Edgar Adams' Editorial

The Association of Consulting Engineers Australia (ACEA) has put the amalgamation of urban councils back on the agenda with the launch of their Sydney Towards Tomorrow report last month. The report sees Sydney as a World City and in this context brings the Greater Metropolitan Area, which includes Newcastle, Illawarra and the Central Coast, into focus.

The idea of amalgamating the two councils has been around for years. It gets oxygen every now and again, particularly when we want to promote the Central Coast as a region, only to find that each council wants to go in a different direction. Let’s be perfectly honest, the two remain worlds apart and it is affecting the future of the region.

By having two councils we have the opportunity for two mayors and a few other petty politicians who are more interested in themselves than they are in the good of the community, to promote their not-insubstantial egos. It is all about getting votes.

Gosford and Wyong Councils have been at war for years and it’s time to stop. The region’s business and community leaders need to understand that this war gives our federal and state politicians and the bureaucracy the jitters.

No one is going to support an issue when they know that someone in Gosford or someone in Wyong will attack it. It’s definitely time for one council and one elected mayor.

While we are on this subject perhaps we should ask our two mayors what they are doing about the Central Coast economy. The Central Coast Research Foundation says that our economy has been on a downward slide for the past three years. Blaming the financial crisis, the banks and the State Government is a cop out.

Never once has either of our Councils or these two Mayors, had a thought in their head about addressing the many economic problems that beset this region. Neither council are business friendly. It is a cultural thing that permeates all levels and serves to drive out anyone who sees the fantastic opportunities that abound in the region.

Apart from anything else, 2010 is set to be a very interesting year with the new Fair Work Act 2009 coming into force along with the Tax Agents Services Act and other significant tax changes. Both will have a major impact on businesses of all sizes everywhere. See our articles in CCBR magazine about the Fair Work Act and the requirements for BAS agents.  In the New Year we will cover these more extensively.

With this issue we have introduced our very first Yearbook which reviews the major stories and issues during 2009. The introduction of this new publication has been well supported by our advertisers and as a result will be printed along with our December issue in future years.

Finally as this is our last issue for 2009 may we wish all our readers and very Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.

2010 will see Central Coast Business Review celebrating its 20th birthday in June. It has been a long and interesting road and we believe we have played a positive part in reporting on business news and issues over these years. Of course much of our success is down to the loyal support we have had from our subscribers and advertisers and we thank all of them for that.

Edgar Adams
Editor

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