Council appoints Davidson to assist in the recruitment of a permanent General Manager and establishes selection panel Davidson has been appointed to assist the Council to recruit a permanent General Manager for Central Coast Council.

Lifeguards from Central Coast Council’s 15 beaches will take part in the annual Lifeguard Challenge on Wednesday 31 January.From 6.30pm, Council’s lifeguards will gather on Shelly Beach to demonstrate their talents, as well as sportsmanship and team camaraderie, during the friendly competition.Mayor Jane Smith said the historical event, now in its 36th year, showcases various abilities of the staff who patrol our beaches.“This long standing annual event that previously pitted lifeguards from the former Gosford and Wyong Council’s against each other, displays the competencies of our valuable lifeguards who are dedicated to keep our beaches safe.“It’s also a great opportunity to bring staff together in a social context and thank them for their efforts following the busy summer lifeguard period.“Originally held at Terrigal Beach in 1982, the fun and important Lifeguard Challenge will follow on from last year’s format whilst continuing the heritage of the event.

Central Coast Council is calling on local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and individuals with great ideas to improve the community to apply for funding as part of the 2017/18 Community Grants and Sponsorship Program.Having awarded more than $600,000 to projects in Round 1, there is still more than $700,000 available for allocation to community projects and initiatives across seven funding categories in Round 2 – which opens on 1 February.Council’s Unit Manager Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard, said each of the categories have been tailored to deliver the greatest benefit to the community.“This program is all about giving the community more opportunities to apply for funding to enable their great ideas, community projects, events, programs and initiatives,” Mr Cannard said.“We want to hear all ideas, no matter how big or small, for dynamic, responsive initiatives that support and grow local community development, sporting, environmental, tourism and economic development capacity.“In this round of funding, on top of our other funding options, we also have more than $250,000 to give away with the final instalment of the Stronger Communities Funding from the NSW State Government.“Before you put your application together, come along to one of our information sessions and find out more about the program and which category best suits your needs.”To help applicants get a better understanding of each category and how to apply to make their project happen, information sessions will be held on:Thursday 1 February 1.30-3.30pm – Gosford Smart Work HubThursday 1 February, 5.30-7.30pm – Central Coast Council, Wyong officeMayor Jane Smith said this is a chance to think outside the square to deliver unique projects or events to the Coast that really makes a difference.“There’s never been a better time to help improve the lifestyle on the Coast through targeted community project funding or projects made possible through the Stronger Communities Fund,” Mayor Smith said.“We recently awarded more than $600,000 in round one to over 70 Central Coast based groups, clubs and organisations through our community grants and sponsorship program.“Looking through the list of recipients, the sheer breadth of projects they cater for in our community very comprehensive.“I really encourage anyone that needs that extra financial assistance to make their idea happen to get their application in by the end of February.”To find out more on Council’s Community Grants and Sponsorship Program and the funding opportunities available, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/makeithappenFunding applications close 28 February 2018.

Central Coast Council have distributed 1,200 keep cups to local cafés to provide to their customers free of charge in an effort to reduce single use coffee cup litter.The initiative forms part of Council’s commitment to the Hey Tosser!

Excitement is building on the Central Coast for the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay this Saturday, 3 February.The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Commonwealth Games tradition that celebrates the Commonwealth’s diversity, inspires community pride and excites people about the world-class event of sports and culture to come.To celebrate the arrival of the Baton, Central Coast Council will be hosting a free Family Fun Day at Central Coast Stadium.The Stadium will be a hive of free activities and live entertainment, including headline acts The Ruiins and the Sea Gypsies, from 10am-2pm.The Relay will start at Laycock Theatre at 11am and make its way through Gosford towards the Stadium for a special ceremony, before leaving and making its way along the waterfront towards the historic Gosford Pool.Seventeen local heroes have been nominated to carry the baton as part of this historic occasion for the Central Coast.To keep them safe on the trip, road closures will be in place throughout the Gosford CBD.

Central Coast Council will shortly commence consultation with the community on a series of projects in and around the Terrigal commercial precinct.

Whether your child has just started ‘big school’ or doing their HSC, Central Coast Council Library Service has the resources to help students excel in 2018.Council Unit Manager Libraries, Ms Michelle Swan-Beardmore, is encouraging parents of young children to take advantage of the range of electronic educational resources available.“We have a suite of online programs available to introduce children to learning in an interactive and enjoyable way,” Ms Swan-Beardmore said.“With coding so prevalent these days we have introduced Rainforest Coding, where children as young as five are introduced to the programming language ‘Scratch’.“Those six to 10 years struggling with their maths will benefit from 10 Monkeys, our new learning tool where they will learn basic skills in a fun game like environment.“To assist with literacy development children can enter the vibrant and interactive online ‘reading room’ of Story Box Library.“Here children can connect, engage and be inspired by a diverse range of Australian storytellers, with access to activity ideas to help make reading fun.“All you need to access any of these great resources is your membership number!”Ms Swan-Beardmore added there was also an array of in house and online resources to assist older students.“Our most popular homework help tool for students in years 3-12 would have to be the amazing online resource Studiosity,” Ms Swan-Beardmore said.“With just a click of a button, students are connected to professional tutors who offer real-time assistance with homework, assignments, essays, study skills and more.“The best thing about it is students aren’t given the answer, but rather the tools to figure out the answer themselves, developing their problem solving skills and helping to reinforce what they have learnt.“Studiosity also provide a free writing feedback service where students can upload draft essays and reports to obtain expert advice to help maximise their marks.“To help users get the most out of this fantastic program, Erina Library will be hosting a live demonstration for parents, carers, teachers and students Thursday 22 February, 5.30 until 6.30pm.”Bookings are essential and can be made via centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraryeventsStudiosity guarantees a safe online learning environment for all students.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the Canberra Raiders at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium in April, just over 110 years to the day since the Rabbitohs first match played back in 1908.The Rabbitohs will take on the Raiders on Saturday 21 April at the family-friendly time of 3pm at the picturesque stadium on the NSW Central Coast.The Club will also celebrate South Sydney’s first match which took place just over 110 years prior, against North Sydney at Birchgrove Oval on Easter Monday April 20, 1908.Tickets for the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ return to Central Coast Stadium go on sale today from 2pm AEDST to Club Members with tickets to the general public going on sale tomorrow, Wednesday 7 February from 2pm AEDST, with a huge crowd expected in Gosford for the Rabbitohs’ clash with the Raiders.In previous seasons the Rabbitohs have regularly sold out home games at Central Coast Stadium and a big crowd is expected again for the first game of NRL football at the stadium in 2018.International stars such as Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, Dane Gagai, Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana are expected to play in this match, so it is one not to be missed in Rugby League heartland on the Central Coast.Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly says the Club is looking forward to bringing the Rabbitohs back to Gosford.“I’m originally from the Central Coast and I understand how much the community in and around the Central Coast region love Rugby League.“It’s this passion for the game from the local people that has me and the rest of our Club really excited about bringing the NRL back to Gosford in 2018,” Solly said.“Central Coast Stadium is one of the best stadiums in the State and we’re expecting to see a lot red and green support in the stands in April.“We have a strong Membership base in and around the Central Coast with about 10% of our Members coming from this region.“Central Coast Stadium is an important part of Rabbitohs history.

The Gallery Precinct 2259 Love Lanes Festival is returning to Wyong, following its huge success last year to transform the historic town into a hub of music, history and entertainment this Saturday 17 February.Central Coast Council is working with local businesses to activate three laneways and have visitors immerse themselves in an abundance of colour, sounds and smells, while enjoying all the free activities and entertainment the Festival has to offer.Guests and stallholders will celebrate the fantastic food and entertainment from around the region with beautifully designed stalls and dining under the stars precinct created to soak up free live music across multiple stages, roving entertainment, aerial circus precinct and art installations on local buildings.To accommodate the festival a number of road closures will be in place early on Saturday:Alison Road, Wyong (between Pacific Hwy and Hely St) from 6.00am – 11.30pmBakers Lane, Wyong (between Pacific Hwy & Rankins Court) from 11am – 11.30pmRobleys Lane, Wyong (between Pacific Hwy and Hely St) from 11am – 11.30pmPeters Lane Wyong from 11am – 11.30pmThe festivities themselves kick off at 4pm and go until 10pm.Follow the Gallery Precinct 2259 Love Lanes Festival Facebook page for more information or go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

  Building Pathways to the FutureCentral Coast Council has launched the ‘Our Coast, Our Pathways’ project, which will see the development of a Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) and Central Coast Bike Plan for the Central Coast.Together, the Plans will guide Council’s ongoing provision of an active transport network for footpaths, bike paths and shared paths across the Central Coast.Central Coast Council’s Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff, said that the Plans accord with Council’s vision of creating a vibrant and sustainable Central Coast and will deliver on previous consultation outcomes, which reinforced the importance of transport and movement around the Central Coast.“The feedback from the first phase of our engagement was loud and clear;