Council prepares for $70M Federal Government funding injection for Coast’s roadsCouncil has approved 29 road projects across the Central Coast that will be delivered with $70million in Federal Government funding committed in the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election.Projects selected will be delivered as part of the ‘Central Coast Roads Package’ and will focus on busting congestion and increasing safety.The significant scale of the funding package means that projects will be delivered over consecutive years starting in 2019-20 and continuing through to 2024-25.Mayor Lisa Matthews said she was pleased to see the Federal Government deliver on its promise to fund local road upgrades on the Coast.“This $70million funding injection from the Federal Government will allow Council to deliver projects the community have identified as priorities on the Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.“Roads are a key priority for Council too with more than $240million in projects delivered over the past three years.“Maintaining and developing our region’s extensive road network – spanning 2,200 kilometres – requires all levels of government to work together.“The ‘Central Coast Roads Package’ is an example of a funding commitment that will make a real difference for our region.”Community to have its say on amalgamation experienceCentral Coast Council has recommended that additional questions be included in the annual Customer Experience survey for residents to provide their views on the amalgamation of the former Wyong and Gosford Councils, their experience and their satisfaction of the LGA. Council also advised that in early 2020, it will report on the estimated costs involved in amalgamating the two former Councils.The report will also outline the progress on various aspects of the amalgamation and the associated expenditures.Council supports community with over $695,900 in grantsCouncil has allocated $695,984 in funding to successful applications for community grants.Council has allocated $631,022 of funding across four programs for Round 1 of the Community Grants Program 2019-20.

Central Coast Council is urging residents to be as prepared as possible and to remain vigilant as the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) continues to fight and monitor the Gospers Mountain fire west of the Central Coast.Mayor Lisa Matthews said it is vital that all Central Coast community members regularly refer to the information provided by the RFS.“The RFS is the lead agency for bush fires and we must all refer to the RFS for the latest advice on fires currently burning and for information on how to ensure we are as prepared as possible,” Mayor Matthews said.“At this point in time it is particularly important that our residents west of the M1 are prepared and vigilantly monitoring RFS advice regarding the Gospers Mountain fire.“Please download and use the RFS ‘Fires Near Me’ mobile phone app if you haven’t already.

Central Coast Stadium’s resident family of endangered Eastern Ospreys has grown by two with the recent successful hatching of two chicks, delighting Council, stadium staff, and bird lovers alike.It might seem like an odd place to raise a family, but the endangered sea bird has been a common sight in the stadium’s lighting tower ever since they began to occupy the area in 2014.After raising safety concerns including the issue of debris from the nest being dropped on the seats below which forced the closure of the ticketed bay, it was determined that a long-term solution was needed that was in the best interest of the birds.“In June of this year Council installed a reinforced platform for the birds to move into which was just metres away from their original home,” said Central Coast Stadium Manager Kath Kasey.“There was some initial concern that they might not take to their new nest but in the last couple of weeks stadium staff and patrons have been able to hear the cries of the hatched chicks as they pester mum and dad for their favourite food – fish!” Mayor Lisa Matthews said it was pleasing that the decision to invest in creating a new nest has paid off.

Central Coast Council has unfortunately had to cancel the Christmas in Kibble Park event scheduled for this Saturday, 23 November 2019 due to the current air quality conditions.The Central Coast is experiencing poor air quality this week due to smoke from bush fires west of the region and unfortunately conditions are expected to stay at these levels well into next week. Council has a responsibility to help keep the community as safe as possible and reduce potential negative health impacts.