Central Coast Council has welcomed 13 new members to its Access and Inclusion Reference Group (AIRG) who will support Council to further improve accessibility and inclusion on the Coast.The AIRG will guide Council in implementing the final year of its current Disability Inclusion Action Plan and will play an important role in the development of a new four-year Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 2021-2025.These plans set out actions that Council will deliver to enable people with disabilities to better access mainstream services, facilities, information and support to be fully and equally included in the community.Council’s Director of Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said that the AIRG plays an integral role in helping Council to create an inclusive and accessible Central Coast for all residents with a disability.“The 2020-2021 Access and Inclusion Reference Group includes community members with a lived experience of disability, as well as those who work within the disability and community sectors.“The group reflects the many dimensions and diversity of disability.

Central Coast Council interim administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has confirmed Mr Rik Hart as Acting Chief Executive Officer at an extraordinary council meeting held in Wyong today. The temporary appointment is until the current CEO, Mr Gary Murphy, returns to the role or 12 months from today, whichever occurs first.

An Extraordinary Meeting of Central Coast Council will be held on Tuesday 3 November at 2pm.It will be the first meeting presided over by interim Administrator, Dick Persson AM. The meeting will be held in the Wyong Chambers as well as livestreamed and webcast via Council's website.Members of the public will be permitted to attend Chambers, however the attendance will be limited to meet requirements of the Public Health order. 

Central Coast Council has welcomed the release of the NSW State of the Beaches report, with 100% of ocean beaches and baths receiving a good or very good quality rating for 2019-2020.The annual report uses the Beachwatch results to rate designated ocean and estuarine swimming sites across the state.Mayor Lisa Matthews said the report shows Central Coast beaches to be in good condition overall.“It’s great to see all of our ocean beaches and baths receive a Good or Very Good rating for swimming water quality this year,” Mayor Matthews said.“Terrigal Beach, which has been a particular focus for our community, retained a good rating for the second reporting year, while Toowoon Bay and Cabbage Tree Bay Rockpool have returned to good from poor last year.“While we have some work to do on the estuarine beaches, baths and lagoon sites, improvements were seen at Summerland Point baths which was also rated good and no sites declined in rating this year.“Council has a number of significant projects underway, some in partnership with the NSW Government, to address many of these concerns.“We remain committed to pinpointing potential pollution sources and continue to improve the water quality in the area.”Sites that have shown improvement in the 2019-20 year include:Cabbage Tree Bay rockpoolSoldiers BeachSummerland Point bathsToowoon BayUmina Beach.Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said there were a number of processes underway to help Council address some of the issues in the report.“In addition to the audits underway, Council will consider ways to improve the estuarine, lake and lagoon sites as part of the Coastal Management Program processes currently underway and we look forward to the recommendations of the Tuggerah Lakes Expert Panel to assist with this.“In the meantime, Council advises residents to check the Beachwatch website for the latest results before choosing to swim in these locations.”Across NSW, it is recommended that swimming be avoided during and for up to one day after rainfall at ocean beaches and three days at estuaries, lakes and lagoons.For daily forecasts of water quality visit:

Central Coast Council has for the first time found Giant Devil’s Fig (Solanum chrysotrichum) in Umina Beach and is asking residents to be on the look out for this invasive weed.Council’s Biosecurity Officer, Paul Marynissen said weeds are a major threat to our unique natural environment, threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants and animals. “Giant Devil’s Fig is an uncommon weed on the Central Coast, however given that the trunk, branches and even the leaves are covered in very large, sharp prickles, we’d rather it be gone!” Mr Marynissen said.“We now have three known pockets of this weed on the Coast – with the previous two in the Wamberal/Terrigal and Lisarow/Holgate area.“While we know about these areas, the weed can be spread by bats and birds and could easily grow anywhere on the Central Coast, so please keep an eye out and let us know if you think you have seen it.”Council remains proactive in managing risks from animal and plant pests and diseases, weeds and contaminants.Young Giant Devil’s Fig can be easily recognised.

Central Coast Council’s dredging program has wrapped up for 2020 with approximately 25,000 cubic metres of sand removed from the channel.In a first for Council, two dredges were used simultaneously to ensure the dredge program was completed in the compressed timeframes.Council’s Environment and Planning Director, Scott Cox, said the use of two dredges allowed sand from two areas of the channel at the same time.“Once the dredging program was underway, staff identified an opportunity to use a second dredge for areas west of The Entrance Bridge,” said Mr Cox.“This meant that the dredging program could be successfully completed in a short timeframe, and the area reinstated before the busy tourist season and to also reduce potential impacts on the nesting of the Little Terns.“The dredging program already looked very different to previous years, with the new EPA requirements requiring the dewatering area to be established inside the channel before sand was transferred to nourish North Entrance beach.“I am pleased to report that all EPA requirements were met during the program this year, and we have met our primary targets of recovering sand from the channel for use on the eroded beach at The Entrance North as well as removing sand from key identified areas within the channel to help enhance water exchange and navigation.”Council has been monitoring the annual arrival of the Little Terns to ensure the dredging program has had no impact on them.Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews said she was pleased to see staff innovation has ensured the program was completed in all the targeted areas.“We know our community had some key areas within the channel they wanted to see dredged,” said Mayor Matthews.“It’s great to see that the staff have been able to find a way to do this quickly and efficiently, ensuring all target areas were completed in time.”The Karagi Reserve carpark staging area will continue to be decommissioned over the coming weeks which will also include some stabilisation of the foreshore in front of the reserve using rocks recovered during the July coastal erosion event.The dredging program is funded by both Central Coast Council and the NSW Government through the Rescuing Our Waterways fund.

Mangrove Creek Dam picnic area and Dubbo Gully have reopened to visitors after a bushfire tore through the drinking water catchment last year. The area has been closed to allow for the demolition of burnt structures at the picnic area, removal of hazardous trees and natural bush regeneration. The picnic area is open 9am-5pm each day except Christmas Day.

Holidaymakers and the Central Coast go hand-in-hand and this summer tourism season is set to be one of the region’s busiest on record. Visitor numbers for the Coast have boomed this Spring and throughout the traditionally quieter winter months, providing a welcome boost to local businesses hit hard by the impacts of bushfires and COVID-19. Central Coast Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said visitors from Sydney and across Australia are heading to the Coast. “Over this year’s October long weekend some of our key attractions saw numbers up by as much as 300 percent and most accommodation was fully booked,” Ms Vaughan said. “This follows on from consistently strong tourism numbers for the Coast since April – year-on-year growth of 20 percent or higher across key indicators like restaurant and retail spend as well as AirBnB occupancy rates*. “Every indicator suggests this summer on the Coast will be abuzz and Council has taken steps to prepare for the influx of visitors to our beautiful region. “If you head to any of our 15 patrolled beaches you will hear safety announcements, including reminders to be COVID-safe, and we’re rolling out heightened management of bins and public amenities.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the diverse appeal of the Central Coast is hard to beat. “Our stunning beaches, breathtaking bushland and picturesque hinterland region are at the heart of what makes the Coast so magnetic, but we’re also blessed with so many hidden gems that we’re encouraging visitors and locals to explore,” Mayor Matthews said. “The Coast has become a foodies paradise – we have great local produce and a vibrant dining scene across the region – and we’re also hard to beat for boutique shopping and adventure activities. “With international travel off the cards for the time being, we’re taking the time to discover and rediscover our own backyard and it’s no surprise that our spectacular region is at the top of the list. “It is important that we are all patient and kind this summer, keeping ourselves and others safe is what is most important.” A new destination brand for the Central Coast was launched in 2020 to promote the region as a vibrant, magnetically attractive place to live, work and play. For a full list of where to eat, stay and play on the Central Coast, head to lovecentralcoast.com   

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Councillors’ submission has now been formally provided to the Minister for Local Government for consideration.

Nominations for the Australia Day 2021 Awards are now open, providing an opportunity to recognise Central Coast individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the region.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the awards are more important than ever after a year of unprecedented challenges.“An Australia Day nomination is a wonderful way to honour the local leaders who go the extra mile for our community,” Ms Vaughan said.“There is no denying that 2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges and in the midst of it all we’ve seen individuals and groups step up and make a difference in our community.“Our Australia Day nominees and winners are often unsung heroes who work quietly behind the scenes to make the Coast a better place to live, work and play.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Australia Day Awards celebrate the Central Coast’s diversity, values, national achievements and hopes for the future.“We’ve demonstrated tremendous resilience as a community in 2020 and there are so many individuals and groups who deserve recognition,” Mayor Matthews said.“The breadth of the Australia Day Award categories mean that a diverse range of contributions will be recognised and I encourage our community to nominate the local heroes they believe should be acknowledged.”The 2021 Award categories are:Arts, Culture and Entertainment - Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen art form and made a significant contribution to arts, culture and entertainment on the Coast.Business Connecting Communities - Awarded to a local business or enterprise with less than eight fulltime employees that has established a genuine involvement and long-term value to the life of their community.Community Service and Activity - Awarded to an individual or group responsible for creating community activities or services that benefit the Coast.Environmental - Awarded to an individual who is leading the way in sustainability and making the Central Coast a place where people and nature can thrive.Sportsperson of the Year - Awarded to an individual who has shown acts of sportsmanship and team building, been an outstanding sportsperson or made significant contributions as organisers or promoters of sports on the Coast.Volunteer of the Year - Awarded to an individual (26 years and over) who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work and demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to our local community.Youth of the Year - Awarded to an individual (25 years or under) who has succeeded in his or her chosen field, acts as an inspiration to his or her peers and has made a significant contribution to the Coast community.Each winner from the above categories will go into the running to be named Central Coast Citizen of the Year.Nominations are now open and close Friday 27 November at 2pm.For further information, eligibility criteria and to make a nomination search 'Australia Day' at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Council last night adopted Council’s submission in response to the Minister for Local Government’s Notice of Intention to Issue a Suspension Order.

Last night at Council’s Ordinary Meeting held, Councillors adopted Council's submission in response to the Minister for Local Government’s Notice of Intention to issue a suspension order to Central Coast Council.This submission outlines a chronological timeline of when and how Councillors were advised of the financial crisis, including the actions to date being taken by Council to resolve the issue.

Central Coast residents are being asked to avoid swimming or other recreational activities in Coast waterways for several days following this weekend’s wild weather.Heavy rain events can lead to stormwater entering the wastewater system which may cause overflows, affecting the quality of the water in our creeks, rivers, lakes, lagoons and at our beaches.Residents can be assured that the drinking water supply has not been affected by any sewage overflows.Council will work with all relevant authorities to ensure water quality, including the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Public Health Unit.

Council forges ahead with financial recoveryCouncil continues progress towards financial recovery with new financial leadership and identification of $40.5million reduction in the capital works program for 2020/21.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council’s 100 Day Plan is a solid framework guiding actions towards financial recovery and has been shared with all government stakeholders.“We are getting on with our promise to the community to sort out these serious financial matters,” said Mayor Matthews.“We welcome Council’s new Chief Financial Officer Natalia Cowley starting in her role tomorrow;

Central Coast Council and the Central Coast Aero Club (CCAC) have been meeting to find common ground on the business and operation needs of the Warnervale Aircraft Landing Area (ALA) now and in the future.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council has had ongoing and productive discussions with the Aero Club about the prospect of future operational possibilities for the Warnervale ALA.“The Warnervale ALA is an important asset that facilitates a wide range of community needs and is critical to creating employment opportunities for the Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council understands that the Aero Club is committed to long-term business prospects at Warnervale ALA and is seeking direction from Council with respect to its future.‘We are happy to engage with the Aero Club in this regard.”Aero Club President, Andrew Smith said that The Central Coast Aero Club looks forward to a long, productive relationship with Council at Warnervale ALA.“At the end of the day, the CCAC wants to continue training Central Coast locals for a career in Aviation, providing scenic joy flights for the Central Coast tourism sector, Charter flights for Central Coast businesses and highly skilled maintenance apprenticeships for our local youth,” Mr Smith said.“We have successfully been doing this for many decades, and these activities align with Council’s goal of keeping the ALA in its current state, of a successful light aircraft airfield which contributes to the community through employment generation, income generation and to retain our status as a proper region.“With the recent news that the repeal of the WAR Act is progressing, CCAC sees that the this as a perfect opportunity for Council and the CCAC to move towards a new partnership, cementing the future of the ALA, and the wishes of the Central Coast community.”Council Director Boris Bolgoff said the Aero Club had been provided with ongoing updates as Council progresses the necessary measures to restore normal operations to Warnervale ALA.“Displaced runway thresholds have been introduced along the runway as we work through the environmental studies and the necessary approvals to be able to trim trees at the northern end of the runway," Mr Bolgoff said.“Council will continue to consult with the Aero Club around operational changes and associated works at the ALA.”More information about the operation of the Warnervale ALA can be found by searching ‘Warnervale’ on Council’s website.

Live performance and theatre is returning to the Coast this November with Laycock Street Community Theatre (Laycock Street Theatre) reopening with shows from three of Australia’s biggest stars.Kate Ceberano, Shane Nicholson and Johnny Manuel (The Voice) will reopen Laycock Street Theatre as part of the NSW Government’s ‘Great Southern Nights’ initiative, which will see established and emerging Australian artists perform at 1,000 gigs across the State.Central Coast Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said Great Southern Nights will reopen the doors to Laycock Street Theatre in spectacular form.“Council welcomes this fantastic NSW Government initiative, which will be delivered through Destination NSW and in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA),” Ms Vaughan said.“Great Southern Nights will play a vital role in stimulating the revival of the live music and entertainment sector here on the Coast and we’re thrilled to have secured three performances and to be receiving $5,000 to help host the shows,” Ms Vaughan said.“This series of shows will feature some of the best talent our country has to offer – Kate Ceberano, Shane Nicholson and Johnny Manuel – along with some incredible local talent.“I’d encourage music loving Coasties to secure their seats early as these shows are sure to be popular.”Mayor Lisa Matthews said live performance and theatre will be vital to the Coast’s recovery as COVID-19 restrictions ease.“Our community members and visitors to the Coast love live music and it is so exciting to see the sector springing back to life,” Mayor Matthews said.“Council welcomes this NSW Government initiative that will play an important role in kick-starting the live entertainment economy on the Coast.”Performances at Laycock Street Theatre as part of Great Southern Nights:Kate Ceberano, supported by Joe Kalou – Friday 13 November 2020, 8pm – $70Shane Nicholson, supported by Cass Hopetoun – Friday 20 November 2020, 8pm – $50Johnny Manuel with five piece band from The Voice – Saturday 21 November 2020, 8pm – $50As part of Laycock Street Theatre’s COVID-safe Plan the venue will be operating at 40 percent capacity and all tickets will need to be secured through the Virtual Box Office.To secure tickets to any of the Great Southern Nights performances at Laycock Street Theatre and all upcoming shows please email laycockstreettheatre@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, clearly specifying the event name, number of tickets requested and a contact phone number.All emails will be placed in a virtual queue and a member of the box office team will call to allocate tickets and take payment in order of ticket requests received.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews has today taken the extraordinary step of publicly announcing her loss of confidence in Central Coast Council’s CEO Mr Gary Murphy in the wake of revelations about long term, structural problems with the Council’s finances.Councillors and the Mayor have been provided with inadequate information about the financial position of Council and discovered the full extent of the problem only last night when it was revealed that Council would struggle to pay its own staff.“In light of the long-term problems that have been allowed to grow unchecked within the operational division of Council, the only course of action now available is to insist on a new CEO to manage the day to day operations,” Mayor Lisa Matthews said.“It is unforgivable for council staff to be left in a position where they might not be paid and it is unacceptable that the elected Councillors and I were not given information about the precariousness of Council’s finances until yesterday.” 

Central Coast Council confirmed it will complete staff payroll for the week ending 18 October.This follows confirmation by the State Government Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock today at 1pm that the NSW Government will advance Council $6.2million to meet payroll expenses and overdue payments to suppliers.  An Extraordinary Council Meeting is underway this afternoon.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast Council has formally acknowledged the response from Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock, to Council’s financial situation, at an Extraordinary Meeting held today.

Council resolved tonight to undertake further urgent actions in response to Council’s serious financial situation.Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council had a serious liquidity issue and the current funds in the bank were quarantined as restricted funds under the Local Government Act.“Council will make urgent representations again to Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock seeking permission for the partial utilisation of restricted funds to make staff payroll for the week ending 18 October 2020,” said Mayor Matthews.“Should the Minister’s approval not be forthcoming, then some 2,157 full time equivalent Council employees may not be paid this week.”“We urgently require a response to Council’s query made on Tuesday 13 October about borrowing from restricted funds.”To date, Council has received no formal response to this request from the Minister.Council has also asked the Acting CEO to urgently seek a commercial loan or overdraft and persist with seeking State Government support with emergency funding for Central Coast Council.Another Extraordinary Council Meeting will be held at 1.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday 21 October.For up to date information about Council’s financial situation, go to the Newspage on Council’s website at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au