Edgar Adams' Editorial

If ever any evidence was needed that NSW is financially and morally bankrupt, the loss of the former HMAS Adelaide as a dive-site for our region must say it all. And if anyone is doubtful as to Kevin07’s attitude to our region, this is further evidence that the neither government has any interest in the Central Coast. The State and Federal Governments are colluding to deny the Central Coast an outstanding tourism asset. But this is par for the course with NSW in particular.

For fourteen years the people of the Central Coast have been subjected to the most outlandish lies by this State Government who obviously treats us with utter contempt. And we have another two years to put up with them. Of course that is only part of the story and it leads to the uselessness of our elected representatives – all of them, State and Federal. They have no interest in this region whatsoever. Pathetic isn’t it.

And then there is our Minister for the Central Coast, the non-elected John Della Bosca MLC. This is the guy who, when he first became Minister, introduced that great initiative: Central Coast – Moving Forward. What a joke that turned out to be. In the twelve years he has been Minister for the Central Coast, the Central Coast has actually gone backwards.

Meanwhile the Feds have been handing money out like there is no tomorrow, but they refuse to find $2.9 million for a real employment generating facility. The Howard Government looked after Victoria and Queensland with their dive sites funding the lot. At least NSW tipped in some funds. Where are our Federal Members and where is our Minister for the Central Coast?

Last month The Central Coast Sun Weekly closed down. For most advertisers on the Central Coast, the news was met with little interest as most had given up on it a long time ago. For something like fifteen years the Sun Weekly was a successful newspaper and maintained an element of competition in the marketplace. It all changed when Fairfax came on the scene and now, after twenty years, this region is back to where it started. Incidentally, the Sun Weekly was more than a newspaper. It was a business and it employed quite a few people. They are now looking for a job.

Peter Hale has resigned as Chairman of Central Coast Tourism. He was a founding member of the organisation and helped it steer a steady course for over seventeen years.

In recent times CCT’s Board of Directors has been infected with more than its share of critics – some of whom have absolutely no knowledge of tourism whatsoever, as well as those ‘Johnny-come-latelies’ who come in, tell everyone how clever they are and eventually move on.

CCT has been the one organisation that everyone in our region – and particularly those in the tourism industry – can be very proud of. Whoever replaces Peter Hale will need to have a total commitment to our region, to the tourism industry and to the professionalism of the organisation. Meanwhile, may we wish Peter Hale all the best in his new position as CEO of the Forum of Regional Tourism Organisations.

Edgar Adams
Editor

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