Issue 80 of Wyong Regional Chronicle

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October 30, 2015

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Issue 80

Airport to take off but not everyone is on board here have been calls for NSW Government scrutiny, and even council resignations, over Wyong Council’s approach to the development of a regional airport.

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A decision by Wyong Council to discuss its Central Coast Regional Airport plans in a confidential meeting has been criticised by NSW member for Wyong, Mr David Harris MP. Mr Harris said he had written to the premier, planning minister and the department of local government “seeking scrutiny of Wyong Council’s handling of their infamous, on again, off again, regional airport.

“News that Wyong Council is about to commit ratepayers to a $60 million upgrade of Warnervale Airport, after spending approximately $20 million on their nowabandoned Kiar Ridge Airport, raises serious questions about secret decision making, lack of public consultation and frivolous use of ratepayers money,” he said.

“It seems clear now that Council is in possession of studies and reports that cast serious doubt on the economic viability of a regional airport.

“These reports have forced them to abandon their plans for Kiar Ridge, despite Blind Freddy being able to tell them that the whole proposal was a dud.

“Now they want to

The amphibious aircraft potentially to be built at Warnervale Airport Wyong Council has create over 600 jobs. spend further ratepayer “These studies have money on a new confirmed a confidential on Central shown that growing the speculative upgrade of report the existing Warnervale Coast Regional Airport Warnervale Aerodrome airport, despite saying was circulated to all into a Regional Airport a few years ago that the councillors on Friday, makes more sense,” Cr current aerodrome should October 23 to be discussed Eaton said.

“It will slash $217 close and the area be in a confidential session reverted to industrial use. on Wednesday, October million from the airport “These major plans and 28 and the resolution development bill...so now commitments are being reported to the full council we don’t need to negotiate with the State and Federal made in secret confidential meeting.

In information released Governments, we can sessions, away from public scrutiny, and when to the media after the fund this airport ourselves.

“It will deliver members of the public try meeting, it was announced Warnervale significant new jobs in our to find out information, that the council forces them to Aerodrome will become region...and those jobs are go to court, wasting more a regional airport, over already starting to flow in from general aviation.” time. ratepayers’ money.

According to Wyong Wyong mayor, Cr “We have had two failed regional airport plans Doug Eaton OAM said Council, the Central Coast (Kiar Ridge and Bushells investigations have shown is the ninth largest region Ridge) and I believe that the cost of developing in Australia, yet the only ratepayers who were hit Warnervale Aerodrome as one without a regional with a special rate rise a regional airport would be airport.

A confidential report $48 million and it would deserve better,” he said.

Photo ABC

outlined the results of population growth projections, passenger demand forecasts and economic impact studies.

“These have clearly demonstrated that a regional airport is essential infrastructure in ensuring the Central Coast can service the needs of our growing population,” Cr Eaton said.

“There is already significant interest in Warnervale Airport and this Council decision will ensure it really takes off,” he said.

Cr Eaton has publicly confirmed that Council has entered into a heads of agreement with an American company to build amphibious aircraft at the Warnervale airport.

“Such an airport would be smaller than that originally proposed for the Kiar Ridge site, eventually allowing for 450,000 passenger movements each year.

“This would be similar in size to the capacity at Ballina or Coffs Harbour Regional Airports.

“The airport would be developed incrementally as demand increases.

“Initially the airport will cater for general aviation aircraft before moving onto passenger carriage.

“We have already commenced discussions with regional airlines to establish passenger services to Melbourne and Brisbane with 50 seat DASH 8 twin turbo prop type aircraft,” Cr Eaton added.

“I hope services can start as early as next year.”

“By establishing the regional airport on the existing Warnervale Airport site, Council now opens the way for the land purchased at Kiar Ridge, for $10 million, to be opened up for industrial and business park development.

“Independent assessment indicates returns to Council are expected to be significantly higher than the purchase price,” he said.

Mr Laurie Eyes from the Central Coast Regional Airport Action Group said the switch back to Warnervale means: “We are right back to where we were 20 years ago.

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

Continued page 3

Directory

P22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

Wyong services directory

Chance to Win!

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

Accommodation Dept. of Housing Wyong 4352 4400 Wyong accomodation support program 4351 0365 Pacific Link Com Housing 4324 7617 Samaritans Youth Services 4351 1922 Youth Accom Hotline 1800 424 830 Temporary Accommodation 1800 152 152

Animal Rescue

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 Sexual Assault Resource 1800 199 888 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 Translation and Interpreting Service 13 14 50

Wyong Drama Group (WDG) has been well known for the occasional “play with music”.

Contrary to what might be expected from the title, there is very little music in this play

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.

Family and Relationships Parents Helpline 132 055 Oasis Youth Centre 4353 9799 Horizons (For families) 4351 5008 Interrelate - Family Relationships 1300 736 966

Mensline - talk with a bloke 1300 789 978 Lifecare Family Services 1300 130 225 CatholicCare: 4356 2600 Relationship Australia: 1300 364 277 Interrelate: 1800 449 118

Legal Legal Aid 4324 5611

Emergency

Problems, Habits & Addiction

Police Assistance Line 131 444 Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Wyong Police Station 4356 6099 Energy Australia 13 13 88 Gas Emergency 131 909 Wyong Shire Council 4350 5555 Marine Rescue - Central Coast 4325 7929 SES - Storm and Flood Emergency 132 500

G-Line Telephone Counsel 1800 633 635 Gamblers Anonymous 9726 6625 Alcoholics Anonymous 4323 3890 Narcotics Anonymous 4325 0524 Quitline 131 848

Welfare Services Coast Community Centre 4325 3510 Horizons Family Services 4351 5008 Meals on Wheels Wyong - 4333 6942 Department of Community Services Wyong 4352 6500 The Salvation Army 4325 5733 Samaritans Emergency Relief 4393 2450 St Vincent De Paul Society HELPLINE 4323 6081

Crisis Services and Helplines Lifeline - 24 hr. 13 11 14 Suicide Helpline 1800 191 919 Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Parents Helpline 13 20 55 Indigenous Call Centre 136 380 Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321

often quite different from what was originally received.

Contributions are welcome and are preferred in email form, ideally with any relevant photographs attached.

Contributions must include the contributor’s name, address and phone numbers.

This is not for publication but name and suburb will be published and anonymous contributions will not be included.

Wyong Regional Chronicle delivered to: Alison, Bateau Bay, Berkeley Vale, Blue Bay, Blue Haven, Budgewoi, Budgewoi Peninsula, Buff Point, Bushells Ridge, Canton Beach, Cedar Brush Creek, Chain Valley Bay, Charmhaven, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Colongra, Crangan Bay, Dooralong, Doyalson, Doyalson North, Durren

Durren, Fountaindale, Frazer Park, Freemans, Glenning Valley, Gorokan, Gwandalan, Halekulani, Halloran, Hamlyn Terrace, Jilliby, Kangy Angy, Kanwal, Kiar, Killarney Vale, Kingfisher Shores, Lake Haven, Lake Munmorah, Lemon Tree, Little Jilliby, Long Jetty, Magenta, Mannering Park, Mardi, Moonee, Norah Head, Noraville, Ourimbah, Palmdale,

Palmgrove, Point Wolstoncroft, Ravensdale, Rocky Point, San Remo, Shelly Beach, Summerland Point, Tacoma, Tacoma South, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Toowoon Bay, Toukley, Tuggerah, Tuggerawong, Tumbi Umbi, Wadalba, Wallarah, Warnervale, Watanobbi, Woongarrah, Wybung, Wyee, Wyee Point, Wyong, Wyong Creek, Wyongah, Yarramalong

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Wyong Hospital 4394 8000 Cancer Hotline 131 120 Mental Health info Service 1300 794 991 Beyond Blue (Depression) 1300 22 4636 Community Women’s Health Centre 4351 1152

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entral Coast Newspapers is a local, family owned business that publishes and distributes three Central Coast Newspapers every fortnight.

All staff are also locals and between them, the three papers cover the entire Central Coast.

Each paper focuses specifically on an

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it to Wyong Regional Chronicle Lend me a Tenor Competition, PO Box 1056 Gosford NSW 2250.

Entries close 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 11.

The winners of the Wyong Regional Chronicle Central Coast Mariners competition were: Geleris Family, Erina; Joe Ledger, San Remo, Richard Ryan, Summerland Point, Michelle Webb, from Watanobbi and Adrian Vipan, from Toukley.

but plenty of laughs.

The story revolves around misunderstandings which arise after opera singer, Tito Merelli, is unable to perform for a special one-off appearance.

The season commences at The Grove from November 12.

To win a double pass, for performances after November 18 write your full name, address and a day time phone number on the back of an envelope and post

he Wyong Regional Chronicle and the Wyong Drama Group offers three readers the chance to win a double pass to see “Lend Me a Tenor”

by Ken Ludwig.

editorial@centralcoastnews.net Ph: 43255 73 7369 3699 Next Edition: Wyong Regional Chronicle 81 Deadline: November 11 - Publication date: November 13

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Peninsula Community Access Edition 377

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Community Access October 2, 2015

Shop for lease in Blackwall Rd Woy Woy

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Issue 78

Ourimbah boarding house receives conditional approval

Another large vacant retail space in Woy Woy’s town centre

Chamber call: Revitalise Woy Woy Woy Woy town centre needs to be revitalised, according to Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales It needed redevelopment incentives like those in Gosford and an overhaul of traffic management, he said.

He said the number of vacant shops in Blackwall Road has escalated in recent months and the closure of the nearby RTA has further dampened the

commercial mood in the town centre.

Mr Wales said Woy Woy town centre continued to suffer because of Gosford Council’s obsession with the Gosford CBD. “We want to see a five-year moratorium on car parking fees and discounts on Section 94 payments to encourage current land owners to redevelop in Woy Woy. “It is no different to the Section 94 discounts and floor space

ratio concessions being given in the Gosford CBD but I think we can do more in Woy Woy and get a much better outcome in a shorter period of time than we will ever get in Gosford,” he said.

“When you talk about a $170 million development like those in Gosford you make people’s heads swell but smaller and more manageable developments, using floor space ratio and height bonuses, if you make them attractive, they are

Vacant shops can be found on both sides of Blackwall Road Woy Woy

achievable,” he said.

He said Woy Woy’s revival hinged on many variables.

“We don’t seem to have an economic blue print for Woy Woy town centre and there are infrastructure issues that need to be addressed,” he said.

One critical issue was the no right turn from Blackwall Rd to Railway St, which he said “means everyone tends to bypass the main street”.

Mr Wales said there was a need to revisit the whole traffic

management plan for Woy Woy. He said the pending completion of the new grand stand and open concourse area at the oval, expected to be ready for use within six months, was positive for Woy Woy. This brand new facility was expected to put some focus back on Oval Avenue and the older part of Woy Woy, he said.

Interview, 24 Sep 2015 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Reporter: Jackie Pearson

More retail space for lease in Woy Woy

THIS ISSUE contains 59 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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October 7, 2015 28 September 2015

espite ongoing opposition from the community, the Ourimbah boarding house Development Application has received conditional approval from the Joint Regional Planning Panel.

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Representatives of the Ourimbah community, through their Stop Glen Road Development Action Group and the Ourimbah Region Residents Association Inc, (ORRA) delivered speeches against the DA for the boarding house at the JRPP meeting held in the Wyong Council Chambers on September 24.

Mr Allan Benson, Mr Greg McGill, Ms Di Willard and Ms Lesley Peden, all delivered speeches with Mr Benson highlighting concerns about the construction of the slab at the base of the development.

Mr McGill outlined the development’s incompatibility with the surrounding area.

Ourimbah residents with member for Dobell Karen McNamara

Ms Willard addressed issues with drawings and other planning information supplied as false or misleading and Ms Peden argued that late document submission was unfair and impactful on the hearing.

Mr Benson presented his concerns with the suspended slab in three sections: a flood study, structural loading issues

and creek debris.

According to Mr Benson, a hydrologist he petitioned to conduct a flood study confirmed that the structure would risk diverting floodwater back towards the property neighbouring the development, which may cause significant additional flooding to the driveway and beyond.

Another argument

from Mr Benson addressed concerns about debris being cleared from the creek by having creek access through the slab.

Mr Benson concluded his speech by arguing that too many questions remained surrounding the slab, and urged the JRPP to suspend its construction and therefore disallow the west wing of the

watertight reasons why the DA does not fit the local character test,” Mr McGill said.

“But after four public exhibitions, two panel meetings and innumerable extensions to fixed deadlines, the DA has still not been rejected.

“So this time, we’re going to tie our arguments to precedents from the Land and Environment Court to show not only that it should be rejected here tonight but that it also has no chance of ever being approved by the Court,” he said.

Mr McGill brought up concerns about noise, overlooking and overshadowing development. issues for the current Mr McGill’s address to neighbour and presented the JRPP involved several the case of Project cases from the Land and Venture Developments Environment Court that v Pittwater Council in supported the idea that 2005, in which the court the boarding house was rejected the DA saying not in compliance with physical impacts, such as Section 79C of the EPA noise, overlooking and Act, the local character overshadowing which and public interest tests.

“In past submissions, Continued P3 we’ve presented what we believed to be many

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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Another announcement but still nothing happening

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Issue 118

Federal Treasurer announces location of Taxation Office building

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again in September 2015.

She said the only thing that has changed is the treasurer.

“Last year Joe Hockey was here making the announcement, now the new treasurer Scott Morrison is here saying the exact same thing.

“In two years, Lucy Wicks and her colleagues were able to remove a prime minister and a treasurer, but still not bring any jobs to Gosford.

“Lucy Wicks needs to focus on what’s important for the people of the Coast and not get caught up in her own Liberal Party politics.”

Media release Sep 24, 2015 Richard Mehrtens Office of Deborah O’Neill

Senator Deborah O'Neill addressed the community rally on the Gosford waterfront

Federal treasurer, Mr Scott Morrison MP fields questions from journalists

ember for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks MP and federal treasurer, Mr Scott Morrison MP officially announced that the site of the former Gosford Public School had been chosen to house a new Australian Taxation Office building on Friday, September 25.

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The announcement, which took place on the site in Mann St, was also attended by Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council CEO, Mr Paul Anderson, former NSW member for Gosford, Mr Chris Holstein and Gosford Chamber of Commerce president, Ms Ali Vidler.

Ms Wicks said she considered the ATO development in Gosford to be the Coalition Government’s most important initiative on the Central Coast.

“Coasties tell me every single day they want the opportunity to not only live in the best city and region in the world but also to be able to work here locally as well,” Ms Wicks said.

She said 600 people coming into the heart of Gosford every single day means “more coffee shops thriving, means 600 more coffees every day or, if you drink coffee like I do, perhaps around 1,200

coffees that will have to be made every single day.

“It means lunches, it means dinners, it means the newsagents will benefit, it means our drycleaners will benefit.

“What we see here in this site behind us is, we’re going to see those jobs start here on the Central Coast,” Mr Morrison said.

“It’s not just the Commonwealth hub which is going to be established here, it’s the works that will now take place and the planning and the design and the construction over the next couple of years which will see this as a hub of economic activity which will support so many other industries and so many other things right here on the Central Coast,” he said.

When asked whether the 600 jobs announced would be new or relocated positions, Mr Morrison said the site would house a fourstorey building that would have 600 people working in

it.

“People who come and have to deal with Commonwealth public servants in an array of different agencies, they will be coming here, they will be doing business here, they will be in this community, they will be in this CBD. “All of that means jobs…people can quibble about the economic metric analysis, but I tell you what, the businesses around here will see one thing, they will see more jobs and that’s what the Central Coast needs.

“There will be people doing all sorts of work in this building: there will be couriers coming in and out of this building; there will be people organising meetings and working in administrative roles; there will be people who will be working here in traineeships; there will be people working here in a range of different levels and then the people working out and serving the

coffees or the hospitality sector or supporting the plumbing businesses which will be working here.

“This is a trigger, this is an initiator and I think it can really fire up the aspiration which I think there’s never been any shortage of on the Central Coast but this, I think, will really fuel it.”

Ms Wicks said construction on the waterfront Gosford site would start by the end of June 2016.

“The building will be open by the end of 2017, so we should expect to see the jobs flowing in from the end of 2017,” she said.

Treasurer Morrison said the Australian Taxation Office would be a significant occupant of the building but arrangements were still being made with other agencies, which will be the subject of other announcements when finalised.

Mr Morrison and Ms Wicks did not provide details about the cost of the development.

Transcript, Sep 25, 2015 Julian Leembruggen, office of Scott Morrison

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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Community Access

A leopard seal spent the day at Ocean Beach Umina recently

north in terms of their position in the food chain,” he said.

Their spot at the top end of the food chain means leopard seals are healthy in numbers and they are solitary animals so it is not unusual to see them alone.

Mr Ling said leopard seals had

been known to turn up on Ocean Beach from time to time because of its proximity to Lion Island which is home to a colony of Little Penguins.

“When you are a seal you like to eat big fish like salmon and tailor but what they really like to eat is penguins,” he said.

Mr Ling said the seal, which was not identified as female or male, was most likely ashore at Umina for rest and recuperation and it was not unusual to see seals on land.

Mr Ling and other volunteers took the time to observe its body shape, the condition of its eyes,

nose and mouth and came to the conclusion that it was in fine health.

“It only had a few battle scars,” he said.

The observations helped Orrca to identify the same seal when it came ashore at Stockton five days later.

Although it is not unusual to see a leopard seal on land, Mr Ling said it was important to keep at least 40 metres away from the mammal.

“They are very fast on land and they can lunge big distances.

“They also have big teeth and they are not afraid to use them.

“They are very unpredictable and their demeanor can change quickly,” he said.

The Central Coast is home to significant numbers of Orrca volunteers, Mr Ling said.

The organisation is now in its 30th year of rescuing marine mammals and does not accept any government funding.

Interview, 7 Oct 2015 Ronny Ling, ORRCA Reporter, Jackie Pearson

Local beaches are given mixed ratings Pearl Beach, Umina Beach and Killcare were graded good in this year’s NSW State of the Beaches report, but other local beaches did not fare so well.

Ocean Beach was rated as poor in the latest report and deemed to be suitable for swimming 82 per cent of the time.

Ocean Beach can be impacted by polluted outflow from Brisbane Water, according to the report.

“It is recommended that swimming be avoided during and up to one day after rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater pollution,” the report said.

The Peninsula’s estuarine beaches, Pretty Beach baths, Ettalong Channel, Woy Woy baths, and Patonga Creek were graded poor.

The report said they were frequently suitable for swimming during dry weather.

“However, elevated levels of enterococci were recorded following light rainfall,” the report said.

“Elevated enterococci levels were often recorded during both dry and wet weather conditions at Ettalong Channel … and Woy Woy Baths.

Enterococci is a bacteria excreted in faeces and rarely present in

unpolluted waters.

Beachwatch tests for enterococci because it is considered to be the single preferred indicator of faeces in marine water.

Beaches rated good are suitable for swimming most of the time.

A poor rating means the location is susceptible to faecal pollution and not always suitable for swimming.

“Swimming at the estuarine beaches is best avoided during and for up to three days following rainfall or it there are any signs of stormwater pollution.

In terms of ocean baths, Pearl Beach rockpool was graded as poor.

“Water quality was frequently suitable for swimming during dry weather conditions, with elevated enterococci levels recorded following 5mm or more of rainfall.

“It is recommended that swimming in the baths be avoided during and for up to one day following rainfall or if there are any signs of pollution,” the report said.

Elevated levels of microbial contamination were recorded at most swimming sites in late January and early February, due to very heavy rainfall.

Twenty-four hour rainfall totals exceeded 200 mm at Ettalong and

86 mm at Killcare on January 18.

In April 2015, several sewage pumping stations overflowed to local waterways due to power outages caused by the East Coast Low storm event.

The wet weather conditions and power outages caused bypasses at the Woy Woy sewage treatment plant.

Gosford Council issued a public health alert advising the community to avoid swimming and other activities at all public waterways due to the potential health risk.

Swimming sites graded as poor have permanent advisory signs recommending that swimming should be avoided for up to three days after rain in estuarine/lagoon environments and up to one day after rain at beaches.

According to the BeachWatch report, Gosford Council investigates algal blooms, sewage contamination and stormwater pollution at designated swimming sites.

“If algal blooms are confirmed, the council erects algal bloom signs and liaises with the NSW Office of Water’s Hunter Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (HRACC).

“If sewage contamination is suspected temporary signs are

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Issue 119 Edition 379

October 16, 2015

The Antarctic mammal, which was over two metres long, was spotted by a passer-by who called the 24-hour hotline of volunteer marine mammal rescue organisation Orrca about its presence at Umina around 9am on the Sunday.

Orrca president Mr Ronny Ling said he happily made the trip from Sydney to spend the day at Umina observing the seal.

“Our immediate response to the call was to get people down there and we had wonderful support from the Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club and the local National Parks and Wildlife Service,” Mr Ling said.

Mr Ling said only a handful of these predators get into the currents and make the journey this far north.

“They are important to the food chain down there.

“They are the Antarctic equivalent of the Polar Bear in the

Peninsula

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October 21, 2015 12 October 2015

Leopard seal comes ashore at Ocean Beach A leopard seal chose Ocean Beach to come ashore and spend a day of rest on Sunday, September 27.

nother announcement of long promised jobs and a new building for Gosford doesn’t make them any more real, according to Labor senator for NSW, Deborah O’Neill.

With four previous announcements of this project, and no milestones to show after two years, Sen O’Neill said locals have a right to feel deceived.

“Here we go again,” Sen O’Neill said.

“A re-announcement of a project that, despite being a supposed centre-piece of this government, has not moved in more than two years,” she said.

“This is the fifth time this announcement has been made, and we still haven’t seen a sod turned or a job created.”

According to Sen O’Neill, the initiative was first announced during the 2013 election campaign, then again in May 2014, August 2014, May 2015, and now

Edition 378

immediately erected and a media release may be issued.

“Only when water quality results indicate that the site is suitable for swimming are the temporary signs removed.

“If stormwater pollution is suspected temporary signs are erected.”

Council has approved works for the $15–17 million Cockle Bay Towns Sewerage Project.

This project intends to deliver an improved sewer service to properties located within Empire Bay. According to the report, works undertaken to improve the quality of stormwater entering receiving waters include: installation of stormwater quality improvement devices such as gross pollutant traps, trash racks, silt traps and basins; vegetative filter systems and constructed wetlands; installation of dog poo bins in popular dog walking areas; stormwater community education projects; riparian rehabilitation; and enforcement of the council’s erosion, sediment and nutrient control regulations.

“Council conducted an upgrade to Pearl Beach Rockpool, with works including the installation of gutters to improve pool flushing with a 1.5 m

tide.

“The pool is cleaned four times a year and relies on tides to flush and top it up with fresh water.

“Gosford Council has invested in stormwater quality improvement devices at a number of key strategic locations including drainage outlets at Umina and Ettalong.

“These devices are regularly inspected and maintained as part of the council’s routine maintenance program.

“Coastal Zone Management Plans are being implemented for all catchments within the local government area.

“These plans provide direction and guidance for the management of estuaries and their catchments to achieve long-term improvements in waterway health.

“Plans have been developed for the Lower Hawkesbury River (2009), Brisbane Water (2012) and Pearl Beach Lagoon (2014).

Report, 7 Oct 2015 State of the Beaches 2014-15 Central Coast NSW NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage

THIS ISSUE contains 59 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

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Issue 79

Council resolves to compulsorily acquire The Grove if unsuccessful at auction

IPART recommends Gosford Council amalgamates T

he NSW Independent P r i c i n g and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has announced that, on the basis of Gosford Council’s proposal to continue operating as a stand-alone local government, it has been rated unfit.

David Harris said the Wyong Grove School site should not be sold

Wyong Musical Society's production of The Little Mermaid was staged at The Grove

yong Council has resolved to take ownership of the former can’t let that happen,” Mr and set building and an only agreed to their intimate theatre space for school being closed Wyong Grove school site, which includes resolutions necessary Roome said. because it was going The future of small productions. to initiate a compulsory acquisition of the site.

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“This resumption will save Wyong Grove and keep it for the community,” said Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM. “The NSW Government is proposing to sell the site at a public auction before the end of the month.

“If Council is unsuccessful at the auction, it will compulsorily acquire the property from the successful bidder,” he said.

Council currently leases the site and has turned it into a community and cultural hub that is home to a number of permanent and regular local groups as well as hosting a range of special events.

“The first we heard about the decision to sell was when the ‘for sale’ sign went up,” Cr Eaton said.

“This is particularly disappointing as the Department of Education is well aware of our interest in the site as we have spoken directly to them about buying it.

“Wyong Grove is a vital part of our community, never more evident than when it was used as the Disaster Recovery Centre for residents affected by the devastating April storms.

“It has become the cultural epicentre of our shire and is home to important groups including the Wyong Drama Group and Wyong Musical Society

who provide important cultural opportunities for our talented locals, particularly our young people.

“It will be a travesty if the curtain comes down on Wyong Grove and we will now look to take over ownership completely so this important community facility can remain in public hands.”

President of the Wyong Musical Theatre Company, Mr Fred Roome said a campaign had been launched to save Wyong Grove including a facebook page and a change.org petition and he is encouraging residents to get on board.

“Once these community facilities are gone, they are gone forever and we simply

the Wyong Grove Public School site was considered in a confidential Wyong Council meeting on Wednesday, October 14.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said councillors considered a report that would canvass whether or not Council should or can look at purchasing the property.

The meeting was confidential because it needed to discuss commercially sensitive information such as property valuations.

Prior to the confidential session, Mr Howard Oxley, president of the Wyong Drama Group addressed Council.

Mr Oxley told Council that the Grove provided amateur theatre groups in Wyong with an affordable space for rehearsals

“The costs for the use of the Arthouse would quadruple the costs of bringing any amateur production to the stage,” Mr Oxley said.

“The Arthouse is the centre of performance but not a centre for all the bits that go with it…

The Grove is a major piece of the jigsaw for all the groups that are down there.”

Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris MP said he supported Council’s plans to either purchase or compulsorily acquire the Grove.

“The NSW Government has reneged on a promise to Wyong Council and the people of Wyong,” Mr Harris said.

“The people who sat in those consultation meetings with the Department of Education

to stay in community hands,” he said.

Mr Harris said there will be a community rally at the Wyong Grove site at 10am on Saturday, October 24 to oppose moves by the State Government to sell it to anyone other than Council or a not-forprofit organisation that would retain it for the community.

That would be a big victory for the community.

Media release, Sep 30 and Oct 14 2015 Wyong Council media Interview, Oct 13, 2015 Doug Eaton, Wyong Council Meeting transcript, Oct 14, 2015 Wyong Council Interview, Oct 15, 2015 David Harris, member for Wyong 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

Gosford Council submitted one of 48 proposals received from 139 NSW local governments to stand alone.

IPART’s chairman, Dr Peter Boxall said proposals to stand alone were assessed according to whether they delivered the scale and capacity, financial sustainability, the ability to effectively manage infrastructure and services and efficiency for the community.

“We have considered the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s (ILGRP) preferred option and whether the proposal demonstrates the council can achieve the key elements of scale and capacity.

In the case of Gosford Council, the ILGRP’s preferred option was to “Amalgamate with Wyong or a multi-purpose Joint Organisation”.

The ILGRP also said that no separate water corporate body would be established for the Central Coast until other options were properly evaluated.

Wyong Council received the same rating as Gosford: “not fit” and the ILGRP’s preferred option was to “Amalgamate with Gosford or a multi-purpose Joint Organisation”.

Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said he had taken part in a link-up with NSW premier, Mr Mike Baird and minister for local government Mr Paul Toole on the morning of Tuesday, October 20.

Cr McKinna said he

was told that Gosford had failed to meet the scale and capacity criteria.

Wyong, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle councils had also failed to meet the scale and capacity criteria.

Cr McKinna said mayors from around NSW who participated in the linkup were told they would be receiving the IPART assessments on Tuesday afternoon.

The results were released to the media at 12:00pm

that day and when Coast Community News spoke with Cr McKinna he said the only written information he had received was the media release, which had been given to him by another party.

“We asked earlier in the process what was meant by scale and capacity and they were never really clear about what it was,” Cr McKinna said.

He said mayors did ask Mr Baird and Mr Toole

whether they had a right of reply.

“We were told ‘no, you’ve got 30 days to decide what you are going to do’.

“So we have got 30 days to sit down with Wyong and discuss amalgamation or Hornsby or whatever.

“But at the moment, we’ve got a resolution from Council to stand alone.

Councils deemed unfit have 30 days to come up with a proposal to merge with a neigbouring council

or lose access to $1 billion in extra funding announced at the beginning of the Fit for the Future process.

“We’ve not got a full meeting tonight [Tuesday, October 20] but we’ve got a strategic policy workshop.

“There is a full council meeting next Tuesday, so I am sure over the next seven days there will be a lot of discussion,” he said.

Cr McKinna said he had been approached by Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM to have a one-on-one meeting to discuss the possibility of an amalgamation between the two councils.

“But I have got a council resolution that we stand alone so I can’t go and talk to him as an individual because I am part of the council,” Cr McKinna said.

Gosford CEO, Mr Paul Anderson referred Coast Community News to Cr McKinna when we asked for his views on the IPART recommendation.

Other councillors were also caught unaware of the IPART recommendation and stated that they were not prepared to comment until they had seen the detail of the report.

Labor Party members in the Robertson electorate are calling for the results of NBN trials which started over a year ago on the Peninsula to be released.

The party’s Robertson Electorate Council secretary Mr Pat Norman is speculating that costs have blown out.

“Why are we installing an expensive and significantly inferior NBN in Umina and Woy Woy?” he asked.

“Much media spin was made about these trials at the time,” said Mr Norman.

“Interestingly though, the government has not released the results of those trials including Mr Turnbull’s cost-benefit analysis,” Mr Norman said.

“NBN Co has refused to answer trial costings questions to the Senate committee enquiry into the NBN rollout.

“Indeed, the NBN leadership has refused to attend the Senate committee enquiry to answer these questions.

“This leads many to speculate that the costing of the watereddown node trials have blown out considerably.

“If these nodes cost so much when compared to the full fibre

NBN installed in Gosford, East Gosford and Springfield, why is the NBN Co still rolling them out?

“It looks certain that the Central Coast will see two, very divided classes of telecommunications service: the real, full-fibre NBN versus the expensive, less reliable and slower node-based NBN. “Mr Turnbull alluded to a significant cost increase in the Coalition’s NBN in one of his last speeches as Communications Minister in the parliament.

“He flagged increasing the government investment envelope into the NBN Co by many hundreds of millions of dollars.

“Why is this the case, when the Coalition promised a reliable, cheaper network built faster?

“Clearly, this is yet another expensive broken promise.

“As members of the Labor party on the Central Coast, we are proud to have helped the community gain the original full fibre NBN investment into the area.

“We are now concerned that the current government is ruining that valuable investment in our future, and not saving any money in the process.”

Media release, 16 Oct 2015 Pat Norman, Australian Labor Party Robertson electorate

October 30, 2015

Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369

Local members of the Labor Party want to know if the Peninsula's fibre to node NBN is inferior to fibre to home

Inform dog owners about guide dogs, says councillor ongoing difficulties with people insisting their off-leash dogs were friendly and should be able to approach a guide dog.

“What they don’t understand is that an assistance dog is a working dog.

“It is not supposed to interact with other people or other animals.”

Cr Bowles said she was aware that Gosford Council had received requests from residents to appoint a companion animals officer.

“I am not sure how common they are within other councils and there are issues with the Companion Animals Act,” she said.

The Companion Animals Act, according to Ms Bowles, was open to varying interpretations in its provisions for assistance animals.

She also said she thought it

was unlikely that Gosford Council would be able to make such an appointment, given the current reform process it was being subjected to.

“The main issue is that the owners of off-leash dogs may not be educated about the role of a companion animal and may not be aware that approaches by off-leash pets can cause the companion animal and its owner distress.

“I know one visually-impaired woman who lives on the Peninsula who is a big advocate of the off leash areas, but her dog is ending up with anxiety issues because other people insist on allowing their dogs to approach her guide dog.”

Interview, 22 Oct 2015 Gabby Bowles, Gosford Council

THIS ISSUE contains 53 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

Issue 80

Airport to take off but not everyone is on board T

She said she believed many dog owners, particularly those who use off-leash areas on the Peninsula, did not have a good understanding of companion animals.

“Dogs are not being adequately controlled in off-leash areas,” Cr Bowles said.

“This is specifically a problem with people who allow their dogs to approach guide dogs,” she said.

Ms Bowles said visuallyimpaired Peninsula residents with guide dogs had experienced Node trials were carried out in Woy Woy and Umina

READ & SHARE WWW.COASTCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

26 October 2015

here have been calls for NSW Government scrutiny, and even council resignations, over Wyong Council’s approach to the development of a regional airport.

Dog owners on the Peninsula should be informed about the needs of guide dogs and other companion animals and their owners, according to Gosford councillor Gabby Bowles.

Media release, Oct 20, 2015 Julie Sheather, Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Interview, Oct 20, 2015 Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council Paul Anderson, Gosford Council 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

FREE

News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

Labor members call for release of NBN trial results

A decision by Wyong Council to discuss its Central Coast Regional Airport plans in a confidential meeting has been criticised by NSW member for Wyong, Mr David Harris MP. Mr Harris said he had written to the premier, planning minister and the department of local government “seeking scrutiny of Wyong Council’s handling of their infamous, on again, off again, regional airport.

“News that Wyong Council is about to commit ratepayers to a $60 million upgrade of Warnervale Airport, after spending approximately $20 million on their nowabandoned Kiar Ridge Airport, raises serious questions about secret decision making, lack of public consultation and frivolous use of ratepayers money,” he said.

“It seems clear now that Council is in possession of studies and reports that cast serious doubt on the economic viability of a regional airport.

“These reports have forced them to abandon their plans for Kiar Ridge, despite Blind Freddy being able to tell them that the whole proposal was a dud.

“Now they want to

The amphibious aircraft potentially to be built at Warnervale Airport spend further ratepayer Wyong Council has create over 600 jobs. money on a new confirmed a confidential “These studies have speculative upgrade of report on Central shown that growing the the existing Warnervale Coast Regional Airport Warnervale Aerodrome airport, despite saying was circulated to all into a Regional Airport a few years ago that the councillors on Friday, makes more sense,” Cr current aerodrome should October 23 to be discussed Eaton said. close and the area be in a confidential session “It will slash $217 reverted to industrial use. on Wednesday, October million from the airport “These major plans and 28 and the resolution development bill...so now commitments are being reported to the full council we don’t need to negotiate made in secret confidential meeting. with the State and Federal sessions, away from In information released Governments, we can public scrutiny, and when to the media after the fund this airport ourselves. members of the public try meeting, it was announced “It will deliver to find out information, that Warnervale significant new jobs in our the council forces them to Aerodrome will become region...and those jobs are go to court, wasting more a regional airport, over already starting to flow in ratepayers’ money. time. from general aviation.”

“We have had two failed Wyong mayor, Cr According to Wyong regional airport plans Doug Eaton OAM said Council, the Central Coast (Kiar Ridge and Bushells investigations have shown is the ninth largest region Ridge) and I believe that the cost of developing in Australia, yet the only ratepayers who were hit Warnervale Aerodrome as one without a regional with a special rate rise a regional airport would be airport. deserve better,” he said. $48 million and it would A confidential report

Photo ABC

outlined the results of population growth projections, passenger demand forecasts and economic impact studies.

“These have clearly demonstrated that a regional airport is essential infrastructure in ensuring the Central Coast can service the needs of our growing population,” Cr Eaton said.

“There is already significant interest in Warnervale Airport and this Council decision will ensure it really takes off,” he said.

Cr Eaton has publicly confirmed that Council has entered into a heads of agreement with an American company to build amphibious aircraft at the Warnervale airport.

“Such an airport would be smaller than that originally proposed for the Kiar Ridge site, eventually allowing for 450,000 passenger movements each year.

“This would be similar in size to the capacity at Ballina or Coffs Harbour Regional Airports.

“The airport would be developed incrementally as demand increases.

“Initially the airport will cater for general aviation aircraft before moving onto passenger carriage.

“We have already commenced discussions with regional airlines to establish passenger services to Melbourne and Brisbane with 50 seat DASH 8 twin turbo prop type aircraft,” Cr Eaton added.

“I hope services can start as early as next year.”

“By establishing the regional airport on the existing Warnervale Airport site, Council now opens the way for the land purchased at Kiar Ridge, for $10 million, to be opened up for industrial and business park development.

“Independent assessment indicates returns to Council are expected to be significantly higher than the purchase price,” he said.

Mr Laurie Eyes from the Central Coast Regional Airport Action Group said the switch back to Warnervale means: “We are right back to where we were 20 years ago.

Continued page 3

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

www.wyongnews.orgg

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P3 3

rom page 1

F

“This is the same as the proposal that council made in 1993,” Mr Eyes said.

“In 1995 they put out an Environmental Impact Study for a 1,800 metre runway at Warnervale and it got approved by the then State Government.

“Then a group was formed called the Central Coast Airport Action Group and, with the help of the then state member of parliament, in 1996 we got the Warnervale Airport Restriction Act. “That has protected the community for nearly 20 years,” Mr Eyes said.

“It is supposedly going to be a development up to 1,800 metres in three stages but they won’t do that.

“I am just going by past performance and how things happen in that council and the three-stage development is just to get councillors to support the expansion of Warnervale.”

According to the Central Coast Airport Action Group, the costs put forward by Wyong Council for the development of Kiar Ridge were never realistic.

Wyong Council business papers from November 2013 put the cost of developing

Kiar Ridge at $250 million.

However, according to Mr Eyes, a 2,450 metre runway expansion at the Sunshine Coast regional airport in Queensland has been costed at $435.6 million.

Wyong councillors visited the Sunshine Coast prior to putting forward their own significantly lower figures for the Kiar Ridge project, according to Mr Eyes.

“They knew what a 2,450 metre runway was going to cost with a terminal building upgrade and then, three months later, said it would only cost $230 million to build a brand new runway and terminal building.

“And the Sunshine Coast had no hills or creeks to remove from their site.

“The major reason the whole thing has fallen over is that it is too expensive, it is way, way over $230 million, it was always going to be and they knew it.

“The failure of the Kiar airport is significant because the council bought the land in 2014 without having conducted a single study and they paid $17 million to Terrace Tower for the land,” Mr Eyes said.

In a recent ABC Local Radio interview, Cr Eaton

The existing Warnervale runway

refuted that $17 million figure and stated the airport site had been purchased for $10 million with another nearby site, slated for residential development, purchased for $7 million.

According to Mr Eyes, a $10 million purchase price was still over the mark.

“I took the time to check the government’s valuation of the land they bought and it was $7.4 million,” Mr Eyes said.

“The waste of public money is just extraordinary, they should have got the land properly valued and now they have finally looked at the practicalities of putting an airport there and they’ve found it is not practical.

“Now, considering the complete failure of a $250

million project, they are going to switch attention to an iconic site that, in December 2014, they were talking about as an industrial hub.

“I honestly believe that the council should resign

over this.

“This is the most appalling waste of public money,” Mr Eyes said.

He has also questioned the viability of developing Kiar Ridge as an industrial area.

“There are no services to it at all and the council hasn’t got the money to develop it, but the Warnervale airport is fully serviced and you couldn’t wish for a better site to develop an industrial estate,” He said.

The Central Coast Airport Action Group has also questioned Council’s arguments about the viability of passenger services at an upgraded Warnervale airport.”

“The Illawarra Regional airport at Shellharbour,

News which is almost exactly the same distance as we are from Mascott has had no passenger flights out of it, and hasn’t since Qantas pulled out in 2008,” Mr Eyes said “We’ve got double competition and we are about to get triple because Badgerys Creek is about to be built.

“This is going to end up just like Illawarra airport with no passenger flights,” Mr Eyes said.

Media release, Oct 28, 2015 Jake Allen, office of David Harris Media release, Oct 28, 2015 Wyong Council media Interview, Oct 27, 2015 Laurie Eyes, Central Coast Airport Action Group Jackie Pearson, journalist

Singleton and Smith support airport

A

ustralian aviator, adventurer and entrepreneur Dick Smith and well-known businessman John Singleton flew in to inspect improvements to Warnervale airport on Tuesday, October 20.

The duo joined Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM to inspect recent works to improve safety at the airstrip.

Mr Smith is the former

Chairman of the civil aviation safety body CASA and was inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mr Singleton has a long association with the Central Coast and is a keen aviation enthusiast.

Media alert, Oct 19, 2015 Wyong Council media

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Gosford City Farmers’ Market will feature a wide range of fresh vegetables, fruits, primary produce including gourmet jams and preserves, olive oil products, pestos, macadamia nuts and fresh home made products. The market will include other food related items as well as high quality “foodto-eat” vendors. Flowers, plants and trees will also be available for sale.

Additionally the market will also feature hand-made products other than food such as artists, designers and other quality artifacts.

The market will operate each Sunday from 8.00am till 1.00pm Rain, Hail or Shine.

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News

P44 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

Council’s use of “in confidence” meetings causes concern he use of confidential discussions and documents by Wyong Council to make major decisions was a bone of contention at several points during Wyong Council’s ordinary meeting on October 28.

T

Discussions about plans to develop a regional airport were held “in camera” at the end of the ordinary meeting and then the resolution was put to the public.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM has since declared that the confidential commercial nature of parts of the document were the reason for it being discussed in closed session.

He also asked councillors to sign statutory declarations stating that they were not responsible for leaking the confidential business

paper tto th the media. di Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris MP had said he was concerned about the council’s secret decision making and lack of consultation on its

airport i t plans. l “What ever happened to the Council fixing potholes and building curb and guttering?

“Instead we find them spending their time on

secret deals; attacking neighbouring Councils and seeking to attack Wyong Councilors who dare to question their bizarre plans,” Mr Harris said.

In terms of decision making about the future of Wyong Council, given a NSW Government direction to amalgamate with Gosford, Cr Doug Vincent questioned the need to keep documents and discussions away from the community.

Cr Vincent said a report from Wyong Council’s acting CEO, Mr Rob Noble in relation to Fit for the Future had only be circulated hours before the Council’s ordinary meeting.

“Is there any requirement for that to be circulated and made available to the public and councillors for a reasonable amount of time before the meeting?” Cr Vincent said.

Mr Noble said in his response that Cr Vincent was “absolutely right.

“It would have been wonderful if we had been able to do just that. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, the state government timetable is incredibly limited and that it has only just been this afternoon that we have had the chance to have a serious discussion briefing with councillors, and I needed to take that discussion into account before finalising the document,” Mr Noble said.

Cr Vincent also said he had received an email and briefing slides before the meeting that were not marked confidential.

He asked whether they could be distributed to the public.

Cr Eaton said he had made a ruling that the contents of the email and slides was confidential.

Vincent said he believed Cr Eaton and

others were “blocking transparency.

“The mayor is not allowing information to be made public.

“It is really interesting information that I believe the public should have access to,” he said.

“I think we are better off tonight releasing confidential information so at least the community knows what information a decision is being made on.”

He questioned the need to “Hide everything from them in confidential.

“My view is, it is better to sack this council, put in an administrator, get rid of the politics that are in here now and give everyone a clear run,” he said.

Cr Vincent’s fellow Labor councillor, Cr Lisa Matthews expressed similar sentiments: “Today is the first time I have received information and it is wrapped up in confidential.

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News

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P5 5

“The community doesn't know what has happened and they don't understand the process.

“Councillors were told last Thursday that a recommendation would be sent out under separate cover but we didn't get anything until we sat down at this meeting,” said independent Cr Bob Graham.

“Then during the meeting the mayor changed the motion three times without even asking his seconder if they agreed,” said Cr Graham.

A representative of the Wyong Ratepayers’ Association, Mr Kevin Armstrong who was at the general meeting said: “Councillors frequently claim they represent ratepayers yet too often

give ratepayers no opportunity to know and understand what's going on and why, let alone participate in the decisionmaking process.

“The report on agenda item 4.5 'Fit for the Future' was an 'additional item' only distributed at the meeting,” Mr Armstrong said.

“The recommendation was to 'note the IPART report', with a 'further detailed report at a meeting prior to November 18.

“A number of ratepayers may have wished to address Council for or against the motion had they been informed what was being proposed by the mayor.

“I'm afraid I don't agree that a motion such as the original drafted by the

mayor ought be printed and distributed as the item is under discussion.

“Such practice is against Council's Code of Meeting Practice and against a general good governance principle of 'fully and properly informed decision making'.

“No decision had to be taken tonight [Wednesday, October 28], both Councils have until November 18 for a response and one would hope it would be a carefully considered joint response that provides a workable option.”

During the ordinary meeting, Cr Eaton added four more points to the recommendation, including the preference for a merger with Gosford, that the CEO was to advise

Lake Macquarie of the inclusion of Wyee in an amalgamated Council and that the JRPP be abolished and its powers given to an expanded council.

“The additions appeared to surprise most Councillors, judging from the surprised looks observed from the gallery.

“Despite a briefing earlier in the afternoon, the mayor rejected an amendment proposed

by Cr Graham, then proceeded to allow multiple amendments to the proposed motion as the motion was under discussion, which was unusual 'meeting procedure' to say the least.

“Another print-out occurred during the meeting, after Wyong Council’s CEO and Legal

Counsel re-worded the draft motion.

“Frankly, the way this significant motion was handled tonight was deplorable, there was no attempt at meaningful discussion or consultation to deliver "strong governance for the Central Coast", in IPART's words.

“There was little attempt at developing the best option for all parties affected and ratepayers had absolutely no opportunity whatsoever to either know what was happening or make comment.

“It is deplorable that Wyong Council is yet again making far-reaching decisions with no consultation with others affected, Gosford or Lake Macquarie Councils.

“JRPP panels are part of State-wide planning legislation and linking the abolition of the regional JRPP to the formation of a new organisation appears more of an ambit claim for additional powers.

“One could well ask why Wyong Council is lodging more Gateway applications than any other council in NSW,” he said.

Meeting transcript, Oct 28, 2015 Wyong Council ordinary meeting Media release, Oct 28, 2015 Jake Allen, office of David Harris Email, Oct 29, 2015 Cr Bob Graham, Wyong Council Email, Oct 29, 2015 Kevin Armstrong, Wyong Ratepayers and Residents Association Jackie Pearson, journalist

Community Environment Network Hi Folks, CEN is happy to report that many new community groups are active and our conservation programs are expanding with volunteer support. However, there is constant pressure from developers to reduce or bypass community input. The Better Planning Network says: “the governance approach being taken for planning in NSW, is one that dilutes the democratic process and parliamentary accountability.”

The best way to ensure your suburb stays a nice place to live, work and play is to get involved and support your local groups be they Progress Associations, Residents Groups or Bushcare.

In recent times, CEN is receiving more reports of water pollution into both drinking water catchments and waterways. If you see pollution occurring, report it in the first instance to the EPA hotline on 131555 and note the report number you will be given.

Thank you to all our volunteers, donors and members for your support, John

In Spring: Get out and enjoy the bush and our beautiful coastline!

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Join the Friends of COSS and like minded people to enjoy our great public open spaces. Call CEN to find out more about the Friends of COSS.

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Land for Wildlife is a voluntary conservation program for rural landholders, while Habitat for Wildlife is a voluntary conservation program for urban landholders.

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Go to our website to become involved and sign up for our free newsletter Follow us on Facebook or Twitter - Support CEN – become a member or make a donation.

Phone: 4349 4756 Email: cen@cen.org.au Website: www.cen.org.au

News

P66 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

‘Council passes all benchmarks bar one and so must merge’ – IPART report yong Shire Council has been rated as “unfit” by the Independent Regulatory and Pricing Authority (IPART).

W

On Tuesday, October 20 IPART released its report which stated that Wyong Council did not satisfy its “scale and capacity criterion”.

Wyong Council did, however, satisfy IPART’s financial, sustainability, infrastructure and service management and efficiency criteria.

However, scale and capacity was a threshold criterion which Wyong Council had to satisfy to be Fit for the Future (FFTF), therefore the council is not fit.

Recommendations and options put forward in the IPART report came from an Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP) which found that the Central Coast would benefit from strong governance.

It stated that: “An

amalgamation warrants further investigation, but if that option is rejected or deferred indefinitely, then a Joint Operation (JO) should be established and should assume responsibility for water along with other strategic functions.”

The proposal that Wyong Council submitted to IPART to justify its desire to continue to function as a stand-along council was deemed “not consistent with the objectives for the Central Coast.

“The council ruled out both a merger and a multi-purpose Central Coast JO with Gosford,” the IPART report card for Wyong said.

“It proposes to stand alone with ‘business improvements’.

“In particular, its proposal not to join a

JO does not promote the objectives of strong governance for the Central Coast.

“The council’s population is forecast to be 197,850 by 2031 compared to the forecast merger population of 386,900.

“Our analysis indicates the council does not have sufficient scale and capacity to effectively partner with governments compared to the merger option.

“The efficiency improvements in the council’s proposal can be realised under the merger option.

“In addition the merger option would provide significant further benefits.

“A merged council is also likely to undertake more integrated planning that will promote better

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growth in the Greater Sydney region.

“The council submitted a business case from Third Horizon.

“Based on this model, our analysis suggests the merger produces net benefits of around $101m over 20 years.

“In addition our independent economic consultants Ernst and Young have estimated gains from the merger of $196m over 20 years using publicly available data.

“All analyses showed large gains to the local community from a merger.

Variances in calculations result from different inputs and underlying methodologies,” the report summary for Wyong Council said.

Although Wyong Council’s proposal was to remain a stand-alone council, Wyong mayor,

Cr Doug Eaton OAM made his own submission to IPART which favoured a merger with Gosford.

“We note a submission from the Mayor of Wyong supported a merger with Gosford.

“The council satisfies the sustainability criterion based on its forecast to meet the benchmarks for the operating performance ratio, own source revenue ratio and the building and infrastructure asset renewal ratio by 201920,” the report went on to say.

“We estimate that adjusting the operating performance ratio by removing interest income on section 94 Reserves would reduce the ratio by approximately 0.8 percentage points to -0.7% in 2019-20, which is below the benchmark.

“However, we consider the council has sufficient scope to adjust

its revenue strategy to meet the benchmark.

The council also met the infrastructure and service management criterion based on its forecast to meet the benchmarks for the infrastructure backlog ratio, the asset maintenance ratio and the debt service ratio by 2019-20.

“The debt service ratio will remain around 0.8% throughout the assessment period.

“While this is quite low, it meets the benchmark.

“The council noted that it only borrows when Local infrastructure Renewal Scheme (LIRS) funding becomes available.

“The council meets the efficiency criterion based on a decrease in real operating expenditure per capita over the outlook period.

Continued P7

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P7 7

rom P6

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“The council considers the social and community differences between Wyong and Gosford lead to a different strategic and delivery focus for the two councils.

“It considers greater regional collaboration, as well as investigation of joint service delivery with Gosford, can achieve better strategic capacity outcomes.

“The council stated it has the third largest Water Authority in NSW after Sydney and Hunter Water with over $2.3b in assets.

“We note it runs the Water Authority with Gosford.

“It stated that it complies with the NSW Government’s Best Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Framework as verified by the 2012-13 FY Annual Audit.”

IPART received 11 submissions regarding Wyong’s proposal.

Nine submissions opposed a merger with Gosford.

The concerns expressed included that Wyong’s financial position would deteriorate through redirecting funds to cover Gosford’s operating deficit and asset upgrades.

As well, it would

disenfranchise Wyong residents and take the ‘local’ out of local government.

There were concerns that Gosford with its larger administration centre would take over Wyong.

Two submissions supported a merger including a submission from the Mayor of Wyong.

The reasons for support included that it would bring a unified voice, remove duplication, significantly increase strategic capacity and yield better outcomes for the region as a whole.

One submission supporting a merger noted the flawed Third Horizon modelling in terms of using different discount rates for the different scenarios.

Several submitters did not support the absorption of Wyong into Gosford and Lake Macquarie citing that this would create two distinctly different geographic areas requiring significantly different approaches.

One submitter supported dividing Wyong between Gosford and Lake Macquarie.

Website, Oct 27, 2015 IPART, Fit for the future final report, appendix C

Have your say Pacific Highway upgrade through Wyong town centre Roads and Maritime is planning an upgrade of the Pacific Highway through the Wyong town centre to provide two lanes in each direction between Johnson Road at Tuggerah and Cutler Drive at Wyong. The upgrade would improve traffic flow, travel times and safety.

An environmental assessment has been carried out to identify potential impacts of the proposal and mitigation activities.

The concept design and environmental assessment are available to view on the project website or at Wyong Shire Council and Tuggerah Library.

You are invited to attend community drop-in sessions on Thursday 5 November 2015 between 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm or Saturday 7 November 2015 between 10am-1pm at the Roads and Maritime Services Wyong Motor

We invite you to provide feedback by Friday 27 November 2015. Feedback will be considered in finalising the proposal.

For more information or to provide feedback please contact Pete Styles on (02) 4379 7008, central.coast.office@rms.nsw.gov.au or visit rms.nsw.gov.au

Z07018

Registry Conference Centre (entry from Anzac Avenue).

News

Council disagrees with IPART and declares itself fit yong Council has declared itself financially fit and will local government.

IPART recommended continue to deliver the essential services the community need that Wyong Council and want every day.

W

“Council believes it has the scale and capacity to deliver services, contrary to the findings of the IPART report,” a

Wyong Council media release stated.

The statement came after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory

Authority (IPART) declared, on Tuesday, October 20, Wyong Council “unfit” to continue as a stand-alone

amalgamate with Gosford Council or for a Joint Operation with Gosford.

Continued P8

News rom P7

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Both Central Coast council’s failed the IPART fit for the future test on the basis of scale and capacity.

Wyong Council’s acting CEO, Mr Rob Noble said it was hard for any larger Council to meet the scale and capacity criteria which has not been clearly articulated by IPART and was inherently subjective.

“We know we have the capacity to deliver services to our community – it is our core business and our strategic planning reflects our longer term view to meet the population growth predicted for the shire by 2031,” Mr Noble said.

“We have listened to our community and are spending record amounts on the services our community said they want – better roads, more parks and open space, our lakes and our water services.

“However IPART have not taken this into account and instead have taken the view a merged Central Coast Council will deliver even more.”

P88 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

Council was given thirty days to come up with a response and more specifically to put forward proposals for voluntary amalgamations or joint services with extra funding as an incentive.

“The premier and minister for local government have made it clear they want councils to voluntarily merge and will reward Councils who do so, but these rewards may not necessarily cover the costs.

“They have laid their cards firmly on the table and we now must respond in the best interests our community,” Mr Noble said.

“We need to work with our neighbouring councils, especially Gosford City Council, to come up with the best solution for our people and our region as a whole.”

A report outlining Council’s options and response was considered at its meeting on October 28.

Media release, Oct 22, 2015 Rob Noble, Wyong Council

RDACC calls for discussions with a view to merge yong and Gosford Councils should commence discussions to come up with a merger proposal and meet the NSW Government deadline, according to newly-appointed chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC), Mr Phil Walker.

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“First, I want to clarify that statements contained within last week’s IPART report in regards to our Councils being “Fit For The Future” were disappointing,” Mr Walker said.

“Both councils have done tremendous work over the past few years in addressing their financial sustainability and their staff and councillors should be congratulated for their extensive efforts,” he said.

However, in terms of scale and capacity, Mr Walker came down

in favour of IPART’s conclusion.

“IPART’s report showed that a merged entity would have greater scale and strategic capacity to better partner with other levels of government in providing key infrastructure and social services.

“A merged Central Coast local government entity would be in a better position to integrate planning and development, which could result in improved planning decisions and enhanced economic

growth.”

“The IPART report also found that, based on both Council’s independent financial submissions, up to $196 million dollars over a 20 year period may be realised from a merger of the two Councils.

“With the region’s already higher than average unemployment rate and an additional 59,000 people predicted to live in the region by 2031, the Central Coast will require in excess of 30,000 new jobs to be created over the next 16 years.

“A regionally focused, integrated planning and development strategy, improved planning decisions and a unified regional strategy for economic growth will greatly assist in addressing many of the challenges that the Central Coast is currently facing and will continue to face over the coming decades,” he said.

As a result, Mr Walker said RDA Central Coast encouraged Wyong and Gosford Councils to come together to secure an amalgamation strategy within the timeframes set by the NSW Government.

Media release, Oct 26, 2015 Phil Walker, RDACC

Gosford’s road warrior invited to embrace the Wyong way yong councillor, Cr Lloyd Taylor has invited Gosford which was an increase to force the amalgamation fixed many notorious councillors to learn from Wyong about how to manage its of $9 million from the of the two Councils, and black spots including Rd and the roads in Gosford are Minnesota previous year. road infrastructure.

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“Gosford Council has a road rating index that is in decline and an increasing infrastructure backlog of $59 million,” Cr Taylor said.

“This isn’t good enough,” he said.

“Wyong spent $66

million on roads last year while Gosford spent $6 million.

“I call on Gosford Council’s self-appointed road warrior, Gosford’s deputy mayor, Cr Craig Doyle, to join me on inspecting some of

Wyong’s roads.”

“Based on information in Special Schedule 7 of Gosford’s Annual Reports, 2011/12 to 2013/14, Gosford needs to spend $59 million to bring its roads to a satisfactory condition

“Wyong spent close to $10 million last year and has reduced its backlog to $33 million.

“Gosford needs to improve the roads for the residents of the Central Coast.

“It worries me that the State Government is set

well below par.

“I note that Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate has been assessed by the NRMA as one of the very worst roads in NSW and Gosford has no plans to fix the road.

“In contrast, Wyong Council this term has

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Warnervale Rd. “I want to work cooperatively with our partners in Gosford, so I invite Cr Doyle to come to Wyong and embrace the Wyong way.”

Media release, Oct 23, 2015 Lloyd Taylor, Wyong Council

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P99 W

News

Council merger could cost over $100 million y a margin of one vote, Wyong Council has resolved to inform the NSW Government that it wishes to amalgamate with Gosford Council, take control of Wyee from Lake Macquarie Council and abolish the Joint Regional Planning Panel, transferring its powers to an expanded Central Coast Council.

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Those who voted in favour of the motion were councillors Eaton, Webster, Troy, Best and Taylor.

The motion was opposed by councillors Graham, Matthews, Greenwald and Vincent.

In opening the discussion at the Wednesday, October 28 ordinary meeting, Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said: “I believe it is appropriate to try and get a decision on this matter tonight.

“It is a decision on whether the two councils will agree so the community gets $20 million in funding and councillors stay in place to guide the process,” Cr Eaton said.

According to Cr Eaton, the alternative could be for either Gosford or Wyong Council to “say no” to amalgamation, leading to the NSW Government replacing the community’s elected councillors with administrators and the community not having access to the $20 million in amalgamation funds currently on offer from

the state.

“I acknowledge many councillors don’t think regional council is the way to go,” Cr Eaton said.

“By acting at this stage, I think we show leadership, I think we get better treatment, although there are no guarantees.”

Cr Greenwald spoke against the motion, stating that the $20 million funding on offer was “small bickies” and asked CEO Mr Rob Noble for advice about how much an amalgamation was realistically likely to cost.

“It is difficult to say, a study carried out by the state says that over time there could be very large financial benefits and the report is public,” Mr Noble said.

“My experience has been that so far in Australia no state government has adequately reported the full costs of an amalgamation,” he said.

“The Queensland council merger I was involved in was of a relatively similar size and the real cost estimate would be in the region of $100 million to $150 million.”

According to Mr Noble, costs associated with dislocation caused by an amalgamation and associated redundancies would be on top of that estimate.

“Ultimately, over a long period of time, there could be serious financial benefits, but it is not likely to start returning those benefits for at least a decade if not longer.

“There has been quite a lot of research done into the financial impact of council amalgamation and most of that academic research indicates that bigger is not always better, in fact, it is infrequently better.

“Once the state makes its decision to merge the councils, then executive staff and councillors, if they are still there, would be charged with creating a plan and building a strategy and making the actions to lead to the new body,” Mr Noble said.

Mr Noble also commented that he believed the “scale and capacity test” that had resulted in Wyong Council and Gosford Council being ruled

“unfit” was ill-defined and applied inconsistently across the state.

“The IPART report says we are financially fit but failed scale and capacity…we asked for a definition of scale and capacity and the Office of Local Government gave no answer,” Cr Greenwald said in speaking against the motion.

“The real answer is that scale and capacity means you agree with the original recommendation, either do as you are told or we will do it for you,” he said.

“Councillors have spoken very loudly that there should be community involvement, a referendum, that the community should say whether we merge or not.”

Cr Greenwald said he was against the motion because there had not been a black and white definition of scale and capacity and because he believed Wyong Council was acting in isolation.

Cr Bob Graham attempted to move an amendment to defer a decision until Wyong Council had an opportunity to meet with Gosford Council.

It was ruled out by Cr Eaton because “It was a motion not to do

anything” and Cr Eaton said he believed the NSW Government’s instructions were for each Council to make its decision internally and report back by November 18.

“We’ve got a lot of wounds to be healed between us and Gosford, and we’ve only got three weeks to do this, and that is not a hell of a lot of time,” Cr Graham said.

“The only chance we’ve got of salvaging anything from this is a joint submission, if we go alone, the government will see disharmony and put an administrator in,” he said.

Cr Doug Vincent also spoke against the motion.

“We have three weeks to go before the hammer falls, so if Gosford are having a meeting tonight, they hopefully will report back in open session, so we have got the opportunity to have an extraordinary meeting and report back,” Cr Vincent said.

“Only two weeks ago, we were saying Gosford Council was going down the gurgler and now we have got something here tonight that says ok, we are going ahead with this,” he said.

The final councillor to speak against the motion

was Cr Lisa Matthews: “Gosford is in a meeting right now coming up with what they are going to do and I don’t believe forcing their hand again is going to give this community any benefit.

“There is no reason why we couldn’t have an extraordinary meeting this week after we know the decisions made by our neighbours.

“I am miffed over why we are thinking about taking Wyee over.

“This is an awful situation and predicament that we have all been put in by the state government that holds local governments in contempt …I think we should stand alone... tonight is not the night to make the decision.”

Speaking for the motion, Cr Lloyd Taylor said “We have got a gun to our head, our goose is cooked and we’ve got to make a decision that is best for the community, make a move towards amalgamation so we can retain our council and remain representing our community as its voice.

“We are here as councillors to be the spokespersons of our community Continued P10

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News rom P9

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so that during the period of time, we are the ones who are able to put forward their objections and arguments, so I reluctantly vote in favour of the amalgamation so we can be seen to demonstrate good governance,” Cr Taylor said.

Cr Adam Troy, speaking in favour of the motion said: “We have been offered $20 million as an incentive, if we were to turn around and thumb our nose, that $20 million is gone and the state government is going to do it anyway; they will put an administrator in, the councillors will be gone and the community will have no input whatsoever.”

During the meeting, Cr Greg Best asked questions

P10 P1 10 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

of Cr Eaton relating to the direction he thought Gosford Council would take.

Cr Eaton said he had a text from Gosford Council CEO, Mr Paul Anderson that indicated Gosford Council had “made a decision to continue to thoroughly investigate its options”.

Cr Best also asked Wyong’s mayor to explain why Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna had “refused to meet because Gosford Council had a resolution not to meet with Wyong”.

In fact Cr McKinna had stated he could not discuss amalgamation with neighbouring councils until he had discussed it internally, because Gosford’s position prior to the release of the IPART report was to

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stand alone.

On Wednesday, October 28, following two long confidential meetings, Gosford Council unanimously endorsed Cr McKinna and Mr Anderson to continue to thoroughly investigate a number of options for structural change.

“This is to include joint meetings of the relevant councils at the first available date, which will be chaired by an independent facilitator,” Cr McKinna said.

“Unfortunately, if we don’t respond by November 18 with an acceptable preference for structural reform, it is very likely that the NSW Government will force Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils to amalgamate.

“We’ve always been concerned that our community’s voice, and the massive social and economic impacts it could face, will be lost in any forced amalgamation,” he said.

Gosford Council’s investigation of the possible structural reforms will focus heavily on the impacts to the Central Coast community, rates, service delivery, infrastructure, strategic planning, local representation, financial sustainability, water security and combined workforces.

“I would like to assure residents that the benefits for our community and the Central Coast will remain paramount in our review and consideration of all reform options,” Mayor McKinna added.

Sale of school site was short sighted he Wyong Grove cultural hub was sold at auction in Sydney on Tuesday, October 27 for $4.5 million.

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Mr Sean Gordon, chief executive officer of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) has confirmed that Darkinjung, Wyong Council and the Salvation Army were all bidders at the auction.

Mr Gordon said that, in the time since the auction, Darkinjung had contacted the representative of the successful bidder.

“The successful purchaser was represented at the auction by a person called Mr Ibraham Chambour who was bidding on behalf of Mr Armarjit Singh,” Mr Gordon said.

“We were told the successful bidder sent a letter to Wyong Council before they went in to bid saying they were prepared to work with council, so council was aware they were going to bid against them,” Mr Gordon said.

Mr Gordon said he also phoned parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald MLC to express his disappointment about “how a public facility could be sold off like that.

“Since the Wyong Grove was sold yesterday

Meeting transcript, Oct 28, 2015 Wyong ordinary meeting Media release, Oct 28, 2015 Wyong Council media Media release, Oct 28, 2015 Gosford Council media Jackie Pearson, journalist

Tel: (02) 4351 0837 Fax: (02) 4351 1487 karen.mcnamara.mp@aph.gov.au www.karenmcnamara.com.au Facebook: karenmcnamara4dobell

[Tuesday], there have been articles in the Daily Telegraph and the Sydney Morning Herald stating the developer who bought Wyong Grove owes the Commonwealth $57 million,” Mr Gordon said.

The Darkinjung LALC had Wyong Grove valued before the auction at $2.4 million.

“We went up to $2.5 million or a bit over, and the property sold for $4.45 million, and it was well and truly out of our range but, again, it was a private developer obviously with money to spend.

“My question to the premier is, if an organisation like Darkinjung is willing to pay $2.5 million and the Salvation Army went up to $4.4 million, if all the Baird Government made above our bid was $1.6 million, is that really of significant value to the government? “$1.6 million is probably worth two years of a funded program, so the community now lose out on that facility, whether it is the Salvation Army or Darkinjung or arts groups.

“For the purpose of

the government getting just $1.6 million, the community has lost a significant asset,” Mr Gordon said.

“This sale is devastating for the community, particularly the users of the site,” said member for Wyong, Mr David Harris.

“No current alternatives exist to meet the specific needs of these groups, specifically the Musical and Drama groups,” Mr Harris said.

“I hope the Council will deliver on their promise to compulsory acquire the site, but this now seems remote as the price paid was significant,” he said.

“The decision to sell the site was short sighted and not in the long term interests of the local community.

“I will now be calling on the NSW Baird Government to provide an alternate performance and rehearsal space to support the arts in Wyong.”

Email, Oct 28, 2015 Jake Allen, office of David Harris Interview, Oct 28, 2015 Sean Gordon, Darkinjung LALC

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Business Awards

Region’s best businesses attend awards night

he Northern Lakes Regional Business Chamber recently held its 19th Annual Business Awards.

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President of Northern Lakes Regional Business Chamber, Ms Robyn Earley said: “The night was a great success with more than 140 people attending from businesses from the Northern end of the Wyong shire.

“The variety of people attending included managers, staff, councillors and local members of parliament,” Ms Early said.

The Presentation night was held at the Halekulani Bowling Club and the night got off to a good start with people mingling and meeting their business counterparts.

The official compere for the evening’s proceedings was Mr Don Glover from NBN. Mr Glover opened the awards with introductions and welcomed everyone.

The business awards’ major sponsor, Delta Electricity, received a warm vote of thanks from Mr Glover.

“The major sponsor, Delta Electricity has supported these awards for the past 19 years,” Ms Earley said.

According to Ms

Earley, some of the funds raised from the business awards event were to be donated to the Soldiers Beach Surf Club.

The winner of the “KV Shoes Outstanding Community Award” was Jim Buckton from Soldier Beach Surf Club.

“With the awards complete and winners announced, everyone got down to enjoying themselves and danced the night away to the sounds of DJ “Probate” and lots of rock-n-rolling 50’s and 60’s songs until 11:00pm.

“The Northern Lakes Regional Business Chamber would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the finalists and winners but also all the businesses that were nominated to enter the awards.

“We would also like to thank all the sponsors and judges, without them events like this would not happen,” she said.

The finalists for the Excellence in Small Business Owneroperated award were: Whimsical Wednesdays; Sea of Glass; and Allnew Kitchens & Joinery.

The Excellence in Professional Business award 2015 finalists were: Gurney Financial Services; Wiseberry Heritage - Gorokan, Charmhaven & Wyong; and East Coast Conveyancing Central Coast.

Finalists for the Excellence in Services & Trades category were: Poolwerx Central Coast; Doyalson Animal Hospital; Allan Ross Mechanical; and Eyecare Plus San Remo.

Excellence in Health & Beauty finalists were: Utopia Hair & Artistry Beauty; La Bella Hair Studio; and Gorgeous Hair At Gorokan.

Those who made it to the finals for the Excellence in Retail Stores award category were: IGA Kanwal; Keys Plus Lake Haven; and Lake Haven Carpet Court.

Excellence in Cuisine finalists were: Green Bean Café; Asian Haven; and The Secret Café.

Media release, Oct 27, 2015 Robyn Earley, Northern Lakes Regional Business Chamber

2015 Northern Lakes 20th Annual

BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS The Nortthe ern Lakes Business Chamb berr wis shes to congratu ulate the e winners of the 2015 Bu usin ness s Awards Excellence in Small Busiines ss: Eyecare Plus - San Remo Excellence in Prrofe essio onal Busin ness Wiseberry - Gorokan, Charmhaven Excellence in Services/T Tra ade Doyalson Animal Hospital Excellence in Health/Bea auty y Gorgeous Hair at Gorokan Excellence in Retail Storres s IGA Kanwal Excellence in Cuisine Green Bean Cafe Most Progressive Busine ess Gurney Financial Services and Wiseberry Heritage Charmhaven Lake Haven n Encouragem ment Award Sea of Glass, Toukley

Outstandin ng Customer Serv vice Wiseberry Heritage Charmhaven Excellence in Business Prin nciples Doyalson Animal Hospital Emplo oyee of the Year Natalie Keato (IGA Kanwal) and Natalie Miller (Sea & Sand Chiropractic) Young Achiever Natalie Keato (IGA Kanwal) Young Entrrepreneur Lucinda Mills (Glamorous Hair by Luci, Gorokan) Busin ness Leader Jacqueline Clarke (Sea and Sand Chiropractic) Busin ness of the Year Wiseberry Gorokan, Charmhaven

Health

P12 P1 12 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

Research participants over New telephone service for hearing impaired 60 years of age sought eople aged 60 and over in the Central Coast are needed to contribute to a study about their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

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The study aims to explore health and social issues faced by people as they age.

Most people want to stay living in their own home as long as possible, but sometimes there are not sufficient resources, family, or community services to support them to do that.

Participating in this study offers people a chance to contribute their perspective and experiences.

Participants will complete a confidential survey, which takes 15-

20 minutes to complete.

It can be completed online or on paper and posted back using the Reply paid envelope.

People who complete the survey will receive a $5 grocery gift card.

The research is being conducted by researchers from the School of Rural Medicine, University of New England in Armidale, the University of Sydney and in partnership with Disability and Ageing organisations across NSW and QLD. This study has been approved by

eniors with difficulty hearing on the phone are being urged to take advantage of a subsidised service featuring a telephone that amplifies sound and displays word-for-word captions of everything the other person on the call says.

Research

the Human Ethics Committee of the University of New England (Approval No HE14-287, Valid to 17/11/2015).

The researchers are specifically looking for people who are aged 60 or over and living in the community.

For more information contact Peta Ryan at the University of New England.

Media release, Oct 26, 2015 Peta Ryan, University of New England

Exercise which won’t strain your body eartmoves, a low-to-moderate intensity exercise program, will commence at Adssi HomeLiving Australia in Tuggerah on Friday, October 30.

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If you haven’t exercised in a while, or know that you need exercise but are not sure you can manage, Heartmoves may be an appropriate program.

It is designed to be safe for people with

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exercise which won’t strain your body.

You don’t have to exercise at a vigorous level to achieve health benefits and Heartmoves is suitable if you haven’t exercised in a while.

The pre-Christmas program commences on October 30 at 3A Pioneer Ave, Tuggerah.

Media release, Oct 26, 2015 Kristin Whitney, Adssi HomeLiving Australia

S

Otherwise similar to a traditional telephone, the CapTel handset has big buttons and a large builtin screen that displays captions provided through the National Relay Service.

The captioning service is fully-funded by the Federal Government and handsets can be rented across Australia for $55 a year plus a $50 refundable deposit.

Anyone who struggles to hear on the phone should sign up for this free national service, said Ms Richelle South, general manager of AccessComm, which distributes the CapTel telephone.

“Users get amplified sound first and if they miss what is being said they can read the words on the bright display screen,” Ms South said.

“We have many users throughout Australia, mostly seniors, who can once again communicate with their families giving them independence and their families a sense of security knowing they can be reached and communicated with,” she said.

AccessComm launched an advocacy and in-home support service this year for CapTel, which has been available in Australia since 2012, to help increase uptake of the technology, Ms South said.

Currently operating in Queensland, NSW and the ACT with training underway in Victoria, support teams are available to install the phone in the user’s home and provide training on how to use it at no additional cost.

CapTel amplifies the caller’s voice by 40db when captions are on to assist in using any residual hearing the user may have.

The phone is not amplified and works like a regular telephone when captions are off for those in the home that don’t need it.

The handset requires an internet connection for the captioning service, but data usage is extremely low.

Internet usage and telephone calls are charged at the standard call rate through a user’s telecommunications provider.

There is a 90-day money back guarantee on the rental fee to enable a trial of the service and the $50 deposit is refunded whenever the phone is returned.

Media release, Oct 26, 2015 Lisa O’Sullivan, accesscomm

Wyong Hospital upgrade arliamentary secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald MLC, said a website to provide information about the upgrade of Wyong Hospital has gone live.

P

This website has been launched to increase community access to information on the progress of the upgrade and to make locals aware of any changes that are taking place.

“During an upgrade of this scale, it is important to keep the

community informed,” Mr MacDonald said.

“The upgrade of the hospital will be complex and demanding for the staff, builders and community,” he said.

“The safety of patients is the highest priority for the government and therefore the work will be

undertaken in a measured, careful manner.”

The upgrade is part of a $200 million election commitment by the Liberal and National Government.

Media release, Aug 11, 2015 Mitchell Cutting, Office of Scot MacDonald MLC

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Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P13 3

Health

30 women turned away daily due to a lack of resources e d e r a l Government cuts to funds supporting alcohol and illicit drug treatment, including services for crystal methamphetamine (or “ice”) addiction, are having a particularly severe impact on the Central Coast.

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Labor’s federal spokesperson for alcohol and other drugs policy, Mr Stephen Jones MP, visited the Central Coast on Tuesday, October 27 and said that local citizens should be demanding better from Canberra.

“Communities want the services available to help them get on top of alcohol and illicit drug use, including ice addiction,” Mr Jones said.

“The Coalition has found money for a ‘dob in a dealer’ ice hotline and a $20 million graphic TV ad campaign telling Australians that ice is a problem, but at the same time as they are talking tough on ice they are

Stephen Jones and Deborah O'Neil visit Wyong's Kamira facility

ripping money away from where it is really needed,” he said.

Senator for NSW, Sen Deborah O’Neill said that without properly funded treatment services in the local area, problems associated with alcohol and illicit drug use,

particularly ice, will worsen.

“There is a severe shortage of available beds in treatment facilities across Australia as demand increases, but the situation is especially desperate on the Central Coast,” Sen O’Neill said.

“For example, Kamira Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services, in Wyong, has a waiting list of 10 to 12 weeks for pregnant women and young mothers and their children.

“About 30 women are calling every day but

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have to be turned away due to a lack of resources.

“The organisation has been under tremendous pressure with staff anxious about their future due to the Coalition’s delays in approving a oneyear funding extension reprieve.

Kamira’s CEO Catherine Hewitt said urgent action was needed.

“For some of these women, if they can’t get access to treatment they will lose their children,” Ms Hewitt said.

“We are creating a new generation of stolen children,” she said.

“Right now workers on the frontline in Dobell are doing their best with one arm tied behind their back.

“Local treatment services face an uncertain future because they have been abandoned by the Coalition.”

According to Sen O’Neill: “The cynical ‘rationalising and streamlining’ of health programs will cut close to $800 million from the Health Flexible Funds, which includes funds supporting alcohol and illicit drug rehabilitation and treatment as well as prevention strategies.

Media release, Oct 27, 2015 Scott Coomber, office of Senator Deborah O’Neill

Bowlers raise funds charity lawn bowls event held by the Ourimbah-Lisarow Bowling Club had member for Dobell, Ms Karen McNamara as a special guest.

A

Ms McNamara joined members of the community to raise funds for prostate cancer awareness on Sunday, October 25.

The lawn bowls

tournament involved local competitive bowling teams.

The day included a sausage sizzle as well as other opportunities to donate towards

the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Media alert, Oct 22, 2015 Scott McGrath, office of Karen McNamara

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Education

P14 P1 14 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

Schools to benefit from reduced additional Gonski funding

Student is coordinating an Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Day

ew needs-based funding implemented as part of the NSW Liberal Government’s commitment to the Gonski agreement, will see Wyong schools receive $8.7 million in 2016, according to parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald MLC.

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Josef Graf-Cooper wants to raise Aboriginal cultural awareness

osef Graf-Cooper, a 13-year-old Aboriginal student from Wyong High School, wants to be a leader and spread the word about Aboriginal culture in the community to raise awareness, appreciation and respect for the culture.

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He has been involved in the Youth Frontiers program since May and is coordinating an Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Day at Wyong Public School for his community project.

Josef is the only Aboriginal student involved in Youth Frontiers this year.

“My year adviser at school asked me to join the program,” Josef said.

“I want to teach people about my culture and live in a positive Aboriginal environment,” he said.

Josef’s mother is from Badtjala Island in Queensland and his grandmother has successfully made a Native Title claim to be recognised as a traditional owner of the island.

The cultural awareness

day will be targeted at children in years one and two and will involve students from Wyong High School and Wyong Public School, teachers from both schools, principals, Aboriginal education officers, Barabarang and Aboriginal and nonAboriginal community members.

Therese Gabriel Wilkins from Youth Frontiers has been appointed as a mentor for Josef to help guide and support him to achieve his dream.

The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Day will be held at Wyong Primary on October 30.

It will involve students in rotational activities involving Aboriginal dance, music,

storytelling, bush tucker, education on artifacts, symbols and art.

The students will be actively engaged in all activities.

Josef’s grandfather will also be involved in the day as a reader and he volunteers four days a week at Wyong Public School to help students with their reading.

Josef’s time with Youth Frontiers will culminate with a showcase at Wyong RSL with other mentors and mentees, showcasing their community projects for the public, councillors, teachers and community members on Thursday November 5.

Media release, Oct 20, 2015 Therese Gabriel Wilkins, Youth Frontiers

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“This substantial ongoing investment in public education is fantastic news for our schools, and will further boost their efforts to deliver improved student results,” Mr MacDonald said.

Wyong’s share is out of a total of $860 million in needs-based funding to be distributed through the Resource Allocation Model.

According to Mr MacDonald, examples of local needs-based funding allocations in Wyong include: Blue Haven Public School will receive $812,335 which is an increase of $127,611 on 2015; Toukley Public School will receive $800,977 which is an increase of $92,550 on 2015; and Gorokan High School will receive $1,321,457 which is an increase of $66,832 on 2015.

“This needs-based funding can be used in a variety of ways, including employing speech pathologists or specialist teachers to target learning areas,” Mr MacDonald said.

Through the NSW Government’s ‘Local Schools, Local Decisions’ reform, principals in all NSW public schools are making local decisions on how to use these funds to improve student outcomes.

As a result of NSW signing up to the Gonski agreement, the NSW Government has also been able to deliver resources

to improve the quality of teaching, provide more school counsellors and improve support for beginning teachers, Mr MacDonald said.

Federal member for Dobell, Ms Karen McNamara MP, has welcomed the NSW Government’s record additional funding to support public school students who need it most.

“I welcome the announcement from the parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast, Ms Scot MacDonald MLC, regarding this substantial ongoing investment in public education,” Ms McNamara said.

“It is fantastic news for our schools, and will further boost their efforts to deliver improved student results.”

The funding for 2016, made possible by NSW being the first state to sign the agreement, means NSW students will benefit from needs-based funding totalling $860 million, distributed through the Resource Allocation Model, according to Ms McNamara.

This announcement complements the $69.5 billion Federal Government contribution to school funding.

“There is a record amount of funding being allocated to NSW schools,” Ms McNamara said.

“I personally am committed to ensuring Dobell’s local schools receive their fair share of available funding to ensure

our students receive the top quality education they are entitled to.

“Education is one of the greatest gifts we can provide to our children and I am working hard in Dobell to make sure we increase our school retention and graduation rates.

“This issue is important to me and one I intend to work closely with all stakeholders on to make a positive change,” Ms McNamara said.

However, as federal and state Liberal representatives promoted the introduction of the needs-based funding model, Senator Deborah O’Neill said funding for 22,941 students in 31 schools across the Dobell electorate would fall by $192,422,623 over the 10 years to 2023-24.

Sen O’Neill said funding had been cut nationally by $30 billion or the equivalent of one teacher in every seven.

“Resources lost will depend on each individual school’s circumstances and the school administration will be responsible for distributing this reduced funding as they see fit.

“Obviously with such large sums involved, the resource base will be dramatically reduced,” she said.

Media releases, Oct 22, 2015 Mitchell Cutting, office of Scot MacDonald Colby Crane, office of Karen McNamara Email, Oct 22, 2015 Scott Coomber, office of Deborah O’Neill

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P15 5

Education

Plan-it Youth receive Wallarah 2 Tribunal rules grant to provide mentoring against council over Warnervale University report yong resident, Mr Laurie Eyes has won a NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal case against Wyong Council to have access to an Economic and Viability Report for the Wyong Education and Business Precinct Master Plan for Warnervale University.

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The plan was prepared

by SGS Economics and Planning for Wyong Council and Mr Eyes sought access to the information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (the GIPA Act).

In his access application, Mr Eyes requested the economic and viability report “Including background report and demand analysis, quantification of economic benefits and constraints and economic feasibility and viability of development of an education and business precinct”.

Mr Eyes’ original GIPA request located a single document, ‘The SGS Report’ as falling within the scope of his information request.

“The respondent’s [Wyong Council’s] decision was to refuse to provide the applicant with access to the SGS report.

In support of that decision, the respondent determined: that the release of the SGS report could reasonably be expected to prejudice the effective exercise of the Council’s functions; that the release of the SGS Report could reasonably be expected to prejudice the Council’s legitimate business and commercial interest; and that there was an overriding public interest against disclosure

because, on balance, the public interest considerations against disclosure outweighed the public interest considerations in favour of disclosure”.

Mr Eyes applied to the Tribunal for a review of Wyong Council’s determination and since making the original application to the Tribunal, he has received several redacted versions of the report with certain information removed.

On Monday, October 19, senior member of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal, S. Montgomery ordered Wyong Council to release the unredacted SGS Report to Mr Eyes.

According to the Tribunal’s ruling, the SGS report had, in fact, already been made available to the public via a Department of Planning and Environment website, but Council had still declined Mr Eyes request for an unredacted copy of the report.

“It is in my view that the balance of the public interest lies in favour of disclosure of the information,” the ruling stated.

Wyong Council is appealing the Tribunal’s decision.

Caselaw.nsw.gov.au, Oct 27, 2015 Eyes v Wyong Shire Council, file number 1410659 Jackie Pearson, journalist

Left to right at back Sam Lindsay, Blake Bailey, Oke Gardiner, Gwen Farris, Cassie White, Sylvia Day, Ken Bate, Leanne Rose, Lily Goodenough

or the second year running, Wallarah 2 will support Plan-it Youth, a local future of our region through supporting our young school program dedicated to mentoring local year 10 and 11 students.

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As part of the 2015 Community Foundation Grants Program, the $2,000 grant will go toward costs associated with hosting a development day for local mentors.

Plan-It Youth is a worthy recipient of grant funding, delivering value to the Central Coast community through its innovative mentoring program that works to support local youth who are at risk of leaving school or disengaging from the education system, potentially limiting their employment and future career prospects.

Plan-it Youth, run their school mentor program in collaboration with the not-for-profit organisation, Active Retirees and Mentors Inc in NSW (ARM NSW), with the program providing senior mentors in the community with the opportunity to connect and engage in valuable ways with the younger generation.

In 2014 the Wallarah 2 Community Foundation supported the project with a grant to recruit and professionally train new volunteer mentors, enabling the program to continue to grow and support more students.

The results of last

year’s funding saw 60 new mentors come on board throughout the year, which means that the Plan-it Youth program can now assist approximately 150 at risk students across six Central Coast high schools each year.

Mr Ken Bate, president of Central Coast ARM said: “This funding is vital to the ongoing success of our program as it enables us to continue to deliver simple, yet vital support to local young people.

“Development days are essential to provide a platform for our mentors to up skill their techniques and inform them of changes in legislation.

“The development day will be run by ARM NSW and will not only allow our mentors to learn new skills, but also share their knowledge with each other and strategies for best engagement with the students they encounter.

“We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to realise their full potential and we thank Wallarah 2 for their generosity in assisting us to continue our work in the local area. We believe in these young people and want to continue to see them

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flourish,” Mr Bate said.

Plan-It Youth is committed to improving the lives of both mentors and youth with the program enabling them to share life experiences as well as engage, connect and promote a mutual understanding of crossgenerational values.

This is delivered via one-on-one mentoring sessions with the dedicated and professionally trained mentors spending up to two hours a week per student, over an entire school term.

Mr Peter Smith, community manager of the Wallarah 2 Coal Project said, “Plan-It Youth supports the foundation of our community and the

people.

“What they offer is hugely valuable as they engage with students directly to consider their choices.

“We are honoured to be able to provide the funds to ensure the volunteer mentors are armed with the skills they need to continue to talk to, support and mentor young people right here on the Central Coast.”

The Wallarah 2 Community Foundation grant application process is now closed, with 14 grants presented to support organisations that benefit the Wyong local government area.

Media release, Oct 16, 2015 Katey Small, Brilliant Logic

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Out&About

P16 P1 16 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

New scout group at Noraville

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couts across the Central Coast welcomed 1st Noraville Scout Group to the scouting community on Tuesday, October 27.

The increasing number of young people joining Scouts on the Central Coast led to the formation of a new Scout Group.

The new group has been officially launched and will be housed in the Scout Hall in Evans Rd at Noraville.

The First Noraville Scout Group opening ceremony started with the revealing of the new Scarf colours for the Group.

“The colours on the Scarf are unique to each Scout Group and held

in high regard by the members of the group,” said assistant district commissioner, Mr Matt Sanderson.

“I am pleased to announce that the members of First Noraville were presented with their new scarf being a Royal Blue background with white and gold trim” “The Scout Association is formed by an Act of the Federal Parliament and we were privileged to have the local Member for Dobell,

Ms Karen McNamara MP on hand to help the opening ceremony and dedicate the Scout Hall,” Mr Sanderson said.

Ms McNamara was presented with a scarf and made an honorary member of the new group.

First Noraville Group leader, Chris Chadwick was presented with the new group colours on the night.

Media release, Oct 19, 2015 Matt Sanderson, Central Coast Lakes Scouting District

Fairtrade Christmas Fair in Wyong Fairtrade Christmas Fair will be held in Wyong for the second year running on Sunday, November 8.

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“Back by popular demand, the 2015 fair has more Fairtrade shopping opportunities, children’s activities and longer trading hours,” said Ms Angela Bailey, social justice coordinator for Wyong Baptist Church.

“It’s still an all-weather event with plenty of parking, live music and a friendly, festival feel,” Ms Bailey said.

She said Fairtrade means a fair wage for workers, empowering poor communities, especially women, and combats modern slavery and exploitation.

“Some of the products available have been made by women rescued from forced prostitution and

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The Golf Club will have live entertainment all day.

Tickets include a glass of wine on arrival, lunch and a dessert bar.

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yong Neighbourhood Centre has been chosen as the charity to benefit from this year’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon at the Wyong Golf Club.

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that are also unique and creative.

“At the fair, the stories of the producers will be readily shared by stallholders, giving those Christmas purchases that something special to add to the gift.

“Short films and interactive activities will also help those who wish to learn more about the people’s stories behind the products.

“Hot food is available and there will be an open air cafe, jumping castle and a colouring competition.

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enabled them to start a new life through these projects,” she said.

“Others have been made by projects giving hope to those with a disability or are widowed, in countries without a social security net.

“We can be part of their story.

“People around the world have started asking where has the coffee, clothes, jewellery, toys, chocolate, gift-ware, and home-wares that I purchase actually come from?

As a positive reaction to this, the Wyong Baptist Church Fairtrade Christmas Fair aims to give locals easy access to ethically produced goods

Imagine if it was a message about your business.

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The day will include games, prizes including for best hat and best dressed, races will be live on the big screen and sweepstakes will be

available.

Email, Oct 12, 2015 Sharyn Burgess, Wyong Neighbourhood Centre

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P177 W

Out&About

Floating Landcare at Charlton Island

Free catchment crawl on Saltwater Creek he Community Environment Network’s Waterwatch program will be holding a Saltwater Creek catchment crawl on Sunday, November 8.

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A catchment crawl is an opportunity for community members to spend the day travelling along a waterway, learning about the unique features of that area and how we can look after it. “Participants will travel by bus, following the course of Saltwater Creek from Crackneck to Tuggerah Lake,� said Ms Samantha Willis, CEN’s Waterwatch coordinator. “On the way we will stop at sites to monitor water quality, identify riparian flora and fauna and view some of Wyong Council’s stormwater treatment zones. “There will also be guest speakers during the day who will cover a number of topics including bushcare, birds and biodiversity,� Ms Willis said.

The Central Coast Waterwatch program is coordinated by the Community Environment Network and supported

by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. “These events are very popular with the community. “We get a lot of positive feedback from participants who say they have learned so much about water catchments and how they can help to restore and maintain water quality in the creeks. “People really enjoy the water monitoring and dip-netting activities.�

The event is part of Wyong Council’s inaugural Wyong Lakes Festival which runs from November 7 to 15.

The activity is a FREE event with lunch and morning tea provided.

Media release, Oct 26, 2015 Samantha Willis, Community Environment Network

Davistown to Kincumber 6km Walk 4pm start at Davistown Ferry Wharf, 6km waterfront pathway walk to Kincumber and return Arrive by ferry, bus or car to Davistown waterfront.

Dogs permitted along the walk route, pram and wheelchair friendly

Sunday 8th November 2.30pm Davistown Waterfront

Join us at Davistown waterfront before and after the walk for a BBQ, face painting and loads more fun!

East Gosford, Lisarow & Kincumber Community BankÂŽbranches

Register Today!

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Family & Friends Welcome!

For more information: Margaret Sheridan 0416 013 388 margaretsher@gmail.com

Photo Toukley Kayakers 2014

Kayaking on the Wyong River next to Charlton Island

ne of the most unique events on the Wyong Lakes Festival delicate and diverse lakes calendar is Floating Landcare at Charlton Island on the Wyong environment.�

The Floating Landcare River.

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This event brings home the importance of our delicate Tuggerah Lakes area and the need for ongoing education to maintain the local environment for all to enjoy.

Wyong Council’s natural areas volunteer support officer, Ms Nikki Bennetts, said Floating Landcare is all about making sure hard to access areas are looked after through weed control and debris clean up as well as doing simple flora and fauna surveys to see what is there. “Charlton Island on the beautiful Wyong River is unexplored from a landcare perspective, so this really will be a voyage of discovery for us,� Ms Bennetts said. “Our team is really excited to document the animal and plant communities and you never know what we might find,� she said.

The Floating Landcare program started in 2012 in the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Pittwater areas and has since expanded to the Central Coast including Tuggerah Lakes.

This program has been funded through Landcare Australia’s corporate partners, Greater Sydney Local Land Services, and provides a great opportunity for a Floating Landcare activity on the Wyong River, involving volunteers from the

Wyong community. “Access to this part of Tuggerah Lakes is by boat or kayak only, so numbers on this tour will be strictly limited,� Ms Bennetts said.

“If you are a nature enthusiast, an explorer, a kayaker or just want to be the first to visit a unique part of the coast, jump onboard this tour and learn about our

tour will run on Wednesday, November 11.

Tools, morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Media release, Oct 16, 2015 Wyong Council media

BRISBANE WATER the w orl d is y our oyster.....

Sunday 8th November Ettalong Beach Foreshore 9.30am - 4pm

¡ How many oysters can you eat in 30 seconds Hosted by 2GO To Register email: rachele@impactexhibitions.com.au ¡ Sensational Seafood, Hunter Valley wine tasting & beer ¡ Unique Art & Craft Stalls ¡ Live Entertainment All Day ¡ Kids Zone – Amusement Rides & Horse Rides ¡ Central Coast Muscle Man & Woman Competition

Check out www.oysterfestival.com.au or for more info phone 0423 480 389

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

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

4389 4423 & 4332 7378

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For a FREE calendar call

call 0422 243 101 email cco30s@live.com.au

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

Free telephone advice and advocacy for all tenants and residents in residential parks.

4353 5515 cctaas@hotmail.com

Gambling Solutions Gambling help counsellors providing free confidential professional service to gamblers, family and friends Available Woy Woy, Kincumber, Gosford and The Entrance 4344 7992

Lake Munmorah Senior Citizens Club Computer Classes for beginners and advanced.

Come and join regular activities: dancing, exercise, pilates, yoga, craft, carpet bowls and Tai Chi. 4358 8390 Long Jetty Senior Citizens Club Beginner classes being held in computers, line dancing, tai chi and zumba gold.

Contact the Club 4332 5522 M-F, 9am to 3pm for full list of activities Long Jetty Over 50s Club Come along and join in our activities, great for indoor bowls, computers, exercises, yoga, linedancing, tai chi and more 4332 5522 9am to 3pm Mingaletta Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Corporation The Mingaletta community centre provides its members and other community groups a meeting place and referal hub for education, health, well-being and cultural programs through consultative services and community programs.

Mon-Fri 9am 4pm 6 Sydney Ave Umina 4342 7515 admin@mingaletta.com.au

The NSW Justices Association Inc Are you a JP? The NSW Justices Association is seeking volunteers for 6 community JP Desks in Wyong Shire Free Insurance and training provided 0418 493 388 benefits@nswja.org.au

The Rotary Club of the Entrance Inc. A small, friendly and effective club supporting many local organisations, and international Rotary Activities. Always welcoming new members, men and women, to help us to help others.

Meetings 6pm for 6.30

pm each Tues – Mingara Recreation Club 4367 6540 rotarytheentrance@gmail.com

Torchbearers for Legacy Toukley Raising funds for Brisbane Waters Legacy.

Fundraising activities Harry Moore Golf Day, Garage markets and street stalls.

Volunteers always needed to help.

2nd Mon 9.30am Norah Head Legacy Accure 0414 701 489 hartas@bigpond.net.au

Volunteering Central Coast Refer potential volunteers to community organisations and provide support to volunteers and community organisations. we also provide training to volunteers and managers of volunteers Information Sessions “Bridge to Volunteering” Held regulary across the Central Coast 4329 7122 recruit@volcc.org.au

Wrap with Love Knitting blankets for cold humanity.

Knitted blankets warm the heart of those who give and those who recieve.

Donations of 8ply yarn gratefully received.

Longjetty: 4333 4353 Toukley 4399 3351 Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Supporting disadvantaged vulnerable and isolated members of our community offering a range of community services, events, projects, workshops, arts programs and an open community garden.

4353 1750 Wyong Toastmasters Club Come along, be part of a vibrant, progressive group.

Conquer your fears of public speaking in a supportive learn-by-doing environment.

10.30am - 1st, 3rd and 5th Friday Wyong RSL Anzac Ave Wyong 1030am 4328 8297 j pp @ joppa@theorchards.com.au

Garden Clubs Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Club Meets on the 3rd Sat each month from 1pm to 3.30pm Charmhaven Community Centre - Plants for Sale, Raffles, afternoon tea 0401 544 052 4399 2420

Health Groups Better Hearing Australia Central Coast Hearing loss management Support and educational group - 7 groups across the coast - Providing

P18 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

practical experience and confidence Learn the benefits to hearing aids - Better Hearing Australia Central Coast 4321 0275 www.centralcoast.betterhearing australia.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Gosford) Meet last Friday Month Terrigal Uniting Church 380 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal 9.30am to 12 noon 4367 9600 www.pcfa.org.au

Central Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (Wyong) Meet last Monday Month Toukley RSL Club, Holmes Ave Toukley 10.00am to 12 noon 4356 9300 www.pcfa.org.au

GROW - Free weekly 12 Step Self Help Group for people wishing to recover from anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.

New group opening at Wyong, McInnon Hall, Bakers Lane on Tuesday 28 April, 11.00am to 1.00pm. All welcome.

Phone 1800 558 268 or 0455 086 890 for more details or www.grow.org.au

Nothern Women’s Health Centre We offer family law advice, counselling, therapeutic and social groups, workshops, domestic violence and abuse issues. All services are provided by women for women 4351 1152 www.cccwhc.com.au

ParaQuad Specialist healthcare products delivered to your door, for all your continence, wound care and respiratory and nutrition requirements Professional Clinic Support available 1300 886 601 www.brightsky.com.au g y

Music Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub Branch Youth Club Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom Dancing classes from 4yrs old and up Classes held at the Youth Club - Monday afternoons 5pm mathewmoshou80@gmail.com

JAZZLEAGUE

Live Jazz Bands - Come to listen, Come to dance Free - Every Sun Central Coast Leagues Club Gosford 2-5pm www.jazzleague.net

Soundwaves Men’s acapella 4 part harmony chorus - all ages 7pm Mon Central Coast Leagues Club John 0413 276 698 jbthomson51@gmail.com

Tuggerah Lakes Showband An enthusiastic groupo of people who play brass instrumnts, meet every Tuesday and Thursday to rehearse their crowdpleasing music and play at communioty events Band Hall located in Park Road The Entrance (north end)

Tues 7.30pm Thur 6.30pm 0407 406 669

Political Groups Australian Labor Party Ourimbah/ Narara Branch Discussion/action community issues 3 levels of Government Niagara Park Primary School 7.30pm 1st Mon each month 0410 309 494

4351 0450

Service Groups Northern Settlement Services - Volunteers

Volunteers needed for friendly visits to the elderly in nursing homes.

People with a second language encouraged to apply. Training support provided 4334 3877 cvscc@nsservices.com.au

Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes Volunteers wanted, challenging conditions, interupted meals, early starts, breathtaking tuggerah lakes views.

Rewards: - Saving distressed boaters or maybe save a life 0488 442 051 uc.tuggerahlakes@ marinerescuensw.com.au

kyle.macgregor@hotmail.com

Special Interest

Politics in the Pub Central Coast Discussion of important political, social, economic, education, land philosophy issues in a non partisan manner - 4th Thur every month besides December

Brisbane Water Caravan Club

Warnervale Branch - NSW Labor Party To support and promote NSW Labor withing the Warnervale area to give a voice to those who find it difficult to use their own.

3rd Tue 7pm Warnervale Community Centre 0419 128 497 warnervale.labor@gmail.com @g

Probus Clubs Bateau Bay Ladies Probus Club We offer a warm welcome, friendship and interesting speakers.

4th Mon every month RSL Hall Killarney Vale 4332 6625 Toowoon Bay Probus Club Come and meet new friends and enjoy the company of like-minded Seniors. Morning tea provided, guest speakers talking on topics relevant to Seniors, as well as regular exciting social events. 4th Thur each month 10am.

Anglican Church hall, corner of Brooke Ave and Eastern Rd Bateau Bay New members welcome.

4334 3979 Tuggerah Combined Probus Club Inc New to the Coast?

If you would like to meet new friends and enjoy social events, a welcome awaits you at Tuggerah Combined Probus Club each 2nd Thur at 10:30am, where you will have the opportunity to hear various guest speakers and also join us in a social outing on the 3rd Thursday.

We meet at Woodbury Park Community Hall, Mardi.

located on the Central Coast and looking for new members www.bwcaravanclub.wix.com/bwcc

4344 4363 Biz Plus Networking Association Attention business owners - are you keen to grow your business and in the process build worthwhile relationships?

Then why not attend a Biz Networking breakfast?

Every Thur 7:15am - 9am Erina Leagues Club Geoff Neilson network@bizplus.com.au Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems

Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 830am230pm Thurs evening 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246 cclapidary@optusnet.com.au

Central Coast Potters Society Dedicated to increasing the ceramics knowlede, experience and skills of members and the general public. Running classes, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and social events. Annual exhibitions in May and December Open Day in Sept 4324 5343 info@ccpotters.org

PO Box 4043 East Gosford NSW 2250 Central Coast Lapidary Club Minerals & Gems Learn silverwork, Cabochons, Faceting, Enamelling, Stone Fieldtrips & fossicking Weekly Workshops Tues and Thurs 830am-230pm Thurs evening 6-10pm 10 Ourimbah Creek Rd Ourimbah 4362 2246

Bridge Club Bridge players can enjoy a game of social bridge on Tuesdays, 9.45am1pm The Greens The Entrance with or without a partner.

Len 4332 6989 David 4392 0606 Tuggerah Lakes U3A Keep your mind active and learn something new!

Come to one of our classes for a couple of hours and make new friends.

Long Jetty Discussions, play reading, cryptic crosswords, talks, readers group, Mahjong Toukley - Creative writing, French conversation Berkeley Vale - Music Appreciation Chitaway Bay - Movies 4390 2451 www.tugglakesu3a.info

Mingara Indoor Bowls Club The play of Indoor (Carpet) Bowls - Daily competition (singles, pairs & triples) Winner’s Prize $5 - but strongly social - Sun 9.30am Noon - Mon 6.30pm–9pm Wed 9.30am-2pm (including lunch break) Ray 4389 2567 Mingara Club 4349 7799 raymurphy1935@hotmail.com

Wyong Drama Group Inc A friendly group, presenting 3 major productions a year.

We welcome anyone interested in being involved in any area of production - Acting; Backstage; Front of House; Lighting/Sound etc Monthly meetings 1st Tues. 7.30pm in the new Grove Community Centre 1300 665 600 wyongdramagroup@gmail.com yo gd a ag oup@g a co

Sport KI-DO Mingara Judo Academy Junior boys and girls Mon and Wed Two classes 6 to 8.30pm from 7yrs $5 Lessons Kangy Angy Near Westfield 0413 237 010 www.kidomingarajudo.com.au do ga ajudo co au

Womens Groups BPW Central Coast

Empowering women of all ages in the areas of work, education, well-being and friendship.

All women welcome to attend monthly dinner meetings.

Be enlightened. $40 covers two course meal and speaker.

Community transport available to and from centre Chris Levis 0438 989 199 bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com www.bpw.com.au/central-coast

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

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P199 W

Out&About

Menin Gate Buglers to participate in unique Twilight Commemorative Service uggerah Lakes Secondary College (The Entrance Campus) students have joined forces with Brisbane Water Secondary College (Woy Woy Campus) and Kincumber High School to present a unique Twilight Commemorative Service on Remembrance Day (November 11).

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Students from the three schools have been working closely with the Last Post Association in Ypres Belgium, The Entrance Long Jetty RSL sub branch and the Australian War Memorial to develop and present the Remembrance Day event.

A special feature of this service will be the playing of the Last Post by the Menin Gate Buglers from Belgium

Matthew Jeffrey, Zac Hospes and Lillian Knight from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College promoting the Remembrance Day event

who have accepted the students’ invitation to visit Australia and participate in this unique event.

The Menin Gate in Belgium is perhaps the most famous of the WW1 memorials in Europe and marks the spot where over 350,000 allied soldiers passed on their way to meet their then enemy.

The memorial itself records the names of nearly 56,000 men, including 6,000 Australians, who perished in that conflict and have no known resting place.

Every evening at 8:00pm since the memorial was constructed in 1927, buglers from the Ypres Volunteer Fire Brigade have sounded g

The Wyong Diary

For events in post code areas 2258, 2259, 2261, 2262 and 2263

Friday, Oct 30 Men of League Foundation charity golf day, Wyong Golf Club, 7:00am Heartmoves exercise program, 3a Pioneer Ave Tuggerah, 10:30am to 11:30am, call Kristy at Adssi to book

Saturday, Oct 31 Long Jetty and The Entrance CWA fete, 1 Pacific St, Long Jetty from 9:00am Sam Bannerman, Lakes Hotel, 6:00pm Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC, Central Coast Stadium, 5:15pm kick off Berkeley Vale Public School Centenary celebrations, 10:00am to 2:00pm Tuggerah Lakes Art Society final day Fab Fakes and fine art, shop 14, Village Central Wyong

Sunday, Nov 1 Gorokan Kanwal Lions Club barbecue at Toukley Markets, 8:00am to 1:00pm

Ben Woodham, Tall Timbers Hotel, Ourimbah 2:30pm

Wednesday, Nov 4 10th Multicultural Expo, Mingara show 10:00am to 1:00pm

Friday, Nov 6 Barefoot Bowls Marathon at the Hali Bowling Club, 9:00am to 10:00pm to raise funds for the Iris Foundation Reclaim the Night, Ourimbah Campus, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Environment Network WaterWatch program Saltwater Creek catchment crawl, 8:30am to 3:00pm, Memorial park The Entrance Fairtrade Christmas Fair, Wyong Baptist Church, 4:00pm to 8:00pm, 100 Alison Rd Wyong

Tuesday, Nov 10 Small Biz Bus at Yallara Rd Carpark, Toukley from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Wednesday, Nov 11 Saturday, Nov 7 Central Coast Saltwater Festival, The Entrance waterfront to raise money for Kamira women’s drug and alcohol treatment centre Wyong Lakes Festival scavenger hunt, runs from 3:00pm until 1:00pm Nov 15, scavify app available

Sunday, Nov 8 C o m m u n i t y

Small Biz Bus at Amy Close, Wyong, 9:00am to 3:00pm Floating Landcare, Charlton Island, 8:30am to 12:30pm, bookings essential via Wyong Council website

Thursday, Nov 12 Lend me a Tenor at The Grove by Wyong Drama Group, eight shows over two weeks, evenings 8:00pm, and Saturday 2:00pm

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.

the Last Post in a moving daily act of remembrance.

In 1936, the people of Belgium gifted Australia the original lion statues that stood on this spot in gratitude for the sacrifice our servicemen made in defending their homeland.

These statues are normally on display as you enter the Australian War Memorial but have recently been loaned to Belgium for their centenary commemorations of the Battle of Passchendaele.

The student’s ceremony will pay tribute to Australian service men and women and in particular highlight the significant contribution of Central Coast community members and their families in the First World War. Students have identified 18 Central Coast men whose names appear on the Menin Gate Memorial and those names will be called in a special Roll of Honour during the service.

The Twilight Service will take place at The Entrance Memorial Park and Cenotaph commencing at 8:15pm on Wednesday, November 11 and will include the sounding of the Last Post

at 9:00pm.

This is timed to coincide with 11:00am on the Western Front and will mark the exact moment all fighting in the First World War ceased 97 years ago.

Members of the public are invited to attend this very special event and community members or groups wishing to lay a wreath will have the opportunity within the service.

The event has attracted valued support from all levels of government and local groups.

The Australian Army Band volunteered their services and will feature in the official ceremony as well as performing a pre-service medley of World War I songs.

This unique commemorative tribute has received the endorsement of Dr Brendan Nelson of the Australian War Memorial who wrote: “The relationship forged between our

two countries from this terrible war is enduring and strengthened by what you are doing.

“I congratulate you on an excellent initiative and you have my full support, admiration and endorsement for this project“.

Students have been responsible for fundraising and raised the majority of monies for this project through the sale of ‘Peace and Remember Me’ rose bushes.

They have organised a detailed schedule for their Belgian guests during their stay in Australia that includes public appearances at: the Hyde Park Memorial in Sydney on Sunday, November 8 at 11:00am; the Twilight Service on November 11 at The Entrance Cenotaph at 8:15pm; and the Australian War Memorial on November 14 and 15.

Article, Oct 28, 2015 Roger Macey, Brisbane Water Secondary College

LUKA LESSON

Australian Slam Poet Champ 2011 + international artist

SUNDAY 1 st NOV Workshop 1-4pm The Lounge Room Gosford Concert 6.30pm The Rhythm Hut Gosford Bookings: therhythmhut.com.au Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Erina

Classifieds Antennas

P20 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 P

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

A Better Picture

cost only $30 plus GST for 5 cms, and will be working for you in your local community for TWO WEEKS

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Installations & Tuning New home specialist Credit cards OK HAYWARD VIDEO All areas

E-mail: manager@centralcoastnews.net or download a form from

Gosford 4323 6367 Woy Woy 4344 4414 Warnervale 1800 244 456 0412 685 555

Dance

www.centralcoastnewspapers.com Ad a logo or photo only $6 +GST Ad full colour only $6 + GST

Entertainment

Painting

Experience Folk Music at its best at East Gosford Progress Hall @ 7.30pm Henry Parry Drive

The Troubadour

with J.H. Dance Band Admission $18 incl. supper Folk Fed Affiliates & Pensioners $15,

Students 13 to 18 $8 www.ccbdma.org for more information

Enq: 4344 6484

Gosford Golf & Function Centre Speakers: Rebecca Clarkson speaks of her 20 year ordeal with domestic violence - Laurie Maher speaks on Coast Shelter.

Bookings essential at: www.bpw.com.au/central-coast Phone 0438 989 199 or email bpwcentralcoast@hotmail.com.

SATURDAY 7th November 7.00PM

CWA Hall The Boulevarde Woy Woy

$15 Tickets www.troubadour.org.au

4342 6716

IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE, WHY BATTERED WOMEN STAY

To the moon and stars you can go, as long as you live for today.

There’s nothing more special to say on this your 85th birthday!

We hope that you celebrate with a joy in your heart And know that you are loved for the special things that set you apart

Join us on 9 November 2015 at 7.00 PM

Folk & Acoustic

Sandy Brechin & Ewan Wilkinson November 14 Touring from Bush Dance Scotland

Public Notice

Domestic Violence Fundraiser

Music Club

Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association

Public Notice

Positions Vacant BUCELLO’S COASTAL PAINTING SERVICES • Residential and Commercial • Interior and Exterior • New Work and Repaints Free Quotes All work guaranteed Quality’s my game and Ryan’s my name

0410 404 664 Photography

Volunteers wanted to read Central Coast Newspapers for recording on websites for sight impaired readers

4325 7369 or email

manager@

Happy Birthday Nan! Love always, Justin

Positions Vacant

Website Builder Part time - work from home OK Central Coast Based We need support in website building.

The job involves the generation of websites as required.

Often websites will be generated based on templates.

Some work involves the programming of service in PHP and the development of mobile applications.

The development environment is Linux based (LAMP) using the Dreamweaver suite.

Personal Skills • The capacity to work independently on a problem.

• An ability to apply creative solutions.

• Flexibility to change as required.

centralcoastnews.net

Technical Skills

Electrician

MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC

YOUR LOCAL

QUALITY IMAGES

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Slightly Off

Lighting, Power Points, Phone & Data, Fault Finding,

Want to have a lot of fun, unique music at your next event?

No job too small.

Call Leila at 0423 147 797 or find us on Facebook

Seniors Discount.

Lic number 265652C

4308 6771 Entertainment

BluesAngels Your total acoustic blues/roots package, top to toe, and then some.

Minnie the Moocher to Eagle Rock and on into indie roots, beatnik jazz, backhills bluegrass and prog folk.

Available as duo, trio or band negotiable for your party, event or venue.

www.facebook.com/ SlightlyOffMusic

Kitchen Quality Laminate Benchtops supplied and seconds for sale

•Website •Portrait •Commercial •Product • Promotions If you need an image then give ValsPix a call on

0418 600 436 Plumbing

YOUR LOCAL PLUMBER Same day service Guaranteed

R&J Benchtops

Blocked drains, Leaking taps and toilets, Hot water and all aspects Of pluming drainage and gas fitting.

Gosford

Lic number 265652C

0456 884 545

4346 4057

Gosford based motorcycle workshop requires a licensed mechanic to work on Vesper scooters and other licensed brands 4th year apprentice considered 341 Manns Rd West Gosford 4323 4969

tomflood@hotmail.com

4324 2801

CLASSIFIED advertisements start from only $30 + GST - 4325 7369

• Sound knowledge of HTML, CSS and Javascript (for web programming).

• Good working knowledge of PHP5 including the use of the Object Orientated features of the language.

A broader knowledge of other computer languages would be and advantage.

• Good working knowledge of SQL preferably MySQL. • Be able to work with the Adobe Web Development suite in particular Dreamweaver and preferably Firefox.

• Ability to compose graphics for use on website (preferably using Fireworks or Photoshop).

• Expertise the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) configuration.

• HTML5 mobile App programming.

Contact me by email george@noblemay.com.au

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 Futuretek Roofing • David Hill, Long Jetty Hairdressing, Wyong • Jessica Davis of Erina • Bakefresh, Wyong • Frazer Park Pty Ltd formerly - trading as A1 cleaning trading as The Big Prawn at services Crangan Bay • Rattananporn Massage, • Tony Fitzpatrick trading as Wyong

Sport

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P21 W

Izzo selected in Olyroos squad

Saltwater Festival to support Kamira he Central Coast Saltwater Festival will continue to ride the wave of its 2014 success by becoming one of the main events in the first Wyong Lakes Festival this November.

T Central Coast Mariners and Olyroos goal keeper Paul Izzo

Tuition - Dance

entral Coast Mariners goal keeper, Paul Izzo, has been selected by Olyroos head coach, Aurelio Vidmar, for a 23-player squad for two international friendly matches against the Korea Republic in Hwaseong and Incheon, South Korea on October 9-12.

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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

4388 2253 Tuition - Music

Tom Flood

Harmonica Tuition all popular styles

4324 2801

tomflood@hotmail.com Springfield

One on One $25 half hr $40hr

Vidmar has selected 13 overseas-based players, seven Hyundai A-League players with Aaron Lennox, Ryan Edwards and Brad Smith currently uncontracted.

The September 19 draw for the AFC U-23 Championship saw the Olyroos grouped with United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Jordan, and Vidmar can now focus on the task of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games.

“These matches are another important step in our preparations for the Olympic qualifiers in January,” Mr Vidmar said.

“Korea Republic will provide strong opposition as we head towards the Qualifiers and gives us the opportunity to work on a few things and keep improving so we give ourselves the best possible opportunity to qualify for the Olympic

Games.

“The spirit among the players is fantastic, they’re keen to learn and be part of the Olyroos, so we’re really looking forward to these matches,” he said.

Australia begins its AFC U-23 Championship Doha 2016 campaign against the United Arab Emirates on January 14 at the Grand Hamad Stadium, before taking on Vietnam at the same venue on January 17, with their final group match against Jordan on January 20 at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.

16 nations have qualified for the AFC U-23 Championship Doha 2016 with the top three progressing to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games Football tournament.

Media release, Sep 22, 2015 Football Federation Australia media

The 2014 weekend of Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) events, known as the Central Coast Saltwater Festival, attracted competitors from across the state in 2014.

It will return to The Entrance on November 7 and 8 and will include six SUP events catering for participants of all ages and abilities.

SUP events will include: two downwind race options based on experience and fitness; a technical 6km SUP race; a ‘dash for cash’ race over 100m; a juniors SUP dash; and a ‘rock, paper, scissors tournament’ where the winner will receive a brand new Stand Up Paddle Board.

According to Wyong

Council’s grants and events coordinator, Ms Ashlee Abbott the Central Coast Saltwater Festival is a natural fit with the Wyong Lakes Festival as a celebration of the beautiful waterways we live near and an opportunity to bring families and friends together to support a cause.

“The Saltwater Festival directly supports Kamira, a local drug and alcohol treatment centre for women struggling with addiction,’ said Ms Abbott.

“Places at Kamira are highly sought after and this is a tribute to their success in treating the women in their care, resulting in family reunions, developing

better parenting skills, reconnecting with their community and most importantly, facing every day free of the misery of drug and alcohol addiction.”

Wyong Lakes Festival will run from November 7 to 15, across five local areas stretching from Lake Munmorah in the north to Long Jetty in the south.

The festival will be a celebration of Wyong’s beautiful lakes area, featuring over 30 events in nine days.

All events are free for spectators with opportunities to participate in some events including the Saltwater Festival.

Media release, Oct 13, 2015 Wyong Council media

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FREEMAN’S XI v ST EDWARD’S COLLEGE ST

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COME ENJOY A GREAT DAY OF CRICKET, BRING A PICNIC LUNCH AND HELP SUPPORT LIFELINE OR MAKE A DONATION AT: www.everydayhero.com.au/rosemaree-freeman-trophy-2015

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To register your team email names of players and a contact number for team leader to lyn@b2bwithatwist.com.au.

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Sport

P22 P2 22 - Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015

Mariners defeated 3 to 1 by Melbourne City he Central Coast Mariners were defeated 3 to 1 by Melbourne City FC in the third round of the Hyundai A-League on Sunday, October 25.

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Despite a cracking goal by Nick Fitzgerald, the Mariners’ defeat came courtesy of a Bruno Fornaroli brace and a Patrick Kisnorbo header.

Fitzgerald was arguably the best on ground for Central Coast and he was unlucky not to have several more goals to his name.

Fitzy’s strike in the 13th minute brought the Mariners fans to their feet, as did his impressive volley just before halftime that grazed the crossbar.

The Mariners and City played out an entertaining affair at AAMI Park that boasted a total of 36 shots throughout the match.

Melbourne kicked off proceedings through inform attacker, Socceroo Aaron Mooy.

Mooy lined up his set piece from just inside the touch line and delivered a dangerous cross that flew off the head of Kisnorbo to gift the home side a 1-0 lead.

entral Coast Mariners’ number one goalkeeper, Liam Reddy will not be available for selection while the club addresses a series of off-field issues.

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Central Coast Mariners defeated 3 to 1 by Melbourne City FC

Two minutes later, Fitzgerald took it upon himself to put the Mariners back in the ball game by finding possession just outside the box and wasting no time pulling the trigger.

His shot flew into Sorensen’s bottom corner, who had no chance to deny the wonder goal.

David Williams came onto the pitch for Melbourne City as a second half substitute and took no time to influence the game.

Started by Mooy from half way, Williams broke down the right and crossed into Bruno Fornaroli who tapped home his first of the night from close range.

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

0339 0.32 0427 0.41 0517 0.52 1002 1.89 1052 1.81 1142 1.71 FRI 1636 0.19 SAT 1731 0.28 SUN 1828 0.37 2242 1.43 2336 1.34 0033 1.26 0135 1.22 0240 1.22 0611 0.61 0711 0.68 0817 0.71 MON 1234 1.59 TUE 1331 1.49 WED 1433 1.42 1927 0.45 2026 0.50 2122 0.53 0341 1.25 0434 1.32 0519 1.40 0925 0.71 1029 0.67 1124 0.61 THU 1536 1.38 FRI 1633 1.38 SAT 1723 1.39 2213 0.52 2258 0.50 2337 0.47 0600 1.47 0014 0.44 0047 0.43 1211 0.54 0636 1.55 0711 1.61 SUN 1807 1.41 MON 1253 0.47 TUE 1331 0.42 1847 1.43 1926 1.43 0120 0.42 0153 0.42 0227 0.44 0745 1.67 0818 1.71 0854 1.73 WED 1409 0.38 THU 1445 0.35 FRI 1524 0.34 2003 1.42 2042 1.41 2122 1.38

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The Uruguayan scooted in behind the Mariners backline again to bag his second goal of the night.

Izzo went down fast to make the save but the close range effort managed to find its way across the line.

In terms of key moments, Anthony Caceres looked lively throughout the 90 minutes with sharp feet and explosiveness pushing forward.

He came close to opening the scoring in the third minute after dancing around several City defenders, his shot was on target, but Sorensen went down to his right to deny our number 10.

The Olyroo Izzo was doing everything in his power to keep the Mariners in the hunt.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, he made an impressive save to deny Gameiro.

Fitzgerald found the back of the net with just moments remaining, but the goal was pulled back by the offside flag, with the officials deeming that O’Donovan interfered from an offside position.

O’Donovan’s never say die attitude was also apparent when, with just moments remaining, he shot forward and tried his luck with the outside of his boot, but the shot skewed just wide.

“We know that we take certain risks playing that style and there will be times that it doesn’t work out and we have to be better,” Mariners’ coast Walmsley said after the match “At the end of the day,

we thought we had an opportunity today against City because of their three games in a week and travel to Perth.

“We thought in the last 20 minutes we would be stronger and quicker, but we needed to keep the ball better in the first half in order to do that, and to move them around a lot more than we did,” he said.

“The local fans are buying into us having a real crack, so we’re going to persevere with that.

“We had a very inexperienced backline out there and Fornaroli had a fantastic game.

“At 2-1, we definitely thought we were going to get something.

“At half time, we knew statistically that their entries into the penalty area far outweighed ours and it was a stat we needed to turn around and we did that.”

“It’s the third game in a row I think our first half needed to be better and we will work on that.”

Media release, Oct 25, 2015 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

According to a statement released by the club, Mr Reddy would not be selected for matches until the issues are resolved, “in accordance with the FFA National Code of Conduct”.

“This decision follows Reddy’s non-selection during a period of the Mariners’ Hyundai A-League pre-season where similar and

continual disciplinary issues were also addressed,” the statement said.

“The Central Coast Mariners will make no further comment while the club undertakes a formal process in relation to the matter,” it said.

Media statement, Oct 21, 2015 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners

Men of League golf day at Wyong he Men of League Foundation’s Tuggerah Lakes Committee is inviting Central Coast rugby league supporters to swap their footy boots for golf shoes and come along to their charity golf day on Friday, October 30.

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The event will be held at Wyong Golf Club, with proceeds from the day supporting the Men of League Foundation and the assistance it provides to the men, women and children of the rugby league community.

The event’s special guest, Stuart Raper is looking forward to spending a day on the green with the Coast’s Men of League supporters.

“Rugby league has always had a fantastic presence in the Tuggerah Lakes district and we’d love to see the community come along and test their swing in support of Men of League,” said Stuart, who is the NSW State Manager of the Men of League Foundation.

Media release, Oct 19, 2015 Aaron Henry, Men of League Foundation

Mannings Sports Firearms & Ammunition & Archery Specialists

APPROX. TIME LAG AFTER FORT DENISON

Camo Gear, Knives, Hunting Accessories Gun Safes, Scopes, Boots, Reloading, etc

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

172 Mann Street, Gosford - 4325 1617 www.manningssports.com.au www manningssports com au

Wyong Regional Chronicle - October 30, 2015 - P233 W

Sport

Aussie national teams take out men’s and women’s Central Coast Sevens he Australian national men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams have claimed the double by winning their respective finals of the 2015 UON Central Coast Sevens.

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The Australian women, playing as the Aussie Pearls, scored a dominating win over arch-rivals New Zealand, running out victors with a 31-14 score-line.

Emma Tonegado scored a hat trick for the Australians in a fast and physical encounter.

The Pearls, who have already qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games, were using the high standard of competition on the Central Coast as preparation for the upcoming International World-Series starting in December.

Evania Pelite was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

The men, playing as the Aussie Thunderbolts, faced powerful Fijian unit Tabadamu.

Tabadamu had earlier disposed of the New Zealand Men’s Development side, featuring no less than eight All Black 7s players with an upset 12 to 7 win to progress to the final against the Australian national side.

The Thunderbolts were in scintillating form and never looked in danger.

They attacked from all over the field and defended soundly,

Aussie Pearls player Ellia Green runs away to the Try Line in the final against New Zealand showing great signs ahead for next month’s Olympic qualifier to be held in Auckland, New Zealand.

The qualifier is a must win tournament to ensure qualification for the Rio games in 2016.

New young gun Henry Hutchison was named the tournament’s most valuable player in the men’s division.

The Central Coast Tournament received rave reviews over the weekend from some of the world’s elite players and coaching staff.

The tournament was labeled “world class” by Australian Sevens Coach, Tim Walsh.

Tournament director Craig Morgan expressed

his delight with the feedback: “We have received magnificent feedback from some of the very best players and coaches in the world who are competing regularly on the world stage.

“To be labeled world class is humbling, we are honoured to be thought of so highly,” he said.

The tournament attracted some of the strongest international teams from around the world including from: Australia; New Zealand; Canada; Fiji; Japan; Germany; Hong Kong; and the USA. Teams have already been nominating seeking to secure a position within the 2016 event.

“We receive unprecedented interest

annually from teams from around the world wishing to secure a place in the tournament,” Mr Morgan said.

“Teams want to test themselves against the best and we are honoured that so many teams see the UON Central Coast Sevens as a tournament that they wish to compete at.

“It is always difficult to finalise the field of 16 from so many quality nominations and we have already started receiving a high volume of enquiries on the day after completing this year’s tournament.”

The tournament was broadcast to a global audience, live streamed around the world via the BarTV

network showcasing the tournament and the Central Coast Region to an international audience.

The tournament was officially opened by The Glen Centre Indigenous Dancers with a minute’s silence held to honour the lives of former Central Coast referee, Guy Grinham and World Rugby tournament director Beth Coalter, who both recently passed away.

The UON Central Coast Sevens was held at Morrie Breen Oval, Wyong Leagues Club, Kanwal.

The tournament, which has enjoyed its seventh year in Wyong shire, attracted 64 teams consisting of 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams,

WAR MEMORABILIA WANTED

18 international teams, two interstate teams and 12 NSW based teams.

They competed in matches from Friday, October 23 through to grand finals on Sunday, October 25.

Wyong mayor, Cr Doug Eaton OAM said the UON Central Coast Sevens tournament was another example of Council’s proactive approach to securing the sports tourism market which would deliver benefits to local suppliers and tourism operators.

“Teams prepare all year for a tournament like this and many bring along support squads, family and friends to the event, which further boosts the local economy.

“Teams and their supporters are taking advantage of a wide range of accommodation across the shire”, he said.

The tournament DJ kept the tempo up with music to suit all tastes Island music, pop, rock, a little bit of country and several of the classics thrown in.

The kids had a blast interacting with mascots, enjoying the amusements and playing with their friends, having the chance to hunt autographs, up close experiences with competing teams and several international Olympic stars.

Media release, Oct 22, 2015 Wyong council media Media release, Oct 27, 2015 Craig Morgan, UON Central Coast Sevens

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