Newcastle City Council Offering 10 Days Paid Domestic Violence Leave As Part Of New Enterprise Agreement

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle City Council have adopted a new enterprise agreement which aims to improve productivity by creating a more flexible workplace.

The newly ratified agreement includes opt-in work arrangements such as unpaid leave, working from home, purchased additional annual leave, working four years out of five and working from home.

It's the first agreement in partnership with the Services Union in more than eight years and will also include 10 days of paid domestic violence leave.

Paid domestic violence is used for victims to seek safe housing; attend related medical and legal appointments or organise alternative care and schooling arrangements for their children while still being able to accumulate all other forms of leave.

Newcastle United Services Union organiser Luke Hutchinson said flexible work arrangements help employees in their work and personal lives.

"The Union is very proud to resolve this matter with Newcastle City Council to provide domestic violence leave for victims and their families to assist with this hideous social matter that we are unfortunately dealing within Australia at the moment.

"This provides some additional support for these victims and their families," Mr Hutchinson said.

The agreement also includes the annual 2.5 per cent minimum pay rise as per the 2017 Local Government Award.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city is committed to providing support to its employees.

Left to right, Ross Warren and Kevin Burgess, City of Newcastle USU delegates,

 Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and United Services

 Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly.

Mayor Defends Beach Bowl Design

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has defended the design of an $11 million upgrade to South Newcastle Beach skate park following a notice of motion at Tuesday night's council meeting.

Cr John Church with the support of other Newcastle Independent Councillors put forward the notice urging council to reconsider the design citing issues with its impact on the coastline.

Cr Church said concerns have been raised with him around the skate bowl element of the design as it is planned to protrude 18-metres towards the ocean from the existing seawall.

"This is a very exposed environment. We have had a number of storm events through the years going right back to the Sygna in 1974 and more recently the Pascha Bulker storm.

"We know this is a very exposed site. We know that this skate bowl will fill with sand and debris, and we know it will cost a lot of money to maintain," Cr Church said.

Plans for the upgrades were unveiled in June when the State Government contributed $5million to the project which plans to reconstruct and transform South Newcastle Beach.

Mayor Nelmes said engineers have signed off on the project.

"They have looked at the 1 in 1000 year storm event and have signed off on the engineering that will allow this facility to function as a skate bowl that is part of a promenade.

"I'm happy to have a look at and review the reports that have been done around the engineering, however, the project has already changed significantly from the idea that was first mooted about 18-months ago to actually take into consideration all of the concerns that had been raised by a very small group of people around the beach," Mayor Nelmes said.

The notice of motion was supported, committing to a review and finalisation of the coastal engineering report to ensure the proposed skate bowl does not negatively impact on the beach and coastline, and to engage in broader community consultation on the project.

Artist impression of the new South Newcastle Beach precinct.

Dawn Service attendees urged to consider public transport

BY JARROD MELMETH

If you are one of the 55-thousand people expected to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Nobbys Beach on Wednesday, you may want to consider public transport.

Authorities are urging people to consider the free park-and-ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium to Queens Wharf departing every five to 10 minutes return from 3:30am to 12:30pm.

President of the Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch Ken Fayle said the service will commence at 5am.

"The Lord Mayor will be lighting the ANZAC flame for 2018 at 5am and then we will proceed to our traditional service which will run through to about 6am," Mr Fayle said.

Newcastle City Police District is working closely with Council and the local Anzac Day Committee to ensure a safe, smoothly run event following the recent loss of 500 car spaces along the Harbour and in the David Jones car park.

Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson is encouraging members of the public to think about their journey in advance for the dawn service and day-time commemorations.

"Historically up to 50,000 people have attended the early morning commemoration, which leads to significant traffic congestion.

"We anticipate that the loss of Hunter Street as a traffic corridor will further impact congestion and travel times and therefore recommend that people consider using the public transport and Park and Ride options that have been planned to ensure the minimum of delay to their travel," Chief Inspector Lawson said.

The traditional Anzac Day March from the mall to Civic Park will travel along King Street and not Hunter Street, where light rail is currently being built.

Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop said Newcastle Transport would provide a number of public transport options across Anzac Day including free travel for veterans and their families.

Additional dawn service bus routes from 3:15am to 4am and 6:10am to 6:35am will also be running on the following routes:

Route 13 will depart from Glendale at 3:30am, 3:40am, 3:45am and 3:50am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.

Route 11 will depart from Jesmond at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am, 6:35am.

Route 23 will depart from Wallsend at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am and 4am with departures from Queens Wharf 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am, 6:35am.

A special ANZAC event route 14S service will also be operating via Belmont, Jewells, Charlestown then Adamstown to Queens Wharf.

Route 14S will be departing from Swansea at 3:20am, 3:30am, 3:40am and 6:25am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she commends Keolis Downer for putting on extra services to ensure the event runs smoothly.

2017 Nobbys Dawn Service March. Photo: Newcastle Council.

NEWCASTLE TO HOST RUGBY SEVENS?

BY JOSH SIM

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has backed a proposal which would see Newcastle host the International Rugby Sevens for the first time in 2020.

It comes just months after almost 200,000 people were welcomed to the city to see the first ever Newcastle 500.

Sydney is currently the licence-holder of the World Series leg up for grabs, with both ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium due for refurbishment in late 2019, meaning relocation is required.

The three-day event has the potential to inject significant tourism to the city, with Allianz Stadium welcoming 55,000 fans through its gates on the Australia Day weekend. 

Nelmes has confirmed the Council has been in discussions with Rugby Australia, with a decision on the new location set for later this month.

'Our city certainly has proved it can host major sporting events, with the extroadinary success of the inaugural Newcastle 500,' She said.

The city has previously proved it has a taste for International Rugby, with almost 20,000 attending a fixture between the Wallabies and Scotland in horrendous conditions in 2012, while only a few less attended a British & Irish Lions tour match the next year.

Its understood a number of locations are being considered for the event, with a spokesperson for Rugby Australia confirming Newcastle as 'being apart of the process'.

Henry Hutchinson dives over in this years Sevens tournament. Image Source: News.com

Newcastle City Council Sends in their Liquor Licence Review Submission: Venues with Exemplary Behaviour could be Exempt

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle City Councillors have endorsed a submission to the state government's review of local liquor licenses.

Their submission could see venues with a record of exemplary behaviour exempt from some licensing conditions.

Among the 17 recommendations is the support of a consistent 1:30am lockout and 3:30am shutdown for all premises, expect those designated as low impact.

A low impact venue has been labelled as those with strong, consistent focuses on noise management and responsible service of alcohol as well as a proven track record on alcohol-related and liquor licensing incidents.

Other recommendations included:
- requiring licensed venues to prepare more robust plans of management and to be more closely scrutinised by Liquor and Gaming NSW.
- requiring licensed venues to retain an employee whose sole function is to supervise responsible service of alcohol throughout the premises,
- undertaking new research into how licensing conditions under the current lock-laws affect specific venues and liquor licence categories.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city's night-time economy is now worth $1.4 billion a year and employs more than 12,000 people.

"We need laws that reflect the evolution of that night-time economy, which has been led by strong growth in smaller night-time venues attracting a more sophisticated, responsible crowd."

Newcastle Councillors pay rise or no pay rise?

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Councillors will tonight debate on whether or not to give themselves a pay rise.

They will decide on a 16 per cent pay rise.

Independent Councillors Kath Elliott, John Church, Allan Robinson and Andrea Rufo put forward a rescission motion saying a 16 per cent pay rise for Councillors and a 24 per cent increase in the Lord Mayor's allowance is "inappropriate" when "council is continuing to burden ratepayers with a consecutive 8% Special Rate Variation increases, supposedly to address its financial challenges".

Before last year's council elections, council voted against a pay rise, even though the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal allowed councils to take a 16 per cent increase if they wanted it.

"It's perplexing as to why it was bought to us again at the end of the year. I don't know what changed. But certainly there was no pay rise going to be granted in June and then we had this turnaround from Labor and voted for it after the election so one has to be a little skeptical about why that was," said Kath Elliott.

She also said, "I don't think it's appropriate for us to be given such a large pay rise when there are people paying high rates, people in the community who can't get a large pay rise. It's out of step with community expectations so I'm hoping Labor votes against it too."

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes. Image dailytelegraph.com.au

Stage Two of the Nobby's Refurbishment Project ready to Get Underway

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The next stage of refurbishment works at Nobby's Beach are about to get underway.

Newcastle City Council announced Stage 2 of the works today for the Nobby's Pavilion area including an assisted-change room with a toilet, shower, basin and bench.

Among the other additions are a new lift and change amenities to better assist those with mobility challenges.

The public domain improvements include three external shower towers with 12 showers on new draining platforms, an access ramp from Bathers Way to the lower promenade and more seats and benches.

Image courtesy NCC.

The change-rooms are gone and will be replaced with more toilets and showers, which despite beachgoer uproar, council says is a better deal.

"The improvements we're seeing down there have been I think quite well accepted  by the community considering we've increased the toilet facilities, more accessible change rooms, so when the works are finished there I think people will be really please like they have been with the whole Bathers Way Project," said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

The facilities will house seven female and five male cubicles, plus two urinals for men and two ambulant stalls and external wash basins for passers-by.

Council said they're making sure everything is built for use well into the future.

"We were always planning to make sure that the change rooms that we built met current standards and the current standards, we went over and above current standards. We've been sourcing particularly high-grade steel and metal for the disabled lift," Lord Mayor Nelmes.

It's all part of the $1.7 million improvement project funded by the NSW Government through the Newcastle Port Community Contribution fund, Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club, Newcastle City Council and NSWSLSA and Department of Family and Community Services through the SLSA NSW Community Inclusion Project. 

Image courtesy NCC.

Row Over Shepherds Hill Cottage

BY MATT JOHNSTON

"Never have volunteers been treated so badly," shouted by Marine Rescue Newcastle Commander Ron Calman to Newcastle's Lord Mayor and Interim Council CEO on top of Shepherds Hill.

Cr Nuatali Nelmes and CEO Jeremy Bath were announcing the ramping up of the cottage's restoration, following the damage it received from the superstorm in April 2015. Marine Rescue had been using it as their base up until strong winds tore the roof off the structure.

Photo credit: Newcastle Herald

Since then, "Newcastle's best real-estate" and the "missing link" in the Bathers Way coastal path has been sitting on top of the hill, disused and sustaining further damage according to Jeremy Bath. Marine Rescue was forced to relocate from their seaside vantage point to Warabrook.

It's taken years for the restoration work to be signed off by heritage bodies and the state government, but the green light has finally been given for work to kick off in the New Year. At that point, council will also be open to expressions of interest to lease the land upon its completion - a move which has angered the volunteers at Marine Rescue Newcastle.

"The position is now that we'll have nowhere to go once our tenure is up with Newcastle City Council at Warabrook, and then we'll be looking for premises at Newcastle or... I really can't [tell you]", said Ron Calman. According to him, it should be easy for Marine Rescue to return to the site, given that their radio tower is still located on the property.

 "Power struggles- that's all [council] is about with the young ones... They don't care about us, they don't care about the membership or our training, they don't care about anything at all with Marine Rescue."

But while Ron says the views over the water aided Marine Rescue's safety operations, Jeremy Bath says they can monitor the radio waves from anywhere, just like Warabrook where they've been operating for the past 2 years.

He says the opening of the site to expressions of interest is a more transparent way of letting the community vote on the site's future, rather than previous agreements he said were done "behind closed doors".

"Unfortunately, in the past that is how Newcastle City Council did the tenancy agreement with Marine Rescue. What matters is that the public are given an opportunity to participate in the expression of interest for the future tenancy of the Shepherds Hill cottage."

"I have privately written, as well as met with Marine Rescue, and encouraged them to participate in the EOI process, and that way the public can have absolute confidence that there are no favours being done to anyone, that ultimately the future tenancy agreement is one that is above board and ticks all the criteria that the community and council require for what is undoubtedly the most valuable piece of land anywhere in Newcastle."

So far, there are proposals of a stop for walkers on the Bathers Way path to refresh themselves and take in the views from the top of the city.

Newcastle Council Making a City-Change

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle City Council is making a city-change, moving its administrative headquarters to a new building in Newcastle West.

Council's 400 admin staff will start to move into the building in 2019 to the new five-level building which will be on the corner of Hunter Street and Stuart Avenue.

It'll cost council $7 million dollars to relocate, but Interim CEO Jeremy Bath said it's going to create long-term savings.

"Council was faced with a $6.3 million bill if we chose to stay in our current location of roundhouse and specifically the Frederick Ash building. We estimate savings will be in the vicinity of up to $14,000 per relocated employee,"

Artist impression of the new Council building Image supplied

"The majority of those savings will come about as a result of substantially improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and also a significant reduction in turnover," said Jeremy Bath.

Council says they'll be making savings by reducing absenteeism within the council staff which has been the case at other councils like Melbourne and Ryde.

"For example seeing a 41 per cent reduction in absenteeism. Absenteeism at Newcastle City Council costs us in the vicinity of about $2.5 million per year so if we're able to bring that down by around 40 per cent, we're looking at savings straight off the bat of $1 million every single year," said Jeremy Bath.

The building will form a part of council's Smart City Plan and will be on lease to council for 15 years.

Where there are savings, there will also be benefits to the nature of the work council does and how they do it.

Interim CEO Jeremy Bath & Lord Mayor
Nuatali Nelmes.

"We're dealing with 1970s technology and 1970s workforce layout. It frankly is too difficult to collaborate and communicate because your own teammates aren't beside you, they're not on the same floor and they're often not in the same building.," said Jeremy Bath.

The decision has also been applauded by the Hunter Business Chamber who see the benefits for council and also the possibilities for what can happen with the buildings council staff are moving out of.

"After such a long period of time the workspace has become difficult to adapt and we're aware council was stretched over a number of buildings in the CBD and that in turn no matter what you do about it does impact productivity," Chamber CEO Bob Hawes.

Newcastle Council Partnering with Got Your Back Sista for the Newcastle 500

BY JESICA ROUSE

Newcastle City Council has chosen to partner with a local domestic violence charity ahead of the Newcastle 500 to raise some much needed funds.

Got Your Back Sista is dedicated to helping women who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence. Their vision is to see women and their children happy, thriving and living independently after escaping the trauma of domestic violence.

Newcastle Council selected the charity as the first partnership for the inaugural event after 1,300 staff went around and spoke to the community about the issues they felt most strongly about. The issue was domestic violence against women.

Newcastle Councillors with Melissa Histon
 and Mark Winterbottom on the Newcastle 500 track.

Got Your Back Sista will be promoted at Saturday's Supercars event at a VIP lunch, as well as with founder Melissa Histon addressing the audience.

Melissa said it will be great to raise some money they can use to buy furniture and household items for women who have had to leave a violent home and start again.

"At the end of the day we wish that we didn't have to exist, we wish there was no violence but the sad problem is that domestic violence is a problem in our region and we really need to get the message out there that domestic violence is never acceptable and it's not alright," said Melissa.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this is just the beginning of a number of events and partnerships to come in the future.

"It's been an initiative of many of the staff at Newcastle City Council led by our CEO to actually look at how they can better volunteer their time and work and support local charities."

Fellow councillors are in agreeance that the Supercars event is a great opportunity to support White Ribbon Day and Got Your Back Sista.

"There are two big events on Friday, the first is Supercars, the second is the White Ribbon Breakfast. This money will go to helping people who have already suffered from domestic violence but the White Ribbon is all about prevention, its all about a message to men that domestic violence is not acceptable," said Councillor John Church.

2015 Supercars Champion Mark Winterbottom is also happy to announce one of his sponsors Brut is donating $100,000 to White Ribbon Day as well over the next 12 months.

"If you can change one perosn's life that's a massive thing. Speak up and obviously, there's lots of support out there through these organisations. It's great that Brut has chosen them as a charity, it's a very manly product but its out there portraying the right message," said Mark.

Newcastle Council Could See it's Youngest Ever Deputy Lord Mayor

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Council could see it's youngest ever deputy lord mayor when councillors meet for the first time tonight since the local government elections.

Labor Councillor Declan Clausen has put his hand up for the job, at just 25 years of age.

He says his experience on council over the past three years will be very useful in what is a hectic time in Newcastle.

"It's quite a busy time for the city and I certainly know there's an awful lot of work for our Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes and I'd really like the opportunity to continue to work with her and support her in her role as the chief advocate of Newcastle,"

"I've been on council for three years now and across that time I've certainly been an active councillor, I'm on a number of committees and have sought to have been involved in some of the key decision-making across this last term. Since I've been elected to council its seen $2 billion worth of development applications approved for council for example," said Councillor Clausen.

The first meeting of the new look council will mostly involve introducing the new councillors to the chamber, and the Lord Mayor along with all of the Councillors will be sworn in.

Councillor Declan Clausen Image Australian Financial Review

Lord Mayor Backs Matildas Home Base In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

There's a push to have the Matildas national women's soccer side establish their home base in Newcastle.

Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes believes the city would be the perfect home base for the side, saying the region is a natural breeding ground for women's soccer talent.

The Matildas had their biggest ever home crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday night, with more than 17,000 fans on hand to witness the 3-2 win over Brazil.

FFA boss, David Gallop won't be drawn on the idea but says they're looking at playing more national team matches in Newcastle.

The Matildas Celebrate Their Win In Newcastle On Tuesday Night

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

Maitland Mayor's Job Still Too Close To Call

BY IAN CROUCH

Nuatali Nelmes has been re-elected Lord Mayor of Newcastle following the local government elections at the weekend.

She polled 42 per cent of the vote, double the result of Independent candidate, Kath Elliot.

Labor claimed Six seats - the Independents 4, while the Greens and the Liberals look set to claim one each.

Elsewhere, the race for the Mayor's job at Maitland is still too close to call, although Labor's Loretta  Baker looks set to become the city's first ever female mayor.

However, the final results will go down to preferences, with just a thousand votes separating Loretta Baker and Philip Penfold.

Meanwhile, Ryan Palmer has been elected mayor of Port Stephens and will take the reigns from Bruce MacKenzie.

Labor's Loretta Baker

Labor Lord Mayor Warms To Affordable Housing Quotas

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes has adopted her State Labor colleague's commitment on affordable housing quotas.

She says under a Labor-controlled council, 15 per cent of developments on private land and 25 per cent on state land would be used for affordable housing.

However, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald says council should've already moved ahead with the state government's offer to provide 30 affordable housing units on Merewether Street.

"So, we've got the Labor leader in Macquarie Street, Luke Foley saying we are dedicated to affordable housing and yet when they had the opportunity to here to pit it into practice with a $7million leg-up, it was immediately put on hold, and so that is not what I want to see from the council going forward," he said.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

Parliamentary Secretary For The Hunter Scot MacDonald

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." 

Newcastle Rail Corridor Rezoning Plan To Go On Public Display

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council has voted to put draft plans for the rezoning of the heavy rail corridor on public display from next month.

The draft planning proposal allows for mixed uses , public open space and tourism on the corridor between Worth Place and Watt Street.

Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes had to use her casting vote to push ahead with the plan to put the rezoning proposal on exhibition from September 11.

Outgoing Labor Councillor,  Stephanie Pozniak voted with the Greens and Independent Councillor, Allan Robinson against the move, saying the plans were vague at best.

Rail Corridor Rezoning Proposal Up For Public Comment

Transparency at Newcastle City Council to be ramped up

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Despite Newcastle City Council copping criticism for not being transparent, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes sees transparency as the cornerstone of any council.

In a bid to restore any lost confidence in civic governance, the Lord Mayor beside her fellow Labor team and the Greens will present an Open and Transparent Governance Strategy at next week's council meeting.

The strategy will see the diaries of the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive and senior managers published in the same way NSW ministerial diaries are published, so the public can see just what the council gets up to. They also plan to create a stand alone communications and engagement unit at council to improve the options for citizen involvement.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes believes transparency is pivotal to a successful council.

"An open and transparent governance strategy for the internal operations of council is something that we have been working with the greens on - Labor and Greens together - to make sure that more of the operations of council are acceptable to the public which I think is the right thing to do and great for the city moving forward."

Nuatali Nelmes says the strategy will go on public display so everyone can have their say.

"Everyone will have a chance to have their say in Newcastle on whether or not they would like to add additional measures into that strategy or just comment either way on how they feel about it."

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

Bad taste after key to Newcastle given to reality TV star

BY TYLER FARDELL and JESSICA ROUSE

Giving someone the keys to the city is seen as a prestigious and respected tradition, but last weeks decision to give the keys to Newcastle to a reality TV star has left a bad taste in many residents mouths.

TV star and friend of Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes Jackie Gillies was handed the keys last week. Jackie Gillies is said to be a close friend of Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, and has starred in the reality show The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

Jackie Gillies & Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
  Image @JackieGilliesTV Twitter 

While many residents are scratching their heads at the decision, Jackie Gillies is said to have been chosen due to her advocacy for Newcastle through the reality TV show and the media, plus her extensive work with Mission Australia and White Ribbon.

Former Newcastle candidate and community advocate Kath Elliot says the friendship between the Lord Mayor and Jackie Gillies is concerning.

"I think Jackie Gillies is probably a very nice person but the fact that she has a personal relationship with our Lord Mayor calls into question the validity of the bestowing of the keys of the city onto her."

Kath Elliot claims the system is being abused especially when there are many better candidates for the honour including leading breast cancer expert Professor John Forbes and the 'chief' Paul Harragon.

"But we have a lot of people who are unsung in our community. If we knew what this program looked like and we had the opportunity to nominate people like you do for an Order of Australia medal, etc. and we knew what the rules were and there was set criteria we could actually do this for people who are just working way helping their community, volunteering, doing really great things," said Kath Elliot.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has been accused of using the occasion to feature herself on the program, Real Housewives of Melbourne.