Issue 148 of COAST Community News by Central Coast Newspapers

FRE

December 15, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

Issue 148

Ph: 4325 7369

Bonython Tower looks like being first cab off the rank dvertising, media and p r o p e r t y entrepreneur, Mr John Singleton, has decided to kick-start the rebirth of the Gosford CBD with the development of the Bonython Tower at 155 to 163 Mann St, Gosford.

Bonython Property and Investments, the development arm of the John Singleton Group, is currently waiting for the Central Coast Council to approve a Section 96 application to amend the DA that was approved 12 months ago. Another developer owned the majority of the site (except for a small property at 163 Mann St), located in the same CBD block as the Imperial Centre, but it was acquired by Mr Singleton with the development consent. The original consent was for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a groundfloor tavern with 75 units of shop-top housing. The current Section 96 reduces the number of units and increases the number of parking spaces to 62. The ground floor tavern is replaced with commercial space and the property at 163 Mann St (subsequently acquired by Singleton) is included. According to the company’s website, Bonython Tower will be a “premium mix of luxury residential and commercial suites… offering spacious one and two bedroom apartments with sensational views and the convenience of the vibrant Gosford City at your door.” The building will also include three levels of

An artist's impression of Bonython Tower, to be built in Mann St

commercial space, the third incorporating an outdoor terrace. The recently-appointed Executive Chairman of Bonython Property and Investments is Mr Paul Anderson, former Chief Executive Officer of Gosford

Council. The redesign of the project has been completed by East Gosford-based architect, Mr Cain King, from CKD Architecture. “We have been working closely with Mr Scott Cox [Central Coast Council’s

Group Leader Environment and Planning] and his team to finalise the matter [of the Section 96 application] as soon as possible,” Mr Anderson said. “The redesign was to create a beautiful building in the centre of the Gosford

CBD,” he said. “The design brief was to create a building that would stand the test of timelessness and illustrate the absolute beauty of the surrounds in which it is situated and the benefits of Gosford as a place to live, work and play. “Given its location, the building has to reflect modern but quality materials in its finishes and fittings and will be attractive to investors and home occupiers as it provides unsurpassed views of Brisbane Water. “It has close immediate access to the railway station and other transport nodes along with the benefits of CBD living with supermarkets and specialty stores at its doorstep,” he said. The new design incorporates a groundfloor restaurant café “within the building that will be as good as you experience in Melbourne or Sydney,” according to Mr Anderson. “The ground floor café/ restaurant will be to cater for the extra people living in the site both during the day but also in the evenings. “We are expecting a top class restaurant operator who will cater for commercial operations as well as restaurant trading.” Marketing and Sales for the development has been taken on by Mr Stephen Gittoes of Gittoes Real Estate in East Gosford. Expressions of interest have been invited over Christmas with the official marketing to commence early in the New Year. In terms of who Bonython Property and Investments sees as the target market for the apartments, Mr Anderson said: “We welcome aboard anyone who has a passion to live in ultimate luxury in the heart

of the Gosford CBD.” The detail of the Construction Certificate and building contracts are currently being completed, so pricing for residences in the new building is not yet finalised. “We anticipate demolishing the current buildings midway through 2017 and construction will commence immediately following that. “We should see a crane on site by the end of the 2016-17 financial year.” The building will take 19 months to construct, so completion is anticipated by late 2018 or early 2019. Mr Singleton has had a connection to the Central Coast stretching back over 60 years when he spent family holidays at Killcare as a boy. Mr Singleton is said to have “an absolute unsurpassed passion for the Coast and everything it has to offer from beach front living, coastal lifestyle, and hinterland and rural opportunities, and all of this within an easy hour and half from the Sydney CBD. Ultimately, after endeavouring to encourage the likes of Lend Lease, Meriton and many other large developers to take the place seriously, Mr Singleton has decided to “do it himself”. Mr Anderson said Bonython Tower would be the first of many Bonython Property and Investment developments to be undertaken on the Coast “to give back to the community good quality design and facilities that it so badly needs and deserves”. Email, Dec 12, 2016 Paul Anderson, Bonython Property and Investments Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

READ & SHARE WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

DIRECTORY

Page 2 - Coast Community News - December 15, 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Your chance to win!

GOSFORD LGA EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTORY

oast Community News and the Art House Wyong have two family passes to give away to see Fluff, A Story of Lost Toys, at the Art House on Monday, January 16.

Ambulance, Police, Fire 000 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Organisations Aboriginal Legal Service 8842 8000 Community Options 4351 3388 Bungree Aboriginal Association 4397 7700 Mingaletta 4342 7515 Aboriginal Home Care 4321 7215 Drug & Alcohol rehab 4388 6360 Respite Care Options 4351 3388 Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health 4351 1040 Darkinjung Local Land Council 4351 2930

Accommodation Dept. of Housing Gosford 4323 5211 Regional Youth Support Services 4323 2374 Coast Shelter 4324 7239 Neleh House 4340 1052 Elandra Women and Children’s Refuge 4396 4263 Kara Women and Children’s Refuge 4323 1709 Coimba Mens Refuge 4324 7239 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Wyong Youth Refuge 4351 1922 Youth Angle 4341 8830 Woy Woy Youth Cottage 4341 9027 Maya Young Womens Refuge 4323 1636 Pacific Link Com Housing 4324 7617 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Samaritans Youth Services 4351 1922 Youth Angle • Woy Woy 4341 8830 Temporary Accommodation 1800 152 152

Animal Rescue Counselling Mensline - talk with a bloke 1300 789 978 Lifecare Family Services 1300 130 225 CatholicCare: 4356 2600 Relationship Australia: 1300 364 277 Interrelate: 1800 449 118

them to the family. For your chance to win one of the two double passes to see Fluff at The Art House, write your full name, address and day time phone number on the back of an envelope and mail it to Coast Community News Fluff Competition, PO Box 1056, Gosford, NSW 2250. Entries close 5:00pm on Tuesday, January 10.

Central Coast Newspapers is a local, family owned business that publishes and distributes three Central Coast Newspapers every fortnight. All staff are also locals and between them, the three papers cover the entire Central Coast. Each paper focuses specifically on an area bound by postcodes as follows:

Peninsula News Post Codes 2256 and 2257; Coast Community News Post Codes 2250, 2251, 2260; and Wyong Regional Chronicle Post Codes 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263. All articles are sourced and dated so that readers will know when and where the information came from and where they can perhaps get more information. All articles are edited and given a heading and are often quite

different from what was originally received. Contributions are welcome and are preferred in email form, ideally with any relevant photographs attached. Contributions must include the contributor’s name, address and phone numbers. This is not for publication but name and suburb will be published and anonymous contributions will not be included.

Publisher/Editor:

Senior Journalist:

Family and Relationships Parents Helpline 132 055 Central Coast Family Support Service 4340 1099 Horizons (For men with children) 4351 5008 Interrelate - Family Relationships 1300 736 966 Uniting Care Burnside Gosford 1800 067 967

Health Gosford Hospital 4320 2111 Cancer Hotline 131 120 Mental Health info Service 1300 794 991 Sexual Health @ Gosford Hospital 4320 2114 Beyond Blue (Depression) 1300 22 4636

About us

Problems, Habits & Addiction G-Line Telephone Counsel 1800 633 635 Gamblers Anonymous 9726 6625 Alcoholics Anonymous 4323 3890 Narcotics Anonymous 4325 0524 Quitline 131 848

Wildlife Arc 4325 0666 Wires 1300 094 737

cherished them most. The show promises 60 hilarious minutes of songs, dance and laughter on stage at The Art House. The Stars of the show are the nutty and sweet Gingham family, who are very concerned for all of the lost and abandoned toys in the world. They travel all around to rescue them and bring them to their colourful home where they welcome

Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys is at the Art House Wyong on January 16 and 17. Socks, school jumpers, favourite toys: the things children lose can be endless but do you ever wonder where they go? These school holidays, ‘Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys’, tells the story of what happened to a group of toys that have been lost by the people who

Family Drug Support 1300 368 186 G-line - Gambling Helpline 1800 633 635 Credit Helpline 1800 808 488 Child Support Agency 13 12 72 Australian Injury Helpline 1800 223 363 Veteran Affairs Net work 1300 551 918 Mens Domestic Violence 1800 000 599 Sexual Assault Resource 1800 199 888 Gay and Lesbian Counselling 1800 184 527 Gay and Lesbian Support 1800 249 377 Youth Sexuality Network 4320 2856 Vietnam Veterans 1800 043 503 Victims Support Services 1800 633 063 Translation and Interpreting Service 13 14 50

Phone services: Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 Beyondblue 1300 224 636 Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 Griefline 1300 845 745 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Emergency Police Assistance Line 131 444 Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Woy Woy Police Station 4323 5599 Energy Australia 13 13 88 Gas Emergency 131 909 Gosford City Council 4325 8222 Marine Rescue - Central Coast 4325 7929 SES - Storm and Flood Emergency 132 500

Graphic design:

Jarrod Melmeth, Satria Dyer-Darmawan, Caitlin Lavelle

Ph: 4325 7369 Email: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Next Edition: Coast Community News 149 Deadline: January 10 Publication date: January 12

Donnison St. Restaurant 4325 3510 Central Coast Family Support Services 4340 1585 Horizons Family Services 4351 5008 Meals on Wheels Gosford 4363 7111 Woy Woy 4341 6699 Department of Community Services Gosford - 4336 2400 The Salvation Army 4325 5733 Samaritans Emergency Relief 4393 2450 St Vincent De Paul Society HELPLINE 4323 6081

Lifeline - 24 hr. 13 11 14 Suicide Helpline 1800 191 919 Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Parents Helpline 13 20 55 Indigenous Call Centre 136 380 Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321

Jackie Pearson

Journalist: Dilon Luke Sales: Val Bridge

Justin Stanley

Welfare Services

Crisis Services and Helplines

Cec Bucello

Photo Journalist: Noel Fisher Assistant Journalists:

2250 - Bucketty, Calga, Central Mangrove, East Gosford, Erina, Erina Fair, Glenworth Valley, Gosford, Greengrove, Holgate, Kariong, Kulnura, Lisarow, Lower Mangrove, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain, Matcham, Mooney Mooney Creek, Mount White, Narara, Niagara Park, North Gosford, Peats Ridge, Point Clare, Point Frederick, Somersby, Springfield, Tascott, Ten Mile Hollow, Upper Mangrove, Wendoree Park, West Gosford, Wyoming 2251 - Avoca Beach, Bensville, Bouddi, Copacabana, Davistown, Green Point, Kincumber, MacMasters Beach, Picketts Valley, Saratoga, Yattalunga

also, see the Not for Profit organisations directory inside

2260 - Foresters Beach, Nortfh Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal ISSN 1839-9045 - Print Post Approved - PP100001843 - Printed by New Age Printing

Get the most out of your advertising dollar

Advertise in a Central Coast Newspaper for maximum exposure at a realistic price. Multiple booking and multiple publication discounts apply to all display advertisements. Enjoy the benefits of being in a well-read publication with relevant news content. Contact us now for more information or visit our website. e Frkeeone!

FREE

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 104

Comprehensive Wyong Grove rezoning proposal to go to NSW Department of Planning outique Wyong Living Pty Ltd has gained Central Coast Council support for a proposal to rezone parts of the former Wyong Grove Public School site from R2 Low Density Residential to R3 Medium Density Residential.

Floor space ratio and building heights will also need to be amended in Wyong Local Environment Plan 2013 (WLEP), if NSW Planning gives consent for a gateway determination. A portion of the former school site remains subject to a compulsory acquisition application that was lodged by the former Wyong Council and is expected to be concluded between November 2016 and January 2017. At Council’s ordinary meeting on October 26, Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, agreed that the latest rezoning proposal should be sent to the NSW Department of Planning for a gateway determination. Council will consult with landowners of surrounding properties to seek their support to be included in the revised planning proposal, as recommended by Council staff. If the proposal is successful, properties from 1 to 5 Ingram St, 1 to 17 Owen Ave and 1 to 5 North Rd, Wyong, will be rezoned for medium density residential

The subject site for the rezoning proposal is edged in red

development. The southern part of two lots at 1 North Rd will retain their low density residential zoning. The site is known as the Wyong Grove Community and Cultural Hub and is the home of the Wyong Drama Group and Musical Theatre Company. Wyong Grove Public School closed in June 2013 and Wyong Council entered a two-year lease with the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) in May 2014. However, DEC sold the site in October 2015, and in December, the former Wyong Council resolved to acquire the front portion of the former school to retain it as a community hub, and council is still awaiting the outcome

of its application to compulsorily acquire the site. A development a p p l i c a t i o n (DA/794/2016) was lodged with Council on 24 June 2016, for the demolition of all the existing buildings on the site, but has not yet been determined. The applicant lodged a request for a pre-Gateway review in respect of this planning proposal with the Department of Planning and Environment in August. The pre-Gateway review is yet to be considered by the Department and the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP). A report from the Central Coast Council’s Department of Environment and Planning to the October

The portion of the site subject to the compulsory acquisition application is edged in yellow

26 ordinary meeting said: “It is recommended that the planning proposal be amended and progressed in the following manner: rezone the majority of the subject site and those sites east of Owen Ave and south of Ingram St, to R3 Medium Density Residential; apply a maximum height of 16m and maximum Floor Space Ratop of 2.0:1 to the rezoned areas; Retain the R2 Low Density Residential zone over the south-western portion of the site which is currently utilised as the Wyong Grove community and cultural hub and is subject of the compulsory acquisition proposal; and, apply a Land Reservation Acquisition layer to the southern portion of the site to facilitate purchase of this portion of the site by Council.

“The planning proposal has been informed by a series of preliminary technical studies/investigations and it is considered that there is currently adequate information to support a rezoning of the site for a higher density residential use. “Further detailed works would be required to progress the planning proposal should a gateway determination be given. “The proposal will provide for increased housing density and expand the housing choice within 800m of the Wyong Train Station and within walking distance of facilities and services of the town centre. “WLEP only provides for limited areas of medium density residential land around

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

www.centralcoastnews.net

Agenda item 3.4, Oct 26, 2016 Central Coast Council ordinary meeting

14 November 2016

Holstein questions level crossing decision The man responsible for securing Liberal Government funding for the Rawson Rd level crossing replacement project, former Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein, has called on the State Government to justify abandoning the project. Mr Holstein, now chair of the Central Coast Task Force, said the Government needed to justify “canning” the project just days after Premier Mike Baird declared the state had billions of dollars for infrastructure. “I am seeking to remind the NSW Government that when you make a commitment you honour it and here is a fine example of a commitment that was made that is not going to be honoured,” Mr Holstein said. He said the level crossing at South Woy Woy was “one of the most used level railway crossings in NSW”. “For 40 years politicians, council and residents have talked of improving the road at Bulls Hill and removing the unsafe rail crossing,” he said. “There have been numerous times, due to incidents at the crossing, accidents on Woy Woy Rd or on Brisbane Water Dve that traffic has been diverted and caused traffic chaos on the Peninsula.” According to Mr Holstein, the idea of building a flyover was explored in the 1990s but the concept was rejected by politicians, council and residents. “In 2011, based on Gosford Council’s estimated costings, I sought funding from the incoming Liberal Government to address the issue with an expanded underpass at the base of Bulls Hill and was successful,” Mr Holstein said, referring to his campaign for the seat of Gosford in the 2011 NSW election. He said he had tried to get the replacement of the crossing on the agenda during previous attempts to run for parliament but only succeeded in the 2011 campaign. The level crossing replacement was key to his 2011 election platform.

A northbound train approaches the level crossing at Woy Woy

Mr Holstein has been criticised for grossly under-estimating the cost of the project from the outset as progress drew to a standstill during the past year. Mr Holstein said State Members of Parliament were not responsible for the in-depth costing of major infrastructure projects. “We were in Opposition and could not get any proper costings from Railways or the department and Council’s costings said very clearly they would need to be reviewed and investigated along with the scope of the project,” he said. “There was a review of costings after the 2011 election and the scope of the project was reduced, and we decided we would look at it in stages,” he said. “For the next ﬁve years, studies were done, plans drawn, revised funding was approved and works commenced.”

The recent announcement by the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Mr Duncan Gay, that no further funding would be available for the project, begged more questions than it answered, Mr Holstein said. “Is there still a need to improve the road and remove the rail crossing? “Why, after ﬁve years of investigation and studies, which saw commencement, is it only now that the project is not worth it? “Why is the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce running the blame game rather than getting answers from the Government? “Many more questions should be asked and answered but if the answer to the ﬁrst question is yes – that the improvements are needed and people’s safety is still a concern – then why doesn’t the Peninsula deserve it?” Mr Holstein asked.

“Over two decades, the railway crossing has caused several incidents and has been dangerous. “Who from Council, our State Members or the Chamber of Commerce has been asking the Government for costings to justify its decision? “Is somebody playing with the ﬁgures and saying the full cost of the closure of the railway line at any given time is the cost of that one project?” Mr Holstein said he did not know why the project had been abandoned. “I don’t know if it is because of inﬂated costs, or that the seat of Gosford is held by a member in Opposition.” Mr Holstein said the Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, should also be asking questions of the Government. “The majority of people, apart from Peninsula residents, that

use that road are coming from the electorate of Terrigal,” he said. Mr Holstein said he believed the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce was also “throwing up a smoke screen” instead of working on solutions. “We have a State Member. I haven’t seen her. And then we have a Chamber of Commerce that wants to play a blame game. “Council should be asking the government questions but we haven’t got any elected representatives to do that because we are in administration. “This issue has got to be answered. “It hasn’t been answered in my mind, and the people who should be asking for answers are not doing so.” Mr Holstein said that the former Member for Terrigal, Mr Chris Harcher, had acknowledged in 2011 that the railway crossing replacement would benefit the people of the Terrigal electorate. In terms of whether funds put aside by the NSW Government for the abandoned rail crossing should be reallocated to other Peninsula projects, as suggested by the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr Holstein said: “I am sure the projects Matthew Wales talks about are worthy too, but why does he think the issue at the bottom of Bulls Hill has gone away?” Local Liberal Members of Parliament were not answering Mr Holstein’s questions last week. Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch said that, because Rawson Rd was not in his electorate, he would leave comment to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald. A statement from Mr MacDonald’s office said: “The Minister has answered these questions at length. “We have nothing further to add.” Media release, 7 Nov 2016 Interview, 8 Nov 2016 Chris Holstein, Central Coast Task Force Email, 8 Nov 2016 Debra Wales, Office of Adam Crouch Email, 8 Nov 2016 Chris Sullivan, Office of Scot MacDonald Reporter: Jackie Pearson

November 17, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

Consultation is insufﬁcient for Coastal Management Plan

Continued page 3

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

The collapsed 40 tonne crawler crane at 18 to 20 Kendall St, Gosford

n operator escaped without injury following a crane collapse at a major building site at 18 to 20 Kendall St, Gosford, on Monday, November 14.

Following the collapse, which damaged two cars, broke the cross-arms of power polls along the street and pulled down power lines, the crane driver remained trapped for some time in the cabin. Emergency Services, including Police from the Brisbane Water Local Area Command, NSW Fire Service and Ambulance crews worked with an emergency crew from Ausgrid to isolate the mains power in that section of the network so the crane driver could be released from the cabin safely. According to Ausgrid, the power supply was interrupted to at least 600 homes and businesses, but most affected had their power restored within 90 minutes. Around 50 homes and businesses were left without power overnight and an emergency Ausgrid crew continued working the following morning to restore

their supply. Ausgrid reported that, by 3:00pm on Tuesday, November 15, 10 homes and businesses remained without power, but were expected to be reconnected to the network by around 4:00pm. Kendall St remained closed to all trafﬁc on Tuesday, November 15, and police advised motorists to avoid the area. SafeWork NSW conﬁrmed that it had sent an investigator to the site and would explore whether the accident was caused by any breach of work health and safety requirements. SafeWork took charge of the site of the accident and were not able to move the crane away from the site until the morning of Wednesday, November 16. Parts of the crane may need to be sent away for further testing and work would not be able to recommence on the construction site until

SafeWork NSW determined that the construction company was compliant with all SafeWork requirements. A statement from SafeWork NSW said: “Initial inquiries indicate that the 40 tonne crawler crane tipped over while slewing, bringing down power lines and damaging two motor vehicles before coming to rest on the road. “No workers were injured in the incident. “SafeWork NSW has directed the principal contractor to stop work and arrange for the crane to be safely removed from the site so it can be tested by an independent engineer. “SafeWork NSW’s investigation remains ongoing.” The original development consent for the $17.1 million, 48-unit residential ﬂat building at 18 to 20 Kendall St was granted by Gosford Council in two parts in November 2014 and

May 2015. Two Section 96 amendments were subsequently lodged and approved to add six units and then make amendments to the drive way, parking, utility spaces and the internal planning of various units. A construction certiﬁcate was granted by private certiﬁer, City Plan Gosford Pty Ltd, for commencement of bulk earthworks, basement parking and demolition of existing structures on October 31, 2016. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 NSW Police media Media statement, Nov 15, 2016 SafeWork NSW media Media statement, Nov 15, 2016 Zoe Allebone, Ausgrid Website, Nov 15, 2016 Central Coast Council Application Tracker, DA46276/2014 Jackie Pearson, journalist

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

READ & SHARE WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Ms Skinner told the Wyong Regional Chronicle that the NSW Government would still spend its promised $200 million on the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital. “I would expect a private sector partner to add more money to the $200 million, but our commitment has not changed,” Ms Skinner said. “Having a private partner means the community can get a lot more, including extra services, a bigger hospital, and more staff,” she said. Ms Skinner said she expected a redeveloped Wyong Hospital to become a major maternity hospital if the privatesector partnership went ahead. The existing Wyong Hospital currently has limited birthing services. Ms Skinner said it would take at least a year to work through the Expression of Interest and Tender processes necessary to ﬁnd a suitable private sector partner. The Minister for Health would not name

From left: Jillian Skinner NSW Minister for Health with Premier Mr Mike Baird at the announcement of the Northern Beaches Hospital in 2014

the organisations that had submitted expressions of interest, but confirmed they had to have a proven track record of running hospitals in Australia to qualify. “We got numerous known private hospital operators and nearly all of the not-for-profit operators,” she said. NSW Health will spend the next four to five months working with the operators that submitted expressions of interest to give them a clearer understanding of the commitments that would be expected of them if they were to participate in the tender process. “The tender specifications will include a clinical services

plan for the district, and the operator would be obliged to meet those requirements, but they don’t have to stop there. “There is no limit to what they can bid,” Ms Skinner said. She said opening up the development and operation of the hospital to a competitive tender process meant two parties could out-bid each other by committing to the delivery of additional services. “The Northern Beaches Hospital ended up with a Cardiac Catheterisation Lab that was not in the original tender plan,” she said. Ms Skinner referred to the Northern Beaches Hospital, constructed

by Healthescope, as the model for the publicprivate-partnership being proposed at Wyong. She said she urged people to take a drive past the new hospital on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “It is a beautiful hospital, much better than anything you would get out of public funding,” Ms Skinner said. The Minister said she could assure public patients that they would be cared for exactly as if they were in a public hospital. “The government will pay for public patient care,” she said. “At the end of the contract (20 years in the case of the Northern

Beaches Hospital), the partner will have the option to continue, but if they don’t, the hospital returns to public ownership,” she said. Ms Skinner said that would be the case irrespective of the level of “value adding” the private operator had done on site. The for-profit and not-for-profit operators that submitted expressions of interest will be required to meet minimum requirements for documentation, legal arrangement and financials before they are allowed to tender, as the fine detail required in the tender process could cost any potential partner millions of dollars.

When asked if Health NSW would make the detail of the contract for the partnership available for public scrutiny, Ms Skinner said: “The public can already have a look at the details of the Northern Beaches Hospital arrangement and I can tell you that it will be saving tax payers $1.5 billion over 20 years,” she said. Ms Skinner argued that a partnership with the private sector would result in more jobs, not less, and that the contract could ensure conditions of employment, including superannuation, would be carried forward. “When we announced we were seeking expressions of interest for a series of sites, we said we would not go ahead if it was of no beneﬁt to the community and the tax payer. and we have already walked away from one property,” she said. Ms Skinner said claims that free public health care would not be available at a redeveloped Wyong Hospital, or that there would be no emergency department, were “rubbish led by the unions. “I met with the unions and they told me that they had a philosophical problem with private sector involvement,” she said.

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Interview, Nov 17, 2016 Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health Jackie Pearson, journalist

28 November 2016

Issue 105

Edition 408

December 6, 2016

Public-private partnership will provide a better hospital T

Coastal Management SEPP will be the single land use planning policy for coastal development. “The Coastal Management SEPP will also better equip councils and coastal communities to plan for, and effectively respond to, coastal challenges such as major storms, coastal erosion and climate change impacts.” Central Coast Council already has a Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plans (DCP) that include coastal hazard maps and provisions, which means mapped areas will become part of a Coastal Vulnerability area. Mr Aiken said the two zones that local land owners need to pay attention to when examining the draft SEPP are Coastal Wetlands and Coastal Vulnerability. The Department of Planning website links to a mapping tool that demonstrates how different parts of the Coast would be classiﬁed under the new SEPP. “People have a short time to look at their own particular situation and make a formal submission,” Mr Aiken said.

November 22, 2016

he Wyong community will get a bigger and better hospital as a result of the NSW Government’s proposed publicprivate partnership, according to the NSW Minister for Health, Ms Jillian Skinner.

aterfront landowners in the suburbs of Kincumber South, Yattalunga, Saratoga, Davistown, MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal and even parts of East and West Gosford have been encouraged to pay close attention to the NSW Government’s Draft Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). Mr Pat Aiken, Secretary of the Coastal Residents Association, said the consultation period for the community to respond to the draft SEPP, which closes on December 23, is too short. Mr Aiken said the one community meeting scheduled for the Central Coast, at Erina on December 9, is inadequate, given that the local region would be “one of the worst affected by sea level rise in the whole country”. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment, in conjunction with the Ofﬁce of Environment and Heritage, is responsible for developing the new coastal management framework. The new SEPP is intended to support the State Government’s new Coastal Management Act 2016. “The Coastal Management SEPP will integrate and improve current coastal-related SEPPs and ensure that future coastal development is appropriate and sensitive to our coastal environment, and that we maintain public access to beaches and foreshore areas,” said the NSW Department of Planning and Environment web pages on the draft SEPP. “Once published, the

e Frkeeone!

FREE

Edition 407

Issue 146

Ph: 4325 7369

Crane collapses at a major building site

THIS ISSUE contains 52 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

e Frkeeone!

FREE E FRE

Edition 406

November 8, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 106

Auditor General asked to look into inexplicable selection of Kangy Angy land

he NSW A u d i t o r General, Ms Margaret Crawford, has been called on to investigate dealings surrounding the selection of land in Kangy Angy for the location of the Intercity Fleet Train Maintenance Facility.

The Westpac branch in West St, Umina, and (inset) the notice in the window announcing the closure

Another major bank withdraws from Umina Another of the big four banks in Umina will close its branch before Christmas this year, leaving just one major bank branch in Umina. The Umina Westpac Bank Branch will close its doors on December 9, due to steadily declining numbers in over-the -counter transactions. “Fewer customers are visiting our branches these days, as more and more people choose to use digital banking channels like mobile banking, internet banking and smart ATMs,” said Westpac Group spokesperson Ms Lucy Wilson. “With over-the-counter transactions accounting for less than ﬁve per cent of total transactions, we are closing the Umina branch and merging it with another Westpac branch at Woy Woy,” the spokesperson said. Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales said the decision was corporate greed by one of the big four banks. “I am sick and tired of the big banks’ attitude to local retail centres and this decision by

Westpac reinforces my view that the big banks are out of touch with local communities,” Mr Wales said. “The Westpac regional manager Mr Adam Wilson has confirmed that the Umina branch will close in December, with all Peninsula banking operations being shifted to the Woy Woy branch in Blackwall Rd. “Unfortunately, I find it increasingly typical of the big banks that they seem to know best when it comes to customer service in main street shopping strips,” he said. According to Mr Wales, Westpac made the decision to close their Umina branch following a review that found the branch lacked sufficient customer support to justify keeping a shop front presence. “It is my view that once again the big banks are putting profits ahead of local services as a way of adding to the billions of dollars they already rake in from customers. “That’s all very good if you are a Westpac shareholder but the closure will leave Umina with one less bank, a vacant shop and the loss of a dozen jobs in the main

street. “The departure of Westpac will leave Umina with only the Commonwealth Bank and we now have grave concerns as to its future in the main street,” Mr Wales said. Mr Wales also said this was not the ﬁrst time Westpac had let down customers in Umina, having closed the Umina St George Bank branch when they took over the company in 2008. “When Westpac took over St George, it subsequently closed the Umina branch, stripping the main street of front line banking services and forcing St George customers to go to Woy Woy to do their banking. “Westpac assured the local business community that they would maintain a presence in Umina. “Now years later they are pulling the same stunt and forcing Umina customers to travel into Woy Woy to do their banking again.” Ms Wilson said that Westpac’s decision to close the branch was not made lightly. “The Westpac ATM at Umina will remain in place.

“In the meantime, we encourage customers to visit the branch to get a free demonstration from staff on how to use online banking and the ATM if they wish. “Customers can also still access free face-to-face banking services at the Umina Australia Post ofﬁce including the depositing of cash or cheques, cash withdrawals and balance enquiries.” Mr Wales said: “It is the height of arrogance to suggest that an automatic teller machine is sufﬁcient for local customers in what has become one of the busiest main street retail centres on the Central Coast. “I can only hope that Westpac customers will shift their accounts to the Commonwealth Bank and keep local dollars in Umina,” Mr Wales concluded. Westpac did not state whether or not Umina branch staff members would be redeployed or made redundant. Ettalong resident Mr David White, who has been banking with Westpac Umina for over 20 years, said the implications the branch closure would have on the Peninsula’s aged population were

huge. “It’s very inconvenient for me as a vehicle owner to have to make the drive to Woy Woy and deal with the trafﬁc in the area just to do my banking,” Mr White said. “So how inconvenient will it be for pensioners who rely on public transport to get around or who can’t use technology to do their banking? “I use a passbook. “I don’t own a credit card so I’m reliant on over-the-counter transactions to do my banking. “How many other people on the Peninsula are in this situation too? “It seems like Westpac just doesn’t care about its Umina customers. “The Umina Branch staff are very friendly and nice but the closure seems to be more about lining Westpac’s proﬁts then customer service,” Mr White said. Media release, 19 Nov 2016 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Interview and documents, 21 Nov 2016 David White, Ettalong Interview, 21 Nov 2016 Lucy Wilson, Westpac Group Reporter: Dilon Luke

THIS ISSUE contains 60 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

State Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, said he had written to the NSW Auditor-General requesting that the state’s chief auditor looks into the dealings surrounding the Kangy Angy site selection process. The proposed site in Kangy Angy did not originally appear on the list of 24 sites considered by NSW Government, and was only selected after being floated as an alternative by the former Wyong Council, who did not wish to approve the sale of the land at the preferred site in Warnervale. Former councillors, residents and community leaders have all questioned the legitimacy of the Kangy Angy decision citing concerns about inaccessible flood prone land, cost blow outs and environmental impacts. The multi-criteria used to assess the original 24 sites contained key factors surrounding enabling works including impact on earthworks, and diversion of utilities, that was left out of the final assessment given to

While basic questions go unanswered, the Brisbane train maintenance facility (pictured) is similar to that proposed for Kangy Angy

Kangy Angy. “The Kangy Angy site would never have passed the government’s original criteria,” Mr Mehan said. “Moving the goal posts to fulﬁl the wishes of a council that no longer exists is unacceptable. “New designs now include a heavy duty overpass bridge, that could cost upwards of $50 million, to access land that is completely unsuitable for the site,” he said. Mr Mehan said there had been a complete lack of transparency from the NSW Government around the maintenance facility. “I’ve written to the Auditor-General to investigate the processes and costings surrounding this project to shed some

light on the Government’s dealings in this area,” he said. In his letter to Ms Crawford, Mr Mehan said: “I am concerned that the process used to select the preferred site for the facility, Kangy Angy, has been a poor process which will result in extra cost to the public and the environment. “Better sites are located nearby. “It is of particular concern that the site selected should be an inaccessible, ﬂood prone, and E2 and E3 zoned (Environmental Conservation and Management) piece of land, over accessible land zoned industrial. “Transport type projects are not permissible under the

current zoning. “The selection process was improperly impacted with threats by Council’s then General Manager to use ‘political level’ inﬂuence to oppose the site originally chosen by TfNSW,” Mr Mehan said, quoting from an article published in the Newcastle Herald prior to the Wyong Council resolution to sell its Kangy Angy land to TfNSW. “The multi-criteria used to assess Kangy Angy against Warnervale [TfNSW’s original preferred site] is not the same as the criteria used to assess the other sites,” Mr Mehan’s letter said. “Eight criteria are used to assess the other sites while only seven were used to assess Kangy

the additional footings required on such filled ground for buildings, heavy engineering facilities and overhead wiring structures; and the huge overbridge structure (capable of heavy vehicle access) that will be required to access the site from Enterprise Dve over the Main North railway lines. “It would not be inconceivable that these site-specific costs may exceed $30 to 40 million above the costs of building a similar facility on alternative land. “The additional costs and readiness to construct a bridge to access the maintenance site are particularly galling for local people given the two nearby railway crossings at Ourimbah are a narrow bridge which requires an upgrade and an underpass which regularly floods,” Mr Mehan’s letter said. According to the office of the NSW Auditor General, Mr Mehan’s request has been acknowledged and he will receive a more detailed response within a couple of weeks. That response will indicate whether or not the matter will progress to an audit.

Angy. “The criteria not used, enabling works, included impact on culverts, earthworks and diversion of utilities. “Since Kangy Angy will require major earthworks to bridge the railway line and raise the facility above the floodplain; impact existing culverts; and, require diversion of power lines; I suggest its inclusion would have resulted in Warnervale being found the better of Media release, the two. Nov 30, 2016 “In addition to the Peter Duggan, office of David Mehan above, construction on Letter, the Kangy Angy site Nov 29, 2016 will prove extremely David Mehan, NSW Member expensive because for The Entrance of: the quantity of Phone interview, Dec 5, 2016 imported fill required Barry Underwood, office of and its consolidation;

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

NSW Auditor General

E FRE

12 December 2016

Council refuses Patonga Hotel proposal The proposed redevelopment of the Patonga Hotel has been refused by the Central Coast Council. Council chief Mr Rob Noble has written to the proponent’s architects, CKDS Architecture, informing them that the DA for alterations and additions to the existing hotel and takeaway shop at 8 to 10 Patonga Dve has been refused. In his letter, Mr Noble listed seven reasons for Council’s refusal. “The proposal provides inadequate car parking for the proposed development and is not in accordance with the provisions of Gosford Development Control Plan (DCP) 2013,” Mr Noble said in his letter. “The proposal has provided insufficient information on the parking penetration of the proposed use or in relation to available car parking in the area,” the letter said. “The proposal would result in unacceptable parking and traffic impacts on surrounding residential areas, particularly during peak times,” he said. “The proposal would adversely impact on the amenity of the area through increased traffic generation and car parking congestions. “The proposal exceeds the allowed Floor Space Ratio for the land under Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 and for which inadequate car parking is provided and in these circumstances a clause 4.6 variation to the provision would not be supported. “The scale and intensity of the proposed restaurant and wedding reception is, and associated impacts, is inconsistent with the character of the area and the objectives of the B1 Neighbourhood Centre Zone.” Finally, Mr Noble said: “Approval would not be in the public interest.” The applicant now has six months to ask for a review of the decision and/or appeal to the Land and Environment Court. Mr Ross Trembath, chairman of the Patonga Community Working Group which had campaigned

The Patonga Hotel

against the proposal, said: “The way in which Council addressed the difficult task of weighing up the merit of the proposal within the fragile Patonga environment will not be lost on the people who would be most affected by it.” A report written by Council’s Department of Environment and Planning to assess the application said it had proposed adding a restaurant and wedding reception facility on the first floor of the existing café building without providing any car parking, relying instead on on-street car parking in the vicinity of the Hotel. The report said the application had been the subject of a large number of objections from the local community, with 83 submissions and a petition with 89 signatures. “The key issues raised in submissions were the increased intensity of the use, impacts on local character, non-compliance with planning controls, noise and amenity impacts on adjoining properties, inadequate car parking, traffic generation, pedestrian safety and the permissibility of wedding receptions,” the report said. According to the report, the Parking Report submitted in support of the application relied

on parking surveys carried out over two days in August 2002 and observations made on October 25 last year. “Since the application was lodged the applicant has made several changes to the proposal to reduce impacts,” the report said. “These changes will reduce some of the intensity of the proposal, however on balance, the lack of car parking for the proposal, and lack of supporting information to determine parking impacts relevant to the proposed development means that Council is unable to satisfy itself that the proposal will not have an adverse impact on car parking in the Patonga area, including on surrounding residential streets. “Additionally, the intensity of the expansion has potential to adversely impact on the amenity and character of the local area. “Based on these concerns the application is recommended for refusal,” the report concluded. There have been a number of previous approvals applying to both buildings on the site. The hotel building (including two residential dwellings) was approved in March 2000 (DA22677) and there have been several modiﬁcations and

alterations since then. In September 2003, Gosford Council approved a modification (Part 2) to relocate the ground floor dwelling to the first floor and convert that area for dining use. This modification was supported with an offer of $20,000 from the applicant in lieu of a shortfall of six parking spaces arising from the proposal. In March 2010, Council consented to a modification (Part 9) to the hotel for the removal of five on-site car parking spaces and a loading area, and the conversion of this area to beer garden seating. “Council’s assessment at the time noted that the proposal resulted in a shortfall of 18 car spaces being for the five spaces lost and a further 13 spaces for the additional beer garden/ dining area. “The applicant did not agree with the extent of the shortfall, based on decreased demand from patrons travelling by boat, ferry or on foot, and based on the parking report submitted at the time. “Following consideration by Council and a number of section 82A reviews the Council agreed with an offer from the applicant for a Voluntary Planning Agreement for $75,000 to be applied to car

parking or foreshore works in and between the town centre area and the Dark Corner boat ramp, in lieu of the five lost car parking spaces,” the staff report said. The refused development application, lodged in December 2015, proposed to replace the hotel kitchen area with storage, cool rooms and cafe area; extend the ground floor hotel area approximately 2.5m to the east and in part 2.6m to the south, for reconfigured dining area and relocated toilets; provide a covered area of approximately 94 square metres over existing outdoor hotel dining areas on part of the front elevation; provide a small stage inside the hotel; extend the first floor verandah on the hotel on the front elevation; extend the first floor of the hotel by 6.5m to the east to accommodate new toilets to serve the proposed restaurant/ wedding reception area; demolish most of the seafood cafe building and first floor residence, and provide a new two- storey building with an expanded kitchen/ storage area at the rear and expanded internal seating area at the front on the ground level, the report said. “Council’s assessment has identified a number of concerns with the proposal, which primarily relate to the proposed use of the first floor of the takeway cafe building as a restaurant and for wedding receptions, the lack of car parking as required under GDCP 2013 and the impacts of the use on the character and amenity of the local area. “While the alterations and additions to the hotel and ground level takeaway store will have a lesser impact, overall the scale of the proposal is out of keeping with the desired future character of the area and the objectives of the B1 Local Neighbourhood zone. “Accordingly, the application is recommended for refusal pursuant to Section 80 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.” Letter, 28 Nov 2016 Rob Noble, Central Coast Council Statement, 29 Nov 2016 Ross Trembath, Patonga Community Working Group Assessment report, 24 Nov 2016 Scott Cox, Central Coast Council

December 15, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

Issue 148

Ph: 4325 7369

Bonython Tower looks like being ﬁrst cab off the rank A

dvertising, media and p r o p e r t y entrepreneur, Mr John Singleton, has decided to kick-start the rebirth of the Gosford CBD with the development of the Bonython Tower at 155 to 163 Mann St, Gosford. Bonython Property and Investments, the development arm of the John Singleton Group, is currently waiting for the Central Coast Council to approve a Section 96 application to amend the DA that was approved 12 months ago. Another developer owned the majority of the site (except for a small property at 163 Mann St), located in the same CBD block as the Imperial Centre, but it was acquired by Mr Singleton with the development consent. The original consent was for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a groundﬂoor tavern with 75 units of shop-top housing. The current Section 96 reduces the number of units and increases the number of parking spaces to 62. The ground ﬂoor tavern is replaced with commercial space and the property at 163 Mann St (subsequently acquired by Singleton) is included. According to the company’s website, Bonython Tower will be a “premium mix of luxury residential and commercial suites… offering spacious one and two bedroom apartments with sensational views and the convenience of the vibrant Gosford City at your door.” The building will also include three levels of

An artist's impression of Bonython Tower, to be built in Mann St

Group Leader Environment and Planning] and his team to ﬁnalise the matter [of the Section 96 application] as soon as possible,” Mr Anderson said. “The redesign was to create a beautiful building in the centre of the Gosford

CBD,” he said. “The design brief was to create a building that would stand the test of timelessness and illustrate the absolute beauty of the surrounds in which it is situated and the benefits of Gosford as a place to live, work and play. “Given its location, the building has to reflect modern but quality materials in its finishes and fittings and will be attractive to investors and home occupiers as it provides unsurpassed views of Brisbane Water. “It has close immediate access to the railway station and other transport nodes along with the benefits of CBD living with supermarkets and specialty stores at its doorstep,” he said. The new design incorporates a groundfloor restaurant café “within the building that will be as good as you experience in Melbourne or Sydney,” according to Mr Anderson. “The ground floor café/ restaurant will be to cater for the extra people living in the site both during the day but also in the evenings. “We are expecting a top class restaurant operator who will cater for commercial operations as well as restaurant trading.” Marketing and Sales for the development has been taken on by Mr Stephen Gittoes of Gittoes Real Estate in East Gosford. Expressions of interest have been invited over Christmas with the official marketing to commence early in the New Year. In terms of who Bonython Property and Investments sees as the target market for the apartments, Mr Anderson said: “We welcome aboard anyone who has a passion to live in ultimate luxury in the heart

of the Gosford CBD.” The detail of the Construction Certificate and building contracts are currently being completed, so pricing for residences in the new building is not yet finalised. “We anticipate demolishing the current buildings midway through 2017 and construction will commence immediately following that. “We should see a crane on site by the end of the 2016-17 financial year.” The building will take 19 months to construct, so completion is anticipated by late 2018 or early 2019. Mr Singleton has had a connection to the Central Coast stretching back over 60 years when he spent family holidays at Killcare as a boy. Mr Singleton is said to have “an absolute unsurpassed passion for the Coast and everything it has to offer from beach front living, coastal lifestyle, and hinterland and rural opportunities, and all of this within an easy hour and half from the Sydney CBD. Ultimately, after endeavouring to encourage the likes of Lend Lease, Meriton and many other large developers to take the place seriously, Mr Singleton has decided to “do it himself”. Mr Anderson said Bonython Tower would be the first of many Bonython Property and Investment developments to be undertaken on the Coast “to give back to the community good quality design and facilities that it so badly needs and deserves”. Email, Dec 12, 2016 Paul Anderson, Bonython Property and Investments Jackie Pearson, journalist

THIS ISSUE contains 59 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

READ & SHARE WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

www.gosfordnews.org

Coast C Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 3 SShare

Gosford makes national top 10 for NBN complaints he Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s annual report has revealed Gosford falls into the national top 10 for complaints about the national broadband network (NBN).

Senator Deborah O’Neill said complaints about the internet and NBN service almost doubled in the past financial year, with Gosford coming in 10th place for the number of complaints lodged. “The number of complaints for slow data speeds, unusable services and drop outs increased 147.8 per cent nationally, compared with the previous year,” Sen O’Neill said. In a speech to Parliament on December 7, Senator O’Neill spoke of a waiver NBN customers have to sign which relinquishes any liability from the service provider if a connection

cannot be secured. “The market knows what this government is trying to hide from ordinary Australians,” she said. “The NBN that takes fibre to a node and then forces it down a copper pipe to your house is like shooting a super highway to somewhere near you and then forcing you onto an information goat track in the last century,” Ms O’Neill said. Media release, Nov 17, 2016 Scott Coomber, office of Deborah O’Neill Speech, Dec 8, 2016 Senator Deborah O’Neill

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news

NEWS

Minister sees ‘black spots’ first hand pre-Christmas road safety awareness blitz by Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Darren Chester, has started with an inspection of local ‘black spots’ on NSW Central Coast roads.

Mr Chester visited the stretch of the Scenic Highway at Terrigal with Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, and underlined the importance of the Australian Government’s record investment in fixing local roads. “The Coalition will invest $500 million in the Black Spot Programme over the 2014 to 2018 financial years, including an extra $200 million over two years from 2015 to 16, to help tackle road safety across the nation,” Mr Chester said. “Lucy is a local champion for road safety and is working closely with me to get funding to fix dangerous roads throughout the region. “Being here today gives me a chance to learn more

Ms Lucy Wicks, Member for Robertson, with Mr Brett Dengate owner of the Cowrie restaurant and Mr Darren Chester, Federal Transport Minister

about problem roads from the people who use them every day. “The Government is committed to fixing ‘black spots’ in Terrigal and the broader Central Coast, with more than $3.5 million for a number of local projects, including three projects recently completed in Gosford, East Gosford and Somersby. “The good news is, even more local Black Spot

projects are in the pipeline, with works starting in the near future at Mooney Mooney and almost completed at Patonga. “Road safety needs to be a partnership between different levels of governments, police and the community, and that’s something I hope to advance by visiting the area today,” Mr Chester said. Ms Wicks said she was determined to work with

Central Coast Council and the local community to improve road safety. “I was pleased to show the Minister first-hand some of the road safety issues around Terrigal’s Scenic Highway,” Ms Wicks said. “Residents have long been fighting for safety improvements along the highway, and that is a cause I am firmly supporting by nominating the road for federal Black Spot funding. “The importance of this issue to local residents was driven home to me at a highly productive community meeting on the issue recently. “My commitment is to continue to fight for a safer traffic solution here and in other serious black spots including Willoughby Rd at Wamberal.” The latest review of the Black Spot Programme estimates that each black spot fixed reduces fatal and casualty crashes by 30 per cent at those sites. Media release, Dec 7, 2016 Tim Sowden, office of Lucky Wicks

SUNDAY - 8.00am till 1.00pm

Feast your eyes over these producers: Garden Fresh, Vegitali Pty Ltd, La Tartine, Over the Moon Milk, Egganic, Soda Bread

Bakery, Lincoln Red Beef, The Banana Bread Man, Hawkesbury Fresh Produce, Delightfully Fresh Organics, Tar 10, Bills

(Gosford Racecourse) WHEN: Every Sunday TIME:

8.00am till 1.00pm

NO DOGS

VENUE: The Entertainment Grounds

Rain, Hail or Shine

Enquiries: finefoodmarket@bigpond.com

Mob: 0427 630 144

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ Gosfordcityfarmersmarket

Organic Bakery, Pattie Moi Designs, Little Creek Cheeses, Pokolbin Olives, Maxima Coffee, Wotton Valley Beef, Wattle Creek

Preserves, Jacques Kitchen, Larry’s Free Range Eggs, Peats Rigde Produce, The Apple Man, Meltic Beef plus many others.

Gosford City Farmers’ Market will feature a wide range of fresh vegetables, fruits, primary produce including gourmet jams and preserves, olive oil products, pestos, macadamia nuts and fresh home made products. The market will include other food related items as well as high quality “foodto-eat” vendors. Flowers, plants and trees will also be available for sale. Additionally the market will also feature hand-made products other than food such as artists, designers and other quality artifacts.

The market will operate each Sunday from 8.00am till 1.00pm Rain, Hail or Shine.

Gosford City Farmers’ Market Gosford Racecourse, 4 Racecourse Rd, Gosford West

NEWS

Page 4 - Coast Community News - December 15, 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news

Hawkesbury River Bridge has freight train limitations imposed

Nine community organisations receive Community Building Partnership grants

Sydney Trains report, leaked to the Sydney metropolitan media, detailed the extent of the damage suffered by the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge.

ine community organisations in the Gosford electorate have been successful applicants in the NSW Government’s 2016 Community Building Partnership Program.

State Member for Gosford, Ms Kathy Smith, said she had encouraged local community groups to apply for funding earlier in the year. Ms Smith said she was pleased to announce that nine applicants had been successful in securing funding from the $300,000 available to the Gosford Electorate. The Gosford East Public School P&C Association received funding for an Outdoor Community Space and Seating. Fairhaven Services Limited, Point Clare, won its funding for the Fairhaven Precinct Upcycling and Packaging Production Workshop. Wyoming Community Centre received NSW Government assistance to fund its Dunbar Demonstration Shed. The Girl Guides Association of NSW, Kooree Guide Cabin at Central Mangrove received monies

for an electrical upgrade. Brisbane Water Cricket Club will use its grant for repairs and upgrades at Adcock Park in West Gosford. Point Clare Community Hall will receive landscaping and a minor fit out due to a successful application under the program from its new managers, the Wyong Community Centre. Mangrove Mountain and Community Districts Inc will be able to replace the old equipment at the local playground. Regional Youth Support Services in Gosford will be able to upgrade its Arts Warehouse with funding received under the program. At Mooney Mooney, the Volunteer Marine rescue will be able to replace the old equipment in its local playground under the program. Ms Smith said the funding aimed to create more vibrant and inclusive communities and deliver positive

social, environmental and recreational outcomes. “So many groups across the Gosford Electorate have benefited from this funding in the past and this program is a great opportunity for community groups to undertake work they wouldn’t have normally been able to afford,” she said. “I congratulate the successful applicants and am pleased that this funding will help community groups make a positive difference in our local area. “I look forward to seeing these projects completed. “Hundreds of community members and visitors will benefit from these works once completed and the organisations are to be commended for their forethought and planning” Media release, Dec 12, 2016 Kathy Smith, Member for Gosford

The report, released by the Sydney Morning Herald on December 2, revealed that “Inspection and diagnostic testing of the concrete elements yielded that the elements are subject to a range of defects including spalling, cracking and poor compaction”. “The only way the Central Coast community finds out about the state of the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge is through leaked documents and freedom of information requests,” said NSW Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris. “The NSW Government has been sitting on a report into the state of the rail bridge since July and has failed

to tell the public about its contents. “The safety of commuters should come first, not the Government’s attempts to keep themselves out of the headlines,” Mr Harris said. “According to the leaked report, load limits have been placed on freight trains using the bridge amidst fears that the rapidly deteriorating bridge can’t cope with the loads. “Despite sitting on the report since July this year, the Government hasn’t told the local community about the load limits and the current state of the bridge,” Mr Harris said. “Engineering reports have found cracking in the bridge’s concrete and defects in

its steel frame; leading the Government to impose the freight limits on the rail bridge.” The crumbling state of the bridge was first brought to light by NSW Labor last year after reports showed the concrete pylons were falling apart. Ms Kathy Smith, State Member for Gosford, said: “If we hadn’t blown the whistle on this situation, I fear the public would never have been made aware of these issues,” she said. Media release, Dec 2, 2016 David Harris, Shadow Minister for Central Coast Leaked Report Dec 2, 2016 SMEC Australia

Ice pigging procedure underway to clean water mains

esidents in Point Frederick, East Gosford, North Gosford and Springfield can expect cleaner water as Central Coast Council undertakes ice pigging works over a three week period from December 1.

Council’s Coordinator Water and Sewer Civil Works, Mr Joe Weston, said that the works are an important part of Council’s water mains cleaning program to prevent discoloured water. “Ice pigging involves pumping a thick slurry of ice through the water mains to clean off any sediment and other particles that may build up over time and discolour our water,” Mr Weston said. “It’s a fairly new

procedure that council helped bring into Australia and is very effective as well as environmentally friendly. “During the ice pigging process, residents may experience temporary decreases in water pressure and interruptions to their water supply. “Some may also experience discoloured water during or immediately after the ice pigging works for short periods. “If possible, residents are advised to refrain from

using their water taps and avoid washing any laundry for the hour or so while the ice pigging is taking place in their street,” Mr Weston said. If residents have any concerns or in the event washing is affected, they should keep their laundry wet and contact Council on 4325 8222 to obtain a cleaning solution. Media release, Nov 18, 2016 Central Coast Council Media

Renovating? Need New Blinds, Awnings or Shutters? Latest technology NOW AVAILABLE!!! Motorize your new roller blinds for $175. Control them from your mobile phone.# Call now for a free in home measure and quote. #

Some conditions apply. See website for details.

CHOOSE THE LOCAL EXPERTS AT 18/482 Pacific Highway, Wyoming. Ph : 02 4324 8800 www.premiershades.com.au

Coast C Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 5 SShare

Application made n application has been received by Central Coast Council to modify the consent for a 180-unit retail and shop top housing development on the corner of Erina St and Henry Parry Dve in Gosford.

A two-year consent was given by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in May 2015 for the $36.6 million development. The modification would allow for the staged construction of the development. “Construction of the project is soon to commence,” according to a letter from Stephanie van Dissel, Senior Town Planner with ADW Johnson, acting on behalf of the applicant, AO Gosford Pty Ltd. “However, it has been discovered that numerous conditions within the consent do not allow for the issue of staged Construction and Occupation certificates,” Ms van Dissel said. “Due to the size of the development and significant funds required to build, it is requested that it now be staged,” she said. The applicant has requested that Council

amend the consent so the development can occur over four stages. A site works stage would include erection of site fencing, demolition of existing buildings, levelling of the site and construction of driveway cross overs. A second basement/ podium stage would include basement level 1, ground floor including retail space and a podium level consisting of three units in the northern building. The development would then move to a third stage which would incorporate the construction of the North Tower, with 94 unites over levels two to 13. The final South Tower stage would then see the construction of a podium level consisting of seven units and 76 units over levels two to 14. Website, Dec 14, 2016 Gosford DA tracker, DA46274/2014

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news

NEWS

70 unit Terrigal apartment building due for completion in March he scaffolding is starting to come off the $9.5 million Pine Tree Apartments building next to the Post Office in Pine Tree La, Terrigal.

According to Ms Anne Glaser from Anne Glaser Realty, the 70-unit building is due for completion in March and all one-bedroom units have now been sold off the plan. The completed building will have six levels and the three bedroom units are large, apartment-style residences. Several penthouses, with distant ocean views, will not be available for sale until the building is complete, Ms Glaser said. The three-bedroom units have 131 square metres of interior space and 28 square metres of terrace. All apartments in the building have parking, the three bedroom apartments have two spaces per residence, two- and onebedroom units have one parking space per unit. The ground floor level

An artists’ impression of a section of the Pine Tree Apartments building in Terrigal

of the building will be retail on the street side and tenants are expected to be restaurants. Commercial space is available for sale on the ground floor and on level two of the building. Meanwhile, construction of the adjacent Rockpool

Apartments at 13 Ash Street (on the corner of Pine Tree Lane), Terrigal, is also progressing well. The Cain King designed 20 luxury apartment complex is also in the heart of Terrigal town centre and a short walk to the beach. It will also have ground

level retail space. Interview, Dec 14, 2016 Anne Glaser, Anne Glaser Realty Website, CKDS Architecture/ Projects Jackie Pearson, journalist

NEWS

Page 6 - Coast Community News - December 15, 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news

Fairview Homestead finally wins first step after a 30 year campaign 30 year campaign to save Fairview Homestead at Mangrove Creek has won its battle to restore the colonial property.

According to Ms Margaret Pontifex from Mangrove Mountain, Central Coast Council has approved an application for restoration work to be completed on two existing buildings at Fairview, including the original residence. Approval has not been granted to develop the property into an historical site that would include a museum and public tours. “The Friends of Fairview and the Fairview Homestead Association can now focus their work on a heritage listing for the property and we can now officially start raising funds and applying for government grants,” Ms Pontifex said. She said the campaign to restore Fairview, located off Ten Mile Hollow Rd, had been running for 30 years.

Fairview homestead in its recent sorry state

According to minutes from the now dissolved Heritage Committee of the former Gosford Council, both the planning proposal to heritage list the property and a development application for its restoration were placed on public exhibition late in 2015. In February, Gosford Council, as owners of Fairview, gave Friends of

Fairview permission to lodge the development application for its restoration. However, the DA did not progress because the Association had not paid the relevant fees, so in June 2015, Council agreed to waive $7,390 in fees so the application could be progressed. Mr Warren Andrews, President of the Fairview

ONE

DAY ONLY EXCLUSIVE RETAIL OFFERS

Fairview was an example of early colonial architecture

Homestead Association, said the homestead currently had an interim heritage listing and Central Coast Council was completing its mapping. “The mapping will be finished by Christmas and it will then go to the Minister to be signed off in the New Year,” Mr Andrews said. He said garnering government funding for the restoration would be a

long-term project. Meanwhile, the Association is looking for business sponsors and public donations. “We have applied for a grant to build an interactive website which should improve our fund raising in the New Year,” he said. “We are very happy with what we’ve got, but we will keep speaking with Council about other aspects of our

business plan,” he said. Minutes, Nov 10, 2015, Gosford Council Heritage Committee Interview, Dec 13, 2016 Margaret Pontifex, Mangrove Mountain Interview, Dec 14, 2016 Warren Andrews, Fairview Homestead Association Jackie Pearson, journalist

TAStE of christmas

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS AT IMPERIAL CENTRE. PICK UP YOUR CHRISTMAS FRESH FOOD NEEDS AND SOME LAST-MINUTE GIFTS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FACE PAINTING, ARTS & CRAFTS, A SOFT PLAY MAZE, LIVE COOKING DEMOS WITH CHEF ANDREW CHURCH AND MORE! PLUS, GO INTO THE DRAW TO WIN SOME AMAZING PRIZES! THURSDAY 22ND DECEMBER | 11AM - 3PM

171 Mann Street, Gosford | (02) 4324 4299 | www.imperialcentre.com.au |

/imperialcentregosfordcbd |

@imperialcentregosford

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 7

7̧Ú; "7 ; ũ 75Ý

W˒ 7 ̾ õ 9 ; 45 9 ̯ 7Ą9 ;˒ 4

“I am honoured to be a Labor representative for the people of NSW and the Central Coast. I wish you all a safe, relaxing and cheerful holiday with the people you love. In 2017, I will continue to work to safeguard Medicare and ﬁght for local jobs.”

Senator Deborah O’Neill

A special Christmas thank you to those in our community, our public servants, small businesses, police, firefighters and nurses, who will be working through the holidays and sacrificing time with their families. Authorised by Senator Deborah O’Neill, 4 Ilya Avenue, Erina 2250

NEWS

Page 8 - Coast Community News - December 15, 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news

Wamberal beachfront property owners forced to take matters into their own hands he NSW Coastal Panel has received a development application from residents to build a $1.5 million rock revetment wall at Wamberal.

Mr Peter Horton, of Horton Coastal Engineering, has lodged the application to build the rock revetment wall for the protection of homes at 29, 31 and 33 Pacific St and 23(a and b) and 25c Ocean View Dve, Wamberal. Mr Horton appears well-qualified to represent Wamberal residents, as he prepared the Coastal Erosion Emergency Action Subplan for WamberalTerrigal Beach for Gosford Council in 2011, and was involved in the preparation of the Open Coast and Broken Bay Beaches Coastal Processes and Hazard Definition Study for Council until 2012. The NSW Coastal Panel is the consent authority because the Council’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) has not been signed off by the NSW Minister for Planning, Mr Rob Stokes. Chairman of the Community Environment Network, Mr John Asquith, said there was an urgent need for sign-off of the CZMP “in order that a properly designed solution be implemented to protect the landowners and public.” According to Mr Horton, Wamberal residents should not be expected to keep waiting for their properties to be protected until the

Wamberal beachfront house collapsed in 1978

CZMP is gazetted. “For Wamberal Beach, a management action was included that Council action a review of the design and funding of the revetment,” Mr Horton said in a statement of environmental effects (SEE) submitted with the latest application. “The CZMP maintained the aim to have the revetment constructed. “This was listed as a short-medium term action (up to 20-years) with more studies required and funding still not resolved. “Landowners, who have been waiting for over 20 years for the Wamberal revetment, cannot be expected to continue to wait. “It is reasonable for them to be submitting the application herein, proactively achieving what governments have been unable to achieve. “The CZMP also included an action that erosion protection works be allowed at properties at Wamberal. “Actions were also

included in the CZMP that Council investigate beach nourishment to increase the sand buffer against storm erosion,” Mr Horton’s SEE said. The proposed revetment wall extends onto Crown Land so Mr Horton has sent a Landowner’s consent application to the NSW Department of Industry (Lands). Part of the proposed work also extends north to The Ruins, land owned by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. According to the SEE, in June 2016, an East Coast Low Storm caused erosion over the seaward portions of 29, 31 and 33 Pacific St and 23a, 23b and 25c Ocean View Dve Wamberal. The property owners approached Horton Coastal Engineering Pty Ltd for advice. “It was decided that construction of a rock revetment was the most appropriate solution,” Mr Horton said. The DA is a multiple

SUMMER BLING

now in INSTEP store at FOOTWEAR Various styles and colours available $59.95

Good old fashioned service with a smile Shop 136 - Imperial Shopping Centre - Gosford - 4324 2264

landowner-funded application for works proposed for the entire developed length of Wamberal Beach in a 2003 Environment Impact Statement adopted by Gosford Council for implementation in 2004, according to Mr Horton. “The general merits of the proposed works are not really in question, with the failure to previously implement the works essentially due to a lack of an agreement between the State Government, Gosford Council and landowners on how to fund the works,” he said. The subject properties are located towards the southern end of Wamberal Beach, about 300m north of the Terrigal Lagoon. Immediately south of the properties is the “Manyana” unit block at 25 Pacific St, which was the subject of the so-called Egger Case. “This unit block has intact protection works along the beach frontage of sufficient integrity to tie the proposed protection works into. “All of the subject properties (except 33 Pacific St) could be expected to be undermined in a severe 100year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) coastal storm at present,” Mr Horton said. “By 2050, the 100year ARI storm could be expected to completely undermine the development at these properties,” the SEE said. A Coastal Building Line

was defined in Gosford DCP 2013 and “Council will not permit the redevelopment of existing buildings seaward of the Building Line unless the foundation design is demonstrated to have been constructed to withstand coastal processes and is certified by a coastal and structural engineer. “This essentially means that the subject properties are undevelopable in the future (except under existing use rights), which is a further reason for the necessity for protection works.” The report details the threat to development along Wamberal and Terrigal Beach in 1974 and 1978 when two houses (at 23a and 23b Ocean View Dve), collapsed due to dune erosion. In 1987, the NSW Supreme Court in Egger v Gosford Council found that the protection works at 25 Pacific St may have contributed to the loss of 23a Ocean View Dve. “Since 1987, there has been an awareness that the 25 Pacific St seawall may cause an adverse impact on adjacent properties, including the subject properties. “The proposed works would mitigate against this potential adverse impact.” The SEE document studies reports and strategies to protect Wamberal Beach since 1978, including a buried rock revetment. In 1998, a detailed design proposed that the revetment works extended over the entire length of beach from north of Terrigal Lagoon in the south to Wamberal SLSC in the north, including the subject properties. A 2003 investigation noted that the revetment option needed to be accompanied by periodic sand nourishment. Council adopted a combination of the 1998 and 2003 strategies in 2004 and “accordingly embarked upon the process of seeking external funding for the works, but has been unsuccessful to date, some 12 years later”.

“At its meeting on February 10, 2015, Gosford Council noted that the proposed revetment for Wamberal Beach had not yet been able to be funded or constructed in the 20 years since it was first proposed, and required redesign to meet updated coastal processes hazard information. “Accordingly, in June 2015, Chapter 6.2 of Gosford Development Control Plan 2013, was amended to no longer allow new development along Wamberal Beach that had previously been permitted … under the assumption that the Wamberal revetment would be constructed. “It was envisaged as part of the DCP 2013 amendments, that construction of the Wamberal revetment would allow these residential development restrictions to be rescinded. “The fact that landowners have even had to submit this application is indicative of failures in effective coastal management in NSW over the last 40 years.” The main components of the proposed works comprise a geotextile base to prevent washout of the soil landward, then two layers of secondary armour basalt rock (about 400kg mass or about 600mm typical dimension), then two layers of primary armour basalt rock (about 4 tonne mass or about 1.3m typical dimension). The works would link with the existing revetment at 25 Pacific St in the south, and extend north of 25c Ocean View Dve to ensure a safe transition to the unprotected areas of The Ruins further north. The location of the toe of the revetment matches that proposed in 1998 and 2003, according to Mr Horton. Email, Dec 8, 2016 John Asquith, Community Environment Network Statement of Environmental effect, Sep 19, 2016 Peter Horton, Horton Coastal Engineering

For all your kitchenware needs

Lower Level Imperial Shopping Centre Gosford - 4323 4855

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 9 Co SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news

NEWS

Extension of time sought for public exhibition of CBD planning proposal he Community Environment Network (CEN) wants Central Coast Council to extend the exhibition period for the latest planning proposal to reconfigure the Gosford CBD and provide new height and floor space bonuses.

CEN chairman, Mr John Asquith, said the Planning Proposal, on exhibition until Friday, December 16, was “alarming”. “It proposes heights in Gosford CBD up to 99 metres or approximately 30 storeys,” Mr Asquith said. “Not only will this significantly change the skyline of Gosford, but it goes against sound planning logic,” he said. “Instead of intensifying commercial development around the transport hub of the railway station, the proposal is to move this commercial activity toward the waterfront, one of our most valuable areas for lifestyle and recreation.” Mr Asquith said the proposal was only on exhibition for four weeks, with submissions closing just over a week before Christmas. “We don’t believe the exhibition period is long enough for the community to properly review what is

being proposed,” he said. CEN is calling on Council to extend the exhibition period until February 17. “We also want the Council to hold public presentations to better inform residents and ratepayers,” he said. According to CEN, the former Gosford Council commenced the planning proposal by approving a Statement of Strategic Intent (SOSI) in December 2014. “This never went out on public exhibition and had no statutory basis,” Mr Asquith said. “The Council and Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) tried to use the SOSI to approve the Triple Towers in September, 2015. “Because the SOSI had no legal standing, they had to defer the Triple Towers and then put a Planning Proposal on exhibition. “It was then found Council had not done the work they were required to

do and some documents were not on exhibition, so now the Planning Proposal is being exhibited again. “The Council is not proposing any presentations to the community or public meetings. “In contrast, the consultant’s report indicates that they have undertaken consultation with Council’s internal teams and members of the local development industry. “In our view, the community has not been properly consulted about the move to high-rise. “In some areas, there is a move away from this intense development. “The current planning proposal does not address increased transport issues. “Instead it states that: ‘Transport for NSW in conjunction with Council and other transport stakeholders are currently undertaking a wider review of Gosford City Centre

Precinct with regards to major infrastructure projects and the need to improve parking: the Gosford City Centre Strategic Transport Plan. “‘Any improvements required to the road network, public transport and pedestrian and cycle infrastructure required as a result of the planning proposal will be included as part of this process’.” CEN is also concerned that a decision to adopt the Proposal will be made while the Council is under administration. “The NSW Minister for Planning, Mr Rob Stokes, has delegated the decision to Council. “So, one person, the Central Coast Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, will make the decision,” Mr Asquith said. CEN has called for residents to write to Mr Reynolds requesting an extension of the consultation period. Email, Dec 13, 2016 John Asquith, Community Environment Network

The top drawing is of the current CBD heights, followed by three height scenarios for consideration

NEWS

Page 10 - Coast Community News - December 15, P 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/

State Finance Office development decision deferred he Joint R e g i o n a l Planning Panel (JRPP) deferred its decision on the proposed development of the State Finance Office development on 32 Mann Street until 2017.

The panel met in Gosford on Monday, December 5. The Barrister representing the Gosford Waterfront Alliance in its Land and Environment Court case against the adjoining Australian Taxation Office development, Mr Matthew Fraser, presented a detailed submission to the panel. Mr Fraser’s submission reminded the members of the JRPP of their duties. The DA for the State Office Building is a Crown application because the applicant is the NSW Government. However, Mr Fraser said the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act gave the panel the option of seeking the NSW Minister for Planning’s permission to refuse the application. “The JRPP is obliged to undertake its independent function with objective fearlessness,” Mr Fraser said. “If the JRPP forms the

view that the application does not merit consent, then the duty of the JRPP is to seek the approval of the Minister to refuse,” he said. Mr Fraser then set about explaining the reasons why, he believed, the JRPP should be pushing the Minister for that refusal. He said the supplementary report from the Central Coast Council,

which recommended approval of the DA with conditions, was “inadequate on its own to be the basis for the JRPP to properly take matters into consideration in assessing and determining this DA”. Mr Fraser also provided arguments about the Council’s failure to properly assess the design excellence of the proposed development. “The JRPP could also request the Council to engage an independent architectural expert to carry out an objective assessment of the proposal,” Mr Fraser said. “Some particular elements of the design which seem to fall below the standard required … are: there is no pedestrian link from Mann St to Baker St; and, the proposal is

for the development of part of the lot only, rather than designing a building or buildings for the whole of the lot thus allowing for proper street activation, through site linkages and other elements which might then demonstrate an architectural design of the highest calibre,” he said. The JRPP is not permitted to let slip through what is either mediocre or even good design,” he said. Mr Fraser also detailed the decision of the then Gosford Shire, in 1957, to officially close the part of Baker St between Georgiana Tce and Vaughan Ave and dedicate the land for the purpose of public recreation. “The use of Baker St as a park has continued since before 1957 until it was ripped up earlier this

year to facilitate the ATO development. “There is considerable public interest in the status of the road area. “Now that this resolution has been unearthed, the JRPP ought to ensure that the status of the road … is factually and legally correct before determination of the application,” Mr Fraser said. “In the end, the JRPP was given nine reasons that the development did not merit approval – with deep concern expressed about the application from the panel members,” said Ms Claire Braund, chair of the Gosford Waterfront Alliance (GWA). “The Supplementary Report from Council was deemed insufficient and the design has been heavily criticised by the Council architect as not of high

architectural merit and under-utilising the site,” Ms Braund said. “A representative from Property NSW admitted on numerous occasions the agency had looked at other sites but, in the interests of speed and expediency, opted for the waterfront site in order to deliver this 2015 NSW Election commitment. “It is becoming increasingly clear that GWA is acting as a de-facto council defending the public interest in this matter. “There is a total absence of any political representation or council leadership. “Only hard-working Council staff were present to speak to this major development on our waterfront. “We now have a great window of opportunity to push for our plan for Central Coast Council to acquire 32 and 20 Mann Street, the middle and front portion of the site, for a Performing Arts Centre,” Ms Braund said. The Gosford Waterfront Alliance has urged concerned residents to write to the Council Administrator, Ian Reynolds, asking him to put the case for acquiring the remainder of the site from the NSW Government. “This needs to happen as a matter of urgency or the opportunity will be lost,” Ms Braund said. “At the moment Mr Reynolds is sidestepping on the PAC and unwilling to engage with GWA,” she said. Email, Dec 13, 2016 Claire Braund, Gosford Waterfront Alliance Submission, Dec 5, 2016 Matthew Fraser, Barrister

YOUR SPONSORSHIP CAN CHANGE A DISADVANTAGED CHILD’S LIFE 069 Y.COM.AU

1 in 10 Australian children are living in disadvantage*. They don’t have the basics they need for their education such as the right uniform, bag or even books. By sponsoring an Australian child today you will give them the essentials they need to succeed at school. *Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013).

*Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013).

CALL 1800 024 069 THESMITHFAMILY.COM.AU

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 11 C SShare

Secure bike shed under construction at Gosford Train Station

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

NEWS

Horticultural Pavilion destroyed by fire

new, 40-space secure bike shed is under construction at Gosford Train Station, according to the NSW Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch.

The new Opal bike shed at Gosford station is expected to be completed shortly before Christmas. “With more locals taking up cycling, I am delighted that we can now offer people the option to leave the car at home and ride their bike to our major public transport connection,” Mr Crouch said. “We know that some customers enjoy riding to the station before starting their daily commute and this bike shed will help make the journey for customers travelling to Gosford Station that little bit easier,” he said.

“The new bike shed is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program which is an initiative to deliver safe, modern and accessible transport infrastructure across the state. “Using the new bike shed will be free and simple. “All customers need to do is link their Opal card through the bike lockers’ website and they’ll have access to any of the Opal bike sheds on the train network. “These facilities are being delivered under the Bike and

Ride initiative, which is part of Sydney’s Cycling Future, our plan to make bike riding a more convenient transport option,” Mr Crouch said. Opal bike sheds are available at Woy Woy station and at several Sydney stations, with new sheds to be delivered at Hornsby, Penrith and Redfern in 2017. Customers can register their Opal card for bike shed access or find the most convenient bike shed at bikelockers.com.au. Media release, Nov 24, 2016 Kerryanne Delany, office of Adam Crouch

New Plain English Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders come into force SW Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, has welcomed the announcement that new Plain English Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO) rolled out statewide on December 3.

“These new ADVOs use clear and simple language so there is no excuse for a domestic violence perpetrator to breach an order,” Mr MacDonald said. “We have removed all the complex legal jargon and spelled out a defendant’s obligations in Plain English, so they can no longer claim they didn’t understand the meaning or consequences of the ADVO,” he said. “The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that one in five ADVOs are breached, and the NSW Government is making it clear that any breach is an

unacceptable risk. “The new ADVOs are designed to put a stop to violence, intimidation and harassment through a clear explanation of what a perpetrator can and cannot do under the order.” The new ADVO is also being translated into 29 different languages to assist people whose first language is not English. The penalties for breaching an order, including up to two years in prison, have been moved to the top of the document so it’s now the first thing perpetrators see.

The NSW Government’s recent changes to ADVOs means final ADVO applications can be determined even if the victim doesn’t come to court, they will protect a victim’s current partner if they are being harassed by the victim’s ex-partner, and will stop self-represented defendants from personally cross-examining child witnesses during ADVO applications. Media release, Nov 24, 2016 Chris Sullivan, office of Scot MacDonald

Fire crews battle the blaze at the Pavilion which covered the area around the Gosford Showground in thick smoke

he building destroyed by a fire at the Gosford Showground on December 13 was the Horticultural Pavilion.

Gosford Showground Trust Chairperson, Ms Roma Stonestreet, confirmed the Pavilion was the building at the centre of the incident. The Pavilion was used for a variety of activities on the grounds including Feral Archery classes, livestock and produce displays and competitions and as a venue utilised for the Annual Central Coast Regional Show. The Pavilion also adjoined a work shed and several outlying storage containers. While investigations into the fire and its cause are still underway, Ms Stonestreet said at this point in time the fire was believed to be caused by an electrical fault. The destruction of the Horticultural Pavilion also spelt another blow to the Gosford Greyhound Club and the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association NSW (GBOTA), the lessees of the former exhibition building. The Gosford Club had to abandon trials scheduled for December 13 due to the blaze, knocking out power and water to the site, with the GBOTA resolving to carry no further events forward while they work with contractors and authorities to identify the cause of the blaze.

Gosford Greyhound Club’s, Ms Rachel Harrington, said the fire would not impact too heavily on the Club’s racing schedule but the assets lost during the blaze would be missed. Ms Harrington said the Pavilion was used as a storage facility when not in use and the Club lost thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment as a result. On top of this, Ms Harrington said the loss of the Pavilion, which will be torn down on December 16 for safety reasons, would have wider implications on the community. “Aside from our property losses, we’ve now lost the income renting the Pavilion generated for the Club,” Ms Harrington said. “It’s devastating for

community groups too, I know the gentleman that runs the Feral Archery classes has essentially lost his business because of this,” she added. Fire crews, NSW Police and other stakeholders, including Ms Harrington, spent most of December 15 investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the damages. Ms Harrington said the GBOTA had confirmed that a new Pavilion will be built on the Showground sometime in the new year. Interview, Dec 14, 2016 Roma Stonestreet, Gosford Showground Trust Interview, Dec 14, 2016 Rachel Harrington, Gosford Greyhound Club Dilon Luke, Journalist

Kariong Quality Come in and see Jake Forbes and team for all your award winning sausages and quality meat.

Try some of our new sausage varieties available every week

Mon - Fri 6.30am - 6.30pm Sat - Sun 6.00am - 4pm 4340 1064 - 1 Arunta Ave. Kariong

NEWS

Page 12 - Coast Community News - December 15, P 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Draft Coastal Management laws described as draconian and unfair and owners in low lying areas of Gosford, and suburbs such as Davistown, will not be compensated for future coastal hazards under the NSW Government’s new Coastal Management laws.

According to Mr Pat Aiken, Secretary of Coastal Residents Central Coast, the new laws don’t include adaptation plans for existing communities or compensation for landholders affected by sea level rise or future coastal hazards. For example, parts of Davistown have been indicated as wetlands in the Draft Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) mapping which is currently on exhibition and open for public submissions. “The issue is that the new Coastal Management framework of legislation, the Coastal Management Act, Manual and SEPP, do not support the development of adaptation plans for existing developed communities and do not support the compensation of landholders impacted by current or future coastal hazards such as rising seas,” said Mr Pat Aiken. “Despite a minor reference in the Act regarding compensation, the Draft SEPP ignores this important concept,” Mr

Aiken said. “The NSW State Government doesn’t accept any responsibility for compensation,” he said. “The Davistown Wetland areas currently for sale should be purchased and made a public asset as occurred at Bambara. “But unless this

are now identified in the proposed SEPP mapping as wetlands, when previously they were not. “The SEPP introduces for the first time, the specific concept of time limited development consent for private residential land without any compensation for those landholders.

infrastructure projects. “But when it comes to climate change and rising seas, families and other private landholders or local communities in regional areas are expected to suck it up and bear the full cost. “The Coastal Management legislation of NSW unfairly reduces this burden on Sydney while regional areas such as the Central Coast are expected to carry the full load. “It is these regional areas

“The SEPP introduces for the first time, the specific concept of time limited development consent for private residential land without any compensation for those landholders.” draconian legislation is either scrapped or heavily modified to support the concept that private land that must be allowed to succumb to rising seas must be purchased by the State, there will be no solution or agreement. “Privately owned residential lots in Gosford, some with family homes,

“This is not adaptation “It is the unfair expropriation of private land to become a public asset. “When it comes to building huge freeways and tunnels in Sydney, there is plenty of our hard-earned cash available for just terms compensation for landholders whose land is needed for these massive

that the people of Sydney escape to for recreation and holidays and yet only regional communities are forced to pay. “This is typical of the NSW Government which is out of touch with regional NSW. “If Climate Change Legislation such as the Coastal Management Act

creates a major disparity in implementation between the Sydney Region and all other NSW Regions, it will fail. “Evidence of that failure can be seen already in the great disparity between Collaroy Beach and Wamberal Beach, and now with the Davistown Wetlands for which the State Government takes all authority but no responsibility. “Over $1.7 billion dollars is now earned by the NSW State Government every year from coal mining royalties. “Why does all this money go South?” Mr Aiken asked. In his role as regional coordinator of the NSW Coastal Alliance, of which Coastal Residents Central Coast is a member, Mr Aiken wrote to the NSW Premier, Mr Mike Baird, on December 9, requesting an extension of the public consultation period for the draft Coastal Management SEPP. He pointed out to Mr Baird that the State Government had failed to release Coastal Vulnerability Mapping at the same time as the draft SEPP. “This critical mapping has not been provided, and according to

NSW Government Representatives at the Erina Information Session on December 9, does not exist,” Mr Aiken said in his letter to Mr Baird. Full consultation, including the provision of all mapping of the four new coastal management areas, was promised to Parliament for the “many thousands of people of NSW who are now affected by the proposed SEPP,” he said. “How can any reasonable person of authority make an informed comment or submission when the information for discussion and consultation does not appear to meet legal requirements and does not appear to accurately describe and/or omits the hazard claimed to affect land?” On Tuesday, December 13, Mr Aiken said the NSW Department of Planning and Environment had agreed to extend the consultation period on the draft SEPP until January 20, but had made no other concessions. Media release, Phone interview, Dec 13, 2016 Pat Aiken, Coastal Residents Central Coast Jackie Pearson, journalist

Mobile phone towers to be built at Spencer and Wisemans Ferry

ew mobile phone tower l o c a t i o n s have been secured at Spencer and Wisemans Ferry as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spots Program. NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, recently announced the

location of the proposed Spencer base station. “The tower (location and many others) was selected thanks to the additional $15 million contribution by the NSW Government in partnership with funding from the Commonwealth Government and mobile carriers,” Mr MacDonald said. “This is great news for our region, and improved

All aspects of small building work and property maintenance Now servicing Gosford and surrounding areas 25 years building experience

0414 486 515 NSW Building Lic #215846c

mobile coverage will ensure our community is safer, more accessible and better connected,” he said. “I would like to acknowledge the strong advocacy of Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, on behalf of the communities and businesses of Robertson,” Mr MacDonald said. “The Spencer tower is one of 174 towers that will be delivered over four years, and I am pleased to see the NSW Government fighting for our town, reducing the tyranny of distance, and creating more opportunities for locals, businesses, students and workers,” he said. Ms Wicks said: “I’ve been fighting hard and working with local communities to improve mobile coverage where it’s needed the most, and today is a significant announcement for the Central Coast. “We’re delivering on our commitment to these residents, where access to mobile coverage can be critically important in the

event of a medical or other emergency. “Community leaders describe this situation as ‘dire’, often because of a basic inability to connect. “I’m proud to be delivering better mobile coverage to the Central Coast. “The new base stations are due to the efforts of the community in identifying black spot locations and advocating for them to be fixed,” said Ms Wicks. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Development, Mr John Barilaro, said the State and Federal Governments were working with the private sector to deliver quality mobile phone services to regional NSW. “People in our regions deserve to be able to make a phone call, access the internet and connect online with the same ease as people in larger centres, and the NSW Government’s commitment to the Mobile Phone Black Spot program is helping to make that happen,” Mr Barilaro said.

The Mobile Black Spot Program is the most significant onetime increase in mobile network coverage to outer metropolitan, regional and remote Australia delivered by a single public funding program in the history of mobile communications in Australia. “Under this program, we have already seen improved coverage for Somersby,

Mount White and Mangrove Mountain,” said Mrs Wicks. Round 3 of the program is expected to begin in 2017. Media release, Dec 1, 2016 Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks Media Release Dec 1, 2016 Scot MacDonald, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast

The team at would like to take this opportunity to thank our thousands of readers and advertisers for your interest and support over the past 17 years. We would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Our office will be closed on December 23, 2016 and will remain so until January 4, 2017

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 13 C SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

NEWS

Devil Ark crowd funding campaign off to a good start

Tassie Devil baby Stanley enjoying a bottle feed

Tasmanian Devils at the Australian Reptile Park play in ice on December 13 when temperatures rose to the high 30s

crowd funding campaign has already raised almost $150,000 for the not-for-profit organisation Devil Ark, a breeding facility started by the Australian Reptile Park, to help save the Tasmanian Devil from extinction.

If the crowd funding campaign reaches its target of $375,000, Devil Ark will be on the road to double in size. Reaching out to worldwide supporters, Devil Ark received its largest donation from American based conservation organisation, Global Wildlife, who pledged a contribution of just over $100,000 towards the campaign. The Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME) also contributed $10,000 while the remaining pledges to date have been donated by supporting public. The campaign target of $375,000 covers stage one of development in 2017 required to double the ark. Commenting on the successful campaign, Devil

Ark Director, Liz Vella said: “As a registered charity, Devil Ark largely relies on external support from project partners and the general public to maintain the facility. “We’re eternally thankful for all those who donate and are constantly putting a call out to protect the Tasmanian Devil, so we don’t end up with another sad Australian mammal extinction like we did with the Tasmanian Tiger,” Ms Vella said. “We’re thrilled with the start of our crowdfunding campaign. “Reaching just over 30 percent of our fundraising target in three days is amazing. “A big shout out to our American supporters, Global Wildlife, who work with conservation

organisations around the world to ensure that some of the least understood, but most endangered species, have a shot of survival. “Global Wildlife’s investment shows the world is watching and taking notice of Australia’s concerning mammal extinction crisis. “It’s encouraging that we’re off to a strong start with the crowdfunding, but there is still a way to go in achieving our stage one goal of $375,000 and hope the rest of the world will rally behind us.” Devil Ark’s mission is to save the Tasmanian Devil from extinction by creating an insurance population of genetically diverse, healthy devils to mitigate the possible threat of extinction due to Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

“Devil Ark is doing work that is vital, not only to saving the Tasmanian Devil, but to conserving the many species that depend on the presence of a native predator to control feral cats and foxes,” said Don Church, Global Wildlife Conservation president and director of conservation. “Devils are iconic globally and are both an important flagship and integral part of conserving Australia’s unique and, in many cases, imperilled wildlife. “We are committed to supporting Devil Ark’s important mission, and we hope that individuals and other organisations worldwide are inspired to do the same.” Media release, Dec 8 ,2016 Lizzie Doyle, Australian Reptile Park

That

Computer Guy

WE FIX COMPUTERS!

4320 6148

Dirty Tiles & Grout? ...Forget Pointless Scrubbing! crubb We Clean, Seal & Re-colour Tile & Grout Call now for your nearest GroutPro Specialist!

Tile Re-Grouting Tile Repairs Shower Glass Tile Anti-Slip Treatment Silicone Replacement

Call Paull at GroutPro GroutPro Gosford on 0452 540 054 • Franchises Available • www.groutpro.com.au

10OFF% Expiry 1/2/17

Photo: Noel Fisher

If you’re reading this, so could up to 150,000 other people

out to that many people using any other medium? Don’t be fooled by the hype, advertising in this newspaper is by far much better value for money than any other medium. Not only does it have the reach and readership within the area it covers, but readers can keep the advertisement and refer to it as often as they wish.

Call 4325 7369 to see how inexpensive it is.

NEWS

Page 14 - Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 P 016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Lucy Wicks outlines her views on the Marriage Act plebiscite in Parliament

he debate on the issue of same-sex marriage, and the need to hold a plebiscite, will be a mark of our maturity as a nation, according to the Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks.

Ms W cks ecen y spoke n de a on he ssue n he House o Rep esen a ves “The e s a despe a e need o have a conve sa on ha goes we beyond he na ow scope ha we have seen so a o cap u e he u and a - each ng mp ca ons o chang ng he Ma age Ac ” Ms W cks sa d “Up un h s po n he pa h ha we have aken as a Gove nmen on h s ssue has been s a gh o wa d “Fo ow ng a deep y espec u and consu a ve pa y oom mee ng he Coa on ook a p om se o he as e ec on o eso ve h s ssue o same-sex ma age h ough a vo e by a Aus a ans n a na ona p eb sc e “Soon a e Ju y 2 he esu was c ea he Coa on e a ned Gove nmen and a p eb sc e was pa o he su e o po c es ha we e endo sed by he Aus a an peop e “Now we have honou ed ha comm men ha we made w h he n oduc on o h s p eb sc e b and he e ease o an exposu e d a o he p oposed eg s a ve amendmen s o he Ma age Ac “As he Sec e a y o he Coa on s Backbench Comm ee on Lega A a s have w nessed he consu a ve espec u and hough - h ough p ocess ha has aken p ace n cons uc ng bo h he b we a e deba ng oday and he exposu e d a o change he Ma age Ac ” Acco d ng o Ms W cks “Chang ng he defin on o ma age s no s mp e because a e s wha s poss b y one o he mos undamen a co ne s ones o e as we know “Redefin ng ma age s no some h ng we shou d us ge on w h and no a dec s on o ake s mp y because o he coun es have done o s a gen e

evo u on o ma age ” Ms W cks sa d “Pu s mp y chang ng he defin on o ma age wou d be o change he ve y na u e o ma age se ” she sa d She sa d was d ficu o espec he Labo Pa y s app oach o he ssue “By e us ng o acknow edge he decency o he Aus a an peop e and he ab y o have a espec u deba e Labo has cyn ca y p ayed po cs w h h s mos mpo an ssue by oppos ng he p eb sc e b “ n do ng so Labo has e ec ed he w shes o he Aus a an peop e o eso ve he ssue by p eb sc e and s mp y e used o dea w h he Gove nmen n good a h “Hav ng spoken w h hund eds o peop e n my e ec o a e s sad o see ha even Labo ep esen a ves on he Cen a Coas such as he Labo Sena o o New Sou h Wa es Debo ah O Ne have a ed o s and up o he conv c ons “Back n 2011 he hen Membe o Robe son ook a ve y s ong v ew o he New Sou h Wa es Labo con e ence “Ms O Ne sa d peop e who we e opposed o gay ma age ke he se we e un a y ma gned as b go ed n o e an o homophob c “Ms O Ne pu on he eco d ha he Ma age Ac shou d on y un e a man and a woman “Ye n an n e v ew on ABC Cen a Coas ad o he now Labo Sena o o New Sou h Wa es e used o s and on hese p nc p es and wou d no d scuss he own v ew abou h s v a ssue “ ns ead she sha p y c c sed he Gove nmen s p eb sc e wh ch she desc bed as an unnecessa y conve sa on and a g o fied op n on po “Why s w ong o a ow he Aus a an peop e o be

hea d? “Pe haps s because Labo d d no h ng o p og ess same-sex ma age du ng he s x yea s n Gove nmen ” Ms W cks sa d he a k ng po n s n he deba e such as “ma age equa y” and “ ove s ove” ug a he hea s ngs “They a e des gned o ead you down a pa h o wha advoca es say s he on y og ca and mo a y gh conc us on “A e na ve v ewpo n s have been shu ou and d s ega ded as e evan be o e hey have even been deba ed es ed and we ghed “We have he c a ms ha a p eb sc e w be d v s ve and w ue hos y “W h espec o membe s oppos e sn he hea n h s deba e he ve y eason we shou d have a u and p ope conve sa on be o e a dec s on s made? “As we know am es oday a e no us nuc ea am es ha eflec he soca ed ad ona ma age amewo k bu a so s ng epa en same-sex and b ended am es v ng n owns and c es and on a ms gh a ound ou coun y “G ven h s ea y s he cu en defin on o ma age even e evan oday? “ wou d a gue ha abso u e y s “Rega d ess o whe he you a e ma ed a de ac o coup e a s ng e pa en o a same-sex coup e n my v ew he ns u on o ma age ex s s as a e e ence po n o am es “ be eve wo ks as a e e ence po n o a amewo k ha ecogn ses ha ch d en whe e poss b e need a mo he and a he o a mo he and a he figu e o he p hem bes make sense o who hey a e as hey g ow “ s a amewo k ha has ex s ed o cen u es now

New friends New adventures

and a amewo k ha wo ks we even n a soc e y whe e ma age s no onge he on y am y s uc u e whe e ch d en a e a sed “Tha s because ac ua y means ha ega d ess o wha ype o am y you be ong o he e s ex s s a e e ence po n n aw ha s a es he s gn ficance o a ma e o e mode and a ema e o e mode o ch d en ” Acco d ng o Ms W cks gende n ma age o degende ng ma age does ma e “Bu even am w ong and even gende and mo he and a he oe mode s a e no onge o any consequence he cu en

ma age w be changed o eve bu n do ng so he na on w have u y wo ked h ough he mp ca ons o such a undamen a change a he han hav ng h s change o s ed upon us because we we e oo gh ened o b oaden he deba e n a espec u cons de ed way “Th s deba e on bo h he p eb sc e and he ssue o same-sex ma age w be a ma k o ou ma u y as a na on ” Ms W cks sa d

na ow defin on ha we have been hea ng ha ma age s us abou ove and equa y p ov des e oppo un y o us o be ab e o exp o e he u pe sona and soc a consequences o chang ng he Ma age Ac “ n he name o deep y he d L be a v ews abou ue democ acy eedom and cou age o ou conv c ons be eve we a e n ac eav ng a ma k by be ng p epa ed o s and up o ee speech and ee hough and o be p epa ed o sk an ou come n o de o encou age an open and democ a c deba e “ he Aus a an peop e vo e yes n a p eb sc e

Speech Oc 20 2016 House o Represen a ves Lucy W cks Member or Rober son

Rob Noble has a more direct role in the Transition Program

he Central Coast Council has amended its interim executive organisational structure to give CEO, Mr Rob Noble, a more direct role in the Transition Program.

The o e o he T ans on P og am acco d ng o a epo om he CEO s Un o he Oc obe 26 o d na y Counc mee ng was “T ans o m ng he wo o me o gan sa ons n o one cus ome ocussed nnova ve and p o ess ona Counc o he Cen a Coas commun y” “The T ans on P og am has been p o ess ona y and ab y ead o da e by Counc s Ch e F nanc a O fice and he Execu ve Manage o T ans on and Bus ness Pe o mance ” he epo sa d “As he T ans on P og am has un o ded he Ch e Execu ve O fice has de e m ned ha he needs o unde ake a mo e d ec o e n he P og am by p ov d ng gu dance and suppo o he P og am s a n a d ec epo ng ne ” As a esu he Execu ve Manage T ans on and Bus ness Pe o mance Ms Jan ne McKenz e w now epo d ec y o M Nob e ns ead o o he Ch e

F nanc a O fice M S ephen Naven The e o he pos on has a so been changed o Execu ve Manage T ans o ma on and Bus ness Pe o mance Acco d ng o he epo om he CEO s Un “The e a e wo membe s o s a a ec ed by he p oposed change “One s sub ec o he Loca Gove nmen Sae Awa ds 2014 and he o he s no “Ne he s a membe o any un on “Bo h have been consu ed abou he p oposed change and bo h ag ee o “The Counc has he powe o eso ve o make he p oposed change o he o gan sa on s uc u e o Counc and he Counc does so he change w ake e ec om ha eso u on ” he epo sa d The Ch e n o ma on O fice M Dav d Kennedy w con nue o epo o M Naven As a esu o he ev sed

s uc u e M Nob e w now have seven sen o execu ve pos ons d ec y epo ng o hm They a e Ch e F nanc a O fice M S ephen Naven Ac ng G oup Leade Cus ome and Commun y Re a onsh ps M Pe e Cann zza o G oup Leade Asse s n as uc u e and Bus ness M M ke Dow ng G oup Leade Env onmen and P ann ng M Sco Cox Execu ve Manage T ans o ma on and Bus ness Pe o mance Ms Jan ne McKenz e Execu ve Manage Peop e and Cu u e Ms Ke e Reeves and Execu ve Manage Gove nance M B an G endenn ng Agenda em 6 6 Oc 26 2016 Cen ra Coas Counc ord nary mee ng Webs e Oc 27 2016 Cen ra Coas Counc abou -counc organ sa ona s ruc ure Jack e Pearson ourna s

FREE

September 13, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

FREE

Issue 100

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

November 8, 2016

FREE

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

August 6, 2012

FREE

Issue 104

December 6, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 106

Issue 1

Artist’s impression released for Lakeside Plaza redevelopment

M k

Photo courtesy of Ben Dunnet

a day spa, restaurant for day and night time influenced by studies for over a year now in he artist’s some 21,000 sqm. The development has and bar, surrounded by a entertainment and from around Australia the development of the impression of and internationally concept for the site”, the proposed been designed by one landscaped and treed roof relaxation. A proposed Novotel whereby best practice said a spokesperson for Lakeside Plaza of Australia’s leading garden environment. designs Wyong Council Media. The position on Hotel would comprise architectural r e d e v e l o p m e n t architectural firms to reflect its seaside position the fourth floor of the 220 plus rooms, an have been ‘cherry picked’ “The recently adopted released by and provide outstanding building would offer 800 seat conference and integrated into the master plan for the architectural firm, views of the ocean and uninterrupted views out and function centre, design”. entrance town centre was Architectus, depicts lake. to the lake and coast, yet introducing The Entrance The Entrance Chamber prepared in conjunction an expanded Coles The development would enable the roof to thousands of visitors. of Commerce president their concept.” Supermarket along would also provide for garden to still feel part of Both towers would Mr Wes Newman said the “Council has received with speciality fashion substantial undercover the town. be in an elliptical shape, development was positive a planning proposal for At ground level, the designed to offer 360 for The Entrance. spot rezoning of the and food retailers to basement parking for “To get this far has lakeside plaza site, which serve The Entrance shoppers and visitors piazza has been designed degree views, allowing alike. to become the town wind to pass, avoiding the been a great achievement is currently being assed.” Community.

The lofting of the square, providing open down drafts associated and is very positive for “Stages two and three of the development will towers would create an space and amenities, with more conventional The Entrance,” said Mr Newman. include a residential ‘Oasis’ ﬂoor protected surrounded by restaurants, designs. Lakeside Plaza “We have been working tower and hotel tower, all from the sun and rain cafes, hospitality venues on the one site that covers on the fourth level, and specialist retail that proprietor Mr Bob Dunnet closely with the owners providing pool facilities, would make it popular said “The design has been and their representatives

Join scouts

For information call 1800 SCOUTS (1800 726 887) or go to www.scouts.com.au

Magazine, 1 Jul 2012 Edgar Adams, Central Coast Business Review 8 Aug 2012 Wy Wyong Council Media

The Central Coast FREE

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

January 31, 2013

Issue 13

Marlene Pennings is Citizen of the Year

s Marlene Pennings of The Entrance North was named Wyong Shire’s Citizen of the Year at the Wyong Council Civic Centre on Thursday, January 24.

The evening also paid time for many other Volunteer Award went causes to Mr Allen Currie tribute to other members community of the Wyong Shire including the Wyong and the Youth of the Community Year award went to Ms community who have Shire Tuggerah Rachel Davis. aided others through a Nursery, Other winners Lakes Reserve Trust, service. Guests heard that, Wycare-CEN Liaison included Brackets and over the past 12 Committee, Landcare, Jam event stalwart Ms years, Ms Pennings the steering committee Julie Smith in the Arts Empowering and Culture division, was responsible for for obtaining almost $1 Aboriginal Women and martial artist Mr John million in grants to help Wyong Shire Council’s Gill in the Sportsperson of the Year category, Mr Vision Committee. the community. Last year Marlene was Tim Silverwood from Ms Penning’s work has included driving included on the Hidden the Take 3-A Clean roles with Coastcare Treasures Honour Roll, Beach Initiative won the The Entrance North, the organised by the NSW Environment Award and Tuggerah Lakes Estuary, Department of Primary both the Central Coast Coastline and Flood Industries to highlight Outreach Service and Plain Management the work of outstanding TNC Lakes Food Care Committee, The volunteers in regional shared the honours for outstanding Community Entrance Community and rural areas. Wyong Shire service organisation. Precinct Committee, The Entrance North Council’s Australia Day Media release, Progress Association award for a Business 25 Jan 2013 Person went to Mr Don and Wycare. Wyong Council Media Ms Pennings has Dagger. The Community also volunteered her Ms Marlene Pennings and mayor Cr Doug Eaton

Central Coast airport ruled out “The NSW Central Coast which is inister for the Central Coast Mr Chris Hartcher has rejected to increase capacity has why we need to ensure a proposal to build an airport on the Central Coast, including at Sydney Airport to Government boost efﬁciency. written to the Federal the existing Sydney a proposed site at Bushells Ridge in Wyong Shire.

“While Sydney Government proposing Airport asset is being Mr Hartcher has “The NSW “We will not support Airport is a matter for a joint approach fully utilised,” said instead called on the Government does not a proposal that dumps the Commonwealth, we addressing aviation Mr Hartcher. Federal Members for support a second airport aircraft noise on want to see maximum capacity and operational Dobell and Robertson to in the Sydney basin the families of the efficiency Media release, achieved improvements. 17 Jan 2013 support the joint approach whether it’s Wilton, Central Coast. at the facility because “The NSW Caroline Hutcherson, of the NSW Government Badgerys Creek or the “The NSW the economy of NSW Government does not Office of Chris Hartcher MP to boost efficiency at Central Coast,” said Government announced depends on it. support an airport on the Sydney Airport. Mr Hartcher. plans late last year

The Central Coast FREE

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

July 18, 2013

k m

Wyong Shire Council University city in Wuhan China, a model for the proposed Warnervale university

The Central Coast

Floor space ratio and building heights will also need to be amended in Wyong Local Environment Plan 2013 (WLEP), Issue 103 if NSW Planning gives consent for a gateway determination. A portion of the former school site remains subject to a compulsory acquisition application that was lodged by the former Wyong Council and is expected to be concluded between November 2016 and January 2017. At Council’s ordinary meeting on October 26, Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, agreed that the latest rezoning proposal should be sent to the NSW Department of Planning for a gateway determination.

FREE

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

January 10, 2014

Issue 37

‘Brothers for Life’ members arrested

October 25, 2016

Images from the ‘Brothers for Life’ arrest

More images from the ‘Brothers for Life’ arrest on Page 8

January 9, with the case possess unauthorised part of an ongoing firearm; investigation by Strike Police alleged that West Metro, North West charged with a variety adjourned to March 7; he prohibited Two counts of supply Force Sitella, which two of the men were Metro and Northern of offences, before was again refused bail. The 29-year-old was prohibited drug (Large was formed by MEOCS actively involved in Regions, in executing being refused bail to directing many of the seven search warrants at appear before court on charged with: possess Commercial Quantity); to investigate a number unauthorised pistol; Supply prohibited drug of shootings in Sydney gang’s illegal activities properties in Sydney and Thursday, January 9. unauthorised (Indictable Quantity); during the second half of and believe their arrests the Central Coast. Quami was charged possess firearm; and Participate in 2013. would seriously disrupt As a result of the with two counts of possess prohibited Strike Force Sitella the group’s criminal operation, three men unauthorised pistol; two counts of supply criminal group. prohibited drug (Large He was refused has resulted in police agendas. were arrested including possess unauthorised Commercial Quantity); bail and appeared in arresting eleven people Around 2pm, alleged gang leader prohibited firearm; preferring 73 supply prohibited drug Parramatta Local Court and detectives from the 31-year-old Farhad two counts of supply (Indictable Quantity); on Thursday, January 9. charges, as well as State Crime Command's Qaumi from Chittaway prohibited drug (Large and knowingly direct Of the seven search seizing three handguns, Middle Eastern Bay; a 29-year-old man Commercial Quantity); shotguns and criminal activities of warrants executed by two Organised Crime Squad from Wyong; and a supply prohibited drug group. police, three were in quantities of illicit drugs. (MEOCS) were joined 27-year-old man from (Indictable Quantity); Media release, 9 Jan 2014 He was also refused Wyong, one was in by specialist police, and Auburn. and knowingly direct NSW Police Media Villawood, one was in officers from the South The three men were criminal activities of bail.

the Wyong Shire FREE

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

July 4, 2014

Issue 49

Decision to purchase land mired in controversy

Rally attracts over R 1,000 people

y o n g earlier meeting in Wyong clearly blown away by with Assistant Minister our overall vision for Council for Infrastructure and the managed growth of has agreed, Regional Development this region and we’ve although not Jamie Briggs. been very pleased with unanimously, to “The Federal the support for the purchase two lots of Government’s support for proposed regional airport strategic land holdings the regional airoport will expressed by both levels totalling 231 hectares be essential to getting it of government,” Cr Eaton from Terrace Towers built and operational by said. for $17 million. 2020 and we had a great Gosford Council’s meeting in Canberra CEO Mr Paul Anderson Mayor Cr Doug Eaton last week with senior said that establishing a said both holdings were of officials and the Chief of new regional airport was strategic importance to job Staff for Federal Minister a very important part of creation in the Shire, one for Infrastructure and the Central Coast’s future. for the proposed regional Regional Development, “There’s no doubt that airport and the other for Warren Truss,” said having an airport built future employment and mayor Cr Eaton. and operating here in our Warner Business Park Jilliby Land environmental offset “They were very region would be a major, “This is the biggest “The Woodbury Park investment of ratepayers’ lands. supportive of our regional long-term boost for the The decision to single land holding in the land is adjacent to the money, and knowing the airport plans and we local economy,” Mr purchase required the investigation site,” said Freeway Link Rd at Terrace Towers company are to write to them to Anderson said. the northern boundary as I do, you can rest mayor to use his casting mayor Cr Eaton. trigger Federal assistance “Not only will an “Securing this land of the Shire and will assured that they wouldn’t vote to get the land regarding planning and airport help us tackle the now shows how serious provide opportunities be selling their prime land purchase passed. technical approvals in huge demands facing the “This is all about we are about establishing for future employment holdings for less than line with the Coalition’s Central Coast’s transport jobs and planning for a regional airport by 2020 and environmental offset they were worth,” said election commitment. systems in coming years, Cr Graham, who voted the future growth of this to help grow the local lands,” Cr Eaton said. “They also saw the but it will also deliver “Both holdings are against the motion along region,” mayor Cr Eaton economy and boost jobs airport as being eligible positive flow on effects on the Coast. important for sustainable with Crs Lisa Matthews, said. for federal funding for local jobs, tourism and “The Central Coast economic development in Doug Vincent and Ken Council will invest through RDA grants in other investment. Greenwald. $10 million in over 87 Regional Airport will be the Shire,” he said. upcoming years and we “Along with Wyong However, Cr Bob “I will be calling for hectares of land in the the hub of a business and will be looking at all Shire Council, we were Warner Business Park at logistics industry precinct Graham said the $17 a thorough investigation avenues for public and very pleased to be able representing a change in million could be better into this wastage of Jilliby. private funding,” he said. to highlight this regional “The land covers employment opportunities spent on a multitude of ratepayers’ money and to Last month council priority at the national around one third of in Wyong Shire, and will projects throughout the what could possibly be also met with NSW level during meetings the regional airport complement other airport Shire including the Arts the true motive for this Premier Mike Baird and with federal government investigation site services in the Sydney Centre, the restoration cosy arrangement with Central Coast Minister ministers in June,” said identified in November basin and Newcastle,” he of Tuggerah Lakes, Terrace Towers,” said Cr Rob Stokes and took Mr Anderson. said. roads, kerb and gutter, Graham. 2013. them on a visit to the Council will also drainage and sporting and The decision to Media release, 26 Jun 2014 “It also contains proposed airport site and purchase the land Wyong Council Media an existing Part 3A purchase over 144 recreational facilities. other projects in the north Email, 26 Jun 2014 “I question the followed a lobbying approval for an industrial hectares of land at Warnervale area. Bob Graham, Wyong Council Doyalson for $7 million. wisdom of this so called visit to Canberra and an subdivision. “The Premier was

the Wyong Shire FREE

January 16, 2015

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 61

Chinese University campus proposed for Warnervale

Wyong Council mayor Cr Doug Eaton (centre) with Wuyi University president Zhang to his right and vice president Wurren to his left with members of the Ames Foundation

“At the moment, a strong record in and making connections. yong Council’s mayor Cr Doug Eaton is currently in China The Wyong Education overseas meeting key dignitaries to progress interest and investment they have interests in supporting universities in Ottowa education,” said mayor and Business Precinct has in the Shire. been identified by council Cr Eaton. and New York. Top of the agenda is Guangzhou (population Wyong Shire. The campus would as one of 39 key projects “This will be a first Mayor Cr Eaton plans for a world class over 20 million) on for Wyong and Australia cater for 7,000 students requiring investment and tertiary campus to cater Monday, January 12, to said president Zhang if they get on board and and create 500 permanent funding from the state for 7,000 students to be discuss their interest in was enthusiastic about I am really hoping they jobs and include a and federal governments working with council to will. located at the Wyong this campus. SMARTS Hub knowledge to create more jobs and Wuyi University has develop a university in Education and Business “Wuyi is great fit and community centre for opportunities for Wyong 18,000 students and the Wyong Shire. Precinct in Warnervale. for Wyong and not just students and the broader Shire residents. “Wuyi University because it starts with W. community to assist in The mayor met with specialises in engineering president Zhang and and technology, key is looking to expand Media release, 13 Jan 2015 “They have the developing their skills, Wyong Council media vice president Wuren disciplines of which its current cooperation expertise in the technical supporting employment of the Wuyi University there is little opportunity agreements with overseas subjects we need and and business initiatives in Jiangmen near to explore at this time in campuses.

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

FREE

July 10, 2015

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 73

Ourimbah boarding house proposal to proceed to JRPP without proper debate

proposed 100-room boarding house at Ourimbah could not be discussed by Wyong Council at its general meeting on Wednesday, July 8 because seven out of eight councillors present declared interests in the matter.

we have been told that we would need a minimum of $50,000 to take it there and we have nothing of that kind at the moment,” he said. Member for Dobell, Ms Karen McNamara attended the Council meeting as a show of support for the Ourimbah residents. Member for The Entrance, Mr David The approval or refusal of the proposed boarding Mehan has also expressed support for the Ourimbah house at 2-4 Glen Rd Ourimbah will now be residents and is expected to speak at the JRPP in determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel opposition to the boarding house development. An artist's impression of the proposed Glen Rd boarding house as it will be presented to the JRPP at its meeting next week. Mr McGill said the Cr Eaton, Taylor, Best, Mr Greg McGill or not they supported Webster, Vincent, Troy application was reviewed wells and storage. Stop Glen Road Action The proposed building from the Stop Glen the development,” Mr Group did not believe and Matthews all declared by the Hunter Joint interests in the matter, Regional Planning Panel will house 87 single Road Action Group said McGill said. that the developer had He said the outcomes met the six conditions which left independent (JRPP) last year which units, 10 doubles, three residents present in the Cr Bob Graham, the only deferred its determination accessible units and the public gallery for the of the focus groups set out by the JRPP in Council meeting were chaired by Mr Thompson pending the provision of manager’s unit. relation to its concerns councillor present, able to Each unit would “very, very disappointed” had been used as part of about the bulk and scale additional information discuss it. contain an en-suite, that the issue was not the developer’s social and design change. of the development. Cr Greenwald and impact statement in its The original DA was kitchenette, robe and debated. “One floor has come Nayna were absent but Mr McGill said he was development proposal to had previously declared for the demolition of two desk. off the top but there is an The landscaping plan surprised that several incorrectly demonstrate additional wing to be built existing dwellings and interests in the matter. declared community support for The absence of a the erection of a four- has been revised with councillors and they have reduced the size of the rooms to just quorum to discuss the story boarding house extensive landscaping conflicts of interest based the development. The Stop Glen Road matter meant the decision containing 94 rooms, proposed within the front on connections with above the state minimum a manager’s residence, setback and in communal former federal member Action Group is also requirements,” Mr to make submissions to next week’s Joint parking and open space. areas, according to the for Dobell, Mr Craig seeking advice as to McGill said. whether Mr Cox is an Thompson. The revised application latest report to Council. In the speech he did Regional Planning Panel Mr McGill said he appropriate person to not get to present to the Unless Mr Cox decides (JRPP) meeting was is for a three-storey deferred to Council’s boarding house with to make alternative believed Mr Thompson, make submissions to the meeting, Mr McGill acting general manager, 100 rooms, a manager’s submissions to the along with former JRPP given that he was the said the group would be residence, parking and JRPP, it is expected that Wyong councillor and author of the first report to Mr Scott Cox. detailing the issues that the report submitted mayor Mr Neil Rose, Council recommending open space. it believed the developer Chairperson of the “Following a thorough to the Wednesday, had been employed by the original development Stop Glen Road Action had failed to address to planning assessment, July 8 meeting will be the developers K and application. the JRPP meeting. Group, Mr Greg McGill According to Mr application is forwarded to the Hunter P Gregory, to chair was also unable to speak the for Central Coast JRPP for focus groups and lobby McGill, the group Meeting transcript, at the meeting because recommended 8 July 2015 the matter could not be approval,” the report said. determination on Friday, current ALP councillors will be “up the creek to support the proposed without a paddle” if Business paper, 8 July 2015 In the latest version of July 16. debated. Wyong Council the JRPP approves the In other words, the development. According to a report the proposal, the building ordinary meeting “We believe the current version of the from Wyong Council’s width has increased at outcome from Wyong Interview, the street frontage, and Council to the JRPP will councillors used their development application. 9 July 2015 development and “Our only avenue Mr Greg McGill, Save Glen building department internal changes include be a report supporting the declared conflicts at Road Action Group communal recreation approval of the proposed the meeting to get out would be the Land and manager, acting director, Jackie Pearson, journalist of declaring whether Environment Court and Ms Tanya O’Brien, the rooms on each level, light development.

The subject site for the rezoning proposal is edged in red

development. lopment. The he southern part of two lots ots at 1 North Rd will retainn their low density residential dential zoning. The he site is known as the Wyong Grove Community mmunity and Cultural Hub and is the home of the Wyong Drama Group and Musical Theatre Company. mpany. Wyong Grove Public School ool closed in June

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

FREE

February 2, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 85

Wyong councillor “All too often we have Lloyd Taylor said: “It ﬂooding around the lake demonstrates the level of edge and opening the community commitment mouth of the channel will to get the channel opened reduce the likelihood of and a break-wall built. the ﬂooding we saw as “We have all had recently as January of this enough of talk; now we year. want action,” Cr Taylor “The commu said. “Before the last election, we had support from the local member, Mr Chris Spence and the Liberal Party, but that all seems to have faded,” he said.

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

FREE

August 2, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 97

Wallarah 2 coal mine decision now only a few weeks away The Greens NSW no future, that Mike he Australian mining spokesperson, Baird should knock on Coal Alliance Mr Jeremy Buckingham, the head. is organising has called on NSW “The proposed coal a public meeting to premier, Mr Mike Baird, conveyor belt and inform the northern to intervene to stop the coal loading area are Central Coast Wallarah 2 underground unacceptably close to community about the coal mine project. the existing residential latest developments “The Coalition made neighbourhood of Blue in their long-running a solemn promise not to Haven and may impact on campaign to stop the allow the Wallarah 2 coal plans by the Darkinjung Wallarah 2 coal mine. mine to go ahead,” Mr Local Aboriginal Land Director of the Buckingham said. Council for residential alliance’s Water Not “Former premier, Mr development in the area.” Coal campaign, Mr Alan Barry O’Farrell, told Central Coast Council Hayes, said the meeting a crowd that the mine concerns about the effect would be held at Wyong would not go ahead ‘no on the drinking water RSL on August 10. ifs, no buts, a guarantee’. catchment, environment The Korean mining “Yet years later, and residential areas, will company KORES has the NSW Coalition be central to its review lodged an amended Government has failed to of modified plans for the development proposal implement this promise,” Wallarah 2 Coal Project. that includes plans to Mr Buckingham said. The former Wyong build a conveyor belt and “This coal mine is Shire Council opposed alter the route of the rail a risk not only to the the mine in February spur to avoid having to water catchment of the 2014 due to the potential reach an agreement with Central Coast, but to the impacts on the drinking The latest plans include a relocated rail loop (shown in purple) the Darkinjung Local other concerns could be plans. the main access to the credibility of the Liberal water catchment areas. Aboriginal Land Council. addressed. Party when it makes The former Gosford Mr Hayes said the new development. Plans have been Council also Mr Hayes said that in commitments to the City Those concerns development proposal modified relating to the included the mine’s would see the conveyor 2014, Dr Peter Lewis, electorate. opposed the project in rail loop, rail spur line “It should fulfil those March 2014. impact on the Central belt transporting coal 200 the clinical director of the and train load out facility. Coast’s water supply, metres from the south- Central Coast integrated commitments and reject Council has stated The project has been subsidence and the health western boundary of the care program, said the the mine. it intends to closely modified to realign the effects of coal dust. “The Korean review the revised plans Blue Haven residential expected mortality rate sewer connection. has with a view to lodging a The Darkinjung Local area and as far north as for coal dust related to the Government The State Significant Aboriginal Land Council Wyee. Wallarah 2 mine could be announced a restructure submission. Development was took the matter to the of its state owned resource Council has also “Tooheys Rd would one on 100,000. recently lodged with the “Wyong CBD is five companies that will see encouraged community Land and Environment disappear because that Planning Assessment Court, which ruled that road does not have a wide kilometres from the them withdraw from members to take this Commission and is on the mine could not go verge on either side and proposed coal handling international resource opportunity to have their public exhibition (but ahead without permission KORES doesn’t own any facilities, Blue Haven projects, so it is unclear voice heard. not advertised in this to utilise Darkinjung land in that area, so they and Lake Haven are why the government Information regarding newspaper) for six weeks, land. would be wanting the even closer, and there should approve a mine the project is available with a closing date of The new proposal does conveyor to run along the are schools, hospitals and plan for a company likely from NSW Planning’s September 6. major projects website. not include Darkinjung carriage way,” Mr Hayes aged care facilities,” Mr to leave the market. According to Mr land. “There is no need to Hayes said. said. Media release, Jul 26, 2016 Hayes, the Planning “The Planning build this coal mine. The Darkinjung CEO of the Darkinjung Assessment Commission LALC, Mr Sean Gordon, Local Aboriginal Land Assessment Commission “The community are Central Coast Council media Media release, Jul 26, 2016 did not approve the declined to comment Council already has has rejected four coal bitterly opposed. Max Phillips, office of coal mine in 2014, on the impact the latest approval for a 500 lot mines already this year “The company doesn’t Jeremy Buckingham but stated that there Wallarah II proposal may residential sub-division because of their proximity want to build it, it just Interview, Jul 29, 2017 may be justification have on the Darkinjung that would be impacted to residential areas,” he wants an approval to sell. Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance to approve the mine if land and development because Tooheys Rd is said. “It’s a dud mine, with Jackie Pearson, journalist all the commission’s

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

00 ED T ONS Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax:

“My NSW Labor NSW,” Sen O’Neill said. ell over 1,000 people attended the Wyong Hospital privatisation no certainty about their colleagues and I will “The Baird community rally at Morrie Breen Oval on Sunday, October future. “There are areas stand with the community Government’s own 17.

Local Labor MPs who addressed the rally said the turnout demonstrated widespread public concern about the NSW Government’s decision to invite private operators to upgrade and run Wyong Hospital. “The Wyong rally is just the start, with a series of events planned for regional locations where a public-private partnership model will be considered for hospital upgrades and construction,” said Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, Mr

David Harris. Central Coast Labor MPs slammed the NSW Health Minister, Ms Jillian Skinner, for failing to consult with the community. “Throughout two elections, we did not hear a word from the Government about this plan,” Mr Harris said. “They have failed to treat our area with any respect or give us any say in decisions around our hospital. “I hope the Government is paying attention to the reaction

of our community. “This is not their hospital to sell,” he said. Federal Member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride joined the debate. “Having worked at Wyong Hospital for the past 10 years, I know how dedicated our health workers are and the strain they work under caring for us,” Ms McBride said. “They don’t deserve this. “It is unacceptable that local health workers have been put in a position where they have

within the health system where the public-private partnership model is known to be inadequate. “How do we know this will not put more pressure on nearby public hospitals? “We have no information from the Government about how they plan to address these risks.” Member for the Entrance, Mr David Mehan said: “I am sure many more people will show their opposition to this Government and their unbridled attachment to privatisation.

every step of the way against the privatisation of Wyong Hospital,” Mr Mehan said. Federal Labor Senator, Deborah O’Neill, said the NSW Government’s own documents proved their privatisation model would be used for further hospital construction and upgrades. “The Government’s Public-Private Partnership approach, which will place Wyong Hospital in private hands, will potentially be used for other hospitals on the Central Coast and also affect all residents in

EE EE FRREE FRE

FREE

Issue 25

Education Precinct Preliminary Project Plan endorsed W

It is envisaged the see how this satellite yong Council is planning to create a vibrant education, students. would city is thriving with It would also see development industry and business precinct at Warnervale, capable of providing university-level courses to 7,000 students and 1,500 the co-alignment of employ 1,500 staff plus the energy of all those education with training support services and students and how this education sector jobs. flows on to stimulate the providers and business- retail providers. The initiative has taken successful international the development would industry groups, as well On a recent delegation local economy,” Cr Eaton its first step towards e d u c a t i o n - f o c u s e d include a university as the establishment of a to China, Cr Eaton visited said. becoming reality, with development, such as campus for 7,000 students business/industrial park the largest university “The spin offs extend council endorsing a Education City in South- with an emphasis on which would integrate city in the world in to the tourism sector, with Preliminary Project East Queensland and the science, engineering and with the university Wuhan, home to multiple increased visits from the Plan which will develop Education City in Qatar, technology based studies, campus and explore university campuses and families of students and a masterplan for the and envisions creating a residential college for linkages for employment a total student population prospective students and Council-owned land at a regionally significant 1,500 students and retail, generation and research of over one million. university-based events.” Warnervale. integrated development. sport and recreation and and development. The initial driver for “It was incredible to “This is a unique Key components of language facilities for investment in the proposed opportunity for council Warnervale precinct and the community,” will focus on securing a Wyong mayor Cr Doug university to anchor the Eaton said. development and attract Cr Eaton also said the complementary service initiative would benefit providers and businesses. the young people of “On this front, we are the Central Coast and already looking good with create a huge boost for council having already local employment and received an expression business. of interest from a According to Cr Greg reputable international Best, the initiative would investor, which I think particularly benefit those demonstrates that this is a who have to leave the viable project,” Cr Eaton Central Coast because said. their chosen disciplines “I’m very optimistic of tertiary study are not that we have the right available in the region. conditions to transform “We are not going higher education on the to be an exporter of Central Coast.” commuters,” Cr Best An economic said. feasibility study will be “One day, we are completed by September going to be an importer 2013. of employers.” Media release, 11 Jul 2013, Council has drawn on

The 27-year-old was Guildford, one was in olice have arrested and charged three members of ‘Brothers group. He was refused bail, charged with: Attempt Auburn and one was in for Life’, two of which were from the Wyong LGA, following a proactive operation throughout Sydney and the Central Coast on appeared at Wyong Local to possess unauthorised Kellyville. Court on Thursday, pistol; Attempt to The operation was Wednesday, January 8.

Wyong Town Centre, and this land is considered a reasonable expansion of the land use. “The indicative development concepts accompanying the planning proposal are very basic and will need to be further developed to address matters such as privacy, overshadowing and visual impact,” the report said. “Council’s Community and Culture Unit has advised that the rezoning should only progress on the northern portion the November 22,of2016 Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369 lot, being the part which is not impacted by the compulsory acquisition proceedings. “Preliminary consultation has been undertaken with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (L&HC), which owns four properties directly abuttinghe this site, and Wyong a further sixmproperties com unity situated nearby. will get a bigger “NSW L&HC supports and better hospital the expansion of the R3 as a result of zone the Medium Density NSW (togetherGovernment’s with a 2:1 proposed FSR) to apply publicto their private partnership, landholdings. according to thetheNSW “Expanding R3 Medium Density zone Minister for Health, (together a 2:1 FSR) Ms Jillianwith Skinner. forMsland Skinner on the eastern told side of Owen Ave, north the Wyong Regional of Ingramthat St and south Chronicle the NSW of Cutler Dve is not Government would recommended. still spend its promised “It million is considered $200 on the preferable to restrict the redevelopment of Wyong proposed R3 zone to the Hospital. area of Ingram “I south would expectSt.a private sector partner Agenda item 3.4, to add more Oct money to 26, 2016 the $200 but Centralmillion, Coast Council our commitment not ordinaryhas meeting changed,” Ms Skinner said. From left: Jillian Skinner NSW Minister for Health with “Having a private Premier Mr Mike Baird at the announcement of the Northern Beaches Hospital in 2014 partner means the the organisations that had plan for the district, and by Healthescope, as the Beaches l), Hospital), community can get ve submitted expressions of the operator would be model for the public- the partner will have a lot more, including interest, but confirmed obliged to meet those private-partnership being the option to continue, ue, extra services, a bigger they had to have a proven requirements, but they proposed at Wyong. he but if they don’t, the hospital, and more staff,” track record of running don’t have to stop there. She said she urged hospital returns to public lic she said. hospitals in Australia to “There is no limit to people to take a drive ownership,” she said. Ms Skinner said she qualify. what they can bid,” Ms past the new hospital id Ms Skinner said expected a redeveloped “We got numerous Skinner said. on Sydney’s Northern that would be the case se Wyong Hospital to known private hospital She said opening up Beaches. vel irrespective of the level become a major maternity operators and nearly the development and “It is a beautiful of “value adding” the he hospital if the privateall of the not-for-profit operation of the hospital hospital, much better than private operator had done ne sector partnership went operators,” she said. to a competitive tender anything you would get on site. ahead. NSW Health will process meant two parties out of public funding,” The for-profi fit fit The existing Wyong spend the next four to five could out-bid each other Ms Skinner said. and not-for-profi fit fit Hospital currently has months working with the by committing to the The Minister said operators that submitted ed limited birthing services. operators that submitted delivery of additional she could assure public expressions of interest est Ms Skinner said it eet expressions of interest services. patients that they would will be required to meet would take at least a to give them a clearer “The Northern Beaches be cared for exactly as minimum requirements nts year to work through the understanding of the Hospital ended up with a if they were in a public for documentation, n, Expression of Interest commitments that would Cardiac Catheterisation hospital. legal arrangement and nd and Tender processes be expected of them if Lab that was not in the “The government will financials before they necessary to find a they were to participate original tender plan,” she pay for public patient are allowed to tender, as suitable private sector in the tender process. said. care,” she said. the fine detail required in partner. “The tender Ms Skinner referred “At the end of the the tender process could The Minister for specifications will to the Northern Beaches contract (20 years in cost any potential partner Health would not name include a clinical services Hospital, constructed the case of the Northern millions of dollars.

Auditor General asked to look into inexplicable selection of Kangy Angy land

documents confirm: ‘If other projects are assessed as being able to deliver … using this approach, then partnerships will be looked into’,” she said. “The public health system is not for sale. “The community rightly believes that our health system is not something a government can make a profit from.” Joint media release, Oct 19, 2016 Heather Robison, office of Emma McBride Media release, Oct 19, 2016 Scott Coomber, office of Deborah O’Neill Jackie Pearson, journalist

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

www.centralcoastnewspapers.com

of its application to applic compulsorily acquire the ac site. A development dev a p p l i c a t i o n (DA/794/2016) was lodged with Council on Co 24 June 2016, for the demolition of all the existing buildings buildin on the site, but has not yet been determined. The applicant lodged a request for a pre-Gateway pre

The portion of the site subject to the compulsory acquisition application is edged in yellow

of the town centre.

Ofﬁce: Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: Mail: E-mail: Website:

State Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, said he had written to the Issue 105 NSW Auditor-General requesting that the state’s chief auditor looks into the dealings surrounding the Kangy Angy site selection process. The proposed site in Kangy Angy did not originally appear on the list of 24 sites considered by NSW Government, and was only selected When if Health after beingasked floated as an NSW would make the alternative by the former detail of Council, the contractwho for Wyong the not partnership did wish to available approve for salepublic the of the scrutiny, land at Ms Skinner the preferredsaid: site “The in public can already have Warnervale. a Former look at thecouncillors, details of the Northern Beaches residents and community Hospital arrangement and leaders have all I can tell you that it will questioned the legitimacy be saving tax payersAngy $1.5 of the Kangy billion over years,” decision citing20concerns she said. about inaccessible flood Ms land, Skinner prone cost argued blow that and a partnership with outs environmental the private sector would impacts. result in more jobs,used not The multi-criteria less,assess and thatthethe original contract to could ensure conditions 24 sites contained key of employment, including factors surrounding would be superannuation, enabling works including carried forward. impact on earthworks, we ofannounced and“When diversion utilities, we waswere that left out seeking of the of interest fiexpressions nal assessment given for to a series of sites, we said we would not go ahead fit to if it was of no benefi the community and the tax payer. and we have already walked away from one property,” she said. Ms Skinner said claims that free public health care would not be available at a redeveloped Wyong Hospital, or that there would be no emergency department, were “rubbish led by the unions. “I met with the unions and they told me that they had a philosophical problem with private sector involvement,” she said.

Public-private partnership ip pital will provide a better hospital

While basic questions go unanswered, the Brisbane train maintenance facility (pictured) is similar to that proposed for Kangy Angy

Angy. “The criteria not used, enabling works, included impact on culverts, earthworks and diversion of utilities. “Since Kangy Angy will require major earthworks to bridge the railway line and raise the facility above the ﬂoodplain; impact existing culverts; and, require diversion of power lines; I suggest its inclusion would have resulted in Warnervale being found the better of the two. “In addition to the above, construction on the Kangy Angy site will prove extremely expensive because of: the quantity of imported ﬁll required and its consolidation;

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Interview, Nov 17, 2016 Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health Jackie Pearson, journalist

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

A freee nnewspaper ewsp ew spap aper er w with iti h in iin-depth n de Wyong Local Government Area news!

December 15, 2016 - Page 15 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

FORUM

Bigger councils are not necessarily better rom Last Edition

Both of these bodies take away power from Council and from us. Going next to the UK, I talked to Des Harris, a councillor in Somerset County which has three levels of local government. The county level is administrative and infrastructure, run by 55 councillors serving 1 million people. The district level has five districts, each serving about 110,000, and each district has its council. Des is a councillor in the Mendip District, that elects 50 councillors through a ward system, delivering a ratio of one councillor per 2,200 citizens. Our ratio is one councillor for 22,000 people. Planning decisions are made at Mendip middle level, but the first port of call for a Somerset citizen is the town/parish level. Des lives in the town of Frome (28,000 people) which has 11 ward councillors allocated to it. Frome also has its own mayor and 17 councillors who sort through local issues and feed up a vision of what the town wants and what needs to be taken care of. Frome town government has 18 employees. This lowest level government plays a vital role in making sure that Frome’s an exciting place. The vision from the Frome website is breathtaking, voicing concerns we could only dream of. Frome is currently building a town hall with offices where the community can run its own projects. The website talks about striving for a better flow of information to and from Council and to constantly encourage debate and challenge. Des confirms that it works most of the time. They are into solar in a significant way.

FORUM Of course we’ve heard inspiring stuff from Gosford Council over the years, but it often comes to nothing. We talk well here on the Central Coast about a balanced future, but at the end of the day, the developer initiative always seems to win, as it may well do with the Avoca Theatre, flooding our tiny town with even more cars. Des confirms that the Somerset situation might look like over government and is expensive, the various levels are debt free. The system makes for a peaceful community life, where tricky issues like opening up farmland to new housing, development of brownfields, former factories etc, are handled in a way which avoids grievance. I think many of us will soon be waking up to the fact that with this new amalgamated Council, we’ve been shoved into local government which is not local at all, and getting through to anyone is going to be even more difficult despite a sensible move back to the ward system. Are we going to do anything about this? I went to see former mayor, Malcolm Brooks, wondering whether we might go ahead and unofficially elect a Mayor of Avoca. Malcolm was sceptical, saying such a title could never be used, but he did agree that a lower level of local government would be a good thing to strive for. My thinking is that we will need to retrofit our remote new council, that we should work to establish boards at the town level. Perhaps the chair of these boards could be called the Town Leader, and like the Mayor of Frome, have some ceremonial status. Our Town Leader should be a paid position and the

elected board members should also get some stipend. Elections for the Town Leader and board members could be passionate and colourful affairs as well. It might not mean a board in each town, but perhaps similar communities like Avoca, Copacabana and McMasters, would have one board representing them. Terrigal would be big enough to have a board of its own. You might think that the community associations which exist in most towns can do the job. They can’t because they have no official status, thus no power, and no guarantee they’ll be listened to by council. Our Avoca Community Association struggles to get more than 15 people to a meeting. Would anyone care enough to make the local board system work and not just be an expensive addition? Maybe if it was seen to have a real impact on quality of life, the beauty and protection of the environment, it could. I would claim that wellbeing in our communities in terms of Council-community relations, is very low, and this is causing stress and grief which has its own monetary cost. The theatre mess is a classic case to prove the point. In terms of time, opposing the overdevelopment has involved tens of thousands of hours of frustration for many locals. The developers have suffered similar drawn out frustration. There has got to be a better way. Let’s start the conversation. Email, Nov 15, 2016 Mike Rubbo, Avoca

Other Regional News - In brief Coast Community News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2250, 2251 & 2260. Given the advent of a Central Coast Council, following is

a summary of news articles published in the most recent edition of each of our sister Central Coast publications. The full articles and more, as well as all previously published editions, can be seen on line on our website

www.CentralCoastNews.net Copies of these other publications may be obtained from our offices in Gosford, by subscription, or from a myriad of locations in the areas covered by each publication.

FREE

December 6, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 106

Wyong Regional Chronicle focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262, & 2263. NSW Government has refused to give Kangy Angy residents answers to requests for basic information

Auditor General asked to look into inexplicable selection of Kangy Angy land The NSW Auditor General, Ms Margaret Crawford, has been called on to investigate dealings surrounding the selection of land in Kangy Angy for the location ....

Shadow Minister for Transport, Ms Jodi McKay, visited Kangy Angy with Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, on November 22, to urge the ...

Planning proposal for Beachcomber Hotel site approved Central Coast Council has called last drinks on Toukley’s infamous Beachcomber Hotel in favour of a new “Iconic Development” designed with the intent to convert ...

New development application lodged for Ourimbah boarding house

Suitably qualified external organisations sought to manage tourism

Long awaited lifts at Tuggerah Station still not funded

Ourimbah residents have once again gathered to protest against a brand new development application lodged by Mr Kevin Gregory to build a 101 room boarding house on Glen Rd.

The long-awaited shake up of tourism management on the Central Coast has commenced, with Central Coast Tourism being told it will have to submit an expression of interest ...

Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, and Shadow Minister for Transport, Ms Jodi McKay, are calling on the NSW Government to take Coast commuters seriously and fund the long ...

Consolidated LEP and DCP for the whole Central Coast being prepared

Minister to advise on Infrastructure Plan for the Central Coast

NBN complaints too big to ignore

NSW Minister for Federal Member for Dobell, The Central Coast Council The is moving to standardise Planning, Mr Rob Stokes, Ms Emma McBride, said issues surrounding planning and development will be asked to meet with the controls across the whole Central Coast Council to the Central Coast’s NBN region before the local discuss the importance of rollout and the hundreds of government election in an infrastructure plan for the complaints she was receiving from residents were ... region, and will be ... September 2017. The full articles and more can be seen on our website www.CentralCoastNews.net

e Frkeeone! Ta

Edition 408

12 December 2016

Peninsula News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2256 & 2257.

Council refuses Patonga Hotel proposal

Dot celebrates 103 years

The proposed redevelopment A Peninsula Village resident of the Patonga Hotel has has celebrated her 103rd been refused by the Central birthday at Umina recently. Coast Council

Four people washed off rocks Four people washed off the rocks at Maitland Bay were rescued before Killcare life savers or a rescue helicopter arrived on the scene.

Properties top $1 million in the past month Several non-waterfront properties on the Peninsula have been sold for more than $1 million in the past month.

Xmas gifts wanted for local charity

Campaign to eliminate plastics bags and water bottles Community groups are hoping to eliminate plastic bags and water bottles from the Bouddi Peninsula this summer.

Bank branch reports sixth consecutive profit

A Umina real estate agency is An Ettalong bank branch has partnering with Coast Shelter declared an operating proﬁt in calling for gifts to help for its sixth consecutive year. disadvantaged children this Christmas.

Sewerage completed at Empire Bay

Peninsula fares well in planning backlog

The Cockle Bay Towns The Peninsula appears to Sewage Project has been have fared well with its completed for the residents development application of Empire Bay. backlog under the new Central Coast Council compared to other parts ...

The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.CentralCoastNews.net They can also be seen on www.PeninsulaNews.info

FORUM

Page 16 - Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 P 016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Hospital phone system could be indicator of bigger problems

Inaction is symptomatic of the malaise that has bedevilled Gosford Council ur Central Coast Council owned, former Broadwater Hotel, at 53-71 Mann St, is currently the 17 year planned location for the new Regional Library, but only approved late last year.

ecently I endured the nonsense of service at the hands of Gosford Hospital’s telephone equipment.

A very old friend is currently incarcerated in one of the wards, so I phoned from about twelve hundred kilometres away to have a chat and learn of health progress. The call was automatically answered by the robot saying “you have reached obliterated, silenced, no name hospital. “Please call 000 and ask for ambulance if experiencing chest pains, otherwise press 1 for patient enquiries, 2…4, through to hold for an operator.” So I pressed 1 hoping that I had Gosford Hospital and not the hospital in that well-known Queensland town of ‘Tomorrow’. Minutes later and still no answer, so I terminated and redialled. I held to speak to an operator who then promptly sent me through to Patient Enquiries before I could explain that no one was answering that extension. Again no answer, so I dialled again. This time, because I fortunately remembered what ward my friend was in, I was able to demand connection with that location. Eventually, a probably overworked nurse with hard to understand accent answered the phone with little, if any, courtesy. A minute later I was talking with my friend. The pleasure however was much marred by the corded phone he was talking on behaving like a

FORUM Letters to the editor should be sent to: Coast Community News PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 or mail@gosfordnews.org See Page 2 for contribution conditions cheap cordless phone with uncharged or defective battery, every third word disappeared. Additionally his handset discriminated against him, as it was not a telephone designed for use by deaf people. Australia ratified the Convention Against Discrimination of Disabled People about eight years ago. On another matter, I wonder whether the hospital board and senior management have spectacularly failed to implement standard operating procedures to ensure that equipment is subjected to routine examination to ensure ongoing operability. The phone recording however, has been defective the whole week that I have been phoning Gosford Hospital. If they cannot get it right with the primary public representation, what confidence exists that dangerous equipment such as gas cylinders, valve delivery apparatus,

saws, drills, monitoring and radiation driven apparatus is safe around the employees and public? I have just had a situation in another state where, after 12 months of cover up, it is now evident that no such procedures were in place, that so called medical professionals were not trained (to most tradesmen and untrained people a common sense issue), to stop using faulty equipment, in other words, once proven dangerously faulty, to cease using all such equipment. That management has no standard periodic inspection in place to prevent faulty equipment occurring and no maintenance agreements in place to rectify dangerous equipment identifies a further lapse of good practice. In many instances, I suspect that international ISO compliance certificates have been issued. Even worse was the fact that the government bodies supposed to protect the public and taxpayer’s funds cannot understand the significance of the failures occurring or the ramifications for other similar institutions. In my book, don’t rectify the problem, just crucify the messenger just to divert attention from incompetence and don’t say ‘thank you’. Letter, Dec 8, 2016 Richard Newby, Green Point

If you can’t wait to get your copy read it online! If you lent yours to someone that won’t give it back - read it online! Missed an edi on or want to re-read something - read it online! Simply go to www.centralcoastnews.net They’re all there and it’s FREE Want to share something you ﬁnd really interes ng, see www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Combining this proposed major infrastructure project with the Regional Performing Arts/Conservatorium would arguably release an additional $10 million plus. This could be combined with the already promised $32 million, for the also unbelievably delayed Regional Performing Arts/ Conservatorium (RPAC) complex. Council could also consider purchasing other adjoining properties and air space towards Donnison St, which would then create unlimited car parking to compensate for the loss of up to 600 car spaces, following Council’s non consultative and untimely sale of Kibbleplex, immediately after their five year, $7 million Federal Government funding agreement expired, in February 2016. Whatever happened to the $7 million grant? Maybe this could be added to the already available $42 million, therefore around $50 million, would go a long

FORUM way towards paying for both these long promised community assets. The previously well maintained 16 residential rooms in the former hotel have remained vacant during the current long term ownership by council, together with much of the other space. Council had a second chance to purchase the Broadwater Hotel, for planned redevelopment 17 years ago. This proposed development would have demonstrated leadership and may even have encouraged the long awaited revitalising of our city. Such inaction is symptomatic of the malaise that has, and is continuing to bedevil Gosford. Maybe it’s still not too late for council to consider showing leadership, negotiate and purchase part of the adjoining properties/ air space towards Donnison

St. This would then create unlimited car parking to compensate for the inept sale of Kibbleplex (another lost possible RPAC site) during the current exponential level of DA approvals. Interestingly, a pedestrian walkway to the Baker St Boulevard, a feature of the Gosford City Masterplan, will be built by the developer to provide direct access from opposite the present council Mann St administration building, via stage one of the Waterside redevelopment. Demolition is imminent, and this council approved three towers, and up to 37 storeys in a complex that is the result of previous council neglect to approve previous lesser buildings on this recognised and obvious gateway to Dane Dr and the waterfront. It’s no wonder Gosford has never even had a Town Hall. Email, Nov 26, 2016 Peter Turnbull, Point Clare

600 new jobs questioned ucy Wicks still peddles the myth about “600 new jobs”.

The fact is, they are jobs to be relocated from elsewhere, such as Canberra and she should know this. The only new jobs to be created are for those who sensibly refuse to move

FORUM from Canberra. I await with interest the eventual number of “new” jobs (assuming this

monstrosity actually goes ahead, against the court action against it). Email, Dec 12, 2016 Dave Horsfall, North Gosford

Coast C Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 17 Share

Motor cycle crash at Kariong olice were investigating a serious singlevehicle crash in Kariong on the night of Friday, December 2.

Shortly before 8:00pm, emergency services were called to the Central Coast Hwy, Kariong, following reports of a motor cycle

crash. Initial investigations suggested the motorcycle was travelling in excess of the speed limit, lost control, and impacted with a rock wall on the northern end of the carriageway. The male rider, aged 17, was treated at the

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

ON THE BEAT

Two simultaneous crashes at Kariong with one fatality

scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics, before being airlifted to Royal North Shore hospital where he remained in a critical condition. A crime scene was established and investigations into the crash were continuing. Media release, Dec 3, 2016 NSW Police media

Girl approached and assaulted at Wyoming olice are appealing for information after a girl was approached and assaulted on Kinarra Ave, Wyoming.

Just before 9:30am on Tuesday, November 29, a 16-year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop on Kinarra Ave, Wyoming, outside a shopping centre. A man approached and grabbed her by the arm before propositioning her for an indecent act. The girl was able to stand up and leave and later notified her parents, who contacted police. Officers from Brisbane Local Area Command

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 commenced investigations into the incident and would

like to speak with a man who may be able to assist with inquiries. The man was described as being of Caucasian appearance, in his 50s with a stocky build, with a grey beard and black bushy eyebrows. He was wearing a black Adidas brand hooded jumper and square-shaped sunglasses at the time. Media release, Nov 29, 2016 NSW Police media

Twenty shoplifters caught in one day blitz

he Brisbane Water Local Area Command caught 18 people shoplifting during a one-day operation on Thursday, December 8.

Police, in conjunction with Loss Prevention Officers, conducted Operation Fortitude, a retail theft operation within the local area. During the operation, 18 shoplifting offenders were detected and dealt with by way of Field Court Attendance Notice and Criminal Infringement Notice. Two juvenile shoplifting offences were also detected and were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. A 24-year-old man was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged with assault police, assault aiding officer and resist arrest and steal from retail store. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.

A 24-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station where she was charged with steal from retail store and breaching her bail conditions. She was refused bail to

appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday, December 9. Further police operations to tackle retail theft will be planned in the near future. Media release, Dec 9, 2016 NSW Police media

Emergency services crews at the collision of two garbage trucks at Kariong

crash between two garbage trucks caused traffic chaos at Kariong on Tuesday, December 6.

At about 2:20pm, police and emergency services were called to the Central Coast Hwy, near The Avenue at Kariong, following reports of a crash between two garbage trucks. Initial investigations suggest one truck crashed into the rear of the other. A male truck driver was trapped for a short time before being released by Fire and Rescue NSW officers. He was taken to Gosford Hospital by NSW Ambulance Paramedics with non-life threatening injuries and in a stable condition. The other truck driver involved was not seriously injured. At the same time, emergency services responded to a separate incident about 50m away on the Central Coast Hwy where they located a

Mitsubishi utility on fire. Fire and Rescue NSW officers extinguished the fire and located a body in the vehicle. A crime scene was established and officers from Brisbane Water Local Area Command were investigating the circumstances surrounding

the incident. Initial investigations indicated the death was not suspicious and a report was to be prepared for the information of the Coroner. Motorists were advised to take care while crews cleared debris from the roadway. Media release, Dec 6, 2016 NSW Police media

STOP Before you book your next display advertisement in the local telephone directory look at this for BETTER VALUE

We will give you a display advertisement that’s 50% larger for the same price in EVERY EDITION of Coast Community News (not just once) for a Whole Year! Why be with all your competitors on the Coast when you can stand out in your local area and be seen week in and week out for twelve months?

That’s right, 50% larger and in EVERY EDITION for a year at the same price What’s more, you can change your advertisement as often as you like. CALL NOW and start receiving the benefits immediately. No Upfront Payments - Pay as you go

Ph: 4325 7369 www.centralcoastnewspapers.com

HEALTH

Page 18 - Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 P 016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Debate continues over bulk billing figures inister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, Ms Sussan Ley, said the announcement that Labor will hold a health reform summit next year is an admission that they have had no genuine health policies for the past three years.

Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, urged Central Coast families to be aware of Labor’s track record with the health system and said the opposition had spread nothing but lies about Medicare during the election campaign. “Bulk billing is at a record high rate of 85.4 per cent,” Ms Wicks said. “This means that 85.4 per cent of all medical services for GP visits have no out-ofpocket costs for patients. “No Government has overseen higher bulk-billing rates than the Turnbull Government. “The Government has also invested more than $21 billion in Medicare last year and is increasing this investment by $4 billion over four years. “No Government has invested more in Medicare than the Turnbull Government,” she continued. “The fact is that Labor cut $6 billion from Medicare and medicines. “It was also Labor who started the GP indexation freeze. “The Turnbull Government is committed to lasting reforms to ensure every dollar we spend in health lands as closely to the patient as possible. “The GPs I have spoken to have welcomed our significant Medicare reform, including Health Care Homes, which gives GPs and their team, bundled funding and flexibility to care for people with chronic illness. “I’m delighted that the Central Coast has been selected as a trial site for

this ground breaking reform in health service delivery,” Ms Wicks said. Closer to home, Ms Wicks said the Coalition we’re also delivering on the $32.5 million commitment to a world class Central Coast Medical School and Medical Research Institute. “Partnering with the University of Newcastle, the NSW Government and key stakeholders, this will create a new era of health and education innovation right in the heart of Gosford,” Ms Wicks said. “This project will be driven by the Medical Precinct Taskforce, an Australian-first pilot which will set out a five year plan for our community to consider about how we can build a precinct to boost local jobs and a stronger local economy on the Central Coast,” she added. NSW Senator, Ms Deborah O’Neill, refuted the claims by Ms Ley regarding the health system and said the Abbott-Turnbull Liberals had overseen a litany of cutbacks and freezes to Australia’s world class health system. On bulk billing rates, Sen O’Neill said the latest Medicare quarterly statistics show that the Medicare rebate freeze is forcing GPs to abandon bulk billing and the rate of bulk billing fell, not increased, as Ms Wicks states. “The figures show a 0.5 per cent fall nationally, meaning 167,000 GP visits were not bulk billed in NSW in the three months after the July federal election, as the Medicare rebate freeze for GPs began to bite,” Sen O’Neill said.

“Patients whose doctors don’t bulk bill will now have less than half their bill covered by Medicare, because the Turnbull Government has frozen the Medicare rebate at the 2014 level of $37.05. “On the Central Coast, we had Kincumber doctor, Ian Charlton, saying the freeze does mean GPs like him will be reviewing charges over the next 12 months. “Dr Charlton said that with inflation going up, and the rebate frozen by the Liberals, running practices on the Central Coast is getting harder and harder,” Sen O’Neill said. “Despite the Government’s claim that 85 per cent of GP visits were bulk-billed, the Parliamentary Budget Office has revised the figure by removing non-standard visits, such as mental health plans or chronic disease management plans, prepared by GPs. “The PBO analysis showed the accurate bulkbilling figure was about 81 per cent, not 85.4 per cent,” Sen O’Neill said. Media release, Nov 25, 2016 Randal Markey, Office of Sussan Ley, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Minister for Sport Media statement, Nov 28, 2016 Tim Sowden, Office of Lucy Wicks, Federal Member for Robertson Media Statement, Nov 28, 2016 Scott Coomber, Office of Deborah O’Neill, NSW Senator Journalist, Dilon Luke

More blood donors needed between Christmas and New Year ore than 75 volunteers will be needed to give blood at the Terrigal and Kincumber mobile donor services between Christmas and New Year to prevent a shortage of blood products vital to the treatment of cancer and trauma patients.

Terrigal and Kincumber donors are among the millions of busy Australians taking time for Christmas shopping and holidays, leading to a worrying drop in donor numbers in late December. Yet the need for blood never stops, with one product vital to cancer treatment - platelets having a shelf-life of just a few days, meaning cancer patients need a constant supply throughout the festive season. Spokesperson, Mr Ronny Maroun, said the organisation had launched a national Christmas

Blood Blitz to help fill the appointments at Terrigal and Kincumber Mobile Blood Services needed between December 22 and 30. “Thousands of Australian patients will need blood this Christmas and New Year just to have the hope of spending those moments with friends and family,” said Mr Maroun. “Cancer patients are the biggest users of donated blood and rely on platelets to make it through chemotherapy,” he said. “The problem is platelets cannot be stock-piled, so we need a constant, fresh supply as anything collected

by Christmas Day will have expired or run-out early the following week.” Mr Maroun said a blood donation was a gift that money couldn’t buy because it allowed people to spend time with those they love most. With Australians set to spend $48.1 billion leading up to Christmas, the greatest gift of all will cost you just an hour of your time and could help to save or improve three lives. Media release, Dec 12, 2016 Jemma Falkenmire, Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Sun Sound jingle to remind people to protect themselves

he Cancer Council NSW Sun Sound jingle will play at Gosford Olympic Pool this summer break.

The Sun Sound is intended to remind Central Coast teenagers to be sun smart at public swimming pools, as teenagers are often unprepared when it comes to protecting themselves from the sun during the summer months. “This summer, the Sun Sound’s short seven second jingle will be played hourly between 11am and 3pm at the pools to serve as a friendly public reminder to reapply sunscreen,” said Sandra Shorrock of Cancer Council NSW, Central Coast office. “However, while the Sun Sound can remind teenagers to reapply,

parents should ensure their teens are equipped with the right sun protection. “Parents play a strong role in educating their children in sun safety, so ensuring your teenagers have their own tube of sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and sun protective clothing will reduce their risk of getting burnt this summer. “Teenagers can often be sloppy when it comes to practicing sun safe behaviours, with the latest evaluations from Cancer Council NSW showing that almost 40 per cent of teenagers don’t bring sunscreen with them to the pool or beach during

summer. “Furthermore, nearly 60 per cent of teenagers don’t wear a hat or sunglasses. “We know that sun exposure during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life, and in the Central Coast region alone, it is predicted that 334 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in a single year,” said Ms Shorrock. The Sun Sound was introduced in 2009. Media release, Dec 5, 2016 Jayne Moloney, Cancer Council NSW

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 19 Coa SShare

Specialist Centre shows enormous growth he Central Coast Specialist Centre (CCSC), located in the grounds of tGosford Hospital, has celebrated 10 years of serving the local community during December.

The Centre is a Central Coast Local Health District facility for privately-referred patients to see specialist doctors. “We provide access to a comprehensive range of specialist medical services to the residents of the Central Coast on an affordable and bulk billed basis,” Practice Manager, Ms Polly James said. The Central Coast Specialist Centre was established in 2006 with three staff specialists. In 10 years, the service has grown, and now has 19 staff specialists who are assisted by four support staff. In the 2010 to 2011 year, 6,974 patients were seen by the service. During the last financial year, this grew to 11,265. “We are really proud of the Specialist Centre for reaching this milestone,” Ms James said. “The service has grown so much over 10 years, and thanks to the hard work of our staff, and with the support of the local community, has flourished,” she said. “It is rewarding to think about the number of patients who have been helped by the service over these years.”

One of the patients who has been helped by the Specialist Centre is Mr Eric Murray, who has been a patient of the service from the very beginning. “I go to the Specialist Centre every three months for a check-up,” Mr Murray said. “I know you only go to the Specialist Centre when you are crook, but the staff there still make it a pleasant experience,” Mr Murray said. “Everyone from the doctors to the support staff do their jobs so well. “They are warm and welcoming and relate so well to their patients. “I always feel very relaxed about my appointments. “It has been wonderful to see the service grow over the years.” Services include: endocrinology; paediatric e n d o c r i n o l o g y ; gastroenterology; general surgery; geriatrics; microbiology; neurosciences (including Parkinson’s Disease); paediatrics; plastic surgery; respiratory medicine; hepatology clinics; and, pathology service. Media release, Dec 13, 2016 Sharna Ryan, Central Coast Local Health District

Feel better, sooner with a bulk billed home doctor visit. Now in the Central Coast MON - FRI: 6PM-8AM (Call Centre opens 4pm) SATURDAY: FROM 12PM (Call Centre opens 10am) SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 24 HRS (Call Centre open 24 hrs)

Call

13 99 99 www.myhomedoctor.com.au facebook.com/dahdcentralcoast

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

HEALTH

Stellar year for Job Centre Australia n organisation that was born and continues to be based in Gosford, Job Centre Australia, has been awarded Disability E m p l o y m e n t Organisation of the Year in 2016.

The award was received as part of the Australian Long-Term Unemployment Conference Awards, held in Brisbane recently. The Awards recognise individuals and organisations for their continuous work and commitment to assisting those faced with long-term unemployment. Job Centre Australia was nominated for their successes and commitment to providing outstanding service to their clients, employers and participants in NDIS, Disability Employment, Golden Opportunities and Aboriginal Employment Pathways programs. The nomination outlined the life-changing support and possibilities their service provides to people with a disability, injury or health condition, to take charge of their future, gain new skills and to prepare and enter the workforce. 2016 proved to be a successful year for Job Centre Australia, winning both the Gosford-Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards as well as the Central Coast Business Excellence Awards in the category of Excellence in Business Ethics. Success at these awards saw JCAL proceed to the finals at the NSW State Business Awards.

From left: Ms Michelle Weaver, Job Centre Australia’s Marketing and Communications Manager and Mr Brian Yates, CEO

Job Centre Australia Ltd. (JCAL) is a not for profit organisation funded by the Department of Social Services.

JCAL is a for-purpose organisation providing employment, training and NDIS support to people with an injury, health condition or

disability across NSW and QLD. Media release, Dec 8, 2016 Amy Muldowney, Job

EDUCATION

Page 20 - Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 P Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Nathan Hood wins Christmas card design competition

Ms Lucy Wicks announcing Nathan Hood as winner of her Christmas Card competition at St Phillips College in Gosford Inset: The winning Christmas Card design

ederal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, has revealed the winner of her annual Christmas card competition.

Nathan Hood, age nine, from St Philip’s Christian College at Gosford, clinched the honour with ‘Peace, Love & Sandy Feet’. “This simple yet striking image perfectly captured this year’s theme of Christmas on the Coast and is a worthy winner,” Ms Wicks said. “Nathan has done a wonderful job,” she said. “It’s a special reminder that for many of us, whether it’s a day at the beach, sharing food with the family, or exchanging presents,

Christmas on the Coast can be a unique, fun and relaxing time. “’Peace, Love & Sandy Feet’ will be on the front of my Christmas Card that will be sent to hundreds of families, businesses and people across the Central Coast and in Canberra. “It’ll also include an image created by our runners-up, Gemma Allen (age five) from Woodport Public School, Erina, and Ellen Holdsworth (age 12) from Holy Cross Catholic School, Kincumber, who

also submitted outstanding drawings. “Thank you to all the students and schools who took part and thank you also to Michael Bell, Senior Branch Manager and Company Secretary and team at Bendigo Bank in East Gosford, for their generosity and support of this initiative in its second year,” she said. Media release, Dec 6, 2016 Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks

Reverse Santa at Gosford PS local public school delivered its Reverse Santa presents to Coast Shelter on Monday, December 12.

Students at Gosford Public School have been collecting gifts for children aged zero to 12 for the past month.

They hope their Reverse Santa project brings some seasonal goodwill to disadvantaged families of the Central Coast.

Media release, Dec 9, 2016 Alex Spackman, Gosford Public School

Growth and staff changes at Narara PS arara Public School expects to have 15 mainstream classes in 2017 and the Early Intervention Unit.

“Currently we sit at about five students under the 16th class, so anything is possible,” said Narara Principal, Mr Dave Stitt. “We don’t anticipate there being a change in structure. “However, if a family of five were to move in, it would require a reshuffle at the beginning of 2017,” Mr Stitt said. Narara Public School’s class model for 2017 will consist of three Kindergarten classes, two Year 1, two Year 2 classes plus a combined Year 2 and 3 composite class. The school will also have three composite classes for Years 3 and 4 and a Year 4-5 composite class along with three composite classes for

Years 5 and 6. Assistant Principal, Ms Lynda Brogan, will be Relieving Principal during the first term of 2017 when Mr Stitt takes personal leave. “Ms Deborah Darwin will be looking after 2B whilst Ms Brogan is Acting Principal. “I am confident the school will run without any concerns,” Mr Stitt said. Narara Public school will welcome three new staff members for 2017. “They are Ms Helena Powell in the Library, Ms Kerryn Cooper as the Music Teacher and Mrs Mairead Moulder on Year 1. “Ms Powell will be filling in for Ms McMahon who is on maternity leave until Term

4, and Ms Cooper is filling in for Ms Brennan whilst she is working in State Office. “They come with teaching experience from other schools and with a passion for their respective fields. “Ms Moulder has transferred from Glenvale Special School and is looking forward to working in mainstream education again. “She comes highly thought of from her previous schools. “We welcome all of these lovely teachers into our Narara family,” Mr Stitt said. Newsletter, Dec 12, 2016 David Stitt, Narara Public School

Rumbalara staff to attend Collaborative Practice conference taff from the Rumbalara Environmental Eduction Centre in Gosford will join representatives from the other 24 Environmental and Zoo Education Centres (EXEC) across NSW at a conference in January 2017.

The conference, titled Collaborative Practice, will offer a forum to bring staff of these unique educational centres up to date with the latest trends in engaging students in the cross-curricular priority of sustainability. More than 75 teachers from the centres are expected to attend the conference, which will be held in Bowral. Conference chair, Mr Peter Nicoll of the Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre, said the EZEC conference is

a valuable professional learning opportunity for the staff of the centres, which are tasked with supporting the implementation of the key cross-curricular priority of sustainability. “This is done by conducting professional teacher learning courses, running student workshops, conducting specialised excursions, field days and special events for approximately 150,000 NSW public school students each year,” Mr Nicoll said. “So much of the EZEC conference will be focussed on principals and staff collaborating and sharing ideas that are working well

at their centres, so they can be recycled and flourish across our entire network. “Collaborative Practice is fundamental because we are a community of small schools working together to achieve better outcomes for students within the cross curricular area of sustainability. “It is a testament to the high quality of educational experiences and the calibre of centre staff that they are central to the conference learning experience”, Mr Nicoll said. Media release, Dec 8, 2016 Peter Nicoll, Conference chair

For FITNESS, FUN and FRIENDSHIP GOSFORD SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS holds a class every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm at the Church of Christ Hall, Henry Parry Drive, Wyoming

No partner necessary No special clothes - just soft shoes Lively music New dancers welcome

Janice on 4388 2253 Sandra on 4392 8716

$7 per Night Come and join in on the fun!

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 21 C SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

EDUCATION

Point Clare PS traffic problems remain unresolved he residents of Point Clare remain perplexed about the reluctance of NSW Roads and Maritime Services to heed their concerns about the dangerous traffic conditions around Point Clare Public School.

Photo: Michael Amendolia

Local resident, Mr Anthony Buckley AM, said his letters to Mr Ian Reynolds, the Administrator of Central Coast Council and CEO, Mr Rob Noble, have gone unanswered. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, met with Mr Buckley and other concerned residents to see for himself the situation on Brisbane Water Dve and in Scott St and Takari Ave. Mr MacDonald subsequently described the traffic conditions around Point Clare Public School on ABC Local Radio as “a mess”. Former Gosford Councillor, Mr Bob Ward, also attended the meeting between residents and Mr MacDonald. The meeting discussed the current Roads and Maritime Services safety review of Brisbane Water Dve, through Point Clare. The residents are campaigning for a 40km per hour School Zone on Brisbane Water Dve because of the volume of peak morning and afternoon traffic travelling along Brisbane Water Dve, adjacent to Point Clare Public School. Another issue raised was the parlous condition of Scott St and Takari Ave and the traffic build up there when school drop-offs and pick-ups take place. Mr MacDonald indicated that he would follow up residents’ concerns with RMS. “He took away with him a specially prepared

S I G HT E R O T S RE T $2 5 FO R J U S WHO AR 5 PEOPLE 4 OUT OF

E BLIND

ED TO DON’T NE

DONATE NOW

1800 352 352 HOLLOWS.ORG. AU

Point Clare traffic campaigners, from left: Mr Tony Buckley, Ms Tracey Hawkins-Budge and Charlotte Budge with Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Mr Scot MacDonald

compendium of everything to date including the comparative maps of the RMS and our own maps,” Mr Buckley said. “Now if only RMS would come and see for themselves,” he said. A week after Mr MacDonald’s inspection of traffic conditions around the public school, a bus stop on the Woy Woy bound side of Brisbane Water Dve, directly across the busy road from the front of the school, “disappeared”, Mr Buckley said. “I walked to the train station one morning and the bus stop was there but when I walked home that afternoon, it was gone,” he said. Inquiries to Central Coast Council resulted in Mr Buckley being referred to Mr Malcolm Britt at Busways and Ms Bronwyn Bosse at

RMS. “Busways were instructed by RMS six months ago to remove the bus stop. “Evidently a notice was issued but no one has ever seen it. “The intransigence from the RMS about Point Clare School’s need for road safety is clear,” Mr Buckley said. Mr Buckley and another concerned resident, Ms Tracey Hawkins-Budge, whose daughter attends the public school, have been crunching data from the RMS interactive crash site webpage. “The data gathered was from the Coles intersection at Brisbane Water Dve through to the Glenrock Pde roundabout near the railway bridge at Point Clare. “In a nutshell, in the 2011-2015 time period,

there were 71 accidents with varying degrees of seriousness,” Ms HawkinsBudge said. “Seventeen of these occurred between the Glenrock Pde roundabout and Penang St, a distance of about 800m. “Drilling down, five were at the Talinga-Brisbane Water Dve intersection near Aldi. “Three were in front of the school, while one was at Takari and the other at Scott St. Two were between Scott and Penang. “Interestingly, I have found no stats which show any accidents occurring at Penang St, so I wonder why they have suggested putting a roundabout there,” she said. Mr Buckley has also contacted other schools on the Central Coast to

ascertain the pedestrian safety and traffic management measures they have in place to protect their students. He said Woy Woy South Public School has a 40 km per hour zone on three streets including Blackwall Rd, a road comparable to Brisbane Water Dve.

1300 553 583

The street also has two pedestrian crossings while Point Clare Public School does not have one. Woy Woy South has two sets of traffic lights and a speed camera. Gosford Public School told Mr Buckley it had 40km per hour school zones on two streets and a pedestrian crossing. The school also has a patrolled kiss and drop zone on Faunce St. Niagara Park Public School has a 40km per hour zone and two pedestrian crossings. “Point Clare Public School has no 40km zone on Brisbane Water Dve, no pedestrian crossings, no lights, and the traffic density around the school is extremely heavy. “If anyone can make sense of the above, let alone justify it, then they are doing better than I am.” Mr Buckley said he hoped that Mr MacDonald would assist to steer RMS in the right direction before the commencement of the 2017 school year. Email, Dec 12, 2016 Anthony Buckley, Point Clare Email, Dec 5, 2016 Tracey Hawkins-Budge, Point Clare Jackie Pearson, journalist

OUT&ABOUT

Page 22 - Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 P Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Especially good vibes expected at Gosford Hotel

Two fantastic bodies of work on display at Regional Gallery osford Regional Gallery is currently hosting two national exhibitions, furthering its commitment to attract significant touring exhibitions to the Central Coast.

G The BluesAngels

idsummer in Gosford is all about: holidays, tourists, sunblocked days and beach bumming, but the BluesAngels and Hotel Gosford will cool the sweat-soaked night with their First Saturday Blues, Jazz and Roots event according to event organiser Tom Flood.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr Goodvibe, the almost legendary pairing of unforgettable songster, Edu Valk, and international harmonica virtuoso, Christian Marsh, often teamed with surprise guests, will follow the BluesAngelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; summer sets at 7:00pm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The BluesAngels will be graven with the dry, gold gulches of Gulgong Festival the week beforeâ&#x20AC;?, he said. Edu Valk performed across the Americas, lead various bands in Canberra and Sydney, then settled on the Central Coast. Three albums of largely

original soul, funk and folk from this musically wandering bloke over 12 years lead to their latest, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The New Bohemiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, in 2014. Edu Valk will be teamed with the multi-award winning harmonicist, Christian Marsh, who also boasts an extraordinary solo career across musical theatre, classical and jazz performance, blues, world music, his own solo CDs and guesting on a super list of luminariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; albums and stages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The combination, surprisingly relaxing,

crystallises the sounds of these two superlative artists to cool you through this jewel of a midsummer nightâ&#x20AC;?, Mr Flood said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As always, good food, helpful staff, cold drinks and free, fine music from Dr Goodvibe and BluesAngels will bless your First Saturday in January with a buzz youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll remember.â&#x20AC;? First Saturday Blues kicks off for 2017 at Hotel Gosford from 7:00pm on Saturday, January 7. Media release, Dec 12, 2016 Tom Flood, BluesAngels

Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful to see two fantastic bodies of work on display right in our own backyard,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Reynolds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As one of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading regional galleries, Gosford Regional Gallery has proven time and again that it is an ideal venue to display work of this significance and calibre. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behind the Linesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; presents the humour and nostalgia of 2016â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best political cartoons, while â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bare: degrees of undressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; showcases portraits of some of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recognisable faces. Including 59 portraits, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; investigates elements of nakedness with personalities including Germaine Greer, Ian Thorpe and Billy Slater. Exhibition Curator from the National Portrait Gallery, Ms Penelope Grist, said the exhibition would be fun, whilst also interrogating our instinctive reactions to bareness.

Last Brackets and Jam South for the year to be a big one

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bareness is not as extreme as nakedness and not as refined as nudity, it emphasises something about a subjectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity as well as reflecting society,â&#x20AC;? Ms Grist said. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behind the Lines 2016â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best political cartoons from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, celebrates the role of political cartooning in Australia and highlights the power that drawings have in contributing to our daily political and social discourse. The exhibition features a range of masters of cartoon art including 2016 Cartoonist of the Year, Cathy Wilcox, Alan Moir, Chris â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Royâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Taylor, David Rowe and more from all major news outlets. With 83 works from 33 cartoonists on display, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behind the Lines 2016â&#x20AC;&#x2122; showcases some of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most controversial cartoons that test the boundaries of free speech and the freedom of the press.

Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy, Ms Daryl Karp, said that the work of political cartoonists is an inspiring reminder and celebration of Australian democracy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Political cartoonists get to push the boundaries and turn our leaders into caricatures that bring to life the questions that most of us should be asking of those that represent us,â&#x20AC;? said Ms Karp. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behind the Lines 2016â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will be on display at Gosford Regional Gallery until Sunday, January 29, 2017. Also currently on exhibition is a series of paintings by Central Coast landscape painter, Cathryn McEwen, celebrating the mesmerising visual qualities of water. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wavelengthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will be on display in the Foyer Gallery until Wednesday, January 11. Media release, Dec 6, 2016 Central Coast Council media

ahara beck beck sahara with special guests with special guest dominique

special guests 13TH JANUARY, 2017 FRIDAY THE RHYTHM HUT *'% + ) '+ $ 2 '$$"& .'' ! *'% + ) '+ $ 2 '$$"& .''

''#" ',& 2 $ ) -

! ')# )* $, 2 $'&

"- + "1'++ * 2 % +'& ) ** '&# 0 2 )'&,$$ ! )" " 2 )"* &

135 FAUNCE ST,

" GOSFORD "& (($ *+"- $ 2 % ',)

.+'.& ' " $ $, 2 0 & 0

www.therhythmhut.com.au +, "' 2 (*." ! ',& 2 $ ) - 2 '$$'& '&

he last Brackets and Jam South for the year will be held at Kincumba Mountain on Friday, December 16. )# )* $, 2 $'& * $, 2 $'&

Mr Noel Plummer said Brackets and Jam were expecting to see their biggest crowd for the year. InRhythm will kick off the night at 7:30pm, followed by Eleanore Plummer, who will be performing solo for the first time in her career. The Little Quirks Band, a trio of siblings, are an allgirls band comprised of two sisters, Abby and Mia, and cousin Jaymi, who will be performing at 8:15pm. The BluesAngels, formed in 2010 to bring original and authentic acoustic folk blues/jazz/roots to the Central Coast and beyond, will be hitting the stage at 9:30pm.

The last Drum jam, will finish the event at 10:45pm. The Brackets South event takes place on top beautiful Kincumba Mountain. The Mountain itself holds a strong significance for our Aboriginal community, and has been a long standing meeting place for Central Coast people. The Mountain now gives birth to many new beginnings as the hub of creative community arts in the southern Central Coast region. Media release, Dec 12, 2016 Noel Plummer, Brackets and Jam South

.& ' " $ $, 2 0 & 0

" $ $, 2 0 & 0

'$$'& '&

'& '&

"1'++ * 2 % +'& + * 2 % +'&

'&# 0 2 )'&,$$

0 2 )'&,$$ " 2 )"* &

2 )"* & (($ *+"- $ 2 % ',)

2 (*." ! $ *+"- $ 2 % ',) & / $,*"- $ ,% ' )* '. + ... '1+"/ '%

2 (*." !

$,*"- $ ,% ' )* ... '1+"/ '% " # *) & . $+)", $ +% ' () '& ) $ &'- * --- '/*". '% Tickets on sale now through Sticky Tickets or The Rhythm Hut * ! ) # '% , ) + '&+)'$ '% *, )),*!%,*" --- ) ! ( # '% + --- ( * '&*('$ '% --- )+ ((+)!%+)" '% +

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 23

Christmas Fest

Community members are invited to attend the free Christmas Fest event in Kibble Park, Gosford, on Sunday 18th December from 5.30pm. Amongst the festivities will be a petting zoo, Thomas the Tank Engine ride, jumping castles, Big Slide, bungee run, face painting and kid’s Christmas craft. There will be live entertainment with Christmas music and traditional Christmas Carols performed by local artists on Kibble Park stage, a visit from Santa and the Jingles, topped off with a massive fireworks display from the roof of Imperial Centre.

Christmas Eve Carols:

Gosford Uniting Church is proud to present their annual Christmas Eve Carols in Kibble Park. This is a truly traditional carols event, complete with Carols songbook! Accompanied by the Gosford City Brass Band, you will get to sing along to all of your favorite carols. There are games for the kids, facepainting, and even a visit from Santa himself.

Then, GBID is proud to present the Mars Foods New Years Eve Festival on the beautiful Gosford waterfront! There will be activities for the kids and awesome food! There will be a great kids disco on tthe main stage, followed by singer Howie Shearman. T The main act will be Muma Jane's Blues Band playing lots of your favourite tunes tto get up and dance to! And the piece de resistance A will, of course, be the huge fireworks display at 9.15!

The event will conclude at 9pm and there is ample parking nearby at Gosford Town Centre. The event is proudly supported by Imperial Centre, Central Coast Radio and GBID.

ES THE RAC n. A DAY AT en 12 Noo TRY with kids p o s N - Gate

E Races 0pm. FREE Gosford mately 1.3 xi ro p p a e First rac ll day. activities a

ALL E FOOTB H T T A T . A NIGH y FC 7pm ourne Cit pen 6PM.

tes o vs Melb e year. Ga Mariners night of th st e g ig b Footballs

NT ATERFRO inment/gourmet W E H T N ING O . Enterta Shearman and ie AN EVEN e Fireworks @ 9.15upsim c with How

ive M r’s Ev New Yea ments from 5pm. L se u . d m n es Ba stalls/a Jane’s Blu the Muma

ARNIVAL AT THE C al. T H IG N A iv e groups. ront Carn area. prohibited an alcohol terfront” is on the wa ing en ev n “A

u rd.com.a .nyegosfo Visit www

You can begin your day seeing out 2016 by getting along to the Entertainment Grounds for the Gosford Races. Gates open at 12pm, and the first race is at 1.30pm. You can collect FREE tickets from us here at the GBID office, or they will be available for $10 per person at the gate. Paviers Carnival will be back again with thrills on all of their rides on the waterfront, with rides and amusements for all ages.

A selection of food stalls will be on site for those looking to purchase food and drinks or people can bring along a picnic basket to enjoy in the park during the festivities. The event is an initiative of Liberty Family Church, Gosford whose aim is to provide a safe and friendly Christmas celebration for Community.

g Waterf s for ALL a Pavier’s and game s e d ri t n e Amusem

Bring along a picnic dinner, or purchase food from the onsite vendors. Christmas Eve Carols kick off at 6pm until 9pm, with a service in the Uniting Church to follow. The event is proudly supported by Waters Cranes, The Imperial Centre, the Elysium Youth Choir and GBID.

Mars New years Eve Festival on Gosford Waterfront:

sented by Proudly Pre

OUT & ABOUT

Page 24 - Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 P Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Holiday activities at The Rhythm Hut he Rhythm Hut, Gosford, has announced its Summer Holiday Activities to help kids’ battle boredom these school holidays.

Festivities kick off on January 8, with an Open Mic Night. Open Mic begins at 6pm with entry by a gold coin donation. This Open Mic welcomes all levels of performers from across all genres of music. Singa Little Longa Kids Drama and Storytelling Workshops will take place from on January 10-11 at a cost of $15 per child. Local performer, Ms Sandy Bigara, will bring years of drama and music teaching experience to entertain the kids. The interactive workshop will be filled with storytelling, drama games and sing-alongs. Ms Bigara will also employ puppets, instruments and other props during the workshops. A Kid’s Music Workshop will take place on January

From left: Ms Sandy Bigara will host the Drama and Storytelling Workshop at The Rhythm Hut

17, at a cost of $12 per child. The workshop will focus on drumming and other styles of music and include many games to keep the

kids happy. This workshop includes free face painting. On January 18, The Rhythm Hut will host the Shamanic Talisman Journey,

FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

RESIDENT BAND

BLUESANGELS and this month’s guest

DR GOODVIBE JAN 7 - 7pm till 11pm

a creative workshop perfect for parents. The Talisman Journey cost $125 per person and includes all the materials used in the workshop and light refreshments. The workshop will begin with a ceremony style welcome before transitioning into a meditation aimed at connecting with the inner voice. From here, participants will select their unique crystal from a selection as the basis of their talisman and then craft their very own talisman with a selection of beads, metals and other materials. This workshop closes with a group discussion of how to utilise newly created talismans in daily life. Circus Skills and Thrills Workshop will be held on January 24, for kids and for adults. These workshops will teach circus skills including how to dance with a diabolo, twirl poi, hula hoop, and juggle and spin plates. Prices vary depending on age. The Hut itself will also host Open Nights on January 31 and February 8. These Open Nights are for those curious about what goes on at The Rhythm Hut. People can visit the Hut and inquire about classes and activities for themselves or friends and family. Didgeridoo Sound Healing will return on February 2 with prices varying depending on age. This workshop is a healing journey focused on sound healing and utilising meditation, relaxation, and music. The Hut will also be running Taiko fitness classes throughout February with classes scheduled for February 14 and 16. Media release, Dec 3, 2016 Bekk Moffitt, The Rhythm Hut

Coast projects benefit from community improvement fund usicians Making a Difference (MMAD) will be able to reach a wider audience with their share of the Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF) which allocated more than $800,000 in funding for Central Coast projects.

MMAD is one of 24 local projects funded in the Central Coast under the second round of the NSW Government’s $20 million fund. CEO and Founder of MMAD, Mr Dominic Brook, said he was looking forward to making improvements with their $42,000 grant, which will allow MMAD to welcome more members of the community into their creative offices. “The SHCIF grant will allow us to make our head office a vibrant and creative home for all people in the community and create positive change through the power of creative arts,” said Mr Brook. “Making this space accessible will help us reach a wider audience and create a home for hundreds of creative people in the community.” Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, said “The SHCIF has already made a huge difference in the lives of communities across NSW and I am excited to see local community organisations creating spaces where locals can feel safe, supported and connected,” Mr MacDonald said.

One-off grants of up to $50,000 have been awarded to projects which enhance open space and improve community infrastructure/ facilities such as meeting spaces, community gardens and common areas. Minister for Family and Community Services, Brad Hazzard, said the 24 local projects which received funding are organisations that operate in the heart of their community. “These organisations see what needs doing, and the SHCIF gives them the funding to benefit their community, and improve the local area for years to come. Some of the local projects funded on the Central Coast include: the Wyoming Community Centre Blueberry Park Recreation Space and Dunbar Way Community Garden with a total cost of $35,416, the North Gosford Pacific Link Housing Dunbar Way Estate Community Hub costing $32,314 and the Musicians Making a Difference Community Facility Accessibility Refurbishment in Gosford costing $42,887. Media release, Nov 18, 2016 Katrina Usman, Office of Brad Hazzard

MARKETS Hall & Fairview Fundraising bric a brac • flowers • books • Food • home style preserves • Live Music & pony rides

EVERY MONTH ALL WEATHERS 2ND & LAST SUNDAY EACH MONTH NEW STALLS WELCOME - 3 MARKETS FREE THEN 20% OF TAKINGS

Ryan PH 0405 416 289 - Margaret PH 4374 1255

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 25 C SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

OUT & ABOUT

‘This is the life’ for Millee and Teagan

Christmas Fest with carols and fireworks at Kibble Park Christmas Fest will be held in Gosford’s Kibble Park from 5.30pm on Sunday, December 18, hosted by the Gosford Liberty Family Church.

Festivities will include a petting zoo, Thomas the Tank Engine ride, jumping castles, slide, bungee run, face painting, kids’ Christmas craft and a visit from Santa and the Jingles. For the adults, there will be a selection of food stalls and live entertainment with Christmas music and traditional carols performed by local artists, followed by a fireworks display from the

roof of the Imperial Centre. Liberty Family Church Senior Leader, Ms Kim Jones, said it is an opportunity for people to get together with friends and family before Christmas, or an opportunity for those who do not have family close by to be part of a community celebration. “We just want people to get into the spirit of Christmas and join us for a

great time,” Ms Jones said. “We have a beautiful park that has been home to many community events and Christmas Fest has become a popular annual event for the city with attendance growing every year,” she said. Media release, Dec 7, 2016 Kim Jones, Gosford Liberty Family Church

‘Hard to be Merry’ Christmas gathering

incumber Uniting Church will be holding a ‘Hard to be Merry’ Christmas gathering on December 21, for those who find celebrating Christmas difficult.

Ms Miriam Edgar, who is Chairperson of Kincumber Uniting Church, said Christmas is not always a happy time for everyone, and a lot of people on the Central Coast will spend December 25 in an untraditional way. “For many people, it’s an emotional time that brings feelings of stress, anxiety and sorrow,” Ms Edgar said. “It’s a time where pressures to enjoy a merry Christmas are mounting, and also a time where reflections of the year gone by are amplified by the sadness of being alone,” she said. There are many reasons

why people may be feeling down at this time of year, according to Ms Edgar. “There are those who are going through sadness and pain through loss, illness, depression, inability to access their children, and relationship breakdowns, which makes it hard to celebrate Christmas,” Ms Edgar said. The church will gather for drinks, nibbles, sharing, worship and a meal with caring, listening people. “We will look after everyone who wishes to attend and anything said will remain confidential, “This is a unique ministry, which has really

helped people for many Christmases,” Ms Edgar said. The event is open to anyone with no charge or collection. Email, Dec 8, 2016 Miriam Edgar, Kincumber Uniting Church

Millee and Teagan Powell at Macmasters Beach Photo Noel Fisher

dentical twins, Millee and Teagan Powell, aged 16, love living on the Central Coast with its beach lifestyle and sense of community, and think it really ‘is the life’.

‘This is the life’ is a digital marketing campaign supported by Central Coast Council that promotes all things good about the Central Coast, to help change the way people think about our region and support growth. Millee and Teagan, proud supporters of the ‘This is the life’ marketing campaign literally have surf lifesaving in their blood. Their great-grandfather was a founding member of Macmasters Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and for four generations, the family have volunteered in beach safety. “We love that everyone is so friendly and nice and the person who coordinates everything at the Surf Club is really passionate,” says Millie.

“It’s educational and fun and really worthwhile. “Everything is so easy to get to and everyone is so friendly and nice, always looking out for each other,” Millie states. The bubbly twins are great examples of teenagers being active and involved. They regularly coach younger kids at the Surf Club, do surf patrols, and this year they have also taken up competitive rowing in the iconic wooden surf boats. “We just started in the Under 19s, and the sport is growing, getting more and more popular,” Teagan explains. “We compete from Sydney to Coffs Harbour.” Mum, Nerida Powell, who still patrols the beach every

Non veg & Veg THALI

MUM’s PLATTER

Delicious Meals y Free Delivery Social Support

Lavish Combo of INDO-AUSSIE BIG BREKKIE

IN TERRIGAL Book Your Table Now ( 02 ) 43858892, ( 02 ) 43851673

www.ccmow.com.au

Chicken / Lamb & Beef Wrap Wr

SEAFOOD COMBO Lamb & Beef Combo

(02) 4357 8444

Media release, Dec 6, 2016 Central Coast Council media

THE GRAND PAVILION

Central Coast

Proudly catering to the Central Coast community for almost 50 years.

three weeks or so, says the friendly competition pushes the girls to do their best and creates lifelong friends. “Volunteering at the Surf Club teaches life skills like first aid, learning to save yourself and read what’s going on in the water,” Nerida says. “But more than that, it’s about the lifestyle and community atmosphere. “There are opportunities everywhere and there is always someone looking out for you. “That’s what you get on the Central Coast and why we’ll never move anywhere else.”

Sponsored by

e: contactthegrandpavilion@gmail.com, www.thegrandpavilion.com.au

Indian Style Fish & Chips

Breakfast kf t ti timings i : 710am am to t to 112pm am Breakfast mings: Lunch timings : 11 am to 2 pm Lunch mings: 11am to 2pm

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS DIRECTORY ARTS & CULTURE

Page 26 - Coast Community News - December 15, P 5, 2016 Share

1st and 3rd Sundays monthly at various licensed venues 43321 695 (after 2pm)

Art Studios Gallery & Cooperative Gosford North Probus Club Artworks by members and local Meets 4th Tuesday at the artists through solo and group Grange Hotel for more exhibitions and community information contact Craig events. Classes available. 43225560 4339 3349 www.artstudioscooperative.org

Monthyl meeting 4th Tuesday Grange Hotel 10am

Central Coast Art Society Lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Weekly paintouts Tuesdays 4349 5860 for locations Workshops - 4363 1156 9.30am - 12.30pm 1st and 3rd Wed Social Meetings 1.30pm 4th Wed Gosford City Arts Centre. 4325 1420

Northern Settlement Services - Volunteers Volunteers needed for friendly visits to the elderly in nursing homes. People with a second language encouraged to apply. Training support provided 4334 3877

publicity@artcentralcoast.asn.au

cvscc@nsservices.com.au

Central Coast Handweavers, Spinners and Textile Arts Guild Spinning and weaving, patchwork and quilting, felting and other fibre and fabric crafts, community quilting bees - Day and Night Groups 4325 4743

Probus Club of Avoca 10.15am 3rd Mon Avoca Beach Bowling Club

www.cottagecrafts.net.au

Fellowship of Australian Writers A friendly and supportive group for new and old writers. Encouragement and critique of work. Workshops and competitions 10am 3rd Sun Conference rm. Gosford Hotel 4363 2627 centralcoastfaw@live.com

COMMUNITY GROUPS ABC - “The Friends” Support group for Public Broadcaster. Aims. safeguard ABC’s independence, funding, & standards. Meetings through the year + social afternoons Well-known guest speakers 4341 5170 www.fabcnsw.org.au

Big Futures in school mentor program Become a volunteer mentor 2 hrs/ week, Free Training, No qualifications needed Be a young persons champion 0413 624 529 www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au/ bigfutures

Central Coast Community Legal Centre Not for profit org in Wyong providing free legal advice. Intake times for legal advice Monday to Friday 9am-5pm 4353 4988 centralcoast@clc.net.au

Central Coast Social Group Social contact, entertainment events, new friendships, for 30’s-60’s Live music, house parties, dinners, BBQs, picnics, trips away etc. Monthly Meet & Chat 0422 243 101 email cco30s@live.com.au

Central Coast 50+ Singles Social Group Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & socialising each w/e. Friendly group monthly programme all areas 4396 3640 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com

Central Coast Sunday Lunch Bunch (Singles over 55) Luncheons

www.probussouthpacific.org/ microsites/avocabeach

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Learning Centre Handicraft, Painting, Knitting, Tai Chi, Scrabble, Darts, Table Tennis, Indoor Bowls, Patchwork, Yoga, Fitness, Gentle Swimming, Line Dancing, Cards, Variety Social, Womens Group, Zumba, Crochet, Computers 4304 7065 Gosford-Narara Neighbourhood Centre School Holiday activities, playgroup, multicultural programs, community activities - Rooms for Hire admin@gnnc.com.au

4329 4477

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Gosford) Meet last Friday Month Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Dre, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600 www.pcfa.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Wyong) Meet last Monday Month Toukley RSL Club Homes Ave Toukley 10.00am to 12 noon 4356 9300 www.pcfa.org.au

Green Point Community Centre OOSH cave, exersize classes, school holiday programs, playgroup, arts & craft, room hire, and much more. 4367 7591

Dying with Dignity NSW, Central Coast Working to give those suffering unrelievedly from terminal or incurable illness the legal right to request & receive medical help to die Quarterly Meetings 4369 8053

chorus - all ages 7pm Mon Central Coast Leagues Club Kieran - 0407 267 675 khutton58@gmail.com jbthomson51@gmail.com

Sydney Welsh Choir Cultural organisation performing at various venues to promote the Welsh culture with singing, Also performing for charity fund raising. 4369 3378 Tempo Terrific Community Showband Active showband available to play at your community function. Wide ranging repertuore. Always seeking new members, come and have fun with music. Follow us on Facebook - Every Mon 5 - 7pm Kincumber Uniting Church 4365 4414 www.tempoterrific.com tempoterrific@live.com

iiw.au.gosfordnorth@gmail.com

Group of Volunteers, trained by DVA, to look after servicemen Inner Wheel Club & women. Ourimbah RSL Club of Terrigal 10:30am 2nd Fri - Feb to Nov Share friendship, social activities 4322 1505 as well as fundraising for local, national and international National Parks Association projects. 3rd Mon, 12noon Central Coast Terrigal 50+ leisure centre, Twice weekly bush walks, Duffy Rd Terrigal varying distances and grades of 4369 0302 - 4384 1490 difficulty. Explore, enjoy scenery, terigalinnerwheel@gmail.com fauna, floral, history. Keep fit and make friends. Lions Club of Woy Woy 4389 4423 or 4332 7378 1st and 3rd Mon. Woy Woy Leagues Club ECUMENICAL & Make new friends and have fun INTERFAITH SPEAKERS while serving your community. FORUM & Q&A with focus 0478 959 895 on developing understanding and encouraging dialogue Rotary Club of about spirituality through people Gosford North sharing their life journeys. Active community minded club. 1st Tues March to October Many projects focussed on 2nd Tues November assisting youth. Support our 7.30 to 9pm great projects, get involved with Grange Hotel Wyoming our fun club. Graham Black 4328 2596 - 0498 588 261 0410 509 071,

Tuggerah Lakes Showband WOMEN’S GROUPS grahamblack@iprimus.com.au Play brass instruments, meet every Tues & Thurs to rehearse . Rotary Club of BPW Central Coast Seniors Computer crowd-pleasing music and play Kariong/Somersby Gambling Solutions Empowering women of all ages Club Central Coast Inc. at community events International service club Counsellors provide free, in the areas of work, education, Classes Mon to Fri for over 50 Park Rd Band Hall improves lives of communities confidential, professional well-being and friendship. Basics: Mon , Tues and Thurs Tues 7.30pm Thur 6.30pm in Australia and overseas. Funservice to gamblers, family and Monthly dinner meetings and 10am to 12noon 0407 406 669 filled activities, fellowship and friends. Woy Woy, Kincumber, speaker. Different programs every day, friendship breakfasts. Phillip Gosford, The Entrance. POLITICAL PARTY Community transport available 10am - 12noon or 1-3pm House, 21 Old Mount Penang 4344 7992 to and from centre Apple-Mac: Mon, Tues, Wed Rd (opp Shell) - Fri 7:15am Chris Levis 0438 989 199 All at Kincumber Central Coast Greens 4340 4529 wwww.knc.net.au GROW Support Groups bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com Neighbourhood Centre The Central Coast Greens kersuebay@philliphouse.com.au Small friendly groups formed to www.bpw.com.au/central-coast 02 4369 5692 For a fairer, more transparent Kincumber learn how to overcome anxiety, SPECIAL INTEREST and accountable government Neighbourhood Centre depression and loneliness and Brisbane Water Terrigal Wamberal RSL based on democratic principles • Exercise classes to improve mental health and Evening View Club Sub-Branch Local, state-wide, national Brisbane Water • Yoga for adults and children well-being. Anonymous, free Social activities, outings and At Breakers Country Club and international issues and Caravan Club • Community eco garden and open to all. Weekly at Woy functions monthly. pension and welfare officers campaigns Council and located on the Central Coast • Room hire Woy, Bateau Bay and Wyong Tours, Dinners, Lunches, available to assist with DVA parliamentary representation and looking for new members • Health support groups 1800 558 268 Theatre/Cinema, fashion compensation claims and www.bwcaravanclub.wix.com/bwcc Developing a new economy www.grow.org.au • Counselling parades benefits 4344 4363 Protecting our environment • After school activities Dinner meeting with guest Wed & Fri 10am – Midday Peaceful conflict resolution Meals on Wheels 4363 1044 speaker 4th Tues Meetings 2nd Sat 10am Biz Plus Networking Community participation www.kincumber.nsw.au Delicious meals delivered free 4325 1688 or 0466 513 600 43842661 Association We meet monthly every 3rd Join us for a midday meal rsl@breakerscc.com.au Attention business owners - if Thu - Details and info: Mingaletta Aboriginal Help with shopping and Country Women’s centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au you keen to grow your business Torres Strait Islander cooking classes Association (CWA) U3A Central Coast centralcoastgreens@gmail.com and in the process build Corporation 4363 7111 Quilting, patchwork, spinning, Mature age people are invited worthwhile relationships, attend A meeting place and referral knitting, crochet and more to participate in a wide range of HISTORY GROUPS Australian Labor Party a Biz Networking breakfast. hub for education, health, well9am-2pm courses to broaden the mind Ourimbah/ Narara Branch Every Thur 7:15am - 9am being and cultural programs Every Fri, Opposite and make new friends Discussion/action community Erina Leagues Club through consultative services Central Coast Family Terrigal Bowling Club 0408 704 701 issues - 3 levels of Government Geoff Neilson and community programs. History Society Inc. 4385 9503 or 4384 3696 www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au network@bizplus.com.au Niagara Park Primary School Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Help and advice with your 7.30pm 1st Mon each month 6 Sydney Ave Umina family history research. Tue Gosford RSL Gosford Gumnuts CCLC Bridge Club 0410 309 494 4342 7515 to Fri, 930am to 2pm Lions Sub-branch Playgroup kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com Duplicate Bridge-partner not admin@mingaletta.com.au Community Hall, 8 Russell Women’s Auxiliary Parents and children meet required for most sessions. Drysdale St, E. Gosford. Raise money for the welfare of Politics in the Pub socially. Make friends, learn Central Coast Leagues Club Terrigal Fifty Plus Leisure www.centralcoastfhs.org.au veterans and their families. RSL Central Coast more about parenting. 0 to 5 yrs 12.30pm Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri. and Learning Centre 4324 5164 Club West Gosford Discussion of important political, Sat 1.30pm Wed 7.15pm Mon Wed - Fri 10am-12noon Activities include fitness, yoga, 4th Mon 2pm social, economic, education, Gosford Uniting Church Hall 4325 9854 bridge, mahjong, zumba gold, Brisbane Water 4323 7336 and philosophy issues in a non 129 Donnison St Gosford www.cclcbridgeclub.asn.au line dancing, tai chi, painting, Historical Society cclcbridgeclub@westnet.com.au partisan manner - The Grange 4325 3695 craft and computer classes. • Coach tours • School gumnutsguc@gmail.com Central Coast Women’s Hotel 4th Thur besides Dec Please phone 43845152 for educational tours • Annual Health Centre Central Coast Cake more info Street Stalls • Participation PUBLIC SPEAKING Counseling, therapeutic and Volunteering Decorators Guild in History Heritage Week social groups, workshops, Sugarcraft demonstrations Central Coast Wyoming Celebration Margaret Pearce domestic violence and abuse conversation and lunch Develop confidence by Refer potential volunteers to Community Centre 4325 2270 issues. All services provided by Visitors welcome improving your speaking skills. community organisations. Yoga & Zumba classes, Art women for women Meetings are entertaining and 4th Sat - 10am 50+ leisure and Provide support to volunteers and Craft classes, Playgroup Fellowship of First 4324 2533 Learning Centre Gosford educational. and community organisations. & Vacation Care, Support Fleeters Central Coast www.cccwhc.com.au 4382 6236 Provide training to volunteers groups, Book Club, Community For anyone interested in early lsroe@bigpond.com.au Brisbane Waters Breakfast and managers of volunteers Garden, Rooms for Hire, Work history or early family histories. Soroptimist International Toastmasters Club Information sessions “Bridge Development Orders, Centrelink Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. Brisbane Water Central Coast Lapidary 8:30am-10:30am to Volunteering” held regularly. Volunteer hours Wyong RSL Club Soroptimists speak for women Club Minerals & Gems 2nd and Last Sat - The Hive 4329 7122 4323 7483 2nd Sat 10:30am and girls of all nations through Learn silverwork, Cabochons, recruit@volcc.org.au and Library, Erina Shopping reception@wyomingcc.org.au 4311 6254 awareness advocacy and Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Centre action by supporting national Field-trips & fossicking HEALTH GROUPS Wildlife ARC 0459 240 183 MUSIC and international programs Weekly Workshops We rescue and care for 2nd Thur 6:45pm - Breakers Tues and Thurs 8.30am Blue Gum Flat injured and orphan native Alcoholics Anonymous Country Club, Dover Rd Brisbane Water Brass 2.30pm. Thurs 6-10pm Toastmasters animals. 24hr/day, 7days/ meet every Wed 12.30pm Wamberal 4367 6331 Brass Band entertainment 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Mthly meetings 1st and 3rd week. Come join us. sibrisbanewater@siswp.org Someone cares for the community playing Ourimbah Mon 7.15-9.30pm Gen Meeting 3rd Sun Anglican Church all types of popular music 4362 2246 Ourimbah RSL WOWGIRLS Wave 3 Mann St Gosford Wyoming Community Rehearsal every Tues. 4362 7227 of Wisdom Inc 4323 3890 Centre, Maidens Brush Rd 7.30pm-10pm Central Coast WOWGIRLS Wave of Wisdom SERVICE GROUPS 0419 274 012 Soaring Club Inc Wyoming at 10am connects women and local Better Hearing Gliding Club, Learn to fly, 02 4325 0666 businesses around a common Australia Central Coast Instruction FREE to members JAZZLEAGUE I nner Wheel Club of COMMUNITY CENTRES theme of well-being. to share Hearing loss management 14 and up for Training Live Jazz Bands - Come to Gosford North Inc wisdom and explore life’s Support and educational group Flying at Bloodtree Rd listen, Come to dance Community minded women potential. 7 groups across the coast Mangrove Mountain Thur, Sat, Coimmunity Centres Free - Every Sun who enjoy fundraising for Regular Powwows, WOW Providing practical experience Sun ( weather permitting) provide the local community Central Coast Leagues Club local, national and international Wisdom gatherings, WOW and confidence 0412 164 082 with a meeting place and Gosford 2-5pm projects days and WOW courses check www.jazzleague.net Learn the benefits to hearing 0414 635 047 hub for groups, services and Regular social outings. our website for activities. www.ccsoaring.com.au aids information. 2nd Wed 7pm www.wowgirls.com.au 4321 0275 Soundwaves info@wowgirls.com.au 21 Old Penang Rd Kariong www.centralcoast. Central Coast Pension & Men’s acapella 4 part harmony Gosford 50+ Leisure and 4362 3139 betterhearingaustralia.org.au Welfare Officer Network 4382 3372

Kariong Neighbourhood Centre Early childhood clinic, free family law advice, active playgroup, computer classes, OOSH services, fitness classes, arts & crafts, over 50’s friendship group, youth group, social groups and many more services. 4340 1724

If you would like your Community Organisation listed here, call us on 4325 7369 or see www.centralcoastnewspapers.com Entries in the Not For Profit Community Organisations Directory are free. However, we require each organisation to subscribe to each newspaper to ensure that someone from that organisation keeps their entry up to date. Australia Post is about to increase their postage rates by over 42% and we can no longer continue to absorb these increases. Subscription rates have therefore needed to be increased from $50 to $75 for 25 editions.

OUT&ABOUT

Coast Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 27 C SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/out-and-about

Christmas toy drive for Kids in Shelter

Snuggle Coats makers receive a $5,000 grant

he Probus Club of Avoca and Kincumber Men’s Shed have both been congratulated for their Christmas toy drive for Kids in Shelter.

State Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, said both groups had been collecting donations of new toys for the Kids in Shelter Christmas appeal in the lead up to the festive season. Mr Crouch said Kids in Shelter was an initiative of Coast Shelter which provided emergency accommodation, free meals and Christmas gifts to children who, for whatever reason, found themselves

living in shelters and not in their own homes. The two groups collected a range of toys for young children and gift vouchers for older kids and have been overwhelmed with the generosity of their club members and friends. “This is a wonderful effort by the members of both the Probus Club of Avoca and Kincumber Men’s Shed who want to share the spirit of Christmas with those less

fortunate and I applaud their fantastic work, Mr Crouch said. “The members of the Kincumber Men’s Shed have been very busy this year making wooden toys for the Kids in Shelter appeal, all of which are beautifully made,” Mr Crouch said. Media release, Dec 8, 2016 Debra Wales, office of Adam Crouch

Centre: Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, with Men's Shed and Probus members and some of their hand-made donations

From left: Ms Alice Andrewartha from SunSuper with Ms Lisa Brennan and Lachlan and (inset) a sugar glider in a snuggle coat

reen Point locals, Lisa Brennan and her son Lachlan Brennan, are the founders of Snuggle Coats, pouches for baby native animals made out of real recycled fur.

The Gosford Diary G For events in post code areas 2250, 2260 and 2251

If you’ve got something happening in Gosford LGA area over the next few weeks, let us know about it and we’ll list it here for you, for free. Contact details are on page 2. See the Peninsula News for events in post code areas 2256 & 2257 and the Wyong Regional Chronicle for events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 & 2263

Friday, Dec 16 Guide Dog fundraising stalls at William St Mall from 9:00am to 2:30pm BluesAngels, Eleanor Plummer and Little Quirks at Brackets & Jam, Kincumber Mtn from 7:00pm Grizzleee Train, Foghorm Erina 8:00pm New Horizons, a collection of works by Central Coast artist Kadira Jennings, Ruby Sandhi Gallery, Cochrone St, Kincumber until December 31 Behind the Line and Bare exhibitions, Gosford Regional Gallery until January 29 Wavelength, exhibition of paintings by Cathryn McEwen, Foyer Gallery, Gosford Regional Gallery until January 11

Saturday, Dec 17 8 Ball Aitken and Band, Central Coast Leagues Club, Scenic Lounge from 8:00pm

by Gosford Liberty Family Church, Kibble Park, from 5:30pm Swing Company free live jazz, Central Coast Leagues Club scenic lounge from 2:00pm

Monday, Dec 19 Soundwaves Chorus singing Christmas Carols, Wyoming Shopping Centre, also December 21, 23 and 24, at 11:00am and 1:00pm

Wednesday, Dec 21 Hard to Be Merry Christmas Gathering, Kincumber Uniting Church, Avoca Dve, Kimcumber, 6:00pm

7:30pm Johnny Devilseed and Old Man Rubes, Foghorn Brewhouse, Erina, 8:00pm

Saturday, Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Juicy Red Apple Over 30s Night, Central Coast Leagues Club, Scenic Lounge Gosford Races, Gosford Racecourse, gates open 12:00pm, first race 1:30pm GBID presents Mars Foods New Year’s Eve Festival, featuring Mumma Jane’s Blues Band, fireworks at 9:15pmGosford Waterfront Central Coast Mariners versus Melbourne City, Central Coast Stadium, kick off 7:00pm

Central Coast Mariners versus Brisbane Roar, central Coast Stadium, kick off 5:00pm Christmas Fest hosted

Media release, Dec 9, 2016 Alice Andrewartha, Sunsuper

Saturday, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Carols in Kibble Park, Gosford presented by the Gosford Uniting Church with the Gosford City Brass Band, 6:00pm to 9:00pm Ben Woodham, Kincumber Hotel, 8:00pm

Sunday, Jan 1 Le Toot Ensemble, free jazz, Central Coast Leagues Club, Scenic Lounge from 2:00pm

Thursday, Jan 5 Ben Woodham, Davistown RSL, 6:00pm

Thursday, Dec 29 Sunday, Dec 18

2017. “With collection points right across the country, we’re calling for people to send us old furs so we can dismantle and distribute the Snuggle Coats.” For Snuggle Coats to win another $5,000 and be in the running for the $25,000 grand final prize, Lisa must get the most votes in this round of Sunsuper Dreams for a Better World. “To vote for Snuggle Coats visit dreamsforabetterworld. com.au. Voting closes on December 18.

native wildlife. “Two years ago, I founded Snuggle Coats after learning of a similar charity in America,” she said. “Our small team of volunteers recycle donated furs and pass these onto animal carers and wildlife parks all over Australia. “I have received a lot of encouragement and involvement from supporters who want to work together to dismantle the fur industry, whilst giving back to Australian animals in care. “The $5,000 grant from Sunsuper Dreams for a Better World means so much to Snuggle Coats. “We can now run our national fur drive in winter

Lisa and Lachlan have received a $5,000 grant from Sunsuper to continue their work to help Australian wildlife, by making Snuggle Coats, pouches, blankets and wraps to comfort and rehabilitate orphaned animals. The mother and son team were thrilled to be chosen as one of three finalists in the Animals and Community round of the Sunsuper Dreams for a Better World initiative, that gives up to $150,000 in grants each year to grassroots causes. Ms Brennan said her dream for Snuggle Coats was to build a program based on kindness and giving back, while educating people on making better decisions for the world and

Ben Woodham, Gosford Sailing Club, 6:30pm

Ben Woodham, Kincumber Hotel, 6:00pm

Edition 404

“The lines of communication that the residents of the Central Coast have always enjoyed through their representatives, the councillors, have been closed in all but name only and will remain that way until the elections, a long 12 months away,” association

member Mr Ian Bull wrote. “We had hoped that the recently announced Local Representation Committee, comprised of excouncillors, would restore interaction with Council,” Mr Bull said. “Unfortunately our hopes have been dashed as it appears our ‘representatives’ have been corralled and refused vital lines of communication such as the phones and email addresses that had been previously provided to them as councillors. “They are not permitted to speak to the media either individually or as a group as, in accepting appointment to the committee, they were required to sign over

He said a proposal by Mr Bruce Kerr of Woy Woy was listed by council as at 23 Memorial Ave, Blackwall, where in fact it was located at 19, 21 and 21A Memorial Ave. Land at 23 Memorial Ave had been listed by council as councilowned “operational land” which

was to be sold as surplus to requirements. The error resulted in a page three article in the last issue of Peninsula News claiming “First proposal submitted for Council land sale site”. Mr Wales said the development application lodged by Mr Bruce Kerr did not relate to land previously owned by the Central Coast Council, as reported in the article. He said Mr Kerr had owned the subject lands for some considerable number of years. The lands to the east of the site, which do not form part of Mr Kerr’s application were operational land

14 November 2016

those rights to the all-powerful administrator. “We have been advised by Council that contact with a few committee members is possible via their personal phones and email addresses that can be found at www.wyong.nsw.gov.au (About Council). “Council also advise you can reach the committee by emailing ask@centralcoast. nsw.gov.au or via: www. haveyoursaycentralcoast.com.au/. “Regrettably these interpose a level of bureaucracy between you and your ‘representatives’,’ Mr Bull said. Newsletter, 7 Sep 2016 Ian Bull, WTKCA

Edition 403

Gosford City Town Crier Mr Stephen Clarke of Umina has just returned from the 25th National Town Crier Championships with three ﬁrst place wins.

that was recently placed on the market by Central Coast Council as part of the former Gosford Council’s land sale strategy. According to Mr Wales, whose Wales and Associates consultancy prepared the Statement of Environmental Effects that accompanied Mr Kerr’s application, Gosford Council had recorded part of Mr Kerr’s land and the operational land as located at 23 Memorial Avenue. The council subsequently conﬁrmed that Mr Kerr’s land had been incorrectly addressed and was, in fact, located at 19, 21 and 21A Memorial Avenue. Mr Wales said the Council’s

The championships were held in Redland Queensland and Mr Clarke represented the Central Coast Council. Mr Clarke won first prize for the Best Dressed Crier, first prize for the Best Cry and first for Champion

of Champions. The Best Cry prize was judged on vocal and word content only. This is the third time Mr Clarke has attained the top prize of Champion of Champions and this year he competed against criers from Australia and New Zealand. Mr Clarke has been the ofﬁcial Gosford and Central Coast Town Crier since 1990. Email, 6 Sep 2016 Stephen Clarke, Umina

erroneous lot identification had affected land on its website. caused Mr Kerr to be criticised for The exact ownership of some being part of the Central Coast of the community allotments Council’s land sale strategy when, involved in the land sale strategy in fact, he had nothing to do with is still a subject of debate and that strategy and was intending to disagreement between some develop land that had been in his community groups and council. possession for some time. Central Coast Council was Ms Sue Chidgey from Save expected to consider a report from Central Coast Reserves has been staff about the land sale strategy lobbying since September last year at its September 14 meeting but Five Peninsula community to implement some or all of for the Council to provide more the issue was deferred to the the strategy but fell short of parks and reserves information about the land sale September 28 meeting, have which will been asWyong a result of recommending that the new strategy, including identification of be saved held at the chamber. Council either adopt or abandon a concerted the exact lots listed for potential The Peninsulacommunity News is awaiting the proposed reclassification of six campaign to council stop about their the reclassification and sale. answers from sites on the Peninsula. It was months before the former identification cation of and the allotments. reclassifi sale by However, after listening to Email, 13 Sep 2016 Gosford Council would even Council. three speakers on the issue, Mr Matthew Wales, Wales agree to identifying the located of The former Gosford Council’s Reynolds said: “In no uncertain and Associates “highly contentious” Land terms the community has made its Sale Strategy was abandoned views clear to me and Council. for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info by Central Coast Council’s “I know a lot of people are Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, interested in this report and issue at an ordinary council meeting on because they have been raising it Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford September 28. with me on a regular basis since I The “affection” expressed by the arrived here in May,” he said. Phone: 4325 7369 community towards their reserves Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 Council had listened to the also resulted in Mr Reynolds community and taken decisive E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net calling for Central Coast Council action by not implementing the Website: www.centralcoastnews.net staff to explore establishing an proposed strategy, Mr Reynolds Adopt a Park Scheme. said. Mr Reynolds said the newlyHe said the community had merged Central Coast Council not only shown a desire to save could find more efficiencies and their reserves but had expressed savings in its consolidated budget affection for them. than the former Gosford Council “I see some merit in Council had access to. looking at an Adopt a Park He said the economies of Scheme,” Mr Reynolds said. scale that could be achieved by “The environmental assets the newly-merged Council meant in the community are important there was “no reason to reclassify to them and they love them,” he and sell” the parcels of community said and requested that the CEO land that had been listed as part provide a report on an Adopt a of Gosford Council’s “land sale Park Scheme in due course. strategy”. Mr Reynolds then formally A report prepared by the unit resolved to take no further action of the Chief Executive Officer, in relation to resolutions that had Mr Rob Noble, and presented been made by Gosford Council to to Mr Reynolds at the meeting, reclassify and sell community land. suggested that the new Council “This is a clear expression of my may wish to reconsider whether views,” Mr Reynolds said as the

The man responsible for securing Liberal Government funding for the Rawson Rd level crossing replacement project, former Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein, has called on the State Government to justify abandoning the project.

e Frkeeone!

Mr Holstein, now chair of the Central Coast Task Force, said the Government needed to justify “canning” the project just days after Premier Mike Baird declared the state had billions of dollars for infrastructure. “I am seeking to remind the 31 October NSW Government that when 2016 you make a commitment you honour it and here is a fine example of a commitment that was made that is not going to be honoured,” Mr Holstein said. He said the level crossing at South Woy Woy was “one of the most used level railway crossings in NSW”. “For 40 years politicians, council and residents have talked of improving the road at Bulls Hill and removing the unsafe rail crossing,” he said. “There have been numerous times, due to incidents at the crossing, accidents on Woy Woy Rd or on Brisbane Water Dve that traffic has been diverted and caused traffic chaos on the Peninsula.” According to Mr Holstein, the idea of building a flyover was explored in the 1990s but the concept was rejected by politicians, The Rawson Rd Level Crossing at Woy Woy council and residents. “In 2011, based on Gosford Council’s estimated costings, I sought funding from the incoming Liberal Government to address the issue with an expanded underpass at the base of Bulls Hill and was successful,” Mr Holstein said, referring to his campaign for the

ak Ta T

Town crier wins national championships

Council drops land sale plans formal resolution was greeted with applause from the public gallery at Wyong’s Council Chamber. The sixth block listed for potential sale on the Peninsula, at 23 Memorial Ave Blackwall, was already classified as operational land. After the meeting, a media statement from Council provided the following clarification on the potential sale of that site: “Irrespective of the land classification of any site, Council carries out a rigorous due diligence process before finalising decisions on whether any parcel will be sold or retained”. According to the statement, that process involves a review, marketing and then the subsequent sale and that will be the process applied to the Blackwall land. The other five Peninsula locations were classified as community land and most were actively used by the local community as reserves and parks. The Peninsula’s parks and reserves that will remain as community land were located at: Brisbane Ave, Umina; 40 and 42 Albion St, Umina; 40, 42 and 46 Pozieres Ave, Umina; 9 to 11 Mackenzie Ave, Woy Woy, and 10 to 12 Jumbuck Close, Woy Woy. Ms Sue Chidgey, the founder of Save Central Coast Reserves, the umbrella group that coordinated the community’s campaign against the land sale strategy, said Mr

against the Land Sale Strategy, Ms Vicki Scott and Ms Hillary Morris. “In the campaign that followed hundreds of community emails and submissions were sent to the Mayor, CEO and Councillors as well as a large petition. “In addition, rallies were held as the community pleaded for the protection of their sites. “Then in early 2016, with the Council Amalgamation, the community again rose up and sent huge numbers of emails and submissions to the new Administrator and CEO,” Ms Chidgey said. “Many of our communities now look forward to joining with Council in the ‘Adopt a Park’ initiative to enhance their community sites for the well-being of their community and for the urban environment. “I wish to extend my sincere thanks to every community member or group who supported the campaign to achieve this wonderful outcome.”

Environmental Plan made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979,” the status report said. According to the report, the EP&A Act prescribed mandatory steps in the making of a Local Environmental Plan. The first of those steps was the submission of a planning proposal to the NSW Minister for Planning. According to Mr Noble’s status report, the former Gosford Council did not ever take that first step in executing its Land Sale Strategy. “The LG Act and the EP&A Act prescribe a number of mandatory steps that must be taken to effect re-classification of public land from community to operational by way of an LEP,” the status report said. “The former Gosford Council did not initiate any of those steps steps. “The [Central Coast] Council has not initiated any of those steps. Continued Page 10

THIS ISSUE contains 53 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

““Everybo verybody rybody odyy is i ﬁne and happy “Everybody and d nego negotiat otiatio ation tio onss are continuing and negotiations abo the a he locati loc catio cat tio on of other safety about location equ equipment, equip uipment,” nt,”” he he sa ssaid. aid. equipment,” “Unfortu nfortuna ortunat unatel ately ely we needed a “Unfortunately pub blic campa campaig ca paig aign ig gn to move things public campaign along a bit,” alo it,” t,” M Mr Christie said in along rela re elation ation to the t e Central Coast relation Co ouncil’s cil’s il’ss initial ini re efusal. e Council’s refusal. Interview, Inte Int errview, Oct 24, 2016 Ian Re Ian Reynold nolds, olds Central Cen en ntral Coast Council Reynolds, Inte In nter errview, Oct 24, 2016 Interview, Ro s Ch Ross hristie, Pearl Beach Christie, Pro ogress Association o Progress Report Re rte er: Jackie Pearson Reporter:

Ofﬁce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Government abandons level crossing project The State Government has abandoned the Rawson Rd aba level crossing replacement leve project. pro and Freight, Mr Duncan Gay, announced the decision in answer ann a question qu from Mr Walt Secord in the Legislative Council on October 20. ove overpass project would now cost the NSW Government a total of betw between $80 million and $115 milli million. prom promised $30 million towards the repl replacement of the crossing in 201 2011 as a major component of Mr Chr Chris Holstein’s campaign to be elec elected as the Liberal Member for Gos Gosford. the level crossing has been revised upw upward on several occasions.

From left, Jayden Gordon holidaying at Pearl Beach is taught about a rescue tube by Mr Dave Kennedy Photo Patrick Everett

project has been at a standstill since the completion of the pedestrian underpass in 2015. At the opening of the new pedestrian underpass, I committed

an extra $7 million towards the council’s proposed upgrade of the level crossing,” said Mr Gay. “This increased the overall commitment of the New South Wales Government at this location to $52 million because a total of $45 million had been committed towards a pedestrian and road solution at the level crossing. “Unsurprisingly, the cost estimate to achieve a solution at the level crossing increased from $52 million, which increased from the original $30 million, to be between $80 million and $115 million. “Following the cost estimate increase, I wrote to the council and advised that no further funding would be available for the proposal, which the council admitted it could not possibly afford itself. “Taxpayers should not be forced to foot an even larger bill.” Mr Gay said the Government had no responsibility for the roads involved. “Woy Woy Rd and Rawson Rd are regional roads under the care and control of the Central Coast

A northbound train a approaches the level crossing at Woy Woy

Mr Holstein has been criticised for grossly under-estimating the cost of the project from the outset as progress drew to a standstill during ng the past year. Mr Holstein said State Members of Parliament arliament were not responsible for the in-depth costing of major infrastructure astructure projects. “We We were in Opposition and could d not get any proper costings from m Railways or the department and Council’s costings said very clearly rly they would need to be reviewed ewed and investigated along with the scope of the project,” he

Council, previously the Gosford ns Council. THIS ISSUE contains “In other words, they are not state owned or managed roads,” he said. “Since 2011, the New South Wales Government has committed more than $36 million in grant funding to Gosford City Council for the upgrade and repair of council owned and managed roads. “This is equal to a 27 per cent increase in the grant funding compared to what Labor spent in its last term of Government. “The New South Wales Government also spent $178 million upgrading the West Gosford interchange to address trafﬁc demand on the Central Coast Highway and Brisbane Water Drive. “The latter is the key State road connection to the northern end of Woy Woy and this upgrade was open to trafﬁc in 2015,” Mr Gay said.

Woodham, Wamberal,

use that road are coming from the electorate of Terrigal,” he said. Mr Holstein said he believed the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce was also “throwing up a smoke screen” instead of working on solutions. “We have a State Member. I haven’t seen her. And then we have a Chamber of Commerce that wants to play a blame game. “Council should be asking the government questions but we haven’t got any elected representatives to do that because we are in administration. “This issue has got to be Edition 407 answered. “It hasn’t been answered in my mind, and the people who should be asking for answers are not doing so.” Mr Holstein said that the former Member for Terrigal, Mr Chris Harcher, had acknowledged in 2011 that the railway crossing replacement would beneﬁt the people of the Terrigal electorate. In terms of whether funds put aside by the NSW Government for the abandoned rail crossing should be reallocated to other Peninsula projects, as suggested by the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr Holstein said: “I am sure the projects Matthew Wales talks about are worthy too, but why does he think the issue at the bottom of Bulls Hill has gone away?” Local Liberal Members of Parliament were not answering Mr Holstein’s questions last week. Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch said that, because Rawson Rd was not in his electorate, he would leave comment to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald. A statement from Mr MacDonald’s ofﬁce said: “The Minister has answered these questions at length. “We have nothing further to

Hansard, 20 Oct 2016 Duncan Gay, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Reporter: Jackie Pearson More on level crossing - Page 13

www.centralcoastnewspapers.com

12 December 2016

parking or foreshore works in and The proposed redevelopment between the town centre area and of the Patonga Hotel has the Dark Corner boat ramp, in lieu been refused by the Central of the five lost car parking spaces,” Coast Council. the staff report said. Council chief Mr Rob Noble The refused development has written to the proponent’s application, lodged in December architects, CKDS Architecture, 2015, proposed to replace the informing them that the DA for hotel kitchen area with storage, alterations and additions to the cool rooms and cafe area; extend existing hotel and takeaway shop the ground floor hotel area at 8 to 10 Patonga Dve has been approximately 2.5m to the east refused. and in part 2.6m to the south, In his letter, Mr Noble listed for reconfigured dining area and seven reasons for Council’s relocated toilets; provide a covered refusal. area of approximately 94 square “The proposal provides metres over existing outdoor hotel 28 November 2016 inadequate car parking for the dining areas on part of the front proposed development and is not elevation; provide a small stage in accordance with the provisions inside the hotel; extend the first of Gosford Development Control floor verandah on the hotel on the Plan (DCP) 2013,” Mr Noble said front elevation; extend the first in his letter. floor of the hotel by 6.5m to the “The proposal has provided east to accommodate new toilets insufficient information on the to serve the proposed restaurant/ parking penetration of the wedding reception area; demolish proposed use or in relation to most of the seafood cafe building available car parking in the area,” The Patonga Hotel and first floor residence, and the letter said. provide a new two- storey building “The proposal would result in against the proposal, said: “The on parking surveys carried out alterations since then. In September 2003, Gosford with an expanded kitchen/ storage unacceptable parking and traffic way in which Council addressed over two days in August 2002 and impacts on surrounding residential the difficult task of weighing up observations made on October 25 Council approved a modification area at the rear and expanded (Part 2) to relocate the ground internal seating area at the front on areas, particularly during peak the merit of the proposal within last year. “Since the application was floor dwelling to the first floor and the ground level, the report said. the fragile Patonga environment times,” he said. “Council’s assessment has “The proposal would adversely will not be lost on the people who lodged the applicant has made convert that area for dining use. This modification was supported identified a number of concerns several changes to the proposal to impact on the amenity of the would be most affected by it.” with an offer of $20,000 from the with the proposal, which primarily A report written by Council’s reduce impacts,” the report said. area through increased traffic “These changes will reduce applicant in lieu of a shortfall of six relate to the proposed use of the generation and car parking Department of Environment and Planning to assess the application some of the intensity of the parking spaces arising from the first floor of the takeway cafe congestions. building as a restaurant and for “The proposal exceeds the said it had proposed adding a proposal, however on balance, proposal. In March 2010, Council wedding receptions, the lack of car allowed Floor Space Ratio for restaurant and wedding reception the lack of car parking for the parking as required under GDCP consented to a modifi cation (Part proposal, and lack of supporting facility on the fi rst fl oor of the the land under Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 existing café building without information to determine parking 9) to the hotel for the removal of 2013 and the impacts of the use and for which inadequate car providing any car parking, relying impacts relevant to the proposed five on-site car parking spaces and on the character and amenity of parking is provided and in these instead on on-street car parking in development means that Council a loading area, and the conversion the local area. “While the alterations and is unable to satisfy itself that of this area to beer garden seating. circumstances a clause 4.6 the vicinity of the Hotel. “Council’s assessment at the additions to the hotel and ground The report said the application the proposal will not have an variation to the provision would not had been the subject of a large adverse impact on car parking in time noted that the proposal level takeaway store will have a be supported. “The scale and intensity of the number of objections from the local the Patonga area, including on resulted in a shortfall of 18 car lesser impact, overall the scale of The Westpac branch in West St, Umina, and (inset) the notice in the window announcing the closure spaces being for the five spaces the proposal is out of keeping with proposed restaurant and wedding community, with 83 submissions surrounding residential streets. “Additionally, the intensity of lost and a further 13 spaces for the desired future character of the reception is, and associated and a petition with 89 signatures. “The key issues raised in the expansion has potential to the additional beer garden/ dining area and the objectives of the B1 impacts, is inconsistent with Local Neighbourhood zone. the character of the area submissions were the increased adversely impact on the amenity area. “Accordingly, the application is “The applicant did not agree and the objectives of the B1 intensity of the use, impacts on and character of the local area. “Based on these concerns the with the extent of the shortfall, recommended for refusal pursuant local character, non-compliance Neighbourhood Centre Zone.” Finally, Mr Noble said: “Approval with planning controls, noise and application is recommended for based on decreased demand from to Section 80 of the Environmental patrons travelling by boat, ferry or Planning and Assessment Act would not be in the public interest.” amenity impacts on adjoining refusal,” the report concluded. There have been a number of on foot, and based on the parking 1979.” The applicant now has six properties, inadequate car parking, Letter, 28 Nov 2016 months to ask for a review of the traffic generation, pedestrian previous approvals applying to report submitted at the time. Rob Noble, Central Coast Council “Following consideration by decision and/or appeal to the Land safety and the permissibility of both buildings on the site. Statement, 29 Nov 2016 The hotel building (including Council and a number of section wedding receptions,” the report “In the meantime, we encourage Westpac reinforces my view that street. urage huge. Court. and Environment Ross Trembath, Patonga two residential dwellings) 82A reviews the Council agreed “The departure of Westpac customers to visit the branch to the big banks are out of touch with me as o get “It’s very chairman inconvenient Mr Ross Trembath, of forsaid. Community Working Group According to the report, the was approved in March 2000 with an offer from the applicant for staff local communities,” Mr Wales said. will leave Umina with only the a free demonstration from the affPatonga on a vehicle ownerWorking to have to make Assessment report, 24 Nov 2016 Community Parking and “The Westpac regional manager Commonwealth Bank and we how to use online banking Group d the which the drive Woy Woy and deal with Report submitted in (DA22677) and there have a Voluntary Planning Agreement Scott Cox, Central Coast Council hadto campaigned Mr Adam Wilson has confirmed now have grave concerns as to its ATM if they wish. the traffic traffific in the area just tosupport do my of the application relied been several modifications and for $75,000 to be applied to car “Customers can also still access that the Umina branch will close future in the main street,” Mr Wales ccess banking,” Mr White said. THIS ISSUE contains free face-to-face banking services in December, with all Peninsula said. vices “So how inconvenient will it be 59 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Mr Wales also said this was not at the Umina Australia Post office for pensioners who rely on public banking operations being shifted to the Woy Woy branch in Blackwall the first time Westpac had let down including the depositing of cash transport to get around or who customers in Umina, having closed or cheques, cash withdrawalss and can’t use technology to do thei Rd. Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford “Unfortunately, I find it the Umina St George Bank branch balance enquiries.” banking? Phone: 4325 7369 Mr Wales said: “It is the height increasingly typical of the big when they took over the company eight “I use a passbook. Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 banks that they seem to know best in 2008. of arrogance to suggest that “I don’t own a credit card so E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net e is I’m reliant on over-the-counte “When Westpac took over St an automatic teller machine when it comes to customer service Website: www.centralcoastnews.net in main street shopping strips,” he George, it subsequently closed the sufficient for local customers mers transactions to do my banking. Umina branch, stripping the main in what has become one off the said. “How many other people on the ntres Peninsula are in this situation too? According to Mr Wales, street of front line banking services busiest main street retail centres “It seems like Westpac jus Westpac made the decision to and forcing St George customers on the Central Coast. close their Umina branch following to go to Woy Woy to do their stpac doesn’t care about its Umina “I can only hope that Westpac a review that found the branch banking. ounts customers. customers will shift their accounts “Westpac assured the local to the Commonwealth Bank and lacked sufficient customer support “The Umina Branch staff are to justify keeping a shop front business community that they keep local dollars in Umina,”” Mr very friendly and nice but the would maintain a presence in Wales concluded. presence. closure seems to be more abou “It is my view that once again Umina. ether lining Westpac’s profits then Westpac did not state whether “Now years later they are pulling or not Umina branch staff members the big banks are putting profits mbers customer service,” Mr White said. Media release, 19 Nov 2016 ahead of local services as a way of the same stunt and forcing Umina would be redeployed or made Matthew Wales, Peninsula adding to the billions of dollars they customers to travel into Woy Woy redundant. Chamber of Commerce to do their banking again.” already rake in from customers. Ettalong resident Mr David Interview and documents Ms Wilson said that Westpac’s White, who has been banking “That’s all very good if you are nking 21 Nov 2016 a Westpac shareholder but the decision to close the branch was with Westpac Umina for over er 20 David White White, Ettalong closure will leave Umina with one not made lightly. years, said the implications the Interview, 21 Nov 201 “The Westpac ATM at Umina branch closure would have on the less bank, a vacant shop and the Lucy Wilson, Westpac Group loss of a dozen jobs in the main will remain in place. Reporter: Dilon Luke Peninsula’s aged population were

eee! Frke Fr on k ak Ta T

Another major bank k withdraws from Umina ina

Media release, 7 Nov 2016 Interview, 8 Nov 2016 Chris Holstein, Central Coast Task Force Email, 8 Nov 2016 Debra Wales, Ofﬁce of Adam Crouch

Another of the big four Email, 8 Novbanks 2016 ce of in UminaChris will Sullivan, close itsOfﬁ branch Scot MacDonald before Christmas this year, Reporter: Jackie Pearson leaving just one major bank

branch in Umina. 52 a articles rtiicle es - R Read ea d m more or news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info

Friday, Dec 30 Ben Breakers

The recent announcement by Minister for Roads, Maritime the Min Freight, Mr Duncan Gay, and Fr that no further funding would be available for the project, begged availabl questions than it answered, more q Holstein said. Mr Hols there still a need to improve “Is th road and remove the rail the roa crossing? crossing “Why, after ﬁve years of “Why investigation and studies, which investig commencement, is it only now saw com that the project is not worth it? “Why is the Peninsula Chamber Commerce running the blame of Com

Edition 408

Council refuses Patonga Hotel proposal

Holstein questions level crossing decision

eee! Frke on o ke

From left: Mr Stephen Clarke, Gosford City Town Crier with Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds

Not 23 Memorial Avenue

Central Coast Council has made an error that has resulted in a development proposal being confused with land that was part of the Council’s “land sale strategy”, according to planning consultant Mr Matthew Wales.

Edition 406

Central Coast Council administrator Mr Ian Reynolds has called for a review of Council’s decision to refuse approval for a publiclyaccessible deﬁbrillator to be installed at Pearl Beach along with rescue tubes and resuscitation diagrams.

decision did not take cognisance of the current state of defibrillator technology. “They are specifically designed for public access and to be used by untrained people,” he said. “The embedded system avoids misuse and danger to operators and defibrillators are being rolled out in public reserves around The Pearl Beach Progress Australia.” Association announced a Mr Christie said the drowning campaign to raise funds to of five-year-old Chayce Kelly at purchase a defibrillator for the Pearl Beach in 2014 had “triggered beach in December 2015. a whole lot of beach safety issues The goal was to have a including rescue tubes and angel defibrillator and rescue tubes and rings or life buoys as they used to resuscitation diagrams on the be called. beachfront and at the rock pool. “I have offered to meet with The response to the campaign council and bring a new-generation was so positive that the association defibrillator with me so they could was able to purchase four see it has been designed for public defibrillators. access,” he said. The Pearl Beach Safety “We have already had training 4 October 2016 Advisory Group, a working group for about 50-60 people in the of Pearl Beach residents with village but you turn it on and a TV professional backgrounds in health screen comes on and tells you and safety, was formed. what to do.” The Progress Association also There is already a defibrillator received support from the Member located at the Pearl Beach shop for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, but public access is limited to the From left: Mr David Kenny from the Pearl Beach Safety Advisory Group holds a rescue tube and Mr Ross Christie, who organised a grant of $8250 shop’s opening hours. President of the Pearl Beach Progress Association, holds a defibrillator under the Stronger Communities “I think they’ve got some Photo: Patrick Everett Program for a cabinet to house the misplaced concept of liability However, Pearl Beach resident life as a result.” places. defibrillator. Mr Dave Kennedy, a Safety The positive result was achieved “That is already happening in but there is no case law about Upon application, the Council Advisory Group member and because members of the public anybody ever getting into trouble Europe,” he said. declined to allow the devices to professional firefighter for Fire were able to use the defibrillators In an open letter to Mr Reynolds, by attempting to save a life.” be made available to the public at Rescue NSW, said the concerns on the cardiac arrest victims within Mr Christie said the progress Pearl Beach Progress Association the Pearl Beach beachfront or rock were unwarranted. the first five minutes of the attack. president Mr Ross Christie said the association wanted the equipment pool. He said: “I have undertaken They still dialled 000 but did not Council had placed impediments in place before the beginning of the A statement from Central over 100 rescues in the past 14 have to wait the 10 or more minutes in the way of improving safety at 2016-17 beach season. Coast Council on Wednesday, years as a professional council for the paramedics to arrive. “It is a very popular spot and Pearl Beach. October 12, said that Mr Reynolds lifeguard. “It is common knowledge that “I note that the Central Coast very heavily populated. had received a letter from the “I would have thought that on “As an example, saving a five- a person’s survival chances are Council has: failed to respond association and had already asked year-old girl was made possible reduced by 10 per cent for every to the report of the Coroner on a sunny day 400 to 500 people Council staff to review the decision. with a rescue tube, and we need minute lost before resuscitation the drowning of Chayce Kelly; would be on Pearl Beach.” That review is currently equipment on our beach to save begins,” Mr Kennedy said. Mr Christie said former Gosford refused permission for the Pearl underway, according to the lives.” “If we can get that defibrillator on Beach Progress Association, at its councillor Mr Bob Ward had statement. Since moving to Pearl Beach them during the first five minutes expense, to establish a defibrillator agreed to make representations to “Council staff are more than about a year ago, Mr Kennedy, who their chances of survival shoot unit on the foreshore; failed to Mr Reynolds. happy to meet with the association is a qualified CPR trainer, offered through the roof,” he said. “There is no doubt we are on reply to a June 20 letter appealing to find the best possible solution to train community members as a The Pearl Beach Progress against the decision of Council not the right side of history. for the community.” “It is just a question of people way of supporting the association’s Association has organised for their to allow the Pearl beach Progress The statement said Council’s beach safety initiatives. defibrillators to be monitored by an Association, again at its expense, waking up to themselves. reasons for declining to approve “We raised $26,000, and I Mr Kennedy said he had no alarm company, in an attempt to to place rescue tubes and the defibrillator had been outlined concerns about the defibrillators appease Council’s concerns. resuscitation charts on the beach would say $15,000 came from in previous correspondence to the being used by untrained Anyone needing to use the and near the rockpool; and not medicos and doctors who were progress association. individuals. device will have to call the alarm responded to repeated requests very supportive of the appeal.” Email, 2016 Those reasons included Council ouncilil administrator ist 11 OctMr Ian Ia “It is quite the opposite. They company first to receive a security to meet with you to discuss this Lynne Pearlstaff Beach “concerns about damage, are designed for use by members code. aidLillico, sta nd d Reynolds said Council and Ms Jane Smith of Community matter,” Mr Christie said. Reynold’s decision had “brought Progress Association vandalism, and equipment being of the public,” he said. mmunity representatives held a community “The user will need to call 000 immense relief to the communities Environment Network said: “An “I trust that my file which Interview, 12 Oct 2016 used by untrained people. eting on the morning ing of Friday F Frida ay,, meeting Friday, whose neighbourhood sites were overwhelming groundswell of According to Mr Kennedy, then press the button on the device evidences unreasonable Ross Christie, Pearl Beach “The reserve they are talking Mosman Council had four and basically they will get someone ober 21, Progress at the water waterfront. w Association October threatened. community support has saved impediments to improving beach about putting the equipment in defibrillators located at Balmoral talking to them who gives them the “I had signalled my12intention inte te 2016to o Interview, Oct “Save Central Coast Reserves, these precious sites from sell-off safety at Pearl Beach never has received damage from storms Beach. eviewDavid aPearlstaff m met review the decision met Kennedy, and Beach code. the Community Environment and development.” to be tendered to the Coroner previously and is exposed to Safety Advisory Group s of Progress Pro r with representatives “You will start seeing as evidence at some time in the Network and eight additional Mr Noble’s status report “They are public access devices Media impacts of environment,” the that have been used twice and defibrillators in train stations, ssociation ationstatement, on Friday F da12 Oct at a 2016 Pearl Pear Association community groups across the provided a clear explanation future,” he said. Ian Central Coast statement said. B Reynolds, Mr Reynold Reyno saidCouncil Beach,” Reynolds said. both people were bought back to shopping centres and other public Gosford region have campaigned of the process involved in the Mr Christie said Council’s Reporter: Jackie “We We have ave ve agreed on o aPearson suitable suitab su for over a year for the protection of reclassification of community land. brilla r, he location for tthe defibrillator,” “PublicTHIS land ISSUE that is classifi ed their 25 local reserves, parks and contains 58 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info sa said. as community may be reclassified green spaces,” Ms Chidgey said. “Staff will liaise se further with wit the the “Only two councillors voted as operational by way of a Local

e Frkeeone!

17 October 2016

Administrator to review Council defibrillator refusal

Council committee fails, says association The Central Coast Council’s Local Representation Committee has failed to achieve its aim of “ensuring all communities within the new LGA have a voice”, according an article in the newsletter of the Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association.

e Frkeeone!

19 September 2016

THIS ISSUE contains 61 articles - Read more news items

Friday, Jan 6

e Frkeeone!

e Frkeeone! Edition 402

The Umina Westpac Bank Branch will close its doors on December 9, due to steadily Ofﬁce: declining numbers in over-the Phone: 4325 7369 -counter transactions. Mail: “Fewer customers are visiting our branches these days, as E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net more and more people choose to Website: use digital banking channels like mobile banking, internet banking and smart ATMs,” said Westpac Group spokesperson Ms Lucy Wilson. “With over-the-counter transactions accounting for less than ﬁve per cent of total transactions, we are closing the Umina branch and merging it with another Westpac branch at Woy Woy,” the spokesperson said. Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales said the decision was corporate greed by one of the big four banks. “I am sick and tired of the big banks’ attitude to local retail centres and this decision by

A frfree ee nnewspaper e sp spap aper er with itithh in iin-depth Peninsula Community news!

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 28 - Coast Community News - December 15, P 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

PRICES FOR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS IN THESE PAGES COME IN THREE CATEGORIES

Not For Profit Organisations Not for profit organisations’ advertisements are subsidised.

events

A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $20 + GST. Each additional cm is only an additional $4 + GST, colour is $6 + GST and a photograph or logo is an additional $6 + GST.

Private advertisements Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and a photograph or a logo. Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

Business rates A one off advertisement only costs $40 + GST in mono and an extra $8 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph. Advertising on an ongoing basis attracts discounts if paid for in full in advance. 3 months $215 , 6 months $385 + GST, 12 months $700 + GST – Approximately $14 per week. Having the same advertisement in one of the other Central Coast Newspapers as well attracts an additional 10% discount for those advertisements. If in the third paper as well, it will attract a 15% discount which drops to $11.50 + GST per week in that paper. Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently.

Online classified advertising rates

Online only GosfordClassifieds.com.au is one of a network of 10 websites which form one of the largest independent online classifieds network in NSW with over 350,000 annual visitors, over 80,000 online advertisements and over 15,000 business advertisements. A premium VIP online business advertisement on GosfordClassifieds.com.au only costs $299 for 3 months, $399 for 6 months and, $499 for 12 months. It costs a similar amount to go on any one of the other nine Sydney based websites as well, or only $1699 for all sites for 12 months. The other sites cover Bondi, Manly, Newtown, Cronulla, South Sydney, St George, West Sydney, North Sydney, Wollongong and suburbs surrounding those areas. All that we require for you to have an online advertisement such as this is: 1) Heading for the advertisement; 2) Text for the body; and, 3) Up to 3 images if required i.e. logos etc.

Combined online and print advertising Having a Gosford classifieds premium on line advertisement plus a printed advertisement in one newspaper will only cost $495 for 3 months, $695 for 6 months and $999 for 12 months. Having it in two newspapers as well as online costs $595 for 3 months, $995 for 6 months and $1499 for 12 months. To be in all three newspapers as well as online costs $795 for 3 months, $1395 for 6 months and $1899 for 12 months.

GOSFORDCLASSIFIEDS.COM.AU FOR ONLINE CENTRAL COAST CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

156 Mann St Gosford

4324 5569

BluesAngels Your total acoustic

blues/roots package, top to toe, and then some. Minnie the Moocher to Eagle Rock and on into indie roots, beatnik jazz, backhills bluegrass and prog folk. Available as duo, trio or band negotiable for your party, event or venue.

tomflood@hotmail.com

4324 2801

Gosford 4323 6367 Woy Woy 4344 4414 Warnervale 1800 244 456 0412 685 555

BOOKKEEPING

The Troubadour Folk and Acoustic Music Club

SATURDAY DEC 17 at 7pm Christmas Party CWA Hall Woy Woy Tickets $10/13/15 www.troubadour.org.au

4342 6716 Registered BAS Agent Member of Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Accredited and experienced with various accounting packages Contact Ken www.gosfordbookkeeping.com.au

0417 657 414 CLEANING

Unique cleaning and floor restoration Carpet and upholstery cleaning. Window cleaning. High pressure cleaning. Tile cleaning, indoor and outdoor. External house wash. House cleaning. Affordable prices.

0421 493 447

YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIAN Same day service Guaranteed Lighting, Power Points, Phone & Data, Fault Finding,

No job too small. Seniors Discount. Lic number 265652C

4308 6771 Please donate to buy beds for Ted. Call 1800 151 045 or visit www.noffs.org.au

BUCELLO’S Painting Services • Residential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints

Free Quotes All work guaranteed

0410 404 664

CENTRAL COAST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Antenna & Digital Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas

PAINTER

PUBLIC NOTICE

AGISTMENT LISAROW 5 level grassy acres $25 per horse 3 Horses $20ea 0410 622 270

PHOTOGRAPHY

A Better Picture

ELECTRICIAN

Combined print and online packages have been created providing further discounts.

have

Love & Lust Adult Shop

ENTERTAINMENT

ANTENNAS

Private advertisements only cost $33.

See page 2 for contact details. All newspaper advertisements minimum of two weeks’ shelf life.

ADULT SERVICES

FITNESS

Self Defence

corporate – website – events a one stop solution for all your photographic needs

VALSPIX

www.valspix.com

0418 600 436 PLASTERERS

Your local plasterer

Gyprock plasterboard, small jobs, walls, ceilings and cornices. Over 30 year’s experience. No jobs over $1,000. Ph: Neville 0417 426 254

Real solu ons to real threats Krav Maga Proven to work

YOUR LOCAL

www.closecombat.com.au

PLUMBER

FOR SALE

PLUMBER

Same day service Guaranteed Blocked drains, Leaking taps and toilets, Hot water and all aspects Of pluming drainage and gas fitting. Lic number 265652C

2001 Hyundai Accent GL 3 door sedan, 5 speed manual 10 months rego Only 130,000 ks, log books, full service history Air conditioned, power steering Very clean, economical, reliable, small car. Only $2,200

Ph: 0410 522 070 KITCHENS

Quality Laminate Benchtops supplied and seconds for sale

R&J Benchtops Gosford

0456 884 545

4346 4057 DEEPWATER Plumbing & Gas Solutions

Gas installations Hot Water Systems Appliances TMVs - Back Flow Drainage and all aspects of plumbing

Senior’s discount Call Brent 0422 080 936 lic 286937c

Please donate to buy beds for Ted. Call 1800 151 045 or visit www.noffs.org.au

Pensioner Accommodation Aubrey Downer Memorial Orange Homes Point Clare Retirement Village Suit Single Pensioner over 55yrs old

Self Care Unit available $200/week Conditions Apply

Ph: 4324 2068 Business Hours

FREE to singing

teachers and students of opera, operetta and song. Sheet music, scores, librettos and biographies of great singers.

Ph: Raymond 4324 4422

SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

WARD SEPTICS SEPTIC TANK CLEANING SMALL PUMP OUT TRUCK GREAT PUMP OUT RATES

*AND EVEN CHEAPER RATES FOR

YOU WITH A NEIGHBOUR

0438 315 514 www.septiccleaning.com.au

TUITION - DANCE

Gosford Scottish Country Dancers hold a intermediate class on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 pm at Wyoming It’s an excellent form of exercise which brings men, women and young people together socially, learning new and old dances in a very friendly relaxed atmosphere No experience or partner necessary All ages welcome Cost $7.00 per week Contact Janice on

4388 2253

Coast C Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 29 SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

OUT&ABOUT

RYSS outreach bus launched egional Youth S u p p o r t Services (RYSS) launched the new ‘RYSS Bus’ in Kibble Park Gosford on Friday, December 2.

According to RYSS, THE BUS is an acronym that stands for Together Helping Everyone Better Utilise Services. It is a state-of-the-art multifunctional youth facility on wheels. THE BUS will deliver services, activities, support and programs direct to the community; targeting local ‘hotspots’, Coast events and youth festivals. Due to $70,000 in funding secured from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, THE BUS has been equipped with gaming, computer and Wi-Fi facilities, a recessed barbeque, wheelchair access, a 16-seat class space and a lounge area. It also has an external 80 inch bean bag cinema set up. The special features of THE BUS will help to introduce youth services, activities and training. It will connect youth with

people and prospects they might not otherwise meet, as well as having the ability to run art, music, drama and digital workshops. Young people have been actively involved in the development of THE BUS project, including the artwork on the bus, to ensure THE BUS will physically and proactively engage young people wherever they are. In addition to the

Subscribe now and don’t miss an edition Peninsula Community Access

News

1 Year (25 editions) to Peninsula News $75

1 Year (25 editions) to Coast Community News $75

1 Year (25 editions) to Wyong Regional Chronicle $75

Phone: 4325 7369 - Fax: 4321 0940 120c Erina Street, Gosford To order online

www.duckscrossing.org/shop Name: Ph: Email: Address:

Credit Card Number: ___________________/___________________/ ______________________________________/

Exp: ______/______ Please complete credit card details or send a cheque or money order payable to

Central Coast Newspapers, PO Box 1056, Gosford NSW 2250

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation grant, the project has been supported by the Skills Generator, Family and Community Services, Coast Community Connections and the Aboriginal Department of Education. Ms Kim McLoughry, Manager, Regional Youth Support Services said THE BUS even looked ultra-cool thanks to the art work by local school student, Fionn Molloy. Ms McLoughry said RYSS aimed to help curb social issues plaguing the youth community throughout the Central Coast with THE BUS project. “This region has a higher than average proportion of young people when compared with national figures, and they’re facing issues of high unemployment, drug use, family violence, abuse and neglect, exacerbated by geographic disconnection,” she said. “They need support to realise that life can be better and they can reach new heights, and our outreach bus will help to introduce them to services, activities and training which connects them with people and prospects they might not

otherwise meet. Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Executive Officer, Mr Graham Batten, said the initiative stood out for funding support. “The mobile youth centre will provide greater access to the programs and services operated by RYSS as well as opportunities to learn new skills, which inturn could lead to future employment,” Mr Batten said. “The Charitable Foundation is really excited about the potential for this project to proactively address the Central Coast’s growing youth disengagement issue,” he said. “The RYSS team has gone above and beyond to understand what would best engage and empower young people, and I congratulate them on bringing to life an exciting project which has the potential to change and improve many young lives,” Mr Batten said. Media release, Nov 29, 2016 Kim McLoughry, RYSS Media release, Dec 1, 2016 Sarah-Jane Stevenson, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation

The Shame File

Central Coast Newspapers has a very liberal credit policy for advertisers and realises that from time to time, people, businesses and organisations get into financial difficulty and may need assistance and time to get things back on track. However, some people, businesses and organisations take advantage of this generosity they use advertising but simply don’t pay their account after several months and need to be taken to court to do so. From time to time, as necessary, we will name these people, businesses or organisations as a warning to our readers so that they will be wary when dealing with them.

• Renotek, Tascott

Sutherland, Gosford

North

• Michelle Umback - 2 Funky, Terrigal • Ezy Homes - Freddies Warehouse, Gosford • Shelley Walker Central Plaza Previously trading as James Headmasters Hair • Thomas Trading Design, Park Plaza Clinton, as TMA Products & Gosford AthroBalm & Effective • Jessica Davis - A1 Business Solutions of Cleaning Services, Ettalong Erina • Ashley’s Family • Tony Fitzpatrick Restaurant, Gosford trading as Futurtek George Nouri Roofing • Decorative Fabrics & • Inspire P/L trading Furnishings - Steve as CUP Computers McGinty formerly of Gosford • Dean Lampard • Modern Asian Trading as Lampard Cuisine, Victoria Street Painting East Gosford • Grania Howard aka • AAA Coastal Painting Sam - Trading as Service, Greg Laserclear P/L

SPORT

Page 30 - Coast Community News - December 15, P 5, 2016 Share

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Mariners acknowledge Surf Life Savers he Central Coast Mariners acknowledged the tireless efforts of Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) by trading Yellow and Navy for a football take on the iconic red and yellow patrol uniforms in their home match against Brisbane Roar on Sunday, December 18.

For the second time in the club’s history, the Mariners proudly donned the classic red and yellow of Australian Surf Life Savers. SLSCC and the Central Coast Mariners have worked hand-in-hand on the Central Coast for several seasons,

From left: Josh Bingham, Jake McGing and Harry Ascroft sporting the temporary surf life saving kit

and the relationship will be highlighted as the team steps onto the pitch in their unique Surf Life Saving inspired football kits.

T ide Char T FORT DENISON

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000 Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

Time - Height(m) Add one hour to the times below when Daylight Saving is in force

15 THU

18 SUN

0327 0.37 1000 2.08 1638 0.16 2245 1.50

0418 0.42 1051 2.04 1730 0.19 2338 1.47

0031 1.43 0124 1.40 0603 0.57 0658 0.65 1228 1.84 MON 1315 1.70 1910 0.34 1959 0.42

16 FRI

0315 1.38 0857 0.78 WED 1457 1.44 2134 0.54

0555 1.53 1217 0.71 1759 1.29 2356 0.58

24 SAT

27 TUE

30 THU

THU

SUN

0412 1.41 1004 0.79 1557 1.35 2222 0.57

FRI

0353 0.54 1027 1.84 1703 0.35 2305 1.40

0516 0.52 0025 1.37 1142 1.74 0603 0.55 1819 0.35 MON 1225 1.69 1902 0.37

SUN

0207 1.41 0755 0.61 WED 1406 1.53 2042 0.42

5 8

SAT

11 TUE

0509 1.62 1134 0.52 1732 1.39 2336 0.41

6 THU

9 SUN

0306 1.45 0902 0.62 1509 1.46 2138 0.43

FRI

0506 1.46 1114 0.77 1659 1.30 2310 0.58

29 THU

1 SAT

4 TUE

7 FRI

0236 0.53 0913 1.81 1549 0.39 2145 1.38 0432 0.50 1101 1.78 1738 0.34 2339 1.37

Mariners thanked the voluntary army of red and yellow that keep Central Coast beaches amongst the safest in the world by dedicating Sunday’s match day to their efforts through raising awareness and funds. To help launch the Central Coast Mariners Limited edition SLSCC kits, Josh Bingham, Jake McGing and Harry Ascroft were joined by some local lifesavers at Toowoon Bay Beach to show off their temporary new colours. Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO, Chris Parker, thanked the Central Coast Mariners for their continued support ahead of another busy summer on the

beaches. “Surf Life Saving Central Coast is proud of our community partnership with the Central Coast Mariners and excited to once again see the players wear red and yellow in recognition of the fantastic service volunteer surf life savers provide to the Central Coast community,” Parker said. “The red and yellow playing strip will also be a timely reminder to the Central Coast community to swim between the red and yellow flags during the School Holidays, which is the busiest time on Central Coast beaches. “As far as I am aware, the Central Coast Mariners are the only professional team

Media release, Dec 12, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

Surf’s Up exhibition at museum risbane Water Historical Society will be presenting a new exhibition called Surf’s Up at Henry Kendall Cottage and Historical Museum throughout summer.

The exhibition will run until February 28, 2017, at the museum, which is located at Henry Kendall St, West Gosford. The Society will be

celebrating its 66th year this summer, with the exhibition to be open during Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The Surf’s Up exhibition

0114 1.38 0656 0.58 1312 1.62 1950 0.39

looks at how the Central Coast came to be known as the Playground of Two Great Cities. Curator, Kreenah Yelds, said: “The Surf’s

Up temporary exhibition at Henry Kendall Cottage and Historical Museum highlights the Coast’s iconic identity as the holidaymaker’s paradise.” Media release, Nov 19, 2016 Kreenah Yelds, Brisbane Water Historical Society

0407 1.52 1017 0.59 1620 1.40 2237 0.43

0609 1.73 0033 0.39 1244 0.41 0705 1.84 1841 1.40 MON 1345 0.30 1942 1.43

0129 0.36 0221 0.35 0800 1.93 0852 1.98 1441 0.22 WED 1531 0.16 2038 1.46 2130 1.47

23 26

28 31

TUE

0218 1.38 0755 0.73 1403 1.56 2046 0.49

0639 1.60 0039 0.57 1311 0.64 0720 1.66 1852 1.30 MON 1356 0.56 1939 1.32

0119 0.55 0158 0.54 0759 1.72 0836 1.78 1435 0.49 WED 1513 0.43 2023 1.34 2104 1.36 0315 0.53 0949 1.84 1626 0.36 2224 1.39

SAT

0511 0.49 1140 1.96 1820 0.25

Without the dedication and hard work of SLSCC’s volunteers, the residents of the Central Coast and visitors from afar would not be able to enjoy our beautiful beaches. Surf Life Savers from the 15 Central Coast Surf Clubs selflessly volunteer their time to protect the Central Coast community whilst enjoying the Coast’s beautiful beaches. Last season, they: protected over 1,241,243 beach users; saved 1,162 Lives; prevented a further 21,338 people from getting into difficulty; administered 2,836 First Aid cases; and performed 97,400 volunteer patrol hours. The Central Coast

of any code to don the red and yellow, which is iconic to the Australian way of life. “With the beach being such a huge part of the Central Coast lifestyle, it is fitting that our team is supporting surf lifesaving via this initiative which gives fantastic recognition to volunteer surf lifesavers while promoting beach safety at the same time.” Central Coast Mariners’ CEO Shaun Mielekamp said he was proud that that club can continue their support of Surf Life Saving Central Coast by wearing their colours for the second consecutive season. “We couldn’t be more proud to show our support towards SLSCC, they are an enormous part of this community and whilst we play football, they save lives,” Mielekamp said. “Living on the Central Coast, I can truly appreciate the tireless efforts and energy of the surf life savers, who work incredibly hard to keep our beaches safe,” Mielekamp said. Throughout summer the Central Coast Mariners will be promoting a range of beach safety messages.

10 13 THU

Peninsula Community Access

0313 0.34 0942 1.99 1620 0.16 2220 1.48

APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min

In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED

News

is printed on 100% recycled paper products, even the ink is made from vegetable matter. So when you’re done reading this paper please recycle it or give it to someone else to read

Coast C Community News - December 15, 2016 - Page 31 SShare

w www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Mariners ready for Brisbane Roar

SPORT

Gavenlock Oval will be ready for next winter season

Roy O'Donovan is hoping for better service in the game against Brisbane Roar

triker Roy O’Donovan is hoping that a few senior members of the Central Coast Mariners will be match fit for their home game against Brisbane Roar at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday, December 18.

In a pre-match interview, O’Donovan said the team’s three goal loss against Wellington Phoenix in Hamilton, New Zealand, was disappointing. He described the match as “flat…in the attacking sense”. “The beauty of sport is you’ve got next week to put it right,” O’Donovan said. “I suppose they were the team that last year we seemed to get results against, but their tactics, they set up well, they soaked up our possession game and they hit us on the attack, and in transition they are very good,” he said. “We didn’t move the ball quick enough, we didn’t hurt them going forward. “As a striker, you rely on service, and you can be as patient as you want, only ever waiting for that one chance, and it didn’t come on the weekend, but I am sure we will do a lot of work this week in training, and hopefully against Brisbane, it will be a different story. “We didn’t deal with them in transition, they got clever players in pockets, and they put the ball behind us and

hurt us in dangerous areas, something we didn’t do to them. “It was disappointing, but we move on now, and Brisbane Roar is a difficult task for us, but one we are looking forward to,” he said. O’Donovan said he did not feel any extra pressure in Hamilton as a result of being the most experienced Central Coast Mariners’ player on the field. “I think I try to lead from the front no matter who is playing, whether we’ve got a team of full senior players or not. “It obviously makes it a bit more difficult for us as a team that we are so inexperienced, that there is not a lot of games out there, not a lot of experience of being one nil down after two minutes to draw upon and where you go next, but you learn. “The only way to get experience is by learning and hopefully a lot of harsh lessons were learned over in Hamilton,” he said. Scoring in every game is O’Donovan’s goal, but he acknowledged the joys of being a striker are that

“some games you get chances and some games you don’t”. Brisbane will come to Gosford off the back of a four to nil win against Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners will have to lift their heads after two losses in a row, but O’Donovan said it will be like any other game. “They had a good result last weekend, but it is another game in Gosford and we are ready,” he said. “We hope to have one or two players back from injury and that will help us. “I think we are a little bit light in a lot of ways; we need our most experienced players on the pitch for good reasons,” he said. It is hoped Nick Montgomery will return from his hamstring injury. Michael Tavares is currently in Europe for treatment for his ankle injury and his cousin, Jacques Faty is due back from his knee injury. Interview transcript, Dec 14, 2015 Roy O’Donovan, Central Coast Mariners

Darren Sprod (CCF), Col Seggie (President, Gosford City FC), Ron Bain (Football Manager, Gosford City FC) and Ian Reynolds at Gavenlock Oval.

avenlock Oval, home ground for the Gosford City Dragons Football Club, will have its new drainage and irrigation upgrade works in place by the end of the summer season.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the new systems would assist the sporting fields in dealing with extreme weather conditions. “The new drainage and irrigation will allow playing surfaces to recover much quicker after rain periods, significantly reducing ground closures and helping to maintain a quality playing surface for the entire season. “It will reduce maintenance costs, and importantly, it will assist with the maintenance of surfaces during long periods of dry weather with a highly effective and efficient irrigation system.” Works at Gavenlock Oval have been completed, in

partnership with Central Coast Football. Central Coast Football’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Darren Sprod, said the partnership with Council was important for the local football community. “As a major user of council sporting grounds, it is important that we partner and invest with council to deliver better facilities for our footballers,” said Mr Sprod. “We have worked with council to have drainage installed at a number of grounds over the past few years and are seeing the benefits in reduced downtime after rain events.” “This year, we are investing in Gavenlock Oval to assist council in

completing these important works.” Mr Reynolds added that the oval upgrade was an excellent example of Council working with the community to achieve a common goal. “Central Coast Football has been exceptional during the duration of this project and I’d like to thank Darren and his team for their support,” Mr Reynolds said. “The working relationship we have with Central Coast Football is invaluable as we continue to develop and improve sporting infrastructure across the region.” Media release, Dec 13, 2016 Central Coast Council media

Are you looking for a smile makeover?

Christmas Special packages on dental implants & porcelain veneers

FREE Consultation Smile with more confidence with invisible braces! We Bulk Bill Under the Medicare Child Dental Benefit Scheme.

NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE ($1,000 Free Dental Care for children age 2 to 17 - Ask us for the Details)

NEW PATIENT OFFER NO GAP Exam and Clean appointment for Private Dental Health Insurance patients.

Not with a Health Fund? Just pay $179

Includes FREE Xrays worth $160 The 60 minute appointment includes: Full Comprehensive Exam, Clean and Polish, OPG X-rays, Treatment Planning and Fluoride

Interest FREE Payment Plans Available al Lifel i nt

We provide reasons to smile

Dr. Meena Gambhir

Dr. Namita Mehta

Dr. Aditi Khamar

Dr. Jash Dhillon

Gosford Bondi

A whiter brighter smile in one hour PHILIPS Zoom White speed in chair teeth whitening special only $595 (normally $950)

Saturday Appointments Available - We accept Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Affairs patients Shop 1, 201 Mann Street, Opposite Gosford Train Station, Gosford 2250 gosford@dentallifeline.com.au | www.dentallifeline.com.au