Gosford Regional Gallery is offering a rare glimpse into the lives of two of Australia’s most famous artists – Sir Russell Drysdale and Brett Whiteley - over summer.Central Coast residents will get an opportunity to see paintings by Russell Drysdale developed right here on the Coast, and paintings of Brett Whiteley’s never seen here before.Council Mayor, Jane Smith, described the two iconic exhibitions as a major event for the Central Coast.“We’re very honoured to host both exhibitions at the Gosford Regional Gallery,” said Mayor Smith.“They celebrate the talents and lives of the late Brett Whiteley and Sir Russell Drysdale.“These iconic artists had distinguished careers in Australia and internationally, and have each won many prizes and awards.
The Central Coast is set to showcase its unique culture and landscape on a world stage as Gosford plays host to the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay on Saturday 3 February.A Commonwealth Games tradition celebrating diversity and community spirit, this year’s Relay started on 13 March at Buckingham Palace in United Kingdom and will travel for 288 days and 230,000 kilometres before making its way to the opening ceremony of the Games on 4 April 2018 at the Gold Coast.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said 17 outstanding locals have been selected to proudly carry the baton when it comes to the Central Coast in February.“Council is honoured to host this event that gives our outstanding Coasties a chance to represent their community and get into the spirit of the Commonwealth Games,” Ms Vaughan said.“This is a huge international event and gives the Central Coast a chance to shine on the world stage.”The relay will start at 11.30am from Laycock Street Theatre, with baton bearers travelling down Mann Street through to the free ‘Family Fun Day’ event at Central Coast Stadium before completing the final leg along Gosford waterfront to the historic pool.Mayor Jane Smith said the event is a remarkable opportunity to showcase the wonderful natural assets the Central Coast has to offer along with our world-class sporting facility at Central Coast Stadium.“This is the first time the Central Coast has been a part of this international event and it is a real honour to be chosen,” Mayor Smith said.“I encourage our community to get behind this event and come along with friends and family to show their support.”Coinciding with the Baton entering Central Coast Stadium, a formal ceremony will take place to welcome the baton as part of the Family Fun day that includes free live music and interactive activities for all ages.Find out more about the Queen’s Baton Relay, including local batonbearers and the free Family Fun day event, by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/QBR2018
With summer upon us, Central Coast residents and visitors are reminded of the importance of beach safety and swimming between the flags.As holidaymakers flock to the region, Central Coast Council is encouraging beachgoers to be safe and take care, by following these simple safety tips:Only swim at a patrolled beachesOnly swim between the red and yellow flagsRemember - if the lifeguards can’t see you, they can’t save youIf you get into difficulty, remain calm, float, and raise your arm to signal for help.Never swim if you’re feeling unwell or have been drinking alcoholMayor Jane Smith said it was important for beachgoers to swim between the flags and to understand the two main types of flags used on our beaches.“With an anticipated 1.3 million visitors using our patrolled beach locations throughout the busy Christmas holiday period, it’s necessary that people are advised about the importance of beach safety,” said Mayor Smith.“The red and yellow flags indicate supervised areas patrolled by Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving members that are safe for swimming.“To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, surfers and board riders are asked to remain outside of the black and white flags that are located next to the red and yellow flags.“These black and white flags are used to ensure board riders don’t impact safe swimming areas and will now be used consistently at all beach locations by Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving.”Council lifeguards patrol 15 locations from Monday to Friday, while Surf Life Saving members patrol on weekends and public holidays.“We also have a lot of visitors to the coast who may not be aware of our patrol locations and times, so we have to work together to spread the word,” explained Mayor Smith.“Having streamlined hours to align with Surf Life Saving across all 15 locations makes this easier and safer for all.”Beach patrol hours during non-peak holiday times (23 September 2017 until 15 December 2017 and 1 February 2017 until 30 April 2018) are 9am to 5pm.During the summer peak holiday period, between 16 December 2017 and 28 January 2018, all locations will operate from 9am to 6pm with Terrigal, Avoca and Umina beaches operating from 8am until 6pm.There will be additional patrols at Budgewoi Beach and Ficus Avenue (Avoca Beach Lifeguard Tower) during the holiday periods, and Entrance Ocean Baths will be patrolled from Monday until Sunday.All locations will align with the peak and non-peak patrol hours.“As we head into the busy patrol season, I’d like to remind beach goers about the vital work Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving members do to keep us safe,” said Mayor Smith.“In addition to providing vital search and rescue services, and emergency medical care when required, they also play an important role in educating the public in beach and water safety.“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the fantastic work they do each and every day.”
Sightings of the American corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus), on the Central Coast are on the rise.Classified as a serious invasive species, these snakes have the potential to cause serious damage to the Central Coast’s natural environment and native species.Central Coast Council Director, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling is calling on the community to be vigilant and report any sightings of the snake.“We are seeing more corn snakes as the weather warms up, with four being spotted on the Coast so far.
An Extraordinary Meeting of Council is being held this Thursday 7 December to present the Draft Financial Reports for the period from the date of amalgamation to 30 June 2017.The draft Financial Reports are available on Council’s website and comply with the Local Government Act 1993, Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016, the Office of Local Government prescribed Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting and relevant accounting standards. The draft Financial Reports can be found under Council meeting at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.The draft Financial Reports for the 13.5 month statutory reporting period reflect a total income from Continuing Operations of $723.7 million, including $90.3 million of capital grants and contributions, operating expenses of $568.0 million and a net operating surplus of $65.4 million before grants and contributions provided for capital purposes and gain on local government amalgamation. Council received a total of $11 million in one off operational grants being $10 million as part of the New Council Implementation Fund and $1 million from the Stronger Communities Fund for a community grant program. Council also received in June 2017 $12.5 million in Financial Assistance Grants for the 2017-18 financial year. Accounting standards require Council to recognise this income in the year received. Council’s operating surplus before grants and contributions provided for capital purposes, gain on local government amalgamation and additional income received in the 2016-17 statutory reporting period is $41.9 million.The $6.7 billion gain on local government amalgamation reflects the net value of assets and liabilities transferred from the former Councils to Central Coast Council at the date of amalgamation.
Central Coast Council has installed water tanks in strategic rural locations across the region to help better serve the community during the fire season.Council Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling said that the installation of the water tanks would reduce turnaround times for fire trucks during an emergency.“Council is working closely with the Rural Fire Service to identify high risk locations without access to the town water supply, so that we can help better serve these communities during an emergency,” said Mr Dowling.“Residents in Dooralong and Holgate can now be confident that the local Rural Fire Brigades have better access to water for firefighting purposes with two 35,000 litre tanks in operation in both of these communities.“We often take for granted access to water during emergencies, however for the fire fighters in these communities it can take more than 30 minutes to leave a fire, refill and return before continuing the fight.“These tanks provide enough water for 23 firefighting tanker loads of water and will reduce the turnaround time significantly.”Council will also be commissioning water tanks at Mount Elliot and the northern end of Holgate before the end of the season.
Central Coast Council’s $15 million upgrade to the Wyong South Sewage Treatment Plant is complete.Council’s Director, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said the upgrades to this essential service would benefit residents now and into the future.“Wyong South Treatment Plant receives the equivalent of around four and a half Olympic size swimming pools of sewage every day, and this will increase as our community grows,” said Mr Dowling.“Undertaking this upgrade ensures the treatment plant will be able to handle this growth without compromising the quality of water returned to the environment.“The plant uses organic materials to remove the majority of odours from the inlet works in a newly constructed hybrid bio trickling filter system.
The financial reports for Central Coast Council from amalgamation until 30 June 2017 have been referred to external audit following tonight’s Extraordinary Central Coast Council meeting.Council’s total income for the 13.5 month statutory reporting period is $723.7 million, including $90.3 million of capital grants and contributions and operating expenses of $568.0 million.
With the summer holiday season upon us, Central Coast Council is reminding residents to dispose of their litter in bins provided and make sure they only camp in designated camping areas.Council Manager, Environment and Certification, Mr Jamie Loader, said that whilst Christmas is a time of good cheer, the incidences of dumped rubbish and illegal camping increase during this time, and we want everyone to avoid the fines that apply to those who don’t do the right thing.“The festive season means more parties, more family get-togethers, more food than you’d usually eat … and, sadly, more waste dumped than at any other time of the year,” said Mr Loader.“If you are getting together with your family and friends at one of the Coast’s great locations, like our parks, reserves, beaches, or rock platforms, make sure you clean up after you leave and if bins are full or unavailable, take your rubbish with you.“Council is also reminding the camping community to make sure they only set up camp in areas designated for overnight camping.“Illegal camping can be disruptive to the use of public spaces by the community and in some cases, potentially dangerous.“Specific camping areas are set up with amenities, provision of bins for rubbish and lighting – that way campers are safe and the community retain full access to public space throughout the holiday period.”Council rangers will be out in force this holiday period targeting littering and illegal camping hotspots including Picnic Point at The Entrance, Karagi Reserve at North Entrance, Jenny Dixon Reserve at Norah Head, Avoca Rock Platform and Gosford and Woy Woy Waterfronts.