Gosford council’s rate payer funded PR campaign to justify rate rises has been further undermined by junket hungry councillors.

Five of Gosford’s councillors got an all expenses paid trip to New Zealand . This is at a time where they want substantially rise rates? Get real.

The PR campaign ‘Less than an Apple a day to keep Gosford in play’ paints a cheery picture, but the reality is that most people don’t believe that this council is doing a good enough job on the basics to be trusted with more of their hard earned dollars.

There are few things as universally unpopular as council rate rises. People rightfully say ‘why should more of my hard earned money go to a council who can’t even get the roads right.’

It’s time to get back to the basics roads, rates and rubbish. If Gosford council is not willing to do that, I reckon some of these rotten apples shouldn’t have come back from New Zealand.

reponsibilty for this comment will be taken by CoastalVoice meber Matt of Wamberal. If you want a comment posted in this website please email coastalvoice@gmail.com

Coastal Voice president Craig Thomson has resigned from his position after announcing he is seeking Labor Party pre-selection for the Federal seat of Dobell.

“I can no longer have anything to do with Coastal Voice after making this announcement- we made a rule early in the piece that you could not be a candidate for any political party and also be a member of Coastal Voice,” said Mr Thomson.

Coastal Voice will continue to operate as an open forum where anyone can give their opinion on how to make the Central Coast the best it can be.

Coastal Voice wishes Craig all the best and is confident that he’ll put the Central Coast first in his political endeavours.

The flag is our most recognizable national symbol. It embodies Australian pride in our past achievements and the hopes and aspirations of a bright future.

With ANZAC day coming up it’s of much importance that our national flag is flown proudly in the best condition.

For this reason, Coastal Voice Community group is conducting a flag drive to ensure that the flags on the Central Coast are the best they can be.

Australian flags are available free of charge to all schools, local councils, churches and other non-profit or benevolent community organisations.

It is more important than ever for decent Aussies to fly the flag with pride and bring our community together.

If you’re a part of a non-profit community organisation that doesn’t have a flag or you’d like a new flag to replace another that isn’t in the absolute best of condition please email CoastalVoice@gmail.com

Parents of children with asthma should be extra vigilant as they return to school next week Parliamentary Secretary for Health Paul McLeay and the Asthma Foundation NSW warned today.

Mr McLeay said statistics reveal an annual back to school “spike” in asthma-related hospitalisations - the peak coming about two weeks after school starts.

“In February we see a higher rate of children with asthma attacks going to hospital emergency departments and being admitted, compared to other months in the year.

“Data since 1993 shows this phenomenon occurs about every two to three years in NSW with major peaks in 1996, 1999, 2001 and a lesser peak in 2006.”

One in six children has asthma. It is the most common medical condition affecting Australian school children.

Asthma Foundation NSW CEO Greg Smith said it was not known why the annual spike occurs when children return to school.

“Stress, the change of environment, or picking up cold and flu viruses could all act as triggers and one million schooldays are lost each year to asthma,” Mr Smith said.

“Knowing the probability of an asthma attack is higher, it is vital that parents ensure children take their prescribed preventer medication and always carry their reliever medication with them.”

Asthma symptoms in young children include wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest or persistent coughing all of which may indicate an impending asthma emergency.

Parents should respond with the prescribed medication or take their children immediately to a doctor or hospital emergency department.

The Asthma Foundation also advised parents and schools to keep communication channels open through the Asthma Friendly Schools program.

“All staff in Asthma Friendly Schools have record cards detailing each child’s asthma symptoms and treatment, and are trained to handle an asthma emergency,” Mr Smith said.

Asthma is a serious, life-threatening condition. NSW Health and Asthma Foundation NSW recommend that people with asthma consult their doctor regularly to monitor their symptoms and develop an Asthma Action Plan tailored to their individual needs.

If parents have any questions, they can log onto www.asthmansw.org.au call the Asthma Information Line on 1800 645 130 or speak with their doctor.

Chronic GP shortage looms

AUSTRALIA could face a chronic doctor shortage within five years as a “silver tsunami”of GPs heads towards retirement, a study released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Nearly 40 per cent of GPs are aged 55 or more — in 1999-2000 the figure was 27 per cent. A further 34 per cent are aged between 45 and 54.

On the Central Coast there are only 280 GPs servicing a population of 300, 000. This report reinforces what everyone already knows, that GP numbers are dwindling and many are getting very near retirement.

This is bad news for working families and older Australians on the Central Coast who want to know that if they fall ill they can readily see a doctor.

The Federal Government has known about the potential for this shortage for years.

Once again we’ve found the Government putting this issue in the too hard basket instead of doing what’s right for the health of Central Coast people.

Media Contact: Craig Thomson 0419 498 691