Central Coast Council Libraries are assisting students get through the gruelling last weeks of 2017 exams and assessments with the fantastic homework help service, Studiosity.Previously known as YourTutor, the free online service has a new name and look, but is still providing the same high-quality online support for students.Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said thanks to Studiosity students are able to obtain quick and beneficial feedback to maximise their results and keep anxiety at bay.“Students can gain study tips to use their time efficiently and effectively as well as ask questions they may not feel comfortable directing to teachers, parents or friends,” Ms Vaughan said.“The moment students need help with a homework question, essay or study tips there is a real-life, expert local tutor just a click away.“What makes Studiosity unique is it employs a strict ‘no answers’ policy using online chat tools and interactive whiteboards to provide guidance so students gain the skills necessary to solve similar problems in the future.“Essay and report writing feedback is also available, allowing students to upload files and receive professional advice within 24 hours – perfect for end-of-year essays and written exam practice.”Studiosity is available for students in years 3-12 from 3pm to late, Sunday to Friday and employs a mix of teachers, university academics and other professional experts.Students can obtain assistance with all core curriculum subjects and for any subjects not listed, students simply select ‘Research’ or ‘Writing feedback’ to ask their question.Council Mayor Jane Smith said as a teacher herself she understands the importance of accessible study help for all students.

This weekend a number of road closures will be in place so Council can safely deliver community events as part of The Lakes Festival.Saturday 18 November - TriWyong, Budgewoi6.45am-3.30pmWeemala Street - Closed between Bato Street and Ocean Street Limited resident accessLake Street - Closed between Bato Street and Ocean Street Limited resident accessElizabeth Bay Street - Closed between Mimosa Road and Leslie AvenueBato Street - Closed between Mimosa Road and Weemala StreetElizabeth Bay Drive - A detour via Pacific Highway will be in place for the Elizabeth Bay Drive road closureSunday 19 November - Long Jetty Street Festival, Long Jetty10am-10pmThompson Street - Closed from Central Coast Highway to Tuggerah ParadeTuggerah Parade - Closed from Pacific Street to Toowoon Bay RoadToowoon Bay Road - Closed from Central Coast Highway to Tuggerah ParadeResidents and visitors to the Coast may also experience an increase of traffic in these areas as well as The Entrance and Norah Head while the final weekend of events for The Lakes Festival comes to an end.Keep up to date with The Lakes Festival and follow us on facebook. 

Central Coast Council is calling for community groups and interested parties to register their interest in the long-term hire of Kariong Community Hall, located on the corner of Woy Woy Road and Dandaloo Street Kariong.Council is completing renovation works, and will manage all bookings for Kariong Community Hall, which will reopen in December this year.   Council Director of Assets, Infrastructure and Business said there would be a great deal of community interest in the Hall’s reopening and Council was looking forward to seeing the Hall active and open once again.

Central Coast residents and visitors are set to spend less time stuck in traffic with an Australian Government technology grant for 450 ‘smart parking’ sensors.

A small section of Showground Road, Gosford, will be reduced to single-lane traffic from 8:30pm tonight while Council undertakes essential repairs to a water main.The northbound lane of Showground Road adjacent to Gosford High School, at the intersection with Racecourse Road, will be closed from the roundabout.Traffic controllers will be on site and traffic diversions will be in place.Council urges motorists to take an alternate route to avoid traffic congestion expected at this intersection.The road is expected to reopen by 6pm Saturday 18 November 2017.Council apologises for any inconvenience.

Central Coast Council has set up fencing around a nesting site at The Entrance North for rare sea birds that have returned to the area.The endangered birds, Little Terns, have migrated from eastern Asia and are now calling the Karagi Reserve home.Council Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, is calling on the community to help Council protect the habitat while the birds raise their young.“It’s important to protect the shore while the Little Terns are breeding so they can increase their population,” Mr Dowling said.“The adult birds are known to abandon their chicks if they’re disturbed by people which leaves the babies vulnerable to predators such as dogs, cats and foxes.“Council is acting to protect the birds and is calling on the community’s help as the eggs are so small it’s easy to accidentally step on them or be eaten by other animals.”Council has set up temporary fencing and signs around the nesting site at Karagi Reserve to keep out pedestrian traffic and potential predators.Council Mayor, Jane Smith, said Council is committed to integrating the natural and urban environments to ensure wildlife can continue to call the Central Coast home.“It’s great to hear these birds are back on the Coast and using our shore to raise their young – it is a positive sign that the work Council is doing around our waterways is really beginning to pay off.

Central Coast Council is supporting a 16 day global campaign to help raise awareness on domestic violence and stop violence against women.White Ribbon Day encourages the community to stand up and speak out against violence and the impact it has on the community.Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said Council is supporting the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee who is leading the region in speaking out against this issue.“Violence against women is a significant issue on the Central Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“It is a myth that domestic violence only occurs in marginalised communities;

Councillor Jane Smith has been elected as the first Mayor of Central Coast Council, with Councillor Chris Holstein as the Deputy Mayor.Mayor Smith, has lived on the Coast for over 28 years, and is a first time Councillor, elected from the Gosford East ward.Councillor Chris Holstein, former Gosford City Councillor and State Member for Gosford was elected Deputy Mayor.Mayor Smith said it was an honour to be elected as the first Mayor and she is looking forward to the council working together with the whole of the community and in the best interests of the Central Coast.“We will listen to the community and together we will deliver better roads, footpaths, drainage, recreational facilities and protect our waterways – this is our contract with the community,” Mayor Smith said.“The services and infrastructure Council deliver is an essential part of maintaining our fantastic way of life here on the Coast,” Mayor Smith said.“We need to find the right balance between delivering the infrastructure our growing community needs as well as protecting our quality of life and our local communities - I believe we are up for that challenge.

Nominations for the annual Central Coast Council 2018 Australia Day Awards are now open.The awards are open to anyone from across the Central Coast and spans seven categories designed to recognise locals who have shown outstanding dedication to their community, workplace, arts, culture or sport.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, is encouraging the community to get involved.“We all know someone who is at the local sports ground rain, hail or shine, or a leading local business entrepreneur, or volunteers in their local area;

Central Coast Council is advising against swimming at five Lakes’ beaches after testing has found elevated levels of bacteria in the water.Council discover the bacteria in Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Canton Beach, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park, following routine testing this week.Signs have been erected at each location, warning against swimming until further testing can be completed.The unusually long dry spell and increased bird activity particularly in the shallows at the moment, coupled with the fact that there has also been little wind in these areas, which would normally whip up wave movement and water churn, has resulted in a higher concentration.Given the Coast is not expecting to see any significant rain in the short term, residents and visitors alike need to be mindful of where they can swim.All coastal beaches have been tested and have been declared fine for swimming.Residents and visitors are advised to swim between the flags at one of the patrolled beaches.