Edgar Adams' Editorial

Well, Gosford and Wyong Councils have done what they should have done years ago.  They have killed off Business Central Coast (formerly Central Coast Economic Development Corporation) and will now each promote “Gosford” and “Wyong.” The trouble is, as usual, they have got their timing wrong – totally wrong.

Just a year ago BCC appointed the first competent General Manager in its fifteen year history. 
Kerry Ruffels walked into an organisation that was on its last legs. There was no evidence of the millions that have been funnelled into it via Council funding, State Government funding and numerous Federal and State project funds.
He picked it up, got its finances in order and started work on promoting the Central Coast brand and encouraging business to invest in our region.
Both Councils were absolutely aware of the very valuable work he was putting in.
For fifteen years BCC worked aggressively against Central Coast Tourism trying to destroy it and getting hold of its funding so that it could waste more money.
Knowing that tourism is an important economic driver in our Region, Kerry Ruffels reversed this attitude and has been working closely with the tourism organisation.
Using his intelligence he used Business Central Coast’s sponsorship of the Central Coast Mariners to support tourism and drive the Central Coast brand across Australia and into Asia.
He has been highly successful and should he decide there is not future for him now the Coast will have lost the very person we have needed for over fifteen years.
OOO
The big worry for our region now is whether the two councils will work against one another to the detriment of the region.
They are doing an excellent job at present going in two different directions over our water supply which is highly detrimental.
Wyong Council is simply grandstanding, holding out against a joint water authority on the pretext that the Government will sell it off.  (After the trouble the Government is having trying to sell off the electricity business, can anyone with an ounce of intelligence see any government selling off our water supply?).
CCBR is aware that Macquarie Street is totally fed up with these shenanigans.  It does our reputation as a region no favours.
It’s time the State Government took matters into their own hands and amalgamated Gosford and Wyong Councils.  It’s what we need.

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