Another disaster wiping out beehives

The Central Coast bee industry has been struck another devastating blow with five new areas infested with Varroa Mite and an expansion of the Central Coast Eradication Zone further south. See page 20

Battle lines drawn for State election

With just over a week to go before the March 25 State election, ballot positions have been drawn and the major parties are vying for votes with pledges galore.

The Central Coast’s five electorates will field a total of 26 candidates, with a variety of smaller parties and independents challenging the Liberals (LNP) and the Labor Party (ALP) for the seats of Gosford, Terrigal, The Entrance, Wyong and Swansea.

Of the region’s five seats all but one are currently held by the ALP, with Terrigal‘s incumbent Liberal Member Adam Crouch set to run for his third term against Labor hopeful Sam Boughton.

Fighting to retain their seats will be Labor MPs Liesl Tesch (Gosford), David Mehan (The Entrance) and Yasmin Catley (Swansea).

Out to wrestle the electorates from the Labor stronghold for the Liberals will be Deanna Bocking (Gosford), Nathan Bracken (The Entrance) and Megan Anderson (Swansea).

Sitting Labor Member David Harris is almost guaranteed to retain his seat of Wyong with the last-minute disendorsement of Liberal candidate Matthew Squires on March 13 (see

(Gosford); Imogen da Silva (Terrigal); Doug Williamson (Wyong); Ralph Stephenson (The Entrance); and Heather Foord (Swansea).

Region specific pledges made by Labor include: $8M over four years to Central Coast Council to fund vital footpath projects across the region; extension of the 24-hour Economy Strategy to include the Coast and provide a more vibrant night life; a funding boost for Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre

Sport

separate story).

If the state results reflect last year’s Federal election, The Greens could record a marked increase in votes, with their preferences vital to the eventual outcome.

The Greens will field candidates in all five seats: Hilary van Haren