Construction work is now underway to rebuild the EDSACC South amenities building, Bateau Bay, to replace the previous facility destroyed by fire in 2015. Council’s director of Environment and Planning Scott Cox said these works will deliver an improved sporting facility for our northern region’s local sports clubs, players and spectators.“The new amenities building, which is due for completion this financial year, has been designed to meet the needs of current users of the EDSACC sporting complex and accommodate the expected future use.

Central Coast Council will run a series of ‘Supporting Healthy Relationships’ workshops in November and December to help bring awareness to the issue of domestic and family violence (DFV).Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the workshops have been designed to provide the community with the tools they need to create better family relationships.“Domestic and family violence is a major health and welfare issue with current statistics showing that the Central Coast has some of the highest rates of DFV in NSW,” Ms Vaughan said.

Central Coast Council is launching an innovative podcast series featuring the lives of six Central Coast men from various walks of life, to spotlight the changing role of masculinity.‘Man;Kind’ is Council’s first project that looks into the stereotypes around what it means to be a man in a bid to tell an alternative story about the impact of social issues, such as gender violence and equality, on the Central Coast.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the podcast aims to encourage everyone to work together to explore various perspectives on key social issues that impact on community wellbeing and vulnerable people.“What these podcasts really highlight is the fact that there is no one way to be male and we are pleased to be able to create this platform that allows Central Coast men to share their stories,” Ms Vaughan said.“Gender equality and gendered violence are extremely important topics within the community and it’s vital for the local community and local men to have a platform to share their experiences, challenges, ideas and knowledge, and realise they’re not alone.’’ 'Man;Kind’ will officially launch on 22 November at the spoken word poetry night at Wyong’s Art House, after which it will be available to download.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the podcast series reinforces the work that Council is doing to ensure our community is inclusive for all.“As a Council we have a responsibility to help alleviate the impact of social issues as well as start conversations around issues such as gender inequality, gender-based violence, domestic violence and socio-economic disadvantage,” Mayor Matthews said.“It’s important that we all have the opportunity to be heard and we’re delighted to be able launch this initiative – the first that focuses on men but is aimed to encourage discussion among everyone.”To continue these important conversations, during November and December as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Council is rolling out a ‘Healthy Relationships’ campaign for young people, running a series of ‘Supporting Healthy Relationships’ workshops and a temporary lightbox installation will be displayed on Terrigal Foreshore.Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/mankind for more information.

Central Coast Council is urging residents to be as prepared as possible and to remain vigilant as the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) continues to fight and monitor the Gospers Mountain fire west of the Central Coast.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it is vital that all Central Coast community members regularly refer to the information provided by the RFS.“The RFS is the lead agency for bush fires and we must all refer to the RFS for the latest advice on fires currently burning and for information on how to ensure we are as prepared as possible,” Mayor Matthews said.“At this point in time it is particularly important that our residents west of the M1 are prepared and vigilantly monitoring RFS advice regarding the Gospers Mountain fire.“Please download and use the RFS ‘Fires Near Me’ mobile phone app if you haven’t already.

Central Coast Stadium’s resident family of endangered Eastern Ospreys has grown by two with the recent successful hatching of two chicks, delighting Council, stadium staff, and bird lovers alike.It might seem like an odd place to raise a family, but the endangered sea bird has been a common sight in the stadium’s lighting tower ever since they began to occupy the area in 2014.After raising safety concerns including the issue of debris from the nest being dropped on the seats below which forced the closure of the ticketed bay, it was determined that a long-term solution was needed that was in the best interest of the birds.“In June of this year Council installed a reinforced platform for the birds to move into which was just metres away from their original home,” said Central Coast Stadium Manager Kath Kasey.“There was some initial concern that they might not take to their new nest but in the last couple of weeks stadium staff and patrons have been able to hear the cries of the hatched chicks as they pester mum and dad for their favourite food – fish!” Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was pleasing that the decision to invest in creating a new nest has paid off.

Council prepares for $70M Federal Government funding injection for Coast’s roadsCouncil has approved 29 road projects across the Central Coast that will be delivered with $70million in Federal Government funding committed in the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election.Projects selected will be delivered as part of the ‘Central Coast Roads Package’ and will focus on busting congestion and increasing safety.The significant scale of the funding package means that projects will be delivered over consecutive years starting in 2019-20 and continuing through to 2024-25.Mayor Lisa Matthews said she was pleased to see the Federal Government deliver on its promise to fund local road upgrades on the Coast.“This $70million funding injection from the Federal Government will allow Council to deliver projects the community have identified as priorities on the Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.“Roads are a key priority for Council too with more than $240million in projects delivered over the past three years.“Maintaining and developing our region’s extensive road network – spanning 2,200 kilometres – requires all levels of government to work together.“The ‘Central Coast Roads Package’ is an example of a funding commitment that will make a real difference for our region.”Community to have its say on amalgamation experienceCentral Coast Council has recommended that additional questions be included in the annual Customer Experience survey for residents to provide their views on the amalgamation of the former Wyong and Gosford Councils, their experience and their satisfaction of the LGA. Council also advised that in early 2020, it will report on the estimated costs involved in amalgamating the two former Councils.The report will also outline the progress on various aspects of the amalgamation and the associated expenditures.Council supports community with over $695,900 in grantsCouncil has allocated $695,984 in funding to successful applications for community grants.Council has allocated $631,022 of funding across four programs for Round 1 of the Community Grants Program 2019-20.

With a hot dry summer ahead, Central Coast Council is urging residents and businesses to continue the water saving efforts that have helped delay the introduction of water restrictions.Since Council launched the “Live to 150L” campaign in September, thousands of people have visited the online water use calculator and other tools for tips on saving water.Live to 150L encourages everyone to use no more than 150 litres of water per person per day.

Central Coast Council is extremely disappointed in the alleged behaviour of a group of individuals that disturbed the Little Tern nesting site at Karagi Reserve, The Entrance North on Sunday 1 December 2019.

Today Mayor Lisa Matthews marked an exciting moment for current and future users of Garnet Adcock Memorial Park at West Gosford as the first sod was turned to signal commencement of construction on the first stage of the $26.2 million redevelopment of the site.Central Coast Council Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said “Over the next 12 months the community will see the construction of a state-of-the art multi-purpose sportsground amenities building that will accommodate five of the seven sporting codes that utilise this regional facility.

Residents across the region can learn more about their waterways and make a contribution to scientific knowledge with a series of innovative workshops to be delivered by Central Coast Council throughout summer.Citizen Science programs are an opportunity for the broader community to help scientists understand the local environment by providing valuable data and insights.