Voice of the Peninsula 7 OCTOBER 2021
ISSUE 030
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
News
CWA has it in the bag
A new COVID-19 vaccination clinic aimed at supporting the Indigenous community has opened its doors in Umina. See page 3
Out & About
The Country Women’s Association’s Woy Woy Branch has put together dozens of bags to help those in need in a cross-club collaboration with the Gosford Rotary Club.
With the warmer weather approaching, local authorities have encouraged residents to be prepared for the fire season and emergencies. See page 13
Health
See page 15
Central Council Council Public Inquiry coverage from Page 4
Coast takes another spin on regional status roundabout The State Government’s roadmap out of lockdown has met with mixed reactions because Central Coast residents, unlike others, will not be allowed to travel to regional NSW until the state reaches its 80 per cent fully vaccinated target. The NSW Government said adjustments had been made to the 70 per cent roadmap due to ‘updated health advice’. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, confirmed that residents would not be able to freely travel to other parts of regional NSW even after the 70
per cent target is met on October 11. “This is because the Central Coast’s daily COVID-19 case numbers are consistently too high,” he said. “Our region is recording approximately 30 new COVID-19 cases per day. “This is even higher than most local government areas across Sydney. “Clearly, we are not out of the woods. “NSW Health has identified the growing COVID-19 case numbers on the Central Coast and in the Illawarra as two of the most concerning areas in the state.
“If our case numbers decline and if vaccination rates continue to rise between now and 11 October, I will absolutely advocate for this Health decision to be reconsidered.” During September the Central Coast was removed from Greater Sydney for COVID health order purposes but this latest announcement appears to have ‘returned’ the Coast to being part of Greater Sydney as restrictions are eased. Local Labor MPs said they were furious about the backflip on the Coast’s classification even if it is likely to only last two weeks and Federal Member for Robertson has also
expressed concern. Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said she was angered by the decision, noting that fully vaccinated Sydney residents could travel to the Coast from October 11. “We fought so hard to become a region, yet they’ve pushed us back in with Greater Sydney again,” Tesch said. “We’re not allowed to travel; Newcastle is allowed to come here; Sydney is allowed to come here and yet the Government has completely taken that regional victory from Coasties and absolutely squashed us. “There’s no health regulations
pointing it out, there’s no press releases to the local media to keep Coasties informed, there’s no communication with local members of parliament. “It’s a really disappointing … slap in the face for people on the Central Coast right now. “If Newcastle has those case numbers and is allowed to travel, why are we locked in? “So, lets open it up to Coasties to have that freedom to travel to the regions and let’s think about that hard Sydney border which is what we’ve been promised.” Continued page 4
A Pearl Beach local and member of the Central Coast Volunteer Support Group has urged cyclists and road users to be more aware. See page 25
Sport
It’s good news for any fitness bunnies out there following the Peninsula Leisure Centre’s announcement it will reopen several of its services on Monday, October 11. See page 32
Puzzles page 18
It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.
coastcommunitynews.com.au - 4325 7369 - editorial@centralcoastnews.net