Central Coast Council presented Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) with a $207,100 cheque yesterday at Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, the second instalment of a three year sponsorship funding agreement from Central Coast Council.This funding will assist SLSCC with maintaining vital beach safety services across 15 surf clubs on the Central Coast during the 2018-19 summer season.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was pleased to support Surf Life Saving on the Central Coast.“Local surf clubs are vital to our community.

Central Coast Council has topped local workplaces and is a national leader in donating lifesaving blood to the Red Cross’ appeal for urgently required blood and plasma.Council headed a list of more than 30 local workplaces which donated blood in the Red Cross’ Red25 group donation program between January and August.

MEDIA RELEASEYoung people are being asked to get involved and be part of developing the first-ever Central Coast Youth Strategy.Central Coast Council wants to hear from young people and local youth services about what they see as important for young people who live, work or study on the Coast.Throughout October and November, all young people aged 12-24 can complete an online survey which explores their views about life on the Central Coast and what they would like to see for young people, now and in the future.The online survey will be complemented by face-to-face interviews at popular youth venues, events and schools, including focus groups with youth service providers.Mayor Jane Smith said it is important that Council listens to young people to hear about their challenges, issues and opportunities.

Central Coast Council is waging a war on single use plastic bags and is looking to partner with local fruit and vegetable suppliers to provide customers with free reusable produce net bags.

Central Coast Council have completed $760,800 redevelopment works on the BMX facilities at San Remo to create a highly active sporting hub for the north of the Central Coast.Mayor Jane Smith said this quality sporting precinct delivers on what the community has asked for, whilst providing a facility that promotes an active lifestyle and new attraction for visitors to our region.“Our community voted for the BMX track redevelopment as a top 10 priority project and we have fast tracked the project to deliver a state of the art BMX sporting facility suitable for recreational usage and to run local and regional competitions - during the day and night,” Mayor Smith said.The redevelopment works have created a high quality facility and included construction of an amenities building (that included a commercial grade kitchen and canteen, scorer’s room, accessible amenities and storerooms), redevelopment of the BMX track with installation of polymer coating to prevent erosion of the track surface, installation of start hill shelter, installation of competition track floodlighting and landscaping works.This project was made possible with thanks to a $710,000 grant from the NSW State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund, made available to amalgamated Councils, plus the investment from the NSW Government grants secured by San Remo BMX Club - $31,849 Family and Community Services Community Building Partnership grant and $11,165 from the NSW Office of Sports , local sports grant.The community are encouraged to visit the new facilities and try BMX riding at the official opening and San Remo BMX Club’s Ridein2BMX ‘come and try’ day on Saturday 27 October.

Central Coast Council is welcoming the confirmation of State Government funding to extend the dredging of the Ettalong Channel from the Rescuing Our Waterways Program.Council applied for $2.4 million in funding under this Program in June this year and today’s announcement has confirmed the success of this application for matching funding from the State Government.Mayor Jane Smith said Council has responded to community concerns about navigation in the Channel by applying for the matching funding and was pleased the application had been processed so quickly.“Our community want a solution to the issue of Ettalong Channel and today’s announcement will see that happen through collaboration with the State Government,” Mayor Smith said.“The devil is in the detail of how best to undertake this dredging exercise in cooperation with the State Government and how we will now use the sand to renourish nearby beaches.“We are willing to work through a long-term solution for our community.“As we have said all along there is currently no funding allocated in this year’s budget so savings of $1.225 million will now need to be found in other areas to pay for our share.”

Central Coast Council’s commitment to creating a vibrant active transport network has been outlined in comprehensive plans for the future of the region’s footpaths, bike paths and shared paths.A range of proposed pathway projects across the Central Coast are outlined in the draft Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) and Bike Plan, which are now on public display.Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the plans will provide a platform to develop a high-quality, well-connected pathway network across the Central Coast.“We will develop existing pathways and create new infrastructure so that people of all ages and abilities can walk and cycle throughout the Central Coast using safe, inclusive and connected facilities,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Developing our active transport network emerged as a key theme for our community in our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and it is certainly a high priority for Council.“To develop the draft PAMP and Bike Plan we gathered near record levels of community feedback, which we’ve listened to in developing the plans.”Mr Bolgoff said future projects would focus on completing missing links, creating routes that loop and connect the region’s scenic waterways, and providing increased connection between centres, recreation spaces and public transport.“We have a responsibility to ensure projects selected benefit a majority of Central Coast residents.“The finalisation of PAMP and the Bike Plan will guide our funding decisions in the future and build on the significant investment already underway, which includes $5.8million for shared pathways and footpaths this financial year.“High pedestrian activity areas will be a core focus for upcoming projects and we have created action plans for Gosford, Woy Woy, Wyong/Tuggerah and The Entrance.”Mayor Jane Smith said improving and expanding the Central Coast’s network of footpaths, bike paths and shared paths would bring multifaceted benefits to the region.“The liveability and sustainability of the Central Coast will be enhanced through a network of pathways that not only provide a means to get active and experience our beautiful environment but also offer a legitimate alternative transport mode,” Mayor Smith said.“Building important ‘missing links’ and creating the right mix of footpaths, bike paths and shared paths will also boost regional and economic development by encouraging tourism.”The PAMP and Bike Plan will be on public display from Thursday 13 September to Thursday 11 October and all Central Coast community members are encouraged to have their say by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com.

Central Coast Council would like to thank the Central Coast community for their ongoing support for drought-affected farmers across NSW.Mayor Jane Smith said the generosity of the Central Coast community since the state-wide drought declaration has been truly remarkable.“The impact of this drought has touched all of our hearts and our community is doing so much to help,” Mayor Smith said.“From personal donations, to fundraising initiatives, to creating new groups – I want to thank the Central Coast community for all that you are doing and will continue to do to support our farmers.“I would also like to thank Council staff for their generosity, very recently the team donated over $900 to Buy a Bale and they will raise money for Aussie Helpers later this month.”Central Coast community members can help farmers through a range of channels including:Australian Red CrossRural Aid/ Buy a BaleDrought AngelsAussie HelpersLions Need for FeedFoundation for Rural and Regional RenewalSalvation ArmyCouncil is not affiliated with any of the organisations listed above and encourages community members to research their preferred method to assist drought-affected farmers should they wish to

Central Coast Council has started a new round of community consultation for $3.5million project to replace the sewerage system for over 100 properties on the southern bank of Wyong River in Tacoma South.Council Senior Manager, Water and Sewer, Bileen Nel said the new system was designed for the specific conditions of this location.“Water will periodically infiltrate any system at this location due to the high water-table and close proximity to Wyong River,” Ms Nel said.“The system we have chosen will significantly reduce the number of water infiltration incidents and their impact.“Should a problem occur with any of the systems, Council will be immediately notified by an alarm and will take the appropriate action to resolve the situation.Residents will have an opportunity for an at-home consultation session and will also be able to attend a Drop-in Information Session at the riverside reserve on South Tacoma Road on Saturday 22 September from 9.30am to 11.30am.The individual consultation and Drop-in Information Session are opportunities for residents to review the existing property design, re-assess the electrical equipment for any changes, ask questions, raise concerns, and discuss any potential changes before plans are finalised.There is a scheduled construction time-frame of early 2019 and more information is available at yourvoiceourcoast.com/tacoma-south-sewerage-upgrade.

Central Coast Council is moving forward with detailed designs for the Gosford Cultural Precinct (the Precinct) – creating an integrated cultural hub which will connect Gosford Regional Library & Innovation Hub (the Regional Library) and the Regional Performing Arts and Conference Centre (RPACC).The design includes final sites for both priority projects, which were selected following extensive research and analysis, as well as pedestrian linkages and undercover parking.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said this is an excellent result for the community, as both the Regional Library and the RPACC are priority projects for Council to deliver.“There has long been an overwhelming need for us to provide multi-use facilities where our community can meet, relax, connect and learn,” Ms Vaughan said.“This decision will help us to meet the contemporary and future educational, conferencing, arts and cultural needs of the region, which have been constrained due to our current building sizes and limited capabilities.“Due to the need to accommodate different uses and functions, the Regional Library and the RPACC will be in separate buildings – however, their proximity has generated an opportunity to create the Precinct, connecting the two facilities and helping Gosford CBD flourish.“The next stage for this catalyst project will be to progress the development application.”Mayor Jane Smith said the Precinct will help achieve the Community Strategic Plan’s goal to create a growing and competitive region by establishing Gosford CBD as a key destination that attracts businesses, local residents, visitors and tourists.“Council will be creating an outstanding precinct that the Central Coast can be proud of, and will appeal to all ages, abilities and backgrounds,” Mayor Smith said.“The development of both the Regional Library and the RPACC is essential as Council works towards establishing a true capital for the Central Coast.“Delivering these projects as one integrated cultural precinct will benefit both projects individually, as well as facilitating the revitalisation of Gosford CBD and creating the vibrant and sustainable region the community want and deserve.“Furthermore, it is expected that the Precinct will have a positive economic impact on the region, with more than 1,450 jobs projected as a result of construction, plus an additional 645 jobs predicted once construction is complete.“Along with CEO Gary Murphy, I will now be seeking discussions with both State and Federal Government to assist with the funding shortfall of these much needed community projects.”In order to create this world-class cultural precinct there will need to be an acquisition of properties by Council.As such, the current estimated cost of the Precinct is to remain confidential in order to maintain commercial confidence and ensure the integrity of the market value.Ms Vaughan also took the opportunity to emphasise the development of the Gosford Regional Library is not dependent on the closure of any existing branches.“I want to reiterate that the development of Gosford Regional Library is not contingent on branches in the Peninsula, or elsewhere, being closed,” Ms Vaughan added.