Central Coast Council’s first draft Operation Plan 2016-17, which outlines their annual spend, including the management of over $11 billion worth of assets, is now on public exhibition.The comprehensive plan combines the former local government area plans of Gosford City and Wyong Shire to set out the actions and projects a Central Coast Council will deliver to the community.Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Noble, said the Plan details a commitment to continuing the services and service levels of the former councils for 2016-17.“This draft plan outlines how we will deliver more than $540 million on essential services and $183 million on a quality infrastructure,” Mr Noble said.“There is a strong focus on key community priorities with more than $150 million dedicated to improving our road and drainage networks, including Hastings Road Terrigal, Goobarabah Close Lake Haven, The Ridgeway Lisarow and Bligh Close Tumbi Umbi, to name a few.“We will also ensure attention remains on maintaining our unique environment, enhancing community facilities as well as developing our open space and recreation assets.”Key projects identified include the replacement of three existing amenities buildings, construction of a new multi-purpose building and upgrade of sporting fields and car park at Adcock Park, as well as new facilities to be built at Halekulani and Tuggerah alongside planned upgrades at Cambourn Drive Playground Lisarow, Swadling Park Toowoon Bay and McEvoy Oval Umina.“Everything we are doing is designed to improve the quality of life for our residents, while helping to create jobs and opportunities for our growing community,” Mr Noble said.“I would encourage anyone interested in the future of the Central Coast to take a look at the plan and have their say.”The draft plan can be viewed at both Council Civic Centres, all library branches excluding Mooney Mooney or online at http://haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.auSubmissions can be made online at http://haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au, via email to ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or post to PO Box 20 Wyong NSW 2259 or PO Box 21 Gosford NSW 2250.All submissions must be received in writing by 9am, Monday 27 June 2016.

Residents in Avoca, Copacabana and MacMasters Beach are being urged to minimise their water use due to emergency works on the local drinking water supply network.Central Coast Council crews are working hard to repair a large submerged water main that crosses Avoca Lake.The water main – which supplies drinking water to the Avoca, Copacabana and MacMasters Beach reservoirs – broke earlier today.At this stage, crews are expected to be on-site over the next two days to fix the damaged main.Council is urging residents to conserve water to make sure the current storage levels in these reservoirs can continue to supply these areas if repairs take longer than expected.Avoca Lake will be opened to lower its water level and then closed again so the repair works can be undertaken.Council apologises for any inconvenience and thanks the community for their patience during this period.

Central Coast Council is calling on around 3000 landowners in the region’s south to help it identify the most appropriate zoning for land that was deferred from the Gosford Local Environment Plan in 2014.Manager of Sustainable Corporate and City Planning Matthew Prendergast said the Environmental and Urban Edge Zone Review will strike the right balance between protecting important environmental areas and managing the future growth expected across the region.“Our aim is to identify land with significant environmental value that needs to be safeguarded and ensure urban growth is managed and delivered in the right areas where vital services, facilities and other infrastructure can be accessed,” Mr Prendergast said.“By confirming the most appropriate zoning for these deferred lands, we will be able to update the Local Environment Plan, fulfill the NSW Government’s planning requirements and give many landowners more certainty.“Feedback from landowners and the wider community is a key part of this review.”A dedicated site on council’s Have Your Say consultation hub has been created with plenty of detailed information and ways to get involved, as well as an interactive mapping tool for the review area.Visit www.haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au and click on the link to the Environmental and Urban Edge Zone Review.“As part of this process we are considering the principles and recommendations that came out of the review of environmental zones on the far north coast of NSW,” Mr Prendergast added.“Plus, the community can be assured that council’s vast Coastal Open Space System (COSS), which currently includes over 2,500 hectares of land across the former Gosford City, is protected and is not being reviewed as part of this process.“We are working with the NSW Government, in particular the NSW Minister for Planning, to get the best outcome for the community and council when it comes to safeguarding COSS land.”

Former Councillors given opportunity to play a key advisory role in Central Coast Council Expressions of Interest (EOI) will be sought from former Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councillors to become members of a Local Representation Committee.The establishment of the Committee is strongly recommended by the NSW State Government as a vehicle to provide advice to the Administrator on local views and issues.  The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued Model Terms of Reference for the Committee which (amongst other things) provide that these committees should primarily be comprised of former Councillors who have demonstrated a commitment to the success of the new amalgamated Councils.   These terms of reference were adopted tonight.The Local Representation Committee will not exercise any decision making function of the Central Coast Council nor will its recommendations bind council – it will be there to provide important local advice only.The outcome of the EOI process and membership of the Local Representation Committee will be reported back to the Extraordinary Meeting of Council to be held on Wednesday June 29.Administrator Ian Reynolds said:

Most Coasties with a Facebook account have seen the thought provoking messages posted on the Gosford Anglican Church noticeboard.Tuggerah Library will be hosting the man behind the sign, local treasure and Father of the Anglican Parish of Gosford, The Venerable Rod Bower, next Wednesday 15 June, 1.30-3pm.Tuggerah Library Supervisor, Ms Susan Davy, said even though he may not be known by name in the community, people are aware of the inspirational messages he conveys.“Whether you've heard of him or not, the majority of our community has seen the images of the at-times controversial noticeboard out the front of the Anglican Church at Gosford,” Ms Davy said.“Father Rod is not your typical minister – when other churches remain quiet he gives the marginalised a voice and makes sure his view is known.“Facebook images of his Parish’s noticeboard have gone viral due to the messages advocating a number of social justice and human rights issues.”In February this year Father Rod was lucky enough to attend the 12th Doha Interfaith Conference in Qatar where discussions revolved around the theme Spiritual and Intellectual Security in the Light of Religious Doctrines.Participants in the conference include Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders alongside leading scholars, academics, educators, activists, specialists and media.“We are incredibly lucky Father Rod will be sharing his learnings from the conference on how social media as well as conversations between people of different faiths and cultures can both positively and negatively impact how we act and think,” Ms Davy added.“He will also talk about how our nation’s current affairs inspire him to make a difference.“This is a rare chance to tap into the discussions from one of the largest international religious conferences and gain insight into one of our most motivating local treasures.”Seats are limited for this amazing event.

Central Coast Council has been working with the region’s young and emerging theatre makers to create a performance showcasing their talents.Periphery is the latest production created by local actors, musicians, writers and directors in conjunction with Tantrum Youth Arts and developed by Joshua Maxwell – a talented young director, theatre designer and writer.Council’s Community and Cultural Programs Section Manager, Mr Glenn Cannard, said there is only one place Periphery can really shine and that’s at The Art House.“Periphery is an innovative project supported by Council to help develop and encourage our future artists,” Mr Cannard said.“Being an innovative project, it’s only fitting we showcase these works at The Art House, the Coast’s newest performing arts centre.“The cast and crew have been through a number of Masterclasses and rehearsing for months and can’t wait to show everyone their new work.”Periphery will bring together short plays written by locals, verbatim excerpts from local heroes, short video interviews and musical interludes locally composed and performed by a cast and crew aged between 15-25 years old.The Periphery showcase is free and will be performed on Friday 17 June and Saturday 18 June from 7-8pm.“A special performance will be held for schools only on Friday 17 June from 11am-12.30pm,” Mr Cannard added.“After the performance students will have the opportunity to stay for a Q&A session with the crew.”Tickets to see Periphery are available from The Art House box office or by calling 4335 1485.Periphery:

Take flight with your imagination with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Little Prince, adapted by Simon Clarke from the original story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.One of the most widely read books in history - 140 million copies sold worldwide and printed in more than 250 languages and dialects’ including braille - this exquisite tale tells the story of a curious prince who leaves his tiny home planet and journeys across the universe, discovering that adults have very strange ideas about the things that really matter.With its timeless message about the importance of friendship, The Little Prince is an adventure that celebrates the richness of human feeling and imagination.Council’s Manager of Culture Phil Cantillon said Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is Australia’s champion of puppetry and a leader in puppetry internationally.“This production is a beautifully vivid work which reminds us all of the magic of the imagination.  It speaks strongly about what really matters in life;

Central Coast Council has committed a further $1.75million to the final stage of works in the overall road upgrade project for Tumbi Creek Road at a total cost of $3.9million.The final stage of the project is focused on the 600 metre section of Tumbi Creek Road from the Wyong Road intersection through to the Gregory Street roundabout and will provide traffic calming and improved access for motorists and pedestrians.Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the multifaceted project includes a drainage upgrade, kerb and guttering, a roundabout, two raised intersections, new road pavement, and a new footpath and shared path.“This project will not only calm traffic but make it much easier for motorists to get into and out of businesses and homes on Tumbi Creek Road,” Mr Bolgoff said.“The new 600 metre footpath on the western side of Tumbi Creek Road and the shared path on the eastern side will make the area safer and more appealing for pedestrians and cyclists.”Mayor Jane Smith said the project would deliver significant benefits to motorists and pedestrians who use this busy Central Coast road.“This major upgrade will make this section of Tumbi Creek Road safer and much easier to navigate,” Mayor Smith said.“The new footpath and shared path will be most welcome to residents and visitors to the area.“Our community want to see better roads, footpaths, bike paths and shared paths and we are committed to delivering this important infrastructure, which includes a vibrant active transport network.”The project will be completed by late 2018, weather permitting.

New Chief Executive Officer presides over first Council meetingNew CEO Gary Murphy was officially welcomed to the Central Coast by a unanimous vote at tonight’s Council meeting.Mr Murphy has been in the role for just over a week taking over from Acting CEO Brian Glendenning.Mayor Jane Smith said Mr Murphy’s had the full support of the Council and leadership and his extensive experience and passion for community made him the ideal choice to lead the Central Coast.“We need an experienced CEO who will deliver stability and certainty for the Coast and we have found that.“I look forward to working with Gary and delivering our first ever Community Strategic Plan for the Central Coast.“I think Brian and the entire leadership team for their outstanding leadership as we have transitioned to this period of the elected Council and a new CEO.”Mr Murphy is in the process of relocating to the Central Coast and has signed a five year contract.Rescission motion lost again in respect to the Aviation Hub Masterplan for Central Coast AirportA motion to rescind the 27 November 2017 Council resolution to suspend works at Central Coast Airport and divert funds to other employment generating projects has been lost for the second time.The original resolution, which still stands, reallocates $6 million from the Airport to an employment generating strategy for the north of the Coast.Mayor Jane Smith said Council remain steadfast in its view that better value for money for residents would be found beyond the airport.“Council must take the lead in advocating for its residents and making the right investment that will create the jobs the Coast needs now and as it continues to grow,” Mayor Smith said.‘There are other options for employment generation projects beyond the Airport that can and must be explored.”“The time for debate on the airport is over.“We now have our first ever Community Strategic Plan and the Operational Plan for the Coast and it is those Plans we must focus on delivering.

Central Coast Council is celebrating the announcement today by Education Minister Simon Birmingham and Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks MP, pledging $32.5 million for a world-class medical school and research institute at Gosford Hospital.Modelled on facilities at leading American and English universities, the $72.5 million Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute will become a landmark project for the Central Coast, after the University of Newcastle and the NSW Government previously each pledged $20 million for the facility.Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said a state-of-the-art facility such as this will be a major catalyst for the further revitalisation of the Gosford CBD and deliver enormous benefits for the entire region.“This is a real win-win for our community – it will create more local jobs and deliver better health services across the Coast,” Mr.