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.

Central Coast Council’s $7 million investment in the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary over the past financial year is paying off, with three areas achieving improved water quality in the past 12 months.The annual Report Card on the ecological health of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary shows that Lake Munmorah, Tuggerah Lake North and Tuggerah Lake Central have all gone up a grade, from C to B, due to an improvement in water quality.Ratings are graded from A to E, with A being excellent and E being very poor.Council’s Section Manager of Waterways and Coastal, Mr Ben Fullagar, said council had spent close to $30 million on the estuary over the past eight years, had worked hard to improve and restore important areas in the catchment area, and the results are starting to show.“In the past 12 months council has installed 14 new gross pollutant traps in urban areas, removed 1250 tonnes of pollutants from stormwater treatment devices, collected 200 tonnes of litter, dredged 60,000 cubic metres of sand from The Entrance channel to maintain connection with ocean, removed 10,500 cubic metres of seagrass wrack from nearshore areas and installed new recreational facilities at a number of locations,” Mr Fullagar said.“We are investing in the health of the stunning Tuggerah Lakes Estuary catchment area and have done work on river banks, natural wetlands and foreshore vegetation communities.”Council has been producing annual report cards on the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary since 2012 in an effort to determine whether the health of the estuary is improving, declining or remaining stable.The annual report cards are a summary of the ecological health of the estuary and are the result of scientists from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) collecting and analysing water quality data.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said while council is investing a lot of time and money into making the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary cleaner, everyone could play a role in keeping the lakes clean.“The Lakes are one of our best natural assets and we want to keep it that way,” Mr Reynolds said.“Every time you wash your car on pavement, all of those chemicals end up in the lake.

An international cricket team will steam in to the Central Coast next week for a game against NSW Country.Central Coast Council has been working with the Central Coast Veterans Cricket Association (aka the Cyclones) to host a match between the NSW Country Over 60s and the touring England Over 60s on Tuesday 22 November at Baker Park, Wyong.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was really pleased when he heard the Central Coast will be hosting its first international cricket game.“What a great opportunity for the Central Coast to show off our great region to international visitors,” Mr Reynolds said.“We are happy to be working with the Cyclones and are directly sponsoring this international match through one of our grants.“Let’s hope NSW Country give the English team a good run before they take on the Australian team in three one day tests.”Council staff are working hard this week to make sure the oval is in tip top shape for the upcoming match.Baker Park has one of the best turf pitches on the Coast as well as a grand stand for great viewing so spectators won’t miss a ball.Central Coast Seniors Cricket Association President, Mr Bob Newman, was hit for six with the support he has received.“This is the first time Central Coast Cricket has hosted an international match so we wanted to make sure we had the best suited facilities and worked closely with Council to achieve this,” Mr Newman said.“Veteran’s Cricket is the biggest growing demographic in Australia and really highlights the comradery and fellowship we have.“We are lucky enough to have two Coast players representing NSW Country in the game - Doug Trigg and Greig Buscombe, with Doug named as captain!“All-round, this will be a massive day for Veteran’s Cricket on the Central Coast.

End of year exams are in full swing and Central Coast Council is encouraging students to take advantage of its free online tutoring service.Available through Coast libraries in the North, YourTutor is an online service where students in years 3 to 12 can get study and exam tips and help with assignments from professionals in real time.The service is free for all library members and is available from 3pm to 10pm, Sunday to Friday.Students who are members of the library can log in from any device, anywhere to access the service.Council’s Library Services Coordinator, Ms Andrea Edwards, said help was just a click away and was available in a safe online learning environment on a range of subjects, including English, maths and science, and advice was also given on study skills.“Many parents today are time poor so they struggle to help their children with homework.

Local Olympians and Paralympians have today been recognised in a civic reception held at Central Coast Council.Eight athletes and two officials from the Central Coast took part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio earlier this year and today’s event acknowledged their representation of our country and our community.Council Administrator Ian Reynolds said the reception provided an opportunity to formally recognise the efforts of our local athletes and officially congratulate them on their extraordinary achievements.“The Rio Games marks 120 years of Australians excelling in Olympic events, wearing the green and gold.

The award winning Wyong Lakes Festival continues this week with the final weekend expected to draw big crowds for key events.The final couple of days will see outdoor cinemas, obstacle races, street festivals, kayak tours, concerts and more.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the Festival had already proved popular with residents and visitors alike and the final weekend is expected to attract even more people to the area.“The opening weekend saw thousands of people flock to The Entrance for the free concert, breakfast, colour run and stand up paddle board competition as well as compete in the triathlon at Budgewoi,” Mr Reynolds said.“It was great to see so many people flock to our lake’s foreshore to be part of a festival that has something for everyone.“The weather was perfect and the Lakes really took centre stage – they looked pristine!“The Wyong Lakes Festival is a great chance to see the lakes from a different angle and see how beautiful the Coast really is to live, work and play.”Don’t miss out - there is something for everyone in the program designed to entertain, delight and educate.

Central Coast Council is helping to bring the Coast community together with a fun International Games Day at Gosford and Lake Haven Library from 10am on Saturday 19 November.This international event gives the community a place to explore adventure games, secret decoding games, the latest tabletop games and check out the diverse range of activities the Libraries have on offer.Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, Gosford and Lake Haven Libraries will join in with over a thousand libraries around the world which are opening up their libraries on the same day for gaming.“This international initiative is supported by the Australian Library and Information Association, American Library Association and Nordic Game Day.

Artists from all over NSW are invited to enter Gosford Regional Gallery’s Emerging 2017 competition and exhibition.The competition is open to artists aged between 18 and 30, who are asked to submit a body of work across any visual art medium.  With over $9,000 in total prize money, the biennial competition and exhibition showcases the talents of emerging young artists across the state, giving them the opportunity to exhibit a series of works or site-specific installation at the gallery.Gosford Regional Gallery Team Leader, Tim Braham, said Emerging 2017 is an exciting opportunity for young artists to enter and compete across any medium.“Selected finalists will form an exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery from Saturday 8 April until Sunday 21 May 2017,” said Mr Braham.“This is the eighth year that we have held the Emerging competition and exhibition.

Time is running out to nominate a community hero for the inaugural Central Coast Council 2017 Australia Day Awards.These awards are open to anyone from across the Central Coast and include the chance to be named the first-ever Central Coast Citizen of the Year.The awards span seven categories and are designed to showcase locals who have shown outstanding dedication to their community, their workplace or the arts, culture and sport.All too often this work goes unrecognised, and these Awards are about shining a spotlight on those who give back to the Central Coast community.The categories for the Central Coast awards include:Arts, Culture and EntertainmentBusiness Connecting CommunitiesCommunity Service and ActivityVolunteer of the YearEnvironmentalSportsperson of the YearYouth of the YearThe Citizen of the Year will be selected from one of the winners of these categories and will display the highest level of skill, talent and service in their chosen field and act as a role model across all facets of the broader community.To be eligible, applicants must be an Australian Citizen and live in the Central Coast Local Government Area.Nominations must be received by 5pm, Friday 25 November 2016.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Ian Reynolds has welcomed the announcement of funding to deliver CCTV cameras for Terrigal and Copacabana as part of the Federal Government’s Safer Streets Programme.In an announcement from Minister for Justice, the Honourable Michael Keenan and Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks the $550,000 for the project was confirmed.“This is a fantastic result for the communities of Terrigal and Copacabana,” said Mr Reynolds.“Safer Streets funding has already been rolled out through Kariong, Kincumber, Gosford and the Peninsula thanks to first round funding received in September 2014.“The installation of CCTV has gone a long way to ensuring that residents can feel safe in their community while acting as a strong deterrent for anti-social behaviour,” he said.The round two funding will see the installation of 16 new CCTV cameras across a range of locations in Terrigal and Copacabana in addition to upgrading four existing cameras.Installation locations include the Haven, Copacabana Skate Park, the Captain Cook Lookout and shopping strips in both suburbs.Mr Reynolds added that the process to date had included consultation with community representatives and the NSW Police to ensure the project will best meet the needs of the community.“Stakeholder consultation is vital to ensuring a project like this can be as effective as possible.