Current flood notices are in place for areas of the Central Coast, including Tuggerah Lake. Read more and follow our Facebook page  Performing Arts Centre of the Year in 2022 The visual arts culture of the Central Coast We are excited to announce the completion of thirteen playspace renewals across the Central Coast under the 2023-24 Local Playspace Renewal Program.  These renewals are part of our commitment to providing safe inclusive and engaging play experiences for children of all abilities The playspace renewals were funded through Council's forward planning and capital works budget These upgrades demonstrate our commitment to the 2020-2025 Playspace Strategy which outlines a 20-year program to ensure all 270 Council playspaces remain safe and accessible Your new playspace includes a play unit with a double slide Your new playspace includes a play unit with a slide rubber softfall and a pathway linking to an existing path Your new playspace includes a play unit with three slides rubber and mulch softfall and a new path linking to the car park It also includes the addition of a disabled parking spot The existing large octagonal swing has been retained with a rubber and mulch softfall and pathway Parkland Gardens Reserve playspace is completed and due to open to the public in July 2024 Your new playspace includes a nature play unit including tri net low climber timber balance log combo and a rope balance course Your new playspace includes a play unit with double slide and single slide Your new playspace includes a ship-themed play unit with a double slide climbing net Your new playspace includes a large play unit with a slide and a rubber softfall Your new playspace includes a replacement flying fox and a small play unit Isaac Park has been upgraded to include fitness equipment The Central Coast's Most Trusted News Source For Over 30 Years Home | Contact Us | Site Map | Print this page | Top of page Council’s 2020-2025 Playspace Strategy provides strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces on the Central Coast which have so far this year seen over $1.7M of upgrades Playspaces at fourteen locations across the Central Coast including Budgewoi Hamlyn Terrace and Woongarrah have all been part of Council’s upgrade program the Australian Government provided $970,000 to fully fund nine of these playspaces through Phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.  Ten playspaces An additional four playspaces in Hamlyn Terrace and Woongarrah were also renewed to provide upgraded recreational facilities for the community and visitors These renewals have included innovative and inclusive recreational upgrades including a ninja warrior course and importantly new concrete pathways to connect the playspaces the inclusion of rubber softfall within the playspaces Council’s Playspace Strategy ensures playspace assets are maintained through a renewal program based on the age of equipment and its condition that is also informed by community feedback.  A scheduled program of works with regular reviews to maintain upgrade and – where necessary – remove old or broken equipment will result in $1,766,396 of renewal upgrades at fourteen playspaces across the Central Coast in 2023 Council was involved in the working group for developing the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ Guidelines 2019 a collaborative initiative to ensure new and upgraded playspaces are inclusive and accessible for everyone  These guidelines were developed with extensive consultation with advocacy and advisory groups parents and educators and qualified industry experts Council completed an independent access appraisal on all its playspaces and the inclusive features across the 2023 upgrades we’re seeing now are part of this program Playspace locations in 2023 renewal upgrades:•    Mackenzie Reserve Budgewoi (District)•    Bluebell Park Playspace Berkeley Vale (Local)•    Gurdon Reserve playspace Woy Woy Bay (Local)•    Koolewong Foreshore Reserve Koolewong (Local)•    Oakland Ave Playspace Wyongah (Local)•    Osborne Park Playspace Toukley (Local)•    Pioneer Park Playspace Killarney Vale (Local)•    Tonkiss St Payspace Tuggerah (Local)•    Wycombe Rd Playspace Terrigal (Local)•    McKellar Blvd Playspace Blue Haven (relocation) from Birdwood Ave to McKellar Boulevarde (Local)•    Hamlyn Terrace Sporting Fields Hamlyn Terrace •    Skyhawk Ave Reserve Hamlyn Terrace •    Woongarrah Sports Facility Woongarrah •    Mataram Ridge Reserve Playspaces and parks play an important role in the lives of our community and visitors.  The playspaces that have become significantly valuable to the way we socialise in the areas of Woongarrah and Hamlyn Terrace were built at the same time to accommodate development in the area.  They have all since reached the end of their life cycle requiring renewal upgrades which will be inclusive and intergenerational with new play experiences that can be enjoyed by everyone this summer Your local playspace located at 80 Minnesota Rd Hamlyn Terrace required the existing equipment at this site to be demolished and construction of a new playspace which includes new play equipment featuring a play unit with slide An outdoor fitness station to bring together outdoor fun and fitness that is accessible for all in the new playspace with gym equipment that meets the needs of all fitness levels and age groups Supporting infrastructure includes a concrete pathway to connect the playspace plus rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion Natural shade within the local playspace design is provided from existing trees Your local playspace located at 81W Skyhawk Ave Hamlyn Terrace has been upgraded to include an outdoor fitness station to inspire community health and vitality with gym equipment that meets the needs of all fitness levels and age groups This requires minimal excavation and construction of the new fitness area which will include a box jump Supporting infrastructure will include a concrete pathway to connect the fitness station plus rubber softfall into and around the area to promote accessibility and inclusion Your local playspace located at 57 Hakone Rd Woongarrah has required the existing equipment at this site to be demolished excluding the large spider net climbing frame Construction of a new playspace with new play equipment includes an exciting ninja warrior course that loops around the playspace This ninja training circuit helps to master scaling and balancing skills the new playspace features available for play include a nest swing Your local playspace located at 61 Mountain View Drive Woongarrah required the existing equipment at this site to be demolished and construction of a new playspace which includes new play equipment featuring a play unit with slide To view the Central Coast Playspace Strategy, FAQs and the region’s searchable playspace map visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/playspaces   Another development site in the Warnervale Town Centre has been sold with a parcel of Woongarrah land collecting $6.4 million This highly sought-after subdivision site was purchased by a Hong Kong developer who has appointed a local project manager Sydney selling agents Matrix Property said that the level of interest from developers was fervent “The EOI attracted over 80 inquiries and over 8 offers,” agent Godfrey Franz said “The area is popular with first home buyers at lower prices hence the popularity of the offering to potential developer or buyers producing housing products in the sub $650,000 price point.” The 5.6 ha residential subdivision site at 40-78 Hiawatha Rd can include up to 85 lots The property is part of masterplanned Warnervale the Central Coast’s largest development and growth areas with projections of 40,000 new residents over the next 20 years Mr Franz said that despite the anxious outlook for property the success of this campaign said otherwise “We are seeing many confident and cashed up developers coming back into the market,” he said “A nearby estate on Sparks Rd recently released 60 lots and they completely sold out before Christmas.” third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Central Coast Football returned at the weekend with several powerhouse teams posting impressive wins, including Killarney and Berkeley Vale. Woy Woy also bagged the three points with a 2-1 win over Gosford, while in the match of the round Woongarrah outclassed Kanwal. ABC News News HomeMan accused of Central Coast teacher's murder had no motivation to kill her court hearsShare Man accused of Central Coast teacher's murder had no motivation to kill her court hearsBy David Marchese The murder trial of Ricardo Dasilva is drawing to a close. (1233 ABC Newcastle: Robert Virtue) Link copiedShareShare articleA man accused of murdering his former fiancée in her Central Coast home, harboured none of the "seething anger" and "hostility" needed to commit the crime, the New South Wales Supreme Court has been told. Ricardo Francis Herman Dasilva is on trial for the murder of Wyong High School teacher Amanda Carter in May 2010. Why would he of all people be wanting to end her life? Ms Carter's body was found with severe blunt force injuries in the bedroom of her Woongarrah home. During the month-long trial in Newcastle, the Supreme Court jury heard Ms Carter and Dasilva began seeing each other after meeting online but their relationship was not always steady. The court was told the two became engaged just months before Ms Carter was killed but the deceased had later broken off the relationship after suspecting Dasilva of having an affair. In his closing address yesterday, Crown Prosecutor Lee Carr said the evidence "creates a crystal clear picture" of Dasilva's guilt. "There was but one person she [Amanda Carter] was fearful of," Mr Carr told the court. "There was but one person who would not take no for an answer. "There was but one person seeking to destroy her." Mr Carr closed his case by quoting an email Ms Carter had written to a friend the day before she was found dead. In the message, Ms Carter wrote that Dasilva had "gone past the non-acceptance stage" and had entered "the angry stage." Amanda Carter, a Wyong High School teacher, was killed in May 2010. (Supplied: NSW Police) In her closing argument, his barrister Alissa Moen urged the jury to consider all the facts in the case. "Be wary when approaching the evidence that you are looking at all of it and not focusing on parts of it," she said. Ms Moen told the jury it was clear the accused was upset his relationship with Ms Carter had broken down. "You might think that's all consistent with a unilateral breakup," she said. "Is the accused really any way motivated to end her life?" The court heard Dasilva had hoped his relationship with Ms Carter would resume. "Why would he of all people be wanting to end her life?" Ms Moen pointed to a police interview of Dasilva after the killing, saying he "speaks highly" of Ms Carter. "Think about the demeanour of the accused," she told the jury. "Where is any of the seething anger, hostility?" Amanda Carter's children and friends have been present in the courtroom for the closing statements. The Defence will continue its closing tomorrow before the jury retires to deliberate its verdict. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) As the value of established property has been rising strongly over the past few years some homebuyers might be drawn to considering vacant land and building as an alternative due to lower entry costs This is the theme of the latest Month in Review report one of the largest independent property valuation and advisory groups in Australia The upside with a vacant site is that the buyer eventually gets a home that suits their list of needs as they start with a blank canvas the Central Coast has a myriad of vacant land possibilities “Whether you’re looking for proximity to schools easy access to transport links or a particular neighbourhood vibe there’s plenty of options across different locations and market segments,” he said Hamlyn Terrace and Crangan Bay the average-size blocks range from 400-850sqm with good access to the M1 Motorway which makes commuting and travelling relatively easy Wadalba and Warnervale you will notice that in some areas there are smaller block sizes,” Beckman said “These smaller lots are strategically located close to schools and shopping facilities making them ideal for families or individuals who prioritise convenience and proximity to amenities so your choice might come down to what suits your lifestyle best – whether it’s easy freeway access and larger blocks or proximity to schools and shopping with more compact lots “These suburbs offer a variety of residential land estates each with their own characteristics and price points “Many of these estates are selling off the plan with prices typically ranging from the low $400,000s to the mid $600,000s “This range reflects the different sizes and features of the blocks as well as their locations within the suburbs; for instance larger blocks or those in more sought-after spots might be at the higher end of the spectrum while smaller or irregular shaped and steep blocks could be priced lower “The estate known as The Glenning in Glenning Valley has recently released registered land for sale starting from $680,000 and ranging up to $900,000 “Don’t expect the new vacant land lots to be around for long – this 44-lot land subdivision should prove to be just as sought-after as the nearby land releases in The Glades estate.” Beckman said established homes have been selling for premium prices in the marketplace ranging from $1.1M to $1.8M depending on the quality of the dwelling “In the southern areas of the Central Coast the availability of vacant land is indeed limited,” he said “This scarcity drives a trend where older-style homes in desirable locations are often demolished to make way for new developments and many older homes are being replaced with new “This allows homeowners to upgrade to contemporary living standards while staying in their preferred locations.” Beckman said that in response to the limited land availability there was an increasing shift towards higher density developments which can provide more housing options in sought-after areas such as Ettalong Beach “These changes reflect the evolving needs of the community and the increasing demand for housing in well-established locations “Beachside vacant land typically offers a unique and highly desirable opportunity especially in sought-after coastal areas such as Wamberal a stone’s throw from the beach at 107 Ocean View Dr sold through Di Jones Real Estate for $2.444M in January 2024,” Beckman said The property market indicators in the Herron Todd White report for September showed there was stronger demand for units over houses the trend in new house construction was steady and the volume of house sales was increasing with the market showing a start to recovery for both houses and units There were no surprises that the rental vacancy situation showed a shortage of available houses relative to demand but a particularly severe shortage of units There is a strong demand for units but the trend to build new units is significantly declining according to the property market indicators in the report although the volume of unit sales is increasing strongly and occasionally selling at prices exceeding their potential resale value Buying a plot of land can be a smart move for those who are not ready to buy a ready-made home, but still want to take the first step towards owning real estate. It also opens up possibilities for individual construction, taking into account personal needs and preferences, which makes this option attractive. A similar approach can be seen in the real estate market in Dubai, in particular through DubaiVilla where plots or villas can be purchased during the construction phase it is worth taking into account construction costs local laws and future prospects for the development of the area I travel on the new trains daily from Woy Woy to Central and vice versa I love the new trains apart from (the fact) they are absolutely freezing Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club in Springwood St have both submitted revised plans to Central Coast Council for significant improvements… Humpty Dumpty Foundation has sprung into action to help Central Coast Local Health District provide seven breast pumps for its midwifery and Aboriginal health services For buyers who don’t have the time or energy to navigate the building process – but want to secure a new home to live in now – buying a completed brand-new home from the developer could be your best bet Turnkey homes offer the benefits of a brand-new build without the waiting time meaning you can move into your new home right away Choosing a turnkey home can simplify the process of buying a newly built home Sales Manager from Allam Property Group – a developer that allows buyers to purchase from them directly – says a ready-built home can make a daunting journey more manageable design the home and then you’ve got to get council approval,” Wellington explains construction can take place – it can be quite a long process often up to two years from start to finish Allam Property Group offers fixed-price turnkey homes through their EasyBuy initiative which features a range of homes at 10 locations across New South Wales The developer currently has newly built homes available in Box Hill Chisholm and Kendall (for over 55s) in NSW Allam Homes has ready-built homes available in 10 locations Each of these locations has a selection of ready-built homes and homes under construction allowing buyers to choose depending on lifestyle timeline and budget – whether a first home or an upgrade for a growing family the purchaser has the opportunity to move into their brand-new home within a couple months from reservation Wellington says their step-by-step process debunks the worries around buying and building a new home – such as confusion delays and cost blowouts – with fixed price transparency no progress payments and no interest charges while the home is under construction There is a range of design choices to choose from Buying a completed home from a developer can help buyers bypass the competition found in the established home market and get a clear view of costs upfront a “price guide” is exactly how it sounds – a guide and not always a strong indicator of what a property can end up selling for The option also avoids the need to deal with an agency or the disappointment of missing out on a dream home as there’s always a supply of homes available and in the pipeline Allam homes are available at a fixed price meaning there are no surprises at purchase time (or during the building process if off-the-plan) allowing buyers to plan and finance with confidence A $1,000 reservation fee is required along with a comparatively low deposit minus this fee once the contract has been reviewed Each home is fitted with modern designs and amenities Wellington said it’s worth considering properties across Allam’s 10 locations as a more affordable suburb may offer buyers a similar lifestyle to their first choice Oakville – next door to Box Hill but slightly cheaper – has been popular The team behind Allam’s home designs ensures each one is consistent in style and quality so that what buyers see in the display suite is what they can expect in the finished product All floorplans are generously sized with a selection of neutral  colour schemes  giving you a blank canvas to work from to really personalise with your furniture and decor to minimise energy costs making the homes more environmentally friendly If you’re interested in one of the turnkey homes from Allam Property Group, visit the website or enquire below. boasts a 30-year legacy in building communities and providing quality homes and land options they’ve spread their wings across popular locations like Greater Sydney and skill has helped create great communities For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Various road treatments that cover the life cycle of the road are underway this week with crews filling potholes through to longer term treatments such as heavy patching and road rehabilitation Some of the road works this week include:  🚧Heavy Patching at Bateau Bay (Cresthaven Ave) Niagara Park (Narooma Rd)🚧Road grading at Berkeley Vale (Old Chittaway Rd and Hereford Rd) Umina Beach (Various laneways)🚧Road rehabilitation at East Gosford (Russell St) Tuggerah (Church Rd)🚧Road shoulder maintenance at Mangrove Mountain (Wisemans Ferry Rd)🚧Pothole filling at Cedar Brush Creek 👉 Please report or enquire about specific road issues, or projects, through our online customer service centre DID YOU KNOW? Road repairs are prioritised by level of risk and traffic volumes with higher traffic roads generally requiring attention first repair work may be undertaken on several roads in the same suburb around a priority site Scheduling of road repairs requires a flexible approach as new issues can be identified or reported at any time and weather can impact which works are able to be carried out – which is why plans are adjusted each week To see what road projects are planned for this financial year, view our interactive capital works map, or refer to Council’s annual operational plan. 📷 PHOTO: Road rehabilitation at Hiawatha Rd Central Coast Council’s Environmental Volunteering Program invites the community to take a hands on-role in conservation protection and remediation of our rich environmental heritage We have a range of volunteering opportunities in bushland cemeteries and high conservation areas such as wildlife corridors and the Coastal Open Space System Each group’s volunteer activities and unique purpose are identified by Landcare Our program also facilitates the following programs and events: The common thread is an appreciation and understanding of the value of green spaces to the community the value of habitat connection to larger remnants and the intrinsic value of healthy Our volunteers play an essential role in making this happen Please click here to register and for more information Central Coast Council Environmental Volunteer Program Strategy  Activities are based on using the best technique to restore the unique characteristics of the site We tailor a program of activities to protect habitat for flora threatened species and endangered communities while enhancing the natural values important to the local community This program is a lot more than just pulling out weeds The social and health aspects of volunteering should not be overlooked Long-standing friendships are often formed and people enjoy the opportunity to discuss issues with some like-minded new friends list of groups and meeting times below and contact one of our friendly team members Alternatively, you can email us at: environmentalvolunteering@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au Training and access to special events are available for all registered and active volunteers. If you are interested in corporate or school activities please email us for more information.  Since its inception by Planet Ark in 1996, National Tree Day has become Australia’s largest tree planting event, with over 26 million trees planted by over 5 million volunteers. At Killcare Beach, like many areas along the coast, there has been a significant reduction in dune vegetation. Native dune vegetation is the first line of defence against coastal erosion and provides important habitat for wildlife. Ongoing planting events such as National Tree Day at Killcare Beach will help improve the ability of the dune systems to withstand storms, and extreme weather, and help protect adjacent homes and other infrastructure. Amanda Carter's battered body was found in her house near Wyong in 2010 Link copiedShareShare articleA man found guilty of bashing his former fiancee to death in her home on the New South Wales Central Coast has indicated he will appeal against his conviction Ricardo Francis Herman Dasilva was found guilty by a jury in June of the May, 2010 murder of his former fiancée Amanda Carter broke into the popular Wyong High School maths teacher's Woongarrah home and attacked her while she was sleeping in her bed Ms Carter, who was 46, was bashed so severely that she could not immediately be identified During the four-week trial, the jury was told that Dasilva was upset that his relationship with Ms Carter had broken down. Ms Carter had called off her relationship with the real estate agent after suspecting him of having an affair, but told friends he continued to show up at her home uninvited. The jury also heard evidence that Dasilva sent letters to Ms Carter's school and to the media before her death, claiming she was having a sexual relationship with a student. At sentencing submissions today, Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison told the court that Dasilva had shown "no remorse" and there was evidence he had formed "strong and pathological views" in the days before the attack. The court also heard Dasilva had broken into Ms Carter's home at least once before he killed her. However, Defence Barrister Alissa Moen said it was "not one of those cases where AVOs have been served, disregarded or breached". Two of Ms Carter's children submitted a victim impact statement to the court which was read out by Crown Prosecutor Lee Carr. Amanda Carter's children Jamie, Erin and Shaun called for help from the public after her murder. (ABC News: Lucy McNally, file photo) Her daughter Jamie, who was 18 at the time of the murder, wrote about finding her mother's badly disfigured body, and having to call their soccer team to say they "wouldn't be playing that day". She said her mother who had "always wanted to be called grandmama", had missed the birth of her first grandchild in 2015, and would "miss future births, weddings and graduations". Ms Carter's only son Shaun Carter told the court he was now a teacher, and should have had his mother's "wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on". Dasilva will be sentenced on September 20. He has indicated he will appeal against his conviction. Central Coast Council’s 2020-2025 Playspace Strategy has seen more than $1.7M of upgrades so far this year Playspaces at 14 locations across the Central Coast including Budgewoi the Australian Government provided $970,000 to fully fund nine of them through Phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program These renewals have seen innovative and inclusive recreational upgrades including a ninja warrior course new concrete pathways to connect the playspaces park furniture and the inclusion of rubber softfall Director Community and Culture Melanie Smith said Council’s Playspace Strategy ensured playspace assets were maintained through a renewal program based on the age of equipment and its condition that was also informed by community feedback “Council was involved in the working group for developing the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Guidelines 2019 a collaborative initiative to ensure new and upgraded playspaces are inclusive and accessible for everyone,” she said “These guidelines were developed with extensive consultation with advocacy and advisory groups Council completed an independent access appraisal on all its playspaces and the inclusive features across the 2023 upgrades we’re seeing now are part of this program.” Member for Robertson Gordon Reid said the Federal Government was pleased to be supporting playspace renewals across the Central Coast “Community infrastructure like playspaces promote increased wellbeing and healthy lifestyles,” he said “I thank Central Coast Council for its work ensuring playspaces across the region are inclusive and accessible “I look forward to working alongside Central Coast Council to continue to deliver for the people of the Central Coast.” Council Administrator Rik Hart said playspaces and parks played an important role in the lives of community members and visitors “The playspaces that have become significantly valuable to the way we socialise in the areas of Woongarrah and Hamlyn Terrace were built at the same time to accommodate development in the area,” he said “They have all since reached the end of their life cycle requiring renewal upgrades which will be inclusive and intergenerational with new play experiences that can be enjoyed by everyone this Summer.” Recent 2023 local level classification playspaces upgrades have included: Hamlyn Terrace Sporting Fields Other playspace locations on the 2023 renewal upgrades list are:  Mackenzie Reserve Woy Woy Bay; Koolewong Foreshore Reserve; Oakland Ave Playspace Terrigal; and a playspace at Blue Haven will be re-established from Birdwood Ave to McKellar Blvd For more information and a map of playspaces across the region go online to: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/playspaces NSW real estate: suburbs where homebuyers have the advantageSam Murden Interest rates are predicted to continue rising in 2023 New data has revealed a number of suburbs across NSW where conditions are favourable to buyers and investors have sizeable bargaining power The research commissioned by mortgagee lender Well Money took both house and unit markets and discounted suburbs that were experiencing stagnant demand over the past decade Suburbs were then ranked based on the number of years’ profit (from lowest to highest) that vendors would give up if they sold at a 10 per cent discount The Northern Rivers town of Alstonville topped the list of suburbs where conditions were most favourable to buyers and investors Alstonville has experienced a net price gain of 165 per cent over the past decade with a median asking price of $901,600 in December 2022 Alstonville topped the list of the best suburbs for buyers and investors to purchase a property with homes like 20 Elliott Ave available for $850,000 – $900,000 Well Money CEO Scott Spencer said the ranking was designed to help investors and buyers who wanted to buy in quality locations across NSW while also holding the negotiating power over vendors “Buyers hold a negotiating advantage in each of these suburbs right now because vendors have enjoyed capital growth of at least 45 per cent over the past decade “Another reason why buyers have the edge in these suburbs is because market conditions have been turning in their favour as demand relative to supply has been falling.” Market conditions have been turning in favour towards buyers due to falling demand the house market of Valla Beach ranked second on the list – experiencing a net price gain of 147 per cent over the past decade Valla Beach also enjoyed the lowest median asking price for houses on the list with the average home costing $560,000 to buy and only a year of profit lost if sold at a discounted price Of the 20 suburbs identified as being buyer and investor friendly Valla Beach ranked second among the best to buy or invest in NSW with homes like 30 Seaforth Drive available for $935,000 The unit market of Kellyville Ridge experienced an 89 per cent net price gain over the past decade and has a median asking price of $508,250 A vendor would lose one and a half years of profit if they sold their unit at a discounted price in the suburb Kingswood was the only other unit market to make the list experiencing a 118 per cent net price gain with a median asking price of $958,000 Kellyville Ridge ranked the highest among units in NSW While the suburbs in the report were indicative of being strong locations for investors Mr Spencer urged them to be prudent with their finances “All of the suburbs have low inventory levels which will put upward pressure on price growth which will put upward pressure on rental growth,” he said Units only made up two of the top 20 best buyer and investment suburbs “Interest rates have been rising and will probably increase even further in the first half of 2023 so investors need to budget for higher repayments It’s risky to enter the market if you don’t believe you’d have the capacity to cope with higher interest rates.” TOP 20 SUBURBS WHERE BUYERS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE: Billionaires go on buying spree Priscilla Presley’s hideway up for sale Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time the jury was left with no doubt that real estate agent Ricardo Francis Herman Dasilva had murdered his former partner Wyong High School maths teacher Amanda Carter Guilty of murder: real estate agent Ricardo Dasilva After a four-and-a-half week trial in Newcastle Supreme Court and four days of deliberations a jury of nine women and three men returned a guilty verdict at 2.30pm on Tuesday The verdict provoked no physical response from Dasilva who had sat expressionless in the dock throughout his trial Police tape around the home of murdered Wyong High School teacher Amanda Carter.Credit: Brockwell Perks But in the gallery it triggered a wave of emotion in Ms Carter's daughter and the detectives who had spent years investigating the case word spread by text message and phone calls through Ms Carter's network of family and friends that her murderer had finally been brought to justice It had been these people; Ms Carter's friends had proved the prosecution's circumstantial case while simultaneously delivering body blows to the defence One after another they took the stand to provide a voice for Ms Carter Amanda Carter was found "unrecognisable" from head injuries They told the jury about the popular teacher's growing concerns about Dasilva's conduct in the wake of their relationship breakdown Six years after her death they relayed conversations with Ms Carter where she told of her fears that Dasilva was stalking her how he would show up inside her house unannounced and uninvited and how he had "gone past the non-accepting stage and is entering the angry stage." the jury found Dasilva was the person who had entered Ms Carter's home on the night of May 15 2010 and bashed her several times in the head with an unknown weapon while she slept Erin Carter said the verdict would "hopefully" provide "an end we're really happy," Erin Carter said for all of us." She praised the relentless work of the detectives who investigated her mother's murder and the prosecution who proved the case against Dasilva Crown prosecutor Lee Carr said he was glad the ordeal was over for Ms Carter's family and friends "I think I am just pleased that there is closure for the family," Mr Carr said so it's a long time to live with that and I'm just pleased for them." Dasilva will be sentenced in Sydney in August The Newcastle Herald There was no murder weapon, no relevant DNA and no eyewitness. Nevertheless, the jury was left with no doubt that real estate agent Ricardo Francis Herman Dasilva had murdered his former partner, Wyong High School maths teacher Amanda Carter, in her Woongarrah home in May, 2010. After a four-and-a-half week trial in Newcastle Supreme Court and four days of deliberations a jury of nine women and three men returned a guilty verdict at 2.30pm on Tuesday. The verdict provoked no physical response from Dasilva, who had sat expressionless in the dock throughout his trial. But in the gallery it triggered a wave of emotion in Ms Carter's daughter, Erin, and the detectives who had spent years investigating the case. Then, word spread by text message and phone calls through Ms Carter's network of family and friends that her murderer had finally been brought to justice. It had been these people; Ms Carter's friends, family and colleagues who, combined together, had proved the prosecution's circumstantial case, while simultaneously delivering body blows to the defence. One after another they took the stand to provide a voice for Ms Carter. They told the jury about the popular teacher's growing concerns about Dasilva's conduct in the wake of their relationship breakdown. Six years after her death they relayed conversations with Ms Carter where she told of her fears that Dasilva was stalking her, how he would show up inside her house unannounced and uninvited and how he had \\\"gone past the non-accepting stage and is entering the angry stage.\\\" Ultimately, the jury found Dasilva was the person who had entered Ms Carter's home on the night of May 15, 2010 and bashed her several times in the head with an unknown weapon while she slept. Outside Newcastle courthouse, Erin Carter said the verdict would \\\"hopefully\\\" provide \\\"an end, and closure\\\" for the family. \\\"It's fantastic, we're really happy,\\\" Erin Carter said. \\\"[The trial] has been tough. \\\"I'm glad it's over, for all of us.\\\" She praised the relentless work of the detectives who investigated her mother's murder and the prosecution who proved the case against Dasilva. Crown prosecutor Lee Carr said he was glad the ordeal was over for Ms Carter's family and friends. \\\"I think I am just pleased that there is closure for the family,\\\" Mr Carr said. \\\"It's been more than six years, so it's a long time to live with that and I'm just pleased for them.\\\" Dasilva will be sentenced in Sydney in August. Amanda Carter, a school teacher at Wyong High, was killed in May 2010 at her Woongarrah home. (Supplied: NSW Police) Link copiedShareShare articleA jury has been told a man accused of killing his ex-fiancé on the NSW Central Coast left her nearly unrecognisable when he struck and killed her. Ricardo Francis Herman Dasilva's trial started in Newcastle Supreme Court today. The 66-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Amanda Carter. The 46-year-old Wyong High School mathematics teacher was killed in May 2010. Ms Carter's 18-year-old daughter found her body in the bedroom of her Woongarrah home. Dasilva, a former real estate agent from the Lake Macquarie suburb of Bonnells Bay, was charged with murder in December 2013. The court heard he and Ms Carter met via an online dating website and were engaged for a few months, but broke up in the February before her death. In his opening address, Crown Prosecutor Lee Carr said Dasilva was "becoming more and more erratic" and Ms Carter was fearful of him. Mr Carr told the jury Dasilva made anonymous phone calls to Ms Carter's boss and wrote numerous letters to local newspapers accusing the teacher of having a sexual relationship with a student. The Crown alleges Dasilva used the laundry door to enter Ms Carter's house late on May 15 or early May 16, 2010. "There was no sign of forced entry" and "no sign of disturbance or a struggle", Mr Carr said. The Crown alleges Dasilva murdered Ms Carter, then half filled a frying pan with oil and turned the stove on high "in the hope of having the house burnt down". Mr Carr told the jury Ms Carter had severe head and facial injuries, which left her "nearly unrecognisable". The court heard her skull had been fractured and she died from multiple blunt force trauma. Defence barrister Alissa Moen told the court "it wasn't Dasilva that killed Ms Carter", and she urged the jury to "keep an open mind" throughout the trial. Ms Moen said she will be challenging the evidence from several Crown witnesses when she has the opportunity to cross examine. The trial before Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison continues.