Central Coast community groups and other local, eligible organisations can now apply for grants worth up to $50,000 from the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund.As part of the $10 million provided to the newly formed Central Coast Council under the Stronger Communities Fund, $1 million has been earmarked for local community group grants over the next three years.Eligible groups and organisations can apply for the first round of grants from today until Friday 26 August 2016.View the Funding Guidelines, Application Forms and Eligibility Details.Administrator Ian Reynolds said the substantial grant program is a great chance for the new Council to work directly and collaboratively with the Central Coast community.“This funding will play a vital role in helping local groups deliver much needed community-oriented projects and initiatives that enhance Central Coast residents’ lives,” Mr Reynolds said.“We value the major contribution made by the many sporting, cultural, environment and other groups to ensure our community is a vibrant, socially inclusive and modern place for residents and visitors.“I’m looking forward to seeing as many community development projects as possible come to fruition, whether it be buying new equipment or giving a facility a facelift.”“Successful applications will deliver social, cultural, economic or environmental benefits for our community,” Mr Reynolds added.“Applicants must have a clear project objective, demonstrate a capacity to manage funds and deliver the project, and show the benefit their project will have for the community.“A Stronger Communities Fund Assessment Panel will be set up to assess and recommend projects for funding.”Council is also holding a series of presentations and drop-in sessions to provide community groups with more information about the funding program and how to apply.Information PresentationsWyong Council Chambers – 20 July 2016 (5pm-7pm)Smart Work Hub Gosford – 22 July 2016 (1.30pm-3.30pm)Drop-In Information SessionsBlue Haven Community Centre – 26 July 2016 (2pm-4pm)The Entrance Community Centre – 28 July 2016 (10am-12pm)Umina Surf Lifesaving Club – 28 July 2016 (1.30pm-3.30pm)Erina Centre (adjacent to Erina Library) – 4 August 2016 (5.30pm-7.30pm) 

Central Coast Stadium will be hosting six American football games later this year as part of the newly-formed National Gridiron League.The National Gridiron League consists of four teams in Queensland and four teams in New South Wales – including the Central Coast Cyclones.In its inaugural season, the League will feature top American football athletes from North America, Australia and around the world.Tickets are now on sale for the first ever American football games to be played at Central Coast Stadium, which are:Sunday 30 October 2016 – Sydney Express v Newcastle Miners (1pm) and Central Coast Cyclones v Wollongong Devils (6pm)Sunday 4 December 2016 – Sydney Express v Brisbane Outlaws (1pm) and Newcastle Miners v Logan Wolverines (6pm)Sunday 11 December 2016 – Wollongong Devils v Gold Coast Kings (1pm) and Central Coast Cyclones v North Coast Heat (6pm)Residents and visitors can experience the excitement of two professional American football games – as well as a live concert between games – on a single ticket.Tickets available through Ticketek.

Central Coast Council Libraries are continuing to inspire a love of learning and reading in the community with the installation of two all-weather Little Free Libraries on the shores of Tuggerah Lakes.There are now 15 of these free, accessible libraries across the Coast as a result of the overwhelming positive community response to their use.Council’s Section Manager Library Services, Ms Andrea Edwards, said this was just one of the many ways libraries are delivering free and affordable resources to the community, beyond the doors of their branches."The newly installed Little Free Libraries are located at Saltwater Creek Reserve, Long Jetty and Canton Beach.

One of the Central Coast’s premier entertainment venues, Laycock Street Community Theatre, is proudly hosting the Melbourne Ballet Company (MBC)’s esteemed production of Archè for a one night only event on Thursday 26 May at 7.30pm.Archè is a Greek word which indicates the beginning;

Central Coast Council Libraries are encouraging residents to ‘Discover More’, as they launch into Library and Information Week from 23 – 29 May 2016.To help celebrate a number of events and activities have been organised, bringing awareness to the varied range of free resources and services offered.Council’s Director of Community Growth, Ms Judy Jaeger, said libraries are an integral part of the cultural fabric of the local community and are about much more than just borrowing books.“Libraries have evolved over the last decade to meet the changing needs of the community operating as research facilities, meeting places, education and training spaces as well as entertainment venues,” Ms Jaeger said.“We now have 12 library branches located across the Coast that act as community hubs for people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.“Libraries offer a vast range of services both in house and online from room hire to homework help, book clubs, language resources as well as adult colouring classes, family history and local heritage collections, to name just a few.“It’s great to see all our libraries already working so well.

Central Coast Council welcomes the announcement for $2 million to improve EDSACC South sports facility.The amenities block was destroyed by an arson attack last year leaving a number of sporting groups without storage and canteen facilities.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said this funding would be of great assistance to the community.“This $2 million promise from the Federal Government would go a long way to benefit the users and wider community,” Mr Reynolds said.EDSACC South sportsfield is used all year round by a number of groups such as rugby league, touch football, oztag, cricket and school carnivals.These upgrades will add to the amenity of the EDSACC sporting precinct which will soon be home to the region’s biggest skate place, Bato Yard.

Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, will hold a media conference detailing decisions of the inaugural Central Coast Council Meeting.When:

Central Coast Council will kick off National Reconciliation Week celebrations tomorrow with the official opening of the Maliga Indigenous Art Showcase.Maliga, which means ‘shine’ in Darkinjung, is a School Based Art Showcase promoting local Indigenous students multimedia art and craft, reflecting their identity and cultural connection to the Central Coast.The launch will take place on Wednesday 25 May from 10am-12pm at The Entrance Community Centre and includes the presentation of the Awards and morning tea.The Maliga showcase will be on display each day from 10am-4pm until Thursday 2 June.In other celebrations, Council’s Gosford Regional Gallery will be hosting the 14th annual Reconciliation exhibition in conjunction with NSW Fair Trading.This exhibition – which opens on Saturday 28 May and runs until Sunday 17 July –  showcases local Indigenous and non-Indigenous work about Reconciliation and gives artists the opportunity to be recognised for their endeavours.The Reconciliation award ceremony is being held at the Gallery on Sunday 29 May at 11am. It will include an Indigenous art and craft market as well as children’s activities, live music and a bush tucker BBQ.National Reconciliation Week is held annually from May 27 to June 3.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the announcement of $3 million funding for the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary.Council has a long history of working to improve the health of the Tuggerah Lakes system.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said the funding would build on the work Council was already doing to improve the health of the catchment and reduce pollution.“This financial year alone, we will build 11 gross pollutant traps, four of which received federal funding, on the shores of Tuggerah Lake,” Mr Reynolds said.“This additional funding will allow us to build on the work already done, focus on our foreshores and put some much needed attention into the catchment areas.“We welcome the opportunity to work with all levels of government in improving the health of the Tuggerah Lakes catchment so that future generations can enjoy our amazing estuary.”

Next week Central Coast Council will be carrying out works to repair erosion damage to a section of the foreshore at Buff Point.As a result, a section of shared pathway between Weston Way, which will be used an access point for council vehicles,  and the footbridge at Edgewater Park, will be closed from 30 May to 30 June 2016.Throughout these works, the section of shared pathway will remain closed to ensure public safety due to truck and excavator movements around the area.Those wishing to use the shared pathway during this time will be required to bypass the works by accessing the below sections of Buff Point Road:Northbound users of the pathway will need to move off the path at Moola Road onto Buff Point Road and re-join the shared pathway at Edgewater Park.Southbound users of the pathway will need to move off the path at Karangal Avenue, Edgewater Park and use Buff Point Road to access Moola Road where the shared pathway can once again be accessed.Council would like thank the community for their patience and cooperation while these works are carried out.  Residents can “report an issue” to council via the Wyong website www.wyong.nsw.gov.au via their smartphone or their PC.