Call to keep control of wetland in community hands

The newly formed Protect Central Coast Wetland Alliance has called on the NSW Government to provide assurances that the Central Coast Wetland, located on the former Pioneer Dairy at Tuggerah, will not be placed under an administrator.

“We have written to the Minister for Lands and Water, Kevin Anderson, seeking his assurances that the Crown Lands Trust for the Central Coast Wetland will not be placed under the control of a NSW Government-appointed administrator,” spokesperson Anne Craig said.

Craig, who has been involved in the protection of this site for over 30 years, said the NSW Government needs to take urgent action to retain a committee of management for the site, comprising suitable community representatives.

“Crown Lands recently advertised for expressions of interest to recruit new trust committee members for the site and they can expeditiously repeat that process to fill recent vacancies on the committee of management,” she said.

“We are certain that if more vacancies are advertised there will be more than enough suitably qualified applicants to ensure the trust continues to benefit from a strong community-focused committee of management.

“The Central Coast community is tired of being placed ‘under administration’ by the NSW Government and we cannot find a reasonable explanation for the Government wanting to take yet another of our natural assets out of our community’s caring hands.”

Mike Campbell, who campaigned to stop the former Pioneer Dairy from being the site of a coal mine and coalfired power station in the 1980s, said Minister Anderson may not have been aware of the site’s history and its importance to community wellbeing and to biodiversity on the Central Coast.

“The Central Coast Wetland was protected and placed under the management of a community committee after a concerted, long-term campaign by a dedicated group of residents,” he said.

“Since then, countless hours have been spent by local volunteers regenerating the site to a point where it is now a thriving and viable wetland environment, attracting significant migratory bird species, providing habitat for threatened and endangered species and contributing to the health of Wyong River and the Tuggerah Lakes system.

“At a time when Central Coast Council is under administration we are urging the government to keep the iconic Central Coast Wetland under the management of a community committee.

“There is no reason for Crown Lands to place this site under administration – all it needs to do is advertise another EOI and recruit new committee members.

“We are asking the Government to have a little faith in the people of the Central Coast to fill the committee vacancies and get on with protecting and promoting this magnificent natural asset.”

Coast commuters could save thousands under toll cap scheme

Central Coast residents could save thousands of dollars in tolls if the Labor Party wins government at the March 25 State election.

Labor will introduce a $60 weekly toll cap to help combat skyrocketing toll charges.

Coast commuter who travels to Sydney each day Monday to Friday would save over $8,000 per year in tolls under the scheme, with some drivers paying up to $47.76 every day - or $238.80 per week – to get to work.

The cap would be on top of the existing toll rebate and M5 cashback schemes.

Drivers would not pay more than $60 a week in tolls under the cap, which would be in place for two years beginning on January 1, 2024

It would be administered by Service NSW, with any tolls charged above the cap refunded on a quarterly basis.

A Labor Government would also appoint Professor Allan Fels, former chairman of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), to lead an overhaul of the toll network.

He would be responsible for negotiating with tolling operators to drive a good deal for motorists; and look at longterm reform options to overhaul the tolling system in NSW.

His review and recommendations would be made public, wold be open to submissions and consult with the transport sector and the toll paying public.

Central Coast Labor MPs say the plan would get the balance right between short-term, immediate toll relief over the next two years and long-term reform.

Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham joined local Labor MPs on February 27 to announce the move, saying the Liberals’ “toll mania policy” is hurting the family budget.

“We recognise that people right across the Central Coast are paying thousands of dollars in tolls (and) only Labor has a plan to combat rising tolls,” he said.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the move would provide relief to those people who are forced to use toll roads for their daily commute and Member for The Entrance David Mehan said the tolling system is way out of touch.

“Capping these costs makes sense and will mean more money for the family budget,” he said.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the plan would put more money in the pockets of commuters immediately and put downward pressure on the ballooning cost of living.

“Coasties are paying out of their noses to get to work; we will end this huge cost to families,” she said.

Candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton said everyone on the Coast has family or friends who have to commute to Sydney for work or study.

“Labor’s policy will help to ease the rising cost of living pressures for Central Coast households,” he said.

Source: Media release, Feb 28 Central Coast Labor MPs