In relation to the incident concerning fireworks at Terrigal on New Year’s Eve, Council is of the strong view that public safety is paramount.The fireworks were stored and discharged from a barge on the open waterway.The NSW Government agencies Roads and Maritime Services and Safe Work NSW are the responsible bodies for the issuing of the necessary permit regulating the control and safety of fireworks on the open water.The organiser of the event submitted an application to Council which sought permission for the congregation of people on the Terrigal foreshore.

Council advises water quality in The Entrance Channel may have been affected following a sewer overflow on the northern side of the channel, today Tuesday 2 January.Council has contained the overflow and erected warning signs at the Karagi Park location (Hutton Road, The Entrance North, east of Dunleith Tourist Park).

Central Coast Council has recently engaged with a new e-waste contractor, Toxfree, to maximise e-waste recycling and reduce the amount of electronics ending up in landfill.Thanks to state of the art European technology applied by Toxfree more e-waste items are now being accepted with more components being recycled.Council Mayor Jane Smith said this was an excellent initiative and is encouraging residents to take advantage of this free service.“E-waste can pose major problems when not disposed of correctly, with toxic chemicals such as mercury and lead causing possible pollution and contamination,” Mayor Smith said.“Through this new engagement, residents can now drop off up to 15 household e-waste items at our Waste Management Facilities at Jilliby, Kincumber or Woy Woy.“Previously we were required to pay for e-waste items to be recycled, but now Council is being paid with funds able to be redirected towards community assets and services.“With Toxfree more of the items parts are also being recycled including circuit boards, plastic and metals, reducing the impact on our landfills.“It has never been easier for our community to ensure waste is disposed of responsibly.”Toxfree utilise the BluBox process – a Swiss designed processing technology packed in a 40ft container – to break down modern e-waste items such as flat panel displays, smart phones, laptops and most e-waste items found in households.The process uses an innovative system to break down and separate parts including the extraction of mercury from LCD backlighting tubes.“This new system has come on at the perfect time following Christmas,” Mayor Smith added.“I would like to remind residents if they did receive any new electronics for Christams to dispose of unused electronic items responsibly by taking advantage of this free service.”Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ewaste for a list of accepted e-waste materials.

Expressions of interest have been invited to fill community stakeholder positions on the Mangrove Mountain and Spencer Advisory Committee.

With the swimming season upon us, Central Coast Council is reminding residents to ensure their pool fences are up to standard to keep young children safe.

Local high school students will get a taste what it’s like to be a Councillor next week when Central Coast Council hosts its annual Future Council.Future Council is a partnership program between Central Coast Council and Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre for Years 9 and 10 students on civics and citizenship and local government decision making.  Students will debate real local issues they are passionate about and will cast a vote on behalf of their community, just like a real Councillor, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the Chair.

Over 33,000 ideas and opinions from residents have been distilled into seven key themes Central Coast Council will use to shape the future of the coast in the region’s first ever Community Strategic Plan.The Community Strategic Plan is designed to capture the community’s vision for the Coast and identify key social, economic, environmental priorities as well as long-term strategies for the Coast for the next 10 years.Council Mayor Jane Smith said the plan is the overarching guide Council will use to determine how, where and what it spends its funds on to meet the wants and needs of our growing community.“Council spent three months earlier this year talking with the community about what they love about the Central Coast and what could be done to make it even better,” Mayor Smith said.“We went directly to the community and captured a record 33,000 separate ideas and opinions about what would make the Central Coast an even better place to live from face to face conversations, online surveys, commuter surveys and meetings with hard to reach communities.”These ideas have been distilled into seven key themes -Natural environmentLifestyle and communityBuilt environmentServices and facilitiesActivities and entertainmentTransport and movement around the local government areaEconomyConnected Communities Group Leader, Julie Vaughan said the initial phase of developing the coast’s first Community Strategic Plan had been a great success.“The community responded enthusiastically to the first phase of data collection and we would now like to invite individuals, community groups, business groups, State agencies and non-government agencies to join us at a Community Workshop to explore the themes in detail as part of the next phase of the project,” Ms Vaughan said.“This next phase is crucial as we start to drill into the detail of how we, along with our stakeholders and other partners will deliver our community’s aspirations for the Coast over the next ten years.”To register for a community workshop, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com and select the venue you wish to attend.Community workshops dates and venues are below:Saturday 18 November – 1pm to 4pm at The Erina CentreTuesday 21 November – 10am to 1pm at Smartwork Hub GosfordTuesday 21 November –  6pm to 9pm at Umina Beach Surf ClubSaturday 25 November –  9:30am to 12:30pm at The Entrance Community CentreTuesday 28 November  – 10am to 1pm at Wyong Civic CentreTuesday 28 November  -   6pm-9pm at Blue Haven Community CentreRegistration is required to attend a workshop.

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month and Central Coast Council is urging homeowners, renovators and tradies to take the warnings about asbestos seriously when renovating or maintaining homes and learn what they need to know to manage it safely.Central Coast Council, Director, Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said Australia was among the largest consumers of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in the world with asbestos used in the manufacture of a broad range of building and decorator products that can still be found in 1 in 3 brick, weatherboard, fibro and clad Australian homes.“It can be in any home built or renovated before 1987 - under floor coverings, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels,” Mr Cox said.“If you’re a homeowner, renovator or tradie, and you don’t know the risks, the products to look for or how to manage asbestos safely, you could be risking your life and the lives of others if you disturb asbestos-containing materials and release fibres into the air that can be inhaled,” Mr Cox said.If well maintained and left undisturbed asbestos is unlikely to pose a health risk.

There’s still time for festival-goers to secure tickets when The Lakes Festival makes a splash across the Central Coast from 10-19 November.Over the 10 days, there are seven events hubs with more than 20 events across the Coast – most of them FREE!Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said while most events are free festival-goers still need to reserve their spot at some of the tours and activities.“We have events such as kayak tours, yoga on stand up paddle boards, floating landcare, and bus tours that are all free, we just need you to reserve your place so you don’t miss out,” Ms Vaughan said.“Mov’In Bed, our outdoor cinema experience at Budgewoi, is not your usual movie night.“You can reserve a bed to lie under the stars and watch Beauty and the Beast or La La Land – or simply turn up with your picnic rug and pull up a bit of reserve.“We also have our big ticketed events such as the popular Lighthouse Folk Festival and Tri-Wyong.“Something new to the table is Perfect Strangers, a unique dining experience at Wyong Creek with a three-course meal crafted by a celebrated local chef.“A great meal, amazing location and live music all shared in the company of perfect strangers.“There’s so much to do over the 10 days there’s bound to be something for everyone.Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/thelakesfestival for a full program and how to secure a place at one of the Festival’s popular events.-ENDS-

The recent storm has caused major damage across the Central Coast, particularly in Noraville.  Please take extra care on our roads as our crews, Ausgrid continue the recovery.