8 OCTOBER 2021
ISSUE 313
Yarn Bomb project aims to help end violence
News
Residents will have their chance to learn more and ask questions about State Government plans to rejuvenate Peat Island and Mooney Mooney at a series of community information webinars. See page 3
Out&About
Heavyweights of the Australian and international music scene will lend their support to Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) Day on October 15. See page 17
Knitters and crocheters across the Central Coast have been hard at work during lockdown preparing for a vibrant installation set to take pride of place at Terrigal from November 19 to December 17.
Health
See page 17 Soroptimist International Brisbane Water is one group contributing to the project
Executives not listed to appear at Public Inquiry The Commissioner of the Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council intends to interview some witnesses in private and it is still unclear if some senior Council staff will be interviewed at all. The office of the Commissioner has released a list of witnesses for the Public Inquiry but none of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) at the time the crisis occurred is on the list. Resident Kevin Brooks received the list and an email from the Commissioner’s Office that said: “The witness list does not include persons from whom the Commissioner will
hear in private.” It said the witness list was a matter for the Commissioner, Roslyn McCulloch, and was signed by her assistant officer. Brooks said this seemed to continue the theme of a “not so public” inquiry. “Why are some witnesses being allowed to provide their testimony in secret despite this being a ‘public’ inquiry,” he said. “First the submissions aren’t made public, then the video link doesn’t work, and now we learn some testimony will be given in secret – whilst current executives in posts at the time won’t face any public questions at all.
“No wonder 22,400 petitioned for a genuinely independent judicial inquiry rather than this State Government alternative.” Brooks said the list contains past executives who left before the crisis and also executives who joined after the crisis. These include current Administrator Rik Hart, CEO David Farmer and CFO Natalia Cowley. But executives who were at Council at the time of the crisis and are still at Council are not on the list. “You have to wonder if Council executives who kept their jobs despite the financial collapse have now been declared some
sort of protected species,” Brooks said. “These executives were responsible for managing budgets in their own departments. “They were responsible for providing reports and recommendations to the governing body. “And they were part of a collective leadership team. “How can they not have questions to answer at this inquiry?” The Office of the Commissioner said in exceptional circumstances, the Commissioner may exercise her discretion to hear oral
submissions from a person wishing to make such submissions in confidence. During Day Three, the Commissioner said on the livestream that “Pursuant to my discretion under section 12B of the Royal Commissions Act,” some witnesses would give evidence in private. “I make decisions about those matters having regard to the particular circumstances of the witnesses and the impact that their giving of evidence might have on their current or future employment, on their mental health or other factors such as that,” she said. Continued page 4
October is Mental Health Month and Central Coast Council has pulled together a program of online courses and activities to get residents to reflect on their mental wellbeing. See page 31
Sport
Storm Roux has re-joined the Central Coast Mariners on a oneyear deal after spending three years with Melbourne Victory. See page 39
Puzzles page 22
It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.
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