30 OCTOBER 2020
ISSUE 266
News
NorthConnex to open this weekend
Central Coast residents are warned that the region is likely to experience a funnelweb spider spike, with recent rains followed by hot days having provided perfect conditions. See page 3
Out&About
After months of waiting, Central Coast motorists will be relieved to hear that the time-saving NorthConnex tunnel will be open to drivers from October 31. Commuters have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the $3B mega-project which will reduce travel times to Sydney by up to 15 minutes and allow them to avoid 21 sets of traffic lights along Pennant Hills Rd. More than 17,000 people have been involved in delivering NorthConnex since major construction began. Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said NorthConnex is designed to the highest safety standards, built and fitted with
the latest technology to keep drivers safe. “NorthConnex is Australia’s deepest road tunnel, reaching 90 metres underground at its lowest point,” Wicks said. “With construction complete, the final commissioning has almost wrapped up, with more than 50,000 tests and checks done so far to ensure the motorway is ready to open. “This is one of the most significant and eagerly anticipated road infrastructure projects ever delivered in Australia. “It has not only provided thousands of jobs during construction, but it will change the way people commute to and from work each day.” NorthConnex will be the first road tunnel in Australia to
include innovative lighting features, including trees, starscapes and birds, aimed at keeping drivers engaged. The opening will see up to 5,000 trucks a day removed from Pennant Hills Rd, regularly voted one of the most congested roads in NSW, Wicks said. Meanwhile, NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay is calling on Liberal MPs who represent the suburbs slugged hardest by tolls on the new tunnels, including Member for Terrigal and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, to explain why they didn’t support a Labor bill calling for a toll-free period. NorthConnex is set to cost cars $7.99 and trucks $23.97 each way, with no alternative route available to truck drivers.
“Sydney’s growing toll network is the most expensive and extensive in the world,” McKay said. “Tolls are a heavy burden for both commuters and the transport industry during a recession. “Workers, families and businesses are all struggling.” Shadow Roads Minister John Graham said a toll-free period would have given “muchneeded relief in a recession” and helped drivers adapt to the new route, reducing the risk of dangerous, last-minute lane changes. But Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said NorthConnex would transform travel between the Central Coast and Sydney and motorists will
always have a choice to use the new tunnel or continue using Pennant Hills Rd. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said NorthConnex would be tolled when it opens, consistent with the opening of the New M4 Tunnels and the M8. The spokesperson said owners of privately registered vehicles who spend an average of $25 a week over a year on tolls are entitled to free registration, drivers who spend an average of $15 a week over a year are entitled to half price registration and drivers towing caravans, boats and horse floats could be eligible for cheaper tolls.
Following the shock resignation on October 26 of Councillors Troy Marquart and Rebecca Gale, the remaining 13 councillors fine-tuned a submission to the Minister on why they should not be suspended, lodging it on October 28. The Minister had issued
councillors with a notice of her intention to suspend them and install a temporary administrator last week in the wake of revelations about the Council’s dire financial situation, giving them seven days to lodge a submission to appeal the move. “The future of our democratically elected local representatives is now in the hands of the Minister,” Mayor Lisa Matthews said on Wednesday. “I can only hope the Minister gives careful consideration to this submission, and factors into her decision-making
process the fundamental importance of community representation at a local level. “Now that the submission has been formally received, I once again would welcome a meeting with the Minister to provide a status update on our 100 Day Recovery Action Plan.” Council’s cash crisis first came to light on October 6, when it was revealed it was headed towards an $89M deficit, estimated by Cr Greg Best to be more in the order of $200M. As the situation worsened, Council announced last week it
would not have enough money to meet staff payroll, with the Minister granting $6.2M to pay staff and clear other outstanding debts. In their submission to the Minister, councillors emphasised significant challenges over the past year including bushfires, natural disasters and COVID, all of which they said had caused unprecedented challenges for Council including a significant strain on Council’s finances. They also cited ongoing costs arising from the 2016 merger of the former Gosford and Wyong
See page 19
Business
Terry Collins
A new shop and warehouse at Kincumber will offer employment for people with disability...
The waiting game Central Coast councillors are playing the waiting game, with a decision from Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock on whether or not they will be suspended expected any day.
Central Coast uni student Kyrah Brock-Fenton got to watch herself in her first TV acting role on October 26.
See page 27
councils. “In order to directly address these challenges, early in 2020 Council engaged consultants Grant Thornton Australia to plan and advise on managing these impacts,” the submission says. It goes on to outline measures which have been taken to mitigate the financial crisis including engaging KPMG to undertake a forensic audit, actively liaising with the Office of Local Government and working with management, staff and advisers to address the situation. Continued page 4
Sport
What a season of road racing it’s been – events cancelled, state championships rescheduled twice and on the eve of these state championships. See page 40
Puzzles page 22
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