4 It wasn’t all beer and skittles though. What should have been a no-brainer Councillors Neal, Smith and Lamont did all they could to frustrate it. With the Liberals and Team Central Coast working together we can look forward to seeing a changed Council in 2025. It will need to be. Regardless of the push-backs there are still those businesses and investors who see great opportunity. They just need to be allowed to get moving. As we come to the end of 2024 may we wish all our readers, subscribers and advertisers a Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year. 2025 will see CCBR enter its 35th year of publishing, and achievement that few other publications can boast in this day and age. Over the years we have taken the lead in promoting our region and supporting businesses that are the bedrock of our economy. Without the support of our subscribers and advertisers we would not survive. So, a very special thanks to all of them. IF YOU HAVE been trying to run your business and keep your head above water over the past twelve months, it won’t have been easy. If your business depends on the Central Coast economy, it is even worse. Firstly, we have a Federal Government that, as predicted, would be anti-business. At the start of the year the Albanese government’s new industrial relations laws came into effect giving unions a legal right to interfere in just about any aspect of the management of your business. The union controlled Fair Work Commission now decides on the interpretation of the Closing Loopholes Bill. 286 pages of mind-numbing legalese plus 86 pages of Explanatory Notes all written by bureaucrats and union leaders in Canberra. It is a massive attack against the right of people to be their own boss. And then the government is pouring billions into the economy to keep a lid on the cost of living that is having the effect of keeping interest rates at an elevated level. Added to this is the government’s total preoccupation with being World leaders when it comes to climate change at any cost. There will be a Federal Election in the New Year and we will need to be thinking very seriously about who we vote for. As a very pro-business publication CCBR will be supporting two excellent Liberal Candidates: Brendan Small in Dobell and Lucy Wicks in Robertson. Both seats are marginal and could determine who will be Prime Minister. Meanwhile, here on the Central Coast businesses have been suffering a double whammy having to contend with doing business with Central Coast Council under Administration for the past seven years. A council that has been totally antibusiness and disinterested in growing the regional economy. With the national economy being in recession business failure rates in the Central Coast construction and hospitality sectors in particular are skyrocketing. Council’s scorched earth policy denying Development Approvals for residential subdivisions, cottages and everything from simple additions to swimming pools has added to what is now a dire situation. The fact that our region has the highest level of homelessness and shortage of affordable housing in the state seems to be of no concern to Council staff who are totally isolated from these issues. We now have an elected council with 8 councillors all of whom can make positive change versus 7 councillors who would oppose. This should see Council’s executive staff including the CEO take notice. Hopefully the number of Development Applications rejected and ending up in the Land and Environment Court will be substantially reduced. It was good news to see Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton OAM get his proposal for an Economic Development Committee approved at Council’s 26th November. EDITORIAL Edgar Adams discusses local issues We’ll handle it from here • Major supplier of architectural hardware to the residential and commercial market • Door locks, handles, security and more • Consultation service available • Working closely with direct clients, builders, architects and interior designers • Visit our showroom today! Avoca Beach Architectural Hardware & Locksmiths www.avocaarchitectural.com.au 4382 1286 0412 437 327 177 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach info@avocaarchitectural.com.au Edgar Adams Editor The year that was CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2024
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