Spring is in the air and the school holidays are just around the corner - a perfect opportunity to holiday in or explore the Central Coast.The Coast has a lot to offer to keep your family entertained these holidays, from the beach to the lakes, to the valleys and the bush - there’s something for everyone. As the weather warms up, it’s a great chance to head on down to one of our 15 patrolled beaches from the Lakes in the north to Umina in the south.Beach conditions are assessed daily to determine the safest part of the beach to swim and where to set up the red and yellow flags.If the beach isn’t your thing, we have been working hard to improve the Lake’s boat ramps and swimming areas with foreshore improvements, maintenance of netted swimming areas and buoy markers, as well as the general amenity of foreshore parks - but remember these areas are not patrolled by Lifeguards.There is more to the lakes than swimming and fishing. With more than 700 kilometres of shared pathways around the Coast (most of them along the water’s edge), this opens up a number of options to walk, ride explore the lake foreshores with family and friends.Check out the first section of Magenta Shared Pathway - 1.5 kilometres of shared pathway that runs along the edge of the Red Gum Forest - or the new pathways winding around the Peninsula.Along all our pathways there are a number of play spaces to stop play or rest and enjoy the views.We maintain more than 250 play spaces across the Central Coast catering for all ages and abilities – so there is bound to be one close to you.There are also 24 skate places on the Coast, including the new regional skate place at Bateau Bay called Bato Yard, which has shading, seating, a basketball court, parkour elements and much more.There’s so much to do and see on the Coast these holidays, and don’t forget to use #thisisthelife and share your favourite places.October long weekendThis year, the October long weekend falls in the middle of the school holidays.If you’re planning on going away, remember these simple travelling tips to ensure you arrive safely at your destination:Stick to the designated speed limit - speeding remains the greatest cause of fatalities and injuries on our roads.Recognise the tired signs.

Places are now available for the popular Reading Buddy program run at select Central Coast Council libraries during Term Four (October – December 2016).Aimed at developing the literacy skills of school aged children and fostering a lifelong love of reading, the program matches students one-on-one with Reading Buddy volunteers from across the community.Council’s Library Services Coordinator Michelle Swan-Beardmore said Reading Buddy programs have been shown to enhance literacy outcomes in young people around the globe.“The Reading Buddy program is so successful because children enjoy quality time and the undivided attention of an adult dedicated to helping them improve their literacy skills and encourage their enjoyment for reading,” said Ms Swan-Beardmore.“Children develop a real rapport with their Reading Buddy and our volunteers gain just as much from the program as the students do.“Previous term programs run here on the Central Coast have been fully booked out, proving the program’s popularity and value with both volunteers and students.”The program consists of bookings for half an hour per week, every week for the ten-week school term.

Central Coast Council’s award winning Wyong Lakes Festival is returning in November bigger and better than ever.Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from 12-20 November.The nine day program will feature a full program of sporting, family, cultural, educational and live music events on and surrounding the Tuggerah Lakes catchment area including:Memorial Park, The EntrancePicnic Point, The EntranceMcKenzie Reserve, BudgewoiCanton Beach foreshoreColongra Bay foreshoreLong Jetty foreshore.Council’s Events Officer, Ms Cobey Linsley, said this year’s program has expanded and will be focussed around the six key event hubs.“We have even more events planned for this year’s Festival as well as some of the favourites from last year returning,” Cobey said.“The opening weekend will be jam packed and include a spectacular free evening concert featuring headliner ’Thirsty Merc’ and fireworks.“The popular Triathlon and Stand Up Paddle Board competitions will also be running on the opening weekend as well as a free brunch by the lake.“The final weekend of the Wyong Lakes Festival will finish with a big splash and will see live bands, moonlight cinema, folk festival, water obstacle course and a street festival.“We’ve had more interest this year from groups wanting to be a part of the Festival and have even more free events locked in the calendar.”Some of the new additions to the 2016 Wyong Lakes Festival include Colour Ya World, Obstasplash, Lighthouse Folk Festival, Long Jetty Street Festival and Long Jetty Moonlight Cinema.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he is excited about the opportunities the Festival will bring to the region.“No wonder our Wyong Lakes Festival is winning state-wide awards, it’s a fantastic event that takes in one of the most iconic locations on the Coast – Tuggerah Lakes," Mr Reynolds said.“The Festival is a great way for residents and visitors alike to take part in a wide range of interesting events and explore our beautiful lakes at the same time.“I can’t wait to see the Lakes come to life on and off the water.”All events are free for spectators to enjoy, with opportunities for people to participate in some events.A full program will be available online from Thursday 1 September.

Local high school students got a taste of local government representation yesterday when Central Coast Council hosted its annual Future Council.Future Council is a forum for students to role play a mock Council meeting in the Council Chambers.

Central Coast Council is embracing Bluetooth technology to help monitor and protect the health of our waterways.Council’s Catchments Management Officer, Ken Brookes, said the technology allowed him to download vital water quality measurements without needing to enter the water.“Council measures a number of water quality indicators at four locations in the lower Wyong River as part of its water extraction licence,” Mr Brookes said.“We use automatic data loggers to test the water every hour and then once a week I download this information to send to our regulators.“The data loggers are now equipped with Bluetooth technology, so there is no longer a need for me to get in a boat and plug directly into the equipment to get the information we need.

Householders in Bateau Bay, Shelly Beach, Killarney Vale, Berkeley Vale, The Entrance and Long Jetty have been advised to watch for discoloured water or changes in water pressure over the next two days, while a leaking trunk main is repaired.Residents are advised the water supply remains safe to drink.Operational changes are being made to the water supply system because of the leaking main, in the median strip of The Central Coast Highway (The Entrance Rd) at Bateau Bay which may lead to the discoloured water and changes to water pressure.It is expected that any discoloured water will clear quickly, but, as a precaution, residents in affected areas and surrounds should check tap water before using their washing machine and dishwasher.To clear discoloured water, run the front garden tap into a bucket for up to one minute to check if the water clears.

Bell Shakespeare‘s nationally-touring production of Othello will play Laycock Street Community Theatre for three performances on 5 and 6 September ahead of its run at Sydney’s Opera House.Exploring issues of racism, violence and misogyny, this epic tragedy is often a challenging play to perform for contemporary audiences.Artistic Director Peter Evan’s production about the infamous Moor explores the battle between love and jealousy and demonstrates how the play reflects current situations in our own political and social climate.Central Coast Council’s Manager of Culture, Phil Cantillon said this is the third consecutive year that Laycock has brought Bell Shakespeare to the Central Coast.“As Australia's leading theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare, Bell Shakespeare often gives unexpected interpretations of Shakespeare;

The new Central Coast Council has now been operating for more than 100 days - and there is a lot to celebrate!The 100-day mark is an important milestone for Council and the community, providing a great chance to reflect on the achievements so far, as well as the challenges ahead.We are committed to making sure the community is proud of its new Council, and we know the key to this is a real focus on customer service and engagement with our ratepayers, residents and visitors.Although there is a long road ahead, Council has already planned, implemented or delivered much-needed projects and initiatives that will enrich and enhance the lives of the Central Coast community.Major projects completed include:Bateau Bay – One of the biggest and most diverse skate places in Australia, Bato Yard, was opened, with hundreds packing it out every day.Narara Valley – A new $370,000 park and playground with plenty of nature play opportunities, grassed areas and modern play equipment, has also opened.Gwandalan – New multi-purpose courts worth $300,000 at Tunkuwallin Oval were unveiled.Long Jetty – The foreshore has been restored with a new sandy area and seating for community enjoyment, right next to the historic Long Jetty.Magenta and the Peninsula – Around two kilometres of shared pathways have been added to the existing network, giving residents and visitors even more opportunities to walk, jog, ride or skate their way around the picturesque Central Coast.Council adopted its first Operational Plan and budget to deliver over $540 million in essential services and $183 million on infrastructure during 2016/2017, for the region’s growing population.

Central Coast Stadium is giving local junior football, rugby union and rugby league stars a chance to walk in the footsteps of their heroes during the upcoming finals series.The region’s top sporting venue will host three local junior finals series over two weekends, commencing on Saturday, 3 September.Spectators can experience the finals events, which will feature up to eight games each day.Manager of Central Coast Stadium Kath Casey said the fixtures will give the young players and spectators a fantastic local sporting experience.“Central Coast Stadium is very proud to host the local junior finals for three of the region’s most popular codes,” said Ms Casey.“Although Central Coast Stadium has hosted the CCJRU and CCJRL finals for many years, this is the first time we have hosted all three codes for the junior finals, with the addition of CCF in 2016.“Teams from all over the Coast will battle it out to be crowned premiers.

Temporary traffic controls are in place along part of Davistown Road, near the intersection of Elvys Avenue in Yattalunga, as Central Coast Council continues to undertake road reconstruction works.This section of Davistown Road has been reduced to one lane, to ensure the safety of motorists travelling through the area.