Central Coast Council is calling on all mountain bike (MTB) riders, environmentalists, users of our natural reserves, visitors, and the general Coast community to assist us with our first Mountain Biking Feasibility Study.With participation in mountain bike riding as both a sport and nature-based recreation increasing, and demand for suitable areas to ride also growing, Council is looking to hear from all interested members of the community to help better understand the demand, potential issues and management options for mountain biking in Council reserves across the region.Director of Environment and Planning Scott Cox said the feasibility study will assist in planning for recreation that will meet the needs of the community as well as protect biodiversity, heritage and the nature conservation values of Council’s natural reserves.“This study will provide us with an opportunity to accommodate and manage the competing demands of natural reserve users and mountain bike enthusiasts in a way that protects sensitive areas and provides new opportunities to enjoy nature-based activities in the region,” Cox said.“Additionally, it will assist in providing opportunities to enjoy the cherished and protected natural beauty of the Coast that is compatible with the values of the natural reserves, including the Coastal Open Space System.”Council currently provides for mountain bike riding on fire and management trail systems in its natural reserves however a number of unauthorised trails have recently been constructed in some reserves which may pose risks to both riders and the environment.Community members can provide their views to Council via a survey until 2 July 2019.At the completion of the Mountain Biking Feasibility Study, Council will seek further community input via public exhibition of a discussion paper.

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.

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

During National Reconciliation Week Central Coast Council is celebrating Indigenous arts and culture on the Coast with the annual Sean Lonergan Schools Project, Maliga 2019 Exhibition, plus a special ‘Colours of Country’ exhibition. Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to supporting reconciliation through the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. “Our annual Maliga Showcase provides a great platform for local Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to creatively express their own stories that connect country, identity and community,” Mayor Smith said.

Gosford will be abuzz with wintery activity this July school holidays as Central Coast Council brings ‘Winter in the Park’ to Gosford.An igloo village, ice carvings and ice sculptures are just a taste of the winter family fun on offer at this event. Council Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard said Gosford’s Kibble Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland from Saturday 6 July to Saturday 20 July.“This year’s Winter in the Park will inspire even the most determined hibernators to get out and about and enjoy the fun,” Mr Cannard said. “The live ice carving display by international ice sculptor Kenji Ogawa will amaze you and the kids will love exploring the igloo village – which is also a fantastic spot to capture some fun photos. “STAR 104.5 will deliver a live broadcast from the Star Chalet, so there will be no shortage of laughs and great music.” Mayor Jane Smith said Council invited locals and visitors to head to Gosford this July school holidays and experience the fun on offer.“Community members often tell me how much they value this type of Council event, with a focus on family entertainment, creating memories, building a stronger community and supporting our local businesses,” Mayor Smith said. “Winter in the Park brings families together for a whole lot of fun in a month when it can be tempting to stay inside. “Who wants to stay indoors when you can explore an igloo village and watch an Ice Age show – the Central Coast is the place to be this July.”Additional Winter in the Park activities include:

Central Coast Council, Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre and Cleanaway have joined forces to help local schools reduce their landfill and increase their resource recovery.Eight schools have come on board the Wiping Out Waste (WOW) pilot program to review their current waste management and contract costs before setting new goals and action plans for waste reduction.Principal of the Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre (RECC), Christine Freeman said effective recycling, reusing and waste reduction must be a whole-of-community effort with communities, government and the private sector working together.“The WOW model sends a clear message of shared responsibility,” said Ms Freeman.“We’re delighted so many schools are taking this opportunity to support students in playing a practical role in creating a sustainable future – their future.”Each school in the program will establish a WOW committee, which comprises of staff, parents and students, who will be supported through the program to complete waste audits.To further increase their knowledge and skills Cleanaway will provide additional support through their existing education program in order to help schools create practical solutions to reduce waste.“We’re expecting the program won’t only reduce schools’ waste and maximise resource recovery for the good of the planet, but also reduce waste management costs for the schools involved,” Ms Freeman added.Mayor Jane Smith said this pilot program was one of many innovative ways Council was actively working with the community to increase educational programs while diverting waste from landfill.“As a teacher, it is fantastic to see so many schools actively engaged in trying to reduce their ecological footprint,” Mayor Smith said.“With the second round of audits set to start this week, I am looking forward to seeing what changes in behaviour they uncover as well as the original ideas each of the schools come up with to reduce their waste.“Council is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, which is why we are in the process of developing a Waste Management Strategy for the Central Coast.“I would encourage all residents to have their say via yourvoiceourcoast.com and help us shape the way waste and resource recovery is delivered and managed across the Central Coast region.”Schools taking part are Wamberal Public School, Terrigal High School, Holy Cross Kincumber, Holgate Public School, Chertsey Public School, Tuggerawong Public School, Woodport Public School and Terrigal Public School.All Central Coast schools were invited to participate via an Expression of Interest process last October.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to join in a festival of photography as part of the Exposure 2019 Central Coast Photographic Program.

Individuals or community groups interested in undertaking environmentally based projects are encouraged to apply for funding under the Protection of the Environment Trust (POET).The POET, established in 2006, promotes the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, in particular, the conservation of indigenous flora and fauna, and only applies to land or projects in the former Gosford City Council Local Government Area.Mayor Jane Smith, who chairs the POET management committee, said a key purpose of the Trust was to directly fund initiatives that make a positive difference to the natural environment.“Our community value the natural environment of the Central Coast, it was a key finding when we were developing the first Community Strategic Plan,” Mayor Smith said.“Thanks to the POET Trust, $60,000 is now available to directly fund projects that will help us deliver on our promise in the Community Strategic Plan to protect and enhance our natural environment.“Individuals and groups who have great ideas or projects that have an environmental focus and can demonstrate outcomes that promote and enhance the natural environment or provide information, education or research about a significant aspect of the natural environment are encouraged to apply,” Mayor Smith said.“Some of the projects that have received funding in the past include foreshore and fish habitat restorations and an education program to protect the Yellow Bellied Glider.”Applications close on Friday, 7 June and will be assessed by the POET committee at their next meeting.

Central Coast Council are inviting community members to have their say on the Draft Single Use Plastic Policy, which is now on exhibition until Sunday 9 June.The policy further reinforces Council’s commitment in the elimination of single use plastics and to advocate for legislative change, while educating and building capacity within the community to find suitable alternatives.Council Mayor Jane Smith said Council has already taken strides in the right direction when it comes to reducing plastic waste.“The production and use of single use plastics is increasing at alarming rates, causing significant environmental pollution on a global scale,” Mayor Smith said.“So while thinking globally we are acting locally by working towards reducing the use of single use plastics at all our facilities and when we host events.“This complements our interim Sustainable Event Management Policy and reinforces the importance of the education programs on offer to involve the community on ways forward to seek alternatives of single use plastics.“So we will work with the community to reduce single use plastic and to prevent litter from entering our local ecosystems, which is a key focus area in our Community Strategy Plan.“We will continue to use of influence to lobby all levels of government to drive policy change that reduce production and use of single use plastics.”Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff added this was an important change for the community to make as part of the war on waste.Council does not have the statutory powers to prohibit the sale or distribution of single use plastics across the community.

Highlights of the 13 May 2019 Council MeetingSurprise firefighting levy burns Council’s budgetCentral Coast Council is calling on the NSW Government to fund the first 12 months of an unexpected emergency services levy designed to provide improved workers compensation to career and volunteer firefighters.NSW councils have only just been informed of the increased levy to fund the workers compensation insurance, which resulted from legislation passed last November.Revenue NSW has sent Central Coast Council an emergency services levy invoice for $4,825,320, which is an increase of $624,977 (14.9%) on last year’s levy.Local Government NSW has called on all NSW councils to protest the unexpected levy increase, which comes at a time when they are finalising their 2019-2020 budgets.Mayor Jane Smith said while Council supports improved workers compensation for emergency services staff and volunteers, the unexpected levy would impact Council’s ability to deliver services to the community.“Many of our own staff members are also volunteers and we want them to have adequate workers compensation if they or any other emergency worker is unfortunate enough to need it,” Mayor Smith said.“However, the implementation of this increase has been poorly planned and goes against the NSW Government’s commitment to work in partnership with the Local Government sector.“I will be writing to the Premer and NSW Opposition Leader, key Ministers and our local State Members requesting that the State Government pay the first 12 months of this extra cost, and that it work with local government to redesign the future implementation of the scheme to ensure it is fairer for councils and their communities.”Council to fund business support program for Central Coast town centresSix business groups across the Central Coast will share in $180,000 in funding through Council’s Business Development Support Program for Town Centres.The program is part of Council’s recently adopted Town Centre Management Operational Model and aims to develop small business in town centres by supporting local initiatives.Funding will be provided in the 2019-20 financial year with $30,000 to be provided to the following groups:The Gosford Business Improvement DistrictThe Wyong Regional Chamber of CommerceGreater Toukley VisionThe Peninsular Chamber of CommerceGosford, Erina and Coastal Chamber of CommerceThe Entrance and Districts Chamber of CommerceCouncil is committed to a collaborative approach whilst changes to the Town Centre Management Model take effect and the regional Economic Development Strategy is developed.Mayor Jane Smith said creating vibrant and active town centres is important for the future of the Central Coast.“Strong town centres are important elements in attracting visitors to the Coast and will also provide economic opportunities for local businesses which in turn, leads to jobs for Central Coast residents,” Mayor Smith said.Community projects to share $5.6million in grants and sponsorshipThirty-nine community projects and events will share in more than $5.6million after the second round of Council’s 2018-19 Grant and Sponsorship Program.Mayor Jane Smith said Council received 111 applications for funds from the Community Grants Program and 10 applications for funds from the Sponsorship Program.“Our Community Grants and Sponsorship Program offers fantastic opportunities to not only improve the lifestyle of Coast residents but to promote the region as a great place to visit.“I am pleased to see so many diverse organisations accessing grant funding to run events and programs or to improve or preserve equipment and buildings,” Mayor Smith said.The grants and sponsorship funding will be allocated to:Community Events and Place Activation Program – 23 applications will share $227,243.74 from the 2018-19 budgetCommunity Infrastructure Grant Program – 5 applications will share $190,359.53 from the 2018-19 budgetSocial and Creative Enterprise Program – 5 applications will share $34,850 from the 2018-19 budgetSponsorship Program – six projects will share $111,200 of funding, to be paid over three years until 2020-21.Terrigal Catchment Audit remains high priority for CouncilCentral Coast Council has confirmed that no sewage entered the stormwater system at Terrigal Beach in April and maintains the ongoing Terrigal Catchment Audit is a high priority project for the area.A report to last night’s Council meeting said that over the Easter long weekend, Council received reports by community members of unpleasant smelling and discoloured water being discharged at the southern end of Terrigal Beach.