Issue 153 of COAST Community News

MARCH 9, 2017

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Remaining former school site land being sold with proposed Finance Office space

Proposed Finance building on former school site approved

by JRPP new commercial building to house NSW Department of Finance workers is on the way for Gosford after receiving Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) approval on Thursday, March 2.

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32 Mann Street, Gosford

roperty NSW has confirmed that the remaining 1.1 hectares of land from the former Gosford Public School, including the 7,000 square metre State Finance Office building, is to be sold as a single parcel of land.

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“The current two-stage tender process undertaken by Property NSW relates to the remaining unsold parcel of land at 32 Mann St, Gosford,” Property NSW said, in a written statement in response to questions from Coast Community News.

“The site is approximately 1.1 hectares in area and is bound by Mann St, Vaughan Ave and the Gosford City Park.

“The Property NSW strategy is to sell the overall site in two tranches,” the statement said.

The first tranch was sold to the Doma Group as part of an EOI

process for a site known as 20 Mann St, the sale of which was completed in late 2015.

In other words, there is no third parcel of land on the corner of Vaughan Ave and Mann St that could be purchased by Central Coast Council for use as a performing arts centre, unless it was on-sold by the successful tenderer.

“The current Expression of Interest (EOI) process is for the sale of the remaining 1.1 hectares of the site,” the Property NSW statement clarified.

“It includes 32 Mann St, Gosford, and the proposed 7,000 square metre mixed-use commercial building that will house in excess of 300 Department of Finance, Services and Innovation staff from late 2018.

“The development of the site is subject to an EOI process that will seek private sector interest in the purchase and future development of the remaining 1.1 hectares of

the site and is proposed to include the 7,000 square metre mixeduse commercial building at 32 Mann St. “Consistent with its concept masterplan, lodged as part of its planning proposal for the 32 Mann St site, the Government is proposing to sell the 1.1 hectare site to a development partner able to realise its vision of delivering a mix of uses on the site including: restaurants; car parking; shortterm accommodation; and, residential; generous open space for the community that will provide pedestrian access between Mann St and the waterfront precinct.

“Approximately 60 per cent of the site is available for redevelopment in accordance with the existing zoning and planning controls.

“Property NSW is currently reviewing the tender proposals received during its EOI process and will announce a preferred proponent shortly.

Photo: Justin Stanley

“The proposed uses of the site comply with the Central Coast Council’s ‘Gosford Development Control Plan’.

“Importantly, they will ensure the site contributes to activation of the Waterfront Precinct and support the revitalisation objectives detailed in the ‘Our City, Our Destiny Masterplan’,” the statement said.

Sale of the site has been subject to a two-stage competitive process.

The EOI was completed in late 2016, with a shortlist of proponents invited through to the second stage Request for Tender (RFT) process.

This RFT process is at an advanced stage with the preferred proponent expected to be announced shortly.

Media statement, Mar 8, 2017 Vicky Validakis, Property NSW Jackie Pearson, journalist

ISSUE 153

The JRPP deferred a decision on the development proposal in December to seek more information relating to architectural integrity, landscaping, soil management and a site link.

“These issues have now been addressed,” according to a media release issued by Central Coast Council, following the JRPP’s announcement.

According to Council, the new building would: “inject $1.4 million to the retail expenditure in the Gosford CBD and $4.2 million into the broader Central Coast economy”.

The application provided for activation of the public domain in terms of the landscaped forecourt and a ‘through block’ connection.

The development also incorporated louvres and shading features to manage the climate and internal comfort of the building.

The $34.2 million decision brings the value of development approved, by the JRPP, in the last six months in the Gosford CBD to $150.9 million.

According to Property NSW, the

State Government agency that has managed the sale of the land formerly occupied by Gosford Public School, has announced that hundreds of new jobs were earmarked for Gosford’s CBD after the Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel approved its DA for the new mixed use commercial building at 32 Mann Street.

CEO of Property NSW, Mr Brett Newman, said the JRPP approval followed the tender process to secure a development partner to deliver the proposed mixeduse building at 32 Mann St and develop the remaining 1.1 hectares of land on the site.

“Endorsement of the project by the JRPP is an important milestone in the Government’s plan to invest in the local economy and revitalise the CBD and waterfront, delivering hundreds of new jobs to the region,” Mr Newman said.

He said Property NSW was reviewing the tender proposals and would announce a preferred proponent shortly.

Mr Newman said that the Government had received excellent responses through the public EOI process to deliver a mix of development opportunities for the remaining space on the site, including restaurants, car parking, short-term accommodation, residential and generous open space for the community that would provide pedestrian access between Mann Street and the waterfront precinct through the site.

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Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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Central Coast Council has renewed its commitment to work with Transport NSW and the Roads and Maritime Services to achieve a “positive outcome” with the Rawson Rd rail level crossing.

The level crossing was the site of a fatality on January 17 which highlighted the decision made by both Central Coast Council and Transport for NSW to shelve plans to replace the level crossing.

The Central Coast Council released a statement renewing its commitment to finding a solution for the community.

“The State Government originally committed $52 million in funding for the removal of the rail level crossing at Rawson Rd and to provide a new road underpass at the base of Bulls Hill,” the statement said.

The plan was to connect Woy Woy Rd to Nagari Rd. The traffic underpass was proposed in addition to the construction of a pedestrian underpass from Railway St to Waterview Cres.

“The original design for the underpass was rejected by Transport for NSW, due to the impact the works would have on the northern rail line,” the statement said.

“Intermittent closures were required for critical construction works scheduled over several weekends,” the statement said.

“The pedestrian underpass was completed by Council as part of this project in 2015 and taken over by the Transport NSW to be managed by the RMS. “An alternate design, for the underpass was developed by Transport NSW and costed $115 million.”

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, said the recent fatality on the level crossing would not affect what, if any, next steps would be taken by the NSW Government or Central Coast Council.

A major stumbling block continued to be that both Railway St and Rawson Rd were not state but local roads.

“In terms of any State roads, I

am happy to put my hand on my heart and say we will have more state road funding go into this area,” Mr MacDonald said.

“But that was a local government road and the Council came to us for help and the costing went up to $115 million and that wasn’t satisfactory from any point of view,” he said.

Mr MacDonald said in order to argue for any sort of upgrade to the intersection or solution for the level crossing within the NSW Cabinet, he needed to see leadership from Central Coast Council.

“For me, it is very much about I need a helping hand from Council to say this is what we want to do and this is the final contribution we need from State Government and not something that is going to blow out.

“I have not got a confidence about that figure of $115 million.

“I don’t know whether the scope of works was final and I don’t know whether RMS has got any confidence about that figure.”

It is unlikely for local roads to be reclassified as State roads, he said.

He said the best strategy available to the Central Coast Council would be to strike up a memorandum of understanding with the State Government for funding based on the road being a significant transport and rail corridor.

Mr MacDonald said it was Council’s responsibility to ensure adequate infrastructure was in place as the Peninsula’s population grew through the redevelopment of areas from low- to medium-density residential.

“I would hope Council would be very mindful that they have adequate road capacity or that they have spoken to the State Government for support.

“If they are local government roads then they have to have the developer contributions to build up that infrastructure.

“If they haven’t got those developer contributions, it is a failure of planning.

Media statement, 24 Jan 2017 Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council Interview, 2 Feb 2017 Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Reporter: Jackie Pearson

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ISSUE 151

A report on the future of the Regional Library to be presented to February Council meeting

Peninsula lawyers have written collectively and individually seeking the retention of the Woy Woy Local Court.

They wrote a joint submission to Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, following their meeting with him on January 19.

Representatives from Coastlaw, David Kelly lawyers, Ryan and Seton, Tonkin Drysdale Partners and Central Coast Community Legal Centre, had earlier written individual letters in response to the proposal.

Mr David Kelly from David Kelly Lawyers said: “The closure of Woy Woy Local Court will prejudice our clients who reside on the Peninsula.

“The majority of our clients are based at the lower end of the socio economic spectrum.

“The closing of Woy Woy Local Court will impact on their ability to access a proximate court and place further burdens upon them both financially having to either travel to Gosford or Wyong Local Court.

“The Woy Woy Local Court is a valuable and practical asset.

“It should not be closed,” Mr Kelly said.

Mr Michael Seton of Ryan and Seton Lawyers wrote to the Central Coast Law Society to state that his firm “wholly and unreservedly”

opposed the proposal.

Mr Seton said he wished to clarify that his firm would financially benefit from the proposed changes but remained opposed to them.

“The Peninsula community will lose its sole avenue for efficient, affordable and accessible justice,” Mr Seton said.

“This will be the case for civil and criminal litigants, including victims, alike.

“It is the vulnerable people in the community that will suffer first and suffer greatest with this proposal,” he said.

Mr Paul Mereniuk from Peninsula Law wrote directly to the Chief Magistrate: “We would say that the proposal of cessation of the Adult List Day at Woy Woy Local Court will result in a 25 per cent increase in the work load at Gosford Local Court.”

Mr Mereniuk said he disputed claims that the changes would result in 12 extra adult sitting days in Gosford, arguing instead that the total would be eight.

“The Gosford Court House facility struggles to accommodate the stakeholders it currently services for both the District and Local Courts,” he said.

“The proposed increase work load has not been met by any increase in rooms available for conferencing clients or for accommodating victims of domestic violence.

She said a development on the Broadwater site would be “in excess of what we’ve got funding for”.

An alternative site is also under consideration for the library, according to Ms Vaughan.

“This is part of consolidating a lot of the former projects,” she said.

Ms Vaughan said a report would be presented to the February Council meeting, but that negotiations were still being finalised, and the high political interest in the project meant she needed to be cautious about what she could say publicly at this stage.

“The $7 million Federal funding means the government requires us to deliver on this project, and there have been many promises for many years, but not much has been delivered.”

Ms Vaughan said the $8.1 million raised via a rate payer levy was “still committed”.

She said the draft designs put forward by Gosford Council were “pretty pictures, but not necessarily what was ever going to be an affordable design.

“The report will identify the next steps, but we are still concurrently trying to keep the commitment of the Federal Government.

“We don’t want to make any more broken promises and this review is part of the due diligence required,” she said.

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Woy Woy Court House in Blackwall Rd

Lawyers write to keep local court

“This will also result in security issues and the need for conferencing of clients in public as opposed to private spaces.

“This is totally inappropriate,” he said.

The partners of Tonkin Drysdale also wrote to the Chief Magistrate and described his proposals as “unfathomable”, pointing to the Peninsula’s long history of a Local Court service to a growing population.

“The cessation of the criminal, family and civil jurisdictions of the Local Court will be a great loss and shock to the community.

“It will lead to significant negative outcomes for the administration of, and access to, justice on the Peninsula.

“The only argument that could realistically be claimed by our political masters to improve services to a community by actually taking away the service is a perception of cost-saving, perhaps more correctly described as cost-shifting.

“It is a fallacy.”

Letter, 13 Jan 2017 Darrell Pannowitz, Paul Tonkin, Paul Quinn, Lee Pawlak, Tonkin Drysdale Partners Letter, 13 Jan 2017 Paul Mereniuk, Peninsula Law Letter, 19 Jan 2017 Michael Seton, Ryan and Seton Lawyers Letter, 19 Jan 2017 David Kelly, David Kelly Lawyers

THIS ISSUE contains 46 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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he long-promised regional library for Gosford has been delayed again, putting at risk a $7 million Community Development Grant, and begging questions about the status of around $8.1 million raised over 15 years from a ratepayer levy.

Prior to its dismissal by the NSW Government in May 2016, Gosford Council had resolved to build a regional library on the council owned Broadwater Hotel site, next door to Gosford Council Chambers on Mann St. Draft plans were drawn and a public tender was advertised (but not in this newspaper) for an architectural consultancy and detailed design services.

In a confidential Central Coast Council meeting on January 24, Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, resolved to withdraw that public tender.

The reasons for the withdrawal have remained confidential, but are understood to be “procedural”.

“Council will now seek an extension for the $7 million grant under the Community Development Grants Program,” Central Coast Council confirmed in a written statement issued in response to questions from Coast Community News. “[This will] enable Council to settle on a suitable location for the Gosford Library site with a report to be brought back to Council on the matter,” the statement said.

Gosford Councillors voted in 2015 to move ahead with plans to build a new library in Mann St after the State Library of NSW reviewed nine possible options.

The draft design was described in February 2016 as a collaborative effort between Gosford Council and leading

The last concept plan for the regional library has been described as “pretty pictures” but not necessarily affordable

architects Clare Design and Hill Thalis, which Gosford’s former mayor, Mr Lawrie McKinna, said was a “concept plan that boasts something for everyone.

“There are still plenty of details to work through, but this current concept truly captures our vision of having a state of the art community hub right in the heart of the Central Coast’s capital,” Mr

McKinna said at the time.

The concept plan for the Broadwater site included a ground level café and children’s area, three levels dedicated to exhibitions, library collections and an auditorium, as well as four more levels devoted to a smart work hub, a seniors’ centre and a university presence.

It appears Council amalgamation also resulted in the development application to demolish the current Council-owned building on the site never being lodged.

Council’s Group Leader Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the purpose of the report that was considered by Mr Reynolds in January was to “tidy up the tender process” which,

she said “fell way outside local government requirements” in terms of timing.

Ms Vaughan said the work done by the NSW State Library was still being considered but questions remained about the suitability of the Broadwater Hotel as the best site for the state-of-the-art library that the region required.

Media statement, Jan 30, 2017 Central Coast Council media Interview, Feb 8, 2017 Julie Vaughan, Central Coast Council Media Release, Feb 22, 2016 Gosford Council media Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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Confidential airport feasibility study Berejiklian refuses to recommended sale confirm September council election of the land ew South Wales Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, during her visit to the region for a Community Cabinet meeting, was not prepared to confirm that the Central Coast would have a local election in September.

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Mr Laurie Eyes attended the Wyong chamber to access the airport feasibility study

he former Wyong Council and the current Central Coast Council have continued to spend rate payer money on the expansion of the airport at Warnervale when a 2013 feasibility study recommended the sale of the land.

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The study, which has been kept confidential by both Wyong and Central Coast Councils since 2013, concluded that the sale of the airport land at Warnervale could fetch around $7.7 million, depending on market conditions.

It also argued that the sale could result in an

ongoing revenue stream back to Council through land rates.

The 2013 feasibility study concluded that an upgrade of the Warnervale airport was not viable, as the costs were considered “prohibitive” and significant effort would be required by Council to attract aviation-related businesses to the site.

Since abandoning its plans to develop an airport at Kiar Ridge, the Wyong Council and the Central Coast Council, have pursued an expansion of the airport into a general aviation hub.

Since 2013, the former and current Council have spent at least $7

million at Warnervale airport, including on a runway upgrade without Ministerial permission, as is required by specific legislation, and on land acquisitions.

At the same time, it has kept confidential the feasibility study which clearly showed the best course of action available to the Council was to sell the airport land and turn it into rateable industrial lots.

Those lots would also generate employment as per the intent of its classification as a State Significant Site and the objectives of creating the Wyong Employment Zone (WEZ).

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Wyong Regional Chronicle asked Ms Berejiklian to confirm that the first election for the Central Coast Council would occur in September.

The Premier said: “We know, the feedback I have been getting is, that people are so happy with the current arrangements up here on the Coast.

“The merger has gone extremely well, that is the feedback I have been getting, not just from the local members, but also from the community, and people want to ensure that continues,” she said.

When asked if she would rule out an extension of the current Administration period for the Central Coast Council, Ms Berejiklian said: “No, I’m not ruling anything in or out.

“All that I am saying is the feedback we

Premier Gladys Berejiklian shakes hands with the Central Coast Photo: Noel Fisher

have had is that it is an extremely positive experience and we are seeing a difference on the ground.

“We are seeing less time taken to approve developments.

“You’ve got to remember this is about the local community, it is not about how governments work, and what I have seen is really positive.”

Ms Berejiklian has been under pressure to reconsider the

Government’s position on Council mergers since taking over as NSW Premier from Mr Mike Baird.

For example, the State Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, who is also Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, has called for a plebiscite to give the Central Coast community the opportunity to decide whether or not it retains the two old councils or continues with a single Central Coast Council.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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Issue 111 February 28, 2017

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Edition 413

6 February 2017

Council renews commitment to crossing outcome

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Issue 110 February 14, 2017

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Edition 412

Edition 414

20 February 2017

Kathy Smith resigns due to fight with cancer Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith has announced her resignation from NSW Parliament, because of her ongoing fight with cancer.

The resignation was confirmed in a media statement from the NSW Opposition Leader Mr Luke Foley.

He said that, against the odds, she won Gosford for Labor in 2015.

Ms Smith was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and doctors were confident at the time that she would overcome the disease that first struck her in 1996.

Unfortunately the cancer had more recently metastasised and required further treatment.

“There is no higher honour than to represent your community in Parliament and that is why it is with great sadness that I announce my decision to resign as your Member for Gosford,” Ms Smith said.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer last year, my doctors were positive that with treatment I would win my second battle with this disease,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the cancer has metastasised and will now require further treatment.

“This was not the result any of us was hoping for.

“It was my first battle with this disease that led me to become a cancer advocate, then Chair of Cancer Voices NSW and ultimately be given the privilege of representing my community in the NSW Parliament.

Ms Kathy Smith (front left) campaigning to keep the Woy Woy Motor Registry open in 2015

“I am proud of what we have achieved together on the Central Coast and I know that whoever comes next will continue the great work that I and the Foley Labor team have started.

“I now look forward to spending more time with my family and continuing my treatment and recovery,” she said.

Ms Smith thanked her staff, Ms Jane Letteri and Ms Amy Walsh, and her husband Peter whose dedication and support had made so much possible at this difficult time.

NSW Opposition leader Mr Luke Foley said: “I said when Kathy was diagnosed with cancer that she had all our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

“Now with her resignation, we

are losing a remarkable, resilient and admirable woman, mother and colleague.

“Her spirit and outlook will be missed around Parliament and important though her work here was, she has a much bigger battle ahead.

“She has our entire sincere good wishes for that struggle.

“Please give her your best thoughts, and prayers.

“She and her family will get strength from that.”

Mr Foley said Ms Smith’s achievements during her time as Member for Gosford included her exposure of the dangerous condition of the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge which led to an inquiry by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations and forced the

Government to make repairs.

She led the fight against the closure of the Roads and Maritime Services office in Woy Woy by collecting a petition with more than 15,000 signatures and forcing a debate in the NSW Parliament.

Ms Smith was credited with stopping the proposed increase in train fares which would have almost doubled fares for seniors by 2018 and would have cost daily commuters from Woy Woy to Tuggerah an extra $386 per year.

“She fought to keep our public hospitals in public hands because patients should always come before profit; campaigned to fix the $12 million maintenance backlog at Gosford schools; and championed Brisbane Water oyster growers in their continuing efforts to re-

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

establish a viable local industry.”

NSW Labor Senator Ms Deborah O’Neill, former Federal Member for Robertson, released a statement following Ms Smith’s announcement.

“I am very sad that my friend and colleague Kathy Smith has had to resign as the Member for Gosford,” she said.

“Kathy has been a strong voice for our community for many years.

“I first met Kathy when she was the chairperson of Cancer Voices NSW and she was fighting to secure funding to build the Regional Cancer Centre at Gosford Hospital.

“Thanks to Kathy’s persistent and passionate advocacy on behalf of locals, the Cancer Centre was built by Labor and thousands of locals now receive their cancer treatment right here on the Central Coast.

“Kathy has continued to be a strong champion for our community and has fought against the Liberal Government’s attack on our local services, while battling her own illness in the last 12 months.

“My thoughts are with Kathy, Peter, her children, grandchildren and her close friends at this very difficult time.”

Media statement, 14 Feb 2017 Maegen Sykes, Office of Luke Foley Media statement, 14 Feb 2017 Rhys Zorro, Office of Deborah O’Neill BY-ELECTION NEWS - Pages 8 to 12

Council withdraws Bullion St carpark from sale Umina’s Bullion Street community car park has been withdrawn from sale by Central Coast Council.

The Central Coast Council called for expressions of interest last September from parties wishing to acquire and develop the Bullion St land.

At the time, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce argued that the sale and development of the car park would cause traffic chaos and damage the thriving Umina town centre’s economy.

The community backlash has resulted in Central Coast Council pulling its call for expressions of interest off the agenda.

The Chamber of Commerce reports that it has been assured the sale will not proceed and that there will be no future review of that decision without the participation of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Interview, 15 Feb 2017 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

The Bullion Street carpark has been withdrawn from sale

THIS ISSUE contains 53 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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ISSUE 152

Billion Dollar Waterfront Proposal markets,” he said.

“We have the DA process and the public involvement process ready to go.

“We have brought in the best architects and engineers Australia has to offer and this is about infrastructure; it is not a land grab.

“We have done the 20-year plan.

“As an international investment banker, I knew I had to secure the funding first and that is what I have done.

“We have asked Council to give us the green light to start working through all the issues with the community and the environment.

“We will take the commercial

billion-dollar project that aims to transform Gosford into the infrastructure investment gateway to Asia is waiting for a stamp of support from the Central Coast Council and NSW Government.

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Mr Steve Duncan, Chairman of the G5 Global Vision Foundation and Bensville resident, said the proposal had been presented to the NSW Premier and Cabinet and that he was hopeful of an opportunity to meet with NSW Government representatives within the next couple of weeks.

The proposal, which includes plans to redevelop the Gosford waterfront, has been on the desks of senior executives at Gosford and then Central Coast Council for almost 12 months.

Mr Duncan said the proposal involved waterfront retail and public space, hotel and conference facilities; mixed use residential, commercial and retail, a highspeed intercity ferry service and infrastructure; and much more.

The Central Coast Council has asked the NSW Government to assist it to formulate a strategy and roadmap for the State Significant, world-class project.

In briefing notes presented to NSW Government Ministers at a recent Community Cabinet meeting, the Central Coast Council asked for “an audience in confidence with the State Government to present this opportunity and formulate a strategy and roadmap for the realisation of the project with a view to it being a State Significant project.

“Central Coast Council has been working commercial in confidence with a proponent on a proposal that has the potential

Gosford waterfront

to be a game changer for the Gosford Waterfront,” which the briefing notes described as the “gateway location to the Central Coast.

“The proposed Gosford waterfront development will work within the framework and principles set out by the intended Gosford Masterplan undertaken by the former Gosford Council, the Gosford Challenge, and Our City, Our Destiny Gosford Masterplan,’ the briefing document said.

“This State Significant project will require partnership with the NSW State Government across a number of portfolios including planning, lands and RMS. “It has the potential to change the face of the Central Coast region, bring significant employment and economic stimulus to the region and contribute to the social wellbeing of the community,” the Cabinet briefing said.

Mr Duncan, who has had a long career as a merchant banker, said the project had been years in the planning and also involved a much bigger picture for Gosford and the region.

The G5 Global Vision Foundation owns a company called Cellate, which is an Australian building technology that dates back to 1964, and established landmark projects in Australia until it relocated to the United Arab Emirates in 1990.

Mr Duncan said he had successfully convinced the company to relocate its headquarters to Gosford as a stepping stone to expanding into Asia, and that Cellate was also negotiating the acquisition of a number of sites to develop as housing on the Coast.

“The Central Coast Council has been very meticulous in dealing with our proposal because they

want it to happen,” he said.

“I would say they have been a lot more cautious than they have been in the past because they have been disappointed before.

“We have got to get Australia back working again and the Central Coast has been neglected because the same people have been in the same positions for the past 20 years and nothing has happened,” he said.

“Our group specialises in infrastructure capital raising and we have serious projects on the go in India, South Africa and Asia.

“We have been in the Middle East and have done very well out of it, but we are pulling out because the current situation is too dangerous.

“We believe the growth region in the future will be Asia, locations like the Philippines and Indonesia, and Gosford is perfectly positioned to be our gateway into those

risk; we just want to be able to lease the [waterfront] land on commercial terms.”

Mr Duncan said he believed the proposal would create 3,000 long-term jobs in Gosford.

“We are working with the University of Newcastle to bring a Centre of Engineering Excellence to Gosford.

“The Australian Maritime College will have a presence on the Central Coast,” he said.

The Gosford waterfront was described in the Council document as one of the most picturesque landscapes on the eastern shores of Australia.

Continued P3

Member for Gosford, Kathy Smith, resigns from Parliament ember for the State Seat of Gosford, Ms Kathy Smith, has announced her resignation from NSW Parliament, due to her ongoing struggle with cancer.

M

Against all the odds, she won Gosford for Labor in 2015.

Ms Smith was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and doctors were confident at the time that she would win her second battle with the disease that first struck her in 1996.

Unfortunately, the cancer has now metastasized and requires further treatment.

“There is no higher honour than to represent your community in Parliament, and that is why it is with great sadness that I announce my decision to resign as your Member for Gosford,” Ms Smith said.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer last year, my doctors were positive that, with treatment, I would win my second battle with this disease,” she said.

Continued P4

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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Environmental Justice Australia calls on EPA to act on serious air pollution at Vales Point o m m u n i t y groups have initiated an EPA investigation into air pollution from the Vales Point power station at Mannering Point.

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It has been alleged that coal trucks dumping thousands of tonnes of coal outdoors at the power station have created clouds of dangerous coal dust, just hundreds of metres from residential Mannering Point.

“We reported the pollution event immediately and looked forward to a prompt investigation by the NSW EPA to stop and remedy this serious air pollution problem,” said Dr James Whelan, researcher with Environmental Justice Australia.

According to Dr Whelan, particle pollution from coal dust causes serious health impacts including respiratory and cardiovascular illness, asthma and hospital admissions.

Under their pollution licence, the Vales Point power station operators must carry out all their operations and activities in a manner that will minimise the emission of dust.

Tip trucks (right) depositing coal on one of the outdoor mounds at Vales Point power station dumped by very large, pollution,” the power station.

When community minimise members investigated, said local resident Mr The Vales Point power and often uncovered, coal trucks were Mike Campbell, who station was sold by the dump trucks at Vales uncovered and no water witnessed the pollution. NSW Government in Point. was sprayed to control “There are mountains “It’s shocking to 2015 to two investors in dust. of coal as high as threesee Delta Electricity a $1 million deal. thousands The Vales Point dumping It is expected to close storey buildings within a very short distance power station reported of tonnes of coal by 2022. emitting 34 million outdoors in hot windy Dr Whelan said the to the residential areas exposing EPA had responded of Mannering Point and kilograms of 30 conditions, substances in the 2014- our community to toxic to the Environmental Blue Haven,” Dr Whelan 15 National Pollutant pollution,” Mr Campbell Justice Australia said.

Inventory, including said.

“We were stunned by pollution report by 66,000kg of coarse The pollution was stating Vales Point was what we saw at Vales particle pollution. reported to the Chief using water trucks to Point.

Elsewhere in NSW, Regulator of NSW, control the dust but, “It looks like they coal is transported into Mr Mark Gifford, and he said, on two out of have the same sort of power station furnaces Regional EPA Director, the three occasions he conveyor system as by conveyor belts that Mr Adam Gilligan, on visited the site, no water other power stations, the evening of Thursday, was being sprayed to but it is not being used. are entirely enclosed. contain the dust.

“We expect a February 16.

“The EPA said the The closest EPA air major polluter like “Tens of thousands of conveyors will be in use Delta Electricity to pollution monitoring is tonnes of coal are being by April, but that is still do all they can to more than 25km from

two months away, so we believe operations should be closed down until that conveyor is operational,” he said.

Dr Whelan said it was his contention that Delta was not investing in the power station because it was due to be closed in 2022.

“It is being run like you would run a second hand car: get another year out of it without spending any money or take it to the wreckers.

“That is not what best practice looks like; it is not being a good neighbour,” he said.

Delta Electricity has been asked to respond to Environmental Justice Australia’s claims about Vales Point.

Dr Whelan said the latest report to the EPA was part of a 39-year history of campaigning by local politicians and community groups to get air pollution monitoring in place for communities living close to power stations like Vales Point.

Media release, Feb 17, 2017 James Whelan, Environmental Justice Australia Interview, Feb 27, 2017 Mike Campbell, Community Environment Network Interview, Feb 27, 2017 James Whelan, Environmental Justice

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

6 March 2017

Fast ferry service proposal presented to Premier A fast ferry service with an interchange at Ettalong is being proposed as part of a billion dollar business plan that Central Coast Council has presented to the Premier and Cabinet of the NSW Government.

The proposal, presented to NSW Government Ministers at a recent Community Cabinet meeting, included the “construction of Ettalong Wharf and Pier including a transport interchange and parking facilities.

“Council is seeking an audience in confidence with the State Government to present the opportunity and formulate a strategy and roadmap for the realisation of the project with a view to it being a State Significant Project,” briefing notes presented to the Ministers said.

“This State Significant Project will require partnership with the NSW State Government across a number of portfolios including planning, lands and Roads and Maritime Services.

“It has the potential to change the face of the Central Coast region, bring significant

An example of a high speed ferry that travels between Japan and South Korea

employment and economic stimulus to the region and contribute to the social wellbeing of the community,” the notes said.

Mr Steve Duncan, Chairman of the G5 Global Vision Foundation, and one of the proponents of the project, said it had involved years of planning.

Mr Duncan had also played

a part in previous proposals to develop a fast ferry service between Central Coast and Sydney.

“The Central Coast Council has been very meticulous in dealing with our proposal because they want it to happen,” Mr Duncan said.

“Our group specialises in

infrastructure capital raising and we have serious projects on the go in India, South Africa and Asia,” he said.

“We have the DA process and the public involvement process ready to go.

“He have brought in the best architects and engineers Australia has to offer and this is

MARCH 9, 2017

YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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Remaining former school site land being sold with proposed Finance Office space

about infrastructure.

“As an international investment banker, I knew I had to secure the funding first and that is what I have done.

“We have asked Council to give us the green light to start working through all the issues with the community and the environment,” he said.

Another element of the proposal would be a privatelyowned dredge to keep the Brisbane Water channel at Half Tide Rocks navigable for the fast ferries at all time.

“The actual channel into Brisbane Water has been filled up from reckless dredging and beach replenishment so Brisbane Water is under-utilised because the boating fraternity won’t bring their vessels in,” he said.

The boats to be used are similar to those that are currently in use as ferry services between South Korea and Japan.

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new commercial building to house NSW Department of Finance workers is on the way for Gosford after receiving Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) approval on Thursday, March 2.

Cabinet briefing notes, 9 Feb 2017 Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council Interview, 21 Feb 2017 Steve Duncan, G5 Global Vision Foundation Reporter: Jackie Pearson

Photo: Justin Stanley

Centenarians celebrate birthdays Two Peninsula Villages residents are celebrating milestone birthdays this month.

Ms Biddy Abrahams and Ms Eileen Banks marked their 100th and 103rd birthdays respectively with a special morning tea held in their honour.

The centenarians were each also given birthday cakes and a bunch of flowers containing one flower for each year of their lives.

“We love to celebrate our residents, especially when they reach such important milestones as the 100 club,” said Peninsula Village chief executive officer Mr Shane Neaves.

“We now have three lovely ladies who are aged over 100

years living at Peninsula Villages.

“Both Biddy and Eileen are much admired around the Village so we were grateful for an opportunity to spoil them,” Mr Neaves added.

The newest centenarian at the Village, Ms Abrahams has lived a fascinating life.

Born in 1917 in the throes of the First World War, she was brought up by her grandmother and later trained to be a nursery help for a nanny.

Ms Abrahams joined the Women’s Land Army in 1941 where one of her jobs was to deliver the mail to different farms.

Because she didn’t know how to ride a bike, she was given a horse to make her rounds.

The Women’s Land Army is

one of Ms Abraham’s fondest memories, as it was an opportunity for her to be back in the bush, acting resourcefully and feeling valued.

Ms Abrahams moved to Umina in the early 1980s with her late husband Eric and said she loved the Central Coast lifestyle.

She’s been living in her own home at Peninsula Villages for two years where she can enjoy hobbies such as knitting, crochet and embroidery.

“Both Biddy and Eileen have a wonderful sense of humour and enjoy their independence, perhaps pointing to some secrets of ageing well,” Mr Neaves said.

Media release, 27 Feb 2017 Katey Small, Brilliant Logic PR Ms Biddy Abrahams joined the 100 club in style at Peninsula Villages

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roperty NSW has confirmed that the remaining 1.1 hectares of land from the former Gosford Public School, including the 7,000 square metre State Finance Office building, is to be sold as a single parcel of land.

“The current two-stage tender process undertaken by Property NSW relates to the remaining unsold parcel of land at 32 Mann St, Gosford,” Property NSW said, in a written statement in response to questions from Coast Community News.

“The site is approximately 1.1 hectares in area and is bound by Mann St, Vaughan Ave and the Gosford City Park.

“The Property NSW strategy is to sell the overall site in two tranches,” the statement said.

The first tranch was sold to the Doma Group as part of an EOI

process for a site known as 20 Mann St, the sale of which was completed in late 2015.

In other words, there is no third parcel of land on the corner of Vaughan Ave and Dane Dve that could be purchased by Central Coast Council for use as a performing arts centre, unless it was on-sold by the successful tenderer.

“The current EOI process is for the sale of the remaining 1.1 hectares of the site,” the Property NSW statement clarified.

“It includes 32 Mann St, Gosford, and the proposed 7,000 square metre mixed-use commercial building that will house in excess of 300 Department of Finance, Services and Innovation staff from late 2018.

“The development of the site is subject to an EOI process that will seek private sector interest in the purchase and future development of the remaining 1.1 hectares of

the site and is proposed to include the 7,000 square metre mixeduse commercial building at 32 Mann St. “Consistent with its concept masterplan, lodged as part of its planning proposal for the 32 Mann St site, the Government is proposing to sell the 1.1 hectare site to a development partner able to realise its vision of delivering a mix of uses on the site including: restaurants; car parking; shortterm accommodation; and, residential; generous open space for the community that will provide pedestrian access between Mann St and the waterfront precinct.

“Approximately 60 per cent of the site is available for redevelopment in accordance with the existing zoning and planning controls.

“Property NSW is currently reviewing the tender proposals received during its EOI process and will announce a preferred proponent shortly.

“The proposed uses of the site comply with the Central Coast Council’s ‘Gosford Development Control Plan’.

“Importantly, they will ensure the site contributes to activation of the Waterfront Precinct and support the revitalisation objectives detailed in the ‘Our City, Our Destiny Masterplan’,” the statement said.

Sale of the site has been subject to a two-stage competitive process.

The EOI was completed in late 2016, with a shortlist of proponents invited through to the second stage Request for Tender (RFT) process.

This RFT process is at an advanced stage with the preferred proponent expected to be announced shortly.

Media statement, Mar 8, 2017 Vicky Validakis, Property NSW Jackie Pearson, journalist

ISSUE 153

Proposed Finance building on former school site approved

by JRPP

The JRPP deferred a decision on the development proposal in December to seek more information relating to architectural integrity, landscaping, soil management and a site link.

“These issues have now been addressed,” according to a media release issued by Central Coast Council, following the JRPP’s announcement.

According to Council, the new building would: “inject $1.4 million to the retail expenditure in the Gosford CBD and $4.2 million into the broader Central Coast economy”.

The application provided for activation of the public domain in terms of the landscaped forecourt and a ‘through block’ connection.

The development also incorporated louvres and shading features to manage the climate and internal comfort of the building.

The $34.2 million decision brings the value of development approved, by the JRPP, in the last six months in the Gosford CBD to $150.9 million.

According to Property NSW, the

State Government agency that has managed the sale of the land formerly occupied by Gosford Public School, has announced that hundreds of new jobs were earmarked for Gosford’s CBD after the Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel approved its DA for a new mixed use commercial building at 32 Mann Street.

CEO of Property NSW, Mr Brett Newman, said the JRPP approval followed the tender process to secure a development partner to deliver the proposed mixeduse building at 32 Mann St and develop the remaining 1.1 hectares of land on the site.

“Endorsement of the project by the JRPP is an important milestone in the Government’s plan to invest in the local economy and revitalise the CBD and waterfront, delivering hundreds of new jobs to the region,” Mr Newman said.

He said Property NSW was reviewing the tender proposals and would announce a preferred proponent shortly.

Mr Newman said that the Government had received excellent responses through the public EOI process to deliver a mix of development opportunities for the remaining space on the site, including restaurants, car parking, short-term accommodation, residential and generous open space for the community that would provide pedestrian access between Mann Street and the waterfront precinct through the site.

Continued P3

THIS ISSUE contains 55 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

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

www.gosfordnews.org Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.centralcoastnews.net - Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

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NEWS PAGE 3 MARCH 9, 2017

Proposed Finance building on former school site approved by JRPP new commercial building to house NSW Department of Finance workers is on the way for Gosford after receiving Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) approval on Thursday, March 2.

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From P1 “This is an exciting opportunity for Gosford,” Mr Newman said.

“This proposal will deliver a much-needed boost for the Central Coast,” he said.

The proposed uses of the site comply with the Central Coast Council’s Gosford Development Control Plan (DCP), and would ensure the site contributed to activation of the Waterfront Precinct and support the revitalisation objectives detailed in the ‘Our City, Our Destiny Masterplan’, he said.

The two stage tender process saw Property NSW seek a developer to partner with the NSW Government to build the six storey, 7,000 square metre mixed use commercial building and purchase the remaining mixed use precinct for developing into a vibrant and active area connecting the Gosford CBD to the waterfront.

In April 2016, the Government announced that more than 300

public service roles from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation would relocate to Gosford in late 2018, to be accommodated in a new A grade, environmentally sustainable building to be constructed on a portion of the site at 32 Mann St, Gosford.

Aside from the 300 jobs, the development was expected to create 90 direct construction jobs, 30 jobs in the design and planning stages, and more than 330 ongoing indirect jobs for Gosford.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, welcomed the approved determination for the development of the new Department of Finance premises at 32 Mann St, Gosford by the Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).

“We now have the green light to proceed with an important piece of investment right in the heart of Gosford, to the value of $34 million dollars,” Mr MacDonald said.

“It will stand next to the new ATO building under construction.

“The ATO complex is expected to employ 600 staff delivering on a commitment by Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks.

“This finance cluster will therefore attract nearly 1,000 direct jobs and many allied and supporting positions,” he said.

“I am very proud that the NSW Liberal National Government is delivering while Labor continues to give advice and undermine

Photo: Justin Stanley

Gosford’s renewal.

“I am hoping the by-election will give a new Liberal representative in Gosford the opportunity to build on this substantial development,” he said.

NSW Labor demanded the Government ensured that generating local jobs and the use of local materials would be priorities in the construction of the new Department of Finance building.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris, and Labor Candidate for the by-election in the Seat of Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch, announced that it was crucial that locals were given first pick of jobs and apprenticeships.

“Over $30 million dollars is being poured into this building and it’s crucial that Gosford residents get value for their taxpayer dollars,” Mr Harris said.

“About 90 jobs are expected to be generated from this construction and the community doesn’t want to see those jobs outsourced,” he said.

“I welcome the news that this decision will generate jobs in Gosford and boost the Central Coast economy.”

Ms Tesch said: “Local jobs, local apprentices and local materials must be used for this Gosford project.

“It will be great to see the Gosford economy grow from this decision and we want to make sure that local jobs grow with it.”

Media releases, Mar 2, 2017 Brett Newman, Property NSW Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast MLC Maegan Sykes, office of Luke Foley MP Central Coast Council media

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PAGE 4 MARCH 9, 2017

NEWS

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Gosford Waterfront Alliance disappointed at loss of former school site as an option he Gosford Waterfront Alliance (GWA) welcomed the development of a State Finance Office for Gosford, but remained extremely disappointed that the NSW Government went for the quick and easy option of putting it on the iconic waterfront, rather than in the CBD.

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“News that the entire site has been sold is in keeping with the poor process and total lack of transparency around this entire development,” said GWA President, Ms Claire Braund.

“At the very least, the community expects full disclosure from the NSW Government on how much it sold each portion of the former school site for and who the new owners are,” she said.

“Sadly, we had a once-in-alifetime chance to plan something amazing for this site, and once again, Council blew it.

“The question remains, what now?

“Clearly we need to revisit the 2010 Masterplan and look at how it needs to be adapted for 2017.

“Integration with plans from people such as ADG architect, Anthony Kelly, who has been very pro-active and transparent in putting forward a vision for Gosford and sought community views from many groups, need to be considered.

“The new Council needs to revisit the brilliant process used to build the 2010 Masterplan and massively improve its community engagement and consultation processes.

“Only real and truthful consultation with a broad cross

section of people, not just handpicked stakeholders, will result in a vision we can all own, endorse and be proud of.

“The GWA is speaking with a range of stakeholders and political representatives, in particular in relation to the Council plan to build a utilitarian Performing Arts and Conference Centre (PAC) on Leagues Club Field.

“We believe the idea lacks vision or scope and will attract significant opposition from the community and other stakeholders.

“Now is the time to unite behind a common vision and work for a PAC that becomes a beacon for our region.

Media statement, Mar 8, 2017 Claire Braund, Gosford Waterfront Alliance

Photo: Justin Stanley

ADVERTISEMENT

Community Environment Network The Value of Trees The Community Environment Network is pleased to support local groups that are calling for changes to Council’s Policy about trees. Many residents are concerned about the increasing loss of mature trees across our city and the lack of a substantial policy from Council to address this issue.

Benefits of trees for our city and suburbs: • Trees beautify our streetscape, add value to property, provide shade, UV protection, absorb CO2 from car exhaust & replace it with oxygen, provide food and shelter for insects, mammals & birds and contribute to local biodiversity. There are many social, economic and ecological benefits.

• Tree foliage softens hard fence lines and roofs, absorbs dust, reduces glare and provides privacy for residents.

• Trees help absorb excess run off, protects waterways and helps prevent soil erosion. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater.

• Economic Value - a tree lined street is estimated to increase the value of houses by up to 30%. A street tree or tree in the front yard can add 5.4% to total value of a home.

• Trees cool - shaded treed areas have been shown to reduce the surrounding temperature by 8 to 10 degrees.

Support the GUST group send a letter to Council The GUST group (Grow Urban Shade Trees) is asking you to support their call for Council to develop a substantial tree replenishment policy. We want Council to: 1. Adopt a "no net loss" policy in regard to trees 2. Establish a replenishment policy to address past losses.

3. See trees as a big picture issue providing a sense of place 4. Appoint an Asset Manager for trees.

5. Retain wildlife corridors – retain and expand COSS 6. Establish a street tree planting policy 7. Establish a development policy that ensures all developments include site landscaping that is meaningful, compatible and adequately redresses any loss 8. Limit the use of hard surfaces on properties 9. Encourage the protection and maintenance of vegetation on private land 10. Establish an ongoing education programme for residents 11. Investigate other local government areas

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On 12 December, 2016 a submission was sent to Council asking for the development of a substantial tree replenishment policy across the Central Coast to increase our urban canopy. Council responded that they noted the comments and referred the matter to the Group Leader Environment and Planning “for consideration”. Almost 3 months later, there has been no further response.

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NEWS

PAGE 5 MARCH 9, 2017

Council nominates Leagues Club Field as location for Performing Arts Centre entral Coast Leagues Club Field has been nominated as the Central Coast Council’s preferred location for the proposed Regional Performing Arts and Conference Centre (RPACC) for the region.

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The Leagues Club Field is located on Georgiana Tce, immediately below the old Gosford Public School site.

Group Leader of Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the location would be a great fit for a new cultural hub on the Central Coast.

“We looked at a number of sites in and around the CBD and believe that this is the ideal location for what will be a landmark facility for the region,” said Ms Vaughan.

“Together with the community, we will begin the journey of making this dream a reality and an exciting development for the Gosford CBD,” she said.

“Staff will now be undertaking detailed assessment of the site, revising business plans and progressing with detailed designs for the RPACC, and we will keep the community involved as we go.

“An appropriate business model and venue specification is important for the RPACC’s longevity and overall success, ensuring the community see the

full value of this cultural facility for generations to come.

“We want to create a world class, financially viable facility that the Central Coast can be proud of.”

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the community had been waiting for a decision on the site and that had now been delivered.

He said it was now time to move the conversation towards making it the best centre it could possibly be.

“This is another great step

forward for our new Council, making progress on an important community project that will help revitalise the Gosford CBD and put it on the arts and cultural map,” Mr Reynolds said.

“It will support tourism and business as well as promote culture and talent development throughout the region, creating jobs and opportunities for our growing region.”

“There is still a long way to go, but Council will be working closely with our state and federal counterparts to secure their

previous funding commitments and enthusiasm for the development of this important cultural venue.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, welcomed the announcement.

“The NSW Government has asked for further details on the proposed site for the RPAC from the Central Coast Council,’ Mr MacDonald said.

“When we have more details on this project, the State Government will be in a position to outline its response and commitments,” he

Photo: Dave Abrahams

said.

The NSW Government had previously and categorically stated that its $12 million funding was contingent on the RPACC being built on the Gosford City Park, also known as Poppy Park.

The by-election for the NSW Seat of Gosford may make it difficult for the Liberal Party to take its funding for the performing arts centre off the table, or make it contingent on a particular location.

Chief Executive Officer of the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Mr Patrick Brennan, said: “We are hopeful that the $2 million [out of the $12 million] that has been pledged will be forthcoming and we are hoping to have clarification around that in the coming months.”

Mr Brennan said he was unable to comment on the selection of Leagues Club Field as Council’s preferred site for the centre.

“I haven’t seen exactly where it is going to land,” he said.

“I think there are some good options in that area, and until I see exactly where they are placing it, I can’t comment.”

Mr Brennan said the best location on the site would be where the circus tent is usually erected each summer.

“That, to me, looks like a prime site, because it should function beautifully there with regards to community engagement on a whole number of levels and ensure that the green space is left intact.”

Media release, Feb 22, 2017 Central Coast Council media Interview, Mar 7, 2017 Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Interview, Mar 7, 2017 Patrick Brennan, Central Coast Conservatorium Jackie Pearson, journalist

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PAGE 6 MARCH 9, 2017

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PAC site a reclaimed shale riverbed

Leagues Club Park needs to be retained as open space say ACF

The river that is now referred to as drains under Leagues Club field

ea level rise and traffic flow are the most important issues to address when considering any redevelopment of the Gosford Waterfront Precinct, according to local historian and spokesperson for community group, Crown Land Our land, Ms Kay Williams.

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he Central Coast Branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation has called on the Central Coast Council to re-assess their planned location of the Regional Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) in Gosford.

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“The Central Coast Leagues Club Park is the largest remaining green open space within the Gosford CBD and needs to be protected for the greater benefit of the community,” said ACF Central Coast Spokesperson, Mr Mark Ellis.

“It has come to be understood that green spaces support a higher quality of life within cities for residents and families to recreate, rest and enjoy,” Mr Ellis said.

“Over the past 20 years, many epidemiological studies have found that people living in environments with more green space, report better physical and

mental health than those with less green spaces,” he said.

“The Central Coast Leagues Club Park is currently used for sports training, community events and activities, and many other social activities, and the site is also listed to be inundated by sea rise.

“So why build a long term facility there?

“One of the characteristics of high-density cities is low open space ratios, and as the Gosford CBD moves in that direction, we must preserve what open space we currently have for the existing residents, and provide access to parklands and open space for future population growth.

“Limited open spaces will become highly contested between the different demographics of families that may live there, younger people who need it for socialising and sport, older people who want it for peace and quiet, and those who simply need space to socialise or exercise their dogs.

“The Branch members are

asking, ‘Where is the Master Plan that the RPAC fits into?’

“What is the rationale for using this green space location and where is the analysis of other locations, such as the old Mitre10 site in the actual CBD? “We must plan better for urban green spaces to meet the challenge of the increasing density and the impact of the growing population on green spaces.

“There is already an open space deficit in the city, so why increase that deficit?

As Malcom Turnbull stated during the release of the Smart City Policy in 2016: “A great city needs great parks.

“Unless they are set aside in the city’s youth, they are hard to retrofit after development has taken over”.

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Mark Ellis, Australian Conservation Foundation, Central Coast Branch

“CARDNO formally reported to the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation that the first imperative for Gosford Waterfront was to solve the problems of sea level rise and traffic flow around the Broadwater, and that this had to be resolved

before building proposals went ahead,” Ms Williams said.

“It sounds simple, yet we continue with any number of pipe dreams by architects and developers who choose to overlook the bottom line in developing this reclaimed river bed,” she said.

“Could it be that the solution is too hard or too unpalatable to address?

“Gosford Waterfront continues to be the magical land of pipe dreams.

“Now the Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, has joined the circus by proposing the Performing Arts Centre be built over the shale riverbed of the

Broadwater.

“If even feasible, it would be likely to cost well over the $32 million allocated, and with no traffic and sea level rise solutions in site.

“Perhaps the plan is that those problems will be deferred until the next Council has been elected, now that Mr Reynolds has chosen the site,” Ms Williams said.

She referred to historical photographs that show the extent of the water course that is now “underground”.

Email, Mar 7, 2017 Kay Williams, Spokesperson, Crown Land Our Land

ALP candidate selection undemocratic

M

r John Della Bosca, former Labor Party (ALP) Minister for the Central Coast and a local ALP and community activist, has condemned as arrogant and anti-democratic the ALP National Executive’s decision to select a candidate for Robertson by a vote amongst themselves.

“It is two years before the next federal election,” Mr Della Bosca said on the announcement that Ms Anne Charlton would be running for Robertson for the second time in the next Federal election.

“The ALP has plenty of time to ensure that Central Coast locals

select a candidate for the Coast,” he said.

“Instead, in an act of supreme arrogance, a group of faceless men and women in Canberra, many of whom would struggle to find the Central Coast on a map, let alone have any knowledge of our issues and problems, have pre-empted local democratic decision making.

“I understand the urgency of selecting candidates for a byelection, but not the selection of a Federal Robertson candidate for 2019.

“What is the urgency to select a candidate two years out from the election?

“In my view, last time round, the candidate ran a lacklustre campaign, and failed to gain the

public’s confidence.

“The real issue is not one opinion or another about 2016, the real issue is that local people on the Coast are the best judges of who should run in 2019.

“This whole episode smacks of a grubby, undemocratic factional deal.

“It appears the ALP’s Robertson endorsement is to be used as a toy, traded as consolation for rejection for the Seat of Gosford.

“This is not the way to build public confidence in the ALP’s candidates,” Mr Della Bosca said.

Media release, Mar 7, 2017 John Della Bosca, Woy Woy Bay

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That’s 851 locals who missed out on an apprenticeship under Lucy Wicks and the Turnbull Government “Only LABOR understands it’s hard to get a job if you can’t get an apprenticeship.”

Senator Deborah O’Neill – Senator for NSW

Authorised by Senator Deborah O’Neill, 4 Ilya Avenue, Erina 2250

PAGE 8 MARCH 9, 2017

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Leagues Club Field has for at least 10 years been earmarked for a City Playground ot everyone is convinced the Central Coast Leagues Club Field is the best site for a Performing Arts Centre (PAC) in Gosford.

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Former Gosford Councillor, Ms Vicki Scott, addressed the February 22 Council meeting and called on the Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, to “consider what is best for the community”.

“In my experience on this matter, over the last 13 years, the community’s preferred site for the entertainment centre has been the site previously occupied by Gosford Public School,” Ms Scott said.

“Throughout various discussions and consultations, the site remained the preferred site,” she said.

“There were other sites which were seriously considered, such as that now known as Poppy Park, but the community has become, understandably, more emotionally tied to that site, so it would be unsuitable now.

“I am told that two sites which are at this point being looked at

by Council are the remainder of the school site … and the site commonly known as the Leagues Club Park.

“The community prefers the school site.

“There should be an opportunity for Council to purchase that site at the same cost as the neighbouring site was sold to the Doma Group for the construction of the ATO. “The Leagues Club Park has never before been considered for the Entertainment Centre.

“In fact, it has always, over the last 10 years, been earmarked for a City Playground, with remaining space being left as open space.

“At one point, a suggestion was made that a smaller version of the Gosford Aquatic Centre be constructed in the corner of the

Photo: Justin Stanley

site directly opposite the Leagues Club to replace the current Aquatic Centre, but that didn’t last long.

“The community made it known that the idea was a poor one.

“Gosford Council’s Playground Committee campaigned for years for a city playground to be developed.

“The vision was of a playground such as those seen in Townsville and Brisbane be developed for residents and to attract visitors from other areas of the State.

“It would be a huge tourist attraction if done right.

“At no stage did anyone argue against this or discuss other uses for the site.

“During the Gosford Challenge, when they were planning a draft masterplan, Lendlease came to the committee to discuss the matter with us and to make sure their plans reflect what we, and the community, wanted for the site.

“Since then, the Playground Committee played a waiting game (as did we all with the waterfront), but was always determined that eventually the City Playground would be built on that site.

“It is hugely important for open and useable space to be left on the waterfront.

“It is such a small waterfront, and open space could easily be lost in the progress, should we ever have progress.

“While I am not saying there should be no development on the waterfront, I am most certainly saying that the site known as the Leagues Club Park should only be used for the playground and open space, and the Performing Arts Centre should be built on what remains of the school site.

“It is also hugely important that the community has a voice in choosing the site.

“It has been involved along the

line so far and this would be the wrong time to stop listening to the community.

“The waterfront is valued by the community as a whole.

“We don’t want it destroyed by constructing a building on land which has long been considered an open space, and used as such on a daily basis.

“It needs to be family friendly, and that can be sustained by a performing arts centre on the school site and a playground and open space on Leagues Club Field,” Ms Scott said.

Long-standing Liberal party member, former Gosford Mayor and local MP, Mr Malcolm Brooks, said he was very disappointed with the State Government’s decision to go ahead with the Department of Finance building next to the ATO on the former school site and with Council’s selection of the Leagues Club Field for the RPAC. “Our local, state and federal government all seem to be reactionary at the moment, no one seems to have a visionary outlook,” Mr Brooks said.

“I think Leagues Club Field has got a lot of problems,” he said.

Mr Brooks said he believed some of the land was Crown Land and subject to Native Title claims.

“If they are going to locate it on the western side of Leagues Club Park, it will block the views of the

Leagues Club members from their waterside function rooms and they will be up in arms,” he said.

“Who is making that ridiculous decision?

“If I was on the Council now, I would be doing my best to negotiate with the State Government to acquire or lease the remainder of the school site,” he said.

“The by-election is coming up, so the community can make it clear they don’t want the State Finance Office or the third part of the school site developed.

“They want the third site given back to the community for a very generous price and they want that commitment from both party’s candidates.

“I haven’t lived here all my life and been on Council and in Parliament to see that waterfront become a precinct for office workers and a haven for public servants,” he said.

Speaking notes, Feb 22, 2017 Vicky Scott, Narara Interview, Mar 7, 2017 Malcolm Brooks, East Gosford Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Preferred location for a Regional Library and Learning Centre announced

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entral Coast Council announced, at its February meeting, that the Parkside Building on Donnison St, Gosford, is the latest preferred location for a Regional Library and Learning Centre.

Council considered a number of options and settled on the Parkside Building as the most appropriate location for the proposed state-ofthe-art community and education space.

Over the years, preferred locations for the library have included the former Marketplace Shopping Centre (Kibbleplex) in Henry Parry Dve which it sold, and the Caddy Club next to the Gosford Council building, which council still owns.

Group Leader of Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the decision reaffirmed Council’s commitment to a Regional Library in the Gosford CBD. “This is an important project for the Central Coast community and will be the focal point for library services across the region,” said Ms Vaughan.

“The Parkside Building presents a perfect location, right in the centre of the Gosford CBD. “Staff will now begin designing detailed plans to redevelop the site into an engaging learning space that will effectively meet the needs of the community.

“We will also work with the current tenants of the Parkside Building to ensure that they are completely informed of the

progress of this development and their future options.”

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said that Council would be working to ensure that the new Regional Library and Learning Centre and its services meet the needs of the community.

“We will be engaging with the community on the services they want from their Regional Library and how that can effectively complement our existing library services,” said Mr Reynolds.

“This is an exciting development for the Gosford CBD and illustrates the importance of Kibble Park as the heart of development in the area.

“We want to lead the way in revitalising Gosford, and this project is a fantastic starting point.”

Council will also liaise with the Federal Government and the Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, to confirm the $7million funding for this project promised from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s Community Grants Programme.

Prior to the announcement of the site, Ms Vicky Scott, former Gosford Councillor, addressed Mr Reynolds.

“The history of the proposed Gosford Regional Library is a long one,” Ms Scott said.

“Residents paid a levy on their rates for over 20 years for their library.

“Normally, the Library would have been built in that time, but its history is one of changing decisions and consequently, we

Gosford by-election date officially declared

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peaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, Ms Shelley Hancock MP, on March 3, announced that a by-election will be held for the electoral districts of Gosford, Manly and North Shore, following the receipt of resignation letters from Ms Kathy Smith, Mr Mike Baird and Ms Jillian Skinner.

the resignations of the previous members elected in the 2015 NSW General Election, I wish to announce that a by-election in the vacant seats of Manly, Gosford and North Shore will be held on April 8,” Ms Hancock said.

“I congratulate all three members for their commendable parliamentary service, representing the people of their respective electorates.

“I extend my very best wishes to their families, and wish each

“Subsequent upon receipt of

of them well in the next stages of their lives,” Ms Hancock said.

“Consequent to advice received from the Electoral Commission, today I wrote to the Electoral Commissioner, Mr John Schmidt, advising him of my intention to issue writs on March 17, for a byelection to be held on April 8 for these seats, Ms Hancock said.

Media release, Mar 3, 2017 Brigid O’Bryan, Office of Shelley Hancock MP

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have been waiting 25 years for this library to be realised,” she said.

“This is not just a branch library.

“The intent for it has been for the library to be a new build, a building of some significance and a building which is intended to be Council’s contribution to the redevelopment of Gosford CBD. “It is meant to be a library of the 21st Century to accommodate books, technical and digital

services, meeting rooms for the public and for Council, educational facilities for residents, and to provide our senior citizens with a new centre which will meet their needs and give them a centre which is accessible, as the current centre has been problematic for years.

“While the $8.1million which is on hold from the levy will not be enough to construct this building, the intent has always been for Council to make up the difference, one way or another.

“The intent never was for this important library to be shoved into a vacant shopfront in Mann St, as was suggested in the last council.

“We see new infrastructure in the Wyong area by this amalgamated council in the form of the Wyong Art House, which was started by Wyong Council and completed by Central Coast Council, and the proposed sports centre at Tuggerah.”

Ms Scott said that if the site next door to the Gosford Council building (the Caddy Club) was not suitable, “then I would be happy for a new build site to be found closer to the centre of Gosford CBD, but I stress the urgency of this matter.

“Many of those who paid their share of the levy will not live to see

the results of their commitment, if we do not act quickly.

“Given that we are now the Central Coast Council and Gosford has been deemed to be the regional capital, the Regional Library should be built accordingly,” Ms Scott said.

Ms Kim McLoughey from Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS), which currently occupies the Donnison Street building said she had requested a meeting with Council to discuss the selection of the site.

“We have been in discussion with Council for some time,” Ms McLoughey said.

“We have been given the word from Council staff that we will be looked after as part of the redesign of Gosford,” she said.

“We are looking at a collective of youth services and we will be able to provide more details when we have had our formal meeting with Council,” she said.

Media release, Feb 22, 2017 Julie Vaughan, Central Coast Council Speaking notes, Feb 22, 2017 Vicky Scott, Narara Interview, Mar 8, 2017 Kim McLaughey, RYSS Jackie Pearson, journalist

Premier defends late Liberal candidate announcement SW Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian said the lack of any dedicated Liberal candidate for the impending by-election was a testament to the Liberal Party’s dedication to democracy and that as a result, a candidate would be announced on March 11 by the selection committee.

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Ms Berejiklian visited Gosford on March 6 along with Minister for Mental Health, Ms Tanya Davies MP to announce an $11 million dollar early disruptive behaviour prevention program for Central Coast schools.

During the press conference, the topic turned to the recently vacated seat of Gosford, which the Labor party is eager to reclaim, having already announced Woy Woy based, Ms Liesl Tesch, as their candidate.

More importantly, Ms Tesch has

already begun campaigning in her home turf of Woy Woy, door knocking, survey taking and above all, meeting with the community and familiarising herself with both the concerns of the electorate and its constituents.

Ms Tesch’s campaign head start, her golden girl status and the tendency for the seat of Gosford to swing between the two major parties, which has seen the electorate swing between three Labour and two Liberal representatives since 1976, could all spell trouble for the soon to be Liberal candidate who will have less than a month to campaign before the April 8 by-election.

When questioned over whether or not the Liberal Party had disadvantaged their own candidate by waiting so long to announce them, Ms Berejiklian urged voters to consider the Liberals’ dedication to democratic processes and the party’s history of delivering for the Gosford community.

“Since the Liberal Government took over, jobs growth on the Central Coast has been amazing,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The Liberal Party has created thousands of jobs on the Central Coast and have provided these by investing in key infrastructure that this region needed to grow, such as in the health sector through the Gosford Hospital upgrade.

“The fact is that nothing happened on the Central Coast prior to the Liberal Government takeover.

“We have a strong government that has been investing in this community and this region, and I believe a Liberal voice for Gosford would be so beneficial for this community.

“I urge voters to keep this in mind when they cast their votes in April,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Press conference, March 6, 2017 Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Premier Dilon Luke, Journalist

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MARCH 9, 2017

Change to government funding model forces Business Enterprise Centre closure he Central Coast Business Enterprise Centre (CCBEC) has been closed as a result of changes in state government funding models.

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CCBEC has been supporting Central Coast small businesses since 1998 by providing business guidance, one-on-one facilitations, subsidised workshops and events, referrals to specific field advisors and experts, business mentoring, growth groups and services and resources.

The BEC was established by Gosford West Rotary Club and has enjoyed a high profile in the Gosford area, even though it was based in Tuggerah.

Originally, Rotary Club members had a wide range of skills and would be paired with local businesses who needed help to overcome problems or get started.

Rotarian, Mr Graham Black, said: “Rotarians guided businesses in doing their business plans, applying for finance, organising productive advertising and even smoothing the path for a soft landing liquidation or bankruptcy.

“High demand saw the project expand, and both councils came on board with funding, which allowed one of the Rotary Club members, Mr Bruce Hutchins, to become the manager of BEC,” Mr Black said.

“The State Government recognised the great value of Central Coast BEC and provided funding, then took over the program and expanded it throughout the state,” he said.

Funded by the State Government, supported by both Gosford and Wyong Councils, and occasionally supplemented by the Federal Government, the CCBEC consistently appeared in the top five BECs nationally, despite having far fewer resources

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and support than the majority, according to its Chair, Mr Geoff Hetherington.

“In 2014, the board and management were informed that because CCBEC did not own any bricks and mortar, it would need to partner with or amalgamate with an organisation that did, or its chances of continued and renewed funding would become slimmer.

“The Board and CCBEC team immediately took action and found a suitable partner in Coast Community Connect,” Mr Hetherington said.

An agreement was struck and due diligence commenced.

“Not far into this process, the then CEO of Coast Community Connect left the organisation and the amalgamation process was put in the hands of a consultant.

“The process continued with minor issues being flagged and dealt with.”

It looked like the CCBEC had a new home.

“Then the bombshell came from the State Government that funding, which had previously been paid up front with performance reviews against Key Performance Indicators, was changed to a payment in arrears model.

“In other words, the CCBEC would have to operate for at least six months with no state government funding.

“Even with the support of the two (now one) council(s), there was no way for the CCBEC and potential partner, Coast Community Connect, to be able to do this.

“Moreover, funding was not allowed to be spent on rent.

“As one of the few BECs without its own building, the CCBEC had no choice but to seek to join with another BEC in order to secure funding and to stay in operation.

“After discussions with a number of Sydney and even North Coast BECs, it was decided by

the Board that a joint application for funding with the Newcastle Business Centre was the best available option for at least some support for Central Coast businesses to continue.

“Information was shared, a tender submitted and the Newcastle Business Centre won the tender.

“They also decided that they did not want the current CCBEC premises, nor two of the staff.

“The CCBEC would in effect cease to exist and the Newcastle Business Centre would provide the services and support from their base in Newcastle.

“An article appeared in various newspapers suggesting that the CCBEC had decided to abandon the Central Coast and its clients,” Mr Hetherington said, adding that the article contained several misstatements he wished to correct.

“Ms Debbie Carroll, former CCBEC Manager and a colleague, will remain on the Coast as a Newcastle Business Centre employee, effectively operating out of a car boot for a new company, The Business Centre.

“The relocation to Newcastle was not done by the CCBEC, but by a change in State Government funding.

“The CCBEC did not pull the pin, it had no alternative but to become a part of the Newcastle Business Centre.

“Services would not be provided out of the boot of a car.

“Services will be provided by a mobile service to the clients’ place of business, also via Skype, e-mail and telephone.

“There is a physical presence in a ‘Hub’ at the rear of the Central Coast Group Training Building.

“CCBEC had no choice but to close its premises at Tuggerah, which were rented by the CCBEC from Central Coast Group Training and the Central Coast Council.

“It was a commercial decision made by the Newcastle Business centre.

Kariong Quality

“The CCBEC Board strived for the last two years to keep a BEC on the Central Coast and had to deal with a constantly shifting landscape in which to secure funding.

“All staff entitlements have been met, all creditors paid and the CCBEC is no more.

“Instead the businesses of the Central Coast will be supported by the Newcastle Business Centre.

“Since 1998, when the Rotary Club of Gosford applied for and received funding, the CCBEC has been a vital part of small business support on the Central Coast.

“Changes in State Government funding policies have seen that

change, not plans or actions by the Management or Board of the CCBEC,” Mr Hetherington said.

Mr Black said: “Rotary is very proud that the project has grown and expanded in many ways and is delighted that the transition to being part of Newcastle BEC will still see a high level of service being available to Central Coast businesses.”

Email, Feb 23, 2017 Geoff Hetherington, The Clarity CEO Email, Feb 28, 2017 Graham Black, Gosford West Rotary Club

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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY Tomorrow’s Scenic Central Coast The scenic Central Coast will have an additional 10,000 residents in the Gosford City Centre and 75,000 or more on the Central Coast.

In July, 2005, I made comments to the Department of Planning & Environment, Gosford, about the failures of planning. In January, 2017, I made a submission to the Central Coast Council regarding changes to planning instruments for the Gosford CBD. Comments I made in July, 2005, were repeated in January, 2017. The flaws and failures of the planning process have remained intact. Why? Any foreseeable improvement will be limited to eco-villages and communities that have unique character. There are examples of these on the Central Coast which will remain secret to protect the lifestyles of the residents.

I oppose development based on the history of the infamous Taj Mahal, Koolewong in 1990.

I expect that long term residents familiar with this development are equally sceptical. The concerned public cannot rely on the planning instruments and nor can they rely on the authority to ensure compliance.

I have almost accepted the inevitability of the challenge and prepare to sit and observe the community, meaning everyone, adapting to a changing LGA. Conflict will be ubiquitous. Adaptation will be the 24/7 message.

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PAGE 12 MARCH 9, 2017

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JRPP defers a decision on Kincumber resource recycling facility he Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) deferred its decision on an application from Central Coast Council to operate a resource recycling facility at Kincumber when it met in Gosford on February 23.

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Residents objected to the proposal based on what they believed to be its potential for air pollution, noise pollution and traffic congestion.

At the panel meeting, 11 residents gave verbal submissions objecting to the proposal and none spoke in favour, apart from a representative of the applicant, Mr Barry Gentle.

Residents complained that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) did not contain adequate measures to mitigate the potential for Silica dust from crushed concrete.

On the weekend before the JRPP meeting, residents reported significant truck movements in Doyle St, Kincumber, from as early as 6:40am.

Several locals also witnessed dust coming from two stabilised pavement trucks transferring materials via hose.

It appeared that Council was “cleaning up” the site, which it had been using as a waste storage facility without approval.

The proposal was a designated development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, because it was a Waste Management Facility.

According to the JRPP Planning Report, the proposed facility, in Doyle St, Kincumber, would process up to 6,000 tonnes of excavated road construction material per year, with no more than 1,000 tonnes of material stored on site at any one time.

The processing and storage volumes meant the facility did not require an Environmental Protection Licence.

As a public authority, Council was also exempt from requiring a Controlled Activity Authority from the Office of Water.

“No permanent services, structures or ancillary facilities are proposed for the site.

“Materials will be stored within the existing cleared portion of the site and no vegetation removed.

“Resource outputs from the facility are likely to include reclaimed asphalt pavement material, concrete, granular road

A truck being loaded to remove material from the Kincumber site prior to the JRPP’s consideration of the proposal

base, soil and/or topsoil, and pipes and other concrete structures.

“The materials would be sorted and tested offsite and stored on site, in segregated stockpiles, until required for future road projects.

“Concrete crushing is expected to be carried out two times each year, using a mobile crusher.”

The site is located within the Kincumber Treatment Sewerage Plant (KTSP).

Central Coast Council argued that a “significant buffer zone exists between the KTSP site and adjoining developments.

“The site was historically cleared and has been used as an [informal] road construction material stockpile area for a number of decades,” according to Council’s planning report.

Twenty four public submissions and a petition containing 36 signatures were received objecting to an expansion and/or intensification of use of the site.

“It is noted that no expansion or intensification of the informal use is proposed,” the planning report said.

“The main concerns raised were the generation of dust from concrete crushing, noise from vehicle movements and reduction of habitat for threatened species.”

In 2012, Council considered a Planning Proposal to rezone the Springfield Quarry to a Resource Recovery Facility.

A significant number of public submissions were received objecting to the proposal, and in June 2013, the former Gosford Council resolved to receive a report considering alternative sites.

Eighteen sites were identified and investigated, and four sites investigated further.

The site at Kincumber was identified as the preferred option because it was owned by Council, “reasonably central to operations whilst being isolated from adjacent residential areas and screened from these areas by existing vegetation”.

The site contains two sediment ponds for on-site detention (OSD) requirements and for runoff storage.

“All materials would be tested and classified prior to being received at the proposed resource recovery facility.

The facility would operate from 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional night and weekend work.

The proposal assumed the use of 8 tonne trucks with a 12 tonne bogey, and 300 truck movements in and out of the facility, approximately 2.3 truck movements, per day.

Council’s Environmental Officer advised that dust management, including dust from concrete crushing, would be controlled on the few occasions per year it occurred via wetting down or other suppression methods.

Air pollution and ongoing site stormwater management and monitoring was to be addressed in an Operational Environmental Management Plan.

Residents within 500 metres of the site would be given five days’ written notice of any concrete crushing.

Stormwater discharging from

the site may potentially be contaminated with sediment or impacted by the stockpiled materials.

The existing sediment ponds are not adequate and require upgrading and regular monitoring to ensure that water pollution does not occur, according to an Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the proposal.

Council’s records indicate that an environmental incident occurred at the site in 2015 which involved

the detection of bonded cement material in some stockpiles.

Residents remained concerned that Council had carried out a high level of activity at the site prior to JRPP approval, including excessive numbers of trucks going through the nearby residential area.

The reasons for the JRPP’s deferral of the matter included the view that the analysis regarding traffic movements did not reflect likely future use during peak times, with associated impacts related to noise.

The panel also requested an Operational Environmental Management Plan prior to approval to ascertain whether impacts could be managed.

“There were some aspects of the proposal that also warranted further information prior to a decision being made,” the Panel’s Record of Deferral said.

Council will be required to provide details of the use of the site for resource recovery (years used, capacity, scope of materials, changes over time, typical materials and truck movements), and other options considered for the location of concrete crushing.

The panel requested clear information on the volume of concrete crushed material as a component of the overall capacity, number of occasions per year of use and likely duration of that

occasional use.

Central Coast Council has also been asked to provide more information on Silica management and storage, and how concrete crushing affects this aspect.

It wants to see the stockpiling of materials in locations that will not affect adjoining trees.

A contamination analysis is to be completed by an accredited certifier with expertise in the field, including bore hole testing of existing water table contamination and review of proposed mitigation to address potential groundwater contamination, including during flooding events.

The JRPP also called for further traffic analysis assuming “worst case scenario” of movement of 1,000 tonnes within one day, and any “typical” use based on past experience.

The panel also wants further advice on the noise impacts.

Council will need to supply details of how proposed limits of 1,000T on site and 6,000T annually will not be exceeded.

Planning report, Feb 14, 2017 DA49839/2016, Central Coast Council Record of Deferral, Feb 23, 2017 Jason Perica, Central Coast JRPP

Liberals accuse Labor of ignoring its members he NSW branch of the Australian Labor Party has been accused of not listening to its members by Mr Adam Crouch, Liberal Party State Member for Terrigal.

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Mr Crouch made his remarks after Ms Liesl Tesch was named Labor’s candidate in the April by-election for the State Seat of Gosford.

He said: “We have now seen Sydney Labor parachute three candidates on the Central Coast in a little over two years, denying their members any say in who represents them.”

He added: “If NSW Labor won’t listen to its own members, how will it listen to the community?”

Mr Crouch said, in stark contrast, the Liberal candidates would proceed to a democratic preselection.

“I am excited by the diversity and quality of candidates looking to represent the Liberal Party and the Gosford community in the NSW Parliament.

“This upcoming by-election offers two distinct differences, with Labor it is a vote to put somebody into opposition who can promise everything but deliver nothing, while the Liberal candidate will be a strong voice in Government for Gosford, who can continue delivering the roads, education and health services the community needs,“ said Mr Crouch.

Mr David Harris, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast,

said the Labor Party on the Central Coast was “100 per cent behind Liesl Tesch”.

“She is an outstanding candidate who lives and works in the local area and is absolutely committed to serving the people of Gosford,” Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris said it was hypocritical of the Government to pretend they were interested in Gosford now.

“They have closed services, cancelled projects and ignored the community’s views on so many issues,” Mr Harris said.

Media release, March 1, 2017 Kerryanne Delaney, Office of Adam Crouch Media statement, March 2, 2017 Zachary Harrison, Office of David Harris

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NEWS PAGE 13 MARCH 9, 2017

Fake doctor worked at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals from February 2003 to April 2006 fake doctor who bamboozled NSW Health and patients alike, may have fled the country, after it was revealed that he stole the identity and qualifications of a real doctor from his home country of India.

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Mr Shyam Acharya, who practiced at Gosford Hospital and three other NSW hospitals, including Wyong, posed as a doctor, Dr Sarang Chitale for 11 years, and handled the medical care of potentially thousands of patients, was unlicensed, unqualified and a flat out fraud.

NSW Shadow Health Minster, Mr Walt Secord, has demanded that the State Government reveal the extent of the activity of Mr Acharya during his 11 years at Gosford, Wyong, Manly and Hornsby hospitals, and described the situation as a “Shoddy Australian version of Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’.�

Mr Secord has called for the State Government to reveal if it had contacted all of Mr Acharya’s affected patients from 2003 to 2014.

Mr Secord also called for the NSW Government to outline what processes have been put in place to ensure that there are no other fraudulently accredited doctors working in the State.

According to Mr Secord, the Acharya case showed a widespread systematic failure under various governments. “Clearly there is a problem in NSW, as last month the Medical Council of NSW told a Parliamentary Inquiry that Dr John Grygiel, the oncologist who underdosed more than 100 cancer patients, still has his medical license and could continue to practise if he wanted to,� Mr Secord said. “It is incredible that this man could practice for 11 years and come into contact with hundreds of patients and go unnoticed as a non-doctor. “The Health Minister, Mr Brad Hazzard, and his Department have to explain; ‘What does a fake doctor have to do in NSW to get caught?�

When questioned as to how Mr Acharya could slip through the cracks for over a decade, Minister for Health, Mr Brad Hazzard, said he would raise the issue at this month’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Minister’s meeting, to determine whether checks and balances at a national level were in place to prevent this from happening again. “It is quite disturbing that a foreign national could get through our border protection with a false passport and ID based on an Indian citizen who had trained as a doctor,� Mr Hazzard said.

Mr Hazzard also said that on top of raising the issue at the COAG meeting, he has directed the Ministry of Health to look at every aspect of registration to make sure that NSW Health has done whatever it can to look beyond fake passports, with particular reference to primary documents from country of origin. “The Ministry of Health has advised me there have been substantial changes since 2003 in the checks that are made, but I want Health to revisit the issue and make absolutely certain that the new federal registration process, operating since 2011, is as scrupulous as can be. “I am also offering to meet with the one patient and his family where concerns were raised about the adequacy of his treatment,�

Mr Hazzard said.

NSW Health also weighed in on the issue, claiming The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) had

been investigating Mr Acharya for falsely holding himself out as a registered medical practitioner from as early as November 2016, according to NSW Health Deputy Secretary, Ms Karen Crawshaw.

AHPRA has since charged Mr Acharya with a breach of Section 116 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. If it results in a conviction, it carries a fine of up to $30,000.

It is alleged in these proceedings that Mr Acharya appropriated another doctor’s name and medical qualifications while living in India, and that he used these stolen and other fraudulent documents to falsely gain registration with the Medical Board of NSW in 2003. “The matters currently before the court do not deal with how he was able to enter and leave Australia, or how he obtained Australian citizenship in the name of the other doctor,� Ms Crawshaw

said. “These issues were brought to the attention of the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “His current whereabouts are unknown. “On being contacted by AHPRA, NSW Health began an investigation of Mr Acharya’s former employment in NSW Health, which ended in May 2014. “Mr Acharya used the identity of the doctor to gain employment in the NSW Public Health system from 2003 to 2014, specifically at Manly, Hornsby, Wyong and Gosford hospitals. “His status as a junior doctor with limited registration required that he work under supervision of other clinicians. “Investigations of the two relevant local health districts have found only one clinical incident

where there were concerns about the adequacy of the treatment, although it is noted that Mr Acharya’s involvement was only as one of a number in the clinical team that treated the patient. “NSW Health has notified solicitors acting for the patient,�

Ms Crawshaw said in a media statement.

The Medical Council of NSW and the Health Care Complaints Commission have both advised that they have received no complaints about Mr Acharya.

NSW Health’s recruitment processes have been strengthened since 2003.

Since 2011, in addition to written references, direct verbal referee checks are required for all junior medical officers, including overseas-trained doctors, and one from a current supervisor.

Up until 2003, each State had its own registration system for doctors and nurses.

However, since 2010, registrations have transitioned to a national system.

Central Coast Local Health District, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andrew Montague, confirmed a person falsely claiming to be a registered medical practitioner worked at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals from February 2003 to April 2006. “Following notification by the AHPRA, Central Coast Local Health District undertook a review of the District’s incident management

system, and investigations of incidents, to identify if this person had been involved in any clinical incidents or complaints,� Dr Montague said. “The review did not identify any clinical incidents or complaints associated with this person. “The District followed the required process during recruitment, including medical registration and identity checks. “AHPRA are the national body who ensure health professions are regulated by nationally consistent legislation under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, the District is unable to provide any further details,� Dr Montague added.

Anyone with concerns that they may have been a patient of Mr Acharya should contact a patient representative from their relevant Local Health District.

Media statements Mar 8, 2017 Walt Secord, NSW Shadow Health Minster Brad Hazzard, Minster for Health Karen Crawshaw, NSW Health Deputy Secretary Dr Andrew Montague, Central Coast Local Health District Dilon Luke, Journalist

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PAGE 14 MARCH 9, 2017

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Terrigal developer submits Complying Development Certificate lans for a Residential Flat Building containing five townhouses and 15 apartments in Terrigal, first approved by the former Gosford Council, have progressed with the submission of a Complying Development Certificate.

Garbage collectors out on strike again

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The development plans which were approved in 2013, have since seen sporadic preliminary works completed, such as the demolition of existing structures and some earthworks, but work idled throughout 2016.

Developer Hunter Valley Surveyors Pty Ltd re-sparked interest in the site, making a move on March 1, as the five year consent deadline loomed.

The estimated cost of the development, situated on 65 Scenic Highway Terrigal, is $5,730,000.

The original consent (DA44042)

entral Coast garbage truck operators, employed by Remondis, again ran 24 hour stop work action on Wednesday, March 8.

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No kerbside bins or booked bulk waste piles were collected.

According to the Transport Workers’ Union, garbage truck operators working for Remondis are vulnerable because if the

An aerial photograph showing the location of the Terrigal site

stipulated the development would be broken into two stages, with stage one containing all the necessary preliminary works and approvals and the construction of the Residential Flat Building, which will contain five townhouses accessed from Woolunga Ave. Stage two will deliver 15 units,

consisting of five two bedroom and 10 three bedroom apartments from the Ash St Scenic Highway frontage.

ederal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, has come under fire after voting against a Bill introduced to reverse the 25 per cent Sunday penalty rate pay cut for workers in fast-food, restaurants, cafes, grocery stores and pharmacies on

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Mann Street in Gosford.

Senator Deborah O’Neill branded the rejection as a “disgraceful attack on hard-working locals.

“Ms Wicks and her Government will not lift a finger to stop a pay cut for hard-working locals, but will gleefully give a $50 billion tax cut to big business,” Sen O’Neill said.

In February, the Fair Work Commission announced that Sunday penalty rates paid in retail, fast food, hospitality and pharmacy industries will be reduced from the existing levels.

Ms Wicks fired back at the Senator’s comments and said yet again, Labor was putting politics and the interests of union bosses ahead of local small businesses and jobs.

“There are many small businesses on the Central Coast who can’t afford to open on Sunday,” she said.

“There are also family business owners who would prefer to hire a local, but can’t afford to, so work themselves, for free.

“This decision might help these local small businesses and create more local jobs,” Ms Wicks said.

Media release, Feb 27, 2017 Deborah O’Neill, Senator for NSW Media statement, Mar 3, 2017 Lucy Wicks, Member for Robertson

legislative change that will ensure waste workers across NSW have their wages and conditions protected when local waste services are put out to tender by councils.”

Media release, Mar 2, 2017 Colin Henderson, Transport Workers Union of NSW

Council encouraged to host regional tourism headquarters

Document, Mar 6, 2017 DA44042 Dilon Luke, Journalist

Sunday penalty rate reduction has pros and cons

waste contract changes hands, these workers may be left without a job,” said TWU NSW Secretary, Mr Richard Olsen.

“It’s about time that the NSW Government, and in particular Local Government Minister, Gabrielle Upton and Premier Gladys Berejiklian, stood up for waste workers across NSW. “Minister Upton and Premier Berejiklian can show leadership across NSW by making a simple

he Central Coast Council has been urged to lodge an expression of interest to have the headquarters for the new state tourism area, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, on the Coast.

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Member for the NSW Seat of Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, said the headquarters of Destination Sydney Surrounds North would soon be decided, with an expression of interest (EOI) now open.

Mr Crouch said determining

the location of each Destination Network office would involve all local councils in the relevant regions being given an opportunity to express their interest in hosting the headquarters, followed by an assessment process by each Destination Network Board.

The headquarters would house three full-time staff, including a general manager, which would support the work of the board and tourism projects and programs in the respective areas.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our tourism industry, and I encourage the Central Coast Council to lodge an EOI soon for

the chance to capitalise on the NSW Government’s innovative new tourism model,” Mr Crouch said.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the Chairman, Mr David Fellows, and the Board of Destination Sydney Surrounds North, to drive more visitors to the region,” he said.

The EOI closes on March 17.

Coast Community News asked Central Coast Council to respond to Mr Crouch’s email.

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Donna Golightly, office of Adam Crouch

Changed traffic conditions on Brisbane Water Dve

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otorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on Brisbane Water Dve at Tascott for safety

All aspects of small building work and property maintenance Now servicing Gosford and surrounding areas

improvement work to be carried out.

The NSW Government is funding this safety upgrade on Brisbane Water Dve to reduce the risk of motorists veering off the road.

Roads and Maritime Services will carry out the work which involves installing 510 metres of raised concrete barrier complete with a handrail to separate pedestrians and motorists on the busy road.

Media release, Mar 3, 2017 Roads and Maritime Services Media

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Work started on March 5 and is expected to be completed in six weeks, weather permitting.

To minimise the impact to motorists, work will be carried out Sunday to Thursday between 7pm and 5am.

Lane closures will be in place and may affect travel times.

*Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013).

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ONTHEBEAT PAGE 15 FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Coast-wide operation results in several arrests and seizures

Other Regional News - In brief Coast Community News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2250, 2251 & 2260.

Given the advent of a Central Coast Council, following is

a summary of news articles published in the most recent edition of each of our sister Central Coast publications.

The full articles and more, as well as all previously published editions, can be seen on line on our website

www.CentralCoastNews.net Copies of these other publications may be obtained from our offices in Gosford, by subscription, or from a myriad of locations in the areas covered by each publication.

Issue 111 February 28, 2017

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

E ix Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) members and associates were charged in a Coast-wide operation, involving officers from Brisbane Water LAC, Tuggerah Lakes LAC and Strike Force Raptor.

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The six members and associates have been charged after replica firearms, illicit drugs and cash were seized during the operation.

In September 2016, detectives from Brisbane Water Local Area Command commenced an investigation into drug supply and firearms offences in the local area.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives executed four search warrants at homes in Umina Beach, Empire Bay and Tumbi Umbi, on March 1.

During the warrants, police seized two replica firearms, ammunition, more than $40,000 cash, methylamphetamine, cannabis, illicit substances, including steroids, human growth hormones, and testosterone; drug paraphernalia, mobile phones, computers, and electronic storage devices.

A 26-year-old Umina Beach man was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.

The man, who is an associate of Bandidos OMCG, was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, two counts of possess prescribed restricted substance, and proceeds of crime.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Gosford

Local Court on March 21.

Following the search warrants, and as part of ongoing strategies to target and disrupt criminal activities of OMCG, the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor conducted a high-visibility operation on March 2.

With the assistance of officers from Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Commands, Strike Force Raptor conducted 21 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) searches across the Central Coast.

A 50-year old man was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station after a replica pistol and a number of other items were seized during a search of a property on Henry Parry Dve, North Gosford.

He was charged with possess firearm while subject to Firearm Prohibition Order and firearm found at premises subject to FPO. The man was refused bail and appeared at Gosford Local Court on March 2.

Police also seized more than 30 vials of steroids, an amount of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a motorbike, believed to be stolen, from a home on Pacific Hwy, Doyalson.

A 40-year-old member of Rebels OMCG was arrested at the scene and taken to Wyong Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of possess prohibited drug, and goods in custody.

He was granted bail and is due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday, March 22.

At Oakridge Pl, Woongarrah, officers located 10 cannabis plants, cannabis leaf, MDMA and a hydroponic set up.

A 47-year-old member of Finks OMCG was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with cultivate cannabis, possess prohibited drug, and use electricity without authority.

He was granted bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on March 23.

At a search on Ocean View Rd, Ettalong Beach, police seized a number of steroid vials, amphetamine and pills.

A 39-year-old member of Rebels OMCG was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug.

He is due to appear at Gosford Local Court on March 28.

A 54-year-old member of Rebels OMCG has also been issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited weapon, after being found in possession of a sling shot while subject to a weapons prohibition order.

He is due to appear at Gosford Local Court on April 18.

At other properties, police seized cannabis, steroids, a knife, a cross bow, and pills, powder, liquid, and a crystal substance, which will undergo forensic analysis.

Inquiries are continuing and further charges are expected.

Strike Force Raptor was established by State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009.

It is a proactive and highimpact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and any associated criminal enterprises.

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 NSW Police Media

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Wyong Regional Chronicle focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262, & 2263.

Environmental Justice Australia calls on EPA to act on serious air pollution at Vales Point

Council’s actions over airport questioned

Community groups have initiated an EPA investigation into air pollution from the Vales Point power station at Mannering Point.

State Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, has posed questions in the NSW Parliament about the Central Coast Council’s ongoing efforts to expand the airport at Warnervale.

Living near mines and power stations has a detrimental effect on health Wyong resident and Executive of the Australian Coal Alliance, Mr Mike Campbell, said communities surrounding power station complexes and mines in NSW have had to pay greatly with their long-term health ...

Glenning Valley development placed under controlled action Glenning Valley resident and activist, Ms Kylie Boyle, announced the Glenning Valley development has been placed under controlled action by the Federal Department of the Environment and ...

Change to State Government Alison Homestead improvement grants could be funding model forces closure lost because of Council delays of Business Enterprise Centre

Parliament hears of unfairness of coal mine assessment process The current assessment process for coal mines in NSW is totally unfair, unbalanced and stacked in favour of mining companies, according to NSW Shadow Minister ...

New San Remo BMX facility to receive $640,000 upgrade The Wyong region is set to receive a $640,000 grant out of a possible $9 million that was available as part of the NSW State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund.

Council not involved in garbage collection dispute

Volunteer groups at Alison The Central Coast Business Central Coast council has Homestead, home of the Enterprise Centre (CCBEC) distanced itself from ongoing Wyong District Museum has been closed as a result of industrial action between and Historical Society, are changes in State Government domestic waste truck at loggerheads with Central funding models. drivers and their employer, Coast Council over their Remondis. desire to build a new office ...

The full articles and more can be seen on our website www.CentralCoastNews.net

e Frkeeone!

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Edition 414

6 March 2017

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

Fast ferry service proposal presented to Premier

Centenarians celebrate birthdays

Two Peninsula Villages residents are celebrating milestone birthdays this month.

A fast ferry service with an interchange at Ettalong is being proposed as part of a billion dollar business plan that Central Coast Council has presented to the Premier and Cabinet of the NSW Government.

Two Peninsula Villages residents are celebrating milestone birthdays this month.

Labor candidate for Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch, has called the chance to represent the people of her electorate a “beautiful opportunity”.

Gosford by-election to be held on April 8

Council to spend $1 million on Peninsula

Memorial erected to lone dolphin

The Gosford by-election will Three of Central Coast be held on Saturday, April 8. Council’s major projects will inject more than $1 million into the Peninsula.

Woy Woy channel ‘worse than halftide rocks’ The entrance to the Woy Woy channel between Lions Park, Woy Woy, and Pelican Island, is getting so shallow that it is becoming a hazard for both commercial and recreational craft.

Petrol prices skyrocket to 13 cents more than Gosford Peninsula residents have continued to pay, on average, more than 13 cents per litre for petrol than their Gosford neighbours.

A permanent memorial has been erected and dedicated to the memory of Elusive, Brisbane Water’s lone bottle nosed dolphin.

Association writes to Premier about jetskis The Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association has written to the NSW Premier and fi ve NSW Government Ministers asking them to take action over the dangerous

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

PAGE 16 MARCH 9, 2017

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Community group extremely disappointed over Council’s court loss ell, it looks like we’ve lost our cosy, homely little movie theatre at Avoca Beach.

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It’s heading off in a new direction, soon to boast four screens, a café, a gallery, five residential units and who knows what else.

How did it happen?

How did an extremely active committee and a community largely united in love for the little venue, lose the battle to keep it small scale, or even to reach a compromise?

Firstly the owners, Norman and Beth Hunter, have been very determined.

This battle has been going on for 16 years now and they have never wavered.

Nor have they been willing to sit down and talk with the community.

They’ve come to some public meetings but never responded to us reaching out to them via intermediaries.

Secondly, they appear to have very deep pockets.

Fighting and winning in the Land and Environment Court, must have cost a packet, reinforcing what we’ve always suspected, that the theatre is profitable.

We lost in part because, having the theatre as a platform, they were able to control the story better.

Their ace in hand was the soothing reassurance that they are keeping the original theatre.

That message, endlessly repeated, dried up much of the opposition.

But is it true?

The theatre is a rectangular box with a pitched roof.

Unless you’re saving that box and roofline, the exterior walls,

you can’t say you’re keeping the theatre.

They are saving two walls, it is true.

Of these, the wall on Burns St, facing South End Park, is blank and of little interest.

The west wall, with the front doors, is also retained, but those doors will open onto a large, new toilet block which will replace the ticket counter, hardly an appealing entrance.

So perhaps, it’ll be an entrance no longer.

They haven’t told us.

The key wall to save, the one that is photographed all the time and appears in all the tourist brochures, the beauty shot if you like, is the wall with the French doors and the terrace leading to the lawn.

This is gone in the new development, replaced by a two storey foyer, and that has been a major reason for the community’s opposition, even fury, over many years.

It’s not just this postcard view of course, but those French doors, which lead into the beautifully proportioned foyer.

At the moment, the foyer is crammed with giftware, but you can see, in the photo, how beautiful it used to look in the mid-2000s, and could look again, if they were truly keeping the original theatre.

I do wonder whether patrons realise how much of what they now love will be gone.

Perhaps folks hope that what will replace these heritage areas will be somehow even better.

If this was so, then surely we would have seen wonderful artist impressions of the new interior, all to win us over.

But they’ve shown us nothing.

FORUM Letters to the editor should be sent to:

COAST COMMUNITY

NEWS PO Box 1056 Gosford 2250 or editorial@centralcoastnews.net

See Page 2 for contribution conditions Only exterior artist’s impressions.

Their second message has been equally persuasive: many patrons have been convinced that if the theatre did not expand, it would have to close, and units would be built on the block.

This doom and gloom story has been countered in several ways, but sadly, people still take it as gospel.

Other little cinemas up and down the Coast are doing well, not closing their doors, including Mount Vic flicks, Huskisson, Sawtell, the Regal, the Lake, and at Laurieton, so those who believe single screens are doomed, can go see for themselves.

The reasons why Avoca Theatre has been in dire straits, according to the Hunters, is that the distributors have them in a vice, that they are forced to show the same film many times a day, even when it’s not drawing a crowd, and the only relief is to have more screens where they can park non performing films or make room for new ones.

This pressure can be largely avoided by doing what is called sub running.

This means a theatre takes

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ormer Prime Minister, Mr Paul Keating, said of one of his many adversaries “he has more front than Mark Foys”.

What W hatt woul would ld iitt cost to to gett y your our m message essag ge out to that many people using any other medium?

Don’t be fooled by the hype, advertising in this newspaper is by far much better value for money than any other medium.

Not only does it have the reach and readership within the area it covers, but readers can keep the advertisement and refer to it as often as they wish.

Call 4325 7369 to see how inexpensive it is.

agreement was reached in the hearing that there is virtually no parking problem in Avoca.

Even if there was, in 2006, the theatre made a deal with the previous council, basically buying the right to pave public land for $200,000 to meet their parking obligations.

Public land paved for a private business?

And just to shore that up, their barrister pointed to the fact that in 1951, the new theatre was licensed for 500 seats.

Now, since the new four-screen complex will be approximately 615 seats, up from around 290, it’s not so much more.

Council’s barrister was silent.

I wanted to leap up and say: “More or not, in 1951 there was no parking problem in Avoca,” but we were not allowed to address the court, once the hearings moved to Sydney for a long three days.

It was depressing how the barrister for the development dominated the proceedings, speaking for at least 80 per cent of the time, vigorously crossexamining witnesses, whereas council’s barrister, our side, was mostly silent and did very little cross-examination.

Their guy was, indeed, brilliant, especially on heritage, getting council’s own heritage expert to concede that the building and the interior had little or no heritage significance.

This contradicts what the National Trust has said again and again, but the Trust was not in court.

Nor were numerous other experts, all of whom agreed that the original theatre should be

visible and protected.

What was so clever was the way the National Trust was selectively quoted to make it seem as if the only heritage value of the cinema was as a social meeting place, an activity, not a building. From there it was a short step for their barrister to establish that the Hunters themselves, as part of the founding family, were what would carry the heritage on into the future though their running of the place.

Never mind that for most Avoca people, it’s the scale, the charm, the beauty of the place they love, none of which got an airing in court.

So all those heartfelt letters we’ve written to council over the years might as well not have been sent.

The word, beauty, which we’ve used so often, was never once mentioned in four days of hearings.

Apparently only the BBC, which said the theatre was one of the 10 most beautiful in the world, is allowed to use that word.

Some day this story will surely be on the bookshelves or on the screen, being our greatest drama to date, but that will have to wait until what’s behind-the-scenes is brought to light through freedom of information.

Goodbye little treasure from all of us, who did our best, which was just not enough.

Email, Mar 3, 2017 Mike Rubbo, Avoca Beach

Harris accused of backflip over Government offices

If you’re reading this, so could up to 150,000 other people

IImagine magine iiff iitt w was as a m message essage

movies, not when they’re released nationally, but four to five weeks later, when the same movies have way less restrictions on them.

Loyal fans are happy to wait, happy to hear about a movie before deciding to see it.

This is another reason why I believe that if the Avoca Theatre was truly in trouble, it would be doing more sub-runs than it does.

The Hunters have not been very forthcoming about what will come.

Maybe they haven’t needed to be.

Just saying: “more of the same but bigger and better,” has been enough.

More movies, more choice, more live shows, more community activities.

It sounds good until you check the downside.

To do that, you need to take a look at other historic cinemas and see what usually happens when you take a charming single screen and hollow it out to accommodate three or four more screens.

I got on the train to Bowral and had a look at the Empire theatre, for example.

The original classic façade still looks interesting from the street, but the entrance is down an alley, up stairs, leading to a corridor with four screens off to the side, functional but impersonal, nothing close Avoca’s charm.

The Ritz at Port Macquarie is also spectacular at first sight, but the grand street entrance is long gone, and you go up a flight of stairs to a maze of five screens above shops.

Parking and heritage were the two issues which took up the most time in court.

To my amazement, an

On that criteria, Labor’s spokesperson for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris, has more front than the length of the Gosford waterfront.

In the 2015 NSW State Election, the Liberal Party promised to move 300 Department of Finance jobs to Gosford.

Since that day, David and

FORUM his mates have ridiculed and undermined the initiative.

His local Federal colleagues have used public funds to campaign against the accompanying ATO office complex and its 600 jobs being delivered by Federal Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks.

The Joint Regional Planning Panel determined the new Department of Finance building can proceed on the old Gosford

school site.

On the same day, Mr Harris said on radio, without any hint of embarrassment, that he now welcomed the project and insisted the NSW Government used as much local labour and materials as possible in its construction.

News flash David.

These developments are happening in spite of you and your ALP colleagues.

The construction jobs and nearly 1,000 permanent positions moving into Gosford over the next couple of years have been

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delayed and risked because of Labor’s games.

So please David, save your advice for the gullible and those with short memories.

Email, Mar 2, 2017 Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast

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Delays in finalising Council accounts raises red flags fter reading the disturbing article, “Accurate Finalisation of Gosford Accounts Crucial” in Coast Community News, it beggars belief that the communities of the former Gosford Council area could think that if the old councillors were re-elected on September 9, 2017, that this distasteful situation would not continue.

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FORUM It has been almost 12 months since the Council was stood down due to the amalgamation of the two Councils.

The comment was made that the auditor needs more time due to auditors not being familiar with Gosford’s system.

This raises red flags.

When this audit is done, hopefully prior to the election, it will show what the last Council

was doing with their books.

The Administrator, CEO and the Minister have commented on backlogs, rate increases and shortfalls, all of which point to something fishy.

I implore the communities of the old Gosford Council electorate not to fall into the trap of the ‘people we know’ attitude when deciding who to vote for in the upcoming council election.

Email, Feb 28, 2017 Carl Veugen, Umina Beach

The great unwashed dubious about waterfront proposal refer to the Billion Dollar Waterfront Proposal, (Coast Community News, February 23) when I say that the Lazarus-like, illfated Landing scheme, has been resurrected from its well-deserved grave and transformed into the enhanced Cellate project for the Gosford Waterfront.

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Our jaded eyes are dazzled by visions of waterfront retail and public space, hotel and conference facilities, mixed-use residential, commercial and retail buildings, a high-speed ferry (of course, no project should be without one), a Centre of Engineering Excellence, and Australian Maritime College, an Opal Museum and trading exchange, a rowing club, a “stateof-the-art” (naturally) Aquatic and Leisure Centre and much, much more.

This transformation will stretch from Gosford to Point Clare and take in such outliers as Ettalong as well.

The whole thing will be designed by “the best architects and engineers Australia has to offer”, and the only thing that seems to

FORUM have been overlooked is the fast train.

One wonders how this was omitted.

Of course, there are some niggling doubts.

The fast ferry service will include six boats “similar to those that currently run between Japan and South Korea”.

One assumes that this refers to the Fukuoka-Busan hydrofoil service, but there is a slight difference between the two situations.

While Fukuoka is not dissimilar to Sydney, Busan has a population of 3.5 million, compared to Central Coast’s 300.000 odd, and Busan is the gateway to the whole of Korea and has international connections, whereas Gosford is the gateway to nowhere.

The notion that Gosford “is perfectly positioned to be our gateway” to markets in the Philippines and Indonesia must have been generated in an opium haze.

It is also possible to picture navigational difficulties with a

high-speed hydrofoil crossing the bar at Half Tide Rocks and racing through the Brisbane Water channel to Gosford.

Of course, we have not been made privy to the details of this grandiose plan which is being treated as “commercial in confidence” by Central Coast Council, in its usual secretive way.

One can picture that the immense competition that there must be for a role in this spectacular opportunity makes it essential to keep it under wraps until it can be revealed to the great unwashed (us).

Given the outcomes of similar schemes in the past and of such exercises as the Forbidden City complex, it is probably just as well that we not be exposed to any more PR flackery than is absolutely essential.

Perhaps, when the exercise has achieved some semblance of reality beyond newspaper headlines, it will be time for the community to have a say in what sounds like a dubious proposition at best.

Email, Feb 27, 2017 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

n the latest “world-class” billion dollar waterfront proposal announced for Gosford and surrounding areas including Point Clare and Ettalong, which Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, released this month, I note a developer/ investment banker proposes to build a fast ferry wharf/terminal at Ettalong.

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He also plans to privately operate a dredge in the fragile world-class tidal estuary and national park area of Box Head, quite possibly upsetting the natural sand flows and natural environment of the estuary, and potentially upsetting or destroying the world-class fishing and world-class surf break that encompasses the Box Head Ettalong Beach area.

We are told this is necessary to allow access for completely inappropriately large sized fast

FORUM ferries with giant foils, most certainly not designed for use in the small tidal estuary which is Brisbane Water/Broken Bay. If this was not already bad enough, it is also proposed that the world-class Gosford foreshore area, including waterfront land and current main road, be gifted to the proponent’s development company to build hundreds of units including a hotel and commercial/retail space.

All this, of course, is conveniently claimed as “commercial in confidence” by Council, allowing the proponent to avoid any community oversight or consultation of the proposed project thus far.

There is also the alleged revelation that this proposal has been on the desk of Central Coast Council for almost 12 months already.

Mr Ian Reynolds, surely, entertaining this claimed billion

dollar waterfront proposal in secret, that can only be described as a potential, blatant grab by private interests of public land, and possible reckless environmental endangerment to the world-class natural environment of the local area, is the last thing a nondemocratically elected Council Administrator should be even considering at this time.

Although the term world-class and Central Coast Council should certainly never be used in the same sentence, I would though suggest Central Coast Council wholly concentrate on current more urgent administration tasks at hand.

Most importantly for the residents and ratepayers of the Central Coast, ensure that Central Coast Council deliver timely, world-class, democratic Council elections in September.

Email, 27 Feb 2017 Martin Axe, Tascott

Heavy traffic proved the need for speed zone n Wednesday, March 1, members of the Koolewong and Point Clare-Tascott Progress Association and members of the community met with Labor candidate Ms Liesl Tesch, on the corner of Takari and Brisbane Water Dve, outside Point Clare Public School, hugging the footpath for fear that we might distract drivers and cause another accident.

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FORUM As speeches were in progress, it was not hard to notice how busy and noisy Brisbane Water Dve was for 10:30am.

Seemingly, a road accident on Woy Woy Rd had forced motorists to use Brisbane Water Dve, which is a frequent occurrence, now that the population is increasing on the Peninsula.

With the freight trains passing and the heavy traffic, it was hard to hear the speeches, but we are

Issue 110

Issue 111

February 14, 2017

February 28, 2017

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

esidents from across the Central Coast came together on Australia Day to stage the second annual The Entrance Channel dig out.

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Confidential airport Berejiklian refuses to feasibility study recommended sale confirm September council election of the land N

ew South Wales Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, during her visit to the region for a Community Cabinet meeting, was not prepared to confirm that the Central Coast would have a local election in September.

Mr Laurie Eyes attended the Wyong chamber to access the airport feasibility study

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the lake.

Poor tidal and weather conditions did not deter the 40 strong group from the dig out, which commenced at 10am.

Mr White offered his thanks to the group who braved the conditions, and the members of the public who turned out to see what was happening.

“We had a few people just turn up to see what our group was doing, and

once we told them, they grabbed a shovel and got to digging,” Mr White said.

According to Mr White, there is a large part of the community that wants to see break-walls included on Central Coast Council’s and the State Government’s radar.

“Government focus has been on The Entrance Beach Groyne, which will ultimately have

no positive impact on the channel, which is frustrating, because there are so many positives for The Entrance and Tuggerah Lakes if a breakwall was to be built,” Mr White continued.

Mr White said other than general water quality improvements, a break wall could revitalise The Entrance as a boating and fishing hub, which would stimulate the tourist

economy of the region, by effectively making the channel a “boat haven” if water flow was stabilised by break-walls.

“The channel has the potential to attract larger pleasure and recreational boats and to be a boat shelter during storms and rough seas.

“This could bring so much to The Entrance and attract much more boating and water

Email, 1 March 2017 Helen Orchard, Koolewong and Point Clare-Tascott Progress Association

Issue 109

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The aim of the dig out is to draw attention to the myriad of issues facing the channel including flooding, water quality and water recreation.

Mr Peter White, a representative from The Tuggerah Lakes Flood Mitigation Action Group, said the dig out was also staged to highlight the need for break-walls at The Entrance Channel.

According to Mr White, the 2016 dig out attracted 120 volunteer “diggers” who were all behind the break-wall idea.

Mr White also said that 2016’s dig out attracted attention from the former Wyong Council, members of the Save Tuggerah Lakes Party and Members of Parliament from across the Wyong Local Government Area.

“The aim of our 2017 dig out was to escalate the event to a State Government level where the need for break-walls needs to be recognised and hopefully funded,” Mr White said.

Mr White said the installation of break-walls along the channel would improve water flow in and out of the lake, improve the water quality and alleviate flooding from low lying areas around

sure the message had got across of how busy the two-lane road was outside the school, and the urgent need for the request to the RMS for a 40km speed zone.

One of our members, Ms Jenny Carney, said it perfectly: “Little legs and minds deserve to be able to walk to school with safety.”

Come on, we are only talking three hours a day to save a life.

Is that too much to ask?

January 31, 2017

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MARCH 9, 2017

“World class” proposal needs the release of more details

The need for break-walls at The Entrance Channel highlighted

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recreation to Tuggerah Lakes.

Additionally, Mr White said more stable water flow would see residents regularly effected by flooding no longer suffering a poorer quality of life for their lake views.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Continued P3 Photo: Noel Fisher

he former Wyong Council and the current Central Coast Council have continued to spend rate payer money on the expansion of the airport at Warnervale when a 2013 feasibility study recommended the sale of the land.

The study, which has been kept confidential by both Wyong and Central Coast Councils since 2013, concluded that the sale of the airport land at Warnervale could fetch around $7.7 million, depending on market conditions.

It also argued that the sale could result in an

ongoing revenue stream back to Council through land rates.

The 2013 feasibility study concluded that an upgrade of the Warnervale airport was not viable, as the costs were considered “prohibitive” and significant effort would be required by Council to attract aviation-related businesses to the site.

Since abandoning its plans to develop an airport at Kiar Ridge, the Wyong Council and the Central Coast Council, have pursued an expansion of the airport into a general aviation hub.

Since 2013, the former and current Council have spent at least $7

million at Warnervale airport, including on a runway upgrade without Ministerial permission, as is required by specific legislation, and on land acquisitions.

At the same time, it has kept confidential the feasibility study which clearly showed the best course of action available to the Council was to sell the airport land and turn it into rateable industrial lots.

Those lots would also generate employment as per the intent of its classification as a State Significant Site and the objectives of creating the Wyong Employment Zone (WEZ).

Continued P3

Wyong Regional Chronicle asked Ms Berejiklian to confirm that the first election for the Central Coast Council would occur in September.

The Premier said: “We know, the feedback I have been getting is, that people are so happy with the current arrangements up here on the Coast.

“The merger has gone extremely well, that is the feedback I have been getting, not just from the local members, but also from the community, and people want to ensure that continues,” she said.

When asked if she would rule out an extension of the current Administration period for the Central Coast Council, Ms Berejiklian said: “No, I’m not ruling anything in or out.

“All that I am saying is the feedback we

Premier Gladys Berejiklian shakes hands with the Central Coast Photo: Noel Fisher

have had is that it is an extremely positive experience and we are seeing a difference on the ground.

“We are seeing less time taken to approve developments.

“You’ve got to remember this is about the local community, it is not about how governments work, and what I have seen is really positive.”

Ms Berejiklian has been under pressure to reconsider the

Government’s position on Council mergers since taking over as NSW Premier from Mr Mike Baird.

For example, the State Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, who is also Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, has called for a plebiscite to give the Central Coast community the opportunity to decide whether or not it retains the two old councils or continues with a single Central Coast Council.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Continued P4

Environmental Justice Australia calls on EPA to act on serious air pollution at Vales Point o m m u n i t y groups have initiated an EPA investigation into air pollution from the Vales Point power station at Mannering Point.

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It has been alleged that coal trucks dumping thousands of tonnes of coal outdoors at the power station have created clouds of dangerous coal dust, just hundreds of metres from residential Mannering Point.

“We reported the pollution event immediately and looked forward to a prompt investigation by the NSW EPA to stop and remedy this serious air pollution problem,” said Dr James Whelan, researcher with Environmental Justice Australia.

According to Dr Whelan, particle pollution from coal dust causes serious health impacts including respiratory and cardiovascular illness, asthma and hospital admissions.

Under their pollution licence, the Vales Point power station operators must carry out all their operations and activities in a manner that will minimise the emission of dust.

Tip trucks (right) depositing coal on one of the outdoor mounds at Vales Point power station dumped by very large, pollution,” the power station.

When community minimise members investigated, said local resident Mr The Vales Point power and often uncovered, coal trucks were Mike Campbell, who station was sold by the dump trucks at Vales uncovered and no water witnessed the pollution. NSW Government in Point. was sprayed to control “There are mountains “It’s shocking to 2015 to two investors in dust. of coal as high as threesee Delta Electricity a $1 million deal. thousands The Vales Point dumping It is expected to close storey buildings within a very short distance power station reported of tonnes of coal by 2022. emitting 34 million outdoors in hot windy Dr Whelan said the to the residential areas exposing EPA had responded of Mannering Point and kilograms of 30 conditions, substances in the 2014- our community to toxic to the Environmental Blue Haven,” Dr Whelan 15 National Pollutant pollution,” Mr Campbell Justice Australia said.

Inventory, including said.

“We were stunned by pollution report by 66,000kg of coarse The pollution was stating Vales Point was what we saw at Vales particle pollution. reported to the Chief using water trucks to Point. of NSW, control the dust but, Elsewhere in NSW, Regulator “It looks like they coal is transported into Mr Mark Gifford, and he said, on two out of have the same sort of power station furnaces Regional EPA Director, the three occasions he conveyor system as by conveyor belts that Mr Adam Gilligan, on visited the site, no water other power stations, the evening of Thursday, was being sprayed to but it is not being used. are entirely enclosed. contain the dust.

“We expect a February 16.

“The EPA said the The closest EPA air major polluter like “Tens of thousands of conveyors will be in use Delta Electricity to pollution monitoring is tonnes of coal are being by April, but that is still do all they can to more than 25km from

two months away, so we believe operations should be closed down until that conveyor is operational,” he said.

Dr Whelan said it was his contention that Delta was not investing in the power station because it was due to be closed in 2022.

“It is being run like you would run a second hand car: get another year out of it without spending any money or take it to the wreckers.

“That is not what best practice looks like; it is not being a good neighbour,” he said.

Delta Electricity has been asked to respond to Environmental Justice Australia’s claims about Vales Point.

Dr Whelan said the latest report to the EPA was part of a 39-year history of campaigning by local politicians and community groups to get air pollution monitoring in place for communities living close to power stations like Vales Point.

Media release, Feb 17, 2017 James Whelan, Environmental Justice Australia Interview, Feb 27, 2017 Mike Campbell, Community Environment Network Interview, Feb 27, 2017 James Whelan, Environmental Justice

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

www.coastcommunitynews.com.au

PAGE 18 MARCH 9, 2017

HEALTH

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Free hearing checks on offer

Delphis Australia to amalgamate with Integrated Living Australia ged care service provider, Delphis Australia, has announced its plans to amalgamate with Integrated Living Australia.

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he Australian Hearing Bus is stopping by the Central Coast to offer free hearing checks and raise hearing health awareness.

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Now with a 12-strong fleet of blue and white buses, the mobile hearing service has provided over 94,000 free hearing checks in communities across Australia since the first bus was launched in 2009.

No destination is too far-flung or offbeat.

Mr Matthew Reid, Manager at Australian Hearing Erina, said that because age-related hearing loss develops gradually over time, it is common for people be unaware their hearing is diminishing.

Hearing loss is a prevalent issue in the community, with around 60 per cent of Australians over 60 suffering from some form of hearing loss.

“A hearing check is a quick and

easy way to measure the sounds you can and can’t hear.

“Our team will also be on hand to guide you through what next steps you may have to take in regards to your hearing,” Mr Reid said.

As well as having a hearing check, visitors to the bus can find out information on a range of common hearing issues and view a display of easy-to-use hearing devices for around the home.

This includes headsets for watching television and alert systems for doorbells.

“Not everyone who is experiencing problems hearing needs a hearing aid.

“Sometimes it’s just hearing the TV at normal volumes, hearing

your doorbell, or hearing your friends on the phone that’s the problem,” Mr Reid said.

No appointment is necessary.

Australian Hearing will provide hearing checks to any interested adults who visit the bus on the day.

The Hearing Bus will visit these locations around the former Gosford LGA: Reliance Medical Centre carpark, 69 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford, between 8:30am-3pm on March 28 and 29; and, outside Woolworths, Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, on March 21-23, between 8:30am-3pm.

Delphis Australia CEO Ms Robyn Parker said the organisation was proud to have served the Central Coast community since 1986.

“Originally Delphis was established as a small Home and Community Care State Government funded dementia day care program, and over recent years, Delphis has become a respected home care and disability organisation that develops and delivers high quality services,” Ms Parker said.

“To secure the future of Delphis’ services, the Board recently undertook a strategic review of the organisation,” she said.

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March 17.

Guest speaker Dr Rocco Crino, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Charles Sturt University, will give an overview of anxiety disorders.

He will be joined by Ms Julie

Leitch, who will speak about her experience living with and her treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Email, Feb 15, 2017 Nerida Watson, WayAhead Mental Health Association

he performance of the accident and emergency department at Gosford Hospital is improving,

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customers of Delphis will be able to access a range of high quality aged care and health care services.

“Together, as one organisation, we will be positioned for the new customer-driven, competitive market place that we are entering.

“By combining the best of what each organisation has to offer, we will be at the forefront of service innovation, digital technology and business strategies.

“The amalgamation will be managed in a way that ensures total continuity of services for all our clients.

“There will be no change during this phase to the current services offered by Delphis,” Ms Parker said.

Newsletter, Jan 20, 2017 Robyn Parker, Delphis Australia

Gosford Hospital’s emergency department waiting times have improved - MacDonald

Media release, Mar 7, 2017 Vicki Foster, Australian Hearing

Free public forum on Understanding Anxiety Disorders ayAhead Mental Health Association is hosting a free public forum on Understanding Anxiety Disorders at the Central Coast Leagues Club on

“They looked at what we need to be doing now, and well into the future, to fulfil our vision and mission in order to be a leading provider of aged care and disability services.

“To realise our vision, and to meet the needs of the community, we know that we need to develop and operate an integrated range of aged care and community services.

“It was agreed that Delphis should amalgamate with an organisation that met or exceeded the Board’s selection criteria.

“Subsequently Integrated Living Australia Ltd was identified as an organisation that aligns with the values, culture and service offerings of Delphis.

“An amalgamation with Integrated Living Australia, commencing from March 1, ensures that current and future

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not going backwards, according to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald.

“In 2010, less than half of all patients presenting to Gosford Hospital’s emergency department (July to Sept 2010 49 per cent of patients) left emergency within four hours,” Mr MacDonald said.

“In the last quarter of 2016, (July to Sept 2016) that has improved to 62.4 per cent of patients at Gosford,” he said.

“This improvement has occurred in the face of everincreasing numbers of people presenting to our emergency departments across the State, including at the Central Coast Local Health District, which saw more than 500 additional patients come to Emergency in the year to September 2016.”

Mr MacDonald said the $348 million redevelopment of Gosford Hospital being undertaken by the NSW Government would see a “new and larger emergency department, intensive care unit/ high dependency unit, as well as expanded maternity services,

including new birthing unit, special care nursery and inpatient beds, and an additional 800 car parking spaces at the Hospital.

“This large-scale investment is required because Gosford Hospital was neglected by previous governments for 16 years,” he said.

“In January this year, the AMA heavily criticised Walt Secord for his inaccurate criticisms of the NSW Health system.

“They believed his ‘ambulance chasing’ was eroding confidence in our world class health services.

“I call on Walt Secord and the ALP candidate for Gosford to be very careful with their assertions and criticisms and ensure they are factual.

“We have much to be proud of in the Central Coast public health system.

“The staff are proud, effective practitioners at all levels.

“They don’t deserve this illinformed commentary from Labor,” he said.

Media statement, Mar 7, 2017 Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast

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Support for World’s Greatest Shave encouraged ember for the State Seat of Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, has encouraged his community to step up and support the participants who will shave, wax or colour their hair for the 2017 World’s Greatest Shave from Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, March 19.

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“Our own community members will soon be participating by donating their hair for this very worthwhile cause,” Mr Crouch said.

“Their generous support will add to the more than $200 million raised across the country since the World’s Greatest Shave began almost 20 years ago,” he said.

The event raises funds for the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia, which uses the

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Kindergarten and Year 1 students at Narara Public School were to be visited by a dental nurse who would provide them with information about how to keep their teeth healthy.

The dental nurse visit was an educational session linked to the Physical Education and Health Syllabus.

Students were also to receive a

MARCH 9, 2017

SW Labor has released an independent report card on Gosford Hospital.

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donations for research into leukaemia, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.

“Funds are also used to assist families affected by these cancers, by providing accommodation and transport during treatment,’ Mr Crouch said.

“It is such a good reason to dig deep and support people living with these serious illnesses and their families,” he said.

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood cells that usually starts in the bone marrow.

Numbers have decreased in the past decade, but it accounts for almost 2.7 per cent of new cancer cases, and is the most common cancer in children under the age of 15.

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Donna Golightly, office of Adam Crouch

show bag to take away with them.

Students in Year 3 to 6 will receive a visit from a blind or low-vision volunteer from Vision Australia on Friday, March 17.

The volunteer will present The Way I See It school program.

Vision Australia is a not-forprofit organisation that provides services to people who are blind or have low vision.

There is no cost for the presentations, but students are encouraged to make a gold coin donation.

Newsletter, Mar 6, 2017 Lynda Brogan, Narara Public School

NSW Shadow Health Minister, Mr Walt Secord, joined Labor candidate for Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch, to provide the details of waiting times for elective surgery and waiting times in the emergency department at Gosford Hospital.

Mr Secord and Ms Tesch said Labor was committed to public hospitals; not the Americanisation of the NSW health and hospital system.

Wyong Hospital was one of the four hospitals that the NSW Government was considering privatising, Mr Secord said.

He said data from the independent Bureau of Health Information (BHI) revealed that Gosford patients faced some of the longest waits for elective surgery in NSW. Young patients waited longer than a year for tonsil removal, while elderly patients waited almost a year, on average, for hip replacements.

According to the data, 820 patients waited longer than eight and a half hours in Gosford Hospital’s emergency department, and there were 2,240 patients waiting for elective surgery as of September 30, 2016.

Another report showed concerns about maternity care in Gosford Hospital, with almost half of young mums reporting that toilets were unclean.

Mr Secord and Ms Tesch said they called on the Berejiklian Government to accelerate its upgrade plans for Gosford Hospital.

“The community cannot wait,” Mr Secord said.

“The region has been neglected by the Liberals,” he said.

While upgrades or renovations were occurring at NSW hospitals, they were not being backed by proper staffing levels and resourcing, he said.

Mr Secord added that he was frustrated by the repeated “reannouncements” of Gosford Hospital by the previous Health Minister, Jillian Skinner.

“Planning started in the previous term of the Baird Government, in 2013, and the hospital upgrade is still not completed,” he said.

Ms Tesch said she praised the hardworking nurses, doctors and allied health workers, who were doing their best, but they were not

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being properly supported by the Liberals.

Almost 40 per cent (37.6 per cent) of Gosford Hospital patients waited longer than four hours in emergency department.

Four hours is the national benchmark.

Gosford was one of the State’s busiest emergency departments, outside Sydney, with more than 65,000 patients a year visiting the Emergency Department.

Forty-three (43) per cent of patients at the emergency department were in triage four and five categories, meaning that they presented with “small cuts, ear aches and abrasions”.

These were ailments that could have been treated by a GP, but low levels of bulk billing GPs meant that patients were forced to resort to the emergency department, according to Mr Secord.

And in the last three months, 820 patients had to wait longer than eight and a half hours in Gosford emergency department.

The median wait for non-urgent elective surgery was 297 days and 10 per cent of patients waited 360 days, almost a year.

Of the 2,240 patients waiting for elective surgery, 887 patients were waiting for ear, nose and throat surgery; 446 patients were waiting for orthopaedic surgery and 419 patients were waiting for

tonsillectomies.

“Gosford is a growing community and its hospital is under enormous pressure,” Mr Secord said.

“I am deeply committed to the region and want to ensure that our hospital is properly resourced,” Ms Tesch said.

“It is time that patients got their fair share of resources and support at the hospital.”

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Maegen Sykes, office of Walt Secord Statistics, June to September 2016 Bureau of Health Information, Dec 2016

PAGE 20 MARCH 9, 2017

EDUCATION

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Premier launches ‘Getting on Track in Time’ Program in Gosford

Zane to debate in Parliament errigal High School student, Zane Norris, is one of 120 Year 11 and 12 students selected to participate in the 22nd National Schools Constitutional Convention, being held at The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra, from March 15 to 17.

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The National Schools Constitutional Convention programme provides senior students with an opportunity to become better informed about Australia’s Constitution and encourages them to take an

SW Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, and Minister for Mental Health, Ms Tanya Davies, met with local health workers and principals from the two Central Coast schools to lead the region’s delivery of the ‘Getting on Track in Time’ Program (Got It) in Gosford’s Gateway Centre on March 6.

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Got It is an early intervention program aimed at helping children with disruptive behaviour disorders, and $11 million in funding has been thrown behind the program’s implementation on the Central Coast.

“This program has significantly helped children, aged 5-8, who have been experiencing behaviour difficulties,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Now it will be benefiting children on the Central Coast,

as well as families, teachers and staff, who’ll be given the necessary skills and support,” she said.

Ms Davies said the NSW Government introduced the Got It pilot five years ago to help children from Kindergarten to Grade 2 with emerging behaviour problems.

“While conduct disorder is the most common childhood mental disorder, with the greatest longterm costs to the individual, families and society, it also responds well to intervention,” Ms Davies said.

“The Got It pilot has delivered real results, helping both children and their families in one of the most important developmental phases,” she added.

Under the NSW Mental Health Reform, specialist mental health services in the community are being enhanced, including a state wide roll-out of the Got It program.

Got It is delivered over two school terms with clinicians working with

parents/carers and the school, to identify children who could benefit from early intervention.

Children identified as at risk of developing further problems with emotions and behaviour attend a 10 week ‘Exploring Together’ group, with a parent or carer, while the whole school benefits from the universal ‘Fun Friends’ program delivered by teachers throughout the year.

North Lakes and Toukley Public Schools will be the flagship schools in the region to trial Got It, with six more to be announced at a later date.

Media conference, Mar 6, 2017 Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Premier Tanya Davies, Minister for Mental Health Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Casey Virgin, Central Coast Local Health District Dilon Luke, Journalist

School appoints AntiRacism Contact Officer s Cate Pross has been appointed as Narara Public School’s Anti-Racism Contact Officer for 2017.

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The Department of Education is committed to anti-racism in each school.

The NSW Department’s AntiRacism Policy states that: “No student, employee, parent, caregiver or community member

should experience racism within the learning or working environment.

Ms Pross, in her role as AntiRacism Contact Officer, will work within the school to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe.

Newsletter, Mar 6, 2017 Lynda Brogan, Narara Public School

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active interest in the operation of government.

The topic of the 2017 Convention is ‘Indigenous Australians and the Constitution’.

Facilitated by Emeritus Professor, John Warhurst AO, Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University, the students will consider a range of arguments relating to Indigenous Constitutional recognition.

This will include input from a panel of experts, group discussions on the issues and the opportunity to persuade other delegates of particular approaches.

Students will participate in a mock referendum to determine the outcome of their deliberations.

The Convention is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training as part of its ongoing commitment to civics and citizenship education.

In becoming a national delegate, Zane Norris was selected from around 4,000 students from government, independent and Catholic schools, most of whom took part in feeder conventions in their home state or territory.

Zane is Captain at Terrigal High School, and this is a fantastic opportunity to go to Canberra and debate current constitutional reform issues.

Media release, Feb 24, 2017 Sven Wright, NSW Education

Stages 3 and 4 students receive ‘royal treatment’

hildren in Stages 3 and 4 from St Philip’s Christian College met with Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, and Federal Member for

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Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, during a visit to Canberra.

The meeting was a part of the cohort’s development of civics and citizenship comprehension and understanding.

Students also visited the Australian War Memorial and took part in a Last Post ceremony.

Newsletter, Mar 3, 2017 Michelle Kelly, St Philip’s Christian College

Fun Run to fund completion of multipurpose court ur Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Wyoming, will host a Fun Run at Alan Davidson Oval on March 6.

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Students have been given a sponsorship booklet to collect

monetary sponsors for completing a dedicated running course specific to their age group.

As each age group runs the course, others will be participating in sport skill clinics conducted by the Waratahs, Swans, NRL, Mariners and other organisations.

All money will be dedicated to completing the multipurpose court.

Newsletter, Feb 15, 2017 Frank Cohen, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School

If you can’t wait to get your copy read it online!

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Missed an edi on or want to re-read something - read it online!

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RMS blamed as the road block to establishing school speed zone he parents and community of Point Clare Public School will hold a demonstration on Friday, March 10, to continue their campaign for a 40km per hour zone along Brisbane Water Dve, at the front of the school.

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Traffic safety at the public school has become one of the first issues in the campaign to win the by-election in the Seat of Gosford.

NSW Opposition Leader, Mr Luke Foley, was recently joined

by Labor candidate for Gosford, Ms Leisl Tesch, and parents from Point Clare Public School, to discuss issues surrounding the long awaited school zone.

Parents have been lobbying successive State Governments for over a decade to establish a School Zone on Brisbane Water Dve in front of the school.

Concerned Point Clare resident, Mr Anthony Buckley AM, said:

“Seventeen accidents in four years have occurred on this very stretch of road, less than 800 metres between Scott St and the roundabout at Point Clare South.”

Ms Tesch said: “We would like something done before there is a fatality.”

Mr David Monaghan from the Point Clare Public School P&C said that it has been an ongoing battle for both the school council and the P&C. “The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is the road block here, for some reason they don’t want to listen to the politicians,” said Mr Monaghan.

“They consider traffic flow to be more important than safety.”

Mr David Harris, NSW Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, was Principal of Point Clare Public school and has committed to installing the School Zone in 2019 if Labor wins the election.

Mr Foley was critical of the RMS and their ongoing delays and

endless reviews.

“I will listen to local parents before I listen to departmental officials in Newcastle,” Mr Foley said.

“My appeal to the Liberals is to come with us on this, there will be plenty of other things we can fight about in this by-election.”

The demonstration will be held outside Point Clare Primary School at 2:30pm on Friday, March 10.

Media release, Mar 1, 2017 Maegen Sykes, office of Luke Foley Interview, Mar 1, 2017 Anthony Buckley, Point Clare Interview, Mar 1, 2017 David Monaghan, Point Clare Public School P&C Interview, Mar 1, 2017 David Harris, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Noel Fisher, Photo journalist

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MARCH 9, 2017

TAFE decimation continues

From left: NSW Shadow Minister for Skills, Ms Pru Car, with Labor Party Candidate for the State Seat of Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch

he NSW State Opposition has again warned that the ability of TAFE in the region to train our youth is under threat.

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Ms Pru Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Skills, visited the Gosford Campus of the Hunter Institute of TAFE on Tuesday, February 28, with Labor Candidate for Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch, to discuss the TAFE crisis on the Central Coast.

“The State Government has waged a war on TAFE across the State and its impact is plain to see, here on the Central Coast,” said Ms Car. “One hundred and eighty five teachers have been sacked across the Hunter Institute in

the life of this Government, and enrolments have tanked by more than 15,000,” she said.

State-wide, 5,200 teachers and support staff have been sacked, and enrolments have fallen by 126,000 in the TAFE system, the Shadow Minister said.

Ms Tesch said she was passionate about education.

As a high school teacher, she said she had experienced firsthand the importance TAFE has in the development of skills in young people on the Coast.

“My husband was a TAFE teacher as a ship wright and has just retrained as a high school teacher,” Ms Tesch said.

“Now there is talk of bringing in ship wrights from overseas as we don’t have the skilled people any longer, a direct result of the

government’s war on TAFE,” she said.

Labor has committed to rebuilding the TAFE system, allocating 70 per cent of all NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) funds to TAFE NSW. The Central Coast has almost 15 per cent youth unemployment, triple the regular NSW unemployment rate.

Ms Tesch said: “We need to make it easier for our young people to get into training, not harder.”

Interviews, Feb 28, 2017 Liesl Tesch, Labor Party Candidate for NSW Seat of Gosford Pru Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Skills Noel Fischer, Photo journalist

Spend $20 or more at selected retailers to redeem tokens for your school. The schools with the most points will win: 1st Place: $3,000 | 2nd Place: $1,500 3rd Place: $500

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equals 1 point equals 2 points equals 3 points Token deposit box is located outside Woolworths.

Tokens can be collected from centre management.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:

1. Gosford Public School 2. Gosford East Public School 3. Wyoming Public School 4. Our Lady of the Rosary, Wyoming 5. Chertsey Primary School 6. St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School 7. Niagara Park Primary School 8. Narara Public School 9. Valley View Public School 10. St Phillips Christian College

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PAGE 22 OUT&ABOUT MARCH 9, 2017

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Julie Vaughan wins NSW Local Government Minister’s Award

New-old Narara Music Festival to be held in Kariong he new-old Narara Music Festival rolls into Mt Penang Gardens, Kariong, on Saturday, May 6, with 12 indie rock, blues and psych bands taking to the stage at a true music lover’s event.

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“No nostalgia acts, no glamping (just camping), no yoga, just sweet music, awesome food stalls

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Council Group Leader, Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, received the award directly from the newly appointed Minister for Local Government, the Hon Gabrielle Upton MP. Ms Vaughan has been working in Local Government for the past 10 years and would rate one of her highest achievements as delivering The Art House in Wyong,

a new performing arts centre on the Central Coast.

The Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the contribution of women to local government in NSW. In addition to recognising the significant contribution of Award winners, the Awards aim to encourage more women to take on leadership roles in local government in NSW. I was excited just to be nominated and named as a finalist, but to win is overwhelming,” Ms Vaughan said.

“I love working here on the Central Coast, especially in local

government, and I am passionate about our local community and improving the ways we can work together.

“I am proud to be part of the leadership team and to lead so many amazing and talented women within our organisation.”

Awards were divided between metropolitan and rural and regional Councils, with Ms Vaughan taking out the Senior Staff Member category for metropolitan councils.

Ms Vaughan is the Group Leader of a newly created Department at Council called Connected Communities, which delivers a wide range of community services at Council including libraries, child care, customer service, lifeguards, engagement, events, tourism, arts and culture.

Ms Vaughan will be responsible for delivering a Regional Performing Arts Centre for Gosford and a Regional Library in the Gosford CBD, two key projects that have been on the agenda for some time, but can now be delivered.

Council CEO, Mr Rob Noble, congratulated Ms Vaughan on her prestigious award and said her hard work and dedication to delivering for the community made her a worthy winner.

“Julie is a great asset and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table on our community’s wants and needs,” Mr Noble said.

“I am honoured to have her in our leadership team.

“I would also like to congratulate Ms Janine McKenzie, Executive Manager for Transformation and Business Performance, who was also nominated in this year’s awards.”

Media release, Mar 7, 2017 Central Coast Council Media

In addition, the festival will be working with some of the best local roving performers to create an energy harking back to the technicolour days of the iconic late 1970s and early 1980s rock festivals, and will have a Silent Disco to finish the night, featuring classic rock and 80s tunes.

Media release, Mar 2, 2017 Narara Music Festival media

Pop up Council engagement stalls at Kincumber and Green Point

Council's Ms Julie Vaughan

ne of Central Coast Council’s Group Leaders has been awarded the NSW Local Government Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government.

for all tastes, two fully stocked bars and loads of good times is what people will get” according to organiser Adrian Buckley.

In a nod to the legend that was the original Narara, each band will play a song from the original acts in their set.

“Think a revolving ‘Like a Version’, featuring covers from Cold Chisel, The Angels, INXS, Rose Tattoo and more”, Adrian said.

ouncil leaders will be on hand to answer residents’ questions, ideas and concerns at a third series of pop up engagement stalls.

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Council has spoken with almost 1,000 residents at more than 25 pop up stalls since June 2016, and 21 more stalls are planned.

The stalls are a one stop shop where senior Council staff meet with residents in their own neighbourhoods and talk about a vision for the future, answer questions and monitor feedback, so it can be factored into Council’s decision-making processes.

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet residents

face-to-face, to hear how Council was going and where services could be improved.

“There is clearly a need for these sessions.

“We had 70 people at the first one, so we’re rolling out the next program of pop up stalls right across the Coast so we can engage as widely as possible and hear what people have to say.

“Pop up stalls are a great initiative as it gives residents a chance to express their views or ask questions of myself, Rob and other senior staff in a more relaxed setting.

“This is just one way we are engaging with the community, and I encourage everyone to get as involved as they can in whichever avenue suits them to ensure

council delivers the services and programs our community need, want and value,” Mr Reynolds said.

Upcoming March meetings include: March 31: Meet Executive Manager Transition and Business Performance, Ms Janine McKenzie, and Group Leader Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, from 10am to 12pm at Kincumber Shopping Centre; and March 31: Meet Chief Financial Officer, Mr Steve Naven, and Executive Manager People and Resources, Ms Kellie Reeves, from 1:30pm to 4pm at Green Point Shopping Village.

Media release, Mar 3, 2017 Central Coast Council Media

For FITNESS, FUN and FRIENDSHIP GOSFORD SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS holds a class every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm at the Church of Christ Hall, Henry Parry Drive, Wyoming No partner necessary No special clothes - just soft shoes Lively music New dancers welcome

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The YIPA concert series will showcase the best young talent on the Central Coast in a series of four variety concerts.

YIPA aims to give young emerging talent the opportunity to participate in a quality program featuring all aspects of the performing arts.

Performers wishing to audition must be either attending High School and/or be no older than 21 years.

They should be residents of the Central Coast LGA or attend a

Central Coast school on a full time basis.

Audition days will be held for bands, dancers, drama, vocalists, instrumentalists and other performance genres.

Auditions will be held in March commencing March 5, March 11, March 12 and March 19.

The YIPA committee will also be visiting various high schools, dance studios and music schools across the Central Coast for auditions.

“Last year’s concerts were some of the best that YIPA has produced in its 25 year history.

“We expect 2017 to be even better,” said YIPA Director, Ms Karen Morrow.

Email, Feb 9, 2017 Gary Jackson, YIPA Committee

Juzzie Smith to perform in fundraiser

osford’s The Rhythm Hut will host a fundraising event, Concert for Cambodia, on March 19.

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Headlining act is legendary blues musician Juzzie Smith, whose only Central Coast appearance will be at this event.

The fundraiser is for Cows for

Cambodia.

The Rhythm Hut’s, Ms Michelle Wilmott, will be travelling to Cambodia in April as a volunteer.

Ms Wilmott will deliver all funds raised through the concert on this volunteer trip.

Media release, Mar 5, 2017 Michelle Wilmott, The Rhythm Hut

OUT&ABOUT PAGE 23 MARCH 9, 2017

International folk and roots act to feature at 5 Lands Experience

YIPA auditions underway reparations are currently underway for the 2017 Youth in Performing Arts (YIPA) Concert series which will take place at Laycock St Community Theatre in May.

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

he March 5 Lands Experience at The Rhythm Hut in Faunce St, Gosford, features international folk and roots act Chad Wilkins.

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Mystic Minstrel, Chad Wilkins, is an American/Australian singersongwriter bringing heart-songs that reveal a better way for a generation in transitional times on our planet.

From his lively, progressive grooves, to his deeply prayerful chants, spanning many genres, Chad’s rootsy folk anthems carry themes of love, gratitude, risk, honour, and pure vibrant life, giving voice to a cry for spiritual transformation, harmony with the Earth, and hope for a bright future.

Touring extensively, Chad’s performance style is unique and spontaneous whether performing solo, with his full band, or anywhere in between.

He guides his listeners through an interactive journey ranging from dancing celebration to mindful meditation to sing-along declarations.

Chad released his first fulllength album, Show Us The Way Of The Heart in 2014, and in 2015, his most recent release, This New Ancient Paradigm, featuring the single Live Love.

Each month, the 5 Lands Experience begins with a free community drum circle at 5:00pm with all ages and levels welcome, drums and percussion provided.

The event is headlined by the 5 Lands Band, a forever changing line-up that includes different members each month, as a result no two nights are the same.

Having run for over nine years, the 5 Lands Band is a wellknown and popular Central Coast establishment.

Named after originally forming to perform at the famous 5 Lands Walk in Terrigal, the ever changing line up of The 5 Lands Band, led by Rendra Freestone, brings together some of the top musicians from the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle.

Chad Wilkins will perform at The Rhythm Hut at the March 5 Lands Experience

The band doesn’t practice, nor write music together, but rather creates improvised jams, based on funk, jazz, folk and groove.

Well known for getting the dance floor pumping, the 5 Lands Band kicks off music at 6:30pm.

As usual, dinner, drinks, desserts and snacks available for

purchase.

The Rhythm Hut is all ages and fully licensed.

Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 25.

The March 5 Lands Experience featuring the 5 Lands Band with special guest Chad Wilkins will

take place on Sunday March 26, from 5:00pm, at The Rhythm Hut in Faunce St, Gosford.

Entry by donation.

Media release, Mar 2, 2017 Stevie Ray Swansbra, The Rhythm Hut

FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

RESIDENT BAND

BLUESANGELS This month’s special guest artist Mark ‘n’ The Blues

April 1 - 7pm till 11pm

PAGE 24 OUT&ABOUT MARCH 9, 2017

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Warm up party for Narara Music Festival at the Rhythm Hut

Four new exhibitions at Regional Gallery ollowing the recent success of two exhibitions during the holiday period, Gosford Regional Gallery opened four new exhibitions on February 18.

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Coast grown band RedHook will play the warm up party for the Narara Festival

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he Rhythm Hut Gosford will host a warm up party featuring the acts scheduled to play at the returning Narara Music Festival.

A long-dormant event, the Narara Music Festival, is returning in 2017, bringing to an end a 33year hiatus.

The original Narara Music Festival events burned brightly and quickly, taking over the Central Coast locality of Somersby more than 30 years ago, in 1983 and 1984, with legendary Aussie rock acts such as The Angels, Cold Chisel, INXS, Hoodoo Gurus and many more.

The new wave of Narara Music

Festival is set to cement its spot in years to come as another legendary Australian rock festival.

The official Narara Music Festival warm up party will bring a little entrée of two of the acts playing at the festival in May, with Dos Enos and Bones Jones and the Skeletones, as well as a sweet set of music from Coastie rockers RedHook.

Not only will you be treated to three fantastic bands, you will be able to buy local’s tickets for Narara 2017 on the night at the reduced price of $75 for a camping ticket.

Dos Enos describe themselves as a sprinkle of dirt, a swirl of psych, pinch of growl and a slither of blues, and all of those

ingredients add up to one of the most exciting bands to come from the NSW South Coast.

A fantastic live band, Dos Enos will be closing out the warm up party with their usual high energy set.

Newcastle’s Bones Jones and the Skeletones are a visual and musical feast.

With their mix of dirty grooves, shredding guitar and tequila soaked harmonies, they’ll be a hit at Narara 2017 and a hot introduction at our warm up party.

Hailing from the Coast, RedHook are a band to be watched in each and every way.

With their mix of punk rock, led by the striking Emmy Mack, they will be the perfect band to kick-start our party!

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Helen Henry, The Rhythm Hut

LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL TO ASSISTANCE DOGS AUSTRALIA AND YOU CAN HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES For more information about leaving a gift in your Will please contact: Free call: 1800 688 364 Assistance Dogs Australia PO Box 503, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 www.assistancedogs.org.au

The four shows are: Australian exotica, a nationally significant collection of Australian photographs from Monash Gallery of Arts; The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize; Illuminate, an installation from regional northwest NSW; and, A Matter of Time, an international textile exhibition which explores the concept of time.

Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said that the Central Coast had an exciting program of visual arts to look forward to.

“It’s wonderful to have such diversity amidst our exhibitions at the gallery, each reflecting important aspects of our program,” said Ms Vaughan.

“We are delighted to be bringing The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize to the Central Coast for the first time.

“Over the past 28 years, this highly respected prize has encouraged excellence and creativity in Australian portraiture.”

The winning work by Ms Megan Seres, depicts her daughter Scarlett as the eighteenth century child convict, Mary Wade.

“The painting ‘Scarlett as Colonial Girl’, was first inspired by my daughter’s school assignment on colonial history, along with her acting role as Mary Wade at Kiama Public School,” Ms Seres said.

“Mary was only 11 years old when transported to Australia as the youngest convict in the Second Fleet.

“I like to connect history and memory within portraiture and painting,” Ms Seres said.

The exhibition, ‘Australian exotica’, features 11 Australian photographers and examines history, identity and what it means to be Australian.

The idea of Australia as a colourful and exotic land down under is questioned by some of the artists, whilst others celebrate it as an important part of our national identity.

The artwork, ‘Illuminate’,

features a replica ‘mission home’ clad with hand-made paper, this community-driven artwork captures the aspirations of the Goomeroi people in northwest NSW. Ms Vaughan added that the engaging project portrays the region’s history.

“The stories and experiences of this community’s young people, artists and Elders are captured in sound and film and projected onto the walls of the replica mission home - this brings the work beautifully to life,” said Ms Vaughan.

The gallery’s final exhibition, ‘A Matter of Time’, uses textiles and quilting techniques to express different ideas about the concept of time.

The exhibition, curated by Brenda Gael Smith, includes work by artists from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

Media release, Feb 15, 2017 Julie Vaughan, Central Coast Council Media release, Feb 15, 2017 Megan Seres, The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize winner

Megan Seres' work Scarlett as colonial girl from the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition

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International ABC video journalist and author to speak out He has worked in remote regions of Australia for the ABC’s Landline and 7:30 programs.

From 2006 to 2014, Mr Waters was a senior journalist with ABC News, based in Melbourne.

He is the author of two books: ‘Gone for a Song: A Death in Custody on Palm Island’; and, ‘Every Beat of my Heart: An ABC Journalist’s Journey from Death’.

The event will take place from 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start and bookings and pre-payment are essential.

he Central Coast Branch of the Friends of the ABC will host a talk by Melbourne-based journalist and Friends’ National Campaign Manager, Jeff Waters.

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The function will be held at the Central Coast Leagues Club in Gosford on Wednesday, April 12.

Mr Waters will speak about the many changes happening at the ABC and the difficulties associated with them.

He became the National Campaign Manager for the ABC Friends early in 2016.

He was the first major Australian

video journalist to work in Europe, providing footage for all Australian television networks.

Media release, Mar 6, 2016 Klaas Woldring, Friends of the ABC Central Coast

Point Clare Community Hall upgrades are on track osford Regional C o m m u n i t y Services Group have announced that upgrades to the Point Clare Community Hall are on track.

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The community group announced the successful acquisition of funds under the NSW Community Builders Program in their January Newsletter.

The funds will replace white goods and AV equipment previously removed from the Hall.

The group plan to have these goods installed and ready for use before March.

Newsletter, Feb 2, 2017 Gosford Regional and Community Services

WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

usicians Making a Difference (MMAD) have recently launched a state of the art recording studio in the heart of Gosford.

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Thanks to the support of Ms Lucy Wicks MP, the Thyne Reid Foundation, and a successful Pozible crowd-funding campaign, ‘The Studio’ at The Lounge Room is something truly special, according to MMAD’s, Mr Will Small.

“Enter the control room through the enormous custom timber barn-door and take a seat on the signature antique leather lounge.

“You’ll immediately notice the floating ceiling baffles completing the custom look, while adding to the acoustic treatment, designed by professional sound engineers.

“Glance through the beautiful large window into the spacious live band room, complete with an in-house drumkit, upright piano, and plenty of room for full bands to lay down their unique sound live,” Mr Small said.

Mr Small said Sound Engineers and Producers will drool over the set-up, with highlights including the UA Apollo 8p, Audient ASP880, Native Instruments Complete 11 and Complete Kontrol S61, all capable of infinite production possibilities, which will sound beautiful playing back through the Adam A77x monitors.

“Studio sessions will benefit

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MARCH 9, 2017

Musicians Making a Difference launch state of the art recording studio

THE RHYTHM HUT PRESENTS

OFFICIAL WARM UP PARTY

OUT&ABOUT PAGE 25

Ph: 4325 7369 www.centralcoastnewspapers.com

Inside the recording studio

from specialty coffee served direct from The Lounge Room, optional catering packages and NBN Wi-Fi throughout the venue.

“If all that’s not enough to get you excited, here’s the real kicker.

“The Studio is MMAD’s latest addition to a growing suite of social enterprises that seek to empower local creativity while looking out for the most vulnerable young people in our community.

“Any profits made from studio hire will be filtered straight back into the delivery of creative therapy programs that give a voice to disadvantaged young people and help them realise their true potential,” Mr Small continued.

“From the beginning, the vision of this studio was that it

would record the sound of both established and emerging artists, successful bands as well as disenfranchised youth reclaiming their self-belief.

“That vision is now a reality and you can be a part of it.

“For the month of March, to celebrate the launch, all studio bookings are eligible to receive 20 per cent off the standard hire rates,” Mr Small concluded.

The Studio is located in The Lounge Room at The MMADHOUSE, 342 Mann St, Gosford.

Media release, Mar 3, 2017 Will Small, The MMADHOUSE

PAGE 26 MARCH 9, 2017

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS DIRECTORY

ARTS & CULTURE ART STUDIOS GALLERY & COOPERATIVE Artworks by members and local artists through solo and group exhibitions and community events. Classes available.

4339 3349 www.artstudioscooperative.org

CENTRAL COAST ART SOCIETY Lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Weekly paint-outs Tuesdays 4349 5860 for locations Workshops - 4363 1156 9.30am - 12.30pm 1st and 3rd Wed Social Meetings 1.30pm 4th Wed Gosford City Arts Centre.

4325 1420

CENTRAL COAST SUNDAY LUNCH BUNCH (Singles over 55) Luncheons 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly at various licensed venues 43321 695 (after 2pm)

GOSFORD NORTH PROBUS CLUB Meets 4th Tuesday at the Grange Hotel Monthy meeting 4th Tuesday Grange Hotel 10am 43225560

Volunteers needed for friendly visits to the elderly in nursing homes. People with a second language encouraged to apply.

Training support provided 4334 3877 cvscc@nsservices.com.au

CENTRAL COAST HANDWEAVERS, SPINNERS AND TEXTILE ARTS GUILD

PROBUS CLUB OF AVOCA 10.15am 3rd Mon Avoca Beach Bowling Club 4382 3372

Spinning and weaving, patchwork www.probussouthpacific.org/ and quilting, felting and other microsites/avocabeach fibre and fabric crafts, community quilting bees - Day and Night Groups SENIORS COMPUTER 4325 4743 CLUB CENTRAL COAST INC. www.cottagecrafts.net.au Classes Mon to Fri for over 50 Basics: Mon , Tues and Thurs FELLOWSHIP OF 10am to 12noon Different programs every day, AUSTRALIAN WRITERS 10am - 12noon or 1-3pm A friendly and supportive Apple-Mac: Mon, Tues, Wed group for new and old writers.

All at Kincumber Neighbourhood Encouragement and critique Centre of work. Workshops and 02 4307 9421 competitions 10am 3rd Sun Conference rm. Gosford Hotel 4363 2627 TERRIGAL WAMBERAL centralcoastfaw@live.com

RSL SUB-BRANCH

COMMUNITY GROUPS

At Breakers Country Club pension and welfare officers available to assist with DVA compensation claims and benefits Wed & Fri 10am – Midday Meetings 2nd Sat 10am 43842661

Support group for Public Broadcaster.

Aims. safeguard ABC’s independence, funding, & standards. Meetings through the year + social afternoons Well-known guest speakers 4341 5170 www.fabcnsw.org.au

BIG FUTURES IN SCHOOL MENTOR PROGRAM Become a volunteer mentor 2 hrs/ week, Free Training, No qualifications needed Be a young persons champion 0413 624 529 www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au/ bigfutures

CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE Not for profit org in Wyong providing free legal advice. Intake times for legal advice Monday to Friday 9am-5pm 4353 4988 centralcoast@clc.net.au

CENTRAL COAST SOCIAL GROUP Social contact, entertainment events, new friendships, for 30’s-60’s - Live music, house parties, dinners, BBQs, picnics, trips away etc.

Monthly Meet & Chat 0422 243 101 cco30s@live.com.au

CENTRAL COAST 50+ SINGLES SOCIAL GROUP Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & socialising each w/e.

Friendly group monthly programme all areas 0412 200 571 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com

COMMUNITY CENTRES

rsl@breakerscc.com.au

U3A CENTRAL COAST Mature age people are invited to participate in a wide range of courses to broaden the mind and make new friends 0408 704 701 www.centralcoast.u3anet.org.au

CENTRAL COAST GOJU-KAI KARATE Traditional Karate & Self Defence for Teens & Adults No Contracts, Cheap Rates Wamberal - Mon 630pm Kincumber - Thurs 715pm 0417 697 096 www.centralcoastgojukaikarate.com.au

GOSFORD GUMNUTS PLAYGROUP Parents and children meet socially. Make friends, learn more about parenting. 0 to 5 yrs Wed - Fri 10am-12noon Gosford Uniting Church Hall 129 Donnison St Gosford 4325 3695 gumnutsguc@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERING CENTRAL COAST Refer potential volunteers to community organisations.

Provide support to volunteers and community organisations.

Provide training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Information sessions “Bridge to Volunteering” held regularly.

4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

WILDLIFE ARC We rescue and care for injured and orphan native animals. 24hr/day, 7days/

Someone cares - Anglican Church 3 Mann St Gosford 4323 3890

BETTER HEARING AUSTRALIA CENTRAL COAST

Hearing loss management Support and educational group provide the local community 7 groups across the coast with a meeting place and hub for Providing practical experience groups, services and information. and confidence Learn the benefits to hearing aids GOSFORD 50+ LEISURE 4321 0275

COMMUNITY CENTRES

AND LEARNING CENTRE NORTHERN SETTLEMENT SERVICES - VOLUNTEERS

publicity@artcentralcoast.asn.au

ABC - “The Friends”

week. Come join us.

Gen Meeting 3rd Sun Wyoming Community Centre, Maidens Brush Rd Wyoming at 10am 4325 0666

www.centralcoast.

betterhearingaustralia.org.au Handicraft, Painting, Knitting, Tai Chi, Scrabble, Darts, Table Tennis, Indoor Bowls, Patchwork, Yoga, CENTRAL COAST PROSTATE Fitness, Gentle Swimming, Line CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Dancing, Cards, Variety Social, (GOSFORD) Womens Group, Zumba, Crochet, Meet last Friday Month Computers Terrigal Uniting Church 4304 7065 380 Terrigal Dre, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon GOSFORD-NARARA 4367 9600

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Community minded women who enjoy fundraising for local, national and international projects Regular social outings.

BRISBANE WATER BRASS 2nd Wed 7pm Brass Band entertainment for the 21 Old Penang Rd Kariong community playing all types of 4362 3139 popular music iiw.au.gosfordnorth@gmail.com Rehearsal every Tues.

7.30pm-10pm INNER WHEEL CLUB 0419 274 012

MUSIC

www.ccsoaring.com.au

CENTRAL COAST PENSION & WELFARE OFFICER NETWORK Group of Volunteers, trained by DVA, to look after servicemen & women. Ourimbah RSL Club 10:30am 2nd Fri - Feb to Nov 4322 1505

OF TERRIGAL SOUNDWAVES Men’s acapella 4 part harmony chorus - all ages 7pm Mon Central Coast Leagues Club Kieran - 0407 267 675 khutton58@gmail.com jbthomson51@gmail.com

SYDNEY WELSH CHOIR Cultural organisation performing at various venues to promote the Welsh culture with singing, Also performing for charity fund raising.

4369 3378

Share friendship, social activities NATIONAL PARKS as well as fundraising for local, ASSOCIATION national and international CENTRAL COAST projects. 3rd Mon, 12noon Twice weekly bush walks, varying Terrigal 50+ leisure centre, distances and grades of difficulty.

Duffy Rd Terrigal Explore, enjoy scenery, fauna, 4369 0302 - 4384 1490 floral, history. Keep fit and make terigalinnerwheel@gmail.com friends.

4389 4423 or 4332 7378

LIONS CLUB OF WOY WOY

1st and 3rd Mon. Woy Woy Leagues Club Make new friends and have fun while serving your community.

0478 959 895

SPIRITUALITY IN THE PUB

Ecumenical & Interfaith Speakers Forum & Q&A with focus on developing understanding and www.pcfa.org.au NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE encouraging dialogue about School Holiday activities, spirituality through people Rotary Club of TEMPO TERRIFIC playgroup, multicultural sharing their life journeys.

CENTRAL COAST PROSTATE Gosford North COMMUNITY SHOWBAND programs, community activities - CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 1st Tues March to October Active community minded club.

Active showband available to Rooms for Hire 2nd Tues November (WYONG) Many projects focussed on play at your community function.

4329 4477 7.30 to 9pm Meet last Monday Month assisting youth. Support our great Wide ranging repertuore. Always admin@gnnc.com.au Grange Hotel Wyoming Toukley RSL Club projects, get involved with our fun seeking new members, come and 4328 2596 - 0498 588 261 Homes Ave Toukley club. Graham Black have fun with music. Follow us on GREEN POINT COMMUNITY 10.00am to 12 noon 0410 509 071 Facebook - Every Mon 5 - 7pm CENTRE 4356 9300 grahamblack@iprimus.com.au Kincumber Uniting Church OOSH cave, exersize classes, www.pcfa.org.au 4365 4414 school holiday programs, BPW CENTRAL COAST ROTARY CLUB OF www.tempoterrific.com playgroup, arts & craft, room hire, DYING WITH DIGNITY NSW, Empowering women of all ages KARIONG/SOMERSBY tempoterrific@live.com and much more. in the areas of work, education, CENTRAL COAST International service club 4367 7591 well-being and friendship.

Working to give those improves lives of communities Monthly dinner meetings and suffering unrelievedly from in Australia and overseas. Funspeaker.

KARIONG NEIGHBOURHOOD terminal or incurable illness filled activities, fellowship and CENTRAL COAST GREENS Community transport available to CENTRE the legal right to request & friendship breakfasts. Phillip The Central Coast Greens and from centre Early childhood clinic, free family receive medical help to die House, 21 Old Mount Penang Rd For a fairer, more transparent and Chris Levis 0438 989 199 law advice, active playgroup, Quarterly Meetings (opp Shell) - Fri 7:15am accountable government based bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com computer classes, OOSH services, 4369 8053 4340 4529 on democratic principles www.bpw.com.au/central-coast fitness classes, arts & crafts, kersuebay@philliphouse.com.au Local, state-wide, national over 50’s friendship group, youth GAMBLING SOLUTIONS and international issues and COUNTRY WOMEN’S group, social groups and many Counsellors provide free, campaigns - Council and more services.

ASSOCIATION (CWA) confidential, professional service parliamentary representation 4340 1724 Quilting, patchwork, spinning, to gamblers, family and friends.

BIZ PLUS NETWORKING Developing a new economy wwww.knc.net.au knitting, crochet and more Woy Woy, Kincumber, Gosford, ASSOCIATION Protecting our environment 9am-2pm The Entrance.

Attention business owners if Peaceful conflict resolution Every Fri, Opposite KINCUMBER 4344 7992 you keen to grow your business Community participation Terrigal Bowling Club NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE and in the process build We meet monthly every 3rd 4385 9503 or 4384 3696 GROW Support Groups • Exercise classes worthwhile relationships, attend a Thu - Details and info: Small friendly groups formed to • Yoga for adults and children Biz Networking breakfast. centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au GOSFORD RSL learn how to overcome anxiety, • Community eco garden Every Thur 7:15am - 9am centralcoastgreens@gmail.com depression and loneliness and to • Room hire SUB-BRANCH Erina Leagues Club improve mental health and well• Health support groups Geoff Neilson WOMEN’S AUXILIARY AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY being. Anonymous, free and open • Counselling network@bizplus.com.au Raise money for the welfare of OURIMBAH/ NARARA to all. Weekly at Woy Woy, Bateau • After school activities veterans and their families. RSL BRANCH Bay and Wyong 4363 1044 Club West Gosford CCLC BRIDGE CLUB Discussion/action community 1800 558 268 www.kincumber.nsw.au 4th Mon 2pm Duplicate Bridge-partner not issues 3 levels of Government www.grow.org.au 4323 7336 required for most sessions.

Niagara Park Primary School MINGALETTA ABORIGINAL Central Coast Leagues Club 7.30pm 1st Mon each month MEALS ON WHEELS 12.30pm Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri. TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CENTRAL COAST WOMEN’S 0410 309 494 Delicious meals delivered free Sat 1.30pm Wed 7.15pm Mon CORPORATION HEALTH CENTRE kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com Join us for a midday meal 4325 9854 A meeting place and referral hub Counseling, therapeutic and www.cclcbridgeclub.asn.au for education, health, well-being Help with shopping and cooking social groups, workshops, POLITICS IN THE PUB classes cclcbridgeclub@westnet.com.au and cultural programs through domestic violence and abuse CENTRAL COAST 4363 7111 consultative services and issues. All services provided by Discussion of important political, CENTRAL COAST CAKE community programs. women for women social, economic, education, Mon-Fri 9am-4pm 4324 2533 DECORATORS GUILD and philosophy issues in a non www.cccwhc.com.au 6 Sydney Ave Umina Sugarcraft demonstrations partisan manner - The Grange CENTRAL COAST FAMILY 4342 7515 conversation and lunch Hotel 4th Thur besides Dec admin@mingaletta.com.au SOROPTIMIST Visitors welcome HISTORY SOCIETY INC. 4th Sat - 10am 50+ leisure and Help and advice with your family INTERNATIONAL Learning Centre Gosford history research. Tue to Fri, TERRIGAL FIFTY PLUS BRISBANE WATER 4382 6236 930am to 2pm Lions Community Develop confidence by improving LEISURE AND LEARNING Soroptimists speak for women lsroe@bigpond.com.au Hall, 8 Russell Drysdale St, and girls of all nations through your speaking skills. Meetings are CENTRE E. Gosford. awareness advocacy and action entertaining and educational.

Activities include fitness, yoga, CENTRAL COAST LAPIDARY 4324 5164 by supporting national and bridge, mahjong, zumba gold, www.centralcoastfhs.org.au CLUB MINERALS & GEMS international programs line dancing, tai chi, painting, BRISBANE WATERS Learn silverwork, Cabochons, 2nd Thur 6:45pm - Breakers craft and computer classes.

BREAKFAST Faceting, Enamelling, Stone BRISBANE WATER Country Club, Dover Rd Wamberal 43845152 TOASTMASTERS CLUB Field-trips & fossicking 4367 6331 HISTORICAL SOCIETY 8:30am-10:30am Weekly Workshops sibrisbanewater@siswp.org • Coach tours • School WYOMING 2nd and Last Sat - The Hive and Tues and Thurs 8.30am educational tours • Annual Street COMMUNITY CENTRE Library, Erina Shopping Centre 2.30pm. Thurs 6-10pm Stalls • Participation in History WOWGIRLS WAVE Yoga & Zumba classes, Art 0459 240 183 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah Heritage Week Celebration OF WISDOM INC and Craft classes, Playgroup 4362 2246 Margaret Pearce WOWGIRLS Wave of Wisdom & Vacation Care, Support BLUE GUM FLAT 4325 2270 connects women and local groups, Book Club, Community TOASTMASTERS CENTRAL COAST businesses around a common Garden, Rooms for Hire, Work Mthly meetings 1st and SOARING CLUB INC FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST theme of well-being. to share Development Orders, Centrelink 3rd Mon 7.15-9.30pm Gliding Club, Learn to fly, wisdom and explore life’s FLEETERS CENTRAL COAST Volunteer hours Ourimbah RSL Instruction FREE to members potential.

For anyone interested in early 4323 7483 4362 7227 14 and up for Training Regular Powwows, WOW Wisdom history or early family histories. reception@wyomingcc.org.au Flying at Bloodtree Rd Mangrove gatherings, WOW days and WOW Don’t need to be a First Fleeter.

Mountain Thur, Sat, Sun ( weather courses check our website for Point Clare Community Hall permitting) activities.

2nd Sat 10:30am INNER WHEEL CLUB OF 0412 164 082 www.wowgirls.com.au 4311 6254 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 0414 635 047 info@wowgirls.com.au GOSFORD NORTH INC meet every Wed 12.30pm -

WOMEN’S GROUPS

POLITICAL PARTY

SPECIAL INTEREST

HISTORY GROUPS

PUBLIC SPEAKING

HEALTH GROUPS

SERVICE GROUPS

If you would like your Community Organisation listed here, call us on 4325 7369 or see www.centralcoastnewspapers.com Entries in the Not For Profit Community Organisations Directory are free. However, we require each organisation to subscribe to each newspaper to ensure that someone from that organisation keeps their entry up to date.

Australia Post is about to increase their postage rates by over 42% and we can no longer continue to absorb these increases. Subscription rates have therefore needed to be increased from $50 to $75 for 25 editions.

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SPORT

PAGE 27 MARCH 9, 2017

Mariners have heartbreaking loss to Melbourne City in an exciting match he Central Coast Mariners demonstrated spirit to fight back from two goals down to restore parity against third placed Melbourne City, before Paul Izzo was shown the red card and the 10-man Mariners narrowly suffered a 3 to 2 defeat in their home match at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium on Sunday, March 5.

T

After their last draw away from home in the #F3Derby, the Mariners were back at home on March 5 to face Melbourne City.

It wasn’t the start the Mariners were hoping for, with the visitors taking the lead in the fourth minute.

Bruno Fornaroli opened the scoring in spectacular fashion with a free-kick from the fringe of the 18-yard-box.

His curling right footer left Izzo rooted to the turf, which found the inside of the side netting.

The Mariners settled into the affair shortly after and thought they were going to be awarded a

Nick Montgomery and Storm Roux appeal for a yellow card against Melbourne City’s Caceres

penalty 15 minutes in, but referee Adam Fielding waved the claims away.

Fox Sports commentators said that it was a clear penalty.

City immediately countered from the Mariners’ corner and doubled their lead, when the ball ricocheted off Nick Montgomery into Izzo’s net.

With the Mariners still screaming

for a penalty at the other end of the pitch after Connor Pain was brought down, the ball was attempted to be played out, but it flew of Montgomery past Izzo.

Despite being 2 to 0 down, the Mariners had their fair share of chances, with wingers Kwabena Appiah and Connor Pain causing trouble with their constant faster pace in behind City’s back four.

The Gosford Diary For events in post code areas 2250, 2260 and 2251

If you’ve got something happening in Gosford LGA area over the next few weeks, let us know about it and we’ll list it here for you, for free. Contact details are on page 2.

See the Peninsula News for events in post code areas 2256 & 2257 and the Wyong Regional Chronicle for events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 & 2263

Friday, Mar 10

Sunday, Mar 12

Ben Woodham, Kincumber Hotel, 6:00pm Johnny Devilseed and Old Man Rubes EP launch, Foghorn Brewhouse, Erina, 8:00pm Brackets and Jam South featuring Sandy Bigara, The Wondermen Duo, Jye Sharp, Kincumba Mountain, 7:30pm to 11:00pm Australian Plant Society meeting, Phillip House, 21 Old Mount Penang Rd, Kariong, three APS members will speak, from 7:30pm

Ben Woodham, Gosford RSL, 12:00pm

Saturday, Mar 11 Annual Bonsai Exhibition, Bonsai Society of the Central Coast, Erina Room Erina Fair, 9:00am to 4:00pm Cup cake decorating, face painting and sausage sizzle, Gosford Uniting Church, 10:00am to 12:30pm Comedy Night featuring Mikey Robins, The Entertainment Grounds, Gosford Racecourse Confluence, the meeting of paper and clay, ceramic vessels

by Nicola Coady, mixed media collages by Carol Gill, Art Studios Gallery, Mann St, North Gosford until March 19

Monday, Mar 13 Business and Professional Women Central Coast, International Candle Lighting Ceremony, guest speaker Jan Pryor from the Didi Foundation, Gosford Golf Club, 7:00pm, bookings essential

Wednesday, Mar 15 ATC Provincial Championships, the Entertainment Grounds Gosford

Brewhouse, Erina, 8:00pm Brisbane Water Historical Society Annual General meeting, Henry Kendall Cottage and Museum complex, West Gosford, 1:00pm

Sunday, Mar 19 Central Coast World Food Fair, Gosford Anglican Church Grounds, Mann St, Gosford 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Wednesday, Mar 22

The Mariners’ hard work paid off just before the break, when Fabio Ferreira unleashed on a deadly free kick from distance, that deflected and flew into the net.

Ferreira took matters into his own hands with a free-kick from about 30-yards-out after the ball was laid off to him, his right foot bullet, that was bound for goal, took a deflection and flew into Sorensen’s net.

That momentum carried into the second half, and the Mariners went level two minutes into the second stanza, where the Mariners levelled up through the second own goal of the match, after a cross flew off Ruon Tongyik’s boot past Sorensen.

After conceding an own goal of their own, parity was restored just minutes into the second half, when a cross flew off Ruon Tongyik to level the scores at two all.

After a fast-paced start to the second half, both sides settled and started to play possession based football, which tipped in the favour of the Mariners.

A mistake from the Mariners’ in-form goalkeeper, Paul Izzo, fell kindly to the feet of Fornaroli, who was brought down in attack by a pursuing Izzo, which was deemed to be a penalty.

Izzo was shown red for taking down Fornaroli in the box, who

had an open goal in his sights.

Necevski substituted on for the spot kick, but had no chance at the firm strike by Fornaroli.

The Uruguayan scored his 40th goal in his 50th appearance for City.

With just 10 men on the pitch, the Mariners gave it everything in the final 30 minutes of play, and went close on several occasions to snatching a point, but Sorensen was standing in the way.

First it was substitute, Josh Bingham, who was set up by another substitute in Trent Buhagiar.

The attacker shot from point blank with his first touch of the game, but the Danish keeper was positioned well to make a save.

The final 10 minutes saw wave after wave of Mariners’ attacks flood the Melbourne City box, but the away team did enough to hold onto their three points via their one goal lead.

“I thought we were tremendous tonight, even though we didn’t help the situation by conceding two goals from what were two of our own set pieces,” Okon said.

“From that perspective, it’s disappointing that we did that.

“It’s no surprise that on a few occasions this season we’ve come back from a goal or two behind, and tonight it was a performance that warranted more, but sometimes in football you don’t get it, which is disappointing.

“I’m not sure what the difference is between the Izzo incident [penalty] and the incident where Tongyik clearly fouls Connor Pain.

“One he decides is a penalty and one is play on, so that’s disappointing.

“The goal came from an obvious error, one we shouldn’t make.

“Is that the reason why we lost the game?

“Even after that, I think we still had some opportunities, we never gave up.

“There was that moment at the end where the ball ricocheted 10 times but just wouldn’t go in, and then the Josh Bingham opportunity, when he came on, in a move that we’ve worked on

when Trent cut back.

“I probably would have strained my hammy running 60 metres to celebrate with them again tonight, so maybe it was better that he didn’t score and I didn’t embarrass myself.

“I said to the players before the game, rewind 12 months to where this club was and look at where we are today.

“We had a good month in February, and we are going to try and work as hard as we can to try and make March an even better month.

“That result doesn’t define our season, we’re not approaching every game looking at the ladder.

“If we can perform, we’ve got a good chance of winning and we did that tonight.

“We will go to Sydney FC next Friday, face the potential Champions, and give them a game of football.

“I think we’ve matched up to every team this season, other than Wellington, who were the only team we weren’t at the races in all the games we’ve played them.

“We were really looking forward to this game, we hoped for a different ending, but I think if we didn’t concede that third goal from that incident, I thought we were really on top and dominated them.

“From where I am with my coach’s hat on – I look at where we started and where this team is now.

“Sure, we’ve had some bumpy moments, but if I invited you here tonight for the first time this season, you wouldn’t think we weren’t a top six side.

“That’s all we’ve ever wanted to do, is perform and give ourselves the best chance of winning games, and we did that tonight, so I’m proud of the players for their efforts but disappointed that they didn’t get a reward,” Okon said.

Media release, Mar 5, 2017 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners Photos: Noel Fisher

Natural Forms exhibition by Carolyn Griffiths and Karen Williams, Art Studios Gallery, Mann St, North Gosford until April 2

Thursday, Mar 16 Community Stalls in aid of children’s medical research institute, William Street Plaza, Gosford, 8:30am to 2:00pm

Friday, Mar 17 Understanding Anxiety Disorders workshop, Central Coast Leagues Club

Saturday, Mar 18 Ben Woodham, Davistown RSL, 6:30pm Mark n The Blues Trio, Foghorn

Saturday, Mar 25 Alive Plant Based Festival, Kibble Park, Gosford, from 10:00am The Rewbies, Avoca Beach Bowling Club, 7:30pm

Sunday, Mar 26 Avoca Beachside Markets, Heazlett Park Foreshore, Avoca Beach 9:00am to 2:00pm 5 lands Experience featuring the 5 Lands Band and Chad Wilkins, The Rhythm Hut, Faunce St, Gosford, from 5:00pm

From left: Nick Montgomery, Connor Pain and Storm Roux question penalty decision

PAGE 28 MARCH 9, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS ADULT SERVICES

Love & Lust Adult Shop 156 Mann St Gosford

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BUILDERS

All aspects of small building work and property maintenance

25 years building experience

4324 5569 0414 486 515 NSW Building Lic #215846c

ANTENNAS

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A Better Picture

MARKET TRADERS WANTED

Antenna & Digital Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas Gosford 4323 6367 Woy Woy 4344 4414 Warnervale 1800 244 456 0412 685 555

Opportunity to sell the Revolutionary

JACK BELT Great commission, All point of sale, stock and branding provided Check Out the Website www.jackbelt.com Call Cheryl 0418 979 035

Classifieds

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DANCE

PAINTER

PENINSULA SOCIAL DANCE

Painting Services

50+ learning centre Cnr Karingi St & Broken Bay Rd - Ettalong Beach

NEW DATES FOR 2017 1st Sunday 2 to 5pm 3rd Sunday 2 to 5pm $5pp Entry

Personal and Not For Profit Organisations As Central Coast Newspapers are community newspapers, the cost of advertising not for profit organisations’ events is subsidised. This makes them the same rate as non-business advertisements.

A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $40. Each additional cm costs $8 as does colour, and/or a photograph or a logo. Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

Business rates The minimum size of 5cm X a single column only costs $50 + GST in mono and an extra $8 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph, every two weeks. Most businesses choose to advertise on an ongoing basis and discounts apply for multiple bookings, if they are paid for in full, in advance.

Having an advertisement run for 3 months only costs $275 + GST, for 6 months it is $495 + GST, and for 12 months advertising, the total cost is only $940 + GST – Approximately $18 per week.

Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently.

• Residential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints

Free Quotes All work guaranteed

0410 404 664

enq 4342 7078 ELECTRICIAN

PLASTERERS

YOUR LOCAL

Your local plasterer

ELECTRICIAN Same day service Guaranteed Lighting, Power Points, Phone & Data, Fault Finding,

No job too small.

Seniors Discount.

Lic number 265652C

4308 6771 ENTERTAINMENT

Gyprock plasterboard, small jobs, walls, ceilings and cornices.

Over 30 year’s experience.

No jobs over $1,000.

Ph: Neville 0417 426 254

PLUMBER

YOUR LOCAL

advertising rates in print and on-line Classified advertising is the cheapest form of newspaper advertising. This newspaper is published on line on the night before publication date, and is read that way by hundreds of people. All advertisements, including these classified advertising pages, appear in full on-line as an additional benefit for free.

See www.CentralCoastNewspapers.com or www.

CentralCoastNews.net Central Coast Newspapers’ advertising rates are relatively much lower than in other newspapers and at the same time much larger than in other newspapers, with the minimum size being 50mm X 42mm. Approximately 16,000 copies of each newspaper are printed and distributed every fortnight.

Coast Community News also has a website especially designed for use on the latest mobile phones – www.CoastCommunityNews.com.au Classified advertisements in Coast Community News will also appear in a directory on that mobile website for free, with up to two live links to phones, websites, or email addresses for each advertisement. The mobile website has over 40,000 regular users and 10,000 unique readers every month.

Beaches closed for three days

BUCELLO’S

PLUMBER Same day service Guaranteed

The Troubadour Folk and Acoustic Music Club

SAT Mar 25 at 7pm Penny Davies and Roger Ilott CWA Hall Woy Woy Tickets 7PM $10/13/15

www.troubadour.org.au

4342 6716 FITNESS

Blocked drains, Leaking taps and toilets, Hot water and all aspects Of pluming drainage and gas fitting.

Real solu ons to real threats Krav Maga Proven to work

www.closecombat.com.au

KITCHENS

Quality Laminate Benchtops supplied and seconds for sale

R&J Benchtops Gosford

0456 884 545

S

As of March 8, North Avoca, Avoca, Copacabana, Macmasters, Killcare, Ocean and Umina Beaches are all closed.

Central Coast Council advised that these beaches, along with Soldiers Beach and The Entrance Beach, would be closed with rough 4-6 foot swells expected.

Council also advised the conditions were suited to experienced surfers only and that rock fishing was not recommended.

When announcing the closures, Council did not make mention of how conditions would affect The

Lic number 265652C

4346 4057

TILING

POSITIONS VACANT

WANTED: Cricket Bat Repair Man

Tiling Wall & Floor Property

XXX Total training provided XXX

Maintenance

Start immediately, with Australia’s

0439 589 426

largest specialist cricket store

homes2nv@gmail.com

(Assistance with moving to Sydney

TUITION - DANCE

Age is immaterial, we require a mature hardworking, motivated and honest person, willing to learn and be trained in the art of cricket bat repairs. Some experience with cricket would be an advantage, as well as using basic computer functions.

Contact Harry or Stuart on

02 9502 4533 SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

WARD SEPTICS SEPTIC TANK CLEANING SMALL PUMP OUT TRUCK GREAT PUMP OUT RATES *AND EVEN CHEAPER RATES FOR

YOU WITH A NEIGHBOUR

0438 315 514 www.septiccleaning.com.au

Komunity Project Central Coast Pro, the final leg of the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series, which was to kick off on March 8 and is slotted to conclude on the 12th.

Council have advised that it’s up to the organisers to decide each day on whether the event is to proceed.

Media release, Mar 8, 2017 Central Coast Council Media

TUITION - MUSIC

Learn to play harmonica at your own pace at my place or Skype at yours www.harmonicatom.com.au phone 02 4324 2801 email tom@tomflood.com.au $40 hr or $25 1/2 hr Skyperharp: pay by PayPal SPRINGFIELD, NSW

Woodwork or Cabinet Maker or Carpentry Machinist

could be considered)

Self Defence

ome beaches across the Coast have been closed for the third day running thanks to forecasted wet and wild conditions.

Gosford Scottish Country Dancers hold a intermediate class on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 pm at Wyoming It’s an excellent form of exercise which brings men, women and young people together socially, learning new and old dances in a very friendly relaxed atmosphere No experience or partner necessary All ages welcome Cost $7.00 per week Contact Janice on

4388 2253

Piano and keyboard tuition by fully qualified working professional Now accepting beginners to advanced students Draw upon 44 years local and international experience AMEB qualified teacher

Ph: 0418 450 981

WANTED TO BUY

CASH PAID for good quality Swords, Knives and War memorabilia.

For large collections home visit available Shop 12 - Ebbtide Mall 155 The Entrance Rd The Entrance

4333 8555

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Terrigal Avoca have appointed experienced midfielder, Mr Mark Skuse, as senior coach after Mr Chris Bishop stood down.

Mr Skuse, 31, joined the club from AFL Sydney club East Coast Eagles where, over a seven year

period, he played 22 NEAFL games and 64 Premier Division games.

He also played nine games for AFL Queensland club Aspley in 2010.

Mr Skuse said his coaching work with young players in Sydney, as well as a relocation to the Central Coast, had inspired him to take the player coach role. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with East Coast Eagles, however

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now that I am living at Umina, the opportunity to coach on the coast was too good to pass up,� he said.

Mr Skuse said he would continue with the successful game plan implemented by former coach, Mr Chris Bishop. “We will have the same core playing group as last year so I don’t expect to need to make too many changes apart from putting my stamp on a few things,� he said.

Terrigal Avoca will welcome back premiership players, Jayson Van Dam and Alastair Richardson, as well as three-time Elliott Davey Medallist, James Webster, and Brendan Harper, who are both returning from knee injuries.

Mr Skuse is the second former East Coast Eagles player to be coaching in the Black Diamond AFL, with Killarney Vale’s, Mr Scott Reed, also a former Eagles player.

Media release, March 2, 2017 Black Diamond AFL media More on page 31

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ulse Climbing Newcastle, the Hunter Valley’s only indoor rock climbing gym, has announced plans to open a gym in West Gosford.

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Plans were first announced in December 2016, when Pulse hosted a community barbecue and information night, and now concept plans for the facility, a bouldering gym, have been

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he Rotary Clubs of Erina and Gosford North will be holding the 17th annual Central Coast Century Challenge Cycle ride at the Mt Penang Parklands on Sunday, May 21.

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released to the public.

Pulse released the concept designs for the facility through their Facebook page as a sneak peek for things to come.

No other information regarding the facility or construction timelines were available through Pulse’s public channels.

If the project does bear fruit, it will be the Coast’s first ever bouldering gym, a type of indoor climbing gym distinguished by

the ride: the 100km ride, which takes the rider through a series of challenges through the Central Coast Hinterland; the 50km ride is less challenging; the 20km ride is for Families and is on quieter roads; and, the kids challenge will take place on the grounds of Mt Penang Parklands.

There will be drink and food

its lack of traditional climbing gym gear such as harnesses, karabiners and ropes, and simulates a free climb experience.

Climbers use climbing shoes and chalk to climb uninhibited in bouldering gyms, relying on their own skill and bouldering mats to prevent injury.

Website, Feb 8, 2016 Pulse Climbing Facebook page

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stops along the routes for riders and a free barbecue for all participants.

Registrations for the ride opened on February 1.

Media release, Jan 26, 2017 Annona Pearse, Rotary Club of Erina

The Shame File

Central Coast Newspapers has a very liberal credit policy for advertisers and realises that from time to time, people, businesses and organisations get into financial difficulty and may need assistance and time to get things back on track.

However, some people, businesses and organisations take advantage of this generosity they use advertising but simply don’t pay their account after several months and need to be taken to court to do so.

From time to time, as necessary, we will name these people, businesses or organisations as a warning to our readers so that they will be wary when dealing with them.

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PAGE 29 MARCH 9, 2017

Century Challenge Cycle ride to be held in May

There will be four events in

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Bouldering gym proposed for West Gosford

Mark Skuse appointed as senior coach at Terrigal Avoca new coach and some returning talent have Terrigal Avoca AFL club eyeing a successful season.

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Gosford

• Michelle Umback - 2 • Ezy Homes - Freddies Warehouse, Gosford Funky, Terrigal Central Plaza • Shelley Walker James Previously trading as • Thomas Trading Headmasters Hair Clinton, Design, Park Plaza as TMA Products & AthroBalm & Effective Gosford Business Solutions of • Jessica Davis - A1 Ettalong Cleaning Services, • Ashley’s Family Erina Restaurant, Gosford • Tony Fitzpatrick George Nouri trading as Futurtek • Decorative Fabrics & Roofing Furnishings - Steve • Inspire P/L trading McGinty as CUP Computers • Dean Lampard formerly of Gosford Trading as Lampard • Modern Asian Painting Cuisine, Victoria Street • Peter Rogers East Gosford Penrose Garden & • AAA Coastal Painting Aquarium - Erina Service, Greg Sutherland, North • Coast and Country Removalists - Gosford

PAGE 30 MARCH 9, 2017

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NSW Pro Surf Series final being held at Avoca Beach

Queen’s Baton Relay participants sought ocal legends are being called on to carry the Queen’s Baton across the Coast as it prepares to host the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR).

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The eyes of the Commonwealth will be on the Central Coast region from February 3, 2018, as the Baton journeys towards its final destination on the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Opening Ceremony on April 4.

A community nomination program opened on March 5 and offers the people of the Central Coast an exciting opportunity to carry the Baton in what is the longest QBR in history, at 388 days across every Commonwealth country.

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was delighted that the Coast was part of an event that would take it to the world.

“I encourage members of the community to nominate a local Pro Surfer and homegrown talent Wade Carmichael is one to watch in the Vissla Pro Avoca Beach which kicked off on March 8 Photo: World Surf League

voca Beach will become the backdrop for some of the world’s best surfers, when it hosts The Komunity Project Central Coast Pro, presented by Rockstar, from March 8-12.

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More than 200 of surfing’s most talented surfers will converge on Avoca Beach from the 8th to showcase their skills in what is shaping up to be challenging surf conditions.

With surfing elite on show, and impressive swells forecast,

Tide Chart

FORT DENISON LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000 Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

Time - Height(m) Add one hour to the times below when Daylight Saving is in force

0015 0.55 0642 1.72 THU 1324 0.37 1928 1.41

0113 0.48 0735 1.77 1411 0.32 2015 1.49

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0250 0.40 0333 0.39 0907 1.78 0947 1.73 SUN 1530 0.31 MON 1605 0.33 2136 1.58 2214 1.60

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0454 0.44 0533 0.49 1102 1.59 1139 1.50 WED 1709 0.44 THU 1739 0.50 2324 1.59 2359 1.57

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9

12

15 18 SAT

21 TUE

10 FRI

13

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SAT

TUE

FRI

0203 0.43 0823 1.79 1453 0.30 2057 1.54

the event is expected to attract major spectator attention and community support over the weekend.

Local favourites including Wade Carmichael will also feature, with home conditions and a home crowd a big incentive for a local to take out the title.

The exact location for competition along Avoca Beach will be dependent on daily swell conditions.

The five-day competition forms the fourth and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series.

The 2017 series has so far featured events at Maroubra Beach, Cabarita Beach, and Boomerang Beach.

Media release, Mar 8, 2017 Central Coast Council Media

legend whom you think deserves the honour of being a Batonbearer,” Mr Reynolds said.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay is not only a symbol of the Commonwealth Games, but an event that will connect the Central Coast with communities across Australia and the entire Commonwealth.

“The QBR celebrates community pride and shows us how important a role sport plays to build our great community.

“This is why we’ve chosen to embrace the Baton’s visit wholeheartedly and it means the Coast will play an important part in the largest multi-sport event to be staged in Australia in a decade,” Mr Reynolds said.

Setting off in Australia on December 25, the Baton will travel for 100 days and visit some 180 communities.

In a tradition dating back to 1958 in Cardiff, the Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty The Queen through the entire Commonwealth.

The Games are declared

number of sporting projects across the Central Coast have received over $50,000 in funding as part of the 2016/17 Local Sports Grant Program.

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Among the recipients are the Central Coast Baseball Association who will the use the funding to upgrade two Dugouts and provide storage for the players on game day.

Gosford City Basketball and

Sports Stadium will upgrade their audio system.

Saratoga Sailing Club will use the funds for their future regatta and upgrades to their website.

Terrigal Rugby club are to make improvements at the oval and to host a Foundation Course for both Coaches and Referees.

Terrigal Wamberal Little Athletics Club will use it for equipment upgrades to cater for increased numbers and storage facilities.

Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, said the aim of the funding

0414 0.41 1026 1.67 1638 0.38 2249 1.60 0615 0.54 1216 1.41 1812 0.56

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0309 1.43 0417 1.44 0522 1.49 1001 0.68 1111 0.65 1208 0.58 1558 1.17 WED 1713 1.20 THU 1813 1.27 2139 0.77 2251 0.75 2353 0.69

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APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min

In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Central Coast Council Media

Sports organisations receive grants

0036 1.54 0118 1.50 0208 1.46 0700 0.59 0751 0.64 0852 0.68 1257 1.33 SUN 1345 1.25 MON 1445 1.19 1847 0.63 1931 0.69 2029 0.75

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officially open when the message is read aloud.

In just eight days, the Baton will start its global journey at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, March 13.

It will travel through every Commonwealth nation and territory on its way to Australia.

Residents are urged to nominate someone who has achieved something extraordinary or who has inspired others to achieve something great, or who has made a significant contribution to sport, education, the arts or charity within their community.

Nominations close on May 15.

Nominees must be 10 years old or older, as of December 25, and must be an Australian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Relay period.

Across Australia, approximately 3,800 baton bearers are needed to share the dream of the ‘friendly Games’ as part of the QBR.

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED

is to increase regular and ongoing participation opportunities in sport and active recreation.

“Sport is a huge part of our way of life, especially on the Central Coast, and the NSW Government recognises how important it is to our communities, for both social and health reasons,” Mr Crouch said.

Media release, Mar 3, 2017 Adam Crouch Member for Terrigal

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Chris Bishop stands down as senior coach fter nine years at the helm, premiership winning Coach, Chris Bishop, has stood down as senior coach of Terrigal Avoca AFL club.

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Bishop cited increasing personal commitments as well as the opportunity to take up other coaching opportunities as the reason for his decision.

“Time has become a real issue, with a new baby and new job, as well as still running my business and coaching commitments with the Swans Academy,’ Bishop said.

“In the end, I realised that I could not put in the 20 or more hours a week required to coach a Black Diamond Cup side” he said.

“I have also been offered an opportunity to be involved with the Sydney Swans Reserve Grade

side, as well as other Talent Programs which I would not be able to take advantage off if I was a senior coach.

“It is something I have been talking to the club about for some time and I am appreciative of their support of my decision.”

Bishop will leave a legacy with the Panthers, having coached the club to three premierships, five Grand Finals and eight finals appearances in his nine seasons in charge.

Terrigal Avoca Secretary, Ryan Weber, said that Bishop has made a significant contribution to the club.

“It is fair to say that the club was struggling when ‘Bish’ joined, however he and Chris Aitken (President) set about changing the club and built it into the strength it is today,” Weber said.

The 33 year will not be lost

to the club however, as he has agreed to take on the lesser role of Director of Coaching, which will see him mentor coaches from Auskick through to seniors.

“I will not be walking away from the club as I love the club, and have invested a significant amount of time into it.

“This decision just means that I won’t have to be at every training session or for the whole of a Matchday,” Bishop said.

“I also want to continue playing for as long as I can.”

Bishop will continue in his role as BDAFL Representative Coach.

Terrigal Avoca expect to be in a position to name a new coach in a week.

Media release, Feb 24, 2017 Ryan Weber, Terrigal Avoca AFL Club

Izzo banned for one match entral Coast Mariners’ Goalkeeper, Paul Izzo, received a one-match ban following an incident in the Mariners’ home game against Melbourne City on Sunday, March 5.

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The independent Match Review Panel (MRP), consisting of Simon Micallef (Chair), Alan Davidson, and Alan Contini, convened on Monday, March 6, to consider the incident from Round 22 of the A-League 2016/17 season.

The incident involving Paul Izzo arose in or around the 62nd minute of Central Coast Mariners’ match against Melbourne City FC. The MRP had the authority to consider the incident as Izzo was expelled from the match by the Referee.

The MRP determined that Izzo committed the offence of “Denying the opposing team an obvious

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Junior representative rugby league teams continue their winning ways

Erina centre, Corey Fenning, leaves a trail of Bears during the round 3 Matthews Cup clash Photos: Andrew Stark

he Central Coast junior representative rugby league teams continued their bright start to the season with hard fought wins recorded against the Western Sydney Academy in both the Matthews and SG Ball Cup competitions.

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The round four games were played in wet conditions at St Marys on the first Saturday of March, with the under-16s

notching a 24 to 14 win before the under-18s followed suit, prevailing 30 to 24.

Both sides remained undefeated, with the Coast’s Matthews Cup side having battled hard to overcome a tenacious Bears outfit in their first home game played a week earlier at Kanwal.

The opening round in this season’s Country Championships was held at Coffs Harbour on March 4 with the Central Coast teams experiencing mixed results.

The Roosters’ under-18s prevailed in a see-sawing battle

against the East Coast Dolphins 44 to 36, having trailed by a dozen after 10 minutes.

The Roosters managed to forge their way to a handsome 44 to 12 lead just after halftime before being forced to withstand a concerted comeback from their opponents.

The under-16s were sadly never in the hunt against the Dolphins, going down 54 to 0.

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Andrew Stark, Gosford Kariong Storm Rugby League Football Club

Paul Izzo and Fornaroli in the red card incident

goal-scoring opportunity”.

The MRP proposed a sanction of one match (the Mandatory Match Suspension), being the Minimum Sanction for the offence.

PAGE 31 MARCH 9, 2017

Media release, Mar 6, 2017 Football Federation Australia Media Photo: Noel Fisher Kincumber forward Ryan Shaw charges into the Bears defence

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