Rally to use Tomaree Lodge to house the homeless

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Port Stephens residents are invited to take part in a rally this weekend, to turn the former Tomaree Lodge into temporary housing for the homeless. 

In response to rapidly rising homelessness rates, participants are calling on the Department of Communities and Justice to consider using the Lodge, as well as the former Stockton Centre, as a temporary solution to the problem. 

The number of homeless residents in the LGA has tripled since 2020, and Port Stephens Family Neighborhood Services has already assisted over 900 people experiencing homelessness this year. 

United Services Union Organiser and Anna Bay resident Melissa Pond, said it's disheartening to see long-term residents of Port Stephens suffer. 

"We know there's people who are families, there's elderly, there's people who are sick, people with disabilities, and they're being forced out onto the street." 

Ms Pond said dramatic spikes in rental prices were a major contributor to the problem. 

"We're seeing people putting properties on the market more, and people are moving up here from Sydney now that they're able to work flexibly; they're getting out of Sydney and looking for a sea change, and that has pushed up prices for people, pricing them out of the rental market in Port Stephens."

She also expressed concern for vulnerable groups in the region. 

"There's a real spike in domestic violence-related incidents and we're seeing that people are staying in those situations which is really unhealthy," she said. 

We understand there are other interests for that site but I really believe that this supersedes them. There really is nowhere for people to go."

It's hoped the demonstration will ease pressure on support services which are already stretched to their limit. 

The rally will be held at 10am on Saturday at the car park near Tomaree Lodge. 

Image credit: https://trra.com.au/

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 

Tomaree Coastal Walk Upgrade

BY ARIANA GATTI

Port Stephen's iconic Tomaree Coastal Walk is set to receive a large upgrade, expanding the walkway to allow for 23-kilometres of stretch to be open for all the public to enjoy.

The 2018 NSW State Budget has allocated around $7-million, which is aimed at improving the generation of tourism to the area, incorporating more leisure-based activity to get the community involved in outdoor recreations.

Other upgrades involve the input of whale watching and interpretative facilities, as well as other elements for people to appreciate the Indigenous Australian and World-War-Two history of the area.

The upgrade and future developments will be carried out in stages over a four-year period, with completion set for 2022.

The project is running as a part of a $40-million investment allocation plan generated by the State Government, in order to reinforce NSWs' position as a key tourist destination, staying in the minds of national and international visitors.

Some specific features of what will be involved in the revamp have been released:

• Improved access, visitor amenities and walking tracks around the Tomaree Headland, with selected sites showcasing World-War-Two fortifications including gun emplacements, command post and radar site.
• Another looped walking track with a new access point and elevated vistas at Box and Wreck Headlands
• New links connecting Birubi Point to surround walking tracks and trails

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, is adamant the money being spent on the site's upgrades are worth the allocation.

"We certainly think it's worthwhile investing the $7-million as it's one of the most popular parks in the State and we believe this can be improved even more", he says.

"There is a market now for eco-tourism including these walking experiences, and to get that attraction there has to be a decent length of walkway, which should become very appealing to those of domestic and international markets".

Image Sourced: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/tomaree-head-summit-walk

 

Group Homes on the Backburner: Labor Asks Why

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

State Labor is pressuring the Berejiklian government to reveal why it has failed to deliver 78 promised group homes to residents in Stockton, Tomaree and Morisset.

In 2015, the government sought a private provider to build the new facilities, which were set to be complete by April this year.

However, construction hasn't even begun yet, and the government is now seeking new tenders, but won't reveal why.

Acting Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Kate Washington claims sources reveal the original contractual terms were impossible to fulfil as the government never provided any funding for the project, instead relying on "vague ongoing funding proposals" to make the build viable.

Whatever the reason, disabled people have been told there's no date known for when they'll move into new residential centres, and Kate Washington says family members are growing increasingly concerned about their loved ones' futures.

"The residents and their families continue to live with deep uncertainty about their futures, and that is just so upsetting and disturbing for them," she said.

"The government's mismanagement of this whole process has been heartless and cruel."

The Stockton Centre.