Issue 155 of Wyong Regional Chronicle by Central Coast Newspapers

Issue 155

12 December 2018

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Action taken to protect the largest fresh water wetland on the Central Coast S

ignificant steps have been taken to achieve the p e r m a n e n t protection of Porters Creek Wetland, the largest fresh water wetland on the Central Coast. Mayor, Jane Smith, has made the permanent protection of the Porters Creek Wetlands one of her major goals as the first Mayor of the amalgamated Council. She said it was a “critical part of the bigger picture for that area” in terms of how surrounding land could be developed to create employment. “The former Wyong Council, for some 20 years, and different people, have been recognising its value and it needs protection, and they just haven’t been able to deliver what is required,” she said. “So I am really pleased that we are making progress.” She said the report considered at the Monday, December 10, Central Coast Council meeting put in place the need to reclassify the SEPP14 (protected) wetland from Operational land to Community land, to ensure it could not be sold off. “I think that is an important first step. “There have been numerous studies of the wetlands and part of the resolution was to pull that information together and

Porters Creek Wetlands, west of Wyong, cover 3.6 hectares and is the region’s largest wetland of significance turn it into a proposal and important for Tuggerah Porters Creek Wetland identified and a case for why it needs Lake, for the run off and were water quality going into discussed. stronger protection. Of seven options When introducing her Tuggerah lakes. “In terms of flora and considered, a Biodiversity motion to the meeting, which was seconded fauna, it has threatened Stewardship Agreement by, Clr Kyle MacGregor, species and endangered was considered to be Mayor Smith said she ecological communities.” a strong mechanism to wished to see Council According to the staff protect the wetland. engage a consultant report presented to the “The next strongest with wetland expertise, meeting, Porters Creek are the existing planning to initiate biodiversity Wetland is significant instruments, State and stewardship agreement because of its ecology Local, which are already and investigate whether and its impact on in place,” the staff report it could be declared as a improving downstream said. wetland of international water quality from its “A Biodiversity significance. large catchment area. Stewardship Agreement She said she wanted Work on the December can provide offsets Council to liaise with 10 resolution started in for development National Parks and March, when Council opportunities elsewhere, prepare a submission unanimously resolved and will support the and to look at what to request the CEO to creation of an income planning clauses might arrange a meeting with stream to fund the be considered for an the Office of Environment ongoing management LEP or DCP to minimise and Heritage, of biodiversity in Porters impacts. Department of Planning Creek wetland,” it said. “The significant part, in and other stakeholders “Landowners, including my view, about Porters to identify mechanisms Council, may consider Creek Wetland, is that it to permanently protect entering into a voluntary is the largest fresh water Porters Creek Wetland. Biodiversity Stewardship wetland on the Central The meeting was Agreement (BSA) on Coast. held in May, and any parcel of land under mechanisms the NSW Biodiversity “Just by nature of several the size and role, it is to permanently protect Conservation Act 2016.

“There are provisions within the agreement for “in-perpetuity conservation. “Council would be able to sell credits and receive an annual management payment to service the BSA. “This can provide permanent protection for the management of biodiversity and allow for the creation of biodiversity credits for sale. “The resulting stewardship site generates biodiversity credits which represent the expected improvement in biodiversity that will result from the protection and management of the site. “A landholder (Council) can sell the biodiversity credits to a developer, the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, or other interested parties. “Once credits are sold, the site needs to be maintained in perpetuity. “The potential credit status of the Porters Creek wetland land parcels would need to be assessed. “A BSA is registered on the land title. “When land that includes a BSA is sold, then the new owner takes over the obligations of the stewardship agreement and in return receives payments from the Biodiversity Stewardship Payments Fund.” Another strategy would be to donate the land to National Parks.

“NPWS would assess the value for use as a national Park, its diversity and cultural heritage values, recreational opportunities, park management benefits and economic impacts. “The land would need to align with the NSW National Parks System Directions Statement. “This is a strong level of protection. “The national Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is the legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places. “Under the Act, the Federal Environment Minister may declare a specified wetland to be of international importance (often called 'Ramsar' wetlands after the international treaty under which such wetlands are listed). “There are presently 12 Ramsar wetland sites in NSW, the closest being Hunter Estuary Wetlands, and Myall Lakes. “The nomination process would include comments from the State. “The process is long [and] a declaration would be unlikely.

Office: 3 Amy Close, Wyong Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Source: Interview, Dec 11 Jane Smith, Central Coast Council Agenda item 5.8, Dec 10 Central Coast Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

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WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

12 December 2018

ack by popular d e m a n d Central Coast Newspapers would like to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a $150 gift card to TK Maxx, the home of big brands at small prices to welcome in the New Year.

TK Maxx offers thousands of brands under one roof at exceptional value. The huge range of merchandise includes fashion for women, men and kids, shoes, accessories, luggage, beauty, toys, lingerie and home wares for every room. Shoppers can also expect to find a

TK Maxx stores will have an excess of sale stock post December, so there will always be something fresh and exciting to discover. For your chance to win a $150 TK Maxx gift card write your full name, daytime telephone number, email and address on the back of an envelope and mail it to Wyong Chronicle TK Maxx Competition, PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 before 5pm on January 21. The winner of the first TK Maxx Competition was Winsome Penn of Lisarow.

massive selection of gifts for the whole family, along with decorations for the home, entertaining and outdoor accessories, seasonal fashion, toys and wrapping paper.

e have moved from housing stress to housing crisis on the Central Coast according to Central Coast Council’s Director of Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan.

The need for more affordable housing to address that crisis has resulted in Central Coast Council engaging with 500 stakeholders and spending six months preparing its draft affordable housing

2250, 2251, 2260; and Wyong Regional Chronicle Post Codes 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263. Coverage takes in the entire ward of Budgewoi and major parts of The Entrance and Wyong Central Coast Council Wards. It also takes in the entire State seat of Wyong, and parts of the State seats of The Entrance and Swansea, and the entire Federal seat of Dobell and part of Shortland All articles are sourced and dated so that readers will know when and where the information came from

Central Coast Newspapers is a local, family owned business that publishes and distributes three Central Coast Newspapers every fortnight. All staff are also locals and between them, the three papers cover the entire Central Coast. Each paper focuses specifically on an area bound by postcodes as follows: Peninsula News Post Codes 2256 and 2257; Coast Community News Post Codes

people,” she said. Vaughan said she emphasised that there is a lot of misunderstanding about affordable housing with many coming to the conclusion that provision of affordable housing lead to ‘slums of ghettos”. Vaughan said the affordable housing strategy included 28 strategies and she encouraged all residents to make a submission before the closing date 5pm on Friday, December 21.

strategy. “Affordability relates to households paying 30 per cent or more of their incomes in mortgage or rent, and on the Central Coast that is households with up to $100,000 combined income per annum and totally relates to 63 per cent of our community,” Vaughan said. “It really is a pressing issue,” she said. “We know we are expecting up to 40,000 new residents to our region in the next 20 years, so it is front of mind for many

The complete interview with Julie Vaughan can be seen at www.coastcommunitynews.com.au/news/video-news/

editorial@centralcoastnews.net Ph: 4325 7369

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and where they can perhaps get more information. All articles are edited and given a heading and are often quite different from what was originally received. Contributions are welcome and are preferred in email form, ideally with any relevant photographs attached. Contributions must include the contributor’s name, address and phone numbers. This is not for publication but name and suburb will be published and anonymous contributions will not be included.

Publication date: January 23

Wyong Regional Chronicle covers: Alison, Bateau Bay, Berkeley Vale, Blue Bay, Blue Haven, Budgewoi, Budgewoi Peninsula, Buff Point, Bushells Ridge, Canton Beach, Cedar Brush Creek, Chain Valley Bay, Charmhaven, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Colongra, Crangan Bay, Dooralong, Doyalson, Doyalson North, Durren Durren, Fountaindale, Frazer Park, Freemans, Glenning Valley, Gorokan, Gwandalan, Halekulani, Halloran, Hamlyn Terrace, Jilliby, Kangy Angy, Kanwal, Kiar, Killarney Vale, Kingfisher Shores, Lake Haven, Lake

Munmorah, Lemon Tree, Little Jilliby, Long Jetty, Magenta, Mannering Park, Mardi, Moonee, Norah Head, Noraville, Ourimbah, Palmdale, Palmgrove, Point Wolstoncroft, Ravensdale, Rocky Point, San Remo, Shelly Beach, Summerland Point, Tacoma, Tacoma South, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Toowoon Bay, Toukley, Tuggerah, Tuggerawong, Tumbi Umbi, Wadalba, Wallarah, Warnervale, Watanobbi, Woongarrah, Wybung, Wyee, Wyee Point, Wyong, Wyong Creek, Wyongah, Yarramalong

Publisher: Cec Bucello - Graphic Design: Justin Stanley Editor: Jackie Pearson - Journalist: Dilon Luke Coastal Diary: Lucillia Eljuga

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Issue 154

14 November, 2018

Edition 457

5 November 2018

NRMA buys Palm Beach ferry service The NRMA has bought Fantasea Cruising, operators of the Palm Beach to Patonga, Ettalong and Wagstaffe ferry service.

NRMA Group chief Mr Rohan Lund announced the acquisition on Thursday, October 25, as part of the NRMA’s aim to become Australia’s largest provider of transport and tourism services. “Today’s announcement of NRMA’s acquisition of Fantasea, 12 months after we bought Manly Fast Ferry, sees our fleet of vessels grow to 31 and boosts our capacity to unlock the potential of Sydney’s waterways, offer fantastic experiences to people wanting to enjoy our city and connect the Central Coast with Palm Beach,”

Mr Lund said. “When Sydney was born the majority of its transport needs were met by our sprawling harbour and network of waterways; 200 years later and the NRMA wants the city to again realise the potential of its waterways,” he said. Fantasea provides a range of transport and tourism services, harbour cruises, ferry services and yellow water taxis across Sydney Harbour in addition to the Palm Beach to Central Coast service.. The Fantasea fleet comprises 10 ferries and 10 water taxis. “Fantasea has a diverse and modern fleet of vessels and their operational approach to customer service aligns with the NRMA,” Mr Lund said.

“We welcome their staff to the NRMA family and look forward to working to deliver unique experiences to our customers in Sydney and the Central Coast,” he said. “As the NRMA group of businesses grows so too does our capacity to provide much-needed transport solutions to a community keen to get around faster and provide membership value to our 2.6 million members.” NRMA members currently get 20 per cent discounts on selected Fantasea services and the organisation will look to provide further member-exclusive offers and specials, Mr Lund said.

SOURCE: Media release, 25 Oct 2018 Peter Khoury, NRMA

Strata committee to sue Ettalong Diggers The strata committee representing unit owners in the resort section of the Ettalong Diggers complex have commenced legal action against the club.

Mantra Building strata committee chair Mr Barry Sale said the legal action was related to damage, caused to units and common property, from leaks in the roof on the eighth floor. Mr Sale said the leaks were caused by three telecommunication companies - Telstra, Optus and Vodafone - drilling through the waterproof membrane on the roof to anchor at least 20 radio frequency transmission devices located on the roof of the building. Ettalong Diggers Memorial Club chief Mr Bill Jackson said the club was just as anxious as the unit owners to seek a solution to the ongoing leaks. Mr Jackson said unit owners had engaged in legal action over the issue before and some had already received monies from insurance claims. He said there were around 25 devices on the roof but they may not all be operational. He said he believed the total paid by the three telecommunications companies per year was $70,000. Mr Sale said he noticed the devices when he purchased his unit, which is located on the eighth floor and has incurred water damage but said, at the time of

purchase, he did not take much notice. “The situation was that the club built the building and then operated the club in one section of it and sold off the hotel part of it so that the club had a base and the bulk of the cost would be met by selling off the units,” Mr Sale said. “One of the things the club claimed ownership of was the two service towers on the roof,” he said. The reason they kept ownership of those towers was because they were able to sell spaces on those towers to the telecommunications companies. “The club owns the towers but for the telcos to use those towers they needed to drill into our part of the building in order to anchor their towers. “There was never any arrangement or understanding of the strata owners or holders

as to any agreement with the telecommunication companies. “Our permission never sought and never given. “By them drilling into the roof of the building, they drilled through the waterproof membrane. “They punctured the membrane and consequently every time it rains it leaks and it is still happening. “This fight has been going on for around about nine years. “It is not just water getting in because in those two towers is a huge number of pigeons both dead and alive. “The water leaking through the roof is yellow. “In two cases the water is dripping in the kitchen areas of two of the units.” Mr Sale said he had attempted to resolve the issue directly with the telecommunications companies but had no success.

“Strata had to arrange for collection trays at our cost to be put into the ceilings, then from the collection trays the water was piped down into buckets into the units affected. “We have had to pay for mould removal.” Mr Sale said Diggers chief Mr Jackson had attempted to work with the strata committee to resolve the problem. “The club has applied to Council to put a cover over the towers which was approved but has now gone back to Council because the telecommunications companies have required other restrictions. “Nobody seems to be able to move these telcos to get the job done they just keep stalling.” Mr Sale said the unit owners were also aware of the health issues associated with electromagnetic fields surrounding the devices on the roof of the building. “That issue is a very difficult one to prove and the telcos will tell you the rays go outwards and not down and therefore the eighth floor is not affected,” Mr Sale said. “I believe there is a safety issue there. “Interestingly enough I wanted to go up and inspect the pigeon poo but I have a pace maker and I was told under no circumstances was I to go up to that level.” The Strata Committee has now decided to initiate legal action against the club.

“We cannot have legal action against the telcos because we have no agreement with the telcos, even though they drilled into our roof, but we do have an issue with the club because the club is responsible for our roof being damaged,” Mr Sale said. “We had a memorandum of understanding from the club that it would definitely be fixed by June 30 this year. “The club signed off on that and we signed off on that and we were paid out by the insurance company for loss of rent up to that period.” Mr Jackson confirmed Ettalong Diggers was resubmitting its application to Council to cover the towers. “The issue needs to be rectified so legal action is probably the best thing the stata committee could do. “The complexity of the whole arrangement makes it difficult to resolve; the club owns two plant rooms up there but not the roof. “Under the towers are two concrete slabs six inches deep but the club only owns the top inch,” he said. SOURCE: Interview, 1 Nov 2018 Barry Sale, Mantra Building Strata Committee Interview, 1 Nov 2018 Bill Jackson, Ettalong Diggers Memorial Club Reporter: Jackie Pearson

THIS ISSUE contains 66 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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“In this edition of Coast Community News, a Public Notice has been inserted by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), under instruction from the Land and Environment Court (LEC),” said Stephen Goodwin, spokesperson for the Mountain Districts Association. “The aim is to invite the public to make submissions on the Mangrove Mountain Landfill issue to the EPA, who will pass them on to the Court and the landfill operator, Verde Terra Pty Ltd, which has applied to have its licence renewed,” he said. “This public consultation is a pivotal moment for the community. “If it fails to voice its opposition, in a decisive manner, to having a massive landfill in the Central Coast’s water catchment area, the Court may see that as tacit

The EPA and Council admit Mangrove Mountain landfill is a threat to the Coast’s drinking water

support for the landfill. “We can’t let that happen. “It will open the doors for a further 10 years of waste importation at the landfill. “Mountain Districts Association is asking you to make a submission opposing the application to have EPL 11395 varied. “Mountain Districts Association can help you with your submission. “The EPA and Central Coast Council are joined in opposition to Verde Terra,” Goodwin said.

Mangrove Mountain Landfill is located at the Mangrove Mountain Golf Course on the boundary between Gosford LGA and Wyong LGA. “It is a threat to the Central Coast drinking water supply and both Central Coast Council and the EPA admit this fact,” Goodwin said. “The landfill sits at the highest point of the catchment for the regional water supply. “The landfill has lain idle since 2014, although there is still the matter of 800,000

cubic metres of waste sitting there, most of which does not have an effective lining underneath to prevent the escape of toxic leachate into the groundwater. “Scientific study has demonstrated that almost half of the stream flow in Ourimbah Creek comes from this groundwater. “Central Coast Council pumps out of Ourimbah Creek into Mardi Dam. “Water in Mardi Dam is shared with Mangrove Creek

Dam. “These are the two potable water storage facilities for the entire Central Coast. “On behalf of the entire Central Coast community, Mountain Districts Association has been intensively engaged, for over four years, to end this threat to the regional water supply. “Presently, the matter is in the Court, as is explained in the EPA Public Notice. “The landfill operator, Verde Terra Pty Ltd, has applied to have EPL 11395, that regulates the activities at the landfill site, varied to enable it to resume operations. “Its application was refused by the EPA, and Verde Terra is appealing this decision in the Court. “If successful, this will authorise the importation of 1.318 million tonnes of new waste in addition to the existing vast waste mound. “On behalf of the community, Mountain Districts Association vigorously opposes this application and calls on members of the general public to do the same by making a submission to the EPA. “In addition to the Verde Terra application, there are a large number of supporting

documents. “These are the documents submitted to the Court with the application. “It is not necessary for members of the general public, who are concerned about the threat of this landfill to their water supply, to read all of these, but if you wish to be fully informed, they will be available for viewing at specified locations. “Mountain Districts Association is familiar with the content of most if not all of the supporting documents and is preparing information to assist members of the public. “The supporting documents will contain the essential facts and reasons why this licence application is a bad thing and should be opposed and will contain a brief background of the issue and how to prepare a submission to send to the EPA.” Register your interest in receiving a copy of the briefing note from Mountain Districts Association by following the link http:// mountaindistrictsassociation. com.au Source: Media release, Oct 30 Stephen Goodwin, Mountain Districts Association

Crunch time for coal mine approval

he legal challenge in the Land & Environment Court (LEC) against the approval of the Wallarah 2 Coal mine, situated in the major water catchment of the Central Coast, commences on Monday, November 12. It is expected to run for a

minimum of four days. The Central Coast Community Group, the Australian Coal Alliance (ACA), is challenging the validity of the NSW Planning Assessment Commission’s (PAC) approval in January. The ACA has brought this action against the proponent (Wyong Coal Pty Ltd – Wallarah 2) and the Minister for Planning, because it is in

the public interest to do so. The ACA will be holding a rally in the Domain, behind Parliament House, at 10am, on the day the legal challenge commences. Campaign Director of the ACA, Alan Hayes, said: “The challenge in the Land & Environment Court is an historic moment for the Central Coast. “The community have been

fighting for twenty-three years to protect the Central Coast’s major water supply district. “The legal challenge is the culmination of the community’s strength not to give in but to fight to win. “We don’t have the luxury of another water supply or water catchment.” Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, said that stopping the Wallarah

2 Coal mine is essential to ensure the quality of our water catchment on the Coast. “This court case is another stage in this long running battle,” said David Harris. “The Liberals could end this madness tomorrow, but if they won’t then I hope the courts will. “Wallarah 2 would be a disaster for our beautiful

region, we have to stop it and I hope the Australian Coal Alliance is successful.” Korea Resource Corporation is the major shareholder of Wyong Coal Pty Ltd, the proponents of the proposed Wallarah 2 coal mine. Source: Media alert, Nov 5 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance

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

Group calls for resident feedback on tree policy

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Coast residents stand up to State Government over coal mine

round 70 residents from across the Central Coast travelled to Sydney on Monday, November 12, to participate in a Water not Coal rally in the Domain, against the approval of the Wallarah II coal mine.

The rally was held to mark the commencement of action in the Land and Environment Court, brought by the Australian Coal Alliance (ACA) community group, against the NSW Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts, and Wyong Coal Pty Ltd. “For a Monday morning and for people having to travel down from the Central Coast, it was very well attended,’ said Alan Hayes, ACA’s founder and spokesperson. “It was exceptionally pleasing to see so many Central Coast people who care about their water catchment turning up to demonstrate that concern,’ Hayes said. Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, attended the demonstration, and again, reinforced his long-term opposition to the Wallarah II mine and his views about the importance of stopping the long-wall coal mine from going ahead in the Central Coast’s water catchment area. Nick Clyde from the Lock the Gate campaign

A group of around 70 Central Coast residents rallied in Sydney’s Domain also spoke about the importance of protecting the Dooralong and Yarramalong valleys. Former Wyong Mayor and MP, Bob Graham, also attended and spoke about how important it was to protect the water supply. “The irony was that we had won this fight two times before,” Alan Hayes told the crowd. Darkinjung LALC ensured the mine was not approved in 2013-14, when they denied access to their land. In 2011, David Harris had heavily lobbied the then Keneally Labor NSW Government resulting in Labor’s Planning Minister, Tony Kelly, rejecting the DA on the grounds that

it was not in the public interest. “The Liberal party in opposition, agreed that there should not be any coal mining,” Hayes said. “Barry O’Farrell said the next Coalition Government would not allow coal mining, not only in the valleys, but in any catchment, ‘no ifs, no buts a guarantee’,” he said. “This government does not deserve to be in office because as soon as they won the election, they reneged. “We are going to be running a very strong campaign throughout the Central Coast, and also Sydney, to oust [Member for Terrigal] Adam Crouch and other Liberals to

ensure that this Liberal Government is brought to their knees and is not reelected.” Hayes said ACA would mount the campaign in the lead up to the March, 2019, state election, because the Land and Environment Court probably would not give its ruling before March. “The Liberals committed the ultimate act of bastardry against the Central Coast people in February, when they approved the mine,” he said. The ACA is being represented in its LEC action by the Environmental Defenders Office with some financial assistance from Central Coast Council.

“We have 10 solid grounds against the approval of the mine in February, which was unlawful because it failed to consider certain aspects of the mining SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy) and other criteria. “We have commenced this action because we do believe the approval was invalid, and we are doing it because it is in the public interest to do so.” When asked why challenging the NSW Government was left to a small community group instead of being mounted by Central Coast Council, in its capacity as the region’s water authority, Hayes said: “Well that is a good question.

“Probably because that small group of people believe it is important to leave, for generations to come, what we have enjoyed, and that is a reliable water source on the Central Coast. “The NSW Government doesn’t care less. “It is wanting to put 45,000 more homes in the northern part of the Coast over next 20 years and to do that they need water, but they tend to pander to their developer mates and forget about the needs of their community. “The greatest asset we have on the CC is our water supply, and sometimes in life, you have just got to stand up and be counted. “The age that we all are now, it would not impact on us, but it will impact on our children and their children. The LEC action commenced after the rally in front of a packed court room. “There was not enough space inside, people had to stand at the door or sit outside,” Hayes said. “All you could see in the court room was red t-shirts with ‘Water not Coal. “It just shows you how much people do care,” he said. The case is expected to continue for four days. Source: Interview, Nov 12 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 3 Amy Close, Wyong Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Umina’s street tree group, Grow Urban Shade Trees, is calling on Peninsula residents to provide feedback on the council’s draft tree policy which is currently on exhibition.

Ferry service should be back to normal this week The ferry service between Wagstaffe, Ettalong and Palm Beach should be back to normal this week.

New ferry owner, the NRMA, advised Peninsula News on Friday afternoon that it had the “all clear” from NSW Roads and Maritime Services for full services to Wagstaffe and Ettalong. The service was planned to start today (Monday). The first service out of Wagstaffe was due to leave at 5:50am this morning and from Ettalong at 6am, with 10 return services from each location daily. Services between Palm Beach and Ettalong and Wagstaffe have not run since April and commuters have needed to make their own way to and from Patonga in order to utilise the ferry to Sydney’s northern beaches. Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch said on Thursday she had received confirmation that the ferry operator, Fantasea Cruises, was conducting test runs of the navigation channel to determine whether or not it was safe to resume its full service.

12 December 2018

19 November 2018

ISSUE 195

Support sought to oppose the re-opening of the Mangrove Mountain landfill

esidents in the southern areas of the Central Coast have been asked to support a campaign to protect the region’s water supply by opposing the reopening of the Mangrove Mountain landfill.

Issue 155

28 November, 2018

Edition 458

NOVEMBER 8, 2018

She said that the dredge was still working off Lobster Beach. The Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association circulated a dredging update to its members on the same day which stated: “We have been advised by the Department of Lands that dredging operations in the Ettalong Channel should reach a stage next week to enable ferry services to complete their safety testing. “The channel mouth off Little Box Head where the original problem arose has been made 60m wide and is now clear. “The final stage of dredging off Lobster Beach will provide a 30m wide channel with a minimum clearance at low tide of some 2.5m. “After ferries resume, this will be widened further to 40m. “Roads and Maritime will then move the channel markers to delineate the new channel boundaries.” Ms Tesch said the resumption of the full ferry service would be welcomed by the local community and business operators but the NSW Government’s efforts to provide the Peninsula with a safe and operational navigation channel

still needed scrutiny. “I have put questions on notice in the Legislative Assembly about how many days the dredge has worked and not worked,” she said. “The Minister’s suggestion that the ferry could run a tidal service and use the channel on mediumto high-tides is not tenable. “It would have meant people could take the ferry trip to Palm Beach in the morning but be stuck at Patonga on the return trip. “This government has already spent over $1 million on emergency dredging but my questions have revealed it had no plans of introducing a shuttle bus for commuters between Patonga and the other regular ferry stops. “We know a long term solution is needed and we know $1.255 million with the same amount matched by Council will not be near enough to ensure the ferry service does not have to be diverted for another seven months at some stage in the future,” she said.

SOURCE: Interview, 15 Nov 2018 Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford Media statement, 15 Nov 2018 Ian Bull, WTKCA Reporter: Jackie Pearson

Group member Ms Debbie Sunartha said the group had found an increasing demand for urban shade tree planting and education. “Our volunteers are working overtime to meet the community’s growing demand.” However, she said council policies were exacerbating the situation. “As Council as rolls out large projects, our group has observed that mature trees that once shaded our walk home or kept the car cool in summer are being removed at an extremely fast rate,” she said. “Tree advocates across the Central Coast feel that policy is urgently needed to support developers, both residential and commercial, to understand that trees are an asset which adds value to properties and to make all efforts to retain and/or replace

them,” Ms Sunartha said. Ms Sunartha quoted a public statement by mayor Cr Jane Smith that “maintaining our natural assets is a critical component of what we value as a community”. “Jane Smith is asking residents to plant a tree, but what we have discovered is that with minimal resources allocated to trees, residents are unsure of what and where to plant,” Ms Sunartha said. Ms Sunartha said Grow Urban Shade Trees aimed to help the Peninsula community select and plant new shade trees. “The group is spreading the word on the value of trees for cooler streetscapes, added beauty, wildlife habitat, clean air, energy savings and water storage,” she said. She encouraged Peninsula residents to view the tree policy and provide feedback to address the increasing heat-bowl effect in our suburbs. Council’s tree policy is available on the Your Voice Our Coast website. SOURCE: Media release, 12 Nov 2018 Debbie Sunartha, GUST

GUST members Ms Melissa Chandler, Ms Debbie Sunartha and Ms Jan Wilder

THIS ISSUE contains 64 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

NOVEMBER 22, 2018

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DECEMBER 6, 2018

ISSUE 196

Community up in arms over clearing of Crown Land

he NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has launched an official compliance investigation into alleged clearing of Crown Land at MacMasters Beach, while Central Coast Council continues to work, with multiple agencies, on an investigation of alleged clearing without permission on private land at a James Norton Rd property, located between Bensville and MacMasters Beach. For over two weeks, concerned MacMasters Beach residents have been waiting for Central Coast Council, and or OEH, to respond to reports of what they consider to be clearing of bushland by a private landowner without appropriate permissions. Coast Community News has contacted a family member of the land owners, believed to be three siblings, and they are expected to issue a statement through their legal representatives. Kel Butcher, spokesperson for the unnamed group of concerned MacMasters Beach residents, said that over two weeks ago, one of his neighbours heard machinery in the bush, “went and had a look, and saw two machines starting to clear the bush. “He was told it was only clearing along the fence line, but the contractor went on to clearing large patches of land that had nothing to do with the boundary fence,” Butcher said.

Note how little the man is in relation to space cleared

“Big trees have been cut down in addition to the bush that has been cleared with the machines,” he said. Butcher said residents were particularly concerned about clearing that has occurred on non-private land, since confirmed as Crown Land. A neighbouring property has a native conservation caveat over some of its land which has also, allegedly, been cleared, along with remnant rainforest on the Crown Land at the MacMasters Beach end of the property. The site has been visited by Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, and Labor Candidate for the seat of Terrigal, Central Coast Councillor, Jeff Sundstrom.

Police have also been called to the area on several occasions since the land clearing commenced. “The Mayor was fairly guarded in her comments. “It’s nice that she came to visit, and we all respect the fact that there is an investigation underway,” Butcher said. “What we want to know is why it has taken so long for someone to make a decision about what is allowable and what is not allowable. “It is 16 days since this started, we know Council has issued the stop work order, but is there going to be any punitive action for the damage caused? “We have not yet been told what remedies are available. “OEH has jurisdiction over

the public land, but we are just going around in circles at the moment, nobody is taking responsibility for what is happening. “No one is saying ‘yes’, this is our jurisdiction, but we also do understand that it is a complex investigation by Council, and they are saying that they are doing everything in their power. “There are quite a few adjoining neighbours keeping an eye and ear out for any further action that may take place. “We have a very concerned community group that will respond very quickly if anything does happen. “The chainsawed trees included 100, or more, year old angophoras, and you won’t

get trees of that maturity back for the next three generations, and they are habitat, once they are down, they are lost for generations. “We all respect people and we understand that land owners have rights, but we want things done according to the law and through the right channels, we don’t think anyone can just go in and ignore the laws and destroy the bush like that.” Adam Crouch issued a statement on Monday, November 19, that National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Central Coast Council were working together and had appropriately intervened to prevent any further illegal clearing. “I thank the number of local

residents who contacted me and brought this to my attention,” Crouch said. “As such, I was subsequently able to arrange for Central Coast Council to take necessary steps, including a stop work notification,” he said. “No clearing of native vegetation on a private property can be undertaken without Council approvals and oversight. “NPWS and Council rangers have been patrolling the site on a very frequent basis. “Thank you to the Macmasters Beach community for their ongoing vigilance, and I stand with them in not tolerating any illegal clearing in our local area,” Crouch said. Compliance officers from OEH subsequently inspected the site, which resulted in the official compliance investigation being launched. On Thursday, November 15, the Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, had sent urgent emails to the NSW Minister for Lands, Paul Toole, and the Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, as a result of calls from distressed members of the local community. “The community in the Terrigal electorate are very concerned re tree felling on a border between private and Crown Land between Bensville and the Scenic Drive, DP659496, 20 James Norton Rd, Bensville,” Tesch’s email to the Ministers said. The property is zoned 7A, including endangered ecological community, protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act.

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Environment report finds that hundreds of people are dying premature deaths P

ublicly available air quality monitoring should be conducted at Wyee, a community with an aging coal-fired power station, but with no current air m o n i t o r i n g , according to a new report into the health burden of fine particle pollution from coal-fired power stations. According to the report, over the remaining 12 years of operational life for Vales Point, it will result in 547 additional deaths, 475 lower birth weight babies, and 709 additional cases of new onset diabetes. In the remaining 12 years of operation for Eraring, it will lead to 1,219 additional expected deaths, 1,058 low birth weight babies, and 1,579 additional cases of new onset diabetes. Local residents will have an opportunity to discuss the findings of the report at a public forum on Thursday, November 29. The report’s author, Dr Ben Ewald, Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Clinical Epidemiology

Dr Ben Ewald and Biostatistics, and, Dr James Whelan, from Environmental Justice Australia (EJA), will be guest speakers at the meeting, to be held at the Wyee Community Hall from 6:30 to 8:00pm. Mike Campbell from the Community Environment Network (CEN) will also speak at the meeting. EJA recently commissioned the report into the health impacts of air pollution from NSW power stations.

It is the first report of its kind in Australia. The report found that coal-fired power stations are one of the biggest sources of air pollution in Australia, causing asthma and other respiratory problems, reduced birthweight, diabetes and premature death. It concluded that public health is impacted in communities near power stations and up to 200km away, and that air pollution is poorly

controlled in NSW. Vales Point Power Station, at Mannering Park, is the only one out of the five still operating in NSW that is located within the Central Coast local government area, but the nearby Eraring Power Station, in the Lake Macquarie LGA, would, according to the report, also have detrimental health impacts on the Central Coast community. “The form of pollution that has the strongest

effect on health is fine particles (PM2.5) and one of the major sources of PM2.5 in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan region is burning coal for electricity,” the report said. “Eraring and Vales Point … make the largest contribution to the health burden from power generation, since prevailing weather patterns are most likely to carry pollutants from these sources into the Sydney basin where

the largest population resides,” it said. “The continued operation of all the coalfired generators in NSW imposes a substantial health burden that could be alleviated by imposing stricter licensing conditions for operators that would require postcombustion capture of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), or by bringing forward closure of plants.” “It’s shocking to think that based on the current operating life of the five power stations, the air pollution they produce will kill 3,429 more people,” Ewald said. “As a Newcastle doctor, I knew that air pollution from coal fired power stations is harming local communities, but as a researcher, I never imagined that the scale of their impact would be so severe,” he said. “Literally hundreds of people are dying premature deaths every year because of coalfired power.” The study coincides with the review of pollution licences for the Vales Point and Eraring Power Stations.

Continued P3

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Continued page 3

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ISSUE 197

Premier’s proposed fast train study met with support and scepticism

SW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, visited Gosford Train Station on December 5, to announce that the Central Coast would benefit from significantly reduced travel times, after being included in one of the four proposed fast rail routes identified by the NSW Government. In July, the government released, A 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW. One of the key elements of that vision is better connectivity between regional centres, and from cities and international gateways. Premier Berejiklian said a fast rail network is a game changing project which would attract more investment and generate new job opportunities for the Central Coast. “We know fast rail would transform the way people get to and from the Central Coast forever,” Berejiklian said. “It would slash travel times allowing more people to leave the car at home and catch the train to either Sydney or Newcastle,” she added. The delivery of fast rail to the Central Coast has the potential to reduce travel times by up to 75 per cent. The NSW Government has appointed Professor Andrew McNaughton, to lead an expert panel to provide advice to the Premier on how the government should best deliver a fast rail network to connect the state. “Long distance fast and high speed rail studies have been undertaken in Australia over many years,” Premier Berejiklian said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch and the Liberal candidate for Gosford, Sue Dengate, at Gosford Train Station

“These studies have usually focused on linking the major Eastern Seaboard cities of Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne, and focused on rail as a competitor to air and road transport options. “Most of the studies found that the costs and required ticket prices of an interstate high-speed rail network would be insurmountably high compared to likely customer volumes. “Until now, limited work has been done on the potential for a fast rail network connecting regional cities within NSW. “The Fast Rail Network Strategy will, for the first time, provide a comprehensive assessment focused on connecting regional cities,” Berejiklian said. “The NSW Government is committed to moving from

high-level vision to planning, and on to delivery,” the Premier continued. “Having a strategy will ensure that future investment decisions on fast rail are well considered. “Preparing the Fast Rail Network Strategy in 2019 is the first significant step in taking the network from vision to delivery,” she said. Under the Strategy, preliminary works will commence on that first stage of the fast rail network in the next term of government, if the Liberal Nationals retain power. Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, joined the Premier in making her announcement and said a fast rail link from the Central Coast to Sydney and Newcastle would transform the region. “This announcement is also

on top of the New Intercity Fleet Trains which will enter service late next year,” Crouch said. Sue Dengate, Liberal Candidate for Gosford, said fast rail will be a huge boost for the Central Coast. “Faster travel times will mean that workers can spend less time commuting and more time with their families,” Dengate said. Following the Premier’s announcement, several Central Coast government agencies, politicians, development agencies and community figures weighed in on the Coast’s possible inclusion on the fast train route. Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said faster rail for the region was a dream many residents of the Central Coast would like to see

realised. “We have many residents who leave the Coast early in the morning and return to their families late in the evening due to job opportunities being in Sydney and Newcastle, and so today’s announcement is very welcomed. “This announcement builds on the process that was first started in September 2017 when the Federal Government launched the Faster Rail Prospectus at Gosford Station, and this Prospectus was all about calling for new and upgraded rail infrastructure to help link cities and the regions,” Wicks said. “This announcement has huge potential for the Central Coast and will slash commute times and has huge returns for residents. “This announcement is for

our hard working commuters and those people who use our trains on a regular basis who want to live on the Central Coast and be linked to two great cities that surround it, Sydney and Newcastle,” Wicks said. Central Coast Council Mayor, Jane Smith, has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a northern high speed rail route which could reduce travel times between Sydney and the Central Coast. Mayor Smith said this would make a significant difference to thousands of Central Coast residents who commute to Sydney every day, often spending up to four hours a day on a return train journey between the Coast and their destination. “We know commuting is a major issue for our community, with many Coasties having to travel off the Coast every day for work or study,” Mayor Smith said. “Reducing the commute to Sydney from around 90 minutes to 30 minutes would allow the community to have an additional two hours per day or as much as 10 hours per week for other activities at home or in their community, like spending time with their family, rather than sitting on a train,” Mayor Smith said. “This could also have a flow on effect of encouraging those who drive to Sydney each day to leave their cars at home and hop on a train, which would also reduce traffic on our major roads and deliver benefits to the environment. Continued P3

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Action taken to protect the largest fresh water wetland on the Central Coast S

ignificant steps have been taken to achieve the p e r m a n e n t protection of Porters Creek Wetland, the largest fresh water wetland on the Central Coast.

Mayor, Jane Smith, has made the permanent protection of the Porters Creek Wetlands one of her major goals as the first Mayor of the amalgamated Council. She said it was a “critical part of the bigger picture for that area” in terms of how surrounding land could be developed to create employment. “The former Wyong Council, for some 20 years, and different people, have been recognising its value and it needs protection, and they just haven’t been able to deliver what is required,” she said. “So I am really pleased that we are making progress.” She said the report considered at the Monday, December 10, Central Coast Council meeting put in place the need to reclassify the SEPP14 (protected) wetland from Operational land to Community land, to ensure it could not be sold off. “I think that is an important first step. “There have been numerous studies of the wetlands and part of the resolution was to pull that information together and

Porters Creek Wetlands, west of Wyong, cover 3.6 hectares and is the region’s largest wetland of significance important for Tuggerah Porters Creek Wetland Lake, for the run off and were identified and water quality going into discussed. Tuggerah lakes. Of seven options “In terms of flora and considered, a Biodiversity fauna, it has threatened Stewardship Agreement species and endangered was considered to be ecological communities.” a strong mechanism to According to the staff protect the wetland. report presented to the “The next strongest meeting, Porters Creek are the existing planning Wetland is significant instruments, State and because of its ecology Local, which are already and its impact on in place,” the staff report improving downstream said. water quality from its “A Biodiversity large catchment area. Stewardship Agreement Work on the December can provide offsets 10 resolution started in for development March, when Council opportunities elsewhere, unanimously resolved and will support the to request the CEO to creation of an income arrange a meeting with stream to fund the the Office of Environment ongoing management and Heritage, of biodiversity in Porters Department of Planning Creek wetland,” it said. and other stakeholders “Landowners, including to identify mechanisms Council, may consider to permanently protect entering into a voluntary Porters Creek Wetland. Biodiversity Stewardship The meeting was Agreement (BSA) on held in May, and any parcel of land under several mechanisms the NSW Biodiversity to permanently protect Conservation Act 2016.

turn it into a proposal and a case for why it needs stronger protection. When introducing her motion to the meeting, which was seconded by, Clr Kyle MacGregor, Mayor Smith said she wished to see Council engage a consultant with wetland expertise, to initiate biodiversity stewardship agreement and investigate whether it could be declared as a wetland of international significance. She said she wanted Council to liaise with National Parks and prepare a submission and to look at what planning clauses might be considered for an LEP or DCP to minimise impacts. “The significant part, in my view, about Porters Creek Wetland, is that it is the largest fresh water wetland on the Central Coast. “Just by nature of the size and role, it is

Office: 3 Amy Close, Wyong Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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12 December 2018

NEWS

Toukley Community Action Group calls for development to be deferred

he Toukley Community Action Group has called for an affordable housing development at 6 to 10 Dunleigh St, to be deferred until a new traffic impact study was completed for the area, and Fire and Emergency Services were consulted about accessibility.

The Member for Wyong, David Harris, attended a community meeting held by the group on Friday, December 7, and said he would write to both the NSW Minister and the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) to say that there was new information that needed to be taken into account before the development could be approved. Harris cautioned that the approval process, in the hands of the JRPP, was in its late stages and

INSTA LL IN A D ED AY! *

Concerned residents from the Toukley Community Action Group with Member for Wyong, David Harris, on the corner of Dunleigh St and Tamar Ave the development would be difficult to stop. He said the JRPP had deferred its approval until the developer complied with four minor conditions. “But they are minor,

such as where the rubbish bins are located,” Harris said. However, Harris said the developer and Central Coast Council had not asked Fire and

Rescue NSW about the development, which he considered to be a major oversight. “When you think about the people who have the most accidents,

statistically it would be the elderly, so there is a height and a fire hazard,” he said. “If one of the appliances tried to get into Tamar Ave it would never get there,

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12 December 2018

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Toukley Community Action Group

rom P3

“It would have a hydrant, but in terms of how they access it, it is going to be a problem.” According to Harris, the last traffic management strategy put in place for the area of Toukley, including Main Rd, Tamar Ave, Dunleigh St and Moss Ave, was in 2009, and was outdated. He said the traffic and access in the area was already “diabolical” without three more major

developments slated within 100m of each other. The developments are a 121-bed aged care facility fronting Main Rd, between Dunleigh and Tamar, the affordable housing development that would face Tamar Ave on the site of the former caravan park, and the multi-storey development next to the Beachcomber Hotel. He said Council staff and the JRPP had not thought through the traffic implications for the three

combined developments. “The traffic study doesn’t even talk about this, so I am going to push this as hard as I can,” Harris said.Executive Member of Toukley Community Group, Ian Wagstaffe, said that he believed both Central Coast Council and the JRPP had failed to understand the impacts of the 34-unit, four-storey building proposed for 6 to 10 Dunleigh St. Community members who attended the meeting

said both the panel and Council staff had failed to look at the development in the context of its broader location, including its proximity to the approved aged care facility. “Are we objecting to everything, absolutely not, we have got a 124 bed aged care facility starting right beside this one,” Wagstaffe said. “I bought my property 11 years ago, with a dream of knocking down that old shack and building

my dream home on the Lake, and yes, I bought it near that old caravan park in the hope that one day, Council would do something,” he said. The community feels that the troubled caravan park, often used for emergency social accommodation, had finally closed, but the proposed new developments would also have a significant negative impact on the area. “For access into the

aged care facility, people coming from Warnervale, will need to turn into Dunleigh, do a u-turn in that street, and turn left into Main Rd, to get into the aged care facility,” Wagstaffe said. “In the traffic reports, that is not really talked about,” he said. “In the current guidelines, Council don’t look at more than one project, even though the aged care facility and the affordable housing

Community Environment Network Chairman’s Report A

THE ANNUAL CEN BAT AWARDS

At a global level, In August we saw scientists warn of the dire consequences and the need for action on Climate Change. No ifs, no buts, action is needed immediately to protect our children’s future.

WILDPLANT COMMUNITY NURSERY SALE DAY

Special pre Christmas plant sale day give a gift of native plants this Christmas 9am to 12pm Sat 15th Dec CEN Office, The Manor, Central Coast Campus Ourimbah Best access is off Brush Road, Ourimbah just up the hill at the sign into the Community College - Cash Only. No EFTPOS

s 2018 draws to a close it has been a huge environmental year.

Locally, the year began with the appalling decision by the NSW Government to build a railway maintenance facility on wetlands at Kangy Angy. What followed demonstrates why CEN and strong communities are needed.

Upcoming Events

The Annual CEN BAT Awards and end of year networking night were attended by 50 enthusiastic people, committed to public service. It was held on Thursday 29th November and the winners were:

Graham Hankin – Best 12 th Man; Heather Graham – Best Rookie Bob Graham – Special Award for Public Service; Kangy Angy Action Group – Special Award for Persistence; WIRES Central Coast – Most Outstanding Group; Robert Payne – Most Outstanding Individual (The BAT Award).

OURIMBAH CREEK CATCHMENT CRAWL

CENTRAL COAST MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE

Open every day in the school holidays from 10 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm) except Public Holidays, check our Facebook page for updates. Special displays on sharks and cephalopods (squid and octopus). Rockpool platform walks in mid January, dates and times to be advised on Facebook. Shark Talk by Dr David Powter on 16 th January 2019 at 6:30 pm. Other talks may be advised.

TERRIGAL LOVE OUR LAGOON PROJECT:

Water Quality & Marine Debris Workshop 9.30 am to 2.30 pm on 9th February 2019 at the Terrigal Scout Hall $10 (lunch included) Please register at www.ccmdc.org.au/events

As money from grants become harder for CEN to obtain, we rely more on our donors to enable programs such as Waterwatch, which has been going since 1997, to keep going. Please make a donation to help Waterwatch maintain the good work to educate and monitor our waterways with over 1,000 adults and children involved every year.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY AT THE TERRIGAL LAGOON 8 am Sunday 3rd March Meet at the front of the Marine Centre.

Central Coast Waterwatch held an issues affecting the creek and the streambank Ourimbah Creek Catchment Crawl on rehabilitation works council has carried out to improve water quality. On a brighter note, the Plant Sale Day at Saturday 24th November.

CEN on the first Saturday every month is a great place to meet and chat and buy some native plants for your garden.

Lastly a special thank you to all our members, supporters, volunteers and staff, without you we would not be here. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year John Asquith OAM

Participants traveled by bus with CEN staff and volunteers to explore Ourimbah Creek and conduct assessments of water quality, macro invertebrates and vegetation at different sites along Ourimbah Creek. Guest speakers came along from Central Coast Council, Chittaway Point Landcare and Kangy Angy Residents Action Group to talk about different

The catchment crawl was made possible with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program If you would like to find out more about the Waterwatch and how you can get involved please visit http://www.nswwaterwatch.org.au/ or contact Rachael on waterwatch@cen.org.au or 4349 4757

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is an alliance of individuals and groups that work for ecologically sustainable development.

Support CEN - Become a member - Volunteer - Make a donation

www.cen.org.au

Ph: 4349 4756

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Page 5

12 December 2018

NEWS

calls for development to be deferred are being built 50m apart at the same time. “So when you take the traffic report from one and the other, and put them together, you don’t have to be a mathematician to realise that they will have an impact. “They describe Tamar Ave as a two-way street when it resembles a lane way.” He said the community’s chances of stopping the affording housing development were “limited”. “But even so, we can’t walk away, because this is not the last. “If we walk away now, what are the next three houses that are going to get knocked down and replaced with a complex?” David Harris said the affordable housing development was originally knocked back by Council because it was proposed to be six storeys high. He said he believed the NSW Affordable Housing State Environmental

Tamar Ave Toukley is described as a two-way street in the traffic report but locals refer to it as a laneway Planning Policy (SEPP), Affordable Housing SEPP, development and they put in place in 2009 to give which gives them rights are also re-looking at the developers incentives to that they would normally definition of a boarding build affordable housing in be knocked back on. house because they have order to meet a shortage “They are doing it in worked out that they are of stock, was not working. places that you would not too big.” “Developers are buying expect to find them. Harris said that in 2009, up cheap land and they “The Government put he had assisted a group are trying to go for the a freeze on development called the Friends of maximum price, so they in Ryde because of over- Toukley, to have planning are building under the

controls introduced because there had been no height limits in the area. “In Toukley itself, there were no height limits and people had a fear it would end up like The Entrance, and so that group fought really hard to have zonings put in, so in most of the area, you can only have a single level,” he said. “All of us, including the police, have fought to get rid of that caravan park. “When the aged care facility came up, I got one complaint in my office, but nobody else raised an eyebrow, because it was a controlled development and low level. “The message I gave to Council and the planning panel was that this is not about people being against development or affordable housing, it is about people being against where you put it. “It has to be appropriate. “You’ve got a road that the RMS agrees cannot have any extra capacity, it is what it is, they can’t widen it, they can do

what they have done in Gorokan and slow it down to 40km. “So basically, now you have a situation where any day of the week, including the weekend, trying to walk from one side of the road to another is almost impossible. “I spoke to RMS and they said they were not asked to consider the two developments together. “They were only asked to consider each specific development,” he said. Harris urged residents to write to Council and the JRPP with new information about the deficiencies in the traffic report and the fire accessibility, as soon as possible. He said he expected Council to re-exhibit the revised plans, which would give the community an opportunity to raise its concerns again. Source: Meeting recording, Dec 7 Toukley Community Action Group Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Page 6

12 December 2018

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

JRPP calls for revised plans for Toukley development

he Joint Regional Planning Panel has deferred its decision on an affordable housing development project at 6-10 Dunleigh St, Toukley. The proposal is for a $9.1m residential flat building, consisting of 34 dwellings under the Affordable Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). Central Coast Council’s assessment report recommended conditional approval of the proposed development even though it had received 53 submissions raising concerns about its proposed location. The panel has requested that the applicant provide revised plans that included a direct and safe pedestrian link between the development and communal open space, and a proposed

View of the site from Dunleigh St looking west community garden. Plan revisions were also requested by the panel to remove storage cages adjacent to western car parking spaces “to allow for access and enable passive surveillance the full length of the communal open space and community garden. The developer has also been directed to revise the ground floor plan layout to provide required storage within

the building footprint. Further information has also been requested to address the isolation of an adjoining block of land at 14 Tamar Ave, “including demonstration of a reasonable development outcome in accordance with the Council’s planning controls”. As an alternative, the panel suggested that the developer consider the Land and Environment Court’s planning principle

for isolated sites. The developer must have revised plans and further information submitted to Central Coast Council before the end of January. The proposal sought variations to Council’s building height controls along with variations to other planning controls under Council’s Development Control Plan, the Apartment Design Guide and the

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SEPP. According to Council’s assessment report, those variations included provisions of communal open space, landscaped area, dwelling mix, maximum number of dwellings from a common core, and maximum dwellings permitted with a southerly aspect. The proposal had already been amended to reduce the height and comply with setbacks and floor space ratio. The initial proposal was for 40 dwellings over six levels, which was subsequently reduced to 34 dwellings over four levels. All dwellings have been nominated for Affordable Housing and will be managed by Compass Housing for a minimum of 25 years. The general theme of submissions objecting to the development included that the building height, bulk and scale

was excessive and out of character, and that there are too many units proposed for a small site with difficult access that would set a precedent for further over-development in the area. Parking was another area of concern identified in submissions and, as the applicant is a social housing provider, parking required is a lesser rate of 0.4 spaces for each one bedroom dwelling, and 0.5 spaces for each twobedroom dwelling. “A total of 17 spaces has been provided, which is therefore compliant with the car parking requirements of the SEPP, although this is significantly less than Council’s DCP rate,” the assessment report said. Source: Record of Deferral, Nov 21 Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel DA442018, Nov 27 Wyong DA Tracker, Central Coast Council

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After retiring in June 2014, Henry Scholten has now opened a small shop in the former Ettalong Markets, only trading on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. The Ettalong market has been beautifully revamped to a luxury European Galleria style tourist attraction. Established in 1988, Scholten Jewellers has been manufacturing fine jewellery on the Central Coast for 30 years, having had shops in Bateau Bay, Gosford, Erina and Tuggerah. Scholten Jewellers is now in Ettalong, providing an excellent repair, design remodelling and manufacturing service. The location is also an impressive showroom of unique, handmade rings, pendants, earrings, bangles, brooches, chains set with precious and semi-precious gems, and a huge selection of Australian Opal. All repairs and manufacturing is done on the premises in a fully equipped workshop.

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Page 7

12 December 2018

NEWS

Loss of a 200-plus year-old paperbark tree highlights tree policy weakness

Cherry picker on site at the holiday park felling the Paperbark on December 6

he decision to cut down a 200-plus year-old paperbark tree in Budgewoi Holiday Park, on Thursday, December 6, demonstrated the major weaknesses of the proposed new Central Coast Council tree management policy, according to, Phil Heaton, Manager of the Budgewoi Dune Care group. “Central Coast Council organised a group to come and do an arborist’s report on a tree in the holiday park,” Heaton said. “The whole of that forest is a forest of cultural

significance for the Melaleuca quinquenervia or Paperbark,” he said. Heaton said that the former Wyong Council’s Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Committee established and approved a list of Trees of Cultural Significance in around 2006. The Budgewoi Beach Dune Care Group has continued to work within the holiday park. “We have a propagating compound in the northern end of the park,” Heaton said. “We have also been funded by Local Land Services to rehabilitate the areas to the north of the park to their natural state, which we have carried out over the past

eight years,” he said. According to Heaton, the paperbark cut down on December 6, was an important part of a bridging canopy for the Squirrel Glider, so that it can access important habitat. “When I asked the arborist [cutting down the tree] what provision was being made to replant any trees, he just looked at me like there was something wrong with me,” he said. “He said it was a Council issue and referred me back to Council on every point I raised.” Through the process of Council amalgamation, he believed Council had “forgotten about most things”, including

The stump of the felled Paperbark estimated to be at least 200 years old the Trees of Cultural Significance initiative, Heaton said. “There are no arborists employed with Council since they were all laid off when the Wyong tree policy was dropped. “Council is now in a situation where this arborist came into the park to look at trees because of the recent heavy winds. “The arborist came in with no knowledge of the Trees of Cultural Significance. “This tree was a pivotal tree to maintain the canopy of this forest that we have been growing trees for. “It had some disease in its upper branches that needed trimming, but it

did not need removal. “The same Certificate 3 arborist, that wrote a report for Council about the tree, is the same person who cut it down, so it is in their interests to cut it down. “He has all the equipment there to mulch, so he is making 10 times what he made from the report in taking the whole tree out. “Council is relying upon contractors to look after the health of its trees and determine what needs to be done with them. “These people have not got the qualifications to determine tree health. “That is why we desperately need Council to employ its own Certificate 5 arborists.

“The conflict of interest is the biggest problem here, along with breaking up the canopy we are trying to provide to encourage a habitat for wildlife. “The arborist’s qualifications say it all. “The major sticking point with the Council’s current draft tree policy is exactly what is happening here. “Conflicts of interest, and advice from Certificate 3 arborists who lack the necessary qualifications, are not good enough justification for a tree to go,” Heaton added. Source: Interview, Dec 6 Phil Heaton, Budgewoi Beach Dune Care Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Changed traffic conditions on the M1 Pacific Motorway during December C

hanged traffic conditions will be in effect during December on the M1 Pacific Motorway, as work continues on the upgrade between Tuggerah and Doyalson, but works will be suspended over Christmas and New Year. Full closures and detours on the M1 southbound, between 7:30pm and 5:30am, will continue weeknights until Tuesday, December 18, weather permitting. A short detour along the existing entry and exit ramps at Sparks Rd will be in place to allow all motorists to continue their journey with minimal disruption. Traffic control and a reduced 40km/h speed limit will be in place within the detour location to allow asphalting to be carried out on the M1 under Sparks Road bridge.

The current shift of northbound lanes was extended further south overnight, Tuesday, December 11. Two northbound lanes opened after the switch, and the 80km/h speed limit reinstated. Access to the northbound service centre will be maintained at all times. Full closures and detours on the M1 northbound will be in place on Sunday and Monday, December 16 and 17, between 7:30pm and 4am, weather permitting. As with the southbound work, a short detour along the existing exit and entry ramps at Sparks Rd will be in place to allow all motorists to continue their journey with minimal disruption. The traffic lights will be switched off and traffic control and a reduced 40km/h speed limit will be in place within the detour location to allow

for the removal of the work platform under the bridge. Roads and Maritime Services is planning to shift the two existing southbound lanes closer to the right for about three kilometres, starting about 500 metres north of the Sparks Rd exit, and ending about 1.5 kilometres north of the service entry. These arrangements are expected to be in place from early Wednesday morning, December 19, and will be in place until mid-2019, weather permitting. No work will be carried out during the Christmas holiday period, from Friday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 2, but the reduced 80km/h speed limit and traffic changes will remain in place for the safety of motorists, until work re-starts on Thursday, January 3. Source: Media release, Dec 7 Wade O’Leary, RMS

CEN calls for air pollution controls to be upgraded to match world standards

he Community Environment Network’s (CEN) submission to the EPA Licensing Review Committee on the Eraring and Vales Point Power Stations, has called for their pollution controls to be upgraded to match world standards. “Existing mandatory technology in Europe, United States and Japan, for instance, comprise FGD (Flue Gas Desulfurisation) and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction),” said CEN Executive Member, Mike Campbell. “Neither of these modern technologies are employed in NSW power stations, despite these effective controls existing for many decades,” Campbell said. “The cost of installation of these technologies can be easily absorbed by the private entities for both Vales Point and Eraring, based on known profits recorded in recent years,” he said. “The impact of pollution upon communities in NSW has been aired for over three decades, but

successive governments have failed to connect this pollution with public or environmental health. “Environmental Justice Australia have, in the last 18 months, publicly aired statistics which are alarming, to say the least, that link power station pollution with health effects upon communities, even in the Sydney basin. “Health authorities to date have not responded. “Due to the long standing failure of state authorities, or government itself, to open up studies in this area, Dr Ben Ewald, has just released a statistical epidemiological study after 18 months’ research into all available data. “Based on estimations of likely death and disease emanating from power station pollution, Dr Ewald, has, at least, opened debate which now requires EPA and health authorities to respond. “Simple refutation of Dr Ewald’s study will not suffice in the public domain. “We are asking that this study be taken seriously and that community, EPA, health authorities and government play out

the issue in public view,” Campbell said. Recommendations made to the licence review panel by CEN, included that Eraring and Vales Point pollution licences should be amended to set stack emission limits consistent with world best practice. “Vales Point and Eraring (and Mt. Piper) should install SCR and FGD technology to dramatically reduce pollution,” the submission said. “An additional public air quality monitor must be placed in the region of Eraring and Vales Point stations, probably near Wyee, as was discussed in 2015. “Continuous stack monitoring and real time monitoring must be introduced and be publicly available. “Due to the release of Dr Ewald’s study, EPA and NSW health authorities must open up public debate as to these findings to enable true correlation between pollution and public and environmental health to prevail. Source: Submission, Dec 1 Mike Campbell, Community Environment Network

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Councillors voted to request the CEO, Gary Murphy, to prepare a draft submission to the review including requesting the NSW Government to set pollution limits consistent with world’s best practice. They also asked Murphy to write to the NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton, seeking an expansion of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Air Pollution Monitoring Network, to include two or three additional Air Monitoring Stations in the vicinity of the power stations. The request to Minister Upton will be that the location of the new stations be determined in collaboration with Central Coast and Lake

Macquarie Councils, and the effected communities. Council will also request that Air Pollution Monitoring data be made readily available to the community. Murphy will also request that the EPA provide a briefing to Councillors in June, 2019, on the results of monitoring activities in relation to PFAS, ash dams and air pollution. The EPA will also be asked to provide an annual update, including a map, on areas identified as likely to be affected by PFAS contamination, monitoring activities, and results of that monitoring. Councillors also voted to request the CEO to write to NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, for clarification of the adverse risk of PFAS in all pathways (surface water, soil, air etc) and to request a report on how the companies dealt with PFAS and asbestos on the Colongra and Snowy Hydro sites, as well as a Rural Fire Service site. Source: Agenda item 3.8, Nov 27 Central Coast Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

NEWS

Forum calls for submissions to EPA to reduce unforgivable health burden

Councillors unanimously vote for action on water and air pollution monitoring draft submission will be prepared by Central Coast Council to the review of the Environment Protection Licences of the Eraring and Vales Point Power Stations, following a unanimous vote of Councillors on Monday, November 27.

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12 December 2018

Dr Ben Ewald addressed Wyee residents about the health impacts of coal fired power stations

orty residents attended a public forum at Wyee, on Thursday, November 29, on the health impacts of NSW coalfired power stations. Dr Ben Ewald, an epidemiologist and air pollution expert, delivered the findings from his latest report, ‘The health burden of fine particle pollution from electricity generation in NSW’, which found that “Each year, power station pollution causes 279 premature deaths, 361 new cases of type 2 diabetes, and 233 low birth weight babies.” The contempt with which people feel they are being treated is reaching boiling point in the

community, according to meeting organisers, Environmental Justice Australia (EJA). In response to the common question, “What needs to change to lower the pollution levels we are experiencing?”, Dr Ewald said Australia’s coal-fired power stations should be required to install best practice emission controls, including bag filters, Selective Catalytic Reduction, Flue Gas Desulfurisation and Activated Carbon Injection. Dr John van Der Kallen, Chair of NSW Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), told the meeting that DEA supported the findings and recommendations put forward in Dr Ewald’s

report, and that it was important for the local community to call on the NSW EPA to set stricter license conditions for coal-fired power stations. “Right now, there is something that Central Coast residents can do to help reduce the unnecessary and unforgivable health burden on the local communities,” said Nicola Rivers, Director for Research and Advocacy at EJA. “Lodge a submission calling on the NSW EPA to impose stricter license conditions for the operation of Eraring and Vales Point power stations, and seek to significantly reduce the toxic air pollution that spews from them, year

after year.” In recent weeks, EJA hosted public forums in other affected communities including Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Newcastle and Sydney. Nearly a thousand people have made submissions to the NSW Government calling on them to crack-down on pollution regulation for coal-fired power stations. “The take home message that everyone received is that right now, we can do something to reduce the unnecessary and unforgivable health burden on our local communities,” Rivers said. Source: Media release, Nov 30 Livia Cullen, EJA

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12 December 2018

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Contradictory advice provided on health of fish in the Tuggerah Lakes system

he NSW PFAS Taskforce has analysed the results from an initial study into some species of fish in the Tuggerah Lakes system. It has determined that the community does not need to limit consumption of the breeds of fish sampled to reduce their exposure. An updated fact sheet is also available on the EPA’s PFAS Investigation Program web page. It repeats that PFAS has been found onsite and at the end of the canals from Colongra and Munmorah power stations. It states that residents and fishers can continue to fish in the Tuggerah Lakes, but should consider the general advice to consume no more than two to three serves of seafood a week, as part of a balanced diet. Over the last nine months, as part of PFAS investigations in the area, Snowy Hydro Limited has been sampling Sea Mullet, Yellowfin Bream, Dusky Flathead, Luderick and Silver Biddy, to determine if precautionary dietary advice should be issued to the community. Due to the change in seasons and limited availability of fish and prawns, further sampling is being undertaken on school prawns, eastern king prawns and whiting, and the EPA will update the community as more

Map showing the areas of Budgewoi Lake where all methods of fishing for any species are banned between 6pm and 6am but the ban is long-standing and not related to PFAS investigations information comes to hand. The EPA also encouraged community members to note the fishing bans already in place in the canals near the Munmorah and Colongra Power Stations. “The NSW Government has advised that local commercial fishers can continue to sell fish harvested in the lakes. “It’s important to remember that no fishing within the power station’s canals or water systems is permitted,” the EPA’s PFAS Investigation Program web page for Colongra and Munmorah Power Station said. “A pre-existing ban on net fishing in Budgewoi Creek, and the seasonal night time ban on fishing in the Munmorah Power House outlet canal or

Budgewoi Lake, is not related to PFAS. “These are longstanding closures unrelated to PFAS investigations currently underway. “The Australian Government’s PFAS Expert Health Panel, in its report to the Federal Minister for Health, noted that there is no current evidence to suggest an increase in overall health risk related to PFAS exposure. However, the Expert Panel also said that health effects cannot be ruled out at this time. Because the risks are not fully known, the NSW Government takes a precautionary approach to limiting people’s exposure to PFAS. The update from the

EPA coincided with the release of the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry Report into PFAS contamination around the country. President of the Coalition Against PFAS, Lindsay Clout, in responding to the report, said: “International studies have highlighted increased risks of cancer and other major diseases from exposure. “In Australia, impacted communities have received conflicting levels of advice, but some are warned not to drink water or eat food from their land due to health risks. “Others have been left in the dark. “The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, in a formal submission to the Government, stated that the current advice

in relation to PFAS is ‘likely to be confusing for the public’ and that ‘we advocate for a change to the national health advice that incorporates the latest international evidence for adverse human health effects’. “More than 170 countries have signed a treaty which ban PFAS related chemicals. “Australia refuses to.” Gary Blaschke, from the Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee, said the community had been waiting 16 months for any results. “I find it amazing that only a few weeks ago, the Newcastle EPA office did not have results, due to the lack of fish and prawns being caught in the lake,” Blaschke said.

“Now, amazingly, they have been able to catch and sample Sea Mullet, Yellowfin Bream, Dusky Flathead, Luderick and Silver Biddy,” he said. “They must’ve all come to the lakes together for their summer break. “What they have is an interim report with no crustaceans, and fishing bans still in place near canals near the Munmorah and Colongra Bay Power stations. “If the estuaries have bans on them, due to contamination, and we happen to have a rain period, does this not cause them concerns with the contamination flowing into the lakes? “Before the lakes can be declared safe, I would need to see all the information, including if the fish were caught in the Tuggerah Lakes system, near The Entrance, or at the headwaters of the system in Lake Munmorah or Colongra Bay,” he said. Wyong Regional Chronical has asked the EPA for details on where and when the fish were caught. Source: Media release, Dec 5 Katie Ritchie, EPA Website, Dec 10 PFAS Investigation Program, Munmorah and Colongra Power Stations Media release, Dec 3 Lindsay Clout, Coalition Against PFAS Media statement, Dec 10 Gary Blaschke, Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee Jackie Pearson, journalist

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12 December 2018

NEWS

Warnervale level crossing should be replaced now

he level crossing at Warnervale Train Station should be replaced before thousands of new homes are built on what are now the surrounding green fields, according to the Member for Wyong, David Harris. Harris said the twoway Warnervale Rd may look, in parts, like a quiet road at the moment, but over the next 10 years, multiple major residential subdivisions would turn it into a major thoroughfare. “Precinct 7A will have 1,200 dwellings, then there is another estate that is going through in Nikko Rd, and then there is also another one built and up for sale in Railway Rd,” Harris said. “Those three will come right onto the level crossing, in addition to all the existing houses, because that is the route to the traffic lights on to Sparks Rd.

Member for Wyong, David Harris, at the level crossing next to Warnervale Train Station “I think what needs to happen is that Council and TfNSW have to look at options, whether it is a new road that goes through precinct 7A, crosses the railway line and comes out at the education precinct, or other options. “It may be that the level crossing closes

and everyone goes out through Virginia Rd,” he said. He said the confluence of Warnervale Rd, the railway line at Warnervale Station, Nikko Rd and Railway Rd, would become a major choke point, and a safety concern for those new communities if it was

not dealt with now, while green field land was available to come up with an affordable level crossing replacement site. “Why not get an overpass built now and choose a site that would allow it to divert traffic away from local roads, onto Sparks Rd,” he said.

Harris said his initial conversations with Central Coast Council and Transport for NSW had uncovered that neither the local nor state government had thought ahead. “The Victorian Government is replacing all level crossings, we

have an opportunity to do this now while it is relatively inexpensive, instead of waiting until all the houses are built and realising that we don’t have the available space for a bridge or tunnel, or any other solution,” he said. He said he believed both Council and Transport for NSW had underestimated the number of cars that would be using Warnervale Rd and the surrounding local road network. “You are going to have, with the new developments, around 3,000 cars potentially entering Warnervale Rd around that point heading towards Sparks Rd. “You have trains coming through many times an hour, including freight trains, so potentially, it is going to back up”. Source: Interview, Dec 7 David Harris, Member for Wyong Jackie Pearson, journalist

ARE YOU PASSIONATE AND EXPERIENCED? Mangrove Mountain landfill – proposed extension Submissions invited Verde Terra Pty Ltd (the Company) made an application (the Application) to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to vary the Company’s Environment Protection Licence for the Company’s landfill/waste disposal facility at Wiseman’s Ferry Road, Mangrove Mountain (Site). The grant of the Application would regulate the operation of the facility for a 10-year period and the operation of the facility would involve bringing to the Site and disposal of waste on the Site, the volume of which would not exceed the volume required to fill approximately 1.318 million m³ of space. The Application also involves substantial additional earthworks dealing with materials already on the Site. The proposed ultimate land use of the Site is as an 18 hole golf course. A complete description of the proposed variation to the licence is contained in the application documents. The EPA has refused the Company’s Application. The Company has appealed to the Land and Environment Court against that refusal. The Company has not made a separate application to Central Coast Council for development consent for these activities and seeks to rely on, amongst other things, an existing development consent DA23042/1998 (as varied). The Land and Environment Court has directed that the EPA invite public submissions about the Application. All submissions provided to the EPA will be provided to the Court and the Company.

Help create a positive difference in your community

The Application that is now before the Court, and related documents, are available on the EPA’s website at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/community-engagement/ community-news/mangrove-mountain-landfill.

Central Coast Council is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from suitably qualiﬁed, experienced and passionate people to be appointed as community stakeholder members of the following Council Committees:

The Application and related documents are also available for inspection at each of the following locations, during opening hours: • the head office of the EPA at Level 14, 59-61 Goulburn Street, Sydney; • the chambers of Central Coast Council at 49 Mann Street, Gosford; and • the chambers of Central Coast Council at 2 Hely Street, Wyong.

The Court has also directed the Company to pay for the cost of this advertisement and the costs of the EPA of conducting this public submission process. For more information visit: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/

Central Coast Tourism Advisory Committee (six vacancies) Protection of the Environment Trust Management Committee (one vacancy)

Membership of the Advisory Committees will be on a volunteer basis and no fee or costs will be paid to community stakeholder members.

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Submissions on the Application may be made to MMLSubmissions@epa.nsw.gov.au or to MML Submissions – Waste Branch, Environment Protection Authority, PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232. The closing date for submissions is 20 December 2018.

 

Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/eoi for our Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committees and application details. Closing date for applications is 5pm Friday 25 January 2019. Please allow extra time if posting to ensure your application is received by the closing date.

NEWS

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12 December 2018

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Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council welcomes release of a Consultation Paper D

arkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (Darkinjung) has welcomed the release of a Consultation Paper by the NSW G o v e r n m e n t containing planning measures to help Darkinjung achieve better economic outcomes from its land. Darkinjung is the first Local Aboriginal Land Council in NSW to develop a “delivery framework” with the NSW Department of Planning. The Darkinjung Delivery Framework (DDF) Consultation Paper proposes eight inter-related actions to help Darkinjung, the largest non-government landholder on the Central Coast, develop its land. “The release of this package is an historic moment in the journey to self-determination of Aboriginal people on the Central Coast,” said Darkinjung Chairperson, Matthew West. NSW Planning described the Consultation Paper as “a first for the state” and invited the Central Coast Community to have its say on the Darkinjung Delivery Framework (DDF). Central Coast Coordinator General, Lee Shearer, said the measures were leading the way in their breadth, depth and ambition to

bring about positive outcomes for Aboriginal people that would benefit the entire region. “The Regional Plan recognises that encouraging Aboriginal people to gain economic benefit from their land will support broader regional development, environmental and social outcomes,” Shearer said. “We have worked closely with Darkinjung to develop the Delivery Framework,” she said. “This is a test case that could potentially be rolled out to Aboriginal Land Councils all over the state.” The DDF Consultation Paper’s actions involve education, collaboration, revised processes and legal change. Key proposals include a Darkinjung Development Delivery Plan (DDDP) which would be a strategic plan to recognise the development pipeline for Darkinjung land. A State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) would then be put in place to legally recognise the DDDP. A Ministerial Direction would then be needed to link the DDDP to the planning proposal process. Other key measures would include a Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW Department of Planning, Darkinjung and, potentially, Central Coast Council; and strategic

conservation planning. Shearer said Darkinjung’s planning and development proposals would still be subject to all normal assessment processes and approvals for development. Darkinjung Chairman, Matthew West, said he applauded the NSW Government for developing such a bold set of initiatives that could transform the ability for Aboriginal communities to achieve economic selfdetermination from their land. “These are profound measures with the potential to bring about positive outcomes for our people for generations to come,” West said. NSW Planning has consulted with other Aboriginal stakeholders to develop the Consultation Paper, including Guringai Aboriginal Tribal Link Corporation, Barang Regional Alliance Central Coast, NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. The DDF Consultation Paper implements a key direction of the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 to strengthen the economic selfdetermination of Aboriginal communities. “We are very pleased that the NSW Government has recognised the significant role that Darkinjung plays in not just delivering outcomes for Aboriginal people, but for all people of the Central Coast,” West

said. “As the largest nonGovernment landholder in the region, Darkinjung supports the whole community in a variety of ways as a provider of jobs, education, culture and lifestyle,” he said. “I would like to acknowledge the hard work and expertise of the Coordinator General for the Central Coast, Lee Shearer, and her Gosfordbased team at the Department of Planning and Environment, for crafting such a transformational package and consulting closely with us throughout the process.” Darkinjung is one of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils in NSW established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (ALR) Act 1983. The ALR Act was passed by the NSW Parliament to establish a network of Aboriginal Land Councils to acquire and manage land as an economic base for Aboriginal communities, as compensation for historic dispossession, and in recognition of their ongoing disadvantage. The 2016 Inquiry into Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities by the NSW Parliament’s Standing Committee on State Development, recommended that the planning system needed to better accommodate aspirations of the ALR Act. West said Darkinjung’s boundaries aligned with

those of the Central Coast Local Government Area, and its landholdings extended from the Hawkesbury River in the south to Catherine Hill Bay in the north. “Our land holdings have previously been classified as Crown Land, and the zoning has been difficult to work with. “At times, there have been no real planning controls attached to the land. “We also hold environmental land on the urban fringe, and the Central Coast is going to struggle to provide housing to its growing population if we cannot develop that land. “There is a misunderstanding that Darkinjung is just another land developer,” West said. “Our role is to go about providing benefits to the Aboriginal community to be self-determined,” he said. The development of a Darkinjung campus of Barker College, that has achieved 100 per cent conversion of students to the Sydney Barker Campus, was one example of Darkinjung’s achievements, West said. “We are a non-profit organisation, so any proceeds made from land development go back into the community,” he said. The land council also has an extensive sports sponsorship program, and sponsored the

first Aboriginal to ever undertake an internship with the Disney Corporation. They also run a funeral fund to assist community members facing Sorry Business, and a community bus. “All services are supported from development of our land, so it is really about community,” he said. West said Darkinjung was a culturally conscious developer with a charter to enhance and strengthen both the environment and Aboriginal heritage of its lands. He said mineral extraction on Darkinjung land was also excluded under the Land Rights Act. Housing and youth employment are the “next two major frontiers for Darkinjung”, West said. “We want to make sure we can house all our members when they need a home and we want to take Barker College from one to three campuses, he said. The DDF Consultation Paper is on public exhibition until 5pm Friday, December 14. Source: Media release, Nov 16 Ben Mah-Chut, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Media release, Nov 19 Matthew Porter, NSW Planning Interview, Nov 19 Matt West, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council

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Community calls for stand-alone Palliative Care Hospice A

n online petition for a stand-alone Palliative Care Hospice on the Central Coast, received 1,700 responses within two days of its launch, on Tuesday, December 4.

Authorised by Emma McBride, ALP, 204/1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259

Oana McBride of San Remo, has been campaigning for such a hospice for the past six years, following the struggle of her neighbourhood friend, Elsie, who died in a nursing home as a result of the absence of a dedicated palliative care facility on the Coast. McBride said the signatures gathered online would be added to the 10,000 papersignatures already gathered by the Elsie’s Retreat committee. McBride said Elsie was a retired registered nurse who knew she was dying and, as a single woman with six months to live, identified that there was “something missing on the Central Coast”, a dedicated palliative care hospice. She said when Elsie was terminal and no longer needed acute medical care, she was transferred from hospital into an aged care nursing home, where she passed away. “It is not until you are touched personally, that you realise that as soon as you are no longer acute, you are going to

go to a nursing home. “There are beautiful carers in nursing homes, but it is a home-like environment for people who are aging, not palliating, it is the wrong environment,” McBride said. She said Sydney has four dedicated hospices and, with a population of 360,000, the Central Coast community justified a 20-bed facility of its own. “Everyone would know someone in their life who has faced a life-limiting disease or illness. “Knowing relatives or friends who have passed away with a painful end of life often shows us how precious these last moments are. “It also highlights the dire need in our community for healthcare facilities that can provide comfort and relief to our most vulnerable. “The Central Coast is the largest region in NSW and the ACT without its own stand-alone facility. “Only when this hospice is constructed will we finally get the dignity that our community deserves,” she said. Following Elsie’s death, McBride attended a women and family symposium, run by Lions. “I told them why I was there, that the Central Coast was the only metropolitan Local Health District without its own hospice,” she said. “We have no dedicated palliative care beds in

either Wyong or Gosford hospitals. “A palliative care team will visit patients in hospital and at home, but they are stretched to the limit. “They did get funding for more training, but we need a dedicated place so that patients can bypass Accident and Emergency at a time when they just want somewhere to go to get their medications checked. “It is going to be an extra service to fund, but it costs $1,800 per day to keep a patient in an acute bed, and only $1,000 a day in a hospice bed.” The Elsie’s Retreat campaign has gained support from both sides of politics. “We have been mentioned in state and federal parliament and we now sit on the Palliative Care Steering Committee with the Local Health District.” She said recommendation 86 in the NSW Government’s palliative care round table report was to “investigate a unit on the Central Coast”, so that means an investigation is what they will eventually look at in five years. “We are just going to keep proving this facility is what the Central Coast community needs and wants,” she said. Source: Interview, Dec 7 Oana McBride, Elsie’s Retreat Committee Jackie Pearson, journalist

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12 December 2018

NEWS

Major upgrade to Wyee Train Station proposed

An artists’ impression of the new and improved Wyee Station

ransport for NSW has outlined its plans to deliver a major upgrade to Wyee Train Station. The upgrade is being delivered as part of the Transport Access Program, a NSW Government initiative to provide a better experience for public transport customers by delivering safe, modern and accessible transport infrastructure. Major features of the upgrade include: The installation of three bridges to provide access to the station platforms from the current pedestrian access bridge; upgrades to the existing pedestrian pathways to improve access from the Gorokan

Rd commuter carpark and the Wyee Rd Council carpark; a new kiss-andride space on Gorokan Rd; installation of an additional accessible parking space in the Gorokan Rd commuter carpark; formalising the crossing on Wyee Rd; improvements to CCTV; wayfinding and lighting to increase safety and security; a new family accessible toilet and improved waiting room accessibility; and, new stairs to replace the current ramp. The upgrade will be sure to delight regular commuters who utilise Wyee Rail Station, who commonly complain about the current station’s dated design, lack of access options

for the disabled, elderly and families, and its infrequent staffing, which made accessing the enclosed waiting area and toilets difficult. The upgrade plans are currently subject to planning approval, but according to Transport for NSW’s Wyee Station Upgrade brief, construction is expected to commence in early 2019, and be completed in 2020. A community consultation regarding the upgrade, run by Transport for NSW’s Project Team, was held at the station on November 8. Source: Document, Nov 7 Transport for NSW Wyee Station Upgrade brief Dilon Luke, Journalist

NEWS

Page 14

12 December 2018

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Warnervale Airport Restrictions legislation needs to be seen in context

entral Coast Aero Club Board Member, James Stewart, has argued that the Warnervale Airport Restrictions Act 1996, was never intended to curtail the use of small aircraft, but specifically to stop 24-hour operation of jet aircraft.

“At its meeting on November 12, Central Coast Council voted to seek legal advice as to whether the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996 was being breached,” Stewart said. “The motion was only just carried, with the mayor using her casting vote,” he said. “The thrust of the enquiry is clearly whether the Act has been triggered, and if so, whether the number of movements, being a take-off or a landing, has exceeded the maximum daily maximum permitted

under the Act. “A little research by those championing the need for advice, or the stalwart small, disaffected, indefatigable opponents of the airport, would indicate that the enquiry rests on a misconception. “Those who say that the Act was intended to apply to the type of

aircraft which, because of its length, the airfield is limited to accommodate, conveniently ignore the circumstances under which the Act was passed. “If the notion that the Act limits the movements of small aircraft during the day is correct, the Act is the only such Act in Australia.

T 1800 997 057 (free call) E enquiries@northconnex.com.au

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NorthConnex Construction Update – December 2018 NorthConnex is a nine kilometre underground motorway that will link the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills, removing around 5,000 trucks off Pennant Hills Road daily. Tunnelling Progress Major tunnel excavation is now complete. All of the project’s 20 roadheaders have been removed and construction is entering a new phase which includes completing the final tunnel lining, fitting out the tunnels with equipment and laying road pavement.

Lining and water proofing the tunnel.

Surface Work Work is progressing on the permanent Motorway Control Centre, ventilation facility and emergency response facility at West Pennant Hills and also on the northern ventilation facility and noise walls at the M1 Pacific Motorway, Wahroonga. Happy Holidays We would like to thank the community for your patience this year, wish you a happy holiday period and remind you to stay safe on the roads. Questions or would like more information? Contact us: Phone: 1800 997 057 (24 hours) Email: enquiries@northconnex.com.au Website: www.northconnex.com.au Visit livetraffic.com.au for the latest traffic information.

“To understand the circumstances in which the Act was passed, it is necessary to revisit the facts giving rise to the understandable fear which residents had at the time that it was passed. “In 1996, the airport had been operating for over 20 years with movements confined to the same type of light aircraft which had always operated, and still operate, there. “An examination of the record of the parliamentary debates in the second reading speech in Hansard, describes the situation which the Act was passed to avoid. “Elizabeth Kirby referred to a plan for an Asian university campus for 7,500 students, which ‘would require 351,000 movements per year or 1,000 per day’. “This is reaching into the realms of fantasy; it does not take into account all measures necessary for planning an enormous airport development. “The reference to 351,000 movements per year was also referred to by the, Hon I Cohen. “The Hon RS Jones referred to ‘737 jets operating 24 hours a day’. “The Hon MJ Gallagher, after quoting an article in Australian Aviation magazine which stated that Wyong Council had grand plans for turning Warnervale into a freight centre capable of carrying 747s, said ‘Can Honourable members

honestly imagine what it would be like to be woken at 2am or 3am as a large aircraft flies overhead?’ “The parliamentary debate followed public meetings, one of which took place at Wyong High School, in December, 1995. “Gallagher described that meeting: ‘I have been told by a number of people who attended a public meeting at Wyong High School, in December, 1995, that, Mr Dawson, the town clerk of Wyong Shire Council, told them that it was no use trying to fight the development; that the matter was closed. “’It was simply too late and that bulldozing would start within a matter of weeks. “He continued: ‘If the concerns of the residents’ action groups are correct, why would a Labor-held council that promotes itself as the one that looks after battlers, allow 737s and Airbus aircraft over their homes around the clock?’ “Clearly action needed to be taken urgently to prevent a perceived intolerable situation where residents would be subject to unchecked 24 hour per day operations from the airport by heavy jet aircraft. “As, Elizabeth Kirby, said, Wyong Council had already voted on July 26, 1995, by eight to two, to suspend the curfew at the airport to allow 24 hour-per-day operations. “The intent of the Act was clear: it was to prevent unlimited 24 hour-per–day operations by jet aircraft. “Yet those who oppose the airport contend the Act was passed to limit all movements. “That the operation of light aircraft was not specifically referred to in the Act is understandable against the background of the urgency with which the Bill was drafted and debated. “The Hon BH Vaughan mirrored the concerns of other members when he said: ‘The Government has acted too quickly to avoid a great wrong’. “He added shortly after: ‘But where the stakes

are high, one cannot denounce the rushing of legislation. “’This legislation is perhaps being rushed, but it is in the interests of the people who come here today to listen in this Chamber to the House dealing with the matter’. “No speaker complained of the then existing operations at the airport, operations which had been taking place for about two decades. “All debate was addressed to the threatened frequency of large jets. “How, then, can it be said that the intent of the Act was to include light aircraft? “The purpose of the Act was to address and prevent movement of heavy jet aircraft day and night. “It is common knowledge that the opponents of the airport are largely residents who live nearby; those who probably moved there long after the airport commenced operations and who now complain about the noise of operations which are not significantly different to when they took up residence. “They are selfinterested and none has made a case why a completely unremarkable local airport, typical of the many throughout the country, should be other than an asset to the community. “Airports such as Bankstown and secondary airports in many places in Australia operate in harmonious co-existence with residents. “Those airports have infinitely more movements than Warnervale. “Is Council in favour of the airport or does it take a position at variance with 84 percent of ratepayers who, when a poll was taken at the time of the former Wyong Council, were somewhat in favour of the airport?” Source: Media release, Nov 23 Andrew Smith, Central Coast Aero Club

Page 15

12 December 2018

NEWS

Town centre management models for The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong to cease T

he town centre management model for The Entrance, Toukley and Wyong, put in place by the former Wyong Council decades ago, will cease to exist in 2019.

within Council to ensure that we are properly servicing the identified principal and major town centres. “To meet this objective, an expansion of responsibilities and staffing would be needed,” the review said. The current funding agreements with Greater Toukley Vision and the Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce expire in March, and Council is expected to extend them until June 30, 2019. The review also identified a “gap in the regional delivery of economic development for the Central Coast, particularly by Central Coast Council. “Key aspects of strategic economic development linked to the needs of expectations of the community, such as sustainability, jobs generation, transport planning and support of innovation and start up businesses, are not currently being adequately addressed,” the review said. The decision to review the town centre

management model was taken by the Administrator in May, 2017, to investigate best practice models and provide a report on options to the elected Council. A key finding was that the practice of contracting out core functions of town centre A town centre management to localised management review entities was not best has recommended practice. a hierarchy for town The review found that centres that would see the existing model did not Wyong, The Entrance, provide a regional focus Gosford, Terrigal and for marketing, attracting Woy Woy identified as major events and principal town centres. business and economic Management of The development for all town Entrance town centre centres. was resumed by Council The aim of the review in 2016; it had been was to “focus on holistic formerly managed by The place management Entrance Town Centre and activation, Management. effectively addressing Toukley, Long Jetty and the interdependencies Budgewoi, along with between effective asset Umina, Ettalong, Avoca management, marketing and Kincumber, would and promotion, tourism, become major town business development, centres, “all of which economic development should have a targeted and delivery of quality and coordinated place events within key activation focus for precincts. 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responsible for town centre management found it difficult to resource and attract staff with the “broad skill set, qualifications and knowledge needed to undertake the complexities of the role”. Staff focused on smallscale event delivery, and the bulk of funding was used for staff wages and administration costs. “Little funding is directly targeted towards activities or projects,” the review said. “Historically, there has not been a dedicated focus or adequately resourced team within Council tasked with providing a clear direction to the existing third party entities. “There has not been a strategic or regional view, and at times the entities have not operated within governance and procurement framework

as rigorous as that found within Council, or required under the Local Government Act. “In the absence of a dedicated focus or town centre management team within Council, little coordination or strategic decision is taken to ensure capital works projects, maintenance or events and activations meet broader objectives,” it said. Another finding was that aligned delivery of services such as security and cleaning would ensure best value and consistent service levels. The review recommends that Council request the CEO to investigate how to resource a dedicated team within Council to coordinate town centre management. A n o t h e r recommendation is for Council to work with the

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12 December 2018

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Lack of affordable Budgewoi Ward omitted from housing issue is Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan far beyond Local t is becoming Ithatblatantly obvious Government FORUM the new Central s I have Coast Council has A previously FORUM not changed its ways pointed out, Kathy since the amalgamation. Once again, the Budgewoi Ward does not get a mention, leaving it with no hope of being part of Council’s Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan. The facts, figures and statistics can be manipulated to show the need for Pedestrian Access in three of the four wards, yet again the Plan totally ignores the north. Gosford (our new capital), Woy Woy, Wyong/Tuggerah and The Entrance dominate the Plan over the next 10 years. The Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 identifies an increase of population in the north of Wyong at 101,250, yet public transport is similar to third world countries. Lee Shearer, the new Coordinator General given the job to implement this massive increase, cannot, or will not, identify where the

40,500 (10,500 more than Badgerys Creek City) extra homes will be built. I feel that unless we know where the population growths are, looking forward, we cannot possibly understand the needs of pedestrian access and mobility plans. The Plan goes out of its way to define that a pedestrian is any person walking, including any person driving a motorised wheelchair that cannot travel at over 10 kilometres per hour on level ground, a person in a non-motorised wheelchair, a person pushing a motorised or non-motorised wheelchair, and a person in or on a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy, yet does not include walking frames or scooters, the most commonly used. The Executive Summary plainly states that one of the community priorities was “accessibility of paths, particularly for older people and people with reduced mobility”.

It is obvious that either the engagement process, community representatives, or Council staff, did not understand the legal obligation of total Inclusion under Council’s Disability Inclusion Plan nor State Government’s Disability Inclusion Act 2014, by not including the disabled, as reduced mobility is something totally different. One of the overarching engagement approaches in the Plan was to email and contact high needs pedestrian accessible groups, and state and private school networks, by Council staff. The Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee Inc. has been heavily engaged with accessible issues on the Central Coast for close to a decade. We have instigated many accessible projects and carried out Access Audits in the region for the two former Councils. We had a representative on the Council’s Disability Inclusion Reference Group and attend many Council workshops, yet at no stage were we directly contacted or invited for comment. This seems to be another Council ploy, as with Accessible or Inclusive Parks being scattered with semiaccessible equipment that is not always disability friendly, yet not having appropriate surfaces, wide enough paths or clean disability toilets in close proximity. Council commented to our members on several occasions that these parks cater for other disabilities, but not always for the wheelchair

bound community. The plan states that a flattering total of 2,304 people were engaged in some manner, and considering the Central Coast’s current population is 342,548 people, this figure equates to less than 0.7% of the population engaged in the Plan. Having a total of some 69,000 residents in the Budgewoi Ward, who again have either been left out or forgotten in the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan, I think it is now time for us to secede from the Central Coast, considering we don’t come on the Central Coast Council’s radar. Council has forgotten that the North has the only existing Disability Tourism Precinct, encompassing Camp Breakaway, Lakes Beach Access ramp and disability toilets, and new ramps into local banks. The Precinct Committee has identified the need and is working with the Department of Primary Industries for a Disability Fishing Program at Gwandalan, yet, we still don’t raise a blip on Council’s radar. The Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee Inc condemns this Plan, as it stands. The figures speak for themselves, and once again Council has shown its bias for so called iconic destinations, instead of looking outside the square and treating the residents of the north as equals. Email, Sep 16 Gary Blaschke, Lake Munmorah President of the Northern Lakes Disability Tourism Precinct Committee Inc.

Smith, in her letter, ‘We need to support Affordable Housing Strategy’ (edition 153), starts from the fundamentally wrong positions, that the problem of housing affordability can be tackled by the production of physical structures, and that Local Government is an appropriate level of administration to assess and manage housing supply.

In fact, the issue is far beyond the financial capacities of Local Government to deal with, and requires a comprehensive approach that can only be instituted at the national level. She claims that “over half of our local residents need housing that is more affordable than they presently can find, or to find any housing they can afford”. Leaving aside the anacoluthia and the semantic errors, the corollary of this statement is that the cost of any housing subsidy would have to be borne by the remaining less-than-half of local ratepayers. Yet, with the best will in the world, it is hard to see how this is equitable, when those ratepayers have had no responsibility for creating the problem and would, in fact, be paying to deal with an issue whose origins lie far outside any area of

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obligation that they can reasonably be expected to accept. As for the claim that “governments, community housing agencies and private developers have all learned from the mistakes of the past and will work to make all new housing attractive, safe and well supported”, I can only say that, with many decades of experience in the planning field, I can see no such light on the hill. If we are counting on a change of approach by government, it would seem that the new Federal Taxation Office and the new State Finance Office in Gosford should disabuse us of any notion that those levels of government have any concern for community values or architectural merit. As for private developers, their sole concern is to maximize profits, and the general quality of development that they produce on the Central Coast should be sufficient evidence of the foolishness of relying on that sector for advances in affordable-housing liveability. As I have said previously, the likelihood of Council action on any scale that would begin to ameliorate the housingaffordability problems of the city is negligible. Regrettably, however, it is not unlikely that Council will adopt some policy-inprinciple (along the lines suggested by Ms Smith) that will raise hopes and deliver no results, leaving us worse off than we could have been. Perhaps, the money we are squandering fruitlessly on the imbecile War on Drugs could be diverted to a War on Housing Need. Now that would be something worth voting for. Email, Nov 18 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Kangy Angy’s unsuitability proven correct

our Kangy Angy correspondent has had good reason to indulge in several I told you so moments last week (November 26 to December 2) regarding their fight with TFNSW building their rail maintenance facility there. Not that either the TV or Transport for NSW have answered back. They do continue to ignore us. The first of course was Mother Nature delivering 160mm of rain on the site. We have been warning them for two years. Cars bogged, pumping out water from the site, retention chambers overflowing, access roads flooded, a general stoppage and then a go slow due to the conditions. Then there was a series of news items on Australia not halting the extinction of native flora and fauna. First came the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater.; The ABC interviewed an expert who stressed that due to habitat clearing, these little birds were doomed. We had them at Kangy Angy before they cleared 4,000 odd Mellaleuca Biconvexa, a protected tree in its own right. I yelled at the TV. Then came another item on the declining numbers of Platypus. We’ve got them I screamed, we have photographic evidence, even though TFNSW have

FORUM denied their existence from day one. Platypus are very susceptible to disturbance of creek and river bank habitat. Tell that to TFNSW who are working on changing the direction of Ourimbah Creek, so their heavy machinery can gain access. Next was a frog report. We’ve got two endangered species I shouted, one is the newly discovered, Mahoney toadlet. We had Professor Mahoney on site imploring Transport to save his namesake to no avail. All this of course went on unacknowledged. Despite having an alternative site that was much more suitable, all our endangered species residing on this site would just have to go somewhere else or die out. This government knew, because we told them, that this very unusual natural jewel was special and should be preserved, but they were adamant in their desire to rip it out, and the residents are frantically trying to make the best of this industrial carbuncle. It beggars belief that this government mouths sweet and calming words about saving our unique country, but when it is in direct competition with industry, it is industry that always wins. Email, Dec 4 Susan Zgraja, Fountaindale

Page 17

12 December 2018

FORUM

EPA urged to increase fines to reduced dangerous air pollution I

recently sent and commend the following submission to the EPA The five coal-fired power stations in NSW are the state’s main source of several toxic air pollutants, including fine particles (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and Mercury (Hg). These five power stations cause a range of chronic and acute health problems for residents in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region, the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Lithgow. These impacts including asthma, reduced lung function and birth weight, premature birth and Type 2 diabetes. Power stations in other countries are required to emit toxic pollutants at much lower concentrations than the NSW power stations. In the United States, new power stations are required to keep NOx emissions below 100 milligrams per cubic metre, 15 times lower than the NSW licences permit. To comply with these limits, generators have

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 installed pollution controls including: Flue Gas Desulfurisation, which reduces SO2 emissions by as much as 95 per cent; Selective Catalytic Reduction, which reduces NOx emissions by 90 per cent; and, activated carbon injection to reduce emissions of Hg by about 90 per cent. Taking each of these steps at all five NSW power stations will reduce loss of 50,000 years of life in Sydney from reduced NOx and SOx emissions

alone. These measures have become standard practice internationally, but they’re not yet installed at any Australian power station. It’s time they were. The EPA should strengthen stack emission limits in all three licences to best practice international standards, and require the installation of SCR, FGD and ACI to protect community health. We also need a strategy to control air pollution for NSW and incentives for pollution control. I urge you to complete the review of the LoadBased Licensing Scheme, increasing the fees that polluters pay by 50 times, a cost which is demonstrably affordable by their owner-operators, and finalise the NSW air pollution control strategy that was drafted in 2016.

Communities closest to coal-fired power stations deserve to know about the air they breathe. In light of found inadequacies of air pollution monitoring and characterisation brought to light by the Victorian Government’s Hazelbrook fire enquiry, I urge you to expand the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage air pollution monitoring network to include new monitors in Lithgow and Wyee and ensure communities can access this data. You can protect community health by requiring these power stations to fit readily available pollution controls and enforcing a standardised, loadbased licensing scheme immediately. I urge you to do that. Email, Nov 30 Doug Williamson, Wamberal

Help Ted Noffs Foundation get addicted children clean Please donate to buy beds for Ted. Call 1800 151 045 or visit www.noffs.org.au We are looking for up to 20 artists (18 years and over) to take part in the inaugural 'Chalk the Walk' event on the Central Coast. You will be given the opportunity to attend a 2 hour workshop with the lead artist, Anton Pulvirenti, followed by a day to create your own masterpiece for the community on the Waterfront Plaza, The Entrance. No previous experience with chalk necessary – all levels of experience welcome! Thursday 17 January 2019 - 5.30pm to 7.30pm Workshop with Anton Pulvirenti Saturday 19 January 2019 - 10am to 4pm Day to complete artwork Applications close: Monday 14 January 2019 For more information and to apply, please contact Zac Craig - ctw@zestevents.com.au

ON THE BEAT Page 18

12 December 2018

Tennis Centre break-in blamed on Council

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.

WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

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.

Edition 459

3 December 2018

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

Residents to have say in new skate park design Local residents will get a say in the design of a new skate park at Umina oval, according to Central Coast Council.

Bowling green and

Bowling green and fishing shed a Harley 86 fishingRiding shed toat go to go for ‘new concept’

for ‘new concept’

A local fishing club has been Riding on the back of a Harley fishing club received a A local fishing club has informed it has until December Davidson isn’tletterThe the first that from the club’sthing board saying been informed it has until December 17 to vacate its it had instructions from the landlord 17 to vacate its long-term long-term home home comes to mind in the day of an within the that, along with him further utilising the waterside bowling green from grounds of the Woy Woy December, he living also requires the within the grounds of the Woy Woy 86-year-old resident within Sporties Bowling Club. back toilet block and the Pelicans The Woy Woy Bowling Club has fishing shed. Sporties Bowling Club. an independent living village. been a sponsor of the Pelicans The board attributed its decision Fishing Club for at least 30 years. Sporties manager Mr Kevin Jenkins has confirmed the decision. He said the front green, adjacent to the waterfront, was “about to be further utilised for the benefit of the club”. He said it would no longer be available for use as a bowling green and that the fishing club would also, unfortunately, be displaced. “An exciting new concept is to come for that space but I cannot announce details yet,” Mr Jenkins said.

to a sudden downturn in revenue and decline in membership and stated it had no choice but to accept the landlord’s request. The shed is also used by Ocean Beach Hotel Fishing Club and the Umina Fishing Club. It is understood the Pelicans were hopeful of reaching a deal to rent space in the nearby Sea Scouts hall off Lions Park, Woy Woy.

Ferry service cancelled during Men’s shed land lease signals Residents to have say in ‘severe’ weather softer approach

Investigation recommends better channel management

The Palm Beach, Wagstaffe A decision to lease land to the website until December 16. redevelopment will “provide The Umina was Skate Park and additional inclusive and Ettalong ferry service Umina Beach socially Men’s Shed for a precinct redevelopment section recreational opportunities for of the website said: “We have a range of ages, abilities and cancelled late on received Wednesday, nominal rent appears to represent strong community support sporting skills, attract families to this project and are actively congregate in the area, provide Mayor Cr Jane November 28,Smithduesaidtofor severe and a softening of Council policy on seeking funding from all levels of a safe and accessible venue for “community feedback” would be government for the redevelopment community activities and attract used to guide the sea direction of the dangerous conditions. contracts forandcommunity facilities. of the skate park.” regional significant community concept design for Umina Skate

An investigation into the SOURCE: Nov 2018 grounding of a ferrySaveinWebsite, the 27Ettalong Woy Woy Waterfront Interview, 30 Nov 2018 channel in July last Woyyear has Kevin Jenkins, Woy Sporties Reporter: Jackie Pearson resulted in recommendations for better management of the channel by the government departments

Ferry resumption ‘is not the end Community group calls for tree of the problem’ policy submissions

Bravery award for firefighter

new skate park design

Local residents will get a say in the design of a new skate park at Umina oval, according to Central Coast Council.

Park and plans for the adjoining open space areas, including the BMX pump track and half basketball court. Once designed, the Council will seek funding for the project. Cr Smith said the project would deliver a revitalised Peninsula Recreation Precinct, the parkland area located between Umina Oval and the beachfront. An online survey is now open and “community engagement sessions” would be run in Umina from Friday, December 7, to Sunday, December 9. Cr Smith said: “The community has told us they want to partner with Council and engage in meaningful dialogue so their participation is used to inform decisions. “We have invested funding this year to engage a specialist contractor, Trinity Skate Parks, to run a number of community consultation sessions so together we can design a new recreational area that meets the needs of the local community.” Community members have been invited to provide their feedback via via the yourvoiceourcoast.com

The website provides three interactive tools for community members to provide feedback including a skate/scoot/bike survey, a precinct survey and an interactive map that enables users to leave comments on design. There’s also an option that allows community members to leave their email address so they can follow project updates. A community information session will be held on site at the Umina Skate Park on Friday, December 7, between 4pm and 6pm,. Another session in the Broken Bay Room, upstairs at the Umina Surf Life Saving Club, on Saturday, December 8 from 1pm to 3pm. A final community session will be held at the Peninsula Recreation Precinct Playground area next to the Sydney Ave carpark entrance on Sunday, December 9, from 10am to 12pm. Council has allocated funds for community consultation and the development of concept design and plans, which will then be used by Council to secure funding for the construction. It is anticipated that the

The newly-formed Peninsula Waterways Committee has welcomed the resumption of ferry services to Ettalong and Wagstaffe on Monday, November 19.

skate events”. “The design will complement and contribute to the recreation precinct in aesthetic value and functionality to improve connectivity and community engagement across the reserve,” Cr Smith said. Comments from the community will be collected, reviewed and “play an important part in the development of the concept design and other plans for this area”. The community would have the opportunity for further comment once the concept plans had been drafted. According to the timeline for this project the concept design and other plans for the area are due to be developed in early 2019 along with a second round of community consultation. Plans will be finalised in 2019 but there is no timeframe for the actual redevelopment as that will be contingent on Council’s success at gaining government funding for the project.

The Bays Community Group An Empire Bay firefighter has is urging residents to make been awarded a 2018 Royal submissions about Central Coast Humane Society Bravery Award. Council’s proposed tree policy.

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 SOURCE: Media release, 27 Nov 2018 Website, 28 Nov 2018 yourvoiceourcoast.com Jane Smith, Central Coast Council

DECEMBER 6, 2018

YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

PH: 4325 7369

ISSUE 197

Premier’s proposed fast train study met with support and scepticism

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

Premier’s proposed fast train study met with support and scepticism NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, SW Premier, Gladys visitedBerejiklian, Gosford visitedTrain Station on Gosford Train December 5, to announce that Station on December announce that the the5, toCentral Coast would benefit Central Coast would from benefitsignificantly from significantly reduced travel reduced travel times, times, after being included in one after being included in

Withheld documents cast a shadow over Gosford CBD developments Documents proactively released by Central Coast Council appear to make a mockery of the NSW Government’s new, recently gazetted, planning controls to deliver the revitalisation of the

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian our hard working commuters people who use ourRob and Educationand thoseMinister, trains on a regular basis who Stokes, visited want Valley Public to live View on the Central Coast and be linked to two School on December 5 that to announce great cities surround it, Sydney and Newcastle,” Wicks an additional $100m will be added said. Central Coast Mayor, to the NSW Liberal andCouncil Nationals

Member for Gosford calls for community support

103 students vulnerable after school closure

New four-storey building proposed for Tarragal Glen

Over 100 concerned community members braved torrential rain to express their concerns about the future of the Mangrove Mountain Landfill, at a community meeting on Wednesday, November 28.

The founder of an independent arts and vocational college at Kincumber, has called for an independent inquiry into why the school has been closed.

Retire Australia Pty Ltd has proposed to build 54 assisted living units in a new four-storey building on vacant land at Tarragal Glen retirement village, valued at $19.95m.

Draft climate change policy raises concerns from coastal residents The exhibition of Central Coast Council’s draft climate change policy has been delayed until February, but Mayor, Jane Smith, has cautioned the community not to believe “misleading” messages

Property NSW close to resubmitting Peat Island planning proposal Property NSW, the state government’s real estate agent, is close to resubmitting a proposal to determine the future of Peat Island and Mooney Mooney to Central Coast Council.

Mangrove Mountain Landfill community meeting well attended At a packed meeting at Mangrove Mountain Hall on Wednesday, November 28, guest speaker, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, pledged that a future Labor Government would establish an

Premier announces additional school funding

Jane Smith, has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a northern high speed rail route which could reduce travel times In July, the government between Sydney and the released, A 20-Year Economic Central Coast. Vision for Regional NSW. Mayor Smith said this would One of the key elements make a significant difference of that vision is better to thousands of Central Coast connectivity between regional residents who commute centres, and from cities and to Sydney every day, often international gateways. spending up to four hours a Premier Berejiklian said a day on a return train journey fast rail network is a game between the Coast and their changing project which would destination. attract more investment and “We know commuting is a generate new job opportunities NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch major issue for our community, for the Central Coast. and the Liberal candidate for Gosford, Sue Dengate, at Gosford Train Station with many Coasties having to “We know fast rail would travel off the Coast every day “These studies have usually high-level vision to planning, on top of the New Intercity realised. transform the way people get focused on linking the major and on to delivery,” the Fleet Trains which will enter “We have many residents for work or study,” Mayor to and from the Central Coast Eastern Seaboard cities of Premier continued. service late next year,” Crouch who leave the Coast early in Smith said. forever,” Berejiklian said. “Reducing the commute Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra “Having a strategy will said. the morning and return to their “It would slash travel times and Melbourne, and focused ensure that future investment Sue Dengate, Liberal families late in the evening to Sydney from around 90 allowing more people to leave on rail as a competitor to air decisions on fast rail are well Candidate for Gosford, said due to job opportunities being minutes to 30 minutes would the car at home and catch and road transport options. considered. fast rail will be a huge boost in Sydney and Newcastle, and allow the community to have the train to either Sydney or “Most of the studies found so today’s announcement is an additional two hours per “Preparing the Fast Rail for the Central Coast. Newcastle,” she added. day or as much as 10 hours that the costs and required Network Strategy in 2019 is “Faster travel times will very welcomed. The delivery of fast rail to the ticket prices of an interstate the first significant step in mean that workers can spend “This announcement builds per week for other activities Central Coast has the potential high-speed rail network taking the network from vision less time commuting and on the process that was first at home or in their community, to reduce travel times by up to would be insurmountably high to delivery,” she said. more time with their families,” started in September 2017 like spending time with their 75 per cent. compared to likely customer when the Federal Government family, rather than sitting on a Under the Strategy, Dengate said. train,” Mayor Smith said. The NSW Government volumes. preliminary works will Following the Premier’s launched the Faster Rail “This could also have a flow has appointed Professor “Until now, limited work has commence on that first stage announcement, several Central Prospectus at Gosford Station, Andrew McNaughton, to lead been done on the potential for of the fast rail network in the Coast government agencies, and this Prospectus was all on effect of encouraging those an expert panel to provide a fast rail network connecting next term of government, if the politicians, development about calling for new and who drive to Sydney each day to leave their cars at home advice to the Premier onand how more The full articles can beNSW. seen Liberal on line onretain our website Coast Community News regional cities within Nationals power. agencieswww.centralcoastnews.net and community upgraded rail infrastructure hop on a train, which the government should best to help cities and can the and “The Fast Rail Network figures weighed2251, in on the for Terrigal, focusses on news specifically related Member to post codeAdam areas 2250, 2260 andlinkarticles also be read and would also reduce traffic on deliver a fast rail network to Strategy will, for the first time, Crouch, joined the Premier in Coast’s possible inclusion on regions,” Wicks said. connect the state. shared mobile phone by going the tofast www.coastcommunitynews.com.au. provide on a your comprehensive train route. “This announcement has our major roads and deliver making her announcement benefits to the environment. “Long distance fast and assessment focused on and said a fast rail link from the Federal Member for huge potential for the Central high speed rail studies have connecting regional cities,” Central Coast to Sydney and Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said Coast and will slash commute been undertaken in Australia Berejiklian said. Newcastle would transform faster rail for the region was a times and has huge returns for Continued P3 over many years,” Premier “The NSW Government is the region. dream many residents of the residents. Berejiklian said. committed to moving from “This announcement is for “This announcement is also Central Coast would like to see

one of the four proposed fast rail routes identified by the NSW Government.

Office:

120c Erina Street, Gosford

The ransacked clubhouse office

EO of the Charmhaven Tennis Centre, Brett Bevan, said a breakin at the centre’s clubhouse, which resulted in thousands of dollars’ worth of theft and damages, could have been avoided, had Central Coast Council provided window locks. According to Bevan, the break-in occurred in the early hours of the morning, on December 10. The offender(s) stole a laptop, emptied the cash register and raided the clubhouse kitchen, which is used by several community groups to store food items, as well as the office, damaging furniture, files and club documents. The offender(s) entered the facility through a non-secure window and Bevan said the club community was “extremely disappointed” in Central Coast Council

for not acting on previous requests to install window locks. “Over two years, we have put in six requests to Council to install window locks and they have done nothing,” Bevan said. “We are now facing a repair bill in the thousands of dollars which could have easily been avoided,” he added. In light of the breakin, Bevan said Council needed to seriously assess the way it manages and services its community facilities. “This Council ignores its own community facilities. “They don’t fix things. “It shouldn’t take an incident like this to get something done,” Bevan said. Bevan said continuous staffing replacements and constant reshuffling of the club through different Council portfolios was compounding the issue, and he said that community facilities were falling through the cracks as a result

Sponsored by Pamela Lemoine and

“In the three years that I’ve been with the club, we’ve had nine property officers, and it’s simply not good enough. “Just two weeks ago, we had someone kick down the door of our men’s bathroom, and now we’ve had a major break in. “Council has acknowledged that security management at the at centre is their responsibility and yet nothing gets done. “They just sit on their backsides and leave issues unaddressed,” Bevan said. Police were on site on December 10 investigating and Bevan is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information pertaining to the identity of the culprit(s). Council was approached for comment but advised they would not be able to meet this publication’s deadline. Source: Interview, Dec 10 Brett Bevan, Charmhaven Tennis Club

Page 19

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET 12 December 2018

Worst opening weekend of the summer patrol season

Stand up paddle boarders rescued after five hours on the water

oukley’s Canton Beach was the scene of a dramatic rescue which prompted a statewide warning regarding safety and stand up paddle boarding. A full-scale multiagency response was initiated on December 6, after the State Operations Centre received reports of two missing stand up paddle boarders. It is understood that the two British tourists had launched their craft at Canton Beach, at around 11:30am, and were planning a day on the water. The couple were last sighted approximately an hour later, and with the hours drifting by, there was concern for their welfare. Police, Paramedics, the SES, surf lifesavers from local surf clubs, and Central Coast Duty Officers all responded. The Westpac Life Saver Helicopter was also tasked to respond and

provide aerial support. Emergency services canvassed the area before being informed that a member of the public, who just happened to have a pair of binoculars handy, had spotted the stranded paddle boarders on Tuggerah Lake. It was truly a fortuitous sighting, as the combination of a strong wind, white top waves, and a setting sun, made for an extremely challenging rescue. While the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter hovered overhead, Toowoon Bay SLSC members, Chris Fillingham, and his son, Ethan, and the Wyong SES RHIBC Crew of, Matt le Clercq and Gavin Bale, took to the water in Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) Despite the conditions, the two IRBs were able to rescue the male and female paddlers and their craft, before bringing them safely to shore, a

little before 6pm. The grateful paddlers had been missing for more than five hours by this point, and were suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and mild hypothermia. Neither were wearing lifejackets, and during their ordeal, they had even clung on to a buoy in the middle of the lake to conserve energy, before being blown off in the wind. Central Coast Duty Officer, Tony Smith, said the paddlers were extremely fortunate. “In this instance, had the member of the public not been able to sight them, this situation could have turned out very differently. “They had no lifejackets, no form of communication and no water. “It underscores the importance of being prepared for a day out on the water,” Smith said. Source: Media release, Dec 10 SLS NSW Media

Emily O’Brien found

uggerah Lakes Police District has thanked the community for their assistance in locating a missing girl. Watanobbi teenager, Emily O’Brien, was reported missing on October 26. She was last seen in the Wyong area celebrating

her 14th birthday. She failed to return home that evening. Police launched an appeal for information on O’Brien’s whereabouts on November 23. Police and family held serious concerns for her welfare. It is believed O’Brien

travelled to the Matraville area in Sydney with friends. Tuggerah Lakes Police in partnership with Police from the Eastern Beaches District, advised O’Brien has been located safe and well on December 4. Source: Website, Dec 4 Tuggerah Lakes Police District

Witnesses sought

uggerah Lakes Police District are investigating an incident that occurred at Vandapoels Smash Repairs, Tuggerah, on November 25. Police

are

seeking

any witnesses whom may have been in the vicinity of Johnsons Rd, Tuggerah, between 2am and 4:30am, and observed any vehicles or persons within the

immediate area. Anyone with information is urged to contact Tuggerah Lakes Target Action Group at Wyong Police Station. Source: Website, Nov 27 Tuggerah Lakes Police District

ONTHEBEAT

Soldiers Beach SLSC performed the most rescues of the opening weekend of the summer patrol Soldiers Beach surf orah Head’s, lifesavers conducted 56 Soldiers Beach, rescues on December 2 has had the worst December 1-2. alone. opening weekend of Despite the high rescue Surf lifesavers around the summer patrol rate, no serious injuries or season, recording the state were kept on incidents were recorded the highest number their toes as they battled by Surf Life Saving NSW. stifling conditions, with

of rescues across the entirety of NSW over the weekend of

thousands descending on the state’s beaches as a means of cooling off.

Source: Media release, Dec 3 SLS NSW Media

Police pursuit ends with a man being arrested

Lake Macquarie man has been charged, after a pursuit with a stolen car, ended in Doyalson.

At about 7:25pm on November 30, police sighted a stolen Nissan Navara being driven on Bowman St, Swansea. Police attempted to catch up to the vehicle but it evaded police. A short time later, police again spotted the car on Flowers Rd, Catherine Hill Bay. They attempted to pull the vehicle over, however it failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated, which travelled south on the Pacific Highway. The pursuit continued to Doyalson, where the vehicle left the road and entered bushland. The driver ran from the vehicle after it become bogged. With the assistance of PolAir and the Dog Squad, police arrested a 33-year-old man nearby. He was taken to

Belmont Police Station and charged with police pursuit (Skye’s Law), take and drive conveyance, drive whilst disqualified, possession of illicit drugs,

outstanding warrants, and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court. Source: Media release, Dec 1 NSW Police Media

Every three minutes there are two reports of child abuse/neglect.*

To reach out to a young person in need, donate online www.youthoffthestreets.com.au or call our donation hotline on 1800 06 22 88. *AIHW, 2008-2009.

Our kids need our protection now!

W W W. C E N T R A L C O A S T N E W S . N E T

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organisations and assistance groups, in addition to regular Community Service Page 20 WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET 12 December 2018 Announcements,” she added. Tickets are available at the Halekulani Bowling station, all presenters and Club reception and are to get the surfer safely wo volunteer surf management committee $20. back to shore. lifesavers have ember for The are After talkingSource: to the been volunteers, awarded the but to Entrance, David was struggling to young man and his keep equipment NSW Rescue of the and and Media release, Oct 1 Mehan, has repeated keep his head above the surfing companions, Toni Stevens, Lake transmitters to Month Award forup his call for a waves. they discovered that he’d MacquarieFM97.3 October, we raise after date, funds Reacting with the never been to Soldiers significant boost to

ONTHEBEAT Soldiers Beach lifesavers receive Police numbers almost Rescue of the Month Award 50 per cent below NSW average

successfully rescuing an inexperienced teenage surfer at Norah Head’s, Soldiers Beach.

instinct of a trained surf Beach before and he had lifesaver, Neale alerted only been on a board on a the other members of the few occasions previously. patrol to the developing Nor were the group situation and grabbed a aware that the red flags rescue board in an effort meant the beach was to assist the stranded closed. Matt Neale and Ian surfer. Surf Life Saving NSW McGaw, were recognised After negotiating CEO, Steven Pearce, for their efforts from several powerful sets, congratulated the October 28, a date where he reached the young lifesavers involved for conditions were so bad Fawlty episodes, a our community against man, where it quickly their efforts. that the decision was veteran comic, with hisapparent rising The Art became thatcosts, “What atthis incident made to close the beach the 16-year-old was not a wife House, in an areaiscrying highlights how for much Edith, of the day. played by, strong swimmer. important it is for our Ruth she said. out for live theatre but After Jordon,” proactively During the trip back members to not only advising people that it by of the rising “These two have to been shore, bothconstrained Matt and be aware the unique would be in their best the young surfer were costs. challenges of their beach doing in interests toplays stay out oftogether the knocked off the rescue but to proactively watch water and since erecting1984. red Wyong “If we fill the house we board by the turbulent out for members of warning flags at all public can do sopublic please With Duncan Mitchell backwash, which is it,the who come can get access points, Patrol 4 quite common to the and enjoy our show and themselves into trouble. (as Herr Flick) and Marc spent their shift keeping area during help powerful “It was a classic case us continue the 65a watchful eye on the few Calwell (as Gruber), also conditions. of not being familiar hardy souls who tradition of Wyong veterans ofentered the group, While the year remaining with the environment the surf. providing surfers were Drama assisted Group and a host of others, and misreading the Shortly before 5pm, from the water by the great live theatre for the conditions, but fortunately the has Matt depth and Patrol cast Vice Captain, remaining members of the Soldiers Beach team Neale, was watching a Coast,” Ms Foreshaw quality guaranteed to Neale the patrol, calmly reacted exactly as they group of young surfers said. please any audience. swam the surfer away were trained to do, which who had entered the surf from the rock shelf and helped prevent a tragic “Our from the rockaim platformat at Wyong Source: was assisted by, Ian outcome,” Pearce said. the northern end of the is Drama Group to Media release, Sep 28 McGraw, in doing so. beach, when he realised Source: Foreshaw, Wyong provide reasonablyThe two Pollyanna lifesavers that one of the males Media release, Dec 7 Drama Group priced entertainment fora break in SLS NSW Media had come off their board spotted conditions and were able

r, music, skulduggery, c, art and a cabaret

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police numbers on the Central Coast, after the State G o v e r n m e n t announced it would increase police numbers across NSW by 1,500 over the next four years. Mehan said he had, for some time, supported calls for increased police numbers on the Coast. He recently met with, Tony King, President of the Police Association of NSW, at The Entrance Police Station, and publicly declared his support for their petition calling for extra Police. A recently released Productivity Commission report reveals that, on average, NSW has 239 police officers for every 100,000 citizens. The Central Coast is well below average with approximately 122 police per 100,000 citizens. Mehan said that the Central Coast received only one of 480 graduates from the Goulburn academy in 2018. Information obtained via Government Information Public Access (GiPA) request shows police and support staff numbers have decreased on the Central Coast. The data shows that in 2011, when the population of the Central Coast was 312,184, it had 444 police and 55 unsworn staff. By 2016, the population had grown to 327,736, but police numbers had dropped to 395 with 53

unsworn staff. As of March, there were 400 police officers on the Central Coast and 38 unsworn staff, but the area’s population had grown to 339,196 by June 30, 2017. “I call on the NSW Government to confirm how many new police will be allocated to the Central Coast and when this will occur,” Mehan said. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, said he welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement that 1,500 new police would be added to the NSW Police Force – the biggest increase in 30 years. “The 1,500 extra police will benefit every single community across NSW, including the Central Coast, thanks to a record investment of $583 million by the Liberal’s and National’s Government,” MacDonald said. “To ensure police have greater capability to keep a watchful eye on known offenders against children, and ensure our elderly are better protected from abuse, all 58 Police commands across NSW will receive a Child Protection Officer and Elder Abuse Prevention Officer,” said NSW Police Minister, Troy Grant. Wyong Regional Chronicle asked Scot MacDonald’s office to clarify how a Police Command is defined. For instance, is the Tuggerah Local Area Command now called a “Police Command”?

In a written statement, Minister Grant’s office responded that: “The additional 1,500 police will be recruited, trained and allocated over a four year period, starting in the 2019-20 financial year. “As new constables graduate, the Goulburn Police Training Academy some will fill new positions within local commands, while in other cases, more experienced officers will be transitioned into specialist police squads that have been identified by the Police Commissioner and Police Association of NSW as requiring more police. “Localised and emerging crime trends change over time. “We want to ensure that the new officers are allocated where they are needed most. “While some of those needs have already been identified, Commissioner Fuller, in consultation with the Police Association, will regularly assess the resourcing needs and make the appropriate allocations. “Tuggerah Lakes is a police district command which replaced the Local Area Command model. “The change came about under Commissioner Fuller’s reengineering of the Police Force. “Tuggerah will receive one Child Protection officer and one elder abuse prevention officer. “They are part of the 1,500.” Source: Media release, Nov 20 David Mehan, Member for The Entrance Media release, Nov 20 Media statement, Nov 22 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald Jackie Pearson, journalist

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Relay for Life raised over $165,000 for Cancer Council

ancer Council Central Coast’s Relay for Life event was held at the Mingara Athletics Track on November 24-25.

The annual event is held at venues across NSW and sees thousands of Australians partake in a 24 hour relay to raise funds to combat cancer. Funds raised go towards cancer

coastcommunitynews.com.au

CENTRAL COAST E

treatment, research and support services, and each year, Central Coast residents turn out in droves to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, patients and carers, and to honour

those who lost their battle with cancer. This year’s Relay raised over $165,000 for Cancer Council Central Coast. Source: Website, Nov 26 Mingara Relay for Life

ADVERTISMENT

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12 December 2018

HEALTH

CHRONICLE WYONG REGIONAL Issue 152

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Coast residents stand up to State Government over coal mine

roposals to expand and redevelop the Wyong Race Club have created an uncertain future for several large community organisations who are based on Race Club land, according to Central Coast Councillors Doug Vincent and Kyle MacGregor. In August Wyong Race Club announced a $6 million track and training master plan. Councillors adopted a motion introduced by Clr Vincent and Clr MacGregor at their ordinary meeting on Monday, October 29, to request CEO Gary Murphy hold a master planning workshop “to review historical information and establish a community-focused vision for the future of Baker Park and the race course area in Wyong”. Clr Kyle MacGregor said he believed the precinct around the race track and Baker Park was “one of the most significant recreational facilities for the region. “It was a major Council election issue in the Wyong ward in 2017, I had been approached before the election by community members and groups who were fearful

for the future of the area,” MacGregor said. Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Squad and Central Coast Poultry Club are two major community organisations that will be required to leave their long-term homes within the Race Club site. Anthony Bliim, Captain of Central Coast Volunteer Rescue Squad, addressed the Council meeting. He said the squad was formed in 1975 and had grown on the site but Wyong Race Club had terminated its lease. “Our primary role is rescue, such as road crash, industrial accidents, domestic rescues and animal rescue,” Bliim said.

Wyong Race Club and, inset, the poultry pavilion “We also provide allow for community use community awareness with separate access to about road safety, with meeting rooms, kitchen programmes such as and toilets. Driver Reviver,” he said. “Some of the “In 1980 a 25 year lease community groups that was negotiated with have in the past or still the Wyong and District use the facility are, the Agricultural Association Multiple Sclerosis society, for a parcel of community Wyong Quilters Club, land fronting onto Rose St Central Coast Quilters, Wyong with any building Lions Club of Wyong, to remain the property Men’s Support groups, of the Volunteer Rescue WICEN to name a few. Squad. “It has also been “With community used as an emergency donations we proceeded evacuation centre in to construct the building the 1994 bushfires, and to house vehicles and Wyong Council itself equipment and to provide has in the past used the training facilities for its facility to service its staff volunteer members. vehicles. “As the building was “In 2016 the Volunteer funded by donations from Rescue Squad the community of Wyong approached Wyong Race Shire it was decided Club for approval to allow to design the facility to a training company to

use our training rooms to raise funds. “It was then discovered that with the multiple changes of membership to both the squad and the Agricultural Society that the lease was misplaced and forgotten about and it had in fact expired in 2004. “In December 2017 a new licence deed for 12 months was presented to the Volunteer Rescue Squad by Wyong Race Club which was a very poor outcome for us. “The Volunteer Rescue Squad felt obliged to sign this deed or else occupation of our building would be terminated. “This 12 month extension is about to expire and our organisation faces the

overwhelming task of finding and funding a new headquarters location as well as gathering the resources and volunteer man-hours needed to move the facilities and equipment. “We always believed that the land on which our building is located was for community use and over the past 40-plus years of our tenancy we believe we have provided a valuable community service both as a primary accredited rescue organisation and by providing a venue for other community services to gather and conduct their voluntary support services. “As such we seek clarification as to the history of the land ownership on which the racecourse occupies. “We would also be interested in the planning limitations and permitted usage of this land. “In saying this it should be noted that our organisation would fully support the review into the community use of this land,” he said. Speaking after the meeting, Clr Doug Vincent said the Wyong race course was originally the agricultural showground and the first show took place in 1905.

Office: 3 Amy Close, Wyong Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Continued P3

28 November, 2018

14 November, 2018

Race Club growth could leave community groups homeless P

Issue 154

Issue 153

31 October, 2018

round 70 residents from across the Central Coast travelled to Sydney on Monday, November 12, to participate in a Water not Coal rally in the Domain, against the approval of the Wallarah II coal mine.

Office: 3 Amy Close, Wyong Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Environment report finds that hundreds of people are dying premature deaths P

Office: 3 Amy Close, Wyong Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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HEALTH

Page 22

12 December 2018

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Rowing marathon raised $5,000 for the Black Dog Institute

Nurses voice their concerns about patient care and safety

Wyong Hospital NSW Nurses and Midwives Association branch members, Geriatric Unit staff, and the Members for The Entrance and Wyong, David Mehan and David Harris, at the rally taff to patient of every shift, due to the region’s health workforce ratios were again pressure of their daunting over the past six years. “Between June, 2012, the subject of a rally workload. With the announcement and June, 2018, the held by members of of the $200m District has increased the Wyong Hospital redevelopment of the its workforce by an branch of the NSW hospital, the Association additional 18 per cent, Nurses and Midwives and the Health Services including 353 more Association on Union are calling for nurses,” Dr Montague December 6. staffing ratios to be said. “The Geriatric Unit at Branch members addressed. At Wyong Hospital, the Wyong often provides rallied outside of Wyong Hospital to voice their Association wants to see more staffing than the concerns about patient at least one nurse per Award minimum, and care and safety at the four patients, one nurse that Award allows local hospital, due to such per three patients in the Nursing Unit Managers drastic patient to nurse Emergency Department, the flexibility to allocate and a nurse in charge of nursing hours in a way ratios. Staff from the Geriatric all Geriatric Unit shifts that matches busy times and patient needs,” he Rehabilitation Unit told with no patients. In a media statement, added. the Wyong Chronicle that they were unable to keep Central Coast Local Source: up with demand, and that Health District CEO, Dr Press conference, Dec 6 Wyong Hospital Branch some nurses were “going Andrew Montague, said of the NSW Nurses and home in tears” at the end the District had been Midwives Association steadily increasing the

Local crossfit enthusiasts have raised $5000 for the Black Dog Institute

rossfit Minerva, a specialist gym based in Tuggerah, has raised $5,000 for the Black Dog Institute, through a rowing marathon, on November 25. The mammoth marathon saw 17 rowing teams each strap themselves down for a 3.5 hour rowing session

that saw each team row more than 42 kilometres each. “Our first Black Dog Row for Mental Health was a huge success, thanks to so many corporate and community supporters,” said Crossfit Minerva Head Coach, Tommy Parrish. “It was a huge effort for a great cause.

“Mental health is something that affects so many of us directly or indirectly. “Be aware of the difference each of us can make if we just make the effort to care and to be there for each other,” he said. Source: Website, Nov 25 Tommy Parrish, Crossfit Minerva

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arliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, has announced that construction on the new NSW Ambulance station at Toukley has been completed.

MacDonald said the completion was a significant milestone in the NSW Liberal National Government’s election commitment to build a

We decided it was important for us to give something of value back. - Joyce

Construction on new Toukley Ambulance station completed new station at Toukley, as part of the $122m Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. The new NSW Ambulance station includes: Internal parking for up to four emergency ambulance vehicles; Administration and office areas; Staff amenities; Logistics and storage areas; Internal wash bay; and, Staff parking. Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance

will now begin the carefully planned internal works and fit out, and then operational commissioning of the station. “This is before a staged roll-out of services which will ensure the ongoing delivery of highquality emergency care during the transition and relocation from the current temporary station to the new station,” MacDonald said. “Designed with input

from local paramedics, the station will enable NSW Ambulance to better meet the mobile emergency care needs of Toukley and surrounds for years to come,” he added. The station is scheduled to become fully operational early to mid 2019. Source: Media release, Dec 6 Kit Hale, Office of Scot MacDonald MLC

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12 December 2018

HEALTH

Wyong Hospital redevelopment plans unveiled

Three health organisation to share $98,000 worth of grants

Concept art of the Wyong Hospital redevelopment Newcaste Chartiable Foundation grant recipients entral Coast outside other funding support program, Born c h a r i t y avenues, but are still to Live, which supports organisations and exceptionally important families with seriously ill educational bodies as they will improve the newborns. The KIDS Foundation working to improve lives of marginalised members of our regional will be applying its the region’s health communities. funding to the rollout of its sector, have been “All the new grants SeeMore Safety program, given a boost thanks announced will directly which addresses major to the Newcastle improve the lives of those health concerns in preC h a r i t a b l e living on the Coast to school aged children. Foundation, which address disadvantage, The CPA will purchase announced more m a r g i n a l i s a t i o n two virtual magic carpets isolation,” said to create a virtual world than $98,000 worth and of grants for the Foundation Chair, Phil for children living with Neat. Cerebral Palsy. Coast. “Every funding round UON will use their funds Central Coast Kids receives high quality to purchase and outfit in Need (CCKN), The applications from worthy a bespoke community KIDS Foundation, The organisations and engagement truck. Cerebral Palsy Alliance projects, and selecting “Congratulations to (CPA) and the University the final recipients is the extraordinary people of Newcastle’s (UON) always a challenging, yet representing our recipient Ourimbah Campus have satisfying, responsibility organisations. all received grants under for the Charitable “It’s because of this round of funding, Foundation Board,” Neat their hard work and announced on December continued. dedication, that these 6. “However, the projects will be brought “The Charitable innovation presented to life and will make a Foundation provides by this round’s grant difference to the Central financial support to receivers, is clearly Coast community,” Neat enable the critical work of recognised,” he added. said. community organisations CCKN will use their that have initiatives and Source: funding to support their Media release, Dec 6 projects which may fall specialised care and Sophie Hanlon, Enigma PR

esigns have been unveiled for the Wyong Hospital redevelopment. Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, and Member of the Legislative Council, Taylor Martin, unveiled the designs on December 3. Crouch said the designs give the Central Coast community a first glimpse of the expanded infrastructure being delivered in the region. “The $200m redevelopment of Wyong Hospital will significantly enhance healthcare on the north of the Central Coast, providing our community with greater access to services closer to home,” Crouch said. “Because we’ve built a strong NSW economy, we’re able to provide the health infrastructure and services that our community needs. “With redevelopments at Gosford and Wyong,

more than half a billion dollars is being invested into public hospitals on the Central Coast,” he added. MacDonald said the designs would give the Wyong community an early look at the Hospital that will be serving them for the coming decades,” he said. Martin said the designs show that the redeveloped Wyong Hospital will be a firstclass facility. “The redeveloped hospital is an amazing facility that will feature the latest in technology for the comfort of patients, staff and visitors,” Martin said. “The hospital redevelopment is significant as it will better serve the existing population and position

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itself for future population growth,” he added. When complete, the redevelopment will deliver an increase in overall service capacity with both the development of a new services building, and the refurbishment of some areas of the existing hospital, including: A new and enhanced Emergency Department; Enhanced intensive care services; Improved medical imaging; Enhanced paediatric outpatient and short stay unit; Increased inpatient beds; Increased operating theatre capacity; Additional car parking; and, Increased medical day unit ambulatory service. Source: Media release, Dec 3 Kit Hale, Office of Scot MacDonald MLC

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EDUCATION Page 30

12 December 2018

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Mayor hosts youth forum

Macy Kelleher’s HSC Body of Work selected for ARTEXPRESS A

Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, The Entrance Campus, student has had her HSC Visual Arts Body of Work selected for ARTEXPRESS. Mayor Smith with youth leaders who took part in the forum

entral Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, hosted a youth forum on climate change policy, in Gosford Council Chambers, on November 30. Council has released a draft Climate Change Policy aiming for zero emissions by 2050, with a survey now open before

formal consultation early next year. Mayor Smith said it was important for the region’s youth to be part of the conversation about how Council can take a leadership role in addressing the consequences of climate change on our community. “The purpose of the forum was to gain an

understanding of what our youth value about the Central Coast and what they think should be the priorities for action in addressing climate change,” Mayor Smith said. “We must empower youth as leaders of climate action today, because by the time they become the leaders of tomorrow, it may be too

Students perform Christmas concert at Shopping Centre

n an effort to spread a little bit of Yuletide cheer pre-December, students from Northlakes High School performed a Christmas concert at

Lakehaven Shopping Centre. “Well done to our students and staff who braved the windy weather to perform. “I’m sure shoppers

late for their generation to prevent the harmful effects of climate change. “Through strong leadership, collaboration and action, we can stand up for our way of life on the Coast and protect it for generations to come,” she concluded. Source: Media release, Nov 30 Central Coast Council Media

appreciated the performance, as did Santa,” said Principal, Warren Welham. Source: Website, Nov 23 Warren Welham, Northlakes High School

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Source: Website, Dec 3 Kirrily Harvey, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, The Entrance Campus

Hospitality building visited

2019 STRINGS SUMMER SCHOOL 2019 STRINGS SUMMER SCHOOL

ARTEXPRESS is an annual exhibition featuring a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the art making component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts in NSW. “We are excited to announce that Macy Kelleher’s, HSC Body of Work has been selected to be included in ARTEXPRESS,” said Campus Principal, Kirrily

Harvey. “This is a great achievement, as ARTEXPRESS aims to exhibit works of exemplary standard. “Her Body of Work was selected from 8,770 art students’ works, and of those, 240 works have been selected to create nine exhibitions. “Macy has also been contacted by the University of Arts London (UAL) for an interview. “It is a great opportunity for her and we wish her all the very best in her adventures,” Harvey said.

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The four day Masterclasses programme will culminate in a n Performance Central Coast Conservatorium concert on Thursday Jan 17 at 2pm for family 45 Mann Street Gosford P 4324 7477 Daily rehearsals and activities 9am–3pm www.centralcoastconservatorium.com.au and friends in which every student will have opportunity perform. Minithe Strings (playersto with 2 years or less experience) and Learn to Play the Violin in 4 Days – half days 9am–12pm

ears 7 and 8 students from St Brigid’s Catholic College, Lake Munmorah, visited the construction site of the College’s new Hospitality building, on November 30.

“The visit was the culmination of the Technology project where students designed a pendant light for this building. “Look out for the light and who designed it, next year. “Our thanks to Paynter

Dixon and especially, Matthew Greene, the School Architect,” said College Principal, Julie Terry. Source: Website, Dec 4 Julie Terry, St Brigid’s Catholic College, Lake Munmorah

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Page 25

12 December 2018

EDUCATION

Tumbi Umbi Campus wins Wakakirri’s top award T

uggerah Lakes S e c o n d a r y College, Tumbi Umbi Campus, marked a special achievement on December 3, celebrating the school’s success in Wakakirri. Tumbi Umbi Campus not only won the national Reconciliation Story Award in Wakakirri’s 2018 Story Dance Challenge, it also took out Story of the Year, Wakakirri’s top award. Special guests, including Wakakirri’s Festival Director, Adam Loxley, and, Tessa Keenan, from Reconciliation Australia, joined teachers, students and families for a special assembly to celebrate the achievements of the 70 plus students who worked on this year’s Story Dance production. Tumbi Umbi’s Wakakirri item is an abstract interpretation of the colonisation of Australia, inspired by, The Rabbits, the iconic picture book authored by, John Marsden. The book’s illustrator, Shaun Tan, was so

impressed that he sent a special message to the school, describing it as an “awesome performance”. “At first I was wondering how they could pull off this narrative in seven minutes, but I think it’s done pretty brilliantly by going straight to the core concepts, with skilful restraint, and broad enough to have an epic mythological feel about it,” said Tan. “Those rabbits are truly terrifying too. “The feeling of bizarre invasion really hits you,” he added. Loxley presented the school with the Story of the Year Award and the major prize, a wholeschool subscription to educational video platform, Enhance TV. Keenan congratulated the school on behalf of Reconciliation Australia’s, Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning team, and spoke about the importance of truthtelling. “It’s stories like these, your performance of The Rabbits. “It not only touches the minds and hearts,

but it changes the minds and hearts of people in the audience, and most importantly it tells the truthful history of our nation,” said Keenan. During a celebratory assembly, the school acknowledged the contributions of all the staff who have worked over the past five years to make Wakakirri come to life, including; Kerry Bandy, Elly Pickles, Clair Mieluk, George Horton and Anthony Chittick. The teachers also applauded Campus Principal, Shayne Player, for her unwavering support of the performing arts. “What we do here with our Wakakirri performances is our biggest student wellbeing program on this campus, and it is a whole school program,” said Player. “There are many things that happen behind the scenes that build a sense of belonging for so many people. “I can’t tell you the sense of pride I have,” she added. Source: Media release, Dec 4 Alannah Maher, Wakakirri Story Competition

Patrice Jones awarded

University of Newcastle PhD candidate studying food science at Ourimbah Campus, is destined to make a global mark after being awarded a prestigious travel scholarship to the

USA. Patrice Jones has been selected by the Australian Academy of Science, to visit the National Institutes of Health in the USA, the only junior scientist recipient in 2019. With a keen interest in environment-gene

interactions in nutrition, Patrice’s extended visit to the National Institutes of Health offers a platform to establish long-term collaboration and develop her research career. Source: Media release, Nov 27 UON Media

TLSC Tumbi Umbi Campus Wakakirri dancers at the celebration event

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OUT&ABOUT Page 26

12 December 2018

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Carols well attended M

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with family and friends at The Entrance

emorial Park at The Entrance is the place to be this New Year’s Eve with free activities, an array of food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks display over the water.

Emma McBride with her niece Florence, Florence’s friends Linsey and Dimity and Santa and Mrs Claus

y o n g Community Bank, Bendigo Bank Branch, held its annual Christmas Carols event in Wyong on December 1. Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, attended and said it was fantastic to see the Christmas spirit alive in

Wyong. “The Christmas cheer was vibrant on the night and it was great to see Mr and Mrs Claus surprising kids, like my niece Florence, and her friends Linsey and Dimity,” McBride said. The event attracts over 1,300 people each year. This year’s event moved to a new location along Alison Rd, to allow the

spectacular production to grow even further. “With a huge line up of entertainment, a visit from Santa and of course it’s much loved fireworks finale, the carols are always a great way to bring joy to the community,” McBride said. Source: Website, Dec 1 Emma McBride, Federal Member for Dobell

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Award winning Australian band, Pseudo Echo, will also headline the program with a special performance, live on stage, for the community to enjoy. Central Coast Council Unit Manager, Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard, invites locals and visitors to celebrate the last sunset of 2018 with family and friends along the waterfront. “It is hard to believe that 2018 is coming to an end, but we are delighted to host this special event and bring our community

together to celebrate our achievements over the past year,” Cannard said. “Memorial Park will be buzzing with a variety of entertainment, free craft activities, live music and a ‘Food Alley’ featuring an array of food choices. “The festivities will conclude with the not-tobe-missed 9pm fireworks display over water. “If you live on the Coast or are visiting the area, join us at The Entrance from 6pm on December 31, for a spectacular funfilled evening to bring in the New Year,” he added. Marine Pde Carpark, with no vehicle entry or movement, will be closed all day on December 31, and Council advises that any car left in the carpark upon closure will remain there until it reopens. The following special

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event road closures will apply from 3pm on New Year’s Eve, with traffic diversions in place: Closure of Marine Pde; The Entrance Rd closed at Victoria Ave; Coral St east of Duffys Lne will also be closed, with access into the multi storey car park still available; and, Part road closures at the intersection of Torrens Ave and Victoria Ave will also be in effect. Visitors travelling from north of The Entrance bridge are advised to park on the north side of the bridge and walk to Memorial Park. Visitors travelling south to The Entrance are advised to park away from the road closure area and walk to Memorial Park. Source: Media release, Dec 10 Central Coast Council Media

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entral Coast Council officially launched its ‘A Luminous Christmas’ event at The Entrance on December 1. The inaugural event is a special 30 day project by Council which sees The Entrance foreshore light up with a colossal display of LED lights, sound and animation, to ignite the Christmas spirit in the community. At the launch, the community celebrated the first day of the event with stilt walking candy canes, giant bouncy elves, an enchanting ballerina in a bubble, live entertainment and a special visit from Santa. Star 104.5 also hosted the Road Star Party, which will be on again on December 14 and 20, from 6.30-8.30pm. “Performances by the Tuggerah Lakes Show Band, Narara Valley High School, The Glen

OUT&ABOUT

Page 27

12 December 2018

30 day ‘A Luminous Christmas’ event launched at The Entrance

Central Coast Council’s Luminous Christmas festivities. The students will be performing musical numbers from 6pm to 8pm on December 13. “Performances will include our Primary and Secondary choirs, band and solo acts, an extract from The Little Mermaid Junior (the official first sneak peak of this production) and a Christmas Carol medley,” College Principal, Steven Todd, said. “There will also be a stall selling Santa hats, flashing headbands and small Christmas gift ideas. “All proceeds of the stall will go toward our Performing Arts Trip to the USA 2020,” Steven Todd added.

MacKillop Catholic College Warnervale students are putting on a Christmas performance as part of Council’s Luminous Christmas event Aboriginal Dance and Interactive Dreamtime performance, and the Gymnastics NSW Hunter Team will keep the crowds entertained. “On Christmas Eve,

WELCOME IN

we will be holding the popular Carols in the Park, so bring your picnic rugs and reindeer ears down to Memorial Park and sing along to all of your favourite Carols and well known hits.

“Christmas is a very special time for many people on the Coast and we invite everyone to come together and celebrate with us during the 30 days of Christmas,” Council Unit Manager

Community Partnerships, Glenn Cannard, said. MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale, students will be performing at the Waterfront Plaza, The Entrance, as part of

Source: Newsletter, Nov 29 Steven Todd, MacKillop Catholic College Warnervale Media release, Dec 10 Central Coast Council Media

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OUT&ABOUT Page 28

12 December 2018

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Christmas Lights Map available

he time honoured tradition of taking the kids out Christmas light spotting has just gotten that little bit easier, thanks to a comprehensive Central Coast Christmas Lights Map, compiled by, Katie Stokes, the creative force behind Playing in Puddles. Playing in Puddles is the Coast’s online directory for all things kids. Stokes created the first Central Coast Christmas Lights Map in 2017, and it proved extremely popular, so she’s brought the map back this year to help families across the Coast find the best light displays near them. “An evening drive in the weeks before Christmas is a ritual many Central Coast families love, and with our map outlining the best decorated homes, we hope to make it that much easier for you to plan your route,” Stokes said. Residents in the former Wyong LGA are some of the most festive, with displays at: Bayberry Ave, Woongarrah; Settlement Dve, Wadalba; Darri Rd, Wyongah; and, Katoomba Ave, San Remo; all being named as must see displays. “Bayberry Ave’s,

Matthew Redman, has been working on his computerised Christmas light display since February, yes you read that correctly, February, so it’s no surprise how incredible it is and that it’s one of the must visit sites on the map,” Stokes said. “It might only be the fourth year that Matthew’s had his lights computerised, but he’s an old hand at the decorations, with 18 years under his belt,” she added. It takes Redman four weeks to set up the display each year. “I get a big buzz from the joy on the faces of kids and families seeing our Christmas Lights display go off,” Redman said. This year he has lights synchronised to songs and his display raises money for the Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. “We experienced the loss of a very young child in our extended family,” Redman said. “The Children’s Hospital was superb with her ongoing care and the support that they provided during her brave fight, and to the family following her passing, so we wanted to give back,” he said. “Last year Bayberry

Ave raised a staggering $5,500, and this year they’re hoping to double that amount,” Stokes said. Bayberry Ave have also implemented Santa on Saturdays, with the big man himself on site to welcome onlookers until December 22. Wadalba’s Settlement Dve display is another festive favourite with a difference. Cindy and Troy Byrne are the owners behind the famous display. “Troy is the mastermind behind it,” Cindy said. “He spends most of the year working on it, from designing or sourcing props to synchronising the lights to music on the computer. “The actual assembly of the display takes about four weeks,” she said. This year they’ll be synced to All I want for Christmas is You, The Greatest Showman on Earth and more. Cindy promises their display will be bigger and better than ever. “This year we have twice the amount of lights on the outline, a new singing face, a new spinner and more trees. “We will have roughly 10,000 lights in our display,” Cindy said. The Byrnes’ daughter was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome

in 2015, and with their display, they hope to raise awareness of this neurological disorder, which causes intellectual disability, severe language impairment, movement problems and frequent seizures, among other symptoms. Last year they raised $1,700. In the spirt of Christmas and community, many of the Byrnes’ neighbours on Settlement Dve and adjacent Connemarra St also put on phenomenal light displays. “Wyongah’s Michelle Gribble has been decorating her Darri Rd home for the past 10 years, and every year, her $8,000 display gets bigger and better as she adds to her collection at the Boxing Day sales,” Stokes said. “This year you’ll find more inflatables, more lights and a new snowy village scene. “Playing in Puddles visited Michelle’s display last year and we were amazed at how many fun and festive elements Michelle had managed to include on her front lawn. “There was Santa’s lounge room, complete with brick fireplace, loads of inflatables including Santa on a motorbike, oversized penguins, Santa piloting a plane, prancing reindeer and

Santa driving a train, myriad fairy lights, a snow machine, and a ginormous Christmas tree adorned in tinsel, baubles, bows, lights, candy canes and, of course, a crowning star. “Michelle goes to all of this trouble each year to raise money for the Children’s Hospital, as her 14-year-old daughter, Hope, has Cerebral Palsy, and has spent a lot of time over the years, in and out of hospital. “There will be a little wishing well out the front of the property with all money raised going to the Children’s Hospital,” Stokes said. “Until December 22, Michelle will also host a mini festival of fun on her lawn, with people dressed as beloved Disney characters. “Santa will also be giving out lolly bags to the children,” Stokes said. Rounding out the Wyong area’s must see displays, is the Heterick family’s Christmas extravaganza, on San Remo’s, Katoomba Ave. “The Hetericks have been putting lights up for 14 years, and Santa has been attending for the past three. “This year, the display is set to be bigger and better, with an extension of the archway and a net light that reads, Merry

Christmas,” Stokes said. “Jody Heterick said she goes to all of this trouble, ‘to see the smiles on everyone’s face’ and we’re so very thankful she does,” Stokes added. “The Hetericks go that extra mile, and even put out a special post box in the beginning of November so children can mail their letters to Santa. “Each letter receives a reply from Saint Nick himself (provided a return addressed envelope with a stamp was included with the letter) and this just gives us that warm fuzzy feeling,” Stokes said. The Heterick’s also have a special meet and greet with Santa and Mrs Claus where families can get a Santa photo taken. The Santa meet and greet will take place on December 14, 15, 19, 20, 22 and 23, from 8pm. Stokes’ Christmas Lights Map is live now on the Playing in Puddles website and visitors to the site are also able to add their own displays to the interactive map, as well as make recommendations of their own must see displays. Source: Website, Dec 7 Katie Stokes, Playing in Puddles

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It’s official, Children are Stinky

Page 29

12 December 2018

OUT&ABOUT

Poetry Writing Competition winners selected C entral Coast Council has announced the winners of its Library Service’s first Poetry Writing Competition.

hildren Are Stinky, a new production produced by, Circus Trick Tease and NCM, is coming to The Art House, Wyong, on January 21 - 23. Set against a backdrop of high calibre circus, a rocking 90’s soundtrack and genuine belly laughs, Circus Trick Teases acrobatic duo’s attempts to prove kids stink are met

with messy, ridiculous and hysterical twists. They only succeed in proving that children are awesome. Expect daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lightning fast hula hoops, loads of laughs and mischievous fun are all to be expected. Off the back of five star sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe, this action-packed circus extravaganza will have

children’s jaws on the floor. For a limited time, The Art House will also be hosting the Children Are Stinky Circus Workshops. Children who attend the workshop will get to partake in circus acts seen in the show and learn a variety of circus skills, including tumbling and hoop skills. Source: Media release, Nov 19 Emily Miller, The Art House Wyong

Wyong Neighbourhood Centre has received a $94,540 grant

y o n g Neighbourhood Centre has received a $94,540 grant under the Community Building Partnership Program. The Member for Wyong, David Harris, announced

the funding for the Centre on December 6, and delivered a cheque to staff members on the same day. “It was a great pleasure to announce that Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Inc. would be receiving the funding to upgrade

their outdoor space. “They do great work for our community and it’s exciting to be able to deliver this project with them,” Harris said. Source: Website, Dec 6 David Harris MP

The competition is one of the many ways Council is delivering on the Community Strategic Plan by celebrating and continuing to create opportunities for inclusion where all people feel welcome and participate in community life. Council Acting Unit Manager, Libraries, Beth Burgess, said she was pleased with the positive response from the community and it was fantastic to see all ages getting involved. “I would like to thank everyone who was brave enough to submit an entry and tell their tale in verse,” Burgess said. “I hope the competition acts as a springboard for our local talent to go on and gain recognition at a national and possibly internationally levels. “Thank you also to our judges, Meg GatlandVeness, Cherry Beckett and Marilyn Campbell, who have volunteered their time towards this worthwhile cause, helping to strengthen the sense of belonging in the community. “I am incredibly proud of the role we play in nurturing and inspiring our amazing local talent, while helping to create a sense of connection

Central Coast Council Library Service’s inaugural Poetry Writing Competition winner, Shelley Stocken within the community. “This is just one of the many ways our libraries help meet education, learning and recreation, while encouraging development of literacy and reading skills,” Burgess said. The competition was open to all ages and run in three sections; Junior, Youth and Adult. Finlay Smith took out the Junior section for her poem, Ocean Lady. Caitlyn Dixon took out the Youth section with her piece, How I Wish, and Shelley Stocken took out the Adult section with her poem, Vessel. Stocken said she discovered her love of poetry while at school and she was thrilled when she received the call saying she had received first place. “Even though I studied poetry at university, I have never considered myself a poet,” Stocken said.

“I have entered a few competitions in the past, but this is the first time I have ever placed, let alone won. “I’m surprised, but also incredibly proud of this achievement,” she continued. “My poem was a self-reflection of sorts, contemplating the theme of peace on an individual level, rather than a collective or worldwide concept. “I really enjoyed the process of writing Vessel, contemplating peace of mind and being comfortable within myself and of my own choices, and I hope others can relate,” Stocken said. Winning entries will be on display on World Poetry Day, March 21, 2019. Source: Media release, Dec 5 Central Coast Council Media

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December 12, 2018

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COASTAL DIARY

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A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF EVENTS OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS ON THE CENTRAL COAST WEDNESDAY, DEC 12

Free, 7pm

Master Your Online Marketing Workshop, Nexus Smart Hub Wyong, Free, 5:30pm

Santa Storytime at Your Library, Kincumber Library 10.30am

Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr Dickens JR, The Wyong Grove Theatre, Ticketed, 12 - 16/12, Multiple Screenings Big Christmas Comedy Night, The Hive Erina Fair, Ticketed, 7pm ‘Let Me Be Frank’ A Christmas Special, Laycock Street Community Theatre, Ticketed, 11am John Sheehan talks on Beethoven/an Interesting Life, Terrigal Haven Men’s Probus Club Inc.

SATURDAY, DEC 15 Wildplant Community Nursery SALE DAY, CEN Office The Manor, Central Coast Campus Ourimbah, 9am - 12pm Christmas Spectacular: ELF, Hope Unlimited Church, Ticketed, 3:30pm & 7pm sessions Christmas Wreath Workshop, The Event Space at The Clan Terrigal, Ticketed, 11:30am & 2:30pm

Christmas Wreath Workshops, Ticketed, Erina Fair Santa Storytime at Your (Between Lorna Jane and Library, Surf Dive N’ Ski) Bateau Bay Library - 11am Bookings required, Ever Green Wreath THURSDAY, DEC 13 workshop - 10am, Native Christmas Wreath Green Living Workshop: workshop - 1pm Sustainable Christmas Food and Gifts – Beeswax Wraps, Club Woytopia - 5 Lands Tuggerah Library, Free, Band, Johnny Devilseed Bookings required, and Old man rubes, 9:30am - 12:00pm Everglades Country Club, Star Academy - This Is Me, Ticketed, 7pm - 11:30pm The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 6pm Santa Storytime at Your Library, Erina Library - 10.30am, The Entrance Library 11am

FRIDAY, DEC 14 Free Outdoor Film Screening - The Grinch, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, 6pm

Trouble in Paradise ‘I’m So Much Happy’ EP Launch w/ Port Royal + Cookbook Book Club, The Rhythm Hut,

JazzLeague: Jingle Boys Jazz Band, Central Coast Leagues Club, Free, 2 - 5pm Multicultral Christmas Carols, Woy Woy Presbyterian Church, Free, 5pm TC’s Open Mic, Hardys Bay Club, 3pm

MONDAY, DEC 17 Ride On Reindeers, 17 - 21/12, Free, Imperial Centre Gosford (Fashion Run, near Bonds), 9am - 4pm

WEDNESDAY, DEC 19

Timomatic ‘Mash Up’ Live Performance, Ettalong Diggers, Ticketed, 7pm 4343 0111 www.ettalongdiggers.com

Cheese High Tea: A Cheesy Indulgence, Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Ticketed, 1:30pm

The John Denver Celebration Concert, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 8pm

Jackal Slide, Hardys Bay Club, 7:30pm

THURSDAY, DEC 20

SUNDAY, DEC 16 Christmas Fest! Kibble Park Gosford, Free event, 5:30pm - 9pm

Christmas Spectacular: ELF - sensory performance Christmas Carols in for anyone with additional Kincumber, needs, Kincumber Uniting Hope Unlimited Church, Church corner of Avoca Ticketed, 6pm Drive and Killuna St, Wooden Christmas Craft, Free, Lake Haven Library, Bookings required, 3pm - 4:30pm

Christmas Spectacular: ELF, Hope Unlimited Church, Ticketed, 3:30pm & 7pm sessions

Free event, 6pm 0433 387 240 Shirleys Sunday Lunch Bunch, Breakers Country Club Wamberal (Look for the yellow balloons in Dining area) Bookings required, 12pm

Stand Up Competition, Comedy Night and Comedy Open Mic, The Hive Erina Fair, Ticketed, 7pm

FRIDAY, DEC 21 Christmas Carols, Central Coast Stadium, Ticketed, 4pm Christmas Craft & Disco, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, Free, 6pm

SATURDAY, DEC 22 Peninsula Churches to Celebrate Christmas Together! A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Ettalong Baptist

Church, 7pm Seasonal Mindfulness Meditations, Forest Of Tranquility, Bookings required, 2pm Hardys Bay Community Church - Carols on the Waterfront, Hardys Bay waterfront, 7:30pm - 9pm Bushcraft and Survival Skills, Glenworth Valley, Bookings required Blue & the Doctor, Hardys Bay Club, 7:30pm

SUNDAY, DEC 23 Anglican Christmas Services, All Saints Anglican Church The Entrance, Sunday - 9am, Christmas Eve 10:30pm, Christmas day - 9am

THURSDAY, DEC 27

New Years Eve at the Everglades - The 60’s Chart Toppers, Killcare Art Show Everglades Country Club Opening Night, Woy Woy, Ticketed, Ticketed, 6pm 7:30pm RSVP at finance@killcaresurfclub.t.au

FRIDAY, DEC 28 Superhero Dressups, Face Painting & Disco, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, Free, 6pm

New Years Eve, Seasalt Restaurant, Ticketed, 7:30pm - 12:30pm

NYE 2018 Rod Stewart & Cher Show with a Live Showband Dinner, Ettalong Diggers, Art by the Sea, Ticketed, 7pm Killcare Surf Life Sav4343 0111 ing Club, www.ettalongdiggers.com 28/12 - 6/01, 10am - 3pm WEDNESDAY, JAN 2

Bohemian Bees, Hardys Bay Club, 7:30pm

SUNDAY, DEC 30

JazzLeague: Eric Gibbins’ New Orleanians, Central Coast Leagues Club, Free, 2 - 5pm

THURSDAY, JAN 10 The Art House Presents IN THE HEIGHTS, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 7:30pm 4335 1485 thearthousewyong.com.au

Krazee Karaoke, Hardys Bay Club, 7pm

SATURDAY, DEC 29

11am - 12pm, Disco, 12pm -2pm

Mini Members New Year Party, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, Free, 11am - 2pm

JIMEOIN – ‘RESULT’ Comedy Show, Nelson Bay Diggers, Ticketed

Carols in the park, Waterfront Plaza and Memorial Park The Entrance, Free 6 - 8pm

Swing Sets w/ Nielson Gough, Hardys Bay Club, 3pm

TUESDAY, DEC 25

MONDAY, DEC 31

Christmas Day Breakfast, Florida Beach Bar, Ticketed, 7am - 10:30am Christmas Lunch, Seasalt Restaurant, Ticketed, 12pm - 3:30pm Christmas Lunch – Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Ticketed, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Luke McGregor/ Tommy Little: Comedy Double Bill, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 7:30pm 4335 1485 thearthousewyong.com.au

FRIDAY, JAN 11 Cinema under the Stars Tangled, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, 8:15pm

Under the Sea - Kids Buffet High Tea, Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Ticketed, 2pm

SATURDAY, JAN 12

Oz Rock Show Performing 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Rock, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, Ticketed, 7:30pm

WOW Learn to Surf Women with Sals Surf School, Umina Beach, Bookings required, 9am

SUNDAY, JAN 20

Central Coast Alliance FRIDAY, JAN 4 Française Peter Helliar - Live, Practise your French at any The Art House Wyong, Melinda Schneider & Mark level, Gable Rock the 80’s, Ticketed, 8pm Erina Leagues Club, Hardys Bay Club, 4335 1485 10am Ticketed, 6:30pm thearthousewyong.com.au

Shirleys Sunday Lunch Bunch, The Entrance Leagues Club (Tigers) - in the Bistro, Bookings required, 12pm

MONDAY, JAN 7

WEDNESDAY, JAN 16 Tom Ballard Live Comedy show, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 8pm 4335 1485

Daryl James w support Molly Millington, The Rhythm Hut, Ticketed, 6:30pm

MONDAY, JAN 21 The Art House Presents: CHILDREN ARE STINKY SHOW & CIRCUS WORKSHOPS, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 21 - 23/01, Multiple sessions

thearthousewyong.com.au SUNDAY, FEB 3 Good news week January School Holiday Program, 7/01 - 11/01, Shark Talk by Dr David Clean Up Australia Day Powter, Berkley Vale Highschool, at the Terrigal Lagoon, Kids & Adult programs: Central Coast Marine Meet at the front of the 9 - 11:30am, Discovery Centre, Marine Centre, 8am Teen programs: 6:30 - 9pm 6:30pm

2018 New Years Eve Celebration Ft Pseudo TUESDAY, JAN 8 Echo, NDIS Audit Workshop, Memorial Park The Nexus Smart Hub Wyong, Storytime Ballet - Coppelia, Bookings required, 5pm Entrance, Free, Laycock Street Community 6 - 9pm centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ events

SATURDAY, JAN 19

BOUDDI BOOGALOO with Special Guest Stars LITTLE QUIRKS ROSIE & THE QUEST,

SUNDAY, JAN 6 TUESDAY, JAN 15 A Luminous Christmas, Christmas Deck Session w/ Waterfront Plaza & Irish Mythen (International) Madagascar: A Musical Grizzlee Train, Memorial Park The w support Twin Willows, Hardys Bay Club, Adventure Jr., Entrance, Free The Rhythm Hut, 3pm Laycock Street Community 1/12 - 30/12, Ticketed, 6:30pm Theatre, Ticketed, 8:30pm 10:30pm Multiple Screenings MONDAY, DEC 24 centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ events

Show and Workshop, The Art House Wyong, Ticketed, 18 & 19/01, 10am & 2pm

Theatre, Ticketed, 8 & 9/01 11am, 2pm & 4pm

Putt Putt Golf, Everglades Country Club Woy Woy, Free, 11am - 2pm

Coast Onscreen Seniors Short Film Workshops: Short Film Aspects, Workshop 1, Bookings required, 10am - 2pm

SATURDAY, FEB 9

Celebrate Christmas at 2018 New Years Eve Family Terrigal Love Our Archies, WEDNESDAY, JAN 9 Raceday, Lagoon Project: Water Archies Brasserie, The Entertainment Grounds, FRIDAY, JAN 18 Ticketed, 11:30am - 1pm, Free kids entertainment, Quality & Marine Debris Juggling Show & Workshop, 1:30pm Workshop, 12pm - 6pm Everglades Country Club Escape From Trash Terrigal Scout Hall, Woy Woy, Free, Mountain - School Holiday

Basic entries in the Coastal Diary are FREE. Send information to coastaldiary@centralcoastnews.net

ENHANCED entries using bold typeface with an address, phone number and a live link are available for a small fee. Photographs can also be added for a small fee. All display advertisers are entitled to a free enhanced entry.

WYONG REGIONAL CHRONICLE - WWW.CENTRALCOASTNEWS.NET

Former Liberal receives Special Recognition Award for environment protection

ormer Wyong Mayor, Councillor, and local MP, Bob Graham, has been presented with a special recognition award from the C o m m u n i t y Environment Network (CEN) 2018 Special Recognition Award. The award was presented in recognition of Graham’s valuable contribution to the protection of the environment of the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie. “I have received many Awards during my time in

public life, but none have touched me as much as this Award,” Graham said. “It’s not very often that a fellow that, many years ago, represented his community as a Liberal, gets an Environmental Award bestowed upon him,” he said. “We have to have development that creates much needed jobs for not only our large unemployed population but also for the many commuters that would prefer to work close to home, but not at the expense of ruining our precious environment that, once torn down, can

never be replaced. “I applaud our Mayor, Jane Smith, for her stand on the future of the Warnervale Airport site. “Many years ago, as Mayor, I supported the rezoning of the site to Commercial. “If that had been acted upon, this area could now be the home to commercial businesses employing hundreds, if not thousands, of local people. “CEN has made me feel that my time in public life has not been forgotten.” Source: Email, Nov 30 Community Environment Network

Page 31

12 December 2018

OUT&ABOUT

Armistice Centenary Grants Program recipients thanked F ederal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, has thanked local veterans, community organisations and RSL sub-branches for their enduring commitment to see the spirit of the ANZAC’s preserved and remembered across the electorate, in a speech to Parliament.

“I recently spoke in Parliament about the Armistice Centenary Grants Program, which supported projects to mark 100 years since the guns fell silent,” McBride said. “Thank you to Toukley RSL Sub Branch, Wyong RSL Sub-Branch Club, the National Servicemen's Association Tuggerah

The Wyong Family History Group Inc.’s ANZAC Day memorial banners Lakes, Bupa Bateau Bay and Wyong Family History Group Inc. for submitting requests and then fulfilling the brief through the construction of those important memorials. “The program allowed grants for community based projects and activities to

commemorate the end of the First World War, to remember Australian service men and women from all conflicts and to reflect on a just and secure peace,” McBride concluded. Source: Website, Nov 29 Emma McBride, Federal Member for Dobell

Pitch night attracts industry leaders

ive hopeful startups pitched their business ideas for the Business Centre’s Pitch Night, at Wyong’s Nexus Smart Hub, on October 31, as part of the Spark Festival and Small Business Month.

PROUDLY PROUDLY PRESENTED PRESENTED BY BY CENTRAL CENTRAL COAST COAST COUNCIL COUNCIL

In front of more than

50 industry leaders, investors and members of the Central Coast business community, start-ups, Uukoo, Jazoodle, CyferLinx, MGA Thermal and Wave Swell Energy, all vied for their next big break, moving forward with their ventures. With globally scalable ideas in the areas of energy, recruitment,

augmented reality and business analytics, these start-ups, powered by the Business Centre, are evidence that investors from Sydney are interested in taking a look at regional ventures. This cohort is the third curated by the Business Centre on the Central Coast, in partnership with Nexus Smart Hub and the Henry Kendall

Group, working to drive opportunities for the local start-up scene. Chief Executive Officer of the Business Centre, Pierre Malou, has been working with start-ups in biotech and big data for more than 15 years, and has seen the shift in investors’ mindset toward regional investment. “Last night, the Business Centre saw

once again how willing Sydney investors are to jump on the freeway and travel north to look outside of the Sydney innovation ecosystem for exciting new opportunities” said Malou. “The Coast can attribute this to strong partnerships between Central Coast Council, industry partners, hubs like Nexus Smart Hub and

support services such as the Business Centre. “Investors in Sydney are now realising that startups on the Coast are operating at a high calibre due to this multidimensional support,” he added. Source: Media release, Nov 1 Jo-anne Christie, The Business Centre

1 DECEMBER – 30 DECEMBER

WATERFRONT PLAZA AND MEMORIAL PARK THE ENTRANCE

A LUMINOUS CHRISTMAS l 8.30PM - 10.30PM

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON THE CENTRAL COAST A SPECIAL 30 DAY LED LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW OF ANIMATED CHRISTMAS TALES.

LAUNCH NIGHT l 1 DECEMBER l 5.30PM - 8.30PM

OFFICIAL SWITCHING ON OF THE LED LIGHT SHOW . LIVE MUSIC . ROVING ENTERTAINMENT . SANTA

CAROLS IN THE PARK l 24 DECEMBER l 6PM - 8PM LIVE ENTERTAINMENT . CHRISTMAS CAROLS . A VISIT FROM SANTA FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events

30 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

MEDIA PARTNER

PRESENTED BY