Vietnam veterans hold Anzac service at Ettalong

The Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association, Central Coast Sub Branch commemorated the Anzac Day service at the Ettalong Beach Vietnam Memorial on Thursday, April 25.

This year represents the 109th year since the first Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli.

A crowd of about 200 people gathered for the event.

The Vietnam association's president Mr Alan Ball greeted guests and the public.

The Reverend Arthur Pearce followed with the Act of Remembrance and prayers.

Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy campus school captains Olivia Petersen and Ali Raad spoke about the significance of Anzac Day.

Central Coast Council town crier Mr Stephen Clarke played the Last Post, which was followed by the national anthem.

Also taking part were the Re-Enactment Unit and the Rotary Club of Woy Woy.

SOURCE:

Media release, 26 Apr 2024

Larry Searle, VVPPAACC

Council proposes $12.3 million in capital spending

Central Coast Council is proposing to spend $12.3 million of its $309.9 capital works program for 2024-2025 on the Peninsula.

This is just 4.0 per cent of the capital budget for the 11.6 per cent of the Central Coast's population resident on the Peninsula.

Leading the capital works program on the Peninsula is an allocation of $2 million to start the construction of the "south cell" at Woy Woy tip.

Over three years, this work is expected to cost $16.2 million.

Construction of an "eastern platform" at the tip will cost another $1.75 million this year, with a total cost of $2.8 million over three years.

Work on seven sewer pumping stations at Woy Woy, Umina and Horsfield Bay and a rising main at Ettalong will cost $1.90 million this year and a total of $8.09 million over three years.

A car park upgrade at James Brown Oval will cost $920,000, funded from grants and developer contributions.

The Woy Woy Waterfront project is budgeted for the coming financial year, with the cost of $816,000 funded by developer contributions.

A shared path on The Esplanade and Barrenjoey Rd, Ettalong, will be constructed at a cost of $800,000 also funded from developer contributions.

Changing room "renewal" at the Peninsula Leisure Centre will cost $1.5 million over two years, coming from general rates revenue.

A car park upgrade of Rogers Park carpark will cost $750,000, funded by a combination of general rates revenue and developer contributions.

An upgrade of roads and drains at Patonga camping ground will cost $500,000 this year and a total of $3.57 million over three years.

Work on the Woy Woy Baths will cost $494,360 this year and $653,000, with the money coming from a combination of a grant and rates.

Other projects in the program are a footpath in Pozieres Ave, Umina, work on the Pearl Beach lagoon and on the playground at Lions Park, Woy Woy.

The Rip Rd Reserve seawall will have $700,000 spent on it over two years.

Peninsula Theatre will have seating, foyer and lighting "renewal" over two years totalling $410,000.

Work is also expected to take place on the Mingaletta hall, the Umina childcare centre and to fence off endangered Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland in Umina.

The capital budget includes $89 million of "region-wide" spending which has no obligation to be spent on the Peninsula.

Disregarding this amount, the budget for the Peninsula represents just 5.5 per cent of the remainder.

A further $5.55 million is listed this year under "pending grants" for the upgrade of the Ocean Beach Rd-Rawson Rd intersection, which if approved would increase the figure to 5.7 per cent of the capital budget.

The capital budget is expected to open for public submisions as part to the Council's draft Operational Plan for the year.

The Operational Plan shows the capital expenditure of $309.9 million is less than one third of the total budget, with operating expenses of $712.8 million budgeted for the council operation for the coming year.

However, scant detail is given of the operating expense.

Materials and services have been budgeted at $236.7 million and employee costs at $213.1 million, while depreciation and amortisation at $202.9 million.

Borrowing costs and "other expenses" amount to $59.9 million.

There is no indication of how much of the operating budget can be attributed to the Peninsula.

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 2.3, 23 Apr 2024