Central Coast Council is opening the doors to three of their leisure and recreation centres, at an open day this Saturday 30 September.Visitors to Lake Haven Recreation Centre will receive free gym entry to try select classes such as Ab Blast, Body Balance, Smash Fitness and Boot Camp.

Councillor Jane Smith has been elected as the first Mayor of Central Coast Council, with Councillor Chris Holstein as the Deputy Mayor.Mayor Smith, has lived on the Coast for over 28 years, and is a first time Councillor, elected from the Gosford East ward.Councillor Chris Holstein, former Gosford City Councillor and State Member for Gosford was elected Deputy Mayor.Mayor Smith said it was an honour to be elected as the first Mayor and she is looking forward to the council working together with the whole of the community and in the best interests of the Central Coast.“We will listen to the community and together we will deliver better roads, footpaths, drainage, recreational facilities and protect our waterways – this is our contract with the community,” Mayor Smith said.“The services and infrastructure Council deliver is an essential part of maintaining our fantastic way of life here on the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“We need to find the right balance between delivering the infrastructure our growing community needs as well as protecting our quality of life and our local communities - I believe we are up for that challenge.

Nominations for the annual Central Coast Council 2018 Australia Day Awards are now open.The awards are open to anyone from across the Central Coast and spans seven categories designed to recognise locals who have shown outstanding dedication to their community, workplace, arts, culture or sport.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, is encouraging the community to get involved.“We all know someone who is at the local sports ground rain, hail or shine, or a leading local business entrepreneur, or volunteers in their local area;

Winners of the prestigious Gosford Art Prize and Gosford Ceramic Prize have been announced, with ten talented artists from around Australia recognised.Now in its 18th year, a total of 519 entries were received from all over Australia, with 66 percent of entries from the Central Coast.The winners were selected from 161 finalists, with artworks to be displayed in the 2017 Gosford Art Prize and Gosford Ceramics Prize exhibition held at Gosford Regional Gallery until 26 November 2017.Central Coast Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Julie Vaughan, has applauded all artists selected.“Congratulations to all the winners, as well as the finalists featuring in the exhibition.

Central Coast Council has a number free events planned at The Entrance next week to keep the children entertained in the school holidays.The Entrance Waterfront will come alive these school holidays with a range of fun free activities each day, from Monday 25 September – Friday 6 October.From 10am-1pm each weekday, there will be different activities to keep the little ones amused from giant bubbles to Lego, science shows to petting zoos, a roving magician and more.DreamWorks Trolls will be a highlight of the 10 day program on Thursday 28 September with a stage show in Memorial Park at 11am and 1pm, as well as an opportunity to meet and greet the Trolls at 12pm.But wait… there’s even more to do across the Coast these school holidays for kids of all ages.Council’s Youth Services also have an active and artistic program for the Coast’s young people, and Central Coast libraries will also play host to a range of exciting free activities.

The fifteen newly elected Central Coast Councillors will formally take an oath or give an affirmation to undertake their civic duties in the best interests of the people of the Central Coast at a special ceremony on Thursday 21 September 2017.The ceremony will be hosted by new CEO Mr Brian Bell and Administrator Ian Reynolds.

Central Coast Council’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rob Noble, officially steps out of the position today, handing over the reins to new CEO Brian Bell.Mr Noble is leaving after two years as CEO at Wyong Shire Council and Central Coast Council to return to his business and home in Queensland.“I stayed longer than I originally intended as I wanted to lead the new Central Coast Council through the amalgamation process and support Administrator Ian Reynolds and our staff in creating a vibrant and sustainable Central Coast,” Mr Noble said.“I am taking with me a lot of fond memories of the Central Coast.

Beaches across the Central Coast will raise their red and yellow flags this Saturday 23 September 2017, to mark the official start of the beach patrol season.The flags will stand tall at 15 beaches across the Coast until Monday 30 April 2018.During non-peak holiday times (Saturday 23 September 2017 until Friday 15 December 2017 and Wednesday 31 January 2018 until Monday 30 April 2018) the hours of patrol across all beach locations are 9.00am to 5.00pm.During the summer peak holiday period, from Saturday 16 December 2017 until Tuesday 30 January 2018, all locations will operate from 9.00am to 6.00pm, with the exception of Terrigal, Avoca and Umina beaches, which will operate from 8.00am until 6.00pm.From Monday to Friday, professional Central Coast Council lifeguards patrol beaches across the coast, while on weekends and public holidays these locations are patrolled by Surf Life Saving volunteers.Central Coast Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader Julie Vaughan said Council and Surf Life Saving work together to keep our beaches safe over the summer beach season.“We have a dedicated team of volunteers and Council lifeguards that keep our beaches safe,” said Ms Vaughan.“Together they provide a search and rescue service for our coastal waters as well as emergency medical care when required.

Central Coast Council has launched Paint the Central Coast REaD, a national initiative that focuses on children’s literacy development in preparation for school.Council Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said a magical egg had been found in a dry creek bed by Council’s Environmental Education Officer and in order for it to grow and reveal a magical creature, children and their families need to read, sing, rhyme and talk to it.“Paint the Town REaD is a children’s program that encourages everyone in the community to read, talk, sing, yarn and rhyme with their children from birth so that they will be ready to learn to read and write by the time they get to school,” Ms Vaughan said.“This is an exciting initiative because it helps develop and advance the literacy skills of Central Coast children.

An Extraordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 25 September, 2017 to elect the first Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Central Coast Council.As required by law, the Mayor will be elected for a two-year term by a vote of the fifteen newly elected Councillors.The meeting will be held at the Wyong Office Council Chambers, 2 Hely Street Wyong, at 6.30pm and will be open to the public and live streamed via Council’s website.

Work to fix the intersection of Langford Drive and Woy Woy Road in Kariong will begin before the end of the year.Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks joined with Central Coast Council today (Monday 18 September) to make the announcement that funding of $1.775 million has been approved to allow Council to upgrade this notorious intersection.“The Coalition Government has always said we will deliver on this commitment to the Kariong community,” Mrs Wicks said.“After decades of frustration, today’s a fantastic outcome for the 3,000 local residents who signed our petition to address this intersection, that’s so close to a community centre, a childcare centre, school, tennis courts, homes and small businesses.“Residents and businesses in Kariong have made their views clear at many community listening posts, forums and on my Facebook page about the urgent need for a solution.

Central Coast Council will launch its popular Festival by the water at Gosford on Friday 15 September with a teaser of what visitors can expect at The Lakes Festival this year.The popular annual event is in its third year and will be even bigger and better in 2017, with more than 20 free events making a splash across the Central Coast from 10-19 November – including new event hubs at Gosford and Ettalong for the first time.Council Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said locals and visitors can expect to see an expanded program with new events this year including one at the Gosford Waterfront.“The Lakes Festival is just growing bigger each year and is now a true Coast-wide event,” Ms Vaughan said.“This year we have 26 events designed to activate, educate and celebrate our local waterways across 10 days at seven different locations – so there’s certainly something for everyone!”Some of the new events include Mov’In Bed Outdoor Cinema, movies under the stars in the comfort of a bed by lake;

Facilities at Saltwater Creek Reserve have been greatly enhanced with a new boardwalk to be officially opened by Central Coast Council on Saturday 16 September.Part of a $354,000 project to rehabilitate the sensitive saltmarsh area, the 200-metre boardwalk features an education loop and conservation signage and has been designed to complement the nearby Saltwater Creek Bridge.Council Manager Waterways and Coastal Protection, Mr Peter Ham, said the boardwalk is designed to protect the sensitive foreshore habitat and is part of Council’s commitment to improve the amenity and recreational opportunities around Tuggerah Lakes.“This project is a truly collaborative effort, with funding from the Federal Government through the National Landcare Programme and Council’s commitment to improve the water quality and recreational opportunities around Tuggerah Lakes,” Mr Ham said.“The boardwalk took four months to construct and protects the sensitive foreshore plants in this area, as well as encourages community members to safely access and experience this scenic foreshore environment.“I encourage the community to come along to the opening of this fantastic community boardwalk and see for themselves – it is a great addition to our shared pathway network.”The opening event, to be held from midday until 3pm, will feature a free BBQ run by The Entrance Lions Club, Australian wildlife displays including lizards, pythons, frogs, possums, birds and a baby crocodile, environmental conservation talks and a fact hunt with prizes.The project involved extensive bush regeneration and:Works to enhance and protect two endangered ecological communities -- Saltmarsh and Swamp Oak Floodplain ForestThe provision of habitat for native wildlife through foreshore and forest improvements and installation of nest boxesImprovement to the amenity of the popular bike path running through the site by weeding, mulching and planting with native plants in surrounding reserve.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said investment in Tuggerah Lakes by Council and the Federal Government had reached over $30 million on the estuary and catchment in the past eight years and the results are really starting to show.“Water quality has improved in recent years, as shown in our annual Estuary Report Card, and new Gross Pollutant Traps and catchment improvement works have ensured thousands of tonnes of pollutants and litter have been kept out of the Lakes,” Mr Reynolds said.“The Lakes are one of our greatest natural assets on the Coast and this new boardwalk is just one of a number of new recreational facilities along the Lakes for the community to enjoy.”Located at the eastern end of Lucinda Avenue (opposite McLean Street), visitors can park at Saltwater Creek Reserve, walk past the BMX track and cross Saltwater Creek Bridge to arrive at the new boardwalk.This project was jointly funded by Central Coast Council and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.The Estuary Report Card on Tuggerah Lakes can be accessed on Council’s Love Our Living Lakes website.

Central Coast Council is supporting History Week, with Tuggerah library hosting a Rock and Roll display this week with photographs of 60s and 70s performers courtesy of late Gosford photographer, Les Allen.Rare photographs of legends such as the Bee Gees, Dinah Lee, Johnny O’Keefe, Little Pattie, Sandy Scott and many more performing at the Central Coast Leagues Club during the 60s and 70s are currently on display at Tuggerah library, and will shortly be on view at Gosford branch library.Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Libraries play an important role in the community in education and keeping history alive and that is worth celebrating.“Council libraries have lovingly preserved these fantastic images and are now making them available for the enjoyment of the community.

The Central Coast’s biggest free interactive sporting spectacular, SportsFest 2017, is happening at the EDSACC sporting precinct, Bateau Bay, on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September.This celebration of all things sport is a first of its kind for our region, featuring exhibition games, come 'n try sessions, stalls and displays, sporting heroes, autograph sessions, professional demonstrations, live entertainment and food markets.Council Unit Manager Open Space and Recreation, Mr Brett Sherar, said SportsFest is an opportunity for residents to enjoy, experience or participate in a range of both traditional sports and non-traditional activities and get active.“SportsFest encourages all residents to come together to engage in healthy and active recreational activity – from budding sports stars to volunteers to spectators – this festival showcases how sport involves our whole community,” Mr Sherar said.“Offering exposure to many traditional and non-traditional activities — from drill dancing to dragon boats, lacrosse to life-saving, roller derby to rugby, and oztag to orienteering — this all-inclusive celebration of activity will ignite the interest of sports enthusiasts, as well as people who may not be already engaged in traditional sports.”Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said, Council is committed to promoting an active and engaged community and has been pleased by the response from local and state sporting bodies to partner with Council in this endeavour.“We want our community to be active and connected and participation in sport really does deliver that,” Mr Reynolds said.“So do our sporting associations and clubs who have been keen to be involved to promote the benefits of their particular code, attract new members and sign-up volunteers through an exhibition of their sporting assets.“It gives local clubs a chance to show their passion for their chosen sport and for the community to come along and find out more about the different opportunities to get active across our region.”“This event has also been designed as a skill-sharing forum, where professional and top-level sports people can demonstrate expertise and act as mentors to future generations of our sporting elite.“It is a unique opportunity to come along and find out about the different sporting and recreational opportunities available on the Coast – you may just find that sporting pursuit you have been looking for.”The Entrance District Sport and Community Centre (EDSAAC) is the ideal venue for the festival as it is home to a variety of facilities including sporting fields, an indoor centre, netball courts, croquet fields, tennis courts and Bato Yard.SportsFest 2017 is proudly supported by Sport NSW, the NSW Government Office of Sport, Central Coast Academy of Sport and Star 104.5FM.To find out more visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/sportsfest

Central Coast Council is urging pedestrians and motorists to take extra care around Terrigal Haven as works get underway to install 5 new CCTV cameras.Works include Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) from the bottom to the top of Terrigal Skillion to accommodate the installation of a new camera tower at this location.Access to the top of the Skillion will be closed from Monday 11 September to Wednesday 13 September while the underground boring is being carried out.Some parking spaces along Loop Road around The Haven, adjacent to the Rugby Oval and Skillion, will be impacted by these works.

Time is running out to make that next big idea happen with Central Coast Council’s 2017-18 Community Grants and Sponsorship Program.With more than $1.4 million available to help support and grow community run local events, initiatives and projects, interested applicants are encouraged to get their applications in by the end of the week.There are six new categories for applicants to choose from, with Round One applications for most of the Program closing this week, Friday 15 September.These include:Community Partnership GrantsCommunity Development GrantsPlace Activation GrantsAwarding Sponsorship Program.Applications open all year round include:Community Support GrantsHeritage GrantsThere is also up to $30,000 available for applicants to the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program to improve community infrastructure and services in the suburbs of Chain Valley Bay, Summerland Point, Gwandalan or Mannering Park.

• Construction complete on amenities building at Umina Beach’s McEvoy Oval• New modern facilities will support local sporting and community events• The Federal Coalition Government invested $304,000 into this jointly funded projectBrand new facilities at McEvoy Oval, in Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast were unveiled today after the completion of an $800,430 upgrade funded by Federal and NSW Coalition Governments and local sporting organisations.Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the new building was an investment in grassroots sport for the region.“These great new facilities will benefit both local sports and the greater community, promoting the growth of Umina Beach and the surrounding areas,” Minister Nash said.“I aim to build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to, and access to great sporting facilities does just that.”Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks, a long-term supporter of the project, joined the community for the opening and said the new building included a clubroom, canteen, storage rooms, and male and female amenities.“I’ve been hearing from many local families and organisations on the Peninsula about how the previous amenities building was run-down and unsafe – so it’s great to be able to open this new facility for Umina Beach,” Mrs Wicks said.“Not only is McEvoy Oval home to over 1,500 sporting participants per year, it’s also used by local schools for carnivals and gala days.

Time is running out to plant ideas with Central Coast Council for the 2018 Harvest Festival Central Coast.Council is encouraging as many local producers as possible to be part of the popular event following a fruitful first year festival earlier this year.Council Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the inaugural Festival saw more than 10,000 people visit 23 events and activities over two days in June.“This was a great way to launch the Festival, and we want to see it grow again next year,” Ms Vaughan said.“We would love to have more farm gate sales and tours added to the 2018 program.“Feedback we received shows visitors want to have a look beyond the gate and see how our local farms work – how it’s grown, produced and harvested, from the farm to the plate.“We understand some produce won’t be in season in June, and that’s ok.

Central Coast Council is committed to providing better roads for local residents by investing $189 million this financial year.