Council Forced to Close Stockton Cafe Lexie's on the Beach

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Beloved Stockton cafe, Lexie's on the Beach will remain closed following advice from coastal engineers.

Newcastle Council extended the closure, as they were advised the erosion impact on the building had created an "imminent risk to public safety" and as a result, the building cannot be occupied. 

25 staff members of the cafe will now be left without a job, with owners hoping the closure would be a temporary measure. 

City of Newcastle Infrastructure and Property Director, Ken Liddell, said the decision was made because of the unacceptable risk. 

“We understand the direct impact this will have for the operators of the Café, staff and its patrons as Lexie’s is a much-loved and valuable part of the community," he said. 

"We will be working closely with the business owner to transition out of the premises to make this difficult process as smooth as possible."

The independent report following further severe erosion in recent weeks stated the building is within a hazardous zone of wave impact and is at immediate risk of significant damage or failure in a one-in-two-year storm event.

“The erosion of Stockton Beach has been recognized as a natural disaster and the City must keep public safety a priority as the ongoing issues are managed and we work with the NSW Government on sustainable long-term solutions," Mr Liddell said. 

                                        NSW Labor Leader, Jodi Mckay, Speaks to Nick, Owner of Lexies on the Beach 

$650 Million Announced For Two Upper Hunter Bypasses

BY JARROD MELMETH

Federal and State Labor has announced $350 million in joint funding for the Singleton Bypass on the New England Highway if both levels form government.

The federal opposition has committed $250 million to the project, while the NSW opposition has allocated $100 million.

Singleton town centre is considered one of the states worst traffic chokeholds where the New England Highway runs through the town.

Labor says more than 3,700 trucks travel through Singleton per day which impacts on the existing road network, road safety and on public amenity in the local community

Federal Member for the Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon said it is no secret that Singleton is a traffic nightmare.

“In my years as the local member I’ve had to fight for four big New England Highway projects: the Belford Bends Deviation, the Scone Bypass, the Muswellbrook Bypass and the Singleton Bypass.

“The first two are complete and with Federal Labor’s announcement and Michael Daley’s commitments today, we hope to start building the other two soon,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

NSW Shadow Minister for Roads Jodi McKay said NSW Labor will still commit $100 million in the event both tiers do not form government.

Meanwhile, NSW Labor has also committed $266 million to the Muswellbrook bypass, matching the Liberal Governments announcement last week.

Ms McKay said only Labor can be trusted to deliver the projects.

"John Barilaro said just a couple of weeks ago, before the Liberal/National announcement of $266 million, that he did not see the project as a priority. 

"He has suddenly acted when he realised his job is on the line, and that is the only reason that he made that announcement," Ms McKay said.

The current situation at Muswellbrook where the New England
Highway runs through the town.

The current situation at Singleton where the New England
Highway runs through the town.

Labor Promises Fair Fares For Hunter School Kids

JARROD MELMETH

Hunter school children will be able to travel on public transport for free if Labor form government in the upcoming state election.

Local Labor MP's met with Charlestown resident Jason Brown to hear how the current student travel system has affected his family.

Mr Brown raised concerns about how his eight-year-old daughter would have to walk a long, dangerous route to get to school – the same route his son had been granted a pass to avoid, three years earlier.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says the governments' priorities are all wrong.

"How could they think that saving money is more important than putting children's safety in danger? This is just another way Labor will ease the cost of living for families in Newcastle," Mr Crakanthorp said.

Shadow Minister for Transport Jodi McKay said children shouldn't be penalised by being forced to walk across busy roads because they don't fit into some arbitrary prescriptive rule.

Labor has also committed to doing a review of the Newcastle bus network as well as working on reinstating buses down Beaumont Street.

Labor MPs meeting with local residents.

Nelson Bay Road Duplication Delayed by Funding 'Backflip'

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The state government is accused of back-flipping on an election promise to fund the duplication of Nelson Bay Road.

Former Premier Mike Baird promised $67 million to the project in 2015, but Freedom of Information documents requested by Port Stephens MP Kate Washington have revealed funding won't begin until after the 2020-21 financial year.

Voters will now face another state election before the duplication is complete, and Kate Washington says she can't understand how the Berejiklian Government thinks it could regain local support.

"There is a state budget coming up. They have one last opportunity to do the right thing by our community and bring forward this spend so that the full duplication of Nelson Bay Road, as promised, is delivered." Ms Washington told 2NUR.

Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay says Premier Gladys Berijiklian needs to come clean and explain her role in the decision to delay funding.

"Premier Baird stood in Port Stephens and promised a full duplication, then failed to deliver." Minister McKay said, labelling the backflip an 'insult to the people of Port Stephens.'

Jodi McKay and Kate Washington. Picture: Marina Neil, theherald.com

Petition going to parliament for notorious Hillsborough Road

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents of Hillsborough and politicians alike, are continuing the fight for the government to address safety concerns on Hillsborough Road.

The notoriously dangerous stretch of road claimed the life of Jade Frith in April last year, one life too many, and Shadow Minister for Roads Jodi McKay says it shouldn't take the loss of a life for the government to stand up and listen.

The Shadow Minister for Roads joined Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison and local residents to inspect the road this morning when they were handed an 1,800 signature petition from locals.

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison, Shadow Minister for Road, local
residents and Michael Nolan.

The petition will now be tabled in parliament by MP Jodie Harrison and it's urging the government to address the ongoing hazardous traffic concerns along Hillsborough Road and also expedite the release of the report on the roads condition which has now been four years in the making by the Roads and Maritime Service.

Local resident and organiser of the petition Michael Nolan has lived in Hillsborough for more than 20 years and says the community is acting on the issue and it's not a moment too soon.

"So the community of Hillsborough have been working tirelessly to raise awareness, hounding friends and family and anyone that will listen and anyone who can help try and raise awareness of the cause," said Michael Nolan.

"The suburb of Hillsborough consists of 600 plus residents who from about 7:15 in the morning until 9:15 in the morning are held hostage by traffic flow that is just constant."

With the state government budget right around the corner, everyone is hoping the government will do something to fix the notorious Hillsborough Road.

"The minister has indicated that there will be some sort of funding. Now the question is what that is and whether that is actually serious money that will fix all the issues on this road. We welcome that funding but it remains to be seen what that funding will actually contain," said Shadow Minister Jodi McKay.