25 MARCH 2022
ISSUE 335
News
The major upgrade of Gosford CBD’s water and sewer network is approaching an important milestone with Central Coast Council set to begin key works at several sites. See page 3
Out&About
Local surfers shine at Avoca The Central Coast Pro at Avoca Beach finished on Saturday, March 19 with local surfers winning three out of the four competitions.
Gosford Men’s Shed is set to add a new mezzanine floor after receiving $10,490 through the 2021 Community Building Partnership program. See page 13
See page 32
Business
Joel Vaughan, Kobi Clements, Charli Hurst and Molly Picklum
Photo: Natalie Meredith / Surfing NSW
Against the wall A newly launched group of Wamberal Beach waterfront owners is calling for a pause on proceeding with a seawall as a permanent fix against ongoing erosion. Property owner Paul Greenberg has formed Owners Against the Wall and is urging other owners of waterfront homes at Wamberal and Terrigal to take a closer look at other options. “I am new to the argument – I bought my home about 15 months ago,” Greenberg said. “But I am doing my due diligence and I suppose you could say I have broken ranks with some of the other owners. “I have had lots of off-the-
record conversations with other home owners who would like to see other options investigated and the group, although launched only last week, already has five owners, including myself, as members. “I plan on doing a letterbox drop this week and am hoping
others will join us.” As Central Coast Council pushes ahead with a preferred seawall option, Greenberg said he was not convinced a seawall was the best option, particularly in light of a recent situation at Collaroy where the beach has been eroded since the
construction of a 7m seawall. “This is a hugely complex issue and there is a lot of crosswind,” he said. “But I am concerned the process to date has not been very transparent and I say let’s put a pause on the wall. Let’s put any plans to push through
DAs for any sort of wall on hold and let’s hear from the scientists. “There are many community groups opposed to a wall and the community has to win out here. So let’s all take a deep breath and explore all the options.” Greenberg said he had met with owners in favour of a seawall and with the Save Our Sand Group, which is completely opposed. “I have explored both sides of the argument and have found the Save Our Sand group to be more open to alternatives,” he said. “Maybe there’s a compromise somewhere in the middle. Continued page 4
A new $30M state-of-the-art Health Hub has been proposed for Showground Rd adjacent to Gosford Hospital. See page 21
Sport
Terrigal-Matcham took out the Central Coast Cricket Association’s 2021-22 First Grade Women’s premiership on Saturday, comfortably defeating Lisarow-Ourimbah in the grand final at Rogers Park. See page 32
Smith hits back at criticism of councillors - page 24.
See our website for full interview with Jane Smith
Puzzles page 20
It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.
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Bowling Club zoning a “major hindrance”
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The existing RE1 zoning is “a major hindrance” to the potential of the stadium’s further development and the current land classification of Community Sportsground requires modifications to allow additional uses, Council said. The Council has given up on reclassifying the Central Coast Stadium because it would have to pay the State Government money to do so according to the Deed of Agreement when it was given the land. The Deed requires Council to pay COMMUNITYcompensation to the State if Council modifies the Stadium community classification within a 99-year period after the Deed’s execution. So the Council intends to simply modify the Plan of Management for the stadium. But it will go ahead with the reclassification plans for the land next door. Council says the rezoning and reclassification process for the land on which the bowling club is situated will allow “greater opportunities” within any proposed Masterplan which is
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Central Coast Council will begin a process to re-classify and rezone the land on which Gosford Bowling Club sits, beside Central Coast Stadium.
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defined in a Stadium Implementation Plan adopted last year. When the idea was first mooted, almost 1,000 people submitted a petition to Council. The petition said: “Gosford City Bowling Club (Lot 2 DP 1011876), currently used by the members of Gosford City Bowling Club and All Ability Bowls and numerous others, should remain under its current zoning of community sportsground (RE1) and not be reclassified as operational.” Council said it leases the premises contained on Lot 2 DP 1011876 to the Central Coast Leagues Club and the Gosford Bowling Club is provided access to this site by the Leagues Club. “Rezoning and reclassifying Lot 2, DP1011876 provides greater flexibility for future integrated planning for the Central Coast Stadium and Gosford Waterfront and does not presuppose any future outcome for the Leagues Club and its occupant the Gosford Bowling Club,” Council said. “The process also provides Council with an opportunity to understand and alleviate any community concerns and confirm that Council is not considering a sale of the stadium nor the adjoining bowling club site. “The re-zoning and re-classification will allow for further activation of the
stadium for complementary uses, especially on non-event days, additional parking, connection to the CBD and surrounding foreshore to create a vibrant community and visitor hub.” Further consultation with key stakeholders, such as the bowling club will continue, Council said. The Gosford City Women’s Bowling Club has been operating there for 83 years and the site is also the home of vision impaired bowlers for the Central Coast. It provides free services for Coastlink, Life Without Barriers, and House With No Steps (Aruma) and social bowls for a group of intellectually disabled men. Every year local community groups and businesses use the facilities for barefoot bowls. The club says it does not lease the land off the Leagues Club but is a subclub of the Leagues Club which leases the land for the bowlers and supports the club as well as many other community groups on the coast. The club was first built in 1937 and extended in 1971 and in June last year Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said three-quarters of the land was donated to Council in 1956 on the condition it remain a bowling club.
See our website for video with Rik Hart on Councils broader vision for the Gosford waterfront
Merilyn Vale
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PAGE 3 25 MARCH 2022
Major sewer upgrade underway in Gosford CBD The major upgrade of Gosford CBD’s water and sewer network is approaching an important milestone with Central Coast Council set to begin key works at several sites. Works at Showground Rd, Adcock Ave, Young Street, Racecourse Rd and Central Coast Hwy will begin from this month, delivering critical new water and sewer infrastructure for Gosford. Funded by the NSW Government through the Housing Acceleration Fund (HAF) and part of a $42.5B funding package, the work will help future-proof the city for forecast population growth. Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said the next phase of transforming Gosford starts underground. “Gosford is a rapidly changing city – we’ve seen a number of major developments completed and a great deal more are planned and forecast,” Loader said. “It is vital that we have the water and sewer infrastructure in place to ensure Gosford’s potential is realised. “Through HAF funding Council is delivering a series of
Work on the sewer upgrades in the Gosford CBD gets underway
major projects across the Gosford CBD to upgrade and future-proof our assets and ensure the city has a reliable water and sewer service now and well into the future.” Loader said upgrade works span 66 water and sewer projects stretching from the Gosford waterfront through the
CBD shopping precinct to areas in the vicinity of Gosford Hospital and Gosford Golf Course. “Some key works around Gosford Hospital were completed early to meet the demands of the newly upgraded facility,” he said. “This included increasing
pipeline diameters and constructing a ring main around the hospital to improve surety of supply. “We are now moving forward with the remaining program of works that will be key to ensuring the revitalisation of Gosford is realised.” Council Administrator, Rik
Hart said creating a vibrant capital city that the Coast can be proud of requires a robust and extensive water and sewer network. “The transformation of Gosford is well underway and we are significantly upgrading and expanding key water and sewer assets to enable further
key flagship developments that will help to create a thriving and diverse capital for the Central Coast,” Hart said. “Gosford is a city flanked by the spectacular Brisbane Water and picturesque mountains and our objective is to help facilitate the type of development that makes the city a hub for work, entertainment and events, and for accessing world-class healthcare and education.” The Gosford CBD program of works will require temporary impacts for residents, businesses and road users. Impacts will include temporary road closures, short-term water and sewer outages and construction noise. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Find out more about the Gosford CBD water and sewer projects, including current and upcoming works, by visiting yourvoiceourcoast.com/ WSGosfordCBD. Source: Media release, Mar 21 Central Coast Council
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Call 4312 7696 or visit www.conradcurrylaw.com.au/free-family-provision -seminar/ to book your seat. Email: admin@conradcurrylaw.com.au
PAGE 4 25 MARCH 2022
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Labor pledges better mobile coverage for Mangrove Mountain, Hardys Bay, Killcare A Labor government would improve mobile coverage for the areas of Mangrove Mountain, Killcare and Hardys Bay if it wins government at the Federal Election, to be held by May.
Candidate for Robertson, Gordon Reid, with Labor Leader Anthony Albanese
Candidate for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid, said reliable mobile coverage is essential for staying in touch with family and friends, conducting business, accessing services,
and having a sense of safety. A Labor Government will invest $750,000 to improve mobile coverage for the Mangrove Mountain community, he said. “For many residents in Mangrove Mountain area, mobile coverage is either unreliable or unavailable,” Reid said. “The local terrain is challenging, and this additional
investment is needed to improve coverage outcomes.” Reid said residents of Killcare and Hardys Bay also continue to suffer with unacceptably poor to non-existent mobile coverage. “If the mobile carriers, who have been working hard to secure approvals for local towers, are unable to deploy at an acceptable site, an Albanese Labor Government is prepared to co-invest to accelerate
coverage outcomes for local residents in Killcare and Hardys Bay area through alternative solutions,” he said. “Australians can and should expect to have access to high quality connectivity speeds to keep us connected to each other and to the world.” Source: Media release, Mar 22 Candidate for Robertson, Gordon Reid
Against the wall From page 1 “I will be agitating for a public meeting where all parties can gather, hear what the scientists have to say, and discuss all the alternatives. “There is a public perception that all waterfront owners are in favour of a wall but postCollaroy we are seeing some shift in sentiment.” Wamberal Beach SOS (Save Our Sand) and Surfrider Central Coast said they were excited to partner with the new group.
“The group will be working closely with our organisation as we attempt to gain proper representation for community, homeowners and experts that continue to be ignored,” SOS spokesperson, Hugh Naven, said. “The establishment of this group and its growing number of members represent a turning point in the process to find a solution to the erosion crisis at Wamberal. “As it stands, Central Coast
Council is set on a wall as the preferred option. Our group hopes the introduction of Owners Against the Wall to the conversation may force Council to reconsider its position. “The growing opposition to the wall within the Wamberal community depicts the need to reconsider and restart consultation to ensure a representative, safe and effective solution is introduced.” Terry Collins
Waterfront home owner Paul Greenberg with Hugh Naven of the Save Our Sand group
Units from $374,000
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Please note residents will need to pay a departure fee when they leave the village.
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OPEN DAY 8 th APRIL
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BEST LIFE AT ALLOURA WATERS This is your chance to experience the peace and tranquillity of Living Choice Alloura Waters, a beautiful retirement village perfectly positioned near the water and adjacent to the Davistown RSL & Bowling Club. Come along to our Open Day on 8th April to find out more. We would also like to take this opportunity to celebrate the opening of the new BBQ area. Complimentary BBQ and cold drinks will be served. Where: When: RSVP:
Living Choice Alloura Waters, 1 Murna Road, Davistown. Friday 8th April, 2022 from 11am to 1pm. Phone 1800 064 344 or email sales@livingchoice.com.au by 4th April.
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PAGE 5 25 MARCH 2022
PAGE 6 25 MARCH 2022
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Leagues Club Park poorly designed - Tesch
Leagues Club Park has been closed for upgrades several times since it opened 12 months ago
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, has accused the State Government of poor planning of the Leagues Club Park in Gosford, which has been closed several times for modifications since it was officially opened just over 12 months ago. “The new $10M park (has required) substantial remodification work by Central Coast Council after Council identified areas of the playground that did not have adequate footpaths or soft fall
in place,” Tesch said. “If the NSW Government had properly planned, designed and appropriately funded the (park), Council would not have to use precious ratepayer money on rectifying and addressing issues that come back to bad planning.” Tesch said that with a rate increase recently approved by IPART due to Council’s dire financial circumstances, the State Government was “pushing more costs” onto the already strapped Council. She has criticised a lack of
sufficient shading, exacerbated by the planting of trees that have not yet matured to a size big enough to provide shade. “Every week I get emails and calls from concerned parents about the intensity of the sun at this park and lack of shade,” she said. A Council spokesperson confirmed the deco granite in the park continues to erode and will be repaired at a cost to Council of $30,000. “The area no longer meets accessibility standards, which is a fault within the original
design,” the spokesperson said. “Despite being relatively new,Council is now undertaking repairs to ensure this play space is accessible to our whole community – the repair of the concreting will cost Council $30,000, while the repair of the soft fall will cost $65,000, which is covered by State Government grant funding.” Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the park has been embraced and well-used by
the community. “Together with HCCDC (Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation), we identified opportunities to make improvements to usability,” he said. “We made it easier for kids to move around the play area by replacing some sections of the mulch garden bed with rubber soft fall and then improved the water clarity in the tidal terrace by upgrading the sand with that of a different grade. “HCCDC worked closely with Central Coast Council
throughout the design and delivery of the park.” Crouch said there had been a 12-month warranty period in place following the completion of the park. “Any works associated with this have since been completed, including the improvements to the tidal terrace and play area surface, and funded by HCCDC,” he said. “Any subsequent works that have taken place are at Council’s discretion or part of ongoing maintenance.” Terry Collins
TRAVELODGE NEWCASTLE
12 Steel Street crn KING STREET (Entrance) Monday 28th & Tues 29th March ......................................................
KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT
40 Kooindah Blvd, Wyong Wednesday 30th & Thursday 31st March ......................................................
ETTALONG DIGGERS CLUB
51-52 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach Friday 1st, Sat. 2nd, Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th April ......................................................
DIGGERS THE ENTRANCE
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10am until 3pm Daily All Locations
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PAGE 7 25 MARCH 2022
Jane Smith
Independent ...working for our community
My response to the Report from the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council On 17 March, the Minister for Local Government recommended that “all civic offices at Central Coast Council be declared vacant, effective immediately”. This decision removed local democracy from the Central Coast. This action followed a report from the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council. The removal of local democracy appeared to be a pre-determined outcome from the Inquiry. One expert in local government, Adjunct. Prof Graham Sansom, said that the Terms of Reference were “clearly written by someone who was wanting a conclusion that the Councillors be dismissed...they were very selective terms of reference”. The Public Inquiry provided very few answers for our community and has perhaps raised even more questions. Changing in accounting practice: A change in accounting practice back in 2016 resulted in Council thinking that it had more “unrestricted” cash than it really did. None of the 4 CEOs, the Administrator (Reynolds), Council’s financial staff, the financial experts on the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC) or the NSW Audit Office recognised the impact that this had on Council’s financial reports—until October 2020. The Crown Solicitor’s advice is that this money may not need to be repaid. IPART Decision In 2019, an IPART decision on water charges reduced the income that Council was budgeting for 2019/2020. IPART released a draft determination in April 2019 and then a final determination in May 2019. The Commissioner states that “no adjustments were made to the draft budget after the IPART determination was announced”. This is contrary to the information provided to Councillors at the time. A presentation to Councillors on 3 June 2019 on the IPART decisions (draft and final) included the impact on budget. It included the following: • Changes to the Mardi to Warnervale pipeline project • Reduction in budget for stormwater drainage • Reduction in service levels for some maintenance works • Deferring some drainage and detention basin projects • Deferral of capital works projects to value of $11.9M Many of these adjustments were made in consultation with IPART’s consultants. Poor advice from Council staff The Commissioner suggests that there was a lack of financial direction from Chief Financial Officers (CFO) between August 2017 and October 2020. In particular, the CFO appointed in 2019 “may have facilitated the lack of information flowing to councillors about the situation and lack of action to counteract the downward trend of CCC’s cash position.” The Commissioner also comments that “The investment report for October 2019 did not contain any additional comment to alert the reader to the fact that unrestricted cash was in the negative….. At no time was any notation made in an investment report to alert councillors to that fact.” “The councillors were never informed that the unrestricted funds had been exhausted nor were they warned about the consequences of having no unrestricted funds available”. “The financial information provided to councillors was not easy to read and was sadly lacking in attention to
Central Coast New Independents
trends.” The Commissioner identifies staff that should have been able to provide an accurate picture of the Council’s finances—and did not. The Commissioner identifies a staff member that could have answered relevant questions—but then indicates that she did not question him “as he was not able to be located”. (A recent search suggests that he may now be working for the NSW government). “The investment reports from October 2019 until the financial crisis, were designed to obfuscate rather than elucidate. The staff of CCC responsible for those reports bear a significant responsibility for the lack of knowledge on the part of the councillors for the unlawful use of restricted funds “ “The lax practices (together with a lack of cash flow reporting) have resulted in over $60 million of internally restricted funds being utilised for general purposes without the approval of the Councillors. “ (Grant Thornton Consultancy) The Commissioner has made no recommendations in her report regarding Council staff or the lax practices. Grant Thornton consultancy In April 2020 the then CEO engaged a consultancy, Grant Thornton, to review council’s COVID response, its budget processes and longer-term financial planning. Grant Thornton provided a Phase 1 report to Council’s Executive Team on 5 June—this included warnings about cash flow and use of restricted funds. While staff received the report—Councillors did not. Grant Thornton provided a briefing to Councillors on 13 June 2020. It highlighted significant concerns and uncertainty about the impact of COVID on Council’s budget. It did not include the warning of negative cash flow and the use of restricted funds. The presentation identified 8 levers to improve Council’s financial position—including increasing income and reducing expenditure. It also provided scenarios about the budget and the impact of COVID. The Commissioner’s report suggests that Councillors did not intend to alter its draft Budget 2020/2021. This is not accurate. When the draft budget was considered at a Council meeting on 23 March 2020, it was noted in debate and the decision of Council that there would be impacts and further updates would be needed after exhibition. After the presentation from Grant Thornton on 13 June 2020, “Council staff were asked to go away and work on the details for the cash levers totalling $233M”. Further briefings included discussions about deferring capital works and the need for further changes in quarterly reviews once grant funding and the true impact of COVID was known. The main changes between the exhibited draft Operational Plan 2020-21 and that ultimately adopted by the Council were: • decrease capital expenditure by $23.3M • decrease operating expenditure by $10.8M It was not until 6 October 2020 that Councillors were made aware of the unauthorised use of restricted funds. Council’s Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC) The Commissioner recognises the expertise of Independent members of ARIC but then suggests that it
was not within their role to notice any of the financial issues of Council. This does not stand up to scrutiny. In ARIC meetings, committee members interrogated and discussed details of the draft Audit reports with the Auditor. Each year, ARIC recommended that Council sign the Audited Financial Statements. ARIC missed the issues that resulted from the change of accounting practice. The big number—$565 million The figure of $565 million has been thrown around in the community. It should be noted that: • $317M of the $565M of debt owed by CCC in October 2020 had been inherited from WSC and GCC. This is not viewed as “bad debt”. (Most Councils have debt that they are paying down). • about $200M was restricted funds which were used unlawfully and without Councillors’ knowledge or approval. The advice of the Crown Solicitor in 2020 has cast doubt on whether these funds were used unlawfully and need to be repaid. • The remaining amount are budget deficits. In relation to the budget deficits, the following comments were made to the Public Inquiry from the Independent experts on the ARIC: “… deficit budgets. If I had been asked at the time, I probably would have not been overly concerned on a shortterm basis, because, at times when you’re trying to rebuild, of if you’re trying to do things, sometimes you have to go into deficit”… (Millington) “...in reviewing the financial statements...I certainly agree with the sentiment: you cannot continue to run operating budget deficits and not pay the price, but in the short to medium term you can run deficits at the moment.” (Gordon)
“...So I’m not saying I’m happy with having $500million worth of debt, but when we came into this and you are asking me about the three years accounts, there is nothing in those accounts in terms of debt, in terms of operating result, that is a concern to me as an independent professional”. (Gordon)
Did Local Democracy need to be removed?
There is no doubt that issues of long term financial management existed at Central Coast Council and needed to be addressed - but did local democracy need to be removed? There were other options available to the Commissioner: • Reinstate the Councillors with a Performance Improvement Order that is binding on achieving outcomes • Appoint an independent financial expert and a Human Resources advisor (as the Minister promised on 6 Oct 2020)
For more information and copies of my submissions to the Public Inquiry visit – www.ccnewindependents.com
PAGE 8 25 MARCH 2022
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Labor outlines its plan for education if elected Labor Candidate for Robertson, Dr. Gordon Reid, and Shadow Education Minister, Tanya Plibersek, met with students and teachers at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in East Gosford last week to discuss Labor’s plan for education if successful at the coming federal election.
Labor Candidate for Robertson, Dr. Gordon Reid, and Shadow Education Minister, Tanya Plibersek, meet with students and teachers at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School
Reid said Labor would deliver $440M to schools for better ventilation, building upgrades and mental health support, as part of a new plan to help
Australian kids bounce back after COVID-19. “Schoolkids have been impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic; they have had their schooling and learning disrupted for the past two years,” Reid said. “Whether it was remote learning, social distancing, wearing masks or missing out on school camps, it’s been particularly tough for our students.” Reid said research from the Australian National University found more than 60 per cent of parents said their children’s
mental health and wellbeing had declined during COVID-19. “As part of (its) education plan, Labor will commit funding towards the Student Wellbeing Boost. “This funding will mean more school counsellors and psychologists to help students struggling with the effects of the past two years. “It will also mean more camps, excursions and social activities that improve kids’ wellbeing.” He said the plan will also include a Schools Upgrade
Fund where schools will be able to access grants to improve air quality by implementing measures such as better ventilation and building more outdoor classrooms. “Schools are still vastly under-prepared to operate in a post-COVID-19 world … this education plan will address some of the problems COVID-19 has created in our education system.” Source: Media release, Mar 10 Candidate for Robertson, Gordon Reid
Drumlines deployed across Coast to deter sharks Thirty SMART drumlines are to be deployed across the Central Coast in coming months in an effort to deter sharks. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said installation of 15 drums had already commenced between Forresters Beach and MacMasters Beach, with 15 more to be deployed between Pebbly Beach and Bateau Bay. “SMART drumlines have proven to be the most effective
tool for catching target sharks, minimising the catch of nontarget animals, and maximising the survival of all animals caught on the gear,” Crouch said. “SMART drumlines are set approximately 500 metres offshore from beaches or at the back of the surf break each morning, weather permitting, and are collected at the end of each day.” Crouch said the drumlines were just part of the NSW Shark Management Program, which
also includes shark nets, tagged shark listening stations, drones, research and community engagement and education. “The Shark Meshing Program has been managed in accordance with a Joint Management Agreement and Management Plan since 2009, and in that time, there has been a steady increase in the number of animals released alive from about 27 per cent to 42 per cent,” he said. “I look forward to working
with Central Coast Council, who expressed their preference last year in transitioning away from certain shark mitigation measures such as nets to ensure that community preferences are balanced against effective shark mitigation for bathers.” The move is part of a $4.4M suite of immediate additional mitigation methods, as well as ongoing funding of more than $85M to continue the strategy until 2026 from the State Government.
Minister for Agriculture, Dugald Saunders, said shark interactions are always possible regardless of the technologies deployed, but that it was critical for the Government to do everything possible to reduce that risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year. “The tragic event at Little Bay earlier this year was another reminder of the threat posed by sharks and the need to take steps to ensure we can coexist as safely as possible,” Saunders
said. “We know sharks can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, but they’re also part of what makes NSW’s marine life so beautiful, so we need to make sure we continue to have state-of-the-art technology in place to allow them and beachgoers to coexist.” For more information, visit https://www.sharksmart.nsw. gov.au/. Terry Collins
P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S
A N Z A C D AY Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park 57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale Commencing at 9am, the service will be held adjacent to the Defence Force Memorial. Palmdale Phone: 4362 1203
The Palmdale Group will host ANZAC Day Ceremonies at both Palmdale and Greenway on 25th April, paying respect to the memory of our service men and women.
Services and Wreath laying ceremonies will be held at both Palmdale and Greenway.
Greenway Chapel & Memorial Gardens 460 Avoca Drive, Green Point Commencing at 11am, the service will be held adjacent to the Defence Force Memorial. Greenway Phone: 4369 2013
palmdalegroup.com.au
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PAGE 9 25 MARCH 2022
A Labor Government will A Labor Government will address GP shortages A Labor Government will STOP PEP11 A Labor Government will support small business A Labor Government will stop the RORTS A Labor Government will build affordable housing A Labor Government will make child care cheaper A Labor Government will buy AUS made
Contact Dr Gordon Reid on 0406 393 334 or email gordon@drgordonreid.com.au Authorised by Bob Nanva, Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch), Level 9, 377 Sussex St Sydney NSW 2000.
Gordon Reid labor will.indd 1
9/3/22 3:49 pm
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Housing affordability looms as a major election issue With almost 3,000 people on the waiting list for public housing on the Central Coast, local community housing provider Compass Housing is calling on more Federal Government support for the sector. And latest figures released by Everybody’s home reveal that between half and three quarters of renters are living in housing stress in 15 eastern seaboard electorates. Robertson, where 70 per cent of respondents cited housing stress, was in the top five electorates in NSW experiencing housing stress. Compass Housing says latest figures reveal that 1,308 people are on the waiting list for social housing in Gosford (72 of them classed as priority) and 1,670 are waiting at Wyong (89 of them priority). Compass Housing says opinion polls conducted in four battleground federal seats show there is greater voter recognition of the housing crisis and clear support for more Government attention on housing, including funding the construction of social housing. While the poll was not conducted on the Central Coast, Compass Housing’s strategic engagement officer and its representative with Everybody’s Home, Professor David Adamson, says the results are indicative of
nationwide sentiment. The national Everybody’s Home campaign to end homelessness commissioned the poll in early February in the seats of Bass (Tasmania), Gilmore (NSW), Flinders (Victoria) and Longman (Queensland). Between 630 and 965 respondents in each electorate gave their views on housing affordability and policy solutions. Adamson said a majority believed the Federal Government has failed to confront the housing rental crisis. They want greater investment in social and affordable housing and are sceptical that first home-owner grants can fix the problem. He said surging rental prices are swallowing an ever larger
chunk of people’s wages, the findings consistent with earlier research by Compass showing renters on average incomes frequently struggle to afford average rents. “People in the areas where Compass operates (including the Central Coast) are also saying that housing is a crucial issue and the government is not doing enough to fix the problem,” Adamson said. “Fixing the housing and rental affordability crisis is beyond any state government. “We need a national plan, developed in conjunction with the states, that contains evidence-based solutions rather than piecemeal initiatives which end up pushing up house prices and rents.” National spokesperson for Everybody’s Home, Kate Colvin,
said politicians who propose solutions that work, such as more social and affordable housing, will successfully connect with voters “Voters are rejecting bandaid solutions like first homeowner grants because they know we need to give renters on low and modest incomes the stability of a secure home,” Colvin said. “Rents have surged while incomes have barely budged (and) people on modest incomes now have to fight tooth and nail to get a home and maintain it. “It shouldn’t be this difficult to keep a roof over your head in a wealthy country like Australia.” Meanwhile, Everybody’s Home says housing stress figures reveal the combined impact of surging rents and stagnant wages is particularly
VANIA HOLT
felt in outer suburban and coastal communities. The news comes as more than 150 organisations working at the coalface of the housing and homelessness crisis released a joint letter calling on Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to invest in more social housing in the coming federal Budget. Everybody’s Home spokesperson, Kate Colvin, said the data demonstrated that the need for investment in social housing has never been greater. “Incomes are not keeping up with surging housing costs,” she said. “Middle income Australians can’t keep up with rent and mortgage payments; regional communities are also experiencing housing crises never seen before.” The not-for-profit organisation Social Futures, which delivers the NDIS and StandBy support programs on the Central Coast, says two new reports also highlight an ever-growing housing crisis facing Australia. The Ending Homelessness in Australia: An Evidence and Policy Deep Dive report is based on the largest survey of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in a decade – 20,953 respondents. Social Futures CEO Tony Davies says the report found that the average period of homelessness was 3.8 years for individuals and 1.9 years for
Independent voice for Robertson
Restoring integrity to politics • Action on the environment from the river to the coast • Protection of vulnerable people • L ocal community to share in the benefits of a new climate economy •H olding power to account to end government corruption and failures A candidate who listens to the community instead of a party VANIA HOLT, INDEPENDENT FOR ROBERTSON SUITE 1, 220 THE ENTRANCE ROAD, ERINA NSW 2250 VANIA.HOLT@VANIAHOLT.COM.AU
families. “The Ending Homelessness report also found that people experiencing homelessness were more likely to suffer from ill health with their rates of asthma, liver disease, dehydration, hepatitis, heart disease and diabetes higher than the general population.” “No one is immune from homelessness.” Davies says the Productivity Commission’s new Report on Government Services also found that more Australians are being pushed towards poverty and homelessness. “According to that report close to half of all people who needed help with homelessness last year in NSW did not get it,” he says. “Women and children are extremely likely to be among those needing homelessness support; almost 40 per cent of people contacting services had experienced domestic and family violence.” Social Futures is calling on local, state and federal governments to deliver more investment in social housing, targeted to areas with acute housing shortages as well as (among other things) the creation of a housing innovation fund to support not-for-profit organisations to deliver social housing homelessness support.
SCAN OR VISIT WWW.VANIAHOLT.ORG
Authorised by Dr Vania Holt, Suite 1, 220 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250
Terry Collins
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PAGE 11 25 MARCH 2022
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*Price correct at time of printing. You will pay a departure fee when you leave this village.
PAGE 12 25 MARCH 2022
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Should GM and CFO be held to account?
Public Inquiry report superficial The predictable outcome of the State Government public inquiry is superficial and will do nothing to fix the root cause of the Council’s management problems (“Public Inquiry Report Released” CCN Issue 334). There have been no councillors now for 16 months, yet these underlying problems continue to manifest themselves in on-going gaffes, mismanagement, inefficiency, and rate hikes well in excess of what is needed to repay debts from the financial crisis. The “not so public” inquiry was hastily convened by State Government to head off a genuinely independent judicial inquiry that 22,000 petitioned for. The Terms of Reference were near exclusively focused on the role of councillors.
FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper Whilst councillors certainly share responsibility for what has happened, it is very revealing that none of the executives who kept their jobs despite the financial crisis were asked to appear and answer questions in the public hearings. State Government, and the Council administrators it has appointed, have been spinning a narrative from day one, namely that local democracy
has failed on the Central Coast. This narrative conveniently exempts current Council and State Government bureaucrats from any accountability, whilst paving the way for rate hikes based on the flawed argument that local people must pay for the failure of their own local democracy. It is no surprise that this State Government inquiry has pretty much stuck to that narrative, but its recommendations do nothing to fix the Council’s underlying problems and management culture. The report therefore provides no closure for a community that continues to face rate hikes and poorer services from a self-interested bureaucracy that treats its customers as its enemies. Email, Mar 18 Kevin Brooks, Bensville
Where to find new councillors? FORUM
I fully agree with Bruce Hyland’s comments re suitably qualified and experienced people for the role of councillors (CCC, March 23).
The problem is where to find them. I think any suitable qualified
person would run for miles before accepting the poisoned chalice. Email, Mar 23 Peter Killen, Kanwal
I’ve read the very well written article of Merilyn Vale published on page 21 of your 18 March 2022 edition regarding the former Central Coast Council (CCC) financial debacle. I have the view there is a smoking gun and I allege on the basis of the article the gun is firmly in the hands of the CCC General Manager (GM) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) whom I believe kept Council in the dark. From my armchair position, councillors are entitled to
FORUM accept the information given to them from their paid expert advisors is true and the whole truth unless something to the contrary arises which should cause the councillors to dig into what told. Society operates on the basis of trust however this has been sadly and rapidly disappearing mainly due to lack of accountability. I do agree the councillors as captains of the ship may be civically responsible for the ship despite what actions may
have been done by those on the ship who put the ship in danger (however) on the basis of Merilyn’s article I believe the GM and CFO are the root cause of the debacle. They could have and should have told the councillors the ship is on a direct course to hit a reef unless the captain orders a change of course to a lifesaving direction. Why is (further action not being taken against) the GM and CFO. Email, Mar 18 Geoffrey Bates, Narara
A damning report The recommendations of this exhaustive inquiry are essentially that the people in charge of the council should be competent in their abilities to perform their duties and be focused on delivering the services to ratepayers that ratepayers pay for. Political point scoring and snout-in-trough is not the function of councillors and the staff. Excerpt (page 70): 260. The
FORUM analysis of key audit findings for 2019-20 showed that Central Coast Council (CCC) was the only NSW Council to be subject to an extreme risk finding (in relation to spending of restricted funds for unrestricted purposes). CCC was also subject to seven high risk findings in five of the nine categories of findings (governance, financial reporting, financial accounting,
asset management and information technology), more than any other NSW Council. This is the most damning comment in the report about the management of CCC. It would seem we have the worst managed council in the state (and so) it is not in the interest of the rate payers of the CCC to ever have the same people running the council again. Email, March 20 Charles Hemmings, Woy Woy
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
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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 13 25 MARCH 2022
Boost for Gosford Men’s Shed
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, with Larry Lloyd and members of the Gosford Men’s Shed
Gosford Men’s Shed is set to add a new mezzanine floor after receiving $10,490 through the 2021 Community Building Partnership program. Gosford Men’s Shed President, Larry Lloyd, said the new mezzanine floor would
increase storage space and free up more area for projects “(We) have been very concerned about the effects recent natural disasters have had on people’s lives, livelihoods and property (and) are working on developing ways that we can help in the recovery efforts around
the state.””. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP visited the shed this week to announce the funding. “The Gosford Men’s Shed is a fantastic organisation of local senior men who come together on a regular basis to work on projects, fix objects or simply
as a support network,” she said. “It’s so important that men come together and share common struggles and understand that there are support networks and people ready to help. “It’s so pleasing to see
community organisations restarting again and meeting inperson after the challenges of the past two years with COVID-19. “The fellas tell me that their wives are also appreciative of regular meetings resuming.” Lloyd thanked Tesch for her
support in getting the funding and her previous support in past CBP applications which have enabled extensions to the shed. Source: Media release, Mar 23 Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch
PAGE 14 25 MARCH 2022 OUT&ABOUT
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Toastmasters to hear from accomplished photographer Central Coast photographer, Shayne Leslie, will talk about her online photography exhibition, Strickland, to Galaxy Speakers Toastmasters at 7pm onTuesday, April 5, a Gosford RSL Club.
Central Coast photographer, Shayne Leslie, will be the featured speaker
Leslie’s topic, Pursuing your Passion, is an uplifting story about enriching your life. “Strickland – An Online Photography Exhibition was a passion project,” she said. “It allowed me to connect with new people during 2021 and lockdown in ways that were completely unexpected.” A well-known theatre photographer for Gosford Musical Society, Wyoming
Musical Theatre Company and Wyong Drama Group, Strickland shows another side to Leslie’s photographic and conservation passions and her talk will touch on how Strickland State Forest inspires her. She will touch on key issues such as how to use equipment, understanding light and postproduction techniques. Strickland State Forest is a living exhibition of exceptionally diverse forest habitats from wildflowers and dry heath woodland to tall eucalypts and lush rainforest. It is only a seven-minute drive from Leslie’s home in Wyoming and she has taken thousands of pictures of the state forest since 2011.
The online exhibition features over 60 photos and is presented in a unique gallery style. Galaxy Speakers Toastmasters Vice President, Jan Cummings, said understanding communication by connecting with people’s passion is what toastmasters is all about. “Speaking concisely with authenticity is vital today,” she said. “Leslie not only speaks from the heart, but her vast experience in presenting and education means she can draw together compelling lessons, and what a gorgeous canvas from which to draw.” Cummings will also speak on
April 5 on the benefits of joining the Toastmasters Club. “Public speaking effortlessly is something about which our club members are passionate,” she said. “We want to ensure others have the same opportunity to learn to speak up and trust their storytelling and trust themselves.” The event will be free, and you can register at by emailing janetcummings31@gmail. com or shayne@ lesliephotography.com.au. Source: Media release, Mar 9 Galaxy Speakers Toastmasters
Lots of activities planned for Seniors Week Numerous events are planned across the region from March 25 to April 3 as Central Coast Council celebrates the NSW Seniors Festival. With the aim of providing older residents an opportunity to participate in, contribute to and be included in community life, the festival is especially significant on the Coast with many of the region’s population aged 60 or older. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the festival helps to
connect seniors with the range of local services, lifelong learning and leisure activities available across the region. “With a growing ageing but vibrant population on the Central Coast, Council is committed to celebrating our old residents by promoting inclusion, independence and quality of life,“ he said. “We have put together a diverse calendar of events which seniors can access including educational workshops, fitness programs and entertainment that will
enrich their lives and support them as they grow older.” A highlight of the festival will be the Seniors Expo on March 31 at Wyong Race Cub which will feature of variety of stallholders from services and community groups around the Coast which support older people to age in a healthy and positive way. The expo will be open from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. “Older residents are active in all facets of community life and add significant value and
knowledge to our region as workers, volunteers, neighbours, friends, parents and grandparents,” Hart said. Other events planned include: a variety of activities and exhibitions at Gosford Regional Gallery; activities and a craft sale at Terrigal 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre from March 25 to April 1; an open weekend at Gosford 50+ Leisure and
The Central Coast Music Festival will be held from September 12-18, with the main event to be held on September 17. The festival will include intimate performances at a range of local venues, and ‘pop-up’ experiences and engaging workshops throughout the festival period. Central Coast Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard, said the festival has been created to contribute to the growth and development of the local music industry on the Central Coast, giving local performers and event organisers a platform in which to showcase their talent and offerings. “The new event has been designed to not only appeal to
the local music industry, but also to engage with the wider community and create a lively new event that is sure to breath musical life across our region,” Cannard said. “I encourage local venues, workshop facilitators, musicians and businesses to submit their interest and help to create a musical festival program like no other.” Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open. Events and activities can include: workshops and masterclasses such as song
writing or film composing; music industry networking events; studio recording focus; live performances; workshops such as DJ workshops; instrument maintenance or creation workshops; music themed dance or aerobic classes; and an open mic night. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the festival is looking to develop a diverse program of events that can be accessible to music lovers of all abilities and knowledge. “We’re searching for a range of music-focused individuals and businesses to help create a music event that spans all genres,” Hart said. “As a first for the Central Coast, I can’t wait to see what exciting local talent will emerge as part of this music festival.” Events and workshops will take place in Gosford. Submissions close on Thursday, April 14. To find out more, go to www. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/eoi Terry Collins
or the Edogawa Commemorative Gardens at Gosford Regional Gallery from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. A copy of the full program of events can be found at your local library, 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre or Senior Centre or online at www. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au. Terry Collins
To celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival
Better Hearing Australia Central Coast
EOI’s sought for Central Coast music festival The Central Coast is set to be home to its very own music festival, with Council calling for event organisers to run workshops, activations, master classes or live performances and events to be part of the fun.
Learning Centre from March 28 to April 1; a variety of entertainments at Laycock St Community Theatre including Remembering the Carpenters on March 27; and information sessions on will planning, navigating the My Gov and My Aged Care websites and avoiding scams. On March 30 there will be a free tour of the latest exhibition
(Mobile: 0480 399 809)
invites you to A CAPTIONED MOVIE SCREENING
DEATH ON THE NILE
Tuesday 5th April 2:00pm Avoca Beach Picture
SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE
Theatre 69 Avoca Dr
Avoca Beach
WITH
HEARING LOSS
Ph: 4382 1777
FREE ENTRY & FREE CHOCTOP to first 100 movie goers Book tickets online: https://www.trybooking.com/BYAMX
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OUT&ABOUT PAGE 15 25 MARCH 2022
Hear ye! Hear ye! Town Criers to flock to Coast Hear ye! Hear ye! The Central Coast will be awash with Town Criers when it hosts the 2022 National Town Crier Championships at Alison Homestead on March 26. From 12.30-3.30pm, the nation’s best Town Criers will be representing their areas and competing for the title of Australian Champion of Champions. Central Coast Town Crier and current Australian Champion, Stephen Clarke, will host the event and is thrilled to be able to showcase the region. “We are inviting the community to come along and enjoy this fun and very colourful
event,” Clarke said. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the event would offer an unusual and entertaining experience for all ages. “This is an example of the diverse types of events and activities Council supports on the Central Coast,” Hart said. “On the same weekend as the Town Crier Championships, Flavours By The Sea is also being held at Terrigal – so there’s something on the Coast for everyone to enjoy.” The Championships, which have been running for 32 years, are held under the authority of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers. Town Criers compete against one another for the titles of
Champion of Champions, Loudest Cry and Most Extravagant Outfit. The competing Town Criers each perform two cries – one about their own hometown and another about the host town. Three judges will then determine the winner. The community can hear a preview of how the competing national Town Criers sound, when they warm up in the Wyong CBD, between 10 and 11.30am on the day, promoting some of Wyong’s local shops and businesses. For more information visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and search ‘Town Crier’. Terry Collins
Open-captioned screening at Avoca Better Hearing Australia Central Coast (BHACC) will host an open-captioned screening of the recently released movie Death on the Nile, at Avoca Beach Picture Theatre during this year’s NSW Seniors Festival. The screening is apt, with the theme for this year’s festival being “It’s time to reconnect”. The open-captioned screening, on April 5, will be suitable for all, including people
with hearing loss or who are deaf. The first 100 movie tickets are free – and 100 free choctop ice creams will also be given out. BHACC is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that assists people on the Central Coast with hearing loss by providing support, education and advocacy. “During challenging times, it’s in our nature to connect,” a spokesperson said.
“BHACC hopes this NSW Seniors Festival event will be an opportunity for Central Coast seniors, including those with a hearing impairment, to reconnect and celebrate together.” Book at www. avocabeachtheatre.com.au or www.trybooking.com/BYAMX. For more information, email: bhacc@harbourisp.net.au.
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT! Monday - Friday 6.30am-2pm
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• Locally sourced produce
• Burgers, wraps & Salads
• Delicious new menu
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• Office catering options
• Smoothies
• All day breakfast
Source: Media release, Mar 23 Better Hearing Australia Central Coast
• Tempting treats and more
Unit 2/222 Wisemans Ferry Rd, Somersby
BOOK Review
CCN The Island of Missing Trees Author: Elif Shafak Publisher: Penguin
There is an island in the Mediterranean Sea “so beautiful and blue that the many travellers, pilgrims, crusaders and merchants who fell in love with it either wanted never to leave or tried to tow it with hemp ropes all the way back to their own countries.” That island is Cyprus, “at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Africa, Asia”. In another land, not so beautiful and blue, is Ada. She is a sixteen-year-old student at school in North London. Ada has always been a bit of a loner, a bit of an outcast and
as such doesn’t have many friends. Her history teacher has just given an assignment to interview a relative. Ada hasn’t met any relatives beside her mother and father and her mother has passed away. The teacher picks on Ada to answer a question and when she does, she can hear the snarky comments from the other students. She just can’t seem to do anything right and the pain gets so big that she has to let it out. Her fellow students are awed, scared and amused. Unfortunately, everything we do now these days can be filmed. The video of Ada goes viral. Ada’s father is busy trying to bury the fig tree in their yard.
The weather is going to get bad, and the fig needs to be protected against the elements. Fig trees are not meant to grow in North London. But this one is special – this one came from Cyprus … and has seen much. It can remember back in 1974, when it was growing in
the popular tavern owned by Yusuf and Yiorgos. It can remember when the tavern became a meeting point for Defne, a Turkish Cypriot and Kostas, a Greek Cypriot. They were young and fell for each other but had to keep their love secret. Only a few people knew about
their relationship, and one was Meryem, Defne’s sister. The tavern was a safe place run by generous men, but soon the tavern becomes a marked spot, and the safe haven is taken way, for everyone and in particular for Defne and Kostas. Kostas and Defne didn’t want to burden Ada with the troubles in Cyprus so have told her very little of their past, of her family. And now that Defne is gone, Kostas and Ada have trouble moving ahead and moving towards each other. Until one day, Meryem, a member of the family that Ada has never heard of, travels to London for a visit. The story swings back and forth from Cyprus in the 70’s to London in the late 2010s. Narration switches between the fig tree and Ada.
And if you think hearing from a fig tree is a bit out there (as I initially did) it is actually a beautifully written story about the fig tree’s life and the troubling account of the conflict in Cyprus. About families torn apart, lovers left alone and a country split in half. It the story about parents wanting to protect a child instead making the child feel isolated and alone. It is about love lost and found and the scars that won’t heal. And it is also about a “Ficus Carica, known as the edible common fig, though I can assure you there’s nothing common about me.” Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic
PAGE 16 25 MARCH 2022
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Mounties Group are more than a Club, we are a community. As a community • So much more! centred, profit for purpose organisation, our success helps to improve the lives of We are excited to be expanding our Mounties Group Members. home on the Central Coast with Breakers Country Club now joining Club Every dollar we make is shared back Wyong and Halekulani Bowling Club as into the local community, whether part of our family. it’s through donations and grants, sponsorships of local sporting teams SCAN HERE TO or new services and facilities for community members to enjoy. JOIN THE MOUNTIES
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ABC (C20/21)
Friday 25 March
6:00 9:00 10:00 11:10 12:00 1:00 1:55 3:00 4:00 4:55 5:30 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:30 9:20 10:05 10:35 10:55
Saturday 26 March
11:25 11:45 12:15 6:00 7:00 9:00 10:30 12:00 12:30 2:00 2:45 3:35 4:30 5:00 7:00 7:30
Sunday 27 March
8:30 9:05 10:05 11:05 12:20 5:00 6:00 7:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:30 2:30 3:30 4:00 5:00 5:30 6:30 7:00 7:40 8:30 9:25 10:05 11:00 12:00
PRIME (C61/60)
News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Q+A (M) [s] George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces [s] ABC News At Noon [s] The Pool (PG) [s] Les Miserables (M v) [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Escape From The City (PG) [s] Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] Gardening Australia [s] The Teacher (M l,s) [s] Grantchester (M v) [s] Mum: Saturday (M l) [s] ABC Late News [s] Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL (MA15+) [s] Starstruck: Party (M l) [s] QI (PG) [s] rage (MA15+) [s] rage (PG) [s] Weekend Breakfast [s] rage (PG) [s] rage Guest Programmer (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Midsomer Murders (PG) [s] Grantchester (M v) [s] Father Brown (PG) [s] Grand Designs: Aylesbury Vale (PG) [s] Landline [s] Basketball: WNBL: Finals: Adelaide v Melbourne *Live* From Melbourne Sports Centre [s] ABC News [s] Father Brown: The Menace Of Mephistopheles (M v) [s] Unforgotten (M l) [s] Troppo (M l) [s] Call The Midwife (PG) [s] Les Miserables (M v) [s] rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) [s] rage (PG) [s] rage (PG) [s] Weekend Breakfast [s] Insiders [s] Offsiders [s] The World This Week [s] Compass [s] Songs Of Praise [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Landline [s] Gardening Australia [s] Australia’s Ocean Odyssey Short Cuts To Glory: Matt Okine vs Food [s] Back In Time For Dinner [s] Art Works [s] Antiques Roadshow [s] Compass (PG) [s] ABC News Sunday [s] Grand Designs New Zealand: Lighthouse (PG) [s] Troppo (M l) [s] Killing Eve (M v) [s] Harrow: Parce Sepulto (M) [s] Top Of The Lake: China Girl: The Loved One (M l,s) [s] Mum: Saturday (M l) [s]
Also see: ABC PLUS (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)
6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:30
11:15 12:30 6:00 7:00 10:00 12:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:00
9:10 11:25 1:35 2:30 6:00 7:00 10:00 12:00 1:00 2:30 3:30 4:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:00 8:30 9:50 10:55 12:00
NINE (C81/80)
6:00 Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] 9:00 Seven Morning News [s] 11:30 12:00 Movie: “High School Lover” (M d,s,v) (’17) Stars: James Franco, Vince Jolivette 1:45 House Of Wellness (PG) [s] The Chase UK (PG) [s] 2:00 3:00 Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] 4:00 Seven News [s] 5:00 Better Homes And Gardens 6:00 7:00 (PG) [s] Movie: “Fantastic Beasts And 7:30 Where To Find Them” (PG) (’16) – The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s 10:00 secret community of witches 10:45 and wizards, seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school. Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine 12:50 Waterston, Ezra Miller, Johnny 1:20 Depp, Dan Fogle, Alison Sudol 1:30 4:00 Program To Be Advised 5:30 Home Shopping 6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 10:00 The Morning Show 12:00 Weekend (PG) [s] 12:30 Seven’s Horse Racing: Rosehill/ Mornington *Live* [s] 1:00 1:30 Seven News At 5 [s] Border Security - Australia’s 2:00 2:30 Front Line (PG) [s] Seven News [s] Movie: “Cinderella” (G) (’15) – 4:30 When her father unexpectedly 5:00 dies, young Ella finds herself at 5:30 6:00 the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming 7:00 stepsisters. Never one to give 7:30 up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin 8:30 to change after meeting a dashing stranger. Stars: Cate Blanchett, Lily James Movie: “Robin Hood” (M l) (’18) 11:30 Stars: Taron Egerton Program To Be Advised Repco Supercars: Tasmania - 1:45 2:05 Day 1 - Highlights [s] 5:30 Home Shopping 6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 10:00 The Morning Show 11:00 Weekend (PG) [s] House Of Wellness (PG) [s] 12:00 Movie: “Police Academy 3: Back In Training” (PG) (’86) 1:50 Stars: Steve Guttenberg Motorbike Cops (PG) [s] Border Security International 3:30 (PG) [s] Better Homes And Gardens Seven News At 5 [s] 6:00 Sydney Weekender [s] 7:00 Seven News [s] Dancing With The Stars 8:40 (PG) [s] 9:40 Crime Investigation 10:10 Australia: Murder And Mayhem - George Brown And 11:10 Fine Cotton (MA15+) [s] Born To Kill?: Dennis Nilson 12:00 ‘The Kindly Killer’ (MA15+) [s] The Blacklist: 12:50 The Skinner (M) [s] 1:20 Repco Supercars Highlights 1:30
Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66)
Today [s] Today Extra [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Movie: “Sinister Savior” (M v) (’20) Stars: Marci Miller, Kelly Blatz, Rosa Blasi, Lew Temple Garden Gurus Moments [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] NRL: Rabbitohs v Roosters *Live* From Accor Stadium, Sydney [s] NRL: Golden Point (M) [s] Movie: “The Foreigner” (MA15+) (’17) Stars: Katie Leung, Jackie Chan, Rufus Jones, John Cronin My Way [s] Explore [s] Home Shopping Religious Programs A Current Affair (PG) [s] Easy Eats [s] Weekend Today [s] Today Extra Saturday [s] Destination WA [s] Drive TV [s] My Way [s] Outback & Under [s] The Pet Rescuers (PG) [s] Movie: “Pontiac Moon” (PG) (’94) Stars: Ted Danson The Garden Gurus [s] NINE News: First At Five [s] Getaway [s] NINE News Saturday [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Space Invaders: Rob And Sharon (PG) [s] Movie: “Gladiator” (M v) (’00) Stars: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen Movie: “The Social Network” (M l) (’10) Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara A Current Affair (PG) [s] Home Shopping Wesley Impact [s] Easy Eats [s] Weekend Today [s] Sports Sunday (PG) [s] Sunday Footy Show (PG) [s] NRL: Women’s Premiership: Titans v Knights *Live* From Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane [s] NRL: Women’s Premiership: Broncos v Eels *Live* From Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane [s] NRL: Broncos v Cowboys *Live* From Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane [s] NINE News Sunday [s] Married At First Sight (M) [s] 60 Minutes (PG) [s] NINE News Late [s] Australian Crime Stories: Justice For Lucille (M v) [s] The First 48: The Ties That Bind (M) [s] Shallow Grave: Severance (M) [s] The Garden Gurus [s] Talking Honey (PG) [s] Home Shopping
Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)
TEN (C10)
6:00 The Talk (PG) [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) [s] 9:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s] 10:30 Would I Lie To You? Australia (M) [s] 11:40 The Project (PG) [s] 12:40 The Late Show (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 4:30 CBS Mornings [s] 6:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 6:30 Religious Programs [s] 7:00 Escape Fishing With ET [s] 7:30 What’s Up Down Under [s] 8:00 Left Off The Map [s] 8:30 Pooches At Play [s] 9:00 Freshly Picked [s] 9:30 Studio 10: Saturday [s] 12:00 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures [s] 1:00 The Offroad Adventure [s] 2:00 All 4 Adventure [s] 3:00 What’s Up Down Under [s] 3:30 Waltzing Jimeoin (PG) [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 Taste Of Australia With Hayden Quinn [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 7:00 Football: Isuzu Ute A-League Men: Round 20: Macarthur FC v Melbourne City *Live* From Campbelltown Stadium [s] 10:00 Ambulance Australia (PG) [s] 11:00 Ambulance UK (PG) [s] 12:00 Home Shopping 6:00 Religious Programs [s] 8:00 The Offroad Adventure Show 9:00 Luca’s Key Ingredient [s] 9:30 Studio 10: Sunday (PG) [s] 12:00 Left Off The Map [s] 12:30 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 1:00 My Market Kitchen [s] 1:15 Australian Survivor (PG) [s] 2:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s] 3:30 Waltzing Jimeoin (PG) [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 Taste Of Australia With Hayden Quinn [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Australian Survivor (PG) [s] 9:00 FBI: Scar Tissue (M v) [s] – The team have a cross-country serial killer on their hands, after another body is found bound with the same sophisticated knot as their local victim. 10:00 FBI: Safe Room (M v) [s] 11:00 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 12:00 Home Shopping
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
SBS (C30)
5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 3:35 4:05 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 9:25 10:20 10:55 12:45 6:15 8:30 1:00 2:00 2:30 4:30 4:40 5:40 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30 10:25 11:20 5:15 5:30 12:30 3:30 4:30 5:00 5:30 5:40 6:30 7:30 9:05 10:45 2:00
NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour North America With Simon Reeve (M d,l) NITV News: Nula Cook Up With Adam Liaw Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys: Railways And The Economy (PG) Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Robson Green’s Icelandic Adventure (M) Queen Victoria: Love, Lust And Leadership (M) The Pyramids - Solving The Mystery: Last Secrets Of Giza (In English/ French) SBS World News 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) Agatha Christie’s Criminal Games (M v) (In French) Football: FIFA 2022 World Cup African Qualifiers: Egypt v Senegal *Live* Worldwatch PBS Newshour Small Business Secrets (PG) Gymnastics: Individual Apparatus Movie: “Be My Brother” (G) (’09) Stars: Gerard O’Dwyer The Students, The Traitor And The Nazis (PG) (In English/ French) Secret Nazi Bases (PG) SBS World News Celebrity Letters And Numbers (M) Exploring Northern Ireland (PG) World’s Greatest Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge (PG) Anne Boleyn - Arrest, Trial, Execution (M) [s] Movie: “Inside Llewyn Davis” (M l,v) (’13) Stars: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan NHK World English News Worldwatch Motor Sports: ProMX Championships: Round 1 *Live* From Wonthaggi, Victoria Athletics: World Indoor Championships Highlights The Rising: Serena Williams Small Business Secrets (PG) Destination Flavour China Bitesize The Secret History Of World War II: The Miracle Of Dunkirk (PG) SBS World News Stonehenge - The New Revelations (PG) Easter Island - The Truth Revealed (M) (In French) Cycling: Gent-Wevelgem Men’s Race *Live* From Ypres, Belgium Cycling: Gent-Wevelgem Women’s Race *Live* From Ypres, Belgium
Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)
SOLID BATHROOMS Advert
Builders Licence Number 204179C
PAGE 18 25 MARCH 2022
LICENSED TRADESMAN AND QUALITY WORK ALL LOCATED ON THE CENTRAL COAST Scotty from Solid Bathrooms is a licensed builder with over 13 years What our clients are saying experience on the Central Coast. Hiring a builder means that all bathroom work
“Thank you, Scott, for your excellent advice and well-priced solution for our new bathroom.”
and workmanship is managed by one project manager and is fully insured.
“Each of your tradespeople who worked on our new bathroom were prompt, polite, tidy and talented.”
In addition, any reconfigurations are easily managed, for example, if a wall needs to be pulled down or a bath removed to have a larger walk in shower, you know the builder can manage this efficiently.
“I recommend Solid Bathrooms without any hesitation.”
WWW.SOLIDBATHROOMS.COM - PHONE 0401 601 082 FOR A FREE QUOTATION
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Thursday 31 March
Wednesday 30 March
Tuesday 29 March
Monday 28 March
ABC (C20/21)
6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:10 3:00 4:00 5:00 5:25 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:20 9:35 10:05 10:40 10:55 11:10 12:15 2:00 6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:10 12:00 1:10 2:00 3:15 4:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:15 11:30 12:30 6:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 1:40 2:00 3:15 4:00 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:30 11:15 11:30 6:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 1:00 1:30 2:00 3:15 4:00 4:10 5:10 5:30 6:00 6:55 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:35
PRIME (C61/60)
News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Landline [s] Antiques Roadshow [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Press (PG) [s] The Teacher (M l,s) [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Escape From The City (PG) [s] Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Australian Story [s] Four Corners [s] Media Watch (PG) [s] China Tonight [s] ABC News Video Lab [s] ABC Late News [s] The Business [s] Q+A (PG) [s] Harrow (M l,n) [s] rage (MA15+) [s]
6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:00 The 94th Annual Academy Awards 2022 *Live* From Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles [s] – Honouring the greatest films, performance, and behind-thescenes movie magic of the year. 2:00 Highway Cops (PG) [s] 2:30 Motorway Patrol (PG) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 7:30 SAS Australia: Strength (M l) [s] 8:40 The Amazing Race (PG) [s] – After travelling to seven countries and seventeen cities, one team will be crowned the winner. 9:40 The 94th Annual Academy Awards 2022 *Replay* [s] 1:00 Home Shopping
News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Foreign Correspondent [s] Rosie Batty’s One Plus One Grand Designs New Zealand ABC News At Noon [s] Unforgotten (M l,v) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Escape From The City [s] Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] Budget 2022: The Treasurer’s Speech [s] Budget 2022: An ABC News Special [s] Budget 2022: Reaction And Analysis [s] The Business: Budget Special Four Corners [s] Media Watch (PG) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] Harrow (M l,n) [s]
6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00 2:00
3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 9:00 11:00 11:30 12:30
News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Four Corners [s] Monash And Me (PG) [s] ABC News At Noon [s] National Press Club Address Media Watch (PG) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Escape From The City [s] Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] ABC News [s] 7.30 [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL (M) [s] Tomorrow Tonight [s] Melbourne Comedy Festival: The Gala (Part 1) (PG) [s] Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) [s] ABC Late News [s] The Business [s]
6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00
News Breakfast [s] ABC News Mornings [s] Australian Story [s] Scottish Vets Down Under (PG) [s] The Poles Revealed [s] ABC News At Noon [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL (M) [s] Parliament Question Time [s] ABC News Afternoons [s] Wide Open Spaces [s] Escape From The City (PG) [s] You Can’t Ask That (PG) [s] Hard Quiz (PG) [s] The Drum [s] Sammy J (PG) [s] ABC News [s] Budget 2022: Opposition Reply [s] 7.30 [s] Q+A (M) [s] Rosie Batty’s One Plus One: Hannah Gadsby [s]
6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00
Also see: ABC PLUS (Channel 22) ABC ME (Channel 23) ABC NEWS (Channel 24)
2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:30 9:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30
2:00 2:30 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 10:15 10:45
1:30
Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “Mommy, I Didn’t Do It” (M v) (’17) Stars: Danica McKellar, Jonathan Bennett, Paige Searcy, Jen Lilley What The Killer Did Next: Sian Roberts (M v) [s] – Sian Roberts was murdered at her home by her friend Glynn Williams as they returned from a party in the early hours. The Chase UK (PG) [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] SAS Australia: Acceptance (M) [s] The Rookie: End Game/ The Knock (PG) [s] The Latest Seven News [s] Autopsy USA: David Bowie (M d) [s] Home Shopping Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “Nightmare Tenant” (M v) (’18) Stars: Lauralee Bell, Karlisha Hurley, Jon Briddell, Heather Hopkins, Virginia Tucker, Beth Fraser, Maahra Hill, John J Jordan Autopsy USA: Bernie Mac (M) [s] The Chase UK (PG) [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] Program To Be Advised The Front Bar (M) [s] The Latest Seven News [s] Unbelievable Moments Caught On Camera (PG) [s] Autopsy USA: Gregg Allman (M) [s] Splitting Up Together: Paige Turner (PG) [s] Home Shopping Sunrise [s] The Morning Show [s] Seven Morning News [s] Movie: “Falling Down” (M l,v) (’93) Stars: Michael Douglas Highway Cops (PG) [s] Dog Patrol (PG) [s] The Chase UK (PG) [s] Seven News At 4 [s] The Chase Australia (PG) [s] Seven News [s] Home And Away (PG) [s] Movie: “Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (PG) (’04) Stars: Emma Watson The Latest Seven News [s] Movie: “Striptease” (MA15+) (’96) – A single mother turns to stripping in a nightclub to earn money for a child-custody battle. But she attracts the unwanted attention of a deranged congressman. Stars: Demi Moore, Burt Reynolds, Armand Assante Home Shopping
Also see: 7TWO (Channel 62) 7MATE (Channel 63) 7FLIX (Channel 66)
TEN (C10)
NINE (C81/80)
6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00 1:45 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 9:00 10:00 10:30
11:30 12:15 1:10 1:30 4:00 6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00 1:30 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00
11:25 12:10 1:05 1:30 6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00 1:30 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 10:00 10:30 11:40
12:30 1:30 4:00 4:30 6:00 9:00 11:30 12:00
2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:30 9:55 10:45 11:15 12:05 1:00 1:30 4:00 4:30
WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU
PAGE 19 25 MARCH 2022
SBS (C30)
Today [s] Today Extra [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Married At First Sight (M) [s] Explore [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Married At First Sight (M) [s] La Brea: Origins (M) [s] NINE News Late [s] 100% Footy (M) [s] – Phil Gould, Paul Gallen and James Bracey debate the biggest issues in Rugby League alongside the game’s most influential figures. Bluff City Law: American Epidemic (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] Hello SA (PG) [s] Home Shopping Religious Programs
6:00 The Talk [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 Australian Survivor (PG) [s] 2:40 Entertainment Tonight [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Australian Survivor (PG) [s] 8:30 Would I Lie To You? Australia (M) [s] 9:40 FBI: Most Wanted: Incel (M) [s] 10:40 FBI: Most Wanted: Predators (M) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping
Today [s] Today Extra [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Married At First Sight (M) [s] Getaway (PG) [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Married At First Sight (M) [s] The Hundred With Andy Lee (PG) [s] NINE News Late [s] True Story With Hamish & Andy: Sam (PG) [s] Mr Mayor: Respect In The Workplace (PG) [s] – A mandatory staff meeting derails plans for the team’s favourite day of the month. Killed By My Stalker (M l,v) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] Delish [s] Home Shopping
6:00 The Talk [s] 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s] 8:30 NCIS: Starting Over (M v) [s] 9:30 NCIS: Hawaii: T’N’T (M v) [s] 10:30 NCIS: The North Pole (M v) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s]
10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
Today [s] Today Extra [s] NINE’s Morning News [s] Married At First Sight (M) [s] My Way (PG) [s] Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] NINE’s Afternoon News [s] Millionaire Hot Seat [s] NINE News [s] A Current Affair (PG) [s] Program To Be Advised NINE News Late [s] Forensics: The Real CSI: Standard Evidence (M) [s] Grand Hotel: Groom Service (M l,s,v) [s] – Danny struggles to keep his relationship with Alicia from her family; Gigi discovers the secrets that Santiago has been keeping from her. Tipping Point (PG) [s] Home Shopping Religious Programs A Current Affair (PG) [s]
6:00 Football: Saudi Arabia v Socceroos *Live* From King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Jeddah [s] 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s] 1:00 Ambulance Australia (PG) [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Ambulance Australia (PG) [s] 9:30 Bull: The Invisible Woman (PG) [s] 10:30 This Is Us: Our Little Island Girl (Part 2) (PG) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s]
6:15 Football: FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers: Algeria v Cameroon *Live* From Mustapha Tchaker Stadium 8:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Dateline 2:30 Insight: First Love (PG) 3:30 Destination Flavour China Bitesize 3:40 Cook Up With Adam Liaw 4:10 Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys: Railways And Imperialism (PG) 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Tony Robinson - Britain’s Greatest River (PG) 8:30 Life On The Outside (M) 9:35 The Responder (MA15+) 10:35 SBS World News 11:05 In Therapy (M l) (In French) 11:35 The Handmaid’s Tale: Vows (MA15+)
Today [s] 6:00 Today Extra [s] 7:00 NINE’s Morning News [s] 7:30 Movie: “Before I Fall” (M l) (’17) Stars: Zoey Deutch, Halston 8:00 Sage, Logan Miller, Kian 12:00 Lawley, Elena Kampouris, 1:00 Cynthy Wu, Medalion Rahimi, 2:00 Erica Tremblay 2:30 Pointless (PG) [s] Tipping Point (PG) [s] 3:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s] 3:30 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 4:00 NINE News [s] 4:30 A Current Affair (PG) [s] NRL: Titans v Tigers *Live* 5:00 From Cbus Super Stadium [s] 6:30 NRL: Knock Off (M) [s] 7:30 NINE News Late [s] 8:30 New Amsterdam: 9:30 Catch (M) [s] 10:40 The Horn: The Storm (M) [s] Getaway (PG) [s] 11:30 Home Shopping 12:30 Religious Programs A Current Affair (PG) [s] 1:30
Also see: GEM (Channel 82) GO! (Channel 83/88) LIFE (Channel 84)
The Talk (PG) [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] Studio 10 (PG) [s] Dr Phil (M) [s] First Dates Australia (PG) [s] Entertainment Tonight [s] Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s] Judge Judy (PG) [s] Left Off The Map [s] Good Chef Bad Chef [s] The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 10 News First [s] The Project (PG) [s] First Dates Australia (PG) [s] Gogglebox Australia (PG) [s] Program To Be Advised Blue Bloods: Bones To Pick (M) [s] The Project (PG) [s] The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s] Home Shopping
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 5:15 5:30 2:00 3:10 3:40 4:10 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:35 8:30 9:30 10:25 10:55 12:05 1:00 5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 3:10 3:40 4:10 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30
5:00 5:15 5:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 3:40 4:10 5:05 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30 10:30 11:00 12:55
France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch North America With Simon Reeve (PG) Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys: Railways And Nationhood (PG) Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Scotland - Escape To The Wilderness (PG) Secrets Of The Tower Of London (PG) Great House Revival SBS World News Beneath The Surface (MA15+) (In German/ Danish) Tin Star (MA15+) Unit One (M l,s,v) (In Danish) France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour North America With Simon Reeve (PG) Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG) Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys: Railways And Culture (PG) Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind (PG) SBS World News Great British Railway Journeys (PG) Insight: First Love (PG) Dateline: Moldova: Putin’s Next Target? The Feed SBS World News The Point Shadow Lines (M) (In Finnish)
France 24 Feature News NHK World English News Worldwatch PBS Newshour North America With Simon Reeve (M l) Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) Cook Up With Adam Liaw Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys: Railways And War (PG) Jeopardy! (PG) Letters And Numbers Mastermind SBS World News Every Family Has A Secret: Priti Gatto, Prashant Ieraci And Dawn Slater (PG) The Royals - Keeping The Crown: Rebel Princess (PG) Sex, Myths And The Menopause (M) SBS World News Gomorrah (MA15+) (In Italian) Manayek (MA15+) (In Hebrew)
Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)
PAGE 20 25 MARCH 2022
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Across 59. Everlasting (7) 63. Trace (7) 1. Lampoon (6) 65. Surpass (5) 4. Singing voice (8) 67. South American rodent 9. Evident (8) (5) 15. Essential (9) 68. Enclosures (5) 16. Implement (7) 70. Stuck (7) 17. By way of (3) 72. Core (7) 18. Circumspection (7) 74. Pilot (7) 19. Prominent (7) 75. Sign of assent (3) 20. Considerate (7) 76. Tooth (7) 21. Enlighten (5) 77. Morning repast (9) 22. Planet (5) 78. Contemplated (8) 24. Freight (5) 79. Let in (8) 26. Invalidate (7) 80. Emphasis (6) 28. Predominate (7) 30. Work hard (4) Down 32. Choices (7) 1. Stylish elegance (7) 35. Reverberation (4) 2. Cloistered (9) 39. Female singing voice (9) 3. Fate (7) 42. Courier (9) 5. Bottomless pit (5) 43. Mistake (5) 6. Spears of frozen water 44. Secure (4) (7) 45. Entertained (6) 7. Luxury (8) 46. Turns red for acid (6) 8. Voter (7) 48. Ray (4) 9. Valuable quality (5) 52. Laconic (5) 10. Seabird (7) 53. Swapped (9) 11. Precipitation (8) the alphabet once only. 55. Prognosticated (9) 12. New (5) 56. Beneficial (4) 13. Festival (8) 57. Metal fasteners (7) 14. Part of a parachute (6) 58. Notion (4) 23. Countries (7)
MISSING LINK Fill in each letter of
MISSING LINK
M MISSING LINK Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only. U A L D K E MISSING C N LINK C I S Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only. Y C B E I T A V E K D O O E S E L O N S QEL A BE UO E UT ASE E NX E S U K U BA R I N E O U R L A RI E S T E A N O O G O A A E D U H O IE E A T A D E X I D E E OM I N L L L R E A A N T R E N O L O D E SA E U NA TG OE IU S M NO O D D N E S OL C D S S E W F R U A K MO U O D T D T T UCRL E P SS E EE A B D E S P S E S A S S E S E Y SA E G O X A U I Y E B A I S R T K R A A C A E D Y C TB P M D K U D O S O O Z E S Fill in each letter of the alphabet once only.
© Lovatts Puzzles
Missing Link Solution:
L B J U E F E A R O T A K U L A R G E S T MCCN O O G O V E N OM I N A L D R EW N B L O I N G O U F O Y E R Q U A C T D T H
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© Lovatts Puzzles
E X A L T
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS Missing Link Solution: Missing Link Solution:
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A Q F QU E U E S E V R I E A J A D E X R I U A T H E I SM MUD M P B D E S P I S E ON Y X T C L
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25. Outstanding (5) 27. Wrong (9) 28. Steps (5) 29. Halo (4) 31. Straight away (9) 33. Forestalled (9) 34. Foster (7) 36. Paddle (3) 37. Appease (7) 38. Beverage (3) 40. Villainous (9) 41. Glowing (7) 47. Garden with shaped shrubs (7) 49. Decoration (5) 50. Lair (3) 51. Plunge (4) 52. Pull (3) 54. Thicket (5) 59. Schooled (8) 60. Talk terms (9) 61. Sere (8) 62. Guitar pick (8) 63. Empty (6) 64. Before (7) 66. Card game (7) 67. Pharmacist (7) 68. Field sport (7) 69. Fairies (7) 70. Sound (5) 71. Cut into cubes (5) 73. Fur of the marten (5)
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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 21 25 MARCH 2022
Business & Property $30M Health Hub proposed for Gosford
An artist’s impression of the proposed Health Hub
A new $30M state-of-theart Health Hub has been proposed for Showground Rd adjacent to Gosford Hospital. As demand for healthcare clinicians on the Central Coast continues to rise at rapid rates, Cornerstone Group will seek approval from Central Coast Council for the development of a state-of-the-art health building. Cornerstone Group Managing Director, Simon Heazlewood, said recent research by Colliers International uncovered data showing that on the Central Coast, demand for several health professions, including medical oncologists, paediatricians, and cardiologists would skyrocket
by 2040. “Over the next two decades it’s predicted the region will require an increase of more than 350 per cent for medical oncologists, 83 per cent more paediatricians and an 84 per cent increase in the cardiologists required,” Heazlewood said. “These statistics are staggering and a real reason for concern for the local community. “Our hope is that in building the Gosford Health Hub, we offer a state-of-the-art space to attract these specialists to the region to respond to this escalating demand.” Heazlewood said the Hub, strategically positioned adjacent to the hospital, would create a thriving precinct to
expand the region’s health service offering and attract the relocation of key health-related services in the area. “We expect the Hub will include primary, secondary and tertiary health services including GP practices, diagnostic imaging, pharmacies and specialist and allied health consulting rooms,” he said. “We have designed the building to achieve Class 9a healthcare building classification under the National Construction Code (NCC) so there is also scope for the establishment of a day procedure unit, radiation oncology, medical oncology, a fertility services provider, research clinicians, and High Care Specialist Disability
Accommodation.” Heazlewood said the project would also deliver jobs for the region, with approximately 150 construction jobs and 200 health care staff to be employed at the completed facility. “As with all our Health Hub projects, Cornerstone Group alongside Cornerstone Healthcare Fund Manager (CHFM) will complete the whole process from acquisition of the site, design of the state-of-theart facility through to construction and remaining involved as the building owner on completion,” he said. The Health Hub — built on a 2,432m² lot — would include 7,200m² of lettable space consisting of a level for medical retail, four levels of operational health care tenancies, medical
consultation suites and a top floor containing one and two bedroom SDA Housing apartments. The application process for the project has been a complicated one. Cornerstone Group National Acquisitions and Investment Manager, Josh Peacock, said the group had first mooted the proposal to Central Coast Council in August last year. “Because the project site is located in the Gosford City Centre Masterplan area, we were asked to liaise with the Gosford City Centre Design Review Group in formulating an official application,” he said. “We gave a presentation to the group, which includes three architects and representatives from Council and the NSW
Planning Department, in August and have since had two workshops. “On February 16, the Design Group advised that it supports the concept and we are hoping to submit a formal Development Application next week.” Once the DA, with supplementary reports, is received by Council, it will be referred to the Planning Department for assessment. “We have been told the project will be fast tracked and hope to have approval by midway through the year,” Peacock said. This would see construction commencing by the end of 2022, with an estimated completion date of early 2024. Terry Collins
PAGE 22 25 MARCH 2022
BUSINESS & PROPERTY
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Support for small businesses extended Small businesses on the Central Coast hit by the Omicron wave have been handed a further lifeline, with the Small Business Support Program extended to a new closing date of April 29. The financial support package has helped businesses, workers and the performing arts across NSW with cash flow and to continue trading. Treasurer, Matt Kean, said the four-week extension was important to ensure small businesses have the resources they need to survive COVID-19 and bounce back. “This extension will allow more businesses to apply, and takes into account potential application delays for businesses from flood-affected areas,” Kean said. “The pandemic and floods
The Small Business Support Program has been extended
have been tough for so many over the past couple of months. But this targeted support helps place our economy in a resilience and recovery phase.”
Small Business Minister, Eleni Petinos, said that due to the crucial role played by the 800,000 small businesses across NSW in providing essential goods, services and
jobs, the Government wanted to ensure sufficient time was provided for as many to apply as possible. “Many of these businesses
Photo: NSW Government
experienced challenges due to the Omicron wave of the pandemic, and we understand the pressures they face,” she said.
“This targeted program will support impacted small businesses and help them bounce back after a challenging start to the year.” The Small Business Support Program provides eligible businesses a lump sum payment of 20 per cent of weekly payroll with a minimum payment of $500 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week. Businesses with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50M that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent in January 2022 and the start of February 2022 are eligible. For more information go to nsw.gov.au and search for Small Business Support Program Source: Media release, March 23, NSW Government
New mini supermarket teaches retail skills A new mini Woolworths supermarket has been unveiled at Omnia Inclusive Employment Solutions in Gosford as a learning and educational tool for future job-seekers.
Omnia Fresh Food trainees give the thumbs up to the program
world retail experience in a controlled learning environment. Omnia Fresh Food replicates all aspects of a Woolworths supermarket, including baskets for fresh food, shelving for groceries, ticketing, signage
and Woolworths branded uniforms. At check out, grocery items are scanned using fully operational Fujitsu registers, creating skills such as customer service, money handling and organising bagging items – all
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Opened on March 15, it will be the first opportunity of its kind to help adults seeking meaningful and long-term employment. Known as Omnia Fresh Food, the mini supermarket was brought to life as an extension of the current joint mini Woolworths program between Woolworths and Fujitsu Australia, to include Omnia Inclusive. The initiative is an extension of Woolworths’ and Omnia Inclusive’s long-standing partnership in placing people with a disability into employment and strives to provide candidates with real-
contributing to literacy and numeracy skills. Omnia Fresh Food expands on an existing program within schools and supports all adults with disability, aged 16 years and over, looking to transition into the workplace.
Woolworths Group Chief Information Security Officer, Pieter van der Merwe, said mini Woolworths supermarkets would continue to be rolled out. “Candidates can experience how to shop, what to buy, how to handle money and how to
work with weights and measures in a controlled environment,” he said. Omnia Inclusive Employment Solutions CEO, Deborrah Lambourne, said, every person is valuable and deserves all of life’s opportunities, including access to meaningful employment. “Omnia, meaning ‘all’ transforms lives by creating opportunity for all, employment for all, and inclusion for all,” she said. Cutting the ribbon at the launch was Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, who said for people with disabilities, work provides a symbol of inclusion. “Being employed says ‘I value you, I see you and I want to give you the opportunity to see what you can contribute’,” Tesch said. Terry Collins
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PAGE 23 25 MARCH 2022
2022 NSW Seniors Festival Terrigal Local Achievement Awards If you know a senior who helps make our community diverse, inspiring and active, then I encourage you to nominate them for their contribution
Business • Environment, Science, Agriculture • Health and Wellbeing • Lifelong Learning • Community Service
Nominations Now Open until Monday 28th March
For more information contact my office via phone 02 4365 1906 or email terrigal @parliament.nsw.gov.au
Scan here for nomination form
PAGE 24 25 MARCH 2022
BUSINESS & PROPERTY
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New team ready to act for youth Central Coast Council has named five new Y4Y (Youth for Youth) action team members, to represent young people on the Central Coast.
From left, Jayden Golfis, Pahal Contractor, Amelia Munday, Zara Mathews and Cypress Hart
The newly appointed team members range from 14 to 24 years and include young people who live, work or study on the Central Coast. Team members were welcomed recently at a luncheon to discuss their action ideas to be delivered over the next 15 months. Council Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon, said the Y4Y team will come together to help make youthled initiatives and ideas happen in the community.
“Y4Y presents a great experience for each team member to receive leadership opportunities and skill development to empower them to act, advocate and advise on local youth-related issues, programs and initiatives,” Cantillon said. “I would like to congratulate our new Y4Y team who will undoubtedly do a great job representing and making things happen for our local young people.” The new Y4Y team includes Jayden Golfis, Pahal Contractor, Amelia Munday, Zara Mathews and Cypress Hart. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said programs such as the Y4Y action team are an innovative and collaborative
way to ensure young people’s voices are heard,acknowledged and accounted for. “I look forward to seeing the positive ideas each team member brings to the program and local young people within the region,” Hart said. As part of the Y4Y team, members will meet regularly and work on a range of initiatives and development opportunities – from running an annual youth forum, to organising local youth-focused programs, advocating for change for local young people and participating in leadership and skills-development programs. For more information visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/y4y. Terry Collins
Smith hits back at criticism of councillors Former Deupty Mayor, Jane Smith, has hit back at criticisms levelled at the now sacked Central Coast councillors in the Public Inquiry report into Council’s financial woes. Commissioner Roslyn McCulloch’s report said Council meetings were unreasonably long and characterised by lengthy and often irrelevant debate, interruptions and points of order. “The behaviour of some councillors was very challenging for those chairing the meetings and often went unchecked,” it said. “The absence of consensus and the constant bickering may
well have distracted the governing body from its role in managing the Council finances and budgets.” A number of submissions claimed councillors were illequipped and insufficiently trained to properly discharge those obligations, particularly in relation to financial management, the report said. Continued page 24
“The councillors were offered many and varied opportunities for further training but there was no written direction given by Council staff or the GM to councillors as to what forms of training might be most beneficial to them,” it said. McCulloch’s report said Gary
Murphy, who was Council CEO from July, 2018, to November, 2020, described the culture of the councillors as suspicious and sceptical, of staff and between themselves, even those of the same political affiliation. “He referred to bitter exchanges between councillors, numerous points of order about councillor behaviour, a high number of notices of motion, frequent amendments to staff recommendations and an inordinate number of councillor requests and questions on notice,” the report said. The report also said councillors felt unsupported by management in relation to
councillor behaviour, primarily in the chamber. It highlighted the increasing frequency of Code of Conduct complaints made by one councillor against another, which rose from none prior to June, 2018, to seven from 2018-19 and 13 from 201920. “The governing body of CCC was not a Council which worked together, particularly later in its term,” the report said. But Smith said the main problem was that many councillors came into the job with little prior knowledge of how Council meetings should be run. “I believe there is a benefit in
councillors coming from the community but many of the new councillors had probably never seen a Council meeting before,” she said. “The problem was that the elections were held immediately after a period of administration so prospective candidates didn’t have the opportunity to sit in on a regular Council meeting. “It will be the same this time around. “I agree conduct of councillors was unbecoming and quite destructive in many ways.” She said the Code of Meeting Practice needs stronger enforcement and even mooted the idea of an external body to review Council meetings.
Smith said it was disappointing but not surprising that the Minister had chosen to “remove democracy” from the Coast by sacking councillors and pushed for confirmation of an election later this year. She said councillors were provided with insufficient information when making vital decisions. “On any board of directors, the role is to make decisions based on the information given,” she said. “Even the Commissioner noted that information councillors were presented with was not sufficient.” Terry Collins
Oops, Council meeting has new unofficial start time Administrator Rik Hart says Central Coast Council will make it clear that Council meetings now actually start before the scheduled 6.30pm start time.
A change in meeting practice excluding the public forum from the official meeting means an earlier unofficial start if residents register to speak. Some residents missed the speakers this week when the
first meeting under the newly adopted code caught them unawares and they arrived at the usual time. While the meeting proper continues to start at 6.30pm, the public and open forums
now are held before the official agenda is dealt with. The first monthly meeting, on March 22, actually started at 5.45pm with six members of the public addressing the council-under-administration
until 6.10pm. The meeting was then adjourned for Mr Hart to discuss with senior staff the issues raised by the speakers. He returned at 6.30pm and officially started the
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Council meeting. The Council adopted a new code of meeting practice in February which reduced Council meetings to once a month and excised the forums from the formal meeting. The only way residents were aware of the new time was to have read the new Code of Meeting Practice and the new Public Forum Policy or have checked the Council website which was only updated on the day of the meeting. People have until 10am on the day of a meeting to register to speak. This reporter tried to read the Code of Meeting Practice for this story but the document would not open or download from Council’s website. Numerous attempts were met with “504 – Gateway Timeout”. Merilyn Vale
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BUSINESS & PROPERTY PAGE 25 25 MARCH 2022
Council’s electric fleet powers ahead Central Coast Council’s fleet of battery and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) is generating financial benefits and local opportunities as the cost of fuel continues to climb. Council’s long-term strategy to transition its light commercial and passenger vehicles to an EV fleet is in line with the NSW Government’s Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Plan, and aims to leverage benefits outlined in a 2020 Uncovering the hidden costs and benefits from Electric Vehicles report by EY for the Electric Vehicle Council. Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley, said Council’s decision to invest in
EVs over the medium- to longterm is paying early dividends financially, and providing the opportunity to upskill Council mechanics in an emerging field of “high-voltage” servicing and maintenance. “In the last 12 months the cost of fuel for our fossil-fuelled fleet has skyrocketed and is expected to continue to rise,” she said. “We also expect this impact will see the demand for EVs in the wider community grow. “Our current 10-year plan, which started three years ago, aims to ensure we are gradually transitioning our fleet to EVs, as our budgets and available technology allow for in a responsible and sensible yearon-year manner, rather than
This electric tipper-truck is part of the Council fleet
having to purchase them all at once at a time in the future when many other fleets will be seeking to do likewise.” Cowley said Council now has
several “smart charging stations” at different Council sites, with features that allow EVs to be charged off-peak. In the future, vehicle-to-grid
charging capability may be explored. “Increasing the number of charging stations has been a focus in the last 12 months to ensure our EV assets perform just as well as their fossilfuelled counterparts in realworld scenarios, and that we get maximum use and value from our EV and hybrid fleet,” she said. “Council’s fleet includes a hybrid 20-tonne excavator, a first-of-kind in NSW local government full battery electric tipper truck, six hybrid electric trucks, nine full battery electric passenger vehicles and 112 hybrid electric passenger vehicles.” Cowley said each hybrid or electric vehicle introduced so
far has displaced a full fossilfueled vehicle that had reached its end of service life. “We look forward to the next addition to our fleet, due to join in July 22, which will be a small library book community delivery service van,” she said. Cowley said Council had also partnered with five Hunterbased Councils to combine selected electricity requirements into a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said Council was continuing to explore funding assistance and subsidies under various programs currently on offer by the NSW Government. Source: Media release, Mar 23, 2022, Central Coast Council
Audited financial reports for 2020-21 are qualified and fail three benchmarks The 2020-21 audited financial reports for Central Coast Council and the Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority have been adopted, with each receiving a qualification on the estimated size of their assets. CEO David Farmer, speaking at the March 22 meeting where the reports were adopted, noted that Council had not met all the State Government benchmarks but was optimistic that Council would be on top of things by the end of this financial year. Administrator Rik Hart said he shared the optimism and said the real loss would only be about $40M if staff restructuring costs that had to be done as a result of the financial crisis of October 2020 were taken out. Council’s consolidated net operating result for the financial year ending 30 June 2021 was a deficit of $70.7M excluding
Grants and Contributions for capital purposes. After adjusting for Capital Grants and Contributions, the net operating result was a surplus of $13.0M. Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority’s net operating result for the financial year was a deficit of $41.5M excluding Grants and Contributions for capital purposes. After adjusting for Capital Grants and Contributions, the net operating deficit was $16.8M. The net assets for Central Coast Council as at 30 June 2021 totalled $7.4 billion. The net assets for Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority as at 30 June 2021 totalled $3.8 billion. Council failed to meet three benchmarks set by the State Government. The ‘Operating Performance Ratio’ measures how well Council contained operating
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expenditure within operating revenue. Council has breached this benchmark in line with the reported $70.7M operating loss before capital grants and contributions. The ‘Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio’ measures Council’s fiscal flexibility and the degree of reliance on external funding sources such as operating grants and contributions. Council’s performance is satisfactory as it is above the benchmark. The ‘Unrestricted Current Ratio’ measures the adequacy of working capital and Council’s ability to satisfy obligations in the short term for the unrestricted activities of Council. Council has corrected the prior year breach of this benchmark through additional $150M external borrowings to substantially
cover the reported overspend of unrestricted funds. The ‘Debt Service Cover Ratio’ measures the availability of operating cash to service debt including interest, principal and lease payments. Council has breached this ratio as the operating result before capital excluding interest and depreciation does not adequately cover loan principal repayments and borrowing costs. The ‘Rate and Annual Charges Outstanding Ratio’ assesses the impact of uncollected rates and annual charges on Council’s liquidity and the adequacy of debt recovery efforts. Council has breached this ratio however Council’s debt recovery efforts have shown significant improvement highlighted by the reduction in the ratio deficit from FY 2020, Council said. The ‘Cash Expense Cover Ratio’ indicates the number of
months a Council can continue paying for its immediate expenses without additional cash inflow. Council’s performance is above the benchmark. The audit opinion included two qualifications. At 30 June 2021, Council recognised $5.5B of roads, bridges, footpaths, bulk earthworks, stormwater drainage, water supply network and sewerage network assets but was unable to provide sufficient evidence to the Audit Office, to support that. Council’s Water Supply Authority recognised $3.6B of stormwater drainage assets, water supply network assets and sewerage network assets including $11.6M newly found assets but it was unable to supply sufficient evidence to the Audit Office to that. “A number of water and sewer assets were identified during this year’s comprehensive revaluations,
which were not recorded in the Council’s financial statements,” Council said. “Retrospective correction was made at 1July 2019 in accordance with AASB 108 ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’, which increased the prior year comparatives for water supply network assets and sewerage network assets.” The Authority was unable to provide sufficient evidence to the Audit Office, to support the carrying value of these assets on the Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2021. Council said the qualified opinions noted by the Audit Office have no impact on Council’s cash flows, liquidity or ability to repay debts but related to fixed assets. A working group has been initiated to align the two asset registers by 30 June 2022, Council said. Merilyn Vale
FREE SEMINAR Challenging Wills Seminar
Experienced down-to-earth help and advice throughout the Central Coast This free public seminar is being given by Brazel Moore Lawyers to help people understand what to expect, so they know where they stand in: • Challenging a Will; or • Defending a Will from Challenge The theme is to educate people about the options and choices available to them if they have been
left out of a Will - or if you want to leave someone out of your Will - alerting you to the pitfalls and procedures in dealing with Challenging Wills and how you should best deal with challenges. Mr Geoff Brazel, Solicitor will present the seminar on Challenging Wills to help you through the maze of legal regulation
The seminar will be presenting in a friendly relaxed atmosphere and there will be plenty of time for your questions. You’ll be helped a lot in understanding the system and will then be able to confidently consider what steps you need to take to properly consider challenges to Wills.
WHEN: 6 April, 2022 TIME: 6.45pm to 8.00pm WHERE: Gosford RSL Club HOW: Call 4324 7699 to reserve your spot now!
PAGE 26 25 MARCH 2022
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CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Should women set aside funds to cover the cost of IVF? WITH
Michelle BALTAZAR Editor-in-Chief • Money magazine
A staggering one in nine Australian couples experience fertility problems. Other women stop waiting for the right partner to come along and may choose to use fertility services to have a baby as a sole parent. Whatever the case, setting aside funds for fertility treatment doesn’t tend to rank high on the to-do list of most women – until it’s needed. At that point, managing a cost that can run into thousands of dollars has the potential to derail even the best-laid financial plans. Alice Almeida, founder of the IVF support service the Amber Network, says many women who end up doing IUI (intrauterine insemination) or IVF have unexplained infertility, which means they didn’t know
there’d be a problem to conceive and are unprepared for their fertility road ahead. “I suggest seeking advice from a professional (or someone you know who is great with money) as soon as you realise this might be your path. They can advise on what you can afford or offer tips on how to be safe and smart when it comes to your finances and IVF. You don’t want to be making big financial decisions based on raw emotion.” One of the challenges for women planning for IVF is that it’s almost impossible to predict the final cost. Plenty of IVF clinics advertise their fees but these may bear scant resemblance to the overall outlay. “You might be lucky and conceive first transfer (sadly, most don’t), which will leave you $5000 to $7000 out of pocket,” says Almeida. “But this
is just the clinic’s standard costs and doesn’t include optional, but very important, tests they could run such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGD), plus counselling.” Women may also choose other therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga and naturopathy, to complement fertility treatment. Almeida says this can blow out the cost of treatment by an extra $2000 to $3000. A financial squeeze isn’t the only thing women and couples should plan for. “Before starting fertility treatment, I strongly encourage you and your partner to speak to a psychologist or counsellor,” advises Almeida. “Fertility treatment can push you and your relationship to its limits. Knowing how to deal with these moments in the best way possible is very important. “My final bit of advice is to be
kind to yourself and do all you can to look after your mental health. Take time out. Do
whatever it is that makes you feel happy. Most importantly, learn to say, ‘I need you’ to
someone when you feel like you’re not coping on your own.” NICOLA FIELD
Investors get more involved by attending annual meetings The number of shareholders attending Computershare client AGMs in 2021 was the highest it’s been for five years, according to the platform provider. The 2022 AGM Intelligence Report revealed there were 736 AGMs in 2021, with a total of
26,513 shareholders attending – an increase of 14.5% on 2019. Around 74% attended a virtual meeting, 12% attended a hybrid and 15% joined in person. More than half the AGMs from Computershare were held online, although there was a slight increase in hybrid meetings.
The number of S&P/ASX 50 companies receiving pay strikes – or votes against proposals to increase executive pay – increased by five to seven during the year. However, protest votes across the S&P/ ASX 300 against individual directors fell by five (26 to 21). Around 48% of shareholder
proposals across all companies in the S&P/ASX 300 were climate related and received on average 56.7% shareholder support. There is also a growing trend towards the adoption of disclosures aligned with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TFCD), with 80 companies in the S&P/
ASX 200 doing so and, an increasing number of executives with their remuneration outcomes linked to climate change transition performance. While gender diversity remained an issue, as the market drives the 40:40:20 model (women, men and flexible) and an expectation of no less than
30% of either gender, the report revealed diversity beyond gender would be a significant focus for investors in 2022, with some proxy advisers and investors assessing how closely a company’s board reflects its workforce demographics, including factors such as ethnicity and age.
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HEALTH & EDUCATION
PAGE 27 25 MARCH 2022
Rising cost of prescriptions has pharmacists worried Central Coast pharmacists are concerned that the rising costs of prescriptions under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are forcing some people to choose between essential medications and other essentials such as food and petrol. Many commonly used medicines on the PBS are now costing patients $42.50 per prescription after the maximum co-payment went up again on January 1, raising concerns with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia that the figure could well rise to $50 by the end of the year. The cost of scripts for those on concessions also rose by 20 cents to $6.80. Pharmacist Stuart Anderson of West Gosford Late Night Chemist said the maximum copayment is the figure clients must pay on prescription medications, with the government picking up the rest of the tab. Although this latest rise was only 80 cents per prescription, Anderson said the amount could really add up over multiple prescriptions. “Every increase impacts the affordability of medicines and people have to make the choice between getting their medication or paying for other essentials,” he said. “The pressures on the family budget are getting worse and worse with prices going up everywhere else, at the supermarket, for insurance, at the petrol bowser … this is just
another pressure people don’t need. “The whole premise of the PBS is to provide essential medicines at the lowest possible price and I think they’ve moved away from that. Anderson said that almost every day he had customers coming in and finding they didn’t have enough money to fill their scripts. “Often they say they will come back for one of the medications the next week – sometimes they come back and sometimes they don’t. “The disadvantaged and those with mental health issues are at particular risk.” Anderson said he would like to see a freeze on rises to the maximum co-payment and a reduction in the safety net. At the moment, this safety net is set at 48 prescriptions, after which the cost of prescriptions drops from $42.50 to $6.80 for general patients and from $6.80 to zero for concession card holders. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says life-saving medicines used for diabetes, asthma, heart failure or anaphylaxis are becoming unaffordable for many. “The co-payment for general patients has doubled since 2000 and according to ABS figures, more than 900,000 Australians delayed or didn’t get a script filled in 2019-20 due to cost,” a spokesperson said. The Guild has found that nearly a third (31 per cent) of middle-income households
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($60,000 to $100,000) without a concession card have found it difficult to afford medications on the PBS and that hospitalisations and loss of productivity due to a failure to take medicines as instructed by medical professionals could cost the federal budget $10.4B in a year for hypertension, dyslipidemia and depression conditions alone. Guild National President, Professor Trent Twomey, said patients were increasingly asking pharmacists which of the medicines prescribed by their GP could be skipped to save money. “This is a dangerous trend, as prescribed medications are designed to work together to preserve the health and
ultimately save the lives of the patients who need them,” he said. “Pharmacists are worried that there will be more preventable ill-health and even deaths as people are increasingly finding themselves having to choose between buying the medicines they need and other essential items like rent, groceries and petrol.” “This is disproportionately affecting women. “I see mothers in my pharmacy forced to choose which child gets the medicines prescribed by the doctor or not filling their own scripts because there’s nothing left in the budget.” Terry Collins
Pharmacist Stuart Anderson of West Gosford Late Night Chemist
COULD YOU BE AN OFFICIAL COMMUNITY VISITOR (OCV)? OCVs visit children and young people in residential out-of-home care (OOHC), and adults living in disability supported accommodation and assisted boarding houses, throughout NSW. OCVs speak with residents and staff, review records, and identify and raise issues affecting residents. They provide a voice to those living in visitable services who may be unable to speak up and raise issues of concern on their own behalf. OCVs are appointed by the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services. The work is part-time, sessional work mainly in the evenings and on weekends and visiting hours are variable (between 15–40 hrs per month). Hourly remuneration is $34.14 plus expenses. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disability are encouraged to apply. Current employees of the Department of Communities and Justice are ineligible for appointment. Current areas we are recruiting in are: • New England (Armidale, Tamworth) • Central Coast (Gosford/Wyong) • Central West / Far West (Dubbo) • Hunter (Newcastle) • Sydney (northern beaches and western suburbs) Essential requirements • Given the risks to people with disability and older people from COVID-19, the OCV scheme expects all applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. • Holding a valid WWCC and submitting to a criminal record check are also requirements of the role. Further details on the OCV position and expression of interest details are available online at iworkfor.nsw.gov.au. Search under ‘Official Community Visitor’ in the keyword search. Apply online at iworkfor.nsw.gov.au. Applications will not be accepted in hard copy. More information on the role Please review the factsheets: ‘A week in the life of an OCV’ and ‘Interview with an OCV’ for information from OCVs about what the role is like: https://www.ageingdisabilitycommission. nsw.gov.au/about-us/official-community-visitors Probity checks will be completed on recommended applicants following interview. Applications close on: Saturday, 19th March 2022 at 11.59pm No late applications will be accepted.
PAGE 28 25 MARCH 2022
HEALTH & EDUCATION
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DOWN IN THE GARDEN: Start Saving Seeds
CHERALYN DARCEY
Although it may seem a simple enough task, to be effective a little planning, preparation and commitment is needed to save seeds from your garden. You can just shake, squeeze, and scrape those plants and collect all the seeds, but to ensure they have the best chance of being viable (being about to sprout), and will grow you a healthy, strong crop next time around, I’ve gathered a few tips and tricks for you to follow. Seeds are the embryonic stage of a plant, created after fertilisation and there are many reasons to collect your own. Firstly, money! While a packet of seeds may only be a few dollars, that adds up over a garden. By saving seeds you get plants for nothing and while you will never be able to plant all the seeds collected, you may consider selling them or their seedlings, swapping or giving them away. Your local community gardens will thank you too as many are now setting up Seed Libraries as a central point for swapping seeds to preserve varieties of the more successful crops or endangered plants in an area. Commercial seed producers focus on what is standard and popular. This is not because they are being picky, it’s just a matter of logistics. No one company, or even bunch of companies, could ever be able to satisfy everyone’s seed desires. By saving your own seeds you are adding to the diversity of plant types available and keeping alive a genetic legacy. One great Aussie institution that was founded on this principle is The Diggers Club. Created in 1978 by Clive and Penny Blazey to stop the disappearance of many plants including heirlooms and to have them available to the public. Members not only benefit from being
able to purchase seeds but many assist in the preservation of seeds as well. diggers.com.au Other reasons to save seeds include the opportunity to preserve the genetic material of the cream of your crop and because you need to let plants fully mature to collect their seeds, you will be helping our bee population but providing more flowers in the environment. My favourite reason is the opportunity to keep my personal garden legacy alive for my friends, family and to take that into the future. Being able to replant and even share the seeds of the plants I have loved, along with their memories is a beautiful thing and yet nothing new. The Ancient Egyptians believed that by telling a plant your hopes, dreams and plans that they would carry on through the eons long after you yourself had departed the earth. So, let’s get started saving those seeds for the future! Seed Saving Planning A possible problem with ducking out to the garden right now and collecting seeds is that they may be hybrids. Some may be hybrids that you have planted, and these won’t always produce the same plant from their seed. Also, pollinators, e.g., bees, have hopped from flower to flower in your garden and crossbreeding has occurred. While this can be exciting as it is how new varieties have been found in the past, if you are after a plant that is a true offspring of your original then you will need to ensure it is ‘openpollinated’. Some plants self-pollinate like lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and peas and are considered open pollinated, but others can be protected by planting with space or barriers between varieties or by pollinating by hand. You also need to plant more than a few of each type to ensure genetic strength and health of your seeds. While planning be prepared for those crops that take more than one season to start producing seeds. All this in mind, there is nothing wrong with collecting the seeds you have now and giving it a go, especially if you only have one type of each plant growing in your garden. Seed Collection Process There are two types of seeds: wet fruited or dry fruited and they need to be harvested differently.
FORT DENISON
Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect.
“but with interspersed stories and trials that were encountered as we restored a derelict farmhouse and establish a flower farm. Along the way, we met with tentative locals, dealt with perverse builders and ventured into beekeeping!” A Lavender Affair is the story of an Australian gardener, a Central Coast gardener, with a wealth of botanical wisdom and a lifetime of caring for our environment that makes her book a stand out in the historical memoir field but also a valuable resource for those wishing to perhaps grow their own patch of lovely lavender. GARDENING GUIDE FOR COAST GARDENERS THIS WEEK You need to wait until the fruits of wet fruited seeds fully mature for many plants and this will mean past what is the edible stage. To do this, just leave a few of these fruits (this includes what we know as vegetables too i.e., cucumbers and eggplants) growing until they are just at the end of their life before harvesting. Seeds will need to be obtained by cutting open the fruit and then washed and sometimes soaked to remove all traces of the fruit and then dried. Seeds from dry fruited plants can be collected as soon as you notice that the seeds are hard and if they are contained within a seed pod, removed from it. Then both wet and dry fruited seeds need to be dried out. This can be done by spreading out seeds onto very fine mesh screens, filter papers or waxed papers, indoors in a cool, dry place. While they should not be touching, you will need to move them around every few days. Leave for 2 - 3 weeks. Another more modern method involves using silica gel. Easily available online, place a layer of silica gel into an airtight flat container and then cover with fine mesh. Place seeds upon the mesh, spreading out as much as possible. Place lid onto container and leave in a cool, dry place. This method takes between a week to two weeks depending on seed size. Dry fruited seeds can also be collected and dried in one easy step. Place the stem of a mature flower or flower head into a brown paper bag, head down. I clip these bags onto a line in my garage, but you can also lay the bags down if it is in a cool, dry, and dark place. Give the bags a shake every few days
to release seeds. Once seeds have all fallen into the bag, remove stem, keep top open and leave in there for a few more weeks, still shaking occasionally. Seed Storage The longevity of seeds depends on many factors and while it is true that there have been viable seeds found hanging out in old jars that are thousands of years old it really is not the normal. The best place to store your seeds is in an airtight opaque container in your fridge or freezer where they will last for many years. Those kept in paper envelopes in cool, dry, and dark places in airtight containers will last until the next season and perhaps into the following year after that. The disappointment at seeds not germinating is caused mostly them being too old. GARDEN BOOK REVIEW A Lavender Affair by Central Coast author Marian French ISBN: 9781922444998 Shawline Publishing 2021
Chatting with author Marian French was a delight as she guided me through the creation of this precious historical reference and personal journal about one of the garden’s most beloved flowers, the lavender. A garden reference book that is also filled with Marion’s insights, observations, and obvious love of the garden. The gorgeous illustrations by Robin Ross bring to life Marion’s warmth and make this a lovely addition to any gardener’s library. “A gardening book, yes,” Marian explains.
TIDE CHART
You can plant the following now: Culinary herbs, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, chicory, cress, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsnip, peas, salsify, shallots, spring onions, silverbeet, swede, spinach, turnips, alyssum, calendula, candytuft, carnation, columbine, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, larkspur, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, poppy, primula, snapdragon,statice,stock,strawflower, sweet pea, wallflower By Request! Next Week: All About Sweet Peas HAVE YOU GOT A GARDEN OR GARDENING TOPIC TO SHARE? Down in the Garden is looking for Central Coast gardeners who would like to share their garden with us. We are particularly looking for: Evergreens, Tulips, Spring Bulbs, Water Feature Gardens, School/Children Gardeners, Commercial Kitchen Gardens, Medicinal Plant Gardeners, and Community Gardens but all gardens and gardeners are welcome contact: gardeningcentralcoast@ gmail.com Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM963. She is also co-host of @ MostlyAboutPlants a weekly botanical history & gardening podcast with Victoria White. Archived articles can be found on Cheralyn’s Blog: www.florasphere. com Send your gardening questions,
events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com
LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000
25
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1
2
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Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters
0222 1.67 0337 1.65 0456 1.67 0605 1.73 0038 0.59 0133 0.51 0222 0.44 0924 0.55 1045 0.53 1156 0.47 1254 0.41 0702 1.78 0753 1.81 0838 1.79 FRI 1520 1.22 SAT 1649 1.22 SUN 1803 1.29 MON 1900 1.39 TUE 1343 0.35 WED 1424 0.33 THU 1502 0.33 2050 0.73 2215 0.74 2332 0.68 1946 1.49 2029 1.57 2108 1.64 0308 0.41 0352 0.42 0333 0.44 0415 0.48 0458 0.54 0542 0.59 0632 0.65 0920 1.74 1000 1.66 0940 1.56 1017 1.46 1056 1.36 1137 1.28 1225 1.21 FRI 1536 0.36 SAT 1608 0.41 SUN 1538 0.48 MON 1607 0.55 TUE 1636 0.63 WED 1709 0.70 THU 1748 0.78 2145 1.68 2222 1.71 2157 1.71 2230 1.69 2306 1.66 2345 1.61
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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PAGE 29 25 MARCH 2022
Regenerative Agriculture: A wholistic Approach Becoming a regenerative farmer
GEORGIA LIENEMANN We’re midway through a series exploring the connection between farming methods and meat quality. This week we’re getting a peek behind the curtain at Grace Springs Farm in Kulnura as we chat to Virginia Mall about the far-reaching benefits of farming in a more holistic way.
It really is one of my greatest privileges in life to be a regenerative farmer. I had wanted to be a farmer since I was a young girl but was ‘redirected’ during my teen years. I worked in corporate, moved to Sydney, met my husband & started a family. All was wonderful until my son was diagnosed with leukaemia at just three years old. He had to go through two years of chemotherapy which was heart wrenching to watch. His diagnosis became a turning point in our family’s future. I started researching, trying to find answers. A mother wants to know why. I found that so much came back to the food we were eating as a society and even more importantly the way our food was farmed. So much has changed in how we farm our food in the last few generations. As I researched food, I was diving deeper and
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deeper into modern farming methods. My son was declared to be in remission seven years after his diagnosis and the same day we took possession of our 26 acre farm at Kulnura on the Central Coast. It was a huge step for us as a family and a realisation of a long-held dream. We wanted to farm without chemicals, we wanted to work with nature and we wanted to improve our soils and pastures. Our goal was to leave our farm in a better state every day than it was the day before. We wanted to produce nutrient dense food for our community. We were part of the emerging band of ‘regenerative farmers’. What is regenerative farming? In regenerative farming we try to take a step back, to look at the bigger picture, rather than just focus in on the problem and finding one fix-all solution. We try to take a more holistic approach. We look at the incredible symbiotic relationships between the animals and the plants and consider the whole ecosystem in our decisions – rather than just looking at managing a farm. As a farmer I am always looking for signs. Signs that our management is on track, and signs that we need to make some adjustments. We look for early signs of problems in our animals too. If a chicken’s comb is lopsided or their tail is down, they are not feeling well. If a cow hasn’t been chewing her cud or the pigs don’t come straight up for their feed, we will try to work out what is going on. By getting on top of any potential problems early we are able to minimise the use of medications in the food chain and produce clean, healthy food for our customers. One of the signs of a thriving eco system is spider webs. Spiders are an apex predator, meaning they are at the top of their food chain. So, having spider webs in our pastures is a sign that we have lots of life/ biology in our pastures for them to feed on. Having healthy soils means that nutrients in the soil can be drawn up by the plants and made available for
the animals to graze on, leading to healthier animals. The many benefits rotational grazing
of
We rotationally graze our animals on our pastures. We move them onto new pasture nearly every day. By moving them constantly we are breaking the parasite life cycle and don’t need to use commercial drenches on our cattle. Manure with traces of commercial drench in it will kill dung beetles that try to eat it. We have a thriving dung beetle population that take the dung underground, aerate the soil, feed the underground biology, fertilise our pastures. They don’t ask for wages and no fossil fuels are needed either. A real win-win for the environment and the reduction in chemicals used in raising the animals is so much better for human health too. On our farm we have some weeds and we are OK with that. Often the weeds are the only plants on the farm in flower at certain times of the year and provide pollen for our bees. If we didn’t have those weeds our bees would have to travel further to find food. We try to ensure we have food for our bees year-round and don’t use any bee attractants sprays to pollinate our fruits or veggies. Our farm may not be as neat and tidy as other farms in the area, but the biodiversity in plants, insects and animals is
what we focus on. Life & biodiversity is often in the messiness & less curated areas. Each different species of plant on the farm draws up different nutrients from the soil and makes them available to our animals when they graze the leaves. Having diversity in our plants means the animals can choose which plants they want to eat, based on which nutrients they need. Farming in harmony with nature We have had a pair of sea eagles here breeding over the Summer. They are magnificent to watch, but incredibly destructive to our meat chickens. To enable us to continue farming meat chickens – without impacting the sea eagles – we have added a Livestock Guardian dog to our team. Filippo lives with our meat chickens and instinctively guards them. He barks at foxes and goannas and jumps as aerial predators try to land in that area. We try to farm in a way that is complementary to our natural ecosystems. We aim to keep our animals in as natural a habitat as they are originally from. Our cattle are out on pasture with access to shade trees, our pigs are kept in the more forested areas. Our chickens are free to dust bath, our pigs free to root around in the soil. By allowing our animals to express
themselves in these natural ways we are reducing their stress levels and growing happier, healthier animals. The bigger picture In regenerative farming, success is not just measured in dollars. Regenerative farmers regularly practice biological monitoring and keep records on the number of species of plants, animals & insects within an area, as well as monitoring their soils for improvement. Success is also measured in the increases in soil carbon and increases in biodiversity. Regenerative farming is about looking at the bigger picture. Regenerative agriculture is about stepping back and allowing nature to do as much of the work as possible. Looking at improving soils and pastures, ecosystems & environments. Raising healthy livestock and producing healthy food for our communities. Grace Springs Farm is run by mother and son team, Virginia & Ethan Mall. They produce pasture raised chickens, eggs, pigs, honey & beef. Their produce is available from the farm, Reko Central Coast, Avoca Beach Farmers Market & home delivery across the Central Coast. Grace Springs Farm also run Farm Tours for the public and excursions for school groups. For more information you can visit their website: www. gracespringsfarm.com.au
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SPORT PAGE 31 25 MARCH 2022
Young Mariners turn it on in Mudgee FOOTBALL Several young Mariners players took advantage of their opportunity to lift the Mariners to a much-needed 4-2 victory over the Macarthur Bulls in Mudgee on March 19. The Mariners went to Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium missing many of their experienced players including skipper Oliver Bosanic, Ben N’Kololo and Dan Young. However, goals from rising stars Matt Hatch and Noah Smith complemented a brace from the ever-dangerous Marco Urena and punctuated a dazzling display from the blue
and yellow. Urena’s opening goal in the 27th minute off a dashing lead from Jason Cummings forced a triple change from Bulls coach Ante Milici, a new A-League record for the earliest such change. Cummings looked dangerous throughout, missing an early one-on-one chance but providing plenty of assists, including a near miss from Hatch that sailed over the crossbar late in the game. Other youngsters, Cy Goddard, Harry McCarthy and (a cleanly head-shaven) Jason Farrell were also in good touch early before Goddard succumbed to an injury to
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make way for Hatch. McCarthy also left the field after 18 minutes with an ankle injury and will have scans this week. Goals for the Bulls’ Mariappa in injury time of the first half and La Rose in the 88th minute provided some consolation. Mariners Coach Nick Montgomery was very pleased with the win. “I’ve got belief in these young boys, they’ve got a lot of character - I’ve worked with them for the last couple of years in the NPL,” he said after the match. The strong form of the young substitute players may well present some selection
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The Mariners celebrate in Mudgee Photo: Simone Kurtz/Mudgee Guardian
Longboard challenge raises $3,500 for Lifeline competition held between three longboard clubs (Central Coast Malibu Boardriders, Shelly Beach Malibu Club and Ocean Beach Malibu Club) and raised money for Lifeline Central Coast. Representatives of the three clubs and event sponsors presented the cheque to Lifeline on Tuesday, March 8, at Avoca Beach Surf (shop). A Lifeline spokesperson said the much-needed funds will cover the cost of training a crisis support worker. “In 2021, the demand for our services from the community was up 25 per cent and this demand continues to grow within our local community,” the spokesperson said. “Lifeline Central Coast has a proud history of being ‘in community, for community and with community’. “With so much uncertainty, anxiety and stress in the community, Lifeline has never
At least two years relevant experience, in a related area is required for these position. Fast learner to understand and apply new knowledge and techniques. Strong attention to detail and accuracy
dilemmas for the Mariners coach. “We’ve got a seven-day break and hopefully we should have some boys back in the squad … but when the boys perform like that, I’ve always been fair, if you put the performances in, you stay in the team.” The win pushes the Mariners up to eighth place on the ladder, just four points adrift of the top six, with five games to play. The Mariners will now play Adelaide at Central Coast Stadium, March 26 with kick off at 7:45pm – another must win game if they are to feature in the finals.
A charity longboard event held at Copacabana has raised $3,500 for Lifeline Central Coast. Hosted by the Central Coast Malibu Boardriders, the Central Coast Charity Longboard Challenge was held on February 20. The event was a surf
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PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT SOMERSBY INCLUDING 5G 2203 Old Sydney Town: 74 Quarry Rd, Somersby NSW 2250 (RFNSA 2250013) The proposed facility consists of the addition of new equipment and associated works, including 5G, as follows: • Removal of existing Vodafone antennas and equipment • Installation of three (3) panel antennas, 2.7m long, on the existing headframe • Installation of three (3) panel antennas, 0.8m long, on the existing headframe • Installation of ancillary equipment including fifteen (15) remote radio units, antenna mounts and cabling 1. Vodafone regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), based on the description above. 2. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Archie Aparicio at Axicom, 02 9495 9000, community@axicom.com.au or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 by Monday, 11 April 2022. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/2250013.
Day, Night & Weekend shifts available Based in Woy Woy, Bensville & Green Point. Over 50's Very Welcome! 1 x shift per week or 6 shifts per week - We can cater for you! Must be prepared to wear Taxi Uniform (shirts supplied) Clean the vehicle & provide good customer service . MUST BE AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN - LIVING IN AUSTRALIA. If you have an Unrestricted NSW Drivers License, Can pass Working with Children & Criminal History Checks --> We want you now Please call 4344 4422 in business hours!
The Longboard Challenge was held at Copacabana
been needed as much as it is right now. On New Year’s Day, Lifeline received 3,726 calls to our crisis support service, the highest ever
AFL
number of calls in a single day. Sponsors of the event were Clean Windows 4 You, Avoca Beach Surf, Sojos Mechanical and Tyre Service, Vanimo Surf
Lodge, Evolve Electrical Services, GoodGear Workwear, Sojo Shapes and macintype. Terry Collins
Calls for more players to sign up for AFL2022
A number of local AFL clubs are at risk of folding unless more players register for the coming season. The Gosford Tigers was the latest club to issue a plea to new and existing players to return to AFL in 2022. The fate of the club will be decided on March 25 following the club’s last-ditch tryouts eon March 24. The Club’s 51-year history as the Central Coast’s longest-
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standing AFL Club is under threat as it struggles to hit the numbers required. After two challenging COVIDimpacted seasons, Gosford Tigers President, Brad McKaig, said the club had reached a difficult juncture. “To be honest, none of us thought we would be in this position,” McKaig said. “We believed we were just off to a slow start this season based on a series of challenging events, but we always had faith that our locals would eventually get involved and get registered, but unfortunately they haven’t. “At this stage, it isn’t looking good, and we are facing a truly sad decision unless we can muster up enough support from those that can play for us.” McKaig said a demographic shift on the Coast over the past two to three years may mean there are plenty of willing and able new players who just haven’t yet thought about joining the Tigers.
“We have experienced a population influx the past two years,” he said. “Community sport is such a fantastic way to meet others, so we are calling upon all new Coasties as well as those who have been here for years and anyone that maybe sitting on the fence – come join us and save our club.” The club will hold a family friendly barbecue at the free tryouts at Adcock Park on March 24 from 6pm. The Niagara Park-Ourimbah Dockers have also put out a call for more junior players to register for the 2022 AFL season. The Dockers have a final registration day at the Lisarow Sporting Precinct (The Ridgeway) at 4-6pm on Tuesday 29 March for boys and girls aged 8-17 and have put out a call to the local community to get behind the club. Terry Collins and Ross Barry
PAGE 32 25 MARCH 2022 SPORT
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Bellbirds are 2021-22 Women’s First Grade Premiers Terrigal-Matcham took out the Central Coast Cricket Association’s 2021-22 First Grade Women’s premiership on Saturday, comfortably defeating Lisarow-Ourimbah in the grand final at Rogers Park. The win capped off a great year for the Bellbirds who only
lost one game for the season. Terrigal-Matcham batted first and notched up 112 for the loss of 5 wickets off their allotted 20 overs, boosted by a 59-run third wicket partnership between Ella Merritt and Emily Humphreys. Merritt was eventually dismissed for 35, while Humphreys retired at
33 not out. In reply, Lisarow-Ourimbah looked threatening early reaching 50 for the loss of just one wicket with P.J Hooke and Jade Burkinshaw striking the ball well. But when Burkinshaw was bowled by Merritt for 15, the wickets tumbled, and the team were restricted to 6 for 68.
Merritt was the best of the Terrigal-Matcham bowlers snaring 4 wickets for just 13 runs off four overs. Merritt was also awarded player of the match for her sterling effort with both bat and ball. In the Men’s Preliminary Final, The Entrance’s hopes of a grand final appearance were
dashed without a ball being bowled. Heavy rain on Saturday morning got onto the pitch which made it unplayable on either day. As Terrigal-Matcham entered the match the highest ranked team they progressed through to the Grand Final leaving The Entrance to rue what might
have been. Terrigal-Matcham will now face Kincumber-Avoca in the Grand Final at Tuggerah Regional Sporting Complex next Friday, Saturday and Sunday with play to commence at 12.30pm each day. Ross Barry
Local surfers shine at Avoca SURFING The Central Coast Pro at Avoca Beach finished on Saturday, March 19 with local surfers winning three out of the four competitions.
Macy Callaghan
Photo: Natalie Meredith / Surfing NSW
On Friday, March 18, Avoca Beach local and North Shelly Boardrider, Macy Callaghan, found herself in a final repeat from last year against North Shelly local, Molly Picklum. The result was reversed this time with Callaghan claiming
the win and 3,000 qualifying points for the upcoming Challenger Series. The North Shelly duo of Joel Vaughan and Molly Picklum took out the Men and Women’s Central Coast Pro Junior on Saturday. For Picklum, the week back home from the Championship Tour has kept her in good form ahead of the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Haakon Barry