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.

Mambo Wetland Site Buy-Back

BY ALICE PEART

The NSW government has bought back a six-hectare site in the Mambo Wetlands after selling the land two years ago to a private developer.

The sale in 2017 faced massive community pushback, with the site providing important habitat for Koala populations as well as other endangered and threatened species.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the site would support the NSW Koala Strategy - a $44.7 million program to secure the future of Koalas in the wild.

Following their re-election in March this year the Berejeklian government purchased the site at a loss; originally sold for $250,000 the site was bought back at $420,000.

Mr. Kean welcomed the decision which he said was a win for the community, but Labor MP Kate Washington said the sale never should have happened in the first place.

The buy-back faced hurdles but was finally approved under the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme set up by the Liberals and Nationals in 1973.

More Nurses Promised in Latest Election Pledge

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The Hunter New England Health District could receive almost 1000 new staff members under a new commitment from the state government, which the state opposition says it will match.

The Berejiklian government has announced a $2.8 billion dollar funding injection to the health workforce if re-elected, which could see at least 979 new staff members allocated to the local region.

As many as 613 nurses and midwives could be allocated locally along with 113 doctors, 105 allied health staff and 148 hospital support workers.

Port Stephens Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott said communities across the Hunter will benefit from the workforce boost.

"This is an unprecedented workforce boost by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government," said Ms Abbott.

"This includes an extra 5,000 nurses and midwives to help ensure that patients get the care they need when they need it."

Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord said in a statement Labor will match that commitment, and will make further announcements in the coming weeks.

Mr Secord also labelled the state government's announcement "scant on detail" and said it leaves some unanswered questions.

Nelson Bay Road Duplication Delayed by Funding 'Backflip'

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The state government is accused of back-flipping on an election promise to fund the duplication of Nelson Bay Road.

Former Premier Mike Baird promised $67 million to the project in 2015, but Freedom of Information documents requested by Port Stephens MP Kate Washington have revealed funding won't begin until after the 2020-21 financial year.

Voters will now face another state election before the duplication is complete, and Kate Washington says she can't understand how the Berejiklian Government thinks it could regain local support.

"There is a state budget coming up. They have one last opportunity to do the right thing by our community and bring forward this spend so that the full duplication of Nelson Bay Road, as promised, is delivered." Ms Washington told 2NUR.

Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay says Premier Gladys Berijiklian needs to come clean and explain her role in the decision to delay funding.

"Premier Baird stood in Port Stephens and promised a full duplication, then failed to deliver." Minister McKay said, labelling the backflip an 'insult to the people of Port Stephens.'

Jodi McKay and Kate Washington. Picture: Marina Neil, theherald.com

John Hunter Hospital Staff Rally

BY CAOIMHE MACCARTHY

Allied health professionals, cleaners, and kitchen staff gathered outside the John Hunter Hospital during their lunch break today in order to support their colleagues facing uncertain futures at Maitland Hospital.

At 12.30pm a staff rally was held to highlight their concerns to the community over the delivery of public health services in the new Maitland Hospital at Metford.

"What we want to do is highlight to the Government that we might be out in the regional area but we're just as important as the other four hospitals that are now being publically funded", says Cindy Paull from the Health Services Union, "Maitland deserves exactly the same treatment".

Staff from the John Hunter Hospital rallied to show their support for their work colleagues in Maitland outlining that the community will not benefit from the hospital privatisation and further concerns about job security and the importance of nurse-to-patient ratios.

"They believe just like everybody else in the community down in Maitland that Maitland deserves a public hospital, so what they're doing today is they're showing their support for the community and also for their fellow workers".

This Sunday at Maitland Park another rally will be held - calling out for members of the community to get behind the message that Maitland is as deserving as any other NSW community for the right to a public hospital.

John Hunter Hospital health workers join in support to keep Maitland Hospital Public.. @HSUNSW @nswnma @ASMOFnsw #hunterworkers @unionsnsw pic.twitter.com/d7w1kaJkS7

— Hunter Workers (@HunterUnions) November 21, 2017