Small businesses can discover how to slash their water, sewage and trade waste costs, thanks to Central Coast Council’s new business water conservation education program. Using a range of “smart” technology and physical plumbing audits, Council will help businesses monitor how they use water and identify areas of waste, including hidden leaks. Council’s Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the new program will not only help small businesses to reduce their utility costs and increase their profits but will also help further secure the region’s water supply. “We already work with big businesses which use high volumes of water, and now we would like to provide practical water-saving tips for smaller businesses,” Mr Loader said. “With more than 23,000 businesses on the Coast, a small water saving for each business can add up to a large saving for the region.” As part of the program, a “smart” water logger will be installed for up to two months on the business’ water meter.
In light of the advice from the Australian Government regarding COVID-19, Central Coast Council has made the difficult decision to cancel Flavours by the Sea.
Copacabana residents can look forward to improved water supply for years to come as work on the next stage of Central Coast Council’s Water Mains Renewal Program prepares to get underway.Work on the $600,000 project will begin on Monday 3 February with the replacement of over 400 metres of water mains that have reached the end of their design life.
The popular Love Lanes Festival in Wyong is back for its fourth year on Saturday 8 February, presented by Central Coast Council and The Chapman Building.This year’s festival features guided tours along the Wyong Heritage Walk, as well live music across four stages, roving entertainment, food and market stalls, a kid’s zone, circus precinct and art installations.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said Love Lanes is a chance to discover Wyong’s hidden gems and immerse the whole family in the buzz, hype and vibe of this unique outdoor festival.“The festival will transform Wyong’s heritage laneways and town park into an exciting hub of art, culture and culinary experiences,” Mr Cannard said.“This year, visitors can also take a virtual tour and experience what the buildings and streetscape of Wyong looked like 100 years ago.”Mayor Lisa Mathews said the 2019 Love Lanes event attracted approximately 15,000 festival goers and injected over $1.1million into the local economy. “Love Lanes showcases some of the best Wyong has to offer and I’d encourage community members and visitors to lock in this year’s date and join in the fun,” Mayor Matthews said.“This festival goes from strength to strength and has been instrumental in changing the profile of Wyong for visitors, residents and investors alike.”The festivities kick off at 4pm and run until 9pm.
Central Coast Council is committed to working closely with the community and police in 2020 to reduce illegal graffiti across the Central Coast.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said Council continues to offer free graffiti removal kits to help the community to tackle graffiti.“It’s important to remember that graffiti is an act of vandalism and should be reported directly to police via the Police Assistance Line on 131 444,” Ms Vaughan said.“Removing graffiti as quickly as possible not only makes the process much easier, it reduces the likelihood that offenders will recommit.“Council is seeking to make graffiti removal as easy as possible by continuing to offer free graffiti removal kits to our community – the kits are available at all our libraries and our customer service centres.“The kits provide the chemicals and equipment needed to remove graffiti from your own property or, with permission, the properties of friends and neighbours.“Council is responsible for the removal of graffiti on our facilities and we encourage community members to notify Council if they observe graffiti on any of our properties.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said wiping out illegal graffiti across the Central Coast was a top priority for Council.“Graffiti can affect business, tourism, neighbourhood amenity and safety which is why we need to work together with police, businesses and the community to stamp it out,” Mayor Matthews said.“We all have a part to play by reporting it when we see it and if it is on your own property you can pick up a free kit and remove it straight away.” Free graffiti removal kits are available from all Central Coast libraries and Council’s Gosford and Wyong customer service centres.
Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to celebrate the first Australia Day of the 2020s by attending a fun-filled, family-oriented day at one of the special events across the region.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said vibrant events at Canton Beach, Woy Woy and The Entrance will celebrate all things Australian.“The devastating bush fire situation our nation is facing has seen so many incredible demonstrations of what it means to be Australian and Australia Day is an opportunity for us all to come together and celebrate our country,” Mr Cannard said.“We have three great Australia Day events across the Coast – each is jam-packed with fun and entertainment for the entire family.“If you’re looking to kick-off celebrations early, head to Canton Beach foreshore on 25 January where you can satisfy your appetite with a dazzling array of foods, be entertained by live music, and engage in a number of activities.“Head to Woy Woy to be entertained by a fantastic artists including headliner Live Baby Live:
The new wharf at Spencer on the Central Coast will open to boaters this weekend as part of a key wharf implementation project to increase safety and accessibility on the Hawkesbury River.NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said the NSW Government’s Boating Now program provides $98million in grants to provide NSW boaters with better and safer access to NSW waterways with upgrades and new infrastructure such as boat ramps, jetties, pontoons, car parks and sewage pump-out facilities.“This project demonstrates how the NSW Government and local council can work together to provide boating infrastructure for boaters accessing the popular Hawkesbury River,” Mr Hutchings said.Central Coast Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the $317,515 project was co-funded by the NSW Government and Central Coast Council and involved removal of the existing timber structure, building a new gangway, pilings, floating pontoon and solar lighting.“The Central Coast community can look forward to enjoying this new facility with increased visibility and accessibility in a variety of tides and weather conditions well into the future,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Spencer is located on the Hawkesbury River and this new wharf is already being utilised to assist in launching powered vessels and non-powered vessels such as kayaks by the local community.”Central Coast Council Mayor Lisa Matthews said the new Spencer Wharf is delivering significant benefits for the local community.“This fantastic new amenity is helping Spencer locals and visitors to enjoy our beautiful waterways,” Mayor Matthews said. “Central Coast Council is pleased to work with the NSW Government through the Boating Now program to deliver new services and infrastructure to our community.“The new wharf at Spencer is a great example of what can be achieved in partnership with the NSW Government.”Information on maritime infrastructure funding and other projects can be found at rms.nsw.gov.au/boatingnow
Central Coast Council has started an assessment of the region’s 1,000 kilometre network of footpaths, bike paths and shared pathways.Quad bike style vehicles will be used to capture video imaging of every Central Coast pathway to assess current condition and inform renewal strategies to improve connectivity, mobility and safety.Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the region-wide assessment was part of Council’s commitment to the ongoing maintenance, improvement and development of the Central Coast’s pathways.“We are essentially taking a condition snapshot of every footpath, bike path and shared pathway on the Coast,” Mr Bolgoff said.“This is a huge project but with the use of the quad bikes we plan to complete the process in approximately four weeks.“Our region’s pathway network is a top priority for our community and this assessment will help to inform our ongoing renewal program.“This region-wide audit follows the finalisation of the first Bike Plan and Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) for the Central Coast, which focuses on new footpath, bike path and shared pathway projects for the Coast over the next 10 years.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the region-wide assessment is a further demonstration of Council’s commitment to the development and maintenance of an outstanding pathway network for the Central Coast.“With a region as large and beautiful as ours, pathways are important for so many reasons – as part of our transport network, as a means to get fit and active and to boost tourism,” Mayor Matthews said.“It is no small task to take capture video footage of every pathway on the Coast and the information we capture will be vital in helping us to target and plan our pathway renewal program.”The quad bike style assessment vehicles are fitted with cameras focused on the pathway surface only – no recordings of pedestrians, commercial, residential, private property or structures will be taken.Vehicles are operated by certified inspectors and will travel at a brisk walking pace with hazard lights and other warning devices in operation.
The local community of Wadalba will see their ideas come to life with the construction of a new playspace and recreational area at Voyager Street Reserve.Construction commenced on 28 January and is due for completion by the end of April 2020, weather permitting.To ensure this community space reflects the values and preferences of this growing community, Council undertook community consultation by way of an online survey, with feedback guiding the development of the concept plan for the reserve featuring the new local level playspace.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Scott Cox said the playspace has been designed to provide a shared active space for the many young families that live in this growing area.“This inclusive playspace includes a multi-play unit with numerous slides and climbing ropes, a swing set incorporating a nest swing, interactive panels, see-saw and balance play equipment with partial rubber softfall surfacing and a pathway network for improved accessibility.“In addition, park furniture, shelters and a water re-fill station will also be constructed to enhance the play and stay experience.”Mayor Lisa Mathews said playspaces are valuable areas for our community to socialise and for kids to learn through active play.“Council has listened to the community and understands how important the need is for this playspace at Wadalba.