To make some Council-hosted, major events more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the community, Council has adopted the use of an ‘Including You’ accessibility tent – which will debut at Lake Festival’s ‘Light up the Lake’ event this Saturday at The Entrance.An initiative of Ability Links Hunter Central Coast, the tent supports people in the community living with a disability, their families and carers, as well as elderly people, parents with prams and others with limited mobility (from injuries or illness), while also raising awareness around disability, access and inclusion.The tent provides a range of free to hire sensory, vision, mobility and communication aids and supports, plus a ‘safe space’ for retreat to promote the participation of people living with a disability at Community events.

It’s National Recycling Week, and Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to celebrate by discovering how they can recycle beyond the yellow bin at a number of free Green Living events.The workshops will assist residents to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle around the home to help live a more sustainable life and divert waste from landfill.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was committed to helping the community find ways to reuse items and reduce an increasing reliance on single use items.“Through Community Strategic Plan (CSP) consultation, our community have told us they want ongoing education opportunities to help minimise waste,” Mayor Smith said.“During National Recycling Week we will be running a number of events to help our community create a more vibrant and sustainable Central Coast.“There will be workshops to reduce food waste, an op shop event to pick up clothing bargains and a free movie screening of ‘Closing the Loop’ for those interested in how to eliminate waste going to landfill.”Bookings are essential for all events.

Central Coast Council will kick start comprehensive engagement with the community on a draft Climate Change Policy with an online survey which opens today.Council endorsed a draft Climate Change Policy in August 2018 for public exhibition.

Central Coast Council will support a Hunter Water initiative to help drought-affected farmers by donating a water tanker and driver to transport much needed drinking water.Central Coast, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Councils are each donating a truck and driver to transport water from Branxton and Scone across the Hunter and Upper Hunter.The water will help properties which are not connected to a town supply and need to top up their domestic rainwater tanks.Council Director Water and Sewer, Bileen Nel said Council was thrilled to contribute to the initiative and would start with an initial delivery of 20,000 litres of drinking water collected from Hunter Water’s Branxton and Scone supplies.“Farmers from towns including Murrurundi, Merriwa and Cassilis are receiving this support and their feedback is very positive,” Ms Nel said.“We could not be happier to contribute to an initiative that is making a real difference, with our first deliveries taking place on the 12 and 13 November.”Mayor Jane Smith said Council had been looking for the best way to provide direct support to farmers in need.“The Central Coast has been giving so generously to farmers doing it very tough,” Mayor Smith said.“Across the Coast I hear stories of individuals and groups acting to support our farmers and I want to thank our community for all they have done and will continue to do.“I am also pleased that Council is helping our farmers in such a tangible and practical way.”More than 1.4 million litres of water has been donated to 100 properties in need since the initiative began on August 24.Farmers in the Hunter and Upper Hunter experiencing a shortfall in their domestic water supply are invited to contact Hunter Water’s Drought Support Team – droughtsupport@hunterwater.com.au or 1300 657 657.

Central Coast Mayor Jane Smith will meet with Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation’s CEO Michelle McLaughlin on Tuesday 13 November to emphasise the importance of the ‘Hold My Hand’ road safety campaign.Developed by the Foundation, the campaign promotes the importance of adults holding young children’s hands when they are close to roads.

All inclusive disability precincts to create more liveable communities and boost tourismCouncil is developing all inclusive disability precincts to improve lifestyle choice, boost tourism and provide economic stimulus.A detailed analysis is currently underway to identify two geographical locations suitable for initial development as holistic disability ‘destinations’.Mayor Jane Smith said Council would continue to work with the community to ensure the development of inclusive spaces.“We are committed to creating and maintaining accessible and well-maintained facilities and open space areas that provide opportunities for inclusion and participation for people living with disabilities,” Mayor Smith said.“Once the locations for our all inclusive disability precincts are determined we will engage with the community once again to move the project forward and deliver the best outcome for our community.Council’s Disability Inclusion Action plan was developed with extensive community and stakeholder consultation and contains a four year dedicated strategy and actions to be undertaken to create a liveable community by improving accessibility and creating inclusive events and activities for people living with disabilities.Council on track to meet increase in demand for housingCouncil has declared that it is tracking well to meet the annual housing target, following a report which highlights the number of development applications processed during July to September 2018.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was committed to assessing development applications as demand for housing increases.“As the Central Coast continues to grow, Council is committed to assessing development applications.“Council is tracking well against future housing requirements outlined in the Central Coast Regional Plan finalised in 2016.“During the July to September 2018 Quarter, Council approved 843 applications out of the 857 received, which included the creation of 287 additional residential lots and 241 dwellings.“Council approvals are an indicator of the demand for housing on the Central Coast, which is expected to increase by 2075 additional homes per year.Since 2016, Council has approved 7,715 additional dwellings and completed 3,412 additional residential lots, dual occupancies and secondary dwellings.According to the Central Coast Regional Plan, the Central Coast is expected to increase by approximately 75,500 people by 2036, and will require 41,500 new homes.Community to input into strategy for the future of the Somersby to Erina CorridorCouncil will seek community feedback on a draft strategy to support sustainable growth along the Central Coast Highway between Somersby and Erina.The draft Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy identifies Somersby, Mount Penang/Kariong, West Gosford, Gosford City Centre, East Gosford/Point Frederick and Erina as key centres which will play a unique role in the future functioning of the Corridor.Mayor Jane Smith said the strategy aims to create centres with their own identity that provide a range of experiences, infrastructure and jobs that support the success of the Central Coast Region.“We are committed to positively contributing to the sustainable growth of the Central Coast and the Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy aims to not compromise those attributes the community has identified which makes the area such a unique and desirable place to live and work.“We have consulted with various Government Agencies and now we are seeking input from the community to inform a final strategy and guide planning and development for the corridor to 2036.“The Strategy will go on public exhibition for a minimum of 60 days with a number of community consultation workshops and meetings during this time to allow the community to input on the strategy.

Central Coast Council has completed the first stage of the $2.8million coastal foreshore works at the southern end of Avoca Beach in preparation for a bumper summer beach season.The works, funded by the NSW State Government as part of the Stronger Communities Fund, will improve the infrastructure and amenity of the area as well as deliver important coastal protection and rehabilitation works to stabilise the foreshore.Council Acting Director, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff, said the upgrades will deliver a more attractive, safer and more accessible foreshore area for the local community and visitors to the area.“Council is very pleased that this first stage of works has been finished on time and we thank the community for their patience during the construction period,” Mr Bolgoff said.“This first stage of works was designed to deliver an engineered and purpose built rock sea wall next to the rock pool in order to stabilise the foreshore area and we are really pleased to have achieved that.“As part of these works, we also relocated the drainage outlet to the eastern end of the rock pool, renewed the existing walkway between the surf club and eastern rock shelf and incorporated some landscaping.“In April next year, we will start the second stage of works which will involve rebuilding the smaller rock wall, improving the ramp near the surf club, upgrading the beachfront walkway and providing additional landscaping.”Mayor Jane Smith said the project was a great example of Council investing in our community through collaboration with the NSW State Government to deliver projects the community have identified as a priority.“These works were originally identified in the Avoca Beach Masterplan in 2012 and we are really pleased that with the help of funding from the NSW State Government, we will be able to deliver a revitalised foreshore area for the community,” Mayor Smith said.“Avoca Beach is a very popular area for residents and visitors alike and these works will ensure the foreshore area will be more resilient to weather events and continue to deliver for the community as one of the Coast’s most iconic and historic hamlets.Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the State Liberal Government was proud to fully fund the project through the Stronger Communities Fund.“This funding is a direct result of the successful amalgamation and creation of Central Coast Council,” Mr Crouch said.“Avoca Beach already plays host to the annual Central Coast Pro and is recognised internationally as the home beach of many world-class surfers.“I’m pleased the Avoca community has embraced this infrastructure upgrade, and I look forward to Council continuing with stage two of the foreshore upgrade after the busy summer season.”This project is one of ten local projects made possible through the Stronger Communities Fund, established by the NSW Government to provide merged Councils with funding to kick-start the delivery of projects that improve community infrastructure and services.Details about this project can be found at:

Niagara Park and Chertsey Public School have been named Environmental Schools of the Year in Central Coast Council’s 2018 Schools Environment Program.The win is a double celebration for Chertsey Public School, with the school winning the same Small School of the Year award last year.Niagara Park Public School was named the winning Large School of the Year.Three other schools also received awards at this week’s awards ceremony:Innovation:

Central Coast Council is helping local households reduce food waste and save money thanks to $20,000 of funding received from NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver the Food Smart Program.Council has already engaged with local childcare centres and primary schools to educate young families with children, who usually throw out more than the national average of $3,800 worth of food every year.Council Unit Manager Learning and Education, Beth Burgess is encouraging locals who would like to learn effective and easy techniques to reduce food waste, while helping the environment and their hip pocket to register for the program.“Food waste still accounts for over a third of the rubbish in the average Australian household bin and is estimated to cost the Australian economy $20 billion each year,” Mrs Burgess said.“We can all play our part to help minimise the problem through simple techniques and habits, which our residents can learn by signing up to this very worthwhile program.“After completing the Food Smart Program 91 per cent of families reported being more aware of food waste, 89 per cent reduced their food waste, and 78 per cent saved money on groceries.“Those who register will receive a free pack that includes a reusable shopping bag, tea towel, bag clips, reusable food covers and planning tools, after completion of an initial survey.”Those interested can register their interest by emailing foodsmart@centralcoast.nsw.gov.auMayor Jane Smith emphasised food waste had become a critical environmental issue on a global scale, which Council is addressing on a local level through the Green theme of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP).“If food waste were a country it would be the third biggest source of carbon pollution, accounting for eight per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases,” Mayor Smith added.“Additionally, when we waste food we are also wasting all the energy and resources it took to grow, raise, store, package and transport that food.“Through our consultation to develop the first ever Community Strategic Plan, our community told us maintaining our natural assets and environmental resources for the future must be a priority and education is a crucial component of this goal.“This program further helps us meet our objective of increasing community awareness and instilling behaviour change around sustainable living, including waste avoidance.“Change on these massive issues often starts at grass roots level with everyday people like you and me - if you don’t know how to make a change I would encourage you to register for this very worthwhile program.”Visit lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au for more information and tips to reduce food waste.Funding is provided through Love Food, Hate Waste, a component of the NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded by the waste levy.

Council moves forward with short-term parking solutions for GosfordIn response to the increasing demands for commuter parking and heightened economic activity in Gosford City Centre, Council has approved the allocation of $1.4million to fund the design and construction of a short-term car park at 10 Racecourse Road, West Gosford.Council has identified car parking as an emerging issue across the region and recognises the need for a consistent integrated approach to the issue of parking to meet the community’s current and future needs.The report confirmed the significant demand for all day parking for the Gosford CBD, with current publicly available supply at capacity due to demand driven by Gosford Train Station, the CBD Commercial Core and the Central Coast Heath District.Parking capacity in the CBD could experience further strain through the potential future loss of the privately owned Kibbleplex car parking spaces.Gosford CBD parking will also be impacted by the large number of approved development applications in recent years including commercial office developments such as the ATO building and the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation building.In addition to the construction of the new short-term car park in West Gosford, the report detailed a series of short-term parking solutions including:Utilising spare capacity at Baker Street Car ParkUtilising spare capacity at Central Coast Leagues Club car parkingImplement a park and ride (bus) scheme on the fringe of the CBDCouncil will also seek funding from the State Government to undertake investigations, civil design and construction of a short-term car park at Faunce Street, West Gosford.Mayor Jane Smith said the issue of car parking in Gosford is both a critical and complex one.“Gosford is growing rapidly and emerging as the commercial heart of the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“Part of this transition will involve really looking at how we can accommodate the needs of everyone who need to come into the city centre.“Parking is certainly at a critical point and we need to investigate and implement practical parking solutions for the community who need to travel to and park in the city for work, to conduct business or for leisure and recreation.“We also need to look to the medium and longer term needs of the Gosford City Centre and find solutions for people commuting here every day including options for leaving the car at home and using public transport to and from Gosford City Centre.“Council will continue to work with the Department of Planning and Environment, Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for NSW to ensure a co-ordinated and considered approach to these issues for our growing community.”Council rejects proposed Ourimbah drug and alcohol facilityCouncil has rejected an application for a transitional group home for drug and alcohol rehabilitation at 74 Glen Road, Ourimbah.The supplementary report to Council stated that there has been insufficient information supplied to satisfy Council that the development will have adequate sewer servicing and that the site is suitable for the proposed on-site sewage management system having regard for site topography, soil characteristics and potential impacts on adjoining properties, the endangered ecological community and the watercourse.Mayor Jane Smith said Council had considered this proposed development carefully including attending a site visit with seven Councillors in June to inspect the location and understand the concerns of neighbours and the local community.“There has been considerable community interest in the development and Council received 166 submissions on the application”.“This is clearly a sensitive matter for everyone in the community and despite the merits of this service being provided within the community, Council does not believe adequate sewer servicing has been provided for the facility nor have the potential impacts of the proposed on-site sewage system been adequately demonstrated.