Council will host a new Responsible Pet Ownership Event on Saturday 19 February 2022 at Terilbah Reserve, The Entrance North.The event will see SoCares and the Animal Welfare League join Council’s Community Safety team in promoting responsible pet ownership.There will also be over 15 local pet-related businesses holding stalls and delivering demonstrations on the day.

The popular Love Lanes Festival in Wyong is back for its fifth year on Friday 8 April, presented by Central Coast Council and Club Wyong, Mounties Group. Love Lanes was originally planned to take place in February, just two days before Valentine’s Day.

Central Coast Council is calling on community members who have an idea for a business venture that will make a difference to our community, to participate in this year’s Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program.An information session will be held on 21 February for interested people to learn more about the free program, which consists of a series of workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions that will run from late March to June 2022.Council’s Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the annual Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program supports the development of innovative new enterprise models within the region and helps to turn community focused business ideas into a reality.“The free program, which has been running since 2012, provides a step-by-step guide to research, plan, seek funding and establish a social enterprise that benefits our community – whether it be social, environmental or creative,” Mr Cannard said.“This annual program has helped start-ups, entrepreneurs, not for profit organisations and new businesses with a social vision go on to successfully launch community focused ventures such as the Iris Foundation’s ‘Wings to Succeed’ project.”Sue Liptrott, Executive Officer of Iris Foundation said taking part in the Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program was a supportive and creative experience.Ms Liptrott said “In 2021, Iris Foundation was accepted to take part in the Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program and we were so grateful for the opportunity.

Happy New Year Central Coast Community!I hope you and your families had a relaxing break.

Council endorses the Sustainability and Climate Action PlanCentral Coast Council has endorsed the Central Coast Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP). The Plan includes 27 actions relating to:•    natural systems•    water and energy efficiency•    community empowerment•    waste reduction•    improved strategic planning. The SCAP provides a holistic view of Council’s actions in the environmental sustainability and climate change space.

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to contribute to discussions on housing across the Central Coast, with community consultation on the Central Coast Local Housing Strategy Discussion Paper now open. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said housing is a hot topic on the Central Coast.“Record sale prices are being achieved right across the Coast at the moment, while the availability of rental properties remains at an all-time low,” Mr Hart said.“With clear housing projections set out in the Central Coast Regional Plan – 41,500 additional homes by 2036 – it’s imperative that we adequately plan for a range of housing types and densities in different locations so that we have something to offer the diverse requirements of our community.“The discussion paper is intended to bring together key concepts from the evidence base report and act as a prompt to guide discussion around the future of housing on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council is proud of its commitment to serving the vibrant and diverse Central Coast community. Council will fly the Australian Flag on Australia Day 2022, and proudly displays the Australian Flag at the Wyong Administration Building year-round, alongside the Australian Aboriginal Flag, Torres Strait Islander Flag, New South Wales State Flag and the Central Coast Council Flag. Council has not stated that it will not be flying the Australian Flag on Australia Day 2022. The banners that will line West Street in Umina on Australia Day 2022 commemorate 100 years of Ocean Beach Surf Club;

Ratepayers, residents and businesses are encouraged to have their say, as to what is needed for Council's long term financial sustainability with plans on public exhibition until this Friday 21 January. There are three scenarios outlined in Council’s draft Revised Community Strategic Plan, Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan, Draft Fees and Charges, Draft Long Term Financial Plan, Draft Workforce Management Strategy, and Draft Revised Asset Management Strategy for the community to consider with the potential impacts of each scenario also outlined in the strategic documents. This is a step required by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) should Council make a submission to IPART for a Special Variation. Administrator Rik Hart said a Special Variation submission was one of the last steps for Council in its planned financial recovery. “Council’s financial recovery plan put in place over a year ago is working and we are meeting all major milestones and targets,” Mr Hart said. “The draft Delivery Program that is on public exhibition includes actions and projects that Council will deliver over the next three financial years and incorporates Council’s continued actions to reduce expenditure through efficiency gains and moderate adjustments to service levels. “Our focus remains on being able to support this community with services they deserve and need by having a financially sustainable Council,” Mr Hart said. Council will consider community submissions from the public exhibition of the plans in an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 3 February 2022 before adopting these plans and programs.

Council re-opened on 10 January 2022 with administration and project construction works re-commencing.

Twelve outstanding locals have received Australia Day honours, including Robyn Downham (Founder of River Cares Group Inc.) who was named ‘Citizen of the Year’ in the 2022 Australia Day Awards on the Central Coast. Council Unit Manger Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said the annual awards are a chance to recognise the achievements of individuals who have made a positive contribution to the Central Coast community. “I would like to congratulate our nine winners and three highly commended recipients on receiving this honour and thank them for their ongoing contributions to our community,” Mr Cannard said.“Our Citizen of the Year for 2022, Robyn Downham is undoubtedly a worthy recipient of this award and epitomises the true meaning of community spirit, through committing her time to founding and running the River Cares Group Inc.“The community of Spencer have been impacted by bushfires and floods for the past two years, leaving many people in the local community feeling overwhelmed and isolated.“Under Ms Downham’s leadership, River Cares Group Inc.

Highly regarded education leader and local resident, Karen Jones, has been announced by Council as the 2022 Australia Day Ambassador for the Central Coast.Mrs Jones began her career as a special education teacher in 1982, and has been strongly committed to public education since, with a particular focus on Aboriginal education.As former Principal of Wyoming Public School, Mrs Jones transformed and unified the then struggling school with her teaching and learning initiatives significantly increasing literacy growth between Years 3 and 5.

Central Coast Council is calling on our local amateur artists over the age of 50 to enter its popular Grandma Moses Art Competition.After a break following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this popular competition is back and now in its 38th year.

Due to the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases on the Central Coast, Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the Australia Day Fireworks at The Entrance Foreshore and Woy Woy Foreshore on 26 January 2022.This decision was not made lightly, however Council’s core priority is the health and wellbeing of the Central Coast community.Council understands this decision will be disappointing to many people and apologises for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of this event.Council will be reviewing other upcoming Council events and provide regular updates as further information becomes available. ENDS

To improve access and inclusion for people with limited mobility or living with a disability, Council provides beach wheelchairs at 13 beaches and has installed beach matting at four popular locations this Summer season.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said it’s important to ensure that everyone in our community and visitors can participate in all aspects of community life.“With an abundance of beautiful beaches on the Coast, heading to the beach is a major part of our community’s lifestyle and these natural assets attract hundreds of tourists to our region each year,” Mr Hart said. “Providing beach wheelchairs and beach matting improves access and inclusion and ensures everyone can join in and enjoy our coastline.“Council is committed to the continual improvement of access for people with disabilities, and this is one example of delivering on this goal and implementing actions from our Disability and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP*).”Beach wheelchairsCouncil has a suite of beach wheelchairs available for free hire for residents and visitors at the following patrolled beaches: Avoca BeachCopacabana BeachKillcare BeachLakes BeachMacmasters BeachOcean Beach (Umina)Shelly BeachSoldiers BeachTerrigal BeachThe EntranceToowoon BayUmina BeachWamberal BeachTo accommodate varied needs, there are three models of beach wheelchairs including the Sand Cruiser (available at all above locations), plus the Hippocampe and Water Wheel (at selected suitable locations). While beach wheelchair hire can be arranged on site through the lifeguards at individual Surf Life Saving Clubs, online bookings are highly encouraged to ensure the preferred model of beach wheelchair is available.

Central Coast Council is encouraging the local community to start a conversation with their family, friends and neighbours about preparing for seasonal hazards such as storms, floods, and bushfires. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that being prepared for emergencies can save lives, property and help the community recover quicker from disaster events when they do occur. “This year we’re facing La Niña climate conditions, which means we can expect to see above average rainfall and more severe and more frequent storms.

Central Coast Council has changed its policies and procedures to provide more notice to the owners of abandoned vehicles before taking further action. Council acknowledges that a recent impounding of a resident’s car has caused concern in the community. In response to community feedback, Council has changed its operational process to provide 14 days’ notice.

Council takes next step towards Special Variation submission and invites community to have their sayCouncil’s draft Revised Community Strategic Plan, Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan, Draft Fees and Charges, Draft Long Term Financial Plan, Draft Workforce Management Strategy, and Draft Revised Asset Management Strategy will be on public exhibition and available for community submissions until Friday 21 January 2022, following adoption at today’s Extraordinary Council Meeting.

Central Coast Council offices will be closed over the holiday season from Monday 27 December 2021, reopening on Monday 10 January 2022.The Wyong Administration Office, Gosford Customer Service Centre, works depots and Laycock Street Community Theatre are all included in this closure.

As 2021 draws to a close I find myself reflecting on what a massive 12 months it has been.

The Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline – the largest infrastructure project delivered by Central Coast Council to date – is fully operational and delivering significant benefits for the region. Central Coast Council completed the 9.4 kilometre pipeline in March 2021 and since then approximately 2,400 megalitres or 1,000 Olympic swimming pools of water has been transferred. Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline boosts water security for the rapidly growing northern suburbs and the entire region. “Since completing this critical piece of water supply infrastructure we have moved significant volumes of water to service the Coast’s major northern growth corridor including Warnervale Town Centre,” Mr Loader said. “The pipeline runs from Mardi Water Treatment Plant right through to Sparks Road at Warnervale and enables bulk water transfers – up to 30 megalitres a day – between the Central Coast and Hunter. “Increasing our capability for bulk water transfers between the Central Coast and the Hunter improves water security for both regions. “The Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline stretches for 9.4 kilometres and is one metre in diameter.