Central Coast Council has welcomed the opportunity to join with other stakeholders in discussing flood mitigation and preparedness, at the meeting convened on 23 August at Wyong.  The meeting provided for a productive dialogue between the SES, as the combat agency responsible for flood events, NSW Police, Council, and the Central Coast’s state MPs so that we can improve our joint approach to flood preparedness.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe, said the meeting was also an opportunity to clarify future actions Council is already, or will be, undertaking.“Central Coast Council has received funding from the NSW Government to review and update the 2014 Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study (which will inform an updated Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan).  This project is now underway and will allow for an updated understanding of flood risk and behaviour within the Tuggerah Lakes floodplain in order to better identify and mitigate flood risk.  The updated study will be able to take into account intensified development within the catchment since the last study.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $28,000 in prize money awarded to artists from across the Central Coast and beyond.This year 133 finalist artworks were selected for exhibition by a panel who aimed to include a variety of styles, content and techniques.

Get ready to once again enjoy American classic cars, vintage glamour and the sound of rock ‘n’ roll as the Central Coast Council’s annual ChromeFest returns in-person to The Entrance, October 21 to 23!After two years of being online due to the pandemic, excitement is building from car enthusiasts across Australia, local businesses and the community in general as the three-day tribute to hot-rods and everything 1950s and 60s event takes shape.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said festival attendees can once again bask in the beauty of hundreds of show cars on display.“When you combine classic chrome with rock ‘n’ roll, vintage glamour and the beauty of The Entrance, you have quite a weekend on your hands,” Mr Cannard said.“Whether you’re a car enthusiast or not, you won’t be able to resist lining the streets to watch the classic cars cruise through The Entrance.Mr Cannard said registrations are now open for eligible cars to be part of the spectacular, and encourages bookings for accommodation for participating car owners, general car enthusiasts and visitors to the Central Coast, to be made early.“In the past the ChromeFest weekend has attracted over 50,000 visitors, so planning ahead is important.“We invite locals and visitors to partake in a fun weekend that offers something for everyone – Show N’ Shine, vintage glamour fashion parade, retro market stalls, three outdoor stages with live entertainment, The Entrance Hotel Hub, roving entertainment, live caricature drawings, a walk down memory lane, paint and chrome workshops, the new speciality car zone plus more!Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said ChromeFest has become one of the Central Coast’s most successful events.“Not only does ChromeFest inject a great deal of money into our local economy –over $14 million in 2019 – it reintroduces tourists to The Entrance and surrounds, which has so much to offer!“ChromeFest has always been a huge and very successful event, and given that due to the pandemic, car enthusiasts have had to cool their heels by attending ‘on-line’ for the last two years – we expect this year’s ‘in-person’ event to bigger than ever.”ChromeFest 2022 highlights include:iconic car displaysretro market stallsthree outdoor stages boasting undercover dancefloors and live entertainmentvintage glamour fashion paradeNSW Pin Up Pageant Grand finalKittens & Chrome one on one hair and make upPaint N Chromesoaking up the atmosphere of this nostalgic event at outstanding cafes, restaurants and bars throughout The Entrance.ChromeFest is a free three-day event – Friday 21 October to Sunday 23 October – held at The Entrance and presented by Central Coast Council, with support from a range of sponsors.Road closures will be in place during the event.

The Central Coast’s reputation as a gourmet foodie destination continues to grow with the Central Coast named ‘Outstanding Region’ in this year's delicious Harvey Norman Produce Awards. The Award announced on 18 August, is the latest in a string of achievements by Central Coast Council and the Destination Central Coast team that are elevating the region nationally and globally as a world-class destination to live, work and play. Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Melanie Smith said it was thrilling that the work the team has been doing to support and grow the visitor economy is being recognised at such high levels, particularly in the food, wine and gourmet experiences sector. “In a relatively short period of time since bringing the function of tourism marketing and management in-house in July 2020, Council has developed a powerful Destination Central Coast brand that has united our industry, elevated our tourism offering and is turning heads. “This latest accolade puts the spotlight on our brilliant producers, restaurateurs and our foodie industry, which the team have been focusing on growing and developing. “From research we knew that food and gourmet experiences was the second biggest reason for travel and yet the traveller perception for the Central Coast was that our food and wine offerings were ‘stuck in the 70s’ with 0 percent of survey respondents believing they could have a quality food experience in region. “We knew this wasn’t a true reflection of the Central Coast industry, considering we had several Hatted restaurants and many casual dining options that wouldn’t be out of place in Surry Hills.

To raise awareness about the experiences of people with invisible disabilities, Council has joined the ‘Think Outside the Chair’ movement;

Council has joined the ‘Think Outside the Chair’ movement with a pilot awareness campaign to challenge community perceptions and change attitudes and behaviours towards people with invisible disabilities (also known as hidden disabilities).Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Mel Smith said invisible disabilities may not be immediately apparent.

 Council has received a $935,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund to build a new community hall at Norah Head, with preliminary plans now available to view and open for community consultation. Plans to build a new multi-use hall were outlined in the Masterplan for Norah Head Village 2017, followed by extensive community consultation in 2019.

Community groups and not-for profit organisations can apply for up to $30,000 out of a total pool of $40,000 for community projects in Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park as part of a joint initiative between Central Coast Council and Delta Coal from 1 August to 31 August 2022.Council’s Community Partnerships Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard said the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program aims to support not-for-profit community organisations to deliver projects that improve community infrastructure and services in Chain Valley Bay and surrounding suburbs.“Since 2017 the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program has provided funding to a range of local groups and organisations to improve and enhance the local community,” Mr Cannard said.

Council has reached a significant milestone with the consolidated Central Coast Local Environment Plan and Central Coast Development Plan finalised and in effect from 1 August 2022.  The Central Coast Local Environment Plan is the primary legal planning document for guiding land use and planning decisions made by Council.

Central Coast Council, Resilience NSW, Service NSW, and other agencies will remain on ground at recovery assistance points (recovery hubs) to offer face-to-face recovery support and access to information and services for flood-affected Central Coast residents.Recovery assistance points remain open at The Entrance, San Remo, Chittaway and Wyong from Monday 8 August.