Government workplace hub opens in Maitland

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

Construction has been completed on a new Government workplace hub on High Street in Maitland. 

The $13.8 million dollar development is set to accommodate up to 650 regional workers, as well as other government employees visiting the Hunter. 

Employees from the Department of Regional NSW, Department of Customer Service and Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will all be re-located to the new building. 

Maitland MP and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison says it will benefit the local community. 

"This is a great investment into Maitland and the community around us.

"It's really an incredible opportunity for our local workforce and will hopefully encourage more people to join our State government in our purpose."

The combination of the three agencies under one roof is set to cut costs, promote collaboration and improve the delivery of services to local communities.

Officials say the development is a step toward bridging the gap between urban and rural employment, helping decentralise opportunities and spread economic success beyond the metropolitan areas. 

Work is also underway to upgrade the building's environmental credentials, to support the state government's net zero emissions target. 

                     Government workplace hub       

St John's Maitland Welcomes New Vehicle and Equipment

BY OLIVIA DILLON

St John's Ambulance volunteers in Maitland have welcomed the delivery of a new service vehicle and stretcher. 

The new equipment was purchased using two grants totaling $60,000, via the NSW Government's Community Building Partnership Program. 

The grants are offered annually in support of community infrastructure projects which yield social,  environmental or recreational rewards for the community. 

The 2021 round saw 19 local organisations across the Maitland region secure funding. 

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison, said she was honoured to recommend St Johns for the grant. 

"It was really exciting for them to receive this funding," Ms Aitchison said. 

"Community groups are working so hard in our community. It's nice to be able to help them with fundraising for projects to help them, help others."  

The funding comes off the back of recent flooding in the region, which saw volunteers going the extra mile to serve the community. 

Rather than transporting patients, the four-wheel drive vehicle will primarily be used to transport volunteers themselves to and from jobs. 

Ms Aitchison said recent events have demonstrated just how important local volunteers are. 

"The St John's Ambulance so an amazing amount of work in our community. During the floods they were based on Gillieston Island and that was over many days; they were actually sleeping on the island. They just do great work helping our other health and emergency services in times of emergency," she said.  

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison and Jim Klumpp from St Johns Ambulance.

Maitland MP Calls on Community for ED Feedback

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Maitland residents are being called upon to share their experience visiting the new hospital's emergency department. 

The call comes after new data revealed the ED has the highest walk-out rate in the state.

Figures indicate more than 1 in 5 patients who present at the ED seeking help, leave before they are treated. 

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison, said the figures are impacting staff and patients alike. 

"The morale of the staff is really impacted by this because the frustration of knowing that people who go to the emergency department seeking assistance are leaving due to the excessive wait times, before they actually get treatment, must be devastating," Ms Aitchison said. 

"People who are in urgent medical need for assistance, shouldn't be going to an emergency department and becoming so frustrated by the excessive wait times that they just give up." 

"It's concerning for those patients and their families," she added. 

In response, Ms Aitchison put out a Facebook post, calling for responders to share their experience in the department, with some citing wait times of more than 6 hours. 

Ms Aitchison said it's unacceptable to have a half-a-billion-dollar hospital in the region, without the appropriate staff to provide essential services. 

"The government should have been aware of these issues well before now; they've got control of the data, they know what's happening in the emergency department, but have failed to make significant changes," she said. 

"I'm calling on members of the public who've been in that situation to come forward. We need their voices to make the case to government for more staffing."

Maitland Hospital

Maitland Hospital Set To Open Early 2022

BY JARROD MELMETH

Construction on the new Maitland Hospital is ahead of schedule and is set to be taking patients by early 2022.

The Health Minister toured the site yesterday and touted the $470 million facility which will be home to a number of services including emergency care, chemotherapy chairs, surgical, critical care, maternity, paediatric, cardiac catherisation, mental health, palliative care, outpatient clinics and dental services.

The redevelopment will also include a $30 million car park, bringing the total investment to $500 million.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard says its fantastic to see the progress.

"The new hospital is on track to deliver world-class health care for the Hunter community from early next year.

"The project is a major opportunity to embrace technology and innovation, creating new ways of working and ultimately improving health outcomes for patients," Mr Hazzard said.

The new hospital is expected to be handed over from the builder in the next couple of months and then a commissioning period will be undertaken.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison joined the the Minister for the tour and says it is a landmark building.

"To see this project rise out of landscape into such a world class facility is a testament to the many valued workers in our health care system who have provided their input into the way our hospital should operate.

"The innovations are inspiring and show the genuine care and concern for patients," Ms Aitchison said.

The new hospital will also feature the largest scale installation of an artwork commissioned in a NSW Health facility.

The artwork which will be housed in the main foyer is designed by artist Peter Poulet and is described as a piece drawing on stories collected from locals and is an abstract representation of the Maitland area, the river and surrounding landscape.

Another piece along the arbour along the drop of and entry to the building has been commissioned by indigenous artist Saretta Fielding and celebrates Wonnarua Country. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard & Maitland MP Jenny
Aitchison on site. Photo: Jenny Aitchison

State Government Commits to Boosting Maitland Public Transport

By Samantha Cooke

Residents of Maitland can look forward to more efficient public transport with the NSW Government agreeing to review current transport activity, with plans to make available more and better bus routes for the local community.

As part of their election promise, the Government will introduce 14,000 additional weekly services across NSW, announcing the fast-growing area of Chisholm as part of their plans.

After writing to the Minister of Regional Transport and Roads on behalf of Chisholm mother-of-three Sandy Freeman - one of many parents in the area whose family desperately needs improved services, Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison is happy with the Government's response, saying it is a great step forward.

“I’ve been advised by the office of the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads that the NSW Government has made a four-year commitment to introduce 14,000 additional weekly services across NSW, and enhancements to route 189 are part of that commitment,” Ms Aitchison said.

“That election promise is almost a year-and-a-half old now and it’s time for the Minister to deliver.”

Contacting Ms Aitchison in May, Ms Freeman, who is a mother of twins who have special needs, raised concerns that a bus trip required her children to face a long, difficult, distressing and dangerous walk halfway across Harvest Estate after school.

“My children have started at Metford Public School,” Ms Freeman said. “We are not entitled to any drive-to-school funding because their disabilities are not severe enough, and we aren’t funded by the transport subsidy because, as the crow flies, we are too close to the school.

“And that measurement does not take into account that there is a railway line between school and home with no pedestrian access.”

With more time passing from the election, Ms Aitchison pushed forward the case saying the Government had sufficient time to make preparations and the community now demands for action.

“The Government went to the last election promising extra services across the state if they were elected, and Route 189 was one of those listed for additional funding,” Ms Aitchison said.

“Maitland’s incredible growth rate demands that the NSW Government continually monitor and assess available bus services to ensure they are meeting the community’s needs”, she said.

There is no set time period given from the Government as of yet but Ms Aitchison said it is a great step forward to have them agree to get started.

                                          Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison with Sandy Freeman, and her Children Dylan and Taylah 

School Zone Speeding Fines Prompt Newcastle Safety Survey

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Local MPs have launched school safety surveys to mitigate the risks to children after recent Revenue NSW data was released.

Last financial year (2018/2019), 203 fines were issued to drivers for speeding in school zones. 162 school zone speeding fines have already been issued this financial year and local members are calling upon parents to respond and help make changes.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, says he's astounded at the number of drivers who are willing to break the law in school zones and risk the lives of children.

He says, "there are many other ways we can make the journey to and from school safer for our kids and this survey will identify what can be done."

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison have also lent their voices to the cause and asked parents to participate.

Ms Aitchison says, "some feel even a walk to a bus stop is fraught with danger and they feel they have no alternative than a daily drop-off. this is all made more complicated due to inadequate parking and people disobeying signage."

Parents, carers, teachers and residents can complete the survey by visiting the websites below.

Newcastle:            https://www.nswschoolsafety.com/newcastle
Wallsend:              https://www.nswschoolsafety.com/wallsend
Maitland:              https://www.nswschoolsafety.com/maitland

      Photo Credit: NRMA