EDITORIAL
The Central Coast is winning through the rise of flexible working arrangements, and it’s about time that message hit home in Canberra.
This week, Federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton unceremoniously scrapped his party’s push to get public servants back to the office full time.
As illustrated this week by CCN print editor Terry Collins, flexible work models work for local families (see separate article).
It’s a smart way of working that reflects what communities like ours have known for years: hybrid work is here to stay, and it’s a win-win.
Working from home has brought massive lifestyle and economic benefits to the Central Coast.
Fewer long commutes mean more time with family, less stress and more money spent locally instead of in city centres.
It also opens up job opportunities for locals who want to live on the Coast but work for firms based in Sydney, Canberra or beyond.
It’s a welcome shift from the tone deaf chorus of CEOs demanding a return to the old 9 to 5 office grind.
That model never worked well for regional communities, and it certainly doesn’t now.
But if flexible work is going to last, it needs to rest on strong foundations.
That brings us back to the long-running issue of digital infrastructure and the scars from the NBN battle that the Coast knows all too well.
The good news is that NBN Co has signalled it will upgrade many parts of our region to full fibre connections in the years ahead.
That’s not just welcome, it’s essential.
Working and studying from home requires world class internet, and the Coast must not be left behind.
Flexible work is changing lives, building communities and strengthening local economies.
We should back it, improve it and make sure the Coast has everything it needs to lead the way.
David Abrahams – Managing Editor
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