9 APRIL 2021
ISSUE 287
News
Activists from the Animal Justice Party were outside Gosford Showground on April 2 to protest against the Camel Races, calling them a “blatant display of animal cruelty”. See page 10
Out&About
Red sails in the (Gosford) sunset
Visitors were excited to see superstars Frankie and Tim Tam the kangaroo joeys become the best of friends. See page 17
After more than 40 years, the annual Red Pumps sponsored Australian 13ft and 16ft Skiff Championship races returned to Gosford Sailing Club throughout the Easter weekend break.
Business
See page 37 Photo: Mark Ferris
Hoons frustrate Somersby business owners Business owners in the Somersby Industrial Estate are fed up with hoons using the area as a racetrack after hours and on weekends and will look into installing an LPR (License Plate Recognition) camera system in an effort to catch the offenders in the act. A spokesperson for a group of 12 business owners in the area said police were aware of the illegal activity and were reviewing complaints, with business owners in fear of damage to their properties. “The streets most affected are Pinnacle Place, Pile Rd, Sailfind Place and Warringah Close,” the spokesperson said. “We are fed up with these hoons doing burnouts, drifting and other dangerous driving manoeuvres on the weekends especially when it rains.” The spokesperson said on
Pinnacle Place, Somersby, following one of the incidents
March 19 a group of around 20 cars tore up the area for two and a half hours from 9.30pm until midnight and although business owners were able to catch some of the activity on video, capturing licence plate numbers was difficult. “The hoons conduct burnouts, drift in circles, leaving rubber burns on the roadways, and have look-out cars on site,” the spokesperson said.
“We are calling on the police to crack down on this illegal activity in Somersby. “This has been going on for a couple of years. “I had to attend my property one evening because the automatic gates were not working but there was no way I was going to go in there at midnight. “One of the cars ended up in the driveway of one property.
“People are in fear for their properties and they’re afraid to attend their own premises after hours. “Up to 20 groups can be there, blocking parts of the road and rubber from the tyres is left strewn across the streets.” Inspector Dave Prevett from Central Coast Highway Patrol said both Brisbane Water Police and the highway patrol were
aware of incidents of burnouts and hoon activity in the industrial estate. “We have increased patrols in the area and will continue to continue to monitor CCTV footage,” he said. “We ask any drivers who may have dash cam footage of offences committed to come forward; this may assist in identifying individual vehicles. “There are also other options available to us in relation to covert surveillance. “We have had some success at other locations through (the use of) video footage through CCTV at premises and from members of the public; we have had some convictions in those spaces.” Insp Prevett said that as patrols step up in the area, police were asking people to continue to report illegal activity as it occurs. Terry Collins
Patients, family members and staff at Gosford Hospital’s Children’s Ward received a special Easter treat on March 31. See page 33
Sport
An intense match up at Bankwest Stadium between the Western Sydney Warriors and Central Coast Mariners has ended in a 2 – 2 draw after an absorbing contest with very few quiet moments. See page 39
Puzzles page 22
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