Central Coast Council has completed two sections of fire trails at Mardi to help protect residences in the area from the risk of bushfire.The fire trails between Old Maitland Road and Scadden Ridge Road in Mardi have been upgraded with corrugated concrete to allow better access for emergency services to the area in the event of a fire and for hazard reduction burning activities.Corrugated concrete has proven effective in steeper areas of the Coast and significantly reduces maintenance costs.  Council has saved around $50,000 a year after a similar upgrade to Kincumba Mountain six years ago.Council’s Senior Manager, Property Management, Mr Peter Stokes, said Council had been upgrading fire trails across the Coast to ensure emergency services can better protect the community from the threat of bushfire.“Mardi has been assessed as a high risk area for bushfires which is why these trails were prioritised in this round of works,” Mr Stokes said.“We know that better fire trails mean our emergency services can get to where they need to be more quickly and every minute counts when it comes to saving lives and properties.”Council invested $240,000 on 280 metres of new fire trails through some of the most rugged terrain in the Mardi area.Council’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds, said with the threat of fire now quite real, it is time for local residents to prepare their own properties for the bushfire season, if they haven’t already done so.“We are doing everything we can to mitigate direct and indirect bushfire impacts on residents and will continue to do so,” Mr Reynolds said.“Last financial year with the support of Rural Fire Service grants programs, Council invested over $1.3 million in bush fire mitigation activities.“The threat of fire on the Coast is very real and I urge everyone to prepare a bushfire survival plan for their home and family and ensure that their property is ready for the fire season.“Embers can travel long distances and are one of the main reason houses are lost during a bushfire.

The award-winning Wyong Lakes Festival will kick off its nine day program on Saturday and it is guaranteed to entertain, delight and educate.Once again, Tuggerah Lakes will take centre stage when more than 30 events make a splash from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 November.The festival program is varied so it doesn’t matter whether your interest is sport or cultural experiences, family or educational activities or just getting out and enjoying the magnificent lakes and catchments, this festival is for you.Light up the Lake will launch the festival with a five hour lakeside event at Memorial Park, and will be jam-packed with great food, entertainment and lots of free activities.

Lead Instructor of The Hub Erina’s Rising Stars Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program, Noah Magnus, will compete and captain the Australian team in the World Pankration Championships in Italy from 11-14 November.Pankration means ‘all powers’.

This weekend will see a hive of activity around Tuggerah Lakes as Central Coast Council kicks off its award winning Wyong Lakes Festival.The Festival will make a splash on Saturday 12 November and will continue with more than 30 events until Sunday 20 November.The opening weekend will see up to 1500 competitors take part in three massive sporting events – Colour Ya World, TriWyong and the Saltwater Festival (Stand Up Paddle Boarding).Crowds are also expected to flock to Memorial Park, The Entrance for Light up the Lake and fireworks with a free concert including headline act, Thirsty Merc on Saturday 12 November from 4pm.On Sunday 13 November, festival goers can wind down with Brunch by the Lake including a free breakfast, activities and entertainment at Memorial Park from 10am.There is something for everyone in the nine day program designed to entertain, delight and educate the community about one of the Coast’s greatest natural assets.See the full program at wyong.nsw.gov.au/wyonglakesfestival