Greens Celebrate Result Despite Lord Mayoral Loss

BY MARLEY RAE

Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe is celebrating a historic result in this year's Newcastle Lord Mayoral by-election, despite a major loss. 

The Greens received nearly 20 per cent of the overall vote with more than 14,000 Novocastrians voting for the progressive party.

It marks a five per cent increase in the party's primary vote as it stood on Sunday.

Cr McCabe said she is thrilled to see the support for minor parties.

"I'm really thankful to everyone who gave me their support and put number one in the Greens box this time around," she said. 

"It's so great to see that every election, the Greens vote just keeps on growing."

Despite the success, independent candidate Gavin Morris secured a landslide victory, claiming almost 50 per cent of the overall vote.

Cr McCabe said while she is supportive of Gavin, she is concerned around his lack of council experience.

"I think Gavin's definitely going to be on a learning curve but we all understand that," she added.

"I think it would have been preferable to have someone coming to the role who was experienced."  

Trailing behind the Greens in third place was Labor's Declan Clausen who was expected to be Gavin's biggest rival, claiming only 16 per cent the overall vote. 

Additionally, Liberal candidate Jenny Barrie only secured seven per cent of votes, a notable low for the major party. 

Picture: Charlotte McCabe

Lord Mayoral Candidates Speak Out On Link Road Forest

 BY OLI GOELDNER

The Link Road Forest Campaign is urging Newcastle residents to think carefully at the ballot box this weekend. 

Ahead of the upcoming Lord Mayoral by-election on Saturday April 18, the environmental group requested comments from the six candidates on their plans around Link Road Forest. 

The 574-hectare site is earmarked for a large-scale housing development by the state government, despite it reportedly being home to several endangered species. 

In December, Newcastle council voted in favour of the campaign, calling on the state government to convert the lot into a national park. 

"We're just ensuring through this by-election coming up that we get a Lord Mayor that is going to champion this cause for the people of Newcastle," said Link Road Forest Campaign spokesperson Ian McKenzie. 

Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe, Labor's Declan Clausen, independent Gavin Morris and the Socialist Alliance's Steve O'Brien responded positively to the questions. 

"I understand the land forms part of a green corridor which is vital for the ongoing survival of many endangered species," Mr O'Brien responded. 

"I think the broad cross-party and community support for protecting this habitat as a National Park is a powerful story that needs to be told again from the chamber," said Ms McCabe. 

Mr Morris stated simply the "land must not be developed," and Mr Clausen reinstated his continued stance, noting "where the land has high environmental value" he will advocate for its protection. 

According to the environmental group, independent Milton Caine was personally supportive of retaining the forest but failed to answer the questions. 

Liberal Jenny Barrie also did not provide a response. 

Pre-polling for the by-election is currently open. 

Picture: Link Road Forest Campaign

$12million Commitment for Singleton Police Station

 BY JARROD MELMETH

The NSW Nationals have announced $12million to upgrade the Singleton Police Station.

The Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Police Minister David Elliott were in town to announce the funding and said the upgrades are about making the heritage listed station fit-for-purpose.

"When the station was built, it was actually arresting bushrangers so, it's been a long time coming. As much as I'd love to see the heritage of these country police stations maintained, we have also got to make sure that Officers can properly do their jobs.

"The upgrades will need to go to tender and that process starts today," Mr Elliott said.

Superintendent Chad Gillies said an upgraded station would mean a more comfortable and user-friendly station for police and the community.

"In terms of service, it allows us to serve our victims and our witnesses in a much more professional environment. From a safety perspective, when we have people in our custody, it will be a lot safer for them as well," Supt Gillies said.

The commitment follows a $17 million dollar pledge from Labor last month, if they win government in 2023.

David Elliott, David Layzell & John Barilaro
 at Singleton Police Station on Monday morning 

Muswellbrook Hospital to Receive New Operating Theatre Under $32 Million Funding Commitment

BY JARROD MELMETH

Muswellbrook Hospital is receiving some love in the form of a $32 million commitment from State Labor, promising to complete stage 2 of it's redevelopment, should they be elected in 2023.

Labor Leader Jodi Mckay and Shadow Health Minister Ryan Park, joined Upper Hunter candidate Jeff Drayton on Monday to announce the funding. 

Under the new plans, the hospital will be upgraded with a new general ward on the lower ground floor, added maternity services, central sterilising and an operating theatre. 

Currently the hospital reportedly has a surgical ward but no accompanying operating theatre. 

The NSW Government completed a $21.5 million stage two of the redevelopment in June 2019, at a cost of $21.5 million, which has been labelled a "stuff up by" the opposition. 

Jodi Mckay says the so-called completed redevelopment is a slap in the face for the Upper Hunter community.

"A community the size of Muswellbrook that contributes so much funding to the states economy really does deserve a good quality healthcare system."

"This has been an issue that has been around for a really long time. We know that rural health has been left behind. It depends on where your postcode is as to the level of help you receive."

"In Muswellbrook there has certainly been a lack of funding and lack of will to actually improve the healthcare services," Ms Mckay said.

Upper Hunter Candidate Jeff Drayton says the region does a lot of the heavy lifting for the state and its high time they got something out if it. 

"We send nearly a billion dollars down the freeway a year and receive very little in return," Mr Drayton said. 

Concept plans of the NSW Governments upgrades
to Muswellbrook Hospital completed in 2019.
Source: NSWHealth

Zombie Gas Licenses Bubbling Under Upper Hunter Battleground

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Twelve so-called 'zombie' coal seam gas exploration licenses across the state are becoming a hot topic in the upcoming Upper Hunter by-election following calls to have them cancelled alongside the Shenhua coal mine.

The NSW Parliament is scheduled to debate legislation next month which could see all expired licenses extinguished across the Upper Hunter.

But the Coalition currently hold just 46 of the Legislative Assembly's 93 seats, meaning a failure to retain the seat could give the winner the decisive vote for or against cancelling the licenses.

Independent MP Justin Field, who brought on the legislation for debate, says Upper Hunter voters deserved to know each candidate's position on the license issue.

"They've been hanging over the heads of the community for as much as a decade," Mr Field said. 

"These [petroleum exploration licenses] expired but the Government has refused to make a final decision on their future, whether to renew them or whether to cancel them."

Deputy Premier John Barilaro reportedly told farmers from Breeza in the Liverpool Plains that the Government intended to buy out remaining licenses held by energy company Santos.

Santos also hold four expired licenses across the Upper Hunter.

Mr Field says the actions of Nationals' members did not match up with claims they wished to see uncertainty come to an end for agricultural areas.

"Whoever wins, there's a chance that the Government could be in a minority government after this election," Mr Field said.

"That might mean that there's the balance in the Upper House and the Lower House to see this bill become law."

Construction to Start Next Year on Singleton and Muswellbrook Bypasses as Upper Hunter By-election Ramps Up

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The State Government has committed to starting construction in 2022 on a full interchange for the Singleton bypass, and on a bypass at Muswellbrook. 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro, and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole visited Singleton on Friday, as campaigning for the May 22 Upper Hunter by-election ramps up. 

“We’ve heard from the community that they want a full interchange at Putty Road to make it easier to access Singleton town centre from the bypass and that’s what we will deliver," Mr Barilaro said.

“The Government promised and delivered a Scone bypass which has already transformed trips along the New England Highway. Now we are delivering on our promise for bypasses for both Singleton and Muswellbrook.”

Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government will also continue to work closely with the Muswellbrook community to make sure the Muswellbrook bypass has good connections into the town centre.

“Today I can also announce that as we work towards a concept design for the Muswellbrook bypass, the NSW Government will commit to include connections to Coal Road and we will co-fund with Council local road upgrades to support that connection,” Mr Barilaro said.

Mr Toole said the NSW and Australian Governments have committed $700 million to the Singleton bypass with the project now in the detailed design phase.

“We’ve always ensured our design for this bypass would have the flexibility to incorporate a full interchange with the Putty Road – and it’s clear that this is something the community is calling for. Today we’re giving them the certainty it will be part of it,” Mr Toole said.

The NSW Government has committed $266 million to the Muswellbrook bypass with the concept design due to be released later this year.

Work on both bypasses will begin next year.

Construction of the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses is expected to create more than 2000 jobs.

Image credit: RMS