General News *New to 2009*

GP Super Clinic for North Central Coast
The Rudd Government has signed a contract with Warnervale Medical Services Pty Ltd for $2.5 million to establish the North Central Coast GP Super Clinic. The Government’s agreement with Warnervale Medical Services Pty Ltd will see a temporary GP Super Clinic operating in Woongarrah within four months, whilst preparations are made to house a permanent state-of-the-art clinic in the new Warnervale City development by 2011.

The North Central Coast GP Super Clinic will bring together additional GPs, specialists, allied health professionals, pharmacy, radiology, pathology, rehabilitation, dental, physiotherapy and psychology services. The head of Warnervale Medical Services Pty Ltd, Dr Brad Cranney and his team have been delivering multidisciplinary practices, in partnership with nurses and allied health professionals, for more than six years at Toukley and Tuggerah.

Dr Cranney, who has been practicing as a GP in Toukley for over twenty years, currently employs 17 GPs at his Toukley Medical Centre and 7 at Tuggerah. This team has succeeded not only in attracting and retaining general practitioners, but in maintaining after hours services, developing nurse and allied health led chronic care and family care clinics, and working with local business in return to work programs.

Minister for Health and Ageing, The Hon Nicola Roxon said GP Super Clinics will play an important role in improving frontline health services in regions such as the North Central Coast.

Shire's strategic vision
Wyong Shire residents are invited to view the Shire Strategic Vision now on exhibition at the Wyong Council Chambers, local libraries, Council’s web site and at selected shopping centres over the next two months.

Work began on the 20 year vision for the Shire in early 2008 when Council first went to the community and asked, as a community, do we want to continue to do the same things in the future for similar results? The Community Liaison Group which was established to work on the project provided the Community Vision Statement that would guide the Vision: Creating Our Ideal Community, caring... prosperous... sustainable.

Wyong Mayor, Clr Bob Graham said the Vision has been formulated with the community and is based on the community’s own aspirations and visions. “The key to the vision is the eight priority objectives that have been identified for us to work hard towards over the next 20 years to bring about significant improvements to the quality of life in the Shire. Under each objective a number of strategies are also outlined that show how we can start to achieve the Vision,” Clr Graham said.

Council welcomes Federal funding for Link Road
Wyong Shire Council has welcomed $5.5 million in Federal Government funding for the construction of the Northern section of the Warnervale Link Road. The project includes traffic signals at Sparks Road and the Lakes Anglican Grammar School intersection and a roundabout at the senior school access, which will also service as access to the Council-owned land to the south of the school.

“This project will open up access to approximately 32 hectares of future employment lands south of the Lakes Anglican Grammar School,” said Wyong Shire Mayor Bob Graham. This land is part of the Wyong Employment Zone – or WEZ development – which is designed to create 6000 local jobs and is one of the major focuses of this Council.

Federal Member for Dobell, Craig Thomson said the Link Road was a vital piece of infrastructure for Wyong Shire and the fast-growing Warnervale region.“This road will not only allow safer access to the Lakes Grammar School, it will also provide a vital link to the new industrial and commercial area which will generate jobs,” Mr Thomson said. “It’s important that this northern stage of the new Link Road is built first to help open up land that will provide significant economic and employment prospects for the region,” he added.

The total cost of the project is $11.4 million and construction is set to start in September 2009 and be completed by August 2010.

Big Central Coast response to Salvo’s Red Shield Appeal
The Central Coast has come out in force to support The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal doorknock weekend in late May.
At the end of May $253,300 had been counted.  At the same point last year $227,510 had been counted suggesting an increase of 11%. Initial reports indicate that the national increase is 3.4%, which puts the Central Coast well above the average.

“We are overwhelmed at the response,” said Central Coast Red Shield Appeal Chairman, Peter Hale. “Times are tough for everyone, but the Central Coast has heard our message that the need for The Salvation Army’s services is greater than ever.
“It’s a true reflection of our community spirit that at a time when many people are suffering financially, the donations get bigger. The Salvation Army is very grateful,” said Mr Hale. The total doorknock donations counted so far are only $1,000 away from the overall doorknock goal of $231,500.

The doorknock weekend makes up a part of the Red Shield Appeal, which also consists of business and direct mail appeals. The overall goal for the Red Shield Appeal on the Central Coast is $615,000. The successful result comes on top of the launch of the Central Coast Appeal that included Wallabies Coach Robbie Deans as special guest. This year’s business breakfast has already generated funds of almost $50,000 – a record for the region.

Overall, the Salvation Army announced that Australians gave nearly $6.3 million nationally to the May weekend Red Shield Doorknock Appeal. In NSW nearly $3.3 million was raised over the weekend, up 10% on last year.

Donate by credit card by logging on to www.salvos.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). Cheques and money orders can be posted to PO Box 1765, Gosford NSW 2250.

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