14 JANUARY 2021
ISSUE 005
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
It took firefighters two hours to contain a fire which broke out at Woy Woy Waste Management Facility on January 10. See page 3
Out&About
Woy Woy volunteer thanked by Premier A group of Red Cross volunteers from across the State with Lauraine Martinus (3rd from left) personally thanked by Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her dedication to the local community
A Woy Woy resident has been personally thanked by Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her efforts and service during last summer’s bushfires.
Lauraine Martinus, Team Leader of Red Cross Emergency Services Central Coast, was commended on her dedication to the community at a special event held at the NSW Parliament last month. The announcement comes after a group of Red Cross volunteers from across the state received Bushfire
Emergency Citations, which recognise the services of thousands of people who fought the fires and supported communities. The seven volunteers who attended the event were invited to represent 636 Red Cross volunteers and staff across the state who are being awarded the service honour. As a Red Cross Emergency Services volunteer for more than 17 years, Martinus said some of the scenes of last year’s bushfires were devastating.
“Last year I travelled down, with my team members, to the Recovery Centre at Batemans Bay (and) we were able to work with local agencies to provide support to those people affected,” Martinus said. “I helped people register and linked them with support, from clean clothes, to a place to sleep, to financial assistance. “I was able to listen to their stories of what they had been through and offer comfort, reassurance and referrals to other agencies in the area. “A lot of people were
devastated and feeling totally lost, all they wanted was a chat and some information.” As leader of the Central Coast team, Martinus has led a number of emergency responses over the past year for fires, floods, and COVID-19 related crises. In 2020 alone, Martinus worked in bushfire and flood evacuation centres, made over 400 personal support calls to returning Australians in hotel quarantine, taught primary school preparedness lessons, and delivered gel cooling neckties and messages to
elderly residents on the Central Coast to prepare for heatwaves. “It is a pleasure to be able to help people in their time of need,” Martinus said. “That is why I put my hand up last year to provide telephone support to those people staying at quarantine hotels in Sydney.” Martinus commended her fellow volunteers from the Central Coast team who also provided invaluable support and assistance to vulnerable residents.
Central Coast Bicycle User Group (CCBUG) will continue its Social Sunday Cycles sessions with a ride to start at Fisherman’s Wharf, Woy Woy, on January 17. See page 17
Health
Maisy Rae
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is warning Peninsula residents to be aware of the importance of continuing with COVID-safety measures...
‘The last thing we need’ - Chamber
See page 35
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce says a rate rise is “the last thing” the Coast needs, as Central Coast Council invites residents to have their say on a proposed rise of 1015 per cent this year.
Central Coast Council Acting CEO, Rik Hart
Council has notified the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to apply for a Special Variation (SV) of either a one-off 10 per cent remaining in the rate base for seven years or a one-off 15 per cent, remaining permanently in the rate base, inclusive of the
2021/22 rate peg of 2 per cent. Acting CEO Rik Hart said he understood community concern about paying more rates, but this was needed for Council’s long-term financial security and ongoing service delivery which would benefit everyone. “We have been open with the community about our financial situation and are taking significant steps to help our bottom line – we are selling assets, reducing staff numbers and materials and contracts, reducing the capital works program, looking at fees and
charges and we have been able to secure further loans,” Hart said. “The last thing we want to do is put more burden on our ratepayers. “But if we do not have a substantial increase in our rate income as well, then even harder decisions will need to be made. “For our community that would mean a significant reduction or even elimination of services that they need and rely on us to provide. Continued page 4
Sport
A Woy Woy cricketer has been named player of the round after an impressive performance at Woongarrah last weekend. See page 40
Puzzles page 22
Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford & 3 Amy Close, Wyong - Phone: 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net - www.coastcommunitynews.com.au