Central Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary meeting on Monday 19 June 2017 for the presentation of the audited financial statements and the auditor’s reports for the former Gosford City Council for the period 1 July 2015 to 12 May 2016.The audited financial statements for the former Gosford City Council are available for inspection at Council’s administrative buildings in Mann Street Gosford and Hely Street Wyong, customer service centres, libraries and online at yourvoiceourcoast.com from 9am Friday 9 June.Any person may make written submissions to Council with respect to the former Gosford City Council’s audited financial statements or audit reports until 27 June 2017.Also available for inspection are the audited financial statements of the former Gosford Water Supply Authority.The meeting will be held at the Council Chambers in Mann Street Gosford at 6:30pm.Council will hold a residents’ forum before the Extraordinary Meeting at 6pm in the Gosford Chamber.  Residents are required to register to speak by calling 4325 8361 and will have a maximum of five minutes.

Central Coast Council is helping you rid the winter blues with a free music festival at The Entrance in July.The popular Winter Blues and Jazz Festival is returning to Memorial Park, The Entrance with a fantastic line up of artists performing across two stages on Sunday 9 July.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said Memorial Park is one of the Coast’s most popular entertainment venues attracting some major events to the area – just like this one.“The annual festival is a great way to see some of the country’s best musicians in our backyard for free,” Ms Vaughan said.“So bring along your chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy free live jazz and blues music along the water.”Headlining the Festival this year is blues singer, Jeff Laing and jazz singer, Emma Pask.Jeff is world renowned as a prolific artist and has yielded the rewards of many a hard-working musician's dreams - widespread acclaim, a devoted fan base, an exemplary back catalogue, an ARIA Award in addition to countless nominations, invitations to the world's most prestigious festivals, and coveted tours with such icons as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.Emma is an award winning vocalist who has firmly established herself as one ofAustralia’s favourite voices in Jazz.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the State Government's commitment of $150,000 for an emergency dredge of the Ettalong Channel.Council raised the issue of the need for State Government funding for dredging of the Channel at the Community Cabinet Meeting held on the Coast in February and was involved in the recent roundtable discussion with all stakeholders on the issue.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the emergency funding was welcomed but a long term solution was needed to ensure the channel remained navigable."This is a good interim solution while a more permanent solution and funding model to maintain the Channel are developed."We need to continue the conversation with the State Government and stakeholders about how this will be funded in the longer term.

Central Coast Council would like to congratulate Gosford’s Mr David Magro, who took out first place in the 2017 annual Exposure Photographic Prize for his show-stopping image Field of stars.The winners were announced at a crowded ceremony at The Art House - which is now showcasing the most outstanding images from amateur and emerging photographers, including the exceptional moment David captured in the sky.Council Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the judges definitely had a difficult task selecting a winner, but all agree First Prize is the most remarkable.“The quality of images just keeps getting better and better as well as being more contemporary and creative – especially from our local photographic community,” Ms Vaughan said.“We received entries from all over Australia, but this year photographers from the Coast have really shown the judges they have what it takes to stand out in an open competition, dominating the 2017 awards.”The entries from young emerging photographers are also outstanding and highlight the depth of talent on the Central Coast, and are showcased along with the other finalists.“Exposure has always been popular with young people, so this year we introduced a new award for an Emerging Young Talent (aged under 24 years) to show our support for the future generation of Central Coast photographers,” Ms Vaughan said.“From the 675 entries received, the top scoring 145 images are now on display, and I encourage everyone to get along to The Art House and check out the amazing images.”The winners of this year’s competition include:First prize overall – David Magro (Gosford)Second prize overall – Rosie Wood (Berkeley Vale)Third prize overall – Ainsley Martlew (Ettalong)Emerging young talent – Faith Cass (Umina Beach)Highly Commended in Postcards of the Coast – Nicole Wells (Point Claire)Highly Commended in Through the generations – Ann Evans (Hamlyn Terrace)Highly Commended in The natural world – Matthew Bendt (Long Jetty)Highly Commended in A picture tells a thousand words – Raimee Carroll (Hamilton)The exhibition is now open to the public until Sunday 25 June at The Art House Wyong.

Central Coast Council is continuing its in-depth road condition assessment across the region, as it compiles a comprehensive analysis of the entire sealed road network.The network – comprising of more than 2200 kilometres of road pavement – if joined would stretch from the Central Coast to the Cape York Peninsula!The results of the project will be used to develop future road renewal programs, providing data that will underpin the allocation of funds and resources – ensuring works are programmed effectively and efficiently.The information will also inform decision making around Council’s Capital Works programming for years to come.Considered industry best-practice, the detailed road condition assessment utilises advanced laser technology and will provide high-definition video imagery to ensure the accurate measure of road conditions.In addition, Council will also be cataloguing, mapping and assessing all regulatory signage, line marking and raised pavement markers to provide a comprehensive picture of all of the region’s road-related assets.As part of an ongoing commitment to improving transport infrastructure, Council has undertaken around 500 road and drainage renewal or upgrade works this financial year – with an even greater number anticipated for the year ahead.

Central Coast Council advises there will be changed traffic conditions on McDonagh Rd/Wolseley Ave, Tacoma this Friday 16 June, 2017.One lane of the road, between Lewis Ave and Hillcrest Ave, will be closed from 7am – 1pm to allow for upgrades to a sewer pump station.Traffic control will be in place for the duration of the closure.Council thanks the local Tacoma community for their patience while the work is undertaken. 

Central Coast Council has today reconfirmed funding is allocated in next financial year’s budget for amenity upgrades to Central Coast Stadium.Council committed some time ago to upgrade facilities to support attracting women’s sport to the stadium.  In particular, in the true spirit of partnership, to support the Mariners bid to secure a Women’s A League Team for the Central Coast, Council promised it would deliver the necessary amenities to support the team.Council’s commitment is further confirmed by the fact that funding for the additions are in the Draft 2017-18 Operational Plan currently on public exhibition.Council CEO, Mr Rob Noble, said Council is currently in discussions with designers to finalise the layout for the change rooms to ensure they would be ready in time for the start of the A League season.“We have allocated the funds, put designers in place and are confident the change rooms will be ready for action in just a few months,” Mr Noble said.“We are not sure what has occurred with the Mariners’ bid to have a women’s A League team for the Central Coast, and we are extremely disappointed that is has been unsuccessful.“Council is certainly happy to accommodate their needs or indeed any other code who wishes to use the Stadium.”Council is in discussions and final contract arrangements with two NRL teams to host more games at the Stadium for the next football season, as well as a host of other events.Preparations are also well underway to host one of the biggest acts ever to hit the Central Coast – Lionel Richie.

Central Coast Council has welcomed $3 million in funding for Tuggerah Lakes Estuary and Catchment Improvement as part of the Federal Government’s Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Program.These funds will add to the $7 million Council has already invested in Tuggerah Lakes this financial year resulting in significant improvements in the water quality across the lakes system.Council Group Leader, Mr Mike Dowling said the funds would be dedicated to whole of catchment issues in an effort to reduce the effects of pollutants, litter and environmental vandalism making their way into the lakes.“This funding will support the ongoing implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan through stormwater upgrades, foreshore enhancement and a range of streambank, wetland and saltmarsh rehabilitation activities in the estuary catchment,” Mr Dowling said.“The project will continue to improve water quality, enhance nearshore areas for recreational use, reduce pollutant loads to the estuary, control invasive species in ecologically sensitive areas, encourage sustainable use and educate the local community about the estuary.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the focus on regional infrastructure in the NSW Budget 2017-18 delivering major road and health service upgrades to the Coast.$188.3 million has been allocated for Coast roads including:completing the upgrades at the Wyong Road intersections with the Pacific Highway and Tumbi Roadcommencing construction of the M1 Pacific Motorway widening between the Kariong interchange and the Somersby interchangecontinuing construction on the M1 between the Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges and on the Pacific Highway widening between Lisarow and Ourimbah$1.5 million in improvements to the Empire Bay Drive, The Scenic Road and Cochrone Street intersection upgradeWarnervale Link Road - Albert Warner Drive to Pacific Highway (Planning)Pacific Highway in Wyong Town Centre (planning)Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said as a growing region, Council was particularly pleased with the promise to allocate 30 percent of infrastructure spending to the regions.“The $6 billion injection is significant and recognises that regions like the Coast are attracting more people who are looking for a better lifestyle away from the big cities and require improved infrastructure to meet their growing needs,” Mr Reynolds.‘Roads are a key priority for Council because our community wants better roads and it is pleasing to see such a significant injection by the State Government into roads here on the Coast.‘Council will be spending over $189 million of our own budget on local roads next year which will complement this funding and provide a better road network for our community.’The Budget details a $1 billion Regional Growth Roads Program to build new infrastructure in regional growth areas, targeting roads in the lower Hunter, Central Coast and the Illawarra.  $500 million has also been allocated to the Fixing Country Roads program to improve local and regional roads managed by local government.‘Council will also be looking to get a slice of this $1 billion Regional Growth Roads Program to improve the Central Coast network even further,’ said Mr Reynolds.‘The NSW Budget’s projected surplus of $4.5 billion is six times Council’s own budget and we will certainly be hoping and looking to see some of that funding flowing to the Central Coast particularly in even more funding for roads as well as our waterways and local environment.’A further $2 million has also been allocated in the budget to repair the Coastal Wall at The Entrance, with Council currently working with the Department of Lands on delivering the project.A full list of projects for the Central Coast can be found at myinfrastructure.planning.nsw.gov.au

Central Coast Council is helping lead the way for the next generation to be involved in protecting the Coast’s waterways by launching its first ever free Multi-Touch Books.Two digital books have been developed for pre-schoolers, primary school students and educators.