Central Coast Council has re-signed the sister city agreement with Edogawa City Council which will see a stronger cultural exchange and continued benefits for the Coast community.The sister city agreement was a long-standing arrangement with the former Gosford City Council and was re-signed during a recent Mayoral and dignitary visit to Japan.Mayor Jane Smith said that it was an honour to meet with Mayor Masami Tada, Edogawa City Council and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the relationship by re-signing the sister city agreement.“The sister city relationship with Edogawa City during the last thirty years 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,” said Mayor Smith.“The youth wing exchange program has provided an invaluable opportunity for local students and their families to participate in a variety of academic, social, cultural and sporting activities with students from Edogawa City.“Earlier this year, there was also a generous donation from the Urasenke Foundation to build a traditional Japanese Tea House as part of the Edogawa Gardens at the Gosford Regional Gallery.“For many years, there have been strong connections between our communities and it is pleasing that this will continue with our Central Coast Council.

Council resolved to note the proactive release by the Acting CEO of two documents, in redacted form, relating to Wamberal Beach erosion.The ‘Wamberal Beach NSW Storm Erosion Remediation Report’ and the cost benefit analysis report from the Office of Environment and Heritage will be available on Council’s website in the very near future.Mayor Jane Smith said the release of the documents aligned with Council’s new Proactive Release Program confirming Council’s commitment to transparency and accountability.“We want the community to have faith that we are making informed decisions in their best interests,” said Mayor Jane Smith.“We support proactive release of information that will inform our residents.“There is a great deal of community interest and concern in how Council is addressing issues of erosion at Wamberal Beach and the release of this information will help better inform the community.”Council has also established a project working group to support the implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) options related to the immediate and future erosion of Wamberal Beach and particularly to consider a Wamberal Protective Wall.The Wamberal Working Group is comprised of local community representatives and stakeholders from Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Department of Industry, and Central Coast Council.

State-of-the-art integrated arts and culture precinct on the horizon for GosfordCentral Coast Council has requested a detailed design of an integrated arts and culture precinct for Gosford CBD following an intensive design workshop.Councillors were presented with a number of design options for the regional library and the Regional Performing Arts and Conference Centre (RPACC) at the workshop held on 9 May.Mayor Jane Smith said that the outcome of this design workshop was a state-of-the-art integrated arts and culture precinct, right in the heart of Gosford.“This is an excellent result for the community, as both the regional library and the RPACC are priority projects for Council to deliver,” said Mayor Smith.“Delivering both of these facilities as one integrated arts and culture precinct will be a catalyst for the revitalisation of the Gosford CBD.“The development of the library and the RPACC is essential as we work towards establishing a true capital for the Central Coast and creating the vibrant and sustainable region our community want and deserve.“We will be creating an outstanding arts and cultural precinct that the Central Coast can be proud of, and will appeal to all ages, abilities and backgrounds.Schematic designs and an indicative cost estimate will be reported back to Council on the ordinary Council meeting of 27 August 2018. Council notes proactive release of information and the establishment of a working group relating to erosion at Wamberal beachCouncil resolved to note the proactive release by the Acting CEO of two documents, in redacted form, relating to Wamberal Beach erosion.The ‘Wamberal Beach NSW Storm Erosion Remediation Report’ and the cost benefit analysis report from the Office of Environment and Heritage will be available on Council’s website in the very near future.Full Media Release available on the Central Coast Council website. Uptake of free residential Bulk Kerbside Rubbish Collections increases and Council calls for investigation on additional waste servicesCentral Coast residents are booking in more kerbside collections than ever before according to a report presented to Council.Consultation showed the current service of six on-call bulk 2m3 kerbside collections per annum was the most optimal provision for the removal of garden organic or general bulk household waste that is not appropriate for residential bins.Council has called for an investigation on the feasibility of an after-hours number for booking kerbside collections, and increased education around sorting of waste placed on the kerbside and any associated penalties.

Central Coast Council has started a $1.7million project to minimise the risk of flooding on Chain Valley Bay Road, Chain Valley Bay.The project involves raising 300 metres of Chain Valley Bay Road and replacing an older drainage system with 15 large concrete culverts to transport water under the road rather than over it.Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the project would significantly reduce the risk of flooding and overtopping on this important access road.“The solution we are delivering will dramatically reduce flood incidents and prevent water from sitting on the road, which will be welcome news for the Chain Valley Bay community,” said Mr Bolgoff.The 2.4 m high by almost 2 m wide culverts will be placed three wide and five deep to form a significant drainage channel.Mayor Jane Smith said the size and diversity of the Central Coast region called for a range of innovative infrastructure solutions.“Chain Valley Bay is a beautiful part of the Coast that is unfortunately prone to flooding at this location,” said Mayor Smith.“The culvert system and new road we are installing will mean Chain Valley Bay residents of this close knit community can breathe a little easier during periods of heavy rain.”Chain Valley Bay Road will be raised using 2,000 tonnes of material and a new road pavement surface will be installed.One lane of Chain Valley Bay Road will be closed during works;

In a show of support from Central Coast Council, Central Coast Stadium will be the finishing line for the fourth year in a row for the annual Bay to Bay Running Festival.The festival – being held this year on Sunday 17 June – is a 12km fun run and a 21km half-marathon, both starting from the Woy Woy waterfront and finishing at the Stadium in Gosford.

Central Coast Council is saddened to learn of the decision by Long Jetty Street Festival organisers to cancel this year’s event.At next Tuesday night’s meeting Council will consider a recommendation to fund the 2018 Long Jetty Street Festival $20,562.25 from its Community Grants Program.

More of the Central Coast’s young theatre talent will be honoured in a special presentation on stage at Laycock Street Community Theatre on Friday 15 June.The 2018 Youth In Performing Arts (YIPA) series saw more auditions than ever before with more schools, dance studios and music studios taking part.

Central Coast Council will run two Community Information Sessions to discuss the impact of the NSW Government’s proposal to revitalise Gosford City Centre.The Department of Planning and Environment and the NSW Government Architect have released proposals to revitalise Gosford City Centre.

Council has awarded more than $420,000 to 33 community organisations to help them deliver activities and events which build the community’s capacity and create stronger local connections.The most recent allocations bring Council’s investment in community grants to over $1 million this financial year.Mayor Jane Smith said it is great to see community organisations taking advantage of the funding opportunities available to help make their big ideas happen.“Our grants programs give our community more opportunities to build on ideas which enhance the quality of life on the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“Council cannot do everything ourselves and these grants build community capacity and give local groups the funding to deliver services and quality opportunities for our growing community.”Four organisations will share in $14,834 through the Community Support Grant Program to deliver community activities which require a small amount of funding and/or in-kind support including Compass Housing for a community hub ($3810), 5 Lands Walk opening celebration ($5000), Mannering Park Precinct Committee ($1024) and $5000 for the Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre.$98,141.50 has been allocated to 12 organisations to deliver innovative activities that celebrate the region’s character and diversity under the Community Partnership Grant Program:Rocky Trail Entertainment – Lakes Festival Scavenger Hunt $9000Police Citizens Youth Clubs – 2018 sunrise boxing event $15,500Eastcoast Foods & Beverages – day on the farm $9475Gosford District Garden Competition – 2018 garden competition $11,180Peninsula Environment Group – Woytopia Sustainable Living Festival $7512Country Junior Rugby Union of NSW – Country junior rugby carnivals $5100Art Studios Cooperative – Australian Spirit finale event $6782Australian Boutique markets – Park Feast, Gosford waterfront $2307Central Coast Bombers – 9’s tournament $3920Davistown Putt Putt Regatta and Wooden Boat Festival – 2018 festival $14,165Central Coast Kids Day Out – 2018 event $7700Central Coast Hockey Association – U15 boys/girls Hockey NSW indoor state titles $5500.The Community Development Grant Program will deliver $311,265.75 to 17 organisations to deliver activities that foster a sense of community, build capacity within community groups, strengthen the economic base, enhance quality of life and protect and enhance the Coast’s natural qualities:Take 3 –sustainability hub $30,000NSW ARM (Central Coast Mentoring Network) – secondary school mentoring $15,000Mangrove Mountain and Districts Community Group –hall kitchen upgrade $10,183The Rhythm Hut – Queendom $14,505Miracle Babies Foundation – neonatal intensive care survival packs $6,000Empower Golf Australia – permanent disabled golfer facility $19,050Avoca Kayak Club – kayak community inclusions program $34,000Musicians Making a Difference –career impact days $45,000St Vincent de Paul Society – Tasty Talk Tuesday $11,328Mingaletta Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation – documentary film $20,542.50Peninsula Environment Group – ‘Can I wheelie learn to walk in your shoes’ $11,650Long Jetty Locals- Long jetty Street Festival 2018 $20,562.25Central Coast Scots – 2018 Scottish Spectacular $9,823Water Circle – Creative enterprise start up $7000NAISDA Dance College – public performance and community engagement program $16,000Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club – canoe purchase – $20,000Live Life Get Active – camp $19,992Council’s staff will contact the organisers of the Long Jetty Street Festival seeking clarification if they wish to withdraw their funding application and report back to the 25 June 2018 meeting to reallocate funding if required.Information about Council’s Community Grants Program can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants including upcoming grant writing workshops.

Council receives report on water and sewerage performanceCouncil has noted a report on the 2015-2016 performance for water and sewer operations, which has been used to help prioritise an ongoing program of work and to identify focus areas for major projects.Mayor Jane Smith said performance reports informed the Water and Sewer Strategic Business Plan, which was recently endorsed by Council and will be submitted to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.“Central Coast Council operates as a water utility and we implement a range of measures to ensure our community receives quality drinking water and effective sewer services,” Mayor Smith said.“We operate in a highly regulated environment and this report demonstrates how closely we monitor our water and sewer systems.”Performance indicators in the 2015-16 report highlight areas where Council is tracking well and areas where improvement is needed.“This report shows the average Central Coast water bill is lower than both the NSW and National averages, which will be welcome news for our community,” said Mayor Smith.“Council’s operating costs were also significantly below the NSW and National average.“We acknowledge there are clear areas where improvements are necessary, including the number of water main breaks.“A number of measures are being implemented and proposed to reduce the number of water main breaks, including over $4.7million flagged for the water main renewal program which is expected to commence in the 2018-19 financial year.”“We are also planning a $10 million sewer main rehabilitation program over the next four years, which involves the installation of a synthetic pipe liner that reinforces the existing pipe structure, seals any leaks and prevents future tree root intrusion.“The technology used minimises disruption to sewer services and generally avoids the need for any ground excavation.”A number of performance indicators have improved in data captured for the 2016-17 report, which is due to be published soon. Salary increase confirmed for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and CouncillorsCouncil has now fixed the annual fees to be paid to each Councillor at $29,970, a 2.5 percent increase, with additional fees to be paid to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in accordance with recommendations by the NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (NSWLGRT).Central Coast Council has been classified as a Regional Strategic Area by NSWLGRT, along with Lake Macquarie Council in recognition of the large population and because of the range of urban and rural settlements.