Coast Community News 380

All systems go for super battery to bolster energy security

Council’s development application blowout woes

Central Coast Council’s Development Application (DA) times have blown out to an average of 122 days according to fresh figures released at the February 28 meeting.

The last six-monthly performance report on Development Applications was back in July 2022. The results at the time were considered poor.

In response, Administrator Rik Hart announced he had hired six permanent and five contract staff and was in the process of recruiting eight new roles on top of that.

Council’s chief inquisitor Kevin Brooks of Erina spoke before the February 28 meeting and said he was astounded by the latest result.

“Last July, the Administrator threw yet more ratepayer money at this

problem and said he hoped for a big improvement,” he told CCN.

“Instead, there has been a 44 per cent deterioration in performance since this big improvement was

promised.

“The assessment time has actually doubled since the fourth quarter of 2020/21 when David Farmer commenced as CEO and Mr Hart became Administrator. They are accountable for these results and need to explain.”

Hart told CCN Council is now processing more DAs than it is receiving.

“Bear in mind we have the highest number of DAs in the state to process,” he said.

“We are still 17 people short (in the planning department) that we have funds for and are fully funded in the budget, yet we are struggling to get staff.

“The other problem is a lot of people left in the early days .. when the Council was under threat of being

wound up.

“The other hiccup that is going on at the moment is the planning portal from the Department of Planning that has not been easily working and that has been a problem for all councils.”

Hart had previously told CCN that the backlog in DAs was also due to having to assess developments under two separate older Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) inherited from the former Gosford and Wyong Councils.

Last year a unified Central Coast LEP was passed and put in place.

CCN has published a full video interview with the Council Administrator, which can be found on our news website and on our YouTube Channel @CentralCoastNewsAU .

Work is starting and completion is expected by mid 2025 to install the biggest energy storage battery in the southern hemisphere – the 850 megawatt Waratah Super Battery at the former Munmorah coal-fired power station site.

From left: Marie Jordan of Transgrid, Paul Curnow of Akaysha Energy, NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean and James Codd of EnergyCo

David Abrahams

Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart in Gosford

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OzHarvest and Home in Place team up

A partnership between local community housing provider Home in Place and OzHarvest has grown from supplying items for COVID care packs for tenants to a weekly delivery of food and grocery items to help people battle rising cost of living pressures.

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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

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At the height of COVID 19 lockdowns, Home in Place’s The Meeting Place hub at Tumbi Umbi had to temporarily close.

Hub staff and tenant relations officers started providing care packs for isolated tenants.

OzHarvest had started on the Central Coast and donated food and grocery items.

Now OzHarvest driver Luke McKelvey makes a delivery each Tuesday.

In the first week of the New Year there were 60 boxes or 1.5 tonne of items which Home in Place community participation officer Jenene Carling set about distributing.

The hub has a Shack Shop which sells low cost food, grocery and other items it purchases from Foodbank and other places.

The Oz Harvest items go on its free rack for tenants and other community members in need to take home alongside items from Coles Second Bite and Woolworths.

Some items are delivered by Home in Place to people who are are struggling.

“We used OzHarvest items, as well as what we grow in our

Home in Place community participation officer Jenene Carling and OzHarvest driver Luke McKelvey at The Meeting Place

hub vegetable garden, to put on a Christmas lunch for 60 tenants,” Carling said.

“The Shack Shop wasn’t open when we received the bumper new year delivery, so we set up a pop-up giveaway shop at the hub.

“Our tenant relations officers also set up pop-up stalls at several of our Central Coast social housing complexes.

“The OzHarvest items were very welcome.

“Everyone is struggling after Christmas, especially with the rising costs of living.

“The amount and type of items varies depending upon what OzHarvest receives from supermarkets and other providers but typically there is

meat, bread, fruit, vegetables and drinks; pikelets are a big hit.

“Having fresh and frozen food encourages tenants to cook and eat well.”

OzHarvest started on the Central Coast in July 2021. Manager, Richard Stark, said growing demand has seen it put on a second truck on the Central Coast in November 2022.

“OzHarvest rescues healthy and nutritious food from local supermarkets and food businesses and deliver it directly and free of charge to local not for profits and charities like Home in Place, who distribute it to those in need,” Stark said.

“We work hand in hand to help the growing number of people in our community who are struggling and feeling the pinch.”

The Meeting Place is an award-winning community hub established in 2011 by Home in Place, in partnership with Housing NSW.

Home in Place funds and runs the hub and has replicated parts of the model in Broken Hill.

Carling said the hub also offers tenants social and skill building activities, support and referral to other services as well as a Tuesday coffee club is back, providing a great way for people to connect with others.

The Shack Shop is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-2pm and is in need of more volunteers.

Home in Place is a not for profit community housing provider which manages more than 7,000 social, affordability and disability properties in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, including more than 1,000 on the Central Coast.

To find out more about its Central Coast hub or to volunteer visit www. homeinplace.org/communityhubs.

To find out more about OzHarvest, your nearest food relief centre or to support its work visit www.ozharvest.org.

Source: Media release, Feb 15 OzHarvest and Home in Place

IN MEMORIAM GIFFORD, Judith Ann OAM

Central Coast Council has received $3.2M funding for upgrades to amenities blocks, irrigation and drainage works at Buff Point Oval and Halekulani Oval.

Construction is anticipated to commence in the 2024/25 year.

a boost to the local sporting scene.

Late of Green Point, Formerly of East Gosford and Wagga Wagga

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The funding from the State Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund was announced earlier this week by Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley.

She said $520,000 would be put towards drainage and irrigation and $1.2M to replace the amenities building at the Buff Point sports ground. Another $1.3M will upgrade the amenities at Halekulani Oval.

A spokesperson for Central Coast Council said work would start on the design phase of the Halekulani Oval and Amenities Renewal project in the next financial year.

The 54-year-old amenities building is extensively deteriorated and not fit for purpose so it will be demolished and replaced with a new building that meets current building codes and disability accessibility requirements to meet the needs of sporting groups that regularly use the oval and amenities.

Council says that irrigation and drainage works at Buff Point Oval will be finalised over a two-year period, with the anticipated completion being in 2025.

The amenities building at Buff Point Oval will also be replaced within the same timeframe.

Catley said the $3.2M funding for these works was a great outcome for the local community as it would provide

“These ovals are much-loved community assets. They have been home to the Budgewoi Bulldogs Rugby League Club since the 1980s and are also utilised by local netball and cricket clubs, schools and the wider community,” Catley said.

“Despite frequent use of the facilities by the local community, the ovals have received minimal upgrades over the past few decades that have led to the amenities blocks not being big enough to host teams, with female players required to get changed at home.

“Furthermore, Buff Point Oval’s drainage has not been working for three years, which has prevented teams from training,” Catley said.

Sue Murray

Daughter of the late Bill and Lorraine Rogers.

Wife of John. Sister of John and the late Derek Rogers. Mother and Mother-in-law of Bronwen and James, Alison and David, Helen and Travis. Grandmother of 9.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated for either the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) or Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA).

Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate Judith’s life at the Greenway Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 460 Avoca Drive, Green Point on Friday 3 March 2023 at 2:00pm.

Central Coast Newspapers

Council set to sell commuter/shopper carparks at Woy Woy

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has slammed Central Coast Council for determining to sell a commuter carpark and its share of a shopper carpark at Woy Woy to the proposed new owner of Deepwater Plaza without any community consultation.

Council agreed to sell the commuter carpark in Blackwall Rd and its option to purchase 220 spaces in the plaza carpark at its February 28 meeting.

A report to the meeting said Council currently leases the commuter car park at 93 Blackwall Rd, with 700 car spaces, to Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

The lease returns a peppercorn ($1/year) and runs until 2065.

TfNSW has indicated that it seeks to retain commuter car parking under a lease agreement, and does not wish to procure the site, the report said.

Council also has an option to purchase part of the shopper car park at 52 Railway Rd, currently owned by Dexus (the current owner of Deepwater Plaza), which is exercisable for a peppercorn fee in December 2032.

Dexus is in the process of

selling the plaza to Raptis Investments, with Raptis approaching Council in November seeking to purchase both the option over part of the shopper car park and the commuter car park.

The report said Raptis is prepared to commit to retaining both the commuter and shopper car parks.

“Council has no direct need for either of these car parks,” it said.

“The offer provides a unique opportunity to retain or enhance both commuter and shopper parking in Woy Woy CBD, while simplifying management and ownership arrangements.”

Council won’t reveal how much its parking spaces will be sold for but says the most recent valuation of the entire area by the Valuer General is $3,300,000 inclusive of GST.

The report said Raptis is an established owner and operator of regional shopping centres and has a conditional and timelimited contract to buy the property.

“Raptis has identified exercise of the Option Deed as a major risk to the future value of the shopping centre,” it said.

“Raptis has indicated in a series of contacts with Council that it is agreeable either to

extinguishing the Option Deed or, in combination, extinguish the Option Deed and at the same time purchase the commuter car park.

“The offer from Raptis represents a unique opportunity to rationalise car parking arrangements in Woy Woy CBD on a basis that is significantly cash positive to Council.”

Peninsula chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said it was “quite extraordinary and deeply disturbing” that council could make such a major decision with public consultation.

He said it was not until the agenda was made public four days before the meeting that anybody had any idea the sale

was in progress.

“It is also extraordinary that there is no disclosure over the sale or how that is to be determined except for some obscure comment about nett value to Council,” Wales said.

“The question here is, how is the sale being valued?

“Does it take into account the value to the purchaser for the option agreement?

“Does it take into account the money that was previously provided to Council by the Federal Government to build additional levels on the carpark eight or nine years ago?

“These are very serious questions that need to be answered by the Council and we find it extraordinary that

they could make such a decision without any transparency in the community.

“One thing which deeply concerns Chamber is the longterm future of the commuter component of the carpark and whether or not there will be any safeguards that would prevent Raptis charging commuters for the right to park in a carpark that is currently free of charge.

“Without details of sales agreements how can we know any safeguards are in place?”

Wales said with the cost to build multi deck carparks approximately $200,000 per space and 700 spaces in the carpark, the actual worth of the carpark to Council and to the community was around

$140M.

He said if the matter had come before an elected Council there would have been “a very robust debate about this sale and that would have been fully transparent”.

Resident Mark Ellis also opposed the sale during the public forum prior to the meeting and said the proposal should be sent out to the community for consultation before any decision is made.

Ellis said carparks were “assets integral to the communities they serve” and that millions of dollars had been injected into the carpark as a community asset.

“We are told there have been consultations with Raptis and With Transport for NSW; when was the community going to be told?” he said.

Ellis said if the carpark were to be privately owned there would be nothing to stop the private owner from demolishing the carpark and extending the plaza or putting in units down the track.

There had been no evaluation and no consultation, showing an “absolute disregard” for the community, he said.

Terry Collins

The Deepwater Plaza carpark

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce says a delay on the upgrade of the Ocean Beach Rd/Rawson Rd intersection at Woy Woy until 2024/25 is “yet another example of the Peninsula being pushed down the priority list for major road projects”.

Former Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks announced a $33M overhaul of the notoriously gridlocked intersection in November 2020, saying work would be completed within two years.

But Central Coast Council revealed this week that the upgrade, along with a road and drainage upgrade planned for Shelly Beach Rd at Empire Bay, would be placed on hold after the Federal Government deferred a portion of the funding allocated to the Central Coast Roads Package. Work would be postponed until at least 2024/25 and

Peninsula pushed down priority roadworks list again says Chamber

subject to further review, Council said.

Peninsula Chamber President Matthew Wales said there had been no explanation of the Federal Government’s decision to defer funding.

“While design work will continue, the property acquisition and pre-works construction is to be placed on hold,” he said.

“This is simply not good enough, especially when the intersection is becoming ever more congested at peak times.

“The Federal Government has completed 21 of 29 projects from the Central Coast Roads Package but has decided that the Peninsula can wait.

“Clearly we are not seen as a priority down here even though the local area is seeing an increase in traffic not only from local growth but from residents further north using the Peninsula as s short cut to the freeway or accessing Woy Woy

Station to avoid the parking problems at Gosford.”

Wales said the upgrade had been promised as an early solution to the Peninsula’s traffic problems.

“Now local residents will have to wait another few years to get relief from local traffic congestion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Council has delivered 21 road and drainage projects funded under the Federal Government’s Central Coast Roads Package since 2020.

These include: Mutu St, Woy Woy; Glenrock Pde, Tascott; Gem Rd, Pearl Beach; Cresthaven Ave, Bateau Bay; Bayview Ave, The Entrance;

Kerry Cres, Berkeley Vale; Maidens Brush Rd, Wyoming; Racecourse Rd, West Gosford; Shirley St, Ourimbah; Sturt St, Killarney Vale; Springfield Rd, Springfield; Tuggerawong Rd, Tuggerawong; Woodbury Park Dr, Mardi; Craigie Ave, Kanwal; Fravent St, Toukley; Richardson Rd, San Remo; Oleander St, Noraville; Hibbard St, Canton

Beach; Albert Warner Dr, Warnervale; The Corso, Gorokan; and Everglades Catchment, Umina Beach.

Six more projects are underway or commencing shortly: Ridgway Rd, Avoca Beach; Del Monte Pl, Copacabana; Lushington St, East Gosford; Steyne Rd, Saratoga; Springwood St, Blackwall; and St Huberts Island Bridge.

Council said initial works have been undertaken for the road and drainage upgrade of Shelly Beach Rd, Empire Bay, and design development would continue for the Ocean Beach Rd/Rawson Rd intersection with all other works on the two projects on hold.

“Council will continue to work with the Federal Government to deliver all the projects identified within the Central Coast Roads Package,” a spokesperson said.

Webinar on possibility of Council de-amalgamation

A webinar to be held on Thursday, March 2, will look at putting the “local” back into local government as key speakers discuss the amalgamation of Gosford and Wyong Councils in 2016 and the possibilities of deamalgamation.

The webinar will be hosted and moderated by Jackie Pearson from The Point ESG News site, who said it would be an opportunity to hear from grass-roots campaigners who have succeeded in starting a demerger process in their areas.

Speakers will be: Pip Hinman, from the Inner West Council area, who will speak about a successful community poll at the 2021 Council elections; Glen Moore, from the Gundagai Council in Exile, who has run a

successful campaign for the demerger of the amalgamated Cootamundra Gundagai Council; and former Central Coast Mayor Jane Smith, who will talk about steps the community can take to restore democratic local government.

All three speakers are members of the Demerge NSW Alliance which has strong support from all of the 20 remaining merged councils across NSW.

Hinman says changes made to the Local Government Act in 2021 give communities a pathway out of the 2016 forced council amalgamations.

At the webinar, she will talk about how residents from the former Marrickville, Ashfield and Leichhardt Councils campaigned to make their new

amalgamated council vote on holding a referendum at the 2021 elections to determine whether or not residents wanted to go back to their old local government boundaries. She will share the results of

that referendum, and what’s happened since.

Pearson said Hinman’s experiences will resonate with anyone who has lived on the Central Coast since the forced merger of the former Gosford

and Wyong Councils in 2016.

“Listening to Pip Hinman will make Central Coast residents feel less isolated and alone,” she said.

“The Inner West of Sydney is a very different community to the Central Coast but they’ve lost representation, lost services, they’re paying higher rates and they’ve lost their voice.

“It’s a very familiar story.”

Moore will share how he ran a successful campaign for the demerger of the CootamundraGundagai Council.

Smith, who operates Central Coast Friends of Democracy, said Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman and Premier Dominic Perrottet have both made election promises that there will be no more council

mergers if they remain in government after March 25.

“(This) is a strong indicator that they are under pressure from their own political base,” she said.

“The NSW Government and the State Opposition have both underestimated the importance of local government to communities in NSW.

“Our community wants their local voice back.”

The webinar will be held via Zoom from 6-7.30pm on Thursday, March 2. Registrations are open now via Friends of Democracy https://ccfriendsofdemocracy. com/events

For more information email: jackie@thepoint.net.au.

Terry Collins

Jackie Pearson will moderate the webinar

Terry Collins

The Rawson Rd and Ocean Beach Rd intersection

Labor pledges $8M to fix our footpaths

A Labor Government will provide $8M over four years to Central Coast Council to fund vital footpath projects across the region if elected on March 25.

Central Coast Labor MPs and Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said the funding will be part of Labor’s commitment to active transport and will support Central Coast Council’s Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) and Bike Plan.

The PAMP contains a prioritised schedule of 1114 footpath projects at a total cost of $74.2M with schedule 1 priority works costed at $9M. The report suggests a program budget of $2M per

The Pacific Hwy upgrade at Lisarow is powering along ahead of schedule and should be completed by mid-year, months earlier than expected.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the Government is investing $178M in the upgrade between Ourimbah St and Parsons Rd.

annum would allow one-third of the complete program to be delivered within 10 years including all priority works, the MPs said.

The $8M in funding would

consist of four annual payments of $2M.

Residents Owen and Lucy Brasier, who navigate a pram with a young child, are often forced to walk on the roadway.

“This is a fantastic announcement for the whole community which is long overdue,” they said.

“It will particularly enable parents with prams, children

and the elderly to safely navigate our streets.”

Shadow Minister Haylen said every community in NSW deserves safe walking and cycling infrastructure.

“Being able to easily walk to your local shops or your kids being able to ride to school shouldn’t be a privilege,” she said.

“It should be something everyone is able to enjoy.”

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said residents are constantly raising the issue of the need for footpaths, particularly connecting schools and transport.

“This funding will enable

Lisarow road upgrade will be finished early

“The upgrade will improve traffic flow, travel times and safety for about 30,000 motorists who use this 1.6-kilometre section of the highway each day,” he said. Liberal candidate for The Entrance Nathan Bracken said investment in key road infrastructure such as this was important to improve the safety of motorists and traffic flow.

Key features of the upgrade include a new rail bridge across the main Sydney to Newcastle rail line, two lanes in each direction of the highway, new traffic lights at the Railway Cres and Tuggerah St intersections and improved pedestrian and cycle paths.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the upgrade would be a huge win for the

community and our freight industry.

“The project has also provided a boost to the local economy, providing work for about 1,400 people to date, including more than 150 separate suppliers and contractors,” he said.

Source: Media release, Feb 23

Council to better target ‘missing links’ in the Wyong electorate,” he said.

Member for The Entrance David Mehan said the funding would help ensure that essential footpath projects which would have been put on the backburner are completed sooner rather than later.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said families across the Coast have been crying out for pathways and active transport infrastructure for many years.

“This funding will finally put shovels in the ground and get footpaths built right across the Coast,” she said.

Source: Media release, Feb 23 Central Coast Labor MPs

Pictured from left: Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, resident Owen Brasier, Member for The Entrance David Mehan. Shadow Minister Jo Haylen and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and candidate for The Entrance Nathan Bracken inspect the progress

Greens announce candidates for State election

The NSW Greens have formally announced their Central Coast candidates for the March 25 State election.

Upper House Greens MLC

Abigail Boyd hosted the official launch at Ourimbah State Forest on February 24, calling on NSW to continue the “Greenslide” of the 2022 Federal election and put more Greens in the NSW Parliament.

Hilary van Haren will contest the seat of Gosford.

She grew up on the Central Coast and now lives with her young family at Point Clare.

Van Haren is a lawyer and board director for not-forprofits, having previously worked for the NSW Government in disability inclusion, housing and planning

She wants to see the next Government genuinely address the cost-of-living crisis here on the Coast.

“We’re seeing more people in the region under pressure, but the major parties don’t seem to have a plan,” she said.

“The Greens will push to remove the public sector wage cap to increase incomes for our essential workers.

“We’ll reduce household costs by transforming public

The NSW Labor Party has pledged to overhaul the grants process to restore integrity and public faith if elected in March, in the wake of the scathing findings of the Auditor General’s report examining the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) funding grants.

The report revealed that none of the funds approved under the fast-track arm of BLER went to Labor-held seats and that the grant process lacked integrity, with the assessment process short on transparency and consistency.

The Central Coast’s Labor MPs and candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton said a Labor Government would place porkbarrelling protections in the law.

services and making transport, preschool and TAFE free.

“And we’ll stick up for renters on the Central Coast by freezing and cutting rents and banning unfair evictions.”

Standing for the seat of Terrigal is Imogen da Silva, a committed community activist who has lived in the region for the past six years.

She ran a successful campaign for the dog owners on the Central Coast, aimed at halting Council’s plans to introduce timed access to beaches.

Da Silva was formerly a senior research administrator in social health policy, health and citizenship, has degrees in

business and communications and is passionate about local democracy.

“An administrator has managed (Central Coast Council) for the past two years, and the community is calling for local representation,” she said.

“The administrator is not listening to the community’s voices.

“We have issues with potholes, dirty water, irresponsible dog owners and no support to address our concerns at the Council level.

“I have heard the community, and we’re calling for elections well before September 2024.”

Doug Williamson will contest

the seat of Wyong.

A former teacher who wants to see NSW take real action on climate change by ending coal and gas by 2030, he is also passionate about closing the coal ash dams (which are) causing health and environmental concerns among the residents.

“We know coal is on the way out, but Liberal and Labor have their heads in the sand,” he said.

“The Greens want an immediate end to new coal and gas and move to 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

“We can do this while looking after workers and coal communities, but we must

start now.

“I want all residents of Wyong, particularly those transitioning from coal and power industries, to be safe and healthy and free from toxic by-products of coal and gas.

“The community has been crying out for change, but the major parties are protecting the interests of their mates in the coal and gas industries.”

Standing for the seat of The Entrance is Ralph Stephenson, a former school teacher who has worked across the Central Coast and has lived at Bateau Bay for 40 years.

Stephenson wants to see the next Government take teachers and students seriously.

Labor pledge to overhaul grants process

Report Investigation into Pork Barrelling in NSW,” they said.

“The Government has refused to adopt this approach, instead publishing a Premier’s memorandum.”

They said a Labor Government would ensure that for any future disaster relief grants, all grant details would be forwarded to the Auditor General within three months from the date of approval.

“Any future fast track disaster funding grants would be considered high risk grants under the grants framework and the Auditor-General would be required to conduct regular performance audits in relation to them,” they said.

“The Greens’ Education policy will push up wages for our exhausted public school teachers and make sure schools can give kids the education they need to thrive,” he said.

“The Greens don’t think education should stop at Year 12.

“Free TAFE will allow kids also to access the training they need to explore the world and prepare for whatever vocation they choose, without being burdened or stopped by student debt.”

Source: Media release, Feb 27 Central Coast Greens

Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said disaster recovery funding should not be politicised and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said a Labor Government would “end the rorts and enshrine in legislation protections against porkbarrelling”.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said it was very disappointing that legislation was needed to protect against the mismanagement of public funds.

A statutory regulation to deal with guidelines for grant funding would ensure that: all grant programs have a designated decisionmaker,

clear, transparent and public guidelines and eligibility criteria; and that a inister (or other decision-maker) who approves or declines a grant

must record the decision in writing, including the reasons for the decision, they said.

“This approach is in line with Recommendation 1 of the ICAC

Again, this is consistent with Recommendation 21 of the ICAC report.

Shadow Minister for the

“Our community has had a gutful of the Government’s disgraceful practice of giving millions in taxpayer money to their pet projects at the expense of our community,” she said.

Source: Media release, Feb 8 Central Coast Labor MPs

From left: Labor candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton, Member for The Entrance David Mehan, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris

From left, Hilary van Haren, Imogen da Silva, Doug Williamson and Ralph Stephenson

All systems go for super battery to bolster energy security

Work is starting and completion is expected by mid 2025 to install the biggest energy storage battery in the southern hemisphere – the 850 megawatt Waratah Super Battery at the former Munmorah coal-fired power station site.

NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister, Matt Kean, announced approval of the project when he visited the site last Thursday, along with Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network, Marie Jordan.

“Transgrid is on track to ensure the super battery, the System Integrity Protection Scheme and network upgrades are completed by mid 2025 in advance of Eraring power station’s earliest closure date,” Jordan said.

“Transgrid is connecting the Waratah Super Battery to the grid via its existing Munmorah substation ensuring additional energy is located near the high-growth Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions.

“Part of project will be major

upgrades to existing transmission lines and substations and we will also develop and operate a $30M System Integrity Protection Scheme to control the standby network battery’s activation when additional energy is required, ensuring it can

respond almost instantly to any disruptions in the power system.”

Jordan said delivery of this critical infrastructure would also provide a secure, reliable and affordable energy supply to homes and businesses in Sydney, Newcastle and

Wollongong.

“We are pleased to partner with EnergyCo, battery service provider Akaysha Energy and existing and future generation facilities to deliver this project to ensure energy security for NSW and help our state become a global leader in the energy

transition,” she said.

Energy Minister, Matt Kean said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had the most ambitious renewable energy and storage plan in the country and the Waratah Super Battery was the first of many big energy projects to get

underway.

“Our pipeline of projects to ensure reliability and affordability is clear … (and) while NSW Labor run around creating fear about the sun not shining and the wind not blowing, we are focused on getting on with the job of building major renewable energy storage projects that we need to lower power prices and keep the grid reliable,” he said.

Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts, said the Waratah Super Battery would drive up to $1B of private investment into NSW and was a key part of the Government’s long-term renewable energy plans.

“The Waratah Super Battery is well suited for the state’s energy security needs because it is fast to roll out, has a relatively small footprint, repurposes land and connection infrastructure previously used for a coal-fired power station, and will be able to respond almost instantly to disruptions in the energy system,” he said.

Sue Murray

Bungree expands care services to Central Coast

Bungree Aboriginal Association is expanding its services to the Central Coast with the start of a new care finder service to assist older vulnerable people who need intensive support.

The new expanded care finder service is also available in new locations in the Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland local government areas.

It is available to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal clients and supports ageing and older people in accessing My Aged Care services and other relevant supports in the community.

Bungree Aboriginal Association CEO, Suzanne Naden, said the care finder

Tribute to long-term Sub Branch president

Members of DoyalsonWyee RSL Sub Branch held a special event to say thank you to Bob Couper OAM who has retired as president after 12 years in the role.

Couper joined the Sub Branch on March 17, 1993 and served as Vice President, Trustee and

President.

During his time he transformed the Sub Branch into one of the largest on the Central Coast with 226 members and more than 45 auxiliary members.

“I’ll continue to be an active member of the Sub Branch but it is time to retire and enjoy spending more time with my

wife Joan planning holidays,” Couper said.

Incoming President, Bob Dokter, said he would follow-on from where Couper left off to ensure all serving and exserving personnel (veterans) and their families continued to get the support they needed. If any veteran requires

service was vital in supporting older vulnerable people who needed intensive support.

“This could be an older person who has no trusted carer or support person, someone who has difficulty communicating, finds it difficult to understand information, is reluctant to engage with aged care or government or who will be in an unsafe situation if they do not receive services,” she said.

Naden said Bungree’s care finder services would be delivered in a collaborative and culturally responsive manner.

“Clients will be allocated a dedicated care finder staff member who will conduct regular in-home visits or inperson meetings to understand the client’s situation and assist

them to connect with the relevant aged care services and community supports,” she said.

“Care finder staff will assist clients with items such as talking to My Aged Care on their behalf, arranging assessments and appointments, attending and providing support at appointments, finding aged care providers and services in the client’s area, completing forms and providing assistance with understanding service agreements.”

In addition to My Aged Care, care finder staff will help clients connect with other relevant supports in the community including health services, mental health services, social services, housing and homelessness services, drug and alcohol services and

community groups.

“Accessing aged care and health services can be quite daunting due to the volume of information and administration work required,” Naden said.

“It can be even more daunting for older people who are isolated or those who have difficulty communicating or comprehending information and often these are the individuals who need the support services the most.

“I’m thrilled Bungree Aboriginal Association is able to launch this vital service to further assist vulnerable people within our community access the care they need,” Naden said.

Source: Media release, Feb 23 Bungree Aboriginal Association

support or assistance they can visit the Sub Branch on either a Wednesday or Friday morning at the Sub Branch office located at the recreation club, The Doylo, on the corner of Wentworth Ave and Pacific Highway, Doyalson.

CEO Suzanne Naden (left) and care finder Service Co-ordinator Penny Hessell

The Waratah Super Battery project

Photo: EnergyCo

Source: Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub Branch Bob Couper

Rally to demand shark net removal

A rally will be held at Shelly Beach on Sunday, March 5, demanding the removal of its shark net, amid fears for the safety of a loggerhead turtle nest on the beach.

Organised by the Animal Justice Party and Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast, the rally will take place on the grassed area from 10am-noon. Animal Justice Party candidate for The Entrance in the March 25 State Election, Fardin Pelarek, said almost 20 turtles have been killed in Central Coast shark nets over the past 10 years.

“And that’s just the ones we know about,” he said.

“The babies will be small enough to get through the net when they hatch, but we want to make sure mum is safe to return next year.”

Pelarek said at least 588 marine animals have been caught in nets on the Central Coast in the past seven years, 418 of which died.

“This included 330 threatened species, 10 dolphins and 18 turtles,” he said.

“Shelly beach is one of the 14 netted beaches on the Central Coast and is also the beach where this endangered loggerhead turtle mum has

chosen to lay her eggs.

“The government is ignoring the wishes of our coastal community.

“Locals have made it clear: the marine animals in our waters are part of our community, and we want to protect them.

“We’ll fight to protect them.”

In 2017 a federal inquiry was

held into the efficacy of shark nets and their impact on marine life.

The inquiry spanned 15 months and resulted in more than 20 recommendations, the first of which was to “phase out shark meshing programs and increase funding and support for the development and implementation of a wide

range of non-lethal shark mitigation and deterrent measures”.

“Six years on, the nets are still out there killing endangered marine life indiscriminately,” Pelarek said.

“Here on the Central Coast, we have already started using more advanced, proven technologies such as

specialised shark monitoring drones and a listening station in Norah Head.

“These methods have been trialled and proven effective, so why is the government wasting money on archaic shark nets, instead of investing in proven technologies?

“We need a member of parliament who cares about

our oceans, and about the marine life that we share it with.”

Pelarek will speak at the rally, along with Cathy Gilmore of Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast.

Source: Media release, Feb 28 Animal Justice Party

Animal Justice Party candidate for The Entrance Fardin Pelarek Protesters want the net removed amid fears for this loggerhead turtle, which has made a nest on the beach

Wanted on three arrest warrants

Brisbane Water Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on three outstanding arrest warrants.

Adam Phipps, aged 32, is of Caucasian appearance, between 165cm to 170cm tall, thin build, with dyed hair. He is known to frequent the Peninsula areas of Brisbane Water and Gosford.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw. crimestoppers.com.au

Police warn not to approach Phipps and instead contact Crime Stoppers immediately if he is sighted.

Source: Brisbane Water Police

VRA Squad in vertical rescue training

Members of the Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Squad participated in vertical rescue training over the past weekend.

A highly skilled vertical operator and instructor from Binnalong Squad conducted the training on the Arizona Vortex which is used in vertical rescue operations where additional (artificial) height is required to rescue a casualty.

The Arizona Vortex is a major upgrade in equipment as it is lighter, more versatile and simpler to erect in many combinations and spaces. The equipment was purchased with the support of the Wyong Roos Foundation.

Source: Central Coast Rescue Squad –

Woman faces court following Long Jetty incident

A 36-year-old woman will appear at Wyong Court on March 2 following an incident at Long Jetty on February 21.

She faces various charges after a 42-year-old man holding an infant was struck by a vehicle in an alleged domestic violence-related incident.

The infant was taken to The Entrance Police Station where he was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for head and facial injuries before being taken to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition following the incident.

The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Wyong Hospital in a stable condition.

A crime scene was established and the woman was taken to Gosford Hospital for mandatory testing, before being taken to Gosford Police Station where she was charged with six offences; dangerous driving occasioning grievous

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.com.au Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

bodily harm; driving recklessly/ furiously or at a speed/manner dangerous; failing to stop and assist after impact cause injury; common assault; and driving a motor vehicle during disqualification period. She was been given conditional bail to appear before Wyong Local Court on Thursday, March 2.

Source:

Media release, Feb 23 NSW Police

Adam Phipps

This discussion on the “Kariong lands” just highlights the challenges faced by Aboriginal communities, not only on the Coast, but across this Nation.

In a year that we will vote on a “Voice to Parliament”, at a time when closing the gap targets still remain problematic, at a time when people will march the streets for ‘Black lives matter’ and ‘Land Rights’, that stand up for the principles of self-determination and economic independence.

How many objectors are Members of the Land Council?

Some will say that the Land Council does not represent them. The fact is that the Land Council is a statutory body set up to represent all Aboriginal people within its boundary.

The Members of the Land Council have given informed consideration on this rezoning and had resolved to proceed.

For the Indigenous objectors, did you stand with your brothers and sisters and uncles and

auntie‘s and voice your concerns when this matter was discussed?

We have a vocal minority raising objection as if it represents the broader community. It does not.

How many of these objectors have read and understood the Aboriginal Land Rights, 1983? Have read the cultural heritage assessment, or the ecological assessment submitted with the proposal? Or understand the extent of the Land Council’s property portfolio and understand that so much of their holding is remote from

service without development potential and will be set aside for conservation lands?

Sustainable land management is not free. It comes at a cost - rehabilitating damaged landscapes, remediating, contaminated sites, installing determent measures to prevent illegal dumping and unauthorised access. Who pays for this sustainable conservation?

It is my understanding that Darkinjung has selected a few key sites, on the urban fringe, on the least constrained lands within their portfolio, to unlock

some economic opportunity that will result in not only a small number of housing for their Members, but a larger number of houses for the broader community - where the proceeds from land sales can be directed towards sustainable land management and other social initiatives of the Land Council. Unlike other ‘developers’, Land Councils, must work with the portfolio they have. All too often, this is on the urban fringe and already zone conservation - conservation being used as a default zone because it is

vegetated and outside the current urban footprint. Council will apply this zoning without the benefit of specialist reports - the very nature of which is before Council now.

I live in hope that the Land Council can in fact deliver on it’s strategies that will benefit not only it’s Members and other Aboriginal people in this Region, but the broader community though it’s development and sustainable land management strategy.

Robyn Parker the politically appointed Central Coast City Commissioner installed by the State Government to oversee the future of the Central Coast has held a couple forums to tell our community what they, the State Government, wants for our future, without bothering to ask the greater community.

Little being done to protect health of northern residents FORUM

more chronic health conditions, whilst asthma runs rampant.

Well, I don’t think this is good enough, as the damage has already begun with bushland being bulldozed for the proposed 52,000 new homes thus increasing the population by a conservative 130,000 new residents without any indication of any new infrastructure.

The NSW Government has announced that “an even brighter future for regional NSW, focusing on economic growth that promotes wellbeing in regional communities whilst minimising Big City characteristics of traffic congestion, pollution and affordability issues”.

I have requested a meeting with Ms Parker for the northern part of the Central Coast and have been rejected, asking me to contact her office in a couple of months, by then after the State election.

It is obvious that both major political parties have done little over the past decades for the northern communities of the Central Coast when report after report finds that each community has 16.9 percent of their population having three or

This somehow does not gel with me, as their own bipartisan Legislative Council Public Works Committee found that they, the government, fell short in protecting the regional communities and put forward

16 recommendations during a 2021 inquiry, none of which have been completed to date. The government inquiry stated “that the committee agrees with the inquiry participants that little research, if any, has been conducted on the impacts and long-term consequences in relation to the health of communities residing near coal ash dams. We are disappointed with the response by the NSW EPA and NSW Health to community concerns about a potential link between the circulation of additional metals in the air and waterways, and impacts on health

outcomes for the community. This response, in conjunction with the lack of research conducted to date on this matter, demonstrates a complete disregard by the government towards the health of its citizens”.

The question must be asked before the State election: What have the current state and federal members on the Central Coast done to remedy the community’s concerns, when three doctors from Lake Munmorah wrote to the government regarding the high proportion of school children having chronic asthma some

37 years ago?

I feel ashamed that very few people have taken up the fight for a democratic Central Coast and simply take what is given to them.

I believe there is enough evidence that the government and some major businesses have a complete disregard towards the health of the Central Coast citizens and that a further public inquiry is warranted, if not a class action against the government. Email, Feb 21 Gary Blaschke OAM, Lake Munmorah

Council slated for “misleading” statements over boarding house FORUM

I refer to the article, Council criticised over Toukley boarding house approval, published on February 16 and, specifically, I refer to the Council responses to our allegations.

Instead of addressing the concerns of the residents, the administration at Central Coast Council attempted to justify their decision process with a misleading representation of what occurred.

Council stated “It should be noted that community members who objected to the final DA submitted, had the opportunity to address the

Court prior to the mediation”. This is incorrect.

The residents were notified of the Land & Environment Court (LEC) Section 34 Conciliation Conference by Solicitors for Council in writing on June 15, 2022.

The solicitor advised the residents they may be able to address the Commissioner at a proposed site meeting on July 27 and that there was usually no other opportunity for the residents to engage the Court further as the S34 conference

was confidential between the parties.

There was no final amended DA at that time, so residents could not have possibly had the opportunity to lodge objections prior to mediation as claimed by Council.

On July 27 five of the residents, representing more than 460 local residents, made verbal representations via a video link to the LEC Commissioner, when the onsite LEC Section 34 conference meeting was cancelled due to COVID.

The residents’ presentations were limited to five minutes

each, stating we were supportive of integrated quality affordable housing in Toukley, not just any housing, and addressed the main concerns of scale of the development, lack of support services in Toukley, the adverse police report and the inevitable adverse social impact on the character of the area.

Three months later on October 18, 2022 the final amended DA was issued for public comment by Council, with a closing date for objections set at November 18.

To be precise there were more than 300 submissions

stating that even though the developer had addressed internal issues and the institutional feel raised by Council and the independent planning panel, none of the social impact issues raised by the residents with the Commissioner at the July conference had been met.

No acknowledgement of our objection letters was received from Council and no further conference was held with residents.

In less than a month from the close of the public objection period of November 18, residents received a letter from

Council’s solicitor advising that Council had reached an agreement with the developer and the DA had been approved.

The Judgment from the LEC clearly states that Council advised the Court that all the residents’ objections had been met in the final DA.

(In our view) council does not represent the interest of the residents and we allege it appears as if Council is simply a servant of the State government and their manic rush to provide housing.

Email, Feb 25 Chris Smith, Wamberal

Stunning First Nations dance work at The Art House

Two alumni of the Central Coast’s own NASIDA Dance College, Thomas E.S Kelly and Taree Sansbury, will perform their thoughtprovoking and awardwinning dance work SILENCE at The Art House, Wyong, on March 23.

A spokesperson said SILENCE is an important piece of First Nations storytelling and social commentary told through dance.

“It uses beating drums, evocative lighting and seven powerful dancers united on a stage slowly engulfed in dirt to start a conversation for the return of Indigenous lands,” the spokesperson said.

“The performance not only speaks to the struggles and

presenting diversity on stage and supporting the creative talent of the Central Coast, The Art House hopes the work may act as an entry point to complex conversations and contribute to cultural awareness within the community.

“Audiences will be captivated by dynamic choreography, live percussion on stage, elements of spoken word and haunting lighting to create a fully immersive dance theatre experience,” the spokesperson said.

“Thomas and Taree created Karul Projects in 2017 to increase and highlight First Nations bodies, voices and stories, and to create more opportunities for employment

SILENCE features seven dancers

American Idiot to open at Red Tree Theatre

Jopuka Productions, The Central Coast’s leading youth arts body, will present Green Day’s 2010 rock musical American Idiot at the Red Tree Theatre, Tuggerah, from March 10-25.

The high-energy and dynamic production, based on the popular 2003 album, will be directed by Rosie Ross and produced by AWGIE-nominated theatre maker Joshua Maxwell, with musical direction by Ben Ross and Bradley Hughes.

“American Idiot has been on our radar for years,” Maxwell

said.

“We are so excited to bring this explosive rock musical to the Central Coast for the first time.

“Rosie and her team have created a truly spectacular show.”

The production will be the first in the world to feature a transgender performer in the role of Johnny, with the casting decision a reflection of Jopuka Productions’ commitment to diversity and inclusion in the arts.

Lucas-Alexander Carter is a singer-songwriter and a life

member of Jopuka Productions.

“I’m honoured and thrilled to be asked to take on the role of Johnny,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to bringing this character to life in a new, yet sincere, way.

“As someone who is transgender, this is a huge opportunity for not only myself, but for the arts, and other trans and gender-non-conforming people as we are being recognised in cast in these fantastic roles.”

American Idiot follows the story of three friends who must navigate the complexities of

the Bush era in suburban America.

The show features hit songs from the album, including Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Wake Me Up When September Ends, as well as other Green Day hits.

The production contains a lengthy list of content warnings which can be found via Jopuka’s website www.jopuka. org.au.

Tickets can be bought online or at the theatre box office.

Source: Media release, Feb 24 Jopuka Productions

Scottish Country Dancers back in the swing

After many disruptions caused by COVID since, 2020 Gosford Scottish Country Dancers started the year with their annual and will resume beginners’ classes on March 8.

President Sue Mackenzie said dancers from all over NSW enjoyed a great night of dancing and socialising.

“Our teacher Fran Bucello had drawn up an interesting program with a range of easy, medium and difficult dances,”

Mackenzie said.

“There was much laughter as some of struggled through the more difficult dances.

“From 7.30pm to 11.30pm we danced our way through 17 Scottish Country dances.

“These included Flowers of Edinburgh, McDonald of the Isles and an all-time favourite Mairi’s Wedding; it was a very successful evening.

“If you want to improve your physical and mental fitness while having loads of fun, then this is for you.

“You don’t need previous dance experience, to wear special clothes or to have a partner and you definitely don’t need to be Scottish.

“With no Highland Flings or swords to be seen, you will dance in groups of six or eight people to the sounds of exhilarating Scottish music.

“The dances can be slow and elegant or extremely lively, so it’s good fun.”

Mackenzie said the first class was free and the not-for-profit organisation welcomes all

ages and genders although children must be accompanied by an adult.

The first beginners’ class for the year will be held at 6.50pm for a 7pm start on Wednesday, March 8 at the Church of Christ Hall, 299 Henry Parry Dr, Wyoming.

For more information call 0418 427 723 or email gosfordrscds@gmail.com.

Source:

Media release, Feb 28 Gosford

Exciting Weekend of Live Theatre Shines Bright on Central Coast

New Australian Contemporary Theatre is on this March with two high calibre theatre events on offer to the Central Coast community.

Taking up residence at The Peninsula Theatre at Woy Woy for three performances is Noëlle Janaczewska’s new play The End of Winter. The play speaks to our current climate crisis, written in the wake of the devastation of the 2019 bush fires.

Award winning Director Kate Jane Gaul brings this exquisite piece alive through a nuanced performance by Jane Phegan, recipient of Sydney Theatre Awards 2022 Best Performer in a leading role in an independent production, for this performance.

The End of Winter at The Peninsula Theatre

Friday 17 March 8pm & Saturday 18 March 2pm & 8pm

55 minutes no interval | Tickets from $22 Suitable for audiences 13+

“Summer may seem to define us in Australia, but Noëlle Janaczewska’s new play is a moving, even joyous paean to all things wintry. But it comes with a mournful bite: climate change will make her winter a mere memory.” Martin Portus from Stage Whispers

The themes and ideas contained within The End of Winter lean into the most significant issue of our time – the changing climate and the loss of seasons.

Showcased on the Laycock Street Community Theatre stage is NEWK (The John Newcombe Story) which traces the life of the great Australian tennis champion of the 1960s and 70s, John Newcombe. NEWK is brought to life by award-winning Melbourne playwright Kieran Carroll and performed by three time Barry Award nominee and star of recent hit film The Merger , Damian Callinan.

The play is set in 2014 at Newk’s 70th birthday in Sydney. Numerous well-known guests drop by to celebrate his special day and share the memories. Both drama and comedy, the play portrays a highly determined and ambitious man burning through a quickly changing world. Aware he’s putting his family second emotionally while conscious of providing for them financially, the play exposes the exhausting schedules that even players of yesteryear endured. Volatile off-court politics are also rife as the game moves into full blown professionalism.

NEWK at Laycock Street

Community Theatre

Sunday 19 March – 2pm

Tickets from $30

NEWK (The John Newcombe Story) is a grand story which will take the audience on a huge ride; where rest is secondary and finally how that zest and appetite for life never disappears but has to be tempered.

Scottish Country Dancers

American Idiot opens on March 10

Members enjoyed 17 different dances at the social

Sunrise meditation for International Women’s Day

For the third successive year, Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is inviting women and men of all ages to take part in a sunrise beach meditation to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.

The Sit. Ocean Beach will take place at 7am at Ocean Beach Surf Club.

“I’m grateful to have this wonderful occasion to bring all people together to celebrate this important day – and what could be a better location than our very own picturesque Ocean Beach?” Tesch said.

“With our busy lives, we often don’t make the time to sit, contemplate and enjoy nature.

“That’s why I’ve been an

advocate for The Sit. Ocean Beach since it started on the Peninsula in 2020 and I am proud to be co-hosting our third International Women’s Day sunrise meditation and cuppa get together.”

The Sit. Ocean Beach Leader Sam Wiggins said the event would be more than just meditation.

“It’s about giving time to yourself, your community, your friendships and being there for one and other,” he said.

Following the event, community members are invited to join Tesch and The Sit. Ocean Beach leaders for a cuppa and chat at Ocean Beach Café.

If you are unable to make it to the event, Tesch encourages community members to post a photo with #EmbraceEquity to show solidarity for this year’s International Women’s Day theme.

“This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate women, form new connections and discuss what embracing equity means to you,” she said.

“I really look forward to seeing everyone there and hearing their stories.

“Together, let’s unite as men and women and embrace equity.”

Hotshots head for Wyong

The Sydney Hotshots will strut their stuff at Wyong Leagues Club on Saturday, March 4, with doors opening at 7.30pm.

The new two-hour Secret Fantasies production has been choreographed and developed by Australia’s leading professionals and features a hand-picked cast.

The high energy show

features a mix of top dance routines, eye-catching costumes and acrobatics.

Members of the cast were selected from hundreds of men nationwide and put though an intensive Hotshots Bootcamp and come from various backgrounds including tradies, policemen, farmers and firemen.

Hosted by Paul Reynolds (an original cast member of

Manpower Australia and Las Vegas headliner), the show will make for an entertaining evening.

The Sydney Hotshots have been see on Studio 10, Sunrise, AGT and Good Morning New Zealand. Bookings are available at stickytickets.com.au.

SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023

3.00 – 5.30 pm

High

Primary school student: Free BYO

Picnic, rug and chairs

“A magical afternoon of opera favourites and beautiful melodies amongst the trees”

Source: Media release, Feb 16, 2023, Sydney Hotshots

The Sydney Hotshots

Umina Beach singer eliminated from Australian Idol

An impressive rendition of Katy Perry’s Waking Up In Vegas couldn’t save Jasey Fox of Umina Beach, who was eliminated from Australian Idol following the first public vote on February 27.

After making the top 12 the week before, Fox was one of the four lowest scoring contestants on February 27, each of whom was given the chance for a last chance performance, with Fox one of the two eliminated.

He has done the Central Coast proud with some powerhouse

performances throughout the season.

Growing up on the Coast and attending Umina Public School, Fox said entertaining was in his blood.

“I grew up as a dancer,” he said.

“My sister is a dancer as well and my father is a musician so performing was all around me.

“But I found my own way.

“After studying musical theatre at uni, I decided it was more me to do pop music and I moved to Japan for three years, working at Tokyo Disneyland Universal Studios.

“I played a lot of gigs, learning my craft; it was amazing.”

Fox returned to Australia just before the first COVID wave in 2020 and spent the next few years writing for other artists and working on his own sound.

“Idol popped up when I was in the right place and felt the time was right – and it was quite a wild ride,” he said.

“Waiting for the decision each week was very scary- you just never knew what was going to happen but I decided to just do my best all the time and push myself.

“I felt like I grew a lot –

constantly on my toes.”

While the four judges made elimination decisions earlier in the show, audience vote took over when the final 12 was announced.

Fox, who is 26, will now concentrate on furthering his career in the music industry.

He describes his style as mainstream pop, with a lot of dance pop, and said he had been influenced by such artists as ABBA, Queen and Kate Bush.

Terry Collins

Mardi Gras colours from Coastal Twist cheered on

The Central Coast’s own Sydney Mardi Gras float was well received by both crowds and fashion critics last weekend.

The Coastal Twist float was accepted into the event for the fourth time this year, and each time has been recognised for the quality costumes and dance routines held along the 2 kilometre route.

The float theme this year was Galactic Love, ‘reflecting a mission to spread love and

inclusion throughout the galaxy’.

The costumes reflected the galactic theme with splashes of blues, whites and oranges together with neon lights.

The Central float was broadcast across SBS and ABC and syndicated across dozens of international TV and online channels.

Coastal Twist was a finalist for best float design in 2021 and this year’s float creativity secured its participation and

included 80 local people.

Meanwhile back in Ettalong, the Naughty Noodle Fun Haus hosted a Mardi Gras viewing bbq as part of the official extended program.

Creative Director Glitta Supernova said “It was a wonderful opportunity for people all across the Coast to come together and celebrate our diverse communities”

“It was a real community shindig, it was such a beautiful experience,” she said.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras grew from gay rights parades held annually since 1978 when many participants were arrested for staging the event.

These days the NSW Police, government agencies, corporates and many community action groups march together to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Jasey Fox said Australian Idol was “a wild ride”

CCN

The Coastal Test float was well received

Friday 3 March

International Women’s Day Luncheon and Launch of Central Coast Festival of Women

Ettalong Diggers, The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach NSW 2257

Friday 3 March Women in Art - Exhibition Launch

The Entrance Gallery, The Entrance Community Centre, Norberta St, The Entrance NSW 2261

Saturday 4 March

Women in Art Exhibition (4-17 March)

Entrance Gallery, The Entrance Community Centre, Norberta St, The Entrance NSW 2261

Saturday 4 March

International Women’s Day Expo and Artisan’s Market

Entrance Community Centre, Battley Ave, The Entrance NSW 2261

Sunday 5 March

Country Club, 64 Dover Road Wamberal NSW 2260

Wednesday

March

Recreation Club, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261

Wednesday 8 March

Central Coast Festival of Women

2023

For International Women’s Day and beyond, let’s all #EmbraceEquity.

stickytickets.com.au

International Women’s Day Lunch 10am-2pm Free/Booking required Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre, The Ary Toukley, 35-47 Holmes Ave Toukley NSW 2263 PWHC@cccwhc.com.au stickytickets.com.au

Wednesday 8 March

Annual International Women’s Day Luncheon 12pm-2pm $60 Pullman Magenta Shores, 1 Magenta Drive, Magenta NSW 2261 info@cbwn.org.au stickytickets.com.au

Wednesday 8 March

Suzy Miller’s International Women’s Day Luncheon Lift, Shine, Thrive 12pm-2pm $90 Drifters Wharf, 12A Dane Drive, Gosford NSW 2250 hey@suzymiller.com.au suzymiller.com.au

Thursday 9 March

IWD Movie Night - First night showing of ‘Till’ 7pm $25 cash at the door Avoca Beach Theatre, 69 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach NSW 2251 centralcoastzonta@gmail.com

Saturday 11 March

Rayon Riot - International Women’s Day Cabaret 6:30pm-10:30pm Show starts at 8pm $30/$35 Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, 5 Broken Bay Road, Ettalong NSW 2257 boxoffice@naughtynoodle.com.au naughtynoodle.com.au

Sunday 12 March

All About Women: Satellite Program Streamed from Sydney Opera House 11:30am Booking fee

The Red Tree Theatre, 2/160-162 Pacific Hwy,Tuggerah NSW 2259 admin@eldersleefoundation.org.au eldersleefoundation.org.au

Thursday 16 March

Women in Art - Exhibition Close 10am-4pm Free The Entrance Gallery, The Entrance Community Centre, Norberta St, The Entrance NSW 2261 rasheeda.flight@gmail.com

ACROSS

1. Shortly

22. N American tribe

MISSING LINK

MISSING LINK

Neptune’s

Chef Daniel’s next guest is the Mariner’s goal keeper Yaren Sozer who has played professional football in Turkey, Malaysia and now we are lucky to have him here at the Central Coast Mariners. He was born and raised in Melbourne with Turkish heritage.

Yaren has loved being a goal keeper ever since he first put on a pair of gloves and the goalie jersey when he was 7 years old.

Menemen is a traditional hands on, family breakfast to share in Turkey, where the family sit around together and dip Turkish bread into the pan.

You don’t have to include

onions, in fact in Turkey it is often debated whether onions belong or not for breakfast and are only considered if it is for dinner, but Yaren’s grandmother always did, so today we include onions in the mix.

Its name originates from a small town in Western Turkey in the Izmir Province.

It is similar to another dish called Shakshouka.

The dish is traditionally a vegetarian dish however you can customise it to suit your taste.

Yaren says others add feta,

Visit

other spices, extra chilli, mozzarella cheese, oregano, parsley and/or sujuk (or sometimes called SucukTurkish sausage).

Ingredients:

• Half a diced brown onion

• 2 finely diced tomatoes

Turkish Menemen Recipe A PINCH OF SALT

• Half a green capsicum diced

• Half a red capsicum diced

• Half a red chilli finely diced

• Half a green chilli finely diced

• 3 to 5 eggs

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Teaspoon of garlic

Menemen Instructions:

• Fry onions, garlic and chilli on medium to high heat.

• Add chopped tomatoes and cook for a further 3 minutes on medium heat.

• Add capsicum cook for a further 3 minutes on medium heat

• Add salt and pepper to taste

• Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat.

• Add cracked eggs on top and cook for a further 3 minutes on medium heat.

• Serve hot.

Tips:

• Serve with Turkish bread for dipping.

• You can even leave the lid on and bake it in the oven if you prefer.

SCAN ME

Chef Daniel with CC Mariner’s goal keeper Yaren Sozer

Business & Property

New café accessible and inclusive for patrons and staff

The cafe has a warm and welcoming atmosphere

The Central Coast’s first fully inclusive and accessible café at Tuggerah opened to the public on Wednesday, March 1.

A new initiative by for-purpose organisation Royal Rehab, known for its innovative approach to disability inclusion, the aim of the café is to provide a truly sustainable and inclusive space for everyone in the region while also offering employment and training opportunities for people with disability.

Breaking Grounds café is set to be a great example of accessible design and will feature a range of facilities aimed at accommodating people with disability.

The café features accessible entryways with wheelchair friendly tables and benches, all of which are seamlessly integrated into the design to create an environment that is welcoming to all.

It offers high-quality, locally sourced food, great coffee and a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The café’s primary espresso machine –donated by Allpress coffee – has been placed on and adjustable bench, allowing a comfortable workstation for staff of any stature, including wheelchair and mobility aid users.

An automatic coffee grinder and tamp also add to the accessibility for staff.

Royal Rehab CEO Matt Mackay said Breaking Grounds

café is designed to look like any other mainstream café, but with accessible and inclusive features seamlessly integrated to demonstrate what organisations should strive to achieve in the future.

“Every element of this café is designed to be accessible for everyone in our community –both as customers and employees,” he said.

“Our goal is to provide a space where people with disability can feel comfortable and included, while also showcasing the many benefits of accessible design.”

The launch of Breaking Grounds café comes as the Central Coast Disability Action Plan reveals alarmingly high rates of disability discrimination in the community.

Member for Wyong and Shadow Minister for Jobs, Investment & Tourism David Harris said the new café would be important in tackling the barriers placed around people with disability.

“As the Shadow Minister for Jobs, I understand the importance and opportunities presented by inclusive employment practices and skills development,” he said.

“I commend Breaking Grounds for their innovation and commitment to both the Central Coast Disability Action Plan and providing important employment opportunities.”

In addition to providing employment and training

opportunities for people with disability, Breaking Grounds café is also set to play a role in resolving the issue of hospitality staff shortages on the Central Coast.

Despite the huge labour shortage across the country, people with disability still face high levels of unemployment.

“We really encourage local businesses to open their minds to employing someone with a disability,” Mackay said.

“People living with disability are a hugely untapped group that research shows are eager to work and are incredibly loyal.

“A diverse workforce is a strong workforce.”

Breaking Grounds café will provide hands-on training in the hospitality industry for people with disability, including those facing challenges such as poor mental or physical health, longterm unemployment, unmet educational goals, or homelessness.

The first class of trainees is already underway, where students will complete three nationally accredited units as part of a Certificate II in Workplace Skills.

Located on the ground floor at 1 Bryant Dr, Tuggerah, the café is part of a building which includes disability support services, medical clinics and the headquarters of the Central Coast Mariners.

Major parties outline plans to take the region into the future

With the State election to be held in just three weeks’ time, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris addressed more than 100 members of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and their guests recently to outline their respective parties’ plans for taking the region into the future.

High on the agenda were moves to support the growth of the Central Coast, defining the region’s place in the Six Cities megaregion and what needs to change to embrace a bigger future.

Of special interest was priority infrastructure investments needed to support housing supply and new jobs on the Coast and the growth potential west of the M1.

The need for more housing, especially for seniors, was another priority.

Crouch acknowledged the work the UDIA has been doing with the Government to support a future vision and its support for the Six Cities Commission.

“It’s all about finding the balance,” he said.

“We have our own definitive difference as a region – and are maturing into an amazing region – but I need to acknowledge the great work the Six Cities Commission team is doing under Robyn Parker.”

Crouch said the Coast was in a more fortunate position that other regions in the Six Cities, having established it major growth priorities prior to the megacity’s creation.

“Being announced as part of the Six Cities gave me increased opportunities to lobby the Premier for additional funds,” he said.

“The Government committed $23M in the State Budget to keep implementing strategies already in place.

“These include unlocking employment land and accelerating precincts and continuing to build on health and the well-being precinct in and around Gosford.

“The uni campus in Gosford is already well underway, with an additional $18M allocated to Newcastle University for the project, as well as the donation of prime land in Mann St.”

Crouch said transport studies incorporating the Coast, Newcastle and Sydney were vital, with upgrading transport links and railway stations already underway.

“We are also working on a high speed internet network and one of the biggest priorities is improving planning process to accelerate DA approvals,” he said.

“There have been too many delays in delivering vital housing.

“The rezoning of Land at Lake Munmorah and Chain Valley just prior to Christmas will pave the way for thousands of homes in the north of the region.”

Crouch said with many unfulfilled promises for

development in the past, confidence was now starting to rebuild as projects were seen to be happening on the ground.

“Leagues Club Park is an award-winning example of projects which have come to fruition,” he said.

“It is important we stay focused as a region to continue delivering on those priorities and there must also be a balance to keep our pristine environmental areas.

“Central Council and the State Government have been working well together ad the UDIA has also played a very large role.

“The Urban Development Program to be rolled out over the next five years is also a win for the region.”

Harris said there needs to be less time spent developing new plans and glossy brochures and more purposeful time given to delivering important projects.

“Government has an important role to play in delivering timely infrastructure to enable the growth that is occurring,” he said.

“The housing crisis on the Central Coast is being felt deeply across the community with a rise in homelessness, social housing waiting times and mortgage stress.

“This in turn is impacting on the social services sector, which is struggling to keep up with providing food and other services across the community.

“There is currently a roadblock to approvals of new developments because Council lacks the resources to properly determine Development Applications in a reasonable timeframe.

“A NSW Labor government, if elected in March, will bring a fresh set of eyes to these issues which have festered out of control over the past 12 years.

“We have released detailed policies to address housing with the establishment of Homes NSW to better direct resources to where they are needed.

“This will include using available government land to facilitate more affordable housing projects across the Coast.

“Labor’s comprehensive plan to address housing supply, help first home buyers, deliver a fairer deal for renters, and make regional housing more affordable will be the first step to reversing the neglect of the past 12 years.”

UNIA NSW CEO Steve Mann, who moderated the event, said members were encouraged that there was a strong focus on many of the issues UDIA has been advocating through its Central Coast Chapter.

He acknowledged there had been “good support for the Coast” from the Liberal Government in terms of bigger infrastructure but said more catalyst infrastructure was needed to unlock housing.

“We need the infrastructure to open up the land,” he said.

“And transport needs attention- we have lots of issues with roads.

“The work on the M1 and the Pacific Hwy is good but there is lots more to do.”

He said the UDIA was a big supporter of the Six Cities strategy.

“The Central Coast is

becoming more and more significant in Sydney’s story and that’s great for the region,” he said.

Mann acknowledged that David Harris was a “strong leader and a good advocate for the Coast” and said the UDIA would be keeping a close eye on any commitments which come through before the election.

The event also marked the official launch of UDIA’s Central Coast, which provides 14 clear objectives which will drive UDIA’S advocacy throughout 2023 in the areas of housing, jobs, infrastructure and sustainability.

In the area of housing, the manifesto pushed for: reduced development assessment timeframes at Council; the delivery of infrastructure to unlock the existing pipeline; and the delivery of a sustained pipeline of development ready and diverse housing supply.

It calls for an expansion of the region’s jobs economy by delivering more jobs close to home and aligning infrastructure delivery with development to create wellconnected communities, enhance lifestyle and promote jobs.

The manifesto supports improving environmental outcomes while also supporting growth, building amenity and protecting life and property.

It calls for greater integration between transport and land use planning and for the delivery of affordable housing and mixed tenure projects on government-owned land and private-market incentives to augment affordable Housing supply.

It supports progressing planning and delivery of higher density around existing rail stations and other transport hubs and corridors and more options for seniors living.

Terry Collins

The seminar will be presented in a friendly relaxed atmosphere and there will be plenty of time for your questions.

You’ll be helped a lot in understanding the system and will then be able to confidently consider what Estate Planning steps you need to take to properly plan for your own Will, Power of Attorney or Appointment of Guardian.

From left: UDIA NSW CEO Steve Mann, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris, UDIA NSW President Jacqueline Vozzo, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch and UDIA Central Coast Chapter Chairman Caine King

theme is to educate people about the options and choices available to them… alerting you to the pitfalls and procedures in dealing with Estate Planning, Wills, Powers of Attorney & Appointments of Guardian and how you should best deal with them.

Brazel, Solicitor,

Council seeks EOIs for Aboriginal Advisory Committee

Central Coast Council is calling on the local Aboriginal community to send in Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to be part of its Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

The Committee will be formed in line with the Central Coast First Nations Accord, an agreement between First Nations Leaders and Council, and its brief will be to set an agenda to guide signatories on how best to work together and further reconciliation.

Council’s Community and Culture Unit Manager Glenn Cannard said the Accord sets a vision where Council can

understand, acknowledge and value the contribution of First Nations People and their enduring connection to Land and Culture.

“We are calling on our Aboriginal community to be part of our advisory committee to help provide advice and feedback to us on issues that affect the community, improve their quality of life and address relevant social issues,” Cannard said.

“We’re seeking a broad stakeholder representation for this committee, with a mix of representatives from traditional ownership interests, community services focused on improving the quality of life

of the local First Nations community and community members identifying as Aboriginal.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Central Coast area is a treasured place to the First Nations People, with many significant sites of cultural heritage.

“Council acknowledges that we deliver services, programs and activities on land traditionally owned by First Nations People and the Central Coast First Nations Accord is a critical step forward in the journey of reconciliation,” he said.

“By establishing an Aboriginal

Bringing communities together for 50 years

From humble beginnings on a block of dirt in Kanwal, the Wyong Leagues Group has grown over the past 50 years into a network of 10 clubs.

Monday, March 6, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Wyong Rugby League Club, the founding venue of what would later be part of one of the most successful organisations of its kind in Australia, the Wyong Leagues Group.

Group Marketing Manager, Keith Cameron said the Group now had 10 venues – seven of them on the Central Coast –audited assets of $125M with zero debt and employed well over 300 people in NSW.

“After opening Wyong Rugby League Club in 1973, it took several years to build and consolidate its position as one of the most popular venues on the Central Coast,” he said.

“As often happens in business, a successful formula

can be translated into success in other locations and it was this thinking that led in 2001 to the Group turning its attention to expansion via amalgamation,” Cameron said.

The first to join the Wyong Leagues Group was Wallarah Bay Recreation Club in 2001,

Flashback: the block of dirt where Wyong Leagues Club was built

followed by Wyong Bowling Club in 2002, Budgewoi Soccer Club in 2004, Canton Beach Sports Club in 2008, Goulburn Railway Bowling Club in 2009, Avoca Beach Bowling Club in 2011, Bateau Bay Bowling Club in 2015 and Diggers Woolgoolga and Safety Beach Golf Club on

the North Coast in 2020. “One principle has always been key in ensuring both a smooth transition into the fold for the new club and to ensure their success by retaining the most positive individual characteristics of each of the venues and to demonstrate the

value of being part of the Group,” Cameron said.

“The logic is that the members of each of the Clubs have remained loyal, sometimes for many years, because they feel a strong sense of ownership of what they rightly see as their club.

Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Accord, we are strengthening the bonds between Council and the First Nations People of the Central Coast, working together for a positive future.”

EOIs for the Aboriginal Advisory Committee close on Thursday, March 9, and can be done online at https:// centralcoast.applynow.net.au/ jobs/CEN3140.

If you need assistance filling in your EOI, email advisorygroups@centralcoast. nsw.gov.au or call 4306 7900.

Source:

Media release, Feb 23

Central Coast Council

“Acknowledging this has proved to be a winning philosophy, as is evidenced by the growth experienced over the past 50 years,” Cameron said.

The Wyong Leagues Group claims its positioning as “Bringing Communities Together”, which Cameron says is not just a marketing slogan.

“Each club in the Group is individually, and collectively, a highly active participant in the communities in which they operate and provides extensive financial support to local sports teams and charities.

“In addition, as a Group, the Wyong Roos Foundation gives financial support to local charities whose primary focus is supporting those facing hardship within the community,” Cameron said.

Source: Wyong Leagues Group

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart

Small and medium businesses across the Central Coast will benefit from a new $62M grants program designed to help them become more energy efficient, ease pressure on their energy bills and reduce emissions.

The Federal Government has published guidelines for the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program with a $16M investment through Round 1 of the program and a second round to be delivered next year. Grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 will be available to SMEs in all industry sectors to enable them to take energysaving measures.

Energy savings for small business

“These grants are another example of the Government delivering on its commitments and putting downward pressure on the cost of living,” Reid said.

“The Government understands that small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of the Australian economy, and employ the most Australians.

“When our small and medium sized business community are doing well, the nation does well.

would

Five units in a three-storey development is being planned for the corner of Boondilla and Bay Rds at The Entrance.

A house and two villas will be demolished to make way for the units if Central Coast Council approves the development application lodged by GSA Planning on behalf of Citi Constructions.

Plans are to build five threebedroom units with single garages, three visitor car spaces, roof terraces and balconies at 32 Bay Rd.

The building will face Boondilla Rd and vehicular

“This program will support more small and medium sized businesses manage overheads and reduce their carbon emissions.

New units planned for Boondilla Rd

access will be off Bay Rd.

Each unit will have private open space from the main living areas on ground level, a north-oriented balcony on the first level, a south-facing balcony on the second level and an open recessed roof terrace.

Although the development equates to four storeys in height, the design of the upper level and roof terrace have been inset and recessed to reduce bulk and scale.

The development application says that this design would ensure its building envelope and scale remains compatible with the existing and emerging

From March this year, residents and businesses will be able to share with Central Coast Council what they value most about their water and sewer services.

Feedback collected will also include how customers would like to receive updates on Council’s progress in delivering on those values—defining

character of Bay Rd, typified by one to three-storey dwellings and residential flat buildings of

similar scale.

“Whilst the proposal exceeds Council’s controls relating to

“As the son of small businesses owners, I know these grants will assist many businesses on the Central Coast.

“I would encourage the business community on the Central Coast to apply for funding or reach out to my office for support.”

Applications for the grants will open on March 6 and close on April 19.

For more information about the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program and how to apply, visit https://business. gov.au/eegsme.

proposal is acceptable as it complies with the majority of Council’s controls, has a similar scale and building height as surrounding medium density development and will not create unreasonable impacts on surrounding development,” the DA states.

The development application (4314/2022) can be viewed at Central Coast Council’s website and submissions will be accepted until Friday, March 10.

building height in storeys, side setback and private open space, in our opinion, the

Have your say on water and sewer services

Council’s water and sewer future reporting metrics.

Council’s Director of Water and Sewer Jamie Loader said this would continuie Council’s collaboration with community which began in 2021, underpinning the previous proposal delivered to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which is responsible for setting

fair prices for water, sewerage and stormwater drainage and holding water authorities accountable for their services.

“This research will inform a new Water and Sewer Customer Charter outlining the responsibilities between Council and customers,” he said.

“The findings in this research are also key to our Performance

Report and Delivery Plan.”

The community engagement will include two targeted forums to be delivered in Gosford and Wyong in March and May, with final details yet to be announced, to be followed by a survey open to the public in June.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the engagement with the community would focus on

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment –Invitation to Register Interest – HN586-A

Heritage Now, on behalf of a Proponent (name provided on registration), is requesting the names of Aboriginal people who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage within the Project Area in Charmhaven. The Project Area is 54 kilometres south of Newcastle and is approximately 130 ha in size. The purpose of community consultation with Aboriginal people is to assist in the preparation of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for a proposed master plan.

In accordance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements 2010 , please send your registration to Tessa Boer-Mah (1/48 Kalaroo Road, Redhead NSW 2290, hello@ heritagenow.com.au) by 16 March 2023. Please be advised that your details will be forwarded to Heritage NSW and the Local Aboriginal Land Council, unless you inform us that you do not want your details released.

transparency and accountability.

“I would encourage the community to participate in the survey because your ideas and feedback will help shape the Customer Charter for our Water and Sewer business and drive its priorities well into the future,” he said.

The consultation aims to include a broad representation

of people, including residents, small businesses, large trade business, local Aboriginal and CALD communities and young people.

Learn more at www. yourvoiceourcoast.com/ waterservices.

Source:

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the program

help businesses use less energy and improve their competitiveness, while lowering carbon emissions.

Source: Media release, Feb 28 Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

The Bakehouse Cafe owner Paul Mackie with Member for Robertson Gordon Reid

Sue Murray

The proposed unit project facing Boondilla Rd, The Entrance

Council paves the way for five-storey Ettalong development

Central Coast Council will amend planning controls to make way for a five-storey development on six consolidated parcels of land at 43-46 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, despite receiving 95 submissions opposed to the move.

The proposal also attracted 23 submissions in favour and one maintaining a neutral position.

Council’s decision at the February 28 meeting will see the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan amended to increase the permitted maximum building height from 11.5m (approximately three storeys) to 17m (approximately five storeys) and increase the permitted maximum floor space ratio (FSR) from 1:1 to 1.75:1.

The proposed development would comprise one level of parking at ground floor behind predominantly commercial areas and four storeys of residential units in two small towers.

This would result in 13 residential units more than a three-storey development, which is permitted under the current planning controls. If the lots are not consolidated,

the current building height of 11.5m and FSR of 1:1 will continue to apply to the subject lots.

The amendments will be sent to the Department of Planning.

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has backed the decision, saying it is an important step forward for Ettalong Beach.

“(This) now provides an opportunity for the old Ettalong Motel site and adjacent properties to be redeveloped for high quality residential

development,” Chamber President Matthew Wales, who spoke at the public forum prior to the meeting, said.

“This (proposal) will bring the beachfront commercial lands in line with the existing planning controls that apply to the rest of the Ettalong Beach retail centre.

“The change in planning rules is predicated on the consolidation of all the subject lots being amalgamated which will ensure that a fully integrated design will result

from the redevelopment.

“This is a great result for the town centre as it continues to enjoy substantial investment in new residential accommodation and highquality retail space that will mean jobs in the medium to long term.”

Wales said Council’s decision includes a comprehensive site-

and public areas.

“The decision also includes a Voluntary Planning Agreement that will see $250,000 made available for public infrastructure within the town centre by a future developer,” he said.

“This is a great result and comes at a time when several important developments have

podium setback of 6m from the boundary to Picnic Pde will appropriately address the lower-scale residential zone to the east, with the maximum five-storey height applying to two small areas, that are setback from boundaries.

Not everyone is on board with the decision.

Peter Gillis also spoke at the public forum on behalf of Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development (RRED), expressing concerns over overshadowing, environmental impacts and view sharing.

He said nearly 2000 residents had signed a petition against the proposal and that no-one has considered the cumulative effects of all the new developments in the area, including the block being built currently on the old Centrelink site.

Mark Ellis also addressed the Council, highlighting traffic problems that have grown over 10 years.

He said parking is already at a premium in the area and asked Administrator Rik Hart, as a “community advocate”, to

An artist’s impression of the proposed development

Why it’s vital to talk to the kids about money

WITH Michelle BALTAZAR

Editor-in-Chief • Money magazine

It makes sense to talk to your children about money, particularly with rising costof-living pressures.

But it can be a complicated and emotional topic.

Around half of parents don’t speak about money with their kids, according to the CommBank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) index.

One reason, say those in the survey, is that money is too tight in their household.

There’s plenty of anxiety, with one in four people with a mortgage worrying about how to pay it and 52% of Australians feeling more stressed about their finances than they were a year ago, according to Salvation Army research.

As well, 40% of parents admit that their knowledge of financial topics is limited.

But talking about how money is limited can give children an understanding of how the household finances work and can be beneficial, says Yish Koh, managing director of Kit, a pocket money app for kids

that is owned by the Commonwealth Bank.

Koh says parents are the most important influence when it comes to money.

Dangers of social media

Hearing how to carefully navigate the finances from a trusted source, rather than via social media, is crucial.

The messages from social media can set kids up for unrealistic aspirations and reckless behaviour.

After all, kids aged six to 13 spend on average 16 hours on the internet each week, according to Roy Morgan’s Young Australian Survey.

About three-quarters of parents are concerned about the influence of online games on their children’s attitudes to money, particularly ones that encourage spending.

Around a third of kids aspire to earn money as a social media or gaming influencer.

One in five showed an interest in cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and almost

a third (31%) say they want to learn more about online gaming currency and in-app purchases.

Poor financial literacy

Half of the parents interviewed claim their kids’ financial literacy is average, poor or terrible.

Only one in five rates it as excellent, with the ability to budget (57%), how to save (56%) and how to prioritise spending (55%) being key areas for improvement.

Parents have a vested interest in their kids managing and saving money well.

You don’t want to be propping your kids up with financial help as you grow older.

All kids are different and there isn’t one right way to teach them about money, says Koh.

Explain how it all works

One parent who is determined to make her three kids responsible with money is Caroline Hamilton, who likes to introduce conversations about money in everyday settings.

As a single mum with a mortgage, Caroline says her three kids – Maggi, 13, Zara, 12 and Ted, 8 – need to understand the value of money and realise they need to watch their budget. She explains about money coming into the family and where it is spent.

“It’s really important to me that we live within our means,” says Hamilton.

For example, when the kids ask for a treat from the icecream van, she points out that, alternatively, they could buy a box from the supermarket and have ice-creams for a week for the same amount of money.

Her kids love having long showers and she’ll let them know the expense of taking a long shower, not to mention the environmental consequences.

“It’s gotten easier as they’ve gotten older, to be able to have those age-appropriate conversations around money,” says Hamilton.

Property and shares can be gifted, as well as cash

Many parents help their children financially.

Support can take many forms, from allowing adult children to live at home rent free to helping with education costs.

And it’s not uncommon for parents to contribute to the deposit for a property.

Gifting is big business: be-

tween 2000 and 2019, the value of money gifted by parents tripled from roughly $4 billion to $12 billion a year.

The number and value of gifts also increased, with the average gift in 2019 being $8000.

While it’s possible to also gift assets like property and shares, they do come with

added complications and costs.

Here are three considerations from tax expert Mark Chapman: 1 WATCH OUT FOR CAPITAL GAINS TAX

“CGT is not an issue for cars (which are exempt), but it is likely to be for gifts of both shares and property. So, if you decide to give shares

or property, the giver will be subject to CGT on the disposal – and if gifting to children (or other family), the asset will be deemed to have been disposed of at its market value, which could trigger a hefty CGT bill.”

2 RECORD THE MARKET VALUE

“If gifting shares or property, make sure you know what the

How to get them involved

It is important to instil in them the ability to speak openly about it.

One money-making idea that worked for Hamilton is the return-and-earn recycling program that pays a 10 cent refund for an eligible drink container in NSW.

“I turned the garage into a mini recycling depot,” she says.

“It got the kids involved to earn money that way.

“And then we would split it three ways so that they had to put in an equal amount of effort to earn.”

When Hamilton’s children ask for new shoes or a phone upgrade, she will introduce a savings goal, partnering with them for big purchases: “You save up half the money, I will contribute.”

Her kids have piggy banks with four compartments: save, spend, invest and give.

If they want a branded item, Hamilton points out they can buy a perfectly good bag or T-shirt from an affordable department store and save a lot of money.

“If they still want the expensive one, I say this is what we’re going to do,” referring to the savings goal.

Her own parents instilled in her that you don’t spend what you don’t have.

market value of the asset is on the date of gift.

“That’s not difficult for shares listed on the stock exchange – you can simply look it up that day online – but for private company shares or real estate, you may need a professional valuer to give you a written valuation.”

3 MAKE USE OF ANY CONCESSIONS

“If you decide to pass on the home you are living in, perhaps spurred by a tree change or a desire to downsize, you may be able to use the main residence exemption to reduce or eliminate your CGT bill.”

TOM WATSON

New equipment will streamline lymphoedema treatment

The Occupational Therapy Lymphoedema Service at Gosford Hospital has received a piece of cuttingedge technology which will improve diagnosis and treatment thanks to a generous donation from the Gosford Hospital Auxiliary.

The SOZO machine, worth

$20,000, detects signs of lymphoedema in patients before they are visible, allowing early intervention which leads to better patient outcomes.

Occupational Therapy Manager Katie Hardy said the donation of the machine would ensure patients receive the best possible care.

“Being able to use this

technology in the Lymphoedema Service means patients can be assessed quickly and accurately and if necessary, begin treatment much earlier than if we were relying on visible signs for a diagnosis,” she said.

“Many of our lymphoedema patients have previously undergone cancer treatment so it’s nice to be able to

diagnose and treat early and allow these people to be able to get on with life.”

The SOZO machine is the latest piece of equipment donated by the Auxiliary through its tireless fundraising efforts.

Source: Media release, Feb 22

Review of health care services at Long Jetty centre

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, is pushing for a commitment from the NSW Government about the future of Long Jetty Health Care Centre to provide the services the community is asking for.

He said services removed during the COVID-19 response have not returned and a review of the health care centre commenced in May 2022, although in March that year the Minister for Health assured that Central Coast Local Health District was “committed to providing health services from Long Jetty”.

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In a first for our region, Mehan sought and obtained agreement from Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) that the community would be able to have input into the review and 371 submissions were received.

“These made it clear that the community expects Long Jetty to continue as a public health facility providing services to the local community,” Mehan said.

“The Government has already announced plans to establish 25 Urgent Care Service centres across the state, in addition to the 13 Urgent Care Clinics being provided by the

Commonwealth,” he said.

“The Long Jetty centre is the perfect location for an Urgent Care Service for our region and the local community.

“The community doesn’t want the healthcare centre remaining idle and the NSW Government is taking way too long in making a decision (about the centre’s future) and the community is fed up,” Mehan said.

In May 2021 the Clozapine Clinic, which was treating 40 people at that time, was relocated to the privatelyowned Kanwal Medical Complex and in October that year the CCLHD said the sub-

acute and transitional care services would close for a “minimum of six months to provide additional space to support emerging COVID needs across the region”. CCLHD said at that time that all other community health services based at Long Jetty Health Care Centre, such as the renal dialysis unit, child and family health, mental health and palliative care services would continue to operate without change.

Health District Chief Executive, Scott McLachlan, said on Tuesday “we are committed to continuing to provide health services from

Long Jetty”.

“We have recently reviewed the health services provided there to ensure we are providing services that best meet the health care needs of the local community,” he said.

“Consultation with our staff and local community was an important part of this process, which identified a need to bring together a comprehensive range of whole-of-lifespan primary and community health care services at the centre.

“In the short-term, we will focus on providing a range of community health, chronic disease management and outof-hospital services from the

site.

“Co-locating these services together will provide our community with easily accessible, holistic and coordinated care from the one site, that will be refurbished to be more fit-for-purpose.

“In the long-term, we will be further engaging with our stakeholders, including our staff, patients, local community and other health partners, to consider what other services may need to be provided at Long Jetty to best meet the health care needs of the community.” McLachlan said.

Sue Murray

Central Coast Local Health District Auxiliary members hand over the new equipment

Eight Coast schools to share $290,000 in funding

Eight schools across the Terrigal Electorate have secured more than $209,000 in funding through the latest round of the NSW Government’s 2022 Community Building Partnership Program.

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the funds will deliver much-needed improvements to local facilities including upgrades to play equipment, new storage sheds and the installation of a new filtered water station.

“This is fantastic news for the schools who received funding across the Terrigal electorate,” he said.

“This grassroots funding will directly help create a more vibrant and inclusive local community with positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes.”

Green Point Christian College

has received $9,858 for the installation of a new filtered water drinking station and Coast Christian School picked

up $20,530 for a covered walkway into the school hall. Copacabana Public School will install a new electronic

sign board with its $40,000 and Kincumber Public School will purchase and install soft play services under playground

equipment with its $50,000 grant.

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch with Copacabana PS

Principal Penny Hooper and P&C President Lucy Wenzke

ASPECT Autism Spectrum

School received $20,000 for a concrete slab for its storage shed and Seventh Day Adventist School will install a new storage shed with its $20,000.

An injection of $18,802 will see Erina Heights Public School resurface its Cola area and Pretty Beach Public School will buy and install new playground equipment with its $40,000 allocation.

The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 18,000 community projects since it commenced in 2009.

Applications for the 2023 Program open in May.

For more information go to www.nsw.gov.au/cbp.

Source: Media release, Feb 24

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch

Special exhibition brightens hospital corridors

A a photography exhibition celebrating the joy and benefits of personal pet visits will adorn the corridors of Gosford Hospital through to April.

The Pets are Family Too exhibition, run in partnership with Gosford Regional Gallery, will feature photos from an innovative research project of the same name conducted by

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) staff.

The project was a collaboration between the Carer Support Unit, Mental Health Services

and the Public Health Unit which set out to explore the impact of allowing patients to have visits from their own pet during hospital stays

Fourteen personal pet visits were carried out over 12 weeks on Inpatient Ward C5 at Gosford Hospital, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients, carers and staff.

Carer Support Unit Manager Tia Covi said the visits resulted in joy, laughter, tears of happiness and smiles.

“Personal pet visits work wonders for many patients and their pets,” she said.

“Being separated from a pet during illness can cause a great deal of anxiety and stress for some people and the pet too.

“Being able to see and hold their beloved pet is so

therapeutic and puts their mind at rest.

“Just like a visit from a family member or friend, pets can provide comfort, entertainment and distraction.

“Many of our patients said they had more energy and motivation after seeing their pet and it can also have a very positive effect on staff and carers.

“Carers commented it felt good to be able to do something to bring joy to their family member or friend and it also exposed them to lots of new supports through the Carer Support Unit.”

The Unit is now using the tools created during the research project to support personal pet visits in some CCLHD wards.

“We do our best to accommodate personal pet visit requests wherever possible with the support of the guidelines and protocols in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pets, patients, carers and staff,” Covi said.

The Pets are Family Too exhibition captures the joy, love and special bonds between patients and their animals.

Photos will be on display on level 4 of the Gosford Hospital tower from February 15-April 13.

For information on personal pet visits at Gosford Hospital email CCLHD-CSUCC@health. nsw.gov.au

Source: Media release, Feb 16 Central Coast Local Health District

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch with Copacabana PS Principal Penny Hooper and P&C President Lucy Wenzke

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch with Erina Heights PS Principal Natalie MacDonald and P&C Treasurer Gail Wood

One of the featured photographs, Zen and Jean

Photo: Hilda Bezuidenhout

DOWN IN THE GARDEN:

IT’S BONSAI TIME

This weekend the Bonsai Open will be held concurrently with the Central Coast Bonsai Club Annual Show, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th March at the Mingara Recreation Club.

With over 150 trees on display, about 500 items available for purchase and some of Australia’s leading Bonsai experts including Marcela Ferreira, Andrew Edge, Hugh Grant, Evan Marsh, Joe Morgan-Payler and Tony Bebb demonstrating, it promises to an event not to missed.

I spoke with Steve Reeve, President of the Central Coast Club which began in the mid 1970s and has currently over 100 active members about the history of Bonsai.

“Bonsai is a Japanese word, but the art started in China around 1,500 years ago.

Not long after that it emerged in Japan and then eventually made its way to the West with the GIs after the Second World War.” On the practice of Bonsai Steve added, “People often say that Bonsai is a cruel art, that it tortures trees, but you can see still living azalea trees in China that are over 1,200 years old and I can guarantee an azalea

living in a suburban garden is not going to live over 1,000 years.

Bonsai increases the longevity of trees and it’s certainly not cruel.” Steve also noted the sense of satisfaction one gets from learning to promote this longevity while enjoying the ability to put your own creative twist to the creation of a Bonsai.

Perhaps in these polarising times, these are reasons why this living art form is rising again popularity.

Bonsai asks us to slow down, to focus on growth, care, and design.

It is an extremely mindful horticultural experience as a grower as well as viewer.

Bonsai Open demonstrator and judge, Australian Bonsai expert Hugh Grant commenced his bonsai journey at the Central Coast Bonsai Club when he was about 12 years old.

GARDEN NEWS

His many years of bonsai study and experience are complemented by his Fine Arts degree, and he is now a fulltime bonsai practitioner, owning ‘Tree Makers’, located in the upper Blue Mountains of NSW. Whilst his business offers a large range of material, Hugh has a passion and preference for specialising in Australian Native trees and plants.

He attributes his skill development to being a part of the bonsai community, constantly attending meetings, lectures and demonstrations and just generally hanging out with other bonsai enthusiasts.

“For the most part, Bonsai centres around design and architecture as a practice, using horticulture as a technical application to produce the product, which is the bonsai tree.

Going into it, (at 12 years of age), I just thought it looked cool.

Bonsai Open hosted by Central Coast Bonsai - Saturday 4 March (9am-5pm) and Sunday 5 March (9am-4pm) at Mingara Events Centre

Along with sales and competition, there will be demonstrations across the weekend from some of the country’s finest bonsai artists including Andrew Edge, Evan Marsh, Hugh Grant, Joe Morgan- Payler, Tony Bebb and Marcela Ferreira.

CoastFM Gardening Gang will be broadcasting live Saturday 8am – 10am Tickets at door: $7 adult, kids free. www.mingara.com.au

Permie Kids: Killcare, Wednesdays 3.30 - 5.30pm

Nature based activities in the garden for 8–12-year-olds. Bookings Essential - $25 per class - SMS Anna 0407 591 278. Coming up: 8 March - Create a Permie Kids Edible Garden; 15 March - Exploring patterns in nature; 22 March - Worm Farms; 29 March - Building habitats for native animals; 5 April - Natural decorations - egg blowing and decorating.

Bush Tucker & Gardening Responsibly: The Australian Plants Society Central Coast March Meeting 1:30pm Saturday 11th March features a talk presented by Samantha Newton of Tonbo Garden Design. She will share news of the ‘Gardening Responsibly’ science-based initiative and give her tips on growing a bush tucker garden. $3 entry. Lucky Door prize and plants are available for sale.

Philip House, 21 Old Mt Penang Road Kariong. www.austplants.com.au

GARDENING PLANNER

This week you could plant: culinary herbs, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, chicory, cress, endive, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, salsify, shallots, silverbeet, spinach, spring onions, swedes, turnips, ageratum, alyssum, calendula, candytuft, carnation, cineraria, columbine, coneflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lobelia, nemesia, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet pea, viola, wallflower

Cheralyn Darcey is a horticulture author and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM96.3, on air locally or streaming by asking ‘play coastfm963’

Archived articles: florasphere.com | Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

I guess my mind was focused on the design aspect, not knowing that I needed the technical ability to keep that plant alive.

This is the problem most beginners face.” Once simple horticultural information about bonsai is obtained and followed it really is not a hard activity at all.

How to Start a Bonsai

After chatting with Steve and Huge my advice for beginners is to get to a nearby Bonsai club and immerse yourself or at least read a reliable book. It’s not a hard technique but it does require dedication and patience.

Like your larger gardening endeavours, you need to consider the fact that every

plant and situation does vary. Here is a simple rundown on the basics.

1. Firstly, choose a tree you feel some affinity with. Have a look at the way this tree may look as a Bonsai as well to help with this decision. Starting from seed may mean a longer journey with your Bonsai so perhaps a seedling may be more to your liking.

There is also the option to start with a young Bonsai and these are easy to obtain.

2. Find a suitable pot and choose a style that you will create.

Again, there are so many resources out there to help in your selection and most enthusiasts believe that the pot forms part of the art of bonsai so choose with that in mind.

Bonsai pots have additional holes to enable the root ball to be wired to the pot for stability.

3. Premixed general bonsai soils are available, and you can make your own but for the best results, you should be creating or obtaining a mix that suits your actual tree type.

4. Roots are perhaps pruned at this point and depending on the size and maturity of your seedling or immature bonsai you most likely will need to need it to wire it to your pot.

5. Looking at your style and depending on the season, you may wire branches to begin shaping your bonsai.

6. Water the tree and place it in a suitable location for its type.

7. Look after it! Bonsai need constant care, they are not ‘set and forget’ houseplants at all, in fact they are not really suited to indoor living.

While some will cope, you need to remember they are trees, and so like most trees, they need direct sunlight and an outdoors aspect to thrive.

Central Coast Bonsai Club

CentralCoastBonsai.com.au

Along with courses, workshops and demonstration, monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month (except Jan) from 7.30pm until 9.30pm in the Tasman Function Room at Mingara Recreation Club. These meetings typically involve a guest speaker/demonstrator describing a different aspect of bonsai.

Community members are welcome to come and enjoy your first meetings without needing to be a member.

All ages and skill levels – be they absolute beginners through to advanced -and welcome all ages.

CHERALYN DARCEY

Photo: Central Coast Bonsai Club

Rugby comp set to kick off with 11 teams

RUGBY

Central Coast Rugby Union is set to kick off this year’s season on March 25, with 11 clubs on the draw following the entry of Lake Macquarie Rugby Club into the competition.

With its application to enter the Hunter Rugby Union 2023 Premier Rugby Competition unsuccessful, the club has been accepted into the Central Coast comp as it grows in player participation and financial sustainability.

A club spokesperson said the

acceptance included a multiyear commitment.

“The club has appointed Matthew Bartley as the Manager of Senior Rugby Operations and David Gould as the Manager of Junior Rugby Operations,” the spokesperson said.

“The club is also pleased to announce that we have retained the mentoring services of Gary Ella.

“This year the Club has engaged Neil McDonald to be the Club’s 1st Grade coach.

“Neil is a Level 3 coach and has coached at NSW

representative level with good success.”

Round 1 of the competition on March 25 will see Gosford play Woy Woy at Gosford Rugby Field, Razorbacks play Kariong at Ourimbah Rugby Park, The Bay play Warnervale at Joseph Banks Oval, The Lakes play Terrigal at Slade Park and Lake Macquarie play Hornsby at Walters Park, Boolaroo. Avoca Beach will have the bye.

Source: Media release, Feb 22 Central Coast Rugby Union

Mariners draw with Phoenix in controversial match

FOOTBALL

The Central Coast Mariners were held to a one-all draw against their New Zealand football rivals Wellington Pheonix at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on Friday night.

In recognition of the Mardi Gras weekend creative director of Naughty Noodle Funhaus

Glitta Supernova performed a colourful coin toss and international entertainer Benjamin Fraser McKenzie went on to hold a colourful music set at halftime.

The Mariners were the first to score in the first half, thanks to a super goal from James McGarry in the 12th minute

and their dominance of the game continued unabated until halftime.

The night was full of controversy however, as the Mariners’ big defender Brian Kaltak was red-carded in the 59th minute for a tackle most commentators called fully legitimate.

Coach Montgomery was also very vocal and was sent from the field by the referee for the remainder of the game for his assertions.

The team was clearly flustered by the decision, though they kept their 10-man structure in place, and it looked like the local boys would take the three points despite the send-offs.

Then late in extra time, Wellington’s Polish forward Zawada scored a ripper backheel goal to equalise.

The local crowd was flabbergasted as they witnessed yet again their team miss out on a win and the vital league ladder points.

The Mariners risk losing their second position on the ladder when Adelaide United play Melbourne Victory on Saturday.

The Central Coast outfit will now turn their focus to next weekend’s away game against Western Sydney Wanderers before returning to Gosford on March 11 to take on MacArthur FC.

$23M funding promise for surf life saving clubs

The Entrance candidate in the March 25 State election, Nathan Bracken, says the $23M commitment by the Liberals to surf lifesaving clubs would include rescue vehicles, jet skis and more to significantly enhance their capability.He said the funding would be the biggest investment in Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) in its 116-year history.

“There are 21,000 volunteer lifesavers in NSW and hundreds of these are in our own Central Coast region,” Bracken said.

“Support for frontline services is a key initiative from the Perrottet Liberal team and it is only possible because of the strong economic record in NSW.

“I am proud to be part of a team that is delivering record funding to secure a brighter future for our volunteer

lifesavers who are so integral to our community.

“They do an incredible job keeping our beaches safe.”

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $23M funding commitment consists of 22 new rescue vehicles and 68 new jet skis, which can also be deployed during other natural disasters like floods.

Also, there will be 40 additional Emergency Response Beacons, enabling

lifesavers to remotely monitor unpatrolled sections of the NSW coastline, as well as additional emergency management staff permanently based in Regional NSW.

There will be radio communications upgrades and an additional $5M for the Surf Club Facility Program (taking it to $15M in total), which is administered by the Office of Sport to develop facilities that increase participation in surf life saving for all people, increase usage and improve safety.

SLSNSW President, George Shales, said an investment in lifesavers was an investment in community safety.

“I welcome this funding announcement, which is a significant increase on previous NSW Government support for our thousands of volunteers and staff,” he said.

“Every single dollar will make a difference to the equipment and resources our volunteers rely on, helping us to save more lives.”

Minister for Emergency

Services and Resilience, Steph Cooke, said the funding commitment for SLSNSW came at a critical time.

“This summer is not over yet but we’ve already experienced record numbers of rescues and, sadly, drownings. This extra funding will go a long way towards ensuring our volunteers are better supported to keep our communities safer and stronger,” she said.

Source: Media release, Feb 21 Liberal Candidate for The Entrance, Nathan Bracken

An action shot from last year’s grand final between Terrigal and the Razorbacks Photo Nick Friend

From left: Sheldon Finn from Surf Life Saving NSW, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke, Liberal candidate for The Entrance Nathan Bracken and Surf Life Saving’s Mark Zucconi Lic: 173676C

David Abrahams

The team celebrate James McGarry’s early goal

Photo: CCM Media

The Entrance takes out T20 grand final as first grade finals loom

CRICKET

There was plenty of action in a sensational day of T20 cricket on Sunday, February 26, at Tuggerah Sports Complex, with two exciting finals leading up to a massive grand final in the afternoon.

Ultimately, ladder leader The Entrance was declared the competition winner for 2022/23.

The morning’s two matches went down to the wire to determine who would be backing up for the chance to play the grand final.

The eventual overall winner, The Entrance set a score of 9/123 for Kincumber to chase down, but they were all out for 119 in the 20th over.

For The Entrance, Eknoor Singh managed to add more than half the team score to the board, finishing 69 off 58 incl 9 x 4s.

Wade Burrows added 25 to the total.

Harry Woodhead got 28 off 25 and Jayden Camp 27 off 29 for Kincumber.

In the bowling, The Entrance’s Conner Haddow an impressive 3 for 16 off 3.5, Broc Hardy 2 for 20 off 4 and Eknoor Singh 2 for 27 off 4.

Rob Lavery, Bryce Birks and Zakary Graham took two wickets a piece for Kincumber.

Brisbane Water took on Warnervale’s 8/110, taking the win in 18.1 overs with 5/111.

David Mitchell top scored for BW on 48 off 46, with Mitchell McNeilly clocking up 42 off 45 for Warnervale before being bowled by Alex Searle, who took 2 for 18 off 3.

Brisbane Water’s Shaun Eaton also took 2 for 15 off 4 and Lachlan Spencer 2 for 19 off 3 for the win.

Warnervale’s Kaleb Daley was their bowler of note for the match, managing 2 for 31 off 4.

Then came the grand final.

The Entrance again set a big score of 3/194 for Brisbane Water to chase down.

The runners-up finished 8/106.

Jake Hardy played a sensational game, with a total

of 76 not out off just 41 balls, including 5 x 4s and 5 x 6s.

Simon Keen just missed out on a half-century, finishing on 49 off 26, with 9 x 4s and 1 x 6, Eknoor Singh 44 off 45 with 3 x 4s.

Of the Brisbane Water batters, the best was Haider Zaidi, 35

not out off 42. Broc Hardy took 2 for 18 off 4 for The Entrance, while BW’s bowlers had an uphill battle, Haider Zaidi, captain Shaun Eaton and Alex Searle took one wicket each.

Meanwhile, finals start on March 4-5 in the Diggers The

Entrance men’s First Grade comp.

Day Two of Round Nine saw Southern Spirit win outright (103 and 3/82) over Kincumber Avoca (54 and 9-d/130).

The Entrance started with a massive total of 437, which Lisarow couldn’t match –

finishing up on 120.

Wyong scored 7/213, surpassing Brisbane Water’s 175 from last week.

In the day’s closest match, Narara Wyoming held off Warnervale for a win, with Warnervale 141 left one run short of Narara’s 142.

Northern Power batted 176 to take the win away from Terrigal Matcham, 116.

The finals will see The Entrance take on Northern Power while Terrigal Matcham will face Kincumber Avoca.

Round 18 of the women’s Ibis Styles The Entrance First Grade comp was also the last before finals.

Narara Wyoming 4/86 just took the win away from Kincumber Avoca 5/85.

Lisarow Ourimbah 1/163 defeated Northern Power 3/98 at Taylor Park.

Terrigal Matcham 4/165 defeated Wyong 4/116.

Source: Media release, Feb 26, 2023 Central Coast Cricket

Two Coast events aim to get women in the water

SURF LIFE SAVING

Two Central Coast surf clubs will share almost $9,000 from the NSW Government in support of NSW Women’s Week from March 6-12.

Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club (ABSLC) will receive $5,000 for its Women in the Water program and Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club collects $3,900 for a Women in Lifesaving networking event.

Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s Women in the Water event will be held at 9.30 am on Sunday, March 12, inside the club and finishing on the beach and in the water.

It will be a free social event for women and girls in Avoca Beach and the surrounding community to bring females together to be inspired by other women and to reinforce that everyone is welcome at ABSLSC.

There will be a free brunch featuring an inspiring guest speaker, local female heroes from the surf club and a lifesaving demonstration showing what a rip looks like and concluding with some fun play in the water.

The club’s women and girls members are invited to bring along their female friends.

“ABSLSC has over 1000 members and about 47 per cent female membership,”

President Stu Harvey said.

“The Club is a hub for the local community, but we know that sometimes women are hesitant to be involved.

“We know that people are more likely to get involved if they are invited by a friend, so we hope that by holding this event women know how important they are to us.”

Also to be held on March 12 is Terrigal Surf Lifesaving Club’s Women in Lifesaving Lunch and engagement workshop from noon-2pm.

“This directly aligns with the health and wellbeing and participation/empowerment focus areas for Women’s Week 2023,” spokesperson Julie Redfern said.

“We will bring together 100 women to celebrate their

volunteerism in surf lifesaving.

“We will have guest speakers who focus on leadership, health and empowerment as

physical lifesavers, mentors and role models for the hundreds of young girls coming through.

“Our goal is to unite women lifesavers to realise their potential.

“Surf lifesaving is a traditionally male dominated area.

“Women need support to get back on boards, practice first aid and (participate in) rescues and swimming.”

Redfern said the event also aimed to foster confidence and willingness to take on leadership by bringing in other lifesavers such as Jenni Darwin from SLSNSW Member Services and Australian Lifesaver of the Year Shannon Fox to inspire women in the community.

They are two of 45 events state-wide promoting and supporting women’s education,

employment and wellbeing to receive funding.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the Government is providing $200,000 in grants to support Women’s Week events which help connect and celebrate the incredible contributions of women in the state.

The NSW Women’s Week Grants Program provided grants of $3,000 to $5,000 for events that support at least one of the key priorities of the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026.

These include improving women’s economic opportunities, health and wellbeing, and participation in community.

Terry Collins

•

•

•

The victorious team from The Entrance

The Terrigal event will celebrate volunteerism in surf lifesaving

Graham takes back to back medals at World Championships

SKIING

Central Coast mogul skier

Matt Graham has taken two medals for Australia at the 2023 FIS World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia.

Graham took a silver medal on January 25, following up with a bronze on January 26, becoming just the second Australian to ever win two medals at a FIS World Championships after Dale Begg-Smith’s gold and silver in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, in 2007.

Graham has now collected an impressive four World Championship medals across his career and has won at least

one medal at each of the past three World titles, which are held every two years.

On January 25, the 2018 Olympic silver medallist placed fifth in the first round of finals with a score of 85.60 points, and then stepped it up in the super-final with a huge score of 88.90 points together with the fastest speed in 22.49 seconds.

Edging out Graham to take the win by just 0.92 points in the last run of the day was the defending World Champion Canadian Mikael Kingsbury, with Walter Walberg of Sweden rounding out the podium in third with a score of 88.52 points.

“It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” Graham, 28, said.

“Everyone was skiing so well today and so fast.

“In my last run I felt like I had to find three points on top of the other guys, so I just rally planted that top air well, charged though the middle section and then was just hanging on to get off the bottom air and managed to put it to my feet.

“When the score came up and it was over 88, that was awesome;, I knew I had put the pressure on the top guys and managed to hold onto second place, so I am over the moon.

“My expectations were to come here and enjoy the experience, and really focus on putting down clean runs that I am happy with, and the results would take care of themselves.

“If I put that run down and came fifth place then so be it, but fortunately enough it was good for a silver, so I am really happy.”

The following day, Graham was full of confidence heading into the dual moguls, which will feature in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 2026 at Milano-Cortina, Italy.

Graham had victories in the round of 32 against British skier Thomas Gerken-Schofield and Kosuke Sugimoto in the round of 16 to reach the quarter final stage.

After defeating Nick Page of the USA in the quarter-final, Graham then faced 2022 Olympic gold medallist Walter Wallberg of Sweden in the

semi-final, going down 14-21 points.

In the duel for the bronze medal, Graham defeated Pavel Kolmakov of Kazakhstan with a score of 20-15 for his second medal at the World Championships.

“To go back-to-back in any World Cup or World Championships is awesome,” Graham said.

“Now we have the opportunity to do it at the Olympics in three years’ time; assuming I am there – that’s what I will be chasing.”

Graham said the duals contest was “pretty exhausting”.

“There are a lot of runs in duals and the intensity was so high, and it’s been a long week

with three training days and two competition days,” he said.

“At the top I was just trying to psych myself up and get the legs firing each run and just happy to make it down and get through all the rounds and come away with a bronze medal.

“Strength and conditioning off snow is so important, and now having duals at the Olympics it’s even more important to have to put runs down back-to-back on such a quick timeline, so I guess I need to get home and back in the gym.”

Verified source: Media release, Feb 26, 2023 Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

Lake Munmorah Olympic sprinter turns coach

A former Olympic 400m sprinter, Maree Holland of Lake Munmorah, is the latest high-profile athlete to join the Fit For Sport coaching team.

Holland was a 400m finalist at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and one of only four Australian women to ever make an Olympic 400m final (the others being Cathy Freeman, Betty Cuthbert and Charlene Rendina), and she’s ranked the all-time number three 400m female in Australia.

“I have lived the life of a promising athlete from the age of 10, where I was a junior level Australian competitor at

athletics and cross country,” she said.

“As I took on more training loads and an even greater appreciation for success I became a two-time national senior champion who went on to represent my country at the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and Athletics World Cup.

“Those years working under various internationally successful coaches have given me both the desire and tools to coach which I have taken into my senior life.

“My passion remains coaching and fitness and providing awareness of

activities and sports as a way to a better life,” Holland said. She still holds the NSW 400m

record and the Oceania 400m indoor record and held the Australian record from 1988 to 1994.

Last week Holland got her first view of the local talent in the Fit For Sport program at the Wyong Rugby League Club grounds where more than 70 young sportspeople are being put through their paces each Monday afternoon.

Holland is joined on the coaching team by Keatyn Davies (nee Windley) who represented Australia in 2003 and 2008.

Owner Paul Nancarrow set up the Fit For Sport program last November to provide speed and athletic development training for junior athletes across all sports.

He’s a local conditioning and

sprints coach, and the former coach of Davies, as well as a former premiership winner with the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Jets.

“The growth has been phenomenal and has far exceeded expectations,” he said.

“We now work with a number of teams all over the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie and have been invited to conduct clinics as far south as Merimbula and all the way north to Yamba,” Nancarrow said.

Source: Media release, Feb 24 Fit For Sport

Maree Holland (left), Paul Nancarrow and Keatyn Davies

Graham was elated to take a silver medal

Graham in action on January 25