Australians are choosing to holiday at home post-pandemic, with the top 10 domestic travel destinations in Australia all regional, and nine out of the ten – coastal!The latest DSpark report, commissioned by Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) Australia, shows visits by Australian travellers surged for all top 10 regional tourism destinations during the recent summer/autumn (December 2022-May 2023), compared to pre-Covid. The Central Coast is sitting at number 10, with overall growth post-pandemic 2%. 

Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) has been presented with a $116,000 cheque from Central Coast Council as part of their sponsorship partnership.

The 2022-2023 State of the Beaches Report – the annual rating of ocean and estuarine swimming sites across NSW using Beachwatch results – has rated 94% of the Central Coasts ocean beaches and ocean baths as ‘Good or Very Good’. Central Coast Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said the annual report is an important resource to help Council manage water quality at swimming sites across the region.“Beachwatch is a state-wide public health program monitoring water quality at swimming sites to ensure swimming sites are safe for swimming and the public have a way to find out likely pollution levels.“The program aims to provide the community with access to a predictive model of likely water quality at our beaches enabling individuals to make informed decisions about where and when to swim.

Exciting changes are coming to the Gosford CBD in late 2023.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer are encouraging the Central Coast community to be water-wise this National Water Week.National data released by The Water Conservancy shows that 9 in 10 Australians are concerned about saving water, 7 in 10 rate themselves as being knowledgeable about water usage and 9 in 10 say they either currently limit their water usage or intend to do so in the future.Director of Water and Sewer Jamie Loader said small changes can make a significant difference when it comes to saving water every day.“Keeping your shower time less than five minutes, ensuring your washing machine and dishwasher is full before you turn it on and installing water efficient taps and shower heads can make a massive difference.“While we know awareness is high and intentions are good, it is now time we educate ourselves around the small changes that can make a big difference when it comes to saving water every day.“I am encouraging our community to sign up for Water Night, this National Water Week and turn their taps off between 5-10pm this Thursday 19 October,” Mr Loader said.Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart said knowledge is power when it comes to conserving water.“Each one of us has the ability to make a positive impact and save more water.“Water Night is a great way to kickstart that journey,” Mr Hart said.CEO of The Water Conservancy Chris Philpot said it was clear that the majority of Australians are concerned about the environment and water supplies, yet unaware of the daily micro habits that all add up when it comes to preserving water.“Most of us are unaware of how often we reach for our taps.

Central Coast residents are invited to help determine the future of a portion of Woy Woy’s Austin Butler Access (adjacent to Austin Butler Oval and Peninsula Plaza) through an online community poll via yourvoiceourcoast.com.The online poll simply asks the community whether they support Austin Butler Access remaining under the control of Council, or whether a sale to the shopping centre should proceed with the funds going towards the long-term greening of the local area.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Alice Howe said that the online poll is open to all Central Coast residents to have their say.“Council has been approached by Peninsula Plaza to sell the land to provide improved pedestrian safety and facilitate goods vehicles docking.

Mark the dates in your diary now! 

Central Coast Council is recruiting for its unique youth leadership program ‘Youth-for-Youth’ (or Y4Y) Action Team to help build a brighter future for Central Coast community for generations to come.Applications are now open for this once in a lifetime opportunity to join the 2024 Y4Y Action Team – a group of 12 young people, aged 15-24, connecting like-minded individuals who care about community challenges and want to work together to develop meaningful solutions that create positive change.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the program engages young people, empowering them to take action, be advocates for their peers and provide advice on Council initiatives from a young person’s perspective.“Now in its fifth year, the Y4Y Action Team has developed a thriving network in the local youth sector committed to working with Council to continue to create positive change and shape a thriving, dynamic Central Coast community guided by the Central Coast Youth Strategy,” Ms Smith said.“The Y4Y leadership program equips young people with essential skills like communication, teamwork, project delivery and problem-solving.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer are working with Eire Constructions to improve water and sewer infrastructure in West Gosford.  Works commenced Wednesday 11 October, running through to Saturday 14 October.

Central Coast Council’s Draft Deferred Matters Lands Planning Proposal, is now on public exhibition.