Central Coast Council has awarded the contract for the construction of stage one of the Tuggerah Regional Sport and Recreation Complex.The grand $23.71 million sporting complex will include a premier ground with another 9 playing fields, cricket pitches, public amenities including change rooms, canteen facilitates, store rooms and parking at Lakes Road, Tuggerah.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the awarding of this contact is a step towards positioning the Central Coast as a destination of choice for major sporting events.“We have previously had to turn away some state competitions due to a lack of appropriate facilities, but not anymore,” Mr Reynolds said.“The economic benefits that will flow to our community from hosting large sporting events is huge in dollar value, creating local jobs and boosting tourism.”Work on stage one is anticipated to take 12 to 18 months to complete and will create up to 70 new full time employment opportunities during construction.“A further 28 new full time jobs will be created in the region after five years of operation of this complex, boosting much needed employment opportunities on the Coast,” Mr Reynolds added.“This is a really exciting time as Council brings much needed infrastructure and facilities to the Central Coast to improve our community’s quality of life and delivering projects the community need, want and value.”This project was made possible with the support of the Australian Government’s $10 million National Stronger Regions Fund and Council’s $13.71 million.Council recognises the importance of this funding and is looking forward to collaborating with the Australian Government to deliver future projects for the Central Coast community.The final stage of this project will see construction of an indoor sporting centre incorporating six basketball courts, amenities, sporting officers, a kiosk and a 3000 seat grandstand to bring the total value of the complex to $53 million.The tender was awarded to Norths Construction who also built The Art House in Wyong for which they won a 2016 Master Builders Association Award.

Central Coast Council wishes to advise that its meeting this month is scheduled for Tuesday 24 January 2017.Usually scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of each month, January’s meeting has been moved to avoid clashing with Australia Day Eve celebrations at Kibble Park, Gosford and Canton Beach Foreshore.Starting at 5pm, the first meeting for 2017 will be held in the Gosford Office at 49 Mann Street, Gosford.The meeting will also be available webcast on Council’s YouTube channel.

Stephen Clarke named inaugural Central Coast Town CrierAustralia’s top town crier, Mr Stephen Clarke, has cemented his place as a regional identity, following a decision at last night’s Council meeting to crown him the inaugural Central Coast Town Crier.Working as the Gosford City town crier for the past 26 years, Mr Clarke took out the nation’s top town crying accolade last year, when he contested the 25th National Town Criers Championships in Redland, Queensland, and landed three awards for Best Dressed Crier, Best Cry and Champion of Champions.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the change in title officially recognises Mr Clarke’s contribution to the region and formalises his role at official Council ceremonies and events.“Stephen Clarke has been an amazing ambassador for Gosford City and his numerous accolades and national awards are testament to his talent and experience,” Mr Reynolds said.“As the Central Coast has become a region in its own right, it is only fitting that someone who has been such a tremendous asset to his local community can be recognised for his representation across the entirety of our new local government area.“Previously, Stephen formally commenced all citizenship ceremonies at Gosford and he will now appear at Central Coast citizenship ceremonies across all venues.”For Mr Clarke, being the official Central Coast Town Crier is an opportunity to showcase his passion for the wonderful place he calls home.“I have always had an incredible passion for our hometown and I believe we are all so lucky to be a part of this amazing community,” Mr Clarke said.“I am exceptionally proud of where we live and whenever I have the chance to tell people about the natural beauty, friendly atmosphere and marvellous advancements happening in our local area, I do.“It is an honour to officially represent the Central Coast and now I have the opportunity to sing the praises of our entire region wherever I go.”Having lived on the Central Coast since 1958, Mr Clarke is a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and is passionate about promotion and advancement of the Central Coast region.Even Mr Clarke’s town crying robes are representative of our region’s local identity;

Wednesday 25 January 2017GosfordMortimer Lane, part of William Street and the Eliza Street Car Park in and around Gosford’s Kibble Park will be closed from 2pm until 11.30pm.Free parking will be available in the Gosford Town Centre (open until 10.30pm) and Imperial Shopping Centre (open until 10pm) car parks.Thursday 26 January 2017WagstaffeMulhall Street in Wagstaffe (between the Wagstaffe ferry wharf and Wagstaffe Avenue) will be closed from 7am until 12pm.Pearl BeachPearl Parade (between Tourmaline Avenue and Amethyst Avenue) will be closed from 5am until 12pm.The Entrance Marine Parade Car Park will be closed to the public all day.The Entrance Road north bound at Victoria Avenue and Ocean Parade will be closed from 5pm – 10pm along with Marine Parade, Beach Street and Coral Street (east of Duffys Lane).

With the 2017 school year kicking off this week, Central Coast Council is reminding residents to slow down near schools and put the safety of children first.Friday 27 January is a gazetted school day which means 40km zones will be back in force, as will parking zones around schools.Parking zones around schools are in place for the safety of children, but also assist with traffic flow during busy drop off and pick up times – minimising possible sight obstructions.As the school term begins, Council Rangers and Parking Officers will carry out extra patrols to enforce parking restrictions around schools, ensuring a safe start to the new school year.Council is encouraging everyone to take care when driving through school zones, stick to the speed limit, follow directions from crossing supervisors and avoid any dangerous manoeuvres.Double Demerits will also be in force from Wednesday 25 until Sunday 29 January 2017 (inclusive) and will apply if a motorist is caught speeding in a designated school zone on Friday 27 January.For more information on how to park safely around schools, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Australia Day on the Central Coast is more than just celebrating the great country we live in - it’s also a chance to recognise the unsung heroes.For the first time on the Central Coast, the annual Australia Day Awards were open to entries from across the region, seeing residents nominated for their outstanding dedication to our community.This year’s inaugural Citizen of the Year went to Mr Lester Pearson of Fountaindale - a man who has given countless hours to those less fortunate.Lester has been volunteering for more than 30 years across a range of projects, with his latest passion focused on helping local youth.He is a great example of how volunteering can make a difference in a community and has been instrumental in setting up a number of foundations to support our youth in crisis as well as those overseas.Lester and his wife, Sue, established Coats for Kids through their dry cleaning business collecting and cleaning more than 5000 coats, jackets and jumpers for Youth off the Streets programs to help keep young ones warm in winter.His most recent achievement, the establishment of Save Our Kids (SOKS) has saved more than 190 young lives across the Central Coast since it started in 2013.Lester conceived the idea of SOKS to address the issue of youth suicide on the Coast, through raising funds for Lifeline.

An unwanted Queenslander has been found in the backyard of an observant Summerland Point resident.It was the dreaded Cane Toad.Cane Toads are an introduced invasive species, mainly found in Queensland and northern NSW.Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, praised the quick thinking resident for contacting Council.“We rely on the Central Coast community to be our eyes and ears in their local area for things like this,” Mr Reynolds said.“It’s important our community let us know what they see - be it a pot-hole, a broken water main or a Cane Toad well out of its normal range – so we can respond quickly.“Our staff will now conduct a survey, with the help of specialists from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, for any further signs of Cane Toads in the area.”Council is also working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to make further investigations on how the Cane Toad came to the Coast.NSW DPI’s Technical Specialist of Vertebrate Pests, Mr Nathan Cutter, said as a result of the detection at Summerland Point, DPI has issued an alert for residents to be aware of Cane Toads in the area.“It is not known how the pest animal arrived on the Central Coast, however they can be accidently transported on vehicles, as well as in goods and materials like landscaping supplies,” Mr Cutter said.“Cane Toads are a major threat to our native animals because they can consume large numbers of wildlife and poison many native animals whose diet includes frogs, tadpoles and frogs' eggs.

Lifeguards from Central Coast Council will compete for the top honours at the annual Lifeguard Challenge at Terrigal Beach tonight.With action commencing at 6.30pm, competitors will contend individually in the Howard Jones Memorial Mission, and in teams to take out the coveted Cook Cup trophy.Beginning in 1982, the annual Lifeguard Challenge was previously a friendly display of sporting rivalry between lifeguards from the former Gosford and Wyong councils.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said with the formation of the Central Coast Council in May last year, the 2017 event sees a continuation of the 35-year tradition, with a fresh approach.“This year’s event sees a focus on collaboration and camaraderie among all athletes,” said Mr Reynolds.“Creation of teams for the Cook Cup will be through a random selection process, with competitors drawn from a hat.“For the first time in its 35-year history, the Lifeguard Challenge will be conducted with both former local government service areas competing together as one.”Community members are invited to come along and cheer on their favourite competitors.

Tumbi Road, between Bellevue Road and Woodbury Lane Tumbi Umbi will operate under changed traffic conditions from Sunday evening 29 January 2017 to 13 February when upgrades to the road are undertaken.Works are scheduled to start on 29 January and will be completed by 13 February weather permitting.The work will involve pavement strengthening, sealing and asphalting to provide a smoother and longer-lasting road surface.Most of the works will be done at night in order to minimise disruption to this busy road however motorists should still expect some delays and may wish to take alternate routes.Council’s Group Leader, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said works will be staged to ensure that both traffic lanes are open during peak times in order to minimise disruption to motorists.“There will be a gravel road surface in the mornings following the night work with sealing of the gravel road surface taking place during the day between 10 am and 12 pm when the road will be reduced to one lane,” Mr Dowling said.“As part of these works Council is providing a more consistent breakdown lane width, widening a lane used by cyclists to 1.3m, and doing work on existing culverts along this section of road.”The road will be asphalted approximately one week after the pavement strengthening works and sealing have been completed.Council is investing $500,000 in the works and apologises to the travelling public for any inconvenience caused.

Central Coast Council has issued a Request for Proposals seeking organisations to deliver tourism marketing and industry services for the Central Coast.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the timing was right for Council to examine its approach to tourism.“Destination NSW’s new regional tourism model and the projected population growth expected on the Central Coast has changed the tourism landscape.