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YOUR WEEKLY INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER
EDITION #525 THURSDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2026
SEE PAGE 16
Stunning E Olympic A YEAR debut E S A L E
News
P6 High-speed rail cost estimated at $90B
Out&About
U BLINDS PRICE PROMISE WE WILL BEAT ANY WRITTEN PRICE BY
10%
P31
*for any comparable product
P19
Abbey Willcox in action Photo: Australian Olympic Team Plantation Shutters
IPART survey ahead of proposed rates increase BUY ONE GET ONE FREE INFINITY RANGE
*
It takes about five minutes to take a survey on the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) website designed to gauge community reaction to a price transfer proposed by Central Coast Council. Council wants to increase rates by 12.8% from July 1. The increase represents a transfer of the $150 stormwater charge residents currently pay in their water rates plus a 3.2% rate peg increase. It would take effect from July 1. The application to IPART is the only mechanism available to Council to transfer the income currently
Curtains
*INFINITY RANGE
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE IPART wants to know if you support Council’s proposal to increase rates
generated through the Stormwater Drainage Charge which it is no longer allowed to charge to water rates. It could charge $25 drainage charge per household without applying to IPART but Council says it needs the $150 or it would go into an immediate operating deficit of $17M. Council also has a second submission with IPART – to increase water rates from July 1. It wants to increase water rates by 8.6% for large households plus CPI which it estimates at 2.9% for a total increase of 11.5%.
Vibrant celebration of seniors
Business
P21 Free program to train and employ women PUZZLES PAGE 18
Continued page 8
HURRY!
EXTENDED R E F E F O C CLEARANCE N A R A E CL U BLINDS NDS ISE BLIPROMISE UPRICE OM R P PRICE
SERVICING ALL CENTRAL COAST
40 391 1300 303
Call call 1300 303 391% OFF
*
for a complimentary measure and quote
• PLANTATION SHUTTERS • ALUMINIUM SHUTTERS SANTORINI FULL CASSETTE MOTORISED FOLDING ARM AWNING PLANTATION SHUTTERS www.ublinds.com.au • CURTAINS SE RVICING ALL CENTRAL COAST ISED * Conditions apply, selected materials and fabrics. Offer ends 31/3/2026 or while stocks last. OR• T O M D 990 ISEZIPSCREENS Electrician and Installation not included. 0 = $3 OTOR
www.ublinds.com.au
3700 X 3000 = $3990 MOTORISED 4700 X 3000 = $4590 MOTORISED 5700 X 3000 = $5290 MOTORISED
300 ED 90 M 3700 X 3000 = $45 0 MOTORIS 9 4700 X 3000 = $52 5700 X
G
AWNIN
• ROLLER BLINDS • FABRIC AWNINGS • SECUREFORCE SECURITY PRODUCTS
* % 0 OFF
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