Central Coast Council has expressed its disappointment today at the decision by the Minister for Planning to keep the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act in place.Warnervale Airport, now Central Coast Airport, is the only airport managed by a Council in Australia that is subject to such restrictions, particularly relating to aircraft movements.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council had been up front about its desire to develop the airport for general aviation and leaving the Act in place could impact on this possibility.“The airport is a major asset for Council and the community with the potential to create hundreds of jobs and opportunities for our growing community,” Mr Reynolds said.“We know this because we recently tested the market with our Expression of Interest process to turn the airport into an general aviation hub and the response was positive.“We are currently developing a masterplan out of this EOI process which was always going to subject to rigorous community consultation and state government scrutiny.“This announcement today has significant potential to affect this process and our ability to promote employment on the Central Coast.General aviation includes pilot training, corporate aviation, emergency services and search and rescue, charter, aerial work, survey and monitoring, private flying, commercial operators and tourism related charter operators.General aviation is a significant industry in Australia representing 65 percent of all aircraft hours in Australia and there is currently a high demand for airside general leaseholds close to Sydney.“This is due to general aviation being squeezed out of the Sydney basin, so there are many operators looking for an alternative and the Central Coast is the perfect location,” Mr Reynolds added.“We are not talking major passenger movements here, we are talking about genuine opportunities for smaller operators and aviation manufacturing expertise to become a major industry for the Central Coast.”Council will continue with the master planning process for the airport and is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Planning to discuss the decision.

Artists from around the nation are invited to enter the 2017 Gosford Art Prize and Gosford Ceramic Prize, for a chance to share in over $20,000 in prizes.Now in its 18th year, the annual program offers artists the opportunity to showcase their talents in a competition recognised across Australia.Central Coast Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Julie Vaughan, said that local and national artists are encouraged to enter this prestigious competition.“Last year we received over 560 entries from over 420 artists across Australia, so we are very excited to see the creativity and variety or works in this year’s competition,” said Ms Vaughan.“The exhibition is a fantastic platform for artists, as it’s an opportunity for locals to compete with artists from around Australia.“We are also excited about the increase in the number of contemporary ceramics entries after the addition of the Gosford Ceramic Prize in 2014.

Central Coast Council is holding an Open Day aimed at showing the community a number of creative possibilities across the Coast to help them manage stress and anxiety.Experience, Explore, Be More will be held on Thursday 24 August and will see 22 different creative classes, activities or workshops held at 16 venues across the Coast – and it’s all FREE!Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this is a great way to bring the community together and improve the quality of life on the Coast.“Our centres offer a diverse range of possibilities to help our community, but many of our residents may not know they exist,” Mr Reynolds said.“This Open Day will help the community to explore the Coast and experience new ways of managing their anxiety and stress and connecting with each other.”One of the highlights will be an author talk by Belinda Ingels on her book:

Woy Woy Library has received more than $188,000 under the Public Library Infrastructure Grants 2016/17 program, to create an exhibition space within the library which will showcase a unique collection of original Spike Milligan family memorabilia.The proposed museum-quality Spike Milligan Exhibition Space (SMES) is set to attract visitors from around the globe, due to the culturally significant collection of photographs, recordings, video, realia and diaries.Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the exhibition space is an opportunity to honour the legacy of the world-famous comedian who took Woy Woy to the world stage.

Central Coast Council is calling on local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and individuals with great ideas to improve the community, to apply for funding under the new Community Grants and Sponsorship Program.The program amounts to over $1.4 million.Council’s revamped funding program aims to simplify applications and better support and build capacity across the entire Central Coast community.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council’s Community Grants and Sponsorship Program is all about giving the community more opportunities to apply for funding to support their community projects, events, programs and initiatives.“This is a chance to think outside the square to deliver unique and innovative projects or events to the Coast that really make a difference,” Mr Reynolds said.“No matter how big or small, we want to hear all your ideas as we want to see programs come to life that will highlight the Central Coast.”There are a number of new categories in Council’s community grants program:Community Partnership GrantCommunity Development GrantPlace Activation GrantCommunity Support GrantHeritage GrantAwarding Sponsorship ProgramChan Valley Colliery Community Funding.Applications are now open and will close on Friday 15 September.To help applicants get a better understanding of each category and how to apply to make their project happen, Council is hosting a number of information sessions across the Coast.

Central Coast Council has today welcomed the NSW Minister for Transport, the Hon Andrew Constance MP’s, announcement of an on-demand commuter shuttle bus service trial on the Peninsula.The announcement comes as a NSW Parliamentary inquiry into commuter car parking across NSW is currently underway.

Parking on all four levels of the Wilson Road Carpark is now available following completion of construction works, creating 110 extra parking spaces for the Terrigal CBD.Finishing touches are continuing on the $2.3 million project that include a lift within the carpark and CCTV cameras.The official completion of works – as of Wednesday 16 August – follows the re-opening of Levels 1 and 2 of the carpark on Thursday 27 July.Council will now focus on the investment of almost $2.2 million for improvements to the Terrigal CBD’s pedestrian and traffic flow – thanks to the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund.Works will also be undertaken on revitalising the Terrigal Lagoon Foreshore, with $825,000 invested into the redevelopment of the play space in the Rotary Park as well as the proposed construction of a skate park.Council will continue to work with local residents and the business community to keep them informed on the progress of these upcoming infrastructure upgrades.Council would like to thank the Terrigal community for their patience and understanding during these important upgrade works.

First Integrated Operational Plan and Budget adopted by CouncilCentral Coast Council has adopted its first ever integrated Operational Plan with $551  million in essential services and a record $207.9 million on capital works set to roll out across the Central Coast from July 1.Capital works spending has been increased by $400,000 on the draft exhibited Plan thanks to additional grant funding received by Council.

Central Coast Council will be upgrading the public toilet facilities at Blue Bay Beach with a modern structure that can better withstand the marine environment.The existing structure will be demolished and replaced with a new public toilet block with two full accessible, unisex cubicles as well as showers on the outside of the building for easy access by users of the beach.Council will need to close the building from Monday 3 July with works expected to be finished in early October 2017.Visitors to the area are advised the nearest toilet block to Blue Bay Beach is at Swadling Park, Toowoon Bay.Council would like to thank the community in advance for their patience while the upgrade takes place.Council will advise the public when the new public toilet facility is opened.

Central Coast Stadium is preparing to play host to a top-of-the-table National Rugby League (NRL) clash on Saturday 1 July as the Sydney Roosters take on the Cronulla Sharks.The Round 17 fixture kicks off at 3pm, with gates open from 10.30am for the National Youth Competition and the Intrust Super Cup matches.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said that it was pleasing to see top-flight rugby league returning to the Central Coast.“Council has enjoyed a fantastic partnership with the Sydney Roosters in recent seasons and the club has been investing in Central Coast rugby league through school programs, development initiatives and financial support,” said Mr Reynolds.“We hosted a Rooster’s trial match earlier this year and we’re excited to have them back at Central Coast Stadium.“We’re home to a passionate and well-regarded rugby league community here on the Central Coast and it’s great to have two of the best teams in the competition facing off in our own backyard.“I’ve got it on good authority that the pitch is in excellent condition, with ground staff working tirelessly to ensure a first-class surface for our visiting teams.”Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling said this NRL fixture complements the recent announcement of Lionel Ritchie’s performance at Central Coast Stadium.“We’ve been working hard to activate the stadium and this NRL game, amongst other recent announcements forms part of Council’s long term strategy for this wonderful facility,” said Mr Dowling.“We also recently hosted the home stretch of the Bay to Bay Running Festival, with in excess of 2,600 participants crossing the finish line on the stadium turf.“Council will soon be announcing a diverse program of events for Central Coast Stadium over the next 12 months, which will include a number of NRL games.“The Sydney Roosters are an integral part of our plans moving forward and I’d like to thank them for their commitment to the Central Coast.”For more information or to purchase tickets visit centralcoaststadium.com.au