Following the recent success of two blockbuster exhibitions during the holiday period, Gosford Regional Gallery is continuing its commitment to diverse and stimulating programing, with the opening of four new shows on Saturday 18 February.The new exhibitions include:Australian exotica:

Central Coast Council has agreed with auditors PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to extend the timeframe required to finalise the audit report into the finances of the former Gosford Council.As soon as the report is ready, Council if necessary, will call an Extraordinary Meeting in March to be held in the Gosford Chambers.Council CEO Rob Noble said the auditors are in the process of finalising their audit testing and Council is working closely with PWC to ensure the final accounts are transparent and understandable by the community.“As with many issues in respect of Council mergers, the alignment of Council financial management is a complex issue, so we want to ensure the community gets a clear view,” Mr Noble said.“We’re here to deliver the best possible services to our growing community, and having a thorough and consistent understanding of financial management across both former Council areas moving forward is essential.Council accounts are governed by a strict Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting, and by legally binding Accounting Standards.

Filling up your water bottle while you’re out and about on the coast is about to get a whole lot easier, with the installation of nine new water refill stations.Central Coast Council is currently installing the water filter stations at high traffic areas including:Heazlett Park, AvocaRumbalara Reserve, SpringfieldMacKillop Oval, South KincumberHylton Moore Oval, East GosfordGreenvale Playground, Green PointThe Skillion, TerrigalTrafalgar Playground, Woy WoyHardy’s Bay ForeshoreNarara Valley Precinct Park.The project started in early November and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2017.The new fixtures will complement the 17 stations already established throughout the region at Woy Woy, Umina, Avoca Beach, Terrigal Beach, Ocean Beach, Kincumber, Copacabana, Ettalong Beach and Gosford’s Kibble Park.Each unit has multiple taps for drinking out of, with refill dispensers on each side.

A surprise entrant from Nitro Circus skate sensation, Beaver Fleming, wowed the crowd on Saturday with his gnarly tricks, which ultimately saw him crowned Bato Yard’s King of Concrete for 2017.Central Coast Council supported the inaugural King of Concrete bowl competition which saw more than 70 competitiors from the Coast, country and overseas compete for the King of Concrete title and a wildcard entry into the BOWL-A-RAMA, the peak world bowl competition.Riders came from all over including Victoria, ACT, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, England and the USA to compete across the five catgories – Opens, 16 and under, 12 and under, Girls and Masters.Some used the competition as a practice round before Bondi, some tried to secure that wildcard for Bondi and others simply competed to test their skills against some of the world’s best.Despite the heat wave, more than 500 people came to Bato Yard to watch it get shredded with some top local and international skaters.Bato Yard was opened in July 2016 and is already making an impression on local and international riders alike:Beaver Fleming, California - member of the infamous Nitro Circus, said:

Laycock Street Community Theatre is encouraging audiences to hold their noses, when David Walliams’ award-winning book Mr Stink comes to life this February as part of a national tour, following its 2016 Sydney Opera House premiere.Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Laycock is looking forward to welcoming this charming and original Australian adaptation to its stage.“It promises to be a real crowd pleaser for children aged 6 to 12, and we’re sure that adults in the audience are going to have equally as much fun with this heart-warming and comical production,” Ms Vaughan said.Well known British comedian and TV presenter David Walliams is also the fastest growing children's author in the UK.

The results of a recent report for five beach swimming areas – Terrigal Lagoon, Copacabana Beach, Pearl Beach Bath, Ocean Beach and Lighthouse Beach - have improved as a result of Central Coast Council’s management.Council manages and tests 44 swimming sites across the region, including beaches, lagoons, lakes and baths, in collaboration with the Office of Environment and Heritage.Of all the sites, 28 returned very good or good water quality ratings.Council’s Group Leader, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said Council was committed to the ongoing management of beaches and other swimming spots around the Coast.“It’s pleasing the BeachWatch report verified that our management of water areas is leading to cleaner beaches,” Mr Dowling said.“Council does a lot to manage community beaches and swimming spots – we installed gross pollutant traps at a number of key locations, bins at popular dog walking areas to stop pollutants entering our waterways, as well as crews who clean Macmasters Beach and Pearl Beach Rockpool four times a year.”Some of the works that led to the reported improvements include an investment of some $30 million on improving major sewerage transfer systems that service Forresters Beach, Terrigal, Avoca, North Avoca and Kincumber.Council plans to invest a further $36 million on improving the sewerage system, sewage pumping stations and sewage treatment plants throughout the former Gosford Local Government Area.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this was great news for the community and tourism on the Coast, but there was still a number of projects to be completed.“We know how much the community loves our beautiful coast beaches and it is important our residents and visitors can swim in the water with confidence,” Mr Reynolds said.The Office of Environment and Heritage produces BeachWatch reports annually, using data and risks ratings provided by Council.

Central Coast Council will celebrate the start of the $23.71 million regional sporting complex located on Lake Road, Tuggerah on Wednesday 22 February at 9am.The Tuggerah Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex is in a prime position to attract regional, state and even national events with Tuggerah train station and the M1 motorway close by providing direct links to Sydney and Newcastle.The first stage will consist of nine playing fields, including a premier field, public amenities such as change rooms, canteen, toilets and store rooms.

Merger benefits realised as Council builds a solid foundation for the Central Coast  Council finances are on track for an end of year surplus this financial year, capital works are being rolled out and merger benefits are being realised according to two key reports presented at tonight’s Council meeting.    See Separate Media ReleaseTen major projects receive slice of $9 million funding pieTen major projects to improve community services and facilities on the Central Coast have been given a slice of $9 million in funding through the NSW State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund, following the establishment of Central Coast Council.See Separate Media ReleaseMerger delivers one library service for the Central Coast Residents will soon be able to access all twelve Council libraries using one card.In the new financial year all 70,000 members will be moved to the one Library Management System – Libero – residents can check the catalogue, borrow, reserve and return at all libraries across the Coast.All Library fees have been reviewed and will be aligned across the libraries when the new system is in place.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this was a definite advantage of the merger as previously Coast residents could only access either five northern or six southern branches and now they will be able to access all eleven plus 2 community libraries in Gwandalan and Mooney Mooney.“Currently there are two systems in place – you need two cards to access the services which is a hassle and inconvenient and fees are different as well,” Mr Reynolds said.“Not anymore, in a few months either card will work at any library and new Central Coast Council cards will enable access to thousands of great resources and services anywhere on the Coast.“There will be no more barriers and learning opportunities will be opened up right across the Coast.”Australian owned and designed Libero Library Management System is already used in libraries in the former Gosford City Local Government Area.

Ten major projects to improve community services, facilities and deliver new infrastructure on the Central Coast have been given a slice of $9 million in funding through the NSW State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund, following the establishment of Central Coast Council.In December last year, 'Your Voice, Our Coast' asked the community to directly vote on what they wanted to see funded from thirty eligible projects and tonight Council formally endorsed the ten projects to get the green light.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the funding was made available as a direct result of amalgamation and was designed to fast track the delivery of priority infrastructure and services the Central Coast community need, want and value.‘This funding has been provided due to the Council amalgamation and is a real win for the entire Central Coast community,” Mr Reynolds said.‘These funds are additional to Council’s existing operational budget – so it means we can now get on with some projects that we know the community want.‘The selected projects will contribute to improved access to the coast’s natural spaces and community facilities;

Council finances are on track for an end of year surplus this financial year, capital works are being rolled out and merger benefits are being realised according to two key reports presented at tonight’s Council meeting.A revised Capital Works program will deliver $197.5 million in key infrastructure projects this financial year while also achieving an operating surplus of $10.3 million, excluding capital income.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council is implementing a robust merger program which is transforming the organisation to better provide services that strengthen and support the Central Coast community.“Our priority is to build a solid foundation in preparation for the newly elected Council in September 2017 and I believe we are in great shape to achieve that,” Mr Reynolds said.“It is a huge task to bring two organisations together and it is a real testament to our staff who have had to pull systems and procedures together quickly while still maintaining essential service delivery to our community.“We have established new legislative and governance requirements so we can operate as a single Council, implemented a new brand, aligned customer service processes so that residents can do business with us at whichever office they want to.“As a unified Council we have hugely increased buying power which is already paying off – we have saved $750,000 a year by consolidating supplier contracts, $700,000 in insurance costs and by removing merchant fees at our Wyong office with an estimated saving of $240,000 for ratepayers.“These savings are just the tip of the iceberg – we have done our homework and modeled the expected benefits and costs of the merger and forecast a net benefit of around $70 million over a ten year period.“These savings can and will be put straight into better services and infrastructure for our growing community.”Council is also adjusting its budget to make an important investment into a new technology platform – a future mode of operation – to future proof the business and make it easier for residents to access information and services 24 hours a day.“This project is built off the back of us listening to our residents and taking action to ensure we can serve them to the best of our ability,” Mr Reynolds added.“Both former Councils had ageing technology systems that required a revamp so the merger has given us a great opportunity to get one great system in place to serve the whole Central Coast.“We expect to see significant financial benefits well into the future thanks to the creation of a united, effective and efficient organisation.”Council is undertaking initiatives to better engage with the community through the recently adopted Engagement Framework.  Regular face-to-face interactions at pop-up stalls at events and shopping centres, online engagement tools and information sessions have all started.Engagement for the first Central Coast Community Strategic Plan will start in March.