Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #14 The Politician

THE FIRST politician to make the top 20 has a lot at stake in the next 12 months. The former competitive swimmer has the power to make real change for the Central Coast.

Adam Crouch comes in at 14 in our countdown of the most influential Coasties.

• Central Coast Top 100 Most Influential people as voted by you
• #15: The Social Justice Crusader
• #16: The Animal Welfare Advocate
• #17: The Pole Dancer
• #18: The Environmentalist
• #19: The Artist
• #20: The Mechanic

THE Central Coast’s lone Liberal State MP with a Coalition in government, Adam Crouch was always going to have an influential position coming in at number 14.

While the Labor state MPs can lobby and make promises, only Mr Crouch is in a position, at a state level, who can truly deliver – at least until the next election in March.

Adam Crouch announcing state government funding for walkway at Terrigal Beach to The Haven last month. Picture: AAP Image/Sue Graham

And deliver he has with $2.9 million for the Terrigal boardwalk, $1.5 million for the Marine Discovery Centre, $250,000 to fix the Terrigal rock pool and 25 new classrooms announced for Terrigal and Wamberal public schools among some of his achievements.

But it is influence within the halls of Macquarie St and having the ears of key ministers that have seen him kick goals beyond his electorate brokering $660,000 for emergency dredging of the Ettalong Channel, which followed $310,000 last year.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Terrigal State Liberal MP Adam Crouch.

His, and arguably the government’s, biggest achievement in the past 12 months has been the revitalization drive for Gosford and the commitment of $52 million for “unsexy” sewer and water mains upgrades, which followed the $348 million redevelopment of Gosford Hospital.

The former competitive swimmer and patron of Terrigal Surf Club is likely to retain his seat next year where he will be under increased pressure as a second term MP to flex the Coalition’s collective muscle for the Coast.

Adam Crouch, member for Terrigal, with a 6 week old puppy, at Central Coast Animal Care Facility, Erina. Picture: Peter Clark

The former sales director for a printing firm, who grew up in Adelaide as an only child and had lively political debates over the family dinner table with his staunchly one-eyed Labor grandfather, will have to bring his influence to the fore if the Gosford revitalization is to become a reality and the Coast gets the capital city the regions so desperately deserves.

Behind the scenes Mr Crouch sits on some powerful boards including the joint standing road safety, electoral matters and investment and regional development committees.

Adam Crouch in Terrigal. Picture: AAP Image/Sue Graham

He is also chair of the Health Care Complaints Commission tasked with investigating the dark side of the body modification industry.

Readers praised Mr Crouch for his hard work and ability to get things done with one saying he “makes me want to be a better person”.

“What he has delivered already in his first term is testimony to his dedication to deliver for the Central Coast and the seat of Terrigal,” one reader said.

Tomorrow we reveal the first politician from another level of government to make the top 20.