Issue 100 of Wyong Regional Chronicle

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September 13, 2016

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August 6, 2012

Issue 1

November 22, 2012

Artist’s impression released for Lakeside Plaza redevelopment

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“Stages two and three of the development will include a residential tower and hotel tower, all on the one site that covers

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a day spa, restaurant and bar, surrounded by a landscaped and treed roof garden environment.

The position on the fourth floor of the building would offer uninterrupted views out to the lake and coast, yet would enable the roof garden to still feel part of the town.

At ground level, the piazza has been designed to become the town square, providing open space and amenities, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, hospitality venues and specialist retail that would make it popular

for day and night time entertainment and relaxation.

A proposed Novotel Hotel would comprise 220 plus rooms, an 800 seat conference and function centre, introducing The Entrance to thousands of visitors.

Both towers would be in an elliptical shape, designed to offer 360 degree views, allowing wind to pass, avoiding the down drafts associated with more conventional designs.

Lakeside Plaza proprietor Mr Bob Dunnet said “The design has been

influenced by studies from around Australia and internationally whereby best practice architectural designs have been ‘cherry picked’ and integrated into the design”.

The Entrance Chamber of Commerce president Mr Wes Newman said the development was positive for The Entrance.

“To get this far has been a great achievement and is very positive for The Entrance,” said Mr Newman.

“We have been working closely with the owners and their representatives

for over a year now in the development of the concept for the site”, said a spokesperson for Wyong Council Media.

“The recently adopted master plan for the entrance town centre was prepared in conjunction their concept.”

“Council has received a planning proposal for spot rezoning of the lakeside plaza site, which is currently being assed.”

Magazine, 1 Jul 2012 Edgar Adams, Central Coast Business Review 8 Aug 2012 Wyong Council Media Wy

The Central Coast

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Chinese Theme Park representative Ms Amanda Lee addressed the meeting and explained how the venue would provide jobs for residents of Wyong Shire and would be a boost for the local economy.

Ms Lee said while the majority of the revenue for the theme park would come from private proprietors, the Chinese Government was supportive of their plan to construct in Warnervale.

It was resolved at the meeting that the mayor and general manager urgently negotiate with Australia Theme Park Pty Ltd with the objective of achieving an agreement for sale of the proposed site where Council’s risks and liabilities would be minimised and where a satisfactory sale price was offered by the purchaser.

Council has received a number of visits and documents from Chinese delegates during the past two years, with many influential businessmen and Government officials indicating support for the project.

All support is dependent upon the issue of land tenure and zoning issues

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being resolved between Council and Australia Theme Park Pty. The site, at Lot 3 Warren Rd, Warnervale, has a total area of 179.277 Ha. The site includes Warnervale Airport and a portion of Porters Creek wetland.

The village would be a working village with accommodation, shops, restaurants, galleries and tourist accommodation.

The proposal is expected to cost in the vicinity of $500 million making it one of the largest private sector developments in Wyong Shire and the Central Coast.

In March last year Council considered a Mayoral Minute in relation to the proposal from Australia China Cultural Foundation Incorporated (ACCFI) to develop a Chinese Theme Park on Council owned land at Warnervale.

Council resolved among others matters to enter into a co-operation agreement to continue to progress the project.

This agreement was formally entered into on Monday, August 15, 2011 with mayor Cr Doug Eaton and the President of ACCFI, Mr Bruce Zhong signing the

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agreement.

The terms of the agreement identified that Council grant ACCFI a non-exclusive licence to enter the land for the sole purpose of carrying out investigatory works to support the development of the project.

The period of the agreement was from Friday, July 1, 2011, to Thursday, June 30, 2012, with the agreement having now lapsed.

During the period of the agreement ACCFI engaged consultants Cardno to undertake a desktop review of environment, engineering and planning constraints with regard to the proposed development.

The review identified that the current zoning of the property as Industrial would not permit all of their proposed uses, however, this matter could be addressed by making a submission to rezone the land to permit the proposed land use through the exhibition period of LEP 2012.

The cost of this review undertaken by Cardno is reported to be in the vicinity of $250,000.

At a councillor briefing session held in June of this year, an update of the current situation was presented

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with particular emphasis being placed on the financial models available to this project.

In August this year, an offer to purchase the site from Council was received from Mr Zhong, however, this offer was considered unacceptable to Council with a response being forwarded detailing Council's position in the matter.

In October, Council

received a conditional offer to purchase the site for $10 million from the Australia Theme Park Pty Ltd. The conditions imposed inappropriate risk and obligations on Council and as such the offer was rejected and the Australia Theme Park Pty Ltd was advised accordingly.

Council staff are currently preparing a land economics report

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Issue 13

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The Central Coast

Constitutional recognition of local government is vital for federal funding

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Volunteer Award went to Mr Allen Currie and the Youth of the Year award went to Ms Rachel Davis.

Other winners included Brackets and Jam event stalwart Ms Julie Smith in the Arts and Culture division, martial artist Mr John Gill in the Sportsperson of the Year category, Mr Tim Silverwood from the Take 3-A Clean Beach Initiative won the Environment Award and both the Central Coast Outreach Service and TNC Lakes Food Care shared the honours for outstanding Community service organisation.

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Media release, 25 Jan 2013 Wyong Council Media

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Ms Marlene Pennings and mayor Cr Doug Eaton

Central Coast airport ruled out Mr Hartcher has instead called on the Federal Members for Dobell and Robertson to support the joint approach of the NSW Government to boost efficiency at Sydney Airport.

“The NSW Government does not support a second airport in the Sydney basin whether it’s Wilton, Badgerys Creek or the Central Coast,” said Mr Hartcher.

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“We will not support a proposal that dumps aircraft noise on the families of the Central Coast.

“The NSW Government announced plans late last year

“While Sydney Airport is a matter for the Commonwealth, we want to see maximum efficiency achieved at the facility because the economy of NSW depends on it.

Government proposing a joint approach addressing aviation capacity and operational improvements.

“The NSW Government does not support an airport on the

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Airport asset is being fully utilised,” said Mr Hartcher.

Media release, 17 Jan 2013 Caroline Hutcherson, Office of Chris Hartcher MP

The Central Coast

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CHAMP ONS

he mayors of both Wyong and Gosford Councils have encouraged residents to support a campaign to give constitutional recognition to local government.

A referendum will be held at the upcoming September 14 Federal election and both Gosford and Wyong Councils have joined 85% of Councils around Australia to support the campaign for constitutional recognition.

A high court decision ruled the federal government cannot directly fund local government, which puts federal government funding across the Central Coast at risk.

If constitutional recognition is supported, this would allow for direct federal funding of local government.

“The present climate means government grants are decreasing and it would be disastrous if we lost any type of federal funding,” Wyong mayor Cr Doug Eaton said.

“Local Government is the only level of government in Australia that is not financially recognised in the Australian Constitution and our income funding is limited in relation to the services we are expected to provide to our community.

“Government funding is such a vital part of any

“The NSW Central Coast which is inister for the Central Coast Mr Chris Hartcher has rejected to increase capacity has why we need to ensure a proposal to build an airport on the Central Coast, including at Sydney Airport to Government boost efficiency. written to the Federal the existing Sydney a proposed site at Bushells Ridge in Wyong Shire.

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Council’s income and Wyong Shire Council has always been grateful for any funding we have received from the Federal and State Governments.

“The Constitutional Recognition of Local Government will enable the Federal Government to have the capacity to fund Councils directly to achieve national objectives at a local level, such as major infrastructure projects and job creation ventures,” he added.

For the referendum to be successful there needs to be a majority of yes votes from voters in a

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majority of states.

Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna encouraged all residents to support the referendum at the upcoming election.

“Local Councils, including Gosford and Wyong, often rely heavily on federal funding to improve our roads and community facilities,” mayor Cr McKinna said.

“By voting yes in the referendum, residents are voting to continue to access this funding, which contributes to many major projects in our local areas,” he added.

Both Councils received

an $80 million grant from the Federal Government for the Mardi-Mangrove Link project, which has secured the region’s water supply.

In Wyong, the Federal Government’s Caring for Country grant provided $20 million for the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Program and $5 million for two new surf clubs at Shelly and Soldiers Beach.

Other projects include $520,000 for a playground at Canton Beach which would be able to be used by visually impaired children, $400,000 for six new netball courts at Wyong’s Baker Park and $200,000 to upgrade ineteen new charges have been laid community halls around against Dobell MP Mr Craig Thomson the Wyong area and a in 25 volumes of new material presented number of grants to help complete Wyong’s shared during a hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 22. pathway network.

“Quite simply, federal The new charges the large volume of new grants are important for a include allegations that evidence to consider. number of projects right Mr Thomson used a The case has been across the community,” Health Services Union adjourned until Monday, mayor Cr Eaton said. credit card to pay for July 1, and Mr Thomson’s “That is why it is so pornographic movies bail has been renewed. important people vote at the Swissotel in Mr Thomson’s office yes at the referendum to Sydney and the Pacific offered no comment when ensure this continues,” he International Suites in contacted by Wyong concluded.

Melbourne.

Regional Chronicle.

Mr Thomson’s defence Media release, 21 May 2013 Website, 22 May 2013 lawyer Mr David Galbally Wyong Council Media and Mark Russell, Gosford Council Media asked the magistrate for The Age an adjournment due to

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The Central Coast

providers and businessindustry groups, as well as the establishment of a business/industrial park which would integrate with the university campus and explore linkages for employment generation and research and development.

retail providers.

On a recent delegation to China, Cr Eaton visited the largest university city in the world in Wuhan, home to multiple university campuses and a total student population of over one million.

“It was incredible to

flows on to stimulate the local economy,” Cr Eaton said.

“The spin offs extend to the tourism sector, with increased visits from the families of students and prospective students and university-based events.”

The initial driver for investment in the proposed Warnervale precinct will focus on securing a university to anchor the development and attract complementary service providers and businesses.

“On this front, we are already looking good with council having already received an expression of interest from a reputable international investor, which I think demonstrates that this is a viable project,” Cr Eaton said.

“I’m very optimistic that we have the right conditions to transform higher education on the Central Coast.”

An economic feasibility study will be completed by September 2013.

Media release, 11 Jul 2013, Wyong Shire Council

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University city in Wuhan China, a model for the proposed Warnervale university

The Central Coast

Issue 33

Long Jetty Village Centre Improvement Masterplan formally adopted

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the development would include a university campus for 7,000 students with an emphasis on science, engineering and technology based studies, a residential college for 1,500 students and retail, sport and recreation and language facilities for

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November 7, 2013

Issue 25

It is envisaged the see how this satellite yong Council is planning to create a vibrant education, students.

It would also see development would city is thriving with industry and business precinct at Warnervale, capable of providing university-level courses to 7,000 students and 1,500 the co-alignment of employ 1,500 staff plus the energy of all those education with training support services and students and how this education sector jobs. successful international education-focused development, such as Education City in SouthEast Queensland and the Education City in Qatar, and envisions creating a regionally significant integrated development.

Key components of

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Education Precinct Preliminary Project Plan endorsed The initiative has taken its first step towards becoming reality, with council endorsing a Preliminary Project Plan which will develop a masterplan for the Council-owned land at Warnervale.

“This is a unique opportunity for council and the community,” Wyong mayor Cr Doug Eaton said.

Cr Eaton also said the initiative would benefit the young people of the Central Coast and create a huge boost for local employment and business.

According to Cr Greg Best, the initiative would particularly benefit those who have to leave the Central Coast because their chosen disciplines of tertiary study are not available in the region.

“We are not going to be an exporter of commuters,” Cr Best said.

“One day, we are going to be an importer of employers.”

Council has drawn on

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Issue 21

Craig Thomson facing new charges

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July 18, 2013

Council Agenda, 14 Nov 2012 7.4, Wyong Council

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May 23, 2013

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s Marlene Pennings of The Entrance North was named Wyong Shire’s Citizen of the Year at the Wyong Council Civic Centre on Thursday, January 24.

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time for many other community causes including the Wyong Shire Community Nursery, Tuggerah Lakes Reserve Trust, Wycare-CEN Liaison Committee, Landcare, the steering committee for Empowering Aboriginal Women and Wyong Shire Council’s Vision Committee.

Last year Marlene was included on the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, organised by the NSW Department of Primary Industries to highlight the work of outstanding volunteers in regional and rural areas.

Wyong Shire Council’s Australia Day award for a Business Person went to Mr Don Dagger.

The Community

on the site that will be used to guide future decision making on this site The mayor and general manager of Council have been requested to report the outcomes of the negotiations at the next ordinary Council meeting on Wednesday, November 28.

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Marlene Pennings is Citizen of the Year The evening also paid tribute to other members of the Wyong Shire community who have aided others through a service.

Guests heard that, over the past 12 years, Ms Pennings was responsible for obtaining almost $1 million in grants to help the community.

Ms Penning’s work has included driving roles with Coastcare The Entrance North, the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary, Coastline and Flood Plain Management Committee, The Entrance Community Precinct Committee, The Entrance North Progress Association and Wycare.

Ms Pennings has also volunteered her

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January 31, 2013

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Issue 9

yong Council received an updated report on the status of the proposed site for a Chinese Cultural Theme Park on Warren Rd, Warnervale, at its ordinary meeting of Wednesday, November 19.

Photo courtesy of Ben Dunnet

some 21,000 sqm.

The development has been designed by one of Australia’s leading architectural firms to reflect its seaside position and provide outstanding views of the ocean and lake.

The development would also provide for substantial undercover basement parking for shoppers and visitors alike.

The lofting of the towers would create an ‘Oasis’ floor protected from the sun and rain on the fourth level, providing pool facilities,

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Council in negotiations with developer over proposed $500M Chinese Theme Park

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he artist’s impression of the proposed Lakeside Plaza redevelopment released by architectural firm, Architectus, depicts an expanded Coles Supermarket along with speciality fashion and food retailers to serve The Entrance Community.

Issue 100

fter extensive community consultation, Wyong Council formally adopted the Long Jetty Village Centre Improvement Masterplan on Wednesday, October 23.

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The Masterplan will see the implementation of practical and affordable improvements which will build on the natural strengths of the area.

These strengths include the proximity of the Long Jetty Village to Tuggerah Lakes; existing parks and playgrounds; and good transport links.

Part of The Entrance Peninsula Planning Strategy adopted in April 2009, the Long Jetty Village Masterplan also improves public spaces in the area, with upgrades to Saltwater Creek Park and Lions Park; embellishment of existing jetties; plans for a water play park

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at Watkins Jetty; and identification of four ‘activity hubs’.

Wyong mayor Cr Doug Eaton said this was a great example

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of council and local residents and businesses sitting down and coming up with practical solutions together.

“We’ve already

seen new banners go up along the Central Coast Highway and other streetscape improvements suggested by residents,” Cr Eaton

said.

“Now this plan will guide council’s own spending in line with the community’s vision.

“This is how it should

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be done and I’m very excited about what the future holds for this village precinct, particularly when the main street and jetties are done up,” Cr Eaton said.

C o m m u n i t y participation was a vital aspect of the development of the Masterplan, with forums, stakeholder working group meetings, surveys, postcard drop offs to business owners, and presentations to relevant community and business groups taking place.

The plan focuses on practical, affordable projects which are able to be maintained.

It will also focus on public and private urban domain improvements designed to enhance the quality of physical assets surrounding the foreshore area.

Wyong Council Agenda, 4.1 23 Oct 2013

the Wyong Shire

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January 10, 2014

Issue 37

‘Brothers for Life’ members arrested

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Images from the ‘Brothers for Life’ arrest

More images from the ‘Brothers for Life’ arrest on Page 8

The 27-year-old was Guildford, one was in olice have arrested and charged three members of ‘Brothers group.

He was refused bail, charged with: Attempt Auburn and one was in for Life’, two of which were from the Wyong LGA, following a proactive operation throughout Sydney and the Central Coast on appeared at Wyong Local to possess unauthorised Kellyville.

The operation was Court on Thursday, pistol; Attempt to Wednesday, January 8.

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Police alleged that two of the men were actively involved in directing many of the gang’s illegal activities and believe their arrests would seriously disrupt the group’s criminal agendas.

Around 2pm, detectives from the State Crime Command's Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) were joined by specialist police, and officers from the South

West Metro, North West Metro and Northern Regions, in executing seven search warrants at properties in Sydney and the Central Coast.

As a result of the operation, three men were arrested including alleged gang leader 31-year-old Farhad Qaumi from Chittaway Bay; a 29-year-old man from Wyong; and a 27-year-old man from Auburn.

The three men were

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charged with a variety of offences, before being refused bail to appear before court on Thursday, January 9.

Quami was charged with two counts of possess unauthorised pistol; possess unauthorised prohibited firearm; two counts of supply prohibited drug (Large Commercial Quantity); supply prohibited drug (Indictable Quantity); and knowingly direct criminal activities of

January 9, with the case adjourned to March 7; he was again refused bail.

The 29-year-old was charged with: possess unauthorised pistol; possess unauthorised prohibited firearm; two counts of supply prohibited drug (Large Commercial Quantity); supply prohibited drug (Indictable Quantity); and knowingly direct criminal activities of group.

He was also refused bail.

possess unauthorised prohibited firearm; Two counts of supply prohibited drug (Large Commercial Quantity); Supply prohibited drug (Indictable Quantity); and Participate in criminal group.

He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, January 9.

Of the seven search warrants executed by police, three were in Wyong, one was in Villawood, one was in

part of an ongoing investigation by Strike Force Sitella, which was formed by MEOCS to investigate a number of shootings in Sydney during the second half of 2013.

Strike Force Sitella has resulted in police arresting eleven people and preferring 73 charges, as well as seizing three handguns, two shotguns and quantities of illicit drugs.

Media release, 9 Jan 2014 NSW Police Media

the Wyong Shire

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July 4, 2014

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Mayor Cr Doug Eaton said both holdings were of strategic importance to job creation in the Shire, one for the proposed regional airport and the other for future employment and environmental offset lands.

The decision to purchase required the mayor to use his casting vote to get the land purchase passed.

“This is all about jobs and planning for the future growth of this region,” mayor Cr Eaton said.

Council will invest $10 million in over 87 hectares of land in the Warner Business Park at Jilliby.

“The land covers around one third of the regional airport investigation site identified in November 2013.

“It also contains an existing Part 3A approval for an industrial subdivision.

Warner Business Park Jilliby Land

“This is the biggest single land holding in the investigation site,” said mayor Cr Eaton.

“Securing this land now shows how serious we are about establishing a regional airport by 2020 to help grow the local economy and boost jobs on the Coast.

“The Central Coast Regional Airport will be the hub of a business and logistics industry precinct representing a change in employment opportunities in Wyong Shire, and will complement other airport services in the Sydney basin and Newcastle,” he said.

Council will also purchase over 144 hectares of land at Doyalson for $7 million.

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“The Woodbury Park land is adjacent to the Freeway Link Rd at the northern boundary of the Shire and will provide opportunities for future employment and environmental offset lands,” Cr Eaton said.

“Both holdings are important for sustainable economic development in the Shire,” he said.

However, Cr Bob Graham said the $17 million could be better spent on a multitude of projects throughout the Shire including the Arts Centre, the restoration of Tuggerah Lakes, roads, kerb and gutter, drainage and sporting and recreational facilities.

“I question the wisdom of this so called

earlier meeting in Wyong with Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs.

“The Federal Government’s support for the regional airoport will be essential to getting it built and operational by 2020 and we had a great meeting in Canberra last week with senior officials and the Chief of Staff for Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss,” said mayor Cr Eaton.

“They were very investment of ratepayers’ supportive of our regional money, and knowing the airport plans and we Terrace Towers company are to write to them to as I do, you can rest trigger Federal assistance assured that they wouldn’t regarding planning and be selling their prime land technical approvals in holdings for less than line with the Coalition’s they were worth,” said election commitment.

Cr Graham, who voted “They also saw the against the motion along airport as being eligible with Crs Lisa Matthews, for federal funding Doug Vincent and Ken through RDA grants in Greenwald. upcoming years and we “I will be calling for will be looking at all a thorough investigation avenues for public and into this wastage of private funding,” he said. ratepayers’ money and to Last month council what could possibly be also met with NSW the true motive for this Premier Mike Baird and cosy arrangement with Central Coast Minister Terrace Towers,” said Cr Rob Stokes and took Graham. them on a visit to the The decision to proposed airport site and purchase the land other projects in the north followed a lobbying Warnervale area. visit to Canberra and an “The Premier was

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the Wyong Shire

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clearly blown away by our overall vision for the managed growth of this region and we’ve been very pleased with the support for the proposed regional airport expressed by both levels of government,” Cr Eaton said.

Gosford Council’s CEO Mr Paul Anderson said that establishing a new regional airport was a very important part of the Central Coast’s future.

“There’s no doubt that having an airport built and operating here in our region would be a major, long-term boost for the local economy,” Mr Anderson said.

“Not only will an airport help us tackle the huge demands facing the Central Coast’s transport systems in coming years, but it will also deliver positive flow on effects for local jobs, tourism and other investment.

“Along with Wyong Shire Council, we were very pleased to be able to highlight this regional priority at the national level during meetings with federal government ministers in June,” said Mr Anderson.

Media release, 26 Jun 2014 Wyong Council Media Email, 26 Jun 2014 Bob Graham, Wyong Council

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November 7, 2014

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Wyong Council mayor Cr Doug Eaton joined members of the Wyong District Museum and Historical Society to turn the first sod that will restore the Homestead to its former glory and re-establish its heritage status as a dedicated museum and learning centre.

Mayor Cr Eaton said council had worked closely with the Historical Society to come up with the right plans for the restoration.

“The Historical Society has been behind this project right from the start and has been instrumental in ensuring this historic homestead can rise again,” said mayor Cr Eaton.

“Alison Homestead will once again be a vibrant museum and heritage centre for residents and tourists alike.”

The original Homestead was destroyed by fire on December 3,

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2011.

Historical Society vice president Ms Liz Hogston said, in the last three years, a number of significant heritage items had been recovered from the building.

“We managed to retrieve furniture, history and family records and even clothing after the fire,” said Ms Hogston.

“Donations have also been flooding in from the community so we will be able to furnish the Homestead in the manner to which it has been accustomed.

“It has been a long wait but we are very happy that construction is about to start.”

The construction contract includes demolition, salvage, restoration works to Alison wing, the building of a new building within the original footprint, civil works and site services.

The contract is worth almost $1 million and

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ocal firm, Collaborative Construction Solutions, has signed the contract to rebuild the historic Alison Homestead with the first sod on the project turned on Wednesday, November 5.

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Issue 57

Alison Homestead rebuild about to commence

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Wyong mayor Cr Doug Eaton with members of the Wyong District Museum and Historical Society

will be funded through an insurance claim.

“I believe we have found the right company for the job and it is fantastic that they are local,” mayor Cr Eaton said.

“The quality of the design will ensure this treasured community

asset’s significant cultural heritage can be enjoyed and understood by future generations.

“This is a significant milestone and truly a great day for everyone who cares about Alison Homestead,” he said.

Works are expected to be completed by mid-

year 2015.

Alison Homestead is set on two hectares of rural land at 1 Cape Rd, Wyong.

This location was the Shire’s first land grant given to William Cape in 1825 and purchased by William Alison in 1875.

The Homestead is

considered to be of historical significance at a regional level, being representative of the arrival, locational choice, lifestyle and working life of one of the region’s best-known pioneering families.

Media release, 5 Nov 2014 Wyong Council media

the Wyong Shire

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January 16, 2015

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Issue 49

Decision to purchase land mired in controversy y o n g Council has agreed, although not unanimously, to purchase two lots of strategic land holdings totalling 231 hectares from Terrace Towers for $17 million.

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Issue 61

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May 15, 2015

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Chinese University campus proposed for Warnervale

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Issue 69

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Wyong Council mayor Cr Doug Eaton (centre) with Wuyi University president Zhang to his right and vice president Wurren to his left with members of the Ames Foundation

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According to HOOF, the proposal would rezone 224 hectares of land currently zoned rural, or for environmental protection or management, to allow 300 dwellings plus a commercial area.

“One of the main issues is that this opens up areas for development west of the freeway,” HOOF spokesperson, Ms Trish Cselko said.

“It has been a

“At the moment, a strong record in and making connections. yong Council’s mayor Cr Doug Eaton is currently in China overseas The Wyong Education meeting key dignitaries to progress interest and investment they have interests in supporting universities in Ottowa education,” said mayor and Business Precinct has in the Shire.

Top of the agenda is plans for a world class tertiary campus to cater for 7,000 students to be located at the Wyong Education and Business Precinct in Warnervale.

The mayor met with president Zhang and vice president Wuren of the Wuyi University in Jiangmen near

Guangzhou (population over 20 million) on Monday, January 12, to discuss their interest in this campus.

Wuyi University has 18,000 students and specialises in engineering and technology, key disciplines of which there is little opportunity to explore at this time in

and New York.

Cr Eaton. been identified by council Wyong Shire.

The campus would as one of 39 key projects “This will be a first Mayor Cr Eaton for Wyong and Australia cater for 7,000 students requiring investment and said president Zhang if they get on board and and create 500 permanent funding from the state was enthusiastic about I am really hoping they jobs and include a and federal governments working with council to will.

SMARTS Hub knowledge to create more jobs and develop a university in “Wuyi is great fit and community centre for opportunities for Wyong the Wyong Shire. for Wyong and not just students and the broader Shire residents.

“Wuyi University because it starts with W. community to assist in is looking to expand Media release, 13 Jan 2015 “They have the developing their skills, its current cooperation expertise in the technical supporting employment Wyong Council media agreements with overseas subjects we need and and business initiatives campuses.

long-standing state government policy that there be no intensification of development west of the freeway,” she said.

Ms Cselko said 59 people attended the meeting and passed a resolution to oppose the rezoning of the old farm land.

The meeting also passed a

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November 13, 2015

Issue 73

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Ourimbah boarding house proposal to proceed to JRPP without proper debate

The approval or refusal of the proposed boarding house at 2-4 Glen Rd Ourimbah will now be determined by the Joint Regional Planning Panel at its meeting next week.

Cr Eaton, Taylor, Best, Webster, Vincent, Troy and Matthews all declared interests in the matter, which left independent Cr Bob Graham, the only councillor present, able to discuss it.

Cr Greenwald and Nayna were absent but had previously declared interests in the matter.

The absence of a quorum to discuss the matter meant the decision to make submissions to next week’s Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) meeting was deferred to Council’s acting general manager, Mr Scott Cox. Chairperson of the Stop Glen Road Action Group, Mr Greg McGill was also unable to speak at the meeting because the matter could not be debated.

According to a report from Wyong Council’s development and building department manager, acting director, Ms Tanya O’Brien, the

An artist's impression of the proposed Glen Rd boarding house as it will be presented to the JRPP

application was reviewed by the Hunter Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) last year which deferred its determination pending the provision of additional information and design change.

The original DA was for the demolition of two existing dwellings and the erection of a fourstory boarding house containing 94 rooms, a manager’s residence, parking and open space.

The revised application is for a three-storey boarding house with 100 rooms, a manager’s residence, parking and open space.

“Following a thorough planning assessment, the application is recommended for approval,” the report said.

In the latest version of the proposal, the building width has increased at the street frontage, and internal changes include communal recreation rooms on each level, light

wells and storage.

The proposed building will house 87 single units, 10 doubles, three accessible units and the manager’s unit.

Each unit would contain an en-suite, kitchenette, robe and desk.

The landscaping plan has been revised with extensive landscaping proposed within the front setback and in communal areas, according to the latest report to Council.

Unless Mr Cox decides to make alternative submissions to the JRPP, it is expected that the report submitted to the Wednesday, July 8 meeting will be forwarded to the Hunter Central Coast JRPP for determination on Friday, July 16.

In other words, the outcome from Wyong Council to the JRPP will be a report supporting the approval of the proposed development.

Mr Greg McGill from the Stop Glen Road Action Group said residents present in the public gallery for the Council meeting were “very, very disappointed” that the issue was not debated.

Mr McGill said he was surprised that several councillors declared conflicts of interest based on connections with former federal member for Dobell, Mr Craig Thompson.

Mr McGill said he believed Mr Thompson, along with former Wyong councillor and mayor Mr Neil Rose, had been employed by the developers K and P Gregory, to chair focus groups and lobby current ALP councillors to support the proposed development.

“We believe the councillors used their declared conflicts at the meeting to get out of declaring whether

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or not they supported the development,” Mr McGill said.

He said the outcomes of the focus groups chaired by Mr Thompson had been used as part of the developer’s social impact statement in its development proposal to incorrectly demonstrate community support for the development.

The Stop Glen Road Action Group is also seeking advice as to whether Mr Cox is an appropriate person to make submissions to the JRPP given that he was the author of the first report to Council recommending the original development application.

According to Mr McGill, the group will be “up the creek without a paddle” if the JRPP approves the current version of the development application.

“Our only avenue would be the Land and Environment Court and

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we have been told that we would need a minimum of $50,000 to take it there and we have nothing of that kind at the moment,” he said.

Member for Dobell, Ms Karen McNamara attended the Council meeting as a show of support for the Ourimbah residents.

Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan has also expressed support for the Ourimbah residents and is expected to speak at the JRPP in opposition to the boarding house development.

Mr McGill said the Stop Glen Road Action Group did not believe that the developer had met the six conditions set out by the JRPP in relation to its concerns about the bulk and scale of the development.

“One floor has come off the top but there is an additional wing to be built and they have reduced the size of the rooms to just above the state minimum requirements,” Mr McGill said.

In the speech he did not get to present to the meeting, Mr McGill said the group would be detailing the issues that it believed the developer had failed to address to the JRPP meeting.

proposed 100-room boarding house at Ourimbah could not be discussed by Wyong Council at its general meeting on Wednesday, July 8 because seven out of eight councillors present declared interests in the matter.

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Issue 81

Council resolves to acquire part of Wyong Grove

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A mayoral minute presented to the November 11 ordinary meeting of Wyong Council resulted in the Council resolving to go ahead with an attempt to acquire those parts of the former public school considered essential for organisations such as the Wyong Drama Group.

The plan is to acquire those land and buildings either by agreement or compulsory process.

The council authorised the acting CEO to execute all necessary documentation relevant to the acquisition.

The school site, when purchased, will be classified as operational land for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1993.

If the site has to be obtained using a compulsory process, it will be done “pursuant to the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991,” according to the adopted mayoral minute.

Council will make an application to the Minister for Finance to commence compulsory

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Meeting transcript, 8 July 2015 Business paper, 8 July 2015 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Interview, 9 July 2015 Mr Greg McGill, Save Glen Road Action Group Jackie Pearson, journalist

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he acting CEO of Wyong Council has been authorised to acquire approximately one quarter of the Wyong Grove school site and carriage way at a fair market value.

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Wyong Drama Group members protest the sale of the Grove

acquisition of part of the site.

The entire school site was recently sold by the Department of Education, at auction, to a Sydney developer, for $4.45 million.

If the Minister gives his consent, then Council can begin negotiations with the new owner to acquire the part of the site currently used as the Wyong Grove Cultural and Community Hub. Mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, said Council was true to its word and would now pursue compulsory acquisition so this important site can continue as a community facility.

“We went to the auction in good faith and were hopeful of securing the site ourselves due to its high importance to our

community,” Cr Eaton said.

“I even told bidders at the auction we would seek to compulsorily acquire the site – so everyone knew what we wanted to do.

“So now it is time to act.

“We can’t afford the whole site, so we will now move to try to acquire the part of the site which will provides the best value for the community.”

Council spent over $100,000 upgrading the former school buildings which are currently home to a number of local community and drama groups.

It is these buildings Council will now seek to acquire under compulsory acquisition arrangements.

If the owner wishes to develop the rest of the

site, it will be subject to the normal Council development application process.

“This whole process has caused a great deal of stress in the local community which has been really unnecessary,” Cr Eaton said.

“The State Government broke its promise to the community but Council will not, and will now step in and attempt to save this important community facility.”

In NSW, all levels of government can acquire privately owned land for public purposes.

They may acquire the whole property, part of a property or an interest in the property, including easements for power lines, sewer or water.

Most privately owned land, required by

government for public purposes, is acquired by negotiation and agreement between the landholder and the acquiring authority.

The process is expected to take several months.

“Obviously the hall is not included on the basis that the arthouse is developed and it has a studio of the size of the hall and is more adaptable,” Cr Eaton said at the November 11 general meeting of Wyong Council.

Cr Eaton said he expected the fair market value of the area Wyong Council wishes to purchase to be between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Acting CEO of Wyong Council, Mr Rob Noble said he had received a briefing from the relevant

director following a discussion with the purchaser of Wyong Grove.

“They are in discussion with another buyer for the purchase of a small part of the site that is similar to what we are looking at,” Mr Noble said.

“The level of pricing they are looking at is rather alarming to me and we need to keep that in mind,” he said.

The motion to move forward with the compulsory acquisition of a portion of the site was carried unanimously.

Mayoral minute 1.6, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council Media release, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council media Meeting transcript, Nov 11, 2015 Wyong Council ordinary meeting 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

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Issue 85

Community members dig channel

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Cr Lloyd Taylor with residents who dug the channel on Australia Day

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Cr Lloyd Taylor and residents with shovels in hand

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

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Issue 97

Wallarah 2 coal mine decision now only a few weeks away he Australian Coal Alliance is organising a public meeting to inform the northern Central Coast community about the latest developments in their long-running campaign to stop the Wallarah 2 coal mine.

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Director of the alliance’s Water Not Coal campaign, Mr Alan Hayes, said the meeting would be held at Wyong RSL on August 10.

The Korean mining company KORES has lodged an amended development proposal that includes plans to build a conveyor belt and alter the route of the rail spur to avoid having to reach an agreement with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Plans have been modified relating to the rail loop, rail spur line and train load out facility.

The project has been modified to realign the sewer connection.

The State Significant Development was recently lodged with the Planning Assessment Commission and is on public exhibition (but not advertised in this newspaper) for six weeks, with a closing date of September 6.

According to Mr Hayes, the Planning Assessment Commission did not approve the coal mine in 2014, but stated that there may be justification to approve the mine if all the commission’s

The latest plans include a relocated rail loop (shown in purple)

other concerns could be addressed.

Those concerns included the mine’s impact on the Central Coast’s water supply, subsidence and the health effects of coal dust.

The Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council took the matter to the Land and Environment Court, which ruled that the mine could not go ahead without permission to utilise Darkinjung land.

The new proposal does not include Darkinjung land.

CEO of the Darkinjung LALC, Mr Sean Gordon, declined to comment on the impact the latest Wallarah II proposal may have on the Darkinjung land and development

plans.

Mr Hayes said the new development proposal would see the conveyor belt transporting coal 200 metres from the southwestern boundary of the Blue Haven residential area and as far north as Wyee.

“Tooheys Rd would disappear because that road does not have a wide verge on either side and KORES doesn’t own any land in that area, so they would be wanting the conveyor to run along the carriage way,” Mr Hayes said.

The Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council already has approval for a 500 lot residential sub-division that would be impacted because Tooheys Rd is

the main access to the development.

Mr Hayes said that in 2014, Dr Peter Lewis, the clinical director of the Central Coast integrated care program, said the expected mortality rate for coal dust related to the Wallarah 2 mine could be one on 100,000.

“Wyong CBD is five kilometres from the proposed coal handling facilities, Blue Haven and Lake Haven are even closer, and there are schools, hospitals and aged care facilities,” Mr Hayes said.

“The Planning Assessment Commission has rejected four coal mines already this year because of their proximity to residential areas,” he said.

The Greens NSW mining spokesperson, Mr Jeremy Buckingham, has called on NSW premier, Mr Mike Baird, to intervene to stop the Wallarah 2 underground coal mine project.

“The Coalition made a solemn promise not to allow the Wallarah 2 coal mine to go ahead,” Mr Buckingham said.

“Former premier, Mr Barry O’Farrell, told a crowd that the mine would not go ahead ‘no ifs, no buts, a guarantee’.

“Yet years later, the NSW Coalition Government has failed to implement this promise,” Mr Buckingham said.

“This coal mine is a risk not only to the water catchment of the Central Coast, but to the credibility of the Liberal Party when it makes commitments to the electorate.

“It should fulfil those commitments and reject the mine.

“The Korean Government has announced a restructure of its state owned resource companies that will see them withdraw from international resource projects, so it is unclear why the government should approve a mine plan for a company likely to leave the market.

“There is no need to build this coal mine.

“The community are bitterly opposed.

“The company doesn’t want to build it, it just wants an approval to sell.

“It’s a dud mine, with

no future, that Mike Baird should knock on the head.

“The proposed coal conveyor belt and coal loading area are unacceptably close to the existing residential neighbourhood of Blue Haven and may impact on plans by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council for residential development in the area.”

Central Coast Council concerns about the effect on the drinking water catchment, environment and residential areas, will be central to its review of modified plans for the Wallarah 2 Coal Project.

The former Wyong Shire Council opposed the mine in February 2014 due to the potential impacts on the drinking water catchment areas.

The former Gosford City Council also opposed the project in March 2014.

Council has stated it intends to closely review the revised plans with a view to lodging a submission.

Council has also encouraged community members to take this opportunity to have their voice heard.

Information regarding the project is available from NSW Planning’s major projects website.

Media release, Jul 26, 2016 Central Coast Council media Media release, Jul 26, 2016 Max Phillips, office of Jeremy Buckingham Interview, Jul 29, 2017 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance 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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The Navy Season Membership for a family is valued at up to $480 and will give your family a chance to see 11 Central Coast Mariners A-League home games at the Central Coast Stadium.

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The Navy Membership entitles two adults and

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Parents Helpline 13 20 55 Indigenous Call Centre 136 380

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

Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321 Family Drug Support 1300 368 186 G-line - Gambling Helpline 1800 633 635 Credit Helpline 1800 808 488 Child Support Agency 13 12 72 Australian Injury Helpline 1800 223 363 Veteran Affairs Network 1300 551 918 Mens Domestic Violence 1800 000 599

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Dept. of Housing Wyong 4352 4400 Regional Youth Support Services 4323 2374 Coast Shelter 4324 7239 Neleh House 4340 1052 Elandra Women and Children’s Refuge 4396 4263 Kara Women and Children’s Refuge 4323 1709 Coimba Mens Refuge 4324 7239 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Wyong Youth Refuge 4351 1922 Youth Angle 4341 8830 Woy Woy Youth Cottage 4341 9027 Maya Young Womens Refuge 4323 1636 Pacific Link Com Housing 4324 7617 Rumbalara Youth Refuge 4325 7555 Samaritans Youth Services 4351 1922 Youth Angle • Woy Woy 4341 8830 Temporary Accommodation 1800 152 152

Gay and Lesbian Counselling 1800 184 527 Gay and Lesbian Support 1800 249 377 Youth Sexuality Network 4320 2856 Vietnam Veterans 1800 043 503 Victims Support Services 1800 633 063

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For your chance to win the Central Coast Mariners Family Season Pass, write your full name, address and a day time telephone number on the back of an envelope and mail it to, Wyong Regional Chronicle Central Coast Mariners Competition, PO Box 1056, Gosford, NSW, 2250.

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Prize winners may be required to pick up their prize from our Gosford office. Entries may be passed on to prize providers for marketing purposes.

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ocuments obtained by the Mountain Districts Association from the NSW Office of Water, show the landfill at Mangrove Mountain has flouted legal requirements necessary to protect natural water resources, since at least 2005.

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The association used the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 to access documents that tell a damning story of malfeasance by two landfill operators, the Gosford Council and the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, in relation to their responsibility to keep the Central Coast’s water supply safe.

The documents show that officers from the NSW Office of Water, within the Department of Primary Industries (and its former equivalents), have been raising concerns about the operation of the landfill for at least 10 years (2005 to 2015).

Despite concerns raised by the Office of Water, Gosford Council, as consent authority, and the EPA as the licencing authority, continued to allow the landfill to operate.

The Mountain Districts Association has been requesting a meeting with the former Gosford Council, and the new Central Coast Council, since January 2016.

The new Central Coast Council has finally agreed to meet with the Mountain

An Office of Water photo from 2012 showing poor management of ground and surface water at the landfill

Districts Association on August 23 to discuss the landfill.

The EPA, although it has agreed to an independent review of the landfill’s operations, continues to work with the operator to apply new licencing conditions which would allow the site to recommence taking waste.

The EPA has informed the Mountain Districts Association that, during the week from August 1 to 5, the EPA and Office of Water met the landfill operator at the site to again discuss water licencing and approvals.

The GIPA documents outlining past failures to deal with water licencing and approvals are extensive and detailed.

This article includes only key points in the documents,

but the facts uncovered support the Mountain Districts Association’s call for a full commission of inquiry by the NSW Government, the immediate closure of the landfill and full remediation of the site.

2015 Documents from 2012 to 2015 relate to future activities proposed at the landfill if the EPA issues new licencing conditions.

The most recent document from the Office of Water was dated September 2015, following an inspection of the landfill site by officers which confirmed recent construction work undertaken to reshape a sediment dam wall and construct a new spillway.

“Recent works are not to an acceptable standard and

likely to fail,” the document said.

This work was subject to the Land and Environment Court Consent of 2012 but, according to the document,

unsatisfactory.

According to the report: “It appears that no formal …review has been required to consider the potential groundwater impacts of this development.

“The nature of the activity, and the magnitude and sensitivity of the location warrant an assessment of the potential impacts against the Aquifer Interference Policy ‘minimal impact considerations’, should the development proceed [under yet-to-be finalised new EPA licencing conditions],” the document said.

In terms of whether the existing landfill has had any impact on groundwater, an August 2012 site inspection by the Office of Water concluded: “Evidence gathered onsite indicates that the groundwater table has been intercepted by excavation with seepages noted up to approximately half the height of the pit.

“Recent works are not to an acceptable standard and likely to fail.” had been carried out without Controlled Activity Approval being granted by the Office of Water.

2014 In January 2014 the Office of Water commented that proposals for groundwater monitoring at the site were

“Inspection of the river and the waterfront land along the northern boundary indicates significant harm caused by sedimentation and uncontrolled runoff.

“The wall of the basin appears likely to fail and cause additional major harm to the river.

“Leechate seepage entering surface water stormwater drains

indicates high potential for contamination of surface waters and groundwaters.”

The officer who completed the site inspection recommended immediate compliance action for the extraction of groundwater, damage to waterfront land and to refuse an application for controlled activity approval.

The “waterfront” referred to was described by the Office of Water as “forming part of the headwaters of the Wyong River”.

The landfill operator (Verde Terra) responded by supplying the Office of Water with information that Gosford Council had granted a Section 96 amendment to its original development consent and an addendum to a Landfill Environmental Management Plan.

Verde Terra was told they had no consent under the Water Management Act 2000 to undertake proposed works.

2012 According to the Office of Water documents, Gosford Council did not express concerns to the Office of Water about the landfill’s activities being potentially in breach of its development consent until August 2012.

The years 2011 and 2012 represented a period of heightened correspondence between the Office of Water, Gosford Council and the landfill operator.

Continued Page 8

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Issue 139

August 16, 2016

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Issue 98

Wallarah 2 seen as a threat on many levels ember for W y o n g and NSW Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris, will speak at a Water Not Coal meeting to be held at the Blue Haven Community Centre on August 18, following his call for the NSW Government to buy back the Wallarah 2 exploration licence.

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The latest proposal from South Korean mining company KORES could see a coal conveyor belt, rail spur, and coal stock pile, located within 200 metres of Blue Haven homes.

A nine-storey coal loader would also be visible from Blue Haven and would come within 300 metres of houses in the new residential suburb to be developed by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.

The amended development application and Environmental Impact Statement are currently on public exhibition.

Mr Harris said he called on the NSW Baird Government to buy back the Wallarah 2 exploration licence after the government confirmed they would pay BHP $220 million to buy back their mining licence for the proposed Caroona mine in the Liverpool plains.

“The Baird /O’Farrell government promised to stop Wallarah 2 in 2011 as an election commitment,” Mr Harris said.

“The proposed Wallarah 2 project would be beneath our water

An underground shearer that grinds coal from the seam, dumps it on a conveyor and lets the roof of the mine fall down behind it that could cause subsidence and damage to the water aquifer

catchment, a catchment that supplies water to 320,000 people,” he said.

He said KORES, the Korean Government owned mining company that holds the mining exploration licence, is reportedly suffering financial issues, raising more doubts about the viability of the proposed project.

“The Wallarah 2 mine proposal has been a major election issue since 2011 at both a state and Federal level.

“It featured heavily most recently in the 2016 Federal election, when Labor won the seat of Dobell on a platform opposing the mine.

“Mike Baird was the Shadow Treasurer in 2011, and must have supported the infamous Liberal ‘No ifs, no buts, a guarantee’ election

promise.

“If the Baird government can … use taxpayers’ money in Caroona, then we have every right to expect the same here, particularly given their previous election promises.

“To continue to ignore their solemn commitment is nothing more than political bastardry.”

An earlier Australian Coal Alliance meeting was held at Wyong RSL on August 10 to update the community about the latest attempts by KORES to have the Wallarah 2 underground coal mine approved by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission as a State Significant Development.

The meeting was attended by around 180 locals who came from as far afield as The Entrance and Terrigal.

Spokesperson for The Greens Central Coast, Ms Kate da Costa, who attended the meeting, said: “The proposal is that the conveyor belt and stock pile will be operating 24 hours and seven days a week for 30 years, so freight trains will be loading coal from an un-covered conveyor belt around the clock.”

According to Ms da Costa, the only part of the development application that KORES has changed is the mechanism for getting the coal from the mine to the train.

She said the NSW Government’s requirement for the Planning Assessment Commission to “prioritise economic outcomes” when assessing developments, meant the mine’s approval was still a possibility.

“But the commission even found KORES’ economic argument for the mine overblown and not particularly compelling,” she said.

The clincher, for Ms da Costa, was that KORES’ own Environmental Impact Statement conceded that a coal mine in such a populated area “could increase mortality by one in 100,000 people per year.

“There are over 300,000 people living on the Central Coast so that is three deaths per year,” she said.

According to Ms da Costa, community members at the August 10 meeting expressed a sense of frustration that they had been fighting the Wallarah 2 coal mine for 11 years.

“This is an important fight to win, and the Blue

Haven meeting is an important step, because I am sure that there are many people in Blue Haven and other nearby areas that do not know this thing is going to be on their doorstep,” she said.

The Australian Coal Alliance has also raised concerns about mine subsidence, air extraction from the proposed mine and that approval of the project could allow dumping of water into local lakes and/or the ocean.

“The best analogy I can come up with is that it would be the same as allowing an underground coal mine in the Sydney Hills District with a coal loader in the middle of Castle Hill,” said the Australian Coal Alliance’s Water Not Coal Campaign Director, Mr Alan Hayes.

“When you talk about coal dust, you are talking about fine micro particles (micron) that can’t be seen by the naked eye but are carried many kilometres by the wind and will get into your lungs and cause all sorts of respiratory problems,” Mr Hayes said.

“The NSW Government wants the whole northern area of the Central Coast zoned for housing, but if you had a young family, would you go to coal mine central to raise your children?” he said.

Media release, Aug 12, 2016 Zachary Harrison, office of David Harris Interview, Aug 12, 2016 Kate da Costa, Central Coast Greens Interview, Aug 12, 2016 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance 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

22 August 2016

A survey of fuel prices has shown Peninsula prices are comparable with the rest of the Coast.

Prices collected by Mr Rod Munson of Ettalong have provided a comparison of Peninsula priceswith the lowest prices available on the Coast and in Newcastle and Sydney.

The most expensive fuel on the Central Coast was found in Woy Woy at Shell and BP with E10 costing 119.9 cents per litre, 16 cents more per litre than Woolworths Umina.

Woolworths Umina and Caltex in Blackwall did have some of the

Prices gathered by Rod Munson on August 13 at midday and from comparethemarket and NRMA on August 15

cheapest E10 prices on the Central Coast in the 104.9 cents per litre or less.

Only six petrol stations across the Central Coast had E10 petrol at less than 104.9 cents per litre.

Caltex Foresters Beach, Caltex Star Mart Long Jetty, 7 Eleven The Entrance and BP Tumbi Umbi also had E10 prices at 104.9 cents per litre and under.

For all fuel types, Caltex Blackwall had the best average prices on the Peninsula.

Caltex appeared to offer the best priced fuel anywhere on the Central Coast.

Mr Munson conducted his price checks on August 13 at around midday.

The cheapest E10 fuel was located at Woolworths Umina, priced at 103.9 per litre.

The cheapest regular unleaded was an eight- minute drive away at United in Empire Bay priced at 110.7 per litre.

Since the survey was undertaken, the price at Woolworths Umina dropped to 99.8 cents last Friday.

The cheapest diesel on the Peninsula was at Caltex Woy Woy and Blackwall at 116.9 per litre.

However, Empire Bay’s regular unleaded is seven cents cheaper than any of its competition.

Peninsula drivers appear to be paying the highest fuel prices on the Central Coast but the whole Coast is still paying more than its northern or southern city neighbours.

Newcastle and The Hunter, for example, had over 20 fuel options at under 103.9 a litre.

Newcastle residents, by comparison, have the potential to fill up at under 98.9 per litre for E10 at some stations, with the maximum price compared to the Central Coast six cents cheaper at 113.9 cents per litre.

As of August 15, Sydney had the cheapest fuel prices in NSW according to the NRMA with Newcastle coming in at fifth.

The Central Coast was ranked 10th, up six places since August, 7.

Email, 15 Aug 2016 Rod Munson, Ettalong Websites, 18 Aug 2016 Comparethemarket.com.au Nrma.com.au Reporter: Cole Newman

August 25, 2016

Your independent local newspaper

-

osford City is facing a parking crisis, with uncertainty, confusion and c o n g e s t i o n surrounding the city’s major car parks.

G

Residents of Empire Bay gathered to discuss key infrastructure issues

Residents gather for action on roads More than 70 residents from Empire Bay and Bensville attended the inaugural meeting of the Empire Bay and Districts Roads Action Group to participate in a Future Directions Workshop on August 2.

The workshop discussed the major issues residents wanted addressed by governments.

A Residents’ Committee was formed to work on a document to present to Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, at the bi-monthly Empire Bay Progress Association meeting.

“All of the views expressed at the meeting will be included in the report under main headings.

“Long term residents explained that, over the last decade or so, they had been frustrated by Council not doing work to remediate the terrible condition of the roads and stormwater drainage or to invest in pedestrian safety improvements such as pathways, even though studies had been made and money allocated to do much of the work,” Mr Olsen said.

“During the meeting we split into

small groups to discuss the main areas of concern and each group was invited to report to the whole assembly.

“Very soon three main issues appeared namely, the non-existent drainage, poor and dangerous condition of our roads neglected over many years and the need for safe pedestrian access to the Empire Bay Public School via Greenfield Rd.” Mr Olsen said, as the meeting progressed the general mood became one of hope.

“Residents came away from the meeting with the understanding that we need to be a strong and committed community, determined to get the change we want,” he said.

According to Mr Olsen, the group agreed that their vision was for a wider coalition of the geographically-linked communities of Empire Bay, Bensville, Daleys Point and South Kincumber and that each locale needs to put before Council their specific needs and be supported by the other areas.

“We see ourselves in cooperation not competition for the resources required to improve the

amenity of our district, going into bat for each other when the need arises,” Mr Olsen said.

The Empire Bay Progress Association is having its bimonthly meeting on August 16, at the Empire Bay Progress Hall from 7:30pm.

Mr Crouch, will be attending.

“The first meeting highlighted that we really need to have a member of Council attend the bimeeting because the matters that need addressing require the cooperation of both State and Local Government,” Mr Olsen added.

Mr Olsen also said the Action Group would be requesting the attendance of a Council representative at the bi-monthly meeting.

“A document outlining the residents’ concerns will be presented to Mr Crouch and we expect action for these matters,” Mr Olsen said.

According to Mr Olsen, many of the issues raised by residents had been known to Council for decades without appropriate responses.

Interview, 2 Aug 2016 Gregory Olsen, Empire Bay and Districts Roads Action Group Reporter: Dilon Luke

With the fate of the 400 free car parks atop Kibbleplex (formerly Marketplace) unclear, commuters already fed up with Gosford’s parking situation are concerned about the city’s lack of dedicated free parking.

The potential loss of the free Kibbleplex parking is not the end of Gosford’s parking woes, with commuters questioning the safety and useability of the Baker St car park, and outright dismissal of the free commuter parking opposite Gosford Train Station, which is nonexistent after 6am.

To make matters worse, with the controversial ATO building poised to begin construction on the waterfront, the political promise of 600 jobs may prove disastrous for commuters when an army of temporary workers and the building’s permanent staff descend on the city’s highly sought after parking spaces.

The ATO, which has already soured residents who believed the former Gosford School site was better suited to a Performing Arts Precinct, was revealed to have a shortfall of onsite parking for future employees.

In June, the Joint Regional Planning Panel found that the ATO’s developer, Doma, would need to add 13 extra parking spaces for the public in Baker St. Despite the JRPP’s findings, it is unclear whether this will be enough to accommodate the dramatic increase in activity and traffic to and around the site, and according to former Gosford Councillor, Ms Vicki Scott, the ATO is

The commuter car park opposite Gosford Train Station

not the only development in the city that has the potential to tip the parking issue over the edge.

Ms Scott said the CBD and the immediate surrounding areas of West Gosford, North Gosford, East Gosford and Point Frederick, are definitely facing a parking shortfall, and that residential developments approved, despite not providing adequate parking allocation, were to blame.

“Parking issues are more than just availability of commuter parking.

“Many of the residential developments that have been approved in the CBD and immediate surrounds are for two or three bedroom units, but the parking allocation has only been one per unit, not one spot per bedroom.

“So if a three-bedroom unit becomes share housing, one resident will have a car park within the development but where will the other two residents park?

“They will be looking for spots on the street,” Ms Scott said.

Ms Scott also said that the problem is already evident in areas like Point Frederick and East Gosford, where flat buildings have come online and street parking is still an issue.

“Although the former Gosford Council discussed and intended to come up with a CBD parking strategy, I have checked and there isn’t one.

“There is nothing in place.

“What will happen when all the big developments come online and what will happen to parking if they all start at the same time?

“Where will the parking be?” Ms Scott questioned.

According to Ms Scott, during discussions with the former Gosford Council, she brought up issues of traffic and parking management multiple times, including: “The acceptance of a number of large developments in the CBD without having adequate

parking for residents of those developments and others; cramped parking around developments in Point Frederick (Lynn Ave) and other sites in North and West Gosford; the lack of common sense in agreeing to allow developments of two and three bedroom apartment buildings to be constructed with only one car space per unit at best (Ms Scott said there was an expectation that people will walk or take the bus to the station); the narrow streets in some of these areas and the existing parking problem; and, consideration for the huge impact when the new developments are completed.

“I had suggested we should do a traffic management study for the area with these concerns in mind, but there appeared to be minimal interest in my concerns,” Ms Scott added.

On the concerns surrounding Baker St car park, Ms Scott said the former council had

endeavoured to add more floors onto the car park but said there were issues with the building being able to support extra floors and that she was unsure as to whether or not any further action surrounding Baker St car park occurred after the initial idea tanked.

However, Ms Scott said she could understand commuter concerns over the safety of using Baker St car park, especially after hours.

Ms Scott also said that aside from the future of Kibbleplex, no other discussion took place amongst the former Gosford Council in regards to parking in the CBD and that despite her own questions about the future of parking in Gosford City, there has been no satisfactory response.

The issue is further complicated by the interrelation of parking as a social issue and a State Government responsibility.

“There is an element of responsibility for the State

Edition 401

Issue 140

August 30, 2016

Government in this.

“Rail transport, as a form of commuter travel, is the responsibility of the State Government and there is some expectation that that government takes an active interest in the problem.

“However, socially, it is seen as a Local Government matter, and the public expects Local Government to play a part in it as well.

“To my knowledge, there were no plans or strategies discussed between the last council and the State Government to address the issues of commuter parking,” Ms Scott said.

“I hope the current council takes these concerns and acts on them before any more development is approved.

“The city CBD and the surrounding suburbs is a small area.

“The CBD has three streets taking the traffic through it.

“These streets are cramped between a mountain and the water.

“There is no apparent way to solve the problem, and increased parking demand is just exacerbating it.

“The fact that the DA for the ATO was allowed without sufficient parking is also going to exacerbate the problem,” Ms Scott continued.

“I don’t know what the council can do about this, but it certainly seems that the Federal and State Governments are failing in their responsibilities in this matter.

“I think, if the commuter car parking at Kibbleplex is stopped without a solution from the State and the council, and the ATO and other developments are actually built, car parking in the CBD, including commuter car parking, will be a disastrous problem that will take far too long to solve, if ever,” Ms Scott concluded.

Continued Page 8

THIS ISSUE contains 71 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

E FRE

Ta

Ph: 4325 7369

Gosford City is facing a parking crisis with no plan in place

Peninsula fuel prices comparable with Coast

e Frkeeone!

FREE E FRE

Ta

Ph: 4325 7369

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information reveal damning evidence of neglect

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Issue 99

Developer goes to Land and Environment Court because Council was too slow

Members of the Say No to Glenning Valley Development group held a peaceful vigil after learning the DA was now in the hands of the Land and Environment Court

the proposed be a Class One and will “Even if the council to he developer of a proposed 264-lot residential subdivision at be dealt with, at least Glenning Valley has lodged a Deemed Refusal application with was going to refuse or development.

“The community at initially, by a mediator, pass the development all the NSW Land and Environment Court.

T

The developer has taken the step because Central Coast Council took longer than the 40 to 60 days it is legally given to consider a development application.

By dragging its feet, Central Coast Council has given the developer, GV Nominees, the opportunity to ask the Land and Environment

along, they can look like Court to consider the DA. him at a Community the good guys if the Land Ms Kylie Boyle from Environment Network and Environment Court the ‘Say No to Glenning meeting,” Ms Boyle said. makes the decision,” she The Central Coast said.

Valley Development’ has not group said the first Land Council Following the and Environment Court announced any intentions announcement of in relation to the position the Deemed Refusal date was September 29.

“We found out about it will take on the future application, protestors the Deemed Refusal of the development when and residents again directly from the it reaches the Land and rallied peacefully at the Central Coast Council Environment Court. edge of Glenning Valley’s “They are sitting on the bushland on August 14 Adminstrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, when we met fence,” Ms Boyle said. to show their opposition

Glenning Valley will not stand down,” Ms Boyle said.

“We are prepared to fight and do whatever it takes to stop this development.

“We are hoping that Council will represent us and stand with us in saying no at the meeting with the LEC,” she said.

According to Ms Boyle, the matter will

but the community group has been given no details about what will take place on September 29.

“I have had other developers tell me they would not touch that land because it is so ecologically sensitive,” Ms Boyle said.

Media Release, Aug 15, 2016 Kylie Boyle, Glenning Valley

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

5 September 2016

Chamber opposes Bullion St carpark sale Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has come out opposing the proposed sale of Umina’s Bullion St carpark.

It could be devastating to West St and the Umina Town Centre, according to Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

“There will be traffic chaos and businesses will suffer,” Mr Wales said.

The Central Coast Council has called for expressions of interest from parties wishing to acquire and develop the land, which is currently zoned B2 for Local Centre.

The former Gosford Council placed a covenant over the land before calling for expressions of interest, in an attempt to protect the 160 parking spaces.

Mr Wales said the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce intended to seek an urgent meeting with Central Coast Council chief Mr Rob Noble.

“We will request that the Council abandons the current expression of interest process and consults with Umina businesses and the community to come up with a positive covenant that works for the town and not just for the Council,” he said.

“My view is the current expression of interest, including the positive covenant, is totally inadequate,” Mr Wales said.

“Too many people have raised concerns directly with me as president of the Chamber, including business owners, and this current expression of interest fails to protect the interests of business owners and the future viability of West St,” he said.

“West St is successful because it has got the Bullion St carpark.”

The positive covenant, Mr Wales said, “has fatal flaws”.

Gosford Council’s application for the covenant to be placed over the land was made by its Manager of Property and Economic Development Mr Christopher Redman on April 8 under the delegated authority of the then chief Mr Paul Anderson.

“It is intended that the land be sold,” Gosford Council’s application for the positive covenant said.

“This order is made to ensure

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is concerned businesses with rear access to the Bullion St Carpark could suffer if the land is sold and developed

that sufficient public parking is provided on the land for the community of Umina. “…parking for 160 motor vehicles must be made available on the land at no charge to members of the public between 7am and 9pm seven days per week,” the covenant said.

However, the first flaw in the covenant, according to Mr Wales, was that it allowed for reduced public parking during construction.

“Where the owner undertakes construction for a development, the owner may reduce the parking available on the land to the members of the public to assist in the construction of the development where it obtains permission from council”.

“From the moment the developer gets a construction certificate until completion of the development, the car parking is lost to the town centre and that would be devastating to the main street of Umina,’ Mr Wales said.

“People will make a decision to go elsewhere to do their shopping and it would create the traffic chaos in Umina that Terrigal is faced with

today.

“I won’t stand by and see Umina lose 160 parking spaces,” Mr Wales said.

He said the covenant, in its current form, could see the carpark closed for up to two years and that would be a reasonably positive scenario.

“What if a developer acquired the land, commenced construction and then went broke?

“I don’t believe it is possible for the developer to substitute 160 car spaces in another location for the duration of a development.

“The land cannot be developed in the way council is proposing because it cannot guarantee the community would not lose its parking.”

Mr Wales said if the Central Coast Council wanted to continue with the proposed sale of the Bullion St land it would need to provide Umina Town Centre with a multi-storey car park elsewhere to guarantee the existing 160 free parking spaces and have capacity for future growth.

The second flaw in the current positive covenant, according to Mr Wales, was that it provided the

new land owner with the ability to charge for the parking if it obtains permission to do so from council.

“The owner may request permission to charge for public parking and council will not unreasonably withhold or refuse permission if a period of at least five years has elapsed since the date of the final occupation certificate for the most recent development of the land and the land has been developed in excess of 50 per cent of the maximum intensity allowable under the zoning for the land,” the covenant said.

The final flaw was that existing West St businesses that back on to the Bullion St carpark could lose their rear access if Bullion St was sold and the land developed.

“At the moment there is no formal roadway; the existing laneway forms part of the property that runs right up to the back of the businesses,” he said.

Mr Wales said several of those existing businesses had development consents that had to provide rear access to their buildings for commercial reasons and for fire egress.

Some businesses had their

own parking that could become inaccessible if the carpark was sold and developed right to its boundary with the existing West St buildings.

Business owners in the area were not notified by council prior to the Expressions of Interest being called.

Because the land is classified as “operational”, the council did not have to consult the community before it decided to sell it.

The diversion of delivery vehicles to West St from the “informal” laneway at the boundary of the Bullion St land would be a traffic nightmare for Umina Town Centre, according to the Chamber.

“It would be like telling Umina shoppers the council was going to put paid parking metres in; there will be a worse revolt than the Ettalong boarding house proposal,” Mr Wales said.

The Gosford Council did hold discussions with the Peninsula Chamber in 2014 about the future of the Umina Town Centre.

“We did say that the Bullion St Carpark was important to the town centre and held prospects for future development for community benefit but at no time did we agree to its wholesale sale,” Mr Wales said.

“Umina is unique and successful because of Bullion St. “There is no other town centre in the former Gosford local government area that has a grid system to give traffic access to and from the town centre, the offers kerbside parking and the parking in Bullion St with its direct links to businesses.

“Then we have excellent public transport in the form of buses so if you play around with that mix of unique circumstances you could ruin the town centre.

“Every other town centre that is suffering retail problems has a shortage of parking.

“We did not spend a decade encouraging businesses to come to Umina to see it ruined,’ Mr Wales said.

Interview, 30 Aug 2016 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Reporter: Jackie Pearson

September 8

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Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 141

Chris Hartcher found by ICAC to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws T

he former Member for Gosford and Terrigal, Mr Christopher Hartcher, has been found by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws by failing to properly disclose political donations worth “hundreds of thousands of dollars”; by accepting donations from property developers; and by breaching caps on political donations that applied after January 1, 2011.

The ICAC report called for the DPP to be asked to consider prosecuting Mr Hartcher for an alleged offence of larceny.

The ICAC’s Operation Spicer investigation exposed prohibited donations, fund channelling and nondisclosures in the NSW Liberal Party’s 2011 state election campaign and identified Mr Hartcher as a key player in a considerable number of transactions for campaigns in his seat of Terrigal and for the seats of Wyong and The Entrance.

The Commission did not uncover any irregularities in the seat of Gosford, at that time held by Mr Christopher Holstein.

The Commission’s report, Investigation into NSW Liberal Party electoral funding for the 2011 state election campaign and other matters, was made public on Tuesday, August 30.

The ICAC made factual findings but could not make findings of Corrupt Conduct in relation to conduct that “only relied on a breach of the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981”.

The Commission was not able to make corrupt conduct findings in cases of failure to comply with the requirements of the election funding laws where, although those failures could have affected the exercise of official functions of the

then Election Funding Authority of NSW, officers of that authority were not involved in any wrongdoing.

The Commission’s report noted that at the relevant time, proceedings for an offence under the election funding laws had to be commenced within three years from the time the offence was committed.

“As the Operation Spicer public inquiry did not conclude until September 2014, and the matters canvassed in the

NSW Liberal Party totalling $4,000.

“They were received by Mr Hartcher for the benefit of the NSW Liberal Party for the March 2011 state election campaign.

“In November 2011, some eight months after the election, Mr Hartcher arranged for the cheques to be paid into the trust account of Hartcher Reid, a legal firm, and for that firm to draw a cheque for $4,000 in favour of Mickey Tech, a business owned by the partner of Mr Raymond Carter, an

After the $4,000 was deposited into the Mickey Tech account, it was allegedly withdrawn in cash by Mr Carter and given to Mr Hartcher, according to the ICAC report. report occurred mostly from 2009 to 2011, a prosecution for relevant offences is now statute barred,” the statement said.

In relation to the alleged offence of larceny, the ICAC report said: “The Commission is of the opinion that consideration should be given to obtaining the advice of the DPP with respect to the prosecution of Mr Hartcher for an offence of larceny in relation to his dealings with … three bank cheques payable to the NSW Liberal Party totalling $4,000,” it said.

According to ICAC, in March 2011, Mr Hartcher received three bank cheques payable to the

electorate officer working for Mr Hartcher.

According to the ICAC, Mr Carter had been a member of the NSW Liberal Party since 1972 and had held a variety of offices, including presidency of the Liberal Party Green Point Branch.

“There was a long connection between Mr Carter and Mr Hartcher, and it was quite apparent that Mr Carter felt a deep sense of loyalty toward Mr Hartcher.” the ICAC report said.

“In the end, the Commission believes that Mr Carter’s evidence at the public inquiry was honest and reasonably accurate.

“Mr Carter was also a very successful fundraiser,

with extensive connections on the Central Coast.”

After the $4,000 was deposited into the Mickey Tech account, it was allegedly withdrawn in cash by Mr Carter and given to Mr Hartcher, according to the ICAC report.

“These steps are inconsistent with an intention on the part of Mr Hartcher to apply the $4,000 for the benefit of the NSW Liberal Party,” the ICAC report alleged.

“Mr Hartcher gave evidence under a section 38 declaration and therefore his evidence is not admissible against him in criminal proceedings other than proceedings for an offence under the ICAC Act.” The ICAC report argued, however, that other evidence would be admissible, including the evidence of Mr Carter, Mr Sriwattanaporn, Sebastian Reid, Marie Neader, Annette Poole, associated bank records, and internal documents of Hartcher Reid.

In addition to the larceny allegation, the key factual findings in the ICAC report included the use of the business of Mr Timothy Koelma, who commenced work as an electorate officer for Mr Hartcher in 2009, called Eightbyfive, to receive and channel political donations for the benefit of the 2011 campaigns of the NSW Liberal Party, Mr Hartcher, and other Central Coast Liberal candidates.

The use of Eightbyfive, according to ICAC, was with the intent of evading the election funding laws.

“Mr Timothy Koelma directly benefited from

Mr Christopher Hartcher

the donations through Eightbyfive, as he was able to draw from those funds to give himself a salary, thereby, enabling him to work for Mr Hartcher

Eightbyfive and took an active part in using it to channel donations for the 2011 campaign from Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd ($183,342.50

The use of Eightbyfive, according to ICAC, was with the intent of evading the election funding laws. on the 2011 NSW state election campaign.

“Mr Koelma subsequently obtained full-time employment in Mr Hartcher’s ministerial office after the 2011 election.”

According to the ICAC report, Mr Hartcher was involved in the establishment of

between April 2009 and May 2011), Gazcorp Pty Ltd ($121,000 between May 2010 and April 2011) and Patinack Farm Pty Ltd ($66,000 between July 2010 and March 2011) Continued Page 10

THIS ISSUE contains 71 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 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

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www.wyongnews.org

Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P3 3

News

Webber and Spence found to have accepted prohibited donations ormer member for The Entrance, Mr Christopher Spence and member for Wyong, Mr Darren Webber, have been named in the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) Operation Spicer investigation for accepting prohibited donations, fund channelling, and nondisclosures in the NSW Liberal Party’s 2011 state election campaign.

F

The Commission’s report, ‘Investigation into NSW Liberal Party Electoral Funding for the 2011 State Election Campaign and Other Matters’, was made public on Tuesday, August 30.

Former Member for The Entrance Mr Chris Spence

The ICAC made factual findings but could not make findings of corrupt conduct in relation to conduct that “only relied on a breach

of the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures.”

The key factual findings in the ICAC report included that the business

Former Member for Wyong Mr Darren Webber

of Mr Timothy Koelma, a former staffer of former member for Terrigal, Mr Chris Hartcher, called Eightbyfive, was used to receive and channel

political donations for the benefit of the NSW Liberal Party candidates, Mr Spence and Mr Webber for the 2011 Central Coast

election campaign (in addition to supporting Mr Christopher Hartcher’s campaign for the seat of Terrigal).

The use of Eightbyfive, according to ICAC, was with the intent of evading the election funding laws.

The NSW Liberal Party’s campaign on the Central Coast benefited from the payments made to Eightbyfive because the money was used to improve the prospects of success of each of Mr Hartcher, Mr Spence and Mr Webber, the ICAC report said.

Eightbyfive was used to channel political donations from Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd ($183,342.50 between April 2009 and May 2011), Gazcorp Pty Ltd ($121,000 between May 2010 and April 2011) Continued P4

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P44 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Webber and Spence found to have F

rom P3

and Patinack Farm Pty Ltd ($66,000 between July 2010 and March 2011), for the benefit of the campaigns of Mr Hartcher, Mr Webber and Mr Spence and with the intention of evading the election funding laws.

According to ICAC, payments from each arrangement made after January 1, 2011 exceeded the applicable cap on political donations.

“Mr Spence and

Mr Webber benefited from the payments made to Eightbyfive, as they were able to leave their employment commitments behind and focus on their own election campaigns,” the report said.

The ICAC report examined an arrangement between Eightbyfive and Mr Spence under which he received payments totalling $104,000 from Eightbyfive between May 2010 and March 2011.

In late April 2010, Gazcorp entered into

a written retainer agreement with Eightbyfive under which it agreed to pay Eightbyfive $11,000 (including GST) per month.

According to Mr Koelma, “the arrangement was that Mr Spence would then work for me as opposed to working for [Gazcorp] and I saw it as a labour hire arrangement or something along those lines”.

“On this basis, Mr Koelma agreed that, after allowing for some administration costs, he

paid Mr Spence all the money he received from Gazcorp.

The Commission found that the purpose of the arrangement established between Eightbyfive and Gazcorp was to fund Mr Spence.

“While there was no written agreement between Eightbyfive and Mr Spence, the amount of payments to Mr Spence were in evidence through bank records.

“They show that for 11 months between May 3, 2010 and March 2, 2011, Gazcorp paid Eightbyfive $11,000

and Mr Spence agreed that at least the bulk of the funds from Gazcorp were passed on to Mr Spence.

“Mr Spence knew that Eightbyfive relied on the Gazcorp payments to make payments to him.”

“In the end, the Commission finds the evidence of each of Mr Koelma, Mr Spence, Nabil Gazal Jr and Nicholas Gazal on this issue lacks credibility.

“The Commission does not consider that either of Mr Koelma or Mr Spence could have provided services that

(including GST) each month.

“On each occasion, shortly after receiving this payment, Mr Koelma paid Mr Spence.

“On 10 occasions between June 4, 2010 and March 7, 2011, $9,450 was electronically transferred to Mr Spence’s account.

“The only occasion when this did not happen was the first occasion when, following receipt of the Gazcorp payment, Mr Koelma withdrew $6,000 and then $3,500 in May 2010.

“Both Mr Koelma

Community Environment Network Biodiversity - we can’t live without it!

Spring has sprung and September is Biodiversity Month - a great time of year to get outdoors and celebrate the biodiversity of the Central Coast.

Microbats are the leastwell-known of our bats, but the most diverse and widespread group in Australia. They are small with a wingspan of up to 20 centimetres.

Upcoming events Sat, 24 September Nightlife of Rumbalara 6-9pm, Rumbalara Reserve A spotlighting walk with

We are fortunate to have magnificent National Parks and COSS lands (Coastal Open Space Scheme) as well as wetlands, waterways, rock platforms and marine environments - just to name a few of the diverse landscapes at our doorstep that you can explore for free!.

They can live a very long time for such small animals, sometimes more than 30 years.

It’s easy to think that there is not a problem - but that’s not the case.

Microbats are insectivores and perform important environmental functions including keeping insect populations in check.

The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List evaluates the conservation status of plant and animal species globally. (IUCN Website) When comparing places on the IUCN Red List, Australia is in the top five for extinction of animals and plant species, and the top 10 for endangered and threatened species.

(ABC Fact Check). The Central Coast also has a long list of species under threat.

Threatened Species day is also on 7 September. Many people curse threatened species - apparently they get in the way of development - although there are very few instances where a threatened species has stopped development.

Environmentalists are also dismayed by threatened species. The fact that we have pushed so many species of plants and animals so close to the point of extinction or past that point, is inconceivable to many.

Why does it matter if we lose one more species?

The analogy of rivets in a plane was used by Paul and Anne Ehrlich, renowned ecologists, to show the importance of biodiversity. You can remove a few rivets and the plane will still fly. As more rivets go missing, eventually the plane crashes. The question is - how do you know when you have removed too many? ..... and which ones are the important ones to keep?

Our ecosystems are also complex and interconnected.

a local ecologist

Sat, 22 October Bush Regeneration Workshop in COSS 9:30-11:30am Location to be confirmed

Some microbats can eat up to 600 mosquitoes per hour! They use echolocation, bouncing sounds off surrounding objects for navigation at night and prefer to hide in caves or tree hollows.

In the Wadalba Wildlife Corridor at least 13 species of microbats have been recorded and 7 of those species are ‘threatened’ including the Little Bentwing bat (Miniopterus australis), which is listed as ‘vulnerable’ meaning that this species is considered to be in danger of being extinct if the current conditions continue to threaten its survival.

Sun, 5 November Launch of the Book: Chief Guardian: The Life and Times of Allen Strom 11am-12:30pm Strom Centre, Killcare

The main threats to Microbats include cats and loss of habitat.

Your backyard can become a very important habitat and feeding ground for microbats. Backyards are also important for creating connections across the landscape that microbats can use as the trees on your property act like stepping stones to fly across to bushland reserves and parks.

Sat, 5 November Frog Workshop Tumbi Umbi

If you see an injured bat, don’t pick it up; call wildlife Rescue (24 Hours) Ph: 0243250666.

Thu, 10 November

If you would like to learn more about microbats and get involved in monitoring them in the Wadalba Wildlife Corridor - Sign-up to the ‘Friends of Wadalba Microbats’ by emailing cen@cen.org.au – It’s FREE! – you’ll receive an info bag to get you started and invitations to workshops and events.

The Friends group is currently supported through CEN’s Urban Wildlife Project.

This is supported with funding from the NSW government through its Environmental Trust.

An evening of Talks, Wine & Cheese 6:30-8pm, Kincumber (date subject to confirmation) For many events there is a small charge. These charges vary so please check the

We need to work hard to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems that we have remaining – and not allow further species to decline.

Support the work of CEN - get involved, become a member or make a donation to continue the important work that we are doing to protect the environment.

website for details.

If you see an injured bat, don’t pick it up - call Wildlife Rescue - 4325 0666

Bookings are essential FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jane Smith, CEO

AND TO BOOK - VISIT www.cen.org.au/events

Our Central Coast - Worth Protecting The Community Environment Network (CEN) is an alliance of individuals and groups that work for ecologically sustainable development.

Support CEN - Become a member - Volunteer - Make a donation

www.cen.org.au

Ph: 4349 4756

Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P5 5

News

accepted prohibited donations were of any real value to Gazcorp.

“Mr Spence told the Commission that, during the time he was retained by Eightbyfive, he was a self-employed government relations consultant, but this is inconsistent with other evidence where he claimed to have been providing advice on public relations to Gazcorp.

“There is no objective evidence that Mr Spence had the capacity, experience or qualifications to provide these services.

“Although Mr Spence had previously worked as a member of staff for a politician, his immediate employment before the Eightbyfive retainer was in a low-level job – an electorate officer based in Erina, earning $60,000 a year.

“The overwhelming effect of all the evidence taken together leads the Commission to the

From left, Mr Darren Webber and Mr Chris Spence

conclusion that Mr Spence did not have a genuine business, nor did he have a genuine arrangement with Eightbyfive.

“Mr Spence was preselected as the NSW

Liberal Party candidate for The Entrance in November 2009.

“At that time, he was working full-time for Mr Hartcher.

“After he ceased this

work, he had no other source of income except for the money he received through Eightbyfive.

“That money gave him the financial security to allow him to concentrate

on the election campaign without having to spend time engaging in fulltime employment.

“The money he received each month through Eightbyfive was almost double his monthly income from his full-time employment with Mr Hartcher.

“The Commission is satisfied that Mr Spence knowingly participated in the arrangement whereby Eightbyfive was used as a vehicle to collect funds from Gazcorp and distribute them to him so that he had sufficient funds to enable him to concentrate on the election campaigns for the Central Coast and for the seat of The Entrance.”

“The Commission is satisfied that the payments made by Gazcorp to Eightbyfive were political donations within the meaning of s 85(1) of the Election Funding Act. “This is because they were in fact a gift made

to, or for the benefit of, the NSW Liberal Party and a candidate for election, Mr Spence.

“They were not disclosed to the Election Funding Authority.

“As Gazcorp was a property developer, and the payments were made after the ban on political donations from property developers came into effect in December 2009, the payments also avoided the ban on political donations from property developers.

“Those political donations made by Gazcorp after 1 January 2011 totalled $33,000 and therefore exceeded the applicable cap on political donations.”

ICAC also examined an arrangement that involved Eightbyfive paying money to a business owned by Mr Webber, the NSW Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Wyong.

Continued P6

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News

P66 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Webber and Spence found to have accepted prohibited donations rom P5

F

“Mr Koelma and Mr Webber were parties to an arrangement whereby, between 2010 and 2011, Mr Koelma’s business, Eightbyfive, made payments totalling at least $34,650, and up to $49,500, to Mr Webber,” the ICAC report said.

“These payments were ostensibly for the provision of services by Mr Webber to Eightbyfive, but were in fact political donations to help fund Mr Webber’s 2011 election campaign for the seat of Wyong, the ICAC found.

“The parties to this arrangement intended to evade the disclosure requirements of the Election Funding Act. “The payments made after 1 January 2011 exceeded the applicable caps on political donations.

“Mr Webber left school in 1999, commenced but did not finish two apprenticeships, and had no formal qualifications before joining the NSW Liberal Party in 2002.

“In his submissions to the Commission, he sets out a political history that includes an involvement ‘in the political scene of the Central Coast since 2002’, … and endorsement twice as a Liberal candidate for Wyong Council.

“He was a member of the right-wing faction of the NSW Liberal Party.

From left: Mr Darren Webber, at an official presentation with Ms Sue Evans, Ms Louise Copeland, and Mr Chris Spence

“Between about mid2009 and August 2010, he was employed from time-to-time by members of the NSW Parliament, including Mr Hartcher and the Hon Michael Gallacher MLC. “In late 2009, he was preselected as the NSW Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Wyong.

“He was elected to Parliament in the 2011 election and remained a member of Parliament until March 2015.

“The Commission is satisfied that, at all relevant times, he was aware of the requirements of the Election Funding Act relating to the need for accurate disclosure of political donations, the ban on accepting political donations from property developers and the applicable caps on

political donations.

“The political nature of the payments is clearly demonstrated by how they were used.

“Under its agreement with Eightbyfive, Patinack Farm agreed to pay Eightbyfive $5,500 a month.

“Under an agreement between Mr Webber and Eightbyfive, Mr Webber was to receive $4,950 (including GST) per month.

“This income enabled Mr Webber to work on the 2011 NSW election campaign.

“Just as a substantial part of the funds obtained from Gazcorp were passed on to Mr Spence, a substantial part of the funds Eightbyfive received from Patinack Farm were passed on to Mr Webber.

“There is evidence that this was always the intention.

“The first payment from Patinack Farm to Eightbyfive was made on Friday, 2 July 2010.

“On Monday, 5 July 2010, Mr Koelma withdrew $5,000 in cash from the Eightbyfive account and Mr Webber made two cash deposits, each of $1,500, into separate bank accounts.

“When asked at the public inquiry whether he had given Mr Webber at least $3,000 on that day, Mr Koelma responded that he ‘probably gave him $4,950’.

According to the ICAC report, “It is difficult to establish precisely how much money Mr Webber obtained through Eightbyfive.

The deposits …

which were made into Mr Webber’s accounts, total $37,800; however, the Commission is not satisfied that, even if these are all attributable to the payments made by Mr Koelma, they represent the total amount paid to Mr Webber by Mr Koelma.

“Tax returns submitted

by Mr Webber’s company, Webbbson Pty Ltd, for the 2010 and 2011 tax periods show income of $4,950 in 2010 and $29,700 in 2011.

“The latter figure is equivalent to six payments of $4,950 each.

“The amount of $4,950 is the same as Mr Webber was seeking from Eightbyfive in his invoices.

“The Commission is satisfied that the income declared in these tax returns represents at least some of the income derived from the arrangement with Eightbyfive.

“There is little evidence to corroborate the existence of a genuine arrangement between Mr Webber and Eightbyfive.

“The agreement between them was never reduced to writing.

“Mr Webber did not seem to have a genuine business, he did not solicit any business from potential clients, and did not have any clients apart from Eightbyfive.

“His registered

business name was taken from a failed business venture that had remained dormant for some years.

“The Commission is satisfied that the payments made by Eightbyfive to Mr Webber were political donations within the meaning of s 85(1) of the Election Funding Act. “This is because they were in fact a gift made to, or for the benefit of, a candidate.

“They were not disclosed to the Election Funding Authority.

“While the Commission cannot be certain as to the precise amount paid to Mr Webber after 1 January 2011, it is satisfied that the amount exceeded the $2,000 cap on political donations for the benefit of a candidate.

“The Commission finds that Mr Koelma and Mr Webber were parties to an arrangement whereby, between 2010 and 2011, Mr Koelma’s business, Eightbyfive, made payments totalling at least $34,650, and up to $49,500, to Mr Webber.

Media release, Aug 30, 2016 Nicole Thomas, Independent Commission Against Corruption Report, Aug 30, 2016 ICAC, Investigation into NSW Liberal Party Electoral Funding for the 2011 State Election Campaign and other matters Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P7 7

Tall Timbers Hotel car park to remain

News

Construction certificates issued for Magnolia estate at Hamlyn Terrace

he 470 home Magnolia residential development at Hamlyn Terrace is urimbah residents and the publican taking shape with found reasons to celebrate when they 20 construction learned that the NSW Government certificates granted had reversed the decision to remove the Tall since the beginning of Timbers Hotel car park.

August.

T

O

The iconic pub was set to have its 38 car spaces resumed to make room for the widening of the Pacific Hwy through Ourimbah.

After a public campaign from the hotel, with the assistance of the Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan, the local owners were contacted by RMS to let them know that they would be amending the road widening plans to accommodate the hotel.

The decision will restore some much needed confidence for the owners and staff who were left in the dark by the State Government throughout the planning stage.

Mr Mehan said, “This is a fantastic result for the Tallies, Ourimbah residents and the multiple sports clubs that are patrons of the Tall Timbers.

“I formally approached the Minister for Roads to see if any changes could be made to amend the original plan and am happy to see the RMS working with our community to come to an agreeable solution.

“This is a great outcome for our community and shows what is possible when we work together to find a solution.”

Media release, Sep 2, 2016 Peter Duggan, office of David Mehan

The AV Jennings project on Louisiana Rd has also seen seven construction certificates determined and nine development applications determined in the past six weeks.

According to AV Jennings development manager, Mr Andrew Gallagher, once complete, Magnolia will provide housing for 1200 residents.

“Magnolia is a 40.12 hectare master-planned community comprising of a broad mix of quality living options including free-standing homes, terraces and land-only allotments,” Mr Gallagher said.

ENJOY COASTAL LIVING IN

An AV Jennings home

According to figures from AV Jennings, 37 per cent of homes that have been released have been sold.

The profile of buyers has been: 34 per cent first home buyers; 36 per cent second home buyers; 10 per cent third and subsequent home buyers; and 20 per cent investors.

Most residents acquiring homes in the Magnolia community (72 per cent) have relocated from other Central Coast addresses compared with 28 per cent coming from

areas other than the Coast.

The development includes parks and landscaped recreation areas, he said.

The development is minutes from Warnervale train station and the proposed new Warnervale Town Centre.

The development is forecast to be completed by 2019.

“AV Jennings has enjoyed a long history on the Central Coast bringing to life over 15 master-planned residential communities

in the area throughout the last 20 years or more, with Magnolia set to continue this tradition,” Mr Gallagher said.

“In July 2015, AV Jennings announced another new masterplanned community for Warnervale that is likely to contain 540 lots.

“The timing and name of this community is yet to be confirmed,” he said.

Email, Sep 9, 2016 Rebecca Parry, Dec PR Website, Sep 9, 2016 Wyong application tracker Jackie Pearson, journalist

News

P88 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Coal mine opponents accused of intentional scaremongering roject manager for Wallarah 2, Mr Kenny Barry, has criticised really quite astonishing,” these genuinely concerned meet and discuss their with Wyong older members of our issues Mr Barry said. opponents of the coal mine for “intentional scaremongering”.

P

Mr Barry said that whilst there is opposition to the Wallarah 2 Coal Project, the positive feedback from both individuals and businesses who support the project was strong.

“Over the past several weeks, Wyong Coal has been flooded with enquiries from over 250 businesses and individuals who support the project and who are seeking

opportunity to engage and become part of what will be one of the largest individual employers on the Central Coast,” Mr Barry said.

“Unfortunately however, opponents of the project continue to try and sway public opinion by ignoring the facts, and instead, replacing those facts with fabricated and misleading

information without thought or consideration of the anxiety that their statements are causing, particularly on some of the older members of our community,” he said.

“Frankly, the magnitude of fabrication and misleading statements made by opponents including local Greens and Labor politicians and special interest groups is

Mr Barry said he had met with a number of local residents to discuss the proposed changes to the Development Application (DA).

“For those people who are not simply philosophically opposed to mining, their minds have certainly been put at ease once the facts have been presented to them in a clear and concise manner.

“The sad fact is however that several of

community have been misled to the point of distress by the intentional scaremongering of those whose motives are driven by political self-interest,” he said.

Mr Barry said that Wyong Coal have been open to consultation with Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC).

“It is really quite unfortunate that instead of taking the time to

Coal, representatives of Darkinjung LALC have continued to reject multiple documented offers of meetings whilst claiming Wyong Coal have failed to consult.

“In fact Wyong Coal met with the Darkinjung LALC’s CEO and Planning Manager to provide information on the DA amendment Continued P9

Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre Invitation to a Marine Discovery Talk

Upcoming events

Researching our Marine & Coastal environments Wed, 19 October, 2016 6:30-8:00pm, Terrigal

Rockpool Ramble 9-10 am, Bateau Bay

Mon, 26 Sept

Tue, 27 Sept Rockpool Ramble 10-11 am, Bateau Bay

Dr. Troy Gaston, from the University of Newcastle, will provide an overview of some of the investigations currently being undertaken by researchers at the University. This will include an update on the REDMAP project.

Redmap stands for Range Extension Database and Mapping project. This project invites Australians to share sightings of marine species that are ‘uncommon’ to their local seas. Over time, Redmap will use this ‘citizen science’ data to map which Australian marine species may be extending their distribution range in response to changes in the marine environment, such as ocean warming.

Cost: $10 per person (includes refreshments) Bookings are essential. Please register www.ccmdc.org.au or phone 4349 4756

at

This event is supported with funding from the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust

Call in to the Marine Discovery Centre these school holidays!

Open most days in the School holidays from 10am-4pm (last admission 3pm) Cost: Adults $6, Child / Conc $4, Family $16

• Displays • Aquaria • Wet Touch Table • Craft • Plasters • Rockpool walks • Junior Marine Scientist Quiz • Audio Visual Room • Whale bones, Shark jaws & more !!

More info: www.ccmdc.org.au

Wed, 28 Sept Rockpool Ramble 11am-12 noon, Bateau Bay

Thu, 29 Sept Rockpool Ramble 12-1pm, Bateau Bay

What’s on at the Marine Discovery Centre!

Bring the kids, grandkids, friends and neighbours to the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre (CCMDC) these school holidays to explore and discover our amazing underwater world! Say hello to our seahorses! .. Or do one of our Junior Marine Scientist Quizzes .... The Marine Discovery Centre is a great way to keep the kids entertained these holidays!

Rock Pool Rambles: Become a marine biologist by discovering our local rocky shore animals. You’ll be amazed at how special these creatures really are!

Dates are available on our website. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL – visit www. ccmdc.org.au — Cost: $4 child / concession, $6 adult, $16 family (2A, 2C).

Lagoon Cafe - We will have a pop up cafe at the Marine Discovery Centre every day during the school holidays. Drop in for a coffee and great home made cakes, snacks and savoury treats provided by Sharon and her team. Open between 10am-3pm. (PS - you don’t have to come in to the Marine Centre - you can enjoy a cuppa on the verandah next to the park).

Become a Citizen Scientist help monitor our rock platforms The CCMDC is a hub for Citizen Science on the Central Coast - research and monitoring that relies on community volunteers to collect data.

Volunteers are currently helping to monitor local waterways, underwater reefs and our rocky shores. If you would like to participate in our citizen science program - then please email citizenscience@ccmdc.org.au - indicating your interest.

We have scheduled a number of dates and times for monitoring our rocky shores for the remainder of the year (depends on low tides!) - so check out our website and register to participate. We will then contact you to arrange training and locations.

Fri, 30 Sept Rockpool Ramble 12-a pm, Bateau Bay

Wed, 19 Oct Marine Discovery Talk Researching our Marine & Coastal Environments 6;30-8pm, Terrigal For many events there is a small charge. These charges vary so please check the website for details.

Bookings are essential FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK - VISIT www.ccmdc.org.au/events

We are currently taking school bookings for 2017 Visit our website to find out about our range of school programs - or email schools@ccmdc. org.au for more information.

September 13, 2016 - P9 9

as far back as February this year, and at that meeting they were invited to ask questions and consult with Wyong Coal further as the matter progressed, unfortunately Darkinjung LALC failed to take Wyong Coal up on that offer of consultation.

“Since that time, Wyong Coal has consulted with Darkinjung LALC over Cultural Heritage which is directly related to the proposed DA amendment, however Wyong Coal has only received one direct request (dated August 1) for information from Darkinjung LALC, to which Wyong Coal responded formally in writing on August 14, within the timeframe requested by Darkinjung,” Mr Barry

impacts on their proposed residential developments near Wyee (Bushells Ridge and Doyalson) fail to recognise that modelling has included impacts on that land, and fails to fully inform on a number of very important matters which must precedent further detailed consideration.

“Darkinjung LALC’s plans, which are at best rudimentary by definition, remain deficient in a number of areas with no environmental, social, economic, transport or other required studies having been undertaken, let alone the lodgement of a valid Development Application to support such a development.

“It is important to recognise that the zoning within those

News dealt with.

“Over three years of detailed consultation with Darkinjung LALC, when they were happy to oblige the location of our previously proposed rail spur on their land immediately south of Bushells Ridge for a price, the matter of impacts on proposed residential developments did not rate a mention.

“Within that period and almost two years after the Wallarah 2 Project Development Application was submitted, without consulting Wyong Coal, Darkinjung LALC prepared and submitted a proposal to Wyong Council which remains unresolved to this day,” he said.

Mr Barry said Darkinjung LALC have

The magnitude of fabrication and misleading statements made by opponents including local Greens and Labor politicians and special interest groups is really quite astonishing said.

Mr Barry said their response was also provided to the NSW Department of Planning as part of Wyong Coal’s inclusive consultation program.

He says Wyong Coal was made aware of a further Darkinjung LALC request to meet that was again rejected.

“It appears at a minimum insincere and duplicitous to claim a lack of consultation and deny the existence of the information provided to help inform their submission, whilst actually holding the requested information and refusing to meet with the proponents to ask questions and clarify important points until after their submission is complete.

“Darkinjung LALC’s CEO’s comments regarding potential

proposal areas prohibits such development, with some in fact zoned Environmental Conservation.

“Prior to the acceptance of any rezoning by Council, they must be satisfied that land use conflicts and impacts of the proposed residential development on existing and proposed non-residential land uses in proximity, including the rail line, and CASAR Motorsport Park, the proposed Wallarah 2 coal mine and rail spur and existing clay mine and tile facilities need to be addressed.

“Any proposal must be updated to clarify the encroachment of proposed residential development on the proposed Wallarah 2 underground coal mine and rail spur,” he said.

Mr Barry said none of those issues had been

still not consulted Wyong Coal or discussed in any way their proposals for residential or industrial developments anywhere within the vicinity of the Wallarah 2 Coal Project.

“Wyong Coal do not reject the idea that Darkinjung LALC should position themselves well in terms of development of their assets, in fact we applaud their drive and aspirations.

“However, prior to the exploitation and clearing of the very large area of significant high value native vegetation which falls within Darkinjung LALC’s proposal, numerous matters must first be evaluated and assessed to ensure biodiversity principles and amenability with surrounding permissible land uses, including Wallarah 2, are maintained.

Continued P10

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

Given the arrival of new Central Coast Council, following is a summary of news articles published in the

www.CentralCoastNews.net 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.

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

e Frkeeone!

Ta

Edition 401

5 September 2016

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

Chamber opposes Bullion St carpark sale

Reserves campaigners attend council session

First proposal submitted for Council land sale site

A survey of fuel prices has shown Peninsula prices are comparable with the rest of the Coast.

Representatives from the Save Central Coast Reserves campaign attended a Central Coast Council community engagement session at Wyoming Shopping on Thursday, August 25.

The first proposal to develop one of Central Coast Council’s land sale sites has been lodged with the council.

Bus stoppage cancelled at Work the last minute

to start on former Tesrol site

Hotel sale surprises Patonga residents

Busways announced at the last minute on Friday that a 24-hour stoppage planned for today, September 5, had been cancelled.

Work is expected to commence before Christmas on the construction of a seven-storey mixed use residential building at 47 to 50 The Esplanade, Ettalong.

The Patonga Community Working Group has said residents were surprised by the decision to sell the Patonga Beach Hotel and Fish Shop just 24 months after the property was purchased by

Bridge named after Robert Payne

‘Sip and Say’ gathering to discuss disability plan

Inter-agency group holds Link Day

The 40th anniversary of the An informal Sip and Say Pearl Beach Arboretum was gathering will be held at the celebrated on August 21.

Umina Beach Recreation Precinct on September 10 to give Peninsula residents an opportunity to discuss the Central Coast Council’s

Peninsula Link Day will take place on Wednesday, September 28, at the Peninsula Community Centre, from 10am to 2pm.

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

E FRE

September 8

Your independent local newspaper

-

Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 141

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

Wildlife Protection Area still Chris Hartcher found by ICAC to Department of Finance Services have acted with the intention of being sought after 20 year building to go before JRPP evading election funding laws delay The former Member for Gosford and Terrigal, Mr Christopher Hartcher, has been found by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to have acted with the intention

The Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) will meet to consider a Government Property NSW application to build a second mixeduse commercial development on the former Gosford Public

In May 2016, Saratoga and District Sport and Recreation Association (SDSRA) issued a written request to Central Coast Council to consider, as a matter of urgency, the establishment of a Wildlife

Rola project soon to return to JRPP

Council’s Group Leader of Customer and Community Relationships resigns

Save Central Coast Reserves members meet with Reynolds and Noble

Central Coast Council’s Group Leader of Customer and Community Relationships, Ms Judy Jaeger, is leaving Council after almost forty years of dedicated service in Local Government.

Several members of Save Central Coast Reserves attended the Central Coast Council’s community engagement session at Wyoming Shopping on Thursday, August 25.

Senator slams liberals over ICAC report

Willoughby Rd petition presented to Federal Parliament

Brisbane Water Legacy receives $107,000 to purchase a new bus

NSW Senator, Ms Deborah O’Neill, said the “Operation Spicer” report released by ICAC yesterday exposed a grim underbelly of arrogantly out of touch Liberal

The petition to fix the dangerous stretch of Willoughby Rd at Wamberal was presented in Federal Parliament on September 1,

by Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks.

Veterans and their families on the Central Coast will benefit from Australian Government grant funding for local projects, in a major announcement this Legacy Week.

The future of the heritagelisted Creighton’s Building in Mann St Gosford will soon be back in the hands of the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).

The full articles and more can be seen on line on our website www.centralcoastnews.net Coast Community News focusses on news specifically related to post code areas 2250, 2251, 2260 and articles can also be read and shared on your mobile phone by going to www.coastcommunitynews.com.au.

News

P10 P1 10 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Charmhaven development rejected by JRPP he Hunter Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) has refused the Development Application for seven, three storey residential flat buildings, containing 115 units and 138 parking spaces at 7 Stratford Ave, Charmhaven.

T

Following review of Council’s DA Assessment Report, the JRPP refused the DA (DA/1322/2015) submitted by The Lateral Thinking Group Pty Ltd, claiming the proposed development had several major drawbacks that would adversely impact the health and safety of potential occupants, services, motorists, pedestrians and the site’s ecology.

The proposed development site is located on the eastern side of Stratford Ave and the western side of Oak Rd. The site has frontage of approximately 26m to Stratford Ave and approximately 21m to Oak Rd, with the site having an overall area of 1.326ha.

The JRRP stated that their major concerns surrounded the lack of adequate planning in the DA for waste management and collection, and identifying insufficient means for service vehicles to enter and manoeuvre in the site.

In the JRRP’s assessment, this posed significant issues to the health and amenity of both site and adjoining site occupants, with concerns that the site could not be reached by waste collection vehicles.

Further issues of access

and the d safety f t arose ffrom th proposed site access at Moala Pde. The major issue identified by the JRRP was the existing pedestrian refuge and associated footpath works located in Moala Pde. The location of the refuge and associated footpaths would further impact issues of access by limiting the turning path area of larger vehicles attempting to exit Stratford Ave. The JRRP also found that the DAfailed to relate design issues with the longitudinal section centreline, meaning detailed plans of the driveway, required retaining walls and an impact assessment would need to be undertaken and submitted.

Pedestrian safety was also raised as an issue, with the JRPP finding the implications to pedestrian safety by the proposed intersection on Moala Pde unreasonable, in light of the need for the pedestrian refuge in the area.

Furthermore, the JRRP found that the width and geometry of the proposed driveway was inadequate, which would further exasperate issues of access and safe pedestrian and vehicular movement to and

within the site. ithi th it The JRRP also found that the issue of pedestrian and motorist safety raised in public submissions was not within the public interest and that the development would have an undue impact on traffic flow to and around the site, with pedestrians attempting to utilise the refuge on Moala Pde and the shared path on Stratford Ave that links to Lake Haven Shopping Centre being put in direct conflict with motorists around the site.

Other issues with the DA noted by the JRPP included the location and accessibility of waste bin storage, the insufficient width of the two way driveway ramps and the same ramps not meeting the required 0.3m offset clearances from internal walls.

These secondary issues identified by the JRRP further stress the lack of access for service vehicles as the proposed bin storage area for the development provides virtually no room for garbage service vehicles to manoeuvre, causing traffic congestion for domestic vehicles.

The JRPP also claim that the inadequate ramps proposed in the

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ddevelopment l t would ld cause further vehicle conflicts.

The Traffic Transportation Engineer report also identified traffic flow for the proposed DA as a major concern and claimed the proposed one way internal private road arrangement was not appropriate.

The proposed one way road would funnel all inbound traffic onto Oak Rd and all exiting traffic to Moala Pde.

The Engineer report found the internal access road must be two way so as to facilitate an even distribution of traffic onto the road network.

The same report also identified the need for a pedestrian link to connect the proposed development to the existing shared path between Moala Pde and Stratford Ave to provide access to Lake Haven shopping centre.

Other issues identified by the Engineer’s Report also found that enforcing the one way internal road scheme would be impossible, as residents could simply ignore any signage in the absence of proper enforcement as it would be located on private property and therefore unenforceable under the Roads Act 1993.

The Flora and Fauna Assessment Report also found the potential site could house some threatened flora and fauna species and recommended p

that surveys be undertaken during optimal flowering periods for species identification.

Due to this, the Flora and Fauna report was left incomplete by the acting ecologist in provision with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. In their DA Assessment Report, Council also recommended that the JRPP refuse the DA based on the identified issues and outlined that despite numerous requests to re-design the proposal and provide additional information to address Council’s concerns, The Lateral Thinking Group failed to provide any of the requested information or amend the questioned design.

Development Application, Aug 18, 2016 DA/1322/2015 DA Assessment Report, Aug 18, 2016 Central Coast Council Draft Reasons for Refusal, Aug

Coal mine opponents accused of intentional scaremongering rom P9

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“Unfortunately, any rezoning and development process will take many years to complete, with no certainty of approval.

“Whilst Wyong Coal will position itself to consult and demonstrate as best it is able… it is quite unreasonable to expect other permissible existing and proposed developments to stall or remove themselves from the landscape on the basis that a proposal, which at this time displays no significant substance,

definition or certainty, sits on the distant horizon,” Mr Barry said.

Mr Barry said Darkinjung LALC’s claims that Wyong Coal’s amended development will result in land locking of their assets is the opposite to the reality of their proposal.

He said Wyong Coal has committed to develop an extensive all-weather access road under legal easement to facilitate access for Darkinjung LALC, which will also benefit other adjoining land owners,

Emergency Services and Council, by significantly improving clear and safe access, bushfire fighting capability and development potential.

Mr Barry urged Darkinjung LALC to reconsider its position and agree to meet to discuss openly and frankly how they can work together for the betterment of both organisations.

Email, Aug 31, 2016 Kenny Barry, Wallarah 2 Coal Project

Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P11 W 1

Over $150,000 funding to preserve public reserves and community hubs arliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald MLC, announced on August 31 that the NSW Government will invest $152,330 to preserve Wyong’s important public reserves and community hubs.

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The 2016/17 funding allocation from the Public Reserves Management Fund Program is part of an $18 million annual program of grants and loans from the NSW Government to support the development, maintenance and protection of public reserves.

“Public reserves in our region such as sportsgrounds, s h o w g r o u n d s , community halls, walking tracks and local parks are valued places which are used by our local community every day,” Mr MacDonald said.

“This funding is not only vital to the success of our regional communities, but also supports the role our professional and volunteer managers play in the ongoing management of the reserves.

“This funding will allow our local managers to now implement the improvements required to ensure these important places can continue to be enjoyed by our local community now and into the future,” he added.

Highlights of the 2016/17 Public Reserves Management Fund Program for Wyong are: $130,000 for Norah head Lighthouse trust to Replace ageing tiled roofs on quarters 1, 2 and 3, outbuildings and the former stables and the replacement of tiles on veranda floors of quarters 1, 2 and 3. $12,474 for DPI Lands to treat significant weed incursions on Crown riverbank reserve in Wyong Shire to preserve the integrity of its cultural, recreational and environmental values within the wider landscape. $6,600 for the Yarramalong School to improve night lighting and reduce bushfire hazards; and $3,256 for DPI Lands to continue an integrated rabbit control program along an environmentally sensitive riparian area of the Wyong River, Mardi, consisting of pindone baiting, warren fumigation and RHD virus release.

Media release, Aug 31, 2016 Mitchell Cutting, Office of Scott MacDonald

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News

Glengara Retirement Village to increase to 262 self-care dwellings construction certificate has been issued for the $4.9 million development of 23 self-care dwellings at 25 Jaeger Rd, Tumbi Umbi.

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The dwellings will be constructed for Retire Australia Pty Ltd under SEPP (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004 and will complete the selfcare component of the Glengara Retirement Village.

The 23 new villas are all independent living accommodation, but Retire Australia also has development consent to build up to 70 assisted living units in the village, according to Retire Australia’s Head of Development, Mr Glen Brown.

The assisted care units will be in a dedicated building that will form part of the existing community centre at the village, Mr Brown said.

The independent living units have already been marketed and have been selling strongly off the plan.

“We can’t build them fast enough,” Mr Brown said.

“Pre-selling has been very strong and it is unusual for a retirement village to sell off the plan,” he said.

Mr Brown said he considered locations like Tumbi Umbi to be market leaders in the NSW retirement market because they were attractive to people “coming out of larger homes in Sydney and around the Central Coast who are looking for much more affordable and onground villas.

The new villas will predominantly be two bedrooms with one garage but three bedroom villas with double garages are also available.

“These are large villas from 130 up to 220 square metres inclusive of under-roof outdoor area,” he said.

Central Coast Council granted the construction

certifi Augustt 23. tificate t on A 23 Glengara was built by the Glen Group in 1999 and acquired by Retire Australia in 2006.

The village comprises 239 independent living villas (prior to the current development) and a range of resort-style facilities, including a Country Club with indoor pool and spa, library, computer room, bar and function space, bowls green, barbecue area, workshop and private village bus.

The new development

iis sett on the th flat, t northern th corner of the village and is connected to the main village by a footbridge.

The new villas are in a range of six floor plans.

Senior-friendly features have been incorporated into the design such as wide doorways and hallways, large light switches, mixer taps, lever door handles and non-slip flooring.

“The popularity of our new villas is a testament to the ongoing demand

retirement ffor luxury l ti t living on the Central Coast.

“Each villa is architecturally designed to be luxurious, contemporary and senior-friendly so that our residents can live comfortably and with ease as they get older.”

Website, Aug 23, 2016 Wyong application tracker, CC793/2016 Interview, Sep 8, 2016 Email, Sep 9, 2016 Glen Brown, Retire Australia Jackie Pearson, journalist

Health

P12 P1 12 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Coal Alliance warns about the health risks associated with coal dust

Hospital election commitment not funded ccording to Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, an independent quarterly health report shows that the State Government is failing Central Coast families with 27.7 per cent of all patients in Wyong Hospital’s emergency department waiting more than four hours to be treated.

A he Australian Coal Alliance has continued its campaign against the amended development application for the Wallarah 2 coal mine by drawing the community’s attention to the health risks associated with coal dust and subsequent particulate matter.

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Of all the air pollutants produced by coal mining activities particulate matter is the most significant health threat according to the Australian Coal Alliance Particle pollution is a major contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular health problems causingasthma hospital admissions and premature death the Coal Alliance said Health impacts are associated with both short-term and long-term exposure A l t h o u g h environmental regulators in Australia tend to consider particle concentrations up to the national standard ‘acceptable’ or even ‘good’ community health is improved by reducing particle pollution right down to zero Coal mining accounts for 47 per cent of Australia’s reported PM10 emissions These emissions have more than doubled in

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Issue 135

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he Joint R e g i o n a l Planning Panel (JRPP) deferred its decision on whether or not to approve the development of the Australian Taxation Office building on part of the former Gosford Public School site.

The JRPP, including its two new delegates for the Central Coast Council, Mr Bob Ward and Mr Ken Greenwald, held its public meeting in the former Gosford Council’s chambers in Mann St Gosford on Thursday, June 9.

Eleven people addressed the panel, most to express their opposition to the development.

Mr David Abrahams, former chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast, said: “The people in this room are Gosford’s champions, they are no rabble to be dismissed.”

He said hundreds of residents had been involved in two processes to articulate a vision for the waterfront (Our City Our Future) “and I think we

The Doma design for the ATO building right of the historic Arts School building looking from the corner of Mann St and Georgiana Tce that the building was to be located at the “front door of Gosford and the Central Coast.

“What is located on that site has clearly got to

be a building that gives something to the character of the city and has to be incorporated into the planning of the city,” Mr Lloyd said.

Mr Lloyd also questioned whether the allocated 106 car spaces were enough.

“The 106 car spaces is nothing like the provision allowed in other cities for mixed developments, it is way short of the parking provision that is normally made.

Ms Joy Cooper called the proposed development an “ugly box of building.

“This building will not link the CBD to the waterfront … it will create an area of isolated and lonely street frontage.”

She said the building could be reduced in floor space to comply with parking requirements.

Another speaker, Ms Power, said that as a resident of Gosford, she was interested in its future and had read as widely as she could.

“All documents for the school removal clearly show the site as intended for a cultural and performing arts precinct,” she said.

This is a loss of crown land by stealth to private ownership.

“In reality this site is iconic and a local significant site at the very least,” she said.

Mr Kevin Armstrong, representing Crown Land Our Land, Gosford, said an ATO building on any other

location in the Gosford CBD would have had the same impact on employment to the area.

He called the proposed extension of Baker St: “Something that is not at all certain at this current time”.

Mr Armstrong said ownership of the site remained “somewhat in doubt”.

spoke as a representative of the Gosford Waterfront Alliance Inc. As an architect, Ms Teraz outlined areas where the development application did not meet the requirements of the Development Control Plan and considerations of the risk ground water could pose to the building’s basement and structure.

“How did the site undergo the process of going from being a state significant site to having no master plan at all?”

“The best information I can find is that it was dedicated and supposedly removed in the 1970s using the Just Terms in Compensation Act that didn’t come into place until 1990s,” he said.

Ms Angelique Teraz

She questioned how the development’s disruption to ground water would be managed and its impact on surrounding properties.

“How did the site undergo the process of going from being a state significant site to having no master plan at

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s Lucy Wicks announced her win in the seat of Robertson at her local park in Springfield on Wednesday, July 6.

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Scope feasibility of straightening railway line between Coast and Sydney and building new road from M1 to Woy Woy Langford Dve-Woy Woy Rd intersection Footpaths Performing Arts Centre Gosford Commonwealth Institute of Higher Education at Gosford Continuous in-train mobile wi-fi from Central Coast to sydney New and upgraded CCTV cameras in Copacabana and Terrigal New Local Environment Plan Central Coast Roads Banjo's Skatepark Wamberal

The Robertson vote proved to be a close race, with a small margin of 2093 votes putting the incumbent, Ms Wicks, ahead of the Labor Party’s candidate, Ms Anne Charlton.

Ms Wicks won 51.18 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote, which was a swing of 1.91 per cent against her when compared with the 2013 result.

The Labor Party’s Ms Charlton won 48.82 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote.

The Greens candidate, La abo Ms Hillary Morris won 8 per cent of the first preference count for the electorate, $500,000 00which was $- a 2.4 per cent $1,100,00 ,00 0swing 0 $-to the Greens compared with their result $2,500,00 ,00 0in0 2013.$Dr $20,000,0 0,0 000 0Independent, $10,000,000* $10,0 000,,000 0* Van Davy, who ran on a “clean $30,000,0 0,0 0labour” 00 0 $ticket won 2.81 per cent of $12,0 the 0 first $$12,000,000** 00,,0preference 00 0** count in his first attempt at $$560,000 $5 560 0,000 0 winning the seat.

He was $$2,500,000 $2 2,5 5followed 00,0 000 by Mr Robert Stoddart of the $60,000,0 0,0 0Christian 00^ 00 0^ $18,8 $18,850,000 850,,000 0 Democratic Party Group) $500,000 00(Fred Nile $500,000 $5 500 0,000 0 on 2.66 per cent.

Central Coast Medical School and Medical Research Institute Total commitment

$32,500,0 0,0 000 0

$32,500,000 $3 32,5 500,,000 0

$87,100,0 0,0 000 0

$54,910,000 $5 54,9 910,,000 0

* $10 million already in Federal Budget for regional performing arts centre ** To be shared between all Central Coast train stations and mobile blackspots along Coast ast to Sydney rail corridor ^ Funding to be shared between Robertson and Dobell but predominantly for Robertson NB: We have excluded commitments that relate to unspecified shares of state-wide or nation-wide tion-wide programs

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oth major parties, Liberal and Labor, have been making ing promises to spend he election campaign. money on key projects for Robertson throughout the

To make it easier for voters to see the totals pledged and what they are for, Coast“This Community News has put morning I called together a spend-o-meter to illustrate the value of pledges made by both major parties since the Wicks electiontowas ince called eight Lucy congratulate weeks ago. her on winning the seat The Robertson spend-o-meter will also give readers a list of what to look out for in the to keep track how of future Robertson,” said ofMs many promises have been kept by the winning party.

Charlton.

Our major election coverage, including candidate profiles, general information about Robertson bout the “For more electorate, than ninethe location of polling booths as well as the latest and final information from all the parties as theyI relate arties Robertson months, haveto had the begins on page 10. privilege of being out and

Website, Jun 14, 2016 Joint Regional Planning Panel meetings Meeting notes, Jun 9, 2016 Joint Regional Planning Panel meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist

about in the community I love, speaking with

Performing Arts Centre funding no longer in state ate budget

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he 2016-17 NSW Budget has invested in health facilities, schools,

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford transport and roads to ensure the Central Coast remains a great Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 place to live and work, according to parliamentary secretary for Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald.

E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Mr MacDonald said “This budget to continue planning the Website: www.centralcoastnews.net the Central Coast was a demonstrates the NSW upgrade of the intersection growing region and the NSW Government was committed to ensuring it received its fair share of quality infrastructure and services to support its growth.

Key highlights from the 2016-17 NSW Budget included: $118.1 million to continue the Gosford Hospital redevelopment and $15 million to commence the Gosford Hospital Car Park; and, completion of the upgrade to Point Clare Public School, with $7 million allocated.

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Issue 137

August 11, 2016

Government’s commitment to delivering the best patient care on the Central Coast, with a huge $133 million towards the $348 million redevelopment of Gosford Hospital – the biggest budget investment in regional health infrastructure across the State,” said member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch.

Other infrastructure projects funded in the 2016-17 Budget include: $5.9 million for local road upgrades and improvements; $1.5 million

of Empire Bay Dve and Scenic Rd and Cochrane St, Kincumber; $500,000 to plan a future upgrade to Terrigal Dve between Chetwynd Rd and Duffy’s Rd; $400,000 design of traffic lights on Terrigal Dve and Tarragal Glen Ave, Erina (current roundabout at Erina Fair/McDonalds), to improve local connections and support active transport; and, $500,000 drainage upgrade on Central Coast Hwy at Wamberal.

However, according to the shadow minister for the

Central Coast, Mr David Harris, crucial projects on the Central Coast have been ignored in the NSW Government’s latest budget.

Mr Harris and member for Gosford, Ms Kathy Smith, have criticised the budget’s lack of funding for key Central Coast infrastructure.

“Mike Baird has shown the Central Coast is not a priority for his government by failing to fund upgrades to local schools, TAFEs and train stations,” Mr Harris said.

According to Mr Harris: “The NSW Government continues to over promise and under deliver when it comes to providing for the families on the Central Coast, despite the rivers of stamp duty gold flowing into

treasury coffers from the he property boom.

“The Budget fails to address elective surgery ery waiting lists or cut waiting ng times in Central Coast ast emergency departments,” s,” Mr Harris said.

“In the January to March ch 2016 quarterly reporting ng period, 830 patients waited ed longer than seven and a half hours in the Gosford rd Hospital emergency cy department.

“There was no mention on of funding for the most ost rundown schools on the he Coast including: Kincumber er High School with a maintenance backlog of $1.38 million; Erina High gh with $1.35 million; and Henry Kendall High with $1.11 million.

“There is not a single cent for Hunter TAFE Central Coast campuses in this year’s budget,” Mr Harris said.

“The Baird Government has broken its 2015 election promise of $12 million in funding for the development of the Gosford Regional Performing Arts Centre,” Mr Harris said.

for independent, Dr Davy, was Wyoming, where he secured 3.87 per cent of the vote.

“My pledge to the people of Robertson will be that I will continue to listen, I will continue to advocate and I will continue to fight for every single person here on the Central Coast to make sure that we build a better future,” Ms Wicks said, when claiming the victory in the seat.

“It is an extraordinary privilege I have to say, to put yourself forward to sit to serve the community, so I thank all of the candidates who ran and who gave up their time and efforts to this community,” she said.

future, I believe, of life here on the Central Coast.”

Ms Wicks said 600 new jobs would be available in the Gosford area by the end of 2017, creating many more opportunities for people in this region.

She reaffirmed her promise to fund a medical campus in the heart of Gosford and said it was “a game changer for this region”.

Ms Wicks said she intended to oversee the plans for a “world class performing arts centre in Gosford.

“We have a great couple Julyto28, 2look2016 201 of years forward to,” Ms Wicks said.

“I just love this job and I love this community and now we can actually fight to see that the projects underway are actually completed,” she said.

The seat of Robertson had 108,509 people enrolled to vote for the July 2 federal election and achieved a turnout of 86.1 per cent of which, just over five per cent voted informally

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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 former Member for Gosford and Terrigal, Mr Christopher Hartcher, has been found by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws by failing to properly disclose political donations worth “hundreds of thousands of dollars”; by accepting donations from property developers; and by breaching caps on political donations that applied after January 1, 2011.

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2015

“Recent works are not to an acceptable standard and likely to fail.”

2012

2014

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The ICAC report called then Election Funding NSW Liberal Party totalling of NSW, $4,000. for the DPP to be asked Authority to consider prosecuting officers of that authority “They were received by Mr Hartcher for an alleged were not involved in any Mr Hartcher for the benefit wrongdoing. offence of larceny. of the NSW Liberal Party The Commission’s for the March 2011 state The ICAC’s Operation Spicer investigation report noted that at the election campaign. exposed prohibited relevant time, proceedings “In November 2011, donations, fund for an offence under the some eight months after channelling and non- election funding laws the election, Mr Hartcher disclosures in the NSW had to be commenced arranged for the cheques Liberal Party’s 2011 state within three years from to be paid into the trust election campaign and the time the offence was account of Hartcher Reid, identified Mr Hartcher as a committed. a legal firm, and for that “As the Operation firm to draw a cheque key player in a considerable public inquiry for $4,000 in favour of number of transactions Spicer for campaignsGovernment in his seat indid this.not conclude until Mickey Tech, a business of Terrigal and “Rail for transport, the September as a fo 2014, and the owned by the partner of seats of Wyong and The matters of commuter travel, iscanvassed in the Mr Raymond Carter, an Entrance. responsibility of the St The Commission did not After the $4,000 was deposited into the Government and there uncover any irregularities expectation Mickey that t Tech account, it was allegedly in the seat some of Gosford, an act in cash by Mr Carter and given to withdrawn at that time government held by Mr takes interest in the problem.

Christopher Holstein.

Mr Hartcher, according to the ICAC report.

“However, socia The Commission’s it is seen report as a occurred Lo mostly electorate officer working report, Investigation Government matter, 2009a to 2011, a for Mr Hartcher. into NSW Liberal Party from the public Lo for relevant prosecution electoral funding for expects According to the ICAC, offences is now statute Mr Carter had been a the 2011 state election to Government play a p campaign and in it as other well. barred,” the statement member of the NSW said. matters, was made Liberal Party since 1972 “Topublic my knowledge, th relation to the alleged and had held a variety on Tuesday, August 30. plans orInstrateg were no offence of larceny, the of The ICAC made factual between offices, including discussed ICACthereport said: “The presidency of the Liberal findings but last could not and council St make findings of Corrupt Commission is of the Party Green Point Branch.

Government to addre Conduct in relation to opinion that consideration “There was a long the issues of commu conduct that “only relied should be given to connection between Mr parking,” Ms Scott said. on a breach of the Election obtaining the advice of Carter and Mr Hartcher, “I hope the DPP currwith respect to and it was quite apparent Funding, Expenditure and the council takes the the prosecution of Mr that Mr Carter felt a deep Disclosures Act 1981”. concerns acts for an offence sense of loyalty toward Mr Hartcher The Commission was and themcorrupt before of any m in relation to Hartcher.” the ICAC report larceny not able to make development hisapproved dealings with … three said. conduct findings in cases is “The with city CBD bank and cheques payable of failure to comply “In the end, the to the NSW the requirements of the suburbs surrounding is Liberal Party Commission believes that election funding laws totalling $4,000,” it said.

Mr Carter’s evidence at the small area. where, although “Thethose CBD According has th to ICAC, in public inquiry was honest failures could streets have takingMarch the 2011, tra Mr Hartcher and reasonably accurate. three bank affected the through exercise it.of received “Mr Carter was also a cheques payable to the very successful fundraiser, official functions“These of the streets

Gosford City is facing a parkingg crisis with no plan in place

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Issue 141

Chris Hartcher found by ICAC to have acted with the intention of evading election funding laws

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Dutton’s Tavern redevelopment update

Your independent local newspaper

September 8

Issue 139

unsatisfactory. indicates high potential for According to the report: contamination of surface E “It appears that no formal waters and groundwaters.”

FRE …review has been required The officer who to consider the potential completed the site groundwater impacts of this inspection recommended Above, Ms Lucy Wicks MP with her daughter Molly-Joy and son Oscar development. immediate compliance Photo: Noel Fisher “The nature of the action for the extraction there was a 3.97 per cent activity, and the magnitude of groundwater, damage Your You Y ou ur independent independent p local newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369 swing away from Ms Wicks and sensitivityAugust of the25,to2016 waterfront land and to and Ms Charlton gained a location warrant an refuse an application for swing of 11 per cent. assessment of the potential controlled activity approval. impacts against the Aquifer The “waterfront” referred “I do pledge to continue to work every Interference Policy ‘minimal to was described by the impact considerations’, Office of Water as “forming single day to fight with every fibre of The association used the should the development part of the headwaters of overnment Information my being for a better future for the proceed [under yet-to-be the Wyong River”. ublic Access) Act 2009 finalised new EPA licencing The landfill operator people of the Central Coast.” access documents that (Verde Terra) responded conditions],” the document l a damning story of osford City the Office - Lucy Wicks said. by supplying alfeasance by two landfill a information In terms of whether is the facing of Water with erators, the Gosford existing landfill has had parking any that crisis, Gosford Council had ouncil and the NSW “I do pledge to continue impact on groundwater, an uncertainty, granted a Section 96 Kariong was another with vironmental Protection August 2012 site onfusion inspection amendment council e electio election on nee needs s to o be b held held on n the Central Coast Coa before strong booth for Ms to work every single day to Above, final two-candidate preferred result for Robertson andto its original thority, in relation to Media conference, fight with every fibre of my by the Office of Water development consent and An Offi fice of Water photo from 2012 201 showing poor currently the e September Se Septem 2017 da date date e curre curr currren en ntly y put forward by the NSW Postal votes appear to per cent to the Liberals Charlton, where she grew eir responsibility to keep o n g e s t i o n Jul 6, 2016 being for a better future for management of ground and surface water at the landfill concluded: “Evidence an addendum to a Landfill with 2013, the Labor Party’s vote by 9 Governmen Government, acc rding to accordi o the he e state’s st state’s t s shadow minister for local have favoured Ms Wicks compared Lucy Wicks, member for according e Central Coast’s water urrounding the city’s the people of the Central uncovered likely to fail,” the document gathered onsite indicates Environmental Management Districts Association sociation on but the facts unco who attained 52 per cent of followed by a swing in her per cent.

Robertson government, overnment, ernment, ment, Mr Pe Peter Prim Primr Primrose rimrose. e.

Primrose. pply safe. majortable car parks. that the groundwater Plan.

Some of the strongest Coast.”

Caitlin Lavelle, Emma Mountain said. o discuss the support the Mo postal first preference votes. favour of 6.72 per cent at The documents show August 23 to “I would like to let people premier.”

Mr Hawes, Primrose Primjournalists se was Mr Primrose M Primro said Prim said d he h had back to the prem With the of the booths for The Greens were by fate Verde Terra was told The strongest individual Pretty Beach.

Association’s This work was subject to has been intercepted Districts Associa at officers from the NSW landfill. know their votes do count, requests ponding que quest made e for ffo formal ormal al requ re quests uests stss to o the Mr Primrose said the responding to Electoral questions free car they parks Australian seepages hadatop no consent under The result was less Copacabana and Avoca polling booths for Ms Wicks commission the Land and Environment excavation with 00 The EPA, A, although call for a full comm fice of Water, within the their votes do matter and Electoral Commissioner Government and about could out how residents d Electora Elec ectoral ctoral Commis Com Co missio ssion ss ion ner and NSW Govern Commission Tally Room bbleplex (formerly the Water Management Act were Terrigal, where she favourable at booths such and Gosford City. reed to an of inquiry by the NSW Court Consent of 2012 but, noted up to approximately epartment of Primary it has agreed Robertson, Jul 12, l2016 Baird, could ensure the h Central Coast the he premier, pr Mr M M Mi Mike ike Ba aird, Central Coast Council C arketplace) unclear, One of the best booths their votes will change the pit.

2000 to undertake proposed achieved a swing of 8.49 as West Gosford where immediate according to the document, half the height of the review of Government, the imm dustries (and its former independent Government Council administrator, ouncil admini d i unde under nder er the e Gove G Go ove verrnm ment also provide the community ommuters already fed works. and full fill a uivalents), have been the landfill’ss operations, closure of the landfi Information Public Access information about Mrr Ian Reynolds, could cou Informat Inform mation tion Publ ublic c A Acc cess with more inform p with Gosford’s parking site. o work with remediation of the site sing concerns about the continues to 2009 asking be e accountable to the Act ct 2 200 009 9 (GIPA) (GIPA (G PA) A)) ask king the cost of the council tuation are concerned eration of the landfill for the operator to apply new reasons why community for issues them munity hem to o show how reaso rea easso son ns w hy merger. bout the city’s lack of nditions which merged from the past such h as building a regional regiona region egiona gi the elections ele election fo for or m mer rged “We know fro least 10 years (2005 to licencing conditions edicated free parking. would allow the site to According to the Office of held until outcomes of performing arts centre councils rforming rming coun counc ncils can’t be e he hel ld u ntil the costs and o 15).

The potential loss documents, of the recommence taking waste.

Water Gosford previous mergers, so the and nd regional re library in September Septem Sept eptemb mber 2017.

201 17.. merge Documents from 2012 Despite concerns An artist’s impression of the mixed use development approved for 155 to 161 Mann St Gosford The EPA has informed to 2015 relate to future ee Kibbleplex parkingdidis not express Council Gosford, cleaning up ford leaning u sed by the Office of the Mountain ain Districts activities proposed a ot the end of Gosford’s the Mountain he Mangrove ngrove M Mo Moun concerns to the Office of at the ater, Gosford Council, Coast section 96 application is being considered

by Central Association that, during landfi landfi reclassifification andfi a ndfill, reclass re catio arking woes, with the landfill’s Water about fill if the EPA issue issues new “How “H “Ho How w could cou ould d you yyo ou possibly possibly expect one person consent authority, Council for the $17.6 million redevelopment of the and Dutton’s and d sale of community communi om August 1 licencing conditions. ommuters activities questioning being potentially e EPA as the licencing the week from to be administrator the same e ad admin minis nisstrrato or and still apply th Tavern site at 157 to 161 Mann St Gosford.

“Inspection of ethe river and land, progressing and, or progre progressin other ot Offi PA and Office fice thousands of locals about in breach of its development safety useability The most recent had been carried out without thority, continued to allow to 5, the EPA oversite llevel eve evel o of ove overs ersiite and consultation aas nine land consent major developments t in the of Water met landfi et the landfill fill document from the Offi the issues that matter to of being located The application will see a was acquired. until August 2012. f the Baker St car park, Of ce of Controlled Activity Approval and the waterfront e landfilladvantage to operate. councillors councillo cou counci co cillors llors rs and an and a mayor,” Mr Primrose Primros said.

Gosford CBD. CBD operator at the them,” she said. e site to again Water was dated September being granted by the Office along the northernndboundary close to public transport. reduction in the number of The latest application to Mountain The yearsof2011 and 2012 outright dismissal Septe The Districts “How How w could you possibly p poss y indicates significant “The Central Coast units, increased basement modify the development, discuss waterr licencing and 2015, represented following an of Water. e freeharm commuter parking a period of sociation Gosford has been Council expect pectt one person to be caused by sedimentation a minor was approved parking and the inclusion now called Bonython,questing approvals. heightened correspondence inspection of the landfill site a meeting withvariation pposite Gosford Train us…they administrator strator and still stil apply app y “Theyy won’t “Th “T won’t tel tell elll us ss…tthey department of Premier and of the land at 163 Mann received by Central Coast in the floor space ratio for and uncontrolled runoff.

The GIPA A documents by offi between the Office of Water, officers ficers which con confirmed e former Gosford Council, tation, which is nonapplication the of oversite he e same level o overs have refused ha have re sed ed my ap app plica pl ation Cabinet should be able to St, located between the Council on May 27 and is the development and made “The wall of the basin Gosford Council and the st failures to recent construction work the new Central Coast outlining past xistent after 6am. public and d consultation as nine ssta stating statin ting it iss not n no in the th he pu ublic give estimates of current development site and the currently working its dway allowances for car parking. appears likely to fail and landfill operator. ater licencing undertaken to reshape resha a ouncil, since January deal with water To make matters worse, why he said. Imperial Centre. councillors cillo ors and a mayor,” may r ” interes interest est to tell te me me w hy merger costs now,” no Two podium levels and will approvals through a consultation harm s are extensive sediment dam wall and In January 2014 the Office cause additional major 16. ith the controversial elections Primrose also Mr Primrose mrose said. sa d said we can’t can hav have e ele le ectiions Mr Primr include 15 residential units.

The former Gosford process. and detailed.

Continued Page 8 spillw of Water commented that to the river. construct a new spillway.

Central Coast TO building poised to going questions about Council “We have been n finding g earlie earlier so o I a am go oing oi i g to addressed ques three through to Council granted The the newFloors approved “Leechate seepage not the only development This article includes only “Recent works are not to proposals for groundwater ouncil has finally agreed administrative appeals that councils under at ou d the administrat administra adm nistrative ap a ppe p eals how long the community DA47056/2015 in December development a two-year egin water construction on the 12 will house another 54 surface in the city that has the key points in the he documents, an acceptable standard standar and monitoring at the site were entering meet with the Mountain said. should have to wait until for a 14-storey mixed use consent, so work will need administration ministration ration have been bee tribunal,” b Mr M Primrose P imrose se e sa aid. aterfront, residential units and there stormwater drains the political potential to tip the parking continuing had received development putting their business ttiing tth i busines b “Why Whyy can’t ca can the h cont he con nttinu uing Mr Reynolds h comprised to be underway before will be two penthouse romise of 600 jobs may issue over the edge. with papers out late, there t re has merge merger er happen ha hap appen en n wit wi itth the and analysed reports on of a tavern and shop top December 2017 to ensure apartments on the top floor.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford rove disastrous for Ms Scott said the elected such as housing. been less business oversite b n far f ovversite o oversi off an e elec cted controversial issues iss the approval for the project Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 ommuters when an army CBD and the immediate Website, Jul 27, 2016 mayor? the former Gosford discussed and coun scussed at meetings me council and ma may m ayor? or?

Gosfo Council’s Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford The development was does not lapse.

Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 f temporary workers and Central Coast Council surrounding areas of saints, Land Sale subsequently acquired from can’t m can’ “Be the they heyy sinners sinne sin ers of sai ints, proposed La The development Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net thee administrator e building’s permanent Find an application, administrators result Mr Bob Bourne by Mr John will include a tavern, possibly ossibly go to the dozens doz d s the he adminis admini administrato dministrators ors are a not Strategy that could c West Gosford, North Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosfordaff2250 Website: www.centralcoastnews.net DA47056/2015 descend on the city’s local off meetings ng and talk to representatives representati of the o the lo ocal in twenty five community Singleton and the adjoining provide new residential Gosford, East Gosford E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net ghly sought after parking reserves being reclassified property at 163 Mann St opportunities and has the community mmunity groups and community community,” he said. d and Point Frederick, Website: www.centralcoastnews.net paces. constituents onstituents that former for Mr Primrose ssaid aid as operational land la and sold are definitely facing a The ATO, which has administrator councillors would have although h ugh h the e admini niiistrrator off for development. developm parking shortfall, and that ready soured residents council gone ne e to. to was pa paid aid d outt of cou c uncil “If it was a full f council, I residential developments was but you “That where “Th That is w here things (ratepayer) ratepayer) epayer) funds, fundss he fund h w as would say a month, mo ho believed the former approved, despite not have got one ind individual, and thatt the was accountable th community ommunity unity i w wa t bl b to o M Mr Baird, Ba osford School site providing adequate parking it is very diffi concerned about would not the community. difficu ficult to expect as better suited to a allocation, were to blame. have been flagged and “They are obliged oblig to one person to do the job erforming Arts Precinct, “Parking issues are more where elected councillors provide voluminous volumin reports while they are also al engaging as revealed to have a than just availability of would have been able to back to the premier; initially in staff reviews and writing hortfall of onsite parking commuter parking. test out opinions about it was weekly, but they’ve reports for the premier,” he r future employees. things and know what to now scaled that back to said.

“Many of the residential In June, the Joint raise,” he said. fortnightly, but it is not about “The proper solution is developments that have egional Planning Panel “Those are the sorts financial details, it is only to let the local community been approved in the CBD und that the ATO’s council,” of things that make local the good news stories, so elect its own local lo and immediate surrounds eveloper, Doma, would government local and the state government can he said. are for two or three whether or not you support create positive headlines eed to add 13 extra bedroom units, but the Interview, Jul 20, 2016 the amalgamations, why on about its mergers,” he said. arking spaces for the parking allocation has only Peter Primrose, NSW “There cannot be proper earth are the administrators ublic in Baker St. shadow minister for local been one per unit, not one continuing until September scrutiny when all the Despite the JRPP’s government spot per bedroom. gatekeepers are reporting 2017?”

The existing Tavern Jackie Pearson, journalist ndings, it is unclear “So if a three-bedroom hether this will be enough unit becomes share accommodate the housing, one resident will ramatic increase in activity Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford have a car park within the nd traffic to and around Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 development but where e site, and according to Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 will the other two residents rmer Gosford Councillor, E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net park? s Vicki Scott, the ATO is Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

b held befo be b before efor ef fore re S September eptem 20177 - Pr Primrose P rim imrose

larger population putting more stress on its limited resources and front line health professionals “Despite this the State Government is refusing to fund their 2015 election commitment for a $200 million upgrade to Wyong Hospital “Wyong hospital is being expected to do more with less “I commend the hard working staff who have to deal with this but our region is simply growing too fast for the hospital to cope ” Mr Harris said “Sadly patients wait at every stage in NSW “They wait for an ambulance; they wait

outside the emergency department and they wait inside the emergency department “They wait for a bed and now the State Government expects them to wait for an upgrade that they promised at the last election “This should be above politics “When both parties make an election commitment the community expects to see it delivered ” Mr Harris concluded Med a re ease Sep 7 2016 Dav d Harr s Member or Wyong

Grocery Grab for Cord Blood Foundation he Charmhaven Lions Club will be holding a Grocery Grab at Coles Lake Haven to raise funds for the Lions Cord Blood Foundation Incorporated.

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The foundation supplies the Fight Cancer Foundation with funding for the storage of cord blood units which are collected from the umbilical cord of the newborn When processed the stem cells from the cord blood assist children to battle Leukaemia The Lions Australian

Grocery Grab tickets are one dollar each or three for five dollars and will be on sale at Coles Lake Haven supermarket from September 12 with the competition to be drawn on October 7 The winner will ‘grab’ as many groceries as possible in three minutes The Grocery Grab will take place at a suitable

time to be arranged with the supermarket management The Lions Club of Chamhaven will be able to donate 50 percent of total profit back into the community Med a re ease Sep 7 2016 D anne Lou s Charmhaven L ons C ub

E FRE

Ph: 4325 7369

o c u m e n t s obtained by the Mountain stricts Association om the NSW Office Water, show the ndfill at Mangrove ountain has flouted Issue 138 gal requirements ecessary to protect atural water sources, since at ast 2005.

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Media release, Jun 21, 2016 office fice of Mitchell Cutting, offi Scot Macdonald Media release, Jun 21, 2016 Kerryanne Delaney, Electorate Officer ficer Offi Media release, Jun 22, 2016 David Harris, shadow minister for the Central Coast

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Documents obtained under Freedom of Information reveal damningg evidence of neglect

Wicks wins Robertson by 2093 votes

Robertson Spend-O-Meter Meter

“This is a loss of crown land by stealth to private ownership” nailed it”.

According to Mr Abrahams, the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation then chose to set aside the documents that articulated that vision and focused on selling the land of the former Gosford Public School on behalf of the state government.

He said Gosford Council’s executive had also set aside the documents that articulated the community’s shared vision for the waterfront.

Mr Jack Lloyd of Umina said his concerns were

all?” she asked.

She said Gosford Waterfront Alliance Inc. called for “an entire analysis to retain delivery of an active mixed use precinct, to promote the waterfront and Gosford as a destination that would include a regional performing arts centre, regional park and public wharf facilities.”

A barrister, Mr Matthew Fraser, who principally practiced in the NSW Land and Environment Court, spoke against the DA on the basis June 30,that 2016it underdeveloped the site.

“What struck me, when I read the assessment report, was that there was 24 metres of undeveloped air space,” Mr Fraser said. $100,000,000 He said that air space could be used for additional development or to make up $90,000,000 the car parking shortfall.

According to Mr Fraser, one of the objectives of the $80,000,000 current B4 mixed use zoning for the site was to enliven the Gosford waterfront.

“I$70,000,000 suggest to the panel that that objective is not met by this development, throwing away$60,000,000 air space when this site has uninterrupted views of waterfront.

“I suggest it would be $50,000,000 of great difficulty for you to conclude this development was in line with the $40,000,000 objectives of the zone.”

Mr Fraser said extending Baker St for overflow parking was not in the $30,000,000 public’s interest.

“It does not behove a public department, in $20,000,000 endorsing a proposal by a private developer, to endorse non-compliance, when you $10,000,000 could have compliance so easily by better design of the development,” he said.

Your independent local newspaper

Med a re ease Sep 9 2016 Lyne e Campbe Aus ra an Coa A ance

E FRE

FRE

Ph: 4325 7369

Development approval of Australian Taxation Office building deferred

control coal dust from pit to port Their comprehensive report recommended covering wagons along with profiling and other measures to reduce coal spillage during loading and transit The 2013 Senate Inquiry into health impacts of health of air quality recommended that “state and territory governments require the coal industry to implement covers on all coal wagon fleets” throughout Australia to protect community health An evaluation undertaken in 2008 for Queensland Rails by Mr Connell Hatch concluded that covering wagons would result in a “99% reduction in coal dust emissions from the top of wagons the major emission source ”

the last five years from 210 000 tonnes in 200809 to 435 000 tonnes in 2013-14 Most of the 50 open-cut coal mines that dominate these emissions are located in the coalfields of Central Queensland and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales More than four million uncovered coal wagons pass through Newcastle each year These trains expose communities to harmful emissions of coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2 5) particles According to BNSF - the peak body for coal transportation companies in the United States up to three per cent of coal is lost in transit This has further been confirmed in Australian studies In 2011 the New South Wales Government c o m m i s s i o n e d environmental consultants Katestone to develop a best practice guide of measures to

Statewide 26 1 per cent of patients waited longer than four hours in NSW emergency departments The health data shows that both Wyong and Gosford hospitals had an above average amount of patients waiting more than four hours to be treated in emergency departments With the Northern areas of the Central Coast growing rapidly in population and many new families coming to the area Mr Harris said this data was of particular concern “Wyong Hospital is continuing to serve a

The commuter car park opposite Gosford Train Station

“They will be looking for spots on the street,” Ms Scott said.

Ms Scott also said that the problem is already evident in areas like Point Frederick and East Gosford, where flat buildings have come online and street parking is still an issue.

“Although the former Gosford Council discussed and intended to come up with a CBD parking strategy, I have checked and there isn’t one.

“There is nothing in place.

“What will happen when all the big developments come online and what will happen to parking if they all start at the same time?

“Where will the parking be?” Ms Scott questioned.

According to Ms Scott, during discussions with the former Gosford Council, she brought up issues of traffic and parking management multiple times, including: “The acceptance of a number of large developments in the CBD without having adequate

parking for residents of those developments and others; cramped parking around developments in Point Frederick (Lynn Ave) and other sites in North and West Gosford; the lack of common sense in agreeing to allow developments of two and three bedroom apartment buildings to be constructed with only one car space per unit at best (Ms Scott said there was an expectation that people will walk or take the bus to the station); the narrow streets in some of these areas and the existing parking problem; and, consideration for the huge impact when the new developments are completed.

“I had suggested we should do a traffic management study for the area with these concerns in mind, but there appeared to be minimal interest in my concerns,” Ms Scott added.

On the concerns surrounding Baker St car park, Ms Scott said the former council had

endeavoured to add more floors onto the car park ere issues but said there were with the building being able floors to support extra fl oors and sure as to that she was unsure whether or not any further ng Baker action surrounding urred after St car park occurred nked. the initial idea tanked.

However, Ms Scott said nderstand she could understand erns over commuter concerns ing Baker the safety of using cially after St car park, especially hours.

Ms Scott also said that aside from the future of Kibbleplex, no other ok place discussion took former amongst the Gosford Council in regards to parking in the CBD e her own and that despite questions about the future of parking in Gosford City, there has been no satisfactory response.

The issue is further complicated by the interrelation of parking as a social issue and a State Government responsibility.

“There is an element of responsibility for the State

cramped between mountain and the water.

“There is no appar way to solve the proble and increased park demand is just exacerbat it.

“The fact that the for the ATO was allow without suffi ficient park is also going to exacerb the problem,” Ms Sc continued.

“I don’t know w the council can do ab this, but it certainly see that the Federal and St Governments are failing their responsibilities in t matter.

“I think, if the commu car parking at Kibbleplex stopped without a solut from the State and council, and the ATO a other developments actually built, car park in the CBD, includ commuter car parking, be a disastrous probl that will take far too lo to solve, if ever,” Ms Sc concluded.

with extensive connections on the Central Coast.”

After the $4,000 was deposited into the Mickey Tech account, it was allegedly withdrawn in cash by Mr Carter and given to Mr Hartcher, according to the ICAC report.

“These steps are inconsistent with an intention on the part of Mr Hartcher to apply the $4,000 for the benefit of the NSW Liberal Party,” the ICAC report alleged.

“Mr Hartcher gave evidence under a section 38 declaration and therefore his evidence is not admissible against him in criminal proceedings other than proceedings for an offence under the ICAC Act.” The ICAC report argued, however, that other evidence would be admissible, including the evidence of Mr Carter, Mr Sriwattanaporn, Sebastian Reid, Marie Neader, Annette Poole, associated bank records, and internal documents of Hartcher Reid.

In addition to the larceny allegation, the key factual findings in the ICAC report included the use of the business of Mr Timothy Koelma, who commenced work as an electorate officer for Mr Hartcher in 2009, called Eightbyfive, to receive and channel political donations for the benefit of the 2011 campaigns of the NSW Liberal Party, Mr Hartcher, and other Central Coast Liberal candidates.

The use of Eightbyfive, according to ICAC, was with the intent of evading the election funding laws.

“Mr Timothy Koelma directly benefited from

Mr Christopher Hartcher

the donations through Eightbyfive, as he was able to draw from those funds to give himself a salary, thereby, enabling him to work for Mr Hartcher

Eightbyfive and took an active part in using it to channel donations for the 2011 campaign from Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd ($183,342.50

The use of Eightbyfive, according to ICAC, was with the intent of evading the election funding laws. on the 2011 NSW state election campaign.

“Mr Koelma subsequently obtained full-time employment in Mr Hartcher’s ministerial office after the 2011 election.”

According to the ICAC report, Mr Hartcher was involved in the establishment of

between April 2009 and May 2011), Gazcorp Pty Ltd ($121,000 between May 2010 and April 2011) and Patinack Farm Pty Ltd ($66,000 between July 2010 and March 2011) Continued Page 10

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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Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P11 W 1

Runners receive grant for a defibrillator

New survey reveals loneliness of Alzheimer’s sufferers

entral Coast Cross Country (CCXC) has received a grant from the Wallarah 2 Community Foundation which has funded the purchase of a defibrillator kit to support the club during its busy running season.

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Central Coast Cross Country is a not for profit group operated by a committee who volunteer their time to cross country running events at various Central Coast venues, every Saturday, during the winter season.

With more than 500 members, aged from 3 to 86 years, the new defibrillator kit will form part of the group’s safety equipment.

President of CCXC, Ms Kay Bell, said “Our growing group promotes health and fitness to locals by organising fun, family oriented cross country events during April through to September.

“Aside from the 2km, 4km and 6km runs held each week, we hold a 12km run four times in the season and also have a walking group,” Ms Bell said.

With stories of

more and more people surviving heart attacks due to defibrillators, the group decided that it would be vital to purchase one as part of its duty of care to its members and the local community.

“With 500 local members, averaging approximately 200 runners a week, our Committee really wanted to purchase a defibrillator as a precautionary measure.

“You may never need it, but it’s just one of those pieces of equipment that you would prefer to have available if a situation arises,” she added.

The cross country group select a different Central Coast location each week that offers varied terrain, with recent running events held at Kincumba Mountain, The Entrance North, Buff Point, Rumbalara,

Pioneer Dairy Wetlands and Bushells Ridge.

General Manager of the Wallarah 2 Coal Project, Mr Peter Allonby, said that the foundation is proud to forge a new relationship with Central Coast Cross Country and fund such an important piece of safety equipment.

“It’s important to us that the community members that enjoy these cross country events remain safe when running or spectating and as the group run at a different location each week, it may even be that they are able to assist others in the community who are in need of this lifesaving equipment,” Mr Allonby said.

Media release, Jul 11, 2016 Katey Small, BrilliantLogic PR

Fashion show in aid of hospice he Lioness Club of Gwandalan will host a fashion show at the Gwandalan Community Hall on October 1.

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The show will feature fashions from On the

Lane Boutique, located in Toukley.

Fashions showcased will be stylish and affordable women’s clothing.

Tickets include wine and nibbles.

All proceeds from the

event will go to Elsie’s Dream Palliative Care Hospice.

A raffle will also be drawn on the day with many prizes to be won.

Media release, Sep 5, 2016 Helen Morrison, Lioness Club of Gwandalan

I

n the Wyong and The Entrance state electorates, there is estimated to be 3,000 people living with dementia.

This is expected to increase to an estimated 3,350 people by 2020 and 7,050 by 2050.

People with dementia are almost twice as likely to have high rates of loneliness compared to the general public, a new survey conducted

by Alzheimer’s Australia has found, and people with dementia and carers are significantly lonelier than the general public.

The research, released at the start of September, which is Dementia Awareness Month, has sparked calls for greater awareness and understanding of dementia by the general public so people living with the condition feel less isolated and alone.

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW CEO, The Hon. Mr John Watkins AM, said the results of the survey highlighted the distress that impacts people living with dementia and their families and carers.

“This research backs up what we are told repeatedly by our clients, which is that when they received a diagnosis of dementia, friendships and some family relationships suddenly fell away,” Mr Watkins.

“We believe a large part of that is because of the general lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, people simply don’t know how

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

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to interact with their friend or loved one with dementia.

“Treating people with the same respect, kindness, inclusiveness and thoughtfulness, as you always have, is what makes a difference to them.

“They are still the same person, your parent, sibling, partner, relative, friend as they were before the diagnosis.

“They just may need a little bit more time, understanding and support,” Mr Watkins said.

More than 1,500 people took part in the survey, including people with dementia, carers and members of the general public.

The survey also found that people with dementia report significantly fewer relationships than carers, who in turn have significantly fewer relationships than the general public.

This was mainly due to friendships falling away, often leading to the experience of being socially isolated.

As well, people with dementia are more than

twice as likely not to see any friends when compared with carers and the general public, were more than three times as likely not to have a confidant, and were almost three times as likely not to have a friend to call on for help, when compared with the general public.

“We, as a community, need to improve our understanding of dementia and start to treat people with the condition with the respect and dignity they deserve,” Mr Watkins added.

This year’s Dementia Awareness Month theme is “You Are Not Alone,” and people with dementia and carers are being encouraged to reach out for support by calling Alzheimer’s Australia on the National Dementia Helpline.

Members of the general public are also being urged to find out more about dementia and increase their awareness and understanding of the condition.

Media release, Aug 31, 2016 Sarah Price, Alzheimers Australia

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Education

P14 P1 14 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Students learn what council used to be like pre merger ocal high school students got a taste of Local Government representation on August 30 when Central Coast Council hosted its annual Future Council.

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Future Council is a forum for students to role play a mock Council meeting in the Council Chambers.

Students play the parts of Councillors or community stakeholders and debate local issues, voting on these issues from a community perspective, and looking at their importance and relevance to the community.

Council’s Team Leader of Community Education, Planning and Learning, Ms Danielle Hargreaves, said Future Council is a great opportunity for students to develop an understanding of how Local Government works and a taste of the skills and knowledge required to make decisions that affect those in their local community.

“This forum gives the students an opportunity to explore environmental, social and economic issues in a format that is

engaging and colourful,” Ms Hargreaves said.

“We want more young people to participate in civic life and their community and this program provides a forum where they can express views on issues they are passionate about, build self-confidence and encourage community connectedness.

“Future Council gives students an understanding of civics and citizenships specific to their local community and displays how local Government fits into a democratic process.

“Students participating in the 2016 session discussed community gardens, light rail between Gosford and The Entrance, plastic bag ban, shark culling introduction, coastal erosion, rezoning of endangered ecological communities, illegal dumping of mulch, changes to residential

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waste services and the development application for Coast Chill Music Festival.

“We are proud to host this program for our local students and look forward to seeing some of these students as leaders in our Council in the future,” Ms Hargreaves added.

Local schools who participated in Future Council were Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, Wyong High School, Wyong Christian Community School, Lakes Grammar Anglican School, Saint Brigid’s Catholic College and Lake Munmorah High School.

Media release, Aug 31, 2016 Central Coast Council Media

Schools not keeping up with population growth he State Opposition revealed that nearly a third of Central Coast Schools are either at, or well above, capacity.

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Among the most crowded schools on the Coast was Toukley Public School.

According to Mr Harris, Mr Mehan and Ms Smith, documents obtained by the NSW Opposition under freedom of information have also shown that 66.19 per cent or about two thirds of public schools on the Central Coast are above 90 per cent capacity.

Across the Central Coast there are 16 schools sitting on 100 per cent or more and 21 schools were bordering their capacity point at 90 per cent capacity or above.

The trio said that despite numerous promises in the budget and through media releases, the Government is continuing to fail on its commitments to fund education for the rapidly growing region.

The trio is calling on Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, to join them in pushing the NSW Liberal Government to fix the situation in light of documents showing seven of the 15 schools in his electorate are at or above full capacity.

“This is really damning for the government”, Mr Mehan said.

“Parents send their

kids to school expecting a standard to be met and in some of these schools that’s very hard to do due to overcrowding.

“It’s time for this government to step up and properly fund our kids’ education.

“We have a situation where our students are being jammed into schools that are falling apart due to the maintenance back log.

“It’s just not good enough,” Mr Mehan added.

Media Release, Aug 30, 2016 Zachary Harrison, Office of David Harris MP

Water Operations Engineer participates in ‘Seven Year Storm’ challenge “By having this entral Coast Council was represented recently at a globe innovation program for young professionals, ‘Smart Seeds’, information at your designed to generate fresh ideas for solving complex community fingertips, people can make informed decisions. challenges.

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Council’s Water Operations Engineer, Ms Sogol Ghobad, was accepted into the 2016 program covering the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the Hunter Region.

Participating in the ‘Seven Year Storm’ challenge, Ms Ghobad worked with a multidisciplinary team over 10 weeks to develop ideas for building community resilience.

The team presented their concept to industry leaders at a showcase event.

“Our region has experienced two, one in one hundred year storms, in the space of a decade,’ Ms Ghobad said.

“We have learnt a lot from these experiences however, there are areas we could improve in terms of minimising

impacts and recovering quickly.

“We came up with the idea of an app called ‘Umbrella’ that would give the user access to accurate real-time information regarding the impact of major storm events on their community networks.

“This could be particularly important for people who have a duty of care for others such as managers, principals, families, sport coaches

and other carers.

‘Users would enter the details of their networks, such as school communities, sporting clubs, family, colleagues and friends.

“The app would use this information, along with details from various emergency services to create a detailed breakdown of how these people are affected by the storm, such as road closures, power outages and flood alerts.

“The program gave me a great opportunity to work in a team across a number of disciplines and encourages us to think outside of the box in finding a solution to a complex challenge.

“I would really love to see our concept turned into a reality and one day have everyone adding Umbrella to their smart phone.”

Newsletter, Sept 9, 2016 Central Coast Council media

The Fletcher Gallery ART CLASSES + WORKSHOPS AT SPRINGFIELD PRIVATE TUITION FOR DETAILS CONTACT ZOE FLETCHER www.zoefletcher.com 4324 2801 or 0497 766 522 zoefletcher_1@hotmail.com

Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P15 W 5

Education

Training Trades Centre officially opened

Tenants are moving in to the new Central Coast Group Training Trades Centre

Apprentice Josh Wickham with Mr Greg Best from Central Coast Group Training and Senator Arthur Sinodinos

enator for NSW, Arthur Sinodinos, joined the local community for the official opening of the new Central Coast Group Training Trades Centre in North Wyong on Wednesday, September 8.

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The new centre received seed funding of $2 million from the Federal Government.

It will provide local trades-based businesses with a fit-for-purpose space to operate out of and showcase their trades to school-based apprentices and trainees. “The Coalition Government is pleased to partner with Central Coast Group Training, which has a wealth of community experience and has supported thousands of people to start or refresh their careers through the Career

Guidance Program,� Sen Sinodinos said.

Federal Minister for Regional Development, Ms Fiona Nash, said the Centre would provide improved training and employment opportunities to students and jobseekers. “This facility provides young people and schools in the Central Coast region the chance to interact with businesses and discuss their chosen and future career paths,�

Ms Nash said. “The new technologies can help young people make up their minds about their career, or encourage more people to kick-start a new trade or change their industries,� she said.

The $2.5 million Stage Two was jointly funded with the Coalition Government investing $2 million, in addition to the $700,000 for Stage One, and Central Coast Group Training providing

$500,000.

Central Coast Group Training CEO, Mr Greg Best, said the building was currently being fitted out, but about 50 per cent of the available space had already been leased to specialist, trades-based businesses. “This is a pilot project and, as far as we know, it is one of the only interactive, regional trades centres of its kind in the country,� Mr Best said. “It was backed by the Federal Government on the basis of the Central Coast’s Youth Employment Strategy,� he said. “It will be a fullyoperational working business site with local businesses employing apprentices and trainees who may have been students at local high schools a few years ago. “The businesses, their apprentices and trainees will showcase what they

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The new Central Coast Group Training Trades Centre at North Wyong has officially opened

do, and students will be able to get a good look at the trades they think they are interested in. “The apprentices and trainees at work will be able to provide peer mentoring.�

Mr Best said, if successful, the pilot could end up providing the solution to Australia’s poor trades completion rate, where only 50 per cent of apprentices end up completing their qualifications. “We believe one of the key reasons for the 50 per cent completion rate, is that young people cannot get right across the trade they think they are interested in. “They have not had a tactile experience in a real work environment.�

The number of businesses that will be accommodated in the trades centre will depend on their footprint and how the available space is taken up by tenants, but Mr Best said there is room for “up to 10� operational trades businesses.

Businesses who take up space in the site must be employing apprentices and trainees and must be prepared to participate in schools-based careers

programs as well as participate in an annual, on-site careers expo.

In exchange, tenants pay rent that is “significantly discounted off the commercial rate,�

Mr Best said. “The $2 million funding is a one-off from the Department of Infrastructure and Development, but the initiative has a business model which does not require us to be running back for a second bite of the tax payer’s cherry. “Central Coast Group Training purchased the land two years ago and put $500,000 on the table to complement the

Federal funding.�

Mr Best’s vision for the trades centre, once it is fully operational, would be to host career events during the days, evenings and on weekends, so local students can get a hands-on taste of a real work environment in their chosen trade. “Up to 20 young people will be getting their employment start in the facility each year,� he said.

Media release, Sep 7, 2016 Nat Openshaw, office of Arthur Sinodinos Interview, Sep 8, 2016 Greg Best, Central Coast Group Training Jackie Pearson, journalist

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Out&About

P16 P1 16 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Volunteers’ Community event celebrates national Threatened Species Day environmental work celebrated entral Coast Council is encouraging residents to help enhance the natural environment by getting involved in a number of free events as part of National Landcare Week.

C A previous community day at the dairy

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entral Coast Wetlands Pioneer Dairy will be celebrating national by the community.

Threatened Species Threatened Species Day with a Community Day onsite at 1897 Day is an annual event South Tacoma Rd, Tuggerah, on September 25.

The Community Day will have plenty of activities for visitors including a native animal display from Australia Walkabout Park, boomerang throwing demonstrations, SES

display, a jumping castle, face painting, combat archery games and market stalls to browse.

The Cottage Tea Room will be opened for snacks and refreshments as well as a sausage sizzle stall.

Central Coast Wetlands Pioneer Dairy is a Crown Land Reserve and is managed by the Tuggerah Lake Reserve Trust along with a group of dedicated volunteers.

It is a non-profit, volunteer organisation committed to the restoration and conservation of the natural wetland setting and its buildings for use

to reflect on how we can protect our threatened species in the future, celebrate the success stories and ongoing threatened species recovery work.

Media release, Sep 6, 2016 Marlene Pennings, Central Coast Wetlands Pioneer Dairy

Council’s Landcare Coordinator, Ms Rebecca Dugan, said the events will showcase the great work the Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare, Dunecare, Tidy Towns and Friends of Cemeteries volunteers are doing in the community and celebrate their achievements.

“Last financial year, volunteers from our groups contributed more than 28,000 hours on the ground to help enhance our local environment across the Coast,” Ms Dugan said.

“Our groups do an amazing job and a few of them were recently recognised at the Keep NSW Beautiful Blue Star Sustainability Awards.

“We are a project partner of the Floating Landcare initiative which won the Community Environment Achievement award and also saw Mannering Park Tidy Towns receive a Highly Commended in the same category.

“We were also a finalist in the Going Green Environmental Education category with Ourimbah Public School’s Rainforest Access Project,” she

added.

Council will be hosting a Floating Landcare event on September 14 and October 22, and residents are encouraged to come along and see the Coast’s waterways from a different angle.

“It’s a great way to see Tuggerah Lake and the Hawkesbury from a different perspective and visit some beautiful locations only accessible by boat or kayak, and of course help make a difference by restoring the local environment in those hard to get to places,” Ms Dugan said.

“If water isn’t your thing, but you’d still like to be involved, you can book into one of our Bushcare Major Day Out events at Tumbi Creek, Wyoming and Mataram Ridge,” she added.

Events happening in the Wyong area include, Bushcare’s Major Day Out at Mataram Ridge Park, Woongarah, on September 17, and Floating Landcare at Wyong River on September 14.

Media release, Sep 6, 2016 Central Coast Council Media

Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P17 7

Out&About

Art exhibition at Open door café asylum Summerland Point seeker discussion

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entral Coast for Social Justice will be holding an open door café event at the Bateau Bay Anglican Church on September 18.

The church is located at 2 Tyrell Cl, Killarney Vale.

The guest speaker will be Mr Matt Anslow, from Love Makes a Way, and guest music artist, Ms

Jody White.

The event will discuss the social issue of Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.

The discussion will be complemented with café

style food and drinks.

Gold coin donations would be appreciated.

Email, Sep 9, 2016 Central Coast for Social Justice

Monster Art and Craft Fair at Toukley

Summerland Point artists with their works

ocal artists will be holding their 15th annual art exhibition at the Summerland Point Community Hall from Saturday, October 1.

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The exhibition will to be involved in the Maureen Kirby, Linda oukley and District Art Society will hold a Monster Art and Craft Simonis, Robert Peace, run over three days, October long weekend.

Fair on November 5.

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The event will be held in the park outside the gallery.

Planned attractions include a sausage sizzle, face painting and children’s craft, as well

as arts and crafts by local artists.

The Society is also holding its first Art Competition for Creative Kids.

Entry is free and

winners will be announced at the Monster Art and Craft Fair.

Email, Sep 7, 2016 Toukley and District Art Society

concluding on Monday, October 3.

This exhibition allows local artists to bring art into this small community and to provide an interesting event for both visitors and locals alike

Entry will be via a gold coin donation and all proceeds will be going to the local Tidy Towns committee.

The artwork will be provided by local artists Elizabeth Robson,

Judy Tapscott and Helen Morrison.

Attendees will have a chance to meet the artists on selected days.

Media Release, Sep 5, 2016, Alex Morrison, Summerland Point

FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

RESIDENT BAND

BLUESANGELS

This month’s special guest artist

Jack Derwin OCT 1st - 7pm till 11pm The Greens The Entrance - Warrigal St, The Entrance NSW 2261 - 02 4332 5955 WEB - www.thegreenstheentrance.com.au FB - www.facebook.com/thegreenstheentrance

Not for Profit Organisations Arts & Culture Central Coast Potters Society Classes, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and social events. Annual exhibitions in May and December.

Open Day in Sept 4324 5343 info@ccpotters.org

Wyong Drama Group A friendly group, presenting 3 major productions a year.

Monthly meetings 1st Tues. 7.30pm Grove Community Centre 1300 665 600 wyongdramagroup@gmail.com y g g p@g

Animal Care Central Coast Cat Care $20 Desexing Special Cats only No Pedigrees 4388 6448 4325 3163

Community Groups ARPRA ARPRA is the peak body representing residents living in Residential Land Lease Communities in NSW. We are a non-profit org providing advice and advocacy and training 4358 8246 arpranorthlakes@outlook.com.au

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

Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre Financial Counselling, Tool Library, Computer Hub and Computer Lessons, Private Art Therapy Sessions, Homework Help, Self Esteem Group, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group, EAPA-Energy Accounts Payment Assistance, Early Links Outreach Worker, Tax Help, Holiday activities for kids and young people, Community Garden, Events, Referral Services, Op Shop and Food Store.

Community BBQ on first Thurs 4332 7450 http://bbnc.org.au

Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre 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 Non-profit org in Wyong providing free legal advice.

Intake times for legal advice Tue & Wed10am12pm, Thur 2-4pm 4353 4988 admin_cclc@clc.net.au

Central Coast 50+ Singles Social Group Invites Ladies & Gents for dinner, dancing - BBQs & Socialising each w/e.

Monthly programme for all areas of the coast 4396 3640 0437 699 366 50pssg@gmail.com

Central Coast Social Group Social contact, entertainment events, new friendships, for 30’s-60’s Live music, house parties, dinners, BBQs, picnics, trips away etc.

Monthly Meet & Chat 0422 243 101 email cco30s@live.com.au

Gambling Solutions Gambling help counsellors providing free confidential professional service to gamblers, family and friends Woy Woy, Kincumber, Gosford and The Entrance 4344 7992

Lake Munmorah Senior Citizens Club Computer Classes, dancing, exercise, pilates, yoga, craft, carpet bowls and Tai Chi. 4358 8390

The NSW Justices Association Inc Seeking volunteers for 6 community JP Desks in Wyong Shire Free Insurance and training provided 0418 493 388 benefits@nswja.org.au

Volunteering Central Coast Refer potential volunteers to community organisations and provide support to volunteers and community organisations.

Training for volunteers and managers of volunteers Information Sessions held regularly across the Coast 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

Wrap with Love Knitting blankets for cold humanity.

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 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 4328 8297 j pp @ joppa@theorchards.com.au

Long Jetty Senior Citizens Club Computer classes, line dancing, tai chi and zumba gold - M-F, 9am to 3pm for full list of activities 4332 5522 Long Jetty Over 50s Club Indoor bowls, computers, exercises, yoga, linedancing, tai chi and more 9am to 3pm 4332 5522 Mingaletta Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Corporation Meeting place and referral hub for education, health, well-being and cultural programs through consultative services and community programs Mon-Fri 9am 4pm 4342 7515 admin@mingaletta.com.au

Garden Clubs Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Club 3rd Sat 1 to 3.30pm Plants for Sale, Raffles, afternoon tea Charmhaven Community Centre 0401 544 052 4399 2420

Health Groups Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Hearing loss management Support and educational group providing practical experience and confidence Learn the benefits to hearing aids 4321 0275 www.centralcoast.betterhearing australia.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Gosford)

P18 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

Meet last Fri Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600 www.pcfa.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Wyong) Meet last Mon Toukley RSL Club, Holmes Ave Toukley 10.00am to 12 noon 4356 9300 www.pcfa.org.au

GROW Support Groups Small friendly groups formed to learn how to overcome anxiety, depression and loneliness and to improve mental health and well-being.

Anonymous, free and open to all. Weekly meetings at Bateau Bay and Wyong 1800 558 268 www.grow.org.au

NSW Labor Party The Entrance Day Branch Monthly meetings to discuss and debate policy as well as campaign for local labor candidates and Members of Parliament.

2nd Mon 2pm The Entrance Leagues Club 4332 2907 Politics in the Pub Central Coast Discussion of important political, social, economic, educational and philosophy issues in a non partisan manner. The Grange Hotel 4th Thur (ex Dec) Warnervale Branch - NSW Labor Party To support and promote NSW Labor within the Warnervale area.

1st Tue 7pm Hamlyn Terrace Community Centre 0419 128 497 warnervale.labor@gmail.com @g

Probus Clubs ParaQuad Specialist healthcare products delivered to your door. Wound care and respiratory and nutrition requirements Professional Clinic Support available 1300 886 601 www.brightsky.com.au g y

Music 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 Play brass instruments, meet every Tues & Thurs.

Play at community events Park Road The Entrance (north end) 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 0410 309 494 kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

Central Coast Greens The Central Coast Greens For a fairer, more transparent and accountable government based on democratic principles Local, state-wide, national and international issues and campaigns - Council and parliamentary representation Developing a new economy Protecting our environment Peaceful conflict resolution Community participation We meet monthly every 3rd Thu - Details and info: centralcoast.nsw.greens.org.au centralcoastgreens@gmail.com

Bateau Bay Ladies Probus Club Warm welcome, friendship and interesting speakers.

4th Mon, RSL Hall, Killarney Vale 4332 6625 Toowoon Bay Probus Club Morning tea, guest speakers talking on topics relevant to Seniors, as well as regular exciting social events. 4th Thur 10am.

Anglican Church Hall, Cnr Brooke Ave & Eastern Rd., Bateau Bay 4334 3979

Torchbearers for Legacy Toukley Raising funds for Brisbane Waters Legacy. Harry Moore Golf Day, Garage markets and street stalls.

2nd Mon 9.30am Norah Head Legacy 0414 701 489 hartas@bigpond.net.au

Northern Settlement Services - Volunteers

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, interrupted meals, early starts, breathtaking Tuggerah Lakes views.

Rewards: - Saving distressed boaters or maybe saving a life 0488 442 051 uc.tuggerahlakes@ marinerescuensw.com.au

Service Groups Inner Wheel Club Wyong Women’s club with the common interest of giving back to the community while developing lasting friendships.

7.00 pm 3rd Wed Wyong Uniting Church 4393 2755

rotarytheentrance@gmail.com

Bridge Club Social bridge Tues, 9.45am-1pm The Greens The Entrance (with or without a partner) Len 4332 6989 David 4392 0606 Tuggerah Lakes U3A Long Jetty - Discussions, play reading, cryptic crosswords, talks, readers group, Mahjong Toukley - Creative writing, French conversation Berkeley Vale - Music Appreciation Chittaway Bay - Movies 4390 2451 www.tugglakesu3a.info

Brisbane Water Caravan Club

Mingara Indoor Bowls Club Daily competition (singles, pairs & triples) Winner’s Prize Strongly social. Sun 9.30am- Noon.

Mon 6.30–9pm.

Wed 9.30am-2pm Ray 4389 2567 Mingara Club 4349 7799

Looking for new members www.bwcaravanclub.wix.com/bwcc

4344 4363 Biz Plus Networking Association Grow your business and in the process build worthwhile relationships.

Biz Networking breakfasts Every Thur 7:15- 9am Erina Leagues Club Geoff Neilson

Central Coast Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service Free telephone advice and advocacy for all tenants as well as residents in residential parks 4353 5515 cctaas@hotmail.com

National Parks Association Central Coast Twice weekly bush walks, varying distances and grades of difficulty.

Explore, enjoy scenery, fauna, flora, history. Keep fit and make friends 4389 4423 & 4332 7378

iiw.au.wyong@gmail.com

The Rotary Club of the Entrance Inc. A small, friendly and effective club supporting many local organisations, and international Rotary Activities.

Meetings 6.30 pm Tues Mingara Recreation Club 4367 6540

www.ccsoaring.com.au

Special Interest

network@bizplus.com.au

Tuggerah Combined Probus Club Inc Meet new friends and enjoy social events.

2nd Thur., 10:30am, guest speakers.

Social outings 3rd Thur.

Woodbury Park Community Hall, Mardi 4351 0450

Central Coast Soaring Club Inc Gliding Club, Learn to fly, Instruction FREE to members.

14 Y/O and up for Training Thur, Sat, Sun (weather permitting) Bloodtree Rd Mangrove Mountain 0412 164 082 0414 635 047

Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems

Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 8.30am-2.30pm Thurs 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246

raymurphy1935@hotmail.com ay u p y 935@ ot a com

Sport KI-DO Mingara Judo Academy Junior boys and girls Mon and Wed Two classes 6-8.30pm from 7yrs Kangy Angy 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.

Monthly dinner meetings, two course meal and speaker.

Community transport avail.

Chris Levis 0438 989 199 bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com www.bpw.com.au/central-coast

Northern Women’s Health Centre 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

cclapidary@optusnet.com.au

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 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.

Out&About

Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P19 9

New performing arts academy

Brass Blokes sought

new performing arts academy, run by teaching and industry professionals, has opened its doors at the Bateau Bay Community Hall on Wednesdays.

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Liberty Arts Theatre Academy Director, Ms Libby Flemming, created the company in April after immigrating to Australia from England.

In that short time, the Academy now runs 11 classes within two independent schools on the Coast and is now opening its doors to the wider community.

Ms Flemming was previously running her own Drama and Dance department in a successful independent school in the UK, but made the decision to move to Australia when her husband secured work on the Central Coast.

“It has always been my dream to run my own company and this

was the time to seize that opportunity,’’ Ms Flemming said.

Within one month of operations, fully qualified Drama specialist, Ms Rebekah Domonkos, joined the team.

The two teachers set about offering the opportunity for all children on the Coast to take part in their high quality drama classes.

Not only will the classes be taught by professionals who understand how to deliver inspiring, fun and informative lessons, but the company also offers the International Trinity College London drama qualifications.

Pupils will be able to opt to sit these

performance exams and earn their graded certificates.

These certificates are currently only available in some leading Independent schools across NSW. The Trinity qualifications are recognised in over 60 countries and can help young people gain entry to tertiary educational institutions.

The company also offers free masterclass sessions, holiday workshops and backstage reports so that parents can follow the progress of their children.

Media release, Aug 23, 2016 Libby Flemming, Liberty Arts Theatre Academy

The Wyong Diary For events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 226 2263 63

Friday, Sep 16 Ben Woodham at Gwandalan Bowlo from 7:30pm

Sunday, Sep 18 Central Coast Chinese Cultural Festival, The Entrance Memorial Park, 10:00am to 3:00pm Wyong Show Horse Program at Morisset Showground Son Of A Gun, a night with Lucky Starr and Craig Morrison, Wyong Creek Hall from 6:30pm

The local Summer Artists 15th Annual Art Exhibition, at the Summerland Point Community Hall, Cam’s Boeulevard, from Oct 1 to Oct 3 at 8:30am to 3:30pm daily, gold coin donation

Friday, Oct 7 Serendipity at Intuition Music School, Tuggerah from 7:00pm

Soldiers Beach from midday and reunion at Sporties Norah Head Toukley Presbyterian Chruch are having a market day from 10:00am to 2:00pm Wyong Family History Group will present Joy and Allan Murrin to discuss “Researching records in united kingdom from Australia” at Wyong RSL from 10am to 4pm

Saturday, Oct 8 Mingara Relay for Life, Mingara Athletics track from 3:00pm to 9:00am Sunday

Friday, Nov 4

Saturday, Oct 15

Saturday, Nov 5

DG Bruce Lakin meeting with Upper Central Coast Clubs at Gosford Leagues Club

Salthouse Theatre Company presents Pride and Prejudice at the Wyong Art House

Saturday, Oct 1

Saturday, Oct 22

Saturday, Nov 12

Gwandalan Liones Club Fashion Parade at Gwandalan Community Hall, Koowong Road from 2pm, entry tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to Elsie’s Dream Palliative Care Hospice, a local charity

Central Coast Council Garage Sale Trail

Wyong Lakes Festival at assorted locations

Saturday, Sep 24 Free Family Fun Day at Toukley Presbyterian Chuch from 10:30am to 2:00pm Beachletics, Athletics on the Beach, Shelly Beach

Ned Kelly Golf Day at Shelley Beach Golf Club

Saturday, Oct 29

Thursday, Nov 24

Norah Head Surfing Fraternity 40th Anniversary Reunion including a surging expression session at

Central Coast celebrations of the Foundation 100 years at Breakers country club Terrigal

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.

Gary Webb Lifeline Hunter Central Coast Board Chair with Brass Bloke award winner Jed Clarke and finalists Steve Tatham and Darren Jew

ifeline Central Coast is looking to recognise local men who have been through adversity yet still find the courage and inspiration to give back to their community.

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Peninsula Community Access Edition 395

News

Peninsula Community Access

Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

14 June 2016

Edition 397

Peninsula residents wanting to buy local seafood from local retailers may soon not be able to do so, as changes to commercial fishing in NSW cut in, according to a Patonga fisherman from a family with more than 40 years in the industry.

we may have to do it all over again and the difference will be the Government in 2019 won’t need new regulations to make the changes, they will already be in place.”

“My belief is it is all about export and I feel what is happening is other countries overseas want our product to be on their tables and I don’t blame them because we have the best seafood.

“But the consumer is going to lose if they don’t wake up and do something about it.

“Commercial fishermen per electorate are in minute numbers so we don’t stand a chance politically so we need to tell the consumers to tell their MPs to look after our seafood.

Edition 396 “In 2017 we won’t know how many commercial fishers will be endorsed because we don’t know how many shares are available.

“There are only two fishers in Patonga as we speak with enough shares.

“So if the shares are available we might see those existing fishers continue, that is of course if they can access the funds to buy those shares because what this will do is increase the share price beyond our range.”

According to Mr MacDonald, Anne Charlton, Labor the new program will givecandidate fishers for Robertson the option to grow their business or choose to exit the industry “through a range of supportive measures Peninsula Election including: low-rate loans; grants Promise for retraining or for independent business advice; subsidies for buyers and sellers of shares; or fixed payments of $20,000 for fishingupgrades business buyouts.”

Road The NSW Government has also Stage 2 of Foreshore Project extended itsEttalong cap on management fees.

Satellite Primary Care facility Assistance is also available for Scoping study Woy Woy to M1 link fishing cooperatives.

The youth NSW programs Governmentand will PCYC Umina also invest $400,000 as part of Blackspot Funding Killcare a campaign to promote NSW caught seafood as sustainable Wi Fi at train stations and continuous mobile and fresh and work with industry coverage forancommute to Sydney to implement origin- labelling scheme for cooked seafood across Footnotes: the state.

Peninsula Community Access

Patonga commercial fisherman Mr Dane Van Der Neut on Broken Bay

be established to determine how many boats should be left fishing,” he said.

“There are different issues with different governments,” he said.

“Labor Governments are predominantly green, whereas the Liberal and National Governments are more about corporatising, removing the smaller operators who support the local communities and turning them into larger businesses, moving them into larger ports and starting to work on export deals.”

According to Mr Van Der Neut, the latest NSW Government reforms “were asked for by a minority group in the industry who wanted to link their shares to the amount they could catch.

“Some of that minority group had good intentions, they wanted to buy more shares and run more traps or more nets.

“Ultimately what happened is the process got hijacked by a smaller minority group who had been buying up shares for years.”

He said the industry was now split between active fishers and “latent endorsements” who may hold a certain class of shares (such as for crab pots) but are not actively fishing.

He said the NSW Government has used the catch history of active fishermen to come up with its caps on kilos allowed to be caught per

day.

“Then they’ve redistributed the efforts of those active fishers in a Communist way over all the shares in a share class so now the active fisher’s shares have a lot less value,” he said.

Mr Van Der Neut uses the example of a five-member family who operated as a combine.

Their combined catch in the last year was 25 tonne of mud crabs.

Under the new rules their quota has been capped at 1400kg per fisher or a combined quote of seven tonne which means their business is no longer sustainable.

If that family is forced to sell its shares and exit the industry, there’s nothing stopping someone with a latent endorsement from buying up their shares and then profiting from the demise of the active fishers.

“At this point of time, we import 87 per cent of the fish products we eat but I will be shocked if in 10 years’ time you will be able to purchase locally caught seafood.

“This sort of reform has already happened in the lobster industry in NSW where you already have catch shares linked to a quota.

“I have already read reports from places like Columbia and smaller fishers are forced out of the industry through increased prices and after that it gets consolidated.

“When governments start to talk about sustainability we are talking

News Ne s Council milks Peninsula $438,5549 will be spent on Ettalong’s Ferry Rd Wharf

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Wicks promises nuous continuous mobile coverage on ourr trains

The budget includes a total of $7.79 million in capital projects for the Peninsula, but only $3.61 million – less than half – comes from council revenue.

The majority comes from

Coast,” he grants. said.

Federal member for government The Federal Minister thefor Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, Outside the Peninsula, Communications, Mitch Fifi eld, has promised Peninsula council contributesMrmore than theevery said for Coalition dollar understood of grant rail commuters free wifi at $3.35 that reliable mobile coverage was Woy Woy train station and money spent on capital projects. crucial productivity.

The for council contribution to continuous mobile coverage “The projects Coalition understands represents less all the way to Sydney if she is Peninsula theone importance mobile than per cent ofofitsreliable consolidated re-elected and the Coalition coverage so commuters can get income of $556 million.

Government is returned. work done andtime, stay the in touch with At the same council

Election promises tabulated

on key projects for the Peninsula during the election campaign.

The election promise table

(above) lists pledges made by both major parties since the election was called.

The table allows readers a list to keep track of which promises have been kept by the winning party after the election.

Our election coverage, including candidate profiles, general information about the Robertson electorate, the location of polling booths as well as information from the parties begins on page 8.

“We will invest to upgrade and build telecommunications infrastructure to improve the lives of one in four of the adult workforce who commute long distances by train each day,” Ms Wicks said.

More than 30 kilometres of rail between Wyong and Hornsby are black spots where commuters currently face little or no mobile data coverage, according to Ms Wicks.

The Coalition would invest $12 million to provide continuous intrain mobile coverage along the rail corridor between Wyong and Sydney as well as wifi at each train station.

“This will improve the lives of thousands of Peninsula residents who leave home before dawn each day and return after dark,” said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“It will make work time more productive, enhance leisure time and help families and friends connect,” Mr Turnbull said.

“And it’s happening because local Member Lucy Wicks, after spending hundreds of hours talking to commuters, told me this was one of the most practical things we could do for families on the Central

News N ews

The Peninsula is becoming the granny flat capital of the Central Coast, according to Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales.

$939,379 will be spent on improving Murray St, Booker Bay

27 June 2016

The Peninsula will receive less than five per cent of the new Central Coast Council budget for capital expenditure, despite representing 15 per cent of the council’s population.

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$540 million in services and $183 million in infrastructure – a total expenditure of $724 million across the Central Coast.

Total income, however, is expected to be only $598 million, with $556 million in council income from rates and charges and the like, and $42 million from grants.

Budgeted spending has been focused on roads and drainage, water and sewerage, waste management, waterways and playgrounds and sporting fields, according to the council’s administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds.

The budget included funds for road and drainage upgrades at Horsfield Bay and Umina and the upgrade of Umina’s McEvoy Oval.

The budget and operational plan priorities for the Peninsula were set by the former Gosford Council.

Reviews will be undertaken during the next 12 months to bring the plan “into greater alignment to represent the Central Coast Council”.

“This may result in a change to actions, projects and programs,” the operational plan said.

It is unknown whether those reviews and changes would result in more or less infrastructure funding for the Peninsula.

The progressive construction of Murray St, Booker Bay, is the largest capital works item in the operational plan for the Peninsula.

The work, from Eastern Rd to Flathead Rd, will cost the council $939,379 in 2016-17.

family or the office,” Mr Fifield will said. expects Peninsula ratepayers Ms Wicks the commitment be paying moresaid in rates, with many was a an game-changer which than would paying increase greater t thousands of infldirectly ation (seebenefi separate report). people every day.

The council budget does not is a income major, from innovative show“This anticipated the commitment from the Turnbull Peninsula,.

Government will meanpays more However, if which the Peninsula of our hard-working rates, charges and othercommuters council can stay connected income at the averagefor perlonger capitaon thefor daily which can be rate thecommute, council area, it would to five hour bea four contributing $76 round milliontriptoto Sydney or Newcastle,” Mrs Wicks council coffers. said.

The 2016-17 budget and The $12 commitment operational planmillion were adopted at expected general to leverage anwas extraordinary meetingan $4 million ofadditional the council held atinvestment Wyong from chambers the NSW on Government, council June 29. Ms Wicks said.

The plan and budget will deliver There would be an expression of interest process for mobile THIS ISSUE contains network providers to bid for the funding.

“A re-elected Turnbull Coalition will work with the NSW Government to provide in-kind assistance to deliver the wifi and improved mobile coverage, facilitating access to land along the rail corridor and helping facilitate planning approvals for new infrastructure,” Ms Wicks said.

A total of $543,707 will be spent on the ongoing Cockle Bay sewerage project.

Wharf safety improvement works will be undertaken at Ferry Rd Wharf in Ettalong including the replacement of deck, pylons and fenders for $438,549.

The council will improve sporting field drainage at Rogers Park ground 2 and 3 in Woy Woy which will cost $400,000.

Another capital works project earmarked for the Peninsula will be the final capping of the Woy Woy tip external cells with clay or geo-textile to meet Environment Protection Authority requirements at a cost of $350,000.

Works will also be undertaken on Mt Ettalong Rd from Sylvania Rd towards Berrina Crescent for a total of $420,853, of which $229,853 will come from council coffers.

The McEvoy Oval upgrade is another large Peninsula capital works project.

It will include the replacement of the amenities building, improvements to the car park and sporting field surface.

The total cost will be $756,000 with $220,000 from council funding and $536,000 from the federal government.

The $1 million progressive reconstruction of Umina’s Lone Pine Ave will be advanced with $180,000 of council funds spent on the project between Haynes Ave and Ocean Beach Rd. Another $180,000 will be spent

on improvements to Springwood St, Umina, between Albion St and Lagoon St. The progressive reconstruction of the intersection at Woy Woy Rd and Banyo Close Horsfield Bay will continue.

The total project cost is $810,000 with $675,000 from Roads to Recovery government funding and council budgeting $135,000.

In other measures for the Peninsula, the operational plan undertakes to identify an alternative management and operations plan for the Peninsula Theatre to increase future usage and community engagement.

The performance measure is that the Peninsula Theatre will have improved business operations and increased usage by June 2017.

A disability inclusion action plan is also to be developed by the end of 2016-17 along with a Positive Aging Plan and an Aboriginal Development and Reconciliation Plan implemented to facilitate the former Gosford Council’s Aboriginal Employment Strategy.

The council also expects to achieve 85 per cent direct expense recovery from the Peninsula Leisure Centre while providing low-cost services and programs to the community.

It also aims for 75 per cent of leisure centre users to be satisfied in the level of service and quality of facilities.

The Patonga Caravan and Camping area is to be managed

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and maintained to meet the NSW Crown Lands requirement of a 30 per cent net profit by June 30 each year.

The Brisbane Water Floodplain Risk Management Plan Action Plan should be completed by December 1, according to the operational plan.

The current first phase of the Central Coast Council is the “merger period” which will end when councillors are elected in September 2017, the operational plan said.

During the merger period the administrator, Mr Reynolds, and chief executive officer, Mr Rob Noble, are expected to ensure that the council is able to maintain seamless service delivery to the community.

They are also expected to embrace opportunities to improve services and infrastructure while bringing together and building on the strengths of staff, systems, compliance pliance ance within the “es “estuary “est uary strategies and general fishery” sstructures. off Patonga.

Patong The “The community, staffcommercial and 36-year-old commercia com comme l otherfisherman hpartners wasare ffoundsupposed in possessio pos sio sion n possession to be in planning of engaged 44 live Eastern R Rock ock Lobsters Land implementing change during the and nd d 12 2 prohibited size mulloway, mullo mulloway ” mulloway,” merger period through information Mr Andrews M Andrews ssaid. and involvement.

“He also admitted to oversetting overse ing The aims to ensure “ethical,is hissplan meshing nets, s which wh whic i a openseparate and accountable eparate e offencegovernance as E Estuar Estuary and administration.

General nerall Fishers are prohibited prohib ted Operational Plan 2016-17 from rom retaining Eastern E Rockk Central Coast Council Lobster obster er caught ht Jackie in meshing meshi nets,” nets Reporter: Pearson he said. aid. d Photos: Noel Fisher “This is fisherman has breached breached breac ched d Peninsula rise five regulations ulations of th the rates Act, Act, inc includ luding lu g including expected possessing ssing illegally taken tak- Page fish s 4 and nd

“Ste “Stealing t ing ng g fish and black marketing, marketin ma marketing, ng a ass well as damage to fish habitat ha bitats itats tss a rre serious problems habitats are thatt can impa tha th im mpact act on the sustainability impact of our o our fissh h stoc sstocks st tockkks across NSW. “We We enc en nco ncou ourage anyone who encourage s es illegal sees see ega gall fifish sh sshing hing activity to report iit to the their n near ne ea est Fisheries office, eare nearest phone p ne our ho otline or make an hotline online o nline ne e rep rreport,” repor ort,” rtt,” said s Mr Andrews.

Commer Co ommerc mercia rcia cial fishers in the Commercial region rre egion were ere re rem rreminded minded to adhere to th fishing the s g rreg gu ulations for Eastern regulations Rock Rock ckk Lo L Lobster Lobste ers rs and estuary fish Lobsters species. spe ecies ies.

Me a release, 19 Jul 2016 Media el Hamling, Hamli Hamlin ling, NSW Department Mel of Primary Industries o

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Media release, 23 Jun 2016, Tim Sowden, Offi fice of Lucy Wicks

Labor promises major infrastructure upgrades pgrades The Peninsula could see major infrastructure upgrades if Labor was elected to government, according to Labor’s Candidate for Robertson, Ms Anne Charlton.

Ms Charlton has announced a $60 million roads package.

She said the Peninsula would get the most benefit from the Roads Rescue Package, with more than 40 roads in Woy Woy,

Umina, Ettalong and Booker Bay funded under a Labor Government compared with the Liberal’s commitment of $2.75 million for just three roads: one in Umina and two in Booker Bay. “This announcement is proof of Labor’s commitment to not only improving infrastructure on the Peninsula but also creating jobs to drive the economy for the next generation,” Ms Charlton said.

“In three years, all the Liberals have done is cut the ribbon on

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roads that Labor funded.

“Lucy Wicks has not listened to the concerns of locals about the state of their roads and only came up with $2.75 million for Peninsula roads,” she added.

According to Ms Charlton, the commitment by Labor recognised the neglect of important issues that the people of the Peninsula have endured at the hands of successive Liberal representatives at local, state and federal levels.

“Labor will fix what has now

become a patchwork of badly maintained roads,” Ms Charlton said.

“This significant investment will keep motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe.

“The flood-prone Peninsula is beset by a backlog of legacy roadworks further exacerbating safety problems and congestion in the area.

“These issues must be fixed and only Labor will take action on the Peninsula to grow jobs and the

economy, to improve the efficient movement of small business, to meet tourist expectations, boost the local economy, and keep our pedestrians moving safely around our beautiful suburbs.

“Only Labor is listening to the people Robertson l off R b t tto make k investments that put people first,” Ms Charlton concluded.

Media release, 21 Jun 2016 Rhys Zorro, Australian Labor Party

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5 September 2016

11 July 2016

Chamber opposes Bullion St carpark sale

Peninsula becoming ‘granny flat capital’, says Chamber amber

about the amount of fish we take out of the ocean.

“That is the worst type of management we can do.

“The public does not understand that every time you have a shower, wash up, wash clothes that have micro plastics in them, that all goes in the drain and into fish habitat so Lucy Wicks, Liberal and incumbent Federal while we are restricting what we Member for Robertson can take out of the water we are still impacting on fish productivity.

“Commercial fishing is one of the only user groups of the marine Promises 2016 environment that have a fishery Candidates management strategy underpinned Anne Charlton Lucy Wicks by environmental impact studies.

“We’ve got all that.

Liberal Labor “We also have the tick of $60 million* $2.75 million sustainability.

“The only thing we don’t have $2.5 million the tick for is export which is a $2 million good thing from my point of view because it keeps seafood in the $500,000 local community.” $1.2 million** According to Mr Van Der Neut around six commercial fishers are $60 million# still operating out of Patonga and most are sole traders.

“My dad got shares a long time $12 million^ ago because he was in business pre-dating any reform.

“With most businesses you can *Funding to be shared between Robertson and Dobell but predominantly Robertson Media release, 31 May 2016 make an educated gamble on the Hannah Eves, offi of from statewide allocation ** Unspecified share of funding forceUmina business, on what you are buying, Scot MacDonald of funding for2016 Peninsula from statewide allocation there are no guarantees out of this. # Unspecified share Interview, 7 Jun Dane Van Der Neut, Woy Woy “It is just a gamble that we will ^ To be shared between all Central Coast train stations from Woy Woy to Wyong and all mobile blackspots along be buying more or less guaranteed rail corridor Reporter: Jackie Pearson access until 2019 and in 2019

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 Both Liberal and Labor E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Parties have been making Website: www.centralcoastnews.net promises to spend money

Media release, Aug 30, 2016 Gillian Summers, Lifeline

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Local fishing operators may close with law changes Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, has said the changes would support local fishers and ensure the supply of locally caught, high quality seafood continued into the future.

However, fisherman Mr Dane Van Der Neut said the opposite was true and he believed the changes could be the death knell for local operators.

He said at least four of six operators in Patonga were under threat.

Mr Van Der Neut said he had been fishing for a living for 10 years and his father had been working in the industry out of Patonga for over 40 years.

“He spent the past three decades fighting for his job through consecutive governments,” he said.

Mr Van Der Neut said the latest NSW Government reform package was about corporatising the industry and targeting export markets.

Mr MacDonald said the key changes would see the NSW Government investing in fishing businesses and providing local fishers with the tools to better manage their business and ensure what is caught continues to be done so sustainably.

“The changes will provide more certainty and support for fishers to invest in their businesses, and cement the future of the commercial fishing industry for years to come,” he said.

Mr Van Der Neut, who fishes Hawkesbury River squid and Broken Bay school prawns, said estuary prawn trawl fishers have been given until July 2017 to raise their minimum shareholding to 200 or they will not be able to access their fisheries.

“There is no guarantee that those shares will be available.

“We have been given no guarantee of any access at all because, in 2019, a committee will

feeds up to 100 needy people per week.

The special guest speaker at the event is entrepreneur, social media thought leader, writer, mentor, speaker and mental health advocate, Mr Nick Bowditch.

Mr Bowditch has battled depression and anxiety.

Ms Summers said by attending the event, people will be supporting Lifeline’s local lifesaving crisis support and suicide prevention services.

said.

“Blokes are not always good at talking about themselves or reaching out.

“Three out of four suicides are by men,” she said.

Ms Summers said the person must be nominated by someone else.

An independent judging panel will determine the finalists and winner.

Last year’s recipient was Mr Jed Clarke.

Mr Clake is a survivor of childhood abuse who overcame drug addiction and went on to lead a small outreach called The Fathers Table, which

Lifeline CEO, Ms Gillian Summers, said nominations are now open for the prestigious Central Coast Brass Blokes Award.

Winners will be announced at a gala fundraising dinner at Mingara Recreation Club on October 14.

“I encourage people to nominate one of the many special men who are unsung heroes in our community,” Ms Summers said.

“It is important to recognise these men, not just for them, but also to give hope and inspiration to others in our community,” she

Seized Eastern Rock Lobsters

The Bullion St car park

At the same time, during the past two years, it has experienced a medium density development slowdown, he said. 25 July 2016 Mr Wales said onerous mediumdensity development control plans were the reason for the trend.

He said the evidence was that council had reported no increase in Section 94 contributions during that period.

“Most unit developments on the Peninsula are from older approvals before the Development Control Plans were changed for medium density requirements,” Mr Wales said.

He said he believed investors were finding it more lucrative to build granny flats than to build units for sale.

According to Mr Wales, granny flats on the Peninsula were generating investment returns of between five and six per cent.

In most locations a home on the Peninsula with a granny flat would achieve a sale price of around $800,000, Mr Wales said.

High demand for rental properties made it possible to purchase a granny flat, have it

Planning nning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) sing) 2009.

By providing a granny flat that would ld be deemed to be affordable housing, sing, all that was required was a complying development certifificate, which meant no council involvement. lvement.

The need for a development application ication could be triggered if the person building the granny flat needed ded to remove a tree or put in drainage, nage, Mr Wales said.

The granny flat tenants put pressure ssure on local roads, town centres, infrastructure and tres, amenities enities but the development “did not put a single cent into council coffers”, ers”, he said.

A granny flat was not rated separately, arately, the council did not earn n any Section 94 contributions from m its development and the developer eloper did not have to provide any parking, he said.

As a snapshot, applications for 20 granny flats on the Peninsula were e determined during July 2016.

That’s around 240 additional dwellings llings on the Peninsula per yearr that did not pay rates.

Iff council was to introduce a

region’s population by 80,000 in two decades,” he said.

According to Mr Martin, 40 per cent of those new residents will want to live on the Peninsula, in the area between Umina and Woy Woy. That is one of the reasons why the Gosford Local Environment Plan of 2014 reviewed all zoning, including in town centres and CBDs, to allow mixed use.

In the town centres of Umina, Ettalong and Woy Woy, this could result in in-fill developments that included a ground floor of commercial and retail premises with up to five storeys of residential accommodation above, he said.

According to Mr Martin, the Bullion St car park is one of the only consolidated pieces of land in the Umina CBD that could accommodate a larger mixed-use development.

“When you look around the Umina CBD, just about all of the allotments are the regular 560 square metre blocks so you can’t get the height to build anything lofty around that area,” he said.

Even though the Bullion St land includes 10 individual titles, Mr Martin said the council’s intention was to sell it as one parcel to accommodate a development with the potential to “revitalise the Umina CBD”.

“Essentially the developer has

the option of doing the whole of the car parking underground and then building three handsome towers on the site,” he said.

“Or they may decide to put parking in one area and then build two mixed use towers towards the West St end of the ISSUE land.”

THIS contains ns The closing date for expressions of interest is September 16, to give prospective purchasers the opportunity to view the land, work out affordability and work with planning consultants and council representatives to put a proposal forward.

Mr Martin said he was very optimistic about the current attitude of the new Central Coast Council.

“They are displaying a very futuristic attitude that is a 100 degree turn around on what we had five or 10 years ago.

“They are starting to speak the right language.

“The way the council is approaching the future is that we have got to move forward to mobilise all centres on the Peninsula.

“We can’t be dogmatic and the council is wanting to see nice developments for the area,” he said.

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Peninsula fuel prices comparable with Coast A survey of fuel prices has shown Peninsula prices are comparable with the rest of the Coast.

Prices collected by Mr Rod Munson of Ettalong have provided a comparison of Peninsula priceswith the lowest prices available on the Coast and in Newcastle and Sydney.

The most expensive fuel on New safety warnings are difficult to miss when using the rail underpass the Central Coast was found in Woy Woy at Shell and BP with E10 costing 119.9 cents per litre, 16 cents more per litre than Woolworths Umina.

Woolworths Umina and Caltex in Blackwall did have some of the

Rail underpass re-opened metre height restriction bars on both sides of the underpass.

Central Coast Council was putting the finishing touches on

For sale: Bullion St car park Th Bullion St car park in The Umina is for sale.

U Expressions of interest have be called for the 0.53 hectares been of land between Bullion St and Al Alfred St. Described by Wilsons Estate Ag Agency at Woy Woy as: “A la landmark opportunity in the Umina C CBD”, the land is zoned B2 for “m “mixed use” which means it can be de developed for a mix of commercial an residential purposes under the and 20 2014 Gosford Local Environment Pl Plan.

Wilsons selling agent Mr Jim M Martin said the council had the co community’s interests at heart by pu putting a “positive covenant” on th land to ensure that any new the de development included 160 public ca spaces. car Mr Martin said the impetus be behind council’s decision to sell the la for development was coming land fro from the NSW Government’s vis vision for the Central Coast over th next 20 years. the “The NSW Department of Pl Planning released a document ab about the rapid increase in po population that is going to occur between Sydney and Newcastle over the next 20 years,” Mr Martin said.

“It will be one of the most popular residential corridors in Australia where people will want to live and that will increase the

last weekend (August 6-7) by installing median strips on the approaches to the underpass.

The council has asked motorists to be aware that the underpass’ height limit has been reduced to 2.5 metres.

Anyone towing a caravan, carrying oversized objects on roof racks or driving a truck must use an alternate route.

Sydney Trains closed the underpass in April after a large truck attempted to use it and became wedged underneath one of the previous height restriction Media release, 1 Aug 2016 Ron Noble, Central Coast Council

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Website, 14 Jul 2016 Realcommercial.com.au Interview, 19 Jul 2016 Jim martin, Wilsons Real Estate Woy Woy Reporter: Jackie Pearson

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own parking that could become Peninsula Chamber of inaccessible if the carpark was Commerce has come out sold and developed right to its opposing the proposed boundary with the existing West St sale of Umina’s Bullion St buildings. carpark.

Business owners in the area It could be devastating to West were not notified by council prior to St and the Umina Town Centre, the Expressions of Interest being according to Chamber president called.

Mr Matthew Wales.

Because the land is classified “There will be traffic chaos and as “operational”, the council did businesses will suffer,” Mr Wales not have to consult the community said. before it decided to sell it.

The Central Coast Council has The diversion of delivery called for expressions of interest vehicles to West St from the from parties wishing to acquire and “informal” laneway at the boundary develop the land, which 22 is currently August 2016 of the Bullion St land would be a zoned B2 for Local Centre. traffic nightmare for Umina Town The former Gosford Council Centre, according to the Chamber. placed a covenant over the land “It would be like telling Umina before calling for expressions of shoppers the council was going to interest, in an attempt to protect put paid parking metres in; there the 160 parking spaces. will be a worse revolt than the Mr Wales said the Peninsula Ettalong boarding house proposal,” Chamber of Commerce intended Mr Wales said. to seek an urgent meeting with The Gosford Council did hold Central Coast Council chief Mr discussions with the Peninsula Rob Noble.

Chamber in 2014 about the future “We will request that the Council The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is concerned businesses with rear access of the Umina Town Centre. abandons the current expression to the Bullion St Carpark could suffer if the land is sold and developed “We did say that the Bullion of interest process and consults St Carpark was important to the with Umina businesses and the that sufficient public parking today. new land owner with the ability to town centre and held prospects for community to come up with a is provided on the land for the “I won’t stand by and see Umina charge for the parking if it obtains future development for community positive covenant that works for the community of Umina. lose 160 parking spaces,” Mr permission to do so from council. benefit but at no time did we agree town and not just for the Council,” “The owner may request to its wholesale sale,” Mr Wales “…parking for 160 motor Wales said. he said.

He said the covenant, in its permission to charge for public said. vehicles must be made available “My view is the current on the land at no charge to current form, could see the carpark parking and council will not “Umina is unique and successful expression of interest, including members of the public between closed for up to two years and that unreasonably withhold or refuse because of Bullion St. the positive covenant, is totally 7am and 9pm seven days per would be a reasonably positive permission if a period of at least five “There is no other town centre inadequate,” Mr Wales said. years has elapsed since the date in the former Gosford local scenario. week,” the covenant said.

“Too many people have of the fi nal occupation certifi cate “What if a developer acquired However, the first flaw in the government area that has a grid raised concerns directly with me covenant, according to Mr Wales, the land, commenced construction for the most recent development system to give traffic access to and as president of the Chamber, was that it allowed for reduced and then went broke? of the land and the land has been from the town centre, the offers including business owners, and public parking during construction.

“I don’t believe it is possible for developed in excess of 50 per cent kerbside parking and the parking this current expression of interest “Where the owner undertakes the developer to substitute 160 car of the maximum intensity allowable in Bullion St with its direct links to Residents of Empire Bay gathered to discuss key infrastructure nfrastructure issues fails to protect the interests of construction for a development, spaces in another location for the under the zoning for the land,” the businesses. business owners and the future the owner may reduce the duration of a development. covenant said.

“Then we have excellent public viability of West St,” he said.

The final flaw was that existing transport in the form of buses so “The land cannot be developed parking available on the land “West St is successful because to the members of the public to in the way council is proposing West St businesses that back on if you play around with that mix of it has got the Bullion St carpark.” assist in the construction of the because it cannot guarantee the to the Bullion St carpark could lose unique circumstances you could The positive covenant, Mr development where it obtains community would not lose its their rear access if Bullion St was ruin the town centre.

Wales said, “has fatal flaws”. sold and the land developed. parking.” permission from council”.

“Every other town centre that Gosford Council’s application “At the moment there is no is suffering retail problems has a Mr Wales said if the Central “From the moment the for the covenant to be placed over developer gets a construction Coast Council wanted to continue formal roadway; the existing shortage of parking. the land was made by its Manager certificate until completion of the with the proposed sale of the laneway forms part of the property “We did not spend a decade of Property and Economic development, the car parking is Bullion St land it would need to that runs right up to the back of the encouraging businesses to come Development Mr Christopher lost to the town centre and that provide Umina Town Centre with businesses,” he said. to Umina to see it ruined,’ Mr Redman on April 8 under the would be devastating to the main a multi-storey car park elsewhere Mr Wales said several of Wales said. authority of district, the then to guarantee the existing 160 free those existing businesses had main ain amenity of our goingstreet into of Umina,’ Mr Wales said.

More than 70 residents from small groups to discuss thedelegated Interview, 30 Aug 2016 Anderson. group oupMr Paul bat for each other when the need “People will make a decision to parking spaces and have capacity development consents that had Matthew Wales, Peninsula Empire Bay and Bensville areas of concern and each chief “It that the said. land be go elsewhere to do their shopping for future growth. oleis intended to provide rear access to their Chamber of Commerce attended the inaugural was invited to report to the whole arises,” Mr Olsen sold,” Gosford Council’s application Reporter: Jackie Pearson The second flaw in the current buildings for commercial reasons and it would create the traffic chaos The Empire Bay Progress meeting of the Empire Bay assembly.

“Very soon three main issues forues the positive covenant said. and for fi re egress. that Terrigal is faced with positive covenant, according to Association is having itsin Umina biand Districts Roads Action appeared namely, the non-existent ent order “This is meeting made toon ensure Some businesses had their Mr Wales, was that it provided the monthly August 16, at Group to participate in a drainage, poor and dangerous ous the Empire Bay Progress Hall from Future Directions Workshop condition of our roads neglected ted 7:30pm.

THIS ISSUE contains 71 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info on August 2. eed over many years and the need Mr Crouch, will be attending.

The workshop discussed the for safe pedestrian access to the “The first meeting highlighted major issues residents wanted Empire Bay Public School via that we really need to have a Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford addressed by governments.

Greenfield Rd.” member of Council attend the biPhone: 4325 7369 A Residents’ Committee was ting meeting because the matters that Mr Olsen said, as the meeting formed to work on a document to progressed the general mood Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 ood need addressing require the copresent to Member for Terrigal, Mr became one of hope.

E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net operation of both State and Local Adam Crouch, at the bi-monthly “Residents came away from the Government,” Mr Olsen added.

Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Empire Bay Progress Association meeting with the understanding ing Mr Olsen also said the Action meeting. that we need to be a strong and Group would be requesting “All of the views expressed at committed community, determined ned the attendance of a Council the meeting will be included in the to get the change we want,” he representative at the bi-monthly report under main headings. said. meeting.

“Long term residents explained According to Mr Olsen, the “A document outlining the that, over the last decade or so, group agreed that their vision ion residents’ concerns will be they had been frustrated by Council was for a wider coalition of the presented to Mr Crouch and we not doing work to remediate the geographically-linked communities ties expect action for these matters,” terrible condition of the roads and of Empire Bay, Bensville, Daleys eys Mr Olsen said. stormwater drainage or to invest Point and South Kincumber and According to Mr Olsen, many of in pedestrian safety improvements that each locale needs to put the issues raised by residents had such as pathways, even though before Council their specific needs eds been known to Council for decades studies had been made and money and be supported by the other her without appropriate responses. allocated to do much of the work,” areas.

Interview, 2 Aug 2016 in “We see ourselves Gregory Ol Olsen, E Empire Bay and G i B d Mr Olsen said.

Districts Roads Action Group “During the meeting we split into cooperation not competition for the Reporter: Dilon Luke resources required to improve the

reeonee!

Fre Fr ke k

did have its down side, according to Mr Wales.

It was possible to construct a granny plan without lodging a development application with council ncil under State Environmental

Office: Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: E-mail: Website:

Prices gathered by Rod Munson on August 13 at midday and from comparethemarket and NRMA on August 15

cheapest E10 prices on the Central Coast in the 104.9 cents per litre or less.

Only six petrol stations across the Central Coast had E10 petrol at less than 104.9 cents per litre.

Caltex Foresters Beach, Caltex Star Mart Long Jetty, 7 Eleven The Entrance and BP Tumbi Umbi also had E10 prices at 104.9 cents per litre and under.

For all fuel types, Caltex Blackwall had the best average prices on the Peninsula.

Caltex appeared to offer the best priced fuel anywhere on the Central Coast.

Mr Munson conducted his price checks on August 13 at around midday.

The cheapest E10 fuel was located at Woolworths Umina, priced at 103.9 per litre.

The cheapest regular unleaded was an eight- minute drive away at United in Empire Bay priced at 110.7 per litre.

Since the survey was undertaken, the price at Woolworths Umina dropped to 99.8 cents last Friday.

The cheapest diesel on the Peninsula was at Caltex Woy Woy and Blackwall at 116.9 per litre.

However, Empire Bay’s regular unleaded is seven cents cheaper than any of its competition.

Peninsula drivers appear to be paying the highest fuel prices on the Central Coast but the whole Coast is still paying more than its northern or southern city neighbours.

Newcastle and The Hunter, for example, had over 20 fuel options at under 103.9 a litre.

Newcastle residents, by comparison, have the potential to fill up at under 98.9 per litre for E10 at some stations, with the maximum price compared to the Central Coast six cents cheaper at 113.9 cents per litre.

As of August 15, Sydney had the cheapest fuel prices in NSW according to the NRMA with Newcastle coming in at fifth.

The Central Coast was ranked 10th, up six places since August, 7.

Email, 15 Aug 2016 Rod Munson, Ettalong Websites, 18 Aug 2016 Comparethemarket.com.au Nrma.com.au Reporter: Cole Newman

Residents gather ther for action on roads oads

THIS ISSUE contains 71 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

A frfree ee nnewspaper e sp spap aper er with itithh in iin-depth Peninsula Community news!

Classifieds

P20 P2 20 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

PRICES FOR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS IN THESE PAGES COME IN THREE CATEGORIES

Not For Profit Organisations Not for profit organisations’ advertisements are subsidised.

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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.

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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.

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.

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Gosford Scottish Country Dancers 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

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P21 1

Mariners’ Academy coach appointed as National Youth League coach

Former World champion declares Bato Yard the best in Australia he Central Coast’s newest and biggest skate park, Bato Yard’s official opening festivities were held on August 14.

T

Professional riders demonstrated how to skate, scoot, BMX and blade in the deepest bowl in the country to over 3,000 attendees.

Pro riders on hand included: MC Renton Millar, Bryce McKean, Mitchell Ritcher, Poppy Olsen, Ryder Lawson, Jedd McKenzie, Matt Kitai, Mikey Mendoza and Gareth Nash.

Along with the professional demonstrations there was also entertainment, food stalls, prizes and the opportunity for local riders to show off their skills.

Central Coast Council’s Sports Development and Event Officer, Ms Karen Lightfoot, said this was one event not to be missed.

“Bato Yard is something the community has wanted for a long

time, so it’s only fair we gave it the opening it deserves,” Ms Lightfoot said.

“We lined up nine pro riders to show off their skills in the two bowls and street throughout the day as well as basketball and parkour demonstrations,” she added.

Pro rider and MC on the day, former World Champion, Renton Millar, helped design the Yard in the early stages at the community workshops and said he was really keen to see how Bato Yard skates.

“Bato Yard is insane.

“The kids are going to have a big future ahead of them riding at this park,” Millar said.

“It’s a world class high performance park.

“If there is anything you ever wanted to do on a skateboard in a skate park you can do it here.

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“Skateboarding and skate parks have progressed so much over the years and I believe Bato Yard is the best in Australia,” he said.

C o u n c i l ’ s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, who officially opened the Yard, said the opening is only a snap shot of what events can be held at Bato Yard.

“Seeing it first hand, Bato Yard has the potential to attract regional, state and even national events,” Mr Reynolds said.

“I was there just before the fences came down and was overwhelmed by the community’s response to just get in and ride.

“Bato Yard certainly is one facility Council has delivered on for the Coast,” Mr Reynolds said.

Bato Yard caters to all ages and levels of skill, from beginners to professionals.

The iconic site includes a competition street area, additional street plaza, a unique flow bowl for beginner to intermediate riders, large spectator areas, and a large stage area with multimedia for events.

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Media release, Aug 12, 2016 Central Coast Council Media Website, Aug 26, 2016 Central Coast Council Wyong Bato Yard Opening Event

Ben Khan (right) is the new Youth League coach for the Central Coast Mariners

he Central Coast Mariners have confirmed that the Mariners’ Academy First Grade Coach, Mr Ben Cahn, has been appointed the Yellow and Navy’s Foxtel National Youth League boss.

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Mr Cahn arrived on the Central Coast at the start of the 2016 PS4 NPL 2 season to lead the Central Coast Mariners’ Academy and help develop the next generation of Mariners’ stars.

Although the PS4 NPL 2 season has drawn to an end, their campaign has allowed the likes of Trent Buhagiar, Liam Rose, Tom Heward-Belle and Adam Berry to gain invaluable minutes under their belts during the Hyundai A-League offseason.

Under the tutelage of Mr Cahn, the Academy players Ryan Peterson, Reece Papadimitrios, Shelford Dais, Adam Pearce, Lachlan Wales and Tom Lyons have

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 Hairdressing, Wyong • Bakefresh, Wyong

all been involved with Hyundai A-League preseason fixtures.

The aspiring coach is looking forward to his next step with the Mariners’ Foxtel National Youth League (FNYL) team as well as plying his trade under Head Coach, Mr Paul Okon.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Mariners on the Coast so far,” Mr Cahn said.

“It’s been a challenging NPL Season for many reasons but it’s given me a great background into the culture and the environment we have here on the Central Coast.

“There are certain names from our academy teams that have been pencilled in to the FNYL squad but we are also very open to expanding our network and playing

group so we will commence an open trial process that will allow us to look at not only players from NSW but also from interstate as well.

“You only have to look at some of the most recent Hyundai A-League pre-season games to see the representation of the academy there, most players that have played in our NPL first team this year have, at some stage, had an extended period of training with the A-League squad,” Mr Cahn said.

The Central Coast Mariners will be holding FNYL Trials in September for players born between 1997 and 2000.

Media release, Sep 9, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners FC

Let your community know about: • Weddings • Engagements • Special Birthdays • Special Anniversaries • New Born Babies • Special Achievements

- trading as A1 cleaning services • Rattananporn Massage, Wyong

• Frazer Park Pty Ltd formerly trading as The • Darren Rucker, Big Prawn at Crangan Killarney Vale Bay •

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

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Sport

P22 P2 22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016

ACT triallists join Mariners squad

Point Wolstoncroft to be privatised he performance of NSW Minister for Sport, Mr Stuart Ayres, during recent budget estimates questioning, revealed his true intentions in relation to the sport and recreation camp at Point Wolstoncroft, according to Member for The Entrance, Mr David Mehan.

T

Capital Football CEO Mr Phil Brown with Central Coast Mariners CEO, Mr Shaun Mielekamp

entral Coast Mariners’ CEO, Mr Shaun Mielekamp, has announced the three players and one coach from Canberra who will join the club for a week-long trial and coaching development at the Tuggerah Centre of Excellence.

C

Mr Mielekamp announced that Jordan Tsekenis and Jeremy Habtemariam, who are both 19-years-old from Canberra Olympic, along with 20-year-old Andrew Slavich from Tuggeranong United, are the three ACT players who have gained the opportunity to trial with the Mariners.

All three players took the field against the Central Coast Mariners on September 6 at Woden and Tsekenis took the

headlines by scoring a double against the Mariners in the first match.

Coach, Luka Ujdur, from Belconnen United FC, has been offered an opportunity to spend a week developing his skills under the coaching staff of the Central Coast Mariners.

Ujdur was also the Capital North Region Select coach in the first game of the doubleheader played between Central Coast Mariners

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

0055 0.30 0015 0.39 0530 1.30 0700 1.50 0617 1.39 1108 0.60 TUE 1737 1.66 WED 1159 0.51 THU 1245 0.42 1909 1.82 1824 1.75 0256 0.15 0215 0.16 0134 0.22 0913 1.76 0828 1.69 0744 1.60 FRI 1333 0.34 SAT 1421 0.28 SUN 1513 0.25 2128 1.81 2040 1.86 1954 1.86 0514 0.35 0425 0.25 0340 0.18 1140 1.78 1048 1.80 1000 1.80 MON 1605 0.27 TUE 1702 0.31 WED 1803 0.38 2312 1.59 2218 1.71 0232 1.26 0115 1.33 0010 1.45 0813 0.63 0705 0.56 0606 0.46 THU 1236 1.72 FRI 1339 1.66 SAT 1448 1.63 2142 0.48 2027 0.48 1912 0.44 0551 1.39 0458 1.32 0351 1.26 1134 0.57 1034 0.62 0926 0.65 SUN 1559 1.62 MON 1700 1.64 TUE 1754 1.66 2342 0.42 2248 0.46

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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

and Canberra sides on September 6.

“We were really impressed with the quality and we are now in a position to announce the three players and a coach that will join us for a week,” Mielekamp said.

“In essence these players will join the club for a full trial, partake in an intra-club pre-season friendly and from there they are in the hands of the football department which is their opportunity to showcase what they can do,” he said.

Mr Mielekamp thanked Capital Football CEO, Mr Phil Brown, for the opportunity to continue the strong relationship between the Mariners and the ACT association.

Media release, Sep 7, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

The Sport and Recreation camp would be privatised, Mr Mehan concluded.

Mr Mehan said less than a week after Minister for Sport, Mr Stuart Ayres, assured locals there were no plans to sell the camp, he confirmed in a budget estimates hearing that the camp would be privatised.

Mr Mehan said the backflip came after intense questioning by the Labor opposition in relation to the 11 government run sports and recreation camps across NSW.

“This government is determined to sell everything in this state and Sport and Recreation camps are just the next item on its hit list of assets slated for privatisation,” Mr Mehan said.

The Sport and Recreation Centre is used for school camps, holidaying, sports retreats and community events, often being the first opportunity for children to experience the great outdoors.

“This decision will limit the access our kids, community groups and charities have to

the camps and will also impact their ability to run specialised services for under-represented groups.

“In particular, kids with disabilities rely heavily on sport and recreation camps; it’s often the only time they get to go to camp.

“This is devastating loss to those families that rely on safe and affordable sport and rec camps,” he said.

Media release, Sep 1, 2016 Peter Duggan, office of David Mehan

Point Wolstoncroft will be privatised according to Member for the Entrance, Mr David Mehan

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - September 13, 2016 - P23 3

Mariners strengthen ties with ACT Football he Central Coast Mariners will return to Canberra in September for a double header against two teams made up of Canberra’s best players.

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Kicking off backto-back at 6:00pm and 8:00pm against the Capital North Region Select and Capital South Region Select, the Central Coast Mariners will be split into two teams for the matches at Woden Park on September 6.

The match will play a crucial role in the Mariners’ pre-season but it will also provide the Hyundai A-League club with a perfect opportunity to identify players from Canberra who will earn the opportunity to spend a week on trial with the Central Coast Mariners.

With Canberra’s GIO Stadium set to host two Central Coast Mariners’ home games this Hyundai A-League

season, the Mariners are building on their strong relationship with ACT’s football governing body and the collaborative talent pathway is the next big step.

During the Mariners’ Kanga Cup visit in July, the Capital Draft initiative was launched to identify Canberra’s three best footballers and one coach who will gain an unparalleled opportunity to benefit from experience with a full time professional set up.

In addition to Tuesday night’s double header, the Central Coast Mariners will partake in a raft of community activations that includes a coaching clinic for over 100 local

children, ‘coach the coaches’ session for over 100 local coaches, along with more appearances in Canberra that will be confirmed in due course.

Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp thanked Capital Football for welcoming the Mariners to Canberra with open arms.

“A lot of our Members are very excited about making the trip to Canberra and are planning the road trip down Remembrance Dve, so it’s going to be great for the Canberra economy,” Mielekamp said.

Media release, Aug 26, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

Sport

Hain placed ninth in U/21 European tournament.

ido Judo Academy student Caroline Hain placed ninth in the U/21 European Tour tournament.

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The Tournament was a high level Junior event with other 50 international entries.

Hain was seeded as the Oceania champion in the 48kg division.

Hain had an easy time with her first two bouts, with a bye in her first

bout and a win against her Ukrainian competitor in her second.

Hain’s third match pitted her against the tournament favourite from the Netherlands.

Unfortunately for Hain, she incurred two penalties in this match,

which ran full time.

This relegated Hain to the repechage rounds.

Hain’s final bout was against Italy where she was defeated.

Media release, Sep 9, 2016 Peter Acciari, Kido Judo Academy

Paul Okon officially takes charge of Mariners squad

N Get your kids active these school holidays with the Newcastle Permanent Central Coast Mariners School Holiday Clinics in September 2016!

Central Coast Mariners club legends Adam Kwasnik and Damien Brown with their teams of experienced coaches will lead clinics in Orange (Western NSW) and Tuggerah (Central Coast) throughout September 2016, with boys and girls aged 5 to 12 catered for.

Each participant will receive specialised coaching, as well as a Mariners training shirt to wear throughout their sessions, and take home to mark their involvement.

PLUS – Those taking part in the Tuggerah (Central Coast) clinic, will have the opportunity to be coached by Central Coast Mariners players and coaching staff, meet the team in a signing session and have a group photo with the squad!

Kids can opt to join in for one, two, or three days of football fun in a supportive environment which aims to not only enhance their football skills, but ensures they are remaining active throughout their school break.

This program is proudly sponsored by Newcastle Permanent – Official School Holiday Clinic Partner of the Central Coast Mariners.

ewly appointed Mariners head coach, Paul Okon, has five weeks to prepare his squad for the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League season after his appointment on August 29.

The Mariners will face Perth Glory in WA on October 8, in Paul Okon’s first head coaching role in the Hyundai A-League.

On August 30, at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence, Paul Okon took charge of his new team for the first time.

Paul wasted no time

getting to work with his new squad and ran the first training session at the club’s training base.

Mr Okon said it’s not an ideal situation but dismissed suggestions the Mariners would start behind some of the other clubs.

Also on hand for the first time was Ivan

Central Coast Mariners School Holiday Clinics – September 2016 Venue: Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence (1 Bryant Dr, Tuggerah) Dates: Monday 26th September (Coaching by Mariners Players and a Tour of the Centre of Excellence), Tuesday 27th September (Coaching by Mariners Players, team photo and signing session) and/or Wednesday 28th September 2016 (Participants take part in the Mini World Cup, with coaching by Mariners players).

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Cost: $65 (1 Day), $115 or (2 Days) $140 (3 Days) - Mariners Members save 10% Venue: Sir Jack Brabham Park, Orange Dates: Thursday 29th & Friday 30th September 2016 (Participants take part in the Mini World Cup on Friday 30th September 2016) Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm Cost: $65 (1 Day), $115 (2 Days) - Mariners Members save 10%

Phone: (02) 4353 7200 for more Information

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED

Jolic, who will work alongside Matthew Nash (Goalkeeping Coach), Brice Johnson (Strength and Conditioning) and Ben Cahn as Paul’s coaching staff.

Media release, Aug 30, 2016 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners Media

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We Bulk Bill Under the Medicare Child Dental Benefit Scheme. NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE ($1,000 Free Dental Care for children age 2 to 17 - Ask us for the Details)

Dr. Namita Mehta

Saturday Appointments Available - We accept Veteran’s Affairs patients Shop 1, 201 Mann Street, Opposite Gosford Train Station, Gosford 2250 gosford@dentallifeline.com.au | www.dentallifeline.com.au