Central Coast Council is looking for individuals who have a head for business and a heart for the community to be part of its upcoming Social Enterprise Launch Pad program.The program will support entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organisations as they explore sustainable business concepts which have a positive social impact within the community.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the free Social Enterprise Launch Pad program will appeal to multiple audiences.“There are two groups which are perfectly suited to develop social enterprises – not-for-profit organisations and small businesses,” Ms Vaughan said.“Not-for-profits are encouraged to look at sustainable business models that can provide alternative income streams, while creating employment and educational opportunities for the community they serve.“Likewise, small business owners who have a strong social conscience can shape their service and develop new approaches which can have a positive social impact in their community.”Examples of successful social enterprises include not-for-profit organisations which provide supported employment for ventures such as cafes or upcycling donated goods, to education initiatives and programs with a positive environmental impact.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was committed to supporting new social enterprises on the Coast because of the economic advantages they would bring but also because of the social benefit to the broader Central Coast community.“Building a successful social enterprise not only positively impacts the group it is designed to serve, but also contributes to our economic growth by creating local jobs on the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.The Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program will kick off on 27 March, with a series of seven steps which support entities to shape their ideas to be ‘launch’ ready.

Central Coast Council was alerted to a burst water main at Hillcrest Road, Empire Bay at approximately 3pm on Monday 18 February 2019.Customers across Empire Bay and Davistown were impacted by the break as it was a large main servicing both suburbs.

Council approves West Street Umina shop top housing developmentCouncil has approved a development application for a shop top housing development in West Street Umina comprising two shops, 20 residential units and car parking.No.

The Central Coast Series skate, scooter and BMX competition is back for another year, with the total prize pool doubling this year, to more than $10,000!Central Coast Council will host three heats across three different venues where young riders can enter in one or all competitions for a chance to claim the Central Coast Series Champion title.Rather than competing in a final, this year’s Champion and division winners will be determined by an accumulative tally across all three heats.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the competition for riders aged 5-24 has grown in popularity each year.“Originally, the Series was held during Youth Week to activate our skate parks and now it’s held across the Coast over three months, giving more opportunities to our young riders,” Ms Vaughan said.“As the competition grows, so does the prize money and the number of competitors.”The event is aimed at beginner, intermediate and sponsored riders, so provides an opportunity for young people of all skill levels to participate and compete.This year the Central Coast Series will be held at:Drop in at DalbsHeat 1 – Waldalba Skate Park, Saturday 23 FebruaryUminafiedHeat 2 - Umina Skate Park, Saturday 9 MarchBeast of the BowlHeat 3 - BATO Yard, Saturday 13 AprilEntry is open to all riders aged 5-24 years in skate, scooter and BMX as well as WCMX Wheelchair (BATO only).

Central Coast Council has welcomed funding of almost $4million for the redevelopment of the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf following its successful bid for grant funding under the NSW Government’s Regional Communities Development Fund.Council’s Director Roads Transport Drainage and Waste, Boris Bolgoff said the redevelopment of the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf will provide much needed improvements and ensure a safe, usable and accessible facility for recreational users and ferry operators.“Council has for many years sought to improve the current infrastructure facilities of the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf and today we are delighted to welcome funding from the NSW Government to progress with major upgrades,” Mr Bolgoff said.“The improved wharf will be able to operate in all weather and tide conditions enabling water access for the community particularly users of the ferry services.

Wamberal Lagoon remains closed as a precautionary measure following a sewer main break last week. The break caused some sewage flow into the Forresters Creek inlet into Wamberal Lagoon, adjacent to Malkana Avenue, Forresters Beach. The broken pipe was fixed at that time containing the outflow to the immediate area of Forresters Creek. Council has continued to sample and monitor the water quality at the site whilst the clean-up and remediation process continued.

Central Coast Council is advising residents that Wamberal Lagoon will remain closed following a sewer main break earlier this week. The break has caused some sewage flow into the Forresters Creek inlet into Wamberal Lagoon, adjacent to Malkana Avenue, Forresters Beach. Following reports of the break, Council immediately attended the site and stopped the flow of sewer from the broken pipe, containing the outflow to the immediate area of Forresters Creek inlet and Wamberal Lagoon. Council is now in the process of constantly monitoring the water quality at the site whilst the clean-up process continues.

Capital works program increased and projects on-trackCouncil’s capital works program for 2018-19 has been increased by $3.0million and now stands at $230.0million.The increase includes $2.7million in Stronger Country Communities grant funding for three new projects:Water Play Park at Peninsular Leisure Centre – $850,000Upgrade of Greenfield Road Empire Bay to include kerb and gutter, drainage and shared path – $1.8 millionCarpark remediation at Davistown Progress Association – $65,000.Council’s capital works program budget for 2018-19 has been increased by $3million and now stands at $230million.Mayor Jane Smith said Council’s capital works program was an important part of its contract with the Central Coast community.“We monitor our capital works program closely, particularly areas where we are tracking behind schedule, Mayor Smith said.“The majority of our departments are on track to deliver their 2018-19 projects before June 30.” Council’s investment portfolio in strong positionCouncil’s cash and investment portfolio stands at $491.7million as at 31 December 2018 and has recently achieved strong interest earnings – $1million in November and $1.1million in December.There was a net inflow of $17.8million due to quarterly instalments in November 2018 and a net outflow of $12million in December 2018 due to a spike in supplier payments prior to the end of year break.The management and monitoring of Council’s investment portfolio is in line with Council’s Policy for Investment Management which takes into account the credit ratings of financial institutions, the investment portfolio already held with each financial institution and interest rates offered. Small grants mean big things for communitiesCouncil last night voted to provide more than $21,000 to six projects through its Community Support Grant Program.The Community Support Grant provides support for community groups to deliver activities which require less than $5,000 of funding and/or in-kind support.Mayor Jane Smith said it is great to see organisations tapping into this funding.“Our Community Support Grants program recognises that community organisations often need only a small injection of funds to produce events and activities that have a big impact on local communities,” Mayor Smith said.Council will allocate $21,188.75 to the following successful recipients:The Bays Community Group – Bays Fair - $2,417.75.Tuggerah Lakes Art Society – 2019 TLAS Workshops - $4,410.Central Coast Heart – NSW State Aged Netball Championships -$3,300.The Bays Community Group – Repair and paint the Bays Community Hall exterior – $4,800.Volunteering Central Coast – Volunteering Expos and Awards 2019 - $2,411.Council’s Community Support Grant Program is open throughout the year.For information, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/funding Winney Bay Clifftop Walk to proceed with amended designCouncil will continue with its plans to amend the design of the Winney Bay Clifftop Walk to address the concerns of the community.The results of the community consultation showed the majority of our community supported the walk with some modifications to the concept design.Council will now proceed to detailed design with the path width reduced to 2 metres and without the bridge and market stall spaces.“We came up with a compromise solution that still delivers a lookout, an upgraded and accessible walk, is more compatible with the local environment and better protects Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands,” said Mayor Smith.“Council has a track record of delivering outstanding major projects for our community.

Cancer education and research advocate, Yvonne Crestani, has been named Citizen of the Year for her dedication to improving the life of cancer patients and their families, and providing educational opportunities for medical personnel on the Coast.Yvonne formed the Crestani Scholarships in Radiotherapy Foundation – which raises higher education and research study funds for medical personnel – in honour of her late husband, Chris Crestani, a respected chief Radiation Therapist at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney who passed away from cancer in 2006.One scholarship in particular has resulted in the team at Gosford Hospital’s Central Coast Cancer Centre being able to study a new technique which has reduced the number of radiation treatments for patients from 30 to just two or three.Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith said Yvonne’s commitment to improving the life of cancer patients, and the welfare of their family members, for over a decade made her a worthy Central Coast Citizen of the Year.“Australia Day is a celebration of our diversity, our values, our national achievements and our hopes for the future,” Mayor Smith said.“Each year we celebrate the achievement and contribution of prominent local community members through our Australia Day Awards.“Yvonne has been leading the Crestani Foundation for over a decade, and her dedication and commitment to delivering better outcomes for cancer patients is enriching our community and ensuring a better quality of life for residents.“Her scholarships help provide specialist education in radiotherapy treatment to advance techniques in cancer treatments and potentially save lives here on the Central Coast.“Yvonne has expanded her scholarship program steadily over the past decade, raising over $200,000 in funds for health workers.

Council lifeguards from 16 beaches across the Central Coast will converge on Terrigal Beach on Wednesday 30 January to participate in the annual Lifeguard Challenge.More than 40 lifeguards will be put through their paces as they compete in a series of swimming, running and board paddling events, with the individual winner awarded the Howard Jones trophy and the winning team receiving the Cook Cup.