Drivers across the Central Coast are being reminded to slow down this May, as Central Coast Council and NSW Police step up efforts to tackle speeding on local roads and increase safety in residential areas.The focus is on improving safety in 50km/h and 60km/h zones – areas where children, older adults, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are often present.Unfortunately, speeding continues to be the primary contributing factor in fatal crashes across the Central Coast.Our goal is to reduce the risk and severity of speed-related crashes and protect the most vulnerable members of the community. NSW Police Acting Inspector, Brendan Gregory said that while local streets may feel safer and familiar, they are no place for complacency behind the wheel."We want to remind the Central Coast community and visitors to slow down and take care on local roads,” Inspector Gregory said.“Even a few kilometres over the limit can be the difference between a near miss and a serious crash.“Police will be out in full force across the Central Coast throughout May, targeting speeding motorists and encouraging safer driving behaviour – especially in areas where people walk, ride and live.”‘Every K Counts’ and ‘Stop it… or cop it!’ – that’s the clear message from Police and Council, reminding drivers that slowing down can save lives. Council is working in partnership with NSW Police and Transport for NSW, under the Local Government Road Safety Program, to improve safety on Central Coast roads.Every kilometre over the limit increases both your stopping distance and your risk of a crash.

Central Coast Council’s draft Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Operational Plan and resourcing strategies are now on exhibition for community feedback until 2 June 2025.The plans respond to the community’s vision to “strengthen and support our community, protect our environment and create an inclusive, prosperous and accessible place to live, work and thrive, for today and for future generations".The draft Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035, ‘This is Our Future, Our Central Coast’, is a 10-year road map representing over two years of consultation and engagement and outlines community priorities under the themes of ‘Our People, Our Environment, Our Place, Our Economy and Our Leadership’.The accompanying draft four-year Delivery Program, one-year Operational Plan and resourcing strategies have been developed to enable the delivery of the community vision.

Central Coast Council are providing the opportunity for local makers and creators to submit their interest in hosting exhibitions, workshop and installations at the Gallery container in Toukley over the coming financial year.Council Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith, is encouraging artists of all mediums to apply to be part of the Creative Spaces program for 2025-26.“Selected artists will be able to set up residence over a number of weeks and connect with the community through creative workshops, talks, and collaborations with other artists and installations throughout the year,” Ms Smith said.“Designed to foster innovation and creativity, the gallery container at Toukley Village Green provides an exciting space for selected artists to exhibit and connect with the community.“We’ve had some great artists and activations to date, and I look forward to seeing the creative ways the next group will use the space and engage with each other through art.”Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said that he is pleased to see local artists, community members, visitors and local businesses benefit from this creative initiative.“Our Creative Spaces Program enables local creatives to develop their art practice, collaborate, meet peers, and share skills and resources in a dedicated space.“I encourage local artists to host an exhibition, workshop or installation at the Gallery container in the Toukley Town Centre.

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to step back into the shoes of Wyong locals from the 19th Century by joining one of four Wyong Heritage guided Walks available to choose from this April and May.

The annual Little Tern breeding season at Karagi Point, The Entrance North concluded in February, with Central Coast Council delighted to report another record-breaking outcome!Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year to breed and have historically chosen to nest at The Entrance on the Central Coast.Protected under both State and federal threatened species legislation, Little Terns are sensitive to a wide range of threats, including native and introduced predators, crushing and disturbance from vehicles, humans and domestic dogs, inundation of nesting sites and adverse weather conditions.Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Jamie Loader said that with support from the community, Council worked hard to create the right environment for nesting and ongoing breeding success and put in place a range of measures to protect the colony.“Over the last five years, Council has carried out best practice management to protect the Little Tern breeding colony, which has included fencing and signage installation, mitigating the threat of human disturbance and nest site inundation, nest monitoring, fox and avian predator control, environmental education / community engagement and site closures during large events.“It is so satisfying to see that these actions have once again resulted in record-breaking breeding success with an incredible 228 fledglings recorded – the most ever recorded along the NSW coast and nearly half of the total NSW fledgling count last season,” Mr Loader said.Monitoring over the last five years, has now shown Karagi Point to be the most important nest site in the state and is significantly contributing to the long-term survival of the species.In consultation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Council staff were well prepared ahead of the breeding season – a key to the success achieved.Mr Loader said despite the success seen, a range of unauthorised activities were still observed at the nest site.“This included large amounts of rubbish being left on site, discarded fishing line, people entering the fenced nesting area, unnecessary noise, flying of drones over the area and the presence of dogs – which are actually prohibited at Karagi Point.

Central Coast Council is inviting residential and business customers to have your say on future water and sewer service improvement options, and what you would be willing to pay for those services.

Central Coast Council’s newly adopted Engagement Strategy reinforces its commitment to strengthening communication and collaboration with the community.Adopted at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 25 March 2025, the strategy sets out clear principles and guidelines for engaging with residents, ensuring they understand their rights and have meaningful opportunities to shape plans and projects for the Central Coast.Council Executive Officer Performance and Communications, Nicole Jenkins emphasised the importance of open and genuine dialogue between Council and residents to ensure decisions truly reflect community needs. “It’s essential that the community has an opportunity to have their say on the strategies, plans and decisions that affect them,” Ms Jenkins said. “Through this process, our community told us they wanted greater transparency, more inclusive spaces for youth, stronger accessibility for people with disabilities, diverse representation in decision making and a greater focus on place-based engagement – ensuring local voices shape local decisions. “After gathering community feedback in 2024, we worked with Councillors to refine the strategy even further, making sure the voices of the communities they represent were heard.“Over the next four years, we are committed to making our communication clearer and easier to understand, increasing face-to-face engagement, developing a First Nations Engagement Strategy and where possible, adopting a place-based engagement approach.”Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna highlighted the importance of enabling everyone in the community to have a fair opportunity to genuinely participate in Council’s engagement activities and help influence the decisions that affect our region now and in the future.“Our community wants to be actively involved in helping to shape local decision-making and the Engagement Strategy provides the framework to make that happen,” Mayor McKinna said.

MEDIA RELEASECentral Coast Council is calling on locals with lived experience of disability to share their ideas to improve access and inclusion for people with disability who live, work and play on the Central Coast.

Central Coast’s new district-level playspace at Picnic Point The Entrance, is already proving popular with locals and visitors!While officially opened on 15 April 2025, the playspace was ready for the community on Friday 11 April – ensuring it was open for the first weekend of the school holidays.The playspace features swing sets, slides, a multi-level climbing structure, an obstacle course, a flying fox, a junior climbing unit, shade and is fully fenced.

The 2025 Central Coast Youth Week Awards were announced last night, Thursday 10 April 2025, at a celebration event, shining a spotlight on some remarkable young individuals who are making a difference.The Youth Week Awards, which coincide with NSW Youth Week, is an initiative of Central Coast Council and once again saw an extraordinary mix of achievements in arts and entertainment, community service, the sports, volunteering and  leaders helping those in need and creating positive change.Council Director Community and Recreation, Melanie Smith said these awards are just one way we can show our appreciation to young people who are shaping the future.“The Central Coast Youth Week Awards, now in its fourth year, is building a thriving network committed to supporting young people alongside the youth sector, industry and NSW Government,” Ms Smith said. “It was imperative to us that we recognise a diverse range of young talent as each contribute to making the Coast a place we can be proud to live, work and play,” Ms Smith said. The Awards event was not only a special occasion for all the nominees, but also their families and friends and other guests, who were able to appreciate and acknowledge the  extraordinary talent and abilities of young people on the Central Coast.Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Awards are an important demonstration of the Central Coast’s support for young people and recognise that their contributions will influence the future direction of the Central Coast. “The quality of the entries for this year’s Central Coast Youth Week Awards was outstanding, and I congratulate everyone who has been named as a finalist.