Central Coast Council has welcomed today’s announcement by Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks for $35million for commuter car parking at Gosford and Woy Woy Stations.

The Hon Michael McCormack MP Deputy Prime Minister;

Central Coast Council is looking to replicate the success of last year’s reusable produce bag initiative and is once again looking to partner with local fruit and vegetable suppliers to help ‘Keep the Coast Clean’.Council Unit Manager Learning and Education, Beth Burgess said the initiative received an incredibly positive response from suppliers and customers alike.“In Australia, 150 million plastic bags end up as litter each year, half of which were used just once,” Mrs Burgess said.“This campaign highlights our commitment to help reduce single use litter by providing an item of value that can be reused over and over again, rather than something that is disposable.“Many suppliers provided incredible feedback that the bags were all distributed within 48 hours and have since had customers use them time and time again, which is fantastic!”“Each time you remember your reusable produce bags when shopping you are becoming part of the solution to protect our environment from litter and plastic pollution and keep the coast clean.“I would strongly encourage any local fruit and vegetable businesses that want to become part of the solution to prevent plastic pollution to get on board.”Council Mayor Jane Smith said the popularity of the produce bags showed the community is keen to embrace sustainable initiatives.“Choosing reusable produce bags, being careful with our recycling, selecting sustainable products – these are all actions we can take to keep the Coast beautiful and clean,” Mayor Smith said.“Council is right behind our community’s efforts to reduce waste going to landfill and plastics into our oceans and will do everything we can to support it.”The initiative forms part of Council’s commitment to the Don’t be a Tosser!

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to provide feedback on the draft determination for water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices for the Central Coast from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).Council Director Water and Sewer, Bileen Nel said Council and community members can provide feedback directly to IPART from 2 April to 24 April 2019. “We are entering the next important phase of IPART’s process for the Central Coast – a review of the draft determination,” Ms Nel said.“Council will provide IPART with detailed feedback on the draft determination for our region and we encourage community members to do the same.“IPART will deliver its final determination for the Central Coast in May, so this is the last opportunity for Council and the community to have a say.”Ms Nel said Council would use the next three weeks to review IPART’s draft determination and to prepare a detailed response. “We will look carefully at all elements of the draft determination to assess any implications for Council and our region.“The Central Coast community continues to have an important role in this process and now have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft determination directly to IPART.”Council engaged in a community consultation process from April to September 2018 to develop a detailed submission to IPART outlining its recommendation for the Central Coast’s water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices. Community members were given an opportunity to provide feedback to IPART on Council’s submission in writing and by attending a Public Hearing held on 27 November 2018. IPART reviews and determines the maximum water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices for major water utilities across NSW.

Draft concept design plans for the redevelopment of Umina Skate Park and adjoining recreational zones are now on display online at yourvoiceourcoast.com and ready for further community feedback until 21 April.The community have strongly supported plans for Central Coast Council to further enhance the Peninsula Recreation Precinct and now that funding has been secured from the Australian Government, our community’s goal will become a reality.On Saturday 30 March, Member for Robinson, Lucy Wicks announced an $8.25million grant from the Federal Government for a number of upgrades to the Peninsula Recreation Precinct and adjacent facilities at Umina Oval.

Central Coast Council has recently installed an additional 21 CCTV cameras at community facilities in Umina, Woy Woy, San Remo and Terrigal to enhance community safety within neighbourhoods, public spaces and places.This project has seen 11 CCTV cameras installed at various sites within the Peninsula Recreation Precinct in Umina, including the amenities building (consisting of public toilets and a commercial space that accommodates Jasmine Green’s Park Kiosk), BBQ area, skate park, BMX track, Col Gooley Field sports field and Umina Rugby League sports amenities building.An additional four cameras have been installed at McEvoy Oval in Umina, two cameras at Banjo’s Skate Park in Terrigal and four cameras at San Remo BMX Facility.Council received $47,000 from the Federal Government under the Safer Communities Fund towards this project.Mayor Jane Smith said the project was part of an overall strategy to improve the amenity of public spaces.

Central Coast Council is celebrating National Youth Week 2019, hosting a wide range of events where the next generation of leaders are being inspired to get involved and be heard.With a theme of ‘Connect, share, speak out and celebrate’, Youth Week is organised by young people, for young people aged 12-24 years in a number of communities across the state and country from 10-18 April.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan is urging young people across the Central Coast to connect with each other by sharing their ideas, talents and getting involved in local events.“Youth Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution young people make to our community,” Ms Vaughan said.“This year’s Youth Week is perfectly timed with the school holidays to keep everyone entertained during the break.”Even before the official Youth Week, local celebrations will kick off with a free family celebration at Canton Beach Foreshore on Sunday 7 April.Throughout the Week itself, there is something for everyone - with skate skills workshops and competitions, festivals and carnivals, art talks and exhibitions, a gaming tournament and film screenings, along with workshops about everything from animating and playwriting to DJing.Young people can also prepare for the future by attending information sessions about joining the workforce, accessing study allowances and finding secure housing.Mayor Jane Smith said young people aged between 12 and 24 represent 15.3 per cent of the Coast population or more than 50,000 people.“Youth Week is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the many and varied contributions of young people to our society – culturally, socially and economically,” Mayor Smith said.“Young people are our future and we are committed to supporting them to not only access activities that are fun but also help build skills they can use in the future.“Right acros the Coast there will be a range of activities and celebrations taking place and I would strongly encourage everyone to find out what’s happening and get involved.For a full copy of the Youth Week calendar, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/news.

Council takes extra time to finalise housing affordability optionsCentral Coast Council last night deferred consideration of the draft Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy to allow more time for councillors to further discuss the strategy prior to finalising an approach to affordable housing on the Coast.Mayor Jane Smith said this was an important strategy to address more housing choice for households earning less than $100,000 per year.The draft Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy will return for consideration to the 29 April Council meeting. Council leading the way on reduction of single use plastic wasteCouncil has further strengthened its leadership position in the elimination of waste following the endorsement of the draft Single Use Plastic Policy which will be placed on public exhibition.Council Mayor Jane Smith said this was a positive step forward to help minimise waste and strengthen education opportunities for the community, key objectives of the Community Strategic Plan.“This policy complements our interim Sustainable Event Management Policy and reinforces the importance of the education programs on offer to involve the community on ways forward to seek alternatives of single use plastics,” Mayor Smith said.“It also further strengthens Council’s commitment to lead by example through purchasing practices and identifying opportunities to incorporate reusable products made of recycled materials.“On behalf of our community we will continue to lobby all levels of government to drive policy change that look to help reduce production and use of single use plastics.” Majority of Council’s projects on trackA 2018-19 Capital Works Project Status report has identified that 85 percent of Council’s projects are on track and the majority are on schedule for completion as forecast before the end of the financial year.As at 28 February 2019 Council had delivered over 330 projects and commenced over 270 projects.Mayor Jane Smith said it was pleasing to see Council’s capital works program tracking well.“Our capital works program together with all the services are at the heart of what we deliver for our community,” Mayor Smith said. Nine community projects to receive almost $30,000 in grant fundingCouncil last night granted nine projects almost $30,000 in funding through its Community Support Grant Program.The Community Support Grant provides support for community groups to deliver activities which require less than $5,000 of funding and/or in-kind support.Mayor Jane Smith said the funding can go a long way for a wide range of services that benefit the community.“Our Community Support Grants program recognises that community organisations often need only a small injection of funds to produce events and activities that have a big impact on local communities,” Mayor Smith said.Council will allocate $29,433.50 to the following successful recipients for February:Central Coast Cycling Club – Cyclocross NSW State Series Round 5 - $4,717Copacabana Surf Life Saving Club – auditorium upgrade - $4,997Lions Club of Green Point Avoca– awning over BBQ at Lions Park Avoca Beach - $3,407Rotary Club of Gosford City – 2019 Central Coast MUNA event - $800Summerland Point Progress Association – purchase of tools - $2,924.50Alison Homestead – community support and education in conjunction with Alison Homestead, Wyong and Central Coast Harvest Festival - $3,770Toukley and Districts Art Society– Toukley Arts and Craft Fair by the Lake - $1,980Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW – Digital Projector System - $2,018We Care Connect Limited – Charity Promotion Change Strategy - $4,820Council’s Community Support Grant Program is open throughout the year.For information, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/funding. Council approves modifications to Avoca Beach Theatre for mixed use developmentCouncil has granted approval for modifications to the mixed use development at 69-71 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach.The modification application comprises both internal and external changes to Avoca Beach Theatre.

Central Coast Council is nearing completion of a 2.5 metre wide shared pathway on Pacific Highway, Lake Munmorah that will stretch for two kilometres from Tall Timbers Road to Carters Road.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the pathway would improve safety and access along this busy stretch of road.“We are constructing this new shared pathway in Lake Munmorah to provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists to access the local schools and shopping centre,” Mr Bolgoff said.“The pathway will provide a dedicated route for walkers, runners, cyclists, parents with prams and community members who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.“This project will also see a pedestrian refuge, new road pavement and kerb and gutter installed at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Kangaroo Avenue.“We are rolling out and planning a range of pathway projects so that people of all ages and abilities can walk and cycle throughout the Central Coast using safe, inclusive and connected facilities.“Our focus is on projects that complete missing links, create routes that loop and connect the region’s scenic waterways, and provide increased connection between centres, recreation spaces and public transport.”Mayor Jane Smith said the liveability and sustainability of the Central Coast would continue to improve with further development and expansion of the region’s network of footpaths, bike paths and shared paths.“Our network of pathways not only provide a means to get active and experience our beautiful environment but also offer a legitimate alternative transport mode,” Mayor Smith said.“Creating the right mix of footpaths, bike paths and shared paths will also boost regional and economic development by encouraging tourism.”The new shared pathway on Pacific Highway, Lake Munmorah is scheduled for completion in May 2019, weather permitting.All of Council’s major pathway, road and drainage projects for 2018-19 can be viewed on an interactive map by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/roadanddrainageprojects.

A bold new approach taken by Central Coast Council to help tackle roadside litter has seen a 97 per cent reduction in total litter volume across three litter hotspots at Blue Haven Link Road, Somersby Industrial Park and Kariong M1 on ramp.The Central Coast Roadside Litter Project was effectively delivered after securing $36,000 in round four of NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Litter Grants last year.Unit Manager Learning and Education, Beth Burgess said the success of the project was a result of a multi-pronged approach to litter prevention including education, enforcement and infrastructure at each target site.“This project has focused on encouraging behaviour change and educating the community on how to report littering from vehicles,” Mrs Burgess added.“With the main source of litter identified being single use takeaway and drink containers, we provided 4000 reusable tidy bags for motorists and passengers to keep their rubbish with them until they were able to dispose of it responsibly without worry of spills.“Of the participants in the initiative surveyed, 72% made changes to the way they disposed of their litter, with 68% advising they had learned about the reporting process.“In direct correlation to this we saw the number of registered reporters increase by 37% between July and December 2018 when compared to the same time the previous year.”Grant funding also went towards clean-ups of target areas, roadside signs at each site reminding motorists how to report littering from vehicles to the EPA as well as installation of 20 dash cams in Rangers vehicles increasing the chances of being caught littering.Council Mayor Jane Smith said it was fantastic to see the community taking pride in the region and coming on board to help ‘Keep the Coast Clean’.“The results demonstrate our community really want to do the right thing and can when given practical solutions to dispose of rubbish,” Mayor Smith said.“By working together with our community we can continue to ensure the natural environment of the Coast is preserved and protected for the future.”Littering from vehicles can be reported to the EPA online at epa.nsw.gov.au/reporttoepa or via the Report to EPA mobile App - it is unlawful for drivers to use a mobile phone to record this information unless the car is parked ignition turned off.This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.