23 MARCH 2022
ISSUE 281
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
Staff fear for future of Long Jetty Healthcare Unit
News
Noraville’s Smith Family, comprising Mum Ingrid, Dad Chris and kids Minija, Vejune and Dusty, rocked up to Lakes Beach last weekend and raised $1,400 for a charity raising funds for Ukraine. See page 5
Out&About
Coast Opera Australia (COA) will present a Salute to the ANZACS at Central Coast Stadium on Monday, April 25, at 5.30 pm. See page 13
Business The ongoing operation of Long Jetty Healthcare Centre, which was closed last September on a temporary basis and reutilised for COVID vaccinations, looks highly uncertain according to long-serving staff. See page 4
Tuggerah Station campaign pays off Tuggerah Station is finally getting the overhaul the community has campaigned for over the last five years. Demolition of the existing foortbridge, stairs and ramps that have been generating complaints for many years is scheduled for 2024, as is a complete remodification of station access. Campaigners had long complained about a lack of lifts at the station, ramps that were damaged and incomplete rails that people with mobility issues relied upon.
The new proposal has addressed those issues and includes a new pedestrian footbridge, lifts and stairs connecting the Pacific Highway, a commuter car park and station platforms. It also includes new and extended canopies at station platforms, an extra disability parking spot, male and female ambulant toilets, platform widening and new and upgraded footpaths at station entrances. Josephine Johnston, who has lived in Tuggerah for 20 years, and on the Coast since 1973,
has been the convenor of the community campaign and said she was very happy to receive a leaflet from Transport for NSW in her letter box this week confirming the plans. “Our campaigning has paid off,” she said. “It is different to what I thought it would be … I didn’t expect it to include so much and the designs are very pleasing to the eye.” NSW Government said the upgrades will enhance connectivity between the station and Tuggerah Precinct, improve the public domain and
make it easier for everyone to access public transport services including people with a disability, people with mobility aids, parents or carers with prams and travellers with luggage. Member for the Entrance David Mehan and Member for Wyong David Harris, who have also long campaigned for the station upgrades, welcomed the news. “The belated but welcome commencement of this project is a tribute to the campaign supported and maintained by my constituents for lifts at
Tuggerah Station which we have waged over the last seven years,” said Mehan. Harris stressed that the proposal is in planning stage, and that residents should provide feedback on a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) taking place until April 6. The REF is on public display from now until April 6, 2022, and community feedback is invited during this time – see nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/ Tuggerah-Station-Upgrade Nicola Riches
Local not-for-profits We Care Connect and Options Theatre Company have been awarded $128K in grants by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation. See page 21
Sport
Several young Mariners players took advantage of their opportunity to lift the Mariners to a much-needed 4 -2 victory over the Macarthur Bulls in Mudgee on Saturday evening (March 19). See page 31
Puzzles page 14
It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.
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