Coast Community News 369

Local Ryan Sheridan wins Walkley Award

Davistown wetland acquisition funds reallocated

Money set aside more than 25 years ago by the former Gosford Council to buy ecologically significant wetlands at Davistown is to be redirected into a special conservation fund, following years of unsuccessful negotiation between Council and private landowners.

Central Coast Council resolved at its November 22 meeting that the $1.436M acquisition fund is to be directed into a new Central Coast Conservation Fund, with a draft policy to be developed by Council staff in consultation with the Coastal Open Space System Committee and the Catchment to Coast Committee.

The draft policy will be put on public exhibition for 28 days

once finalised.

The internally restricted Davistown Wetlands Acquisition Fund was established by the former Gosford Council in 1996 for the acquisition of private land containing wetlands in Davistown and Saratoga.

The revenue for the fund was generated through the sale of

Council-owned residential land at Davistown and Saratoga.

Council has made offers over many years to acquire several of the 17 land parcels that make up the Davistown Wetlands, with the most recent unsuccessful attempt being reported to Council April 13, 2021.

At that time Council resolved

to no longer pursue acquisition of the properties.

A report to Council said there was now an opportunity to reallocate the funds “to achieve environmental benefits for the community across a broader geographic range within the Central Coast local government area”.

First mooted in September 2020 when Council adopted the Central Coast Biodiversity Strategy, plans for the establishment of a Central Coast Conservation Fund stalled as Council recovered from its financial crisis.

Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, said the group was satisfied with the decision, following last-minute amendments to the resolution

resulting from discussions between the association and Council Administrator Rik Hart.

“The Administrator added a point to the resolution which says Council will consult with Davistown Progress Association on the reallocation and he also added to the resolution that funds reallocated from the Wetlands Acquisition Fund would effectively be used for environmental projects within the Davistown area,” McCulla said.

“We are all happy with the additions and the Davistown Progress Association Wetlands Campaign team is set to meet with the Administrator on Monday, December 12 to discuss options with him.”

Terry Collins

Owners of native stingless bee hives in parts of the Central Coast have been warned to consider moving them, with a toxic pesticide set to be released to eradicate Varroa Mites.

The waterfronts at Woy Woy’s Memorial Park and the Ettalong foreshore have been festooned with brightly coloured Yarn Bomb installations to highlight domestic violence.

Junior dirt track riders will have their last shot at championship glory for this year.

Central Coast local and father of four Ryan Sheridan has won a prestigious Walkley Award for video journalism for two ABC Four Corners television reports, ‘Despair and Defiance’ and ‘Feral’.

Ryan Sheridan with partner Emma Simkin at the Walkley Awards

The Central Coast is home to the state’s top employer and top employee, with two locals taking major awards at the 2022 NSW Business Awards.

Central Coast Newspapers

Pty Ltd (CCN) is a locally owned and operated, independent news media business, providing local print and digital news to communities across the Central Coast.

CCN publishes the Coast Community News weekly with over 40,000 copies available via more than 250 distribution points all across the Central Coast.

Most stories can be viewed on coastcommunitynews.com.au

CCN seeks to uphold the core purpose of the free press, that is,

to provide real, public-interest journalism without fear or prejudice, to keep communities informed about local issues and events and to ensure powerful interest groups, public and private, are held to account.

Little Terns nesting at The Entrance

The Little Terns have arrived at The Entrance North to begin nesting and Central Coast Council wants to remind everyone on how they can help protect the endangered species during this critical time.

Little Terns migrate from south-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation.

Over the last two Little Tern breeding seasons, Council has carried out best practice management at Karagi Point, supported by the community, which has resulted in recordbreaking breeding success and is significantly contributing to the long-term survival of the species.

Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe, said she hopes the community will continue to work with Council to keep the Little Terns safe and ensure breeding success during this important time.

“While it’s exciting to see these rare birds nesting, we ask visitors to the area to keep back from the fenced area as the Little Terns are highly sensitive to disturbance and can abandon their nest site if they feel unsafe,” Howe said.

“We’ve also noticed a significant amount of rubbish being left in the area, which can attract predators and disturb their nesting site, so please remember to take your litter with you.

“Nesting has started, and we currently have more than 85 breeding pairs of the Little Terns and are hoping to see more arrive and nest as the season continues throughout summer.”

Council, in consultation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Biodiversity and Conservation Division, has installed robust

temporary fencing and signage around the breeding area to protect the eggs and chicks.

Residents are urged to: keep well back from the fenced area; take all litter when leaving the beach – especially all food waste, fishing tackle and bait; avoid being unnecessarily noisy or flying kites and drones near the fenced area; report fox sightings in the area; and keep cats indoors at night and dogs away from the reserve.

Dogs (including dogs on leads) are prohibited from Karagi Point at any time.

Unauthorised disturbance to endangered species or their

nest could result in severe financial penalties; Council staff and rangers will be regularly patrolling the area.

To assist in the conservation program, residents are asked to be watchful for eggs or chicks that may appear outside the fenced area, and to report any sightings, unauthorised activities or other issues to Council on 4306 7900.

This project is also supported in part by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program.

Funnel-webs out and about on Coast

As the weather warms up, the Central Coast Coast is expected to experience a funnel-web peak with the humidity providing perfect conditions for the deadly spider.

The Australian Reptile Park is urging residents to exercise caution as male funnel-webs leave their burrows in search of a mate, sometimes ending up in houses or residential gardens.

The humidity has been exacerbated by hot weather following recent rain, with an increase in numbers of wandering spiders likely to follow.

Head of Reptiles and Spiders, Jake Meney, said residents need to remain vigilant, aware and safe when dealing with spiders.

“It’s important that Australians are across the correct first aid and know how to safely catch the spiders so that we can continue to extract their venom and save lives,” he said.

“We rely on public donations of funnel-web spiders to build up our milking individuals.”

The Sydney funnel-web, found throughout Greater

Sydney, including the Central Coast, prefers to make its home in sheltered, shady spots, which are always cool and humid.

While its habitats are rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, the shaded areas of well-vegetated private gardens are also readily colonised.

“When found inside homes, Sydney funnel-web spiders prefer cool, damp places like the laundry, garage or in shoes left out on the ground,” Meney said.

“It is best to ensure you are not leaving washing and

clothing on the floors.

“If you leave your shoes outside make sure you give them a tap on the ground before putting your foot in blindly as shoes can be the perfect little burrow for spiders.

“Pool filters should also be checked and cleaned regularly.”

If bitten it is important to stay as calm as possible and apply the correct first aid with a pressure immobilisation bandage and get to hospital as fast as you possibly can.

Keepers at the Park are

asking for any collected spiders to be brought to the park to contribute to its antivenom program.

The Park, at Somersby, is the sole supplier of funnel-web spider venom to make into lifesaving antivenom, with its program having saved countless Australian lives since its inception in the early 1980s.

There has not been a single death since the introduction of the program.

Media release, Nov 22 Australian Reptile Park

Source: Media release, Nov 17 Central Coast Council

The Little Terns have arrived at The Entrance

Photo Andrew Robinson

Source:

Shoes left outside should be checked for spiders before being worn

15 new firefighters for Coast

The ranks of Fire and Rescue NSW have been boosted with 15 new firefighters to be deployed to seven stations across the Central Coast after completing weeks of intensive training at the Emergency Services Academy in Sydney.

Of the 227 new recruits, 60 are becoming permanent

firefighters while 167 are becoming on-call, or part-time, firefighters.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the 15 firefighters are a welcome boost to the capability and capacity of emergency services across the Central Coast.

“I want to congratulate and thank each new recruit for

putting service above self and making the decision to join Fire and Rescue NSW,” Crouch said.

“Whether it’s responding to fires, chemical emergencies, car crashes or natural disasters, Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters are prepared for any situation.

“Every day they answer the call to help, putting themselves

on the frontline of danger to protect and save others. I’m very proud to see these new recruits joining that proud tradition.”

The 15 new firefighters will be deployed across Doyalson, Kariong, Saratoga, Terrigal, Toukley, Wyoming and Wyong Fire Stations.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and

Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, said Fire and Rescue NSW is widely known as one of the most professional and well-respected emergency services organisations in the world.

“I am confident these 227 new recruits will serve their local community with distinction,” she said.

The new firefighters have

spent up to 14 weeks learning their trade, studying various techniques to deal with different emergencies, how to apply first aid, search and rescue skills, heavy vehicle driving and HAZMAT response know-how.

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

Kariong will be one of the Coast fire stations to see their ranks swelled

Coast picks up three silvers at state tourism awards

The Central Coast has brought home three silver awards from the 2022 NSW Tourism Awards, with winners announced at Sydney’s Luna Park on November 17.

Taking home silver were The Australian Reptile Park in the Major Tourist Attractions category, NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort Central Coast (Caravan and Holiday Parks) and Central Coast Council (Local Government).

More than 450 industry representatives gathered for the first time in three years to celebrate the state’s outstanding tourism businesses.

The awards are managed by the NSW Tourism Industry Council powered by Business NSW and supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

“The NSW Tourism Awards celebrate those tourism experiences that inspire visitors to #feelnewsouthwales and recognise those businesses (which) exemplify quality tourism,” Business NSW Senior Director Regions and Visitor Economy, Paula Martin, said.

“These businesses provide leadership in innovation, marketing and in the delivery of quality products and services.

“These are businesses (which) advance and promote the tourism industry through consistent customer service and quality experiences to all.”

Martin said Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures was also commended.

“They should all be very proud of this recognition of their business excellence, particularly after the ravages of COVID, floods and all off the back of the devastating Black

Summer Bushfires,” she said.

Reptile Park Director Liz Gabriel said it was “amazing” to be recognised for the hard work and effort put in by staff.

“We love our animals and staff more than anything and to be recognised at the NSW Tourism Awards is truly humbling,” she said.

“At the Australian Reptile Park, we provide excellence in wildlife tourism and conservation, and we’ve done

that for the past 60 years.

“We’ve come back stronger than ever after COVID lockdowns and we’re so proud to share our passion for animals with our wonderful visitors –both locally and from around the world.”

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort’s silver award follows it being named Holiday Park of the Year with more than 100 sites by the NSW Caravan and Camping Industry Association

(CCIA) and the Land Lease Living Industry Association at their 2022 Excellence Awards just the week before.

Resort Manager Jeanette Collett said after a challenging but ultimately rewarding couple of years, it was thrilling to receive silver in the awards.

“It’s really a reflection of all the hard work and dedication from everyone on our team, who have banded together to make every guest’s experience at the park an unforgettable one,” she said.

“Who knew 2022 would end up with a double award win for us at NRMA Ocean Beach?

“There’s nothing like finishing the year on a high, and there’ll be lots more in store for next year.”

Council’s silver award is the second consecutive win for its Marketing and Tourism team in the Local Government Award for Tourism category, with Council taking out bronze in that same category at the 2021 Awards.

Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said the successful win acknowledges some major milestone achievements this year for Council’s in-house team.

“In 2022 we have achieved Australian ECO Destination Certification as well as (being

named) Outstanding Region in this year’s delicious.Harvey Norman Produce Awards and (achieving) global Top 100 List status two years running,” she said.

“The silver Local Government Award for Tourism celebrates the outstanding innovation and resilience of our region’s tourism industry, and the progressive steps Council is taking to continually develop and strengthen the Central Coast’s visitor economy.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said these latest wins in the NSW Tourism Awards add to the Central Coast’s growing list of accolades.

“Silver Award status highlights the important role Council’s staff play in driving the region’s visitor economy, tourism industry capability and positive reputation forward, and their commitment and collaboration throughout 2021 and 2022 to achieve state level recognition,” Hart said.

“As we come to the end of 2022, all of us at Council are looking forward to continuing to deliver the best tourism services and experiences to our community and visitors alike in 2023 – including going for Gold at next year’s industry awards.”

Coles donates $3,300 to Central Coast charity

Coles stores on the Central Coast Coles have donated $3,300 to their SecondBite charity partner, Mercy & Grace Ministries Central Coast-Woy Woy.

Along with the cash, the region’s Coles stores also donated around $4,000 worth of non-perishable food which filled a Coles Online van, delivered to the charity on November 21 at Coles West

Gosford.

The money was raised by team members from the region’s nine Coles stores and will allow Mercy & Grace Central Coast to further support local farmers, their families and animals.

The food will be used by the charity to help feed locals in need.

The donation complements the ongoing efforts of the local Coles stores to reduce food

waste and help feed people in need as part of their national partnership with SecondBite.

In the past 13 months, the stores in the region have donated the equivalent of over 230 tonnes of unsold, edible food to SecondBite and its local partners like Mercy & Grace Ministries Central Coast.

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Coles

Coles West Gosford Store Manager Andrew Fitzsimmons, Anna Newcombe from Mercy & Grace Ministries and Umina Beach Store Manager Jason Holloway

Terry Collins

Council’s Marketing and Tourism team accepts the silver award

A warning for native bee hive owners

Owners of native stingless bee hives in parts of the Central Coast have been warned to consider moving them, with a toxic pesticide set to be released to eradicate Varroa Mites.

The pesticide will be used in areas classed as Red Zones, including Wyong, Somersby, Calga, Kariong, Wondabyne, Spencer and Bar Point.

“If you have a hive of native stingless bees in a Red Zone, you need to take action now,” Chair of the Australian Native Bee Association (ANBA) Varroa Response Subcommittee, Dr Anne Dollin, said.

“Your bees could soon be exposed to a very toxic pesticide, so you need to consider moving them to a safe location.”

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is about to begin using Fipronil to eradicate Varroa Mites within the Red Zones on the Central Coast.

As a result, native stingless bees within these areas will be at risk of poisoning for up to three years.

The DPI program aims to destroy feral nests of European honeybees in the Red Zones, as these nests may harbour the devastating Varroa Mite.

Strict protocols are in place to prevent native insects, reptiles, birds and mammals from accessing the Fipronil-laced sugar syrup in the DPI baiting stations.

However, the feral European honeybee nests that are killed by the baiting will contain Fipronil-contaminated honey, and this could attract native stingless bees.

The honey in the feral nests may continue to be toxic to native stingless bees for up to three years.

The ANBA has launched a rescue program to help owners who do not have a safe place to take their hives which can be accessed via https://www.

anba.org.au/varroa-response.

“The aim of our Australian Native Bee Association campaign is to help people move their stingless bees out of the Red Zones and keep the bees safe and strong,” Dollin said.

“Afterwards, when the hives are brought back, they will help repopulate the Red Zone areas.”

To read the DPI’s advice for people who keep native stingless bees in the Red Zones, visit: https://www.dpi. nsw.gov.au/emergencies/ biosecurity/current-situation/ varroa-mite-emergencyresponse/wild-europeanhoney-bee-management.

A map outlining Red Zones is available at:https://www.dpi. nsw.gov.au/emergencies/ biosecurity/current-situation/ varroa-mite-emergencyresponse.

Mixed reaction to Point Clare station upgrade

Recently completed accessibility upgrades at Point Clare train station have met a mixed reaction.

Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the work provides better access for people with mobility aids, prams or luggage.

“We’ve seen a major upgrade of this station with new accessible parking spaces, two new kiss and ride car spaces and a fully accessible toilet installed,” he said.

“We’ve upgraded pathways and lighting to improve safety for people travelling to and from the station.

“The new lifts connect each platform to the commuter car parks and a new ramp and stairs from the Kurrawa Ave commuter carpark also

connect to the lift.

“This work has improved the accessibility for passengers and will make daily life easier for people travelling in the region.”

The upgrade was funded by the NSW Government’s $2.2B Transport Assistance Program (TAP).

But Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said the upgrade was not what the community needed, with insufficient ramps, excessive lifts and a tunnel that’s “so low you hit your head on the roof”.

Tesch labelled the upgrade a “bungle”.

She inspected the station this week, accompanied by members of the local community most affected by the lack of ramps, including the

elderly and those with mobility issues.

“I was hoping Minister for Regional Transport Sam Farraway would recognise our needs, but it hasn’t happened, and the outcome is abysmal,” she said.

“It’s 2022 and we should be doing so much better for accessible inclusion, and yet we end up with three sets of stairs, and a dangerous step replacing a ramped pathway, lifts that can break down, and tunnels that are too low,” she said.

Tesch said more effective education needs to be provided to those designing station upgrades.

“If you’re going to do it, do it well,” she said.

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Australian Native Bee Association

Native stingless bees

Terry Collins

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, at the newly upgraded station

Kate Toon named most influential woman in small business

Kate Toon of Umina Beach has been named the country’s most influential woman in small business at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champions Awards 2022.

The founder of Stay Tooned took out the Champion Influential Woman award at the inaugural awards night on November 12.

The awards program, aimed at recognising Australian small businesswomen achieving excellence, received more than 2,500 entries in total, with 30 finalists in the Champion Influential Woman category.

Toon operates a number of digital businesses including The Clever Copywriting School, Digital Masterchefs and Recipe for SEO Success, which offer courses, memberships, resources,

training and mentoring to thousands of small businesses in Australia and internationally.

“This is a win for all of the misfit entrepreneurs working smart, day after day, to achieve their small business dreams,” she said.

“My business is not an overnight success; it’s the result of 14 years of persistence, innovation and determination.

“While I don’t see myself as an influencer, I think my honest sharing about the highs and woes of my business does have a positive impact.”

Managing Director of Precedent Productions and founder of the awards, Steve Loe, said more and more women were taking up leadership positions throughout the small business community.

“The time has come to

accelerate visibility of the incredible entrepreneurial spirit that so many women in small business display,” he said.

“Kate heads a group of digital educational businesses helping business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs develop business success by improving their digital marketing and building their online visibility.

“It is important to her to build a positive legacy by fearlessly educating thousands of businesswomen and giving back to worthy causes, through educational courses, resources and training and mentoring.”

Toon was also named the Businesswoman of the Year at the national My Business Awards and included in the Top 50 Small Business Leaders of 2022 by Inside Small Business magazine, along

Chain Valley Bay boat ramp upgraded

Central Coast boating and fishing enthusiasts now have safer access to Lake Macquarie following upgrade works to the popular boat ramp at Chain Valley Bay.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said more than $513,410 had been spent to deliver an upgrade to the boat ramp carpark, comprising A $375,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Boating Now program and $138,410M from Central Coast Council.

Council also undertook the

works in Mulloway Reserve which included the construction of a new sealed carpark with formal line marking and signage to accommodate 12 car and 12 car and trailer parking spaces, Crouch said.

“The works also included accessible parking and new pavement for improved accessibility, turning and approach bay, perimeter fencing and a derigging area,” he said.

“These works have been completed just in time for summer which is great for the local economy as our waterways are popular with

locals and tourists alike.

“This upgrade provides a safe and functional asset for the community and visitors to our region who can also enjoy the adjoining foreshore reserve, picnic area and play space.”

The Boating Now program, now in its fourth round, has invested in about 330 projects since it began in 2014, providing funding to improve maritime infrastructure and facilities across NSW.

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch

with achieving many other regional, national and international accolades.

Operating a seven-figure business from her ‘Toon Cave’ backyard shed, she employs a fully remote team of staff and contractors and aims to provide her community of business owners and entrepreneurs with the skills, wisdom and connections they need to thrive in a digital business world.

Toon was also a finalist in the Education Services category at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champions Awards 2022, in recognition of her courses and education offerings, including her Recipe for SEO Success courses which have helped more than 12,000 other businesses.

Council to buy land for new road bridge at Little Jilliby

Central Coast Council intends to purchase 410sqm from a private landowner to enable road widening and a new bridge on Little Jilliby Rd at Little Jilliby.

The NSW Government offered Council funding as part of the Fixing Country Bridges Program to replace the deteriorated timber Little Jilliby bridge with a new concrete bridge, to upgrade Little Jilliby Rd in the vicinity of the bridge and road

widening which would go through the private land.

Administrator Rik Hart adopted the Council staff recommendation at Tuesday night’s meeting to continue negotiations for the sale with the property owner at 227 Little

Jilliby Rd, Jilliby.

If the purchase cannot be satisfactorily resolved, Council will seek approval for a compulsory acquisition from the Minister for Local Government and the Governor.

A Council report says the cost

of acquisition, including compensation to owners, valuation and legal costs is estimated to be between $10,000 and $15,000, however, a Road Widening Valuation Report remains confidential as it would be

“contrary to public interest” and “affect Council’s ability to obtain value for money”.

Cost of the land acquisition will be allocated in the 2022/23 Budget.

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Stay Tooned

Kate Toon at the awards ceremony

The upgraded boat ramp and carpark

Sue Murray

Linda Emery Lawyer Since 1983

Labor to roll out pre-election promises for Coast

The Federal Government is starting to make good on its pre-election promises for the Central Coast, with Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, visiting the region on November 16 to confirm funding for projects stretching from Kincumber to The Entrance.

Accompanied by Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, King visited Avoca Dr, confirming

$30M in funding for a major upgrade, and Frost Reserve at Kincumber, where the Government will fund upgrades to the Kincumber Roos Soccer Clubhouse including female change rooms, improved accessibility, more storage space and an upgraded canteen.

“The Albanese Government believes in strengthening regional Australia and supporting communities to reach their full potential,” King said.

“Improving roads to ease congestion and improve safety helps people get home to their families more quickly.

“The addition of female changing rooms along with other upgrades to Frost Reserve will bring the facilities up to a standard that reflects the changing needs of the community.”

Reid said the projects would not only bring the community together but would allow safer and better connections between communities.

The Minister then moved on to join Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, and confirm the Budget’s allocation of $1.2M for The entrance.

“The Entrance is much loved by our community and it’s a popular place for locals and visitors, but it needs proper investment for the future,” McBride said.

Minister Catherine King and Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, at The Entrance Ocean Baths

“That’s why the Government

is funding $750,000 to upgrade Vera’s Watergarden, $175,000 to make the waterfront plaza playspace more accessible, and $170,000 to renovate The Entrance Ocean Baths.

“We’re also investing $40,000 to install shade sails over the grandstand seating at the baths, and another $100,000 for the clubhouse.”

The Ocean Baths is an iconic heritage listed site which has been popular on the Coast for generations.

The funding will improve sun

safety and water quality at the baths by upgrading the pipes and pump system, so locals and visitors can swim safely and comfortably all year round.

“As the local member, I will continue to work closely with Council and our community to deliver these upgrades for our region,” McBride said.

“The Federal Government will help breathe life back into The Entrance because for us – the Central Coast is a priority.”

Calls to lower speed limit on Peach Orchard Rd

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, and residents of Fountaindale are calling on the Minister for Regional Roads and Transport to reconsider a request to lower the speed limit along Peach Orchard Rd.

Mehan said lowering the speed limit from 60km/h to 50km/h would make the area safer for both residents and the area’s abundant wildlife, with the lack of footpaths exacerbating safety concerns.

He said a number of representations had been made to both Central Coast Council and the Minister about the concerns of the community.

“The Minister’s response to lowering the speed limit to 50km/h, as would be consistent with the rest of the area, was that ‘Peach Orchard Road’s speed limit of 60km/h is considered appropriate’,” he said.

“Council subsequently advised that additional signposting of the current speed limit of 60km/h would be installed on either side of the road.”

But Mehan said the abundant wildlife in the Chittaway Creek Valley would be better protected by a lower speed limit.

“All the urban areas in the community have a speed limit of 50km/h; this street should

be no different,” he said.

“The response to the community’s request is disappointing.

“The Minister needs to reassess his decision and consider the safety issues raised by residents.

“Residents’ concerns are heightened as there are no footpaths for pedestrians, which is a safety hazard, and certainly not currently being addressed by the Minister.”

Mehan said a lower speed limit would also make the area safer for wildlife.

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Member for The Entrance, David Mehan

Member for The Entrance David Mehan with residents on Peach Orchard Rd

Terry Collins

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, and Minister King at Avoca Dr Minister Catherine King and Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, at The Entrance Ocean Baths

Council to seek government funding to realise major projects wish list

Central Coast Council will push for government funding in the lead-up to next March’s state election to help realise 12 vital projects in the region.

Council has identified the regional projects of significance in a new prospectus, which will not only be a driving force in advocating for funding but will allow residents to learn more about the projects and how much funding is required to make them a reality.

The 2022 Key Enabling Projects Prospectus was tabled at Council’s November 22 meeting, outlining the overall vision and details of projects ranging from infrastructure upgrades through to community sport facilities that will benefit residents for generations to come.

Administrator Rik Hart said the prospectus was an important milestone for Council that will allow improved visibility of the organisation’s short to mid-term capital works priorities.

“I am particularly delighted that staff have been able to identify priority areas for investment in the northern areas of the Central Coast,” he said.

“While the prospectus does contain an infrastructure wishlist that will benefit the entire community, it is important that we put in place plans to ensure that areas of population growth will get the benefits they need.

“Council will use this prospectus to advocate for projects that we feel will help our community.”

Chief Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC), John Mouland, is a key supporter of Council’s strategy.

“The Central Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions,” he said.

“The decisions that are made now will ensure that the region and community has everything needed for a liveable and sustainable future.

“It’s important that Council

and Regional Development Australia continue to build on our strong relationship.”

The key projects identified are: the Gosford Waterfront revitalisation; road renewal throughout the region; the Tuggerawong shared pathway: the Esplanade boardwalk at The Entrance; the Lake Munmorah recreation facility; the Colongra sporting complex; the Wisemans Ferry Road upgrade; Warnervale business precinct; Central Coast Airport; Tuggerah Lakes Estuary management; and sewage treatment plant augmentation

at Gwandalan and Bateau Bay.

To further its plans for the revitalisation of the Gosford waterfront, Council will seek $8.5M to complete a masterplan and feasibility analysis and an in-principle commitment of $325M to activate the precinct.

It will also lobby for a suitable NSW Government Development Corporation to manage the project.

Council is looking for a contribution of $12M over four years at $3M per year to improve the condition of roads around the region and $5.1M to allow for the development and

construction of the final stage of the Tuggerawong Shared Pathway project.

As it proceeds with plans to upgrade sewage treatment plants at Gwandalan and Bateau Bay, Council will seek $18.1M to complete upgrades at Gwandalan by March 2026 and $12.5M to upgrade the Bateau Bay plant by June 2025.

Council is planning a suite of improvements to the estuary management of Tuggerah Lakes and is looking for a government commitment of $4M to realise the upgrades between July 2023 and June 2027.

Also on the wish list is $500,000 for the development of detailed designs for a boardwalk at The Entrance and $2.42M for a recreation facility at Lake Munmorah.

Preparation works on the Colongra sporting complex were completed in 2018-20 and Council is now looking for a total contribution of $8.375M towards completion of project.

Council on track to pay debts off early

Central Coast Council is on track to pay down some of its debt earlier than planned as it continues to reinforce long term financial sustainability.

Council CEO David Farmer said the organisation’s financial performance was currently exceeding planned forecasts.

“Our strong financial performance means that we can allocate surpluses to pay down some debt earlier than originally forecast and set aside funds for future needs, while we continue to prudently manage other financial challenges such as rising costs

due to inflation,” he said.

Council adopted an updated Restricted Funds Policy to include two new internal restrictions, Emergency Loan Repayment and Future Projects Reserve, at its meeting on November 22.

Funds of $50M have been allocated to Emergency Loan Repayment and will be used to pay down a portion of the emergency loans in December 2023.

This is when Council will refinance the balance of the second emergency loan which will have an outstanding balance of $82.6M in December 2023.

Council secured $150M in emergency loans in late 2020 to reimburse restricted funds unlawfully accessed.

These external loans, the first $50M and the second $100M, were a financial recovery action and are required to be

repaid within 10 years from forecasted surpluses as outlined in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.

Funds of $5M have been allocated to Future Projects Reserve to assist with planning ahead for future projects.

“These actions align with Council’s Financial Strategy that was adopted in August this year,” farmer said.

“We will continue to review our financial position and consider additional transfers to the internal restrictions on a quarterly basis.

“This is to ensure we can repay the emergency loans as

soon as is practical and free up cash flow that we can direct into services that our community want.”

Administrator Rik Hart said Council’s strong financial performance was another sign the organisation had left the financial crisis well behind it.

“The organisation is financially stable,” he said.

“Our focus is on addressing those areas of concern where we are not meeting our community expectations on service delivery.

“Our community is already seeing the benefit of more investment in road remediation

With major improvements imperative along Wisemans Ferry Rd, Council will seek $10M in government funding for full restoration of two travel lanes along the road at embankment failure sites.

Construction of the muchawaited Warnervale Business Precinct is expected to be staged over a 10-year program and Council is looking for a government contribution of $58M over the 10 years to help develop the precinct.

With master planning and key biodiversity studies for the Warnervale airport precinct having commenced, Council is looking at a 10-15 year timeframe for completion of the project and is seeking a government investment of $20M.

To find out more or to view the Prospectus visit https://www. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ business/opportunities-andinvestment

and vegetation management, and soon will see an improvement in development assessment timelines as staff resources have been increased in that area.”

To stay up to date with information about Council finances and service delivery, go to the following links on the Council website centralcoast. nsw.gov: Finance Monthly Reports; Financial Strategy; Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2022-23; and Capital Works Program.

Have a say on Gosford waterfront plan before December 1

With submissions on major proposed changes for the Gosford waterfont set to close on December 1, Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) is encouraging all residents to have their say.

RDACC Chair, Lawrie McKinna, said while rejuvenation of the Gosford Waterfront has long been on the political and economic agenda, several longstanding issues have now been addressed that have previously prohibited the landmark initiative.

“Central Coast Council has developed a concept plan for the Gosford Waterfront development, after working

through several longstanding issues with key stakeholders that will finally enable the full potential of the waterfront precinct to be realised,” he said.

“Council is also exploring opportunities to partner with the NSW Government to ensure we will at last see the delivery of a waterfront revitalisation to the quality and standard the Central Coast deserves.”

RDACC Deputy Chair Anna Cruckshank said residents should focus on long-term benefits, rather than potential issues.

“Revitalisation of the Gosford Waterfront presents an important opportunity for residents and local stakeholders to help shape one of the most

distinctive catalyst projects for our region,” she said.

“When contributing to this major development, rather than dwelling on potential obstacles or issues, residents should focus on the opportunities and benefits it can create for future

generations.”

RDACC CEO and Director Regional Development, John Mouland, said now is the time for our local leaders to deliver transformational projects that will act as a catalyst for regional economic development.

“The people of the Central

Coast are suffering from ‘Gosford Waterfront’ fatigue,” he said.

“We have all experienced decades of plans and inaction, with little to show for it and unsurprisingly, our community has lost faith in the process,” he said.

“Now is the time for strong and united action from our regional leaders to deliver a transformational change to the waterfront precinct that will help define Gosford as one of the truly great cities of Australia and bring about widespread economic benefits for the people of the Central Coast.”

The extensive revitalisation plan stretches along the entire waterfront from the railway line to beyond the Sailing Club and

includes a mix of commercial, retail and accommodation options, along with a ferry terminal, outdoor recreational areas and even an amphitheatre.

The plan also incorporates a public building, a ferry terminal over by the rail bridge; a walkway atop a seawall encircling the development; a pedestrian bridge over Dane Dr for access from Leagues Club Park to the waterfront; and an expanded water playground outside Gosford Pool.

For full details visit: yourvoiceourcoast.com/ gosfordwaterfront.

Media release, Nov 21, 2022 RDACC

Source: Media release, Nov 23 Central Coast Council

Central Coast Council CEO, David Farmer

Source: Media release, Nov 23 Central Coast Council

The Warnervale business precinct is one of the 12 projects identified

Source:

RDACC Chair Lawrie McKenna, Deputy Chair Anna Cruckshank and CEO John Mouland

Council achieves a lot during a challenging year

Central Coast Council has released its latest Annual Report, providing a comprehensive account of its performance from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

Administrator Rik Hart said the achievements were a credit to the staff who have delivered high quality services to the community while the organisation faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, La Niña wet weather conditions and the Council’s financial situation.

“The last 12 months have seen Central Coast Council transition from ‘fixing the financial problem’ to building long term financial sustainability,” he said.

“As an organisation, we met all the financial recovery plan milestones, with the focus shifting towards consolidating and improving the performance of the organisation.”

Achievements and highlights for 2021-22 include finalisation

of the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (CCLEP 2022) and Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022 (CCDCP 2022), with notification of the new legislation in June, 2022.

This means that the former Gosford City and Wyong Shire planning controls have been harmonised, providing a uniform set of planning controls for the Central Coast.

The new planning controls came into effect on August 1, 2022, and have helped streamline the development application and assessment process for the LGA.

The year also saw the preparation and endorsement of the Central Coast Water Security Plan, which sets out the future demand on the region’s water supply and infrastructure, and a plan for action.

The region was recognised with ECO Destination Certification by Ecotourism Australia, making it one of the

first regions in the country to be recognised for its strong, wellmanaged commitment to environmentally sustainable practices and high-quality, nature-based tourism experiences.

Council delivered a full

calendar of community events and activities even through COVID-19 restrictions, including Chromefest, the Harvest Festival, Taste of Toukley, Senior Week, Youth Week and many more.

The year also saw delivery of

the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf featuring a state-of-theart floating pontoon, accessibility features, solar lighting and smart benches with mobile phone charging capability.

Essential and community infrastructure was delivered across the region, with the renewal and replacement of play spaces and equipment at Gwandalan, Green Point, North Avoca and Mardi; road upgrades at Berkeley Vale, Budgewoi, Copacabana, Long Jetty and Empire Bay; and continuation of the Tuggerawong shared pathway.

Council said a number of these projects would not have been possible without funding support from the NSW Government and Australian Government.

During the year, Council undertook ,283 building certification inspections undertaken, 488 new lots were released and 2883 development applications were lodged.

In waste management, 212,029 kerbside collections were completed, 34,255 tonnes of household recyclables diverted from landfill and 59,294 tonnes of garden organics and biosolids diverted from landfill.

In a year which saw major damage to the region’s road network due to weather, 85,668 potholes were filled, 280km of road grading was completed and 2.47 kilometres of drainage infrastructure was constructed.

The audited financial statements for 2021-22 will form an addendum to the Annual Report once they have been audited and adopted by Council.

Council’s Annual Report 2021-22 can be viewed on Council’s website.

Search Annual Report at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Jackson fights to support Coast Shelter

Central Coast local Jackson Lonie, best known as a participant from Married at First Sight 2022, presented a $1,900 cheque to Coast Shelter on November 23.

Lonie not only stepped into the ring for a much-publicised boxing match in Melbourne last month to defeat fellow MAFS alumni Sam Carraro, but selected Coast Shelter as his charity of choice to receive his winnings.

The fight against homelessness and domestic violence on the NSW Central Coast is dear to his heart.

Lonie has been very open in talking about his own family experience with domestic violence and wanted to give back to the community and

raise awareness for the plight of those in need.

“I wanted to give that money to a good cause and I thought, what better cause than something that I’ve been through and something that really resonates with me,” he said.

He acknowledged the irony of raising funds to help combat domestic violence through a boxing match.

Coast Shelter, focussing on providing services and support programs for the homeless, as well as those dealing with domestic and family violence, aims to break the cycle of poverty and intergenerational despair and disadvantage.

Marketing Communications Manager Krissy Stepleton expressed the charity’s thanks

to Lonie and the RoJo Consulting team.

“As the leading homelessness and domestic violence service on the Central Coast, without people like Jackson raising awareness and fundraising on our behalf, we would not be able to do what we do,” she said.

The cheque presentation was held at G-Six Boxing, the Central Coast owned and operated gym, which was also a donation sponsor.

Lonie said he was grateful for the difference even a small amount can make to the charity.

“Any impact I can make, makes me happy,” he said.

Source: Media release, Nov 23 Central Coast Council

Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart

Source: Media release, Nov 23 Coast Shelter

Jackson Lonie presents the cheque to Coast Shelter Marketing Communications Manager Krissy Stapleton

I am very concerned about Council’s proposed plan to damage the Umina Beach dunes as reported in Coast Community News on November 18.

And importantly, the ‘upgrade of the car park’ and the destruction of the dune system were not included in original project plans and were not subject to community consultation.

This is the masterplan that was on public exhibition, car parking along Sydney Ave, not destroying the dunes; https:// www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/ sites/default/files/2020-06/ Umina_RP_Masterplan_-_

Concern over Umina Beach dune system

FORUM

Concept_2.pdf

My primary concerns are mainly about the reduction of the resilience of the dune system and resultant increased risk of storm/sea level rise inundation as a result of this loss of 2.5-3m of dune in an area of dune that has already been reduced by the existing car park space and pathways onto the beach.

Please take a walk along the beach and see for yourself the level of coastal erosion that has increased massively over the last few years with increased extreme weather events.

At high tide, waves are coming to the top of the dunes along the pathways – this is where the inundation will take place, in the first instance.

However, I am also concerned that the proposed car park will not result in the increase in any more spaces - counts of cars on the weekend show parkers are able to manage to park close enough to one another to total the number that the planned new park will accommodate.

If Council needs to formalise this parking space, does it need to be part of the Peninsula Recreation Active Lifestyle Project?

The original project plan had parking space elsewhere.

I am also concerned about statements from Council officers about extensive community consultation.

As stated above the ‘upgrade of the car park’ and the destruction of the dune system were not included in original project master plans and have not been subject to community consultation.

It is not good enough that Council officers now say that Council will proceed with the current design and undertake dune restoration works, when the proposed plans will destroy part of the dune that will not be

Concept plans for Umina project misleading

It is ingenuous of Council to say the plans to destroy an area of beach dune at Umina was the subject of “extensive community consultation” (CCN November 18).

Broad consultation did occur in 2019 re the upgrading of recreational facilities and this included extensive feedback

FORUM

from the community about how highly it values trees and shaded areas.

The concept plans currently on Council’s website show only the area around the current BMX track and skate park.

These plans are titled

“concept option 2019”; hardly a final exhibited detailed plan.

There is no reference at all to destroying 240 square metres of beach dunes, associated trees, mid storey and ground cover vegetation or to any work at all in that location.

This is not just the removal of five trees as implied by Council. The community expects

Council to protect and strengthen our fragile coastal areas, not to be the agent of their destruction.

I, like many others, call on Council to revise its plans and safeguard the fragile dune system.

Nov 22

able to be restored.

Council needs to demonstrate: details of any community consultation on this project proposal’ the completion of a comprehensive Review of Environmental Factors (REF) before commencing any work; and that the REF has addressed clauses in the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) outlining protections for ‘coastal vulnerability areas’ and possible adverse impacts on the integrity and resilience of the biophysical, hydrological and ecological environment, coastal environmental values and natural coastal processes. To complete the project that

Getting

is not consistent with NSW Environmental obligations and has not been subject to community consultation, not only do five mature trees need to be removed, but 2.5-3m of understory and root systems and protective dune systems.

Please immediately call a halt to this work and insist Council officers reconsider the plans.

To be told it is too late at a site meeting a couple of weeks ago just made the point of the meeting ridiculous and insults community members.

off

drugs

is torture. Three

i n one of our beds gets kids clean .

Please donate to buy more beds in our special residences to treat addicted kids. Call 1800 151 045 or visit www.noffs.org.au

months

Email, Nov 21 Sally Jope, Umina Beach

Email,

Sue Ellis, Umina Beach

Probe into Forresters Beach chopper crash

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating a helicopter crash at Forresters Beach at about 6pm on Saturday, November 19.

Three people were onboard the helicopter which witnesses said came in low and started spinning out of control before losing altitude and taking out power lines before crash landing in a ditch on Central Coast Highway between Cresthaven Ave and Tumbi Rd.

A 40-year-old woman and her husband were being flown to her own birthday celebration

with family and friends at a nearby venue.

Emergency services raced to the scene and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter with its Critical Care Medical Team landed at the grounds of The Entrance District Sporting and Community Centre at Bateau Bay.

Local ambulance paramedics and the Critical Care Team treated and stabilised the woman passenger who suffered serious neck and leg injuries before the Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew her to

John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.

She was accompanied by her husband who had only minor injuries and the male pilot was taken to Gosford Hospital, also with minor injuries.

Power was out until late

Sunday in the immediate surrounds and the highway was closed until Monday morning while a crash investigation and clean-up was undertaken.

Multiple beach rescues over weekend

With the weather warming up, it was a busy day for surf lifesavers on the Central Coast on Sunday, November 20 as thousands of Coasties flocked to the region’s beaches.

On Sunday morning lifesavers requested an ambulance for a man who almost drowned at Wamberal.

He was was given first aid and oxygen therapy.

At Shelly Beach, a 14-year-

old female was pulled from under the water after suffering a seizure.

By 1.30pm, volunteers were responding to multiple first aids and medical incidents at Shelly Beach and The Lakes, including dislocations and faintings.

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said lifesaving resources were being tested

right across the state, with patrols as well as Support Operations callout teams under the pump.

“It’s great to finally see a sniff of summer and everyone is out enjoying themselves,” he said.

“We want to keep people safe while they have fun and we need people to respect the conditions and their own abilities in particular.

“Our volunteers are doing their best to respond to callouts and assist other emergency

services to help people in trouble and the last thing we want is an early season spike in drownings and other tragedies.”

Surf Life Saving NSW is encouraging the public to take care, listen to lifesavers and only swim at patrolled locations between the red and yellow flags.

Missing man from Wyoming

Police are asking for public assistance to locate Robert Hay.

The 51-year-old was last seen at Wyoming at about 10pm on Sunday, November 13.

Hay is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 173cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair.

He is known to frequent the Gosford, Sydney CBD, Artarmon and St Leonards areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Tuggerah Lakes Police are investigating incidents of what they believe to be deliberately placed objects on roads in the Central Coast hinterland.

They are seeking community information in relation to people placing screws on the roadway along Yarramalong Rd and along Bumble Hill Rd in the Yarramalong area.

Police have received numerous reports from

Road sabotage at Yarramalong Welfare concerns for missing girl

motorbike riders having picked up screws in their tyres.

The Police believe that the objects have been deliberately placed on the roads.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https:// nswcrimestoppers.com.au

The family of a missing 16-year-old girl from Wyong are concerned about her welfare and are appealing for community assistance to find her.

Lilly Lee was last seen at about 11.30pm on Saturday, November 12 when she was leaving an address in Leppington St, Wyong and since then hasn’t been contactable.

She is described as caucasian apperance, 150cm tall, thin build, brown hair and green eyes.

There are concerns for Lilly’s welfare because of her age and she could possibly be travelling on the rail networks.

Anyone with information about Lilly’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or https://nswcrimestoppers. com.au

Information is treated in strict confidence and the missing report number is E. 91365006.

Source: Tuggerah Lakes Police

Source: Media release, Nov 20 Surf Life Saving NSW

Source: Tuggerah Lakes Police

Sue Murray

Source:

Brisbane Water Police District

Helicopter crash lands in ditch on highway

Photo: Brian Peebles

Lilly Lee

Robert Hay

Yarn bombing highlights domestic violence campaign

The waterfronts at Woy Woy’s Memorial Park and the Ettalong foreshore have been festooned with brightly coloured Yarn Bomb installations to mark the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against Genderbased Violence on November 25.

Co-ordinated by the Zonta Club Central Coast with input from members of Woy Woy

CWA,

of violence and abuse, such as coercive control, financial and social restrictions and emotional abuse, as well as information about how to find help.

that on average one woman dies each week due to domestic violence while around 660 domestic violence matters are dealt with by police each day.

“Many people do not recognise that physical violence is not the only form of abuse that people experience,” Zonta President Jill Davis said.

“Each of the trees has a message about different forms

“This is an important action to help ‘Change the Story’.”

In 2021, around 620 cases of physical assaults were reported on the Central Coast.

In Australia, it is estimated

Davis said the amazing works of art bring positive hope by offering suggestions about how the scourge of domestic violence can be reduced through challenging gender stereotypes, promoting women’s independence, encouraging respectful

relationships and confronting domestic violence acts wherever and whenever they occur.

The installations at Ettalong and Woy Woy have already been viewed by hundreds of people including Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch.

“Everyone is encouraged to

go and spend some time viewing the trees and thinking about how we can each make a difference to make our community safer,” Davis said.

The16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign runs until December 10 with the eye-catching wraps to remain in place until December 17.

Kamira Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services and Soroptimists Brisbane Waters the yarn bombing aims to draw attention to the high incidence of domestic and family violence on the Central Coast.

Source: Media release, Nov 24 Zonta Club Central Coast

The Woy Woy waterfront is festooned with colour

Yarn bombing on

Ettalong foreshore

$5M boost for NAISDA

NAISDA Dance College will be able to significantly expand its presence on the Central Coast following a $5M allocation in the 2022 Federal Budget to the nationally recognised First Nations arts and dance college.

The funding fulfills an election commitment by the Labor Government and ensures the college can continue to provide quality education to First Nations people.

Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, announced the funding during a recent visit to NAISDA, where he met with CEO Kim Walker and Chair Mayrah Sonter.

“NAISDA Dance College is a phenomenal First Nations arts and culture institute, based here on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast,” he said.

“It provides world class

accredited training programs to young First Nations people.

“The $5M in funding will assist the college in expanding its presence and ensure it continues to meet the growing demand for its programs into the future.

“The Government is committed to amplifying the voices of our First Nations people; this funding helps to achieve that objective.

“I look forward to continuing to support this spectacular First Nations college on the Central

Coast.”

Walker said dance and Culture have always been at the core of how the college supports and equips young people to build opportunity, forge new tracks and voice stories and truths of their own.

“We are extremely grateful to the Federal Government for their investment in our infrastructure which supports NAISDA’s tertiary dance and arts training program, driving excellence and enterprise for our future knowledge holders

and creative and cultural leaders,” Walker said.

NAISDA Chair Mayrah Sonter said that this funding recognises the impact the college’s work has achieved over many years.

“This announcement acknowledges NAISDA’s significant contribution to the national arts, education and cultural landscape for nearly half a century,” she said.

“We would like to thank the Federal Government for this fantastic opportunity to further empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with tertiary arts training, wellbeing, skills development and career pathways which create, celebrate and share First Nations culture and Knowings.”

Spread some cheer through Salvos Christmas toy appeal

With Christmas right around the corner, The Salvation Army and Newcastle Permanent are calling on the community to spread some extra holiday cheer by donating a gift to the Salvos for their annual Christmas Toy Drive Appeal.

Salvation Army volunteer, Tracey Richards, knows firsthand the impact the toy drive can have on a family at Christmas, having first come

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across the Salvos at a time she was doing it tough herself.

“I came from homelessness and domestic violence. I was on the pension and wasn’t fit to work and the Salvos were amazing, helping with my daughter,” she said.

“The quality of presents in the Toy Drive are amazing, it was such a massive help.

“My daughter, who was 11 when we first started going to the Salvos, didn’t even know we were doing it tough because of the help we were receiving, the love and everything that goes with the gift.

“It was always special for her each Christmas.”

Through the help of The Salvation Army, Richards was able to find a home for herself and her daughter and was determined to give back.

“For the Toy Drive, I will be helping with the toys, wrapping presents with my daughter.

“Now she’s 20 and she’ll be helping kids who were in the same predicament she was,” Richards said.

Auxiliary Lieutenant Bernie Muendel acknowledged that while Christmas was often referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, for families struggling this might not be the case without the help of The Salvation Army.

“This year, thousands of children in NSW could wake up on Christmas morning without a present to open,” he said.

“Through the generosity of

Newcastle Permanent and the community, we can help put a few more smiles on faces at this special time of year.

“Many children in need are teenagers, so we encourage the community to consider donating gift cards and other suitable gifts for older children.

Gifts for the Toy Drive should be new and unwrapped.

Ideas include vouchers, games, beauty products, fashion accessories, toys, clothing, books, and sporting equipment.

Newcastle Permanent’s Chief Technology Officer, Jodi Stapleton, said the organisation was deeply proud of its 34-year tradition to support the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive Appeal.

“The Salvos are expecting to donate over thousands of gifts this year and our people will be volunteering to help the Salvos sort and distribute these gifts,” she said.

“Newcastle Permanent’s partnership with the Salvos allows us to band together as an organisation to help bring some Christmas magic to families who this year in particular, may be doing it tough.”

Donations can be made at any Newcastle Permanent branch from Monday, November 14 until Friday, December 16.

Source: Media release, Nov 18 Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, NAISDA CEO Kim Walker, Chief Operating Officer Debra Schleger, staff and developing artists

Tracey Richards (from left), Jodi Stapleton and Bernie Muendel

Avoca beachside twilight markets set to light up the season

Avoca Beachside Markets

Twilight Edition will return to the beautiful waterfront surrounds of Avoca Lagoon on Saturday, December 10, from 4pm-9pm.

The event is in its 7th consecutive year and is organised by Fixx Events and Colorbomb Décor.

Brad Cardis from Fixx Events is enthusiastically inviting

locals and visitors to come out under the stars, and chill on the waterfront with an array of live music from Fairplay Entertainment on the Live stage supported by Star 104.5 FM.

Some of the featured local acts will be The Good Love, Fletcher Pilon and Muzzle.

“We’ve secured a smorgasbord of local pop-up bars from Six String Brewery,

Upstairs Wines and Distillery Botanica and an International Truck Food area with dessert bars and picnic foods and as always we welcome well behaved 4-legged friends on leads on the night,” Cardis said.

“We have over 100 handpicked, local artists, crafters, and producers featuring products such as Christmas puddings, eco-inspired and upcycled decorations and gifts

to fill your baskets under your Christmas trees.

The other half of Fixx Events, Bianca Cardis, by supporting the free independent event, residents would help keep our local tourism and businesses sustainable and employed.

Organisers are asking potential attendees to be mindful of limited parking in the area and surroundings on the event evening and

carpooling, bicycles, UBER and walking along the beach is welcome.

Meanwhile, the last Fourth Sunday Avoca Beachside Market will be held at Heazlett Park on Sunday, November 27, from 9am-2pm.

Avoca Beachside Markets now enters its 13th year and remains the Central Coast’s premier multiple award winning free monthly

community event.

Providing entertainment on the day will be Kalen Hogan, Eli Gracia, Tom Hutchin and Emerald Priestman.

All event information at www. fixxevents.com.au

Alive Fest returns to Gosford on December 3

Alive Fest, the state’s premiere plant-based festival, returns to Gosford on December 3, offering artisanal wares, clothing and an international array of food offerings with stallholders and visitors from as far as Wollongong and the Blue Mountains.

Ratha Sharma of Woy Woy is just one of the chefs who will be offering exotic food on the day.

She has been exciting tastebuds with her food since she was just 13.

“We were back home in my native Sri Lanka and my mum was sick one day,” she said.

“So, without the family knowing, I had to step up and cook the family dinner that night.

“I was so nervous, but my older brothers were crazy for it

and my dad was so proud, I think he told the whole street.”

Now with four children of her own, Sharma has been inspired by her supportive husband Athi to take her cooking on the road.

Her Sangee’s Indian Food and Vegan Treats is now a mainstay on the Peninsula.

“Indian food is definitely growing in popularity on the Central Coast,” she said.

“I’ve been here 12 years now and though I know the public is drawn in by the scents, some are thinking it’s going to be too spicy.

“I always keep some toothpicks handy.

“Once they sample it, their eyes light up and they want to try everything.

“Indian food is so much more than just curries and it’s my job to show Coasties how diverse and tasty vegan Indian food can

be, not to mention ending the meal with vegan cupcakes.”

At Alive Fest, Sharma will serve an assortment of treats to attract children and adults

Register to take part in Pets Day Out

Central Coast Council will host a Pets Day Out early next year, an event designed to celebrate our four-legged friends and encourage responsible pet ownership.

Council is calling for expressions of interest from Central Coast based pet related businesses and local dog and cat community groups to get

involved including: vets; pet trainers; pet related businesses – big and small; and local food and drink businesses.

The event will take place on Saturday 18 February at Terilbah Reserve, The Entrance.

Socares will provide a free microchipping or check-yourchip service, while the Animal Welfare League will supply reduced cost vaccinations, free

health checks and pet care advice.

Council is particularly keen to hear from prospective stall holders by 5pm on Monday, December 5.

You can register interest on the council website.

Source: Media release, Nov 18 Central Coast Council

alike

local

“It’s a fantastically diverse and family-friendly event –right next to a wonderful kids’ park on the waterfront,” he said.

“It’s also the perfect place to find those unique Christmas presents in the artisanal lanes of the festival.

“This festival will see vegan fare from Venezuela, China, Turkey, Thailand, Palestine and Japan among others – we’re really reaching around the globe to invite the most sensationally tasty fare right to our amazing region’s doorstep.

“We can’t wait for the locals to try some new things.”

Alive Fest will be held from 9am-4pm at Gosford’s Leagues Club Park on Saturday, December 3.

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Glenn Fraser, Alive Fest

Primary source Media statement, November 2022 Fixx Events

Avoca Twilight Markets are set to please

Fletcher Pilon will be one of the featured artists at the Twilight Market

Bianca and Brad Cardis are welcoming locals

including doughnuts, waffles sticks, fairy floss, slushies and hot chips.

Festival organiser Glenn Fraser is excited that many

brands are serving their plant-based specialties and that foodies from Sydney and Newcastle are making the trip to Gosford.

Stallholder Ratha Sharma of Woy Woy

ABC (C20/21)

6:00 News Breakfast [s]

9:00 ABC News Mornings [s]

10:00 Q+A [s]

11:10 Secrets Of The Museum (PG) [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

1:00 Significant Others (M d,l) [s]

1:50 Doc Martin (PG) [s]

2:40 Poh’s Kitchen [s]

3:10 Gardening Australia [s]

4:10 Long Lost Family (PG) [s]

5:00 Back Roads (PG) [s]

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8:30 Frankly (PG) [s]

9:10 All Creatures Great And Small (PG) [s]

9:55 Fisk: Judges Are Like Chimpanzees (M v) [s]

10:25 Troppo (M l) [s]

11:20 ABC Late News [s]

11:35 Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) [s]

12:20 rage (MA15+) [s]

6:00 rage (PG) [s]

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

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2:00 Midsomer Murders: The Ballad Of Midsomer County (PG) [s]

3:30 Stuff The British Stole (PG) [s]

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5:10 Landline [s]

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7:30 Doc Martin (PG) [s] Martin advises Mrs Moore to stop coldwater swimming until they’ve ruled out the cause of her migraines.

8:20 Shetland (M l) [s]

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10:10 Danny And The Human Zoo (M l,s,v) [s]

11:40 rage Guest Programmer (MA15+) [s]

PRIME (C61/60) NINE (C81/80) TEN (C10) SBS (C30)

6:00 Sunrise [s]

9:00 The Morning Show [s]

11:30 Seven Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “The Maltese Falcon” (PG) (’41) Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor

2:00 House Of Wellness (PG) [s]

3:00 The Chase UK (PG) [s]

4:00 Seven News At 4 [s]

5:00 Program To Be Advised

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s]

8:30 Movie: “Green Book” (M l) (’18) – A working-class ItalianAmerican bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South. Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, Mike Hatton, P.J. Byrne, Joe Cortese, Maggie Nixon

11:10 Program To Be Advised

1:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Home Shopping

7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s]

10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend

12:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s]

1:00 Border Security International (PG) [s]

1:30 Program To Be Advised

2:00 Program To Be Advised

5:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) [s]

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 7News Presents: Sydney’s Water Torture [s]

8:00 Movie: “The Santa Clause” (G) (’94) – When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Stars: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Judge Reinhold

10:05 Movie: “Unstoppable” (M l) (’10)

Stars: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson

12:05 World’s Deadliest: Days Out (PG) [s]

1:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Home Shopping

7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s]

10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend (PG) [s]

12:00 House Of Wellness (PG) [s]

1:00 Surveillance Oz Dashcam (PG) [s]

1:30 Border Security International (PG) [s]

2:00 Program To Be Advised

2:30 Surveillance Oz (PG) [s]

3:00 Border Security International (PG) [s]

3:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) [s]

4:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s]

5:00 Seven News At 5 [s]

5:30 Sydney Weekender [s]

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 7News Spotlight [s]

8:00 Motorway Patrol (PG) [s]

8:30 Movie: “Salt” (M v) (’10) Stars: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber

6:00 Today [s]

9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “Blueprint To The Heart” (PG) (’20) Stars: Laura Mitchell

1:45 Garden Gurus Moments [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: Feeding The Zoo (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

2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

4:00 Farm To Fork [s]

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group G: Brazil v Serbia *Live*

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group H: Uruguay v Korea

*Replay*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group H: Portugal v Ghana *Replay* 2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group G: Brazil v Serbia

*Replay*

“Lion” (PG) (’16) Stars: Sunny Pawar, Abhishek Bharat (In Hindi/ Bengali/ English)

10:30 The Front Bar (M) [s]

11:40 Autopsy USA: Patty Duke (MA15+) [s]

8:30 Movie: “Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge Of Reason” (M d,l,s) (’04) – After finding love, Bridget Jones questions if she really has everything she’s dreamed of having.

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 The Graham Norton Show (M) [s]

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show

6:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview Show

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Engineering Reborn (PG)

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group B: Wales v Iran *Live*

Stars: Renee Zellweger

10:35 Movie: “Knocked Up” (MA15+) (’07) Stars: Seth Rogen

1:00 Great Australian Detour [s]

1:30 Home Shopping

4:00 Religious Programs

4:30 Home Shopping

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 Golf: Australian PGA Championship *Live* From The Royal Queensland Golf Club [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: “The Bourne Ultimatum” (M v) (’07) – Jason Bourne dodges a ruthless CIA official and his agents from a new assassination program while searching for the origins of his life as a trained killer. Stars: Albert Finney, David Strathairn

9:40 Movie: “The Bourne Legacy” (M) (’12) Stars: Jeremy Renner

12:05 Movie: “Collateral Beauty” (M l) (’17) Stars: Will Smith

1:50 Talking Honey (PG) [s]

2:00 Home Shopping

5:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo

6:00 Our State On A Plate [s]

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

7:00 Weekend Today [s]

10:00 Sports Sunday (PG) [s]

11:00 Reel Destinations [s]

11:30 Fishing Australia [s]

12:00 Golf: Australian PGA Championship *Live* From The Royal Queensland Golf Club [s]

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

5:30 RBT: Melton’s Finest (PG) [s]

6:00 NINE News Sunday [s]

7:00 Lego Masters Bricksmas Special (PG) [s]

8:40 60 Minutes (PG) [s]

9:40 NINE News Late [s]

10:10 The First 48: The Other Wife (M v) [s] A man is gunned down while protecting his wife, and police detectives hope his ex-wife can reveal who may have wanted him dead.

11:10 Murder In A Small Town (MA15+) [s]

12:05 Tipping Point (PG) [s]

1:00 Outdoors Indoors [s]

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

10:00 Just For Laughs Uncut (MA15+) [s]

10:30 Luke Heggie: Tiprat (M) [s]

11:40 The Project (PG) [s]

12:40 The Late Show (PG) [s]

6:00 Reel Action [s]

6:30 Religious Programs [s]

7:00 Escape Fishing With ET [s]

7:30 Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures

8:30 What’s Up Down Under [s]

9:00 Australia By Design [s]

9:30 Studio 10: Saturday [s]

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

1:00 Everyday Gourmet [s]

1:30 Healthy Homes Australia [s]

2:00 Well Traveller [s]

2:30 Cook With Luke [s]

3:00 What’s Up Down Under [s]

3:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

4:00 Farm To Fork [s]

4:30 Taste Of Australia With Hayden Quinn [s]

5:00 10 News First [s]

6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s]

6:30 Hungry (PG) [s]

7:00 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders [s]

7:30 Blue Bloods: On Dangerous Ground (M) [s]

8:30 CSI: Vegas: There’s The Rub (M v) [s]

9:30 NCIS: The Good Fighter (M) [s]

6:00 Religious Programs [s]

8:00 The Living Room [s]

9:00 Destination Dessert [s]

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

12:00 The Challenge Australia (M) [s]

2:00 Farm To Fork [s]

2:30 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders (PG) [s]

3:00 Cook With Luke [s]

3:30 Well Traveller (PG) [s]

4:00 All 4 Adventure (PG) [s]

5:00 10 News First [s]

6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s]

7:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) [s] Settle in for a grand night of entertainment as Graham is joined by legendary singer Bruce Springsteen, Anya TaylorJoy, Anna Maxwell Martin and Mo Gilligan.

8:30 NCIS: Hawaii: Changing Tides (M v) [s]

9:30 FBI: Brother’s Keeper (M v) [s]

10:30 FBI: Fathers And Sons (M v) [s] 11:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s]

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group A: Qatar v Senegal *Live* From Al Thumama Stadium, Al Thumama

2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador *Live*

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group B: England v USA *Live*

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group G: Switzerland v Cameroon *Replay*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador *Replay*

2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group B: England v USA *Replay*

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show

6:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview Show

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group D: Tunisia v Australia *Live*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group C: Poland v Saudi Arabia *Live*

2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group D: France v Denmark *Live* From Stadium 974, Ras Abu Aboud

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group C: Argentina v Mexico *Live*

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group D: France v Denmark *Replay* 11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group C: Argentina v Mexico *Replay*

2:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group D: Tunisia v Australia *Replay*

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show

6:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview Show

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Madame Tussauds: The Full Wax (M)

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group E: Japan v Costa Rica *Live* From Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group F: Belgium v Morocco *Live*

ABC (C20/21)

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 Poh’s Kitchen Lends A Hand

2:00 Parliament Question Time [s]

3:00 Gardening Australia [s]

4:10 Long Lost Family (PG) [s]

4:55 Back Roads (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 Media Watch (PG) [s]

8:50 Folau (PG) [s]

9:50 Freeman [s]

10:25 Wayne (M l) [s]

10:50 ABC Late News [s]

11:05 The Business [s]

11:20 Q+A [s]

12:25 The Pacific - In The Wake Of Captain Cook With Sam Neill

1:15 Parliament Question Time [s]

6:00 News Breakfast [s]

9:00 ABC News Mornings [s]

10:00 Kurt Fearnley’s One Plus One

10:30 Dream Gardens (PG) [s]

11:05 Restoration Australia (PG) [s]

12:00 ABC News At Noon [s]

1:00 Shetland (M l) [s]

2:00 Parliament Question Time [s]

3:00 Gardening Australia [s]

4:10 Long Lost Family (PG) [s]

5:00 Back Roads (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 Stuff The British Stole (PG) [s]

8:30 Love On The Spectrum (PG) [s]

9:30 Fake Or Fortune?: Cosway Or Lawrence (M) [s]

10:30 Space 22 (PG) [s]

11:00 ABC Late News [s]

11:15 The Business [s]

11:35 Folau (PG) [s]

12:30 Media Watch [s]

12:50 Baby Surgeons (M) [s]

PRIME (C61/60) NINE (C81/80) TEN (C10) SBS (C30)

6:00 Sunrise [s]

9:00 The Morning Show [s]

11:30 Seven Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “Murder By Numbers” (M l,s,v) (’02) Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ben Chaplin, Ryan Gosling, Michael Pitt, Agnes Bruckner, Chris Penn, R.D. Call, Tom Verica, Janni Brenn, John Vickery

2:30 Border Security International (PG) [s]

3:00 The Chase UK (PG) [s]

4:00 Seven News At 4 [s]

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

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s]

8:30 9-1-1: What’s Your Fantasy (M) [s]

9:30 S.W.A.T.: Sins Of The Fathers (M l,v) [s]

10:30 The Latest Seven News [s]

11:00 Heartbreak Island Australia (M l) [s]

12:00 The Resident: Last Shot (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: “Falling Down” (M l,v) (’93) Stars: Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Barbara Hershey, Tuesday Weld, Rachel Ticotin

2:30 Border Security International (PG) [s]

3:00 The Chase UK (PG) [s]

4:00 Seven News At 4 [s]

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

6:00 Seven News [s]

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

7:30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (PG) [s]

8:30 The Good Doctor: Boys Don’t Cry (M v) [s]

9:30 S.W.A.T.: Reckoning (M l,v) [s]

10:30 The Latest Seven News [s]

11:00 Chicago Fire: Finish What You Started (M) [s]

12:00 The Resident: Doll E. Wood (M) [s] 1:00 Home Shopping

6:00 Today [s]

9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s] 12:00 Lego Masters Bricksmas Special (PG) [s]

1:45 Talking Honey (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 My Mum, Your Dad: FinaleThe Blessing Ceremony (PG) [s]

9:10 Movie: “The Notebook” (PG) (’04) – Mill worker Noah returns from World War II on the eve of his soul mate Allie’s marriage.

As the mismatched couple’s passion is rekindled, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

Stars: Ryan Gosling

11:35 NINE News Late [s]

12:00 The Equalizer: The Milk Run (M v) [s]

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s]

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 My Mum, Your Dad (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 Travel Guides: Israel (PG) [s] –

This week our Travel Guides embark on their most contro versial holiday ever, taking in the holy land of Israel.

8:30 Program To Be Advised 9:30 Botched: Necrotic Nightmare (MA15+) [s]

10:30 NINE News Late [s]

11:00 Skin A&E (M v) [s]

11:50 Bluff City: The All-American (PG) [s]

12:40 Tipping Point (PG) [s] 1:30 Home Shopping 4:00 Religious Programs

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 Challenge Australia: Whine Barrels (M) [s]

2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s]

2:30 Good Chef Bad Chef [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

4:00 Farm To Fork [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 Challenge Australia: A Wonderful Bachy Holiday (M) [s]

8:30 Ghosts: Dumb Deaths (M) [s]

9:00 FBI: Most Wanted: Succession/ Hairtrigger (M) [s]

11:00 The Project (PG) [s]

12:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) [s]

6:00 The Living Room [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 Challenge Australia: A Wonderful Bachy Holiday (M) [s]

2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s]

2:30 Good Chef Bad Chef [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

4:00 Farm To Fork [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 Challenge Australia: Tyred Of You (M) [s]

8:30 NCIS: Love Lost/ Starting Over (M v) [s]

10:30 NCIS: Hawaii: Changing Tides (M v) [s] 11:30 The Project (PG) [s] 12:30 The Late Show (PG) [s]

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group E: Spain v Germany *Live*

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group E: Japan v Costa Rica *Replay*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group F: Belgium v Morocco *Replay*

2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group E: Spain v Germany *Replay*

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show

6:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview Show

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Celebrity Letters And Numbers (PG)

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group G: Cameroon v Serbia *Live*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana *Live* From Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group H: Portugal v Uruguay *Live*

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group G: Cameroon v Serbia *Replay*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group G: Brazil v Switzerland *Replay*

2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group H: Portugal v Uruguay *Replay*

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show

6:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview Show

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 Who Do You Think You Are?: Jeff Fatt (PG)

8:30 How To Sleep Well With Michael Mosley (PG)

9:40 Ukraine - Life Under Russia Attack (PG) (In English/ Russian)

8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (PG)

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s]

11:30 Seven Morning News [s]

12:00 Border Security International (PG) [s] An American’s trip to Alaska may be heading south. Officers suspect a convicted drug dealer is bringing his business north.

12:30 Cricket: Pre Game [s]

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Today Extra [s]

6:00 The Living Room [s]

7:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

Australia [s]

4:15 Long Lost Family (PG) [s]

5:00 Back Roads (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 Hard Quiz: Battle Of The Duds (PG) [s]

8:30 Question Everything (PG) [s]

9:00 Fisk (MA15+) [s]

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

10:00 Program To Be Advised

10:45 ABC Late News [s]

11:00 The Business [s]

11:15 Death In Paradise (M v) [s]

1:20 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* From Optus Stadium [s]

3:20 Cricket: The Lunch Break [s]

4:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* From Optus Stadium [s]

6:00 Seven News [s]

7:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* From Optus Stadium [s]

9:00 Movie: “S.W.A.T.” (M l,v) (’03)

Stars: Colin Farrell, Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez

11:25 The Amazing Race (PG) [s]

12:30 Home Shopping

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Border Security International (PG) [s] A young woman’s Jamaican holiday ends in a cell. A father and son have loads of ammo, but no gun. The Vessel Search Unit finds a suspect sailor on a US tug. 12:30 Cricket: Pre Game [s] 1:20 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 2 *Live* From Optus Stadium [s] 3:20 Cricket: The Lunch Break [s] 4:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 2 *Live* From Optus Stadium [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 2 *Live* From Optus Stadium [s] 9:00 Movie: “The Meg” (M) (’18)

11:30 NINE’s Morning News [s]

12:00 Movie: “Calling For Love” (PG) (’20) Stars: Karissa Lee Staples

1:50 Garden Gurus Moments [s]

2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

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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 Country Home Rescue With Shaynna Blaze (PG) [s]

8:30 Dream Listings Byron Bay (PG) [s]

9:30 Program To Be Advised 10:30 NINE News Late [s]

11:00 Family Law: Fifty Shades Of Judginess (M s) [s]

11:50 Bluff City: American Epidemic (PG) [s]

12:40 Tipping Point (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 Country Home Rescue With Shaynna Blaze (PG) [s]

1:00 Dream Listings Byron Bay (PG) [s]

2:00 Pointless (PG) [s]

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4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News [s]

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6:00 NINE News [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 Challenge Australia: Tyred Of You (M) [s]

2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s]

2:30 Good Chef Bad Chef [s]

3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s]

3:30 My Market Kitchen [s]

4:00 Farm To Fork [s]

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

5:00 10 News First [s]

6:30 The Project (PG) [s]

7:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) [s]

9:30 My Life Is Murder (M) [s]

10:30 Bull: The Great Divide (M) [s]

11:30 The Project (PG) [s]

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

1:30 Home Shopping

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group B: Wales v England *Live*

8:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group A: Netherlands v Qatar *Replay*

11:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana *Replay*

2:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022: Group B: Wales v England *Replay*

5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show

6:00 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview Show

6:30 SBS World News

7:30 The Toys That Built The World (PG)

8:30 Riveted - The History Of Jeans (PG)

9:30 Boeing’s Fatal Flaw (PG) 10:30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (PG) 11:25 Baba (PG) (In Arabic)

Stars: Jason Statham 11:15 Code Blue Murder: The Murder Of Katherine Smith (M l,v) [s]

6:00 The Living Room Wednesday 30 November Programming information correct at time of going to press, changes are at the network’s discretion Prepared by National Typesetting Services

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

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

On Dangerous Ground (M) [s]

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

(M) Also see: 10 PEACH (Channel 11) 10 BOLD (Channel 12) Also see: SBS VICELAND (Channel 31) SBS MOVIES (Channel 32) SBS FOOD (Channel 33) SBS NITV (Channel 34)

(PG) [s]

One of the region’s most well-known journalists

Jackie Pearson will launch her freshly published poetry book, Mother’s Song, at Tuggerah’s Red Tree Theatre this Friday evening, November 25.

Pearson will be donating part of the proceeds from book sales to the 16 Days of Activism campaign against domestic violence.

“I was about five or six when I wrote my first poem,” she said.

“A great uncle gave me a book called the Children’s Golden Treasury of Poetry for Christmas and I got hooked.

“I loved the metaphors and imagery and I’ve been writing my own poems ever since. I can still recite the first poem I wrote, if you ask me!”

Pearson had dreams of becoming a “world famous poet” but worked out at about age 12 that “all the famous

Local journalist launches first book of poetry

poets were poor and/or long dead”.

“I decided I needed to find a way to make money out of doing what I loved – writing –and that’s how I became a journalist,” she said.

“I reconnected with poetry in a serious way when we moved to the Central Coast in 2001 and I discovered Central Coast Poets Inc.

“Quite a few of the poems that made it into Mother’s Song were workshopped during the decade that I was a member.

“I was so privileged to have guidance from past members including Joan Bean, Kenneth Tolhurst and Mary Hawthorne – names that long-term locals may recall.”

Pearson has had poems published in anthologies but Mother’s Song, published by Ginninderra Press, is the first time she has pulled together a collection of her own work.

“This collection is about what

it is like to be a Generation X woman,” she said.

“It is about being a mother, as the title suggests, but it’s about many other things.

“The poems explore nature, relationships, the complexities of family, politics and war.

“Mother’s Song includes poems about love, loss and everything in between.”

Pearson has decided to launch the book at the beginning of the 2022 UN 16 Days of Activism to End Genderbased Violence.

“In 2020 I made a conscious decision to transition from being a journalist to an activist writer,” she said.

“I decided to spend the remainder of my productive years writing and publishing about environmental justice, social justice and good governance or ESG.

“It seems fitting to devote the launch of my first poetry collection to raising awareness

and funds for a social justice issue that impacts so many –family violence and violence against women and children.

“I will be donating $1 from every copy of Mother’s Song sold to the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee Inc.

“It’s a small gesture but every little bit helps; we all need to be having conversations and participating in the 16 Days of Activism.”

The launch of Mother’s Song will take place at the Red Tree Theatre, Tuggerah, at 6.30pm on Friday, November 25.

Interested parties can contact the author by email at jackie@ thepoint.net.au.

Mother’s Song is available for purchase via Amazon as a paperback or e-book as well as through: ginninderrapress. com.au and www.thepoint.net. au/shop/

The Peninsula’s own Trueman Show

Peninsula Villages at Umina Beach may not be the set of a Jim Carrey movie, but it has its very own Trueman Show going on, with four members of the Trueman family moving in to the facility.

Brothers Don and Keith and their respective wives Sylvia and Elaine are all residents of Pozieres House, a record number of family members living under one roof for Peninsula Villages.

“I think we may just have the world record for the most 90-something-year-old family members living in the same residential care home,” Elaine Trueman said.

The most outspoken of the Truemans, Elaine is known among staff members and fellow residents for her quick wit and endearing story-telling abilities.

Pozieres House Wellbeing Manager, Judy Moroney, said it was Elaine who inspired the nickname The Trueman Show.

“Elaine is always sharing titbits so while we don’t always know what she’s going to say, we can almost always guarantee that it will be entertaining – she is the star of The Trueman Show,” Moroney said.

While all four members of the Trueman family live under the one roof, they each live within a different household of Pozieres House to reflect their varying care requirements.

Unique to Pozieres House and a first for the Central Coast, the household structure allows the Truemans and other residents to live as part of a close-knit household with up to 14 residents.

Each household specialises in an area of care, including aged, dementia and palliative.

Peninsula Villages CEO, Colin Osborne, said the modern approach to care reflects current patterns within the industry, as residents typically move into aged care facilities later in life so their care needs change more quickly.

“The average age of residents who enter residential aged care homes is now around 85, which has significantly increased over the past 20 years (with) people wanting to stay in their own homes for longer,” he said.

“As a result, residents’ health and care needs tend to change more quickly over shorter periods of time so the model of care available in Pozieres House takes on a more modern approach to ageing in place, but within small tight-knit

wings of only 14 residents.”

The Truemans spend plenty of time together during mealtimes and leisure and lifestyle activities, with Elaine saying the model works well for her and husband Keith as they can each participate in activities with purpose that support their individuality and choice.

“Keith and I have been married for over 70 years, meeting when we were just 16, and while we have always loved spending time together, we also enjoy our independence,” she said.

“I love to play Bingo, but Keith couldn’t think of much worse, so we just choose which activities suit us then enjoy lunches and excursions together.”

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Brilliant Logic

Elaine and Keith Trueman

David Abrahams

Jackie Pearson with her new book of poetry, Mother’s Song

Local Ryan Sheridan wins Walkley Award

Central Coast local and father of four Ryan Sheridan has won a prestigious Walkley Award for video journalism for two ABC Four Corners television reports, ‘Despair and Defiance’ and ‘Feral’.

The Walkleys are Australia’s top journalism awards, now in their 67th year, and are designed to celebrate highquality journalism across a range of platforms and specialty fields.

The show Despair and Defiance focussed on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sheridan was sent to Kyiv early on in the conflict by the ABC to cover the story on the ground.

“We were sent to Ukraine at

the start of the invasion and were there as the evacuation of Kyiv began,” he said.

“We spent about a week there, experiencing shelling from the north, before moving on to Odesa.

“It seemed like it was inevitable the Russians would take over, but they didn’t in the end.”

The second cited show in the awards announcement was ‘Feral‘, a report that covered the ongoing situation of wild horses or brumbies in the Australian Alps.

“That one was all about whether the brumbies should be removed or allowed to stay in Kosciusko, and we tried to present both sides of the story,” Sheridan said.

The cream of Australian

journalism attended the awards held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre.

Sheridan was joined by his wife, local ABC reporter Emma Simkin, who has supported Ryan in his pursuits.

“He worked in Beirut for two years for CNN where he covered the rise of ISIS,” Simkin said.

“I stayed here with the four kids, but he knew, if he worked there, it would open the doors to Four Corners and ultimately a potential Walkley … he had a plan.”

Sheridan said he had always hoped to work on Four Corners.

The awards started back in 1956, when the Australian Journalists Association (AJA) partnered with William Gaston Walkley, the Managing Director

of Ampol Petroleum, to launch the country’s first national press awards.

“I always wanted to end up there and when I did it was a dream come true,” he said.

“It was a massive thrill to win the award for work I did at Four Corners.”

Sheridan said the family’s busy lives presented some challenges.

“We have to juggle things; we have four kids and it’s hard to make time for everything,” he said.

“I’ve always been on the road a lot but when I’m home I try to make sure I’m 100 per cent present and give as much to the family as I can.”

Missing Hearts

Author: Celeste Ng Publisher: Little, Brown

“It is not about race, the president was always saying, it is about patriotism and mindset.”

It was enacted after the CRISIS to help keep things in America “peaceful and safe.”

No one could really agree on what brought on the CRISIS, maybe it was cyclical, maybe it was “inflation” or “consumer confidence.”

Eventually the blame was put on on China.

Something had to going on as US GDP was only 2% to China’s 6%.

It was dangerous to be Asian

in America.

If you were, just lay low.

Don’t make waves.

Don’t get yourself in trouble. This is the America that Margaret Miu grew up in.

She was encouraged to be average, get average grades, strive to be “unremarkable.”

Margaret left home when she got a scholarship to a school in New York and eventually met Ethan Gardner and fell in love.

Ethan got a job as in the linguistics department at Harvard and they moved to Cambridge and eventually had a boy, who was named Noah but called Bird.

Margaret wrote a book of poetry, which really didn’t sell well, wasn’t well known.

That was until a young black woman named Marie was shot at an anti-PACT protest.

They found Margaret’s book of poetry in her room.

Margaret was now considered a part of the resistance.

Soon rocks were being hurled through the Gardner house.

Then it was a bullet.

Then there was the fear that Bird would be taken away, so Ethan and Margaret agreed that it was best for Bird if she left.

And that is how Margaret

walked out of Bird’s life and all traces of her vanished.

That is how Bird becomes Noah.

Ethan lost his position in the linguistics department, he now stacks shelves at the library, with whatever books haven’t been burned or ‘’pulped for toilet paper”

They move out of the family home and into a dorm on campus.

Eat their meals in the dining hall.

Go to work, go to school, just be good, make now waves.

At school Noah befriends Sadie, she was taken away from her parents as they were deemed to be “espousing harmful views” because were considered to be “Chinese sympathisers.”

Sadie has been living with various foster parents ever since, but she is constantly running way, trying to find her biological parents.

She shows Noah a newspaper article from a few years ago with the “headline: LOCAL POET TIED TO INSURRECTIONS.”

After reading the article Noah

realised why his mother left.

One day Noah receives a letter, but it really isn’t a letter it is a drawing, and he knows it is from his mother.

And so, Noah ventures on to find his mother and fill in the missing pieces of his life.

Our Missing Hearts is story about love and sacrifice and discrimination and random cruelty.

It is about a country that goes bat #$*% crazy.

It is told in three parts with Bird as the central character, trying to make sense of the world and people around him.

The tone is quiet and graceful and then there are such heartbreaking moments it took my breath away.

This was an amazing story, even though it is considered dystopian, it just seems too close to what is going on now and that is why it was so very scary.

David Abrahams and Terry Collins

Walkley Award winner Ryan Sheridan

PACT: Preserving American Culture and Traditions.

Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

It’s official; the Central Coast is home to the state’s top employer and top employee, with two locals taking major awards at the 2022 NSW Business Awards, announced on November 17.

Director and Founder of LEP Digital, Laura Prael, was named Outstanding Business Leader and Hayley Shute of Forresters Beach won the Outstanding Employee category for her work as Conservation Manager at Aussie Ark, the sister charity of The Australian Reptile Park.

Run by Business NSW, the annual awards recognise the top businesses in NSW metropolitan and regional areas for their excellence over the past year.

Prael said her win came as “a

Business & Property

The Block ‘n Tackle at Kincumber is set to launch its latest brew on November 25 with celebrations and free tastings at the brewery from 4-6pm.

The brewery is notorious for creating region-inspired brews and decided it is finally time for the hometown to have its namesake – the Kinny Lager. The refreshing bright beer is contained in a can designed to celebrate Kincumber by Brent Smith.

It features Kincumber’s boardwalk memorial to local

huge shock”.

She started LEP Digital in 2015 and now leads a team of six, including her husband, at the digital content marketing agency.

“I had always worked for large and global organisations in the digital communications sector, and I came to a point in my career where I felt the skills I had gathered working in different areas needed to be applied to small and medium sized businesses,” she said.

“I felt there was a gap in the content marketing sector and with my experience, coupled with my studies in copywriting, arts journalism and PR I felt I could fill that gap.

Prael said LEP Digital offered a full service in digital content marketing.

“We work with businesses

Best of the best

from the start, coming up with a strategy for them and then implementing that strategy,” she said.

“It might mean building a website and creating content, blogs, white papers and fact sheets to promote them; it’s all about social media marketing.

“We also do search marketing and other advertising facets –we cover a broad spectrum and the only thing we don’t do is PR.

As an employer, Prael said she was intent on providing technical career opportunities for women where opportunities are limited.

“We’ve created an inclusive, diverse, flexible, and psychologically safe workplace that puts employee needs first,” she said.

Hayley Shute began her association with The Australian

Reptile Park while doing work experience there as a Year 10 schoolgirl.

“I would work weekends there while I was at school and at 17 I was employed as a casual,” she said.

“I worked there for a year or two before getting a full-time job elsewhere – but I soon came back to the Reptile Park and have been there for more than 10 years.”

Shute found her niche as a mammal and bird keeper.

“I understand them even though they can’t talk to me; I can work out what they need,” she said.

“I then moved on to welfare and husbandry and that became my area of expertise.”

When the Reptile Park directors started Aussie Ark at

Barrington Tops, Shute became an obvious choice to join the new enterprise.

“Our breeding program for Tasmanian devils was very successful – we soon had sufficient numbers that if they went extinct in the wild, we would be able to release them,” she said.

“Luckily they haven’t yet gone extinct – but if they do we are ready.”

The program was so successful that the same model is now being used on 14 flagship species including Eastern quolls and small macropods, turtles and frogs, all of which are at risk in the wild.

“They’re in a lot of trouble because of foxes and cats,” she said.

Block ‘n Tackle launches Kinny Lager

ship building heritage and the mountain’s local wildlife and will be eventually have a QR code linking to the Love Central Coast guide, which highlights places to explore around Kincumber.

The mission at Love Central Coast is to enable, support and grow the region by attracting like-minded makers, creators, producers and innovators and the Kincumber link can be found at https://www. lovecentralcoast.com/sites/ default/ files/2022-07/220620_CCC_ Digital%20Guide_Kincumber_

LR.pdf.

By teaming up with #LoveCentralCoast, the brewery hopes the artwork will help celebrate the highlights and tourism hotspots of Kincumber.

The new lager is crisp and fresh, with a hint of sweetness from flaked maize additions.

Kinny Lager features plenty of floral citrus aromas – a break from Block ‘n Tackle’s usual hop-heavy or traditional ale styles.

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Block ‘n Tackle

“Of course habitat destruction is also a factor, but foxes and cats are the biggest killers and unless we put these species in sanctuaries they will not survive.”

Shute, who splits her time between the Reptile Park and Aussie Ark, said she sees the work as more of a responsibility than a job and winning the award was “very humbling”.

Shute said her own three children, along with the children of the directors, were very much part of what Aussie Ark does, working alongside their parents.

“We have to make the next generation fall in love with wildlife so they have an investment in it,” she said.

Terry Collins

Hayley Shute was named Outstanding Employee

Laura Prael was named Outstanding Business Leader

Junior brewer Corey Dickson, senior brewer Scott McKeaveney and owner/head brewer Paul Wakelin sample the Kinny Lager

Photo: Brett Costello

Photo: Brett Costello

Busways wins major environmental award

Busways has been named the winner of the 2022 National Industry Environment and Innovation Award, announced recently by the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC).

The award, presented by BIC Chair Tony Hopkins and Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, acknowledged outstanding results across a wide range of environmental initiatives from the Busways management team and staff.

Busways’ commitment to the environment and focus on innovations such as future mobility trials, zero emission bus rollouts, software to optimise ZEB charging, switch to environmentally-friendly cleaning products and projects to digitally transform workflow at depots contributed to the

judges’ decision.

Busways Managing director, Byron Rowe, said the Busways leadership team nurtures a culture of continuous improvement under the company’s core value of finding better ways.

“Our managers are encouraged to visit depots, talk with industry, listen to customers and keep abreast of trends, so as to propose new ideas within the business to keep providing a more sustainable bus service and a better journey experience for our customers,” he said.

“Over our 80-year history we’ve introduced many innovations which are now standard in the bus industry and we’re continuing to work with our clients, customers and partners as we move with the industry into a sustainable future.

“At Busways trial and testing

are an important part of the innovation process, with lessons learned opening a pathway to practical innovation for long term improvements.

“As a result, there is an unparalleled willingness to invest in innovation and sustainability projects across the business.”

Busways was nominated by BusNSW after winning the NSW Award in October, with BusNSW Executive Director, Matt Threlkeld, accepting the national award on behalf of Busways at the BIC Annual Conference in Brisbane.

Busways is the largest wholly Australian-owned bus operator carrying 26 million passengers a year, with a fleet of over 1,350 and 2600 employees, including many on the Central Coast.

Doyalson land clearing

correspondence received from the DPE confirmed that the Department received an Environment Line report in September, alleging that unauthorised clearing on the property had impacted

threatened species.

At that time the DPE issued a Stop Work Order under Section 11.3 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and it has subsequently extended that Order for a further 40 days.

“The Department has informed CEN that it is currently investigating the allegations of unauthorised clearing and impact to threatened species,” said CEN Chair, Gary Chestnut.

“As the investigation is ongoing, CEN understands that DPE cannot provide specific information about the matter.

“However, according to the Department’s Compliance Policy and Prosecution Guidelines the Stop Work Order is only two steps below the option to commence a criminal prosecution.

“A Stop Work Order is a higher level of action than a penalty infringement notice or an interim protection order, due to the severity of the risk to

threatened species,” Chestnut said.

“CEN believes the Department must consider community expectations in this situation.

“We remind DPE that the land was purchased by the former Wyong Shire Council for both its employment and environmental value.

“Any party exercising minimal due diligence would realise this land has substantial environmental value, which is why CEN argued it should not have been sold by Central Coast Council as part of the 2021 asset fire sale.

Chestnut said that the Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, has publicly confirmed, after hearing about the alleged land clearing, that part of the land is zoned C2 Environmental Conservation which is the highest level of environmental protection on private land.

“In a recent radio interview Mr Hart said he expected DPE

to fully apply the law as the alleged clearing of native vegetation on the site was ‘abhorrent’.

“CEN believes this land should be repurchased by Central Coast Council, classified as community land and added to the Coastal Open Space System.

“We repeat, this land includes the Spring Creek Wetland, which is of substantial importance to the water quality of the Tuggerah Lakes System, and forms part of a critical wildlife corridor through the north of the Central Coast local government area.

“It is an asset that should not be cleared or developed.

“Mr Hart should reconsider the decision to sell the land. It needs to be returned to the community,” Chestnut said.

Source: Media release, Nov 17 Busways

BusNSW Executive Director Matt Threlkeld (right) accepting the award

behalf

Busways from BIC Chair Tony Hopkins

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Community Environment Network

A portion of the property on Thompson Vale Rd, Doyalson

New plan outlines vision for Greater Warnervale growth

Central Coast Council has completed its draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan which is expected to go on public exhibition from January to March 2023.

It’s a land-use strategy for future planning through to 2041 with a long-term vision and principles to guide development in the Greater Warnervale area encompassing Jilliby, Halloran, Warnervale, Wallarah, Woongarrah, Hamlyn Terrace, Wadalba and parts of Charmhaven, Kanwal, Wyongah, Tuggerawong, Tacoma and Wyong.

Greater Warnervale is now home to about 21,000 residents and 7,000 homes and it is expected by 2041 there will be an additional 35,000 residents and 12,000 dwellings, which is about a third of the overall future housing supply for the Central Coast.

The Plan also considers providing enough employment land for an additional 8,500 jobs to improve the local economy and jobs close to home.

The aim is to ensure orderly development of land with short, medium and long-term progress with recreational improvements such as playgrounds, sportsgrounds, shared pathways as well as

promoting natural features including waterfront areas, public reserves and wildlife corridors.

Among the long list of actions set out by Council in the Plan is a range of proposals to Transport for NSW for improvements along Sparks Rd/Pacific Highway; to advocate for a Food Innovation Centre within the Greater Warnervale area; to improve walking and cycling networks and ensure they are incorporated in subdivision designs.

Sporting and community facilities will be bolstered with plans for a regional playspace, a new sports ground in the southern area; an aquatic/ leisure centre with multipurpose community facility; upgrade and expansion of sports complexes at Woongarrah, Wadalba and Warnervale Oval; a new community facility at Wadalba; and a park in Peony Pl, Hamlyn Terrace.

The Plan also considers boundaries for biodiversity corridors throughout the area with a suggestion they should be a minimum of 50m to 100m wide and Council will liaise with private landowners to encourage conservation opportunities.

Council’s Director for

Environment and Planning, Alice Howe, said at Council’s Tuesday meeting that the plan showed anticipated staging of growth.

“Short-term development is focussed around Central Coast Airport, the employment precinct and existing residential areas with medium-term development at Charmhaven and Kanwal and expansion of housing in Wallarah and Woongarrah to occur later,” she said.

There are 10 precincts in the Plan for more localised future

rezoning and planning investigations.

Precinct 1 is Wyong Employment Zone including Central Coast Airport, large areas reserved for biodiversity and a small amount of ruralresidential land west of the M1 motorway.

Precinct 2 is Warnervale Village surrounding the railway station where medium and low-density housing is planned, along with educational and recreational land uses.

Regional commercial and recreational uses planned for

the western portion of Precinct 2 will rely on the future Warnervale Link Road to connect through to Wyong.

Upgrade of the railway crossing on Warnervale Rd is an important planning issue as it is increasingly busy and prone to flooding.

Precinct 3 is Wallarah Residential, a greenfield release area between the Wyong Employment Zone and the railway, and includes largelot residential around Bruce Cres where a change is proposed to increase low-

Final rezoning process approved for Lake Munmorah housing estate

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, has approved adjustments to a planning proposal for a 300-lot housing subdivision adjoining the Lake Munmorah shopping centre following public exhibition.

The project has been in progress since 2020 and involves rezoning the land known as 6W Kemira Rd and 285-325 Pacific Highway, leading to various amendments to development control plans and the Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan.

They do not stray much further from the plan which was publicly exhibited earlier this year, with the only obvious changes being a road connection to Kemira Rd, Chisholm Ave being upgraded to a collector road as well as more landscape buffers along the highway and pedestrian pathways.

This development has already received a positive Gateway Determination from the NSW Government and now Council will proceed with a Planning

Proposal for government approval so the developers can move forward with a formal development application.

The proposal is for housing on a minimum lot size of 450sqm in the residential zone and areas of high biodiversity value and drainage land to be zoned for environmental conservation with a minimum lot size of 40ha as well as a recreation zone for a 3,000sqm park.

A Council report says that a Planning Agreement, in lieu of developer contributions, will be to dedicate and embellish land for open space, upgrade Chisholm Ave and other local roads along with provision of a collector road to service the new development.

Peter Francis spoke on behalf of the developers at Council’s Tuesday night meeting, saying it was a $285M investment that over a five-year construction period would support 425 construction and ancillary jobs.

“New resident incomes will support 775 jobs annually in perpetuity,” he said.

“It’s an in-fill project between two existing residential estates

adjoining the Woolworths shopping centre and educational precincts at Carters Rd, and the integration of environmental conservation and recreation areas will create a residential environment of quality living and active lifestyles for both existing and new residents at an affordable price point,” Francis said.

Helen Foster, who has lived in Chisholm Ave for 30 years, told the meeting the 2,200 vehicle

trips per day (verified by Council report) would be a significant impact on Chisholm Ave, Kemira Rd and Deakin Ave.

“Kemira Rd and Deakin Ave need to be upgraded as the traffic flow through their streets is already queueing up to get out on to Tall Timbers Rd.

“The Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan indicates a road would be built behind Deakin Ave to link with Carters Rd and that plan would be more viable

as it doesn’t affect any existing residents,” she said.

Council Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe, said at the Council meeting that the proposed location of the collector road in the Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan was indicative and subject to further detailed studies.

“Those studies in relation to this proposal identified that the Deakin Ave option would

density housing development.

Precinct 4 is Warnervale Town Centre which was initially intended to provide key commercial, civic and community services for locals and a new train station.

Although the station is no longer in future plans by Transport for NSW,development of a smaller commercial centre has already started and housing will occupy the remainder of the land.

Proposed outcomes for this precinct include a traditional shopping main street with connections to the residential Hill Top Park and a shared path network to the Wyong Employment Zone, Lake Haven and Wadalba commercial and retail centres.

Predominantly residential areas – Precincts 5 to 8 – are Wadalba, Hamlyn Terrace Residential, Woongarrah and Wadalba East.

The medical Precinct 9 incorporates Wyong Hospital and health services as well as seniors living and retirement housing.

Precinct 10 is Charmhaven West, a large-lot residential and industrial area, with plans for more employment uses and possibly an aged care sector.

require relocation of highvoltage power poles as well as significant clearing of coastal wetlands and threatened species habitat including the Swift Parrot.

“Construction of a collector road off Chisholm Ave allows lesser traffic congestion at Carters Rd and the Pacific Highway and upgrades are proposed at Chisholm Ave including road widening, construction of a roundabout at the intersection at Tall Timbers Rd and construction of kerb and guttering and pedestrian pathways,” Howe said.

A Council report says that the development would also trigger an upgrade to the Tall Timbers Rd/Pacific Highway intersection but this would not be required until the release of the 181st residential lot in the subdivision.

The Central Coast Local Environment Plan will now be amended to reflect the zoning changes and a Site-Specific Development Control Plan Chapter will guide future development of the site.

Sue Murray

The Lake Munmorah area to be developed for 300 homes

Sue Murray

Upgrade of the railway crossing on Warnervale Rd is an important planning issue

Major affordable housing project for The Entrance

Central Coast Council and Pacific Link Housing will work together on the design and delivery of an affordable housing development in Ashton St, The Entrance, in the first stage of Council’s Affordable Housing Land Proposal program.

Pacific Link was announced as Council’s partner on November 23, with the program a key initiative from the Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy which was adopted by Council in 2019.

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, has welcomed the news.

“This project will ensure that much needed affordable housing is provided in the area to those who would otherwise struggle in the private market,” he said.

“The Entrance needs people living and spending here to sustain a vibrant local economy.

“The high number of holiday houses in the area (over 40 per cent) which are empty for much of the year means our local economy struggles outside of holiday periods.

“Any project which provides

the benefit of affordable housing and activating The Entrance Township will always have my full support.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Affordable and

Alternative Housing Strategy is a comprehensive plan addressing initiatives across the housing continuum, from homelessness through to home ownership, providing pathways

for a range of households, from very low through to moderate incomes.

“Affordable housing comprises various types of housing in both the private and

public sector,” he said.

“It typically includes units, flats and other smaller lot dwellings that are less expensive than free standing homes.

“There is a common misconception that affordable housing refers to social or community housing.

“This is not true – affordable housing is much more than this and a diverse mix of housing types is required to meet the needs of our community.

“Over half (63 per cent) of all households on the Central Coast earn below $2,000 a week and need affordable housing.”

Hart said Pacific Link Housing demonstrated a strong understanding and empathy of requirements in line with the Strategy during an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process.

“Following the announcement of Pacific Link Housing, the intention is to move forward together to enable Council to achieve key objectives in the direct creation of affordable housing on the Central Coast.,” he said.

Pacific Link Housing Chairman Wal Edgell congratulated

Council on its “vision and foresight” in adopting the innovative approach.

“The proposed development will benefit all of community, from both a social and economic perspective, and provide secure housing to those in greatest need in our community,” he said.

Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch said the proposal would have an integrated tenancy base, comprising largely affordable housing for key workers, with other tenancy arrangements to be included, but yet to be fully determined at each end of the housing continuum.

“Pacific Link Housing will manage the property in the long term, providing asset and tenancy management as well as the coordination of wraparound support services as needed,” he said.

To view Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy visit https:// www.centralcoast.nsw.gov. au/council/forms-andpublications/strategies-andplans.

Controversy over height limits on Ettalong foreshore

Resident groups on the Peninsula are furious that Central Coast Council allowed only 28 days for submissions on a planning proposal to change

foreshore height limits at Ettalong Beach, saying a plan of such magnitude warrants a longer exhibition period.

The proposal calls for a

change to the foreshore height limit from three to five storeys to make way for a project at 43-46 The Esplanade.

The Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 (CCLEP) sets a height limit of 11.5m, with the proposal set to increase that limit to 17m.

The proposal would also see Floor Space Ration (FSR) increased from 1:1 to 1.75:1.

Planned for the waterfront site is a five-storey development providing u to 38 residential units and commercial space, with basement parking for 66 vehicles.

The planning proposal was given the green light by the Local Planning Panel (LPP) in June last year, with Council forwarding it to the State Government requesting a Gateway Determination.

That determination was issued by the Department of Planning and Environment last December.

The Peninsula Residents Association (PRA) and the Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development (RRED) are firmly against the move.

RRED spokesperson Peter Gillis said with a recent flurry of large DA approvals, Ettalong does not have the infrastructure to cope with the increased demand.

“The foreshore is environmentally delicate and constantly eroding very close to this site, and there is no public appetite for Council to take on a Wamberal situation, where Council becomes liable for approved development requiring foreshore remediation,” he said.

Gillis said the Gateway determination was approved despite a petition of containing 1,937 signatures being lodged.

“It is disappointing that Council (allowed) feedback for (only) 28 days on such a large

change to the Ettalong foreshore,” he said.

“Changes of this magnitude should be open for a longer period such as 90 days.”

RRED is also concerned at how shadows caused by the development will impact business, saying they will fall across the Atlantis, some of the Mantra, across the road, and along the beach front from 11 am for most of the year.

A spokesperson said Council was unable to grant an extension for submissions, with the 28-day timeframe set

by the Department of Planning in their Gateway decision.

“The new planning proposal framework has strict timeframes that councils must adhere to,” the spokesperson said.

“However … while (submissions must be lodged) by November 21, Council will allow submitters to provide further information to be added to the submission until midJanuary – before the date when Council will be considering the matter.”

Terry Collins

Council Administrator Rik Hart and Pacific Link Housing Chairman Wal Edgell

Terry Collins

An aerial view of the planned development site

Join the action in the commercial property pool

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Pooled investment – com bining your dollars with those of others – is the main way re tail investors access commer cial property, which includes offices, retail centres, industrial warehouses/logistic centres and the tourism sector.

Investing in good-quality, well-located commercial real estate should reward you in two ways.

First, because these prop erties are leased, you receive your regular share of rental income (after fees) and, second, there should be capital growth over time.

Lease terms are key

Because rental income is so important, check the lease terms for the property/properties you will be buying a stake in, the tenants (government and bluechip companies are the best) and, most importantly, the WALE (the weighted average lease expiry), because long leases are one of the biggest attractions of commercial property.

The WALE – which indicates the average expiry period of all the leases within a property or portfolio – enables you to more clearly assess the current and future income stream that the property will provide.

Property experts recommend a WALE of at least five years, preferably more.

The easiest way to get a stake in commercial property is to invest in real estate invest ment trusts (REITs), which are listed on the ASX and require a minimum outlay of $500.

Another way is through investing in unlisted property trusts, also known as syndi cates and funds.

The main difference between the two is that unlisted funds are not subject to the same vol atility as listed property – this is largely caused by swings in stockmarket sentiment

When you invest in an unlisted real estate fund, you gain direct exposure to the underlying assets, usually commercial property, which are not trading at either a premium or a discount based on market sentiment.

If you’re the type of investor who loses sleep because of volatility, unlisted property is worth considering

Unlisted funds offer the closest proxy to direct property investment with the benefit of professional management.

Closed

versus open trusts

Most unlisted trusts are “closed end”, with a fixed life of five to 10 years.

Because liquidity is normally

virtually non-existent, investors are expected to remain until maturity, at which point they vote to either wind up the fund or extend its life.

By contrast, “open-end” funds don’t mature at a prede termined date and don’t have a limited number of units.

Instead, they can keep raising money, using it to buy additional properties.

When an investor wants to exit, they will either be paid out

Disloyalty pays off when it comes to car insurance

The price of getting from A to B is rising: road tolls have increased with indexation and fuel prices remain elevated as a result of the war in Ukraine and the removal of the fuel excise cut.

According to the Australian

Automobile Association, the average weekly expenditure on transport for households in capital cities was $412.21 in the second quarter of this year – $74.94 higher than at the same time in 2020.

Motorists may be able to trim their transport costs in

one area, though: comprehen sive car insurance.

In a recent analysis of 55 car insurers, financial com parison website Mozo found a $696 difference between the average annual cost of a car insurance policy ($1302) and the cheapest policy available.

Younger drivers could stand to benefit even further from shopping around, as the price gap between the aver age and lowest premium was $896 for those aged between 21 and 24.

“Our analysis demonstrates that not all car insurance

policies are created equal and there can be a massive price difference between comparable policies,” says Claire Frawley, personal finance expert at Mozo.

“Finding cheaper car insur ance doesn’t mean drivers should compromise on

with cash from the trust or with money from new investors.

These funds usually have multiple assets to increase diversification.

To invest in an unlisted fund or syndicate you generally need $10,000 to $20,000 minimum and if you choose a closed-end fund you need to commit to investing for five to 10 years.

In most instances, you can invest through the manager.

PAM WALKLEY

the quality of the cover they receive,” she adds.

“This is where it pays to read the fine print, looking out for features such as roadside assistance, sufficient accident cover and choice of repairer.”

TOM WATSON

Michelle

The Hunter, New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (The PHN) has commissioned a new children’s mental health service with the aim of increasing access for vulnerable children.

The paediatric service will provide children up to the age of 12 with up to 12 face-to-face sessions of psychological counselling, by two providers across the Hunter, New England and Central Coast regions, Beam Health and Uniting NSW/ ACT.

The service is targeted at priority population groups who have difficulty in accessing mental health treatment in the primary care sector including: people who are under financial hardship and less able to pay fees to access private mental health services, and are unable to access Medicare subsidised mental health services; children who have parents with a severe mental illness; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people of cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds; individuals who have selfharmed, attempted suicide or who have suicidal ideation; and

children living in rural and remote areas.

The PHN CEO Richard Nankervis said the service will mean that children who need to access mental health services will find it easier to do so.

“Our annual needs

assessment identified a gap within mental health services, particularly for children in priority groups,” he said.

“The PHN has responded through the commissioning of this new service which complements our existing

range, including headspace and Head to Health among many others.”

Head of Uniting Recovery, Chantal Nagib, said Uniting NSW/ACT is excited to be delivering the mental health services directly to children

and their families.

“We are committed to intervening as early as possible to minimise the impact that mental health concerns can have on a child’s life,” Nagib said.

The PHN Manager of Mental

Health and Suicide Prevention, Leah Morgan, said The PHN is working to improve access to services by removing barriers.

“There are many vulnerable groups within our community who are not receiving mental health support due to barriers including cost and availability,” she said.

“These services will be bulk billed to overcome financial barriers and will prioritise vulnerable patients to ensure they receive the treatment they need.”

In addition to this new service, GPs are still able to access the GP psychiatry support line for advice on the management of their patients.”

The new service will be piloted until June 30, 2023, and there will be no out of pocket expenses for the patient.

The funding has been provided utilising flood recovery funding from the NSW State Government.

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Hunter, New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network

The service will be available to children aged up to 12

Sarah named Aboriginal nurse/midwife of the year

Central Coast nurse SarahKathleen Colliss has been named Aboriginal Nurse/ Midwife of the Year at the 10th annual 2022 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Award.

She is the lead Aboriginal nurse at Central Coast Local Health District’s (CCLHD) Nunyara Aboriginal Health.

CCLHD Director Nursing and Midwifery, Lynne Bickerstaff, said throughout the pandemic, Colliss provided comprehensive care to COVID positive members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“Sarah is passionate about improving health outcomes for First Nations people,” she said.

Nurses and midwives across NSW were celebrated for their significant contribution to the public health system at the annual awards, with winners announced on November 18.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Regional Health Minister, Bronnie Taylor, congratulated the nurses and midwives for

their outstanding commitment to providing world-class care to patients across the state.

“These nurses and midwives deserve to be recognised for going above and beyond in their dedication to caring for patients, their families and communities every day,” Hazzard said.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the highly skilled health staff for the excellent work they do across NSW, particularly during the past few years of the pandemic.”

Taylor said three of the winners, including Colliss, were from regional areas, highlighting the importance of the role of nurses and midwives in rural and regional hospitals.

“These awards are a great opportunity to show our immense gratitude for our skilled and dedicated nurses and midwives who give so much of themselves to care for their local community,” she said.

NSW Health Secretary Susan

Pearce thanked each of the finalists and winners for their professionalism, compassion and kindness, which she said is reflective of the entire nursing and midwifery workforce.

“I’m proud of each and every one of our nurses and midwives who provide high-quality and patient-centered care, which has been demonstrated throughout the many challenges the pandemic and other natural disasters have brought our way,” she said.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said the winners represent a wide range of roles performed by nurses and midwives in diverse settings across the NSW health system.

For more information on the winners of the 2022 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, visit https://www. health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/ enma/pages/default.aspx.

Reid to co-chair parliamentary group focused on health

Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, is to be coChair of a new bipartisan parliamentary group aimed at improving general practice and the nation’s primary healthcare networks.

Launched this week in Federal Parliament, the Parliamentary Friends of General Practice will be co-chaired by MP Sophie Scamps and Senator Susan McDonald.

Reid said general practice is an integral component of Australia’s healthcare system.

“As a doctor working in the emergency department, I have seen first-hand why general practice is vital for our community; it is essential to ensure high quality, patientcentred care,” he said.

Australians.

“No one should have to schedule to be sick in a country like Australia; our healthcare system is one of the best in the world.

“However, more and more people are finding it difficult to access a general practitioner, especially on the Central Coast.” Reid said his passion was health and the constituents of Robertson elected him on a platform to improve healthcare access.

“I will work to achieve important improvements in this area

my colleagues in Federal Parliament,” he said.

community.

Andre Kubecka 0414 807 876

andre@brandproperty.com.au

Source: Media release, Nov 18 NSW Government

Sarah-Kathleen Colliss

“Without general practice, the Australian healthcare system would collapse.

“This is the reason why we have united in support, to achieve outcomes which will benefit the health of the

“I look forward to working alongside my parliamentary

colleagues and

co-chairs from across the aisle on achieving progress in strengthening general practice for all

alongside

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid

Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, with co-chairs MP Sophie Scamps and Senator Susan McDonald

Plenty of cricket action in Round 4

CRICKET

There was plenty of action on November 19 in the Central Coast cricket competition, with big first grade matches backed up by Junior Reps and Round One of the Glen Rowlands Shield One Day Competition.

Round 4 of the Diggers The Entrance Men’s 1st Grade competition saw a number of matches evenly poised after Day 1, with Day 2 of the matches set to take place on December 3.

At Rogers Park, Southern Spirit will resume Day 2 at 2/78 having dismissed Wyong for 219.

Winning the toss and batting, Wyong had a mixed batting card with Jack Harris 77, Corne Botes 53 and Callum Rainger 34 all getting amongst the runs with batsmen failing to trouble the scorer.

Lachlan Bull and Jaylen Johnston were the pick of the Southern Spirit bowlers each taking four wickets.

Southern Spirit made a solid start, with Mitch Fiddock 25 and Zane Smith 22 to take up the chase on Day 2.

again flexed their batting muscle to leave Warnervale facing an uphill battle on Day 2.

Winning the toss and batting at Woongarrah Oval all The Entrance batters, bar one, reached double figures as they were dismissed for 288 in the 69th over.

It was a Hardy fest with Jake 67, Broc 55 and Ash 48 all amongst the runs along with Shaun Byfield who made a well compiled 44.

Overseas recruit Max Chappell stood out for Warnervale, taking 5.63 off 14.1 overs with his off-spinners while new ball bowler Daniel Watson took 3 for 67.

Warnervale was 4/29 at stumps.

Kincumber Avoca will require another 181 runs to take the points against second placed Northern Power at Harry Moore Oval.

Winning the toss and batting, Northern Power were dismissed for 201, after being 4/156 and then losing their last four wickets for just two runs.

Jordan Liddle was the pick of the batters with 62.

Kincumber Avoca safely negotiated their way to stumps

finishing on 0/20.

At Duffys Rd, Terrigal Matcham are slightly in front of Lisarow Ourimbah after Day 1.

Batting first after winning the toss, Lloyd Radcliffe fell just 11 runs short of a well-deserved century.

His 89 runs came off 143 balls with 16 boundaries.

Chris Brown 26 and allrounder Josh Bridge 23 were the next best.

Magpies skipper Ben Sunshine continued his excellent form with the ball taking 4/47 off 17 overs with Dan Thompson 3/34 and Ben Doyle 2/45 (19 overs) also

performing well with the ball.

Lisarow Ourimbah lost both openers before stumps and will resume Day 2 on 2/32 with overseas recruit Ross Forrester to lead the chase, currently unbeaten on 12.

In the final game, Brisbane Water put in their best batting performance of the season to have the upper hand against Narara Wyoming at Fagans Park.

Brisbane Water elected to bat first after winning the toss and put on 55 for the 1st wicket before Brad Brown was dismissed for 20.

Shaun Eaton continued his good recent form reaching 58

before being dismissed by the left arm spin of Tom Owen.

The match was evenly poised at 7/187 before Lewis Cavender and Eric Den Hartog put on a partnership of 69 for the 9th wicket.

Cavender was the last man dismissed for 86.

The Bluetongues innings finished in the 75th over with the score on 256.

The Lions will resume on Day 2 at 2/39.

Day 2 will be played on December 3 as both 1st & 2nd Grade have the coming weekend off with the Central Coast representative side competing in the McDonalds Country Cricket NSW Country Championships in Orange commencing on Friday.

Round Six of the @iibis Styles The Entrance Women’s 1st Grade competition saw wins to the top three teams, Terrigal Matcham, Northern Power and Lisarow Ourimbah all record victories.

In the Match of the Round Northern Power 1/158) accounted for Wyong by just 12 runs at Taylor Park (7/146).

Lisarow Ourimbah worked hard at Sohier Park before

Coastlink launches new interactive website

The Central Coast’s leading disability and aged care provider, Coastlink, is enhancing accessibility and engagement for current and future clients, with the launch of its new interactive website this month.

Supporting over 500 people living with disability and the aged every year and employing close to 200 staff and carers on the Coast, Coastlink is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of its growing community.

Coastlink Chair, John Mouland, said the interactive platform features a range of accessibility tools to ensure people of all abilities can

connect with the site.

“It was very important to us to make sure this key communications tool can be accessed and utilised by the people Coastlink supports on a daily basis,” Mouland said.

“The site features a suite of

accessibility tools to assist individuals with varying abilities to utilise and interact with Coastlink in ways that best suit their needs.”

CEO John Davis said the new website has been designed with the user in mind and is

part of Coastlink’s ongoing investment in assistive technologies.

“We wanted to create a platform that was easy to navigate, offered best practice in accessibility and made it easier for anyone wanting to access any of our programs, activities or events to do so,” he said.

“Current and potential clients are now able to browse all upcoming activities and events, with the ability to book and pay directly for any of these activities to secure their spot so they don’t miss out.

“In addition to the new site, the gaming centres located at our Berkeley Vale and Woy Woy

Activity Hubs will soon feature virtual reality (VR) capabilities, to offer increased opportunities for connection, stimulation and inclusion for individuals living with disability.” Coastlink.org.au was

overcoming Kincumber Avoca by five wickets.

Kincumber Avoca finished their 20 overs at 4/88 after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

In response, Sophie Karczmarz, 23 retired and Rachel Scarr 24 got the Magpies off to a great start and although the loss of three quick wickets in the middle of the innings gave Kincumber Avoca a sniff of victory, skipper Amy Cunningham put the game to bed finishing unbeaten on 12.

In the final game, ladder leaders Terrigal Matcham showed no mercy on Narara Wyoming with a convincing win at Umina Oval.

Meanwhile, The Central Coast will travel to Orange this weekend to participate in the Southern Pool of the McDonalds Country Cricket NSW Country Championships.

Central Coast, captained by Broc Hardy, will take on Western Zone, Riverina and ACT in three 50 over matches, which commence on Friday, November 25.

delivered by digital innovators, Kicking Pixels, and Coastlink’s communications partner, WOW Agency.

Media release, Nov 18 Coastlink

per year + WORK UTE TO TAKE HOME + 10.5% Super Monday-Friday, 38 hours per week - with opportunities down the track.

Ladder leaders The Entrance

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Central Coast Cricket

Action between Brisbane Water and Narara Wyoming at Fagans Park

Source:

CHERALYN DARCEY

Last weekend the inaugural Central Coast Edible Garden Trail was held and it was a roaring success.

Nearly 40 gardens threw their gates open to welcome almost 500 visitors.

A huge achievement for Central Coast Permaculture and the two woman who made it happen, Sandi Eyles and Anna Trigg.

Most of the gardens on show were based on the principles of Permaculture and so this week, we are exploring those first steps to introducing this sustainable practice into your garden.

This holistic approach to living and to gardening was created in Australia by Bill Mollison, a biologist and David Holmgren, an environmental designer in the mid-1970s, the original concept, in their words was to create, ‘an integrated, evolving system of perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to mankind.’

Over the years this founding goal broaden considerably and today permaculture has been redefined to mean: Consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs.

For the home gardener, this isn’t hard, expensive or time consuming.

In fact, once begun, most find permaculture gardens save time and money.

On the Central Coast we have a local branch of Permaculture Australia, ‘Permaculture Central Coast’, which is a not-for-profit, very welcoming community group of volunteers who provide education and resources throughout the Coast.

You can find them at: www.permaculturecc.org.au

How do I Start Permaculture in my Garden?

Although there are those who embrace Permaculture in its entirety, even if you are not ready to take the plunge, there are facets that you can easily introduce to your home garden that will make a positive difference to you and your environment.

All good gardening begins with design as it enables us to make best use of the land, resources and environment.

Permaculture design makes sure we are doing it responsibly and sustainably and I have found that by examining the twelve principles that Permaculture is based on, a simple foundational plan can be easily created in any situation.

1. Observe and Interact: Watch what happens on your land and surrounds to improve your area or work with what is already here.

Just a few ideas: map the sunlight on your garden and plant accordingly.

Record insects and identify pests from beneficial and native insects.

2. Catch and Store Energy: You could try installing a water tank, using solar energy or making wicking beds

3. Obtain a Yield: Ensure that all possible assets are used so that something comes of them.

Example use roof space or balconies for edible gardening, grow more edibles or collect as much rainwater as possible.

4. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback: Set limits so that you are not overusing resources and be realistic about what you are capable of and what is or isn’t working along the way.

Stop doing what is not working.

5. Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services: In a home garden setting this means limiting the use of outside resources and using what you can generate on your land and doing things by hand when possible.

6. Produce No Waste: The aim is to use everything in a permaculture garden.

Mulch created from clippings and leaves, compost from home and garden waste and fertiliser from animals and worms.

7. Design from Patterns to Details: Gardens are created with zones that are conducive to working the garden as well as being harmonious to the environment.

They often mimic patterns in nature and nearly always include curves edges and circles to maximise the use of space and branched shapes to connect and improve movement through the garden.

8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate: Bring it all together by planning a garden so that all the plants and systems are near each other or make sense in the overall design and subsequent usage.

Herbs planted close to the house for ease of use and high water-need plants situated in lower areas of the garden to use run-off

9. Use Small and Slow Solutions: Creating your own potting mixes, seed saving and starting your garden small; these are just a tiny fraction of the small and slow ways to gardening that enhance our connection with the environment and garden while allowing us to see more and learn more.

10. Use and Value Diversity: Companion

WHAT’S ON FOR PLANT LOVERS

Long Jetty Farmers Market

3 – 6pm Tuesday 29th November

The Clam, 204 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty

Get to know your local farmers and artisans at this fortnightly, micro local, market which emphasises community connection www.facebook.com/longjettyfarmersmarket

Coachwood Workshops

Succulents 3pm, 3 December + Dried Flowers 3pm, 4 December

Learn in-depth design techniques from gardener & florist Ruth Donnelly to create gorgeous gifts & products to take home. https://coachwoodnursery.com

Sustainable Christmas Wreath Workshop

2pm Sunday 11 December 2022

Bells Killcare, 107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights

Local artist, florist & fibre sculptor, Lee Cavender starting at 2pm. There will be carols, fresh flowers, dried natives, coffee and delicious snacks to enjoy as you create your Christmas masterpiece.

www.bellsatkillcare.com.au/sustainable-christmas-wreath-workshops/

planting is one very important and successful way to work with this principle.

Another is by growing plants that repel pests and by planting is a more organic way instead of straight rows.

In fact, this later tip will help slow bugs that gain a taste for a particular crop.

11. Use Edges and Value the Marginal: When two ecosystems meet there is a chance for a new and rich environment to grow.

Look at our own lakes and coastline and the areas teaming with both wildlife and plants along them.

An example is keyhole shaped garden beds to maximise use of space by increasing the edges.

12. Creatively Use and Respond to Change: Everything changes and even the most well thought out designed garden will change on its own and will at some point require you to change it as well.

A few examples: Your raised bed collapses and the wood you used seems not suitable after all (maybe too thin).

Leave the fallen dirt as an above ground bed and use the wood elsewhere in the garden as perhaps a trellis or stakes.

It is an unusually dry season.

Explore and plant more drought tolerant species.

WITH

Archived articles can be found on Cheralyn’s Blog: www.florasphere.com Send gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

Photo: milkwood.net

Inaugural small boat show to be held at Saratoga

SALING

The inaugural Central Coast Small Boat show will be held at Saratoga Sailing Club on December 3-4 to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary year.

Residents are invited to pop in on Saturday, December 3, to grab a bite to eat and walk around many display sailing boats, asking questions of their owners.

Boats on display will include: the Hartley TS16, the original trailer sailer designed to be built in a garage; the Heron, a smaller sailing boat loved by parent/child crews; A-Class Catamarans, the most modern of foiling carbon fibre performance crafts; the Laser, the famous single handed Olympic class dinghy, designed in 1970 and still going strong; the modern Impulse racing dinghy; windsurfers and

FISHING

More than 100 rock fishers have walked away better educated in how to stay safe after Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) conducted its popular rock fishing safety program, Gone Fishing, at Avoca Beach on November 20.

Around 300 people altogether, including the fishers and their families, learned about vital safety measures and skillbuilding techniques specific to the popular but often deadly pastime from experts, including Maritime NSW, Marine Rescue and the Department of Primary Industries.

Sessions included how to prepare for a day of fishing, how to pick a safe location, what safety gear to bring, how to assess the conditions and what to do if they get washed into the surf, among other crucial safety tools.

In NSW from July 2021 to June 2022, 11 people lost their

local members,

Learning the art of safe rock fishing

Club).

On Sunday, December 4, visitors will be able to watch the incredible 12ft Skiffs prepare for their race on the oval in the morning and then watch them race two heats of their NSW State Titles from the deck in the afternoon.

The extraordinary boats have long bowsprits and huge colourful sails.

They are designed to skim over the water and are so light they have to be laid on their side to be rigged and carried out to the water on custom cradles.

Club members are eager to share their love of watercraft and get you up close and personal with what they do.

More details are available at: https://www.sarasail.org.au/ the-club/openday.

Media release, Nov 22 Saratoga Sailing Club

met with participants and said it was fantastic that all the participants were taking home a free, properly fitted life jacket that will help save lives along the Coast.

“We know that rock fishing is a very popular sport but at the same time, one of the most dangerous in the world,” he said.

“It’s great to see people of all ages here and at the end of it, they get a life jacket that will keep them safe.”

lives while rock fishing.

“It was a good day, nice day,” one attendee said.

“The places I’ve been going lately have been not too safe and I’m turning around and going home because it’s not worth it, it’s not worth my life,

so I thought I’d come here to learn a bit more.”

Another said there was always something else to learn.

“It’s really important to brush up on your knowledge,” he said.

“No fish is worth your life - we want to always get back home

to our family and kids.”

SLSNSW Community Education Manager, Julia Kiss, said information is current and tailored to regional conditions.

“We’ve had really great feedback that participants are learning things that they just

Empire Bay nominated as Tennis Club of the Year in its first 12 months

TENNIS

Empire Bay Tennis Club celebrated its first birthday on November 18 with an inaugural Members End of Year Party.

Club President Alan Lovell said the day was cause for celebration.

“I am amazed at how quickly the new club reached 100 members,” he said.

Club Coach Mark Rawlingson said the three courts at Empire Bay were “among the best courts on the Central Coast”.

“As a sport that can be enjoyed from the age of five to adults of all ages, tennis has so many health benefits and is easy to play,” he said.

The club has been nominated for Club of the Year in Tennis NSW’s annual awards, with the

winner to be announced in December.

Rawlingson said the club had been nominated for:encouraging healthy participation of tennis in the local community; growing membership from zero to 113 members; and promoting socials and comps through the area.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam

Crouch, dropped by to share the celebration.

“You should be so proud of your club and what you have achieved,” he told members.

“To be nominated for Tennis NSW Club of the Year in your first year is a great achievement.”

weren’t aware of,” she said.

“They feel like they’re getting real knowledge from real rock fishers which really gets the message across.”

Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch,

With the support of the NSW Government through the Department of Primary Industries, Surf Life Saving NSW will host a minimum of 10 coastal and 10 in-community workshops aimed specifically at multicultural and at-risk groups, including 1,000 free lifejackets and crucial lifejacket-fitting advice from experts.

raceboards, with and without foils; dragon boats; paddle and rowing craft for solo and club use; and visiting sail training

craft from Gosford Sailing Club. The elevated hall and deck will offer amazing views over Brisbane Water and an art

exhibition will feature stunning photos, paintings and sculptures from local artists. You will also be able to meet

hear talks on plans for the club, join clubs and sign up for sailing classes (provided by Gosford Sailing

Source:

The Central Coast Small Boat show will be held on December 3-4

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Surf Life Saving NSW

The day attracted around 300 people

Source: Media release, Nov 21 Empire Bay Tennis Club Members Gary and Kerry Wallace at the birthday bash

North Shelly takes out regional qualifier of national Boardriders Battle

SURFING

Australia’s 2021 defending national champions, North Shelly Boardriders, put on an epic show of skill to win the regional qualifier of the Australian Boardriders Battle at North Narrabeen Beach on November 19.

The 2022/23 Australian Boardriders Battle has been bigger and better than ever since launching into its 10th season on the Gold Coast earlier this year.

The Central NSW Regional Qualifier has hosted the most national winners out of all the

qualifying events with clubs from the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Northern Beaches competing.

The win sees North Shelly qualify for the national titles, to be held in February next year, along with Avoca, who came in fourth in the qualifier, North

Avalon (third) and Long Reef (second).

North Shelly Boardriders showed exactly why they are the defending champions by posting dominant performances all day.

The North Shelly dream team comprised Shane Holmes,

Saxon Lumsdenn, Hugh Vaughan, Russ Molony and Zoe Ifield.

“This win means the world to us and the North Shelly community,” Vaughan said.

“I’m so proud to be able to represent the club and hope I’ve done them proud.”

Junior dirt track riders flock to Somersby

DIRT TRACK RACING

Junior dirt track riders will have their last shot at championship glory for this year when the 2022 Honda Coastal Motorcycle Centre NSW Junior Track Championship meeting is staged at the Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club track at Somersby this Sunday, November 27.

The meeting was called off in October due to heavy rains, resulting in a smaller entry list from all across NSW and a small contingent coming from north of the border trying to maintain an impressive record of Queensland riders in the event.

The riders are not just tomorrow’s stars; many are already accomplished racers and could well be destined for higher honours even on the world stage.

Previous Australian or State Championships staged at Somersby have included such riders as Jack Miller, Remy Gardner and Joel Kelso who flew the Australian flag at Phillip Island in the recent 2022 Oz Moto GP meeting.

Future world champions Casey Stoner and speedway duo Chris Holder and Jason Doyle also raced at Central Coast Junior Club events as part of their apprenticeship in the sport.

Dirt track racing continues to be a nursey for road racing and speedway, as well as some showing an interest in flat track racing in the USA.

Best credentialed entrants this Sunday are Hugh HopeHodgetts from Forbes and Gunnedah rider Hugo Holmes, who have both had Australian Championship victories this year.

and

Other clubs competing on the day were North Narrabeen, Merewether, Queenscliff, Mona Vale, East End, Curl Curl, Bungan, North Steyne, Freshwater and Macs Own.

Source: Media release, Nov 19 Surfing NSW

have snared wins in both the Victorian and NSW Under 16 125cc Speedway Championships.

Honours in the 13-Under 16s, which is the next group to head in to the senior ranks, may be decided between North Coast riders Thoren Openshaw of Taree and Jayden Holder of Kempsey.

Competitors will have a practice session after a riders’ briefing at 9.30am, with 70 events programmed for the day.

Fans can see the action for a $10 per vehicle entry fee as a donation to St John First Aid.

The Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club track is in Debenham Rd North at Somersby.

Queenslanders Theo Afeaki and Riley Nauta have been impressive at previous appearances at the Somersby

track and are likely to be battling for honours on Sunday. Riders aged between seven

16 will chase championship honours, including AlburyWodonga rider Cooper Antone, whose most recent outings

Source: Media release, Nov 22 Peter Baker, Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club

The victorious North Shelly team

Jayden Holder will be a contender in the Under 16s

Photo: Central Coast Stadium