Central Coast Council is offering community groups and not-for profit organisations up to $30,000 in funding for community projects in the suburbs of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said the funding is available through a joint initiative between Council and Delta Coal Pty Ltd.“Since 2013, the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program has provided funding to a range of local residents and organisations to improve and enhance the local community,” Mr Cannard said.  “Past projects to receive funding include Gwandalan Lions Carols by the Lake, a Boat Ramp Landing Deck at Chain Valley Bay, bench seats on pathways and foreshore at Chain Valley Bay, roof covers over picnic tables and seats at Chain Valley Bay, a box trailer for Manno Men’s Shed and community fire education.

Central Coast Council is inviting residents who have lost their fathers, grandfathers and father figures, to a special memorial service on Father’s Day eve, at Noraville Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, to remember dads that have passed on.

To celebrate Community Garden Week, several Central Coast Community Gardens are opening their gates and inviting everyone to come along to the events running 7 to 15 September 2019.The open day events provide a great opportunity for the whole family to come along to see what’s over the back fence and explore their local Community Garden.  The program also includes workshops and demonstrations, plant sales, morning teas so you can ‘have-a-cuppa’ with your local Community Garden Group members and find out how to get involved.Mayor Jane Smith says Council proudly support community gardens and provide 14 parcels of land on the Coast to enable these valued spaces that promote active and connected lifestyles for our community.“Community gardens provide inclusive and welcoming places for residents of all ages and abilities – they are places to socialise and meet new people, be active in the fresh air whilst learning new skills and growing your own organic produce.

Tuggerawong, Rocky Point and Tacoma are set to benefit from a further extension of the shared pathway around Tuggerah Lake foreshore following the official opening of Stage 1 of the project.Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the project is delivering a ‘missing link’ and had received overwhelmingly positive community feedback.“More than 60 community members came out on Saturday 3 August to celebrate the official opening of the first stage of the project in Tuggerawong that connects Friday Street through to Tuesday Street around the beautiful Tuggerah Lake foreshore,” Mr Bolgoff said.“We are now going back to the community to consult on plans for the remaining four stages of the project, which will extend the shared pathway for a further three kilometres to connect Tuesday Street, Tuggerawong through to Don Small Oval, Tacoma.“This project forms part of a missing link, it loops around a scenic waterway, it serves as an active transport route and improves access to transport links.“It also provides an additional connection to schools, parks and services, and is accessible for parents and carers with prams and community members using wheelchairs or other mobility aids.”Community members are being invited to provide feedback on Stages 2 to 5 of the project.Mayor Jane Smith said the new section of shared pathway at Tuggerawong was already being well used by locals and visitors and the remaining stages of the project would further enhance the amenity.“It was wonderful to see so many happy community members at the opening for the first stage of this important shared pathway project,” Mayor Smith said.“The three-metre wide design, which will continue with the remaining stages, means that all community members and visitors can use this great resource as a transport route, to get active or simply to take in the beauty of Tuggerah Lake.“Extending the ‘Tuggerah Lake loop’ enhances the liveability and sustainability of our region and will provide a boost to the local economy through attracting visitors.”This financial year Council will invest $705,000 to complete Stage 2 of the project, which will connect Tuesday Street to February Street in Tuggerawong.Construction of Stage 2 is planned to commence in March 2020 and will take approximately four months to complete, weather permitting.Future stages of the project are subject to adoption of yearly budgets and Council will also seek grant funding opportunities.

The Lost Bird Found project aims to start conversations and raise awareness around mental health.

Central Coast Council is preparing to start construction of a $1.64million project to replace two transport wharves in Davistown, one in Empire Bay and one in Spencer.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the wharf replacement program was the most extensive Council had undertaken.“We are completely replacing four Central Coast wharves and using designs that will deliver significantly improved amenities and boost tourism,” Mr Bolgoff said.“On top of a new gangway and pilings, each of the wharves will have a floating pontoon installed and solar lighting.“Floating pontoons will improve accessibility for all boat users, including those accessing available ferry services, by providing a consistent access level at all tides.Mayor Jane Smith said amenities to use and enjoy the Central Coast’s numerous waterways are an integral part of life on the Coast.“You don’t have to travel far in our region before you reach one of our stunning waterways, many of which are equipped with a wharf,” Mayor Smith said.“Locals and visitors will flock to these fantastic upgraded wharves to enjoy transport services, boating activities, fishing and simply to relax and enjoy the exceptional beauty of our waterways.”Council’s $1.64million investment in the wharf replacement program includes $375,000 in Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) grant funding as part of the NSW Boating Now Program.The following wharves will be replaced as part of the current program:Davistown Road, Davistown (Central) – $590,000Amy Street, Davistown (Eulalia) – $340,000Kendall Road, Empire Bay – $370,000Wisemans Ferry Road, Spencer – $340,000The existing wharves will be removed shortly before each of the new facilities is installed.

The 19th annual Central Coast Country Music Festival is expected to attract approximately 12,000 visitors and locals for a weekend of boot scootin’ fun.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said great music, a host of fun activities and the magnificent backdrop of The Entrance has established the festival as a Central Coast institution.“We will celebrate 19 years of the beloved Central Coast Country Music Festival, which kicks off in several venues across the Coast on Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August, leading into our main event in Memorial Park, The Entrance on Sunday 11 August,” Mr Cannard said.“The longevity and success of this festival is due to its broad appeal – attendees include country music fans and music fans in general.

Central Coast Council’s Youth Services team has won a Highly Commended award in the Creative Communities section at the 2019 Local Government Excellence Awards.Council won the award for its Creative Engineers @ The Hub program, which runs Battle of the Bands, Discovered, Idea to Screen and Let Me Entertain You.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said she was delighted that the Youth Services team had been recognised for creatively engaging young people.“Creative Engineers @ The Hub was established for young people to expand their vision for the future and connect with the arts industry.“This well-deserved recognition of Council’s Youth Services team reflects all the energy and time that goes into creative projects engaging young people through The Hub Erina.“This overwhelming success is largely due to Council’s strong vision which has attracted a myriad of committed supporters, including prominent national music industry insiders Rod McCormack and Gina Jeffreys, the national youth charity organisation Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD), and other local creative businesses such as Macron Music Erina and The Grove Studios.”Mayor Jane Smith said the award reflects Council’s commitment in the Community Strategic Plan to connect people, build capacity, celebrate and create opportunities for young people to participate in community life.“It also aligns with our aim to foster creative and performing arts, while working with local leaders to mentor young people in skill development.

Central Coast Council has completed a vital section of new shared pathway at Carrack Road, Kincumber.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the $995,000 pathway connects the Kincumber foreshore to Avoca Drive and forms part of the larger shared pathway network around Brisbane Water.    “This new 305 metre shared pathway links a beautiful section of the Kincumber foreshore and is sure to be popular with locals and tourists,” Mr Bolgoff said.“We have used a range of innovative techniques on this project including suspending the path in sections to minimise impact on the informal creek line.“Minimising environmental impact was a major focus – the use of precast concrete beams significantly reduced the need for excavation in this sensitive environment.”This project was fully funded with a grant from the NSW Government's Stronger Country Community Fund.Project elements also included new kerb and gutter, minor stormwater upgrades and road resurfacing.Mayor Jane Smith said the pathway provided a safe and scenic amenity for community members and visitors to the area.“Shared pathways facilitate an important alternative transport mode – this new pathway in Kincumber will allow safe walking and cycling to a number of important facilities and a view of our magnificent coastal open space system,” Mayor Smith said.“Expanding and maintaining our pathway network enhances the liveability and sustainability of the Central Coast and better connects local communities.“This project is a great example of delivering a great resource for our community and tourists whilst taking a range of measures to minimise and address environmental impact.”

Council adopts Coast’s first Climate Change PolicyCouncil has adopted its first Climate Change Policy, establishing a framework for the implementation of climate adaptation action for the entire Central Coast region.The Policy sets out Council’s position on climate change with a view to maximising the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the community and guides planning and development of the region’s resilience to climate change.The Policy also enables Council to align its operational and strategic planning with NSW State Policy to transition towards a net zero emissions region by 2050 and to accelerate actions on greenhouse gas emission reduction from Council operations.Mayor Jane Smith said she was pleased to see the Council adopt its first Climate Change Policy following extensive community consultation earlier this year.“Council has been developing this Policy since March 2018 and earlier this year undertook extensive community consultation which has led to a number of changes to improve the Policy and make it more meaningful for the community,” Mayor Smith said.“Key changes to the Policy in response to community feedback were to include a greater focus on the community, involving the community in ongoing adaptation planning alongside supporting community initiatives to deal with climate change.“The Policy will also provide guidance for the development of strategies on actions to respond to, adapt and build resilience to changing risks to the community, council assets, infrastructure and the environment.”Other key amendments to the Policy included clearly defining the purpose of the policy for the community as follows:Central Coast Council to provide leadership on climate changeto provide a framework for climate mitigation, adaptation and ongoing resilience for the Central Coast Region using a place-based approach;