A small section of Showground Road, Gosford, will be reduced to single-lane traffic from 8:30pm tonight while Council undertakes essential repairs to a water main.The northbound lane of Showground Road adjacent to Gosford High School, will be closed from the roundabout.Traffic controllers will be on site and traffic diversions will be in place.Council urges motorists to take an alternate route to avoid traffic congestion expected at this intersection.The road is expected to reopen by 6pm Saturday 18 November 2017.Council apologises for any inconvenience.ENDS Media Contact:

Central Coast Council will start work on Monday to upgrade the carparks at a popular reserve at Long Jetty.Saltwater Creek Reserve boasts a regional play space with an all access swing, mini BMX track, barbecues and picnic facilities, open reserve, free Wi-Fi and a boat ramp to access Tuggerah Lakes.Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Mr Greg McDonald, said the upgrade will complement the popular reserve.“Both carparks desperately need an upgrade and we promise you will notice an improvement to the surface and have more parking as a result,” Mr McDonald said.“In order to carry out these works though, we need to close both carparks temporarily.“We know this closure will be inconvenient to users, but it’s the best option to carry out the works in a safe and timely manner.”Weather permitting, work is expected to be finished at the end of July and includes:A new boat and trailer car park that will provide 10 formalised spaces for boats and trailers as well as improved rigging and turning areasA new main carpark that will provide 83 formalised car spaces - providing an additional 14 spaces, more than there is nowRealignment of the shared path off road to improve safetyA new and improved boat ramp (4.5 metres wide) to access Tuggerah Lakes.During the works, boat ramps users can still launch their vessel from the nearby ramp at Picnic Point, The Entrance.“The park, play space and BMX track will be open – residents will just need to find parking nearby to the park,” Mr McDonald added.Parking is available across the Central Coast Highway at the Lions Park (aka Rocket Park) as well as along Tuggerah Parade and the adjoining streets.

Very low usage and the availability of other, free parking in Gosford’s city centre will see the former Kibbleplex site’s commuter car park close on weekends starting this month.From Saturday 11 June 2016, the operating hours for the site’s 400 free commuter car parks will change to Monday to Friday between 5.30am and 9pm each weekday.Central Coast Council’s Director of Community Growth Judy Jaeger said that except for major city centre events the commuter car park was virtually empty on weekends.“Council worked hard as part of the site’s sale earlier this year to make sure it would be business as usual at the car park for the foreseeable future,” Ms Jaeger said.“But with weekend usage at the car park very low and plenty of other free parking available in the city centre, especially at the nearby Imperial Centre, the cost to the community of keeping the car park open seven days a week is no longer sustainable.“We also expect that closing the car park on Saturdays and Sundays will reduce some of the security issues at the site.“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank the community for their understanding,” Ms Jaeger said.Council will continue to liaise with the site’s new owner to have the car park opened at certain times on those weekends when a major event is being held.“I can also assure the community that we’re continuing to develop a long-term car parking strategy for Gosford’s CBD,” Ms Jaeger added.“This strategy will look at a number of options including possible changes to council’s current Baker Street car park, potential sites for new car parks, as well as lobbying the NSW Government to provide more parking to support all its facilities and services in Gosford.”

Central Coast Council is considering invoking penalty clauses in its contract with local waste contractor, Remondis if the strike by garbage truck drivers continues.Remondis is contracted by council to provide waste services, including regular bin collection, until January 31, 2018.Remondis directly employ the current garbage drivers and are responsible for their wages and conditions.  The Transport Workers Union (TWU) lodged the intention to take strike action in the Fair Work Commission, against Remondis, not council.Council’s CEO Mr Rob Noble said he was tired of the blame game and wants Remondis to get on with what it is paid to do and pick up the bins.“This protracted action is starting to take its toll on everyone – particularly our residents who see rubbish piling up in the streets.“We have a broader responsibility to provide the best possible services to our 331,000 residents.“The new waste tender hasn’t even been released yet so there is plenty of time for workers to secure their conditions.“In the meantime our residents are being made to pay for this ill-advised action.“They need to get to work and pick up the bins - that is what they are paid to do.”Council has moved to lessen the impact on residents by opening up its three waste facilities at Buttonderry, Kincumber and Woy Woy for the free drop off of domestic waste.“We know this won’t be convenient for everyone but it is a step we can take now at our expense until the backlog is cleared.”Residents should leave their bin out on the kerb until it is collected by Remondis.

Central Coast Council is urging the community to avoid swimming and other recreational activities in public waterways until further notice following wild weather over the weekend.Along with major stormwater pollution, there were a number of sewage overflows into waterways in a number of areas due to the significant rainfall.Although council’s sewerage network is now operating as normal, public waterways including local beaches, lagoons and parts of Brisbane Water are still potentially affected.Council is working with all relevant authorities including the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Public Health Unit.The community can be assured that the drinking water supply has not been affected by these sewage overflows.

Central Coast Council is busy cleaning up after the weekend storms when almost 200 mm of rain fell in just over 24 hours.The rain has given a significant boost to dam levels with more than five weeks supply of water captured for the Central Coast.A number of local roads were closed due to flooding and repairs will need to be made throughout the network, particularly to fix potholes.Council’s Team Leader of Beach Lifeguards Craig Healy said Terrigal Beach, Avoca Beach, Ettalong Beach and Patonga Beach were the areas most affected in south of the Central Coast.“The wild weather washed plenty of sand and other debris into nearby car parks, public reserves and other areas along the coastline,” Mr Healy said.“Local surf clubs, footpaths, seawalls and access ramps in the vicinity of a number of beaches were also damaged.“At this stage, we expect the clean-up in the south will last all week.Council’s Manager of Waterways and Assets, Mr Peter Ham, said council was bracing for more to come with a minor flood warning now issued for Tuggerah Lakes.“The rain may have stopped but it will take a few days for the lakes to reach their peaks,” Mr Ham said.“Residents are used to this and are being helped by the SES with sandbags to minimise damage to their homes.’Residents in low lying areas of Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Point, South Tacoma Road, Tacoma South and The Entrance North are urged to get sand bags from the Wyong SES in preparation.Damage in the north of the council area was limited to minor road damage, erosion at beach accesses, some minor flooding issues and a couple of assets exposed to wave action such as the walkway at Cabbage Tree Harbour and the sandstone wall near The Entrance baths.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the decision by striking garbage truck drivers to return to work today.The drivers are already back on the job and have started with bin collections from last Thursday (when the strike began) and will work to catch up what has been missed since then.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the end of industrial action would come as a relief to residents“I am pleased for residents this strike is finally over and they now have surety their bin will be picked up,” Mr Reynolds said.“Council’s role here has always been to ensure we have a reliable and efficient waste and recycling service for our 331,000 residents and that will not change.“My door is always open to those willing to deliver that for our community.”Residents should leave their bin out on the kerb until it is collected by Remondis drivers.Council has opened its waste management facilities at Buttonderry, Woy and Woy and Kincumber for residents wishing to dispose of their red lid bin waste sooner for free until the end of the week (Friday).

One of the Central Coast’s most popular sporting and recreational facilities, Niagara Park Stadium, is set to host several major sporting events this month.Kicking off the premier sporting schedule is the Football NSW Futsal Schools Championships starting today until 10 June.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the announcement of disaster assistance to residents affected by the recent storms that swept through the region.This will provide relief to a number of residents, particularly those who experienced coastal erosion damage at Terrigal, Avoca and Wamberal.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the relief funds were very good news to the hundreds of residents affected by the recent storms and to council.“Council and the community are still counting the cost of these devastating storms and so this is very welcome news indeed,” Mr Reynolds said.“This time it was those living or owning businesses close to our iconic beaches that sustained the most damage and my heart really does go out to them.“Our local road network also sustained major damage and now we will be able to apply for funding for repair work instead of it coming out of our own coffers – so I am particularly pleased about that.“It is great to see our State and Federal counterparts acknowledging the significant impact on communities of this natural disaster and also great to see their willingness to lend a helping hand.”Residents affected by the recent storms should contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 678 593 or visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au Information about emergency readiness and storm preparation can be found at  www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/emergency and www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/community/community-safety/emergency-services.

Central Coast Council’s first draft Operation Plan 2016-17, which outlines their annual spend, including the management of over $11 billion worth of assets, is now on public exhibition.The comprehensive plan combines the former local government area plans of Gosford City and Wyong Shire to set out the actions and projects a Central Coast Council will deliver to the community.Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Noble, said the Plan details a commitment to continuing the services and service levels of the former councils for 2016-17.“This draft plan outlines how we will deliver more than $540 million on essential services and $183 million on a quality infrastructure,” Mr Noble said.“There is a strong focus on key community priorities with more than $150 million dedicated to improving our road and drainage networks, including Hastings Road Terrigal, Goobarabah Close Lake Haven, The Ridgeway Lisarow and Bligh Close Tumbi Umbi, to name a few.“We will also ensure attention remains on maintaining our unique environment, enhancing community facilities as well as developing our open space and recreation assets.”Key projects identified include the replacement of three existing amenities buildings, construction of a new multi-purpose building and upgrade of sporting fields and car park at Adcock Park, as well as new facilities to be built at Halekulani and Tuggerah alongside planned upgrades at Cambourn Drive Playground Lisarow, Swadling Park Toowoon Bay and McEvoy Oval Umina.“Everything we are doing is designed to improve the quality of life for our residents, while helping to create jobs and opportunities for our growing community,” Mr Noble said.“I would encourage anyone interested in the future of the Central Coast to take a look at the plan and have their say.”The draft plan can be viewed at both Council Civic Centres, all library branches excluding Mooney Mooney or online at http://haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.auSubmissions can be made online at http://haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au, via email to ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or post to PO Box 20 Wyong NSW 2259 or PO Box 21 Gosford NSW 2250.All submissions must be received in writing by 9am, Monday 27 June 2016.