As part of Central Coast Council’s commitment to improving access and inclusion for people with disability, local business owners and operators have the opportunity to attend a free information forum.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the focus of the Access and Inclusion Forums was to provide simple strategies that make a big difference to community members and visitors to the region who have a disability.“People with disabilities are an important part of our community and it is vital that all of our businesses and services on the Coast are as accessible and inclusive as possible,” Ms Vaughan said.“Our new forums will walk local businesses owners and operators through key information and simple changes that can have a big impact.“All event attendees will be provided with an exciting new resource kit – Making Access and Inclusion Your Business – and will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to welcome a range of new customers to their businesses.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said removing barriers for people with disabilities will help to make the Central Coast a better place to live, work and visit.“We have an increasingly diverse community here on the Coast and we certainly welcome diverse visitors throughout the year, which of course includes people with disability,” Mayor Matthews said.“I’d encourage our local business owners and operators to attend one of our free forums to ensure your business or service is open to as many people as possible.”Details for the Access and Inclusion Forums are provided below:The EntranceMonday 10 February 2020, 5.30-7.30pmCentral Coast Virtual Reality26 The Entrance Road, The EntranceGosfordTuesday 11 Feb 2020, 5.30-7.30pmGosford Smart Work Hub28 William St, GosfordWyongWednesday 12 Feb 2020, 5.30-7.30pmThe Arthouse19-21 Margaret Street, WyongWoy WoyThursday 13 Feb 2020, 5.30-7.30pmWoy Woy CWA30/32 The Boulevarde, Woy WoyCentral Coast business owners or operators can register to attend one of the forums up until Friday 31 January by calling 0408 807 758 or emailing Gregory.Combes@centralcoast.nsw.gov.auFind out more about Council’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/residents/support-programs/accessibility-and-inclusion

The Central Coast Series skate, scooter and BMX competition is back for another year, with a total prize pool over $10,000!Central Coast Council will host three heats across three different venues where young riders can enter in one or all competitions for a chance to claim the Central Coast Series Champion title.Rather than competing in a final, this year’s Champion and division winners will be determined by an accumulative tally across all three heats.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the competition for riders aged 5-24 has grown in popularity each year.“Originally, the Series was held during Youth Week to activate our skate parks and now it’s held across the Coast over three months, giving more opportunities to our young riders,” Ms Vaughan said.“As the competition grows, so does the prize money and the number of competitors.”The event is aimed at beginner, intermediate and sponsored riders, so provides an opportunity for young people of all skill levels to participate and compete.This year the Central Coast Series will be held at:Heat 1, Drop in at Dalbs – Wadalba Skate Park, Saturday 22 FebruaryHeat 2, Uminafied - Umina Skate Park, Saturday 7 MarchHeat 3, Beast of the Bowl - BATO Yard, Saturday 4 April Entry is open to all riders aged 5-24 years in skate, scooter and BMX as well as WCMX Wheelchair (BATO only).

Central Coast Council has announced that the 2020 Australia Day Ambassador for the Central Coast is Viki Campbell, Superintendent for the Central Coast Rural Fire Service District.Viki’s tireless work in the emergency response field includes the role of Incident Controller for the 2019-20 bush fire emergency on the Central Coast, an appointment by the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner.Her service within emergency response organisations has spanned 30 years with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Ambulance.

Central Coast Council has started an assessment of the region’s 1,000 kilometre network of footpaths, bike paths and shared pathways.Quad bike style vehicles will be used to capture video imaging of every Central Coast pathway to assess current condition and inform renewal strategies to improve connectivity, mobility and safety.Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the region-wide assessment was part of Council’s commitment to the ongoing maintenance, improvement and development of the Central Coast’s pathways.“We are essentially taking a condition snapshot of every footpath, bike path and shared pathway on the Coast,” Mr Bolgoff said.“This is a huge project but with the use of the quad bikes we plan to complete the process in approximately four weeks.“Our region’s pathway network is a top priority for our community and this assessment will help to inform our ongoing renewal program.“This region-wide audit follows the finalisation of the first Bike Plan and Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) for the Central Coast, which focuses on new footpath, bike path and shared pathway projects for the Coast over the next 10 years.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the region-wide assessment is a further demonstration of Council’s commitment to the development and maintenance of an outstanding pathway network for the Central Coast.“With a region as large and beautiful as ours, pathways are important for so many reasons – as part of our transport network, as a means to get fit and active and to boost tourism,” Mayor Matthews said.“It is no small task to take capture video footage of every pathway on the Coast and the information we capture will be vital in helping us to target and plan our pathway renewal program.”The quad bike style assessment vehicles are fitted with cameras focused on the pathway surface only – no recordings of pedestrians, commercial, residential, private property or structures will be taken.Vehicles are operated by certified inspectors and will travel at a brisk walking pace with hazard lights and other warning devices in operation.

Australia Day honours for 2020 have recognised 11 exceptional Central Coast community members including Olympic silver medallist Matthew Graham who was named ‘Citizen of the Year’.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Australia Day is an opportunity to acknowledge extraordinary Australians and in particular members of our very own Central Coast community.“Australia Day is a time to reflect on our history, to celebrate our achievements and to look to the future of our country,” Mayor Matthews said. “I would like to particularly acknowledge our Indigenous community, the Darkinjung people, who play a vital role in shaping the future of our region.

The local community of Wadalba will see their ideas come to life with the construction of a new playspace and recreational area at Voyager Street Reserve.Construction commenced on 28 January and is due for completion by the end of April 2020, weather permitting.To ensure this community space reflects the values and preferences of this growing community, Council undertook community consultation by way of an online survey, with feedback guiding the development of the concept plan for the reserve featuring the new local level playspace.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Scott Cox said the playspace has been designed to provide a shared active space for the many young families that live in this growing area.“This inclusive playspace includes a multi-play unit with numerous slides and climbing ropes, a swing set incorporating a nest swing, interactive panels, see-saw and balance play equipment with partial rubber softfall surfacing and a pathway network for improved accessibility.“In addition, park furniture, shelters and a water re-fill station will also be constructed to enhance the play and stay experience.”Mayor Lisa Mathews said playspaces are valuable areas for our community to socialise and for kids to learn through active play.“Council has listened to the community and understands how important the need is for this playspace at Wadalba.

The popular Love Lanes Festival in Wyong is back for its fourth year on Saturday 8 February, presented by Central Coast Council and The Chapman Building.This year’s festival features guided tours along the Wyong Heritage Walk, as well live music across four stages, roving entertainment, food and market stalls, a kid’s zone, circus precinct and art installations.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said Love Lanes is a chance to discover Wyong’s hidden gems and immerse the whole family in the buzz, hype and vibe of this unique outdoor festival.“The festival will transform Wyong’s heritage laneways and town park into an exciting hub of art, culture and culinary experiences,” Mr Cannard said.“This year, visitors can also take a virtual tour and experience what the buildings and streetscape of Wyong looked like 100 years ago.”Mayor Lisa Mathews said the 2019 Love Lanes event attracted approximately 15,000 festival goers and injected over $1.1million into the local economy. “Love Lanes showcases some of the best Wyong has to offer and I’d encourage community members and visitors to lock in this year’s date and join in the fun,” Mayor Matthews said.“This festival goes from strength to strength and has been instrumental in changing the profile of Wyong for visitors, residents and investors alike.”The festivities kick off at 4pm and run until 9pm.

Copacabana residents can look forward to improved water supply for years to come as work on the next stage of Central Coast Council’s Water Mains Renewal Program prepares to get underway.Work on the $600,000 project will begin on Monday 3 February with the replacement of over 400 metres of water mains that have reached the end of their design life.

Following a rigorous tender process, Central Coast Council has awarded the contract for construction of the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline to joint venture partners Spiecapag and Seymour Whyte.The $61million pipeline is one of the region’s most significant infrastructure projects which will boost water supply to the Central Coast’s rapidly growing northern suburbs and improve water security for the entire region.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline project is the next major step to enhance the Central Coast’s water supply network.“The 9km pipeline will run from the existing Mardi Water Treatment Plant through to Sparks Road at Warnervale providing water supply to our growing community in the north,” Mayor Matthews said.“The pipeline will also help drought-proof our water supply by enhancing transfer capability between the Central Coast and Hunter.

Central Coast Council welcomed 28 young people to its staff last week as part of its popular Early Career Pathways Program.At a special ceremony, Mayor Lisa Matthews welcomed the group and congratulated 15 others who successfully completed nationally recognised training programs with Council in 2019.During their 12 months with Council, university students complete an Undergraduate Program in areas as diverse as engineering to environmental sustainability and social science.