Pasminco has been cautioned by the Environmental Protection Authority after it was found breaching its licencing conditions at the former Cockle Creek Smelter.
The land is currently being remediated at Boolaroo where the EPA has placed strict limits regarding water on the site.
Twice last year, Pasminco was found to have exceeded its zinc concentration limit.
EPA Hunter Region Manager Adam Gilligan says Pasminoc's actions will be held to account.
"We've taken action, not only to fine them but also to require improvements on site to prevent this from happening again".
"It's also pleasing in this case to see that Pasminco have taken our advice on board"
Pasminco have been issued two $1 500 penalty notices with the EPA saying the offenses pre-date the increase of the penalty notice to $15 000.
Thursday, 24 December 2015
Labor to Fight Penalty Rate Changes
A final report into Australia’s workplace
relations by the Productivity Commission has suggested Sunday penalty rates be
lowered to Saturdays.
While public holiday rates and the minimum wage
will remain in place, Labor has vowed to fight to protect the rates of those in
the Hunter and around Australia.
The recommendation was in relation to workers in
hospitality and retail workers which Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon suggests will
cut the pay of the lowest paid workers in the Hunter.
“Lower paid people take the advantage of penalty
rates; they sacrifice home life so that they can get their family ahead in
life” says Fitzgibbon.
He also suggests the cut will have devastating
effects should the Turnbull Government go ahead with the recommendation.
“There will be long term consequences because
people who will be affected most by this are those who are only getting by
wee-by-week.
“You cannot move in and just cut the pay of
those families, there will be dramatic consequences as a result”.
Defence Refush to Accept Blame for Contamination
The Department of Defence have refused to accept
responsibility for the contamination at Williamtown RAAF base for the second
time at a senate hearing yesterday.
 |
The main goal of the hearing conducted by Greens
Senator Lee Rhiannon and Labor Senator Sam Dastyari is not only to make Defence
accept responsibility, but also for them to start giving short-term compensation.
Senator Rhiannon says the hearing has also heard
a number of accounts from residents who have been affected since the outbreak
in September.
“We heard very disturbing evidence yesterday,
fisher representatives talking about some people considering suicide [and] the
uncertainty that hangs over people coming in Christmas knowing their properties
are worthless”.
How the surrounding areas were continuing to be
contaminated and how Defence was unable to control the contamination was
another subject of discussion at the hearing.
“It’s not clear why the contamination cannot be
contained on the base.
“The contamination at the BHP site was contained. Surely similar technology can be used here to
contain the problem”?
The same senate hearing also heard Hunter Water
had also known about the chemicals in question as early as 2009.
Friday, 18 December 2015
Maitland's New Hospital Well on Its Way
Maitland's new hospital has past its first planning stage after the State Government pledged over 400 million dollars for the major project.
The hospital's planning will continue into 2016, with ground work expected on the Metford site before the next State election.
Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo says it's good the Government is acting on he hospital.
"There's been a lot of planning to date and there's been a lot of getting the site ready for this"
He says the Metford hospital will be built whilst old Maitland hospital is still in operation and "we'll decommission one hospital and then we can transfer or transition services from the old hospital and start the new one"
The Government has confirmed new delivery suits, an intensive care unit and an additional CT scanner will all be part of Maitland hospital's transition to Metford.
But Maitland MP Jenny Aitcherson says their isn't enough information yet, "we need the release of the business case to the public and we need the date [of completion]. The date is the key here".
"We need this hospital, it's been promised for over five years now, its time for the Government to just deliver it".
The hospital's planning will continue into 2016, with ground work expected on the Metford site before the next State election.
Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo says it's good the Government is acting on he hospital.
"There's been a lot of planning to date and there's been a lot of getting the site ready for this"
He says the Metford hospital will be built whilst old Maitland hospital is still in operation and "we'll decommission one hospital and then we can transfer or transition services from the old hospital and start the new one"
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| An artist's impression of the new Maitland hospital (image courtesy of The Herald). |
But Maitland MP Jenny Aitcherson says their isn't enough information yet, "we need the release of the business case to the public and we need the date [of completion]. The date is the key here".
"We need this hospital, it's been promised for over five years now, its time for the Government to just deliver it".
Friday, 11 December 2015
Help Stop Domestic Violence
The Hunter community has been asked to help curb domestic violence by assisting in reforms to better target perpetrators and improve support for victims.
The NSW Government has already made significant reforms to help end domestic and family violence throughout the State. Previous reforms have included allowing video evidence in courts.
The mandatory NSW PDHPE syllabus for years 7-10 has also been altered to explicitly include domestic violence.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast Scot MacDonald says "domestic and family violence has been with us for a long, long time and it's going to take generations to change".
"The way to do that is to raise awareness and the understanding it from a very early age that family violence is unacceptable".
The current reforms from the State Government are coupled with a $60 million package which target perpetrators of domestic violence.
The consultation period ends on Friday, February 5 2016
The NSW Government has already made significant reforms to help end domestic and family violence throughout the State. Previous reforms have included allowing video evidence in courts.
The mandatory NSW PDHPE syllabus for years 7-10 has also been altered to explicitly include domestic violence.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast Scot MacDonald says "domestic and family violence has been with us for a long, long time and it's going to take generations to change".
"The way to do that is to raise awareness and the understanding it from a very early age that family violence is unacceptable".
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| NSW Premier Mike Baird |
The current reforms from the State Government are coupled with a $60 million package which target perpetrators of domestic violence.
The consultation period ends on Friday, February 5 2016
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Keep your Furry Friend Safe this Christmas
While we can expect ourselves in indulge a little this Christmas, Hunter residents are being urged to ensure foods and other hazards harmful to cats and dogs are out of reach of their paws.
The Newcastle Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (NAREC) at Broadmeadow has recently discharged Max, a 1 year-old golden retriever after underwent surgery to remove to skewer sticks from his stomach after he got a hold of them in the chaos of a family get together.
NAREC CEO Wendy Fisher says chocolate is also rather toxic to dogs and "certainly the more pure the cocoa, dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate".
"Another hazard is tinsel and particularly cats like to play with tinsel and swallow it and that can cause a nasty effect in the intestines and cause rupture of the intestines in severe cases".
"Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, we don't know the mechanism and the toxic dose is not known".
Pet owners are also urged to be wary of the dangers of leftover Christmas ham or turkey fat.
More details on other common hazards for pets over Christmas can be found on the NAREC website.
The Newcastle Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (NAREC) at Broadmeadow has recently discharged Max, a 1 year-old golden retriever after underwent surgery to remove to skewer sticks from his stomach after he got a hold of them in the chaos of a family get together.
NAREC CEO Wendy Fisher says chocolate is also rather toxic to dogs and "certainly the more pure the cocoa, dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate".
"Another hazard is tinsel and particularly cats like to play with tinsel and swallow it and that can cause a nasty effect in the intestines and cause rupture of the intestines in severe cases".
 |
| Keep their paws off hazardous food and ornaments |
"Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, we don't know the mechanism and the toxic dose is not known".
Pet owners are also urged to be wary of the dangers of leftover Christmas ham or turkey fat.
More details on other common hazards for pets over Christmas can be found on the NAREC website.
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Fletcher Rezoning Cancelled
Newcastle Council has decided not to proceed with the rezoning of land at Fletcher, a welcomed call from local residents.
Council decided not to allow rezoning, calling it crucial to the nearby wetlands.
Locals have been lobbying for years to keep the Green Corridor at 505 Minmi Road, since it is the land piece of land before State owned National Parks.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery belives the rezoning would have had rather negative effects for the local region, saying "it would have meant that the area in the long-term would be less attractive.
"It would have taken away that important link for our flora and fauna".
Had it been approved, the rezoning would have brought forth low-density
housing in the area.
Council decided not to allow rezoning, calling it crucial to the nearby wetlands.
Locals have been lobbying for years to keep the Green Corridor at 505 Minmi Road, since it is the land piece of land before State owned National Parks.
 |
| Wall-to-wall housing was inevitable if the rezoning went ahead. (Image courtesy of Hannah Walmsley via ABC) |
"It would have taken away that important link for our flora and fauna".
Had it been approved, the rezoning would have brought forth low-density
housing in the area.
Newcastle hits back at Baird Privatisation Plans
 |
| Image courtesy of Darren Pateman via The Herald |
Newcastle Council has voted against the privatisation of the the local transport services, flying in the face of the recommendations made by the State Government.
Lake Macquaire Council distanced themselves from the plans which would see public buses, light trains and ferries moved over to the private sector.
The proposal is also opposed by both Labor and Green MP's.
Hunter Unions Secretary Daniel Wallace has also expressed his concern over the plan saying "we know from examples in Sydney that bus drivers are pushed to miss stops to keep time tables".
"Today [Tuesday, December 9th] we've just written to the Premier requesting a meeting, here in the Hunter Region to talk about what we can do to avoid privatisation and provide exactly what he said, improved services to the region".
Bowling Club to Become Seniors Estate
The former Morpeth Bowling Club Site is set to become a seniors residential center after it was passed by Maitland Council and moved on to the NSW Department of Planning.
Some Councillors however fear that the development will lead to medium-density residential blocks built in the future.
But Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore says "there's a need everywhere for retirement homes, we are an aging society ... we have five new new people a day making Maitland their home".
"There are quite a number of people of course, who would like to move out of their three or four bedroom home and look for smaller accommodation".
"When we look at the township of Morpeth, it's a magnificent area, particularly with history".
The proposal will soon become open for public comment.
Some Councillors however fear that the development will lead to medium-density residential blocks built in the future.
But Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore says "there's a need everywhere for retirement homes, we are an aging society ... we have five new new people a day making Maitland their home".
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| Councillors voted on Tuesday to rezone the site (Image courtesy of Max Mason-Hubers via The Herald) |
"There are quite a number of people of course, who would like to move out of their three or four bedroom home and look for smaller accommodation".
"When we look at the township of Morpeth, it's a magnificent area, particularly with history".
The proposal will soon become open for public comment.
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Williamtown Locals Seek Answers in Canberra
Williamtown residents have traveled to Canberra today seeking government action on environmental contamination caused by the area's RAAF Base.
Warnings about eating local produce and the potential drop in property prices are some matters they want answers about, with politicians motioning for a Senate Inquiry.
Greens Senator, Lee Rhiannon says residents are speaking up about what needs to be done.
"This is just unacceptable in any country, but in Australia and in 2015 the Department of Defense have questions to answer as they haven't been forthcoming and now we need this inquiry."
18 Williamtown residents will meet with the Assistant Minister for Defense Darren Chester, along with other members of the Labor party, such as treasurer Chris Bowen. The residents, including Lee Rhiannon, are hoping to get answers from the government along with a move for a Senate inquiry into how the contamination originally occurred.
Warnings about eating local produce and the potential drop in property prices are some matters they want answers about, with politicians motioning for a Senate Inquiry.
Greens Senator, Lee Rhiannon says residents are speaking up about what needs to be done.
"This is just unacceptable in any country, but in Australia and in 2015 the Department of Defense have questions to answer as they haven't been forthcoming and now we need this inquiry."
18 Williamtown residents will meet with the Assistant Minister for Defense Darren Chester, along with other members of the Labor party, such as treasurer Chris Bowen. The residents, including Lee Rhiannon, are hoping to get answers from the government along with a move for a Senate inquiry into how the contamination originally occurred.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Newcastle's Victoria Theatre Set For Restoration
Newcastle's historic Victoria Theatre was due to go to auction today but was snapped up yesterday for an undisclosed sum.
The Sydney-based Century Venues group, which operates the popular Enmore Theatre and The Metro among others, plans to restore the Perkins Street building into a grand entertainment hub which would compliment the Civic Playhouse and Civic Theatre.
The Vic was built in 1890 and is the oldest theatre in NSW. The final curtain went down on its last performance in 1996 and the building has been boarded up since 1999.
Veteran hotelier Arthur Laundy bought the building in 2004 for $1.1 million and decided to put it up for auction with a reserve price of just $1, saying it was a philanthropic gesture in the hope of attracting a buyer with enough money to restore the theatre to its former glory.
Shane Bransdon from the Revive The Victoria Theatre Newcastle Group posted on Facebook saying he was "very pleased that the new owners have a track record of restoring old theatres and operating them as live performance venues".
The Sydney-based Century Venues group, which operates the popular Enmore Theatre and The Metro among others, plans to restore the Perkins Street building into a grand entertainment hub which would compliment the Civic Playhouse and Civic Theatre.
The Vic was built in 1890 and is the oldest theatre in NSW. The final curtain went down on its last performance in 1996 and the building has been boarded up since 1999.
Veteran hotelier Arthur Laundy bought the building in 2004 for $1.1 million and decided to put it up for auction with a reserve price of just $1, saying it was a philanthropic gesture in the hope of attracting a buyer with enough money to restore the theatre to its former glory.
Shane Bransdon from the Revive The Victoria Theatre Newcastle Group posted on Facebook saying he was "very pleased that the new owners have a track record of restoring old theatres and operating them as live performance venues".
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| The heritage-listed Victoria Theatre in Perkins Street |
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| Inside the Victoria Theatre (photo courtesy ABC and Peter Bower) |
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Thornton Shopkeeper Bravely Chases Off Armed Robber
The owner of the Thornton news agency says he's seriously thinking about giving the game away after another robbery attempt on his shop.
A man entered the Railway Avenue business at about 4.00pm yesterday armed with a knife, however before he could make any demands, shop owner Wayne Hackett picked up a baseball bat and prepared to swing and the would-be bandit fled empty-handed.
It's the third time in 12 months the shop has been the target of armed thieves.
This time there were two customers in the shop and kids outside on the footpath heading home from school.
One of the customers gave chase, but the bandit jumped into a waiting silver coloured ute which sped off in a cloud of dust.
Mr Hacket told 2NUR-FM news, "It shakes you up a bit, definitely. You're sort of looking over your shoulder all the time. 4 o'clock in the afternoon you don't expect someone to come in with a damn knife after you".
Maitland Police say the man was wearing a navy blue hoodie, beige shorts and a white face covering.
Officers are examining CCTV footage of the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A man entered the Railway Avenue business at about 4.00pm yesterday armed with a knife, however before he could make any demands, shop owner Wayne Hackett picked up a baseball bat and prepared to swing and the would-be bandit fled empty-handed.
It's the third time in 12 months the shop has been the target of armed thieves.
This time there were two customers in the shop and kids outside on the footpath heading home from school.
One of the customers gave chase, but the bandit jumped into a waiting silver coloured ute which sped off in a cloud of dust.
Mr Hacket told 2NUR-FM news, "It shakes you up a bit, definitely. You're sort of looking over your shoulder all the time. 4 o'clock in the afternoon you don't expect someone to come in with a damn knife after you".
Maitland Police say the man was wearing a navy blue hoodie, beige shorts and a white face covering.
Officers are examining CCTV footage of the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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| Shop Owner Wayne Hackett Photo Courtesy Newcastle Herald |
Newcastle City Council Says No To Merger
Newcastle City councilors are taking a defiant stand against the state government's push to merge the city with Lake Macquarie, with the deadline for submissions closing today.
Councilors last night passed a five point motion tabled by Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes after three hours of discussion.
The motion expressed council's desire to stand alone; described the state government's assessment of its ability to do so as flawed; asked the government to keep its $20 million sweetener for any potential merger on the table; and stated that the only merger it would consider would be one with Port Stephens.
However, the move could backfire, with the government threatening to sack councils which refuse to amalgamate in line with the pricing regulator's recommendations.
Newcastle Greens councilors want a poll of residents conducted if the government was to go ahead with a forced merger of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils, saying the government should pick up the $400,000 price tag for such a move.
Port Stephens Mayor, Bruce MacKenzie is less than impressed with talk of a marriage with Newcastle, describing the council as a 'second rate' and 'basket case' council which he 'wouldn't let near' his ratepayers.
Unlike Newcastle, Port Stephens Council has been assessed as fit to stand alone.
Councilors last night passed a five point motion tabled by Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes after three hours of discussion.
The motion expressed council's desire to stand alone; described the state government's assessment of its ability to do so as flawed; asked the government to keep its $20 million sweetener for any potential merger on the table; and stated that the only merger it would consider would be one with Port Stephens.
However, the move could backfire, with the government threatening to sack councils which refuse to amalgamate in line with the pricing regulator's recommendations.
Newcastle Greens councilors want a poll of residents conducted if the government was to go ahead with a forced merger of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils, saying the government should pick up the $400,000 price tag for such a move.
Port Stephens Mayor, Bruce MacKenzie is less than impressed with talk of a marriage with Newcastle, describing the council as a 'second rate' and 'basket case' council which he 'wouldn't let near' his ratepayers.
Unlike Newcastle, Port Stephens Council has been assessed as fit to stand alone.
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| Newcastle councilors prepare to discuss the proposed merger with Lake Macquarie last night |
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
New Theory on Newbery Murder Mystery
Detectives investigating the 2007 murder of Cooks Hill grocer, Frank Newbery now believe he may have been the victim of a targeted attack.
The 87-year-old was found lying on the floor of his Frank's Ham & Beef shop on Union Street at about 4.30pm on Monday 12 March 2007.
He'd been savagely bashed and later died in hospital.
Initially, detectives believed Mr Newbery had been the victim of a robbery-gone-wrong.
An inquest in 2012 delivered an open finding and failed to identify any suspects in the case.
Officers from Strike Force Rynan have renewed their appeal for help in solving the Mr Newbery's murder and are now not ruling out the incident could have been a deliberate attack on him.
The state government issued a $100,000 reward in October 2007 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible - to date no-one has come forward.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The 87-year-old was found lying on the floor of his Frank's Ham & Beef shop on Union Street at about 4.30pm on Monday 12 March 2007.
He'd been savagely bashed and later died in hospital.
Initially, detectives believed Mr Newbery had been the victim of a robbery-gone-wrong.
An inquest in 2012 delivered an open finding and failed to identify any suspects in the case.
Officers from Strike Force Rynan have renewed their appeal for help in solving the Mr Newbery's murder and are now not ruling out the incident could have been a deliberate attack on him.
The state government issued a $100,000 reward in October 2007 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible - to date no-one has come forward.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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| Frank Newbery |
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