Wyong takes out regional firefighting championships

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A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) team from Wyong has once again claimed brigade bragging rights by taking out the first round of the 2023 firefighting championships.

The station has been the state champion since 2018 and had two teams entered in the northern region competition which was held at Swansea last weekend.

Wyong 1 claimed top spot on the overall winner’s podium after placing first or second in almost every round, as a wide range of skills in the use of fire pumpers, hoses, ladders, extinguishers and breathing apparatus was tested.

“We are really happy with how things went; it’s probably the toughest competition we’ve had in a while,” FRNSW Wyong Captain Jamie Loader said.

“It was a really close tussle between first and second place … it came down to the last event and we only won that by a second or so.

“It was good to be pushed really hard, under hot and difficult conditions.”

All up, 14 crews from 11 stations took part in the twoday event.

Wyong 1 notched up 1,376 points, ahead of the secondplaced Kootingal Rural Fire Service on 1,251 points and competition host team Wangi Wangi 1, which finished third on 650 points.

Wyong’s win sees it charge towards the State Championships in October 2024, to face-off against a host of teams after a southern competition is held in August this year and two more regional events take place next year.

The championships first took place in 1932 in New South Wales, helping firefighters maintain their specialist skills to protect the irreplaceable and generate friendly rivalry among fire stations and emergency services.

Source: Media release, Mar 30 Fire and Rescue NSW

Passed away at St George Public Hospital, Kogarah. The family would like to hear from any friends, acquaintances or members of the public who had dealings with Glen before his passing.

Please contact the Tumut branch of Commins Hendriks Solicitors on 0269471966 if you have any information or if you know anyone that does. May he rest in peace.

Labor pledges $40M for Gosford bypass missing link

With the State election just days away, the Labor Party has pledged $40M for detailed planning of “the missing link” Stage 4 of the Gosford Bypass, if elected on March 25.

The Gosford Bypass project is a staged road upgrade of the Pacific Hwy extending from the M1 at Ourimbah to-andincluding Manns Rd at West Gosford.

It comprises five stages, but the fourth and critical stage of the upgrade has been put on pause by the State Government since 2016, with no work anticipated for another 10 years.

The creation of two lanes in each direction at Manns Rd between Narara Creek Rd at Narara and Parsons Rd at Lisarow will improve traffic flow and safety for all road users.

Member for the Entrance

David Mehan has been advocating for the works to continue for some time, including introducing a Notice of Motion to Parliament last year to draw attention to the slow progress.

“The Gosford Bypass is a major transport route for Central Coast residents,” Mehan said.

“This stretch of road has been bumper-to-bumper for far too long and we deserve better.

“With more than 30,000 motorists using this route daily it is imperative for the work to begin.”

Joining Mehan in making the announcement on Wednesday, March 22 was Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch.

“After 12 long years of a Liberal Government we need investment of our seriously under-funded roads,” she said.

“Stage 4 of the Gosford Bypass will cut down travel time for hundreds of Central Coast commuters to-and-from work and to the school gates.”

The MPs said the state of NSW roads, especially in rural and regional areas, was appalling and downright dangerous, with major flooding in recent years ripping up roads and cauing serious potholes across major road networks.

A Labor Government would also deliver a $1.1B package of road capital upgrades over the next three years, bringing new and improved roads across Sydney and regional NSW to ensure better connectivity.

Labor has announced more than $130M of roads upgrades specifically in regional NSW.