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29 March 2022
The loss of our local democracy
On 17 March 2022, the Minister for Local Government recommended that "all civic offices at Central Coast Council (CCC) be declared vacant, effective immediately". This decision removed local democracy from the Central Coast community.
The next covid wave is coming and it’s super-infectious
Central Coast residents are reminded to be vigilant and keep up their hygiene practices as Covid-19 cases surge on the Coast and another infectious variant is reported in Europe and are anticipated to be on Australian shores in no time.
Community campaign gets Trikafta onto the PBS
People who suffer from cystic fibrosis will be able to access the vital medication, Trikafta, from April 1, after the Federal Health Minister announced that the Federal Government will place the drug onto the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Fare free for Easter
Commuters across Greater Sydney will travel for free on all modes of transport for 12 days in a row during the Easter school holidays so families and friends can get out and about and help revitalise our city centres.
Coasties to benefit from Labor's
regional first home buyer scheme
Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese has promised to help ease the burden of skyrocketing house prices in Australia's regions by creating a standalone regional first home buyers support scheme, if Labor wins the next election..
Rural fire brigade celebrates 70 years
Since 1952 volunteers from the Berkeley Vale rural fire brigade have been there serving the community in time of need - open all hours, they respond to any emergency.
25 March 2022
The bell has tolled for Scott Morrison’s pub test
As the Federal election looms ever closer a confused prime minister, still peddling the same rhetoric in a vain attempt to disguise his failures, faced Sky News reporter Paul Murray’s pub test in Gosford three weeks ago in front of a crowd that was loaded with the Lucy Wicks faithful.
Community claims big win to fix road
The announcement yesterday by the Federal Government to provide $336 million as part of a partnership with the NSW State Government, to upgrade the Pacific Highway through Wyong has been welcomed by the community and local MPs.
Small business support program extended
Small businesses hit hardest by the Omicron wave have been handed a further lifeline, with the Small Business Support Program extended to a new closing date of 29 April 2022.
Gosford Hospital in crisis
Central Coast patients are being forced to wait longer for hospital care, with presentations at Gosford Hospital at an all-time high according to the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly results for the period of October- December 2021.
Charging up the Waratah super battery
Large, grid scale battery project developers now have the opportunity to register for an industry market forum and to prepare an expression of interest (EOI) for the construction of the 700MW Waratah Super Battery.
Updated covid response for schools
More rapid antigen tests will be supplied to teachers and students and flexible school based measures are being rolled out to help schools continue to operate through increased COVID-19 impacts.
Children’s centre reopens after devastating fire
It was a beautiful autumn day for the celebrations of the re-opening of the Mountain Community Children’s Centre in Mangrove Mountain last week, after being devastated by an electrical fire in 2017.
22 March 2022
I:part from transparency
Central Coast Council encouraged community members to have their say on the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) draft determination on water, sewerage and stormwater drainage pricing for the Central Coast, yet it would seem that IPART doesn’t even have the courtesy to respond to community concerns.
Mental health issues skyrocket among Australia’s youth
Youth mental health issues are on the rise, with one in four young Australians contemplating ending their life over the past two years and 15 per cent attempting self-harm according to a poll by Resolve Strategic of 16 to 24 year olds.
Schoolchildren prepare for biggest celebration of active travel
Schoolchildren on the Central Coast will take part in Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel on Friday 25 March.
NSW Government establishes independent flood inquiry
Acting Premier Paul Toole has established an independent flood inquiry to examine and report on the causes of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from, the 2022 catastrophic flood event.
Concerns over Ourimbah Masterplan
Adoption of the Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan is item 2.7 on the Business Paper for tonight’s meeting of Central Coast Council (22 March).
Funds make CWA Hall accessible for all
Country Women’s Association (CWA) Umina Beach Branch has been awarded $49,500 to construct new accessible bathrooms, a ramp and new hall entry after their bid was successful in the 2021 Community Building Partnership (CBP) program.
Be part of the first Central Coast Music Festival program
Central Coast Council is calling on creatives and event organisers to run workshops, activations, master classes or live performances and events to be part of the first ever Central Coast Music Festival program in Gosford.
18 March 2022
Madder than a box of frogs
There is no doubt that Vladimir Putin is as ‘Mad as a box of frogs’, as this despotic crackpot invades Ukraine, in the shadow of the twentieth-century’s most cruel and demonising lunatic Adolf Hitler, in what can only be described as another blitzkrieg.
Shafted by the state government
The long-awaited public inquiry report into Central Coast Council has finally been handed down and, as suspected, is nothing more than a blame-shift by the Liberal State Government. It was the Baird-Liberal-Government that forced an unholy marriage between Wyong and Gosford Councils and then left them standing at the alter without sufficient funding for the honeymoon.
Central Coast hosts National Town Crier Championships!
Town Criers from across Australia will gather at Alison Homestead in Wyong as the Central Coast plays host to the 2022 National Town Crier Championships.
Community called to comment
on Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland
Council is inviting the community to comment on plans to consolidate informal tracks in the Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland between 17 March to 14 April, to share thoughts on the management of these areas.
15 March 2022
Big on announcements; big on excuses; not so good on delivery
The flood emergency has brought home the reality of climate change and the ongoing devastating impact it will have for future generations. As an unprecedented deluge of rain fell, and people were forced to abandon their homes, Australians suffer a federal government and prime minister who fails to listen to climate science and accept that we are in the middle of a climate crisis.
Health costs soaring under Morrison Government
It was only last year that the Coalition Government began gutting Medicare with experts warning the radical Medicare overhaul would leave patients facing much larger medical bills and leave some unable to afford important surgery. The Australian Medical Association said the changes could trigger "chaos" for patients and doctors.
Perrottet failing at “priority” on disability employment
A NSW Government report has revealed that the Perrottet Government is failing at its own goal to employ more people with a disability across the NSW Public sector and exposes a toxic workplace environment for existing employees.
The Entrance electorate woman of the year
Member for The Entrance, David Mehan congratulated Local Woman of the Year, Ms Judy Townsend, at the prestigious award ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
Peat Island land rezoning must go back to the drawing board
The Dyarubbin Peat Island Association Inc (DPIA) has called upon Central Coast Council to reject the latest version of the Planning Proposal for rezoning Peat Island Land.
Labor MPs demand minister release CCC inquiry report
In revelations during budget estimates, Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman said she had received the report from the independent inquiry into Central Coast Council however she refused to give a timeline when she will release the findings.
Flood affected locals need sandbag collection point
Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, has written to the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Steph Cooke and Central Coast Council requesting that a sandbag collection point be located at Council’s Long Jetty Depot at Bateau Bay.
Moving towards storm and flood recovery
The Central Coast is starting to recover from the impacts of the recent severe weather event which saw substantial rainfall and localised flash flooding, however parts of our region are still impacted.
11 March 2022
Flood victims feel abandoned
The eastern seaboard of NSW from Queensland to Sydney has taken a devastating pounding from heavy rain and catastrophic flooding, destroying property and lives and leaving people feeling abandoned by the Morrison Government.
Supporting small business on the Coast
Small business is big on the Coast, and they need our support now more than ever.
Volunteers needed for emergency radio communications network
The Mangrove Emergency Planning & Communications Committee have received a new grant to develop a volunteer-driven Community Emergency CB Radio Communications Network.
Senior talent shines in Grandma Moses Art Competition
Central Coast Council congratulates the winners of the 2022 Grandma Moses Art Competition. This year, Gay Pickering was awarded the Winner of the Open Category for her oil painting, Hawkesbury.
Pamela Price: Wyong electorate woman of the year
Congratulations to Wyong Electorate Woman of the Year Captain Pam Price DSA MSA of Doyalson Girls Squadran Australian Air League.
Go4Fun face-to-face programs return
A program aimed at helping children get active and eat healthier will return to the Central Coast in face-to-face format for the first time in a year after a COVID-enforced hiatus.
Local media news site secures public interest journalism funding
The Walkley Foundation, which is managing the Facebook Australian News Fund, a $15 million funding program spread over three years to invest in public-interest journalism, and support small, regional and digital newsroom innovation and economic sustainability, has awarded a grant to a Central Coast digital news site.
NDIS cuts hurt Central Coast families
Central Coast families are struggling to cope with widespread cuts made to the National Disability Insurance Scheme under the Morrison-Joyce Government.
8 March 2022
Caught in a political flood
While floodwaters devastated south-eastern Queensland and much of the NSW eastern seaboard, including the Central Coast, Barnaby Joyce, who was acting Prime Minister whilst Scott Morrison was taking a Covid holiday, has been caught in a political flood.
March4Justice: one year on
As the one year anniversary of March4Justice approaches, a movement sparked by Brittany Higgins following allegations of systemic sexual assault and harassment at Parliament House, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch is reflecting on the Gosford event.
Celebrate diversity at Flavours by the Sea this March
Central Coast Council’s multicultural event, Flavours by the Sea, will return on Saturday 26 March, bringing the tastes, sights and sounds of the world to the Central Coast.
More off-leash dog areas needed
In response to growing demands for more public spaces to be made available for our furrier locals, the Central Coast Council is developing a ‘Dogs in Open Space Strategy’ to consider the management and location of off-leash areas.
Real estate agents fined for underquoting offences
A NSW Fair Trading team formed in May 2021 dedicated to proactively stamping out underquoting in the real estate industry has issued 117 fines worth almost $200,000 over the past nine months, and in a first for NSW, imposed restrictions on serial underquoters.
4 March 2022
Up to his waist in floodwater
As the flood waters rose down the east coast and homes and lives were lost the country is yet again reminded of Scott Morrison’s abject failure as a prime minister for not spending money that has already been set aside for disaster relief, leaving him up to his waist in floodwater.
Submission deadline for draft regional plan
Submissions for Draft Central Coast Regional Plan 2041, which is a 20-year plan, are due by midnight today.
Immediate disaster assistance for flood affected individuals
Individuals and businesses impacted by the flood events unfolding in NSW can now access the first tranche of NSW Government support through Service NSW.
Life-changing cystic fibrosis drug should be placed onto PBS
Labor is calling on Scott Morrison and the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt to put life-changing drug Trikafta on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for those Australian’s living with cystic fibrosis.
Data shows phonics reaping reading rewards
Making phonics compulsory in NSW public schools is already having a positive impact on student results, according to NSW Department of Education data.
Draft regional strategy update sends mixed messages
The Central Coast Branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation (CCACF) supports the concept of Objective 3 of the draft Central Coast Regional Strategy that claims to reduce car dependency and increase the walkability of neighbourhoods, however, this strategy doesn’t outline any public transport initiative.
One year anniversary of aged care royal commission
It has now been one year since the final report from the Aged Care Royal Commission was handed down and sadly, it seems like nothing has changed.
Greens candidates for the upcoming Federal election
Central Coast Greens are delighted to announce Shelly McGrath as their candidate for Robertson and Scott Rickard as their candidate for Dobell in the upcoming Federal election. Shelly is an activist and academic with a background in small business and Scott is a passionate trade unionist with 15 years of experience working as a union organiser in the finance, rail, and aviation industries.
1 March 2022
Is PEP-11 really dead in the water?
With a great fanfare and flurry, and eager for the photo opportunity and announcement, Scott Morrison, with the ever-faithful Lucy Wicks by his side, stood at Terrigal Beach on 17 December 2021 and announced the end of PEP-11. Yet, since that fateful day Resources Minister Keith Pitt has still refused to rule it out.
More needs to be done to solve highway flooding
For years Central Coast Highway West Gosford has been under water during heavy rain, a cost too high for Coasties who are fed up with the “solutions” that have not worked and NSW Government’s lack of interest in the major road.
Get your $500 before and after school care vouchers now
The NSW Government’s $155 million program for Before and After School Care (BASC) vouchers is now live for parents and carers of children enrolled in a NSW primary school.
Vaccinate pet rabbits now
Central Coast rabbit owners area being urged to vaccinate their pets before a new feral rabbit control program begins on 17 March.
Premier’s reading challenge now open
The Premier’s Reading Challenge marks its 21st anniversary starting today, with children encouraged to join the party - by reading lots of books!
Excitement builds over 'Coathanger's' 90th birthday
The history of Australia’s most famous landmark will come to life with celebrations to mark the 90th birthday of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
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