25 MAY 2022
ISSUE 289
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
McBride re-elected in Dobell for third term
Six new fire tankers worth $1.7M, have been delivered to Central Coast and Lake Macquarie Rural Fire Service brigades. See page 5
Out&About
Brigitta Dance Projects will present a cutting-edge contemporary dance production in Wyong as part of the Creative Art Central program. See page 11
Business
Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, has retained her seat for a third term and gained some ground with a 4.9 per cent swing towards the Labor Party. See page 4
It’s official: water rate rise confirmed Water rates will rise on the Central Coast from July 1 by 17 per cent, with further rises of 6 per cent in 2023, 8 per cent in 2024 and 1 per cent in 2025 before inflation. The final decision of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) holds true to the rise suggested in its draft report, released in March, but with a reallocation of percentage rises over the
four-year period to allow for a slightly reduced initial increase. The 17 per cent rise in the first year is 2 per cent lower than the 19 per cent outlined in the draft report, with the subsequent rises replacing the former suggestion of 4 per cent rises in each of the succeeding three years. IPART chair, Carmel Donnelly, said the price path would allow Central Coast Council to recoup the same amount of money over the four-year-period as if
the tribunal had granted an immediate increase of 28 per cent from this year. Council originally applied for a 37 per cent (figure adjusted for inflation) rise from July 1 this year. Donnelly said a typical household bill would rise $183 in the first year (as opposed to $200 in the draft report), followed by $80, $106 and $9 in the subsequent years. The tribunal found an increase
was necessary for Council to maintain the water-related infrastructure, with customers reporting persistent problems in parts of the water supply system. “The increases should enable Central Coast Water to improve the quality of services its customers receive,” Donnelly said. “In response to the community’s concerns about affordability, we adjusted the price path (in the final decision)
to slightly ease bill impacts in the first year of the determination period. “Over 1,000 stakeholders responded to our issues paper survey and 89 per cent indicated they would prefer any necessary price increases be applied gradually. “We have also made recommendations to support pensioners and customers who may need extra assistance.” Continued page 2
Plans for a major expansion of the Woolworths warehouse and regional distribution centre at Warnervale are now on public exhibition for community feedback.
Sport
Central Coast surfers, Macy Callaghan and Molly Picklum, have seen the last of Australian waves... See page 24
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.
coastcommunitynews.com.au - 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net
See page 17