Federal MP alleges Hunter mine operators lying about coal quality

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government is seeking a briefing from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, after claims aired in Parliament, mine operators across the Hunter and Australia, are lying about coal quality. 

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie raised the allegations in Canberra on Monday, naming local operators Glencore and Peabody, as well as Anglo-American and Macquarie Bank. 

He told Parliament, a whistleblower coal executive has handed over thousands of documents as proof. 

The documents are purported to show fraud making out that Australian exports are of higher and cleaner quality than they actually are.

Testing firm ALS has also been implicated, just two years after admitting to falsifying up to 50 percent of results at its Newcastle lab. 

The corporate regulator has taken no action on ALS, but four staff members were suspended and then left the company.

If true, the allegations are likely to raise questions about the impact on emissions and the environment, as well as overseas sales and the economy.

Government changes tune on Port of Newcastle container terminal

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Legislation to remove the restrictions, preventing the Port of Newcastle from becoming a container terminal, is likely to pass State Parliament on Tuesday evening. 

Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper has reached a breakthrough with the Government, who are expected to support the bill with new amendments. 

The Treasurer will be able to appoint an independent expert to decide a fair market value for the Port's lease, if the container terminal penalties weren't included. 

The Port's private operator will be able to ignore the compensation requirements, if it covers the difference between the $1.7 billion dollars it paid in 2014, and the new amount.

t's unclear what the top-up will amount to, but it could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

New report reveals $60,000 gender pay gap in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new report's found, women across the Hunter are being paid on average $60,000 a year less than men.

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is putting the 40 percent gap down to the high concentration of men in high-paying industries such as mining and manufacturing, compared to the prevalence of women in lower-paying industries such as healthcare and social assistance.

Hunter Workers Women's Committee Chair Leanne Holmes says policy change is essential to levelling the playing field.

"We need to increase the wages and conditions of those lower-paying industries where women tend to work," she said. "And really increase, in both spaces, the capacity for women to earn better money."

"That includes making sure there's flexibility in rostering, and the support network you need at work when women have generally got caring responsibilities outside of work."

It's hoped the Federal Government's new workplace relations legislation will enable measures to encourage women's aspirations and participation across a wider range of sectors.

Ms Holmes is also calling for action on discrimination and sexual violence against women in male-dominated industries.

She says Australia needs to take a holistic approach to the issue.

"[Women] are on the lower incomes in the first place, they've got caring responsibilities, the cost of living is through the roof at the moment," she said.

"You only have to watch the news and see that there's mums with kids desperately trying to find housing, trying to afford food. This compounds it."

"The money is there. We just need to get women in industries."

Minimum wage hike met with enthusiasm and anxiety across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's low income workers are welcoming a boost to the minimum wage, but the business community is worried, it could slow things down coming out of the pandemic.

The Fair Work Commission announced on Wednesday, it would up wages by 5.2 percent, as well as award rates by 4.6 percent.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions called for a hike as high as 5.5 percent, while key business groups argued it couldn't afford to be any higher than 2.5 to 3 percent.

Hunter Workers Secretary Leigh Shears says it's a very welcome move.

"It's an absolute sigh of relief," he said. "It still falls short somewhat, but it could have been significantly worse."

"A 5.2 percent increase is a historical moment and it is a win for working people."

The same enthusiasm hasn't been shared by the business community, where there's concern it's but another cost to cover. 

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says workers deserve relief from cost-of-living pressures, but it will be another strain on local business.

"Rising costs of input, costs of energy going up, and a whole bunch of other things," he said.

"In many cases, they haven't been able to pass those costs on, so another cost impost like this might make it difficult.

"We just hope that it won't result in having to put people off as a consequence."

Unions say, however, it's ultimately a win-win situation, and the money will circle back around to businesses.

"The important thing to remember is small businesses rely on people to have disposable income and to spend money in their shops," Mr Shears said.

"There were some small businesses [on Wednesday] talking about the bulk of their customers are people on low income, so a boost to their wages is a boost to small business."

For workers in aviation, tourism, and hospitality, the wage hike has been delayed until October 1.

Mr Hawes says there's hope businesses will be able to find a stable footing before then.

"For those businesses that have suffered badly through COVID, it gives them a chance to take a breath and consider what these cost increases might be," he said.

"There's no doubt that giving money to those on lower incomes has a good pay packet effect - they get out there and spend.

"But obviously they've got challenges ahead of them in relation to increasing costs-of-living, and that won't necessarily go back through retail or hospitality business."

Greens make final pitch to Hunter voters ahead of election weekend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Greens have made a last-minute pitch to Hunter voters, just days out from the Federal Election.

It's considered a real possibility the minor party could hold the balance of power from the crossbench, offering confidence and supply to the next Government in the case of a hung parliament.

The party's promising to address local issues including housing affordability, for dental to be included in medicare coverage, climate action, and a 10-year job-for-job guarantee scheme for coal workers through the energy transition.

Senate Candidate David Shoebridge says mining jobs won't stick around, and the major parties need to prepare today.

"It's remarkable that both other major parties seem to think that coal's future will go on indefinitely," Mr Shoebridge said.

"We know that's not true, and we need politics to be honest about this, but also ensure that coal-dependent communities and coal-dependent economies have not just a lifeline, but a prosperous post-coal future."

The party's pushing a six percent wealth tax on billionaires, as well as a crackdown on tax avoidance and subsidies for corporations, to help fund the policies.

Greens Senate Candidate David Shoebridge and Newcastle Candidate Charlotte McCabe.

Interest rate hike sparks anxiety for Hunter businesses

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's concern a long-awaited increase to interest rates will hit Hunter businesses hard, just as they were hoping to escape the financial woes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Reserve Bank announced a cash rate hike to 0.35 percent on Tuesday afternoon, with the big four banks each passing on the increase in full.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says, with households keeping a closer eye on their budget, it could be bad news for business.

"For us, it's not just the amount that it's gone up but the message that it sends," Mr Hawes said.

"Everyone was expecting this or anticipating it, but now it's going to be interesting what happens with sentiment, because really at the moment, businesses can't afford for people to put their hands in their pockets too much.

"They're really hoping that people continue to get out there and patronise and spend."

It's understood, businesses have already been absorbing cost increases over the past couple of years.

Industry has also been plagued by staff shortages and inflationary pressures on the price of goods, especially as most government support measures were withdrawn after the height of the pandemic.

With more rate hikes on the horizon, Mr Hawes says it's just another burden, and one that isn't likely to go away anytime soon.

"That's something that we've got to watch out for, because it really will have an opportunity - not necessarily just because of the amounts or the absolute amounts of changes in the interest rate - but the sentiment that it sets and the message that it sends about what's happening in the economy," Mr Hawes said.

"People tend to tighten up and not go out to spend and they get more conservative, and that will be a concern for businesses."

Farmers say they're not reaping the profits of Hunter shoppers' price pinch

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter shoppers are feeling the hip-pocket pain at the supermarket, but farmers are describing it as a rort on the part of supermarkets.

NSW Farmers is slamming the price gouging, saying producers haven't raised their own prices for produce.

While increased fuel costs do lead to slightly increased costs, the organisation claims the price hikes are beyond what's necessary.

Horticulture Committee Chair Guy Gaeta says people should know what they're paying for.

"It's been a rort now for at least 15 or 20 years," Mr Gaeta said. "It's just a rort."

"The prices change every day - they manipulate the people.

"And when I'm in town, and I hear people talking, 'Oh, capsicums $18 a kilo, we can't afford that,' and that's $170 per box. There's no farmers that get that kind of money."

The claims come as Australia records its highest inflation rate in 20 years. 

NSW Farmers says staff visited supermarkets and green grocers in Sydney last week, finding bananas, potatoes, oranges, tomatoes, and cucumbers sold at supermarkets were each at least a dollar a kilo cheaper at a green grocer less than 100 metres away.

Mushrooms, celery, and seasonal produce were also significantly cheaper, with onions less than half the price.

Mr Gaeta says the issue should be a hot topic on the campaign trail.

"Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison should be doing something about it," Mr Gaeta said.

"It's part of the inflation, the problem that they've got now. You can't have people getting ripped off.

"Let's put the farmers aside. We can say 'no, we're not going to supply you'.

"But the consumer has to purchase food - it's an essential item."

There are calls for the next Federal Government to step in and reform competition law across Australia.

But in the meantime, Mr Gaeta says Hunter shoppers should consider going straight to the source.

"Go to the farmers markets, go to the small green grocer, and they'll do a lot better," Mr Gaeta said.

"[The supermarkets] will sell some things for as much as they can, and it's not right, it's just theoretically not right.

"When I see the prices in the supermarkets, I just burst up, I get really upset."

State support package to help Hunter businesses stay the course

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's hoped a new support package announced by the State Government will help Hunter businesses push through tough conditions and low consumer confidence in the Omicron surge.

Local businesses are being urged to apply if they're eligible.

The program includes a number of measures, including:

• Businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $50 million who suffered a 40 percent downturn in January and are projected to do the same in February can apply for payments up to $5000 a week
• The Small Business Fees and Charges rebate program has been extended to $3000, and can also include 50% of the costs of acquiring rapid antigen tests for the workplace.
• Commercial landlord relief has been extended until March 13.
  

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes is welcoming the package, but says it could be coming too late for some businesses.

"This is going to help some businesses, but we're concerned that some have probably already gone too far," Mr Hawes said.

"Particularly going through the summer period, where a lot of businesses traditionally would have made money to put away for quieter times have missed out on that trade."

"I just hope winter isn't too severe and I just hope that when the community feels confident, and that it is very soon, that they get out there and spend."

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has echoed those sentiments, arguing the eligibility requirements are too narrow.

There's concern the program doesn't address the impact on Christmas trading late last year.

Performing arts support has also been included as part of the package.

Eligible venues, as well as producers and promoters of performances, are able to apply for funding, dependent on average ticket prices and sales.

The State Government announced the measures as part of a response to declining case numbers.

But Mr Hawes says while the COVID situation is definitely improving, we're not out of the woods yet.

"I think there's still a way to go," Mr Hawes said. "There's a lot of things that have to turn out way to get us back to the recovery pathways that we all anticipated that we were going to be on in late 2021."

"It's not just about the community perceptions about being concerned about going out while the virus is so prevalent."

"It's also some of this dislocation that we're seeing in supply chains, we're still seeing difficulties in the labour market, businesses being able to get labour."

Job Tenders Now Open For School Building Projects Across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A number of tender opportunities for architects, engineers, and builders have opened up across the Hunter as part of a State Government school building initiative.

Jobs are on offer at local projects such as improvements to Hunter River High School and Irrawang High School, as well as the upcoming Newcastle Education Campus.

Across the state, $3.3 billion will be invested in 44 public schools and is expected to generate around 16,000 new jobs.

At least $75 million is also promised for the Newcastle Education Campus. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet says the investment will be a boost to both education and the economy as we learn to live with COVID-19.

"Today’s announcement provides further certainty to businesses and school communities,” Mr Perrottet said.

“For our kids to be the best and brightest they need the bricks and mortar to support them and we’re delivering that in spades.” 

Residential Land Sales Slowing Down Across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Residential land sales are losing steam across the Hunter, slowing down by around 23 percent compared to last quarter. 

The latest Housing Industry Association report is seeing lot prices rise significantly, with a serious shortage of shovel-ready land. 

Land sales have fallen by 13.10 percent in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and 32.7 percent in the Hunter Valley.

Meanwhile, the median lot price in the Hunter Valley has now risen to $215,000, a 3.42 percent increase on last December.

Executive Director Craig Jennion says it's likely to take some time for the industry to catch up with the demand created by last year's Homebuilder initiative.

"In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, unfortunately we've seen prices go up six percent in the last quarter, and 20 percent over the last 12 months," Mr Jennion said. "That's a result of supply and demand."

"It takes up to ten years to bring a parcel of land to market, and we expect throughout this year, whilst there's lots of bulldozers trying to bring land to market, that it will just take a little bit of time for that to occur." 

Newcastle Container Terminal Hopes Quashed by Federal Court Call

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A Federal Court decision which quashed the possibility of a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle is being met with backlash.

The port has been pushing to diversify into freight and establish a larger terminal on the former BHP site at Mayfield for years, but is currently limited by laws which restrict container movements and make the project financially unfeasible. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is now deciding whether to proceed with an appeal against the call, after their claims the restrictions were anti-competitive and only put in place to favour Port Kembla and Port Botany, were rejected.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said the Government needed to step in for the sake of the Hunter economy and its sustainability into the future.

"It is outrageous that the NSW Government has subjected us to a dodgy deal they made in order to sell and privatize the ports in NSW," Ms Claydon said. 

"It's effectively a massive constraint on Newcastle." 

The court also rejected arguments the Government lost Crown immunity from anti-competitive practice in privatizing the ports, stating the Government was not acting as a business, but only in the interest of a policy decision. 

"All pressure should be put to the NSW Liberal Government," Ms Claydon said. "This is a problem of their making, and the solution also lies with them."

"Why should we be penalised and not be in a position to develop and grow this port, help create jobs in our region, and continue to drive great economic activity in Newcastle?"

Image credit: https://www.portofnewcastle.com.au/

Latest Figures Show Hunter House Prices Continue to Rise Despite COVID Uncertainty

BY DAKOTA TAIT

House prices in the Hunter Region are continuing to rise, according to the latest Domain House Price Report for the December quarter.

The median price of a house in Newcastle has leapt to $671,500, an 11.9 percent increase on the same period last year.

House costs in Lake Macquarie have reached $645,000, while Port Stephens has hit a slightly lower $635,000.

Cessnock prices have risen to $422,500, with Singleton costs hitting at $442,500.

Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter remain the cheapest in the region, at $320,000 and $362,500, respectively.

New Data Reveals Hunter and Regional NSW to Have Most Affordable Public Education

BY DAKOTA TAIT 

New data has revealed the Hunter and Regional NSW have some of the most affordable public education options in the entire country.

The report, compiled by Futurity Investment Group, found the average cost of 13 years of public schooling to come in at $58,227 in the regions, compared to $90,122 in Sydney.

Private education in Sydney came in at $448,035, while Regional NSW was 70 percent cheaper, at just $133,920.

School fees made up a larger proportion of the cost of an Independent education compared to a Government one, while parents of public schoolers put larger fractions of the cost toward school camps, textbooks, uniforms, and transport.

Parents are also estimated to have spent an extra $808 per child last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Futurity Group Executive Kate Hill said the cost of education has risen at more than double the rate of inflation over the past decade.

“Education costs, including outside tuition, school camps and sports equipment and electronic devices are demanding a far greater share of the family budget than in the past,” Ms Hill said.

“COVID-19 has only exacerbated this financial challenge, with parents required to spend hundreds of dollars extra on unplanned education related expenses at the height of the pandemic."

75 percent of Independent school parents found they were satisfied with their child's schooling during the pandemic, compared to only 62 percent of Government school parents.

Ms Hill said parents who lacked the ability to save in the past would suffer difficult education costs in the future.

“More than ever, the costs associated with education are placing more of a burden on Australian families, who are already stretched by the rising cost of living and stagnant wage growth."

Coal Projects to Deliver More Than Three Thousand Jobs for the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new report by the NSW Minerals Council is suggesting mining projects across the Lower and Upper Hunter could generate 3,700 jobs and more than $2.7 billion in capital investment for the region.

The ten coal projects outlined for the Hunter include two brand new underground thermal coal mine developments at Muswellbrook and Wyong, in addition to extensions to existing sites such as Glendell, Mangoola, and Rix's Creek.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee says together with the 22 other projects planned across the state, there is the potential for a total of $13 billion in capital investment and more than 15,500 employment opportunities.

"These are big opportunities for the Hunter Region and for the Hunter economy at a time when we are all looking for economic opportunities to help drive, hopefully, the economic recovery post the Coronavirus pandemic," said Mr Galilee.

The 32 total projects across New South Wales are in various stages of planning and assessment and represent an increase of seven from the sector's last major report released in November 2018

Although all of the projects in the pipeline for the Hunter are thermal or potential coking coal proposals, Mr Galilee says many of the other developments throughout the state have been identified as metal extraction projects.

“While the number of coal projects has risen slightly, the number of proposed metals projects has almost doubled from 6 to 11, representing over 30 percent of all major mining projects proposed in NSW, up from 20 percent 18 months ago," he said.

“This is an opportunity to further build and diversify the NSW mining sector and represents a strong industry response to the release of the NSW Government’s Minerals Strategy in early 2019.”

Image credit: https://www.nswmining.com.au/

Hunter Business Chamber Calls on Government to Offer More Support for Apprenticeships

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter Business Chamber and Business NSW are calling on the Government to offer immediate support to employers struggling to provide apprenticeships and work opportunities for young people across the Hunter Region and New South Wales.

A recent report produced by Business NSW suggests the national apprenticeship intake for 2020 will fall to 151,000 from 97,000 last year, a decline of more than 30 per cent.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes says 54,000 individuals are likely to miss out on crucial opportunities to upskill, reskill, or find a job, while thousands of businesses will also lose out on the chance for valuable employees.

"If this continues, not only are we working off a low base to restore apprenticeship and traineeship numbers, but we'll be looking at a significant skills gap in four to five years time," Mr Hawes said.

The Skilling Australia for a better future report recommends an industry-supported pre-apprenticeship program and subsidies for Group Training Organisations will be necessary to help the sector recover from such a decline.

"There needs to be consistency and significant improvement in the funding so that businesses don't baulk at taking on apprentices and trainees when they have that opportunity," Mr Hawes said.

"We know that's happening, and it shouldn't happen, given the tremendous advantages of having trainees and apprentices come through our school system in the trades in which they traditionally operate."

Despite the recent shock faced by the entire economy, Mr Hawes says the decline speaks to wider issues which existed before COVID-19 and have only been exacerbated by the pandemic.

"It's not just about the wishes of the guys and the girls that want to go into those sorts of opportunities," Mr Hawes said. "It's about businesses being able to provide them with opportunities and the education system being able to point them in that direction."

City of Newcastle Offering Free Training for COVID-19 Business Recovery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Small business workers in Newcastle can now access free accredited online training courses in a City of Newcastle initiative to help businesses get back on their feet.

Provided by TAFE NSW, the University of Newcastle and Novaskill, the 14 training programs on offer focus on areas such as customer behaviour, social media marketing, leadership skills and financial management.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the initiative will help local businesses which have suffered from slow economic activity even after the worst of the pandemic had elapsed.

“This training is targeted at providing local businesses and their staff with an ongoing benefit during the recovery phase and beyond, as the economy returns to a ‘new normal’ state," Cr Nelmes said.

“By upskilling our local workforce and empowering people to learn, we can help provide a sense of positivity and support for the business community as they work to recover from this period of extraordinary economic and social disruption.”

Enrolments are open at each of the three participating organisations for anyone who works at a small business in the Newcastle LGA which employs 20 staff or less - however, each student is only eligible to complete one of the training packages.

Novaskill General Manager Amanda Saunders says the initiative would help support small businesses in "difficult times" now and in the future.

“By offering Newcastle business owners and their staff meaningful development opportunities for the future, we are creating ways to keep everyone engaged and prepared for navigating the ‘new normal’ we are all now facing.”

Image credit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

City of Newcastle Set to Boost Economy by $275 Million with Coronavirus Relief Program

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The City of Newcastle's record $116 million capital works program is set to create 700 new local jobs and boost economic output by $275 million in an attempt to revitalize the local economy as it moves on from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While more than 41,000 people have lost their job or left the local labour force since February, the Council is confident their stimulus will breathe new life into the struggling community.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said with the national economy in recession, it was more important than ever to "accelerate investment" and "uplift economic activity".

The city's infrastructure plan will deliver several programs over the next 12 months:

• $22.9 million for upgrades to local roads and footpaths 
• $17 million for waste management, with $9 million going towards an organics recycling facility at Summerhill and divert around 900,000 tonnes of food and garden organics from landfill 
• $14.2 million for suburban and city centre renewal, such as thee Hunter Street Mall works and local centres in Wallsend, Kotara, Merewether, Shortland, and Stockton
• $9.3 million for environmental sustainability projects, with $1.4 million going towards the rehabilitation of Ironbark Creek 
• $8.2 million for new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities 
• $7.3 million on storm water upgrades to address localised flooding
• $5 million to implement the city's Climate Action Plan 
• $5 million for new and improved cycleways
• $4.6 million for bridge reconstruction works, including Cowper Street and Nelson Street, Wallsend
• $1.5 million to plant new street and park trees

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said a $12 million loss in income would not affect their ability to deliver the program.

“The prudent financial management of City of Newcastle means we have the capacity to fund this COVID-19 stimulus budget, without borrowing," said Mr Bath. "Instead the $336 million budget will be funded from forecast income with a $23 million shortfall funded from existing reserves.”

Cr Nelmes said the program would continue the Council's track record of delivering great results for the local economy.

“Independent economic analysis shows that our investment in local infrastructure has sustained over 3,500 local jobs and increased economic output across Newcastle by more than $1.27 billion since 2015."

Image credit: https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/

Hunter Business Confidence Crashes to Worst Levels Since Global Financial Crisis

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Local businesses say economic conditions have deteriorated rapidly as movement restrictions and social gathering measures tighten their grip on the Hunter Region.

The latest edition of the Business NSW Business Conditions Survey has shown the Hunter economy was one of the hardest hit in the state, following months of bush fires, drought, and now, COVID-19.

More than 200 of the 2,000 responses in the survey were collected from the Hunter, with 70 percent of businesses state-wide claiming they would have to cease trading or scale down if lockdown measures were sustained.

Bob Hawes, CEO of the Hunter Business Chamber, says the rapid erosion of business confidence has been dramatic and will likely have lasting consequences.

“The impact of COVID-19 on confidence is most apparent in business expectations for the next quarter, with confidence falling to levels not seen since the Global Financial Crisis.”

Although businesses in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie were somewhat less affected than those in the Hunter Valley, the impact upon business confidence was still "catastrophic".

While businesses will be able to access federal JobKeeper subsidies from May, nearly 90 percent of businesses still expect the June quarter to be weaker than that of March.

"We're certainly thankful that the government are putting stimulus packages on the table that employees and employers can access," said Mr Hawes. "We're really hopeful that these are going to be able to sustain the level of activity that we need to make sure that when recovery does come, we can take the best advantage of it."

In the meantime, businesses were reported to be moving away from traditional growth objectives such as growing revenue and expanding capacity in favour of downsizing and maintaining solvency.

“All of these trends are consistent with what has been observed through our daily engagement with businesses over the past weeks and why it is so important that every tier of government does all that is possible to keep businesses in operation and staff employed,” Mr Hawes said.

“It is also clear that further restrictions on movement and social gathering would be highly detrimental to business, so it is important that the community observes the current rules and regulations, especially over the coming holiday period, so we don’t see more limitations imposed.”

Image credit: Hunter Business Chamber

Newcastle Airport Continuing Direct Service to New Zealand

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

Newcastle Airport has today announced a three-year partnership with Virgin Airlines to continue direct flight services between the Hunter and Auckland, New Zealand. 

Virgin Australia will operate three return flights per week from 21 November 2019 to 16 February 2020, the peak holiday period, with potential for development of the service in the future.

“In what is a great sign of confidence in the region, we have formalized an agreement to continue connecting these two harbor cities for at least the next three years,” said Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock.

This agreement between the two parties, brought about by the success of last year's trial run, is said to boost the regional economy and cement Newcastle as an international airport. 

"The first season was a real success, delivering an estimated $5.4 million in economic benefit into our region. Importantly, 38% of holiday travelers were visiting the Hunter for the first time, which indicates this direct service stimulated new demand," said Dr Cock, "with our international capability now confirmed, we’re strengthening the region’s reputation as a key destination for both domestic and international travels and a second international gateway into NSW.  It’s thanks to the ongoing support from our shareholders as well as state and federal government stakeholders that we’re well placed to deliver our vision to be the Airport the region deserves."

Photo belonging to the Newcastle Herald

Automated Vehicle Trial in Wine Country

BY ARIANA GATTI

If you thought touring the Hunter's wine region is an experience and-a-half, how do driverless vehicles sound?

Singleton Council has joined forces with HMI Technologies, Professional Data Kinetics and Around Hermitage Association to produce an expression of interest for the new vehicle trial to proceed.

The expression is hoped to be presented to NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, and gain approval for the automated shuttle network to be pushed around the Hunter Valley and Pokolbin area.

The driverless shuttle is planned to deliver customers between the famous wineries, restaurants and accommodation across a 6 Kilometer drive.

The route will cross along Hermitage Road, set against the Brokenback Mountain Range and the surrounds.

Mayor of Singleton, Sue Moore, believes this new service has the potential to bring more job and economic opportunities to the area, with levels of interest, thought to peak as a result of the innovative vehicle service.

"The reality is, a driverless network is a perfect solution for visitors to Hermitage Road to experience the food and wine, craft beer, olive groves and day spas our region is famous for," says Moore.

The trial is expected to introduce two new technical-related jobs, aiming to support additional job prospects in tourism and engineering.

Moore says, "It'll be safe, comfortable, and most importantly it will support the local economy."

Image sourced: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g255328-d318294-i80329546-Mount_Pleasant_Wines-Pokolbin_Greater_Newcastle_New_South_Wales.html