Council crews will be carrying out a range of upgrade works at Ernest Street, Erina between Erina High and Woodport Public School, making it safer for student drop-off and pick-up.In partnership with the Department of Education, the project will see the installation of a new roundabout, road reconstruction, kerb and guttering, and footpath and landscaping works.Additional kerb-side parking along Ernest Street will also be provided, as well as the rationalisation of the bus zones to provide and an extra ‘kiss & ride’ area, to ensure pedestrian and motorist safety during busy school pick-up and drop-off times.The project has been funded through a $435,000 grant from the Department of Education, with Council contributing $215,000 through its Capital Works Program.During the construction period, we would encourage motorists to take care if driving nearby, and take note of warning signs to notify of any changes to traffic conditions.Check out our interactive map to find out what roads and drainage projects are happening in your neighbourhood at yourvoiceourcoast.com 

Avoca Beach will become the backdrop for some of the world’s best surfers, when it hosts The Komunity Project Central Coast Pro, presented by Rockstar, from Wednesday 8 – Sunday 12 March.More than 200 of surfing’s most talented will converge on Avoca Beach from today until Sunday to showcase their skills in what is shaping up to be challenging surf conditions.With the surfing elite on show and impressive swell forecast, the event is expected to attract much spectator attention and community support, especially over the weekend.Local favourites including Wade Carmichael will also feature, with home conditions and a home crowd a big incentive for a local to take out the title for this elite event.The exact location for competition along Avoca Beach will be dependent on daily swell conditions.The five-day competition forms the fourth and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series.

Australia Day celebrations will be kicking off early this year with major events at Canton Beach Foreshore and Kibble Park, Gosford on Wednesday 25 January.The festivities will be in full swing at both locations on the eve of our official national day, featuring food and market stalls, activities for the kids, and a fireworks spectacular.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said that these events were the perfect way to begin celebrating Australia Day.“Canton Beach Foreshore and Kibble Park will be abuzz with activity and both events will offer fun for the whole family.“These events offer a great opportunity for everyone in our community to come together and celebrate the many things we love about being Australian,” said Mr Reynolds.Those attending Kibble Park on Australia Day Eve can expect face painting, an interactive performance by Little Puppet World and performances by the Voice’s Ellie Drennan and The Rhythm Hunters.At Canton Beach Foreshore, there will be beach games, an animal farm, lamington making and the Ozi Maid Bush Band.Mr Reynolds said a traditional fireworks spectacular will close both events.“The fireworks display is always extremely popular and will be a fitting finale to close these fantastic community celebrations.“I’d encourage everyone to get to their local event and revel in some true-blue Aussie spirit!” said Mr Reynolds.Australia Day Eve at Canton Beach will run from 4pm – 9pm and is proudly brought to you by Greater Toukley Vision and Central Coast Council and sponsored by 101.3 SeaFM.Australia Day Eve at Kibble Park will run from 5pm – 9.30pm and is proudly brought to you by Central Coast Council and sponsored by 104.5 STAR FM.For a full list of Australia Day events including details, times and locations from around the Central Coast head to www.facebook.com/centralcoastcouncil

Temporary traffic control measures will be in place along a section of Patonga Drive, near Warrah Trig Road, Patonga on Monday 23 January and Tuesday 24 January 2017, while Central Coast Council undertakes essential road pavement works.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 7.30am – 3.30pm to ensure the safety of the community.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.

A man who has given countless hours to those less fortunate has been named the inaugural Central Coast Citizen of the Year.Mr Lester Pearson of Fountaindale received the honour tonight at Central Coast Council’s 2017 Australia Day Awards ceremony.Lester has been volunteering for more than 30 years with his latest passion focused on helping local youth.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Lester was a great example of how volunteering can make a difference in a community.“Lester is a deserving recipient for the first Central Coast Citizen of the Year award, showing that his work in the community isn’t going unnoticed and it is truly appreciated,” Mr Reynolds said.“He’s been instrumental in setting up a number of foundations to support our youth in crisis as well as those overseas.”Lester and his wife, Sue, established ‘Coats for Kids’ through their dry cleaning business, collecting and cleaning more than 5000 coats, jackets and jumpers for Youth off the Streets programs to help keep young ones warm in winter.His most recent achievement, the establishment of Save Our Kids (SOKS) has saved more than 190 young lives across the Coast since it started in 2013.Lester conceived the idea of SOKS to address the issue of youth suicide on the Coast, through raising funds for Lifeline.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) decision to defer the next review and determination of water, sewerage and drainage prices for 12 months.The decision means current prices for residents and businesses will remain in place until 30 June 2019.Council’s Group Leader Assets and Infrastructure, Mr Mike Dowling, said the decision would allow Council to develop a comprehensive submission for the next review and determination.“We will be taking the extra time granted by IPART to develop robust and accurate cost forecasts for the 2018-19 price review,” said Mr Dowling.“This will ensure we can take into account the entire water, sewer and drainage business across the Central Coast and implement efficiencies gained during the amalgamation process.“Council will continue to engage with IPART to ensure we develop an effective and efficient price review, which delivers benefits to both our community and Council.”Residents and business concerned about the impact of this decision on their individual water and sewerage bills can contact Council on either 4350 5555 or 4325 8222.

As council libraries continue to provide online resources for the community, demand for Your Tutor, a free online tutoring service available through council libraries, has more than doubled in the past 12 months.The tutoring service provides help with English (including writing essays), Maths, and science, and is so popular with young students council libraries had to purchase extra minutes to meet demand in July, October and November.Some 1288 tutorials were used in 2016, up from 557 tutorials in 2015.Maths was the subject students asked for the most help with, with 474 tutorials recorded, followed by English, with 422 tutorials used and 178 requests for help with writing essays.Council’s Group Leader of Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the increase in the use of the free online tutoring system was evidence that council was meeting the educational needs of the community, especially young people."We are seeing more and more young people, including senior high school students and TAFE students, using Your Tutor in order to get help with their studies, which improves their chances of finding employment and succeeding in the workplace,” Ms Vaughan said.“Students in Year 12 used the service the most, with 755 tutorials, and TAFE and university students were next, with 233 sessions used.”A student who used Your Tutor said the service saved her from ‘the walk of shame’ with her maths teacher and helped her managed questions she “thought I had no chance of doing.”Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was thrilled Coast students were utilising council’s libraries services.“Council is committed to providing educational resources for young people so they are well equipped to enter the workforce,” Mr Reynolds said.“Your Tutor is available for literacy and numeracy subjects as well as essay checking all through the school holidays, from 6pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday.”Council reminds parents with children about to return to school that normal services covering all subjects will resume on 29 January and to make sure their children can access this free council library service.Your Tutor is also trialling a quiz module for students relating to NAPLAN for primary school students.

Central Coast Council has awarded the contract for the construction of stage one of the Tuggerah Regional Sport and Recreation Complex.The grand $23.71 million sporting complex will include a premier ground with another 9 playing fields, cricket pitches, public amenities including change rooms, canteen facilitates, store rooms and parking at Lakes Road, Tuggerah.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the awarding of this contact is a step towards positioning the Central Coast as a destination of choice for major sporting events.“We have previously had to turn away some state competitions due to a lack of appropriate facilities, but not anymore,” Mr Reynolds said.“The economic benefits that will flow to our community from hosting large sporting events is huge in dollar value, creating local jobs and boosting tourism.”Work on stage one is anticipated to take 12 to 18 months to complete and will create up to 70 new full time employment opportunities during construction.“A further 28 new full time jobs will be created in the region after five years of operation of this complex, boosting much needed employment opportunities on the Coast,” Mr Reynolds added.“This is a really exciting time as Council brings much needed infrastructure and facilities to the Central Coast to improve our community’s quality of life and delivering projects the community need, want and value.”This project was made possible with the support of the Australian Government’s $10 million National Stronger Regions Fund and Council’s $13.71 million.Council recognises the importance of this funding and is looking forward to collaborating with the Australian Government to deliver future projects for the Central Coast community.The final stage of this project will see construction of an indoor sporting centre incorporating six basketball courts, amenities, sporting officers, a kiosk and a 3000 seat grandstand to bring the total value of the complex to $53 million.The tender was awarded to Norths Construction who also built The Art House in Wyong for which they won a 2016 Master Builders Association Award.

Central Coast Council wishes to advise that its meeting this month is scheduled for Tuesday 24 January 2017.Usually scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of each month, January’s meeting has been moved to avoid clashing with Australia Day Eve celebrations at Kibble Park, Gosford and Canton Beach Foreshore.Starting at 5pm, the first meeting for 2017 will be held in the Gosford Office at 49 Mann Street, Gosford.The meeting will also be available webcast on Council’s YouTube channel.

Stephen Clarke named inaugural Central Coast Town CrierAustralia’s top town crier, Mr Stephen Clarke, has cemented his place as a regional identity, following a decision at last night’s Council meeting to crown him the inaugural Central Coast Town Crier.Working as the Gosford City town crier for the past 26 years, Mr Clarke took out the nation’s top town crying accolade last year, when he contested the 25th National Town Criers Championships in Redland, Queensland, and landed three awards for Best Dressed Crier, Best Cry and Champion of Champions.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the change in title officially recognises Mr Clarke’s contribution to the region and formalises his role at official Council ceremonies and events.“Stephen Clarke has been an amazing ambassador for Gosford City and his numerous accolades and national awards are testament to his talent and experience,” Mr Reynolds said.“As the Central Coast has become a region in its own right, it is only fitting that someone who has been such a tremendous asset to his local community can be recognised for his representation across the entirety of our new local government area.“Previously, Stephen formally commenced all citizenship ceremonies at Gosford and he will now appear at Central Coast citizenship ceremonies across all venues.”For Mr Clarke, being the official Central Coast Town Crier is an opportunity to showcase his passion for the wonderful place he calls home.“I have always had an incredible passion for our hometown and I believe we are all so lucky to be a part of this amazing community,” Mr Clarke said.“I am exceptionally proud of where we live and whenever I have the chance to tell people about the natural beauty, friendly atmosphere and marvellous advancements happening in our local area, I do.“It is an honour to officially represent the Central Coast and now I have the opportunity to sing the praises of our entire region wherever I go.”Having lived on the Central Coast since 1958, Mr Clarke is a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and is passionate about promotion and advancement of the Central Coast region.Even Mr Clarke’s town crying robes are representative of our region’s local identity;