The extended COVID-19 lockdown currently in place for the Central Coast is the perfect time to take advantage of the latest round of Love Local online guides. The Love Local guides feature an extensive range of Central Coast businesses to make it easier for community members to buy local and support exceptional operators in our region during this challenging time. Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said the Love Local guides are featured on the Love Central Coast website and have continued to grow since their launch in 2020. “Our Love Local online guides highlight the quality, creativity and breadth of businesses that call the Coast home,” Ms Cowley said. “Shopping locally delivers a substantial boost to our local economy and during difficult times such as the current required lockdown this is more important than ever. “Love Local makes it so easy to connect with local providers and once you’ve made the switch to buy locally you won’t look back.” Three new Love Local guides are featured on lovecentralcoast.com:• Shopping – boutiques, bespoke retailers and local makers and creators who offer home delivery• Produce – local producers that offer home delivery• Food and drink – restaurants and cafes that offer takeaway and home deliveryCouncil Administrator, Rik Hart said the development and promotion of the guides were an important channel for Council to provide support to local businesses impacted by measures to control COVID-19. “Stay at home orders can make it extremely difficult for small businesses to continue to operate and it is vital that local communities rally to support local operators,” Mr Hart said. “So many exceptional local businesses on the Coast have created ways for us to continue to access their services online and through takeaway and home delivery – so I’d encourage everyone to explore and use the local operators featured in our Love Local online guides.” Local consumer facing businesses can sign up for a free listing on the Love Central Coast website and benefit from free promotion to Central Coast locals and visitors to the region. Community members can explore the diverse range of local businesses and the ways they have shifted to safely provide their goods and services online or through takeaway or home delivery at lovecentralcoast.com/lovelocal
Central Coast Council is assuring the community that essential services will continue in line with the additional COVID-19 restrictions recently announced by the NSW Government.The NSW Government has announced from Monday 12:01am on 19 July 2021, work at construction sites in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, is not to be carried out unless the work is urgently required.Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said the community can be assured that Council is following the requirements of the latest announcement.“We have carefully reviewed the Public Health Orders and we are making sure all of our work undertaken by Staff is in accordance with those orders.
Central Coast Council has completed the first ever survey for Koalas across the region with Koalas detected in the Mangrove Creek Dam catchment and Watagan Mountains.Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said staff also looked at Ourimbah State Forest, Brisbane Water National Park and Council’s Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands as other potential Koala habitats.“In response to an increased number of Koala sightings being reported to us, the first ever survey for Koalas across the Central Coast was completed using a combination of phone surveys, postal surveys and an ecological study using song meters,” Mr Cox said.“Phone and postal surveys were used to help record any community Koala sightings and in Spring, song meters were deployed in 58 potential Koala habitat locations to record the bellows of male Koalas during the breeding season.“Koalas were recorded at nine sites in the far west of the region.
Over 24,000 square metres of land has been weeded and over 80 volunteer hours have been spent prepping Porters Creek for this year’s National Tree Day.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said he hopes the Central Coast community will be able to come together for a special tree planting event to continue conservation works.“Council has planted approximately 2,000 native plants on the site in the last 12 months that will help create, enhance and restore natural habitat.
Central Coast Council has completed improvement works at Susan Fahey Park in Copacabana with an exciting and innovative district sized playspace now open for the community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the new playspace provides an inclusive, safe and accessible space for the whole community to enjoy.“We listened closely to feedback from our community throughout the design and planning process and are thrilled to deliver a high-quality facility that reflects their wants and needs,” Ms Vaughan said.“This new community space provides a range of fantastic features for all ages and abilities to enjoy and will be an asset to both residents and the high volume of seasonal visitors to the area.“Visitors to the new district playspace can now access an outdoor ping pong table and chess table, adult fitness equipment, accessible BBQs and an inclusive play unit, including an accessible spinner and see saw, as well as a unique rope swing.“The innovative space also includes connecting pathways, a drink bottle refill station, new picnic shelter and tables as well as access to public toilets.
It was great to see the 2021 Harvest Festival return to the Coast over the long weekend showcasing over 30 event hubs in the hinterland. Over 48,000 people attended across the weekend, an increase of 16,000 from the event in 2019, with most of the visitors being from all over Sydney. The economic impact for the region was $5,390,133! Whist the figures here are impressive, venues were still restricted on numbers as a result of COVID public health orders. 17-23 May was National Volunteer Week where I had the pleasure of presenting Gabrielle Greiner as Volunteer of the Year at Central Coast’s National Volunteer Awards 2021, along with many other great volunteers being recognised for their hard work and dedication. I congratulate all volunteers! I joined the CEO in attending, I attended the Central Coast Economic Breakfast hosted by Business NSW to hear where the Central Coast fits in global, federal and state context for growth. I continue to meet with the local members of parliament to discuss their key concerns and grant opportunities, including one of Council’s key stakeholders, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer to discuss future opportunities and Council’s MOU. As I work through the submissions received on the Tranche 3 Asset Sales, I am also visiting those sites of contention to gain a thorough understanding of the issues raised.
Central Coast Council’s 2021-22 Community Grants Program is now open, with $900,000 in annual funding available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen our community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said local community groups and organisations have until 31 July to apply for funding under the program to help bring their big ideas to life over the next 18 months.“Council’s Community Grants Program supports local groups and organisations to develop initiatives which enhance community connection and quality of life on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“While some changes have been made to the structure of the program this year, Council is thrilled to be supporting the community through this important funding platform.“Funding of up to $20,000 per project is available under the Community Development Grant Program and the Community Events and Place Activation Program, with applications closing at the end of the month.“Community groups and organisations can also apply for funding of up to $5,000 per project as part of the Community Support Program, which will remain open throughout the year.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council’s Community Grants Program builds the community’s capacity to deliver innovative events, programs and projects.“With $900,000 in annual funding on offer, this is an opportunity for community groups and organisations to contribute ideas which will make a difference to our community and create a stronger Central Coast,” Mr Hart said.“Unlike in previous years, there will only be one round of grant applications over the 2021-22 financial year for the Community Development and Events and Place Activation Grants programs.
Artists from across Australia are invited to submit works for the Central Coast’s premier art awards – the Gosford Art Prize – with entries now open.A recorded breaking 900 artists competed for the $25,000 prize pool in 2020 and even more artists are expected to submit works this year.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the Gosford Art Prize is a cultural highlight for the region.“The awards attract more and more local artists each year and it is also exciting to see increasing participation from artists across NSW and indeed interstate,” Ms Vaughan said.“Our region is a growing artistic hub and we encourage artists from near and far to submit up to two works.“The Gosford Art Prize culminates in an exhibition of finalists' works at Gosford Regional Gallery – a must see experience that attracts over 12,000 people, with 40 percent of those being visitors to the Coast.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the quality and breadth of works featured in the Gosford Art Prize have made the awards a Central Coast institution.“Art is more important than ever and Council is thrilled to offer an art prize and exhibition that delivers for the Coast both culturally and economically,” Mr Hart said.“Last year’s entries were truly outstanding and we can’t wait to see what our creative communities have in stall for us for 2021.”Artists who submit works can compete across the following categories:First Prize – $15,000Second Prize – $5,000Aboriginal Artist Prize – $2,500Gosford Ceramics Prize – $2,000Highly Commended – $1,000 (two prizes)Viewer’s Choice Award – $500Artworks for the Gosford Art Prize for 2021 need to be submitted online.