Central Coast Council’s Trainee and Apprentice (TrApp) Program is currently seeking eligible students to build their careers in a range of roles.The program offers students an opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification in their chosen field as a full-time paid employee at Council.Council’s Executive Manager People and Culture, Krystie Bryant said the program aims to develop students to become job ready.“We are committed to supporting our residents studying at a vocational level with an opportunity to increase their chances of securing employment,” Ms Bryant said.“Our TrApp Program aims to educate students, so they are qualified at a high industry standard by developing their practical and professional skills in a safe and supportive environment.“Students that complete the program are armed with workplace development and expert training, so they are more competitive in the job market and they are also exposed to career opportunities with Council.“Local youth and mature age students looking to start a career or want to gain new skills in a range of fields are encouraged to apply for our 2021 program.”Successful applicants must undertake a range of requirements for the duration of the program including working 35 or 38 hours per week, completion of all work, attending all classes, completing all assessments, gain competency in all qualification units and completion of certification and employment service.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council’s TrApp Program has been a success and continues to provide an exciting opportunity particularly for our young people.“This important program offers our community an opportunity to build their careers within Local Government and gain valuable training in their chosen path,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council has an important role to play in providing our youth with employment opportunities and supporting our residents with roles to live and work locally.“I am proud that Council offers opportunities for our community to gain professional experience and become job ready in their chosen career.”Applications for Council’s 2021 TrApp Program are now open.

Emergency remediation works are continuing at Wamberal and North Entrance this weekend.At Wamberal, 180 rock bags (weighing two tonnes each) have been installed using a crane.

Central Coast Council is planning to hold a program of entertainment and performances as part The Lakes Festival in November with a range of COVID-safe measures in place.While the event will look a little different this year, the popular 10-day program celebrates the Central Coast’s beautiful and diverse waterways and Council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) from local businesses, companies, organisations and community groups who would like to be involved.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said The Lakes Festival is built on creative and ‘outside the box’ ideas from across the Coast.“We’ll have to do The Lakes Festival a little differently this year to ensure we are COVID-safe but it is exciting that we are able to move forward with this special program that celebrates our region’s incredible waterways,” Mr Cannard said."This year Memorial Park will come alive with ‘Under The Wave’, a pop up wave structure that will play host to fantastic entertainment featured across the ten day program."If you have creative vision and would love to be part of the ten day program we want to hear from you – we’re looking for great music, theatrical performances and ‘outside the box’ creative ideas to fill the space.“Contributors will need to stay true to the overarching theme of our waterways and will benefit inclusion in our marketing campaign and a listing in the program.”Guidelines for EOI's include:inclusive and immersive entertainment, including live music, magic shows, circus performances, dance groups, comedy nights, movie nights plus moreenvironmental focus or a connection to the waterwaysbold, innovative, fun and ‘out of the box’ ideasshows need to be ticketed, either paid or free, for 100 participants maximum, while abiding to all social distancing requirements.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was exciting to see plans underway to hold this special program for the Coast in a challenging year.“The Lakes Festival is without a doubt an annual highlight for our region and it is made possible through the contributions of so many amazing local businesses, groups and organisations,” Mayor Matthews said.“It has been disappointing to see so many events cancelled due to COVID-19 and I’d encourage creative locals to come together and be part of The Lakes Festival for 2020.”Submissions close on Friday 7 August 2020 at 2pm and can be completed by visiting – centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/lakesfestivaleoi

The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), established to coordinate the emergency response to coastal erosion at Wamberal will move from operational to alert status. Superintendent Tony Joice said with the response phase now complete and emergency works underway, it is time for a focus of recovery.“I want to thank all the combat agencies for their work over the past week in coming together to keep the community and providing immediate relief for affected residents,” Superintendent Joice said.“I am pleased to see the emergency works underway which is a direct outcome of the work of the EOC.“All combat agencies will remain on standby and we will reopen the EOC as needed.”Local Recovery Coordinator, Lee Shearer, is now in charge of working with the community on recovery.

Central Coast Council has started emergency remediation works at Wamberal Beach today.The works include placing rock filled bags on the beach by crane from the road.

Central Coast Council has confirmed it is responding to disaster response requests from the Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) as one of the organisations responding to the severe coastal erosion event caused by the recent weather that continues to detrimentally impact areas of the coastline.Under the legislative requirements of the State Emergency Management Plan, Council provides resources to support the LEOCON and in this instance is taking direction from Superintendent Joice – LEOCON, Central Coast Emergency Management District.   The Local Emergency Operations Centre at Kariong has been activated to bring agencies together and take critical actions to manage the immediate resident and public safety risks at Wamberal and North Entrance.

Central Coast Council has continued to work overnight with NSW State Emergency Service and other essential services who are leading the emergency recovery as part of the State Emergency Rescue Management Act.While strong winds and hazardous surf conditions have impacted the whole Coastline from Budgewoi right down to Pearl Beach, current areas of focus for emergency services are Wamberal, North Entrance, Terrigal and Avoca.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews has called an Extraordinary Council Meeting for Monday 20 July 2020 to receive a thorough public update around the unfolding coastal crisis at Wamberal and The North Entrance.

Central Coast Council held an Extraordinary Meeting tonight to update the full Council and community members about the damage caused by coastal beach erosion at Wamberal and The Entrance North.Council has called on the State Government to declare a natural disaster after last week’s severe weather created severe coastal erosion damage and damaged properties at Wamberal.

Council proudly invests in and manages 260 playspaces across the Central Coast, delivering on our communities’ vision for activated spaces and places for communities to build social networks. Effectively designed playgrounds and parks encourage play at all levels and offer a place for children to learn, exercise, reflect, run, explore and take safe risks;