DECEMBER 2021 - JA JANUARY AN NU U UAR A Y 2 2022
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New plan targets the natural route: 14
Reptile park wins state awards again: 3.
Dune – The greatest movie of the decade: 12
HOT PROPERTY
Pearl Beach cottage bought for $145 sells for $2.5M
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SMALL house in idyllic Pearl Beach on a block of land bought by a family for $145 in 1928 has just sold for $2.5m. The location at 2 Emerald Avenue in Pearl Beach was first bought by Evelyn Smith. In the early 1960s the
property was handed down to Evelyn’s daughter Irene and five years later a three-bedroom cottage was built on the coastal plot of land. The selling agent at the recent sale was Alana Gargaro of Residential HQ Central Coast. More page 2.
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The Pearl Beach cottage that was sold for $2.5M.
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PEARL BEACH SHOWS IMPRESSIVE CAPITAL GAIN
Cottage sells for $2.5M
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SMALL house in idyllic Pearl Beach on a block of land bought by a family for $145 in 1928 has just sold for $2.5m. The location at 2 Emerald Avenue in Pearl Beach was first bought by Evelyn Smith. In the early 1960s the property was handed down to Evelyn’s daughter Irene and five years later a three-bedroom cottage was built on the coastal plot of land. The selling agent at the recent sale was Alana Gargaro of Residential HQ Central Coast. Featuring four bedrooms, the property sold to a young Sydney couple who plan to use it as a holiday home. The home was originally passed on to Irene’s daughter Kim Jones and her family who put the home up for sale via Alana of Residential HQ, helping the property to fetch the eye-watering $2,508,000. Ms Jones told a media outlet she was sad to leave their slice of family history behind, but it was “the right time”. “We will be sad to say goodbye to such a piece of family history, but the time was right for us to move up to Queensland and pass this little piece of paradise on,” Ms Jones said.
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“Never in my life could I have imagined having this much money, we can’t believe how much it sold for.” The cottage is just a short walk from beautiful Pearl Beach. Agent Alana Gargaro said the sale highlighted the extreme buyer demand for picturesque beach escapes following COVID-19 lockdowns.
“While the whole of the Central Coast has certainly seen an influx of demand from buyers across Victoria and NSW South Wales, Pearl Beach remains one of the most sought-after areas on the Coast for its natural beauty and charm,” Ms Gargaro said. “There were several interested parties, but it was finally sold to the young Sydney couple who bought it as a holiday home.”
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SECOND SUCCESS IN STATE AWARDS
Reptile Park wins again DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HE Australian Reptile Park was named the 2021 Business of the Year at the NSW Business Awards and it came as a total shock according to director Liz Gabriel. After a year of struggling through closure because of the Pandemic, the Reptile Park showed outstanding resilience in business in 2021 and was rewarded with two major accolades at the awards presented by Business NSW The Park also won the Excellence in Business award alongside sister charity Aussie Ark, who won Excellence in Small Business. The Business of the Year title is awarded by judges as the business with the overall outstanding achievements. Ms Gabriel said it was the second time the popular international attraction won the award and this was a unique achievement. The win came as a massive shock to senior staff after the tremendous hardships that the tourism destination had experienced during the last two years including bushfires, floods and the global pandemic. This win marks the second time that the Australian Reptile Park has been recognised as the top business at a state level, having won the same award in 2018. In addition to winning the most coveted award of the evening, the Central Coastbased wildlife park also won the Excellence in Business category.
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The Australian Reptile Park and Liz Gabriel.
Business and marketing manager Amanda Woodbine was nominated for Young Business Leader as well as Zac Bower in Outstanding Employee and director Tim Faulkner as Outstanding Business Leader. Even with the event being hosted online, it was a wonderful evening for the Reptile Park with staff members tuning in from their homes to watch Australian Reptile Park director Liz Gabriel accept the award. “We were absolutely thrilled to win ‘Excellence in Business’ at the start of the evening but then when it was announced
that we won Business of the Year, we couldn’t believe it–it was a total shock,” Ms Gabriel said. “Like most businesses, we’ve had a tough couple of years but through the support of the community and the dedication of our incredible staff, we’ve been able to thrive and have bounced back stronger than ever after lockdown. “It was wonderful to share our successes of the evening with Aussie Ark, who won their first state business award with their ‘Excellence in Small Business’ win.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Reptile Park has reopened and as a COVID-Safe business, will be observing all Government rules to keep its staff and visitors safe. As well as the chance to reconnect with nature after months stuck at home, visitors will be able to redeem their Dine & Discover NSW Vouchers at the Park–both at Reception and the on-site kiosk, the Hard Croc Café. The Park is open daily from 9am. For more information, visit www.reptilepark.com.au
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MEMBERS WARN OF TRAGEDY
Flood concerns not addressed an additional channel through the sand berm at The Entrance Channel. In welcoming the updated flood plan, Mr Mehan noted it contained no advice on flood classification levels or the issue of opening The Entrance Channel to let flood water out of Tuggerah Lake. “The 2020 Flood showed the existing flood classification levels are wrong and these need to be corrected,” he said. “Critical to controlling the height and duration of flooding is The Entrance Channel and the procedure for actively opening the channel should be part of our flood response plan.
DALLS SHERRINGHAM O one who saw it will ever forget the tragic day in 2020 when a group of locals tried to hurriedly build a channel through The Entrance sand dunes to avert flooding, only to be warned to stop digging by Council and State authorities who turned up waving fine books. It took Council four days to get to the cause of the flood and take action. The failure to dredge the badly silted up channel at The Entrance led to massive flooding affecting 5000 homes and businesses. Angry locals stormed the next council meeting after their homes were inundated without warning. Amongst those watching on was State Labor Member for The Entrance David Mehan who had long been trying to get the outdated Central Coast Local Flood Plan updated for more than a year. This week he welcomed advice that the Central Coast Local Flood Plan has finally been updated and is now available on the NSW State Emergency Service website. However, the updated plan has critical flaws. Mr Mehan revealed in 2019 that the2013 local flood plan was out of date and should have been updated in 2018. The lack of an up-to-date flood plan was a factor in the lack of adequate warning given to the community in February 2020. At 10:48pm on Saturday, February 8 2020, NSW SES issued a minor flood warn-
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Positive results
MP David Mehan in flood affected The Entrance.
ing for Tuggerah Lakes. The minor flood level for the Lake, according to NSW SES, was 0.90m and the warning predicted this level would be reached on Sunday. No further warnings about flood height were issued. Waters reached the predicted level on Sunday and continued to rise eventually peaking on Tuesday, February 11 at 1.673m, before falling after Council excavated
“I have written to both the Emergency Services Minister and Council asking that these weaknesses in our flood preparedness be addressed.” Mr Mehan said he had no criticism of Local SES personnel. In relation to The Entrance Channel, Mr Mehan said the Tuggerah Lakes Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan had recommended a formalised “Entrance Management Strategy to Mange Flooding”. “The benefits of active berm management of The Entrance Channel need to be formalised following the positive results achieved by using excavators to clear the sand berm during the February Flood.
“The State Emergency Services Minister was on holiday during the bush fires; he was silent during the February Flood; and he has failed to adequately resource our local SES.” He said his concern with the Plan include: • The Flood Classification being used by NSW SES to issue flood warnings is different to the Flood Classification contained within the Local Plan. Had the existing Local Plan classification been used, the February Flood warning would have been for a ‘moderate’ as opposed to ‘minor flood’ • Neither the Local Plan nor the NSW SES Warning Guidelines make formal provision for local warnings to be issued. Bureau of Meteorology flood warnings are broadcast by NSW SES which are then communicated locally in an informal way including social media. • The Local Plan contains no provision for opening of The Entrance Channel in the event the sand berm across the channel mouth impedes escape of flood waters as occurred in the February Flood • The Local Plan includes a requirement for community education about flood risk and preparation. This has not happened. The Plan can be viewed at: www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ local-region-information/snr/flood-storm-andtsunami-plans
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 STATE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR ponsorship nsorship opportunities areCONGRATULATIONS available. All enquiries can sent via: TObeOUR entralcoast@businessnsw.com or call our office ralcoast@businessnsw.com off f ice on 02 4391 0600. 2021 STATE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
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Narara Station upgrade complete ARARA Station’s multi-million-dollar upgrade is complete, providing a new travelling experience for thousands of Central Coast passengers who regularly use the facility. Officially, it means public transport ‘customers are now enjoying better accessibility, safety and connectivity’. Narara station was the first station electrified when the suburban railway was linked through to the north of the Coast and Newcastle in the 1980s. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the $15.5m million upgrade is part of the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program which is being rolled out across NSW. “Thanks to these upgrades, Narara Station is now easier to access for all customers including people with a disability, people with mobility aids, parents or carers with prams and travellers with luggage,” Mr Crouch said. “The upgrade supported dozens of jobs over the process of planning and construction, providing a welcome boost to our local economy.
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“Customers are already using the new lifts and the upgraded accessible paths in and around the station, which have improved the experience of getting to and from the train platform. “Other improvements include new accessible parking spaces, a ‘kiss and ride’ space for easier pick-ups and drop-offs, and a new pedestrian crossing across the northern commuter car park. “There are also formalised Boarding Assistance Zones on each platform, and upgraded CCTV and lighting providing improved safety for all customers. “Our aim is to make train travel as easy as possible for every commuter and this upgrade certainly does that for Narara locals. “At nearby Lisarow Station, the recently completed $12.4m accessibility upgrade has made life easier for customers and our contractors have now left the site. “The NSW Government has committed more than $2.2bn to deliver modern, integrated and accessible transport facilities across NSW since 2011.” For more information on the program, visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/projects-tap.
Adam Crouch at the official opening of Narara station with Paddy Gerrard from Triple M, the selfproclaimed Mayor of Narara.
Lucy to chair tech enquiry EMBER for Robertson Lucy Wicks will put big tech under the microscope including toxic material on social media platforms when she chairs a Parliamentary inquiry into the industry next year. The Inquiry was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Communications, Urban
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Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher. The inquiry will look at the dangers social media poses to the well-being of Australians. Ms Wicks said she was looking forward to leading the select committee which would examine what more needed to be done to keep Australians safe while online.
“Big tech has a number of questions to answer. But we also want to hear from parents, teachers, small businesses, and other Australians, about their experience, and what needs to change,” Ms Wicks said. “The Inquiry will give organisations and individuals an opportunity to air their concerns, and for big tech to account for its own conduct.”
Australia has led the world in regulating social media, establishing the world’s first dedicated online safety watchdog in 2015. In June this year, the Government passed the tough new Online Safety Act which will give the eSafety Commissioner even stronger powers to direct the removal of online abuse.
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COMMENT
2021 - JANUARY 2022
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with EMMA MCBRIDE
Shop LOCAL this Christmas EMMA MCBRIDE T’S the most wonderful time of the year. Andy Williams got it right when he released his hit Christmas song in 1963. It is the most wonderful time of the year. The lights, the decorations, the festive cheer. It’s a time when we all come together to celebrate. But this year, it’s more important than ever for us to come together and support small business. Small businesses are the heart of our community and the lifeblood of our economy, and they’ve had it tough lately. That’s why I’m encouraging Coasties to shop local this Christmas. Usually, when the Christmas rush hits, people head to the big department stores. They’re after the perfect gift for their loved ones, food for the holidays or just one last look around stores before the big day arrives. But there are 24,000 small businesses on the Central Coast who may have exactly what you’re looking for. The Wyong Milk Factory sells delicious hand-made Belgium chocolates. The perfect gift for a chocolate lover. Herbies Spices offers a huge range of culinary herbs, spices and unique blends. Perfect for someone who loves to cook. Experiences also make a great Christmas gift, especially if you’re looking for something to do with the kids during the holidays.
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In that case, I’d highly recommend a trip to the Australian Reptile Park. They have lots of options for the whole family. And, they’ve recently received a number of accolades at the Central Coast Business Awards. They were recognised for Outstanding Business Leader, Excellence in Micro Business, Excellence in Innovation and Employer of Choice. This is an incredible achievement, and a testament to the business community right across the Coast. Our small businesses have so much to offer.
Our small businesses have much to offer You just need to know where to look. So, this Christmas make sure you buy local. Instead of buying gifts online, go out into our community and see what you can find. That’s what business owners want to see this time of year. They want to see customers coming through the doors, and they want to give them the best Christmas possible. And in return, we can help them have a great Christmas too. Let’s bring out that Christmas spirit to see out the rest of the year, and let’s support small business during the holidays in any way we can. If we do, we can truly make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. Emma McBride is the Federal Member for Dobell. Visit: www.emmamcbride.com.au
Emma McBride supporting local giftshop, Scout & Trader at Wyong.
Caring for the Central Coast
The Coast is a beautiful place to live and working together, we can make it
We need to Invest in infrastructure to clear the backlog
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OUR ECONOMY MATTERS. OUR HEALTH MATTERS.
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Hidden gem in fitness LOCAL hidden gem, Central Coast Leagues Fitness is tucked away within the Leagues Club on Dane Drive, Gosford. The facility prides itself on an inclusive community vibe, with members spanning everyone from seniors in the morning to corporate workers smashing it out on their lunch break and the die-hard yogis. Following the 2021 Covid shutdown, the club has returned with an impressive group fitness timetable, paired with our spacious amenities and competitive price points. It’s no wonder that CCLF is becoming one of the most well-known and respected gym facilities on the Coast. Being located in the heart of Gosford, the club has the support of our local community, businesses and members to bounce back from Covid with a mission. They deliver premium services, including high quality fitness classes, clean facilities and exceptional customer service. The team of Personal Trainers have different passions and skill sets,. For corporate partners, there are
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Central Coast Leagues Fitness.
programs aimed at improving the overall health and fitness of employees. This in turn, improves employees’ wellbeing, helping them get more out of both life and work.
Whether you’re looking for a fun and healthy team building morning, something to shake up the weekly routine, or a staff appreciation event, our options cater to a range of needs.
Join some of the Coast’s leading organisations working with CCLF to support their employees’ health and wellbeing. Contact them on 02 4325 9879 to get started today.
Big changes at Council DALLAS SHERRINGHAM T came as a simple press release but it caused shockwaves across the Central Coast as the inevitable consequences for Council’s massive failure led to major changes at the top. Two of the most senior long-term managers at Central Coast Council Leadership Team – Julie Vaughan and Scott
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way through the consequences of amalgamating two council staffs who resisted the changes, a computer system that didn’t work properly and massive financial and business mismanagement. Add that to a fractured majority of inexperience Councillors who spent way beyond their means and you have the makings of the $500m plus disaster that ratepayers have been left to pay off. As they say in the classics – something had to give.
Cox – were on their way out No reason was given for the sudden departure of the two senior staff members, but former Council figurehead Brian Bell will step back into a senior role at the embattled organisation. Social media lit up when the news hit on Wednesday night and most comments were in favor of the decision to freshen up the leadership team. To be fair, Ms Vaughan and Mr Cox had to battle their
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City focus a welcome step HE state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW says the creation of a Minister for Cities by Premier Dominic Perrottet is a positive step that will bring renewed focus to the economic powerhouses of our State. The Premier has confirmed the Minister will be appointed as part of a broader reshuffle of his Cabinet. “This will provide the necessary support for our cities, and is something the business community supports,” said Business NSW Regional Director Paula Martin. “Having cities fall under one Minister will enable coordinated focus on sustainable growth and new economy transition in the large city centres of the NSW economy,” Ms Martin said. “We are particularly pleased to see a renewed focus on the Central Coast as well as Illawarra and the Hunter regions which continue to add to our state’s international and regional trading strength. “Progress of some significant regional investment announced by the Greater Sydney Commission late last year seems to have stalled and with our population continuing to grow as a result of the pandemic, we can’t ignore the growing needs of our business community. “We know that a strong city has an investment landscape with anchor developments that encourage business growth. This means shaping a city to encourage tourism, business events, overnight stays and entrepreneurialism and start-ups. “Students also bring life to a city so any advancement of the proposed Education Campus in Gosford is eagerly awaited. “Businesses need all the help they can get to achieve their growth objectives,
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from industrial space to housing development for their people. “A whole of Government view of NSW economic centres is the right approach–and we look forward to the new Minister and a strengthened Greater Cities Commission advocating and enabling real investment, resilient infrastructure, liveability and attraction in these cities. “Business NSW has for many years championed growth and state-wide collaboration through our strong business leadership teams in each of these six cities across the State. “We look forward to working closely with the new Minister for Cities and the Greater Cities Commission in developing the vision with our members, and forming sound policy, strategy and investment directions,” Ms Martin said.
About Business NSW Formerly the NSW Business Chamber, Business NSW is the peak policy and advocacy body which has been representing businesses in NSW since 1826.
Paula Martin.
Success for The Glen Rehab HE Glen is celebrating another massive win with the Business NSW recognising The Glen as NSWs Outstanding Community organisation of the year. The award ceremony was held via Zoom in front of a large crowd of business leaders from across NSW. “The Glen’s success reflects the strength of the Central Coast Commu-
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nity. This award is an amazing recognition of the work the team at The Glen and all our stakeholders do for our clients, and other vulnerable members of the community” said The Glen CEO, Alex Lee. The Glen Executive Director Mr Coyte said: “The Glen is very excited for this award and we are always very
proud to represent The Central Coast region as we are very grateful for all of the continued support we receive from the whole Central Coast community. It’s an exciting time for The Glen moving into 2022 as we grow our team and we are currently looking to recruit 10 people to work at The Glen for Women.”
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FUTURE OF BUSINESS EVENT
Leaders showcase growth issues JULIE WATSON HEN we think about the future of business, we often think of digital, technical solutions made up of Ones and Zeros for Coding. But what does the future of business really look like? What will your business look like in the coming year or in five years from now? We look at some of the actions you can take through the eyes of some of our most influential leaders, top entrepreneurs, expert coaches, and industry professionals. In March 2022, the Central Coast will see its first ever, full day panel discussion event. A full day of panel discussions, speakers, expos, entertainment, networking, complimentary food and refreshments, breakout hubs and meeting rooms (for sending those important emails). Firstly, we will find out some of the issues we can expect to face in the coming years, then we look at desired outcomes, and we finish each panel with tangible actions the audience can take away to put into place to support their businesses into the future. THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS SUMMIT 2022 – LIFE ON MARS will bring you five panels: 1. Digital Technology and Hybrid Workforces: Life On Future Earth 2. Speak up–Scale Up. Business Growth Beyond 2030.
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3. Industry and Government Support. A Whole New World for Business 4. Daring to be Different: Gen X, Y, Z–Life on Mars 5. A Culture of Leadership: Blast Off to the Future of Inner Space Is your business ready to do what it takes to thrive and succeed into the fu-
ture? What will our expert panellists come up with for 2022 and beyond? Come away with concrete examples of what’s possible now, and into the future.
While we’re future-gazing with the theme ‘life on mars’, the summit will be anchored in pragmatic ‘where do I start’ actions to take away.
The event will held at The Red Tree Theatre in Tuggerah on March 2, 2022 from 8am. Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now and are extended to the end of January for our readers. Contact info@strongerthanmyexcuses.com.au to find out more. Julie Watson is founder of www.strongerthanmyexcuses.com.au
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Premium focus sees Honda slash Civic model range and annual sales targets BUYING | MATT BROGAN ONDA will offer just one grade and one body style of its next-generation Civic model when the five-door VTiLX hatch goes on sale from December
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Honda Australia says the single-spec offering is a move to push the model upmarket as the business “repositions” itself to focus on private small car buyers. It’s part of a broader decision that will see the Japanese brand sell just “20,000 vehicles” annually from now on. The eleventh-generation Civic is powered by an updated version of the familiar 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO four-cylinder petrol engine. The new range no longer incorporates the 1.8-litre normally aspirated four-pot, which previously powered the entry-grade VTi-S. The line-up will be further bolstered next year when the e:HEV hybrid and sporty Type R arrive. Speaking to GoAuto this week, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the brand would target buyers of “European-type hatches” on the back of an increasing proportion of SUV model sales. The annual sales target for the new high-grade Civic is 900 units. “We really have quite an onslaught of new product arriving over the next 18 months – and the Civic petrol model is the first. It’s a car that has an enormous history globally and, in Australia, it has been on sale for nearly 50 years,” Mr Collins said. “Throughout that period, it has played different roles for us… and this vehicle will play a different role again. We are repositioning the Civic in Australia. On occasions, it has been our volume model and, other times, it has been more niche and more premium. This time it is very much a premium step up… a real step up in terms of the class of the hatch. “As such, it won’t be a big-volume vehicle for us. Over the next 12 months, we expect to (sell) about 900 units. It will be a more premium vehicle, positioned at the top of the hatch market and, although it will be a lower volume (car) for us, it is still an important model,” he added. Mr Collins said the strategy behind Civic fitted Honda’s new agency ethos of a “right-size business” that can “sell a sustainable number of vehicles to support (its) profitability”. He said the brand would continue to focus on a premium specification and high-series grades as it moved forward; the streamlined product line-up would effectively “create space for all-new products now on the horizon”. “We’ll be launching the Civic with the ‘one price promise’ – it will be priced $47,200 drive-away nationally. We think that’s very reflective of the level of equip-
ment and premiumness of the vehicle… and we think the package really speaks for itself,” Mr Collins continued. “Probably around 90 per cent of our business will be SUVs (in future). SUV growth in the market continues to be amazing and our line-up over the next few years will reflect that.” When asked if Honda Australia considered ditching the Civic altogether, Mr Collins was resolute, saying the nameplate was “synonymous” with the brand and would continue to have a presence in the local market for the foreseeable future. “I think the primary reason is that it’s just such a part of us – we have to bring it to market,” Mr Collins enthused.
50-year history “We have a 50-year history with Civic and I think if you ask the average person in the street about Honda models, I think the Civic would be the top two or three (they recall), despite the fact that we sell a lot more CR-Vs and HR-Vs. It’s synonymous with our brand.” The Civic, HR-V and CR-V will be joined by another SUV in the next 12 months. The Accord – which will be refreshed before the end of 2022 – will remain in Honda Australia’s line-up. The Odyssey will, however, be retired globally as Honda closes its people-mover production facility to focus on the manufacture of SUVs. “The eleventh-generation Civic represents a step-change for Honda in the small-car segment, with the all-new model elevating key aspirational elements of the Honda brand such as craftsmanship, premium quality and intuitive design,” Mr Collins continued. “On the eve of its 50th anniversary, Honda designers and engineers have taken the Civic to a whole new level, producing a car that is more advanced, more sophisticated, and more premium than ever before.
“For Australia, the all-new Civic has been specified to appeal to a new target customer, one that aligns with the move to a more premium positioning for the Civic nameplate and the Honda brand overall,” he added. Output figures of the VTEC TURBO engine in Civic are rated at 131kW (+4kW) and 240Nm (+20Nm), the figure rising to 134kW on premium unleaded fuel. The front wheels are driven via a continuously variable transmission, which Honda “redeveloped and improved” for 2022. Honda says the Civic VTi-LX will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds and the model’s average fuel economy figure is listed at 6.3 litres per 100km (ADR Combined). The new model places an emphasis on innovation, design leadership and outstanding driving dynamics, Honda says. Its clean modern design is paired with a hightech, human-centred interior equipped with the latest advanced active and passive safety systems.
Safety technology Honda will offer its latest Honda Sensing safety technologies on the Civic VTi-LX hatch, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver and frontseat passenger knee airbags, traffic jam assist, driver attention monitor, as well as a pop-up safety bonnet. The Japanese-built model rides on 18inch alloy wheels (with a puncture repair kit) and will be available in four paint colours: Crystal Red, Crystal Blue, Crystal Black and Platinum White. Honda says it has focused on outward visibility as part of a push to create a “panoramic exterior view”. The newcomer’s A-pillars have been moved backward, the bonnet lowered and the dashboard flattened to improve the view forward. The door-mounted wing mirrors, in turn, serve to improve sightlines between the front pillar and the mirror. Cabin volume is increased by 34 litres to a total of 2803 litres. Despite its rakish roofline, the Civic is said to still offer “ample head, leg, shoulder, and hip room for all passengers.” The model is 12mm wider in its rear track and has a 35-mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing model; the suspension comprises a strut front- and multi-link rear arrangement. Braking is all disc (282mm front/260mm rear) and the steering electrically assisted. The new Civic tips the scale at 1369kg. Meanwhile, the front seats are trimmed in black perforated suede (with red accents) and are both heated and electrically adjustable, while the 9.0-inch touchscreen
infotainment array supports wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto connectivity. A BOSE 12-speaker premium audio system, Qi wireless device charging pad, satellite navigation (with over-the-air updates) and LED ambient courtesy lighting are also fitted. The extended rear overhang and reduced hinge intrusion sees the Honda’s claimed luggage capacity grow to 404 litres. A lower lift-over height and 60:40 split-fold rear seats join an additional under-floor tray (45 litres) to further extend the Civic’s cargo-carrying ability. Australian sales of the Civic trail those of most of its sub-$40,000 small car competitors; at the time of writing, had Honda recorded year-to-date unit sales of just 2749. Its sixth place standing sees the current-gen Civic place behind the Toyota Corolla (25,393), Hyundai i30 (21,080), Kia Cerato (16,183), Mazda 3 (12,566) and Subaru Impreza (3273), but ahead of the Volkswagen Golf (1527), Skoda Scala (855) and Ford Focus (662).
2022 Honda Civic hatch pricing*: VTi-S (a) Discontinued VTi-L (a) Discontinued VTi-LX (a) $47,200* (+$10,600) RS (a) Discontinued
TRAVEL
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with DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 |
11
BELOW DECK SUPERYACHTS…
The business trip of the lifetime
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM IRING a ‘Below Deck TV’ superyacht in Tahiti or the Caribbean is not cheap, but it is the ultimate way for a business or group of friends to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. The smash hit TV show has introduced the superyacht concept of cruising to whole new generation of businesspeople. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy this kind of adventure several times and it’s my favorite form of travel by a long shot, for good reason. It is simply the best way to travel. If you’re not familiar with the plot of Below Deck, it tells the story of the crew of these superyachts who have to battle each other and sometimes the guests as they cruise around Moorea, the Mediterranean, the Virgin Islands or Thailand in absolute luxury. The guests get drunk and misbehave, the crew falls in love or hates each other, and poor old captains have to keep it all shipshape. Food and drink abound on the back deck, with superb cuisine a highlight and almost every whim or request catered for during the five-day charter. So, how much does it cost to hire yourself one of the Below Deck superyachts? Charters start at $140,000 a cruise which, when you break it down to around $10,000 a guest is reasonable. However, you are expected throw in a tip for around $1500 each and you have to pay for your air fares and accommodation on land. Most of these superyachts are typically 50m plus long and are constantly updated and remodeled – as well as being renamed as they change hands. You can buy a new ‘second hand’ model for around $20m. The Mediterranean superyachts starring in the show are much more expensive to hire at almost twice the cost of the American yachts. But imagine cruising into Monaco, Portofino or Ibiza in your own luxury superyacht while quaffing down a French champagne or two on the top deck.
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Relaxed or as busy as you want The lifestyle is as relaxed or busy as you want. The trick is to pace yourself and enjoy the cruise rather than the booze. Clothing is casual and there is normally a theme dinner where you are expected to join in and end up dancing with the crew. Before the cruise, you select the type of food you require and a menu is developed to suit your needs.
Guests on the cruises where Top Deck is being filmed pay significantly less for their charters, however they only last three days instead of five. You also have to be filmed constantly and suffer the consequences of being on TV worldwide and often ridiculed on social media. For example, in season six, guests paid a total of $40,000 for their Croatian charter. The price include accommodation in four rooms one night before the charter and one night after. However, if you chartered the Lady Michelle in Season Six during filming in the Mediterranean visiting ultimate places, guests paid $275,000 per week if they chartered during TV production. It was $310,000 off camera in high season. Australia has superyacht charters, most of them in tropical regions and they cost from $100,000 per week. Our yachts are typically not as big as the TV show yachts, averaging around 40m and normally carrying eight to 10 guests. The Whitsundays is the superyacht charter capital of Australia with spots like Whitehaven Beach a mecca for guests. So, if your business is a success and you are looking for a way of celebrating your good fortune or rewarding your hardworking staff, a superyacht charter may be the way to go in 2022. Source: www.worldwideboat.com
12 | DECEMBER
2021 - JANUARY 2022
FILM with JACOB RICHARDSON
www.coastba.com.au
Dune – 5 Stars The greatest movie of the decade AUL Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) is the son of Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), who has been tasked by the emperor with leaving his planet, and taking over the planet Arrakis. Despite the Atreides’ love for their homeworld, they are forced to travel to the dusty, sandy, red planet where the Universe’s entire supply of Spice (a mineral used for interstellar travel) is mined. But the previous colonialist overlords of the planet, the Harkonnens, led by their Baron (Stellan Skaarsgaard) aren’t looking to turn over their riches so easily. As they hatch a plan to destroy house Atreides, the Duke turns to the native people of Arrakis. Meanwhile, Paul contends with the prophecy his mother (Rebecca Ferguson) and the Bene Gesserit have given him; he is to be a messiah on this planet. But before he
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can be, he has to learn how to survive it. Based on the incredible, and oft thought unadaptable, novels by Frank Herbert, Dune is a masterpiece, crafting a compelling, engaging and beautiful tale out of the first half of the main book and unravelling the dense subject-matter into an easy-to-understand and enjoyable 2-hour 35-minute film. Across the board, the acting is superb, with Chalamet and Isaac in particular standing out as perfectly cast iterations of their literary predecessors. That being said, from a performance perspective there isn’t a single weak link here, and every appearance of every character comes with a palpable, tangible excitement that is hard to shake. Couple that with a tale that is grand, exciting and fantastic in nature. Frank Herbert’s original novel, along with Isaac
Asimov’s Foundation series, is the base seed of pretty much every sci-fi we have seen on the big screen in recent decades, so there was always the potential that the tale could feel old or stale. Nevertheless, director Denis Villeneuve circumvents these issues by melding all of the familiar elements together in an unfamiliar, and exciting, new piece that doesn’t feel quite like anything that has come before. Perhaps that is to do with the story, which is confidently told without resolution, in anticipation of a second film. Then again, perhaps it is to do with the scale. Dune is grandiose to say the least. The costumes are gorgeous, and perfect. The set design is massive, gargantuan, and endlessly awe-inspiring. Cinematographer Greig Fraser knocks the shooting of the piece out of the park, and every single
frame feels like a piece of art. Despite all of this, without a shadow of a doubt the most impressive part of Dune is the score by Hans Zimmer. This feels like a seminal work from the maestro, and the audioscape of the piece will stay with you long after leaving the cinema–whether it’s the all-encompassing wave of sound that closes the picture, or the glare of bagpipes as Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck charges into battle. If this is the most beautiful movie of the year, it’s the score that takes it into the pantheon of classics for the ages. Dune is a masterpiece that has to be seen to be believed. Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com
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CROSSWORDS/GAMES Solutions page 15
DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 |
13
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake 6. The man who invented the cube that became a world hit, Hungarian designer, Erno ... 9. First person to circumnavigate the world in a balloon, ... Fossett 10. New York World Series baseball team 11. China's ... Zedong 12. West African republic with Conakry as its capital and chief Atlantic port 13. Sweet sparkling wine from the Piedmont area of northern Italy 15. Soviet statesman, ... Gorbachev 16. Wave-riding 18. Geothermal springs 20. Moving ice mass (Aletsch is Europe's largest) 21. US president's country home, ... David 23. London monument that stands close to the site of the Tyburn gallows, ... Arch 24. Flightless Australian bird 27. An ancient Greek one would have competed naked! 28. UAE sheikhdom, Abu ... 29. Tennis champion, Monica ... 30. Jazz legend, Duke ...
DOWN 1. English racing town or sort of salts used as a purgative 2. Fast and furious sport involving a puck (3,6) 3. Florida swamp region 4. World champion ice dancers, Jayne ... and Christopher Dean 5. Paris boulevard leading to the Arc de Triomphe, Champs ... 6. Cricket scores 7. Dutch word for 'farmers' used to denote Afrikaans-speaking South Africans 8. American statesman noted for his efforts in establishing a cease-fire in Vietnam in 1973, Henry ... 14. Final battle at the end of the world or the movie starring Liv Tyler and Bruce Willis 15. CS Lewis Narnia tale, The ... Nephew (8'1) 17. Door-to-door (hawker) 19. Term for conjoined twins first used to describe Chang and Eng Bunker 20. Archangel generally depicted in art blowing the trumpet that will announce the second coming 22. Mausoleum Shah Jahan built to commemorate his wife, the Taj ... 25. Workers' body formed to safeguard salaries and conditions 26. Followers of Judaism
14 | DECEMBER
FEATURE
2021 - JANUARY 2022
www.coastba.com.au
The Central Coast has an abundance of natural beauty that attracts visitors.
PLAN TARGETS 10% GROWTH
Tourism goes natural route DALLAS SHERRINGHAM ENTRAL Coast Council’s new tourism Destination Management Plan aims to promote our region’s great natural beauty to millions of potential visitors within easy reach of the coast. It is ambitious program unveiled at this week’s council meeting and aims at a 10% growth in overnight visitation by 2025. This would include a 15% increase in visitor expenditure. That might sound like a conservative target, but the Coast already has more than $1 billion in tourist expenditure annually, so the 15% is a significant increase, providing more jobs and more facilities. Where the Plan is ‘light on’ is a lack of a direct action Program to attract new tourist attractions and quality accommodation. The Coast now has only one major attraction – the Australian Reptile Park – and no major new hotels have been built for years. Hopefully the new development at Old Sydney Town and the Central Coast Zoo will fill some of the void and be more attractive to families not interested in bushwalking or surfing. Otherwise, the Plan is ‘spot on’ and the decision to go natural will appeal to visitors and locals alike. The region to the West of the Coast – the Hinterland- is a stunning area of beautiful valleys and untouched bushland which has been underutilized until now. The Plan aims at increasing visitation to this area by 20%. Other points included: • Investigate the designation of a Coast beach as a World Surfing Reserve. Soldiers Beach break is the preferred spot amongst surfers. • Development of iconic walks, particularly additional coastal walks in the North Coast and Hinterland walks. • Continued investment in National and State Parks infrastructure. • Multi day walking experiences linking to Sydney. • Support development of authorised mountain bike trail opportunities and promoting authorised mountain bike trails. • Development of visitor ready food experiences in the Hinterland, including paddock to plate restaurants, farmgate experiences and dining in natural settings.
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The Central Coast has an abundance of natural beauty that attracts visitors.
• Development of ‘hero food’ experiences that capitalise on unique offerings.. • Foster creative and performing arts through theatres, galleries and creative spaces, by integrating art and performance into public life. • Investigate opportunities for art and sculpture interventions throughout Central Coast including lighting installations in entertainment precincts.. • Develop ‘foodie’ events capitalising on the region’s local produce strengths. -Install infrastructure at outdoor event locations that leverage the natural environment and can become ‘hero’ venues. Council has place the DMP 2022-2025 on public exhibition following the successful delivery of 85% of the actions from the 2018-21 plan.
Collaboration with Destination NSW Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley said the new DMP aimed to create a thriving, connected and supported industry with compelling visitor experiences from headland to hinterland. “The DMP has been developed over a four-month period in collaboration with Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, industry groups and local businesses. “Strategic focuses include generating sustainable visitation patterns by increas-
ing visitor dispersal and growing off-peak visitation, growing visitor yield, continuing to promote a cohesive and recognised brand, creating high quality amenity for residents and visitors, and empowering a unified, connected and supported tourism industry. “Key projects include creating coast to country touring itineraries, developing shared pathways including Point Clare to Gosford Railway and the continuation of the Magenta Shared Path, developing a business events marketing and attraction action plan, undertaking a detailed accommodation opportunities and investment study with supporting investment prospectus and improving visitor services including implementing a wayfinding signage strategy, delivering visitor guides and regional maps, plus reinvesting in The Entrance Visitor Information Centre.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said timing could not be better for the renewal of the Central Coast Destination Management Plan. “Updating the region’s strategic priorities such as increasing visitor yield, encouraging visitation dispersal and enabling tourism product development sets a clear roadmap for recovery with a commitment from Council to support the sustainable growth of this important economic and employment sector for the region. “It is important to note that not all of the actions within the draft DMP are the responsibility of Council to carry out. Implementation is shared with some projects also dependent on securing investment and grant funding. “Council facilitates the delivery of tourism marketing and management in the region through planning and co-ordinated actions in collaboration with the tourism industry, tourism funding bodies and other regional stakeholders.” The draft Destination Management Plan 2022-25 will be on public exhibition until December 22. Have your say at: www.yourvoiceourcoast.com
GAMES SOLUTIONS
www.coastba.com.au
DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 |
15
TrendS
WARNING IN LEADUP TO CHRISTMAS
Tips for spotting fake online reviews DALLAS SHERRINGHAM EVIEWS can be your golden gateway to finding the perfect online product or service, but how reliable are they in this world of fake news and manipulated data? With sales like Black Friday and other big sales to follow, many Aussies will go online to start their Christmas shopping. In the meantime, many Aussies have also been online during lockdown to buy what they need. Similarly, the looming holidays will mean many of us will be reading online reviews of hotel rooms and resort facilities before making our choice for a vacation destination. An amazing 95% of Aussies say they read reviews before purchasing something online. The experts at Reviews.org surveyed 1000 Aussies on their knowledge of fake online reviews and found that more than half of Aussies think they’ve fallen for fake reviews before. In addition to the survey, they asked the ACCC for tips on how Aussies could spot fake reviews and what to do if they encounter any. Reviews.org worked with the ACCC to gather advice on how to spot a fake review. So, what does the ACCC say about fake reviews? “There are various ways in which online reviews can be manipulated,” a ACCC spokesperson said. “For example, a business may post fake positive reviews about their own goods or services, or offer incentives to consumers to post positive reviews or remove negative reviews. Businesses may also post fake negative reviews about their competitors to gain an advantage in the market.” Here are a few highlights from their report: • Aussies think online reviews are important—with 95% saying they read online reviews before purchasing something online. • 86% said they also read reviews before going to a restaurant or business. And a mere 15% say they would not purchase something if it had an average rating lower than five stars. • 28% say they do not trust online reviews.
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spent ordering online takeaway during lockdown. “So, with so much of our hard-earned cash going towards online purchases, we naturally want to ensure we’re making the right choices,” Victoria Schmid of Reviews. org said.
How to identify a fake review?
Victoria Schid.
• When shown examples of online reviews, only about one in four could correctly identify the fake review. Now, Aussies are pretty prolific online shoppers. According to Australia Post, four in five households made at least one online purchase at some point in 2020, totaling more than $50bn. And that does not include the millions of dollars we all
The spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) urged all shoppers to be aware that “not all posted reviews are legitimate”. “There are various ways in which online reviews can be manipulated.” “For example, a business may post fake positive reviews about their own goods or services, or offer incentives to consumers to post positive reviews or remove negative reviews. Businesses may also post fake negative reviews about their competitors to gain an advantage in the market.” So, what should consumers be on the lookout for when shopping online? Here are a few tips: • Don’t rely on one website when researching something you’re looking to buy. Before purchasing,
consult multiple trustworthy and independent sources, like third-party reviews platforms and expert reviewers like Reviews.org. Unlike the reviews you find on the business or product’s own website, third-party reviewers tend to employ stricter quality assurance policies. • Be wary of testimonials. Whether it’s a fancy new smart home gadget or a local plumbing business, the ACCC warns that positive reviews and testimonials published on a company’s own website may be less credible, as they are often incentivised by the business; for example 10% your next order in exchange for a fivestar review. • Look for patterns. There are a few telltale signs when it comes to spotting an illegitimate review. Were all, or a lot of the reviews posted on the same date? Are they written in the same tone, using the same vocabulary? Has the author left reviews for other products and businesses, or just this one? • Don’t fall for overwhelmingly positive reviews. Retailers, as opposed to third-party review site, may have more control over what customer reviews are published and which are removed. If something has thousands of reviews and very few, if any, under three stars, it’s possible the company has deleted credible negative reviews to artificially inflate their rating. “If consumers are concerned about fake or illegitimate reviews appearing on third-party review platforms, they should first report this to the third-party review platform provider,” the ACCC spokesperson advised. You can see the full survey, plus tips from the ACCC here: https://www.reviews.org/au/reviews/ fake-reviews-survey/
16 | DECEMBER
www.coastba.com.au
2021 - JANUARY 2022
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