Community members are invited to provide feedback on Central Coast Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026, which outlines how Council will deliver services that support our older residents to age healthily, feel connected and enjoy an age-friendly community.Council Acting Director of Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said the draft strategy builds on the first Central Coast Positive Ageing Strategy 2014 and renews Council’s commitment to better meeting the needs and aspirations of the Coast’s growing older population.“The Central Coast has long been an attractive place for older people to live and retire, with 27 percent of the region’s population aged 60 years and above*,” said Mr Cantillon.“With the number of residents aged over 60 expected to increase by almost 39 percent by 2036, it’s vital that we ensure that our services, programs and infrastructure reflect the evolving needs of this population.“The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy has been informed by what our older residents have told us, their aspirations and expectations, as well as research and consultation with relevant service providers.“There are many areas where Council can play a key role in positive ageing, from providing options for older people to connect, learn, exercise and have fun to making Council services and facilities more accessible and providing information to older people about what is on in their community, how they can get involved and how to get support.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council’s Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is part of Council’s commitment to ensuring our older community members live active, healthy and independent lives.“Older people play a vital role in our community and it is important to recognise and respect the significant contribution they make to our vibrant region as workers, volunteers, neighbours, friends, parents and grandparents,” said Mayor Matthews.“Our Positive Ageing Strategy aims to enhance participation, improve quality of life and provide support to older residents so that they can continue to participate in and contribute to community life as they grow older.”The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy 2021-2026 outlines four key areas of focus where Council can make a positive difference to older residents:

Central Coast Council welcomes the $11million funding, from the NSW Government, towards the construction of an indoor multi-purpose sport and recreation centre at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex at Tuggerah.Council’s Acting Director Environment and Planning, Andrew Roach said the Complex was always designed to be built in two stages and this funding will bring it a step closer to realising its full potential to attract mass participation events to the region. “We are very pleased to have the NSW Government commit to funding of $11million which will go a long way in helping Council progress stage two to deliver a multi-purpose indoor sporting facility for a range of activities, change rooms, amenities, storage as well as canteen and catering space to complement the existing outdoor sporting fields,” Mr Roach said.“Since opening in 2019, the current multi-use outdoor sporting and recreational facility has already attracted over 81,000 visitors to the region, injecting over $10M in our local economy. Mayor Lisa Matthews said delivering stage two would provide a significant boost to the benefits already flowing to the region from the first stage of the Complex. “We have already seen in such a short time since the opening last year that the venue is bringing in the types of events that provide a significant boost to the region’s economy with flow on effects to small business, employment and community well-being,” Mayor Matthews said.“I commend Council staff on their ongoing efforts to seek funding for the second stage of works and thank the State Government for getting on board with this exciting second stage.

Central Coast Council’s emergency works response to mitigate coastal erosion at Wamberal and North Entrance is now complete with focus turning to recovery and future coastal management planning for the Central Coast.The State Emergency Controller (LEOCon), has signed off on the works which saw Council crews working round the clock to place over 10,000 tonnes of rock and sand at North Entrance and Wamberal beaches.Council CEO Gary Murphy praised the cooperation and hard work taken to respond to the emergency and that this would be harnessed as the focus moves to mitigating and managing coastal erosion into the future.“This has been a truly collaborative effort with Council, expert coastal engineers, residents and the community and the State Government all working together – it really saved the day,” Mr Murphy said.“We need to continue that effort as we now focus on more permanent solutions and best practice coastal management going forward.‘We will now focus on delivering Coastal Management Plans for the whole of the Central Coast, which we are aiming to complete by 2021, that will involve working with property owners, the broader community in addition to State and Federal Governments Departments.“It won’t be an easy process, but we are committed to getting it right.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said coastal management was a challenging issue for all Councils up and down the Coast and there is a need for a local as well as a national solution.“Here on the Coast we have faced many challenges with mother nature and our coastline, not just this year, but every year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Our community has had to continually be strong and resilient and I am proud of how we have pulled together and faced these challenges head on.‘We all love the natural environment on the Coast, it is a key reason we all live here and we want to be able to keep living near and enjoying our beaches and waterways into the future.“Coastal management is a priority for every Council up and down the Coast – we can learn from each other and find synergies – share what we’ve done already and find the best solutions for the future.“It can’t just be up to Local Government though.

Central Coast Council has ramped up its inspections of Wamberal beach with material fragments that potentially contain asbestos significantly increasing since the recent storms.Council has retrieved more material fragments from Wamberal Beach in the past month than all of 2019, leading to daily inspections of the beach.Council’s Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said Council would inspect the beach daily to improve chances of removing all fragments that may deposit on the beach.“In 2019 our beach inspection team removed just over 400 fragments that may contain asbestos from Wamberal Beach.

The weather is warming up, spring has sprung and the red and yellow flags are set to go up from 26 September 2020 on the 15 Central Coast beaches to be patrolled this season.This year Council is getting in early to help prepare beachgoers for the season ahead with new measures and message related to COVID-safe behaviour and requirements for visitors and locals who engage in rock fishing.Acting Council Director Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said it is vital that community members and tourists follow simple safety steps whilst enjoying quality time on the region’s spectacular beaches.“Our lifesavers and lifeguards do an incredible job keeping us safe across beach season but we also need to do our bit,” Mr Cantillon said.“Heading to the beach means relaxing, recharging, keeping fit and active, and it also means switching on a beach safety mind-set.“Beach safety practices we always need to follow stand true – like only swimming at patrolled beaches and always swimming between the flags – but this season COVID-safe behaviour at the beach is also incredibly important.“Please maintain 1.5 metre social distance from people who are not from your household and keep group gatherings to a maximum of 20 people, as mandated by NSW Health.“Many of our beaches are extremely popular and crowd management measures may be in place to keep our community and visitors safe.“We’ll be making regular COVID-safe reminder announcements over the loud speakers at our patrolled sites and NSW Police will also be regularly monitoring beaches.“Should it be necessary to close any Central Coast beaches this season, clear signage will be displayed.“Council has also introduced a requirement that anyone engaging in rock fishing must wear a life jacket – this requirement extends to anyone who accompanies someone who is rock fishing.“We are installing signs at various locations that clearly outline what is required for anyone engaging in rock fishing on the Coast.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said enjoying the beach season and the importance of safety always need to go hand-in-hand.“With the weather warming up and increased visitors to the Coast, it’s important we all follow basic steps to keep ourselves and others safe when enjoying the beach,” Mayor Matthews said.“Measures in place to keep us COVID-safe extend to the beach and everyone must vigilantly follow these requirements whilst soaking up the sun and surf at one of the many stunning beaches along our coastline.”Key beach safety messagesAlways swim or surf at patrolled beaches.No flags means no swimming.Swim between the red and yellow flags.If we can’t see you, we can’t sIf you get into difficulty, raise your arm, stay calm, and yell for assistance.If you are unsure of conditions, ask the lifeguard or lifesaver in attendance.Read and obey the signs and directions from the lifeguard or lifesaver.Never run and dive into water, as the depth can change regularly.Children should be supervised by an adult at all times.Always ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’.Board riders are asked to keep outside the black and white flags on each side of the red and yellow flags, as these indicate the surf craft exclusion zone. Key COVID-safe messages for the beachMaintain a 1.5 metre social distance from anyone who does not live in your household.Keep groups to fewer than 20 people. Key rock fishing messagesAnyone rock fishing in a declared location must wear an appropriate life jacket, this includes people helping you to rock fish and children.If you’re going rock fishing, plan ahead – let others know where you are going and carry a phone.Council’s Lifeguards patrol our shorelines from Monday to Friday, and Surf Life Saving volunteers keep everyone safe on weekends and public holidays.Non-peak holiday times – 26 September 2020 – 18 December 2020 and 30 January 2021 – 25 April 2021, 9am to 5pm patrols across all 15 beach locations and The Grant McBride Baths.Peak holiday period – 19 December 2020 - 29 January 2021 at all locations (including Budgewoi) will operate from 9am to 6pm.

Individuals or community groups interested in undertaking environmentally based projects are encouraged to apply for funding under the Protection of the Environment Trust (POET).The POET, established in 2006, promotes the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, and provides funding for environmental projects in the former Gosford City Council Local Government Area.Central Coast Council Mayor Lisa Matthews said a key purpose of the Trust was the conservation of Indigenous flora and fauna.“Our community values the natural environment of the Central Coast – it is what we are renowned for and a key priority for Council is ensuring the preservation of our environmental resources for future generations,” Mayor Matthews said.“Funding is now available through the Trust for individuals, community groups and organisations for the delivery of projects that enhance our natural environment.“If your project has an environmental focus and can demonstrate outcomes that promote and enhance the natural environment or provide information, education or research about a significant aspect of the natural environment then I encourage you to apply.”Projects that have previously received funding include bush regeneration to support the work of environmental volunteers working in the Coastal Open Space System and Natural Reserves, and an education program to develop and install Local Species Interpretive Signs for the Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre.Applications can be made until Friday, 31 May 2021 and will be assessed by the POET Committee when they meet during the next 12 months.

Central Coast Council’s popular Green Living Workshops have moved online, allowing even more people than ever before to enjoy them.Kicking off in honour of this week’s National Organic Week, our first two interactive online workshops will be held this Saturday.This year’s Green Living workshop series will be delivered in two formats, allowing people with differing time commitments to learn how to Live Green:Short one-hour lunchtime workshops on weekdaysLonger workshops on weekends or evenings.Four workshops will be held during September:Composting, Saturday 12 September, 9.30am-11amWorm farming, Saturday 12 September, 11.30-1pmSustainable eating, Monday 21 September, 12-1pmPropagating your herb garden, Wednesday 30 September, 12-1pm.Council’s Acting Director Connected Communities, Phil Cantillon said the new format for the workshops means even more Coast residents can learn how to live sustainably.“Our Green Living workshops can benefit anyone, whether they live in a house with a large backyard or in a unit,” Mr Cantillon said.Mayor Lisa Matthews praised Central Coast residents for their ongoing commitment to reducing waste and living in a sustainable way.“We can all do little things which not only are healthier and greener, but also reduce our personal costs and benefit the environment around us,” Mayor Matthews said.Book in now for one of our Green Living Online workshops.

Community members are invited to provide feedback on Central Coast Council’s Draft Graffiti Management Strategy 2021–2024, which sets out the approach Council will take in managing graffiti, in partnership with others, across the whole Central Coast.Developed by Council in partnership with local stakeholders, the draft strategy outlines five key priorities for graffiti management on the Coast:

Central Coast Council has taken out a top honour at this year’s RH Dougherty Awards for its innovative Central Coast Waterways Report Card.The annual Awards, established in 1981 by Local Government NSW, highlight best-practice council communication and liaison with the communities they serve.Central Coast Council won the ‘Reporting to Your Community’ Award for its inaugural Central Coast Waterways Report Card, which aims to educate the community about the impacts of their actions on local waterways and foster pride in these important natural assets.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said Council is thrilled to be recognised for the program, which provides an important platform for sharing the story of waterway conservation with the community.“The Central Coast Waterways Report Card tells the story of waterway health in a language that is common to all of us and provides a tool to bridge the gap between science, management and community values,” Mr Cox said.“Our vision is that the Waterways Report Card continues to be a focal point in a long conversation with our community about waterway health and will be part of the driving force behind improvements which can only truly come about if we all work together.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said that Council is honoured to be recognised for this important initiative, which is the first of its kind on the Central Coast and sets a standard for best practices in community education across the state.“The Central Coast is known for its natural beauty - maintaining our natural assets is a critical component of what we value as a community,” said Mayor Matthews.“Our Environment and Planning Team is to be commended for their involvement in this project, which plays an important role in protecting our rich environmental heritage and casts a positive spotlight on our region.”Learn more about the initiative and view the Waterways Report Card 2017-2018 at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/waterwayhealth.

The first combined Waterways report card for the Central Coast has been released.The report examines the ecological health of Southern Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lakes, Brisbane Water and the coastal lagoons over the 2017-18 year, providing a clear picture of the estuarine sections of the whole Central Coast waterways network.Central Coast Council Environment and Planning Director, Scott Cox said that whilst the report, which is compiled from ongoing monitoring and assessments, shows overall positive results it also provides a valuable tool to Council to identify areas for further investigation.“Council uses a recognised monitoring program to assess the ecological health of our waterways, allowing us to monitor the condition, monitor changes over time and target investment and on ground works to improve ecosystem health,” Mr Cox said.“For the 2017-18 year we have seen good results in all of the southern Lake Macquarie, Cockrone and Wamberal Lagoon sites, plus the majority of sites in Tuggerah Lakes, Lake Munmorah and Brisbane Water.“Other sites that have shown a mix of poorer results, include Budgewoi Lake, Terrigal and Avoca lagoons, and some other sites where creek systems enter larger waterways.“These results will allow Council to review our management actions and plan for on ground works to help improve waterway health over time.”Council’s program is delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, using a scientifically robust methodology and is the most comprehensive program of its kinds provided by local government in NSW.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the release of the report card was an exciting step in understanding the waterways of the Central Coast as a whole.“Our local waterways make up 13% of the total area of the Central Coast, it is important to understand the state that they are in, so that we can make informed decisions,” Mayor Matthews said.“It’s exciting to have a report that that encompasses almost the whole of the Central Coast for the first time.“We acknowledge the importance of transparent reporting back to our community on the health of our waterways.“This report will enable a greater understanding of our waterways and allow the community to take a role, in partnership with Council, to help maintain and improve the health or our rivers and lakes.”The 2017-18 Waterways report card also outlines the actions Council has taken to target improvements in waterway health including:rehabilitation of natural wetlands at Elizabeth Bay, Doyalson, Budgewoi, Toukley, Tacoma, Chittaway Bay, Berkeley Vale, Erina, Davistown, Saratoga, Bensville, Point Clare and Tascottprotection and rehabilitation of Coastal Saltmarsh and foreshore bushland along the shores of Tuggerah Lake and Brisbane Water construction of new stormwater quality improvement devices at Canton Beach, Summerland Point and Mannering Park to reduce pollutant loads to the waterwaysmaintenance of a network of over 418 stormwater quality improvement devices throughout the estuary catchments to improve water qualityremoval of 967 tonnes of sediment and pollutants from stormwater quality improvement devices removal of 14,855m3 of excess seagrass wrack and floating algae from Tuggerah Lakes to enhance water quality and improve circulation in nearshore areas.For all the details visit the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary page.ENDSAdditional information/quotes for each of the waterway categoriesTuggerah Lakes Estuary Central Coast Council has been monitoring the ecological health of the Tuggerah Lakes estuary since 2011.