Central Coast Council has advised as a result of the easing of restrictions, Central Coast Stadium will increase capacity to 9,820, just under 50 percent.This announcement coincides with confirmation from the NRL that Central Coast Stadium has once again been selected to host games during the 2021 premiership season.Council's Stadium Manager, Kath Casey also confirmed that Central Coast Mariners will continue to use the Stadium as their home ground for 13 games, with the first match of the season New Year’s Eve.“We are thrilled the capacity for the Stadium has increased in time for the much-loved New Year’s Eve Mariners match, a calendar highlight and yearly tradition for many Coasties,” Ms Casey said.“Residents have also come to expect a number of NRL matches played locally each season, and I am delighted to announce the Roosters, Manly and Souths will all have home games at the Stadium."We are proud to be able to deliver these professional sports for locals to enjoy in their own backyard, rather than having to travel to Sydney or Newcastle.”The NRL premiership season kicks off on 11 March, with the following games are scheduled for Central Coast Stadium:Roosters vs.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has today delivered his 30-Day Interim Report at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council. Mr Persson said this report provides the community with a picture into the history of how poor financial decisions and catastrophic budget mismanagement has led Australia’s 6th largest council to the situation they find themselves in today. “The financial crisis confronting the Central Coast Council is very serious.

The Entrance looks to be on track for a record baby boom of the feather kind, with positive signs the threatened Little Tern's are having a bumper year.Monitoring of nesting sites at Karagi Point has revealed 58 nests, with 144 eggs in total, a record since Little Terns starting nesting in the area in 1998.Central Coast Council’s Environmental Management Unit Manager, Luke Sulkowski said he was pleased to see Little Terns return to the Central Coast.“We’re very lucky to have Little Terns visit us from as far away as Indonesia and South-east Asia every summer," Mr Sulkowski said.“Unfortunately, due to habitat loss, human disturbance and predators, the Little Tern is an endangered species, so we are thrilled to have observed record numbers of breeding pairs and eggs this season.“State-wide, numbers of nesting pairs are declining by about 3 percent per year, which makes high-performing nesting sites such as Karagi Point all the more important for the species long-term survival.”Council, in consultation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, have installed temporary fencing and signage around the breeding area to protect the nests and chicks."I want to thank the community for being respectful of the nesting sites and urge them to continue to take care and obey the temporary fencing and signage, so that we may get to enjoy these special visitors and their growing families," Mr Sulkowski added.Image credit Andrew Robinson  

Drivers and commuters should avoid the area around Gosford High School and Gosford Hospital for 24 hours from 6pm on Tuesday, 1 December.Traffic at the intersection of Racecourse and Showground Roads will experience major disruptions while a leaking water main under the roadway is repaired.

Many Central Coast Council facilities and services will be closed to the public on Friday 4 December 2020 for a Local Government State Award approved Union Picnic Day.This includes the Gosford and Wyong Administration Buildings, works depots, The Entrance Visitor Information Centre, all Council run childcare centres, Laycock Street Community Theatre and all library branches.

Central Coast Council is giving the community additional opportunities to speak about coastal erosion at Wamberal with virtual sessions added to the program this week.Council’s Environment and Planning Director, Scott Cox said he was pleased with the drop-in sessions completed last week.“The drop-in sessions we held last week were a great opportunity for our community to stop by, have a chat about their ideas and concerns, and for us to hear what is important to them,” said Mr Cox.“I’m pleased to say the sessions were a positive experience with respectful conversations covering a wide range of topics.“We have heard however, some concerns about the timing of the drop-in sessions, and so we have decided to add two opportunities for virtual sessions this week.“These sessions will be held late afternoon and over lunchtime to give people an opportunity to dial in during their lunch break or after work.”More than 90 people took the opportunity to meet with Council staff and representatives from the NSW Government and the Wamberal Taskforce last week.

Sale of assets will help Council’s bottom lineCentral Coast Council’s sale of several properties will deliver a much-needed boost to Council’s financial position and financial sustainability.

The need for safety vigilance has been amplified as the Central Coast enters what is expected to be the busiest summer season on record.Central Coast Council’s new ‘Coast Summer Safety ’ campaign will highlight messages unique to the upcoming season – COVID-safety, record numbers at local beaches and preparing for extreme La Niña weather – as well as important safety reminders for when ‘out and about’, travelling and celebrating.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said a bumper summer season would deliver a welcome economic boost to the region but also heightened the importance of safety.“This summer is going to be a little different to others – not only are we expecting record numbers of visitors to our beautiful region but we remain in the midst of a global pandemic and a La Niña weather pattern,” Ms Vaughan said.“With more people at our beaches, cafes, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions – we must be vigilant in our COVID-safe practices.“Time in and around water is a big part of summer on the Coast but wherever there is water there is danger and this campaign emphasises what we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.“We are no strangers to extreme weather on the Coast and this summer we need to be ready for bush fires, heatwaves, storms and flooding.“Our roads and pathways will also be very busy and many of us will be travelling for holidays and to visit family and friends – this campaign reminds us what we can do to be safer on and around roads and pathways.”Coast Summer Safety will primarily be delivered via an innovative and targeted digital campaign in December, January and February across the following categories:Be COVID-safeSafety on the beach and around water‘Get Ready’ for extreme weatherSafety out and aboutSafe travelsSafe celebrationsCouncil Administrator, Dick Persson AM said safety needs to be front of mind this summer.“A bumper season means job opportunities on the Coast and a welcome boost to the local economy, particularly to businesses hit hard by COVID,” Mr Persson said.“We all need to be patient and kind and take simple steps to keep ourselves and others safe.”Explore Coast Summer Safety messages by visiting centralcoast.gov.au/CoastSummerSafety

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has terminated the employment of Mr Gary Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council, in accordance with the provisions of Mr Murphy’s Contract of Employment, effective immediately.

The issue of the week is a possible Special Rate Variation [SRV].I have been clear from week one that an SRV, possible asset sales, service reductions, and further borrowings would all be in the mix for consideration.A POSSIBLE SRV came up because there are procedural deadlines to meet for it to be considered by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).Councils wanting an SRV need to advise IPART by the end of November 2020.

Central Coast Council will notify the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to prepare an application for a one-off Special Rate Variation (SRV) of 8%.Administrator Dick Persson AM said this did not necessarily mean the application would proceed but if one wasn’t lodged the opportunity would be lost.The rate would apply from 2021-22 and remain permanently in the rate base for seven years which plus the 2% annual rate peg increase represents a total rate increase of 10%.The application for a rate rise is proposed as of part of a suite of measures being considered to address the current financial situation Council is experiencing.The need for the extraordinary meeting, at this time, came from IPART’s deadline whereby  applications need to be notified by 27 November 2020.“I want to assure the community that this is not a done deal.

Council to hold Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday 26 NovemberCentral Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday, 26 November 2020 at the Wyong Chambers at 1.00pm for consideration of a report regarding a possible Special Rate Variation by Council.Council Meeting change in 2021An Ordinary Council Meeting will now be conducted on Wednesday 27 January 2021 at 6.30pm, rather than on Monday, 25 January 2021 at the Gosford Chambers.Council continues to take steps toward financial recoveryCentral Coast Council has provided another status report on the Business Recovery Plan. Actions taken so far include:Council’s acceptance of a $50 million loan from a top tier financial institution at an interest rate below 2%Negotiations commencing for a loan to secure $50-$100m of capital worksUnderperforming property assets have been identified and prioritised for possible saleA complete review of Council’s 20/21 operating budget and capital programAn opportunities log developed detailing ways to improve Council’s financial positionA review of all monthly and quarterly Budget Pack financial reporting assumptionsFinalising the first phase engagement for the forensic audit with KPMGCouncil Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM said Council continues to closely monitor, track and reconcile its cash position on a daily basis.“Progress has been made on identifying and mitigating the key causes for the financial situation that Council finds itself in”, Mr Persson said.“The objective of the Business Recovery Plan is to achieve financial recovery and sustainability by continuing to focus on the intake of cash and expenditure reduction, coupled with more sustainable cash preservation initiatives and strategies. “Notwithstanding, I am confident we will be able to set a path that will get us to where we need to be.

As I head into week 4, work continues in unravelling the financial issues present here at council.

Central Coast Council staff members have led the charge in donating lifesaving blood and plasma, once again topping local workplaces and ranking amongst Australia’s top 10 Councils for blood donations to Lifeblood in 2020. Council is one of the Coast's top workplace donors as part of the Red Cross’ Lifeblood Teams program, which sees staff from more than 150 local workplaces roll up their sleeves and give urgent blood and plasma throughout the year.

The Central Coast is on its way to becoming a certified ECO Destination through the Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia funded partnership.Achieving ECO Destination certification will recognise the Central Coast as a world-class destination for sustainable, nature-based tourism.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia partnership will support the region with a two-year $30,000 package that covers all costs to progress through Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination program.“This partnership is a significant boost for our growing nature-based tourism sector here on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“The Central Coast has been selected along with five other bush fire affected destinations, including the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, to move toward formal recognition of our world-class eco-tourism offerings.“We have so much to offer – stunning beaches, incredible bushwalks, picturesque hinterland, adventure activities, boutique shopping, great locally produced food, a vibrant dining scene – and ECO Destination certification will help deliver this message to a broader audience.”Ecotourism Australia’s Chief Executive Rod Hillman said he was delighted to have new destinations joining the program.“We are working tirelessly to support our tourism industry that has been hit hard in 2020 by bush fires and COVID and can see tangible benefits for regional tourism through this funding program,” Mr Hillman said.“As the Central Coast offers a high number of existing ecotourism operators alongside a high proportion of national parks and protected natural spaces – the goal is to bring this all together with ECO Destination certification.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said the support of Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia would play an important role in the Central Coast’s future as a tourist destination of choice.“It has been a year of unprecedented challenges and tourism will be key to helping the Central Coast economy to recover and flourish,” Mr Persson said.“The Central Coast is home to a vast array of world-class, nature-based tourist attractions, and becoming ECO Destination certified will give us an internationally recognised stamp of approval and help to attract an increasing number of visitors seeking sustainable travel experiences.”The Central Coast currently has five operators already certified with Ecotourism Australia :TreeTops (Advanced Ecotourism and Ecotourism certified) – Ourimbah State ForestNoonaweena (Advanced Ecotourism and Nature Tourism certified) – KulnuraAquafun Avoca Lake (Ecotourism certified) – Avoca BeachCentral Coast Marine Discovery Centre (Advanced Ecotourism and Climate Action Business certified) – TerrigalPeak Potential Adventures (Ecotourism certified) – Charmhaven.As part of the ECO Destination Certification program, additional local tourism operators will have the opportunity to pursue certification and be supported with tools to help their business become more sustainable.Interested tourism businesses, stakeholders and the community can learn more through attending a satellite version of the 2020 Global EcoConference (based in Margaret River WA), which will be live streamed at a venue on the Central Coast from 1-3 December.For a full list of where to eat, stay and play on the Central Coast, head to lovecentralcoast.com

Central Coast residents are being urged to step up and speak out against domestic violence as Council joins a 16-day global campaign to help end domestic violence in our community.The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.Council is running a series of educational campaigns and events throughout the 16 Days of Activism (and beyond) to make it clear that violence against women is never acceptable.Council Director Connected Communities Julie Vaughan said domestic violence is a real and serious issue impacting the Central Coast.“Statistics show that the Central Coast had the second-highest number of domestic violence Apprehended Violence Orders in New South Wales for the 12 months prior to June 2020*,” said Ms Vaughan.“We need powerful statements and actions if we are going to change the Coast’s statistics and make our communities safe for women to lead the lives they and their children deserve.“Council has been working with key partners and respected experts to help educate our community and raise awareness of this issue.”Campaigns and events being run and supported by Council throughout the 16 Days of Activism include:Lightboxes illuminate an important story:

Central Coast Council has received a Highly Commended recognition in the 2020 ‘IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards’ for its excellence in embedding the value of community engagement into its core business.The IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards are run by The International Association for Public Participation and recognise best practice in public participation.

There is nothing better than scoring a bargain, especially as Christmas season approaches, and there are plenty of quirky and wonderful sales across the Central Coast for this year’s Garage Sale Trail on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November. The national, multi-award-winning community and sustainability event is gearing up to be one of the best yet.

At the time of writing I am half way through week 2.

Central Coast Council has authorised the acceptance of a $50M loan from a top tier financial institution as part of its Business Recovery Plan.