The very best food, music and art from around the world will be celebrated by close to 4,000 people on the Central Coast next month at Flavours by the Sea 2019.Central Coast Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said the free community event, which will be held on Saturday 16 March 3.30-8.30pm at Memorial Park, The Entrance, truly highlights and celebrates the diverse culture of the Central Coast.“Flavours by the Sea is a popular event that brings our community together to celebrate our differences,” Mr Cannard said.“This year, a relaxed dining area will be set up with a number of different food trucks forming a festive flavour alley including Mexican, Vietnamese, Asian, South American and specialty desserts.“Free mandala colouring activities will be available and there will be live music and entertainment featuring Yolngu artist Gawurra Gaykamangu, who is known for his masterful performances that powerfully express the culture and music of the small communities of the Northern Territory.”Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith said Flavours by the Sea also celebrates Harmony Day and the theme of ‘everyone belongs’.“Our very own vision for the Central Coast, developed through our Community Strategic Plan, reflects the values and aspirations of Harmony Day as we create a smart, liveable region with a shared sense of belonging and responsibility,” Mayor Smith said.“Our growing diversity, community spirit and great natural environment makes our region a great place to live and I encourage everyone to come together to celebrate that this Harmony Day.”To make this event more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the community, the ‘Including You’ accessibility tent will be set up.

Central Coast Council is inviting the local community to check out the recently upgraded Lake Haven Recreation Centre during an open day on Saturday 2 March. The whole family is welcome to try out any of the programs and facilities the centre has to offer for free including indoor sports courts, fitness classes, fully equipped gym, outdoor courts and the climbing wall.

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to roll up their sleeves and help protect the region’s diverse natural environment by getting involved in the 30th annual Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 3 March.Volunteers are needed to become site supervisors and assist with sites across the Coast, from public bushland and parks to foreshore and coastal areas.Council Mayor Jane Smith said this national event is the lasting legacy of the late Ian Kieran and is a great opportunity to join with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to help Keep the Coast Clean.“Clean Up Australia Day started as a simple idea and turned into an annual reminder to think about how we can all work together to reduce litter,” Mayor Jane Smith said.“We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place, and this is a chance for the community to come together and help keep it that way.“I would encourage everyone to get involved to help protect our local waterways, valleys and habitats of native animals and plants from plastics and pollution.”Over the last 29 years, volunteers have donated more than 33 million hours, at over 178,000 locations across the country, together removing the equivalent of 350 thousand ute-loads of rubbish.Council Mayor Jane Smith added that reducing and preventing litter as well as strengthening the community’s positive environmental behaviours were key objectives under the Green theme of the Community Strategic Plan.“Even though most people do the right thing by placing rubbish in the bins provided, litter continues to be an issue that Council cannot tackle alone,” Mayor Smith said.“Clean Up Australia Day acts as a reminder to think about how we can all work together to reduce waste in the home and our impact on the environment every day.“Staff have implemented some incredible initiatives to help residents eliminate daily plastic waste by providing keep cups to local cafes and reusable produce bags to local fruit and vegetable suppliers to give to their customers for free.“Thanks to a $36,000 NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Litter Grant, Council has distributed 2500 reusable litter bags, installed roadside signs reminding motorists how to report littering from vehicles and installed 19 dash cams in Ranger vehicles, increasing motorists chances of being caught littering.“Council also provides free e-waste recycling, drop off points for the recycling of batteries, light globes and mobile phones as well as twice yearly Chemical CleanOut events, with the next one scheduled for 2 and 3 March at our Long Jetty Depot.”To register a site or sign up as a volunteer this Clean Up Australia Day visit cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or call 1800 CUA DAY (282 329).ENDS

Council on track to meet increase in demand for housingCentral Coast Council has announced that it is tracking well to meet the annual housing target, following a report which highlights the number of development applications processed during October to December 2018.Mayor Jane Smith said that demand for housing on the Central Coast is increasing as the region continues to grow.“Council is committed to assessing development applications in a timely manner, and are tracking well against future housing projections outlined in the Central Coast Regional Plan developed in 2016,” said Mayor Smith.“During the October to December 2018 Quarter, Council approved 862 applications out of the 873 received, which included the creation of 197 additional residential lots and 576 dwellings.“Council approvals are an indicator of the demand for housing on the Central Coast, which is projected to increase by 2075 additional homes per year.”According to the Central Coast Regional Plan, the Central Coast is expected to increase by approximately 75,500 people by 2036, and will require 41,500 new homes.Since 2016, Council has approved 8,355 additional dwellings.Council’s Operational Plan on track and delivering for the communityCouncil’s delivery program is tracking well according to the quarterly report presented to Council tonight.The Quarter 2 business report details Council’s performance against the 2018-19 Operational Plan for the year to 31 December 2018.At the end of Q2, Council’s overall progress has tracked well.

Central Coast Council is looking to the community for feedback on the implementation of phase 1 of the Norah Head Village Centre Masterplan (the Masterplan), with a drop-in information session being held 28 February and interactive online map live until 21 March 2019.The Masterplan is a long-term 10 to 15 year plan for the future of Norah Head that provides a framework to address relevant community and environmental planning issues within the Village Centre.The plan aims to retain Norah Head’s distinct character of the area through the village centre, whilst improving links to surrounding unique natural features and open space areas, and enhancing social interaction through placement and improvements to public facilities and infrastructure.As part of Phase 1 of the Masterplan, concept drawings for parking improvements and pedestrian links between the village centre and Mazlin Reserve have been completed and are now open for feedback along with the design of Mazlin Reserve upgrade.Other planned works from Phase 1 of the Masterplan, which will commence in the coming months, include a three metre shared pathway on the eastern side of Bungary Road between Victoria Street and Maitland Drive, street plantings, parking improvements and a new amenities block in Mazlin Reserve.Works are underway on the stage one project to construct a footpath on the western side of Bungary Road between Victoria Street and Maitland Drive.Norah Head Masterplan drop-in session:Thursday 28 February, from 2pm until 6pmNorah Head Community Hall.For more information, and to provide your input via the interactive online map go to yourvoiceourcoast.com/norah-head-master-plan, up until 21 March 2019.

Central Coast Council has welcomed today’s announcement by Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch confirming a $1,347,500 grant from the NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Fund for a regional inclusive play space to be built at Sun Valley Reserve, Green Point.Council will invest just over $400,000 to the $1.666million project to deliver an upgrade to the existing amenities, basketball court and carpark, and the construction of a safe, functional, inclusive regional play space consisting of play equipment, park furniture, drinking fountain, pathways, landscaping and fencing.Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to delivering enhanced recreational opportunities for its community and this funding would ensure a regional play space in an area of high need.“We know Coast families love their local playgrounds and this partnership with the State Government will now provide a regional play space and recreational area that this growing area of the Coast can enjoy,”“The Central Coast is home to a diverse and growing community and we are committed to ensuring we provide the services and facilities they need to thrive.“This is the community’s space and I encourage residents to have their say as this project comes to life.”Council will now move forward with the project and provide opportunities for the community to have their say through engagement activities to guide the development of this new space.This announcement also included confirmation of $55,000 funding to Council for equipment and facility improvements at Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre.

Central Coast Council has started a major upgrade of the Sewer Pump Station located in Woodland Parkway Reserve in Buff Point alongside the construction of new infrastructure to remove excess floating weed known as ‘wrack’. Council Director Water and Sewer, Bileen Nel said it was exciting to combine an upgrade of important sewerage infrastructure with works to expand Council’s important wrack harvesting program. “We are investing $527,000 to upgrade our Sewer Pump Station located in Buff Point to ensure its ongoing reliability and performance,” Ms Nel said. “This is one of several Sewer Pump Station and Sewage Treatment Plant projects we are rolling out across the Central Coast. “Over the next four years we are also investing $11million in a region-wide sewerage infrastructure upgrade program. “Our Sewer Pump Station upgrade at Buff Point will be delivered without any interruption to regular sewerage services,” Ms Nel said.

Gosford Regional Gallery has made it even easier for school-aged kids on the Central Coast to engage their imagination, learn and get creative.Run by Central Coast Council, the Gallery has joined the Creative Kids Program, which entitles a free $100 voucher to spend on creative activities.Council Team Leader Art Galleries, Arts and Culture Tim Braham said it is important to continue creating opportunities for the Central Coast community to engage in art history, learning and education.“The Creative Kids Program is an initiative of the NSW Government and Gosford Regional Gallery has registered to be part of it, making it easier for school-aged kids on the Central Coast to get involved in creative and cultural activities,” Mr Braham said.“Parents, guardians and carers can claim a free $100 voucher per calendar year which can be used at the Gallery on any of our term art classes and we encourage the community to make the most of this great opportunity.”Council Mayor Jane Smith said by registering to be part of this program, Council is continuing to foster creative arts on the Central Coast.“Art plays an important role in our lives, in our personal development and in bringing people together,” Mayor Smith said.“Council is committed to providing outstanding quality and cultural experiences through the programs and exhibitions on offer at Gosford Regional Gallery and we will continue to look for valuable opportunities like this that encourage the creative, intellectual and emotional development of children and benefit the community.”The Creative Kids Program runs year-round and the voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it is issued.

Many Central Coast Council facilities and services will be closed to the public on Friday 7 December for a Local Government State Award approved Union Picnic Day.This includes the Gosford and Wyong Administration Buildings, Library branches, works depots, all Council run child care centres and Laycock Street Community Theatre.The following facilities and services will be open and operating as usual on the day:Lifeguard services on all 15 patrolled beaches and The Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance, 9am-5pmButtonderry (Jilliby) and Woy Woy Waste Management Facilities, 7am-5pm and Kincumber Transfer Station, 8am-4pmCouncil Leisure Centres including Peninsula Leisure Centre, Gosford Olympic Pool, Niagara Park Stadium, Lake Haven Recreation Centre, Wyong Pool and Toukley Aquatic CentreGosford Regional GalleryCall 1300 463 954 for on-call and emergency services or visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/reportaproblem to lodge any non-urgent requests and enquiries.

Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a northern high speed rail route which could reduce travel times between Sydney and the Central Coast to around 30 mins.Mayor Jane Smith said this would make a significant difference to thousands of Central Coast residents who commute to Sydney every day often spending up to four hours a day on a return train journey between the coast and their destination.“We know commuting is a major issue for our community with many Coasties having to travel off the coast every day for work or study,” Mayor Smith said.“Reducing the commute to Sydney from around 90 minutes to 30 minutes would allow the community to have an additional two hours per day or as much as ten hours per week for other activities at home or in their community, like spending time with their family, rather than sitting on a train,” Mayor Smith said.“This could also have a flow on effect of encouraging those who drive to Sydney each day to leave their cars at home and hop on a train, which would also reduce traffic on our major roads and deliver benefits to the environment.“The devil will be in the detail too in terms of where the route will go, costings and car parking for commuters.”“The State Government will need to prioritise and significantly increase investment in commuter parking stations along multiple stations on northern rail route so that commuters can have a choice of where they can park to access the fast train service.“Major investment in infrastructure, such as this proposal by the State Government, has the potential to bring jobs and drive economic development on the coast and this is something Council is committed to delivering for our community.Council is currently consulting with the community on parking on the Central Coast.