12 JUNE 2020
ISSUE 246
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
Twice in four days emergency rescue teams were called to save people from the rocks below Crackneck Lookout in Wyrrabalong National Park, Bateau Bay. See page 13
Editorial
Black Lives Matter movement supported on the Coast Over 400 Central Coast people came together to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement which has swept Australia and the globe in a peaceful protest at Wyong on June 6. Tens of thousands of people in capital cities and towns across the nation defied pleas from the Prime Minister and NSW Premier to stay away, amid fear that the large gatherings
P O T S SS! PRE
could cause a new outbreak of the coronavirus. The peaceful march and protest on Darkinjung country in Wyong was organised by Barang Regional Alliance to voice opposition to police brutality and to remember and honour the 432 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody ended in 1991. John McKenzie of Pretty Beach, who was Principal Solicitor for the Royal Commission, has spent his career seeking social justice for the Aboriginal people.
He is still bitterly disappointed that most of the recommendations coming out of the commission fell on deaf ears. “It is an issue very close to my heart and probably one of the major frustrations of my career is that the great bulk of the recommendations have been ignored in practice by governments since,” he said. “My main role was interviewing witnesses and families and what became patently clear the more we looked into deaths, was the incredibly complex waterfall of ways the system defines itself. “One of the fundamental
things we found was that imprisonment should be the last resort; crimes such as public drunkenness offensive language should never result in imprisonment. “But governments have felt the lobby from other pressure points not to go down that path.” McKenzie said there was a slightly different dynamic in Australia. “Not only is there a racial difference but the Aboriginal people are unique in that they are the original occupiers of this land,” he said. “We need a far greater real appreciation that this country
of ours is undeniably connected to the whole Aboriginal sense of spiritualism and how human beings should live. “I am adamant that we have more to learn from them than they have to learn from us. “That should be our approach going into the future.” McKenzie said of particular concern was the recent destruction of Aboriginal caves in Western Australia by a mining company. “This represents the lip service we pay to heritage” he said. Continued page 8
In breaking news, Central Coast food courts will reopen on June 13, along with others in the state, as the NSW Government continues to ease social distancing restrictions -see page 9
Asquith said the trail would be a drawcard for school, students, residents and visitors alike and a welcome tourism boost. “It’s all about improving our public assets,” he said. “The track would be about 2km in length, starting at the
Marine Centre. “It would hold as many educational aspects as possible, giving people a firsthand look at how water testing is conducted and at the plants and vegetation around the lagoon.” Asquith said funding was secured through the State Government’s Restart NSW program, with $1M granted for improvements at the Marine Centre and $500,000 for the trail, which is being matched by Central Coast Council.
See page 16
Out&About
The Australian Reptile Park has broken the record for the most coastal taipan raw venom from a single yield. See page 17
Business
Proposal for Terrigal Lagoon walking trail A 2km walking trail planned around Terrigal Lagoon will be a “wonderful thing for the Coast”, says Marine Discovery Centre Chairman and General Manager, John Asquith.
The superannuation industry will play a key role in Australia’s economic recovery, according to Greg Combet, who also expects the legislated increase to raise the Super Guarantee to 12% will go ahead
“We envisage it would include a water-watch platform and be made of crisscrossed plastics which would be elevated so as to make a light impact, although it is Council which will come up with the design,” he said. Asquith said there were up to 65 bird species which would also be able to be observed from the trail. Council is inviting community feedback on features which could potentially be included. Continued page 6
Busways is now powering its Kincumber bus depot with renewable energy to further reduce its carbon footprint and deliver a clean, sustainable future. See page 25
Puzzles page 23
Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au