An independent facilitator will hold public meetings next month to review the potential reclassification of 12 land parcels flagged for possible sale by the former Gosford City Council.The potential reclassification of any parcels identified as community land must involve a rigorous, fully informed and transparent community consultation process.At the public meetings community members can speak for or against any individual land reclassification.

The Red-eared Slider Turtle may seem like a great idea for a pet, but it is considered a pest – one of the world’s worst invasive species – and one has been caught on the Central Coast.Central Coast Council’s Waterways Operations Team made the discovery yesterday during their routine water quality monitoring in a wetland at Hamlyn Terrace.Council’s Waterways Operations Supervisor, Mr Matthew Barnett, said the team is always on the lookout for pest species in our waterways.“My team was testing the water for nutrients and completing other water quality diagnostics when they saw a turtle basking in shallow water on the fringe of the constructed wetland,” Mr Barnett said.“On closer inspection they saw it was a Red-eared Slider by the red distinctive marks on either side of its head.“We are always on the lookout for pests in our waterways such as European Carp, Mallard Duck and Mosquito Fish as part of our monitoring, so that’s why we spotted the turtle.“Constructed wetlands are the natural filters of the catchment area and assist in cleansing the water before it enters Tuggerah Lakes or our natural wetlands, such as the unique Porters Creek wetland.“We use the results of the water quality testing to assist with analysis of the catchment areas to make sure there are no detrimental impacts on our local environment.“We also monitor the wetlands to make sure pests and weeds, such as this turtle, do not make their way further into our environment.”“We often come across species in our wetlands that have been released as unwanted pets or garden plants.

Central Coast Council libraries are calling all aspiring writers to get involved in this year’s annual Short Story Competition, one of the most anticipated library events on the calendar.Now in its fifth year, the competition offers an incredible opportunity for local writers of all ages to have their creative efforts recognised and published.Council’s Section Manager of Library Services, Ms Andreas Edwards, said this year will be the first time the competition has been expanded to all Central Coast residents.“I am absolutely thrilled we are extending this fantastic opportunity to our all of our region’s residents, following the formation of the new council,” Ms Edwards said.“We have so much amazing talent in our own backyard and love we are able to provide this chance for our creative literary community to shine.“The calibre of entrants gets better each year and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this year.”Entries for the 2016 Short Story Competition will be accepted from Monday 11 July until 5pm Friday 5 August.Stories can be up to 1500 words and there will be four categories this year;

Central Coast Council is putting its support behind National Desexing Month this July and encouraging local pet owners to get their pets desexed to help prevent unwanted litters this spring.Council’s Section Manager Ranger Services, Ms Rennae Projceski, said there are a multitude of reasons to get your pet desexed.“Not only does it limit the number of abandoned and unwanted litters of puppies and kittens it can also drastically improve your pets behaviour and quality of life,” Ms Projceski said.“They are also less likely to stray looking for a mate and mark their territory, reducing the risk of becoming involved in fights, acquiring diseases, being hit by a vehicle and injuring native wildlife.“Furthermore, it decreases aggressive tendencies toward people and other animals and the development of certain types of cancers, meaning they tend to live longer and happier lives.“Another massive benefit to desexing your pet is the reduced lifetime registration cost, which lessons the fee by $140 or more.“Registration is a one off fee, so even if there are ownership changes or you move interstate and return, the pet is still registered in NSW.”All dogs and cats over the age of six months are required by law to be registered and must be microchipped either before sale, change of ownership or by 12 weeks of age, whichever occurs first.“Many pet owners aren’t aware, but they also risk a fine of up to $275 if their pet is not microchipped and registered or their details aren’t up-to-date,” Ms Projceski added.“Ensuring your pet is microchipped and registered with the correct details really is the best way to ensure they are returned to you if they are lost or escape.”As part of National Desexing Month some vets are offering reduced rates - interested pet owners, who want to know if their vet is involved should go to www.ndn.org.au/national-desexing-month.html

In a huge coup for the Central Coast sporting scene, Niagara Park Stadium has been selected as the host venue for the 2016 Hockey NSW U13 and U15 Boys and Girls State Indoor Championships.The first of these major events will be held over two four-day periods in October (14-17) and November (4-7) this year.Council’s Team Leader at Niagara Park Stadium, Scott Attwood said the Championships offer a prime opportunity to showcase our region and will provide a significant boost to our local economy.“The Championships attract over 120 teams from across NSW, who will stay, eat and shop in the region during the four day events,” said Mr.

The push to bring the V8 Supercars to the Central Coast has stalled at the starters’ flag.Central Coast Council today announced it would not continue investigations into the opportunity following advice that disruption to traffic and freight would be too great and ratepayers would potentially be left with significant costs to host the event.Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Noble, said it was disappointing that the Coast would miss out on such an amazing opportunity but in the end the numbers simply did not stack up.“On paper this looks like a fabulous opportunity for the Coast,” Mr Noble said.“Then you drill down and realise we would have to close one of the main arterial roads on the Coast for more than four days.“I know residents would rather we spent the money on roads they actually drive on every day.“In the end it just didn’t stack up for us.”Mr Noble also expressed his gratitude to Destination NSW and the NSW Government for their desire to bring the opportunity to the Central Coast.“It demonstrates that the tourism potential of the Central Coast is recognised by Government,” Mr Noble said.“We know that discussions regarding other opportunities to grow the profile of the region will continue.”A priority for council is to support, develop and grow major events which are an important catalyst for economic development and offer positive experiences and economic contributions to local businesses and the wider community on the Central Coast.The Central Coast is well equipped to host events utilising the natural assets in the region as well as the wealth of existing infrastructure available.

Central Coast Council’s northern most residents are set to benefit from a $300,000 investment in new multi-purpose courts at Tunkuwallin Oval.The need for the new courts was identified in the Tunkuwallin draft Masterplan and will cater for basketball, netball and handball as well as an overflow carpark.Administrator Ian Reynolds who will officially open the court next week said the courts were the first of many new sporting facilities and other infrastructure planned to meet the needs of the Coast’s growing population.“Our population is expanding rapidly, particularly in the north and so too must the services and infrastructure we provide.“Recreational facilities are particularly important as we want our community to be strong, happy and healthy and these enhanced facilities will deliver that.“These new courts have been championed by all local sporting clubs, particularly the Summerland Point/Gwandalan Netball Club, who need these facilities to cater for their expanding membership base.“This is a great example of Council and interested local groups working together to deliver the facilities our community need, want and value.“I am looking forward to more of that to come in this new Central Coast Council.”Other sporting and recreational facilities to be finished soon include a new BMX track at San Remo, the regional skate place at Bateau Bay and the first stage of the Magenta Shared Pathway.

Today the 2016 Garden Competition officially opens with local green thumbs making final preparations.This year signifies the end of an era for the three decade strong event;

Environment protection guarantee for Warnervale developmentCouncil has engaged Eco Logical Australia (ELA) to prepare biodiversity certification and offset strategy to ensure current greenfield sites, south of Sparks Road, Warnervale are developed sustainably.The strategy will identify areas of high value vegetation and habitat for permanent protection and the areas that will deliver the best employment generating development.An appropriate development footprint will be established for land around the Warnervale Airport and Education Business Precinct so potential developers and landowners know up front where development will be allowed.As council itself is a major land holder in the area, it will be able to ensure that significant environmental offset land is secure, protected and managed effectively.The proposal will require the approval of the NSW Minister for the Environment who will need to be satisfied the conservation measures result in an overall improvement in biodiversity values.Administrator Reynolds said:

Residents are advised that the poppy sculpture in Rotary Park, Gosford, has been moved so that inspections can be undertaken.This week, sculptor Margrete Erling has been overseeing the removal of the artwork, so that council and the artist can check on its condition.As the sculpture was created and installed to mark the World War 1 centenary, it was never intended to be exposed to the elements for the longer term.Unfortunately, the piece has started to show signs of deterioration.Council will be working with the artist to determine how it can hopefully be restored for future use, but in the meantime, please be assured that it has been stored safely.