Labor Team for The Entrance about restoring community’s trust in its local government

Rebuilding trust between council and community is the key message of The Entrance Ward Labor campaign for the September 14 local government election, according to lead candidate, Margot Castles. 

“I am delighted to have been chosen as lead candidate for Labor in The Entrance Ward and our team has hit the ground running and is out and about meeting and listening to our community,” Ms Castles said. 

“People are telling us they have lost faith in Central Coast Council and we are excited to be able to assure them that we will be taking action to restore that faith and trust. 

“We understand and commit to providing regular, easily accessible information on council finances as part of our essential efforts to rebuilding this trust. 

“Increasing opportunities for the community to have genuine input into decision making – rather than being asked questions about decisions that Council has already made during these four long years of Administration – such as the establishment of Precinct Committees, will be key to achieving this aim. 

“People may not realise that the Wamberal Sea Wall is in The Entrance Ward and is a prime example of Council not listening to the community over the past four years. 

“The impacts of a sea wall would not only be felt in Wamberal but potentially by every household located anywhere near Terrigal and Wamberal Beach with their precious lagoon systems. 

“We know full well that Council will be left to pick up the pieces of long-term maintenance, putting more strain on its ability to deliver the services needed by the whole Central Coast. The Entrance Ward Labor Team is unequivocally opposed to the building of a sea wall along Wamberal Beach. 

“It is so important that Early Childhood Services (preschools), Libraries, community halls, recreation centres, swimming pools and our beautiful ocean baths – such as The Grant McBride baths at The Entrance – be retained, improved and expanded to meeting the needs of a growing population.” 

Matthew Jeffrey, Number 2 on the Entrance Ward Labor ticket, said that Central Coast Council has a responsibility to take a leading role in protecting our unique coastal environment and extending our Coastal Open Space System (COSS). 

He is determined to stop the constant rise in fees and charges paid by community sports groups. 

“As an AFL umpire over the past eight years I have seen first-hand how this prevents many people, including children and young people, being able to play as the costs are too high – this is simply unfair,” he said. 

Joan Pavitt, Number 3 on the Entrance Ward Labor ticket, said she was delighted to be part of a team dedicated to protecting our beautiful natural environment. 

“I am particularly concerned about ‘zombie’ development sites such as those at The Entrance sitting vacant for many years which are an eye-sore both to locals and visitors alike, we will be working to improve this situation,” Ms Pavitt said. 

Margot Castles said that she believes her team’s experience and high-level skills across community, health and education services, small business and governance of not-for-profit organisations bring exactly what is needed to rebuild trust between Council and Community. 

“ We are ready to hear from you – you can contact us at entrancewardlabor@gmail.com” 

Contact Margot Castles on 0423588945 for more information or to organise an interview