Young people, disability and community groups, along with The Entrance Men’s Shed have come together with their creative talents to create the Big Chair interactive art installations, which are now set up in five Central Coast town centres for the local community and visitors to enjoy this Summer.Five oversized wooden chairs have been constructed by members of The Entrance Men’s Shed and used as the canvas for artwork created by young people from Gorokan and Terrigal High Schools and The Epicentre Community Centre, plus a team from Fairhaven’s Australian Disability Enterprise Team.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has made a request to the Federal Government to intervene and provide leadership in managing coastal erosion. Mr Persson said current devastating events further north on the east coast highlights the need for the Federal Government to take a lead in managing coastal erosion to deliver a long term solution. “Yesterday I wrote to the Prime Minister The Hon Scott Morrison MP encouraging the Federal Government to provide the necessary leadership on what is clearly becoming a national emergency,” said Mr Persson.“I acknowledge both state and local governments have responsibilities particularly in terms of managing the crises as they are happening however it is now clear that national leadership is required in managing coastal erosion for the long term."Mr Persson states in previous appointments he has dealt with serious coastal erosion problems, in particular the devasting 2016 coastal erosion event at Collaroy NSW, with the famous image of the private swimming pool ending up on the beach.“Wamberal residents on the Central Coast have recently experienced their own devastating erosion event, where we saw images of houses hanging by a thread.“More and more we are seeing our coastlines and communities being severely impacted by coastal erosion events. “While the argument receiving most publicity is over seawalls, whether to have them and who should pay, the expert advice is that the only real long term option for preventing the loss of many of our beaches lies in large-scale sand nourishment sourced from off shore deposits.“These events are occurring in many parts of Australia and are happening more often and with greater intensity.

Central Coast Council is imploring the community to modify their behaviour for the sake of the nesting Little Terns at The Entrance North.Council Unit Manager Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said the behaviour by individuals at The Entrance North was creating a significant impact on the endangered species.“So many of our community celebrate the arrival of these special birds every year, and while Council have played our part to protect them with fencing and signage, it is also up to the community to do their part,” Mr Sulkowski said.“Unfortunately, people have been ignoring the fencing and signage and continue to use the nesting site as a short cut to and from Karagi Point.

Council has reached an important milestone with the adoption of the consolidated region-wide Central Coast Local Environmental Plan (CCLEP) and Development Control Plan (CCDCP) to help alleviate planning complexities and inconsistencies across the region and creating certainty for residents and the local development industry.Since amalgamation the Central Coast has been operating under five different planning instruments each with different planning controls.  These include: Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 (GLEP 2014);

Central Coast Council has advised as a result of the easing of restrictions, Central Coast Stadium will increase capacity to 9,820, just under 50 percent.This announcement coincides with confirmation from the NRL that Central Coast Stadium has once again been selected to host games during the 2021 premiership season.Council's Stadium Manager, Kath Casey also confirmed that Central Coast Mariners will continue to use the Stadium as their home ground for 13 games, with the first match of the season New Year’s Eve.“We are thrilled the capacity for the Stadium has increased in time for the much-loved New Year’s Eve Mariners match, a calendar highlight and yearly tradition for many Coasties,” Ms Casey said.“Residents have also come to expect a number of NRL matches played locally each season, and I am delighted to announce the Roosters, Manly and Souths will all have home games at the Stadium."We are proud to be able to deliver these professional sports for locals to enjoy in their own backyard, rather than having to travel to Sydney or Newcastle.”The NRL premiership season kicks off on 11 March, with the following games are scheduled for Central Coast Stadium:Roosters vs.

The New Zealand Warriors have confirmed they will be back to the Coast next year at the start of the 2021 NRL season.The Warriors will be moving to Terrigal in early February and training on the Central Coast before playing the first two rounds of the NRL season at Central Coast Stadium.Central Coast Stadium Manager, Kath Casey, said Central Coast Council was pleased to be welcoming the Warriors back to the Coast at the same time as the release of an updated Health Order confirming stadiums in NSW can now go back to 100% full capacity.“Council has been working hard behind the scenes to encourage the Warriors to come back to our great stadium and the Central Coast and we couldn’t be happier,” Ms Casey said.“Our community really embraced the Warriors when they were here this year and we hope it means a full house at the Stadium for these first two rounds of the NRL.”The Warriors will play the Titans in round one on 13 March 2021 and the Knights on 19 March 2020.Council’s Administrator Dick Persson AM said the return of the Warriors was testament to the great facilities and opportunities offered by the Coast and would be a real boost for the economy.“This is great news, and our community will benefit from a Warriors return,” Administrator Persson said.“Our community love their footy and can now go to some great games at home but also having the Warriors here will give a real boost to our economy and reputation at a time when it is needed the most.”Three more NRL games at the Stadium have been recently confirmed with the Roosters, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs each hosting a home game.Details on the lifting of the health order and COVID-NSW safety plans for stadiums can be found on the NSW Government website.

Five community sporting codes now have access to a new purpose-built amenity building at Garnet Adcock Memorial Park.The West Gosford sports facility serves thousands of Central Coast residents who participate in AFL, netball, cricket, touch football, Oztag, cycling and athletics.

Council considers increasing IPART application by 5%Council will consider applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a fifteen percent Special Rate Variation (SRV), inclusive of the rate peg, to secure the long-term financial future of Council.Consideration of an alternative rate rise is now on the table.

Central Coast Council will pause construction of the new Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf and open the existing main wharf over the busy Christmas and New Year’s Eve period.Construction of the new wharf will stop on 23 December 2020 and recommence on 11 January 2021.During this end-of-year period the existing Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf will be available for use by recreational boat users.

It has been two weeks since delivering my 30-Day Interim Report.