Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and its 15 surf clubs will today receive $147,000 in funding from Central Coast Council as part of an annual commitment to help them continue their vital beach safety work.“Safety on our beaches is incredibly important as thousands of local residents and visitors enjoy the Central Coast’s beautiful beaches each year, which are a key part of our way of life,” said Ian Reynolds, Council Administrator.“This funding enables SLSCC’s volunteers to work closely with Council’s own Lifeguard service to improve safety and rescue standards across the Central Coast and keep our beaches safe,” Mr Reynolds said.“Last season, volunteer lifesavers saved over 1,162 lives, prevented nearly 21,388 people from getting into difficulty and contributed over 97,400 volunteer hours keeping the public safe at our beaches - and I would like to thank them for their efforts,” Mr Reynolds said.The clubs also run training and education programs at the beaches and in schools which reached over 29,600 Central Coast children last season.
Domestic waste services on the Central Coast are provided by Remondis under contracts with the Central Coast Council.The dispute lodged by the Transport Workers’ Union (“TWU”) in the Fair Work Commission is between Remondis and the TWU acting on behalf of some of the drivers. It does not involve council.The wages and conditions of Remondis’ drivers are the responsibility of the current waste contractor, Remondis. It is unfortunate Central Coast residents and ratepayers will be inconvenienced by strike action planned by the TWU for Friday March 3 and by a stop work meeting on Monday 27 February.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he has made it clear to the TWU, who represent Remondis’ drivers, that Council’s role is to ensure the community get reliable and best value waste services.“Council has a broader responsibility here to provide the very best value possible to our 331,000 residents in garbage and recycling services, both under the current arrangements with Remondis and beyond,” Mr Reynolds said.“That doesn’t mean Remondis’ workers will be left out when the current contracts come to an end.“In fact given the knowledge, skill levels and experience of these drivers, they would seem to have good prospects of being employed by any contractor, after tenders are invited by the Council”.Residents who normally put their bins out on Monday and Friday mornings are advised to leave their bins and kerbside collections out as normal and they will be collected.For any further advice on delayed waste services, residents should contact Remondis on 1300 126 278.
Central Coast Council will be closing Magenta shared pathway for a day to install a number of benches along the scenic walk.The popular pathway will be closed on Thursday 2 March from 6am-5pm to install seats in the rest areas.The benches will add to the amenity of the pathway allowing users to rest comfortably and enjoy the natural environment as they exercise.Due to the nature of the work and for user safety, Council needs to close the pathway from the Evans Road car park as heavy machinery will be on site.During the works, cyclists can use the on-road bicycle lanes on Wilfred Barrett Drive and walkers can access the wetland path from the south end of Evans Road or the trails from the Wilfred Barrett Drive carpark.Cyclists using Wilfred Barrett Drive should use care on the public road, which at times has heavy traffic.
Central Coast Council is launching an information tool to help residents keep up to date with Capital Works road projects happening in their area.The online map also marks the creation of a single Capital Works schedule for the Central Coast.It sets out the status of all road and drainage works listed to be carried out this financial year, keeping the community informed of works in their neighbourhood.Each project will have a unique pin, outlining its location, description and timeline for the commencement and completion of the works.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said that the Capital Works program formed the basis of infrastructure upgrades across the region.“This financial year we’re investing almost $183 million into Capital Works across the Central Coast,” Mr Reynolds said.“Through a now unified Capital Works program we’re seeing better outcomes through a greater access to resources, increased buying power and improved efficiencies.“The overall program will see upgrades to our road network, improvements to sewer infrastructure and enhancements to many of our community assets.“Our staff work extremely hard to identify and schedule these key projects, based on outcomes set within our Operational Plan.”At this stage, the online map sets out the $62 million roads and drainage projects as part of the Capital Works program and it’s proposed to extend that to other works in future.You will also be able to get a consolidated list of all capital road and drainage works identified by suburb.Group Leader of Assets, Business and Infrastructure, Mike Dowling, said that this information tool was an important step in informing the community on the Capital Works program.“Residents will be able to get a greater understanding of where works are being undertaken, which will inform their feedback on our services through ongoing community engagement,” said Mr Dowling.“It’s important to note that this isn’t an indication of all of the work we undertake, our online map looks at major road and drainage capital projects - as opposed to our normal maintenance program.”Council is encouraging residents to visit the online map, look up their local area and provide feedback – as it looks to expand the service to all Capital Works projects in future.To see what Capital Work projects in your neighbourhood, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Central Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary Council meeting on Monday 13 March 2017 to present the financial reports of the former Gosford Council for the period from 1 July 2015 to 12 May 2016.The meeting will be held at the Central Coast Council Chambers, Level 1, 49 Mann Street, Gosford at 5pm.The Meeting will be open to the public to attend and can be viewed live on Council’s YouTube Channel.
Central Coast Council is calling on local residents to roll up their sleeves and get involved in Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday 5 March.More than 70 community, school and business sites have been registered across the Central Coast.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Clean Up Australia Day is the perfect way for the community to come together and help clean up the Coast.“It’s great to see people taking pride in their suburb and doing their bit to protect our unique environment,” Ms Vaughan said.“The Central Coast’s natural environment is so diverse - from our beautiful beaches and waterways to large areas of bushland and national parks - and needs our help to stay clean and preserve the habitats of native animals and plants.”Volunteers are needed to assist with sites all across the Coast and range from public bushland and parks to foreshore and coastal areas.Last year more than eight tonnes was collected across 86 sites on the Central Coast.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this weekend is a great chance to get involved and support your local community.“Clean Up Australia Day is a reminder to think about how we can all work together to reduce litter in the home and our impact on the environment every day,” Mr Reynolds said.“We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place and it is up to us to do our bit to keep it that way.”For more information go to cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or contact Council on 4350 5555/4325 8222.
Andy Griffiths, author of the hugely successful Treehouse series, is just one of many Aussie authors and comedians who read stories on one of three programs recently acquired by Central Coast Libraries.Council is hosting several free workshops to help children learn how to use the new e-resources and the online catalogue.Story Box Library is an educational program for kids, offering a selection of Australian children’s stories read out loud and on film.The two other programs are Rainforest Coding and Ten Monkeys.Council Group Leader, Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said one of Council’s priorities for Coast libraries was ensuring the community had access to the latest technologies.“As we move further into the digital age these platforms are another great way to empower kids to learn, and are just a couple of the many learning tools our Council libraries have that foster digital learning and literacy in our youngsters,” Ms Vaughan said.“Council libraries are committed to investing in educational activities for children in order to make sure they are well equipped for life and ultimately the work force.”Rainforest Coding introduces the visual programing language ‘Scratch’ to children from five years of age, and is a collection of adventures including Return to Crystal Rainforest and Echo Island.Ten Monkeys is a mathematical resource suitable for children aged 6-10 years.It offers mathematics learning content for primary school students in a fun and game-like environment.The new e-resources are free and are currently available at wyong.nsw.gov.au/library for library members.In order to gain access to these resources you must be a member of Central Coast Libraries.The first workshop is on Monday 20 March from 10am to 11am at Tuggerah Library, and the second workshop is on Monday 3 April from 10am to 11am at Lake Haven Library.Bookings are essential.Call Tuggerah Library on 02 4350 1560 and Lake Haven Library on 02 4350 1570.
Temporary traffic control measures will be in place along a section of Brisbane Water Drive, Woy Woy, until Friday 10 March, while Central Coast Council completes water main upgrade works.The works, being carried out in the vicinity of the Spike Milligan Bridge, will be undertaken at night to minimise the impact on local traffic.Warning signs will be in place for the duration of the works to notify motorists of the changed traffic conditions and traffic controllers will be on site from 8pm – 5am to enhance community safety.Additionally, important pavement stabilisation works will be undertaken on the Scenic Rd, Kincumber, until Friday 10 March.The works will take place from 7am – 5pm, with traffic controllers on site – motorists should expect some minor delays during this time.Council would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience while these important works are carried out and apologises for any inconvenience.