Coast Community Pelican Post 045

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Voice of the Peninsula 3 FEBRUARY 2022

ISSUE 045

REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS

100 years of life saving at Ocean Beach

News

Broken Bay Water Police conducted breath testing on the water at Ettalong during Australia Day celebrations on January 26. See page 5

Out & About

A sports show to be held at Hardys Bay Club on Saturday, February 12 will donate 10 per cent of its profits in support of mental health. See page 13

Business Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club performed a series of rescue demonstrations on Saturday, January 29 to help launch its 100 years of lifesaving celebration. See page 3

Jobs not guaranteed in ambulance station move The NSW Government has not guaranteed the job security of staff at the Ettalong Ambulance Station following its announcement the station will close when a new one is built in the grounds of Woy Woy Hospital. The new station, which was announced in late November, is expected to be operational in early 2023 and replace the Ettalong station. Reports at the time suggested staff at the Ettalong station were blindsided by the relocation and only found out

via NSW Health’s letterboxed handout. It has now been confirmed by Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, that current station staff were advised of the relocation on November 19, five days before the public announcement was made. “A letterbox drop, with a letter and information flyer offering a virtual briefing or follow-up phone call, was also undertaken,” Hazzard said. “Flyers were provided to NSW Ambulance staff as well as to staff and patients at Woy Woy Hospital.” In November the Member for

Gosford Liesl Tesch asked Hazzard a series of questions on notice in parliament regarding the relocation of the site to Woy Woy. When asked how many staff would be stationed at the new Woy Woy facility, Hazzard said staffing allocation at the new facility was “still being assessed. “Final allocations to meet current and future demand will be determined prior to the station commencing operations,” Hazzard said. “The new station will include two of the new Intensive Care Unit ambulances being rolled-

out in metropolitan and regional NSW.” Tesch said she calls on the NSW Government to guarantee that the paramedics who work at Ettalong Station will keep their jobs as part of the transition. “In the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic, Dominic Perrottet is putting local paramedics on notice that their jobs are on the line,” Tesch said. “I am calling on Dominic Perrottet and Minister Hazzard to guarantee that no jobs will be lost by the relocation of the Ettalong Ambulance Station.

“Mr Perrottet already tried to cut paramedics pay during this health crisis and now he won’t guarantee their jobs.” Hazzard said the station was prioritised to be relocated as part of the Rural Ambulance Infrastructure (RAIR) program. “NSW Ambulance and Health Infrastructure worked to identify a new location using best practice modelling software which maps Triple Zero (000) calls to determine the most suitable location for mobile emergency care in the region,” Hazzard said. Continued page 4

A Hamptons-style beachfront home in Patonga has smashed the popular suburb’s previous record by a colossal $3.77M, selling for an incredible $6.03M at auction last month. See page 21

Sport

Central Coast resident and former Australian Rugby Union captain, Mark Ella, has officially been recognised as a Legend in the NSW Hall of Champions. 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


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