6 MARCH 2020
ISSUE 232
YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS
News
Koala Kindy
Controversy rages over roadworks expenditure on the Central Coast pledged prior to the 2019 Federal Election. See page 3
News
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has reminded residents that online grocery delivery services are available. See page 6
Business
Erica Johnstone with one of the birthday joeys
The Australian Reptile park is celebrating seven of the world’s cutest animals, as a swathe of koala joeys turn one. Affectionately dubbed the Lucky Seven in 2019 after being bred into the Park’s
breeding program, the seven koala joeys have all been named after various Disney characters by their keepers. The joeys’ high social media profile has made them ambassadors for the koala species and raising awareness.
Koalas are thought to be on track to become completely extinct by 2050, with their numbers plummeting by a third between 1990 and 2010 due to habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, cars and dogs.
The Park’s Mammal Keeper, Erica Johnstone, said staff were excited that the koala joeys were all growing up to be “healthy, happy individuals with unique personalities that are a part of an important breeding program here at the Australian Reptile Park”.
Following their eucalyptus leaf party, the joeys napped in their favourite spots for eighteen hours, as is customary for koalas after a big day. Source: Media release, Mar 4 Australian Reptile Park
Brown water safety concerns
Central Coast Council finished last financial year with a budget surplus of $62.4M, $14.9M more than it had budgeted for ($48.5M) See page 14 Woy Woy Philosophy Society
Many people who have been suffering with brown water coming out of their taps for weeks in various areas of the region, are not convinced by assurances from Central Coast Council that the water is safe to drink, despite its colour. Ratepayers from Point Clare to the Peninsula, Empire Bay and Killcare Heights, have reported muddy looking water pouring from the taps inside their homes, with numerous accounts on social media of
water not being fit to bathe or wash clothes in. Killcare Heights resident, Sharon McEvoy, is convinced that drinking the brownish water over recent weeks resulted in “the worst case of diarrhoea I have ever experienced”. “About a fortnight ago, I started to get really sick with diarrhoea and battled it for a week before going to the doctor, who conducted some tests,” she said. “He said tests had revealed aeromonas in my system and
that this usually resulted from contaminated water. “I was so weak I couldn’t even climb the stairs in my home without having to sit down at the top,” she said. “When you pour a glass of water, the discolouration isn’t as apparent, but when you fill a bathtub or handbasin, you can see how brown it is.” Since visiting the doctor, McEvoy has been only drinking bottled water. Continued P4
A Prince Among Men and women too of course
What a comedy of errors. It all started with Boof’s winning goal for the Mariners last week and ended with him being elected to Council. See page 33
Puzzles page 26
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