21 JANUARY 2022
ISSUE 326
News
Tuesday night’s semi-final clash ended with a 1-0 win for the Central Coast Mariners over Sydney FC, putting the boys in yellow into their very first FFA Cup Grand Final.
Mighty Mariners put Sydney to the sword
Residents who use childcare centres, sports grounds and public pools and businesses which provide outdoor dining are to be slugged under a raft of increased fees and charges See page 3
Out&About
He might not actually be the Piano Man, but he’s the next best thing. See page 13
Business
See page 32 Marcos Ureña scores the winning goal to put the Mariners into the FFA Cup Grand Final
Rapid test shortages continue Despite assurances from both the NSW and Federal Governments that more are on their way, the chronic shortage of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) continued on the Central Coast this week, with pharmacies and supermarkets yet to receive promised supplies. Huge lines are still forming whenever word spreads that an outlet has received a supply. On the weekend, dozens of people joined the queue when it became known Bensville Pharmacy had a stock of RATs,
with supplies quickly depleted. It’s a story told by outlets all over the region. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said she was furious over the ongoing shortage. “It is absolutely ridiculous that we are living in the 21st Century yet we cannot get a PCR or RAT test,” she said. “Other countries have managed to handle their outbreaks well, facilitating the delivery of free tests to households and ensuring people could test from home. “There’s no excuse for NSW’s
and Australia’s current situation – we should have been equipped to deal with this.” With the shortage tipped by some to last into February, Tesch said an additional concern is that potentially COVID positive community members are travelling between numerous pharmacies, supermarkets and service stations trying to source a RAT. “This could be perpetuating the spread of COVID-19 and is something the government should be proactive in
preventing,” she said. As the push for residents to take RATs instead of clogging up PCR queues at testing clinics intensifies, neither the State Government nor the Federal Government was able to give CCN a firm answer this week on when more supplies would arrive. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the State Government had already successfully procured more than 50 million RATs. “The NSW Government’s
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) distribution strategy is focused on keeping essential government services open, helping our kids get back to school and providing support to members of our community atrisk of serious illness due COVID-19 or experiencing significant disadvantage,” Crouch said. “NSW Health’s procurement teams are working aroundthe-clock to procure another 50 million TGA-approved tests for delivery through February and into March. Continued page 6
A new Heatherbrae’s Pies outlet under construction at Ourimbah is expected to open in April and bring 50 jobs to the region. See page 21
Sport
The Central Coast has finished runner up in the McDonalds Country Cricket NSW U19 Female Country Championships... See page 32
Puzzles page 18
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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