29 MAY 2020
ISSUE 244
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
The driftwood is getting bigger
News
After weeks of dodging questions on the issue, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a 12 month wage freeze. See page 5
Editorial
We’re used to finding driftwood on Central Coast beaches, but early risers at Birdie Beach on Wednesday (May 27) were surprised to find five 40-foot shipping container washed up on shore. Photo: NBN News The containers at Birdie Beach
Elsewhere along the Coast, from Budgewoi to Sydney’s Northern Beaches, packets of medical masks and other medical supplies have also discovered. The culprit is believed to be the cargo ship, APL England, which is reported to have lost a portion of its load overboard in rough seas off Cronulla last Sunday night. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed on
Wednesday the APL England had lost 40 containers and that 74 other containers were also damaged in the incident but remained collapsed on deck. The ship is now docked in the Port of Brisbane while the AMSA and Australian Transport Bureau investigate. AMSA General Manager of Operations, Allan Schwartz, said initial indications were that the affected stacks contained a wide range of goods like
household appliances, building materials and medical supplies. “No dangerous goods appear to be in the areas affected by the collapse of container stacks and AMSA is working closely with the ship’s cargo agent to confirm exactly which containers went overboard,” Schwartz said. “We have received a report of some medical supplies washing up around the Central Coast and this information has been passed onto NSW Maritime.
“These correlate to drift modelling of debris and are consistent with items listed on the ship’s cargo manifest. “Modelling suggests that debris such as this could continue to wash-up over the coming days,” Schwartz said. Under the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies, the NSW Government is responsible for leading the response for any ensuing shoreline clean ups
within its borders. NSW Maritime Acting Executive Director, Alex Barrell, said Transport for NSW would lead the onshore clean up and that councils in affected areas have been given advice about what they need to do if containers or debris wash ashore.
In acknowledging National Sorry Day on May 26, Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said it was an opportunity for the community to reflect and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the stolen generations. “The stolen generations are those Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people who were separated from their families as children,” Vaughan said. To mark National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week, and given current COVID-19 restrictions, Council has installed street flags celebrating artworks developed by local schools through the Maliga program. “The flags are currently displayed in The Entrance, Toukley and Long Jetty and will also be installed along Tuggerah Straight in June,” Vaughan said. Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews said the historic tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report 23 years ago has meant greater awareness and
See page 16
Out&About
Source: Media statement, May 24-26 AMSA Media Media statement, May 25 NSW Maritime Media
Street flags and artwork to mark Sorry Day Central Coast Council has urged residents to pause, reflect and celebrate the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture during National Reconciliation Week, which continues until June 3.
When the town of Braidwood, near Canberra, lost its local newspaper, some residents asked a very simple journalistic question: “How are we going to know who’s died?”
understanding of the issues impacting the stolen generations, many of whom belong to the Central Coast community. “The first National Sorry Day was held on May 26, 1998, to commemorate the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report in Federal parliament, and it was this report that formally recognised the stories of the stolen generations,” Cr Mathews said. “It is important we continue to acknowledge moments of significance for members of our community. Source: Media release, May 26 Central Coast Council
After its successful Anzac Day performance at Central Coast Stadium, Coast Opera Australia (COA) will once again take over the Stadium featuring Disney to Diva. See page 17
Business
The lifting of travel restrictions on June 1 could just be the kickstart the Central Coast needs to restart its economy, according to Business NSW Central Coast. See page 25
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