Newcastle Now Accusing Council CEO Of Being "Scandalous" Following Discrepancy Claims

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle Now has hit back at council following claims the Business Improvement Association has a $1.1 million discrepancy relating to staffing costs.

In a statement, City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said a breakdown of the groups' expenses for the past three years does not match the groups audited reports for the same three years.

Mr Bath claims the group listed expenditure on wages at $244,949, but an audit put that figure at $1,384,488.95.

"Until I terminated its funding on 31 December last year, Newcastle Now was spending 56 per cent of its annual income on employee and administration expenses. This is money that ratepayers expect would be spent promoting the CBD.

"Newcastle Now's financial explanation is concerning. Unless they can reasonably account for the $1.1 million discrepancy in their employee costs, my recommendation to council will be that a new agreement shouldn't be offered to Newcastle Now for the new financial year," Mr. Bath said.

However, Newcastle Now Chairman Ed Duc denies the figures saying they are "incorrect".

"An organization that is handling $800,000, or thereabouts, of ratepayers money has to be very careful as to what it does with that money. 

"The truth of the matter is, in order to spend that money, you need to have administration. Our administration costs, we know, are 20 per cent. That is 20 per cent of the gross special benefit rate. The remainder of the funds Bath is talking about are expanded wages for programs approved by the traders through the elected board," Mr Duc said.

Issues between Newcastle Now and City of Newcastle date back to a year ago when Mr Duc and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes exchanged words during a council meeting after Ms Nelmes raised questions about how the group was promoting the city during light rail construction.

Mr Bath rehashed the light rail issue in his statement.

"The past 12 months were the most challenging faced by many traders in the Newcastle CBD due to the light rail construction.

"In a year when Newcastle Now should have been investing every last cent into promoting and activating the CBD, we now know that they instead spent more than half a million dollars on employee and administration costs," Mr Bath said.

Mr Duc describes Mr Bath as "scandalous" describing his attitude as "unbelievable."

"He knows that this is not true and we are trying to figure out just what motivation he has behind making these scurrilous claims," Mr Duc said.

Newcastle Now will be writing to the Office of Local Government asking for it to come in and review the situation.

Pictured L-R: Newcastle Now Chairman Ed Duc and Council CEO
Jeremy Bath. Image: Newcastle Herald.

Newcastle Business Improvement Associations Under The Spotlight

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle Business Improvement Associations will come under the spotlight at a City of Newcastle council meeting on Tuesday night.

A report commissioned by the City of Newcastle will be tabled at the meeting which concludes "The proportion of Levy funding allocated towards administration costs also appears to be excessive and at the cost of additional economic development output."

The report also recommended updated the existing funding model for BIAs "to better involve their members, align operations with emerging opportunities and make structural changes that can ensure funding certainty and improved governance."

Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said four of the five BIAs have this year requested Council funding, with 46 per cent of their collective ratepayer funds to go to administration and salaries.

Mr Bath said the AECOM report found that the governance arrangements for BIAs require significant improvement.

"Earlier this year a BIA requested more than $100,000 with no explanation of how the money would be spent.

"Another requested to spend all (and more) of their special rate funding on administration.

"More than $10 million of commercial ratepayers money has been provided to BIAs during the past seven years. During this time, the amount being diverted to administration and salaries has substantially increased.

"Every dollar that is spent on administration and salaries is a dollar that isn't going towards on-the-ground delivery of events and programs that attract people to local shops and businesses," Mr Bath said.

But Newcastle Now Chair Edward Duc said without staff, the association would not be able to provide community events and programs.

"The people who are employed in the office, run the programs. They actually run the events and if we don't have those people then we would have to outsource. Our experience with outsourcing this sort of activity is more expensive than doing it in-house," Mr Duc said.

Councillors will consider the recommendation in a confidential meeting to replace the model of funding agreements with a new framework with an emphasis on events, local projects and infrastructure.

Council CEO Jeremy Bath.

Newcastle council reveals potential locations for Maritime Museum relocation

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle council have revealed potential new locations for the Maritime Museum's collection following a decision to close its doors by the Museum society on Wednesday.

Council's CEO Jeremy Bath said council is currently in discussions with the board of the maritime museum about inheriting the collection.

"Hunter Development Corporation, who is the landlord for the museum and Newcastle City Council are going to be working together to try and identify ways that we can actually ensure the collection is exhibited, and that it is exhibited in a multitude of ways.

"One obvious way, of course, is for the Newcastle Museum to have a permanent exhibition, but there are other ways that we can make sure that the museums' collection is available for people to touch and feel and really learn from.

"That might be through the Port authority; through the new cruise terminal; it might be through outdoor exhibitions down at Honeysuckle.

"There is a lot of different ways that we can make sure that this collection is still available for the people to really come and learn from," Mr Bath said.

Newcastle Maritime Museum. Photo: MGNSW.

Council restructure riles up Robbo

BY JARROD MELMETH and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle Independent councillor Allan Robinson is raising concerns in the wake of an impending council restructure.

Under the Local Government Act, Local council CEO's are required to review the structure of council after an election, with the last restructure following the 2012 election.

Cr Robinson fears the restructure will be Labor-led considering the close-working relationship of Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Council CEO Jeremy Bath.

"They are just changing things to get rid of one of the senior staff members, the smartest bloke in there. He does not do what she [Nuatali Nelmes] says. He disagrees with her, and he is the last one standing and he is going to get the sack," Cr Robinson said.

Although the claims are yet to be substantiated, Cr Robinson says staff have expressed concerns following news of the restructure.

Councillors will see the details of the restructure in a confidential meeting on Tuesday night.

The restructure comes in the midst of an already tumultuous week for a council divided over a probe into councillors' electronic communications following the leak of budget documents.

Mr Bath committed to investigating who gave the documents to the Newcastle Herald unless the councillor responsible came forward.

However, Cr Robinson said, “I rang the CEO and told him it was me who leaked it."

But 2NURFM News understands Cr Robinson made the comment flippantly.

"He [Jeremy Bath] said 'I know it wasn't you, I've looked; you haven't even read it yet,' I said okay," Cr Robinson explained.

Although the document was not stamped confidential, it is understood councillors were verbally warned of the sensitive nature of the figures.

"It wasn't even confidential...it was left in the chamber," Cr Robinson said.

"It could be staff, it could be security, it could be 20 of the reptiles with no life who sit in and listen. Who knows?"

Cr Allan Robinson. Photo: Newcastle Herald.

Newcastle's Secret Parking Oasis

BY TYLER FARDELL


For many Newcastle residents who work in the CBD, parking has never been much of an issue.

However, as Newcastle undergoes some dramatic changes as part of the Revitalise Newcastle program including the construction of a light rail network, parking in the CBD may become a struggle.

Approximately 386 parking spaces will be lost when the former David Jones car park closes to make way for the redevelopment of the mall which is being undertaken by Iris Capital.

But the answer to these parking problems has been right there all along.

The 200 or so parking spaces at Number 2 Sportsground in Newcastle West are open to residents all day every day, yet no more than a dozen cars can be seen parked there on weekdays.

The Empty Spaces at Number 2 Sportsground
Photo source; Newcastle Herald

Newcastle City Council CEO Jeremy Bath says he can't understand why more people aren't taking advantage of the most affordable all-day parking in Newcastle.

"All day parking at Number 2 Sportsground costs just $6 and is takes no more than 10 minutes to walk to business hubs like Honeysuckle, Marketown, King Street and Hunter street", he said.

"Many people will waste their time and spend 20 minutes driving around the CBD looking for a park when they could already be at work. It's Newcastle's best kept secret".

The always full parking along Smith Street next to the Sportsground
Photo source; Newcastle Herald

Park and ride free for another month

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle City Council has extended the free introductory period for the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium until February 26. 

Originally the service would start costing commuters $2 return from the 26th of January, but, council says the extra time will be used to finalise a mobile phone app designed to make the payment as convenient as possible for commuters. 

Council CEO Jeremy Bath said there is still some work to do on the development of the app before it is ready to go.

Council recently surveyed users of the service to understand what improvements could be made.

More than nine in 10 of 243 respondents said they had recommended park and ride to a friend and more than half said they used it three days a week or more.

The vast majority of respondents or 86 per cent said the service times suited their commuting needs.

But earlier starting times were raised as a possible improvement for the return afternoon leg.

"We will look at the scheduling to see if we can move the pm starting time forward from 4.30pm to 3.30 or even 3pm in line with the feedback.

"Council is doing everything it can to make it easier for workers to get into the city during what is clearly a time of significant disruption, but which we know will ultimately lead to a vastly improved city for all," Mr Bath said.

The Park and ride bus at McDonald Jones Stadium. Image Supplied.

Bath No Longer Interim

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council's Interim CEO, Jeremy Bath can now drop the interim from his job title.

The 41-year-old has been officially appointed to the role on a 5 year contract.

During his tenure as interim CEO over the past 7 months, the former Hunter Water executive has navigated council through divisive battles over the V8 Supercars and the rail corridor rezoning.

Although recent decisions to call for expressions of interest for the future use of Shepherds Hill Cottage and a recommendation to councillors to accept a 16 per cent pay rise has raised eyebrows.

Jeremy Bath says he's willing to make unpopular decisions for the good of the council and the city of Newcastle.

He's been appointed on $390,000 a year contract.

Newcastle Council CEO Jeremy Bath

Queens Wharf "Phallic Symbol" To Be Demolished

BY JESSICA ROUSE AND IAN CROUCH

It's been deemed as embarrassing by Newcastle Council.

Council voted last night to demolish the Queens Wharf Tower by the middle of next year.

Interim CEO, Jeremy Bath says the 30 metre observation tower is an embarrassment to the city due to its unfortunate shape.

"I think we all know that it has become something of an embarrassment to the city, not something that we can be proud of and frankly Newcastle is better than having a 30 metre high phallic symbol down at one of the most prominent parts of the harbour," said Jeremy.

Newcastle's Queens Wharf Tower Set To Be Demolished

He says the tower is expensive to maintain and by demolishing it, ratepayers will be saved $1.6 million over the next four years in repair work.

It also doesn't have wheelchair access, it is constantly the target of vandals and it's also council's most complained-about asset.

The decision has certainly gathered some attention on social media today, with many reliving much-loved jokes and throwing around ideas about what could be done with the tower instead.

"I think those who are questioning it are largely doing it with their tongue certainly in their cheek," said Jeremy.

It's hoped a historical replacement will be an option. The tower was erected in 1988 and opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her bicentenary visit to Australia.

Council adds the tower doesn't have a purpose anymore because it was connected to bridge over the railway tracks which no longer exist.

"You can simply walk across the road to get into the CBD and the tower holds no purpose other than to be a subject of regular amusement to visitors to our city who ask the inevitable question, why?" said Jeremy.

The Interim CEO says you still have time to take one last hike up the tower.

"Certainly for the next six months until council takes the tower down people will have the opportunity, if they're mad enough frankly, to go up one last time but I do stress to people it is quite a hike, it's not particularly safe and once you get up there there's only one way down."

Park and Ride an Early Success

By MATT JOHNSTON

Newcastle's commuter park and ride service launched this morning, with initial reactions already prompting council to expand the service. The free shuttle from McDonald Jones Stadium into Newcastle's CBD already has over 500 registered users looking to save money on parking closer to town.

Newcastle City Council's interim Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath says it's been an early success, despite "inclement" weather and other factors. He says it's a fantastic result when you consider the weather and the fact that Mondays are traditional less busy in terms of traffic.

Over 100 people used the service this morning, who gave council "a really positive response". Jeremy says "everyone was happy with the service".

"We're already in discussions in regard to expanding the park and ride from 2018 to include the Newcastle Showground. I think undoubtedly based on the registrations and even just on today's first experience, there is a very strong demand from commuters for a park and ride service into the city."

The service is being touted by council as a money-saving measure for commuters, with the shuttle being free until the end of January 2018. After January, the cost will increase to $2, which still represents a saving when compared to parking costs in the central business district.

Registration for the service is still open, with council urging as many commuters to take up the scheme as possible. Timetables and details for stops are also available on the park and ride website.

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride

Fig trees well and truly on the chopping block

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Workers from Newcastle Council will be firing up their chainsaws today in Cooks Hill.

Fig trees in Swan Street, Cooks Hill, are on the chopping block with 11 of the 24 getting the chop this week.

Interim General Manager Jeremy Bath said the council's hand has been forced on the issue with council's insurer threatening to revoke its public liability insurance across the city if the trees weren't removed.

"Consequently council's insurer has come to the conclusion that it is no longer willing to offer council public liability insurance unless we do something about the figs. Now we've looked at what we can do and unfortunately all that can be done in terms of making the street safe is to remove them so that's what council will be doing over the next three days," said Jeremy Bath.

Council did discuss other options including simply trimming back the roots of the enormous trees, but after consulting with residents the safest option was to have the entirety of the trees removed.

The trees will eventually be replaced with less invasive species.

"I'm very happy to say that the residents have made the decision to continue with trees on their street and in time there will be a very beautiful tree canopy once again in Swan Street Cooks Hill, just one that will be far more appropriate size and design so the roots aren't causing enormous damage to the properties as well as failing with increasing regularity," said Jeremy Bath.

Image saveourfigs.wordpress.com

Newcastle Council Appoints New Interim CEO

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle City Council has announced the appointment of a new Interim CEO.

Former Hunter Water executive, Jeremy Bath will take up the role on May 15 for 12 months, taking over from Frank Cordingley.

He's vowed to end the division between councillors and the unhealthy association with politics at City Hall.

It comes after some councillors criticised the selection process saying it was pre-determined and wasn't subject to the normal sub-committee protocol.

Jeremy Bath

Firefighting Chemical Detected Outside Williamtown Red Zone

BY IAN CROUCH

 The firefighting chemical PFOS at the centre of the Williamtown RAAF Base contamination scandal has been found well outside the so-called red zone.

It was detected in the bore water of a chicken farm at Campvale, while traces were found in a pumping station which feeds into Grahamstown Dam.

Hunter Water says the amount of chemical detected is the equivalent of an eye drop of PFOS to an OIympic size swimming pool of drinking water.

However, Jeremy Bath from Hunter Water says the chemical didn't come from the RAAF Base and insists our drinking water is safe.

"PFOS is a product that is used throughout the community in a variety of products like pizza boxes, shower curtains, furniture, clothing - it's used throughout the home, so to detect PFOS in stormwater in Campvale Canal is not surprising at all and is of absolutely of no impact on Hunter Water's town water," he said

Jeremy Bath