Farmers get behind push for Newcastle container terminal

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Former Agriculture Minister is backing a push for the Port of Newcastle to open to container trade and grain exports.

The Port of Newcastle is currently in the courts, disputing restrictions which make it financially unviable for the port to operate container traffic.

As part of privatisation agreements, the Port of Newcastle is required to reimburse Port Kembla, Port Botany, and the NSW Government for container traffic beyond a given cap.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall says the State Government could take action to resolve the situation, if they wanted to.

Farmers NSW Vice President Xavier Martin is welcoming the move.

He says opening up the port to more agricultural trade is an obvious decision.

"Many of the storages up-country are full to the brim, and so we've got a major task on getting the produce to the market," Mr Martin said.

"There's no point growing the fibre unless you can get it to your customer, and it's great that we've got transport and rail options, but the most efficient ones into the most efficient ports, such as Newcastle, are critical."

It's believed a multi-purpose deepwater terminal at Newcastle could create more than 15,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, as well as $2.5 billion to the Commonwealth economy.

Mr Martin says it would benefit the economy in both the country and the city, and provide more certainty when it comes to planning.

"A vessel loaded with canola in Newcastle, is worth 20 to 30 percent than the pricing offered for a vessel loaded in Vancouver," Mr Martin said. 

"These sorts of discounts, coming back to the farm gates, are affecting the returns on the economy, farmers, the whole community. The money just is not being efficiently returned."

"Even to deal with the constraints of the landscape, you know, if we are going to upgrade rail, for example, let's make sure that a tunnel through the range has the capacity to transport double-stacked containers. We need to get more efficiency into the port."

One death in Newcastle as COVID cases plateau

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,365 new COVID cases today and 1 death.

This brings the region to 111 cases in hospital, with eight people in intensive care. 

Sadly, a woman in her nineties from Newcastle has passed away overnight. 

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 29,504 new COVID cases and 17 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,776 cases in hospital, with 203 in intensive care.

More than 26 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Wanted man found hiding in Cessnock cupboard

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A wanted man's been arrested in Cessnock on Monday afternoon.

The 29-year-old Tenambit man was wanted for a breach of bail, and was found hiding in a bedroom cupboard in a house on Dixon Street.

He was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with fail to comply with extended/interim supervision order (four counts), destroy or damage property less than $2,000, contravene apprehended domestic violence order, and breach of bail.

The man was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday.

More industrial action on the Hunter rail network

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's facing more disruption on the rail network today, as the Rail, Tram and Bus Union prepare for an overnight stoppage across the State.

The stoppage is scheduled to run from 8pm on Monday to 4am on Tuesday morning, but it's likely disruptions will begin as early as 3:30pm this afternoon.

Intercity and Regional services will be significantly impacted by the action.

Although it's currently in negotiations with the NSW Government over privatisation issues and the treatment of rail workers, the union's maintained a steady campaign of industrial action in recent weeks.

But NSW TrainLink Chief Executive Dale Merrick says the union should reconsider the action ahead of the holiday period.

“To take action that potentially ruins Christmas for some regional customers, after a tough year already, is pretty poor form," Mr Merrick said.

“We want unions to consider withdrawing the action altogether and focus on taking the bargaining forward."

It's likely the stoppage will have flow-on effects later in the week.

 

Domestic violence service forced to cut back support for women in need

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A women's domestic violence and homelessness service has been forced to cut back services, saying the capacity just isn't there to keep up with demand.

Nova For Women And Children will cut back on non-urgent referrals and a waiting list won't be kept for non-urgent crisis accommodation requests.

The service's Newcastle and Charlestown hubs will now be shut on Tuesdays.

There's reports staff are burnt-out and struggling to keep up.

More than 150 women are currently waiting for support across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas alone.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says the Federal Government has a responsibility to step up funding.

"The Prime Minister's promise of extra funding has really turned out to be nothing but a heartless con for our services in Newcastle," Ms Claydon said.

"Just another hollow announcement from a Government that seems to be hell bent on not actually following through on anything that they have allegedly committed to."

The news comes at the closing of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Ms Claydon is also set to speak at a Hunter Workers rally at Civic Park on Friday, calling on the Government to provide ten days paid domestic violence leave.

The cut to services will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, but the current model is likely to remain in place until at least next year.

Richmond Vale Rail Trail another step closer to being realised

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's share of the long-awaited Richmond Vale Rail Trail has been given the green light by planning authorities.

The Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel approved the development application for the 13 kilometres of the shared track located in the Newcastle Local Government Area.

The Richmond Vale Rail Trail supporters group are welcoming the approval, although sections from Hexham Junction to Tarro and a link with the Shortland Wetlands haven't yet made the cut.

Vice-president Terry Lewin says it's exciting to see things fall into place.

"The original community consultations were about five years ago, so it's taken that long to get to this particular point," Mr Lewin said.

"Essentially it's going to be a mix of different approvals as a result mainly of the mixture of terrain that the trail goes through."

"Into the future, you'll be able to start down on the lake, on the Fernleigh Track, ride all the way through Newcastle through the Richmond Vale Rail Trail, all the way up to Kurri and then actually connect to other shared pathways."

The completed track would save cyclists from risking travel on the Pacific Motorway, Hunter Expressway, and New England Highway. 

Mr Lewin says there's potential for tourism too.

"The absolutely massive thing about this trail, unlike any other trails in Australia, is that it goes through areas that are relatively inaccessible otherwise," Mr Lewin said.

"By being able to connect to the Hunter Wetlands national park, Stockrington state conservation areas, through a whole lot of tunnels in the Sugarloaf range, you'll actually be able to access areas that you wouldn't have been able to access any other way." 

Police launch new appeal in search for Patrick Thaidy, one year after his disappearance

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police have launched a new appeal to the public in the search for missing man Patrick Thaidy.

The renewed search comes a year after the 60-year-old vanished from his home on Delasala Drive in Macquarie Hills at 12am.

At least a dozen officers from the Police Rescue squad are on the scene at Bayview Street at Warners Bay, where the man was last confirmed to have been seen. 

They'll use a drone for aerial searching efforts, as well as undertake a ground search in bushland.

Detective Acting Inspector Nathan Costello says police are hoping to provide the family with closure. 

"There's a steep decline - officers will abseil down and make their way along the base of that steep ravine,"  Mr Costello said.

"We've also got the drones, and they'll do grid pattern searches predominantly along the bush parallel with Bayview Street."

The Lake Macquarie Police District has ruled out a number of leads across New South Wales, and say the 60-year-old has a history of wandering off.

"Mr Thaidy had been reported on a number of prior occasions wandering the streets at Cardiff, at Warners Bay, at Macquarie Hills," Mr Costello said.

"He does suffer dementia, widely known in the community, and often members of the local community would return him to his home."

"We are following up that misadventure as a possible."

Mr Thaidy's family are deeply concerned for his welfare, and are desperate for him to return home.

Officers are hoping to close the case, and are calling on the public to provide any information which could help their efforts.

"Police have done a land search of this bush previously, and have also searched using a cadaver dog," Mr Costello said.

"That identified some quite inaccessible areas, very cliff-like terrain, and today's search will focus on those areas."

State and local reps come together for works to refresh Wallsend roads

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Labor councillors say they'll breathe new life into Wallsend Local Centre if they're successful in holding on to their majority after the Newcastle council election this Saturday.

It's hoped replacing the roundabout at the intersection of Cowper and Kokera Streets with traffic lights will help speed up traffic flow.

There's also plans to install a new culvert bypass beneath the Cowper Street bridge, in hopes to help stormwater flow into Ironbark Creek for flood mitigation.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says it's exciting to see local government commit to a much-needed investment in the suburb.

"I am seeing and witnessing this continuation and commitment to, not only to better traffic flow, but really and seriously looking at flood mitigation, so we can prepare Wallsend for the future," Ms Hornery said.

The works are the third stage of the Wallsend Local Centre works program, following replacement of the Tyrell Street bridge and other initiatives last year. 

Ms Hornery says the suburb's long overdue for a facelift.

"There are improvements with pedestrian flows, and bicycle tracks, and we're looking at also making it more attractive with trees and other sorts of landscaping, to make it look better as well," Ms Hornery said.

Image credit: newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Newcastle Light Rail services back on track after mechanical issues

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Most Newcastle Light Rail services are running again after being suspended over the weekend due to a mechanical issue.

Services shut last Thursday afternoon after a fault with the gearbox.

Transport for NSW says the problem is unrelated to faults identified with Sydney's Inner West fleet. 

Full capacity services are expected to resume later in the week.

Image credit: newcastletransport.info

Deputy Mayor Paul Le Mottee barred from Port Stephens ballot

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Port Stephens Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Le Mottee says a mouse click has cost him his chance at the council election, after the Electoral Commission rejected his nomination.

"There's thirteen forms I had to upload, they were all signed and dated correctly, there's timestamps to demonstrate on my computer that that's exactly what happened," Cr Le Mottee said.

"But where it went wrong, was I inadvertently, when I uploaded the thirteen forms, on one just form I inadvertently uploaded the unsigned version instead of the signed version."

Cr Le Mottee says other invalid applications had been made aware of their mistake, although he had not.

It's the first time the process has happened online, instead of with a returning officer present.

"The outpouring of support I've had, from nearly every other councillor, and from many of the staff, from the general public, many people who I know, many people who I don't know, that have rung me to express support, has been quite outstanding," Cr Le Mottee said. 

"It's really been touching, and it just makes it all the more disappointing that a little mouse click like this has brought this undone."

Cr Le Mottee says he won't challenge the election in the courts, saying he doesn't want to send voters back to the polls. 

"I'm disappointed I'm not going to be there to represent my part of the world, but it is only a relatively short term, two and three quarter years, not the full four year term, so I'll just let that be," Cr Le Mottee said.

Free tax clinic sets up shop in the Hunter

BY BONNIE ARMSTRONG

A new independent tax clinic is set to open in the Hunter to provide disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community free support and advice, following the latest expansion of the National Tax Clinic Program. 

Small businesses and Non-profit Charities will also have access to the services after being triaged and consulted. 

Professor Christian Boedker says the service will go a long way for those who need it most.

"This program is targeted for individuals who do not have the knowledge or may not have the financial means to seek help from a tax agent," Prof Boedker said.

Assistant Treasurer the Hon. Michael Sukkar announced $300,000 has been awarded to the project, set to open in the Newcastle University’s Greater Bank Finance Lab from 2022-2024.

Students studying tax and finance related programs at Newcastle University will work with clients to provide tax advice and gain real life work experience within their study field. 

Professor Christian Boedker says it's not only great for the community, but for education too.

"This is a great opportunity to introduce students to work intergraded learning programs that we are proud to offer across the University," Prof Boedker said.

"Students in the business school will have the opportunity to spend about 100 hours in the tax clinic, while being supported by tax professionals." 

Professor Boedker and Christian O'Connor will manage the clinic, while registered tax agent Kylie Brand will supervise students and check any tax returns, which must be signed off by a registered tax agent. 

Early voting for local councils now open across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Voters hoping to skip the queues in the Hunter's upcoming council elections can head to an early voting booth, starting on Monday.

We're being encouraged to consider voting ahead of time, with concerns COVID restrictions might lead to long lines at the ballot box. 

Most pre-poll offices across the Hunter will be open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, with accessibility options for people in need.

Residents in any of the Hunter's local government areas can place their vote early until the day before elections on December 4.

You can locate your nearest pre-poll office at https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Elections.

Labor councillors promise facelift for Mayfield shopping district

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Labor councillors are hoping to give Mayfield's high street shopping precinct a facelift if they're reelected following elections in December.

The multi-stage urban renewal works would see new footpaths and roads, drainage improvements, as well as upgrades to trees, street furniture, lighting, parking, and cycleways.

They're set to present the proposal as a notice of motion at next Tuesday's council meeting.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says the suburb's due for investment.

"It's, unfortunately, a really tired part of the city, that has been experiencing some issues over the last few years," Cr Clausen said.

"We see, and certainly based on that success in those other local centre upgrades, amazing opportunity to improve Mayfield, to restore it as a vibrant shopping district."

If the project goes ahead, it would be the latest in local Labor's successful local centres program.

"Over the past term of council we've delivered upgrades in Beresfield, in Carrington, in Wallsend, in Merewether, and in Kotara," Cr Clausen said.

"The opportunity for this project is to add Mayfield to that list, seeing a total rejuvenation, revitalization of the main street, Maitland Road, working very closely with the local business community."

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes & Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Brook Motors General Manager Warren Pulbrook.

Anti-coal strike force facing criticism after raid on community environment group

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Officers with the newly established Strike Force Tuohy are under fire after a controversial raid on the Hunter Community Environment Centre on Friday afternoon.

Police searched the organisation's Hamilton North office following almost two weeks of anti-coal protests, seizing banners and corflutes from the address.

But the Environment Centre maintains it has no affiliation with Blockade Australia or the activists who are living in a sharehouse at the property.

Centre Coordinator Jo Lynch says they're hoping to come to a resolution with police.

"The Hunter Community Environment Centre doesn't have anything to do with those protests, and we're hoping that the police can discover that," Ms Lynch said.

"Unfortunately, with the search warrant, they took a lot of our gear and seized a lot of our stuff as evidence."

Shadow Minister for Climate Change Pat Conroy spoke to reporters earlier on Friday, condemning the protests across the Hunter.

But Ms Lynch says police are approaching things the wrong way.

"It's a bit of mistake on the police's behalf, a bit of an overreach," Ms Lynch said.

"And an assumption on their behalf that a lot of people have described as pretty shocking and unfair, and a little, an overreaction, certainly an overreaction."

Image credit: hcec.org.au

More than 10,000 back petition to save GP Access After Hours

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Labor MP's were in Toronto on Friday morning, holding a doorstop with local GP's and families to help save GP Access After Hours.

10,500 people across the Hunter have signed a petition calling on the Federal Government to abandon cuts to the service. 

Shortland MP Pat Conroy says tens of thousands of families are depending on things to turn around for the better.

"As a father of young kids, I've used the service many times. My older relatives have used that service," Mr Conroy said.

"It is a great service that stops our already under pressure emergency departments from being clogged up further, and it's part of series of attacks on health outcomes in this region."

It's believed the service has provided more than a million urgent consultations over the past 20 years.

The After Hours care is also estimated to have saved $21.7 million in the cost of unnecessary emergency department presentations every year.  

Hunter GP Association Secretary Lee Fong told reporters it was a vital part of the Hunter's health infrastructure, especially for families and the elderly.

"In the after hours, GP Access provides a really urgent service to them, so if we're talking about cutting back, maybe even removing the service, what's going to fill that void?" Mr Fong said.

"I hear nothing except, 'Go to the emergency department.' That isn't good enough. This service has to be retained."

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says it's a Hunter institution, and it should be here to stay.

"For every parent that's sat in an emergency waiting room for hours on end, at the John Hunter, at Maitland Hospital," Ms Swanson said.

"For every parent that has tried to get their kid into see a doctor when they can't, GP Access has been the answer, and this government wants to cut GP Access. It is death by a thousand cuts thanks to the Morrison Government."

Newcastle Art Gallery faces two year closure for expansion works

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Newcastle Art Gallery could be closed for more than two years, if the city wins a $10 million grant from the Federal Government to fund its long-awaited expansion.

According to a schedule unveiled on Tuesday night, the gallery would be unable to remain operational, while works to double exhibition space and add a cafe were undergoing.  

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says the closure would be a short hiccup for the sake of the gallery in the long run. 

"The Art Gallery collection is the city's most valuable asset," Cr Clausen said. 

"It's valued at more than $120 million dollars, yet in its current configuration only a very small percentage of the art that is owned by Novocastrians is able to be shown in the gallery."

If the project is given the go-ahead, the current schedule would see a relocation of telecommunications services and other early works before construction begins next August, running until March 2024.

Another three-month commissioning period is likely then, meaning the gallery would open around halfway through 2024.

The council is expected to put out a call for tender for early works later this year.

Cr Clausen says the community's concern was understandable, but they're working to find a solution.

"We've got extraordinary pieces, Dobells and the like, that are part of the city's collection," Cr Clausen said.

"The artworks themselves will be kept in secure storage, that's climate controlled and appropriately air conditioned and the like, to ensure the protection of the artwork."

"Two and a half years is a long period of time, and what will happen in the interim is that we're working with our amazing Art Gallery director and the Art Gallery staff to look at how we can showcase the city's artworks in other forms, right around Newcastle, so that people will still be able to enjoy the Art Gallery collection, but it will be in a different format until that building's complete."

Image credit: nag.org.au

Local businesses beaming at 2021 Hunter Business Awards

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Local business owners are beaming, after finishing off a tough year with festivities at the 2021 Hunter Business Awards.

More than 70 finalists attended the celebrations at the Civic Theatre on Wednesday night, where guests enjoyed a surprise encore of Priscilla staged by the Metropolitan Players, before a ceremony announcing the award-winners. 

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says the attendees "made a real night of it".

"Everyone was really pleased to be out at a face-to-face event again," Mr Hawes said.

"Lots of comments about, good to see people live and not over Zoom, in 3D instead of 2D."

16 businesses took awards, with Stephen Hunt of Hunt Hospitality winning Business Leader of the Year, the Port of Newcastle winning for their Contribution for the Region, and Youth Express grabbing the Excellence in Community Enterprise category.

Mr Hawes says it's reassuring for the region's post-COVID recovery.

"Stephen Hunt winning the Business Leader of the Year award, it's a testament to a business that's in an industry that's been absolutely hammered through the pandemic," Mr Hawes said.

"Despite the pandemic, a lot of the business performance that we saw flew in the face of that, and to see the actual ways that people had improved their businesses, not by just getting a gratuitous increase in revenues, but by battening down the hatches, figuring out different ways of doing things, working with their staff to come up with new and innovative ideas."

Cauliflower coral decline putting Port Stephens food chain at risk

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A decline in coral habitats off Port Stephens and the Central Coast could spell doom for local ecosystems.

Some habitats of the so-called cauliflower coral Dendronephthya australis are predicted to have declined by up to 90 percent - the species is the first soft coral in Australia to be labelled as threatened.

Researchers at the University of Newcastle found that while fish don't feed on the corals themselves, they do feed on other marine animals and invertebrates that do.

Dr Vincent Raoult says it's this simple fact that puts the entire food chain at risk.

"We found that a lot of the small organisms that live on or within the soft corals actually get most of their food from eating that soft coral," Dr Raoult said.

"What's important about that is, is that those small animals, they're important food sources for those larger fishes."

It's believed natural sand movements and the freshening of water from rain events, as well as human interference from boat anchoring and fishing entanglement, has triggered the decline.

But Dr Raoult says it's not too late to change our habits and turn things around.

"One of the things that's very important to do is to monitor those populations, to note the exact extent of the habitat of soft corals," Dr Raoult said.

"We need to try and explore other areas to see if they occur anywhere else, and Port Stephens Fisheries are developing a whole project to try and grow the soft corals in lab conditions, so they can be replanted in those lost habitats."

Image credit: marine.nsw.gov.au

Toxic waste to be shipped from Sydney to Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's PFAS fears have been sparked again, after the State Government announced plans to transport and store 12,000 cubic metres of waste to Mayfield North.

The material's being dug up as part of construction of Sydney's Northern Beaches Link.

The waste is believed to contain lead, mercury, silver, zinc, dioxins, and PFAS.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says there's been no community consultation on the decision.

"Given our history with PFAS up this way, it's very insulting," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"There's very little detail on where it's final resting place will be.

"What we do know is that we don't want it."

Around 45 truckloads of the waste is expected to be stored in Newcastle for at least a month after being treated at Middle Harbour.

But Mr Crakanthorp says Newcastle isn't Sydney's dumping ground.

"What really worries is that this government is clearly trying to fly under the radar," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"The people of Newcastle have very strong feelings about this proposal and I'm sure the NSW Government is very aware of this."

New support for service-people and their families in Singleton

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Soldier On has expanded its pathways program with the launching of new employment support in Singleton.

The program offers free practical employment and education support for veterans and their families.

It also offers guidance opportunities for education, assisting in the transition from serving, to civilian careers.

Soldier On CEO Ivan Slavich says the program currently reaches more than 6,000 Australian veterans and their families but the new program at Singleton provides practical support like no other.

"This is actually very unique and it something we're doing in consultation with Lieutenant Colonel James Smith who's the commander at the school of infantry in singleton," he says.

He says the new program in Singleton is ground breaking and, "Its not just the member of the ADF that we're helping, but we're actually helping a spouse or a family member obtain gainful employment."

One of the key challenges facing those serving in the ADF is their postings around the country often cause disruption for the family. Soldier On aims to help stabilise the family unit by offering support through education and employment.

Soldier On's Services include a range of mental health and wellbeing services, and Ivan Slavich says they follow a HELP acronym to describe their work.

"H stands for health and wellbeing, E is employment transition, L is learning and education and P is participation and social connection for those serving and ex-serving members of the ADF".

He says, "This is an excellent pilot in singleton because its a model that ought to be adopted at many military bases around the country."