Central Coast Council Libraries are assisting students get through the gruelling last weeks of 2017 exams and assessments with the fantastic homework help service, Studiosity.Previously known as YourTutor, the free online service has a new name and look, but is still providing the same high-quality online support for students.Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said thanks to Studiosity students are able to obtain quick and beneficial feedback to maximise their results and keep anxiety at bay.“Students can gain study tips to use their time efficiently and effectively as well as ask questions they may not feel comfortable directing to teachers, parents or friends,” Ms Vaughan said.“The moment students need help with a homework question, essay or study tips there is a real-life, expert local tutor just a click away.“What makes Studiosity unique is it employs a strict ‘no answers’ policy using online chat tools and interactive whiteboards to provide guidance so students gain the skills necessary to solve similar problems in the future.“Essay and report writing feedback is also available, allowing students to upload files and receive professional advice within 24 hours – perfect for end-of-year essays and written exam practice.”Studiosity is available for students in years 3-12 from 3pm to late, Sunday to Friday and employs a mix of teachers, university academics and other professional experts.Students can obtain assistance with all core curriculum subjects and for any subjects not listed, students simply select ‘Research’ or ‘Writing feedback’ to ask their question.Council Mayor Jane Smith said as a teacher herself she understands the importance of accessible study help for all students.

Local and international skateboarders will converge at the Central Coast’s largest riding facility, BATO Yard, to contest the 2018 ‘King of Concrete’ championship event being held on 10 February 2018.The event – now in its second year – is anticipated to attract more international participants and spectators following the highly successful inaugural event in 2017.

Central Coast Council and the community are cleaning up after the severe storm that hit the Coast, particularly Toukley and Noraville on Monday afternoon.A number of trees and powerlines came down leaving the area looking like a mini tornado had ripped through these two suburbs.Council crews are currently focusing on the affected roads, drains and footpaths and removing all the debris.

Central Coast Council is undertaking a floodplain risk management study within the urban areas of Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay, Long Jetty and The Entrance to reduce the impact of ‘flash’ flooding on the local community.The study, supported by the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management Program, will identify flash flooding ‘trouble spots’ and assess what measures are required to reduce the risk of flooding during significant storm events.Mayor Jane Smith said Council was seeking the community’s help to collect information on past flooding experiences and local flood knowledge to help with the selection of flood reduction measures.“These suburbs have been identified as priority areas and this study will focus on stormwater that overwhelms the drainage network causing flash flooding, as opposed to flooding from elevated lake levels,” Mayor Smith said.

The recent storm has caused major damage across the Central Coast, particularly in Noraville.  Please take extra care on our roads as our crews, Ausgrid continue the recovery.

There’s still time for festival-goers to secure tickets when The Lakes Festival makes a splash across the Central Coast from 10-19 November.Over the 10 days, there are seven events hubs with more than 20 events across the Coast – most of them FREE!Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said while most events are free festival-goers still need to reserve their spot at some of the tours and activities.“We have events such as kayak tours, yoga on stand up paddle boards, floating landcare, and bus tours that are all free, we just need you to reserve your place so you don’t miss out,” Ms Vaughan said.“Mov’In Bed, our outdoor cinema experience at Budgewoi, is not your usual movie night.“You can reserve a bed to lie under the stars and watch Beauty and the Beast or La La Land – or simply turn up with your picnic rug and pull up a bit of reserve.“We also have our big ticketed events such as the popular Lighthouse Folk Festival and Tri-Wyong.“Something new to the table is Perfect Strangers, a unique dining experience at Wyong Creek with a three-course meal crafted by a celebrated local chef.“A great meal, amazing location and live music all shared in the company of perfect strangers.“There’s so much to do over the 10 days there’s bound to be something for everyone.Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/thelakesfestival for a full program and how to secure a place at one of the Festival’s popular events.-ENDS-

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month and Central Coast Council is urging homeowners, renovators and tradies to take the warnings about asbestos seriously when renovating or maintaining homes and learn what they need to know to manage it safely.Central Coast Council, Director, Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said Australia was among the largest consumers of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in the world with asbestos used in the manufacture of a broad range of building and decorator products that can still be found in 1 in 3 brick, weatherboard, fibro and clad Australian homes.“It can be in any home built or renovated before 1987 - under floor coverings, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels,” Mr Cox said.“If you’re a homeowner, renovator or tradie, and you don’t know the risks, the products to look for or how to manage asbestos safely, you could be risking your life and the lives of others if you disturb asbestos-containing materials and release fibres into the air that can be inhaled,” Mr Cox said.If well maintained and left undisturbed asbestos is unlikely to pose a health risk.

Over 33,000 ideas and opinions from residents have been distilled into seven key themes Central Coast Council will use to shape the future of the coast in the region’s first ever Community Strategic Plan.The Community Strategic Plan is designed to capture the community’s vision for the Coast and identify key social, economic, environmental priorities as well as long-term strategies for the Coast for the next 10 years.Council Mayor Jane Smith said the plan is the overarching guide Council will use to determine how, where and what it spends its funds on to meet the wants and needs of our growing community.“Council spent three months earlier this year talking with the community about what they love about the Central Coast and what could be done to make it even better,” Mayor Smith said.“We went directly to the community and captured a record 33,000 separate ideas and opinions about what would make the Central Coast an even better place to live from face to face conversations, online surveys, commuter surveys and meetings with hard to reach communities.”These ideas have been distilled into seven key themes -Natural environmentLifestyle and communityBuilt environmentServices and facilitiesActivities and entertainmentTransport and movement around the local government areaEconomyConnected Communities Group Leader, Julie Vaughan said the initial phase of developing the coast’s first Community Strategic Plan had been a great success.“The community responded enthusiastically to the first phase of data collection and we would now like to invite individuals, community groups, business groups, State agencies and non-government agencies to join us at a Community Workshop to explore the themes in detail as part of the next phase of the project,” Ms Vaughan said.“This next phase is crucial as we start to drill into the detail of how we, along with our stakeholders and other partners will deliver our community’s aspirations for the Coast over the next ten years.”To register for a community workshop, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com and select the venue you wish to attend.Community workshops dates and venues are below:Saturday 18 November – 1pm to 4pm at The Erina CentreTuesday 21 November – 10am to 1pm at Smartwork Hub GosfordTuesday 21 November –  6pm to 9pm at Umina Beach Surf ClubSaturday 25 November –  9:30am to 12:30pm at The Entrance Community CentreTuesday 28 November  – 10am to 1pm at Wyong Civic CentreTuesday 28 November  -   6pm-9pm at Blue Haven Community CentreRegistration is required to attend a workshop.

Local high school students will get a taste what it’s like to be a Councillor next week when Central Coast Council hosts its annual Future Council.Future Council is a partnership program between Central Coast Council and Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre for Years 9 and 10 students on civics and citizenship and local government decision making.  Students will debate real local issues they are passionate about and will cast a vote on behalf of their community, just like a real Councillor, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the Chair.

With the swimming season upon us, Central Coast Council is reminding residents to ensure their pool fences are up to standard to keep young children safe.

Expressions of interest have been invited to fill community stakeholder positions on the Mangrove Mountain and Spencer Advisory Committee.

After weeks of anticipation, the mysterious egg being cared for by Central Coast Council childcare centres and libraries hatched over the weekend revealing a platypus.

Central Coast Council’s expertise in planning has been recognised at the Local Government NSW Planning Awards announced yesterday.The Planning Awards recognise excellence in planning and development services delivered by individuals and councils.

The collaborative approach carried out by Central Coast Council to design and build Bato Yard was recognised at an international awards ceremony last week.Council received a Highly Commended Award for the ‘People Powered Skate Place’ in the Infrastructure category of the IAP2 Australasia (International Association for Public Participation) Showcase of Core Values Awards.

Council to review future of Central Coast AirportCouncil will receive a briefing on a detailed Masterplan for the development of the Central Coast Airport, and will formally consider whether the Masterplan is publicly exhibited at its Ordinary Meeting on 27 November 2017.Only routine maintenance works will be undertaken at the Airport in the interim. Council further requested the Department of Planning be invited to provide a briefing to Councillors on options for the Airport.Councillors will also be provided with a briefing on the proposed strategic development of the Wyong Economic Zone prior to the November 27 meeting. The Council also requested the Chief Executive Officer make available to the public, including on Council's website, all information concerning the WEZ that can be made available.

Central Coast Council has recently won two NSW awards for its Estuary Education Programs and is now a finalist for Australian Environmental Educator of the Year.Council’s Environmental Education Officer, Nick Carson, received the Government Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Education in NSW and won the overall award for NSW Environmental Educator of the Year at the Australian Association of Environmental Education (AAEE) Awards.Council Group Leader Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said it’s great to see Council’s environmental education programs recognised as one of the best in the state.“Nick Carson is already well known on the Central Coast as a leader in environmental education and it is great to see his work being recognised at a state level,” Ms Vaughan said.“His passion comes across in his presentations when he’s educating about why our natural environment is so important.“Over the last six years, an evaluation of the estuary education programs shows an increase of more than 90 per cent in the community’s knowledge and the changes in their perceptions of the importance of the estuary and its management.“This recognition is well deserved and testament to the quality of the staff we have here at Council who are passionate about what they do in the area they live in.Nick, with support from colleagues in the Learning Community team and Waterways and Asset Management Section, designed and implemented a number of innovative and hands on projects to encourage positive behaviour change for the communities of the Tuggerah Lakes and lower Lake Macquarie catchments.These projects include running interactive tours, developing two Multi-Touch Books for young children about our wetlands and advertising through a comprehensive media campaign, like the animated film movie-goers may have seen in the cinemas, as well as creating partnerships with agencies such as Take 3, the Community Environment Network (CEN), Waterwatch and other government agencies.Mayor Jane Smith said she has worked with Nick on a number of projects in the past and is pleased Council’s environmental programs are getting such significant recognition.“I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Nick to receive these awards for educating our community on the importance of protecting our natural environment,” Mayor Smith said.“I was lucky enough to be a part of the development of the Wetland Multi Touch Books with Nick which are a great educational tool and a key reason why his work is being recognised beyond the Coast.“I want to personally congratulate him on these outstanding awards, it’s certainly well-deserved with all the great work he does in our community.”The Australian Environmental Educator of the Year Awards will be announced at the national conference in October 2018 on the Gold Coast.The Multi-Touch Books are now available to download for free on the iBookstore, just search for Central Coast Council.

Central Coast Council has moved to assure ratepayers its investment portfolio is on track to deliver sound returns for the community.As at August 2017 43.84% of Council’s investment portfolio was held in the BBB credit rating Category compared to its own guideline of 40%.The financial institutions issuing fixed income investments and bonds are considered investment grade (IG) if its credit rating is BBB or higher by Standard and Poor (S&P).  Generally the financial institutions are assessed by the rating agency as having adequate capacity to meet financial commitments and repayment of the invested funds.There was a downgrading of some bank’s credit rating in May 2017 by S&P, which in turn has downgraded the rating of some of Council’s investments but Council has confirmed in a public report that this will be rebalanced favourably by the end of the month.  Council has reported the rebalancing of the investment portfolio in each of its monthly investment reports since the May 2017 report presented at the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 June 2017.Council intends to hold these term deposits until they mature and as such the value of these term deposits are not impacted by this rating change.Council Chief Financial Officer, Ms Vivienne Louie, said Council’s investment portfolio is in accordance with the Ministerial Order and will be within Council’s investment guidelines by October 2017.  Over 50% investments are held with AA financial institutions.“Council is not concerned the investment portfolio is currently predominantly in the BBB Category as we believe those financial institutions are safe to hold our investments,” Ms Louie said.“Our investment portfolio is structured on rolling maturity dates to ensure Council has sufficient funds to deliver the Operational Plan.“Our Operational Plan is our contract with our community and we must deliver.“At certain times of the year Council may have more cash than we require to meet our obligations so we invest the additional funds to obtain the best return for our community.“Staff always review the investment portfolio to ensure any new investments proposed are in accordance with the Ministerial Investment Order and Council’s Investment Policy.“We review credit ratings of financial institutions who are taking investments, review the interest rates offered for the maturity dates required and the amount of our investment portfolio already held with each financial institution.”Before entering into any investment transaction with a new institution there will be a diligent review of the creditworthiness of that institution.

Central Coast Council has completed more than $308,000 worth of upgrades to a range of community infrastructure, thanks to $168,000 in contributions from the second round of the Department of Family and Community Services’ (FACS) Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF).Provided for projects that make physical improvements in social housing areas, including construction of new capital works, or refurbishment, upgrade and repairs of existing facilities and public spaces, the Fund has assisted the recent renewal of five local infrastructure upgrades.Council Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said the fund supports stronger and safer communities through improved amenity and enhanced community facilities.“The SHCIF has completely or partially funded a range of local infrastructure upgrades to the benefit of social housing tenants and the broader community,” said Mr Dowling.“Grants up to $50,000 have been utilised to improve community facilities including play spaces, skate parks and reserves through the installation of pathways, seating, shade shelters and playground improvements, making these facilities safer and more accommodating for all users.”Completed projects include:Woodward Avenue Reserve, Wyong – installation of new pathway and seating – 100% SHCIF fundingLake Haven Recreation Centre play space – installation of new play space and rubber softfall – 55% SHCIF fundingAvery Street play space, Killarney Vale –  installation of rubber softfall – 100% SHCIF fundingBerkeley Vale skate park Stage 2 – extension of existing skate park including a new shade shelter and seating – 30% SHCIF fundingOwen Avenue play space, Wyong –  timber edging replacement, installation of play equipment and seating –100% SHCIF fundingCouncil has been successful in securing further funding under Round Three of the SHCIF, with six successful projects set to receive upgrades in 2018.

Central Coast Council has started the countdown to ChromeFest – a three day event that is fast-becoming one of the biggest events on the tourism calendar for the region and nation-wide.In its 9th year, ChromeFest will see Memorial Park and the streets of The Entrance lined with hundreds of classic cars from 27-29 October and attracts over 50,000 people every year from all over Australia.With the Show ‘n’ Shine show in full swing on Sunday 29 October, a free shuttle bus service will be on offer as a number of road closures will be in place for the show.The buses will leave every hour from Darren Kennedy Oval, Evans Road Toukley and EDSACC Oval, Yakalla Street Bateau Bay, taking visitors straight to The Entrance for ChromeFest.The three day festival is more than just cars and engines, The Entrance also comes alive with market and retro stalls, rock ‘n’ roll bands, dance displays, vintage fashion parade, free live entertainment and activities as well as the Show and Shine presentation.Check out the full program online at chromefest.org

Westbound travel lane of Georgiana Terrace between Mann Street and Baker Street in Gosford will be closed for four weeks from today (Thursday 19 October 2017) to facilitate the final stages of works on the Australian Taxation Office building.There will be no access onto Georgiana Terrace from Mann Street for the duration of the works.Traffic will not be able to turn right from Baker Street onto Georgiana Terrace.Traffic management and detour signage diverting traffic from Mann Street via Donnison Street will be in place for the duration of the works.Council apologies for the inconvenience and advises motorists to take extra care in the area.