As required by the Local Government Act, Central Coast Council has prepared financial reports for the former Gosford City Council for its final reporting period.Council will consider those financial reports at an Extraordinary Meeting in Gosford at 5pm on Monday 13 March 2017.Council CEO, Mr Rob Noble, said the financial reports confirm Central Coast Council remains financially and structurally stable, with its program of work for the community fully funded and rolling out.“The preparation of the financial reports has not only ensured that the new Central Coast Council meets its statutory obligation, but that on 12 May 2016 it also inherited an operating surplus from the former Gosford City Council,” Mr Noble said.“This, with the operating surplus inherited from the former Wyong Shire Council, gives Council a great head start for our works program for the next financial year.”In the course of preparing the financial reports a number of issues were identified that warranted further analysis.

Council plans to align fees for a number of library services across all 11 Central Coast Council libraries from 4 April.As part of the process of streamlining all fees and services, a document outlining the first stage in fee alignment for the libraries went on public exhibition this week.Fees being aligned at this stage of the process are for overdue items, reservations, inter-library loans, lost library resources, damaged library items and reapplication of item identification.When all council libraries move to one Library Management System in the new financial year, residents will be able to check the catalogue, borrow, reserve and return at any of the 11 council libraries and access a greater range of e-resources, using one card. 

Central Coast Council has started planning for The Lakes Festival 2017 and is looking for new ideas to build on last year’s success.The Festival has been bumped up to a massive 10 days providing more opportunities for additional activities and events on and around the Lakes from 10-19 November.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Council is looking to expand the events and activities that residents and tourists alike can get involved in at the ever growing annual Festival.“We are looking for new, innovative and different ideas to build on the success of our annual Festival which is becoming bigger and better every year,” Ms Vaughan said.“There are plenty of ways to be involved – we want new event ideas that can attract visitors from outside the region and in turn attract interest for those who may want to sponsor an event as well.“Straight after last year’s successful event, ideas are already starting to come in from those interested in becoming part of this year’s Festival – we have a lot of innovative, creative and passionate people here on the Coast and we want to harness that to make the Festival even better than ever.”Last year The Lakes Festival attracted over 45,000 people from the Coast and beyond, with more days and event hubs, the Festival is bound to attract even more to the area.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the popularity of this Festival is growing each year and showcases one of the Coast’s best assets.“Our waterways are the centre piece of this Festival and makes you realise just how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place,” Mr Reynolds said.“This Festival is aimed at everyone – locals and visitors, the young and old, the active and artistic – and even has the bonus of adding that extra financial boost to our local economy and tourism that we can all benefit from.“I’m excited to hear about the new innovative ideas and events the Festival will attract this year.”Innovation Funding applications close Friday 31 March 2017.

Central Coast Council will hold a Residents Forum at the Gosford Office from 4pm on Monday 13 March 2017 for interested members of the public to address Council before the Extraordinary Meeting.Residents who wish to address the forum need to call 4325 8361 to register and must do so before 12 noon on Monday 13 March 2017.View the Agenda and Business Paper for the Extraordinary Meeting

The financial reports for the former Gosford City Council, for the period 1 July 2015 to 12 May 2016, have been referred to external audit following tonight’s Extraordinary Central Coast Council meeting.A residents’ forum was held prior to the Extraordinary Meeting to allow community members to present their views on the reports which were made public on Thursday March 9 2017.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council was following due process and had been required under the proclamation to prepare financial reports for the two former Councils, including the former Gosford City Council.“My task as Administrator is to ensure proper process has been followed and that these reports have been prepared under relevant legislation and accounting standards and I am satisfied they have been,” Mr Reynolds said.“The reports will now be referred for external audit and we will await their advice.”“The community can be assured it is business as usual for the new Central Coast Council.“We will continue to deliver the services they need, want and value.”View the Financial Reports and Minutes of the MeetingFor more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions

Council is calling on residents and business owners within the Ourimbah Creek catchment area to attend a public meeting where a floodplain risk management study and plan for the area will be discussed.The meeting will take place tonight at 6.30pm at The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus, Canteen Area.The Ourimbah Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan aims to build community resilience for flooding events and will include options such as flood mitigation works, emergency management plans, flood warning processes, land use planning, and sensible design of infrastructure and buildings.Council Group Leader, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said residents could provide valuable information and feedback on flooding in the Ourimbah Creek catchment.“The community has already provided vital input into the development of the floodplain risk management plan - at the meeting council will present information on work that has been carried out so far and provide feedback on ideas we have already received from residents since we started consulting in November 2015,” Mr Dowling said.“We also need to ensure any new developments are compatible with flood hazards and don’t create any additional flooding problems in the area.”Community feedback will be considered in the preparation draft of the management study and plan, which will be placed on public exhibition in April 2017.This $150,000 project is a combined investment by Council and the NSW Government.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the project was a great collaboration between Council, the State Government and the community with the ultimate aim of helping to alleviate the effects of flooding in the Ourimbah Creek catchment area.“We have experts right here in Council who are working hard on this plan and they will be on hand at the meeting to answer any resident questions and more importantly to seek feedback so we can continue towards finding the right solution to flooding issues in this area,” Mr Reynolds said.The last significant flood in the Ourimbah Creek catchment took place in 2007 and the worst flood in living memory in the area took place in 1992.The Ourimbah Creek catchment area includes the suburbs of  Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Fountaindale, Kangy Angy, Lisarow, Ourimbah, Palm Grove, Palmgrove and Tuggerah.

A popular road in San Remo has been given a multi-million dollar makeover.The finishing touches are being put on major road and drainage works in Goorama Avenue with the conclusion of the fifth and final stage of the $6 million project getting close.Dating back to 2012, the five-stage upgrade has seen a new road surface, intersection upgrades, and the installation of traffic calming devices – significantly improving community safety on this important local thoroughfare.The final stage, valued at more than $1.1 million, involved significant road reconstruction work including street drainage, kerb and guttering, and footpath improvement works.The upgraded drainage system will alleviate previous flooding issues, while the new road surface will provide a smooth drive for motorists in this popular area.With two schools also located on Goorama Avenue, the upgrade will reduce congestion and provide better access for motorists during busy school pick-up and drop-off times.The investment and overall scope of the project signifies Council’s commitment to delivering a sustainable, high-quality road network through upgrade and improvement works.Crews will also continue to carry out road maintenance through ongoing resealing and renewal programs – with almost 59 kilometres of road identified for resealing this year – valued at more than $5 million.We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience while these important works were carried out.

Central Coast Council is hosting a free talk at The Entrance Library today on current scams and ways in which the community can protect themselves and their loved ones.Most members of the community are contacted by scammers at some point in their lives, whether in person, online, by phone or by text message.Council is committed to investing in educating the community so they can learn to recognise scams and avoid being a victim to them.Council Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said education was key in protecting the community from scammers.“Scammers can be very savvy and often target vulnerable members of our community, so we need to ensure we arm them with the tools they need to protect themselves,” Ms Vaughn said.“Phishing, where scammers harvest personal information, is another problem – so residents should avoid filling out forms online that ask for personal information.”Presented by the NSW Department of Fair Trading, the session will look at some common myths about scams, including where people believe websites that use an Australian phone number, website or email address are not scams.The fact is scammers deliberately set up Australian telephone numbers, websites and email addresses as a front so they can channel money overseas.The session will also include information on where to go for help if you or someone you know has fallen victim to a scam.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council was committed to investing in the community and making sure they had the knowledge and skills to protect themselves.“Scams are designed to trick people into giving money away and/or personal details – they succeed because they look like the real thing,” Mr Reynolds said.“The frail, elderly and the young are particularly vulnerable to scammers, and we urge them to learn how to protect themselves.“Don’t respond to suspicious emails or letters, and never respond to emails that ask for your banking details.

Central Coast Council is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from the aviation, aerospace and supporting industry operators to establish at Central Coast Airport, Warnervale.Council’s Group Leader, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the timing was right for Council to determine the level of interest in a General Aviation Industry Hub from aviation and associated industries.“General aviation can operate from Central Coast Airport with its current zoning, and we believe it presents an opportunity for job creation on the Coast,” Mr Dowling said.“So it is time we went out and tested the market and that’s what this EOI is all about.“We have already received enquiries from a number of aviation businesses keen to locate at the Airport.“This EOI will formally determine the level of industry interest by asking aviation businesses to put their best proposals forward for long-term industry development and jobs growth.“General aviation is a significant industry representing 65 percent of all aircraft hours in Australia and we are aware there is currently a high demand for airside general aviation leaseholds close to Sydney.“This is due to general aviation being squeezed out of the Sydney basin due to macro conditions.”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 operations.The vast majority of general aviation is conducted in small aircraft and does not include airline or airfreight operations.“The responses will inform a Central Coast Airport Master Plan that brings together businesses in aviation education and training, logistics, technology, consulting and service industries to create the best outcome for residents, ratepayers and industry,” Mr Dowling said.Once a draft Master Plan is developed it will be exhibited for community feedback.The Expression of Interest is open to any business looking for airside land leases or purpose built aviation facilities and applicants will be required to demonstrate how they will invest in long term development of their business and create jobs on the Central Coast.Applications close at 2:00pm on Tuesday 16 May 2017.  Registration for the EOI is now open at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ccairport

In a first for Harmony Day celebrations on the Coast, Central Coast Council will be hosting their annual event from dusk so the Harmonic Forest can come to life on Saturday 25 March.Memorial Park, in the heart of The Entrance, will be lit up with 12 large trees that will glow in a variety of colours to reflect the diversity of cultures on the Central Coast highlighting that ‘Diversity is our Strength’.Council Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Harmony Day is a celebration of the many cultures that make up Australia and the Coast and is a time to reflect on the importance of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.“The highlight of our event will be the Harmonic Forest which symbolises the cohesion, community and harmony we have here on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“More and more we are seeing different groups being established to share their cultures and traditions with the rest of our community.“Harmony Day is all about encouraging people to participate in their community, to respect different cultures and religions, and to show that everyone belongs in our community.“Our annual event does just that and I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the cultural activities, performances and cuisine from around the world.”Visitors will have the chance to create lanterns such as birds, fruits and flowers that will hang in the trees of the Harmonic Forest and light up the night as part of the cultural celebrations.