Fresh Faces, New Visions and Diversity in Hunter Councils

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle have a familiar face re-elected into the top job with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes getting 42 per cent of the vote over at the weekend's council elections.

The big topics like the V8 Supercars race in November didn't appear to make any difference in council getting the votes - they in fact won every ballot box.

Labor Councillor Declan Clausen says it's because the city knows with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the helm, the community will be looked after when it comes to the race.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

"People understand the vision that Labor is bringing. They endorse that broader vision and understand that we are the best people on council to try and do something to mitigate those risks and make sure things run in a fair manner."

Labor's numbers in Newcastle Council are shaping up to be a majority with five Councillors plus the Lord Mayor.

Independent Kath Elliott only received half the votes of the Lord Mayor, but she still made it to council with three other Independents, and is determined to hold them to account during the three year term.

"We will be trying to hold Labor to account to make sure that they represent the interests of the community and make sure they're not representing the interests of party headquarters in Sussex Street in Sydney," said Councillor Elliott.

The Greens and the Liberals look set to claim one seat each in Newcastle.

Meanwhile in Port Stephens, Independent Ryan Palmer has claimed the top job with 35 per cent of the first vote preferences.

The 30-year-old father-of-two takes the reigns from Bruce Mackenzie who decided not to run in this year's election.

"He was a character, but he was a good servant to Port Stephens over a long period of time. He certainly did it his way but it's now time for port Stephens to look to the future and hopefully I can bring a strong, fresh approach to council and really work with the residents over the coming three years," said Mayor Palmer.

A Mayor is still yet to be confirmed in Maitland- the numbers are swinging towards Labor's Loretta Baker, followed closely by Independent Philip Penfold.

Loretta Baker

Labor's parking solution for Newcastle's CBD

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Labor is promising to ease parking pressure in the CBD by partnering with businesses and land holders to free up space for car parks.

Labor's Nuatali Nelmes, the current Lord Mayor, announced their plan yesterday which will see them work collaboratively with businesses and land owners to open up space to create car parks. They say they're not ruling out creating financial incentives to get people on board.

Should they be elected on September 9, they say the plan would work hand-in-hand with a parking app as a part of the Smarter City Strategy which will allow drivers to see what parks are available where.

There are reportedly around 11,300 car spaces in the city, and council estimates around 2,500 are vacant between midday and 2pm - council says it's because they're long term car parks.

Labor Councillor Declan Clausen says the aim is to address the imbalance between long and short term parking throughout the city and prioritise short term parking.

"If you're popping into the city just to go shopping or something like that you need to know the car parks aren't all taken up by people there for long stays or all day workers in the city and conversely it's about making sure that long term parking is also accessible and convenient and making sure there are options for people to get into and out of the city."

But Independent Mayoral candidate Kath Elliot is slamming the proposal and says the council has had a number of years to come up with a viable solution and it's laughable this is all they've come up with.

"I think we should have wifi in the city for businesses, for people, not so that we can find out when someone has overstayed their parking spot and fining them. This is a revenue raising exercise, it's not well thought out and there's no wfi to deliver it."

The Newcastle Independents believe the plan will be detrimental to the city, rather than beneficial.

"Mrs Nelmes has been in council for eight years, I find it very surprising that in the week before the election all of a sudden she has solutions to parking problems." 

Parking parking parking... It's always an issue in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Whether it's dropping the time limit, increasing the fees or just taking them away, car parking is always a hot topic in Newcastle.

A promise from Independent Lord Mayoral Candidate Kath Elliot to fix Newcastle's parking situation could be what puts her over the line on September 9.

She's blaming the state government for removing parking and allowing the construction of new buildings with absolutely no parking at all.

"It's all very well for you to be revitalising the city but if people can't access the city then it's a bit pointless so we need them to come to the table with us if we're elected and work together to find an integrated parking strategy to make it a bit easier for people to access the city."

Only a month ago Newcastle's East End had parking slashed - 90 car spaces went from being 12-hour zone to just two and four-hour zones and eight-hour sections on Moroney Avenue and Scott Street were halved to four hours.

Kath Elliott says she wants to see parking improved for residents around Wickham as the interchange continues to take shape, and take away parks.

"So we're looking at some options in Newcastle West but at this stage, it's a very difficult problem because taking parking away is a very quick thing to do but it takes a long time to put it back."

Image newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Phoney pledge by Lord Mayor: Kath Elliott

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A pledge by Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes to protect council jobs has come under attack from Independent Lord Mayoral candidate, Kath Elliott.

The Independents have described the pledge as phony, saying council is increasingly relying on contract staff to cover absentees and leave and is accusing Labor of doing a deal with the unions to get their financial support for the election campaign.

It comes as council staff enter negotiations for a new enterprise agreement, but the independents say it doesn't make sense with more and more contract staff being hired.

However, the United Services Union (USU) which represents a majority of the workers employed at the council, has called out Kath Elliott's claims her team will "retain and enhance" council services and "do what is right for workers". They say given her refusal to commit to not cutting jobs or outsourcing services it's a bit rich.

"There's a history with these conservatives and these independents when they run for council or run for office they say one thing and when they get in there they do something completely different. If they're serious about saving jobs and enhancing the opportunities for locals to work on council they are doing exactly what the Labor party is proposing," said Graeme Kelly from the USU.

The union is welcoming the current Lord Mayor's decision to sign the pledge and believe it's not too late for councillors to jump on board. Graeme Kelly says they're working with council to put a stop to outsourcing.

"Council jobs are always under threat and we're doing what we can to ensure that Newcastle City Council workers get some security and employment and that's why we're seeking these pledges be signed by the candidates who are running for office."

Image newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Claims Newcastle Council Finances Kept Hidden Labelled False

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Labor councillors have hit back at claims the year-end financial results were deliberately kept hidden to avoid revealing the true state of the city's finances to ratepayers.

Independent Mayoral candidate, Kath Elliott made the startling claim yesterday, however Council's interim CEO, Jeremy Bath has since issued a statement saying the delay in releasing the results was a management decision supported by councillors to avoid presenting preliminary results which could be misleading.

Labor Councillor, Jason Dunn says there was nothing improper in delaying the final results.

"Council unanimously passed a resolution to put those financial details over til next month to ensure that the financials were actually complete and have all the year-end adjustments. So, what was said is very misleading and completely false," he said.

Jason Dunn