Central Coast Council Lifeguard, James Koch, dominated at this year’s Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association’s (APOLA) Conference at Coffs Harbour on Friday 4 May.The Conference, held at Park Beach, saw James take out first place in the Lifeguard Carnival surf race, board race and lifeguard mission, a great achievement to see out the end of the beach patrol season.Mayor Jane Smith was pleased with James’ efforts and congratulated him on a well-deserved win.“We always knew our Lifeguards were the best in the business and James’ success across all events has confirmed this,” Mayor Smith said.“I would like to congratulate James on his win and the entire Beach Safety team for another great season.”Mayor Jane Smith said the Conference, attended by a number of coastal councils across New South Wales and Gold Coast City Lifeguards, focused on beach water safety programs and the role of knowledgeable bystanders and highlighted the importance of educating the public to look out for one another.“Keeping our community safe on local beaches is a top priority and a vital tool in doing this is educating all beachgoers about how to look out for one another when in and around the surf,” Mayor Smith said.“Having the knowledge to be able to identify rips and how to react in an emergency situation is a crucial step in minimising beach incidents, especially now the beach patrol season has finished.”Central Coast Council beach patrol season came to an official close on Monday 30 April with the past summer season seeing over three million people visit the Coast’s patrolled beaches.

Construction is now underway at Central Coast Stadium to deliver two additional change rooms for the accommodation of multiple teams in time for the start of the 2018 A League season.Central Coast Council Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said that the delivery of these change rooms is another step Council is taking to continuously improve this important Central Coast asset.“The construction of these change rooms forms part of the Stadium’s long term strategy to provide ongoing improvements to the Stadium – something that is key to the longevity of the Stadium,” Mr Dowling said.“In addition to providing hirers with more facilities for use, these extra change rooms will improve both the appeal and functionality of the Stadium to a wider section of the community and in turn prove our reputation as a leading sporting, entertainment and recreational venue.”Mayor Jane Smith says that continuing to invest in upgrades to the Stadium is a key component to bringing in key events and tourism opportunities to boost the economy of the Central Coast.“Central Coast Stadium is an iconic asset for the Central Coast region and it is a priority for Council to continue to manage this asset as a quality venue for our community,” Mayor Smith said.“We would like to see more world-class sporting events on the Coast that grow interest in sport on the Coast.

Central Coast Council has reaffirmed that it is willing assist the State Government to dredge the Ettalong Channel as long as it covers the full cost.Council is seeking to help the community better understand its position, through an education campaign including an online survey.Council has received three legal opinions about this issue and it is clear that the NSW government is responsible for the dredging of the channel for navigation purposes.

In order to allow for installation of new mobile shelving, the main library floor in the rear of Woy Woy Library will be inaccessible this Thursday 17 and Friday 18 May.The new shelving has been organised in conjunction with the new Spike Milligan Exhibition Space to provide more active and flexible community spaces for the community.Over the two days there will be very limited access to popular collections and limited 15 minute print facilities.

Central Coast Council contractors will start surveying the Terrigal boardwalk area from Tuesday 15 May as investigations get underway on a proposed Boardwalk to connect Terrigal Haven and The Esplanade.

The 2018-19 Draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan including the budget (Plan) and draft Resourcing Strategy are among a suite of documents Central Coast Council has placed on exhibition for public comment.Council’s Plan will deliver $561.5M in essential services and $199.8M in capital works in the priority areas, outlined in the first Community Strategic Plan (CSP) for the Central Coast – the road network;

Council’s strong financial position backed by Independent AuditThe NSW Auditor-General has confirmed Central Coast Council’s financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of Council as at 30 June 2017, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the period 13 May 2016 to 30 June 2017 in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and Australian Accounting Standards.Read separate media release here.Council confirms Ettalong Channel dredging is a State Government responsibility after considering external legal advice Council has maintained its long held view that it is under no statutory obligation to dredge the Brisbane Water Entrance Channel.The bed below mean high water level is NSW Crown Land, and NSW Roads and Maritime Services is responsible for the safety of navigational waterways and channel.

Central Coast Council’s very own Kincumber Library will be featured as one of the work places in the three-part factual series Employable Me that premieres Tuesday 3 April, 8.30pm on ABC and ABC iview.Produced by Northern Pictures (Changing Minds, Ice Wars), Employable Me follows people with neuro diverse conditions to draw attention to barriers they have gaining meaningful employment.Council Acting Unit Manager Libraries, Beth Burgess, said it was a privilege to be involved in such an incredible series that brings to light the benefit of hiring someone with a disability.“Last year our Libraries were approached by Breakthru to organise work placement for Krystyna, who is studying to be a Library Technician through TAFE and was keen for experience in a local library,” Mrs Burgess said.“During filming Krystyna embraced the opportunity to learn new skills and work as part of the team.“Our staff enjoyed working alongside Krystyna to help her develop new skills and gain experience to support her career aspirations.“Staff found it an incredibly uplifting experience being able to help someone harness their strengths and skills.“Due to the success of Krystyna’s placement she has since returned for additional work experience back in February to assist with further development of her workplace skills.“I am eager to watch the series and see how each of the nine participants featured job search unfolds.”Employable Me, premieres on Tuesday 3 April at 8.30pm on ABC & ABC iview with Kincumber Library set to be on screens the following week, Tuesday 10 April at 8.30pm.Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said Council will continue working with other government agencies, community groups, service providers and businesses to help community members with a disability gain meaningful employment.“Supporting access to meaningful employment is a key outcome of our Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which aims to create an inclusive and accessible community for everyone on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“People with disabilities are a vital part of our community – this plan will allow individuals and their families to participate in all aspects of community life by providing improved access to Council services and facilities.”There are 58 actions listed in the Plan for Council to implement over a four year period.The Disability Inclusion Action Plan can be found in accessible and Easy English formats on Council’s Website and in hard copies at Council libraries.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry’s recommendation of an independent inquiry to the Mangrove Mountain Landfill.Council has established its own Advisory Committee which includes staff and community members to advise Council on actions to address issues relating to the Mangrove Mountain Golf Course and illegal dumping at Spencer.The NSW Parliament today released its report from the ‘Energy from waste’ technology inquiry which was established on 6 April 2017 and then extended on 10 August 2017 to include the prevalence and scale of illegal dumping across New South Wales, the transportation of waste outside of the state, and the sustainability of the current waste and landfill regime in NSW.There are 36 recommendations in the Report including establishing an independent inquiry to investigate the operation, regulation and approval of the Mangrove Mountain Landfill site.Council is always looking at positive ways to reduce illegal dumping and improve waste management and particularly welcomes the recommendation of the inquiry that 100% of waste levy funds collected on the Central Coast on behalf of the State Government will be given back to Council.

Central Coast Council is driving a road safety campaign aimed at reducing serious injury and fatalities to pedestrians on the Coast.More than 1500 pedestrians are struck by vehicles on NSW roads each year with 129 pedestrians impacted on Central Coast roads in the last three years.The ‘Look Out Before You Step Out’ campaign, promotes safer road user behaviour through urging pedestrians to take an extra moment to look out before stepping out, and choosing the safest place and time to cross.Mayor Jane Smith said community safety is a priority for Council and the high incidence of pedestrian injury on the Coast highlights the clear need for more education, to make drivers and pedestrians more aware of their surroundings.“Many of the incidents occur in 50 km/hr zones, and in our local CBDs,” Mayor Smith said.“As drivers, we need to consciously slow down and watch out for pedestrians in these high traffic urban areas.“With the increase in technology use, we are becoming less aware of our surroundings, as drivers and pedestrians we are more distracted.“This can be fatal for pedestrians who need to be aware that it can take some time for a car to stop even at fifty kilometres an hour.“We all must work together and be more conscious of our actions on the roads to reduce this toll in our community.”Pedestrians are reminded of and encouraged to follow these important safety tips on our roads:Look before you cross.