Fair Day approval comes through at last minute

As late as last Thursday, organisers of the Coastal Twist Festival had still not received written approval from Central Coast Council for their Coastie Carnie Fair Day held at the Peninsula Recreation Precinct at Umina Beach yesterday.

The council approval letter finally came through on Thursday night, said festival director Ms Glitta Supernova.

The delays in the process meant they had been constrained in being able to promote the event.

They were facing the question of what to do if the approval did not come through.

In the event, the Fair Day was held and was well attended.

"Families, friends, allies, local events producers, businesses and community (provided) financial, emotional, and logistics support - the life line that unravelled red tape and blockers that hold this region back," she said.

"Today we are here and we celebrate cohesion, acceptance, live music, arts and local culture."

SOURCE:

Social media, 5 Oct 2025

Coastal Twist Festival

Council resolves to replace Umina Beach toilets

Central Coast Council has resolved to prepare a design and financial plan for the construction of replacement toilets adjacent to the Umina Beach Surf Club.

It asked for a report to be prepared by the end of the year.

The resolution, moved by Cr Belinda Neal, was passed unanimously.

Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast branch president Ms Rae Fiechter and Umina Community Group director Mr Tony Winch spoke at the Council Public Forum before the council meeting in support of Cr Neal's motion

"The toilets adjacent to the Umina Beach surf club are of a poor standard and are inadequate to the present needs of the community," said Cr Neal.

"The present block does not provide suitable change rooms for the disabled surfer group that uses the facilities at least four times a year.

"It does not provide showers or suitable change rooms for the people with a disability.

"The toilets are also extensively used by residents and tourists accessing the adjacent recreation area, the beach and by the popular Coastal Twist Festival.

"The toilets are 52 years old and are recommended for demolition at the end of life but need to be replaced earlier."

Cr Neal said the council had recently adopted a strategy that would see their replacement in 2031.

"Council Officers developed a Public Toilet Strategy which was adopted by Council on July 22, following a councillor workshop on May 20 May and a presentation to the Infrastructure and Assets Committee meeting on June 10," she said.

SOURCE:

Social media, 23 Sep 2025

Rae Fiechter, Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association

Media release, 24 Sep 2025

Belinda Neal, Central Coast Council