MEDIA RELEASE An opportunity is on offer for local creatives to receive up to $40,000 commission through Central Coast Council’s Creative Art Central program, which is designed to support local creative practitioners to produce new and contemporary works that demonstrates a strong connection to community.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith is calling on local practitioners to be inspired to collaborate and create with the community.“We’re inviting local emerging and established creative practitioners that specialise in visual, performance, digital, literary, community arts and crafts to register their interest in developing a new work that encourages community participation during its production,” Ms Smith said.“This may be developed through an interactive community program or public presentation which encourages community engagement and participation.“By providing opportunities to commission new works and investing in the local creative landscape, Council not only assists with nurturing the growth of local creative practitioners but also in promoting stronger partnerships within the creative industries on the coast.“Our community can view videos online to hear from previous year participants about their experiences with the Creative Art Central program, which have produced a diverse range of projects including, a large-scale sculpture, documentary and short films, and other initiatives across the performance and community art space.Creative Art Central is a merit-based art in community program with an independent panel of judges.

The 2024-2025 beach patrol season kicks off this weekend, with flags being raised across 15 Central Coast beaches from Saturday 28 September.

Central Coast Council has placed an update to the Plan of Management for Council Community Land on public exhibition for community feedback.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce a $1.65 million grant from the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, to support the redevelopment of the ‘tidal terrace’ area in Leagues Club Park.

Central Coast Council is hosting a Morning Tea at Laycock St Theatre to celebrate International Day of Older Persons on 1 October.Council is committed to creating positive attitudes towards ageing and celebrating the role and achievements of older people in our community.Council Director Community and Recreation Service, Melanie Smith said International Day of Older Persons is about honouring our older residents and paying homage to the contribution they make in our communities, while recognising their rights to age positively.“We strive for a community that includes and values older people in all aspects of life and provides valuable opportunities for older people to participate and contribute fully within society,” Ms Smith said.“We want a society in which dignity, choice and freedom are achievable and in which older persons are supported in having independent, active and fulfilling lives.“Older persons in our community are invited to come along to Laycock St Theatre, where guest speakers will be educating our older persons about their rights in all aspects of ageing, such as residential retirement village living and aged care rights, online security and identity theft support.”The day’s events will include:•    MC - Frank O’Toole, Gosford Musical Society •    Speakers - Jenny Samuels, Seniors Right Service and Alicia Anderson, ID Support NSW •    Singing Entertainment - Sunrise MichelleCouncil Administrator, Rik Hart said Council has a key role to play in supporting our residents to live longer, healthier and fulfilled lives on the Coast.“Older persons make up the majority of the Central Coast’s population with 27% aged 60 years and above,” Mr Hart said.“Each year we plan, develop, and implement programs, activities, services and infrastructure to support our older persons to remain active participants in all aspects of community life, throughout all life stages.“What we know from developing the Positive Ageing Strategy is that a major feature of retaining a positive attitude to ageing is a sense of belonging, feeling part of a community and maintaining links with family and friends.“We encourage older persons to connect with local community groups and organisations and discover the wide range of services, activities and events available, which will enable the development and continuation of meaningful work, leadership, self-worth and resilience for older people living on the Coast.To register to attend the Morning Tea at Laycock St Theatre, search ‘International Day of Older Persons’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.auENDS 

Central Coast Council is seeking feedback from the community to guide development of a Masterplan for the Hardys Bay Foreshore. Central Coast Council Acting Director of Environment and Planning, Jamie Loader said the new Masterplan will be developed in collaboration with the local community to understand concerns and opportunities for Hardys Bay.

Central Coast Council is excited to announce the release of its new Accessible Playspaces brochure, designed to provide parents and carers of children with a disability more information on accessible playspaces so they can plan ahead when taking their children out.The brochure, available both online and in print, provides valuable information around accessibility for 13 local playspaces across the Central Coast.Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this resource aims to empower families to plan enjoyable outings and ensure that all children can participate in the joy of outdoor play."Playspaces are highly valued, and we understand the importance of accessible playspaces for everyone," Ms Smith said."This latest brochure contains information listing the accessible features of each playspace and is designed in an accessible format including pictograms and a pin drop map.”Council Administrator Rik Hart said that the brochure was developed in response to community feedback gained during the public exhibition of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan.“Our community told us that they want accessibility information for Central Coast destinations to better plan their family outings, and we’ve delivered!

With the arrival of the Little Terns expected to begin mid-October at Karagi Point, The Entrance North, Central Coast Council is once again undertaking works to help protect the nesting area.Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation, and Karagi Point is where the colony has historically chosen to nest.Council’s annual management works, including temporary fencing at the nesting area, will commence this month and are designed to help protect the nesting birds.

Central Coast Council has launched the 'Dunny Do’s and Dunny Don’ts' educational campaign to raise awareness about responsible toilet and sink habits.

Central Coast Council’s initiatives, implemented through the Safer Cities:

Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to ‘Get Ready’ for bush fire and storm events, by using the month of September to be more prepared and attend a community preparedness event.

Central Coast Council is ending its four years under administration in a strong financial position, with a reduction in debt of $150M from when it was put under administration. Council’s debt at the commencement of the administration period was just under $350M, due to having to take out two emergency loans, it now sits at less than $200M. Council Acting CEO, Marissa Racomelara said Central Coast Council was put in administration because of inadequate financial management leading to a financial crisis.

Residents and businesses are being asked to ‘cast the spotlight’ on individuals and groups who are making the Central Coast a better place to live by nominating them in the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards 2025.Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said the annual awards highlight the local achievements of a growing community that is a fantastic place to live.“Each year the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards celebrate the best and brightest from across the region.

Central Coast Council is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Gosford Art Prize, with $28,000 in prize money.This year 908 entries were received from across Australia, with 135 of the artworks selected as finalists for exhibition, making it a difficult job for both the selection panel and finalist judges, which comprised artist Peter Godwin and curator Libby Knott.While it was a difficult task, the judges were unanimous in their selection for the first prize winner – local Central Coast artist Maree Azzopardi, for her artwork ‘The Crossings’.

Central Coast Council will be carrying out essential water network upgrades in the Avoca Lagoon area on Thursday 29 August 2024.

Central Coast Council has developed a draft Central Coast Open Space Strategy, which is now on public exhibition for community feedback until 20 September.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said an Open Space Strategy is being developed to support and promote active and healthy lifestyles, and increase participation in outdoor recreation and sport, with greater diversity in offerings.“With the anticipated population growth expected for the Central Coast, this framework will provide for the supply and development of adequate open spaces, such as parks, reserves and sportsgrounds, and ensure they are well-designed, inclusive, and accessible,” Ms Smith said.“While also ensuring culture, heritage and environmental significance is appropriately considered in the planning and design of public open space.“The strategy (2024-31) identifies sport and recreation action plans that need to be reviewed or developed to ensure that sport, recreation and physical activity opportunities on the Central Coast will be well planned and actioned in a timely manner.”Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the draft Open Space Strategy has been developed with input from our community and key groups to support healthy lifestyles for a growing community.“Extensive community consultation was undertaken in 2021, when the project was known as ‘Active Lifestyles Strategy’, with 438 people participating in a survey so we could understand how the Central Coast community likes to keep active, and how Council can support this within our managed open spaces,” Mr Hart said.“The Central Coast is blessed with an abundance of beautiful open space areas, and I encourage everyone to jump online to check out the draft Strategy and tell us what you think.”  Results of the Active Lifestyle Survey in 2021 showed that of the 438 respondents, more than 75% were long-term residents of the Central Coast (10-plus years), predominantly in the 35-59 age group, and the three most popular sporting categories were:

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations in Chain Valley Bay, Gwandalan, Mannering Park and Summerland Point are invited to apply for up to $30,000 in funding for projects and infrastructure that improve their communities.

Central Coast Council is thrilled to invite the community to experience the magic of twilight cinema, with a free family-friendly outdoor screening of Shark Tale.The outdoor movie nights have been designed to unite the community by bringing families and friends together for a fantastic evening of film, fun and local flavour.Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said whether you’re a resident or visiting the Central Coast the movie nights are designed to celebrate the community, support the local economy, and enhance the town’s night life for families.“We invite you to come along to The Entrance, Toukley, Gosford, or Wyong events, grab dinner or some takeaway, set up a picnic, sit down under the night sky and enjoy an evening of entertainment.“There will be a variety of activities at each location, with circus performers, face painting and lawn games, so get there at 4pm and join in the fun before the movie starts at 6pm,” Ms Smith said.Attendees can also support local food vendors at each of the movie night locations, by perusing the Love Central Coast Eating Out Guides, for recommendations on local eateries for their evening meal.Outdoor movie night program dates:The Entrance, Memorial Park - Friday 6 September 2024Toukley, Village Green - Saturday 7 September 2024 Gosford, Kibble Park - Friday 13 September 2024Wyong, The Chapman Lawn - Saturday 14 September 2024Council Administrator Rik Hart said movie nights activate the town centres across the Central Coast, benefitting both local businesses and the community.“Movie nights promote economic development in town centres, bolster community ties, and enhance cultural and social wellbeing.“Outdoor movies also offer a chance to relax with family and friends and be entertained under the open sky,” Mr Hart said.To view the full event program, visit:

Central Coast Council’s gallery container at the Toukley Village Green provides an innovative space that is hosting a rotating roster of local creatives to exhibit work and installations, host workshops and collaborate with other artists throughout the year.Council Director Community &

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to help shape how it engages with residents on future decisions.