The newly refurbished amenities at Kalakau Avenue in Forresters Beach officially opened today ahead of the peak summer season.

The location of Monday night’s Central Coast Council’s next Council Meeting and Public Forum has changed.

Gosford Regional Library on the horizonCentral Coast Council is moving forward with the long-awaited Gosford Regional Library and Innovation Hub at the Parkside site, Donnison Street, Gosford.Mayor Lisa Matthews said she is thrilled to see this catalyst project proceed for Gosford CBD, helping to create a vibrant and sustainable region.“There is an urgent need for the delivery of the Regional Library to provide contemporary and future multi-use spaces where our community can meet, connect and learn,” Mayor Matthews said.“The community has significant investment and interest in progressing this project, so it is essential we now put our energy and efforts into making it a reality.“To ensure the project moves as quickly as possible, planning of the tender process for design and construction has commenced and we anticipate the development application will be lodged as early as June next year.“Following discussions with the current Parkside tenants, demolition and construction works have been pushed back to February 2021 so as not to disrupt the stability of the services offered as well as ample time to relocate.“I want to reiterate this development is not dependant on the closure of existing branches, but a hero development that will help meet the ongoing social, recreational, educational and technological needs of our growing community and improve our residents’ quality of life.”Budget allocations of $1.115million for the Gosford Cultural Precinct have been reallocated for the design and development stage of the Regional Library to get underway, with further estimates and costings to be completed as part of the 2020-21 budget process.Staff are currently finalising discussions with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development to secure the $7million Federal funding to help deliver this state-of-the-art facility.As a result of the Regional Library moving ahead as a stand-alone project, all conveyancing negotiations for 135-137 Erina Street East, Gosford will be discontinued and all tenders received for the Gosford Cultural Precinct will now be declined, with applicants to be notified as soon as possible. Record breaking tourism expenditure exceeds first year targetsCouncil has reported a record breaking $1billion in tourism expenditure in the first year as outlined in the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21.The achieved expenditure has surpassed Council’s 2021 target of $921million.Mayor Lisa Matthews said in one year the Central Coast has already seen an overall shift in tourism.“It’s great to see the results of the first year of the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21 and the impacts it has had on our visitor economy,” Mayor Matthews said.“It shows the effectiveness of our targeted campaigns, with an increase of 43.9% of visits to the Visit Central Coast website and over 200 new business listings added to the site.“The results have also identified a number of opportunities to encourage visitors all year round and we held a number of events in 2019 which contributed towards achieving this, including hosting the LGNSW Tourism Conference, the development of the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and opening the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex.“The plan identifies actions to boost community support through tourism employment pathways for young people such as the development of the Young Ambassador Program.“Tourism is one of the biggest industries on the Coast, and it is recommended that the focus on tourism development and destination management be maintained.” The newly endorsed Tourism Opportunity Plan sets out three key strategic priorities, supporting priority projects and underlying actions to assist Council to take a proactive facilitative role in delivering economic and community benefits for tourism across the region. Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy to promote economic growthCouncil has adopted the Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy after a period of public consultation.The Draft Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy (the Strategy) is a set of directions, actions and catalyst projects for the community, Government and the development sector to create a sustainable Corridor that the community want to live and work in.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Strategy is important to assist in creating an economic and vibrant community into the future.“As a Council, it’s important for us that the Central Coast is seen as the growing and competitive region that it is.

Central Coast Council is preparing a special New Year’s Eve event at the Gosford Waterfront, with more than 10,000 locals and visitors expected to join in the celebrations.The event highlights a collaborative approach between Central Coast Council and The Central Coast Mariners with the aim to deliver an event that connects all activities in the precinct around the stadium and to create a family friendly, safe and entertaining atmosphere. New Year’s Eve at Gosford Waterfront will feature live music, food stalls, amusement rides, glow products and show bags, kids craft activities, face painting, and a spectacular fireworks display if conditions permit.Central Coast Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard invites locals and visitors to celebrate the last sunset of 2019 with family and friends on the beautiful Gosford Waterfront.“This event has something for the entire family and is a great way to celebrate 2019 and the start of the 2020s,” Mr Cannard said.“There will be food options galore, great live entertainment, amusement rides and fun activities for the kids, and of course don’t miss the spectacular fireworks display to conclude the festivities at 9.15pm (dependant on weather conditions and possible fire bans).”Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council was delighted to host this special event for community members and visitors to the Central Coast.“Gosford Waterfront is magical location and a great spot to bring in the new year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Let’s come together with family, friends, our community and visitors to celebrate all that was achieved in 2019 and all 2020 has to offer.” Council’s NYE Event at Gosford Waterfront will be held at Alfred Higgs Place and under the Brian McGowan Bridge and runs from 5pm to 9.30pm. SPECIAL EVENT ROAD CLOSURESVaughan Avenue between Mann Street and Dane Drive from 6-11pm.Dane Drive between Donnison Street and Georgiana Terrace from 4-11pm.Georgiana Terrace between Baker Street and Dane Drive from 6pm-11pm.The Central Coast Highway between Hely Street and Masons Parade (including the Brian McGowan Bridge and Alfred Higgs Place) from 6-11pm.No parking under the bridge is permitted in the lead-up to the event.

Central Coast Council is continuing to improve online services with the launch of the new Library Service app that provides easier access to resources, collections, events and news.Rather than having to navigate to multiple web pages, the app collates the Library’s digital information and platforms in one mobile friendly location delivering services in the format the community have come to expect. Council’s Section Manager Library Strategy and Connection, Ben Hartley, is excited to launch the app and improve resident’s digital connection to their local library.“This new app keeps pace with technological advances, delivering the online presence our customers have asked for,” Mr Hartley said.“With the tap of the screen customers will be able to reserve items, scan book barcodes to search, view events as well as easy access to eBooks, eMags, music streaming and much, much more.“In what is sure to be a bonus for families, you can link to multiple accounts allowing carers to store their own and children’s barcodes on one device which can be scanned in-branch.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the app creates an ease of engaging with the libraries, providing access to those who live, work or study on the Coast anywhere, anytime.“This app delivers services in the format residents want, providing our community more choice to connect, learn and relax in a way that works for them, anywhere, anytime,” Mayor Matthews said.“Whether you’re after new reading material or music for your commute, online study help, children’s educational resources or want to learn a language there’s something for every age and interest.“With holidays right around the corner there’s really no better time to uncover what your modern library has to offer.”The new app is available now.

Level 1 water restrictions will come into effect when storage in Mangrove Creek Dam reaches 50 percent, likely to be in early February. The dam is currently at 52.59 percent, and Water Wise Rules apply.  Earlier this year, Central Coast Council considered future water needs and the long-term weather forecast and lifted the restriction trigger from the previous trigger of 40 percent. Last night Council met to again review the water supply and restriction levels and agreed to retain the 50 percent trigger for Level 1 restrictions. Council’s Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said Council’s ongoing investment in water infrastructure and residents’ own water conservation has put the region in a strong position to face a prolonged drought. “Our dam levels are holding steady, with our total water storage falling by less than two percent in the past three months,” Mr Loader said. “Storage-wise, we have more water than at the beginning of the 10-year Millennium Drought in 2002.” “While our population has grown since then, we’ve also seen the introduction of water efficient appliances and building practices.

Central Coast Council will be absorbing the costs of green waste disposal for properties west of the freeway at its Buttonderry and Woy Woy Waste Management Facilities until 31 January 2020.The decision has been made to allow for properties that do not pay for or have access to domestic green waste collection services, to dispose of up to four tonnes of green waste for free.Mayor Lisa Matthews said she was pleased that Council was providing tangible support for residents impacted by this unprecedented fire threat on the Central Coast.“Residents have been asked to prepare their properties, by the Rural Fire Service, in the face of these fires and in doing so have generated a lot of green waste which they have found challenging to get rid of,” Mayor Matthews said.“They have enough to deal with at the moment and at least we have taken this concern out of their hands.”To be eligible, residents or their contractors must show evidence from where the green waste was generated.

Central Coast Council has completed priority works to ensure the integrity of water mains on Cape Three Points Road and The Round Drive, Avoca Beach.The area was deemed a high priority in Council’s Water Mains Renewal Program when the old water mains unexpectedly broke, flooding a number of residents’ homes.Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said Council had been working closely with residents on a solution to prevent the situation occurring again. “Avoca residents have experienced several water main breaks in the past two years which have caused significant impact to them.

Central Coast Council has announced 11 new members of the Y4Y (Youth For Youth) action team to represent young people around the Coast in 2020.

Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the safety of the Central Coast community and visitors to the region is Council’s number one priority.“We know that many members of our community and visitors look forward to celebratory fireworks at our New Year’s Eve events.