The ‘Swifties’ in question are the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater and it is time for Coasties to come together to help protect these critically endangered birds.Community members can make a big difference in the fight to save both beautiful species by participating in local sighting and tree planting initiatives this June.Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said the Australian National University’s (ANU) Swift Parrot SOS Program is an opportunity for locals to join a national conservation initiative.“It is vital that we have the best understanding possible of Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater numbers and we can all help with this important task by joining in the ‘Spot a Swiftie/Report a Regent’ events,” Mr Cox said.“At the events you’ll be taken on a guided bird walk by experts from BirdLife Australia, you’ll learn how to spot a Swiftie, record sightings and take home free trees at the end of the day.“There are great apps that can be used to record sightings and there will be help on the day with that important part of the process.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is thrilled to support this important ANU initiative.“This is a wonderful opportunity to take direct action to protect the beautiful Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater,” Mr Hart said.“This region provides important habitat for these critically endangered birds and I’d encourage as many locals as possible to help with counting and to take advantage of the expert advice and free trees on offer for habitat building.”Spot a Swiftie/Report a Regent Community Day at Bateau BayDate:

It has been encouraging to see the level of engagement we have received from the community on the Tranche 3 proposed Council assets for sale.

Thanks to its bustling vibe, elective wares and great coffee, Long Jetty has become known as the ‘Newtown of the Coast’ and the suburb is now the focus of an exciting new art trail.‘Neighbourhoods Art Trail x Long Jetty’ incorporates three creative initiatives – Creation in Isolation, Changing Faces and Q&A at the Savoy – to give locals and visitors the chance to explore and appreciate original artworks in local businesses from Thursday 17 June to Saturday 19 June.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said ‘Neighbourhoods Art Trail x Long Jetty’ will see the work of established local artists featured at many of Long Jetty’s favourite venues and shops along The Entrance Road.“Long Jetty has become a creative mecca on the Coast and it is the perfect location for locals and visitors to enjoy creative expression,” Ms Vaughan said.“COVID-19 has impacted all our lives in so many ways and ‘Creation in Isolation’ is a series of poignant works that explore the impact of isolation during this unprecedented time. “Long Jetty has a colourful history and ‘Changing Faces’ celebrates the people that have shaped the area over the years. “The official exhibition opening on Thursday 17 June features ‘Q&A at the Savoy’ – a unique opportunity to hear a panel of local creative entrepreneurs share how ‘place’ influences their work and the success and failure that has come from pursuing their passion.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said ‘Neighbourhoods Art Trail x Long Jetty’ is an opportunity to experience art, explore Long Jetty and reflect on a shared experience through a unique time.“This community-led initiative connects our creative community to local businesses and provides new spaces for their work to be showcased and explored,” Mr Hart said.“Locals and visitors will see art combined with the wonderful food and retail experiences Long Jetty has to offer and have yet another reason to head to this bohemian pocket of the Coast.”‘Neighbourhoods Art Trail x Long Jetty’ is exhibited in Long Jetty businesses along The Entrance Road from Thursday 17 June to Saturday 19 June 2021. The exhibition opening event – ‘Q&A at the Savoy’ – on Thursday 17 June features panellists Kaye Harrison (Documentary Film Maker), Xanthe Highfield (Interior Designer), Luke Shadbolt (Photographer) and Morgan Mcglone (Chef and Entrepreneur).Explore all activities and ticketing details at lovecentralcoast.com/neighbourhoods-x-long-jetty

Referendum to determine Councillor numbers will proceed this SeptemberCentral Coast Council will engage private provider Australian Election Company Pty Limited for the conduct a Referendum on 4 September 2021.

The Central Coast hinterland is ready to come alive this weekend for the return of one of Central Coast Council’s much-loved events - Harvest Festival.A celebration of the Central Coast’s spectacular hinterland communities, this year’s Harvest Festival is offering a wide range of unique events and experiences over 12 and 13 June, with thirty event hubs ready to welcome locals and visitors.With a number of Harvest Festival events close to selling out, those interested in attending are reminded to plan ahead and book their spots in advance.

On 25 May 2021 and 1 June 2021, Central Coast Council adopted the water, sewer and stormwater drainage fees and charges for the 2021-22 charging year in line with the May 2019 three-year price determination by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Council’s 24/7 online consultation hub received a record 22,500 visitors during May. Council Administrator Rik Hart thanked the community for engaging on Council matters, taking the time to read information materials and provide considered feedback. “We have had really important projects open for consultation this year including Council’s Draft Operational Plan, Asset Sales and Reclassification Program, the Special Variation for rates, the Central Coast Integrated Water Resource Plan and IPART water, sewer and stormwater prices, plus a Constitutional Referendum Poll and a number of community and environment projects,” Mr Hart said.“Our community’s voice contributes towards Council’s decision-making, helping us to understand community needs and aspirations, identify challenges and opportunities, and assist with improved outcomes.

With nine major events planned across the 2021-22 event calendar, Central Coast Council is welcoming expressions of interest for prospective sponsors to be involved in some of the Central Coast’s most iconic events.Expressions of interest are now open for businesses to partner with Council’s flagship events, including Chromefest, The Lakes Festival, Harvest Festival and Love Lanes, as well as much-loved community events including New Year’s Eve at The Entrance, Flavours by the Sea and Woy Woy Australia Day celebrations.Sponsorship EOIs are also invited for Council’s newest major events - Relish the Coast and Central Coast Music Festival, which will become regular features on the annual event calendar.Council Director Community and Recreation Services Julie Vaughan said each event holds an important place within the Central Coast community, providing opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses to come together, connect and celebrate our unique region. “In addition to bringing the community together and activating our town centres and regional hubs, Council’s major event offerings inject significant economic returns to the Central Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“2019’s Chromefest injected $14 million into the local economy, while the 2019 Harvest Festival delivered a $8 million boost.“While COVID-19 restrictions may have halted many large-scale events in 2020, residents are eager to see the return of normalcy and connection.

I held an Extraordinary Council meeting on 1 June 2021 as it was my view that Council take the opportunity to place on the record its response to two key matters raised in the Auditor General’s qualified opinion outlined in the Report on Local Government 2020.There is no question whatsoever that Central Coast Council deserves a qualified report given our current financial situation.

Central Coast Council’s 2021-22 Community Grants Program will open 1 July 2021, with $900,000 in annual funding available to support local community groups and organisations to deliver worthwhile projects, programs and events that strengthen our community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services Julie Vaughan said Council is running a series of free information sessions, drop-in sessions and grant writing workshops throughout June and July to support community members throughout the application process.“This year, community groups and organisations will be able to apply for funding under three programs - the Community Development Grant Program, the Community Events and Place Activation Program and the Community Support Program,” Ms Vaughan said.“These three programs have been prioritised due to the significant benefits and outcomes they will deliver to the broader community.“Unlike in previous years, there will only be one round of grant applications over the 2021-22 financial year for the Community Development and Events and Place Activation Grants programs, so if you are looking to deliver a project or event in the next 18 months, we encourage you to plan ahead by attending our upcoming information sessions and applying when applications open in July.“The sessions and workshops are open to anyone in the community and are designed to help applicants better understand the process, improve the quality of their applications and communicate some of the changes to the Community Grants Program for 2021-22.”Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart said the Community Grants Program plays an important role in supporting organisations to deliver events and programs that respond to the needs of our community.“Through its Community Grants Program, Council provides community organisations with the support to deliver activities and events which build the community’s capacity and create stronger local connections,” Mr Hart said.To book into to an upcoming information session or grant writing workshop and to learn more about the 2021-22 Community Grants Program, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants. ENDS 

It is National Reconciliation Week and this year’s theme is ‘More than a word.

Central Coast Council has completed upgrade works at Kanwal Oval, improving the lighting system, drainage and irrigation for local sporting clubs and residents. Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said completion of this project for the community will better support local sports groups and promote a healthier and more active community. “Kanwal Oval is a much loved and frequently used community facility that was in need of some TLC.

First Nations children and young people from across the Central Coast are having their creative expression celebrated through Maliga – the annual visual storytelling program that helps to mark Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week.Maliga sees First Nations young people share stories of culture and identity through visual, performance and literary expression, with artworks featured in a collaborative street flag presentation in Wyong, Toukley, Long Jetty and Umina town centres and The Entrance Bridge and along Tuggerah Straight.Central Coast Council Acting Director Community and Recreation Services, Phil Cantillon said this year’s artworks showcase both a traditional and contemporary style.“Council is thrilled to once again help celebrate the stories and talent of our young First Nations people aged three to 18 through the Maliga program,” Mr Cantillon said.“The street flag presentation is an annual highlight for the Coast and this year we can enjoy pieces by local artist Kyle Waters and the work of students from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College (The Entrance and Berkeley Vale), Kincumber Public School, Kincumber High, Wyong High School and Wadalba Community School.“Maliga means Shine in Darkinjung language and the Maliga visual storytelling program is a community led initiative that provides an outstanding platform for young First Nations people on the Coast to shine.”The Maliga flags will help to mark Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) and NAIDOC Week (4 July – 11 July).Gosford Regional Gallery and The Entrance Gallery will also be celebrating First Nations Peoples through exhibitions and events including:Cleverman exhibition (Gosford Regional Gallery)Colours of Country exhibition (Gosford Regional Gallery)Saltwater Freshwater (The Entrance Gallery).Maliga is made possible through collaborations with local Elders, cultural leaders and educational institutions and the participation of First Nations families.This year’s flags include a representation of ‘Tiddalik the Frog’ brought to life through the illustrative skills of local artist of Kamilaroi descent, Kyle Waters.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is committed to supporting reconciliation and celebrating young First Nations peoples from the Coast.“The Coast is home to a growing First Nations peoples community – including many talented young people – and it is wonderful to be able to hear their stories and experience their work through important initiatives such as Maliga,” Mr Hart said.“It is important to mark Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week and encourage everyone to enjoy the artworks across the Coast and attend the featured exhibitions at our galleries.”Find out more by searching 'Maliga' on Council's website and for details about exhibitions/events at our galleries visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/GalleriesENDS

Central Coast Council and the NSW Government have today officially opened the newly redeveloped Terrigal BMX Track, the last piece of the Duffy’s Oval Recreation Precinct revitalisation project.Works have included reshaping jumps, asphalting berms and laying a synthetic surface on dirt sections.

Central Coast Council is looking for exciting local events, programs and activities that shine the light on our region’s lakes and waterways, which are among the largest and most magnificent in Australia.The Lakes Festival is back in 2021 and the popular 10-day program will see locals and visitors come together to celebrate, discover and even re-discover those places on the Coast that make our region unique.Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard said The Lakes Festival is an event made special by locals and built on creative ‘outside the box’ thinking.“The Lakes Festival will look a little different this year given COVID-19 and the current environment, but it is exciting that we are able to move forward with a program that celebrates our region’s incredible waterways,” Mr Cannard said. “We’re seeking Expressions of Interest from anyone with a unique perspective on our waterways including local businesses, companies, organisations and community groups.

The role of migrant communities in the Coast’s rich history and bright future is rarely explored.‘If These Walls Could Talk’ uses visual storytelling to shine a light on the experiences and contributions of four migrant business owners from The Entrance and four from Woy Woy.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said the project beautifully and powerfully captures a series of important local migrant stories.“Through photographs and written narratives, you will be immersed in the stories of eight local business owners that help to make our region a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Ms Vaughan said.“‘If These Walls Could Talk’ provides insight into the cultural, social and economic perspectives of migrant business owners who have chosen to call the Coast home.“Through this project we are creating an important platform for the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community to express aspects of their culture in a safe, inclusive and non-invasive manner, and to address misconceptions about multiculturalism.”Council Administrator, Rik Hart said migrant communities make an invaluable contribution to the Central Coast.“I encourage all community members to take the time to engage with the stories of local migrant business owners featured in ‘If These Walls Could Talk,” Mr Hart said.“Cultural diversity helps to make the Coast a dynamic place and will play a crucial role in the region’s bright future.”A demountable storyboard at Memorial Park, The Entrance will showcase elements of the project to compliment the visual storytelling featured online.‘If These Walls Could Talk’ launched on 21 May 2021 to coincide with ‘World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue’, an international day to acknowledge cultural diversity within our communities.Community members can experience ‘‘If These Walls Could Talk’ by visiting ifthesewallscouldtalk.com.au

Central Coast Council has welcomed the release of the Tuggerah Lake’s Expert Panel report, labelling it a great resource to support the ongoing management of Tuggerah Lakes.Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said Council was working to integrate the recommendations of the report into the Coastal Management Program underway for the Tuggerah Lakes system.“Council is legislatively required to complete coastal management programs, and the previous Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan will expire in December,” Mr Cox said.“This report is a great resource for us to integrate into the first stage of this program, the scoping study, and will provide a basis for use to further develop actions, recommendations and community engagement options going forward.“We will consider all 52 recommended actions identified by the Panel and integrate, where appropriate, into the coastal management program. “We will be working with the relevant government agencies, our stakeholders, technical experts and the community to ensure a well-rounded and broadly supported future plan that will see the Tuggerah Lakes estuary well managed into the future.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said the community engagement opportunities for the coastal management programs had been successful so far.“We have more than 770 responses to our survey so far, staff have spoken to over 200 residents and 270 residents have registered for ongoing involvement,” Mr Hart said.“Our staff are heading out to talk to more people over the coming weeks and have extended the closing date of the consultation to give them a chance to cover more areas of the region.“I’d strongly encourage all residents on the Central Coast, regardless of how close to the Coast you live, to take part in the engagement activities – everyone’s voice matters.”To take part visit Council’s Your Voice Our Coast website to learn more about the programs being developed.The first stage of the consultation closes on 15 June 2021.

Importance of Council’s Financial Recovery Plan reaffirmed by Quarter 3 Business ReportCouncil’s Quarter 3 Business Report for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021 outlines an unsatisfactory projected year-end loss of $103.3M before capital income at 30 June 2021.The Report emphasises the importance of Council’s rigorous Financial Recovery Plan measures including reducing operating expenditure, special rate variation, reducing capital expenditure, securing bank loans, generating additional income and selling underperforming assets.Council Administrator, Rik Hart said it was vital that Council move forward with decisive action to achieve financial sustainability.“Our latest Business Report shows some positive ground has been made but we have a long way to go and must continue to work through all of the objectives outlined in our Financial Recovery Plan,” Mr Hart said.“The necessary bank loans we have secured require us to generate approximately $60M through the sale of Council assets identified as surplus to our needs.“A special variation rates increase is also required – the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART) has approved a 15 percent one-off increase for three years, but we will need a permanent increase to meet our bank loan requirements.”Year-to-date results identified in the Quarter 3 Business Report include:operating result (excluding capital grants and contributions) is showing a favourable variance of $52.8M, consisting of an actual surplus of $34.3M compared to a budgeted deficit of $18.5Moperating result (including capital grants and contributions) is showing a favourable variance of $59.7M, consisting of an actual surplus of $71.1M compared to a budgeted surplus of $11.4Mcapital expenditure is $115.0M compared to a year-to-date budget of $131.7M.Council moves to recover unpaid rates and chargesCentral Coast Council has moved to recover more than $1.7 million in unpaid rates and charges.Council has exhausted all other avenues to recover these rates available under the Local Government Act and will now move to sell 123 properties by public auction.Council Administrator Rik Hart said the sales were the option of last resort.“We understand that some members of our community are suffering from genuine hardship, and for those behind on rates in that circumstance our teams have worked with them to plan repayments,” Mr Hart said.“However, more than half of the properties targeted in this sale have outstanding rates for more than five years, and all other attempts for Council to address this has failed.“It also includes 50 vacant properties that are more than one year in arrears and have not provided an application for genuine hardship or entered into an arrangement that meets Council guidelines for payment.“In such a dire financial situation, we can no longer expect other ratepayers to subsidise these unpaid properties.”Council will not proceed with the sale of any land owned by pensioners.New Strategy will guide development and management of playspaces across the CoastCentral Coast Council has adopted the Central Coast Playspace Strategy, taking on board extensive input provided by the community throughout the public exhibition process.The Central Coast Playspace Strategy provides strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces across the Central Coast, consolidating and updating the strategies developed by the former Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils.Council Administrator Rik Hart said the vision for the Central Coast is to have a network of high quality, inclusive playspaces which support social engagement, are creative, enjoyable, appropriately sited, equitably distributed and sustainably managed.“Playspaces are the heart of any neighbourhood.

Week one in the Administrator role has been somewhat challenging and to a degree filled with frustration.

Central Coast Council is reminding the community to have their say on the next stage of the asset sales program (Tranche 3), which closes for consultation 5pm Friday 28 May.The consultation forms part of Council’s business recovery plan, which along with the rate increase, required a review of property assets that could be sold to assist with the current financial situation.Council Administrator Rik Hart said to date there has been more than 800 responses from the community, along with spreading of misinformation.“There has been a lot of concerns raised from the community based on hearsay, which are completely inaccurate and creating unnecessary distress,” Mr Hart said.“It must be stressed that Council is only considering selling one percent of its property portfolio, and of what is listed for potential sale there are only 13 open space areas listed to be rezoned before sale, which are all in close proximity to other open space areas.“I implore the community to get the facts and take the time to read the frequently asked questions and the interactive map, which provides specific details for individual parcels, such conditions of sale to allow for continued public parking.“It is also important to note that only parcels classified as operational land and zoned for the correct purpose of sale, will initially go back to Council for endorsement to sell – these can be identified as the blue pins on the online interactive map.“Other properties that need to be rezoned or reclassified prior to sale require an in-depth, lengthy process that can take up to 18 months and includes further chances for the community to have their say.“I want to emphasise the significant liquidity issue that Council is facing, which needs to be resolved as quickly as possible in order for community infrastructure to be maintained and community services to continue.“The sale of assets, along with the 15 percent rate rise, are crucial components of our business recovery plan, which was adopted by the last sitting Council, and will allow us to deliver much needed capital to improve Council’s financial position and provide assurance to our lenders.“This urgent need for income may override historic strategic direction, with potential for the community better realised by the private sector.“Any parcels sold will not only provide economic return from the sale of land, but also provide opportunity to raise income from future rates as well as realise savings from maintenance costs and loss of depreciation of assets.“Properties are either being sold through a competitive sales and marketing campaign to ensure the best sale price or in the case of direct sales with a proposed buyer that properties are sold at no less than the market value determined by an independent valuer.“I encourage the community to inform themselves and if you are still concerned or any land that is earmarked for potential sale or have ideas about how the land could be better utilised make sure to have your say.”Community members are invited to check the facts and submit feedback via yourvoiceourcoast.com/asp.