As we continue our series on the top stories of 2023, we look at the major Central Coast issues reported in August.
Residents were up in arms when it was announced that free parking at regional hospitals to be introduced on August 1 would not apply to Gosford Hospital.
In a complete backflip Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said Gosford was considered to be a major centre close to public transport and the CBD, providing alternate access to the hospital.
Well-known Gosford businessman Kevin Booth passed away at the age of 92 and there were more calls to end shark netting off Central Coast Waters amid growing concerns for non-target species.
Heart Central Coast shooter Madeleine Taylor announced her retirement from Premier League netball and a petition to save the Coast’s native bees was tabled in State Parliament amid fears of the effects of a pesticide being used to combat the Verroa Mite.
Council‘s controversial draft dogs in open spaces plan was set to go out for more public consultation and a new petition was launched opposing a seawall at Wamberal.
A large new industrial warehousing complex at West Gosford was completed and a dog breeding facility at Palm Grove was knocked back.
Water skiers converged on Gosford for the Australian team selection races ahead of the world water ski racing championships to be held in November.
The fight continued to ban logging in Ourimbah State Forest, and it was announced that Saddles at Mount White would be under new management from October 14.
It was finally announced that Ettalong Channel would be dredged and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch called for more public consultation on the proposed sale of a section of Austin Butler reserve at Woy Woy to the nearby Peninsula Plaza.
The NSW Planning Department approved plans for the University of Newcastle Central Coast campus to be built on the former Mitre 10 site in Mann St, Gosford, and the Mariners began to make multiple signings ahead of the coming A-League season.