Central Coast Council has demonstrated that a road project – including road base, road surface, kerb and guttering, footpaths and drainage – can be built with over 90 percent recycled material.Significant environmental benefits have been achieved on what looks like a typical road upgrade in Wyongah – with the majority of materials sourced from recycled household and construction products.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the project recycled over five million glass bottles, 270 kilograms of plastic and thousands of tonnes of used concrete and road gravel.“This project represents a milestone in Council’s commitment to sustainably develop and maintain the Central Coast’s 2,200 kilometre road network,” Mr Bolgoff said.“We started from the bottom and worked our way up – instead of virgin sand we used recycled glass for trench backfills and the sub-base of the road, and the road base itself is made from recycled crushed concrete and the existing road pavement.“For kerb and guttering and the footpath we used a ‘Green concrete’ made from fly ash (a by-product of coal fired powered stations) and recycled glass sand, with the reinforcing made out of recycled plastic, saving the equivalent of 50,000 plastic bags.“We also used the latest construction techniques to save over six thousand kilograms of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere – that’s the equivalent of a 25,000 kilometre car trip.“Our goal was to build a road project predominantly out of recycled material without compromising on quality or costing any more than a standard road project and we are thrilled to have achieved that objective.”The materials used, and technology developed for this project, will be rolled out across Council’s road construction program to generate significant environmental savings on a yearly basis.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council is combining its commitment to sustainable practices and methods and delivering for the Coast’s large road network.“To complete every element of a road project with over 90 percent recycled materials is an incredible achievement and a reflection of Council’s commitment to sustainability and innovation,” Mayor Matthews said.“This project demonstrates that we can deliver projects with a significantly reduced impact on our environment without impacting the cost or the time it takes to get the job done.”Further innovative products and techniques recently used by Council to deliver for the region’s road network include:Australian-first ‘road train’ technology to lay foamed bitumen in a way that reduces construction time, increases use of recycled road pavement, reduces greenhouse emissions and delivers a more consistent road surface.Use of ‘Reconophalt’ road surfacing product made from plastic bags, glass bottles, used printer cartridges and reclaimed road asphalt.Sourcing of waste from local primary schools – chip packets, muesli bar wrappers, sandwich bags – for recycling into Reconophalt.

With this week’s fine weather and the school holidays fast approaching, many of you are keen to get outdoors to exercise, following COVID-19 physical distancing rules of course!This means our beaches in particular are very busy, so it can be hard to stay far enough away from others who are also exercising.Why not take this opportunity to experience all that the Central Coast has to offer, holiday at home and explore your own backyard?

Rates rise confirmed for FY 2020-21Following a determination from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), Council has resolved to accept a rate rise of 2.6 per cent for the 2020-21 financial year.The increase will take effect from July and will be incorporated into the ordinary and special rates.In accordance with the Local Government Act, IPART approved a rate peg increase of 2.6% for 2020-21.

Professional artists and producers across all art forms and cultural practices are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Central Coast Council’s Creative Art Central annual program.Creative Art Central will deliver up to $15,000 per project for five successful local professional artists/producers to deliver Central Coast based projects, with up to two of these five spaces, for returning recipients to fund subsequent stages of larger projects.Council’s Community Partnerships Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard said the program plays a key role in building our local creative industries’ footprint and has wide flow-on benefits.“Creative Art Central allows us to commission professional artists to deliver a variety of new quality projects to help promote, celebrate and activate the Central Coast,” Mr Cannard said.“By providing opportunities to commission new works and investing in the local creative economy, we not only assist with nurturing the growth of local artists but also in promoting stronger partnerships within the creative industries on the coast.”Successful applicants will also have an opportunity to work closely with allocated project partners within key established arts organisations and venues including Central Coast Conservatorium, Gosford Regional Gallery, Laycock Street Community Theatre, NAIDSA, The Art House and specialist staff within Council’s Community Partnerships Unit.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council strongly encouraged diversity amongst applicants from all art backgrounds.“Professional community members from all culture practices and diverse backgrounds, across all art forms or production are encouraged to submit an EOI,” Mayor Matthews said.“Since its inception in 2011, Creative Art Central has produced a range of new creative initiatives across diverse art forms.“We’re proud to be able to provide an opportunity to assist creatives who are passionate in their craft.”2020-21 Creative Art Central EOI process:Applicants discuss proposed project and register expression of interest with Liesl Harvey, Cultural Development Worker:

As the NSW Government’s restrictions continue to ease on the Central Coast, attention has naturally shifted towards the economic challenges of a post-COVID world, and how our community will recover.Asking ourselves how we can shape our economy, create jobs and opportunities for our residents, and attract new business to the area is something that we have been looking at for many years.At our Council meeting on 9 June, we endorsed for public consultation two documents that outline our long-term vision of how we can rise to meet the economic challenges both in the short and long term.By 2040, the Central Coast will welcome nearly 88,000 new residents, our economy will grow by over $21billion, and over 72,000 new jobs will be created.The Draft Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 is the first ever coast-wide economic strategy.An Economic Recovery and Resilience Framework has also been prepared to refocus Council’s approach to the forthcoming economic crisis and prioritise key action items to support the local economy.Ultimately, our plan is to ensure that our economy will be strong, diverse and resilient, delivering opportunity and benefits to our community and I would encourage everyone to have their say online at yourvoiceourcoast.comMayor Lisa MatthewsCentral Coast Council

A second round of community consultation is now underway for the new Lake Munmorah Recreational Facility to create a space which meets the community’s needs now and into the future.Council is continuing plans for the Recreation Facility for Lake Munmorah, incorporating a skate park and regional play space as part of Council’s commitment to provide active spaces that promote social inclusion and provide health and wellness benefits for the community.The skate park and regional play space will be located adjacent to the Lake Munmorah shopping centre on Tall Timbers Road and will provide an inclusive recreational space for a range of ages, abilities and skills, provide a safe and accessible venue for community activities and attract regional and significant skate events.The first round of community engagement activities for the proposed facility was held last year to seek initial input and comments on what you wanted to see designed for this new space.

Council defers consideration of Operational Plan 2020-21 to JulyCouncil will defer consideration of submissions and adoption of the Operational Plan 2020-21 until its meeting on 27 July 2020.This option for NSW Councils to finalise budgets for the new financial year before 30 July instead of the traditional 30 June cut-off date, was made permissible by the Minister for Local Government in April.  It was due to the extenuating circumstances being faced during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.Mayor Lisa Matthews said that the additional time would be beneficial to ensure that the final budget proposed was in the best interests of the Central Coast community.“We have had to look at the 2020-21 budget with fresh eyes,” said Mayor Matthews.“As we don’t need reminding the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the way that we work, a huge impact on business, and Central Coast Council is no exception.  Whilst the financial impacts are not yet fully understood for Council, ratepayers, or business;

Central Coast Council has marked an exciting moment for the future of the Central Coast’s water supply, as the first pipes are laid to mark the start of construction of the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline.Mayor Matthews said the 9km pipeline project is incredibly significant for our Coast as it will provide water to the expanding northern growth corridor and enhance the water supply network for the entire region.“Council is investing over $61million in this pipeline project, making it one of the largest single investments in the future security of our region’s water supply and a project we can be very proud of," Mayor Matthews said.Council Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said managing our valuable water supply is a key priority for Council and this project is a prime example of how we are delivering essential infrastructure for the people of the Central Coast.“Recent conditions including extreme weather events and water restrictions that have faced our community and indeed communities across our state and nation, bring into sharp focus how important water security and water resilience is for everyone,” Mr Loader said.“The Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline will ensure a stable long-term water supply to new and growing areas in the north of the region to support anticipated levels of growth and development we need to deliver as part of the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036.“In addition, we will see an enhancement in bulk water transfers between ourselves and the Hunter which enables better planning for future water resourcing for both regions."The complex project has been developed over the past six years including close and ongoing consultation with the community to ensure we understand and manage the impacts of this project during the construction and commissioning phases.“Extensive investigations, design and planning have been undertaken to ensure the construction is delivered using the best technology available, including innovative trenchless construction techniques that will ensure sensitive environmental areas are protected,” Mr Loader said.“During the current COVID-19 crisis, our construction and field services crews continue to deliver essential services to the community.

Central Coast Council’s first draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS), which will play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s future, is now on public exhibition for the community to have their say.The LSPS explains how state and regional plans such as the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 will be implemented in the Central Coast region.

Central Coast Council have welcomed the New Zealand Warriors NRL team to Central Coast Stadium to train while they are in Australia.