At this stage there is no change to Councils approach to the use of herbicides containing glyphosate for the purpose of weed control within the Central Coast Local Government Area.The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are the appropriate statutory body regulating chemicals registered for use in Australia.

From Monday 15 July, Central Coast Council will be undertaking smoke testing at Wamberal as part of its ‘Save Our Sewers’ campaign.Non-toxic smoke will be used to investigate possible stormwater and groundwater infiltration into the sewerage system, identifying any possible cracks or breaks, minimising risk and ensuring sewage is not able to leak into the environment.Council Acting Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said Council actively takes measures to ensure the continued high performance of the Coast’s essential infrastructure.“Smoke testing is an efficient and innovative way to identify any potential leaks in our sewer networks which could put us and the environment at risk,” Mr Loader said.“A non-toxic smoke is pumped into the network and then the area is monitored above ground for smoke discharge which could indicate a possible leak.“Residents and visitors may see Council’s non-toxic smoke discharging from manholes and sewer vent pipes around Wamberal.

Council’s Operational Plan 2019-20 to deliver $792M for the Central Coast communityCentral Coast Council tonight adopted its Operational Plan for the 2019-20 financial year which will deliver $792.0million worth of investment in essential services and capital works.The Plan forms the second year of Council's Delivery Program 2018-21 and will deliver $556.4million in essential services and $235.6million in capital works in the priority areas of roads;

Central Coast Council tonight adopted its Operational Plan for the 2019-20 financial year which will deliver $792.0million worth of investment in essential services and capital works.The Plan forms the second year of Council's Delivery Program 2018-21 and will deliver $556.4million in essential services and $235.6million in capital works in the priority areas of roads;

A selection of Australia’s leading blues and jazz musicians will delight audiences with performances at nine Central Coast venues across five suburbs this July.The ninth annual Winter Blues and Jazz Festival will feature headliners Russell Morris and Emma Pask and a jam-packed program over two days – Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July.Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said the Central Coast’s most popular free music event catered to all music lovers.“We have a great and varied line-up that will make it almost impossible not to move your feet,” Mr Cannard said.“Blues and jazz fans love the event but non-fans often walk away with a new understanding and appreciation of what modern blues and jazz is all about.“Great music with our beautiful Central Coast as the backdrop is a combination that is not be missed.“The Entrance is the flagship venue for the event but locals and visitors can enjoy the music and soak up the atmosphere at venues in Bateau Bay, Tumbi Umbi, Wamberal and Avoca Beach.The Winter Blues and Jazz Festival 2019 features headliners Russell Morris and Emma Pask, along with Caiti Baker, 19-Twenty, Chase The Sun, Geoff Achinson, Muma Janes Blues Band and much more.Mayor Jane Smith said the Winter Blues and Jazz Festival was about bringing people together to celebrate music and have a great time.“Locals and visitors love this event – it’s all about fun with family and friends and experiencing some incredible free entertainment,” Mayor Smith said.“The Winter Blues and Jazz Festival attracts between 6,000 and 9,000 families, friends and visitors to our region, which provides a welcome boost to the local economy during the quieter winter months.” Event venues are:

Australia’s foremost prestigious and controversial portraiture prize – the ‘Archibald Prize’ – is among a number of exhibitions announced for the Central Coast community as part of Gosford Regional Gallery’s new Winter/Spring Program.The new program also sees the return of the hotly contested ‘Gosford Art Prize’, which this year has been expanded to include an Aboriginal Art prize for the first time.Central Coast Council Team Leader Art Galleries, Arts and Culture, Tim Braham said the Gallery prides itself on securing prestigious exhibitions for our community and it is because of this that the venue has recently been ranked as TripAdvisor’s number one destination to visit in the southern area of the Coast, among 17 other local attractions.“We are delighted to continue bringing fantastic exhibitions to the Central Coast and saving locals a trip to Sydney or Newcastle,” Mr Braham said.“The most exciting exhibition in our new program is the 2019 Archibald Prize, choosing to return to the Gallery for just the third time in its 98 years of exhibition – telling us that the experience we offer here on the Central Coast is world-class, which is reflected in our recent TripAdvisor ranking of number one.“The Gallery is also a platform for local artists to professionally display their works and we have some great local exhibitions including ‘Short Stories’ by Miriam Cullen, ‘PARADIGM/SHIFT’ by Natalie Verriest, ‘Heads above water’ by Peter Baka and ‘Tales of a modern Blackfulla’ by Garry Purchase.“The Gallery is recognised as a ‘hidden gem’ of the Central Coast and we invite locals and visitors to check out our new Winter/Spring Program and drop by to view the exhibitions, take a stroll through the Gardens and enjoy a coffee at the café.”Mayor Jane Smith said the Gallery is an important cultural and educational resource that attracts outstanding exhibitions for locals and visitors to the region to enjoy.“Our Gosford Regional Gallery hosts a variety of local, national and international exhibitions from both established and emerging artists and its recent ranking on TripAdvisor shows just how valued the facility is,” Mayor Smith said.“Tourism is a significant industry on the Central Coast and the visitor economy makes a positive contribution to the community through building local pride, youth employment, and supporting local events and community infrastructure.“Council is committed to investment in tourism for the region and this achievement brings us one step closer to being the natural choice for leisure, business and major events in regional NSW.”Gosford Regional Gallery’s new Winter/Spring Program can be viewed online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/galleries

An Eastern Osprey nest has been upgraded to VIP status at Central Coast Stadium just in time for this year’s breeding season. The nest, which originally sat on top of a lighting tower for the stadium, has been relocated to a purpose built nest platform a few metres away. Central Coast Stadium Manager, Kath Casey said the nest relocation was necessary for the comfort and safety of both the birds and stadium goers. “Unfortunately, since the birds first moved in and started nesting on the light tower in 2014, they have been creating many challenges, as well as some real safety issues,” Mrs Casey said. “With the nest sitting so close to the lights, maintenance of the tower was becoming difficult and we’ve also had to close the seats in the bay below as sticks and debris continually fall from the nest.” Mayor Jane Smith said Council had considered a number of options for the nest. “Council has been working closely with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage since 2015 to find the best possible option to manage this crucial threatened species,” Mayor Smith said.

Car parking in Gosford just got easier, with the rollout of over 260 parking sensors in the CBD – following on from the successful implementation of car parking sensors in The Haven and Surf Club in Terrigal last year. The installation of sensors helps residents and visitors of these areas identify available parking through the ParkSpot (Central Coast NSW) app.

Central Coast Council has closed Terrigal Beach, Haven and Lagoon due to poor water quality, detected as part of the Terrigal Catchment Audit.Heavy rainfall in the Terrigal area yesterday resulted in the opening of the Lagoon which has likely contributed to the poor water quality, however testing shows this is not the sole source of pollution.Council and the NSW Government are undertaking further sampling for the Audit, which will assist us to learn more about the potential sources of pollution in the Terrigal Beach and Haven area, particularly during wet weather.Warning signs are in place and Council advises that community members should not swim or surf in the area until the signs have been removed.Council will remove the signs and update its social media channels as soon as the water quality returns to an acceptable level.All other beaches are open however Council recommends that people avoid swimming and surfing for at least one day after rain at ocean beaches and for up to three days after rain at lagoon/lake and estuarine sites.Swimming is not recommended near stormwater drains or where there are obvious signs of pollution such as litter, discoloured water, odours and surface scums (oil and foam).The Terrigal Catchment Audit is a comprehensive program undertaken as a partnership between Council and the NSW Government which is assessing possible sources of pollution within the Terrigal Catchment and their impacts on long term water quality in the Lagoon, Haven and the Beach.The audit extends the Beachwatch program sampling to assess water quality in incoming stormwater drains and will systematically move throughout the catchment to understand pollution sources and solutions.

Erina Library, the busiest of Central Coast Council’s library branches, will be temporarily closed for refurbishment works from the Queen’s Birthday public holiday on Monday 10 June until Tuesday 25 June, inclusive.The project, which will bring a new lease of life to the branch, represents a $98,500 investment by Council and has been made possible thanks to $145,244 from NSW State Government Stronger Country Communities Fund.Council Acting Unit Manager Libraries, Beth Burgess said the renovations will help create more flexibility in the layout of the branch, which has had minimal updates since it first opened its doors in 2003.“We are really excited about this transformation that will create a more contemporary and welcoming feel,” Mrs Burgess said.“When we reopen, customers will notice the change instantly with the construction and installation of two new dual level customer service points,” Mrs Burgess said.“Other works to be completed include repainting the interior of library, new carpet, public internet and mobile device enabled furniture, mobile shelving units, replacement of soft furnishings and study furniture as well as upgrades of the staff workroom area.“With 180,570 visits last year, we understand the importance of keeping a presence at Erina for the community and have taken every measure to reduce any inconvenience during the works.“All regular programs and planned events will continue to be held in the meeting rooms of the Erina Centre adjacent to the branch, and Customer Service will operate from the foyer opposite the library doors Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm, accepting cheque and card payments only.”Items cannot be borrowed or collected from Erina Library during the closure, however, the after-hours returns chute will remain open for customers.The closest branches for those wishing to borrow or collect items during this time are:Bateau Bay Library – Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm | Sat 9am-3pmGosford Library – Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm | Sat 9.30am-12.30pmKincumber Library – Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pmthank the community for their understanding and patience while we carry out these upgrades that will enable us to deliver a more inclusive customer experience for all visitors to the library,” Mrs Burgess added."As always our extensive range of free online resources and services, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, homework help, music streaming and more will continue to be available anywhere, anytime.”Mayor Jane Smith said the works deliver on the Community Strategic Plan objective to create more flexible, welcoming and accessible spaces for the community to enjoy.“This significant investment in library services will deliver a flexible, modern and welcoming space for our community,” Mayor Smith said.“I look forward to the new and vibrant energy this will bring to Erina Library.“This is made possible thanks to the funding for the State Government and highlights what can be achieved when different levels of government work together.”To access online services, become a member or for regular programming and event details visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/librariesENDS