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Collapse Issue 447 - 18 Jun 2018Issue 447 - 18 Jun 2018
Collapse  HONOURS HONOURS
Julie Dolan recognised for service to soccer
Couple honoured for services to art and education
Dedicated to voluntary community service
Recognition for welfare service
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Flat-townhouse complex draws 14 objections in a week
Council's insurer refuses liability for water damage
Too many water main breaks, says Marquart
Holstein seeks action on 'sleeping rough' deaths
Additional homeless resources needed, says Tesch
Group applies for on-demand bus for The Bays
Scaffolding to be removed
Chamber calls for more dredging money
No agreement on how to fix beach erosion
Tesch seeks Government action on erosion
Chamber welcomes dredging work
Councillor wants to protect surf break from dredging
Ferry wharf application rejected?
Tidal pool report may lead to upgrade, says Mehrtens
Kiosk tender to be advertised for the third time
Chamber wants Minister to impose planning controls
Woy Woy to get Service NSW 'digital hub'
Council staff agree that speed limit proposal 'has merit'
Scientific paper on local pelicans expected soon
Tesch pays tribute to pelican rescuer
Bushcare group seeks volunteers
Indigenous tourism has 'role' in reconciliation
Euchre players raise money for charity
Firefighter receives long service medal
Stargazing draws 250 people
CWA branch celebrates 86 years
Guides attracts 25 girls for a 'snippet' of the experience
Rotary club celebrates success of Opera in the Arboretum
Environment group and Mingaletta receive grants
TV cameras failed to identify vandals
Replica firearm found during search
Water and sewerage review starts
Chefs return to Woy Woy from New York
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
There are good people about
Two thought-provoking details
Labor will fund expensive, but necessary, rail underpass
Pearl claims were incorrect
My interest was not positive
Ettalong loses tree that witnessed many stories
Can the tooth fairy fix the other problems?
Forgotten south misses out
Walk is a pleasure, except for the footpath
Dismayed at councillor's State election candidacy
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Health chief claims collaborative GP approach is best
Nurse practitioner receives aged care award
National volunteer of the year
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Young musicians receive Conservatorium awards
Blues Angels to play at the Troubadour
Patonga workshop writes group poem
Art show
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Ettalong school celebrates 90 years
College students join combined Europe tour
Selected for representative side
Students study culture of soccer countries
Umina wins Central Coast AFL rounds
Netball team makes it to fourth round
Pyjama day for charity
Woy Woy students in international assessment
Kindergarten classroom helpers wanted
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Umina surf club named Club of the Year
Volunteering medal presented to two surf club members
Men's fours final at Umina
Bay to Bay run to be held on June 17
Umina wins first tennis competition

Holstein seeks action on 'sleeping rough' deaths

Deputy mayor Cr Chris Holstein has called for Central Coast Council to make urgent representation to State Government to form an assertive Outreach Team to tackle the growing number of people sleeping rough in Council reserves.

Cr Holstein said the Woy Woy waterfront reserve was one of the main areas of concern and several members of Woy Woy's homeless population had passed away in recent months.

Cr Holstein's motion was passed unanimously when Council met in Gosford on June 12 including a resolution to seek support from Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.

All local non-government agencies will be advised of the request to seek their support.

"Council Ranger Services and a number of non-government agencies including Uniting Coast Shelter, the Salvos and Mary Mac's have been unable to gain traction in addressing the issue, and government intervention is needed," Cr Holstein said.

"Over the last three months in Woy Woy alone four homeless people sleeping rough have passed away, the encampments have grown, or relocated and public concern has mounted," he said.

"I understand and appreciate homelessness is a matter of State Government," he told the Council meeting.

"One of the issues becoming more prevalent is issue of people sleeping rough," Cr Holstein said, referring to photos of a "visible minor tent city on the Peninsula".

He said the homeless people living in tents on the waterfront had had interactions with the public that had "caused concern".

"Council rangers are limited in what they can do.

"They can issue fines, move the people on but then they move into another location," he said.

According to Cr Holstein, non-government organisations, including Mary Mac's, continue to try to address the issues.

The NSW Government has announced it will spend $1 billion on homeless services, including introducing assertive outreach work in more locations.

He said assertive outreach had an 85 per cent success rate.

Cr Richard Mehrtens supported Cr Holstein's motion and said the growth of Woy Woy's homeless population had "polarised the Peninsula community".

"It is the community I work in and I see this homelessness issue every day and someone has to make sure these people have access to warmth, food and proper care," Cr Mehrtens said.

"I do think there has been a dereliction of duty from the State Government on funding levels especially when you have situations where people are dying on public reserves, on Council reserves at the back of car parks in Woy Woy, as we had that just two weeks ago," he said.

Cr Rebecca Gale Collins successfully amended the motion to include an invitation to the NSW Family and Community Services and Social Housing Minister, Ms Pru Goward, to visit the Coast.

"If you are homeless and you die in a tent in a reserve you can't be forgotten, nor can your issues," Cr Holstein said.





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