Coast Community News 362

So Long Matty, and thanks for all the goals

Is another increase in rates coming?

Another rate rise could be on the cards for Central Coast residents if Council decides to apply for the 3.8 per cent rate peg rise approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for the region for 2023-24.

IPART has set the 2023-24 base rate peg for NSW councils at 3.7 per cent, with an allowance for level of population growth meaning some councils will have rate pegs of up to 6.8 per cent.

The Central Coast peg has been set at 3.8 per cent.

IPART says the rate peg protects ratepayers from “excessive increases in Council rates by limiting the total amount by which councils can

increase income from rates each year”.

But this could be cold comfort to ratepayers still reeling from an announcement in May that a Special Rate Variation (SRV), allowing for a 13 per cent increase on Central Coast rates (outside the rate peg) until 2031 had been approved.

An IPART spokesperson confirmed that Council could adopt the 3.8 per cent rate peg rise on top of the 13 per cent SRV approved for 20 years from July 1, 2021.

IPART says the increase is below the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) year-ended Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 5.3 per cent to June 2022.

IPART Chair Carmel Donnelly

said higher inflation means that councils are facing increased costs in delivering services to the communities they serve.

“We have taken these increased costs into consideration while also trying to limit the level of rate increases that ratepayers are facing,” she said.

“IPART does not set the actual rates that households and businesses pay, which is a decision for councils and their communities.

“However, councils must set those rates to ensure that the change in total rates income stays below the rate peg limit.”

IPART is currently reviewing the methodology it will use to set the rate peg from 2024-25

and is calling for public submissions to the Issues Paper which is available on IPART’s website until November 4.

“We will be looking at new approaches to setting the rate peg that reflect, as far as possible, changes in inflation and local government costs, while continuing to protect ratepayers from excessive rate increases,” Donnelly said.

IPART will also be consulting with stakeholders during workshops to be held in November.

A Draft Report will be released in February 2023, setting out draft findings and recommendations.

IPART will then take further submissions on the Draft Report and hold a public

hearing early next year, most likely in March.

A Council spokesperson said rate increases are capped by IPART and vary due to movements in a range of costs and an allowance for growth.

“Last year that figure was set at 1 per cent; this year there has been a significant increase in a range of costs, in particular construction costs and energy.

“Consequently a cap of 3.8 per cent has been set for next year.

“Council will advertise its rates in late April/May, 2023, as part of its Operational Plan and Budget.

“Public submissions on that will be considered and the final document including rates will be adopted in late June, 2023.”

Terry Collins

Mariners legend, Matt Simon (fourth from left)

After 15 years in the A-League, Mariners legend and homegrown hero, Matt Simon, has officially announced his retirement from professional football.

As the region braces itself for bushfire and storm season, now both officially underway, Central Coast Council is urging residents to ‘Get Ready’ for future events.

First adapted for the stage in the late 1990s from the hit 1994 movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is as relevant today as when it was first written with its themes of inclusivity and acceptance.

Three Central Coast hotels are in contention for Best Regional Hotel of the Year, along with several other local finalists across a variety of categories in the 2022 Australian Hotel Association NSW Awards.

Avoca Beach junior surfer Talia Tebb has taken out the Under 12 Girls’ title at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Qualifier and is now guaranteed a spot in the national final, to be held in Melbourne next March.

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Packed agenda for next week’s Council meeting

With Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, set to attend the 2022 Local Government NSW Annual Conference as Council’s voting delegate from October 23, the next Council meeting will be held earlier than usual – on October 11.

The meeting has a packed agenda, with several major items.

Council is expected to acknowledge the Six Cities Region Vision recently released by the Greater Cities Commission for consultation, noting that the broad vision is generally consistent with Council’s adopted strategic plans including the Community Strategic Plan, Interim Local Strategic Planning Statement, Economic Development Strategy and Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.

Officers have recommended the CEO write to the Greater Cities Commission outlining Council’s support of the Six Cites Region Vision and Six Region Shapers.

Council is also expected to forge ahead with plans to tackle ongoing erosion problems at Wamberal Beach through seawall options, with a recommendation to adopt updated Engineering Design Requirements for use by landowners preparing DAs for seawalls.

Landowners would be responsible for the design, construction and maintenance

of any seawall fronting private property while coastal protection works fronting Council-owned land at the beh access ways and Wamberal Surf Lifesaving Club would be costed through Council’s Long Term Financial Plan

Council is expected to adopt the Davistown and Empire Bay Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (with slight amendments) and the Northern Lakes Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Also on the agenda is the proposed realignment of Glenning Valley, Berkeley Vale and Fountaindale suburb boundaries including the renumbering of properties in Torrellia Way following public consultation.

A total of 35 submissions was received during the 28-day consultation period, 31 of which supported the proposed boundary realignment.

11 submissions were received on the renumbering of Torrellia Way, eight of which raised objections.

Reasons for objection to a boundary change at Fountaindale included: possible confusion for emergency services; the need for changes to school boundaries and the fact that the reasoning behind the boundary realignment was due to marketing of the Glades Estate as Glenning Valley which does not impact on existing properties in Fountaindale.

Concerns were also raised over the cost to residents of a suburb change, the need for postcode alterations and confusion about property which will be located within both the suburbs of Glenning Valley and Fountaindale.

The recommendation from officers is that Council resolve to adopt the proposal to realign the Glenning Valley and

Berkeley Vale suburb boundaries, but not the Fountaindale suburb boundary.

The report says that although the majority of residents in Torrellia Way were opposed to the street renumbering, Council is required to allocate street numbers in accordance with addressing standards to ensure clear, consistent and compliant numbering and boundary delineation.

It recommends adopting street numbering changes along with finalisation of suburb boundary rationalisation, inclusive of minor changes to the original proposal.

The meeting will be held at 6.30pm at Wyong Council chambers with the full agenda now available on Council’s website.

11

Coast Council meeting agenda,

Lakes Floodplain Risk Management Study

Coast’s hospitals still under stress

Latest data from the Bureau of Health Information reveals continuing problems at the region’s public hospitals, with spikes in Emergency Department (ED) wait times.

The Bureau of Health Information’s recently released Quarterly Report for April-June shows a continuing trend of overload at the EDs of both hospitals, with more than 60 per cent of patients at Gosford Hospital and 52.6 per cent at Wyong in ED for more than four hours between arrival and departure.

These figures were up more than 12 per cent at Gosford and 6 per cent at Wyong compared to the same quarter in 2021.

Patients waiting for ambulances also faced huge wait times, particularly those who were classed as emergency, with fewer than 40 per cent of calls being responded to within 15 minutes.

Wait times for non-urgent elective surgery have ballooned out to 485 days at Gosford and 437 at Wyong.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, says the statistics demonstrate a failure of investment by long-

term Liberal Governments.

“It’s clear to anyone paying attention that this is a staffing crisis a decade in the making,” he said.

“Liberal National Governments at both the Federal and State levels have dropped the ball on training and recruitment together with failure to address pay and working conditions and our hospital system is now seeing the poor outcomes.”

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, said the data confirmed that the system is not coping,

resulting in poorer outcomes for patients and staff suffering from burnout after being overworked.

“After 12 years of this Liberal Government under resourcing our health system it has reached its breaking point and urgent action is required to address the problem,” she said.

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, said the statistics were “worrying” and urged Central Coast Local Health District to outline its plans to improve the system.

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said the news wouldn’t shock anyone who has gone through the doors at Gosford or Wyong Hospital.

“Our Emergency Departments are stretched to capacity and ambulances are queueing for hours to offload patients,” she said.

“Nurses and other health staff are feeling burnt out after years of pay cuts, staff shortages and tough conditions.”

“It is so important that the Government do something

urgently to address this growing crisis at our local hospitals.”

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has emphasised that the report time for EDs reflects total time spent, during which patients are triaged and treated.

CCLHD CEO, Scott McLachlan, said the region’s hospitals and health services faced significant challenges from April to June this year as the Omicron outbreak continued to drive high COVID-19 case numbers and the flu season

reached its peak.

“Throughout the second quarter of 2022, the large number of COVID-19 and flu cases in the community not only presented serious challenges with respect to complex presentations and admissions to our hospitals, but also due to staff unavailability as staff contracted or were exposed to respiratory illnesses, whether in the community or at work,” he said.

“People who present to our emergency departments are always triaged and seen according to the clinical urgency of their condition.

“During busy times those with less urgent conditions will experience longer wait times.

“We deeply thank our staff for their dedication and incredible efforts, across all our services, in continuing to provide high quality care for our community during another challenging quarter.

“Since this reporting period, there have been significant improvements in the timeliness of care at Gosford and Wyong Emergency Departments due to measures taken to enhance patient access and flow.”

Terry Collins

PPrepaid

At Palmdale Memorial Park

The Emergency Department at Gosford Hospital

New warning system in place as storm season begins

As the official storm season begins, with an increased risk of damaging weather ahead for the Central Coast and the rest of the state, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is adopting the new Australian Warning System.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, said while storms and floods are experienced year-round, the highest period of danger stretches from the beginning of October to the end of March.

“With storm season now upon us, there’s no reprieve for NSW communities and the SES, which has been engaged in operations in some parts of the state for almost 12 months,” Cooke said.

“The annual increased frequency of storms, strong winds and rain will coincide with a third consecutive La

Nina, which means communities right across the state will remain on high alert.

“News of more rain and wild weather is hard to hear, particularly for our flood-fatigued communities, but it’s important that we’re not complacent.

“For the first time the SES is rolling out an updated warning system, which will deliver more localised and targeted communication of risks, and clearer warnings about the action people need to take to stay safe.”

The new system includes the

following three tiers of warnings: Advice; Watch and Act; and Emergency Warning.

Warnings during storms and flood events will continue to be distributed through text message alerts, the SES website, SES social media channels, ABC radio stations

and media outlets.

SES Commissioner, Carlene York, said volunteers have experienced their busiest year on record, responding to more than 50,000 flood and storm jobs in the 12 months to June 2022.

“It’s been an extraordinarily

wet year and SES volunteers have been operational somewhere across the state every single day of 2022,” York said.

“We are heading into a period where there is a greater chance of storms and floods, and it’s essential to take simple steps now like preparing an emergency evacuation kit in case you need to evacuate your home.

“Making safe decisions including evacuating when you are told and not driving through flooded roads and causeways will help protect yourself and your family this storm season.”

The NSW Government is supporting the SES with a $132.7M Budget investment in facilities, hiring new staff, acquiring more resources and restructuring the agency’s operations.

Source: Media release, Sep 29 NSW Government

Get ready for storms and bushfires, says Council

As the region braces itself for bushfire and storm season, now both officially underway, Central Coast Council is urging residents to ‘Get Ready’ for future events.

Council Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe, said the Coast is no stranger to emergency events and extreme weather.

“We have experienced a wide range of emergency events in recent years – from severe bushfires to storms, coastal erosion, repeated heavy rainfall and flooding, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Howe said.

“We know that severe weather and other emergency events will continue to be a part of our lives on the Central Coast, especially as we continue to experience La Niña climate conditions which can bring above average rainfall,

severe and frequent storms, and a hot, humid summer season.

“Now is the time to understand your current risks and create an up-to-date plan for natural emergency events and severe weather.”

Council Acting Director of Community Services, Glenn Cannard, said as a community we’ve displayed great strength

in working through these challenges together and alongside emergency service organisations – from the response phase through to recovery and circling back again.

“Now is the time to prepare,” he said.

“Please don’t wait for a disaster to happen before you think about what you need to

do, or how you are going to protect your home and belongings.

Cannard said being prepared for emergencies can save lives and property and helps the community recover more quickly from emergency events when they do occur.

“We all share the responsibility of being informed and aware of our risks, and to check that we

are adequately prepared to respond to emergencies.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the region’s environmental characteristics of over 128,500HA of bushland, 80km of coastline and encasing large lakes and waterways can isolate communities quickly in a severe emergency situation, making preparedness particularly important for the region.

“Council has a holistic approach to management of emergency events which encompasses the full circle of emergency management planning, preparedness, response and recovery – all of which are constantly being improved upon to incorporate new learnings from each event and shared knowledge from a range of key stakeholders,” Hart said.

“Council is not the main authority in emergencies.

“However, we continue to work alongside and support lead emergency agencies to raise awareness and share resources that will help our local community prepare for emergency and severe weather events.

“I encourage all the Central Coast community, including residents and businesses, to take the time this month to ‘Get Ready’ for emergency events and boost our defence as a resilient community.”

“It’s important to think about the area you live in, your circumstances and the types of disasters that could affect you.”

For information and resources on preparing for emergency events, go online to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ emergencies

Primary source: Central Coast Council, Oct 4, 2022l

A new warning system is in place as storm season begins

The three new warning levels

The Coast

Gosford War Memorial is one of 20 across the state to receive a grant from the NSW Government’s $125,000 Community War Memorials Fund.

Gosford RSL Sub-Branch President, Greg Mawson, said the $10,000 received from the fund would be used to renovate the memorial, which is rotting from the inside.

“The cenotaph has deteriorated over many years to the point where it is now absolutely trashed,” he said.

Repairs will be tricky as the memorial cannot be sand blasted.

“There are a lot of things you can’t do to it – it has to be repaired the right way,” Mawson said.

But even when the memorial is repaired, Mawson said the site cannot be used for official gatherings.

“The grounds are too unsafe to use,” he said.

“There are exposed tree roots everywhere – I am afraid someone might have a bad accident – and the retaining wall to the lower level is slipping away.”

Mawson said the grounds themselves were the

Gosford war memorial to be repaired

responsibility of Central Coast Council.

“We’ve been told the repairs would cost around $500,000,” he said.

“The Moreton Bay figs around the cenotaph have to go – their roots are tearing up the memorial.”

The Sub-Branch had to divert ANZAC Day services to Kibble Park this year because of the poor condition of the cenotaph and surrounds and will do the same for Remembrance Day on November 11.

A Council spokesperson said while Council undertakes basic vegetation maintenance, the extreme wet weather over the last few months has resulted in continual waterlogged ground conditions.

“As weather conditions improve, the grounds should return to a more usable condition.

“In relation to exposed tree roots, largely from the fig trees, Council’s crew mulches the roots to alleviate trip hazards, however removal of the roots entirely would make the fig trees unstable and thus a risk.”

The spokesperson said Council would need to inspect the retaining wall referred to before it can comment on any

works which may be required and an inspection would be made this week.

“Regarding any tree removal, the RSL will need to make contact with the relevant area in Council to make a formal request,” the spokesperson said.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney, David Elliott, said war memorials help local communities commemorate the sacrifice of service men and women and reflect more than 100 years of service and sacrifices made by our veterans.

“On Anzac Day communities gather at their local war memorials to pay respect and honour our diggers – it is vitally important these memorials are protected to ensure all generations understand and remember the sacrifices made during the war,” he said.

Round 2 of the Community War Memorials Fund will open on Remembrance Day, November 11, and close on February 13, 2023.

Terry Collins

The Gosford War Memorial will be repaired with a $10,000 grant

Residents still concerned over possible dam overflow

Residents of the Lower Hawkesbury feel more prepared for future flood events following a meeting on September 24 with representatives from Central Coast Council and emergency services, but questions still remain over possible spillage from Mangrove Creek Dam.

River Cares President, Robyn Downham, said the first part of the morning was dedicated to the building, management and safety of the dam, which reached 100 per cent capacity for the first time ever during heavy storms in July this year.

“We were told that the dam, built between 1978 and 1982, was designed with a spillway in case it overflowed and that it was not expected to fail,” Downham said.

“It is designed and built to withstand a one-in-a-millionyear flood and there are daily visual inspections checking for cracking, deformation, damp spots etc.

“We were told there is also online monitoring and if there was a seepage there would be an alert.”

Council’s Section Manager, Bushfire and Flood Risk Management, Peter Sheath, told the meeting flooding from July 2-7 this year was the worst since 1867 and saw the dam reach capacity and start to spill.

He said there was no expectation that the dam would

fail but there was a very small chance it could happen.

“We also discussed the Dam Safety Emergency Plan, which helps enable a collaborative approach, identifying and evaluating potential situations, providing a system of timely notifications,” Sheath said.

“Modelling helps to see who will be affected and how much, and the time aspect to any flooding, with the objective of giving as much notice (as possible) by the Council and the SES to the residents along Mangrove Creek.

Downham said while residents found the information impressive, there was still concern that there is no plan in place for pre-emptive spillage when the dam is at full capacity.

“The Council talked about damage and danger mitigation, but it is only since the dam spilled in July that they have assessed who actually lives or owns property downstream and who might be impacted by the spill,” she said.

Residents are also concerned that there are no official reliable procedures as to how they can be notified in case of emergency spillage, with a telephone tree ineffective when the landlines go down, as they do during many flood events in the area.

“Until the CB radio network is established how are the people along Mangrove Creek be notified, especially those residents without mobile coverage?” she said.

Downham suggested something like a klaxon warning system was needed to provide people downstream with adequate notice.

“There was (also) no mention about the regular maintenance checks on the holding tanks and pressure valves – for example at Pembertons Hill Rd, where water was pouring out of the holding tank in August,” she said.

The second part of the meeting was driven by Superintendent Darrell Jobson from Brisbane Water Police, who explained that SES is the combat agency for flooding and the RFS is the combat agency for fire, with all services committed to doing their best for the community.

He told residents they should learn from what happened in the recent floods and not be complacent.

“If you know you are going to be isolated, decide to get out –

either self-evacuate by staying with friends or family or leave when the SES arrives with a bus to take you to an evacuation centre,” he said.

“If you are going to stay, make sure you have enough provisions to last for at least two weeks.”

Downham said residents requested additional and adequate flood markers along Wisemans Ferry Rd, with Council’s Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard, replying there is a process involved before installing them and the same applies to rain gauges.

Residents were also given a rundown of emergency procedures and liaison between various agencies and of the challenges faced by SES over the past few years with fires and flooding.

Although Mangrove Creek Dam filled to 100 per cent and water flowed through the

spillway during the July flood event, the water level remained below any alert levels in the Dam Emergency Plan, Central Coast Council says.

A spokesperson said the dam is now sitting at 99 per cent and is being used to supply water to both water plants.

“Council has a Dam Emergency Plan for all of its water supply dams, including Mangrove Creek Dam,” the spokesperson said.

“The Plan outlines the water levels that trigger activation of the Plan and notification to other agencies, such as the NSW SES.

“The NSW SES assumes a lead agency role in relation to community management, including managing any evacuation warnings and orders.

“Council’s primary responsibility is to monitor and manage the dam.”

The spokesperson said the Mangrove Creek Dam Emergency Plan is a confidential document, but Council has prepared a public summary which will soon be available on its website.

“Although the SES is the lead agency responsible for public communications during a flood emergency, Council is aware of communication challenges in the communities downstream of Mangrove Creek Dam,” the spokesperson said.

“Council has community development programs in the

$700,000 on offer for community projects

Not-for-profit and community groups delivering important projects and initiatives to assist those most in need in our communities are being encouraged to apply for a share in the $700,000 kitty from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

The grants on offer will

support new or existing community-based projects concerned with the key focus areas of health, young people and social wellbeing.

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Executive Officer, Carly Bush, said the rising cost of living was driving a higher need for those in our communities seeking services and support.

“The current economic landscape is really intensifying the pressure already felt by our regional NSW communities, and in particular the charities that work tirelessly to support them,” Ms Bush said.

“Those in the Central Coast community who were already vulnerable are becoming even more at risk and it’s the charities of the region who are doing the most to help out.

“We are committed to giving back so that local groups can continue to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives now and for future generations,” Bush said.

Grants appointed as part of this funding round will mark 20 years of the Charitable Foundation supporting deserving charities and notfor-profits, during which time $25M in funding has been

granted to initiatives that have helped rewrite the future of people in need across regional NSW.

Over the past year alone, the Charitable Foundation has contributed to a number of projects aimed at addressing disadvantage and creating opportunity in the Central Coast region, including $110,000 to The Shepherd Centre’s first clinical service for deaf

area to improve communications support for the community during extreme weather events.

“This includes leveraging existing information sharing methods in the community, such as phone trees.

“These methods were utilised to provide local representatives with updates during the July flood.

“Mangrove Creek Dam is a water supply dam, not a flood mitigation structure,” the spokesperson said.

“When Mangrove Creek Dam spills, the volume of water is the equivalent of the natural flows that would ordinarily be entering Mangrove Creek from the upstream catchment – the dam does not increase the volume of this water.

“Flows recorded in the July flood were at a relatively low rate and small in comparison to downstream catchment flows, particularly when compared to the flows from the significantly larger Hawkesbury River catchment.

“For comparison, the July flood maximum flow over the MCD spillway was approximately 2 gigalitres per day, considerably smaller than the Warragamba Dam which was spilling at 515 gigalitres per day at its peak.”

children, $90,000 to OzHarvest’s Central Coast and Lake Macquarie Food Rescue expansion and $87,000 to Autism Camp Australia’s Helping Hands Project.

Applications are now open via the Charitable Foundation website and close at 11.59pm on Monday, October 31.

Sue Murray

OzHarvest driver Luke McKelvey, Miranda Browne from the Food Hub and OzHarvest Manager Newcastle and Central Coast Richard Stark, delivering their one millionth meal on the Central Coast

Source: Media release, Sep29 River Cares Media statement, Sep 29 Central Coast Council

Mangrove Creek Dam reached full capacity in July

Major upgrade of Great North Walk

Local bushwalkers will find it easier to enjoy the beautiful wilderness areas of the Central Coast thanks to a NSW Government investment of $1.12M in the much-loved Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said track upgrades are planned as part of $3M in maintenance and improvements to tracks and trails across NSW by the Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands.

“This investment will make it easier for bushwalkers to get out and enjoy the incredible natural beauty that makes living here so special,” Crouch said.

“The fantastic scenery and bushland of the Central Coast also draws in visitors who spend money in our area, so this investment is good news for the many businesses and jobs that are boosted by the tourism industry.”

Track surfaces on the Great North Walk will be upgraded in key sections by laying gravel and repairing steps and stairs to reduce slipperiness and improve drainage.

The Great North Walk comprises 300 kilometres of connecting tracks that bring bushwalkers through pristine and scenic parts of Lane Cove National Park, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Brisbane Water National Park and Watagan State Forest.

Minister for Lands and Water,,

Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government maintains about 800 kilometres of tracks and trails in NSW, including on Crown land, National Parks, State Forests, local council, and private land.

“Tracks and trails are one of the great assets of our state, allowing the community to spend time in some of the most scenic areas in NSW,” Anderson said.

“They are used and enjoyed by half a million people annually, and the NSW Government is maintaining and upgrading them so they can continue to be used for generations to come.”

DLALC defends restricting access to Lyre Trig lookout

Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) has responded to community concerns that an access point to the Lyre Trig lookout in Brisbane Water National Park has been closed to the public.

Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA) founder, Jake Cassar, said signs had recently been erected in what many people thought was national park at Kariong prohibiting access and there were fears people would try to gain entry by “bush bashing”.

“People are likely to do this to

avoid security cameras and will end up treading all over the extremely sensitive ground cover plants,” Cassar said.

“There are also the threatened frogs that inhabit the leaf litter around the edge of the tracks including the red crowned toadlet and the Giant Burrowing frog.”

The access point is part of a large parcel of land earmarked by DLALC for a major development, which has met sustained opposition from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members.

Local resident, Kirt Mallie,

said the community has been accessing the lookout for many generations.

“The Lyre Trig lookout is an iconic place where bushwalkers, trail runners, tourists and members of our Indigenous community regularly visit to take in the beautiful ambience of the surrounding untouched bushland,” he said.

“Being of Torres strait Islander descent, I was shocked and confused to find out that an Indigenous organisation has plans to bulldoze the area for a housing development … locals were under the impression that the entire area is national park.

“This development would be only a short walk to the famous Kariong Hieroglyphs and the Grandmother tree which is visited by thousands of tourists each year.”

CEA Threatened Species spokesperson, Jessie Fancett, said the area has been officially listed as an Area of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) by the State and Federal

Government and is home to other rare and threatened species.

“CEA accepts that DLALC should have the same rights as any other developer, but we should equally have the right to stand against unsustainable development that will contribute to the extinction of threatened species and endangered wetlands,” she said.

A National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) spokesperson confirmed that while most of the Lyre Trig trail is in Brisbane Water National Park the very start of the trail, at the intersection of Woy Woy Rd, is not within the reserve.

“This area is well known locally to have some scenic views of the surrounding area (but) NPWS doesn’t provide facilities or promote the area at the end of Lyre Trig trail,” the spokesperson said.

DLALC CEO, Brendan Moyle, said while the Land Council understands that there are some concerns over the signs,

it owns land on behalf of the Aboriginal community as represented by its membership, and has the same rights and responsibilities as any other land-owner.

“Darkinjung cannot be held to blame because people did not realise land that they were accessing was our freehold land rather than the national park.”

“I can’t see many situations where people would be offended where any other private landowner would restrict access to their property, regardless (of) who people incorrectly thought owned it.

It is a tragedy for reconciliation that in today’s age where we are talking across Australia about recognising Aboriginal people in the constitution, yet we are still being treated differently to non-Indigenous people when it comes to the rights on our own land.

“Darkinjung has put these signs up on a number of our land holdings, including the Kariong site, as we have had

people destroying our land.

“This includes illegally dumping garbage, people camping and having ‘events’ on our land, and in the case of Kariong even clearing part of the land without our consent or agreement.

“I have seen social media comments where some nonIndigenous people have made statements that it is an attempt to cover up what we are allegedly doing in regards to the proposed development there.

“These comments are unfounded and extremely disappointing, and I encourage anyone who genuinely wants to know what Darkinjung is planning to come and meet with us respectfully to discuss and get a truthful and accurate picture rather than the ‘fake news’.”

Moyle reiterated that there were several other access points to Brisbane Water National Park.

Terry Collins

Source: Media release, Sep 21 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

The Great North Walk

Boutique nail salon at

Theft and assault at Kanwal

Tuggerah Lakes Police are calling on community assistance in relation to a theft and assault at BYO Cellars at Kanwal.

At about 6.55pm on Monday, September 12 September, and approximately 2.20pm on Monday, 19, alleged stealing retail thefts occurred at the liquor store at Kanwal Shopping Centre.

A staff employee from the store was also allegedly assaulted by a male person from one of the incidents.

Images obtained from CCTV footage show a person that Police believe could assist

them with their inquiries.

The person is described as male, 25 to 30 years old, Caucasian appearance, fair skin, medium build and clean shaven.

Anyone with information about this incident or knows the person depicted in the images is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au.

The Police report to reference is E 161896001.

National Police Remembrance Day

National Police Remembrance Day was marked on September 19 with a service at the St. James Anglican Church, Wyong.

Police from Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Water Police Districts were in attendance in support of this special day on

the police calendar.

Also in attendance were a number of dignitaries, members of the Central Coast Retired Police Association and community members.

“Today, we pause and honour police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty while keeping our community safe,” a post on the Tuggerah

Lakes Police District Facebook page said.

“We also remember officers whose lives have been cut short through illness or other circumstances.”

Source:

Tuggerah Lakes Police District Facebook page, Sep 29

Source: Tuggerah Lakes Police

On Saturday, I emailed Central Coast Campus Friends (CCCF) members that de-incorporation of CCCF as an Association had taken place as a consequence of us agreeing that continuing to meet is no longer practicable, given the constraints that Covid is delivering.

FORUM FORUM Electronic communications are not the same Thank you CCN

I am pleased that Hunter TAFE Foundation has accepted our reserve of funds and will deliver our Equity Awards for some years to come.

And I’m glad to note, it has committed to continue with reports on recipients to Coast Community News, thereby perhaps encouraging others to

continue studying.

But I fear that not just elderly CCCF members, but those of many other worthy organisations that find they must close, are losing a sense of purpose and are suffering from isolation.

A recent report in the science magazine, Cosmos, explained that electronic communication does not benefit us the way

that in-person contact does— perhaps we need to sense each other’s pheromones?

So I ask that each of us take the time to stop and say a few words with others when out shopping or for a stroll.

In that way, we might help another person to stay mentally well.

Email, 3 Oct Sonnie Hopkins, Tascott

Why do people like Croquet?

It could be that they enjoy the company of others.

It could be that they like to be out in the fresh air and get some exercise.

It could be that they like having fun, or that they like a

challenge, or to strategize.

and others enjoy social play.

This is just a short note to thank all of you who put together the Coast Community News for your excellent newspaper!

Your articles provide us with good quality local news that we would be ignorant about without your efforts.

We read your paper as often

as we find it! Keep it up and thanks again

Email 30 Sep John Collis, Berkeley Vale.

We just had to publish this one … thank you John, how much do we owe you?

Money better spent on George Downes Drive

FORUM FORUM

Or it could just be that it is addictive so once you start it is hard not to continue playing.

Some people like to compete,

There are four types of croquet played: Gate ball, Association Croquet, Croquet Golf and Ricochet – a style that will suit everyone and every age group from teens to 90’s.

So, to find the answer to “Why

do people play croquet?” you will need to come and try it.

Contact a friendly club near you to get started.

Email, 5 Oct Liz McDonald, Toronto Croquet Club, 0419 412 551

Some style please for Spencer toilets

It is good to hear that the Council is finally intending on replacing the aging and offensive public toilet block on the foreshore in Spencer Village.

FORUM

But is very disappointing to see the Council has chosen a modern box like design with as much charm as a shipping

container.

Spencer Village is quaint historic settlement incorporating some significant heritage buildings and the new public toilet design should complement and reflect this.

A heritage style design building need not cost any more than the proposed abomination.

Email, 5 Oct Alan Pappas, West Gosford

I have just become aware of the major road upgrades to Mt. Penang roads and beautifications.

Well, I am not impressed.

I have recently been to the cafe at Mt Penang and have no complaints about the roads or parking facilities, but if you have travelled north of Mangrove Mountain on George Downes Drive you would experience devastating potholes, large patches of no tar, where motorists have to cross the double white lines to avoid them so as not to wreck their cars.

They talk about safety, well let them come out here and see how safe it is … $8.75m would go a long way to making things safe.

Also, this is a main road out to the Hunter Valley.

I cannot see the point of spending all this money on something that is not necessary.

Mangrove Council Yard has all the machinery that is necessary to do the work & it is sitting idle.

Central Coast Council will be undertaking surveillance and targeted fox control between October 2022 and February 2023 at the following locations: The Entrance North to Soldiers Beach (only at certain times on Council managed land), Saratoga Conservation Area (Saratoga) and the following high priority reserves: The Scenic Road Bushland Reserve (Kincumber), Kincumba Mountain Regional Reserve (Kincumber-Green Point), Rumbalara Reserve (Gosford-Springfield), Katandra Reserve (Holgate), Ferntree Close Reserve (Mt Elliot-Wyoming-Lisarow) and Barwon Road Reserve (Wyoming). Predation by foxes is a key threat to many native animals and this program aims to reduce the impact on our local biodiversity, including threatened species.

Authorised access points to a location will be secured and/or signposted to stop public access when operations are in progress. For your safety, the community are advised to not enter any area, or allow your pets to enter, when warning signs are in place.

Pet owners are encouraged to keep their pets safe and prevent them from entering reserves. Dogs are prohibited in these reserves and if found enforcement action may ensue.

Email, 30 Sep Christine & John Woods

Coast

ADMINISTRATOR MESSAGE

More than $550,000 allocated to community events, programs and activities across the Coast

I was pleased to endorse the allocation of more than $550,000 in grant funding to community programs and events at the 27 September 2022 Council meeting.

A total of $279,172.82 was allocated through Central Coast Council’s Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program, while $289,860.51 was allocated through the Community Development Grant Program. Each of these programs are run annually and exist to support the community to deliver a range of events, activities, programs and more, which provide significant benefit for the wider community.

A total of 46 applications were successful, and I look forward to seeing these events and programs come to life across the region.

In addition to these annual grant programs, Council also runs its Community Support Grant Program, which allocates funds monthly to community activities which require a small amount of funding (up to $5,000) and/or in-kind support. Grant-writing workshops and information sessions are available to help strengthen applications and give each community project the best chance of success.

I encourage any interested community members seeking more information about these important programs to head to www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants

Rik Hart Administrator

The next ordinary Council meeting will be held at Wyong on 11 October 2022

Members of the public are welcome to attend, and these meetings are webcast live on YouTube. The Public forum starts at 5.45pm with the Ordinary Council Meeting commencing from 6.30pm.

For more information, search ‘council meetings’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

What’s on?

Bakers and Builders

Join us for a week of

7 October - 16 October 2022

For more information, search ‘Bakers and Builders’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Council’s financial turnaround

Council has achieved a significant financial turnaround and recorded a solid surplus for the most recent financial year.

We have stabilised the organisation and we have begun to redirect funds from the budget surplus to invest in a number of key service areas, including road remediation, vegetation management and increased resources to improve development assessment timelines.

For more information, search ‘monthly finance reports’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Garage Sale Trail returns

Garage Sale Trail has returned. Celebrating second-hand local with two big weekends of garage sales, 12-13 & 19-20 November. It’s free to participate and anyone can do it.

Households, schools, community groups, even whole streets get involved. It’s a great way to declutter and make some money. It’s garage sales made easy.

For more information, search ‘garage sale trail’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Revitalising Gosford Waterfront

The preferred concept for the revitalisation of the Gosford Waterfront has been announced that aims to position Gosford as an iconic waterfront city.

We will be seeking community and stakeholder feedback to refine the concept plan before funding is sought to bring the concept to life.

For more information, search ‘gosford waterfront’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Prepare for storms and floods

There are 5 steps to follow to be prepared for any natural disaster or emergency event: know your risk, plan for what you will do, get your property ready, be aware and keep informed, and look out for each other.

Ensure you have a current emergency plan in place.

For resources and information, search ‘emergency preparedness’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Did you know?

Incorrect waste disposal

cause fires

Please dispose of waste responsibly.

hazardous material in your bins

@CCoastCouncilCentralCoastCouncil

@centralcoastcouncil

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert pulls into Laycock St

Gosford Musical Society will present the show at Laycock St Community Theatre for a threeweek season from October 21-November 12, featuring a spectacular cast and stunning staging and costumes.

Director Daryl Kirkness said he was at first reluctant to direct the show because the original professional production was “so brilliant” he didn’t know if he could do it justice.

But after conducting several online design workshops during COVID—19 lockdowns, he came to realise there was “another way” through the script.

“I began to have ideas for a production which wouldn’t copy the original but would be unique and I started thinking about putting the show forward,” he said.

“It was the first gay musical in an Australian sense, and I knew it could still not only open doors today, but could push acceptance and inclusivity.

“It makes strong statements around tolerance of the LBTQI community and we were determined to echo that through the entire rehearsal

decisions about love, the importance of all relationships in their lives and how to be strong and confident in their sexuality.”

The design of the show, incorporating set, costuming, on-stage action and even publicity, has been a long time in the making.

It started with a team of four brainstorming ideas for a production which would be original and exciting comprising director Daryl Kirkness, Ben Hudson, Amber Markham and Jamie McKenzie, each of whom has gone on to supervise a critical component -direction, publicity and program, props and costumes.

Three actors with a wealth of experience in theatre between them play the lead roles making up a trio with undeniable stage chemistry.

In the pivotal role of Tick is Nat Barry Midas Backhouse (preferred pronoun they), themselves a drag performer since 2019.

With previous experience for Gosford Musical Society as Boq in Wicked in 2016 and Amos in Chicago in 2017, Backhouse also played an

“They went through so much in the fight for equality,” they said.

Backhouse said some of the more confronting scenes had been difficult to play, particularly those which reminded them of homophobic actions they and some of their gay friends had themselves experienced.

“But those scenes also reminded me that these are stories need to be continually told, particularly in rural Australia,” he said.

“The more we tell stories and educate, the more we as a community can celebrate and affirm.”

At the tender age of 17, Callum Hobson has already performed with GMS as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins and played the role of Gavroche in Cameron Mackintosh’s professional production of Les Miserables, which toured internationally.

He recently performed in GMS’s 42nd Street and has found bringing the character of Adam to life “quite challenging”.

“I have had great support throughout and I think it has made me a better actor,” he said.

Hobson said the show had opened his eyes to acts of

of not tolerating bigotry of any kind,” he said.

Marc Calwell has had a wealth of experience with a number of theatre groups and musical societies on the Coast over many years.

Most recently, he has played the Modern Major General in Pirates of Penzance for both Wyong Musical Theatre Company (2009) and GMS (2015), Fagin in Oliver! For Wyong Musical Theatre Company (2016) and Roy in COSI for Jopuka Productions (2016 and 2022).

For GMS, he also played Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady in 2018 and Doug in Strictly Ballroom in 2019.

“One of the other challenges I have faced is mastering walking (and dancing) in heels!”.

Providing the vocal sound track live for lip-syncing scenes, the three Divas play a huge role in bringing the show to life.

Kirkness said using the Divas to address the lip-syncing component of the show was an interesting theatrical move.

“In this production, we have used the Divas even more than they have been used traditionally,” he said.

EVERGLADES

songstresses; Toni Williams, Khiara Paris and Jacqui

Priscilla Queen of the Desert plays at the Laycock St community Theatre from

Ticket details and bookings on the Laycock St or Gosford Musical Society websites.

Terry Collins

Marc Calwell, Callum Hobson and Nat Barry Midas Backhouse in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Register now for Colour our Coast

Colour Our Coast returns this November, with registrations for the Coast’s favourite 5km fun run/walk and festival now open.

Forming part of The Lakes Festival, Colour Our Coast is open to young people aged 1224, their families or anyone who wants to get active and have fun.

Entrants are asked to wear white at the start of the course and see what colours they finish up in as the paint flows.

Once the fun run is completed, all participants can enjoy: live music featuring young local artists throughout the day; food and drink stalls to fuel up after

a fun day getting active’ and Colour Me Happy photo opportunities to showcase all the colour splashed over everyone.

Developed by the former 2019 Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Action Team with support, and in consultation with Colour Frenzy; the colourful fun-filled day promotes positive health and wellbeing for young people.

Run, walk or skip – it doesn’t matter, as long as you have fun.

Colour Our Coast will be held on Sunday, November 13, from 9am-2pm at Picnic Point Reserve, Tuggerah Pde, The Entrance, with Wave one at 9am and Wave two at noon.

Registrations close on Friday, October 28 at https://www. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ whats-on/council/colour-ourcoast-0.

You can also enter a #dressedforcolour dress-up competition on race day.

Dress to impress and accessories your outfit for the chance to win.

To register, upload a photo in your outfit to Instagram using the hashtag #dressedforcolour01 (Wave one) #dressedforcolour02 (Wave two).

Pearl Beach Food and Wine Fare returns on October 8

After a two-year hiatus courtesy of the COVID pandemic, the Pearl Beach Food and Wine Fare will return on October 8.

Hosted by the Pearl Beach Progress Association, the event is now in its 15th year and always attracts large crowds who enjoy tasting and purchasing from a select range of boutique wines and gourmet foods.

“Some favourites return, and exciting new exhibitors have joined with us presenting an eclectic selection of food products,” Association spokesperson, Lynne Lillico, said.

“We will be showcasing boutique wineries, so this year promises to be the best ever –come along, celebrate and have some fun tasting

and purchasing. “Old Inn Road Vineyard and Millbrook Estate Winery are

back this year offering a variety of wines to sample and purchase.

“We are delighted to also have award-winning Central Coast Fires Creek Botanical

Winery with natural flavours of fruit and flowers captured in the wine.”

Lillico said popular food producers will showcase a range of fresh gourmet products including: awardwinning Little Creek Cheese with an amazing selection to choose from; ever popular Crooked Creek’s savoury and sweet biscuits and homemade Christmas cakes and puddings; Hunter Olives with a variety of olives and processed products; and Sweet As Handmade Chocolates to tempt the taste buds.

This year, The Original Smoke & Spice Company will join the fun with everything from smoked salt seasoning to garlic bulbs, smoked nuts and a dried and smoked cocktail garnish range.

Also on board will be Soul Food Gluten Free, with jams, spreads and bread, Rigotoni For Toni, with great pasta; and Left Right Creatives, with delicious cakes.

Margin’s Mushrooms and Natural Hive Honey will be there with unique varieties of local products.

A Gourmet Hamper filled with produce and wine donated by exhibitors will be raffled with proceeds going towards maintenance and upkeep of the Memorial Hall.

The fare will be held from 10am-5pm on Saturday, October 8, at Pearl Beach Memorial Hall, 9 Diamond Rd. Entry is free.

Source: Media release, Oct 5 Central Coast Council

Be prepared to be splashed with colour

Source: Media release, Oct 1 Pearl Beach Progress Association

Crooked Creek returns this year

Twelve of the Central Coast’s best young singers will take the stage in the Discovered Grand Final on Friday, October 14, with locals invited to come down and support the young talent.

Celebrating its milestone 10th series, Central Coast Council’s Discovered professional development program for singers aged 7-24 has attracted over 600 entrants since it began in 2011.

Many of these participants have gone on to pursue a successful career in the music industry.

The 2022 Discovered Grand

Young talent to shine in Discovered

final

Youth Entertainment Venue, Erina, with doors open from 5.30pm.

Discovered is supported by Central Coast music industry personalities and entities including Gina Jeffreys (GJW Workshops), Rod McCormack (The Music Cellar Studio), Linda Wareham (Maheraw Music) and Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD).

Finalists range in age from 10 to 24 and include Ehryn Bala, Natasha Moyle, Mia Gordon, Sunrise Michelle, Alana Hedges, Julien Droguett, Sybella McKay, Meghan Grace, Haylee Dwyer and Ben Seymour.

There are also two wildcard finalists as voted by the community – Trinity Ffitch and Jade Warburton.

Participants will compete for their share of an impressive

prize pool, plus recording studio time, a vocal scholarship and professional development opportunities.

The Grand Final will include performances from special

Fairhaven celebrates 60 years with Everglades funday

Fairhaven will celebrate 60 years of caring on the Coast with a special fundraiser at Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy, on October 31.

From humble beginnings in 1962 as a school for local children living with disability, Fairhaven has grown dramatically.

It is now not only the largest provider of supported employment on the Central Coast but also a leading provider of community support services, community and social engagement activities, purpose built residential living options and holiday accommodation.

Most recently, it introduced a school leaver/work experience peer support program.

Fairhaven fundraising lead, Carol Holder, in conjunction with Everglades Country Club, has worked tirelessly to organise the celebration and fundraising event.

Funday on Greens will be a combined golf and lawn bowls competition day to be held at the Everglades Country Club.

rom novice to experienced, young and old, all are welcome

to play or just go along for a day filled with fun, friendship, great prizes and the opportunity to help raise funds for the local charitable organisation.

For more information visit www.fairhaven.org.au or call 0412 548 255.

guests and previous Discovered winners Riley Lovell and Kelly Griffith (performing as ELASKIA), as well as the Discovered Voices Youth Choir.

It will be held at The Hub Erina

To register to be part of the audience, or livestream the event from home, visit info. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ discovered.

Source: Media release, Sep 29 Central Coast Council

Former

Previous

Source: Media release, Oct 6 Fairhaven

Getting set to tee off are Everglades Director, Peter Jellicoe, Fairhaven CEO, Rhonda Wheatley, Funday coordinator, Carol Holder, and Everglades Lead Duty Manager, Chayne Cleary

6:00

9:00

10:00

11:05

12:00

1:00 Savage River

2:00

3:00

4:00

Tank

4:55 Anh’s Brush

(PG) [s]

5:30 Hard Quiz (PG)

6:00 The Drum

7:00 ABC News

7:30 Gardening Australia [s]

8:30 Frankly (PG) [s] – Fran Kelly hosts her very own talk show chatting with some of the biggest names and brains in Australia.

9:00 Doc Martin (PG) [s]

9:50 Annika (M

10:40 ABC Late News [s]

10:55 Summer Love: Charlie And Zeke (M) [s]

11:25 rage (MA15+) [s]

6:00 rage (PG) [s]

7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s]

9:00 rage (PG) [s]

10:30 rage Guest Programmer (PG) [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

12:30 Vera: Muddy Waters (PG) [s]

2:00 Midsomer Murders: The Christmas Haunting (PG) [s]

3:30 Take 5 With Zan Rowe: Missy Higgins (PG) [s]

4:00 Spicks And Specks (PG) [s]

4:50 Landline [s]

5:20 David Attenborough’s Kingdom Of Plants: Survival (PG) [s]

6:10 Extraordinary Escapes (PG) [s]

7:00 ABC News [s]

7:30 Death In Paradise: Beyond The Shining Sea (Part 2) (PG) [s]

8:30 The Capture (MA15+) [s]

9:30 Summer Love: Charlie And Zeke (M) [s]

10:00 Savage River (M l,s,v) [s]

6:00 rage (PG) [s]

7:00 Weekend Breakfast [s]

9:00 Insiders [s]

10:00 Offsiders [s]

11:00 Compass [s]

11:30 Songs Of Praise [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

12:30 Landline [s]

1:30 Gardening Australia [s]

2:30 Question Everything (PG) [s]

3:00 Miriam Margolyes - Australia Unmasked (PG) [s]

4:05 Rick Stein’s Secret France [s]

5:05 Art Works [s]

5:35 Antiques Roadshow [s]

6:30 Frankly (PG) [s]

7:00 ABC News Sunday [s]

7:40 Spicks And Specks (PG) [s]

8:30 Savage River (M) [s]

9:30 Silent Witness: Reputations (Part 1) (M n,v) [s]

10:30 The Newsreader: No More Lies (M l) [s]

11:20 Shetland (M l,v) [s]

1:20 The Heights (PG) [s]

2:40 rage (MA15+) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s]

10:00 Repco Supercars

Championship 2022: Bathurst

1000 - Day 1 *Live* From Mount Panorama [s]

5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) [s]

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 Better Homes And Gardens

8:30 Movie: “The Help” (M) (’11) –

An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids’ point of view on the white families who they work for. Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard 11:30 Movie: “The Gumball Rally” (M) (’76) – When the code word ’gumball’ is passed through an assorted cast of characters, they converge to participate in a hilarious nonstop car race from New York to California - just for glory. Stars: Michael Sarrazin

2:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Home Shopping

7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s]

10:00 Repco Supercars

Championship 2022: Bathurst 1000 - Day 2 *Live* From Mount Panorama [s]

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) [s]

7:30 Movie: “Ford v Ferrari” (M) (’19) – American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.

Stars: Matt Damon 10:40 Movie: “X-Men: The Last Stand” (M v) (’06) – An all out war looms when the discovery of a cure for mutations draws a line between the followers of Charles Xavier and those of Magneto. Stars: Anna Paquin 12:50 Repco Supercars Highlights

6:00 Weekend Sunrise [s]

7:30 Repco Supercars Championship 2022: Bathurst 1000 - Day 3 *Live* From Mount Panorama [s]

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 Australia’s Got Talent (PG) [s]

8:50 7News Spotlight: The Property Special (PG) [s]

9:50 Homicide: With Ron Iddles: Gina Rossato (M v) [s] – Gina Rossato’s naked body was found dumped in a ravine, her throat was cut and she’d been beaten with a belt. She’d gone missing the day before after catching a cab home from work in the early hours.

10:55 Born To Kill?: Donald Neilson ‘The Black Panther’ (MA15+) [s]

12:00 Movie: “Secrets In The Woods” (MA15+) (’20) Stars: Brittany Underwood, Taylor Frey, Jim Klock, Kabby Borders, Mike Capozzi, Autumn Federici

2:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Today [s]

9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 The Block: Guest Bedroom Week (PG) [s]

1:00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo (PG) [s]

2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s]

5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s]

6:00 NINE News [s]

7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Lion Cubs (PG) [s]

8:30 Movie: “Zookeeper” (PG) (’11)

Stars: Kevin James 10:30 Movie: “Liar, Liar” (M s) (’97) Stars: Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Justin Cooper, Cary Elwes, Anne Haney

12:10 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

1:00 Destination WA [s]

1:30 Home Shopping

4:00 Religious Programs

5:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo

6:00 Getaway (PG) [s]

6:30 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:00 Weekend Today [s]

10:00 Today Extra Saturday [s]

12:00 Destination WA [s]

12:30 Rivals (PG) [s]

1:00 Drive TV [s]

1:30 Cross Court [s]

2:00 The Block: Hellway Week Reveal (PG) [s]

3:30 The Bizarre Pet Vets (PG) [s]

4:30 The Garden Gurus (PG) [s]

5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s]

5:30 Getaway (PG) [s]

6:00 NINE News Saturday [s]

7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:30 Movie: “Wonder Woman 1984” (M v) (’20) Stars: Gal Gadot 10:30 Movie: “The Incredible Hulk” (M) (’08) Stars: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth

12:30 Rivals (PG) [s]

1:00 Cross Court [s]

1:30 Destination WA [s]

2:00 Home Shopping

5:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo

6:00 Fishing Australia [s]

6:30 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:00 Weekend Today [s]

10:00 Sports Sunday (PG) [s]

11:00 Tennis: Laver Cup Highlights

12:00 Fishing Australia [s]

12:30 Bondi Lifeguard World Adventures (PG) [s]

1:00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo (PG) [s]

2:00 The Block: Guest Bedroom Week (PG) [s]

4:00 Bondi Vet (PG) [s]

5:00 NINE News: First At Five [s]

5:30 RBT: Banana Wine (PG) [s]

6:00 NINE News Sunday [s]

7:00

The Block: Guest Bedroom Reveal (PG) [s]

8:30 60 Minutes (PG) [s]

9:30 NINE News Late [s]

10:00 The First 48: New Orleans/ No Shelter (M v) [s]

11:00 Killer Couples: John Hawkins And Gene Hanson (MA15+) [s]

11:50 First Responders (M) [s]

12:40 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

6:00 The Talk [s]

7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s]

8:00 10 News First [s]

8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s]

12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s]

1:00 The Living Room [s]

2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s]

2:30 Ultimate Classroom [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 Farm To Fork [s]

4:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [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 Living Room (PG) [s]

8:30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (PG) [s]

9:30 Just For Laughs Australia (M s) [s]

10:00 Just For Laughs Uncut (M) [s]

10:30 Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Show [s]

6:00

Reel Action [s]

6:30 Religious Programs [s]

7:00 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures [s]

8:00 Melbourne Cup Carnival Preview Show [s]

8:30 What’s Up Down Under [s]

9:30 Studio 10: Saturday [s]

12:00 Luxury Escapes [s] 12:30 The Living Room (PG) [s]

1:30 Healthy Homes Australia [s]

2:00 Australia By Design (PG) [s]

2:30 Taste Of Australia [s]

3:00 What’s Up Down Under (PG) [s]

3:30 Farm To Fork (PG) [s]

4:00 Ultimate Classroom [s]

4:30 Food Trail - South Africa (PG) [s]

5:00 10 News First [s]

6:00 Luxury Escapes (PG) [s]

6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s]

7:00 The Dog House (PG) [s]

8:00 Ambulance UK (PG) [s]

10:30 The Cheap Seats (M l) [s]

11:30 Program To Be Advised

6:00 Religious Programs [s]

8:00 The Living Room (PG) [s]

9:00 Ultimate Classroom [s]

9:30 Studio 10: Sunday (PG) [s]

12:00 Freshly Picked With Simon Toohey [s]

12:30 The Amazing Race Australia (PG) [s]

1:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s]

2:00 Pooches At Play [s]

2:30 Luxury Escapes [s]

3:00 Cook It With Luke [s]

3:30 Food Trail - South Africa (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 The Amazing Race Australia (PG) [s]

9:00 NCIS: Hawaii: Nightwatch/ Switchback (M v) [s]

11:00 The Sunday Project (PG) [s]

12:00 Home Shopping

5:00 Worldwatch

9:10 Peer To Peer (PG)

10:10 Employable Me (UK) (M)

11:20 World’s Most Amazing Festivals: The Festival Of Light, Finland (PG)

12:00 Worldwatch

2:10 Fight The Power: The History Of Protests (M)

3:00 NITV News: Nula

3:40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG)

4:10 Animal Einsteins: Social Networks

5:05 Jeopardy! (PG)

5:30 Letters And Numbers

6:00 Mastermind (PG)

6:30 SBS World News

7:35 Good With Wood (PG)

8:30 Secrets Of The Lost Liners: Queen Elizabeth (PG)

9:25 World’s Greatest Hotels: Atlantis, Dubai (PG)

10:15 SBS World News Late

10:45 Das Boot (MA15+) (In German/ English)

5:00 Worldwatch

9:00 Ageless Gardens

9:55 Earth’s Sacred Wonders (PG)

11:00 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs (PG)

12:00 Worldwatch

2:00 Gymnastics: Artistic World Challenge Cup

3:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Magazine

4:00 Motorsport: W Series Round 6, Singapore

4:40 KGB: The Sword And The Shield (PG) (In English/ Russian/ Ukrainian)

5:40 Secret Nazi Bases: Hitler’s Secret Underground City (PG)

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Greatest Train Journeys From Above: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (PG)

8:30 Secrets Of The Royal Palaces (PG)

9:30 Hunt For Queen Nefertiti (PG)

10:20 Celebrity Letters And Numbers (PG)

5:00 Worldwatch

9:00 Ageless Gardens: Wild Garden/ Build Community (PG)

10:00 Earth’s Sacred Wonders (PG)

11:00 Paul O’Grady For The Love Of Dogs (PG)

12:00 Worldwatch

1:00 Motor Sports: Speedweek

3:00 Football: Countdown To Qatar

3:40 Scanning The Nile: Looking For The Pharaohs Of Luxor/ Materials Convoys: A Pharaonic Task (In French)

5:40 Secret Nazi Bases: The Secrets Of Nazi Future Tech (PG)

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Curse Of The Ancients (PG)

8:30 Roman Megastructures: Lyon/ Arles/ Paris (PG) (In English/ French)

11:30 The Surrogates (M s)

2:30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s)

3:25 Apex Gang - Behind The Headlines (M l)

ABC

6:00 News Breakfast [s]

9:00 ABC News Mornings [s]

10:00 Landline [s]

11:00 Antiques Roadshow [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

1:00 Rosehaven (PG) [s]

1:25 Vera (M v) [s]

3:00 Gardening Australia [s]

4:00 Think Tank (PG) [s]

4:55 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) [s]

5:25 Hard Quiz (PG) [s]

6:00 The Drum [s]

7:00 ABC News [s]

7:30 7.30 (PG) [s]

8:00 Australian Story (PG) [s]

8:30 Four Corners (PG) [s]

9:20 Media Watch (PG) [s]

9:35 Planet America [s]

10:05 Parkinson In Australia: 1980: Julie Anthony, John Olsen, Alan Bond (PG) [s]

11:10 ABC Late News [s]

11:25 The Business [s]

11:40 Q+A [s]

12:45 Annika (M v) [s]

6:00 News Breakfast [s]

9:00 ABC News Mornings [s]

10:00 Foreign Correspondent [s]

10:30 Planet America [s]

11:00 The Human Revolution (PG) [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

1:00 The Capture (MA15+) [s]

2:00 All Creatures Great And Small (PG) [s]

3:00 Gardening Australia [s]

4:00 Think Tank (PG) [s]

5:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) [s]

5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) [s]

6:00 The Drum [s]

7:00 ABC News [s]

7:30 7.30 [s]

8:00 Take 5 With Zan Rowe: Tony Armstrong (PG) [s]

8:25 Keep On Dancing (PG) [s]

9:25 Louis Theroux: Life On The Edge: Beyond Belief (M d,l) [s]

10:20 People’s Republic Of Mallacoota: There Goes Our Dance Floor (M l) [s]

6:00 News Breakfast [s]

9:00 ABC News Mornings [s]

10:00 Four Corners (PG) [s]

11:00 David Attenborough’s Kingdom Of Plants [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

12:30 National Press Club Address

1:40 Media Watch (PG) [s]

2:00 All Creatures Great And Small (PG) [s]

3:00 Gardening Australia [s]

4:00 Think Tank (PG) [s]

4:55 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) [s]

5:25 Hard Quiz (PG) [s]

6:00 The Drum [s]

7:00 ABC News [s]

7:30 7.30 [s]

8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s]

8:30 Question Everything (PG) [s]

9:00 Summer Love: Hannah And Alex (MA15+) [s]

9:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) [s]

10:05 The Witchfinder (MA15+) [s]

10:35 ABC Late News [s]

10:50 The Business [s]

PRIME

6:00 Sunrise [s]

9:00 The Morning Show [s]

11:30 Seven Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “Psycho-In-Law” (M) (’17) Stars: Katie Leclerc

2:00 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous S2: Death In A Heartbeat (M v) [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 Australia’s Got Talent (PG) [s]

– Tonight, the auditions continue as AGT judges David Walliams, Kate Ritchie, Alesha Dixon, Shane Jacobson take their front row seat for jawdropping, outrageous, brave, brilliant and bonkers acts.

9:15 9-1-1: Crash And Learn (M) [s]

10:15 S.W.A.T.: Under Fire (M v) [s]

11:15 The Latest Seven News [s]

11:45 Heartbreak Island Australia (M l) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s]

9:00 The Morning Show [s]

11:30 Seven Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “Girl Followed” (AKA ‘A Deadly Connection’) (M) (’20) Stars: Heather McComb

2:00 Autopsy USA: Bruce Lee (M d,v) [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 This Is Your Life: Ray Meager (PG) [s] In this very special edition of This is Your Life we celebrate one of Australia’s best-known, and most-loved, personalities Ray Meagher.

9:10 The Good Doctor (MA15+) [s]

10:10 10 Years Younger In 10 Days: Zorah And Jo (PG) [s]

11:10 The Latest Seven News [s]

11:40 Chicago Fire: Show Of Force (M) [s]

1:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Sunrise [s]

9:00 The Morning Show [s]

11:30 Seven Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “Cheerleader Abduction” (AKA ‘A Secret To Keep’) (M) (’20) Stars: Jerni Stewart, Kristen Harris

2:00 Autopsy USA: Casey Kasem (M) [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 Kitchen Nightmares Australia: Mumma Jo’s Diner (M l) [s]

8:40 Extreme Weddings Australia (PG) [s] 9:40 The Amazing Race (PG) [s] 10:40 The Latest Seven News [s]

11:10 Chicago Fire: Fire Cop (M) [s] 12:10 Movie: “Kiwi” (M) (’18) Stars: Nick Blake, Alison Bruce, Patrick Carroll, Phil Peleton 2:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Today [s]

9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30

NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 The Block: Guest Bedroom

Reveal (PG) [s]

1:30 Getaway (PG) [s]

2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s]

5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s]

6:00 NINE News [s]

7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:30 The Block: Guest Bedroom

And Re-Do Room (PG) [s]

8:40 Under Investigation: Gangs Of Sydney (M) [s]

9:40 Suburban Gangsters: The Razor Warriors (M) [s]

10:40 NINE News Late [s]

11:10 Fortunate Son: White Room (M v) [s]

12:00 Emergence: Where You Belong (M v) [s]

1:00 Hello SA (PG) [s]

1:30 Home Shopping

4:00 Religious Programs

6:00 Today [s]

9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00

The Block: Guest Bedroom

And Re-Do Room (PG) [s]

1:00 Bondi Vet (PG) [s]

2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s]

5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s]

6:00 NINE News [s]

7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:30 The Block: Guest Bedroom And Re-Do Room (PG) [s]

8:40 Travel Guides: Greece (PG) [s]

9:40 Botched: Boobs Dance And A Second Chance (M) [s]

10:40 NINE News Late [s]

11:10 Skin A&E (M) [s]

12:00 See No Evil: Night Shift (MA15+) [s]

1:00 Rivals (PG) [s]

1:30 Home Shopping 4:00 Religious Programs

4:30 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

6:00 Today [s]

9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 The Block: Guest Bedroom And Re-Do Room (PG) [s] 1:00 Travel Guides: Greece (PG) [s] 2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

3:00 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s]

5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat [s] 6:00 NINE News [s]

7:00 A Current Affair (PG) [s]

7:30 The Block: Guest Bedroom And Re-Do Room (PG) [s]

8:40 Remembering The Bali Bombings - 20 Years On (M) [s]

9:40 Westgate Bridge DisasterThe Untold Stories (PG) [s] 10:40 NINE News Late [s]

11:10 Family Law: Blame it On The Mother (M s) [s]

12:00 Chicago Med: The Ghosts Of Past (MA15+) [s]

12:50 Drive TV [s]

1:20 Explore [s]

6:00 Today [s]

Today Extra [s]

NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 The Block: Guest Bedroom And Re-Do Room (PG) [s]

1:00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo (PG) [s]

2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

3:00 Tipping Point

TEN

6:00 The Talk [s]

7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s]

8:00 10 News First [s]

8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s]

12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s]

1:00

The Amazing Race Australia (PG) [s]

2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 Farm To Fork [s]

4:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s]

4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s]

5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s]

7:30 Mirror Mirror: Love (M) [s]

8:40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (M) [s]

9:40 Just For Laughs Australia (M) [s]

10:10 Tom Ballard: Enough (M) [s]

11:25 The Project (PG) [s]

12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s]

6:00 The Talk [s]

7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s]

8:00 10 News First [s]

8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s]

12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s]

1:00 Program To Be Advised

2:15 Entertainment Tonight [s]

2:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 Farm To Fork [s]

4:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [s]

4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s]

5:00 10 News First [s]

6:30 The Project (PG) [s]

7:30 Mirror Mirror: Hate (M) [s]

8:45 The Cheap Seats (PG) [s]

9:45 NCIS: Collective Memory/ Pledge Of Allegiance (M v) [s]

11:30 The Project (PG) [s]

12:30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s]

1:30 Home Shopping

6:00 The Talk [s]

7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s]

8:00 10 News First [s]

8:30 Studio 10 (PG) [s]

12:00 Dr Phil (M) [s]

1:00 Program To Be Advised

2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 Farm To Fork [s]

4:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield [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 Real Love Boat Australia (PG) [s]

9:00 My Life Is Murder (M) [s]

10:00 Shockwaves - The Bali Bombings (M) [s] 11:00 Bull: Gone (M) [s]

12:00 The Project (PG) [s]

1:00 The Late Show (PG) [s]

5:00 Worldwatch

9:00 Peer To Peer (PG)

10:30 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland (PG)

11:30 World’s Most Amazing Festivals: The Shetland Islands (PG)

12:10 Worldwatch

2:00 Mental As Everything (M)

3:00 This Man’s Worth

3:30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG)

4:00 Beyond The Stigma

4:35 The Art In Healing (PG)

5:05 Jeopardy! (PG)

5:30 Letters And Numbers

6:00 Mastermind (PG)

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Celebrity Letters And Numbers (M)

8:30 Iceland With Alexander Armstrong (PG)

9:25 Osher Gunsberg - Australia Uncovered (M)

10:50 SBS World News Late

11:20 The Promise (M l) (In French)

5:00 Worldwatch

9:00 Peer To Peer (PG)

10:00 Beautiful (PG)

10:20 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland (PG)

11:20 World’s Most Amazing Festivals: The Carnival Of Cayenne French Guiana (PG)

12:00 Worldwatch

2:00 Easter Island - The Truth Revealed (PG) (In French)

3:40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG)

4:10 Animal Einsteins: Con Artists (PG)

5:05 Jeopardy! (PG)

5:30 Letters And Numbers

6:00 Mastermind (PG)

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Farne Islands To Berwick Upon Tweed/ Fairlie To Port Glasgow (PG)

8:30 Insight (M)

9:30 Dateline (M)

10:00 SBS World News Late

5:00 Worldwatch

9:00 Peer To Peer (PG)

10:00 I Am Emmanuel (M)

10:20 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland (PG)

11:20 World’s Most Amazing Festivals: Dragon Boat Festival, Hong Kong (PG)

12:00 Worldwatch

2:00 Dateline (M)

2:30 Insight (M)

3:40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG)

4:10 Animal Einsteins: Travellers 5:05 Jeopardy! (PG)

5:30 Letters And Numbers

6:00 Mastermind (PG)

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Lost For Words (M)

8:35 Secret Scotland: Isles Of Mull And Staffa (MA15+)

9:25 Nine Perfect Strangers: Earth Day (MA15+)

10:30 SBS World News Late

11:00 No Man’s Land (MA15+) (In French/ Arabic/ English)

Bash League: Brisbane v Sydney Sixers *Live* From Great Barrier Reef Arena [s]

The Latest Seven News [s]

Program To Be Advised

Home Shopping

AVOIDING ESTATE PLANNING TRAPS

More than 9,000 people flocked to Peninsula Recreation Precinct at Umina Beach on October 3 as the Coastal Twist Festival culminated in Coastie Carnie Fair Day.

Featuring a huge line-up of 15 events over seven days, the festival, put on hold for the past two years due to COVID-19, put arts and culture front and centre following two years of restrctions and devastating weather events.

The Fair Day alone saw an increase in audience numbers of 40 per cent from the inaugural festival in 2019.

Festival director, Glitta Supernova, said audiences lapped up the entertainment and art installations, with police reporting a well-behaved crowd on the warmest day in months.

Supernova said the festival, supported through the NSW

9,000 people flock to Coastal Twist Fair Day

Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund, attracted 50 per cent of its audience from the Central Coast, with the remaining 50 per cent comprising visitors from across regional NSW, Queensland, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia and all ticketed events completely sold out.

“The festival continues (to amass a huge) following amongst local businesses from Wyong to Terrigal and Woy Woy to long Jetty, all displaying their involvement though their Be the Change window displays, participation in events and as stall holders,” Supernova said.

“The festival also held the largest youth (12-17) dance party the PCYC had hosted with over 120 registrations, a partnering of Headspace, Naughty Noodle Fun Haus “YAAS” (Young Authentic And Social) program and PCYC.

“Coastal Twist Festival is a community-built festival based

on all of us celebrating the diversity that is life together.

“The Central Coast has a cheeky, fun, open, heart that’s been fighting for a very long time to have its own unique identity.”

Supernova said that identity will continue to build as communities connect, build voice and work together for a sustainable and equitable future – a happier, healthier and more welcoming Central Coast.

“Many artists performed new or unreleased songs during their sets, international headliners butted against local emerging Naughty Noodle artists, and Central Coast Youth of the year Jack Williams was announced as the newest member of the House of Slé, the Sydney based artist based collective.”

Source: Media release, Oct 5 Coastal Twist

Relive the 1920s

Renowned Central Coast pianist Rodric White will be banging out jazz tunes to get people in the swing of the 1920s at a Rotary Brisbane Water shindig on October 29, with funds raised to go to local youth projects.

White, a regular at music events on the Coast and in Sydney, is also known for his piano playing at David Jones in the city.

His appearance at the Rotary fund-raiser for local youth projects is a real coup, said

club spokesperson Di Bartok.

“Rodric will really set the mood for the night, whether people want to dance or just listen to 1920s swinging jazz,” Bartok said.

“We are also excited to have another renowned entertainer, Dale Trueman, who will regale us all with tales of the mean streets of Sydney in the 1920s.

“Dale performs regularly in shows about some of those sinister Razor Gang criminals, which include the notorious Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh who, along with their male sidekicks, ruled the dark

streets of Sydney.

“The night will be a great opportunity for people to don all that colourful 1920s gear.

The 1920s Shindig will be at Ocean Beach Surf Club, starting at 6pm on October 29.

The price is $110 for a threecourse meal,with entertainment and raffles.

Details are on the Rotary Brisbane Water Facebook page, bookings through Eventbrite.

Tim’s new book shares his passion for wildlife with the world

From the time he was old enough to focus on an object, Tim Faulkner has had his eyes glued on things that slither, climb, claw, wrap, shake, hop and burrow.

And now the co-owner of The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby has translated that passion onto the written page with the publication of his first book – Tim Faulkner’s Aussie Ark.

Officially launched at the Park on October 5, the fully illustrated biography with a foreword by Dr Chris Brown, who worked with Tim on popular series

Bondi Vet, features stories and lessons from a remarkable life lived on the frontline of animal conservation.

“The book is largely about my life … and I’ve had an

extraordinary life,” Faulker said.

“I’ve been very fortunate to not just make TV shows and work at the Reptile Park, but to write a book which is a walk down memory lane and a platform to share my passion with the world.

“The reality in Australia is that we are losing our wildlife at an incredible rate … we are a really developed country and we have the worst mammal extinction rate on earth.

Faulkner said feral pests are silent assassins who are threatening our wildlife.

He said the Reptile Park had ramped up its conservation activities by establishing Aussie Ark a decade ago.

“We started with Tasmanian devils and the model that worked with them is now working for other species –

mammals and reptiles.

“Our threatened species need far more attention than they get.

Faulkner said his dream would be that every Australian reads this book, but also that parents read it with their kids.

“It’s an adult book but the messaging in there for kids is not all doom and gloom – it’s fun and learning about our wildlife is a good thing.

“If a kid reads this book with a parent and then knows what a bandicoot is that’s my job done because someone in the next generation is going to care about bandicoots.”

Over the past 20 years, Faulkner has relocated a male crocodile in an effort to increase his chances of getting lucky, extracted venom from some of the world’s most deadly snakes and spiders, filmed TV shows

broadcast in over 170 territories worldwide and rescued rare turtles and other wildlife after the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, as well as working with the Australian Reptile Park and Aussie Ark.

With help from supporters including Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Zac Efron, Chris Hemsworth, Shania Twain, Adrian Grenier, and Gretel and Roslyn Packer, he is on a mission to save Australia’s threatened wildlife and restore its unique biodiversity – and he wants all his fellow Aussies to join him in the fight.

Tim Faulkner’s Aussie Ark is available from all major booksellers, instore and online and through the online giftshop for both the Reptile Park and Aussie Ark.

Terry Collins Tim Faulkner with a furry friend at the book launch

Performer Ruby Slippers entertains the crowd

Photo: Lisa Haymes

Source: Media release, Oct 5 Rotary Brisbane WaterRodric White will belt out some jazz tunes

Big month ahead for book lovers

Central Coast book lovers are in for a treat with three author book events set to take place in the region during October.

Local author, Andrew Kwong, will visit Kincumber Library on October 13 to discuss his debut book One Bright Moon.

Released in 2020, the book won the 2021 Michael Crouch Award for a Debut Work in the National Biography awards.

Kwong was born in Zhongshan in the Pearl River Delta, China, and educated in China, Hong Kong and Australia.

He works as a GP on the Central Coast and has published many short stories, receiving

numerous writing awards and fellowships.

He was only seven when he witnessed his first execution.

The grim scene left him sleepless, anxious and doubtful about his fervour as a revolutionary in Mao’s New China.

At the age of 12 he undertook the perilous journey to salvation in Australia.

One Bright Moon is the poignant, resonant story of a young boy’s awakening – to survival, education, fulfilment, and eventually to a new life of freedom.

In Conversation with Andrew Kwong will take place at Kincumber Library from 6.30-

7.30pm on Thursday, October 13.

On October 17, crime thriller fiction lovers will be in for a treat when Roger Simpson visits Kincumber Library to discuss his very first Halifax novel Transgression.

An award-winning screen writer and producer, Roger Simpson delivers more insight into the mind of Jane Halifax, the heroine of drama TV series, in his debut novel.

He will explain how he created the character especially for Rebecca Gibney, and how the series attracted high profile actors such as Hugh Jackman, Hugo Weaving, Frances O’Connor, Guy Pearce,

REVIEW

Latecomer

Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz Publisher: Faber

Is this the story about Salo Oppenheimer, who, while in university was driving the car that crashed and caused the death of his girlfriend Mandy and his fraternity brother Daniel?

Is this the story of Johanna, who was friends with Mandy and ended up marrying Salo, hoping she could help him through his pain?

Is this the story of the Oppenheimer triplets, Harrison, Lewyn and Sally?

Is this the story about Pheobe, the latecomer?

Is this the story of the art that Salo collected, art that was ahead of its time and through the years has become a

valuable collection?

It is all of that and a lot more.

The Oppenheimers are an American success story with the family running an investment firm, Wurttemberg Holdings, where Salo will work after finishing school.

Salo and Johanna buy a brownstone in Brooklyn, in the 70’s when Brooklyn was a world away from Manhattan, back before Brooklyn wasn’t in vogue.

After years of failing to get pregnant, and six attempts at in vitro fertilisation, Johanna finally finds herself pregnant with triplets.

“It was with these first (official) steps of her infertility

journey that Johanna felt the strong embrace of her husband’s money for the very first time”.

It was a difficult pregnancy and Johanna that confined Johanna to bedrest with nothing to look at but one of the Salo’s recent art acquisitions.

Johanna hates Salo’s taste in art.

The children are born, and the years pass as Johanna keeps busy raising the triplets.

Salo slowly fades out of Johanna and the children’s lives.

He spends his free time visiting his high security, temperature-controlled warehouse, where he has his art collection housed.

But is that the only place he goes when he isn’t home?

The triplets attend Walden School of Brooklyn Heights,

Jacqueline McKenzie, Ben Mendelsohn and Richard Roxburgh.

Simpson also created the cult series Good Guys, Bad Guys (1996–1998), the police drama Stingers (which ran for eight seasons until 2004), the muchloved rural serial Something In the Air (2000–2002), the teenage sci-fi sensation Silver Sun (2004–2005) and the toprating streaming series Satisfaction (2007–2010).

Transgression sees Halifax embark on the most challenging and chilling case of her career, with her criminal profiling possibly the only way to track down Australia’s most dangerous serial killer yet.

Roger Simpson presents Halifax Transgression from 1-2pm on Monday, October 17, at Kincumber Library.

Finally, bestselling crime author Chris Hammer will discuss his latest gripping and atmospheric thriller The Tilt at Laycock St Community Theatre on October 27.

The multi-layered novel centres on newly-minted homicide detective Nell Buchanan as she returns to her home town, annoyed at being assigned a decades-old murder.

The discovery of more bodies triggers a chain of escalating events in the present day.

Hammer is the acclaimed and

award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Silver, Trust and Treasure & Dirt.

He was a political journalist and foreign correspondent for more than 30 years, before turning to crime writing.

He has also written two nonfiction books, The River (2010) and The Coast (2012).

In Conversation with Chris Hammer will be at Laycock St Community Theatre from 6.307.30pm on Thursday, October 27.

Reservations for all three events are essential on Council’s website.

family house in Martha’s Vineyard, for the “ritual observance” of the triplet’s birth.

It will be during one of these “celebrations” that the family will become irrevocably fractured.

It will take the intervention of The Latecomer to try to bring the family together, but will that be possible with such deep scars?

“where a frankly socialist ethos stood in bold contrast to soaring tuition… and at no point did they ever grow closer, not even slightly, not even out of pity for their mother, who had wanted that so badly.”

The triplets openly despise each other and can’t wait for the day they can leave Brooklyn and go their separate ways.

Harrison, following the beat of his own drummer will attend Roarke in New Hampshire, where “brilliant” minds like his can debate and discuss ideas and milk cows.

Lewyn and Sally will go to

Cornell, their father’s alma mater.

But going to the same school with not bring them any closer, if anything it will drive them further apart.

With an empty house and a broken heart Johanna will try again to have the family she has always wanted.

And that is how Phoebe Oppenheimer comes to be, “the exact same age as her siblings”, just born eighteen years later.

The one time the family will get together is the yearly party in early September at the

This is a witty and engaging story of love and deception, loathing, guilt and healing.

The main characters were quite complex but then the writer brings in some supporting roles such as Eli, the young, poor, self-taught intellectual who Harrison befriends and Rochelle, Sally’s college roommate.

If I have a criticism, it is that I thought there was too much going on with Mormonism, apparently the author has a fascination with it.

“So life goes.”

Terry Collins

Roger Simpson Andrew Kwong

Chris Hammer

Strong showing by Coast hotels in NSW awards

Three Central Coast hotels are in contention for Best Regional Hotel of the Year, along with several other local finalists across a variety of categories in the 2022 Australian Hotel Association NSW Awards.

Beachcomber Hotel and Resort at Toukley, Hotel Gosford and Elanora Hotel at East Gosford are among 17 finalists in the NSW Regional Hotel of the Year award.

The Beachcomber, known to locals as the Beachie, has also made the category finals of

Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best Outdoor Experience and Best Regional Redevelopment.

It underwent a complete renovation last year, soon after being sold for the first time in 25 years for $20M to Oscars Hotel Group which is also in the running for the Group Hotel Operator of the Year award.

Hotel Gosford is a finalist in nine categories of the awards – Regional Hotel of the Year, Best Regional Local Hotel, Best Late Night Venue, Best Sporting Entertainment Venue, Best Cocktail List, Best Regional Gaming Venue, Best Traditional

Pub Accommodation (under $130); Best Regional Casual Dining (northern) and Best Regional Redevelopment.

A multi-million dollar renovation of the heritagelisted hotel built in 1926 was completed in November last year.

The third Central Coast contender for Regional Hotel of the Year is Elanora Hotel at East Gosford which also made the finals for Best Wine List, Best Parmi, Best Steak Sandwich, Best Burger and Best Regional Casual Dining (northern).

Terrigal Beach House is the third Central Coast venue relaunched after extensive renovations in 2021 and in the finals of the Best Regional Redevelopment category, as well as the Best Outdoor Experience.

The Sunken Monkey Hotel at Erina is vying in the Best Live Music Venue and Best Regional Casual Dining (northern) categories, while Terrigal Hotel made the Best Retail Liquor

Outlet category and The Grand Hotel at Wyong is in the Best Traditional Pub Accommodation (under $130) finals list.

The Entrance Hotel is contesting the Best Draught Beer Quality, Best Cocktail List, Best Regional Gaming Venue and Best Steak Sandwich categories.

The Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards for Excellence are recognised as the most prestigious awards program in the hospitality industry.

They honour the achievement

of excellence in NSW hotels across a variety of categories including accommodation, dining, entertainment, marketing, social media, community service and talented employees.

Winners will be announced on Monday, October 24 at the Awards for Excellence Presentation Ceremony in Sydney and NSW winners will go on to contest the national awards to be announced in November.

Sue Murray

The Beachcomber Hotel and Resort at Toukley

The Elanora’s Damien Cusick has been named a finalist in the Individual Hotel Operator of the Year category.

Hotel Gosford Elanora Hotel

Council supports Taskforce recommendations as it tackles housing crisis

Central Coast Council will support the five major recommendations of the Regional Housing Taskforce as it continues to address the region’s chronic housing shortage.

Council resolved at its September 27 meeting to advise the NSW Government of its support of the recommendations and support local organisations advocating for an acceleration of action to address the current lack of affordable housing on the Coast.

The five key recommendations are: supporting measures to bring forward a supply of development ready land; increasing the availability of diverse housing; providing more certainty about where, when and what types of homes will be built; investigating planning levers to facilitate the delivery of housing that meets short-term needs; and improving monitoring of housing and policy outcomes and demand indicators.

A report to Council said its soon to be released Central Coast Region Plan (CCRP) will

set the strategic direction for planning, with housing being a key focus area.

Council is also close to finalising its draft Housing Strategy, which will align with the CCRP and has adopted an Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy, which contains a pathway to implementing many of the issues contained within the

Regional Housing Taskforce’s recommendations.

The report says the main issues with housing supply (in general) in the region are the low uptake of higher density development in key centres such as Gosford and The Entrance and the lack of enabling infrastructure for land already zoned for residential development.

“The draft CCRP proposes an Urban Development Program which aims to address these issues and co-ordinate the release of land for housing,” it says.

“The CCRP will provide a high-level strategy for planning and be implemented through the development of District Place Plans, commencing with Wyong and the Peninsula.”

Exchange of ideas to revitalise Toukley

Business and community representatives will be meeting with Central Coast Council officers for an exchange of information and ideas about improving Toukley Town Centre.

Council will present its planned and completed projects and initiatives to

revitalise Toukley including the Façade Improvement Support Program.

Earlier this year, the Village Green was uplifted with the installation of a vibrant mural by local artist Angela Clarke along the walkway through the Green and improvements were made in the Brownes Lane garden at the entrance to the

Victoria St car park.

The meeting will be an opportunity to share ideas about activating and improving the amenity of the Town Centre and to discuss how Council, business leaders and the community can work together for the benefit of Toukley.

Several members of Coastal Towns Business Chamber –

Upper Central Coast will be participating in the meeting on Wednesday, October 12 from 5pm to 7pm at The Ary Celebrations Room, Holmes Ave, Toukley.

To register contact shari. young@centralcoast.nsw.gov. au

The report says Council’s Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy includes a range of actions to increase the supply of affordable housing across the region, providing pathways for a range of households, from very low through to moderate incomes.

“A key focus of the strategy is on actions that are most likely to have a practical impact on the supply of affordable housing, including developing affordable housing on underutilised Council land.”

“Council would welcome further investment by NSW and Federal governments in housing creation, particularly for social housing,” it says.

The report also says a key issue is the access to planning resources to progress these projects with a shortage of planners in regional local governments.

“Council is aware that there is a significant gap between the number of consents issued for housing and the number of approved developments that progress to completed building work,” it says.

“Understanding and removing

barriers to this investment by the private sector would materially improve housing supply.”

The report says the State Government’s 2022 Housing Package will also address the housing crisis through: the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, which provides $300M over four years to deliver local infrastructure to support development of 150,000 homes across NSW; the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund, with grants of up to $250,000 available for a range of local strategic and statutory planned-related work; the Closing the Gap Housing Solution, providing $149.8M over three years to expand Aboriginal housing in regional and remote areas; $174M to support key worker housing; and $300M to support upgrades of up to 15,800 aged social housing dwellings.

“Council intends to apply for funding streams for which local government is eligible,” the report says.

Source:

Central Coast Council agenda and minutes, Sep 27

Council continues to tackle the housing crisis in the region

Sue Murray The vibrant walkway mural through Toukley’s Village Green

Jensen Rd housing subdivision plans

A third separate development application for subdivision approval in the Wadalba South Urban Release Area along Jensen Rd has been lodged with Central Coast Council.

If all three are approved, it will open the area to 164 new residential lots in the 143ha precinct to be developed in stages for about 1,200 low density house blocks.

In April two DAs were lodged for 38 lots at 110 Jensen Rd and 79 lots at 90-100 Jensen Rd while the latest subdivision proposal is for 47 lots at 130/140 Jensen Rd.

Council is still assessing the first two DAs (589 and 1242) and public feedback on 130

Jensen Rd (2728) is open for public comment until Friday, November 4.

This rural residential area, roughly bounded by Pollock Ave, Warner Ave, Johns Rd, is in the early phases of urban development and the 130 Jensen Rd proposal sits within Stage 2A and 2B of the overall plan, which also includes a district sports field opposite.

Part of the site is zoned RE1 Public Recreation and cannot be developed, a small coastal wetlands area along the eastern boundary will remain and Council will acquire the 40m-wide biodiversity corridor zoned C3 to manage its environmental protection.

“Lack of transparency” over waterfront redevelopment plan

Central Coast Friends of Democracy spokesperson, Jane Smith, has criticised Central Coast Council for what she says is a “staggering lack of transparency” over the preferred concept plan for a major redevelopment of the Gosford waterfront.

Council revealed its plans last week for a major project along the waterfront incorporating a mix of commercial, retail and accommodation options, along with a ferry terminal, outdoor recreational areas and even an amphitheatre.

But Smith has questioned the timing of the announcement.

“We should all be concerned about the lack of information and the haste to change planning rules,” she said.

“The timing of these significant planning changes is just before a state election and while local councillors are not in place to represent the interests of residents, ratepayers and the community.”

Smith said while the report to Council refers to “three distinct concept options”, “extensive analysis” and “stakeholder consultation”, none of this information was included in the Council report for public scrutiny.

“It is also worth noting that there was previously a Gosford CBD and Waterfront Advisory

Committee, established to provide advice to Council,” she said.

“The committee was effectively disbanded with (its) last meeting held in March, 2021.

“It was then, in April 2021, that the (then) Administrator, Dick Persson, decided to proceed with investigations for development of the waterfront.”

Smith said one of the matters the committee considered at its meeting on November 21, 2019, was a study from Cardno modelling traffic movement in Gosford CBD.

“It showed that there were a number of pinch points that were already at capacity,” she said.

“The same meeting also

referenced the Gosford City Centre Transport Plan that the State Government was preparing; both these documents should be made publicly available.”

Smith expressed concerns about the community consultation process on the preferred option announced by present Administrator Rik Hart.

“There are serious concerns that this will be a sham process,” she said.

“To have any faith in this process, all information must be released to the public.

“This must include concept options, analysis, traffic modelling and details of stakeholder consultation, including with developers.

Six-storey shop-top housing at The Entrance

A vacant, unkempt site on the corner of Coral St and Torrens Ave at The Entrance could be transformed into a gateway to the town centre from the west if a six-storey commercial and residential development goes ahead.

A proposal put to Central Coast Council says that the strategically located land parcel of 1,092sqm is a gross under-capitalisation, considering the zoning allows higher density development up to 23m.

The vacant site is a poor entry into the town centre from the west, the development application (DA) says.

Plans are to consolidate two lots and build a six-storey building wrapping around the Coral St/Torrens Ave corner comprising three commercial premises on the ground floor

with 12 residential units above and 15 car parking spaces over two basement levels.

The intention is to expand the town centre westward to bookend commercial activity, provide a gateway development into the centre along its western edges, and supply muchneeded residential housing.

The 12 units will comprise four each of one bedroom, two bedroom and three-bedroom residences over levels one to five and a communal open space on the roof top.

There will be 15 car parking spaces over two basement levels for the commercial premises, residents and

visitors with access off Farrell Lane at the rear of the property.

Public comment on the development application (1809/2022) is open on Central Coast Council’s website until Monday, October 17.

Sue Murray

But a Council spokesperson said the Gosford Waterfront Report, which outlines the three options considered, was presented to the Council meeting on September 27.

“Development of a Masterplan for the site is the next stage of the GosfordWaterfrontRevitalisation, the spokesperson said.

“This Masterplan will build on the adopted Concept Plan and be informed by community feedback during the upcoming consultation period.

“The Masterplan will be the basis of a detailed feasibility analysis and business case, which will determine the viability of the project.

Council is seeking $8.5M from

the NSW Government to undertake this work.

“Should the project proceed to an investment decision by the NSW Government, it would be subject to the usual rigorous environmental impact assessment requirements associated with the development assessment process.

“The Gosford Waterfront Report is available on Council’s website at https://centralcoast. infocouncil.biz/.

Consultation on the Gosford Waterfront Revitalisation Masterplan concept designs will run from October 18 to December 1.

Terry Collins

Corner view of the proposed six-storey development

Sue Murray

The latest residential subdivision (yellow outline) in the Wadalba South Urban Release Area (red outline)

Minor alterations for Central Coast Leagues Club

With a major redevelopment of the Central Coast Leagues Club site still some years away, the Club has lodged a Development Application (DA) looking to make minor alterations and additions as an interim measure.

A State Significant Development Application (SSDA) is in the early stages of being prepared for the complete redevelopment of the site to reach its full development potential, but with that process expected to take some time, the proposed $3.9M alterations and additions are intended to modernise the Club while the planning of the SSDA happens in the background.

The Club is looking to improve its functionality and aesthetics through a series of façade upgrades, new alfresco terraces and equitable access, with alterations limited to the main Club building.

“The proposed works are compatible with the emerging character of the locality which is seeing high-quality modern developments being approved and constructed on underutilised sites around the Gosford Town Centre,” a Statement of Environmental

Effects (SEE) lodged with the application says.

The Club currently provides a range of services and facilities to approximately 44,600 members, including a fully equipped gym, entertainment and high-quality restaurants.

“This proposal is part of the Club’s longer-term vision to redevelop the entire precinct for mixed tourism and residential uses (subject to the separate SSDA).”

The Club is also pursuing the reconfiguration and upgrades to the internal layout of the Club by way of a complying development certificate, separately to this application.

The current DA calls for: the removal of three car spaces on the eastern side of the existing staff car park to allow for the provision of a new passenger lift to access ground level; the conversion of the existing dining area on the ground level

to a new alfresco gaming terrace facing Baker St; the opening up of the southern elevation with the addition of new windows, the construction of a new alfresco terrace at the corner of Georgiana Tce and Dane Dr and an additional smaller terrace facing Dane Dr.

It also calls for the reconfiguration of the entry forecourt and lobby, including the provision of new access stairs and ramp, the conversion

of the central part of the Dane Dr exit stairs to a planter box and the replacement of glazed exit doors.

The proposal would also see the construction of a new landscaped area facing Dane Dr.

Façade on the eastern, southern and western side of

operable windows and screens on the ground floor, a new awning on the south-west corner and a new awning along Baker St in front of the new terrace.

The SEE says proposed works to the external areas will result in an enhanced presentation, with high-quality materials including sandstone and metal cladding and fins in a variety of finishes to modernise the exterior.

“The creation of alfresco terraces and large operable windows on the prominent corner of Dane Dr and Georgiana Tce facilitates the activation of this corner and takes advantage of its location opposite the Leagues Club Field and water views beyond,” the SEE says.

“A landscape strategy has been prepared by Site Plus to further enhance and soften the public domain interface, especially at street level where there is currently virtually no landscaping around the perimeter of the building.”

Submissions on the DA will be accepted until October 17.

Central

Why wages come second in the race with inflation

Michelle

As most workers would know, it has been hard to get a pay rise in recent years, and with inflation picking up, the cost of living has become a big issue for many households.

In its issues paper released before September’s jobs summit, the federal government said real wages (after inflation) have grown by only 0.1% a year over the past decade and have declined substantially over the past year.

With inflation currently run ning at over 6% and predicted to come closer to 8% by year end, wage earners have good reason to feel they’re going backwards, even if they manage to land a pay rise of 2% or 3%.

While the summit came up with ideas to strengthen wage growth, through measures such as industry-wide bargaining, the truth is that there is no silver bullet to improve wages.

In fact, a rapid rise in wages in the short term could do more harm than good by further fuelling inflation and putting pressure on interest rates. Back in the target range The Reserve Bank expects infla tion to peak later this year and come back to the upper levels of its 2%-3% target range by the end of 2024 as global economic growth slows.

But it says the labour market has tightened faster than expected, with unemployment now at 3.5%.

It says it expects wages to pick up in this environment, but it does not want to see a situa tion where wages and prices are set on the assumption that high inflation will continue.

If the “inflation psychology” changes, it says, there is a risk that higher inflation could become more persistent.

Unfortunately, that means the people who set the country’s

interest rates would probably prefer your wages to be going backwards in the short term, so they don’t have to raise interest rates much further.

The RBA’s thinking is that with the labour market so tight, unemployment shouldn’t be a problem as it lifts rates to put a lid on inflation.

And it argues that many households still have higher savings levels than before the pandemic, and thus should be able to weather a period when the cost of living is rising, provided it doesn’t become entrenched.

In a stronger position

So, it’s a sort of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situa tion for wages generally.

They’re unlikely to rise enough to offset the higher cost of living and if they do there’s a risk the Reserve Bank could get tougher with interest rates, potentially leading to more mortgage pain,

house price falls and slower economic growth (with possibly unemployment trending back up more than expected).

Of course, higher wages don’t necessarily have to lead to higher prices.

If businesses can raise productivity so that they can produce goods and services more efficiently, it’s only fair that employees should benefit from that too.

The Reserve Bank says its

research suggests wage rises would pick up this year, but not by as much as inflation.

Wages growth in the year to June was 2.6% and it is expected to go well above 3%.

With employers across the board finding it difficult to recruit new staff, employees are in a better bargaining posi tioning than they have been for some time.

Side hustles, and employees taking on extra hours, have

Property downturn spreads from capitals into the regions

The price of properties across the country continue to retreat, with CoreLogic announcing a fourth straight monthly drop in its national Home Value Index.

Price declines even appear to be ramping up, as the 1.6% national drop recorded by CoreLogic during August was the largest fall since 1983.

Sydney led the capital city house values down once

again with a 2.3% drop over the month, although Brisbane (1.8% decrease), Canberra (1.7%) and Hobart (1.7%) were not that far behind.

And after experiencing price growth higher than most capitals during the recent boom, regional areas are also starting to show signs of a downturn.

Figures from both CoreLog ic and fellow research firm PropTrack indicate that regional

home prices went backwards during August.

“The largest falls in regional home values are emanating from the commutable lifestyle hubs, where housing values had surged prior to the recent rate hikes,” says CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless.

“Over the past three months, values are down 8% across the Richmond-Tweed, 4.8% across the Southern Highlands-Shoal

haven market and 4.5% across Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.”

According to Lawless, further rate rises and strong levels of stock on the market will likely ensure that home prices con tinue to fall until the end of the year and even into 2023.

“It’s hard to see housing pric es stabilising until interest rates find a ceiling and consumer sentiment starts to improve.”

TOM WATSON

AUSTRALIAN HOME

Sydney

also been increasing as people have looked for increased income to help meet the cost-of-living challenges.

A recent survey by research company Finder also found 85% of Australians are looking to cut their spending to ride out the spike in living costs.

The survey found that eating out, discretionary shopping, and TV subscriptions topped the list of items that could be trimmed.

ANNETTE SAMPSON

Inaugural charity ball for Camp Breakaway’s 40th year

Camp Breakaway at San Remo is celebrating its 40th anniversary with its first annual black tie charity ball and to pay tribute to the visionary Wyong Rotarians who hatched the idea for the first camp in 1982 to enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Also being celebrated are the many volunteers, sponsors and donors who have helped the organisation to grow into one of the most successful and enduring small charities in Australia.

“We would like to recognise and say thank you for the

commitment, dedication and effort put into Breakaway from the Rotarians in the beginning, the fundraisers, the builders, the cooks, the cleaners, the carers and the amazing nurses, all of whom have contributed to making our programs such a success,” said General Manager Brett Walker.

The charity ball on Friday, October 7 is being sponsored by Mingara Recreation Club.

Camp Breakaway is a not-forprofit organisation run by volunteers, providing camps for the disabled, senior citizens, frail aged, along with supporting families with children or adults with a disability.

The camps offer respite for families and carers and provide campers an opportunity to

meet new people, encourage self-reliance and independence, and helps them to become less conscious of their disability while facilitating a better understanding of their

situation.

Daniel is one of the 4.4 million Australians – or one in six –who have a disability.

He lives on the Central Coast

in supported independent accommodation with help from Life Without Barriers and is a regular at Camp Breakaway.

Daniel’s keyworker, Sharon Cornish, says that the camp is a game-changer for people like Daniel and their support networks.

He is non-verbal but with the support of Camp Breakaway, his carers and his family, Daniel is exploring his communication more.

“He is happiest when he’s riding the sidecar of Harley Davidsons, singing, discodancing, playing bingo, doing puzzles, and attending candlelit dinners and church services –but not fishing – he’s not a fan of that,” Cornish said.

“The camp affords Daniel the opportunity to build resilience and self-esteem, receive peer support, form friendships and community connections.

“Meanwhile, families and carers can escape burn-out, while swapping care strategies, and seeing their loved ones grow from the activities.

“Daniel has tried other camps, however he hasn’t found anything quite as magical as Camp Breakaway and this one is the best fit for him.

“He has been attending the camp for years, and between holidays he is always asking when the next one will be,” Cornish said.

Sue Murray

Have your say on universal pre-Kindergarten year

Central Coast parents and educators have until October 14 to have their say on the NSW Government’s plan to introduce a universal preKindergarten year by 2030.

The move, announced in the 2022/23 NSW Budget, is the centrepiece of the Government’s Early Years Commitment,

which will also see the creation of more childcare places through the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said the public consultation around the two landmark initiatives is an important milestone in the design and development process to drive change in early childhood

education.

“This is an exciting first step towards transforming early childhood education and care in NSW as we know it,” Mitchell said.

“We are calling on families and educators to provide their feedback on what they need in their local communities, and to share their views on what they want for the future of our youngest children.

“This is the initial consultation with the public, and over the next few months we will share more detailed plans for further consultation for those interested in these programs.

“I look forward to reviewing the submissions and working hard so that we have an early childhood education system that is above anything Australia has seen.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the reform will change lives and deliver enormous educational benefits for children across the state.

“We’re ensuring our youngest learners thrive by introducing a full year of preschool education before Kindergarten, as we know how important it is to have a strong educational foundation,” he said.

Find out more about the Early Years Commitment at education.nsw.gov.au/earlyyears-commitment and have your say on universal preKindergarten.

Submissions are open until Friday, October 14.

Daniel at Camp Breakaway

Source: Media release, Oct 3 NSW Government

Junior medicos roll up their sleeves

Junior medical officers from Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) are getting behind the inaugural Red Cross Lifeblood Doctors in Training Blood Drive.

Across October and November, junior doctors will be aiming to save 300 lives through 100 blood donations and attract at least 30 new donors.

Justin Clark is championing the cause for the Central Coast, after being involved in similar initiatives as a medical student.

“I donate regularly because I see from the hospital perspective how important

NSW families saved more than $18M on swimming lessons during the first year of the First Lap learn to swim voucher program, with the Central Coast region redeeming the most vouchers in the state, to the tune of more than $1M.

A second wave of the $100 voucher is now available, with locals expected to take full advantage.

During the first year, Central Coast residents redeemed 10,090 vouchers at a value of $1,008,621.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers helped parents give their children vital water safety and survival skills.

“As a father, I know how

blood donations are.” he said.

nice to be able to be involved in making this blood drive happen.”

Recently, following approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the ban on UK donations was lifted and she was quick to donate.

“I had always wanted the opportunity so I signed up as soon as I could,” James said.

“The process was painless.

“Reclining in a chair for 45 minutes with people offering me drinks was actually quite a treat.

“The tea and chocolates provided just sealed the deal that I would be back to donate again.

the UK outbreak of the human variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), often known as mad cow disease.

Coasties lap up learn to swim vouchers

important swimming lessons are and how helpful the First Lap vouchers are for families,” he said.

“This program is one of more than 70 ways for households to save and boost their budgets.

“My message to families is simple – check to see if you’re eligible for this voucher and redeem it; you’ll save money and could save a life.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens, said with summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time for families of pre-schoolers to download their learn to swim voucher.

“Taking your child to swimming lessons is one of the most rewarding moments in a parent’s life and this voucher

allows you to kickstart that journey,” he said.

“This program is helping families across NSW access

swimming lessons to ensure more children are safe in the water this summer.”

Minister for Customer Service

and Digital Government, Victor Dominello, said using the voucher is simple and can be done in a few clicks on your phone.

“Parents can redeem the voucher via the Service NSW app, by visiting the Service NSW website or calling 13 77 88,” he said

“Swimming is part of our country’s DNA and this program makes this critical life skill even more accessible for parents.”

Royal Life Saving Society NSW CEO, Michael Illinsky, said it was the right of every child to access a quality swimming and water safety education.

“Learning skills such as general swimming techniques

and treading water, survival techniques and strategies, floating and rescue skills is vital for Australian children,” he said.

“The First Lap vouchers help provide many children with their first swimming and water safety experience which in turn leads to a lifetime of fun and enjoyment in, on and around water.”

First Lap vouchers can be accessed from Service NSW and redeemed with registered First Lap providers.

A list of First Lap providers is available on the Service NSW website.

Source: Media release, Oct 2 NSW Government

Notice of 1080 program

The NSW National Parks and

Service

The

The

predator impacts

especially threatened species, and to

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Please contact the local Central Coast

“We did a similar thing at uni, called the Vampire Cup, so it’s

Fellow intern Martha James grew up in the UK during the 1990s so was unable to donate blood in Australia because of

Martha James was keen to donate Justin Clark is championing the cause

DOWN

WITH CHERALYN DARCEY

SAFE PEST CONTROL FOR

GARDEN

The best way to have a healthy and pest-resistant garden is to plant natives but, most of us want tomatoes, lettuce and roses, so we need to find ways to protect them and to enable them to thrive.

Other than companion planting, as we discussed last week, all other pest control measures should be only employed when the pest population is proving to be out of control.

Your pest controlling methods, even organic ones, should be stopped as soon as your garden situation improves because no matter how careful you are, unfortunately these measures can affect native living things as well.

Healthy plants are much better equipped to combat the invasion of pests.

They can recover quicker, and they can better resist

subsequent disease challenges as well.

Water, feed and care for your plants properly as per their individual needs to keep them in tip top health.

When working in the garden clean and disinfect tools and your hands when moving on to another plant as this helps stop the spread of pests and disease.

You must remove damaged and diseased materials quickly to stop the spread as well.

Other than using your hands to pick off the unwanted bugs, here are a few organic ideas to help you round your garden.

THE SAFEST PEST CONTROL METHODS

Barrier planting works by planting crops that your pests would rather eat than your garden treasures.

You can plant as barriers to

your whole garden or around more valued plants.

Caterpillars love nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) while slugs and snails will head for lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

There are also beneficial creatures and insects that you can encourage into your garden to help control pests for you.

These include other less destructive to your garden insects along with birds, frogs and lizards.

Keeping chickens will help if you can manage them.

They love snails and slugs as well as a host of insects.

Spiders and even wasps, as much as you might not like them, do a fantastic job of munching their way through a lot of annoying insects.

The local bird population will love your bug problem so invite them in as well.

How do we let the predators know we are open for their dinning pleasure? You can encourage them by having a water source such as a bird bath, a pond, nesting boxes and hives/insect hotels.

This includes nettings to stop pests getting to your crops.

Just make sure they are fine, breathable and white or clear

WHAT’S ON FOR PLANT PEOPLE

and well anchored, so they do not entangle birds and animals.

Things put on the ground that pests like slugs and snails won’t cross include crushed eggshells, nutshells or gravels.

Copper is also known to be something snails and slugs won’t cross, and you can purchase copper tapes that can be effective along the edges of raised garden beds.

TRAPS AND BAITS

While traps and baits work exceptionally well in reducing unwanted pests and are far better than traditional poisons and chemicals, they can and do, trap beneficial bugs.

The following should only be used as a last resort if other methods mentioned are not working.

Bottle Traps

These are incredibly easy to make, cheap and they do work but use as a last resort as Once full, you simply throw away or wash and repeat.

Neatly cut the top third of a plastic drink bottle off then Insert the top into the bottom. This creates a funnel that the insects will go into, attracted by whatever bait you use and be drowned in water that you need to add.



Wasps: Use mashed up fruit in about 3cm of water and make sure that a few bits of fruit stick up from the water. Set on ground near places you have noticed wasps.

 House Flies: Old raw meat in about 3cm water with some sticking out from water. Make sure this trap is set in

the sun.

 Stink Bugs and Moths: a battery-operated light in the bottom of trap. Set in a dark place in your garden.

Bowl Traps

Into a clear glass bowl place a chopped-up piece of ripe fruit and cover with fruit juice mixed with ¼ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.

Cover with plastic cling film drum tight and punch about 3 to 6 holes, depending on size of bowl with a bamboo skewer or similar.

This method works well for fruit flies.

Underground Container Traps

A good way to combat a slug or snail invasion but be mindful that you could inadvertently trap native snails.

Use plastic containers about the size of a margarine tub with lid and cut away about a third of the lid.

You want to create a cover for the container but have enough room for slugs and snails to fall in.

Bury container to soil level, fill with beer/yeast mix and then put the lid on.

You can also use half a scooped-out orange or grapefruit in the same way but without a ‘lid’.

ORGANIC BUG-OFF SPRAYS

All of these mixtures should be tested on a small part of the plant first and never used on stressed, dry or thirsty plants.

Use in the evening and reapply as required to control pests.

This is suitable for a broad range of pests and the majority of plants.

6 unpeeled cloves garlic , 3 whole hot chillies, ½ cup of chopped tomato plant leaves, 500ml water, ½ teaspoon liquid soap.

Blend all except soap in a blender and then mix in soap, strain into a spray bottle.

Test on a leaf first and watch for adverse reaction over 24hours.

If not noticed, spray all over plant when plant is not stressed and in the cooler evening.

Use only as needed, no more than once every few weeks.

The Sure-Shoot

Mix up the above recipe and substitute the tomato leaves with any one or you could try a mixture of the following:



Ants: basil, mint, pennyroyal, tansy, wormwood

 Aphids: coriander, dill, mint, chives



Beetles: Tansy

 Cabbage White Butterflies: tansy, wormwood

 Carrot Fly: basil, chives

 Cockroaches: catnip

Fleas: wormwood, lavender

Flies: lavender, pennyroyal, tansy





Gnats: pennyroyal

Mice: wormwood

Slugs and Snails:wormwood, rosemary

Mosquitos: pennyroyal, lavender, rosemary

Moths: wormwood, tansy, lavender

Spider mites: coriander, dill

Weevils: catnip

Terrigal

&

Supporting elite athletes into university education

Hunter and Central Coast Academies of Sport have made a ground-breaking tripartisan partnership with the University of Newcastle, further strengthening the importance of a Pathway to Enrolment Program for regional athletes.

The program has shown great success in familiarising families and young athletes with campus life and education options into the future and all three parties are now closely aligned with the sole objective of providing world-class opportunities to future students and a pathway to the elite athlete program at the university.

Through this exclusive education partnership the

university provides the Hunter (HAS) and Central Coast (CCAS) sport academies with a major point of difference to other partners, including support through sports science testing, integrated learning for postgraduate students and direct access to the Exercise and Sports Science facility at its Central Coast campus in Ourimbah.

The partnership will enable access to facilities across Newcastle’s Callaghan and Central Coast campuses, which will be used for education seminars with world-class presenters and cooking classes run by nutritionists.

Each year HAS and CCAS provide hundreds of regional and rural-based athletes, ranging in ages from 10 to 18,

the opportunity to access national and international standard training and development programs within their regional bases.

As a long-time supporter of elite sport development, this partnership will allow the sport academies to strengthen their

position in Australia’s elite athlete pathway and provide greater educational opportunities for regionalbased athletes.

Chief Executive Officer of HAS and CCAS, Brett O’Farrell, said the partnership was much more than providing world-

class sporting facilities to young, regional athletes.

“It’s about providing a pathway to education and creating a strong, job-ready future generation,” he said.

“We believe that the development of pre-elite sportspeople must include a holistic approach with appropriate leadership and careers advice.

“We thank the university for the long-term support and share their passion in guiding our athletes’ pathway, both in their chosen sport and their education journey.”

University Deputy ViceChancellor Global, Professor Kent Anderson, said the sport academies had been developing and supporting

athletes for many years to succeed in their sport, and the university had been doing the same with their students.

“We know that athletes make great students, and we want to attract these students to study with us – helping them to balance the demands of their sport with study at the University of Newcastle.

“We’re very proud of our partnership and we can’t wait to see athletes come through the academies and combine their achievements on the field, court, track or in the pool with success studying at our University,” Professor Anderson said.

Two-year Council commitment to support surf life saving

Central Coast Council will provide $213,500 p.a. for the next two years support to Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and the region’s 15 surf clubs.

Of this, $38,000 will be provided each year to SLSCC to coordinate beach safety activities and educational messaging across the Central

Coast with an additional $78,000 per year to buy and maintain equipment including an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) as well as service radios, oxygen equipment and rescue boards for each surf club in the region.

Additionally, each of the 15 surf clubs will receive $6,500 per year to support beach safety operations.

A report to Council on September 27 said the service provides a safe beach and aquatic environment for residents and visitors to the region.

“SLSCC, through the individual Surf Clubs, provides lifesaver patrols on the weekends and public holidays, covering the same span of hours and beach locations as our Council

service,” the report says.

“This creates a seven day a week seamless service for the community.

“This support will allow Council, SLSCC and the surf clubs to continue to deliver vital beach safety patrols and educational programs on the weekend to Central Coast’s residents and visitors, keeping

them safe and informed of the importance to ‘Swim Between the Flags’.”

The Central Coast’s 15 Surf Clubs are: The Lakes, Soldiers Beach, North Entrance, The Entrance, Toowoon Bay, Shelly Beach, Wamberal, Terrigal, North Avoca, Avoca Beach, Copacabana, MacMasters Beach, Killcare, Ocean Beach

and Umina Beach.

Following two years of annual agreements in light of Council’s financial position, the two-year agreement provides SLSCC with a longer-term commitment, following the positive financial turnaround of the organisation.

Source: Central Coast Council agenda and minutes, Sep 27

Source: Media release, Oct 4 Central Coast Academy of Sport

Kent Anderson (from left), Ian Robilliard, Dianne Allen and Brett O’Farrell

Talia surfs her way to GromSearch Nationals

SURFING

Avoca Beach junior surfer Talia Tebb has taken out the Under 12 Girls’ title at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Qualifier and is now guaranteed a spot in the national final, to be held in Melbourne next March.

The qualifier wound up at

Merewether on October 2, with the 11-year-old continuing her run of wins, not losing a heat all week on her way to victory.

The win followed Talia’s success in the Under 12s NSW Grommet State Titles at Maroubra Beach on July 25.

She had also taken out the Billabong Occy Grom Competition earlier that month.

“I was very happy to win at the national qualifier, especially because two other girls from my local boardriders club came second and fourth in the same title,” she said.

“I started surfing when I was about three.

“My Dad had always surfed, and I loved it from the start.

“I surf pretty much every day.”

As a member of the Avoca Boardriders club, Talia competes in local competitions every month and would like to one day become a professional surfer.

“I watch the pros perform and I want that to be my future,” she said.

Inspired by female pro surfers, Talia’s favourite is Tyler

Wright, who at the age of 14 became the youngest-ever winner of a Championship Tour event, Layne Beachley’s Beachley Classic in 2008.

Wright joined the World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour in 2011 and won World Titles in 2016 and 2017.

“I love watching her surf – I

Sienna sets her sights on the Olympics

RACE WALKING

With her sights firmly set on a future Olympics selection, Sienna Pitcher of Terrigal continues to make great strides in the competitive field of race walking.

Most recently, the 14-yearold athlete took out first place in the U16 5km event at the Australian Winter Walking Championships, held in Melbourne and winding up on September 11.

“We were lucky with the weather – it was quite sunny and not too windy,” Sienna said.

“I have done quite a few 5km races, but I was really pleased to record a personal best of 24.41 minutes.

“I was definitely striving for the gold, so it was an amazing

feeling to win.”

Although Sienna was competing as a single, she was pleased that the team of NSW athletes finished at the top of the competition.

She followed up with an impressive second placing in the U16 3km event at the NSW All Schools Championships on September 27 at Sydney Olympic Park, competing for Terrigal High School.

While the gold wasn’t hers on that occasion, she was thrilled to qualify for the National All Schools Championships, to be held in Adelaide in December.

“I’m excited to race in Adelaide,” she said.

“I have been there before but never competed.”

While she is most comfortable on her home grounds in Sydney, Sienna said tracks countrywide

really admire her style,” Talia said.

Also performing well at the national qualifiers for the Coast were Zara Hall, who came second to Tebb in the Under 12 Girls and Olive Morriss who took fourth place.

Both girls also belong to the Avoca Boardriders.

Terry Collins

were fairly standard.

She is now training for the official track season, which runs from October through to March next year and is hoping her times at the various events throughout the season will see her make the Nationals.

Sienna trains five days a week with Frank Overton at Gosford’s Adcock Park.

“It’s a lot of training but you have to train if you want to be the best,” she said.

“The training varies – I could be on a treadmill or outside running or biking.”

Sienna hopes to compete in the JuniorWorld Championships in two years and then the World Championships, with selection for the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics her ultimate goal.

Terry CollinsSienna Pitcher is headed for the National All Schools Championships in Adelaide

Talia Tebb in action during the qualifier

Talia Tebb celebrates on the shoulders of her father, Nigel Tebb

Photo: Patrick BondPhoto: Patrick Bond

FOOTBALL

The ISUZU UTE A-League season commences on Saturday evening, October 8, at Central Coast Stadium and Mariners coach Nick Montgomery is promising fans a hard fought and passionate F3 Derby match.

Speaking with CCN at the Mariners Area of Excellence this week Monty spoke enthusiastically about the continuing momentum in the team and at the club more broadly.

“Exciting times ahead, it’s been a long pre-season for the boys and we can’t wait to get started.

“We have the youngest team in the league and some of the fittest.

When asked about losing key players such as leading goalkeeper, Mark Birighitti and rising star, Garang Kuol, the gaffa said “Football’s football, some players come and go and that’s the beauty of it”

There’s a definite feel at the club that the team has momentum from last season and Monty said the team will continue to build on that in the coming season.

“Momentum is a beautiful thing – in the pre-season, I said to the boys we’ve had some really good results and now we have to take that into the season.

“Although competition is competition, and the moment you cross that white line it’s game on.

“Hopefully we’ll have ten thousand plus fan at the stadium cheering on the mighty Mariners on this weekend

“We’ve developed a great team culture from last year after many wrote us off and we defied the critics … we only

A-league Season kicks off this Saturday

just fell short.”

When asked about veteran Matt Simon retiring Monty said:

“What a fantastic career he has had, [he] crossed over to ‘the dark side’ (Sydney FC) for a while though he came back and saw the light and, to be honest he epitemises everything good in this club and that’s Matty Simon, a big guy with a big heart.

Montgomery also sang the

praises of the club employing a series of ex international football legends like Andy Bernal to mentor and guide the young players.

Bernal a 21 cap Socceroo has been given the title of Vibe Manager and is a constant presence at the club keeping everybody focussed and rolling out new internal training projects including a new recovery centre complete with

ice baths, saunas and motivational music and reading.

The new ownership structure also seems to have bought a whole new culture to the smallest club in the league.

New owner, Richard Peil, has vowed to invest in the whole club including the Academy and to push to get an A-league Women’s team up and running … and his

plans seem to be working.

The Academy is one of the most successful academies in the world currently ranking at number 17 according to senior coaching staff.

For the opening game of the A-League season, Monty was keen to get fans to the stadium saying “why not come along, get off your chairs, get out of your houses and come and support the club and this young

So Long Matty, and thanks for all the goals

FOOTBALL

After 15 years in the A-League, Mariners legend and homegrown hero, Matt Simon, has officially announced his retirement from professional football.

Since he played his first professional minutes against the Newcastle Jets in 2007, Simon has led from the front for the blue and yellow,represented everything the Mariners stand for and bagging an incredible 61 goals (and the odd red card) along the way.

Following a hugely successful 2020/21 campaign where Simon led the Mariners back to the A-League finals, his 2021/22 season was sadly cut short after just one match when the striker injured his neck in an FFA Cup tie against

Blacktown City.

“It has been a difficult eight or nine months after getting injured in the cup game,” Simon said.

“I have tried to use the past few months to try and get myself fit and back on the field and it just hasn’t been good enough to get back to where I need to be to give 100% for the team.”

Despite the injury, the Mariners legend is thankful for everything that football has given him.

Arriving to the club as a product of the East Gosford juniors, Simon’s accolades include three premierships, one championship, an FFA Cup and the title of all-time leading scorer for the Mariners.

“The game has given me

more than I ever could have imagined – coming into the club at 19, if someone told me that I would be retiring at close to 37 it would have been an

absolute dream,” he said.

“To be able to play for my hometown team in the national competition for so long with so many appearances, one of my

highlights has been (to be) able to play in front of my family and friends every single home game.

“It has been a great ride with

exciting team”.

The F3 Derby kicks off the season at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday evening at the family friendly time of 5pm.

Organisers are encouraging football fans and Mariners supporters to purchase tickets or memberships before the game as they are expecting a big crowd.

David Abrahams

plenty of ups and downs … some successful times and some hard times but I have loved every single second of it, and I wouldn’t change any of it.”

On top of his A-League accomplishment’s, Simon has also represented his nation multiple times, becoming an Olympian in 2008, while twice playing for the Socceroos.

He also spent two years in Korea between his time in the A-League.

From all the editorial team at CCN, congratulations Matty –we will miss the skill, the fire, the leadership, the elbows and the hometown loyalty you brought to the game.

Head Coach Nick Montgomery is excited

Matt Simon in action in 2021 for the blue and yellow