2 JULY 2021
ISSUE 299
Vaccine in short supply
News
Central Coast Council has temporarily closed a number of its facilities but will continue to deliver all essential services ... See page 3
Out&About
There’s at least a month’s wait for the Pfizer COVID vaccine on the Central Coast for younger residents, with one of the main local clinics booked out until August. See page 6
Coast Shelter is appealing to residents to sleep rough on August 6 to help provide safe accommodation for someone experiencing domestic or family violence. See page 17
Health
Photo taken prior to most recent mask-wearing mandate
Council supports Metro West Tunnel sand being used for Wamberal Beach nourishment A proposal to “nourish” Wamberal Beach using sand from the Sydney Metro West Tunnel project has been given in-principle support by Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart. “This sounds like a really good idea but cost I suspect is going to be an issue,” Mr Hart said at the June 29 Council meeting. Council’s Planning and Environment Director, Scott Cox, said crushed sandstone from the Metro West Tunnel “potentially could be delivered to three local government areas” including the Central Coast. “The report we are putting forward tonight is an opt-in, in-principle approach subject
to environmental approvals,” Cox said. He said Transport for NSW was currently reviewing tenders and assessing whether the proposal would be commercially feasible. Hart said the plan would not proceed without it coming back to Council pending environmental and cost considerations. Council will now write to the Transport and Local Government ministers expressing in-principle support to participate in the beach nourishment opportunity for Wamberal. Council will request the NSW Government partner with it to obtain approvals. The proposal will not go ahead unless Council receives written confirmation that at
least half of all costs associated with design and approval will be met by the NSW Government. The NSW Government will also need to make staff resources and departmental assistance available to prepare all necessary approvals. Once those milestones are met the Administrator resolved that staff will need to complete more detailed impact assessments, consult with stakeholders and the local community and obtain necessary approvals. Chief Executive Officer, David Farmer, has been given delegated power to enter into any agreements with the NSW Government (including Transport for NSW) to facilitate the investigations and approvals. Continued page 8
With around 4,000 aged care workers on the Central Coast, the Health Services Union (HSU) is urging the Federal Government to ensure they have paid leave... See page 31
Sport
Over 100 students from across the Coast visited Peninsula Leisure Centre recentlhy... See page 39
Puzzles page 22
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