Maintenance work on the Old Karuah Bridge

BY BEN COLLISON

The State Government will supply $4.5 million for maintenance work to be carried out on the Old Karuah Bridge.

The work will see structural improvements made to reduce the ongoing maintenance costs and increase the longevity of the bridge.

The bridge was opened in 1957 and was a main feature of the Pacific Highway before the Karuah Bypass was opened in 2004.

Despite the bypass shifting traffic away from Karuah, the bridge has been an iconic landmark within the Hunter, often the backdrop for the annual Karuah Oyster Festival.

The work starting this month is expected to take 12 months to complete with a fair portion being carried out during low tides in order to preserve the safety of workers.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington says "the much loved landmark has been servicing our community and travelers for 70 years and by investing in this important maintenance work, we are ensuring the Old Karuah Bridge will keep standing strong for many more decades to come".

Work Underway to Widen the Hexham Straight and Extend the M1 Pacific Highway to Raymond Terrace

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Federal Transport Minister joined a number of Hunter MPs in the region on Tuesday the 26th of July to announce work to widen the Hexham Straight is now underway. 

The project will see the dual carriageway along the the Pacific Highway between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge widened from two lanes to three in each direction. 

It will also involve the demolition of Ironbark Bridge to make way for two new bridges at Ironbark Creek. 

Catherine King said the move will reduce traffic here in the Hunter, and allow motorists to travel from Sydney to Brisbane without encountering any traffic lights. 

NSW Roads Minister John Graham also attended the announcement and says he expects thousands of jobs will be delivered for the Hunter over the course of the Hexham project, and the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway out to Raymond Terrace. 

He said the upgrade will deliver more reliable travel times for freight vehicles and commuters alike. 

"This is a notorious bottleneck; motorists have queued here over generations as the Pacific Highway has become smoother and smoother, but the run has often ended here in congestion. That will cease when these works are delivered." 

"It's great news for motorists right across NSW." 

The Hexham upgrade is expected to be completed by 2026, and the M1 extension should be finished by 2028.

( From Left to Right:) Kate Washington, John Graham, Dan Repacholi, Catherine King and Tim Crakanthorp

New Flight Paths Raise Concerns Over Noise Levels

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington is seeking a briefing on how proposed changes to flight paths at Newcastle Airport will affect Hunter residents.

Airservices Australia, the government-owned corporation which manages air traffic, will this month, hold a series of community meetings, outlining their preliminary design for new departure and arrival flight paths at the airport. 

The proposed changes come after a study revealed a significant increase in traffic at Williamtown, together with the RAAF's new Joint Strike Fighter, would require an airspace redesign in accordance with international best practice. 

The company says the changes will better separate civilian and military aircrafts, and will see the introduction of new procedures to ensure safer and shorter runway approaches. 

However, when speaking to the Newcastle Herald, Ms Washington said she is seeking clarification on how both military and civil flight paths will impact noise levels, particularly in the Lower Hunter. 

"Without a complete picture of the potential increase to noise levels, it's difficult for residents to meaningfully engage," she said. 

On it's website, Airservices says noise levels have been taken into consideration during the design process.

"Where residential areas cannot be avoided, we have attempted to design the airspace so operations can be distributed and noise shared, and to avoid the most populated areas of these communities, where possible." 

Preliminary plans have been made for changed flight paths at Newcastle Airport. 

Port Stephens Awaits Natural Disaster Declaration

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Despite significant flood damage, Port Stephens is still yet to be declared a natural disaster zone. 

Fifty-eight LGAs across NSW have already been given the title as a result of severe weather since the 22nd of February. 

Among the already-declared LGAs are Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton, the Central Coast, and the MidCoast. 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says despite being hit by the same weather system, Port Stephens is being overlooked by the state government. 

"We've had large areas underwater for some time. The town of Hinton is entirely cut off, we've had a number of residences in Raymond Terrace affected, and a lot of farms out west were affected," she said. 

Ms Washington confirmed Port Stephens Council had submitted an application to be considered for the declaration, and said she had personally spoken to NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, urging her to include the LGA. 

However, it is understood extensive damage assessments are not possible due to the level of flood water remaining.

Ms Washington said residents should not have to wait for the water to subside for the damage to be assessed and a declaration to be made.

"The damage is obvious. We have got water inundating large tracks of land, and there is a natural disaster declared on the other side of the river."

A NSW Resilience spokeswoman revealed when the other Hunter LGAs had been added, the government was not aware Port Stephens had been affected.

The spokeswoman also confirmed Port Stephens was now being considered for a natural disaster declaration.

The declaration would give the LGA access to concessional loans and grants.

"Port Stephens should urgently be declared a natural disaster zone so that residents can access some financial assistance," Ms Washington said. 

Image: Port Stephens SES Facebook Page

Port Stephens Residents Win Campaign For Reduced Speed Limit

BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens residents have had a big win in their campaign to have the speed limit on a notorious stretch of road reduced.

Already this year, one man has been killed and 5 people injured in two serious crashes in the 90km/h zone where Tomago Road and Cabbage Tree Road meet at Tomago.

RMS data compiled last year showed both roads were significantly more dangerous than similar roads with 90km/h zones in regional NSW.

A community campaign led by Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington has been successful in having the speed limit reduced to 80km/h.

A man died in this crash on Tomago Road in March this year Picture: NBNNews

Three New COVID-19 Cases Detected At Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

Two schools and a child care centre at Port Stephens will be closed today following confirmation of three new cases of coronavirus.

It's understood the cases are connected with a 60-year-old man who contracted the virus from a Sydney visitor.

As a result, Tomaree Public School and Tomaree High School are closed today for contact tracing and deep cleaning along with the Goodstart Anna Bay Childcare Centre.

All families at the schools and the childcare centre have received email notification of the closures with more information.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington says there has been a level of complacency when it comes to following restrictions.

"No matter where you are, everybody has to practice social distancing; everyone has to remain vigilant. I think there's been a period where we have all relaxed and thought that we might have escaped the horrors of this thing," she said.

Hunter New England Health is expected to release further details about the latest cases on Thursday morning.

Port Stephens Koalas Win Popular Vote

By MEGHAN RICHARDSON

Port Stephen's Koalas have won the popular vote in the New South Wales Government's My Community Grant program.

The conservation group will receive a $200 000 grant which will lead to the development of a koala hospital.

They received the highest number of votes in the Port Stephens area and were voted second-highest in the state.

This has been the first time communities have had the opportunity to vote on the local programs they care about.

Port Stephen's Koalas is dedicated to koala preservation and the threat to koalas from habitat loss and declining population rates. 

The development of Port Stephen's koala hospital is now on track for completion in May 2020. The facility will rescue and rehabilitate the cuddly cultural icons.

 Currently, there is only one Koala hospital in the mid-north coast of New South Wales dedicated to the care of wild koalas.

Port Stephen's MP, Kate Washington offered her congratulations to all of the community groups involved and thanked the locals for participating and voting.

"The community has been able to vote on its most popular project and its delightful to see Port Stephens Koalas winning that vote so it can now fit out its all important koala hospital that is designed to try and save Port Stephen's koalas from extinction," said Kate Washington.

"It will be an enormous asset for our area and our entire region," she continued.  Because its not just going to be looking after sick and injured koalas, its also gonna be an impressive tourism attraction. So its win win all around for Port Stephens."

The new facility will open in Tomaree as part of the overarching Koala Sanctuary Project.

For my information about the community program check them out here.

Image Source: Port Stephens Council 

Pressure Mounts On Port Stephens Council To Abandon Proposed Rate Rise

BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington and Port Stephens Councillor Giacomo Arnott are calling on Mayor Ryan Palmer to cancel a proposed rate rise for shire.

Council has applied to IPART for a 7.5 percent increase per year for the next 7 years to help fund infrastructure and capital works projects.

It's now been revealed the tribunal has been inundated with almost 700 submissions from residents, with many believed to be opposed to the rate hike.

Councillor Arnott also collected a petition of more than 2000 signatures as part of the IPART process.

“Council cannot continue to ignore the strong community opposition to this proposal. The Mayor needs to cancel his rate rise", Cr Arnott said.

Port Stephens Councillor Giacommo Arnott

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington

Premier Dumps Hunter Parliamentary Secretary Role.

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Hunter has missed out on having a direct representative in the new look state government.

The role of Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast has been scrapped, leaving the region without a direct voice to government ministers.

The role was previously held by Scot MacDonald before the March 23 election.

However, provincial MLC for the Hunter and Central Coast, Taylor Martin has told Fairfax the removal of the parliamentary secretary role would bring more direct minister involvement with the region as part of a total change in structure of the executive government.

Mr Martin says he's already sounded out new ministers and parliamentary secretaries about local issues which need attention.

The government's new executive team is in stark contrast to the opposition who still have a Shadow Minister for the Hunter in Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington.

Meanwhile, Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen has been rewarded for his election win.

The Nationals MP has been appointed the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.

He's taken to Facebook to say he is extremely humbled and honoured to be handed the role and is determined to do what he can to help our current and future farming entrepreneurs to succeed.

Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture

State Government Back Flips On Fingal Bay Link Road Promise

BY IAN CROUCH

The newly re-elected Berejiklian government has abandoned an election promise to build the Fingal Bay Link Road at Port Stephens.

Duty MLC, Catherine Cusack told the Fairfax the project won't be going ahead because voters re-elected Kate Washington, who ran on a platform of opposing the road and therefore voters wishes need to be respected.

Roads Minister, Melinda Pavey joined Liberal candidate Jaime Abbott, Catherine Cusack and Port Stephens mayor, Ryan Palmer for the $188 million announcement on March 5, promising to work with Roads and Maritime Services to come up with designs by the end of the year.

At the time, sitting Labor MP, Kate Washington described the promise as a fantasy and said it amounted to $140,000 for each of the town's residents, saying it would be cheaper to hire helicopters for everyone to get in and out of Fingal Bay every day.

Port Stephens mayor, Ryan Palmer says he's surprised by the back-flip and hopes the $188 million dollars can be redirected to other projects in the shire.

Port Stephens mayor Ryan Palmer with Jaime Abbott, Melinda Pavey and Catherine Cusack at the March 5 announcement Picture: therherald.com.au

Washington Slams Nelson Bay TAFE Promise

BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington has cast doubt on a Coalition promise to deliver a TAFE campus at Nelson Bay.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement on Friday, saying the government wants to give Port Stephens residents better access to education.

But Kate Washington says the promise has been made on the eve of an election with no land, no site identified, no planning work done and no timeline for completion.

The Port Stephens MP and Shadow Minister for The Hunter says the Liberal National government can't be trusted to deliver on the promise, given their track record when it comes to supporting TAFE.

Kate Washington says the Tomaree Education Centre was purpose-built to include a primary and secondary school as well as a TAFE and, while the facilities are still there, the government has refused to provide the resources to run the TAFE courses needed.

Kate Washington

Water Bill Win For Salt Ash Public School

BY IAN CROUCH

Parents and teachers of Salt Ash Public School are breathing a sigh of relief after the Education Department came to their rescue over a massive water bill.

The school was connected to town water in the wake of the PFAS scandal, and while the Defence Department had agree to pay the water bills of affected residents and businesses, they refused to extend the same offer to Salt Ash Public.

The Education Department has now agreed to reimburse the school for the shock $6,000 bill and has agreed to pay future water bills from state funds.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington raised the plight of the school earlier this week, writing to the Defence Department urging them to add the school's water bills to the residential water bills they are already paying.

"While the school getting their local budget reimbursed by the NSW Education Department is a welcome win for local families, the bill should ultimately be paid by the Department of Defence whose contamination of the local bore water has caused this issue," she said

Port Stephens Mp, Kate Washington speaks to parents about the shock water bill. Picture: theherald.com.au

Privatisation Of Disability Services Could Affect The Hunter

BY ARIANA GATTI

The NSW State Government has this week, finalised the move to fully privatise disability services previously available across the State and the Hunter.

The full privatisation will restrict the availability of support services for not only those living with a disability but also for their carers.

The State Government has utilised the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as an excuse to shut down all available government-run disability services, with NSW going through with this move alone.

No other state across the country has followed suit in a move to privatise their disability support, fearing the impact it may have on their populations.

Throughout NSW, including the Hunter area, it is approximated that more than 80% of people living with disabilities will not be eligible for NDIS plans anyway.

NSW Labor has recently secured an inquiry into the execution of the NDIS and the provision of support services, with submissions from individuals and support providers now being actively sought after.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter, Kate Washington, says people are suffering and will continue to feel the pressures from the level of support now available.

"Under the heartless Berejiklian-Barilaro Government, there are no safeguards and there is no safety net. The most vulnerable people in our communities are falling through the cracks and there's no-one to catch them".

"We're seeing early intervention services having to close their doors, along with people with complex and profound disabilities are being evicted from their accommodation. This is a situation that is almost in crisis", she says.

Image Sourced: https://www.theherald.com.au/story/4947589/mp-kate-anchors-in-port-stephens/

Port Stephens To Receive $3 Million Dollars For Koala Hospital

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Animal rescue organisation, Port Stephens Koalas, will receive $3 million dollars to go towards a new koala hospital.

It is hoped the hospital will take the burden off local volunteers, who, up until now, have been operating out of their own homes.

Port Stephens Koalas Care and Rescue Coordinator Simone Aurino says having adequate facilities will mean more progress can be made.

"We need to contribute to conservation in many ways and without a central facility, it makes it very difficult for us to do this," she says.

However, Ms Aurino says getting the government on board has not been an easy process for volunteers.

"This has been an absolute mammoth task- it's not something that has happened overnight, we've had a team working on this project dedicated solely to this for several years," she says.

"They've had to really petition the government, supply all the supporting data that really shows why this should move ahead, and it's brilliant that it's finally being recognised."

$20 million dollars has also been allocated to purchase land for preservation.

It comes after six hectares of the Mambo Wetlands was sold last year, which is prime koala habitat.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says the funding is long over due.

"We've been critical of the government in its delay on even releasing its koala strategy," she says.

"Whilst that's been delayed, we've seen our koala numbers plummet."

Ms Washington says she hopes the government will consider buying back the section of the Mambo Wetlands which was sold for $250 thousand dollars last year.

"We are renewing our calls heartily for the government to spend some of that allocation of funds to returning the Mambo Wetlands to public hands."