21 OCTOBER 2022
ISSUE 364
Rowland launches emergency services satellite program
News
Torrential rain and subsequent flooding have been reflected in the 2021-22 State of the Beaches Report, but 89 per cent of the waterways on the Central Coast are still rated as Good or Very Good. See page 3
Out&About
More than 500 cars are registered to be on show this weekend, as Chromefest returns live to The Entrance on October 21-23 after two years of being online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.. See page 13
Business Federal Telecommunications Minister, Michelle Rowland, launched an emergency services backup satellite service at Charmhaven’s RFS Regional HQ on Wednesday, October 19. See page 4 From left; Telecommunications Minister, Michelle Rowland, Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, and RFS Superintendent, Viki Campbell
State of natural disaster declared for Coast A state of natural disaster has been declared for the Central Coast as the mopup continues following a flood event from September 14 to early October and the region braces for more rain throughout next week. A Central Coast Council spokesperson said the Natural Disaster Declaration, which has been issued as a result of the severe weather and flooding that occurred from September 14 onwards, recognises the impacts on the
region’s agricultural community, particularly around Mangrove Mountain. “While fortunately, the September event was less severe on the Central Coast than the March and July events, Council welcomes the additional support the Declaration provides for local communities,” the spokesperson said. Continuous rain through early October prompted emergency services to issue flood warnings for portions of the Central Coast
including Dooralong, Yarramalong, Little Jilliby, Spencer, Mangrove Mountain, Jilliby, Lower Mangrove and Greengrove. Residents were advised to avoid floodwater and another landslip was reported on Wisemans Ferry Rd between Spencer and Gunderman. Council Administrator, Rik Hart, warning the community to remain vigilant at the October 11 meeting. Hart told the meeting that the Mangrove Creek Dam reached
capacity for the second time this year on October 8, with small volumes of water still spilling into Mangrove Creek. The Upper Mooney Dam is full capacity and has been overflowing into Mooney Mooney Creek since July. He said staff had remained on high alert and were continually monitoring roads, waterways and sewer systems. Continuing rain had caused major issues with the road network, he said, with more than 73,000 potholes so far
addressed and heavy patching, which requires dry weather, on hold. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the declaration was an important first step in offering support for local communities under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, which are jointly funded by the NSW Government and Commonwealth Government. Continued page 8
Six String Brewing Co of Erina has taken out the highly contested Champion Pale Ale category at the Independent Beer Awards with its Tropical Pale Ale (TPA). See page 21
Sport
Avoca Beach junior surfer Talia Tebb took out the Under 12 girls event at the Woolworths Surfer Groms Northern Beaches Final Day on October 16, taking her to first spot on the national rankings. See page 32
Puzzles page 18
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