Port Stephens Mayor Calls for Protection Against Shoal Bay Erosion

BY CAMERON TARAGEL

Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson is calling for the state government to step in and provide much-needed assistance for erosion along Shoal Bay Road. 

State legislation only allows sandbags to be in place for up to 90 days, but Cr Anderson believes an extension would be beneficial to allow for long-term solutions to begin. 

Currently, no sand bags are in place along the deteriorating foreshore due to the restrictions, with recent harsh weather removing large chunks of sand. 

Cr Anderson said sand management is only a short-term fix. 

"We're trying to do all the studies that we need to do to actually look at what we need to do," she said.

"We need to do something to stabilize the area until we can work out that long-term solution." 

The mayor recent wrote to the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to advocate for a 12 month extension to sand bag limits. 

Additionally, she said with the state government's financial support, a stronger long-term solution can be found.

"We don't have a lot of funding for the works that we need to do," she said.

"We need to apply for state government grants to be able to co-fund long-term solutions." 

Council is seeking the state approval to secure the beachfront as they continue delivering their long-term Coastal Management Program. 

Erosion along Shoal Bay Road in April this year. Picture: Port Stephens Council 

BREAKING! Former Paterson MP Bob Baldwin Considers Running For Mayor Of Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

A former federal member for Paterson is considering a tilt at the top job in Port Stephens.

Bob Baldwin released a statement overnight announcing he was considering running for mayor of the shire at the September 14 Local Government elections.

He says the decision of incumbent mayor, Ryan Palmer not to run again has prompted the move.

Bob Baldwin says he wants to continue the legacy Councilor Palmer and former mayor, Bruce McKenzie before him and shares their conviction that there's no place for partisan politics in local government.

Despite retiring from federal politics ahead of the 2016 election, Bob Baldwin says he still has a desire to engage with the community and lead the advocacy for the issues that matter to people and says he feels the community would benefit from his strong leadership experience after a break from public life.

He says he will canvass community support and assess local concerns in coming weeks.

Bob Baldwin

 

Port Stephens Council must take action to address financial woes, experts say

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A pair of international experts say Port Stephens Council needs to take action to ensure its long-term financial sustainability.

Emeritus Professor Brian Dollery and Professor Joseph Drew, from the University of New England's Centre for Local Government, were engaged last year to review Council's financial strategy.

Acting General Manager Tim Crosdale says the report, which was handed down in March, makes the situation very clear.

"Over the past four months, our Councillors have been working closely with senior staff to review a number of options," he said. 

"A one off 10 percent increase to fees and charges, the rollout of more paid parking, potential areas of additional revenue, continued focus on cost containment and the sale of a number of potential land assets."

The report details a number of recommendations for Council to implement, including a special rate variation and an end to low rates. 

Mr Crosdale says they'll do what it takes to get back on track.

"Port Stephens Council rates are up to 35% lower than comparable councils. We’re proud we’ve been able to maintain low rates and still deliver high quality services for many years, but we can’t keep going this way – we need to make a real change," Mr Crosdale said.   

"In terms of efficiency, we’re close to the average score when assessed against 67 Councils – meaning we deliver services to our community efficiently and considered to provide services that are value for money"

Port Stephens is set to begin consultation with the community on possible changes and options from July 18.

Residents can view the report and recommendations at portstephens.nsw.gov.au/our-funded-future.

Image credit: Port Stephens Council.

Port Stephens Council Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2025

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Port Stephens Council have made a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2025.

A notice of motion put forward by Mayor Ryan Palmer was endorsed at a council meeting on Tuesday evening.

A new roadmap involving measures to reduce emissions and energy consumption is also expected to be developed in the near future. 

Mayor Palmer says the city isn't immune to climate change.

"If there wasn't climate change, we wouldn't be getting all our calls and emails about roads that have potholes, because we've had more rain, we've got more rain coming, we've got more storms happening in the area," Mayor Palmer said.

"We can play our part here at Port Stephens Council, we do our bit to hopefully stabilize the effects of what is happening across the globe."

A number of initiatives have already been launched to help cut the Council's carbon footprint, including solar panels at libraries, community centres, and public facilities, as well as water-saving irrigation and LED lighting at Ferodale Netball Courts.

Mayor Palmer said the Council still had a a long way to go to hit net zero.

"We need to make sure that we do the right thing, not only for our generation but future generations," Mayor Palmer said.

"But it will come at a cost, so we need to get the staff to go away and to calculate where we are producing carbon, what effect that is having, and how we can actually achieve carbon neutrality."

Solar panels on Port Stephens Council’s Administration Building in Raymond Terrace.

New Bridge To Replace Washed Away Culvert At Corlette

BY IAN CROUCH

A new bridge will be built to replace the culvert washed away at Foreshore Drive in Corlette following the March storms and floods.

Port Stephens Council has decided to install a pre-fabricated bridge, manufactured by InQuik Bridging Systems at Tomago, due to it's minimal impact on the environment during installation and the chance to create a bigger channel for flood water to move through.

The bridge will also offer a safe pedestrian access, with a 2.4m footpath on the downstream side of the bridge.

Crews will begin site preparation at the end of next month.

It's hoped the bridge will be open by the end of December. 

The new pre-fabricated bridge has been built at
 Tomago by InQuik Bridging Systems

New Tourism Campaign Targets Natural Beauty Of Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

A new tourism campaign has been launched to promote the natural beauty of Port Stephens.

Destination NSW and Destination Port Stephens is providing funding for the campaign called "Incredible By Nature", which aims to draw young and active couples to the region.

Destination Port Stephens Chairman, Andrew Macdonald says the campaign puts the natural wonders of the area front and centre, providing the ideal backdrop for many amazing experiences like quad biking and sandboarding down the largest moving dunes in the Southern Hemisphere to swimming with wild dolphins.

It's hoped the campaign will help Port Stephens bounce back from the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Destination Port Stephens Chairman Andrew Macdonald, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, Chief Executive Destination NSW Steve Cox and Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer at the launch of the Incredible By Nature campaign in Sydney.

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

$25m of Investment for Port Stephens

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Port Stephens Council will invest $25.2 million in major projects across the local area in 2018-2019 with the aim of improving facilities in the community.

Mayor Ryan Palmer says it's an exciting time for Port Stephens with roads, drainage, libraries, parks and sporting facilities set to benefit from the investment. 

"This year we are investing more than $25 million in projects for Port Stephens, from much-needed upgrades to roads and drains, to new paths, playgrounds and much more," Mayor Palmer said.

The funding is set to come from multiple sources including a price hike for ratepayers. Around $8 million will come from rates, fees, and charges.

The rest will come from other revenue sources such as $5.6 million in grants, and a combined $11.6m coming from Newcastle Airport dividends, developer contributions, property investments, and donations.

"This council has been proactive in seeking alternative funding sources to pay for the works, but there's only so much we can do without asking ratepayers for more funding to increase our investment," Mayor Palmer said.

"Our community has been asking for better roads, more pathways, revitalised town centres, more recreation facilities, and increased services - and that's exactly what we will deliver". he said.

Bushfire Assistance for Cessnock and Shoalhaven

BY LAURA D'AMICO

Disaster assistance is being provided for Cessnock and Port Stephens communities affected by the mid-August bushfires.

The fires, fuelled by strong seasonal winds, scorched through over 2000 hectares, with significant operations required from first responders from the RFS and Fire & Rescue NSW.

Assistance is being jointly provided by Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) in response to the bushfires, with assistance measures available for local Councils' clean up and restoration costs, as well as for eligible people whose homes and belongings were damaged.

The NDRRA will also be providing freight subsidies for primary producers and grants for eligible non-profit organisations.

To apply for assistance you can contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.

Further information on disaster assistance and emergency information can be found at disasterassist.gov.au and emergency.nsw.gov.au.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations Begin - Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie

BY HOLLIE HUGHES

NAIDOC week celebrations in Port Stephens have begun with the signing of an historic agreement between the regions City Council and Karuah and Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

The Road to Tomorrow Agreement (or Yabang-Gu-Butunga Agreement in Worimi Gutang language), has been many years in the making and sets out shared objectives and projects between the councils.

Port Stephens Mayor, Ryan Palmer, said the agreement signifies a commitment by the councils to work together to achieve outcomes which will improve the lives of Aboriginal people living in the region now and into the future.

"This [agreement] has been in the works for a number of years, even before my time on council, so I am proud to be here and sign this agreement with both land councils," he outlined.

"I'm also proud of the relationships that we have, and I'm looking forward to working together through our Aboriginal Strategic Committee to strengthen these relationships and achieve great things together."

The landmark agreement was signed by Mayor Ryan Palmer and Wayne Wallis from Port Stephens Council,  Len Roberts and Fiona Manton from the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council and Andrew Smith and Leigh Ridgeway from the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Meanwhile, NAIDOC week celebrations in Lake Macquarie have kicked off with the launch of a new Virtual Reality (VR) experience shining a light on the City's rich Aboriginal heritage.

Council's Manager for Cultural services, Jacqui Hemsley, said the immersive VR experience gives users the opportunity to take a journey back in time 250-years to when the traditional owners, the Awabakal people, were the sole inhabitants of Lake Macquarie land known as Awaba.

"We're thrilled to announce that this new and exciting cultural experience as part of Council's NAIDOC week celebrations," Ms Hemsley said.

VR Awaba was created by Indigenous Cultural Artist, Brett Leavy, in partnership with the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Reference group.

Artist Brett Leavy said he was pleased to be able to work with members of the Gallery's Aboriginal Reference Group to bring these stories to life using a new medium.

"It is essential that we continue to share these stories, which are of such significance to Aboriginal people. They capture not only Aboriginal history but the history of the whole Australian nation," he explained.

"Over the last six months, we've worked closely with the Aboriginal Reference Group and the local Awabakal People of Lake Macquarie to take their First Nations knowledge and present it in a way that is visually engaging and educational."

The community is able to access VR Awaba on mobile devices due to the instalment of a plaque on the Warners Bay foreshore near Rotunda or by visiting Oculus Rift at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery and Swansea Library.

For more information, visit http://www.visitlakemac.com.au/virtual-awaba

Williamtown Residents Disappointed with Council's "window dressing" Rate Relief

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Residents of Williamtown's red zone are disappointed with Port Stephens Council's proposed rate relief, with Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group President Lindsay Clout labelling the move a "window dressing exercise."

The relief would see rates reduced by up to 50% for residents of the red zone, with the cost balanced by a small increase for remaining ratepayers. The proposed changes have left some residents concerned Council is simply shifting the cost instead of fixing the problem.

Lindsay Clout says Council should be challenging the Department of Defence over the issue.

"Are they really trying to help us? If they were, they'd be standing beside us and demanding Defence clean up this contamination," said Lindsay Clout.

"That's what we want."

Council admits the move won't solve everything and says the rate reduction is a way for them to help at a local level, but residents aren't satisfied enough is being done.

"We're still being contaminated, people are sick, people can't move out because land prices have collapsed," said Lindsay Clout.

"And to think that a small percentage rate reduction is going to fix the problem (is) nonsense."

Williamtown residents aren't satisfied with proposed rate relief. Image: ABC.