As the New Year begins, we take a look back at the news which made local headlines in 2022
January
Almost two years after the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged, the Coast started off 2022 with reports of five COVID deaths over the holiday period and long queues at COVID testing clinics.
A drastic shortage of RAT tests saw huge lines at pharmacies and other outlets with local MPs calling for more supplies and free tests for all.
The West Gosford shopping centre revamp powered ahead and teachers were calling for a plan for a safe return to schools.
Shelves were bare at many Coast supermarkets with almost 50 per cent of truck delivery drivers off the road with COVID as the TWU called for free RATS for drivers.
A 1-0 win over Sydney City saw the Central Coast Marines qualify for their first FFA Cup grand final.
Residents were hit with news of major hikes at Council-run facilities and a freak storm cell caused havoc at Niagara Park.
River Cares founder Robyn Downham was named Central Coast citizen of the Year for her work in uniting the communities of the Lower Hawkesbury in disaster readiness and 11 Coasties were recognised in the Australia Day Honours List.
Aspiring Olympic sailors flocked to the region as Gosford Sailing Club hosted the Allen flying 11 Australian Championships.
Schools geared up for a return of students with COVID safe measures in place as the Coast braced for predicted bushfires and severe storms.
The rental crisis began to worsen regionwide with numbers of prospective tenants outstripping available rental properties.
February
A Sydney restaurant group bought Budgewoi’s Coast Hotel for $15M and Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club began its 100th anniversary celebrations.
A Patonga home sold for $6.03M, setting a new real estate record for the suburb.
Central Coast resident and former Australian Rugby Union captain Mark Ella was inducted into the Hall of Champions and a mooted transfer of ownership of the Peat Island precinct to the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council caused controversy.
Administrator Rik Hart announced Council would seek an extension of the 13 per cent special variation rate rise for an additional seven years, with major community outcry.
Most residents expressed approval of the expansion of Warnervale Airport in a survey and Wyong Drama Group celebrated its 70th anniversary.
Ongoing operations at a Palm Grove puppy farm had residents up in arms and the new Porters Creek Public School opened its doors.
North Shelly Boardriders took out the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final and an aged care forum at Ocean Beach Surf Club declared that the sector was in crisis in the region.
Rail strikes continued throughout the month as pay and conditions negotiations between the State Government and unions stalled.
The region’s dam levels reached a record high and nurses and midwives joined a statewide strike amid growing concerns for staffing levels.
Freak storms wreaked havoc regionwide and Council remained determined to push ahead with a seawall solution for ongoing erosion issues at Wamberal Beach despite community opposition.
March
The first week of March saw torrential rain throughout the region, with roads thrown into chaos and homes damaged.
Severe erosion occurred at Lakes Beach and the Coast was included in a Natural Disaster Declaration.
Rents continued to soar region-wide and the Central Coast Mariners recorded their first win of the season, downing Brisbane Roar 2-1.
As the months progressed, Coast fuel prices started to soar as a result of the war in Ukraine and the communities of the Lower Hawkesbury continued to experience major flooding, while clean-ups proceeded in other areas.
IPART mooted a water rate rise for the region from July, with the average annual residential bill set to go up by $360.
A major upgrade for Norah Head lighthouse was announced and the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute at Gosford Hospital was officially opened.
The report on the Public Inquiry into Council was released and councillors were officially sacked, with the Council to remain under administration.
The future of the Long Jetty health Care Centre looked grim and a major upgrade was announced for Tuggerah station following five years of community campaigning.
A newly formed group of waterfront home owners at Wamberal called for a halt on planning for a seawall and housing affordability emerged as a major election issue prior to the Federal Election.
A major upgrade of the Pacific Hwy at Wyong was announced, to be completed by 2027.
April
The month started with the announcement that the PEP11 permit for offshore gas and oil exploration had been officially cancelled and the news that the Central Coast was to be included in a Mega City comprising six cities stretching from Newcastle in the north to Shoalhaven-Illawarra in the south.
The Federal Budget saw big win for motorists, low to middle income earners and first home buyers but Labor hopefuls pledged a brighter future as momentum for the Federal Election started to build.
Environmental Justice Australia said pollution from Vales Point was continuing to rise despite reduced energy production and the Land and Environment Court found that 1.14 million cubic metres of waste could be dumped at the Mangrove Mountain landfill site with any activity beyond that requiring a further DA.
Season 2 of Sail Grand Prix was won by Coast local Tom Slingsby and the crew of the Flying Roo in San Francisco
Residents were reassured that the relocation of Ettalong ambulance station to Woy Woy Hospital would not impact services.
The Coast’s oyster farmers were calling for government help with the industry decimated by flood events.
Central Coast health workers walked off the job for two hours on Aril 7 protesting staff shortages.
A $19M five storey hotel was mooted for the Mingara site at Tumbi Umbi and thousands of residents turned out for ANZAC Day services throughout the region, as parades and services returned following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
May
There were calls for a super battery to be installed at the old Munmorah power station site, the first of the year’s migrating whales were spotted off the Coast and it was announced the major revamp of Gosford RSL would begin in June.
Residents were incensed when IPART approved an extension of the 13 per cent special rate variation rise for an additional seven years, on top of the three years originally approved.
As the Federal Election approached, Prime Minister Scott Morrison dropped into Umina with a number of pledges including a $40M roads package for the region and Federal Labor Leader Anthony Albanese visited the Coast to outline his federal home equity scheme.
Eleven candidates were set to run for the seat of Robertson and seven for Dobell as promises from both major parties flowed thick and fast.
The Pearl Beach Café and General Store underwent a major revamp and name change to Pearly’s.
A 2-0 win against the Newcastle Jets took the Mariners into the A-League finals in fourth spot on the ladder only to see a 3-1 loss to Adelaide United in the semi-final end their hopes.
The Central Coast Air Show attracted more than 20,000 people to the region and the annual Coast Race Day at Gosford saw 4,000 people pass through the gates.
The water rate rise was confirmed by IPART to take effect from July to the dismay of resident groups.
The Federal Election saw sitting Labor Member Emma McBride returned in Dobell and Labor‘s Gordon Reid take the seat of Robertson from incumbent Liberal MP Lucy Wicks in a closely fought battle as the nation elected a Labor government following three consecutive terms of Liberal leadership.
June
June saw the consolidation of Coast Community Newspapers into one masthead, with Coast Community News to cover the entire region.
An announcement that the next election of Central Coast councillors would not take place until September 2024, in line with other local government elections throughout the state, was met with outrage by resident groups.
It was announced that management of Central Coast Stadium would be taken over by VenuesLive and Administrator Rik Hart announced Central Coast Council’s financial crisis was officially over.
Kincumber Pacific Dolphins member, 17-year-old Daniel McLoughlin, was selected in the Australian team for the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships to be held in Hawaii in August.
BHP Energy announced it would appeal the decision not to renew its PEP 11 licence for off-shore gas and oil exploration in federal court.
Premier Dominic Perrottet visited the region to announce a swathe of pledges including $18M for the new university campus in Gosford and half a billion dollars to progress fast rail.
Eight Central Coast residents were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, a campaign for a palliative care unit at Wyong Hospital ramped up and rugby’s Caldwell Cup returned to the Coast after 15 years.
The State Budget saw big wins for the Central Coast in the areas of health, education, transport, housing and infrastructure and it was the end of an era as Woy Woy Bowling Club closed its doors.
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park joined forces with Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council to offer indigenous cultural experiences to guests.
July
Rail disruptions continued as pay and conditions negotiations between the State Government and rail unions continued to stall and Council handed down its Operational Plan and Budget 2022-2025.
Huge storms ravaged the region as debate over the preferred seawall option for Wamberal Beach continued and work started on the Tuggerah station upgrade.
Organisers reported that the 5 Lands Walk, which returned in June after a three-year COVID induced hiatus, was a huge success and the Local Planning Panel green-lighted a plan to revitalise The Entrance with pop-up attractions and large-scale events.
The Mariners announced they would field a team in the 2023-24 Women’s A-League season and the Coast was once again laid low by a severe storm event.
A major upgrade for the historic Wyong hotel was announced and a new DA for a commercial precinct at Mount Penang with fast food outlets was submitted after being refused previously.
A huge storm clean-up was underway region-wide, with flood recovery centres set up at The Entrance and Spencer and Central Coast surfer Molly Picklum won her first Challenger Series event of the year in South Africa.
The Coast showed signs of economic recovery following COVID lockdowns with unemployment falling to 2 per cent and the region braced for yet more storms, even as the clean-up continued following devastating flooding earlier in the month.
The Commonwealth Bank announced it would close its Umina Beach branch, Erina ice Arena hosted the Australian International Ice Hockey Cup and young Coast surfer Talia Tebb took out the Under 12’s NSW Grommet State Titles.
August
The campaign to end homelessness on the Central Coast ramped up and 200 business leaders gathered in Gosford to make a plan for taking the region into the future.
Berkeley Vale’s Faith Nathan played in the Australian Rugby 7 Women’s team which took gold in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The Coast Shelter Sleepout raised more than $180,000 to help combat homelessness and locals were stunned when thousands of dead fish washed up at Mannering Park.
Business leaders demanded action on the overgrown foreshore at Ettalong beach and Council’s draft Dogs in Open Space Plan 2022-23 attracted community ire, with three separate petitions launched to oppose some of its suggestions.
Locals expressed outrage over the new s that former PM Scott Morrison had undertaken multiple portfolios during his last term in office and plans for a walking trail around Terrigal Lagoon were shelved.
A push for lighting along the Ettalong foreshore gathered momentum and an elderly pilot had a lucky escape when his Cessna crashed into trees at Warnervale Airport.
The EPA labelled the massive fish fatality at Mannering Park as a “natural event” and Verde Terra announced it would appeal the latest Land and Environment Court ruling over the Mangrove Mountain landfill site.
A Yattalunga artist won the Gosford Art Prize and a roundtable was held on the future of business at The Entrance.
Five young Coast surfers were selected for an elite Surfing NSW junior training program.
September
A meeting at Wyong paved the way for flood mitigation around Tuggerah Lakes and there were renewed calls for a public poll on demerging Central Coast Council.
A second batch of dead fish washed up at Mannering Park, prompting calls from the Hunter Community Environment Centre for an investigation of thermal pollution in Wyee Bay and a summit at Tuggerah brought industry leaders together to find solutions to the region’s housing crisis.
Three Coast businesses were named leaders in their fields at the Australian Small Business Champion Awards and the death of Queen Elizabeth II rocked the Central Coast, along with the rest of the world.
More than 10,000 people gathered at Wamberal Beach to protest plans for a seawall and the Environment Protection Authority announced Vales Point Power Station would be investigated over the Mannering Park fish kills.
The Six Cities Discussion Paper opened for comment and more heavy storms ravaged the region.
Amendments were proposed for the planned Archibald development in Gosford and OzHarvest made its one millionth delivery in the region.
Killarney Vale took out the AFL Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Men’s Cup.
Council unveiled its bold new plan to revitalise the Gosford waterfront with a major project including a mix of commercial, retail and accommodation options, a ferry terminal, outdoor recreation areas and an amphitheatre.
Environment groups called for full transparency on the proposed sale of Vales Point Power Station to a Czech company and the Terrigal Trojans won the 2022 Central Coast Rugby Union grand final.
October
Mariners hero Matt Simon announced his retirement after 15 years in the A-League and thousands of people attended the Coastal Twist Festival on the Peninsula.
Council Administrator Rik Hart approved design guidelines for seawalls at Wamberal despite continued community opposition and Council amended its draft Flag Flying Policy after months of community backlash to allow Australian flag banners to be flown at Umina Beach.
The Premier officially opened the new wing at Wyong Hospital and the Chamberlain Group was named Business of the Year at the 2022 Central Coast Business Awards.
An emergency services backup satellite service was launched at the RFS’s regional headquarters at Charmhaven as a state of natural disaster was declared for the region following major storm events in September and October.
Six String Brewing Company at Erina took a major award at the Independent Beer Awards and young families were the big winners in the Federal Budget, with a huge childcare package and amendments to parental leave.
The budget also allowed $177.32M for a new food and manufacturing hub for the north of the region.
Wyong Fire and Rescue firefighters were named the best in NSW at the State Championships and the Labor Party pledged $8.5M for the Gosford waterfront redevelopment if elected next March.
The transformation of ownership of the Peat Island Precinct to the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council was made official and new plans were lodged for a major revamp of Avoca Beach Picture Theatre.
November
Plans were announced for a wind farm off the Central Coast, the Department of Planning and Environment announced that illegally cleared land at Kariong was to be remediated and the Lakes Festival lit up the region during a 10-day program.
The State Government released a regional plan to guide development for the next 20 years on the Central Coast.
A new association was formed to fight for the retention and refurbishment of the Empire Bay Marina and thousands of Coasties marked Remembrance Day with services held across the region.
Environmental groups outlined their concerns with the Six Cities Discussion Paper, the Matildas played an exhibition match against Thailand at Central Coast Stadium and finer weather saw Council attack the pothole and road repair backlog in the region.
Boats illegally moored at Gosford waterfront were finally given their marching orders and Council announced a new landfill cell would be built at Buttonderry Waste Management Facility.
The NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort was named the best in the state by the NSW Caravan and Camping Industry Association.
Central Coast resident Ryan Sheridan won a prestigious Walkley Award for video journalism and the Central Coast picked up three silver awards at the NSW Tourism Awards.
Two Coasties took major awards at the 2022 NSW Business awards, with Laura Prael being named Outstanding Business Leader and Hayley Shute crowned the state’s most Outstanding Employee.
A major affordable housing project was announced at The Entrance and junior dirt track riders flocked to Somersby for the 2022 Honda Coastal Motorcycle Centre NSW Junior Trek Championship.
December
The State Government announced a grant of $13.6M for a palliative care unit at Wyong Hospital and news came that the Empire Bay Boatshed would be razed and replaced with a replica in a partial win for the community.
Local act the James Brothers won the Australian Busking Championships and an Environmental Impact Statement for a super battery at Lake Munmorah was released.
Member for Gosford and Paralympian Liesl Tesch was inducted into the Hall of Champions.
Hundreds of people marched down Mann St, Gosford, calling for an end to domestic violence and a new intersection opened at Tuggerah as the latest development in the Pacific Hwy duplication to Lisarow.
News came that the Central Coast Nambus was to make its final journey and latest plans for the Archibald development in Gosford got the go ahead.
Central Coast skier Matt Graham took a bronze medal in the opening event of the mogul skiing World Cup season in Ruka, Finland.
Council decided to revisit sections of its Dogs in Open Spaces plan due to community backlash and the Peat Island Cultural Precinct received a $4.99M kick-start from the State Government.
It was announced Crackneck Lookout would receive an accessibility upgrade and Council said it would forge ahead with the sale of the former Gosford Chambers building and surrounding sites despite community pressure to halt asset sales.
The news came that the German and English teams would be housed at base camps on the Central Coast for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Terry Collins