Council has taken over management of popular aquatic and recreational facilities in the northern end of the Coast — Lake Haven Recreation Centre, Toukley Aquatic Centre and Wyong Olympic Pool.These centres will be added to Council’s existing recreational network including Gosford Olympic Pool, Peninsula Leisure Centre, Niagara Park Stadium and The Entrance Ocean Baths.The decision to integrate management of these facilities allows Council to build on the existing programs available and create a Coast-wide network of sports and recreational centres to best meet the needs of our residents.Council will invest its resources and expertise in each of these centres to improve the facilities, services and programs for current users and the wider community.Council will also investigate opportunities to expand specialist programs, services and offers across its entire recreational network.Rest assured, it will be business as usual for these popular recreational assets, with fees and charges at all three locations remaining the same for the next financial year, subject to standard CPI increases.Council would like to thank YMCA NSW for the work in managing these centres to date and congratulate them on the successful operation of these facilities since 2009.For more information, email leisure@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Central Coast Council is giving the foreshore of Terrigal Lagoon a makeover, opening up more recreational opportunities for the local community.The foreshore is already a popular spot with local community groups and families and provides easy access to the lagoon for aquatic activities including paddle board riding.Council is looking to build on this popularity by upgrading the Rotary Park as well as planning for Banjo’s skate park within Terrigal Lagoon Reserve – and the community is invited along to a drop-in information session on Wednesday 12 July from 10am-12noon at the 1st Terrigal Scout Hall.Council Group Leader Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, is encouraging the community to come along to the information session to get an insight into the planned works.“We want the community to come along and meet the staff behind the project and check out the plans for the foreshore,” Mr Dowling said.“These works will not only add to the amenity of the area, they will also increase the recreational opportunities available along the foreshore.“The play space will be upgraded with new, modern play equipment and the skate park aims to provide a safe space for local riders.”The project has significant community support and a $500,000 Federal Government grant to build a skate park where children can learn to skate in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.The proposed location for the skate park was selected after a review of open space land in the Terrigal/Wamberal area and best meets the criteria for accessibility, visibility, proximity to public transport and suitable cleared land.Terrigal Rotary Park will also receive a significant boost with a $325,000 upgrade, thanks to in part a $100,000 grant from the NSW Metropolitan Greenspace Program and a $5000 contribution from the Rotary Club of Terrigal.Works include upgrading the play space and park furniture within the Rotary Park.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the upgrade was part of the record spend on capital works to deliver better services and infrastructure for the community.“The upgrade of the Terrigal Lagoon foreshore is one of many open space projects we have budgeted for to give our community more options to get out and be active,” Mr Reynolds said.“We are planning to spend more the $27million, this financial year, to improve our open space and recreational spaces across the Coast.”More information about the upgrade at Terrigal Lagoon Reserve, including designs and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Central Coast Council has commenced work on facilities to complement the newly constructed BMX track at San Remo to create a highly active sporting hub for the north of the Central Coast.The NSW State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund, made available to amalgamated Councils, has enabled funding for the $640,000 project, which is part of the $9 million of infrastructure investment to roll out across the Coast over the next three years.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said he was pleased to see the commencement of this project that will deliver a vibrant recreation space for residents in the north of the Central Coast.“We knew there was a real need for this type of facility in the north of the coast which is why Council invested in the initial construction of the BMX track,” Mr Reynolds said.“The dollars provided to Council through the Stronger Communities Fund combined with strong feedback from the community to identify this project as a priority for the area have resulted in it being fast-tracked.“This is a real example of the tangible benefits of amalgamation – the community having a direct say in where funds are invested to create a brand new recreation space for our residents to enjoy.”The facilities under construction include an amenities building with changing rooms, toilets, canteen and officials room, night racing quality floodlights and shade shelters.Works have commenced on the lighting design and geotechnical reports been commissioned.

Central Coast Council will officially open the newly renovated Berkeley Vale Skate Park on Tuesday 11 July following almost $145,000 of works to this popular district level facility.The improvements, made possible with joint funding of $95,000 from Council and $49,200 from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services through the Social Housing Community Improvement Fund, have ensured the facility can better cater for all ages, abilities and skill sets.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was pleased to be unveiling the expanded skate place, which would add another high quality recreational facility to Council’s growing list of new or improved community infrastructure as part of its fully funded operational plan.“Since its original construction in 2007, the Berkeley Vale Skate Park has proved to be very popular, providing endless hours of fun for local skaters,” Mr Reynolds said.“Council was pleased to be able to partner with the NSW State Government to deliver these improvements including a mini ramp to encourage greater diversity of skills and end returns to the skate plaza area.“We have also included a shelter and seating to provide a place to stop and rest, enabling parents and grandparents to relax whilst the kids skate.”Investment in quality recreational infrastructure for the Coast’s growing community is a priority for Council and part of delivering on its promise to create a vibrant and sustainable Central Coast.“Council’s Operational Plan for this financial year includes $551 million in essential services and a record $207.9 million on capital works projects to roll out from the beginning of July.“Over 75% of operating and capital expenditure will be invested in the top priorities identified by the community – roads, transport and drainage, water and sewer, waste services and waterways and, of course, open space and recreation.“In fact, Council will spend $54 million on upgrading or delivering new open space facilities this financial year, facilities that our growing community want, value and need.”In addition to this skate facility at Berkeley Vale, Council will spend $185,000 to investigate and design a new district skate park at Lake Munmorah and has secured $500,000 from the Federal Government to build a new district skate park at Terrigal.The official opening of the Berkeley Vale Skate Place will be held on Tuesday 11 July from 11.30am and includes demonstrations, giveaways, BBQ and ‘The Bus’ run by Regional Youth Support Services.

Central Coast Council has today welcomed the announcement of a NSW Parliamentary inquiry into commuter car parking in NSW.The Inquiry will look at the effectiveness of the current state government policies and programs, the process for selecting the location of commuter car parks, the potential for restricted access or user pays commuter car parks and consideration of alternative modes of first mile/last mile travel, including point to point transport, active transport and on demand buses.Council Group Leader Assets Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said Council was already working with Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) and Transport NSW to improve parking in the Gosford CBD and along the rail corridor to Sydney and welcomed the broad scope of the inquiry which would look at more than simply building more car parks.“We have already working on a parking strategy as we know it is such a critical issue for not just our commuters but local businesses as well,” Mr Dowling said.“We need a comprehensive solution that is not simply about building more car parks and I am pleased to see the scope of the inquiry will also look at public transport connections.“We are certainly keen to provide our expertise and the work we have already done to the inquiry and will be putting in a submission.“I would encourage all our commuters to put in a submission as well to help ensure the inquiry comes up with recommendations that will deliver better outcomes for our community.”Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said commuting and parking were critical issues on the Coast and it was pleasing to see them getting recognition through this important Parliamentary inquiry.“With over 40,000 of our workers having to travel outside the Coast it is critical we tackle the issues of parking and local jobs head on,” Mr Reynolds said.“If we can come up with a solution that allows our residents to easily access public transport connections to get to the jobs they want, that could be a real game changer for the Central Coast.”The Inquiry’s Terms of References and submission details can be found at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Corridor Protection report today which looks at the issue of preserving land for the high speed rail corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane.Council will study the report closely to assess any ramifications for planning on the Coast.The report is timely given Council is already working closely with the Coordinator-General for the Central Coast, Ms Lee Shearer on an infrastructure plan for the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council is calling on budding authors to be discovered and have their creative efforts recognised as the annual Short Story Competition kicks off today.The competition is one of the most anticipated library events on the calendar and last year attracted over 220 entries.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the competition offered an incredible opportunity for local writers of any age to have their creative efforts recognised and published.“Everyone has a story in them and this is your opportunity to get it out and share it with the community,” said Mr Reynolds.“Whether it be a happy or sad story, a real life event or fake news, it’s time for all aspiring authors on the Coast to let your imagination and creativity run wild and get writing.”Entries for the 2017 Short Story Competition will be accepted from Monday 10 July until 5pm Friday 31 August.Stories can be up to 1500 words and there will be four categories;

Central Coast Council’s Indigenous health and education program for high school students will be presented at an international conference in Canada later this month.Council’s Indigenous Community Development Worker, Matt Sonter, will present Ngura (meaning place) at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE) in Toronto, Ontario, from 24-28 July.Known as one of the most prestigious Indigenous education events the world has to offer, WIPCE attracts highly-regarded Indigenous education experts, practitioners and scholars from across the globe to share successes and strategies for culturally-grounded Indigenous education.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said this is an amazing feat for something that started as a program aimed at encouraging Indigenous students to develop a healthy lifestyle and live a fuller life.“The Ngura program is gaining a real sense of recognition on the Central Coast and internationally,” Ms Vaughan said.“Each year the program continues to grow in our local schools and you can see the benefits from the students attending, as well as growing recognition in the wider community.“The awesome performances by students in the dance residency program at the NAIDOC Week celebrations are another great example of how Council is working with students to reconnect with their culture.“The community were blown away by the standard of dancing from the students, but more so the pride they showed while performing.“Ngura focuses on more than the students.

Council crews have been busy finalising road and drainage upgrade works at Jilliby, Gwandalan and Gorokan as major infrastructure upgrades continue across the northern suburbs of the Central Coast.Stabilising, sealing and asphalting works were recently completed on a one kilometre section of Dicksons Road, Jilliby, as part of a systematic renewal program for the road.A section of Kanangra Drive, Gwandalan — from Summerland Road to Parraweena Road — also underwent asphalt renewal valued at $250,000.Drainage upgrades at Coorabin St, Gorokan, are almost complete with the installation of a new drainage line and street drainage complemented by road renewal works and kerb and guttering — an overall investment of more than $750,000.Crews will now focus their attention on upgrade works at Gascoigne Rd, Gorokan, with the installation of a new drainage system in addition to road renewal and kerb and gutter works from Leichhardt Road to Kennedy Street.Collectively, these projects equate to a $1.9 million investment in roads across Jilliby, Gwandalan and Gorokan.Council’s Operational Plan for 2017/18 also delivers more than $70 million worth of roads, transport and drainage capital works.

Central Coast Council launched its Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) today at The Erina Centre - a Plan that will help create an inclusive and accessible community for everyone on the Coast.The Plan was developed in conjunction with staff, residents, local organisations and an external Disability Inclusion Reference Group.