This week, Council unveiled one of its most significant projects recently undertaken:

 The Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection Structure Engineering Design Requirements, which outlines minimum engineering specifications and details for coastal erosion protection works in the Wamberal embayment, has been finalised and adopted following a review of 247 formal submissions received during recent community consultation on the draft document.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said this decision is a science-based outcome responding to independent evidence and designed to give residents the ability to protect their property whilst maintaining public amenity and enjoyment of the beach.“These minimum engineering requirements support a whole-of-embayment solution based on extensive technical studies and input from the community.

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to view the proposed improvements to one of its popular recreational facilities to make it more accessible to its users.The planned upgrades to improve accessibility into Niagara Park Stadium will include formalising the carpark, a new driveway and pathway to access the facility as well as a refresh to the building’s façade to encourage patronage to the area.Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said the community is invited to view the proposals and concepts online and share their input.“Niagara Park Stadium is a key community asset that caters for a range of users in our community and across the state, including sporting events for people with a disability,” Mr Hart said.“Improving the accessibility and safety to access the popular facility will benefit everyone – visitors, competitors and party-goers alike.”These improvements have been made possible thanks to an $850,000 grant from the Round Four Stronger Country Community Fund.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch was pleased to be able to support this upgrade through round four of the NSW Governments Stronger Country Community Fund. “Niagara Park Stadium is a key asset in our region.

The Central Coast Lakes Festival is back in full swing this November, with the region’s magnificent waterways set to take centre stage.The 10-day festival will see over 30 events and activities taking place at 13 different locations across the region.

Council is seeking expressions of interest from the community to join the Access and Inclusion Reference Group (AIRG), to support the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 (DIAP).

With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting significant rainfall of up to 80mm into the weekend, Central Coast Council is urging residents to prepare their property and to be ready for potential flash flooding at low lying areas or roads that are typically impacted.Based on the forecasting we are not expecting water levels to reach the minor flood level at Tuggerah Lakes;

I was pleased to endorse the allocation of more than $550,000 in grant funding to community programs and events at the 27 September 2022 Council meeting. A total of $279,172.82 was allocated through Central Coast Council’s Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program, while $289,860.51 was allocated through the Community Development Grant Program.Each of these programs are run annually and exist to support the community to deliver a range of events, activities, programs and more, which provide significant benefit for the wider community. A total of 46 applications were successful, and I look forward to seeing these events and programs come to life across the region.In addition to these annual grant programs, Council also runs its Community Support Grant Program, which allocates funds monthly to community activities which require a small amount of funding (up to $5,000) and/or in-kind support.

The Central Coast once again represents New South Wales on the international stage in the 2022 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories list.We’re extremely proud to announce the 2022 Top 100 List spotlights the Central Coast as one of Australia’s two Finalist destinations in the international competition, unveiled by Green Destinations in Athens on 27 September.The Central Coast is the only Australian destination to achieve Finalist status in both 2021 and 2022, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.As a newly certified ECO Destination, Central Coast Council’s winning story submitted by its Marketing & Tourism team focuses on the two-year ‘ECO journey’ supported by Ecotourism Australia as both a rewarding business tool and sustainability tool.Top 100 judges praised the Central Coast region’s winning Good Practice Story under the ‘Business & Marketing’ category, titled ‘People Power:

An exciting new initiative to encourage people in San Remo and Blue Haven to ‘Get Active’ and discover the breadth of sports, active recreation and physical activity options in their community will kick off on 1 October 2022.Get Active – San Remo and Blue Haven has been developed in partnership by the NSW Office of Sport, Central Coast Council and Central Coast Local Health District’s Health Promotion Service.The initiative will highlight the unique range of activities, including swimming, basketball, yoga, dance and fitness offered by sport and recreation providers in the region throughout the month of October.Importantly, many of the activities will be offered for free or at low or reduced cost, with the aim to encourage people to try a new activity or sport and foster social connection – helping build a stronger and healthier community.The campaign has involved extensive consultation with the local community to help identify the activities and support needed, and which can be made available by local providers.The diverse range of offerings, taking place at a number of locations across San Remo and Blue Haven, will ensure there is something for all ages and abilities.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the NSW Government partners were looking forward to supporting Get Active in the San Remo and Blue Haven area."Get Active offers a range of diverse and interesting activities for people of all ages and abilities,” Mr Crouch said.“With the support of local community sport and recreation providers, everyone can try a new sport or activity at Get Active San Remo and Blue Haven.”Get Active – San Remo and Blue Haven builds on work already done in the area to support community wellbeing, including the Central Coast Health Promotion Service’s Activate Your Space project.Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said he hopes the initiative leaves a lasting legacy.“We’ve been really pleased by the support from community groups and organisations who have been so supportive and willing to offer new activities or existing ones for free or at discounted rates to encourage people to get involved,” Mr Hart said.“By working with sports and active recreation providers and listening to the needs of the community, we hope to create a supply and demand for physical activity that extends beyond our October calendar and well into the future.”Health Promotion Officer at Central Coast Local Health District, Nigel Tebb, said the initiative aims to remove barriers to improving our health.“Working in partnership with the community, we hope to remove some of the barriers that prevent people from being physically active and encourage people to try new activities,” Mr Tebb said.“Regular physical activity and exercise is so important for our health and wellbeing.

As the weather warms up, Central Coast Council will deliver an engaging program of activities and events throughout the spring school holidays, offering Central Coast families plenty of choices to enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and keep young minds entertained.Parents, carers and guardians can head to the School Holidays 'What’s On' page on Council’s website to see everything on offer for kids and youth during the spring break - from themed interactive and creative workshops and live entertainment, to escape rooms and sports competitions, there’s something on offer for all ages, interests and abilities.To view a list of fun-filled events, visit Central Coast Council’s ‘What’s On’ page and search ‘School Holiday’.What’s on for our YouthCouncil’s Youth Services and local youth providers have plenty of exciting opportunities, events, and workshops to help young people across the Central Coast explore their passions, build skills, and be inspired while connecting and socialising with friends this school holidays.From entering or supporting a mate in the Central Coast Skate and Scooter Competition, enjoying the good vibes with friends at a free movie night (don’t forget to BYO beanbag!), to interactive workshops and upskilling opportunities for those with an interest in videography or construction, there will be something for minds of all ages and abilities.To view a list of exciting events suitable for young people, visit Central Coast Council’s ‘What’s On’ page and search ‘Youth’.What’s on for the whole familyThere will be plenty of opportunities for the whole family to get involved with a wide range of events and fun-filled outdoor initiatives that provide memorable family experiences these school holidays.Adults can join their children of all ages and make the most of the outdoors by discovering the plethora of sports, active recreation, and physical activity options in their own community, as part of Council’s newest initiative Get Active - San Remo & Blue Haven, proudly delivered in partnership with NSW Office of Sport and Central Coast Health District’s Health Promotion Service.