Issue 105 of Wyong Regional Chronicle

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November 22, 2016

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Issue 105

Public-private partnership will provide a better hospital he Wyong community will get a bigger and better hospital as a result of the NSW Government’s proposed publicprivate partnership, according to the NSW Minister for Health, Ms Jillian Skinner.

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Ms Skinner told the Wyong Regional Chronicle that the NSW Government would still spend its promised $200 million on the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital. “I would expect a private sector partner to add more money to the $200 million, but our commitment has not changed,” Ms Skinner said. “Having a private partner means the community can get a lot more, including extra services, a bigger hospital, and more staff,” she said. Ms Skinner said she expected a redeveloped Wyong Hospital to become a major maternity hospital if the privatesector partnership went ahead. The existing Wyong Hospital currently has limited birthing services. Ms Skinner said it would take at least a year to work through the Expression of Interest and Tender processes necessary to find a suitable private sector partner. The Minister for Health would not name

From left: Jillian Skinner NSW Minister for Health with Premier Mr Mike Baird at the announcement of the Northern Beaches Hospital in 2014

the organisations that had submitted expressions of interest, but confirmed they had to have a proven track record of running hospitals in Australia to qualify. “We got numerous known private hospital operators and nearly all of the not-for-profit operators,” she said. NSW Health will spend the next four to five months working with the operators that submitted expressions of interest to give them a clearer understanding of the commitments that would be expected of them if they were to participate in the tender process. “The tender specifications will include a clinical services

plan for the district, and the operator would be obliged to meet those requirements, but they don’t have to stop there. “There is no limit to what they can bid,” Ms Skinner said. She said opening up the development and operation of the hospital to a competitive tender process meant two parties could out-bid each other by committing to the delivery of additional services. “The Northern Beaches Hospital ended up with a Cardiac Catheterisation Lab that was not in the original tender plan,” she said. Ms Skinner referred to the Northern Beaches Hospital, constructed

by Healthescope, as the model for the publicprivate-partnership being proposed at Wyong. She said she urged people to take a drive past the new hospital on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “It is a beautiful hospital, much better than anything you would get out of public funding,” Ms Skinner said. The Minister said she could assure public patients that they would be cared for exactly as if they were in a public hospital. “The government will pay for public patient care,” she said. “At the end of the contract (20 years in the case of the Northern

Beaches Hospital), the partner will have the option to continue, but if they don’t, the hospital returns to public ownership,” she said. Ms Skinner said that would be the case irrespective of the level of “value adding” the private operator had done on site. The for-profit and not-for-profit operators that submitted expressions of interest will be required to meet minimum requirements for documentation, legal arrangement and financials before they are allowed to tender, as the fine detail required in the tender process could cost any potential partner millions of dollars.

When asked if Health NSW would make the detail of the contract for the partnership available for public scrutiny, Ms Skinner said: “The public can already have a look at the details of the Northern Beaches Hospital arrangement and I can tell you that it will be saving tax payers $1.5 billion over 20 years,” she said. Ms Skinner argued that a partnership with the private sector would result in more jobs, not less, and that the contract could ensure conditions of employment, including superannuation, would be carried forward. “When we announced we were seeking expressions of interest for a series of sites, we said we would not go ahead if it was of no benefit to the community and the tax payer. and we have already walked away from one property,” she said. Ms Skinner said claims that free public health care would not be available at a redeveloped Wyong Hospital, or that there would be no emergency department, were “rubbish led by the unions. “I met with the unions and they told me that they had a philosophical problem with private sector involvement,” she said.

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

Interview, Nov 17, 2016 Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health Jackie Pearson, journalist


Directory

P2 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Wyong services directory

Chance to Win! ut with the Pilbara Mob is the third book by local artist, author and social justice advocate, Noel Olive.

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Ambulance, Police, Fire 000 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 Regional Youth Support Services 4323 2374 Coast Shelter 4324 7239 Neleh House 4340 1052 Elandra Women and Children’s Refuge 4396 4263 Kara Women and Children’s Refuge 4323 1709 Coimba Mens Refuge 4324 7239 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Wyong Youth Refuge 4351 1922 Youth Angle 4341 8830 Woy Woy Youth Cottage 4341 9027 Maya Young Womens Refuge 4323 1636 Pacific Link Com Housing 4324 7617 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Samaritans Youth Services 4351 1922 Youth Angle • Woy Woy 4341 8830 Temporary Accommodation 1800 152 152

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

Health

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.

Wyong Hospital 4394 8000 Cancer Hotline 131 120 Mental Health info Service 1300 794 991 Beyond Blue (Depression) 1300 22 4636 Community Women’s Health Centre 4351 1152

Problems, Habits & Addiction

Wires 1300 094 737

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

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

Phone services: Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 Beyondblue 1300 224 636 Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463 Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 Griefline 1300 845 745 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Emergency 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

often quite different from what was originally received. Contributions are welcome and are preferred in email form, ideally with any relevant photographs attached. Contributions must include the contributor’s name, address and phone numbers. This is not for publication but name and suburb will be published and anonymous contributions will not be included.

Wyong Regional Chronicle covers: Alison, Bateau Bay, Berkeley Vale, Blue Bay, Blue Haven, Budgewoi, Budgewoi Peninsula, Buff Point, Bushells Ridge, Canton Beach, Cedar Brush Creek, Chain Valley Bay, Charmhaven, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Colongra, Crangan Bay, Dooralong, Doyalson, Doyalson North, Durren Durren, Fountaindale, Frazer

Park, Freemans, Glenning Valley, Gorokan, Gwandalan, Halekulani, Halloran, Hamlyn Terrace, Jilliby, Kangy Angy, Kanwal, Kiar, Killarney Vale, Kingfisher Shores, Lake Haven, Lake Munmorah, Lemon Tree, Little Jilliby, Long Jetty, Magenta, Mannering Park, Mardi, Moonee, Norah Head, Noraville, Ourimbah, Palmdale, Palmgrove, Point Wolstoncroft,

Ravensdale, Rocky Point, San Remo, Shelly Beach, Summerland Point, Tacoma, Tacoma South, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Toowoon Bay, Toukley, Tuggerah, Tuggerawong, Tumbi Umbi, Wadalba, Wallarah, Warnervale, Watanobbi, Woongarrah, Wybung, Wyee, Wyee Point, Wyong, Wyong Creek, Wyongah, Yarramalong

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Legal Aid 4324 5611

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entral Coast Newspapers is a local, family owned business that publishes and distributes three Central Coast Newspapers every fortnight. All staff are also locals and between them, the three papers cover the entire Central Coast. Each paper focuses specifically on an

area bound by postcodes as follows: Peninsula News Post Codes 2256 and 2257; Coast Community News Post Codes 2250, 2251, 2260; and Wyong Regional Chronicle Post Codes 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263. All articles are sourced and dated so that readers will know when and where the information came from and where they can perhaps get more information. All articles are edited and given a heading and are

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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

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 Family Drug Support 1300 368 186 G-line - Gambling Helpline 1800 633 635

number on the back of an envelope and mail it to, Wyong Regional Chronicle Pilbara Mob competition, PO Box 1056, Gosford, NSW, 2250. Entries close 5:00pm on Friday, December 2. The winners of the Wyong Regional Chronicle Christmas Lights Competition were Tracey Clifton of Chittaway Point and Annjane Wilson of Hamlyn Terrace.

working with the Pilbara Mob, Mr Olive wrote two books about his experiences, Karijini Mirlimirli (people life stories) and Enough is Enough, a history of the colonisations of the Pilbara. ‘Out with the Pilbara Mob’ records his wonderful experiences of life with the mob. To win one of the two copies, write your full name, address and a day time phone

Wyong Regional Chronicle has two copies of the book to give away to two lucky readers. Mr Olive was a lawyer representing Aboriginal people with the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and he sought to advance their voice in every way before the commission, especially in the Pilbara Region. While living and

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

Assistant Journalist: Jasmine Gearie, Caitlin Lavelle, Jarrod Melmeth and Satria DyerDarmawan

editorial@centralcoastnews.net Ph: 4325 7369 Next Edition: Wyong Regional Chronicle 106 Deadline: December 2 Publication date: December 6

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Issue 144

October 25, 2016

Artwork from the National Native Title Tribunal

Ms Lynne Hamilton, Planning and Development Manager for the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, said the organisation lodged a Land Claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act with NSW Crown Land in 2014 over vacant Crown Land on the Gosford Waterfront. Ms Hamilton said the claim did not cover all Crown Land on the waterfront and Coast Community News has asked Crown Land NSW to confirm that the claim does cover Gosford City Park. Ms Hamilton said such claims can take “a long, long time to resolve. “We still have land claims unresolved from the 1990s,” she said. According to the National Native Title Tribunal’s Register of Native Title Claims, the Awabakal and Guringai People have made a Native Title claim for the

right to hunt, gather and fish on lands spanning from Wahroonga in Sydney’s North to Maitland. The claim was lodged in 2013 and appears to apply to Crown Land on the Gosford Waterfront including Gosford City Park. “It also takes a very long time for a Native Title claim to be resolved,” Ms Hamilton from Darkinjung LALC said. “And the Federal Court is taking its time resolving this one, but there is nothing stopping the Central Coast Council from saying it has been affected by the matter,” she said. Meanwhile, according to Ms Hamilton, the Awabakal and Guringai People Native Title claim means the subject land is frozen until the matter is resolved. This casts a cloud over whether the Central Coast Community will ever receive the promised NSW

Government funding for the RPAC. If the Native Title and the Land Title claims are successful, future use of any Crown Land subject to those claims will need to be negotiated with the Native Title holders. Coast Community News asked Central Coast Council for an update on its progress with the development of the Centre. A written statement from the Council said: “There has long been a proposal to put a Regional Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) on the Gosford Waterfront on the Gosford City Park site. “Council is evaluating this option but notes there is a Native Title claim over the land as well as a Land Title claim which needs to be considered.” This is the first time that the Central Coast Council or the former Gosford Council have referred to the Native

31 October 2016

The Pearl Beach Progress Association will be able to locate a defibrillator on the beachfront, following negotiations with the Central Coast Council.

community on installation details. “Council’s initial view was centred around risk management and I think the meeting on Friday has satisfied staff that those issues can be managed. Association president Mr Ross Christie said the meeting with Council representatives had been positive. “We had a meeting on Friday morning and we got a letter of approval on Friday afternoon for a defibrillator on the beachfront,” Mr Christie said. “Everybody is fine and happy and negotiations are continuing about the location of other safety equipment,” he said. “Unfortunately we needed a public campaign to move things along a bit,” Mr Christie said in relation to the Central Coast Council’s initial refusal. Interview, Oct 24, 2016 Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council Interview, Oct 24, 2016 Ross Christie, Pearl Beach Progress Association Reporter: Jackie Pearson

The area subject to the Awabakal-Guringai Native Title claim currently being dealt with by the Federal Court

and Land Title claims as a factor in the location of the RPAC, at least in the past 18 months of coverage by Coast Community News. As previously reported in Coast Community News, the former Gosford City Council had talked to a number of developers to gauge interest in including the Regional Performing Arts Centre in their own development plans in locations other than Gosford City Park. The owners of the Mariners Plaza development (on the corner of Mann St and Donnison St) and the Waterside Development (corner of Mann St and Georgiana Tce) both said they had submitted plans

to Council indicating how a smaller version of a Performing Arts Centre could have been included in their development designs. At this stage, both the security of the NSW Government’s $12 million pledge and the location of the RPAC remain unresolved. Media statement, Oct 17, 2016 Central Coast Council media Interview, Oct 18, 2016 Lynne Hamilton, Darkinjung LALC Website, Oct 18, 2016 Register of Native Title Claim Details, NC2013/002 Awabakal and Guringai People

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“My NSW Labor NSW,” Sen O’Neill said. ell over 1,000 people attended the Wyong Hospital privatisation no certainty about their “The Baird colleagues and I will community rally at Morrie Breen Oval on Sunday, October future. own “There are areas stand with the community Government’s 17.

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Local Labor MPs who addressed the rally said the turnout demonstrated widespread public concern about the NSW Government’s decision to invite private operators to upgrade and run Wyong Hospital. “The Wyong rally is just the start, with a series of events planned for regional locations where a public-private partnership model will be considered for hospital upgrades and construction,” said Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, Mr

David Harris. Central Coast Labor MPs slammed the NSW Health Minister, Ms Jillian Skinner, for failing to consult with the community. “Throughout two elections, we did not hear a word from the Government about this plan,” Mr Harris said. “They have failed to treat our area with any respect or give us any say in decisions around our hospital. “I hope the Government is paying attention to the reaction

of our community. “This is not their hospital to sell,” he said. Federal Member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride joined the debate. “Having worked at Wyong Hospital for the past 10 years, I know how dedicated our health workers are and the strain they work under caring for us,” Ms McBride said. “They don’t deserve this. “It is unacceptable that local health workers have been put in a position where they have

within the health system where the public-private partnership model is known to be inadequate. “How do we know this will not put more pressure on nearby public hospitals? “We have no information from the Government about how they plan to address these risks.” Member for the Entrance, Mr David Mehan said: “I am sure many more people will show their opposition to this Government and their unbridled attachment to privatisation.

every step of the way against the privatisation of Wyong Hospital,” Mr Mehan said. Federal Labor Senator, Deborah O’Neill, said the NSW Government’s own documents proved their privatisation model would be used for further hospital construction and upgrades. “The Government’s Public-Private Partnership approach, which will place Wyong Hospital in private hands, will potentially be used for other hospitals on the Central Coast and also affect all residents in

documents confirm: ‘If other projects are assessed as being able to deliver … using this approach, then partnerships will be looked into’,” she said. “The public health system is not for sale. “The community rightly believes that our health system is not something a government can make a profit from.”

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

Joint media release, Oct 19, 2016 Heather Robison, office of Emma McBride Media release, Oct 19, 2016 Scott Coomber, office of Deborah O’Neill Jackie Pearson, journalist

From left, Jayden Gordon holidaying at Pearl Beach is taught about a rescue tube by Mr Dave Kennedy Photo Patrick Everett

November 3, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

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The Rawson Rd Level Crossing at Woy Woy

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ifty objections will be the new minimum requirement for a development application to be automatically referred to a meeting of the Central Coast Council for determination.

The State Government has abandoned the Rawson Rd level crossing replacement project. Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Mr Duncan Gay, announced the decision in answer a question from Mr Walt Secord in the Legislative Council on October 20. According to Mr Gay, the overpass project would now cost the NSW Government a total of between $80 million and $115 million. The NSW Government originally promised $30 million towards the replacement of the crossing in 2011 as a major component of Mr Chris Holstein’s campaign to be elected as the Liberal Member for Gosford. Since then, the cost of replacing the level crossing has been revised upward on several occasions. The level crossing replacement project has been at a standstill since the completion of the pedestrian underpass in 2015. At the opening of the new pedestrian underpass, I committed

an extra $7 million towards the council’s proposed upgrade of the level crossing,” said Mr Gay. “This increased the overall commitment of the New South Wales Government at this location to $52 million because a total of $45 million had been committed towards a pedestrian and road solution at the level crossing. “Unsurprisingly, the cost estimate to achieve a solution at the level crossing increased from $52 million, which increased from the original $30 million, to be between $80 million and $115 million. “Following the cost estimate increase, I wrote to the council and advised that no further funding would be available for the proposal, which the council admitted it could not possibly afford itself. “Taxpayers should not be forced to foot an even larger bill.” Mr Gay said the Government had no responsibility for the roads involved. “Woy Woy Rd and Rawson Rd are regional roads under the care and control of the Central Coast

Council, previously the Gosford Council. “In other words, they are not state owned or managed roads,” he said. “Since 2011, the New South Wales Government has committed more than $36 million in grant funding to Gosford City Council for the upgrade and repair of council owned and managed roads. “This is equal to a 27 per cent increase in the grant funding compared to what Labor spent in its last term of Government. “The New South Wales Government also spent $178 million upgrading the West Gosford interchange to address traffic demand on the Central Coast Highway and Brisbane Water Drive. “The latter is the key State road connection to the northern end of Woy Woy and this upgrade was open to traffic in 2015,” Mr Gay said. Hansard, 20 Oct 2016 Duncan Gay, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Reporter: Jackie Pearson More on level crossing - Page 13

THIS ISSUE contains 52 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

The sign at the front of Christ Church Gosford

ather Rod Bower, the Arch Deacon of the Anglican Diocese of Gosford, has said the Commonwealth Government’s proposed life ban on asylum seekers and refugees is a regressive law that is creating an apartheid situation that must be condemned by every decent Australian.

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“The Government’s retrospective legislation on refugees is nothing more than creating a sub-class of human beings that no other respectable nation would be willing to sanction,” Father Bower said. “Australia has a weak and frightened Prime Minister promoting legislation on refugees that portrays us a weak and frightened nation,” he said. “We are better than that and we deserve better than this. “We must not let One Nation set the agenda on refugees, or anything else

for that matter. “We must not allow them to drag the political landscape even further to the right. “We must not allow the decent, compassionate soul of the Australian people to be destroyed.” Fr Bower used facebook to send a message to Federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bill Shorten. “You owe no allegiance to Kevin Rudd’s decision not to allow asylum seekers who arrive by boat to settle in Australia,” Fr Rod said in his post to Mr Shorten. “You, above all people,

know that this decision was made in an attempt to salvage some of the electoral furniture. “You now have the opportunity and the electoral space to formulate and prosecute a more humane and sustainable refugee policy. “Please do not waste this chance. “Oppose this cruel and evil legislation. “This retrospective law will cause the deaths of innocent, broken and desperate people.” Fr Bower’s four facebook posts on the proposed

legislation garnered over 12,000 likes, almost 4,000 shares and over 500 comments in three days. One comment read: “As an atheist, I feel a tad uncomfortable commenting on your page, but I wish all churches showed your humanity and humour; what a kinder and safer place the world would be.” Another said: “Father Rod, you are a Christian in the way I understood Christ to be, a champion of the desperate, vulnerable and marginalised; if there were more like you, my faith might still be intact”. Facebook, Nov 2, 2016 Father Rod Bower, Anglican Diocese of Gosford Jackie Pearson, journalist

The new Council had attempted to set the bar at 100 submissions, but following public consultation, changed that requirement to 50 objections. The Council had further amended the new Public Submissions Policy to require two or more councillors to request DAs be considered at a public meeting instead of one councillor, as was the practice of the former Gosford Council. The word “submissions” was replaced with “objections” in the rewritten policy so that it will only be the number of submissions opposing a DA that will count towards the new minimum thresholds. These two late changes have not been the subject of further public consultation although a precedent was set earlier this year for an amended draft policy to be given a second public consultation period. In July, the Central Coast Council placed an amended Draft Code of Meeting Practice on public exhibition for a further 42 days as a result of amendments made after the initial period of public consultation. The Draft Code of Meeting Practice had initially been put on public

ion 406

Issue 145

high bar for DAs

Government abandons level crossing project

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Regressive refugee law is Council sets creating an apartheid extremely situation in Australia

Defibrillator permitted at Pearl Beach The association’s initial application had been rejected by the council. The agreement came after an open letter from the association was published in the last edition of Peninsula News, The defibrillator will be located adjacent to the amenities block. Council administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said Council staff and community representatives held a meeting on the morning of Friday, October 21, at the waterfront. “I had signalled my intention to review the decision and staff met with representatives of Progress Association on Friday at Pearl Beach,” Mr Reynolds said. “We have agreed on a suitable location for the defibrillator,” he said. “Staff will liaise further with the

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

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Issue 103

Rally attracts over 1,000 people

nresolved Native Title and Land Title claims could see Crown Land on the Gosford Waterfront frozen for years, making it impossible to build a Regional Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) on the NSW Government’s preferred site in the foreseeable future.

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According to the Central Coast Council, a Native Title Claim and a Land Title Claim over Crown Land on the Gosford Waterfront are a factor being considered by the new Council in its attempts to determine the best location for the RPAC. The Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, recently confirmed that the NSW Government’s $12 million funding commitment to the RPAC was conditional on the facility being located on Gosford City Park (also known as Poppy Park). The park is located on the corner of Dane Dve and Vaughan Ave, Gosford, directly across Vaughan Ave from the former Gosford Public School site. Mr Crouch said the NSW Government was not willing to change its mind about the location of the RPAC. He said the new Central Coast Council now had responsibility for advancing the project. If the Central Coast Council decided on another site for the Centre, it would be reliant on $10 million promised in Federal Government funding and its own funds to deliver the project which has been sought by the community for decades. It is understood that Gosford City Park is Crown Land that is managed by Central Coast Council.

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Native Title claims cast doubt over arts centre

exhibition following the May 25 Council meeting. Coast Community News asked Central Coast Council why it did not follow its own precedent and give the community an opportunity to comment on the latest amendments to its new Public Submissions Policy. A statement issued by Council on October 27, in response to the questions said: “Council considered a draft of the Public Submissions Policy at its meeting of July 27. “It was placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days (but not advertised in this newspaper), and public submissions were received. “The policy adopted by Council on October 26 reduced the threshold for referral of DAs to Council to better align with the community submissions. “As a result of feedback [the number] was reduced from 100 to 50, so no need for further consultation.” It appears there is no minimum standard for Councils to follow when consulting the community about the setting of policies, so technically, Council does not have to do any consultation with the public on such matters. Continued P12

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

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November 8, 2016

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Issue 104

Comprehensive Wyong Grove rezoning proposal to go to NSW Department of Planning outique Wyong Living Pty Ltd has gained Central Coast Council support for a proposal to rezone parts of the former Wyong Grove Public School site from R2 Low Density Residential to R3 Medium Density Residential.

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Floor space ratio and building heights will also need to be amended in Wyong Local Environment Plan 2013 (WLEP), if NSW Planning gives consent for a gateway determination. A portion of the former school site remains subject to a compulsory acquisition application that was lodged by the former Wyong Council and is expected to be concluded between November 2016 and January 2017. At Council’s ordinary meeting on October 26, Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, agreed that the latest rezoning proposal should be sent to the NSW Department of Planning for a gateway determination. Council will consult with landowners of surrounding properties to seek their support to be included in the revised planning proposal, as recommended by Council staff. If the proposal is successful, properties from 1 to 5 Ingram St, 1 to 17 Owen Ave and 1 to 5 North Rd, Wyong, will be rezoned for medium density residential

The subject site for the rezoning proposal is edged in red

development. The southern part of two lots at 1 North Rd will retain their low density residential zoning. The site is known as the Wyong Grove Community and Cultural Hub and is the home of the Wyong Drama Group and Musical Theatre Company. Wyong Grove Public School closed in June 2013 and Wyong Council entered a two-year lease with the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) in May 2014. However, DEC sold the site in October 2015, and in December, the former Wyong Council resolved to acquire the front portion of the former school to retain it as a community hub, and council is still awaiting the outcome

of its application to compulsorily acquire the site. A development a p p l i c a t i o n (DA/794/2016) was lodged with Council on 24 June 2016, for the demolition of all the existing buildings on the site, but has not yet been determined. The applicant lodged a request for a pre-Gateway review in respect of this planning proposal with the Department of Planning and Environment in August. The pre-Gateway review is yet to be considered by the Department and the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP). A report from the Central Coast Council’s Department of Environment and Planning to the October

The portion of the site subject to the compulsory acquisition application is edged in yellow

26 ordinary meeting said: “It is recommended that the planning proposal be amended and progressed in the following manner: rezone the majority of the subject site and those sites east of Owen Ave and south of Ingram St, to R3 Medium Density Residential; apply a maximum height of 16m and maximum Floor Space Ratop of 2.0:1 to the rezoned areas; Retain the R2 Low Density Residential zone over the south-western portion of the site which is currently utilised as the Wyong Grove community and cultural hub and is subject of the compulsory acquisition proposal; and, apply a Land Reservation Acquisition layer to the southern portion of the site to facilitate purchase of this portion of the site by Council.

“The planning proposal has been informed by a series of preliminary technical studies/investigations and it is considered that there is currently adequate information to support a rezoning of the site for a higher density residential use. “Further detailed works would be required to progress the planning proposal should a gateway determination be given. “The proposal will provide for increased housing density and expand the housing choice within 800m of the Wyong Train Station and within walking distance of facilities and services of the town centre. “WLEP only provides for limited areas of medium density residential land around

Wyong Town Centre, and this land is considered a reasonable expansion of the land use. “The indicative development concepts accompanying the planning proposal are very basic and will need to be further developed to address matters such as privacy, overshadowing and visual impact,” the report said. “Council’s Community and Culture Unit has advised that the rezoning should only progress on the northern portion of the lot, being the part which is not impacted by the compulsory acquisition proceedings. “Preliminary consultation has been undertaken with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (L&HC), which owns four properties directly abutting this site, and a further six properties situated nearby. “NSW L&HC supports the expansion of the R3 Medium Density zone (together with a 2:1 FSR) to apply to their landholdings. “Expanding the R3 Medium Density zone (together with a 2:1 FSR) for land on the eastern side of Owen Ave, north of Ingram St and south of Cutler Dve is not recommended. “It is considered preferable to restrict the proposed R3 zone to the area south of Ingram St.

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

Agenda item 3.4, Oct 26, 2016 Central Coast Council ordinary meeting

14 November 201

Holstein questions level crossing decision man responsible for uring Liberal Government ding for the Rawson Rd l crossing replacement ect, former Member for ford Mr Chris Holstein, called on the State ernment to justify ndoning the project. r Holstein, now chair of the ral Coast Task Force, said Government needed to justify ning” the project just days Premier Mike Baird declared state had billions of dollars for structure. am seeking to remind the W Government that when you e a commitment you honour d here is a fine example of a mitment that was made that ot going to be honoured,” Mr tein said. e said the level crossing at h Woy Woy was “one of the used level railway crossings SW”. or 40 years politicians, council residents have talked of oving the road at Bulls Hill and oving the unsafe rail crossing,” aid. There have been numerous s, due to incidents at the sing, accidents on Woy Woy or on Brisbane Water Dve traffic has been diverted caused traffic chaos on the nsula.” ccording to Mr Holstein, the of building a flyover was ored in the 1990s but the ept was rejected by politicians, cil and residents. n 2011, based on Gosford ncil’s estimated costings, I ht funding from the incoming ral Government to address the e with an expanded underpass e base of Bulls Hill and was essful,” Mr Holstein said, ring to his campaign for the of Gosford in the 2011 NSW ion. e said he had tried to get the acement of the crossing on the da during previous attempts un for parliament but only eeded in the 2011 campaign. he level crossing replacement key to his 2011 election orm.

A northbound train approaches the level crossing at Woy Woy

Mr Holstein has been criticised for grossly under-estimating the cost of the project from the outset as progress drew to a standstill during the past year. Mr Holstein said State Members of Parliament were not responsible for the in-depth costing of major infrastructure projects. “We were in Opposition and could not get any proper costings from Railways or the department and Council’s costings said very clearly they would need to be reviewed and investigated along with the scope of the project,” he said. “There was a review of costings after the 2011 election and the scope of the project was reduced, and we decided we would look at it in stages,” he said. “For the next five years, studies were done, plans drawn, revised funding was approved and works commenced.”

The recent announcement by the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Mr Duncan Gay, that no further funding would be available for the project, begged more questions than it answered, Mr Holstein said. “Is there still a need to improve the road and remove the rail crossing? “Why, after five years of investigation and studies, which saw commencement, is it only now that the project is not worth it? “Why is the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce running the blame game rather than getting answers from the Government? “Many more questions should be asked and answered but if the answer to the first question is yes – that the improvements are needed and people’s safety is still a concern – then why doesn’t the Peninsula deserve it?” Mr Holstein asked.

“Over two decades, the railway crossing has caused several incidents and has been dangerous. “Who from Council, our State Members or the Chamber of Commerce has been asking the Government for costings to justify its decision? “Is somebody playing with the figures and saying the full cost of the closure of the railway line at any given time is the cost of that one project?” Mr Holstein said he did not know why the project had been abandoned. “I don’t know if it is because of inflated costs, or that the seat of Gosford is held by a member in Opposition.” Mr Holstein said the Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, should also be asking questions of the Government. “The majority of people, apart from Peninsula residents, that

use that road are coming from th electorate of Terrigal,” he said. Mr Holstein said he believed th Peninsula Chamber of Commerc was also “throwing up a smok screen” instead of working o solutions. “We have a State Member. haven’t seen her. And then w have a Chamber of Commerc that wants to play a blame game “Council should be askin the government questions b we haven’t got any electe representatives to do that becaus we are in administration. “This issue has got to b answered. “It hasn’t been answered in m mind, and the people who shou be asking for answers are n doing so.” Mr Holstein said that the form Member for Terrigal, Mr Chr Harcher, had acknowledged 2011 that the railway crossin replacement would benefit th people of the Terrigal electorate. In terms of whether funds p aside by the NSW Government f the abandoned rail crossing shou be reallocated to other Peninsu projects, as suggested by th local Chamber of Commerc Mr Holstein said: “I am sure th projects Matthew Wales talk about are worthy too, but why doe he think the issue at the bottom Bulls Hill has gone away?” Local Liberal Members Parliament were not answering M Holstein’s questions last week. Member for Terrigal Mr Ada Crouch said that, because Rawso Rd was not in his electorat he would leave comment to th Parliamentary Secretary for th Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonal A statement from M MacDonald’s office said: “Th Minister has answered thes questions at length. “We have nothing further add.” Media release, 7 Nov 201 Interview, 8 Nov 201 Chris Holstein, Centr Coast Task Forc Email, 8 Nov 201 Debra Wales, Office Adam Crouc Email, 8 Nov 201 Chris Sullivan, Office Scot MacDona Reporter: Jackie Pearso

November 17, 2016

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Consultation is insufficient for Coastal Management Plan

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Issue 146

Crane collapses at a major building site

Continued page 3

The collapsed 40 tonne crawler crane at 18 to 20 Kendall St, Gosford

n operator escaped without injury following a crane collapse at a major building site at 18 to 20 Kendall St, Gosford, on Monday, November 14.

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Following the collapse, which damaged two cars, broke the cross-arms of power polls along the street and pulled down power lines, the crane driver remained trapped for some time in the cabin. Emergency Services, including Police from the Brisbane Water Local Area Command, NSW Fire Service and Ambulance crews worked with an emergency crew from Ausgrid to isolate the mains power in that section of the network so the crane driver could be released from the cabin safely. According to Ausgrid, the power supply was interrupted to at least 600 homes and businesses, but most affected had their power restored within 90 minutes. Around 50 homes and businesses were left without power overnight and an emergency Ausgrid crew continued working the following morning to restore

their supply. Ausgrid reported that, by 3:00pm on Tuesday, November 15, 10 homes and businesses remained without power, but were expected to be reconnected to the network by around 4:00pm. Kendall St remained closed to all traffic on Tuesday, November 15, and police advised motorists to avoid the area. SafeWork NSW confirmed that it had sent an investigator to the site and would explore whether the accident was caused by any breach of work health and safety requirements. SafeWork took charge of the site of the accident and were not able to move the crane away from the site until the morning of Wednesday, November 16. Parts of the crane may need to be sent away for further testing and work would not be able to recommence on the construction site until

SafeWork NSW determined that the construction company was compliant with all SafeWork requirements. A statement from SafeWork NSW said: “Initial inquiries indicate that the 40 tonne crawler crane tipped over while slewing, bringing down power lines and damaging two motor vehicles before coming to rest on the road. “No workers were injured in the incident. “SafeWork NSW has directed the principal contractor to stop work and arrange for the crane to be safely removed from the site so it can be tested by an independent engineer. “SafeWork NSW’s investigation remains ongoing.” The original development consent for the $17.1 million, 48-unit residential flat building at 18 to 20 Kendall St was granted by Gosford Council in two parts in November 2014 and

May 2015. Two Section 96 amendments were subsequently lodged and approved to add six units and then make amendments to the drive way, parking, utility spaces and the internal planning of various units. A construction certificate was granted by private certifier, City Plan Gosford Pty Ltd, for commencement of bulk earthworks, basement parking and demolition of existing structures on October 31, 2016. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 NSW Police media Media statement, Nov 15, 2016 SafeWork NSW media Media statement, Nov 15, 2016 Zoe Allebone, Ausgrid Website, Nov 15, 2016 Central Coast Council Application Tracker, DA46276/2014 Jackie Pearson, journalist

THIS ISSUE contains 52 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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

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Issue 105

Public-private partnership will provide a better hospital he Wyong community will get a bigger and better hospital as a result of the NSW Government’s proposed publicprivate partnership, according to the NSW Minister for Health, Ms Jillian Skinner.

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Coastal Management SEPP will be the single land use planning policy for coastal development. “The Coastal Management SEPP will also better equip councils and coastal communities to plan for, and effectively respond to, coastal challenges such as major storms, coastal erosion and climate change impacts.” Central Coast Council already has a Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plans (DCP) that include coastal hazard maps and provisions, which means mapped areas will become part of a Coastal Vulnerability area. Mr Aiken said the two zones that local land owners need to pay attention to when examining the draft SEPP are Coastal Wetlands and Coastal Vulnerability. The Department of Planning website links to a mapping tool that demonstrates how different parts of the Coast would be classified under the new SEPP. “People have a short time to look at their own particular situation and make a formal submission,” Mr Aiken said.

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aterfront landowners in the suburbs of Kincumber South, Yattalunga, Saratoga, Davistown, MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal and even parts of East and West Gosford have been encouraged to pay close attention to the NSW Government’s Draft Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). Mr Pat Aiken, Secretary of the Coastal Residents Association, said the consultation period for the community to respond to the draft SEPP, which closes on December 23, is too short. Mr Aiken said the one community meeting scheduled for the Central Coast, at Erina on December 9, is inadequate, given that the local region would be “one of the worst affected by sea level rise in the whole country”. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment, in conjunction with the Office of Environment and Heritage, is responsible for developing the new coastal management framework. The new SEPP is intended to support the State Government’s new Coastal Management Act 2016. “The Coastal Management SEPP will integrate and improve current coastal-related SEPPs and ensure that future coastal development is appropriate and sensitive to our coastal environment, and that we maintain public access to beaches and foreshore areas,” said the NSW Department of Planning and Environment web pages on the draft SEPP. “Once published, the

November 22, 2016

Ms Skinner told the Wyong Regional Chronicle that the NSW Government would still spend its promised $200 million on the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital. “I would expect a private sector partner to add more money to the $200 million, but our commitment has not changed,” Ms Skinner said. “Having a private partner means the community can get a lot more, including extra services, a bigger hospital, and more staff,” she said. Ms Skinner said she expected a redeveloped Wyong Hospital to become a major maternity hospital if the privatesector partnership went ahead. The existing Wyong Hospital currently has limited birthing services. Ms Skinner said it would take at least a year to work through the Expression of Interest and Tender processes necessary to find a suitable private sector partner. The Minister for Health would not name

From left: Jillian Skinner NSW Minister for Health with Premier Mr Mike Baird at the announcement of the Northern Beaches Hospital in 2014

the organisations that had submitted expressions of interest, but confirmed they had to have a proven track record of running hospitals in Australia to qualify. “We got numerous known private hospital operators and nearly all of the not-for-profit operators,” she said. NSW Health will spend the next four to five months working with the operators that submitted expressions of interest to give them a clearer understanding of the commitments that would be expected of them if they were to participate in the tender process. “The tender specifications will include a clinical services

plan for the district, and the operator would be obliged to meet those requirements, but they don’t have to stop there. “There is no limit to what they can bid,” Ms Skinner said. She said opening up the development and operation of the hospital to a competitive tender process meant two parties could out-bid each other by committing to the delivery of additional services. “The Northern Beaches Hospital ended up with a Cardiac Catheterisation Lab that was not in the original tender plan,” she said. Ms Skinner referred to the Northern Beaches Hospital, constructed

by Healthescope, as the model for the publicprivate-partnership being proposed at Wyong. She said she urged people to take a drive past the new hospital on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “It is a beautiful hospital, much better than anything you would get out of public funding,” Ms Skinner said. The Minister said she could assure public patients that they would be cared for exactly as if they were in a public hospital. “The government will pay for public patient care,” she said. “At the end of the contract (20 years in the case of the Northern

Beaches Hospital), the partner will have the option to continue, but if they don’t, the hospital returns to public ownership,” she said. Ms Skinner said that would be the case irrespective of the level of “value adding” the private operator had done on site. The for-profit and not-for-profit operators that submitted expressions of interest will be required to meet minimum requirements for documentation, legal arrangement and financials before they are allowed to tender, as the fine detail required in the tender process could cost any potential partner millions of dollars.

When asked if Health NSW would make the detail of the contract for the partnership available for public scrutiny, Ms Skinner said: “The public can already have a look at the details of the Northern Beaches Hospital arrangement and I can tell you that it will be saving tax payers $1.5 billion over 20 years,” she said. Ms Skinner argued that a partnership with the private sector would result in more jobs, not less, and that the contract could ensure conditions of employment, including superannuation, would be carried forward. “When we announced we were seeking expressions of interest for a series of sites, we said we would not go ahead if it was of no benefit to the community and the tax payer. and we have already walked away from one property,” she said. Ms Skinner said claims that free public health care would not be available at a redeveloped Wyong Hospital, or that there would be no emergency department, were “rubbish led by the unions. “I met with the unions and they told me that they had a philosophical problem with private sector involvement,” she said. Interview, Nov 17, 2016 Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health 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

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

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P3 3

News

Concerns raised over consultation quality in Wyong Hospital plan pposition is galvanising across the state to the NSW Government’s plans to enter deals with the private sector to redevelop and operate public hospitals, including Wyong Hospital, according to Mr David Harris, NSW Shadow Minister for the Central Coast.

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“Certainly opposition on the Coast is the strongest and the loudest,” Mr Harris said. Mr Harris said the NSW Minister for Health, Ms Jillian Skinner, was clearly out of touch with NSW Health if she was not aware that the department had been undertaking consultation in the foyer of the Wyong Hospital.

“The consultation times and dates were advertised in the Express Advocate (but not in this newspaper) and I have had feedback from people who were there on Wednesday, November 16,” he said. According to Mr Harris, the consultation was conducted by representatives from NSW Health and they were unable to answer specific questions about, for example, future oncology services at the hospital. “Obviously they are there so they can tick the box to say they have spoken to people, but they can’t possibly know the detail until there is a firm expression of interest available,” Mr Harris said. Continued P4

Demonstrators at the recent Wyong Hospital rally

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News

P44 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Concerns raised over consultation quality in Wyong Hospital plan rom P3

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When asked if he could comment on Ms Skinner’s forecast that an arrangement like the Northern Beaches public-private partnership would save tax payers $1.5 billion over its life, Mr Harris said: “The government transfers all the staff to the new entity, all their entitlements get transferred over, so the government loses that liability.” He said one of the major concerns with the Government’s proposed model was its lack of transparency about whether those transferred jobs would be safe. In her interview with the Wyong Chronicle, Ms Skinner said the terms and conditions for any publicprivate-partnership at Wyong would be unique, including the detail of matters such as employment guarantees.

“This is all about transferring staff costs off the public books to make the government’s budget bottom line look better,” Mr Harris said. “As to job security, all we know is what they have done with the other sectors where privatisation has occurred, including in the power industry. “Employees are told they have a two-year guarantee, then they come to you and say ‘what is the job you do? “Sorry, we don’t have that job any more, you go and sit in that room and don’t do anything’, then they come back when you’re bored to death offering voluntary redundancies, and that is how, hand on heart, they can tell you they are not cutting jobs. “Nobody trusts their guarantees and that is why staff at Wyong are

so upset; they know what is happening at Northern Beaches because they are talking to other nurses and they have seen what has happened in the power industry. “All new staff that come in can be on a different rate of pay doing the same job because they don’t have the same protection. “This is a really complex thing and all we are saying is get it out there in the public domain and let the public decide whether it is a good deal or bad deal.” According to the NSW Opposition, rather than saving taxpayer money, servicing public patients under the proposed arrangement could end up costing the government more. “Ms Skinner can say public patients won’t pay anything but we know with the Northern

Beaches Hospital that there are two entry pathways, one for private care and one for public. “A private operator gets guaranteed an average cost per public patient that is always higher than what a public hospital would be paid by the government for providing the same care. “That is the only way a private operator can make a profit out of providing public patient care. “I am going to call for the NSW Auditor General to look at and compare the costs of a public-private agreement proposal against what it would cost if the hospital stayed in public hands before any contract is signed. “The only way a private operator can make money is if the government pays them over the rate it actually takes to service a patient.

“The hospital currently does not make a profit and one of the key things the doctors and nurses have said is that the most expensive part of the hospital is emergency because emergency medicine is very expensive. “Wyong is seeing over 200 patients a day through emergency and, within the structure of a public hospital, other service areas are cheaper to run so the budget can cover emergency care. “I question whether a private operator would allow profitable areas of its operation to crosssubsidise more expensive ones.” He said he questioned whether Wyong was a lucrative location for any private health provider given that only 17 per cent of people in Wyong have private health insurance. As for Ms Skinner’s

vision for Wyong Hospital to offer the full range of maternity services, Mr Harris said the hospital already has full maternity facilities, funded and built under Labor. “Wyong could have a full maternity hospital now but they can’t get obstetricians, they might get a maternity ward but there would be private obstetricians in there which would mean it would be for private patients. “We built the maternity ward but had to scale it back to the midwifery model because they can’t staff it, that is the issue,” he said. Interview, Nov 18, 2016 David Harris, NSW Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P5 5

Fishing industry inquiry open for submissions uggerah Lakes commercial fisherman and other members of the public have until December 9 to make submissions to a new inquiry into the NSW Government’s proposed fishing industry restructure.

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NSW Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Mr Mick Veitch, said he welcomed the announcement of the inquiry. Two public hearings will be held on December 12 and 14. The committee will table an interim or final report by February 28, 2017. The inquiry’s terms of reference include the social and economic impacts of the restructure, the scientific underpinnings of the changes, as well as the economic modelling used by the Government. The inquiry announcement came in the same week that Labor MPs received a petition of more than 10,000 signatures calling on the

NSW Government to rethink its restructure of the State’s commercial fishing sector. The petition will be debated in Parliament early next year. “I have been calling for an inquiry for months now and I welcome the opportunity for the community to make submissions and have their say on the future of this important industry,” Mr Veitch said. “This is a good chance for fishers and other concerned stakeholders to highlight what they see as the problems of the restructure,” he said. Media release, Nov 18, 2016 Mick Veitch, NSW Shadow Minister for Primary Industries

News

Council workers make bullying claims hree former Wyong Council employees have written to the Access) requests of the Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, claiming they are being Department of Premier and Cabinet’s ‘savings’ bullied to leave their jobs at the new Central Coast Council.

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“I have now had three letters in the last week where people have asked me for assistance because they claim there is bullying going on,” Mr Harris said. “They said they feel like they are being purposefully ostracised to make them want to leave,” he said. One letter was anonymous but the other two were signed. Mr Harris said he believed the letters were symptomatic of a trend that would emerge as a result of the Council amalgamation. Former Wyong Council and Gosford Council employees were given a guarantee by the NSW Government that their positions would be safe for at least three years following the merger. Mr Harris said employees understood that guarantee but were also aware that positions

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would have to be sacrificed because of the high level of duplication of positions across the two former councils. “They are going to have to reduce staff because of that duplication and the people who have written to me believe they are the target of an active campaign to force people out underhandedly,” he said. “These people strongly believe they are being purposely targeted to voluntarily pull the pin because it is not worth staying. “They have been there for a long time, one had worked for Wyong Council for over 20 years and never had a complaint about the work they have done,” he said. Mr Harris said he had not yet discussed this issue with either the Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, or CEO, Mr

Rob Noble. A statement from Central Coast Council said workers had not been bullied or coerced. “People are having to apply for Manager positions but affected staff are being supported . Council has agreed to provide up-to-date employee numbers. It was well known that the combined workforce of the two former councils was just over 2,000 and Wyong Regional Chronicle has asked for updated employee figures so the community can track the level of employee attrition occurring during the merger period. The United Services Union has also been contacted for comment. NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr Peter Primrose said: “What we know from our GIPA (Government Information Public

resulting from forced mergers is that they expect over 80 per cent of the ‘savings’ to come from cuts to council staff. “Accordingly there is great pressure not only on senior staff to leave, but I am hearing many stories about bullying of middle management and junior staff to leave of their own accord despite the three year guaranteed employment period,” Mr Primrose said. “One common tactic is to giving the employee little work to do, and making it clear they are not wanted,” he said.

Interview, Nov 18, 2016 David Harris, NSW Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Media statement, Nov18, 2016 Peter Primrose, NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government Jackie Pearson, journalist


News

P66 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Warnervale town centre is still a long way off rbanGrowth NSW has announced the sale of its 134-lot residential promised to build a new development site but the development of a long-awaited new train station to service its town centre at Warnervale is not likely to emerge for at least the population. However, the state next five years.

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The NSW Government has identified Warnervale as a Strategic Centre in its Central Coast 2036 Regional Plan, but has failed to commit funds to build a new North Warnervale train station to service the new town centre. Supermarket giant, Woolworths, appears unlikely to commit to developing a supermarket or retail centre on its land in the foreseeable future due to its ongoing financial difficulties. Woolworths also owns land suitable for residential and commercial development, but it too sits in limbo. Wyong Regional Chronicle asked Woolworths whether or not it was still the ASX listed company’s intention to complete the touted $100 million development of its Warnervale land. Woolworths was asked to confirm its timeframe, the state of its relationship with the Central Coast Council and the NSW Government in ensuring the proposed town centre eventuates. Woolworths issued the following statement in response: “Woolworths

remains committed to the Warnervale site. “We are still working through our timeline and look forward to bringing a local community supermarket to the area in due course.” Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, called for an urgent report into the status of the Warnervale town centre project following his appointment to the merged council in May. No such a report has made it onto a council meeting agenda at this stage. UrbanGrowth NSW (formerly Landcom) confirmed on Friday, November 18 that it had “completed its involvement in the Warnervale Town Centre, following the exchange of contracts for the sale of its landholding to a preferred developer. “The 12.5ha site received strong interest from a number of prospective buyers, and was offered for sale with an existing development consent for the subdivision of 134 residential lots over part of the site fronting Sparks Rd.

“This approval will facilitate development works commencing in 2017. “The sale was made possible after UrbanGrowth NSW completed lead-in infrastructure and services and the main entry road as part of a jointly-funded servicing agreement with Woolworths and the Central Coast Council.” UrbanGrowth NSW Head of Western Sydney Projects Portfolio, Mr Matthew Beggs, said he welcomed the sale as it would help the town centre concept to be realised. “This sale is an exciting milestone in the future of the Warnervale Town Centre, and UrbanGrowth NSW is very pleased to have played our part in helping bring it to life.” The sale follows a Public Tender facilitated by Jones Lang LaSalle which closed on 22 August 2016. Central Coast Council also has land near the proposed town centre supposedly for residential development. The NSW Government pledged its support for the development of a new town centre in 2008 and

has never actually made a financial commitment to build the station at any stage in its forward estimates. Its new regional plan for the Central Coast described the route along the Pacific Highway between Tuggerah and Warnervale as the “Northern Growth Corridor – a priority location for service and business growth”. However, the language of the regional plan implies that “preparation” is the most progress the new strategic centre will see within the 20 year life of the NSW Government’s land use blueprint. The strategic plan listed as an action in the Northern Growth Corridor: “Promote Warnervale as a new strategic centre on the Central Coast and plan for its transport interchange”. The Warnervale Town Centre was the brainchild of the former Wyong Council and NSW Government as a way to manage projected population growth in the region. “The Warnervale Town Centre is approximately 119 hectares and bounded by Hakone Rd to the North, Hiawatha Rd to

the East, Sparks Rd to the South and extends west of the Great Northern Railway Line to include land that is owned by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, adjacent to the Sydney-Newcastle Railway,” a Wyong Council overview of the project said. “The Warnervale Town Centre site was rezoned to create approximately 15 hectares for retail and commercial use, and 64 hectares for residential use. “The remainder of the site has been rezoned open space, conservation and special activities; including an eight hectare nature reserve that is being created primarily to protect the Commonwealth-listed Heath Wrinklewort. “Warnervale Town Centre will be focused on a vibrant main street that provides access to all the principal activities within the town centre. “It has been designed with people in mind and will contain a balance of shopping, community facilities, entertainment facilities and open space.” The town centre was intended to include a library/knowledge centre, a mix of retail commercial and residential areas including cafes, restaurants and entertainment facilities on

the main street, transport upgrades including a new major railway station including bus interchange and commuter carpark, new roads, cycleways, footpaths and more public transport. It was to create muchneeded employment opportunities for approximately 1,200 people in retail, commercial and bulky goods sectors. It is now eight years since Warnervale Town Centre was declared a State Significant Site, four years since control of the site was handed back to Wyong Council and since a final development Control Plan was gazetted in 2012. The Woolworths Residential, Commercial and Retail development was approved by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DoP&I) in September 2013. However, next to no progress has been made on the planned town centre in well over 12 months and its future remains uncertain. Media statement, Nov 17, 2016 Woolworths Corporate Communications Website, Nov 17, 2016 Wyong Council Regional Plan, Oct, 2016 Central Coast 2016 Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P7

Fay Kuilder’s Grand Champion Garden

WYONG DISTRICT 43RD ANNUAL GARDEN COMPETITION Thirty nine Wyong District gardeners made it to the final judging for this year’s Wyong District Annual Garden Competition with many entering the competition for the first time. Entrants ranged from gardeners in their 80s to young students from local schools; gardens ranged from small courtyards to large residential blocks and commercial premises. The variety of garden styles entered was incredible small villa gardens, groupings of pot plants, a large garden right on the beach at the Entrance North (which shows that with perseverance and patience you can have a beautiful garden on sand), large bushland gardens in the Ourimbah hills and gardens in busy parking lots at commercial outlets. All entrants were keen gardeners who could see the benefits to the community of having gardens and gardening. They all contribute to enhancing our environment and give great pleasure to themselves, their neighbourhood and the region. Many local businesses who can see the community benefit of the annual competition sponsor it with cash or gift voucher prizes which make it worthwhile for gardeners to enter the competition. Local nurseries, in particular, are regular sponsors who benefit when prize winners redeem their vouchers and have the opportunity to offer advice, plants and other horticultural products to entrants as they plant up for the big day. The competition has been run by a group of volunteers who are all members of local Garden Clubs and give freely of their time for a 10-month period to organise the event, pre-judge and organise the presentation day at the Council Chambers in Wyong. Now that Wyong & Gosford Councils have merged it is up in the air as to what will happen in the future, Council has not as yet made a decision on any further competitions.

This year’s Grand Champion gardener was Fay Kuilder from Gorokan. With over 1,000 square leads to different areas metres, this garden is a or garden rooms, with delight to walk around. pots dotted around as From the moment you features, and garden walk into the garden ornaments in nooks and you see masses of colour crannies everywhere. from the many different There is always something plants. different to see on every As you approach the turn. A water feature is gate this garden opens the central attraction, to a mass of azaleas, leading into a tranquil daylilies, bulbs and tropical garden and shade house. annuals. Then, as you walk over This garden is a haven for a bridge a grand vista birdlife, lizards and frogs, awaits you. It is hard and with relaxing areas to choose which path to ponder or simply sit to take as each one and relax.

Anita Reidy at work in her prize winning garden at Shelly Beach Reserve Champion was Champion and says that Anita Reidy from Shelly her garden is always an Beach, Anita’s garden is artwork in progress and beautifully laid out with working there is the best a large collection of thing that she can do bromeliads, succulents if feeling stressed - the & clivias as well as many perfect therapy to calm other well tended plants. the mind and body. Mrs Even on a wet, dull day Reidy, aged 81, finds that you are greeted with her garden is a good a riot of colour as you way to keep her young enter Anita’s garden. Mrs and active. Reidy was 2015’s Grand

WYONG DISTRICT GARDEN COMPETITION RESULTS WYONG CHAMPION GARDEN FOR 2016 - Fay Kuilder Gorokan WYONG RESERVE CHAMPION FOR 2016 - Anita Reidy Shelly Beach Section 1 - Whole private garden or townhouse under 1000 sq metres 1. M Kranendonk, Hamlyn Terrace 2. A Reidy, Shelly Beach 3. L Grimshaw, Bateau Bay

Section 5 - Gardeners over 75 Whole 1. A Reidy, Shelly Beach 2. E Hay, Long Jetty 3. J Comninos, Lake Haven

Section 10 - Footpath Garden 1. A Reidy, Shelly Beach 2. L Rose, Long Jetty 3. P Hodgson, Entrance North

3. L Grimshaw, Bateau Bay

Section 15 - School Culinary 1. Woongarrah Public School, Woongarrah Section 11 - Residential water 2. Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, Bateau Bay Section 5 - Gardeners over 75 feature - Part 1. F Kuilder, Gorokan 3. Gwandalan Public School, Section 2 - Whole private 1. N O’Brien, The Entrance North 2. K & J Ford, Chittaway Bay Gwandalan garden over 1000sq metres 2. M Mamo, Long Jetty Section 12 - Private garden - Section 16 - Community 1 F Kuilder, Gorokan 3. B Francis, Long jetty retirement village Culinary Section 3 - Whole garden - no Section 6 - Most Colourful 1. J Starling, Bateau Bay 1. Gwandalan Community previous 1st prize Garden - Whole 2. M Haynes, Canton Beach Gardens, Gwandalan 1. F Kuilder, Gorokan 1. F Kuilder, Gorokan 3. K Johnstone, Hamlyn Terrace 2. Long Khanh Lakefront 2. A Reidy, Shelly Beach 2. L Grimshaw, Bateau Bay Village, Canton Beach Section 13 - Pot Plants 3. K & J Ford, Chittaway Bay Section 6 - Most Colourful 1. F Kuilder, Gorokan Section 17 - Entire retirement Section 4 - Native Private Garden - Part 2. J Starling, Bateau Bay village 1. E Hay, Long Jetty 3. N O’Brien, The Entrance North 1. Lake Munmorah Resort, Lake garden 1. L Grimshaw, Bateau Bay 2. J Starling, Bateau Bay Munmorah Section 14 - Private culinary 3. J Comninos, Lake Haven 2. Long Khanh Lakefront 1. B Roach, Gwandalan Village, Canton Beach 2. S Sturits & C Lamey, Buff Point

The Commi ee acknowledge the following local business owners who have kindly sponsored the compe on, not only in 2016, but for many years before: Central Coast Council, Wyee Nursery, Aa es Sand & Soil, Amgrow, Charmhaven Garden Centre, The Big Flower, Bunnings Warehouse, Mars food, Burbank Nursery, CRT, The Wyong Chronicle, Seasol, Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld, Yates and Office Works - Tuggerah

Noelene O’Brien’s garden at The Entrance North

Jenny Comninos’ colourful garden at Lake Haven


News

P88 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Proposed Toukley service station not welcomed oukley residents and shop keepers cannot understand why the Central Coast Council would consider approving the development of a service station at 356 to 358 Main Rd that is completely at odds with the master plan for the village and based on an erroneous Development Application.

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Mr Robert Nardi last year acquired the furniture shop located directly next to the proposed development site based on assurances from a Wyong Council town planner that the area was slated for future redevelopment as shop top housing. A revised report to be presented to Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, at the Central Coast Council meeting on Wednesday, November 23, is the first since the DA was lodged in January to correctly show Mr Nardi’s property as being more than a single-storey retail building. “Up until now, they haven’t even acknowledged that my home, the flat above the furniture shop, exists,” Mr Nardi said. “The whole village does not want this to be built,” he said. “It ruins the whole atmosphere of the village shopping strip. “Its 12-metre wide driveways will be a major problem for the many elderly and disabled locals and school children from nearby Toukley Public School that use the footpath, which is considered the safe

Local shops have displayed signs in their windows opposing the development

side of the road.” Mr Nardi spoke against a Central Coast Council staff recommendation to approve the DA at its last meeting on October 26 and has registered to speak again on November 23. He said Council had received over 200 submissions, all opposed to the development, and at least 1,500 signatures had been collected on petitions. “Locals are still signing petitions so there are going to be hundreds more sent to council before the next meeting,” he said. “For some reason Council staff recommended this for approval and if we hadn’t spoken at the last council meeting it would have been approved,” he said. At the October 26 meeting, Mr Reynolds decided to defer the matter because affected residents pointed out they had only been notified that it was on the agenda on the same day as the meeting or on the preceding Monday. “Some people didn’t

receive their letter until the Thursday after the meeting,” Mr Nardi said. Mr Nardi said he had documented more than two pages of errors in the development application, some of which he had pointed out to Mr Reynolds in his first presentation to Council. “It might be the developer’s job to pull the wool over everybody’s eyes but it is Council’s job to pick up on these things, so how did so many mistakes get through council? “The extent of the mistakes is troubling,” he said. According to Mr Nardi, Toukley residents, retailers and property owners believe a service station would be at complete odds with the Council’s own plans for the future of the area. The area is zoned B2 Local Centre under the Wyong Local Environmental Plan 2013 and, according to Mr Nardi, although service stations are allowed in such

a zone, the development application fails four out of the council’s stated objectives for land use in such a zone. “It fails to encourage employment opportunities in accessible locations, fails to maximise public transport patronage and encourage walking and cycling, it does not permit residential accommodation while maintaining active retail, business and other non-residential uses at street level, and finally, it does not minimise conflict between land uses within the zone and adjoining zones,” he said. Locals have also pointed to Council’s Toukley Planning Strategy and specifically the chapter on Precinct Eight, East Toukley, which said: “East Toukley, which encompasses the East Toukley Shops, has a vibrancy and village character that should be maintained and enhanced by retaining the lower scale village character while allowing shop top

housing.” Mr Nardi said: “Why waste rate payer money developing plans for areas like East Toukley if they don’t follow through?” He said he had been contacted by BP Australia and told the company was not involved with the development even though all the development documentation included BP branding. “BP told me they looked at the site over a year ago but didn’t think it was in an appropriate location, would not be viable and didn’t think it would proceed,” Mr Nardi said. “When the DA was first submitted, the only notice given to residents was a small ad in the newspaper (but not in this newspaper).. “We asked for a twoweek extension to make submissions because many people were away over Christmas, but we were given one week. “I then received a phone call from a Wyong Councillor telling me that the developer, the Stevens

Group, did a lot of good work in the area and that I should back off and concentrate on making my property more suitable to being next door to a service station,” he said. Successful existing businesses including the furniture business that rents Mr Nardi’s retail space along with George the Butcher, the Chillax Café, and potentially, the newsagent will find it very difficult to survive due to competition from the service station, along with the loss of street parking and changes to traffic flow if the development goes ahead. “There are already six or seven ex service station sites in Toukley so why not build it in one of those already polluted blocks of land that are in far better positions than this one is? “The site needs redeveloping or cleaning up, but there are plenty of potential buyers.” “An earlier development application had proposed shop top housing with 14 residential units and did not eventuate but had the support of the local community”, he said. Central Coast based real estate developer, Stevens Group, will purchase the property from its current owner, Mr Rocky Gattelari, subject to the DA being approved. Wyong Regional Chronicle has asked Stevens Group for clarification of some information in the development application. Interview and emails, Nov 18, 2016 Robert Nardi, East Toukley Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Your local voices on the Central Coast! Authorised by David Mehan, Yasmin Catley & David Harris. Printed using parliamentary entitlements.


November 22, 2016 - P9 9

News

Post code areas make top 10 for wrong reason hree northern Central Coast post codes are in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s (TIO) top 10 areas for complaints across Australia in 2016.

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“People are telling me there are problems with the NBN rollout on the Central Coast, I have heard from hundreds of people about this issue,” said Federal member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride said. “The TIO’s report backs up those concerns: slow speeds, unusable internet and landlines, new connection delays and drop outs, are all problems across our region,’ Ms McBride said. “To see Central Coast suburbs making up four of the top 10 areas for complaints across the country is alarming. “The NBN is essential infrastructure, especially for regional areas like ours. “We have to make this work. “It is important to look closely at this report, but

not all complaints make it to the Ombudsperson. “We need to understand what has happened with the NBN rollout here on the Central Coast because we have an opportunity to shape the direction of the project as it continues nationally. “I am encouraging people to share their experience with me, so I can act on their behalf. “We can address individual issues and work to rectify them, but we also need to learn from them, so others aren’t affected in the same way. “Accessing the NBN shouldn’t be a frustrating or time consuming process, and people certainly shouldn’t be left without a vital service like their telephone line. “It’s disappointing that for so many people on the Central Coast, this has been the case,” Ms

McBride said. The TIO data collates complaints via postcode, which includes the suburbs of: 2263 – Canton Beach, Charmhaven, Gorokan, Lake Haven, Norah Head, Noraville, Toukley; 2259 – Hamlyn Terrace, Kanwal, Mardi, Rocky Point, South Tacoma, Tuggerah, Tuggerawong, Wadalba, Warnervale, Watanobbi, Woongarrah, Wyong, Wyongah; and 2261, Bateau Bay, Berkeley Vale, Blue Bay, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Glenning Valley, Killarney Vale, Long Jetty, Magenta, Shelly Beach, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Toowoon Bay, and Tumbi Umbi.

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Mr Gerard Paul, 57, was reportedly last seen at about 8:30am on November 18, at Warnervale. Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command were alerted to his disappearance later that evening when he failed to return home, which is out of character. Police and relatives are concerned for his welfare and urge anyone who sees him

to come forward. Mr Paul is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a fair complexion, between 175-180cm tall with a medium build. He has brown eyes and no facial hair. Mr Paul may be travelling in his 2009 Jeep Patriot which has a NSW registration of BMF 92J. Anyone with information about Gerard Paul is urged to contact police immediately. Media release, Nov 20, 2016 NSW Police Media

Wyong Regional Chronicle focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262, & 2263. Given the arrival of new Central Coast Council, following is a summary of news articles published in the

most recent edition of each of our sister Central Coast publications. The full articles and more, as well as all previously published editions, can be seen on line on our website

www.CentralCoastNews.net Copies of these other publications may be obtained from our offices in Gosford, by subscription, or from a myriad of locations in the areas covered by each publication.

e Frkeeone! Ta

Edition 406

14 November 2016

Peninsula News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2256 & 2257.

Holstein questions level crossing decision

WaterNSW denies bore water crackdown

Homeless make use of cafe shelter

The man responsible for securing Liberal Government funding for the Rawson Rd level crossing replacement project, former Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein...

WaterNSW has denied that it was planning a statewide crackdown on bore water use.

Homeless people appear to be making good use of the shelter provided by the awning of the new unused kiosk at the redeveloped Woy Woy Oval, while ...

Five rescues in a weekend

Sport and Rec camp may be leased

Residential flats proposed

Central Coast Marine Rescue performed five rescues over the weekend of November 5 and 6.

Plans by the Baird Government to lease Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Camp have been uncovered after documents were leaked from the Office of Sport.

A development application has been lodged with Central Coast Council to build a $1 million three-unit residential flat building at Berith St, Umina.

Application to realign boundaries

Police charge 21-yearold

Remembrance Day honoured

Central Coast Council has received an application to realign the boundaries of two lots in Ettalong.

A 21-year-old has been charged following an incident where a vehicle hit a power pole in Umina last month.

Media release, Nov 17, 2016 Heather Robinson, office of Emma McBride

Have you seen this man? olice are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man missing from Yarramalong.

Other Regional News - In brief

Remembrance Day was honoured on the Peninsula on November 11 with memorial services at the Empire Bay Village Cenotaph, the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial at Ettalong and at ...

The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.CentralCoastNews.net They can also be seen on www.PeninsulaNews.info

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FRE

November 17, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

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Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 146

Coast Community News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2250, 2251 & 2260

Consultation is insufficient for Coastal Management Plan

Crane collapses at a major building site

Wamberal Beach referred to as “the forgotten twin”

Waterfront landowners in the suburbs of Kincumber South, Yattalunga, Saratoga, Davistown, MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal and even parts of East and ...

An operator escaped without injury following a crane collapse at a major building site at 18 to 20 Kendall St, Gosford, on Monday, November 14.

A paper presented to the 2016 NSW Coastal Conference on Thursday, November 10, by Coastal Engineer, Mr Doug Lord, referred to Wamberal Beach as “the forgotten twin”.

“Analysis paralysis continues” - Central Coast Taskforce

“Lucy’s Lane” is a gazetted public road

The John Singleton-backed Central Coast Taskforce has labelled the Central Coast 2036 Regional Plan the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Mr Gavin Edgar, the Doma Group’s General Manager of Development, has rebutted some of the claims made by NSW Senator, Ms Deborah O’Neill, regarding ATO site in Baker St, Gosford, in ...

Residents warned not to act without approvals The Community Environment Network (CEN) has called for action on the implementation of plans to help resolve coastal management issues at Wamberal Beach following claims that residents ... A fair share of the Ausgrid lease revenue should come to the Central Coast The Central Coast does not appear to be getting its fair share of the $16.18 billion dollars raised by the NSW Government’s 99- year lease of half of Ausgrid, according to the region’s ...

Crime account funds cameras

Moving hearings to Newcastle is unreasonable

Federal Minister for Justice, Mr Michael Keenan, and Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, have announced that the funding agreement to deliver CCTV cameras for ...

The NSW Department of Justice should be holding more, not less, NSW Consumer and Administrative Tribunal hearings on the Central Coast, according to NSW Shadow ...

The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.centralcoastnews.net Coast Community News focusses on news specifically related to post code areas 2250, 2251, 2260 and articles can also be read and shared on your mobile phone by going to www.coastcommunitynews.com.au.


Forum & OnTheBeat

P10 P1 10 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Proposed service station not needed arlier this year you published a story about East Toukley residents meeting with Mr David Harris to try and stop a service station being built in the middle of our village shopping centre.

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I was hoping you might do an update as Council has recommended it for approval. It was put on the agenda for the meeting on October 26 (at Gosford not Wyong), but was deferred by Mr Ian Reynolds until the meeting on November 23 because of the residents receiving very little notice of the meeting, with some not getting their letter until the day of the meeting. Mr Reynolds said he would also get staff to look at some of the issues raised at the meeting by myself and Korrey Blackwood. There were numerous mistakes pointed out in the development application that had somehow got through council. Residents have made it clear that they do not want their village shopping

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

centre t ruined, i d as it will ill bbe split in two by the service station, and they will lose valuable parking. Health concerns were top of the list as the site is surrounded on all sides by homes and flats and is just down the road from Toukley Public School. The footpath is used by children attending school and shoppers will have two huge driveways cutting across it, making it a danger in the middle of a shopping strip. Apart from the businesses having to

Attempted assault of a woman at Buff Point

etectives investigating the assault of a woman at Buff close to make way for Point have released the servo, others will be a likeness of a man lost due to some parking they believe can assist being taken away. police with inquiries. The new service station is not needed, as there is a brand new 7-11 just 200 meters up the road. Council’s own master plan for the area is clear that East Toukley should remain a shopping village with shop top housing. What is the use of residents having to pay for these reports and studies if council then just ignores them? There are plenty of ex service station sites in the area that could be used that are already polluted and in better positions with better access. While the B2 local centre zoning allows for service stations, this proposal does not meet the objectives needed.

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About 3:20pm on November 15, a woman was walking along the footpath at the Edgewater Park Reserve. As she was walking, she turned around and noticed a man walking closely behind her. The woman continued on the path until the man grabbed her from behind and attempted to drag her into bushland. The woman struggled with the man and managed to break free

put “Christ” back into Christmas Christmas Worship All Are Welcome Sunday Dec 18 7:30pm Christmas Carol Sing-a-long (bring a friend) Sunday Dec 25th 9:00am Christmas Day Service Wyong Uniting Church 60-62 Watanobbi Road Wyong

shorts, andd a h t skate k t shoes h black cap. Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command commenced an investigation into the matter and appealed with anyone with information to come forward. Media release, Nov 16, 2016 NSW Police Media

Man arrested after lighting a fire in scrubland

Email, Robert Nardi, Toukley

Come Worship with us

before she b f h ran off ff and d contacted police. The man is described as Caucasian in appearance, 168cm tall, medium build, late teens, fair complexion, with a puffy face and blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black and grey board

man appeared in court on November 14 after allegedly lighting a fire in scrubland near Soldiers Beach, Norah Head, on November 13, despite a total fire ban in place due to weather conditions.

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Police will allege at about 4:45pm, the 55 year old man was walking his dog around a car park at Soldiers Beach when he was seen to deliberately

light a fire in scrub nearby. Fire and Rescue NSW

officers attended and extinguished the blaze a short time later. Minimal damage was caused to grass in the area. Surf Life Savers apprehended the man and officers from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command were called. The man was arrested and a search resulted in police locating matches on him. The man was taken to Tuggerah Lakes Police Station where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless to its spread, and cause or set fire to the property of another. The man was refused bail. Media release, Nov 13, 2016 NSW Police Media


Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P111 W

Ourimbah vehicle search results in major drug bust

Brawl at Charmhaven results in arrests olice investigations are continuing into a brawl at Charmhaven on November 12 which resulted in a man having half of his ear bitten off.

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At about 10pm, emergency services were called to a licensed premise on the Pacific Hwy, Charmhaven, following reports of people brawling. When police arrived, a group of people allegedly became aggressive towards police. However, they were subdued with O/C spray. Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command arrested a 28 year old man at the scene, whilst a 25 year old man was arrested at a service station a short

distance away. Both men were taken to Wyong Police Station. As a result of the incident, five people were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics, including a 28 year old man who had the upper part of his ear bitten off during the incident. The man was taken to Wyong Hospital for further treatment. A 44 year old female security guard who

attempted to intervene in the brawl, was also taken to Wyong Hospital after suffering injuries to her ribs and ankle. Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command are continuing their inquiries into the incident and appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the event to contact Wyong Police Station or Crime Stoppers. Media release, Nov 13, 2016 NSW Police Media

Bateau Bay woman arrested for charity fraud woman will face court in November following investigations into charity fraud on the Central Coast.

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Detectives from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command c o m m e n c e d investigations in June following reports of suspected charity fraud. Police alleged a woman fundraised between $15,000 to $20,000 for a charity between 2013 and 2016, but did not provide the money to the charity. Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home in

is printed on 100% recycled paper products, even the ink is made from vegetable matter. So when you’re done reading this paper please recycle it or give it to someone else to read

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.

Bateau Bay in July where they located charityrelated items including raffle tickets which they allege were fraudulent. Detectives arrested a 42-year-old woman at The Entrance and conveyed

her to Wyong Police Station on November 11. She was charged with several offences including four counts of fraud, 12 counts of make false document to obtain financial advantage, and six counts of use false document to obtain financial advantage. The woman was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on November 30. Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.

Don't let your home become another statistic, according to the CSIRO “the Central Coast and Hunter Regions are rated as a HIGH RISK for Termite attack”.

Media release, Nov 16, 2016 NSW Police Media

OnTheBeat

olice have charged a Rebels OMCG member over alleged drug offences after his vehicle was searched at Ourimbah on November 14.

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Earlier this year, the State Crime Command’s Gangs’ Squad established Strike Force Tombolo to investigate OMCG activity in Western Sydney. After ongoing investigations, police stopped a vehicle on the M1 at Ourimbah at about 10:35am on November 12. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police allegedly discovered a bag of methylamphetamine and 18 litres of hypophosphorus acid, a precursor chemical used in the production of methylamphetamine. All of the items were seized for further forensic examination. The driver, a 26 year

old man, was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station. Later the same day, Gangs’ Squad officers executed a search warrant at the man’s home on Blackwood St at Claremont Meadows. While searching the property, police seized a large amount of cash, and approximately 500 grams of cocaine with an estimated potential street value of $300,000. Police also seized electronic devices from the home that will undergo further examination. The man was later charged with 25 offences including: five counts of drive motor vehicle

while suspended; assault occasioning actual bodily harm; supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity); supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity); supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity, two counts); knowingly direct activities of a criminal group; and, possess precursor intended to use in manufacture/ production. The man was refused bail to front Parramatta Local Court on November 13, where he was remanded in custody to appear before Central Local Court on November 21. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 NSW Police Media

Bateau Bay break and enter thwarted olice are investigating an aggravated break and enter in Bateau Bay.

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At about 12am on November 15, a man broke into a home on Belshaw Pl, Bateau Bay, while five adult occupants were inside, four of whom were asleep. During the incident, the resident who was awake, a 26 year old developmentally-delayed man, was detained by the

offender and threatened. Police believe he was compelled to assist him in stealing items and loading them into the back of a utility, before he was confronted by other occupants and fled the scene on foot.

Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command were contacted and attended a short time later. away when not in use to prevent them being used to gain access to your home. Media release, Nov 15, 2016 NSW Police Media

For fast non-intrusive detection of termites and other pests call TermiCam® now.

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Health

P12 P1 12 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Allen Carey receives Kellion Award man from The Entrance has been honoured by Diabetes NSW at the 2016 Kellion Awards held on November 14.

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Mr Allen Carey was honoured at a ceremony in Sydney and presented with a Kellion Award. The Kellion Awards honour those who have thrived in life despite suffering from diabetes. Mr Carey has lived with diabetes for 50 years, but still built a career as an electrician despite

the physical demands of the job challenging his disease. The Kellion Awards were named after the late Mr Claude Kellion, who made an outstanding contribution towards diabetes in Australia following the untimely death of his son John, in 1972.

At 38 years of age, John died due to complications with diabetes and as a result, Mr Kellion established the Kellion Diabetes Foundation to fund much needed research. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 Rian Newman, Filtered Media

Disabled Surfers Association is seeking volunteers he Central Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association is holding a Hands on Day at Toowoon Bay Beach on December 3 and are seeking volunteers.

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Volunteering at a Hands on Day consists of helping participants to and from the beach, assisting them in and out of the water and helping set up and clean up. Food is provided and smiles are always encouraged.

Volunteers do not need to know how to surf, they just need to be willing to get wet and have some fun. If you surf, it’s a bonus. A rash shirt will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits.

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The Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) is a volunteer-run organisation that enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular past-times, beach surfing. DSA volunteers serve to provide a unique, safe and happy surfing experience to a wide range of people with various disabilities who would otherwise be unable to access the beach. In order to ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to participant ratio, with a minimum of six to one up to as high as 30 to one for more challenging participants. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 Rae Fiechter, Disabled Surfers Association

10,000 signature petition forces Wyong Hospital privatisation debate ollowing the tabling of over 10 000 petition signatures opposing the proposed Wyong Hospital privatisation, a State Parliamentary debate took place at 4:30pm on November 10.

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According to Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, prior to this, the government had refused to debate Central Coast Labor MP’s on the issue, using their Parliamentary majority to silence them. However, a petition supported by over 20 000 people forced a debate. The speakers for the Labor Opposition were Mr Harris and State Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan. According to Labor MP’s on the Coast, the State Member for Swansea, Ms Yasmin Catley, was gagged by the government and not allowed to speak, with the State Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, blatantly shutting her down. Central Coast Labor MP’s said they led the debate, with the support of more than 100 Central Coast community members and health workers cheering them on from the gallery of the Legislative Assembly, and that the NSW Health Minister, Ms Jillian Skinner, was not present at the debate, despite having known about it for at least two weeks. “The people of the

Central Coast have made it very clear that they want Wyong Hospital to remain in public hands. “Our communities have come out in force and made it clear what they think, Mike Baird and his Government just need to listen,” Mr Mehan said. “The Liberal Government actually intervened to shut down the debate against the privatisation of Wyong Hospital before I was able to tell them why the people of the Swansea electorate think it is such a bad idea,” Ms Catley said. “The Minister didn’t even turn up to the debate, instead sending a Member of Parliament from Kiama to do her bidding. “What would an MP from Kiama know about how important Wyong Hospital is to our local community? “The Central Coast deserves better than this. “They fought hard to have the hospital built, they raised the funds to adequately equip the hospital, and many workers actually dedicated a small amount of their weekly take home pay to the cause. “Now Mike Baird and Jillian Skinner want to sell

Wyong Hospital out from under our community. What a disgrace. “Instead of shutting down the debate, while the Minister hid from the people of the Central Coast, the Liberals should reverse this terrible decision and keep Wyong Hospital in public hands,” Ms Catley said. “It’s a shame we had to drag the government into this debate kicking and screaming,” Mr Harris said. “Neither Mike Baird or his health Minister showed up, they left it to the Member for Terrigal and the Member for Kiama to argue for the government. “If the government really believed this was a good policy, they would have had their Health Minister present at the debate, instead she was hiding from scrutiny. “To have the member for Kiama debating this was an insult to our community. “I doubt he could find Wyong on a map, let alone understand the value that our hospital has to our community,” he concluded. Media release, Nov 11, 2016 Zachary Harrison, Office of David Harris

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P13 W 3

Health

State Parliament hears about opposition to hospital privatisation ver 20,000 community members have signed petitions opposing the NSW Government’s plan to use a publicprivate partnership to redevelop Wyong Hospital.

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Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, delivered the first 10,000 signed petitions to NSW Minister for Health, Ms Jillian Skinner, in the NSW Legislative Assembly on November 10. If a petition attracts 10,000 signatures or more, it triggers a debate in the Legislative Assembly. Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, delivered the second batch of 10,000 signatures to the NSW Legislative Assembly on Thursday, November 17. Mr Mehan said the petition was the only avenue that assured the issue would be debated in the lower house because the Government currently has the numbers to defeat other opposition bids to have the matter discussed. In addition to the debate, the relevant Minister, in this case Ms Jillian Skinner, is obliged, within 35 days, to send a written response to the Member for Parliament who has tabled the petitions. “When I think about

Central Coast MPs with community members who travelled to NSW Parliament for the presentation of petitions

the ongoing struggle to save Wyong Hospital from privatisation, the names that come to mind are those of people in our community who have given up countless hours to fight with unflinching resolve for a cause they believe in,” Mr Harris said during the first debate. “I think of the silent workhorses who have gathered thousands of petition signatures; the union delegates who have rallied support in their workplaces; the parents, retirees and school kids who have circulated and collected petitions; and the doctors, dentists, podiatrists and other health specialists who put petitions in their surgeries,” he said. “These people are undoubtedly the heroes of my community. “They will be most

affected by losing their community hospital, and too often they are forgotten in the history of community campaigns. “To this day, people still remember the miners, power workers, and hospital auxiliary members who raised money to build our hospital many years ago. “Etched in our collective memory is a community that knows how to come together and fight back when governments attack their services. “Minister Skinner and the Baird Government are already well aware of how the community feels about their un-mandated, unprecedented attack on our community hospital. “They just do not care. “They have refused to take this issue to an election, and were it not for the community

gathering petition signatures, they would have continued to refuse to debate this terrible policy on the floor of Parliament. “What heartens me about our progress in this campaign. is that the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast seems to be able to see the rising tide. “Despite his party’s position, he has promised our community, both in person and on radio, that he will raise their concerns with the Minister. “That is very different from the Minister’s response; she has shown nothing but contempt for our community. “This progress was achieved because more than 100 local residents and hospital staff came to Parliament to voice their concerns. “Unlike the Minister for Health, Mr Scot MacDonald had the courage to face the community and hear their case. “I respect him for that, but I will save any praise for when he convinces Minister Skinner to back down. “I am proud that my community has already moved the issue this far. “I am privileged to have the opportunity to represent them in this House, and I thank them for that. “It is only fitting that I accord them the special recognition which they may not want, but which they certainly deserve.

“The names are countless, but I must thank Grahame Joel and his family in particular. “Alone they managed to collect thousands of signatures. “It would also be hard to look past the Thornton family. “This fight is personal to them as they are a family of health workers. “I am buoyed to raise this issue today, having received messages from a large number of people who have been to the so-called consultation sessions that have been held at the hospital. “They have asked many questions but they have received no answers. “They are frustrated that the Government is

touting what it says is a fantastic model but it will not answer their questions. “I read one of their very simple questions in the debate that still has not been answered by the Government. “These people deserve to know what will happen after any privatisation of services at the hospital. “Having fought against the Wallarah 2 coalmine, I learnt that the first job of a Member of Parliament is to represent their community, as was stated by the member for Seven Hills. “I fought my own party for four years on the coalmine issue until at the eleventh hour I got a victory on behalf of my community, which unfortunately was not supported by the current Government. “Other members who represent electorates on the Central Coast need to understand that they should represent their community first and if they only cite the Government’s line sometime, they are not doing the best thing for their community.” Hansard, Nov 10, 2016 David Harris, Member for Wyong Interview, Nov 17, 2016 David Mehan, Member for The Entrance

YAKKALLA Yakkalla invites you to our community celebration, November 24th, Lunch at 12 pm. Yakkalla is a recreational facility for people with a mental health diagnosis. We are open 5 days a week and are located right next to Bateau Bay Square, great for public transport! Our consumers have access to many activities like our house band, meditation, arts and crafts and outings such as bowling, going to the movies, men’s and women’s groups. Yakkalla is a fun and welcoming facility. Information about mental health is available for consumers, families and friends. Recently we were the recipient of a Wyong Council grant of much needed funds to fix existing buildings, create some artworks for the fence and a revamp of our garden. Tuggerah Bunnings also generously painted our lounge room making it bright and fresh and donated some plants for our garden. We would like to host a lunch in our new garden for anyone interested in the facility, our consumers, their families and carers. Yakkalla is located at 6 Community Dr, Bateau Bay NSW 2261 Please phone 4334 3666 and advise how many people will be attending on the day. Our monthly program is online at: www.ccarafmi.org.au/recreation.php


Education

P14 P1 14 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

New partnership to help Aboriginal children in care new partnership to ensure Aboriginal children in care remain connected to culture and country was launched on November 18 by the NSW Minister for Family and Community Services, Mr Brad Hazzard.

Warnervale and Mannering Park Public Schools named overall winners

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The partnership is the first of its kind on the Central Coast, with Mr Hazzard, joining Chair of Gudjagang Ngara lidhi (GNL), Ms Rowena Lawrie, and Barnardos CEO, Ms Deirdre Cheers, along with Elders, community groups and local Members of Parliament, to launch the Gudjagang Darkinyung out-of-home care program at Lakeland’s Community Centre, Kanwal. This partnership between GNL and Barnardos will work towards Gudjagang Darkinyung becoming a solely Aboriginal managed and operated out of home care service. The program is a culturally specific program for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. “The cultural identity of our young people is vital to their wellbeing. “We are here to ensure they remain connected to their families and country,” Ms Lawrie said. “The name of our organisation, Gudjagang

Ngara li-dhi, means, ‘listen to the children.’ “The children we support have an important role to play as part of the world’s oldest living culture. “We are here to provide best-practice care for children in a culturally safe environment,” Ms Lawrie added. While GNL achieve their out of home care provider accreditation, Barnardos will support Aboriginal children and their carers with Aboriginal case workers, as guided by GNL. Along with the NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community State Secretariat (AbSec), the two agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which aims to achieve full independence for GNL within four years. “Barnardos is committed to Gudjagang Darkinyung becoming an independent Aboriginal service,” Ms Cheers said. “We are thrilled to share our expertise on out of home care and we look forward to learning from

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Rowena and the team at GNL. “Children’s wellbeing is the foundation of everything we do at Barnardos. “Barnardos is 100 per cent committed to Aboriginal selfdetermination and fully supports independent Aboriginal agencies caring for Aboriginal children,” Ms Cheers added. “This partnership will allow us to support 27 children in need of out of home care for the current financial year. “Since 2011 we have provided services to Aboriginal families, including kin care and foster care families. “We are committed to supporting even more Aboriginal children to help them learn more about their identity and connect with their culture. “We are fulfilling a fundamental right that will ensure their spirit will thrive,” Ms Laurie concluded. Media release, Nov 15, 2016 Irene Saunders, Barnardos

arnervale Public School and Mannering Park Public School were named the two overall winners for the former Wyong Shire area at the 2016 Primary School Environment Award

W Program.

2016’s Primary School Environment Award Program was all about encouraging students to consider stormwater issues in and around their school. This year’s theme, the drain is just for the rain, got students thinking about the impact waste has in their local environment such as waterways, as well as the bigger picture of marine debris, and how all drains lead to the ocean. Warnervale Public School and Mannering Park Public School were named the two overall winners for the former Wyong Shire area. Council’s Team Leader Community Education, Ms Danielle Hargreaves, said she was impressed at how Warnervale Public School has made it a key part of their everyday activities. “The school has developed a program to address the litter issues on top of their already

successful environmental management program,” Ms Hargreaves said. “Extra bins have been placed in litter focus areas, and during lunch and recess, all the students use the Take 3 approach to make sure all rubbish is picked up before they go and play. “Food scraps are collected for the chickens to reduce any avoidable food waste, and the canteen now buys items with less packaging which results in less waste. “And this is just a sample of how the school is taking the 3-Rs approach, reduce, recycle and reuse,” she said. Mannering Park Public School has also integrated the theme into all aspects of school life. From a waste audit, to Waste Free Wednesdays and a new recycling system, this small school is also leading the way in changing behaviours and teaching students about

what goes down the drain impacts stormwater and wildlife. C o u n c i l ’ s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, was excited at the work produced in an effort to help the local environment. “It’s great to see so many schools participate in this annual program and how the learnings from this become part of everyday life at school and home,” Mr Reynolds said. “The program gives primary school students a chance to become involved in fun, innovative and environmentally sustainable projects that make a real positive difference to our community,” he added. Ourimbah Public School, Tacoma Public School and Wyong Creek Public School were also program winners. Media release, Nov 10, 2016 Central Coast Council Media


Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P15 W 5

Free tutorial help available for school students

Education

Music and movement classes launched first on the Coast

nd of year exams are in full swing and Central Coast Council is encouraging students to take advantage of its free online tutoring service.

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Available through Coast libraries in the Wyong region, YourTutor is an online service where students in years 3 to 12 can get study and exam tips, as well as help with assignments, from professionals in real time. The service is free for all library members and is available from 3pm to 10pm, Sunday to Friday. Students who are members of the library can log in from any device, anywhere, to access the service. Council’s Library Services Coordinator, Ms Andrea Edwards, said help was just a click away, and was available in a safe online learning environment on a range of subjects, including English, maths and science, and advice was also given on study skills. “Many parents today

are time poor, so they struggle to help their children with homework. “They also find classes are very different to how they were when they attended school,” she said. “With YourTutor, the moment your child needs help, there is a real-life, expert, local tutor, just a click away,” she added. YourTutor is different to other online learning tools as the tutors do not tell the students the answers. Instead, tutors provide guidance, advice and tips on how to solve current and future homework. Tutors are a mix of certified teachers, professional tutors and Australian university graduates who can review specific homework and assignment questions using interactive

whiteboards and online chat tools. “Additionally, to assist students undertaking Legal Studies, each library holds a legal tool kit with easy-toread guides about legal matters, and Tuggerah and Lake Haven libraries have previous Personal Projects to view. “We also have a broad range of online research databases available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and this is free for all library members as well, so there is plenty of help available,” Ms Edwards said. Library membership is free for all residents and for those who work or study on the Coast. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 Central Coast Council Media

Budgewoi students attend Surf Fun Day

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tage 3 students from Budgewoi Public School attended a Surf Fun Day in the first week of November.

Surf life savers on hand were very impressed with the students’ behaviour and conduct on the day while they enjoyed the sun, sand and sea.

Life savers made special mention to the school about Slater S from class S3VL whose behaviour and attitude were exceptional on the day.

Newsletter, Nov 14, 2016 Kerry Moore, Budgewoi Public School

The Fletcher Gallery ART CLASSES + WORKSHOPS AT SPRINGFIELD PRIVATE TUITION FOR DETAILS CONTACT ZOE FLETCHER www.zoefletcher.com 4324 2801 or 0497 766 522 zoefletcher_1@hotmail.com

Carolyn Dufton

Belinda Jackson

aggie Moo, a successful UK educational franchise for children aged 0 to 5, has been launched by cEntral Coast resident, Ms Carolyn Dufton.

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Ms Dufton said Moo Music, which she has rebranded as Maggie Moo, was the UK’s fastest growing music session franchise for children. She is the founder and principal of Franchisingplus and author of best-selling book, The F World, Franchising – the best, the worst and the scary, and is considered to be a leading expert on franchising. It was her reputation that led UK founder of Moo Music, Ant Parker to contact Dufton for help with a strategy to expand the brand into Australia. While conducting extensive due diligence on the brand, Ms Dufton said she discovered that Mr Parker had developed a low-key, low-cost franchise model that had grown from 0 to 160 franchises in two years. “Not only did the numbers stack up, but

the concept, the brand and the fair and simple franchising model Mr Parker had created also made a significant impression on me,” ms Dufton said. Maggie Moo Music runs interactive music and movement sessions for 0 to 5 year olds and their parents, carers or grandparents. Incorporating more than 125 original songs, the program’s sessions have been designed in conjunction with early learning specialists to help young children gain confidence and develop memory, language and coordination skills in a fun multi-sensory way. Maggie Moo Music also hosts ‘Moo Doos’ (parties) and ‘Messy Moo’ sessions (hands-on messy play). Ms Dufton said her vision for Maggie Moo Music, which has been

successfully piloted on the Gold Coast since September 2015, is to turn the franchising industry upside down by creating a model where the balance of power between franchisor and franchisees is moderated. “Moo Music has restored my faith in franchising,” said Dufton. “In terms of low cost initial and ongoing fees and minimal restrictions on a franchisee, Maggie Moo Music is set to shake up the franchising world in this country and it’s about time.” Ms Dufton has enlisted the support of another Central Coast local, marketing strategist and coach, Ms Belinda Jackson, who has purchased the State Licence for New South Wales. Media release, Oct 17, 2016 Phaedra Pym, A Way With Words

For FITNESS, FUN and FRIENDSHIP GOSFORD SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS holds a class every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm at the Church of Christ Hall, Henry Parry Drive, Wyoming

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Out&About

P16 P1 16 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Bruce Gibbs receives Community Service Award ustice of the Peace Mr Bruce Gibbs, of the Tuggerah Lakes Branch of the New South Wales Justice Association, has been honoured by The Entrance Rotary Club with a Community Service Award.

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The award recognises individuals or organisations that are helping people within the community. Mr Gibbs was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in June, 1987, and joined the Tuggerah Lakes Branch of the NSW Justice Association, becoming Honorary Secretary of the Tuggerah Lakes branch for several years. He is currently Vice President, and Membership and Regional Development

Director of the Association. His efforts in obtaining grants for training and membership, donations, promoting the Association, and transportation for members who are ill, or in need of transport, were all recognised in deciding on the award. Mr Gibbs has been involved in the Pathfinders Aboriginal Birth Certificate program, helping the Indigenous people of Australia obtain Birth Certificates.

The Pathfinders program often takes Mr Gibbs around the State assisting with the certification of identification documents for people of Aboriginal background. Along with upwards of 50 branch volunteers, Mr Gibbs helps to staff the eight community Justice of the Peace desks within the Tuggerah Lakes area. Media release, Nov 18, 2016 William Donaldson, NSW Justice Association Tuggerah Lakes Branch

Christmas carols at Wyong he Bendigo Community Bank Wyong Christmas Carols have become a tradition at Christmas time for families in the Wyong area and surrounding communities.

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This year they will be held on December 4, in Wyong Town Park, from 5:30pm onwards. The Carols are well supported by Central Coast Council, Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.

On the night, attendees can expect a visit from Santa, a Rotary Club sausage sizzle, market stalls and a wide variety of acts including performers from Wyong Musical Theatre Company, and many local performers. The event is alcohol

free and also costs nothing on entry. All are reminded to maintain a family friendly environment and to bring your own chair and rug. Media release, Nov 16, 2016 Mary-Anne Beckers, Wyong Town Centre Co-ordinator

Library celebrates International Games Day ake Haven Library was among thousands of libraries around the world that participated in International Games Day on November 19.

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The event provided a place for the community to explore adventure games, decoding games and the latest tabletop games.

Central Coast Council’s library services manager, Ms Andrea Edwards, said International Games Day was an opportunity to raise awareness of the

educational and social benefits of play. Media release, Nov 16, 2016 Central Coast Council Media

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P17 7

Out&About

Chamber to run second hand car market

he Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce has come up with a new enterprise that it believes will clean up unsightly “illegal” roadside car lots, help local businesses and the community.

T Chamber orchestra at The Art House he Central Coast’s Concertante Ensemble chamber orchestra will perform a night of festive favourites at The Art House in Wyong on December 2.

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For this final concert in Concertante Ensemble’s 2016 calendar, string players from the Sydney Symphony and beyond join Karina MossHollands and friends in treats such as Corelli’s Christmas Concerto “Concertos, like sonatas and sinfonia, functioned as ‘overtures’ to Mass or as instrumental offertories,” said Katrina Moss-Hollands. “The Pastoral movement is one of the best known movements of its kind alongside the pastorals from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio,” she said. “One would not expect more glorious music in Heaven!” Karina MossHollands said. “The Christmas Concerto was commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously in 1714 as part of Corellis’ Twelve concerti grossi, Op 6. “The concerto bears

the inscription Fatto per la notte di Natale (made for the night of Christmas). “Its composition date is uncertain, but there is a record of Corelli having performed a Christmas concerto in 1690 for the enjoyment of his new patron. “The concerto is scored for an ensemble consisting of two concertino violins and cello, ripieno strings and continuo. “The work is structured as a concerto da chiesa, in this case expanded from a typical four movement structure to six. “Other favourites on the program are Tchaikovsky’s String Serenade Waltz, Copland’s ‘Hoe Down’, Vivaldi’s Concerto Alla Rustica, and Schnittke’s fun Polka for Strings. Media release, Nov 18, 2016 Ylenna Zajec, Central Coast Concertante Ensemble

Chamber President, Mr Ron Stevens, said it plans to start Central Coast Car Sales, an online car trading site that will be combined with a secondhand car market at Tuggerah two Saturday’s every month. “At a planning day earlier this year, the board identified that we, as a Chamber, needed an extra income stream that was separate from membership fees and monies gained from networking events,” Mr Stevens said. “Consequently we have moved ahead with a business plan and DA application, which has now been approved. “People will be able to list a car for sale for a small fee and, of course, they can advertise it there until they sell it. “They can bring the car to the Zenith Building in the Tuggerah Business Park two Saturdays per month as part of our planned car market. “They will pay a fee to go there and be involved in it with us and, if they don’t sell the car the first time, when we’re open the next time, they can keep bringing the car for the same fee,” he said. Cars will have to be registered and insured before they can be included in the market. “Once the car gets into the parking lot for the day it cannot be moved until 3:30pm.

Owner of the Zenith Centre, Mr Kevin Gregory, is supporting the markets as a community service. “The idea is for the business venture to become an additional income stream for the Chamber,” Mr Stevens said. “Chambers of commerce are always working on a very tight budget. “We only operate based on membership fees and the functions that we run, so we have always been a little bit squeezy and it has been like that forever.” Mr Stevens said the Chamber has also introduced a new Copper sponsorship level which will give sponsors internet access and promotion for their events. “Our main purpose is to give businesses an opportunity to be able to network with their peers. “We have a membership of some 240 businesses, from single person businesses to over 40 employees, it is a pretty good setup, and we have a vast arrangement of things we look after there.” Mr Stevens said the Chamber had a good relationship with the new Central Coast Council and was looking forward to a bright future for business in the Wyong CBD. “We have a situation

in Wyong township itself where the businesses on the main road are a bit worried about what is going to happen when the upgrade of the Pacific Highway starts, but the upgrade will be fabulous and will bring more business through. “Once that road goes through, a lot of developers will want to do stuff around the rail hub and around Wyong. “It was a fabulous centre in the past and I believe it will be again.” Mr Stevens said he confessed that he did not want Council amalgamation prior to the NSW Government making its decision to merge Wyong with Gosford Council in May. “Once the edict was passed down I said OK, it’s a practical thing, let’s do it. “We need to get the thinking straight with the Gosford people to stop them thinking that Wyong is going to take over. “That’s been the thinking for a long time and it is not going to happen. “The Regional Plan says Gosford is going to be the regional capital. “Some councillors, ex councillors and a lot of stupid minded people have stopped things from working and made Gosford go backwards. Mr Stevens said recent minute books found under the office of the

Chamber revealed that it had been operating for 91 years. “Recently, I have taken the time to put together a very brief history of the Chamber and this research reveals a rich legacy of leadership, and since its inception in 1925, our organisation has been recognised and respected for its record of economic and community development. “This continues in 2016 with our Chamber being named ‘Central Coast Chamber of the Year’ at the Central Coast Business Excellence Awards held in August this year. “This win means we are now entered into the NSW Business Chamber Awards of Excellence, which are being held in November. “All the people involved were always people who actually made things happen, some are still around today. “Our Chamber was more than involved in getting the Wyong hospital up and running,” he said. Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce was an active chamber that looked to advance its members’ growth and prosperity, and provide increased opportunities and value for its membership,” he said. Email, Oct 28, 2016 Interview, Nov 4, 2016 Ron Stevens, Wyong Regional Business Chamber Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Not for Profit Organisations Arts & Culture Central Coast Potters Society Classes, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and social events. Annual exhibitions in May and December. Open Day in Sept 4324 5343 info@ccpotters.org

Wyong Drama Group A friendly group, presenting 3 major productions a year. Monthly meetings 1st Tues. 7.30pm Grove Community Centre 1300 665 600 wyongdramagroup@gmail.com y g g p@g

Animal Care Central Coast Cat Care $20 Desexing Special Cats only No Pedigrees 4388 6448 4325 3163

Community Groups ARPRA ARPRA is the peak body representing residents living in Residential Land Lease Communities in NSW. We are a non-profit org providing advice and advocacy and training 4358 8246 arpranorthlakes@outlook.com.au

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

Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre Financial Counselling, Tool Library, Computer Hub and Computer Lessons, Private Art Therapy Sessions, Homework Help, Self Esteem Group, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group, EAPA-Energy Accounts Payment Assistance, Early Links Outreach Worker, Tax Help, Holiday activities for kids and young people, Community Garden, Events, Referral Services, Op Shop and Food Store. Community BBQ on first Thurs 4332 7450 http://bbnc.org.au

Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre

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 Not for profit org in Wyong providing free legal advice. Intake times for legal advice Monday to Friday 9am-5pm 4353 4988 centralcoast@clc.net.au

Central Coast 50+ Singles Social Group Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & Socialising each w/e. Monthly programme for all areas of the coast 4396 3640 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com

Central Coast Social Group Social contact, entertainment events, new friendships, for 30’s-60’s Live music, house parties, dinners, BBQs, picnics, trips away etc. Monthly Meet & Chat 0422 243 101 email cco30s@live.com.au

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

Lake Munmorah Senior Citizens Club Computer Classes, dancing, exercise, pilates, yoga, craft, carpet bowls and Tai Chi. 4358 8390 Long Jetty Senior Citizens Club Computer classes, line dancing, tai chi and zumba gold - M-F, 9am to 3pm for full list of activities 4332 5522 Long Jetty Over 50s Club Indoor bowls, computers, exercises, yoga, linedancing, tai chi and more 9am to 3pm 4332 5522 Mingaletta Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Corporation Meeting place and referral hub for education, health, well-being and cultural programs through consultative services and

P18 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

community programs Mon-Fri 9am 4pm 4342 7515

Learn the benefits to hearing aids 4321 0275

admin@mingaletta.com.au

www.centralcoast.betterhearing australia.org.au

The NSW Justices Association Inc Seeking volunteers for 6 community JP Desks in Wyong Shire Free Insurance and training provided 0418 493 388

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Gosford) Meet last Fri Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600

benefits@nswja.org.au

www.pcfa.org.au

Volunteering Central Coast Refer potential volunteers to community organisations and provide support to volunteers and community organisations. Training for volunteers and managers of volunteers Information Sessions held regularly across the Coast 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

Wrap with Love Knitting blankets for cold humanity. 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 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 4328 8297 j pp @ joppa@theorchards.com.au

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

Health Groups Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Hearing loss management Support and educational group providing practical experience and confidence

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

GROW Support Groups Small friendly groups formed to learn how to overcome anxiety, depression and loneliness and to improve mental health and well-being. Anonymous, free and open to all. Weekly meetings at Bateau Bay and Wyong 1800 558 268 www.grow.org.au g g

Music 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 Play brass instruments, meet every Tues & Thurs. Play at community events Park Road The Entrance (north end) 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 0410 309 494 kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

Central Coast Greens The Central Coast Greens For a fairer, more transparent and accountable government based on democratic principles Local, state-wide, national and international issues and campaigns - Council and parliamentary representation Developing a new economy Protecting our environment Peaceful conflict resolution Community participation We meet monthly every 3rd Thu - Details and info: centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au

centralcoastgreens@gmail.com

NSW Labor Party The Entrance Day Branch Monthly meetings to discuss and debate policy as well as campaign for local labor candidates and Members of Parliament. 2nd Mon 2pm The Entrance Leagues Club 4332 2907 Politics in the Pub Central Coast Discussion of important political, social, economic, educational and philosophy issues in a non partisan manner. The Grange Hotel 4th Thur (ex Dec) Warnervale Branch - NSW Labor Party To support and promote NSW Labor within the Warnervale area. 1st Tue 7pm Hamlyn Terrace Community Centre 0419 128 497 warnervale.labor@gmail.com @g

Probus Clubs Bateau Bay Ladies Probus Club Warm welcome, friendship and interesting speakers. 4th Mon, RSL Hall, Killarney Vale 4332 6625 Toowoon Bay Probus Club Morning tea, guest speakers talking on topics relevant to Seniors, as well as regular exciting social events. 4th Thur 10am. Anglican Church Hall, Cnr Brooke Ave & Eastern Rd., Bateau Bay 4334 3979 Tuggerah Combined Probus Club Inc Meet new friends and enjoy social events. 2nd Thur., 10:30am, guest speakers. Social outings 3rd Thur. Woodbury Park Community Hall, Mardi 4351 0450

Service Groups Inner Wheel Club Wyong Women’s club with the common interest of giving back to the community while developing lasting friendships. 7.00 pm 3rd Wed Wyong Uniting Church 4393 2755 iiw.au.wyong@gmail.com

The Rotary Club of the Entrance Inc. A small, friendly and effective club supporting many local organisations, and international Rotary Activities. Meetings 6.30 pm Tues

Mingara Recreation Club 4367 6540 rotarytheentrance@gmail.com

Torchbearers for Legacy Toukley Raising funds for Brisbane Waters Legacy. Harry Moore Golf Day, Garage markets and street stalls. 2nd Mon 9.30am Norah Head Legacy 0414 701 489 hartas@bigpond.net.au

cclapidary@optusnet.com.au

Central Coast Soaring Club Inc Gliding Club, Learn to fly, Instruction FREE to members. 14 Y/O and up for Training Thur, Sat, Sun (weather permitting) Bloodtree Rd Mangrove Mountain 0412 164 082 0414 635 047 www.ccsoaring.com.au

Northern Settlement Services - Volunteers

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, interrupted meals, early starts, breathtaking Tuggerah Lakes views. Rewards: - Saving distressed boaters or maybe saving a life 0488 442 051 uc.tuggerahlakes@ marinerescuensw.com.au

Special Interest Biz Plus Networking Association Grow your business and in the process build worthwhile relationships. Biz Networking breakfasts Every Thur 7:15- 9am Erina Leagues Club Geoff Neilson network@bizplus.com.au

Central Coast Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service Free telephone advice and advocacy for all tenants as well as residents in residential parks 4353 5515

Bridge Club Social bridge Tues, 9.45am-1pm The Greens The Entrance (with or without a partner) Len 4332 6989 David 4392 0606 Tuggerah Lakes U3A Long Jetty - Discussions, play reading, cryptic crosswords, talks, readers group, Mahjong Toukley - Creative writing, French conversation Berkeley Vale - Music Appreciation Chittaway Bay - Movies 4390 2451 www.tugglakesu3a.info

Mingara Indoor Bowls Club Daily competition (singles, pairs & triples) Winner’s Prize Strongly social. Sun 9.30am- Noon. Mon 6.30–9pm. Wed 9.30am-2pm Ray 4389 2567 Mingara Club 4349 7799 raymurphy1935@hotmail.com ay u p y 935@ ot a com

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

Womens Groups

cctaas@hotmail.com

BPW Central Coast

National Parks Association Central Coast Twice weekly bush walks, varying distances and grades of difficulty. Explore, enjoy scenery, fauna, flora, history. Keep fit and make friends 4389 4423 & 4332 7378

Empowering women of all ages in the areas of work, education, well-being and friendship. Monthly dinner meetings, two course meal and speaker. Community transport avail. Chris Levis 0438 989 199

Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems

Northern Women’s Health Centre Family law advice, counselling, therapeutic and social groups, workshops, domestic violence and abuse issues. All services are provided by women for women 4351 1152

Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 8.30am-2.30pm Thurs 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246

bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com www.bpw.com.au/central-coast

www.cccwhc.com.au

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 Entries in the Not For Profit Community Organisations Directory are free. However, we require each organisation to subscribe to each newspaper to ensure that someone from that organisation keeps their entry up to date. Australia Post is about to increase their postage rates by over 42% and we can no longer continue to absorb these increases. Subscription rates have therefore needed to be increased from $50 to $75 for 25 editions.


Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P19 9

Out&About

Warnervale church Award winning crime expo had a variety of fiction writer to speak activities at Tuggerah Library

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entral Coast Council is bringing an acclaimed writer, Andrew Patterson, to Tuggerah Library on November 23 to share his debut novel “Harry’s World.”

This award winning author will inspire his listeners to fall in love with crime fiction as he chats about his novel of corruption, crime, and politics. Council’s Library Services Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards, said, she is excited to present such a fascinating and award winning author who has released his novel with much acclaim. “Crime fiction lovers will be enthralled as Patterson’s passion for writing and knowledge of crime really jumps

out as he talks about “Harry’s World,” said Ms Edwards. “Patterson’s experience as a Detective Sergeant in the Police Force, and as a Chief Investigator with the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, has given him a vast amount of knowledge that really shines through this fascinating read. “’Harry’s World’ is running hot off the press and if you haven’t bought your copy yet, the book will be available for purchase on the day,

with the author on hand to personally sign each copy,” she added. Patterson is an independent author who has won five awards including Outstanding Mystery at the 2016 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards in Canada, and the Bronze Medal at the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards in Australia. Media release, Nov 10, 2016 Central Coast Council Media

The Wyong Diary For events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 226 2263 63

Monday, Nov 21 Small Biz Bus, Westfield Tuggerah CAr Park (near the food court) 9:00am to 3:00pm and Nov 22

Tuesday, Nov 22 National Seniors Wyong Branch meeting, Canton Beach sports Club, 2:00pm, guest speaker Snowy Robinson

Auxiliary cottage, 8 Hume Blvd, Killarney Vale, 10:00am

Saturday, Nov 26 Seed Pod Fibre Sculpture workshop by local artist Lisa M c A r t h u r- E d w a r d s , Toukley and Districts Art Society, Wallarah Rd, Gorokan, 10:00am to 3:00pm

Sunday, Nov 27 Thursday, Nov 24 Council pop up community consultation stall at Lake Munmorah from 5:00pm to 7pm Guide Dogs fundraising stalls at Wyoming shopping centre from 9:00am to 2:30pm

Toukley Presbyterian Church St Andrew’s Day Concert cnr Hargraves St & Victoria Ave from 2:00pm

Wednesday, Nov 30 C o m m u n i t y Garage Sale at Wyong Neighbourhood Centre from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Friday, Nov 25 White Ribbon Day Walk at The Entrance, departs The Entrance Police Station, 10:00am, where a white T-shirt Long Jetty Hospital Auxiliary meeting, in

Thursday, Dec 1 Council pop up stall at Wyong Village Centre from 1:30pm to 4:00pm

Saturday, Dec 3 Rotary Christmas Tree sales, Bateau Bay Golf Range, Ourimbah RSL parking lot, Wyong Leagues Club, and Dec 4, 10 and 11, 7:00am until sold out

Sunday, Dec 4 Central Coast Country Music Inc, Colongra Bay Community Centre, Lake Munmorah, 11:30AM TO 3:00PM

Tuesday, Dec 6 Kara Pryor Ceramic Workshop, Toukley and District Art Society, Wallarah Rd, Gorokan and December 7

Wednesday, Dec 7 Managing Stress and Building Resilience workshop, The Entrance Community Centre, 10:00am to 2:30pm

Thursday, Dec 8 Guide Dogs fundraising stalls at Wyong shopping centre

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.

Assorted quilting exhibited at the Uniting Church Expo

arnervale Regional Uniting Church recently held an afternoon Expo to showcase the Church’s many activities and community involvements.

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The event was held in the hall of Warnervale Public School and was very well attended by friends, visitors and other interested parties. Each activity had its own table, with volunteers ready to answer any questions, and relevant information was on display. There were also musical items, a Tai Chi demonstration and singing, including the Church’s Tongan members singing in their native language, and afternoon tea. Creativity was exhibited in the beautiful patchwork quilts,

gorgeous jewellery and delicious jams and pickles, all made by Church members. Some of the community involvements on display included: food hampers for local families in need, distributed through Burnside; a breakfast club for the children who attend Warnervale Public School, called “Toast to Go”; support for White Ribbon Central Coast through the Men’s Fellowship; scripture classes in local schools; and, Wrapped With Love that supplies hand knitted blankets to those in need both locally and abroad. The past was honoured

with a pictorial display of the Church’s history, and the future was promised with photos, floorplans and a video “walkthrough” of the new worship and community building currently under construction. The new building, which is located on the corner of Warnervale Rd and Louisiana Rd, Hamlyn Terrace, is nearing completion and should be ready early 2017. Email, Nov 10, 2016 Lynne Matson, Warnervale Regional Uniting Church

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.centralcoastnews.net They’re all there and it’s FREE Want to share something you find really interes ng, see www.coastcommunitynews.com.au


Classifieds

P20 P2 20 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

PRICES FOR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS IN THESE PAGES COME IN THREE CATEGORIES

Not For Profit Organisations Not for profit organisations’ advertisements are subsidised.

events

A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $20 + GST. Each additional cm is only an additional $4 + GST, colour is $6 +

Airconditioning

Supplied and fully installed by local service agents with 5 years warranty 3.5k/w$1399 4.2k/w$1499 5.0k/w$1699 7.3k/w$1999

0490 122 775 Lic 2175c

Private advertisements

ARCLo98139

Antennas

Private advertisements only cost $33. Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and a photograph Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

Business rates A one off advertisement only costs $40 + GST in mono and an extra $8 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph. Advertising on an ongoing basis attracts discounts if paid for in full in advance. 3 months $215 + GST, 6 months $385 + GST, 12 months $700 + GST – Approximately $14 per week. Having the same advertisement in one of the other Central Coast Newspapers as well attracts an additional 10% discount for

Antenna & Digital Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas Gosford 4323 6367 Woy Woy 4344 4414 Warnervale 1800 244 456 0412 685 555

Bookkeeping

Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently.

Registered BAS Agent Member of Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Accredited and experienced with various accounting packages Contact Ken

Online classified advertising rates Online only GosfordClassifieds.com.au is one of a network of 10 websites which form one of the largest independent online classifieds network in NSW with over 350,000 annual visitors, over 80,000 online advertisements and over 15,000 business advertisements. online

business

advertisement

on

GosfordClassifieds.com.au only costs $299 for 3 months, $399 for 6 months and, $499 for 12 months. It costs a similar amount to go on any one of the other nine Sydney based websites as well, or only $1699 for all sites for 12 months. The other sites cover Bondi, Manly, Newtown, Cronulla, South Sydney, St George, West Sydney, North Sydney, Wollongong and suburbs surrounding those areas. All that we require for you to have an online advertisement such as this is: 1) Heading for the advertisement; 2) Text for the body; and, 3) Up to 3 images if required i.e. logos etc.

Combined online and print advertising Combined print and online packages have been created providing further discounts. Having a Gosford classifieds premium on line advertisement plus a printed advertisement in one newspaper will only cost $495 for 3 months, $695 for 6 months and $999 for 12 months. Having it in two newspapers as well as online costs $595 for 3 months, $995 for 6 months and $1499 for 12 months. To be in all three newspapers as well as online costs $795 for 3 months, $1395 for 6 months and $1899 for 12 months.

See page 2 for contact details. All newspaper advertisements have a minimum of two weeks’ shelf life.

GOSFORDCLASSIFIEDS.COM.AU FOR ONLINE CENTRAL COAST CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

CWA Hall Woy Woy Tickets $12 www.troubadour.org.au

4342 6716

Family History DIG UP MY ANCESTORS

Tiling

2001 Hyundai Accent GL

Tiling Wall & Floor Property Maintenance 0439 589 426

3 door sedan, 5 speed manual 10 months rego Only 125,000 ks, log books, full service history Air conditioned, power steering Very clean, economical, reliable, small car. Only $2,500

Ph: 0410 522 070

0431 018 743 www.digupmyancestors.com digupmyancestors@gmail.com

For Sale

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Tuition - Dance

BUCELLO’S COASTAL PAINTING SERVICES

Gosford Scottish Country Dancers

• Residential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints Free Quotes All work guaranteed Quality’s my game and Ryan’s my name

0410 404 664

Plumbing

YOUR LOCAL PLUMBER Same day service Guaranteed Blocked drains, Leaking taps and toilets, Hot water and all aspects of plumbing drainage and gas fitting.

4346 4057

Dance

Positions Vacant

Learn Australian Bush Dance.

Fun, Fitness, Social. Beginners welcome. Partner not required. Casual dress. A caring teacher & some experienced dancers create an enjoyable learning experience .

Upright piano. Well loved. Great for beginners. Must arrange pick up. FREE TO GOOD HOME

Ph Jackie on 0402 402 295

(Men, if you have two left feet, bring them both!)

Friday nights 7 to 9.30 pm - $7 Scout Hall, 15 Wattle Street, East Gosford. Anne Marie 4325 7369 Phillip 0417 161 896.

Electrician

YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIAN

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

Lic number 265652C

0417 657 414

Central Coast Bush Dance.

homes2nv@gmail.com

Painting

Tracing your family history

• Efficient

drops to $11.50 + GST per week in that paper.

VIP

SATURDAY NOV 26 at 7pm

• Affordable

If in the third paper as well, it will attract a 15% discount which

premium

Folk and Acoustic Music Club

• Reliable

those advertisements.

A

The Troubadour

Young Folkies A Better Picture

or a logo.

For Sale

Midea Split A/C Sale

Mention this ad for a $60 discount!

GST and a photograph or logo is an additional $6 + GST.

Entertainment

Experienced

Tilers wanted! Start Immediately 0439 589 426

Learn to play harmonica at your own pace at my place or Skype at yours www.harmonicatom.com.au phone 02 4324 2801 email tom@tomflood.com.au $40 hr or $25 1/2 hr Skyperharp: pay by PayPal SPRINGFIELD, NSW

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Daihatsu Terios All Wheel Drive Excellent Condition 224,000km - 5 speed, 12 months rego, 5 speed manual, towbar, electric mirrors, MP3 sound system $ ono

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Gent Widower Early 70s, medium build, 170cm tall, good health. Wishes to meet lady mid 60s+ similar to myself. A companion for many outings, travel, dining etc and happy times together. Ladies please call Rod.

0425 233 840 best after 4pm

CASH PAID for good quality Swords, Knives and War memorabilia.

For large collections home visit available Shop 12 - Ebbtide Mall 155 The Entrance Rd The Entrance

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Same day service Guaranteed Lighting, Power Points, Phone & Data, Fault Finding,

No job too small. Seniors Discount. Lic number 265652C

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To advertise here call us on 4325 7369


Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P21 1

Sport

Loss to Phoenix worst performance so far - Okon he Wellington Phoenix left Canberra with all three points in their game against the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, November 12, thanks to goals by Roy Krishna and Hamish Watson.

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It was a cagey first half between the Mariners and Wellington that saw neither side break the deadlock but that’s not to say there weren’t chances. Both ends saw several attacks on goal with the stand out performer, Mariners’ keeper Paul Izzo who made a number of impressive saves on his line. At the other end of the pitch Roy O’Donovan linked up with the likes of Fabio Ferreira and Connor Pain to threaten the Phoenix net but the travelling side were always on hand to deflect the danger. The sides went into the break 0-0 but it was the away team who broke the deadlock in the nation’s capital. Krishna earned man of the match plaudits who played a hand in both goals, scoring the first and assisting the second for Watson. The first Phoenix goal was scored by Roy Krishna in the 49th minute, when his speed broke the deadlock at GIO Stadium, the pacey

Mariners supporters ready for their trip to Canberra for the game against the Wellington Phoenix

striker did enough to find himself with nothing but an open net to fire home from close range. Krishna was again in the thick of the action in the second half when at minute 56 he provided an assist to Hamish Watson who finished from close range. “That’s not the performance we were after,” said Paulo Okon at the conclusion of the game, which was a home match for the Central Coast Mariners but played in the ACT. “We’re certainly disappointed but we will

The Shame File 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.

- trading as A1 cleaning services

• Golden Scissors Hairdressing, Wyong • Bakefresh, Wyong

• Rattananporn Massage, Wyong

• Frazer Park Pty Ltd Rucker, formerly trading as The • Darren Big Prawn at Crangan Killarney Vale Bay •

• Tony Fitzpatrick trading as Futuretek Roofing • David Hill, Long Jetty • Jessica Davis of Erina

Thomas James Clinton, Trading as TMA Products & AthroBalm & Effective Business Solutions of Ettalong

go home, have a look at it and see exactly where we went good, work on it and hopefully learn from it,” Okon said. “We were slow out of the blocks, we didn’t have the possession we wanted to have and we didn’t really move and offer support when we had the ball which made it easier for Wellington to press us and we turned over the ball far too cheaply in that first half.” Commenting on Scott Galloway’s 25th minute injury resulting in an early substitution, Okon said: “You never want to lose a player after 25 minutes. “We had plenty of support travel down from the Central Coast so I am a little bit sad that we weren’t able to send them home with a smile on their face. “When we moved the ball and when we executed what we work on and what we speak about before the game I thought we looked dangerous. “It wasn’t that often in the first half but in the second half we had chances to sneak a goal and that probably would have given us a different type of ending to the

game but it wasn’t to be. “Wellington fully deserve their victory. “I don’t want to take anything away from Roy Krishna who is a very dangerous attacker but we probably didn’t defend how we needed to in those situations which is a big reason why Wellington scored two goals. “That’s probably our worst performance of the season so far, certainly that first half and tonight wasn’t at the level we expected, it needs to be better next week. “Connor [Pain] is a threat, he gives us that penetration when we’re able to break lines. “This is his sixth game this season and I don’t think Connor would be able to remember when he put six A-League games together so it’s a long road, he’s still not at the level of fitness to be at the level we want for 90 minutes. “He’s certainly working hard and hopefully after a few more weeks he should get to that level of fitness that’s required,” Okon said. Website, Nov 12, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

Jacques Fatty receiving treatment for a knee injury during the game at Canberra Photos: Noel Fisher

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and don’t miss an edition Peninsula Community Access

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Phone: 4325 7369 - Fax: 4321 0940 120c Erina Street, Gosford To order online

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Sport

P22 P2 22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Jaide Smith set to play tennis on a national level

Sean Gordon plays football in Craig Foster led squad arkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO, Mr Sean Gordon, joined Indigenous sporting icons, football legends, other Indigenous leaders and celebrities in Nowra to play in the Johnny Warren Football Foundation Celebrity Match on Sunday, November 5.

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Wyong Creek resident Jaide Smith

yong Creek resident, Jaide Smith, is set to play tennis on a national level at the Australian Made Foundation Cup in January.

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Jaide is one of eight finalists to make the state team.

Forming part of the Australian Made Summer of Tennis, the Australian

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

1.36 22 0402 0939 0.76 23 TUE 1549 1.49 2230 0.51 0002 0.52 0636 1.54 FRI 1249 0.65 1839 1.40 0152 0.50 0827 1.73 MON 1454 0.47 2045 1.40 0335 0.54 1009 1.80 THU 1644 0.39 2243 1.37 0008 1.33 0534 0.65 SUN 1202 1.72 1847 0.44

25 28 1

4

WED

26 SAT

29 TUE

2 FRI

5 MON

0501 1.41 1049 0.75 1651 1.43 2319 0.52 0042 0.51 0715 1.61 1335 0.58 1923 1.40 0226 0.50 0900 1.77 1530 0.43 2124 1.40 0413 0.57 1045 1.79 1723 0.40 2324 1.35 0056 1.32 0622 0.69 1246 1.66 1935 0.46

0552 1.47 1154 0.71 THU 1748 1.40

24

0117 0.50 0752 1.68 SUN 1416 0.52 2005 1.40 0300 0.52 0934 1.79 WED 1606 0.40 2202 1.39 0452 0.61 1123 1.76 SAT 1803 0.42

27

30

Made Foundation Cup gives children 13 and under from rural and regional Australia the opportunity to compete nationally – something they may typically be unable to do due to cost and travel constraints. “We are proud to support rural and regional Australia through this tournament,” said Australian Made campaign chief executive, Mr Ian Harrison. “The Australian Made Foundation Cup reminds us all about the importance of nurturing local talent – whether that be the next generation of athletes, farmers or manufacturers.” Media release, Nov 17, 2016 Joanna Macarthur, Australian Made

Mr Gordon was part of Team Fozz, captained by football commentator and former Socceroo, Craig Foster. They were up against Team Mundine, captained by Anthony Mundine. The Team Fozz side included Shane Phillips, Nathan Blacklock, Phil Lonesborough, Amanda Reid, Preston Campbell, Julie Dolan, Matt Rippon, Tate Russell, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Demelza Howard and Tom Cat Sinnes. Team Mundine included Dylan Farrell, Andrew Walker, Brad Cooke, Damien Berridge, Brian Brown, Cameron Gudgeon, Naomi Moran, Josh Hunter, Alex Tobin, Jim Fraser and Jamie Warren. The epic sporting event, part of the Inaugural National Indigenous Football Championships, took place at the Shoalhaven Sporting Complex, Nowra and was broadcast on NITV/SBS. Mr Jamie Warren,

Indigenous Football Women’s and Men’s Team to tour internationally,” said Mr Bernie McLeod, Tournament Director. The Championship Selectors consisted of: Craig Foster; Alex Tobin (former Socceroo); Julie Dolan (former Matilda); and, Jim Fraser (former Socceroo). “The selection panel were there on hand to identify some of Australian Indigenous Football’s best and hoped to unearth Indigenous stars of the future” said Mr Warren. Coinciding with selection of the Australian Indigenous Football Teams, the event will announce the Kyah Simon (Female Player of the Championships) and Jade North (Male Player of the Championships) Awards. Media release, Nov 3, 2016 Bernie McLeod, National Indigenous Football Championships

Bethanie to compete at national championships ethanie Kranendonk from Hamlyn Terrace will be representing the Central Coast Academy of Sport at the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships in Canberra from December 4

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to 6.

Bethany will feature in the under-18 long jump final. This is her third National All Schools championship attendance and she is again extremely excited to be involved in such a high level of competition representing her school and the state.

3

0149 1.32 0717 0.72 TUE 1336 1.61 2027 0.46

6

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

President of the Johnny Warren Football Foundation, said Nowra played host to some of the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football players across the nation. “We are very honoured and proud to work with the Wreck Bay Sharks FC, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football communities, and thank Bernie McLeod and his team for the opportunity,” Mr Warren said. The two star-studded squads of footballing legends and high-profile celebrities competed to raise the profile of Indigenous sport and say no to racism. Mr Warren said it was the first Celebrity Football Match ever staged with a central focus of uniting as one to promote and disseminate key messages to the wider community. “The Inaugural National Indigenous Football Championships will, for the first time, select an Australian

Media release, Nov 17, 2016 Jessie Maclaine, Central Coast Academy of Sport

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED


Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016 - P23 3

Bato Yard attracts major events

Sport

Budgewoi hosts NSW Tri Series event

u d g e w o i played host to the fourth race hree major events have been secured at of the NSW Tri Series the Bato Yard Skate Park by Central on November 12-13. The event, organised Coast Council for 2017.

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Two events are associated with the Australian Skateboarding Federation (ASF) and the other is part of the NSW YMCA Skate Park League (SPL). Council’s Sports Development and Events Officer, Ms Karen Lightfoot, said that it is great news, it will put the new facility on the national skateboarding calendar, and boost its reputation nationally and internationally. “Since Bato Yard opened in July, hundreds of riders and spectators flock to the freestyle riding facility every day, and these events will only further cement the increasing popularity of the Yard,” Ms Lightfoot said. “The two ASF events will be part of the popular King of Concrete skateboard contest series, and an opportunity for local riders to showcase their talents in front of some big names. “The first one will be the bowl event, which is locked in for Saturday, February 11, and will feature qualifying spots for the well-known Bondi Bowlarama. “The other ASF King of Concrete event will be a street-based skate contest in April, and

will be used as a contest pathway to participate in a USA street event – another great chance for our local skaters to compete against some of the best in the world,” she said. Bato Yard was designed to cater for a range of disciplines such as skate, scooter, BMX and blades for locals with a view to also hosting major events. The YMCA has booked Bato Yard for two years, with their first SPL event booked in during the school holiday period on January 17. The competition will include scooter, skateboard, BMX and wheelies (wheelchair/ amputees). There will also be a youth and community festival, entertainment, activities and stalls. C o u n c i l ’ s administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said it was great to see Bato Yard gaining national attention. “This new facility is attracting major events to the Coast – which means more tourism for the area. “We know how important tourism is to our economy, particularly in creating local jobs for our young people. Media release, Oct 19, 2016 Central Coast Council media

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by Elite Energy, is the second consecutive year that athletes swam, rode and ran their way around Budgewoi and its surrounds. “Locations north of Sydney have become a favourite for those wanting to escape Sydney to race”, said Mr Sebastian Gallery of Elite Energy. Nearly 500 athletes took part in the triathlon festival which featured four different distance races appealing to an array of ages and abilities. CEO of Elite Energy, Mr Mark Emerton, said: “For many, the swim leg in triathlons can bring on a lot of apprehension. “When we came across the tranquil waters of Lake Munmorah paired with a fantastic transition area, we just knew that this location had the perfect makings for a triathlon. “In addition to this, being only a short drive from Sydney made this event extremely accessible to those triathletes based out of the metropolitan regions.” The longest of the four contested distances was the Club distance, a 1km swim, 30km bike ride and 8km run. With rainy conditions on Saturday, it was a relief to see the sun shining over Lake Munmorah on

Triathletes battled it out in the cool waters of Lake Munmorah for pole position in the Budgewoi Trialthon

Sunday morning, with perfect race conditions. In the Men’s race, Mr Rod Hutchinson took out line honours in a time of 1:37:44. Mr Hutchinson, of Pemulwuy, came out of the swim nearly two minutes behind, but soon made up his lead on the cycle and maintained it throughout the run. 2nd and 3rd place were head to head with less than a minute apart throughout the course, with Mr Beau Fleming

taking out 2nd place in a time of 1:40:41 closely followed by Mr Mitchell Frankish in 3rd place in a time of 1:41:58. In the Women’s Club Distance race, it was Ms Moya Johansson of Drummoyne that dominated the race with a 5.6 minute lead out of the water, extending that lead on the bike before taking out the fastest women’s run time of the day and taking the win by 2:29 seconds over Ms Erin Doyle (1:48:25) and Ms

Sophie Fallon (1:49:50). Sunday’s event was also made possible by droves of volunteers who gave up their time to support a great community event and to raise funds for their local community groups and charities. Media release, Nov 14, 2016 Laura Bowmaker, Elite Energy


Sport

P24 P2 24 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - November 22, 2016

Mariners earn point and show improvement

Mickael Tavares had a commanding match against the Newcastle Jets

The Mariners went to half time with a one goal lead against the Jets

he Central Coast Mariners did not come home empty-handed from their first trip to Newcastle in the 2016-17 A-League season on Sunday, November 20, sharing a point with their northern rivals after a promising first half and a messy second 45.

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The Mariners went to the half time break with a clean sheet and, for the first time this season, a goal ahead thanks to Jake McGing. In fact, their first-half performance against the equally-ranked Newcastle Jets showed signs of positive things to come including stronger, more coherent defence and improved pressure going forward. Michael Tavares played a commanding role in the first 45-minutes, ensuring the four defenders kept a level head, marshalling traffic in the midfield and creating attacking opportunities in the number 10 role. Tavares arguably rivalled Montgomery for the role of Captain. The thousands of Central Coast fans who

made the trip north were on their feet just before half time when Jake McGing scored his first A-League goal, a header from a free kick Fabio Ferreira crossed as a heading opportunity for O’Donovan that McGing cleaned up near the back post. The Yellow Army certainly amounted to a substantial percentage of the 11,000-plus crowd and made their presence felt throughout the match. The half-time good vibe did not last unfortunately. The yellow cards were flowing during the second half and the Mariners became a big casualty of the referee’s front pocket. Liam Rose was sent off with a second yellow, it was a clear hand ball, but the Mariners’ faithful

questioned whether it deserved a yellow card. It was the Danish attacker, Nordstrand, who equalised for the Newcastle Jets, finding himself on the end of a precision through ball, he broke into space before calmly finishing the oneon-one opportunity. Even with a oneman deficit, the Yellow & Navy pushed hard until the final whistle and almost had the winner thanks to a break by substitute Trent Buhagiar that saw the ball fall to the feet of Roy O’Donovan who drew Newcastle’s Jack Duncan into an incredible save with almost the last kick off the game. Across the 90 minutes, Mariners’ goalkeeper Paul Izzo made some forthright saves that definitely secured the

draw for the away side. “It’s probably our best first half performance of the season,” Mariners Coast Paulo Okon said after the game. “We took the lead, controlled the game and looked really comfortable,” Okon said. “We spoke about it at half time, we knew the Jets would come out firing they had to play a little higher up the field and apply more pressure and they did that. “Of course the red card impacts what happens in the back end of the game. “You need to show character if you’re going to come away with something from the game and Paul Izzo was outstanding, he made some really good saves and the boys were brave so we go home with a point.” In terms of whether the Rose send-off was fair, Okon said: “There’s no point me having an opinion because it doesn’t

Red card for Liam Rose

make a difference. “I asked the fourth official in the 85th minute about a handball by the Jets in the corner and he told me to shut up and I’m just asking a question. “Looking at tonight’s fixture as a supporter I think it was a really positive day for both clubs, there was atmosphere and we were delighted that we had a number of our supporters travel up and support us. “I think that was the most exciting #F3Derby in a long time so from our perspective we’re happy that we were able to give our fans something and we look forward to the next #F3Derby in the New Year. “I see improvement every day at training and unfortunately for a number of reasons that hasn’t translated into enough victories in my opinion but it is small steps. “We’re certainly not

going to die wondering, I think everyone could see that even with 10 men we pushed for that second goal and we actually opened ourselves up for the Jets to counter us so it’s not in our DNA and we feel that even with 10 men we can cause problems. “If we had a bit more luck, we could have had one at the end and see ourselves go home with a victory. “Given everything that happened, certainly after the red card we’re happy with a point. “We move on, we’ve got a tough game on Thursday against Perth who have two days extra to prepare than us but it is what it is, so we will go home recover and go again looking for three points on Thursday,” Okon said. Website, Nov 21, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners Jackie Pearson, journalist

Photos: Noel Fisher


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