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2 July 2002
Train fares rise Train fares from Woy Woy have risen by an average of two per cent from July 1, after a submission made by the State Rail Authority to the independent regulatory pricing tribunal was accepted. A single fare from Woy Woy to the city rose from $7.80 to $8, and return fare from $15.60 to $16. Weekly tickets rose from $45
to $46. A statement released by the tribunal noted that the authority had delivered service improvements over the last year and that performance was generally good. "The tribunal notes CityRail's improvements in on-time running over the past year, with the most recent information indicating it is achieving its targets," tribunal chairman Dr Thomas Parry said. Press release, June 24
State provides new Nambus Commuters at Woy Woy station
CAPS future uncertain Umina's Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) will stay open an extra week, closing this Friday if last minute efforts to secure State Government funding are unsuccessful. Service organisers said they had approached Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, who was attempting to locate a source of funding for the service. The centre has been operating for the last 14 years providing support for families in crisis in the Umina area. The centre, run from a house owned by Gosford Council, runs courses on parenting, coping skills, and child development. Centre coordinator Ms Carolyn Goddard said that she has been saddened by the prospect of
closing the service. "There aren't a lot of other places for people to just ring up and have a chat," she said. "There's nowhere else for our clients to come and have a laugh or have a shoulder to cry on," she said. Despite funding from Convoy for kids, Community Chest and Rotary, Ms Goddard said that without the State Government funding it was not possible to keep the centre open. State Government funds paid for a co-ordinator two days a week and volunteers kept the centre open an extra three days. Some of the volunteers at the centre had been there for the last 14 years. Ms Goddard said that over the years the volunteers had turned the centre into a family home,
where people could be accepted and not judged. As an on-going support service, the centre had some clients since its inception in 1988, others for short periods during times of trouble. Ms Goddard estimated that up to 400 people had been helped by service in the last year. "Now our clients will have to look further afield," she said. The nearest CAPS centre is now at Wyong, which Ms Goddard said was "extremely busy" and probably too far for clients to travel. She said that clients could still ring the phone service run from Ashfield on 1800 688 009 or utilise other government services. Alison Branley & Jonathan Reichard, June 25
Child care centre for Killcare A new multi-purpose child care cent re, cost ing $300,000, is to be built at Killcare Heights on land don at ed by G o sf ord Council. Minister Assisting the Premier for the Central Coast, Mr John Della Bosca, has announced the $300,000 State allocation for the centre. “The centre will incorporate Walsingham Preschool and
provide facilities to assist children and families who require early intervention services,” Mr Della Bosca said. “The centre is designed to meet community needs and to support families with young children." Mr Della Bosca said the Department of Community Services’ $300,000 allocation would relocate Walsingham Preschool from Pretty Beach and incorporate it into the brand new
child care centre to be built at Killcare Heights. “Research has shown that quality child care reduces the likelihood of children experiencing difficulties when starting school. “Quality child care also means parents receive a high level of care for their children in a safe, healthy and learning environment,” said Mr Della Bosca. Press release, June 27
Everglades
The State Government has provided a State Transit bus to replace the current Penin sula-based "Nambus". Minister for Transport, Mr Carl Scully, officially handed over the bus to the Vietnam Veterans' Federation of Australia Inc to assist "its valued outreach project to the wider community". Mr Scully said the bus would visit schools throughout the Central Coast of NSW, the Hunter Region and the Central West. "The Vietnam Veteran's Federation is an organisation that gives up their time willingly and voluntarily to educate children on Australia's role in the Vietnam War," Mr Scully said. "The donation of this bus will ensure that the Federation can carry on with its mobile outreach project." Mr Scully praised Labor Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, for her tireless work in getting the bus for the veterans. Ms Andrews said she was pleased to be able to assist the Gosford City sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans' Federation in the "Nambus" program. "The Nambus program is a great way for high school kids to learn about this significant episode in Australia's history and the sacrifices of our servicemen and women," Ms Andrews said. "The Nambus program has been in operation since 1993 and services more than 80 schools throughout regional NSW." Th e Vie tn am Vet era ns ' Nambus Committee was also congratulated by the Federal
Liberal Member for Robertson, Mr Jim Lloyd. “One of the first projects I undertook when first elected in 1996 was to secure a vehicle and ongoing funding to fit out the Nambus Mobile Museum,” Mr Lloyd said. “It took some time to secure Government support for this type of project and it was only the determination of the original Vietnam Veterans’ Nambus Committee that secured the $25,000 Federal grant in August 1997,” Mr Lloyd said. “In September 2000, the Federal Government provided an additional $13,000 for a generator, video unit, sound system and lighting, all of which will be transferred to the new bus,” Mr Lloyd said. The Mobile Museum has been an outstanding success travelling to hundreds of locations throughout NSW. On one occasion, it was even the focal point of a display at Parliament House, Canberra, where many Federal Members had an opportunity to inspect the museum. “As well as being a valuable education facility, the Nambus has been of great assistance to the Vietnam Veterans,” Mr Lloyd said. “I welcome the fact that the State Government has now taken over responsibility of funding this important project and am pleased that the Federal Government was able to play a pivotal role in the establishment of the Nambus,” Mr Lloyd said. Media releases, June 13 and 21