Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith has welcomed the collaboration between Council and Transport for NSW which will see 49 mature trees retained at Kangy Angy around the proposed new access road to Orchard Road.Local residents have been calling for a change to the plans to save the trees and this has been achieved with a reclassification and redesign of the new access road to Orchard Road.

Residents will have the opportunity to talk to their local Ward Councillors about what matters to them and their suburb as Central Coast Council kicks off a series of Councillor Listening Posts across the coast this September.Councillor Listening Posts will visit each of the five Wards across the Central Coast between September and December this year and provide the community with one on one access to Councillors that represent their local area.Mayor Jane Smith said Councillors wanted the opportunity to engage directly with their community on local issues and get a better understanding of the things that matter in suburbs and local neighbourhoods.“Councillors want to understand first-hand community concerns so they can be addressed at the local level,” said Mayor Smith.“Councillor Listening Posts will be held on weekends at local shopping centres or community events in each Ward, to reach as many members of the community as possible.”The first Councillor Listening Post will be held at Lake Haven Shopping Centre in the Budgewoi Ward on Saturday 1 September from 10am til 12pm.Councillor Listening Posts will be held in Gosford East Ward on 15 September, Gosford West Ward on 20 October, The Entrance Ward on 18 November and Wyong Ward on 1 December.“I encourage the community to drop by a Councillor Listening Post near them and engage with their Councillors on the issues that matter to them,” Mayor Smith said.For more information on Councillor Listening Posts visit www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/listeningposts

Last week marked the 70 year anniversary since both Woy Woy and Gosford Library branches first opened their doors to help meet the needs of a rapidly growing community.Council Local History Librarian, Geoffrey Potter, explained the creation of the Library Service was among the first major decisions made by the then newly instituted Gosford Shire Council, which officially began operating on 1 January 1947.“Our Library Service commenced operation on 13 August 1948 at Woy Woy, and 16 August 1948 at Gosford in the former Council Chambers of the Woy Woy and Erina Shires, respectively,” Mr Potter said.“Miss Phyllis Bennett, a well-respected educator and library board member was card holder Number 1, and she was always very proud of this fact.“At the time of opening, the Library collection was small but reflected the agricultural production interests of local farmer’s and subjects such as citrus-orcharding and vegetable-growing.“After four months of operation there were 5,000 items and 3,000 borrowers registered.“By the time the first purpose-built Gosford Library was opened in Mann Street in December 1951, there were 8,000 borrowers, which represented 40 per cent of the district population, and the Library collection was equally divided between fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.”Council’s Library Service has come a long way since its humble beginnings, now with 11 branches, two community branches and a Bookmobile helping to service residents of the Central Coast.“We now have over 112,000 members and boast one of the largest catalogues in the state with around 315,000 items, including books, DVDs, magazines, audiobooks, large print books, graphic novels, CDs,” Geoff added.Last financial year saw more than one million people visit one of Council’s library branches and over 1.5 million loans from the physical and online collections.Council Acting Unit Manager Libraries, Beth Burgess, said Council’s Library Service is as relevant today as it was back then and has evolved to meet the needs of residents.“We have grown to become so much more than books,” Mrs Burgess said.“Libraries are constantly adapting to meet the changing expectations of our community, while simultaneously enhancing education, learning and recreational needs.“From storytime sessions to family history, knitting clubs to gaming meets, we offer something for all ages and interests.“In this day and age we also understand the need to be available 24/7, so many of our key services are available online giving people the freedom to access them, anywhere, anytime - this includes eBooks, eMagazines, research databases, music and film streaming, language tools, online homework help services and much, much more.“Our Gosford branch has served us well, though, like many of our branches, we are constrained by the building’s size and capabilities to continue changing to meet our community’s expectations.“The proposed multi-use Regional Library will ensure we can meet the contemporary and the future needs of our increasing population and provide an active and welcoming social space for people to meet, collaborate, research and exchange ideas.“Libraries have always been at the heart of creating liveable and connected cities through lifelong learning and that is definitely what we want to see continue, to help our region prosper.”The designs and cost estimate for both the Regional Library and Regional Performing Arts Conference Centre will go back to Council at the 28 August Ordinary Meeting.Those who work, live and study on the Central Coast can sign up for free at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/jointhelibrary and take advantage of the great range of resources and services on offer.ENDSPhotos can be found at flickr.com/photos/gostalgia/6514407849/in/album-72157628436707621/

The $1.48million revamped Koolewong Boat Ramp was officially opened this afternoon by Central Coast Council and Roads and Maritime Services.Recreational boaters on the Central Coast can now enjoy the extensively upgraded Koolewong boat ramp and surrounding foreshore.Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the upgrade had delivered what was promised – an enhanced experience for boating enthusiasts.“In addition to providing more user-friendly, recreational boating infrastructure, this extensive upgrade will increase usage capacity, from now, well into the future,” Mr Bolgoff said.“Not only have we constructed a dual-lane boat ramp with an on-ramp pontoon and an L-shaped floating pontoon, but we have also delivered improvements to car parking, as well as landscaping and ancillary works.“This upgrade is just one of six boating infrastructure projects we will deliver in the next year, with Council investing a combined total of $2.29million across these projects.”Mayor Jane Smith said one of Council’s priorities is to deliver enhanced recreational experiences on the Coast and the delivery of this upgrade meets that need for the growing number of boating enthusiasts, and the broader community.“Recreational boating is a popular pastime in New South Wales, with over 515,000 people in the state holding a boat licence, and 233,000 people with a registered boat and there are plenty here right on the Coast,” said Mayor Smith.“With its close proximity to the freeway, Koolewong is the perfect place for such a facility, as it can be utilised by both locals and boaters visiting the area for the day.”This project is jointly funded by Central Coast Council and a $750,000 contribution from the NSW Government’s Boating Now Program.NSW Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin said the delivery of this upgrade through the Boating Now Program was a great example of how different levels of government can proactively work together.“Since starting the Boating Now Program back in 2014, we have been able to commit funding to more than 250 boating projects across 50 local government areas in NSW,” Mr Martin said.“There are an additional two Boating Now projects under way in the Gosford electorate, which have been made possible with $1.42 million Boating Now funding.

Small businesses can now access subsidised expert mentoring and coaching services at the Gosford Smart Hub under a new three-month partnership between Central Coast Council and not-for-profit agency the Business Centre.Based at the Gosford Smart Work Hub each Monday until late October, a Business Centre Strategist will meet with individual business owners to provide expert guidance.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recently released an Issues Paper outlining key topics to be considered as part of the current review of Central Coast water, sewerage and stormwater prices.

New Chief Executive Officer presides over first Council meeting New CEO Gary Murphy was officially welcomed to the Central Coast by a unanimous vote at tonight’s Council meeting.Mr Murphy has been in the role for just over a week taking over from Acting CEO Brian Glendenning.Mayor Jane Smith said Mr Murphy’s had the full support of the Council and leadership and his extensive experience and passion for community made him the ideal choice to lead the Central Coast.“We need an experienced CEO who will deliver stability and certainty for the Coast and we have found that.“I look forward to working with Gary and delivering our first ever Community Strategic Plan for the Central Coast.“I think Brian and the entire leadership team for their outstanding leadership as we have transitioned to this period of the elected Council and a new CEO.”Mr Murphy is in the process of relocating to the Central Coast and has signed a five year contract.Rescission motion lost again in respect to the Aviation Hub Masterplan for Central Coast AirportA motion to rescind the 27 November 2017 Council resolution to suspend works at Central Coast Airport and divert funds to other employment generating projects has been lost for the second time.The original resolution, which still stands, reallocates $6 million from the Airport to an employment generating strategy for the north of the Coast.Mayor Jane Smith said Council remain steadfast in its view that better value for money for residents would be found beyond the airport.“Council must take the lead in advocating for its residents and making the right investment that will create the jobs the Coast needs now and as it continues to grow,” Mayor Smith said.‘There are other options for employment generation projects beyond the Airport that can and must be explored.”“The time for debate on the airport is over.“We now have our first ever Community Strategic Plan and the Operational Plan for the Coast and it is those Plans we must focus on delivering.

Central Coast Council and Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, will celebrate the official opening of Banjo’s Skate Park, along with the Pilon family - by hosting a free, fun-filled community event at Terrigal Lagoon Reserve on Sunday 5 August from 11am to 3pm.The new skate park pays tribute to the late Banjo Pilon, who – at only 10-years of age – tragically lost his life while skateboarding in his local street.

The works of nine Central Coast Students from seven local schools have been selected for inclusion in this year’s prestigious ARTEXPRESS exhibition, which is being held for the first time at Gosford Regional Gallery.ARTEXPRESS is an annual series of exhibitions run in partnership with the NSW Department of Education and the NSW Education Standards Authority.

Council confirms support to end commercial and scientific whalingCouncil has confirmed its support for the Australian’s Government’s advocacy at the International Whaling Commission for an end to all commercial and scientific whaling.Council will write to the Central Coast Federal Members of Parliament and the Federal Minister for the Environment adding its voice and concern to the international condemnation of the death of 330 minke whales reported by the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee.Council further recognised the outstanding success of the recent 2018 Whale Dreamers Festival held at the Norah Head Lighthouse attended by thousands.Mayor Jane Smith said there was widespread community concern about the reports of the deaths of minke whales, due to the increasing popularity of the annual Whale Dreamers Festival and annual whale migration, but the Edogawa sister-city relationship was not the place to raise it.“We don’t want to see this important sister-city relationship politicised in this way – the relationship is about cultural respect, understanding, cultural exchange and friendship,” Mayor Smith said.“It is a friendship that has delivered many benefits for the Central Coast including the establishment of the Edogawa Commemorative Gardens, Mayoral and dignitary visits, staff exchange and the youth exchange program.“A number of students are here this week from Edogawa, staying with local families and enjoying all the cultural and other natural experiences we are fortunate to enjoy here on the Central Coast.”“I look forward to our community continuing to enjoy the benefits of that relationship for many years to come.“The Federal Government is already advocating, on behalf of Australia, at the International Whaling Commission to end the practice of scientific whaling and they have Council’s full support.”Council submission supports revitalisation of Gosford City Centre with Council remaining as the consent authorityCouncil will continue to collaborate with the Department of Planning and Environment and the Central Coast Regional Corporation on the revitalisation of Gosford City Centre but has raised some concerns about the process and proposed planning controls in a submission on Phase 2 of the NSW Government Architects Urban Design Implementation Framework (UDIF).The UDIF Phase 2 Report details the NSW Government Architect’s decision making framework,  changes to land use zones in the Gosford City Centre, car parking requirements,  solar access, view corridors, street wall heights and character, bonus provisions, place making, development contributions and provision for infrastructure.Mayor Jane Smith said whilst Council agreed that the revitalisation of Gosford was a priority for the economic development of the Central Coast, there were some areas of the Phase 2 Report that were concerning and required further investigation and clarification for the community.“Council must remain the consent authority for all development applications for the Gosford City Centre, except of course those currently determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel,” Mayor Smith said.“Any proposed changes to planning controls in Gosford should not be implemented until a traffic and parking strategy has been developed and adopted by Council – we need a holistic and well thought through solution to the issue of parking in the CBD.”“Variations to development controls could stretch as far as Point Frederick which are clearly outside the boundaries of the Gosford CBD – which is where the focus needs to be.“Overshadowing is a real concern we have identified with new solar access control to replace the current controls which may reduce the level of solar access to Kibble Park – the public heart of the CBD.”“No further reduction in the development contribution with the City Centre should be allowed and that the entire levy needs to be allocated to the local contribution plan developed by Council so we can have a direct say in prioritising infrastructure and public open space in the CBD.”“Since January 2015, there have been Council has already approved $1.79 billion worth of developments approved in the Gosford CBD, so we are not standing in the way of development - we need to ensure the Phase 2 Report recommendations build on this strong foundation and reflect community expectations and aspirations.”The submission will now be finalised and forwarded to Ms Lee Shearer, Coordinator General of the Central Coast.Council requests the CEO proactively release further information to the publicCouncil resolved to request the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gary Murphy, proactively release further documents.