Newcastle Council Facing $18M Loss Due To COVID-19

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council is facing a massive loss in revenue due to the impact of the Coronavirus lockdown.

Council's March Quarterly Budget Review shows income is set to fall by $17.8 million by the end of June, leaving a budget deficit of $8.3 million.

The loss was caused by a fall in ticket sales from the Civic Theatre, reduced waste volumes at the Summerhill Tip, loss of bookings from the Stockton Caravan Park as well as reduced income from Newcastle Airport, investments, parking meters and traffic infringements.

Council CEO, Jeremy Bath says despite the $18 million COVID-19 hit, the organisation's long-term financial sustainability remained sound.

"Just like the majority of businesses and organisations in our city and region, our income has been significantly affected by COVID-19. However, because of prudent management of the City's finances in recent years, we have the ability to get through this economic downturn, albeit with a budget deficit this year. " he said.

City of Newcastle CEO, Jeremy Bath

Boarding House Operator 'Sick to Stomach' After Resident Eviction

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The residents of three Newcastle boarding houses deemed 'death traps' have now been evicted from the premises at Mayfield and Carrington.

City of Newcastle representatives went through the properties yesterday, demanding the men take their personal belongings with them.

It's understood 20 of about 60 men have been offered a week of emergency accommodation in the city, with the rest left to make their own arrangements.

Former Councillor and Boarding House Operator Aaron Buman said he's prepared to make modifications to the sites to make them more fire-safe, but needs extra time.

"I've told Council I'd do whatever it takes and whatever they want to keep these men off the street and in their home," he said.

"Council gave me 14 days to come up with reports and solutions that were unachievable in the first place - I need time to get a lot of stuff finalised...I actually thought through the gratitude of keeping men off the street [Council] would do that."

Mr Buman is accusing City of Newcastle of launching a personal vendetta against him with the shutdown.

"This is completely personal because I know there are other boarding houses out there they haven't inspected which are a lot worse than mine," he said, "I've provided the best care, the best and safest places and [the residents] cannot understand - they've lived in some of the worst places in Newcastle that are still operating."

At the time the closure order was issued on September 19, Council CEO Jeremy Bath said his hands were tied, with no other options but to shut down the houses.

"We appreciate the gravity of the action we have taken. The men living in these homes are often those who are only able to live in the community because of the availability of cheap accommodation.

"But unfortunately, the owner of the properties has shown complete disregard for the safety of the men," Mr Bath said.

Mr Buman has lodged a Stay of Orders with the NSW Land and Environment Court to gain an extra fortnight, but that request was denied on Wednesday.

Time's Up: About 80 men have been forced out of the facilities. Image: Aaron Buman. 

Newcastle Council Investigates Leaking of Budget Documents

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Newcastle City Council CEO, Jeremy Bath says that he will be investigating communications between councillors and The Newcastle Herald after the newspaper published details of the council's budget earlier this month.

The document outlined the potential cost of projects around Newcastle, and Bath is worried this will mean it will cost council millions more to complete the projects.

Bath believes the information should have been confidential and says that releasing the document to the media was a breach of trust.

However, independent councillor Kath Elliot says that the public has the right to know about what the council are doing with their money. 

"I think it's very important that the community has a good understanding of the council's finances, given that it's community money and that it's community facilities that we provide, and to have an investigation into a document which wasn't confidential seems to me to be a rather odd thing to do," she says.

Elliot believes the council should take a more open approach to running the city.

"I think it's absolutely imperative that we have open and transparent governance in Newcastle City Council and that does not appear to be happening at the moment," she says.

"The Labor Party campaigned an open and transparent governance, and for them to say now that they want to keep things a secret from the community who pay their rates is outrageous."