Elections for the new Central Coast Council are tomorrow.

Wamberal is largely in the south of the Entrance Ward and the nearest polling booths are  at:

• 1st Terrigal Scout Hall
• Erina Heights Public School
• Erina High School Assembly Hall
• Terrigal Primary School
• Wamberal Memorial Hall
• Wamberal Public School

Full list of polling booths is on the NSW Elections website.

Boundaries and suburbs

The Entrance Ward include the suburbs of Fountaindale, Glenning Valley, Killarney Vale, Long Jetty, Shelly Beach, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Toowoon Bay and Tumbi Umbi, and parts of the localities of Magenta, Ourimbah, Tuggerah and Wamberal.

The boundaries are:

• Southern boundary – Terrigal Lagoon, Willoughby Road, the locality of Matcham, Booralie Road and The Ridgeway
• Northern boundary – Cobbs Road, Anzac Road, Lake Road, Tuggerah Lake, the northern edge of Wyrrabalong National Park, Wilfred Barrett Drive and Pelican Beach Road
• Western boundary – Lisarow, Cutrock Road, Brush Road, Enterprise Drive, the railway line, Fowler Road and Tonkiss Street
• Eastern boundary – the Tasman Sea!

Population is 64,388 from a population is 335,309.

Candidates

Information on candidates can be sourced from published articles in Central Coast News,  the Daily Telegraph and the Central Coast Advocate.

There will be 16 candidates running in The Entrance Ward for election to the Central Coast Council on September 9.

The groups and candidates will appear in the following order on voters’ ballot papers, according to the NSW Electoral Commission.

• Group A The Greens: Ms Cath Connor, Mr Doug Williamson and Ms Barbara Gorman.
• Group B Liberal: Ms Jilly Pilon, Ms Deanna Bocking and Mr Brian Perrem.
• Group C Labor: Ms Lisa Matthews, Mr Greg Ashe and Ms Margot Castles.
• Group D Save Tuggerah Lakes: Mr Lloyd Taylor, Mr Glenn Clarke, and Mr Matthew Young.
• Another independent who is not part of a group is Mr Bruce McLachlan.
• Mr Nathan Bracken is also standing in The Entrance Ward as an independent.
• The Sustainable Development Party has one candidate: Ms Kylie Boyle.
• Mr Aaron Harpley-Carr is also standing as a solo independent in The Entrance Ward.

Kylie Boyle, Sustainable Development Party

Q.What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Ward you would be elected to represent?

A. Our ward is under direct threat from unsustainable development.

I have led a strong campaign to protect 64 hectares of bushland in Glenning Valley and to stop the extinction of the Swift Parrot and Koala populations on the Central Coast.

The projection of around 200,000 residents in the Wyong region alone can only mean more unsustainable development, unless we get real representation on Council.

Better planning and genuine community consultation is crucial to ensure sustainable growth, whilst preserving our National Parks, lagoons, beaches, waterways and parks.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Central Coast Local Government Area?

A. We need sustainable development that will bring the jobs and affordable housing our area desperately needs.

But we need this without sacrificing our unique and diverse bushland and natural assets that set our region apart from so many other over-developed areas.

We need leaders who will fight to protect the environmentally sensitive areas like Glenning Valley, Kangy Angy and Mangrove Mountain, while maintaining the balance of residential, holiday, rural, commercial and industrial land usage.

Q. How would you, if elected to Council, set about addressing that issue for (a) your Ward, (b) the region?

A. We have been under the control of a Council that has put their own agenda’s before the needs of our community.

We need a transparent Council who will engage with the community and protect the Central Coast from further unsustainable growth.

If elected into Council, my first aim will be to table a motion to have Glenning Valley Bushland purchased back and made into a public reserve.

My second aim is to work with our community to create a strong vision for the future of our area, and immediately get to work making it happen.

Aaron Harpley-Carr, independent

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Ward you would be elected to represent?

A. There are a number of issues: roads, infrastructure and development.

These three need to be considered together as each impacts the other.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Central Coast Local Government Area?

People have lost confidence and trust in their local council and faith in their elected officials to do the right thing and act on community first issues.

Restoration of these three key steps is the only way the Central Coast can truly work together and move forward.

Q. How would you, if elected to Council, set about addressing that issue for (a) Ward and (b) Region?

Ensure development projects take into account the need to have supported infrastructure in place, before proceeding.

Work with local groups in the area to consult on large development projects and their impacts on local communities and the environment.

Ensuring greater genuine community consultation and transparency on projects that will impact the entire Central Coast.

Cath Connor, The Greens candidate

Running with: Doug Williamson and Barbara Gorman
Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Ward you would be elected to represent?

A. I am concerned that the infrastructure needs of The Entrance and Long Jetty have not been addressed with the high-rise development, in-fill housing and the consequent population increase.

Traffic congestion and access to services are affecting the amenity of the area.
A number of sports fields in the area, such as the South EDSACC fields are community focus points in need of significant upgrading.

The lakes and coastline across the ward, in common with all Central Coast areas, will be particularly sensitive to climate change impacts including storm surges and sea level rise.

We can already see the complicated issues that can arise with the severe erosion at Wamberal Beach.

Council needs to be pro-active in planning for climate change impacts. The Entrance ward has been severely affected by the current tree removal policies. The impact on the lakes of increased run-off, silt and chemicals, is significant and needs addressing with policies which recognize the vital importance of our natural environment.

I will actively support the street tree planting program and act to strengthen biodiversity protection and wildlife corridors.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Central Coast Local Government Area?
A. People on the Central Coast need to have confidence that Council decision-making processes are ethical, open, transparent and accountable.

Q. How would you, if elected to Council, set about addressing that issue for (a) your Ward, (b) the Region?

A. I would push for infrastructure planning and better transport options to be a high priority in The Entrance ward.

I would commit to real consultation whatever the issue and wherever it occurs on the Coast so that voters have confidence in the outcome of the process.

Lisa Matthews, Labor

Running with: Greg Ashe and Margot Castles
Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Ward you would be elected to represent?

A. Revitalising The Entrance Town Centre, ensuring that our ward receives its fair share of services and resources.

We must also include appropriate funding and action for Tuggerah Lakes, it’s time that it was “fixed”.

The current state of the road network: we need to improve this vital infrastructure.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Central Coast Local Government Area?

A. How do we bring both Gosford and Wyong together and ensure appropriate services and funding to the whole of the Central Coast: one voice one community.

Q. How would you, if elected to Council, set about addressing that issue for (a) your Ward, (b) the region?

A. Call for a long term plan to improve the state of the lakes, include specialist Council staff, outside experts and the Community in developing a plan.

Review the current priority list for how funds are expended and where and what on.
Implement the Central Coast Disability plan and provide necessary funds to act on.

Work with all levels of Government to gain access additional funding.

Call for a report on the state of the roads, and where possible, increase the budget to implement road renewal programs, work in partnership with State and Federal

Government to gain access to additional funding to assist with back logs.
Council must also adopt a regime of transparency, accountability and must listen to their community.

Jilly Pilon, Liberal

Running with: Deanna Bocking and Brian Perrem.
Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Ward you would be elected to represent?

A. I’m a lifelong resident of the Central Coast with my family, and co-owner of manufacturing business, Trimlite, at Tuggerah for the past 24 years, employing 20-30 locals.

I am excited about the opportunity to have a stronger, united and more financially sound Central Coast Council, delivering the infrastructure, jobs and support that local residents and businesses deserve.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Central Coast Local Government Area?

A. I am running for the Central Coast Council to make a positive difference for our community.

This is an ideal opportunity not only to deliver essential services and road upgrades, but to pave the way for responsible development and create visions and plans around tourism, sport and leisure, business, the arts, and major events for our community to enjoy.

Q. How would you, if elected to Council, set about addressing that issue for (a) your Ward, (b) the region?

A. An example of my track record would be as an advocate for Donate Life and Transplant Australia, raising awareness around organ donation. I’ve also been working closely with the Government, Council and the community to deliver Banjo’s Skatepark.
We must understand the community needs, and will work with all levels of Government to fight for our fair share of funding on the Central Coast.

Only a strong Liberal Council will protect and grow our $9.6 billion in assets, and ensure the $204 million Capital Works budget is spent in our Central Coast region.

Lloyd Taylor, Save Tuggerah Lakes

Running with: Glenn Clarke and Matthew Young

Q.What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Ward you would be elected to represent?

A. The Entrance Ward is a massive Ward stretching from Wamberal to The Entrance.
The lakes, waterways and lagoons will require Council to focus resources to ensure the smelling waterways are cleaned up and measures are implemented, such as Gross Pollutant Traps, to stop the sediment, garbage and fertilisers getting into the waterways.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important issue facing the Central Coast Local Government Area?

A. As a region, roads are a constant area of complaint from residents on the Coast and it is unbelievable that in 2017, there are still many houses without kerb and guttering.

Q. How would you, if elected to Council, set about addressing that issue for (a) your Ward, (b) the region?

A. I will focus the Council on waterways, roads, Gross Pollutant Traps, storm water pipes, financial accountability, and above all, I will push Council to ensure money is allocated to open the Entrance Channel to the ocean.

Nathan Bracken, Independent 

I want to make sure that the Central Coast Council gets back to taking care of what councils do best. Back to basics; the three R’s: Rates, Roads, and Rubbish.

These issues seem to be a reccurring theme. I want to listen to the people of the Central Coast and give them a voice. Not having a personal agenda, means I will listen to residents and give them a vision for the Coast that is a unified approach to addressing issues that residents in both the North and South of the Coast have.

We are one Coast, with a common goal of making the Central Coast the very best place to live. Having been a Central Coast resident for almost 15 years I understand what living here is all about.

I have been at the top of my game; but also at the very bottom too. I’m not afraid to stand up for what is right, what is fair and what is just…… I am not afraid to stand up for the Central Coast and what the residents need and want from a fair and transparent council.