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.

Central Coast Council is urging Coast residents to be part of the solution in reducing graffiti in our community.Free graffiti removal kits are available from all Central Coast libraries and Wyong and Gosford Customer Service Centres.

Thanks to a new coordinated approach to metal recovery, Central Coast Council collected a record amount of scrap metal from across its operations last financial year.Council’s Acting Senior Manager Business and Economic Development, Andrew Pearce, said around 6,000 tonnes of scrap metal was recovered for recycling.“We achieved this milestone as a result of staff coordinating new initiatives, improved practices across our operations and the implementation of new contract arrangements,” Mr Pearce said.“The majority of the metal has come from our waste management facilities where there has been a concerted effort to sort through and recover scrap metal.“This has included encouraging customers to sort metal at the facility, using specialist equipment to recover metals at the tipping face, and shredding items to recover metals where feasible.“Last financial year we shredded an estimated 12,000 mattresses at our waste management facilities and recovered the metal springs for recycling.“We are also recovering the lead from lead acid car batteries and brass from water meters.”Council’s focus on resource recovery has helped reduce the amount of waste diverted to landfill and also provided an additional $1 million in revenue to help deliver community assets and services.Council Mayor Jane Smith said this was positive outcome for Council and an excellent example of improved efficiencies.“I would like to congratulate staff for their innovative thinking to create income to help provide essential services to our community,” Mayor Smith said.“This is an excellent initiative we can all get behind to reduce our environmental footprint by ensuring scrap metal is recycled.“Residents can also play their part by dropping off scrap metal free of charge at any one of our waste management facilities.”Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au for more information on where you can drop off scrap metal and other recycling options.

Central Coast Council is encouraging families to ‘stay in the swim’ through the winter season as three of its leisure centres continue to build their children’s swimming ability to stay safe on the Coast.Council Connected Communities Director, Julie Vaughan said keeping children swimming throughout all months of the year is important, as water safety is a year-round concern.“The dangers of water do not disappear when the weather gets colder, so keeping our children’s skills at an optimum level is our best defence,” said Ms Vaughan.“Additionally, winter swimmers make for future champions!

Council has adopted an increased capital works budget for the next financial year by $50,000 from the publically exhibited capital works budget and allocated funding to major projects following community consultation on its three year Delivery Program and one year Operational Plan and Budget.Council received 173 submissions during the exhibition period of the plan and has allocated, from the Shared Pathway and Footpath Program, $250,000 to Shaun Brinklow Park at Copacabana and $150,000 for the concept design and community engagement for the Tuggerawong Pathway including detailed design of stage 1.

Council adopts first ever Community Strategic Plan for the regionCouncil has adopted the first ever Community Strategic Plan for the region, titled One – Central Coast.The plan represents the culmination of 18 months of extensive consultation with the community and establishes a road map for the future of the Central Coast over the next decade.Mayor Jane Smith said the process to develop the Coast’s first ever Community Strategic Plan engaged many thousands of people in the local community and is a true representation of what our community think, feel, want and value.“The adoption of the first Community Strategic Plan for the Central Coast is significant in many ways,” Mayor Smith said.“It is the first single plan that defines the priorities of our community and represents a considered and evidence-based roadmap for the future of the Central Coast.“It defines the environmental and social qualities the community have told us they love about the Central Coast and provides a clear path of action for what Council needs to prioritise and deliver to meet the needs of our growing population.The Plan comprises five key themes based on this vision that encapsulate the voice and values of the Central Coast community:BelongingSmartGreenResponsibleLiveableThe Plan also defines a Community vision – “We are One Central Coast.

In an effort to attract more high-quality acts and performances to The Entrance, Central Coast Council is set to start construction this July on a roof extension over the existing Memorial Park stage facility.Council Director, Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said that the extension is a welcome upgrade to Memorial Park and The Entrance Town Centre.“By providing enhanced protection to stage users from climatic events, Council will be able to better facilitate the execution of a broader range of attractions, events and activities on the stage,” Ms Vaughan said.“Additionally, the extension of the stage roof will provide an improved amenity in The Entrance Town Centre, with the upgrade also including accompanying infrastructure, such as additional power outlets and lighting.”Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to increasing tourism opportunities in the region, and the roof extension, along with other projects in Memorial Park and The Entrance Town Centre, is aligned with this commitment.“The visitor economy on the Central Coast makes a positive contribution to the community through building local pride, youth employment, and supporting local events and community infrastructure,” Mayor Smith said.“This project will increase economic, community and tourism development opportunities within The Entrance Town Centre, by allowing Council to host more significant and major events.”This project will cost $190,000 from Council’s capital works budget and is due to be completed by September 2018.

Central Coast Council is offering young singers and singer/songwriters the opportunity to step into the spotlight through a unique competition starting on Friday 6 July.The Discovered vocal competition is a professional development series which helps singers aged 7-24 years find their voice, develop their skills, step up to the microphone and onto the road to potential stardom.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said the competition had proved hugely successful and many past participants have gone on to compete in national competitions such as ‘The Voice’ and ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ and to make their mark in the music industry.“Discovered is much more than just a singing competition, which really is the key to its success,” Ms Vaughan said.“It is a stepping stone to future stardom with every young person who enters receiving feedback about their performance and how they can further develop.“The workshops also connect them with experienced professionals who can provide valuable insights into the music industry.”Based at The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue, the Discovered program has been running for seven years.

Traffic flow and parking have been identified as key themes emerging from the ‘Let’s talk Terrigal’ community consultation held earlier this year.During the consultation period, Council received 136 submissions from 116 individual stakeholders and over 200 community members attended two information session held at Terrigal Surf Club.Council Acting Director Assets Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff, said that based on the community consultation, Council had revised the design of Stage 1 of the works which will kick off on Monday 2 July.“We have listened to the concerns and suggestions from the community, and with due consideration to technical constraints, costs and the overarching project objectives have made changes to address community concerns,” Mr Bolgoff said.“The key changes Council has made to the original plans presented to the community include allowing Terrigal Esplanade to remain open to traffic all year round.