The draft Central Coast First Nations Accord and draft Acknowledgement of Country is now on public exhibition for community review and feedback at yourvoiceourcoast.com until 30 May 2022The draft Accord is an agreement between First Nations Leaders and Central Coast Council.

Central Coast Council and its waste collections contractor Cleanaway have lifted the temporary pause on new bulk waste kerbside collection bookings after new bookings were temporarily paused on 14 April due to significant staff shortages caused by COVID-19.From Monday 2 May, residents are able to book a bulk waste kerbside collection at 1Coast.com.au.

 Foodies, families and fun-seekers will flock to the Central Coast hinterland over the June long weekend for the return of one of Council’s most anticipated annual events, Harvest Festival.A celebration of the Central Coast’s spectacular hinterland, Harvest Festival 2022 will offer a wide range of unique events and experiences across thirty event hubs over 11 and 12 June.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the festival is an opportunity to recognise our region’s outstanding local produce and producers.“This is a rare chance to take a glimpse behind the farm gate as you explore rural farming communities and their picturesque heritage villages right here on the Coast,” Ms Smith said.“Follow the Harvest Festival event trail to visit local farms, sample local produce, soak up live music and entertainment or join in a range of family-friendly activities designed to show off the unique charm of our region’s hinterland.“From paddock to plate dining experiences and wine tastings to produce picking, hands-on workshops and much more, the two-day program truly offers something for every taste and interest.“This year, a number of event hubs are offering the opportunity to pre-book experiences in advance, so be sure to check out the event program early to ensure you don’t miss out.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is proud to be delivering this much-loved event again in 2022, which attracts visitors from across the Coast and beyond to the region’s hinterland communities.“One of the Coast’s most popular events amongst locals and visitors alike, Harvest Festival builds local pride, celebrates sustainability and boosts the local economy,” Mr Hart said.“Previous events have attracted over 48,000 visitors, providing the Central Coast economy with an $8 million boost and this year’s event is anticipated to deliver similar returns to our community.“This much-loved event is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and contributes to the continued growth and development of the Central Coast.” Harvest Festival Central Coast is supported by Destination NSW’s Regional Flagship Events Program and will run from 11 – 12 June 2022.To see the full calendar of events and pre-book your Harvest Festival experience, go to our Harvest Festival dedicated webpage.ENDS

To allow for vegetation maintenance works to be undertaken on median strips and roundabouts along Wyong Rd (Mardi to Long Jetty), some road lanes will be temporarily closed in May to early June to allow for the night works. •    1 May to 3 June 2022•    8pm to 4am •    Traffic limited to one lane access each direction on Wyong Rd for varying periods in specific areas from Central Coast Hwy, Long Jetty to M1, Mardi.Works include the pruning, hedging, weeding, spraying, mulching and rubbish removal on centre medians and roundabouts along Wyong Rd.Traffic management will be in place and motorists are advised to follow direction and adhere to road work speed limits. Council apologises for any inconvenience. To view any planned and unplanned road closures across the Central Coast, go to our road closure web page  ENDS 

Boris Bolgoff, Council Director Infrastructure Services with Inspector Martin Searle, Senior Constable Lee Maraga, and Sergeant Jon Kunicki of NSW Police.Locals and visitors to the Coast will see a heightened focus on speeding across May as NSW Police and Central Coast Council roll out a collaborative road safety initiative.Two clear messages – ‘Every K counts’ and ‘Stop it…Or cop it’ – will be delivered through increased Police presence and enforcement on 50km/hr roads and a Council-led education campaign.Traffic and Highway Patrol Inspector Martin Searle said saving lives and reducing the incidence and severity of speed-related crashes is the main goal.“We want to remind the Central Coast community and visitors to slow down and take care on local roads,” Inspector Searle said.“Speeding continues to be a contributing factor in 49 percent of all fatality crashes that occur on our region’s roads.”“Drivers must observe speed limits at all times and drive to conditions – 'just a bit over' or driving too fast for the road conditions can have consequences for yourself and other road users.” “We are reminding motorists that they can make a difference by making safe choices on our roads – to make road safety a priority and drive to conditions, particularly in built up urban areas with 50km/hr zones where children, the elderly, cyclists and pedestrians can be.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said it is important to work collaboratively to reduce speeding across the region.“Along with increased presence from NSW Police, Council is focusing on increased messaging aimed at reducing speeds across Central Coast roads this May.”“Education can have a big impact on changing behaviours – we’re encouraging Coasties to drive safely and look out for each other.”The campaign will see enhanced police enforcement across local roads and deliver educational messages to the Central Coast community.ENDS

To support community groups or individuals build skills and confidence in applying for grant funding to deliver their worthwhile projects, events, or initiatives for the community, Council is running a series of free workshops in May and June ahead of the 2022-23 Community Grants Program opening.A series of drop-in sessions, information sessions and workshops will be offered online via zoom and in person at Erina Centre, Erina Fair and at Council’s Wyong Administration Building.The annual ‘Community Events and Place Activation’ and ‘Community Development’ Grant Programs will open 1 June 2022 with $300,000 per program available, to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen the Central Coast community.

Council has honoured 17 local young people in the first Central Coast Youth Week Awards, for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the local community. Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon said it is important that we continue to recognise and celebrate our local young people who are doing great things in the community.“It was an honour to be part of the first Central Coast Youth Week Awards presentation night, and I’d like to again congratulate all our award winners and finalists this year,” Mr Cantillon said.“This includes the three local schools awarded in the Nominator category, with each receiving $500 to implement a program or activity that positively benefits students.” Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the awards were developed to acknowledge the contributions of local young people from diverse backgrounds and abilities. “I am delighted to congratulate each of the award winners and nominees in the first Central Coast Youth Week Awards,” Mr Hart said. “Each of our award winners should be extremely proud of being recognised by their community for their achievements and contributions that help make our home a better place. “These talented and ambitious young people are certainly helping to shape the future of our wonderful community and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each of them.”The 2022 Central Coast Youth Week Award winners and finalists in each category include:Luminary Leaders category winnersYouth Entrepreneur of the Year – Winner:

Four professional and two emerging local creatives have been selected to deliver innovative art works as part of Central Coast Council’s ‘Creative Art Central’ program.Creative Art Central 2021 attracted 94 registrations from local artists who each had the opportunity to pitch their idea.

Community feedback sought on draft agreement between First Nations Leaders and CouncilThe draft Central Coast First Nations Accord and draft Acknowledgement of Country will be placed on public exhibition for community review and feedback.The draft Accord is an agreement between First Nations Leaders and Central Coast Council.

Council has closed the Jenny Dixon Beach access after a landslip occurred adjacent to the access point – Council barricades and warning signs have been erected.Council conducted a preliminary hazard risk assessment which revealed the landslip has undermined a section of the concrete foot path, leaving it unsafe for use. Council has issued a warning to residents and visitors to avoid the Jenny Dixon Beach access at Park Street, Norah Head approximately 50m east of the picnic shelters in the main car park due to serious safety risks. Recent heavy rains have soaked the ground and surrounding areas, creating soft and unstable soil.

Major upgrade works are commencing at Woy Woy’s popular Peninsula Leisure Centre to ensure its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system keeps the gym, pool, courts and other areas the correct temperature for the thousands of visitors who use this facility each year.Peninsula Leisure Centre has 2.5million litres of swimming water which is heated and 22.5million cubic metres of air that’s conditioned to create an enjoyable recreation and exercise experience for the 450,000 visits each year.

Central Coast Council and its waste collections contractor Cleanaway are temporarily pausing the bulk waste collection service for six weeks due to significant staff shortages caused by COVID-19. The change to services is effective immediately and the online bulk waste booking system has been temporarily disabled.

Ahead of Youth Homelessness Matters Day on Wednesday 20 April, Council is raising awareness around the need for more affordable housing locally and identifying the misconceptions associated with youth homelessness.  On any given night on the Central Coast, there can be up to 70 people sleeping rough, however, youth homelessness is difficult to measure as many young people are not detected until they present to local support services and often considered as ‘hidden homeless’ – couch surfing or sleeping in a car.  With the cost of purchasing or renting a dwelling on the Central Coast rising rapidly, over 24,000 households* in the region are in housing stress, and this is for people that have a place to call home. Council Acting Director Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard is calling for the community’s support in the development of more affordable housing locally. “To reduce the number of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, we need to be supporting and creating more affordable housing.

Central Coast Council offices and a number of services will be closed over the Easter Long Weekend from Friday 15 to Monday 18 April and on Anzac Day on Monday 25 April.Customer service will be closed on the public holidays (15, 18 and 25 April).

In commemoration of Anzac Day, Central Coast Council is supporting events being held at several locations across the Coast.These services provide community members the opportunity to come together to pay their respects to our fallen service men and women and acknowledge those who fought to defend our country and protect our way of life.Dawn Services, Main Services and Marches will be proceeding at the following locations:Davistown A Dawn Service will be held at Davistown RSL Club, Murna Road, Davistown at 6.00am.Doyalson A Dawn Service will be held at Doyalson-Wyee RSL Club, Pacific Highway, Doyalson at 5.00am with a Main Service commencing from 9.00am.Empire Bay A Main Service will be held at Empire Bay Cenotaph, Sorrento Road, Empire Bay at 11.00am.GosfordBoth ceremonies will take place in Kibble Park, Donnison Street, Gosford.

Central Coast Council is to commence remediation works in Kibble Park, Gosford, with the aim for it to become an improved community activity space.As part of the upgrade, the unique John Flakelar created sculpture, currently part of the decommissioned fountain in Kibble Park, will be relocated to Sensory Park, Narara. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said having the opportunity to upgrade both parks meant we are not only utilising spaces more effectively, but also providing better facilities for the community to enjoy. “The Kibble Park Place Plan identified opportunities for this key central Gosford open space, including making it more accessible, safe and vibrant.”Mr Hart said Council acknowledged there had been some community discussion about the future of the fountain in Kibble Park, which has not operated since 2016. “An assessment of the cost to refurbish the fountain and surrounding degraded area revealed it would not provide good value to the community or use of ratepayers money.

Council welcomed today’s State Government announcement of the University of Newcastle as the preferred partner to deliver a Gosford university campus. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this was a positive outcome benefitting the community and contributing to the revitalisation of Gosford’s CBD. “This announcement, along with the commitment from the State Government of transforming Council’s former Gosford Administration Building into a TAFE site, contributes to Gosford’s position as an educational hub for the region,” Mr Hart said. Council CEO, David Farmer confirmed there is a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the State Government about the development of the Gosford Administration Building into a TAFE site. “Having more higher education opportunities available for young people living on the Coast is important and the addition of a university campus to Gosford’s CBD is welcome news for the community,” Mr Farmer said. “Council’s own Regional Library, due to start construction by the end of this year, will also complement the growing educational hub in Gosford,” Mr Farmer said. ENDS

Council has commenced construction to transform the Visitor Information Centre at The Entrance.The exciting multipurpose facility will deliver the community an interactive visitor centre, new and modern amenities including 24/7 adult accessible change facility (AACF) and event toilets, improved layout and decking, a dedicated space for local makers and creators, a bookable function area and a purpose-built greenroom. Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said the upgrade has been designed to provide an interactive facility and accessible amenities for locals and visitors to enjoy. “The Entrance is one of the Coast’s most popular tourist destinations and this project creates an interactive space to better educate and inform visitors about all there is to do and see throughout the region,” Ms Cowley said.“This upgrade will improve toilets and accessibility, while also helping to drive tourism, increase economic spend in the area, and create an exciting year-round space for locals to enjoy.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this stage was an exciting milestone for the project.“This interactive experience can showcase all that our region has to offer as a tourism destination and provide positive exposure for our local businesses and tourism providers,” Mr Hart said.“It also provides the opportunity to attract larger-scale events and improved function areas for the community to enjoy, as well as including facilities for all with a 24/7 adult accessible change facility.

Ettalong will come to life this month showcasing original art produced by local artists.

Central Coast Council is delivering a jam-packed program of online and face-to-face activities and events throughout the April school holidays, giving Central Coast families plenty of ways to keep young minds entertained and bodies active over the Easter break. Parents, carers and guardians can head to the School Holidays what’s on page on Council’s website to see everything that’s taking place - from heritage tours, live entertainment and escape rooms to sports challenges, Easter crafts and skills workshops, there’s something on offer for all ages, interests and abilities. Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/schoolholidays for the full list of events, details and bookings.What's on at our Town CentresBring the kids down to any of our four town centre locations for a range of fun activities for all ages, as part of Council’s new Social Spaces event.