2023 in review – February

PEP 11 was back in the spotlight in February

We continue our flashback series looking at the major news stories covered by CCN in 2023.

Let’s look at last February.

Central Coast Council was under pressure to take urgent action to remove a wrack buildup in Tuggerah Lakes and the controversial PEP 11 permit for offshore gas drilling was back in the spotlight with a decision on the future of a permit refusal still undecided.

Hope that the next Central Coast Council elections might be brought forward were dashed when Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman confirmed the election would not be held until September 2024.

Candidates continued to be announced for the March State Election and a draft plan for the future of Warnervale went on public exhibition.

Central Coast Aero Club has beenwas named the best in the country Photo: Andrew Smith

The Central Coast Aero Club was named Aero Club of the Year for 2022 and an upgrade of the Bouddi coastal walk was completed.

A State Government grant of $247,599 was announced to help Central Coast Conservatorium complete its major upgrade and Coast mogul skier Matt Graham took a gold medal at a World Cup event in Deer Valley in the United States.

Central Coast Council announced Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services at Copacabana would be taken over by the RSL after being run for several years by the Navy Veterans Welfare Association, sparking community debate, and work began on the Tumbi Rd intersection with Central Coast Hwy.

Rep teams from all over NSW were on the Coast to compete at four venues in the lead-up to the Junior Premier League Basketball Tournament.

Residents called for urgent work on Oak Rd, Matcham, which they described as a deathtrap and a final agreement was signed between the NSW Government and the University of Newcastle to establish a campus in Gosford.

Opposition to a proposed housing development at Kariong by Darkinjung Loccal Aboriginal Land Council once more ramped up and residents were outraged when poisoned baits were found at Pearl Beach.

The Matildas defeated the Czech Republic in a special game at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium.