Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) has lodged a Development Application (DA) for the first stage of a new aircraft manufacturing facility at Central Coast Airport.The DA seeks consent to erect an aircraft hangar with a roof area of 2760 square metres and related works including temporary parking.The estimated value of the proposed development is $3M.AAI has previously stated it will invest a total of $100 million in setting up the full manufacturing facility.Details about the DA can be found on Council’s website.

A landmark ruling today by the Land and Environment Court of NSW has given the green light to the Australian Taxation Office proposed for Gosford.Earlier today the Court dismissed an appeal by the Gosford Waterfront Alliance.This will provide more certainly for employment prospects in Gosford CBD.

With the festive season upon us, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about and celebrate with family and friends on the Central Coast.Central Coast Council is supporting a number of events for families and friends to celebrate the past year.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said there’s plenty to enjoy, starting this weekend at The Entrance.“Memorial Park at The Entrance will be lit up on Christmas Eve as thousands flock for the annual Carols by Candlelight,” Mr Reynolds said.“It’s set to be another spectacular night by the water with rides, entertainment and of course the Christmas Carols we all love, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.“It’s a great time of the year to remember and celebrate what’s great about living here on the Coast.”The annual carnival will be back operating from 6pm from Boxing Day along the Gosford waterfront, full of rides for all ages or bring a picnic rug along to the Gosford Leagues Club field to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks.Residents and visitors will be able to bring in the New Year with a bang starting with the Gosford Races at Midday.At Central Coast Stadium the New Year’s Eve Mariners game against Melbourne Victory will kick off at 7pm.Council will also welcome in the New Year with live entertainment, stalls, rides and a fireworks display by the waterfront at Memorial Park, The Entrance, from midday.Council’s Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said with all these great activities available, make sure you have a Plan B to get home.“The best night out starts with a plan to get home safely, and we have a guide to help,” Ms Vaughan said.“If you don’t have a designated driver organised, check out the Late Night Transport Guide - it provides a full list of phone numbers on the Central Coast for courtesy bus services, taxis and local timetables for trains and buses.”Council would like to wish all residents and visitors a very happy Christmas and a safe and joyful New Year.Visit liquoraccords.org.au/transport-links/ to help with a Plan B and for more information on transport options.

Residents are advised that Central Coast Council will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period, from Monday 26 December 2016 until Monday 2 January 2017 (inclusive).Essential services will continue during the closure, including waste collection, water treatment and lifeguards.For any urgent council-related emergencies during the period such as water main breaks, residents can contact 4325 8222 (Gosford office) or 4350 5555 (Wyong office) 24-hours a day.Limited services will also be available on Friday 23 December, as systems maintenance is undertaken.Council Libraries in the north (Tuggerah, Lake Haven, The Entrance, Bateau Bay, Toukley and Gwandalan branches) will close at 12pm.Additionally, Libraries in the south (Erina, Gosford, Kariong, Kincumber, Umina and Woy Woy branches) will cease operations at 2pm.Council’s Customer Service Centres will also close at 12pm in the north and 2pm in the south to accommodate these important scheduled works.Central Coast Council management and staff would like to wish residents a safe and merry Christmas and a happy New Year.For more information contact 4325 8222 or 4350 5555, go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or follow Council on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

This holiday season, Central Coast Council is again joining forces with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation to help promote its important road safety campaign.The foundation was established in 2014 after the tragic death of Tom McLaughlin in a pedestrian accident during a family holiday at MacMasters Beach.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said the Holiday time:

Please be advised that a number of road closures will be in place in Gosford and The Entrance on Saturday 31 December 2016, as we celebrate New Year's Eve.GosfordCentral Coast Highway between Moore Street and Masons Parade (including the Brian McGowan Bridge) will be closed to traffic from 6pm – 11pm.

This weekend will see a hive of activity around Tuggerah Lakes as Central Coast Council kicks off its award winning Wyong Lakes Festival.The Festival will make a splash on Saturday 12 November and will continue with more than 30 events until Sunday 20 November.The opening weekend will see up to 1500 competitors take part in three massive sporting events – Colour Ya World, TriWyong and the Saltwater Festival (Stand Up Paddle Boarding).Crowds are also expected to flock to Memorial Park, The Entrance for Light up the Lake and fireworks with a free concert including headline act, Thirsty Merc on Saturday 12 November from 4pm.On Sunday 13 November, festival goers can wind down with Brunch by the Lake including a free breakfast, activities and entertainment at Memorial Park from 10am.There is something for everyone in the nine day program designed to entertain, delight and educate the community about one of the Coast’s greatest natural assets.See the full program at wyong.nsw.gov.au/wyonglakesfestival

Central Coast Council has completed two sections of fire trails at Mardi to help protect residences in the area from the risk of bushfire.The fire trails between Old Maitland Road and Scadden Ridge Road in Mardi have been upgraded with corrugated concrete to allow better access for emergency services to the area in the event of a fire and for hazard reduction burning activities.Corrugated concrete has proven effective in steeper areas of the Coast and significantly reduces maintenance costs.  Council has saved around $50,000 a year after a similar upgrade to Kincumba Mountain six years ago.Council’s Senior Manager, Property Management, Mr Peter Stokes, said Council had been upgrading fire trails across the Coast to ensure emergency services can better protect the community from the threat of bushfire.“Mardi has been assessed as a high risk area for bushfires which is why these trails were prioritised in this round of works,” Mr Stokes said.“We know that better fire trails mean our emergency services can get to where they need to be more quickly and every minute counts when it comes to saving lives and properties.”Council invested $240,000 on 280 metres of new fire trails through some of the most rugged terrain in the Mardi area.Council’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds, said with the threat of fire now quite real, it is time for local residents to prepare their own properties for the bushfire season, if they haven’t already done so.“We are doing everything we can to mitigate direct and indirect bushfire impacts on residents and will continue to do so,” Mr Reynolds said.“Last financial year with the support of Rural Fire Service grants programs, Council invested over $1.3 million in bush fire mitigation activities.“The threat of fire on the Coast is very real and I urge everyone to prepare a bushfire survival plan for their home and family and ensure that their property is ready for the fire season.“Embers can travel long distances and are one of the main reason houses are lost during a bushfire.

Students and teachers from across the Central Coast took part in Council’s 2016 Primary School Environment Award Program encouraging students to consider stormwater issues in and around their school.This year’s theme, the drain is just for the rain, got students thinking about the impact waste has in their local environment such as waterways as well as the bigger picture of marine debris and how all drains lead to the ocean.Warnervale Public School and Mannering Park Public School were named the two overall winners for the former Wyong Shire area.Council’s Team Leader Community Education, Ms Danielle Hargreaves, said she was impressed at how Warnervale Public School has made it a key part of their everyday activities.“The school has developed a program to address the litter issues on top of their already successful environmental management program,” Ms Hargreaves said.“Extra bins have been placed in litter focus areas and during lunch and recess all the students use the Take 3 approach to make all rubbish is picked up before they go and play.“Food scraps are collected for the chickens to reduce any avoidable food waste, and the canteen now buys items with less packaging which results in less waste.“And this is just a sample of how the school is taking the 3-Rs approach – reduce, recycle and reuse.”Mannering Park Public School has also integrated the theme, the drain is for the rain, into all aspects of school life.From a waste audit, to Waste Free Wednesdays and a new recycling system, this small school is also leading the way in changing behaviours and teaching students about what goes down the drain impacts stormwater and wildlife.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, was excited at the work produced in an effort to help the local environment.“It’s great to see so many schools participate in this annual program and how the learnings from this become part of everyday life at school and home,” Mr Reynolds said.“The program gives primary school students a chance to become involved in fun, innovative and environmentally sustainable projects that make a real positive difference to our community.”Other winners announced today included Brooke Avenue Public School, Ourimbah Public School, Tacoma Public School and Wyong Creek Public School.The winners of the school in the former Gosford City area will be announced on Friday 25 November at Laycock Street Community Theatre.

Central Coast Council is bringing an acclaimed writer, Andrew Patterson, to Tuggerah Library in November to share his debut novel ‘Harry’s World.’This award winning author will inspire his listeners to fall in love with crime fiction as he chats about his novel of corruption, crime, and politics.Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, she is excited to present such a fascinating and award winning author who has released his novel with much acclaim.“Crime fiction lovers will be enthralled as Andrew’s passion for writing and knowledge of crime really jumps out as he talks about ‘Harry’s World,’ said Ms Edwards.“Andrew’s experience as a Detective Sergeant in the Police Force and as a Chief Investigator with the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption has given him a vast amount of knowledge that really shines through this fascinating read.“Harry’s World’ is running hot off the press and if you haven’t bought your copy yet, the book will be available for purchase on the day with the author on hand to personally sign each copy.”Andrew Patterson is an independent author who has won five awards including Outstanding Mystery at the 2016 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards in Canada and the Bronze Medal Winner at the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards in Australia.Andrew will be at Tuggerah Library on 23 November at 10am until 11.30am to share his work with readers.“All of our libraries are great places to meet up with friends, catch an event or just be inspired by the dynamic learning spaces we have created", Ms Edwards added.“So drop in to one of your local libraries on the Coast and you will be amazed at what they have to offer for all ages of the community.”More information on local libraries, events and programs can be found by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.