Central Coast Council has awarded funding to 42 local community groups, non-profit organisations and businesses through the annual Community Grants Program to support projects that positively impact the Central Coast community.The Community Grants Program provides eligible applicants from the Community Development and Community Events and Place Activation Grant Programs with up to $20,000 in funding to deliver quality programs, events and projects within 18 months.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the grant programs build connections and celebrate our local community with programs, events and activities that align with the Community Strategic Plan and the theme of Belonging.“Council continues to work with local community organisations to connect people and create local solutions and initiatives that enrich our neighbourhoods and create a tapestry of shared experiences and social cohesion,” Ms Smith said.“On Tuesday 10 December an afternoon tea was held at Council’s function rooms to recognise successful grant applicants of the Community Development Grant Program and Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program and provide the opportunity for recipients to engage with each other.”Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the Community Grant Programs assist the community to implement exciting activities that activate town centres, foreshores, lakes and open spaces for families, visitors and the wider region.“Funding from the Community Grants Program is essential for sustainable community development, which will enhance the quality of life of our residents and benefit future generations,” Mr McKinna said.The Community Development Grant Program received 50 applications this year, with 23 recommended for funding totalling $261,077.

Central Coast Council has successfully restored beach access at Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach, ensuring residents, visitors and beach patrol teams can enjoy the coastline this summer.With the final pieces of work to be completed this week, the completion of the concrete vehicle access ramp and northern stairs at Soldiers Beach, along with previously finished stairs at Jenny Dixon Beach and Soldiers Beach SLSC, marks the full restoration of access to these popular beaches following significant storm damage in recent years.The project was undertaken following $2,443,750 received from Australian and NSW Governments’ through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements as part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program to repair the storm damage and restore essential beach access.

The Central Coast’s 2024 tourism industry winners will be celebrated at an event hosted by Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna this week at the Central Coast Visitor Centre at The Entrance.The celebration event recognises the significant contribution 20 award winning Central Coast businesses have made in raising the profile of the Central Coast through tourism and business excellence.Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the array of awards showcases the dynamic and diverse range of local businesses and their outstanding achievements.“I feel it is really important to recognise and publicly acknowledge what each of these businesses have achieved this year and hope that it will also build confidence for other businesses on the Coast, knowing that the Central Coast is winning awards nationally and internationally.”Business award winners to be celebrated at the morning tea event, include fine dining restaurants, a brewery, distillery and winery, as well as popular major attractions, business events venues, arts and cultural festivals as well as international recognition for the growing list of eco-certified operators.“The Central Coast visitor economy has without a doubt recovered post-pandemic with a renewed focus now on sustainable growth.“The latest Destination NSW Central Coast Visitor Profile for year ending June 2024 reveals the value of the Central Coast visitor economy is increasingly prominent.“Council applauds all the local businesses who are committed to the economic growth of the region through tourism and business excellence,” Mayor McKinna said.Central Coast had a total of 5.3 million visitors, 5.8 million overnight stays with $1.4 billion injected into the local economy.

Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the exciting summer program showcases Council’s facilities and community services and offers fun and educational activities for kids of all ages.“There’s a great range of activities in our program to provide fun and excitement for kids across the Coast.

In mid-October migratory Little Terns returned to their nesting grounds at Karagi Point, The Entrance, and already the first baby chicks are starting to totter around the sand.Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation – and the Central Coast’s Karagi Point is their most important breeding ground in New South Wales.

The highly anticipated Magenta Shared Pathway officially opened today, with Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna, together with fellow Councillors, cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion.

Central Coast Council has identified the top priorities for its water and sewer services, as outlined in 2024 Community Engagement Outcomes Report recently published on Council’s website.Council’s Director of Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves said the community driven insights will play a key role in shaping services and guiding financial planning, including the 2026-2031 IPART water pricing submission.“Over the past year, we’ve engaged with our community to better understand their values and expectations of our water and sewer services.

The Gosford Regional Library is now well passed the halfway-mark in construction with a major ‘Topping Out’ milestone being reached – the completion of the third suspended, and final, floor slab.Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna was joined by Dr Gordon Reid, Member for Robertson, and North Construction &

Central Coast Council’s bi-annual Water and Sewer Delivery Plan Progress Report (January–June 2024) and Annual Water and Sewer Performance Report 2023-2024 are now available on Council’s website, providing detailed results and insights across areas of accountability, customer engagement and asset management. Council's Director Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves said that the reports highlight progress at the halfway point in Council's four-year Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) pricing determination, which concludes in June 2026.“This is a significant reporting milestone midway during our current Determination.

The Central Coast is set to dazzle this New Year’s Eve with free, family-friendly celebrations in The Entrance and Gosford.

A children’s picture book, developed by Central Coast Council, to promote respectful relationships and break down gendered stereotypes of traditional roles within the home, will be launched at a special event in Kibble Park on 5 December 2024.The launch of ‘Every Day I Like to Play’ on Thursday 5 December, coincides with the annual ‘16 days of Activism against gender-based violence’ campaign.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said Council works with the local Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee (CCDVC), a community group aiming to prevent, reduce and eliminate domestic and family violence, through education, awareness, advocacy and community engagement.‘We work with our community to help address a range of social and health issues that impact everyone, including domestic violence.“During 2023 and 2024, Council worked with the CCDV Committee to develop the children’s book.

On Thursday 21st November, museums, galleries, and Aboriginal cultural organisations from across New South Wales gathered at Paddington Town Hall to celebrate the announcement of the 2024 IMAGinE Awards.

Central Coast Council is thrilled to announce the launch of the Girls in the Game program, a multi-year initiative to enhance the participation and retention of women and girls in sports and physical activities across the region.

The magic of Christmas is returning to the Central Coast this December, with a festive program of events and activities set to delight residents and visitors alike.From dazzling Christmas decorations and festive entertainment to free Santa photos and carols, Central Coast Council and Destination Central Coast have curated the ultimate ‘Christmas on the Coast’ guide on lovecentralcoast.com to help you plan your Christmas adventure across Gosford, Terrigal, The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong.Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the guide has been curated to bring the community together and spread joy across the region.“I’m really excited for all the festive events and activities taking place across the Coast this December, including the much-loved Christmas window display competition,” Ms Smith said.“Local businesses in Gosford, The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong will be getting into the festive spirit by decorating their shop windows.

Central Coast Council has launched its Key Enabling Projects 2025:

Following safety concerns and community feedback, the Ettalong Foreshore Boat Ramp at the end of Kourung Avenue will close from Monday December 2, 2024. Central Coast Council’s decision to close the boat ramp follows numerous safety concerns raised by residents, NSW Police, Transport for NSW - Maritime, local MPs, and Council staff regarding vehicle congestion, illegal parking, and potential hazards to the public from towing vehicles on the busy beach area. Closing the boat ramp complements Maritime’s recent changes in this area, making a safer environment for swimmers, families, and beachgoers at Ettalong Foreshore.

With summer fast approaching, Central Coast Council is reminding residents that it’s never too late to learn to swim with SwimSAFER Week promoting safe swim practices from 18-24 November.SwimSAFER Week is a dedicated initiative that Council’s Learn to Swim Schools support in partnership with Swim Australia and AUSTSWIM every year, helping children and adults to build essential water safety skills to be confident in the water.Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said learning to swim is a fundamental preventative measure to ensure safety for our community in and around pools, beaches, and our local waterways.

Central Coast Council has an exciting opportunity for our community to shape the design of Karagi Point Reserve, which is due for renewal in 2025-2026.The Karagi Point Reserve in Hutton Rd, The Entrance North, includes a car park, foreshore and playspace, which is nearing its end-of-life.

Central Coast Council is thrilled to announce that Woodport Public School student, Autumn was recently named the National Winner in the Year 3–4 category of the National Water Week Primary School Poster Competition.Autumn’s winning artwork, chosen from thousands of entries nationwide, illustrates the essential connection between the health of our waterways and the quality of our drinking water.Council Director Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves said the poster is an inspired expression of Council’s water conservation and sustainability themes.“The National Water Week Annual Poster Competition inspires young people to have a greater awareness of our precious water resource.

Central Coast Council has successfully completed shutdown 3 of the Mardi Water Treatment Plant upgrade ahead of schedule.