A bit of grandstanding going on: MacDonald

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A block of land next to Hunter Stadium is bringing some competition with a developer coming forward wanting to build a hotel, but plans already in the works have other ideas.

It's been reported a Broadmeadow masterplan for the 63 hectare site will involve a major overhaul including a new entertainment centre, sporting facilities and possibly medium- to high-density housing.

Venues NSW is preparing a draft masterplan for the site which isn't available yet but already it's copping backlash from local MP's.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp didn't want to opening comment on the matter, but has said the land shouldn't be flogged off for housing.

"I don't think we should be using world class sporting facilities to build high density housing by any means, so I think a hotel may well be appropriate if you've got a centre of excellence and a new entertainment centre and a whole lot of people coming to regional facilities - it may be appropriate," said Tim Crakanthorp.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald has hit back, saying there aren't any firm plans laid down yet and the Labor Party need to decide if they're for affordable housing, or not.

"They seem to be chopping and changing about how they regard public property and Crown Lands and public land so its a bit of, pardon the pun, a bit of grandstanding going on there, just hold fire for a couple more months and we'll have a draft out there for everybody to have their say," said Scot MacDonald.

"It is early days for the local member to be saying land should be reserved for this or reserved for that. I'll just say that they came out last weekend saying 25 per cent of land should be mandated for affordable housing so we're looking for a bit of consistency from the Labor party."

Newcastle Misses Out On World Cup

BY IAN CROUCH

 There's growing anger over the decision to exclude Hunter Stadium from hosting matches at next year's Rugby League World Cup.

Games will be played across the country including Cairns, Darwin and Perth, however Rugby League heartlands such as Newcastle and Wollongong will miss out.

Organisers say it's because the state government chose not to support the event - Shadow Minister for the Hunter, Kate Washington says the decision is mind boggling.

Kate Washington

CEO's sleeping under the stars for the 2016 Vinnies CEO Sleepout

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Business and community leaders are set to brave the cold at Hunter Stadium in Broadmeadow tonight, sleeping under the stars for the 2016 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

The 55 CEO's from Newcastle, both individual and in business teams, will be spending the night at the stadium with only a sleeping bag, three sheets of cardboard and the clothes on their back to keep them warm.

Already, the event has raised $4.3 million nationally, but there is still some way to go to make the national target of $6.5 million.

Regional Operations Manager Ken Hill says Newcastle alone have raised $75, 000 so far and are getting quite competitive.

"We've just got a little bit of a competitive streak going on at the moment because we've found out that Woolongong has raised over $100, 000 and they've got the same number of CEO's so we're trying to get people to get behind it, contact their networks and help raise some funds for this worthwhile cause."

Last year money raised from the event helped provide over 820, 000 meals and almost 258, 000 bed nights for people experiencing disadvantage and homelessness, as well as helping run numerous programs.

Ken Hill says the Sleepout gives CEO's and senior managers a glimpse into what it's like to experience homelessness on the streets and, "utilise their networks and supplement networks to raise funds to help St Vincent de Paul carry out our work with homeless people and a number of different programs that we have".

Major leaders participating in the Newcastle event include Adam Boyle (Pegasus), Kirsten Molloy (Hunter Valley Coal), Clint Newton (Rugby League Player Association), Michael Crocker (Rugby League Player Association), Matty Kerr and Jimmy Wright (Nanna Kerr's Kitchen).

Newcastle in the spotlight as Special Olympics gets underway.

The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games got underway at Hunter Stadium, with more than 2300 athletes attending the opening ceremonies.

Competition will begin today for 9 different sports, and people are encouraged to spectate the events which are admission-free.

Games Director Chris Hevrin says Newcastle is more than up to the task of hosting a great games.

“We had just under 25 000 people in the stadium, the atmosphere was just electric,” he said, “I’ve never seen so many people with a smile on their face and I don’t think I’ve ever been to an event, big concerts included, where people danced as much for the whole night. It was just amazing!”

The games have attracted athletes from 29 nations, and are the first to be held for the Asia-Pacific region.

“It just means so much to them and they’re representing their country, this is an very very special occasion for them. A lot them have ever been on a plane before, quite a lot have not seen any ocean [sic] before,” said Mr Hevrin.

The athletes are staying at various places around the Newcastle and Port Stephen’s area.

The events are free to spectate and the full schedule of events can be found on their website.