John Hunter Shuttle Bus Restored And ADHD Clinic Announced For Wallsend

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Health Minister has confirmed the park-and-ride shuttle service will return to the John Hunter Hospital. 

The service was established in 2007 in a bid to alleviate car parking pressures at the hospital, but was scrapped in 2015 when more than 700 new parking spaces were added at the facility.

The first shuttle is expected to be up and running by mid next year. 

On a tour of the Hospital's new Health and Innovation Precinct, Ryan Park, said the Hunter New England Health District has started investigating a route for the service. 

"I've asked the planners, along with the Local Health District whether there needs to be any changes to the previous route," he said. 

"We'll make sure we get something that is fit for purpose, but that works in 2023/2024, not necessarily focused on what we did 8 years ago... but if that is the best and most useful route still, than that's what we'll work on." 

Mr. Park has also announced the establishment of a new ADHD clinic for young patients in the district. 

The Wallsend clinic will act as a trial program for the next two years, as the state government looks to enhance ADHD support in regional parts of NSW. 

Mr. Park says it means patients won't have to travel to hospital for diagnosis and treatment. 

"This is about making sure that we take pressure off paediatric waitlists. It's working in partnership with their GPs, but it's also about getting that early diagnosis, that early access to treatment, that early access to support, to make sure that we provide those wrap-around services and support that young people need."  

New Report Reveals Nursing Home Beds In The Hunter Are Going Unfilled

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK/ OLIVIA DILLON

A new report detailing the extent of staff shortages in Australia's aged care sector is shining a light on vacancy rates at facilities in the Hunter. 

Findings by the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) have revealed one in seven nursing home beds across the country are sitting empty. 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she is extremely concerned about the under-use of local facilities, such as the Wallsend Aged Care Centre.

Workers say the Local Health District has kept 68 of the 98 beds at the Wallsend facility unfilled for the past two years, despite hospitals and other services in the region running above capacity. 

"Those in the later stages of dementia, or that need constant 24-hour assistance, that's the place to be for the kind of quality of care that people need," Ms. Hornery said.

"It's still remaining open to the public and I will be lobbying and continue to lobby to ensure it is open to the public. It's a state government funded facility, which is rare in the state, but it does mean that all of the staff are under a state award."

CEDA has proposed accelerating the recruitment of migrant workers in the care economy to free up bed block in hospitals. The report says the government must also find new ways to financially support the aged-care sector.

Sonia Hornery says the well-being of aged care workers needs to be a priority, if more local services are to thrive.

"It's very important to ensure that nurses are supported, and all staff in aged-care facilities," she said.

A government spokesperson said it had responded by funding an $11.3 billion pay increase for workers.

Wallsend MP Seeks Legal Advice On Possible Defamation Action

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The latest Newcastle Council controversy involving CEO Jeremy Bath and a Newcastle Herald letter to the editor writer is turning a spotlight on an ongoing feud between local Labor councillors and an MP. 

A decision by Council to endorse an independent investigation into the letter writing scandal during Tuesday night's meeting, reportedly ended in some councillors taking aim at Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery.  

Ms. Hornery is now seeking legal advice on possible defamation action, alleging Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Councillor Carol Duncan made untrue and potentially defamatory comments about her. 

The Newcastle Herald reports Ms. Hornery has been accused of "waging a campaign against councillors via the media for nearly a year now likely in order to influence internal Labor party disputes", and says investigations into "how confidential electoral roll details about council staff and their friends and family came into the possession of journalists" have been endorsed by some councillors. 

Although not revealing what's been directly said about her, Ms. Hornery said the allegations against her are false. 

"In terms of any of the allegations, they're untrue," she said. 

Speaking at an education doorstop in Jesmond on Thursday, Ms. Hornery said party disagreements shouldn't get in the way of delivering for locals. 

"Party politics in any party is always difficult and there will always be people who have different views on things, but I am a member of the Labor party, and I hold the old-fashioned Labor views about opposing privatisation and about focusing on what the community needs in Wallsend; that's what it's all about."

"I want to apologise to our community that this has provided a distraction from our important work to lobby to get the best we can for the Hunter," she said. 

Health Services Union Members Rally To Keep The Wallsend Aged Care Facility Open

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Aged care workers are calling on the Hunter New England Local Health District to keep the Wallsend Aged Care Facility open and in public hands.  

68 of the facility's 98 beds have been left empty for the past two years, as the district claims recruitment issues are stopping them from hiring more staff.

Health Services Union members say they've seen no evidence the district has been working to recruit more staff at all.

Assistant Secretary Lynne Russell, says workers and residents alike are set to be affected if the service is closed.

"It beggars belief as to why you would use public hospital beds to accommodate our aged care residents, who really need specialised care in an aged care facility, yet close down a whole unit," she said.

"It doesn't make any sense." 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery says she'd like to see the facility used for geriatric patients which are currently causing bed block at the John Hunter and Belmont Hospitals.

She says she's in discussions with the Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health to make better use of the facility.

Image: Newcastle Herald

Newcastle Councillors Speak On Pool Saga

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Member for Wallsend has hit back at claims of bullying by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle.  

It follows Tuesday night's council meeting where councillors discussed the management contracts for the city's five inland pools. 

When seven Labor councillors declared a conflict of interest over the issue, Liberal councillors were unable to form a quorum and the matter was delegated to Council's CEO Jeremy Bath. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says Sonia Hornery instructed her on how to vote on the matter and in turn, created a conflict of interest. 

Sonia Hornery, who's been a long-time critic of privatisation, says the claims are false and misleading, and she won't back down from advocating for her constituents. 

Meanwhile, Liberal councillor Callum Pull says he's disappointed with how the meeting played out. 

He and Cr Jenny Barrie issued a statement today noting Council's responsibility to reach a democratic decision on issues of public interest. 

Cr Pull said although councillors are within their rights to declare a conflict, personal or political views do not constitute a private interest. 

"There's nothing wrong with having a political view... and as far as I can tell, it's never been specifically about a tender, it's always been about opposing the privatisation of the pools, which the Labor party ran a very public campaign on nine years ago when this issue first arose. 

They were not excluded from decisions then, and again, having a political view does not exclude you from assessing a tender," he said.   

In relation to the bullying allegations against Sonia Horney, Cr Pull said he's had no such experience with the Wallsend MP. 

"I have never seen anything that could be described as bullying behaviour by Sonia Hornery." 

Wallsend MP Calls for Review into Keolis Downer's Contract

BY OLIVIA DILLON

It's hoped a review into the state's bus services will improve the public transport situation in the Hunter. 

Transport Minister Jo Haylen says the contracts between the former Liberal government and private bus operators have revealed companies were offered financial incentives to cancel bus services across the state.

The contracts for Sydney buses reportedly imposed financial penalties on companies for failing to meet "on time running" targets, however services which were cancelled did not count as late.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, says she plans to invite the Minster to the region, in order to review the contracts of local operator Keolis Downer. 

The company last month confirmed it had been cancelling more than 100 buses per day across Newcastle, blaming recruitment issues and driver shortages for the changes. 

Minister Haylen has reportedly sought urgent advice about what can legally be done to improve services across the state.

Image: Downer Group

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.

Labor Commits to Restore John Hunter Shuttle Bus Service

BY DANEIE GEDDES

The John Hunter Hospital shuttle bus service is set to be restored if Labor is elected on March 25, eight years after it was shut down by the Liberal government. 

The service will allow visitors to park at McDonald Jones Stadium and embark on the shuttle to the hospital's front door.  

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, said the service will play a crucial role in addressing transport and parking concerns for both patients and healthcare workers. 

"Workers liked the shuttle from the stadium because they could park there for free and have the ease of just being able to park and hop on a bus," she said. 

"People with disabilities and the elderly liked it too, because not only could they park easily at the stadium, but they had a beautiful door to door service."

The service will also be crucial for managing transport and parking issues, given future expansion plans for the hospital. 

"There is a lot to do and that won't be accomplished overnight, but with real commitment we can start chipping away at some of our real major problems that have occurred in the hospital system in the last 12 years," Ms Hornery said. 

Labor has proposed the restoral of the service as a fresh start for rebuilding and repairing the NSW healthcare system and says it's the first step in a long-term plan to address ongoing concerns from Hunter residents and healthcare workers.

Calls to Use Wallsend Aged Care Facility to Ease Hunter Bed Block

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Residents and MPs are calling on Hunter New England Health to explain the low occupancy rate at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility. 

It was recently revealed the facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, and has not taken a new resident for more than two years. 

It's estimated this means there are approximately 40 beds free. 

Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery has expressed concern, the government plans to privatise or close the facility altogether. 

Ms Hornery said this doesn't make sense, considering the it has higher staffing ratios and better qualified staff than most federal facilities. 

"It's so important to keep the Wallsend Aged Care Facility in public hands and available for the community because the quality of care there is the best," she said. 

Hunter Health's Executive Director of Greater Metropolitan Health Services, Karen Kelly, told Newcastle Herald, the COVID-19 pandemic had led to the decrease in residents, with families hesitant to admit their loved ones following a string of outbreaks. 

However, Ms Hornery said two years on, Hunter Health could lift the occupancy rate if it wanted to. 

"My question to the government and to the Health Minister is, are people being discouraged from going to the aged care facility?"

Ms Hornery noted the bed block in Hunter hospitals, and said something needs to be done to ease the pressure on the health system. 

She suggested the Wallsend site be used as temporary accommodation for patients filling up hospitals in the region. 

"I'm calling on the government to ensure not only that the Wallsend Aged Care Facility remains open, but that the community is encouraged to use the facility for their family when it's needed," Ms Hornery said. 

"I'm calling on the government to consider using consider using this facility as respite, to free up some of the beds at the John Hunter and the Calvary Mater." 

"And I'm calling on the government to be open an transparent with the community about what's really happening at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility because there is some reason why we have so many beds vacant at this wonderful facility." 

The Wallsend Aged Care Facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, Hunter Health has confirmed. 

Hunter Set To Take Part In Trial Of Banned E-Scooters

 BY IAN CROUCH

A banned method of cheap, affordable transport could soon be allowed on the streets of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Up until now, electric scooters have been banned in NSW.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery has been leading the charge to have the ban lifted, writing to the Minister for Active Transport, Rob Stokes on several occasions.

The minister has announced a community trail will be fast tracked and will start in July.

Councils will be invited to submit an expression of interest in taking part and Sonia Hornery says she'll be writing to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Councils about their plans for taking part in the trial.

Rob Stokes says the government will ensure E-scooter regulations are sensible and appropriate to ensure the safety of riders and other road users.

Sonia Hornery says motorised scooters are an affordable, convenient as sustainable method of transport.

A trial of E-scooters is set to start in July Picture hobartcity.com.au

Vandals Set Fire to Car in Middle of South Wallsend Oval

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Vandals have overnight set fire to a car in the middle of the South Wallsend Junior Soccer Club oval. 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is urging anyone who saw something or has any information about the incident to contact her office or Newcastle Police. 

"Another senseless act of vandalism has ruined yet another sporting facility," Ms Hornery said in social media post.

"Overnight, some moron has decided that the middle of the South Wallsend Junior Soccer Club oval would be the best place to set fire to a car."

"Let's hope that Newcastle City Police District and City of Newcastle can get this mess cleaned up quickly so the kids can get on the field this weekend."

Wallsend MP Calls For Ban On Sydneysiders Visting Newcastle And The Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend Mp, Sonia Hornery is calling on the Premier to ban all non-essential travel by Sydney residents to Newcastle and the Hunter.

It follows the case of a COVID-infectious Sydney man in his 20's visiting the Hotel Jesmond, Wallsend Diggers and the Lambton Park Hotel last week.

Hunter New England Health has contacted more than 200 people who were at those venues at the time of the man's visit.

Sonia Hornery believes there are many more who should've been contacted for COVID testing and isolation.

"We've also received Facebook messages from over 50 people who attended various venues including Jesmond last week who haven't been contacted by Hunter New England Health. Their response was that they had contacted 200 people, but that doesn't include people who may have walked in to the Jesmond pub 5 minutes before the time and remained there,' she said.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery

Newcastle Inner City Bypass On Track, Transport NSW Releases Project Update

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Transport for NSW has released a project update for stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass between Jesmond and Rankin Park.

The design for the bypass is continuing to be refined, in response to community feedback, with a number of changes to the proposed northern and southern interchanges.

The main road works are expected to go out to tender in early 2021 and early works to relocate services such as water and gas mains and electricity wires and poles are set to begin later this year, particularly around the southern end of the Bypass.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery says the changes shouldn't make a huge difference to commuters. 

"The time frame remains the same, we're still looking at 3.54 kilometres of divided road," Ms Hornery said. 

"If you have any questions about the road, or you'd like more information you can contact the project team on 1800 818 433. Or you can visit the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct website for more information as well." 

Changes to Southern Interchange

Changes to Northern Interchange

Concern Proposed Boundary Changes to New Lambton Public, May Unfairly Force Students to Change Schools

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is calling on the Education Minister, Sarah Mitchell, to step in and further the consultation period with parents on proposed boundary changes to the intake zone for New Lambton Public School.

Ms Hornery was reportedly contacted by concerned parents late last week after they discovered they had only 24 hours to lodge objections to the Department of Education proposal.

The proposal would see sections of New Lambton Heights that are close to the school, shifted into the intake zone for Wallsend South Public School.  

Some students would be forced to travel more than 3km to school, instead of the 700m they currently travel.

Ms Hornery has called on the Minister to ensure there is a comprehensive consultation period and a thorough review of the current and proposed boundaries is undertaken.

“This whole process has been rushed and the community are rightly up in arms over the way the whole process has been undertaken,” said Ms Hornery.

“Major decisions like this should involve a comprehensive consultation period with the community who will be impacted.  Instead we have a ham-fisted attempt at getting this change through with the majority of people excluded from having a say.

“I understand the school is at capacity and some changes need to be made, but the proposed changes are ridiculous and simply don’t make sense.

“It is obvious when you look at the proposed changes that someone in Sydney who has never visited the area has drawn the new boundary lines.

“No consideration has been given to the impact that Stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will have on the ability of students and parents to get their children to school safely.  The lack of a school bus service would mean parents would be forced to drive their children to school on already congested roads or have their children walk to school, crossing a number of major roads.

“The current and proposed maps are mind boggling to say the least and I invite the Minister to sit down with me and concerned parents to review the changes and look at other alternatives,” Ms Hornery said.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

UPDATE! Man in Custody After Major Police Operation at Maryland

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man is now in police custody, following a large scale police operation in Maryland. 

There were reports a man was refusing to leave his home on Warkworth Street off Minmi Road.

Police remain on scene and the street, and surrounding streets have been closed by tactical response units. 

Wallsend state Labor MP Sonia Hornery issued a warning to residents on Facebook.

She wrote, “Please avoid the area and if you live in the area, remain inside with your doors locked."

School Zone Speeding Fines Prompt Newcastle Safety Survey

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Local MPs have launched school safety surveys to mitigate the risks to children after recent Revenue NSW data was released.

Last financial year (2018/2019), 203 fines were issued to drivers for speeding in school zones. 162 school zone speeding fines have already been issued this financial year and local members are calling upon parents to respond and help make changes.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, says he's astounded at the number of drivers who are willing to break the law in school zones and risk the lives of children.

He says, "there are many other ways we can make the journey to and from school safer for our kids and this survey will identify what can be done."

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison have also lent their voices to the cause and asked parents to participate.

Ms Aitchison says, "some feel even a walk to a bus stop is fraught with danger and they feel they have no alternative than a daily drop-off. this is all made more complicated due to inadequate parking and people disobeying signage."

Parents, carers, teachers and residents can complete the survey by visiting the websites below.

Newcastle:            https://www.nswschoolsafety.com/newcastle
Wallsend:              https://www.nswschoolsafety.com/wallsend
Maitland:              https://www.nswschoolsafety.com/maitland

      Photo Credit: NRMA 

Glendore Public School Has Fast-tracked Fence

BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON

Construction on a much needed security fence for Glendore Public School has been fast tracked after an announcement in Parliament yesterday.

The Maryland school has suffered numerous break ins over the years due to the lack of a fence.

Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell announced the fence would be constructed during the 2019/2020 financial year.

Ms Mitchell said the government planned to fast-track construction due to 'ongoing' issues caused by break-ins.

The break-ins had caused significant damage to the school with a quarter of a million dollars worth of property damage.

After years of lobbying for a security fence, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says the new fence will mean peace of mind and security for parents and students.

"The Glendore community was fed up with the number of break ins that had occured," Ms Hornery said. "The fence for Glendore public means a lot more safety and security and some piece of mind for the teachers, students, and Glendore community."

She did, however, criticise the government for their delay in building the fence.

"When you're talking about up to $250 000 worth of damage that occurred, its natural that the parents will wonder why the government hadn't been quicker."

Ms Hornery said her colleague Anthony D'Adam had the opportunity to put the question to Minister Sarah Mitchell in the Legislative Council on Thursday.

Ms Hornery met with Sarah Mitchell after question time to confirm the details for construction.

Image Source: Newcastle Herald 

NSW Transport Reform Proposal

BY ALICE PEART

In documents released under Freedom of Information Laws, the state government has proposed a reform program for NSW transport to prevent cost blowouts over the next decade.

The release of the documents comes amidst existing concerns over the continuing reduction of services by private operator Keolis Downer in the Hunter.

The proposed changes would see fare hikes, the sale of state-owned properties and an overhaul of road levies and taxes to recoup billions of dollars in annual savings.

The savings attempt to address the projected nearly $4 billion needed annually from the state government by 2028.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling on the government to be transparent about the reform program which she says raises significant questions about the future of public transport in the Hunter.

NSW Health Minister to Review Issues with Hunter Hospitals

BY ALICE PEART

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has met with the state Health Minister to raise concerns from the community over key issues in the Hunter health system.

Ms Hornery said it was a brief but productive discussion covering three things:

"It was about security guards and ensuring that we can look at a review of what we need in hospitals to make sure that staff and patients are safe.

We looked at waiting times and we also talked about the congestion and gridlock that's at the John Hunter Hospital with an emphasis on the mornings and afternoons and our quest to reinstate the shuttle service, because we know it was a very successful and popular service".

Reviews into the issues are expected to be initiated in the coming weeks with Ms Hornery saying she will be keeping a close eye on the process and that she expects the Minister to be accountable for some outcomes.

Wallsend MP Addresses Parliament about Fence at Glendore Public School

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery will address parliament today and request that the long-awaited security fence for Glendore Public School is built as soon as possible as it "isn't secure" for the staff or the students.

The school which has been broken into three times since November last year has experienced $100 000 dollars worth of damage and can no longer afford to fix the property that is continuously damaged or to clean-up the vandalism that occurs. Glendore is the only school in the area yet to receive a security fence.

"This is the only school in the area that doesn't have a security perimeter fence and it's the only school being broken into and vandalized," says Ms. Hornery, "the community and school are sick and tired of having to replace items on a regular basis with anyone free to roam through the school grounds."

Five-hundred concerned parents have signed a petition calling on the Minister for Education to prioritize building the school a fence so that the students of Glendore Public can feel safe and secure when trying to learn.

"I am hopeful that now we have a new Minister, that the government might be willing to listen to the community concerns," claimed Ms. Hornery, "the school isn't secure and a perimeter fence around the school would really help that."

Photo belonging to the Newcastle Herald