A $2.2 million upgrade of road at Audie Parade at Berkeley Vale gets underway this week.Central Coast Council is continuing to spend a record amount this financial year on road upgrades with Berkeley Vale being the latest focus.Council’s Construction Manager, Mr Stuart Baverstock, said Audie Parade is part of the critical local road network connecting residents to schools, hospitals and local amenities.“Upgrading this road with this first stage of works will help alleviate the flooding previously experienced in this area and improve road pavement conditions, allowing easier access to these local facilities and amenities,” said Mr Baverstock.“This major project will include new road pavement, extensive drainage work and new kerb and guttering along Audie Parade.“During this work the speed limit will be reduced to 40km/h and short detours and delays can be experienced by motorists.“We understand road construction can cause some disruption and we appreciate the community’s patience while this important work takes place.”Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said he was asked about more road upgrades from members of the Coast community everywhere he went, as well as being asked what Council is doing about our road network.“Council is doing a lot this financial year to prioritise our road and drainage network,” said Mr Reynolds.“A record amount of funding is being invested to making our roads safer and to ease congestion throughout the Coast.“We are also continuing to lobby the State and Federal Government to assist us with improving our road network.“Roads connect our community and are essential to residents as they go about their daily lives.”

Central Coast Council is urging residents to join the fight against graffiti by taking part in Graffiti Removal Day on Sunday 30 October 2016.The state-wide graffiti removal and prevention day is a joint initiative of the New South Wales Government, Rotary Down Under and Graffiti Removal Australia and is a great opportunity for individuals, community groups, sporting clubs, businesses and other organisations to help us in the fight against graffiti.Council’s Community Development Coordinator, Ms Shari Young said everyone can play a part in keeping the Coast graffiti free.“Anyone over age of 12 can get involved in the clean up – we’re encouraging people to get involved,” Ms Young said.“All volunteers will be provided with training, graffiti removal equipment and protective gear on the day.”Official Graffiti Removal Day sites for the Central Coast are located in Point Clare, Ettalong, Umina, Woy Woy, Wyong, Gorokan, Watanobbi and Toukley.Some of the more successful anti-graffiti initiatives carried out on the Central Coast include the neighbourhood volunteer graffiti removal groups, an education program in high schools and an extensive community mural program.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said graffiti was an ongoing challenge that impacted most communities.“It is one of the most visible crimes and the cost to the community is not just financial,” Mr Ian Reynolds said.“Indirect costs include environmental harm, increased concerns for personal safety, and reduced civic pride.“Removing graffiti costs NSW ratepayers more than $100 million each year, and even though Council has had increased success in our efforts to reduce graffiti vandalism, we cannot do it without the help of the community.“We are committed to improving the Central Coast community’s quality of life so let’s roll up our sleeves and work together to keep our community beautiful and free of graffiti vandalism.”To get involved and find a local clean up a site on 30 October please visit graffitiremovalday.org.au.

Central Coast Council has secured three major events in 2017 at the region’s newest and biggest skate place - Bato Yard.Two events are associated with the Australian Skateboarding Federation (ASF) and the other is part of the NSW YMCA Skate Park League (SPL).Council’s Sports Development and Events Officer, Ms Karen Lightfoot, said this is great news and will put the new facility on the national riding calendar and boost its reputation nationally and internationally.“Since Bato Yard opened in July, hundreds of riders and spectators flock to the freestyle riding facility every day and these events will only further cement the increasing popularity of the Yard,” Ms Lightfoot said.“The two ASF events will be part of the popular King of Concrete skateboard contest series and is an opportunity for our local riders to showcase their talents in front of some big names.“The first one will be the bowl event which is locked in for Saturday 11 February and will feature qualifying spots for the well-known Bondi Bowlarama.“This means our Bato event could see some of our local riders competing against some of the best skaters in Australia at Bondi!“The other ASF King of Concrete event will be a street-based skate contest in April and will be used as a contest pathway to participate in a USA street event – another great chance for our local skaters to compete against some of the best in the world!”Bato Yard was designed to cater for a range of disciplines such as skate, scooter, BMX and blades for locals with a view to also hosting major events.The YMCA has booked Bato Yard for two years with their first SPL event booked in for the next school holidays on Tuesday 17 January.The competition will include riders competing in the categories of scooter, skateboard, BMX and wheelies (wheelchair/amputees).

Join the fight against graffiti by taking part in Graffiti Removal Day on Sunday 30 October.The state-wide graffiti removal and prevention day is a joint initiative of the New South Wales Government, Rotary Down Under and Graffiti Removal Australia, and is a great opportunity for individuals, community groups, sporting clubs, businesses and other organisations to join us in the fight against graffiti.We are encouraging residents to become part of the solution by volunteering to help remove graffiti at one of the official clean up sites across the Central Coast. Anyone over the age of 12 can get involved in the clean up.

Are you representing our region, state or country in a sporting or cultural event?Applications are now open for council’s Developing and Recognising Talent (DART) program to assist in covering costs for eligible residents who have been selected to participate in a recognised sporting or cultural event.Council Administrator Ian Reynolds says the DART program aims to recognise and support grass-roots sporting and cultural talent.“The DART program offers sponsorship for individuals or groups towards the costs associated with participating in significant sporting and cultural events,” said Mr.

Central Coast Council has closed The Entrance Beach today following a shark sighting.A shark believed to be a 3.5 metre bronze whaler was observed by Council lifeguards chasing a school of fish off The Entrance Beach.The beach is expected to be closed for at least several hours.  Lifeguards will reassess the beach over the next few hours and it will only be reopen when deemed to be safe.All other beaches across the Central Coast remain open at this time.  Lifeguards at nearby beaches are being extra vigilant to ensure the safety of swimmers.

Temporary traffic controls will be in place along Georgiana Terrace in Gosford from Monday 24 October until Friday 11 November 2016, while Central Coast Council completes essential sewer works.A section of Georgiana Terrace, adjacent to the Baker Street intersection, will be temporarily closed to through traffic.

Central Coast families and visitors to our region will soon have new ways to play, with council investing more than $2 million in playground and play space upgrades this financial year.Council Administrator Ian Reynolds says that upgrading our playgrounds and play spaces is an investment in the quality of life of our local community.“Playgrounds and play spaces are an essential element in strengthening social networks.

Central Coast Council is encouraging residents and visitors to be aware of snakes as the summer weather hits the Coast.As the weather warms up, snakes will begin to emerge from their winter abode in search of food, water and sun.Council’s Natural Areas Section Manager, Mr Alan Cibilic, reminded residents it’s time to be vigilant when outdoors.“Snakes might appear in open spaces, parks, beachside reserves and even our own gardens,” Mr Cibilic said.“Please take care when walking along beach accesses, bush walking trails and shared pathways, especially if you have your dog with you - make sure they stay on their leash.“Baby snakes are also about now and once they hatch they are on their own – which means they’re just as venomous as adults.

Local students entering their first or second year of university are invited to apply for Central Coast Council’s 2017 scholarship program.The annual program provides an outstanding opportunity to gain valuable on the job training in a professional field while studying.Council’s Executive Manager People and Culture, Mrs Kellie Reeves, said the program is designed to inspire young people to continue their education.“Currently less than 11 per cent of our residents have university qualifications, compared to 24.1 per cent for Greater Sydney and 18.8 per cent across Australia,” Mrs Reeves said.“Through this program we hope we can positively change these statistics by motivating students to continue with their studies and by giving them paid work experience in their chosen field.“During this time students work alongside and are mentored by professionals, which help them to develop skills and give them an edge on the competition when they enter the workforce.