Council welcomes the local tourism industry’s decision to continue with an industry body to input into the direction of the coast’s tourism, following an industry group meeting convened by Central Coast Tourism last night.CEO Rob Noble said it was an exciting time for tourism on the Central Coast with more changes happening now than have happened in the last twenty years.“The passion and commitment of the local tourism industry is great,” Mr Noble said.“Combined with Council’s increased investment, a new Destination Network with a purpose to capitalise on increased visitor growth opportunity, a new Destination Management Plan and the advent of a new marketing approach to implement it – we are all hopeful that we can all head in the same direction to deliver more for our region.“The local tourism industry told us over 18 months ago that they wanted improvements on how tourism is approached with a clear message to create the environment for tourism to flourish. That is what we are doing.”Council will work with Central Coast Tourism on the type of industry body and how it fits together with Council’s new service provider who will be contracted to deliver a marketing strategy and associated program for the local tourism industry to promote economic development and enhance tourism opportunities on the Coast.Council is continuing discussions with the first ranked tenderer to enter into a two year contract commencing on 1 July 2017.

As the weather turns cooler and the winter woollies come out, it’s a great time to enjoy some of the many arts and cultural activities here on the Central Coast.Grant Molony, based in Long Jetty, is a local indigenous painter and photographer and is also a proud ambassador of the ‘This is the life’ campaign promoting the Central Coast.“The arts scene on the Coast is really starting to flourish,” he says.

Central Coast Council has paid tribute to former local Member for Gosford and local cancer activist, Mrs Kathy Smith, who lost her own battle with cancer yesterday.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said Kathy Smith was renowned for her commitment to the local community, particularly her campaigning for the Central Coast Cancer Centre which includes public radiotherapy services.“Kathy was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to serving her community,” Mr Reynolds said.“From her passion and commitment to improving the lives of local cancer survivors as the Chairwoman of NSW Cancer Voices to her service to the people of Gosford and the Peninsula as an elected representative, her drive and tenacity were beyond question.”“On behalf of Central Coast Council, I extend our deepest condolences to Kathy’s family and friends at this time.”The flag at Central Coast Council will fly at half-mast today in acknowledgement of Kathy’s passing.

Central Coast Council has awarded the tender for CCTV installation works in Terrigal and Copacabana thanks to funding from the Federal Government’s Safer Streets Programme.Announced in late-2016, the $550,000 grant will see the installation of 16 new CCTV cameras across a range of locations in Terrigal and Copacabana in addition to the upgrade of four existing cameras.Installation locations include the Haven, Copacabana Skate Park, the Captain Cook Lookout and shopping strips in both suburbs.The successful tender, from ECS Services Pty Ltd will see works begin in June, with the new cameras set to be fully operational in November 2017.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was looking forward to seeing the positive benefits the Safer Streets funding would bring to these beachside communities.“The installation of additional CCTV is a great result for residents in both Terrigal and Copacabana,” said Mr Reynolds.“We’ve already seen the impact this funding has had in suburbs across the Central Coast thanks to first round funding received in September 2014.“The installation of CCTV is a strong deterrent for anti-social behaviour and ensures that residents can feel safer in their neighbourhood.“This is a great initiative and once again, I’d like to thank the Federal Government and Lucy Wicks for this latest round of funding.”Safer Streets funding has already been rolled out through Kariong, Kincumber, Gosford and the Peninsula following first round funding received in September 2014.

Temporary traffic control measures will be in place along a section of West Street, Umina, on Friday 2 June, while Central Coast Council completes asphalting works.The project will be undertaken between 7pm – 5am to minimise the impact on local traffic and nearby residents.Works will be carried out between Barrenjoey Road and Morris Street and be finalised on Saturday 3 June.Crews will manage the project schedule to ensure there is minimal impact on nearby residents as a result of these works.Warning signs will be in place for the duration of the project to notify motorists of the changed conditions and traffic will be detoured around The Esplanade.Council would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience while these important works are carried out and apologises for any inconvenience.

Council’s plan for managing the impacts of storms and coastal erosion on its southern beaches has been formally certified by the NSW Government.Council’s Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan will now guide Council’s approach to the protection of public and private property from future coastal erosion.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the certification of the Plan was the start of the process of Council, the community, landowners and the State Government working together to protect the Coast’s unique coastline for generations to come.“The community’s right to access and enjoy our beaches is paramount and this Plan clearly outlines the responsibilities of landowners and government to ensure that can happen,” Mr Reynolds said.“Now the Plan has been gazetted, Council is the consent authority for most protection works on beaches and nearby land.  Landowners are reminded they must lodge a development application to get approval for such works before they proceed.”“This process is in place to ensure that the presence of any protection works does not adversely impact on adjoining private and public property or affect the long-term amenity of a public beach.”Now the Plan has been certified, Council is in a position to apply for State Government funding to help manage coastal hazards and other issues in a timely and cost-effective manner.The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is currently undertaking a cost-benefit analysis for its design of a proposed revetment wall along the whole of Wamberal Beach.“Once the design, cost benefit analysis and construction cost is completed by OEH and made available to Council, Council can then have an informed and constructive conversation with local landowners, State Government, and the community about a possible permanent solution for beach erosion at Wamberal and how it might be funded,” Mr Reynolds said.“We need to ensure any permanent solution for Wamberal Beach balances the needs of private landholders to protect their properties, ensures the community can continue to access and enjoy this popular public beach, and provides an appropriate means of funding those works”.Residents are urged to contact Council if they are planning protective works on their coastal properties for further advice.

Council wishes to advise that a temporary road closure will be in place along Morgans Road, Wendoree Park, on Thursday 8 June from 9am – 3pm, while essential road pavement investigation works are carried out.The project will involve the complete closure of Morgans Road, between the bushfire trail and the Neverfail Park.Residents on Morgans Road will not have vehicular access to their properties during this time and are encouraged to plan any travel around the scheduled works.Warning signs will be in place to notify motorists of the changed traffic conditions and crews will be available to provide assistance to nearby residents and access to emergency vehicles if required.Council would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience while these important works are carried out and apologises for any inconvenience.

Berkeley Vale will be a hub of activity when we finish upgrading the recreational facilities to meet the growing needs of the area.The run-down play space at Berkeley Park, off Bundilla Parade (near the traffic lights), has been transformed into a natural play space.The new look play space is now open, and visitors to the park will enjoy trying out new equipment with more natural elements, creating a space for children to play, climb and use their imaginations.Across the other side of the road, the popular skate park next to Berkeley Vale Oval is now even bigger and better.Local riders will notice it’s been expanded with extra elements such as ramps.

The Peninsula Leisure Centre (PLC) is preparing for a swag of improvement and upgrade works over the winter months, as part of a $500,000 investment into one of the region’s premier recreational facilities.Members and visitors will soon be able to enjoy a refurbished sauna, steam room and showers, while the program pool will also be fitted with a new heating system.The main pool will also be the recipient of new starting blocks and an electronic timing system valued at $135,000 – thanks to the recently announced Stronger Communities Funding from the NSW Government.Other general repairs and painting will be undertaken during the upgrade, with new lighting is also scheduled for installation in the popular sports hall.During the works, access to some areas of the PLC will be limited, with the pool hall closed between Monday 19 June to Friday 23 June 2017.The Health Club, Sports Hall and Crèche will remain open for the duration of the project.If you have any questions regarding the upcoming works, closure dates or impacts on scheduled programs or services at the PLC, please contact reception on 4325 8123.Council would like to thank members and visitors for their understanding and cooperation while these important upgrades are completed.

AFFINITY has been named by Central Coast Council as the successful organisation to deliver tourism marketing and industry services for the Central Coast for the next two years.Bringing together a consortium of three companies, AFFINITY’s expertise extends across international and domestic tourism marketing;