Council has closed the Jenny Dixon Beach access after a landslip occurred adjacent to the access point – Council barricades and warning signs have been erected.Council conducted a preliminary hazard risk assessment which revealed the landslip has undermined a section of the concrete foot path, leaving it unsafe for use. Council has issued a warning to residents and visitors to avoid the Jenny Dixon Beach access at Park Street, Norah Head approximately 50m east of the picnic shelters in the main car park due to serious safety risks. Recent heavy rains have soaked the ground and surrounding areas, creating soft and unstable soil.

Community feedback sought on draft agreement between First Nations Leaders and CouncilThe draft Central Coast First Nations Accord and draft Acknowledgement of Country will be placed on public exhibition for community review and feedback.The draft Accord is an agreement between First Nations Leaders and Central Coast Council.

Four professional and two emerging local creatives have been selected to deliver innovative art works as part of Central Coast Council’s ‘Creative Art Central’ program.Creative Art Central 2021 attracted 94 registrations from local artists who each had the opportunity to pitch their idea.

Council has honoured 17 local young people in the first Central Coast Youth Week Awards, for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the local community. Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon said it is important that we continue to recognise and celebrate our local young people who are doing great things in the community.“It was an honour to be part of the first Central Coast Youth Week Awards presentation night, and I’d like to again congratulate all our award winners and finalists this year,” Mr Cantillon said.“This includes the three local schools awarded in the Nominator category, with each receiving $500 to implement a program or activity that positively benefits students.” Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the awards were developed to acknowledge the contributions of local young people from diverse backgrounds and abilities. “I am delighted to congratulate each of the award winners and nominees in the first Central Coast Youth Week Awards,” Mr Hart said. “Each of our award winners should be extremely proud of being recognised by their community for their achievements and contributions that help make our home a better place. “These talented and ambitious young people are certainly helping to shape the future of our wonderful community and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each of them.”The 2022 Central Coast Youth Week Award winners and finalists in each category include:Luminary Leaders category winnersYouth Entrepreneur of the Year – Winner:

To support community groups or individuals build skills and confidence in applying for grant funding to deliver their worthwhile projects, events, or initiatives for the community, Council is running a series of free workshops in May and June ahead of the 2022-23 Community Grants Program opening.A series of drop-in sessions, information sessions and workshops will be offered online via zoom and in person at Erina Centre, Erina Fair and at Council’s Wyong Administration Building.The annual ‘Community Events and Place Activation’ and ‘Community Development’ Grant Programs will open 1 June 2022 with $300,000 per program available, to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen the Central Coast community.

Boris Bolgoff, Council Director Infrastructure Services with Inspector Martin Searle, Senior Constable Lee Maraga, and Sergeant Jon Kunicki of NSW Police.Locals and visitors to the Coast will see a heightened focus on speeding across May as NSW Police and Central Coast Council roll out a collaborative road safety initiative.Two clear messages – ‘Every K counts’ and ‘Stop it…Or cop it’ – will be delivered through increased Police presence and enforcement on 50km/hr roads and a Council-led education campaign.Traffic and Highway Patrol Inspector Martin Searle said saving lives and reducing the incidence and severity of speed-related crashes is the main goal.“We want to remind the Central Coast community and visitors to slow down and take care on local roads,” Inspector Searle said.“Speeding continues to be a contributing factor in 49 percent of all fatality crashes that occur on our region’s roads.”“Drivers must observe speed limits at all times and drive to conditions – 'just a bit over' or driving too fast for the road conditions can have consequences for yourself and other road users.” “We are reminding motorists that they can make a difference by making safe choices on our roads – to make road safety a priority and drive to conditions, particularly in built up urban areas with 50km/hr zones where children, the elderly, cyclists and pedestrians can be.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said it is important to work collaboratively to reduce speeding across the region.“Along with increased presence from NSW Police, Council is focusing on increased messaging aimed at reducing speeds across Central Coast roads this May.”“Education can have a big impact on changing behaviours – we’re encouraging Coasties to drive safely and look out for each other.”The campaign will see enhanced police enforcement across local roads and deliver educational messages to the Central Coast community.ENDS

On Saturday 26 March 2022, Town Criers from across Australia will gather at Alison Homestead in Wyong as the Central Coast plays host to the 2022 National Town Crier Championships.From 12.30-3.30pm, the nation's best Town Criers will be representing their areas and competing for the title of Australian Champion of Champions.Central Coast Town Crier and current Australian Champion, Stephen Clarke is thrilled at the opportunity to showcase our wonderful region, as well as be the host for this year’s event.“We are inviting the community to come along and enjoy this fun and very colourful event,” Mr Clarke said.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council was delighted to be hosting the national event, which offers an unusual and entertaining experience for all ages.“This is an example of the diverse types of events and activities Council supports on the Central Coast,” Mr Hart said.“On the same weekend as the Town Crier Championships, Flavours By The Sea is also being held at Terrigal – so there’s something on the Coast for everyone to enjoy.”The Championships, which have been running for 32 years, are held under the authority of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers.Town Criers compete against one another for the titles of Champion of Champions, Loudest Cry, and Most Extravagant Outfit!The competing Town Criers each perform two cries – one about their own hometown and another about the host town.

As the recent severe weather event threatened the Central Coast, Council formed an Incident Management Team in advance of the impacts being realised to ensure that we were mitigating the potential impacts to our community as much as possible.Council closely monitored weather predictions, roads, lakes, waterways and beaches for potential flooding and storm impacts as heavy rainfall and unpredictable weather hit the region.

Central Coast Council is continuing to closely monitor roads, lakes, waterways and beaches for potential flooding and storm impacts as heavy rainfall and unpredictable weather lash the Coast. Council is encouraging the community to remain vigilant and continue taking extra safety precautions during the current weather event.Waterways and beachesAt 1:15pm today, Tuggerah Lake was recorded at 0.64m following a 2.0m high tide.

Council is continuing its constant and close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for potential flooding and storm impacts, and is urging the community to get prepared as more heavy rainfall is forecast.The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has advised an east coast low (ECL) currently over the Mid North Coast is moving south toward the Central Coast region.