Hunter MP's want Return and Earn fast-tracked.

BY JARROD MELMETH

The lack of Return and Earn collection points in the Hunter has prompted calls from the State Opposition for the government to fast-track the rollout of the scheme.

Three weeks after the launch of the scheme, the Hunter region has 11 of the 300 statewide collection points, which residents say has resulted in long queues and machines being out of service because they are too full.

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said piles of rubbish has been accumulating around the machines as they become out of order or too full.

"We certainly do need to, when we roll out these machines, be mindful of the fact that people will be waiting to utilise them, that they are accessible for people with disabilities and, that people do not leave rubbish behind. There needs be bins and other things provided with extra collections being made for the removal of the rubbish as well.

"Unfortunately, while it is a wonderful scheme some of the minor issues have not been thought out yet. They need to to make it comfortable and convenient for the community," Ms Hornery said.

Ms Hornery said she had also written to the Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton asking for machines to be installed at Stockland Wallsend and Stockland Glendale.

It was announced earlier today that the NSW Government has partnered with Coles which Ms Upton said will "mean more locations for people to return their empty containers and receive their refund.”

Photo: 2GB Sydney.

NSW Environment Minister Meets With PFAS Affected Residents At Williamtown.

BY IAN CROUCH

The Defence Department will hold the first of several public meetings today to update residents on the investigation into the Williamtown RAAF Base contamination saga.

It comes more than two years after news of the scandal broke.

The state government last month supported a motion from Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington to pressure the Prime Minister to find solutions for residents living in the red zone.

NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton met with six residents behind closed doors yesterday to hear how the state government can further assist them, with particular emphasis on connection to town water.

"It was a good meeting, a practically helpful meeting and I will welcome further meetings with the residents groups into the future," she said.

NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton

However, Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington believes the meeting should've been open to the public.

"At long last she is meeting with some community members in Newcastle, but I know that the community would have preferred a public meeting," she said.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington

Gabrielle Upton has defended the decision not to hold a public meeting saying she was concerned to hear genuinely from the residents out of the the glare of publicity.

Sacred Butterfly Caves in jeopardy

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The sacred Aboriginal site, the Awabakal women's Butterfly Cave, is in jeopardy at West Wallsend.

Butterfly Cave is at risk from a housing development which will impact the sacred site through earthworks and construction vibration.

The Aboriginal women have lodged an application to have the zone extended to 100 metres between the Cave and the housing estate, after the developer only put a 20 metre buffer zone in place - the smallest zone in the state.

The application was lodged in December 2016 and the Awabakal women say they've requested meeting with Minister Upton on numerous occasions but have not received a reply.

The Awabakal Aboriginal Land Council is calling on Minister for Environment and Heritage Gabrielle Upton to intervene at what is the eleventh hour for the site, and save the Butterfly Cave.

Melinda Brown with granddaughter Yasmine in the Butterfly Caves.
Image Change.org

"We really are imploring her [Gabrielle Upton] to get involved and make a stand in a fight that's so far been completely one sided in favor of the developers who have influence and they know how to manipulate situations to their benefit and these women are just average everyday women trying to fight save an aboriginal site," said Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Rob Russell.

The Butterfly Cave was declared the first Aboriginal women's Place by the NSW Government in 2013 in recognition of its huge significance to Awabakal women.

It's not just the development itself causing concern for the scared site, it's what happens after the housing estate is built as well.

"We're worried the development itself is going to damage it, but its going to be so close to houses that we're worried people are going to use it as a play site, somewhere to go exploring when it is a far more important site than just a playground," said Rob Russell.

An online Change.org petition to 'Save the Cave' has been created and already has 59,000 signatures.

State Government Silence on Newcastle Contamination

BY RACHEL STORER

A recent Macquarie University report has revealed that large parts of inner-city Newcastle contain soil with an alarming cocktail of heavy metals leftover from the city's industrial past.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, has called on the State Government to act but has been met with silence.

In January Mr Crakanthorp contacted the NSW Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, to discuss the serious issue.

"The main issue is that this report was released in January and it's now April and nothing has been done," he said.

"The government is dragging their heels on this issue and Minister Upton needs to realise the enormity of the issue at hand."

Mr Crakanthorp is calling for further studies to be conducted to provide more information to the residents of Newcastle regarding the risks they may face and how to manage contamination if required.

Mr Crakanthorp has said Newcastle does not want another "Williamtown debacle" but it appears that the state government is happier to ignore the existence of the report than deal with it.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp