Winners of the prestigious Gosford Art Prize and Gosford Ceramic Prize have been announced, with ten talented artists from around Australia recognised.Now in its 18th year, a total of 519 entries were received from all over Australia, with 66 percent of entries from the Central Coast.The winners were selected from 161 finalists, with artworks to be displayed in the 2017 Gosford Art Prize and Gosford Ceramics Prize exhibition held at Gosford Regional Gallery until 26 November 2017.Central Coast Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Julie Vaughan, has applauded all artists selected.“Congratulations to all the winners, as well as the finalists featuring in the exhibition.

Central Coast Council is opening the doors to three of their leisure and recreation centres, at an open day this Saturday 30 September.Visitors to Lake Haven Recreation Centre will receive free gym entry to try select classes such as Ab Blast, Body Balance, Smash Fitness and Boot Camp.

Council and Australia China Theme Park Pty Ltd (“ACTP”) were parties to two contracts for the sale of two lots of land in Warnervale to ACTP.On 19 July 2017 Council terminated those contracts, and pursuant to provisions in those contracts, retained the deposits paid to Council by ACTP under those contracts.Any other potential sale or uses of the land will be a decision of the future elected Council.

The former Wyong Shire Council and Australia China Theme Park Pty Ltd (ACTP) entered into two contracts for the sale of two lots of land in Warnervale to ACTP in February 2016.Central Coast Council acquired the rights and obligations of the former Wyong Shire Council under those two contracts as a consequence of the 12 May 2016 proclamation that merged the former Wyong Shire and Gosford City Councils.The terms of those two contracts remain confidential.

The Central Coast’s Surf Life Saving Clubs will receive $201,000 annually as part of a three year sponsorship funding agreement with Central Coast Council to help continue their vital beach safety work.Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and Central Coast Council are embarking on a newly developed funding program which will allow for the development and growth of Surf Life Saving on the Central Coast and continue to support the 15 surf clubs based in the region.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the surf clubs provide a vital service to the community and this support from Council would allow them to continue beach safety patrols and educational programs to the Coasts many residents and visitors.“There is no doubt that Surf Life Saving Central Coast volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our community,” Mr Reynolds said.“Last summer season, our volunteer lifesavers saved over 1,160 lives;

Destination Management Plan will put the Central Coast on the mapThe Central Coast will become the natural choice for leisure, business and major events in Regional NSW in a new plan developed by Central Coast Council.Council at its meeting tonight adopted the draft Central Coast Destination Management Plan for public exhibition.

Central Coast Council has adopted a new community grants and sponsorship funding program for the Coast, giving the community more opportunities to apply for funding to support their community projects, events, programs and initiatives.Council has aligned its former Gosford and Wyong sponsorship and community grants policies to create programs that will enable Council to better support and build capacity in the Central Coast community.Council Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the amalgamation of the two Councils provided a unique opportunity to transform the former programs into a regional suite of community grant funding and sponsorship opportunities to meet the needs of the entire community.“Following an extensive review of the former programs, we now have a community grant and sponsorship program with a clear direction and framework to meet the community’s changing demands,” Ms Vaughan said.“We want to hear all ideas no matter how big or small, as we want to see programs that are dynamic, responsive and targeted to support and grow local community development, sporting, environmental, tourism and economic development initiatives.“We have created five new categories for our community grants, and some of the previous programs have been absorbed into the new ones making it easier to apply.“It may seem like there are big changes and that’s why we are holding a number of information sessions across the Coast to help groups better understand each category and how to apply to make a project happen.”There’s more than $1.4 million in funding available this financial year across the community grants and sponsorship program, including:Community Partnership GrantsCommunity Development GrantsPlace Activation GrantsCommunity Support GrantsHeritage GrantsAwarding Sponsorship Program.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the Central Coast is the only Council in the state that is also its own region, so the new program is a great opportunity to get that big idea off the ground.“With more than $1.4 million up for grabs, as well as the Stronger Communities Fund from the State Government, there’s never been a better time to help improve the lifestyle on the Coast and put it on the map,” Mr Reynolds said.“This is a chance to think outside the square to deliver unique, big picture project or events to the Coast that really make a difference.“Together we can make the Central Coast the very best place it can be.”Council information sessions on the new community grants and sponsorship funding program will be held on:Tuesday 8 August, 5.30-7.30pm - Central Coast Council Office, WyongThursday 10 August, 1.30-3.30pm - Gosford Smart Work HubThursday 17 August, 1.30-3.30pm - Central Coast Council Office, WyongThursday 17 August, 5.30-7.30pm - Erina CentreThursday 24 August, 1.30-3.30pm - Woy Woy LibraryFriday 1 September, 1-3pm - The Entrance Community CentreFriday 8 September, 1-3pm - Kincumber LibraryFriday 15 September, 1-3pm – Blue Haven Community CentreTo find out more, please visit our Community Grants and Sponsorship Programs page.

Central Coast Council has fined the driver and company responsible for the dumping of 70 tonnes of illegal waste on Sparks Road, Warnervale.The incident, investigated on behalf of Council by the Hunter/Central Coast Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad resulted in fines and recovery of clean-up costs of $36,000 for the illegally dumped building and demolition waste that originated from a Sydney skip bin company.Council Group Leader, Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox said this was a great outcome for Council and the community and re-enforced the important role of the RID Squad in identifying and investigating instances of illegal dumping."Illegal dumping is a crime and Council is proactively seeking out illegal dumpers and taking the appropriate action to fine or prosecute them where required,” Mr Cox said.“In this instance, the outcome is a result of community reporting combined with over six months of intensive investigation involving interviews and evidence gathering to identify the key perpetrators.“Council was able to identify and fine an interstate waste disposal company and the driver involved issuing $12,000 in fines and recovering $24,000 in clean-up costs.

The NSW Electoral Commission has announced that nominations for candidates seeking to be elected to the Central Coast Council are now open.

Central Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on Monday 7 August to determine a number of matters including approving further fees and charges for this Financial year and the determination of a tender for waste management services from 1 February 2018.The meeting will be held at 5pm at the Wyong Chambers in Hely Street.Council’s current waste contract finishes in January 2018 and a new tender must be awarded to ensure this essential service to the community can continue.Other matters to be discussed include:Approval of additional 2017-18 Fees and ChargesApproval of 2016-17 Capital Projects to be continued in 2017-18Proposed waiver of certain feesProposed purchase and installation of replacement visual screen for Gosford StadiumConsideration of Fire and Safety Inspection Reports received from Fire & Rescue NSW in respect of various properties.Council papers are available on Council’s website at centralcoast.nsw.gov.auThe meeting will be open to the public and can also be viewed live on Council’s YouTube Channel.