From February 1, Council will partner with Cleanaway Pty Ltd to deliver essential waste services across the Central Coast.For most residents, there will be no impact or disruption to the current service.We will continue to offer general waste, recycling and green waste collection services as well as six free kerbside bulk waste collection services per year.What does this mean for you?For most residences, there will be little or no disruption to your current service.However, streamlining our routing across the former Central Coast local government areas will mean a change to the bin collection day for some residences.Letter notifications are being sent to all affected residences whose bin collection day will change.

With only six weeks to go, the countdown is on for the Queen’s Baton Relay and Central Coast Council would like to acknowledge the community representing the Coast on the world stage.The Queen’s Baton Relay recognises the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life, from youngsters to some of Australia’s most accomplished legends, such as the Coast’s local hero and Central Coast Citizen of the Year, Lester Pearson.Lester will be joined by 16 other batonbearers nominated by their peers, including:Rae Anderson, WamberalMargaret Beardslee, Killarney ValeMary Betts, JindaleeBenjamin Brown, Bateau BayGraeme Carroll, Woy WoyAngela Deacon, DavistownChristopher Dodd, SpringfieldDimity Douglas, LisarowSara Evans, Hamlyn TerraceStuart Hayward, AlisonMaria McConville, Green PointJamie Pittman, ShortlandKallan Strong, WadalbaPeter Thomson, ErinaTeigan Van Roosmalen, Bateau BayPhil Walker, Blue BayThe Baton will start its journey in Australia on 25 December, 100 days before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.The Baton will make its way to the Central Coast on Saturday 3 February 2018 when it runs through Gosford town centre, starting at Laycock Street Theatre and visiting Central Coast Stadium and the picturesque waterfront along the way.To celebrate its arrival, and commemorate this momentous occasion, Central Coast Council will host a free family fun day at the stadium with activities and entertainment for everyone.Find out more about this historic event for the Central Coast by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/QBR2018

Central Coast Council’s motion calling on the NSW Department of Planning to create a new zone to protect conservation lands has been unanimously endorsed at the 2017 Local Government Conference.

Central Coast Council has adopted the Norah Head Village Centre Masterplan which will guide public domain improvement works in the Village Centre as one of the key actions of the Toukley Planning Strategy.

From specialist adult learn to swim classes to a Central Coast Festival of women, a program to promote job creation and Aboriginal cultural training as well as a kid’s try-athlon, an Ecoline ‘Bush Tucker Trail’ to the Central Coast’s Academy of Sport’s Annual Program, the latest recipients of Council’s grants and sponsorship program cover a diverse range of projects and groups on the Central Coast.

Council moves towards progressive asbestos removal policy Council is looking to model progressive asbestos removal by unanimously calling for a report following consultation with a number of stakeholders including Cumberland and Parramatta Councils.Cumberland Council has recently offered free household inspections and free collection or disposal of small amounts of asbestos from residences during Asbestos Awareness Month.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was keen to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos in the community and the best way to dispose of it that protects people and the environment.“Council staff are to be congratulated for the work they have done to promote the importance of safe disposal of asbestos during Asbestos Awareness Month, and indeed throughout the year,” Mayor Smith said.“Council has called on the Chief Executive Officer to provide a report on what other Councils are doing in this key area so we can model best practice and a progressive approach to this key issue.“Any policy that is developed by Council will be subject to community consultation and we welcome their involvement in the process.”Council rejects proposed rescission of resolutions on the Central Coast AirportA motion moved by Councillors Best, Pilon and McLachlan to rescind the Council’s 27 November 2017 was lost, with 8 of the 15 councillors voting against the proposed rescission.Mayor Jane Smith said it was time for the Council to move on and look at other options to create employment for the Central Coast.“The Airport is not a priority project in the Central Coast Regional Plan,” Mayor Smith said.“It is time to move on and create job opportunities across the Coast – particularly in the Wyong Economic Zone.”The Council’s resolutions of 27 November 2017 also called for a report on the biodiversity of the Porters Creek wetlands and other employment generating options to be reported back to the 26 February 2018 meeting.Advisory Committees established for community input to drive the Central Coast forward Council has resolved to establish six new Advisory Committees of key stakeholders to give the community input into the decision-making processes of Council.Two Catchment and Coast Committees will be established – one for Brisbane Water and one for Tuggerah Lakes to assist Council in the development and implementation of Coastal Management Plans.Other committees include a Coastal Open Space (COSS) Committee, an Employment and Economic development committee, a Gosford CBD and Waterfront Committee as well as a Heritage Advisory Committee.Mayor Jane Smith said a more formal Committee structure will give active and interested community members a chance to be involved in driving the strategic direction and decision-making of Council on matters directly affecting them.“We are a large Council area, representing over 330,000 residents and we need to ensure we are representing the community’s interests in the best way we can,” Mayor Jane Smith said.“The Committee structure will give those with a real passion, interest and expertise in a key economic, environmental or development area a chance to have input into the decision-making table.”The establishment of other Committees will be considered at a Strategic Planning Workshop of Councillors in February.  A full report including the terms of reference and make-up of the Committees will return to Council for consideration.Recruitment of a permanent General Manager underwayThe search for a new permanent General Manager is underway with Council resolving to call for Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified agencies to undertake the recruitment.The current interim Chief Executive Officer, Brian Bell, was appointed by the former Administrator on a temporary contract which must expire on or before 13 September 2018.

Central Coast Council is reminding motorists to be safe on the roads as the summer holidays kick off.

In relation to the incident concerning fireworks at Terrigal on New Year’s Eve, Council is of the strong view that public safety is paramount.The fireworks were stored and discharged from a barge on the open waterway.The NSW Government agencies Roads and Maritime Services and Safe Work NSW are the responsible bodies for the issuing of the necessary permit regulating the control and safety of fireworks on the open water.The organiser of the event submitted an application to Council which sought permission for the congregation of people on the Terrigal foreshore.

Council advises water quality in The Entrance Channel may have been affected following a sewer overflow on the northern side of the channel, today Tuesday 2 January.Council has contained the overflow and erected warning signs at the Karagi Park location (Hutton Road, The Entrance North, east of Dunleith Tourist Park).

Central Coast Council has recently engaged with a new e-waste contractor, Toxfree, to maximise e-waste recycling and reduce the amount of electronics ending up in landfill.Thanks to state of the art European technology applied by Toxfree more e-waste items are now being accepted with more components being recycled.Council Mayor Jane Smith said this was an excellent initiative and is encouraging residents to take advantage of this free service.“E-waste can pose major problems when not disposed of correctly, with toxic chemicals such as mercury and lead causing possible pollution and contamination,” Mayor Smith said.“Through this new engagement, residents can now drop off up to 15 household e-waste items at our Waste Management Facilities at Jilliby, Kincumber or Woy Woy.“Previously we were required to pay for e-waste items to be recycled, but now Council is being paid with funds able to be redirected towards community assets and services.“With Toxfree more of the items parts are also being recycled including circuit boards, plastic and metals, reducing the impact on our landfills.“It has never been easier for our community to ensure waste is disposed of responsibly.”Toxfree utilise the BluBox process – a Swiss designed processing technology packed in a 40ft container – to break down modern e-waste items such as flat panel displays, smart phones, laptops and most e-waste items found in households.The process uses an innovative system to break down and separate parts including the extraction of mercury from LCD backlighting tubes.“This new system has come on at the perfect time following Christmas,” Mayor Smith added.“I would like to remind residents if they did receive any new electronics for Christams to dispose of unused electronic items responsibly by taking advantage of this free service.”Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ewaste for a list of accepted e-waste materials.