Speak to any successful adult and they will name a teacher who inspired them to become a better version of themselves.Robin Balcomb of Mannering Park Public School on the Central Coast is one such teacher.Also the school librarian, Robin is a proud participant in the This is the life marketing campaign to promote all things good about the Central Coast.Robin’s inclusive environmental learning programs have so engaged her students that the school received Best Small School Environmental Awards overall in the recent 2016 Primary School Environment Awards.Robin believes in an integrated approach so that kids can totally immerse in a topic and relate all the key learning areas to raise their motivation and eagerness to learn.Robin’s passion about the environment is infectious and she has spent her time developing a number of teaching initiatives to inspire children about how to look after it.“Success is in enjoyment for the kids and starting the conversation with their families”, she says.Her most loved achievement is developing an award winning ‘indigenous bush tucker garden’ and associated program, which showcases the wonders of native Australian plants.The full list of Robin’s initiatives is expansive, with each one aimed at engaging the community through the family unit.Robin says she knows many fantastic teachers on the Central Coast and believes education on the Central Coast rivals the best in Sydney.“Most classrooms are embracing new technologies and twenty-first century learning spaces are being set up across the Central Coast,” Robin said.“We’re leaving the traditional rows of desks behind, and using modern furnishings to create comfy learning centres and a more futuristic learning environment.”“Data is showing that reading rates are improving using this method and this can only benefit students on the Central Coast.“The other thing we have here on the Central Coast is plenty of space for sports and other activities.“I know a lot of very enthusiastic teachers who are very proud of their schools and are putting energy into gardens and artwork around the schools - and they have the space to make this happen.“These are real benefits to education here on the Central Coast,” she says.Read more of Robin’s story at www.thisisthecentralcoast.com.au/our-stories.

A NSW regional riders comp and festival will kick off the first of many major competitions at Bato Yard next week.Central Coast Council is supporting one leg of the YMCA’s Skate Park Leagues local round competition on Tuesday 17 January.The YMCA competition is open to riders aged 12-25 years old and will have four categories in street and bowl – skate, scooter, BMX and wheelies (for amputees and wheelchairs).The competition provides residents with an opportunity to cheer on the best riders on the Coast as they compete for their chance to gain a spot in the national final and be named champion of the region.The day also includes free food, activities and entertainment for all ages.Bato Yard is located in the EDSACC sporting precinct, opposite Bateau Bay Square shopping centre, and is gaining a reputation in skating circles as one of the premier facilities to ride.The pre-eminent national skate competition, King of Concrete, is also bringing two rounds to Bato Yard which is expected to attract some of the best riders from the Coast, state and country.The bowl competition will be held on Saturday 11 February and the street competition will be held on Saturday 22 April – both will give the best riders a chance to use it as a stepping stone to international competitions at Bondi and in the USA.For more details on what’s happening at Bato Yard, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/batoyard

Central Coast Council’s Waste Wise Workshops are back for 2017, providing practical and hands-on advice to help the whole family reduce, reuse and recycle food waste.Food waste accounts for over forty percent of general household waste which ends up in landfill and adds to the Coast’s carbon emissions.Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said everyone has a role to play in reducing the amount of household food waste sent to landfill and attending a workshop is a great way to start.“Around ninety percent of greenhouse gas emissions from landfill are a result of decomposing organic material which can easily be reduced by composting garden organic materials and food scraps,” Mr Dowling said.“Up to fifty percent of the waste in the red lid bin could be diverted from landfill by composting and warm farming alone.”Most organic matter, excluding meat, is suitable for home composting.  The combined materials break down into a cheap, non-polluting, natural and effective garden fertiliser.Workshops will be held on composting and worm farming with participants taking home a free worm farm or compost bin so they can get started straight away.There will also be workshops on no dig gardening – how to create a productive garden that does not take up space by using a box or even something as small as a jar.“These enjoyable workshops will give residents practical tips and tools to reduce and recycle food waste and turn it into a great resource for the garden,” Mr Dowling said.“Worm farms can be kept outside, inside, on the balcony or in the garage so you don’t need a lot of space – they are ideal for units.”Worms turn leftovers into a rich soil-like substance called 'castings'.

A lake foreshore recreation area at the end of Archbold Road, Long Jetty is now able to be used by the public over the summer.Central Coast Council has completed the first stage of works of a $150,000 project designed to stop pollutants from entering the lake from the stormwater that runs off the local catchment.Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the area was previously a low-lying boggy area, making it inaccessible to the public.“These water quality improvement works included filling in this boggy area, which is now an 80 metre grassed area that the public can use over the summer,” Mr Dowling said.“It’s perfect for picnics with some lovely trees to sit under, amenities and new showers.”The project involves the establishment of a planted swale to filter the stormwater and draw out nutrients and other deplorables, together with a Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) that collects rubbish and dirt before the water enters the swale.The area is next to a constructed beach immediately south of Long Jetty.Saltmarsh, and a range of native Australian plants including succulents with flowers, will be planted in the swale in February 2017.The plants absorb excess nutrients and trap the dirt in water before it enters the lakes, in a process called polishing.The result is cleaner water in the lakes.The project is supported by Council from funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and is due for completion in March 2017.

Central Coast Council has welcomed the decision by Remondis drivers to reverse their planned stop work meeting for today.Council understands the dispute between the drivers, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Council’s waste contractor, Remondis, relates to their current enterprise agreement.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was pleased the parties involved had agreed to come to the negotiating table as it is important to ensure essential waste services to Central Coast residents are maintained.“Council is not a party to these proceedings.  We contract Remondis to deliver waste services to our residents and we expect that service to be delivered,” Mr Reynolds said.“Remondis have acted quickly to stave off this potential action which could have affected bin services for a number of residents, and I am pleased the drivers are willing to return to the negotiating table.“This is where the TWU’s focus needs to be, on these negotiations and not on Council’s waste tender process.“We have met with them on several occasions and made it clear our role is to ensure our 331,000 residents get the most reliable and best waste services in the next waste contract that we sign.”The current contract with Remondis runs until end of January 2018.  Council is currently finalising tender documents to deliver services beyond January 2018.

Central Coast Council will hold a community information session on changes to the Gosford CBD Development Control Plan (DCP) on Wednesday 11 January.The new planning controls seeking to move the commercial core of the CBD to have more of a focus around Kibble Park, create a living city and revitalise the CBD have generated a great deal of community interest.Council’s Group Leader of Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox, said Council had already extended the public exhibition period and the information session was the next step in helping residents understand the changes and make their own contribution to the future of the CBD.“There is a lot of interest in what is happening in the Gosford CBD and we want to harness that interest to ensure Gosford reaches its full potential and becomes the great city we all want it to be,” Mr.

Central Coast Council advises Enterprise Drive (Chittaway Road) between Burns Road and The Boulevard (University of Newcastle, Central Coast Campus), Ourimbah will be closed for approximately four hours due to repairs to a leaking water service.Local diversions are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.Heavy vehicles should use the Pacific Highway or the M1 Pacific Motorway (F3) due to the clearance height (3m) of the Burns Road railway underpass.Council will advise when Enterprise Drive reopens to traffic.

Enterprise Drive (Chittaway Road) between Burns Road and The Boulevard (University of Newcastle, Central Coast Campus), Ourimbah has now reopened to all traffic.Council would like to thank motorists for their patience while we made these important repairs.

It’s summer on the Coast - and what a great time of the year it is!

Central Coast Council will celebrate strong post-merger development activity this festive season.A combination of increased investment and decreased assessment times has resulted in an overall investment of over $600 million into the Central Coast region since the new Council was formed in May.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said that the latest figures were a promising sign of things to come in 2017.“These results are particularly pleasing, given all the hard work of our development assessment teams since the merger was announced in May,” said Mr Reynolds.“Amidst the many changes taking place internally, their commitment to getting the job done and facilitating appropriate development right across the region has been second to none.“In addition to the great results this year, there is currently over $500 million worth of development projects to go before the Joint Regional Planning Panel for their determination in the new year.”Council’s Group Leader of Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox, said that while the 2016 results were positive, there is always room for improvement.“This is the beginning of a significant journey for us in development assessment, improving the way we operate and ultimately, promoting sustainable growth and investment right across the Central Coast,” said Mr Cox.“Since the merger announcement, Council has determined 1837 Development Applications – compared to 1600 in the 7 months prior to amalgamation across the two former Councils.“We’ve also seen an increase in Section 96 determinations, with 396 applications processed post-merger.“The benefits of changes in our processes are already being realised with the median determination times down as the development teams come together.Council’s current median determination time sits at 38 days, below the State Government benchmark of 40 days.The largest Development Applications determined since amalgamation are for mixed use and commercial buildings in the Gosford CBD including Creightons, Ikon Tower, the Australian Taxation Office building and Duttons.A Developer’s Forum is planned for Monday 27 February 2017 to explore ways Council can better work with the industry to facilitate development opportunities on the Central Coast to meet our growing housing and employment needs.

New signage and road pavement line marking will be installed at Scenic Highway at Terrigal starting tonight.The move is in response to concerns raised by residents who attended a public meeting on Monday 19 December.Four 50km an hour signs will be replaced with larger signs and five new signs will be installed from Terrigal Esplanade to Charles Kay Drive.  Six new 50km indicators will also be printed on the road surface itself.This signage is to make it very clear to drivers the speed limit along this busy road is 50km an hour.Council is also currently getting additional information on the number of vehicles and  speeds along the road and will work with Police to reduce the incidences of speeding.Council is entering into discussion with Ausgrid to relocate a power pole and a number of trees just east of Bellevue Crescent to improve sight lines for drivers approaching this intersection with Scenic Highway.At the community meeting on Monday, Council unveiled plans to upgrade Scenic Highway at the intersection with Bellevue Crescent, including a pedestrian refuge, a footpath on both sides of Scenic Highway, removal of trees, lowering of an embankment, street lighting and parking restrictions.Community comment is now being sought on the plans which can be viewed at haveyoursaycentralcoast.nsw.gov.au.  Submissions will be received up until Friday 3 February 2017.

Please be advised that a number of road closures will be in place in Gosford and The Entrance on Saturday 31 December 2016, as we celebrate New Year's Eve.GosfordCentral Coast Highway between Moore Street and Masons Parade (including the Brian McGowan Bridge) will be closed to traffic from 6pm – 11pm.

This holiday season, Central Coast Council is again joining forces with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation to help promote its important road safety campaign.The foundation was established in 2014 after the tragic death of Tom McLaughlin in a pedestrian accident during a family holiday at MacMasters Beach.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said the Holiday time:

Residents are advised that Central Coast Council will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period, from Monday 26 December 2016 until Monday 2 January 2017 (inclusive).Essential services will continue during the closure, including waste collection, water treatment and lifeguards.For any urgent council-related emergencies during the period such as water main breaks, residents can contact 4325 8222 (Gosford office) or 4350 5555 (Wyong office) 24-hours a day.Limited services will also be available on Friday 23 December, as systems maintenance is undertaken.Council Libraries in the north (Tuggerah, Lake Haven, The Entrance, Bateau Bay, Toukley and Gwandalan branches) will close at 12pm.Additionally, Libraries in the south (Erina, Gosford, Kariong, Kincumber, Umina and Woy Woy branches) will cease operations at 2pm.Council’s Customer Service Centres will also close at 12pm in the north and 2pm in the south to accommodate these important scheduled works.Central Coast Council management and staff would like to wish residents a safe and merry Christmas and a happy New Year.For more information contact 4325 8222 or 4350 5555, go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or follow Council on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

With the festive season upon us, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about and celebrate with family and friends on the Central Coast.Central Coast Council is supporting a number of events for families and friends to celebrate the past year.Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said there’s plenty to enjoy, starting this weekend at The Entrance.“Memorial Park at The Entrance will be lit up on Christmas Eve as thousands flock for the annual Carols by Candlelight,” Mr Reynolds said.“It’s set to be another spectacular night by the water with rides, entertainment and of course the Christmas Carols we all love, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.“It’s a great time of the year to remember and celebrate what’s great about living here on the Coast.”The annual carnival will be back operating from 6pm from Boxing Day along the Gosford waterfront, full of rides for all ages or bring a picnic rug along to the Gosford Leagues Club field to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks.Residents and visitors will be able to bring in the New Year with a bang starting with the Gosford Races at Midday.At Central Coast Stadium the New Year’s Eve Mariners game against Melbourne Victory will kick off at 7pm.Council will also welcome in the New Year with live entertainment, stalls, rides and a fireworks display by the waterfront at Memorial Park, The Entrance, from midday.Council’s Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said with all these great activities available, make sure you have a Plan B to get home.“The best night out starts with a plan to get home safely, and we have a guide to help,” Ms Vaughan said.“If you don’t have a designated driver organised, check out the Late Night Transport Guide - it provides a full list of phone numbers on the Central Coast for courtesy bus services, taxis and local timetables for trains and buses.”Council would like to wish all residents and visitors a very happy Christmas and a safe and joyful New Year.Visit liquoraccords.org.au/transport-links/ to help with a Plan B and for more information on transport options.

A range of works associated with Central Coast sporting fields have been carried out from Woy Woy to Woongarrah.The assortment of projects will assist with participation in summer sports, while also preparing playing surfaces for next year’s demanding winter season.Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said the program of upgrades, in combination with regular maintenance, was important for the region’s sporting infrastructure.“Our maintenance schedule is comprehensive and ensures playing surfaces are in the best possible shape for local sporting clubs,” said Mr Reynolds.“We are home to a fantastic sporting culture here on the Central Coast and as a Council we want to provide the community with first-class sporting facilities to support that.”In the south, synthetic cricket wickets were resurfaced at McKillop Oval, Kariong Oval and Ettalong Oval as well as all playing fields receiving significant rejuvenation works.“Rejuvenation works generally involve weed spraying, aeration, fertilisation and in some cases turfing – depending on the needs of each location and the sports predominately played there,” added Mr Reynolds.“Many of our cricketers have new synthetic playing surfaces for the summer, while footballers of all codes will hit the ground running with lush, well-prepared surfaces for the 2017 season.”Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling said consistent and effective management of playing surfaces can reap greater efficiency within maintenance teams.“It’s a year-round job, our fields always require upkeep and crews do a fantastic job providing this service to the community,” said Mr Dowling.“In combination with regular rejuvenation works, we’ve been utilising a number of techniques to naturally improve drainage - increasing turf growth and drought tolerance.“Sporting fields in the north including Chittaway Oval and Baker Park are also part of an intensive works upgrade program with subsoil drainage being installed.“Healthy, well-maintained playing surfaces reduce ground closures due to wet weather, facilitates faster recovery rates and reduces maintenance costs moving forward.”

Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) has lodged a Development Application (DA) for the first stage of a new aircraft manufacturing facility at Central Coast Airport.The DA seeks consent to erect an aircraft hangar with a roof area of 2760 square metres and related works including temporary parking.The estimated value of the proposed development is $3M.AAI has previously stated it will invest a total of $100 million in setting up the full manufacturing facility.Details about the DA can be found on Council’s website.

A landmark ruling today by the Land and Environment Court of NSW has given the green light to the Australian Taxation Office proposed for Gosford.Earlier today the Court dismissed an appeal by the Gosford Waterfront Alliance.This will provide more certainly for employment prospects in Gosford CBD.

School holidays are almost upon us and Central Coast Council’s libraries have plenty of fun educational activities to keep the kids entertained.Highlights of this year’s activities include a workshop on 3D Printing and Design, a Japanese ghost show and a workshop on how to prepare for the HSC.Council’s Library Services Section Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards, said there was an array of events on offer catering to children as young as three as well as tween and young adult interests.“We have everything from a 3D print and design workshop and computer game workshops to music sessions where children can learn to play the ukulele and dance the samba,” Ms Edwards said.“If previous holiday sessions are anything to go by these events are sure to book out quickly, so I’d encourage interested parents to book in as soon as possible!“These holidays we are offering discounted prices for our members for select events.”“Simply visit any one of our branches to join in person or visit our website to join online anywhere, anytime.”Participants for the 3D Printing and Design workshop on 17 January at 10am at Blue Haven Community Centre need to create a Tinkercard before the workshop and bring their own laptops that can connect to WiFi.Led by Howard Wood from 3D Printing Studios, the workshop includes learning about the different technologies used for the 3D printing process and designing a pen that will be posted to participants after the workshop.Sean Murphy’s Ghost Jam Comedy Show was very well received when it was premiered at the Sydney Fringe Festival in September, and he will be premiering it on the Coast on 24 January at 2pm at Tuggerah Library.This free event is based on traditional Japanese ghost stories that most people have not heard before and has some fun and scary moments that will delight kids and adults alike.

A fantastic new 500 square metre playground for kids of all ages is now open at popular holiday spot The Entrance.Central Coast Council has invested $500,000 in the colourful new play space which is right next to the much loved Vera’s Water Garden.The new playground has multiple climbing stations, tunnels, a seated merry-go-round, an in-ground trampoline and the classic old favourite, hopscotch.It also has synthetic grass mounds and a rock climbing wall and slide, all surrounded by spongy soft fall and shaded with shade cloths.There’s plenty of seating for parents to sit and watch their kids play against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.“My kids tried it out and they loved it!