This week we celebrate Library and Information Week - the theme for 2020 is Create.

Central Coast Council acknowledges that today, 26 May is National Sorry Day.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said National Sorry Day is an opportunity for Council and our community to reflect and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the stolen generations.“The stolen generations are those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were separated from their families as children.

It might look a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Central Coast Council is still celebrating National Library and Information Week this year in an online extravaganza.The week (25-31 May) is designed to promote the range of services that libraries offer to their local area.

Central Coast Council continues to take precautions in response to the rapidly evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation guided by State and Federal health departments’ advice.In addition to the changes to Council services announced yesterday, these are more changes as at 19 March:Postponement of some programs and activities at the Leisure Centres and Pools until 30 April, including all learn to swim programs delivered by our instructors in the water;

Central Coast Council has launched an interactive virtual tour of one of the Central Coast's dams and water treatment plants to coincide with World Water Day this Sunday, 22 March. Recent bushfire events and the current precautions against COVID-19 mean Council is unable to host physical community tours of our water supply.

Central Coast Council is set to commence construction on the Terrigal boardwalk project and rockpool restoration works in April 2020.The project, jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government, will deliver many benefits for the community.

Central Coast Council will close for public access the administration buildings at Wyong and Gosford, libraries, leisure centres, gyms, pools, the Gosford Regional Gallery, Edogawa Commemorative Garden, The Entrance Visitor Information Centre, Gosford Smart Work Hub and all community facilities such as halls.

Due to the current COVID-19 health crisis, Central Coast Council tonight held a shortened Extraordinary Meeting to consider several significant matters which required time-sensitive decisions to ensure ongoing operations in the 2020-21 financial year.Other matters which would have been considered at a full-length ordinary meeting of Council have been postponed until a later date.Call for Federal and State support for economic stimulus packageCouncil will call on the Federal and State Governments to direct economic stimulus packages to local government in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.Mayor Lisa Matthews said that the NSW Government stimulus packages must include substantial funding and resources for councils to help drive local economic recovery.“We need to ensure there is local employment and support of local businesses across NSW, as well as ongoing investment in public infrastructure and community services for the public good,” she said.“We need all Governments to work hand in hand with Councils to help the community move beyond this pandemic and prosper in the future.”Pandemic triggers deferral of key strategies to allow public consultationCouncil is seeking to defer public exhibition of two key policies, due to the difficulty allowing the community to have its say during the COVID-19 pandemic.Council will write to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment seeking a 12-month extension for public exhibition of the Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement.Council has also voted to defer public comment on a draft Economic Development Strategy.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was crucial that the community have its say on both the LSP and the Economic Development Strategy.“We are in the middle of a significant pandemic, and both of these documents will shape the future of our region,” she said.“We also don’t yet know what the outcomes will be for the local economy and we will continue to monitor the needs of our business community and adapt to the challenges which emerge.”2020-21 Operational Plan to go out for public commentThe draft Operational Plan 2020-21 is the third and final year of implementation for the three -year Delivery Program and lists every project and initiative Council has planned to deliver.  Council’s spending is focussed on providing services in areas important to the community and on improving asset management.During the 2020-21 financial year, it is proposed that Council will receive operational revenue of $551.6 million and spend $584.1 million on essential services.

Central Coast Council and Surf Life Saving Central Coast have announced that the red and yellow flags will not go up on Central Coast beaches for the rest of the season in response to the evolving situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19).This means that Council lifeguard and Surf Life Saving volunteer patrols will stop setting the flags from 25 March at the 15 patrolled beach locations.Council Chief Executive Officer, Gary Murphy said the decision responded to Federal and State Government calls to do more to ensure compliance with the regulations around physical distancing and banning outdoor gatherings of 500 or more people.“Unfortunately, the swim between the flags message is encouraging people to congregate in close proximity,” Mr Murphy said.“Our job right now is ensuring we play our part in managing as best we can the spread of Coronavirus, and protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff and community.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the community, limit the need for residents to travel, minimise contact and ensure services are still being provided, Central Coast Council has changed some operations at its waste management facilities.Kincumber waste management facility will be closed until further notice.From Monday 30 March 2020, Woy Woy and Buttonderry waste management facilities will be closed to the public but remain open for waste collected only by essential waste vehicles, which include:Council’s household waste collection contractorcommercial waste collection contractorssmall business.For these essential waste vehicles, Woy Woy and Buttonderry waste facilities will be open:Monday to Friday                                     7:00am – 4:00pmSaturday, Sunday & Public Holidays          8:00am – 4:00pmThe standard types of waste and gate fees apply.What other options are available to the public?Council’s existing household waste collection service, 3 bin and bulk kerbside service, will continue as usual.