Highlights of the 29 April 2019 Council MeetingCouncil commits to improving housing affordability and finalising an Affordable and Alternative Housing StrategyCentral Coast Council last night committed to addressing affordable housing in a bid to provide more housing choice for households earning less than $100,000 per year.Councillors authorised the Chief Executive Officer to finalise an Affordable Housing Strategy which draws heavily on the draft strategy which was on public exhibition for 103 days last year.During that time, 441 submissions were received, along with supportive petitions containing 1,718 signatures.Following the public consultation period, councillors worked together to develop a united approach to housing affordability.

The Coast community won’t have to travel far to get a glimpse of the rarely seen, behind-the-scenes process that has gone into making some of Japan’s most influential animated science fiction films, with a unique exhibition soon to be held right here on our doorstep.‘Anime Architecture’ impressed audiences in London and Berlin, with Central Coast Council’s Gosford Regional Gallery and The Japan Foundation Sydney being the only two venues in Australia to showcase the exhibition.Council Team Leader Art Galleries, Arts and Culture Tim Braham said because studios only look at the final product as the crucial work, the creative process that goes on behind-the-scenes is something rarely seen to audiences outside the studio.“Anime Architecture is an amazing exhibition that reveals some of the intricate creative processes behind Japan’s most influential animated science fiction films,” Mr Braham said.“The exhibition features intricately drawn cityscapes, hand-drawn backdrops and showcases a rarely seen selection of location photographs, concept sketches and full colour background illustrations.“The works of well-known Japanese animators Hiromasa Ogura, Takashi Watabe, Haruhiko Higami, Mamoru Oshii and Atsushi Takeuchi, who worked during the peak of hand-drawn animation, also feature in the exhibition.“It is truly exciting that we have been able to secure this very different exhibition for the community which offers an insight into the fascinating process before digital animation became mainstream.”Anime Architecture will run at Gosford Regional Gallery from 30 March until 19 May.Anime Architecture is presented in association with Les Jardins des Pilotes.

Report shows Council has been awarded more than $72million in fundingAs of February 2019, Council has submitted 101 grant funding applications and been awarded more than $72million in funding across 60 projects – according to a Council report detailing all current and future grant submissions.Mayor Jane Smith said that Council has proactively been applying for grant funding since the two councils merged, and will continue to do so.

Central Coast Council has launched a new multi-touch book which delves deep into the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary.Tuggerah Lakes:

Central Coast Council is celebrating World Health Day with a brand new event showcasing the healthy living, nutrition, food, wellness and happiness made possible by the amazing lifestyle on offer to us here on the Central Coast.Industry expert, personal trainer and well-known women’s fitness influencer, Sally Matterson is the official ambassador for the inaugural ‘Live Well Central Coast’ and will share her knowledge on modern exercise methods and nutritional secrets for a healthy living.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said the new event will give the community access to a number of different health, fitness and nutritional experts that will inspire them to look after their minds and bodies.“We are truly lucky to live in such a beautiful place with many different opportunities to get outside, get active and look after yourself,” Mr Cannard said.“Like many people in our community, I think health and nutrition is very important so bringing a new event like this – with guest speakers, fitness demonstrations, workshops, activities, information stalls and more – to our region is quite exciting.“There will be five event zones with five different stages that focus on the various components of healthy living and we invite the community to head down to the Gosford Waterfront, join a workshop or class, meditate, eat at many of the healthy food stalls, connect with local businesses and experts, and just take some time to look after YOU!”Council Mayor Jane Smith said this year’s World Health Day theme celebrates universal health coverage for everyone, everywhere.“World Health Day occurs on 7 April each year and is aimed at focusing worldwide attention on important aspects of global health,” Mayor Smith said.“It is important to think global and act local and we are certainly doing that with this new event for the Coast focussed on community health and wellbeing.

Central Coast Council has installed four Vehicle Activated Speed Signs on three roads in Woongarrah as part of its strategy to reduce speeding across the region.The solar powered digital signs are designed to calm traffic by alerting approaching motorists to their current speed in real time.Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said Council was trialling the technology at Hiawatha Road, Hakone Road and Mataram Road with a view to increased use across the Central Coast.“We are using Vehicle Activated Speed Signs on roads in Woongarrah with a history of speeding,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Early analysis of speed data captured by this technology shows the signs are reducing speeding in the higher brackets, which is exactly the impact we wanted.“We use a range of measures to calm traffic across the Central Coast and Vehicle Activated Signs could become an important part of the mix.“The signs will alert passing motorists to their speed through a flashing red light if they are exceeding the speed limit.”The signs have the 50 kilometre per hour speed limit permanently displayed above the LED display and have been placed on roads that are predominately straight and situated in a semi-rural location.Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to using innovative solutions to reduce speeding.“We are using a mix of strategies, including the use of new technology, to curb speeding and save lives on roads across the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.Council can transport the signs for use at other locations and will trial their use at Hillview Street and Dunban Road in Woy Woy. 

Local skateboard, scooter and BMX enthusiasts need to get down to BATO Yard Skate Park on Saturday 23 March, as Central Coast Council has proudly partnered with YMCA NSW and Skate Australia to bring the 2019 Skate Park League BATO Yard Competition to the region.This community-based, grass-root event provides the perfect opportunity for all Coastie skate, scoot and BMX enthusiasts – of all ages and abilities – to compete and be part of Australia’s biggest and most established series of its kind.Action sports such as skateboarding, scooting and BMX have rapidly risen in popularity in the last few years with the typical age group widening as new generations have more opportunities to ride in safe facilities, and older generations returning to the sport.

Wet weather has affected safety on the site and unfortunately Flavours by the Sea 2019, due to be held at The Entrance tomorrow 16 March, has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled for 2019.For more information visit centralcoast.nsw.gov/events or the Flavours by the Sea Facebook event page.

Central Coast residents, businesses and community groups are invited to apply for a share in more than $1.7million to create vibrant and sustainable community events, activities and initiatives across the region.Central Coast Council is now accepting applications for funding in the second round of its 2018-19 Community Grants and Sponsorship Program.Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said more than $823,000 was awarded to 69 projects through the first round of funding in October 2018.“After the success of the first round, we are hoping to see even more quality projects put forward for funding in round two,” Ms Vaughan said.“To help potential applicants, we are holding a series of information workshops in early February explaining our different grant and sponsorship programs and will provide best practice examples of how to write an application for funding.”Mayor Jane Smith said the Community Grants and Sponsorship Program provides direct support to organisations for projects, events, exhibitions or performances which contribute positively to the Central Coast community.“We are investing in our community to help fund a diverse range of projects which support and grow local community development, sporting, environmental, tourism and economic development initiatives,” Mayor Smith said.“We want to hear all ideas for projects, great and small, which will help to deliver on our vision to create a smart, green and liveable region with a shared sense of belonging and responsibility.”Applicants can apply for funds in the following categories:Community Support GrantsCommunity Events and Place Activation GrantsCommunity Infrastructure GrantsCommunity Development GrantsSocial and Creative Enterprises GrantsHeritage GrantsSponsorship.Applications for the majority of grants close on Thursday, 28 February 2019.

Central Coast Council is increasingly using recycled tyres in the construction and maintenance of roads across the region.Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said Council is using a product that is helping to save thousands of tonnes of tyres from ending up in landfill.“We take a crumb rubber binder made from 100 percent recycled Australian tyres and mix this with bitumen and asphalt for use in spray sealing and asphalt works across the Central Coast,” Mr Bolgoff said.“It is fantastic to be able to build and improve our road network with a product that is recycling some of the 56 million used tyres generated in Australia each year.”Mr Bolgoff said the quality of the recycled product is equivalent or superior to traditional bitumen and asphalt.“Asphalt and spray sealed road surfaces mixed with used tyres are more elastic, durable and crack-resistant, which increases the longevity of the road.“Our supplier takes approximately 25 used truck tyres and creates one tonne of crumb rubber binder, which we use across the Coast’s 2,200 kilometre network of roads.“The product we are using is predominately made from truck tyres as they contain less steel and other fibres compared to car tyres.” Mayor Smith said Council is committed to implementing waste-saving initiatives across all areas.“Using recycled tyres to build Central Coast roads is a great example of how we can deliver essential projects and maintenance using green and sustainable methods.”