Hunter Councils to Receive Urgent Financial Relief

BY MAXWELL HARVEY

Hunter councils are set to benefit from a proposed federal government plan to provide financial assistance for local governments.

Labor's National Conference voted to support a Local Government Federation Compact, which would include an increase in grants, flexible road funding, and support for council workforce programs.

Upper Hunter Mayor Maurice Collison has welcomed the plan, which comes after years of campaigning from regional councils.

"It was a great relief," he said.

"All the councils, and especially the councils from the bush, have been fighting for this for a long, long time, and it will make a big difference."

Federal funding for councils has steadily decreased since the 1990s, with Commonwealth taxation revenue for grants being halved across successive governments.

The financial strain is particularly felt in large rural councils, which have massive infrastructure bills and relatively fewer ratepayers.

"We've got a big shire of 8,000 something square kilometres, with 2,000 kilometres of roads," said Cr Collison. 

"So roads, every time we do a community strategic plan or community feedback, it's all to do with roads."

The Labor Conference also proposed renewable energy projects should make payments to hosting councils and communities.

Upper Hunter Deputy Mayor Pat Ryan said renewable projects are disproportionally built in rural areas, bringing heavy traffic and increased strain on local services.

Despite the promised relief, Cr Collison argues regional councils need further assistance to stay afloat.

"We've been offered the Christmas present, but we haven't got the paper off it yet," he added. 

"So, let's just wait till it comes. 

"We've been crying out for more support.

"The bush councils just can't keep going on hitting the ratepayer." 

Upper Hunter Shire Council Building. Picture: Upper Hunter Shire Council

NSW Government to Rule-Out the Privatisation of Hunter Water

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Government will this week introduce legislation to Parliament to protect Hunter Water from privatisation. 

The first piece of legislation out of the new Minns government, aims to amend the Constitution Act 1902, and will require both Hunter and Sydney water to remain under public ownership. 

The change will mean the companies cannot be sold-off or disposed of. 

Both the Premier and The Minister for the Hunter said they don't want to see Hunter Water suffer the same fate as the state's electricity network and toll roads. 

"We've seen the cost of electricity go up with privatisation, we've seen toll roads and their prices go up under privatisation, and the last thing we want is for water prices to go up," Tim Crakanthorp said.  

Mr Crakanthorp said the Bill represents Labor's commitment to stop selling-off public assets. 

"Hunter Water has served our community for over 130 years; it's provided critical drinking water, crucial infrasturue and profit directed back into the state government," he said.  

"The former government would sell everything but the kitchen sink if they had the chance." 

"We've ruled-out privatisation." 

Proposed Legislation Aims to Ensure Fair Treatment for Casuals in Hunter's Coal Mining Industry

BY BEN CLIFFORD

The Albanese Labor Government is taking action to address unfair laws which have resulted in reduced long-service leave entitlements for casual employees in the black coal mining industry.

The proposed legislation aims to provide equal treatment to casual workers compared to their permanent counterparts.

Under current laws, casual employees accrue long-service leave through a calculation which unfairly counts their working hours, resulting in a disadvantage for casuals who often work compressed fortnightly rosters.

Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, has expressed support for the proposed changes.

"This Bill will iron out the unfair laws currently disadvantaging casual workers in the coal mining sector," he said.

Mr Repacholi also emphasized the new laws will make a significant difference in the Hunter region.

"This will have a huge impact in the Hunter, as we have plenty of casuals that work in the mining industries," he said. 

"[Casual workers] should be making sure that when they take their long service leave, they get paid the same as what they would if they were a full-time employee. They shouldn’t be criticised or disadvantaged just because they are a casual." 

Once instilled, the legislation is expected to benefit around 6,000 workers in the industry.

Mount Thorley-Warkworth Mine in the Hunter Valley

Labor's Takeover in Full Swing

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

The weekend saw Labor comfortably retain all seven of its existing Hunter seats, in line with a state-wide swing in the party's direction. 

It comes after the Liberals failed to name a host of candidates until the last minute, adding to what's being described as a lacklustre campaign performance across the Hunter and the state.

One of the Labor's biggest results could be seen in Port Stephens, where Kate Washington enjoyed a two-party preferred swing of 16.5%. 

There's now pressure on the incoming MPs and state government to get moving on a number of promised and pressing commitments. 

Namely, the proposed privatisaiton of Hunter Water has been a regionally-contentious issue for some time. 

In the lead-up to the election, Chris Minns and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, said the first thing they would do is ensure Hunter Water stays in the public hands. 

"We'll get moving very quickly on stopping privatisation of Hunter Water in particular; we hope to legislate that way in fact," Mr Crakanthorp said. 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, who easily retained her long-held seat, agrees it's the first thing on the agenda, but said the corporation needs to do better in working alongside the new state government. 

"They've kept the people at arms length deliberately and played politics over the last 12 years, and they need to start getting in-touch with the wants and needs of people in Wallsend," she said. 

Ms Hornery says the key issue in many Hunter electorates moving forward, will be the region's housing affordability crisis. 

Vote-counting for the election continues today. 

Tim Crakanthorp pledges to never privatise Hunter Water in a social media post.

Royal Life Saving NSW swimming upstream amid funding cuts

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

There are concerns for the Hunter's Learn to Swim program, with the Labor government planning to cut back on its funding for Royal Life Saving (RLS) NSW.

These cuts coming after 90 drowning deaths across the country were recorded in the 2022-23 Summer. 

NSW recorded the same amount of drowning deaths as Victoria and Queensland combined, with the Hunter being one of the worst regions in the state.

Royal Life Saving NSW's CEO Michael Ilinsky says these cuts will only lead to more drownings.

"It's a significant concern to us, taking away from our most vulnerable and that leads to the potential of more fatal drownings across the state," he said.

RLS NSW had been working with both the Coalition and Labor Governments, seeking a $1.2 million core funding commitment for drowning prevention.

At this stage, there is no funding commitment from the Liberal Government.

RLS NSW is the leader of drowning prevention and water safety education in the state and has been doing so for 125 years.

Learn to swim programs are already playing catch up, with Covid-19 leading to the cancellation of 3.5 million swimming lessons across the state. As a result, 40% of year six students are unable to swim 50 metres.

Ilinsky says it is unacceptable, especially in a country like ours.

"We wonder why people are going into our aquatic environments and getting into trouble," he said.

"Their core skills are missing, their ability to swim and survive is missing."

RLS NSW is urging the party elected this weekend to ensure children have access to high quality learn to swim programs, particularly in areas with heightened drowning rates; like the Hunter.

State Labor Commits to Bring Manufacturing Back to The Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A Domestic Manufacturing Centre of Excellence could be on the cards for The Hunter if Labor wins the state election.  

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns, was joined by Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen, local MPs Tim Crakanthorp, Sonia Hornery, Yasmin Catley, and Jodie Harrison, and Candidate for Lake Macquarie Stephen Ryan, for the announcement at Downer EDI's Glendale factory this morning.  

$42.7 million has been pledged, to help develop three advanced manufacturing centres of excellence in NSW, including one in the Hunter. 

The party plans to bring bus, rail and ferry manufacturing back to the region, whilst giving TAFE a much-needed boost, and providing a new fleet of local jobs following the closure of power stations and other local manufacturing enterprises. 

Chris Minns said manufacturing done overseas has proven costly and ineffective long-term. 

"There is a proud tradition of train building in the Hunter; it's been happening in this region for over 100 years. I firmly believe that Australians are world-leaders when it comes to engineering and manufacturing," Mr Minns said. 

"My message to the voters of NSW is clear; we can build trains in NSW, but it does require a change of government. We're going to the people of NSW with a changed direction. We recognise this is a big undertaking, as there hasn't been a government in this state for a decade that wants to buy local and back local, and it means we do need to have an investment in vocational training."

The Labor Leader didn't confirm how new manufacturing works will be paid for, but said the Opposition was opposed to more privatisation in the sector.

Labor MPs keen to build new trains in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Labor MPs are promising big things for the Hunter, with a swathe of policy announcements at the party's state conference over the weekend.

The Prime Minister has locked in a $500 million commitment to get started on a high-speed rail link from Sydney to Newcastle, including securing the corridor between the cities and across the Central Coast.

State Labor Leader Chris Minns also unveiled new plans to deliver a new fleet of trains, manufactured in New South Wales, if the party wins government next March. 

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says he's optimistic the Hunter will have a role to play.

"Newcastle's got a proven track record," he said. "We're very well-positioned to manufacture these fleets, so I'd love to see some local companies in the mix when tenders open."

"Labor's committed to local goods, local jobs, reviving local manufacturing, and this will be the signature piece running up to the election."

"Build the Tangaras here in New South Wales."

Mr Minns told the conference he was again further privatisation, and criticised the controversial commitment deeds restricting the Port of Newcastle from container traffic. 

There's hope, a commitment to recruit 1,200 new nurses and 500 new paramedics will help alleviate staff shortages in the healthcare sector, while a plan to convert 10,000 temporary teachers to full-time is hoped to do the same for Hunter schools struggling to find hands. 

"Insecure work makes it harder to get a mortgage or a car loan," Mr Crakanthorp said. "Hard to lay down roots in a community."

"Job security goes a really long way, and I know that 10,000 casuals and part-timers coming onto permanency will be a great incentive for those people to stay teaching and not look for other jobs."

Newcastle named safest Labor stronghold in the country

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A post-election pendulum's revealed, Newcastle is the Federal Government's safest seat in the country.

According to ABC election analyst Antony Green, Labor's Sharon Claydon holds the seat with an 18 percent margin on the two-party preferred count.

Meanwhile, Paterson with 3.3 percent, Hunter with 4 percent, and Shortland with 5.8 percent were among the party's most marginal electorates.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy snags spot in Albanese Ministry

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter has scored a seat at the table in Anthony Albanese's new ministry.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy has been appointed Minister for Defence Industry, as well as Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

He's holding on to the latter portfolio from the Shadow Ministry, where he also served as a Minister Assisting for Defence and Climate Change.

Mr Conroy says it's a real privilege for himself, and a great move for the region.

"Defence has got a huge potential to be a real boon in terms of jobs in our region," he said.

"We've got great expertise, not just at Williamtown. Obviously Forgacs at Tomago helped build modules for the Air Warfare Destroyer. We built the minesweepers and so forth.

"We've got a real opportunity to build on that excellence."

Image credit: Pat Conroy.

Labor holds on to Hunter seats as Albanese sworn in as PM

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Counting continues for the 2022 Federal Election, but Labor has managed to hold on to its four Hunter seats, with the party poised to make Government.

Leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday morning, though it's not yet clear if he'll lead a majority government, or a minority with confidence and supply from a Greens and independent-packed crossbench.

Scott Morrison conceded as early as Saturday night, and resigned from the Liberal Party leadership.

Closer to home, Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon has kept her seat, despite a surge toward Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy gained a slight swing over Liberal competitor Nell McGill, meaning he'll serve a third term and could grab a position in Albanese's cabinet.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson achieved victory in Paterson, despite Liberal challenger Brooke Vitnell narrowing the margin to make it the closest seat in the region.

The Coalition also pressed hard in Hunter, but visits by Scott Morrison, Barnaby Joyce, and John Howard weren't enough to propel Nationals candidate James Thomson into parliament.

Labor candidate Dan Repacholi is now set to take over the reins from the retiring Joel Fitzgibbon. 

Nationals MP David Gillespie remains the region's only Coalition partner, comfortably holding on to his seat of Lyne for a fourth term.

Image credit: Dan Repacholi.

Labor to Fund Crisis Accommodation in Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon says if elected, a Labor Government will provide $1.2 million in funding for domestic violence victims in Newcastle. 

The announcement comes in response to calls from the sector over many years for the Federal Government to invest in crisis accommodation and frontline workers. 

It is expected the investment into crisis accommodation will help to house as many as 108 women and children in the region. 

In addition to the large sum, Labor has also said it will fund the employment of an additional ten frontline workers to support people who are facing domestic violence. It is expected these workers will help support over 800 victims. 

Sharon Claydon said the affects of the pandemic has meant both victims and the family and domestic violence sector in Newcastle are at breaking point. 

"It is unforgivable that we would allow women and children to be rendered homeless, whether they are couch-surfing, sleeping in the back of their cars, out on the streets, or indeed returning to the perpetrator of violence because they cannot find safe accommodation in which to seek refuge," Ms Claydon said. 

She also claims the Liberal Government has been providing the sector with insufficient funding for nearly a decade. 

"Survivors are strong, resilient and remarkable people but they do deserve help to rebuild their lives and sadly, after almost a decade of Liberal Governments at a national level, there has been just zero leadership on this issue," she said. 

"I deeply regret that they have waited ten years to receive nothing to date."

Ms Claydon said there have been ample opportunities for the Federal Government to bring about lasting reforms for women in the home and workplace. 

Labor says it will tackle the scourge of domestic violence with the appropriate urgency. 

"If a Labor Government is elected on May 21st, there will be relief coming," Ms Claydon said. 

Labor will provide $1.2 million for crisis accommodation in Newcastle

Maitland Magpies score $2 million in Federal funds for field upgrade

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has committed $2 million for the Maitland FC Magpies, to upgrade their facilities at Cooks Square Park.

The Stage One works will see a half-size training pitch expanded to full-size, in hopes to double the number of competition games being played. 

It's understood, the club is searching for further money, for a new two-storey buildings with canteens, storerooms, and female changerooms. 

Maitland FC President Ray Watkins says it's reassuring to see spending right across the region.

"One of our key targets to be able to get the message out to all of the youth of Maitland," Mr Watkins said.

"They don't need to travel into Newcastle to get the best facilities available. They can come right here to Cooks Square Park and achieve all of the resources and the development needs."

Labor's also announced, if it wins the Federal Election in May, it will match the Commonwealth's commitment on the project.

Club President Ray Watkins, Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell, Senator Jim Molan, and Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold.

Labor promises to make it easier for Hunter families to buy a home

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Federal Labor has announced a new First Home Buyer Support Scheme, which it says will ease housing pressures in the Hunter.  

If an Albanese Government is elected in May, it's promising to subsidise 15 percent of the deposit, for 10,000 families across the country.  

It's estimated to cost around $12 million in the program's first year.

It could save Hunter homebuyers almost $32,000 by helping them avoid the lender's mortgage insurance cost.

Only families who've been living in the region for more than 12 months, and who have the remaining five percent deposit, are eligible.

Labor promise to deliver long-awaited Mandalong Road upgrade

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Federal Labor says it will deliver a $40 million project to upgrade Mandalong Road between Morisset and the M1, if it wins Government in the upcoming Federal Election.

$10 million of that fund has also been committed by Lake Macquarie City Council.

According to Council modelling, the investment would create 6,500 new jobs and 4,500 new homes, as well as generate $1.2 billion in capital investment over the next two to five years.

Labor Candidate for Hunter Daniel Repacholi says it could go a long way toward addressing housing supply issues across the region.

"This is huge. It opens up such a big amount of economic growth for that region," Mr Repacholi said.

"It brings in better infrastructure, that will then bring in better housing, more and more housing, more business to the area as well, and also, it opens up the whole western side of Lake Macquarie for future development." 

The money would fund a dual carriageway between new roundabouts at the Gateway Boulevard and Wyee Road intersections.

It's hoped the project could transform Morisset into one of the Hunter's key locations for economic development.

Mr Repacholi says the project is long overdue.

"Over the past decade, the State and Federal Liberal-National Governments have neglected this project, and its been put on the backburner for too long, or put in the too hard basket," Mr Repacholi said.

"We've listened to what everyone around the area wants, and they want this road fixed so that they can continue to grow the area."

Image credit: Lake Macquarie City Council.

Federal Labor swing round on Kurri Gas Plant, but with green hydrogen future

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Federal Labor says it will now support the controversial Kurri Kurri Gas Plant project, with the understanding its government would ask Snowy Hydro to operate on 30 percent green hydrogen.

Under its plan, the plant will transition to 100 percent green hydrogen usage, it's hoped by 2030.

With additional investment, the Hunter Power Project is capable of running on 30 percent hydrogen, dependent on fuel logistics, although in its current form under the Federal Government, the plant will likely run initially on just 10 percent hydrogen.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told reporters in Kurri Kurri on Tuesday, the Government couldn't afford to let the region's renewable potential slip away.

"I see the Hunter as potentially a green hydrogen powerhouse for Australia and the world," Mr Albanese said. "Not just producing it here, but exporting it internationally."

"The problem with this Government, is it's scared of the present, but terrified of the future."

Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen says it's a necessary investment in the region.

"The Hunter Valley, which has powered Australia for so long, for so many generations, will power Australia into the future, under an Albanese Labor Government," Mr Bowen said.

"What we're doing today, is ensuring that Kurri Kurri is at the center of the hydrogen revolution, which is about to take place right around the world."  

Work is due to begin on the plant in coming months, with completion projected for late 2023.

The $600 million, 660 megawatt generator has long been touted as critical to maintain energy reliability and sustainability once Liddell Power Station closes.

It's understood the Federal Government intends to pipe gas from the Sydney-Newcastle pipeline to power the project.

But Mr Albanese says things need to happen in an intelligent way.

"We need to do something that ensures there's energy security, but which also ensures it's done in a way that's consistent with moving towards net zero by 2050," Mr Albanese said.

"A way that drives economic growth and drives jobs."

Left to right: Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, Hunter Candidate Dan Repacholi, Shortland MP Pat Conroy, and Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen.

But the Opposition is facing backlash from both sides of politics.

The Federal Energy Minister described the move as a last minute backflip.

Labor has spent years voicing their opposition to the project on both economic and environmental grounds.

The Gas Free Hunter Alliance pushed the State Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean to block the proposal late last year.

Co-coordinator Fiona Lee says there's no need to invest taxpayer money in dying industries.

"It's very important that there's long-term sustainable jobs in future-focused industries," Ms Lee said.

"However, we do consider it very important that all money should be committed to a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, and this plan will run on gas and diesel for the first seven years."

The Hunter Power Project was approved by the NSW Department of Planning in late December, in an embarrassing email bungle.

Ms Lee says at the end of the day, the project doesn't add up for either party.

"The Australian Energy Market Operator itself, again, has recently said, that there's no new gas generators required until about 2030," Ms Lee said.

"So why don't we wait until such time as this plant is actually needed, and then build it on 100 percent renewable-powered green hydrogen."

Labor Critical of Government's Liddell Taskforce

BY LILLY HAINES

The Morrison Government has announced a taskforce to study the expected closure of the Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook.

The taskforce is reportedly leaving all options on the table including extending the life of or replacing the ageing coal plant at the expense of the taxpayer, and is looking into the effects the closure will have on our energy system.

The announcement comes after AGL revealed it would extend the life of Liddell an extra four months with closure now planned for April 2023.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources, and Federal Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon has said the move is too little too late from the Morrison Government.

"We've known for at least six years that Liddell would not last beyond her 50th birthday and yet they have left it until now to try to work out what we are going to do in response," he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the Hunter needs to attract new investment into new generation and storage facilities to counter the closure of the coal fired power plant.

"The government has announced a four month extension, which we welcome, but we needed an energy policy six years ago to drive investment and accelerate new facilities in the Upper Hunter".

"If the formation of a committee is the best thing the Morrison Government can do after six years we are all in trouble," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook. Image: ABC News. 

New Look Shadow Cabinet Puts Hunter in the Spotlight

BY LILLY HAINES

Jodi McKay has made her first trip outside of Sydney since being named leader of the state opposition, to meet with the five Hunter MPs named in her shadow cabinet.

Meeting with local members at Nobby's Beach on Friday, the former Newcastle MP said she wanted her first trip to be to the Hunter because the area means so much to her personally.

The meeting officially introduced the local MPs granted portfolios in the new shadow cabinet, including Deputy Leader and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley.

Ms Mckay said she is thrilled to have the "girls from the Hunter leading the Labor Party", with both herself and Yasmin Catley hailing from regional New South Wales.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington takes on the role as Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage, and Shadow Minister for Rural Health.

Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison is joining the shadow cabinet for the first time in her role as Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Learning, which Jodie Mckay says will be important as "Labor sees education as a priority going forward".

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr is taking on the role of Shadow Minister for Water, Innovation, Science, Tertiary Education as well as Shadow Minister for the Hunter.

"It was really important for me that the role of Shadow Minister for the Hunter role was not just focused on the city area of Newcastle," said Jodi McKay.

"I wanted to pay tribute to all those people in the Hunter Valley and I wanted Clayton to take on this role so he could be an advocate for Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Scone because it is important for those communities to know that we are there for them as well."

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison steps into the role of Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Medical Research, and Investment and Tourism.

Jodi Mckay said under her leadership the party plans to reconnect with rural and regional New South Wales and is using the appointments of these MPs to key cabinet portfolios to reflect this commitment to regions like the Hunter.

"This region is so important to the economic prosperity of this state," she said.

"I know what makes this region tick, I know how people here feel and think and it is important for me personally that we have a strong team coming from the Hunter."

The opposition leader also used the opportunity to reaffirm Labor's position on a proposed container port terminal in Newcastle, calling for action from the state government.

The comments come after NSW National party leader John Barilaro said he would support removal of restrictions for the expansion of a terminal including the removal of the cap and fee on container movements.

Mr Barilaro was referring to the presence of a clause inserted into the port sale contract by then Treasurer Mike Baird that imposes a cap and fee on all container terminals coming out of Newcastle Port.

Ms McKay said the deputy premier has long claimed he is willing to "stand up to" the coalition's Liberal members and says he should stop posturing and actually deliver for the people of the Hunter.

"The Nationals sat around the cabinet table when their Liberal masters drew up the sale documents for the state's port so John Barilaro can strut and crow as much as he likes about keeping the Liberals honest but this is a real test for him,"

"The people of Newcastle and the Hunter want to see action and even the Nationals rank and file members can see that the regions have been shortchanged because of the deal."

Hunter MP's announced in the Shadow Cabinet met at Nobby's Beach today.
L-R Clayton Barr, Yasmin Catley, Jodie Harrison, Kate Washington, Jodi McKay, Tim Crakanthorp, Jenny Aitchison.

Labor Roundtable on Regional Services

BY ALICE PEART

Labor representatives met at a Paterson community center today for a roundtable discussion with community members and professionals to identify problems in regional services across the Hunter.

The discussion covered housing, education and health services but predominately focussed on problems with the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Shadow Minister for Regional Services Jason Clare said it was about sitting down with the community to hear about what's working with the NDIS, and what's not.

The roundtable reportedly heard from one woman who had her funding cut by 90 percent and other community members who feel they still cannot access adequate support despite the scheme.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said people are frustrated and are becoming fearful for the future,

"Particularly out in the regions because we don't always have the level of service you might have in the metropolitan area".

The Shadow Minister said while Labor is in opposition his role is to shine a light on the problems and spend the next three years forming policy.

Hunter Business Chamber Welcomes High-Speed Rail Commitment

BY LILLY HAINES

Labor will promise $1 billion dollars to begin securing a corridor for a high-speed rail link along the East Coast between Brisbane and Melbourne if elected to government.

A high-speed rail link would help improve connectivity between major cities and regions and would stop at key cities including Canberra, Sydney, and Newcastle.

The promised funding would be used to buy a land corridor for the future construction of the route and is a lengthy but essential step towards making the high-speed line a priority.

CEO of the Hunter Business Chamber Bob Hawes says the Newcastle and Hunter region would benefit from a high-speed line with faster rail connections, to Sydney in particular.

"Improved connectivity would also allow the Sydney people to have better access to our region which might have flow on benefits in terms of tourism and business investments, so that is where we see the potential main benefits coming from if such piece of infrastructure was put in place," Mr Hawes said.

Mr Hawes says the region would also benefit from an influx of residential and business investment, enhanced employment options, less road congestion, and better synergies with economic centres in Sydney and other areas along the route although it would take some time, possibly decades, before the benefits could be realised.

Although Mr Hawes welcomes Labor's commitment to securing a rail corridor, he says that it is a long-term solution and work on improving the current rail line between Newcastle and Sydney must continue.

"We certainly think that those two things have to run concurrently because we are of the view that the high speed rail would be some time off compared to the ability for government to be able to do something now to the current link that would make it faster."

Newcastle to Sydney Train Service. Image: Transport NSW

Labor Promises 2.4 Million-Dollars To Secure The Hunter's Clean Energy Future

BY HOLLIE HUGHES


The University of Newcastle has been granted another funding promise from Labor should it win the next election to support its next wave of cutting-edge renewable energy projects.

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon alongside Federal Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy today announced a pledge of 2.4 million-dollars from Federal Labor to support work designed to look at some of the most challenging problems facing the national energy grid and find ways to get more renewable energy into the system.

Mr Conroy says the Newcastle Institute of Energy and Resources based at The University of Newcastle is a world class-research institution well-deserving of increased funding,

"These projects will look at ways to deliver stability to national electricity grid and support Labor's commitment to deliver 50 percent renewables by 2030 part of the Hunter's clean energy future...Newcastle has long been at the forefront of research to create smart energy, so it is perfectly placed to do the work and drive the breakthroughs of the future."

One of the projects established through the funding will create a 'living laboratory' for researchers and industry to demonstrate and test new technologies and applications to address challenges facing our electricity network grids,

"Researchers and industry players will have the opportunities to test solutions that will lead to a more resilient, efficient and reliable electricity network with the capacity to incorporate more distributed and renewable energy sources."

University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO says the funding will provide long-term energy solutions benefiting both the environment and the economy,

"The need to find more reliable and sustainable ways to generate and store energy is vital if we are to meet our social and environmental responsibilities and our University is committed to being apart of that solution."

Image Sourced: Hollie Hughes, 2NURFM Journalist.