Coast Community News 374 - Happy New Year

19 JANUARY 2023

ISSUE 374

News

Bid to save rare turtle nest

Avoca Beach RFS raises more than $23,000 for kids in need See page 6

Out&About

A large operation is underway to protect a rare nest of endangered Loggerhead Turtle eggs discovered at Shelly Beach, with residents asked to help.

Australia Day fun returns to Gosford See page 13

Business

See page 7 The nest was discovered when beachgoers saw a large loggerhead turtle walking to the sea

Lots of fun planned for Seniors Festival Central Coast Council will once again celebrate the annual NSW Seniors Festival with a wide range of events and activities to be held across the region from February 1-12.

The festival, which is the largest event for seniors in the southern hemisphere, aims to provide older residents an opportunity to come together, share a laugh and try something new.

A festival highlight for this year’s event will be the Seniors Expo on February 9 at Wyong Race Club, featuring a variety of stallholders from services and community groups across the region which support older people to age in a healthy and positive way.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the festival is all about providing

A range of activities will celebrate the diversity of older people

opportunities for the community to get together and celebrate the diversity of older people on the Central Coast. ”We have 89,000 seniors in our region who achieve amazing things, including generously donating their time to volunteer to a number of

community and sporting groups, organisations and charities,” he said.

“Council is committed to further strengthening our diverse population by creating new opportunities for connection, creativity and inclusion, and opening the door to local sporting,

community and cultural initiatives.

“This year’s festival offers a diverse 12-day calendar of events to enjoy, offering something for everyone, including educational workshops, fitness programs and entertainment to get your toes tapping and body moving.

“It is an opportunity to have fun and celebrate together, recognising the wisdom and experience of our seniors, and of course, the fantastic lifestyle here on the Central Coast.”

Pick up a copy of the full program of events from your local library, 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre or Seniors Centre or view online at centralcoast. nsw.gov.au/seniors.

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Source: Media release, Jan 18 Central Coast Council

Economic and transport plans to build a thriving region See page 21

Sport

Matildas set to play in Gosford See page 32

Puzzles page 18

PAGE 2

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NEWS

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Health check for deadly death adder

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Photo: Australian Reptile Park

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Editor: Ross Barry, David Abrahams (Digital Editor) Journalists: Terry Collins, Sue Murray Graphic Designer: Brad Yee Distribution: Anthony Wagstaff Phone: (02) 4325 7369 Email to: editorial@centralcoastnews.net ISSN 1839-9045 – Print Post Approved – PP100001843 – Printed by Spotpress Marrickville

ABOUT US Central Coast Newspapers Pty Ltd (CCN) is a locally owned and operated, independent news media business, providing local print and digital news to communities across the Central Coast.

CCN publishes the Coast Community News weekly with over 40,000 copies available via more than 250 distribution points all across the Central Coast.

Most stories can be viewed on coastcommunitynews.com.au CCN seeks to uphold the core purpose of the free press, that is,

to provide real, public-interest journalism without fear or prejudice, to keep communities informed about local issues and events and to ensure powerful interest groups, public and private, are held to account.

Our news content is originated through our own team of experienced, local journalists as well as external sources, including media releases and public notices. All our content is subject to strict editorial standards (available on the website).

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Billy Collett milks Shazza the death adder

The Australian Reptile Park Operations Manager Billy Collett recently faced the daunting task of performing a health check on one the Park’s most venomous snakes, Shazza the death adder.

The reptile is known to be incredibly deadly with one bite proving fatal without antivenom treatment.

With the species also being known to have the fastest strike in the world, the health check had Collett’s heart racing Collett completed a milking to review the condition and amount of venom the snake can produce, yielding 270mg of venom.

“My previous record for death adder venom extraction was 160mg and as the only place in Re

sp

on

sib

le

the world to milk common death adders for their venom, this has got to be a new world record,” he said.

“That’s enough to kill over 60 adult men.

“Death adders also have longer fangs than any other Australian snake so you can imagine that a single bite would definitely pack a punch,” Collett said.

Collett also measured and weighed the snake, with Shazza coming in at 102cm long and weighing a whopping 1.41kg – almost double the average weight of death adders.

Unlike mammals, reptiles don’t actively show signs that they are unhealthy.

“Weighing reptiles is crucial in monitoring their health and a

IN MEMORIAM pe

to

wn

When exercising your furry friend in public, you must keep your dog on a lead and under the control of a competent person.

If you walk your dog without a lead in a public space other than a designated off-leash area, fines may apply.

The Park extracts venom from five groups of Australia’s deadliest terrestrial snakes including taipans, brown snakes, tiger snakes, death adders and black snakes.

Early this year, the Park will begin construction of a new state-of-the-art venom milking facility where visitors will be able to walk through and witness the lifesaving work first-hand.

The NSW State Government has committed $300,000 to the project with initial planning stages well underway.

Source: Media release, Jan 10 Australian Reptile Park

,

hut TALKS

PERRIN,

ers

Walkies? Better get the lead!

task where keepers need to show extreme care; one wrong move could be deadly,” he said.

“As reptiles don’t need to eat that often, it’s hard to judge their condition by how much food they eat and how often.

“The best way of ensuring their good health is by weighing, measuring, and giving them a close-up inspection.”

The Australian Reptile Park is the only facility in the world that milks Australian terrestrial land snakes for the production of antivenom.

This is done with the help of Seqirus, which transforms the raw venom into the final product of lifesaving antivenom.

hip

Kevin “John”

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 14th January 2023, aged 93 years Beloved husband of the late Ivy. Much loved father of Diane, Phillip, and Murray.

Loved by all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren A farewell for John will be held at the Greenway Chapel, 460 Avoca Drive Green Point, on Wednesday 25th January 2023, commencing at 10am

INDIA Independent travel and small group touring Speaker: Claudia Wolf Join us on Wednesday 1 February at 10.30 in the journeys room at The Travellers Hut for a morning of Indian discovery.

Claudia from Tikka Tours will join us at The Travellers Hut to give you an overview of travelling independently in India, Claudia’s knowledge on travel to India is unsurpassed in the Australian Travel Industry.

Website: travellershutselections.com.au

5A 39 Avoca Drive Kincumber

Search 'Responsible pet ownership' at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au to learn more.

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43 63 1699

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Full steam ahead at Tuggerah station The Tuggerah Station accessibility upgrade is on track with the major contract for construction awarded to Downer EDI and early work underway in preparation for a start to major work in the coming months, weather permitting.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said early work started in June 2022 and includes site establishment, the relocation of utilities, vending and ticketing machines, and the installation of temporarily relocated pedestrian station entrances, pathways and ramps for station accessibility.

“When work is complete, the upgraded Tuggerah Station will

feature new lifts, stairs and a pedestrian footbridge, connecting the Pacific Hwy and station platforms, as well as improved CCTV, lighting and wayfinding signage,” he said.

“Other features will include new and extended canopies at station platforms, family accessible and ambulant toilets, a widened platform around the entrance and the Boarding Assistance Zone and improved station entrances, including new footpaths.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the multimillion-dollar upgrade was part of the NSW Government’s $600M commitment to deliver modern, integrated and accessible transport facilities

including people with mobility aids, parents and carers with prams and travelers with luggage.”

Fifteen accessible parking spaces will be made available in the commuter car park, while upgraded bus stops and private vehicles will be able to easily pick up and drop off passengers with a dedicated drop off zone.

The upgrade is expected to be completed in mid 2024, weather permitting.

For more information about the program, visit transport. nsw.gov.au/projects-tap.

An artist’s impression of how the upgraded station will look

across regional NSW. “This is a major win for Central Coast commuters because, once complete, the

upgrade will enhance connectivity between the station and the Tuggerah Precinct and improve the public domain,” Farraway said.

“We are building the infrastructure that matters to our communities to make daily life easier for commuters using public transport services,

Source: Media release, Jan 17, 2024 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch

Have your say on Safer Cities initiative Central Coast Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the NSW Government’s $30M Safer Cities program, aimed at improving the safety of women, girls and gender diverse people in public spaces around transport precincts.

Council will receive $1M to develop and pilot safety boosting initiatives so that women and girls experience improved perception of safety on streets, in parklands and at public transport hubs, in partnership with Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

A public education campaign will also be launched this year

focusing on improving safety and reducing harassment.

The program will also set a best practice framework for public space interventions for safety.

Whether it’s more lighting, wayfinding, public art, landscaping, education and awareness campaigns or other

activations to create safe connections through parks, public places and around transport hubs – the aim is for women, girls and gender diverse people to feel safe to move around their local areas at any time of day.

The program will run over the next 18 months to trial placebased approaches to improving

women’s perception of safety travelling to, through and within public spaces and transport hubs.

Transport for NSW is inviting people over 16 years of age to complete a short, anonymous 10-minute survey.

The survey aims to better understand the experiences

that affect a sense of safety in and around public spaces and transport hubs.

Have your say by February 8.

Find the survey by searching “safer cities” at haveyoursay. nsw.gov.au.

Source: Media release, Jan 12 Central Coast Council

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Bracken pre-selected by Liberals for The Entrance Former Australian cricketer Nathan Bracken has been pre-selected as the Liberal candidate for The Entrance ahead of the State election in March.

Nathan Bracken with wife Hayley

Bracken has lived and raised two children with his wife Haley on the Central Coast over the last two decades and been part of the local community.

“I know that this is the perfect location to live and raise a family, having had family ties to Berkeley Vale since childhood – it’s close enough to transport and services, but also home to amazing environment and laidback lifestyle,” Bracken said.

“I want to help create education and employment opportunities for kids growing up here, so that they can live and contribute without having to go anywhere else.”

“The local community really embraced us and supported us, and this is a great opportunity for me to give back by helping to ensure that we get the infrastructure and services that this community deserves.”

Bracken has been involved in the Central Coast community during his playing days for Australia and was the first player to take the Cricket World cup to the Central Coast

community.

He has been an ambassador and spokesperson for several charitable organisations, including Movember, Beyond Blue, McGrath Foundation, Camp Quality and the Royal Flying Doctors and participated in charity and fundraising events across the Central Coast for Give Me Five for Kids.

“Having represented NSW and Australia in some of the world’s best cricket teams, it would be a great honour to represent my community as part of the Perrottet Liberal team,” Bracken said.

“I want to see positive change in The Entrance, with increased

infrastructure and community facilities in the area. And you can’t make changes sitting on the sideline, so I will be campaigning hard to get elected and be able to make a positive difference in the lives of the Central Coast community.”

“Only the Perrottet Government has a plan to support NSW families by growing the economy, boosting their budget, strengthening frontline services and investing in our communities.”

Primary source: Media release, Dec 23, 2022 NSW Liberal Party

Labor endorses Sam Boughton as candidate for Terrigal Physiotherapist Sam Boughton will be the Labor candidate in next March’s 2023 NSW State Election.

Sitting Liberal Member Adam Crouch will be running for his third term, but Boughton says it is time for “a new wave”.

Boughton, who works in aged care on the Central Coast, went to primary school at Terrigal and Holgate Public Schools and finished schooling at Central Coast Adventist School.

He completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Newcastle and has gone on to work in public hospitals, private practices, and residential aged care facilities

in the region.

Boughton has also volunteered at the MatchamHolgate Rural Fire Service for many years and is an avid surfer.

He said he decided to run because “our education and healthcare systems are in crisis, our environment is not being prioritised, and the cost of living continues to go up under the current NSW State Liberal Government”.

Boughton said he wants to bring a fresh approach to the seat of Terrigal.

“I was raised here and have lived here my whole life; I know this area like the back of my hand,” he said.

“I decided to run for politics because I want to be a fresh change for this community.

“I have spent years working as a physiotherapist (and) I have heard what is important to my community - good schools, adequately funded and staffed healthcare, and the protection of our unique environment.

“If I am given the privilege and honour of representing our community and the people of the Terrigal electorate, I will be a fresh change that will never take this area for granted.

Terrigal is the only seat on the Central Coast, state or federal, which is held by the Liberals.

Labor MPs from across the

Central Coast gathered at Terrigal Beach on November 26 to show a united team and endorse Sam’s candidacy.

“Sam is the kind of candidate that can bring a fresh approach to Terrigal, Member for Wyong and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, said.

“This is a tired 12-year-old government that has run out of ideas and has overseen cost of living increases, shortages in our nurses and teachers and a massive housing crisis.

“It’s time for change.”

Photo: CCN

Sources: Interviews and Media release, November 26, 2022 Labor Central Coast MPs

Sam Boughton

Former councillor to contest seat of Gosford for Liberals NDIS and aged care worker and former Gosford councillor Deanna Bocking has been announced as the Liberal candidate for Gosford in the lead-up to the March State Election.

Deanna Bocking

A former small businesses owner, Bocking said she understands the challenges the community faces and would be a strong voice for Gosford in the Perrottet Liberal Team.

“I’ve always put my hand up to represent my community and advocate for important local infrastructure and services, previously as a local councillor, and now as the Liberal candidate for Gosford,” she said.

“As we face the challenges in front of us, and look to seize future opportunities for the Coast, it’s more important than ever that we have a strong

voice in the Perrottet Government.”

Bocking is well known for her work in the community, including mentoring and coaching at Woy Woy Weight Watchers, and she previously owned and operated a small restaurant and bar at East Gosford.

“Small business is the backbone of our local economy, and after a tough few years, I’m

optimistic that we’re bouncing back,” she said.

“As a former small business owner, I understand the support local operators require, and I’ll fight for their needs in the NSW Parliament.

“This election is not only about our local community, but also about the future of our great state, and I look forward to contributing to the Liberal Team that will continue to

manage our state’s finances to deliver the infrastructure and services Gosford needs.”

Bocking said the Perrottet Government has a plan to support NSW families by growing the economy, boosting their budget, strengthening frontline services and investing in communities.

Source: Media release, Jan 9 NSW Liberal Party

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An update on Tuggerah Lakes improvements Seventy per cent of the recommendations made in a 2020 report by the Tuggerah Lakes Expert Panel (TLEP) are either completed, underway, ongoing or planned.

Central Coast Council has prepared a progress report on actions to improve water quality in the Tuggerah Lakes estuary two years after the expert State Governmentappointed panel, handed down its report in December 2020.

“Central Coast Council has welcomed the report and has made a genuine effort to enact (the recommendations) as we deliver actions through our current Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan, and holistically integrate them into the development of our new Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Coastal Management Program (CMP), which is expected to be completed by mid-2024,” a spokesperson said.

“Of the 54 recommendations included in the report, 70 per cent are either completed, underway, ongoing or planned via the CMP. “Many are complex and integrated, which take time to deliver in full.

“Several actions are outside of Council’s responsibility, not

The Tuggerah Lakes estuary

feasible at this time, or require further concept validation, but we are working hard to deliver as much as possible for our community and our environment.

“One of the key recommendations presented by the panel was that a communication reset was required (so) we are providing open and transparent information.”

In response to one of the recommendations, Council has

prepared a business case for an Erosion and Sediment Control Officer to increase resources and capacity and is in discussions with the Department of Planning and Environment to achieve a Tidal Inundation and Sea Level Rise Assessment.

A new Flood Study for Tuggerah Lakes is currently in preparation.

The report says since 2020, 16.1ha of coastal saltmarsh has been protected and

restored using a range of actions including installation of no-mow markers to define the saltmarsh edge, wrack mulching and jute matting to suppress weed regrowth and bush regeneration to enhance the growth of native species.

A further 273.9ha of wetland habitat has been protected and restored, mainly using bush regeneration techniques to improve wetland resilience, reduce weeds and enhance native flora and fauna

biodiversity.

The report says a long-term research project was completed at Berkeley Vale in 2022.

This included catchment, groundwater, nearshore and offshore event-based sampling, hydrodynamic model (calibrated by drogues) and bathymetric survey.

“The study provides management options and useful information which can be applied elsewhere where

similar issues present,” the report says.

In response to a recommendation to continue monitoring and adaptively managing the estuary, the report says a Central Coast Waterways Report Card is published annually, providing an overview of water quality results and trends for the preceding year.

With 2021 marking the 10th anniversary of the program in Tuggerah Lakes, the report says the latest report card shows improvement at 69 per cent of sites.

Nineteen sites were reported as stable and 12 per cent had declined.

One of the recommendations was to expand the Lakes Festival to celebrate successes.

The report says the popular annual event was back bigger than ever in its seventh year, with more than 30 events making a splash across the entire Central Coast from November 4-13, 2022.

You can read the update report on Council’s website.

Source: Media release, Dec 22 Central Coast Council Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Coastal Management Program progress report

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Government gifts bus to Aboriginal support service The NSW Government has donated a bus to Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services (YEDAHS) to support better transport, social and community outcomes for Aboriginal people on the Central Coast.

Transport for NSW Regional Director, North Anna Zycki, said Transport for NSW had handed over the keys of a 16-seater bus to the Indigenous organisation.

“YEDAHS is a not-for-profit Aboriginal communitycontrolled organisation and the only Aboriginal “YEDAHS provides … a range of medical, health and support services to more than 4000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people each year.

“This donation will help improve accessibility for the

Representatives of TfNSW, Barang Regional Alliance and Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services

local Indigenous community to important wellbeing and healthcare services.”

YEDAHS Chief Executive, Belinda Field, said the organisation provided a range of culturally responsive support services for the local Aboriginal community including primary health care, dental, out-of-

home care, family preservation, homelessness, mental health, NDIS and some legal guidance.

“The donated bus will be used to provide transport to major and small events for cultural connections, reach our most northern and southern communities to take services to them and to help our most

vulnerable youth who are not able to access transport to and from support services across the Central Coast,” Field said.

“It will ensure that our most vulnerable members of community are provided with access … delivered by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal

people which will bring our purpose … empowering the Aboriginal community on Darkinjung Country and maintaining our vision of inspiring strong, healthy, long lives.”

The bus donation was made possible through a Transport for NSW partnership with notfor-profit Aboriginal organisation, Barang Regional Alliance, which supports the empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the Central Coast.

Through the partnership, Barang connects Aboriginalowned services on the Central Coast with Transport for NSW to provide grants or donations to support better transport outcomes for Aboriginal people living and working on Darkinjung land.

Barang Regional Alliance

Executive Director, Vickie Parry, said the bus donation would help YEDAHS expand its offerings.

“YEDAHS currently services over a third of our population through the Aboriginal Medical Centre and associated programs,” Parry said.

“Transport has remained a barrier for both the organisation and the community so this will assist in broadening the reach.

“Through this donation we will see a marked increase of availability of health promotion, transport and other uses to pockets of the community who need it most.”

Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services will begin using the bus to support clients this year.

Source: Media release, Jan 9 NSW Government

A card from King Charles for Ettie’s 100th Central Coast resident Ettie Bunt is one of the first people in Australia to receive a card from King Charles III on her 100th birthday.

She celebrated the milestone recently with family and

friends, with flowers and cards covering the sideboards.

Still living independently, Ettie’s days are filled with simple pleasures – crafts, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, reading, baking scones and gardening.

Her love of knitting and crocheting has supported people worldwide.

She has donated numerous crafted blanket squares since August 1995 and her association with other community-inspired women

26 JANUARY 2023 4PM–9PM

ROAD CLOSURES •Georgiana Terrace between Dane Drive and Baker Street will be closed for the duration of the event.

•Baker Street between Georgiana Terrace and Vaughan Ave will be closed for the duration of the event.

•Vaughan Avenue will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the event.

•Dane Drive between the roundabout of Brian McGowan Bridge and Donnison St will be closed for the duration of the event.

•A 40km/h speed restriction will be in place on Brian McGowan Bridge for the FIREWORKS period 8.30pm – 9.30pm For further event information please visit

www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events

affiliated with Wrap with Love and the Ourimbah Hospital Auxiliary has established special long-term friendships.

Ettie survived scarlet fever at the age of four and she still recalls the awful smell resulting from disinfecting her family home using a loaded spade of burning sulphur which was carried from room to room.

This method of destroying the virus was later determined to be futile in disease control.

Her early and teenage years were marked by the Great Depression and World War II. Her family upbringing with five siblings on a farm in the NSW Monaro Plains taught her lifelong skills.

Ettie has witnessed immense change over her lifetime including the introduction of a metric system, wireless, motorcars, television,

Ettie Bunt celebrates her 100th birthday

technology and space travel.

Ettie received a very special birthday delivery from Arnott’s – a box filled with her favourite Shredded Wheatmeal biscuits, which she has enjoyed eating with a cup of tea over the past 100 years.

Ettie has lived throughout the reign of five British monarchs and has witnessed 25

Australian Prime Ministers and the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Birthday messages were also received from local and State political representatives, the Australian Prime Minister, and the Australian GovernorGeneral.

Terry Collins

Avoca Beach RFS raises more than $23,000 for kids in need Avoca Beach Rural Fire Brigade has raised more than $23,000 for Central Coast Kids in Need through the sale of its 2023 calendar.

Representatives from the charity accepted the cheque for $23,650 at the fire station on January 14’ The brigade and committee members spent many hours working on the project in 2022.

“All those involved in the creation and sales of the charity calendar should be rightly proud of their achievement and the donation is going to a very

Avoca Beach Fire Service Brigade members with representatives from Central Coast Kids in Need

worthy cause,” Deputy Captain Peter Kelly said, He expressed thanks to those in the community who supported the brigade by either

buying a calendar or making a donation.

Source: Media release, Jan 15, 2023 Avoca Beach Rural Fire Brigade

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Bid to save rare turtle nest A large operation is underway to protect a rare nest of endangered Loggerhead Turtle eggs discovered at Shelly Beach, with residents asked to help.

Two surprised beach walkers found the nest after seeing a turtle crawl into the waves, and promptly called WIRES at 5.30am one day last week, triggering alerts to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), NSW TurtleWatch and Central Coast Council.

Council’s Director Environment and Planning Alice Howe said Council has built a temporary fence around 15m2 of the sand dune to protect the site and is calling on the community to help as well.

“It’s exciting and extremely rare to have a Loggerhead nest in the dunes here, which is why it’s important people remain outside the fenced area and obey the signs to help keep them safe,” Howe said.

“The mother has buried the nest a short distance below the sand surface, in an area popular with beachgoers.

“People could inadvertently crush eggs or collapse the nest simply by walking over the top.

Council workers have erected temporary fencing until the eggs hatch

“Predators also pose a risk – such as foxes or dogs digging up the eggs, as well as goannas and birds, all of which are potential egg thieves and nest raiders.”

NPWS Marine Wildlife Team Leader Duane March said the nest is of great interest to turtle conservationists as it is unusually far south.

“This southern shift in nesting could be attributed to warmer water temperatures being experienced further south on the east coast of Australia in recent years,” he said.

AUSSIE GROWN AUSSIE OWNED

“Climate change is a massive threat to sea turtles, as increasing nest temperatures further north are producing more female hatchlings.

“So to have a nest in a cooler climate that will produce predominantly male hatchlings is important for this species’ long-term viability.”

NSW TurtleWatch coordinator Holly West said the prompt call to wildlife rescuers may end up saving the nest.

“Creating community awareness is key to ensuring

the eggs are protected from harm and have the best chance to hatch, so the nest will be monitored closely by staff and volunteers,” she said.

“A big thanks to beachgoers for understanding the need for the temporary exclusion fencing, which will be removed as soon as the eggs have hatched.”

Experts from the three organisations anticipate the nest has between 100 and 150 turtle eggs which, depending on sand temperatures, could hatch in around 8-12 weeks’

time.

Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are endangered on the Australian east coast and have an amazing life cycle that takes them all the way to South America.

Once they mature and return to Australian waters, Loggerhead Turtles breed on the Great Barrier Reef’s southern islands, or southern Queensland beaches, with only a small number nesting on NSW beaches each year.

Numbers have declined in the

past 20 years.

On shore, turtle nests are impacted by predators, development, light pollution, climactic impacts from storm surges, erosion and sea inundation.

Off-shore threats include marine debris, ship strike and climate change.

One of the main threats to Loggerhead Turtles is being caught in fishing nets as “bycatch” while journeying from Australia to south and central American waters.

NSW TurtleWatch is a citizen science nesting program with volunteers collecting valuable data on marine turtles nesting and potential threats in NSW. It has been developed by Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue and supported by the NSW Government through its Saving our Species program, the Marine Estate Management Strategy and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Sea turtle nesting activity can be reported to NSW TurtleWatch on 0468 489 259.

Find out more by emailing turtlewatchnsw@gmail.com.

Source: Media release, Jan 18 NPWS

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OzHarvest feeds thousands over holiday period The team at OzHarvest Central Coast and Lake Macquarie saved more than 11 tonnes of food from going to landfill over the Christmas period, using it instead to put great meals on the tables of hundreds of families.

OzHarvest launched a second food rescue vehicle on the Coast in November, through a grant of $90,000 from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, just in time for the non-profit organisation’s busiest time of year.

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair

Team members from OzHarvest and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation

Jennifer Leslie said the efforts of OzHarvest’s team of

volunteers made a massive difference to thousands of

people during the holiday period.

“The new vehicle has only done 12 shifts but has already rescued and donated 11,370 kilograms of food, which is such a help and a tremendous show of holiday spirit,” she said.

“This food made a direct and tangible difference and equates to 22,740 meals, helping to ensure a more fulfilling, nutritious Christmas (for many).

“I was privileged to spend an afternoon with OzHarvest in December and experienced first-hand what a difference their work makes, both in terms of the people they help feed and the food rescued from ending up in landfill.”

OzHarvest’s Newcastle and Central Coast Manager Richard Stark said the second van was already making a difference.

“With people in our community doing it tough this Christmas, the second vehicle helped us cover so much more ground and get that rescued food to more families,” he said.

It has been a huge year for OzHarvest across Australia, with more than 11 million kilograms of food rescued, helping to serve over 30 million meals.

Source: Media release, Jan 4, 2023 OzHarvest Central Coas

National parks launches major recruitment drive Firefighting and conservation capacity is at the forefront as the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) launches one of the biggest recruitment drives in its history.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said 250 ongoing roles are being filled in locations around NSW, with most jobs based in regional areas.

“As part of the record more than $2B investment in environment and heritage in the NSW Budget this year, the

Liberal and Nationals Government committed to delivering a major boost to fire management in national parks,” Griffin said.

“These roles are now up for grabs, with the additional funding ensuring we maintain record levels of national park firefighters to protect communities and our environment.

“This is your chance to secure a dream job with one of the world’s leading conservation agencies.

“Your office could be Kosciuszko National Park, the

Blue Mountains, one of our coastal parks or a stunning outback landscape.

“It’s an important job, with NPWS conducting about 75 per cent of all hazard reduction burning across the state, in conjunction with the Rural Fire Service, and deploying teams of specially trained remote area firefighters.”

At least 200 of these roles will be trained as firefighters, delivering on the Government’s response to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry.

Another 50 roles will have a special focus on protecting the

most important conservation assets across the national park estate, such as the last stand of Wollemi Pines and habitat for other threatened species.

NPWS is recruiting junior and entry level roles as well as senior and supervisory positions, offering flexibility as well as great remuneration, benefits and development opportunities.

To find out more or apply, visit the I Work for NSW website.

Source: Media release, Dec 21 NPWS

At least 200 of the new recruits will be trained as firefighters

Boost for Kariong Neighbourhood Centre Kariong Neighbourhood Centre has received more than $63,000 to upgrade its children’s playground as part of the 2022 Community Building Partnership Program.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and centre staff celebrate the grant

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Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch joined staff, volunteers and community members recently to make the announcement, saying children visiting the community facility will have access to a new safe and fun play environment.

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Centre is a long-standing cornerstone of the local community, with many children and young people involved in the centre’s local activities and s,” she said.

“These upgrades are vital to ensure that Kariong Neighbourhood Centre can continue to serve the community and offer children a secure area to freely play.”

General Manager Patricia Gamble said the centre runs a before-and after school program, vacation care and play groups.

“The backyard to the site needs significant upgrades to improve the safety of the facilities,” she said.

“We are absolutely elated that we will be able to upgrade the playground for our children to now safely access.

“Community centres do not make a profit, so we must be successful in receiving these grants just to maintain our services.

“If we did not receive these grants, I would not know what would happen to our community and neighbourhood centres.”

Tesch said community centres like Kariong Neighbourhood Centre foster strong local ties and provide key services.

“The Kariong Neighbourhood Centre is the backbone of the local community,” she said.

“This funding is much needed and well-deserved.

“With our support, the centre can continue to uplift and support local families.”

Source: Media release, Jan 15 Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch

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Charges upgraded after boy dies following Killarney Vale crash A woman has had her charges upgraded after a boy died following a crash at Killarney Vale last week.

At about 12.45pm on Wednesday, January 4, emergency services were called to the intersection of Mort St and George Evans Rd following reports of a twovehicle crash involving a Toyota

sedan and Lexus SUV. The driver of the sedan – a 42-year-old woman – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries on the scene, while the passenger – a nine-year-old boy – was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District established a crime scene which was forensically examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

The driver of the SUV – a 51-year-old woman – was subjected to a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.

She was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis which allegedly returned a reading of 0.197.

As part of initial inquiries, the woman was charged with a number of driving offences including aggravated driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and driving under the influence.

She appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, January 5, where she was granted conditional bail.

On January 7 the nine-yearold boy died in hospital as a result of his injuries.

Following the death of the boy, the woman’s charges have been upgraded to include aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, driving with

high range PCA, possession of prohibited drugs and causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle.

The woman will appear before Gosford Local Court on Friday, January 27.

Source: Media release, Jan 8 NSW Police

Man charged after two alleged nail gun shootings A man has been charged after two men were allegedly shot with a nail gun in separate incidents while driving on the Central Coast on January 9.

At about 4.10pm police responded to reports of two men being allegedly shot with a nail gun as they were driving northbound on the M1 between Somersby and Ourimbah.

Police were told a passenger

in a white Mitsubishi truck, which was travelling northbound in Lane 3 of the M1, in the vicinity of Somersby, allegedly fired nails from a nail gun towards the drivers of other vehicles.

A 57-year-old man, who was driving a white Mitsubishi sedan with the window down, reported to police that he was

shot in the right arm with a nail projectile, as a white Mitsubishi truck passed him.

A short time later, a 52-yearold man, who was driving a grey Toyota RAV 4 in the vicinity of Ourimbah, reported to police he felt something impact the top of his head, which caused him to briefly lose control of his vehicle.

He saw a male passenger in a white Mitsubishi truck leaning

out of the truck, who allegedly fired further projectiles towards his vehicle, causing the passenger’s side window to shatter.

Police located the white truck in the Sparks Road commuter car park at about 4.30pm.

As police were speaking with the occupants of the truck, a 19-year-old man began running north across Sparks Road and climbing over a wire

fence.

Police pursued the man on foot before arresting him a short time later, using capsicum spray during the arrest.

The man was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with two counts of being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, two counts of

malicious damage and an outstanding warrant.

He was refused bail to appear before Wyong Local Court on Tuesday, January 10.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information about the incident, or any available dashcam footage, is urged to contact either Tuggerah Lakes Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Police Media, Jan 9

Woman charged over alleged stabbing A woman has been charged after two people were allegedly stabbed at Kanwal on January 7.

Ambulance paramedics attended the scene

At about 9.30pm emergency services were called to Lake Haven Dr following reports of a stabbing.

A 28-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were

Body found at Patonga A body believed to be that of a woman who went missing while bushwalking on January 13, was located at Patonga following a multi-agency search on January 14.

Just after 8 pm on January 13, officers from Brisbane Water Police District were notified that a 78-year-old woman became lost while bushwalking on a trail.

Police were told the woman

– who is visiting from the USA – was in bushland in the vicinity of Middle Head, between Pearl Beach and Patonga Beach.

A multi-agency search of the area immediately commenced, with assistance from the Dog Unit, PolAir, Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Ambulance, the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter and Marine Rescue.

The search was suspended at

about 3 am and resumed later in the morning along the coastline, in the bushland and from the air.

A body, believed to be that of the missing woman, was sighted by PolAir at Patonga before being retrieved by ground crews.

The body is yet to be formally identified.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

NSW Police Media, Jan 14

found suffering multiple stab wounds and were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

They were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital and their conditions are reported to be stable.

Officers from Tuggerah Lakes

Police District established a crime scene, which has been examined by specialist forensic police.

Following inquiries, investigators arrested a 29-year-old woman at a unit on Cutler Dr, Wyong, at about 12.30am on January 8.

She was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged

with two counts of wounding a person intending to cause grievous bodily harm (DV).

Police will allege in court the man and younger woman are known to each other.

The woman was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Bail Court on January 8.

NSW Police Media, January 8

Man charged over fatal crash A 52-year-old Lake Munmorah man was charged on January 11 with five offences in relation to a fatal car crash last year at Doyalson.

Police served a Court Attendance Notice on the man at a Newcastle address, charging him with five offences including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death and driving with high range PCA. The man is due to appear in

Wyong Local Court on Wednesday, March 8.

At about 8.30 pm on Monday, October 31, 2022, emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Doyalson after two vehicles collided head-on.

Ambulance paramedics treated the Lake Munmorah man before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition with head,

chest and leg injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 56-year-old man from Mannering Park, died at the scene of the accident.

Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District established a crime scene that was investigated by Crash Investigation Unit officers, which led to charges being laid on the Lake Munmorah man.

Source: NSW Police Media, January 16

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An Analysis of Central Coast Council Under Administration More than two years of Council under Administration have brought higher rates and worse services.

There is little evidence of reforms to improve the efficiency, culture, or productivity of the organisation.

Instead, Administrator Rik Hart and CEO David Farmer have taken the easy option to slug ratepayers.

Rate Increases In July 2021, domestic rates increased 42 per cent in Gosford.

This included a 15% special variation initially limited to three years but extended to ten years in 2022.

On top of that, water rates will be 35per cent higher (plus inflation) by 2025 due to phased increases approved this year.

The 15 per cent special variation was supposed to be temporary to allow the repayment of debt from the financial crisis – but as some of us pointed out at the time the numbers never added up.

Now, pricing regulator IPART, which approved the rate hike after relentless Council lobbying, has confirmed only 41 per cent of the special

FORUM See Page 2 for address and contribution conditions.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily of the newspaper variation is to pay off debt.

IPART approved the increase on grounds of “financial need,” but apparently cannot say what 59 per cent of it is “needed” for.

We can only conclude that IPART thinks Administrator Rik Hart is no more able to balance the books than were the previous Councillors if limited to the same rates income that was available to them.

It is time Mr Hart finally explained what the bulk of this rate hike is really for if only 41 per cent of it is to repay debt?

Council Services Still Deteriorating Despite all this extra money, there has been no improvement in Council services.

Wherever you look, for example IPART’s water utility customer satisfaction survey,

or NSW Ombudsman complaints data, performance indicators are bumping along the bottom.

Council’s own Annual Report shows that 40 per cent of 2021/22 Operational Plan targets were missed, although the accompanying media release claimed, “Council Achieves a Lot in Challenging Year.”

Spin from the Communications Department is perhaps one of the few areas where productivity has improved.

Excuses and Productivity

Low

Even when poor service is acknowledged, we hear too many excuses.

Several months ago, when conceding that Development Application (DA) median turnaround times had doubled since the first year of the merger in 2016/17, Mr Hart blamed staff shortages.

Typically throwing ratepayers’ money at the problem, he announced he had already hired five new permanent and six contract staff and was in the process of recruiting eight new roles on top of that.

There was no discussion of other possible solutions based

on better management or productivity.

Unless there were twice as many employees working on DAs in 2016/17, when performance was twice as good, productivity must have fallen.

Mr Hart did not say if that was the case or not, but we do know productivity across Council as a whole has fallen because the latest Annual Report shows over 2,000 employees compared with about 1,900 at merger in 2016.

Given that services have declined since then (over fifty service cuts were announced at a single Council meeting in March 2021), productivity output per employee - must now be lower.

Insufficient Prioritisation And even if there were too few employees working on DAs, who is responsible for that?

It was Mr Hart himself who oversaw the organisational restructure in 2020/21.

Whilst some downsizing was inevitable, applying the 9 per cent reductions evenly across departments was neither strategic nor prioritised.

Because Mr Hart bungled his

restructure, he now has to rehire in priority areas.

Ratepayers are entitled to ask if any of the new employees he has hired, regardless of the titles of their “roles,” are actually performing work previously carried out by those made redundant?

If so, ratepayers’ money will have been wasted on expensive redundancy payments – something that shouldn’t happen if restructures are guided by strategic and community priorities.

When I became a Council Leader in the UK two decades ago, we inherited a not dissimilar financial crisis.

We adopted a different approach focusing on internal reforms to improve governance and efficiency, whilst externally we undertook an innovative community consultation to prioritise functions and services and allocate resources accordingly.

We did not increase rates more than inflation.

What is to be Done?

Mr Hart has now been here more than two years and CEO David Farmer only slightly less.

They are now accountable for the quality and value for

money of Council services.

Rate hikes may have papered over the financial cracks but have done nothing to address the underlying causes of those cracks which lay in poor management, culture and productivity.

Indeed, without reforms to address these underlying problems, the extra money will merely entrench new levels of inefficiency and waste.

Self-interested bureaucracies rarely reform themselves.

Public accountability is needed.

Despite opportunistic claims to the contrary, local democracy did not cause the 2020 financial crisis.

The Central Coast is not incapable of operating a system of representative democracy that works perfectly well across the rest of the Western World.

Elections should be brought forward.

Council’s high paid senior bureaucracy needs to be accountable to our community for performance, and for the expenditure of our money.

There should be no taxation without representation.

Letter, 16 January 2023 Kevin Brooks

Disbanding AAT a bad move The recently announced decision by the Federal Government to disband the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) should be something of concern to every citizen of the country.

The establishment of the AAT was one of the most significant legal steps in the past 50 years, because it gave everybody the right to appeal against an adverse bureaucratic decision on taxation, social support, disability services and a range of other matters, in a way that made it financially and legally

FORUM feasible for ordinary citizens to take action.

It was by way of appeal to the AAT that the Robodebt schemozzle was brought to light, when the government was steadfastly insisting that it was perfectly legal and treated everybody in an equal and fair way.

Of course, nobody would claim that the present AAT system is perfect beyond improvement.

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There are inconsistencies in its processes (easily corrected, if the government wanted to correct them), and some kinds of appeals take years to be heard and settled.

However, the delays in procedures are almost entirely a consequence of inadequate funding that could easily be remedied by an adjustment in budget allocations, whereas the government prefers to cover up this deficiency, by blaming the structure of the AAT and the competence of the staff, rather than admitting the

real reason.

It could, also, be that the government is not happy with the independence of the AAT and would prefer an organization more easily influenced to political advantage.

It is highly unlikely that the government can get away with entirely abolishing any system of appeals, so the AAT will have to be replaced by another organisation to cover whatever new mandate the government gives it.

This means that the end costs

will be close to the same, that there will be enormous taxpayer expenses incurred in paying out the existing staff, and that there will be substantial disruptions to appeals, while the new organisation is set up and reinvents the wheel.

It will not be surprising if the bulk of the (supposedly incompetent) staff is reappointed to the new organisation, because who else has years of experience to call on and can get the thing in more or less running order before it is overwhelmed by the

backlog of work that will accrue?

Probably, most of us have never had to avail ourselves of the right of appeal to the AAT, but that doesn’t mean that any one of us couldn’t find himself needing that avenue of relief tomorrow.

Our rights are being curtailed for no reason but political pique, and we are being lied to about the results that the change will achieve.

Email, Dec 22 Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

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Australia Day fun returns to Gosford Gosford’s Leagues Club Park

Australia Day fun returns to Gosford’s Leagues Club Park on January 26 after several years of COVIDenforced cancellations.

Live music, mouth-watering food options and fireworks blasted over the stunning Brisbane Water will be some of the highlights of the free community day.

The all-age, inclusive event will take place from 4pm-9pm,

with children’s activities to include face painting, games and a mini fire truck.

Bands including Mirrabooka, Baxters Revenge, The Shades and JellyFish will perform for four hours, along with headliner Jamie Lindsay.

The day will be Central Coast Council’s first event of 2023.

Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said the alcohol-free event will be a wonderful

Jamie Lindsay will be the headline entertainer

opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy food, music and fun in a safe environment.

“The fireworks will be a fantastic conclusion to the festivities,” she said.

“However due to their sound and bright lights we do encourage all pet-owning nearby residents to make sure their animals are locked inside to reduce additional stress.”

Council Administrator Rik

Hart encouraged attendees to use public transport where possible.

“This Council event will be among the first of the year to bring the Central Coast community together, with large crowds anticipated to attend,” he said.

“For public safety, road closures will be in effect, so I encourage people to plan their trips to and around the Gosford CBD in advance.

“We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful location in Gosford to hold an event of this scale and I hope all attendees have a wonderful and safe afternoon.”

There will be changed traffic conditions in the Gosford CBD on Australia Day. Closed for the duration of the event will be: Georgiana Tce between Dane Dr and Baker St; Baker St between Georgiana Tce and Vaughan Ave will be closed for the duration of the

event; Vaughan Ave; and Dane Dr between the roundabout of Brian McGowan Bridge and Donnison St. A 40km/h speed reduction will be in place on Brian McGowan Bridge from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

For further information visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov. au/australiaday.

Source: Media release, Jan 17, 2024 Central Coast Council

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Acclaimed blues artist headed for the Mountain Internationally acclaimed blues artist Pete Cornelius is set to bring his band to Mangrove Mountain next month as part of his Big Island tour.

Blues on the Mountain organiser Ryan Howard said Cornelius grew up as far away from the Delta heartland as is almost humanely possible.

“He’s never picked cotton, never hitched a ride on a freight train, nor traded with the Devil,” Howard said.

“Yet the Tasmanian is one of the most experienced young bluesman in the country, with more live shows and festival

The Pete Cornelius Band

appearances, album releases and awards under his belt than most performers twice his age.

“From the age of six, he started studying and writing songs on his parents’ piano.

“By the time he was nine he had picked up the guitar and at 11 he was performing at The

Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.

The young bluesman released his first album, Steppin’ Out In Blue, at 13 and sold out all 500 of its limited release.

His first band, Double Shuffle, was formed around the same time, playing venues and festivals across Tasmania, before hitting the national festival circuit with his new rocking blues band, Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles.”

Cornelius has since become one of Australia’s best blues guitarists and has performed at almost every major blues and roots festival in Australia including multiple times at

Byron Bay Bluesfest, Falls Festival, Blues on Broadbeach and The Great Southern Blues Festival.

He has also opened for international acts including Joe Bonamassa, Eric Bibb and Joanne Shaw Taylor along with performing at the world famous Chicago Blues Festival.

The Pete Cornelius Band will perform for one night only at the historic Mangrove Mountain Hall on Friday, February 3.

Tickets are available through trybooking.

Source: Media release, Jan 6 Blues on the Mountains

Heritage family picnic at the Haven on Australia Day Central Coast Rotary Clubs will unite to present an Australia Day Heritage Family Picnic at Terrigal Haven on January 26.

Spokesperson Peter Rea said the event follows a similar day held last year in association with the National Australia Day Council (NADC) at Kincumber.

“That event focussed on the nationally significant maritime history of the Brisbane Water District and its proud shipbuilding heritage,” he said.

“The Sausage Sizzle was supplemented with giveaways of fresh fruit and mini jars of Vegemite, while a number of young performers provided entertainment.

“The event was officially opened with an Acknowledgement To Country and a Smoking Ceremony, while an Aboriginal cultural marquee was set up adjacent to the History Display Marquees.”

Rea said the four Rotary Clubs of Kincumber, Terrigal, Erina and

Kariong/Somersby were joining forces again this year in association for the Terrigal event.

“The Timber Mill and Shipyard of Thomas Davis occupied the site from the late 1860s until the 1890s,” he said.

“New history displays will include a model of the Steam Stern-Wheeler General Gordon and a working model of its twin steam engines and paddle wheel.

“The General Gordon was

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The history and heritage displays are sure to be popular

famous as the ship that linked the nation while Woy Woy Tunnel and the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge were constructed.

“In remembrance of the sawmill that once was on the site, a model steam driven

Sawmill will also be on display.

“Other displays will include information models of the five main types of sailing ships built in the Brisbane Water District from the 1830s; the TSS Fairstar, synonymous with

migration to Australia after WWII; a model of the Long Boat from HMS Sirius, which carried Governor Arthur Phillip on the first European exploration of Brisbane Water in 1788; and a cutaway and full model of HMS Sirius.

The day gets underway at 9am with the official opening at 11am comprising an Acknowledgement To Country and Smoking Ceremony.

Entertainment will continue throughout the day, with a free sausage sizzle available for lunch.

Source: Media release, Jan 16, 2023 Rotary Kincumber

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The Sunset Sessions will play at Laycock St on February 10

Highlighting the music of Los Angeles, The Sunset Sessions will take audiences on a journey through the mega-hits of pop, rock and soul at Laycock St Community Theatre next month.

Featuring a wide range of international hits which originated from the clubs and bands of LA’s Sunset Boulevard, The Sunset Sessions is the latest production from Punwin Productions.

Perfect for lovers of live pop, rock and soul, the show

features a five-piece band comprising some of Sydney’s finest live musicians playing LA’s best hits from the ‘60s to the 2000s.

From the wholesome fun of Sonny and Cher or David Cassidy, through the all-girl 80s action of The Bangles and The Go-Gos and the gypsy harmonies of Fleetwood Mac to the surf sounds of The Beach Boys and the on-stage acrobatics of Van Halen or Guns and Roses, clubs like The Whisky and The Roxy on Sunset Boulevard ignited an explosion

of music and fed a pop culture that took over the world.

Lead vocalist Ray Ray Vavasis sings everything from Sinatra to rock.

The line-up also includes lead guitarist Ewan Lund, bassist Tomas Hills, keyboard player Mitchell Sloane and drummer Mick O’Shea.

The show plays at the Laycock Street Community Theatre on Friday, February 10.

Source: Media release, Jan 15 Lionel Midford Publicity

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Free outdoor movie nights in town centres across the region Central Coast Council’s Social Spaces program will continue until the end of the school holidays with a wide range of familyfriendly community events and activities across Gosford, Wyong, The Entrance and Toukley town centres through January.

Outdoor movie nights will be held at the Chapman Building, Wyong, on Saturday, January 14, at Kibble Park, Gosford on

Friday, January 20 and at the Village Green, Toukley, on Saturday, January 21.

The nights will have a range of free crafts for the kids as well as Round-about Circus play space and roving entertainment, with the family favourite movie Shrek to be screened.

Enjoy dinner or grab a takeaway from a local eatery and sit down under the summer night sky for the free open-air screening.

Limited seating and picnic rugs will be provided or bring your own.

Activities will commence at 5 pm for a sundown movie start.

Pop-up dining experiences continue at The Entrance only featuring great food, great music and festoon lighting with the final event to be held at Waterfront Plaza from noon-8 pm on Friday, January 20.

Free Tai Chi sessions are available across the four

centres as are activities including Laser skirmish, an Australian wildlife display, face painting and Play and Picasso painting workshops.

For the full program of remaining events go to lovecentralcoast.com.

Source: Media release, Jan 11, 2023 Central Coast Council The movie nights will feature children’s crafts and activities and roving entertainment

Author talk by Sharyn Munro at Erina Library Author, Sharyn Munro, will speak about her latest book, Peeping through my fingers, at Erina Library on February 9 as part of the NSW Seniors Week Festival.

Munro is the author of four books with the latest her first foray into fiction.

It is a collection of short stories linked by brief commentaries on her own evolving life.

Many of these stories are award-winners, but previously only available in literary

Author Sharyn Munro

journals or anthologies.

They are brought together for the first time under the umbrella theme of “childhood, old age … and the dangerous bits in

between”.

Munro grew up on a small farm and orchard at Erina, and well remembers the district before the opening of Erina Fair, when it was rural.

She left the Coast in the mid‘60s to attend Newcastle University but has visited often since.

She lived for decades, alone for the last 12 years, in a solarpowered mud brick cabin on her remote mountain wildlife refuge in the Upper Hunter Valley.

This was the setting for her

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first two non-fiction books, The Woman on the Mountain’ (Exisle 2007) and Mountain Tails (Exisle 2009).

Her third non-fiction book, Rich Land, Wasteland — how coal is killing Australia (Pan Macmillan/Exisle 2012), arose from her empathy with the people and places of the nearby Hunter Valley being devastated by runaway opencut coal mining.

In late 2014, she moved to be closer to family, to discover new wildlife and chronicle in her ongoing nature blog.

After her house was flooded in 2021, she moved to the mid north coast.

A few health scares made her determined to reclaim her creative path and the Peeping through my fingers collection is the first result.

The stories are sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but always perceptive, as Munro turns from observing her wild animal neighbours to writing about her fellow humans.

As she enters her 75th year, Munro said she aims to use her

way with words for both storytelling and activism.

“Our world needs both – to understand life and to save it,” she said.

All her books are available directly from her website – https://www.sharynmunro. com.

Her talk at Erina Library on February 9 will take place from 10-11am.

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Jopuka announces new youth advisory team Peak youth arts body Jopuka Productions has announced the launch of its new youth advisory team, The Terrestrials.

The team of young people will help guide the company and provide valuable input on the direction of Jopuka Productions in the years to come.

The Terrestrials is made up of 28 young people from across the Central Coast and beyond, who will meet regularly to discuss issues affecting the youth arts community and provide input and feedback on Jopuka Productions’ programs and initiatives.

Young people of colour comprise 26 per cent of the team, with 54 per cent being young people who identify as members of the LGBTQAI+ community.

“We are delighted to launch

Tahlia Nott and Kani Lukuta are keen to get discussions underway

our Youth Advisory Team and to have the opportunity to work closely with such a talented and passionate group of young people,” Jopuka Artistic

Director Joshua Maxwell said.

“We believe that their unique perspective and insights will be invaluable as we continue to grow and develop as a

company.”

The Youth Advisory Team will be led by Tahlia Nott, a talented 16-year-old actor, singer, and dancer who was elected to

serve as chair by her peers.

Tahlia has been performing with the company since 2019.

In her new role, she will also serve on the company’s main board of directors, become the youngest board member currently on a board in the sector.

“I am so honoured to be elected as chair of the Youth Advisory Team, and I am looking forward to working with my fellow Terrestrials members to make a positive impact on Jopuka, and our Central Coast community,” she said.

“I believe that young people have a lot to contribute to the community as whole, and I am excited to help ensure that their voices are heard, and their ideas are incorporated into the future of the Australia arts ecology.”

Kani Lukuta, a 17-year-old

singer and songwriter, has been appointed spokesperson for The Terrestrials.

As a life member of the company, Kani is well-known and well-respected within the youth arts community.

In his new role as spokesperson, Kani will serve as a representative for Jopuka Productions, along with Tahlia, sharing news and updates about the company and its programs with the public.

Maxwell said Jopuka Productions is committed to supporting and empowering young people in the arts, and the Youth Advisory Team will play a key role in this effort.

For more information, contact Jopuka Productions at hello@ jopuka.org.au.

Source: Media release, Jan 1 Jopuka Productions

Exquisitely embroidered panels on exhibition Central Coast Quakers will exhibit 10 of the 24 completed panels of the Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery in the Kariong Arts Barn on January 21-22.

The Sydney Parkinson Panel tells of the first Quakers in Australia

The panels beautifully depict the story of Quakers in Australia, ranging from the Sydney Parkinson panel, telling the story of the first Quaker to set foot on the land we now call Australia, to the panel about the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre on the edge of Lake George.

The project was inspired by the Quaker Tapestry in the UK. Local Quaker Lisa Wriley visited the Quaker Tapestry in Kendal (UK) in 1994 and returned to volunteer there for a week in 2014.

“I was so inspired by the 40 or so tapestry panels in Kendal,” she said.

“I had only met one Quaker before stumbling across them – when I did a course in Peace Studies at Macquarie University.

“My tutor, Sabine Erika, was a Quaker and told us about her activism with women at Greenham Common.

“I was drawn to this faith community of people who ‘let their life speak’ and worship in silence.”

Wriley said each panel was a unique work of art telling a story.

“Many hands and hearts have worked on each of the panels,” she said.

“I stitched some of the

Creating a Sacred Space panel and … have also joined the silent vigil for justice for Indigenous Australians that the panel describes.”

The Australian Quaker Narrative embroideries can be seen in the Arts Barn, 2 Dandaloo St, Kariong, from 10am-4pm on Saturday, January 21, and 11.30am-2pm on Sunday, January 22.

For more information call 0429 431 889.

Central Coast Quakers meet at the Arts Barn at 10am on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

Source: Media release, Jan 12 Lisa Wriley

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A life in art at regional gallery Artist Susan Marrable of Bateau Bay is set to present an exhibition of her life’s work at Gosford Regional Gallery, with the official opening to take place on her 93rd birthday.

Susan Marrable – A Life in Art will be in the community gallery from January 21-28, with the official opening to take place at 4pm on January 21.

More than 50 drawings, prints and paintings will be on show, covering 70 years of her life from leaving Hungary as a refugee at the age of 14 in 1944 to the present day.

“Even as a child I was doing strip cartoons and illustrating stories.

“You tend to draw what you know and most of my work is landscapes of places I have been to.”

Marrable’s preferred mediums are pencil drawings and watercolour paintings.

Born in Hungary, she fled the country at the end of World War II, returning to her mother’s home town in Germany.

In 1961, she and her husband moved to Australia, living for a year in Melbourne before

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BOOK REVIEW

Shrines of Gaiety Author: Kate Atkinson | Publisher: Penguin London, 1926 and there is a crowd gathered outside the gates of the prison.

Susan Marrable

settling on the Central Coast.

“We lived first at Terrigal and then on a rainforest acreage at Matcham for 25 years,” she said.

“Matcham was just a backwater then but was a wonderful place to raise our children.”

These days she enjoys independent assisted living at Bateau Bay. The artwork on show mostly reflects her many travels.

“My husband and I spent five months travelling all around Australia,” she said.

“I did a great many drawings during that time.”

The opening of the exhibition will be attended by Marrable’s old friends, children, grandchildren and great grand child.

Terry Collins

A young newspaper boy is excited, “Is it a hanging?”

No, it isn’t a hanging.

Just Nellie Coker being released from prison after serving six months.

Some cheer for joy at her release, “Well done, old girl!”

Others jeer, “Jezebel!”

Can’t please everyone.

Her children gather around wanting to take her home.

But Nellie decides to celebrate at one of her clubs, the Amethyst.

Before Nellie was known as the “Queen of Clubs” in London she was the wife of a “medical man” living in Edinburgh.

When she realised her husband was a drinker and a gambler, she grabbed the children and took a train to King’s Cross.

She found cheap lodgings from a kind woman.

However, when the woman passed away, Nellie’s life

would take a different path.

Nellie is opportunistic, she is savvy and smart and worked hard to create an empire.

The heirs to the empire are her children, Niven, Edith, Betty, Shirley, Ramsay and the “runt”, eleven-year-old Kitty.

Niven is his own person, who served in the war.

Edith was Nellie’s “second in command”, learning accounting and bookkeeping.

Betty and Shirley went to Cambridge.

Ramsey spent time in a sanatorium in Switzerland but is back in London now, running one of his mother’s clubs but he really wants to be writer.

Kitty is overlooked.

But things are starting to unravel for Nellie.

Maddox, one of the corrupt cops who has been on Nellie’s payroll in exchange for warning Nellie of any upcoming raids, now wants more.

Edith has become quite unwell and seems to be at death’s door.

There is a strange man following Nellie.

Ramsay owes a great gambling debt that he can never repay.

On the law-abiding side of town, there is John Frobisher.

He is a good cop and has been sent to stir things up at Bow Street station, where corruption is rampant (Maddox is an officer at Bow Street, need we say more).

Fobisher is also trying to find out why so many young girls are turning up dead.

Gwendolyn Kelling is a librarian from York who has travelled to London at the behest of her friend Cissy.

Cissy’s half-sister, Freda and her friend Florence have run away to London to seek fame on the stage.

Gwendolyn asks Frobisher for his help to find the girls.

Frobisher asks Gwendolyn

for her help to infiltrate Nellie’s inner circle.

And infiltrate it she does.

I thought to myself, what a colourful cast of characters, until I read the Author’s Note about this story being based on the life of Kate Meyrick, who was the “queen of Soho’s clubland”.

Kate also was the mother of several children and went to prison many times.

This was a well-researched story with clever dialogue and a great plot.

I really wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes a television series or a movie.

Unlike most books, where I find the ending to be disappointing, I was happily surprised to actually like the ending, almost as much as I liked the book itself.

Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

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Business & Property

More than $23M is being invested by the NSW Government

Wyong and Warnervale employment lands

Economic and transport plans to build a thriving region More than $23M is being invested by the NSW Government to unlock housing, jobs and opportunities with seven key priorities set out in the Central Coast Strategy for Economic Growth released on Monday.

The Strategy identifies priorities for driving innovation and economic growth by supporting the thriving food production ecosystem, unlocking employment lands, building on health and education precincts including a Gosford university campus, improving transport within the region and connections with Sydney and Newcastle, delivering a high-speed internet network and improving planning processes to accelerate development approval.

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport, Rob Stokes, said there was a particular focus on unlocking key employment sites for business growth and job opportunities.

“With commitments for faster rail at Wyong and a new university campus at Gosford, we’re backing the Central Coast to grow a stronger economy, invest in better services and make lives easier for local families,” he said.

Also this week, the Government released its Draft Central Coast Regional Transport Plan which is open for public feedback until Friday, February 24 online at https:// www.future.transport.nsw. gov.au/future-transport-plans/ draft-central-coast-regionaltransport-plan The Draft Transport Plan contains 80 initiatives including an upgraded interchange on

the M1 at Ourimbah, the Pacific Highway upgrade through Wyong Town Centre and more connected neighbourhoods.

Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the community’s feedback would continue to be critical.

“We’re already in the process of delivering some of these projects including an upgrade to the Pacific Highway at Lisarow, accessibility improvements to Tuggerah Station and changes to the intersection of Ocean Beach Rd and Rawson Rd at Woy Woy,” he said.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the Economic Strategy and Draft Transport Plan aligned with Council’s own strategies for future growth with a focus on housing, jobs and tourism.

“Diverse housing offerings, fast reliable connected transport options, investment in education and health and innovative business and tourism will all help accelerate the economic growth of the Central Coast,” he said.

“Council, in its work to date on a revitalised Gosford waterfront, is in lock-step with the government in recognising the potential of this region and what is needed.

“Our support of the new university and TAFE, as well as our implementation of the Central Coast Economic Development Strategy and Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy, are all pivotal in the overall economic growth of the Central Coast.

“Council has worked closely with the Greater Cities Commission, NSW government agencies and key stakeholders to ensure that the government’s Central Coast Economic Strategy captures the

opportunities and areas which will have the most impact on the region,” Hart said.

The Central Coast Chapter of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) is pleased the Strategy recognises the urgent need to unlock employment lands and accelerate employment precincts.

UDIA says its members are reporting unprecedented demand for employment land and new housing in the region, and the actions outlined in the Strategy are needed now to seize the current opportunities and deliver more jobs for more Central Coast residents.

“The increased focus on investment in key employment areas outlined in the Central Coast Strategy is critical, including the land in the Northern Growth Corridor around the Central Coast Airport and Wyong; sites within the Southern Growth Corridor at Somersby and Mount Penang; and the Munmorah Power Station site,” said Caine King, Chair of the UDIA Central Coast Chapter.

“Three keys to the success of the Strategy will be improving planning processes to speed up assessments, delivering enabling infrastructure, and completing the Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan (Biocertification) for these employment areas.

“Focusing on these three vital elements will provide the certainty industry needs to deliver the Coast’s economic growth and achieve good outcomes, both for jobs and biodiversity. “(In relation to the Draft Transport Plan) UDIA has done the work to show government where it could get the best bang for its buck in delivering

the transport and other enabling infrastructure needed to unlock economic growth on the Central Coast.

“Our Central Coast Building Blocks report shows where infrastructure investments will deliver the most jobs.

“The question remains whether the NSW Government will support land to be fully

utilised for its zoned purpose, and appropriately balance the land’s environmental, economic and social benefits for the Central Coast, by committing meaningful funding to deliver infrastructure and Biocertification for our employment lands.”

The Central Coast Strategy for Economic Growth was

informed by community consultation beginning in 2020 and can be viewed at https:// greatercities.au/innovationdistricts/districts Its delivery will be further supported by the Six Cities Region Plan, to be developed during 2023.

Sue Murray

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Business chamber backs waterfront revitalisation plan Gosford Erina Business Chamber (GEBC) is all in favour of Central Coast Council’s plan to revitalise the Gosford waterfront and is calling for positivity in the face of opposition from environmental groups.

President Peter Lawley said a submission lodged in response to the Council’s draft plan had the full support of more than 150 business operators/ owners (members of GEBC) who represent what the Chamber sees as “a great opportunity to push the City of Gosford ahead”.

“If the waterfront progresses, then development confidence will occur,” he said.

“In addition, the GEBC has been active with Council over the past years in regards to the current wharf scenario and is pleased to now see action has happened to improve this area, with the boats that were moored for so many years at no charge gone.

The Chamber’s submission says it considers the plan to revitalise the Gosford waterfront as an opportunity to firmly establish Gosford as the gateway to the Central Coast.

“This investment in the Gosford waterfront is a significant opportunity to infuse economic growth, promote lifestyle improvement and establish a destination for

local, national and international visitors,” it says.

“The GEBC does not view this plan in isolation but as part of the broader Gosford revitalisation, which includes approvals for the new university, plans for changes to the TAFE campus and the current developments in progress or in the pipeline for residential and commercial buildings.

“The GEBC and the business community strongly support the concept plans, along with Council’s intention to combine key stakeholders in the development proposals and garner interagency collaboration on the project,

along with private equity and development groups to invest in the proposal.”

The submission says the plan will: stimulate economic and job growth, including tourism for the Central Coast; aim for achievable, realistic, financially, and economically viable goals; develop Gosford waterfront and Central Coast Stadium to become a key destination and drawcard for investment opportunities, new business, visitors, locals, and tourists; provide continuous, all accessible pedestrian links and connectivity along the foreshore and to the stadium, town centre, station, hospital, public pool, outdoor recreation

areas and the proposed Point Clare cycle link; provide benefits for the local community and stakeholders; and provide further options for housing and accommodation in the heart of the City.

“These plans will encourage and enhance current business activities in the Gosford CBD, creating employment and reducing the daily outflow of Central Coast residents to work in Sydney and surrounds,” it says.

With the project linked to the education opportunities in Gosford, the submission says the big winners will be the youth of the Central Coast who will be able to continue to live,

work, enjoy and benefit from a “lifestyle city” which has for too long been neglected and ignored by numerous governments and agencies.

“The GEBC is keen to collaborate with Council and offers its support as part of the implementation process and will seek to engage Council with recommendations concerning related matters such as transport and parking.

Source: Media release, Dec 27 Gosford Erina Business Chamber

First 2023 meeting for women’s business network The Community and Business Women’s Network (CBWN) is inviting all community and business women to their February event at The Lakes Surf Life Saving Club on Budgewoi Rd.

A networking event to unite community and business women

It will be held from 11.45am to 2pm on Thursday, February 2 and is open to all women who wish to connect with others to

create opportunities for growth, resilience and inspiration at business, community and individual levels.

The group is also for women who want to upskill, network and get to know what is happening in their local community.

Part of the February event is the Spotlight Sparkle segment which is an opportunity for

people to take to the stage and talk for a couple of minutes about their business or projects.

There also will be a charity raffle to support the CBWN cause, Because We Care Boutique, which supports disadvantaged women reenter the workforce.

Tickets for the event can be acquired online at cbwn.org.au

CBWN is a project of nonprofit organisation Iris Foundation which works primarily on the Central Coast to help reduce the risk of suicide by facilitating and supporting awareness campaigns, programs and partnerships which enhance community connectedness and wellbeing.

Sue Murray

Laycock Stage Welcomes February NSW Seniors Festival Events Celebrate the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival with a sneak peek ‘Behind the Curtains’ tour at Laycock Street Community Theatre.

We’re thrilled to pull back the stage curtains and give you a FREE behind the scenes glimpse of our theatre with exclusive access to the mainstage, backstage, dressing rooms and bio box.

Tours commence at 10am, 11am and 12pm and run for approx. 45 minutes each.

RSVP’s are essential by visiting or phoning the Box office to register interest or reserve your place via the theatre website.

Scheduled during the Festival is Laycock’s first Morning Melodies for 2023 – ‘Delphi Goes Bassooning – A Tiny Musical’. The show follows a gawky schoolgirl who gets given a lumbering bassoon by her mother, a professional musician. The bassoon opens doors – to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, to a private school – but Janet hates it. After three long years of playing she fails an exam and abandons the bassoon to the depths of her mother’s

garage. 32 years later she rediscovers the bassoon and now she is ready for it. She is ready to re-examine her own family history, to re-discover her talented but frustrated musical grandmother, to accept and embrace her own creative spark.

So begins a story that explores mother and daughters, a woman’s struggle for a creative life, expectations, disappointments and the

relentless wheel of generational patterns. It features eight original songs, four characters and one bassoon.

Produced and played by Janet Swain, this is a delightful morning out to kick off the year of live entertainment at Laycock Street Theatre. Janet is an award-winning songwriter, and apart from her own projects, has been commissioned to write songs for schools, events and communities. She lives in

the Northern Rivers of NSW Australia, where she runs Big Song Sessions, a large community choir called Big Voice, teaches music in a local primary school, performs with her band The Loveys and Dynasty8 Chamber Choir. She has been developing Delphi Goes Bassooning for the past 4 years.

A sneak peek into April’s Morning Melodies brings ‘Golden Days – The Songs of the Movies & Musicals’. Direct from Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End as part of The Phantom of the Opera, Queensland Tenor Paul Ettore Tabone takes you on a musical journey of the best songs from movies to musicals throughout the decades.

Paul has been dubbed “Australia’s own Andrea Boccelli” after reaching #1 in the classical music charts in Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America with his debut album ‘This is Me’.

Join the Tenor From OzTM as he takes you on a journey through the songs of stage and screen, from opera, films and musical.

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Royal Australian Navy Big Band

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Gems of Jazz – Gina Hogan

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The Dolly Show

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Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Delphi - the accomplished musician and cabaret star - and her bassoon

Bookings can be made through the theatre Box Office 4323 3233 or via the website https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/theatres

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Have your say on Hawkesbury River management plan Residents have until February 20 to take part in a survey to inform the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Coastal Management Program (CMP) currently being developed by six councils that border the tidal section of the Hawkesbury estuary.

A project coordinator has been engaged for the project

by Hornsby Council to work on behalf of the partner councils – Hornsby, Central Coast, Hawkesbury, The Hills Shire, Ku-ring-gai and Northern Beaches.

The CMP process will identify areas impacted by various coastal and estuarine hazards and the relative risk of these hazards.

The information will then be used to inform the development

of management actions to address the hazards.

Actions could include the definition and mapping of Coastal Vulnerability Areas or physical interventions such as the building of seawalls, rock or timber revetments, and bank and dune revegetation.

The CMP will primarily focus on the impacts within the tidal section stretching over 145km of the river from Broken Bay up to Yarramundi near Richmond as well as the waterways of Pittwater and Brisbane Water which converge with the Lower Hawkesbury River at Broken Bay. Managing the massive body of water requires a huge amount of collaboration between the six councils and more than 20 different State Government departments.

The plan will set out management strategies for the Hawkesbury River catchment areas

Up until now, each of the councils had its own plan and was responsible for delivering the actions in these plans.

Of these actions, 88 per cent have been completed with the remaining 12 per cent expected to be carried over into the new Coastal Management Program.

“Having the six councils working together on this project means we can use an integrated approach to manage the Hawkesbury estuary/river on issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries,” the Hornsby Council website says.

“The CMP will set out the

long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coastal zone along the Hawkesbury including its creeks, lagoons, littoral rainforests, wetlands, beaches and associated catchments.”

The CMP will provide an

opportunity for councils, public authorities and local communities to identify and balance competing interests and priorities in the coastal zone; a means to implement efficiently NSW government guidelines for coastal management; and recommendations for the future management of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system.

The CMP will guide how issues will be dealt with, who is responsible, where funding will come from and when actions will be undertaken.

Go here to have your say: https://yoursay.hornsby.nsw. gov.au/hawkesbury-nepeanCMP/hawkesbury-nepeanriver-cmp-survey.

Terry Collins

Central Coast Festival of Women 2023 launch The Annual Central Coast Festival of Women International Women’s Day volunteer committee will hold its 2023 launch event at Ettalong Beach on March 3.

Jasmine Hopcraft

Guest Speaker will be 2021

Business Person of the Year 2021 Jasmine Hopcraft.

After a 30-year career working for corporate Australia, Hopcraft wanted to bring her “customer comes first” service experience to the aged care industry.

She set out to provide seniors

and their families with a service that offered true tailored choice and employment opportunities to local people – particularly mid to older age women.

She will talk on how she overcame the challenges of growing a local business from the ground up, to now provide

employment to more than 200 Central Coast locals and deliver over 10,000 hours of care for seniors per month.

She is positively impacting thousands of people daily.

The launch event will also feature a two-course lunch and will be held in the Pretty Beach

Function Room at Ettalong Diggers.

Tickets are $60, available through stickytickets.

Source: Media release, Jan 16 Central Coast Festival of Women International Women’s Day volunteer committee ADVERTISEMENT

PAGE 24

THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023

BUSINESS & PROPERTY

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Chamber backs new Ettalong developments The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has backed a range of new mixed-use development projects at Ettalong Beach as the town centre experiences a boom over the Christmas holiday break.

“The Chamber is looking forward to a busy 2023 for the Ettalong Beach town centre despite slightly tougher economic conditions,” President Matthew Wales said.

“The building and construction industry remains confident that market conditions will stabilise with the long term forecast positive for our local centres as a number of key developments progress through the Council approval process and others look for early starts in 2023.

“The recent Land and

A render showing the potential outcome for a site on The Esplanade

Environment Court approved mixed use development on the corner of Ocean View Rd and Ferry Rd is due for construction in mid-2023.

“This site has been sadly neglected over the last 20 years and represents some of the best beachfront commercial

land on the Central Coast.

The new development will consist of 12 apartments over three levels with ground floor commercial floor space.

Wales said a Court approved mixed use development at 227-233 Ocean View Dr would consist of 24 apartments over

five levels and ground floor retail space.

“Once again,this development will replace aging single storey retail buildings adjacent to the new apartment building currently under construction on the old Centrelink site,” he said.

“This year will also see the rezoning of the old Ettalong Beach Motel and adjacent lands on The Esplanade that will allow the development of the site for a five-storey mixed use development with the potential for 44 high quality apartments and ground level retail.

“The rezoning will be accompanied by a comprehensive development control plan that will ensure high quality design and compliance with prescribed planning controls.”

Wales said Council was also assessing an application for 24 apartments on the corner of Ocean View Rd and Memorial Ave with the proposal due to go to the Central Coast Local Planning Panel within the next few months.

“All these developments build on the need to revitalise the Ettalong Beach town centre and provide high quality apartment accommodation and much needed new retail floor space,” he said.

“The Chamber is pleased to see a strong increase in investment and development activity which is a direct result of years of advocacy by the business community.

“What is now important is for Council to remain proactive and ensure that current and future development applications are processed quickly so that redevelopment and local investment are not delayed.”

Source: Media release, Dec 3 Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Kariong a top area to buy Kariong has been included in a list of the state’s top 20 investment-grade suburbs where buyers have a negotiating advantage over vendors.

New research commissioned

by Well Money (formerly known as Well Home Loans) began by considering every suburb in NSW, before filtering out suburbs: that weren’t investment-grade; where demand had not been falling; and where prices had not increased by at least 45 per cent over the past decade.

That left a small list of

investment-grade suburbs where conditions are favourable to buyers and where investors know they have plenty of bargaining power – because even if they offered a 10 per cent discount, vendors would still be giving up only a fraction of the profits they’d made in the previous decade.

Kariong came in at number four, the only Central Coast suburb to make the list.

Well Money CEO Scott Spencer said the ranking was designed to help investors who wanted to buy in quality locations and hold a negotiating edge over vendors.

Photo: Airviewonline

An aerial view of Kariong

“Buyers hold a negotiating advantage in each of these suburbs right now, because vendors have enjoyed capital

growth of at least 45 per cent over the past decade,” he said.

“Another reason why buyers have the edge in these suburbs

is because market conditions have been turning in their favour, as demand relative to supply has been falling.”

Spencer said the suburbs in this report are quality, investment-grade locations.

“All of them have low inventory levels, which will put upward pressure on price growth, and low vacancy rates, which will put upward pressure on rental growth,” he said.

“So the data suggests that investors would be more likely than not to enjoy positive returns.”

But Spencer urged investors

to be prudent with their finances.

“Interest rates have been rising and will probably increase even further in the first half of 2023, so investors need to budget for higher repayments,” he said.

“It’s risky to enter the market if you don’t believe you’d have the capacity to cope with higher interest rates.”

The median asking price for homes at Kariong at December 2022 was $952,750.

Source: Media release, Jan 15, 2023 Well Money

Petition calls for real investment in social housing With more than 3,300 people on the waiting list for social housing on the Central Coast, community housing provider Home in Place is urging people to sign a petition calling for political parties to make a real, long term, investment in social and affordable

housing to tackle the current housing crisis.

The petition is part of the Confront the Crisis campaign organised by the Community Housing Industry Association NSW in the lead-up to the March State Election.

Home in Place manager of business and public affairs

Martin Kennedy said with rents continuing to rise, more people than ever are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

He said those most affected by the crisis include pensioners, young people, people with a disability, women and children escaping domestic violence but also workers who keep our

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communities running – teachers, nurses, aged care workers and cleaners.

“The rental market is broken, with supply falling well short of housing demand,” Kennedy said.

“Vacancy rates have plummeted across the state – in many areas, rental housing

isn’t just unaffordable, it’s unavailable.

“There are already 50,000 families and individuals on the NSW social housing waitlist with waiting times as high as 10 years in some areas.”

Kennedy said the Central Coast has the second highest number of people on the

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waiting list in the state, with a rental vacancy of just 1.2 per cent.

The Hunter region has the highest number, with 4,500 on the list and a vacancy rate of just 1 per cent.

“Whoever governs NSW after March must have a plan to confront this crisis or more people will be forced to join the list and either live with family, friends, couch surf – or worse, live in tents or their cars,” he said.

People can find out more about the crisis and the campaign, and sign the petition, at www.confrontthecrisis.com Home in Place is a NSW based not for profit community housing provider and a member of CHIA NSW. It manages more than 6,600 social, affordable and disability housing properties in NSW including on the Central Coast.

Source: Media release, Jan 11 Home in Place

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CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Brought to you by moneymag.com.au

Other doors open for first time property buyers WITH

Michelle BALTAZAR Editor-in-Chief • Money magazine Saving for a deposit and affordability are the two biggest hurdles facing most first home buyers.

The increased cost of living is making it increasingly difficult to achieve the 20% deposit, plus associated purchase costs, normally required by lenders, according to a recent Genworth First Home Buyer Report.

This means that in some markets achieving the deposit for a home may take more than 14 years, it says.

Even though house prices are now easing, they are still high, particularly in the most desirable areas.

But first home buyers shouldn’t give up: there are strategies you can employ to help you move into your own home sooner: 1. Get family help According to Mozo’s Bank of Mum and Dad report, Australians lend an average of $70,000 to their children to help them to compete in the housing market.

Even if your parents or other relatives can’t give you money, they may agree to guarantee part of your loan.

Essentially, your parents (or another relative) use their own property to boost your borrowing power by guaranteeing all or a portion of your loan, for example 20%.

This enables the kids to meet the 20% deposit required to avoid expensive lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) and tap into better mortgage rates.

2. Buy a “tiny home” If you are a minimalist, a tiny house may appeal. For $29,500 you can buy a 23.5sq m basic studio cottage to self-assemble from mylittlehouse.com.au.

Most tiny homes are on wheels and there are obstacles to buying them that you will need to overcome.

The Australian Tiny House Association (tinyhouse.org.au) provides lots of information.

Permanent tiny homes

intended for long-term living will need local authority approval, and in most jurisdictions this will be challenging.

Finding a parking spot for your home can be difficult – if you have family with some backyard space, this could prove a great help, otherwise you may have to rent a patch of land.

Even though your tiny home is going to be your permanent residence, a mortgage is not an option because it will be classified as a caravan.

You can apply for a caravan

loan or a secure personal loan; an unsecured personal loan is also an option but usually carries a higher interest rate.

3. Buy with a friend Co-buying can certainly boost your purchasing power, but it’s riddled with pitfalls, so it’s essential to have a formal co-ownership agreement.

It’s likely you will opt for a tenants in common structure, where each person owns a specific share of the property separately and each is free

to sell or otherwise deal with their interest in the property at any time, provided there are no terms in the co-ownership agreement stating otherwise.

But even with this structure, plus separate borrowings to buy the property, it’s likely that your lender will require each owner to be jointly liable for the total loan amount.

This means if your fellow buyers can’t afford their repayments for some reason, the lender will expect you to meet the shortfall.

4. First Home Loan Deposit Scheme The FHLDS allows first time buyers with at least a 5% deposit to avoid having to pay LMI when taking out a home loan.

Instead, the federal government will act as the guarantor for the remaining deposit amount.

To be eligible you must be a genuine first home buyer and earn no more than $125,000pa as a single person or $200,000 as a couple.

There are caps on the price you can pay for your property, depending on its location. For details see nhfic.gov.au.

5. Change your expectations Covid-19 has increased many people’s ability to work from home, at least part of the time, which means travel times can be less of a consideration.

It may mean you can buy in a regional area, where prices may be considerably lower and the lifestyle better.

PAM WALKLEY

Portrait of an Aussie investor: patient, self-reliant and savvy Australia is among four markets where investors are willing to take on more risks, according to the Morningstar Inaugural Global Investor Portfolio Study.

“We’re a country of people who take more control of their investments,” says Grant Kennaway, Morningstar’s global head of manager selection.

“Our system encourages that.

“We need to be more savvy because the government doesn’t want to run a defined benefit retirement scheme.

“It’s all about compulsory savings and taking responsibility, which Australians are very good at.”

The study looked at 14 markets, examining how local

practices, investment product availability and regulations, influence investor preferences and risk tolerance.

It found investors are more willing to take risks when they begin investing early in their lives, and this is seen in markets where defined contribution retirement schemes are dominant, such as Australia, New

Zealand, the UK and the US. “Because Australia has this compulsory system where young Australians get defaulted into superannuation products, and increasingly they are more growth-orientated products, as soon as you join the workforce you are getting these statements showing your exposure to growth assets, and so you

get used to that variability year to year in your retirement savings,” says Kennaway.

“It just creates that familiarity and acceptance that [investment] values are going to move around year to year.”

The study showed that Australians are generally long-term investors, and that investing in Australia is mostly done

through direct mutual funds and equities, though real estate is also popular.

“All the policy settings favour a long-term investing mindset and that’s supported by all the investor education that comes from the super funds, that comes from the advice industry,” says Kennaway.

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HEALTH & EDUCATION

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Labor promises to address health staff crisis on the Central Coast Central Coast Local Health District will gain three government-funded McGrath breast care nurses if Labor wins the State Election in March.

The Labor Party has committed $19.5M over three years to fund an additional 29 McGrath breast care nurses across the state if elected.

A Labor party spokesperson said breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with 20,428 women and 212 men being diagnosed annually in Australia.

“Currently, eight McGrath breast care nurses are funded by the NSW Government,” the spokesperson said.

None of them is based on the Central Coast.

“Eight more were previously funded but the funding was cancelled in 2021.

“McGrath breast care nurses are registered nurses specially trained to provide invaluable physical, psychological and emotional support, from the time of cancer diagnosis and throughout treatment.”

The spokesperson said a McGrath breast care nurse in a full-time position supports on average 100 patients per year.

“Research shows that getting

early access within the first weeks to a dedicated nurse significantly improves the experience and outcomes of a person with breast cancer, including a reduction in emergency department presentations, reduction in clinical consulting time, and improved medical appointment attendance.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the Central Coast has high rates of cancer.

“For the Central Coast, this will provide certainty for all patients and their families that they will receive specialised care and support,” he said.

The announcement comes as part of a broader commitment by the ALP to tackle the health staff crisis if it is elected in March.

Shadow Minister for Health, Ryan Park, visited the region last week to outline Labor’s plan accompanied by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, Labor Candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton, representatives of the Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) and nurses and health workers from Gosford Hospital.

Park said under Labor’s plan, $175M will be used to recruit

The Labor team outlines its health policy

an additional 1,200 nurses and midwives within the first four years of a Minns Government.

Labor will also reform the current nursing rostering system and replace it with an enforceable minimum shiftby-shift staffing model, he said.

“This will mean more nurses in Emergency Departments and other urgent care wards with a rollout to each ward based on priority.”

“We have committed to removing the public sector wage cap which has limited pay increases to 2.5 per cent for nurses and health workers since the NSW Liberal Government’s election in 2011,” Park said.

Under Labor’s plan, $150M will be committed to fund an additional 500 paramedics over four years, to ease the burden of chronic paramedic shortages and the strained

rural and regional health system.”

Tesch said the announcement followed the release of new data revealed by the NSWNMA and the latest round of Bureau of Health Information (BHI) statistics, which reveal huge nursing gaps in Central Coast hospitals and bad results for EDs, wait-times for ambulances and elective surgery.

“In August alone, hospitals within the CCLHD were

understaffed by approximately 15,000 hours below the Nursing Hours Per Patient Day minimum (the minimum standard used by NSW Health by inpatient wards),” Tesch said.

“This is equal to almost 2,000 unfilled shifts by nurses.

“The latest round of Bureau of Health Information data also shows spikes in bed block, ambulance banking and ED wait times at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals.

Tesch said elective surgery has also blown out with waiting times for non-urgent surgeries rising to the longest time on record for Gosford Hospital at 511 days (representing an increase of over 133 days since 2021).

Wyong Hospital’s non-urgent elective surgery waiting times now stand at 422 days, she said.

“This new data shows us all what nurses and patients know already; our hospitals are in acute crisis and our health workers are overstretched and overworked,” Tesch said.

Source: Media releases, Dec 15 and Jan 7 Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch and the NSW Labor Party

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HEALTH & EDUCATION

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Cheaper medicines for thousands of Coasties Thousands of Central Coast residents will now be paying up to 29 per cent less for their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions, with the maximum PBS co-payment dropping from $42.50 to $30 from January 1.

The move marks the first copayment reduction in the PBS’s 75-year history.

Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, said someone taking one medication a month could save as much as $150 every year, or a family with two or three medications a month could save as much as $300$450 a year.

McBride popped into Kanwal Pharmacy on New Year’s Day to discuss the new arrangement with staff.

Pharmacist Pam Bellette said young families and self-funded retirees would be the big

Pharmacist Pam Bellette and Assistant Minister Emma McBride at Kanwal Pharmacy

winners.

“If you have a pension card you pay $7.30 per prescription up to 30 prescriptions per calendar year and then zero,” she said.

“But if you don’t have a pension card, the co-payment

can be very pricey.

“Now, instead of paying $42.50 per prescription, the most those people will pay is $30.

“If you’re filling four prescriptions, that’s a saving of almost $50 which can be spent

on groceries and other essentials.”

Bellette said she had experienced customers not filling all their prescriptions on multiple occasions, with cost a likely contributing factor.

“Often a customer will ask

me if they can just take half a tablet at a time or won’t fill all their prescriptions at once,” she said.

“Sometimes working families make too much money to qualify for a pension card but not enough to meet all their needs.

McBride said it was important that everyone on the Central Coast has access to quality, affordable health care.

“From January 1 medicines will be cheaper for over 89,000 people in Dobell alone, saving them more than $4.3M,” she said.

“In Robertson almost 85,000 people will benefit with a total saving of $4.6M. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Professor Trent Twomey, said the move will help some 19 million patients, especially those who have been struggling to afford their medicines.

“In 2019-20 we learnt that 900,000 Australian patients

did not get a script filled because they could not afford it,” he said.

As health professionals, this disturbed us immensely and led to our “Affordable Medicines Now” campaign which pressured both parties to commit to lowering the cost of PBS medicines in the lead up to the last election.

But Twomey said the campaign to make medicines universally affordable is far from over.

“We are now pushing to lower the maximum co-payment of PBS medicines even further, to $19,” he said.

“Reducing the maximum copayment to $19 will mean an additional 30 per cent of PBS medicines are covered.”

He said a national survey commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild in 2022 revealed the affordability of healthcare was the biggest hip pocket concern among polled voters.

Terry Collins

Help give Coast kids a good start to the school year Central Coast children’s charity We Care Connect has launched its 2023 Back to School campaign and is asking the community to help local vulnerable families by giving them the best possible start to school this year.

“With the financial impact of Christmas still lingering, many families struggle to provide their children with the Back-toSchool basics they need,” a spokesperson said.

“From pencil cases to drink bottles, uniforms, backpacks, socks and shoes – the list of things to buy can seem endless and relentless.

“In 2022, 426 Back to School packs were distributed to families in need through the We Care Connect program (and) in 2023, we anticipate the need will be even greater (with the)

the rising cost of living putting families under even more financial stress.”

We Care Connect team member Helen Barkers said the start of a new school year should be an exciting time for children but for families living in poverty, it’s often a time of great stress.

“For families watching every cent, the return to school is a huge expense – the uniform, the school bag, the shoes, the books and stationery,” she said.

Thanks to funding from the Wyong Rugby Leagues Club ClubGrants program, We Care Connect buys new items to support the Back to School appeal.

However, there are always more requests for Back to School support than the funding provides, so We Care Connect relies on the community for

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We Care Connect volunteers with some of the packs

additional financial and Back to School donations so it can provide every family who asks for support with Back to School items.

Last year over $15,000 worth of new Back to School items were provided to families in need.

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From Monday, January 9, to Friday, January 20, the community can take Back to School donations to the following locations: Avoca

Beach Bowling Club; Bateau Bay Bowling Club’ and Wyong Rugby Leagues Club – Kanwal.

Those who prefer online shopping can send items directly to We Care Connect C/O WRLCG, 40 Lake Haven Dr, Kanwal, NSW 2259.

Families with school-aged children who received the $150 Premier’s NSW School vouchers are being asked if they can spare one of their vouchers to purchase any of the Back to School essentials and donate them to the drop offs listed above, or buy online and send to the Kanwal address.

We Care Connect operates through a professional network of case workers and support agencies who work directly with disadvantaged families.

Source: Media release, Jan 6 We Care Connect

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HEALTH & EDUCATION

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Gosford High student wins John Bell scholarship Lilliana Davis from Gosford High School is one of four aspiring young actors who have won a prestigious scholarship with renowned theatre company Bell Shakespeare.

The 2022 John Bell Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for young actors from regional Australia to learn from some of the country’s most accomplished actors, directors, and educators.

The young actors will travel to Bell Shakespeare’s Sydney headquarters in January 2023 to train with the Company, undertaking acting and skillsbased masterclasses as well as touring backstage at Sydney

Opera House, watching live theatre performances, and observing rehearsals for Bell Shakespeare’s upcoming production of Macbeth.

The week will culminate with each student performing a Shakespeare monologue for the cast of Macbeth, receiving feedback, practical career advice and mentoring from professional actors and theatre creatives.

“Receiving the John Bell Scholarship feels as if a stepping-stone towards a future on worldwide stages, like my dreams aren’t as farfetched as they seemed,” Davis said.

Bell Shakespeare’s Head of

Education Joanna Erskine said John Bell himself was a young budding actor from a regional Australian town.

“He knew firsthand the lack of opportunities for young people outside of major cities, and how lifechanging the arts can be,” Erskine said.

“The John Bell Scholarship provides training, pathways, mentorship and access to conversations with working professional artists, that support talented young artists to enter the Australian arts industry.

“We are excited to meet and work with the four recipients, and deeply grateful to the many donors and government

partners whose support makes this lifechanging opportunity possible.”

Bell Shakespeare artists auditioned students online and in-person across the country, working with each student on their chosen Shakespeare monologue.

The winners were selected by a panel including Bell Shakespeare’s Artistic Director Peter Evans and Founding Artistic Director John Bell.

For information about the John Bell Scholarship go to https://www.bellshakespeare. com.au/john-bell-scholarship.

Source: Media release, Dec 16 Bell Shakespeare

Lilliana Davis

New ambulance station for Berkeley Vale Berkeley Vale will soon have a new ambulance station – a first for the suburb.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the announcement is a big win for the region and will ensure locals continue to receive quick access to emergency care when and where they need it most.

“This is an exciting day for Berkeley Vale and the wider Central Coast region,” he said as he announced the initiative with Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor.

“Along with new ambulance stations earmarked for Lisarow

and Kincumber and a rebuild of the Woy Woy ambulance station, the NSW Government is ensuring the emergency health needs of the people of the Central Coast are met now and into the future.

“The exact location for the new ambulance station will be determined following further planning and consultation with key stakeholders including Central Coast Council and our local emergency services personnel.

The construction timeline will be determined once a site has been confirmed.

“The new station will feature internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, vehicle

AUTHORISED PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOME SCHOOLING REGISTRATION Upper Hunter Region, NSW and Central Coast Region, NSW NESA is seeking expressions of interest for the role of Authorised Person for home schooling registration from persons based in the Upper Hunter and Central Coast region of NSW. Authorised Persons assess and make recommendations regarding applications for registration for home schooling in NSW. Successful teaching experience and curriculum leadership is required. A Working with Children Check number is also required for this position.

Information regarding the application process can be accessed by following the below stated relevant link: Upper Hunter Region: https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/ authorised-person-for-the-purpose-of-home-schoolingupper-hunter-region-379162 Central Coast Region: https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/ authorised-person-for-the-purpose-of-home-schoolingcentral-coast-region-379174

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch with Minister Bronnie Taylor

wash facilities, staff parking, multipurpose spaces to support staff education and rest,

logistics and storage spaces, an office area for administration

as well as staff amenities,” Crouch said.

Taylor said the announcement forms part of a record $1.76B Government investment which will transform NSW Ambulance services over the next four years with more than 2,000 extra staff, including 1,858 paramedics, and 30 new ambulance stations across NSW. “Ambulance services are experiencing unprecedented demand across rural and regional NSW, and these three ambulance stations for the Central Coast will keep us ahead of the curve,” she said.

“The investment will bring

more jobs to the local area and provide a better working environment for our amazing paramedics who are giving their utmost to serve communities across our great state.”

The new ambulance stations for the Berkeley Vale, Lisarow and Kincumber communities are being delivered as part of the $615.5M NSW Ambulance Infrastructure program and will support local paramedics to provide the best emergency medical care now and into the future.

Source: Media release, Jan 15, 2023 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN: NEW YEAR – NEW GARDEN WITH CHERALYN DARCEY Is your resolution to create a garden this year or to improve your skills? Then read on, as I have a bunch of resources, tips and inspiration to get you growing! Gardening is a skill that anyone can learn but you need to be prepared for success as well as the challenges.

been around horticulture of some sort in their childhood or youth and that familiarity breeds confidence.

This all makes them appear a lot more successful than timid newbies who nurse along a couple of houseplants and a few seedling punnets while wondering if those yellowing leaves are ok.

In saying this, I’m not suggesting that those new to gardening invest in hundreds of plants from the start.

What I do hope is that you understand that gardening is a skill that is learned like any other craft or endeavour.

The more you do it, the greener your thumb will become and your belief in longer term gardening success will grow.

Believe You Can I don’t think there is such a thing as a born ‘green thumb’ but rather it’s that some people are more relaxed about gardening and accept the inevitable failures as being just a part of nature and not an indication of their skill.

Green thumbs also garden more.

They will plant entire banks of annuals, rows of raised veggie beds and then dive over the fence to help their neighbours.

More skilled gardeners will also readily spring into action when challenges arise because of their experience and also their confidence in themselves, They are willing to give things a go.

Green thumbs often have had gardeners in their families or

Plan to Succeed

planted in the wrong spot.

Most veggies won’t grow well, or at all, in less than six hours of full sun per day and other plants will shrivel up and die in a couple of hours of direct sun.

To help you with plant selection, map out the areas of your garden that receive sun and shade.

This will need to be done over the course of a day and to be efficient, because the sun’s position will naturally move through the seasons, a year.

You don’t have to wait that long as there are lots of purpose made apps online that will assist you.

Look for the terms ‘sun position’ or ‘sun mapping’.

Some will need you to use your smart phones GPS abilities but other desk top methods will use your address like the free ‘Sun Calc’ page found at www. suncalc.org.

I’ve tested it out and found Sun Calc is rather accurate and easy to use.

9-10

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ER NURSER

plant people love to talk about their passions and you will also see a vast array of offerings in your area of interest.

This experience is both inspiring and educational.

To learn just about anything in the garden world, read and watch! There are endless books, magazines, tv shows, Youtube clips and more that are not only about gardening but also types of plants, individual species and specialised techniques.

Make sure that the information you find is relevant to your area.

Climates and environments change across not only countries but states and even areas and while a lot of general information will still be helpful, you need to top that up with local knowledge, like this gardening page you are reading right now.

Connecting with others is a social way to learn and there are lots of gardening groups and clubs in just about every area and catering to all sorts of plant types and techniques.

You can find them with an internet search or by asking at your local nursery.

Learn to Garden Go educate yourself in the ways of the plants you wish to grow! While you can enlist in courses and workshops, and these are a great way to get started, other methods to gather this knowledge include going to plant events because

w

FLOWER G I B

UP

If you wanted to run a marathon you would not get up tomorrow morning and sprint out the door for your first ever 42Kms! To achieve success, you would gather all the information about how to do it, select your resources, create a plan and then train for your first marathon.

There would also be many smaller jogs, maybe even walks before you ran that race.

You might even enlist the help of a trainer or mentor.

So it is with gardening!

Gather information about the types of gardens you would like to create along with foundational notes about your garden space.

You have to start with good soil.

There is no getting around this and it is paramount to gardening success.

Soil can be improved and structure balanced to suit the types of gardens you are planning.

Soil testing can be done at home with kits available from your local nursery or many offer this service in store, just ask.

Plants also have different light requirements and one of the major reasons they don’t thrive is that they are simply

Garden Mentors - Community Gardening Perhaps one of the very best

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ways to learn to garden is by joining your local community garden.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to be a green thumb or at least very experienced to be a part of one of these wonderful places.

In my experience, the vast majority of community gardeners either started off as complete novices or with very little experience but they enjoyed the company, the community and they learned along the way.

Skilled gardeners at community gardens love to share their knowledge and they need people to just show up and help do anything from sorting seeds to digging the earth or making a cuppa for the team.

All physical abilities and commitment levels are welcome.

You will learn to garden in your actual environment and be instantly connected to other plant organisations, ideas and wisdom.

To find your local community garden hop on over to: communitygarden.org.au and on the Central Coast we have a fantastic Facebook Page: facebook.com/CentralCoast CommunityGardenNetwork

Graham Ross AM, Australia’s most awarded horticulturist has been honoured by Treloar Roses with the naming of a rose after him.

This delightfully sweet fragranced hybrid tea rose makes a wonderful cut flower and is also heat resistant. $2 from the sale of each of

these roses is to be donated to NextSense (formerly known as the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children).

Over the years Grahame has supported NextSense in many ways including the organisation of many wellknown large flower shows at the Institute’s Sydney site and in 1991 was awarded Life Membership of NextSense.

Graham is delighted to continue his support of NextSense with the release of this beautiful new rose.

For more information: treloarroses.com.au

GAR DENING PLANNER Make sure you are picking beans daily as this will extend their harvest and if your cucumbers start sending out fruitless runners then snip them off to encourage these to branch out and fruit.

This week you could plant: culinary herbs, beans (dwarf and running), beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chicory, cress, cucumber, endive, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, marrow, mustard, onions (spring), parsnips, potatoes (tubers), radishes, rhubarb (crowns), salsify, silverbeet, swedes, sweetcorn, turnip, zucchinis, ageratum, alyssum, boronia, calendula, cineraria, cleome, cyclamen, forget-me-not, linaria, lobelia, lupin, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, poppy (Iceland), primula, stock, verbena, vinca, viola, wallflower Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden educator at swampcentralcoast.com.au and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM963, on air locally or download the app: communityradio.plus.

Archived articles can be found on Cheralyn’s Blog: www.florasphere.com Send gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

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Disabled surfing event to put more smiles on dials The Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will hold their first event this year on February 4.

The “Smiles on Dials” day will be held at Umina Beach from 9am and interested volunteers and those wanting to surf should register online prior to the event.

A spokesperson said volunteers do not need to know how to surf although water skills are highly valued.

“A water refill station and a rash shirt will be provided for the day, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits,” the spokesperson said.

“A sausage sizzle will complete the festivities.

“Volunteering at a ‘Smiles on Dials’ event consists of helping

participants to and from the beach, assisting them in and out of the water and helping set up and clean up.

“Food is provided, and smiles are always encouraged.”

DSACC is a volunteer-run organisation which enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes, beach surfing.

Volunteers provide a unique, safe, and happy surfing experience to a wide range of people with various disabilities who would otherwise be unable to access the beach.

In order to ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to participant ratio, with a minimum of six to one up to as high as 30 to one for more challenging participants.

“We only surf in broken

waves, in waist depth water,” the spokesperson said.

“Volunteers help participants enjoy the experience that abled bodied people often take for granted.”

The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand.

The award-winning organisation sets world’s best practice for the sport of disabled surfing.

To register to take part in the February 4 event or volunteer, go to Humanitix https://bit.ly/ Feb4Umina.

For more information on DSA, go to http://disabledsurfers. org.

Source: Media release, Jan 4 Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association

The day will get underway at Umina Beach at 9am on February 4

Minns commits to new football facilities FOOTBALL A Minns Labor Government would commit $3.7 million in the nex t term to improve access to soccer facilities and programs on the Central Coast if elected.

The commitment is in conjunction with the Central Coast Mariners who would cofund the investment to improve grassroots, youth and female access and participation in Central Coast sport.

According to the commitment the money would go towards: constructing a synthetic playing field in Tuggerah accessible to up to 17,000 local community sport members; contributions to the Central Coast Mariners’ community

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns at Tuggerah for the announcement

support programs for at risk youth and disadvantaged

adults; and funding for modern training facilities for the new

Central Coast Women’s team.

A-League

There are currently no local synthetic playing fields available for use by the community, outside commercial operators. This means that there are few pitches in the area that are available year-round with reliable quality, limiting the capacity for both community and professional teams to consistently train.

Record rain in NSW throughout 2023 has caused havoc for sporting teams, games and training. Artificial grass fields offer better drainage during most weather conditions.

The synthetic pitch will also provide an essential facility for Women’s football and sport on the Central Coast. The Central

Coast Mariners have a new A-League Women’s team joining the competition in 2023, directly following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The Central Coast Mariners run a series of programs in schools, PCYC’s and other charitable organisations focusing on helping at-risk youth back on to the right path.

The funding contingent on Labor winning the March state election would ensure the Mariners are able to continue this important work.

Primary source: Media statements and interview Chris Minns NSW Labor office, January 14, 2023

Cricketers thrive at state and national level

Amy Cunningham

CRICKET Central Coast cricketers are making their mark on the larger stage as another big week of junior and senior representative cricket continues.

The Toyota Australian Country Championships are well under way in Canberra, with a solid Central Coast representation.

The Bush Blues squad

Rochelle Davis

Shaun Eaton

Grace Dignam

Callum Rainger

Sophie Shelley

includes Coasties Callum Rainger (Wyong) and Shaun Eaton (Brisbane Water).

In the Bush Breakers team, the coast is represented by Grace Dignam (Terrigal Matcham), Amy Cunningham (Lisarow Ourimbah), Rochelle Davis (Wyong) and Sophie Shelley (Brisbane Water).

Central Coast juniors are also having a big week in rep matches, with the following

players selected to play in the Under 14 (male) and Under 15 (female) State Challenges now underway in Dubbo: George Verth (Kincumber Avoca)), Hugh Wheeler (Kincumber Avoca), Fletcher Gersbach (Terrigal Matcham), Simon Alderson (Wyong district), Sairam Patil (Wyong District) and Vincent Thornley (Wyong).

Females selected are Rejoice Mudavose and Alex Bobbi

Smith (Narara-Wyoming).

Two Coasties are also playing in the U17 National Championships in Tasmania this week – Zak Graham and Liam Roache from Kincumber Avoca representing NSW Country.

Meanwhile Day two of Round 6 of the Diggers @ The Entrance Men’s First Grade competition on January 14-15 saw some sensational results from the

Coast’s top 1st grade players.

Southern Spirit 154 defeated Warnervale 87.

In the only actual two day match this round, Northern Power 5-d/216 defeated Wyong all out for 135.

The Entrance 6/155 beat Terrigal Matcham 9/93 and Kincumber Avoca 0/100 triumphed over Narara Wyoming all out for 96.

Brisbane Water 6/129

defeated Lisarow Ourimbah all out 128.

In the women’s Ibis Styles, The Entrance 1st grade comp: Terrigal Matcham 4/151 had a win over Wyong 8/125; Narara Wyoming 6/101 defeated Kincumber Avoca 7/100; and Lisarow Ourimbah 8/85 defeated Northern Power 8/82.

Source: Media release, Central Coast Cricket

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FOOTBALL Central Coast football fans will have the chance to see the Matildas in action ahead of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 when the team competes on home soil in the Cup of Nations tournament.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Government has partnered with Football Australia to secure the four-nation tournament exclusively for NSW, with the first match to take place at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on February 16.

“Football fever is stronger than ever in NSW, and we can’t wait to welcome the Matildas home for the Cup of Nations, which will kick off a stellar year for women’s football and cement NSW as the premier sporting state of Australia,” Henskens said.

“We’re encouraging fans from far and wide to come along and cheer on our hometown heroes in what will be three action-packed days of football right here in NSW and is set to inspire future generations of football superstars.

“This tournament is a lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup that forms part of the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative, which will help grow the state’s visitor

Matildas set to play in Gosford Photo: Damian Briggs/Football Australia The Matildas will play in Gosford on February 16

economy, create jobs and secure a brighter future.”

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the Cup of Nations includes three double-header matchdays where the Matildas will take on fellow World Cup contenders Spain, Jamaica and the Czech Republic.

“The NSW Government is committed to growing the NSW

visitor economy and cementing our state as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific,” he said.

“Securing events like the Cup of Nations attract the world’s best players, officials and supporters to NSW, who stay in our hotels, visit our attractions and spend in our retail stores, restaurants, bars and cafes.”

The Gosford match will be followed by two other matches, at CommBank Stadium Sydney on February 19 and McDonald Jones Stadium Newcastle on February 22.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said was delighted the Australian public would have the chance to cheer on the

Matildas in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.

“February’s Cup of Nations will be one of the final opportunities for fans to see the CommBank Matildas on home soil before the commencement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July,” he said.

“Three of the four sides will

be aiming for success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and we expect the quality of the six matches to be world class.”

For full details and tickets for the Cup of Nations, go to www. matildas.com.au Source: Media release, Jan 12 NSW Government

Coast set to host state’s largest Indigenous sporting event RUGBY LEAGUE

rugby league talent in the NAB President Edward Smith country and holds a highly said the Central Coast Regional Central Coast Council is set regarded and significant place Sporting and Recreation to host the 2023 NSW on the Indigenous calendar.

Complex is the perfect venue Aboriginal Rugby League Council’s Administrator Rik for the event.

Knockout in partnership “In 2019 when we brought with the Newcastle All Hart said Council hosted the event in 2019 and is excited to the Koori Knockout to the Coast 138 Robina Town Centre Drive Robina Qld 4226 Blacks (NAB) team, who be hosting it again with NAB. it was such took out the the Robina Town Centre Qld 4230 a success and ran PO title Boxat3275 Hart said the event would so smoothly, it was hard to pass 2022 event.Tel: 1300 36 0867 Fax: 1300 81 8962 deliver significant benefits to up Council’s offer of help to The state’semail: largestartwork@localdirectories.com.au annual the local community. support the event again,” he Indigenous sporting event will www.localdirectories.com.au “This knockout is set to said. be held at the Central Coast attract at least 150 participating “The competition has Regional Sporting and teams and thousands of expanded to include more Recreation Complex (CCRSRC) spectators which will boost our divisions and Tuggerah is the at Tuggerah over the October local tourist economy by an best complex to cater for the long weekend. estimated $6M, providing a extra games.

Also referred to as the Koori direct benefit to our region’s “In addition to a showcase of Knockout, the mass small businesses and local some amazing rugby league participation sporting event employment,” he said. talent, this event promotes showcases some of the best

DQCW Council CEO David Farmer, Newcastle All Blacks President Edward Smith and Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson Barry Duncan

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active lifestyles, and celebrates the culture of Australia’s First Nations Peoples.”

Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council is supporting Council and NAB in bringing the Koori Knockout back to Tuggerah.

The 51st NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout will be held at CCRSRC Tuggerah from Friday, September 29-Monday, October 2.

It will be hosted by Newcastle All Blacks and supported by Central Coast Council and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

PROOF Source: Media release, Jan 11, 2022 Central Coast Council

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