaches, incredible bushwalks, picturesque hinterland, adventure activities, great locally produced food and cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants, bespoke shopping experiences – there’s something for everyone.“We’re encouraging all Central Coast businesses to ensure they have COVID-safe plans in place and for local community members to get out and about to discover some of the new gems our region has to offer and to rediscover old favourites.”‘Visit Central Coast’ have identified a number of exciting new places to explore across the region including:The Pecan Lady, Somersby – farmstay accommodationSlowwell, Ettalong – café and wellbeing practiceDaily Dough Co.

Five and half thousand tonnes of rock have been placed on North Entrance and Wamberal Beaches, by Central Coast Council crews, during the recent coastal erosion emergency response.1,800 tonnes of large basalt rocks have been placed directly on Wamberal Beach with 1,720 tonnes of rock filled bags craned in from Ocean View Drive.At North Entrance – just over 2,060 tonnes of rock has been placed on the beach there between Karagi Reserve beach access and Hargraves Street beach access since the work began two weeks ago.Central Coast Council CEO, Gary Murphy, said the huge response by Council had been successful in temporarily mitigating further erosion.“The results speak for themselves and show what is possible when you have the best coastal engineers in Australia working with committed crews, the best material available and the emergency orders needed to get the job done,” Mr Murphy said.“The success of this response will hold us in good stead as we plan further recovery works and a longer-term solution at both locations.Works are expected to take a further two to three weeks at Wamberal.

Council focuses on delivering essential services and supporting the communityCentral Coast Council tonight adopted its Operational Plan for the 2020-21 financial year.  Council has budgeted $564.3 million for the delivery of essential services and $225 million for capital works across the local government area.

Emergency remediation works continued over the weekend at Wamberal and the North Entrance in a bid to get as much done before the predicted second east coast low hits our coastline early this week. At Wamberal, all available rock filled bags have now been placed on Wamberal Beach to help secure the base of the escarpment.

Central Coast Council’s Gosford Art Prize – the region’s premier art awards – returns in 2020 with a new COVID-safe process for entrants.For the first time in the 50-year history of the prestigious Gosford Art Prize finalists will be selected from online entries to provide a COVID-safe entry system.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said more than 500 artists from across Australia are expected to compete for the $25,000 prize pool.“The Gosford Art Prize and the exhibition of the finalists’ work is always a highlight and we are thrilled that we are able to proceed with the competition in what has been a challenging year to say the least,” Ms Vaughan said.“We have to do things a little differently this year and artists competing in the Prize will need to submit digital images of their works online.“Only selected finalists will be asked to deliver their physical work and we will proceed with the Gosford Art Prize exhibition as in previous years.“The Gosford Art Prize is a Central Coast institution and supports local artists and artists from across the country.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the cultural and economic benefits of the Gosford Art Prize were significant.“Art brings us together, inspires us and challenges us and in 2020 the Gosford Art Prize is more important than ever,” Mayor Matthews said.“It is wonderful that we’ve been able to think outside the box to continue to offer the prize this year, which provides our region with both a cultural and economic boost.“Approximately 24,000 people will visit the Gosford Art Prize exhibition at the Gosford Regional Gallery and 40 percent of visitors will come from outside our region, which represents a great tourism boost for the Coast.”Artists who submit works for the Gosford Art Prize compete across the following categories:First Prize – $15,000Second Prize – $5,000Aboriginal Art Prize – $2,500Gosford Ceramics Prize – $2,000Highly Commended – $1,000 (two prizes)Viewer’s Choice Award – $500Entries for the Gosford Art Prize open on 1 August and close on 30 August, with finalists announced on 4 September.

The Coast’s new Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex (The Complex) is hosting training sessions for two major sporting teams that have made the Central Coast their ‘home away from home’ during COVID-19 restrictions - the New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Rebels.Based in Tuggerah, the purpose-built venue has proven itself a fantastic sports and recreation venue since opening in 2019, having already hosted significant mass participation events such as the 2019 Koori Knockout, which attracted over 40,000 attendees to the region.This announcement of the Melbourne Rebels using The Complex at Tuggerah as their official training venue follows the earlier announcement of NZ Warriors basing themselves on the Central Coast with their primary training residence at Central Coast Stadium, and alternating training at The Complex when required.Mayor Lisa Matthews said that having two high-profile sporting teams using The Complex as a training venue, provides an exciting opportunity to showcase this fantastic facility and deliver a boost to our local economy.“We have been thrilled to welcome these two elite sporting teams to the region.

Central Coast Council acknowledged yesterday’s release of the State Government’s independent review into the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 (the Act) and would now review the recommendations in detail and respond to the impacts of this on Council’s operational management of Warnervale Airport. Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council can only operate Warnervale Airport under the legislative environment that the State Government sets.“I want to emphasise that Council does not make the laws about the operation of this community owned asset," Mayor Matthews said.“Council must and does adhere to the State legislation that governs Warnervale Airport and this includes the current flight cap limits.“Minister Rob Stokes has publicly notified that this part of the Act is proposed to be repealed, and once that is done Council will respond to the legislation in its management of the airport."The airport management includes safety of the runway and Council has measures in place to ensure that airport users are aware of all conditions for runway use.  Council is continuing to look at long term options to reduce the vegetation hazard and is required to comply with other State legislation to do this.

Central Coast Council has today welcomed the announcement of a Wamberal Taskforce to help deliver a long-term solution to coastal erosion issues at Wamberal.Council is progressing designs and options for a seawall at Wamberal, with residents and the community and the expert Taskforce will be important for expediting approvals and the funding model needed to deliver it.Council CEO, Gary Murphy, who will be on the Taskforce, said Council cannot deliver a permanent solution alone and it was great to see experts around the table committed to finding a solution.“While we have been focussed on the emergency works responses, and staff have done an amazing job, we have never lost sight of the need for a permanent solution to coastal erosion, not just at Wamberal, but up and down our coast,” Mr Murphy said.“A permanent solution has been worked on for some time now.

On behalf of Central Coast Council, it is pleasing to see an Operational Plan for the 2020/21 financial year adopted. This is an Operational Plan that has had to respond to the unprecedented times we find ourselves in.

Council defers consideration of purchase of Davistown wetlandsCouncil has deferred consideration of the proposed withdrawal of negotiations to purchase land known as Davistown wetlands for twelve weeks.  Council’s CEO will continue to pursue an acquisition by agreement with the current owners of the Davistown wetlands and report back to Council by no later than 26 October 2020. Council responds to repeal of the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act with new name and approachCentral Coast Airport at Warnervale has been renamed as the Warnervale Aircraft Landing Area (ALA) in response to the repeal of the Warnervale Airport Restrictions (WAR) Act.The NSW Government has recently confirmed it will repeal the WAR Act following an independent review that generated over 900 public submissions with 75% supporting the repeal. Council reaffirmed its ownership and management of the Warnervale ALA and that the runway length would remain at 1200 metres with no further extensions.Current maintenance works at the ALA will continue, however no new works will be permitted that expand its operations.Council will actively seek to generate employment opportunities on lands adjacent to the land strip with a focus on the following sectors: