Central Coast Council has completed more than $308,000 worth of upgrades to a range of community infrastructure, thanks to $168,000 in contributions from the second round of the Department of Family and Community Services’ (FACS) Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF).Provided for projects that make physical improvements in social housing areas, including construction of new capital works, or refurbishment, upgrade and repairs of existing facilities and public spaces, the Fund has assisted the recent renewal of five local infrastructure upgrades.Council Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said the fund supports stronger and safer communities through improved amenity and enhanced community facilities.“The SHCIF has completely or partially funded a range of local infrastructure upgrades to the benefit of social housing tenants and the broader community,” said Mr Dowling.“Grants up to $50,000 have been utilised to improve community facilities including play spaces, skate parks and reserves through the installation of pathways, seating, shade shelters and playground improvements, making these facilities safer and more accommodating for all users.”Completed projects include:Woodward Avenue Reserve, Wyong – installation of new pathway and seating – 100% SHCIF fundingLake Haven Recreation Centre play space – installation of new play space and rubber softfall – 55% SHCIF fundingAvery Street play space, Killarney Vale –  installation of rubber softfall – 100% SHCIF fundingBerkeley Vale skate park Stage 2 – extension of existing skate park including a new shade shelter and seating – 30% SHCIF fundingOwen Avenue play space, Wyong –  timber edging replacement, installation of play equipment and seating –100% SHCIF fundingCouncil has been successful in securing further funding under Round Three of the SHCIF, with six successful projects set to receive upgrades in 2018.

Central Coast Council has started the countdown to ChromeFest – a three day event that is fast-becoming one of the biggest events on the tourism calendar for the region and nation-wide.In its 9th year, ChromeFest will see Memorial Park and the streets of The Entrance lined with hundreds of classic cars from 27-29 October and attracts over 50,000 people every year from all over Australia.With the Show ‘n’ Shine show in full swing on Sunday 29 October, a free shuttle bus service will be on offer as a number of road closures will be in place for the show.The buses will leave every hour from Darren Kennedy Oval, Evans Road Toukley and EDSACC Oval, Yakalla Street Bateau Bay, taking visitors straight to The Entrance for ChromeFest.The three day festival is more than just cars and engines, The Entrance also comes alive with market and retro stalls, rock ‘n’ roll bands, dance displays, vintage fashion parade, free live entertainment and activities as well as the Show and Shine presentation.Check out the full program online at chromefest.org

Central Coast Council has moved to assure ratepayers its investment portfolio is on track to deliver sound returns for the community.As at August 2017 43.84% of Council’s investment portfolio was held in the BBB credit rating Category compared to its own guideline of 40%.The financial institutions issuing fixed income investments and bonds are considered investment grade (IG) if its credit rating is BBB or higher by Standard and Poor (S&P).  Generally the financial institutions are assessed by the rating agency as having adequate capacity to meet financial commitments and repayment of the invested funds.There was a downgrading of some bank’s credit rating in May 2017 by S&P, which in turn has downgraded the rating of some of Council’s investments but Council has confirmed in a public report that this will be rebalanced favourably by the end of the month.  Council has reported the rebalancing of the investment portfolio in each of its monthly investment reports since the May 2017 report presented at the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 June 2017.Council intends to hold these term deposits until they mature and as such the value of these term deposits are not impacted by this rating change.Council Chief Financial Officer, Ms Vivienne Louie, said Council’s investment portfolio is in accordance with the Ministerial Order and will be within Council’s investment guidelines by October 2017.  Over 50% investments are held with AA financial institutions.“Council is not concerned the investment portfolio is currently predominantly in the BBB Category as we believe those financial institutions are safe to hold our investments,” Ms Louie said.“Our investment portfolio is structured on rolling maturity dates to ensure Council has sufficient funds to deliver the Operational Plan.“Our Operational Plan is our contract with our community and we must deliver.“At certain times of the year Council may have more cash than we require to meet our obligations so we invest the additional funds to obtain the best return for our community.“Staff always review the investment portfolio to ensure any new investments proposed are in accordance with the Ministerial Investment Order and Council’s Investment Policy.“We review credit ratings of financial institutions who are taking investments, review the interest rates offered for the maturity dates required and the amount of our investment portfolio already held with each financial institution.”Before entering into any investment transaction with a new institution there will be a diligent review of the creditworthiness of that institution.

Central Coast Council has recently won two NSW awards for its Estuary Education Programs and is now a finalist for Australian Environmental Educator of the Year.Council’s Environmental Education Officer, Nick Carson, received the Government Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Education in NSW and won the overall award for NSW Environmental Educator of the Year at the Australian Association of Environmental Education (AAEE) Awards.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said it’s great to see Council’s environmental education programs recognised as one of the best in the state.“Nick Carson is already well known on the Central Coast as a leader in environmental education and it is great to see his work being recognised at a state level,” Ms Vaughan said.“His passion comes across in his presentations when he’s educating about why our natural environment is so important.“Over the last six years, an evaluation of the estuary education programs shows an increase of more than 90 per cent in the community’s knowledge and the changes in their perceptions of the importance of the estuary and its management.“This recognition is well deserved and testament to the quality of the staff we have here at Council who are passionate about what they do in the area they live in.Nick, with support from colleagues in the Learning Community team and Waterways and Asset Management Section, designed and implemented a number of innovative and hands on projects to encourage positive behaviour change for the communities of the Tuggerah Lakes and lower Lake Macquarie catchments.These projects include running interactive tours, developing two Multi-Touch Books for young children about our wetlands and advertising through a comprehensive media campaign, like the animated film movie-goers may have seen in the cinemas, as well as creating partnerships with agencies such as Take 3, the Community Environment Network (CEN), Waterwatch and other government agencies.Mayor Jane Smith said she has worked with Nick on a number of projects in the past and is pleased Council’s environmental programs are getting such significant recognition.“I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Nick to receive these awards for educating our community on the importance of protecting our natural environment,” Mayor Smith said.“I was lucky enough to be a part of the development of the Wetland Multi Touch Books with Nick which are a great educational tool and a key reason why his work is being recognised beyond the Coast.“I want to personally congratulate him on these outstanding awards, it’s certainly well-deserved with all the great work he does in our community.”The Australian Environmental Educator of the Year Awards will be announced at the national conference in October 2018 on the Gold Coast.The Multi-Touch Books are now available to download for free on the iBookstore, just search for Central Coast Council.

Council to review future of Central Coast AirportCouncil will receive a briefing on a detailed Masterplan for the development of the Central Coast Airport, and will formally consider whether the Masterplan is publicly exhibited at its Ordinary Meeting on 27 November 2017.Only routine maintenance works will be undertaken at the Airport in the interim. Council further requested the Department of Planning be invited to provide a briefing to Councillors on options for the Airport.Councillors will also be provided with a briefing on the proposed strategic development of the Wyong Economic Zone prior to the November 27 meeting. The Council also requested the Chief Executive Officer make available to the public, including on Council's website, all information concerning the WEZ that can be made available.

The collaborative approach carried out by Central Coast Council to design and build Bato Yard was recognised at an international awards ceremony last week.Council received a Highly Commended Award for the ‘People Powered Skate Place’ in the Infrastructure category of the IAP2 Australasia (International Association for Public Participation) Showcase of Core Values Awards.

Central Coast Council’s expertise in planning has been recognised at the Local Government NSW Planning Awards announced yesterday.The Planning Awards recognise excellence in planning and development services delivered by individuals and councils.

After weeks of anticipation, the mysterious egg being cared for by Central Coast Council childcare centres and libraries hatched over the weekend revealing a platypus.

Central Coast Council has taken out one of the top honours at the 2017 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) Australasia Excellence Awards, held in Perth last night.Following on from its win in the 2016 NSW State Awards, the Wyong CBD Drainage Upgrade won Best Public Works Project ($2.0M – $5.0M), beating leading contenders from across Australia and New Zealand.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this award is a major achievement and recognises council’s exceptionally high standards of service delivery.“This prestigious award offers global recognition and acknowledges council’s outstanding work in delivering essential services to our community” said Mr Reynolds.“Being recognised for delivery of a premier public works project in Australasia is a testament to the ability of our staff to deliver world-class infrastructure at a local level.“This extensive upgrade has been a crucial element in supporting the transformation of the Wyong CBD into a thriving commercial centre, and sets a firm foundation for urban renewal for our region.”Council Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Noble, said this achievement is particularly exceptional, as the project was completed entirely by council staff.“This award realises the hard work, skills and commitment of council staff, particularly as all of the works, including planning, design and construction, were completed in-house,” said Mr Noble.“This is an exceptional achievement and showcases the depth of talent that exists within Central Coast Council.”The multi-million dollar project was split into five stages and saw drainage systems with three times the capacity of previous infrastructure installed throughout the Wyong Central Business District (CBD).

It’s a dog’s life for our furry, four-legged friends in the Budgewoi area, as Central Coast Council constructs a fenced Off-leash Dog Area at Buff Point Oval.Dogs across the Coast will ‘dig’ the new project, which will see a 50m x 50m fenced area constructed at the southern end of the oval – an already existing and popular off-leash location with many local dog owners.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the project had been in response to a number of community requests for a fenced area.“We have received a number of requests from residents for a fenced Off-leash Dog Area in Buff Point, which is already widely used by the surrounding community,” said Mr Reynolds.“After extensive community consultation, the feedback was overwhelmingly in favour of installing this new facility for the community.“The design will incorporate existing trees on the western side of the site to provide shade during the summer months and we’re investigating the installation of bench seating and a water connection nearby.”The soon-to-be constructed area at Buff Point will complement existing fenced locations at Tuggerah Oval and Sensory Park, Narara.Manager of Open Space and Recreation, Mr Brett Sherar, said the northern end of Buff Point Oval will still be zoned off-leash and be available for a wide range of community uses.“The new fenced Off-leash Dog Area will help to effectively separate users at this popular location, which is also used for pre-season training, children’s activities and Landcare initiatives,” said Mr Sherar.“Many of the requests we received for a fenced area came from elderly members of our community, meaning they can now safely take their dog off-leash – avoiding a trip to Tuggerah Oval.“The entirety of Buff Point Oval remains zoned as an off-leash area, with owners of larger dogs able to make use of the ample space available at the northern end.”For more information on the Off-leash Dog Area at Buff Point Oval, or any other off-leash locations around the Central Coast visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au