Central Coast Council is inviting the community to have their say on proposed amendments to the Backflow Prevention Policy, which is now on public exhibition.Council maintains a Backflow Prevention Policy to ensure property owners with a medium to high hazard of backflow contamination understand their responsibility to install and maintain backflow prevention devices when connecting to Council’s drinking water system. The proposed amendments provide clearer guidance on property owners responsibilities, including:The installation and management of backflow prevention devices. The requirement to register containment backflow devices with Council. The annual submission of test results for these registered containment backflow devices.Council Director of Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves reinforced the importance of backflow prevention and reassured residents that the policy applies only to properties identified as medium to high hazard by an accredited plumber.

Get ready to roll!

Central Coast Council’s Gosford Regional Gallery celebrates 25 years in 2025 and this year’s program of exhibitions and events is set to bring people together through art.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said over the past 25 years, the Gallery has held almost 500 exhibitions presenting artwork created by thousands of artists from all over the world.“Our Gallery’s major exhibition program for 2025 celebrates artistic excellence, creativity and community engagement, while serving as a platform for emerging and established artists to share their work and enrich the cultural fabric of our region,” Ms Smith said.“This year, there’s a cutting-edge exhibition featuring a real-time generative artwork of the Central Coast, alongside national treasures from the Australian War Memorial and the highly anticipated Archibald Prize from the Art Gallery of New South Wales.”Two remarkable exhibitions opened on 15 February and will show until 23 March:Art in Conflict:

A wild rabbit control program is set to take place across the Greater Sydney Local Government Areas, including the Central Coast, on 3 March 2025. Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Central Coast Council is participating in the program to release the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1-K5) — also known as Calicivirus — at six locations:•    Norah Head•    Wadalba•    Ourimbah•    North Avoca•    Avoca Beach•    Umina BeachAdditionally, private landholders and other public land managers will release the virus across the region.Wild rabbits are Australia’s most destructive agricultural pest, causing severe competition for resources and land degradation.

Central Coast Council will commence pro-active early flood mitigation works this month at The Entrance channel, establishing a pilot channel, in preparation for any significant weather events that may occur in the coming months.Council Director Environment and Planning, Jamie Loader said the timing for the work’s commencement follows the end of the 2024-2025 Little Tern breeding season at Karagi Point sand pit, with the last birds departing the site in early February.

Central Coast Council is excited to welcome a new line-up of local artists to the Gallery Container in the Toukley Village Green, as part of its Creative Spaces Program for 2024-25.Designed to foster innovation and creativity, the Gallery Container provides a vibrant space where local artists can exhibit their work, host workshops, give artist talks and showcase unique exhibitions throughout the year.

Central Coast Council has restored the use of the lift at the Copacabana Surf Life Saving Club building, enabling locals and visitors to the Club to have easy access to the upstairs social amenities in the building.

Get ready to shine!

Central Coast Council’s Mangrove Creek Dam Visitor Centre has been awarded the 2024 Newcastle Excellence in Building Award in the Public Buildings category (under $5 million).

Central Coast Council is pleased to report that new testing results taken from Terrigal Reservoir system, have confirmed that there is no E.