Throughout November, Central Coast Council is reminding residents about the risks associated with the removal and handling of asbestos, as part of Asbestos Awareness Month.Asbestos Awareness Month aims to educate homeowners, renovators, handymen and tradespeople about the dangers of working with asbestos and how to manage those dangers safely.Australia was one of the largest consumers of asbestos-containing materials in the world, with asbestos found in one in every three homes built or renovated before 1987.While considered safe if left undisturbed, when products containing asbestos are disturbed, handled incorrectly or not disposed of properly, asbestos fibres can be released into the air and inhaled;

The popular Bato Yard will be closed off in sections next week as maintenance works are carried out across the freestyle riding facility.Central Coast Council and Convic will be working on the Yard from Monday 7 to Friday 11 November.Works are being done to improve the Yard and users can expect temporary closures in certain areas during this time.Council apologises for any inconvenience during these works.Since opening in July, Bato Yard is used by hundreds of riders each day from when the lights come on at 5am until they switch off at 10pm.The facility is growing in popularity and has already secured three major events for the 2017 calendar.

It’s less than two weeks before the award-winning Wyong Lakes Festival kicks off its nine day program to entertain, delight and educate.Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from 12-20 November.Council’s Event Officer, Ms Cobey Linsley, said the first weekend is set to light up The Entrance and will kick start the festival with a five hour lakeside event.“The festival kicks off with the Light up the Lake event on Saturday 12 November at Memorial Park and will be jam packed with great food, entertainment and activities,” Ms Linsley said.“We have a silent disco, photo booth, glow forest, roving entertainment that will light up, facepainting and much, much more.“But the highlight would be the main stage that will feature a line-up of artists including our headline act, Thirsty Merc.“The night will finish at 9pm with a firework spectacular over the lake and the best news of all, it’s free!”A brunch by the lake will be held the next morning, Sunday 13 November, where festival goers can indulge in a free breakfast.There will also be more free activities, a bubble pond and roving entertainment including a special appearance from the stilt lifesavers to enjoy.All eyes will be on the main stage in Memorial Park for the free music and entertainment including celebrity chef, Courtney Roulston, who we all know from MasterChef.Other events on the opening weekend include Painting by the Lake, Storytelling, Remondis Open Day, Colour Ya World, Saltwater Festival, Pedal to Paddle and the popular TriWyong.“The festival program is varied so it doesn’t matter whether your interest is sport or cultural experiences, family or educational activities or just getting out and enjoying the magnificent lakes and catchments, this festival is for you,” Ms Linsley addedCouncil’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said while the festival is fantastic for locals, it is expected to attract lots of visitors to the region as well.“With a full program of more than 30 free events, it’s no wonder our Festival is winning awards!” Mr Reynolds said.“The Festival is a great way for locals and visitors alike to take part in a wide range of interesting events and explore our beautiful lakes at the same time.”For a full program of events, visit wyong.nsw.gov.au/wyonglakesfestival

Central Coast Council is celebrating National Recycling Week, from Monday 7 November until Sunday 13 November 2016, by holding a series of free Green Living Workshops and tours around the Coast.Now in its 21st year, National Recycling Week aims to give people the tools to minimise waste and responsibly manage resources at home, work and school.Residents of all ages are invited to participate in the events, which go beyond the yellow recycling bin by looking at ways to reduce waste, reuse resources and recycle more.Learn how to make a kitchen garden without spending a cent, discover water wise ways to grow plants, set up backyard chickens, find out how to compost and set up a worm farm,  learn how to love your leftovers, save money by op-shopping, and learn about the recycling process.Central Coast Council’s Green Living Workshops during National Recycling Week:Monday 7 November, Love Food Hate Waste, 11am – 12.30pm, Wyoming Community CentreTuesday 8 November, Waste and Recycling Tour, 9am – 1pm, Woy Woy LandfillWednesday 9 November, Upcycle Kitchen Garden, 10am – 1pm, Kincumber LibraryThursday 10 November, Waste and Recycling Tour, 9am – 1pm, Buttonderry Waste Management FacilitySaturday 12 November, Wicking Bed Construction, 9am – 11am, Woy Woy Peninsula Community GardenSaturday 12 November, Remondis Open Day, 9.30am – 11am, Remondis Somersby DepotSaturday 12 November, Op Shop Hop, 9.30am – 12.30pm, Woy Woy Op Shops, meeting at Woy Woy Train StationSunday 13 November, Keeping Backyard Chickens, 9am – 12pm, Meeting Space 3, The Erina CentreSunday 13 November, Compost and Worm Farming, 1pm – 4pm, Meeting Space 3, The Erina CentreFor more information, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 4325 8222.

110 new parking spaces are being created close to the heart of Terrigal, with work commencing on the $2.7 million upgrade to the Wilson Road parking station.

Council is helping to improve the community’s health and wellbeing by bringing free talks and Buddhist mediation sessions to the local Library.Central Coast Libraries regularly host meditation sessions facilitated by a local Khedruje Kadampa Buddhist teacher.These sessions give the community an opportunity to experience mediation and learn about the Buddhist way of life firsthand.Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, the Buddhist sessions have proven to be extremely popular with local residents and shows there is a strong need for this type of event in the region.“Meditation has been proven to lessen worry, reduce stress and improve optimism and that is certainly what we want for our community,” said Ms Edwards.“If you are looking for ways to destress, improve your quality of life and develop inner peace meditation just might be what you need.“The next two sessions will talk about overcoming stress and solving life’s problems in this modern world we live in,” Ms Edwards added.“Meditation can be practiced by any member of the community, no matter what race, culture, gender or age so come and join us to experience a new way of life as everyone is welcome.“The next Khedruje Kadampa sessions are on 9 November at 2.30pm at Tuggerah Library and 6 December at 10.30am at Lake Haven Library.Booking for these sessions are essential and can be made by calling the library branches directly.

Resealing of 59 kilometres of Central Coast local roads has kicked off this week beginning at Chain Valley Bay.A number of streets will be resealed as part of Council’s Capital Works Program this year providing safer roads for motorists.Central Coast Council’s Construction Manager, Mr Stuart Baverstock said, this resealing program reflects part of Council’s commitment to maintain and improve local roads for the community.“Resealing roads will extend the life of the road and result in less long term road maintenance,” Mr Baverstock said.“The benefits the community can experience because of this resealing work is safer roads and money saved over the life of the road.“Council is responsible for over 2000 kilometres of sealed road pavement across our region and will continue to prioritise this work to meet the needs of our community and help reduce accidents.”Short term disruptions can take place while this work is being carried out and all updates for the program can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.A selection of the 59 kilometres of road to be resealed in the coming months include;Alan Avenue, CharmhavenAllambee Crescent, Blue HavenBlood Tree Road, Mangrove MountainBrandon Close, BudgewoiBridge Avenue, Chain Valley BayBuff Point Avenue, Buff PointCams Boulevard, Summerland PointCarpenter Street, Umina BeachCarters Road, Lake MunmorahCatalina Road, San RemoChisholm Avenue, Lake MunmorahCogra Road, Woy WoyDog Trap Road, SomersbyKurrawa Avenue, Point ClareMalkana Avenue, Forresters BeachMelba Road, Woy WoyThe Ridgeway, LisarowWards Hill Road, Empire BayWatkin Avenue, Woy Woy.For information on upcoming road work, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Central Coast Council will place the draft Norah Head Village Centre Masterplan on Public Exhibition from Wednesday 9 November to Friday 9 December 2016.“This plan has been developed with great input from over 60 residents and stakeholders at two community workshops held in May and June this year,” said Mr Scott Cox, Group Leader, Environment and Planning.“Now the plan is ready for Public Exhibition and we encourage anyone interested to view the plan and provide feedback by the due date,” Mr Cox said.“This Masterplan is all about Council investing in the Norah Head community over the next 20 years to retain its distinct character whilst improving public facilities and linkages.”Some of the key features of the plan are provision for public domain improvements within the Village Centre.The plan considers car parking, shared pathways and cycleways, street furniture, lighting, signage and landscaping, public amenities and recreational facilities.Following the Public Exhibition the draft masterplan will be refined to incorporate any changes required as a result of feedback received during the exhibition period.The draft Masterplan will then be reported to Council seeking its adoption and commencement of the first stage of implementation of the Masterplan, and to gain inclusion of short to medium term recommended actions within Council’s four year delivery plan.The draft masterplan can be viewed at Toukley Library or at Central Coast Council Chambers, 2 Hely Street, Wyong or online at www.haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au/norah-head-master-planWe welcome public feedback via email ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, the Have Your Say webpage or PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259.

The award-winning Wyong Lakes Festival will kick off its nine day program on Saturday and it is guaranteed to entertain, delight and educate.Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 November.The festival program is varied so it doesn’t matter whether your interest is sport or cultural experiences, family or educational activities or just getting out and enjoying the magnificent lakes and catchments, this festival is for you.Light up the Lake will launch the festival with a five hour lakeside event at Memorial Park, and will be jam-packed with great food, entertainment and lots of free activities.

Lead Instructor of The Hub Erina’s Rising Stars Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program, Noah Magnus, will compete and captain the Australian team in the World Pankration Championships in Italy from 11-14 November.Pankration means ‘all powers’.