Council asset sales passes the halfway mark with over $34 million assets soldCouncil is on track to deliver its planned $60million asset sales program as part of its financial recovery, ending the calendar year with settled sales of $34,738,775.  The land known as ‘Warner Industrial Park’ is the latest settled sale at a price of $27,031,775, having a valuation of $19,500,000.   Council Administrator Rik Hart said other sale negotiations were progressing well.

Central Coast Council will soon commence construction to transform the Visitor Information Centre at The Entrance to an interactive, multipurpose facility.The Visitor Information Centre is an iconic site on the Central Coast, used regularly by locals and visitors alike.

Central Coast Council will hold an extraordinary meeting 20 December 2021 in accordance with Section 366 of the Local Government Act 1993.Date:  Monday 20 December 2021Time:  4pmLocation:  Wyong Council ChambersAgenda items:1.

I am pleased to announce that Council’s Marketing and Tourism staff have been named a finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards 2021 for their work with the local tourism industry, particularly responding with promotional activities to help local businesses during the pandemic.Council has been focusing on key areas to assist the local business community over the next six months post the lockdown.

THE HON PAUL FLETCHER MPMinister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the ArtsLUCY WICKS MPFederal Member for RobertsonRICK HART ADMINISTRATORCentral Coast Council-------------------------------------------------------------------MEDIA RELEASE The Central Coast community is invited to provide feedback on plans to upgrade the intersection at Ocean Beach and Rawson Road, Woy Woy. The $32.56 million upgrade is one of 29 projects to be delivered by Central Coast Council through the Central Coast Roads Package.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to provide their feedback on what makes up the unique character of Toukley, Canton Beach, Noraville and Norah Head, as part of developing local character statements for these suburbs. Local character statements are being developed by Council in line with NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment guidelines and will be incorporated into local development controls. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that the development of local character statements will help inform future planning decisions and development assessments. “As Toukley, Canton Beach, Noraville and Norah Head continue to grow and evolve, it’s important to understand what people value about their suburbs and what they want maintained or changed,” Mr Hart said.“We want to know what makes these suburbs unique and gives them their local character – from their natural landscape and built environment through to the people, history, culture and tradition.“By understanding this, we can ensure the local character of these suburbs remains at the forefront of local planning decisions.“Whether you live, work or play in Toukley, Canton Beach, Noraville and Norah Head, we want to hear from you.”Community members can provide their feedback until 5pm, Wednesday 9 February 2022 by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com

Central Coast Council has launched its 2021-2025 Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP);

Central Coast Council is in talks with the State Government on the sale of the Gosford Administration Building with a view to having a Memorandum of Understanding in place by the end of the year. CEO David Farmer said that negotiations were underway and should a sale proceed it would be a positive outcome benefitting the community and contributing to the revitalisation of Gosford.

Central Coast Council has a huge two months of events and activities planned to help bring Town Centres back to life with the new reIMAGINE Festival aimed to support local businesses and creatives. The festival will take place from December 2021 to January 2022 with a range of exciting programs across Gosford, Wyong, Woy Woy, Toukley, Terrigal, and The Entrance.The reIMAGINE Festival program will include:Christmas activations delivered across the Coast throughout December including Christmas decorations and installations, festive workshops, Christmas themed photo booths and roving entrainment.NYE celebrations will look a little different this year, however The Entrance will still host fireworks at 9pm.

I would like to thank those community members who have participated in the open office sessions held thus far.

Council is undertaking embankment stabilisation work at Kincumba Mountain to restore road access through this popular reserve.  Up until 20 December 2021, Island View Drive remains closed for vehicle access, and will also be closed to cyclists and pedestrians during this period.  Alternate access routes are available to the Reserve for pedestrians and cyclists via Beatties Road (Green Point), Woorara Parade (Green Point) and Bronzwing Drive (Erina) with additional access points for pedestrian from Sandringham Close (Terrigal) and Joalah Road (Kincumber). The toilet facilities at the top of Rumbalara Reserve will be closed during this time, due to inability of cleaning vehicles having access to that area while these works are undertaken. We thank our community for their patience and look forward to re-establishing road access so everyone can enjoy one of our region’s best natural assets again. BackgroundThe Central Coast experienced significantly heavy rain in March 2021, which impacted a number of roads across the region.  Island View Drive at Kincumba Mountain Reserve sustained damage to a large section of the road.  Over 15m of the embankment that supports the road was impacted by a slip failure and several section of the road pavement was destroyed.  Whilst the reserve remained open for pedestrians and cyclist, vehicle access on Island View Drive was not possible.  Council has since progressed investigations and engaged Geotechnical experts to design the required restoration work.  These works will see substantial ground anchors and a structural wall to be constructed, and the damaged sections of pavement repaired.ENDS

Central Coast Council will reopen face-to-face customer service at Wyong and Gosford locations from 1 December and The Entrance Visitor Information Centre from 2 December.

Central Coast Council will carry out further maintenance work on the southern end of Central Coast Airport.

As we approach the festive season and bid farewell to a difficult year spent in extended lockdowns, the Central Coast will come alive with a series of Christmas offerings, designed to bring cheer to the local community this December.Town Centres across the Coast will be teeming with festive spirit, with the return of favourite Christmas Tree and Wreath installations, accompanied by activations such as Photobooths and Roving Performances.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said there will be Christmas activities and decorations at The Entrance, Gosford, Terrigal, Toukley, Wyong and Woy Woy Town Centres.“We are excited to bring back festive events across the Coast, after what has been a difficult year for locals,” Ms Vaughan said.“Many of us have been apart from family and friends due to extensive lockdowns, making the return of Christmas events more important than ever.

Quarterly review shows Council progressing steadily on actions for 2021-22Council adopted the Quarter 1 Business Report for 2021-2022 including proposed budget amendments.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council actions were progressing steadily against the organisation’s operational plan activities and financial performance for the first quarter period of 2021-22. “The results reflect Council’s focus on tight budget management controls;

Council has resolved to place the Central Coast Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2022-2025 on public exhibition following the successful delivery of over 85% of the actions from the 2018-21 plan.Key deliverables include achieving a record breaking one billion in tourism expenditure in 2019, surpassing the target to achieve $921M by 2021, and completing feasibility studies for kayaking and canoeing, the RV market and Eco and Rural tourism opportunities which are informing the new DMP 2022-2025.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said the new DMP aims to create a thriving, connected and supported industry with compelling visitor experiences from headland to hinterland.“The DMP has been developed over a four-month period in collaboration with Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, industry groups and local businesses.“Strategic focuses include generating sustainable visitation patterns by increasing visitor dispersal and growing off-peak visitation, growing visitor yield, continuing to promote a cohesive and recognised brand, creating high quality amenity for residents and visitors, and empowering a unified, connected and supported tourism industry.“Key projects include creating coast to country touring itineraries, developing shared pathways including Point Clare to Gosford Railway and the continuation of the Magenta Shared Path, achieving recognition as a World Surfing Reserve, developing a business events marketing and attraction action plan, undertaking a detailed accommodation opportunities and investment study with supporting investment prospectus, and improving visitor services including implementing a wayfinding signage strategy, delivering visitor guides and regional maps, and reinvesting in The Entrance Visitor Information Centre.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said timing could not be better for the renewal of the Central Coast Destination Management Plan.“2021 has been a challenging year for the Central Coast tourism industry, who are still under pressure from the impacts on visitation and visitor expenditure from the 2019-20 bushfires, floods and ongoing uncertainty and lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Hart said.“Updating the region’s strategic priorities such as increasing visitor yield, encouraging visitation dispersal and enabling tourism product development sets a clear roadmap for recovery with a commitment from Council to support the sustainable growth of this important economic and employment sector for the region.“It is important to note that not all of the actions within the draft DMP are the responsibility of Council to carry out.

Released online this week is the ability for members of the community to have their say about maintaining current service levels and rates through an online survey on Yourvoiceourcoast.comCouncil delivers a range of services for our community including patrolling beaches;

Central Coast Council has today announced interim leadership team changes.“As we move into the consolidation period of Council’s Financial Recovery Plan, a decision has been made to refresh the executive leadership team of the organisation” said Council’s CEO Mr David Farmer.Mr Scott Cox, Director Environment and Planning and Julie Vaughan, Director Community and Recreation Services are leaving the organisation effective close of business on Friday 26th November 2021.Two interim positions have been appointed for an approximate three-month period whilst Council undertakes a recruitment process.

Central Coast residents are reminded that there is no local government election on 4 December 2021.

Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism team have been named a finalist in the Local Government Award for Tourism category in the NSW Tourism Awards 2021.The Destination Central Coast team have been recognised for their work in supporting local industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, for their tourism management and visitor promotion strategies, and for their creation of a new Destination Brand which heroes’ locals and local products.Local operators Australian Reptile Park, Ibis Styles The Entrance and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours at Mooney Mooney were also named finalists in the Awards along with Central Coast local Amanda Woodbine who is in the running for the Young Achiever Award.Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said this was a fantastic achievement for local industry and Council’s dedicated Marketing and Tourism team.“Our region is fast becoming ‘the’ destination to visit with quality tourism products and experiences, and a strong Council team promoting our region, supporting industry opportunities and growing the visitor economy,” Mrs Cowley said.“To be named a finalist is an honour.