Grapevine News Online February 2023

NEWS ARCHIVES

24 February 2023

Minister fudges teachers shortage data again

On the eve of an election the Liberal National Government wants the public to believe that they can create 2,500 teacher positions within the next two years and that there is no teacher shortage.

24 February 2023

Enough is enough...

Administration of public assets on the Central Coast seems to have become the flavour of the month, as the Perrottet Government holds the fate of the Central Coast Wetlands (formerly the Pioneer Dairy Wetlands Reserve) in its hand. The recent resignation of four board members from the Central Coast Wetland Trust has the Government rushing to place the Trust into administration prior to the election.

24 February 2023

Just not good enough

The Community Environment Network (CEN), the Central Coast’s peak environmental organisation, says the Central Coast Council’s draft plan of management for over 2100 individual parcels of community land grouped into 400 sites could fail to meet its legal obligations under the NSW Local Government Act and Regulations.

24 February 2023

Grants to boost tourism through caravan parks

The Albanese Labor Government is backing tourism in Dobell with grant funding to support facilities and amenities at Two Shores Holiday Village and Shelly Beach Holiday Park.

24 February 2023

March on down for a chemical cleanout event

Central Coast Council is inviting residents to clear out unwanted hazardous chemicals from around the home and safely dispose of them for free at the Chemical CleanOut events this March.

24 February 2023

Weekday walkers

If you're looking to enjoy the out-of-doors with other people who enjoy walking, then the Weekday Walkers may be for you. Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health and walking with others can turn exercise into an enjoyable social occasion.

24 February 2023

Pedotle thrills the crowd at Toowoon Bay

Visitors to Toowoon Bay Surf Club last weekend excitedly welcomed the first ever appearance of the 'Pedotle'.The Pedotle is an interactive sculpture designed with children in wheelchairs for everyone to enjoy. Pronounced per dottle , its part pelican, part dolphin and part turtle. It flies, blinks and even farts bubbles.

24 February 2023

Better footpaths and cycleways for the Coast

Central Coast Labor MPs joined Labor’s Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen to announce that a Minns Labor Government will provide $8m over 4 years to Central Coast Council to fund vital footpaths across the Central Coast.

24 February 2023

Improving your water and sewer services

Central Coast Council is working with the community collecting feedback to help improve Council’s water and sewer services.

24 February 2023

Grants benefit community needs

As part of the NSW Government’s 2022 Community Building Partnership Program, Gosford East Public School and P&C Association, Fairhaven Disability Services and Everglades Country Club have received much-needed funding to upgrade community space and facilities.

24 February 2023

Opportunity to make a splash

Central Coast Council is inviting businesses, community groups and event organisers to propose an event, or activity to be a part of the annual 10-day Lakes Festival program celebrating the Coast’s diverse waterways.

24 February 2023

Funding secured for amenity, irrigation and drainage works

Following consistent advocacy from Yasmin Catley, Member for Swansea, to both local and state governments, a total of $3.02 million from the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 has been allocated for irrigation and drainage works and upgrades to the amenities at Buff Point Oval, as well as to renew the amenities block at Halekulani Oval.

24 February 2023

Make your voice heard

Voices of the Central Coast (VOCC) is calling on you to make your voice heard – and has launched a “Vote Compass” to help take the pulse of our community.

17 February 2023

Coast rorted out of bushfire grants

Last Friday the Grapevine reported that the Auditor General’s published findings into the $100 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) program - what about Premier Dominic Perrottet’s alleged involvement? He has questions to answer after it has now been revealed that he oversaw the administration of the bushfire grants rort.

17 February 2023

New COVID booster shot available

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has announced new COVID-19 boosters will be available for adults next week as from February 20.

17 February 2023

Health crisis: half of nurses plan to resign

On 20 January the Grapevine reported on the health crisis facing Central Coast Hospitals and hospitals around the state but a new report from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association says that one in three nurses are planning to resign in the next 12 months.

17 February 2023

Hazards near me NSW app

The NSW state government has launched a new Hazards Near Me app, allowing residents to receive the most up to date warnings on their smart devices for both flood and fire.

17 February 2023

International women’s day expo

The Central Coast International Women’s Day Expo will be held this year on Saturday 4 March, between 10am and 3pm, at The Entrance Community Centre, located in Norberta Street.

17 February 2023

Have your say anytime via the 24/7 consultation hub

Central Coast Council is seeking community feedback on a number of projects and plans through the online consultation hub ‘Your Voice – Our Coast’.

17 February 2023

NSW to legislate ban on offshore gas

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will legislate its existing policy to prevent offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining and exploration in NSW waters and ramp up its calls for the Albanese Government to prevent offshore mining in neighbouring Commonwealth waters.

17 February 2023

Stronger communities programme round 8 now open

The Stronger Communities Programme Round 8 is now open and eligible organisations in Robertson are encouraged to complete an Expression of Interest form.

17 February 2023

New alliance calls for clarity on future wetland's management

THE new Protect Central Coast Wetland Alliance has called for urgent action from the NSW Perrottet Government to provide assurances that the Central Coast Wetland, located on the former Pioneer Dairy at Tuggerah, will not be placed under an administrator.

17 February 2023

Funding boost for grassroots sport in Wyong Electorate

Community sport organisations across Wyong electorate are set to benefit from more than $2,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grants Program.

17 February 2023

Stronger communities programme round 8 now open

The Stronger Communities Programme Round 8 is now open and eligible organisations in Robertson are encouraged to complete an Expression of Interest form.

10 February 2023

Fire's burning

A fire in the Dooralong Valley last Sunday 5 February resulted in a triple zero call to emergency services and the Rural Fire Brigade (RFS) attending the property where the fire was burning. Adjoining neighbours were concerned whether the occupant of the property had a permit to carry out the burn, since the fire did not appear to be a planned event.

10 February 2023

Betrayed by the Liberal Government

The NSW Auditor General published its findings last week into the $100 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) program – a fund established to support communities, like the Central Coast, which were devastated by the Black Summer Bushfires.

10 February 2023

Coast veterans better off in 2023

2023 will be a year of improved services, support and benefits for the veteran community; as measures and initiatives to address cost of living pressures and enhance family wellbeing kick off.

10 February 2023

State government passes buck to council

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, together with residents of Peach Orchard Road are calling on the Minister for Regional Roads and Transport to do his job and direct his staff to undertake a proper speed review of Peach Orchard Road, Fountaindale.

10 February 2023

Applications open to address local mobile black spots

The Federal Government is delivering on its commitment to improve mobile coverage in suburbs like Matcham-Holgate and Wyoming by opening applications for grant funding as from last Monday.

10 February 2023

Nominations for Youth Week Awards now open

Nominations for the 2023 Central Coast Youth Week Awards are now open, giving local youth aged 12 to 24 years the opportunity to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to the region.

3 February 2023

Not a gourmet's delight

There are still many of us in the community, still above ground, who remember what a good Aussie burger should look and taste like - not like a new burger that McDonalds has released Australia wide, which certainly doesn’t measure up to the glossy images promoting it or to be a reasonable facsimile of a satisfying meal.

3 February 2023

Gallery reveals NSW emerging artists

Central Coast Council’s biennial EMERGING art prize for early career artists will be announced at Gosford Regional Gallery today, as part of this year’s EMERGING exhibition.

3 February 2023

The wheels of the Perrottet bus are falling off

Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet has backed in his government’s failed model of bus privatisation even though his government has cut thousands of bus services last Tuesday. But the wheels aren’t just falling off bus privatisation, they fallen off their commitment to NSW - nothing has been done for domestic violence survivors and Perrottet’s abysmal health record speaks for itself.

3 February 2023

New flood recovery assistance

Funding is now available to the Central Coast community to repair local infrastructure damaged by floods in February and June last year.

3 February 2023

Labor to boost funding for Coast’s women’s health centres

Central Coast Labor MPs joined Shadow Minister for Women and Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison MP, to announce that a Minns Labor Government will boost funding for Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre.

3 February 2023

Running an eagle eye over the region’s road network

Central Coast Council is currently undertaking a road condition survey across the region’s entire sealed road network of more than 2,000 kilometres, using state-of-the-art technology to efficiently gather accurate data for effective road management and works planning.

3 February 2023

Love Lanes Festival surrounding Wyong with love

Time to surround yourself with love. The Coast’s favourite Love Lanes Festival in Wyong is back for its sixth year on Saturday 11 February. Encompassing four lanes, four stages and one park.

3 February 2023

New community directory service

The Rotary Club The Entrance is launching our Directory of Community Services – Central Coast. This comprehensive directory contains full descriptions of services and contact details of some 26 local support agencies.

3 February 2023

Boost to mental health interpreting services

Making sure all Australians can access mental health services no matter their background is an Australian Government priority.

3 February 2023

Council shameful track record on protecting wetlands

Yesterday was World Wetlands Day (February 2), a day to raise global awareness of the important role wetlands play in protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity but, according to the Community Environment Network (CEN), Central Coast Council’s track record on protecting local wetlands is “shameful”.

3 February 2023

New regional animal care facility

Central Coast Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the proposed location and concept design for a new centrally located Regional Animal Care Facility at Mardi.