Central Coast residents currently recycle around 45 percent of their total household waste – not bad, but more can be done.This is why Central Coast Council is developing their first Waste Management Strategy for the region, which will assess current practices in order to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said already there were a number of systems in place to help residents recycle beyond their yellow and green household bins.“Our residents are keen recyclers, however, many don’t realise there is more they can do to actively stop waste being sent to landfill,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Last September thirteen ‘Problem Waste Units’ were made available at our administration buildings and library branches for common household items that cannot be put in the red bin.“Since they were introduced there has been seven tonnes of batteries, half a tonne of light globes and a tonne of mobile phones responsibly disposed of to be recycled.“We also have an incredible e-waste program, where residents can drop off up to 15 electronic items to our Waste Management Facilities for free.”Those after a better understanding of what recycling options are already available are encouraged to book into bus tours of Council’s Buttonderry or Woy Woy Waste Management Facilities via 1coast.com.au/education/tours/Council Mayor Jane Smith said the Strategy aims to go beyond drop off points and will rethink waste processes as we know them.“In order to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill we have to think big, long-term, and beyond our current three-bin system,” Mayor Smith said.“What we hope to achieve from this Strategy, is to repurpose many of the waste streams that are currently sent to landfill, striving to move from linear to circular economies.“This Strategy we are developing will affect the future of waste practices for our whole community, so if you haven’t already, I would strongly encourage you to have your say before Wednesday 5 June.”Visit yourvoiceourcoast.com for more information, details on pop-up events and to have your say on the future of waste.ENDS

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to have their say to help define future objectives and waste diversion targets that will shape the first Council Waste Management Strategy for the region.Currently around 45 per cent of waste generated by Central Coast households is recycled through the use of yellow and green lidded bins, and this Strategy aims to greatly reduce the other 55 per cent that is sent to landfill.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said there were a number of options available to process waste for other uses instead of sending it to landfill.“There are a variety of methods for different waste streams that we can look at implementing into future practice to help reduce our waste,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Solutions to help divert waste from landfill will be considered from many perspectives including cost, carbon emissions, community acceptance, contribution towards diversion of waste and local markets that can purchase recycled products.“This is why it is critical the community have their say, as their responses will help us put together an action plan with recommendations of solutions to investigate.“So make sure to give us your trashy ideas and don’t let your say go to waste!”Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to working with the community to find innovative solutions to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.“Reducing waste to landfill is one of the key challenges we face as government and community on a global and local scale,” Mayor Smith said.“We are already doing our bit by using recycled material in our road works, reducing single use plastics at events and installing renewable energy in our buildings, but there is always more we can do, particularly in our household domestic waste.“What I am interested in is what the community will think will help them reduce their waste to landfill.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to join in a festival of photography as part of the Exposure 2019 Central Coast Photographic Program.

Central Coast Council, Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre and Cleanaway have joined forces to help local schools reduce their landfill and increase their resource recovery.Eight schools have come on board the Wiping Out Waste (WOW) pilot program to review their current waste management and contract costs before setting new goals and action plans for waste reduction.Principal of the Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre (RECC), Christine Freeman said effective recycling, reusing and waste reduction must be a whole-of-community effort with communities, government and the private sector working together.“The WOW model sends a clear message of shared responsibility,” said Ms Freeman.“We’re delighted so many schools are taking this opportunity to support students in playing a practical role in creating a sustainable future – their future.”Each school in the program will establish a WOW committee, which comprises of staff, parents and students, who will be supported through the program to complete waste audits.To further increase their knowledge and skills Cleanaway will provide additional support through their existing education program in order to help schools create practical solutions to reduce waste.“We’re expecting the program won’t only reduce schools’ waste and maximise resource recovery for the good of the planet, but also reduce waste management costs for the schools involved,” Ms Freeman added.Mayor Jane Smith said this pilot program was one of many innovative ways Council was actively working with the community to increase educational programs while diverting waste from landfill.“As a teacher, it is fantastic to see so many schools actively engaged in trying to reduce their ecological footprint,” Mayor Smith said.“With the second round of audits set to start this week, I am looking forward to seeing what changes in behaviour they uncover as well as the original ideas each of the schools come up with to reduce their waste.“Council is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, which is why we are in the process of developing a Waste Management Strategy for the Central Coast.“I would encourage all residents to have their say via yourvoiceourcoast.com and help us shape the way waste and resource recovery is delivered and managed across the Central Coast region.”Schools taking part are Wamberal Public School, Terrigal High School, Holy Cross Kincumber, Holgate Public School, Chertsey Public School, Tuggerawong Public School, Woodport Public School and Terrigal Public School.All Central Coast schools were invited to participate via an Expression of Interest process last October.

Gosford will be abuzz with wintery activity this July school holidays as Central Coast Council brings ‘Winter in the Park’ to Gosford.An igloo village, ice carvings and ice sculptures are just a taste of the winter family fun on offer at this event. Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said Gosford’s Kibble Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland from Saturday 6 July to Saturday 20 July.“This year’s Winter in the Park will inspire even the most determined hibernators to get out and about and enjoy the fun,” Mr Cannard said. “The live ice carving display by international ice sculptor Kenji Ogawa will amaze you and the kids will love exploring the igloo village – which is also a fantastic spot to capture some fun photos. “STAR 104.5 will deliver a live broadcast from the Star Chalet, so there will be no shortage of laughs and great music.” Mayor Jane Smith said Council invited locals and visitors to head to Gosford this July school holidays and experience the fun on offer.“Community members often tell me how much they value this type of Council event, with a focus on family entertainment, creating memories, building a stronger community and supporting our local businesses,” Mayor Smith said. “Winter in the Park brings families together for a whole lot of fun in a month when it can be tempting to stay inside. “Who wants to stay indoors when you can explore an igloo village and watch an Ice Age show – the Central Coast is the place to be this July.”Additional Winter in the Park activities include:

Central Coast Council are hosting a weekend of celebratory sporting events 29 to 31 March to test out the sportsgrounds of the new Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex and provide some great sports entertainment!A number of local and NSW sporting organisations will be holding matches, gala days and showcases throughout the free-to-watch opening weekend, with the diverse and exciting line-up providing something for everyone!The program includes a display of football, AFL, rugby league, rugby union, t-ball, and Oztag for spectators but it’s not only ball sports on offer.

Community members can now provide feedback on two separate draft studies and plans on floodplain risk management – one for Wyong River catchment and the other for Ourimbah Creek catchment.Now on public exhibition, these draft studies and plans have been prepared by Central Coast Council with the assistance of funding from the NSW Government (though the NSW Floodplain Management Program) to evaluate the management options available to reduce the impacts of flooding in these catchment areas.Both studies and plans aim to build community resilience to flooding and include flood mitigation works, emergency management plans, flood warning processes, land use planning, and suitable design of infrastructure and buildings.Drop-in information sessions for the community to discuss the studies and plans with staff will be held on 27 March, 5.30 – 8.30pm and 2 April, 5.30 – 8.30pm at Council’s Wyong office, 2 Hely Street, Wyong.The draft studies and plans will remain on exhibition until 26 April, and can be viewed either in person at Council’s Wyong or Gosford officers or online at yourvoiceourcoast.com/Currently-on-Exhibition.Submissions close at 5pm on 26 April 2019.

Council’s Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 to deliver $791M for the Central Coast communityCentral Coast Council’s Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 which will deliver $791 million worth of investment in essential services and capital works will be placed on exhibition for public comment from 1 April, 2019.The Draft Plan, which forms the second year of Council's Delivery Program 2018-21, will deliver $567.8million in essential services and $223.2million in capital works in the priority areas of roads;

Central Coast Council’s Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 which will deliver $791 million worth of investment in essential services and capital works will be placed on exhibition for public comment from 1 April, 2019.The Draft Plan, which forms the second year of Council's Delivery Program 2018-21, will deliver $567.8million in essential services and $223.2million in capital works in the priority areas of roads;

Business leaders and community members have the opportunity to see the future next week when a group of Central Coast students go head-to-head in a “Shark Tank” style event to win support for their ground-breaking business ideas.Digital apps, mental health support, modest exercise outfits and a physical gaming space are just a few of the concepts that will battle it out at a pitch night styled on the popular entrepreneurial television program.