Hunter Receives Almost $9 Million in Federal Government Road Infrastructure Funding

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Hunter region will share in close to $9 million dollars in Federal Government funding as part of the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program). 

On Friday 22nd May, the Australian Government committed $500 million to the program, the Hunter region receiving $8,816,782 in funds, aiming to support jobs, businesses and the resilience of local economies.

Each Hunter LGA Council received: 

• Cessnock $1,065,399 
• Lake Macquarie Council $1,752,388
• Maitland $872,757
• Musswellbrook, $577,898
• Newcastle $1,146,471
• Port Stephens $780,527
• Singleton $816,085
• Upper Hunter $1,230,434
• Dungog $574, 823

Councils will be able to access the funding from July 1st, to support priority local road and community infrastructure projects. 

They will need to complete all project works by June 30th 2021 to receive their full share of the funding, and demonstrate that projects are additional to their pre-COVID-19 work program for 2020-21. 

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications will be consulting with local government organisations to finalise arrangements, before Councils will identify local projects in their area.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has welcomed the $1.14 million for road projects in Newcastle.  

“The funding will support priority projects from a list submitted to the Government in March,” Ms Claydon said.

  

“I was very concerned that this could turn into another sports rorts disaster so I wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister to back the bid and call for a fair distribution of these public funds.”

 

Ms Claydon said that while the modest roads infrastructure funding was welcome, it was still disappointing the Morrison Government excluded council workers from the JobKeeper program, forcing the State Government to fill the breach.

“I absolutely welcome this funding which will help stimulate local economic activity,” Ms Claydon said. 

“It’s still unfortunate that the Government didn’t recognise the important of local economies and local jobs when it excluded council workers from the JobKeeper program.”

Image Credit: NSW Government

Newcastle Residents are Paying More than the State and National Average for GP Visits

BY ISABEL EVERETT

New figures released by the NSW Health Department show Newcastle residents are paying more than the State and National average for a GP visit. 

Out of pocket costs have increased by 35% over the last six years, with Novacastrians paying an average of $38 to see a doctor. 

The data follows a change to medicare rebates introduced on January 1st 2020, which saw bulk billing incentives for GP'S in the Newcastle area decrease from $9.50 to $6.30 per patient. 

Newcastle MP, Sharon Claydon says it's costing people and their families too much.

'"We have a fantastic health system in Newcastle really, but it is one that should always be premised on universal access," she said. 

"The point of having a universal health scheme is ensuring there are quality health services which can be delivered all around the nation regardless of where you live or how much money you've got in your wallet." 

Ms Claydon says many Hunter residents choose to forgo doctor's visits because of the prohibitive costs. 

"People are already facing a growing burden of housing and energy bills and record low wages, so it's no wonder they're avoiding or delaying doctors visits," she said. 

"The challenge is how do we continue given they are now faced with these price barriers and record highs in out of pocket expenses."

The data also revealed only 23.2% of Newcastle residents are always bulk billed for specialist appointments, which average at $84.53 per appoinment. 

                                          Image Credit: Croakey

Hunter Craft Brewers In For A Tax Break

BY IAN CROUCH

Craft brewers in the Hunter can expect a tax break in the upcoming federal budget.

Independent brewers such as FogHorn Brewhouse in Newcastle and Murrays Brewery at Bobs Farm are slugged 40 percent more for production simply because they use smaller kegs than the major commercial breweries.

The Telegraph reports Treasurer Scott Morrison is tipped to announce an increase in the excise cap which brewers pay, which will eliminate the tax disparity and make craft beers cheaper.

The change will come into force from July 1 next year.

There are more than 380 craft brewers in Australia in an industry worth $400 million which employs about 4000 people.

Federal Newcastle MP, Sharon Claydon has been calling for a fair go for independent brewers.

Newcastle's FogHorn Brewhouse is one of hundreds of independent breweries in line for a tax cut Picture hunterhunter.com.cu