Despite the devastating weather experienced across the Central Coast only months ago, the Central Coast Harvest Festival 2022 has successfully delivered a great weekend for all!

The Coast is a hive of activity with Council infrastructure works continuing to upgrade, renew, maintain and improve community facilities, services and open space green areas.Central Coast Council CEO, David Farmer said Council has remained committed to the delivery of essential services and key projects, even as we managed the financial challenges.

Earlier this week Council was pleased to announce the Central Coast has officially achieved ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia.

Central Coast Council has engaged start-up company RecycleSmart, for a three-month trial program to collect tricky recyclables from the doorsteps of local residents’ homes for free.This program aims to help Council collect data and feedback from residents, to determine what type of recycling service might be of interest and benefit to the wider community. Council Unit Manager Waste and Resource Recovery, Andrew Pearce said the trial also aims to reduce the number of recyclable materials that end up in landfill. “There is often confusion among residents over how to correctly dispose of tricky recyclables such as soft plastics, clothes, e-waste and problem waste like polystyrene, batteries and smoke alarms," Mr Pearce said.“Also, having to visit different drop off locations is often an inconvenience and disincentive.

Central Coast Council is welcoming expressions of interest from prospective event management organisations, local businesses and qualified individuals interested in delivering funded community events aimed at creating vibrant, engaging spaces in Toukley and The Entrance.Open from today until Monday 27 June, Council’s Request for Quotation (RFQ) will allow local event organisers the opportunity to receive funding to deliver a Christmas event and a one-day event in the Toukley Village Green, and pop-up market in the Waterfront Plaza at The Entrance.Council's Community and Culture Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard said Council is pleased to continue offering opportunities for local businesses to be reconnected to their communities and help enhance the Coast’s event calendar.“Council is honoured to offer local event organisers and qualified individuals two opportunities to receive funding to manage and deliver engaging events in Toukley and The Entrance,” Mr Cannard said.“Interested local businesses can submit an application to receive $18,000 in funding for the delivery of a one-day event and Christmas event in the Toukley Village Green, and a separate application to receive $20,000 in funding for the delivery of pop-up markets in the Waterfront Plaza at The Entrance.“Council is thrilled at the prospect of local businesses playing an integral role in helping enhance the Coast’s calendar of events, and is excited to see how new, engaging spaces can enhance visitation to these areas and have a positive impact on the local economy.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said local businesses can have confidence that Council is working toward further renewing opportunities that connect them to their community.“Following a number of challenging years for local businesses and event organisers, we are hopeful that new opportunities and funding can continue to help bring their big ideas for the community to life," Mr Hart said.“We encourage all interested businesses or local event organisers to submit an application to get involved and help deliver engaging events that boost local economies, and further contribute to the overall ambiance of our Central Coast community."Event funding opportunities open from Monday 6 June – Monday 27 June are as follows:Toukley$10,000 in funding available for a family-oriented Christmas event to be delivered during December 2022.

Central Coast Council’s 2022-23 Community Grants Program is now open, with $900,000 in annual funding available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen our community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said local community groups and organisations have until 30 June to apply for funding under the program to help bring their big ideas to life. “This year, community groups and organisations will be able to apply for funding under three programs - the Community Development Grant Program, the Community Events and Place Activation Program and the Community Support Program,” Ms Smith said.“Council’s Community Grants Program supports local groups and organisations to develop initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection, activating places and spaces and improving quality of life on the Coast."Grant writing sessions, information sessions and drop-in sessions have been running in May and are continuing during June and are designed to support community members through the application process.“Funding of up to $20,000 per project is available under the Community Development Grant Program and the Community Events and Place Activation Program, with applications closing at the end of the month.“Community groups and organisations can also apply for funding of up to $5,000 per project as part of the Community Support Program, which will remain open throughout the year.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council’s Community Grants Program provides community organisations with the support to deliver activities, events, programs and projects which build the community’s capacity and create stronger local connections.“With $900,000 in annual funding on offer, this is an opportunity for community groups and organisations to put ideas into action, making a difference to our community and creating a stronger Central Coast,” Mr Hart said.“If you are looking to deliver a worthwhile project or event over the next 18 months, I highly encourage you to read the guidelines and apply now.”Council’s 2022-23 Community Grants Program includes:Community Development Grant Program – one round only, opened 1 June 2022, closes 30 June 2022.

Two years on from its major community consultation project Let’s Talk Woy Woy, Central Coast Council has completed a range of major works, upgrades and improvements throughout the Woy Woy town centre, with more projects currently underway.Council Chief Executive Officer David Farmer said the community has played an integral role in shaping many exciting projects, plans and strategies to benefit and enhance Woy Woy that are now coming to life.

We are excited to announce that following a 20-month journey, the Central Coast has officially achieved ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia, making it one of the first regions in the country to be recognised for its strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and high-quality, nature-based tourism experiences.Achieving ECO Destination Certification recognises the Central Coast as a world-class location for sustainable and nature-based tourism, which will provide a substantial and ongoing boost to the local economy. The announcement comes just before World Environment Day’s 50th anniversary year, which encourages countries around the globe to celebrate #OnlyOneEarth through collective environmental action.Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said it was exciting to see the region receiving formal recognition on an international level as an ecotourism destination of choice.“We are thrilled in our role in achieving this recognition and to announce our successful official ECO Destination Certification for the Central Coast, and what this means for our local community.“Statistically, we know that ecotourists stay longer, are more conscious travellers and are more interested in a region’s local community, nature, and culture. “Council is excited at the prospective boost in ecotourism that being an ECO Destination will bring, such as providing sustainable, local employment and training opportunities to the Central Coast community”.To achieve ECO Destination Certification, an independent Auditor assigned by Ecotourism Australia reviewed Council’s submission and conducted interviews with staff, stakeholders and tourism operators on the Central Coast. The Auditor said “Central Coast Council is to be commended for their sustainability planning including being only the second region in NSW, and the third in the whole of Australia to apply for Destination Certification through Ecotourism Australia.

Since February, Council has filled over 32,000 potholes that were a result of intense and continued rainfall which created an unprecedented number of potholes.Only temporary repair works can be undertaken during wet weather, which is why potholes can reappear within only weeks of repair. Despite the high level of repairs undertaken to date, as of the end of May approximately 8,108¹ outstanding potholes are identified for repair across the region’s 2,000km road network.

I have today welcomed the Minister for Local Government, The Hon Wendy Tuckerman’s announcement of Central Coast’s local government election to be held on 14 September 2024.The Proclamation also outlines the continuation of my term of appointment as Council’s Administrator up until the election date set.

Minister for Local Government, The Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP has announced the local government election for Central Coast Council will be held on 14 September 2024.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart welcomed the Minister's announcement and date set for Central Coast's local government election, saying it now provides Council with a date to work towards and time to implement the Commissioner's recommendations. “Council has made significant progress in stabilising the organisation, holding local government elections in 2024 allows Council to ensure a solid foundation for a newly elected body,” Mr Hart said.“At this stage, I plan to continue as Administrator and look forward to continuing to work with the Central Coast community to deliver the best outcome for the region.“While I've always been in favour of democracy, I am firmly of the opinion that sacked Councillors should not be allowed to run for Council in a subsequent election, and I will continue to push this view. “Experience has shown that when previous Councillors return from a period of administration, the risk of deterioration increases dramatically.

The ‘Thinking Out Loud’ Youth Forum is back in 2022; hosted by Central Coast Council’s Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Action Team. This year’s forum will be held on Wednesday 8 June at The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue with the theme:

Central Coast Council is helping parents and supervisors with the challenging task of teaching learner drivers, to help make the experience of learning to drive a safe, positive experience for all.Council is offering two free workshops at Erina and Tuggerah libraries in June to offer practical advice on current driving rules and requirements for L and P plate drivers, how learners benefit from supervised on-road driving, and how to encourage positive outcomes through teaching learner drivers.Council Director Infrastructure Services, Boris Bolgoff said the workshops are designed to provide hands-on support to parents and supervisors of learner drivers.“Younger drivers (aged 26 and younger) make-up almost one quarter of annual road fatalities despite representing only 15 percent of all licence holders – this is an alarming statistic that we all should be determined to work toward bringing down,” Mr Bolgoff said.“With their relative inexperience, learner drivers also face a higher risk of being involved in a crash.

Central Coast Council was named a winner in one category and highly commended in another at the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards, held late last week in Sydney. Plant and Fleet for its Fleet and Driver Management Transformation project in the Innovative Leadership category (category winner)Marketing and Tourism for its Love Central Coast project in the Special Project Initiative category (highly commended) The NSW Local Government Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across Local Government that promote innovation and improvement within the community. Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer has congratulated the winning staff and team on this fantastic achievement.“Council was recognised and named finalists in eight categories in this year’s awards, so I’d like to congratulate not only the winning team and staff members who were highly commended, but also those who were nominated this year,” Mr Farmer said. “We have built a new Corporate Affairs Directorate focused on improving systems and processes to deliver better services for our ratepayers and residents, whilst driving economic initiatives to enable regional growth.

Central Coast Council is pleased to confirm that VenuesLive will take over management of one of the Coast’s most iconic assets, Central Coast Stadium.

Central Coast Council has today announced changes to its executive leadership team. Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley will be leaving the organisation effective 16 June 2022. Council’s Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said Ms Cowley was responsible for significant achievements at Central Coast Council which will have long-lasting positive impacts for the community.“Ms Cowley brought extensive experience with her when she joined Central Coast Council in October 2020 and used her expertise to help the organisation achieve one of the most significant financial turnarounds in Australian Local Government history,” Mr Farmer said. “I sincerely thank Ms Cowley for her service to the Central Coast community, her extensive contributions to Council’s Financial Recovery Plan and helping to secure the long-term financial future of the organisation.”Interim arrangements will be announced prior to mid-June while Council undertakes a recruitment process. “I wish Ms Cowley all the very best in her new role as General Manager at Coffs Harbour City Council,” said Mr Farmer.ENDS

Toukley will be packed with food and entertainment at the 2022 Taste of Toukley activation on Saturday 4 June!The Toukley Village Green will feature live entertainment and other family friendly activities, plus five local restaurants will provide a limited number of free tasting boxes to the community.Central Council’s Community and Culture Unit Manager, Glenn Cannard, said the Taste of Toukley’s objective is to showcase the diversity of cuisine available in Toukley, and increase awareness of what the town centre has to offer.“The Toukley town centre is a vibrant strip of businesses who are integral to the economic and social growth of the local community.  We want the community and visitors to the town, to get to know what Toukley has to offer.”Mr Cannard said activities will include a petting zoo, roving entertainment and a tasting table set up in the Village Green displaying a QR code linked to takeaway menus of local restaurants and cafes.“The tasting table is a fun way to encourage people to support the local eateries," Mr Cannard said.Five local restaurants will also be offering a limited number of free takeaway tasting boxes.

Council’s endorsement of the Central Coast Green Grid Plan:

At last night’s Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to publicly exhibit draft documents of the Revised Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program 2022-25, including the Operational Plan and Budget 2022/23, and the Resourcing Strategy for community feedback from Wednesday 25 May to Tuesday 21 June 2022.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released its final determination on water, sewerage and stormwater drainage pricing for the Central Coast, returning rates to levels that can see Council better maintain its vast water and sewer operations.IPART announced it would stagger the rate changes from 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2026 to allow customers more time to manage the impacts on their bills, which was requested within community feedback during consultation.The pricing determination will see the combined yearly bill for a typical household increase by the following increments, plus inflation:17 percent on 1 July 2022 ($183 increase)6 percent in 2023-24 ($80 increase)8 percent in 2024-25 ($106 increase)1 percent in 2025-26 ($9 increase)Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the rate changes will allow Council to provide services that match community expectations.“IPART’s determination will allow Council to invest in our water and sewer operations and increase the quality of these services for the community.