Cessnock residents asked to clean up their act

BY JARROD MELMETH

A notorious illegal dumping ground on McLeod Road in Loxford has been cleaned up and Cessnock City Council is hoping it stays that way.

Cleaning up the 22.4 hectare site was no easy task and Council worked closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Crown Lands and local company Goninan & Sons to get the job done.

The project involved removing 78.6 tonnes of waste, installing fencing around the site and putting in three gates for access to services.

The waste removed from the site included 7.92 tonnes of asbestos, 28 tyres, 12 needles, whitegoods and general household rubbish.

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said he was disgusted the site got to this point and is calling on the community to clean up their act.

“One of the concerning things in this clean-up was the amount of children’s toys and items such as prams and car seats, indicating families are some of the key offenders.

“If kids are in tow when parents are dumping rubbish in bushland, it sends a message that this is OK, which is highly concerning,”Cr Pynsent said.

In an effort to educate the community and prevent further illegal dumping, Council also distributed a brochure to all residents in Loxford, Kurri Kurri, Clifleigh, Standford Methyr and Weston.
This project was funded by the NSW EPA through the Waste Less Recycle More initiative, funded by the waste levy. 

The dumping site at Loxford. 

Local showgrounds could be under threat

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Throughout the Hunter, showgrounds are managed by volunteer trusts, but this could all change when new Crown Land Laws come into effect.

The new Crown Lands Management Act 2016 will be able to transfer a wide range of Crown Lands to local councils and other government agencies.

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Mick Veitch sees the move as yet another example of the National Party failing rural and regional communities.

"There's a real risk under the new laws that the minister of the day can transfer crown land including showgrounds to your local council to manage. What that means is, if the councils keen to sell off and develop that land they can do so under the new regime," said Mick Veitch.

The changes to the laws would see the showgrounds most likely taken out of the trust hands and transferred to local councils and government who would be likely to sell the community assets, particularly if they are strapped for cash.

"Right across the Hunter there are showgrounds managed by hard working trusts and these trusts need support and they need support from the community as well as government. What I'm saying to the minister, is we need to make sure the communities continue to have a say in the management of these showgrounds via the trust system."

NSW Labor sought to move amendments to the Crown Lands laws which would have prevented councils reclassifying Crown Land as "operational" land that could be sold off.

Image @MickVeitchMLC

Plans Proposed for Relocation of Pelican Boat Ramp

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

Plans have been proposed for the relocation of the Pelican boat ramp.

The Department of Primary Industries - Crown Lands has released a draft recommendation to Lake Macquarie City Council which would see the ramp moved 170 metres South of its current location.

The ramp has suffered much damage over the last 2 years and has been closed for around 12 months.

It was first impacted by the April storms in 2015 and was further damaged by the collapse of restaurant, Milano's on the Lake in February last year.

The proposal was made after investigations were conducted into the erosion of Pelican foreshore and sand movements in Swansea Channel.

Construction is expected to commence mid 2017.

Lake Macquarie City Council are encouraging residents to have their say on the proposal on their website or at a pop-up information stall on the 21st of January.

Image Courtesy: lakemac.com.au