Central Coast Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of $250,000 from the Public Reserves Management Fund Program to assist with works at Terrigal Rock Pool.Council Group Leader, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling said the works will deliver a secure, long lasting rock pool for the community.“Council has long recognised the need for investment in Terrigal Rock Pool and we are very pleased that we can now undertake this renovation as a result of NSW State Government funding,” he said.“Terrigal Rock Pool is a very popular area for locals and tourists alike.
Central Coast Council has set a solid foundation for the new Council to build on according to a report presented by the Administrator to the final Council meeting before the Local Government elections on September 9.The report details the good governance arrangements in place across Council, the fully funded record capital works program rolling out across the Coast and the enhanced service delivery and community infrastructure delivered by staff as key highlights of the Administration period of the new Central Coast Council.Administrator Ian Reynolds said the achievements were a credit to the over 2000 staff who have delivered high quality services to the community while the organisation was undergoing major internal transformation.“The priority of this Administration period has been to build a solid foundation for the newly elected Council in September 2017 and I believe that has been achieved,” Mr Reynolds said.“Both former Councils did almost everything differently and there are currently over 150 internal projects underway to bring processes and systems together.“New legislative and governance requirements are now in place so we can operate as a single Council, we have implemented a new brand, vision and values and aligned customer service processes so that residents and businesses can deal with Council more efficiently.“The community can have confidence that Council’s finances are sound and strong.“As a unified Council we have hugely increased buying power which is already paying off with a record $208 million capital works program rolling out across the Coast.”Progress has been made on key projects during the Administration period including a successful first year of operation of The Art House at Wyong and the award-winning regional skate place at Bato Yard.
Magpie breeding season is here and Central Coast Council is reminding the community to report any hot spots and take precautions around places where magpies nest.Native birds, such as Australian magpies, are highly protective of their eggs, nest and young and will often swoop at unsuspecting passers-by if they feel threatened.Council’s Manager Open Space and Recreation, Mr Brett Sherar, said magpies are usually friendly but become very protective and even aggressive during the breeding season which runs from now until the end of September.“It is during this time that fast moving objects such as people and bikes and anyone really who moves directly towards their nests are perceived as threats and are likely to be swooped,” Mr Sherar said.“Dog walkers and prams are also a common target.“Swooping may seem frightening to us, however we need to appreciate it is a natural instinct for a magpie to protect their territory and offspring.“Other native birds that are also common culprits on the Coast include plover, butcher birds and kookaburras, but even invasive species like Indian Mynas can attack at this time of the year.“Don’t try to scare off the bird. Wildlife is protected and there are serious penalties for taking, harassing or injuring native wildlife. Taking this action can sometimes lead to a more serious and sustained attack as well.“Our advice is to try to avoid nesting areas where possible, even taking a detour from your normal path. Most magpies only swoop within about 50 metres of their nest.”Tips for surviving the magpie swooping season include:Avoid the swoop area, try walking or riding in a different directionCyclists should wear a helmet. It is better to dismount and walk your bike past a swoop areaTravel in a group. Most birds only swoop individualsDo not panic and run. It will only encourage a swooping bird to continue its attackWear a hat in an area where there are sweeping concernsHolding a stick or umbrella over your head will often cause the bird to keep its distance.“If you know of areas near you with a lot of swooping activity, please contact us so we post warning signs for other passing by,” Mr Sherar added.Council will be erecting warning signs of known swooping areas on public land. If residents have a particular concern about a swooping bird they should contact Council on 4350 5555 or 4325 8222.
Central Coast Council is encouraging classic car owners to register their pride and joy for this year’s annual ChromeFest.In its 9th year, ChromeFest will see Memorial Park and the streets of The Entrance lined with hundreds of old classic cars from 27-29 October.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said ChromeFest is fast-becoming one of the biggest events on the Coast’s and national tourism calendars.“ChromeFest attracts over 50,000 people every year from all over the state, and even has interest from inter-state as well,” Mr Reynolds said.“Memorial Park at The Entrance is the perfect venue for this event and continues to prove to be a great hub to host free events such as this one for the community and visitors alike.
Central Coast Council representatives will today attend the funeral of former Councillor Bob Ward to pay tribute to his commitment to Council and the community.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said he found Bob Ward’s local knowledge and passion for the Central Coast invaluable when the new Council was formed and he had left a lasting legacy to be proud of.“Bob was well liked and respected for the work he did in the community. He was a real gentleman,” Mr Reynolds said.“He was keen to serve on the Local Representation Committee and his advice and commitment served the new Central Coast Council well.“As well as his role on the Local Representative Committee, Bob served as one of Council’s representatives on the Joint Regional Planning Panel where he brought his dedicated local experience to bear on important development proposals.“I would like to thank him for his dedication and service to the Coast community in a number of roles over a number of years.“Bob has left a long and lasting legacy as a passionate advocate for the Central Coast community and will be missed.”“On behalf of Central Coast Council, I extend our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and friends at this time.”Bob Ward was elected to Gosford City Council in September 2012 and was Deputy Mayor for 2 years.
Central Coast Council is one of 46 councils across NSW going to the polls, this Saturday 9 September, to decide who will represent their communities for the next three years.On Saturday, almost 100 polling booths will be open across the Coast from 8am til 6pm.
• Construction complete on amenities building at Umina Beach’s McEvoy Oval• New modern facilities will support local sporting and community events• The Federal Coalition Government invested $304,000 into this jointly funded projectBrand new facilities at McEvoy Oval, in Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast were unveiled today after the completion of an $800,430 upgrade funded by Federal and NSW Coalition Governments and local sporting organisations.Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the new building was an investment in grassroots sport for the region.“These great new facilities will benefit both local sports and the greater community, promoting the growth of Umina Beach and the surrounding areas,” Minister Nash said.“I aim to build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to, and access to great sporting facilities does just that.”Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks, a long-term supporter of the project, joined the community for the opening and said the new building included a clubroom, canteen, storage rooms, and male and female amenities.“I’ve been hearing from many local families and organisations on the Peninsula about how the previous amenities building was run-down and unsafe – so it’s great to be able to open this new facility for Umina Beach,” Mrs Wicks said.“Not only is McEvoy Oval home to over 1,500 sporting participants per year, it’s also used by local schools for carnivals and gala days.
Time is running out to make that next big idea happen with Central Coast Council’s 2017-18 Community Grants and Sponsorship Program.With more than $1.4 million available to help support and grow community run local events, initiatives and projects, interested applicants are encouraged to get their applications in by the end of the week.There are six new categories for applicants to choose from, with Round One applications for most of the Program closing this week, Friday 15 September.These include:Community Partnership GrantsCommunity Development GrantsPlace Activation GrantsAwarding Sponsorship Program.Applications open all year round include:Community Support GrantsHeritage GrantsThere is also up to $30,000 available for applicants to the Chain Valley Colliery Community Funding Program to improve community infrastructure and services in the suburbs of Chain Valley Bay, Summerland Point, Gwandalan or Mannering Park.
Central Coast Council is urging pedestrians and motorists to take extra care around Terrigal Haven as works get underway to install 5 new CCTV cameras.Works include Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) from the bottom to the top of Terrigal Skillion to accommodate the installation of a new camera tower at this location.Access to the top of the Skillion will be closed from Monday 11 September to Wednesday 13 September while the underground boring is being carried out.Some parking spaces along Loop Road around The Haven, adjacent to the Rugby Oval and Skillion, will be impacted by these works.