Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $28,000 in prize money.This year 908 entries were received from across Australia, with 135 of the artworks selected as finalists for exhibition, making it a difficult job for both the selection panel and finalist judges, which comprised artist Peter Godwin and curator Libby Knott.While it was a difficult task, the judges were unanimous in their selection for the first prize winner – local Central Coast artist Maree Azzopardi, for her artwork ‘The Crossings’.

Central Coast Council has developed a draft Central Coast Open Space Strategy, which is now on public exhibition for community feedback until 20 September.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said an Open Space Strategy is being developed to support and promote active and healthy lifestyles, and increase participation in outdoor recreation and sport, with greater diversity in offerings.“With the anticipated population growth expected for the Central Coast, this framework will provide for the supply and development of adequate open spaces, such as parks, reserves and sportsgrounds, and ensure they are well-designed, inclusive, and accessible,” Ms Smith said.“While also ensuring culture, heritage and environmental significance is appropriately considered in the planning and design of public open space.“The strategy (2024-31) identifies sport and recreation action plans that need to be reviewed or developed to ensure that sport, recreation and physical activity opportunities on the Central Coast will be well planned and actioned in a timely manner.”Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the draft Open Space Strategy has been developed with input from our community and key groups to support healthy lifestyles for a growing community.“Extensive community consultation was undertaken in 2021, when the project was known as ‘Active Lifestyles Strategy’, with 438 people participating in a survey so we could understand how the Central Coast community likes to keep active, and how Council can support this within our managed open spaces,” Mr Hart said.“The Central Coast is blessed with an abundance of beautiful open space areas, and I encourage everyone to jump online to check out the draft Strategy and tell us what you think.”  Results of the Active Lifestyle Survey in 2021 showed that of the 438 respondents, more than 75% were long-term residents of the Central Coast (10-plus years), predominantly in the 35-59 age group, and the three most popular sporting categories were:

Central Coast Council’s Façade Improvement Support Program opens on Sunday 1 September.

Central Coast Council is thrilled to invite the community to experience the magic of twilight cinema, with a free family-friendly outdoor screening of Shark Tale.The outdoor movie nights have been designed to unite the community by bringing families and friends together for a fantastic evening of film, fun and local flavour.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said whether you’re a resident or visiting the Central Coast the movie nights are designed to celebrate the community, support the local economy, and enhance the town’s night life for families.“We invite you to come along to The Entrance, Toukley, Gosford, or Wyong events, grab dinner or some takeaway, set up a picnic, sit down under the night sky and enjoy an evening of entertainment.“There will be a variety of activities at each location, with circus performers, face painting and lawn games, so get there at 4pm and join in the fun before the movie starts at 6pm,” Ms Smith said.Attendees can also support local food vendors at each of the movie night locations, by perusing the Love Central Coast Eating Out Guides, for recommendations on local eateries for their evening meal.Outdoor movie night program dates:The Entrance, Memorial Park - Friday 6 September 2024Toukley, Village Green - Saturday 7 September 2024 Gosford, Kibble Park - Friday 13 September 2024Wyong, The Chapman Lawn - Saturday 14 September 2024Council Administrator Rik Hart said movie nights activate the town centres across the Central Coast, benefitting both local businesses and the community.“Movie nights promote economic development in town centres, bolster community ties, and enhance cultural and social wellbeing.“Outdoor movies also offer a chance to relax with family and friends and be entertained under the open sky,” Mr Hart said.To view the full event program, visit:

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to help shape how it engages with residents on future decisions.

Central Coast Council’s gallery container at the Toukley Village Green provides an innovative space that is hosting a rotating roster of local creatives to exhibit work and installations, host workshops and collaborate with other artists throughout the year.Council Director Community &

Sustainable Future Festival is back this September with a two-day event.

Central Coast Council’s second and longest temporary shutdown of Mardi Water Treatment Plant as part of the current upgrade is now complete.

Eleven playspaces across the Central Coast have undergone renewals, featuring improved recreational and accessibility features.

The upgraded playspace in Spencer Waterfront is now open to the community – with works being completed thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Investing in our Communities (IiOC) grant and $45,000 from Central Coast Council.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the upgraded playspace now includes a swing set, climbing and slide unit, rocker, rubber softfall and picnic table.“We are really delighted that this work has been done, and now provides a modern playspace for locals and visitors to enjoy.”Local resident and Community Liaison Officer, Robyn Downham and co-founder of the community group River Cares has campaigned since the completion of the Spencer public amenities in January 2023 and is delighted and very appreciative that the new children’s playspace for Spencer has been addressed and is now open for the local residents and visitors to enjoy.“This new playspace offers multiple activities for a range of ages and abilities to help children play and socialise.

Central Coast Council has officially opened the new regional skatepark and BMX track at Umina’s Peninsula Recreation and Active Lifestyle Precinct, completing the $8million upgrade, which also included a new basketball court, bouldering climbing unit, two sports amenities buildings, new cricket practice nets, futsal court, shared and connective pathways, plus access road and carpark upgrade.Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this milestone follows a shared journey with the community, including Umina Community Group and local sporting clubs that have driven these much-wanted upgrades and participated in its design.“Over 640 people completed surveys during community engagement activities in 2018 which provided input into the planning of the developed skate park and precinct improvements,” Mr Hart Said. “We’re thankful to the Australian Government for their investment in our region and their funding that has enabled Council to deliver a revitalised, functional, accessible, and improved sporting and recreation infrastructure for the Peninsula.”This multi-year project was delivered in five stages.

To celebrate National History Month this August, Central Coast Council’s Library Service is inviting the community to delve into the world of family history.Central Coast Council Unit Manager Libraries and Education, Beth Burgess said that there are events tailored for all levels of interest, designed to help uncover hidden family treasures."Exploring family history is detective work – it demands dedication, patience, and often leads to surprising discoveries," Ms Burgess explained"Our events will equip you to become a regular Sherlock Holmes in family history research, guiding you through various records and collections.“This year, we are particularly excited that Museums of History NSW (MHNSW) will be travelling to the Central Coast to share stories about some of the 4,100 young Irish women who came to Australia between 1848 and 1850, as part of Earl Grey’s Famine Orphan Scheme.

Central Coast Council is hosting the final Chemical CleanOut events for 2024 in August and inviting residents to clear out unwanted hazardous chemicals from around the home and safely dispose of them for free.Community members can safely drop off unused, out-of-date or unwanted household chemicals over the first two weekends of August: Sat 3 and Sun 4 Aug, 9am-3.30pm – Charmhaven Depot (Chelmsford Rd) Sat 10 and Sun 11 Aug, 9am-3.30pm - former Kincumber Waste Facility (Cullens Rd, Kincumber).

Central Coast Council is collaborating with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in testing a new way to encourage Australian native fish to move across creek and river weirs improving native fish migration.Council Director for Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader welcomed the use of Mangrove Creek and Ourimbah Creek to test the new design currently being pilot tested across Australia.

Central Coast Council invites residents to participate in two community tree planting events, at Killcare Beach and Porters Creek Wyong, for National Tree Day, on Sunday 28 July 2024.Since its inception by Planet Ark in 1996, National Tree Day has become Australia’s largest tree planting event, with more than 26 million trees planted by over five million volunteers.Last year, the 2023 event planted over 2,000 trees across Killcare Beach and Porters Creek Wyong.

The Jenny Dixon Beach stair repair is now complete.

Central Coast artists, arts workers and arts organisations can now upskill and connect at the Creating+Labs series of professional development workshops, presented by Central Coast Council.

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations in Chain Valley Bay, Gwandalan, Mannering Park and Summerland Point are invited to apply for up to $30,000 in funding for projects and infrastructure that improve their communities.

Students on the Coast can get ready for a dynamic experience these winter school holidays with Central Coast Council running over 60 free and affordable events at our libraries, leisure centres, theatres, Gosford Regional Gallery, and outdoor spaces.Central Coast Council is delivering a fun, family friendly winter school holiday program with activities for a range of ages from early childhood and primary school years, through to tweens and teens, that will entice kids to get active and creative with their hands, feet, and imagination.For the little ones, there’s a jam-packed range of activities that are destined to inspire.

As part of Central Coast Council’s commitment towards maintaining quality water and sewer infrastructure across the Central Coast, Council is preparing to replace the sewer rising main on The Entrance Road, Wamberal. Gongues Constructions were successful in being awarded the tender for the works and will be working along the eastern boundary of The Entrance Road between Crystal Street and Tumbi Road roundabout.