Central Coast Council has started a $1.7million project to minimise the risk of flooding on Chain Valley Bay Road, Chain Valley Bay.The project involves raising 300 metres of Chain Valley Bay Road and replacing an older drainage system with 15 large concrete culverts to transport water under the road rather than over it.Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the project would significantly reduce the risk of flooding and overtopping on this important access road.“The solution we are delivering will dramatically reduce flood incidents and prevent water from sitting on the road, which will be welcome news for the Chain Valley Bay community,” said Mr Bolgoff.The 2.4 m high by almost 2 m wide culverts will be placed three wide and five deep to form a significant drainage channel.Mayor Jane Smith said the size and diversity of the Central Coast region called for a range of innovative infrastructure solutions.“Chain Valley Bay is a beautiful part of the Coast that is unfortunately prone to flooding at this location,” said Mayor Smith.“The culvert system and new road we are installing will mean Chain Valley Bay residents of this close knit community can breathe a little easier during periods of heavy rain.”Chain Valley Bay Road will be raised using 2,000 tonnes of material and a new road pavement surface will be installed.One lane of Chain Valley Bay Road will be closed during works;

In a show of support from Central Coast Council, Central Coast Stadium will be the finishing line for the fourth year in a row for the annual Bay to Bay Running Festival.The festival – being held this year on Sunday 17 June – is a 12km fun run and a 21km half-marathon, both starting from the Woy Woy waterfront and finishing at the Stadium in Gosford.

Central Coast Council is saddened to learn of the decision by Long Jetty Street Festival organisers to cancel this year’s event.At next Tuesday night’s meeting Council will consider a recommendation to fund the 2018 Long Jetty Street Festival $20,562.25 from its Community Grants Program.

More of the Central Coast’s young theatre talent will be honoured in a special presentation on stage at Laycock Street Community Theatre on Friday 15 June.The 2018 Youth In Performing Arts (YIPA) series saw more auditions than ever before with more schools, dance studios and music studios taking part.

Central Coast Council will run two Community Information Sessions to discuss the impact of the NSW Government’s proposal to revitalise Gosford City Centre.The Department of Planning and Environment and the NSW Government Architect have released proposals to revitalise Gosford City Centre.

Council has awarded more than $420,000 to 33 community organisations to help them deliver activities and events which build the community’s capacity and create stronger local connections.The most recent allocations bring Council’s investment in community grants to over $1 million this financial year.Mayor Jane Smith said it is great to see community organisations taking advantage of the funding opportunities available to help make their big ideas happen.“Our grants programs give our community more opportunities to build on ideas which enhance the quality of life on the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“Council cannot do everything ourselves and these grants build community capacity and give local groups the funding to deliver services and quality opportunities for our growing community.”Four organisations will share in $14,834 through the Community Support Grant Program to deliver community activities which require a small amount of funding and/or in-kind support including Compass Housing for a community hub ($3810), 5 Lands Walk opening celebration ($5000), Mannering Park Precinct Committee ($1024) and $5000 for the Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre.$98,141.50 has been allocated to 12 organisations to deliver innovative activities that celebrate the region’s character and diversity under the Community Partnership Grant Program:Rocky Trail Entertainment – Lakes Festival Scavenger Hunt $9000Police Citizens Youth Clubs – 2018 sunrise boxing event $15,500Eastcoast Foods & Beverages – day on the farm $9475Gosford District Garden Competition – 2018 garden competition $11,180Peninsula Environment Group – Woytopia Sustainable Living Festival $7512Country Junior Rugby Union of NSW – Country junior rugby carnivals $5100Art Studios Cooperative – Australian Spirit finale event $6782Australian Boutique markets – Park Feast, Gosford waterfront $2307Central Coast Bombers – 9’s tournament $3920Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival – 2018 festival $14,165Central Coast Kids Day Out – 2018 event $7700Central Coast Hockey Association – U15 boys/girls Hockey NSW indoor state titles $5500.The Community Development Grant Program will deliver $311,265.75 to 17 organisations to deliver activities that foster a sense of community, build capacity within community groups, strengthen the economic base, enhance quality of life and protect and enhance the Coast’s natural qualities:Take 3 –sustainability hub $30,000NSW ARM (Central Coast Mentoring Network) – secondary school mentoring $15,000Mangrove Mountain and Districts Community Group –hall kitchen upgrade $10,183The Rhythm Hut – Queendom $14,505Miracle Babies Foundation – neonatal intensive care survival packs $6,000Empower Golf Australia – permanent disabled golfer facility $19,050Avoca Kayak Club – kayak community inclusions program $34,000Musicians Making a Difference –career impact days $45,000St Vincent de Paul Society – Tasty Talk Tuesday $11,328Mingaletta Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation – documentary film $20,542.50Peninsula Environment Group – ‘Can I wheelie learn to walk in your shoes’ $11,650Long Jetty Locals- Long jetty Street Festival 2018 $20,562.25Central Coast Scots – 2018 Scottish Spectacular $9,823Water Circle – Creative enterprise start up $7000NAISDA Dance College – public performance and community engagement program $16,000Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club – canoe purchase – $20,000Live Life Get Active – camp $19,992Council’s staff will contact the organisers of the Long Jetty Street Festival seeking clarification if they wish to withdraw their funding application and report back to the 25 June 2018 meeting to reallocate funding if required.Information about Council’s Community Grants Program can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants including upcoming grant writing workshops.

Council receives report on water and sewerage performanceCouncil has noted a report on the 2015-2016 performance for water and sewer operations, which has been used to help prioritise an ongoing program of work and to identify focus areas for major projects.Mayor Jane Smith said performance reports informed the Water and Sewer Strategic Business Plan, which was recently endorsed by Council and will be submitted to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.“Central Coast Council operates as a water utility and we implement a range of measures to ensure our community receives quality drinking water and effective sewer services,” Mayor Smith said.“We operate in a highly regulated environment and this report demonstrates how closely we monitor our water and sewer systems.”Performance indicators in the 2015-16 report highlight areas where Council is tracking well and areas where improvement is needed.“This report shows the average Central Coast water bill is lower than both the NSW and National averages, which will be welcome news for our community,” said Mayor Smith.“Council’s operating costs were also significantly below the NSW and National average.“We acknowledge there are clear areas where improvements are necessary, including the number of water main breaks.“A number of measures are being implemented and proposed to reduce the number of water main breaks, including over $4.7million flagged for the water main renewal program which is expected to commence in the 2018-19 financial year.”“We are also planning a $10 million sewer main rehabilitation program over the next four years, which involves the installation of a synthetic pipe liner that reinforces the existing pipe structure, seals any leaks and prevents future tree root intrusion.“The technology used minimises disruption to sewer services and generally avoids the need for any ground excavation.”A number of performance indicators have improved in data captured for the 2016-17 report, which is due to be published soon. Salary increase confirmed for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and CouncillorsCouncil has now fixed the annual fees to be paid to each Councillor at $29,970, a 2.5 percent increase, with additional fees to be paid to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in accordance with recommendations by the NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (NSWLGRT).Central Coast Council has been classified as a Regional Strategic Area by NSWLGRT, along with Lake Macquarie Council in recognition of the large population and because of the range of urban and rural settlements.

The dredging program of The Entrance Channel is underway.

Central Coast Council welcomes the State Government’s initiative to increase safety for rock fishing through the opportunity to opt-in to mandatory wearing of lifejackets while rock fishing.Many rock fishers already wear life jackets.

Trained Central Coast Council staff have removed a small amount of asbestos from Wamberal Beach and opened the beach to the public this morning.