5 MARCH 2021
ISSUE 282
News
Chertsey kids shine at park opening
Pressure is mounting on the NSW Government to hold a public inquiry into the causes of Central Coast Council’s financial crisis... See page 3
Out&About
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, was on the Central Coast on Friday, February 26, to officially open the highly anticipated Gosford Leagues Club Park.
Live theatre is returning to the Coast, with the Laycock Street Community Theatre announcing a line-up of performers for its 2021 season.
See page 5
See page 17
Gardening
Five lucky students represented Chertsey Primary School at the opening of the Leagues Club Park in Gosford on February 26. See page 34 NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, opening Leagues Club Park with Chertsey Primary School students, and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch
LANDMARK INTERVIEW: Rik Hart, Council's Acting CEO, unpacks council's financial troubles - See our website for more
New CEO takes the reins With almost 40 years’ experience in local government in NSW and Queensland, David Farmer is the new Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council. His appointment was announced by Administrator, Dick Persson, at a press conference on March 2. An accountant by profession, Farmer will take up the position on April 12. “His experience is crucial in leading Council toward recovery and will provide strong reassurance to the community that the tough decisions taken now will not be wasted,” Persson said. “David has had up to 40 years’ experience in local
government in NSW and Queensland, with each of his last three roles involving major challenges in governance and finance. “These are the same challenges that face this Council and I’m encouraged knowing that David is well equipped in leading the Council through these issues. “David has a proven track record of success in operating large councils and has been selected based on this solid experience. “The Central Coast community should feel very reassured that a new and strong CEO will deliver the positive outcome everyone wants to see.” Farmer said at the press conference that it was going to
David Farmer
be a long-term process to earn the public trust and he would go on the journey with staff who have been traumatised by the Council situation. He has been the Chief Executive of four councils over the past 23 years; Mudgee in
western NSW, Cairns City in far north Queensland, his hometown of Wollongong and recently Ipswich City Council, the fastest growing council in Queensland. Each of his last three roles has involved major challenges in governance and finance. Farmer has assisted an elected council successfully return from a period of administration in both Wollongong and Ipswich. In Cairns he oversaw the recovery of the organisation, taking more than five years after a poorly implemented merger. This involved turning around a deteriorating financial situation and correcting a failed IT systems implementation.
Two of his proudest achievements are the major foreshore projects of the Cairns Esplanade and Wollongong’s Blue Mile. Across these diverse locations he has been able to partner in developing major industry growth in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness – particularly wine - and urban development. In Wollongong he led the city as it successfully transitioned from its dependence on its traditional industries of coal and steel making into tertiary sectors such as financial services and international education. Source: Media release, Mar 2 Central Coast Council
In response to a large volume of requests from readers, gardening guru, Cheralyn Darcey shares a range of organic measures to get rid of garden pests. See page 23
Sport
The Central Coast Mariners withstood a late charge to record a 2-1 win over Perth Glory, cementing their spot at the top of the A-League ladder. See page 39
Puzzles page 22
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