News
Erina Chamber promoting local business Erina Chamber of Commerce is showing that it understands what chambers of commerce are supposed to do – promote business in their area. The Chamber is promoting a week long festival, Experience Erina, from the 15th to 21st August with the theme Celebrating 125 years. The brain-child of Camera House Erina Managing Director, John Ralph, the Experience Erina promotion will focus on four business sectors: Leisure and Lifestyle, Financial and Legal Services, Home Improvement and Health and Beauty. “This is not just a SALE,” said Mr Ralph, “it will offer the people of the Central Coast a chance to learn, sample and be entertained. And it’s not just retail it’s an opportunity for people to learn just what Erina has to offer. The Chamber has arranged for the week long festival to be promoted using social media in the six weeks leading up to the 15th August as well as involving Central Coast Express-Advocate, 2GO and SEA FM and NBN Central Coast television. Participants are being encouraged to run demonstrations workshops, supplier days and competitions that will add value and make positive and exciting experiences for customers and visitors. “By bringing our businesses to prominence at this time of the year we are hopeful
Erina Chamber of Commerce President, Tim Gunasinghe with Executive Officer, Sue Liptrott and Camera House owner, John Ralph
of creating goodwill and increased business all the way to Christmas,” said Mr Ralph. Erina Chamber of Commerce will be co-ordinating the promotion and engaging the media. To be part of the promotion, businesses will contribute $685 (including GST) for non Chamber members and $595 for members. Chamber President, Tim Gunasinghe, said, “while business is quiet we have a great opportunity to make our combined service offerings known to the people of
the Central Coast. It is also a chance for those businesses in the less prominent parts of Erina to promote their businesses in a positive way.” Erina’s history will be promoted as part of the festival to make it interesting. The streets forming today’s business centre were laid out in December 1888 and the town has a unique and interesting history. To be part of the promotion phone Chamber Executive Officer, Sue Liptrott on 0450 969169 or email: info@erinachamber.com.au
Councils happy with State Budget Last month’s State Budget has got the seal of approval from the Mayors of Gosford and Wyong Councils. Wyong Mayor, Doug Eaton said, “Council welcomes the announcements made in the State Budget. It is pleasing the NSW Government and local Members have lived up to their promise of delivering money for crucial infrastructure projects.” “The State Government has made it clear they have prioritised a number of road projects that have been seemingly ignored in the past.” Recognising that Council and the recently appointed General Manager still have work to do in turning Gosford around Gosford Mayor, Laurie McKinna said, “we understand the fiscal difficulties the State Government finds itself in. With this in mind we are pleased to see the continued investment in infrastructure for our community. We also understand that we are early in our new planning phase and we July 2013
anticipate a significant improvement in funding over the next few years as we get on with the job of repositioning Gosford as the rightful capital of the Central Coast.” Meanwhile, the Coast has won: • $4 million for planning work for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway and Wyong Road intersection. • $800,000 to begin the upgrade of Wyong Road Enterprise Drive intersection. • $800,000 to begin the upgrade of Wyong Road from Mingara Drive to Tumbi Road. • $17 million to start work on the upgrade of the Central Coast Highway intersection at Brisbane Water Drive and Manns Road at West Gosford. • $7 million for the replacement of a railway level crossing on Woy Woy Road at Horsfield Bay. • $9 million to complete work on the four lane widening of the Central Coast Highway between Matcham Road, Erina Heights and Ocean View Drive, Wamberal.
Other wins for the region are: • $10 million to complete planning and start work on a new intersection on Sparks Road to support the Warnervale Town Centre, • $9 million will be directed towards the relocation of Gosford Public School. • Wyong Hospital has received $6.2 million to upgrade the Emergency Department, developing an Urgent Care Centre and Emergency Department Short Stay Unit. When it comes to housing growth the Coast does not get a mention. The Government has allocated $99 million to assist councils improve local infrastructure necessary to boost housing supply. But it all goes to The Hills and Blacktown and Inner Sydney and Maitland. These funds have been committed so that councils do not have to charge exorbitant developer contributions that make land development unviable for developers. Continued on page 24 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW
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