Central Coast Council has commenced proactive patrols in natural reserves and continues to monitor open space areas for unauthorised bike jump and track builds.Every report to Council is assessed by staff for its risk to the surrounding environment, threatened species, any heritage values as well as the risk to the greater public before determining the next steps.Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said Council had received an increased number of reports from the community about unauthorised mountain bike and BMX tracks and structures being built right across the coast.“Unauthorised bike tracks and jumps are constructed without any approval or assessment of impacts to environment, heritage or other reserve users,” Mr Cox said.“They have the potential to negatively impact trees, native vegetation and the habitat of our local native animals;

The current climate we live in is proving extremely challenging more than ever for many already struggling, particularly as our community head into double digits of weeks in lockdown.

With us all spending more time at home, trying to find things to keep young minds entertained and bodies moving can be a challenge.Central Coast Council’s spring school holiday program is now available, with a wide range of online and contactless activities that families can get involved in including:•    kids yoga•    marsupial, crocodile, snake and lizard educational workshops•    storytime readings and more with StarFM •    tabletop games and trivia•    science experiments•    drawing and crafts•    Tie Dye or Slime and Skate Deck activity kitsVisit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/schoolholidays for the full list of events, details and bookings.

Central Coast Council has endorsed the process for the preparation of the draft pricing proposal to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for its water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices from 1 July 2022.IPART sets the maximum prices for Council’s water, sewerage and stormwater drainage services.

Central Coast Council will hold an extraordinary meeting at 12pm Tuesday 7 September in order for Council to submit its pricing proposal to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for Water, Sewerage and Stormwater drainage prices for the period of 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026.Due to the COVID situation, the meeting will be held online remotely, and the meeting will be publicly webcast.There will be a Public Forum held as part of the Extraordinary Meeting.

Central Coast Council has placed flags on The Entrance Bridge and Brian McGowan Bridge to support R U OK?

Last week's Council meeting saw the promise of monthly financial reports and sharing information about Council’s financial position finally come to fruition, with a clear line of sight for the community into our financial position month to month.

Central Coast residents are now able to view Central Coast Council’s long-term plan to secure the region’s water supply and provide their feedback – with the document on public exhibition for 28 days from today.Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said that this plan will ensure there is enough water on the Coast for all residents until 2051.“On top of continuing to conserve water and use water efficiently, this plan makes the most of our current water assets – maximising them to their full potential – so that we can delay investing in additional supplies of water until a later date,” Mr Loader said.“It also addresses the fact that while we can plan for the future using the information we have at hand, the fact remains simple:

The Central Coast is steadily growing in size.

Draft Financial Report shows Council on way to financial recoveryCouncil has presented the preliminary draft 2020-2021 Consolidated Income Statement for Central Coast Council, which covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.The draft report shows Council’s operating result before capital amounts is a deficit of $60.7M compared to the Q3 forecast deficit of $115.1M and FY20 deficit of $88.7M.Operating income was $541.9M, $0.1M under the Q3 forecast and $13.5M up on FY20.Operating expenditure for the year ended 30 June 2021 of $602.6M was $42.8M under the Q3 forecast through savings in restructure costs and tighter control over general expenditure and $14.6M under FY20.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the preliminary draft report shows Council is moving toward financial recovery.“Council has managed to reduce expenditure and maintain income resulting in a small surplus, which is excellent news for the short-term stability of the organisation,” Mr Hart said.“However, Council’s long-term financial sustainability is not yet assured.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart is calling on all Central Coast community members to strictly follow all requirements of the current Public Health Order and Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) direction in place to control the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19.“I welcome the NSW Government’s recent decision to re-classify the Central Coast region in the Public Health Orders, separating our region’s COVID-19 rules from the Greater Sydney region,” Mr Hart said.“However whilst cases of COVID-19 on the Coast have been relatively low, it is vital that we do not become complacent – our actions are key to keeping our loved ones and our communities safe.“We’ve recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at our Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant and new exposure sites continue to be announced – we must be vigilant and do the right thing. “NSW Health is leading this emergency and Council is actively sharing their key messages – stay home, mask-up, check-in, get vaccinated and seek out a COVID-19 test if you are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms.“Council is also actively supporting the LEOCON in their role of emergency operations and their efforts to protect the Central Coast.“It is going to be a beautiful weekend and heading out for exercise and a dose of Vitamin D is important for maintaining our wellbeing during this difficult time but Council is asking the Central Coast community to follow the clear directions of the Public Health Order and LEOCON.“Head out for a walk at one of the Coast’s beautiful beaches or fantastic shared pathways but remember that physical distancing is critical.“If you’re out in public areas or purchasing a coffee for example, keep your physical distance from others and follow the Public Health Order.“By working together and doing the right thing we will keep our loved ones, colleagues and communities safe.”Community members should refer to NSW Health and Central Coast Health communication channels for the latest COVID-19 information, advice and restriction details – nsw.gov.au/covid-19Vaccination eligibility details are available on this webpage – health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccinesCommunity members can access a number of COVID-19 testing clinics across the Central Coast – peoplebank.hneccphn.com.au/covid-testing-ccDetails of any COVID-19 related impacts to Council facilities and services are on Council’s website – centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.

Council has been working closely with people with disability, their family members and carers, and people working in the disability sector to strive towards providing an inclusive region for all who make up our Central Coast community.As such, here at Council we have developed a draft Central Coast Disability Action Plan 2021-2025, outlining strategies and actions we will put in place over the next four-year period.Here is some of the key achievements we’ve made over the past four years in progressing towards an inclusive and accessible region:Established the Access and Inclusion Reference Group.Created Universal Design Guideline to assist Council staff to ensure more playspaces, places, services and events are accessible.Developed the Pedestrian and Access Mobility / Bike Plan to guide footpath improvements.Installed and upgraded 86 bus stops to meet Disability Access StandardsMade beach wheelchairs available at 12 patrolled beaches and installed beach matting at Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Toowoon Bay.Ensured Companion Cards are accepted at all Council venues that charge an entrance fee.Plus moreYou can help shape the future direction of accessibility and inclusion on the Coast through having your say by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com, with feedback due by 5pm 13 September.

In response to the escalating outbreak of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Greater Sydney and regional New South Wales, as well as the Public Health Orders impacting these areas, Central Coast Council has adapted a number of upcoming community events to ensure the health and safety of our community.ChromeFest 2021Due to the continued uncertainty around the current COVID-19 outbreak impacting our region, Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person component of its annual ChromeFest event, which was scheduled to take over Memorial Park at The Entrance on 23 and 24 October 2021. While provisions were put in place to deliver this year’s ChromeFest in a COVID-safe way (including introducing ticketing to limit attendees), the continued uncertainty around restrictions has made it difficult for Council to plan to deliver this event safely.Fortunately, fans of this much-loved annual event will still be able get their ChromeFest fix, with ChromeFest Overdrive TV set to share a livestream of all the favourite bands on Saturday 23 October.

The Central Coast community continues to have their say on key local projects with nearly 4,000 people visiting Central Coast Council’s Your Voice Our Coast hub to help shape future Coastal Management Programs.Over three months, Council collected community feedback to understand how the Coast’s waterways are valued so this vital information can be used to help shape the future management of Tuggerah Lakes, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system including Brisbane Water, and our Open Coast and Coastal Lagoons.Council also collected community feedback for our northern and southern-most waterways including Lake Macquarie and will be sharing this with our neighbouring councils as we work together to ensure the values of these important areas are heard in those Plans as well.Feedback collected from over 1,100 survey responses, as well as focus group discussions found:94.5% of respondents stated that waterways are a significant reason that they live on the Coast.

By this stage ratepayers would have started receiving their ordinary rates notices.

Council works for an accessible and inclusive Central Coast Council will place the draft Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 on public exhibition for community feedback, following the successful delivery of its first four-year Action Plan.The past four years has seen Council:Establish the Access and Inclusion Reference Group made up of people with lived experience of disability who assist Council in the development and implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. Create universal inclusive design and planning guidelines that have been implemented into Council planning documents to ensure more playspaces, places and events are accessible.Develop the Pedestrian and Access Mobility / Bike Plan to guide footpath improvements.Install 86 bus stops that meet Disability Access Standards.Make available beach wheelchairs at 12 patrolled beaches for the community to reely use, and installed beach matting at Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Toowoon Bay.Host the ‘Including You’ sensory tent at key community events which provides free information, equipment (such as noise cancelling headphones) and a calm place for time out.Work with local businesses to help them become more accessible and therefore expand their customer base.Work with local sports and active recreation providers to help increase participation of people with disabilities in mainstream sport.Improve accessibility at its own facilities including installing hearing loops in admin buildings and The Erina Centre;

Central Coast Council is adding to further calls from NSW Health and Central Coast Health for all community members to strictly follow all Public Health Order requirements in place to control the spread of COVID-19 and to seek out a test for the virus if the mildest of symptoms are experienced.The plea follows the identification of nine cases of COVID-19 on the Coast (as at Friday 6 August) and detection of the virus at sewage treatment plants in Woy Woy, Charmhaven, Toukley, Burwood Beach, Belmont and Shortland.Council Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer said the health advice is clear – only leave home for essential reasons when absolutely required and seek out a COVID-19 test at the onset of the mildest of symptoms.“It is extremely concerning for Council and our community to hear about cases of COVID-19 in our region and an increase in the detection of virus fragments in several of our sewerage systems,” Mr Farmer said.“NSW Health is the lead in this emergency and the advice provided by NSW Health and Central Coast Health has been regular and clear.

This week is recognised as national homelessness week.

The constant news cycle about COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions placed on visiting our friends and family, and going about our day-to-day activities can lead to distress, anxiety and frustration.Whatever your concern, it’s important to acknowledge it and seek help if it is affecting your wellbeing.

Central Coast Council is encouraging community members to ‘adopt, not shop’ when making the commitment to bring a new companion animal into their home.This follows the NSW Government’s announcement of free lifetime pet registration for people who adopt a rescue pet from Council pounds, animal shelters and rehoming organisations.Council Unit Manager Environmental Compliance and Systems, Sara Foster said free registration for rescue pets will ensure more abandoned or surrendered cats and dogs find a forever home, reinforcing the benefits of animal adoption.“Thanks to the announcement from the NSW Government, community members who choose to adopt a rescue dog or cat from Council’s Animal Care Facilities are now entitled to free lifetime pet registration,” Ms Foster said.“Council works closely with our Animal Care Facilities at Charmhaven and Erina to ensure surrendered pets can find a suitable and safe new home.“With backyard breeding a huge issue on the Central Coast, we hope that this new initiative will make adoption an even more desirable pathway for those looking for a pet, so that we can reduce the number of people accessing unregistered breeders.“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this has on the animals in our care.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said pets are a much-loved part of the fabric of the Central Coast and this new registration fee exemption will make adoption an even more desirable choice for community members searching for a new companion animal.“If you’re looking for a new four-legged friend, I encourage you to contact Council’s Animal Welfare Facilities to find out more about the animals currently up for adoption,” Mr Hart said.“It’s important to remember that while owning a pet can be highly rewarding, it is also a big responsibility.