The first region-wide draft Land Transaction Policy in now on public exhibition by Council for the community to view and submit comments.This draft policy is a consolidation of the former Gosford City Council’s Land and Property Transactions Policy and Wyong Shire Council’s Property Transactions – Sales and Acquisitions with other policies informing its development. Council’s Executive Manager of Innovation and Futures, Ricardo Martello said this important document will provide contemporary, clear and consistent guidelines for Council’s management of land transactions across the whole region.“The consolidated policy provides a framework for Council which will inform decision and directions regarding Council’s property portfolio in a consistent manner across the Local Government Area and in accordance with relevant legislation,” Mr Martello said.“The former Wyong Shire Council and the former Gosford City Council both had similar Land and Property transaction policies.

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.

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:

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.

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.

Central Coast Council has released a summary report on the implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan (EMP), and the actions and achievements to date.The report reflects on the Estuary Management Plan in the lead up to a new Coastal Management Program for Tuggerah Lakes.Council Unit Manager of Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said that implementing the EMP has been an ongoing partnership between all levels of government, estuary and coastal management experts, and the community.“Since 2008 Council has spent $26.5 million in grants, with 86 of the 100 actions identified by the EMP completed or ongoing,” Mr Sulkowski said.“The EMP outlines a holistic and scientific approach to managing the estuary, with primary objectives focusing on protecting the estuaries’ water quality, plants and biodiversity, as well as meeting the social and economic needs of the community.“This summary report outlines the frameworks and objectives underlying Council’s management of Tuggerah Lakes, and goes into detail about how funding has been spent, and the key outcomes and achievements that have been delivered.“Looking forward, we will continue this work, and expand into the catchments of Budgewoi Lake and Lake Munmorah to achieve good outcomes there,” said Mr Sulkowski.The summary report provides an overview of the characteristics of Tuggerah Lakes estuary, the issues impacting it, and the actions Council has taken to protect the health of the lakes ecosystem and the immeasurable value it has to the Central Coast Community.The information in the report is also available via video on Council’s YouTube channel, offering an easy and accessible way to learn more about the Tuggerah Lakes system, key challenges and how Council is managing these challenges.View the summary report at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/tuggerahlakesestuary

Central Coast Council has commenced work to redevelop Susan Fahey Park, Copacabana and construct an innovative district sized playspace which was designed from community consultation.Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said this new inclusive playspace and redeveloped park will have something for everyone.“These improvement works and new playspace will enhance the features of the existing park creating an engaging hub for the community to meet, socialise and undertake play and recreational activities,” Mr Cox said.“The redeveloped community space will provide a wide variety of opportunities for a range of ages and abilities for both the local community and the high volume of seasonal visitors to the area.”The design includes:a concrete outdoor ping pong tablean outdoor chess tableadult fitness equipmentdrink bottle refill stationconnecting wheelchair accessible pathwaysaccessible BBQ’snew picnic shelter and tablesan inclusive play unitaccessible spinner, accessible see saw and unique rope swingthe existing basket swing which will be made more accessible for all to use with rubber softfall.

Central Coast residents looking to take their recycling to the next level are invited to participate in a new soft plastics recycling trial by Central Coast Council in partnership with recycler iQ Renew, and their partner Nestlé.The new trial aims to reduce the amount of soft plastics going to landfill and its impact on the environment by enabling residents to recycle soft plastics using their yellow recycling bins.

Central Coast Council has developed the region’s first overarching Economic Development Strategy and Recovery and Resilience Framework which are currently on public exhibition for the community to submit feedback.The Central Coast economy has been hit hard by floods, bushfire and COVID-19 and Council is committed to facilitating a quick recovery and laying the foundations for sustainable growth and future resilience.Council Unit Manager Economic Development and Project Delivery, Jamie Barclay said the Economic Development Strategy aims to strengthen and future-proof the local economy.“This Strategy is focussed on initiatives that will provide the greatest tangible benefits to our economy and our community by harnessing the region’s strengths and taking full advantage of the identified opportunities,” Mr Barclay said.“We have identified how our region can grow and develop though targeted investment, improved partnerships and promotion of our region as a desirable place to do business and visit as one destination.