Coast Community News 275 by Central Coast Newspapers

15 JANUARY 2021

ISSUE 275

News

Bluebottles arrive en masse

Fires ravaged waste management facilities at either end of the Central Coast on January 10 – the first time both Woy Woy and Buttonderry tips have experienced simultaneous fires. See page 5

Out&About

Family run business, The Outlook Riding Academy, is a little different to others, offering guests ponies, parties, and a psychologist. See page 17

A smack of bluebottle jellyfish has hit Central Coast beaches over the past week, causing major inconvenience for beachgoers.

Education

See page 4 for more

Community angst over prospective rate rises Central Coast residents have expressed grave concerns about prospective rate rises in the aftermath of the council’s financial blowout. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) announced it had received 2,700 direct submissions (in December) from concerned residents – the highest number of submissions ever received on a single topic. Residents are invited to have a say on the proposed rate rise for the region which could potentially be as high as 15 per cent. Council has notified (IPART) of its intention to apply for a Special Variation (SV) of either a one-off 10 per cent remaining in the rate base for seven years or a one-off 15 per cent,

remaining permanently in the rate base, inclusive of the 2021/22 rate peg of 2%. With a 10 per cent rise the average residential increase would be $2.13 a week ($111 p.a.) and the average business increase $6.11 a week ($318 p.a.). With a 15 per cent increase the average residential rate rise would be $3.20 a week ($166 p.a.) and the average business rise $9.30 a week ($477 p.a.). Acting CEO Rik Hart said he understood community concern about paying more rates, but this was needed for Council’s long-term financial security and ongoing service delivery which would benefit everyone. “We have been open with the community about our financial situation and are taking

Central Coast Council Acting CEO, Rik Hart

significant steps to help our bottom line – we are selling assets, reducing staff numbers and materials and contracts, reducing the capital works program, looking at fees and

charges and we have been able to secure further loans,” Hart said. “The last thing we want to do is put more burden on our ratepayers. “But if we do not have a substantial increase in our rate income as well, then even harder decisions will need to be made. “For our community that would mean a significant reduction or even elimination of services that they need and rely on us to provide. “Our first priority has to be the repayment of restricted funds, which were unlawfully used, so that does not become a burden for future generations. “This is a conversation our community has to have, and we want to hear from as many residents and ratepayers as possible.

“I urge all community members to keep an open mind, consider the information put before them, and to provide feedback over the coming weeks before Council determines in early February whether or not to formally apply to IPART for a Special Variation.” Information on the options being considered for an SV as well as a survey for ratepayers and residents can be found at yourvoiceourcoast.com Council will consider a report about the Special Variation options, inclusive of community feedback, at its meeting on February 8. IPART will continue to accept submissions until March 1. Source: Media release, Jan 11 Central Coast Council IPART website, Dec 24

The festive season may be over, but there are still plenty of family fun activities available for the rest of the holidays. See page 34

Sport

The BMX track at Duffys Reserve, Terrigal, has been closed for two months while the track is being upgraded by Central Coast Council with funding from the State Government. See page 39

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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15 JANUARY 2021

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Coast Community News is published weekly on a Friday by Central Coast Newspapers Pty Ltd (CCN), a local, family-owned business. CCN publishes three local, independent newspapers – Coast Community News, the Coast Community Pelican Post and the Coast Community Chronicle – distributed via more than 450 distribution points right across the Central Coast. Most of our stories, as well as our digital programs such as “Friday 5@5”, can be viewed online at www.coastcommunitynews.com.au CCN aims to serve the interests of the community in three important ways: 1. To serve the ultimate purpose of the free press in a democracy, that is, to hold powerful interests to account through high-quality, independent journalism without fear or prejudice; 2. To provide an affordable medium for local businesses to advertise their products and services, including discounted rates for eligible not-for-profit organisations; and, 3. To keep the community informed about local issues and ensure that important public notices are available to ALL members of the community irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances. Our content is originated through both our own team of local journalists as well as external

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are brief and eclectic compilations of the international weekly newspaper column Alan continues to write entitled ‘It’s So Natural’. They include the versatility of herbs in and around the home for health, garden and household pests, cleaners and cosmetics, and many other products and applications that are just as effective as chemicals. For your chance to win one

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18 DECEMBER 2020

24 DECEMBER 2020

ISSUE 273 23 DECEMBER 2020

News

A Santa for all

A new consolidated Central Coast Local Environment Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) will not come into force until the State Government gazettes them, which is not expected until early 2021.

See page 10

Out&About

He has a busy week ahead of him, but Santa Claus managed to find time to pop in to the Australian Reptile Park on December 16 to enjoy cuddles with the animals and hand out some Christmas treats.

Rescue crews were called out in torrential rain on Sunday, December 20, to rescue a horse stuck in a dam at Warnervale.

Education

Volunteers from Warnervale and Wadalba Rural Fire Brigades and Central Coast Rescue Squad were called out just before 9am. The horse had been stuck in the dam overnight and was exhausted after trying to free himself. Crews managed to use large animal rescue slings to assist hauling him out of the water and mud to safety. A local vet was on the scene to give the horse a check over after his ordeal.

Rates could go up by 15 per cent Central Coast residents could be looking at a 15 per cent rate rise next year, with Council Administrator Dick Persson announcing he will apply to the Independent Pricing and Regularity Tribunal (IPART) asking for permission for an increase of 13 per cent plus another two per cent for inflation.

CCN

This supersedes a rate rise of 10 per cent signalled in November. Persson shared the news with a group of protesters outside Wyong Chambers before heading into the December 14 meeting and made the official announcement. Harmonisation of the rates between the two former council areas would result in the former Gosford area paying about $7 a week more while the former Wyong areas would pay about $3 a week less than they are paying now.

Residents protested a mooted 15 per cent rate rise ahead of Council’s December 14 meeting

These are average payments. Persson said further work has been done forecasting the reductions in the levels of service to achieve sustainable long term financial plans and repay the restricted reserves debt. “As a result, it is now apparent

that a larger increase needs to be considered in order to maintain a similar level of service,” he said. The increase, if granted, would be permanent. “In considering a possible rate variation, I have looked at the rate levels for neighbouring

Councils,” Persson said. “It is clear from this information that residential ratepayers on the Central Coast pay less in rates than (in) neighbouring Council (areas) of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Cessnock – all of whom currently have special rate

variations applying.” Lake Macquarie pays 34 per cent more; Newcastle 42 per cent more and Cessnock 13 per cent more than the average rates a Central Coast resident pays. Persson said COVID-19 resulted in a loss of income to Council. “I also note that during Council’s response to COVID-19 steps were taken to protect permanent employees through a program of redeployment,” he said. “I also understand that various fee waivers and reductions were applied during this period for the purpose of assisting and protecting local businesses and community organisations.” Persson said the money Council spent on infrastructure, although a flawed decision, was well spent. Merilyn Vale

Source: Central Coast Rescue Squad Central Coast Sports College Year Nine student, Paige Stanford, has held a sleep out for her peers to highlight the plight of homelessness.

Two Central Coast residents are in home isolation while another remains in hotel quarantine in Sydney after all being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Four young mountain-bikers from Killcare, calling themselves the Four Mulleteers, journeyed to Rydal in NSW to take on the best riders in the state last weekend (December 12-13) in the Rocky Trail Jet Black 24-hour Race. See page 40

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

A free online healthy lifestyle program for older adults living on the Central Coast will return in 2021.

Two Central Coast residents are in COVID-19 home isolation

See page 35

Sport

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed that the two local cases have been linked to the Northern Beaches cluster, with health staff undertaking daily wellness checks with both patients. The CCLHD also confirmed that the resident in hotel quarantine had returned from overseas when they tested positive for the virus and that

their case is not deemed a risk to the Central Coast community. All three patients will remain in isolation until deemed noninfectious by health staff. According to a spokesperson for the CCLHD, one close contact has been identified in relation to the first local case, with the contact residing in the same household as the patient. They are now also in-home isolation and have been tested for COVID-19 as a precaution. The spokesperson said anyone who travelled via the 6.15pm ferry from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe on Wednesday,

December 16, is considered a casual contact of this case and advised that they should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested immediately should symptoms appear, regardless of the severity. The spokesperson said that all close contacts for the second local case had been contacted and were selfisolating, with the ferry journey the only location identified for casual contacts. There are no other exposure sites identified on the Central Coast. The situation has prompted

CCLHD Chief Executive, Dr Andrew Montague, to remind residents about the importance of COVID testing. “It is important that anyone who gets tested also isolates themselves if they have even the slightest of symptoms,” Dr Montague said. “We are asking people to avoid non-essential travel to the Northern Beaches at this time. “We know many Central Coast residents commute to the Northern Beaches area for work, however, the message is the same for everyone regardless of whether you have

See page 31

been on Northern Beaches. “If you have symptoms, please get tested. “These latest cases serve as an important reminder that we cannot become complacent, COVID-19 is still present, and we must remain alert for symptoms.” Local COVID-19 testing is available at Wyong Hospital Building C (opposite the Health Services Building), open 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week. Bookings are encouraged on 4394 9200, however walk-ins are accepted. Dilon Luke

More signs of COVID on the Coast

See page 17

Sport

Central Coast residents are being urged to continue being tested for COVID-19 if they have even the mildest symptoms, with a COVID positive Western Sydney resident having visited Avoca Beach on December 20 and virus fragments having been discovered in a sewage treatment plant at Kincumber. The COVID positive resident, who is in isolation in Western Sydney, visited the Saltwater Bistro at Avoca Beach Hotel on December 20 between 7.40

and 8.30pm. Anyone who attended the bistro at the specified time is considered a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result. They should then continue to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days and if any symptoms occur, get tested again. The business had a COVIDsafety plan in place and casual contacts are being contacted, with the case having been linked to the Avalon cluster. Meanwhile, the state’s

sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus at the Kincumber sewage treatment plant, which services multiple suburbs to the south of the region, on December 21. There are currently two confirmed cases in the Central Coast Local Health District, both of whom are being monitored. Central Coast Local Health District has reinforced the importance of physical distancing, good hand hygiene and remaining alert for symptoms, which include a fever, cough, sore/scratchy

throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of taste or smell. In addition to testing clinics at Gosford and Wyong hospitals, a walk-in COVID-19 testing clinic has been established at the Woy Woy Hospital, next to the kiosk, on Ocean Beach Rd, which will operate every day until Thursday December 24 (inclusive) between 8am and 4.30pm. Residents are reminded that home gatherings are limited to 10 people, with a slight easing of restrictions announced by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

allowing children under 12 to be excluded from the number count over Christmas (December 24-26 inclusive). Berejiklian reinforced the fact that this is the maximum number allowed, more than one group of 10 visiting at different times of the day is not permitted. On December 27, restrictions revert to a maximum of 10 persons visiting a home, including children. Source: NSW Health website Media release, Dec 23 Central Coast Local Health District

Central Coast Council has taken out another loan – this time for $100M – as it continues to work through mitigation measures for its cash crisis. MacKillop Catholic College Warnervale student, Jack Albanese, has ended his school year on a high after setting a new national record with Powerlifting Australia, not once, but twice. See page 38

Puzzles page 23

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

This latest loan sees Council’s total borrowings for the year reach $200M, with a $50M loan taken out with NAB in May to be repaid over 20 years, and another $50M borrowed from an unnamed financial institution in November – a principle and interest loan with

a fixed five-year term amortised over 15 years. The latest loan was approved at an extraordinary meeting on December 18 and is a fixed threeyear loan amortising over 15 years. Details of the loan were discussed in closed session and remain commercial-inconfidence. A Council spokesperson said the loan will assist Council with a positive budget for the next financial year and long term 10-

year financial plan. Council resolved at the December 18 meeting to authorise Administrator Dick Persson and Acting Chief Executive Officer Rik Hart to execute all documents relating to the facility agreement between Council and the financial institution. The Council also resolved that the report should remain confidential in accordance with section 10A(2)(d)(i) of the Local Government Act as it “contains

commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed, prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it”. The minutes also say that consideration of the matter in open Council would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as publication of all tendered amounts would discourage potential tenderers from submitting commercial information in future. Meanwhile, Council continues

its path to financial recovery and sustainability under its business recovery plan, the spokesperson said. Reductions have been made in the capital works program, sales of assets are underway, an employee savings target has been set and a voluntary redundancy program has commenced, as well as notification to IPART for a special rate variation of 15 per cent. CCN report

News

It took firefighters two hours to contain a fire which broke out at Woy Woy Waste Management Facility on January 10.

See page 3

Bluebottles arrive en masse

Fires ravaged waste management facilities at either end of the Central Coast on January 10 – the first time both Woy Woy and Buttonderry tips have experienced simultaneous fires. See page 5

See page 3

Out&About

Woy Woy volunteer thanked by Premier The word ‘Bangarra’ is the Wiradjuri word meaning ‘to make fire’, and a special performance at The Art House Wyong in February is sure to set hearts and minds alight.

You can experience breathtaking work from four of Australia’s leading surf photographers at Gosford Regional Gallery this summer. See page 17

Education

It took all night on Sunday, January 10, for 45 firefighters and more than a dozen brigades to bring a blaze under control at Buttonderry Waste Management Facility on Hue Hue Rd, Jilliby.

See page 17

Education

See page 5

In a competition between 666 schools, the Terrigal Primary School debating team, Terrigal Tigers, have been named runnersup in the NSW Premiers Debating Challenge. See page 35

Sport

Spot us another $100M: Council

ISSUE 275

News

ISSUE 005

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

Twelve trees have been removed from a Bateau Bay picnic area in Wyrrabalong National Park following their deliberate poisoning.

Out&About

The Central Coast community has come together to celebrate the life of one of their own.

Education

14 JANUARY 2021

News

See page 3

Out&About

See page 17

Santa was even brave enough to take on 35 American alligators as he jumped into the lagoon to feed them snacks but the feisty reptiles chased Santa out as soon as he delivered their presents.

ISSUE 221

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

45 firefighters needed to extinguish Buttonderry blaze

The Palm Beach to Ettalong and Wagstaffe Ferry will continue to run on schedule despite calls from some residents for a suspension of the service during the Northern Beaches COVID-19 cluster period.

See page 3

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park, now known as Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, will hold a series of art workshops over the summer by award-winning Aboriginal artist, Garry Purchase.

13 JANUARY 2021

News

Cycling enthusiasts who need assistance are now able to jump back on a bike, with the Central Coast Bicycle User Group (CCBUG) re-starting its tandem RidesAssist program.

15 JANUARY 2021

ISSUE 274

ISSUE 220

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

Horse rescued

Central Coast Council’s financial woes date back to 2016 A specialist accounting firm that works with councils appears to have shed more light on the cause of Central Coast Council’s financial woes.

Central Coast fishers will soon be bream-ing with excitement, with a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) recently deployed to ocean waters near Terrigal. See page 40

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

LG Solutions looked at Council’s publicly available and audited financial statements in October 2020 after the Council financial position became public, and said that it had to “pick itself up off the floor after what it found”. “Little did we know when we started the review that we would uncover far more than we bargained for,” the LG

Solutions’ report said. The company held back on publishing its regular industry newsletter and notified its findings to Council, the Department of Local Government and the NSW Audit Office. LG Solutions said that they hadn’t heard back from any of those three organisations or from the council association, Local Government NSW, and therefore, published its findings in early November See page 10 for more

Junior school students at Warnervale’s MacKillop Catholic College will return to school to find a colourful surprise in the form of some new murals. See page 33

A group of Red Cross volunteers from across the State with Lauraine Martinus (3rd from left) personally thanked by Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her dedication to the local community

A Woy Woy resident has been personally thanked by Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her efforts and service during last summer’s bushfires.

Lauraine Martinus, Team Leader of Red Cross Emergency Services Central Coast, was commended on her dedication to the community at a special event held at the NSW Parliament last month. The announcement comes after a group of Red Cross volunteers from across the state received Bushfire

Emergency Citations, which recognise the services of thousands of people who fought the fires and supported communities. The seven volunteers who attended the event were invited to represent 636 Red Cross volunteers and staff across the state who are being awarded the service honour. As a Red Cross Emergency Services volunteer for more than 17 years, Martinus said some of the scenes of last year’s bushfires were devastating.

“Last year I travelled down, with my team members, to the Recovery Centre at Batemans Bay (and) we were able to work with local agencies to provide support to those people affected,” Martinus said. “I helped people register and linked them with support, from clean clothes, to a place to sleep, to financial assistance. “I was able to listen to their stories of what they had been through and offer comfort, reassurance and referrals to other agencies in the area. “A lot of people were

elderly residents on the Central Coast to prepare for heatwaves. “It is a pleasure to be able to help people in their time of need,” Martinus said. “That is why I put my hand up last year to provide telephone support to those people staying at quarantine hotels in Sydney.” Martinus commended her fellow volunteers from the Central Coast team who also provided invaluable support and assistance to vulnerable residents.

Central Coast Bicycle User Group (CCBUG) will continue its Social Sunday Cycles sessions with a ride to start at Fisherman’s Wharf, Woy Woy, on January 17. See page 17

Health

A second win in three days has pushed the Central Coast Mariners to the top of the table after a clinical 2-0 win away against Macarthur FC. See page 40

Puzzles page 23

Central Coast Council Acting CEO, Rik Hart

Council has notified the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to apply for a Special Variation (SV) of either a one-off 10 per cent remaining in the rate base for seven years or a one-off 15 per cent, remaining permanently in the rate base, inclusive of the

2021/22 rate peg of 2 per cent. Acting CEO Rik Hart said he understood community concern about paying more rates, but this was needed for Council’s long-term financial security and ongoing service delivery which would benefit everyone. “We have been open with the community about our financial situation and are taking significant steps to help our bottom line – we are selling assets, reducing staff numbers and materials and contracts, reducing the capital works program, looking at fees and

See page 17

Education

Community angst over prospective rate rises Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is warning Peninsula residents to be aware of the importance of continuing with COVID-safety measures... See page 35

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce says a rate rise is “the last thing” the Coast needs, as Central Coast Council invites residents to have their say on a proposed rise of 1015 per cent this year.

Family run business, The Outlook Riding Academy, is a little different to others, offering guests ponies, parties, and a psychologist.

A smack of bluebottle jellyfish has hit Central Coast beaches over the past week, causing major inconvenience for beachgoers. See page 4 for more

Maisy Rae

‘The last thing we need’ - Chamber

Sport

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

devastated and feeling totally lost, all they wanted was a chat and some information.” As leader of the Central Coast team, Martinus has led a number of emergency responses over the past year for fires, floods, and COVID-19 related crises. In 2020 alone, Martinus worked in bushfire and flood evacuation centres, made over 400 personal support calls to returning Australians in hotel quarantine, taught primary school preparedness lessons, and delivered gel cooling neckties and messages to

Sport

A Woy Woy cricketer has been named player of the round after an impressive performance at Woongarrah last weekend. See page 40

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Central Coast residents have expressed grave concerns about prospective rate rises in the aftermath of the council’s financial blowout. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) announced it had received 2,700 direct submissions (in December) from concerned residents – the highest number of submissions ever received on a single topic. Residents are invited to have a say on the proposed rate rise for the region which could potentially be as high as 15 per cent. Council has notified (IPART) of its intention to apply for a Special Variation (SV) of either a one-off 10 per cent remaining in the rate base for seven years or a one-off 15 per cent,

Central Coast Council Acting CEO, Rik Hart

significant steps to help our bottom line – we are selling assets, reducing staff numbers and materials and contracts, reducing the capital works program, looking at fees and

The festive season may be over, but there are still plenty of family fun activities available for the rest of the holidays. See page 34

Sport

The BMX track at Duffys Reserve, Terrigal, has been closed for two months while the track is being upgraded by Central Coast Council with funding from the State Government. See page 39

Puzzles page 22

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

Office: Level 2.01/86-88 Mann Street Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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PAGE 3

15 JANUARY 2021

Fire exit needed at Point Clare Community Hall

Progress Association Secretary, Helen Orchard, at Point Clare Community hall

Koolewong and Point Clare/ Tascott Progress Association has been trying for four years to have a fire exit installed at Point Clare Community Hall and is calling on Central Coast Council to fast-track the matter. Association Secretary, Helen Orchard, said there had been

four exit/entry points at the hall prior to its renovation in 2016. “We had two accesses from the rear in Harris Lane and two from the front of the hall on Brisbane Water Dr,” Orchard said. “There were pathways to each and access was easy. “When the revamp was occurring we were shown plans which included a main

entry and a fire exit, but when it was complete there was no fire exit.” The association has been trying to have the situation addressed ever since. Orchard said Council had a duty of care to provide a fire exit, especially given the fact that some meetings at the hall attract up to 100 people, many of them elderly.

The community garden could be at risk if a fire exit is installed

Orchard said she had been invited to attend a maintenance inspection at the hall on January 13, only to be informed the inspection had been brought forward to January 12 and she had missed it. “I did have a call from Council after the inspection telling me the hall complied with the building code, but I just can’t believe that is so in this day and

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age.” Orchard said she had received advice from an independent building certifier that a class 9b building with a population exceeding 50 persons should have a minimum of two exits. She said she had also been informed by Council that a fire exit, if installed, would necessitate the removal of the community garden established

following the 2016 revamp. Again, she said she found it hard to believe this could be the only possible access point for a fire exit. Central Coast Council was approached for comment on the matter on January 11 but was unable to provide a response by deadline. Terry Collins

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15 JANUARY 2021

NEWS

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Bluebottles arrive en masse A smack of bluebottle jellyfish has hit Central Coast beaches over the past week, causing major inconvenience for beachgoers.

“On Saturday we saw bluebottles on south-facing beaches because they arrived via the northeast winds and then were blown backwards with the southerly,” Cusack said. “They came in masses, which was not great. “There is no guaranteed location on where they will hit the worst, but when they do come in the masses, they hit everywhere.” The Jimble jellyfish, which is related to the Box jellyfish, has also been causing problems, specifically around Terrigal. While Jimbles are not life-

On Saturday, January 9, many beaches became covered with the small blue stingers causing many to avoid swimming in the water despite hot temperatures. One young lady at Killcare was hospitalised due to a severe reaction to multiple stings. Director of Surf Life Saving Central Coast, Simon Cusack, said Saturday was the worst day.

threatening and are far less potent than their deadly relative, they can still deliver a painful sting. Cusack said one of the best treatments for a Jimble sting

seems to be vinegar. “We get a lot of Jimbles, more so at Terrigal, and they are nasty little buggers,” he said. Bluebottles, also known as the Pacific Man-of-War in the

Pacific and Indian ocean, are not actually single organisms, but a colony of four kinds of highly modified individuals (zooids). These zooids are dependent on one another for survival. “The treatment for a bluebottle sting is to remove the stinger with your fingers because they don’t seem to affect people’s fingers as much,” Cusack said. “Flush the area with a large amount of cool water or even seawater to make sure all the stingers are off the skin. “Then immerse the limb in water as hot as tolerable for up

to 30 minutes. “If it calms down and becomes just an itch, cold press works well then as well. “If this doesn’t help and the patient is getting worse, seek medical assistance from the hospital. “If there are no bluebottles in the water and there are signs up, go and ask the lifeguards if they are still around as they may have been there early that morning. “My best advice is that if they are around and you don’t want to be stung, I would not swim.” Jacinta Counihan

Community Environment Network 2021 the Year of …

WILDPLANT COMMUNITY NURSERY RETURNING FOR 2021 Our plant sales are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm. When:Saturday 6th February Time: 9am to 12pm Where: CEN Office, Brush Rd, Ourimbah Native plants are inexpensive (starting at $3), help conquer

climate change, create habitat for local birds and animals and encourage outdoor activity. Come along to our plant sale at the CEN Office, Ourimbah, buy a few local native plants and chat about local environment issues.

We have a range of local native plants available including ground covers and herbs, shrubs and trees, bush food, bird attracting, native bee attracting, frog friendly and screen plants. Cash and EFTPOS accepted.

MARINE DEBRIS WORKSHOP - WAMBERAL LAGOON When: Saturday 16th January 2021 Time: 8am Start Where: Wamberal Lagoon, Meet at Remembrance Drive Cost: Free Want to know what happens to the rubbish that we see in the streets and our creeks?

Please join us for a talk and marine debris pick up. We will collect rubbish from Wamberal Lagoon with Clean 4 Shore and categorise it by its type, number, and source according to the Tangaroa Blue data collection. Bookings are essential for catering purposes. Please let me know of any dietary requirements. Please wear appropriate clothing, sturdy

boots or gumboots and long pants must be worn as we will be walking and collecting debris from the lagoon. Please bring gloves. For more information, please visit www.cen.org.au/events email waterwatch@cen.org.au or phone 4349 4757 This project is supported by Central Coast Council

BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS 2021 Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day at the Central Coast Wetlands, Pioneer Dairy. When: Sunday, 7th February, 2021 Time: 8am - 11am Registration 8am Bird Watching tour 8:15 - 9am Buffet Breakfast and Wetland talks 9 - 10am (please advise us of any specific dietry requirements in the comments box) Activities 10 - 11am (Dip netting, water testing, tree planting and displays)

Breakfast with the Birds 2021 will be different to previous years, as we will have to follow the COVID restrictions in place at the current time. Due to the restrictions you will need to register prior to the event. Unfortunately, this means we will not be able to accept unregistered walk-ins on the day of the event, like we have previously done. Cost: $10 per Adult and $6 per child. Please call 43494757 or email waterwatch@cen.org.au to

register go to cen.org.au/events/ cen-event-list Please bring walking shoes and a fold up chair. Binoculars will also be useful for birdwatching. Breakfast with the Birds is organised by the CEN’s Waterwatch program and supported by the Tuggerah Reserve Trust, Community Environment Network and Birding NSW. This event is sponsored by Central Coast Council through a Community Develpoment Grant.

JOIN FRIENDS OF COSS 2021 will be a big year for the Coastal Open Space System (COSS). If you want to protect our green ridgelines and bush reserves and if you’d like to see COSS expand to the whole Central Coast, now is a great time to join Friends of COSS. Membership is free and enables you to receive invitations to Special Friends of COSS events (the first to be held on January 21), including: • Bushwalks and other organised activities in COSS reserves

• Bush regeneration activities in COSS lands •P romoting research activities • Working with neighbours of COSS lands to create wildlife friendly landscapes

The Coastal Open Space System (COSS) is a network of reserves supporting natural vegetation that are managed by Central Coast Council for a number of environmental and community values. COSS lands provide important ecological habitats (or homes) and essential linkages (wildlife corridors) for diverse fauna and flora. These natural areas are also popular places for leisure and relaxation with residents and visitors alike.

The COSS scheme is unique to the Gosford area and was established in 1984. Areas identified as having significant ecological, cultural and historical value were earmarked for future protection and conservation. The Friends of COSS group aims to inform and engage our community to enjoy, protect and conserve these important natural areas, now and into the future. Become a Friend of COSS - it’s FREE!

Your support will expand our combined voices and enable the Friends of COSS to continue protecting and conserving the Coastal Open Space System. We can work together and help ensure this invaluable resource for the Gosford community remains. Stay informed - like the Friends of COSS on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ FriendsofCOSS Join Friends of COSS: https:// www.cen.org.au/projects

Well for me personally, 2021 is about healing, having had health concerns and losing my Father in 2020 (not COVID-related). I have made some major changes in my life to find a more balanced approach to life and living. Life is always changing and always has since our ancestors, at some point in our history, were nomadic. Had they continued to move, staying connected with nature and local environments, we may not be suffering as much as we are now, as a society and community. Once we stayed put and began changing our natural environment, we began to disconnect slowly but surely from life’s cycles, tuning out of the seasons, cycles of the moon, sunrise, and sunsets, etc. Last year and, unfortunately as the restrictions continue, we have seen people flock to nature. Why is that? Could it be that we feel at home in nature, as nature is at peace and shows us unconditional love (no matter if we harm her, she continues to generate life)? This year should really be about healing as we transition from a system of dominance over nature to a world reconnected with nature - as we heal from a transactional way of interacting with one another and our environment to a relational way of interacting with one another and our local environment. We can start seeing the spirits of ancestors as our First Australians do, in our large old growth trees, in our mountains, waterways and with our wildlife. This will connect us deeply with life, breath and sustain us with healthy soils/earth, water, and foods. We are so lucky living on the Central Coast as we are surrounded by the best nature has to offer. With that privilege comes a responsibility to protect and look after her as she does us and maybe it is time to repay the unconditional love. Join us in 2021. Hale Adasal CEN Chairwoman

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is an alliance of individuals and groups that work for ecologically sustainable development.

Support CEN - Become a member - Volunteer - Make a donation

www.cen.org.au Ph: 4349 4756

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NEWS

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15 JANUARY 2021

Tip fires at both ends of the Coast Fires ravaged waste management facilities at either end of the Central Coast on January 10 – the first time both Woy Woy and Buttonderry tips have experienced simultaneous fires. Central Coast Council has reviewed CCTV footage from both sites and concluded neither fire was deliberately lit and there were no suspicious circumstances, with full reports including any recommendations to be prepared this week and submitted to the EPA within seven days in accordance with Council’s licences. A Council spokesperson said staff observed a stockpile of mattresses on fire at the Woy Woy facility around 3.15pm. The fire was too large to be managed by the water cart on site and at 3.20pm staff contacted Fire and Rescue NSW, who arrived around 3.45pm. The fire was controlled and declared out at 5.45pm. “Following initial investigations, it appears the fire was a result of spontaneous combustion of mattresses that were due to undergo resource recovery processing later in

Firefighters battle the blaze at Woy Woy tip

January,” the spokesperson said. “Due to the types of materials used in the manufacture of mattresses, it created a significant amount of smoke. “It is standard practice for mattresses to be stockpiled for shredding, which are intentionally stored in well cleared areas with adequate buffers. “As such this fire did not pose an immediate threat to

escaping offsite or Council infrastructure. “Council’s water cart suffered some damage from the radiant heat whilst spraying water at the fire and will be assessed. “There was minimal inconvenience experienced by the community, with the site operating as usual on Monday, January 11.” Central Coast Rural Fire Brigade Operations Officer, Inspector Frank Overton, said

there were about 38 firefighters on site – five appliances from Fire and Rescue NSW and six fire trucks from local Rural Fire Brigades including three bulk water trucks from Kariong Fire Control Centre, two fire trucks from Kariong RFS and one from The Bays RFS. Meanwhile, it took all night on January 10 for 45 firefighters and more than a dozen brigades to bring a blaze under control at Buttonderry Waste Management Facility on Hue

Photo: Fire and Rescue NSW

Hue Rd, Jilliby. Large amounts of smoke coming from the tip alerted local fire brigades who contacted Council’s afterhours number at about 7pm, requesting access to investigate. Overton said crews worked until 4am the following morning to extinguish the fire. “The area alight was about 100m by 10m in some very thick rubbish,” he said.

“We don’t know what caused the fire, however, there are no suspicious circumstances.” Initial investigations show that the likely cause was a combustible item, such as a ruptured lithium battery or camp stove gas cannister, that was delivered by a truck at the end of the day containing waste from recently serviced public litter bins, according to a Council spokesperson. Fire crews had to work in breathing apparatus throughout the night of smoke and toxic fumes with Rural Fire Brigades from Wyee, Wyee Point, Warnervale, Dooralong, Wadalba, Peninsula, Wallarah, Cameron Park and Charmhaven in attendance, along with Wyong Operational Support Brigade and Fire and Rescue NSW crews. Council has highlighted the importance of correct disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries and fluorescent lights which contain harmful elements such as mercury, alkaline and lead acid which can cause major environmental hazards and can also pose health risks if they end up in landfill.

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15 JANUARY 2021

NEWS

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2020 was a huge year for the Coast – we survived bushfires, floods, a global pandemic and the financial collapse of Central Coast Council, which saw councillors suspended and an Administrator appointed by the State Government. As we launch into what we all hope will be a brighter year, here’s a look back at the year that was.

JANUARY

As the region celebrated six Order of Australia recipients in the Australia Day honours list, the $250 regional seniors travel car was announced.

FEBRUARY

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews launched the year with a promise that she would “get back to business” and try to eliminate political grandstanding from Council meetings. Meanwhile, the Coast began to regenerate following the Three Mile and Gospers Mountain fires, which had devastated areas of the region over November, December and early January. Opposition emerged to a proposed development of 220 manufactured homes on the old Bangaloe Stud site at Avoca and the area lost one of its greatest businessmen with the passing of Central Coast Leagues Club founder Ray Maher. Plans were announced for the $300M Gosford Gateway development opposite the railway station in Mann St. The region moved from bushfire alert to flooding, when major deluges forced the Australian Reptile Park to close its gates for the first time in 13 years and Davistown Progress Association lost the roof from its community hall. A community campaign spearheaded by Save Our Coast scored a major win when Advent Energy announced it would abandon plans to conduct 3D seismic testing off coastal waters and preliminary work was announced on longawaited railway station upgrades at Narara, Niagara Park and Lisarow.

Mehan (The Entrance) clashed over the handling of the Tuggerah Lakes flooding. Community activist Glenys Ray called for urgent action on a major weed infestation in the Springfield wetlands. Councillors voted to move all future meeting to the Wyong chambers following security concerns at the Gosford chambers.

stay home when ill. By late March, with 38 cases of COVID, the Central Coast, along with the rest of state, faced tough lockdown restrictions as pubs, clubs, restaurants, food courts and other meeting venues shut down, leaving hundreds of Coasties out of work.

recorded its first COVID-related death. A slightly scaled back proposal for a $345M redevelopment of the Kibbleplex site by the Lederer Group advanced to the next stage of the approval process.

MAY

pathway system in the township. Storms and high tides once more threatened Davistown and teachers protested a virtual 12-month wage freeze for public service workers

JUNE

APRIL

MARCH On February 4, a petition bearing 60,000 signatures was presented to Federal Parliament calling for an end to PEP 11 as Gosford’s Father Rod Bower joined religious leaders of all faiths to call for action on climate change at the People’s Climate Assembly. Opposition to the Choice Living Avoca development hotted up, with residents turning out in droves to protest it. Despite heavy rains, councillor Greg Best was pushing hard for stricter water restrictions on the Coast. Ironically, a state of natural disaster was declared for the region the following week as continuing torrential rain saw dozens of roads and properties go underwater. thousands of residents without power and emergency services stretched to the limit. Portaloos had to be imported to Davistown as a clogged sewage system saw hundreds of residents unable to use their toilets for days and two councillors called for the resignation of Mayor Lisa Matthews in the wake of criticism over handling of flooding in the Tuggerah Lakes area. Tempers flared in State parliament as MPs Adam Crouch (Terrigal) and David

Residents in suburbs from Point Clare to Killcare Heights were concerned by continuing brown water coming from their taps and Gosford waterfront was in the news, with Councillor Bruce McLachlan calling for a marina, restaurant and fast ferry terminal to revitalise the area. COVID-19 began to hit lour headlines, with the onset of the great toilet paper and hand sanitiser shortage. The Community Environment Network (CEN) called for a moratorium on all developments which could threaten koala habitat on the Coast and Central Coast Commuters Association called for action on the $30M pledged prior to the Federal election for commuter carparking at Gosford, suggesting more levels on the existing commuter carpark was the answer. As the World Health Organisation upgraded the status of COVID-19 to pandemic, the State Government began to urge us all to wash our hands regularly, sneeze into our elbows and

With social gatherings restricted to just two, indications were that the virus was under control in the region, with Central Coast Local Health District reporting 104 cases on the Coast and no deaths. As the $150M Central Coast Quarter development proposed for the south end of Mann St proceeded to assessment stage CEN lodged a submission objecting to the height and scale of the proposal. Council announced a Task Force to be run in conjunction with local business organisations to counter the economic effects of the virus as Coasties prepared for a stay-at-home Easter. Woy Woy Leagues Club announced its permanent closure as calls went out for more COVID testing on the Coast. As JobKeeper and JobSeeker allowances came into play, the Coast prepared for an Anzac Day like no other before it, with residents planning socially distanced street gatherings. Work on the $20M revamp of the Kincumber roundabout was completed and the region

Testing on the new Intercity Fleet ramped up on the Coast rail network and a major upgrade was announced for the clifftop walk in Bouddi National Park. Council voted to source a $50M loan and support a Local Planning Panel for the region under pressure from the State Government. Central Coast Commuters Association expressed concerns over how social distancing would be maintained on public transport, with many preparing to return to the office. Business NSW joined with local Chambers of Commerce to launch a Bigger Backyard buy local campaign in an effort to counter the economic effects of COVID-19. Public schools resumed face to face teaching on May 25 and the future of TAFE on the Coast came under the spotlight amid fears it could be privatised. A study into carparking on the Coast offered three possible solution to the parking crisis in Gosford, with the preferred option being for a multi storeycarpark adjacent to Central Coast Stadium and Davistown Progress Association agitated for completion on the shared

As work continued on Northconnex, controversy over the preferred option for a carpark adjacent to Central Coast Stadium ramped up, The Black Lives Matter movement gained huge support on the Coast and plans were announced for a walking trail around Terrigal Lagoon. Seven locals honoured in the Queen’s Birthday honours list were recognised and traffic lights were welcomed at a problem intersection at Point Clare. The PACER program was rolled out on the Coast, with mental health professionals teaming up with police to deescalate certain situations. Copacabana residents were upset over proposed tree removals to make way for the Susan Fahey park redevelopment. Opposition began to emerge to a proposed 50-home development on environmentally sensitive land at Kariong by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council. Council voted to increaser rates by 2.6 per cent and the feud over mountain bike riding on COSS lands intensified. Sadly, long-time civic leader Malcolm Brooks passed away.

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15 JANUARY 2021

2020: Ode to a torrid year JULY

navigate a rising deficit in the face of COVID-19 and amalgamation costs. Coast Community News celebrated its 250th edition.

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

The National Parks and Wildlife Service called for more women to join its ranks and Council launched its new digital program to fast-track processing of development applications. Local social housing providers received $4M to help tackle homelessness and demolition began on the corner of Mann and Donnison Sts to make way for the multitower Archibald development. The first round of a joint State and Federal initiative to fix road trouble spots on the Coast was launched and the Elsie’s Retreat committee celebrated the start of work on the region’s first dedicated palliative care unit at Gosford hospital. The Kooloweong boat ramp and carpark upgrade was completed, Davistown residents called for urgent drain and sewage works and councillors awarded themselves a pay rise while forging ahead with planning for a regional library in Gosford. Heavy storms and king tides ravaged the Wamberal waterfront, with multiple houses at risk of falling into the see and dozens of residents evacuated. A Task Force was subsequently established by the State government to assist Council in addressing the Wamberal erosion debacle. Council flagged increased fees and charges, a halt to come capital works and more borrowing as it attempted to

New cafes began to breathe life back into the Gosford CBD while Gosford RSL put its redevelopment plans on hold. A booby trap suspected of targeting mountain bike riders was found in Bouddi National Park. Council rejected a staff recommendation to cease negotiations on buying back the Davistown wetlands from private developers and recommended refusal of the controversial Bangaloe Stud site redevelopment which was subsequently knocked back by the Local Planning Panel. Temporary mitigation works were completed at Wamberal, with attention turning to longterm solutions for ongoing erosion. Several residents narrowly escaped injury when scaffolding at the corner of Mann and Donnison Sts, Gosford, collapsed. Construction began on the long-awaited Woy Woy wharf redevelopment. More Coast businesses repurposed their operations in the face of ongoing COVID concerns as another confirmed COVID case in the region caused CCLHD to call for more vigilance. Approval was given by the Independent Planning Commission for a slightly scaled back Central Coast quarter development in Mann St and a rezoning proposal was submitted to Council to pave the way for the redevelopment of the Old Sydney town site.

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The Greens advocated planned retreat as the best solution for Wamberal’s erosion woes. The Dolphin Project called for an end to shark netting along the Coast. Councillors outlined what they considered to be their major achievements in the three years since they were elected as the Prime Minister popped in for a quick visit. Concerned residents began agitating to save the Empire Bay marina, as Crown Lands considered demolishing the decrepit heritage structure. With the Mariners up for sale, Council resolved to hold crisis meetings to keep the A-League club on the Coast. The Local Planning Panel gave the green light to the West Gosford shopping centre redevelopment and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch urged residents to have their say on a major recycling plant proposed for Somersby.

OCTOBER

The long-awaited Terrigal Water Audit went public while work on the $10M

revamp of Leagues Club Field progressed. A shortage of rental properties in the region was highlighted. Council announced it was facing a serious liquidity issues and an $89M deficit and the State Government promised to appoint a financial expert to resolve the problem. The State Government refused Council permission to access restricted funds to bail it out of its financial hole. Pressure on the joint Authority to cancel PEP 11 heated up and submissions closed on the Gateway development. Council was given seven days to convince the State Government it should not be suspended in the face of its financial problems as the Premier directed the Greater Sydney Commission to come up with a strategy to attract more jobs to the region. Meanwhile, Council adopted a 100 Day Economic Recovery Plan. Northconnex opened.

NOVEMBER

Coast beaches were rated well for water quality and a new fire station opened at Kariong. A proposal for a six-tower development at the northern end of Mann St, Gosford, was rejected by the Regional Planning Panel and there were signs of renewed business confidence in the region. Administrator Dick Persson announced Council would borrow $50M (in addition to a $50M loan taken out in May) and sell $30M in assets to mitigate its financial situation but promised COSS lands would remain untouched. Long-term rental accommodation became increasingly rare in the region, as Airbnb bookings rose and Labor called on the State Government to fast-track urgent repairs to social housing properties in the region. The State Government handed over almost $1M for emergency Wamberal erosion mitigation works but none for similar works at North Entrance. Council announced Level 1 water restrictions would be lifted in December as dam levels continued to rise. A further easing of social restrictions was announced in the lead-up to Christmas

DECEMBER Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock suspended the remaining 13 councillors and appointed interim Administrator Dick Persson for a three-month term. Assisted by acting CEO Rik Hart, he was tasked with probing Council’s financial disaster and coming up with solutions and undertook to provide a preliminary report within 30 days.

It was revealed Council had an overall debt of $565M with a $115M deficit this year alone as Administrator Dick Persson announced he would seek a three-month extension to his original

three-month term. The contract of CEO Gary Murphy was terminated and Persson announced more than 200 jobs would go at Council, with the first list of assets to be sold made public. Five different youth organisations said farewell to the Parkside building as they vacated to make way for the Regional Library, despite the fact the library was included in a list of capital works to be deferred saving $65M as Council continues to mitigate its financial crisis. There were signs of wildlife and flora returning to Ironbark Reserve at Mangrove Mountain and indigenous groups joined the opposition to a DLALC development at Kariong. A proposed rate rise of 10 per cent blew out to 15 per cent as Administrator Dick Persson announced he would apply to IPART for permission to up the ante. With submissions closing on three suggested options for the Winney Bay clifftop walk, the Save Winney Bay Reserve group called for a fourth less intrusive option. Coast Shelter called for a holistic approach led by government to address homelessness, with a new report indicating the problem will rise by more than 20 per cent on the Central Coast over the next four years. Council announced it would apply for a $100M loan, bringing the total of loans taken in 2020 by Council to $200M. We headed into Christmas with news of a positive COVID case on the Coast linked to the Northern Beaches cluster and virus fragments having been found at the Kincumber sewage treatment plant. Terry Collins

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15 JANUARY 2021

NEWS

EPA defends its recent track record The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has hit back at claims by member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, that it has let down the Central Coast with a drastic reduction in inspections in the region over the past two years. Tesch claimed the authority had EPA had cut inspections by 75 percent over the past two years in the Gosford electorate. “In the 2017-2018 period there were 87 inspections conducted by the EPA in the Gosford electorate, falling to just 22 inspections two years later,” Tesch said. She said the severe drop was unacceptable. EPA inspections assess compliance with environmental regulations and statutory conditions, with inspections checking the environmental impact of activities on a site, making recommendations to improve environmental performance, and prompting fines for breaches. “Our community has already fallen victim to the EPA’s mismanagement and lack of oversight when it came to the reckless and illegal dumping at Mangrove Mountain,” Tesch

said. “Dropping inspection rates is a recipe for another environmental disaster here and it is unacceptable. “Over the past two years the Central Coast has seen an uptick in applications to open waste and recycling facilities in our backyard to cater to the needs of Sydney. “We have a history of poor oversight by the EPA of our

facilities and the potential to have more sites just adds insult to injury when the EPA is clearly not monitoring breaches on the Central Coast.” But a spokesperson for the EPA said the authority’s inspection activity had been impacted in 2019-20 by a focus on bushfire response and recovery, along with a reduced frequency of field inspections due to a public health order

during COVID-19 restrictions. “The EPA continued to maintain regulatory oversight of licensed premises in the area through targeted inspections, response to pollution incidents, desktop audits and other regulatory activities,” the spokesperson said. “The EPA has maintained its commitment to addressing and responding to significant

environmental issues in the area.” The spokesperson said the EPA had entered into Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with Central Coast Council to spend almost half a million dollars on upgrades following a sewage leak in January, 2019. It had facilitated the successful prosecution of a Central Coast man who was fined $48,000 after another

man almost died after consuming a pesticide stored incorrectly. In October, 2020, it fined recycling company IQ Renew $15,000 and issued official cautions to its five directors, for allegedly exceeding waste limits at its Somersby facility. It also fined IQ Renew $48,000 in February, 2020, for alleged offences at its Pile Road, Somersby and Lucca Road, Wyong sites, and a site it occupied in Wisemans Ferry Rd, Somersby. “The EPA has continued to investigate water management of the Hymix concrete batch plant at Kincumber,” the spokesperson said. “The EPA has issued Hymix with a prevention notice which requires Hymix to: cease the discharge of water from stormwater or wastewater infrastructure at premises; provide details to the EPA outlining how the discharge will be ceased; and engage a qualified professional to prepare a comprehensive Water Management Report for the premises and report on areas for improvement. Terry Collins

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Australia Day This Australia Day, we reflect on the challenges of 2020, on the tenacity and heroism of our frontline workers and those in our community who deserve recognition for their outstanding every-day efforts in difficult circumstances. I encourage you to celebrate the people in our community who have embodied our spirit of mateship and lending a hand to fellow Australians. Australia Day is a time when we can all reflect on the shared values of what it means to be Australian regardless of age, cultural background or life story. While we all do our part to ensure our community is safe from COVID-19, it is important that we remain connected and look out for one another this Australia Day. However you choose to celebrate January 26, I wish you a very happy Australia Day.

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PAGE 10 15 JANUARY 2021

NEWS

Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA) is calling on Central Coast MPs to join together to protect local koala populations and provide dedicated koala sanctuaries to protect habitats from unsustainable development.

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More calls for dedicated koala sanctuaries

The group has long advocated for the identification and preservation of koala habitat across the region and is now registering new sightings with a Government database. With a three-month survey led by Central Coast Council staff just been completed and results set to be available early this year, CEA spokesperson, Jake Cassar, said it was time for meaningful action towards protecting koalas in the region. “There have been over 70 registered sightings of koalas

Central Coast Council does not have a policy on dealing with nuisance or roaming dogs, despite the Central Coast having the highest rate of dog ownership in NSW. The region had 136,733 dogs

in our area over the past 20 years, and the sightings have been surprisingly widespread,” Cassar said. “This doesn’t mean our koalas are not at risk of localised extinction. “We need to ensure that their habitat is urgently protected and that wildlife corridors between these populations are not fragmented through development. “CEA has officially registered sightings of koalas from Mangrove Mountain, Dooralong Valley and Kulnura and we even have a sighting only half a kilometre from Gosford CBD. “More recently there have been sightings at McMasters Beach, Ourimbah and in the Basin camping area at the Watagans - only a few hundred metres from where logging is taking place in Olney State

forest. “I met with Council staff in March last year to discuss a proposed survey program to identify key koala habitat across the Central Coast. “This survey is a critical starting point to a broader program to ensure that koala habitat is protected in our region.” The field surveys took place

between September and November 2020 during breeding season when koalas were most vocal and able to be detected through passive recording devices. “CEA also recently discovered that Brisbane Water National Park at Kariong is listed as an Area of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS),” Cassar said.

“Our community group with over 5,000 members will continue to push to see that our region is recognised as a sanctuary for koalas, not an easy target area for unsustainable development that threatens (their) habitat. “The Central Coast can play a pivotal role in the overall survival of this iconic and extremely vulnerable native animal, but our elected leaders need to act now and put a stop to development in or around koala habitat in our region.” Cassar said he imagined a tourist loop where visitors can visit koala conservation reserves, then visit the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary and the Australian Reptile Park to learn about local breeding programs. “This would be a win for koala conservation while boosting

our local economy in a steady and sustainable way,” he said. “We have written to State MPs Liesl Tesch and Adam Crouch in the hope that they will lobby the State and Federal Government to make protecting our local koala populations a priority, but so far we have not received any support. “The fact that Koalas will indeed become extinct in the wild if we don’t urgently stop destroying their habitat is not debated by the Government’s own scientific community. “Have our elected leaders already forgotten about the thousands of koalas which perished in the bushfires? “Their silence on protecting this extremely vulnerable Aussie icon is deafening.” Source: Media release, Jan 7 Coast Environmental Alliance

No policy on nuisance dogs as at September 30, 2020. The next biggest council area is Lake Macquarie with just over 89,000 dogs. The Coast also has the highest number of dog attacks reported through NSW councils. A total of 64 incidents were

reported for the period July 1 to September 30, 2020. Council’s Companion Animals Advisory Group heard at its November meeting that staff would develop a policy. Staff will look at benchmarking against other Councils the area the rangers have to cover and

look at what the standard should be. They will use this information to progress the development of a policy for nuisance and roaming dogs. The advisory committee heard earlier this year that Council was reviewing the dog

park and off-leash strategy. A revised strategy was expected to be available for community consultation before the end of the year. Nothing has come before council for permission to be sent out for public comment.

The committee is now due to meet in February next year and it hopes to get an update on where that strategy is up to at that meeting. Source: Central Coast Council Watch Facebook page, December 24

Liesl Tesch MP Member for Gosford

Schools and education Community Recognition Awards

Anniversary & birthday messages Fair Trading Hospitals and health Main roads

Police and Emergency Services Public housing

Trains and public transport

Authorised by Liesl Tesch, 20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256. Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.

How can I help?

20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256

Gosford@parliament.nsw.gov.au (02) 4342 4122 Peninsula News - half page - Aug 20.indd 1

30/10/2020 10:20:13 AM

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NEWS

PAGE 11 15 JANUARY 2021

Premises needed for Central Coast Literary Institute Dooralong couple, Rob and Pat Gowland, are keen to find premises to establish a Central Coast Literary Institute to safely house, showcase and share their thousands of books, artefacts and journals. Rob Gowland is secretary of an ad hoc committee of 20 people who have come together for the purpose of establishing a literary institute and they are looking for a benefactor with premises anywhere on the Coast which they could fit out with book shelves, display cabinets and create a meeting and discussion area. “We want somewhere permanent, something presentable so that we can lay the collection out, invite people and showcase what we have and make proper use of all the things we have,” Gowland said. “They are stored in numerous boxes and 21 cabinets at present which is fine to preserve them but not much use in any other practical way. “It’s a very diverse collection with one whole cabinet devoted to English, Australian and American classic children’s literature and another is given

Rob and Pat Gowland want to establish a literary institute on the Coast

over to Russian literature, in English, and another to French and German literature, also in English. “The art and history of the cinema spills over from one cabinet into another, as does modern history. “Philosophy and politics are also well represented, as are poetry and drama. “That list has done little more than scratch the surface.” The Gowlands have both reached their 80s now and are

haunted by what happened many years ago to the stock of the iconic Stewart’s Bookshop at The Entrance after it finally closed and much of the unsold stock ultimately going to the tip. “We don’t want our collection to end up going to the tip or just being sold off in a job lot at an auction somewhere,” Gowland said. After spending many years building up this collection, the Gowlands and the group of

friends and colleagues around They include people involved them would like to see their in the film industry, the arts, collection become the nucleus youth organisations, a retired of a Central Coast Literary heritage architect, a Institute and Reference Library. psychiatrist, a former Rob Gowland was, for 10 boilermaker at Garden Island years, the Director of the Naval Dockyard who now National Film Theatre of keeps his mind busy as ViceAustralia and he said the President of the NSW Tenants’ informal committee working Association, and the treasurer ADVERTISEMENT with him on this project was of online organisation The appropriately diverse, drawing Marxist Forum, as well as a in people from Newcastle, retired public servant and a Sydney, Canberra and the retired barrister. Central Coast. “We have the literary basis of ADVERTISEMENT

the institute already and we have a group of volunteer tradesmen available to build bookshelves and fit-out for appropriate premises as a reading come meeting room,” Gowland said. “There are also a couple of scanners for making copies, where permissible, of selected pages or passages. “What we don’t have is someone who can provide us with suitable premises at essentially a nominal rent. “Our needs are modest and so is our aim. “It would, of necessity, be staffed by volunteers and would be financed by appeals among our supporters. “Those working on this project believe the goodwill and resources already gathered together indicate it could ultimately be a distinguished cultural asset to the Central Coast. “Does anyone have premises at a token rent that could be suitable for housing a literary institute and reference library?” Rob Gowland can be contacted by phoning 4355 1463.

Emma McBride MP u m

MEMBER F Sue Murray

Emma McBride MP MEMBER FOR DOBELL

for our comm Emma Caring McBride MP MEMBER FOR DOBELL ADVERTISEMENT

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Caring for our community DO YOU HELP WITH A Caring for ourNEED community

Emma loves the Coast. A true local, Emma’s family has been on the Coast for generations - and she went thro school in Wyong and Tuggerah. up

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MATTER?

loves the Coast. A true local, Emma’s family has been on the Coast for generations - and she went through The CoastEmma is her home and she’s working hard to make our community an even better place to live. school in Wyong and Tuggerah.

Emma loves the Coast. A true local, Emma’s family has been on the Coast for generations - and she went through Emma spent 20 years working in health, 10 years as a Pharmacist at Wyong Hospital. school in Wyong and Tuggerah. The Coast is her home and she’s working hard to make our community an even better place to live.

She moved her way up

from a clinical post to deputy director of pharmacy.

The Coast is her home and she’s working community anyears evenasbetter place at toWyong live. Hospital. She moved her way up nd Emmahard spentto20make years our working in health, 10 a Pharmacist

• Defence & She fought to save Wyong Hospital from privatisation and will stand up for pensioners, working families and Emma works tirelessly foredicare the Coast. • M Veterans young people. Emma works tirelessly for the Coast. Emma understands families• are N doing it tough and will do her best toAffairs care for our community by: DIS ships •Protecting Centrelink • Education &funding Medicare and strengthening Guaranteeing TAFE our hospitals and creating new apprenticeshi •Restoring NBNpenalty rates and easing Training Investing in cheaper, on family budgets cleaner renewable energy •pressure Taxation • Congratulatory local schools with $43.7 •Strengthening C hild Support messages million more funding

Emma works tirelessly the Coast. • Cfor OVID-19

from 10 a clinical deputy director of pharmacy. Emma spent 20 years working in health, yearspost as atoPharmacist at Wyong Hospital. She moved her way up from a clinical post to deputy director of pharmacy.

She fought to save Wyong Hospital from privatisation and will stand up for pensioners, working families and

She fought to save Wyong Hospital from and will stand up for pensioners, working families and youngprivatisation people. young people.

Emma understands families are doing it tough and will do her best to care for our community by:

Protecting Medicare and strengthening

Protecting Medicare and strengthening our hospitals our hospitals

Guaranteeing TAFE funding

Guaranteeing TAFE funding and creating new apprenticeships and creating new apprenticeships

Restoring penaltyInvesting rates and easing Investing in cheaper, Restoring penalty rates and easing in cheaper, pressure on familycleaner budgets renewable energy cleaner renewable energy pressure on family budgets Strengthening local schools with $43.7 Strengthening local schools with $43.7 million more funding million more funding

Mail: PO Box 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259 Mail: PO 3763 Tuggerah Mail: PO BoxBox 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259 NSW 2259 02 4353 0127 @ emma.mcbride.mp@aph.gov.au @ emma.mcbride.mp@aph.gov.au @ emma.mcbride.mp@aph.gov.au 01270127 ✆ 02 024353 4353 www.facebook.com/mcbrideemma

www.facebook.com/mcbrideemma www.facebook.com/mcbrideemma

Authorised by Emma McBride, MP, ALP, Suite 204, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259.

Authorised by Emma McBride, ALP, 204/1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259

Authorised by Emma McBride, MP, ALP, Suite 204, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259.

Authorised by Emma McBride, MP, ALP, Suite 204, 1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah N

NSW

PAGE 12 15 JANUARY 2021

NEWS

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‘Stop selling public assets’ - Tesch Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is calling on the State Government to stop privatising public assets, saying the sale last year of land bordering Gosford Hospital could pave the way for more privatisation on the Central Coast. Tesch said the government had failed to keep an election promise to stop privatising assets, with the remaining 49 per cent of the WestConnex tunnel likely to be sold and the continuing privatisation of Sydney’s bus services. “Selling off NSW assets is not the only economically viable option to consider and instead it can be very damaging, with transport experts commenting that the WestConnex privatisation could be the most significant waste of public money for corporate gain in history,” Tesch said. Tesch said there had also been no guarantee that TAFE facilities across the state would not be privatised. She said privatisation hit the Central Coast in 2020. “Government-held lands neighbouring Gosford Hospital, in the thick of the pandemic,

Land adjacent to Gosford Hospital was sold off in 2000

during a price slump, was privatised and sold to developers for a great deal,” she said. “Unfortunately, the privatisation trend for corporate benefit seems likely to continue.” The only positive privatisation news that came out in 2020 was the failed attempt to

privatise the Forestry Corporation’s softwood plantations, a decision that was made following the devastating impact of the bushfires, Tesch said. She said the Government had denied access to a $1.2M scoping study into the privatisation plans with a freedom of information request was refused.

Tesch said 2021 could see a lot more privatisation in our backyard. “Because of the NSW Government’s refusal to bail out Central Coast Council, despite the government’s forced amalgamation, swathes of Council land looks to be sold off,” she said. But Parliamentary Secretary

for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said Tesch’s comments were not reflective of reality. “The 11-15 Ward St, Gosford site was previously owned by NSW Health and was deemed unsuitable for future use,” Crouch said. “The Central Coast Local Health District will reinvest every single dollar of the sale

proceeds to fund health infrastructure on the Central Coast. “I absolutely have faith in the ability of Dr Andrew Montague and his team to make decisions that put our region’s health care needs first.” Source: Media release, Jan 8 Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

Jane Smith

Independent ...working for our community

Council’s Budget process The legislation that governs Councils states that “a council must have a plan (its operational plan) that is adopted before the beginning of each year”. Councils would be in breach of legislation if they do not adopt an Operational Plan and Budget by the end of June each year. (In 2020, all Councils were given an extension due to COVID19). Below is a brief outline of the process from a Councillor perspective: • The process is well underway by the end of December the prior year. Staff within the organisation are working behind the scenes to identify priorities, budgets and capital works to be included in the Operational Plan. • Councillors receive a preliminary briefing in November to outline timeframes and the proposed structure of the Operational Plan. • A key part of the budget process is a Councillor workshop in February. This is a two day workshop where staff present the draft Operational Plan and Councillors provide input and direction. In considering the draft Operational Plan, there are discussions about

deficit / surplus, key projects or initiatives and the distribution of services and capital works across the region. Ward Councillors bring local knowledge and local priorities to these discussions— examples include roads or pathways, water and drainage works that are a priority for the community, the need for town centre activation or facilities for tourism. • After the workshop, there may be further briefings and then the draft plan goes on exhibition. • Depending on submissions from the community, the plan may be amended before a final version comes to Council for adoption by the end of June. There would be a similar process happening in all Councils around the State. These processes are detailed and a lot of work happens within the organisation before information is presented to Councillors. Not all Councillors attend workshops and briefings and discussions amongst Councillors can be robust. There is also a need to better communicate and engage with our community about this process. The current financial problems highlight this even further.

Capital Works - delivering infrastructure for communities The 30 Day Interim Report outlined that “Council had embarked on an expanded capital works program” with some of this expenditure using restricted funds without approval. This has contributed to Council’s current financial crisis. Some commentary in the community is suggesting that these funds have been wasted or misspent. Capital works includes a lot of the physical work that our community sees including roads, drainage, cycleways and fire trails. A recent Council report (2 Dec, 2020) stated that at the time of amalgamation, Council inherited an enormous asset backlog of works. Part of a Council’s financial performance is measured through ratios and indicators that are set by the State government, with some of these relating directly to infrastructure. The “infrastructure backlog ratio” shows what proportion the backlog is against the total value of a Council’s infrastructure. The State government has a benchmark of less than 2%. In June 2017, the Central Coast had a ratio of 2.61, in 2018 it was 2.42 and in 2019 the ratio was 2.41. Many Councils do not meet the benchmark set by the State government. At June 2019, 69 out of 128 Councils were above the benchmark. (Source: Office of Local Government). The long term financial plan for Central Coast Council showed that the infrastructure backlog was going to continue to be a challenge during the next 10 years. The breakdown of capex over recent years shows that the majority goes towards roads, transport, drainage and waste - all areas that are high priorities for residents and ratepayers. Water and Sewer is usually the next largest component. The most recent review of Council’s budget (2 Dec) confirmed this proportion of capital expenditure even after changes were made to make savings.

Figures: Capital Works budgets as adopted by Council (Note that there may have been amendments after adoption)

Disclaimer - Views expressed in these articles are my own and do not represent the views of Council

Central Coast New Independents

For more information or to subscribe to my eNews www.ccnewindependents.com

Fined for not wearing a mask at Gosford railway station A 48-year-old man at Gosford railway station was one of 19 recipients of Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) handed out by police over the weekend for breaches of the Public Health Act. At about 9.15pm on January 9, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Gosford railway station when they stopped and spoke to the 48-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. The man refused to put on a mask and attempted to run from police. He was stopped a short time later and issued a move on

Anyone with information about these incidents should call

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.com.au Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

direction and a $200 PIN. Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.

Residents are reminded those living in Greater Sydney, which includes the Central Coast, are required to wear masks if visiting: a supermarket or shopping centre, bank or post office, hairdressing, nail, beauty, tanning or waxing salon, or spa, betting agency and gaming venue, indoor entertainment venue, including cinemas and theatres, places of worship, a residential aged care facility, tattoo or massage parlour or if waiting for, or travelling on public transport. On the spot fines of $200 can be issued for non-compliance. Terry Collins

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ON THE BEAT

PAGE 13 15 JANUARY 2021

Have you seen this man? Brisbane Water Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to in relation to a theft at Wyoming last month. On Friday, December 11, a cleaner left gardening equipment for a short time outside a retail property on the Pacific Hwy, but when he returned the property was missing. A review of CCTV reveals a male walking with a trolley from a store, walk past the property, pick it up and place it

in his trolley. Following investigations Police from Brisbane Water Police District have obtained images of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 18000 333 and quote E 77588362. Source: Brisbane Water Police District Facebook page, Jan 6

Police wish to speak to this man

Coast Connect Central Coast Council’s weekly news and community information

From Council It is understandable that the community is angry about the ‘full payout’ given to the former Central Coast Council CEO following his termination. I was too because as I said in my 30-Day Report, the former CEO did not adequately perform key parts of the role and therefore was a major contributor to the financial decline confronting the Council. However, given the provisions of the contract and the laws governing employee legal rights, a full payout of 38 weeks was necessary. This was the quickest way to allow the recruitment of a new CEO (usually 3-4 months) and expediate Council’s move toward financial recovery. The path to remove a CEO for unsatisfactory performance, which would still have seen 13 weeks’ paid out, would have required a performance review to be conducted and the CEO an opportunity to respond. This would have taken at least eight weeks and would have been difficult given the previous Council determined his performance as “meets expectations” in the two previous CEO performance reviews. This timetable also assumes Mr Murphy was available to be interviewed. On the two occasions I requested a meeting he declined to meet. Given all this, I stand by my decision as the best for the long-term future of the Council, its ratepayers and staff. I regret I could not find a better way forward. Dick Persson AM Administrator, Centre Coast Council

Where to find our destination’s hidden gems

Summer on the Coast has been busy, with a few weeks still to go have you found our region’s hidden gems yet?

Both locals and visitors have been heading to their favourite beaches, national parks and waterways – so it’s essential we all remain COVID-safe as a community. And the best way to do that? Go where the crowds won’t.

Swimming is recommended at any one of our 15 patrolled beaches but you can also explore on foot our secluded shores, walk some of our lesser known trails, try one of our rare farm gate experiences or follow our ‘Meet The Makers & Creators’ trail – a new digital directory where you can connect with bespoke small business owners who call the Coast home. Visit lovecentralcoast.com to experience all the Coast has to offer or search ‘things to do’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au for a list of our beaches and open spaces.

Water Wise Rules apply on the Coast

The Coast has permanent rules to conserve water and they apply to all outdoor water. The target is to use no more than 150 litres per person per day. lovewater.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Council meeting

To find out when the next Council meeting is and to view it online go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ meetings

Development Applications and Consents Development Applications and Consents can be inspected at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au by searching ‘Development Applications’ or in person at Council offices in Gosford and Wyong 8.30am-5pm weekdays.

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2019, submissions on Development Applications are required to be published on our website. Submissions lodged using Council’s DA Submission Form or online portal will have personal contact details and signature redacted. All other submissions will be published in full. Your submission may also be reproduced in full in Council reports or in Court proceedings.

Securing your future with a rate rise

Council has resolved to consider applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a rate rise to help with Council’s financial recovery. This process is called a Special Variation (SV) application. Council has resolved to consider two SV options: • Option 1 Temporary Fix Option – 10% – On 26 November 2020, Council considered applying for a 10% one-off increase to its rate income, remaining in the rate base for 7 years. In 2021-22 this increase would consist of the annual 2% rate peg and a further 8% SV that would be applied once in 2021-22 and will remain in the rate base for seven years. This option forecasts substantial reductions in the levels of service provided to the community and some elimination of services. With a 10% increase the average residential increase will be $2.13 a week and the average business increase will be $6.11 a week. • Option 2 Securing Your Future Option – 15% – On 14 December 2020, Council considered applying for 15% one-off increase to its rate income, remaining in the rate base permanently. In 2021-22 this increase would consist of the annual 2% rate and a further 13% SV that would be applied once in 2021-22 and will remain permanently in the rate base. This option forecasts the maintenance of the current levels of service. With a 15% increase the average residential increase will be $3.20 a week and the average business increase will be $9.30 a week. Find out what a rate rise means for you and have your say at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Council’s financial situation

Council has adopted a Recovery Action Plan that will review all aspects of Council’s operations. For up-to-date information search ‘news’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

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first

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Council Offices 2 Hely St Wyong / 49 Mann St Gosford | 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday | P 1300 463 954 NEXT ISSUE Don’t miss the next issue. Sign up for our e-news at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/enews

PAGE 14 15 JANUARY 2021

ON THE BEAT

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Doctor charged

Boating blitz on Brisbane Water Boating Safety Officers were out on the Brisbane Water in force on January 10, as NSW Maritime conducted its first statewide compliance operation of the year. With a focus on new boat owners and skippers, the operation saw 167 inspections conducted on Brisbane Water, from Gosford to as far south as Middle Head, with 15 penalty notices and 18 official cautions issued and a compliance rate of just over 80 per cent. A spokesperson for NSW Maritime said while ensuring compliance among boaters was the main aim, the focus was also on educating the myriad of new boat owners/ skippers being seen on our waterways. “There has been a significant rise in boat licences, PWC (jet skis) and boat registrations this year due to COVID,” the spokesperson said. “Our Boating Safety Officers, who are out on waterways across NSW every day, report regularly on new skippers

needing assistance with regard to rules, and on-board equipment. “Anecdotally, we’re seeing new boaters without the proper equipment, unaware of the effect wash has on other boaters/kayakers etc, speed zones and rules of towing donuts or kneeboards.” NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said the increasing popularity of boating meant Transport for NSW’s Boating Safety Officers had even more reason to ensure water safety is top of mind during the traditionally busy summer boating months. At the end of November, there were 682 additional holders of general boating licences across the state, with an additional 1282 boats registered in NSW compared to the same time in 2019. “Starting in March 2020 and continuing right through winter and into spring, statistics show an uptick in both boat licences and registrations, which likely relates to COVID-19 causing an

increase in interest in boating as one of the remaining leisure options,” Hutchings said. He said in NSW, there are no restrictions which currently apply to recreational boating when those onboard are members of the same household. “If those onboard are not members of the same household, they should maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from others, as is reasonably practicable, and always remember to practise good personal hygiene,” he said. He said it was important new boaties focused on following the NSW boating rules and any local waterway restrictions, such as speed limits. For more information on safe boating, visit https://www.rms. nsw.gov.au/maritime/index. html https://www.rms.nsw.gov. au/maritime/covid-19-update. html Source: Media release, Jan 12 Transport for NSW

A doctor has been charged after allegedly sexually touching a patient at a West Gosford medical centre. In October 2020, detectives from Brisbane Water Police District commenced an investigation after allegations a

male doctor inappropriately touched a female patient at the West Gosford facility. Following extensive inquiries, a 38-year-old man attended Gosford Police Station about 6.25pm on January 12 and was arrested and charged with two

counts of aggravated sexually touching a person without consent. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday, January 29. Source: Media release, Jan 13 NSW Police Media

Man charged with stealing A man has been charged with stealing from a motor vehicle following an incident at Point Clare on January 10. At around 2:30pm a resident confronted a man who was inside his vehicle, parked in the

driveway of a residence in Kurruwa Ave. A 19-year-old Eastlakes man was later located by police in the vicinity of Point Clare shops. He was taken to Gosford Police Station and charged

with entering a vehicle or boat without the consent of the owner. He was bailed to appear at Sutherland Local Court on February 11. Source: Brisbane Water Police District Facebook page, Dec 12

Juveniles arrested

Three juveniles have been arrested following the theft of a car from Green Point on January 1. Between 9pm on January 1 and 1.30pm on January 2, a Black Holden Cruze Sedan was stolen from outside a Green Point home. At about 6,45pm on January 5 the victim saw his vehicle

being driven on Link Rd, Green Point. Police were contacted resulting in the arrest of the three young persons with the vehicle in Melissa St, Green Point about 7pm that day. A number of items suspected of being stolen were located in the vehicle.

Two 17-year-old males from Wyoming and one 18-year-old male from Hoxton Park were taken to Gosford Police Station and charged with various offences. Investigations are ongoing regarding the stolen property.

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Source: Brisbane Water Police District Facebook page, Jan 6

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FORUM

PAGE 15 15 JANUARY 2021

Late rush follows long period of inaction on draft planning documents While I appreciate that a great deal of work has gone into the draft LEP and draft DCP and the consideration of submissions, it would seem that it has all taken a long time to get to the first stage of the Comprehensive Review of Council’s Planning Controls. The Administrator adopted the draft documents at the Ordinary Meeting of December 14, 2020, in name only, as the actual adopted documents

FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper were not attached to the report and it is anyone’s guess when they will be available for public viewing in their entirety.

The first stage merely involves the merging of the Wyong and Gosford Controls into consolidated documents with a few changes around the edge to facilitate consistency. Most of the submissions lodged requested changes outside the ambit of the first stage exhibition. In fact, 327 submissions alone related to a view that land at 301 Avoca Dr, Avoca, should be rezoned for public open space, with the staff response that it was not considered appropriate for

Rate rise survey a cheap tactic Central Coast Council has asked local residents to take part in community consultation in regards to the upcoming rate rise proposed to help alleviate some of the financial pressure the Council is currently under. As the Council is currently in the control of the NSW Government’s appointed Administrator Dick Persson, residents are without elected representation so the decision to engage the wider community

FORUM is a welcomed gesture. The community engagement comes in the form of a survey that is very limited in its options but giving the illusion of choice. The wording can only be described as cheap sales tactics; for instance calling the two options of a 10 per cent rise a “temporary fix” and a 15 per cent rise “securing your future”. They provide a rather threatening table listing the

fallout of not doing a rate rise including the closing of libraries and other local events, making it seem that the small cash injection from the rise will single-handedly save the Central Coast. We don’t need the cheap tactics and scare mongering; we just need clear and open dialogue and (a) solution that keeps the welfare and wellbeing of the residents in mind.

I have been looking at your 30 Day Report and I have a few questions I would like to have answered please, so I can clarify in my mind what is happening. Could you please explain the makeup of the $565M debt quoted and how that figure is calculated, given debt at June 2019 appears to be $233M? Am I right that the reduced income from water, sewerage and drainage for the Council means that the community has

FORUM had a benefit of about $80M of lower charges in 19/20 and 20/21 combined? Why did you need to borrow the additional $100M and what will it be spent on? How did you come up with that figure? Why didn’t you request from the Minister, to be able to use externally restricted funds like domestic waste or resolve to use some of the internally restricted funds? As domestic waste seems to be making a surplus why aren’t you reducing the domestic

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waste charges when the rates are increased, so the out-ofpocket expenses for the rate payers are less drastic? Could you please explain in detail what the $45M restructure costs will be spent on? Why is it so high? It seems a remarkably high figure in my mind. How did the projected deficit go from around $41M to around $90M in the space of less than six months during 2020? I thank you in advance for your response. Email, Dec 30 Joy Cooper, Green Point

It’s evident from recent contributions to Forum that some folk believe they’ll be unable to gain entry to public venues from January 1 unless they own a smartphone. That’s not the case. The Services NSW website

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must wonder how the administration had the time or inclination to assess the merits of all the issues that would otherwise be considered by councillors on behalf of their constituencies. It really looks like the bride was rushed to the altar for the sake of management trying to appear proactive in these troubled times. Email, Jan 12 David Kitson, Community Representative on the Local Planning Panel LEP and DCP

FORUM states that for patrons without smartphones “businesses and organisations are encouraged to record contact details and time of entry in digital form using a non-QR electronic device such as a computer.

“This record can be in the form of a spreadsheet or any other form of digital entry that can track customer checkins.” Email, Dec 24 John Hughes, Kincumber

Make financial dealings public Give me a break! Central Coast Council is broke and it’s about to come after ratepayers for another 15 per cent in rates; all because of incompetence. Now it tells us that some of its financial dealings to try and dig itself out of its self-created hole must be kept confidential and not be released to the public (Spot us another $100M, CCN, Dec 24). No way Council; you forfeited your right to confidentially when you mismanaged public monies. It seems those who work in local government think the rest

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This is not an uncommon approach to ensure a broad consensus on the final documents. It would seem that management has taken the opportunity to rush through these strategic documents and despite the Council media fanfare it would appear that there is still work to be done prior to them being actually “adopted”. Go figure. Given the complexity of the documents to the uninitiated, I

You don’t need a smartphone to gain entry

Email, Jan 13 Evan Deas, Niagara Park

Questions for the Administrator An open letter to Central Coast Council Administrator, Dick Persson.

sporting fields and was outside the first stage review. No substantive progress appears to have been made towards reviewing underlying zonings or the finalisation of protection for the COSS lands – maybe in another four and half years. A lot of management inaction followed by a flurry of activity that is a bit half baked. Had the process not taken so long it might have been advantageous for the final documents to be re-exhibited.

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

FORUM of us are just pawns in the big game of chess it plays with our money. It’s time we put pressure on the State Government to get a grip on these instrumentalities.

Lots of phone calls and letters to our local State members, Adam Crouch (lower house) and Taylor Martin (upper house), I suggest. Email, Dec 26 John George, Terrigal

If you’re reading this, so are

160,000

other people COMMUNITY

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CCN Imagine if it was a message about your business.

Call 4325 7369

or see the website www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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KEEP YOURSELF AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM COVID-19

Stay safe by following the “four lines of defence” against COVID-19

Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others

Wash your hands well and often

Stay home if you’re sick and get tested as soon as you have any symptoms

Wear a face mask in situations where social distancing cannot be followed

You must book before you go for a COVID-19 test For the Gosford clinic, call 4320 5055 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends For the Erina clinic, call 0435 813 865 between 10.30am and 5.30pm everyday For the Wyong clinic, call 4394 9200 between 9am and 5pm everyday

Adam CROUCH MP Member for Terrigal 02 4365 1906 adamcrouchmp

terrigal@parliament.nsw.gov.au adamcrouchmp

adamcrouchmp.com.au

Authorised by Adam Crouch MP, Shop 3 Fountain Plaza, 148-158 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250, produced using parliamentary entitlements.

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 17 15 JANUARY 2021

Great Outlook on riding for all

Sam Remond from The Outlook Riding Academy

Family run business, The Outlook Riding Academy, is a little different to others, offering guests ponies, parties, and a psychologist. This all-inclusive equestrian centre in Terrigal runs private and group horse riding lessons, and also caters for disabled and autistic riders and people who require larger horses. The Outlook Riding Academy Owner, Sarndie (Sam) Remond, said what makes their centre

different is their hands-on approach. “The difference about our school is the child, or adult can go into the paddock with the instructor, catches the horse, grooms the horse, saddles the horse, and learns to clean out its hooves – they can actually get involved in the whole process,” Remond said. “You get hands-on horsemanship, horse knowledge, and practical skills, and those children with any

slight disability or on the spectrum, love hands-on and touching the horse.” Remond undertook a course with the Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia (RDA) to learn more about working with people with a disability. “I always try to have a quick interview with the person to assess their disability is not beyond our capabilities,” she said. “RDA actually approached us

first asking to take kids that they don’t have horses big enough for. “We get a lot of inquiry on that because other riding schools don’t have big enough horses to take a 100kg plus person.” The family-run business sits on 18 acres of land and runs children and teen parties, and summer camps. “My daughter, who is a clinical psychologist, also offers nature-based, eco-therapy,

equine therapy, so it’s a combination of nature and horse therapy.” Remond said because her lessons are expensive, she has started uploading video lessons to YouTube. “I am trying to encourage the kids to go on YouTube so they don’t miss out on last week’s lessons because they cannot afford it,” he said. “My YouTube (has) the idea of here is some free education.

“(I) also hope they would like to do the real thing with me, but here is what I am teaching and get to know me more.” Remond is a qualified teacher and has grown up around horses her whole life. “I absolutely love teaching,” she said. “I think I get a reward out of showing people how to do something.” Jacinta Counihan

Erina Ice Arena reopens After being closed for over a year, Erina Ice Arena reopened its doors on Saturday (January 2). After a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion, three sessions were held on the opening day, each one limited to 250 skaters due to COVID restrictions. Each session was sold out. New business manager, Christine Leghorn, said she was excited about the reopening. “My family now owns the business, leasing the premises from Lend Lease,” Leghorn said. “My entire family background is in figure skating, both competing and teaching. “My sister and I were competitors growing up and competed internationally as young adults. “As teachers, we have taken groups of children overseas to

compete as well.” Leghorn said the walls of the rink had been completely removed and replaced to comply with government regulations and some cosmetic changes had also been made. “So many people have been

looking forward to the reopening,” she said. “Figure skaters have had to go elsewhere to train and hockey players have also been forced to find other venues. “And, of course, all the local children just want to have fun

on the ice. “We intend to grow the business and look forward to seeing what we can put in place and offer to the local community.” Terry Collins

Mangrove DISTRICT

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EVERY MONTH ALL WEATHER 8.30am to 3pm 2ND & LAST SUNDAY EACH MONTH

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Dance company brings a Spanish influence Central Dance Company will present the ballet, Paquita, at Laycock Street Theatre, for three shows on January 21 and 22. The Spanish-inspired show includes original choreography from the famous French ballet dancer, Marius Petipa. It will feature 14 dancers from Central Dance Company, and performances from Victorian State Ballet dancer, Janae Kerr, and Principal Dancer with the

Professional Victorian State Ballet dancer, Janae Kerr

Royal New Zealand Ballet, and Queensland Ballet soloist, Michael. Artistic Director and Publicity Officer of Central Dance Company, Patti Gleeson, said this dance style is really entertaining and upbeat to watch. “It is a very famous and enjoyable ballet to watch which showcases the dancers,” Gleeson said. “[Paquita] is a ‘dancey’ ballet; there are many solos and

plenty of Spanish influences. “The ages of our semiprofessional dancers range from 11 to 21. “We were originally supposed to hold this dance back in October, but it was pushed back due to COVID. “It has been a constant battle to get this show up and running, but we have made it.” The non-for-profit, semiprofessional dance company is run completely by volunteers, offering young students the

opportunity to experience what it is like to be in a professional ballet company. “We give the dancers the company experience,” Gleeson said. “It is not a competition; it is about the dancers deciding on whether this is what they want to do professionally.” Shows will be at 7.30pm on January 21 and at 2.30 pm and 7.30pm on January 22. Jacinta Counihan

HG and wife Kate raise $1000 for surf club Almost $1000 has been raised for the Killcare Surf Club through a book giveaway by comedian HG Nelson and his wife Kate on Sunday, January 10. The fundraiser came after the Wagstaffe part-time locals decided to “sell off” their library. Community members were able to browse and collect what they wanted but were encouraged to donate to the club. Items on offer on the day

included a range of old and modern books, a collection of Aussie rock CDs and classic DVDs, world-class artwork, Roy and HG memorabilia, and Sydney Olympic Games merchandise. An ACDC original CD, a Wallabies Rugby union team shirt, and posters of The Dream were among some of the prized possessions. Killcare Surf Club President, Craig Sheppard, was thankful for the couple’s generosity. “We were both honoured and surprised by HG and Kate’s

CCN

Monogamy Author: Sue Miller Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

This is a story about Annie and Graham. Both had been previously married and were divorced when they met at the launch of Graham’s new bookstore in Boston. Graham was larger than life, in form and spirit. He was cheery, warm, a lover of the pleasures that life had to offer. People gravitated towards Graham. Loved him. Annie was slender, delicate, reserved. Opposites attract after all. Before Annie, Graham was married to Frieda. It was the 1960s and they agreed on an open marriage. When Graham started his relationship with Freida he was homely and, “people didn’t find that as charming as they did later. Later, when all the changes in the rules came around. And for Graham, the beard, the full

charitable offer to raise funds for the club,” Sheppard said. “The club is always looking for support to help supplement its safety training and volunteer programs. “It was lots of fun, and we would be happy to do it again, should he find more treasures in his library.” Almost 16 boxes of books were given away on the day, with some leftovers awaiting a future sale. Jacinta Counihan

Kate (left) and HG Nelson (middle left) with locals who attended the sale

BOOK REVIEW head of hair, the contact lenses, and the sudden interest in elegant clothes. And the way all of those choices seemed to color everything he did and said. Seemed to change its meaning. Seemed to make him attractive.” As more women gravitated towards the attractive Graham, Freida moved away until she asked for a divorce. But they remained friends, not only because they had Lucas but because they still loved each other. Graham is such a lovable and forgivable man that the his ex-wife Frieda and Annie become friends in spite of the infidelity. Annie was hesitant to start a relationship with Graham, “But Graham was persistent, a joyous lover, an enthusiast, and finally Annie gave over to him. How could she not? She’d been waylaid, really – by happiness, by his love for her, and then more slowly, hers for him.” They moved in together and within a year were married and soon after had their daughter Sarah. Annie’s career as a photographer was showing promise. She had a show that was received well, but she put it all on hold while she raised Sarah.

She tried to get back into photography but times changed and her work “wasn’t as hot, as transgressive” as the newer artists. Thirty years goes by in the blink of an eye. “Annie was happy too. But occasionally through their years together, and in spite of everything that was pleasurable and loving between them, she would feel it again, the sense of him having overtaken her somehow, overwhelmed her.” Graham tried to be “more careful

and more faithful,” in his marriage with Annie but he is a person that loves everything life has to offer. The pivotal moment (sorry, spoiler alert) occurs when Graham, in a fit of monogamous remorse, decides to break up with his secret lover and subsequently suffers a heart attack and dies. When Annie eventually discovers his betrayal, she feels disoriented (naturally), but more betrayed by her friends that hid his secret than Graham himself. She will dwell on her own past and question her own faithfulness. As I was reading this book, I kept thinking of what kind of review I would write. It is hard to put my finger on exactly why I liked this book. It is simply a story about a couple and, as with every couple, there are ups and downs, but there was something about it that intrigued me. It was a simple story, but very well done, very well written. The one difficulty I had was with the timeline. In present day there was a mention of Obama being made a presidential

candidate, and Graham’s relationship with Freida referred to the 1960s and 1970s. Nevertheless, it is an engaging, often meditative, book and Miller’s skill with exploring the interwoven nuances of marriage, fidelity, parenthood and individual aspiration combined with the rich description of food and wine making it an enjoyable read. Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

Memoir helps overcome trauma Central Coast author, Renee Simpson, is set to release a memoir after Christmas on her journey to reclaim power and break the silence after sexual assault. The book, I Want To Go Home, talks about the experiences she went through to overcome her trauma and aims to help inspire others to do the same. The decision to publish a book came after she experienced a miscarriage earlier in the year. “I have really struggled with loneliness and going through this thing on my own,” Simpson said. “I think with COVID, social distancing, and that sense of isolation has brought it up to the surface. “I thought it was not okay that we had to struggle with these things on our own. “Isolation had given me time to reflect on a time of my life when I really struggled, after my best friend’s boyfriend sexually assaulted me at a party a week before I flew out on a gap year overseas. “I was inspired by the experiences of survivors who faced the ‘gag laws’ imposed in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. “I couldn’t believe survivors could be treated with such a lack of compassion in the 21st century. “After already enduring the emotional torment seeking justice against their perpetrators, survivors then faced laws that silenced them from sharing their stories or face fines of up to $10,000. “It infuriated me that survivors who have already had so much stolen from them were then threatened by the same system that was supposed to protect them. “It made me more determined to share my story.” The book is based on a memoir she wrote 10 years ago inspired by the travel journals she wrote about a sailing expedition she did between the south of Spain to Thailand. By going back through these memoirs with a book coach, she started to notice certain things in her writing that she was brushing over. “I realised that the story was about what I wasn’t saying… what I was leaving off the page,” she said. “So, I started to dive in it and to think about what was really going on with me on a deeper

level and bring that story to life.” Simpson earned a degree in Social Science from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and now works as a Youth Development Officer. She wants to advocate for deep change in societal attitudes and behaviour to support safer communities for women and children. Simpson said finishing the book has been a great end to a challenging year. “I lost a baby this year too, and that was a big issue for me,” she said. “(Writing) was quite a therapeutic process, and I’m happy to share that I’m pregnant again in my second trimester. “I have also been inspired to hear about other women who were also struggling who have had a miscarriage and have not been really able to talk about that in a public sphere. “It is a bit of a call to action from the community to pay attention to their stories and not turn away when they hear these difficulties experiences. “Also, for survivors to not shy away from these stories as this is where we create change together.” Simpson said the book is the first of many more to come. Jacinta Counihan

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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 19 15 JANUARY 2021

Coast musos shine in online festival Central Coast musicians have been involved in a 19day straight online music festival, the longest event of its kind. While not yet officially recognised by the Guinness World Records, the online music festival, titled Cogig-19, broke the record of most musical acts to perform at a remote music festival three times over. Running from December 13 to New Year’s Eve in the USA, meaning it was technically 20 days, the festival consisted of 272 one-hour performances from 350 performers, from 20 countries. The continuous music festival was created by Mike Manley who lives in Brisbane and is accessible through the Facebook page Giving Gigs. Alex Smith is a Terrigal musician who goes by the name One Plus Music said he heard about the event through word of mouth from other musicians. “Cogig-19 was designed to be a way for independent musicians to stand up, sing out, get rid of 2020, and sing into the new year,” Smith said. “It is pretty much a way for us musos to say we are still here, but we are expressing our voices in a new way. “I had a session on there and really enjoyed it. “It was streamed, and you had an hour spot, and you

Musician Alex Smith who goes by One Plus Music

would be visible from all over the world. “It was an awesome experience and has led to connections being made not just in Australia, but all over the world. “It’s hard to imagine what musical collaborations will come out of this awesome event. “This whole COVID has had a massive impact on us musicians, and it has certainly caused a lot of us to lose a lot of work and opportunities to perform.”

Other Central Coast acts involved included Andy Thompson and band members, Annette Thompson, Damon Smith, and Kristine Best; and duo Sam IAm and Da Pirate, with guitarist Sammy Hutchins, and drummer, Shayne van der Heide. Cogig-19 founder, Mike Manley, is a songwriter and has supported indie artists for the past five years. He said he shouted out for people to join the initiative back in July, receiving over 3500 messages from people

interested. “I asked everyone and anyone,” Manley said. “People started signing on, so I started releasing updates on the artists and what countries they came from. “The record was actually 72 acts in one remote festival, and we went had 272 acts with 350 artists, running over the 444 hours.” Manley said the number of people who joined the Giving Gigs Facebook page has risen to around 4500. “Everyone has taken it on board and loved the concept and being part of it,” Manley said. “It is not just about the fans, but the artists have got a lot of it as well because they have made many connections with others from around the world. “Everyone is pretty down and out at the moment, so it was one way to lift spirits and keep the live music going.” Cogig-21 has already kicked off for this year consisting of a range of online music events. Jacinta Counihan

Long Jetty Christian Fellowship Welcomes you to

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

Central Dance Company (Australia)

Invitation to the Ballet with..

‘Paquita’

held at the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Hall 1 Pacific Street, Long Jetty 10.00 am to 11.00 am Followed by a provided morning tea

BOOK TICKETS ONLINE

This temporary venue arrangement meets all specified safety regulations while COVID-19 restrictions prevent our regular Sunday Services at Diggers at The Entrance. Families and individuals of all ages and religious background are welcome. Newly formed in October 2019 we are part of God’s universal church. Our Mission is to proclaim Jesus’ gift of salvation and eternal life and to show his love by helping those in need in our community. Becoming part of our Fellowship family is a happy way to spend Sunday mornings. We welcome you. Enquiries: 0403 019 632 longjettychristianfellowship@gmail.com

(02) 4323 3233

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Friday 22nd January 2021

Laycock Street Theatre 3 performances only

https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/theatres

PAGE 20 15 JANUARY 2021

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Sunday 17 January

Saturday 16 January

Friday 15 January

ABC (C20/21)

PRIME (C61/60)

NINE (C81/80)

TEN (C13)

SBS (C30)

6:00 Today [s] 6:00 Headline News [s] 6:00 News Breakfast [s] 6:00 Sunrise [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 10:00 Test Cricket: Australia v India: 9:00 Today Extra Summer [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 10:00 Rick Stein’s Secret France [s] Test 4: Pre Game [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out 1:00 PBS Newshour 11:00 ABC News Special Coverage: 11:00 Test Cricket: Australia v India: 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] Test 4: Day 1 *Live* From The 1:00 Movie: “Three Identical Of Here! (M) [s] Coronavirus Pandemic [s] 2:00 America In Color: 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] Gabba [s] – The battle for the Strangers” (PG) (’18) Stars: 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] The 1960s (M) 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 1:00 The City And The City (M v) [s] Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set Robert Shafran, Michael 2:50 Great British Railway 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] for a thrilling finish as great Domnitz, Howard Schneider 2:00 The Letdown (M l,s) [s] Journeys (PG) 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 2:30 Sando (M l,s) [s] rivals Australia and India square 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 4:00 Who Do You Think You Are?: 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful off on day one of the fourth and 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] Mal Meninga (PG) (PG) [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] final Test at the Gabba. 5:00 Letters And Numbers 6:00 NINE News [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 1:00 The Lunch Break [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:30 Motor Sport: Dakar Rally 6:00 WIN News [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 5:00 Escape From The City (PG) [s] 1:40 Day 1 *Live* [s] 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Country House Hunters 6:00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery 3:40 Tea Break [s] 6:30 SBS World News Australia: Yarra Valley [s] 7:30 The Living Room [s] 4:00 Day 1 *Live* [s] (PG) [s] 7:30 Planet Of Treasures: South 6:00 Seven News [s] 8:30 Movie: “Four Weddings And A 8:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) 6:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame: East Asia (PG) Adam Goodes (PG) [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: Funeral” (M l,s) (’94) – Over the 10:30 Hughesy, We Have A Problem (In English/ Vietnamese) (M) [s] – Hughesy, Akmal Saleh, 8:30 Kevin McCloud: Rough Guide course of five social occasions, 7:00 ABC News [s] Melbourne Stars v Adelaide a committed bachelor must Merricks Watts, Denise Scott 7:30 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat [s] Strikers *Live* From The MCG To The Future (PG) (In English/ consider the notion that he may and Em Rusciano tackle the first 8:00 Vera: The Deer Hunters (PG) [s] 11:00 Movie: “Collateral Damage” Japanese/ Mandarin) have discovered love. Stars: world problems we just can’t (M v) (’02) – After his family is 9:35 Mystery Road: 9:30 The Day Hitler Died (PG) killed by a terrorist act, a Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell Chasing Ghosts (M l) [s] seem to solve. 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:25 State Of The Union (M l) firefighter goes in search of the 10:55 Movie: “Rumour Has It” (M s) 11:30 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 10:50 Country Music: Don’t Get (’05) Stars: Jennifer Aniston one responsible. Stars: Arnold 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 12:30 The Project (PG) [s] Above Your Raisin’ (1984-1996) Schwarzenegger 12:40 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 11:10 Barracuda (M l,s) [s] 1:30 The Late Show (PG) [s] (PG) 1:30 Home Shopping 12:10 rage (MA15+) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 2:30 Home Shopping 11:55 Versailles (M s,v) 6:00 Unknown Road Adventures [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Home Shopping 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 6:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 7:00 Everyday Gourmet With 5:30 Worldwatch 10:00 Test Cricket: Australia v India: 10:00 Today Extra Summer [s] 10:00 rage (PG) [s] Justine Schofield [s] 1:00 PBS Newshour 12:00 Destination WA [s] Test 4: Pre Game [s] 11:00 ABC News Special Coverage: 2:00 Destination Flavour China 7:30 All 4 Adventure [s] 12:30 Animal Embassy (PG) [s] 11:00 Day 2 *Live* [s] Coronavirus Pandemic [s] Bitesize 8:30 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures 1:00 World’s Greatest Natural 1:00 The Lunch Break [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 9:30 Studio 10 Saturday (PG) [s] 2:05 WWII’s Great Escapes - The Wonders [s] 12:30 Employable Me Australia (M) 1:40 Day 2 *Live* [s] Freedom Trails: Rossano/ 12:00 Beyond The Fire (PG) [s] 2:00 Movie: “Rocky III” (PG) (’82) 3:40 Tea Break [s] 1:30 Agatha Christie’s Ordeal By The Pyrenees (PG) Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Mr T, 12:30 Jamie & The Nonnas [s] 4:00 Day 2 *Live* [s] Innocence (M v) [s] 1:30 Healthy Homes Australia [s] 3:55 Gourmet Farmer Carl Weathers 6:00 Seven News [s] 2:30 Making Child Prodigies [s] 2:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 Tony Robinson’s Hidden 3:00 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat [s] 7:00 Movie: “Smallfoot” (PG) (’18) – 4:00 Serengeti: Invasion (PG) [s] 2:30 RV Daily Food Trails [s] Britain By Drone (PG) 5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s] A Yeti is convinced that the 3:30 Dream Gardens: Balwyn [s] 5:25 Motor Sport: Dakar Rally 3:00 What’s Up Down Under [s] 5:30 RBT: Barina Blues (PG) [s] elusive creatures known as 4:00 Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] 3:30 Roads Less Travelled [s] 5:55 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s “humans” really do exist. Stars: 6:00 NINE News Saturday [s] 4:30 Landline Summer [s] Lochs 4:00 Taste Of Australia With 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] Channing Tatum, James 5:00 Football: A-League: Round 4: Hayden Quinn [s] 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Tipping Point (PG) [s] Corden, Zendaya, Common Sydney FC v Western Sydney 4:30 Farm To Fork [s] 7:30 Robson Green’s Australian 8:30 Movie: “High Crimes” (M v,s) Wanderers *Live* From Stadium 9:00 Movie: “The Meg” (M) (’18) Adventure: 5:00 10 News First [s] (’02) Stars: Ashley Judd, Stars: Jason Statham, Ruby Australia [s] Western Australia (PG) Morgan Freeman, Jim Caviezel 6:00 The Dog House (PG) [s] Rose, Li Bingbing, Jessica 7:00 ABC News [s] 8:30 Movie: “The Godfather Part III” 10:55 Movie: “Closed Circuit” (M v,l) 7:00 Movie: “Sister Act” (PG) (’92) McNamee 7:30 Midsomer Murders: The Lions Stars: Whoopi Goldberg (PG) (’90) Stars: Al Pacino (’13) Stars: Kate Lock, Katherine 11:15 Movie: “Demolition Man” (M) Of Causton (PG) [s] 9:00 Movie: “The Sapphires” (PG) 11:35 The Twelve (M l,s,v) Press, Patrick Warner (’93) Stars: Sylvester Stallone, 9:00 Endeavour: Icarus (M v) [s] (In Flemish) (’12) Stars: Jessica Mauboy Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, 12:45 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 10:30 Call The Midwife (PG) [s] 11:00 Program To Be Advised 4:20 Great British Railway 1:35 Destination WA [s] Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin 11:30 Deep Water (M l,s) [s] Journeys: London Bridge To 12:00 Home Shopping 2:00 Home Shopping Bratt, Bob Gunton 12:20 rage Guest Programmer 5:30 Wesley Impact [s] 5:00 Religious Programs Chatham (PG) (MA15+) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 6:00 Easy Eats [s] 6:00 Religious Programs [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 Home Shopping 6:00 rage (PG) [s] 7:00 Weekend Today [s] 7:30 Fishing Australia [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s] 8:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 10:00Offsiders: Summer Series [s] 10:00 Test Cricket: Australia v India: 10:00 Surfing Australia TV [s] 10:30 Ultimate Rush (PG) [s] 8:30 My Market Kitchen [s] 1:00 Speedweek Test 4: Pre Game [s] 10:30The World In 2020 [s] 11:00 Peaking (PG) [s] 9:00 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Figure Skating: ISU Figure 11:00ABC News Special Coverage: 11:00 Day 3 *Live* [s] 11:40 Race Across The World (PG) 9:30 Studio 10 Sunday [s] Skating Grand Prix Japan 1:00 The Lunch Break [s] Coronavirus Pandemic [s] 2:10 Movie: “Mr Holland’s Opus” 12:00 Program To Be Advised 5:00 Travel Man: Amsterdam 1:40 Day 3 *Live* [s] 12:00ABC News At Noon [s] (PG) (’96) Stars: Richard 1:30 Roads Less Travelled [s] 5:30 Battle Of Crete: Invasion 12:30Landline Summer [s] 3:40 Tea Break [s] Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Jean 2:00 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures 6:30 SBS World News 4:00 Day 3 *Live* [s] 1:00 Midsomer Murders (M) [s] Louisa Kelly, Alicia Witt 3:00 Farm To Fork [s] 7:30 World’s Biggest Murder Trial: 6:00 Seven News [s] 2:30 Everyone’s A Critic [s] 5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s] 3:30 Taste Of Australia With Nuremberg 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: 2:55 War On Waste (PG) [s] 5:30 Territory Cops (PG) [s] Hayden Quinn [s] (In English/ German) Melbourne Stars v Melbourne 4:00 Football: W-League: Round 4: 6:00 NINE News Sunday [s] 4:00 All 4 Adventure [s] 8:45 Egypt With The World’s Renegades *Live* From The Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory 7:00 60 Minutes (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] Greatest Explorer: MCG [s] *Live* From Epping Stadium [s] Off The Map 6:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] 11:00 Movie: “Bad Company” (M v,l) 8:00 RBT: Designated Driver (PG) [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 8:30 Movie: “The Equalizer” (MA15+) 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 9:15 The Pyramids: Solving The (’02) – When a Harvard7:00 ABC News Sunday [s] (’14) Stars: Denzel Washington, 7:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Mystery Khufu And The Tomb educated CIA agent is killed 7:40 Grand Designs - House Of Chloe Grace Moretz, Marton Of Here! (M) [s] – The celebs Of Secrets The Year: Experimental (PG) [s] during an operation, the secret agency recruits his twin brother. Csokas learn some choreography and 9:40 Supreme Revenge: 8:30 Joanna Lumley’s Unseen Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Chris 11:10 NINE News Late [s] any time they hear the music, Battle For The Court Adventures (PG) [s] Rock, Peter Stormare, Gabriel 11:40 5 Mistakes That Caught A they must stop what they’re 10:45 Turban Legend: 9:15 Stateless (M l,v) [s] Macht, Kerry Washington, Adoni Killer: Mick Philpott (MA15+) [s] doing and dance to score a Untold Australia (M l) 10:10Killing Eve (MA15+) [s] Maropi, Garcelle Beauvais, 12:30 Young, Dumb And Banged Up sweet treat. 11:50 Police Custody: 10:55The Code (M d,v) [s] Matthew Marsh, Dragan In The Sun (M) [s] 9:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) The Lethal Weapon (M l) 11:55Endeavour: Icarus (M v) [s] Micanovic, John Slattery 1:20 Explore [s] 10:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 12:45 How To Lose Weight Well 1:20 F*!#ing Adelaide (M l) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 1:30 Home Shopping 11:30 Program To Be Advised (PG) 1:40 rage (MA15+)

Also see: ABC COMEDY (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)

Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66)

Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)

Also see: 10 PEACH (Channel 11) 10 BOLD (Channel 12)

Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years, [s] Subtitles Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)

Builders Licence Number 204179C

Solid Bathrooms

LICENSED TRADESMAN AND QUALITY WORK ALL LOCATED ON THE CENTRAL COAST

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WWW.SOLIDBATHROOMS.COM - PHONE 0401 601 082 FOR A FREE QUOTATION

TEN (C13)

SBS (C30)

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Headline News [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 6:00 Sunrise [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 10:00 Test Cricket: Australia v India: 9:00 Today Extra [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 5:30 Worldwatch Test 4: Pre Game [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 6:50 Football: Supercopa Espana 11:00 Day 4 *Live* [s] 1:00 Movie: “It Takes Two” (G) (’95) 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] *Live* From Estadio de La 1:00 The Lunch Break [s] Stars: Kirstie Alley 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] Cartuja, Seville 1:40 Day 4 *Live* [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 9:00 Worldwatch 3:40 Tea Break [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 2:00 America In Color: Organised 4:00 Day 4 *Live* [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful Crime And The Mafia (M) 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] (PG) [s] 2:50 Great British Railway 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: 5:00 10 News First [s] Journeys (PG) 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] Sydney Thunder v Hobart 6:00 WIN News [s] 3:25 Who Do You Think You Are? Hurricanes *Live* From Spotless 7:30 Gold Coast Cops (M v,l) [s] 4:25 Great American Railroad 8:30 Movie: “The Magnificent Seven” 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] Stadium [s] 7:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Journeys (PG) (M v) (’16) – With the town of 11:00 Station 19: Not Your Hero (M) Of Here! (M) [s] 5:30 Letters And Numbers Rose Creek under the deadly [s] – Ben reaches a new 9:00 The Montreal Comedy Festival 6:00 Mastermind Australia control of industrialist milestone as a rookie and, as is (MA15+) [s] – Just For Laughs 6:30 SBS World News Bartholomew Bogue, the tradition, receives something featuring stand-up comedy from 7:35 The Architecture The desperate townspeople employ from the crew. the most famous comedians Railways Built: protection from seven outlaws, 12:00 Robbie Coltrane’s Critical from Australia and beyond. Ribblehead (PG) bounty hunters, gamblers and Evidence: Countryside Killings: 10:00 Hughesy, We Have A Problem 8:30 24 Hours In Emergency: A hired guns. Stars: Denzel Graham Backhouse (M v,l) [s] – Washington, Chris Pratt (M) [s] Pillar Of Strength/ A Job For A murder and an attempted 11:10 NINE News Late [s] 11:00 WIN’s All Australian News [s] Life (M) murder at a farmhouse in an 11:40 The First 48: Killer Connection/ 12:00 The Project (PG) [s] idyllic village deep in the 10:15 SBS World News Late Bloody Birthday (M) [s] 1:00 The Late Show (PG) [s] Cotswolds. 10:45 Hamilton Agent (MA15+) 12:35 Tipping Point [s] 2:00 Home Shopping 1:00 Home Shopping (In Swedish/ English)

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Program To Be Advised 11:00 Gardening Australia [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Movie: “The Silver Brumby” (PG) (’93) Stars: Caroline Goodall, Russell Crowe 2:35 Sando (M s) [s] ] 3:00 Father Brown (PG) [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:25 Back Roads (PG) [s] 4:55 Escape From The City (PG) [s] 6:00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] 6:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 You Can’t Ask That (PG) [s] 8:30 Shaun Micallef’s On The Sauce (MA15+) [s] 9:30 Big Weather (And How To Survive It): Ready Together [s] 10:35 ABC Late News [s] 10:50 Glitch (M l,s) [s] 11:45 No Offence (M l,v) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 10:00 Test Cricket: Australia v India: Test 4: Pre Game [s] 11:00 Day 5 *Live* [s] 1:00 The Lunch Break [s] 1:40 Day 5 *Live* [s] 3:40 Tea Break [s] 4:00 Day 5 *Live* [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat *Live* From Marvel Stadium [s] 11:00 Chicago Fire: 51’s Original Bell (M) [s] – When one of the team gets injured on a call, Severide becomes obsessed with helping out. Meanwhile, Foster grapples with a big decision. Kidd is concerned for one of her high school trainees. 12:00 Black-ish: I’m A Survivor (PG) [s] – Dre reunites with his old crew when he goes to Compton for a funeral. 12:30 Home Shopping

5:30 Today [s] 6:00 Headline News [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 1:00 Movie: “A Home Of Our Own” 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] (PG) (’93) Stars: Kathy Bates, 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] Edward Furlong, Clarissa 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] Lassig, Sarah Schaub, Miles 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] Feulner, Amy Sakasit, T.J. 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful Lowther, Soon-Tek Oh (PG) [s] 3:00 Tipping Point [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] Of Here! (M) [s] – Two celebs 7:30 Accidental Heroes: attempt the Camp Calamity trial Amazing Pets/ Kids (PG) [s] which sees all their camping 8:30 Kath & Kim: Hello Nails!/ High nightmares come true. And Dry/ Foxy On The Run (PG) 9:00 NCIS: Love Thy Neighbor (M) 10:15 Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year 10.00 NCIS: Los Angeles: Asia (PG) [s] Overdue (M) [s] 11:15 NINE News Late [s] 11:00 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 11:45 Law & Order: Criminal Intent: 12:00 The Project (PG) [s] See Me (M v) [s] 1:00 The Late Show (PG) [s] 12:35 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 2:00 Home Shopping 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Grand Designs: House Of The Year [s] 11:00 Gardening Australia [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 The City And The City (M) [s] 2:00 The Letdown (M l,s) [s] 2:30 Sando (PG) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Escape From The City (PG) [s] 6:00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] 6:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 8:30 Spicks and Specks (PG) [s] 9:20 QI: Road And Rail (M l) [s] 9:50 Program To Be Advised 10:50 ABC Late News [s] 11:10 Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure [s] 12:00 No Offence (M l,v) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show Summer Series [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “In The Line Of Duty: Smoke Jumpers” (PG) (’96) Stars: Adam Baldwin 2:00 Surf Patrol [s] 2:30 Border Security International (PG) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars *Live* From Marvel Stadium [s] 11:00 Movie: “V For Vendetta” (MA15+) (’11) – In fascist Great Britain, a shadowy freedom fighter known only as “V” begins a violent guerrilla campaign to destroy those who have embraced totalitarianism. Stars: Hugo Weaving

5:30 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 1:00 Movie: “Honey” (PG) (’03) Stars: Jessica Alba 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 Paramedics (M) [s] 8:30 The Inbetween: While The Song Remains The Same (M) 9:30 Chicago Med t (MA15+) [s] 10:30 NINE News Late [s] 11:00 New Amsterdam: The Denominator (M mp) [s] 11:50 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 12:45 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 1:15 Customs (PG) [s] 1:40 Paramedics (M) [s] 2:35 Chicago Med: The Ghosts Of Past (MA15+) [s] 3:30 US Presidential Inauguration *Live From Washington DC [s]

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Joanna Lumley’s Unseen Adventures (PG) [s] 11:00 Gardening Australia [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 The City And The City (M) [s] 2:00 The Letdown (M l,s) [s] 2:30 Sando (M d,s) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Escape From The City (PG) [s] 5:55 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] 6:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) [s] 8:30 Rick Stein’s Secret France [s] 9:30 Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian: Mateship (Part 2 Of 3) (M l) [s] 10:30 ABC Late News [s] 10:50 Australia’s Ocean Odyssey [s] 11:50 No Offence (M l,v) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show Summer Series [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “The Patron Saint Of Liars” (PG) (’97) – A pregnant woman leaves her husband in search of a new life. Fifteen years later, he still searches for her. Will they be reunited? Stars: Maggie Gyllenhaal 2:00 Surf Patrol [s] 2:30 Border Security International (PG) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Cricket: Big Bash League: Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat *Live* From The MCG [s] 11:00 Movie: “Hall Pass” (MA15+) (’11) Stars: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate 1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 Headline News [s] 5:30 Today [s] 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 12:00 Ellen (PG) [s] 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 1:00 Movie: “I.Q.” (G) (’94) Stars: Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] Matthau, Stephen Fry, Lou 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] Jacobi, Gene Saks 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s] (PG) [s] 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s] 7:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out 7:30 Great Getaways (PG) [s] – This Of Here! (M) [s] – Tonight’s trial week on Great Getaways sees two campmates head to snorkelling with turtles in Maui, the Land Down Under. ing 5 star luxury in Thailand, tummies of a hungry camp? cruising the Great Barrier Reef 9:00 Law & Order: SVU: Guardians and cycling NZ’s stunning South And Gladiators/ Can’t Be Held Island. Accountable (Part 1) (M v) [s] 8:30 Race Across The World (M) [s] 11:00 This Is Us (M) [s] 11:00 NINE News Late [s] 12:00 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 11:30 The Horn: Faster Than The 1:00 The Project (PG) [s] Grim Reaper (M) [s] 2:00 The Late Show (PG) [s] 12:30 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 3:00 Home Shopping 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS This Morning [s]

Monday 18 January

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] 11:00 Gardening Australia [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 The City And The City (PG) [s] 2:00 The Letdown (M l,s) [s] 2:35 Sando (M s) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Escape From The City (PG) [s] 6:00 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) [s] 6:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Stan Grant’s One Plus One: Kodie Bedford [s] 8:30 Australia Remastered [s] 9:25 The Crown And Us (PG) [s] 10:25 Tomorrow Tonight (PG) [s] 10:55 ABC Late News [s] 11:15 Harrow: Sub Silentio (M v) [s] 12:05 The Code (M l,v) [s] 1:05 F*!#ing Adelaide (M l) [s]

Tuesday 19 January

NINE (C81/80)

Wednesday 20 January

PRIME (C61/60)

PAGE 21 15 JANUARY 2021

Thursday 21 January

ABC (C20/21)

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Also see: ABC COMEDY (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)

Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66)

Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)

5:00 CGTN English News 5:15 NHK World English News 5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 America In Color: Titans Of Industry (M) 2:50 Great British Railway Journeys (PG) 3:25 Who Do You Think You Are?: Shane Jacobson (PG) 4:25 Great American Railroad Journeys (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Great Continental Railway Journeys 8:40 Bowled Over: Untold Australia (M) 9:40 Travel Man’s Greatest Trips: Arts And Crafts 10:35 SBS World News Late 11:05 The A Word (M l,s) 12:10 The Pier (MA15+) (In Spanish) 1:05 Deep State: White Noise/ Blood In The Sand (MA15+)

6:00 Headline News [s] 5:00 CGTN English News 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 5:15 NHK World English News 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 Program To Be Advised 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:00 America In Color: Playtime (M) 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 2:50 Great British Railway 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] Journeys (PG) 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 3:20 Who Do You Think You Are?: 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful Jane Turner (PG) (PG) [s] 4:20 Great American Railroad 5:00 10 News First [s] Journeys (PG) 6:00 WIN News [s] 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 6:00 Mastermind Australia 7:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Britain’s Most Historic Towns: Of Here! (M) [s] 9:00 Bull: To Save A Life (M) [s] Portsmouth Age Of Empire 9:30 Bull: Child Of Mine (M) [s] – Bull 8:30 The Last Journey Of The and Benny represent a couple Vikings being sued by their baby’s 9:30 Vikings: Lost Souls (MA15+) biological father for custody after 10:25 SBS World News Late a fertility clinic mistakenly used 10:55 24 Hours In Emergency: the wrong man’s sample. Liberation Day (M) 11:00 WIN’s All Australian News [s] 11:50 Movie: “The Workshop” (M l,s) 12:00 The Project (PG) [s] (’17) Stars: Nakhane Touré 1:00 The Late Show (PG) [s] (In French) 2:00 Home Shopping 1:50 War And Peace (MA15+)

Also see: 10 PEACH (Channel 11) 10 BOLD (Channel 12)

Programming information correct at time of going to press, changes are at the network’s discretion Prepared by National Typesetting Services

5:00 CGTN English News 5:15 NHK World English News 5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 America In Color: The Wild West (M) 2:50 Great British Railway Journeys (PG) 3:25 Who Do You Think You Are?: John Newcombe (PG) 4:20 Great American Railroad Journeys (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 The World’s Greatest Palaces (PG) 8:30 The Rise Of The Nazis: First Six Months In Power (M) 9:35 World On Fire (M) (In English/ French/ German/ Polish) 10:45 SBS World News Late 11:15 24 Hours In Police Custody: Family Secrets (M l) 12:10 Home Ground (MA15+) (In Norwegian)

Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN: (ALMOST) NO-FAIL PLANTS

CHERALYN DARCEY

There are some of us gardening folk who spend every spare minute in our botanical paradises, tending each leaf and nursing every bud to blossom. On the other far side are others who genuinely desire a garden but simply lack the time or the experience. Perhaps you are a little of both or there may be places and pockets in your gardening life that would be better filled with more independent species. So, I have explored the world of the tough, the adaptable and most of all, the hardy for you and your home this week. HOUSEPLANT HARMONY It seems everyone is loving houseplants these days and with more and more exotic and finicky species becoming available to the general public, let’s take a few steps back to the old tried and true, easy to care for champions of the indoor plant world. Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.) These alien-looking wonders, as their name suggests, don’t even need soil. The leaves have adapted to absorb all they need from the air but submerging them in water weekly in the warmer months and fortnightly during the rest of the year will keep them far happier. Aloe (Aloe vera) Just give the handy Aloe a sunny spot and don’t over-water and you will be rewarded with a lovely plant that can also provide medicinal aid. Squeeze out the juice of a leaf to sooth and heal burns directly. Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) Not just this lovely, but most cactus are ‘set and forget’ plants sunlight, warmth and don’t let them get wet feet. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) True story, they get their name from the fact they are as tough as cast iron. It takes a very special kind of gardener to kill this plant! Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) This tropicallooking vine will trail anywhere you desire it to. Drying out of the soil can actually be a good thing and it can grow in most light conditions. Jade (Crassula ovata) Leaves that store water for those times you forget to take care of it or go away without a plant-sitter makes this a brown-thumb favourite, not to mention the luck it supposedly will bring you if plant it at your front door. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) A houseplant collection staple, it will tolerate nearly all light levels and don’t need much in the way of attention. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) With a preference for low light and drier soil, you can almost leave this one to its own devices as well – a really solid beginner houseplant. VEGETABLE GARDEN EASY BUNCH Most culinary plants are not completely ‘set and forget’ but these are some of the more independent and easy-care types.

Start with a well-prepared plot that contains added compost, well-rotted manure and is improved to become free draining if needed. This can be achieved by adding additional compost and keep your watering needs down by mulching well. These are just a few suggestions of relatively easy to grow and care for vegetable garden plants. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) You will always find that growing any type of bean is better when sown as a seed. The plant will be stronger, and growth will be much better. Easiest and most forgiving are the climbing varieties – give them a support to climb upon and look forward to continuous cropping. Plant mid spring through to late summer. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) As long as you water consistently, you should have juicy lovely, formed beets without much fuss in about 8 weeks. The leaves can be harvested gently along the way and are delicious in salads. Plant anytime throughout the year on the Coast. Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) Give these beauties about 6 hours of sun every day and harvest regularly and this plant will reward you with delicious little toms for months. Feed each week with a liquid fertilizer once plants

establish. Plant from early spring through until early autumn. Garlic (Allium sativum) Pop individual bulbs into the earth and, well that’s about it! Once the foliage dies you simply pull them up, dry out in the sun and then use or store in a cool, dry spot. You may like to keep a few bulbs to plant for your next crop. Herbs Planting times will depending on the actual herb but once established, most will need only the simplest of care. Water well while young to help roots develop and then you can rely on local rain unless the weather is excessively hot/dry. Feed with a liquid fertiliser once a month. Harvesting will promote new growth as well as a tasty condiment. Ensure that you snip the entire stem from the base to promote a denser growth. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) As long as you don’t let your garden bed dry out then loose-leaved lettuce varieties are pretty independent. Plant lettuce such as butter, oak-leaf and so on once your garden is frost-free and then every fortnight through until mid to late autumn. Some areas of the Coast will find that certain varieties will grow year-round, but I personally have much success with Cos Lettuce. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) Best grown in contained beds as they can become invasive to the rest of your garden, but they are ever so easy as long

as they are watered consistently. Best planted late winter through until mid-spring and you can harvest once foliage dies back. Radish (Raphanus sativus) Although you will find that if you water irregularly, your radish bulbs will split, this is a very quick and easy vegetable to grow. Radishes are ready to eat about 3 weeks after sowing and to ensure a continuous supply, sow the first crop in early spring and then every 2 weeks until mid-autumn. Snow Peas (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum) Find a trellis of some sort for this lovely vegetable climber to grow upon and you are just about done. They love growing through the winter months so start your planting early autumn and continue through to about mid to late winter. Spring Onions (Allium fistulosum) Grow them here, there and everywhere. I have had the same plot of spring onions in my garden for five years now. Although they can tolerate semi-shade, they do better in full sun. Personally, I don’t do a thing to them except ensure they are watered in dry spells and harvest a little most weeks. FUSS-FREE FLOWERS Many of these flowering plants can be grown in pots or garden beds, check with individual species for exact details. These are just a tiny few of the strong, the bold and the very beautiful that are generally fairly easy to grow here on the Coast. Agapanthus (Agapanthus spp.) So incredibly easy to grow and will tolerate part shade though to full sun. Look for a seedless variety to stop the spread of this plant as it can become invasive especially to our waterways but on the bright side they are very drought tolerant and fire proof so make excellent boarder plants. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.) With long-lasting flowers and a hardiness to pest and disease these are the plants that keep giving – grow in full sun and deadhead after flowering to promote re-blooming. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) These bouncy blossoms like to be treated mean – poor soil, dry conditions and being left alone is how they thrive. Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis) Like most of the viola family, all you need to remember is to give them a semi shade to full sun position and to provide good drainage in either containers or garden beds. Keeping watering consistent will ensure good growth. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) Give these cuties full sun and a rich soil and you will be easily rewarded with their happy faces. Deadhead to encourage repeat flowering. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Grow from seed in a wind-sheltered, full sun position and give each a

stake for support if you are growing the giant varieties. All plants need water, food and sunshine and, as long as you plan your planting with this in mind, gardening does become a lot easier down the road. You are not going to get away with not making time for watering but perhaps you could install a ‘wicking bed’, (a garden bed that is built on its own water supply), or you could install irrigation but other simple methods include planting within the suggested seasons for each type, grouping plants with similar water needs together and mulching to save water. Begin with a compost and fertiliser-rich soil and your plants will have a head-start, grow stronger and have less need for intervention for pest and disease control. In general, feed most garden plants again every fortnight once plants have matured with a liquid or pellet-form feed. Before I go you may be wondering why I have not included natives. These by their very nature will be easy to grow because that do not need to adapt to new conditions. You can find lists and more information about natives to suit your garden at www.austplants.com. au/Central-Coast, your local council or having a chat with any of the team at one of our wonderful local garden centres. ON THE GARDEN GRAPVINE San Remo Community Garden is looking for plants to build a living wall. Staghorns, Elkhorns, plants that do not need soil to grow. If you can help out, go and see Andy at the garden: 3 McCrea Blvd, 9- 12 Thursdays. SWAMP - Sustainable Wetlands Agricultural Makers Project - Central Coast is looking for pavers to complete their garden edges. Can collect and if you can help out email: gardeningcentralcoast@ gmail.com Permaculture Central Coast Inc. has developed a new Facebook group and as always provides lots of helpful resources for the permaculture-curious. Find them via their website: https://permaculturecc.org. au THIS WEEK YOU COULD PLANT Beetroot, cape gooseberries, capsicum, carrots, chilli, cucumber, eggplant, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, olive, pumpkin, radish, rosella, salsify, silverbeet, spring onion, turnip, burdock, chives, parsley, parsnip, lemongrass, mint, rosemary, amaranth, azaleas, boronia, camellias, grevilleas, jacaranda, strelitzia Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 9am every Saturday on Coast FM. Send your gardening questions, events and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

PAGE 24 15 JANUARY 2021 OUT&ABOUT

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New gear for Avoca Beach Scouts Avoca Beach Scouts now have a new set of lifejackets and paddles thanks to Freemasons on the Central Coast (FotCC). This equipment will help relaunch activities after COVID-19 restrictions forced the scouts to stop for 10 months. Much of the gear was in need of replacement after not being used for so long.

FotCC with the Avoca Beach Scouts

FotCC donated lifejackets in a selection of sizes for different age groups, each emblazoned with the name of the troop. They also donated new paddles of various styles to replace those which were in danger of breaking due to age or wear. FotCC Chairman, Geoff Bown, and Director, James Noble, presented the gear to Group Leader, Peter Oliver, on December 14.

Since 2009, Freemasons on the Central Coast have donated more than $1.2M in equipment to local organisations. If you run a community group, club or charity event on the Central Coast and are in need of support, email application@ freemasons.org.au. Source Media release Dec 18 Freemasons on the Central Coast

Grant for ART-FULL WOMEN ART-FULL WOMEN will be one of the most exciting arts projects the Coast has ever seen, and facilitator Brenda Logan is looking for women who want to be involved. While the project is mainly based on the Peninsula, participants from the Gosford area are also invited to take part. To be funded by a $35,000 grant from the Australia Council for the Arts, the arts funding and advisory body for the Federal Government ART-FULL WOMEN aims to raise awareness of issues impacting older women in the community and to promote theatre and creativity for healthy ageing. “The project invites women

from diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities to not only discover and share their artistic talents with each other through a series of free art and craft workshops but also gain the opportunity and skills to share their stories and talents with the wider community,” Logan said. Under the guidance of experienced visual artists and theatre practitioners, together with support from mental health professionals, interested women over the age of 55 will be invited to participate in free workshops in Mixed Media, Life Drawing, Soft Sculpture, Ceramics and Theatre Skills from the end of January until mid-year. They will then be offered a public platform to express their

views, have their stories heard and showcase their talents with a staged theatrical presentation and exhibition/ installation to be held at The Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy, during Women’s Health Week in September. Logan is no stranger to community arts projects. An actor, director, theatremaker, drama tutor and producer she has worked across the spectrum of theatre and performing arts including community cultural development with numerous organisations and companies in Australia, Fiji and England. As Creative Producer with Darwin Community Arts, she spearheaded the Women’s Wisdom project in 2015 in collaboration with Playback

Practitioner Shel O’Toole. The highly successful production, staged as part of International Women’s Day 2015 celebrations, played before a large multicultural audience of men and women with the cast comprising women over the age of 55. It was the success of this project which inspired Logan to launch a similar enterprise after returning to live on the Central Coast a few years ago. Logan said artists involved in the project strongly believe making and creating art is a human right. “It not only enables people to share experiences, thoughts, feelings and imaginations but also improves well-being, reduces social isolation and

has the ability to transform lives,” she said. “We are looking for women with performance experience who want the opportunity to showcase their talents and for women who have stories they wish to share, issues they want to raise, and who have never been on stage before but want to increase their confidence and find the courage to share their stories with the wider community. “We need women who want to join in a conversation about healthy ageing and what that means; and women who want to discover and learn new artistic skills enabling them to create and make art.” Logan said with the Coast identified as an area of social disadvantage, especially for

older women, the project offered the perfect medium for addressing social inequality and disadvantage by increasing connections. If you identify as female and are aged over 55, with or without performance skills, and would like to create beautiful artworks and gain the confidence to perform in public, Logan would like to hear from you. She would also like to hear from any local organisations which can offer workshop space. Contact 0419 256 530 or email artfullwomen@gmail. com for more information or to register interest. Terry Collins

COASTAL DIARY EVENTS ON THE CENTRAL COAST

FRIDAY, JAN 15

MONDAY, JAN 18

Home Baked Exhibition and on the cnr of Ocean Central Dance Handcraft Market, Beach Road, Company: Invitation To The Entrance Community Carnival mask making Green Living Workshop, 7am - 1pm The Ballet... Gallery, 23/01 - 31/01, crafternoon, The Entrance Community With Paquita, Ticketed entry Village Central Wyong, Hall, from 10am SATURDAY, FEB 6 Laycock Street Comon the hour every hour munity Theatre, 21 & from 10am to 1pm MONDAY, JAN 25 TUESDAY, JAN 19 Wildplant Community 22/01, Ticketed Nursery: Plant sale day, SATURDAY, JAN 16 Central Coast Mariners v Over 60’s Healthy and Breakfast on the Mountain, CEN Office, Brush Rd, Western Sydney Wanderers, Active online program, Kincumber Mountain Ourimbah, 9am - 12pm Marine Debris Workshop, Central Coast Stadium, 10 week online Reserve, 7:30am - 10am Wamberal Lagoon, Meet at Ticketed, 6pm program, free SUNDAY, FEB 7 Remembrance Drive, 4320 9700 Basketball for Beginners, Free, 8am

Sea Life painting sessions, Lake Haven Recreation www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au Memorial Park, The Centre, Entrance, SUNDAY, JAN 17 10am and 11am sessions SUNDAY, JAN 31 on the hour every hour from 10am to 1pm Umina Beach Markets, SATURDAY, JAN 23 Peninsula Lions Club:

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Antiques & Collectables, Mercure Kooindah Waters Resort Wyong, 19/02 - 26/02, 10am - 3pm

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Handmade on the Coast, Alliance Francaise Peninsula Lions Club: Woy Woy Waterfront, conversation group: Car Boot Sale, Brick Wharf Rd, practice your French at Dunban Road Car Park 9am - 2pm any level, on the cnr of Ocean Ettalong Diggers Club, Beach Road, First attendance is free, FRIDAY, FEB 19 7am - 1pm

Basic entries in the Coastal Diary are FREE. Send information to coastaldiary@centralcoastnews.net

ENHANCED entries using bold typeface with an address, phone number and a live link are available for a small fee. Photographs can also be added for a small fee. All display advertisers are entitled to a free enhanced entry.

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 25 15 JANUARY 2021

Business & Property

$2.3M Federal Government grant to transform recycling sector Recycling company, iQRenew, has received a $2.3M Federal Government grant to introduce smart technology in sorting recyclable materials. iQRenew’s Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) at Somersby and Wyong will develop a template and trial a new sorting process by introducing automation such as robotics. This process could then be introduced to upgrade other existing MRFs with the aim to increase recycling of soft plastics by 80 times the 2018 levels. General Manager of iQRenew, Graham Knowles, said the company processed material from the household yellow bin kerbside collection and sorted it into streams such as plastic, paper, glass and aluminium, which was then sent on for further processing into various recycled products. “This grant will help us introduce smart 3D camera technology, computer technology and robotics to sort the material in a more advanced way,” Knowles said. “It’s smart sorting instead of

The iQ Renew plant at Somersby

sorting by hand or by mechanical machines, and we will explore and determine whether or not robots could be used in these sorts of facilities as an efficiency measure.” Knowles said the introduction of new technology would not cause the loss of any jobs but it might change the role that workers played in the sorting and recycling process. The $2.3M Federal Government grant to develop and trial this new method of

sorting recyclables was announced on January 5 by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, and Senator for NSW, Jim Molan, who said that it would address the waste export ban and contribute to Australia’s transition to a circular economy. “It enhances existing recycling infrastructure that may be used to lift recycling rates on other materials,” he said.

“This collaborative project has the potential to make a real difference on a national stage, while also helping a local business commercialise their great idea. “This is further proof of the cutting edge work happening right here on the Central Coast and the Morrison Government is here to back it.” Central Coast Council is leading the way when it comes to recycling, with examples being a road in Wyongah laid in

mid-2020 using more than 90 percent recyclable materials, and a trial started in September at 2,000 households to separate soft plastics from going to landfill. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, said the projects demonstrated the great industry opportunities that came from taking care of the environment. “By strategically investing in our waste management and

recycling sector, we’re supporting Australian manufacturers to develop and commercialise cutting edge technology that creates opportunities for new jobs and exports,” she said. “We know that strong collaboration between industry and researchers is key to creating a resilient, competitive and highly skilled manufacturing sector and that’s exactly what these Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants are going to do.” Waste Recycling and Clean Energy is one of six National Manufacturing Priorities in the Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy. There are nine projects worth $40M being supported under Round 10 of the CRC-P initiative. The projects involve 32 Australian companies, including 27 small and medium businesses, and about 20 percent of those are in regional areas. Sue Murray

Free business program Businesses on the Central Coast are being encouraged to enrol in a free program to help boost their business in 2021. The NSW Government’s Business Connect Program (BCP) is designed to give dedicated, independent and personalised advice to help at

all stages of business development. Up to four hours of free advice from experienced advisors will be offered, as well as subsidised webinars and online workshops for eligible participants. Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch MP said Coast businesses should take up the opportunity, particularly with the hardships

that 2020 brought for them. “The opportunity to grow your business with tailored and expert advice is an offer I would not pass up,” Tesch said. “This year I want to watch our local businesses and our local economy thrive and the BCP is the perfect program to kickstart your journey.”

Business owners are able to choose their advisor based off what is best suited to their needs, with the Central Coast having 15 to select from. The $39.3M program also offers owners support in accessing grant programs and applying for loans, as well as marketing to new customers, managing cashflow and

developing customised recovery strategies. Tesch said every business on the Central Coast would benefit from customised recovery strategies. “As we continue to get on top of COVID-19 and work out of our second major outbreak I think our local businesses should be prepared and ready

for the next step,” she said. More information on the program can be found at: https://business-connectregister.industry.nsw.gov.au/. Source: Media release, Jan 12 Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch

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New measures to support local businesses As the new year gets underway, Central Coast businesses are set to benefit from a range of new measures introduced by the Federal Government to aid economic recovery in 2021. From January 1, a number of new measures come into effect across government including the most significant changes to Australia’s insolvency framework in 30 years, reducing costs, cutting red tape and helping more small businesses recover from the pandemic. The reforms introduce a new, simplified debt restructuring process, drawing on key features of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy model in the United States. These measures apply to incorporated businesses with liabilities of less than $1M, covering around 76 per cent of businesses subject to insolvencies today, 98 per cent of which have fewer than 20 employees. Australians will also have more power to choose their

own superannuation fund, instead of being forced into a fund because of enterprise bargaining agreements. Your Superannuation, Your Choice allows around 800,000 Australians to decide where their hard-earned retirement savings are invested, representing around 40 per cent of all employees covered by a current enterprise agreement. The HomeBuilder program extends to March 31 and is expected to support the construction or major rebuild of an additional 15,000 homes, bringing the total to around 42,000 projects across Australia. Major reforms to Australia’s foreign investment framework take effect, with new requirements for foreign investors to ensure Australia keeps pace with emerging risks and global developments including similar changes to foreign investment regimes in comparable countries. Source: Media release, Dec 31 Office of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 27 15 JANUARY 2021

Concerns raised over Wamberal short-term rental application

The site of the home in Bluebell Dr

Separate owners of two six-bedroom homes at Wamberal have applied for approval to rent them out for short term accommodation. One development application, open for public comment until January 15, has attracted six submissions already. It is for a house that backs on to Wamberal Lagoon nature Reserve in Blue Bell Dr. The application said the house would be occupied by a maximum of 16 people at any one-time, but generally not that many, for a period not exceeding two weeks, but more commonly over a weekend. “Management of the accommodation would be undertaken by a local letting agent specialising in the rental of prestige properties for holidays,” the application said. “The agent would be responsible for vetting applicants and overseeing the day-to-day operation of the accommodation in accordance with both a detailed Letting Agreement and Complaints Handling Policy prepared for the property.” A public submission said the property has been advertised and used as a 16 bed shortterm holiday accommodation rental for 18 months. “In this time there have been large groups of guests disrupting the neighbours as the property is not designed to mute noise,” the submission to Council read. “Parking of multiple cars spills in front of the adjoining and adjacent properties, resulting in residents and their visitors not (being) able to park in front of their own properties.

“This is a very narrow street where children ride bikes and parents walk with prams and we are extremely concerned for the residents and children when all the extra vehicles congest the street.” Under new rules adopted by the Local Planning Panel, at least 15 unique complaints

have to be received before it deals with such matters. The second house is in Dover St, Wamberal, with public comment closing on January 22. The application says the home is currently used for short term rental accommodation on the basis

that four bedrooms are available for rental occupation and the remaining two bedrooms are locked and unavailable. Source: Central Coast Council DA tracker, Jan 13 DA60225/2020 DA60097/2020

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CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

How planning your renovations helps you avoid a DIY disaster Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine Seeking help from experts can help you achieve a smoother run with your renovation. Whether your renovation is two, six or 18 months away, the lead-up can be more nerve-racking than the build. But it doesn’t have to be this way - there’s an abundance of experts, self-help books and online guides to help you plan and manage any project. Done properly, renovations will be challenging but can provide homeowners and property investors with higher yields and more growth and profit potential, which in the longer term means increased wealth, says author and buyer advocate Andrew Crossley in his recent book Commercial Property and Residential

Development Made Simple. “The first message is to dig deep. Get real about your goals,” says Crossley. “Ask yourself what you are trying to achieve in doing the reno in the first instance.” Online property design and research platform Houzz says its 2019 survey of more than 8800 Aussie homeowners shows the top reason for renovating is to stay in the current home, outranking those seeking a return on investment. Staying in the current home is the biggest decision driver for baby boomers and generation X (ages 40-54), whereas millennials (25-39) choose to stay and renovate because it is more affordable than moving. “If you were to sell your home and buy elsewhere, the buying and selling costs alone can

equate to $100,000,” says Crossley. “So redirecting and putting this money into your current place of residence, or the house you have just purchased, can be very worthwhile.” Your budget is critical, yet most people begin planning

a renovation without a proper budget - or they significantly underplay their budget and are soon exceeding it. Tony Been, managing director at Houzz Australia, says the group’s survey shows generation X and millennials point

to budgeting as the biggest renovation challenge outside the funding of their projects. In their recent book, Nail Your Renovation Without Getting Screwed, experts Steve and Suzanne Burke say a wellplanned building project should

Make money by selling your unwanted stuff Clearing your home from excess clutter is good but making money from it is better. Sunshine and longer days herald a clean-up for many of us and for some of us the incentive can be financial adding some dollars to the household kitty from sales of our unwanted treasures. Online marketplace Gumtree estimates Australians could make an average of $5800 per household by selling about

19 unwanted or unused items laying around the home. Where trash and treasure stalls, car boot sales and garage sales were once the go-to option for selling second-hand, they’ve been overtaken by eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. The online marketplace is currently estimated to be worth $46 billion, which is up 7% on last year, according to Gumtree. According to Gumtree’s 10th Second Hand Economy Report, 62% of Australians have pre-

loved or unused home and garden items they would sell The most common items include appliances, kitchen and dining items, chairs, gardening tools and equipment, lamps and home decor. Buyers also benefit, with the average Australian estimating they saved almost half the cost (43%) by purchasing used goods instead of new. The most common items buyers consider purchasing second-hand include home decor, text books, cars, sporting

equipment, electronic goods. Selling on Gumtree is free and sellers are local which can be handy, however sellers report that buyers are not always reliable. eBay provides 40 free auction or fixed-price listings each month, after which there is a fee of $1.65 for goods up to $100, and $3.85 for goods more than $100. Many payments

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be fully costed in advance. “The true cost of each project may include items that are not apparent at the outset. This can include items such as renting (during the reno), storage, painting, landscaping, air-conditioning, carpet and security.” Tips for selling online

are transacted through PayPal, and sales are final. Facebook Marketplace is also free to list, and many people say they find success quickly as there is more online traffic. Payments can be made through cash, bank transfer, Paypal or credit cards.

1. Picture perfect Describe your item in detail and take clear, photographs. 2. Timing the market Pay attention to what is in demand. Want to sell summer clothes or outdoor furniture? Sell when the weather is warm. 3. Do your research Know what the market is likely to pay by looking at past sales. 4. Be flexible If you are willing to negotiate you might be able to get a sale rather than see your item languishing for weeks online.

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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 29 15 JANUARY 2021

Accounting firm on the money A specialist accounting firm which works with councils appears to have been the first to publicly uncover what is probably the cause of Central Coast Council’s financial woes. LG Solutions looked at Council’s publicly available and audited financial statements in October 2020 after the Council’s financial position became public and said it had to “pick itself up off the floor after what it found”. “Little did we know when we started the review that we would uncover far more than we bargained for.” The company held back on publishing its regular industry newsletter and notified its findings to Council, the Department of Local Government and the NSW Audit Office. LG Solutions said it never heard back from any of those three organisations or from the council association, Local Government NSW. LG Solutions went ahead and

published its findings in early November in its industry newsletter to which every council in NSW subscribes. The summary of mistakes outlined in the November article lines up with the December 2 Interim Report presented by Central Coast Council Administrator, Dick Persson. Persson said in his December report that a significant reason for the financial situation was the impression that $129.5M was unrestricted cash and, therefore, available to fund operating expenses. LG Solutions said the same, adding that the problem started in 2016 and continued undetected through three years of audited financial statements. The business urged other councils to check their financial statements for the same problem. It outlined numerous recent State Government changes to reporting, which LG Solutions says needed to be changed again, to improve financial

reporting. LG Solutions, which provides specialist accounting and financial management advice to NSW councils, started its story by looking at Central Coast Council’s 2018-2019 financial statements. It was looking to see if there were warning signs that could be used by councils around NSW to try to avoid a similar financial drama. At first, on the face of it, the audited statements suggested nothing untoward, said the article in the industry newsletter published by LG Solutions in November. “But before we stopped … we took one more look at restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments,” the article said. It found the way Council reported its restricted water funds and sewer funds led to a $129.5M error. Worse, the problem did not appear to be confined to one year. There appeared to be the

same error in the two previous years, which brings it back to the time of amalgamation in May 2016. The 2016-2017 statements appear to have reported an under-statement of $37,992,000, the article said. Analysis by LG Solutions suggested that the 2017-2018 audited financial statements reported an under-statement of $88,779,000. “We suggest that the results of the disclosure errors have seemingly cascaded over a three-year period to the point where Central Coast Council’s financial position has seemingly imploded,” the article said. “How could an apparent under-statement of $129,500,00 in externally restricted cash and investments be given an unqualified audit opinion. “Such an under-statement is material in so many ways and without doubt, if correct … it casts a completely different light on Central Coast Council’s financial position and ability to pay its liabilities and to fund its

future budgets (as early as June 20, 2019).” Central Coast Council Acting CEO Rik hart said the article had contributed to Council’s internal investigation surrounding its financial situation. “It is really important to note that initial investigations and the Administrator’s Interim Report show that there is no evidence of theft or corruption,” Hart said. “There is also no evidence of staff negligence. “The historical treatment of restricted cash was in accordance with an Accounting Policy disclosed in Wyong Shire Council and Gosford City Council’s 2016 Annual Financial Statements, following advice from Council’s external auditors. “Council’s treatment of restricted cash has been in compliance with this Accounting Policy. “The Administrator’s Interim Report states that the newly amalgamated Council clearly

did not understand how much money they had at the outset. “And the Council set about a program of expanded capital works and expanded services for the community that they could not afford. “This is the real crux of the issue – and what the LG Solutions article also picked up. “Council had/has funds in the bank, however the majority of funds were restricted and could not be used how Council had planned. “What is most concerning now is that the Office of Local Government has just introduced a change to the Accounting Code which means that councils will no longer have to report on their unrestricted funds. “Without the requirement to report on the full picture of a council’s cash position, we could see the same financial issues being replicated across the state.” Merilyn Vale and Terry Collins

Staff costs almost 10 per cent above budget Central Coast Council’s draft financial statements show employee costs were the largest operating cost and were up almost 10 per cent above budget for the 2019-20 financial year. Materials and contracts blew their budget by 18 per cent. The operating deficit before capital grants and contributions for the 2019-20 financial year is $88.7M, according to the draft figures which are yet to be audited. The operating result, including capital grants and contributions of $66.9M, is a deficit of $21.8M.

The variance between the actual net operating result (excluding capital grants and contributions) of $88.7M deficit and the original budgeted net operating result (excluding capital grants and contributions) of $18.6Mn deficit is $70.1M. Council’s user charges and fees came in at $14.4M less than expected, partly due to the IPART determination that lowered charges plus lower demand ($3.1M) COVID-19 impact on leisure and childcare fees ($4.3M). There was also a reduction in developer fees and tipping fees of $5.9M. Council received extra

operating grants of $5.1M which included additional funding of $3.5M for bushfire and flood events that occurred during the year plus operating contributions of $1.7M for childcare services to offset the negative impact due to COVID-19. It received additional capital grants and contributions of $8.8M, contributed and donated assets of $14.0M partially offset by an unfavourable variance in developer contributions of $8.3M. Actual employee costs were up 9.2 per cent above budget. “Employee costs remain

Council’s largest expenditure type representing over one third of operational costs,’ the report said. “The unfavourable variance of $18.6M in employee costs is largely attributable to budgeted salary savings of $16.1M not eventuating, together with increased overtime $2.4M, redundancies $0.5M and back pay $0.5M in accordance with Council’s Unified Salary Scale.” Materials and contracts were up 18.3 per cent above budget. The unfavourable variance of $18.2M is largely attributable to budgeted savings of $33.4M not being achieved despite savings in Contracts $8.7M,

Materials $5.7M and Consultants $3.1M. Increases in Contractors – labour hire $5.6M and external plant hire $4.6M offset the benefit of the savings. Rate and annual charges outstanding ratio which is supposed to be below five per cent is up to nine per cent but the Council says it is working proactively with ratepayers on financially affordable payment plans. The draft 2019-20 consolidated financial statements do not yet include a formal audit report. Once Council receives the

formal audit opinion the financial statements will then be updated to include the audit opinions and notice of public meeting to be held on April 26, 2021, at which time Council can invite the external auditor, David Daniels of the Audit Office, or his delegate to formally present the report. Council applied to the Office of Local Government (OLG) for an extension of time to prepare and lodge the 2019-20 Financial Reports and has been granted an extension to April 30, 2021. Merilyn Vale

PAGE 30 15 JANUARY 2021 HEALTH & LIFETSYLE

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A GUIDE TO FEELING GOOD Besides, what’s the point of eating a perfect diet if we don’t feel great? Isn’t that the entire point? To be in a relaxed and joyous state, as often as possible? If you think back to your younger years, I’m sure there’s fond memories of long outdoor Summers, with you chasing dreams and brimming with excitement for what lay ahead.

GEORGIA LIENEMANN Why your nervous system is key Greetings coasties. I do hope you’ve enjoyed a relaxing break at some point over Summer. Granted our suntans may not be on par with previous years, but it does seem that many folks, restricted in their movements and unable to indulge in regular holiday festivities, enjoyed a simpler and perhaps more mindful break this year. These unusual times have me contemplating how deeply intertwined our health, happiness and mindset, really are. It’s more apparent than ever that our external circumstances are often entirely outside of our control. However, our physical health, along with our mood, outlook and state of mind, are predominantly an inside job. And there are ways we can continue to feel good – great, even – despite what’s happening around us. Although my teachings generally centre around food and nutrition, one thing I’m constantly harping on about is that when it comes to health, food is only one small piece of the puzzle. And despite how passionate I am about the importance of good nutrition, our mood, thoughts and mindset affect our inner biochemistry just as much as food – likely moreso! Just by ruminating over a stressful interaction you had with someone, you’re generating a cascade of stress hormones that break down muscle, increase belly fat, impair digestion and age your skin.

to every area of our health. And reading Parasympathetic dominance and it probably doesn’t inspire you to take deep rest any action whatsoever.

However, what we’re aiming for, at a very basic level, is to bring our nervous system into parasympathetic dominance or a predominant state of ‘rest and digest’. Where our immune system, digestion and cognitive abilities are all flourishing. Where are moods are calm That energy, that lust for life, is one of and our outlook, positive. If we’re truly the primary markers of health. If I had no healthy, we exist in this state the large other test or diagnostic available to me, majority of the time. This is the case for it would tell me most of what I need to It’s exciting to discover the immense exceptionally few people. know. impact that prioritising things like rest, pleasure, human connection and For many of us, even in our ‘off’ time, Ask yourself: do you bounce out of bed, engaging hobbies can have on our we can still find ourselves stewing about excited for the day? Do you take time to health, due to the way these types of an argument with a partner or colleague ‘smell the roses’, to notice and appreciate activities support the nervous system. or thinking about all the things we need the smaller moments your day? Are you to get done. Our minds still racing, our regularly in a state of awe and unbridled Fight / Flight versus Rest / Digest bodies still carrying tension and our joy? Are you prioritising and indulging in nervous systems still on edge. (healthy) passions? You’ve probably heard of the ‘fight or flight response’ or sympathetic And so, I’d like to introduce the concept If there’s a slight nostalgic feeling, a dominance, which is an adaptation that of ‘deep rest’ or nervous system reset. vague remembrance that you could allows us to escape or combat a real or It’s anything that for a decent period of once answer ‘yes’ to many of these time, pulls you out of your head and imagined threat. questions – know that it is within your deeply restores your nervous system by grasp at any time. Our body immediately directs its energy grounding you in your body. A long, to processes that will facilitate a quick relaxing massage, a hiking trip, a yoga Is it easier when our load is lighter? Of exit or successful battle. Blood is directed retreat or a lazy day at the beach. course. However, there are so many away from our organs to the peripheral things we can do to cultivate this state muscles and limbs. The production of It’s something that many of us can of health. It’s a practice. And it’s greatly hormones and digestive juices takes a easily comprehend on an intellectual interconnected with a well-functioning back seat and the primitive hind brain level, but routinely forget the powerful nervous system. which allows for reactive thinking and experience of – myself included! quicker reflexes, takes over. What does a healthy nervous And after spending several days system look like? All this results in a diminished capacity relaxing in hot mineral springs over the for growth, repair, immunity and healing; break, I realised I hadn’t truly reset my Well outside short periods of acute for digestion and nutrient absorption; for nervous system or had any resemblance stress, we’re uplifted rather than fertility, libido and reproductive health; of deep rest, in years. (Such is life, in depressed, calm rather than and for any capacity to think and one’s child-bearing season!) overwhelmed and anxious, we have communicate clearly, hence why energy to spare, our digestion is in check expressions of road rage are often one- I’d also underestimated the incredibly transformative effect it would have on and we’re thinking clearly. We’re word expletives and hand gestures! every aspect of my health, which productive, motivated and regularly relaxed and happy! In days gone by, the threat was most proceeded to flow into every area of my likely a wild animal. In modern times, it life. Thus, inspiring our first theme for How can we support the nervous could be an angry neighbour or your 2021: feeling good. system? child pouring milk over the dog. Or even the very thought of your angry neighbour. Over the next six weeks, we’ll be Remember, the detrimental effects of exploring all sorts of fun and enjoyable Well, let’s firstly acknowledge the the stress response occur, even when ways to radically improve our health, things that are most toxic to a wellmood and mindset and generally help us the threat is imaginary. functioning nervous system. Chronic, to feel great. unmanaged stress; negative thinking patterns and emotional states; poor diet Many of us have adapted to rushing or sleep patterns; sedentary lifestyle. No around, spending the majority of our surprises, there. That same list applies time in this state of sympathetic dominance. The good news for anyone yearning to feel better and especially for those who may be doubtful about whether they can achieve their substantial health goals this year, is that it needn’t necessarily involve eating better or working out at the gym more often (although granted, these would help)!

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 31 15 JANUARY 2021

Tesch warns against COVID complacency Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is warning Coast residents to be aware of the importance of continuing with COVIDsafety measures amid concerns raised by community members that complacency is setting in. “I have heard from concerned locals that the vigilance of some community members in public spaces has been dropping in recent days, as case numbers have decreased,” Tesch said. “It’s crucial that we continue with our COVID-safe practices given the recent Northern Beaches cluster was able to

reach the Central Coast, emphasising to us all just how important it is to be cautious.” Tesch reminded residents that masks are required inside retail venues and restaurants, but could be removed when eating and drinking, and that checking in using Service NSW QR codes was now mandatory to aid with contact tracing. “A number of locals have contacted my office regarding their concerns about checking into shops and restaurants if they don’t have a smart phone,” she said. “Under the Public Health Orders shops should provide another way to sign in electronically through a

Addition of affordable medicines to PBS Central Coast residents will benefit from more affordable medicines thanks to critical new additions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which took effect on January 1. These include Darzalex® (Daratumumab) for patients with multiple myeloma, a common form of blood cancer, Otezla® (Apremilast), a

treatment for those living with severe chronic psoriasis, as well asTagrisso® (Osimertinib), a targeted therapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer. Since 2013, the Federal Government has approved over 2,500 new or amended listings on the PBS. Source: Media release, Dec 31 Office of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

provided phone or tablet if customers don’t have a personal device to use. “Along with checking in, handwashing, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing are essential practices we all need to perform every day so that we can ensure the health and safety of our community.” The latest health advice relating to COVID-19 can be found on NSW Health’s website at https://www.health.nsw. gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/ Pages/latest-updates.aspx. Source: Media release, Jan 12 Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is encouraging Coast residents to adhere to mask wearing guidelines

Big rise in COVID testing over holiday period Testing numbers for COVID-19 rose dramatically on the Coast over the preand post-Christmas holiday period, with more than 12,000 people being tested region-wide during the week ending December 26 alone. Central Coast Local Health District Acting Chief Executive, Kate Lyons, thanked all residents who presented for testing and reinforced the need for continued vigilance. “We all play an important role in stopping the spread of the virus and testing is a crucial part of keeping our loved ones safe,” Lyons said. “There are currently no

confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Central Coast.” Lyons said there was an increase in testing numbers across the region following confirmation of the Avalon cluster and associated Central Coast cases in December. “In December 2020, the Gosford Hospital COVID-19 clinic tested 2,283 people,” she said. “In January 2021, there have been 674 people tested so far at the hospital testing clinic. “The Woy Woy Hospital COVID-19 pop up clinic operated from December 1924 in response to confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Central Coast, which were linked to the Avalon cluster.

“The pop up clinic tested 876 people. “Across all Central Coast COVID-19 public and private testing centres, during the week ending December 19, 4,676 tests were conducted - a rate of 13.3 per 1,000 population. “This then increased to 11,781 tests – or 33.4 per 1000 population – the following week, following confirmation of the first Central Coast case on December 18. “During the week ending January 2, 6,644 tests were conducted - 18.8 per 1000 population.” Lyons said CCLHD continued to urge anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, no matter

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how mild, to get tested immediately. “People with confirmed COVID-19 are known to experience a broad range of flu-like symptoms including fevers, coughing, a sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny nose, loss of taste, and loss of smell,” she said. “If you experience any symptoms, no matter how mild, please come forward for testing immediately, then isolate until you receive a negative result. “Testing is quick, free, and easy.” Source: Media release, Jan 14 Central Coast Local Health District

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Free exercise program Plus Fitness at East Gosford will hold a free nine nineweek exercise program in February called Move with Women. The initiative is aimed at women over 18 who are looking to improve their health and well-being through exercise. The program includes a onehour group exercise session every week for nine weeks, a 30-minute health education session every fortnight, and a one-on-one consultation with a

qualified Exercise Physiologist. The initiative, by Diabetes NSW & ACT, is open to people of all fitness levels, and is not exclusive to people diagnosed with diabetes. The program will also offer tips on eating healthy, techniques to relieve stress and anxiety, and an opportunity to connect with other women. There are 180 Move with Women programs being run across NSW, the ACT and Queensland in February.

Diabetes NSW & ACT secured funding from the Department of Health under the “Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity” grant. The purpose of the grant is to use sports and physical activity projects to support inclusion and enhance well-being and sense of community belonging. Register by visiting movewithwomen.com.au/ classes. Jacinta Counihan

Caring for the carers With hundreds of unpaid carers on the Central Coast, Carers Australia has stressed the importance of maintaining their health and wellbeing. Carers can be defined as people who perform unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged and Carers Australia says there are around 2.5 million of them countrywide. These people are an integral part of Australia’s health structure and are the foundation of the country’s aged, disability, palliative and community care systems. National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, said community pharmacies and carers often had a close relationship. “Because they look after the health needs of the person or people they care for, carers are high users of community pharmacy services in their own right,” Tambassis said. “This is especially the case

National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis

for primary carers who are those who provide the most substantial amount of care to one or more people with disability, chronic illness, mental illness or who are classified as frail aged.” He said the stress of caring could make a significant contribution to the deteriorating health and wellbeing of carers. “It is widely recognised that carers tend to neglect their own health because so much of their focus is on the person they are caring for,” he said.

“Community pharmacists and pharmacy staff can help carers by making them aware of services which are available to assist them to cope. “Carer support services which community pharmacies may be able to provide information about include respite services, counselling, peer support, and carer training opportunities.” Caring may include help and support in any of the daily activities of the person being cared for.

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expiry date; and monitoring and reporting side-effects. “So we provide information about the medicines, how to take them and provide dose administration aids where they are needed. “And we do this not just for the people being cared for also for the carers themselves.” He said carers also often sought assistance and advice in the proper use of aids and equipment, hygiene products and skincare management for the people they care for.

“We also know that all-toooften carers neglect to care for themselves. “Because so much of their focus is on the person they are caring for, they can at times relegate their own health to a lower priority. “This is something that community pharmacists are well aware of and on the lookout for.” Source Media Release Jan 4 Pharmacy Guild of Australia

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It may include physical and personal care and assistance such as dressing, lifting, showering, feeding or providing transport. Commonly, carers are responsible for the management of medications and provide emotional, social or financial support. Caring may also involve helping the person they are caring for to be organised, reminding them to attend appointments and dealing with emergencies. They are also responsible for both purchasing and administering a range of pharmacy products on behalf of the person or people they care for. “This includes prescription and non-prescription medications as well as wound management and specialist hygiene products, and aids and equipment,” Tambassis said. “The task of medication management can present a challenge to carers who are responsible for administering multiple medications in the correct dosage and at the correct frequency; ensuring that they are properly stored and have not exceeded the

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SCIENCE & EDUCATION

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Fun activities during school holidays The festive season may be over, but there are still plenty of family fun activities available for the rest of the holidays. Central Coast Council’s school program has a range online and face-to-face workshops, sports programs and activities on offer for kids of all ages. Councils pools are offering a variety of learning to swim programs, inflatable pool activities, and sports clinics

Green Living Kids workshops are also available, where kids can learn to make terrariums, learn about composting and create worm towers plus more. Online trivia and storytime, robotics, and writing and illustrating with Anna Zobel will run out of all Central Co ast Libraries. Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov. au/schoolholidays for the full list of events, details and bookings. Jacinta Counihan

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

CCN

ARTS & CULTURE CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

Free social French conversation groups, small classes at East Gosford and Bateau Bay Inquiries - Nathalie 0416 303 804 www.afcentralcoast.org.au afcentralcoast@gmail.com

CENTRAL COAST ART SOCIETY

Lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Weekly paint-outs enquiries Tuesday. Phone: 0428 439 180 Workshops: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Gosford Regional Gallery & Art Centre. Phone: 0409 666 709 Social Meetings 1.30 pm on 4th Wednesday for demonstration 4325 1420

publicity@artcentralcoast.asn.au

CENTRAL COAST POETS INC

TUGGERAH LAKES ART SOCIETY

Join us for the fun and enjoyment of art! Attend a weekly art group with mentors, exhibitions, workshops and a monthly members meeting with guests and prizes, held on the 4th Thurs of the month at The Entrance Community Centre 4333 8387 www.tlas.org.au president@tlas.org.au

COMMUNITY GROUPS ABC - “The Friends”

Safeguard ABC’s independence, funding, & standards. Meetings through the year & social mornings Well-known guest speakers 0400 213 514 www.fabcnsw.org.au

CENTRAL COAST CARAVANNERS

3rd Sun - Jan to Nov Trips Away, Social Outings, friendship with like minded folk Geoff 0447 882 150

Would you like to read, COMMUNITY LEGAL write and share your poetry. CENTRE We hold workshops and create Not for profit service providing anthologies. free legal advice We meet the second Saturday Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm each month. 4353 4988 Wyoming Memorial Community contact@centralcoastclc.org.au Hall. Contact us by email info@centralcoastpoets.com.au

Building has special needs access and toilets Open 7 days 9am – 3pm. Terrigal. 4385 5027 ccmdc@bigpond.com www.ccmdc.org.au

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School Holiday activities, playgroup, multicultural programs, community activities Rooms for Hire 4329 4477 admin@gnnc.com.au

HEALTH GROUPS

Pension and welfare officers available to assist with DVA compensation claims and benefits Breakers Country Club Wed & Fri 10am – Midday Meet 2nd Sat 10am 4384 2661

- Someone cares. Thurs - 12.30pm, Progress Hall Henry Parry & Wells Street East Gosford

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We offer hope and friendship for people affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-anon family groups meet weekly, please contact 1300 252 666

VOLUNTEERING CENTRAL COAST

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Enjoy a diverse range of courses and activities for seniors. Keep your mind active and make new friends. 0408 704 701

Refer potential volunteers to community organisations & provide support to them. Training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Info sessions held regularly. 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

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Hearing loss management Support and educational groups providing practical experience and confidence 4321 0275

CENTRAL COAST ASBESTOS DISEASES SUPPORT GROUP

Support for those suffering with asbestos diseases and Social ballroom dancing for all GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE others interested in asbestos ages, all you need is a desire AND LEARNING CENTRE issues. You are not alone, meet to learn and dance, Mon-Fri with others who can share HANDWEAVERS, no partner required. their experiences. Bring a SPINNERS AND TEXTILE meet every Wed -15 Lorraine Chess, darts, handicraft, indoor bowls, knitting, line dancing, family member or friend. ARTS GUILD Ave Berkeley Vale, 2:00pm origami, painting, pencil 1pm at Ourimbah RSL on forth Spinning and weaving, Anne - 0409 938 345 drawing, scrabble, Wed of each month. patchwork and quilting, felting anneglazier@y7mail.com scrapbooking, sit & sew, table Maree 0419 418 190 and other fibre and fabric tennis, Ukulele crafts, community quilting bees CENTRAL COAST MARINE 4304 7065 DYING WITH DIGNITY - Day and Night Groups DISCOVERY CENTRE Campaigning to give those 4325 4743 The revamped CCMDC is open. suffering unrelievable terminal www.cottagecrafts.net.au Schools and Group bookings or incurable illness the choice welcome by appointment. to receive legal medical or you may ring Clive 0419120347

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such as water polo, and sports centres are hosting basketball clinics and sessions with obstacle courses, slides and jumping castles. The new Water Play Park at the Peninsula Leisure Centre is also open for those hot summer days. Gosford, Toukley, The Entrance and Wyong town centres have a variety of interactive activities and workshops, such as mini-golf laser tag, carnival mask making, and drumming.

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bistro lunches. Google our name for our fully informative newsletter. Meet 10am, 3rd Mon each month at Avoca Beach Bowling Club.

avocaprobus@gmail.com For anyone interested in early history. Don’t need to be a First Fleeter. Last Fri 9.30am Point Clare Community Hall Terrigal Uniting Church 2nd Sat 10:30am LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY 380 Terrigal Dr, Terrigal 4392 1926 4311 6254 Make new friends & have fun 4367 9600 while serving your community www.pcfa.org.au Everglades Country Club 3rd Monday of each month MEALS ON WHEELS 0478 959 895 COASTAL A CAPPELLA Delicious meals delivered free Award winning women’s Join us for a midday meal WOMEN’S GROUPS a cappella chorus. Help with shopping and Music education provided. cooking classes Rehearsals Tuesday 7pm @ 4363 7111 WOMEN’S HEALTH Red Tree Theatre Tuggerah. CENTRES Counselling, therapeutic and PENINSULA LIGHTHOUSE Performance opportunities. Hire us for your next event. social groups, workshops, Mobile counselling service 0412 948 450 domestic violence and abuse supporting ALL people coastalacappella@gmail.com issues. All services provided by suffering from Domestic women for women Violence POLITICAL PARTIES 4324 2533 Counselling services www.cccwhc.com.au Mon, Ettalong Baptist Church, 0417 472 374 CENTRAL COAST GREENS penlighthouse@gmail.com SOROPTIMIST Local, state wide, national and www.peninsulalighthouse.info/ international issues and INTERNATIONAL campaigns BRISBANE WATER Council and parliamentary S.A Making a difference in the lives representation Is Internet porn destroying your of women & girls through 3rd Thur life. awareness, advocacy & action centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au We may be able to help. 2nd Thur 7 pm centralcoastgreens@gmail.com We are a 12 step fellowship Breakers Country Club, like AA. Dover Rd, Wamberal Meets every Sat at 7pm on the LABOR PARTY sibrisbanewater@siswp.org Central Coast www.siswp.org OURIMBAH/ NARARA Contact for further details BRANCH 0473 631 439 Discussion/action community newcastlesagroup@gmail.com Issues – 3 levels of Government DOYALSON WYEE 4323 3890 Function Room, Grange Hotel, SOCCER CLUB Wyoming Football club for the local HENRY KENDALL 7.30pm 1st. Monday community. Juniors from under COTTAGE & 0410 309 494 5 to senior teams. Kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com HISTORICAL MUSEUM Kerry 0410 045 981 Visit our c1838 Cottage & president@doylowolves.com.au Museum with exhibits of early PROBUS CLUBS settlers. School and group bookings. Members & AVOCA BEACH volunteers welcome. Open PROBUS CLUB Wed/Sat/Sun 10.30am with a great social program, 2:30pm. West Gosford guest speakers and optional 4325 2270

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SCIENCE & EDUCATION

PAGE 35 15 JANUARY 2021

Education concerns for children living in poverty As thousands of Central Coast children prepare to return to school, The Smith Family has raised concerns on COVID’s impact on the education of children living in poverty. A new survey commissioned by the children’s education charity has revealed over three quarters (76%) of Australians say COVID restrictions imposed during 2020 have made it harder for students experiencing poverty to progress with their education. The survey of more than 1000 people also revealed concerns about the impact of poverty on children’s educational outcomes. Areas of concern included; students having to deal with mental health issues like stress, anxiety, loneliness or isolation; struggling to do schoolwork without reliable access to a laptop and internet; falling behind at school because of difficulties attending classes online or in person; missing classroom learning for a period of time; and disruption to family life and school routine due to home learning.

Photo: Bruce Matsunaga

More than half (56%) of respondents said they had seen child poverty worsen because of COVID, and 70% of people said they expect it to worsen over the next 12 months. The Smith Family CEO, Wendy Field, said that returning to school can be difficult for a child living in poverty. “With more financial pressure than ever on families due to COVID, it’s crucial we provide children experiencing poverty with the resources they need to

fit in at school,” Field said. “Because they may have also slipped behind in their schooling last year, they’ll need extra educational support to catch up to their peers, stay interested in their learning and keep on achieving. “We’re heartened that so many Australians are concerned about this critical issue. “Together, we can do something about it, one child at a time.

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“Something as simple as providing financial support for families so they can afford textbooks, stationery and the right uniform, can have an enormous impact on a child’s engagement and sense of belonging at school.” Following a harrowing 12 months, first with the bushfires, and then the outbreak of COVID, Field is appealing to Australians to give children experiencing poverty a hand up, so their school year gets off to the best possible start.

“We’re urgently calling on Australians to support children in need returning to school this year,” she said. “We have to find 9,486 new sponsors to help children make the most of their education in this important year where they need to catch up after the disruption of 2020.” With one in six Australian children and young people living in poverty today, The Smith Family is also working with major partners like Officeworks to ensure students

in need receive the extra educational support required to make the most of their school year. Field said in the last eight years, Officeworks has raised over $3M for students supported by The Smith Family. “Our work over many years reinforces the evidence that supporting a child from a young age, and throughout their schooling, is the most effective way to help them break the cycle of disadvantage,” she said. “The programs we offer to support students’ education help develop their confidence, skills and aspirations to strive for a better future. “Now 57,000 students are supported through our evidence-based Learning for Life program, and alongside generous Australians and our partners like Officeworks, we’re determined to keep growing this support, now and for years to come.” Source Media Release Jan 14 The Smith Family

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See www.coastcommunitynews.com.au Central Coast Newspapers’ classified advertising rates are relatively much lower than in other newspapers and at the same time much larger than in other newspapers, with the minimum size being 50mm X 42mm. Approximately 20,000 copies of this newspaper are printed and distributed every week.

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As Central Coast Newspapers are community newspapers, the cost of advertising not for profit organisations’ events is subsidised. This makes them the same rate as non business advertisements. A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $33. Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and/or a photograph or a logo. Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

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The minimum size of 5cm X a single column only costs $50 + GST in mono and an extra $10 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph. Classified advertisements in all 3 papers are only $40+GST each. Most businesses choose to advertise on an ongoing basis and discounts apply for multiple bookings, if they are paid for in full, in advance. Having a prepaid classified advertisement run for 6 editions only costs $250 + GST and $50 + GST more for colour. For 12 editions, it is $495 + GST and $100+ GST more for colour. For 24 editions, it is only $950 + GST and $200 + GST for colour, a saving of $290 + GST. Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently

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SCIENCE & EDUCATION

PAGE 37 15 JANUARY 2021

Debate continues over One TAFE modernisation program With three TAFE campuses in the region, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, and TAFE NSW have hit back at claims by Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE Jihad Dib that the key objective of the State Government’s modernisation program for TAFE is to slash its budget. Dib says the One TAFE modernisation program, announced in 2016, was billed as providing better outcomes for students and employers, and delivering a responsive and innovative TAFE. But he says an Audit Office report noted the objective of the reform was to find $250M in savings. “We don’t need more spin; we need the Government to invest in TAFE so that it can help build a strong and resilient workforce,” Dib said. “Students, teachers and employers need an organisation that is focused on delivering a strong workforce for NSW as we recover from COVID-19, rather than one that turns straight to TAFE cuts to meet budget needs.” But Crouch said TAFE has had a presence on the Central Coast for over 70 years and would continue to achieve strong results for local students for many years to come. “Between 2017 and 2019, TAFE enrolments at our three campuses of Gosford, Ourimbah and Wyong have increased by four per cent,” he said. “Over this same time period, I’m proud that there has been

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an 8.5 per cent increase in staff. “The NSW Government will continue championing TAFE NSW as a dynamic public provider and have always put students and teachers at the centre of our decisions.” A spokesperson for TAFE NSW said TAFE was half way into its six-year plan to transition to the One TAFE operating model, which is “about delivering the quality training that employers want and students need, while building on best practice and remaining competitive”. “Many of the milestones in the TAFE NSW Strategic Plan have been delivered or are in progress,” the spokesperson said. “TAFE NSW is confident that the planned outcomes will be achieved at the end of the sixyear plan. “Many of the benefits of the modernisation program, both

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Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch, with staff members Jason Darney and Gale Iseppi, at Gosford TAFE in May last year

financial and non-financial, are already being realised. “TAFE NSW notes that the Audit Office has stressed that there were extenuating factors that contributed to its outcomes.

“It is important to note that in 2019 the national regulator, Australia Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), certified TAFE NSW as a Registered Training Organisation for the next seven years.

Job-ready Graduates package launched More Central Coast residents will be able to study for a university degree with the Federal Government’s Job-ready Graduates package taking effect on January 1. Course fees are to be discounted in areas of expected future job demand, including teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, agriculture and engineering. Regional students also have access to a $5,000 one-off scholarship to help with relocation costs. Source: Media release, Jan 1 Office of the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg

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PAGE 38 15 JANUARY 2021

NEWS

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Pauline Wright reflects on her term as Law Council President Taking it easy isn’t something which Pauline Wright gets to do very often, but the Central Coast solicitor managed a couple of weeks of relaxation with husband Jiri Kripac after she finished a 12-month term as President of the Law Council of Australia on December 31.

Pauline Wright relaxes at home with husband, Jiri Kripac.

Her tenure came on the back of several years of involvement in a variety of legal bodies for Wright, a partner in Gosfordbased firm, PJ Donnellan & Co. She was President of the Law Society of NSW in 2017, which saw her involved in hand-over activities well into 2018, and in 2019 she was President of the Council for Civil Liberties. “It was nice to have a little breathing space after what was an extraordinary year for everyone,” Wright said. “I was proud to serve in a year which underlined human rights and civil liberties. “I feel the legal profession really shone, stepping up

during bushfire season with a lot of pro bono work and setting up clinics to help with insurance claims and access to government assistance. “Then came COVID-19 and I think the profession can be proud it kept the wheels of justice turning during a very difficult time. “It adapted to the changes in technology with agility, which is surprising in such a traditionally conservative profession.” Wright established an information sharing group with the Attorney General and all Federal jurisdictions to keep the courts going during the pandemic, with a vast pool of volunteer lawyers joining with Law Society committees to maintain advocacy in key areas. She leaves a legacy of hugely significant achievements. She was instrumental in agitating for a Federal Charter of Rights for the protection of human rights and addressed the United Nations on

representation for people in detention. She spearheaded legislation to prevent people who have broken human rights standards in jurisdictions outside Australia being able to do the same here and helped in the defeat of a proposed amendment to the Migration Act which would have seen assets of those in quarantine while seeking asylum, such as phones, confiscated. “I am also pleased that a lot of our recommendations during the Juukan Gorge Inquiry were adopted and that we were instrumental in formulating a National Action Plan to address sexual harassment in the legal profession,” she said. “There is sexual harassment in many professions which are hierarchical by nature, where it is difficult to complain without fear of repercussion.” Wright said she felt Australian governments at all levels had done well with balancing public safety during COVID-19 and protecting civil liberties.

“I think Australia did fairly well in this area, and many Law Council recommendations on restrictions, ensuring police did not overstep the mark in particular, were adopted,” she said. Wright has also been a champion for reducing the number of incarcerations of Indigenous people, facilitating meetings with Aboriginal leaders through a series of webinars, the last of which will be held in February, with recommendations likely to ensue. Following her brief break, Wright will return to her law practice. “I have had incredible support while doing all my extra work, especially from fellow partner Robert Bird,” she said. Wright will also be the Australian representative on LAWASIA, which promotes exchange of information in the legal fraternities of the Asia Pacific region, during 2021. Terry Collins

Meet Kath and Kim, the cheeky emu chicks Two new emu chicks arrived at the Australian Reptile Park just in time for the new year and have been christened Kath and Kim after iconic characters created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley, following a global naming competition. Park Director Tim Faulkner said the names were fitting. “We all think Kath and Kim are the perfect names for our newest family members; I love watching visitors meet them for the first time, they’re full of personality,” he said. The two new arrivals, who have taken all the keepers’ hearts, have also befriended park resident, Alinta the Yellowfooted rock-wallaby. Faulkner said Alinta had taken it as her task to welcome the emus in a friendly way, even to the point of sharing her lunch. “We are so excited by our gorgeous new additions to our Australian Reptile Park family,” he said. “These emu chicks are

cheeky little buggers that we cannot wait to unleash into the main park area for our guests to get up close and personal with. “Emus are impossible not to love, even if they’re sneaky and

FORT DENISON

Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect.

15 FRI

22 FRI

0412 0.47 1044 1.91 1725 0.28 2323 1.38 0405 1.40 1026 0.76 1611 1.20 2220 0.64

steal the odd hot chip or too from unsuspecting families. “It is important that guests leave the Australian Reptile Park feeling connected to our wildlife and wanting to do what they can to help.

“Even if it stops just one family from speeding this holiday season and accidentally hitting an emu, or any other Australian native species for that matter, we have done our job.”

TIDE CHART

On the other side of the park, keepers have stopped a kangaroo joey, Frankie, from ‘sucking’ on her toes by fitting each paw with a pair of breathable, organic socks. This suckling habit developed

while she was being cared for after being rescued from her mum, Ollie, who suffered from mastitis and a pouch infection. The suckling caused a small sore area on her feet, but keeper, Brooke Barton, said the small socks are protective enough to allow her to hop around still and play. “She is such a kind, sweet little girl who loves hopping around in her socks,” Barton said. “She is healing excellently, and they will be off in no time. “Frankie requires 24/7 care in a mock, knitted pouch for warmth and four bottle feeds a day. “Once she is big and strong enough, she will be let out and about to run amok at the Australian Reptile Park in our free-range kangaroo area, where visitors will eventually be able to hand feed her and say hello.” Jacinta Counihan

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000

Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

0457 0.51 0048 1.35 0310 1.36 0006 1.36 0132 1.34 0219 1.34 1126 1.83 0542 0.56 0627 0.62 0715 0.68 0912 0.77 0808 0.73 SAT 1805 0.34 SUN 1205 1.72 MON 1245 1.60 TUE 1324 1.48 WED 1409 1.36 THU 1503 1.27 1844 0.41 1921 0.48 2000 0.54 2040 0.58 2128 0.62 0501 1.45 0555 1.51 0007 0.64 0054 0.61 0138 0.57 0220 0.52 0645 1.59 0852 1.82 1139 0.72 1243 0.65 0729 1.67 0811 1.75 SAT 1723 1.17 SUN 1828 1.19 MON 1334 0.56 TUE 1417 0.48 WED 1456 0.40 THU 1534 0.34 2315 0.65 1922 1.22 2007 1.27 2048 1.31 2129 1.36

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

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SPORT PAGE 39 15 JANUARY 2021

BMX Track closes for upgrade BMX The BMX track at Duffys Reserve, Terrigal, has been closed for two months while the track is being upgraded by Central Coast Council with funding from the State Government.

players and grades.

With the 2021 Lawn Bowls State Pennants due to start on March 6, the various Central Coast Clubs are busy finalising their

The clubs are due to hold their in-house and external pennant trials over the next few weeks. For Umina Beach Bowling Club, this occurred over the

past weekend, which was also a chance to launch bowls in the new year. With 2020 State Pennants cancelled last year all throughout Australia, and the Central Coast clubs only playing

Terry Collins

20 Knot Speed Limit on Brisbane Water at Ettalong A 20 knot speed limit is now in place on the main channel of Brisbane Water in Ettalong. The Ettalong Channel is a popular waterway shared by PWCs, boats, paddle craft, swimmers and a ferry service.

Opening trials for Umina Bowlers

LAWN BOWLS

is regularly used by BMX enthusiasts and local residents,” Crouch said. “Importantly, it will enable Terrigal BMX Club to host higher level State and National BMX events for the first time.” Work is expected to be finished by March.

The 20 knot speed zone will ensure all waterway users travel at a safer speed in the area.

a total of three Pennants trials, the members are hoping that 2021 will give them the chance to complete the full championship without a hitch. Haakon Barry

For more information on safe boating visit rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/otherboating/waterskiing.html Wear a lifejacket that is maintained as required and in good working condition. A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water!

BLZ_SB2021

Dean Johnston in action at the soon to be refurbished track

Work has already started on upgrading the track’s jumps, asphalting berms and laying of a new polymer all weather surface on dirt sections of the track. The redevelopment will make the track more accessible and functional, particularly during wet weather, and will ensure it meets BMX Australia’s specifications. Funding for the $300,000 project was announced last May through Round 3 of the State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund. Parliamentary Secretary for

the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said at the time the upgrade would provide Terrigal BMX Club and the wider community with an improved facility for recreation, training and competitions. “Not only will the construction work boost our local economy at such a critical time, but it will also provide significant improvements to the track that

PAGE 40 15 JANUARY 2021 SPORT

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Zero to Heroes

Mariners sitting pretty on top of A-League Ladder

Photos: Central Coast Mariners

FOOTBALL A second win in three days has pushed the Central Coast Mariners to the top of the table after a clinical 2-0 win away against Macarthur FC. While the end result of 2-0 didn’t reflect the tightness of the 95 minute game, the Mariners have booked the three competition points and now sit atop the A-League ladder on 6 points with a 3-0 goal differential. Despite maintaining a dominant control over possession throughout the game, Macarthur found limited opportunities to test Mariner’s goalkeeper, Birighitti, who earned himself another clean sheet. The Mariners, on the other hand, were able to take advantage of their limited time on the ball and showed themselves to be an effective counter-attacking side, splitting open the Macarthur

CCN

defence several times in each half. The first 30 minutes went by without either team finding space in front of goal, but that all changed in the 35th minute when the Mariners Danny De Silva latched on to a cross from Josh Nisbet after Nisbet had chased down a pacey throughball by Nigro. De Silva punched the ball up into the top-right corner for a 1-0 lead The second half started with a surge in intensity from Macarthur that asked more questions of the Mariners defence. Tensions continued to rise as Macarthur kept pushing the focus of the game further up the pitch. The Mariners were forced to match the intensity of their hosts, and in doing so gave away a number of fouls that Macarthur will be disappointed they didn’t capitalise on. After a number of chances gone begging from Macarthur,

another counter-attacking opportunity deep into extra time was capitalised on by Jordan Smylie, on the end of a cross by 22 year old A-League debut Daniel Bouman running on to a forward lob down the right hand side by Lewis Miller. Bouman edged forward, forcing Macarthur goalkeeper, Federici, to commit before sweeping it across to Smylie in front of an empty goal. It is unfamiliar territory for the Mariners after a crushing wooden spoon year in 2020. The once-mighty blue and yellow have not won back-toback games since December 2017. Central Coast Mariners’ Head Coach, Alen Stajcic, believes that back-to-back wins for the Mariners have laid a good foundation for the season ahead. Speaking post-game, Stajcic told reporters that it was a win built on strength and resilience from the group. “For me personally it’s a

relief, but for the club, it’s a just reward for the hard work that’s been done behind the scenes,” he said. “There’s a lot that’s gone on here for a small club with limited resources, to come up against the Bulls with all their resources, albeit a new club, for us to fight and scrap and the resilience and heart and spirit, it just shows what a football club can do to overcome the odds. “Add into that a two-day turnaround, it’s a tremendous effort from the group. “It’s two games down, and 24 to go, and I’m really proud of the group, but it’s a long road ahead.” The win also marked backto-back clean sheets for the Mariners for the first time since early in the 2017/18 season, and Stajcic praised his young backline, and in particular, Ruon Tongyik. “Ruon for me last year struggled to play two good games in a row, he was hot and

cold,” Stajcic said. “He’s had a great pre-season and he’s been one of the best workers in pre-season, and for him to get the reward of two great back to back performances is great. “With Kye Rowles, at such a young age, to be leading a team from CB and when you throw a Lewis Miller, he’s 20, we really are young and inexperienced, and in front of them, Gianni Stessness, who is only 21.” “Across that backline they’re so young and that’s where the communication and leadership is so critical and that’s really the part of the team that’s improved this year.” Stajcic continued his talk about the leadership group, in particular the grit and strength that Oliver Bozanic has brought to the group since arriving prior to the post-COVID period of last season. “We had a good post-COVID period, and the core of that group is still here,” he said. “When I brought in someone

like Oli Bozanic, it just accelerated the whole process in the team, the leadership within the group.” “Matt Simon has been a tower of strength off the field and Birraz (Mark Birighitti) has stepped up as well. “Those people really help fast track and it has all the core ingredients that make a team as united as what we are at the moment. “I’m wary, it’s two wins and we’re all happy today, but it gives us good foundation for the rest of the year.” Stajcic and his players will now welcome Stefan Jankovic, Marcos Ureña and Michal Janota to the squad later this month as the three visa players exit their hotel quarantine period. The Mariners do not play again until January 19 when the Wanderers come to Gosford. Dilon Luke and Haakon Barry

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