Do you experience anxiety, or are you looking for different ways to relieve stress?Come along to an Open Day on Thursday 24 August 2017, and book into one of many free creative classes, activities or workshops.The day is aimed at showing our community the number of creative possibilities available across the Central Coast, which can help to manage stress and anxiety in all its forms.All classes are free to join or just to observe.View the Full 'Experience, Explore, Be More' Anxiety Program

Feel the magic of the new season as Laycock Street Community Theatre comes alive with two of William Shakespeare’s classics – A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice – this spring.Playing over two nights, on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 September, Melbourne City Ballet returns with their magical neoclassical ballet interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.Suitable for all ages, this whimsical and enchanting Shakespearean adaption explores three different stories:

Central Coast Council has expressed its disappointment today at the decision by the Minister for Planning to keep the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act in place.Warnervale Airport, now Central Coast Airport, is the only airport managed by a Council in Australia that is subject to such restrictions, particularly relating to aircraft movements.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council had been up front about its desire to develop the airport for general aviation and leaving the Act in place could impact on this possibility.“The airport is a major asset for Council and the community with the potential to create hundreds of jobs and opportunities for our growing community,” Mr Reynolds said.“We know this because we recently tested the market with our Expression of Interest process to turn the airport into an general aviation hub and the response was positive.“We are currently developing a masterplan out of this EOI process which was always going to subject to rigorous community consultation and state government scrutiny.“This announcement today has significant potential to affect this process and our ability to promote employment on the Central Coast.General aviation includes pilot training, corporate aviation, emergency services and search and rescue, charter, aerial work, survey and monitoring, private flying, commercial operators and tourism related charter operators.General aviation is a significant industry in Australia representing 65 percent of all aircraft hours in Australia and there is currently a high demand for airside general leaseholds close to Sydney.“This is due to general aviation being squeezed out of the Sydney basin, so there are many operators looking for an alternative and the Central Coast is the perfect location,” Mr Reynolds added.“We are not talking major passenger movements here, we are talking about genuine opportunities for smaller operators and aviation manufacturing expertise to become a major industry for the Central Coast.”Council will continue with the master planning process for the airport and is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Planning to discuss the decision.

Artists from around the nation are invited to enter the 2017 Gosford Art Prize and Gosford Ceramic Prize, for a chance to share in over $20,000 in prizes.Now in its 18th year, the annual program offers artists the opportunity to showcase their talents in a competition recognised across Australia.Central Coast Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Julie Vaughan, said that local and national artists are encouraged to enter this prestigious competition.“Last year we received over 560 entries from over 420 artists across Australia, so we are very excited to see the creativity and variety or works in this year’s competition,” said Ms Vaughan.“The exhibition is a fantastic platform for artists, as it’s an opportunity for locals to compete with artists from around Australia.“We are also excited about the increase in the number of contemporary ceramics entries after the addition of the Gosford Ceramic Prize in 2014.

Central Coast Council is holding an Open Day aimed at showing the community a number of creative possibilities across the Coast to help them manage stress and anxiety.Experience, Explore, Be More will be held on Thursday 24 August and will see 22 different creative classes, activities or workshops held at 16 venues across the Coast – and it’s all FREE!Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this is a great way to bring the community together and improve the quality of life on the Coast.“Our centres offer a diverse range of possibilities to help our community, but many of our residents may not know they exist,” Mr Reynolds said.“This Open Day will help the community to explore the Coast and experience new ways of managing their anxiety and stress and connecting with each other.”One of the highlights will be an author talk by Belinda Ingels on her book:

Woy Woy Library has received more than $188,000 under the Public Library Infrastructure Grants 2016/17 program, to create an exhibition space within the library which will showcase a unique collection of original Spike Milligan family memorabilia.The proposed museum-quality Spike Milligan Exhibition Space (SMES) is set to attract visitors from around the globe, due to the culturally significant collection of photographs, recordings, video, realia and diaries.Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the exhibition space is an opportunity to honour the legacy of the world-famous comedian who took Woy Woy to the world stage.

Central Coast Council is calling on local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and individuals with great ideas to improve the community, to apply for funding under the new Community Grants and Sponsorship Program.The program amounts to over $1.4 million.Council’s revamped funding program aims to simplify applications and better support and build capacity across the entire Central Coast community.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council’s Community Grants and Sponsorship Program is all about giving the community more opportunities to apply for funding to support their community projects, events, programs and initiatives.“This is a chance to think outside the square to deliver unique and innovative projects or events to the Coast that really make a difference,” Mr Reynolds said.“No matter how big or small, we want to hear all your ideas as we want to see programs come to life that will highlight the Central Coast.”There are a number of new categories in Council’s community grants program:Community Partnership GrantCommunity Development GrantPlace Activation GrantCommunity Support GrantHeritage GrantAwarding Sponsorship ProgramChan Valley Colliery Community Funding.Applications are now open and will close on Friday 15 September.To help applicants get a better understanding of each category and how to apply to make their project happen, Council is hosting a number of information sessions across the Coast.

Central Coast Council has today welcomed the NSW Minister for Transport, the Hon Andrew Constance MP’s, announcement of an on-demand commuter shuttle bus service trial on the Peninsula.The announcement comes as a NSW Parliamentary inquiry into commuter car parking across NSW is currently underway.

Parking on all four levels of the Wilson Road Carpark is now available following completion of construction works, creating 110 extra parking spaces for the Terrigal CBD.Finishing touches are continuing on the $2.3 million project that include a lift within the carpark and CCTV cameras.The official completion of works – as of Wednesday 16 August – follows the re-opening of Levels 1 and 2 of the carpark on Thursday 27 July.Council will now focus on the investment of almost $2.2 million for improvements to the Terrigal CBD’s pedestrian and traffic flow – thanks to the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund.Works will also be undertaken on revitalising the Terrigal Lagoon Foreshore, with $825,000 invested into the redevelopment of the play space in the Rotary Park as well as the proposed construction of a skate park.Council will continue to work with local residents and the business community to keep them informed on the progress of these upcoming infrastructure upgrades.Council would like to thank the Terrigal community for their patience and understanding during these important upgrade works.

First Integrated Operational Plan and Budget adopted by CouncilCentral Coast Council has adopted its first ever integrated Operational Plan with $551  million in essential services and a record $207.9 million on capital works set to roll out across the Central Coast from July 1.Capital works spending has been increased by $400,000 on the draft exhibited Plan thanks to additional grant funding received by Council.