Prime Minister praises M1 extension

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in the Hunter this morning, looking over the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace. 

The $2.1 billion dollar project, is slated to be finished in 2028 and will see a 15 kilometer extension made to the Motorway.

The extension is expected to cut down on nine minutes of travel time during peak periods, with the  removal of 25,000 vehicles from key congestion and merge points between Newcastle and Maitland each day. 

Prime Minister Albanese praised the extension for expected improvements in road safety, and what this will mean for families and workers travelling up and down the east coast. 

"When we build better roads, we get better outcomes for road safety. Better outcomes means saving lives and reducing accidents which we have seen unfortunately rise around the nation."

Additionally, Prime Minister Albanese said the reduced travel time will increase productivity throughout the Hunter region. 

"The Port of Newcastle is one of Australia's most important, and this project will ensure there's massive productivity benefits for all in the region."

$1.3 Million Gifted to Council For Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

A cheque for $1.3 million has been presented to Newcastle Council to assist with the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery. 

The payment was drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, consisting of funds raised by various community donations over a decade, held by the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle. 

Closed for construction in January 2022, the Newcastle Art Gallery's long-awaited expansion is set to double its size, allowing more of its nationally-recognised collection to be displayed to the public.  

Construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2024. 

Upon accepting the cheque, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the development would not have been possible without the public's help. 

"The committed could only be supported by very exceptional philanthropic donations that were a mixture of grassroots foundation funding that has occurred over the last decade." 

Former Lady Mayoress Cathy Tate added, the expansion is a much-needed development. 

"The best regional collection in Australia could not be denied an extended home; we've waited so long, but it is so wonderful to see the hoardings up and see the construction has started. 

Novocastrians Urged to Take More Caution Around Light Rails

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON

                                                               Photo Credit: Newcastle Weekly

People across the Hunter are being urged to take more safety precautions around railway and tram crossings.

Newcastle Transport have released CCTV footage showing multiple close calls featuring pedestrians and drivers around the city's light rail network.

Keolis Downs Hunter General Manager Emmanuel Genlot says the aim of releasing the vision is to encourage the community to be more aware and alert, and consider the impacts a near-miss can have on passengers, drivers, and observers.

"It's scary to watch the CCTV footage and see the dangerous and unpredictable behaviour of some Newcastle road users and pedestrians," said Mr Genlot.

"We are seeing increased instances of intoxicated customers stepping out in front of light rail vehicles after a night out, we also continue to see pedestrians ignoring pedestrian crossings and running across the tracks to try to catch the light rail before it departs." 

Tram driver and trainer Corey Moore says he's seen his fair share of near misses around the city's light rail system.

"We see about one near-miss incident a week, which is one too many."

"While our tram drivers use every possible safety measure to avoid a collision, at the end of the day, we need the community to play its part," said Mr Moore. 

"Every near miss leaves an impact on your mental health."

Rail Safety Week kicks off today, running until the 13th of August to educate people across New South Wales on the dangers of train and tram tracks and crossings. 

Local Environmental Group Angered as Vales Point Power Station's Life Expectancy Extended

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON

Photo Credit: ABC News

                                             

The Coal-ash Community Alliance has been left angered and with unanswered questions as the Australian Energy Market Operator quietly extended the technical life of the Vales Point power station.

The news of the extension, until 2033, was buried deep inside a spreadsheet released on the AEMO's website, with locals not informed of the re-assessment.

The Lake Macquarie-based Coal-ash Community Alliance is calling on the new owners of the Vales Point power station to release their plans to invest to reduce the excessive air pollution and work to reuse the coal ash created at the plant.

"Any extension of operation of the Vales Point power station first requires significant reductions in ash dumping and air pollution," said CCA member Kim Grierson.

"Where is the investment from the new owners to reduce the excessive air pollution from this plant? Where are their efforts to safely reuse the millions of tones of coal ash in the ash dumps around Vales Point? What are the State government and the EPA doing about it?"

Recent findings in the NSW Upper House Coal-ash inquiry found urgent action is needed to address the ongoing problem of more than 100 million tonnes of coal ash waste stored around Lake Macquarie. 

CCA Research Coordinator, Dr Ingrid Schraner, says there should be no extension of life for any power station without clear plans of how the new and existing coal ash will be used in environmentally safe ways.

"What are the plans with the additional ash that's being produced, but much more to the point, where are we at with the process of reusing the existing ash because there is millions and millions of tonnes of coal ash stored around Lake Macquarie," said Dr Schraner.

Hunter athletes set to take on statewide sporting tournament

BY BRIANNA PORTER

Hunter athletes are set to tackle the 2022 Your Local Academy Games commencing from Friday 8th April until Sunday 10th April.

The event, previously hosted by the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) in 2018, 2019 and 2021 will now be hosted by the Southern Sports Academy, and will be held across various venues throughout Wagga Wagga region. 

The Games will feature athletes from 11 competing Regional Academies of Sport across New South Wales. 

The competing academies include Central Coast, Far West, Illawarra, Hunter, North Coast, Northern Inland, South East, South West Sydney, Southern, Western Region and Western Region Academies of Sport. 

The tournament will feature emerging talent of 1300 athletes across 7 sports including basketball, cycling, golf, hockey, netball, triathlon and indoor volleyball. Of these 1300, 189 Hunter athletes will be competing.

Chief Executive Officer of HAS Brett O'Farrell says they are highly anticipating the event.

"We are extremely excited to be travelling to Wagga Wagga for the Your Local Club Academy Games in the Southern Region," Mr O'Farrell said.

"We handed over the reins of hosting duties last year, after 3 years of running the event throughout the Hunter Region, generating an estimated 7000 bed stays with a total economic tourism value of $2.16M."

The Games are set to provide a significant tourism boost to regional NSW.

"Over the last three years where the Hunter hosted it, there were 21,000 hotel bed stays booked. We do know at this point, we expect close to 7000 bed stays in Wagga Wagga," he said.

For emerging Hunter athletes, Mr O'Farrell says the games are expected to be a great stepping stone for greater opportunities to come.

"From these games, the state and national selections occur from the states national sporting bodies and what we hope is that some regional athletes are recognised and promoted into state teams," Mr O'Farrell.

"We're now 10 years out from the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and the majority of athletes competing in Wagga are 15 and 16, so really what we're looking at will be those superstars we will be cheering on in 2032".

Carly McBride murderer sentenced to 27 years in jail

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The man convicted of murdering Carly McBride has been sentenced to a maximum of 27 years in prison.

Sayle Kenneth Newson was convicted of murdering his girlfriend in a jealous rage, and dumping her body in the bush at Scone.

A three-year investigation eventually turned around to focus on him, after he initially her missing.

He won't be eligible for parole for at least 19 years and nine months.

At his earliest possible release in 2038, he'll be 61.

Hunter Workers Protesting Harvey Norman CEO

BY GIORGIA WILSON 

Hunter Workers are protesting outside of Harvey Norman Kotara at 12pm today in response to the submissions opposing a minimum wage increase. 

Gerry Harvey, CEO of Harvey Norman, has been a vocal opponent of a minimum wage rise despite his company's profits more than doubled during 2020. 

The Fair Work Commission is expected to make a decision concerning the annual minimum wage review in early to mid-June. 

Hunter Workers supports the Australian Council of Trades Union urging the Fair Work Commission to increase minimum wage by 3.5% for Australian workers. This increase would offer a much-needed boost from the record low wage growth over the last 8 years. 

"Wages have been stagnant for some time now," says Hunter Workers Secretary, Leigh Shears. "There's a significant gap between the increase in the cost of living and peoples pay bracket."

Hunter Workers have campaigned to improve the lives, wage, working conditions and social services for all workers and their families within these communities. 

A significant minimum wage rise would come as a great relief to Hunter Workers who have been impacted by increased cost of living fueled by housing and rental market shortages. 

"It's going to be a domestic recovery," says Shear. "The economy cannot recover if our workers do not have money to spend."

Since JobKeeper was cut it is estimated there has been a 70% increase of Hunter people living in housing stress. Hunter Workers will continue to campaign for the things that matter for all workers across the region.

Lung Health Seminar to Help Hunter Breathe Easy

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter locals with concerns about their lung health will have the chance to have their questions heard at a community seminar this evening.

The Hunter Medical Research Institute's Breathe Easy seminar is offering talks on how to manage asthma  in the age of COVID-19 and the potential for future research in the area.

There'll also be a Q&A session after the talks.

Professor Vanessa McDonald, a research leader in HMRI's VIVA Program, says natural disasters like bushfires and thunderstorms are making regional Australia a bit of an asthma hotspot. 

"Disasters have significantly affected people with asthma," Prof McDonald said. "For example, a few years ago there was the thunderstorm event in Melbourne, followed by bushfires and then COVID-19."

"We know that a lot of people in the community who have asthma might not necessarily be doing all the right things to manage their asthma most effectively." 

Prof McDonald says it's important sufferers stay one step ahead of the disease.

"These things are not going to stop," Prof McDonald said. "Bushfires will occur again."

"We really need to be prepared about what the best approach to take is when these events occur, particularly on the lives of people with chronic diseases including lung diseases and cardiovascular disease."

The seminar, running 6pm to 7pm this evening, is available online or face-to-face by registering at https://hmri.org.au/breathe-easy-asthma-and-lung-health-community-seminar-person-registration.

New Innovation in Understanding Child Protection for the Hunter

BY Giorgia Wilson 

A project by the University of Newcastle aims to develop a map of the historic perpetrator networks in the Catholic and Anglican Churches, charting their movements within the institutions. 

Dr Kathleen McPhillips, Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle School of Humanities and Social Science, is currently recruiting survivors and community members for the project focusing on the Hunter. 

"What we're doing is trying to see if there is evidence to establish whether there was an organisation of clergy perpetrators and not just a few bad apples in an otherwise good barrel as claimed by the Churches," said Dr McPhillips. 

This follows on from the Child Abuse Royal Commission findings for the Hunter region and involves using social network analysis to build a map of the network of clergy perpetrators and their supporters. 

Dr McPhillips says research suggests that child abuse was highly organised and facilitated by adults both within and external to schools and parishes. 

"We suspect there is a network" says Dr McPhillips, "we think that survivors have a lot of information that can help us put this map together."

Dr McPhillips' research is investigating public inquiry and church-based archives and documents, and interviewing survivors, their families, and the community to put together the picture of the movement of the clergy perpetrators and who they networked with. 

"The project is very important in terms of child safety" said Dr McPhillip's, "we will develop more skills to understand child protection and how that is best served." 

If you would like to take part in the project, Dr McPhillips can be contacted via email at kathleen.mcphillips@newcastle.edu.au or phone her office on 02 4921 5920

If you need help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Dr Kathleen McPhillips

Catholic and Anglican Churches

Maitland's Mattress Muster to Return Early with Recycling Trial This Weekend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Maitland Council's Mattress Muster is returning early this year, with a trial of the recycling program this weekend expected to alleviate demand for the service.

The trial is replacing a previously announced event at the Council's Depot carpark on Metford Road in East Maitland, and will be instead held at the Mount Vincent Waste Facility Site from 8:30am to 3:00pm on Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st, and Saturday 27th of February.

Each household in the Maitland can drop off up to four mattresses free of charge, including cots, innersprings, foam and latex, although mattresses with ensemble bases will count as two items.

Environment & Sustainability Manager Catherine Pepper says the community's involvement in the Mattress Muster was encouraging.

"The high popularity of the Mattress Muster is indicative of the community’s positive interest in recycling," Ms Pepper said. "Involvement in programs like this is a great way to keep problem waste out of landfill." 

Proof of residence in the Maitland local government area is required to take part.

State Government Facing Calls for Further Works on Pacific Highway to Improve Road Safety

BY DAKOTA TAIT

While the Pacific Highway's four lane upgrade has been completed, the NSW Government is now facing calls to invest in further works to help improve the road's safety. 

Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie told Parliament on Tuesday the Pacific Highway needed overpasses and interchanges at vital intersections where there had been accidents and high traffic flows in the past.

“Population growth along the Pacific Highway corridor, combined with increasing tourism traffic has made many of these major intersections busy at peak times, raising further safety concerns,” Dr Gillespie said. 

“In recent times, we have seen fatal accidents at these busy intersections and it’s now time for them all to be upgraded.”

Dr Gillespie identified the Medowie Road, Italia Road and Buckets Way intersections north of Raymond Terrace as in particular need of an interchange or overpass following various fatal crashes in recent years.

"All of these intersections are a priority and need to be upgraded sooner rather than later. It is something we must put on the agenda now so that further investment can be made by the State and Federal Governments," Dr Gillespie said.

“The community at all of these locations are seeking interchanges and overpasses at these intersections and I believe they deserve nothing less."

Dr Gillespie said he would be pursuing the issue with the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport.

New Report Predicts Homelessness To Rise by 40 percent in Newcastle, over Next 12 months

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Equity Economics report ‘A Wave of Disadvantage Across NSW: Impact of COVID-19’ released today by NCOSS predicts in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie homelessness is set to increase by 40.5% within a year.

Homelessness in the Hunter is set to have proportionally higher increases than other parts of NSW, reflecting already high levels of homelessness and higher local increases in unemployment.

More than 10,000 people are now on the waiting list for social housing in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, with concerns this number could increase by 40 percent over the next six months.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says at the current rate of construction, it would take 37 years to build enough public housing properties to clear the backlog in her electorate alone.

"There's been a long time since Government has really built specifically public housing," Ms Hornery said. "It's a priority, and the Government, all levels of Government, need to make sure funding public housing and building public housing, which is a great way to employ people as well, is a priority for them." 

Ms Hornery says the current waiting times for public housing are "unacceptable" and will put thousands of vulnerable Australians at further risk.

"If you don't have a home over your head, then you have nothing really," Ms Hornery said. "Not only does homelessness in itself create a great deal of difficulties and problems for people, it's terrible for children, and it also means it's very hard for people to get jobs."

Mark Degotardi, CEO of the Community Housing Industry Association NSW, says the housing crisis is a "looming catastrophe" which may put 88,000 families in housing stress over the next 12 months.

"Before COVID-19 community organisations and the property sector were calling for 5,000 new social housing properties a year over the next decade," Mr Degotardi said. "That need is even more pressing now - this report shows when this recession reaches its peak, thousands of struggling families may have nowhere to go."

Solar Set to Help Water Bills and the Environment

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

Hunter Water is aiming to reduce costs for its customers as well as its impact on the environment through a $15 million upgrade of the utility's energy systems.

The NSW Government programme will contribute to Hunter Water's plans to become "carbon neutral" by 2030.

The corporation cites electricity costs as one of its major expenses, accounting for about 10 per cent of annual costs.

An array of solar panels have been constructed and are now ready for installation at the Branxton Wastewater Treatment Works. The corporations's Managing Director, Darren Cleary, says the plans are "a win for both our customers and the environment".

"The solar array at Branxton is the first project in a $15 million programme of works over the next four years with the aim of reducing our carbon footprint and reducing our electricity costs.

"We hope the project will deliver a reduction in our carbon emissions by 7,200 tonnes per year. That's the equivalent of taking 1,500 cars a year off the road as well as delivering savings for our electricity bill of over one million dollars each year," Mr Cleary said.

"So, a great outcome for both our customers and the environment."

The project was announced by NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey, who says a range of other sites are being shortlisted for solar upgrades.

“This investment is all about innovation and supporting jobs in the Hunter while also reducing Hunter Water’s electricity bill,” Mrs Pavey said.

“The 100 kilowatt system at Branxton Wastewater Treatment Works is the first in Hunter Water’s push for many solar projects, with savings generated helping to maintain affordable bills,” she said.

Sites at Morpeth, Kurri Kurri, and Raymond Terrace are among 20 which are part of the initial rollout.

It's expected the 252-panel installation at Branxton will contribute to an eventual $1.5 million electricity saving each year.

Hunter Water says its also considering other ways of reducing its environmental impacts while being mindful of household water bills.

"We'll continue to look at the technology as it evolves, as well as emerging technologies such as battery storage technology and floating solar," Mr Cleary said.

"We'll be pursuing these opportunities wherever they're viable."

The water utility says the project will deliver a 7.37% reduction in its electricity usage.

"Looking at our energy costs is really a great sustainability outcome. It has the benefits of both reducing costs - which is great for our customers - as well as reducing our environmental impact by reducing our carbon emissions," Mr Cleary said.

Mr Cleary says the solar upgrades are just one aspect of a range of new technologies being used in the Hunter region's water system.

"We've just commissioned a smart control system for our water network that looks at optimising our pumping regime to to minimise electricity use and energy costs. So it's a major focus of our organisation and that's because it has the dual benefits of reducing our resource consumption by reducing our carbon emissions and how much electricity we consume as well as reducing costs," he said.

Hunter Water says more information of its sustainability initiatives can be found at www.hunterwater.com.au/our-water/sustainability

The $15 million solar project is hoped to reduce carbon emissions as well as provide savings for customers. Image: Hunter Water

Community Urged to Show Their Support for Local Newspapers

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter Business Chamber is urging the community to consider taking out a subscription to show their support for struggling local newspapers amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

These calls come as Australian Community Media announces plans to shutter many of its regional publications until the end of June, including the Cessnock Advertiser, Hunter Valley News, and the Newcastle Star.

While dailies such as the Newcastle Herald and the Canberra Times will continue operating, a decline in traditional revenue raising methods such as business advertising has put heavy pressure on the industry.

Chamber CEO Bob Hawes says businesses and members of the community should now return the favour and lend a helping hand to local newspapers.

“Newspapers are the lifeblood of our local communities and do much to support business through editorial coverage, advertising opportunities and partnerships."

"They are a vital source of information, even though to many the digital format is a modern trend," said Mr Hawes. "But newspapers certainly fill a role both for businesses that wish to advertise and for communities that wish to get information."

Mr Hawes says it has been a "tough decision" for publications to make, but hopes the community will come together to help protect a valuable good.

“Trusted journalism has never been more important than it is now, in a time of global crisis, and we need local papers to be highlighting the needs, priorities and good news in their communities by telling local stories.”

Image credit: Hunter Business Chamber

Police Spot Man with Imitation Firearm at Belmont

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

A 21-year-old man will face court after allegedly possessing an unregistered firearm in Belmont on Thursday.

Police say the man was spotted by officers as they were passing on the Pacific Highway at around 2pm, noticing a man holding a pistol.

Officers say they approached the man, where he resisted arrest.

A search of the man uncovered a modified gel blaster.

Lake Macquarie Commander, Superintendent Danny Sullivan APM, said police treat imitation weapons as real firearms to ensure community safety.

“Imitation firearms can often be hard to distinguish from the real deal, as they are modelled closely on real weapons," he said.

“If a weapon looks real, officers will treat it as authentic until such a time that the weapon can be analysed – public safety will always come first,” Supt Sullivan said.

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with offences including possessing an unregistered firearm and resisting arrest. He was refused bail and faces Belmont Local Court today.

Singleton calling for new operators to manage their Livestock Market

BY ANNABEL ROBINSON

Singleton Council is calling for any expressions of interest from the private farming sector to assist in the management of the Regional Livestock Market upgrade that was funded a $6 million grant from the Government's Resources for Regions project.

The Resources for Regions program was introduced back in 2012 to help support mining-affected communities within NSW.

Since then, the Government's program has funded Singleton council with over $31 million which has contributed to the revitalisation of the Singleton Town Centre, renovations to the Gym and Swim and the upgraded cycleway along Hermitage road.

The town's most recent grant was lodged to help assist them with an upgrade in their agricultural sector which aims to be completed by February next year. Unfortunately for the city council, recent reviews found the current operation to be unsustainable and nonprofitable for the local community, leaving the council in a deficit of $250, 000 last financial year.

Singleton Mayor Sue Moore says that the council aren't specialists in running sales yards so to benefit the community they will be outsourcing to find operators that can manage the facility to best of their ability but we won't be seeing the sales yards up on the market anytime soon.

"The purpose of the grant was for agriculture and to continue the economic benefits of agriculture. It's more about who is the best person to run the sale yards and scope a field before we can move forward with any other decisions," Cr Moore says.

The council is aware that the current situation of the livestock sale yard needs to change and hopes to come to a more successful conclusion early next year.

Image source: VisitNSW of a Livestock sale yard

Vandals target Supercars construction sites

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

As the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 Supercars event draws nearer, it's clear that some Novocastrians are still unsupportive.

Vandals have tagged the words 'liars,' 'shame' and 'spin' on signs explaining the purpose of construction works taking place around the East End.

Images of the vandalism circulated on social media yesterday, as race preparation continues.

This week, crews will work on driveway upgrades on Watt Street and further works on Nobby's Beach Carpark.

The past few days have seen the relocation of utilities, the laying of stormwater pipes and water main installation throughout the East End, with crews working between 7am and 5pm on weekdays.

Maria Charlton, an East End resident and business owner, has expressed her frustration with the disruptions caused over the past few months.

"It's been disruptive. It's been noisy. The sad part about it is it's affecting a lot of businesses- they've gone into a downslide...These were businesses that were very viable; small businesses," she said, "But because of the traffic chaos and the infrastructure work, they've gone into decline and they're desperate."

Ms Charlton believes the event should never have been planned to take place on Newcastle's streets. "I mean really, I don't deny people will want to watch this event, but take it to a race track and stop imposing on business.

"If residents or whoever did [the vandalism], are saying things, they're saying it out of utter desperation. They're seeing their environment being totally invaded for a three-day event."

"Lies"- Vandals target signage opposite Nobby's carpark. Image source: The Herald.