Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the revitalisation of the heritage of Gosford CBD. The Draft Gosford CBD Heritage Interpretation Strategy aims to bring the heritage of Gosford to life and change the perception of the CBD by repositioning the area as an attractive destination for tourists and visitors.

Central Coast Council is working with Sweeney Interpreting to improve the accessibility of productions held at Laycock Street Community Theatre for the deaf community.This new initiative brings three Auslan interpreted stage productions, plus a number of Auslan interpreted backstage tours to Laycock Street Community Theatre, making the productions more inclusive for visitors and the community.Council Unit Manager, Leisure and Lifestyle Phil Cantillon said the Central Coast is home to a diverse and growing community and Council is committed to continuous improvement of accessibility, inclusivity and liveability within the community.“Council has developed a Disability Inclusion Action Plan which sets out strategies to achieve positive outcomes for people with disability to fully participate in mainstream community life,” Mr Cantillon said.“We are committed to increasing inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life including through this new initiative at Laycock Street Community Theatre, which provides accessibility for all who visit and enjoy the performing arts.“Not only do we have three upcoming performances that are Auslan interpreted, but on Sunday 19 May the Theatre will be hosting Auslan interpreted backstage tours where visitors can experience areas such as the mainstage, backstage, dressing rooms and bio box, providing a unique ‘behind the scenes’ insight of Laycock Theatre.”Mayor Jane Smith said inclusion and active participation are key to building a strong community.“We are committed to creating a society where everyone belongs and everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of community life, that is why belonging is at the heart of Council’s Community Strategic Plan,” Mayor Smith said.“We will continue to create opportunities, for people with a disability in our community to enjoy the range of experiences and quality of life on offer on the Central Coast.”Upcoming Auslan interpreted productions include:Sydney Comedy Festival, Saturday 8 June 8pmThe Sapphires, Sunday 23 June 2pmPossum Magic, Saturday 31 August, 12pmFree back stage tours for all ages will also commence on Sunday 19 May at 10am, 11am and 12pm and run for approximately 45 minutes each, providing a sneak peek into the performing arts.Bookings are essential.

The recently upgraded Lemon Grove Netball Courts at Ettalong has been well received by the local netball playing community as the 2019 season kicks off. Central Coast Council completed the $1.12million redevelopment works which included full court resurfacing, ‘Fast5’ game line markings on eight of the 14 courts and adjustable goal posts for junior competitions.  Upgrade works also included the installation of new floodlighting, carpark resurfacing, installation of a drink bottle refill station and new park furniture.  The project was jointly funded with a $905,620 investment by Council, $200,000 contribution from the Woy Woy Peninsula Netball Association, plus a $50,000 grant received from NSW Government’s Community Building Partnerships Program for the upgrade to drainage system to support court upgrade. Netball is the most popular social sport in the world for women and has been played in Australia since 1897!   On the Central Coast, netball continues to be a leading participation sport for all ages. Woy Woy Peninsula Netball Association President Lisa Coakley said the netball court upgrades have come at the right time as the popularity of the sport continues on the Peninsula. “Our association was first founded in 1974 and we continue to have members of all ages, with many of our adult players first stepping onto a netball court as a junior with our association,” Ms Coakley said. “The club is also introducing netball to the next generation of netball players on the Coast with the NetSetGo Junior program developing the skills of children aged 5 to 12.  “These recent upgrades are fantastic and were much needed.

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to have their say on waste management practices to help develop the first Waste Management Strategy for the region. The draft Strategy will reassess current waste initiatives and seek to inspire change to help minimise the amount of waste diverted to landfill and its impact on the environment. Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff urged residents to let Council know their trashy ideas and jump online to help shape the future of our waste. “Waste Management in Australia is constantly evolving and everyone has a role to play in reducing the amount of waste generated and its effects on our community,” Mr Bolgoff said. “Council cannot do this alone – we need our community to help guide where this Strategy goes and their willingness to come on board with future initiatives will be the key to its success. “This can be seen through the many innovative free recycling options and education programs we already offer to help reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill, which includes the most recent record-breaking Chemical CleanOut event, as well as our e-waste, battery, light globe and mobile phone recycling programs, to name a few.

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.

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’s war on waste now includes a road construction product made from recycled soft plastic, glass and toner cartridges. Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the first Coast roads made using ‘Reconophalt’ are now under construction.“We are now using a road surfacing product that will help save thousands of tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill,” Mr Bolgoff said.“To give you an idea of the quantity of waste that can be saved, a 600 metre section of road can be made using 631,000 plastic bags, 117,000 glass bottles, toner from 14,400 used printer cartridges, and 160 tonnes of reclaimed road asphalt.“The product is added to bitumen and the end result is equal or superior to traditional asphalt with data showing improved strength and resistance to deformation, which makes roads last longer and better handle heavy vehicle traffic.“We are currently working with Downer to use this innovative product on our roads and to create new avenues for recycling waste materials into new streams of use.“The other great news is that soft plastic waste generated here on the Coast will increasingly end up as part of local roads – we’ve just sent our first shipment of soft plastic waste for processing and use in Reconophalt. “Council has partnered with the Plastic Police Program to establish the local collection of soft plastics for recycling into ‘Reconophalt’ and opportunities for the public to drop off their soft plastics for reuse into local roads will be announced soon.” Council’s first major projects to be delivered using Reconophalt are:Wards Hill Road, Empire Bay – $296,000 project to stabilise and seal a 260 metre section of road.

Central Coast Council are inviting the community to celebrate Library and Information Week, from Monday 20 to Sunday 26 May, with a number of special events running across their library branches.This year’s theme, ‘Truth, Integrity and Knowledge’ highlights the vital role libraries play in research and education by providing free access to information and services.Council Section Manager Library Futures and Planning, Benjamin Hartley said Council was proud to be able to bring such a variety of authors to the Coast, which provides the community with different insights and perspectives that continue to inspire a love of learning.“We provide unique life experiences and I would encourage everyone to come along to one of our free events and discover what our Library Service offers,” Mr Hartley said.“To celebrate Library and Information Week, bestselling crime writing author Candice Fox will return to Erina Library with her latest instalment of the ‘Crimson’ series, ‘Gone by Midnight’.“Seasoned author Amanda Hampson will also join us at Umina Library to talk about her latest release, ‘Sixty Summers’, the story of three friends about to turn sixty embarking on a journey to retrace their footprints by backpacking around Europe.”“Places are limited at these sought after author talks, so make sure you book your spot today to avoid disappointment by contacting your local branch or online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraryevents.”Mayor Jane Smith said libraries are an integral part of the cultural fabric of the local community and help improve the quality of life for residents.“Our Library Service ensures all members of our community have equal access to the latest in technology, resources and information they need – all for free,” Mayor Smith said.“All of our libraries are great places to meet up with friends, catch an event or just be inspired by the dynamic learning spaces we have created.“Library Week is a great opportunity to reconnect with your local library and discover the amazing resources and opportunities on offer.”In addition to Council’s Library Services’ regular free programming, this exciting week will also include:Be Connected:

Central Coast Council is seeking further community feedback on the revitalisation and activation of Toukley through the next phase of Let’s talk Toukley Town Centre. Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the community could have their say on draft concept plans for the Toukley Village Green developed with the help of their initial ideas and feedback.“It’s time to talk all things Toukley again as we enter the next phase of Let’s talk Toukley Town Centre,” Ms Vaughan said.