23 APRIL 2021
ISSUE 289
Local HERO fuels low-emission future
ANZAC
Avoca locals are encouraged to head to Chapman Cres at 10am this Anzac Day to support 97-year-old John Bartlett, who will be doing his own march as he cannot do the one in Sydney. See pages 12-13
Out&About
Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre and Fixx Events will host a series of drug and alcohol-free music events for youth called MAKE WAY, giving them a safe space to go out and have fun with friends. See page 17
Business Central Coast hydrogen R&D company, Star Scientific, hosted Prime Minister Scott Morrison on April 21, where he committed half a billion dollars to hydrogen development and Carbon, Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) in next month's federal budget. Morrison said he will allocate $275m to create four more
hydrogen hubs in regional Australia and the other $267m to carbon capture, utilisation, and storage projects, also known as carbon sequestration. Morrison said the development of hydrogen is one of the main elements of energy technology that is essential for Australia's future. "I want Australia and hydrogen technology to be synonymous around the
world," Morrison said. "It is essential we position Australia to succeed by investing now in the technologies that will support our industries into the future, with lower emissions energy that can support Australian jobs." Star Scientific has developed their Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser (HERO) technology to produce unlimited, affordable, safe and reliable
energy with zero emissions by converting hydrogen and oxygen into heat and water, without degrading the catalyst. Star Scientific Global Group Chairman, Andrew Horvath, said HERO is revolutionary in reducing emissions in the future. "Hydrogen is now, hydrogen will be the future fuel, it's inexhaustible, it will dramatically drop in price, and it will become the base fuel of
the planet." Star Scientific recently won the 2020 Global Energy Awards' Emerging Technology of the Year category. When asked specifically how much of the $500m will go to the Central Coast, the Prime Minister was vague and said it would be allocated 'Australia wide'. Jacinta Counihan
See page 29
Sport
Minister rules out ‘judicial’ inquiry Should the 13 suspended councillors be allowed to return to duties at the end of April until the September election?
YES
90.6% 8.8%
NO UNSURE
With a decision on the future of Central Coast Council expected to be handed down within days, Local Government Minister, Shelley Hancock, has ruled out a judicial inquiry into the Council’s financial woes. A period of administration was instituted by Hancock last October for a three-month period following revelations of Council’s dire financial situation and was subsequently extended by another three
A proposal under consideration by the Department of Planning for two huge advertising signs at the north side of the Brian McGowan Bridge on the Central Coast Hwy has drawn the ire of nearby residents.
months. She suspended the 13 councillors (Councillors Troy Marquart and Rebecca Gale having resigned days earlier) and appointed Administrator Dick Persson. The period of administration ends on April 29, with Hancock to decide on what happens next prior to that date. Hancock said ordering a judicial inquiry, as requested in an e-petition signed by more Continued page 10
The Mariners A-League season hangs in the balance ahead of a crunch match this weekend against rivals Sydney FC (April 24) at Central Coast Stadium. See page 39
Puzzles page 22
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