Electors who are enrolled within the new Central Coast Council area do not need to vote at the council elections on 10 September 2016.Elections for Central Coast Council and the other newly merged councils in NSW will be held on 9 September 2017.At the election in 2017, the Central Coast Local Government Area will be divided into five wards with three Councillors to be elected for each one.  Details on the wards can be found at www.strongercouncils.nsw.gov.au

Plenty of nature play opportunities and grassed areas along with modern play equipment and sculptures are now ready for local families to enjoy at the brand new, $370,000 Narara Valley Precinct Park.The new park and playground on Willari Avenue in Narara will be opened by Central Coast Council next Thursday afternoon 28 July 2016 with a community get together and barbecue between 3.30pm and 5pm.Council’s Group Leader of Customer and Community Relationships Judy Jaeger said it was pleasing to see that the Narara Valley community now has access to the precinct park it deserves.“With the new Narara Valley Precinct Park funded from the sale of the area’s old community hall, this is a great example of how Council is reinvesting funds back into vital community services and facilities, “ Ms Jaeger said.“The spacious, multi-use playground is located in a large reserve with plenty of open space for recreational and group activities.“We’re very proud of the playground’s strong focus on nature play and the highly vegetated environment the park provides for children to explore.”Narara Valley Precinct Park offers great accessibility for a broad range of ages and capabilities, as well as fantastic complementary facilities including public amenities, barbecues and picnic furniture.“This new park and playground truly has been a collaborative community effort, with over 200 local residents leaving their mark on the facility either via hand printing in the pathways or tree planting,” Ms Jaeger added.“We’d like to see as many people from the Narara Valley area down at the community get together next week to celebrate this wonderful piece of community infrastructure.”

The Central Coast has long been recognised as a region of extraordinary artistic talent, with our lifestyle and natural beauty attracting and inspiring art, design and creative practitioners and professionals.This weekend, Gosford Regional Gallery opens three new exhibitions by local artists, further strengthening our region’s reputation as a centre for artistic excellence.Australian artist Jocelyn Maughan was encouraged to draw from an early age, and at fifteen, much to the annoyance of her headmistress, left school to begin five years study at the National Art School.

Peninsula residents are being encouraged to get on their bikes, with the completion of three new sections of pedestrian and cyclist shared paths in the area, adding to the almost 160 kilometres of shared off-road path currently in operation across the Central Coast.The three new shared paths add half a kilometre to the existing network and are located along parts of Memorial Avenue, Barrenjoey Road and Uligandi Street in Ettalong and Blackwall.Central Coast Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business Mike Dowling said the creation of connective transport corridors is one of the key priorities on The Peninsula.“Council is dedicated to improving the cycleway network on The Peninsula to encourage greater connectivity and improve accessibility within the local community,” said Mr Dowling.“The establishment of an integrated cycle network in this area offers alternate transport options and improves recreational facilities and social engagement opportunities for both visitors and residents."Council recognises the many benefits of cycling and supports initiatives that encourage more people to cycle across the Central Coast.“Our integrated network forms the basis of Council’s objective to encourage cycling as a convenient, sustainable and healthy mode of transport, as well as an ideal way to experience and enjoy our magnificent region,” Mr Dowling added.At this stage, more than 90 kilometres of further off-road shared path is proposed for the region.

Central Coast Council Administrator Ian Reynolds and CEO Rob Noble have the answers to your queries about our new organisation, and are keen to speak with you.

Central Coast Council concerns about the effect on the drinking water catchment, environment and residential areas will be central to its review of modified plans for the Wallarah 2 Coal Project released to the public last Friday.Wallarah 2 have modified the plans related to the rail loop, rail spur line and train load out facility.

Budding artists over 50 years of age are being asked to pick up their paint brushes, as entries for the prestigious Grandma Moses Art Exhibition are now open.In its 34th year, this long-standing fixture on the cultural calendar takes inspiration from the life and work of Anna Mary Robertson, better known as Grandma Moses, who became widely famous for her evocative paintings depicting American rural life, after taking up painting in her seventies.Central Coast Council Group Leader Customer and Community Relationships Judy Jaeger, said the essence of the competition is that it’s never too late to learn new skills.“The fact that this competition has been running for more than three decades is a testament to its popularity, both for artists and viewers,” said Ms.

Central Coast Council is continuing to deliver new facilities for the Central Coast, as well as improving existing ones to improve the quality of life for our community and visitors.Expanding Little Free LibrariesOur library service is continuing to inspire a love of learning and reading in the community with the installation of two all-weather Little Free Libraries on the shores of Tuggerah Lakes.The newly installed boxes at Saltwater Creek Reserve, Long Jetty and Canton Beach add to our growing list of these free, accessible libraries across the Coast.These libraries are set up so anyone can stop and pick up a book to read or drop in a book or two for the community to share.Little Free Libraries are available at the following locations:Farm Gate Café, North WyongKibble Park, GosfordYesterYear Hair Salon, TuggerawongGosford Smart Work HubGosford Hospital Emergency DepartmentPeruch Avocado Farm – Wisemans Ferry Road, SomersbyBurns Park, GosfordMingaletta, Umina Beach Community HallPeninsula Recreation PrecinctKariong and Kincumber Youth centresWyoming Community CentreRotary Park, Terrigal (anticipated to be available August 2016).We’re always looking for more interest from organisations or businesses who would like to host their own book exchange.

Long Jetty foreshore has been restored to its former glory as a popular swimming and boating paradise with a new sandy area open for community enjoyment.Central Coast Council recently completed the stormwater consolidation and foreshore enhancement works with $360,500 in funding from the Federal Government’s National Landcare Programme.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the project was another key step in improving our community’s quality of life.“Council has a responsibility to not only provide key services to the community but to provide places the community can get together and enjoy their local environment,” Mr Reynolds said.“The project not only provides benefits to our lakes through foreshore improvements and stormwater works, but some unique recreational opportunities as well.“Wooden lounge chairs and picnic benches were installed to complement the foreshore next to the iconic Long Jetty and are already proving popular with the locals and visitors alike.“It’s great to see so many people taking advantage of these community facilities.”Council’s Manager Waterways and Asset Management, Peter Ham said aside from the recreational opportunities, important physical works were completed.“The physical works on site included re-profiling a 60 metre section of foreshore, sand nourishment and construction of a sandstone rock wall which will result in a more natural shoreline profile and provide protection from future erosion,” Mr Ham said.“Also included in the works were infrastructure improvements which allow stormwater to be better collected and diverted away from the newly enhanced foreshore site - this will result in improved water quality along the lake foreshore.“Continuing with the unique nature of this project, our staff have also captured the development of the foreshore area with a time-lapse camera.“So if you have ever wondered what it takes to actually create a new space such as this one, visit our Facebook page or YouTube channel and check it out.”Council is reminding residents the Long Jetty is currently closed for maintenance until Friday 29 July (weather dependent) and requests the community enjoy the jetty from a safe distance until it is reopened.#loveourlivinglakes

Central Coast Council is recognising the community members who shared their stories as part of a year-long campaign that highlighted the Coast as a great place to live, work and play.Tagged Wyong Alive, the campaign was run as part of the 2015-16 Year of the Community and has been collated into a book to showcase the vibrant and diverse characters in our community.Council’s Community Partnerships and Planning Manager, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the past 12 months has showcased everyday people doing what they love best on the Coast.“Through Wyong Alive, we brought to life the stories of everyday people and have captured the overall journey in a book,” Julie said.“The book, Wyong Alive – The Story so Far, gives a special insight into our unique community and highlights the vast array of activities, places, traditions and personalities that make up our community.“Each month community members appeared in a number of different features such as history, sport, volunteers, entrepreneurs, creative arts, positive ageing, future leaders, Indigenous and more all shared through the Wyong Alive website, various mainstream and social media.“The book celebrates the stories of our community and everyone who told their story will receive a copy of the book to share with their family and friends.“We will be expanding the concept this year with Coast Alive giving monthly snapshots of the lives of people in our wider Central Coast community.“Wyong Alive has proved to be a successful campaign and has been recognised as a great way to build pride within a local community.”See the story so far by visiting www.wyongalive.com.au