THURSDAY, 27 JUNE 2024
ISSUE #444
YOUR WEEKLY INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER
+ DAILY IN DIGITAL
CoastCommunityNews.com.au
Could you care for a future Seeing Eye Dog? IN PERSON INFORMATION SESSION
Friday 28 June 2024, 12pm - 1pm
Meeting Space 3, Erina Centre, North South Road, Erina (adjacent to Erina Library)
Scan for more info
News
Embracing Shadows at regional gallery
NAIDOC community day at Wyong See page 3
Out&About
Orchid fair and show at Mingara See page 17
Business Lismore-based Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens presents her latest exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery until August 11. See page 15
Photo: Natalie Grono Artist Karla Dickens
Rates to go up by 4.8 per cent on July 1
Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart
Rates will rise by 4.8 per cent from July 1, after Central Coast Council adopted its budget and operational plan for the 2024-25 financial year at its June 25 meeting. The rate rise was the maximum Council could adopt as set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Rate (IPART). For the first time, IPART set different rates across the state, using a new formula.
The Coast received one of the lowest maximum increases. Blacktown Council’s maximum rate peg is 7.1 per cent; Camden Council’s is 8.2 and Armidale Regional Council’s is the lowest at 4.5 per cent. The increase will bring in an extra $39.6M to the Council while employee costs will go up by $18.1M. The employee costs are assumptions based on award requirements. Waste Annual Charges will increase
by six per cent to reflect the cost of providing the service. Council says the Domestic Waste Management Service charges have not increased since 2021-22. “The increase to these charges in 2024-25 is due to the increased cost to provide the service and is an annual increase of $31 and $28 for the eastern and western areas respectively,” Council said.
• Seen and treated by specialist emergency physicians * • Minimal wait time • No Appointments • Walk-in • X-ray on site
Continued page 9
First key milestone for highspeed rail See page 26
Sport
Montgomery and Raimundo sign on with Ange See page 30
WE’RE OPEN!!! Unit 3A, 152-156 Pacific Highway, Tuggerah
* fee applies. See website for more details
1300 382 362
www.emergencyurgentcare.com.au
OPEN 7 DAYS
10am - 7:30pm