Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald MLC has welcomed the announcement that Central Coast Council will receive $50,000 under the fourth and final round of the Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF) for upgrades to Jarrett Street Reserve in Gosford North.The funding will provide for the replacement of soft fall materials to rubber soft fall to improve safety and attractiveness of the reserve for social housing residents.Round 4 of the SHCIF, which completes the delivery of the NSW Government’s election commitment to building stronger social housing communities, delivered grants of between $35,000 and $50,000 to support local organisations improve the lives of the most vulnerable across NSW.Mr MacDonald said the funding provided through the SHCIF would help improve the lives of social housing residents in Gosford, by not only providing improved facilities, but also better connections with the wider community.“The SHCIF is a great Government initiative which funds projects to bring the community together,” Mr MacDonald said.“I am pleased that social housing tenants that live in Gosford and their neighbours will see the impact of the funding through improvements to facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone.”Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward said the final round of funding would add to the already successful projects that were making a real difference to social housing communities across the state. “The SHCIF was a wonderful example of how Government can work with communities, local councils and the private sector to deliver projects which strengthen ties between people in and around social housing properties,” Ms Goward said.“I congratulate the successful recipients of Round 4 grants and look forward to seeing the projects improve the lives of the most vulnerable in the community for years to come.” Central Coast Council’s Director Assets, Infrastructure & Business, Mike Dowling, said that the announcement of funding was a very pleasing result that will provide benefit to the community.“Improving quality of life for those in our community who need it most is a great priority to us;
Central Coast Council is warning beach goers against swimming and recreational fishing at Terrigal, Avoca and Copacabana beaches following the discovery of marine algal blooms.The red coloured algae that has appeared on some of Central Coast’s beaches has been identified as Trichodesmium erythraeum, commonly referred to as ‘red tide’ or ‘sea sawdust’.
Council commits to strong action on climate changeCouncil will explore the option to join the Cities Power Partnership (CPP) and develop a policy including mitigation and adaptions measures in a bid to take strong action on climate change.In January 2018 the Climate Council released a report confirming the 2013-2017 period has been the hottest on record with 2017 the third hottest year on recordMayor Jane Smith said climate change is real and action needed to be taken to mitigate its effect on the region’s water resources, coastal ecosystems, infrastructure, health, agriculture and biodiversity.“The effects of climate change pose a serious threat to our way of life on the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“Climate change is a risk to our economic prosperity so doing nothing is not an option.“We want our legacy to be that we stood up and said we value our way of life and want to protect it for the generations to come.“Council needs to take the lead on this and develop an action plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and get our industry, businesses and community on board as well.”CPP is a national local government program that focusses on supporting the emission reduction successes of local councils in Australia.
The auditor’s report for the first consolidated Central Coast Council financial statements will be presented at the next meeting on Monday 26 March 2018.The report and financial statements for the 13.5 month statutory period confirm a total income from continuing operations of $723.7 million, a surplus of $65.4 million and an asset base worth $6.9 billion.These are the first consolidated financial statements for Central Coast Council and are from 13 May 2016 until 30 June 2017.The audited financial statements and the auditor’s report are available for inspection at Council’s Offices in Gosford and Wyong and Libraries and online at yourvoiceourcoast.comAny person may make written submission to Council with respect to the audited financial statements until Monday 2 April.Also available for inspection are the audited financial statements and auditor’s report for activities as a water supply authority under the Water Management Act 2000, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald MLC today announced Central Coast Council has received $700,000 in funding to upgrade the amenities in Central Coast Stadium as part of the NSW Liberal National Government’s $200 million Stronger Country Communities fund.“The project will involve upgrading the existing amenities block to a first class standard” Mr MacDonald said.“Works include a full overhaul of the existing amenities including ceiling rectification, installation of new light fittings, hand dryers, tapware and plumbing.”“Central Coast Stadium regularly hosts a range of sporting matches and music events, so I’m really pleased that funding from the State Liberal Government is going towards improving this facility,” Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch MP said.“This is one of several projects receiving funding through round 1 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, and there is now an additional $200 million available for community projects through round 2 of this fund.”Mayor Jane Smith applauded the announcement, saying that the Stronger Country Communities Funding was illustrative of the State Government’s support for the development of infrastructure in regional communities.
Central Coast Council will celebrate the cultural diversity across the Central Coast with Flavours by the Sea as part of Harmony Day celebrations on Saturday 24 March.The message of Harmony Day is ‘everyone belongs’, and aims to engage people to participate in their community, respect cultural and religious diversity and foster a sense of belonging.Council’s Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard, said the day is a chance to celebrate the many cultures that make up Australia and the Central Coast and it is a great time to reflect on the importance of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.“Our diversity makes Australia a great place to live,” Mr Cannard said.“To celebrate we are hosting an event called Flavours by the Sea - a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate the region’s diversity with a taste of the world food, music and art.“Our annual event has been revamped and will see local acts mixing with some of the country’s best entertainers as well as giving people the opportunity to taste their way around the world at our amazing food stalls.“I encourage everyone to come along and celebrate the different cultures this event has to offer in recognition of how diverse our community is becoming.”Council Mayor Jane Smith said as the population on the Central Coast grows, so does the diversity.“One of my favourite roles as Mayor is to conduct citizenship ceremonies which highlight how diversity and multiculturalism is thriving on the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“Already this year we have seen more than 150 residents become Australia Citizens with a special ceremony on Australia Day.“There will be another five ceremonies this year – which means we will see more than 400 people who have decided to make Australia, and the Central Coast, their home.“Australia is such a vibrant and multicultural country, it’s great to see it being embraced on the Central Coast.”Council has secured national artists, Harry James Angus (of The Cat Empire) and King Tide, to headline the entertainment at Flavours by the Sea.The popular Harmonic Forest is back - an installation of illuminated prefabricated trees narrating live visual stories.Festival goers will be invited to participate in a free workshop to create designs and images that will be projected as part of the ‘Harmonic Forest’.Flavours by the Sea will be held at Memorial Park, The Entrance on Saturday 24 March from 3.30-8.30pm.Find out more details at:
Central Coast Council maintained the NSW Government is responsible for dredging of the Box Head and Ettalong Channels, and that Council was willing to work with the NSW Government on a long term solution, at a round-table discussion on the issue today.Council is yet to receive formal notification from the NSW Government on the outcome of applications for grant funding, which if granted would allow the Council to purchase and operate a dredge for 5 years for the State.Mayor Jane Smith said Council recognised there was a need for dredging in order to maintain the Channels for navigation purposes and also emphasised it was essential to understand its legal position and cost implications to ensure the right decision was made.“Councillors need to have all the information in order to make informed decisions for the long term management of the estuary and the allocation of ratepayer money,” Mayor Jane Smith said.“That is why at our February 12 meeting the Council resolved to request a detailed briefing and report be given on current legal advice, dredging strategies, an understanding of how the estuaries function and cost implications of purchasing a dredge.“The information that I have received to date confirms Council’s long held view that the dredging of the channels is a State government responsibility.“The State Government also collects millions of dollars in fees from moorings, jetty rents and fishing and boat licenses in Brisbane Water and this revenue could and should be put back into maintaining the channels and the waterways to ensure these recreational activities can continue.“In addition, it is worth noting that our neighbouring Lake Macquarie Council does not pay for dredging, rather the State government covers that cost.“If Council must find the funding ourselves to dredge the channel, funding would need to be taken away from other priority projects our community have told us they want funded.“We need the State Government to come to the table with a solid funding package for the Channel and we are happy to get on board.”The round table today brought together key stakeholders including Parliamentary Secretary Scot MacDonald, Local Terrigal MP Adam Crouch, State Government Department representatives, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Fantasea Cruising, Mayor Jane Smith and Senior Council staff.Councillors will receive a briefing this week and a report is expected to the March 26 meeting to be held in Wyong.
Central Coast residents are being urged to prepare their homes and take care on Coast roads with heavy rain to hit the region from 8pm tonight.The Bureau of Meterology (BOM) has advised rainfall is expected to start from 8pm tonight and continue for the next twenty-four hours with the heaviest rain expected pre-dawn.BoM have advised 150mm to 200mm is expected to fall within the 24 hour period along with 4 metre swells on Coast beaches over the coming days.Residents are being urged to prepare their homes and gardens by clearing gutters and drains.
A joint partnership between Central Coast Council, The Jimmy Jurd Fund and Centra Projects will see the delivery of a new play space to Chittaway Bay Lions Park, paying tribute to a special local resident.The play space will be upgraded in part from a 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. A portion of the funds raised will now be used to upgrade this play space in his honour at the request of his family.Director of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, confirmed Council has awarded a contract for upgrades to the park.