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.

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.

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.

What are the Financial Assistance Grants?Local government Financial Assistance Grants are general purpose grants that are paid to local councils under the provisions of the Commonwealth Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.

Central Coast Council has temporarily restricted access to the rock platform at The Haven, Terrigal following a rock fall on Wednesday 11 July.Members of the public alerted Council staff that a small amount of rocks had fallen from the rock face.

The local community joined Mayor Jane Smith today at Chittaway Bay Lions Park to officially open the new play space that was built in partnership with the Jimmy Jurd Fund, Centra Projects and community volunteers.The play space was built with a generous $40,000 contribution from the fund set up for Jimmy Jurd, who at the age of one was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, then inoperable in Australia.  Funds were raised for his treatment but Jimmy sadly passed before the treatment could start.  At the request of the Jurd family, a portion of these funds was used to upgrade the local play space in honour of Jimmy’s memory.Mayor Jane Smith said this project is a positive example of the community, private industry and Council working together.  In addition to the Jimmy Jurd Fund’s contribution, the building contractor, Centra Projects provided project construction at cost, and many community members volunteered their labour.“Play spaces and parks play an important role in the lives of the people within our community and visitors to the area.  They are places in which we socialise, keep active and engage in community activities.  They are valuable spaces and places where the community builds social networks.” Mayor Smith said.“The community have asked for more playgrounds and recreational opportunities and we have listened.   Council continues to invest in the delivery of quality playgrounds and activation of public spaces to create an active and connected community.“This commitment is evident in Council’s 2018-19 capital works budget which includes a $19.4 million budget on 61 open space and recreation projects.” Mayor Smith said.The $110,000 upgrade included the construction of the new Pirate themed climbing unit, swings, spinner and a nature play space for children of all ages.  The upgrade also includes a concrete path connecting to the shared pathway and seating area, and partial rubber flooring, creating an accessible and inclusive play space for the whole community.

Central Coast Council is giving the community a chance to sit in the planner’s seat and consider how they might manage the Central Coast water supply into the future with four community workshops to be held in July.Over the past 20 years the Central Coast has faced the worst drought on record and seen water supply levels rise to record highs – so what does the future hold for the Central Coast water supply?Council’s Senior Manager, Water and Sewer, Bileen Nel said the workshops would give Council the opportunity to seek further ideas and feedback on key issues raised in a recent survey about water, sewerage and stormwater services.“Earlier this year, we asked the community to tell us what they valued about their water, sewerage and stormwater services,” Ms Nel said.“More than 1,300 people responded and provided some great insights.“The community told us the key to ensuring our future water supply was to continue to protect our water supply catchments and provide education on water conservation.“We are listening and want our community to help us plan for future water needs and protect our precious water catchments.”The workshops will look at the Central Coast's long, medium and short term water demand;

Central Coast Council is running a series of project planning and grant-writing workshops to help community organisations maximise their chance of securing much needed grant funding.Experienced non-profit trainer Natalie Bramble will lead the free community workshops.

Central Coast Council is undertaking a flood study within the contributing catchments of the Green Point, West Gosford, Point Clare, Koolewong and Woy Woy Bay urban areas.The study will identify flash flooding ‘trouble spots’ and assess what measures are required to reduce the risk of flooding during significant storm events.Council Acting Senior Manager Property and Asset Management, Brett Sherar, said Council was seeking the community’s help to collect information on past flooding experiences and local flood knowledge to help with the selection of flood reduction measures.“These suburbs have been identified as priority areas and this study will focus on stormwater that overwhelms the drainage network causing flash flooding and inundation from elevated water levels,” Mr Sherar said.“Local knowledge and experience in times of flash flooding is critical to the success of this study.“We would really like as many residents in these affected areas as possible to contribute to this study by completing the questionnaire, sharing their stories, photos or videos of flood events so we can gain a complete understating of flooding in these local areas.“Even if you are new to the area, your thoughts and opinions regarding how you would react in the case of a flash flooding event are important to this study, so please take the time to take part.”Residents in areas covered by the study will receive a letter from Council containing a paper based survey and a reply paid envelope.