Issue 118 June 6, 2017
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$300m intercity fleet maintenance facility at Kangy Angy approved subject to conditions he Federal Department of Environment and Energy has given conditional approval to Transport for NSW to build its intercity fleet maintenance facility at Kangy Angy.
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The proposed development had been referred to the Federal Department under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a controlled action, due to potential impacts to the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot which are listed as threatened species and communities. According to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, Transport for NSW has also put out for public exhibition an additional Species Impact Statement that is open until June 30. Nineteen conditions were attached to the Federal Environment Department’s approval, which has relied heavily on “bio-banking” to offset any negative environmental impacts of the proposed train maintenance facility. The Federal conditions referred the applicant to the need to adhere to conditions issued by the NSW Government
The subject site has been given conditional approval by the Federal Environment Department in its approval of the development “as they relate to avoiding and mitigating the impacts of the action on protected matters”. In addition to those State conditions, the Federal Department has said the applicant must prepare and implement a Groundwater Management Plan that must be submitted to it at least one month before construction commences, and construction can’t commence until that plan is approved by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Mr Josh Frydenberg. The Groundwater Management Plan is intended “to minimise the
impacts of the action on Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems that support or may support Biconvex Paperbark located onsite and offsite”. The Federal consent also places restrictions on how much land can be cleared: not more than 19.6 hectares of high quality swamp forest; and 3.6 hectares of wet open forest that is foraging habitat for the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater within the impact area. “To compensate for the impacts to foraging habitat for the Swift Parrot, the person taking the action must provide an offset package in accordance with the offset requirements
calculated under biobanking for the relevant plan community types,” the approval document said. According to the Federal Government’s approval, at least 90 per cent of those offset requirements need to be direct offsets located in the Central Coast or Lake Macquarie, “and must be consistent with the onground actions identified in the national recovery plan for the Swift Parrot to manage and protect Swift Parrot habitat at the landscape scale. Another offset package must also be put in place to compensate for any impacts on the foraging habitat for the Regent Honeyeater.
Again, 90 per cent of those offsets must be located in the Central Coast or Lake Macquarie area and consistent with the national recovery plan for the Regent Honeyeater. The Biodiversity Offset Strategy will also have to be submitted to the Federal Department one month before construction commences and be approved by the Minister prior to commencement. The strategy will need to demonstrate how the proposed offset package will meet the consent conditions. It will have to identify and describe the proposed offset sites with maps clearly depicting
Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater habitat within the offset sites. The applicant will also need to identify how the offset sites will be legally secured in perpetuity and “identify the long term objectives for future conditions of the offset sites, management and monitoring actions and timeframes for implementation”. Any supplementary measures will also have to be included in the strategy along with the monetary value of each component of the offset package. As part of the Federal Environment Department’s approval, the applicant must maintain accurate records substantiating all activities associated with or relevant to the conditions of approval and such records may be subject to audit. The applicant will also be required to publish annual reports on their website, addressing compliance with each condition of approval including documentary proof. The approval period has a five year duration from May 5.
Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
Source: Website, May 24 EPBC 2016/7681, Federal Department of the Environment and Energy Media statement, Jun 5 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald
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June 6, 2017
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y o n g Regional Chronicle and The Harbour Agency would like to offer a double pass to see the Ted Mulry Gang, TMG, at the Laycock Street Theatre on June 24 and a live CD.
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away in 2001 and his younger brother, Steve, will tour with the original members of TMG. As Ted was also the bass player, the band has acquired the services of original ACDC bass player and good friend, Mark Evans. Drummer Herm Kovac said: “The band is excited to do some shows and we feel Steve and Mark are the perfect fit.� For your chance to
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YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
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ISSUE 157
Fifty six fully approved developments each valued at over $1.5 million in Gosford G
osford could be on its way to being the $1.6 billion city, but several key developers are running out of time to commence their projects.
A map prepared by Central Coast Council’s Environment and Planning Team shows the site of every approved development in Gosford City with a value of $1.5 million or more. That includes 22 development sites on the west side of the train line and another 34 approved DAs east of the train tracks. The total value of those 56 developments, according to Central Coast Council, is $1.6 billion. “Council has laid down the platform to encourage development and the revitalisation of the Gosford CBD,� said Group Leader, Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox. Mr Cox said Council’s vision is to see Gosford become a “vibrant, smart, regional living city centre, and we will continue to lay down that foundation, particularly with the Central Coast Regional Plan that looks into the five different precincts in the Gosford CBD, and we will look at doing further planning around the five precincts,� he said.
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A map showing all approved developments valued at $1.5 million or over in Gosford City
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Source Central Coast Council
OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
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odiďŹ ed consent has been granted to Development A p p l i c a t i o n 1 0 8 0 / 2 0 1 4 (DA1080/2014), for a mixed use development comprising shop top housing, a hotel tower, a multipurpose function space, a restaurant, a shopping centre and parking, and the demolition of several existing structures. This DA entails a complete overhaul of the existing Lakeside Shopping Centre, The Entrance, and adjoining land located at: 102-104 The Entrance Rd, 106110 The Entrance Rd, 96 The Entrance Rd, 100 The Entrance Rd, 118 The Entrance Rd, 1 Glovers Lne, 3 Glovers Lne, 19-21 Taylor St, 23 Taylor St, and the existing Lakeside Plaza (78-94 The Entrance Rd) and is valued at around $300 million. The proposal includes a new and expanded retail shopping centre, hotel and convention/function space and residential apartments, with two levels of basement parking. According to the DA’s Amended Statement of Environmental Effects 2015 (SEE), the proposal comprises: An expanded shopping centre from 5,000m2 to a total of
An artist’s impression of the development at the Lakeside Plaza site approximately 13,250m2, anchored by a new larger Coles supermarket. It will also include 270 residential apartments in a tower building on the corner of The Entrance Rd and Dening St., 168 residential apartments and 108 hotel rooms
in a tower building on the corner of Taylor and Dening St, and 48 residential apartments over three levels above the podium fronting The Entrance Rd. A restaurant and function/convention space in/with the hotel
lobby level is also proposed. The “Oasis� level below the lofted tower buildings will provide outdoor space and amenities. Car parking is provided for within two basement levels and a section of
rooftop parking. The project includes the creation of a piazza public space at the northern end of the site fronting Dening St, the creation of the Bus Hub on The Entrance Rd providing an attractive public transport area and creation of a publicly
accessible viewing platform on top of the tower on the corner of Taylor and Dening St. The 2015 proposal also stipulates total parking spaces generated through the development as 1,325 parking spaces. The original 2014 SEE proposal included: the expanded shopping centre at a total of 10,650m2, still anchored by a Coles supermarket, and 250 residential apartments in the building on the corner of The Entrance Rd/Dening St. It also included 110 residential apartments and 100 hotel rooms in a tower building on the corner of Taylor St/Dening St and 36 residential apartments over three levels above the podium fronting The Entrance Rd. Also included are the same plans for the restaurant/convention space, the Oasis, the piazza public space and the Bus Hub, but stipulated total parking spaces generated through the development as 1,375 parking spaces. The masterplan provided in the 2015 SEE lists the proposal as a staged development, with conceptual approval only, meaning no physical works have been authorised or approved by Council or the JRPP.
OfďŹ ce: 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 158
JUNE 1, 2017
St Hilliers chosen to develop the remainder of the former Gosford PS site T
ModiďŹ ed consent granted to $ 300m development M
he NSW Government nt has announcedd St Hilliers as thee successful proponent too acquire and develop thee remaining 1.1 hectaress of the former Gosfordd Public School site.
Pearl Beach properties vulnerable, says coastal plan Multi-million dollar waterfront properties built on the beachfront dune in Coral Cres, Pearl Beach, are vulnerable to storm erosion and little can be done to protect them, a management plan adopted by Central Coast Council has found. Options such as building up a dune in front of the properties to create a buffer against storm erosion were “not likely to be feasible in this location�. Some of the properties already had erosion protection measures installed and the plan does allow for properties to complete erosion protection works. Such works would be completed
at the cost of the landowner and would require development approval by Council or the NSW Coastal Panel. Residents at a similar location on Wamberal Beach are currently in the Land and Environment Court challenging the NSW Coastal Panel’s deemed refusal of their application for protection works. The immediate and future erosion risk is identiďŹ ed as the main hazard to be addressed in this area of Pearl Beach. Post-storm management measures were included in the plan and beach scraping would be used to build up sand from the beach berm to re-establish protection to the erosion escarpment and assist natural recovery of the beach.
Dunecare groups would be encouraged to maintain and revegetate any existing dune after a storm “using appropriate endemic vegetation�. The recommendations in the Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan have been endorsed by Central Coast Council administrator Mr Ian Reynolds, but not yet approved by the NSW Government. Some strategies in the plan, such as dune care and dune revegetation, are to be completed across the whole new local government area, even though the former Wyong Shire had a completely different approach to coastal hazard management and its draft plan has not yet been
sent to the NSW Government for approval. If the plan is approved by the NSW Government, in the ďŹ rst few years of its implementation, Central Coast Council will be responsible for redeďŹ ning a building line and development controls for development within a hazard zone for this portion of the beach. New buildings will be required to be built in a 2100 Stable Foundation Zone, which is not deďŹ ned in the plan. In the long term, Council, NSW Government and landowners will be required to design erosion protection works which would be “implemented once the erosion escarpment reaches a set trigger distance from the building lineâ€? but
were “likely not to be required for several years�. No budget has been allocated for such works prior to 2025. The plan divides the management of Pearl Beach into four precincts. Precinct 1 covers the area south of Green Point Creek; Precinct 2 is the area between Green Point Creek and Middle Creek entrances; Precinct 3 is between Middle Creek and the Pearl Beach Lagoon outlet; and Precinct 4 covers the Coral Cres beachfront properties. SOURCE: Management Plan, 26 Apr 2017 Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone, Worley Parsons,
Group granted $100,000 to solve doctor shortage A working group has been given $100,000 in the Federal Budget to ďŹ nd solutions to the Peninsula’s doctor shortage. The working group consists of three local doctors, two practice managers, a local nurse and Mingaletta’s health manager, as well as representatives of the government’s Primary Health Network, which extends as far as New England.
The doctors are Dr Paul Duff from Woy Woy, Dr Roger Molesworth from Ettalong, and Dr Cherie Castaing from Umina. The practice managers are Ms Cate Nesbitt from Woy Woy and Ms Jill James from Umina. The nurse is Ms Gaylene Parsell and Mingaletta’s health manager is Auntie Di (Ms Dianne O’Brien). The $100,000 will be managed by the Primary Health Network but the funds have been quarantined to address the needs of the
Peninsula. Primary Health Network CEO Mr Richard Nankervis said: “The funding will allow the network to develop both short and long term strategies to ensure people on the Peninsula are able to access to quality primary health care. “With a number of GPs nearing retirement, our short term focus will be on recruiting more full time general practitioners to the Peninsula. “Longer term solutions will
involve the network working with stakeholders to increase the number of GP registrars coming to the area and working with practices to implement strategies to increase the utilisation of other primary health care professionals. “For example, we know the use of practice nurses frees up a GP’s time so they can focus on more acute or serious cases.â€? Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks said: “The Network has found that at least ďŹ ve new
full-time equivalent doctors are needed locally. “This funding will help ensure the right resources are available to support this need,â€? she said. SOURCES: Media release, 10 May 2017 Tim Sowden, ofďŹ ce of Lucy Wicks Interview, 11 May 2017 Media statement, 11 May 2017 Scott White, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network Reporter: Jackie Pearson
THIS ISSUE contains 57 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
June 6, 2017
29 May 2017
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MAY 18, 2017
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The remaining land was soldd for $9.5 million. NSW Minister for Finance, e, Services and Property, Mr Victor Dominello, said th thee announcement meant th thee State Government was a step step closer to delivering its election on commitment to relocate 3000 government jobs to Gosford. Property NSW conďŹ rmed salee contracts had been exchangedd with St Hilliers and settlement nt was due towards the end of 2017. Work on the mixed-usee commercial building was as expected to commence by thee end of May. “There is no timeframee conďŹ rmed for the development nt of the remainder of the site,â€?â€? according to a Frequently Asked Questions document produced by Property NSW. “There are no restrictions on any further sale of the land,â€? a statement from Property for NSW said. “Any subsequent sale of the land would be a matter for St Hilliers,â€? it said. Mr Dominello announced that the Australian-based property and construction group had been chosen to develop the site, which would include the new 7,000 square metre mixed-use commercial building at 32 Mann St. “This is a big win for Gosford, and the project will provide the area with long overdue commercial development that will provide new jobs and economic stimulus,â€? he said. “Not only will the development
St Hilliers has paid over $9m for the remaining 1.1 hectares of the former Gosford Public School land Photo Noel Fisher
create construction jobs, but ion jo the building’s employees will engage with local traders, retailers and eateries, which is good news for small business.� The mixed-use commercial building will accommodate public servants from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation from late 2018. The development is expected to create 90 construction jobs and more than 330 ongoing indirect jobs, and inject an additional $1.4m in retail expenditure to the Gosford CBD, and a further $4.2m to the broader region per annum. St Hilliers has more than 20 years’ experience in major developments, including 155 Clarence St, Sydney, the Thornton Precinct in Penrith and Atelier at Kingston Foreshore, Canberra.
Property NSW said it would work with St Hilliers and the Central Coast Council to realise the Government’s vision for the site. In terms of how Property NSW knows that St Hillier’s will deliver that vision, it issued the following statement: “As part of the detailed tender process last year, the successful proponent had to indicate how it would deliver on the NSW Government’s vision for the remainder of the site, including providing generous public open space, residential and retail and hospitality uses (cafes and restaurants). “This formed part of the Property NSW evaluation process and is consistent with the Central Coast Council’s Development Control Plan for the site,� the statement said. “The community will have
the opportunity to comment on the DA of each subsequent phase of development of the site as it is proposed,â€? the FAQ document said. The Gosford/Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce met with the NSW Government and St Hilliers. Chamber President, Ms Alison Vidler, said it had been “a very successful meeting ‌discussing the future of the site, local jobs and the company’s history with the area, including the building of Kariong High Schoolâ€?. According to Ms Vidler, the development had the potential to act as a catalyst to create ongoing economic and employment opportunities for the region. This development will provide employment opportunities and
support economic growth in the Gosford CBD,â€? Ms Vidler said. “Workers will be using local suppliers, traders, retailers or eateries before and after work or during their lunch hours, which is good news for local businesses,â€? she said. St Hilliers announced the success of its tender on its website, describing itself as the “successful proponent to develop a mixed-use precinct at 32 Mann St. “The ďŹ rst stage of the development will comprise a new commercial ofďŹ ce building, with subsequent stages of mixed use residential and retail offerings,â€? the website said. St Hilliers described itself as an integrated property and construction group providing
expertise and service in design management, cost planning, civil and building construction, refurbishment, property development and funds management. “Our commitment to developing long-term, sustainable and collaborative relationships with our clients and our ability to deliver projects wherever our clients take us, has contributed to over 995 per cent of our business bei being through repeat clients,� the group’s website said. An interview request from Coast Community News was referred back from St Hilliers to Property NSW. The Expression of Interest and Request for Tender for the land were issued by Property NSW in the latter half of 2016 to seek private sector interest in delivering the DA building and develop the rest of the site. “St Hilliers was selected following an extensive tender process,’ said the FAQ document. It posed the question: “why did the Government seek to build on the old school site?� and responded: “As one of its 2015 election commitments, the Government committed to relocating at least 300 public sector roles from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation to Gosford by late 2018. “As the central agency responsible for management of the Government’s commercial accommodation requirements, Property NSW undertook a detailed assessment of the Gosford commercial market to determine existing and potential development sites able to accommodate the relocated staff by 2018. Continued page 3
OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
Coastal Zone Management Plan identiďŹ es areas at severe risk of erosion entral Coast Council has revised its Coastal Zone Management Plan for the northern coastal areas, extending 33km from just south of Catherine Hill Bay to Crackneck Point, and is seeking community feedback on the proposed changes. Council has worked with the NSW OfďŹ ce of Environment and Heritage to review the Wyong Coastal Zone Management Plan (WCZMP 2017) in response to changes to NSW legislation and improved information about coastal hazards. The Plan was placed on public exhibition on May 15 and will remain on exhibition until June 13. Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the draft plan aimed to address risks from coastal hazards and outline actions to improve the environmental and community beneďŹ ts for the Coast. “This process started under the former Wyong Council and we must
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The northern end of the Wyong coast showing areas of natural coast (green), hot spots (red), recreation and urban (yellow) “A plan for the former this plan is similar in move this plan forward to provide certainty for our Gosford City Council design and intent, we residents who live on the area has now been sent must and want to seek Coastline,â€? Mr Dowling to the Minister for the community feedback on Environment for ďŹ nal the changes. said. endorsement, but while
“Without a proper plan in place to cover our coastal areas, we cannot apply for State Government funding to help manage coastal hazards,â€? Mr Dowling said. After 2011, it was apparent that the potential risk from coastal and landslip processes was not clearly deďŹ ned. Council undertook a review of the hazards information to better deďŹ ne the coastal and geotechnical risks in the former Wyong local government area. The revised hazards mapping is documented in the draft WCZMP 2017 currently on exhibition. To assist the community to review the draft WCZMP 2017 and to discuss their concerns and ideas, community drop-in sessions will be held during the public exhibition period on Friday, May 26 (4:00pm to 6:00pm) at Tuggerah Lakes Community Centre, 1 Bay Village Rd, Bateau Bay, and on Monday, June 5 (6:00pm to 8:00pm) at The Entrance Community Centre, Building A Classroom, 15 Battley Ave, The Entrance. The Plan will be available for viewing at
Council’s ofďŹ ces and local library branches and at yourvoiceourcoast. com. Submissions will close at midnight on Tuesday, June 13. The CZMP for the northern part of the new Central Coast Local Government Area (former Wyong Shire) has been prepared by a different consultant to the plan for the former Gosford LGA, which has already been sent to the NSW Minister for ďŹ nal approval. According to the latest version of the Wyong CZMP, ďŹ ve locations within the former Wyong LGA are at severe risk from erosion and have been classiďŹ ed as erosion Hot Spots by the NSW Government. “To assist with how actions in this CZMP will be applied, the Wyong coast has been organised into four management precincts‌ deďŹ ned in terms of their different values and level of risk that ‌ support different levels and types of community usage, development, and ecological function, and which require different management intent and actions.
OfďŹ ce: 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 159
JRPP refuses one large development and defers another
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An aerial view of the proposed nursing home site
An artist’s impression of the proposed development
Application to build nursing home on bush block A Section 96 application has been lodged to modify a consent given by Gosford Council in 2007 for a development on a 1.6 hectare block on the corner of Hillview St and Veron Rd, Woy Woy. The change would see the development change from a 56unit retirement village to a 160bed nursing home, costing $27.85 million. The block contains a protected stand of Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland endangered ecological community. Thompson Health Care lodged the application on April 13 for a Section 96 amendment to allow a modiďŹ cation for the land to be used as a “residential care facilityâ€?. Due to the value of the proposed development exceeding $27 million, it will be subject to approval by the Joint Regional Planning Panel. The residential care facility would include resident recreational spaces, staff and operational facilities and 53 car spaces in addition to 160 beds over three storeys. Central Coast Council must be satisďŹ ed, under Section 96 (2) of
the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, that the development to which the modiďŹ ed consent relates is substantially the same development as that for which consent was granted. If the application is not for substantially the same development then the developer would be required to submit a fresh Development Application. The capital cost of the modiďŹ ed development would be $27.85 million. The Statement of Environmental Effect lodged with the Section 96 application said that the land was “partly occupied by remnant Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland ‌ contained within a designated bushland protection/conservation area. Gosford Council holds a positive covenant over the land which spells out an environmental management plan for the bushland. “The approved development footprint and internal roadway access has been cleared of remnant vegetation,â€? the developer’s Statement of Environmental Effect said. The proposed nursing home would provide the 160 nursing home beds in 152 rooms including a 20-room dementia wing.
The new application takes the approved built form from two to three storeys, reduces basement car spaces from 70 to 52, redesigns the main reception/entry and “maintains the existing approved site bushland/conservation areaâ€?. According to the developer, “the overall size of the approved building footprint is being slightly reduced (-206 square metres) as a portion of space that was previously approved as part of the internal building envelope is being converted into external, ground-level, open-courtyard landscapingâ€?. The building footprint would be reduced from 3164 square metres to 2958 square metres but the addition of a third level would increase the gross oor area from 6427 square metres to 9164 square metres, increasing the oor space ratio from 0.55:1 to 0.79:1 (still under the 1:1 allowed for seniors housing). According to the developer’s statement, there is no maximum building height applicable to a residential care facility on the subject land so Council can use its discretion as to whether or not it modiďŹ es the consent. The height of the built form will increase “slightlyâ€? to accommodate
a third residential level and the steeply pitched roof is proposed to be modiďŹ ed to a at roof form. Gosford’s LEP2014 has a maximum permissible building height of 8.5 metres which both the approved and proposed developments would exceed. The developer has asked Council to allow the proposed building height on the basis they believe it “does not result in a signiďŹ cant increase in bulk and scale when compared with the approved development‌ is not visually evident from the public domain‌sits well below the surrounding tree canopy‌ and does not result in any overshadowing.â€? During 2006 and 2007, a proposal to develop seniors living for 41 dwellings on the site with community and recreational facilities was refused by Gosford Council. The refusal was then upheld by the Land and Environment Court. Gosford Council then approved a revised application for the development of 37 self-care units, a community hall and indoor swimming pool. Five subsequent modiďŹ cations to the approval increased the number of units in the development.
The original consent was modiďŹ ed on ďŹ ve occasions, the last permitted 56 sole occupancy dwellings, community hall, indoor swimming pool, 70 car spaces, car wash bay, ambulance space and the bushland protection/ conservation area. The approved built form included a basement car park, two residential levels and a high pitched roof. The land was advertised for sale in late 2015. At that time Gosford Council stated that “Section 95 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 states that a DA is valid for ďŹ ve years from the date of approval. “As such, this DA would now have lapsed, however, if the landowners can demonstrate that there has been physical commencement on the site, the DA may still be considered valid. “The onus is on the landowner to prove that physical commencement has occurred and for this reason, council cannot provide a deďŹ nitive response.â€? Continue Page 3
THIS ISSUE contains 36 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
he Joint Regional Planning Panel has refused a $26.7 million residential at building development in Bent St, Gosford, and deferred its decision on a $36.4 million, threetower residential at building at Albany St, Point Frederick. The decision to refuse the Bent St development was unanimous at the JRPP meeting in Gosford on May 25. The Determination and Statement of Reasons said: “The panel reviewed the council assessment report and did not agree with the overall environmental assessment, the balance of considerations under Section 79C of the EPA Act, and nor the recommendation to approve the application. “The Clause 4.6 Variation request to the maximum height of the building standard in Gosford Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014 was not considered to be well founded. “In particular, the panel noted that the arguments for ‘averaging’ the height standards to avoid signiďŹ cant variations in scale lead to a signiďŹ cant height noncompliance at the eastern portion of the site.â€? It said the resulting development would have led to an “unacceptable height transition to existing and likely future development in the area.
An artist’s impression of the refused Bent Street proposal
“There were no compelling environmental planning grounds to support the variation request and the panel did not accept the proposal resulted in a ‘better’ form of development compared to a proposal which complied with the height limit,� the determination said. The JRPP said the proposal was inconsistent with the following building height objectives: to permit building heights that encourage highquality urban form; to ensure that buildings and public areas continue to receive satisfactory exposure to sky and sunlight; to nominate heights that will provide an appropriate
transition in built form and land use intensity; and to ensure that taller buildings are located appropriately in relation to view corridors and view impacts, and in a manner that is complementary to the natural topography of the area. The panel also noted that, while the proposal did have the beneďŹ t of the 30 per cent bonus to the maximum height and oor space ratio due to Clause 8.9 of Gosford LEP 2014, the clause had since lapsed and that would affect the likely future character of the area, causing the height transition issues to become more pronounced.
“The proposed setbacks, in particular to the east and west boundaries, do not comply with State Environmental Planning Policy 65 and associated Apartment Design Guidelines. “The use of blank walls to ameliorate separation issues causes unsatisfactory visual impacts, amenity impacts and overall built form. “The internal amenity is not considered to be high, including bedrooms with borrowed light over living areas and no windows, non-compliance with sunlight access in the Apartment Design Guidelines and a general lack of openings for light and ventilation.
“The reliance on blank walls on the subject and adjoining sites, particularly to the east (assuming their redevelopment) would not result in a high-quality urban form. “The proposal leads to an unsympathetic interface with existing and likely future development. “The proposal does not adequately respond to or achieve design excellence as required by Clause 8.5 of the GLEP 2014. “The proposal is considered to be an over-development of the site‌is considered to result in an isolated site to the
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$300m intercity eet maintenance facility at Kangy Angy approved subject to conditions
east, and while the applicant’s efforts and their response from Land and Housing Corporation is acknowledged, this should not obviate the need for an appropriate built form in the context of core planning controls and existing and likely future development in the surrounding area.â€? The JRPP also noted “various Development Control Plan (DCP) non-compliances including maximum building depth and setbacks.â€? It concluded the proposal would lead to adverse overshadowing and visual impacts to surrounding and adjoining land, part of which is directly attributable to the height non-compliance. “Approval of this application would not be in the public interest and would create an undesirable precedent due to the signiďŹ cant height noncompliance for a proposal not considered to exhibit design excellence and with no compelling justiďŹ cation,â€? the panel concluded. The DA was for an 80-unit residential at building at 14 Bent St, Gosford. It included 14 residential levels, three basement car parking levels and 84 car parking spaces. The site is located on the northern side of Bent St between Watt St and Henry Parry Dve. Continued P3
OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
he Federal Department of Environment and Energy has given conditional approval to Transport for NSW to build its intercity eet maintenance facility at Kangy Angy.
T
The proposed development had been referred to the Federal Department under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a controlled action, due to potential impacts to the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot which are listed as threatened species and communities. According to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, Transport for NSW has also put out for public exhibition an additional Species Impact Statement that is open until June 30 Nineteen conditions were attached to the Federal Environment Department’s approval, which has relied heavily on “bio-banking� to offset any negative environmental impacts of the proposed train maintenance facility. The Federal conditions referred the applicant to the need to adhere to conditions issued by the NSW Government
The subject site has been given conditional approval by the Federal Environment Department in its approval of the development “as they relate to avoiding and mitigating the impacts of the action on protected matters�. In addition to those State conditions, the Federal Department has said the applicant must prepare and implement a Groundwater Management Plan that must be submitted to it at least one month before construction commences, and construction can’t commence until that plan is approved by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Mr Josh Frydenberg. The Groundwater Management Plan is intended “to minimise the
impacts of the action on Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems that support or may support Biconvex Paperback located onsite and offsite�. The Federal consent also places restrictions on how much land can be cleared: not more than 19.6 hectares of high quality swamp forest; and 3.6 hectares of wet open forest that is foraging habitat for the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater within the impact area. “To compensate for the impacts to foraging habitat for the Swift Parrot, the person taking the action must provide an offset package in accordance with the offset requirements
calculated under biobanking for the relevant plan community types,â€? the approval document said. According to the Federal Government’s approval, at least 90 per cent of those offset requirements need to be direct offsets located in the Central Coast or Lake Macquarie, “and must be consistent with the onground actions identiďŹ ed in the national recovery plan for the Swift Parrot to manage and protect Swift Parrot habitat at the landscape scale. Another offset package must also be put in place to compensate for any impacts on the foraging habitat for the Regent Honeyeater.
Again, 90 per cent of those offsets must be located in the Central Coast or Lake Macquarie area and consistent with the national recovery plan for the Regent Honeyeater. The Biodiversity Offset Strategy will also have to be submitted to the Federal Department one month before construction commences and be approved by the Minister prior to commencement. The strategy will need to demonstrate how the proposed offset package will meet the consent conditions. It will have to identify and describe the proposed offset sites with maps clearly depicting
Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater habitat within the offset sites. The applicant will also need to identify how the offset sites will be legally secured in perpetuity and “identify the long term objectives for future conditions of the offset sites, management and monitoring actions and timeframes for implementation. Any supplementary measures will also have to be included in the strategy along with the monetary value of each component of the offset package. As part of the Federal Environment Department’s approval, the applicant must maintain accurate records substantiating all activities associated with or relevant to the conditions of approval and such records may be subject to audit. The applicant will also be required to publish annual reports on their website, addressing compliance with each condition of approval including documentary proof. The approval period has a ďŹ ve year duration from May 5. Source: Website, May 24 EPBC 2016/7681, Federal Department of the Environment and Energy Media statement, Jun 5 Kit Hale, ofďŹ ce of Scot MacDonald
OfďŹ ce: 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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Page 3 June 6, 2017
NEWS
Right project, wrong site F
ederal Member for Dobell, Ms Emma McBride, and State Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, have labelled the NSW G o v e r n m e n t ’s proposed rail maintenance facility at Kangy Angy the “right project, wrong site” after the Federal Government released strict approval conditions to protect habitat for critically endangered species at the site.
The Federal E n v i r o n m e n t D e p a r t m e n t ’s assessment of the Transport for NSW proposal under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, has determined that the project may only proceed in adherence with strict environmental
Emma McBride and David Mehan with concerned Kangy Angy residents restrictions, including: and 3.6ha of wet open NSW. a Groundwater forest; and demonstrated “We want to see Management Plan to adherence to a number this project happen on minimise the impacts of NSW Department the Central Coast, but on Biconvex Paperbark; of Environment and given the increasing biobanking to minimise Heritage regulations. environmental and the impact on foraging Mr Mehan said: “The financial cost of this habitat for the critically Minister has to defend project, I have great endangered Regent this, not only to the concerns the jobs may be Honey Eater and Swift residents of Kangy Angy lost to the Coast. Parrot; Land clearing and the Central Coast, “The Government has limits of 19.6ha of high but to every taxpayer in already had to add a quality swamp forest
multi-million dollar bridge to the project just to overcome the flooding issues on Turpentine Road. “The Department will now be required to buy and protect more than 20 hectares of coastal bushland to meet the offset requirements put on the development by the Federal Environment Department, as well as manage the land in the future. “How much is that going to cost? “We know the Department preferred other sites on the Central Coast, do they still believe this is the best spot to build this facility? “Central Coast Council needs to make it a priority to engage with Transport NSW on this issue to make sure alternate sites are available on the Central Coast,” Mr Mehan said. Ms McBride said the project would
only proceed if strict environmental conditions were met. “This decision proves that proper process must always be in place for development proposals, and that rigorous environmental assessment should be done,” she said. “I’m pleased to see the impact on foraging habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honey Eater and Swift Parrot is now being considered as part of this development. “There are now serious questions around how the NSW Government will manage the offset requirements and whether land clearing restrictions change the scope of the project. “The NSW Government needs to explain how this is the right site.” Source: Media release, May 29 Heather Robinson, office of Emma McBride
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Page 4 June 6, 2017
Council approves its own 43 lot subdivision C
entral Coast Council has approved a Development Application (DA) for a 43 lot subdivision in Wa r n e r v a l e , originally submitted by Wyong Council.
The land in question is situated at Warnervale Federation Park, 30 Jack Grant Ave, Warnervale, and the DA proposes to create 40 residential lots, one public reserve lot, one detention basin and one residue lot.
The lots in question are currently vacant land. Whilst no Statement of Environmental Effects was available, several control and compliance conditions were outlined in Council’s Development Consent document. Conditions stipulated related to bush fire requirements, ecology and tree requirements, contaminated land requirements, roadwork design, stockpiling and stormwater drainage requirements and water and sewer services.
The majority of these conditions were also further built upon in the staging of the development. All of these conditions required planning or designs to be approved by Council or the relevant consent authority prior to the release of a Construction Certificate (CC). Ecology and tree requirements, erosion and sediments controls, filing and hauling requirements, protection of adjoining properties, roads preconstruction
requirements and landscaping design requirements, also needed to be met prior to the commencement of works (following the issuing of a CC). Conditions were also outlined as construction requirements during the construction works for the following consent conditions: ecology and tree works, services and utilities and site requirements. Prior to the release of a Subdivision Certificate, conditions that need to be met include: the
payment of the developer contribution to Council (calculated in the Development Consent as $1,224,196.73 times the current Consumer Price Index), dilapidation rectification requirements, ecology re q u i re m e n t s , l a n d s c a p i n g requirements, lighting spill requirements, subdivision compliance re q u i re m e n t s , stormwater compliance requirements, and water and sewer services/ infrastructure compliance requirements.
Ongoing conditions, conditions that must be satisfied during the use/occupation of the development include: bush fire compliance requirements; ecology and tree requirements; l a n d s c a p i n g requirements; and, ongoing stormwater m a i n t e n a n c e requirements. Source: Document, Jun 5 DA/221/2014, Central Coast Council Wyong E-Planning Portal
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Page 5 June 6, 2017
NEWS
Approved 89 lot subdivision development approved for Hamlyn Terrace Coast application cancelled Central Council has
A
n approved Development Application (DA) proposing a 56 lot subdivision for Hamlyn Terrace has been cancelled. The DA proposed 53 residential lots, one drainage reserve lot, two shared pathway lots, and a small lot for housing and ancillary works to be developed over three stages. The land in question is situated on 1-15 Hamlyn Rd, Hamlyn Tce, and the lots are an infill, vacant lot, adjoining Hamlyn Rd to the north, with existing housing to the east and west, and undeveloped land to the south. A drainage channel extending east-west intersects the site containing existing riparian vegetation. The drainage channel severs the site into two
separate parts with access to the northern part via Hamlyn Rd and to the southern part via Fernhill Ave, Lakewood Dve and a recently approved road to the east. Otherwise the lot is generally cleared of any significant vegetation. The site is identified as part bushfire prone land and is part flood affected. According to Council’s Development Assessment Report, the development, with some modifications to the residential subdivision and relevant associated construction and requirements, is considered reasonable and acceptable and subsequently the DA was recommended for approval. Source: Document, Jun 5 DA1077/2015, Central Coast Council Wyong E-Planning Portal
approved a Development Application (DA) for an 89 lot subdivision, plus three residue lots, and demolition of existing structures, in Virginia Rd, Hamlyn Terrace. In the most recent incarnation of Council’s Development Consent Notice, the development is to be undertaken in accordance with the approved development plans and listed specifications, except as modified by any conditions of consent and any amendments made to the approved plans. Approval is issued for the subdivision in four stages. Stage 1: Lots 101-154, stage 2: Lots 201 – 219, stage 3: Lots 301 – 310, and stage 4: Lots 401 – 606. Stages 1 to 4 include
all road and services formation and installation, and associated subdivision works. Lot 199 – residue lot for drainage purposes. Lot 200 – residue lot for future residential d e v e l o p m e n t incorporating drainage; and Lot 501 residue lot for environmental m a n a g e m e n t , incorporating drainage works. The notice also stipulated that all stages must: “have a Construction Certificate to be issued by the Principal Certifying Authority prior to commencement of any construction works. “The application for this Certificate is to satisfy all of the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000. “An application for a Subdivision Certificate must be submitted to and approved by the Council/ Certifying Authority prior to endorsement of the
plan of subdivision. “Where conditions of this consent require approval from Council under the Roads Act 1993, Local Government Act 1993 or Water Management Act 2000, a completed Subdivision Construction Certificate application form must be lodged with Council and be accompanied by detailed design drawings and supporting information. “Upon submission to Council, fees and charges will be calculated in accordance with Council’s Management Plan. “The fees and charges must be paid prior to Council commencing the design assessment. “Conditions include compliance with the general terms of approval of the Rural Fire Service, as outlined in its correspondence dated October 9, 2014, compliance with the general terms of approval of the Office of
Water, as outlined in its correspondence dated October 15, 2014; and, the transfer of Lot 501 (E3 zoned land) at no cost to Council within three months of the date of registration of the allotment.” All stages of the development were also subject to evolving consent requirements as the development progressed, including specific consent requirements for earthworks and ecology, landscaping, erosion and sediment control, services and utility requirements, water and sewer service requirements and maintenance, stormwater requirements, and contribution payment compliance. The developer is MJH Group-Newcastle Quality Constructions. Source: Document, Jun 5 DA664/2014, Central Coast Council Wyong E-Planning Portal
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NEWS
Page 6 June 6, 2017
Further review for Wallarah 2 T he NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) report into the amended application on the Wallarah 2 Coal project has been unwavering in its stance that the NSW Planning Department and the mining company must be able to demonstrate that the mine would not damage the Central Coast’s water catchment before consent could be given.
“The effective resolution of potential impacts on water supply within the catchment remains one of the most significant determinants of the merit of the project,” the PAC report said. “This was again raised as a key concern in the recent public hearing and in written submissions. “The issue was thoroughly examined by the PAC’s 2014 review which found that the threat is potentially significant and that obtaining a water licence would not compensate for loss of water during periods of low flow. “The PAC’s 2014 review applied a more stringent standard than recommended by relevant agencies at the time and recommended a no net impact requirement on catchment water from the mining operation, through the return of suitably treated mine water to the water supply catchment. “This high standard is necessary for the mine
to effectively coexist in a catchment with acknowledged water supply constraints and the projected population growth of the region. “The PAC supports the conclusions of its own 2014 review on the significance of the water resources to the Central Coast community as no new technical information has been provided in the current review process. “The PAC also supports that the integrity of the key recommendations must be maintained for the project to meet the public interest test of section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, otherwise the precautionary approach should be adopted. “In reviewing the draft conditions, the PAC finds the Department has generally addressed the PAC’s 2014 review recommendations. “However, the draft conditions relating to the performance measures and compensatory mechanisms for water supply have not reflected the true intentions of the PAC’s 2014 review recommendations. “The PAC questions whether the draft conditions are enough to ensure “no net impact on potential catchment yield”. “The compensatory arrangement conditions appear to give preference to the purchase of water licences as a compensatory mechanism when the PAC’s 2014 review is clear that it is not a suitable compensatory mechanism, particularly during periods of low
flow. “The PAC recommends the draft conditions be updated to accurately reflect the recommendations of ‘no net impact on catchment yield’ and reiterates that the preferred compensation is by return of suitably treated water to the catchment side of the water supply system. “The burden of proof of any impact less than predicted rests with the applicant.” The PAC report also argued that the estimated net economic benefits of the project had been overstated by the applicant and remained a concern to both experts and the community. “The PAC shares concerns about the large variances in the predicted costs and benefits, noting the downward trend from the various economic analyses of the project. “The PAC recommends that the Department clarifies the net economic benefits and the capital investment value of the project for the consent authority’s consideration.” The PAC report noted the concerns of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council about the potential impacts on their land near the train load out facility, including loss of access due to the proposed closure of Nikko Rd. “The PAC finds the applicant’s proposed six metres wide all weather access road and easement is an acceptable solution to address the issue of access to adjacent private lands.
“The PAC recommends an access management plan be prepared, in consultation with affected land owners, to ensure access to private lands is maintained during the construction and operation of the mine, and to include details of the final design of the access road,” the PAC review report said. The PAC also made additional recommendations on potential noise impacts, closure of Tooheys Rd, community engagement, bush fire management, potential future mining area and the need for an integrated environmental monitoring and public reporting management plan that should be considered by the consent authority. In 2012 the Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture lodged an application to develop and operate an underground coal mine near Wyong. The project was reviewed by the PAC in 2014. However, the application was not able to be determined because the proposed rail spur was on land owned by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC). Following an unsuccessful negotiation with DLALC to use their land for the rail spur, an amended application was lodged to relocate the rail loading facility to avoid private land. In February 2017, the Minister for Planning requested the PAC to review the amended application. The terms of reference required the PAC to
consider the economic, environmental and social impacts; the merits of the project as a whole; the Department of Planning and Environment’s response to the Commission’s 2014 review report; provide recommendations on any additional measures to avoid, minimise and/ or manage the potential impacts of the project; and hold a public hearing. The PAC has carefully considered all the documents identified in the Minister’s terms of reference and additional information provided by the applicant, the Department, government agencies, Central Coast Council and members of the public. A public hearing was held on April 5. “The process underlines the NSW Government’s determination to be guided by evidence and community consultation,” said Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald. Mr Alan Hayes from the Australian Coal Alliance said the latest PAC report was evidence that the threat to the Coast’s water supply posed by Wallarah 2 was significant and that the PAC’s report meant that it was incumbent on the mining company to prove that the mine would not have any impact on the water catchment under all climatic conditions. “It now has to go back through another assessment and there will be another opportunity for more public input,” Mr Hayes said. Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, said: “The
proponent is going to have a very hard time to demonstrate how there will not be any net loss of water from the catchment or how that water can be replaced. “Now Wallarah 2 will have to go over the PAC report and provide sufficient answers, with evidence, and if the PAC’s concerns are not answered adequately with evidence, then the precautionary principle should be applied and the mine should be refused,” he said. “PAC also criticised the company for not using best practice in community consultation and I noticed that it has been advertising on radio encouraging the community to call in with concerns, but it has had well over 10 years to do proper community consultation,” he said. Mr Harris said he had unsuccessfully attempted to introduce a Private Member’s Bill into the NSW Legislative Assembly, called the Wyong Special Protection Bill, that would prohibit any extraction industries from operating in the parts of the Wyong Valleys that are within the Central Coast’s water catchment. “The Bill is basically what Barrie O’Farrell promised to do,” Mr Harris said. Report, May 22 Wallarah 2 2017 Review Report, NSW Planning Assessment Commission Media alert, May 24 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald Interview, Jun 5 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance Interview, Jun 5 David Harris, Member for Wyong Jackie Pearson, journalist
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NEWS
Page 8 June 6, 2017
Local electioneering begins T
hree former W y o n g Councillors, Mr Greg Best, Mr Lloyd Taylor and Mr Adam Troy, have been terminated from the Central Coast Council’s Local Representation Committee (LRC) one month prior to the committee being wound up.
The decision to dismiss three councillors was made in a confidential session of the council meeting on May 24. The reasons for their dismissal were to remain confidential due to legal privilege and because the contents of the report contained private information about council employees other than councillors. At the May 24 meeting, Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, adopted a resolution to wind up the Local Representation Committee from June 30 to give former councillors wishing to run for election to the new Central Coast Council the freedom to campaign from July 1 to the election on September 9. The other members of the LRC were informed of the termination of their fellow committee members in a brief email from Council CEO, Mr Rob Noble, on May 26. Wyong Regional
Chronicle obtained a copy of the email which stated: “Just wanted to let you know that at the Council meeting… Council decided to terminate the services of former LRC members Greg Best, Lloyd Taylor and Adam Troy. “As a result Messes Best, Taylor and Troy will not be in attendance at the LRC meeting to be held on June 21.” After learning of his sacking, Mr Best said he understood his recent pig protest outside Council’s Wyong offices, with his mascot ‘’Porky Pie the Pig’, was the trigger for his dismissal. “I make no apology for trotting out the truth on things like the Warnervale prison, the amalgamation whitewash and Gosford’s financial crisis. “Pigs will fly if they think sacking me will save their bacon. “Porky Pie the pig is a statement synonymous with the community’s utter frustration with our $2000-a-day Administrator, whom I believe is treating ratepayers as nothing more than a piggy bank. “The Administrator’s iron fisted gagging comes despite the Committee being wound up next month.” Mr Best said now that he is not bound by the Administrator’s confidentiality gag, he can speak out on other
issues “such as the recent alarming staff pay deals agreed to under the cover of Administration. “These deals will now cost the ratepayer a further $15 million dollars a year. “Also embedded in the fine print, are provisions for four year Senior Staff Contracts despite the current Council being wound up in just four months. “Without exception, at the last confidential LRC meeting, members were totally outraged at this contract decision, as a new General Manager will be appointed in months who may well choose a new leadership team. “The contract payouts could be enormous.” Mr Best said he has formally called on Local Government Minister Gabriel Upton to explain. Former Labor Wyong Councillor, Mr Ken Greenwald, said he believed it was appropriate for the LRC to wind up as the election period approached. “It gave me personally the ability to continue to represent matters for the community, and that was a plus,” Mr Greenwald said. “What the community needs to think about now is what type of representation they want and need on the new council,” he said. “This will be a very different beast to the
old separate councils and the community will need a council that will ensure that all ratepayers and residents get a fair deal out of the new arrangement, and that any benefits can be seen to be equally shared in all areas of the Central Coast. “At Wyong, the vote for amalgamation was only carried five against four, the four were the three Labor councillors, of which I was one, and the Independent, Mr Bob Graham. “I and others, in open debate, pleaded long and hard to the chamber to not agree to an amalgamation. “If you were one of the five that voted for amalgamation, then you cannot complain later, especially in the press, against what you knowingly voted for. “There was certainly no gun pointed at our heads at that time, so all you had to do if you did not agree with the proposal, was to put your hand up, as we did to vote no,” he said. Former independent Gosford Councillor, Ms Gabby Bowles, who has declared she will not stand for election to the new Central Coast Council said: “As for the sacking of three former Wyong Councillors, it’s no surprise, not to them, and I wager not to anyone else who has observed
their behaviour. “It is my belief that former councillor Best was behaving in such a way as to ensure his sacking in order to use it as a soap box from which to launch his reelection campaign and give the perception that he is a champion of the people shot down for speaking up on behalf of the community. “Mr Best introduced former Wyong Councillor, Mr Carl Veugen, as a long-time friend (to me at the final Central Coast Mariners’ home game of the season) and then claimed Veugen was ‘no friend of mine’ when I questioned him on the running of anti-Gosford councillor ads on local radio. “Recent newspaper articles trying to position the Save Tuggerah Lakes group from association with former Wyong Mayor, Mr Doug Eaton, are all part of a contrived campaign to ensure Eaton sympathisers are elected to the new council and can help leverage the publicly unpopular Eaton across the line. “Mr Best, the same man claiming to be the champion of fighting waste and mismanagement, isupported the purchase of airport land with Wyong rate payers’ funds at double the Valuer General’s appraisal. “He is also the same
man who formed part of Doug Eaton’s voting block that supported the sale of land to a Chinese Theme park operator that appears to have disappeared into oblivion without paying. “Mr Best’s current campaign tone of ‘the poor north’ of the Coast is typical of his divisive tactics to trigger fear and gather Trump-like panicked support against an imaginary enemy that is self-serving and far from being in the best interest of a collaborative, thriving and inclusive Central Coast community. “I wish much luck to those candidates with genuine intentions of furthering the Central Coast from North to South, and I pray that someone in the media has the gumption to investigate in more detail the true extent of the Best, Eaton, STL web that has wound its tentacles deep into Coast local government over many years with megalomaniac intent,” Ms Bowles said. Source: Council agenda item 6.1, May 24 Central Coast Council ordinary meeting Email, May 26 Rob Noble, Central Coast Council Media release, May 24 Greg Best, former Wyong councillor Email, Jun 3 Ken Greenwald, former Wyong councillor Email, Jun 3 Gabby Bowles, former Gosford councillor Jackie Pearson, journalist
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NEWS
Page 10 June 6, 2017
Submissions on Council’s Draft Local plan and budget close soon Environmental Plan sent R
for gateway approval
T
he unelected Central Coast Council has sent a draft Local Environmental Plan for the whole new LGA to the NSW Department of Planning for gateway approval prior to being exhibited for public comment.
When Central Coast Council was established in May 2016, the State Government decreed that the four planning instruments currently applying across the Coast should remain in place until a new Local Environmental Plan (LEP) was adopted. At his first media conference after being appointed interim CEO, Mr Rob Noble said it would not be the responsibility of the Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, to make significant planning decisions. During the administration period, development has continued to be assessed under the planning controls which were in place prior to the merger. “In order to move towards a uniform set of planning controls across the Coast, Council has developed a draft consolidated LEP,” said Council’s Group Leader Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox.
The draft is currently with the Department of Planning and Environment for gateway approval prior to being exhibited for public comment. Mr Cox said that it was important to get the consolidated LEP right to ensure a consistent approach to development on the Coast, but it hadn’t stopped development proceeding in the meantime. “Since the creation of Central Coast Council, over 3,400 Development Applications have been determined, valued at over $1.2 billion to the local economy, under current planning controls,” Mr Cox said. “The consolidated LEP has been developed and is with the Department of Planning and Environment for review. “Once they give it the green light, it will need to go out to State agency and community consultation which is the appropriate process. “We need to undertake State agency consultation first, which does usually take a few months, so the draft LEP will be presented to the new council, and community consultation will follow. “This Administration period has been all about preparing a solid foundation for the newly elected Council to build
on. “The consolidated LEP will do that by laying down the groundwork for a comprehensive review of planning controls. “The preparation of a comprehensive LEP is a longer process. “It will give us an opportunity to really look at the Central Coast as a whole and see what stand-alone planning controls are needed to continue to develop the Central Coast in a sustainable way.” Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Council was continuing the conversation with the development sector, the State Government and the community to deliver the housing and infrastructure to meet the growing community needs. “Feedback from our pop up and community strategic plan engagement stalls is that people want to see development moving, particularly in Gosford, that will create jobs and opportunities on the Coast. “We have planning controls in place which continue to facilitate development, as we work on a longer term solution that will see the Coast thrive and prosper.” Source: Media release, May 30 Central Coast Council media
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esidents of the Central Coast have until June 13 to write submissions on the Central Coast Council’s draft operational plan and budget for 2017-18.
The draft plan incorporates the actions Council proposes to undertake during the next financial year, including setting a budget, fees and charges, as well as detailing a capital works program to deliver infrastructure and services to the community. The draft Operational Plan and Budget for 2017 - 2018 can be viewed via links on the yourvoiceourcoast.com website. According to Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian
Reynolds, the 2017-18 capital works program will be $207.5m, a 13 per cent increase. Nearly 74 per cent of that will be spent on roads, transport, drainage, water, sewer, open space and recreation. A 93-page report details each capital project to be undertaken by Council in the next financial year. A second document gives a financial overview and states Council will spend $551m on essential services and a further $208m on assets. Council’s profit and loss statement, which compares the 2016-17 budget with the 2017-18 draft budget, indicates that while operating income from rates and annual charges is set to decrease by $4m, income from user charges and
fees will go up by $11m. Operating expenses reveal a $14.6m increase in employee benefits and on-costs, even though wages and personnelrelated expenses were held up by the NSW Government as an area expected to reap considerable savings for amalgamated councils. Other expenses, not defined in the document, are also set to increase by $27m. Capital grants and contributions, on the other hand, are budgeted to halve, declining from $51.5m in 2016-17 to $28.2m in the next financial year. Source: Draft operational plan and budget for 2017-18 Central Coast Council website
State Parliament to vote on a bill requiring a referendum on forced amalgamations
T
he NSW Labor Opposition has decided to support a bill requiring a referendum to be held on the forced amalgamation of councils, including Gosford and Wyong Councils.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Bill, was introduced into the Legislative Council on May 11.
The Bill would amend the Local Government Act to require binding referendums to be held in relation to all forced amalgamations in 2016. Even though former Gosford and Wyong councillors voted in favour of amalgamation, the Bill applies to all areas amalgamated by proclamation in 2016. “If a former council area votes to demerge, then it will be the legal
responsibility of the Minister to ensure that this happens,” said Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr Peter Primrose. “NSW Labor does not support forced mergers, nor do we support forced demergers,” Mr Primrose said. Source: Media release, Jun 1 Media statement, Jun 1 Amanda McCormack, office of Peter Primrose Jackie Pearson, journalist
Page 11
NEWS
June 6, 2017
S
Petition calls for preservation of Ourimbah Station Master’s cottage
tate Member for the Entrance, Mr David Mehan, presented a petition with over a thousand signatures to the State Parliament this week calling on the State Government to stop the demolition of the Ourimbah Station Master’s cottage and preserve the heritage listed building.
The building sits on both Central Coast Council’s heritage list and Transport NSW heritage list, but it is not included in the state-wide list, leaving it vulnerable to demolition. After a community campaign garnered wide support, the State Government put a temporary freeze on demolition
that is one of the last original constructions from 1887 in Ourimbah,� he said. “It’s of local historic significance and should be treated as such. “The State Government should be taking an active role in preserving this site and not throwing its responsibility away to community groups. “The six month freeze came as a result of the community making it clear to the government that they wanted to see the site preserved. “This petition is a further step that the government will have to respond to. “I encourage all interested parties to join the campaign and contact my office if I can be of any help or provide more copies of the petition,� Mr Mehan said.
Mr David Mehan, State Member for The Entrance with Ourimbah resident Ms Di Willard at the cottage
and handed down a six month deadline for Council and
community groups to come up with a solution.
“Over a thousand residents have made it clear that they want the
Source: Media release, Jun 1 David Mehan, Member for The Entrance
cottage here to stay,� Mr Mehan said. “It’s a beautiful building
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NEWS
Page 12 June 6, 2017
FESL reversal causes administrative chaos T
he decision by the NSW Government to halt the introduction of the Fire and Emergency Services Levy (FESL) on properties has divided major stakeholders.
Central Coast Council announced in April it would be required to collect the FESL from property owners with rates. Previously, only insured property owners contributed to the funding for NSW Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service through premiums. It was proposed that from July 1, NSW Councils were to include the FESL on rates notices. The NSW Valuer General recently completed a review of all land values in NSW to align all NSW properties with a single valuation base date, so the FESL could be applied equitably. Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, confirmed that the levy was billed and collected by Council but passed on straight to the Government to fund fire and emergency services. In April, Mr Reynolds also confirmed that some ratepayers’ rates could be impacted by the levy. The introduction of the levy, heralded by proponents as the most significant reform of a generation, was aimed at reducing the cost of household insurance, and sharing the cost of emergency services more fairly, to bring NSW in line with other states.
Premier Ms Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer, Mr Dominic Perrottet on May 30 claimed the new way of collecting the FESL had been halted and was under review, to ensure that small to medium businesses did not face an unreasonable cost burden. Ms Berejiklian said in the majority of cases fully insured people would be better off under the new system, but it had become clear some insured businesses were facing unintended consequences. “We are a government that listens, and we have heard the concerns from the community, and we will take the time to get this right,” she said. Mr Perrottet said in a number of cases the lived experience had not matched the intention of the reform particularly for small and medium businesses. “The FESL is a complex reform and we always knew there would be challenges,” Mr Perrottet said. “We are committed to reducing NSW’s high rates of under insurance and to making the funding of our fire and emergency services fairer, but we want to get this right. “The FESL will continue to be collected via insurance policies until the NSW Government has completed its review, and the funding requirements of fire and emergency services agencies will be met in full.” The NSW Government’s decision to pull the pin on the new way of collecting the levy just days before it was supposed to
begin, has left some stakeholders reeling, with NSW Labor leader, Mr Luke Foley, describing the last minute ditch as an “eleventh hour backflip.” Mr Foley questioned why the FESL was put on pause and suggested the government had returned to the drawing board, spurred on by the backlash from disgruntled householders facing large increases in their bills in the adjustment. “Only now that the inequity of the tax has been exposed, has the Premier and her Treasurer been prompted to act. “There now hangs a question mark over the future funding of emergency services. “The latest backflip follows Mike Baird’s infamous change of heart on greyhounds last year, and the Premier’s U-turn on some Council amalgamations.” The NSW Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) said any review of FESL must not trigger changes to funding guaranteed to rural fire fighting services. “The RFSA is a supporter of the previous model of collecting the levy through insurers, and was very vocal about the pitfalls of changing to a levy implemented on property holders,” RFSA President, Mr Ken Middleton said. “However, with the government’s strong commitment to follow other states into a property-based model, the RFSA worked closely with the government to secure the best interests of its members. “The Treasurer provided
us with a commitment that changes to the way the levy is collected and administered will not impact on our 74,000 volunteer and salaried rural fire fighters, and that any unspent allocations can be rolled into the next financial year. “If the Government wishes to review the means of collecting the FESL, that is their prerogative, but we have been provided with guarantees. “We know this is a government that listens, and they heard our concerns and opposition, but we need to make sure our commitments still stand.” Insurance Council of Australia’s Mr Campbell Fuller said: “The decision is a blow to NSW property owners, households, businesses and the broader state economy. “The Emergency Services Levy will continue to deter the community from taking out the insurance we all need. “The government now requires insurance companies to continue collecting the old Emergency Services Levy (ESL) beyond June 30, for an unspecified portion of the 2017-18 financial year. “It is concerning that no deadline has been set for recommencement of the reform. “It is a logistical and technical challenge that will cause confusion and increase premiums for policyholders,” Mr Fuller said. “The resumption of ESL collection will come with significant additional
costs that the industry will be forced to pass on in full to policyholders. “The NSW Government has had more than 18 months to design and implement its new FESL system. “Every other mainland state has abolished emergency services levies on insurance with little fuss. “Insurers have spent more than a year and tens of millions of dollars on consultants and technological system changes in preparation for the removal of the ESL from June 30. “The government’s failure to introduce its FESL on time calls into question the notion that emergency services should be funded separately rather than through consolidated revenue,” he said. The NSW local government sector welcomed the decision to halt the FESL. Local Government Minister, Ms Gabrielle Upton, advised the sector’s peak body, Local Government NSW (LGNSW), that the collection of the fire and emergency services levy would revert to the existing system. “The government had previously announced it would scrap the insurance contribution, replacing it with a new line-item levy on Council rate notices,” LGNSW President, Mr Keith Rhoades said. “The FESL was based on the unimproved land value of property across NSW. “However, the most recent land valuations
meant significant increases in contributions for many property owners. “Premier Berejiklian’s announcement that the government will not impose the FESL from July 1 provides an opportunity to pursue a true broad-based levy that replaces both the insurance and existing ratepayer contributions. “The local government sector recognises and supports the need to properly fund fire and emergency services, and has continued to work with the treasury on this. “Councils have already done a lot of work to comply with the government’s FESL legislation, and there will now be a need to undo this work, not to mention the associated costs. “While this is regrettable, the chance to get the levy right should be our focus,” he concluded. A spokesperson for Council confirmed that Council had been on track to collect the levy prior to the reversal and that Treasury had assured Council that they will be reimbursed for costs incurred towards implementation. Source: Media releases, Apr 26 and May 30 Central Coast Council Media Luke Foley, NSW Opposition Leader Keith Rhoades, LGNSW Campbell Fuller, Insurance Council of Australia Melissa Humphrey, NSW RFS Media statement, May 30 Dominic Perrottet, NSW Treasurer Media statement, May 31, Central Coast Council Media Dilon Luke, Journalist
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Page 13 June 6, 2017
NEWS
Sea Level Rise benchmark for Wyong is 75 per cent higher than it is for Gosford I
n less than one year, the Central Coast Council has created complete chaos in its approach to coastal zone management, according to STL local government election candidate, Mr Pat Aiken.
“We have 50 per cent of the scheduled coastal erosion hotspots for the entire state,� Mr Aiken said. “We are also hugely impacted by projections of rising seas, with up to 20,000 properties potentially affected by sea level rise, but there is no adaptation plan, and we have a lame duck council managed by a state government, ignorant of the projected impact of climate change on the Central Coast. “The latest debacle is a decision to implement a sea level rise (SLR) benchmark for the
northern beaches of the Central Coast, (formerly Wyong Beaches), that is 75 per cent higher that the SLR benchmark used for our southern beaches (formerly Gosford Beaches) and coastal flood plains. “The new Wyong Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) calls up the same old ideas of planned retreat, time limited development consent and draconian hazard notations on S149 Planning Certificates. “These flawed and dated concepts are very much in keeping with the Coastal Management Act of the State Liberal Government, with its out of date principles, which is still not proclaimed six months after being passed by the NSW Parliament. “The SLR Benchmark for Gosford is 200mm of SLR by 2050, but the new Wyong Benchmark
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is 340mm by 2050, two completely different benchmarks in the one Local Government Area. “Which benchmark will prevail under a newlyelected council after September 2017? “Why has Council only provided four weeks for residents to wade through a highly technical 689 page document, and why is it that only the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and Council have developed this new and copious document? “What happened to the committee process that includes community representatives? “The last time this now heavily revised CZMP was subjected to the scrutiny of the community was in 2011, six years ago. “With the proposed changes, the previous comprehensive process of community consultation should be undertaken again.
“Will the people of Wyong, with homes in low lying Tuggerah Lakes foreshore suburbs, once again be threatened by the heinous Wyong Council planning controls of 2010 that called for the removal of newly built homes after 40 years without compensation? “To successfully amalgamate two large Local Government Areas into one regional Central Coast Council (CCC), we need transparency in all matters. “We aren’t getting it. “Despite assertions by Central Coast Council that it is building a solid foundation for the new council, all we are seeing are future land mines being laid that will damage the social, environmental and economic fabric of the Central Coast. “The Central Coast Council, despite its own assertions, isn’t building a new and resilient Central
Coast Council that is fit for the future. “It is barely holding the fort. “The State Government will be handing over a basket case to Central Coast residents before it cuts and runs from
a debacle of it its own making, with assistance from an unelected council,� Mr Aiken said. Source: Media release, May 30 Pat Aiken, STL
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Report from the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Fire & Emergency Services Levy On the 30th May, the NSW Government announced the deferral of the FESL that was to be collected through the Council rate system commencing the 1st July. The government was not satisfied industrial and commercial properties were being fairly treated. The previous system of levy collection through property insurance resumes. First Home Buyers On the 1st June, Premier Berejiklian confirmed First Home Buyers will be exempt from Stamp Duty for new and existing properties valued up to $650,000 from the 1st July. Further discounts are available up to homes worth $800,000. Duty on Mortgage insurance will also be removed. The savings are calculated to be at least $20,000 for first home buyers. Awards for Central Coast RFS I attended the Award ceremony for the new combined Central Coast Rural Fire District. This includes the LGAs of Lake Macquarie and Central Coast. The ceremony was held at Doyalson RSL on the 21st May. I would like to congratulate all awardees, notably Gwendoline Deaves for her 50 years of service. I said in my remarks we must not forget the sacrifice of the families and partners of the RFS personnel who support the volunteers. Kangy Angy Rail Maintenance The Commonwealth Minister for the Environment has granted conditional approval for the proposal. The Department of Transport has put out for public comment an additional Species Impact Statement. This is open until the 30th June. To see the Federal EPBC approval, supplementary SIS and planning process for the Kangy Angy Rail Maintenance facility, please go to http:// epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/publicnoticesreferrals/ and search “2016/7681�.
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Energy The NSW Chief Scientist has released her Interim report “Initial Report from the Energy Security Taskforce�. The report shows NSW has a resilient, reliable electricity system, but it is coming under increasing pressure. The generation mix is changing. Consumption patterns such as high demand from air conditioners in late evening is challenging delivery. The Chief Scientist points out electricity supply must be affordable and reliable. Her report has seven recommendations the Government is considering. Go to http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/reports/nsw-energysecurity-taskforce/initial-report. Budget Treasurer Perrottet will hand down the State budget on the 20th June. NSW continues to be the strongest performing state in the nation. I am looking forward to a series of announcements for the Central Coast and on-going responsible economic management.
HEALTH Page 14 June 6, 2017
Council selects marketing company to deliver tourism services C
entral Coast Tourism has not been chosen as the successful tenderer to deliver tourism marketing services for the Central Coast.
The existing funding agreement between Council and Central Coast Tourism will cease from June 30. Central Coast Tourism held a Special General Meeting on Tuesday, May 30, to determine whether to wind up or find a way to continue beyond June 30. Newly-appointed Chair, Mr David Jewell, said the meeting was attended by 60 members out of the 250 member base. Central Coast Council CEO, Mr Rob Noble, attended the meeting and fielded questions. Mr Jewell said members were asked to vote on whether or not to wind up Central Coast Tourism and the vote was almost unanimous to find a way to keep the organisation going. He said one option may be to continue as a Local Tourism Organisation (LTO), a recognised tourism body to support local tourism operators. “That may work provided Council and the new operators recognised Central Coast Tourism as an LTO,” he said. “They are going to need some way to interface and work with tourism operators and we are already a representative body. “We approached Central Coast Council a
year ago about the need to invest more money so that we could deliver the services necessary to promote the region effectively, and we had a number of meetings with them.” Mr Jewell said the restructure of regional tourism in NSW meant that the Greater Sydney North area was now receiving funding that was previously received by Central Coast Tourism. “With that money not available, there were limited funds for Central Coast Tourism to continue to operate. “Council ... decided to increase its funding to $800,000 pa for the next two years, but said it needed to draw up a new contract and work through a tender process. “I said to our members that we all want the same thing, we all want tourism to grow so the region can be successful and thrive. “If Council has a better way to make that happen, then we should give them the opportunity, but the difficulty at the moment is that they don’t have a contract [with the preferred tenderer], so they can’t demonstrate who is going to deliver that better way, how they are going to do it, and there is some scepticism that they have got it right.” Mr Jewell said members at the meeting did ask such questions of Mr Noble. “Yes, they were asked of Mr Noble and, no, he wasn’t able to give specific answers. “They could’ve come
to us and said they were unhappy with the service we were delivering, that they were going to terminate our contract and go to the market, but ... we were never told that we were not doing a good job. “We have put various strategies, strategic plans and business plans in front of the Administrator. “Now our members are saying what is going to happen from July 1, when will this new provider be ready to go, we have businesses that need promotion for Spring, will they be ready? “Central Coast Tourism is an independent body that is partly funded by Council but also by the NSW Government and its members, and we have been spending over $1 million per year to deliver the services required. “We are a not-for-profit with volunteer directors, and now some marketing company is going to come in and spend rate payers’ money to promote tourism on the Central Coast,” Mr Jewell said. The nine staff employed by Central Coast Tourism have been given their termination notices. “The tender had very wide scope and asked for a lot of information, which we provided, and that is why we thought we were in the box seat. “We don’t know where we went wrong. “Our members give us $120,000 per year to work with and at the meeting they commented that no one from Council had asked them about the
All aspects of small building work and property maintenance
services provided or what the region needs. “The Central Coast had 4.3 million bed nights last year and tourism makes $860 million in revenue; it is ... not something to play with. “We will work with the new council and new operators ... but we are going into an election period and a new council, and the CEO and Administrator will be gone in a couple of months. “If this goes belly up there is a reputational risk to consider,” he said. Towards the end of 2016, Council called for proposals from qualified organisations to deliver tourism services, and received 14. None of the tenderers, including Central Coast Tourism, was announced by Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, as the successful organisation at Council’s May meeting. Council is now negotiating with the first ranked tenderer with a view to entering into a two year contract for the delivery of a marketing strategy and associated services to promote economic development and enhance tourism opportunities. Mr Reynolds said Council was committed to investment in tourism due to the huge benefits it delivers for the region. “Tourism is a significant industry on the Central Coast, employing over 12,500 people and generating over $900m a year,” Mr Reynolds said. “Council will increase
e Frkeeone! 1 May 2017
15 May 2017
Pearl Beach properties vulnerable, says coastal plan
Options such as building up a dune in front of the properties to create a buffer against storm erosion were “not likely to be feasible in this location”. Some of the properties already had erosion protection measures installed and the plan does allow for properties to complete erosion protection works. Such works would be completed
Peninsula exhibitors win at Royal Easter Show Ms Fitzgerald is a seasoned exhibitor at the Show and said she was thrilled with the result for her puppy Halley. “Dogs have been my passion for all my life,” Ms Fitzgerald said. “I’ve been showing dogs for
years and I’m a dog groomer by trade, but Halley represents almost 10 years of planning and effort and I’m delighted with the result at the Royal. “She exceeded all my expectations. “When she was placed in the Top 10 out of the 309 entrants for the category and then went on to win the title, I was amazed and so very humbled by the experience,” Ms Fitzgerald said. Since the Show, Ms Fitzgerald
and Halley have been competing at events across NSW, with the most recent being at the Deniliquin and District Kennel Club, which yielded three champion in show titles. Their recent success sees Halley ranked third on Dogzonline’s Rising Star list. Brisbane Waters High School were also big winners at the Royal Easter Show, winning Champion Senior Boar of Show as well as the Grand Champion Purebred Heavyweight Steer.
Riverglen Herman, the 260kg boar, is currently under the jointownership of the school and his breeders, Mr and Ms Richard and Heather Cole. Sheraton Skippy, the black limousin steer, 600kg, 14-month old Steer, fetched an impressive $8000 at the Show’s auction on April 6. Skippy was handled at the Show by Year 10 student Kynesia Stapelton. Mr Ron Unsworth and Mr
SOURCES: Media release, 16 Apr 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show Media Centre Interview, 16 Apr 2017 Chrissy Fitzgerald, Umina Reporter: Dilon Luke
THIS ISSUE contains 48 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
at the cost of the landowner and would require development approval by Council or the NSW Coastal Panel. Residents at a similar location on Wamberal Beach are currently in the Land and Environment Court challenging the NSW Coastal Panel’s deemed refusal of their application for protection works. The immediate and future erosion risk is identified as the main hazard to be addressed in this area of Pearl Beach. Post-storm management measures were included in the plan and beach scraping would be used to build up sand from the beach berm to re-establish protection to the erosion escarpment and assist natural recovery of the beach.
Dunecare groups would be encouraged to maintain and revegetate any existing dune after a storm “using appropriate endemic vegetation”. The recommendations in the Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan have been endorsed by Central Coast Council administrator Mr Ian Reynolds, but not yet approved by the NSW Government. Some strategies in the plan, such as dune care and dune revegetation, are to be completed across the whole new local government area, even though the former Wyong Shire had a completely different approach to coastal hazard management and its draft plan has not yet been
sent to the NSW Government for approval. If the plan is approved by the NSW Government, in the first few years of its implementation, Central Coast Council will be responsible for redefining a building line and development controls for development within a hazard zone for this portion of the beach. New buildings will be required to be built in a 2100 Stable Foundation Zone, which is not defined in the plan. In the long term, Council, NSW Government and landowners will be required to design erosion protection works which would be “implemented once the erosion escarpment reaches a set trigger distance from the building line” but
were “likely not to be required for several years”. No budget has been allocated for such works prior to 2025. The plan divides the management of Pearl Beach into four precincts. Precinct 1 covers the area south of Green Point Creek; Precinct 2 is the area between Green Point Creek and Middle Creek entrances; Precinct 3 is between Middle Creek and the Pearl Beach Lagoon outlet; and Precinct 4 covers the Coral Cres beachfront properties. SOURCE: Management Plan, 26 Apr 2017 Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone, Worley Parsons,
Group granted $100,000 to solve doctor shortage
Richard Mckay, the school’s agricultural department assistants, have been helping the students prepare cattle and pigs for the Show for 23 years. Mr Unsworth described Skippy’s win as the pinnacle of the cattle events at the show.
Source: Interview, May 31 David Jewell, Central Coast Tourism Media release, May 24 Central Coast Council media Media release, May 31 Central Coast Council media Jackie Pearson, journalist
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Multi-million dollar waterfront properties built on the beachfront dune in Coral Cres, Pearl Beach, are vulnerable to storm erosion and little can be done to protect them, a management plan adopted by Central Coast Council has found.
Ms Chrissy Fitzgerald of Umina has won the Best Baby Puppy of Breed title for her Finnish Lapphund Baby Puppy Bitch in the dogs section of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
tourism industry is great,” Mr Noble said. “Combined with Council’s increased investment, a new Destination Network with a purpose to capitalise on increased visitor growth opportunity, a new Destination Management Plan, and the advent of a new marketing approach to implement it – we are all hopeful that we can all head in the same direction to deliver more for our region. “The local tourism industry told us over 18 months ago that they wanted improvements on how tourism is approached with a clear message to create the environment for tourism to flourish. “That is what we are doing.” Council will work with Central Coast Tourism on the type of industry body and how it fits together with Council’s new service provider, who will be contracted to deliver a marketing strategy and associated program for the local tourism industry to promote economic development and enhance tourism opportunities on the Coast. Council is continuing discussions with the first ranked tenderer to enter into a two year contract commencing on July 1.
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Ms Chrissy Fitzgerald with her superstar Halley
Now servicing Gosford and surrounding areas
our direct funding of tourism to $800,000 a year and will also continue to contribute financially towards stimulating the visitor economy through events, sponsorship, care of the region’s natural attractions and major infrastructure projects. “Council is pleased with the response to the tender process which has seen high quality external agencies and organisations looking to be involved in tourism promotion for the Central Coast. “We are confident we have found the right organisation with the most effective strategy to deliver better economic returns and jobs for our growing region. “Together with the new external provider and Destination Network Sydney Surrounds North, Council will focus on the strong regional positioning of the Central Coast and the opportunity to capitalise on visitor growth.” He said details of the new provider and strategy to boost tourism will be announced once the contract is finalised. Following the Central Coast Tourism Special General Meeting, Council said it welcomed the local tourism industry body’s decision to continue as an industry body to input into the direction of the Coast’s tourism. Mr Noble said it was an exciting time for tourism on the Central Coast with more changes happening now than have happened in the past 20 years. “The passion and commitment of the local
A working group has been given $100,000 in the Federal Budget to find solutions to the Peninsula’s doctor shortage. The working group consists of three local doctors, two practice managers, a local nurse and Mingaletta’s health manager, as well as representatives of the government’s Primary Health Network, which extends as far as New England.
The doctors are Dr Paul Duff from Woy Woy, Dr Roger Molesworth from Ettalong, and Dr Cherie Castaing from Umina. The practice managers are Ms Cate Nesbitt from Woy Woy and Ms Jill James from Umina. The nurse is Ms Gaylene Parsell and Mingaletta’s health manager is Auntie Di (Ms Dianne O’Brien). The $100,000 will be managed by the Primary Health Network but the funds have been quarantined to address the needs of the
Peninsula. Primary Health Network CEO Mr Richard Nankervis said: “The funding will allow the network to develop both short and long term strategies to ensure people on the Peninsula are able to access to quality primary health care. “With a number of GPs nearing retirement, our short term focus will be on recruiting more full time general practitioners to the Peninsula. “Longer term solutions will
involve the network working with stakeholders to increase the number of GP registrars coming to the area and working with practices to implement strategies to increase the utilisation of other primary health care professionals. “For example, we know the use of practice nurses frees up a GP’s time so they can focus on more acute or serious cases.” Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks said: “The Network has found that at least five new
full-time equivalent doctors are needed locally. “This funding will help ensure the right resources are available to support this need,” she said. SOURCES: Media release, 10 May 2017 Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks Interview, 11 May 2017 Media statement, 11 May 2017 Scott White, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network Reporter: Jackie Pearson
THIS ISSUE contains 57 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
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An aerial view of the proposed nursing home site
An artist’s impression of the proposed development
Application to build nursing home on bush block A Section 96 application has been lodged to modify a consent given by Gosford Council in 2007 for a development on a 1.6 hectare block on the corner of Hillview St and Veron Rd, Woy Woy. The change would see the development change from a 56unit retirement village to a 160bed nursing home, costing $27.85 million. The block contains a protected stand of Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland endangered ecological community. Thompson Health Care lodged the application on April 13 for a Section 96 amendment to allow a modification for the land to be used as a “residential care facility”. Due to the value of the proposed development exceeding $27 million, it will be subject to approval by the Joint Regional Planning Panel. The residential care facility would include resident recreational spaces, staff and operational facilities and 53 car spaces in addition to 160 beds over three storeys. Central Coast Council must be satisfied, under Section 96 (2) of
the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, that the development to which the modified consent relates is substantially the same development as that for which consent was granted. If the application is not for substantially the same development then the developer would be required to submit a fresh Development Application. The capital cost of the modified development would be $27.85 million. The Statement of Environmental Effect lodged with the Section 96 application said that the land was “partly occupied by remnant Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland … contained within a designated bushland protection/conservation area. Gosford Council holds a positive covenant over the land which spells out an environmental management plan for the bushland. “The approved development footprint and internal roadway access has been cleared of remnant vegetation,” the developer’s Statement of Environmental Effect said. The proposed nursing home would provide the 160 nursing home beds in 152 rooms including a 20-room dementia wing.
The new application takes the approved built form from two to three storeys, reduces basement car spaces from 70 to 52, redesigns the main reception/entry and “maintains the existing approved site bushland/conservation area”. According to the developer, “the overall size of the approved building footprint is being slightly reduced (-206 square metres) as a portion of space that was previously approved as part of the internal building envelope is being converted into external, ground-level, open-courtyard landscaping”. The building footprint would be reduced from 3164 square metres to 2958 square metres but the addition of a third level would increase the gross floor area from 6427 square metres to 9164 square metres, increasing the floor space ratio from 0.55:1 to 0.79:1 (still under the 1:1 allowed for seniors housing). According to the developer’s statement, there is no maximum building height applicable to a residential care facility on the subject land so Council can use its discretion as to whether or not it modifies the consent. The height of the built form will increase “slightly” to accommodate
a third residential level and the steeply pitched roof is proposed to be modified to a flat roof form. Gosford’s LEP2014 has a maximum permissible building height of 8.5 metres which both the approved and proposed developments would exceed. The developer has asked Council to allow the proposed building height on the basis they believe it “does not result in a significant increase in bulk and scale when compared with the approved development… is not visually evident from the public domain…sits well below the surrounding tree canopy… and does not result in any overshadowing.” During 2006 and 2007, a proposal to develop seniors living for 41 dwellings on the site with community and recreational facilities was refused by Gosford Council. The refusal was then upheld by the Land and Environment Court. Gosford Council then approved a revised application for the development of 37 self-care units, a community hall and indoor swimming pool. Five subsequent modifications to the approval increased the number of units in the development.
The original consent was modified on five occasions, the last permitted 56 sole occupancy dwellings, community hall, indoor swimming pool, 70 car spaces, car wash bay, ambulance space and the bushland protection/ conservation area. The approved built form included a basement car park, two residential levels and a high pitched roof. The land was advertised for sale in late 2015. At that time Gosford Council stated that “Section 95 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 states that a DA is valid for five years from the date of approval. “As such, this DA would now have lapsed, however, if the landowners can demonstrate that there has been physical commencement on the site, the DA may still be considered valid. “The onus is on the landowner to prove that physical commencement has occurred and for this reason, council cannot provide a definitive response.” Continue Page 3
THIS ISSUE contains 36 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
25 years building experience
0414 486 515 NSW Building Lic #215846c
www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
Page 15 June 6, 2017
NEWS
Stamp duty reduced for first home buyers T
he NSW State Government has announced a comprehensive package of measures which will give first home buyers in the Central Coast a fair go at owning their own home by reducing stamp duty.
Under the changes, first home buyers of existing and new properties costing up to $650,000 will be exempt from paying stamp duty, and buyers of first homes worth between $650,000 and $800,000 will receive stamp duty discounts, from July 1. NSW Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, announced the reforms on June 1 as part of a plan for NSW residents to be able to own their own home. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, said residents trying to save for their own home on the Central Coast will benefit from the reforms. “While there are no easy solutions when it comes to housing affordability, residents who are saving to own their own home on the Central Coast will benefit greatly from these reforms”, Mr MacDonald said. “One of the biggest hurdles for first homebuyers on the Central Coast is stamp duty. “That is why we will abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers on the Central Coast. “These changes will provide savings of up to $24,740. “We are also changing the rules around foreign investment.
“By doubling the foreign investor surcharge, we are putting local families first. “To better meet demand, we also need more homes built throughout Sydney. “The Government will enable this with faster approvals for well-designed homes that maintain the local character of our community, together with simplified planning rules. “We also need improved infrastructure to support our new housing, so we will provide support to local councils to deliver more local infrastructure and access to $3b from Government, Councils and developers. “These are just some of the measures we are introducing to give first homebuyers a fair go,” Mr MacDonald said. Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, said any relief will help as long as it provides opportunities for first home buyers. “For most young families, the dream of purchasing and owning their own home is almost out of reach, and that is why the Government needs to introduce a total package that addresses home ownership as well as the rental market. “Under a Labor government, a quarter of all dwellings built on government-owned land would be designated affordable housing. “In Wyong there are so many estates being built and we would like to see a control in place where 90 per cent of those properties are sold at market value, and the remaining 10 percent be designated affordable housing. “Elements from Labor’s proposed policy have
been used in these reforms, such as the increasing of stamp duty for foreign investors. “This government likes to criticise Labor’s policies, and then months later, recycle them as their own. “But I guess what can you say? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” Mr Harris said. The NSW Greens have come out against the reforms, saying that the Government has released a package that will do nothing to reduce prices and distracts from the problem of investor incentives in the housing market. NSW Greens’ Spokesperson on Housing, Ms Jenny Leong, said the package will have little impact on the housing affordability crisis. “Improving affordability and security for people who rent will make a big difference for the people who are trying to buy, as well as for the growing number of people who now see home ownership as completely out of reach. “There’s a huge demand for genuinely affordable rental housing in NSW and the market is just not delivering. “The Premier and the Planning Minister can deliver that through ambitious and mandated affordable housing targets in all significant new developments,” Ms Leong said. Source: Media release, Jun 1 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald Interview, Jun 2 David Harris, Member for Wyong Media release, Jun 2 Jane Garcia, the Greens NSW Jarrod Melmeth, Journalist
Other Regional News - In brief 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.
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Peninsula News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2256 & 2257.
Application to build nursing home on bush block
Car struck by train
Booker Bay cemetery rejected
A Section 96 application has been lodged to modify a consent given by Gosford Council in 2007 for a development on a 1.6 hectare block on the corner of Hillview St and Veron Rd, Woy Woy.
Police are investigating after a car was struck by a train when the vehicle got stuck on the tracks at the Rawson Rd level crossing on May 12.
A proposal to list Booker Bay cemetery in Bogan Rd on the Gosford planning scheme has been rejected by Central Coast Council after objections from residents.
Council to apply for emergency dredging
I want to be ‘catalyst of change’, says Tesch
Council rejects seniors’ housing in Empire Bay
Central Coast Council will apply for emergency dredging of the Ettalong Channel, following a roundtable discussion chaired by Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Mr Scot MacDonald.
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has told State Parliament in her maiden speech on May 11 that her priority was “to be the catalyst for the positive change that the region is crying out for”.
Central Coast Council has rejected a planning proposal for seniors’ housing in Empire Bay Dr, Empire Bay.
Phil Westlake is farewelled
Conservationists question nursing home application
Council to establish design panel
The Australian Conservation Foundation Central Coast Branch has questioned the transparency and validity of a decision by Central Coast Council to consider a Section 96 variation on a five-
An Urban Design Panel will be established by Central Coast Council as part of the ongoing push to regionalise decision-making across the new Local Government Area.
The Pearl Beach Arboretum has farewelled Mr Phil Westlake who had been involved with the arboretum and the broader community for over 30 years.
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
JUNE 1, 2017
YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER - PH: 4325 7369
ISSUE 159
Coast Community News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2250, 2251 & 2260
JRPP refuses one large development and defers another
Duttons Hotel demolition has commenced
The Joint Regional Planning The demolition of the John Panel has refused a $26.7 Singleton-owned Duttons Hotel in million residential flat building Mann St, Gosford, has commenced. development in Bent St, Gosford, and deferred its decision on a $36.4 million, threetower
Government to re-open a dedicated Gosford NCAT
New climate change predictions have dire consequences New mapping of updated data on predicted sea level rise shows how vulnerable the Central Coast is to climate change and how poorly local, state and federal governments have prepared for
Council seems determined Council selects marketing to wind up Protection of the company to deliver tourism Environment Trust services
According to Central Coast Labor MPs, the NSW Government’s decision to reopen a dedicated NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) offi ce in the Gateway Centre, Gosford, is a
Central Coast Council has sought legal advice and is considering taking action in the NSW Supreme Court to have the former Gosford Council’s Protection of the Environment Trust (POET) wound
Central Coast Tourism has not been chosen as the successful tenderer to deliver tourism marketing services for the Central Coast Council.
Greens call for councillor candidate transparency
Extensive review of Council’s grants and funding programs underway
Draft Local Environmental Plan sent for gateway approval
The new Central Coast Council is moving forward with a redesigned sponsorship and grants program for the whole Local Government Area.
The unelected Central Coast Council has sent a draft Local Environmental Plan for the whole new LGA to the NSW Department of Planning for gateway approval prior to being exhibited for public
The Central Coast Greens have commenced preselection of candidates for the fi rst election of the Central Coast Council in September and declared that their candidates will run on a platform
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.
ONTHEBEAT
Page 16 June 6, 2017
Teacher caught viewing child pornography
T
he Tuggerah Public School teacher who was caught viewing child pornography in the school’s staffroom in June last year, has been sentenced to a 21 month Intensive Corrections Order, after further investigations yielded a massive collection of child abuse material.
Mr Rhys McGregor of North Avoca, pleaded guilty in Wyong Local Court on May 15 to three counts of possessing child abuse material. Mr McGregor was found out by the school’s Principal, who suspected Mr McGregor had been using the school’s computers to search for pornography, after she found him flustered and uncooperative in the staffroom on a weekend in June, 2016. The police facts report state that, upon
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.
entering the staffroom, the witness observed a woman’s profile on the screen before Mr McGregor attempted to block the screen from her view, before shutting the computer down a short time later. Other documents tendered in court reveal the Principal, upon advice from the NSW Department of Education, quarantined the staffroom computers before contacting Wyong Police Department. A NSW Department of Education Security Unit Information Technology Investigator confirmed
that images depicting naked children ranging from 4-17-years-old had been located on the staffroom computers following examination in August 2016. After obtaining a warrant to search Mr McGregor’s home, police seized a USB drive, a laptop and a desktop computer. Examination revealed the devices held more than 100 images of child abuse, including images of a primary school aged girl engaged in an indecent act with a man. Nine months of Mr McGregor’s 21 month Intensive Corrections Order are attributed to the USB drive, with the desktop and laptop computers each adding six months. Mr McGregor formally resigned from his role as a teacher in November 2016. Source: Court notes, May 16 NSW Department of Justice Dilon Luke, Journalist
72-year-old Kangy Angy man kicked by a horse
A
72-year-old Kangy Angy man sustained chest injuries when he was kicked by a horse on April 30. CareFlight’s rapid response rescue helicopter was tasked to Kangy Angy shortly
before 4pm, landing in a field next to the property. CareFlight’s specialist doctor and critical care paramedic treated the man at the scene before transferring him to the helicopter with
the assistance of NSW Ambulance crew. He was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition for ongoing treatment. Source: Media release, Apr 30 CareFlight Media
Wilfred Barrett Drive safety upgrade underway
W
ork on the $ 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 safety upgrade of Wilfred Barrett Dve, Norah Head, was expected to commence on Monday, June 5.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, recently announced the commencement of the work.
He said funds had been allocated by the NSW Government for the safety upgrade through the NSW Safer Roads Program to improve safety for motorists south of Denison St. “In the five years to June 2014, there were five crashes at this location, all resulting in injury, including three crashes where a vehicle veered off the road,” Mr MacDonald said.
“This work will involve shoulder widening and installing kerb side safety barriers around the curve, south of Denison St. “Cyclist safety will also be improved with a new southbound cyclist lane provided.” Work is expected to be completed in five weeks, weather permitting. Source: Media release, May 31 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald
Pizza Hut robber arrested
A
man was charged f o l l o w i n g investigations into an armed robbery at a pizza restaurant in Charmhaven in March. At about 8.55pm on Sunday, March 12, police will allege that a man entered the Pacific Highway business armed with a knife. He allegedly threatened a number of staff members before running from the location with an amount of cash. Detectives from Tuggerah Lakes LAC attended the scene and commenced an
investigation. On Monday, May 1, police allegedly attempted to stop a 30-year-old man who was driving a confirmed stolen vehicle in a shopping centre carpark in Lakehaven. A number of attempts were made to stop the Toyota Prado and a pursuit was initiated but quickly terminated. At about 4:40pm, police noticed the Prado parked in the driveway of a home on Eden Cl, Kanwal. Officers from Tuggerah Lakes entered the house
and arrested a 30-yearold man. He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences including robbery while armed with an offensive weapon, fraud, traffic offences including disqualified driver and engage in police pursuit, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was refused bail and will appear in Wyong Local Court on Wednesday, May 3. Police are continuing their inquiries. Source: Media release, May 2, NSW Police Media
Fatal accident on off-road bikes
A
t about 4pm Sunday, April 30, two men, aged 49 and 30, were riding motorcycles in b u s h l a n d approximately one kilometre south of the intersection of
MAY 4, 2017
YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
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ISSUE 157
Fifty six fully approved developments each valued at over $1.5 million in Gosford G
osford could be on its way to being the $1.6 billion city, but several key developers are running out of time to commence their projects. A map prepared by Central Coast Council’s Environment and Planning Team shows the site of every approved development in Gosford City with a value of $1.5 million or more. That includes 22 development sites on the west side of the train line and another 34 approved DAs east of the train tracks. The total value of those 56 developments, according to Central Coast Council, is $1.6 billion. “Council has laid down the platform to encourage development and the revitalisation of the Gosford CBD,” said Group Leader, Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox. Mr Cox said Council’s vision is to see Gosford become a “vibrant, smart, regional living city centre, and we will continue to lay down that foundation, particularly with the Central Coast Regional Plan that looks into the five different precincts in the Gosford CBD, and we will look at doing further planning around the five precincts,” he said.
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A map showing all approved developments valued at $1.5 million or over in Gosford City
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Source Central Coast Council
Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
Summerland Rd and Kanangra Dve at Gwandalan.
collided. The 49-year-old man died at the scene. The 30-year-old man was taken for mandatory blood and urine testing.
Both males were north of Kanangra Dve, when the motorcyclists
MAY 18, 2017
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ISSUE 158
Source: Media release, May 1 NSW Police Media
JUNE 1, 2017
St Hilliers chosen to develop the remainder of the former Gosford PS site T
he NSW Government nt has announced d St Hilliers as thee successful proponent to o acquire and develop thee remaining 1.1 hectaress d of the former Gosford Public School site.
The remaining land was soldd for $9.5 million. NSW Minister for Finance, e, Services and Property, Mr the Victor Dominello, said the the announcement meant the step State Government was a step on closer to delivering its election commitment to relocate 3000 government jobs to Gosford. Property NSW confirmed salee contracts had been exchangedd nt with St Hilliers and settlement was due towards the end of 2017. Work on the mixed-usee as commercial building was expected to commence by thee end of May. “There is no timeframee nt confirmed for the development of the remainder of the site,”” according to a Frequently Asked Questions document produced by Property NSW. “There are no restrictions on any further sale of the land,” a statement from Property for NSW said. “Any subsequent sale of the land would be a matter for St Hilliers,” it said. Mr Dominello announced that the Australian-based property and construction group had been chosen to develop the site, which would include the new 7,000 square metre mixed-use commercial building at 32 Mann St. “This is a big win for Gosford, and the project will provide the area with long overdue commercial development that will provide new jobs and economic stimulus,” he said. “Not only will the development
St Hilliers has paid over $9m for the remaining 1.1 hectares of the former Gosford Public School land Photo Noel Fisher
ion jo create construction jobs, but the building’s employees will engage with local traders, retailers and eateries, which is good news for small business.” The mixed-use commercial building will accommodate public servants from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation from late 2018. The development is expected to create 90 construction jobs and more than 330 ongoing indirect jobs, and inject an additional $1.4m in retail expenditure to the Gosford CBD, and a further $4.2m to the broader region per annum. St Hilliers has more than 20 years’ experience in major developments, including 155 Clarence St, Sydney, the Thornton Precinct in Penrith and Atelier at Kingston Foreshore, Canberra.
Property NSW said it would work with St Hilliers and the Central Coast Council to realise the Government’s vision for the site. In terms of how Property NSW knows that St Hillier’s will deliver that vision, it issued the following statement: “As part of the detailed tender process last year, the successful proponent had to indicate how it would deliver on the NSW Government’s vision for the remainder of the site, including providing generous public open space, residential and retail and hospitality uses (cafes and restaurants). “This formed part of the Property NSW evaluation process and is consistent with the Central Coast Council’s Development Control Plan for the site,” the statement said. “The community will have
the opportunity to comment on the DA of each subsequent phase of development of the site as it is proposed,” the FAQ document said. The Gosford/Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce met with the NSW Government and St Hilliers. Chamber President, Ms Alison Vidler, said it had been “a very successful meeting …discussing the future of the site, local jobs and the company’s history with the area, including the building of Kariong High School”. According to Ms Vidler, the development had the potential to act as a catalyst to create ongoing economic and employment opportunities for the region. This development will provide employment opportunities and
support economic growth in the Gosford CBD,” Ms Vidler said. “Workers will be using local suppliers, traders, retailers or eateries before and after work or during their lunch hours, which is good news for local businesses,” she said. St Hilliers announced the success of its tender on its website, describing itself as the “successful proponent to develop a mixed-use precinct at 32 Mann St. “The first stage of the development will comprise a new commercial office building, with subsequent stages of mixed use residential and retail offerings,” the website said. St Hilliers described itself as an integrated property and construction group providing
expertise and service in design management, cost planning, civil and building construction, refurbishment, property development and funds management. “Our commitment to developing long-term, sustainable and collaborative relationships with our clients and our ability to deliver projects wherever our clients take us, has contributed to over 995 per cent of our business being through repeat clients,” bei the group’s website said. An interview request from Coast Community News was referred back from St Hilliers to Property NSW. The Expression of Interest and Request for Tender for the land were issued by Property NSW in the latter half of 2016 to seek private sector interest in delivering the DA building and develop the rest of the site. “St Hilliers was selected following an extensive tender process,’ said the FAQ document. It posed the question: “why did the Government seek to build on the old school site?” and responded: “As one of its 2015 election commitments, the Government committed to relocating at least 300 public sector roles from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation to Gosford by late 2018. “As the central agency responsible for management of the Government’s commercial accommodation requirements, Property NSW undertook a detailed assessment of the Gosford commercial market to determine existing and potential development sites able to accommodate the relocated staff by 2018. Continued page 3
Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
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ISSUE 159
JRPP refuses one large development and defers another he Joint Regional Planning Panel has refused a $26.7 million residential flat building development in Bent St, Gosford, and deferred its decision on a $36.4 million, threetower residential flat building at Albany St, Point Frederick.
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The decision to refuse the Bent St development was unanimous at the JRPP meeting in Gosford on May 25. The Determination and Statement of Reasons said: “The panel reviewed the council assessment report and did not agree with the overall environmental assessment, the balance of considerations under Section 79C of the EPA Act, and nor the recommendation to approve the application. “The Clause 4.6 Variation request to the maximum height of the building standard in Gosford Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014 was not considered to be well founded. “In particular, the panel noted that the arguments for ‘averaging’ the height standards to avoid significant variations in scale lead to a significant height noncompliance at the eastern portion of the site.” It said the resulting development would have led to an “unacceptable height transition to existing and likely future development in the area.
An artist’s impression of the refused Bent Street proposal
“There were no compelling environmental planning grounds to support the variation request and the panel did not accept the proposal resulted in a ‘better’ form of development compared to a proposal which complied with the height limit,” the determination said. The JRPP said the proposal was inconsistent with the following building height objectives: to permit building heights that encourage highquality urban form; to ensure that buildings and public areas continue to receive satisfactory exposure to sky and sunlight; to nominate heights that will provide an appropriate
transition in built form and land use intensity; and to ensure that taller buildings are located appropriately in relation to view corridors and view impacts, and in a manner that is complementary to the natural topography of the area. The panel also noted that, while the proposal did have the benefit of the 30 per cent bonus to the maximum height and floor space ratio due to Clause 8.9 of Gosford LEP 2014, the clause had since lapsed and that would affect the likely future character of the area, causing the height transition issues to become more pronounced.
“The proposed setbacks, in particular to the east and west boundaries, do not comply with State Environmental Planning Policy 65 and associated Apartment Design Guidelines. “The use of blank walls to ameliorate separation issues causes unsatisfactory visual impacts, amenity impacts and overall built form. “The internal amenity is not considered to be high, including bedrooms with borrowed light over living areas and no windows, non-compliance with sunlight access in the Apartment Design Guidelines and a general lack of openings for light and ventilation.
“The reliance on blank walls on the subject and adjoining sites, particularly to the east (assuming their redevelopment) would not result in a high-quality urban form. “The proposal leads to an unsympathetic interface with existing and likely future development. “The proposal does not adequately respond to or achieve design excellence as required by Clause 8.5 of the GLEP 2014. “The proposal is considered to be an over-development of the site…is considered to result in an isolated site to the
east, and while the applicant’s efforts and their response from Land and Housing Corporation is acknowledged, this should not obviate the need for an appropriate built form in the context of core planning controls and existing and likely future development in the surrounding area.” The JRPP also noted “various Development Control Plan (DCP) non-compliances including maximum building depth and setbacks.” It concluded the proposal would lead to adverse overshadowing and visual impacts to surrounding and adjoining land, part of which is directly attributable to the height non-compliance. “Approval of this application would not be in the public interest and would create an undesirable precedent due to the significant height noncompliance for a proposal not considered to exhibit design excellence and with no compelling justification,” the panel concluded. The DA was for an 80-unit residential flat building at 14 Bent St, Gosford. It included 14 residential levels, three basement car parking levels and 84 car parking spaces. The site is located on the northern side of Bent St between Watt St and Henry Parry Dve. Continued P3
Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au
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Page 17 June 6, 2017
FORUM
Coastal Management Plan Community Plan is planned retreat by stealth highly rcommended T FORUM A he draft Wyong Coastal Zone Management Plan (WCZMP) got extensive coverage in the last issue of the Wyong Regional Chronicle, but because the source was the Council’s own website, it missed the throwaway line of page 64: “In the longer term, Council’s risk treatment strategy is planned or managed retreat”.
This statement could be read in conjunction with an earlier statement which appears on page 63: “Council will not approve protection of existing assets or private development where the works could increase risks to other landowners or to community use of the coastal landscape”. This is a Catch 22 situation. How could protective works not impact neighbours or beach amenity? So if you live in a hotspot, when your foundations are threatened by erosion and you apply to build a protective sea
wall, the application will be rejected because it will impact on your neighbours and reduce beach amenity. You will then be issued with a demolition order and be required, at your own cost, to demolish and remove the debris from your block. You will then own a worthless block of land and be required, at your own cost, to move out and buy another property somewhere else. Council should come clean and explain what the impacts of planned retreat policy mean, before the draft WCZMP is adopted. Owners can then decide whether to stay, or to sell their property to unsuspecting buyers before property values plummet. This same theme underlies the Coastal Management Act and associated draft SEPP. It gives the community false hope of being able to erect protective works and then puts hurdles in the way so it can’t happen. And why did the
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government do it this way? Because it’s an easy way out for them. It’s an easy way to pass the buck to councils, on the grounds that each location is different and they are better placed to deal with their own location. And why will the council comply? Because they have no choice, because planned retreat is the cheapest solution for them. They can’t afford protective works. With planned retreat, all of the costs of demolition, loss of value, the cost of purchasing a new property, and cost of relocation are borne by the owners, ironically the bunnies who elected these people into their positions. The people at places like Hargreaves Beach should be particularly concerned, because the sand dunes are the highest point in the area and when the sand dunes erode, it’s all downhill from there. It’s no longer about foundation stability, it’s about storm surge severity inundating the hind dune area. When the first row of houses goes, there will be practically unimpeded overtopping with every storm. And, of course, damage from salt water is not covered by insurance. It also makes you wonder about the impacts on Noraville are after that. And that is exactly the problem we face at Blacksmiths Beach; the sand dunes are the only line of defence backed by low-lying residential areas. At least Lake Macquarie City Council is engaged in open collaboration with residents to develop adaption plans to defend their properties. I can’t see that happening at Wyong. It looks to me like planned retreat by stealth. Email, May 26 Frank Mieszala, Blacksmiths Beach
new, grassroots movement has emerged from Central Coast community members wanting to get party politics out of Local Government. If that idea appeals to you, visit the Central Coast Community Plan’s website, where you can read the 18 policy topics that the Central Coast community is being invited to develop. This is not a political party; it is a wide-ranging group of concerned Central Coast residents wanting better local government for their community. We Central Coast ratepayers have a once in a lifetime opportunity to help form our Council and set the standard of what we expect from them. As a contributor to the policies on Roads
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
FORUM and Transport, as well as Housing, I highly commend this initiative. At the meetings that started in 2016, people from all sides of politics met to begin preparing the Draft Community Plan, written deliberately for the first Central Coast Council election in September. Its purpose is to paint a preferred future for the Central Coast that candidates standing for election are encouraged to adopt. The Draft Plan is divided into 18 key policy areas
which can be accessed via the menu at the top of the website. Each draft policy area is connected to a live feedback form that allows you to comment and make suggestions directly to the editorial committee, who will review all feedback and amend the Draft Plan in real time, on the website. The final document will be published on August 1. You can comment on the Draft Plan as many times as you like up until July 15. There is also a Central Coast Community Plan Facebook page. Please have a look and consider your options for a community directed Central Coast Council or one run by party politics and self-interest. Where do you stand? Email, May 13 Gregory John Olsen, Empire Bay
Think before you vote A
s we approach the local election that will have profound impacts on the way of life for all Coast residents, I ask electors to think before voting for those who already have a dismal record on protecting our assets or having our welfare in mind. Those living in the former Wyong Shire have had financial hardships placed upon them through rate increases that failed to deliver. Gosford residents have had battle after battle to preserve their region and not have developers dump unwanted, unsustainable developments on their
FORUM foreshores. Yet even though the Central Coast Regional Plan may be seen as a directive of the NSW Government, be sure that there weren’t too many objections to it from either former council. The Central Coast has had a record of many elected representatives being convicted for corruption, investigated by ICAC or just plainly lining their own pockets. The residents of the newly formed Central Coast Council have a unique opportunity to sweep the carpet clean and elect true community representatives. We have a history of
flamboyant councillors who want to tick all the right boxes, in favour of their pet projects. Many were so called independent representatives looking at survival through stealth, by supporting anyone, as long as they got the numbers required to become a councillor. Having mates, buddies or family members run on electoral tickets, just to secure their numbers to reign, is not what I want as an active community member. Think before you vote, do your homework, and make sure the one you vote for is not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Email, May 30 Gary Blaschke OAM, Lake Munmorah
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HEALTH Page 18 June 6, 2017
New NDIS registered disability service provider opens N
DIS registered disability service provider, Leapfrog Ability, has opened its first Central Coast office in Wyong. Celebrating its 20th year of supporting people living with disability across the Greater Hunter region, Leapfrog has broadened its sights on providing the same level of care to residents of the Central Coast. It will initially offer NDIS plan coordination, speech therapy, psychology and behaviour support, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. “This is a chance for Leapfrog to share its considerable knowledge,
experience and connections to people on the Central Coast who are looking for innovative, flexible solutions to get the best outcomes from their NDIS Plans,” said Leapfrog Ability CEO, Mr Bruce Mulligan. Leapfrog Ability is also celebrating 10 years since its Fair Go for Kids charity was established. Local organisations keen to help were integral to fundraising efforts and became known as The Hunter’s Kindest Companies, and now wear that badge of honour each year thanks to their ongoing generous support. “Fair Go for Kids has been a very successful
and valuable charity in our community, helping children who otherwise might be falling through funding gaps” Mr Mulligan said. “To extend this opportunity to residents of the Central Coast means we can provide relief to more children with special needs, which also has important flow-on effects to their families,” he said. “It’s also a great chance for local organisations on the Coast to become involved through fundraising or providing in kind support.” Source: Media release, May 31 Sacha Palich, Leapfrog Ability
Calls for stand-alone palliative care facility he community group known as Elsie’s Retreat is dedicated to campaigning for a s t a n d - a l o n e palliative care facility on the Central Coast.
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Spokesperson for the organisation, Ms Anne Charlton, said: “Elsie was a registered nurse who died in a nursing home inappropriately, in pain, and her neighbour and good friend realised that it was not OK. “As a result of Elsie’s death, the Lions Club of Tuggerah Shores took on fund raising for a standalone palliative care facility for the Central Coast,” Ms Charlton said. “Elsie’s Retreat is comprised of various members of the community who have all come together with a joint cause to support quality palliative care services for local residents regardless of their age or circumstances. “We have a terrific community based service at the moment, but it is stretched to its limits. “We are the largest region in NSW that does not have its own standalone palliative care unit.” Ms Charlton said the needs of the patient, family and carer during their end of life period vary over time and care setting, so services need to be responsive, coordinated and flexible in meeting those changing needs. “We propose to establish a specialty sub-acute stand-alone Palliative Care Unit on the Central Coast to provide a group of services in the continuum of care required for patients experiencing a life-
limiting illness within the Central Coast Local Health District. “A stand-alone unit is a cost-effective solution to house a dedicated Palliative Care multidisciplinary team to meet patients’ end-of-life preferences and needs,” she said. The Elsie’s Retreat campaign is similar to that mounted by the local community to establish the now highly successful Central Coast Cancer Centre at Gosford. “Similar Australian models to our suggested approach have demonstrated consistent improvement in patient outcomes and experiences in Palliative Care Outcome Collaboration (PCOC) data, reduced need for transfer of patients at end-of-life, staff and patient survey data and individual patient stories collected. “Conversely, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care undertook scoping and preliminary consultation work to identify the key factors affecting the quality of end of life care when patients are admitted into acute hospital beds. “The study found that acute care focusses on diagnosis, treatment, cure and discharge rather than end-of-life care. “Deaths are evaluated in terms of unexpectedness and potential preventability, rather than on quality of end of life care. “Care is frequently provided by strangers and in urgent circumstances with a lack of holistic approaches. “This approach does not provide the necessary,
impeccable care to the dying patient that the patient, families and our community expect and deserve. “The service as described could potentially either be run as part of the Local Health District such as the stand-alone specialty sub-acute Palliative Care Unit at Wauchope District Memorial Hospital, or by an Affiliated Health Organisation (AHO) such as the Mater in Newcastle.” According to Ms Charlton, the cost of keeping a patient in an acute hospital bed was $1800 per day compared to $1000 per day for a palliative care hospice staffed by palliative care specialists (nurses and doctors). The investment by the State Government would be in the region of $4.5 million per year but would be offset by the reduced requirement for acute beds, ambulances and would free up the existing burden on the region’s emergency departments. The Rotary Club of Umina has also offered its support for the fund raising and awareness raising efforts of Elsie’s Retreat. “Members of our committee are speaking to service clubs and organisations across the community every week at the moment. “There is nobody who has told us it is a bad idea.” Ms Charlton said the Elsie’s Retreat committee would shortly be organising a charity ball. Source: Presentation notes, Apr 24 Interview, Apr 26 Anne Charlton, Elsie’s Retreat Jackie Pearson, journalist
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Page 19 June 6, 2017
Over 2,700 children at risk on the Coast were not seen by a caseworker T
wenty one per cent of children on the Central Coast reported to NSW Community Services do not receive faceto-face assessments from NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) caseworkers, but the number of child protection position vacancies has doubled in three months.
According to the latest data released by FACS, the number of vacant child protection caseworker positions has doubled while the demand for frontline services to assess children at risk continues to climb. There were 20 vacant child case worker positions in the local FACS District in the March 2017 quarter, according to the Community Services Caseworker Dashboard, but only 10 in the December 2016 quarter. The jump in the number of vacancies has taken place since Minister, Ms Pru Goward, has returned to the FACS portfolio.
The figures have also revealed that between January and December 2016, 3,454 children at risk of significant harm in Central Coast, 77 per cent in total, did not receive a face to face assessment by a caseworker. Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Ms Tania Mihailuk, said she called for Ms Goward to urgently fill the vacant caseworker positions and prioritise child protection. Ms Goward had a lamentable record in the FACS portfolio, according to Ms Mihailuk. “Under Pru Goward’s watch, the Hunter and Central Coast regions have the worst face to face assessment rate in the state, with four in five children at risk of harm not being seen by a caseworker,” Ms Mihailuk said. “Pru Goward has clearly not learned from her past mistakes that cutting back on the number of caseworkers will only lead to worse outcomes for vulnerable children,” she said. “These shocking statistics are a clear indictment that Pru Goward has failed to prioritise keeping at risk
children safe from harm since returning to the FACS portfolio.” Prior to being dumped from the portfolio in April, 2014, Ms Goward cut more than $180m and 110 full time caseworkers in her first year in the job, and failed to fill 2,068 full-time caseworker positions in 2012, despite having promised to do so, Ms Mihailuk said. These statistics came off the back of the Coalition Government slashing more than 219 jobs and $22m dollars from the statutory child protection budget in the past two years alone. “It is appalling that 77 per cent of children on the Central Coast reported to be at risk of significant harm have failed to receive a face to face assessment from a caseworker,” said Member for Wyong and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris. “This Government is continuing to ignore the needs of vulnerable children on the Central Coast,” Mr Harris said.
HIV testing encouraged C
entral Coast Local Health District has encouraged people to have a test during HIV Testing Week from June 1 to 7, with testing now easier and faster than ever before.
District Medical Director of HIV and Related Programs, Dr Debbie Allen, said around 10 per cent of people with HIV in NSW may be unaware they have the virus, a statistic NSW Health hopes to change. “As well as risking their own health, people with undiagnosed HIV infection are at risk of passing the virus on to others without knowing,” Dr Allen said. To make testing for HIV easier, the NSW Government has launched the Dried Blood Spot HIV test, which is a free, easy, private and accurate way to test for HIV at home. “With almost 10,000 people in NSW living with HIV infection, HIV testing is vital because HIV is often transmitted by people who don’t know they have the virus,” Dr Allen said. “We need people in groups at risk of HIV to test regularly so they can
Dr Debbie Allen receive early treatment Aboriginal woman and and prevent transmission don’t fit the stereotype of HIV to others,” she of someone who is HIV said. positive. Watanobbi woman “There is still a lot of Michelle was diagnosed stigma and discrimination with HIV 27 years ago, out there, and I think it’s after an accidental so important for positive transmission from her people to be supported late husband. by the health sector, their “I was diagnosed in community and within 1990 and given 10 years their own families, too. to live. “It’s not a death “I didn’t know if I’d see sentence anymore, and the more people get my children grow up. “I began treatment in treated early, the faster 1997, starting with up to we can eliminate HIV 30 tablets a day, and now transmission altogether,” she said. I am on four. Dr Allen agreed: “Treatment has “Achieving high levels of become so much better testing, treatment, and for people over time, and now the virus is down to maintaining safe sex undetectable levels for practices are key if we are to achieve our ambitious me,” she said. Michelle believes that target of ending HIV getting a diagnosis and transmission by 2020.” starting treatment early is Source: critical. Media release, Jun 1 Central Coast “I am a heterosexual Casey Virgin, Local Health District
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EDUCATION
Page 20 June 6, 2017
University Organisational Review to result in thirty less positions taff from the O u r i m b a h Campus of the University of Newcastle (UON) are still waiting for answers about job security from the e d u c a t i o n institution’s senior leadership, after an organisational review sparked fears of massive job cuts.
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UON Vice Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said the review was about refocusing the sector to ensure the university’s academic enterprise was the best it could be, but union officials have criticised the decision that potentially puts more than 100 positions amongst UON’s 1,700 full-time and casual professional staff at risk of being axed. The review was launched in November 2016, with results expected to be announced in April, but UON leadership were tight lipped regarding the outcomes, and this silence only worsened staff and union fears that job cuts were on the horizon. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has condemned UON leaderships’ handling of the review, and officials said staff have been in a state of limbo for weeks since leadership stopped staff consultations, regarding the review in April. “Recommendation from the external consultant hired to
undertake the review were due to be announced in April, but the review is seemingly in disarray,” an NTEU spokesperson said. “Promised weekly updates for staff dried up without explanation around six weeks ago, and reports suggest that the consultant has disappeared from campus. “UON has refused to reveal the ongoing cost of the review. “The $25m price tag for a recent similar review at the University of NSW is worrying. “Another external consultant has reportedly been hired to oversee the resultant organisational change. “It seems senior management is now outsourcing management,” the spokesperson added. A spokesperson for UON could not confirm whether or not professional staff positions at the Ourimbah Campus were at risk of being cut, but did confirm that UON leaders had met with staff on May 31 to discuss the outcomes of the review. In a media statement Prof McMillen reiterated that the review was all about positioning UON to take advantage of opportunities and to adapt to challenges in a rapidly changing higher education environment, and confirmed that at least 30 professional staff positions were getting the axe. “There are current global, technological,
professional and social changes which are disrupting many industries, including universities. “Against this backdrop, it is timely for the University to consider what changes may be required to meet the needs of the next generation of students and the future workforce. “After major consultation, a number of changes have been identified in our business service areas (marketing and communications, human resources, finance, Alumni and philanthropy, infrastructure and facilities services, strategy planning and performance, research and innovation, and assurance and legal services) to enhance business systems and practices and remove duplication. “The redesign of these areas will result in a net reduction of approximately 30 professional staff over the next two years, with a number of these reductions being realised through natural attrition and not filling current vacancies. “Formal consultation and change processes for the affected areas announced today will be staggered and commence from June 2017. ‘The outcomes of design work in our student-focused areas will be finalised later this year, including in Faculties, student support areas and IT
services. Prof McMillen said the design work in these areas had progressed well, and engagement and consultation will continue over the coming months. “This is an important time for our University. “The changes we make now reflect the ability of our university to adapt to the changing higher education landscape. “We are a strong university and we will continue to deliver worldclass education, research and innovation in the cities and regions we are proud to serve,” Prof McMillen concluded. The announcement was slammed by NTEU officials who questioned UON leaders’ management skills as the implications of the staff review played out throughout the launch of UON’s new million-dollar marketing campaign. “With great ceremony and no doubt considerable expense, UON launched their new branding campaign on May 15,” NTEU’s Ms Jenny Whittard said. “But all eyes are instead on the staff review, widely understood to result in imminent job cuts. “The negative impact of several years of poorly communicated, endless ‘restructuring’, and formalistic ‘consultation’ with staff and their union, after decisions have been made, has to stop. “Staff working conditions are student learning conditions, and continued attacks on one undermine both.
“No amount of rebranding can paper over that. “Last year’s ‘Your Voice’ survey of staff produced devastating evidence of staff disillusionment with senior management, particularly on how they handle change. “Senior management may not like that staff are disillusioned with their performance, but
responding with more spin and diversion, rather than substance and transparency, will further damage this important public institution,” Ms Whittard concluded. Sources: Media release, May 15 Jenny Whittard, NTEU Media statement, May 31 Joanna Harrison, UON Media Dilon Luke, Journalist
Mosque visited
Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College students at the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque ear 12 Studies of Muslim community at the Religion students mosque and gain insight from Tuggerah Lakes into Islam from an expert. They were able to Secondary College, engage in meaningful The Entrance Senior conversations about Campus, had the topics they had covered opportunity to visit in class. the Auburn Gallipoli The visit extended their Mosque recently. knowledge of the course This was an in preparation for the enlightening experience HSC. for the students who Source: had the opportunity to Newsletter, May 30 speak to a member of the Kirrily Harvey, Tuggerah
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Page 21
EDUCATION
June 6, 2017
Budgewoi win first round of debating challenge
Students undertake community activities as part of HSC
The Budgewoi Public School debating team Community and Family Studies students with their shoebox charity collections
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t u d e n t s undertaking Community and Family Studies for the HSC at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College have been collecting items to donate to local charities.
The Shoebox Collection was designed to help homeless people, and the focus was on socks and soup. Year 12 students, Jasmine Shaw and Lydia Littlefield, distributed items to Brightstart Preschool at Bateau Bay. The class also made a contribution to the May-
b-baby charity run by We Care Uniting. Students purchased clothing items for newborn babies and children to help vulnerable families on the Central Coast. Source: Newsletter, May 30 Kirrily Harvey, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College
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udgewoi and Gorokon Public Schools have met in the first round of the 2017 Premier’s Debating Challenge.
The topic was “homework should be banned for all students.� Budgewoi had to argue in the negative and take the view that homework should not be banned. The Budgewoi team
used its planning time wisely to come up with some excellent arguments against the topic of the debate and were fortunate enough
CHRONICLE
C
literacy workshops for Central Coast residents at libraries across the Coast this
June. “Hands on workshops are being presented by TAFE NSW to help
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readers feel confident in using an iPad or navigating social media,� a Council spokesperson said. Workshops include basic computer operations, iPad workshops and social media workshops. Workshops taking place in the former Wyong LGA are: basic computer operations, June 7, 1:30pm, Toukley Library; social media workshop, June 8, 1:30pm, Lake Haven Library; and, iPad workshop, June 28, 1:30pm, Lake Haven Library. Source: Media release, May 31 Central Coast Council Media
Issue 115
Issue 116
April 26, 2017
May 9, 2017
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Ms Julie Vaughan, Council’s Group Leader of Connected Communities, said that the process of putting the plan together was in the ďŹ rst of its critical phases.
“Between April and June, we will be using a range of avenues to gather data from the community about what it wants to see in the strategic plan,� Ms Vaughan said. “We are saying that here is your opportunity to shape the future of where you live,� Ms Vaughan said. “Do you want to help shape the future of the Central Coast, share your thoughts to help us create a shared vision and direction for the whole Central Coast? “We need to get this
right, we have got one opportunity. “Part of the challenge is making sure we get broad representation. “We need to plan as a region, but we also know that what is important to the community is their own local community and their own back yard. “We understand the plan needs to consider what is great about Kulnura and about Terrigal, but also what those residents imagine for the broader Central Coast. Continued on P4
“No strategic planning investigative reports have been submitted to Council to inform the proposed rezoning. “RU1 Primary Production is not an appropriate zone for the site, as this land is not suited for any rural activity other than the current existing use,� the report said. “Rezoning to RU1 Primary Production would create an isolated pocket of rural land. Continued on P3
Residents’ meeting calls for more EPA air pollution monitoring
A recent Council pop up at Bateau Bay is one of the ways Central Coast Council is engaging with the community to put together its new strategic plan
esidents young and old from every one of the Central Coast’s diverse and interconnected communities, are being asked to contribute to the ďŹ rst ever combined Central Coast Council 10-year strategic plan.
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Local Environmental Plan 2013 (WLEP 2013). A report from Council’s Planning Department to the Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Wycob’s request was “contrary to the existing strategic planning for the area as outlined in the Central Coast Regional Strategy (CCRS), North Wyong Shire Structure Plan, Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 and Council’s Settlement Strategy�. Other reasons given for the recommendation to decline the rezoning request included that
h e a t e d community meeting of residents who live near the Eraring and Vales Point power stations has called for the NSW Government to get serious about monitoring air pollution from coalďŹ red power stations.
A
Residents at the meeting in Wyee were angry that there was only
one EPA air pollution monitoring station on the Central Coast and it is located far from the power stations. The meeting called on the government to dramatically increase monitoring. Community members also expressed concern that the power stations would continue to pose a public health threat long after their scheduled closure in the next decade or so.
Issue 117 May 23, 2017
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Strategic Plan is Rezoning request by your chance to have quarry owner likely your say about the to be rejected A Coast’s future Wycob Pty Ltd wanted to have the property at 475 to 535 PaciďŹ c Hwy, Crangan Bay, rezoned from E3 Environmental Management to RU1 Primary Production, as part of a draft Major Amendment to the Wyong
entral Coast Council has partnered with TAFE NSW to deliver digital
Source: Newsletter, May 29 Kerrie Moore, Budgewoi Public School
WYONG REGIONAL
request by the owner of Crangan Bay Quarry to rezone 79 hectares of land, was expected to be declined by Central Coast Council at its ordinary meeting on April 26.
Free digital delivery workshops
to overcome their nerves and win the debate.
They called on NSW Environment Minister, Ms Gabrielle Upton, to make sure power station owners were held responsible for the costs of decommissioning, rehabilitating and managing their toxic legacy. “We urge the NSW Government to hold bonds to protect community health
OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
Continued on P5
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
ModiďŹ ed consent granted to $ 300m development odiďŹ ed consent has been granted to Development A p p l i c a t i o n 1 0 8 0 / 2 0 1 4 (DA1080/2014), for a mixed use development comprising shop top housing, a hotel tower, a multipurpose function space, a restaurant, a shopping centre and parking, and the demolition of several existing structures.
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This DA entails a complete overhaul of the existing Lakeside Shopping Centre, The Entrance, and adjoining land located at: 102-104 The Entrance Rd, 106110 The Entrance Rd, 96 The Entrance Rd, 100 The Entrance Rd, 118 The Entrance Rd, 1 Glovers Lne, 3 Glovers Lne, 19-21 Taylor St, 23 Taylor St, and the existing Lakeside Plaza (78-94 The Entrance Rd) and is valued at around $300 million. The proposal includes a new and expanded retail shopping centre, hotel and convention/function space and residential apartments, with two levels of basement parking. According to the DA’s Amended Statement of Environmental Effects 2015 (SEE), the proposal comprises: An expanded shopping centre from 5,000m2 to a total of
An artist’s impression of the development at the Lakeside Plaza site approximately 13,250m2, anchored by a new larger Coles supermarket. It will also include 270 residential apartments in a tower building on the corner of The Entrance Rd and Dening St., 168 residential apartments and 108 hotel rooms
in a tower building on the corner of Taylor and Dening St, and 48 residential apartments over three levels above the podium fronting The Entrance Rd. A restaurant and function/convention space in/with the hotel
lobby level is also proposed. The “Oasis� level below the lofted tower buildings will provide outdoor space and amenities. Car parking is provided for within two basement levels and a section of
rooftop parking. The project includes the creation of a piazza public space at the northern end of the site fronting Dening St, the creation of the Bus Hub on The Entrance Rd providing an attractive public transport area and creation of a publicly
accessible viewing platform on top of the tower on the corner of Taylor and Dening St. The 2015 proposal also stipulates total parking spaces generated through the development as 1,325 parking spaces. The original 2014 SEE proposal included: the expanded shopping centre at a total of 10,650m2, still anchored by a Coles supermarket, and 250 residential apartments in the building on the corner of The Entrance Rd/Dening St. It also included 110 residential apartments and 100 hotel rooms in a tower building on the corner of Taylor St/Dening St and 36 residential apartments over three levels above the podium fronting The Entrance Rd. Also included are the same plans for the restaurant/convention space, the Oasis, the piazza public space and the Bus Hub, but stipulated total parking spaces generated through the development as 1,375 parking spaces. The masterplan provided in the 2015 SEE lists the proposal as a staged development, with conceptual approval only, meaning no physical works have been authorised or approved by Council or the JRPP.
OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
Contunued P3
Coastal Zone Management Plan identiďŹ es areas at severe risk of erosion C
entral Coast Council has revised its Coastal Zone Management Plan for the northern coastal areas, extending 33km from just south of Catherine Hill Bay to Crackneck Point, and is seeking community feedback on the proposed changes. Council has worked with the NSW OfďŹ ce of Environment and Heritage to review the Wyong Coastal Zone Management Plan (WCZMP 2017) in response to changes to NSW legislation and improved information about coastal hazards. The Plan was placed on public exhibition on May 15 and will remain on exhibition until June 13. Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the draft plan aimed to address risks from coastal hazards and outline actions to improve the environmental and community beneďŹ ts for the Coast. “This process started under the former Wyong Council and we must
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The northern end of the Wyong coast showing areas of natural coast (green), hot spots (red), recreation and urban (yellow) “A plan for the former this plan is similar in move this plan forward to provide certainty for our Gosford City Council design and intent, we residents who live on the area has now been sent must and want to seek Coastline,â€? Mr Dowling to the Minister for the community feedback on Environment for ďŹ nal the changes. said. endorsement, but while
“Without a proper plan in place to cover our coastal areas, we cannot apply for State Government funding to help manage coastal hazards,â€? Mr Dowling said. After 2011, it was apparent that the potential risk from coastal and landslip processes was not clearly deďŹ ned. Council undertook a review of the hazards information to better deďŹ ne the coastal and geotechnical risks in the former Wyong local government area. The revised hazards mapping is documented in the draft WCZMP 2017 currently on exhibition. To assist the community to review the draft WCZMP 2017 and to discuss their concerns and ideas, community drop-in sessions will be held during the public exhibition period on Friday, May 26 (4:00pm to 6:00pm) at Tuggerah Lakes Community Centre, 1 Bay Village Rd, Bateau Bay, and on Monday, June 5 (6:00pm to 8:00pm) at The Entrance Community Centre, Building A Classroom, 15 Battley Ave, The Entrance. The Plan will be available for viewing at
Council’s ofďŹ ces and local library branches and at yourvoiceourcoast. com. Submissions will close at midnight on Tuesday, June 13. The CZMP for the northern part of the new Central Coast Local Government Area (former Wyong Shire) has been prepared by a different consultant to the plan for the former Gosford LGA, which has already been sent to the NSW Minister for ďŹ nal approval. According to the latest version of the Wyong CZMP, ďŹ ve locations within the former Wyong LGA are at severe risk from erosion and have been classiďŹ ed as erosion Hot Spots by the NSW Government. “To assist with how actions in this CZMP will be applied, the Wyong coast has been organised into four management precincts‌ deďŹ ned in terms of their different values and level of risk that ‌ support different levels and types of community usage, development, and ecological function, and which require different management intent and actions. Continues P5
OfďŹ ce: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
Wyong Regional Chronicle is your paper, focussing entirely on the former Wyong Shire. Keep fully informed of all activities affecting where you live. 17,000 copies are published every two weeks, on alternate Tuesdays, and distributed to hundreds of locations throughout the area. If you live in or are interested in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 or 2263, Wyong Regional Chronicle is the paper for you. Full colour tabloid newspaper with all the latest news Generous multiple booking and multiple publication discounts available to advertisers Special discount arrangements apply to not for profit organisations All A editions complete with photographs and advertisements are published on-line Free event diary, tide chart, not for profit organisation directory and emergency contact information included
Phone: 4325 7369
120c Erina Street, Gosford - PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 www.centralcoastnews.net - manager@centralcoastnews.net
OUT&ABOUT
Page 22 June 6, 2017
Upgrades to jetties and wharves underway W
ork is well underway on the upgrade of a popular fishing platform at North Entrance.
Library makeover completed L
ake Haven Library has received a makeover, with improvements such as a new service desk, self-service reservation station, a ‘Popular Reads’ section and an expansion of community space at the venue.
The $120,000 upgrade has also included installation of a stand up internet bar, featuring two express internet stations with quick search facilities, and the 12 existing public internet stations have been relocated and housed in purpose-built computer furnishings. New catalogues
have been be built into shelving, promoting accessibility for all library patrons. The library was closed for the alterations to take place but was due to reopen on June 1.
Terilbah fishing platform is located on the northern side of The Entrance Bridge in a reserve along the edge of Tuggerah Lakes. The platform was in need of repair and these works will help us to stop the erosion of the bank and surrounding areas, and prolong the life of the platform. Works include
Entrance. The new look platform is expected to be open in July. Council also have a number of other upgrades to jetties and wharves planned for the Coast. These include the final phase of designs for the replacement of the jetty at Diamond Head Dve, Budgewoi and the construction of a new boat ramp and jetty adjacent to the Hot Water Outlet in San Remo. Source: Media release, May 9 Central Coast Council Media
Knitters gathering for annual Knit in Day
Source: Media release, May 9 Central Coast Council Media
K
nitters across the Central Coast are gearing up for the annual Knit in Day, which is held on August 4, in an effort to make and distribute wraps to those in need around the world.
The Central Coast knitting and crochet groups involved in the annual Wrap with Love campaign are busy
The Art House Presents a Queensland Theatre & Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe Production
the construction of a revetment wall to stabilise the foreshore on either side of the fishing platform. Council will also be stabilising the ground under the existing paved section in addition to replacing some of the decking timbers on the actual platform. To carry out these works safely, Council have closed the platform and surrounding area to the public, but readers can still access the play space and fish along the bank of the lake, north of the works, or on the southern side at The
making 28 lots of 25 centimetre squares in order to make wraps, which are sewn together, four squares wide and seven squares long. Groups from the Hawkesbury River to the southern end of Lake Macquarie, in villages, churches, schools, service groups, clubs, and social groups, have all been working hard to help those in need. The people who receive the blankets come from
all walks of life, people who may be ill, displaced, suffering from natural disaster or receiving humanitarian aid. This year alone, 2,360 wraps have been distributed, with many more to be made at this year’s Knit in Day at Toukley 50 Plus Leisure and Learning Centre Memorial Hall in August. Source: Media release, May 31 Diana Johnson, Wrap with Love, Central Coast
“A one-woman powerhouse”
ÌÌÌÌÌ “Flawless”
“Grabs you instantly”
—THE DAILY REVIEW
—AUSSIE THEATRE
—THE AUSTRALIAN
TUESDAY 13 JUNE 8PM WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE 10AM
BOOK ONLINE: WWW.THEARTHOUSEWYONG.COM.AU BOX OFFICE: 02 4335 1485 IN PERSON: THE ART HOUSE, 19-21 MARGARET STREET, WYONG, 2259
Page 23 June 6, 2017
Diamond Head Dve jetty being revamped T
he Budgewoi F o r e s h o r e upgrade continues, with Central Coast Council beginning work on revamping the Diamond Head
Dve jetty and fishing platform. Both areas have been closed, along with a section of the carpark, and Council expects there will be a minimal impact on locals.
OUT&ABOUT
Summerland Point Reserve car park being upgraded
The upgrade should be completed by the end of June (weather permitting). Source: Media release, June 1 Central Coast Council Media
Summerland Point Reserve car park has closed for a major upgrade
C The Diamond Head Dve jetty and fishing platform will be revamped in the coming weeks
entral Coast Council has closed the Summerland Point Reserve car park in preparation for a
major upgrade. The road renewal works will enhance safety, vehicular circulation and parking at the popular reserve.
Work is expected to be completed in August. Source: Media release, May 31 Central Coast Council Media
THREE AMIGOS ON STAGE June 16th & 17th at the Art House Wyong www.salthousetheatrecompany.com.au Salt House Theatre Company is bringing “Three Amigos!” to life on stage for the first time in Australia. With an entirely Coast based cast, audiences can expect all the antics of the feature film, high wire stunts, gunfire, absurdity, hilarity, romance, and a plethora of surprises. “Three Amigos!” is whip-smart, contains inspiring slapstick wordplay, is spectacularly silly, and takes on delights such as the sassy singing bush, an invisible swordsman, and ruthless lawbreaking bandits. Directed by Daniel Widdowson & Belle Parsonage. Tickets are $33.50 for adults & $30 concession. Two shows only at the Art House Wyong. Friday June 16th & Saturday June 17th.
Jayden Gobbe as Dusty Bottoms, Ethan Dale as Lucky Day, & Emily Mann as Nerrida ‘Ned’ Nederlander. Tickets to Three Amigos are available through The Art House Wyong ~ 4335 1485
OUT&ABOUT
Page 24 June 6, 2017
Harvest Festival attractions
1,381 years of NSW Rural Fire voluntary service recognised V
olunteers were honoured by the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) on May 21, for their ongoing commitment to their local community.
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he Harvest Festival will run across the Central Coast region’s hinterland over the June long weekend, and will include sales of local produce and opportunities to interact with local farmers.
Attractions in the northern areas of the Central Coast will include a Permaculture Homestead Tour at the Valley’s End Farm in Jilliby. The tour will take in
the farm’s vegetable patch, food forest, animal systems, worm farms and market garden, with seasonal produce for sale. The two-hour tour, with morning tea, will take place on June 10 and 11 at 9:00am. At the Food Farm, visitors will be able to harvest their own potatoes and other vegetables, meet their meat, and find out how beef and lamb is farmed with interactive workshops. There will be backyard
WYONG DISTRICT GARDEN COMPETITION
chicken displays, vintage tractors and working Clydesdale demonstrations. The Food Farm is located at 216 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek, and will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, June 10. Mountain Bike tours will also run from Kulnura to Yarramalong between 12:30pm and 3:00pm on Saturday, June 10. The all-inclusive mountain bike adventure will take place in the Ourimbah State Forest, finishing at a local farm property. The route is suited to beginner level riders with moderate fitness and a return shuttle service is provided. Another Harvest Festival attraction is the Wyong River Catchment Crawl that will follow the Wyong River from Kulnura to Tacoma and visit special places to learn about the environment and waterways on Sunday, June 11, from 8:30am to 3:00pm and bookings are required. Source: Newsletter, Jun 1 Central Coast Council media
ENTER YOUR GARDEN! ENTRIES CLOSE September 27 2017
069 Y.COM.AU
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he Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short cult classic, ‘Three Amigos’, has made its way to the Central Coast, with two shows at the Art House, Wyong, on June 16 and 17.
After being licensed by the American company Stage Works, the local Salt House Theatre will be the first to bring ‘Three Amigos’ to life on stage here in Australia. The show will provide the audience with a plethora of surprises and is a cast full of Central
Source; Media release, May 22 NSW RFS Media
Coast residents. Lucky Days, Dusty Bottoms and Nerirda Nerderlander, will be played by Ethan Dale, Justin Gobbe and Emily Mann. Source: Press Release, May 23 Daniel Widdowson, Salt House Theatre Company
DNA as an exploring tool for family history explained T he Wyong Family History Group will be holding a day with
Ms Kerry Farmer, genealogist, to explore how DNA
1 in 10 Australian children are living in disadvantage*. They don’t have the basics they need for their education such as the right uniform, bag or even books. By sponsoring an Australian child today you will give them the essentials they need to succeed at school. *Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013).
*Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013).
Commissioner Midgley said. “Today’s recipients, as do all NSW RFS volunteers, dedicate themselves to providing a vital service to the community and these medals are our proud acknowledgement of their efforts. “It is an absolute honour to present these awards and to take a moment in which we can reflect upon the outstanding achievements of these members,” Assistant Commissioner Midgley said. The annual blessing of the fleet also took place.
Australian production premiere of Three Amigos
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A total of 71 volunteers from the Central Coast District were presented with Long Service Medals and two volunteers presented with National Medals by Mr Scot MacDonald MLC and NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner, Mr Stuart Midgley AFSM, at a special ceremony in Doyalson. Mr MacDonald recognised that in total, these medal recipients
have accumulated an impressive 1,381 years of service between them “This is a testament to the ongoing commitment shown by Central Coast volunteers to both the NSW RFS and to the local community,” Mr MacDonald said. “One volunteer, Mr Neville Koch, was congratulated on his 39 years. “The current Captain of the Mandalong Brigade has been volunteering since he first joined the Gosford Headquarters Brigade in 1978. “The hard work and professionalism of all Central Coast District volunteers does not go unnoticed,” Assistant
CALL 1800 024 069 THESMITHFAMILY.COM.AU
works and how it can be a useful tool in exploring family history. The informative and entertaining presentation, called DNA for Family History, will take place on July 2 at the Tuggerah Community Hall, located at 9 Anzac Rd, Tuggerah. Source: Email, May 29 Lorraine Cameron, Wyong Family History Group
Page 25 June 6, 2017
Witches to come to life at The Art House A he Griffin Theatre Company will be bringing Roald Dahl’s scariest novel, The Witches, to life at The Art House on June 8 and 9.
The Witches is about a little boy who unwittingly stumbles into the annual meeting of witches. He hears their nasty plan to get rid of all the children in the world by turning them into mice. Brave boys and girls, rat-racers and retirees are in for a wicked and wonderful time with Lucas Jervies’ directing of this bubbling concoction. Theatrepeople.com. au have described The Witches as a play for everyone that children will enjoy as much as adults. City News said the show was “full of life, physical movement, mischief and even
Bouddi Foundation for the Arts grants available
pplications are now open for the 2017 Bouddi Foundation for the Arts grants and Jasmine Baric is just one of many young artists from the Wyong area to benefit from the unique Central Coast grants program.
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audience interaction, as people are singled out for witchery.” Source: Media release, May 25 Emily Carryer, The Art House
OUT&ABOUT
Jasmine began playing violin at the age of six and has continued her studies with local and interstate luminaries and ensembles. “The Bouddi grant has enabled me to feel acknowledged and supported by my local community,” Ms Baric said. “I was able to attend a masterclass in Adelaide to work with the world famous, Pinchas Zukerman, last year. “I was also able to accept the position of Associate Concert Master of the Australian Youth Orchestra this
year, which will be held in Melbourne over two weeks,” she said. Other grant recipients from the Wyong area have included, Mele Kaufusi, (voice) from Toukley, and, Madison Relf, (photography) from Hamlyn Terrace. Aspiring young artists on the Central Coast will again get a major boost this year with the announcement of an additional injection of funds into the philanthropic arts body, the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts. The Chairman of the Foundation, noted theatrical figure Mr John Bell, praised the generosity of the Foundation’s sponsors. “We have many generous individuals who support us, but now institutional and corporate sponsors are increasingly recognising the solid results that the Foundation is achieving in developing the young
artists of our Central Coast community,” Mr Bell said. “Two additional dedicated sponsorships will commence this year for our grants programs,” he said. “These will come from the prominent music organisation, ORiGiN Music Group, and an additional award from our long-time supporter, Graeme Anderson. “ORiGiN Music Group has advised me that for the next three years they will sponsor annual grants of up to $2,500 in the music performing arts category including musical theatre, singing, and song writing. “ORiGiN Music Group is well-respected in the performing arts and we are delighted to have them join the Foundation in supporting our young people. “Mr Anderson has been one of the Foundation’s staunchest supporters. “He believes in young
people and he believes in getting behind them and encouraging them. “‘Their success is our inspiration,’ he has said. “He will donate $20,000 to the Foundation to provide a special award of $2,000 each year for ten years. “The award will be known as the Graeme Anderson Award for Artistic Excellence.” These two new awards from ORiGiN Music Group and Graeme Anderson are in addition to the normal annual grants from the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, which have totalled nearly $100,000 over the past five years. “Dancers, painters, potters, actors, writers, musicians of all stripes, even a puppeteer, all have benefited from our grants program.” Source: Media release, May 16 Joy Park and Phil Donnelley, Bouddi Foundation
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
RESIDENT BAND
BLUESANGELS Special guests monthly Aug 5 - 7pm till 11pm The Greens The Entrance - Warrigal St, The Entrance NSW 2261 - 02 4332 5955 www.thegreenstheentrance.com.au FB - www.facebook.com/thegreenstheentrance
NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS
Page 26 June 6, 2017
ANIMAL CARE Central Coast Cat Care
$20 Desexing Special Cats only No Pedigrees
Monthly programme for all areas of the coast 0412 200 571 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com
Central Coast Social Group Social contact, entertainment events, new friendships, for 30’s-60’s COMMUNITY GROUPS Live music, house parties, ARPRA dinners, BBQs, picnics, trips ARPRA is the peak body away etc. representing residents living Monthly Meet & Chat in Residential Land Lease 0422 243 101 Communities in NSW. email cco30s@live.com.au We are a non-profit org providing advice and Gambling Solutions Gambling help counsellors advocacy and training providing free confidential 4358 8246 professional service to arpranorthlakes@outlook.com.au gamblers, family and friends Woy Woy, Kincumber, Bateau Bay Gosford and The Entrance Men’s Shed 4344 7992 Environment for mature aged men to repair items, Freemasons share and learn skills and Annual event 4th Thurs in socialise May each year 9am to 1.30pm Regular event 4th Thurs Tue to Thur monthly 1 Bay Village Road, from 10am Bateau Bay Ladies are invited Morisset Masonic Centre 0435 807 633 bateaubayshed@gmail.com Westlake Daylight Masonary Lodge Bateau Bay 5 Yambo Street Morisset Neighbourhood Centre Jack Harris 4392 1231 Financial Counselling, Tool Library, Computer Hub Lake Munmorah Senior and Computer Lessons, Citizens Club Private Art Therapy Computer Classes, dancing, Sessions, Homework exercise, pilates, yoga, craft, Help, Self Esteem Group, carpet bowls and Tai Chi. Grandparents Raising 4358 8390 Grandchildren Group, EAPA-Energy Accounts Long Jetty Senior Payment Assistance, Early Citizens Club Links Outreach Worker, Computer classes, line Tax Help, Holiday activities dancing, tai chi and zumba for kids and young people, gold - M-F, 9am to 3pm Community Garden, Events, for full list of activities Referral Services, Op Shop 4332 5522 and Food Store. Community BBQ on first Long Jetty Over Thurs 50s Club 4332 7450 Indoor bowls, computers, http://bbnc.org.au exercises, yoga, linedancing, tai chi and more Berkeley Vale 9am to 3pm Neighbourhood Centre 4332 5522 Indoor bowls, mahjong, walking for pleasure, Mingaletta Aboriginal slimmers support, hand and Torres Strait Islander foot Bolivia cards, Toy library Corporation and community garden Meeting place and 4388 5801 referral hub for education, manager@bvnc.org.au health, well-being and www.bvnc.org.au cultural programs through consultative services and Central Coast community programs Community Legal Mon-Fri 9am 4pm Centre 4342 7515 Not for profit service 4388 6448 4325 3163
providing free legal advice. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
4353 4988 centralcoast@clc.net.au
Central Coast 50+ Singles Social Group Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & Socialising each w/e.
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
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
Warnervale Branch - NSW Labor Party To support and promote NSW Labor within the Warnervale area. 3rd Tue 7pm Hamlyn Terrace Community Centre 0419 128 497 warnervale.labor@gmail.com
0412 164 082 Marine Rescue 0414 635 047 Tuggerah Lakes www.ccsoaring.com.au Volunteers wanted, challenging conditions, Bridge Club interrupted meals, early Social bridge Tues, 9.45amstarts, breathtaking 1pm Tuggerah Lakes views. The Greens The Entrance Rewards: - Saving distressed boaters or maybe (with or without a partner) Len 4332 6989 saving a life David 4392 0606 0488 442 051
GROW Support Groups uc.tuggerahlakes@marinerescuensw. Small friendly groups com.au recruit@volcc.org.au formed to learn how Toowoon Bay to overcome anxiety, Probus Club SPECIAL INTEREST Wyong Neighbourhood depression and loneliness Morning tea, guest speakers Centre and to improve mental Biz Plus Networking talking on topics relevant to Supporting disadvantaged health and well-being. Association Seniors, as well as regular vulnerable and isolated Anonymous, free and open Grow your business exciting social events. 4th members of our community to all. Weekly meetings at and in the process build Thur 10am. offering a range of Bateau Bay and Wyong worthwhile relationships. Anglican Church Hall, community services, events, 1800 558 268 Biz Networking breakfasts Cnr Brooke Ave & Eastern projects, workshops, arts www.grow.org.au Every Thur 7:15- 9am Rd., Bateau Bay programs and an open Erina Leagues Club 4334 3979 community garden. Geoff Neilson 4353 1750 network@bizplus.com.au Tuggerah Combined Soundwaves Men’s acapella 4 part Probus Club Inc Wyong Toastmasters Central Coast Tenants’ harmony chorus - all Meet new friends and enjoy Club Advice and Advocacy ages 7pm Mon social events. Vibrant, progressive group. Service Central Coast 2nd Thur., 10:30am, guest Conquer your fears of public Free telephone advice and Leagues Club speakers. speaking in a supportive advocacy for all tenants John 0413 276 698 Social outings 3rd Thur. learn-by-doing environment. as well as residents in jbthomson51@gmail.com Woodbury Park Community 10.30am - 1st, 3rd and 5th residential parks Hall, Mardi Friday Coastal a Cappella 4353 5515 4351 0450 Wyong RSL cctaas@hotmail.com Dynamic award winning
PROBUS CLUBS
MUSIC
Anzac Ave Wyong 4328 8297 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 Central Coast Permaculture meet friendly like minded people at our information night held at Tuggerah Community Hall on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. 6:30 for 7pm start Bob on 0412 133 808
HEALTH GROUPS Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Hearing loss management Support and educational group providing practical experience and confidence Learn the benefits to hearing aids 4321 0275 www.centralcoast.betterhearing australia.org.au
admin@mingaletta.com.au
The NSW Justices Association Inc Seeking volunteers for 8 community JP Desks in Wyong Area 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
women’s a cappella chorus new members always welcome. Music eduction provided Lots of Performance opportunities, or hire us for your next event. 0412 948 450 coastalacappella@gmail.com
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
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 0409 449 498
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:
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
centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au centralcoastgreens@gmail.com
hartas@bigpond.net. aurotarytheentrance@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
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
rotarytheentrance@gmail.com
cvscc@nsservices.com.au
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
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 Naval Association of Australia Tuggerah Lakes SS Meeting of serving and ex-serving naval personnel male and female who will have an interest in naval ways and discussing the ways of the present Navy 2nd Sat monthly at Diggers Club, The Entrance 4389 4004
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
WOMENS GROUPS BPW Central Coast 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
bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com Central Coast Lapidary www.bpw.com.au/central-coast Club Minerals & Gems Learn silverwork, Northern Women’s Cabochons, Faceting, Health Centre Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips Family law advice, & fossicking Weekly counselling, therapeutic and Workshops Tues and Thurs social groups, workshops, 8.30am-2.30pm domestic violence and Thurs 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah abuse issues. Creek Rd Ourimbah All services are provided by 4362 2246 women for women cclapidary@optusnet.com.au 4351 1152 www.cccwhc.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
If you would like your Community Organisation 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.
Page 27 June 6, 2017
Annual Garden Competition running again
Best selling authors to speak about Penguin Bloom C entral Coast Council libraries is hosting a free event on Saturday, June 10, at The Art House, that explores the incredible true story of Penguin Bloom, the odd little bird who saved a family.
Join Ms Linda Mottram in a conversation with husband and wife, Mr and Ms Cameron, and Sam Bloom, about their bestselling book, and how an unlikely feathered friend, Penguin the magpie, became a
family saviour and global sensation. This heartwarming story and stunning collection of photographs, provides a remarkable insight into a family’s unique journey to recovery following a tragic event that left Sam paralysed and depressed. Penguin Bloom is an extraordinary true story full of hope and courage, featuring Cameron Bloom’s beautiful photography and a captivating narrative by New York Times bestselling author,
OUT&ABOUT
Bradley Trevor Greive. Penguin Bloom has been nominated for an ABIA award, is an international best seller published in 12 countries, and is also set to become a major Hollywood film with Reese Witherspoon producing and Naomi Watts starring as Sam. Sam and Cameron will be holding a book signing session following the event and a complimentary afternoon tea will be provided. Source: Media release, May 22 Central Coast Council Media
The Wyong Diary For events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263
Tuesday, Jun 6 Central Coast Council Candidate Awareness Session, Shelly beach Surf Club, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Wednesday, Jun 7 Cyber Bullying Forum, Mingara Recreation Club, no children allowed, from 7:00pm Meet Central Coast Council leaders, Bateau Bay Square (next to Mister Minit), 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday, Jun 8 Plan Ahead Day, NSW Trustee and Guardian, Tuggerah NSW Centre, 2 Bryant Drive, appointments required Griffin Theatre Company presents Roald Dahl’s The Witches, The Art House, Wyong, 7:00pm and June 9 at 11:00am Roald Dahl’s The Witches, The Art House Wyong, 7:00pm and June 9 at 11:00am
Friday, Jun 9 Central Coast Council Pop up Stall with leadership group, Gwandalan Shops
10:00am to 12:00pm, then Lake Haven Shopping Centre, 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Saturday, Jun 10 E x p o s u r e photography exhibition, 145 of the best images from the Central Coast Council’s annual Exposure photography competition, The Art House Wyong until Sunday, June 25 Harvest Festival, events at Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountain, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga and June 11
Tuesday, Jun 13 United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW Long Jetty Branch meeting and election of office bearers, Auxiliary Cottage, 8 Hume Boulevard, 9:30am
Thursday, Jun 15 Ben Woodham, Gwandalan Bowlo, 8:30pm Public meeting regarding future of Wyong Hospital, Wyong Leagues Club
Saturday, Jun 17 Educator’s Big Day Out, Mingara, 7:30am to 5:00pm
Sunday, Jun 18 Central Coast Council Pop up stall, Toukley Flea Markets, 7:00am to 1:00pm
Thursday, June 22 Red Cross Mobile Blood Donor Centre,Diggers at The Entrance, until June 23
Saturday, Jun 24 W y o n g Neighbourhood Centre, I Love 80s Trivia Night, Shelly Beach Golf Club, 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Wednesday, Jun 28 Central Coast Council meeting, Wyong Chamber, 5:00pm Ngangga Ya, Speaking to the Future performance by NAISDA Dance College, The Art House until June 30
Friday, Jun 30 Talk by Lole-Taylor, Presbyterian Victoria Ave
Asenati Toukley Church,
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.
Wyong Garden Competition winner, Mr Mick Kranendonk’s, private garden
T
he Wyong District 44th Annual Garden Competition will be running again this year with entries closing on 27 September.
The competition will include 17 categories that accommodate all gardens and ages, including a section for gardeners over 75, which always proves a popular entry. Private, commercial and community gardens are encouraged to enter as well as schools. Judging will begin on October 2 with the presentation day featuring a horticultural competition including vegetables, flowers, herbs and floral art on October 19. A bus trip will also be organised for October 22, to give residents the opportunity to view the winning gardens. Last year Gwandalan and Summerland Point Community Garden won first prize in the community culinary food section; Gwandalan Earth Care won first prize for their restoration work
on Kanangra Dve; and Mr Mick Kranendonk won first prize for his private garden under 1,000
square metres. Source: Media release, May 26 Errol Grace, Wyong District Garden Competition
CLASSIFIEDS
Page 28 June 6, 2017
ANTENNAS
ELECTRICIAN
GARDENING
TUITION - MUSIC
A Better Picture
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Learn to play harmonica at your own pace at my place or Skype at yours
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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
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Same day service Guaranteed
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Fully licensed and insured asbestos removals from houses, garages, sheds, bathrooms etc.
• Residential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints Free Quotes All work guaranteed Quality’s my game and Ryan’s my name
Ph: Tom 0422 653 794 or 4393 9890
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Looking for Restaurant Manager, Office Manager, Cook, Wait Staff and delivery drivers
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Safe Work NSW Lic. AD212564
BUILDERS
The Troubadour
Folk and Acoustic Music Club
June 24 at 7pm
All aspects of small building work and property maintenance
25 years building experience
Chris Cady & Kent Daniel CWA Hall Woy Woy Entry: $10, $13 and $15
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0414 486 515 4342 6716 4346 4057 NSW Building Lic #215846c
TILING
Classifieds advertising rates - in print and on-line Classified advertising is the cheapest form of newspaper advertising. This newspaper is published on line on the night before publication date, and is read that way by hundreds of people. All advertisements, including these classified advertising pages, appear in full on-line as an additional benefit for free. See www.CentralCoastNewspapers.com www.CentralCoastNews.net
or
Central Coast Newspapers’ advertising rates are relatively much lower than in other newspapers and at the same time much larger than in other newspapers, with the minimum size being 50mm X 42mm. Approximately 16,000 copies of each newspaper are printed and distributed every fortnight.
Non Business and Not For Profit Organisations As Central Coast Newspapers are community newspapers, the cost of advertising not for profit organisations’ events is subsidised. This makes them the same rate as non business advertisements. A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $33. Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and/or a photograph or a logo. Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.
Business rates The minimum size of 5cm X a single column only costs $40 + GST in mono and an extra $8 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph, every two weeks. Most businesses choose to advertise on an ongoing basis and discounts apply for multiple bookings, if they are paid for in full, in advance. Having an advertisement run for 3 months only costs $215 + GST, for 6 months it is $385 + GST, and for 12 months advertising, the total cost is only $700 + GST – Approximately $14 per week. Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently
Tiling Wall & Floor Property Maintenance 0439 589 426 homes2nv@gmail.com
TUITION - DANCE
GOSFORD SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS hold an intermediate class on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 pm at Wyoming - It’s an excellent form of exercise which brings men, women and young people together socially, learning new and old dances in a very friendly relaxed atmosphere No experience or partner necessary All ages welcome Cost $7.00 per week Contact Janice on
4388 2253
CARETAKER MANGROVE MOUNTAINS to assist with supervising and maintaining our family fruit farm. Experience in the production of fruits would be highly regarded and applicants must be fit, reliable and honest.
References Required.
0420 989 220
Pennant Finals held I
t was big sighs of relief all round when the rain cleared earlier than expected for the first weekend of Zone Pennant finals, hosted by Halekulani Bowling Club, on May 20-21.
head to head, and the final score of Woy Woy 66 to Bateau Bay’s 50, didn’t reflect the closeness of the game, as the scores were locked together for most of the day. The Grade 5 final was also contested between Mingara and Ettalong Memorial, with Mingara maintaining its dominance of this grade, as they had done throughout the competition, with a convincing 73-41 win. All finalists were presented with winner and runner-up badges, and the winning Clubs received the traditional pennant flag, and a cash award to help offset expenses in attending the State Final Series, to be played from 4th-6th August at Port Stephens (Grade 5), Tamworth (Grade 6) and Taren Point /Engadine (Grade 7).
Grade 6 and 7 were played as round robin finals with The Entrance Diggers, Woy Woy and Wyong contesting Grade 6, whilst Bateau Bay (2’s) and (3’s), Norah Head, Ourimbah RSL and Woy Woy battled out grade 7. On the second day, it was down to Wyong and the Diggers in Grade 6 to play out the decider, with the Diggers coming home strongly in the second half of the game (64 - 51) to maintain their unbeaten record for the year. Being a round robin, Woy Woy got up to be the runners-up in this grade. In Grade 7, Bateau Bay (3) and Woy Woy went
Source: Media release, May 22 Kevin Dring, Central Coast Bowls
SALES MANAGER • Strong personal relations • Effective communication skill
• Phone and face-to-face sales skills essential • Excellent negotiation skills
• Team player and ability to • Ability to sell display produce results advertising across three successful local • Own car required newspapers and a website • Some computer knowledge required Candidates with relevant industry experience will be preferred Please send your CV to manager@centralcoastnews.net
4325 7369
Experienced
Tilers wanted! Start
Immediately 0439 589 426 WANTED
The Shame File CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS 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.
• Golden Scissors • Rattananporn Hairdressing, Wyong Massage, Wyong
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
4333 8555
• Tony trading Roofing
as
Fitzpatrick • Darren Rucker, Tiler Futurtek Killarney Vale
• Bakefresh, Wyong • Frazer Park Pty Ltd formerly trading as The Big Prawn at Crangan Bay
•
Thomas James Trading Clinton, as TMA Products & AthroBalm & Effective Business Solutions of Ettalong
• Lee Critchley of Lake Munmorah, currently • Jessica Davis of Erina trading at Lakehaven - trading as A1 cleaning Shopping Centre services
• David Hill, Long Jetty
Page 29 June 6, 2017
SPORT
Mariners sign exciting new players M
r Paul Okon, Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners, has been busy signing four new players and has also retained crowd favourite, Kwabena Appiah, for another 12 months. Tom Hiariej, Alan Baro, Andrew Hoole and Antony Golec have all been recruited to the Central Coast Mariners ahead of the 2017-18 A-League season. Tom Hiariej is a 28-yearold Dutch midfielder set to arrive on the Central Coast from FC Groningen, a club that competes in the Eredivisie (top tier of football in the Netherlands).
He has agreed to terms on a two-year-deal. With over 200 competitive appearances under his belt, Hiariej is a one-club man who plied his trade with the FC Groningen youth academy and debuted for the green and white in September 2007 (cup match) scoring his first goal against NEC Nijmegen in 2008. Hiariej’s only senior club is Groningen, although he spent two short loan stints with FC Emmen (Netherlands) and SC Cambuur (Netherlands). Hiariej featured in the Dutch under-17s campaign who placed third in the 2005 FIFA under-17s World Championship in Peru.
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Kwabena Appiah has extended his contract with the Mariners for a year Earlier in his career, Hiariej played predominantly as a rightback but in recent years has played as a central midfielder, and will add experience to Okon’s midfield stocks. “I am really excited for this challenge and I hope I can really add something to the Mariners and football in Australia,” Hiariej said. “Coming to the Mariners, we want to be playing finals football. “I know the Mariners are a club that like to give young players a chance. “I have played over 200 competitive games at the highest level in Holland, so hopefully I can use
Tom Hiariej, 28-year-old Dutch midfielder that experience to help the younger players in the squad develop. “After speaking with the coach, I know the Mariners are a community club, it’s like a big family, which was great to hear, because Groningen is also a community club. “I spoke with Paul after our game, he came across as a really nice guy,” Hiariej said. “As a player, he also played at the highest level in Europe, and from what he’s told me about the Central Coast Mariners, I can’t wait to get there for pre-season and meet my new teammates,” Hiariej said. “I spent 10 years with
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Alan Baro will join the Mariners from Melbourne Victory Groningen, I’m a central midfielder but can also play right-back or centreback. “I’m not a big player but I’m skilful, what I will bring to the Central Coast Mariners is aggression,” Hiariej said. Hiariej is expected to arrive on the Central Coast for day one of pre-season later in June, where he will complete his medical at the Central Coast Mariners’ Centre of Excellence. During Paul Okon’s scouting trip to Europe, he watched Hiariej play against PSV Eindhoven. “We were actually looking at Tom in the January transfer window and were very close to signing him,” Okon said. “At the time, Groningen
decided that they wouldn’t release him, which was disappointing for us, because we thought he really would have added value at that time of the season. “We’ve kept a dialogue since and followed him throughout the remainder of the season. “Tom is a versatile player, but we have predominantly looked at him as a central midfielder; he’s a ball playing midfielder, he’s very good in tight areas and his work rate is very high, so he ticks the boxes in terms of what we were looking for, so now it’s a question of him adapting and settling in, which I don’t think will be a problem. “He will be here from the start of pre-season and will have plenty of time. “Part of the conversation with him was making him aware that the Mariners have a number of young players, we have a philosophy of giving them an opportunity, and he would have to play a leadership role because of his experience having played so many games in the Dutch first division.
Continued P30
SPORT Page 30 June 6, 2017
Mariners sign exciting new players M
r Paul Okon, Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners, has been busy signing four new players and has also retained crowd favourite, Kwabena Appiah, for another 12 months. From P29 “He was receptive to that and really wanted that responsibility, which is important. “Our fans should be excited, we are all excited to see what Tom can bring to the Mariners, both on and off the pitch,” Okon said. Another major offseason signing landed by Okon was Alan Baro, for two years. The Spanish defender was a mainstay in Melbourne Victory’s back four. Before joining Melbourne Victory he earned more than a decade of experience plying his trade in Spain with the likes of Osasuna, Alicante and SD Ponferradina. At 31-years-of-age, Baro, with Hiariej, will add a wealth of experience to the Mariners’ side. Okon spoke highly of Baro and said he was the
perfect addition to the Mariners’ back four. “Once we knew that he was being released from Melbourne Victory, he became our number one target to strengthen our defence. Speaking from Spain, Baro said he was excited to be staying in the Hyundai A-League and playing with the Central Coast Mariners. “This is a great opportunity for me and my family to stay in Australia, and we are so excited to come back and enjoy a new season in the Hyundai A-League. “I really enjoyed my first season and to be a part of the finals series over the past month was an amazing experience. “I am confident we can achieve great things under Paul Okon. Exciting attacker, Andrew Hoole, has also signed a two-year-deal. Having represented Australia at both Young Socceroo and Olyroo levels, Hoole has worked with Mr Okon. The 23-year-old attacker played for the Newcastle Jets last season, where he managed 26 appearances, bagging five goals.
Tide CharT FORT DENISON
LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000 Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters Add one hour to the times below when Daylight Saving is in force
Time - Height(m) 0036 0.42 0543 1.64 0637 1.66 1155 0.38 TUE 1819 1.80 WED 1242 0.35 1907 1.93 0225 0.24 0320 0.21 0828 1.63 0924 1.59 FRI 1418 0.36 SAT 1510 0.41 2045 2.08 2137 2.08 0514 0.27 0612 0.33 1119 1.48 1219 1.43 MON 1658 0.55 TUE 1756 0.62 2323 1.95 0118 1.71 0221 1.60 0810 0.47 0904 0.52 THU 1424 1.41 FRI 1525 1.44 2006 0.74 2116 0.75 0422 1.46 0515 1.43 1040 0.56 1121 0.56 SUN 1710 1.55 MON 1753 1.62 2324 0.69
6
7
0130 0.32 0731 1.66 THU 1330 0.34 1956 2.02 0415 0.22 1021 1.54 SUN 1602 0.47 2230 2.04 0019 1.83 0712 0.41 WED 1321 1.41 1859 0.69 0323 1.52 0954 0.55 SAT 1620 1.49 2224 0.73 0015 0.64 0601 1.42 TUE 1200 0.56 1832 1.67
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APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON
Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated
Andrew Hoole will join the Mariners from the Newcastle Jets After his maiden Hyundai A-League campaign with the Jets, Hoole remained with Newcastle for three seasons before signing with Sydney FC ahead of the 2015/16 season. He now has 91 Hyundai A-League appearances to his name. With speed to burn out wide and the ability to play as an attacking midfielder, Hoole will bolster Okon’s attacking options. Hoole said he desired to play under Okon who he believed was the man to help him reach his full potential. “Last season you could see how far the club came under the guidance of Paolo. “I know that he is full of energy, he’s got a great football brain and he really knows how to get the best out of young players. “Last season you could see how animated he was on the sideline at certain moments, he rides the game for 90 minutes to get the most out of his players, and it’s clear to see that he always has the backing of the 11 players. “Competition for spots is vitally important, if you can have two or three players vying for each position it’s great for the team environment,” Hoole said. As Head Coach of the Young Socceroos during the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign, Paul Okon worked with Andrew Hoole in Green and Gold and outlined for
Anthony Golec is another Okon recruit for season 2017-18 Mariners fans just how strategic this recruitment was, and expressed confidence that he would see the very best of Hoole. “His flexibility to play both inside in a pocket and out wide on the wing complement our playing style, also he’s very good on set pieces which will bring us more goals. “Hooley can be a match winner and I’m confident he will contribute with assists and goals.” The Central Coast Mariners were also excited to announce the signing of Australian defender, Antony Golec. The 27-year-old defender returns to Australia from FC Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldovan National Division), Persepolis FC (Persian Gulf Pro League) and Bucheon FC 1995 (K League Challenge). The Australian Youth International has signed a one-year-deal and will be known to Australian football fans for his 59 combined appearances in the Hyundai A-League with Sydney FC, Adelaide United, Western Sydney
and Perth Glory. Golec made his debut with Sydney FC against Melbourne Victory in 2008, and was part of the Western Sydney Wanderers’ 2014 AFC Champions League title and the club’s fifth placed finish in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup. During the 2016 January transfer window, Golec’s European adventure began where he signed with Sheriff Tiraspol. Golec went on to play a crucial role in the club’s Championship winning season and qualification to the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Paul Okon worked with Golec as Assistant Coach of the Olyroos in 2012. Okon assessed him first hand after bringing Golec into the squad for training during May. “Antony is a left-sided stopper which I’ve always had in my teams. “Having a left sided defender when you’re in possession gives you the advantage of being able to reverse pass. “He gives us a lot more height at the back, he’s a big, strong defender who is quite aggressive, and we’re hopeful that within our playing style and the way we train, that Antony will improve. “He’s accumulated a bit of experience in his travels, he’s won an ACL with the Wanderers, but he’s still at an age where we think he will be able to learn. “Golec really stood up when we trained quite hard. “We wanted to see how he would fit into our training methods and we felt that he excelled. “He was good in the group, he has a great
WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED
attitude, so from that perspective, it was an easy decision once we had seen him here,” Okon said. “The last year and a half overseas has had its ups and downs,” Golec said. “I won the league in Moldova, then the last eight months have been a nightmare to be honest. “I’ve enjoyed training here over the last few weeks, you can see Paul Okon really has passion for the club and he really wants the club to achieve something next year. “Personally, I want to get games under my belt and get the enjoyment back into football. Finally, the Mariners recently announced the contract extension of Kwabena Appiahl. The lightning fast attacker will remain in yellow and navy until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season. Starting the season as an impact substitute, Appiah worked hard to earn a regular place in Okon’s first 11 during the second half of the season and became fondly known by Mariners supporters for his marauding runs down the right-flank and neversay-die attitude in attack. “This season was obviously my best season of football, playing under Paolo. “I really hope that the fans can continue to show the fantastic support that they not only showed me last season, but the whole team,” Apiah said. Source: Media releases, May 20-31 Shaun Mielekamp, Central Coast Mariners
Page 31 June 6, 2017
Halekulani win Number 1 Pennant final in a nail biter T
he Number 1 Pennant final played between Halekulani and Terrigal at Halkulani Bowls Club on Saturday, May 27, was a great contest, with Halekulani victorious.
the very last end of each game. One sensed that something was about to give, and it was the Halekulani team, skipped by Lindsay Willding that picked up a vital five shots on their last end, followed by a telling three on Michael Stead’s last end to put the overall result out of doubt at 5953. Although Terrigal won two rinks out of three, with James Cook’s team defeating Michael Stead 20-17 and Darren Morrison’s team
The match was played out in front of a colourful and vocal spectator crowd that was lined two or three deep around the perimeter of the green. The game went shot for shot on the master scoreboard, right up to
SPORT
Sports Fest to be held at Bateau Bay
defeating Paul Williams’ 21-17, it wasn’t enough to offset the match winning score by the Halekulani team of Chris Willingham, Steve McPhillips and Bruce Jewell, skipped by Lindsay Willding of 25-12 over Tony Shoebridge’s team. Halekulani were crowned the Zone Grade One Champions, which broke a seven-year drought, as it was 2010 since their last Number One Zone Pennant win. Source: Media release, May 28 Kevin Dring, Bowls Central Coast
T
he Central Coast Council has labelled its September Sports Fest as a new type of event, the first of its kind in NSW with all sports and no limits, for all ages of all skills, to showcase the sporting assets of local organisations.
Halekulani - The victorious pennant team
Sports Fest will be held on the weekend of September 23 and 24 at The Entrance District Sports and Community Centre (EDSACC) at Bateau Bay. Additional hubs will be announced depending on expressions of interest received, according to the event prospectus. The Expression of Interest registration period is due to close on
Photo: Maff Rad participation. “There will be free activities, exhibition games, come ‘n try sessions, sporting goods stalls and displays, visits by sporting heroes, autograph sessions, professional demonstrations, live entertainment and food markets. “With a strong emphasis on skills transference, the festival will also attract industry speakers to share their experiences and expertise. “This is a fantastic opportunity for registered charitable and notfor-profit sporting organisations to get involved too,” organisers said.
June 7. “SportsFest Central Coast 2017 will be a celebration of all things ‘sport’, with the inaugural event being a weekend festival which encourages active participation and involvement in sport across the coast,” the web page promoting the event said. “This is a regional platform at which sporting associations, clubs and organisations can promote their sport, attract new members and sign-up volunteers through an exhibition of their sporting assets,” the event prospectus said. “The festival will showcase traditional and non-traditional sports, including active recreational opportunities which will promote both team and/or individual
Source: Newsletter, Jun 2 Central Coast Council media
Norah Head, New South Wales June 2017 Daily Weather Observations Date
Day
Temps Min Max °C
°C
Rain
Evap
Sun
Max wind gust Dirn Spd Time
Temp
RH
Cld
mm
mm
hours
km/h
°C
%
eighths
1 Th 9.9 16.1 1.0 2 Fr 9.9 17.1 0 3 Sa 12.3 17.2 3.8 4 Su 11.9 18.0 2.8 5 Mo 10.6 0 Statistics for the first 5 days of June 2017 Mean 10.9 17.1 Lowest 9.9 16.1 Highest 12.3 18.0 3.8 Total 7.6
SSW S S S
S
44 50 54 33
54
local
16:25 14:12 00:48 14:10
9am Dirn
3pm Dirn
Spd
MSLP
Temp
RH
Cld
km/h
hPa
°C
%
eighths
Spd km/h
MSLP hPa
12.4 12.8 14.4 14.9 12.6
60 62 77 86 93
WSW WSW SW SW WNW
17 13 19 11 9
1031.8 1032.1 1030.2 1027.6 1024.8
15.8 16.1 16.2 16.7
58 64 88 76
SSW SW SSW S
22 26 31 22
1030.5 1030.1 1027.8 1024.2
13.4 12.4 14.9
75 60 93
WNW SW
13 9 19
1029.3 1024.8 1032.1
16.2 15.8 16.7
71 58 88
# SSW
25 22 31
1028.1 1024.2 1030.5
The most advanced, affordable and gentle dentist on the Coast
NO GAP NEW PATIENT OFFER General Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Exam and Clean with private health Insurance Not with a Health Fund? Just pay $179 Includes FREE Xrays worth $160 Full Comprehensive Exam, Clean and Polish, OPG X-rays, Treatment Planning and Fluoride
DENTAL IMPLANTS FREE ASSESSMENT • Single tooth replacement • Full mouth rehabilitation over 4-6 implants • Implant supported dentures
Implant Dentistry
SMILE
MAKEOVER Laser Dentistry
WITH PORCELAIN VENEERS $1,000 Free Dental Care for children age 2 to 17 Ask us for the Details
Children’s Dentistry
PHILIPS Zoom White speed in-chair teeth whitening special - only $595
(normally $950)
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%INTEREST ON PAYMENT PLANS We provide reasons to smile
Gosford Bondi
Dr. Meena Gambhir
Dr. Namita Mehta
Dr. Aditi Khamar
Dr. Jash Dhillon
FREE CONSULTATION Saturday Appointments Available - We accept Veteran’s Affairs patients Shop 1, 201 Mann Street, Opposite Gosford Train Station, Gosford 2250 gosford@dentallifeline.com.au | www.dentallifeline.com.au