Business community welcomes new government

The business community on the Central Coast has welcomed the new Labor State Government and expressed hopes that a “fresh start” will see expanded opportunities for the region.

With all four Labor MPs in the region retaining their seats and Terrigal still too close to call, Business NSW Regional Director Central Coast Paula Martin said it was a “critical time” for the Central Coast and the state.

“NSW Labor’s priorities of spending restraint, toll relief, increasing affordable housing and fixing the state’s workers compensation scheme have clearly resonated with NSW voters,” Martin said.

“The Central Coast business community has a strong ambition for regional growth and are ready to invest, grow and create jobs with the right measures for growth in place.

“In particular we look forward to the prospect of a Minister for the Central Coast and the focus that role can bring to drive regional and economic development for all our business community.

“I am hoping some of our Central Coast based MPs earn

Ministerial and Cabinet positions to recognise their commitment and give the Central Coast a true voice in the new Government.

“The requests from the region are very clear and we look forward to working with the new government and collaborating together to achieve our respective objectives, particularly progress of the Gosford Waterfront.”

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said the change in government was “a rare opportunity to implement sweeping change across the Central Coast”.

“NSW Labor ran an excellent campaign which was underpinned locally by Liesl Tesch who has been a great hard working advocate for the Woy Woy Peninsula,” Wales said.

“As we said during the election, grass roots local representation is vital.

“NSW Labor gave us good solid candidates with proven track records and that has been reflected in the election results.

“Once the dust has settled, the Chamber will be pushing the new State Government for more funding for local roads and for improvements in the way Central Coast Council interacts with the local community.

“Our local roads are a disgrace and the Chamber will be seeking State Government funding to assist Council in road reconstruction works.”

Wales said the Chamber believes that one of the underlying reasons for the region-wide swing to Labor was the backlash over the way Central Coast Council has managed the period of administration following the sacking of the former Council.

“It is important that the new State Government exert more influence on the Council to ensure that there is more transparency over Council decisions and better communications with the ratepayer,” he said.

“The Chamber also wants to see more state funds flow to the Central Coast for major infrastructure projects rather than the disproportionate focus on Western Sydney.

“We have seen billions of dollars flow to Western Sydney while the Central Coast has had to fight for the loose change.

“The business community looks forward to working with the new Government and the newly elected local members.”

Terry Collins