Lake Macquarie MP Says State Can't Afford Tomago Extension

BY MARLEY RAE

Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper claims the state government won't be able to meet the Commonwealth's commitment to the Tomago Aluminum smelter. 

In December, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Federal Government will commit to extend the smelter's operations, requesting a 50/50 funding split with the state.

Premier Chris Minns has since outlined a potential $300 to $470 million reserved for the smelter, with the final amount to be announced in next month's state budget. 

However, Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper believes the 50-50 split is an unreasonable request.

"If he thinks it was going to be a 50-50 split with the state, then I think the state should have been involved in those discussions first," Mr Piper said.

"If the state can do it, great, but I suspect they are going to really struggle to find that kind of money.

"If we find that kind of money, it could be used in a better way."

The smelter, which directly employs 1500 workers, announced in October they were weighing up their future amid rising energy prices.

The company, which is majority owned by mining giant Rio Tinto, said it was struggling to see how operations were commercially viable beyond the expiration of its energy contract in 2028.

Mr Piper said an 80-20 split of the costs would be more suitable in the state's favour.

"Typically, major projects are an 80-20 split and I'm sure there are some examples that can been shown where that hasn't been the case," he said. 

"We're not really asking for much in this particular case, because Tomago isn't just some local business that benefits NSW, it's the largest aluminum smelter in Australia."

While the federal government has not allocated any funds for Tomago in their recent national budget, a figure is expected to be finalised once the state contribution is confirmed. 

Picture: Tomago Aluminum Smelter

Brownouts and Blackouts After Eraring Closure, MP Warns

 BY PETER HYSLOP

State member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper says the community could be subject to "brownouts and blackouts" if not enough is invested in alternative energy sources before Eraring Power Station is closed in 2025.

The independent MP told 2NUR the closure can't happen if the state is not ready to make the switch.

"While it has a closure date ... we shouldn't be locked into that if we're not actually ready.

"We don't have ... confidence that we will have storage for base load power to be dispatched to the demand we can match now with a power station such as Eraring," he said.

Piper said the community would be "outraged" if power had to be cut to homes without sufficient capacity on the grid. 

While he understands Origin, the operator, can't keep producing energy at a loss, he said it would be unacceptable for the government to buy it back.

"It would be an extraordinary proposition for the state to re-acquire this power station at this stage, it's been heavily compromised over the years ... the cost would be probably unacceptable," he said.

(Image: CSIRO)

Transport Minister Visits Lake Macquarie To Officially Open New-Look Wyee Station

BY ISABEL EVERETT

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance joined Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper on Wednesday morning to officially open new upgrades to improve accessibility and safety at Wyee Station. 

The upgrade includes three new lifts which provide access to the overhead footbridge and platforms, new pathways and entrances on both sides of the station, along with accessibility upgrades to bathrooms and waiting rooms.

The project, which was completed and operational last month ahead of schedule, also included the  installation of better lighting, and CCTV, and construction of additional parking spaces and a drop-off zone on the Gorokan Road side.

“Wyee Station has become a much busier station than it used to be,” Mr Piper said.

“While it will serve the growing local population in Wyee, it’s also the nearest station for people in the northern parts of the Central Coast and those who live on the south-eastern side of Lake Macquarie.

“This upgrade will provide much easier access not just for disabled, frail or aged people who struggle with stairs, but also for parents with prams and travellers carrying luggage.

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance,
with Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper

Work Commences on $1.7 Million Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue Base

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Work is commencing today on a $1.7 million communications centre for Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue.

Around 150 volunteers are signed up to the areas marine rescue team, with Lake Macquarie consistently one of the busiest marine rescue unit's in NSW, launching 396 rescue missions, including 50 in response to life-threatening emergencies  in 2019.

The two-storey building replacing the unit’s existing facility on Swansea Heads, will be equipped with the latest generation marine communications technology, supporting the volunteers’ ability to detect distress calls and respond swiftly and effectively to boaters in need of help 24/7.

It will also include a new training and meeting space, storage for essential rescue equipment, offices, amenities and kitchen facilities, a viewing platform and a lift to improve access for volunteers with a disability.

Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper, says the new facilties are sorely needed.

“The volunteers have been operating in outdated and cramped conditions for a long time and I was very pleased to see the State Government announce funding to provide this new world-class facility as part of a $37.6 million four-year funding boost to MRNSW," he says. 

“It’s a shame that under the current pandemic restrictions the members can’t all be present to mark the start of construction but I know they would not want to wait one extra day for work to begin.”

The new base was designed by TorrenBell Building Design and is being built by Cowyn Building Group, which has a base at Charmhaven. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, depending on weather.

The building schedule means the unit can continue its radio operations in the current base until October, when it will temporarily relocate to its Pelican boat facility until the new base is completed.

Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Unit Commander Mal Wardrop said the start of work on the project was the culmination of extensive planning and input by unit members.

“This new centre will enhance our operations and provide our members with a safe, secure working environment. We are confident that first-rate facilities such as this will also encourage new members to join the unit.”

Funding Boost For Lake Macquarie College

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Heritage College Lake Macquarie in Morisset is set to benefit from a record investment into education by the NSW Liberal National Government.

The school will receive $800,000 in funding as part of a planned $6 billion investment into education by the state government over the next four years.

The school has earmarked the funding for a much-needed facilities upgrade that will see the construction of a secondary student classroom block with four general learning areas, storage, verandahs and staff administration areas.

The project is set to cost approximately $2 million with the school contributing the remaining $1.2 million.

Liberal candidate for Lake Macquarie Lindsay Paterson was present for the announcement and spoke positively of the investment.

"Heritage College Lake Macquarie has been providing outstanding education since 1997 and I'm pleased the NSW Government is able to assist them with an expansion to cater for more secondary students".

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC joined Mr Paterson alongside Hunter College's Principal Simon Dodson and Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper for the funding announcement - stating that he was pleased to be supporting the upgrade.

"I am delighted the NSW Liberal-National Government is supporting this much-needed project, which will benefit the entire Morisset community," said Mr MacDonald.

"Investment in the education of our young people is one of the best investments any government can make.

I'm pleased with this allocation to Heritage College which comes at a time when significant investments are being made in major redevelopments of Wangi Wangi and Speers Point public schools," Mr Piper added.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the investment will be delivered through the NSW Government's Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS), an initiative that provides funding for independent and Catholic schools to cater for growing students numbers by upgrading their facilities.

"All students deserve the very best facilities to learn and grow in, no matter what school they go to," Mr Stokes said.

The planned $6 billion investment by the State Government over the next four years is set to be the largest investment into public school infrastructure by any State Government in Australian history.

Pasminco Administrator Attempts to Avoid Containment Commitment

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

The administrator of the former Pasminco Smelter at Boolaroo is applying to the Department of Planning and Environment to water-down their commitment to monitor a lead containment cell.

Corporate recovery firm Ferrier Hodgson is hoping to remove a Department of Planning stipulation tying them to the future monitoring of contamination at the site.

The company claims it can't afford to pay for the monitoring unless the land is sold off to furniture giant IKEA for $22-million-dollars.

Lake Macquarie MP and chair of the Lead Expert Working Group, Greg Piper, says the application is concerning but the Department won't easily allow a weakening of monitoring.

Community members believe the application represents a shirking of environmental responsibility, and Jim Sullivan from the Boolaroo Action Group says he's worried about who'll foot the bill in future.

The former Pasminco smelter. Image: Newcastle Herald

Government Grant To Curb Lake Macquarie Youth Crime

BY BRIANNA PORTER

Attorney General Mark Speakman and Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper have announced the NSW Government will provide $185,000 to fund an 18-month program to support at-risk youth in Lake Macquarie.

It's hoped to prevent young people from getting involved in criminal activities and capping rates of recidivism.

The funding comes after the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found a significant rise in disorderly behaviour and theft in the Cardiff region, where the program will be based.

Mr Piper says the Community Activities Lake Macquarie (CALM) program will benefit from the money.

"The focus is on early intervention for at-risk youth to keep them off the streets and help them before major issues arise", added Mr Piper.

The program will help educate youth in many creative areas to distract them from going down an unhealthy path.

"The initiative aims to find creative ways to engage teenagers to keep them out of trouble including music workshops, mentoring programs and street art lessons," said Mr Piper.

The funding will not only be used to support supervised recreational and mentoring programs but to also help the at-risk youth gain their driver's license and install "lighting and CCTV in crime hot spots", Mr Speakman said.

Image: CALM

Push for kangaroo warning at Morisset

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper, is calling for multi-lingual signs to be erected around Morisset Hospital that warn of the dangers of feeding kangaroos.

It comes after several attacks against visitors who were clawed and grappled, with one man requiring 17 stitches in his face and another suffering a deep wound in his belly.

Greg Piper says the grounds of the hospital have become a tourist hotspot, with online advertising promoting the area as a cheap and highly recommended day trip for overseas visitors wanting to see kangaroos.

"It's become very popular and very widely known through social media," he said, "and I don't know how we can turn that around, that's unrealistic.

"But let's step up and do a bit more to make sure everyone who visits stays safe; ensuring their safety and the kangaroos,'" he said.

He's concerned about potential health risks associated with the wild animals coming into contact with hospital patients and staff.

Mr Piper believes tourists should be educated, not driven away from the area completely.

"It's understandable they want to do it - they're guests in our country and they want to see an Australian icon.

"I would like to see them treated as guests..."

The MP has delivered a private member's statement to NSW parliament, calling for collaboration between Lake Macquarie Council, Hunter New England Health and National Parks and wildlife to find a solution.

OUCH! This woman was attacked by an unfriendly roo at Morisset. Image: News.com.au

Lake Macquarie Council Given Grant To Combat Illegal Dumping

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Lake Macquarie Council has been given a 71 thousand dollar grant as part of a statewide initiative to combat illegal dumping.

The grant comes as part of an attempt to decrease illegal dumping by 30 percent by 2020.

The money will assist with cleaning up potentially dangerous waste, such as asbestos, that has been dumped around the region.

Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, says that the region is particularly bad and that the amount of rubbish being carelessly dumped is worrying.

"Anybody that drives around the area, you will see rubbish dumped illegally on the side of the road, but as soon as you get a little bit off the beaten track, you just see people go down and they dump amazing amounts of rubbish," he says.

Piper says that people must change their ways, and consider the environment and the people who have to clean up after them when dumping their waste.

"They don't care what's in that rubbish, and I know the council, and other councils, have been battling illegal disposal of materials such as asbestos, and this is very concerning, particularly for anyone that then has to go and clean this up," he says.

"There are a lot of issues there, but certainly in this day and age people take so little personal responsibility for the waste that they produce."

Piper believes the grant will be a great help to the region, and that there are a number of volunteers working with the council to combat the issue.

"We have Landcare, we have sustainable neighbourhood community groups, so there's no shortage of goodwill out there to do the right thing, but often there's a lack of that practical resource in the finances, and hopefully this goes a long way to help."

Domestic violence initiative rolls out this month in Lake Macquarie

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

Victims of domestic violence in the Lake Macquarie region will see the rollout of a new government initiative, aiming to bring a more coordinated response to domestic violence.

According to White Ribbon, on average one woman every week in Australia is killed by a current or former partner. Statistics also suggest domestic and family violence is the principal cause of homelessness for women and children.

Safer Pathway will commence this month. The program includes a Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool, a Central Referral Point, a state-wide network of Local Coordination Points, Safety Action Meetings and information sharing legislation to reduce the need for victims to retell their story.

The first Safety Action Meeting will take place at Belmont Police Station on Wednesday 21st March.

It will utilise the cooperation of Police, Health, Corrections, Family and Community Services, education and other non-government agencies.

Additionally, it will enable the sharing of information between agencies to ensure a safer and more thorough response to incidents of domestic violence, promoting safer outcomes for victims.

Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said it is going to streamline the process of assisting victims who have already suffered significant abuse.

"For too long there has been a disconnect...we will have to see [the program] in operation, the way it has been designed I am confident people are going to get a much better outcome."

It is hoped the program will reduce complications when communicating with different agencies, taking the burden off victims and promoting more to seek help.

Those experiencing domestic violence are encouraged to ring the Domestic Violence Line for state-wide 24/7 support and help on 1800 656 463.