Media Releases

Flood-affected residents on the Central Coast continue to recover following the recent weather and flooding event.Council would like to remind local impacted residents of the support available to assist them during their recovery.

Central Coast Council congratulates the management and board at The Art House for winning both the Excellence in Large Business and Wyong Business of Year Award at the Wyong Business (Chamber of Commerce) 2022 Annual Business Awards event recently – providing recognition of the high quality of programs and services delivered and valuable contribution this arts and cultural hub delivers for our community. The Art House Executive Director, Anne-Marie Heath said it is an honour to receive these awards for excellence from the local business community.“Our team is very proud and grateful to receive Business Wyong’s Excellence in Large Business Award, but most of all we were completely surprised and excited to have also received the main award of Business of the Year!” Ms Heath said.“It is very rewarding that The Art House is recognised for its service to the community as an arts organisation but as also for our business operations.“These awards are reflective of the wonderful Art House staff and their contribution and commitment in ensuring the Art House is shining in every moment, and the great support of the Board.”Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said The Art House is an exciting performing arts centre which brings world-class performances to local audiences and attracts visitors to our region.“The success of The Art House creates a ripple effect of economic benefits for our community with the provision of local jobs, which leads to more local business spending, and support to surrounding hospitality businesses from audiences that come from near and far,” Mr Hart said. “The management and staff of The Art House provide excellence in service and programming that matches the architectural distinction of the venue, and I’m delighted for the team on their well-deserved wins.”The Art House is owned by Council and managed by an independent not-for-profit entity with an independent board of directors.

The consolidated Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (CCLEP 2022) and Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022 (CCDCP 2022) have come into effect today, 1 August 2022. The consolidated CCLEP and CCDCP provide a consistent planning framework for the region, which leads to greater efficiencies in preparing and assessing development applications - benefiting the Central Coast community, investors and Council staff.

In recognition of the challenges residents with flood impacted properties on the Central Coast are facing, Council is offering an extra two months (with no accrued interest) to pay their first 2022/23 rate instalment.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the deferral is being offered to residents with properties listed under the SES rapid damage assessment.“We anticipate this offer will benefit around 1000 property owners on the Central Coast who have been directly impacted by the recent floods in July 2022," Mr Hart said.“It has been an extremely challenging time for many on the Coast, particularly for those who the SES has recognised as having significant damage to their properties.

A silver lining to the recent heavy rainfall received on the Central Coast has meant that our dam levels have reached a record breaking high – with the Upper Mooney Dam and Mangrove Creek Dam at full capacity and Mardi Dam at 83.2%.

Council’s Asset Sales Program exceeds target, reaching $62 million in sales Council has reached a key milestone in its Asset Sales Program with the sale of two parcels of land at Doyalson and Bateau Bay, increasing total land asset sales to over $62 million.The land at Doyalson consisting of four lots sold for a combined $5.5 million (excluding GST), which matched the independent valuation price, while the land at Bateau Bay sold for $1.83 million (excluding GST), which exceeded the independent valuation price by $1.28 million. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these sales exceed the targets in Council’s Financial Recovery Plan and help bolster Council’s financial sustainability into the future. “The sale of underperforming land assets, or assets which are surplus to current or future needs, has been a foundational pillar of Council’s financial recovery and strengthens Council’s financial sustainability into the future,” Mr Hart said.“Council has undertaken due diligence in all sales, including the review of sites against Council resolutions and historical records, abiding by all legislative requirements, and conducting extensive community consultation to ensure the community has had the chance to be part of the decision-making process.“The purchasers of these land assets are bound by all zoning and usage requirements, including any applicable environmental zoning. “Council remains committed to being transparent with the community throughout its Asset Sales Program, and I encourage people to review the in-depth information on Council’s website.”The following land has been sold and will be removed from Council’s land register:A) 200 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 762 DP 746526)    740 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 78 DP 755245)    740 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 32 DP 586913)    1550 Thompson Vale Road, Doyalson (Lot 31 DP 586913)B) 10A Cynthia Street, Bateau Bay (Lot 17 DP 262327)For more information about the Asset Sales Program including detailed frequently asked questions (FAQs), search ‘Financial Recovery Plan’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au. Community feedback sought on draft Flying of Flags policy and Street Banner Poles policy and guidelines for community useCouncil is seeking feedback on the Draft Flying of Flags Policy, Draft Street Banner Policy, and Draft Street Banner Guidelines, which will be placed on public exhibition online at yourvoiceourcoast.com between 27 July and 23 August 2022.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said these draft policies were developed in response to community interest and we are now encouraging further feedback from the whole community during the public exhibition period.“Council proudly flies the Australian Flag and has a firm commitment to ensuring our national flag flies continually and appropriately while complying with the State and Federal Government protocols, and in accordance with the Australian Flags Booklet publication of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Premiers Department of New South Wales publication ‘Flags and Emblems of NSW’.

The Central Coast continues to recover and clean-up, following the recent severe weather and flooding event.Council continues to lead recovery efforts and is working closely alongside Resilience NSW, to support the community through this recovery stage.For ongoing updates on recovery efforts and support available, head to Council’s dedicated webpage. Additional recovery hubs and community supportResilience NSW recovery team with Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Services Australia and a range of other support teams remain at rapid assistance points (recovery hubs) to offer recovery assistance and provide access to information and services for flood-affected Central Coast residents.Two recovery hubs remain open at The Entrance and Spencer, however there are changes to the opening hours from Monday 25 July 2022. Additional hubs will be open from week commencing 25 July.Current list of recovery hubs and opening hours are:The Entrance Hub: located at The Entrance Community Centre, Battley Ave, The Entrance.10am to 4pm:

The public exhibition period for the Draft Design Requirements for Terminal Protection Works at Wamberal Beach to address coastal erosion closes on 27 July 2022.

Central Coast athletes, including previous gold and silver medal winners, from a variety of sporting disciplines are on their way to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart congratulated the athletes, many of whom are graduates of the Central Coast Academy of Sport or who have come through the Academy’s Future Stars program.“We are so proud of these athletes who have dedicated so much of their lives to be the best they can possibly be in their selected sport,” Mr Hart said.Australia will be taking its largest overseas contingent of Commonwealth Games athletes ever to this month’s Birmingham Games.Competing athletes from the Central Coast include backstroke champion Brad Woodward who started swimming at Mingara Swim Club, did Nippers at Shelly Beach, worked as a Council Lifeguard at age 17, and is still a volunteer Surf Lifesaver with Shelly Beach Surf Club. Brad won both silver and gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and at Birmingham will be competing in the 100m and 200m backstroke events.Matthew Dawson from Killarney Vale, a member of the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, the Kookaburras, will be representing Australia again, having also competed at the 2018 Games.

The recent severe weather event that hit the Central Coast this month, has seen the biggest flood on Tuggerah Lakes since 1949 and the biggest flood on the Hawkesbury River in the last 100 years.Council staff worked closely alongside the NSW State Emergency Service, coordinating activities from the Emergency Operations Centre at Charmhaven.  The Central Coast local government area is included in the NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration announced on Tuesday 5 July 2022, meaning people in our community who have been affected by this severe weather and flooding event can access a range of special assistance measures.Council and flood evacuation impacted residents are now well into recovery and clean-up efforts, and this is expected to take some time.  I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly during the weather event and the recovery.

Central Coast Council has won the Sport NSW Local Council of the Year Community Sports Award, which recognises contributions to the community in sport and active recreation.The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of community coaches, officials, administrators, organisations and local councils of the past year.Central Coast Council was described as continuing to deliver innovative approaches to participation, access and inclusion and promotion of local sport and active recreation.Council’s Unit Manager, Open Space and Recreation, Brett Sherar said the Award is a recognition of the outstanding efforts of many individuals and teams across Council.“Our submission to the Awards highlighted the many ways we collaborate with local clubs, associations, and partners to not only promote our region's variety of sport and active recreation providers, but also connect our community with sports matching their own wants, needs, abilities and interests," Mr Sherar said.“Significantly, despite enduring the highest number of COVID lockdown days outside Greater Sydney, Council provided over 34,000 opportunities for our community to engage in sport and recreation through the delivery of programs, lessons, initiatives, social sports sessions and the hosting of over 700 events across community, elite and professional sports.“Council also provided opportunities for local sporting clubs or associations to receive support to implement adjustments to make their sport or active recreation programs more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, with five local associations receiving assistance to provide modified equipment or deliver accessible programs in our community."Mr Sherar added that Council’s investment into infrastructure and facilities which promote active lifestyles for all, including a combined $16m upgrade of 16 local sportsgrounds and facilities for netball, swimming, skating and amenities for all abilities, was also recognised.“Council is committed to supporting all community members to have access to open spaces and recreational activities and supporting healthy lifestyles here on the Central Coast," Mr Sherar said.ENDSCentral Coast Council's Community Sports Award Win, (L-R) Mick Dennis, Brett Sherar, Adam Kidd, Jodie Frost-Foster, David Norbury

Flood evacuation orders for all Central Coast areas have now been removed and all flooding is back below minor flood levels.

The severe weather event driven by a powerful east coast low which drenched the Central Coast this week has begun moving off the coast, easing rainfall and allowing impacted residents to turn their sights toward the recovery and clean-up effort. Council is leading the recovery efforts and working closely alongside Resilience NSW to support the community through this clean-up, while continuing its work alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and other emergency agencies to support those still isolated or evacuated.Despite rainfall easing, flooding remains current at multiple locations around Tuggerah Lakes and the Lower Hawkesbury River.

Central Coast dam levels have reached a record breaking high – with the Upper Mooney Dam and Mangrove Creek Dam at full capacity due to ongoing heavy rainfall.Central Coast Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said this is the first time Mangrove Creek Dam has reached full capacity since construction was completed in 1982.“This storage increase places the Central Coast water supply in a secure position for years to come,” Mr Loader said.“While the overflow from the Mangrove Creek Dam will contribute to the level of the already flooded rivers, it is a relatively low rate and small in comparison to existing catchment flows.

Council is urging the community to remain vigilant as major flooding remains within the Tuggerah Lakes and Hawkesbury River regions, despite rainfall easing Thursday morning after heavy downpours overnight.

Severe weather continues to impact the Central Coast causing heavy rainfall, localised flooding, dangerous ocean conditions and increased flooding overnight with many residents in low lying areas requiring evacuation.Council continues to work alongside all local emergency agencies with the Emergency Operations Centre activated, with NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) leading the response.Thank you to all of the many volunteers with local SES, RFS and other support services that are providing invaluable assistance to keep our community safe – they have been in the conditions at all hours rescuing, door knocking, removing dangerous items and providing resources to isolated community members.Council staff are working around the clock to closely monitor local roads, waterways, beaches, water and sewer systems, and other essential services with crews attending to any impacts.Community members are still being urged to remain vigilant, exercise extra caution on roads, and are reminded to never enter or drive through flood waters.For the latest weather warnings and conditions go to the Bureau of Meteorology website. For emergency help in floods and storms, call NSW SES on 132 500.

The severe weather event impacting the Central Coast has brought increased heavy rainfall, damaging winds, dangerous ocean conditions and increased flooding overnight on Monday 4 July and into the morning on Tuesday 5 July 2022.Council is working closely alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), and is continuing its close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for flooding and storm impacts.Council is urging the community to follow the advice provided by the lead response agency NSW SES and stay informed as this weather event evolves.Major flooding occurring at Hawkesbury RiverThe Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has confirmed major flooding is occurring at Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry at levels higher than the March 2022 flood.

A severe weather event impacting the Central Coast has caused heavy rainfall, localised flooding and dangerous ocean conditions, including minor to moderate flooding in Lower Hawkesbury River area and minor flooding expected at Tuggerah Lakes.Council is working alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), and is closely monitoring local roads, waterways, beaches, and water and sewer systems with crews on the ground across the Coast.

Council is encouraging the community to have their say on the draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan now on exhibition.The 10-year Action Plan provides a framework for future planning, management and prioritisation of infrastructure, including where dogs are allowed on or off-leash and where they are prohibited.

We have produced a Delivery Program that has been out for public consultation and incorporates all the changes as a result of IPART’s (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) recent decisions to continue the Special Variation for a total of a further 9 years and the regulated water, sewer and stormwater drainage fees and charges for the next 4 years.  Even with these changes, our average rates overall continue to be approximately ten percent less than the neighbouring regions of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.The Operational Plan for 22-23 reflects expenditure greater than originally forecasted, but this has been able to be accommodated due to the much larger than budgeted, projected surplus for the 21-22 financial year.  This means we are responding to community feedback and have allocated extra resources for planning assessment, local roads and vegetation maintenance.