4 DECEMBER 2020
ISSUE 271
Budget black hole • Central Coast Council has racked up a massive $565M debt since 2017 and is looking at a deficit this year alone of $115M.
News
With the new $10M Leagues Club Field regional play space set to open to the public during summer, work is well underway on installing sandstone animal islands in the park. See page 4
• Administrator Dick Persson will seek a three-month extension of his original three-month term.
Out&About
• The contract of CEO Gary Murphy had been terminated. • Council will start selling off assets, with the first list of proposed sale sites now available.
A friendship established with a customer while she was working as a door greeter at Kmart... See page 17
• Other mitigation measures will include further borrowings, an increase in some Council charges and huge staff cuts which will see more than 200 go.
Education
Full report, pages 6-7
Reg the seal hauls out on Forresters Beach NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has urged beach-goers to keep their distance from a large Australian fur seal which has been spotted sunbaking at Forresters Beach over the past week. The bull seal was attacked by a dog at Long Reef north of Sydney early in November and has been trying out a few beaches heading north ever since. Ronny Ling from Central Coast Dolphin Project said NPWS had been following the movements of the seal, nicknamed Reg because of his tendency to regulate his temperature by warming up when he hauls onto the sand, by putting his flipper in the air. “He is identifiable by the big notch which has been taken out of his front
flipper,” Ling said. “He also has a small injury on his chin.” Ling said it was important to give the seal space and not walk in between the seal and the water, as that is his escape route and he may feel threatened. People must keep back at least 40 metres from the seal, not walk between the seal and the water and keep their dogs on-leash. They are also urged not to attempt to feed Reg. But residents are urged to report a sick, injured or distressed seal to NPWS on 13000 PARKS (1300 072 757) or ORRCA on (02) 9415 3333. Source: Media releases, Nov 28 NPWS and Central Coast Dolphin Project
Nathan Walker and his friends have raised $10,000 for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, after holding their second Smeethy Cup in honour of a friend who has passed away. See page 35
Sport
Jono Cooper once again showed his power and class to take out the Open Men’s Single final of the Gosford Tennis Club (GTC) 2020 Open Club Championships in a strong field of 44 players. See page 40
Puzzles page 22
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