Draft concept design plans for the redevelopment of Umina Skate Park and adjoining recreational zones are now on display online at yourvoiceourcoast.com and ready for further community feedback until 21 April.The community have strongly supported plans for Central Coast Council to further enhance the Peninsula Recreation Precinct and now that funding has been secured from the Australian Government, our community’s goal will become a reality.On Saturday 30 March, Member for Robinson, Lucy Wicks announced an $8.25million grant from the Federal Government for a number of upgrades to the Peninsula Recreation Precinct and adjacent facilities at Umina Oval.

Central Coast Council has recently installed an additional 21 CCTV cameras at community facilities in Umina, Woy Woy, San Remo and Terrigal to enhance community safety within neighbourhoods, public spaces and places.This project has seen 11 CCTV cameras installed at various sites within the Peninsula Recreation Precinct in Umina, including the amenities building (consisting of public toilets and a commercial space that accommodates Jasmine Green’s Park Kiosk), BBQ area, skate park, BMX track, Col Gooley Field sports field and Umina Rugby League sports amenities building.An additional four cameras have been installed at McEvoy Oval in Umina, two cameras at Banjo’s Skate Park in Terrigal and four cameras at San Remo BMX Facility.Council received $47,000 from the Federal Government under the Safer Communities Fund towards this project.Mayor Jane Smith said the project was part of an overall strategy to improve the amenity of public spaces.

A pocket of the Gosford Foreshore is now revitalised due to the completion of recent redevelopment works at Gosford Lions Park and is already becoming a popular place for our community and visitors to walk, ride, picnic, connect and play.The improvement works at the Masons Parade site are now complete and include the re-establishment of the Lions Club monument to commemorate the centenary of Lions Clubs International, replacement of the existing play space resulting in an enhanced, inclusive play experience for a variety of ages and abilities, provision of a new path way creating a formalised link to the park furniture and BBQ area, upgrades to park furniture including shelter shed and inclusion of an accessible picnic table, along with landscaping works across the site.The $196,000 upgrade project was jointly funded by Central Coast Council, the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program, and Gosford City-East Gosford Lions Club who secured the State Government grant of $45,000.Council Mayor Jane Smith said that open space recreational areas are highly valued by our community and the revitalisation of Gosford Lions Park has provided an attractive recreational space that brings the community together and promotes healthy lifestyles.“The project has truly been a collaborative effort that demonstrates how great things can be achieved when Council work with other levels of government and community groups that actively dedicate themselves to serving their local community,” Mayor Smith said.“Council thanks Gosford City-East Gosford Lions Club for securing funding from the State Government for this project and is appreciative of this group’s passion and commitment to seeing it delivered for our community”.Gosford City-East Gosford Lions Club President Mr Tony Seitam said that Gosford Lions Park was first established in the late 1960s with the last major renovations occurring in the mid 70’s, so the recent refurbishment was long overdue.“We thank the NSW Government for allocating grant funding under the Community Building Partnership Program and the support of Local Member of Parliament Liesl Tesch, which has allowed our vision for Gosford Lions Park to become a reality,” Mr Seitam said.This project demonstrates how Council is delivering on our Community’s vision for well maintained and activated open space areas and facilities that bring the community together and promote healthy living and activity in natural settings.

Central Coast Council offices and a number of services will be closed over the Easter Long Weekend and ANZAC Day from Friday 19 to Monday 22 April and Thursday 25 April, respectively, including Gosford and Wyong Offices, libraries, works depots, Niagara Park Stadium, Laycock Street Community Theatre and childcare centres.Residential waste collection and water treatment are considered to be essential services, and will continue to be delivered over the public holidays.Surf Life Saving volunteers will provide service at all 15 patrolled beaches across the Coast with Council lifeguards providing patrols at The Grant McBride Baths and extra patrols at Budgewoi Beach for the Easter long weekend only.

Central Coast Youth Week activities are continuing through the school holidays, so why not head to the annual GOATS Family Festival this Sunday, 14 April proudly presented by the Epicentre San RemoCelebrating its 21st year, San Remo’s Koala Park will come alive with free live entertainment, market stalls, bands and performers, an animal farm, family rides, pony rides, show bags and much more from 9am-5pm.Central Coast Council is a proud supporter of the annual festival that attracts thousands of young people from across the Coast who are either showcasing their talents or enjoying the festivities.Check out what else is on during National Youth Week at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events or the school holidays at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/schoolholidays

Central Coast Council will start the second stage of the $2.8million coastal foreshore and rehabilitation works at the southern end of Avoca Beach next month.The second stage, which will be carried out from May-October 2019 (weather permitting), will involve redeveloping the seawall to include stairs, two concrete ramps and a disability access ramp, as well as upgrading the beachfront walkway and general landscaping.This $2,807,000 foreshore redevelopment has been enabled through funding from the NSW State Government under Stronger Communities Funding made available to all newly merged Councils.Mayor Jane Smith said Council had listened to the community and has made changes to the design of the second stage of this priority project for the area.“This upgrade will continue the improvement to the infrastructure and amenity of the area, as well as deliver vital coastal protection and rehabilitation works to stabilise the foreshore,” Mayor Smith said.“As a result of community feedback, the two small beach access ramps will now remain in place and be upgraded with new materials for increased accessibility.“Overall, this upgrade will provide both the Coast community and visitors with a safer and more accessible foreshore area, activating the area for all to enjoy.

A bold new approach taken by Central Coast Council to help tackle roadside litter has seen a 97 per cent reduction in total litter volume across three litter hotspots at Blue Haven Link Road, Somersby Industrial Park and Kariong M1 on ramp.The Central Coast Roadside Litter Project was effectively delivered after securing $36,000 in round four of NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Litter Grants last year.Unit Manager Learning and Education, Beth Burgess said the success of the project was a result of a multi-pronged approach to litter prevention including education, enforcement and infrastructure at each target site.“This project has focused on encouraging behaviour change and educating the community on how to report littering from vehicles,” Mrs Burgess added.“With the main source of litter identified being single use takeaway and drink containers, we provided 4000 reusable tidy bags for motorists and passengers to keep their rubbish with them until they were able to dispose of it responsibly without worry of spills.“Of the participants in the initiative surveyed, 72% made changes to the way they disposed of their litter, with 68% advising they had learned about the reporting process.“In direct correlation to this we saw the number of registered reporters increase by 37% between July and December 2018 when compared to the same time the previous year.”Grant funding also went towards clean-ups of target areas, roadside signs at each site reminding motorists how to report littering from vehicles to the EPA as well as installation of 20 dash cams in Rangers vehicles increasing the chances of being caught littering.Council Mayor Jane Smith said it was fantastic to see the community taking pride in the region and coming on board to help ‘Keep the Coast Clean’.“The results demonstrate our community really want to do the right thing and can when given practical solutions to dispose of rubbish,” Mayor Smith said.“By working together with our community we can continue to ensure the natural environment of the Coast is preserved and protected for the future.”Littering from vehicles can be reported to the EPA online at epa.nsw.gov.au/reporttoepa or via the Report to EPA mobile App - it is unlawful for drivers to use a mobile phone to record this information unless the car is parked ignition turned off.This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.

Central Coast Council is nearing completion of a 2.5 metre wide shared pathway on Pacific Highway, Lake Munmorah that will stretch for two kilometres from Tall Timbers Road to Carters Road.Council Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the pathway would improve safety and access along this busy stretch of road.“We are constructing this new shared pathway in Lake Munmorah to provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists to access the local schools and shopping centre,” Mr Bolgoff said.“The pathway will provide a dedicated route for walkers, runners, cyclists, parents with prams and community members who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.“This project will also see a pedestrian refuge, new road pavement and kerb and gutter installed at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Kangaroo Avenue.“We are rolling out and planning a range of pathway projects so that people of all ages and abilities can walk and cycle throughout the Central Coast using safe, inclusive and connected facilities.“Our focus is on projects that complete missing links, create routes that loop and connect the region’s scenic waterways, and provide increased connection between centres, recreation spaces and public transport.”Mayor Jane Smith said the liveability and sustainability of the Central Coast would continue to improve with further development and expansion of the region’s network of footpaths, bike paths and shared paths.“Our network of pathways not only provide a means to get active and experience our beautiful environment but also offer a legitimate alternative transport mode,” Mayor Smith said.“Creating the right mix of footpaths, bike paths and shared paths will also boost regional and economic development by encouraging tourism.”The new shared pathway on Pacific Highway, Lake Munmorah is scheduled for completion in May 2019, weather permitting.All of Council’s major pathway, road and drainage projects for 2018-19 can be viewed on an interactive map by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/roadanddrainageprojects.

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the draft Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan now on public exhibition.Council Director, Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said the draft Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan was developed through significant analysis and stakeholder engagement, and once finalised will deliver the first cohesive long term vision for land use in this important growth area of the Coast.“This draft Plan sets out a long-term vision for the Greater Lake Munmorah study area, ensuring the area is designed for sustainable growth, liveability and employment opportunities whilst protecting the area’s unique character and sensitive natural settings,” Mr Cox said.“With a coherent framework for the development, facilitation of future growth and prosperity of the area, the plan identifies appropriate development footprints for new residential and employment land, relevant staging requirements, plus appropriate transport, environmental and open space networks.”The study area is a collection of ten precincts connected by the Central Coast Highway – a biodiversity corridor;

Central Coast Council has recently completed the second stage of a major project to upgrade Everglades Catchment Drainage in Umina Beach.Council Director Roads, Transport, Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the project is significantly reducing the risk of nuisance flooding in the area.“The topography of this part of Umina Beach is very flat and has been prone to flooding which can limit access to properties,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Flooding is often caused by a build-up of sediment in the drainage system that causes blockages.“Our solution to resolve this problem is to install specially designed sediment pits to contain the sediment and stop blockages from building up.“We monitor the pits regularly but we encourage residents in the area to notify Council if they see sediment levels getting higher.Mr Bolgoff said Stage 2 works have focussed on the section of the Everglades Catchment Drainage that stretches from Carpenter Street to Glenn Street.“The current stage of works represents a $490,000 investment by Council and has focussed on the installation of the sediment pits.“Stage one of the project represented a $500,000 investment and involved blockage removal from the open channel along Carpenter Street and an upgrade of the drainage pipeline between the open channels to Carpenter Street.”Mayor Jane Smith said the Everglades Catchment Drainage project is delivering significant benefits for Umina Beach residents.“This project is a great example of Council delivering an innovative solution that makes a real difference to the lives of our community,” Mayor Smith said.“Roads, drainage and transport projects make up the largest component of our capital works program and we are committed to making every effort to secure more funding to deliver for our region.”Council determines areas that require major drainage through a multi-criteria system that assesses frequency, extent and potential damage of flooding.Futures stages of the Everglades Catchment Drainage project are currently in the design phase.