COAST COMMUNITY tVheoicneorofth 24 JUNE 2020
ISSUE 194
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
Coal projects fast-tracked...
News
A proposal by a coastal engineer to trial a low-cost sandbag wall in order to keep open the mouth of The Entrance Channel has been reffered by Central Coast Council. See page 5
Out&About
...170 jobs to be created Mannering Colliery surface facilities and conveyor to Vales Point Power Station
Proposed changes at Chain Valley Colliery, Mannering Colliery and Vales Point Power Station have been fast tracked by the NSW Government to inject $65M into the economy and boost employment by 170 jobs. It is one of 19 projects nominated in the third round of the NSW Planning System Acceleration Program to fast track planning assessments for shovel ready projects. Great Southern Energy Pty Ltd, trading as Delta Coal, which
owns and operates the two underground coal mines, submitted applications for Chain Valley Colliery (Modification 3) and Mannering Coal Mine (Modification 5). These will be assessed and approval to go ahead, or not, will be determined by Friday, July 17. Parliamentary Secretary for Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the NSW Government’s priority was creating jobs as well as keeping people in existing jobs. “The NSW government is
continuing to pivot from COVID-19 response to recovery, and fast tracking planning assessments for shovel ready projects is one of the ways we are doing this,” he said. The proposal is to increase the transport of coal underground from Chain Valley Colliery (CVC) to Mannering Colliery (MC), to improve operational efficiencies and allow increased processing of coal at Mannering Colliery and onward transport to Vales Point Power Station. According to the NSW
Department of Planning, Industry & Environment Assessment Report of May 2020, Chain Valley Colliery wants to increase the amount of coal transported underground from CVC to MC from 1.3 million tonnes per annum to 2.1 million tonnes per annum. It would be transported via the existing underground linkage to the MC pit top where it would be crushed, screened and moved via the overland conveyor to Vales Point Power Station. Delta Coal predicts that putting
more coal through the underground link would result in a reduction in the number of trucks travelling above ground on private roads. At present, Delta Coal has consent to dispatch a total of 32 laden coal trucks per hour and 270 laden coal trucks per day by public roads, but according to the report, for some years, CVC has not transported coal by trucks other than to Vales Point Power Station.
Rate notices will include an insert on how to apply for hardship assistance when they go out to ratepayers. The increase will take effect from July 1 and will be incorporated into the ordinary and special rate levies across both the former Gosford and Wyong council areas. Mayor Lisa Matthews said that while the rate rise came at
a time of uncertainty, Council had put in place processes to assist residents in meeting their obligations. “It was an extremely difficult and emotive discussion, as raising rates at this time was not an easy decision,” she said. “As a Council, we’re well aware of the challenging economic conditions that residents are currently experiencing,” Mayor Matthews said. She said only 23 people applied for assistance the last time the rate notices went out, but council fully expected community members to take
them up on the offer. “Council remains committed to delivering on key community projects and the revenue raised from ratepayers will help us do that.” She said that it was hard to ask for help, but even council was asking for help. It was asking the State Government for a $400,000 grant to help pay for the cost of running the new Local Planning Panel. The State Government imposed panel held its first meeting this month to deal with development applications that the council used to consider.
Council is forecasting revenue of $335.5M from ratepayers over the next 12 months. The rate increase will bring in a potential addition of $4.4M in revenue from last year. The special rate levies are long-term levies: Gosford CBD Improvement; Gosford Parking; The Entrance area; Wyong area, Toukley area; and, Business and Tourism Development. These special rates are paid in specific business areas. A push by Crs Greg Best and Troy Marquart to keep rates at the current level was defeated. Council will hold an
See page 15
Education
Continued page 9
Year 12 HSC Visual Arts students are back in the Art Department and turning heads with the progress of their Bodies of Work.
2.6 percent rate rise adopted Councillors at their ordinary general meeting on June 22, voted to apply the 2.6 percent rate rise allowed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
Council is continuing to transition some of its most popular community events to an online format in order to keep residents connected, inspired and entertained.
See page 26
extraordinary meeting on Monday night, June 29, to adopt the draft operational plan (or budget) which explains how council will spend its money next financial year. The councillors held a meeting on Saturday, June 13, to discuss the budget, among other topics. Cr Best alluded to the discussions, saying that they heard staggering figures and issues that would need to be managed. Source: Meeting, Jun 22 Central Coast Council Reporter: Merilyn Vale
Sport
Central Coast Rugby Union has released the draw for their modified 2020 season, with some blockbuster matches scheduled for the opening round. See page 31
Puzzles page 19
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