The recent severe weather event that hit the Central Coast this month, has seen the biggest flood on Tuggerah Lakes since 1949 and the biggest flood on the Hawkesbury River in the last 100 years.Council staff worked closely alongside the NSW State Emergency Service, coordinating activities from the Emergency Operations Centre at Charmhaven.  The Central Coast local government area is included in the NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration announced on Tuesday 5 July 2022, meaning people in our community who have been affected by this severe weather and flooding event can access a range of special assistance measures.Council and flood evacuation impacted residents are now well into recovery and clean-up efforts, and this is expected to take some time.  I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly during the weather event and the recovery.

Central Coast Council has won the Sport NSW Local Council of the Year Community Sports Award, which recognises contributions to the community in sport and active recreation.The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of community coaches, officials, administrators, organisations and local councils of the past year.Central Coast Council was described as continuing to deliver innovative approaches to participation, access and inclusion and promotion of local sport and active recreation.Council’s Unit Manager, Open Space and Recreation, Brett Sherar said the Award is a recognition of the outstanding efforts of many individuals and teams across Council.“Our submission to the Awards highlighted the many ways we collaborate with local clubs, associations, and partners to not only promote our region's variety of sport and active recreation providers, but also connect our community with sports matching their own wants, needs, abilities and interests," Mr Sherar said.“Significantly, despite enduring the highest number of COVID lockdown days outside Greater Sydney, Council provided over 34,000 opportunities for our community to engage in sport and recreation through the delivery of programs, lessons, initiatives, social sports sessions and the hosting of over 700 events across community, elite and professional sports.“Council also provided opportunities for local sporting clubs or associations to receive support to implement adjustments to make their sport or active recreation programs more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, with five local associations receiving assistance to provide modified equipment or deliver accessible programs in our community."Mr Sherar added that Council’s investment into infrastructure and facilities which promote active lifestyles for all, including a combined $16m upgrade of 16 local sportsgrounds and facilities for netball, swimming, skating and amenities for all abilities, was also recognised.“Council is committed to supporting all community members to have access to open spaces and recreational activities and supporting healthy lifestyles here on the Central Coast," Mr Sherar said.ENDSCentral Coast Council's Community Sports Award Win, (L-R) Mick Dennis, Brett Sherar, Adam Kidd, Jodie Frost-Foster, David Norbury

Flood evacuation orders for all Central Coast areas have now been removed and all flooding is back below minor flood levels.

The severe weather event driven by a powerful east coast low which drenched the Central Coast this week has begun moving off the coast, easing rainfall and allowing impacted residents to turn their sights toward the recovery and clean-up effort. Council is leading the recovery efforts and working closely alongside Resilience NSW to support the community through this clean-up, while continuing its work alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and other emergency agencies to support those still isolated or evacuated.Despite rainfall easing, flooding remains current at multiple locations around Tuggerah Lakes and the Lower Hawkesbury River.

Central Coast dam levels have reached a record breaking high – with the Upper Mooney Dam and Mangrove Creek Dam at full capacity due to ongoing heavy rainfall.Central Coast Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said this is the first time Mangrove Creek Dam has reached full capacity since construction was completed in 1982.“This storage increase places the Central Coast water supply in a secure position for years to come,” Mr Loader said.“While the overflow from the Mangrove Creek Dam will contribute to the level of the already flooded rivers, it is a relatively low rate and small in comparison to existing catchment flows.

Council is urging the community to remain vigilant as major flooding remains within the Tuggerah Lakes and Hawkesbury River regions, despite rainfall easing Thursday morning after heavy downpours overnight.

Severe weather continues to impact the Central Coast causing heavy rainfall, localised flooding, dangerous ocean conditions and increased flooding overnight with many residents in low lying areas requiring evacuation.Council continues to work alongside all local emergency agencies with the Emergency Operations Centre activated, with NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) leading the response.Thank you to all of the many volunteers with local SES, RFS and other support services that are providing invaluable assistance to keep our community safe – they have been in the conditions at all hours rescuing, door knocking, removing dangerous items and providing resources to isolated community members.Council staff are working around the clock to closely monitor local roads, waterways, beaches, water and sewer systems, and other essential services with crews attending to any impacts.Community members are still being urged to remain vigilant, exercise extra caution on roads, and are reminded to never enter or drive through flood waters.For the latest weather warnings and conditions go to the Bureau of Meteorology website. For emergency help in floods and storms, call NSW SES on 132 500.

The severe weather event impacting the Central Coast has brought increased heavy rainfall, damaging winds, dangerous ocean conditions and increased flooding overnight on Monday 4 July and into the morning on Tuesday 5 July 2022.Council is working closely alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), and is continuing its close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for flooding and storm impacts.Council is urging the community to follow the advice provided by the lead response agency NSW SES and stay informed as this weather event evolves.Major flooding occurring at Hawkesbury RiverThe Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has confirmed major flooding is occurring at Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry at levels higher than the March 2022 flood.

A severe weather event impacting the Central Coast has caused heavy rainfall, localised flooding and dangerous ocean conditions, including minor to moderate flooding in Lower Hawkesbury River area and minor flooding expected at Tuggerah Lakes.Council is working alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), and is closely monitoring local roads, waterways, beaches, and water and sewer systems with crews on the ground across the Coast.

Council is encouraging the community to have their say on the draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan now on exhibition.The 10-year Action Plan provides a framework for future planning, management and prioritisation of infrastructure, including where dogs are allowed on or off-leash and where they are prohibited.

NAIDOC Week takes place from 3 -10 July 2022 and is a significant time for First Nations People to celebrate their history, culture, and achievements.Central Coast Council is honoured to contribute to the celebrations with an official flag raising ceremony.The NAIDOC Week theme for 2022 is ‘Get Up!

Central Coast Council is delivering a fun-filled program of online and face-to-face activities and events throughout the winter school holidays, offering Central Coast families plenty of choices that aim to keep young minds entertained and bodies active over the upcoming winter break.

We have produced a Delivery Program that has been out for public consultation and incorporates all the changes as a result of IPART’s (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) recent decisions to continue the Special Variation for a total of a further 9 years and the regulated water, sewer and stormwater drainage fees and charges for the next 4 years.  Even with these changes, our average rates overall continue to be approximately ten percent less than the neighbouring regions of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.The Operational Plan for 22-23 reflects expenditure greater than originally forecasted, but this has been able to be accommodated due to the much larger than budgeted, projected surplus for the 21-22 financial year.  This means we are responding to community feedback and have allocated extra resources for planning assessment, local roads and vegetation maintenance.

Council engaged Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to draft the design requirements for terminal protection works at Wamberal Beach to address coastal erosion – which will be placed on public exhibition at yourvoiceourcoast.com from 29 June 2022 to 27 July 2022. The Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection Structure Engineering Design Requirements address key criteria such as engineering, landscaping, environmental and maintenance requirements of property owners.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said this milestone follows on from the completion of Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection and Sand Nourishment Investigation project, which identified preferred designs for the protection works.“The review of expert technical studies, extensive community consultation and consideration of Council's role in relation to coastal erosion led to the identification of specific criteria for the preferred seawall design,” Dr Howe said.“These criteria state that the infrastructure is to be located as far landward as possible (to reduce interaction with coastal processes and maximise beach width), that the asset is to be located wholly on private property where possible, and constructed, owned and maintained by property owners, the seawall is to have the narrowest footprint (to reduce erosion/beach encroachment), and that the design is to have the least requirement for sand nourishment (both upfront and ongoing).“The draft Design Requirements outline engineering specifications and details such as the minimum footprint, length of construction, material selection, landscaping, and maintenance.“These requirements reflect what the community told us was important in feedback received throughout the three phases of community consultation conducted over the past two years.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said there are a number properties along Wamberal Beach foreshore that are impacted by beach erosion which need permanent solutions.“Property owners are able to seek development consent to undertake work to protect their assets, however, works must not negatively impact beach access, public amenity, neighbouring properties and the health of our coastlines,” Mr Hart said. “Council is performing its regulatory function as a Local Government to develop planning controls which will enable Wamberal foreshore property owners to undertake approved development to protect their assets whilst the beach public amenity and environment is protected appropriately. “Community consultation has been an integral part of the process to identify long-term solutions to this issue and I encourage ongoing community participation now that the draft requirements are on public exhibition.“The community will continue to have opportunities to provide comment before any work is undertaken.

Council adopts Operational Plan and Budget 2022/23Council has adopted with amendments its Delivery Program 2022-2025, including the Operational Plan and Budget, Fees and Charges for 2022/23, the Resourcing Strategy and revised Community Strategic Plan.Council CEO David Farmer said that the main amendments for the 2022/23 Operational Plan and Budget related to addressing some service areas where Council is not meeting community expectations and necessary updates to reflect IPART’s (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) May 2022 determination on the water, sewer and stormwater drainage pricing. “There is increased budget allocation for key service areas of local roads maintenance, vegetation management, for more staff resources in development assessment and to meet our legislative requirements to develop Plans of Management,” Mr Farmer said. “Additionally, we are taking a cautious budgetary approach and have allocated a contingency for increased electricity costs due to current volatility in the electricity market. “Our budget reflects zero increases to the domestic waste management service charges for most of our customers, a one percent increase in rates and commencement of staggered increases to water and sewer service charges.

The consolidated Central Coast Local Environmental Plan and Central Coast Development Control Plan will be implemented and effective from 1 August 2022, providing a consistent planning framework for the region and pathway toward a smoother process for development applications and assessment. The new Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (CCLEP 2022) has been finalised and was notified on the NSW Legislation website on 24 June 2022.

Creative Spaces on the Central Coast will showcase works from the Coast’s upcoming and established makers and creators at pop-up retail and workshop spaces in Gosford, Woy Woy, and The Entrance throughout 2022 and beyond.Central Coast Council is honoured to be programming three Council-owned spaces across the Coast, where 30 makers and creators will run a range of creative practices such as workshops, exhibitions, and engaging demonstrations.Creative Spaces will be held across ‘Parkhouse @ Kibble Pop Up Space’ in Gosford, ‘The Container Hub @ The Entrance Pop Up Space’ located in Memorial Park, and the ‘Creative Arena @ Woy Woy Pop Up Space’ located under Woy Woy Stadium.Council Acting Director Corporate Affairs, Krystie Bryant said Creative Spaces is a Council initiative that serves the dual purpose of growing the visitor economy and supporting local makers and creators by connecting them in with local communities.“Council is delighted to be presenting Creative Spaces throughout the remainder of 2022 and beyond, particularly as it’s widely known that our Coast boasts a vibrant community of artists,” Ms Bryant said.“Council is honoured to have curated an engaging program that fills the pop-up spaces with creative workshops, exhibitions, and demonstrations until February 2023 to ensure the greatest benefit for local maker and creators, as well as the wider community.“The creative workshops and exhibitions are both diverse and family-friendly, with programming set to include a range of art classes and community art projects, creative mornings for mums and bubs, workshops using recycled and repurposed items, and a wide range of art and lifestyle exhibitions for photography, sculptures, jewellery, vintage items and more.“The full program is now live, and we encourage all community members to explore the schedule and regularly visit the Creative Spaces to immerse themselves in and support the talent and creative ability of those within their community."Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is pleased to confirm the Creative Spaces programming will provide opportunities for local communities to come together.“We are excited to see Creative Spaces provide renewed chances for communities to unite across the Coast,” Mr Hart said.“Following a challenging time for artists, we are looking forward to the program providing local community members and visitors new opportunities to connect, imagine and create with talented makers and artists within their community, and enhancing liveability across the region.“Council is honoured to be providing new opportunities for local creatives to shine by showcasing their skills, art and talents whilst positively contributing to the cultural life and increasing visitation to our beloved Central Coast.”To learn more about each of the creatives set to be involved with Creative Spaces, and view a wider program for 2022-23, visit the dedicated Creative Spaces website.To read more, search ‘Creative Spaces’ on the Central Coast Council website.ENDS

Last week I had the pleasure of joining Council staff to talk to the community about Woy Woy at the Let’s talk Woy Woy event at the Peninsula Leisure Centre.

Toukley library will be offering extended hours access from 1 July 2022, as part of a ‘Library@yourtime’ trial program.This has been made possible through grant funding by a State Library of New South Wales Local Priority Grant.The innovative program, which will be trialled for six months, will see technology monitor self-access, self-service loans and returns, internet computers as well as lighting, alarms, public announcements, and public safety.Central Coast Council Unit Manager, Beth Burgess said the aim of the program is to enable users to have access to the library outside regular staffed library hours.“Library@yourtime will enable users to utilise the library during un-staffed hours, meeting the needs of commuters on their way to or from work, as well as students and families wishing to utilise the space and library services on weekends," Mrs Burgess said.“The project aims to remove barriers to people who wish to use the library service, enabling the community to make full use of the service at times that suit them.

Refugee Week is taking place from 19 to 25 June 2022 and Central Coast Council is celebrating our growing multicultural communities with a range of initiatives that share their stories and contributions.This year’s theme ‘Healing’ acknowledges the importance of connection to place and community, where shared experiences can assist with building human connection and a sense of belonging.Central Coast Council’s Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the Central Coast is home to many multicultural communities.“According to the Department of Home Affairs, between 2012-2022, over 4300 migrant families have made the Central Coast their home and speak over 73 different languages[1].