Central Coast Council has commenced Shutdown 4 of the Mardi Water Treatment Plant upgrade, marking another significant milestone in the region’s largest water infrastructure project this decade.

The Central Coast Seniors Festival concluded on 16 March, leaving a trail of success with over 100 events, including two highly popular Seniors Expos.Building on this momentum, Central Coast Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing year-round support for older residents, supporting their continued wellbeing and active participation through services and initiatives aligned with the Council’s Positive Ageing Strategy.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said there are several programs currently on offer. “We are excited to continue our support through programs such as Tech Savvy Seniors, which has commenced, and the monthly Talking with Seniors Roadshow,” Ms Smith said. “The Tech Savvy Seniors program offers hands-on assistance to build skills and confidence in using computers, iPads, smartphones and online applications like email and social media.

Central Coast Council is upgrading Vera’s Water Garden as part of The Entrance Revitalisation Project and is inviting the community to participate in a short poll to determine the future of Vera’s statue.The statue, a long-standing feature of The Entrance, is now under consideration for replacement as Vera’s Water Garden undergoes a significant upgrade to a modern, zero-depth splash park, enhancing accessibility and interactive play for all users.This upgrade will commence after the autumn school holidays, with expected completion by the spring school holidays, weather permitting.

Central Coast Council is reminding local business operators that run commercial activities on open space areas such as parks, reserves and beaches to apply by 21 April for a License of a Trade or Business on Open Space.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said any trade or business wishing to conduct activities on Council managed open space areas must apply for an annual temporary licence.“The application process for a licence to operate during the 2025-26 financial year, will run between 24 March and close 21 April,” Ms Smith said.“This is relevant to commercial operators that run activities such as personal training or group fitness, water recreation activities, schools or camps or hire of kayak, surf boards or stand up paddle boards, and also corporate group training, clinics and coaching.”Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the license process helps Council to balance the needs of all open space users. “Temporary licensing enables Council to provide equitable access to our limited public space for diverse activities, helps protect and preserve our natural environment, as well as ensures activities are safe and well-managed,” Mayor McKinna said. Application period closes 5pm, Monday 21 April 2025.For guidelines and application forms search  open space EOI at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au 

Central Coast Council plans to allocate an extra $20million over the next four years in road renewals to improve local road conditions and address infrastructure work backlogs.Road renewal works include resurfacing and rehabilitation, providing long-term solutions as part of the full life cycle of road maintenance and management.Central Coast Council’s Director Infrastructure and Services, Boris Bolgoff said maintaining a road network of over 2,200kms is no small feat, which is why the largest percentage of Council’s budget and resources is allocated to roads.“This additional $20million investment is proposed to fast track priority road renewals and will be included in the draft Delivery Program and 2025-26 Operational Plan that will be placed on public exhibition in May,” Mr Bolgoff said.

Inclusive play at The Entrance Waterfront Plaza has been improved with the addition of a 'We-Go-Swing' accessible swing and new shade sails.

MEDIA RELEASE The critically endangered Wyong Sun Orchid (Thelymitra adorata) may be elusive, but a collaboration between Central Coast Council and the NSW Government’s Saving Our Species Program is aiming to change that.An Australian first trial for this species has successfully trained scent detection dogs to locate these rare orchids by detecting underground tubers in a minimally invasive way.Using their remarkable sense of smell, three talented Spaniels, Paddy, Sully and Vera, are leading this innovative conservation effort.

Central Coast Council is proudly supporting Neighbour Day - Relationships Australia’s annual social connection campaign - on Sunday 30 March, which aims to enhance well-being, improve resilience and address loneliness in our community.Since June 2024, Council has been recognised by Relationships Australia as a Very Neighbourly Organisation, committing to uphold and promote the social connection principles of Neighbours Every Day.Neighbour Day launched as an annual event in 2003 and to coincide with the 2025 theme of ‘Create, Share, Grow Belonging,' Council has developed a dedicated web page, Neighbourhoods Connected, offering tips and resources to help build positive relationships with your neighbours.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Mel Smith said Neighbourhoods Connected was developed as an initiative to support cohesive community connections.“Our experience with disaster-impacted communities highlighted the importance of knowing your neighbours for better emergency preparedness and to assist with recovery.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to help tackle one of Australia’s most damaging invasive species through the Carp to Croc muster event, an exciting fishing event aimed at reducing European Carp populations in our local waterways.European Carp pose a serious threat to local ecosystems, degrading water quality and displacing native species.

More than 100 development industry professionals, along with Councillors and Council staff, attended the ‘Building a strong foundation for the future’ forum at Central Coast Council on Wednesday 19 March.The event offered a forum for Council to better understand the barriers to development and for the industry to better understand Council’s processes.Central Coast Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the event generated helpful insights, ideas and improvement suggestions.“It was gratifying that so many industry professionals took time out of their schedules to participate,” Mayor McKinna said.“Our Council processes the highest volume of planning applications in NSW, with more than 2000 lodged last year.“We’re a busy region with a growing community.