The Central Coast will benefit from the NSW Government’s introduction of landmark environmental reforms that ensure NSW has the strongest environmental regulations of any state or territory in Australia.Central Coast Council’s Acting Director Environment and Planning Luke Sulkowski, said the reforms to existing legislation are welcomed, agreeing an overhaul and tougher penalties were needed.“The reforms address critical loopholes in environmental legislation and ensures the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Council, as co-regulators under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), have stronger powers to deter environmental crimes and respond faster to pollution incidents.“It means that Council can take a tougher stance on environmental crimes, including being able to issue much higher on-the-spot fines for a range of offences including pollution offences and failing to comply with lawful directions and orders.“For example, the on-the-spot fine amount for the pollution of waters was previously $4000 for an individual and $8000 for a corporation.“The same offence now carries a monetary penalty of $15,000 for an individual and $30,000 for a corporation for a first offence, and $22,500 for an individual and $45,000 for a corporation for another offence.“The same new monetary penalties apply to individuals and corporations who fail to comply with directions and orders issued under the POEO Act to remedy environmental nuisances and pollution.” Mr Sulkowski said.The NSW Government has also raised other common offences, including fines for littering small items in public places which will double to $160.Public land managers such as councils will have authority to issue illegal dumping fines of $5,000 to companies and $1,000 to individuals, increasing to $10,000 for corporations and $2,500 for individuals if the dumping occurs in sensitive places like a school, hospital or national park.Council Administrator Rik Hart applauded the NSW Government for introducing the tougher penalties and urges the community and businesses to know that Council will be implementing them in an effort to protect the Central Coast environment and community.“We live in an amazing environment on the Central Coast, and with the stronger legislation and higher fines, I hope that individuals and organisations will think twice before they commit an environmental offence.”For more information visit:https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/landmark-environmental-reforms-pass-nsw-parliamenthttps://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2024/epamedia240321-landmark-environmental-reforms-pass-nsw-parliament ENDS 

MEDIA RELEASE Central Coast Council and local police have partnered up again to reduce casualties from speed related crashes on local roads through an education and awareness campaign during May.

The construction for the replacement of Soldiers Beach northern stairs and vehicle access ramp have commenced today, 29 April 2024, and are expected to be complete by September 2024, subject to weather.These works are the last of the four projects to be undertaken following $2.44 million in funding received from the Australian and NSW Governments as part of the 2021 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program with additional contributions from Central Coast Council to improve access for Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach.Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said Soldiers Beach is a popular spot for locals, and repairing the northern stairs and vehicle ramp access is an important project to ensure they can continue to use this community asset.“We know public spaces, like beaches, are not only enjoyed by everyone in the community but also visitors, and this co-funded program is ensuring that damaged community infrastructure is being repaired so it can be accessed for many years to come.”Council Acting Director Environment and Planning, Luke Sulkowski said Council is pleased to be reaching the final milestone of the four projects.“Replacement of the northern stairs and the vehicle access ramp have been long awaited by the community.

Central Coast beach patrol season comes to an official close on Sunday 28 April 2024.

Niagara Park Stadium is set to be transformed into a first-class sporting venue, with upgrade works underway to improve accessibility of the venue ahead of welcoming a full calendar year of regional and state championships. The venue will host major events featuring Netball NSW Regional League, Drill dance NSW State Titles, Northern NSW Futsal Regional Schools Championships, Australian Tai Chi Masters Tournament, Table tennis NSW Country Championships, Football NSW Regional Schools Knockout, Basketball NSW Country Championships, Basketball NSW NEJL Tournament, Netball NSW Premier League games, Australian Highland Dance Festival, Central Coast Crystal Festival and Table Tennis NSW City v Country.The $2.8 million project has received $850,000 from the NSW Government Stronger Country Community Fund, with Council funding the remaining contribution of $1,950,000 from planned capital expenditure.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said funding for the upgrades is a fantastic outcome and one to celebrate. “Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which will result in an accessible modern facility, improving what was previously in place.“Niagara Park Stadium is a regional indoor sporting complex, and its facilities are widely used by schools, local patrons, sporting clubs, regional and state junior sporting organisations. “The facility is primarily used for basketball, netball, roller hockey and many other indoor sports.

Central Coast Council is inviting residents of all ages and backgrounds to fill in a Community Wellbeing survey, to help understand the community’s perception of their own wellbeing and quality of life here on the Central Coast.The survey is open until 10 May on Council’s online community engagement hub Your Voice Our Coast, yourvoiceourcoast.com/wellbeingCouncil Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this survey will help Council drive strategic solutions to improve and support the local community’s wellbeing.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is gearing up to commence the $82.5 million major upgrade of Mardi Water Treatment Plant.

Council is hosting a variety of free workshops and information sessions this May and June, to help community groups and organisations improve their grant writing skills, ahead of the Community Grants Program application period which opens 1 June 2024.Council’s 2024-25 Community Grants Program will open 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, Melanie Smith, said now is the time for local community groups and organisations to register for a workshop and prepare their applications. “Community leaders are urged to seize this valuable opportunity to create compelling funding applications, thereby bringing to life their vision for achieving shared community objectives."The community benefits from all projects, and funding distribution is often determined by the quality of the application,” Ms Smith said."To help you succeed, we urge you to join us for Grant Writing Workshops, Information Sessions, and Drop-in sessions, all developed to support your community projects and ideas."The workshops and information sessions on offer include:Grant Writing Workshops:

Canton Beach foreshore sandstone log restoration works and upgrades are now complete, restoring and enhancing the usability of the popular beach, improving safety, and helping to prevent erosion.Central Coast Council received $256,000 from the Australian and NSW Governments as part of the Local Government Recovery Grants Program, under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to help restore areas affected by storm and flood events in 2022. Acting Director of Environment and Planning Luke Sulkowski, said he is pleased to see the works completed for this project. “After an east coast low event in March 2022 Tuggerah Lakes saw levels rise above the top of the existing wall which caused erosion and pushed the sandstone logs causing them to rotate lakeward,” Mr Sulkowski said.“Since that event the community have been eager to see the restoration of this much loved asset and it is great to officially announce the works are now complete with not only repairs but also upgrades to the sandstone wall to help it better withstand future weather events.”The full list of works at Canton Beach included:Increasing the depth of the sandstone log wall to provide a firm foundation, along with an inclusion of a stepped finish, to help prevent future erosion and subsidence, and support access to the beach.New drainage works were installed behind the wall.Sand nourishment works – additional sand was placed along the beach to help improve beach amenity.Supply and install of turf along the back of the sandstone wall.Council Administrator Rik Hart said our beaches are valuable assets providing benefits to the lifestyle and health of Central Coast residents and visitors."I’m glad to see the works completed at Canton Beach.

Central Coast Youth Week Awards have returned to celebrate the pursuits of young people on the Central Coast.The Central Coast Youth Week Awards, which coincides with NSW Youth Week, is an initiative of Central Coast Council to help shine a spotlight on remarkable young individuals who are making a difference.This year’s winners saw an extraordinary mix of achievements in arts and entertainment, community sporting, leaders helping those in need, creating positive change in sustainability, contributing to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts culture and entrepreneurship.

Revised dates and venue changes have been announced for the two public hearings into the reclassification of 10 Council owned properties from community to operational. As previously advised, the sites to be reclassified were reviewed by Council in 2023 and the choice of sites was streamlined to ensure that only sites with the highest level of community benefit were included.  Most of the sites will continue to remain in community ownership in the future, being either retained in Council ownership or transferred to well-established locally based community organisation that provide valued recreational, sporting or accommodation facilities.One property will be sold on the open market with the proceeds of sale being used to fund a new community centre. 

Central Coast’s foodie wonderland in the hinterlands is celebrating its award-winning produce and spectacular scenery at Harvest Festival on 8 and 9 June 2024.Immerse yourself in a world of entertainment and fun, with fantastic live music, farm experiences and delicious fresh produce at over 30 event hubs.

Central Coast Council has instigated an online customer satisfaction survey to gather feedback from the community on what they think of, and want from, Central Coast leisure centre and pool services.

The construction for the repair of Jenny Dixon Beach stairs starts today, 8 April 2024.

The NSW Central Coast visitor economy is gaining momentum, with visitors spending, and exploring, more in region. Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said Council’s Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2022-2025 (CCDMP), which includes close collaboration with local tourism operators, has been instrumental in leading destination marketing and management initiatives contributing to this growth. “The latest domestic data from Tourism Research Australia* shows the CCDMP’s implementation has significantly increased the value of the visitor economy and positively impacted key visitation metrics across the region.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer is working with the State Government to act quickly in removing Salvinia weed recently identified on Wyong River.Salvinia is a free-floating weed that thrives in warmer weather forming dense mats of vegetation on water surfaces.

The second information session for community members interested in nominating as candidates for the upcoming Central Coast Council election, will be held on Tuesday 9 April 2024 at Council’s Wyong Administration Building.With the 2024 Local Government elections to be held on 14 September, Central Coast Council is urging interested community members to take the opportunity to attend this information session, to get an insight into  what is required to be a councillor and the role of a governing body.The first information session was held in October 2023 and attracted approximately 70 attendees, with materials available from this session on Council's website.

Central Coast Council Water and Sewer has successfully tested new, innovative condition assessment technology for water and sewer pressure pipelines.The technology will improve strategic and tactical decision-making for planned renewals and upgrades.

Central Coast Council has opened expressions of interest (EOI) for the sponsorship of six major community events featured across the region in 2025-2026.The Sponsorship Prospectus presents enticing packages for each of the events, giving potential businesses a great way to promote their organisation to a large, targeted audience, whilst directly supporting the local community.The EOI period is open for six weeks from 18 March - 3 May 2024.

The Central Coast in New South Wales has won First Place in the global Green Destinations Story Awards at the world’s leading travel trade show ITB Berlin on Wednesday 6 March. The annual awards are presented to the most inspiring sustainable tourism initiatives submitted across six categories, with the Central Coast receiving the top accolade in the Destination Management category today.The NSW Central Coast was the only Australian certified ECO Destination recognised on the international stage at ITB Berlin 2024.