Central Coast Council is calling on the community to help identify who caused over $20,000 in damage at Northlakes Oval in San Remo.Council has been forced to close the oval after one of the floodlights was unbolted and knocked down deliberately.The 20 metre high pole has caused damage to the oval’s surface as well as shattering the lights and leaving shards of glass everywhere.

Laycock Street Community Theatre, in partnership with Bell Shakespeare, is hosting Central Coast auditions for the 2016 John Bell Scholarship on Wednesday 17 August from 1.30pm.The new scholarship is specifically for students in regional communities, in honour of Bell Shakespeare’s Founding Artistic Director John Bell.The program is designed to offer talented young Australians the opportunity to kick-start their arts careers with the support and guidance of Bell Shakespeare.Central Coast Council Arts and Culture Coordinator, Chis King said Laycock Street Theatre has enjoyed a strong relationship with Bell Shakespeare over the years and is always committed to supporting young people pursuing careers in the arts and creative industries.“This is an amazing opportunity for young Central Coast aspiring actors to fulfil their dreams of performing.”“With incredible touring productions and education programs, Bell Shakespeare is a leading example of how live theatre can engage audiences of all ages in arts and cultural activities.”“We are always privileged to bring Bell Shakespeare productions to Central Coast audiences.

More information regarding enquiries and enrolments can be found on our Child Care Centres page.It’s Local Government Week, which is a great chance to highlight some of the invaluable services Council provides to the community each and every day.This year’s theme is ‘Our Council, Our Community’ and reflects how Council is closely connected to the community as well as the vital support and services we deliver that enhances people’s lives.One such service is the provision of high quality early childhood care and education that supports the needs of local families.We have been a dedicated childcare provider on the Central Coast for more than 30 years – supporting in excess of 40,000 families during this time.We run eight centres across the Central Coast at Kanwal, Kariong, Niagara Park, Northlakes, Terrigal, Toukley, Wyong and Umina.The families who attend our childcare centres know we are passionate about providing a nurturing and inspiring environment in which children can play, learn and explore.There is a strong sustainability focus in each of the centres, which gives children the opportunity to learn about things like reducing waste through worm farms, compost bins, chicken-keeping and so much more.Some centres even have their own herb and vegetable gardens and children enjoy helping maintain them.

While Australia's elite athletes are preparing to compete for Olympic gold in Rio, closer to home Australia's elite firefighters are preparing to descend on the Central Coast for Fire and Rescue NSW's own version of the Olympics, the State Firefighter Championships.The State’s best firefighters will pit their wits and skills against each other during the three-day event to be held 27-29 October.

A three volume reference book detailing much of the previously unknown history of Mann Street’s buildings, businesses and people is now available at Gosford Library.After 16 years of research and with the help of grants from Central Coast Council, local historians Pamela Williams and John Lewis recently completed the first volumes of Mann Street Gosford in the Age of Steam 1881–1960.Council’s Local Studies Librarian Geoffrey Potter said the important story this publication tells about Gosford’s local history cannot be underestimated.“Through exhaustive research of land records, newspapers, directories, photographs and council records as well as interviews with residents, Pam and John have pieced together much of Gosford’s previously lost history,” Mr Potter said.“These two dedicated and patient local historians have documented in detail the when and where of Mann Street’s buildings, who owned them, the people who lived there, and the businesses that were the lifeblood of the town in its formative years.“It traces the story of Mann Street’s individual building lots from the approval of the Homebush to Waratah railway link in 1881 through to the arrival of the electric train in 1960.”The publication’s first three volumes cover Paul’s Corner to Georgiana Terrace and both sides of Mann Street between Erina Street and Faunce Street.“Both Pam and John have a close affinity with Mann Street, having started work there in local banks in 1955,” Mr Potter added.“They are already working on several further volumes that will eventually detail from Gosford Park through to Racecourse Road.”Reference copies of Mann Street Gosford in the Age of Steam 1881–1960 are available at Gosford Library.

Last night Central Coast Council won the Innovation in Special Events Award at the Annual RH Dougherty Awards held as part of Local Government WeekThe Award recognises a special event produced and owned by a Council in the 2015 calendar year that delivered excellence in fulfilling its objective.The first Wyong Lakes Festival made a big splash in November last year with a nine day program featuring sporting, family, cultural, educational and live music events on and surrounding the Tuggerah Lakes Catchment area.When presenting the award for Council’s Wyong Lakes Festival, the Judges said the campaign was an outstanding, innovative event that had a great partnership approach to activating places and spaces as well as and generating significant economic returns for the region.Council’s Manager Community Partnerships and Planning, Ms Julie Vaughan, was thrilled with the win and said it was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the events staff to make the dream a reality.“We were committed to delivering a Festival that showcased the Lakes and we certainly delivered, attracting people from the Central Coast and beyond,” Julie said.“We had five event hubs set up that were identified as being key locations in activating, educating and celebrating the Tuggerah Lakes system.“Over the nine days we held 35 events that promoted our area and provided elements of participation that were free to spectators, with opportunities for others to participate.“Some of the events included an evening light show on the lake and concert, breakfast by the lake, stand-up paddle boarding competition, skate competition, painting by the lake, art exhibitions, markets stalls, a triathlon and much more.”Wyong Lakes Festival provided options for forging ground-breaking partnerships between many community groups, residents, business owners and sponsors across the Coast to activate and enliven the Tuggerah Lakes system.“It was great the judges noticed the strong sustainability focus the Festival had as well as the partnerships we created to make this event a success,” Julie added.“And it was a great success!

Central Coast Council continues to welcome the Pacific Highway Upgrade through Wyong and is confident it is on track.Council views the upgrade as a catalyst to easing congestion in a key bottleneck on the Coast.Council’s Administrator, Ian Reynolds, said Council has been consulted and involved in the design phase and is confident the upgrade will happen.“Council has been a champion for this project as we know it is vital for our community, Mr Reynolds said.“Council is not aware of any delays in the planning of this project and is looking forward to seeing construction begin in the coming years.”More information on the Wyong Pacific Highway upgrade is available online at www.rms.nsw.gov.au. 

A number of professional riders from the Central Coast and inter-state will be showing off their skills at the official opening of Bato Yard.The Central Coast’s newest sporting facility is already gaining state-wide attention and the opening is going to take it to the next level on Sunday 14 August, from 10am.Central Coast Council’s Sports Development and Event Officer, Ms Karen Lightfoot, said this is one event not to be missed.“Bato Yard is something the community has wanted for a long time, so it’s only fair we give it the opening it deserves,” Karen said.“We have lined up nine pro riders to show off their skills in the two bowls and street throughout the day as well as basketball and parkour demonstrations.“There will also be food stalls, displays and giveaways as well as prizes for riders in the afternoon jam sessions.“It’s going to be such a jam-packed day, I can’t wait to see the skate, BMX and scooter pro riders mixing with the local riders and sharing their skills.“We have local pros, Mitchell Ritcher on scooter and Gareth Nash on BMX doing demos for the crowds.“We have also worked with Shredability to attract some big name skaters like local boys Bryce McKean and Matt Kitai, but the highlight would be the current Girls Combi Champion, Poppy Olsen!”One pro rider who will also be MC on the day is former World Champion, Renton Millar.Renton helped designed the Yard in the early stages at the community workshops and said he is really keen to see how Bato Yard skates.“Bato Yard is insane.

Central Coast Council is pleased to support the bi-annual Fire and Rescue NSW Championship – the first time it has ever been held on the Coast.Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) teams from across the state will converge at the Norah Head Sports Ground on Bungary Road for the three-day championship to be held from 27 to 29 October this year.FRNSW Assistant Commissioner and Championships Director Rob McNeil announced the championship will take place at the end of October and encouraged Central Coast residents to mark the date in their calendar and come along.“Firefighters train for this event for many months and there is a strong competitive streak within the brigades to prove who the top team is,” Assistant Commissioner McNeil said.“They compete in challenges to test their skills in setting up and deploying firefighting equipment quickly and safely.“It’s a great opportunity for the community, especially budding firefighters, to come along and see what it’s all about.

The Qantas Australian Wallabies kicked off their week long training camp at Central Coast Stadium today, which will include a free open session for fans this Thursday 11 August 2016 at 3pm.Central Coast Council’s Administrator Ian Reynolds said it is a privilege to host the Wallabies while they train for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series against the New Zealand All Blacks.“This is the first time the Wallabies have taken advantage of the Central Coast’s sporting facilities to train for such a major, international rugby series,” Mr Reynolds said.“To have the team at Central Coast Stadium as they prepare for one of international rugby’s biggest rivalries is a major coup for our region.“Plus, with many of our residents participating in local rugby union, this camp will also give them the chance to hopefully meet some of their heroes at the open training session.”Fans will be able to get their favourite player’s autograph as well as enjoy other activities and giveaways this Thursday afternoon.Parking and entry for the open training session will be available under Brian McGowan Bridge.