The Central Coast’s 2024 tourism industry winners will be celebrated at an event hosted by Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna this week at the Central Coast Visitor Centre at The Entrance.The celebration event recognises the significant contribution 20 award winning Central Coast businesses have made in raising the profile of the Central Coast through tourism and business excellence.Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the array of awards showcases the dynamic and diverse range of local businesses and their outstanding achievements.“I feel it is really important to recognise and publicly acknowledge what each of these businesses have achieved this year and hope that it will also build confidence for other businesses on the Coast, knowing that the Central Coast is winning awards nationally and internationally.”Business award winners to be celebrated at the morning tea event, include fine dining restaurants, a brewery, distillery and winery, as well as popular major attractions, business events venues, arts and cultural festivals as well as international recognition for the growing list of eco-certified operators.“The Central Coast visitor economy has without a doubt recovered post-pandemic with a renewed focus now on sustainable growth.“The latest Destination NSW Central Coast Visitor Profile for year ending June 2024 reveals the value of the Central Coast visitor economy is increasingly prominent.“Council applauds all the local businesses who are committed to the economic growth of the region through tourism and business excellence,” Mayor McKinna said.Central Coast had a total of 5.3 million visitors, 5.8 million overnight stays with $1.4 billion injected into the local economy.

Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the exciting summer program showcases Council’s facilities and community services and offers fun and educational activities for kids of all ages.“There’s a great range of activities in our program to provide fun and excitement for kids across the Coast.

In mid-October migratory Little Terns returned to their nesting grounds at Karagi Point, The Entrance, and already the first baby chicks are starting to totter around the sand.Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation – and the Central Coast’s Karagi Point is their most important breeding ground in New South Wales.

The highly anticipated Magenta Shared Pathway officially opened today, with Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna, together with fellow Councillors, cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion.

The magic of Christmas is returning to the Central Coast this December, with a festive program of events and activities set to delight residents and visitors alike.From dazzling Christmas decorations and festive entertainment to free Santa photos and carols, Central Coast Council and Destination Central Coast have curated the ultimate ‘Christmas on the Coast’ guide on lovecentralcoast.com to help you plan your Christmas adventure across Gosford, Terrigal, The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the guide has been curated to bring the community together and spread joy across the region.“I’m really excited for all the festive events and activities taking place across the Coast this December, including the much-loved Christmas window display competition,” Ms Smith said.“Local businesses in Gosford, The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong will be getting into the festive spirit by decorating their shop windows.

Central Coast Council's ‘Coast Summer Safety’ campaign has returned for the 2024-25 season, providing residents and visitors with essential tips for navigating the busiest time of year.The campaign covers a range of areas, including beach safety, navigating waterways safely, pool safety, keeping pets safe, road safety awareness and emergency preparedness.

Central Coast Council has identified the top priorities for its water and sewer services, as outlined in 2024 Community Engagement Outcomes Report recently published on Council’s website.Council’s Director of Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves said the community driven insights will play a key role in shaping services and guiding financial planning, including the 2026-2031 IPART water pricing submission.“Over the past year, we’ve engaged with our community to better understand their values and expectations of our water and sewer services.

The Central Coast is set to dazzle this New Year’s Eve with free, family-friendly celebrations in The Entrance and Gosford.

Central Coast Council celebrated International Day of People with Disability on 3 December, promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion for people with disabilities in our community.As part of Council’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, we recently partnered with the globally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program.

The Gosford Regional Library is now well passed the halfway-mark in construction with a major ‘Topping Out’ milestone being reached – the completion of the third suspended, and final, floor slab.Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna was joined by Dr Gordon Reid, Member for Robertson, and North Construction &