Local artists shine in The Grumpy Princess at Laycock Street TheatreCentral Coast’s thriving arts scene comes to life at Laycock Street Community Theatre on Thursday 23 January with the premiere of Grumpy Princess, an original musical performance developed through Central Coast Council's arts and culture program, Performance Illuminated.•    The Grumpy Princess•    Where:

Central Coast Council was prosecuted by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for two offences, for water pollution and breach of their Environmental Protection Licence.

Central Coast Council has awarded funding to 42 local community groups, non-profit organisations and businesses through the annual Community Grants Program to support projects that positively impact the Central Coast community.The Community Grants Program provides eligible applicants from the Community Development and Community Events and Place Activation Grant Programs with up to $20,000 in funding to deliver quality programs, events and projects within 18 months.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the grant programs build connections and celebrate our local community with programs, events and activities that align with the Community Strategic Plan and the theme of Belonging.“Council continues to work with local community organisations to connect people and create local solutions and initiatives that enrich our neighbourhoods and create a tapestry of shared experiences and social cohesion,” Ms Smith said.“On Tuesday 10 December an afternoon tea was held at Council’s function rooms to recognise successful grant applicants of the Community Development Grant Program and Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program and provide the opportunity for recipients to engage with each other.”Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the Community Grant Programs assist the community to implement exciting activities that activate town centres, foreshores, lakes and open spaces for families, visitors and the wider region.“Funding from the Community Grants Program is essential for sustainable community development, which will enhance the quality of life of our residents and benefit future generations,” Mr McKinna said.The Community Development Grant Program received 50 applications this year, with 23 recommended for funding totalling $261,077.

Central Coast Council has successfully restored beach access at Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach, ensuring residents, visitors and beach patrol teams can enjoy the coastline this summer.With the final pieces of work to be completed this week, the completion of the concrete vehicle access ramp and northern stairs at Soldiers Beach, along with previously finished stairs at Jenny Dixon Beach and Soldiers Beach SLSC, marks the full restoration of access to these popular beaches following significant storm damage in recent years.The project was undertaken following $2,443,750 received from Australian and NSW Governments’ through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements as part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program to repair the storm damage and restore essential beach access.

Central Coast Council has successfully restored beach access at Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach, ensuring residents, visitors and beach patrol teams can enjoy the coastline this summer.With the final pieces of work to be completed this week, the completion of the concrete vehicle access ramp and northern stairs at Soldiers Beach, along with previously finished stairs at Jenny Dixon Beach and Soldiers Beach SLSC, marks the full restoration of access to these popular beaches following significant storm damage in recent years.The project was undertaken following $2,443,750 received from Australian and NSW Governments’ through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements as part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program to repair the storm damage and restore essential beach access.

The Central Coast’s 2024 tourism industry winners will be celebrated at an event hosted by Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna this week at the Central Coast Visitor Centre at The Entrance.The celebration event recognises the significant contribution 20 award winning Central Coast businesses have made in raising the profile of the Central Coast through tourism and business excellence.Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the array of awards showcases the dynamic and diverse range of local businesses and their outstanding achievements.“I feel it is really important to recognise and publicly acknowledge what each of these businesses have achieved this year and hope that it will also build confidence for other businesses on the Coast, knowing that the Central Coast is winning awards nationally and internationally.”Business award winners to be celebrated at the morning tea event, include fine dining restaurants, a brewery, distillery and winery, as well as popular major attractions, business events venues, arts and cultural festivals as well as international recognition for the growing list of eco-certified operators.“The Central Coast visitor economy has without a doubt recovered post-pandemic with a renewed focus now on sustainable growth.“The latest Destination NSW Central Coast Visitor Profile for year ending June 2024 reveals the value of the Central Coast visitor economy is increasingly prominent.“Council applauds all the local businesses who are committed to the economic growth of the region through tourism and business excellence,” Mayor McKinna said.Central Coast had a total of 5.3 million visitors, 5.8 million overnight stays with $1.4 billion injected into the local economy.

In mid-October migratory Little Terns returned to their nesting grounds at Karagi Point, The Entrance, and already the first baby chicks are starting to totter around the sand.Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation – and the Central Coast’s Karagi Point is their most important breeding ground in New South Wales.

Central Coast Council has identified the top priorities for its water and sewer services, as outlined in 2024 Community Engagement Outcomes Report recently published on Council’s website. The community driven insights will play a key role in shaping services and guiding financial planning, including the 2026-2031 IPART water pricing submission. Over the past year, we’ve engaged with our community to better understand their values and expectations of our water and sewer services.

The Gosford Regional Library is now well passed the halfway-mark in construction with a major ‘Topping Out’ milestone being reached – the completion of the third suspended, and final, floor slab.Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna was joined by Dr Gordon Reid, Member for Robertson, and North Construction &