Central Coast Council has today confirmed the Administrator is in a townhouse at Magenta at a cost of $550 a week.Under the Council Policy on Facilities and Expenses, the Administrator is to be provided with accommodation within the Central Coast Local Government Area that is convenient to the Gosford and Wyong offices.   This is due to the requirement for the Administrator in this role to attend early morning briefings and meetings as well as evening and weekend commitments.Living locally ensures the Administrator can fulfil his duties more effectively, be more accessible to the community and understand the issues affecting the region and the Central Coast community much better.The Policy was adopted at the August 10, 2016 Council meeting, following a public exhibition period where no comments were received.View the Policy or the Minutes of the August 10 Council Meeting.

The Central Coast Series is a skate, scoot, BMX and WCMX wheelchair competition that's held in three heats:1.

Central Coast Council is continuing to roll out its fully funded operational plan as work begins on a popular reserve in Toowoon Bay.Swadling Reserve, at the top of Toowoon Bay Beach, is undergoing a makeover to cater for more visitors that frequent the park for summer BBQs, family gatherings and small events.Council Group Leader Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the $300,000 upgrade will complement the existing facilities in the area.“Not only are we replacing the ageing shelters, but we are adding more and making them accessible so more people can enjoy the reserve,” Mr Dowling said.“Visitors to the reserve will be in for a surprise when works are finished, as the new shelters will be able to cater for larger gatherings.“The reserve is also a popular spot for weddings and photo shoots, so to formalise this we are building a viewing platform overlooking the beach.”Work is expected to be finished at the end of April and includes removing the six small shelters, including the two barbecues, and replacing them with eight larger ones – three of them with barbecues.

With youth unemployment on the Coast at 14.9 per cent, Council is continuing to invest in workshops and courses designed to help young people succeed in HSC exams and in securing employment.Central Coast Library Service is hosting a series of workshops designed to help young people learn the writing and study skills needed to gain job interviews and do well in HSC examinations and secure job opportunities afterwards.The workshops are in April and include a session on writing resumes and cover letters and four HSC workshops.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Council was keen to help young people gain the skills and develop the persistence needed to succeed in exams and in gaining employment.“We are keen to help young people increase their chances of success by equipping them with the tools needed to write a good cover letter and resume, and study techniques to help them do well in their exams,” Ms Vaughan said.“These free workshops are a great opportunity for young people to learn the skill of presenting themselves well in writing to potential employers and in HSC examinations as well as time management and study techniques.”In a two-hour workshop at Tuggerah Library on 8 April, Training and Coaching Solutions will share tips for teens on how to analyse job advertisements and what they should include in a resume to increase their chances of gaining employment.Mr Rowan Kunz, author of Secrets of HSC Success Revealed is running a session called HSC Max Your Marks on 18 April at Lake Haven Library, and will share his insights into effective exam preparation.Mr Kunz has come across many intelligent students who were not doing well, and believes intelligence only leads to success if certain study techniques are applied.Pam Northcotte’s session, HSC Ready, Set, Go, on 19 April at Tuggerah Library will include tips for managing physical and mental health during this final year at school.Bernie Howitt has many years of experience in teaching Society and Culture at high school and university level and will run a session on this topic on 21 April at Lake Haven Library.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council was committed to helping young people succeed.“Developing good writing and study skills is imperative to doing well in life and council libraries are investing in these workshops in order to equip young people with the skills they need,” Mr Reynolds said.“We want our young people to live, work and thrive here – so I encourage them to take advantage of these opportunities.”“Students are encouraged to take advantage of these free workshops, and society and culture students are encouraged to bring their personal interest projects (PIPs) to the session with Bernie Howitt.”Bookings essential.

Community consultation to be extended for Peat Island Planning ProposalA Planning Proposal for Peat Island and surrounds, seeking to rezone the land to permit a mix of residential, community, environmental recreation and employment land, uses will be referred to the Department of Planning for a gateway determination, allowing it to come back to council for community consultation.The community consultation period, will be extended to at least three months and a decision ultimately made by the newly elected Council.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, assured the community this is just the start of what may be a very long process with a great deal of community consultation before there is any rezoning at or in the vicinity of Peat Island.“This is just the first step – the beginning of a potential rezoning,” Mr Reynolds said.“The planning proposal will go to the Department of Planning & Environment for what the legislation calls a “gateway determination”, and if there is a gateway determination then the proposal goes out for formal public exhibition – and this is when the community has the formal opportunity to comment on the proposal.“In my view, any such exhibition should be at least three times as long as the normal period to ensure there is sufficient time for public assessment and input.  I have indicated that community information sessions need to be in the local area during the exhibition period.“I have also made it clear, in the resolution that any final decision will be made by a future elected Council rather than by me as Administrator.”The site is owned by the State Government with the first proposal for a rezoning lodged with the former Gosford City Council in August 2014.Key changes which have been incorporated in the new proposal include the following:Residential dwelling numbers have been reduced from 400-500 to 268 dwellings.Building heights have been reduced from 17 metres to 12 metres.The amount of land dedicated to national park has increased from 2.6 Ha to 11.3 Ha.Publicly accessible open space has also been increased from 2 Ha to 10 Ha.The revised proposal will provide opportunities for public access to new areas of the foreshore and Peat Island, are not currently available.The proposal will now be referred to the Department of Planning requesting a gateway determination.Housing Development Controls to be aligned across the Coast Council is seeking community feedback on a plan to align housing development controls across the Central Coast.Currently two different sets of planning controls apply to dwellings across the two former Local Government Areas.

Central Coast Council will place its draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan on exhibition following this evening’s meeting.The plan outlines strategies and actions that Council will implement over a four year period, enabling people with a disability to better access services, facilities and support.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan would see work undertaken across the community to improve accessibility.“The plan will see Council make changes to internal process and practices;

A Central Vision, an exhibition showcasing talented high school artists opens at Gosford Regional Gallery on Saturday 25 March.Students from some 19 Central Coast secondary schools are taking part in the annual exhibition, which features a wide range of art forms, including paint, drawing, textiles, sculpture, ceramics and photography.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the exhibition showcased some inspiring art.“A Central Vision is a great partnership between Council and Central Coast schools, and we are thrilled to exhibit so many outstanding works by many budding young artists,” Mr Reynolds said.Wendy Mortimer, Head Teacher, Creative and Performing Arts at Gosford High, said A Central Vision was a wonderful opportunity for students to have their works exhibited and acknowledged in a professional environment.“We have many very talented young artists in our secondary schools and will be presenting certificates of recognition and prizes sponsored by local business at the opening event,” Ms Mortimer said.Secondary schools taking part in A Central Vision, a program which has been running since 2001, include:Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College;

Waste services on the Central Coast are provided by REMONDIS under a contract with Council.Council understands that REMONDIS and its drivers are currently negotiating a new Enterprise Agreement.Council expects that waste services will continue to be provided while these negotiations continue.Council has no role in negotiations between REMONDIS, its employees and the Transport Workers Union on this matter.An invitation for tenders for waste services across the Central Coast from beyond 31 January 2018 is in the process of being finalised.For any advice on delayed waste services, please contact REMONDIS on 1300 126 278.

Central Coast Council is holding a free microchipping day this weekend to help pet owners take that first step in responsible pet ownership.Residents are encouraged to come along to the Animal Care Facility, at Charmhaven on Saturday 18 February and have their pet microchipped at no cost.Council’s Group Leader Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox, said becoming a pet owner reaps many rewards, but it also comes with a great responsibility.“Owning a pet can be beneficial to our health and well-being – they can keep us active and give that extra comfort around the home – but they can also become costly if certain steps aren’t followed,” Mr Cox said.“Our animal care facilities receive a number of dogs and cats each year that have been abandoned as people don’t realise the level of care needed to raise a pet.”On average more than 45 per cent of dogs and cats that come into the facilities are not microchipped and less than 60 per cent of these are reunited with their owners.“Microchipping is the first step in responsible pet ownership and helps identify your pet if they should ever go missing,” Mr Cox added.“There is always an influx of animals brought into our facilities over the festive season.“By making sure your pet is microchipped, registered and details are up to date, with current address and phone number, we can reunite your pet and family faster.“We know how important it is to have your pet microchipped and that’s why we are offering this free service.”The day is more than a free microchip, it’s also a great chance to check chip details are up to date and talk to staff on responsible pet ownership, including lifetime registration.Everyone that comes to the Charmhaven facility to have their four-legged friend microchipped, registered or check their details are up to date will also receive a Happy Pet gift pack – a small bag full of treats, information and a toy for your pet.Find out all these details and more at the Free Microchipping Day at the Central Coast Animal Facility, Charmhaven on Saturday 18 February from 10am-3pm.Free microchipping will also be available at the Central Coast Animal Care Facility in Erina on the same day between 10am-4.30pm.Check out more about the free service by visiting wyong.nsw.gov.au/pets

The NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has confirmed all 20 recently merged Councils, including the Central Coast, will continue.The idea of holding plebiscites in merged Councils has also been abandoned by the Government.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the announcement was welcome news and provided the community and Council with the certainty needed to continue working together to make the Coast and its Council the best they can be.“Our staff have been working extremely hard over the past nine months to transform the Council as well as continue great service delivery to our community.