28 APRIL 2021
ISSUE 236
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
Large crowds turn out for live ANZAC Day services
Over 200 people took to the water at Terrigal Haven on Saturday, April 24, to protest against PEP11. See page 13
Out&About
Around the Coast, people turned out in droves to commemorate the fallen and the returned in live ANZAC Day marches and ceremonies. See page 3
Seven senior citizens who help to make their communities an inspiring place to live have been acknowledged.. See page 17
Business
ANZAC Day service at Memorial Park, The Entrance
Public inquiry to be held and Council to remain under administration It’s official, a public inquiry is to be held into Central Coast Council and the local government elections slated for September 4 will be postponed until late next year. The decision was announced on April 27 by Local Government Minister, Shelley Hancock, who said that the inquiry will provide an “independent, open, and transparent process to help improve the council’s performance and sustainability”. While the move has been applauded by Administrator, Dick Persson,and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, not everyone is pleased. Suspended Mayor Lisa Matthews said a public inquiry isn’t the answer that ratepayers have been looking for and Shadow Minister for the Central
Local Government Minister, Shelley Hancoc and Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Coast, David Harris, said he was disappointed that calls for a judicial inquiry, supported by an e-petition bearing more than 20,000 signatures, had been ignored. Minister Hancock said Council’s performance, particularly concerning financial management, had been of “great concern” to the
community. “On behalf of all Central Coast ratepayers, I want to see Council performing in the best interest of the community and this public inquiry will help get to the bottom of the issues which have impacted its performance, resulting in my suspension of councillors and appointment of an Interim
Administrator,” she said. “Any member of the public with concerns about the council can now raise them directly with the Commissioner of the public inquiry.” Roslyn McCulloch, who has three decades of experience in local government and planning law and conducted the 2019
public inquiry into Balranald Shire Council, has been appointed Commissioner of the inquiry. At the conclusion of the inquiry, she will present a report to the Minister and may make recommendations, including issuing a Performance Improvement Order or dismissing Council. Hancock said the decision means the Coast’s local government election will be postponed until late 2022, with current councillors to remain suspended during the inquiry process. Council Administrator, Dick Persson, said the Minister’s decision to stop the suspended councillors returning on April 29 was “great news for both the community and the Council”. Continued page 4
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was in Berkeley Vale on April 21, to visit Star Scientific, a company leading the way in developing the global hydrogen energy economy. See page 26
Sport
Sydney FC came back from a two goal deficit against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday... See page 40
Puzzles page 23
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