A 'Cool' Result for Newcastle East Public School

BY XANTHE GREGORY

Newcastle East Public School is celebrating today, after securing air-conditioning units for the new classrooms being built at the school.

Original plans for the new classrooms did not allocate funding for cooling units.

Parents from the school contacted State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, who pushed for the government to reprioritise funding towards installing air-conditioning in NSW classrooms.

"A future Labor Government will prioritise air conditioning our local schools over knocking down and rebuilding stadiums in Sydney," said Mr Crakanthorp.

The MP is referring to Labor's $300 million election pledge to 'Cool Schools,' which was adopted, and raised, by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrotet's 2018 Budget, offering a $500 million package in force now.

As a result, the Newcastle East Public case was reviewed by Education Minister Rob Stokes, who agreed to install the units in the new classrooms.

Mr Crakanthorp said "this is a win for common sense, the Government should not be building new classrooms and not providing the basic services associated."

Tomaree Coastal Walk Upgrade

BY ARIANA GATTI

Port Stephen's iconic Tomaree Coastal Walk is set to receive a large upgrade, expanding the walkway to allow for 23-kilometres of stretch to be open for all the public to enjoy.

The 2018 NSW State Budget has allocated around $7-million, which is aimed at improving the generation of tourism to the area, incorporating more leisure-based activity to get the community involved in outdoor recreations.

Other upgrades involve the input of whale watching and interpretative facilities, as well as other elements for people to appreciate the Indigenous Australian and World-War-Two history of the area.

The upgrade and future developments will be carried out in stages over a four-year period, with completion set for 2022.

The project is running as a part of a $40-million investment allocation plan generated by the State Government, in order to reinforce NSWs' position as a key tourist destination, staying in the minds of national and international visitors.

Some specific features of what will be involved in the revamp have been released:

• Improved access, visitor amenities and walking tracks around the Tomaree Headland, with selected sites showcasing World-War-Two fortifications including gun emplacements, command post and radar site.
• Another looped walking track with a new access point and elevated vistas at Box and Wreck Headlands
• New links connecting Birubi Point to surround walking tracks and trails

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, is adamant the money being spent on the site's upgrades are worth the allocation.

"We certainly think it's worthwhile investing the $7-million as it's one of the most popular parks in the State and we believe this can be improved even more", he says.

"There is a market now for eco-tourism including these walking experiences, and to get that attraction there has to be a decent length of walkway, which should become very appealing to those of domestic and international markets".

Image Sourced: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/tomaree-head-summit-walk

 

Hunter Misses Out In Federal Budget

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter infrastructure projects which have been on the drawing board for years have missed out in the Federal Budget.

There was no specific funding commitments to the Glendale Transport Interchange, the M1 Link to Raymond Terrace or the Scone and Muswellbrook bypasses, although the region is likely to gain a share of the $3.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance program over 10 years

However Defence spending in the region is getting more attention.

Another $1.8 billion dollars is going towards the new Joint Strike Fighter project at Williamtown, while new Air Combat Facilities at the base will receive $94 million on top of the $798 million already spent.

Money has also been allocated to air traffic control and aviation refueling infrastructure.

As we reported yesterday, Williamtown residents affected by the PFAS contamination crisis will benefit from a $55.2 million program to provide drinking water to communities living around the defence bases at Williamtown, Oakey, Tindal and Pearce.

Treasurer Scott Morrison delivers the 2018 Federal Budget