Central Coast Council has secured over $800,000 from the Australian Government to tackle road safety issues at seven notorious black spots.Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester approved the funding under the 2016/2017 Black Spot Programme for road safety projects in Somersby, Wyoming, Lisarow, Gosford, Patonga, Narara and Avoca Beach.Council’s Administrator Ian Reynolds said the support from the Australian Government for these important works was very pleasing.“With this much needed funding now signed and sealed, we’re keen to get on with delivering these vital safety improvements so that the benefits are passed on to road users as soon as possible,” Mr Reynolds said.“Improving the road surface and installing new safety barriers and signage at these black spots will make sure motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are safer when they’re out and about on the Coast’s local roads.“I would especially like to thank the Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester for delivering this funding, as well as NSW Roads and Maritime Services for supporting these black spot nominations.”The latest approved projects for the Central Coast are:$55,000 to install a safety barrier and signage on Debenham Road (west of Kowara Road) at Somersby$35,000 to upgrade the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Cary Street at Wyoming$207,000 to install a safety barrier and improve the road surface and signage on The Ridgeway (east of Bishendens Road) at Lisarow$95,000 to improve the road surface and signage on Mann Street (near Gertrude Street) in Gosford$185,000 to improve the road surface and signage on Patonga Drive (south of Karool Road) in Patonga$77,000 to improve the road surface and signage on Mangrove Road (south of the Pacific Motorway) at Narara$163,000 to install a safety barrier on Avoca Drive (west of The Round Drive) in Avoca Beach

Central Coast Council has welcomed the significant investment in the local road network in the NSW State Government’s budget to improve community connectedness and well-being.The Baird Government delivered a $125 million roads funding windfall with a number of number of notable inclusions to benefit Central Coast residents including:$25 million for the Wyong Road Intersection upgrade$20 million for Ourimbah Street, Lisarow to Glen Road, Ourimbah$12 million for the upgrade of Mingara Drive to Tumbi Road$1.5 million to continue planning the upgrade of the intersection of Empire Bay Drive and Scenic Road and Cochrane Street, Kincumber$500,000 to plan a future upgrade to Terrigal Drive between Chetwynd Road and Duffy’s Road$400,000 design of traffic lights on Terrigal Drive and Tarragal Glen Avenue, Erina ( current roundabout at Erina Fair/McDonalds), to improve local connections and support active transport$500,000 drainage upgrade on Central Coast Highway at WamberalCouncil’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said council was pleased with this important cash injection into the Coast’s road network, confirming the region’s significance in the eyes of the State Government.“The number one issue raised with me since I came here as Administrator is roads – our community want better roads to connect their homes and jobs and improve their access to the great recreational opportunities the Coast offers" Mr Reynolds said.“Council plans to deliver over $120 million in roads projects next financial year and it is heartening to see the State Government is willing to match this spend to deliver better roads for our community.“The investment in Wyong Road will be particularly welcome as local residents and workers will know only too well.”Administrator Reynolds confirmed the commitment of $133 million to continue the $348 million redevelopment of Gosford Hospital is particularly welcome news as improved health services were needed to meet the needs of the region’s growing population.“I understand this investment is the single biggest investment in the budget for any hospital in the State,” Mr Reynolds said.“This clearly shows how important our growing region is to the State Government and highlights the value to the community of the recent merger.“331,000 residents can now demand services with one voice and the State Government is listening.“An equal commitment to the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital is also needed and council will continue to push for this infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the community in the north of the Coast.”

As part of Central Coast Council’s Little Coast Kids commitment to provide dedicated childcare educators, three new trainees started work earlier this month.The trainees were selected through an innovative recruitment process in partnership with Training Services NSW and TAFE Ourimbah, delivering career opportunities for the local community.Council’s Section Manager Care and Education, Mrs Beth Burgess, said the selection of trainees helps ensure the provision of the best childcare possible.“Ten candidates went through four weeks of training provided by TAFE, which also included eight days of work experience at one of Council’s four Little Coast Kids Centres,” Mrs Burgess said.“This process allows us to get an idea of each applicant’s level of commitment and see how well they interact with the children and other staff.“Rather than selecting trainees solely through an interview process this method assists us to select the most suited and enthusiastic applicants for the positions allowing us to continue to provide superior care within the industry.”Council’s Organisational Development Partner, Mrs Linda Sutton, said the successful partnership between Council, Training Services NSW and TAFE Ourimbah has helped deliver local job opportunities.“Thanks to funding received through Training NSW we have been able to create entry level positions to help our community get a leg up in the very competitive job market on the Central Coast,” Mrs Sutton said.“This process also improves job prospects for the unsuccessful candidates who went through the selection process as all candidates now possess a four week statement of attainment in the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.“TAFE Ourimbah will now continue to provide high quality training to the successful candidates through the remainder of the Diploma.”The successful applicants, Amanda Bailey, Stephanie Fisher, Rebecca McGuire-Read, will be placed at either the Wyong or Kanwal Little Coast Kids Centres. 

Central Coast Council met with representatives from Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council today to discuss the Land Council’s projects on the Central Coast.The meeting comes on the eve of NAIDOC Week and recognises the importance of the Land Council to the future of the Central Coast.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he welcomed the opportunity to meet with such a key landholder on the Coast so early in the life of the new council.“Darkinjung have a number of projects in the pipeline in support of Indigenous people on the Central Coast,” Mr Reynolds said.“The projects are also aimed at supporting the need in our community for housing and other facilities to meet the needs of our growing population.“I look forward to working with them in a cooperative manner as they progress their planning program.”Darkinjung’s, Chairperson Ms Tina West and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sean Gordon, said as the largest private land owner in the region the relationship between Darkinjung and the newly formed Central Coast Council is significant in terms future planning and development for the Aboriginal community socially, culturally and economically.

NAIDOC Week, 3-10 July, marks a significant event for Indigenous Australians, celebrating their history, culture and achievements.Central Coast Council will kick off NAIDOC celebrations on the Coast with its annual Flag Raising Ceremony and morning tea on Monday 4 July from 10am at the Wyong office.This year’s theme is ‘Songlines:

Central Coast Council has welcomed Federal Labor’s promise to deliver a Commonwealth Institute of Higher Education in Gosford if elected.Labor has promised to work with council, the University of Newcastle and Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council to deliver a 800 student place campus with a funding injection of  $30 million.Administrator Ian Reynolds said with the region’s predicted population of 415,000 residents by 2031, more educational and employment opportunities were definitely needed for the Coast.“This Federal Election has certainly shone a spotlight on the challenges facing our great region and presented a number of alternatives to address them,” Mr Reynolds said.“We need to invest in the future of our region.

Council aligns housing controls to encourage development in northern growth areas Council has amended the Wyong Development Control Plan (DCP) to include Warnervale Town Centre DCP and align housing controls in key growth areas in the north of the Coast.A review was undertaken of the site specific development controls that applied to dwellings in Gwandalan, Warnervale Town Centre and Hamlyn Terrace to ascertain the best planning controls to use.The review found the Housing Code and Dwelling Houses and Ancillary Structures already in the DCP provided all the controls needed and would be used as the benchmark going forward.Administrator Reynolds said:

Chilling winter weather can make it a little more difficult to find affordable school holiday activities, but once again Central Coast Libraries will be hosting a variety of cosy events.Not only will young children and students be engaged with the massive range of events on offer, parents will equally love the strong education focus, helping to make learning fun.Council’s Group Leader Customer and Community Relationships, Ms Judy Jaeger, said the diverse and entertaining program brings back some old favourites plus plenty of the latest innovative activities.“Learning new creative skills really encompasses what our program is all about these school holidays,” Ms Jaeger said.“Our drawing workshops are always popular, so these holidays we’re hosting a number of sessions across the Coast.“Primary school students who prefer more hands-on activities will jump at the opportunity to get their hands dirty with our Dinosaurs Paleontological Excavation Workshop.“We’ll also be hosting a Bricks4Kidz session where students can build with gears, axles and electric motors, and a Forensic Science Half Day session that includes identifying hairs, fingerprints and fibres as well as investigating blood, bones and DNA.“Due to its success in April we’ve also brought back Game Training Roadshow, offering students in school years 4-12, the incredible opportunity to create their own video games.“If you can’t get your kids away from the screen why not use it to their advantage to learn code, as well as receive a free Getting Started Kit valued at $250.“The youngsters haven’t been forgotten with various Storytime sessions, helping to develop the value of reading from a young age.”A host of winter themed events and activities will also be run at various library branches to complement the outdoor ice rink in Gosford’s Kibble Park allowing young people to get crafty at making snow globes, knitted items, snow art, no-sew beanies or marshmallow snowmen.Bookings are essential for all events and must be confirmed with payment (if required) 48 hours before the scheduled event, excluding Game Training Roadshow which should be paid directly to the provider on the day.

Central Coast Council is offering a variety of family friendly activities right across the region these holidays, the highlight of which will be a purpose-built outdoor ice rink in Gosford’s Kibble Park from 8-16 July.Suitable for the young and young at heart, the 19m x 12m rink will be open from 10am to 8pm daily, with 45 minute skating sessions starting every hour.

July is the creative literary community’s time to shine and have their talents rewarded.Central Coast Council’s annual Short Story Competition is almost here, and to assist any passionate writers out there, free writing workshops will be held for each division.Council’s Section Manager of Library Services, Ms Andreas Edwards, urged anyone who has ever thought about entering to come along and get some handy hints and tips.“These free workshops will help inspire and encourage any budding writers across the Coast develop their story,” Ms Edwards said.“The workshops will be run by Gareth Beal, a published local freelance author and teacher of Creative Writing at Central Coast Community College.“Seats are very limited so make sure you book your spot today and don’t risk missing out on this rare and sought after opportunity for free expert advice.”The free short story writing workshops run for an hour 40 minutes and will be held on Monday 4 July at the Erina Centre (meeting room 3) or Tuesday 5 July at Tuggerah Library.For both locations, session times are;· Junior (5-8 years) at 9am· Children (9-12 years) at 11am· Youth (13-17 years) at 1pm· Adult (18+) at 3pmBookings are essential.