Issue 81 of Wyong Regional Chronicle

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November 13, 2015

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Issue 81

Council resolves to acquire part of Wyong Grove he acting CEO of Wyong Council has been authorised to acquire approximately one quarter of the Wyong Grove school site and carriage way at a fair market value.

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A mayoral minute presented to the November 11 ordinary meeting of Wyong Council resulted in the Council resolving to go ahead with an attempt to acquire those parts of the former public school considered essential for organisations such as the Wyong Drama Group.

The plan is to acquire those land and buildings either by agreement or compulsory process.

The council authorised the acting CEO to execute all necessary documentation relevant to the acquisition.

The school site, when purchased, will be classified as operational land for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1993.

If the site has to be obtained using a compulsory process, it will be done “pursuant to the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991,” according to the adopted mayoral minute.

Council will make an application to the Minister for Finance to commence compulsory

Wyong Drama Group members protest the sale of the Grove

acquisition of part of the site.

The entire school site was recently sold by the Department of Education, at auction, to a Sydney developer, for $4.45 million.

If the Minister gives his consent, then Council can begin negotiations with the new owner to acquire the part of the site currently used as the Wyong Grove Cultural and Community Hub. Mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, said Council was true to its word and would now pursue compulsory acquisition so this important site can continue as a community facility.

“We went to the auction in good faith and were hopeful of securing the site ourselves due to its high importance to our

community,” Cr Eaton said.

“I even told bidders at the auction we would seek to compulsorily acquire the site – so everyone knew what we wanted to do.

“So now it is time to act.

“We can’t afford the whole site, so we will now move to try to acquire the part of the site which will provides the best value for the community.”

Council spent over $100,000 upgrading the former school buildings which are currently home to a number of local community and drama groups.

It is these buildings Council will now seek to acquire under compulsory acquisition arrangements.

If the owner wishes to develop the rest of the

site, it will be subject to the normal Council development application process.

“This whole process has caused a great deal of stress in the local community which has been really unnecessary,” Cr Eaton said.

“The State Government broke its promise to the community but Council will not, and will now step in and attempt to save this important community facility.”

In NSW, all levels of government can acquire privately owned land for public purposes.

They may acquire the whole property, part of a property or an interest in the property, including easements for power lines, sewer or water.

Most privately owned land, required by

government for public purposes, is acquired by negotiation and agreement between the landholder and the acquiring authority.

The process is expected to take several months.

“Obviously the hall is not included on the basis that the arthouse is developed and it has a studio of the size of the hall and is more adaptable,” Cr Eaton said at the November 11 general meeting of Wyong Council.

Cr Eaton said he expected the fair market value of the area Wyong Council wishes to purchase to be between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Acting CEO of Wyong Council, Mr Rob Noble said he had received a briefing from the relevant

director following a discussion with the purchaser of Wyong Grove.

“They are in discussion with another buyer for the purchase of a small part of the site that is similar to what we are looking at,” Mr Noble said.

“The level of pricing they are looking at is rather alarming to me and we need to keep that in mind,” he said.

The motion to move forward with the compulsory acquisition of a portion of the site was carried unanimously.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Mayoral minute 1.6, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council Media release, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council media Meeting transcript, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

Directory

P22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Wyong services directory

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Ambulance, Police, Fire 000 Family Drug Support 1300 368 186 G-line - Gambling Helpline 1800 633 635 Credit Helpline 1800 808 488 Child Support Agency 13 12 72 Australian Injury Helpline 1800 223 363 Veteran Affairs Network 1300 551 918 Mens Domestic Violence 1800 000 599 Sexual Assault Resource 1800 199 888 Gay and Lesbian Counselling 1800 184 527 Gay and Lesbian Support 1800 249 377 Youth Sexuality Network 4320 2856 Vietnam Veterans 1800 043 503 Victims Support Services 1800 633 063 Translation and Interpreting Service 13 14 50

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Organisations Aboriginal Legal Service 8842 8000 Community Options 4351 3388 Bungree Aboriginal Association 4397 7700 Mingaletta 4342 7515 Aboriginal Home Care 4321 7215 Drug & Alcohol rehab 4388 6360 Respite Care Options 4351 3388 Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health 4351 1040 Darkinjung Local Land Council 4351 2930

Accommodation Dept. of Housing Wyong 4352 4400 Wyong accomodation support program 4351 0365 Pacific Link Com Housing 4324 7617 Samaritans Youth Services 4351 1922 Youth Accom Hotline 1800 424 830 Temporary Accommodation 1800 152 152

The world’s longest and Australia’s first rollercoaster zip lines ramp up the WOW adventure factor as they swoop, twist, turn and zig zag through the trees in Ourimbah State Forest.

The rollercoaster zip lines combine the thrill and suspense of a rollercoaster with the flying sensations of zip lines.

The Crazy Riders are exhilarating experiences and the Xtreme is 1km long so the prize is subject to safety

Prize winners may be required to pick up their prize from our Gosford office. Entries may be passed on to prize providers for marketing purposes.

Family and Relationships Parents Helpline 132 055 Oasis Youth Centre 4353 9799 Horizons (For families) 4351 5008 Interrelate - Family Relationships 1300 736 966

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Mensline - talk with a bloke 1300 789 978 Lifecare Family Services 1300 130 225 CatholicCare: 4356 2600 Relationship Australia: 1300 364 277 Interrelate: 1800 449 118

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Police Assistance Line 131 444 Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Wyong Police Station 4356 6099 Energy Australia 13 13 88 Gas Emergency 131 909 Wyong Shire Council 4350 5555 Marine Rescue - Central Coast 4325 7929 SES - Storm and Flood Emergency 132 500

G-Line Telephone Counsel 1800 633 635 Gamblers Anonymous 9726 6625 Alcoholics Anonymous 4323 3890 Narcotics Anonymous 4325 0524 Quitline 131 848

Welfare Services Coast Community Centre 4325 3510 Horizons Family Services 4351 5008 Meals on Wheels Wyong - 4333 6942 Department of Community Services Wyong 4352 6500 The Salvation Army 4325 5733 Samaritans Emergency Relief 4393 2450 St Vincent De Paul Society HELPLINE 4323 6081

Crisis Services and Helplines Lifeline - 24 hr. 13 11 14 Suicide Helpline 1800 191 919 Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Parents Helpline 13 20 55 Indigenous Call Centre 136 380 Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321

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Leopard seal comes ashore at Ocean Beach A leopard seal chose Ocean Beach to come ashore and spend a day of rest on Sunday, September 27.

A leopard seal spent the day at Ocean Beach Umina recently

north in terms of their position in the food chain,” he said.

Their spot at the top end of the food chain means leopard seals are healthy in numbers and they are solitary animals so it is not unusual to see them alone.

Mr Ling said leopard seals had

been known to turn up on Ocean Beach from time to time because of its proximity to Lion Island which is home to a colony of Little Penguins.

“When you are a seal you like to eat big fish like salmon and tailor but what they really like to eat is penguins,” he said.

Mr Ling said the seal, which was not identified as female or male, was most likely ashore at Umina for rest and recuperation and it was not unusual to see seals on land.

Mr Ling and other volunteers took the time to observe its body shape, the condition of its eyes,

nose and mouth and came to the conclusion that it was in fine health.

“It only had a few battle scars,” he said.

The observations helped Orrca to identify the same seal when it came ashore at Stockton five days later.

Although it is not unusual to see a leopard seal on land, Mr Ling said it was important to keep at least 40 metres away from the mammal.

“They are very fast on land and they can lunge big distances.

“They also have big teeth and they are not afraid to use them.

“They are very unpredictable and their demeanor can change quickly,” he said.

The Central Coast is home to significant numbers of Orrca volunteers, Mr Ling said.

The organisation is now in its 30th year of rescuing marine mammals and does not accept any government funding.

Interview, 7 Oct 2015 Ronny Ling, ORRCA Reporter, Jackie Pearson

Local beaches are given mixed ratings Pearl Beach, Umina Beach and Killcare were graded good in this year’s NSW State of the Beaches report, but other local beaches did not fare so well.

Ocean Beach was rated as poor in the latest report and deemed to be suitable for swimming 82 per cent of the time.

Ocean Beach can be impacted by polluted outflow from Brisbane Water, according to the report.

“It is recommended that swimming be avoided during and up to one day after rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater pollution,” the report said.

The Peninsula’s estuarine beaches, Pretty Beach baths, Ettalong Channel, Woy Woy baths, and Patonga Creek were graded poor.

The report said they were frequently suitable for swimming during dry weather.

“However, elevated levels of enterococci were recorded following light rainfall,” the report said.

“Elevated enterococci levels were often recorded during both dry and wet weather conditions at Ettalong Channel … and Woy Woy Baths.

Enterococci is a bacteria excreted in faeces and rarely present in

unpolluted waters.

Beachwatch tests for enterococci because it is considered to be the single preferred indicator of faeces in marine water.

Beaches rated good are suitable for swimming most of the time.

A poor rating means the location is susceptible to faecal pollution and not always suitable for swimming.

“Swimming at the estuarine beaches is best avoided during and for up to three days following rainfall or it there are any signs of stormwater pollution.

In terms of ocean baths, Pearl Beach rockpool was graded as poor.

“Water quality was frequently suitable for swimming during dry weather conditions, with elevated enterococci levels recorded following 5mm or more of rainfall.

“It is recommended that swimming in the baths be avoided during and for up to one day following rainfall or if there are any signs of pollution,” the report said.

Elevated levels of microbial contamination were recorded at most swimming sites in late January and early February, due to very heavy rainfall.

Twenty-four hour rainfall totals exceeded 200 mm at Ettalong and

86 mm at Killcare on January 18.

In April 2015, several sewage pumping stations overflowed to local waterways due to power outages caused by the East Coast Low storm event.

The wet weather conditions and power outages caused bypasses at the Woy Woy sewage treatment plant.

Gosford Council issued a public health alert advising the community to avoid swimming and other activities at all public waterways due to the potential health risk.

Swimming sites graded as poor have permanent advisory signs recommending that swimming should be avoided for up to three days after rain in estuarine/lagoon environments and up to one day after rain at beaches.

According to the BeachWatch report, Gosford Council investigates algal blooms, sewage contamination and stormwater pollution at designated swimming sites.

“If algal blooms are confirmed, the council erects algal bloom signs and liaises with the NSW Office of Water’s Hunter Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (HRACC).

“If sewage contamination is suspected temporary signs are

immediately erected and a media release may be issued.

“Only when water quality results indicate that the site is suitable for swimming are the temporary signs removed.

“If stormwater pollution is suspected temporary signs are erected.”

Council has approved works for the $15–17 million Cockle Bay Towns Sewerage Project.

This project intends to deliver an improved sewer service to properties located within Empire Bay. According to the report, works undertaken to improve the quality of stormwater entering receiving waters include: installation of stormwater quality improvement devices such as gross pollutant traps, trash racks, silt traps and basins; vegetative filter systems and constructed wetlands; installation of dog poo bins in popular dog walking areas; stormwater community education projects; riparian rehabilitation; and enforcement of the council’s erosion, sediment and nutrient control regulations.

“Council conducted an upgrade to Pearl Beach Rockpool, with works including the installation of gutters to improve pool flushing with a 1.5 m

tide.

“The pool is cleaned four times a year and relies on tides to flush and top it up with fresh water.

“Gosford Council has invested in stormwater quality improvement devices at a number of key strategic locations including drainage outlets at Umina and Ettalong.

“These devices are regularly inspected and maintained as part of the council’s routine maintenance program.

“Coastal Zone Management Plans are being implemented for all catchments within the local government area.

“These plans provide direction and guidance for the management of estuaries and their catchments to achieve long-term improvements in waterway health.

“Plans have been developed for the Lower Hawkesbury River (2009), Brisbane Water (2012) and Pearl Beach Lagoon (2014).

Report, 7 Oct 2015 State of the Beaches 2014-15 Central Coast NSW NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage

THIS ISSUE contains 59 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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The Antarctic mammal, which was over two metres long, was spotted by a passer-by who called the 24-hour hotline of volunteer marine mammal rescue organisation Orrca about its presence at Umina around 9am on the Sunday.

Orrca president Mr Ronny Ling said he happily made the trip from Sydney to spend the day at Umina observing the seal.

“Our immediate response to the call was to get people down there and we had wonderful support from the Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club and the local National Parks and Wildlife Service,” Mr Ling said.

Mr Ling said only a handful of these predators get into the currents and make the journey this far north.

“They are important to the food chain down there.

“They are the Antarctic equivalent of the Polar Bear in the

Peninsula

E FRE

October 21, 2015 12 October 2015

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Issue 79

Council resolves to compulsorily acquire The Grove if unsuccessful at auction

IPART recommends Gosford Council amalgamates T

he NSW Independent P r i c i n g and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has announced that, on the basis of Gosford Council’s proposal to continue operating as a stand-alone local government, it has been rated unfit.

David Harris said the Wyong Grove School site should not be sold

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Wyong Musical Society's production of The Little Mermaid was staged at The Grove

yong Council has resolved to take ownership of the former can’t let that happen,” Mr and set building and an only agreed to their intimate theatre space for school being closed Wyong Grove school site, which includes resolutions necessary Roome said.

The future of small productions. because it was going to initiate a compulsory acquisition of the site.

“This resumption will save Wyong Grove and keep it for the community,” said Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM. “The NSW Government is proposing to sell the site at a public auction before the end of the month.

“If Council is unsuccessful at the auction, it will compulsorily acquire the property from the successful bidder,” he said.

Council currently leases the site and has turned it into a community and cultural hub that is home to a number of permanent and regular local groups as well as hosting a range of special events.

“The first we heard about the decision to sell was when the ‘for sale’ sign went up,” Cr Eaton said.

“This is particularly disappointing as the Department of Education is well aware of our interest in the site as we have spoken directly to them about buying it.

“Wyong Grove is a vital part of our community, never more evident than when it was used as the Disaster Recovery Centre for residents affected by the devastating April storms.

“It has become the cultural epicentre of our shire and is home to important groups including the Wyong Drama Group and Wyong Musical Society

who provide important cultural opportunities for our talented locals, particularly our young people.

“It will be a travesty if the curtain comes down on Wyong Grove and we will now look to take over ownership completely so this important community facility can remain in public hands.”

President of the Wyong Musical Theatre Company, Mr Fred Roome said a campaign had been launched to save Wyong Grove including a facebook page and a change.org petition and he is encouraging residents to get on board.

“Once these community facilities are gone, they are gone forever and we simply

the Wyong Grove Public School site was considered in a confidential Wyong Council meeting on Wednesday, October 14.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said councillors considered a report that would canvass whether or not Council should or can look at purchasing the property.

The meeting was confidential because it needed to discuss commercially sensitive information such as property valuations.

Prior to the confidential session, Mr Howard Oxley, president of the Wyong Drama Group addressed Council.

Mr Oxley told Council that the Grove provided amateur theatre groups in Wyong with an affordable space for rehearsals

“The costs for the use of the Arthouse would quadruple the costs of bringing any amateur production to the stage,” Mr Oxley said.

“The Arthouse is the centre of performance but not a centre for all the bits that go with it…

The Grove is a major piece of the jigsaw for all the groups that are down there.”

Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris MP said he supported Council’s plans to either purchase or compulsorily acquire the Grove.

“The NSW Government has reneged on a promise to Wyong Council and the people of Wyong,” Mr Harris said.

“The people who sat in those consultation meetings with the Department of Education

to stay in community hands,” he said.

Mr Harris said there will be a community rally at the Wyong Grove site at 10am on Saturday, October 24 to oppose moves by the State Government to sell it to anyone other than Council or a not-forprofit organisation that would retain it for the community.

That would be a big victory for the community.

Media release, Sep 30 and Oct 14 2015 Wyong Council media Interview, Oct 13, 2015 Doug Eaton, Wyong Council Meeting transcript, Oct 14, 2015 Wyong Council Interview, Oct 15, 2015 David Harris, member for Wyong Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Gosford Council submitted one of 48 proposals received from 139 NSW local governments to stand alone.

IPART’s chairman, Dr Peter Boxall said proposals to stand alone were assessed according to whether they delivered the scale and capacity, financial sustainability, the ability to effectively manage infrastructure and services and efficiency for the community.

“We have considered the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s (ILGRP) preferred option and whether the proposal demonstrates the council can achieve the key elements of scale and capacity.

In the case of Gosford Council, the ILGRP’s preferred option was to “Amalgamate with Wyong or a multi-purpose Joint Organisation”.

The ILGRP also said that no separate water corporate body would be established for the Central Coast until other options were properly evaluated.

Wyong Council received the same rating as Gosford: “not fit” and the ILGRP’s preferred option was to “Amalgamate with Gosford or a multi-purpose Joint Organisation”.

Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said he had taken part in a link-up with NSW premier, Mr Mike Baird and minister for local government Mr Paul Toole on the morning of Tuesday, October 20.

Cr McKinna said he

was told that Gosford had failed to meet the scale and capacity criteria.

Wyong, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle councils had also failed to meet the scale and capacity criteria.

Cr McKinna said mayors from around NSW who participated in the linkup were told they would be receiving the IPART assessments on Tuesday afternoon.

The results were released to the media at 12:00pm

that day and when Coast Community News spoke with Cr McKinna he said the only written information he had received was the media release, which had been given to him by another party.

“We asked earlier in the process what was meant by scale and capacity and they were never really clear about what it was,” Cr McKinna said.

He said mayors did ask Mr Baird and Mr Toole

whether they had a right of reply.

“We were told ‘no, you’ve got 30 days to decide what you are going to do’.

“So we have got 30 days to sit down with Wyong and discuss amalgamation or Hornsby or whatever.

“But at the moment, we’ve got a resolution from Council to stand alone.

Councils deemed unfit have 30 days to come up with a proposal to merge with a neigbouring council

or lose access to $1 billion in extra funding announced at the beginning of the Fit for the Future process.

“We’ve not got a full meeting tonight [Tuesday, October 20] but we’ve got a strategic policy workshop.

“There is a full council meeting next Tuesday, so I am sure over the next seven days there will be a lot of discussion,” he said.

Cr McKinna said he had been approached by Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM to have a one-on-one meeting to discuss the possibility of an amalgamation between the two councils.

“But I have got a council resolution that we stand alone so I can’t go and talk to him as an individual because I am part of the council,” Cr McKinna said.

Gosford CEO, Mr Paul Anderson referred Coast Community News to Cr McKinna when we asked for his views on the IPART recommendation.

Other councillors were also caught unaware of the IPART recommendation and stated that they were not prepared to comment until they had seen the detail of the report.

The party’s Robertson Electorate Council secretary Mr Pat Norman is speculating that costs have blown out.

“Why are we installing an expensive and significantly inferior NBN in Umina and Woy Woy?” he asked.

“Much media spin was made about these trials at the time,” said Mr Norman.

“Interestingly though, the government has not released the results of those trials including Mr Turnbull’s cost-benefit analysis,” Mr Norman said.

“NBN Co has refused to answer trial costings questions to the Senate committee enquiry into the NBN rollout.

“Indeed, the NBN leadership has refused to attend the Senate committee enquiry to answer these questions.

“This leads many to speculate that the costing of the watereddown node trials have blown out considerably.

“If these nodes cost so much when compared to the full fibre

NBN installed in Gosford, East Gosford and Springfield, why is the NBN Co still rolling them out?

“It looks certain that the Central Coast will see two, very divided classes of telecommunications service: the real, full-fibre NBN versus the expensive, less reliable and slower node-based NBN. “Mr Turnbull alluded to a significant cost increase in the Coalition’s NBN in one of his last speeches as Communications Minister in the parliament.

“He flagged increasing the government investment envelope into the NBN Co by many hundreds of millions of dollars.

“Why is this the case, when the Coalition promised a reliable, cheaper network built faster?

“Clearly, this is yet another expensive broken promise.

“As members of the Labor party on the Central Coast, we are proud to have helped the community gain the original full fibre NBN investment into the area.

“We are now concerned that the current government is ruining that valuable investment in our future, and not saving any money in the process.”

Media release, 16 Oct 2015 Pat Norman, Australian Labor Party Robertson electorate

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Local members of the Labor Party want to know if the Peninsula's fibre to node NBN is inferior to fibre to home

Inform dog owners about guide dogs, says councillor ongoing difficulties with people insisting their off-leash dogs were friendly and should be able to approach a guide dog.

“What they don’t understand is that an assistance dog is a working dog.

“It is not supposed to interact with other people or other animals.”

Cr Bowles said she was aware that Gosford Council had received requests from residents to appoint a companion animals officer.

“I am not sure how common they are within other councils and there are issues with the Companion Animals Act,” she said.

The Companion Animals Act, according to Ms Bowles, was open to varying interpretations in its provisions for assistance animals.

She also said she thought it

was unlikely that Gosford Council would be able to make such an appointment, given the current reform process it was being subjected to.

“The main issue is that the owners of off-leash dogs may not be educated about the role of a companion animal and may not be aware that approaches by off-leash pets can cause the companion animal and its owner distress.

“I know one visually-impaired woman who lives on the Peninsula who is a big advocate of the off leash areas, but her dog is ending up with anxiety issues because other people insist on allowing their dogs to approach her guide dog.”

Interview, 22 Oct 2015 Gabby Bowles, Gosford Council

THIS ISSUE contains 53 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

A decision by Wyong Council to discuss its Central Coast Regional Airport plans in a confidential meeting has been criticised by NSW member for Wyong, Mr David Harris MP. Mr Harris said he had written to the premier, planning minister and the department of local government “seeking scrutiny of Wyong Council’s handling of their infamous, on again, off again, regional airport.

“News that Wyong Council is about to commit ratepayers to a $60 million upgrade of Warnervale Airport, after spending approximately $20 million on their nowabandoned Kiar Ridge Airport, raises serious questions about secret decision making, lack of public consultation and frivolous use of ratepayers money,” he said.

“It seems clear now that Council is in possession of studies and reports that cast serious doubt on the economic viability of a regional airport.

“These reports have forced them to abandon their plans for Kiar Ridge, despite Blind Freddy being able to tell them that the whole proposal was a dud.

“Now they want to

The amphibious aircraft potentially to be built at Warnervale Airport Wyong Council has create over 600 jobs. spend further ratepayer “These studies have money on a new confirmed a confidential on Central shown that growing the speculative upgrade of report the existing Warnervale Coast Regional Airport Warnervale Aerodrome airport, despite saying was circulated to all into a Regional Airport a few years ago that the councillors on Friday, makes more sense,” Cr current aerodrome should October 23 to be discussed Eaton said.

“It will slash $217 close and the area be in a confidential session reverted to industrial use. on Wednesday, October million from the airport “These major plans and 28 and the resolution development bill...so now commitments are being reported to the full council we don’t need to negotiate with the State and Federal made in secret confidential meeting.

In information released Governments, we can sessions, away from public scrutiny, and when to the media after the fund this airport ourselves.

“It will deliver members of the public try meeting, it was announced Warnervale significant new jobs in our to find out information, that the council forces them to Aerodrome will become region...and those jobs are go to court, wasting more a regional airport, over already starting to flow in from general aviation.” time. ratepayers’ money.

According to Wyong Wyong mayor, Cr “We have had two failed regional airport plans Doug Eaton OAM said Council, the Central Coast (Kiar Ridge and Bushells investigations have shown is the ninth largest region Ridge) and I believe that the cost of developing in Australia, yet the only ratepayers who were hit Warnervale Aerodrome as one without a regional with a special rate rise a regional airport would be airport.

A confidential report $48 million and it would deserve better,” he said.

Photo ABC

outlined the results of population growth projections, passenger demand forecasts and economic impact studies.

“These have clearly demonstrated that a regional airport is essential infrastructure in ensuring the Central Coast can service the needs of our growing population,” Cr Eaton said.

“There is already significant interest in Warnervale Airport and this Council decision will ensure it really takes off,” he said.

Cr Eaton has publicly confirmed that Council has entered into a heads of agreement with an American company to build amphibious aircraft at the Warnervale airport.

“Such an airport would be smaller than that originally proposed for the Kiar Ridge site, eventually allowing for 450,000 passenger movements each year.

“This would be similar in size to the capacity at Ballina or Coffs Harbour Regional Airports.

“The airport would be developed incrementally as demand increases.

“Initially the airport will cater for general aviation aircraft before moving onto passenger carriage.

“We have already commenced discussions with regional airlines to establish passenger services to Melbourne and Brisbane with 50 seat DASH 8 twin turbo prop type aircraft,” Cr Eaton added.

“I hope services can start as early as next year.”

“By establishing the regional airport on the existing Warnervale Airport site, Council now opens the way for the land purchased at Kiar Ridge, for $10 million, to be opened up for industrial and business park development.

“Independent assessment indicates returns to Council are expected to be significantly higher than the purchase price,” he said.

Mr Laurie Eyes from the Central Coast Regional Airport Action Group said the switch back to Warnervale means: “We are right back to where we were 20 years ago.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Issue 120

‘Gosford waterfront was always going to be a mixed use precinct’ Inchley

Funding for performing arts centre dependent on waterfront location

Issue 80

Airport to take off but not everyone is on board here have been calls for NSW Government scrutiny, and even council resignations, over Wyong Council’s approach to the development of a regional airport.

She said she believed many dog owners, particularly those who use off-leash areas on the Peninsula, did not have a good understanding of companion animals.

“Dogs are not being adequately controlled in off-leash areas,” Cr Bowles said.

“This is specifically a problem with people who allow their dogs to approach guide dogs,” she said.

Ms Bowles said visuallyimpaired Peninsula residents with guide dogs had experienced Node trials were carried out in Woy Woy and Umina

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Community Access October 30, 2015

T

Dog owners on the Peninsula should be informed about the needs of guide dogs and other companion animals and their owners, according to Gosford councillor Gabby Bowles.

Peninsula

E FRE

November 4, 2015 26 October 2015

Labor members call for release of NBN trial results Labor Party members in the Robertson electorate are calling for the results of NBN trials which started over a year ago on the Peninsula to be released.

Media release, Oct 20, 2015 Julie Sheather, Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Interview, Oct 20, 2015 Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council Paul Anderson, Gosford Council Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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he chairperson of the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation (CCRDC), Mr Graeme Inchley has written and circulated an opinion article about the Gosford Waterfront.

Performing Arts Centre must be built at Poppy Park to keep $12 million NSW Government funding

N

SW member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch has re-confirmed the NSW Government’s commitment to the regional performing arts centre and conservatorium at the Gosford waterfront.

“The NSW Government has confirmed that the financial commitment of $12 million dollars was made on the basis that the regional performing arts centre is to be constructed on the corner of Dane Dve and Vaughan Ave, Gosford as identified in the Our City, Our Destiny Masterplan,” Mr Crouch said.

“The minister for planning, Mr Rob Stokes has confirmed to me that the $12 million dollar investment into Gosford city’s regional performance centre announced in March this year is based on the development at the identified site at Gosford Park,” he said.

“It must be remembered that many years of hard work and public consultation

has gone into the planning of this project as part of the Gosford Waterfront Masterplan, including our local RSL clubs, and this was endorsed by Gosford City Council in August 2013.

“We cannot afford to be known as a region that cannot be trusted to know what they are doing and not sticking to the plan.

“The park, which has become affectionately known as ‘poppy park’ was always planned as a ‘moving memorial’ and I believe may be placed at the Terrigal Haven next year.

“However, there is no reason why a wonderful tribute to our ANZACs cannot be planned as a permanent water feature in the foyer of the Performing Arts Centre.

“The Federal Government will be watching closely the decisions made by Gosford City Council before they commit public funds to this project,” he said.

Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said he questioned why the NSW Government would not honour its $12 million funding pledge “just because the performing arts centre moves a few metres down the road.”

According to Cr McKinna, since the success of the centenary of ANZAC commemoration that saw Gosford Park turned into a poppy field, that patch of land had become “sacred ground”.

He said Council is now working with the Friends of the Performing Arts precinct to find a suitable

alternative location for the conservatorium and regional performing arts centre.

M e a n w h i l e , parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald MLC confirmed that if Gosford Council is rethinking the location of the regional performing arts centre, the $12 million state funding “falls away”.

“From a state government perspective that is black and white.

“Our commitment is based on that site so if Council has a rethink it will have to go back to Cabinet and the funding will need to be rethought,” he said.

Media release, Nov 2, 2015 Debra Wales, office of Adam Crouch Interview, Nov 3, 2015 Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council Interview, Nov 3, 2015 Scot MacDonald, parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast

“As a long term resident of the Central Coast, I believe that the revitalisation of Gosford is a crucial component in the creation of a vibrant, economically robust and sustainable region,” Mr Inchley said.

“For many years, Gosford was seen by many of its residents as failing to reach its huge potential.

“However, right now, there is an opportunity to redress this situation and take a path towards real social and economic growth.

“The identification of this path began in 2008 with the development of the Gosford City Centre Masterplan “Our City, Our Destiny”.

“This blueprint for transformation was funded and developed as a partnership between the NSW Government and Gosford City Council, with unprecedented community involvement.

“Since then, further planning has been guided by this blueprint and has resulted in 10 hectares of the Gosford Waterfront being gazetted as a Site of State Significance (SSS).

“The SSS is unequivocal about its vision for the Waterfront: “’The Gosford Waterfront will be a vibrant and active mixed use precinct that

will connect the Gosford City Centre to the Brisbane Water foreshore.

‘New residential development will contribute to the State Government’s regional housing targets for the Central Coast, and will take advantage of Gosford’s unique water based setting.

‘The Gosford Waterfront will also be a vibrant centre for jobs, and offer regional office opportunities for large businesses and corporations near a locally based skilled workforce.’

“As part of the SSS process, the former public school site was rezoned for mixed use development.

“This provides for more flexible use of the site and also facilitates private investor development funding.

“To complement and further facilitate private investment, both the NSW and Federal Governments have announced programs which will greatly contribute to Gosford’s revitalization.

“These are: The decision

by Federal Government to create 600 new ATO jobs in Gosford, to be housed in a purpose built facility developed through private sector investment; A NSW Government pledge of $10 million towards a Continued Page 3

Continued page 3

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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Edition 380

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9 November 2015

November 13, 2015

Scott calls for community action on merger Action by the community is the only thing that could save Gosford Council from being forced by the NSW Government into a merger with Wyong, according to Labor councillor Vicki Scott.

Cr Scott said she would be addressing a community rally that was to be held on Saturday, November 7 on the forecourt of the Gosford Council building in Gosford.

“Parts of the Coast, like the Peninsula, already feel like they are under-represented,” Cr Scott said.

“Imagine dealing with a council for an area as big as Canberra with as many people as the Northern Territory and only 10 or a maximum of 15 councillors instead of 20,” Cr Scott said.

“This is bigger than the tax office and Gosford waterfront.

“This is huge.

“It is about the absolute future of this region and it will affect us for generations,” she said.

Following years of speculation and in spite of statements to the contrary, local councils across NSW have been given one month to show why the recommendations of IPART regarding their forced amalgamation should not be adopted.

A group of concerned locals, calling themselves Our City, Our Council, Our Choice, organised Saturday’s peaceful rally to encourage and support Gosford Council in perusing its continuance as a standalone entity.

In June, Gosford Council unanimously declared it believed it was fit for the future and its submission to IPART expressed its arguments for continuing as a stand-alone council.

In October, IPART released its report card which declared Gosford “unfit” for the future and recommended it amalgamate with Wyong or form a joint organisation.

Wyong Council was also declared unfit but has since declared, by one vote, a preference to amalgamate with Gosford to form a new Greater Central Coast Regional Council which would take in Wyee and abolish the Joint

Jeff Sundstrom demonstrates at Gosford Council in support of Vicki Scott’s call for community action to stop forced amalgamation

Regional Planning Panel.

“I think the community probably largely doesn’t know what is going on but really there is a great need for the community to be aware of what the effect of this is going to be,” Cr Scott said.

According to Cr Scott, an amalgamation would result in lower levels of community representation and less contact between the community and council staff.

Ms Scott said she believed the amalgamation could have a negative impact on community centres and all the other services

and facilities that Gosford Council has been known to deliver.

“It will change the way we go about getting funding and will lead to even more detachment of communities at the edges of the region, including the Peninsula,” she said.

“It is never too late; we have got until November 18 and the community can use its voice, that is why the rally was held.”

Cr Scott said she did not think a bigger council would result in better infrastructure for the region.

“What’s that saying about size?’

she said.

“Blacktown Council is the biggest council in NSW and it is having financial troubles,” she said.

Wyong jumped too early to make its preferences known to the NSW Government, according to Cr Scott.

“The big problem for this region now is five people in Wyong made a decision that will have a big impact on the community of Wyong and potentially on the people of Gosford, without delving in to the other side of the argument,” she

said.

Gosford Council decided to continue to explore its options in the time available before declaring its intentions to the NSW Government on November 18.

Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna said the examination of options included having an ongoing dialogue with Wyong Council and conducting due diligence into all available options.

Cr Scott said “no one has told me how I should vote on the issue of amalgamation but the conservatives are being told, by someone outside their community, how to vote and I think that is a shame for the people they represent.”

In terms of what a new amalgamated council would mean for issues such as the future of Gosford Council’s Coastal Open Spaces Scheme, Cr Scott said no one from the state government or at a local level seemed to know the answers to such questions.

“Every four years, every time there is a change in local government, there is a very real chance that things like COSS could disappear so the chance is there in an amalgamation too,” she said.

Cr Scott said she thinks there has to be “some greater reason” for the NSW Government’s amalgamation push.

“It is horrendous when you think about the cost, it could be $100 million -- and that money, if we want infrastructure, give both councils $50 million each and we will get the infrastructure we need.

“Or for the next 20 years we will be feeling our way around figuring out which councillor belongs to which ward and it will cripple us for a long time.

“That $100 million will be a line item on every budget.

“A large council is a dispassionate council and the one thing that can stop it is the voice of the people,” she said.

Media release, 4 Nov 2014 Jeff Sundstrom, Our City, Our Council, Our Choice Interview, 4 Nov 2015 Vicki Scott, Gosford Council

Issue 81

Council resolves to acquire part of Wyong Grove he acting CEO of Wyong Council has been authorised to acquire approximately one quarter of the Wyong Grove school site and carriage way at a fair market value.

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A mayoral minute presented to the November 11 ordinary meeting of Wyong Council resulted in the Council resolving to go ahead with an attempt to acquire those parts of the former public school considered essential for organisations such as the Wyong Drama Group.

The plan is to acquire those land and buildings either by agreement or compulsory process.

The council authorised the acting CEO to execute all necessary documentation relevant to the acquisition.

The school site, when purchased, will be classified as operational land for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1993.

If the site has to be obtained using a compulsory process, it will be done “pursuant to the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991,” according to the adopted mayoral minute.

Council will make an application to the Minister for Finance to commence compulsory

Wyong Drama Group members protest the sale of the Grove

acquisition of part of the site.

The entire school site was recently sold by the Department of Education, at auction, to a Sydney developer, for $4.45 million.

If the Minister gives his consent, then Council can begin negotiations with the new owner to acquire the part of the site currently used as the Wyong Grove Cultural and Community Hub. Mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, said Council was true to its word and would now pursue compulsory acquisition so this important site can continue as a community facility.

“We went to the auction in good faith and were hopeful of securing the site ourselves due to its high importance to our

community,” Cr Eaton said.

“I even told bidders at the auction we would seek to compulsorily acquire the site – so everyone knew what we wanted to do.

“So now it is time to act.

“We can’t afford the whole site, so we will now move to try to acquire the part of the site which will provides the best value for the community.”

Council spent over $100,000 upgrading the former school buildings which are currently home to a number of local community and drama groups.

It is these buildings Council will now seek to acquire under compulsory acquisition arrangements.

If the owner wishes to develop the rest of the

site, it will be subject to the normal Council development application process.

“This whole process has caused a great deal of stress in the local community which has been really unnecessary,” Cr Eaton said.

“The State Government broke its promise to the community but Council will not, and will now step in and attempt to save this important community facility.”

In NSW, all levels of government can acquire privately owned land for public purposes.

They may acquire the whole property, part of a property or an interest in the property, including easements for power lines, sewer or water.

Most privately owned land, required by

government for public purposes, is acquired by negotiation and agreement between the landholder and the acquiring authority.

The process is expected to take several months.

“Obviously the hall is not included on the basis that the arthouse is developed and it has a studio of the size of the hall and is more adaptable,” Cr Eaton said at the November 11 general meeting of Wyong Council.

Cr Eaton said he expected the fair market value of the area Wyong Council wishes to purchase to be between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Acting CEO of Wyong Council, Mr Rob Noble said he had received a briefing from the relevant

director following a discussion with the purchaser of Wyong Grove.

“They are in discussion with another buyer for the purchase of a small part of the site that is similar to what we are looking at,” Mr Noble said.

“The level of pricing they are looking at is rather alarming to me and we need to keep that in mind,” he said.

The motion to move forward with the compulsory acquisition of a portion of the site was carried unanimously.

Mayoral minute 1.6, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council Media release, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council media Meeting transcript, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

READ MORE Pages 6 and 7

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P3 3

News

Council amalgamation a fait accompli? with delegation from both Wyong and Gosford Councils travelled to November 18 to put in matter of rates being amalgamation Mr Noble Sydney to meet the minister for local government on Wednesday, their proposals with the equalised was “a matter Wyong, State Government to that would be up for said there had been November 11.

A

The meeting was attended

by Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna, deputy mayors Cr Lynne Webster and Cr Craig Doyle, Wyong’s acting CEO Mr Rob Noble and Gosford CEO Mr Paul Anderson.

Cr Eaton described the meeting as productive and said Wyong Council’s decision to pursue a voluntary merger with Gosford was confirmed as the right one by the minister.

“Minister Toole advised senior representatives of both councils that Councils who agree to merge voluntarily will remain

as they are until the next local government elections after which they will be formally amalgamated,” Cr Eaton said.

The Minister will advise all councils of this decision, along with the confirmation of funding for voluntary merged councils in a letter that was to be sent on November 11, according to Cr Eaton.

“The message was pretty clear today – voluntarily merge and we get the $20 million and remain in office until the September 2016 elections.

“This will ensure a smoother transition to a new Central Coast

Council for both staff and the community and that is what we want.

“If we don’t merge, it is likely the amalgamation would come into immediate effect with no local representation until the next council elections.

“That to me is unpalatable.

“We need to get the best outcome for our community and this is the only way to go.

“The minister said there was room for negotiation around transition arrangements and proclamations and that now needs to be our focus as a Central Coast Council is now more real than ever,” he said.

Councils have until

make final decisions on amalgamations before Christmas.

Gosford Council is yet to make a final decision but is expected to hold an extraordinary meeting in the next few days.

Wyong Shire Council, at its meeting on October 28, resolved to seek a voluntary merger with Gosford City Council by a margin of one vote.

At the November 11 general meeting of Wyong Council, Cr Eaton said the ministerial meeting had also discussed the issue of equalising rates across the new local government area if the councils amalgamate.

Acting CEO Mr Rob Noble clarified that rates were discussed but the

discussion as we move forward and of course we do have a different rating structure than do the citizens of Gosford.

“There is not any tangent for rates to be made the same across the jurisdictions of both councils,” Mr Noble said of the meeting.

In addition to the $20 million transitional funding already on the table for voluntary mergers, Mr Noble said there were other “opportunities and options for transitional beneficial arrangements for those who decide to merge”.

In answer to a question regarding what would happen if Gosford did not agree to a voluntary

“indications” in the meeting with Mr Toole but “not direct statements”.

“Those councils that do not voluntarily agree to merge that have been scheduled [unfit to stand alone] may not be in office until the election next year,” Mr Noble said.

He said he would need to check when confidential briefing papers showing the detailed costs of an amalgamation could be made public.

Media release, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council media Meeting transcript, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

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P44 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Mayor faces Ourimbah residents yong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM was guest speaker at the Ourimbah Region Residents’ Association’s (ORRA) November meeting.

W

He answered a number of probing questions on the hot issues of concern to local residents including the proposed Boarding House in Ourimbah, the proposed Rail Maintenance Depot at Kangy Angy, the draft Ourimbah Masterplan and Wyong Council’s likely amalgamation with Gosford.

Apart from local issues, he also provided an update on the latest Warnervale airport controversy and associated noise issues, together with land purchased at Kiar Ridge for the proposed new airport but now surplus to requirements, and plans for the proposed university at Warnervale.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM with president of the Ourimbah Region Residents Association, Ms Di Willard

Cr Eaton was forced to defend the role of Council staff in the assessment of the boarding house DA in the face of considerable criticism from the residents on why staff recommended approval.

He told the residents, in his opinion, the boarding house was unlikely to go ahead under its present approval for 82 rooms in lieu of the 100 rooms sought by the developer.

Cr Eaton admitted that a council staff member had suggested the proposed site at Kangy Angy to Transport NSW

for the proposed intercity rail maintenance depot but stated this was part of the staff member’s role.

He pledged support for the residents including putting in a council submission opposing this site.

In response to questions asked, he was unable to shed any light on why Transport NSW had rejected the Darkinjung site at Bushells Ridge.

The president of the Ourimbah Region Resident’s Association, Ms Di Willard said: “ORRA is now a powerful

Drama group disappointed over Wyong Grove sale

force in local politics.

“We now have 120 members who are prepared to stand up for our community.

“Wyong Council attempted to silence residents by disbanding the Precinct Committees but we have risen from the ashes in a far stronger position to be able to influence local issues.

“The boarding house and rail maintenance issues demonstrate how councils and government agencies can ride roughshod over local communities.

“ORRA has provided a focus and a voice for the residents to object to these developments.

“Our meetings provide the opportunity for local residents to keep abreast of the happenings in our area,” Ms Willard said.

Media release, Nov 7, 2015 Allan Benson, Ourimbah Region Residents’ Association

he Wyong Drama Group has expressed its disappointment at the sale of the Wyong Grove at auction on Tuesday, October 27

T

“It was a huge disappointment to see the Grove site auctioned,” said Wyong Drama Group president, Mr Howard Oxley as the group prepares for what could be its last-ever production at the Grove.

“I received a letter from the education minister earlier which indicated this was the process and policy of the government,” Mr Oxley said.

“It is a poor reflection on the Liberal Party that they put profit before community and did not even have the decency to discuss the overall situation with the community,” he said.

“It is a reflection of that inability to demonstrate good leadership and cowering in the corner as our Central Coast minister did merely reflect that he

is out of touch with the people he is supposed to represent “As far as our two amateur theatre groups are concerned, it will make moving forward difficult and threatens our existence as finances are always on a shoestring.

“Time will tell whether the Wyong Council will compulsorily re-acquire the land as they moved at their last Council meeting.

“Are they people of their word?

“Time will tell, but I fear cost restraints will be a limiting factor,” he said.

“Never mind though, Lend Me A Tenor will give you the chance to have the last laugh,” he said.

Email, Oct 29, 2015 Hoard Oxley, Wyong Drama Group

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P5 5

Darkinjung believe that Transport for NSW decision was racially motivated

Cross-hatched area is the proposed Kangy Angy rail facility site with privately owned properties marked yellow and Council-owned blocks marked black

ocuments obtained by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council imply the Transport for NSW decision to change the location of its inter-city fleet maintenance facility from Bushell’s Ridge to Kangy Angy was racially motivated.

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Mr Sean Gordon, CEO of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), said the real reasons for the decision to build the maintenance facility at Kangy Angy instead of Bushell’s Ridge have been revealed in documents obtained under the Government Information Public Access Act of 2009 (GIPA Act).

An email from an acquisition manager within Transport for NSW to colleagues working on options for maintenance facility sites (dated August 19, 2014 and obtained through GIPA) stated the department had identified three options for the location of the

facility.

It went on to say: “Our thoughts are that due to identification of two of these options as being owned by Aboriginal Land Council ownership [sic] (which impacts to a large extent on timing of delivery), as discussed on the phone this afternoon, TfNSW Property think the preferred options in the Greater Hunter District scope area should change…”

According to Mr Gordon that statement was evidence the decision was taken on the basis that working with an Aboriginal organisation would slow down the project.

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The email also acknowledged that the other sites may have “some issues to overcome with ownership structure (and potentially other issues)”.

“The email from the transport officer that the two parcels of land at Bushell’s Ridge were Aboriginal land made it sound like Aboriginal ownership was a constraint to an outcome,” Mr Gordon said.

“Is the NSW Government identifying that Aboriginal land is too hard to deal with?

“As far as we are concerned we’re pretty easy to deal with, we’ve just signed a 60-year, $17 million deal with CASAR to develop the motor sports complex,” he said.

A letter from Transport for NSW to Mr Gordon was the land council’s first indication that the NSW department had changed its mind, after two years of negotiations, about locating its new maintenance and stabling facilities on land to be acquired from Darkinjung at Bushell’s Ridge.

“Since meeting with you in March, Transport for NSW has continued to investigate options for a site in the Central Coast, as well as using existing maintenance and stabling facilities along the new network,” said the letter from Mr Steven Bartlett, project director, New Intercity Fleet at Transport for NSW. “Although these investigations are still ongoing, Transport for

P66 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

NSW would like to inform you we will no longer be investigating the use of Darkinjung land as an option for the maintenance and stabling facility,” the letter said.

In September, Mr Gordon wrote to NSW Minister for Transport, Mr Andrew Constance, requesting an urgent audience to discuss Transport for NSW’s announcement that the facility was to be built at Kangy Angy on land owned by Wyong Council and private residents.

“I must firstly say that the Board and Members of the Darkinjung LALC are extremely disappointed and angered by this decision,” Mr Gordon wrote.

“You may not be aware that planning and discussions for an alternate site upon Darkinjung owned land at Wallarah commenced in 20102011, with ongoing dialogue between our organisations, to the point of a joint valuation being completed in 2012 for the acquisition of a portion of Darkinjung land.

“Since that time, we are bewildered why your department continues to pursue alternate sites, with each as it would appear, having far greater constraints than the original site selected upon Darkinjung land in 2010-11.”

Mr Gordon copied the letter to NSW premier Mr Mike Baird, minister for planning, Mr Robert Stokes and parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast Mr Scot MacDonald.

He received a response from Mr Baird to state that he is unable to meet and he is yet to be contacted by Mr Constance.

Mr Gordon said the Kangy Angy announcement was difficult to comprehend because Darkinjung had already received a letter from then minister for Transport, Ms Gladys Berejiklian in January 2012 which stated: “I am advised that a site at Warnervale adjacent to Link Road has already been selected as the preferred location for future Central Coast trains stabling.

“This is dependent on gaining planning approval for the new North Warnervale Station.

“I understand that the decision has been made on the basis of functionality, cost effectiveness and environmental acceptability…

“I have requested Transport for NSW to expedite the negotiations with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council,” Ms Berejiklian’s letter said.

Mr Gordon said he would argue that the NSW Government decision to drop Darkinjung land as its preferred location for the new maintenance facility contradicted Premier Baird’s current push for economic development in Aboriginal communities.

“Darkinjung’s experience in economic development to date has been uneasy and costly.”

He described the land acquisition process for the rail transport project as “ad

hoc, non-transparent and potentially discriminatory”.

Darkinjung have met with the chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on State Development (Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities), Mr Greg Pearce and expressed their concerns about the rail facility decision.

“In the absence of further explanation, it is open to interpretation that Aboriginal ownership has been perceived as equating to potential difficulty in negotiating a timely outcome for land acquisition, which is discriminatory,” Mr Gordon said.

“Whatever the reason, the approach adopted by government agencies to site identification and land acquisition and the manifest inadequacies of the site that has now been selected, leave Darkinjung with deep concerns and frustration about the whole process, whilst also costing Darkinjung considerable time and money.

“The Baird Government’s rhetoric sadly does not equate to genuine action for Aboriginal economic development,” he said.

Interview, Oct 28, 2015 Sean Gordon, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Letter, June 17, 2015 Steven Bartlett, Transport for NSW Letter, Sep 27, 2015 Sean Gordon, DLALC Letter, Jan 10, 2015 Gladys Berejiklian, Transport for NSW Email, Oct 28, 2015 Sean Gordon, DLALC GIPA Report, Dec 11, 2014 Vincenza Kursun, Transport for NSW Jackie Pearson, journalist

Council proposed Kangy Angy as an alternative rail yards site yong Council must take responsibility for the decision by Transport for NSW to locate its intercity fleet maintenance centre at Kangy Angy, according to the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and affected Kangy Angy residents.

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“The only area we can point to is Wyong Council, there is nothing else that leads us anywhere,” said the Darkinjung LALC CEO. “In September 2014, Council had an inconfidence session where they tabled an alternate site and up until that point, Kangy Angy wasn’t on the radar,” he said.

Other sites considered were Warnervale that Wyong Council expressed its absolute objection to because it was earmarked for the new business and educational hub.

When the Warnervale site was flagged, Wyong Council’s general manager, Mr Michael Whittaker wrote to TfNSW expressing Council’s opposition to the site.

“The proposed TfNSW site for the rail stabling and maintenance yard has completely unacceptable implications on both of these strategic initiatives.

“Wyong Council would like to convey in the strongest possible terms its complete opposition to the TfNSW proposal for this facility on this site.

“I also advise that we will be taking action to initiate opposition to this proposal at the political level,” Mr Whittaker’s letter said.

Residents had rallied against an earlier proposition for a rail depot at Lisarow, according to

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Mr Gordon.

“The private land owners at Kangy Angy that are impacted are fighting from their end.

“We are doing quite a bit at the moment to lobby the government back to our site.

“Doug Eaton has written two letters, not convincing letters, but they were letters all the same, indicating that the Government should come back to Darkinjung.”

Documents obtained under GIPA indicate Wyong Council brought the Kangy Angy site to the attention of Transport for NSW in September 2014.

“A site exists at Kangy Angy which presents as a viable option for the proposal.

“The land area is sufficient that is flood free on a straight line track to satisfy the requirement for 100-200m x 1500m area for railway stabling yards.

“There are some small areas of EEC and patches of threatened species Melaleuca biconvexa habitat which would be impacted but, with appropriate offsetting, I think these issues can be readily addressed.”

Interview, Oct 28, 2015 Sean Gordon, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Email, Oct 28, 2015 Kangy Angy Residents Action Group Jackie Pearson, journalist

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P7 7

News

Kangy Angy property owner stunned by NSW Transport officers’ actions he Kangy Angy Residents Action Group continues its campaign to stop the intercity rail fleet maintenance centre being built in the area.

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Meanwhile, the one Kangy Angy family that has been told their home will be compulsorily acquired to allow the development of the facility, Ms Kirsti Payne and Mr Matt Payne have been offered a price they believe to be $250,000 less than their property’s market value.

Their four-bedroom colonial cottage is set on seven acres on Orchard Rd Kangy Angy.

Ms Payne is a show rider and owning acres where she can keep her horses has been her lifelong dream.

The Paynes only purchased the property in September 2014 and have set about repainting inside and out, upgrading the pool, installing new decking, built a horse arena and turned a shed into stables as well as constructing their own post and rail fencing on the weekends.

“Since September 2014, we’ve put $100,000 into it making it what it is now and we’ve still got a long way to go,” Ms Payne said.

The couple was about to go ahead with building a new stables complex and machinery shed on the property when they received a letter from the NSW Department of Transport.

“We were actually fencing when our neighbour came over with a letter on Saturday that turned up in their mail from NSW Transport.

“The letter stated they were building a train maintenance facility and our land was on part of it and there was a mobile number to contact for further information.

“We phoned the mobile and Ms Penny Roberts from Transport NSW said she could not tell us anything until the Monday.

“We spent the rest of that weekend absolutely beside ourselves thinking what does that all mean to us.

The home that is being compulsorily acquired by Transport NSW

“On the Monday, we demanded a meeting that day and three people from Transport NSW from Chatswood arrived at our workplace, rolled out their big plans, said we need to acquire your land and you need to be out by June next year.

“I couldn’t even speak, I was just crying constantly.

“It has taken weeks and weeks to just deal with it.”

Ms Payne said she has now come to the conclusion that her family has no option but to move.

“The problem is their first offer has come in $225,000 less than what the real estate agents are saying I could sell it for,”

she said.

According to Ms Payne the next step in the process is for her own independent valuer to meet with the department’s valuer and for the two of them to determine the sum the Paynes will be offered.

Ms Payne is concerned that the current nature of the property market means they will not find a comparable property that they can afford and on July 8 they acquired a local business so they don’t have the flexibility of looking at other regions.

“The kids are happy at Ourimbah public school and to find a property we can afford, we will have

to sell our property and go back to suburbia and we have worked all our lives to have our land.

“My dreams have got to be sold and it is absolutely heart breaking that someone can come in and do that to you.

“I cannot comprehend how someone can come and buy something from me and not give me the

same and I am not going to get the same because there is nothing like this.”

Ms Payne said she wrote a two page letter to NSW minister for transport, Mr Andrew Constance two weeks ago but has not had a response.

“Wyong Council has definitely sold us out,” she said.

“This whole thing started because transport said they were putting the facility at Warnervale and councillors met with Transport and talked them out of that site because they had plans for a university or houses or what not.

“Council then put an email together with three options, including reasons why two were not viable and ours was the only one left.

The thing I can’t get my head around is we will be forced out and then they will do their research and find it is not going to be cost effective to put the

facility here because of the flooding and in a year or two they will resell our house.

“Transport’s answer to that was: ‘Hopefully you will be happy in your new place and you won’t mind if that happens’,” Ms Payne said.

Meanwhile, the Kangy Angy Residents Action Group has met with member for Wyong, Mr David Harris and Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM and has started a petition which can be accessed at the Train Maintenance Facility Residents Action Group facebook page.

Cr Eaton has written to Mr Constance and parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald MLC. Email, Oct 28, 2015 Michelle Nicholson, Kangy Angy Residents Action Group Interview, Oct 28, 2015 Kirsti Payne, Kangy Angy resident

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News

P88 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Skydive Sydney in discussions to move to Warnervale Aerodrome y o n g Council is in discussion with Skydive Sydney to use Warnervale Aerodrome as the base for their skydiving operations.

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Skydive Sydney, the largest skydiving company in Australia, has a booking terminal near Central Station in Sydney and currently skydives from Wilton Airport and also Cairns.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said Council’s investment in the Aerodrome is already reaping rewards and the benefits that will flow to the region are exciting.

“If this gets off the ground it will mean 50 local jobs straight away and jobs are what we need more than anything else,” Cr Eaton said.

“These guys are the biggest skydiving company in Australia – they will bring in tourists from around Australia and overseas.

“In fact they have said they believe they can boost international tourism to the Coast by 20 per cent.

“This is why airports are so important for regional economies like ours – they really do deliver jobs and opportunities for their communities.”

The proposal is that

he Greater Sydney Commission Bill has huge implications for the Wyong shire according to spokesperson for the Central Coast Greens, Ms Kate da Costa.

T

Sky divers over Sydney beaches

initially a portable office would be set up at the aerodrome and the company can use the current runway for skydiving flights.

Tourists would be bused from the company’s Sydney Office and may even start within the next couple of months.

“Obviously there is still a lot to be negotiated including hours of operations, flight paths and aircraft noise, and Council will be looking at this closely to get the best outcome for the community,” Cr Eaton said He said the company uses Turbine Caravan airplanes which are

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acknowledged as among the quietest available.

In the longer term, the company is looking to build hangers and even move their maintenance facilities from Bankstown to Warnervale under a long term lease, subject to masterplanning and an Expressions of Interest process that Council will undertake for the regional airport site.

“Establishing a regional airport has always been about creating jobs, attracting commercial investment and growing our local economy.

“We’re still a number of important steps away from having a regional airport at Warnervale, but already the approaches and interest from business are coming in.

“This is not pie in the sky stuff – and the benefits to our community are massive and ongoing.

“This is our ticket to drive investment, tourism and jobs in our region.

Over the coming 12 months, Council will be completing the necessary steps to both attract business to the existing Warnervale Airport and confirm that it can be developed into a regional airport.

These steps will include an Expression of Interest opened up to the aeronautical industry and its associated industries.

This Expression of Interest will be published in 2016, providing all parties ample time and capacity to respond.

C o m m u n i t y Consultation will be initiated to ensure that everyone can be engaged in the benefits that a Central Coast Regional Airport at Warnervale will deliver to the community and have the opportunity to provide feedback.

Formal consultation will be initiated once a Masterplan for the Central Coast Regional Airport at Warnervale has been finalised, in 2016.

Master Planning includes details on the layout, capacity, business presence and any building work that will be required, together with all relevant timings, to establish the Central Coast Regional Airport.

The Master Plan is currently being developed and is expected to be completed in 2016.

Media release, Nov 6, 2015 Wyong Council media

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Proposed legislation takes planning authority out of the hands of local communities

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“This state government is hell-bent on taking planning out of the hands of local communities,” Ms Da Costa said.

“If it can’t force amalgamations, it intends to bring in super panels to decide on development applications,” she said.

According to the Greens, the Greater Sydney Commission Bill creates a new planning body empowered to impose high level planning decisions on local areas with minimal constraints on this power.

“But the bill also contains a hidden kicker for areas like the Central Coast by allowing regulations to designate a new planning authority for that area, with no system of accountability,” Ms Da Costa said.

The bill puts in place regional and district plans “all cooked up by the relevant strategic planning authority who is anyone the minister chooses”.

These plans override Local Environment Plans, according to the Greens.

A key provision says: “The relevant strategic planning authority means… in the case of any other region—the Secretary or any other person or body prescribed by the regulations.”

The scheme has effect “As soon as practicable after a district plan is made, the council for each local government area ... must review the local environmental plans ... and prepare such planning proposals ...

Media release, Nov 10, 2015 Kym Chapple, office of David Shoebridge Email, Nov 10, 2015 Kate da Costa, Central Coast Greens

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necessary to give effect to the district plan.”

“Communities on the Central Coast value their opportunities to have a say in planning, and absolutely demand the right to be involved in determining what happens in their neighbourhoods,” she said.

“The Central Coast Greens will fight to make sure it isn’t only property developers who get a say.

“We support the right of ordinary residents to decide, because they are the ones who have to put up with developments for 30 or 40 years.”

Greens MP David Shoebridge said: “The Bill proposes to allow the Minister to create a super planning authority for any other part of the rest of the state without setting in place even a rudimentary structure of accountability.

“Regional plans prepared by unelected and unaccountable unknowns will override local environmental plans and fundamentally change the nature and character of NSW. “This is a cut price, quick and dirty solution for everywhere in NSW outside of Sydney.

“If this passes, then the real planning power in Wyong can be handed to literally whoever the Planning Minister chooses.”

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News

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P99 W

Mayoral minute on confidentiality rejected yong councillors have refused to accept a mayoral minute the people’s money, they proposing to delegate authority to deal with confidential expect transparency.

“We’ve seen issues matters to the mayor, deputy mayor and acting CEO.

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Cr Greg Best and deputy mayor Cr Lynne Webster, who usually vote in the same way as Cr Eaton, did not support the original version of the mayoral minute.

The mayoral minute was re-drafted at several points while being debated at the Wyong Council meeting held on November 11 and a watered-down version requesting an urgent report from staff in relation to the leaking of confidential matters was finally adopted.

Wyong mayor Cr Doug Eaton OAM introduced the minute by stating: “That council note with regret continuing breaches of the Local Government Act by way of illegal disclosures of confidential information”.

He went on to propose: “That council delegate to the CEO and the mayor and deputy mayor the determination of confidential reports without reporting to council where in their opinion it is in the community interest not to do so.

“A summary of such determinations to be provided to councillors to the extent and timing deemed appropriate,” the originally proposed mayoral minute stated.

In arguing in favour of the minute’s adoption, Cr Eaton said: “Obviously, there is a record in this council of deliberate breaches of

confidentiality.”

The most recent leak to the Newcastle Herald was in relation to the $500 million proposed Chinese theme park development at Warnervale.

“You are toying with a half billion dollar development, a cultural icon that would result in hundreds of jobs for the Central Coast,” Cr Eaton said.

“People with major developments are not going to come here and risk being exposed to someone’s opinion of the development where it is not balanced,” he said.

“Let me just say that if this motion is carried, it will be used very much on a rarity, I don’t see it as something that will have to happen on every confidential matter,” he said.

Cr Eaton explained that it would be used for issues where the commercial entity had requested the matter be dealt with on the basis of “commercial in confidence” including the final item on the agenda for the November 11 meeting relating to “update on Warnervale Employment Zone land dealings”.

“I am very frustrated and disappointed that someone who has been elected to council and has the trust of the community is just treating them with disdain.”

Cr Adam Troy said he supported the mayoral minute with reluctance.

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Cr Ken Greenwald then spoke against its adoption.

“As councillors, it is our job to vote on matters for the shire,” Cr Greenwald said.

“If someone is breaching, there are ways to deal with it.

“The disharmony something like this will cause is unbelievable.

“How did you come up with the notion that important issues, and some of these are the most important issues, should be delegated?”

Cr Greenwald asked the mayor.

Cr Greenwald said the proposed mayoral minute was an “insult”.

“I certainly won’t be supporting this, if you want a headline in the paper you’ve got it,” he said.

Cr Doug Vincent also opposed the mayoral minute.

“Decision making in local government should be about transparency,” Cr Vincent said.

He said he believed the frustration expressed by the mayor “could be a way of eschewing transparency” and that it may be a staff member or hacker causing the leaks, not necessarily a councillor.

“When it has got to do with the people’s land and

where deals being done behind closed doors are not healthy,” Cr Vincent said.

Of the decision to keep a briefing from acting CEO Mr Rob Noble on the financial implications of an amalgamation with Gosford confidential Cr Vincent said: “I believe it is convenient for a conservative council to hide behind confidentiality to support what the Government is pedalling.”

Cr Bob Graham added: “Anybody could do this but I am copping it all the way through and I take absolute offence with it.

“A lot of the things in confidential are of interest to the community.

“I don’t know why we don’t do what we have done in the past and put the bulk of things in open council so the community can see we aren’t trying to hide anything from them,” Cr Graham said.

Following a series of questions from Cr Webster to the council’s legal counsel, Cr Eaton agreed to amend the mayoral minute by removing the delegation of confidential to himself, the deputy mayor and CEO. That clause was replaced with a call for an urgent report on leaks.

Acting CEO Mr Rob Noble said: “I saw the draft mayoral minute this

evening and I certainly am very much in tune with the mayor that confidential breaches are occurring, it is an abhorrent thing.

“I did feel uncomfortable with the content of item two,” Mr Noble said.

“Council has already delegated significant powers to the office of the CEO and this would be cutting councillors out of decision making.

“I am quite happy about having a report back to council on trying to manage confidential matters.

“There are techniques that can be used to mitigate those kind of things but if you can hack in to the Pentagon then security is a real issue in today’s world,” he said.

“I understand full well what you are trying to achieve,” Cr Greg Best added.

“Unfortunately on my right [referring to Labor Party councillors Vincent and Greenwald] there was some pressure to you [Cr Eaton] as the one doing the wrong thing.

“To the person who is doing this, I have never ever seen such a propensity to leak such important information.

“Here we’ve got the personal information of investors into this region being leaked,” Cr Best said, referring to the leaks as “systematic and serial”.

Cr Vincent attempted to move an amendment

which was partly absorbed into a re-wording of the minute.

Cr Vincent was not permitted to close the debate on his proposed amendment and it was not put to a vote.

A media release issued by Wyong Council following the meeting stated: “In light of repeated breaches of the Local Government Act by way of illegal disclosures of confidential information, Council will seek urgent advice as to how best to handle confidential information going forward.

“Staff will now prepare a report for consideration at the next Council meeting on November 25.

Cr Eaton said: “These repeated breaches are jeopardising investment and job opportunities in our Shire.

“Items are often confidential because investors have asked them to be as they detail commercial in confidence information that could threaten the viability of a project.

“It is so frustrating and disappointing that we have a situation where selfinterest is being put ahead of community interest and it cannot continue.”

Meeting transcript, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council general meeting Media release, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council media Jackie Pearson, journalist

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P10 P1 10 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

One ‘super’ Central Coast Council is not progress he Mannering Park Progress Association would like to express its extreme dismay at the likely prospect of one ‘super’ Central Coast Council.

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Firstly, the only reason Wyong Council was ever in the red was entirely due to the cost shifting by State Government.

In round figures, in 2008-12, we were up to $10 million in debt and that amounted to the cost shifting by the State Government.

Hence this has always been a manufactured crisis.

Councils are powerless as they are at the bottom of the pile and other tiers of governments feed or starve them at will.

If the Federal Government limits funding for certain services at the State level, suddenly the local government – the poorest – has to pick up the economic burden.

This has been one of the greatest sources of discontent in council that we exist at the whim of the State Government of the day and are unable to refuse the cost shifting nor get adequate funding for essential programs.

After the restructure and IPART decision, Wyong Council has not been in financial difficulty and has consulted for an expanded program of works for the shire which it has been implementing.

Ratepayers want councils to be accountable to their ratepayers, be transparent in their dealings, especially

economic and in development matters, and meet their needs, needs which vary considerably across age and social demographic lines.

They want their representatives to stand up for their communities against any perceived adverse policy initiatives at the State and Federal level of politics.

So, what would a combined Greater Central Coast Council mean to the average ratepayer?

Decision making would be further removed from the people.

People on the extremities would feel even more disenfranchised.

Ability to contact and maintain a relationship with either Council or Councillors would become even more difficult as they would be even more removed as their constituency doubles.

This ‘Super’ Council would cover four entire State seats, Wyong, The Entrance, Gosford and Terrigal and the majority of the seat of Swansea.

So, one Council area needs to be effectively represented by five State Members of Parliament and their staff but by only one Council?

This would seem to be wrong in all respects.

Ratepayers will only act when they are directly

affected by decisions taken by councillors that impinge on their services or some other measure that is important to them.

Such events have already happened regularly during this term of Wyong Council.

Decisions such as those, that tried to sell off public park land and open space at Wadalba and Buff Point under the guise of ‘affordable’ housing and other ruses raised the ire of local residents and forced back-downs.

Will a larger bureaucracy respond in a similar fashion or will the people be easier to fool with decisions made before they can react, organise and respond?

Both Gosford and Wyong were deemed fit on all measures of a fiscal nature and only failed the State Government’s arbitrary ‘scale and capacity’ criteria, both vague terms, so had to be deemed ‘unfit’.

What is the rationale and science behind the scale and capacity criteria?

No-one knows.

A single council of over 330,000 people is large enough for whole territory governments in other jurisdictions.

Our population will be greater than that of the Northern Territory, at approximately 244,000, just 15 per cent shy of

Forum Letters to the editor should be sent to:

Wyong Regional

Chronicle PO Box 1056 Gosford 2250 or editorial@wyongnews.org See Page 2 for contribution conditions

the A Australian Capital th t li C it l Territory at approx. 390 000 and 60 per cent of Tasmanian’s population at 516,000.

It will categorically not deliver better services, more efficiency or closer community ties.

In fact it will create the reverse, with many feeling they are the ‘haves’ – generally The Entrance up north (another $3 million in this budget) and Gosford, Terrigal/Wamberal down south and the ‘have nots’ - the rest of us picking up the crumbs.

The cry of the ‘forgotten’ north/south will be ever louder.

Why anyone in this madness would not have re-drawn the boundaries to have all of Lake Macquarie under one Council is ridiculous, as the Brisbane Waters and Tuggerah Lakes will compete with each other for attention and funding.

Of course, the real reason for all of these shenanigans is obvious – more power concentrated in the big parties of Labor and Liberal.

Since the Liberals discovered the community value and power of Local Government they have been seeking ways to amass more positions on Councils state wide and this is their final desperate attempt to make all three tiers of government belong to themselves or Labor.

Less diversity and pesky representatives to question and demand answers is always much easier for governments of the day.

Certainly this council will see the demise of the true independent and minor parties, or at least a great reduction, so less people will feel represented at the local level, leading to even further disenfranchisement at the ballot box.

The State Government has lost all of its political capital on the Central Coast by betraying the people’s trust.

They broke their word by selling off Wyong Grove PS to a ‘private buyer’ after committing to retaining the site as a community hub and similarly with the Gosford PS site on prime waterfront land sold off to the Australian Tax Office.

In summary, Wyong Council and Gosford are in fact ‘fit for the future’ and able to stand alone.

Wyong Council ratepayers do not feel they are part of Gosford, the creation of this huge

council will lead to further political disengagement.

Everyone will think things are being done ‘to them’, not for them, by a remote unaccountable bureaucracy with whom they have no connection, there will be no improvement in services, nor extra efficiencies, let alone a reduction in the rates and people at the extremities will fail to be heard.

In general, our social cohesion, society and environment will suffer as decisions are made to appease a State Government’s agenda, not the local one.

The word ‘local’ will come to mean fragmented communities fighting to save their identities and places but no overall big picture being framed in ratepayer’s minds.

In short, it will be a looming disaster that will sadly only be apparent when it is too late.

The only fair response by the State Government would be to give the ratepayers the facts with no political bias and then put it to a referendum.

In our opinion, only then will the outcome be more fully accepted, but, why would the State government want to ask its citizens what they really want?

They might not like the answer.

Email, Nov 1, 2015 Kelvin Wynn, Mannering Park Progress Association

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P111 W

Unhappy Liberal reader

o the editor of this so called (INDEPENDENT) newspaper.

T

I am utterly disappointed to read so much dribble that you have allowed David Harris and Laurie Eyes to fill almost every page in your 80th issue.

You cannot expect me to believe that all the ANTI development you have filled your paper with makes people want to read the next issue.

Our Wyong Council is

Forum

making ki up ffor the h 15 or so years that was wasted under the previous Labor Government, who did absolutely nothing, in this electorate.

Everything it is doing is for the future of Wyong and you and your mouthpiece in David Harris appear to want to block everything.

And as for Laurie Eyes, he is just a person whose anti-progress ideas he knows will be given space in your newspaper to voice his opinion.

I suggest in future issues you leave these leftist views where they belong and fill your papers with positive news.

Email, Nov 1, 2015 Brian Dorsett, Gorokan

Man charged with intimidation at Soldiers Beach man appeared in court on Monday, October 26 after allegedly approaching and intimidating two girls at a beach in the Tuggerah Lakes area.

A

About 2:00pm Sunday, October 5, the two girls, aged 14 and 16, were at Soldiers Beach in Norah Head.

A man allegedly approached the girls, made sexual gestures towards them, and asked them to go home with him.

The teenagers walked away.

It will be alleged the man followed the girls, and continued asking them questions for a period of time.

Later in the afternoon, the girls entered the female toilets at the beach.

They’ve told police the same man was inside one of the toilet cubicles.

Fearing for their safety, the girls ran from the toilets and spoke with some adults in the vicinity.

Police attended and began a search of the

area.

A short time later, officers from the Police Transport Command arrested a man at a nearby bus stop.

The 41-year-old man was taken to Wyong Police Station, where he was charged with intimidation.

The man was refused bail and police investigations into the matter were continuing.

OnTheBeat

Pizza delivery vehicle stolen

olice were appealing for public assistance after a pizza delivery driver was assaulted and her vehicle stolen at Wyong.

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Two men confronted the female delivery driver on Leppington St about 10:15pm on Sunday, November 8.

The men, who had their faces concealed, threatened the woman with a knife before assaulting her.

They stole the vehicle and were last seen heading north.

Police were alerted and officers from Tuggerah

Lakes Local Area Command are searching for the vehicle.

They’re appealing for public assistance and urging anyone who sees the vehicle not to approach it but to contact Triple ‘000’ immediately.

The car is a white Nissan Micra with ‘Domino’s Pizza’ signage on it.

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on

1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: http://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/ Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Media release, Nov 8, 2015 NSW Police media

Mobile home fire results in a fatality olice and NSW Fire and Rescue officers were investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire in a mobile home on the Central Coast on Monday, November 2.

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Emergency services were called to a mobile home village in Canton Beach shortly after 8:00pm following reports of a fire in one of the mobile homes.

Officers located the

home which was engulfed in flames, and discovered the 71-year-old female occupant deceased inside.

The fire was

extinguished and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Media release, Nov 2, 2015 NSW Police media

DOB IN A DUMPER

Media release, Oct 25, 2015 NSW Police media

I

f you see any rubbish that you think has been illegally dumped, take a photograph of it and send it to us with information about the location of the illegal dumping.

Close ups of any personal identifying markings will be particularly useful.

We will endeavour to publish the photograph and hopefully that way help identify the illegal dumper Illegal dumping is an extremely selfish, uncaring activity and it costs rate payers a great deal of money.

P12 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P13

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Health

P14 P1 14 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Jed Clarke is a brass bloke survivor of child sexual abuse who almost lost his life to drugs has been honoured as a Brass Bloke by Lifeline Central Coast for the way he has turned his life around to help others.

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Jed Clarke from Wyong was presented with the second ever Direct Fire Supplies Brass Bloke Award at a gala function held at Avoca Beach

Surf Lifesaving Club on Friday, October 30.

Mr Clarke was one of three finalists in the awards that raise much needed funds for Lifeline

Dr. Mythily Ramanathan (MBBS, Dip in GP, Dip in Child Health, FRNZCGP, FRACGP) Female Family Physician/General Practitioner Practising at shop 3/112 Wyong Rd, Killarney Vale, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and every second Saturday of each month from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.

Phone: 02 4332 6174 or use Health engine web site https://healthengine.com.au/

Thursdays at Suite 8, 16-18 Hill St, Gosford Phone 0458 735 813 Mixed billings. Pension cards, age above 65 and under 16 will be bulk billed email: mythily2000@hotmail.com for appointments

Central Coast’s telephone counselling and suicide prevention services.

He was nominated by his wife Ms Sue Clarke.

The youngest of five children, Mr Clarke was sexually abused by a neighbour as a young boy.

He was then introduced to drugs and alcohol which robbed him of the next 20 years of his life.

In his early 20s he tried to end his life but thankfully survived.

He then met some kind people who did not judge him.

Instead, they bought him a hot meal every Friday night and showed kindness.

Mr Clarke has gone from being homeless and living on a pension for 10 years to working full time for the past six years supporting people with disabilities.

Gary Webb, Lifeline Central Coast chair, Brass Blokes award winner Jed Clarke with finalists Steve Tatham and Darren Jewell

He now is a homeowner and his son has come back to live with him after eight years away.

In his spare time, Mr Clarke leads a small outreach called ‘The Fathers Table’ which feeds

up to 100 needy people per week, giving them support, encouragement and unconditional love.

Over the last three and a half years Jed and his team have provided more than $250,000 worth of

AGEING AND DISABILITY SERVICES CONSUMER REFERENCE GROUP EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN UNTIL 27 NOVEMBER

The group will provide feedback and input on a range of Ageing and Disability service related issues.

Coast Community Connections is inviting carers, consumers, potential consumers and family members to join a new Consumer Reference Group.

Group membership is a voluntary position.

To learn more about joining the group please contact us.

Di Spragg - Director of Operations 02 4343 1888 info@coastcommunityconnections.com.au

meals, clothes, Christmas gifts and groceries.

Ms Clarke said Jed and his team give out the same kindness and love that saved Jed’s life.

“What Jed expresses through ‘The Fathers Table’ commitment every week is, no matter where you have come from or what you have done, it is not too late to change, it’s not too late to hope, it’s not too late to set your eyes on a brighter tomorrow,” Ms Clarke said.

Lifeline Central Coast chairman Mr Gary Webb said that the Brass Blokes Award recognises the amazing spirit of ‘blokes’ on the Central Coast who have been through adversity yet still find the time, courage and inspiration to give back to their community.

“The event is also a chance to raise awareness of men’s mental health issues and urgently needed funds for the work done by Lifeline Central Coast to save the lives of local people,” Mr Webb said.

Media release, Nov 2, 2015 Craig Eardley, CECOMM

Getting off drugs is torture.

Three months in one of our beds gets kids clean.

Please donate to support our live-in programs, giving addicted children their lives back.

We’ll buy more beds in more residences to take in more kids. It’s as simple as that.

Call 1800 151 045 or visit www.noffs.org.au

Sponsored by

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P15 5

Health

Ageing and Disability Carpark becomes Services users wanted for temporary delivery suite reference group oast Community Connections is calling on community members to submit expressions of interest to join their Consumer Reference Group (CRG) to provide information and input regarding the organisation’s Ageing and Disability Services.

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The CRG will be made up of people who are able to represent consumers and potential consumers of Coast Community Connections Ageing and Disability Services with the aim of providing feedback and information to help inform the organisation’s decision making process and enhance the role and work of their local Ageing and Disability Services.

Mr Andrew Tuck, chief executive officer of Coast Community Connections, said that the CRG will play a vital role in expressing the needs of the wider community regarding local aged care and disability services.

“Coast Community Connections is establishing the Ageing and Disability Services CRG because we are committed to seeking

feedback from, consulting with and gaining input from consumers,” said Mr Tuck.

“The feedback and information we gain from the Group will enable us to improve the quality of the services we offer and ensure that our Ageing and Disability Services are more responsive to the needs of consumers.”

Coast Community Connections currently offers a wide range of community based Ageing and Disability Services to members of the local community.

“We are calling on Central Coast residents who are current and potential consumers or family members/carers of consumers of our Ageing and Disability Services who are interested in providing input about these services from a

consumer perspective,” he said.

“If you are interested in applying or would like to find out more about the position and what it entails, I encourage you to contact us for an application form and the CRG terms of reference,” he added.

CRG membership is a voluntary position, however reasonable out of pocket expenses related to participation such as travel will be reimbursed.

Members of the Group must be able to commit one and a half hours of their time per quarter to attend meetings and should have a broad understanding of ageing and/or disability service issues.

Media release, Oct 30, 2015 Katey Small, Brilliant Logic

20 swimming sites receive the full four star rating favourable water quality report has been given to Wyong Council’s 22 swimming locations.

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The water quality tests are conducted as part of a state wide ‘Beach Partnership Program’ with the Office of Environment and Heritage, aimed at monitoring swimming and environmental conditions over spring and summer.

The tests are undertaken to enable the community to make informed decisions about where and when to swim.

All of Council’s 22 popular swimming sites were declared as suitable for swimming with all but 2 receiving the full four star rating.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said:

“Recent reports in the media about the poor state of beaches on the Central Coast are simply not true when it comes to Wyong Shire.

“Our beaches and lakes are a major tourist drawing card as well as being popular with locals and we are proud of our record in maintaining and improving the quality of our swimming locations.

“With summer just around the corner, residents and visitors can confidently enjoy our pristine beaches and lakes this summer, knowing they are clean and safe“.

Media release, Oct 28, 2015 Wyong Council media

The O'Dea family safe and well

Gorokan man has delivered his own baby after his wife went into labour in the family car on October 17.

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Ben and Melissa O’Dea were en route to the hospital when Ms O’Dea’s contractions started coming with no gaps.

“I was in extreme pain and screaming at Ben that we needed to get to the hospital now,” Ms O’Dea said.

“By the time we got to the Ourimbah exit, my water broke, and Ben, our 15-month-old son and I were stressed to the max and I screamed to pullover because the baby was coming and I needed

to push,” Ms O’Dea said.

Mr O’Dea pulled the family car into the carpark of the bible school next to the Ourimbah RSL and delivered the couple’s second son, Xavier, while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

“Ben was amazing.

“He checked all of Xavier’s vitals, wrapped him and laid him on my chest.

“He made sure I was okay and wrapped me up as well before comforting my older son until ambulances arrived.

“We are all happy, healthy and home now, and have a very exciting story to tell Xavier when he is older.

“It was amazing.

“As the sign out the front of the Bible school read, “He who will be coming quickly, will bring with him your reward” and our bub (sic) came super quick and he is our amazing reward,” Ms O’Dea said.

Email, Nov 4, 2015 Melissa O’Dea, Gorokan

The Fletcher Gallery Now Open Paintings, prints, small gifts.

Open Weekends -11am-4pm.

17 Dolly Ave Springfield www.zoefletcher.com or call Zoe Fletcher on

0497 766 522

Education

P16 P1 16 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Theodore shares top maths prize

Hall calls for vocational education and training ombudsman ederal Member for Shortland, Ms Jill Hall MP is calling for a national ombudsman for the vocational education and training (VET) sector.

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Newcastle Permanent CEO Terry Millett with Theodore Brown

akes Grammar School’s Theodore Brown has shared the top prize in the year six division of the 35th annual Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition.

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Theodore sat the 35-question exam paper along with almost 18,000 students from schools across the Hunter, Central Coast, Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, New England and Central West.

Newcastle Permanent CEO, Mr Terry Millett congratulated Theodore on his achievement.

“Congratulations to Theodore for his fantastic work topping the Hunter/ Central Coast Region and taking out the Newcastle Permanent shield for

Lakes Grammar School.

“Theodore, his family and school can be very proud,” Mr Millett said.

“It’s clear the student has a true gift for mathematics and I’m sure we’ll see great things from him in the years to come.

“Newcastle Permanent recognises mathematics as a fundamental life skill and the ongoing support from local schools also highlights the importance of numeracy and literacy,” Mr Millett said.

The competition

challenges students to complete the exam without using calculators, rulers or geometrical instruments.

Participating schools are divided into the Hunter, Northern and Central West regions, with the top-ranking students from each year receiving a shield for their school to recognise the achievement.

Media release, Nov 6, 2015 Ashleigh Killingly, Newcastle Permanent

Speaking in Federal Parliament on the Higher Education Support Amendment Bill 2015 on Monday, November 9, Ms Hall said she gave her “wholehearted support” to the appointment of a VET Ombudsman.

“We hear so many stories of unscrupulous providers offering inappropriate courses to people who are not in a position to complete them or to pay for them,” she said.

“I have spoken to many people of all ages who have been approached by course providers which do not have their best interests at heart.

“They even offer free Ipads, shopping vouchers or other marketing

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in Parliament, goes some way towards doing this, but Federal Labor believes it should go further.

“Labor proposes that a VET Ombudsman be appointed to investigate consumer complaints, hold course providers to account and, where necessary, order registered training organisations to refund course fees.

“Students must be protected from unscrupulous course providers and we must ensure the industry is held to account.”

Media release, Nov 10, 2015 Lisa McDermott, office of Jill Hall

TAFE to reduce specialist teacher consultants and counsellors unter TAFE students with disabilities, and students seeking counselling support, could be next to feel the brunt of the Baird Government’s attack on TAFE, according to shadow minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris.

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Management at Hunter TAFE reportedly told staff in an emergency meeting that ‘revenue constraints’ have forced it to reduce the number of specialist teacher consultants from 11 to just four.

The specialist teacher consultants provide unique support to cater to the needs of students with disability.

TAFE counsellors who provide personal counselling services and careers guidance will also be cut.

Recent reports suggest

House for Sale - Offers over $469K

incentives, yet they don’t fully explain the course process or the extent of fees involved.

“Invariably people who do not have the skills or education are signed up for the course. “There is also no practical online help for them to complete their studies.

“As a result, courses are not completed, some students are left with $20,000 debts, and government loans are not being repaid because students never earn enough to meet the income threshold.

“The regulations governing unscrupulous course providers really need to be tightened.

“The Bill, which is currently being debated

there were five full time TAFE counsellors, six permanent part time TAFE counsellors and two permanent full time senior TAFE counsellors.

The cuts will force Hunter TAFE to let go of all full time counsellors and one senior counsellor.

According to the 2014/15 Budget Paper, the number of students with a disability enrolling in TAFE has fallen by 5,200 this year and 11,500 in the past three years.

Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Ms

Sophie Cotsis, said the Baird Government’s TAFE attacks were taking a terrible toll on people with disability, with enrolments for students with disability falling by 20 per cent over the last three years.

“The Government’s cuts to TAFE are slamming shut doors of opportunity for people with disabilities,” Ms Cotsis said.

Media release, Nov 3, 2015 Michael Gibb, Office of the Leader of the Opposition

Demand for copies of Wyong Regional Chronicle has been extremely high lately.

If you can’t wait to get your copy - read it online!

If you lent yours to someone that won’t give it back - read it online!

Missed an edi on or want to re-read something - read it online!

Simply go to www.wyongnews.org They’re all there and it’s FREE

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P177 W

Out&About

Short story competition winners announced

Mini makeover wenty years ago, Tuggerah Library at Westfield first opened its doors as an innovative one stop shop for Wyong Council customers.

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Council’s library services section manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, after 20 years, the biggest change has been the advancement in technology.

“To put it into perspective, when we first opened, public access to the Internet wasn’t even available,” Ms Edwards said.

“Now we offer access to a multitude of free online and electronic services across our branches including eBooks, tablets, WIFI, YourTutor for school students and a range of databases to help our customers with resume writing, language skills and family history, just to mention a few,” she said.

Ms Edwards said even with all the changes, the most rewarding part remains the valuable service provided to the community.

“We have lifelong relationships with our customers,” Ms Edwards said.

“Our very first patron here at Tuggerah is still an active customer 20 years on.

“It is an amazing feeling to be able to help our customers and we really enjoy seeing children grow and progress and return with their own kids.

“Our staff find it such a rewarding role, so much so, we still have five of the original staff from 1995 with us today, who love it when customers pop in to say hello.”

After 20 years the look and feel of Tuggerah Library remains the same, but that is all about to change for the better, with a mini makeover due to be completed by April next year.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, said the $100,000 refurbishment will provide a more contemporary space for users.

“Customers will see the front desk replaced with small service pods, public access computers relocated away from the main walkway, more lounge seating, local information screens and new lighting in some areas,” Cr Eaton said.

“These changes will allow for higher levels of personal assistance and produce a more welcoming community hub, creating active and flexible learning spaces for customers.

“We are committed to investing in our libraries so they can continue to offer essential services for another 20 years,” he said.

Media release, Oct 26, 2015 Wyong Council media

Ending slavery is a choice.

Take part. endslavery.salvos.org.au

From left, Cr Lynne Webster, Abbey O’Shea, Catherine Moffat, Finlay Smith and mayor Cr Doug Eaton.

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ongratulations to the winners of the 2015 Wyong Council Library’s annual Short Story Competition, announced at a wellattended awards ceremony recently.

This is the fourth consecutive year the competition has been held to help boost the profile of creative writing in the shire whilst providing a platform for hopeful local authors to be discovered and celebrated.

Council’s section manager of library services, Ms Andrea Edwards, said she was delighted with the response from the community.

“We received a record number of 165 entries, a 38.8 per cent increase on last year and a whopping 166 per cent increase from our first competition in 2012,” Ms Edwards said.

“It’s fantastic to see all ages getting involved – we feel very strongly about being able to engage with

our community, not only to inspire and celebrate local writers, but also to encourage further education and learning.

“The standard of entries for this year was exceptional, displaying so much imagination and promise as published writers.

“With such a high calibre of stories, the judges really struggled picking a top two, so much so, there were three equal second place getters for each division.”

The winners in each category were: Adult – Catherine Moffatt for ‘When she rings’; Youth – Abbey O’Shea for ‘Cinder-liar’; and Child – Finlay Smith for ‘The story of the Koi-Carp’.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM,

who presented the winners with their iPad mini to continue their creative writing input, congratulated the winners.

“With increased entries and the high quality of stories, taking out first place is no mean feat,” Cr Eaton said.

“We have so much local talent here in the Shire that is worth celebrating.

“The number of year nine students failing to meet national minimum standards of reading and spelling in our shire is more than double the state and national averages (2012/13 NAPLAN results).

“This competition is just one of a multitude of activities and services our libraries offer to help

improve literacy levels and drive these numbers down.”

Catherine Moffat, winner of the adult division for her relationship tale with a twist said: “I was really excited when I heard my name called.

“This is such a great competition and I’m so pleased my story won out of so many great entries.

“It’s been fun reading some of the stories – especially in the kid’s competition – there are some great writers in Wyong Shire.”

All second place entries received a book and audiobook voucher pack.

Copies of the anthology can be purchased from all branches.

Media release, Nov 3, 2015 Wyong Council media

Not for Profit Organisations Animal Care Central Coast Cat Care $20 Desexing Special Cats only No Pedigrees 4388 6448 4325 3163

Bushwalking National Parks Association Central Coast Twice weekly bush walks on the Central Coast and further afield, varying distances and grades of difficulty. Explore, enjoy scenery, fauna, floral, history. Keep fit and make friends.

4389 4423 & 4332 7378

Community Groups Bateau Bay Men’s Shed Environment for mature aged men to repair items, share and learn skills and socialize 9am to 1.30pm Tue to Thur 1 Bay Village Road, Bateau Bay 0435 807 633 bateaubayshed@gmail.com

Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre Come and join our regular activities, indoor bowls, mahjong, walking for pleasure, slimmers support, hand and foot Bolivia cards, Toy library and community garden 4388 5801 manager@bvnc.org.au www.bvnc.org.au

Central Coast Community Legal Centre The Central Coast Community Legal Centre is a non-profit organisation located in Wyong that provides free legal advice to people within the Wyong / Gosford area. Intake times for legal advice Tue 10-12pm, Wed 10-12pm, Thur 2-4pm 4353 4988 Fax 4353 4680 admin_cclc@clc.net.au

PO Box 246 Wyong NSW 2259 Central Coast 50+ Singles Social Group Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & Socialising each w/e.

Our friendly group can be contacted for our monthly programme all areas of the coast 4396 3640 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com

Central Coast Over 30s Social Group Inc We offer social contact, entertainment events & new friendships for people in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s & 60’s etc.

Our events range from; Live Music, House Parties, Restaurant Nights, BBQ’s/Picnics, Trips Away & lots more.

For a FREE calendar call

call 0422 243 101 email cco30s@live.com.au

Central Coast Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service Do you have issues with your landlord or real estate agent?

Free telephone advice and advocacy for all tenants and residents in residential parks.

4353 5515 cctaas@hotmail.com

Gambling Solutions Gambling help counsellors providing free confidential professional service to gamblers, family and friends Available Woy Woy, Kincumber, Gosford and The Entrance 4344 7992

Lake Munmorah Senior Citizens Club Computer Classes for beginners and advanced.

Come and join regular activities: dancing, exercise, pilates, yoga, craft, carpet bowls and Tai Chi. 4358 8390 Long Jetty Senior Citizens Club Beginner classes being held in computers, line dancing, tai chi and zumba gold.

Contact the Club 4332 5522 M-F, 9am to 3pm for full list of activities Long Jetty Over 50s Club Come along and join in our activities, great for indoor bowls, computers, exercises, yoga, linedancing, tai chi and more 4332 5522 9am to 3pm Mingaletta Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Corporation The Mingaletta community centre provides its members and other community groups a meeting place and referral hub for education, health, well-being and cultural programs through consultative services and community programs.

Mon-Fri 9am 4pm 6 Sydney Ave Umina 4342 7515 admin@mingaletta.com.au

The NSW Justices Association Inc Are you a JP? The NSW Justices Association is seeking volunteers for 6 community JP Desks in Wyong Shire Free Insurance and training provided 0418 493 388 benefits@nswja.org.au

The Rotary Club of the Entrance Inc. A small, friendly and effective club supporting many local organisations, and international Rotary Activities. Always welcoming new members, men and women, to help us to help others.

Meetings 6pm for 6.30

pm each Tues – Mingara Recreation Club 4367 6540 rotarytheentrance@gmail.com

Torchbearers for Legacy Toukley Raising funds for Brisbane Waters Legacy.

Fundraising activities Harry Moore Golf Day, Garage markets and street stalls.

Volunteers always needed to help.

2nd Mon 9.30am Norah Head Legacy Accure 0414 701 489 hartas@bigpond.net.au

Volunteering Central Coast Refer potential volunteers to community organisations and provide support to volunteers and community organisations. we also provide training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Information Sessions “Bridge to Volunteering” Held regulary across the Central Coast 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

Wrap with Love Knitting blankets for cold humanity.

Knitted blankets warm the heart of those who give and those who receive.

Donations of 8ply yarn gratefully received.

Long Jetty: 4333 4353 Toukley 4399 3351 Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Supporting disadvantaged vulnerable and isolated members of our community offering a range of community services, events, projects, workshops, arts programs and an open community garden.

4353 1750 Wyong Toastmasters Club Come along, be part of a vibrant, progressive group.

Conquer your fears of public speaking in a supportive learn-by-doing environment.

10.30am - 1st, 3rd and 5th Friday Wyong RSL Anzac Ave Wyong 1030am 4328 8297 j pp @ joppa@theorchards.com.au

Garden Clubs Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Club Meets on the 3rd Sat each month from 1pm to 3.30pm Charmhaven Community Centre - Plants for Sale, Raffles, afternoon tea 0401 544 052 4399 2420

Health Groups Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Hearing loss management Support and educational group - 7 groups across the coast - Providing

P18 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

practical experience and confidence Learn the benefits to hearing aids - Better Hearing Australia Central Coast 4321 0275 www.centralcoast.betterhearing australia.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Gosford) Meet last Friday Month Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600 www.pcfa.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Wyong) Meet last Monday Month Toukley RSL Club, Holmes Ave Toukley 10.00am to 12 noon 4356 9300 www.pcfa.org.au

GROW - Free weekly 12 Step Self Help Group for people wishing to recover from anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.

New group opening at Wyong, McInnon Hall, Bakers Lane on Tuesday 28 April, 11.00am to 1.00pm. All welcome.

Phone 1800 558 268 or 0455 086 890 for more details or www.grow.org.au

Northern Women’s Health Centre We offer family law advice, counselling, therapeutic and social groups, workshops, domestic violence and abuse issues. All services are provided by women for women 4351 1152 www.cccwhc.com.au

ParaQuad Specialist healthcare products delivered to your door, for all your continence, wound care and respiratory and nutrition requirements Professional Clinic Support available 1300 886 601 www.brightsky.com.au g y

Music Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub Branch Youth Club Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom Dancing classes from 4yrs old and up Classes held at the Youth Club - Monday afternoons 5pm mathewmoshou80@gmail.com

JAZZLEAGUE

Live Jazz Bands - Come to listen, Come to dance Free - Every Sun Central Coast Leagues Club Gosford 2-5pm www.jazzleague.net

Soundwaves Men’s acapella 4 part harmony chorus - all ages 7pm Mon Central Coast Leagues Club John 0413 276 698 jbthomson51@gmail.com

Tuggerah Lakes Showband An enthusiastic groupo of people who play brass instrumnts, meet every Tuesday and Thursday to rehearse their crowdpleasing music and play at communioty events Band Hall located in Park Road The Entrance (north end)

Tues 7.30pm Thur 6.30pm 0407 406 669

Political Groups Australian Labor Party Ourimbah/ Narara Branch Discussion/action community issues 3 levels of Government Niagara Park Primary School 7.30pm 1st Mon each month 0410 309 494

4351 0450

Service Groups Northern Settlement Services - Volunteers

Volunteers needed for friendly visits to the elderly in nursing homes.

People with a second language encouraged to apply. Training support provided 4334 3877 cvscc@nsservices.com.au

Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes Volunteers wanted, challenging conditions, interupted meals, early starts, breathtaking tuggerah lakes views.

Rewards: - Saving distressed boaters or maybe save a life 0488 442 051 uc.tuggerahlakes@ marinerescuensw.com.au

kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

Special Interest

Politics in the Pub Central Coast Discussion of important political, social, economic, education, land philosophy issues in a non partisan manner - 4th Thur every month besides December

Brisbane Water Caravan Club

Warnervale Branch - NSW Labor Party To support and promote NSW Labor within the Warnervale area to give a voice to those who find it difficult to use their own.

3rd Tue 7pm monthly Hamlyn Terrace Community Centre 0419 128 497 warnervale.labor@gmail.com @g

Probus Clubs Bateau Bay Ladies Probus Club We offer a warm welcome, friendship and interesting speakers.

4th Mon every month RSL Hall Killarney Vale 4332 6625 Toowoon Bay Probus Club Come and meet new friends and enjoy the company of like-minded Seniors. Morning tea provided, guest speakers talking on topics relevant to Seniors, as well as regular exciting social events. 4th Thur each month 10am.

Anglican Church hall, corner of Brooke Ave and Eastern Rd Bateau Bay New members welcome.

4334 3979 Tuggerah Combined Probus Club Inc New to the Coast?

If you would like to meet new friends and enjoy social events, a welcome awaits you at Tuggerah Combined Probus Club each 2nd Thur at 10:30am, where you will have the opportunity to hear various guest speakers and also join us in a social outing on the 3rd Thursday.

We meet at Woodbury Park Community Hall, Mardi.

Located on the Central Coast and looking for new members www.bwcaravanclub.wix.com/bwcc

4344 4363 Biz Plus Networking Association Attention business owners - are you keen to grow your business and in the process build worthwhile relationships?

Then why not attend a Biz Networking breakfast?

Every Thur 7:15am - 9am Erina Leagues Club Geoff Neilson network@bizplus.com.au Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems

Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 830am230pm Thurs evening 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246 cclapidary@optusnet.com.au

Central Coast Potters Society Dedicated to increasing the ceramics knowlede, experience and skills of members and the general public. Running classes, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and social events. Annual exhibitions in May and December Open Day in Sept 4324 5343 info@ccpotters.org

PO Box 4043 East Gosford NSW 2250 Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 830am-230pm Thurs evening 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246

Bridge Club Bridge players can enjoy a game of social bridge on Tuesdays, 9.45am1pm The Greens The Entrance with or without a partner.

Len 4332 6989 David 4392 0606 Tuggerah Lakes U3A Keep your mind active and learn something new!

Come to one of our classes for a couple of hours and make new friends.

Long Jetty Discussions, play reading, cryptic crosswords, talks, readers group, Mahjong Toukley - Creative writing, French conversation Berkeley Vale - Music Appreciation Chitaway Bay - Movies 4390 2451 www.tugglakesu3a.info

Mingara Indoor Bowls Club The play of Indoor (Carpet) Bowls - Daily competition (singles, pairs & triples) Winner’s Prize $5 - but strongly social - Sun 9.30am Noon - Mon 6.30pm–9pm Wed 9.30am-2pm (including lunch break) Ray 4389 2567 Mingara Club 4349 7799 raymurphy1935@hotmail.com

Wyong Drama Group Inc A friendly group, presenting 3 major productions a year.

We welcome anyone interested in being involved in any area of production - Acting; Backstage; Front of House; Lighting/Sound etc Monthly meetings 1st Tues. 7.30pm in the new Grove Community Centre 1300 665 600 wyongdramagroup@gmail.com yo gd a ag oup@g a co

Sport KI-DO Mingara Judo Academy Junior boys and girls Mon and Wed Two classes 6 to 8.30pm from 7yrs $5 Lessons Kangy Angy Near Westfield 0413 237 010 www.kidomingarajudo.com.au do ga ajudo co au

Womens Groups BPW Central Coast

Empowering women of all ages in the areas of work, education, well-being and friendship.

All women welcome to attend monthly dinner meetings.

Be enlightened. $40 covers two course meal and speaker.

Community transport available to and from centre Chris Levis 0438 989 199 bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com www.bpw.com.au/central-coast

If you would like your Community Organisa on listed here, see www.duckscrossing.org or www. centralcoastnewspapers.com for the forms or contact Central Coast Newspapers on - 4325 7369

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P199 W

Out&About

Country Music Festival on again

Christmas carols and fireworks at Wyong he Bendigo Community Bank Wyong Christmas Carols will be held on Sunday, December 6 in Wyong Town Park at 5:30pm.

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They have become a tradition at Christmas time for families in the Wyong and surrounding communities.

The carols are well supported by Wyong Council, Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.

The fireworks on the night are provided by Village Central Wyong.

Last year’s exhibition was “outstanding”,

according to Wyong Town coordinator, Ms Mary-Anne Beckers.

The local businesses also donate 400 show bags for the children, including safety candle, song book and assorted goodies.

A visit from Santa is expected and there will be a Rotary sausage sizzle and market stalls.

A variety of acts will perform including the

Wyong Musical Theatre Company and many more local performers.

The event is free, alcohol free, family friendly but bring your own chair and rug.

The MC for the night will be Mr Ray Davidson, chairman of Wyong Community Bank Branch.

Email, Nov 2, 2015 Mary-Anne Beckers, Village Central Wyong

The Wyong Diary

For events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263

Friday, Nov 13 Toukley and District Art Society Christmas Craft Making Workshop, Federation Gallery, Wallarah Rd, Gorokan

Star FM Raft Race, Mackenzie Reserve Budgewoi Chicken Train Skifflers, Lakes Hotel, The Entrance, 2:30pm Bring Your Bills Day, The Entrance Community Centre, 9:00am to 2:30pm

Wyong and District Stamp Club stamp and coin fair, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Lake haven Masonic Village Hall, Stan Gregory Cres.

Lake Haven. Saturday and Sunday Ben Woodham, Budgewoi Soccer Club, 6:30pm

Wednesday, Nov 18

Tuesday, Nov 24

Combined Churches Together Worship Event, Kanwal Anglican Church (Lakes Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit), 274 Wallarah Rd, Kanwal, 7:00pm with free supper

Coffee N Chat, 8:30am The Secret Café Charmhaven, guest speaker Kerri Saunders, mental health is a natural state

Tuesday, Nov 17 Saturday, Nov 14 Ben Woodham, Bay Sports, 7:30pm Canton Beach Stormwater Crawl with Waterwatch staff, meet at the car park, end of Oleander St, 9:00am to 11:00am, bookings essential The Lakes Festival Brackets and Jam North feat. The Ken Don’ts, BluesAngels, Johnny Devilseed & Old Man Rubes Lennon Through A Glass Onion, Entrance Leagues Club 15th Annual Central Coast Country Music Festival, The Entrance, Saturday and Sunday

Sunday, Nov 15 Dads Day Out 2015, Uniting Care Burnside a free family event, Lake Munmorah Reserve, 10:00am to 2:00pm

Saturday, Nov 21

Thursday, Nov 19 Salvation Army Wills Day, Oasis youth Centre, Hely St Wyong 8:00am to 6:00pm, appointments essential The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 premier screening to raise funds for Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Events Cinema Tuggerah Westfield

Wednesday, Nov 25 The Wyong Neighbourhood Centre, Christmas community sausage sizzle and garage sale from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Thursday, Nov 26 C o m m u n i t y Environment Network end of year get together, Staff common room, School of Applied Sciences, Ourimbah Campus, 6:30pm

See the Peninsula News for events in post code areas 2256 & 2257 and the COAST Community News for events in post code areas 2250, 2260 and 2251 If you’ve got something happening in the Wyong Region over the next few weeks, let us know about it and we’ll list it here for you, for free. Contact details are on page 2.

Morgan Evans Photo Ben Symons

Adam Harvey

he 15th annual Central Coast Country Music Festival will be held on November 14 and 15, with over 30 artists performing on three stages at The Entrance and venues.

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Morgan Evans will headline the festival with a free performance on Saturday night.

Local Country Music artist Adam Harvey will headline and conclude the festival on Sunday afternoon on the Memorial Park Stage.

The festival will see an array of talent over the two days with Aleyce Simmonds, Adam Eckersley Band, Amber Lawrence, Brothers 3, and Jasmine Rae performing on the Sails Stage and the Lucky Country Stage in the Bayview Mall.

Mickey Pye will showcase his talents on Sunday showing why he was crowned The 2015 Toyota Star Maker Winner at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Memorial Park will also come alive with stalls and exhibitions to entertain the crowds including the CC Wood Turners and a Vintage Farm Machinery exhibition.

For the young at heart there is plenty on offer with show rides, face painting, temporary tattoos and plaster fun.

Roadhouse band with Chris and Liz Bond will host a fantastic line up of country artists on the Sails Stage all day Saturday.

The traditional Poets Breakfast will kick Sunday’s event off on the Sails Stage and then, the Shawn Lidster band, clogging and square dancing will take place.

There is plenty to do and see over the Country Music Weekend and all performance are free for all to enjoy.

Media release, Oct 30, 2015 Donna Judge, The Entrance Town Centre Management

Bring your bills he Benevolent Society is hosting a Bring Your Bills event, where locals can get specialist help from providers, government services and financial counsellors at The Entrance Neighbourhood Centre on November 17.

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Specialised support will be available from Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), State Debt Recovery, Financial Legal Rights Centre and NSW Fair Trading.

“Having these services available under one roof will allow the community to have face to face conversations with providers regarding their everyday bills,” Community Development Worker, Ms Jacky Paterson said.

“These bills can be utility bills, fines that have been passed to

State Debt Recovery, loans, or credit card debts and information will be available about tenancy advice and about the rights and responsibilities of a tenant,” she said.

There will also be

a financial counsellor available to help with budgeting and planning for the future.

Email, Nov 5, 2015 Jacky Paterson, Benevolent Society

5 LANDS BAND + THE PROTESTOR S THE RHYTHM HUT, GOSFORD

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RAISING MONEY FOR DISABLED NEWLIFE CENTRE, NEPAL. PRIZES AND RAFFLE ON THE NIGHT!

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Classifieds

P20 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 P

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Dance Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association Experience Folk Music at its best at East Gosford Progress Hall @ 7.30pm Henry Parry Drive

November 14 Bush Dance with J.H. Dance Band

E-mail: manager@centralcoastnews.net or download a form from

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Entertainment Folk & Acoustic Music Club

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ENDA KENNY CWA Hall The Boulevarde Woy Woy

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By Direct Deposit or On-line For members AND ABC followers.

The Troubadour

Photography CENTRAL COAST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER corporate – website – events

Positions Vacant

Volunteers wanted to read Central Coast Newspapers for recording on websites for sight impaired readers

4325 7369 or email

Want to have a lot of fun, unique music at your next event?

Call Leila at 0423 147 797 or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ SlightlyOffMusic

Website Builder Part time - work from home OK Central Coast Based We need support in website building.

The job involves the generation of websites as required.

Often websites will be generated based on templates.

Some work involves the programming of service in PHP and the development of mobile applications.

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• Good working knowledge of SQL preferably MySQL. • Be able to work with the Adobe Web Development suite in particular Dreamweaver and preferably Firefox.

• Ability to compose graphics for use on website (preferably using Fireworks or Photoshop).

• Expertise the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) configuration.

• HTML5 mobile App programming.

centralcoastnews.net

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The Shame File

0418 600 436

Ducks Crossing Publications has a very liberal credit policy for advertisers and realises that from time to time, people, businesses and organisations get into financial difficulty and may need assistance and time to get things back on track.

However, some people, businesses and organisations take advantage of this generosity they use advertising but simply don’t pay their account after several months and need to be taken to court to do so.

From time to time, as necessary, we will name these people, businesses or organisations as a warning to our readers so that they will be wary when dealing with them.

YOUR LOCAL PLUMBER Slightly Off

Positions Vacant

• Sound knowledge of HTML, CSS and Javascript (for web programming).

Plumbing

Admission $18 incl. supper Folk Fed Affiliates & Pensioners $15,

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• Golden Scissors Futuretek Roofing Hairdressing, Wyong • David Hill, Long Jetty • Bakefresh, Wyong • Jessica Davis of Erina • Frazer Park Pty Ltd formerly - trading as A1 cleaning trading as The Big Prawn at services Crangan Bay • Rattananporn Massage, • Tony Fitzpatrick trading as Wyong

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CLASSIFIED advertisements start from only $30 + GST - 4325 7369

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P21 W

Video about Long Jetty wins competition

Out&About

Broadway comedy at The Grove

desire to get out of the big smoke on weekends, and a great imagination, created the winning formula for Jesse Lee, who took out the inaugural Wyong Alive TV Video Competition, with his short video about Long Jetty.

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Jesse Lee filmed and produced the winning entry in the video competition which kicked off the Wyong Alive TV channel earlier this year.

Wyong Alive TV is part of the Year of the Community campaign designed to celebrate local people, places and activities in the Wyong Shire.

According to Lee, who grew up in a sleepy town in New Zealand before moving to Australia three years ago, the natural environment of Long

Jetty is beautiful and the people are welcoming.

“On our first trip to the Jetty, my partner and I just hung around there for the day, watched people come and go, enjoyed the light dancing through the clouds and the beautiful sunset, it just blew our minds,” Lee said.

Lee went away and did some thinking about how to shoot a video that would capture the wonder of the area, borrowed a drone from a friend to take some footage and added video footage shot

on his own digital SLR camera.

“Using the drone footage to add another dimension to the video was great fun and really simple to operate, but you don’t need to have any fancy equipment to shoot a great video, all you need is a great imagination and the drive to do it,” Lee said.

Lee has always had an interest in video but only started to make his own productions a year ago.

Media release, Nov 5, 2015 Wyong Council media

Free blues night at Brackets rackets and Jam North will be back at the Lake Munmorah Community Hall on November 14.

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This November’s jam will feature The Kendots, Desert Flame Belly Dancers, a drum jam,

Tuition - Dance

Gosford Scottish Country Dancers hold an intermediate class on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 pm at Wyoming It’s an excellent form of exercise which brings men, women and young people together socially, learning new and old dances in a very friendly relaxed atmosphere No experience or partner necessary All ages welcome Cost $7.00 per week Contact Janice on

4388 2253 Tuition - Music

BluesAngels, Johnny Devilseed, and an open mic opportunity.

House drums available

for the jam or BYO. Email, Nov 3, 2015 Adrian Kyneur, Brackets and Jam North

Christmas carols

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amp Breakaway will host a Christmas Carol Night at their San Remo site from 6pm on December 11.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and folding chairs for their comfort and to wear their favourite Christmas outfit to be in the running for a best outfit prize.

Available for purchase on the night includes: glow sticks, drinks, a sausage sizzle and

raffle tickets, with all proceeds going to Camp Breakaway.

Cost is a gold coin donation with lots of music, entertainment, prizes and a visit from Santa.

Email, Nov 5, 2015 Denise Pastor, Camp Breakaway

Max (Declan Green) and sometime girlfriend Maggie (Madeline Parker)

he Tony Award winning Broadway play “Lend Me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig, opens at The Grove Theatre, Wyong, on Thursday November 12 with eight performances over the following two

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weeks.

Wyong Drama Group (WDG) has been well known for many years, not only for its comedies and dramatic plays, but also for the occasional “play with music”.

However, contrary to what might be expected from the title, there is very little music in this play but plenty of laughs.

The story revolves around the misunderstandings which arise after a famous opera singer, Tito Merelli, is unable to perform as planned for a special one-off appearance with the town’s Grand Opera Company in a fundraising

charity concert.

The ensuing attempts by the concert promoter, Henry Saunders (played

by Marc Calwell) and his erstwhile assistant, Max (Declan Green), to make the best of a very bad situation, result in controlled mayhem as egos, ambition, love and mistaken identity collide to provide the audience with a sophisticated comedy which can be enjoyed by all.

Well-known actor/ director and current president of WDG, Howard Oxley, has assembled a great cast of experienced and

Every three minutes there are two reports of child abuse/neglect.* In 2008-2009, more than 930 new reports of child abuse per day. This means that there were two reports of abuse or neglect of a child for every three minutes of a day.

Our kids need our protection now!

Tom Flood

Harmonica Tuition all popular styles

To reach out to a young person in need, please call our donation hotline on 1800 06 22 88 or donate online at www.youthoffthestreets.com.au. *AIHW, 2008-2009.

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One on One $25 half hr $40hr

Youth Off The Streets is a registered charity helping the nation’s most disadvantaged youth to turn their lives around.

www.youthoffthestreets.com.au

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED

talented local actors and production crew to bring to the Central Coast a play “which will entertain and delight everyone”.

As Howard explains: “The relatively small venue at The Grove (130 seats) means we can provide a much more intimate theatre experience for our audience, which our regular patrons seem to be relishing, however, it also means certain performances, especially matinees, sell out very quickly.”

Media release, Oct 16, 2015 Ros Ellis Wyong Drama Group

Sport

P22 P2 22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Master of European Union Judo holds clinic

Mariners Youth League squad announced he Central Coast Mariners have named their Foxtel National Youth League 2015/16 squad as well as the instalment of new Head Coach, Mr Joe Haywood for the upcoming season that kicked off at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Tuggerah, against Sydney FC on November 7.

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Sandro is third in back row from the left

oast and regional judo coaches and clubs were brought together for a judo clinic hosted by the KIDO (Mingara) Judo Academy conducted by the technical advisor to the Italian National Judo Team, Master of European Union Judo, Alessandro ‘Sandro’ Piccirillo, 6 Dan.

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The Clubs attending were privileged to have a coach of his high caliber to share his technical expertise with the local judo community with some coming from Sydney and Newcastle.

Sandro provided lessons full of vitality, technical information and practical demonstrations.

The evening was packed with information

for both young and inexperienced to older and more seasoned exponents of judo.

He kept everyone spellbound with the finer details that need to be mastered to execute successful waza (skill).

With his demonstrations, it became evident how much more fluid a technique can be when applying those

T ide Char T FORT DENISON

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000 Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

Time - Height(m) Add one hour to the times below when Daylight Saving is in force

0227 0.44 0303 0.46 0343 0.50 0854 1.73 0930 1.74 1011 1.72 FRI 1524 0.34 SAT 1605 0.34 SUN 1648 0.36 2122 1.38 2204 1.35 2249 1.32 0427 0.54 0515 0.58 0036 1.28 1054 1.69 1142 1.64 0612 0.62 MON 1736 0.38 TUE 1829 0.41 WED 1236 1.59 2340 1.29 1927 0.41 0138 1.29 0244 1.35 0346 1.44 0717 0.63 0830 0.61 0943 0.55 THU 1339 1.55 FRI 1447 1.53 SAT 1556 1.54 2027 0.40 2126 0.37 2222 0.32 0444 1.57 0537 1.69 0004 0.26 1052 0.46 1155 0.35 0628 1.81 SUN 1700 1.55 MON 1758 1.57 TUE 1253 0.26 2315 0.29 1854 1.56 0052 0.26 0140 0.29 0227 0.33 0717 1.90 0806 1.95 0854 1.95 WED 1347 0.19 THU 1440 0.16 FRI 1530 0.17 1948 1.54 2041 1.50 2132 1.45

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APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

fundamental points.

KIDO head coach Pete Acciari thanked him for his splendid coaching over the past two days and while applauding his method and love of judo said: “All participants were instructed by one of the best, have much to learn, benefited immensely and will be practicing well into the future”.

The Kangy Angy KIDO club members hosted his stay and second visit to the club since his first visit in 2011.

The relationship has developed over the years with Sandro taking a special interest and assisting KIDO players, Liam Yokoyama and Caroline Hain, while they were training in Naples, Italy.

Caroline will compete at the Oceania Open, in Wollongong, an IJF points tournament, where Pete (coaching) and Sandro (instructing at the subsequent National training camp) will meet up again.

He and his assistant Francesco Maio 6 Dan, promised to return and revisit the club and enjoy the resident wildlife, roaming right up to the dojo.

Media release, Nov 11, 2015 Pete Acciari, KIDO Judo Academy

Haywood joins the Central Coast Mariners after taking Northbridge FC from the local competition (Kuringai and District Football Association) to the National Premier League 2 level in just five seasons, where his team has competed in three of the past five Grand Finals.

Amongst his squad of Mini Mariners is former Everton FC Academy player Jake Adelson, and former Leeds FC Development Squad member/current Young Socceroo Adam Berry, who both featured in first team action throughout the Hyundai A-League pre-season.

As a sign of confidence in local talent, no less than six Coasties have been selected in Haywood’s squad that is set to compete in the new Foxtel National Youth League format of four home and four away matches.

The 10 A-League clubs have been divided into two conferences.

Conference A consists of Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar FC, Melbourne City FC,

Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory.

Conference B has Central Coast Mariners, FFA Centre of Excellence, Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Within each conference, the teams will play each other twice over 10 rounds being 4 home / 4 away – 8 matches and 2 byes per team.

The Mini Mariners’ season kicked off at home and Haywood is committed to aligning his squad with the club’s mantra to entertain.

“Entertainment is a club culture, it’s a brand of football that we want to instil within the youth team but we also want that to come right up through the Central Coast Mariners Academy from the under 8s right through to the first team, which is fantastic for the club,” Mr Haywood said.

“We’re really happy with the squad that we’ve got, there’s a mix of youth and a couple of the older boys within the system, as well as a credit to the Central Coast with a lot more local boys in this

year than there has been in previous years.

“First and foremost, we need to be playing a good brand of football, just like the first team, and we will also be judged on the amount of boys who eventually go on to play for the first team, but it’s a mixture of both, without putting the emphasis on one or the other.

“It’s an exciting youthful team, but if you look at the squad you’ve got Jake Adelson, Adam Berry, Adam Pearce, Tom Bell, Brian Jamba and Ryan Peterson who have been training with the first team on a regular basis, so it’s good to have them coming back for the season.

“Throughout the Hyundai A-League preseason Tony Walmsley and John Hutchinson have shown that they’re more than willing to give the youth team boys a chance which is a great asset to the Central Coast Mariners brand,” Mr Haywood said.

Media release, Nov 3, 2015 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

Mannings Sports Lay by now for Christmas

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Come and see us for that unique gift 172 Mann Street, Gosford - 4325 1617 www manningssports com au www.manningssports.com.au

Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015 - P233 W

Shark Summit offers beaches as trial locations yong Council’s Shark Summit, the first of its kind outside of Sydney, has called on the NSW Government to use the shire’s beaches to trial new technologies and education programs.

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Council’s summit brought together a number of shark experts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Newcastle University, Surf Life Saving Central Coast, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Marine Rescue Norah Head and the CSIRO to share knowledge and compare technologies to protect surfers and swimmers.

Wyong Councillor Greg Best, who chaired the Summit on November 4, said the shire was wellplaced to receive some of the $16 million funding available from the NSW Government under their Shark Management Strategy.

“Our regional location, being the Central Coast,

places us in a unique position to assist in the frontline trials of new technology and methods to keep our community safe,” Cr Best said.

“With a shark sighting at Soldier’s Beach on November 2 and a whale entanglement on November 4, it is a timely reminder that issues relating to sharks are broader than protecting the community, it is about our marine life as well,” he said.

“The experts at the summit were united in their desire to educate and protect the community and as one we will go to the State Government and say we want to do something about sharks so give us a slice of the

$16 million funding pie on the table.

Director of fisheries research at the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Bob Creese, who was the keynote speaker at the Summit and the Sydney Shark Summit, praised Council for the progressive initiative to hold the summit so promptly.

“It was heartening to see Council take this issue so seriously and be willing to bring all the key players together for the good of the community,” Dr Creese said.

“Education really is the key; we need to bridge the gap between perception and reality when it comes to sharks

and their behaviour so beachgoers can manage the risk when they choose to enter the water,” he said.

Cr Best thanked all experts who attended for taking time out of their busy schedules to focus on a pressing community issue.

“It was extremely pleasing to see such a wide diversity of professionals taking time out of their schedule to share their vast knowledge and awareness on the issue,” Cr Best said.

“With summer just around the corner, it is important to ensure beachgoers can feel confident entering our water and our marine life continues to thrive.”

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Jaymee Fressard represented Australia in seven-a-side Rugby Union at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa in October.

“Jaymee’s team won the gold medal and Jaymee finished as the tournament’s leading try scorer.

The school’s boys’ open Oztag team won the Central Coast championships late last term.

Luke Gearside was named player of the tournament.

The open girls’ team finished runners-up.

They have recently competed at the NSW All Schools and placed fifth

overall in the state.

Jaymee Fressard was named player of the tournament.

The girls’ under 14, boys’ under 14 and girls’ under 16 seven-a-side Rugby league teams won the Central Coast championships recently.

Twenty six students from Gorokan High School competed at the recent Sydney North Athletics carnival at Sydney’s Olympic Park.

The following students were selected to compete at the CHS Championships: Blake Lord ( Sydney North age champion for long jump); Bayley Collins (4x100m relay, fourth at CHS);

Harrison Packham (4x100 relay fourth, fourth in the 14 boys’ 100m at CHS); Adam Riding (4x100 relay fourth at CHS); Elija Steiner (4x100

Eddy Bosnar to move on

Media release, Nov 4, 2015 Wyong Council media

Many high level sports achievers at Gorokan orokan High School students have recently enjoyed outstanding successes in rugby union, Oztag, athletics and gymnastics.

Sport

he Central Coast Mariners have announced that the contract of Eddy Bosnar has been terminated by mutual consent.

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relay fourth at CHS) and Jaymee Fressard.

Chailend Malinowski won a silver and a bronze medal recently at the CHS gymnastics title.

Newsletter, Oct 30, 2015 Sam Ricketts, Gorokan High School

Mr Bosnar, who scored three goals last season as a central defender, made 30 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Yellow and Navy since joining the club in January 2014.

Central Coast Mariners

would like to thank Mr Bosnar for his service to the club, and wish him all the best with his future endeavours.

Media release, Nov 10, 2015 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

Sport

P24 P2 24 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 13, 2015

Mariners draw with Nix in an exciting match

amount of work that played. eriods of heavy rain didn’t help the crowd numbers for the Central finger-tip deflection.

Ferreira and Austin did Mariners took 15 One of many Mariner’s Coast Mariner’s home game against the Wellington Phoenix at up the line, Ferreira has corners compared with corners gave Jake Central Coast Stadium on Sunday, November 8.

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The Walmsley entertainment spectacular was attended by 6,460 fans, down from the over 8,000 that attended the season opener against Perth.

The Mariners dominated most of the match, which was an important one for the Phoenix to win as they publicly announced they would fight for their right to remain in the A-League.

Despite their c o m m a n d i n g performance, the Mariners ended up sharing the points with Wellington as the fulltime score was one all.

Roly Bonevacia, Wellington’s number four, was given a yellow card for his tackle on Fabio Ferreira on the half way line in the opening minutes.

Former Mariner, Michael McGlinchey, opened the scoring eight minutes into the first half,

built from the assistance of an accurate cross from Krishna to McGlinchey’s feet in the box.

Even though the score remained 0 to 1 until half time, the Mariners held 60 per cent of the possession, playing high with next-to-no defenders staying back to help keeper Izzo ward off some swift counter attacks from Wellington.

Just before the 20th minute, Mitch Austin’s speed got him into a great spot behind the Wellington defence to cross to O’Donovan who just could not get to the ball.

Caceres took a punt next from outside the 18-yard-box, but that was too wide.

Phoenix keeper Glenn Moss stopped a shot from Fabio Ferreira at the 22nd minute.

As the rain started bucketing down, Roy O’Donovan’s equalizing goal at the 30 minute

mark was clearly offside and Mr Moss managed to get his hand to a strike by Rose five minutes before half time.

The home side went to the change rooms at half time one goal down.

First-half highlights for the home side were the strong partnership between Storm Roux and Fabio Ferreira resulting in some lively wide attacking play.

Roy O Donovan also managed to get himself into good spots throughout the first 45 minutes but the Wellington Phoenix looked rather dangerous on the counter at times as the Mariner’s focus on attack left them regularly vulnerable at the back.

The defensive highlight of the game for the Mariners was an excellent Izzo save 59 minutes in, when Bonevacia lined up a strike that was met with a notable Izzo dive and

McGing an opportunity to score with a header but strong defensive work from Phoenix’s Justin Gully kept him out.

Minutes later McGing fired again but was wide of his mark.

A Josh Rose cross gave Ferreira his best chance in the second half but he too was off target.

An O’Donovan header at the 76th minute was the striker’s third goal for the Mariners in three home games.

The entertainment kept coming in the closing minutes of the match with near misses from Heffernan, Ferreira and McGing.

Unfortunately, the entertainment didn’t result in winning goals for the Mariners.

The young Joshua Bingham made his first home appearance for the Mariners as a second-half sub and showed promise.

The match stats give an interesting insight into how the game was

two for the Phoenix.

The home side had 17 shots to the Phoenix’s eight.

“I haven’t seen the official stats but I think we got the ball in the box 40 times or so, that’s what we’re about,” said coach Walmsley after the match.

“We knew what threat they were on the counter attack, we knew what threat they are in general play, their ability for McGlinchey and Bonevacia to get into pockets.

“We knew that if we could squeeze them and restrict their space, that we could stop the majority of their threat,” he said.

“Of course if you give the ball to them early in the game and they score off it, it allows coach Ernie Merrick, who’s an astute tactician, to set his stall onto hold onto to that and make life difficult for us.

“You could see the

a hamstring niggle which is the most disappointing part of today, but credit to him for getting that many crosses in.

“I’ve got incredible belief, we’re a side in the making and we are relishing the freedom that we’ve got to go and attack teams.

“There will be a day where we convert far more and the belief will grow into the next game and if we can use that performance as a platform to go to the Jets and get a result away from home, which will be the first time in a long time, then that will do wonders for us and there’s a lot of belief that we can do that.”

The Mariners now face Newcastle at John Hunter Stadium on Saturday, November 14.

Match summary, Nov 8, 2015 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners Match notes, Nov 8, 2015 Jackie Pearson, journalist