Council defers consideration of purchase of Davistown wetlandsCouncil has deferred consideration of the proposed withdrawal of negotiations to purchase land known as Davistown wetlands for twelve weeks.  Council’s CEO will continue to pursue an acquisition by agreement with the current owners of the Davistown wetlands and report back to Council by no later than 26 October 2020. Council responds to repeal of the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act with new name and approachCentral Coast Airport at Warnervale has been renamed as the Warnervale Aircraft Landing Area (ALA) in response to the repeal of the Warnervale Airport Restrictions (WAR) Act.The NSW Government has recently confirmed it will repeal the WAR Act following an independent review that generated over 900 public submissions with 75% supporting the repeal. Council reaffirmed its ownership and management of the Warnervale ALA and that the runway length would remain at 1200 metres with no further extensions.Current maintenance works at the ALA will continue, however no new works will be permitted that expand its operations.Council will actively seek to generate employment opportunities on lands adjacent to the land strip with a focus on the following sectors:

Central Coast Council is continuing to support the local economy with a range of measures to help local businesses experiencing hardship in the current economic climate.The initiatives follow an earlier support package for businesses during the recent COVID-19 closures.The phase two support package takes a multi-pronged approach to assisting business owners.

Central Coast Council are set to save around $220,000 each year on energy expenses following the installation of an additional 1.2MW of solar power on Council buildings.Council are in the process of installing 3,500 rooftop solar panels on 28 Council owned buildings with works due for completion by the end of 2020.This project will see energy consumption reduced by approximately 1.4GWh annually and reduce Council's carbon footprint by 1,100 tonnes of CO2-e per annum.

Kids across the coast will be squealing with delight with an abundance of new playspaces to visit across the Central Coast and more in the works.The past twelve months has seen the design, construction and delivery of 18 new or renewed local playspaces across the region, five playspace upgrades with the best and biggest soon to come.

Emergency remediation works are continuing at Wamberal and North Entrance this weekend.At Wamberal, 180 rock bags (weighing two tonnes each) have been installed using a crane.

Central Coast Council’s Trainee and Apprentice (TrApp) Program is currently seeking eligible students to build their careers in a range of roles.The program offers students an opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification in their chosen field as a full-time paid employee at Council.Council’s Executive Manager People and Culture, Krystie Bryant said the program aims to develop students to become job ready.“We are committed to supporting our residents studying at a vocational level with an opportunity to increase their chances of securing employment,” Ms Bryant said.“Our TrApp Program aims to educate students, so they are qualified at a high industry standard by developing their practical and professional skills in a safe and supportive environment.“Students that complete the program are armed with workplace development and expert training, so they are more competitive in the job market and they are also exposed to career opportunities with Council.“Local youth and mature age students looking to start a career or want to gain new skills in a range of fields are encouraged to apply for our 2021 program.”Successful applicants must undertake a range of requirements for the duration of the program including working 35 or 38 hours per week, completion of all work, attending all classes, completing all assessments, gain competency in all qualification units and completion of certification and employment service.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council’s TrApp Program has been a success and continues to provide an exciting opportunity particularly for our young people.“This important program offers our community an opportunity to build their careers within Local Government and gain valuable training in their chosen path,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council has an important role to play in providing our youth with employment opportunities and supporting our residents with roles to live and work locally.“I am proud that Council offers opportunities for our community to gain professional experience and become job ready in their chosen career.”Applications for Council’s 2021 TrApp Program are now open.

Despite the interruption COVID-19 has had on our every day lives, Council has been able to continue delivering essential services for our community and play our part in keeping the economy going and keeping locals in jobs.The latest milestone is Council’s progression with important water and sewerage infrastructure for Gosford CBD and Warnervale Town Centre.These projects are part of the NSW Government’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 - the ‘blueprint’ for growing our regional economy, accelerating housing supply and protecting and enhancing the natural environment on the Central Coast.Supported by a combined $21million in NSW Government funding under the Housing Acceleration Fund, this important next step will assist Council’s delivery of water and sewage infrastructure in two key growth areas of the Central Coast.In Gosford CBD it will help meet the needs of an increased level of high-rise residential dwellings, the ongoing redevelopment of Gosford Hospital, the completion of the ATO and NSW Financial Services developments and other developments planned for the Gosford CBD area.In Warnervale Town Centre it will help accelerate housing and commercial development in line with the Government’s plans for the region.

Council are calling on the community to dream big and share their ideas to shape the future of The Entrance Town Centre with consultation running online until 2 August 2020.Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said The Entrance Town Centre has the foundations to be a thriving and engaging destination all year round - not just during the holiday season.“To help this vital Town Centre live up to its full potential we are looking to the community to provide their input as we develop a Place Plan to create a revitalised and activated area for work, play and social connection," Ms Vaughan said. This Place Plan will identify a series of future initiatives and projects that will improve the visitor experience and transform how the community interacts with this area whilst providing an ongoing boost to local businesses.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the importance of effective Place Plans is now more important than ever for our local economy.“Local businesses are still feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s important for recovery and ongoing resilience that this Town Centre is bustling with activity and draws the community and visitors to the area,” Mayor Matthews said.“I encourage the community, and especially the local business operators, to jump online and share their thoughts on what is and isn’t currently working and their vision for future of The Entrance Town Centre.“Together we can create an engaging, safe and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy and be proud of.”Go to www.yourvoiceourcoast.com before 2 August to share your ideas and aspirations.

Parthenium weed has recently been found in a Ravensdale chicken yard on the Central Coast.The weed causes health problems in humans and livestock, reduces carrying capacity of farmland, and contaminates grain.Central Coast Council Unit Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said that although the weed is uncommon in NSW, we need to be vigilant.“This finding of parthenium at Ravensdale, and at Engadine in southern Sydney earlier in the year have both been linked to contaminated, organic wholegrain chicken feed produced in Queensland,” Mr Sulkowski said.“This is a devastating weed, and the community plays a vital role in preventing it take hold in NSW.“If you think you have seen this weed on the Coast please contact Council immediately, or the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244, and our weed officers will help identify if it is parthenium and if so, help eradicate it.”NSW DPI State Priority Weeds coordinator, Nicola Dixon said with 20 infestations this year, NSW has had the highest number of parthenium incursions since 1999.“The community has played an important role in finding the weed and allowing Council weeds officers to remove and manage all infestations,” Ms Dixon said.“We have been able to successfully detect and eradicate parthenium weed in NSW since 1982, thanks to the actions of the community and weeds officers across the state.”More information about parthenium weed and how to identify the plant at different growth stages is available from DPI weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/PartheniumWeedYou can also use an online form to record any weed sightings, biosecurity.transactcentral.com/Biosecurity/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=report-a-biosecurity

Central Coast Council is calling for community members who live with a disability, family members or carers of someone living with a disability and people who work in the disability sector to submit an Expression of Interest to join its Access and Inclusion Reference Group.The Reference Group assists Council in implementing its Disability Inclusion Action Plan which sets out the actions Council will deliver to enable people with disabilities to better access mainstream services, facilities, information and support to be fully included and able to participate in community life. Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said this Reference Group will have an additional role.“The current Action Plan is in its final year, so the Reference Group will have the important task of helping us develop our new Disability Inclusion Action Plan which will help shape access and inclusion in our community from 2021-2025,” Ms Vaughan said.Mayor Lisa Matthews urged people with a lived experience of disability to get involved.“To be a truly responsive and inclusive community, our Coast needs to hear the voices of people who live with disabilities and understand the barriers they experience to full community participation,” Mayor Matthews said.Submissions are now open and close 5pm Thursday 23 July 2020.Further information available at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/EOI or by contacting Disability Inclusion Officer Jodie Frost Foster, 4325 8109 or Jodie.Frost-Foster@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au