Council has released the findings of the second round of engagement to develop the Coast’s first ever Community Strategic Plan with 91% of survey respondents saying they had ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ quality of life.Connected Communities Director, Julie Vaughan said Phase Two of the  project drilled down into the findings of the initial community engagement where Council received over 33,000 ideas and opinions from residents about what would make the Central Coast an even better place to live.“Phase Two was about going back to the community to unpack the key themes we defined in Phase One, looking at community priorities, community values and how the community feels about their quality of life here on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“The community was asked to rate their overall quality of life living on the Central Coast with 91% of survey respondents saying they had ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ quality of life, which is fantastic for the Coast.”“Quality of life appears to trend marginally upwards with age and be impacted by certain socio-economic factors, such as location of residence, employment status, level of education and home ownership – all important factors when looking at how we shape the future of the Central Coast.“Lifestyle and community, including attributes such as safety, sense of community and opportunities to participate in community life were the key drivers of quality of life.”“Transport and movement around the Central Coast were two of the top issues identified by residents as a priority issue over the next 10 years with natural environment, infrastructure, population growth, employment opportunities and housing also rating highly.“A key focus of the CSP will be to consider and balance the importance of both key priority issues as well as the key drivers of quality of life,” she said.During Phase Two, Council engaged with over 1200 local community members and key stakeholders via a comprehensive telephone survey, a series of six community workshops and meetings with the Community Reference Group.Mayor Jane Smith said the process to develop the Coast’s first ever Community Strategic Plan had engaged many thousands of people in the local community and, once completed, will be a true representation of what our community think, feel, want and value.“The central focus for the CSP engagement has been on genuine and meaningful dialogue” Mayor Smith said.“Council have strived to work together across organisations, groups and the broader community to understand community values, issues and aspirations for the future.“The Community Strategic Plan is the most important plan we have at Council as it defines and prioritises exactly what our community want.

Central Coast Council will shortly commence stabilisation work on the $2,807,000 Avoca Beach Southern Foreshore RedevelopmentThe works, funded by the NSW State Government as part of the Stronger Communities Funding made available to all newly merged Councils, will improve the infrastructure and amenity of the area as well as to deliver important coastal protection and rehabilitation works to stabilise the foreshore.Council Director, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said that the upgrades will provide the community and visitors with a safer and more accessible foreshore and will take place in two stages.

Discover the stories that inspired the acclaimed play A Town Named War Boy, when NSW State Library World War I curator, Elise Edmonds, visits Tuggerah Library on Wednesday 28 March.The talk will delve into personal accounts from ANZAC soldiers that served our nation and a small selection of diaries and original material will be on display.Council Acting Unit Manager Libraries, Beth Burgess, said the Libraries were very pleased to secure this event offered in conjunction with the national tour of A Town Named War Boy.“This talk and display provides a rare opportunity to get a glimpse into how individual troops felt and lived while deployed on the front,” Ms Burgess said.“It really encapsulates the ANZAC spirit and looks at just how scared and vulnerable these men were, an aspect which is not often discussed.“We are incredibly lucky to have Elise present here as she is the mastermind behind one of the State Library’s most successful exhibitions.“Elise will also give insight into the origin of the pieces and how her work lead to the State Library’s collaboration to help create an incredibly moving experience for theatre goers.”In 2014 the State Library and the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) commissioned playwright Ross Mueller to create a new play based on the extensive World War I diary collection.A Town Named War Boy brings to life the private thoughts of young Aussie men that were sent off to war on the other side of the world and how those that made it back home dealt with the traumas of conflict, described by The Australian as “The most moving ANZAC tribute of all”.Tickets for performances on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 April are on sale now and can be purchased via thearthousewyong.com.au“As we head towards ANZAC Day in the last year of the centenary of World War I, there is no better time to learn more about our nation’s heroes,” Ms Burgess added.“This is a unique opportunity to hear these authentic stories that helped create the Australian identity.”Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraryevents or call 4350 1560 to reserve a spot.To be one of the first to know about events, new releases as well as discover what resources and services are available sign up to Central Coast Council Library Service e-newsletter at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/enews and search #ccclibraries on Council’s social media pages.

Central Coast Council invites you to hop on down to The Entrance this Easter long weekend for four days of free activities and live entertainment.The Entrance will be alive with a wide range of activities to keep the children entertained over the weekend from Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April.Free music in the Waterfront Plaza will have the whole family entertained with live performances every day from 11am to 3pm.On Easter Saturday and Sunday, kids will have the chance to meet the Easter Bunny in Memorial Park and receive a free Easter egg.

Central Coast Council Offices and a number of services will close from 5pm Thursday 29 March for the Easter Long Weekend and reopen on Tuesday 3 April 2018, while other essential services and facilities will continue to operate.

The NSW Auditor-General has confirmed Council’s financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of Central Coast Council as at 30 June 2017, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the period 13 May 2016 to 30 June 2017 in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and Australian Accounting Standards.

Council advises that The Entrance Channel is not affected by the sewer overflow that occurred earlier this week.However, water quality monitoring indicates the Karagi Park location remains unsuitable for recreational activities.

Council advises that the Public Health Alert has now been lifted for The Entrance Channel at Karagi Park.Council would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding this week.

Central Coast commuters never have to worry about forgetting reading material again by taking advantage of the free eBranch collections through their local Library.Following the launch of the combined Library Management System in October, members now have access to more than 18,000 junior and adult eBooks and eAudiobooks as well as 278 eMagazines.With many commuters returning to work this week, Council Unit Manager Libraries, Michelle Swan-Beardmore, reminds residents that access to their local library can be found in their back pocket.“With over a quarter of our residents travelling outside of the region for work, our eBranch provides a convenient way to access books and magazines from any digital device with internet connection,” Ms Swan-Beardmore said.“Unlike eBooks, our eMagazines aren’t ‘borrowed’ – once downloaded to your device they can be read anywhere, anytime, even without access to WIFI – there is no limit to the number you can download.“Best of all it is all free, meaning residents never have to pay for a magazine subscription again.“This is just one of the ways we are ensuring we deliver the services residents want in the format they want it.”There are three eBook and eAudio platforms – BorrowBox, Overdrive and RBdigital – with RBDigital also offering eMagazine access.To find out how to borrow or download platform applications visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraries and click on eLibrary for information.“Our eBranch isn’t limited to eBooks and eMagazines, offering a dynamic collection of online resources to meet the growing demand from our community,” Ms Swan-Beardmore added.“Our comprehensive eBranch includes eMovies, educational resources for kids, language courses, word puzzles, computer programs, online newspapers and much, much more!“All these fantastic resources and services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing members to connect, learn or relax in a manner and time that works for them.“If you have friends or family who are visiting the area let them know they can also benefit from amazing eBranch services, with temporary online memberships available.“With so much on offer online, summer holidays are the perfect time to rediscover your local library.”To become a member and take advantage of what is on offer go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/jointhelibrary

Central Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on Monday 15 January 2018 to appoint an interim General Manager following the resignation of current Chief Executive Officer Brian Bell.Under the Local Government Act the Council’s governing body must appoint a person to be General Manager.