Issue 87 of Wyong Regional Chronicle

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March 1, 2016

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Issue 87

Coast’s longest serving State or Federal politician to retire he NSW Branch of the Australian Labor Party will soon be calling for nominations to preselect a candidate for the Federal Electorate of Shortland following Ms Jill Hall’s decision not to nominate.

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“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the wonderful people of Shortland in Federal Parliament since 1998 as well as representing many of them in State Parliament as Member for Swansea and in Lake Macquarie as a councillor,” Ms Hall said.

“As the first woman elected to any state or federal lower house seat in the Hunter, I am pleased to see so many Labor women now representing electorates,” she said.

“The people of Shortland have been my inspiration, and to be their voice in Canberra has been extraordinary.

“I want to put on record my thanks to my husband Lindsay and the rest of my family for supporting me while I took on this amazing job.

“I know they have also made many sacrifices along the way.

“After 18 years as a Federal Member of Parliament, I believe it is the right time to retire and

Jill Hall with her extended family on the announcement of her retirement

move on to the next stage of my life.

“I have made this decision in consultation with Lindsay and my family and it will be wonderful to spend more time with them in the beautiful area where we live,” she said.

In addition to her achievements for the Hunter Region, Ms Hall listed the highlights of her career in Federal Parliament as: being part of the Parliament during Kevin Rudd’s historic Apology to the Stolen Generations; securing Federal funding to

expand local GP clinics; and securing funding for a new Headspace service in Lake Haven.

“I will continue to work hard in Parliament and in the electorate right up until the next election, whenever that is called.

“I remain passionate about a number of national and local issues and I will keep fighting for justice and fairness wherever I can.

“There will be a rank and file pre-selection in the Shortland Electorate and local branch members will determine who will be the next Labor party

candidate.

“I am sure the membership will elect an outstanding candidate for the next election.

“Labor can win the next election and Australia will have a government lead by Bill Shorten which will deliver a fair and equitable society where every child can have access to a quality education and where your access to health is determined by your need and not your ability to pay.

“Labor believes in equality of opportunity and protecting the rights

of workers and the living standard of pensioners and families,” she said.

Parliamentary leader of the ALP, Mr Bill Shorten said the party offered its thanks to Jill Hall for her service to the people of Shortland and parliament.

“In more than thirty years of service as a rehabilitation counsellor, a local councillor, a State MP and the Member for Shortland, Jill has [strived] every day for a fairer, more equal and more inclusive Australia.

“She has been a formidable champion for the rights of Australians

with disability as well as the great Labor idea of equality of opportunity, in everything from education to healthcare.

“As party whip, Jill carried out her duties with good humour and great patience, striking that delicate balance between maintaining discipline and encouraging camaraderie.

Media speculation about the preselection of Hall’s replacement started before she had announced her retirement.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s federal boundary adjustments have abolished the seat of Hunter, currently held by the ALP’s Joel Fitzgibbon, shadow minister for agriculture and a key power broker of the party’s NSW right faction.

There have been reports that the ALP has planned to ‘parachute’ Fitzgibbon into either Shortland or that he will be moved into the seat of Charlton and its sitting member, Labor backbencher Pat Conroy, would be moved to Shortland.

Anne Charlton has already been preselected to stand for the ALP in the seat of Robertson and Emma McBride has been preselected for Dobell.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Media release, Feb 28, 2016 Lisa McDermott, office of Jill Hall Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Ambulance, Police, Fire 000 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Organisations Aboriginal Legal Service 8842 8000 Community Options 4351 3388 Bungree Aboriginal Association 4397 7700 Mingaletta 4342 7515 Aboriginal Home Care 4321 7215 Drug & Alcohol rehab 4388 6360 Respite Care Options 4351 3388 Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health 4351 1040 Darkinjung Local Land Council 4351 2930

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Community Access January 28, 2016

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Issue 125

Andrew Church is Citizen of the Year

Carnage at Avoca Beach

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February 2, 2016

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February 11, 2016 8 February 2016

Community members dig channel

Surf live savers and ambulance officers set up a triage in the car park at Avoca Beach to treat casualties on Australia Day

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t least 20 people were knocked off their feet and smashed against rocks near the cliffs at the southern end of Avoca Beach at lunch time on Australia Day.

Two people with critical injuries needed to be transported to hospital and another five, also with critical injuries required ambulance attention.

Director of life saving for Surf Life Saving Central Coast, Mr Brett Beswick, who was first on the scene at Avoca, described the incident as “carnage”.

Mr Beswick said the incident occurred about 100 metres around the corner from the southern end of Avoca Beach on the ocean side near the spot known locally as the “mermaid pools.”

“Three families had come up from Sydney for the day, they were picnicking near the pine trees near the car park at the southern end of Avoca Beach but they decided to go for a walk to give their kids a play in the mermaid pools,” Mr Beswick said.

According to Mr Beswick, Central Coast

beaches are currently experiencing what he described as a “long interval swell” due to the prevailing cyclonic conditions off the Queensland coast.

This means the lull between sets of waves can be very long and conditions may look flat for 15 minutes or more at a time.

“When the wave does hit, it can be unusually powerful because it has such a long time for the energy and power to build up,” Mr Beswick said.

The wave that struck at Avoca on Australia Day was strong enough to knock at least 20 people off their feet and towards the cliffs.

Fortunately, none were pulled back into the sea, although rescue craft were launched from the beach and several surf life savers reached the area on their rescue boards.

Mr Beswick said it was fortunate that the incident coincided with a life-saver

shift change, which meant there were more life savers on hand than at other times.

“Five people needed to be carried out on stretchers,” he said.

The person with the most critical injuries suffered a broken leg and arm, another had a broken ankle and a dislocated elbow and a third had a dislocated shoulder.

Others were treated for serious cuts with one man requiring 30 stitches to his leg and a 10-year-old boy was treated for concussion.

Mr Beswick said those who sustained the most serious injuries were aged from 30 to in their 60s.

“The junior life savers who were just out of nippers and doing their first season of patrols did an amazing job of caring for and bandaging those with minor injuries and just comforting the people who were in pain,” he said.

“Other families having picnics at the beach gave

up their chairs and towels and helped to comfort people with injuries.”

Ambulance crews came from Terrigal, Bateau Bay and Point Clare to assist.

“We were just thankful everyone got to go home,” Mr Beswick said.

“It could have been a lot worse, we were lucky none of the children was seriously injured and there were no spinal injuries,” he said.

Mr Beswick said the lesson to the taken from the freak accident at Avoca was to “always respect the ocean and never turn your back on it.

“Stand and watch for 15 to 20 minutes so you can assess conditions properly, it all comes down to respect,” he said.

Mr Beswick said Australia Day is always one of the busiest days of the year on Central Coast beaches and patrols will continue until the ANZAC Day long weekend in April.

Interview, Jan 27, 2016 Brett Beswick, Surf Life Saving Central Coast Jackie Pearson, journalist

The Roving Rubies at their recent bikini pool party to celebrate Edna Fowler’s 92nd birthday

Edna celebrates 92nd birthday Cr Lloyd Taylor with residents who dug the channel on Australia Day

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Media Release, Jan 25, 2016 Gosford City Council media

Cr Lloyd Taylor and residents with shovels in hand

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oung and old turned out on Australia Day at The Entrance to dig a channel at least one-metre wide from the ocean to the lake.

Wyong councillor Lloyd Taylor said: “It demonstrates the level of community commitment to get the channel opened and a break-wall built.

“We have all had enough of talk; now we want action,” Cr Taylor said.

“Before the last election, we had support from the local member, Mr Chris Spence and the Liberal Party, but that all seems to have faded,” he said.

“All too often we have flooding around the lake edge and opening the mouth of the channel will reduce the likelihood of the flooding we saw as recently as January of this year.

“The community know what they want and we, as their representatives, need to support them in this.

“Our lifestyle revolves around the lakes, foreshore and waterways, so it is only logical that

the better the health of the lakes, the better our lifestyle.

“What we saw on Australia Day was the silent majority coming out in force for a solution to save Tuggerah lakes.

“I call on the rest of the community to stand up and support this community initiative,” he said.

Media release, Jan 27, 2016 Lloyd Taylor, Save Tuggerah Lakes Party

A local group of the Red Hat Society has celebrated the 92nd birthday of one of its members.

The Roving Rubies celebrated the birthday of Ms Edna Fowler from Woy Woy on January 26.

Edna has been a member of the Roving Rubies for the past seven years and officially turned 92 on January 31, although the Roving Rubies celebrated a few days earlier with a bikini pool party.

She was recognised in the group as a talented cake decorator and for dress making, including hand smocking, and special dresses for deceased babies.

More than 40 Roving Rubies attended the pool party at a member’s home for Edna’s

birthday.

The founder of the group, Ms Marlene Klintworth, also known as Queen Lilimarlene, said she formed the group when she first moved to the Central Coast as a way of meeting people.

There were now 130 Roving Rubies, women between the ages of 45 and 92 who wanted to “learn how to grow old disgracefully”.

Edna is an excellent example of the benefits of being a Roving Ruby, said Ms Klintworth.

She still lives in her own home and is fiercely independent.

She walks without a stick, still has excellent hearing, plays lawn bowls and has a golf handicap of 22.

Her three tips for longevity are healthy living, happy hour and

good friends.

A little sip of brandy to ward off infection or a case of the nerves is a good practice, according to Edna.

The Roving Rubies have so far knitted 267 rugs to foster children on the Central Coast.

“Through Wesley Mission we have just about given every foster child on the Central Coast a rug,” Ms Klintworth said.

The Roving Rubies have regular mufti Mondays for knitting and talking and also have lunch meetings.

Ms Klintworth said new members were welcome.

For more information email rovingrubies@optusnet.com.au Interview, 28 Jan 2016 Marlene Klintworth, Roving Rubies

See inside for full GosBlues Festival programme

Ms Edna Fowler, 92, from Woy Woy

THIS ISSUE contains 55 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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he Mountain D i s t r i c t s Association has called on NSW premier, Mr Mike Baird to hold a Commission of Inquiry into the Mangrove Mountain Golf Course Remodelling and Landfill Project.

ight of Gosford City’s finest citizens and community groups have been recognised at the annual Australia Day Community Awards on January 25, held for the first time during special Australia Day eve celebrations in Gosford. community and nation, it’s also the perfect occasion to recognise these residents who are inspirational role models for the entire community,” he said.

A Gosford City Australia Day Community Award is the highest civic award that a resident or community group can receive on a local level.

Gosford City councillor, and chair of the Gosford City Australia Day Committee, Cr Jim Macfadyen said each of the awards recipients had tirelessly served the Gosford community.

“Thanks to the efforts of these eight leading citizens and groups, our community is a more inclusive and better connected place for us all to live in,” Cr Macfadyen added.

“Each award recipient prides themselves on getting involved in the community and they deserve to be publicly commended for their great work.

“I would also like to once again thank our judging panel which is always faced with some very tough decisions,” he said.

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Ms Claire Podlich, president of Mountain Districts Association, wrote to Mr Baird on January 29 to formally request the Commission of Inquiry.

The Association’s request for a Commission of Inquiry documents, in great detail, the history of the Mangrove Mountain landfill since it was first approved in the 1990s through to the current suspension of the operator’s licence.

The EPA is currently working its way through the process of setting new licensing conditions that will allow the operator to resume dumping waste at the landfill.

“We are concerned that both Gosford Council and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have failed to exercise their respective statutory responsibilities regarding the Mangrove Mountain Memorial Golf Course Remodelling and Landfill Project,” Ms Podlich said.

The letter to Mr Baird cited “27 unanswered questions relating to EPA licensing breaches and 12 issues of concern with Gosford Council actions resulting in a tangled and complex web of mismanagement and deliberate avoidance of legal responsibility.

“The failure of both the EPA and Gosford Council has put the Central Coast water supply at great risk of serious contamination that could threaten the health of the Central Coast population,” Ms Podlich said in her letter to the premier.

The letter to Mr Baird alleged that there had been: “Unlawful excavation into the sandstone groundwater aquifers

Mountain Districts Association has questioned the management of leachate ponds including those in the photo and run off

resulting in interference with groundwater flow and the high risk of contamination of ground water with potential contaminants such as arsenic and hexavalent chromium presenting a high future risk to the regional population.”

It argued that another reason a Commission of Inquiry was needed was that: “Despite community concerns and despite concerns of officers of Gosford Council over time, the complicit involvement of Gosford Council with the landfill operator in a mutual agreement to add a further 1.317 million cubic metres of waste to the site in 2014 and of Gosford Council with the EPA in negotiating the terms of a revised licence 11395 with the operator to regulate this waste volume.

“This will result in a total volume of waste 25 times the original approved volume.

“This waste will require the installation of a six million litre capacity leachate holding pond,” the letter contends.

Ms Podlich’s letter was also critical of the agreement to approve the establishment of a new excavation pit for Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) up to 955,448 cubic metres as part of the 2014 Land and Environment Court deal.

“The excavated VENM will expand…will then occupy a volume of 1.137 million cubic metres outside of the regulated area and an undisclosed volume within the regulated area,” the letter said.

“The landfill project is situated on top of a watercourse that is in the catchment of the Ourimbah Creek system.

“This system is a major source of fresh water for the Central Coast.”

Ms Podlich’s letter and extensive supporting documents from the Mountain Districts Association contend that surface run off from the landfill runs into the creek system in two directions, via Hallards Creek and via Stringy Bark Creek.

Wyong Council directly pumps out of Ourimbah Creek into Mardi Dam that supplies Wyong residents with potable water.

Gosford Council pumps from Mardi Dam into Mangrove Creek Dam that supplies Gosford residents with potable water.

The Mountain Districts Association has documented what it considers to be “unacceptable outcomes” that have occurred at the landfill site between 1998 and 2016.

For instance, its submission states that 10 times the volume of waste

permitted under the original Gosford Council development consent (DA 23042/1998) was allowed to be deposited in the landfill licensed area under Environment Protection Licence 11395 between 1998 and 2012.

The association’s call for a Commission of Inquiry is also based on what it considers to be a “lack of confirmed evidence that the original licensed landfill site was lined with an impervious membrane to prevent “leachate” (liquid leaking from the waste held within the landfill) from reaching groundwater aquifers.

It also contends that an original pond used to capture leachate was actually buried (submerged) under the licensed landfill mass.

Systems to manage leachate and storm water runoff that were designed for the original approved volume

Edition 387

Issue 126

Commission of Inquiry called for before Coast water supply is irreparably damaged

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Local military historian Mr Andrew Church was named 2016 Citizen of the Year for his tireless work to create a unique cultural and historical landmark for the Gosford City community.

Opened to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 2015, Mr Church’s Central Coast Interactive War Exhibit at Gosford is the only heritage venue of its kind on the Central Coast and the largest in New South Wales.

An active member of many community groups, including the Gosford RSL Club, Gosford Chamber of Commerce and Gosford RSL Re-enactment Group, Andrew is committed to keeping the ANZAC spirit alive in our community.

Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna said the awards would make sure Australia Day is extra special for Mr Church and the other award recipients.

“I’m always impressed by the calibre of the Gosford City residents who receive our Australia Day Community Awards, and this year is no different,” Cr McKinna said.

“Not only is this time of year a great chance for us to come together as a

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of waste are “manifestly incapable of dealing with present amounts of waste, particularly during periods of high rainfall,” the submission said.

The 13-page letter from Ms Podlich to the NSW premier was supported by two extensive appendices.

The first was a 54-page photographic dossier of water and leachate management issues at the Mangrove Mountain landfill following a major rain event in January 2016.

The second appendix provided Mr Baird with 96 pages of information in support of the association’s call for a commission of inquiry.

The Mangrove Districts Association has also sent the premier draft terms of reference for the Commission of Inquiry.

It has also called for interim measures to be put in place while the veracity of its claims is assessed and responded to.

“We request that no further action be undertaken or approval given with regard to Environment Protection License 11395 by officers of the EPA,” it said.

In support of its requests, the Mountain Districts Association has written a summary of the actions of the EPA in relation to its administration of the licence issued to Verde Terra Pty Ltd that it argued would justify the extension of the current suspension of the company’s licence to dump at the Mangrove Mountain landfill.

It has also written an extensive list of what it alleges are failures by Gosford Council reaching back to the original development application received in 1998 and working through to the Land and Environment Court orders and settlement offer negotiated in 2014.

Letter and supporting documents, Jan 29, 2016 Claire Podlich, Mountain Districts Association Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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February 16, 2016

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22 February 2016

Mehan outraged at delay in storm damage repair esidents of the Bateau Bay area are still struggling to repair their homes following the violent hail storm that struck the area on September 17 last year.

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Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan MP, visited residents of Lancaster Pde who have not yet moved back into their units and have been living in a variety of rental and shared accommodation since the September hail storm.

The storm caused ceilings to collapse and extensive water damage to the properties with most units in Lancaster Gardens being completely gutted due to damage.

Ms Barbara Champley said she had been living in her unit for the past 25 years and had never lodged an insurance claim in her life.

“I do own my unit but I don’t know what I have got now, only an empty shell,” she said.

“I was down at The Entrance that day and someone rang and said you’d better come home.

“When I got to Bateau Bay the hail was like snow.

“When I put the key in the door, there was water pouring through the ceiling, through the light fittings, so I went to get help, but by the time I got back, the whole ceiling fell in, and after that, everyone’s ceilings

had any clothes.

“I want the work to start, there are 14 units in our complex and the whole 14 are affected by this and we want some communication to know what is going on.

I am feeling very down about it all,” she said.

Mr Mehan said he had been working with the local community and the strata company to see works completed and residents moving back into their homes.

Mr Mehan threatened to name and shame insurance companies that are not giving the storm damaged area the attention it deserves.

“It has been four months since the September hail storm and locals are still struggling to have their homes repaired,” Mr Mehan said.

“All of the residents of Lancaster Gardens were fully insured, yet they are still waiting for their insurance companies to begin work on their homes.

“These houses have been sitting empty since David Mehan MP along with Barbara Champley and Phillip and Patricia Cupples view the damage September with major management Champley wants to return the mould, but since then, repairs yet to begin. seemed to do the same,” strata “The insurance company, according to to her own home as soon nothing has happened.

Ms Champley recalled. as possible, “There is no indication companies need to According to Ms Ms Champley. clearly She initially stayed “I’ve lost nearly of when the work will be communicate Champley, the insurer with residents and begin was “very slow from the with her sister, then in a everything that I owned,” done. motel, then an apartment she said.

“I do have contents fit outs on the houses so beginning”.

“Before Christmas insurance as well, but these people can get back At first the residents at The Entrance, and since were “stunned” and not Christmas she has been we had a meeting that is with a different to living their lives.” with everyone and the company, but it is not sure who to turn to for staying with a friend.

Media release, Feb 11, 2016 The insurance insurance company came much use yet, because I help.

David Mehan, member for The Entrance Between September company has helped with out and it all looked very haven’t got anywhere to Interview, Feb 12, 2016 and December they living costs, but at nearly promising, then we had put anything.

Barbara Champley, “I have hardly even mainly dealt with the 80 years of age, Ms workmen cleaning out Bateau Bay

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

February 25, 2016

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Issue 127

Bold new Gosford Alive Master Plan unveiled with a $650 million price tag

Issue 86

p r i v a t e developer and owner of the Imperial Centre has acquired Kibbleplex from Gosford Council and has promised to deliver a complete reinvigoration of Gosford’s ‘civic heart’ over the next 15 to 20 years.

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The Palm Beach ferry navigating the narrow Brisbane Water channel near half-tide rocks

Dredging dispute appears no closer to resolution The on-going dispute between Gosford Council and the State Government over dredging the Brisbane Water Channel appears no closer to resolution, with both parties denying responsibility.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries - Lands has issued a statement denying responsibility for dredging the channel, saying it was the council’s job.

Gosford Council has denied this, claiming that the State Government was responsible.

Dredging work undertaken by the council at Ettalong was for “beach replenishment … not to address navigation issues”, according to Council’s director of community growth, Ms Judy Jaeger.

The dispute has resurfaced with calls from Marine Rescue Central Coast for dredging, and warnings to the boating public of the dangers with the channel having moved and narrowed.

The Department of Primary Industry public affairs manager Mr John McClymont said the department was responsible for

dredging to maintain navigation access to government-owned maritime infrastructure.

Mr McClymont said that meant the department’s responsibilities were limited to “coastal harbours and river entrances where breakwaters have been constructed to assist in providing stable navigation conditions for boating access”.

However, according to Mr McClymont: “There is no stateowned maritime infrastructure in this area of Brisbane Water.

“Responsibility for dredging in local waterways, such as Brisbane Water, has in the past been delivered by local councils with support from the State Government.

“Gosford Council did not apply for funding for this site under the last funding round for Rescuing Our Waterways,” he said.

However, Ms Jaeger said that the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Crown lands) owns the estuary and Roads and Maritime Services is responsible for making sure channels can be navigated safely.

“The NSW Government is responsible for making sure that the Ettalong channel can be safely

navigated by boats and other vessels, not Gosford Council,” Ms Jaeger said.

“Around two years ago, Gosford Council spent over $500,000 to dredge and move a significant amount of sand from the Ettalong Beach sandbank directly offshore from the Lance Webb Reserve as part of beach renourishment works,” she said.

“The sand was not taken from within the Ettalong channel.

“The purpose of this project was not to address navigation issues within Ettalong channel, but rather to improve the amenity of Ettalong Beach in line with Council’s foreshore and coastal zone management planning.

“We are currently looking at what options are available to complete future renourishment works at Ettalong Beach.

“However at this stage, council has ruled out buying and operating its own dredge to complete these future works,” Ms Jaeger said.

PHOTO NBN News Central Coast

Peninsula People Power starts People Power on the Peninsula is a new group of like-minded residents who want to activate community debate on council amalgamation, green spaces, reinstating NSW government services, petrol prices and youth homelessness.

Mr Jack Lloyd from Umina has convened the group, which at the moment has 12 members.

“We are going to try and have a conversation and get some

community action going around the five issues we have identified as being critical to the future of the community on the Peninsula,” Mr Lloyd said.

He said he hoped other Peninsula residents concerned about the five identified issues would join the group via its Facebook page.

The group’s page is “closed” so discussions are not public and new members need to ask to join.

Interview, 18 Feb 2016 Jack Lloyd, Umina

Lederer Property have unveiled their purchase of the empty Kibbleplex building and their plans to develop a proposed new urban precinct in the Gosford CBD. The total capital investment in today’s dollars will be $650 million and the new precinct is expected to house around 4,000 people in 1,600 apartments.

Lederer Property’s general manager of property, Mr Marek Ristwej said the purchase price of the Kibbleplex building remained commercial in confidence as the sale transaction had not yet been settled between Lederer and Gosford Council.

The group has described the plan as an “exciting and unprecedented 15-20 year vision to transform the heart of Gosford CBD”.

The Master Plan for ‘Gosford Alive’ outlines a proposal to bring to life a thriving new urban precinct across a 5.8-hectare site in Gosford CBD, just minutes from Gosford Train Station.

Once complete, the Master Plan will deliver new homes and employment opportunities for the city, accommodating population growth and enabling

Gosford to establish itself as the capital of the Central Coast.

The Gosford Alive Master Plan has been developed in partnership with worldclass architects Conybeare Morrison (CM+).

It includes the complete transformation of Kibble Park into a popular family destination incorporating

new water features, a multi-purpose performance space, enhanced playground, new cafés and restaurants and a market venue.

The Park will become a buzzing focal point for the revitalised CBD, according to Lederer Property.

On the site of the existing Kibbleplex Centre, Lederer

See inside Pages 9 - 11 for Central Coast International Women’s Day

Media statement, 9 Feb 2016 John McClymont, NSW Department of Primary Industries Media statement, 17 Feb 2016 Judy Jaeger, Gosford Council Peninsula People Power has launched a Facebook page to campaign on local issues

THIS ISSUE contains 51 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Property intends to build a contemporary mix of apartments, featuring striking architecture that reflects and celebrates the region’s natural beauty.

The apartment precinct will be delivered over the next five years, heralding a new city living experience for Gosford.

Residents will benefit

from new shopping, food and entertainment experiences with an additional 8,000 square metres of retail/commercial space and 300 more parking spaces, proposed as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Imperial Centre.

This will happen over the project’s 15-20 year horizon

and extends on the work Lederer Property has already done at the Imperial Centre.

Due to the capital investment value of the project, NSW planning legislation requires that the DA is determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel who will make the decision based on the report provide by Gosford Council.

“Lederer Property is committed to creating a vibrant, welcoming city centre for the Central Coast Region that delivers long-term benefits to the community, Mr Ristwej said.

“As such, residents are invited to drop in to a series of community events being held across the city throughout February and March including: Gosford Alive pop up at ‘Sundae in the Park’, a Gosford Alive pop up city tour, and community information sessions.”

Starting on February 29, Gosford Alive is hosting free fitness camps in Kibble Park in partnership with sporting personality, Jane Flemming.

Residents can find out more about the sessions and how to get involved at the ‘Sundae in the Park’ event at Kibble Park on February 28.

Media release, Feb 22, 2016 Natalie Cameron, DEC PR Interview, Feb 24, 2016 Marek Ristwej, Lederer Property Jackie Pearson, journalist

See inside Pages 15 - 18 for Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

READ & SHARE WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

March 1, 2016

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 87

Coast’s longest serving State or Federal politician to retire T

he NSW Branch of the Australian Labor Party will soon be calling for nominations to preselect a candidate for the Federal Electorate of Shortland following Ms Jill Hall’s decision not to nominate.

“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the wonderful people of Shortland in Federal Parliament since 1998 as well as representing many of them in State Parliament as Member for Swansea and in Lake Macquarie as a councillor,” Ms Hall said.

“As the first woman elected to any state or federal lower house seat in the Hunter, I am pleased to see so many Labor women now representing electorates,” she said.

“The people of Shortland have been my inspiration, and to be their voice in Canberra has been extraordinary.

“I want to put on record my thanks to my husband Lindsay and the rest of my family for supporting me while I took on this amazing job.

“I know they have also made many sacrifices along the way.

“After 18 years as a Federal Member of Parliament, I believe it is the right time to retire and

Jill Hall with her extended family on the announcement of her retirement

move on to the next stage of my life.

“I have made this decision in consultation with Lindsay and my family and it will be wonderful to spend more time with them in the beautiful area where we live,” she said.

In addition to her achievements for the Hunter Region, Ms Hall listed the highlights of her career in Federal Parliament as: being part of the Parliament during Kevin Rudd’s historic Apology to the Stolen Generations; securing Federal funding to

expand local GP clinics; and securing funding for a new Headspace service in Lake Haven.

“I will continue to work hard in Parliament and in the electorate right up until the next election, whenever that is called.

“I remain passionate about a number of national and local issues and I will keep fighting for justice and fairness wherever I can.

“There will be a rank and file pre-selection in the Shortland Electorate and local branch members will determine who will be the next Labor party

candidate.

“I am sure the membership will elect an outstanding candidate for the next election.

“Labor can win the next election and Australia will have a government lead by Bill Shorten which will deliver a fair and equitable society where every child can have access to a quality education and where your access to health is determined by your need and not your ability to pay.

“Labor believes in equality of opportunity and protecting the rights

of workers and the living standard of pensioners and families,” she said.

Parliamentary leader of the ALP, Mr Bill Shorten said the party offered its thanks to Jill Hall for her service to the people of Shortland and parliament.

“In more than thirty years of service as a rehabilitation counsellor, a local councillor, a State MP and the Member for Shortland, Jill has [strived] every day for a fairer, more equal and more inclusive Australia.

“She has been a formidable champion for the rights of Australians

with disability as well as the great Labor idea of equality of opportunity, in everything from education to healthcare.

“As party whip, Jill carried out her duties with good humour and great patience, striking that delicate balance between maintaining discipline and encouraging camaraderie.

Media speculation about the preselection of Hall’s replacement started before she had announced her retirement.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s federal boundary adjustments have abolished the seat of Hunter, currently held by the ALP’s Joel Fitzgibbon, shadow minister for agriculture and a key power broker of the party’s NSW right faction.

There have been reports that the ALP has planned to ‘parachute’ Fitzgibbon into either Shortland or that he will be moved into the seat of Charlton and its sitting member, Labor backbencher Pat Conroy, would be moved to Shortland.

Anne Charlton has already been preselected to stand for the ALP in the seat of Robertson and Emma McBride has been preselected for Dobell.

Media release, Feb 28, 2016 Lisa McDermott, office of Jill Hall Jackie Pearson, journalist

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P3 3

News

Council sends final merger submission but by no means was it unanimous he deadline has closed for members of the Wyong Community, and for Wyong Council, to make submissions relating to the merger of Wyong with Gosford Council.

T

Ensuring the community was properly represented was at the heart of Wyong Council’s submission to the inquiry.

The Office of Local Government, under its delegate, Mr John Rayner, has been conducting the inquiry with public submissions due by 5:00pm on Sunday, February 28.

In its submission, Wyong Council outlined its support for the merger due to the long term financial benefits and the opportunity to align strategy, asset and service delivery across the entire Central Coast.

The ability to be

able bl tto speak k as ‘one ‘ voice’ to other levels of government and organisations is also seen as a major advantage of a

merger.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said, “I am pleased this Council has been positive about the

opportunities a merged Central Coast Council will bring and insisted on appropriate community representation.

“I believe it will hold us in good stead when an amalgamation is formally announced,” Cr Eaton said.

Wyong Council’s submission included much of the detail decided upon at the councillors’ weekend planning meeting reported on elsewhere in this paper.

“There should be no changes to the current borders so that all current Central Coast residents become part of a Central Coast City Council – which is Wyong Council’s preference for the name of the new entity,” said Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton.

“Other councils of similar size to what we will be are called City Councils and I believe we deserve that same status,” Cr Eaton said.

Capital works already identified in Wyong Council’s Strategic Plan and budgeted for need to be rolled out and Wyong Council said they would like to see State Government support for its catalyst projects including the University/ Smart City and Regional Airport both planned for Warnervale.

However, at the Wyong Council meeting on February 24 there was not unanimous support for the contents of the Wyong Council submission to the Boundaries Commission.

The motion to endorse the submission was moved by Cr Greg Best and seconded by Cr Adam Troy.

Cr Lisa Matthews, Cr Doug Vincent and Ken Greenwald spoke and voted against the motion and independent Cr Bob Graham spoke against the motion but voted for it.

Cr Troy noted the importance of a new

council having a popularly elected mayor.

Cr Graham said he believed the size of the new combined local government area meant that 15 councillors was essential.

As a result, he said his preference would be to divide the new region into two wards of seven, plus a popularly elected mayor.

“Public meetings indicate a strong pull by the people in north to move to Lake Macquarie,” Cr Graham said.

“If there is an amalgamation, I am afraid that the forgotten north will be even more forgotten because it will be so much further away from the centre of activity,” he said.

He said quite a percentage of people in Wyong had voted against amalgamation in the last council survey.

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News rom P3

F

“This is the reason why I have been saying all along... the people have to know what they are doing...we have to consider their wishes and what they want and I don’t believe we have done that very well in the eight months that this debate has been going on.

“I tell you what, I don’t think their wishes are aligned with what we are putting forward tonight,” he said.

Cr Vincent echoed those sentiments: “This chamber hasn’t listened to the community.

“Let’s face it, Cr Eaton, Best, Webster and Troy, what I see is the community are strongly tilted against it and when they see their representatives voting in this chamber against their will they are dejected, and they don’t want their council merged.”

He reiterated cost estimates of $120 million to complete the merger, which he said would take 10 years.

He claimed Wyong Council’s decision to take an early vote in favour

P44 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

of amalgamation had “panicked and spooked” Gosford councilors into believing they had to follow to secure the funding promised by the State Government ($20 million in total).

Cr Greenwald said the decision to amalgamate Gosford and Wyong Councils should have been a referendum, He questioned whether becoming the fourth biggest council in Australia was really in the best interests of the local community.

“What is it we are doing here?

“Local residents like local representation.

“They don’t want to have to explain to the person on the phone where their street is to a person who has never even been there,” he said.

Cr Lisa Matthews added: “I feel blind folded, I don’t have enough information, when asked what is going on, all I can say is that I only know what I know and I won’t know what I know until I know it.”

Cr Eaton said he was disappointed that the chamber had heard from

“the Labor Party and its cronies”.

Cr Lloyd Taylor said there were aspects of the submission that he was not in favour of including a popularly elected mayor.

However, he said he was staggered that some councilors would vote it down in its entirety when it included such positive steps as a survey for those in the north.

He said the new council would have 300,000 people and annual revenue of $700 million and that would put the region on the map.

“The state government is going to look at the region differently and see it as such an important area that they are going to put more resources into it and it is all because we are going to be a megga council, possibly the largest in the entirety of NSW,” he said.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Wyong Council media Media release, Feb 18, 2016 Wyong Council media Meeting transcript, Feb 24, 2016 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

Lake Haven, Charmhaven and Gorokan moved from Hall to Dobell s Karen McNamara MP, federal member for Dobell, has welcomed new constituents to her electorate following the Australian Electoral Commission’s redistribution of federal electoral boundaries.

M

However, member for Shortland, Ms Jill Hall said she was “very sad to lose these residents from Shortland”.

New areas to Dobell come from the federal electorate Shortland and include the Wyong Shire suburbs of Lake Haven, Charmhaven and Gorokan.

“The addition of new constituents to Dobell is very exciting,” Ms McNamara said.

“For some time now, residents living in these areas have assumed I was their federal member and now it is great this is official.”

The new areas mean around an extra 8,000 constituents are now in the electorate of Dobell.

“In the coming weeks I will be in the new areas,

introducing myself to the new constituents and gaining a further understanding of the issues that affect them,” Ms McNamara said.

“Gaining this information will form a basis of the specific issues that need to be addressed and fought for.”

The redistribution has meant that some previous areas of Wamberal, which belonged in Dobell, would now become part of the Robertson electorate.

Shortland’s sitting member, Ms Hall said: “I am very disappointed that people in Lake Haven, Charmhaven and Gorokan won’t be in the Shortland electorate after the next election.

“I have represented these people for a long

time and they have told me they were very happy to be associated with Shortland,” she said.

“Other people further south of Shortland have also contacted me in recent months and years saying that they wished they were also in the Shortland electorate.

“In fact many have asked me to handle their issues as they have had little success with their own local member for Dobell.

I am very sad to lose these residents; I have enjoyed working with them over the years,” she said.

Media release, Feb 26, 2016 Colby Crane, office of Karen McNamara Media statement, Feb 26, 2016 Lisa McDermott, office of Jill Hall

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P5 5

News

Council responds to northern suburbs’ revolt ake Macquarie Council’s proposal to adjust its boundaries to absorb northern areas that currently sit in the Wyong Local Government Area has been labelled a diversionary tactic and a blatant land grab.

L

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said the proposed boundary adjustment was a diversion tactic designed to confuse the community.

A special report to Lake Macquarie Council proposed the transfer of the lakeside communities of Kingfisher Shores, Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Mannering Park and Chain Valley Bay. “Proposing the adjustment ... does nothing to create a sense of surety in the community,” Cr Eaton said.

“In fact, it creates confusion in the community at a time when they want clarity,” he said.

“The proposal would split the northern part of the [Wyong] shire into two, meaning that facilities such as the Regional Skate Park that council is planning in Lake Munmorah could not go ahead.

“Similarly, the Council Business Hub due to open in a few months at Lake

Gwandalan is one of the northern suburbs that could end up in Lake Macquarie Local Government area

Munmorah Shopping Centre would have to close.

“This move, if successful, would see a significant reduction in services and facilities in the northern parts of the Coast and that’s why I am opposing it.”

He said the Independent Review Panel had a Central Coast Council stretching from Hawkesbury River to the south and takes in Swansea and up to Morriset.

“The NSW Government has made it clear their preference is to merge Gosford and Wyong Councils and a separate merger of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.

“Clearly Lake Macquarie don’t like this option and are vying for a grab of our valuable Central

Coast communities who would be better served remaining within the proposed Central Coast Council area,” he said.

Lake Macquarie Council has also stated that if it takes over the local government control of these northern lakeside suburbs that they do not have the capacity to service them for water and sewer.

“Talk like this from Lake Macquarie Council muddies the waters for the community when what they should be doing is working towards a sensible proposal that will serve their community best,” he said.

The day before Wyong’s February 24 meeting, Cr Greg Best said he didn’t think the mayor’s statements on the Lake Macquarie boundary move proposal went far enough.

“I want council to give the northern locals a real voice on the matter through a proper community survey,” Cr Best said.

“Let’s ask them what they really want,” he said.

“At the moment we are again only hearing from a few squeaky wheels, I want to hear from the real majority, not just the Lake Macquarie ‘global domination club’,” he said.

At the Wyong Council meeting Cr Best moved a motion for Council to endorse its submission to the Boundary Reviews Commission looking at the merger between Wyong and Gosford Council.

However, he moved the following addendum: “That council expresses its outrage at Lake Macquarie City Council’s attempted land grab of

this shire’s northern suburbs.”

He said Lake Macquarie’s proposal was in spite of “the fact that this council provides all essential services such as water, sewerage and waste to the shire’s north”.

He called for the provision of a survey to voice the views of northern residents and council agreed that the funding would be made available during quarter three to conduct the survey.

In speaking against the motion and against Cr Best’s addendum, Cr Ken Greenwald said he believed comments made about Lake Macquarie merging with Newcastle were irrelevant because it was his understanding that Lake Macquarie intended to stand alone.

“Lake Macquarie will probably get the same outcome that we would have if we had voted to stand alone,” Cr Greenwald said.

He said there was “more than one person” from the north of Wyong Shire pushing for the area to become part of Lake Macquarie.

Wyong Council’s director of infrastructure and operations, Mr Greg McDonald sent an email to all councillors on February 25 outlining issues relating to the Lake Macquarie proposal “Lake Macquarie [Council] has no ability to manage water and sewer

assets (this function is being delivered by Hunter Water),” Mr McDonald said.

According to Mr McDonald, some of the technical difficulties associated with boundary adjustment in regard to continuing to provide water and sewer services to the northern communities would include that the water network is supplied from Mardi Dam and Mardi water treatment plant.

“Hunter Water do not have the ability to provide water to these locations due to limitations in their own system,” Mr McDonald said.

“The sewer network from these areas is not connected to any Hunter Water infrastructure and the sewer network for these suburbs pumps back to Charmhaven treatment plant.

“As such, transfer of assets is unworkable and we would need to operate the system on their behalf.

“This raises issues of legislative changes to make this function legal.

“Operationally, we would need to be able to have access to their rates database to levy water and sewer charges too, if their residents were treated as our customers.”

Media release, Feb 23, 2016 Wyong Council media Email, Feb 23, 2016 Greg Best, Wyong Council Meeting transcript, Feb 24, 2016 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

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News

P66 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Developer gains $3 million he Gwandalan a n d Summerland Point Community has labelled Wyong Council’s refusal to take ownership of land promised to the community, a management and governance failure.

T

“This is the unbelievable story of uninformed councillors and staff who have forgotten that they are supposed to be supportive of their community,” said Mr Bill Symington, chairman of the Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group (GASPPIG).

“This has resulted in a $3 million windfall to a developer,” Mr Symington said.

“This developer has been supported by Wyong Council, at the expense of our local community, and more broadly, all shire residents and ratepayers,” he said.

Member for Swansea, Ms Yasmin Catley wrote to the minister for local government, Mr Paul Toole requesting that he instructed Wyong Council to cease any development of the land until a full investigation into the matters raised was completed.

“I have been contacted by a number of concerned local residents regarding a curious transaction that appears to have led to a land parcel being

Bill Symington from GASPPIG in front of the land with part of the first stage residential development in the background

transferred to developers without any benefit to the local community.,” Ms Catley’s letter said.

She described Wyong Council as having made a decision to “gift this land back to developers”.

This saga dates back to the 1970s according to Mr Symington, when the land that used to be identified as 2 to 10 Cams Blvd, Summerland Point (now known as 15 Regatta Way) was set aside as a 5A school site.

Over time, the local primary school was built on another, larger site in Gwandalan, as it became quite obvious that the Cams Blvd land was too small for a school.

The state government

and Wyong council then had community meetings in the early 2000s to canvass views about whether the land could be sold for development.

“After we went back to our precinct committees and discussed it, the community could see it was not big enough for a school, and we were happy to see it sold off,” Mr Symington said.

“One of the things recognised was that one third of the land had endangered species on it and was to be protected by transferring ownership of that site directly to Wyong Council,” he said.

“That condition was in the contract between the State Government and the

developer, Pigeon Point Pty Ltd.” According to Mr Symington, a 2004 resolution of Wyong Council recognised and reinforced the existence of the condition of sale, that prior to the developer being issued with a subdivision certificate for two-thirds of the land, the residual block was to be transferred to council as community land or conservation land.

“The contract conditions accepted by the developer were clear,” he said.

“Two thirds of it [the land] had the capacity to be rezoned for residential and one third was to be transferred to Wyong Council in fee simple, at no cost, as community land.

“The community was all OK with that; we said there needs to be some development there but we need to protect that area and get it into the hands of council.”

The issue went quiet for a few years during which time the developer completed the originallyapproved subdivision of 24 lots and sold the land.

According to Mr Symington, the Gwandalan and Summerland Point community assumed the residual land in question had been transferred into council ownership as per the contract of sale.

Mr Symington said investigations revealed that following the first

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development of the two thirds of the old school site as per the original contract, Pigeon Point Pty Ltd had its own consultant working with council staff on a planning proposal to rezone the residual land at 15 Regatta Way which should have been transferred into council ownership.

“At that stage, the matter was handled at a staff level, staff did not take it to council,” he said.

All planning proposals to rezone land have to go through a Gateway process and this usually involves a presentation of a report from council staff to a council meeting before a request is submitted for a decision to agree to a planning proposal is determined by the state government.

Mr Symington said on this occasion, staff sent their recommendation directly to the state government, without first taking it to council.

“Staff did not enforce the transfer of the land and at the same time staff openly made moves to not accept the land into Council ownership,” he said.

The state government then refused the Gateway proposal.

“The government said ‘you can’t do that because one third of the land is supposed to be in the hands of Wyong Council’.”

The proponent asked

for a review and the matter was referred to the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) which decided that it was suitable for a rezoning.

Wyong Council’s representatives on the JRPP at the time were Cr Doug Eaton and Cr Greg Best and the decision was unanimous so neither councillor raised concerns or voted against the rezoning, even though some of the land should have been transferred to Wyong Council.

“That is when we found a standard advertisement for an application to rezone the land in another paper and the proponent was Pigeon Point Pty Ltd for the land we had thought council owned.

“At first we thought council had some consultancy called Pigeon Point doing the rezoning for it but then we realised the land was never transferred in accordance with the condition of sale,” he said.

“We put in several objections for various reasons, asked the obvious questions like ‘how can this happen when condition 48 said the land was supposed to be in council ownership’ and we received very broad and unsubstantiated answers from staff.

“The community could not believe that the land had not been transferred to council and we just thought it was something they would have to

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P7 7

News

windfall from council resolve, that it was a mistake, but it didn’t come out that way and they approved the rezoning of the residual land.”

The next chapter of the story involved the developer’s submission of a Development Application for a 21lot subdivision on the site, including the land earmarked for community ownership.

“We once again made strong objections and requests saying this should be in the ownership of council, the residents and rate payers.”

GASPPIG have had the land independently valued to be worth $1.6 million.

Mr Symington contended that Wyong Council had never had the land valued, although he understood that to be a requirement for the acquisition and/or disposal of any council land.

He also said the contract condition that required the developer to transfer ownership of one third of the land to council had remained in all documentation “right up until the last time the matter was dealt with by council”.

At that point, according to Mr Symington, Wyong Council ordered the developer to make a Section 96 Application to have the contract condition removed.

“To any community member, or in fact to any observer, the resultant approval for a 21-lot subdivision is a complete travesty of justice and a clear indication that councillors have never been given any possible alternatives to consider,” he said.

“A lot has been written about the ‘significant burden that would be placed on Council should they accept the transfer

of the land’ but not one substantive word has been released about how much this burden would be, nor how all other bushland sites in council ownership, are a significant drain on council resources.

“It is also very difficult to understand how the council special committee, the economic property and development unit, under director Mr Mike Dowling and with Cr Greg Best as a member, can arrive at the following statement: ‘Council no longer has any need for the retention of the site’, especially as they had never even obtained an independent valuation.

“No figures have ever been released about how the addition of one hectare of land would be a significant burden to council’s budget, especially as the residual land, following transfer of ownership to council, was proposed to be placed in the control of the adjacent Tunkawallin Management Reserve, which holds several hundred hectares of identical land.

“Staff have made written comments that: “Council resolutions acted to prevent staff pursuing the transfer of the land into council ownership’.

“This appears to be a somewhat false statement when it was staff that originally supported the gateway proposal and all subsequent staff recommendations to council meetings have been for approval of both the rezoning and the eventual subdivision.

He said GASPPIG also refuted statements made by staff that council would not be able to sell this site if they accepted the transfer as community land.

“This opinion appears to be in conflict with our

interpretation of the Local Government Act which allows for community land to be reclassified to operational land and then disposed of if all conditions are met.

“Our community have already informed council in their submission that should this scenario eventuate, then the community would be supportive of this outcome.

“On the other hand, there is no justifiable or urgent reason why this land has to be rezoned now, as there is certainly no shortage of vacant land in this area and two major subdivisions are currently in progress which will result in approximately 800 new lots.

“Any person who actually visits the site could not fail to be impressed by the possibilities available for something other than another residential subdivision.

“The site is virtually a fine piece of gently sloping greenery amongst a sea of bricks and tiles.

“It is not difficult to see a beautiful small park surrounded by established shade trees, in a location that currently does not enjoy a local park.

“Forward thinking staff should have explored all avenues before just supporting the developer’s call for his ‘no cost’ subdivision.

“Why did staff not move to establish a fair Voluntary Planning Arrangement to have $1.6 million of work done in Summerland Point by the developer?

“Why did councillors not push staff to provide a fuller and fairer account of this matter rather than resolve to make a ridiculous attempt to have an endangered species delisted to further clear the way for the developer?

“There has been no

exchange of anything from the developer to the community that we are aware of,” he said.

Mr Symington said GASPPIG’s primary concerns were with Wyong Council’s management and governance of this matter.

“Whether it was $50,000 or $1.6 million, at the time this started, Wyong Council was screaming for money, so how dare they take a site worth $1.6 million and give it to someone else who hasn’t paid a penny for it.”

A statement from Wyong Council relating to the GASPPIG information stated the following: “The land referred to, at 15 Regatta Way in Summerland Point, was originally owned by the Department of Education and Training (DET) and was intended for use as a public school.

“In 2011 DET sold the site to a private developer so it was never classified as community land under the Local Government Act 1993 or owned by council.

“In 2010 the developer applied to subdivide the site and consent was granted for subdivision of the site into 21 and one conservation lot at the northern end of the site.

“This approval was amended over time to allow a 23 lot subdivision with one conservation lot at the northern end of the site.

“The conditions of the consent required the conservation lot to be transferred to Council.

“In December 2012 a planning proposal (RZ/13/2012) was lodged which sought to rezone the northern part of the site to R2 Low Density Residential with no transfer of any conservation land to Council.

“In considering this matter, and because of

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its limited conservation value and ongoing costs, Council decided not to pursue ownership of the land and in mid-2013 approved the preparation of an LEP amendment to rezone the northern part of the site.

“A DA was lodged in April 2015 on the rezoned northern part of the site for 20 residential lots and approved by Council in December 2015.

“One of the key conditions of consent in the recent approval is that the developer must provide environmental offsets prior to works

commencing on the site in accordance with the biobanking statement.

“This basically means that the loss of vegetation from the site will be offset by the protection of bushland of a similar category.”

Email, Feb 25, 2016 Interview, Feb 25, 2016 Bill Symington, Gwandalan & Summerland Point Peninsular Improvement Group Media statement, Feb 29, 2016 Wyong Council media Jackie Pearson, journalist

GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR WALLARAH 2 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

During 2016, funding will be made available for grants up to $5000 to community organisations and groups through the Wallarah 2 Community Foundation.

The Foundation is proud to support programs and initiatives that assist or benefit the environment, community wellbeing and education within the Wyong Shire LGA. To view application criteria and download a grant application form, visit www.wallarah.com.au.

Applications close at 4pm on Monday 28th March 2016.

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The Wallarah 2 Community Foundation is a funding initiative of the Wallarah 2 Coal Project.

Forum

P88 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Digging the channel probably not the solution

Speaker axed before he spoke

am sick and tired of reading about a once well respected Wyong Council once again embroiled in adverse publicity. egarding the article “Community members dig channel” (WRC, Feb 2, 2016), the widening of The Entrance channel and the building of breakwalls or groynes in the hope of reducing lakediscussion, provided this I have lived here for edge flooding. is done with courtesy.

43 years and cannot I believe council remember a time when Letters to the editor as a consequence of rapid there has been so much In recent years, should explain why a should be sent to:

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significant urbanisation of the former rural areas around the Tuggerah, Budgewoi and Munmorah lakes system has introduced a manmade problem.

Thousands of roofing systems, hectares of paving, kilometres of sealed roads and guttering, large scale industrial and commercial development, four lane main roads and the M1 are now nearly all located to the west of the lakes.

Areas once covered with trees, scrub and grass are now rendered bare and impervious to rainfall.

The run-off now

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reaches the lakes system waterways within hours.

Consider the following scenario: an intense low pressure system located just off shore and an East Coast low.

Onshore winds of at least 80 to 90 km per hour, huge seas thus generated, beating into The Entrance channel mouth, an incoming tide and an actual local sea level rise due to the intense low atmospheric pressure plus torrential rain.

Put those factors together.

Lake water building up

run-off, The Entrance Channel blocked by huge seas, an incoming tide and a higher than usual sea level.

The lake edges will flood.

The water cannot get out to the ocean.

Will a wider channel mouth, a breakwall or groynes, remediate the problem?

Most likely the lake edges will flood with everincreasing frequency and intensity as further urban development occurs.

I doubt that there is an easy solution.

Email, Feb 13, 2016 James Baker, Toowoon Bay

oug Eaton needs to learn to speak the truth.

You cannot listen to what a speaker is saying and comprehend it with your head stuck in a newspaper reading something else.

controversy surrounding council and its mayor.

I was present at The Wyong Council meeting on Wednesday, February 10.

Two uniformed ‘security guards’ were at the rear of the gallery for some time.

It’s inconceivable they were invisible to the mayor.

After being admonished by the mayor for what he hadn’t even said, prospective speaker Mr Axe, clearly feeling intimidated, politely withdrew his intention to speak and left the floor.

Wyong Regional

Chronicle PO Box 1056 Gosford 2250 or editorial@wyongnews.org See Page 2 for contribution conditions

Nothing I saw vaguely justified the presence of security guards, either to meet Mr Axe, prevent him from entering the gallery, or to escort him from the building.

Any ratepayer has the right to address council and speak for or against any matter listed for

ratepayer seeking to exercise this democratic right was intimidated and removed by security.

Email, Feb 12, 2015 Kevin Armstrong, Tumbi Umbi [Wyong Regional Chronicle was also present at the meeting.

Mr Axe was registered to speak on the Chinese Theme Park development.

When he rose to spoke, Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM stated that he believed much of what Mr Axe intended to say was inappropriate, defamatory and out of order.

As a result Mr Axe withdrew his request to speak. Ed.]

Art House over budget and late

Multi-tasking or rude?

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Don’t try and tell us you were just looking at the pictures either.

You were being darn right

If you’re reading this, so could up to 30,000 other people Imagine if it was a message about your business.

What would it cost to get your message out to that many people using any other medium?

Don’t be fooled by the hype, advertising in this newspaper is by far much better value for money than any other medium.

Not only does it have the reach and readership within the area it covers, but readers can keep the advertisement and refer to it as often as they wish.

Call 4325 7369 to see how inexpensive it is.

rude.

No one with an ounce of manners would have done what you did and, Cr Eaton, we know why.

You were showing your contempt to certain speakers whose views you dislike.

Email, Feb 17, 2016 Dianne Hindmarsh, Long Jetty

he Wyong Art Shed is over budget and 40 late.

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The Art Shed was due to be completed in December 2015 but the council has just announced, a new completion date of May 21, 36 per cent late.

The Art Shed was said to cost $12.7 million, the actual cost is $18.224 million, 43 per cent over budget.

The true Art House costs to date, as declared to the NSW

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State Government in December 2014 should include: design and planning of $1 million; construction of $12.7 million; professional fit out of $3.2 million; plus demolition of the Memorial Hall to make way for the Art House of $1.324 million.

That brings the total

cost of the art house to $18.224 million.

Please cease the deception Cr Eaton.

Tell the residents and ratepayers the total cost for your Art House is $18.224 million and not $12.7 million.

When you see the Art Shed in the flesh you will understand why I call it the Art Shed.

Email, Feb 18, 2016 Laurie Eyes, Wyong Creek

Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P9 W 9

Disqualified rider caught speeding in excess of 180kph man has been charged after allegedly leading police on a highspeed chase around Warnervale.

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About 11:00pm on Saturday, February 13, officers from Tuggerah Lakes Traffic and Highway Patrol Command allegedly observed a motorcycle travelling north at speeds in excess of 180km per hour on the M1 Motorway at Warnervale.

A pursuit was initiated when the motorcycle failed to stop for police.

When the motorcycle left the motorway at the Mandalong Rd exit, the rider dropped the motorcycle on the ground

at low speed.

The rider was arrested and searched at the scene.

Officers allegedly located drugs, scales, cash, several knives and live ammunition in a backpack.

The 29-year-old man was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with nine offences: police pursuit, not stop (‘Skye’s Law’), drive while disqualified, use unregistered motor

vehicle, use uninsured motor vehicle, use vehicle on road, motor vehicle tax not paid, possess prohibited drug (x2), possess ammunition without permit and carry cutting weapon upon apprehension.

The man was refused bail to appear before Wyong Local Court on Sunday, February 14 and was remanded to appear again at the same court the following day.

Media release, Feb 14, 2016 NSW Police media

Man with seven year licence disqualification crashes into bottle shop man, disqualified from driving until 2021, has been charged with high-range drink driving after he allegedly crashed into the wall of a bottle shop at Long Jetty.

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About 5:30pm on Tuesday, February 16 police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command were called to a bottle shop on Pacific St, Long Jetty, following reports a red Holden Commodore utility had crashed into a wall, causing minor damage.

A 49-year-old man who was allegedly driving the Holden was spoken to by police.

Investigations revealed the man’s licence was disqualified by a court in

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Just after 10:30pm on Wednesday, February 17 a NSW Ambulance paramedic crew responded to a call for assistance at Bateau Bay. The two paramedics spoke with a 42-yearold woman and began assessing her whilst they drove to hospital.

It’s alleged that during the journey, when the vehicle was travelling along Tumbi Rd, Tumbi Umbi, the woman became aggressive and

the ambulance pulled over to the side of the road.

When one of the paramedics opened the sliding door of the vehicle, the woman allegedly lunged at him and punched him in the face.

She was then restrained until the arrival of police a short time later.

The woman, who

did not require medical treatment, was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station.

She was charged with obstruct or hinder ambulance officer by act of violence and has been conditionally bailed to appear in Wyong Local Court on Monday, March 9.

The injured paramedic did not seek medical treatment.

Media release, Feb 18, 2016 NSW Police media

January 2014 until 2021.

The man was arrested and submitted to a roadside breath test which returned a positive reading.

During a search of the man and the car, officers allegedly located a modified NSW Driver’s Licence.

He was taken to The Entrance Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis and

allegedly returned a reading of 0.192.

The man was charged with high-range drink driving (more than second offence), drive while disqualified and unlawfully possess thing that resembles Australian driver’s licence.

He was refused bail to appear before Wyong Local Court on Wednesday, February 17.

Media release, Feb 17, 2016 NSW Police media

Suspicious death of Toukley woman

Woman punches paramedic woman was charged after allegedly assaulting a NSW Ambulance paramedic who was taking her to hospital from Bateau Bay.

On The Beat

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Toukley.

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At around 12.30pm on Tuesday, February 23, police and emergency services were called to a property on Main Rd, Toukley following reports that the female resident had died.

The body of a 43-yearold woman was found inside the home.

Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.

A post mortem was

expected to be conducted on February 24 to determine the cause of the death.

Detectives spoke with a resident, a 37-yearold man, who has been assisting with inquiries.

Inquiries continue and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on

1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: http://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/ Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 NSW Police media

#MakeItHappen2016!

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Health

P10 P1 10 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Standing Committee on Health holds inquiry in Dobell

Fund raiser at Mingara fund raising campaign for a Berkeley Vale cancer sufferer will culminate in a star-studded concert at Mingara Recreation Club.

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Local musician, Mr Darren Rolling Keys said he was bringing together Central Coast and South Australian musicians to join forces with local businesses to raise funds to support the Berkeley Vale resident’s fight against bone cancer.

The fund raising campaign and event for Narelle Haviland (Rel) will culminate in the concert for 300 people at Mingara on March 6.

The concert will feature a number of performers including Chad Towns from the Dirty Deeds ACDC Tribute Show, Dylan Butler from Sling

Shot and Darren Rolling Keys.

“Rel, aged just 49, was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer stage four only a few months ago,” Darren Rolling Keys said.

“Rel is the perfect example of a kind, modest, generous, loving, caring mother of three,” Mr Keys said.

“Thirteen years after recovering from breast cancer, Rel was nursing her patient Al, a quadriplegic, running her household and looking after her dogs, before she was forced to stop work because of devastating pain,” he said.

“Her family circumstances over the last few years have been devastating,” Mr Keys added.

“Her father passed away in August 2014 and her two sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer two days apart this year.

“Money raised will be used to pay for treatment and specialist’s bills and renovations to make it possible for Rel to keep living in her modest home,” Mr Keys said.

Email, 16 Feb, 2016 Darren Rolling Keys, A Night for Rel

Ms Karen McNamara welcomed the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health to Dobell recently

ederal member for Dobell, Ms Karen McNamara MP warmly welcomed the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health to Dobell on February 19, as part of their nationwide public inquiry into Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Primary Health Care.

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Ms McNamara is a current member of the Standing Committee.

“The issue of health has always, and will always be, a major priority area when representing the community of Dobell in the Federal Government,” Ms McNamara said.

“This is why I am a member of the Standing Committee on Health and contribute my time to ensure the best outcomes for the region,” she added.

“Aged care, Indigenous and general practice services need to

Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre: Celebrating 40 years of service to women by women on the Coast.

We're turning 40 and having a Ball!

Saturday 19th March at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Terrigal. cccwhc.com.au/40th-anniversary-gala-ball-event/

Contact 4337 2203 or admin@cccwhc.com.au A member of the Organising Committee for the

International Women’s Day Expo Also hosting a series of High Teas at each of our centres on 8 (Wyoming), 9 (Woy Woy) and 10 (Wyong) March.

See www.cccwhc.com.au for details

cope with the changing nature of chronic disease in the area, and the Committee is eager to gather evidence on how this is achieved,” Ms McNamara said.

Once the Inquiry is finalised, a draft report with recommendations for further progression when dealing with chronic disease will be presented to the Federal Government.

Media release, Feb 19, 2016 Colby Crane, office of Karen McNamara

Hundreds expected to participate in Black Dog Ride ver 500 riders are setting off from The Entrance on Sunday, March 20 as part of Black Dog Ride’s annual one-dayer to revive national conversations about depression and suicide prevention.

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The Black Dog Riders will assemble at The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay to ride en masse through the Hunter Valley to the finale at Hope Estate in Pokolbin.

Funds raised on the Central Coast ‘1 Dayer’ will support both Black Dog Ride and Lifeline Central Coast.

Motorcycle enthusiasts are encouraged to join the ride to show their support for this national initiative which aims to provide hope to communities and encourage Australians living with depression to seek assistance.

Black Dog Ride believes that fostering awareness of depression

in communities is the best catalyst for suicide prevention.

Riders are encouraged to register early as an expected 7,000 motorcycle riders are expected to participate nationally.

Media release, Feb 23, 2016 Fiona Duffield, Black Dog Ride

ARE YOU A CARER? Do you or your family members need assistance?

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Are you going out or away and worried about leaving a family member alone?

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Putting the care back into homecare...

March 1, 2016 - P111

Health

Lions fund new blood-flow monitor ong Jetty Health Care Facility’s dialysis unit received a new blood-flow monitor valued at more than $45,000 as a result of the donation of local Lions Clubs.

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An equipment demonstration and expression of gratitude to Lions Clubs will be held at 9am on Friday, March 4 at the unit.

Zone 2 Central Coast Lions chairman, Mr Keith Slough, renal nurse manager, Ms Jo Kemp, kidney specialist, Dr Karthik Kumar and Central Coast Local Health District chief executive, Mr Matt Hanrahan, will be in attendance.

The Zone 2 Central Coast Lions clubs raised the money through regular fundraising activities such as raffle and barbecue events.

Support was also given by the Lions Clubs’ Public Health Care Foundation and the Australian Lions Foundation.

Ms Kemp said that the monitor would greatly benefit the clients who receive dialysis at the unit each week.

Ms Kemp said: “The monitor is a noninvasive tool that allows us to accurately measure blood-flow in the veins used for haemodialysis treatment.

“This means that we can detect irregularities early, which reduces the chance of potential complications.”

Dr Kumar said that the monitor will have a positive impact on both

patients and staff.

Dr Kumar said: “This helps us to treat problems before they become a serious issue and require the patient to be transferred or undergo emergency surgery.

“It will help us to deliver the best possible care so we are very grateful to the Lions clubs for their support.”

Mr Slough said: “Our goal is to help people on the Central Coast who need it most.

“The renal patients are

here [at Long Jetty] three times a week.

“If the equipment can make a difference and reduce the risk of further issues, it has been worth all the effort.

“We would like to thank the community for getting behind us and helping to fund such an important addition to the Unit.”

Email and media release, Feb 26, 2016 Casey Virgin, Central Coast Local Health District

Other Regional News - In brief Wyong Regional Chronicle focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262, & 2263.

Given the advent of a Greater Central Coast Council in the near future, following is a summary of news articles

Peninsula Community Access Edition 385

Female Family Physician/General Practitioner Practising at shop 3/112 Wyong Rd, Killarney Vale, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and every second Saturday of each month from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.

News 25 January 2016

Peninsula News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2256 & 2257.

Dredging dispute appears no closer to resolution

Peninsula People Power starts

Land was valued at market peak, says agent

The on-going dispute between Gosford Council and the State Government over dredging the Brisbane Water Channel appears no closer to resolution, with both ...

People Power on the Peninsula is a new group of like-minded residents who want to activate community debate on council amalgamation, green...

The Peninsula property market was at the peak of an unprecedented boom last July when the NSW ValuerGeneral was determining the land values used ...

Marilyn and Frank are moving north

Wicks delivers Peninsula Growth Statement

Plan to hide bins in Phegans Bay

Almost 17 years after they took the fi rst steps to found Troubadour Central Coast Folk and Acoustic Music Club in Woy Woy, Marilyn and Frank Russell are moving north...

Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, recently delivered a Peninsula Growth Statement in Federal Parliament.

The Bays Community Group and Gosford Council have arrived at an agreed plan to erect screens to hide garbage bins in Phegans Bay...

Marine Rescue busy on Valentine’s Day

Association opposes amalgamation

Several calls of assistance were made to Marine Rescue NSW Central Coast on Valentine’s Day...

The Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association has attended a meeting at Erina Centre, Erina Fair, on Sunday, February 21, about the council merger...

The NSW Land and Environment Court has dismissed an appeal against Gosford Council’s refusal of a proposal to build a boarding house in Ettalong.

The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.CentralCoastNews.net They can also be seen on www.PeninsulaNews.info

Phone: 02 4332 6174 or use Health engine web site https://healthengine.com.au/

Thursdays at Suite 8, 16-18 Hill St, Gosford Phone 0458 735 813

Copies of these other publications may be obtained from our offices in Gosford, by subscription, or from a myriad of locations in the areas covered by each publication.

Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

Court dismisses boarding house appeal

Dr. Mythily Ramanathan (MBBS, Dip in GP, Dip in Child Health, FRNZCGP, FRACGP)

published in the most recent edition of each of our sister Central Coast publications.

The full articles and more, as well as all previously published editions, can be seen on line on our website www.CentralCoastNews.net

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FRE

January 28, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

-

Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 125

Coast Community News focuses on news specifically relating to post code areas 2250, 2251 & 2260

Bold new Gosford Alive Master Plan unveiled with a $650 million price tag

Kibbleplex parking to continue

Gosford Alive will cement Gosford as the capital of the Central Coast

Aprivate developer and owner of the Imperial Centre has acquired Kibbleplex from Gosford Council and has promised to deliver a complete reinvigoration...

Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna has reassured commuters and Gosford CBD workers that they will not be locked out of the Kibbleplex free parking as a result of ...

Stage one includes Kibble Park redevelopment and a 400 apartment complex

Promotion of grants for the environment seen as hypocritical Gosford Council’s promotion of grants for environmental projects at the same time that it is proposing to reclassify and sell community reserves has been described ...

Gosford Council has unveiled its latest concept plan for a brand new, eight-level public library building in Gosford’s city centre.

(contact us for your nearest branch)

Lederer Property intend to lodge a development application with Gosford Council in April for Stage One of their ambitious 15 to 20 year transformation ...

Each Branch is unique which allows it to meet the needs specific to its community.

EPA representatives accused of obfuscation over water testing results

Both sides of ATO debate have a convincing argument

Construction on ecovillage to commence in April

Mixed billings. Pension cards, age above 65 and under 16 will be bulk billed email: mythily2000@hotmail.com for appointments

CWA Northumberland Group NSW has 12 Branches

We offer friendship and involvement in International work, Hospital Support, Show Catering, Handicraft, Cultural and Cooking Competitions and awareness of Agriculture and the Environment.

Come and see us at the Central Coast International Women's Day Expo at Ourimbah University Saturday 7 March! More information can be found at www.cwaofnsw.org.au or contact cwaofnsw.lisarow.ourimbah@gmail.com

Lederer Property described itself as the specialist placemaking and urban renewal division of Lederer Group.

New library concept plan unveiled

The Mangrove Districts The war of words continues Narara Ecovillage and the As sociation has disputed between Sen Deborah O’Neill Narara Ecoliving Network claims made by the NSW and member for Robertson, plan to make 2016 an amazing Environment Protection Ms Lucy Wicks MP, over year.

Agency (EPA) that its second whether the Australian round of water quality...

Taxation Office (ATO) ...

The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.centralcoastnews.net Coast Community News articles can also be read and shared on your mobile phone by going to www.coastcommunitynews.com.au.

Education

P12 P1 12 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

UON Ourimbah Campus starts 2016 with over 1500 new students

The Entrance has two Global Scholars

emester One 2016 at UON’s Ourimbah Campus kicked off with a bang when approximately 500 students attended orientation on Monday, February 15.

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David Mehan (centre) with Lillian Knight and Jamie Harvey

wo students from The Entrance Campus of Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College have been selected to represent Australia as Global Scholars at the 2016 Global Young Leaders Conference to be held in China in July.

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Lillian Knight and Jamie Harvey, both year 12 students at The Entrance Campus, will be joining students from over 145 countries to take part in the 12-day trip and are in the process of fund raising locally to make the life changing

opportunity possible.

Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan MP, called on local businesses and the community to help the young leaders on their way.

“I’m more than happy to sponsor these

incredibly bright students who have already given so much to our community,” Mr Mehan said.

“Lillian’s Make-a-diff campaign last year is a perfect example of the amazing things young people can do in our community,” he said.

“Both girls need to raise more than $10,000 to make their dreams a reality, and with a bit of community support behind them, I think we can get them there.

“This is such a fantastic opportunity for these students who will be the future leaders of our community, I encourage everyone to get behind them and give them our support,” he concluded.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Peter Duggan, office of David Mehan MP

The day ran from 9:00am to 4:00pm where students attended sessions filled with tips for student success, met teaching staff from their program, and were provided information about the courses they would be undertaking.

The main quad area of the campus was abuzz with students getting their first taste of student social life with free food, live music, giveaways and information on Campus Clubs and Societies.

Activities throughout the day included ‘Orientation Challenge’, campus and library tours, and study skills sessions

which helped students familiarise themselves with the picturesque bushland campus.

Monday, February 22 was the first day of lectures where the University of Newcastle, Central Coast campus had a total of 1,557 commencing students which included 533 in the Newstep and Open Foundation programs.

Over 2,300 students have returned to the Central Coast campus this year.

Email, Feb 22, 2016 Linda Cooper, UON Ourimbah Campus Thomas Birch, Journalist

Corey presenting an exemplary Viva Voce ormer Northlakes High School student, Corey Jones, completed his HSC in 2015 and has been recognised for presenting an exemplary Viva Voce in his music examination.

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Corey scored a Band Six in Music.

“He will be acknowledged on an honour list of students at the 2016 Encore concert which showcases exceptional HSC creative

and performing arts students,” Northlakes High School principal, Ms Merrilyn Rowley said.

Viva Voce is Latin and means “with living voice” so, in the case of

the HSC, it is the oral or spoken component of the music examination, rather than the written component.

Newsletter, Feb 4, 2016 Merrilyn Rowley, Northlakes High School

Demand for copies of Wyong Regional Chronicle has been extremely high lately.

If you can’t wait to get your copy - read it online!

If you lent yours to someone that won’t give it back - read it online!

Missed an edi on or want to re-read something - read it online!

Simply go to www.wyongnews.org They’re all there and it’s FREE

Education Construction to commence on a Youth Skills Learn a new and Employment Centre in Wyong language for free Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P13 W 3

yong Council Libraries are offering an online program to enable members to learn a new language

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for free.

The online program, Mango Language, is now being offered to members as part of the Libraries’ investment in technology and online learning services to suit the changing needs of the community.

Council’s library services coordinator, Ms Andrea Edwards said the eProgram was simple to navigate and a fantastic resource for all ages and backgrounds.

“Our community now have access to learn more than 70 languages through conversation and film-based online resources,” Ms Edwards said.

“When starting, users are introduced to a language with a simple conversation, before

being lead through it step by step.

“Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions.

“If you’ve ever wanted to learn a language, but haven’t had the time or money, this is the perfect program for you.

“You can learn at your own pace, re-do lessons, skip chapters and with 24/7 access, you can log in at a time most suitable to you.

“It is the most user friendly and informative language program I have ever come across and best of all, it is absolutely free,” she said.

Media release, Feb 1, 2016 Wyong Council media

Covered walkways for Budgewoi funded udgewoi Public School has been informed that the Department of Education will fund new covered walkways within the school.

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The school will pay the remaining $45,000 to join the walkway to the pergola.

This will mean a covered walkway up to the disabled taxi entrance in Woolana Ave. Work has begun now but will not be complete for about a month.

New aluminium windows will also

be installed in the Kindergarten and Year 1 rooms sometime this term to replace the old wooden windows.

This will improve air flow into the rooms and better protect them from heavy rain.

Newsletter, Feb 1, 2016 Kerry Moore, Budgewoi Public School

From left, three Red Eye trainees with Karen McNamara, Cr Greg Best and Jason Sultana CEO of Group Training NSW

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onstruction of a new $2.75 million Youth Skills and Employment employed in the centre Centre is now underway with the first sod turned in Wyong on by the businesses that will occupy the factory Friday, February 26.

Federal minister for regional development, Ms Fiona Nash said the Australian Government has committed $2 million towards the final stage of the Central Coast Youth Skills and Employment Centre project under the community development grants program.

“Thanks to this project, Central Coast youth will be able to be better trained and get better jobs,” Sen Nash said.

“This funding is in addition to the $700,000 the Australian Government granted to provide IT hardware and software for the already built but not used stage one of the project in Tuggerah.”

Member for Dobell, Ms Karen McNamara MP, who attended the sod turning, said the new centre would help address the Central Coast’s high level of youth unemployment and low school retention rates.

For FITNESS, FUN and FRIENDSHIP GOSFORD SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS holds a class every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm at the Church of Christ Hall, Henry Parry Drive, Wyoming

$7 per Night Come and join in on the fun!

No partner necessary No special clothes - just soft shoes Lively music New dancers welcome

Contact Janice on 4388 8 2253 Contact Sandra on 4392 8716

“Stage two works will construct a factory space with at least 10 separate units with amenities.

“Pathways, driveways, car parking and bicycle parking facilities will also be installed onsite,” Ms McNamara said.

“The Centre’s units will house local trades-based businesses allowing them to operate and showcase

their organisations to attract potential schoolbased apprentices and trainees.

“Over 50 trade jobs will be created during the construction of this project with the focus on employing apprentices and trainees where possible.

“Additionally many tradespeople will be

complex.”

Stage two of the project is being jointly funded with the Australian Government investing $2 million and Central Coast Group Training Limited committing $750,000.

Stage two works are scheduled to be finished in July.

Media release, Feb 26, 2016 Colby Crane, office of Karen McNamara

Out&About

P14 P1 14 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Men’s Shed to benefit from Freemasons’ donation

Show and Shine at Toukley

he Entrance Men’s Shed can put a professional finish on their woodworking projects thanks to a donation by the Freemasons on the Central Coast.

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The Shed has now purchased a Sand-Flee portable drum sander and accessories for members to use on their woodworking projects.

Men’s Shed president Mr Bruce Crouch said that not only will this help with a better quality to most jobs but will also provide health and safety benefits to its users due to its safer operation and its dust reduction capability.

It is much safer to use than a belt or other forms of sander and its accessories are ideal for finishing the many jobs such as detailed work from scroll saws,

dovetails, profile and bowl finishing carried out by those in the Shed.

With this and the purchase of a quality portable drill kit, The Entrance Men’s Shed is now better equipped to provide a place where men can carry out jobs for the community and themselves.

A cheque and plaque presentation was carried out by the master of Lodge Toukley with lodge members and Men’s Shed members present in February.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Terry Anderson, The Men’s Shed

Hot rods will be on display at Toukley

he Easy Street Rod and Custom Club are celebrating their Annual Norah Head Beach Rod Run from Friday, March 4.

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Tick of approval

yong beaches and lake swimming spots have once again received a big A Show and Shine tick of approval from the NSW Office will be held on Saturday, of Environment and Heritage as part of the March 5 from 2:00pm to state-wide Beachwatch Partnership Program.

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY 7PM $500 GUARANTEED PRIZE REGO FROM 6PM $10 TP PLAY

6:00pm on the Village Green, Yaralla Rd, Toukley.

There will be live entertainment.

Entertainment will include the Sydney Swing Katz, music by Cruisin Deuces and DJ Marty, with a dance floor in place to show all those groovy moves.

There will be a range of market stalls and entertainment for the kids.

Hot rods, classic cars and motor bikes will be on display.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Janet Holmsbey, Greater Toukley Vision

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Under the program, water samples are collected weekly over the warmer months to provide councils with an insight into short term water quality trends.

All 22 sites achieved a highest possible rating of four stars and were declared safe for swimming.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Wyong Council media

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P15

“So inspiring. I think I may have found some ideas for the next Avatar movie.”

— Robert Stromberg, Academy Award–winning production designer

Ticket to Shen Yun ‘A Very Special Gift’ ‘I thought God was there’

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RISBANE, Australia—Sisters, June Singleton and Mavis Gardiner, felt Shen Yun Performing Arts was uplifting and even more beautiful than they had imagined after seeing the performance at the Lyric Theatre on Feb. 27.

“It was beautiful. It lifted us out of the violence in the world now, it just brought beautiful things and peace and happiness.

And all the performers, they were so happy and perfect,” Ms. Singleton said.

Ms. Gardiner, felt she had also been transported to another realm: “Up there somewhere, my soul soared. It took me up there, my soul went up there. I was just wrapped in the whole thing. It was wonderful!” she said.

Ms. Singleton, a retired school teacher, had bought the tickets as a gift for her sister after she had seen a televised promotion in a supermarket and experienced a strong feeling that Shen Yun was something she had to share with her sibling. At the time the sisters did not know how special Shen Yun was and how wonderful it would be to see it together.

“It was a very special gift, it was a very special gift you gave me,” Ms. Gardiner told her sister.

Based in New York, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s traditional culture which was almost lost under communist

rule.

“Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired,” the website states.

“Mortals and divine beings merge on stage as one. Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience.”

“

I felt my soul just soaring. I have never felt like it with any other show.

— Mavis Gardiner Ms. Gardiner, a volunteer in her church, felt the presence of the divine in Shen Yun. “I felt God was there, it was beautiful. We were crying a couple of times,” she said. “I felt my soul just soaring. I have never felt like it with any other show.

“Thank you so much for what you have given us. It was wonderful, just wonderful … We will never forget it,” she continued.

“You just soar with it, it lifts you.

“You think it can’t get any better and it gets better,” she added.

There were so many aspects to Shen Yun that the sisters loved.

“It was beautiful! The colours, the background, everything. It was perfect,” Ms. Singleton said.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, a blend of traditional Chinese and classical Western instruments, plays original scores written for each dance which also adds depth to the performance, the sisters noted.

“The music makes it too, the music was beautiful,” Ms. Gardner said.

As a teacher Ms. Singleton said Shen Yun would be wonderful for students to see.

“There was so much in this, the history of China, it came through and then the modern, what’s happening in China today, that educated us too. It was wonderful, the beauty and the culture, the history, it was beautiful.

“As a teacher, it would be a wonderful incentive for them to learn more, it really would,” she said.

The sisters said they would be back next year with family and friends as well.

“Demonstrating the highest realm in arts, Shen Yun inspires the performing arts world.”

— Chi Cao, lead actor in Mao’s Last Dancer & principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet

“I am completely enchanted.”

— HRH Princess Michael of Kent

“I have reviewed over 3,000 shows. I will give

this production 5 Stars, that’s the top!”

— Richard Connema, critic for Talkin’ Broadway

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Out&About

P16 P1 16 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Waterway clean-ups underway

Applications open for Wallarah 2 grants allarah 2 Community Foundation has launched its annual Grants Program, which will see the foundation provide grant funding to community organisations, programs and initiatives that positively benefit the environment, community wellbeing or education outcomes within the Wyong Local Government Area (LGA).

W Clean4Sure volunteers in action in Wyong shire’s waterways

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funded

supporting a wide range

have had an opportunity to gain an understanding of issues impacting our community and how local organisations, groups and individuals are working to address these,’ Mr Barry said.

“With the wide range of worthwhile initiatives supported by the program to date, we have already seen the positive impact that this funding has had on local community members,” he said.

“From education initiatives such as Hopetown School and Plan-it Youth’s school mentor program, to welfare projects such as Camp Breakaway and Central Coast Kids In Need and environmental programs such as Mannering Park Tidy Towns, we’ve enjoyed

initiatives we support are run by volunteers who have limited access to resources or funding and are continually inspired by the passion and dedication these groups display.

“We are proud to have an opportunity to once again support this community passion through the Wallarah 2 Community Foundation,” added Mr Barry.

Grant applications are now open to individuals, groups and organisations that deliver long term value and outcomes for the Wyong Shire in the areas of environmental sustainability, community wellbeing or training and education.

“We’ve

A funding initiative

lean4Shore is partnering with Wyong Council to tackle illegal of the Wallarah 2 Coal around 50 projects since of causes. dumping and littering around Tuggerah Lakes and Wyong’s Project, the foundation launching the program in “We also can’t beaches. actively partners with 2013 and over this time forget that a lot of the

Clean4Shore are coordinating cleanups of hotspots around the waterways with volunteers from local schools, youth and community organisations, with advice from local residents and fishing groups.

Wyong Council has received $28,000 from the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Waste Less, Recycle More initiative to help fund the clean-ups.

Council is providing funding support and all waste removal and disposal.

C l e a n 4 S h o r e coordinator, Mr Graham Johnston said the sheer amount and scale of rubbish found along the shores highlighted the importance of getting the community involved in helping protect and preserve the shire’s waterways.

“Obviously plastic is one of the most common items picked up but we also found broken windsurfers, gas bottles, car tyres, old crab nets, foam mattresses and even marine signage.

“The community needs to really understand that litter and dumping of rubbish has a huge impact on marine life and really our ability to enjoy our otherwise beautiful waterways,” he said.

Wyong’s deputy mayor, Cr Lynne Webster said the waterways were one of the shire’s best assets and council was doing everything it could to keep it that way.

“Tuggerah Lakes is one of the most important and iconic parts of our shire and initiatives like this are helping to protect it for future generations to come.

“It is great to see so many of our local

students and residents doing their bit to protect our waterways, they are real role models for our community,” Cr Webster said.

Two clean-ups have already been completed with another nine planned over the next two months.

According to a February 24 post on the Clean4Shore Facebook page, a small group from Hopetown School worked with Clean4shore and clean-ups were completed at Budgewoi, as part of their Clean up Australia Day. The Islands close to North Entrance were first cleaned, with Pelican Island producing three full bags of small litter, plus larger items, possibly from a “squatting” boat beached on the shore.

Boating timber and a mattress were removed close to the boat.

Stacked timber firewood was left, with a polite request from the owner to leave all of the gathered material.

One full bag of small litter was removed from the small island North of Terilbah Island.

The Terilbah boat ramp, and surrounding foreshore north to the caravan park, was very untidy, all litter, small and larger, trapped in the tall ‘marshes”.

Fifteen car tyres were removed from this location plus crab nets, foam mattresses, treated pine and a large piece of pumping pipe.

The cleanup efforts resulted in 560 kg of rubbish being offloaded at the Wyong Landfill, with tyres separated.

Media release, Feb 18, 2016 Wyong Council media

community groups for the benefit of the entire Wyong community and is currently welcoming applications for individual projects or initiatives ranging up to $5,000 in value.

C o m m u n i t y organisations, groups and individuals can apply for grants by visiting the Community Foundation tab on the Wallarah 2 Coal Project website and completing the 2016 grant application form.

Applications close at 4:00pm on Monday, March 28.

Project manager of the Wallarah 2 Coal Project, Mr Kenny Barry said that the grants program is an opportunity to support important initiatives that directly benefit members of the Wyong LGA.

Peninsula Community Access Edition 385

News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

Peninsula Community Access 25 January 2016

Edition 387

Peninsula Jumbuck Reserve in Jumbuck Close, Woy Woy

Community Access

Gosford Council land sale may breach Act, says consultant

Edition 386

Gosford Council may be in breach of the Local Government Act and State planning policy in its management and proposed sale of council-owned land on the Peninsula, according to an East Gosford environmental consultant.

Mr Phil Conacher of Conacher Consulting said that it appeared that the council-owned blocks on the Peninsula were not covered by a management plan, despite the Local Government Act requiring such a plan.

He said the council had also not followed the requirements of State Environmental Planning Policy 19 in its proposed sale of the land.

Mr Conacher said Jumbuck Close reserve was a “classic example” of how, without a management plan in place or adherence to SEPP19, council could be damaging any endangered ecological species or remnant flora present on the site.

“The appointment of councillors requires them to follow the rules and act just like we have to: follow traffic rules or get fined if we don’t,” he said.

“They have possibly destroyed a lot of other vegetation on the Jumbuck Close site and others that could have made those sites

more significant.”

Mr Conacher said the parcels of community land on the Peninsula that have been earmarked for reclassification and sale by Gosford Council should have management plans in accordance with the Local Government Act. Under the Act, all land owned by a local council that is classified as community land must have a management plan prepared for it.

Mr Conacher said: “There was a plan of management for community land, natural areas and bushland prepared by council in 2002.

“Under the Local Government Act, council can prepare a generic plan of management but must identify what land is included in it,” he said.

According to Mr Conacher, the Gosford Council document has a schedule attached which lists which parcels of land were included.

“None of the Peninsula lots appears to be on the schedule,” he said.

All councils in NSW had to classify all their land holdings when the Act came into law in 1993.

“All land had to be identified, even if it was a 1920 subdivision or a person may have gifted land and expect council to look after it as a reserve for the sake of that family, a management plan had to be put

in place,” he said.

According to the Local Government Act, land owned by a council must be classified as either operational or community, Mr Conacher said.

Operational land included any land used for the general operations of council and includes depots, roads, and other infrastructure.

Community land was defined as land that was not operational and was generally public open spaces such as parks, reserves and conservation areas.

Community land could come into council ownership in a variety of ways: Crown land transferred to council by the State government; land set aside for community use as part of a development approval; or bequeathed to council from families, individuals or community organisations.

According to Mr Conacher, if Gosford Council failed to develop management plans for the Peninsula’s reserves, it could be in breach of the Local Government Act. Mr Conacher said that in reclassifying reserves the council had to pay regard to State Environmental Planning Policy 19 (SEPP 19), which covered the management of bushland in urban areas.

He said SEPP19 spelt out what Gosford Council must do if it intended to reclassify community bushland with characteristics of remnant vegetation.

According to Mr Conacher, SEPP19 stated that councils should give priority to retaining bushland unless it can prove a significant social, economic or environmental benefit for reclassifying it.

Its over-arching objective is to “protect and preserve bushland within urban areas… to protect remnants of plant communities which were once characteristic of land; to retain bushland in parcels of a size and configuration which will enable the existing plants and animal communities to survive in the long term”, he said.

He said Gosford Council may also be exposing itself to compensation claims if it had acquired land at a price based on its unimproved value and then by rezoning, perhaps for residential development, its value per hectare is increased.

He said the original vendor may have a case for being compensated for that valuation difference.

Mr Conacher also questioned why Gosford Council has launched its land sale strategy now and not undertaken a review of its land holdings when the Local Environment Plan was drafted in

Media release, Feb 25, 2016 Katey Small, Brilliant Logic

8 February 2016

The on-going dispute between Gosford Council and the State Government over dredging the Brisbane Water Channel appears no closer to resolution, with both parties denying responsibility.

The Roving Rubies at their recent bikini pool party to celebrate Edna Fowler’s 92nd birthday

Edna celebrates 92nd birthday

Interview, 20 Jan 2016 Phil Conacher, Conacher Consulting

A local group of the Red Hat

from Woy Woy on January 26.

Edna has been a member of the Roving Rubies for the past seven years and officially turned 92 on January 31, although the Roving Rubies celebrated a few days earlier with a bikini pool party.

She was recognised in the group as a talented cake decorator and for dress making, including hand smocking, and special dresses for deceased babies.

More than 40 Roving Rubies attended the pool party at a member’s home for Edna’s

The Palm Beach ferry navigating the narrow Brisbane Water channel near half-tide rocks

Dredging dispute appears no closer to resolution

The NSW Department of Primary Industries - Lands has issued a statement denying responsibility for dredging the channel, saying it was the council’s job.

Gosford Council has denied this, claiming that the State Government was responsible.

Dredging work undertaken by the council at Ettalong was for “beach replenishment … not to address navigation issues”, according to Council’s director of community growth, Ms Judy Jaeger.

The dispute has resurfaced with calls from Marine Rescue Central Coast for dredging, and warnings to the boating public of the dangers with the channel having moved and narrowed.

The Department of Primary Industry public affairs manager Mr John McClymont said the department was responsible for

THIS ISSUE contains 53 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Society has celebrated the Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 92nd birthday of one of its Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 members.

E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net The Roving Rubies celebrated Website: www.centralcoastnews.net the birthday of Ms Edna Fowler

birthday.

The founder of the group, Ms Marlene Klintworth, also known as Queen Lilimarlene, said she formed the group when she first moved to the Central Coast as a way of meeting people.

There were now 130 Roving Rubies, women between the ages of 45 and 92 who wanted to “learn how to grow old disgracefully”.

Edna is an excellent example of the benefits of being a Roving Ruby, said Ms Klintworth.

She still lives in her own home and is fiercely independent.

She walks without a stick, still has excellent hearing, plays lawn bowls and has a golf handicap of 22.

Her three tips for longevity are healthy living, happy hour and

22 February 2016

News Ne s Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

2013.

“The Gosford LEP was a 15year process. They had four or five goes at it so surely reviewing community holdings would have been part of that process,” he said.

SEPP 19 instructs councils that, when drafting an LEP, council should have regard to the priority of retaining bushland, he said.

“Why wasn’t it identified that they needed for residential purposes?”

He also questioned whether the resale of the reserves currently listed would be viable.

“If you were a private developer wanting to develop those lands for residential development, you’d first have to apply for rezoning and you would have to find biodiversity offsets.

“You would have to find land of a similar nature and similar locality at a ratio of 10 to one.

“It is usually the person applying for the rezoning that has to find those offsets and that is why if Gosford Council goes ahead to sell those reserves the person buying the land could do their due diligence and may find requirements of the Local Government Act haven’t been met.”

News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

dredging to maintain navigation access to government-owned maritime infrastructure.

Mr McClymont said that meant the department’s responsibilities were limited to “coastal harbours and river entrances where breakwaters have been constructed to assist in providing stable navigation conditions for boating access”.

However, according to Mr McClymont: “There is no stateowned maritime infrastructure in this area of Brisbane Water.

“Responsibility for dredging in local waterways, such as Brisbane Water, has in the past been delivered by local councils with support from the State Government.

“Gosford Council did not apply for funding for this site under the last funding round for Rescuing Our Waterways,” he said.

However, Ms Jaeger said that the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Crown lands) owns the estuary and Roads and Maritime Services is responsible for making sure channels can be navigated safely.

“The NSW Government is responsible for making sure that the Ettalong channel can be safely

navigated by boats and other vessels, not Gosford Council,” Ms Jaeger said.

“Around two years ago, Gosford Council spent over $500,000 to dredge and move a significant amount of sand from the Ettalong Beach sandbank directly offshore from the Lance Webb Reserve as part of beach renourishment works,” she said.

“The sand was not taken from within the Ettalong channel.

“The purpose of this project was not to address navigation issues within Ettalong channel, but rather to improve the amenity of Ettalong Beach in line with Council’s foreshore and coastal zone management planning.

“We are currently looking at what options are available to complete future renourishment works at Ettalong Beach.

“However at this stage, council has ruled out buying and operating its own dredge to complete these future works,” Ms Jaeger said.

PHOTO NBN News Central Coast

Peninsula People Power starts People Power on the Peninsula is a new group of like-minded residents who want to activate community debate on council amalgamation, green spaces, reinstating NSW government services, petrol prices and youth homelessness.

Mr Jack Lloyd from Umina has convened the group, which at the moment has 12 members.

“We are going to try and have a conversation and get some

community action going around the five issues we have identified as being critical to the future of the community on the Peninsula,” Mr Lloyd said.

He said he hoped other Peninsula residents concerned about the five identified issues would join the group via its Facebook page.

The group’s page is “closed” so discussions are not public and new members need to ask to join.

Interview, 18 Feb 2016 Jack Lloyd, Umina

Media statement, 9 Feb 2016 John McClymont, NSW Department of Primary Industries Media statement, 17 Feb 2016 Judy Jaeger, Gosford Council Peninsula People Power has launched a Facebook page to campaign on local issues

THIS ISSUE contains 51 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info

good friends.

A little sip of brandy to ward off infection or a case of the nerves is a good practice, according to Edna.

The Roving Rubies have so far knitted 267 rugs to foster children on the Central Coast.

“Through Wesley Mission we have just about given every foster child on the Central Coast a rug,” Ms Klintworth said.

The Roving Rubies have regular mufti Mondays for knitting and talking and also have lunch meetings.

Ms Klintworth said new members were welcome.

For more information email rovingrubies@optusnet.com.au

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Interview, 28 Jan 2016 Marlene Klintworth, Roving Rubies

See inside for full GosBlues Festival programme

Ms Edna Fowler, 92, from Woy Woy

THIS ISSUE contains 55 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

www.centralcoastnewspapers.com A free newspaper with in-depth Woy Woy Peninsula Area news!

Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P17 7

Out&About

The Art House nearing completion he curtain will finally rise at Wyong’s The Art House this April.

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The opening will be the culmination of a $12.7 million investment

by Wyong Council to construct the 500 seat theatre, 130 seat studio space, meeting room, exhibition space, café and bar.

The auditorium incorporates a state of the art fly-tower that can accommodate professional touring productions.

For Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, the opening will be the realisation of a long-held dream for a creative hub in Wyong’s town centre.

“I have championed The Art House for nearly a decade and when it opens, our local artists will have a muchneeded contemporary performance space and it will be a significant addition to the region’s arts infrastructure,” Cr Eaton said.

A view of the 500-seat Art House theatre

The official opening celebrations will be held in May. A free open day for the community with backstage tours, entertainment and an exciting opening season program will also be part of the May celebrations.

The Art House already has a number of productions waiting in the wings.

A partnership with Newcastle’s Tantrum

Youth Arts will see a performance based on Wyong brought to life, made with the help of young Wyong residents.

The show will open at The Art House before it hits the road.

The World Dance Championship is also being hosted.

Council’s manager of community partnerships and planning, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the program is quickly filling up.

The Art House will play host to more than just theatre productions.

“We’re certainly looking at partnerships with places like Lee Academy and we’re hoping to host NAISDA’s 40th year celebrations here as well,” said Ms Vaughan.

Cr Eaton said the 500seat theatre, which is about 100 seats more than Laycock Street Theatre, will particularly cater

for dance groups with its large stage.

“That’s a big industry here, particularly in Wyong but also the Central Coast, and they typically might have 50 kids in there involved in these things, so getting them on stage but also marshalling them is quite difficult so this will cater for that use,” said Cr Eaton.

The 130-seat studio space will be used for smaller productions.

The foyer will also be used as an exhibition space that artists can hire to display their work.

For those wishing to attend The Art House’s productions, there are 21 car spaces on the premise, and about 65-70 spaces on the nearby Oasis site half a block away.

Ms Vaughan said parking was an area of huge interest in the development assessment.

“There’s obviously extensive parking at the train station which is 400 metres away but we’ve also got access to council’s

carparks.

“We also know that the majority of our use is going to be outside of Monday to Friday nineto-five, so we’re confident that there will be many vacant business car parking spaces so we’ll be ok,” Ms Vaughan said.

Wyong Council has established an independent company to run The Art House, with their board of directors including: Cr Doug Eaton as chairperson; Ms Julie Vaughan; Mr Tim Cornish, managing director of North Construction and Building Pty Ltd; Mr Patrick Wilde, chairman of the Henry Kendall Group; Ms Jennie Hughes, CEO of New York Film Academy; and Mr Paul Bolton, chartered accountant with Fortunity Group.

Interview, Feb 18, 2016 Doug Eaton, Wyong Council Interview, Feb 18, 2016 Julie Vaughan, Wyong Council Media release, Feb 18, 2016 Wyong Council media Jasmine Gearie, journalist

Not for Profit Organisations Animal A i lC Care Central Coast Cat Care $20 Desexing Special Cats only No Pedigrees 4388 6448 4325 3163

Bushwalking National Parks Association Central Coast Twice weekly bush walks on the Central Coast and further afield, varying distances and grades of difficulty. Explore, enjoy scenery, fauna, floral, history. Keep fit and make friends.

4389 4423 & 4332 7378

Community Groups Bateau Bay Men’s Shed Environment for mature aged men to repair items, share and learn skills and socialize 9am to 1.30pm Tue to Thur 1 Bay Village Road, Bateau Bay 0435 807 633 bateaubayshed@gmail.com

Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre Come and join our regular activities, indoor bowls, mahjong, walking for pleasure, slimmers support, hand and foot Bolivia cards, Toy library and community garden 4388 5801 manager@bvnc.org.au www.bvnc.org.au

Central Coast Community Legal Centre The Central Coast Community Legal Centre is a non-profit organisation located in Wyong that provides free legal advice to people within the Wyong / Gosford area. Intake times for legal advice Tue 10-12pm, Wed 10-12pm, Thur 2-4pm 4353 4988 Fax 4353 4680 admin_cclc@clc.net.au

PO Box 246 Wyong NSW 2259 Central Coast 50+ Singles Social Group Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & Socialising each w/e.

Our friendly group can be contacted for our monthly programme all areas of the coast 4396 3640 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com

Central Coast Over 30s Social Group Inc We offer social contact, entertainment events & new friendships for people in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s & 60’s etc.

Our events range from; Live Music, House Parties, Restaurant Nights, BBQ’s/Picnics, Trips Away & lots more.

For a FREE calendar call call 0422 243 101 email cco30s@live.com.au

benefits@nswja.org.au

Central Coast Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service Do you have issues with your landlord or real estate agent?

Free telephone advice and advocacy for all tenants and residents in residential parks.

4353 5515 cctaas@hotmail.com

Gambling Solutions Gambling help counsellors providing free confidential professional service to gamblers, family and friends Available Woy Woy, Kincumber, Gosford and The Entrance 4344 7992

The Inner Wheel Club of Wyong Make friends Make a difference, Be inspired?

Women from all walks and stages of like join Inner Wheel, with the common interest of giving back to the community while developing lasting friendships.

6.30 for 7.00 pm 3rd Wed Wyong Uniting Church 4393 2755 iiw.au.wyong@gmail.com

Lake Munmorah Senior Citizens Club Computer Classes for beginners and advanced.

Come and join regular activities: dancing, exercise, pilates, yoga, craft, carpet bowls and Tai Chi. 4358 8390 Long Jetty Senior Citizens Club Beginner classes being held in computers, line dancing, tai chi and zumba gold.

Contact the Club 4332 5522 M-F, 9am to 3pm for full list of activities Long Jetty Over 50s Club Come along and join in our activities, great for indoor bowls, computers, exercises, yoga, linedancing, tai chi and more 4332 5522 9am to 3pm Mingaletta Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Corporation The Mingaletta community centre provides its members and other community groups a meeting place and referral hub for education, health, well-being and cultural programs through consultative services and community programs.

Mon-Fri 9am 4pm 6 Sydney Ave Umina 4342 7515 admin@mingaletta.com.au

The Rotary Club of the Entrance Inc. A small, friendly and effective club supporting many local organisations, and international Rotary Activities. Always welcoming new members, men and women, to help us to help others.

Meetings 6pm for 6.30 pm each Tues – Mingara Recreation Club 4367 6540 rotarytheentrance@gmail.com

4399 2420

Health Groups Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Hearing loss management Support and educational group - 7 groups across the coast - Providing practical experience and confidence Learn the benefits to hearing aids - Better Hearing Australia Central Coast 4321 0275 www.centralcoast.betterhearing australia.org.au

Torchbearers for Legacy Toukley Raising funds for Brisbane Waters Legacy.

Fundraising activities Harry Moore Golf Day, Garage markets and street stalls.

Volunteers always needed to help.

2nd Mon 9.30am Norah Head Legacy Accure 0414 701 489

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Gosford) Meet last Friday Month Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600

hartas@bigpond.net.au

www.pcfa.org.au

Volunteering Central Coast Refer potential volunteers to community organisations and provide support to volunteers and community organisations. we also provide training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Information Sessions “Bridge to Volunteering” Held regulary across the Central Coast 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

Wrap with Love Knitting blankets for cold humanity.

Knitted blankets warm the heart of those who give and those who receive.

Donations of 8ply yarn gratefully received.

Long Jetty: 4333 4353 Toukley 4399 3351 Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Supporting disadvantaged vulnerable and isolated members of our community offering a range of community services, events, projects, workshops, arts programs and an open community garden.

4353 1750 Wyong Toastmasters Club Come along, be part of a vibrant, progressive group.

Conquer your fears of public speaking in a supportive learn-by-doing environment.

10.30am - 1st, 3rd and 5th Friday Wyong RSL Anzac Ave Wyong 1030am 4328 8297 j pp @ joppa@theorchards.com.au

The NSW Justices Association Inc Are you a JP? The NSW Justices Association is seeking volunteers for 6 community JP Desks in Wyong Shire Free Insurance and training provided 0418 493 388

P18 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Garden Clubs Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Club Meets on the 3rd Sat each month from 1pm to 3.30pm Charmhaven Community Centre - Plants for Sale, Raffles, afternoon tea 0401 544 052

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Wyong) Meet last Monday Month Toukley RSL Club, Holmes Ave Toukley 10.00am to 12 noon 4356 9300 www.pcfa.org.au

GROW - Free weekly 12 Step Self Help Group for people wishing to recover from anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.

New group opening at Wyong, McInnon Hall, Bakers Lane on Tuesday 28 April, 11.00am to 1.00pm. All welcome.

Phone 1800 558 268 or 0455 086 890 for more details or www.grow.org.au

Northern Women’s Health Centre We offer family law advice, counselling, therapeutic and social groups, workshops, domestic violence and abuse issues. All services are provided by women for women 4351 1152 www.cccwhc.com.au

ParaQuad Specialist healthcare products delivered to your door, for all your continence, wound care and respiratory and nutrition requirements Professional Clinic Support available 1300 886 601 www.brightsky.com.au g y

Music Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub Branch Youth Club Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom Dancing classes from 4yrs old and up Classes held at the Youth Club - Monday afternoons 5pm mathewmoshou80@gmail.com

JAZZLEAGUE

Live Jazz Bands - Come to listen, Come to dance Free - Every Sun Central Coast Leagues Club

If you would like your Community Organisa on listed here, see www.duckscrossing.org or www. centralcoastnewspapers.com for the forms or contact Central Coast Newspapers on - 4325 7369

Gosford 2-5pm www.jazzleague.net

Soundwaves Men’s acapella 4 part harmony chorus - all ages 7pm Mon Central Coast Leagues Club John 0413 276 698 jbthomson51@gmail.com

Tuggerah Lakes Showband An enthusiastic groupo of people who play brass instrumnts, meet every Tuesday and Thursday to rehearse their crowdpleasing music and play at communioty events Band Hall located in Park Road The Entrance (north end)

Tues 7.30pm Thur 6.30pm 0407 406 669

Political Groups Australian Labor Party Ourimbah/ Narara Branch Discussion/action community issues 3 levels of Government Niagara Park Primary School 7.30pm 1st Mon each month 0410 309 494 kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

NSW Labor Party The Entrance Day Branch is the local day branch for the NSW Australian Labor Party. Monthly meetings to discuss and debate policy as well as campaign for local labor candidates and Members of Parliament.

We are always happy to welcome new members and guests. Come along and see for yourself.

2nd Tues 2pm The Entrance Leagues Club 4332 2907 Warnervale Branch - NSW Labor Party To support and promote NSW Labor within the Warnervale area to give a voice to those who find it difficult to use their own.

1st Tue 7pm monthly Hamlyn Terrace Community Centre 0419 128 497 warnervale.labor@gmail.com @g

Probus Clubs Bateau Bay Ladies Probus Club We offer a warm welcome, friendship and interesting speakers.

4th Mon every month RSL Hall Killarney Vale 4332 6625 Toowoon Bay Probus Club Come and meet new friends and enjoy the company of like-minded Seniors. Morning tea provided, guest speakers talking on topics relevant to Seniors, as well as regular exciting social events. 4th Thur each month 10am.

Anglican Church hall, corner of Brooke Ave and Eastern Rd Bateau Bay New members welcome.

4334 3979 Tuggerah Combined Probus Club Inc 4351 0450 New to the Coast?

If you would like to meet new friends and enjoy social events, a welcome awaits you at Tuggerah Combined Probus Club each 2nd Thur at 10:30am, where you will

have the opportunity to hear various guest speakers and also join us in a social outing on the 3rd Thursday.

We meet at Woodbury Park Community Hall, Mardi.

Service Groups Northern Settlement Services - Volunteers

Volunteers needed for friendly visits to the elderly in nursing homes.

People with a second language encouraged to apply. Training support provided 4334 3877 cvscc@nsservices.com.au

Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes Volunteers wanted, challenging conditions, interupted meals, early starts, breathtaking tuggerah lakes views.

Rewards: - Saving distressed boaters or maybe save a life 0488 442 051 uc.tuggerahlakes@ marinerescuensw.com.au

Special Interest Brisbane Water Caravan Club

Located on the Central Coast and looking for new members www.bwcaravanclub.wix.com/bwcc

4344 4363 Biz Plus Networking Association Attention business owners - are you keen to grow your business and in the process build worthwhile relationships?

Then why not attend a Biz Networking breakfast?

Every Thur 7:15am - 9am Erina Leagues Club Geoff Neilson network@bizplus.com.au Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 830am-230pm Thurs evening 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246 Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems

Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 830am230pm Thurs evening 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246 cclapidary@optusnet.com.au

Central Coast Potters Society Dedicated to increasing the ceramics knowlede, experience and skills of members and the general public. Running classes, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and social events. Annual exhibitions in May and December Open Day in Sept 4324 5343 info@ccpotters.org

PO Box 4043 East Gosford NSW 2250

Central Coast Soaring Club Inc Gliding Club, Learn to fly, Instruction FREE to members Come and have an Air Experience Flight All Welcome 14 and up for Training Flying at Bloodtree Road Mangrove Mountain Thur, Sat, Sun (weather permitting) 0412 164 082 0414 635 047 www.ccsoaring.com.au

Bridge Club Bridge players can enjoy a game of social bridge on Tuesdays, 9.45am1pm The Greens The Entrance with or without a partner.

Len 4332 6989 David 4392 0606 Tuggerah Lakes U3A Keep your mind active and learn something new!

Come to one of our classes for a couple of hours and make new friends.

Long Jetty Discussions, play reading, cryptic crosswords, talks, readers group, Mahjong Toukley - Creative writing, French conversation Berkeley Vale - Music Appreciation Chitaway Bay - Movies 4390 2451 www.tugglakesu3a.info

Mingara Indoor Bowls Club The play of Indoor (Carpet) Bowls - Daily competition (singles, pairs & triples) Winner’s Prize $5 - but strongly social - Sun 9.30am Noon - Mon 6.30pm–9pm Wed 9.30am-2pm (including lunch break) Ray 4389 2567 Mingara Club 4349 7799 raymurphy1935@hotmail.com

Wyong Drama Group Inc A friendly group, presenting 3 major productions a year.

We welcome anyone interested in being involved in any area of production - Acting; Backstage; Front of House; Lighting/Sound etc Monthly meetings 1st Tues. 7.30pm in the new Grove Community Centre 1300 665 600 wyongdramagroup@gmail.com yo gd a ag oup@g a co

Sport KI-DO Mingara Judo Academy Junior boys and girls Mon and Wed Two classes 6 to 8.30pm from 7yrs $5 Lessons Kangy Angy Near Westfield 0413 237 010 www.kidomingarajudo.com.au do ga ajudo co au

Womens Groups BPW Central Coast

Empowering women of all ages in the areas of work, education, well-being and friendship. All women welcome to attend monthly dinner meetings.

Be enlightened. $40 covers two course meal and speaker. Community transport available to and from centre Chris Levis 0438 989 199 bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com www.bpw.com.au/central-coast

Entries in the Not For Profit Community Organisations Directory are free. However, we require each organisation to subscribe to each newspaper to ensure that someone from that organisation keeps their entry up to date. Australia Post is about to increase their postage rates by over 42% and we can no longer continue to absorb these increases. Subscription rates have therefore needed to be increased from $50 to $75 for 25 editions commencing from December 1, 2015.

Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P19 9

DrumFEST all set to go

D

Out&About

International Women’s Day Expo to be held

rumFEST 2016 will move to a twilight timeslot this year to accommodate the ever-increasing demand by the community to be a part of this unique cultural and musical experience.

DrumFEST, featuring world class local and international drumming, cultural and performance groups, will be held at Memorial Park, The Entrance on Saturday, March 5 kicking off at 5:00pm.

Council’s events and grants co-ordinator, Ms Ashlee Abbott said drumming had a huge following on the Coast and moving the event to a later timeslot would allow more of the community to attend and enjoy a full evening of drumming.

“We are thrilled to

return to Memorial Park this year with a twilight program co-ordinated by Brackets and Jam,” said Ms Abbott.

“The waterfront location and ample grassed area really added to the fun festival atmosphere last year and the later timeslot will make the performances sizzle,” she said.

There will be plenty of activities for all the family including workshops on African drumming, mixed percussion, rock and blues and the ever popular drumming

workshops in the tipi.

The Rhythm Hunters will kick off the performances followed

by Bakoombah, Fode Mane, and Taiko Drum Crew.

Visitors are encouraged to join in the belly dancing.

This free family friendly event runs from 5pm until 9pm with many food and market stalls to enjoy.

Media release, Feb 17, 2016 Wyong Council media

The Wyong Diary

For events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263

Wednesday, Mar 2 Accommodation Options free talk by Department of Human Services, living choices in retirement, Wyong Council

Friday, Mar 4 Fab 4 and 60s Chart Toppers, Club Wyong, 8:00pm to 11:00pm

Saturday, Mar 5 International Women’s Day Expo, Ourimbah Campus UON, 10 Chttaway Rd, Ourimbah, 10:00am to 3:00pm Central Coast Family History Society seminar, 8 russell Drysdale St East Gosford, bookings essential, 9:30am to 2:30pm Drumfest, Memorial Park The Entrance, 5:00pm to 10:00pm Easy Street Hot Rod Club Show N Shine, Toukley Village Green, 3:00pm to 6:00pm Brent Murphy Duo, Club Wyong, 7:30pm to 10:30pm Meet the Mayor, bateau Bay Square,

10:00am to 11:30am

Thursday, Mar 10

A Night for Rel Fundriaser at Mingara Recreation Club featuring Darren Rolling Keys, Chad Towns, Dylan Butler and special guest Swanee, the Rockin Hombres and Think Pink, fundraising for Berkeley Vale resident fighting bone cancer

High Tea and Open Day, Northern Women’s Health Centre Wyong, guest speakers and entertainment, 10:00am to 12:00pm Monthly abstract painting classes commence, Toukley and Districts Art Society, The Federation Gallery and Information Centre, Gorokan, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Monday, Mar 7

Saturday, Mar 12

Long Jetty Hospital Auxiliary meeting, Auxiliary Cottage, 8 Hume Blvd, Killarney Vale, 9:30am E D S A C C Croquet Club state championships Division 2 of Golf Croquet, club grounds, Bateau Bay until Mar 8

The Rockabilly Women featuring Narelle Evans and The Jetbacks, The Greens The Entrance Wyong Community Family Fair, Wyong Christian Community School, 12:00pm to 5:00pm Wyee Markets, in the grounds of Wyee Community Hall, 8:30am to 1:00pm Rendezvous Duo, Club Wyong, 7:30pm to 10:30pm Household Chemical Cleanout, Morris Place Bateau Bay, 9:00am to 3:30pm

Sunday, Mar 6

Tuesday, Mar 8 Script Writing Masterclass, The Grove Community and Cultural Hub, 10:30am to 1:30pm

See the Peninsula News for events in post code areas 2256 & 2257 and the COAST Community News for events in post code areas 2250, 2260 and 2251 If you’ve got something happening in the Wyong Region over the next few weeks, let us know about it and we’ll list it here for you, for free. Contact details are on page 2.

he Central Coast International Women’s Day Expo 2016, a celebration of women’s services and organisations on the Central Coast, will be held at the Ourimbah campus of the University of Newcastle on Saturday, March 5.

T

The annual familyfriendly event, also open to men and children, will celebrate the many achievements of women and will highlight their participation in social, economic, cultural and political life.

The expo will provide opportunities to learn about community groups and the ways to get involved and to pledge support for gender equality.

It will also house

stalls showcasing various organisations and businesses and will present sixteen seminar sessions covering a range of topics.

The WOW Wisdom Circle, a less formal space, will allow for an additional eight sessions and will aim to share information and stories and to improve understanding on topics of particular interest to women.

The expo is the project

of the Central Coast International Women’s Day Expo Committee which is comprised of representatives from Rotary District 9685, UON Central Coast, Soroptimist International, Zonta International, WOW Wave of Wisdom, Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre and Lions International.

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Central Coast International Women’s Day Coordinating Committee

Five medals for Little Creek Cheese yong’s Little Creek Cheese has taken home five awards at the 2016 Sydney Royal Dairy Awards.

W

Little Creek Cheese owner and cheese maker, Mr Russell Parsons said it was a great start to the competition year.

Little Creek Cheese commenced making cheese almost five years ago by a small family of three who expanded their hobby into a multi award winning cheese factory.

Ms Sue Parsons added: “There have been lots of late nights, but with results like these, it makes it worthwhile.”

Awards taken out

by Little Creek Cheese included: Gold in Club Cheddar Cumin and Club

Cheddar Onion, Silver in BBQ Cheese (Haloumi), and Bronze in Club Cheddar Gin and Garlic and Dill Salad Cheese.

This was the first year that the Club Cheddar Cumin had been entered.

Little Creek Cheese is located in the Wyong Milk Factory on Alison Rd, Wyong.

Media release, Feb 22, 2016 Sue Parsons, Little Creek Cheese

Japanese taiko + African djembe drumming.

2016 enrolments now open.

Term 1 begins Monday 15th February www.therhythmhut.com.au

Classifieds

P20 P2 20 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

PRICES FOR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS IN THESE PAGES COME IN THREE CATEGORIES

Not For Profit Organisations Not for profit organisations’ advertisements are subsidised.

events

A mono 5cm advertisement only costs $20 + GST. Each additional cm is only an additional $4 + GST, colour is $6 + GST and a photograph or logo is an additional $6 + GST.

Private advertisements Private advertisements only cost $33.

Each additional cm costs $6.60 as does colour, and a photograph or a logo.

Private advertisements need to be paid for at the time of booking.

Business rates A one off advertisement only costs $40 + GST in mono and an extra $8 + GST for colour, a logo or a photograph.

Advertising on an ongoing basis attracts discounts if paid for in full in advance.

3 months $215 + GST, 6 months $385 + GST, 12 months $700 + GST – Approximately $14 per week.

Having the same advertisement in one of the other Central Coast Newspapers as well attracts an additional 10% discount for those advertisements.

If in the third paper as well, it will attract a 15% discount which drops to $11.50 + GST per week in that paper.

Artwork is free and advertisers are encouraged to change their advertisements frequently.

Online classified advertising rates Online only GosfordClassifieds.com.au is one of a network of 10 websites which form one of the largest independent online classifieds network in NSW with over 350,000 annual visitors, over 80,000 online advertisements and over 15,000 business advertisements.

A premium VIP online business advertisement on GosfordClassifieds.com.au only costs $299 + GST for 3 months, $399 + GST for 6 months and, $499 + GST for 12 months.

It costs a similar amount to go on any one of the other nine Sydney based websites as well, or only $1699 + GST for all sites for 12 months.

The other sites cover Bondi, Manly, Newtown, Cronulla, South Sydney, St George, West Sydney, North Sydney, Wollongong and suburbs surrounding those areas.

All that we require for you to have an online advertisement such as this is: 1) Heading for the advertisement; 2) Text for the body; and, 3) Up to 3 images if required i.e. logos etc.

Combined online and print advertising

Antennas

Having a Gosford classifieds premium on line advertisement plus a printed advertisement in one newspaper will only cost $495 + GST for 3 months, $695 + GST for 6 months and $999 + GST for 12 months.

Having it in two newspapers as well as online costs $595 + GST for 3 months, $995 + GST for 6 months and $1499 + GST for 12 months.

To be in all three newspapers as well as online costs $795 + GST for 3 months, $1395 + GST for 6 months and $1899 + GST for 12 months.

See page 2 for contact details.

All newspaper advertisements have a minimum of two weeks’ shelf life.

GOSFORDCLASSIFIEDS.COM.AU FOR ONLINE CENTRAL COAST CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Gardening

Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas Gosford 4323 6367 Woy Woy 4344 4414 Warnervale 1800 244 456 0412 685 555

Business for sale

Hair Dressing Salon Est 25 Yrs All Plant, Equipment & Stock WIWO $25k neg

Plumbing

YOUR LOCAL PLUMBER

A Better Picture

Antenna & Digital

Same day service Guaranteed Blocked drains, Leaking taps and toilets, Hot water and all aspects Of pluming drainage and gas fitting.

The Troubadour

Lic number 265652C

Folk and Acoustic Music Club

March 19 at 7pm Presents Gleny Rae Virus and the Playboys CWA Hall Woy Woy Tickets $12 www.troubadour.org.au

4346 4057 Kitchen Quality Laminate Benchtops supplied and seconds for sale

R&J Benchtops Gosford

Positions Vacant

Experiend Tilers wanted!

Dance

Painting

Start Imediately 0439 589 426

Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association

BUCELLO’S COASTAL PAINTING SERVICES

Roofing

0417 065 320

Experience Folk Music at its best at East Gosford Progress Hall @ 7.30pm Henry Parry Drive

March 13 Bush Dance Admission $15 incl. supper

www.ccbdma.org for more information

Enq: 4344 6484

4342 6716

Slightly Off

Want to have a lot of fun, unique music at your next event?

Call Leila at 0423 147 797 or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ SlightlyOffMusic

For Sale

0456 884 545

• Residential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints Free Quotes All work guaranteed Quality’s my game and Ryan’s my name

0410 404 664 Photography

Electrician

CENTRAL COAST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

YOUR LOCAL

corporate – website – events

ELECTRICIAN Same day service Guaranteed Lighting, Power Points, Phone & Data, Fault Finding,

No job too small.

Seniors Discount.

Lic number 265652C

Combined print and online packages have been created providing further discounts.

Entertainment

4308 6771 Entertainment

Daihatsu Terios All Wheel Drive Goes Well Excellent Condition 225,000km 5 speed 10 months rego Manual, towbar, electric mirrors, sound system

$

2950 ono 0410 522 070

a one stop solution for all your photographic needs

VALSPIX www.valspix.com

0418 600 436

Metal roofing All aspects Gutters, Downpipes Skylights Custom flashings Growe Installations P/L

0431 136 092 0404Lic 340 570 282094c

Tiling

Tiling Wall & Floor Property Maintenance 0439 589 426 homes2nv@gmail.com

Tuition - Dance

Gosford BluesAngels Scottish Country Eyecare Dancers Lawnmowing Gardening

Your total acoustic blues/roots package, top to toe, and then some.

Minnie the Moocher to Eagle Rock and on into indie roots, beatnik jazz, backhills bluegrass and prog folk.

Available as duo, trio or band negotiable for your party, event or venue.

tomflood@hotmail.com

4324 2801

and Stump Grinding Services Call Jamie

0413 088 128 www.eyecarelawnmowing.com.au

hold an intermediate class on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 pm at Wyoming - It’s an excellent form of exercise which brings men, women and young people together socially, learning new and old dances in a very friendly relaxed atmosphere - No experience or partner necessary - All ages welcome Cost $7.00 per week - Contact Janice on

4388 2253

Sport

Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P21 1

Jets escape with a win after a tough match teven Ugarkovic scored the lone goal in the Sunday, February 28 F3 Derby between Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets to seal all three points for the visitors.

S

A defensive lapse on the hour mark was enough to see Ugarkovic in a scoring position, one-onone with Paul Izzo, who had no chance to stop the close range strike.

Free on goal, Ugarkovic made no mistake with the finish.

“It was a good effort from a very young team, we made a crucial mistake at the back that resulted in a goal,” Mariners’ head coach Mr Tony Walmsley said.

“There will be a tipping point where the mistakes stop.

“I’m just sorry for the fans.

“They are turning up in numbers every week, their team, my team and our team are sitting bottom of the ladder, nobody likes it.

“We have a recruitment strategy, we know where we need to strengthen the squad and when we add some experience to our spine we will be a different proposition come next season.”

The derby still managed to attract a crowd of 7,528 for a warm 5:00pm kick off with most of the western stands still facing blazing sun.

The first half was arguably one of the

Newcastle Jets supporters arrive at Central Coast Stadium for the F3 Derby

Mariners’ best defensive efforts all season.

Louis Garcia found himself flat out on the pitch within the first five minutes and reportedly sustained and injury that kept him relatively quiet for the remainder of his time in the game.

He certainly appears to have much more impact off the bench than in the starting 11.

Josh Bingham was given an opportunity in the role of central striker but appeared to keep drifting towards Mitchell Austin on the left which meant crosses from the flanks did not result in goal chances.

Trent Buhagiar, Mitchell Austin and Liam Rose had an impressive first 45 minutes, maintaining possession and turning defence into attack.

Buhagiar certainly looked the goods.

Perhaps Bingham was nervous about being

The Shame File Ducks Crossing Publications has a very liberal credit policy for advertisers and realises that from time to time, people, businesses and organisations get into financial difficulty and may need assistance and time to get things back on track.

However, some people, businesses and organisations take advantage of this generosity they use advertising but simply don’t pay their account after several months and need to be taken to court to do so. From time to time, as necessary, we will name these people, businesses or organisations as a warning to our readers so that they will be wary when dealing with them.

• Golden Scissors • David Hill, Long Jetty Hairdressing, Wyong • Jessica Davis of Erina • Bakefresh, Wyong - trading as A1 cleaning services • Frazer Park Pty Ltd formerly trading as The • Rattananporn Big Prawn at Crangan Massage, Wyong Bay • Tony Fitzpatrick trading as Futuretek Roofing

called offside and he did get blown for being offside after a pass from Garcia delivered a sound early opportunity.

The Newcastle Jets had a few chances around the 20-minute mark, one shot was batted off the gloves of Izzo, shortly after, a second Jet’s shot went high and wide.

Mitchell Austin then drew a free kick within range of the Mariner’s net.

It was taken well and came off the head of Buhagiar but was just wide of the left post.

Another Mariner’s goal attempt shortly after went wide to the right.

The first 30 minutes of the derby were strong for the Mariners, both in defence and attack.

The first real sustained period of Jets attack came

at around the half hour mark and the home side’s back row and keeper did have to scramble a couple of times but they kept the Jets at bay successfully.

Trent Buhagiar made an impressive run into the box from half way but was unable to finish what would have been a great solo attack.

Mariners’ captain Nick Montgomery took a free kick on minute 41 but it was delivered directly into the keeper’s arms.

The Mariners went to the break on level pegging with their local rivals, which, for the loyal local crowd, was almost as good as having the lead.

The second half was a scrappier affair.

A yellow card to Mateo Poljak at the 51st minute gave the Mariners a free

Photo: Olivia Pearson

kick, but they didn’t turn it into a scoring opportunity.

The Coast’s attacking and defending crusade continued for the first 10 minutes of the second half of the game.

Steven Ugarkovic’s goal for the Jets on minute 56 was from a Mariners’ defensive error that left our goal wide open and Izzo unable to do anything about it.

A tired and disappointed home side kept fighting from the hour mark when Garcia was substituted by Daniel Heffernan.

Trent Buhagiar was substituted by Jake McGing at minute 73.

Around the same time, Tomislav Uskok received a yellow card for a “studs up” tackle.

Both sides had chances

during the last 10 minutes of ordinary time and five torturous extra minutes.

The Jets slowed down proceedings and played deep and defensive but the Mariners kept fighting and, overall, it was an improved performance on recent games.

Mitchell Neill, Liam Rose and Harry Ascroft also had solid performances.

Full focus now turns to A-League round 22 that will see the Mariners host their second consecutive home match.

Tony Walmsley said he would welcome the return of two key attacking weapons with Roy O’Donovan available for selection after his eight-week suspension along with Fabio Ferreira whose one week on the sideline has been served.

Defender Jacob Poscoliero also returns but captain Nick Montgomery has overshot the acceptable yellow card count for the season and will serve a one-match suspension.

“We finished the game really well, Luis Garcia getting injured at the start changed the way we had to approach defensively.

“It’s only the third time we haven’t scored all season and I’m amazed that we didn’t.

Match summary, Feb 27, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners Match notes, Feb 27, 2016 Jackie Pearson, journalist

CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTRE INVITES YOU TO JOIN US AT

STOP

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Come along for a celebratory and fun evening; prizes and an auction and The F Awards: celebrating the fantastic female leaders on the Central Coast

Sport

P22 P2 22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016

Disc golf course open to all

Croquet State Championships at Bateau Bay

Playing at the last EDSACC Croquet Club gala day

he EDSACC Croquet Club at Bateau Bay will host the Division 2 State Championship for players whose handicaps range from five to eight in both singles and doubles, from March 7, 2016.

T Cr Doug Eaton tries his hand at disc golf at San Remo's Koala Park

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ine chain-wire baskets have been installed at San Remo’s Koala Park to create the Central Coast’s first disc golf course.

It was scheduled to open officially on February 26.

Wyong Council’s parks and sport fields section manager, Mr Keith Ollier said that disc golf was like traditional golf but instead of hitting a tiny ball, one throws a flying

disc or Frisbee.

Mr Ollier said: “We heard about this sport and thought we have to bring it to Wyong.

“After some research, Koala Park proved to be the perfect spot and we worked with professional, Australian disc golfers to

T ide Char T FORT DENISON

LAT 33° 51’ S - LONG 151° 14’ E - TIME ZONE - 1000 Times and Heights(m) of high and low waters

Time - Height(m) Add one hour to the times below when Daylight Saving is in force

0253 1.43 0148 1.42 0053 1.44 0940 0.66 0827 0.69 0719 0.67 TUE 1312 1.24 WED 1416 1.19 THU 1532 1.18 2120 0.69 2010 0.70 1909 0.66 0552 1.68 0500 1.57 0400 1.49 1230 0.38 1142 0.49 1046 0.59 FRI 1645 1.23 SAT 1742 1.31 SUN 1830 1.42 2325 0.56 2227 0.64 0157 0.28 0107 0.36 0016 0.46 0816 1.91 0729 1.87 0641 1.79 MON 1315 0.28 TUE 1358 0.20 WED 1440 0.16 2047 1.72 2001 1.63 1916 1.53 0434 0.25 0340 0.22 0247 0.23 1046 1.72 0955 1.83 0905 1.89 THU 1524 0.16 FRI 1608 0.20 SAT 1654 0.29 2312 1.78 2222 1.80 2133 1.78 0102 1.67 0005 1.74 0531 0.32 0742 0.48 0633 0.40 1140 1.58 SUN 1742 0.39 MON 1238 1.43 TUE 1344 1.31 1934 0.60 1834 0.51

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make sure our course was one of the best.

“This recreation activity is free and is set up for those keen to take up a new sport, or families and friends looking for something different to do on a weekend.

“Koala Park already boasts a sports field, tennis courts and full amenities, including a kitchen.”

There are more than 700 registered disc golf players in Australia.

Australian Disc Golf president, Mr Neil Roberts, said that disc golf was a simple sport that anyone could play.

Mr Roberts said: “Disc golf can be played as a competitive sport or as a social pastime.

“I’ve been competing since 2010 and it can be quite technical as it’s more than just throwing a Frisbee.

“Just like ball golf, there are putters, midrange discs and drivers.

There are also ones that curve to the left or the right, or that roll along the ground.

Mr Roberts said: “I’m hoping to bring one of the women’s global events to Koala Park this May.”

APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON Ettalong 40 min, Rip Bridge 2hrs - Wisemans Ferry 2 hrs 30 min, Koolewong 2 hrs 10 min In view of the variations caused by local conditions and meteorological effects, these times are approximate and must be considered as a guide only. They are not to be relied on for critical depth calculations for safe navigation. Actual times of High and Low Water may occur before or after the times indicated

Media release, Feb 24, 2016 Wyong Council media

Doubles will be played out on March 7 to 8, with singles competing from March 10 to 11.

Tournament organiser and EDSACC games captain, Ms Cheryl Patterson said croquet

was quite the growing sport.

“Our club has four courts/lawns and croquet is quite popular amongst retirees.

“I am new to the sport and there are quite a lot of

tactics and skill involved.

“Our own club boasts 110 members,” Ms Patterson said.

Media release, Feb 23, 2016 Cheryl Patterson, EDSACC Croquet Club

Preparing a shot at the last EDSACC Croquet Club gala day

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - March 1, 2016 - P23 3

New drainage for Watanobbi and Adelaide St Ovals

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ew drainage will be installed at two local sports fields as part of Wyong Council’s commitment to improve the playing surface of local ovals.

Watanobbi Oval at Watanobbi and Adelaide St Oval in Tumbi Umbi are having drainage installed to improve the quality of the field and increase usage rates.

Council’s parks and sportsfields section manager, Mr Keith Ollier, said: “The new drainage will see water quickly disappear from the surface of the field during wet weather and enable the field to dry out faster after rain.

“This means after rain, people can use the field for training and playing a lot sooner than what they used to,” Mr Ollier said.

Council has engaged contractors to install pipes every 2.5 metres across the field which is back filled with a special blend of drainage sand to help remove excess moisture.

The improvements cost around $200,000 for both projects with Wildcats Baseball and AFL NSW/ACT contributing towards the works that will see their fields utilised more for weekend sport and training during wet periods.

Works have started at Watanobbi Oval and it is expected to reopen in April, whilst works on Adelaide St Oval will start at the end of the month and will see the field ready for use again in May. “Although the pipe laying doesn’t take that long, we need to make sure the regrowth of the oval’s surface has grown over before we can open the ovals, this can take up to 10 weeks.

“We have been working with the local sporting clubs who use

these fields and have relocated them to other facilities while we carry out these improvement works,” Mr Ollier added.

“We are also building a state of the art facility at Tuggerah with nine sports fields and an indoor recreation centre; as well as relocating the fields at Halekulani to Colongra and expanding the facility to include three sports fields, an inclusive play space and a regional skate place,” said Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM. “Sport and recreation opportunities are growing in Wyong, whether you play socially or competitively or are just keen to stay healthy and active,” Cr Eaton said.

Media release, Feb 15, 2016 Wyong Council media

Mariners to field a team in the second division or the first time, the Central Coast Mariners will field a team in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League (NPL) in 2016.

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Football Federation Australia CEO, Mr David Gallop said: “The inclusion of all nine Australia based Hyundai A-League clubs in a NPL competition is another important step in bridging the gap between the professional and second tiers.”

Entering its fourth year since inception, the semiprofessional NPL spans eight state and territory competitions.

It is a major steppingstone for aspiring players to the Hyundai A-League.

Mr David Gallop said: “The level of the NPL continues to improve each year.

“It is through this increasingly impressive standard that players are getting noticed and given an opportunity to realise their dreams of becoming professional footballers.”

Sony Computer Entertainment Australia managing director, Mr Michael Ephraim, said: “The NPL is widely recognised as the engine room for the future of professional league

Beaches closed due to Tropical Cyclone Winston

Lakes Beach on Sunday, February 28

Photos: Bec Macpherson

each conditions on the weekend of February 27 and 28 were dangerous, although not quite as treacherous as those forecast.

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Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO, Mr Chris Parker said the community was to be congratulated for listening to the warnings, staying clear of the water or taking precautions to stay safe as the swell peaked at over three metres late on the afternoon of Saturday, February 27.

Most beaches were closed during the height of the swell, Mr Parker said.

The big seas, caused by eastern swells emanating from Tropical Cyclone Winston, were forecast to be the biggest seen on the Central Coast in a decade, but fortunately the swell, which did rise to three metres, hit late

football in Australia.”

Television presenter, Mr Adam Peacock, will track promising players from each NPL competition in a Fox Sports eight-part series, PS4 Player Pathway: Ones to Watch.

Mr Peacock said: “The Player Pathway initiative is exactly what grassroots football deserves to ensure no talent slips under the radar.”

Media release, Feb 18, 2016 David Gallop, Football Federation Australia

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Sport

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED

in the day and dissipated quickly.

A search at Soldiers’ Beach was later stood down as, although a person was presumed entering the water and missing, no missing person’s report had actually been filed.

Interview, Feb 29, 2016 Chris Parker, Surf Life Saving Central Coast

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