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’s work to protect the Little Tern has seen record numbers of the endangered coastal bird at Karagi Point North Entrance, officially marking the site as crucial for the species’ ongoing conservation.Council Environmental Education Officer, Nick Carson said the Karagi Point breeding colony was considered the most important nesting site in NSW for the 2020/21 breeding season.“In December last year we knew we were on track for a record baby boom of the feathered kind, but even then our estimated numbers were still shy of the final results,” Mr Carson said.“With an estimated 72 breeding pairs, 97 nests, 236 eggs (approximately 2.4 eggs per nest) and 152 chicks being observed, these figures were greater than what was observed at any other site in NSW for the 2020-21 breeding season.“An average of 0.71 chicks successfully fledged per breeding pair, and with only 350 chicks believed to have successfully fledged throughout the same period in NSW, this means that one seventh of the population can be attributed to Karagi Point alone.“This was clearly the most successful breeding season seen at Karagi Point in over 20 years of monitoring.

The Central Coast’s journey to becoming a certified ECO Destination is progressing in leaps and bounds with an additional 10 local nature-based businesses receiving funding to pursue certification. Achieving ECO Destination Certification will see the Central Coast recognised as a world-class location for sustainable and nature-based tourism, which will provide a substantial and ongoing boost to the local economy. Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said it was exciting to see so many local operators welcomed into the program. “We are working with Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia to achieve ECO Destination Certification by World Environment Day in June 2022,” Ms Cowley said. “As an important part of this journey, nature-based tourism businesses on the Coast were recently invited to submit an EOI seeking support to pursue formal recognition as an ecotourism provider, joining our region’s wider certification journey. “Through a fully-funded partnership with Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia, these businesses will receive mentoring throughout their certification journey, as well as a $500 funding incentive to assist with the first year of the process.” The Central Coast has the largest regional cohort of certified or seeking certification businesses, with the following 10 operators now welcomed into the program: •    Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park – Calga•    Bombora Ettalong Beach SUP – Ettalong Beach•    Canton Beach Paddleshack – Canton Beach•    Elixir Journeys – Bouddi National Park•    Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures – Glenworth Valley•    Grace Springs Farm – Kulnura•    Iris Lodge Alpacas – Jilliby•    Jake Cassar Bushcraft – Brisbane Water National Park•    Rocky Trail Entertainment – Lake Munmorah•    Terrigal Ocean Tours – Terrigal & Broken BayIf successful in achieving certification, new program members will join the Central Coast’s existing cohort of ECO certified operators – AquaFun Avoca Lake, Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Noonaweena in the hinterland, and TreeTops Adventure Park in Ourimbah State Forest.Chief Executive at Ecotourism Australia, Rod Hillman said the Central Coast is an outstanding candidate to become a certified ECO Destination.“The Central Coast has well managed and extensive protected areas, a strong environmental ethic within the community and Council, and high quality existing ecotourism experiences,” Mr Hillman said.“Ecotourism Australia visited the Central Coast in May to launch the region’s journey to become a certified ECO Destination with regional stakeholders and announce an incentive program to create and build new ecotourism products in the region. “Working closely with Central Coast Council, regional stakeholders and the local tourism industry, the program is designed to build on the Central Coast’s reputation as a premium location for high quality ecotourism experiences and accommodation.“The incentive program has encouraged 10 existing tourism businesses in the region to build on their sustainability credentials and practices by starting their application to be ECO Certified.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the support of Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia will ensure the region fulfills its potential as an eco-destination of choice.“The Central Coast has an abundance of world-class, nature-based tourist attractions and this sees us well-placed to attract an increasing number of visitors seeking sustainable travel experiences,” Mr Hart said.“Tourism is an important pillar of the Central Coast economy and ecotourism will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the region is front of mind for a broad mix of visitors.”The ECO Destination Certification program is fully funded by WWF-Australia as part of their Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.Businesses in the certification program are supported with online tools, resources and bootcamps delivered by Ecotourism Australia to help their business become more sustainable. For more information visit the dedicated ecotourism hub – lovecentralcoast.com/ecotourismECO Destination Certification will play an important role in helping the Coast’s tourism sector to recover following necessary COVID restrictions. The current lockdown period makes it more important than ever to support all local businesses and to make this easier Council has recently launched three new ‘Love Local’ guides – lovecentralcoast.com/lovelocal 

Central Coast Council is adding to further calls from NSW Health and Central Coast Health for all community members to strictly follow all Public Health Order requirements in place to control the spread of COVID-19 and to seek out a test for the virus if the mildest of symptoms are experienced.The plea follows the identification of nine cases of COVID-19 on the Coast (as at Friday 6 August) and detection of the virus at sewage treatment plants in Woy Woy, Charmhaven, Toukley, Burwood Beach, Belmont and Shortland.Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said the health advice is clear – only leave home for essential reasons when absolutely required and seek out a COVID-19 test at the onset of the mildest of symptoms.“It is extremely concerning for Council and our community to hear about cases of COVID-19 in our region and an increase in the detection of virus fragments in several of our sewerage systems,” Mr Farmer said.“NSW Health is the lead in this emergency and the advice provided by NSW Health and Central Coast Health has been regular and clear.

This week is recognised as national homelessness week.

The constant news cycle about COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions placed on visiting our friends and family, and going about our day-to-day activities can lead to distress, anxiety and frustration.Whatever your concern, it’s important to acknowledge it and seek help if it is affecting your wellbeing.

Central Coast Council is encouraging community members to ‘adopt, not shop’ when making the commitment to bring a new companion animal into their home.This follows the NSW Government’s announcement of free lifetime pet registration for people who adopt a rescue pet from Council pounds, animal shelters and rehoming organisations.Council Unit Manager Environmental Compliance and Systems, Sara Foster said free registration for rescue pets will ensure more abandoned or surrendered cats and dogs find a forever home, reinforcing the benefits of animal adoption.“Thanks to the announcement from the NSW Government, community members who choose to adopt a rescue dog or cat from Council’s Animal Care Facilities are now entitled to free lifetime pet registration,” Ms Foster said.“Council works closely with our Animal Care Facilities at Charmhaven and Erina to ensure surrendered pets can find a suitable and safe new home.“With backyard breeding a huge issue on the Central Coast, we hope that this new initiative will make adoption an even more desirable pathway for those looking for a pet, so that we can reduce the number of people accessing unregistered breeders.“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this has on the animals in our care.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said pets are a much-loved part of the fabric of the Central Coast and this new registration fee exemption will make adoption an even more desirable choice for community members searching for a new companion animal.“If you’re looking for a new four-legged friend, I encourage you to contact Council’s Animal Welfare Facilities to find out more about the animals currently up for adoption,” Mr Hart said.“It’s important to remember that while owning a pet can be highly rewarding, it is also a big responsibility.

Central Coast community members can now view Stages 1-4 of technical studies developed to inform decision-making around a long-term solution to manage coastal erosion at Wamberal Beach.The technical studies outline five seawall concept designs – ranging from revetment to vertical and promenade style structures – with concept design renders, cross-section drawings and footprint mapping developed for each option to assist with visualising the potential solutions.Central Coast Council Acting Director Environment and Planning, Luke Sulkowski said the local community is passionate about Wamberal Beach and Phase 2 consultation is an opportunity to provide initial feedback on the available options.“The current release of technical studies meets a key objective of Council’s certified Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) which includes an action to investigate long-term solutions for Wamberal Beach and seek community input into a preferred protection solution,” Mr Sulkowski said.“It is important to note that Council’s role through the CZMP is to outline a preferred protection solution but the delivery of any solution is a separate and currently unfunded process.“The Stage 5 and 6 studies, which are still under review, will include an updated Cost Benefit Analysis and will be available to the community around the end of August.“Final Seawall alignment, access points and terminal ends would need to be determined during the detailed design phase of the project.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said delivery of a long-term erosion solution at Wamberal Beach is currently not funded and proceeding with any solution would require a funding commitment from the NSW or Federal Government.“There are many technical, financial, social and environmental complexities that need to be worked through to develop a long-term solution to erosion at Wamberal Beach,” Mr Hart said."Technical studies and concept design renders are an important step forward in the exploration of a long-term solution but it needs to be clearly understood that delivery of any solution at Wamberal Beach is not yet funded.“We also need to consider that on top of the initial cost to develop a new asset of this scale there are significant ongoing maintenance and other costs.“For the best coastal erosion management solutions to be developed and delivered it is vital that all levels of government, residents and the broader community work together.“Following the release of all technical studies and a thorough community consultation process we will have a full understanding of the funding commitment that would need to be forthcoming from the NSW and/or Federal Government in order to deliver a long-term erosion solution at Wamberal Beach.”The technical studies now available to the community represent a $498,996 investment and were 50/50 funded by Council and the NSW Government through the NSW Coastal and Estuaries Grants Program, inclusive of an additional $36,380 from the NSW Government for the renders and additional engagement.As well as being a key objective of Council’s CZMP, the technical studies are an important milestone for the Wamberal Seawall Advisory Taskforce which was established by the NSW Government in July 2020 to provide Council with support to develop a sustainable long-term solution to coastal erosion issues at Wamberal Beach.Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is a member of the Taskforce and said the Taskforce’s role is to break down bureaucratic barriers and provide technical expertise to Council.“The Taskforce is chaired by coastal expert Dr Phil Watson and so far has provided advice to Council on a range of Crown Lands, resource supply, legal and engineering issues,” Mr Crouch said.“We must protect the beach itself as well as the hundreds of millions of dollars of public and private assets behind it.“I want to ensure that the best possible long-term solution is developed as a product of community input, and that is why the NSW Government has provided an additional $36,380 to cover the cost of this community consultation.”Community members can provide feedback on the technical studies (Stages 1-4) during a consultation period that runs from Thursday 29 July 2021 to Friday 10 September 2021 by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com

Central Coast Council has commissioned an independent review of the model governing its water and sewer operations.Council CEO, David Farmer said the review was Council undertaking due diligence in the ordinary course of its business to explore if there were opportunities to produce better value and return on investment for the Central Coast community.“Central Coast Council is unique in New South Wales in being the only Council owned water authority alongside the State owned Sydney Water and Hunter Water.

Council will consider the community consultation findings and the next stage of its Asset Sales Program (Tranche 3) at the Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 27 July.Community consultation on the proposed properties for sale ran from 30 April to 28 May attracting 1,333 submissions and 611 direct emails and letters from the public.Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said the consultation was invaluable in helping to understand in a short timeframe localised issues, stakeholder interests and likely impacts should some parcels of land proceed to sale.“Thank you to everyone who has submitted feedback and contributed to this discussion.