More Job Cuts for Stockton Centre Workers

BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON

More job cuts have been announced for almost 500 employees who are currently working at the Stockton, Tomaree and Kanangra disability centres.

The closure of these disability centres was announced in 2015 and initial reports noted that 126 nursing jobs would be terminated as the centres prepare to close down in 2020.

 The number, however, has ballooned to include another 350 positions like doctors, kitchen hands, disability support workers and many more.

There are significant concerns that the job cuts will have a substantial effect on the 300 residents within the Stockton, Tomaree and Kanangra disability centres.

These 300 residents are being moved to 88 separate group homes next year and there are worries the job cuts will affect the move.

The NSW Labor government is appealing to the Berejiklian government to reconsider the huge cuts.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter and Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington says these staff cuts will cause unnecessary upset.

"The closure of these disability centres has already caused a lot of stress for residents, families and staff." says Miss Washington.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp has also condemned the job cuts.

"I hoped Minister Ward would bring a fresh approach to disability issues, but instead he is delivering the same old Liberal agenda of cutting jobs and services," Mr Crakanthorp says.

This new job cut announcement is inconsistent with what the Liberal Party promised in March 2014 when the Minister for Disability Service, John Ajaka, told parliament:

“To address concerns held by some staff, I have met with representatives from the Stockland branches of the NSW Nurses Association and Public Service Association and I reiterate that this Government will provide continuing employment for all those who want it.”

These extra job cuts have angered staff and union members who are now unsure of their future.

The nurses’ unions, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and the Public Service association, will be holding meetings shortly to measure the feelings and gauge the upset staff are feeling.

They say they are currently considering their options but feel the future is ‘bleak’.  

The job cuts are rumoured to be caused by financial pressure of the NDIS, which initially promised more employment for disability workers when it was first introduced.

Image: ABC

Newcastle MPs Push for Throsby Creek Funding

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Throsby Creek could be listed as a priority project to receive environmental works funding if the federal opposition is successful at next month's election.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon is pushing for the project to receive the funding under Labor's Urban Rivers and Corridors program.

If the party is successful the $200 million dollar initiative will offer community environmental groups across the country small grants to restore and protect urban waterways.

"We're making sure that Newcastle is at the forefront of Labor's thinking when we're looking at projects to fund but there's an important process to be going through in terms of reaching out to the community now," said Ms Claydon.

The MP referenced Islington Public School's recent "Mullet Revolution" day to highlight the community's ongoing engagement with the restoration of the creek.

"Already school groups are thoroughly engaged, their parents, families, businesses are already on board but we want to ensure that this project is front and centre of our thinking."

Ms Claydon was joined by local state MP Tim Crakanthorp and Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water Tony Burke in Newcastle today to discuss the project's potential.

Today’s announcement means the creek has been selected as an eligible site for priority projects, which will be reviewed and checked before they are confirmed.

Tony Burke said Throsby Creek is the sort of location Labor had been looking for while designing the Urban Rivers program but there's still some community consultation to be done before he can announce the priority projects.

Mr Crakanthorp is chair of the Throsby Creek Government Agencies Committee and said any talk of funding for the catchment, which runs through most of his electorate, is very exciting.

"The tributaries and Throsby Creek itself have a huge amount of rubbish in it and one of our priorities is to see that rubbish stopped before it actually gets into the tributaries and creeks," said Tim Crakanthorp.

"What I would like to focus on is gross pollutant traps and litter traps to stop all of that before it gets into the water and also there's a new lot of litter traps that actually sit in the water as well and collect litter so I'm very interested in that."

Mr Crakanthorp said there's currently huge momentum in the community about the creek and the committee is due to publish the third iteration of it's Throsby Creek Management Plan.

"We've had the Mullet Revolution on Sunday at Islington Public School and just this week we got the publication of this amazing little photographic book on pollution and waste and rubbish in this catchment area,"

"So let's get under the momentum, let's get the community behind this and hopefully we can secure some funding in the future for this."

Anyone wishing to support Throsby Creek's nomination for priority can do so here.

Tony Burke, Sharon Claydon and Tim Crakanthorp look over the booklet on local pollution. Photo: James Forgacs/2NURFM News

Newcastle missing out on $100 million in sports funding

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is calling on the NSW Government to give a clear definition of where the region stands as a city when it comes to applying for sports infrastructure funding.

The NSW Office of Sport says funding for the Regional fund is available for projects in all 92 regional local government areas, under which Newcastle is not included.

Eligibility for the Greater Sydney Sports Facilities fund includes the 33 local government authorities in Greater Sydney, which also does not include Newcastle.

Mr Crackanthorp described the issue as "an absolute joke."

"Nearly every other local government area in the state is included in either the Sports Infrastructure Fund or the Greater Sydney Sports Facilities fund which is a total of $300 million. But, Newcastle and Wollongong have been left out of that.

"It shows the governments complete contempt for Newcastle by putting it in the Abyss between Metropolitan and Regional definitions, excluding us from all funding options," Mr Crakanthorp said.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

Crakanthorp Wants To Talk Business With The Premier

BY TYLER FARDELL

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will be in Newcastle on Friday to officially open the NeWSpace building but Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp will be taking this opportunity to speak up for businesses affected by Light-Rail construction.

Several businesses along Hunter street have closed down already and the remaining businesses aren't receiving any support from the state government.

"The council has stepped in where the government should be. They are offering assistance to businesses affected by the light rail project that the government owns", Mr Crakanthorp said.

The current support from Council to affected businesses is a rate assistance plan where commercial property owners receive a rate rebate.

Tim Crakanthorp says he will be calling on the Premier to honour her commitment from her last visit, where she said;

"If there's demonstrated loss, we're always considering rental assistance. That's what we've done for other projects in other parts of NSW, so of course, we'll look at those issues".

To date, two businesses have sought assistance from the Premier and have had their requests denied.

Source; NewcastleHerald

Budget blowout on Newcastle's light rail

BY JESSICA ROUSE

State Opposition Leader Luke Foley dropped into Newcastle this morning calling on the state government to come clean about the real cost of the light rail project.

The true cost of Newcastle's Light Rail project was revealed in leaked cabinet documents released over the weekend which shows the project's budget has been blown out by around $35 million.

When she visited the Hunter last week to speak with local businesses, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the project was in fact on budget and on time and anything to the contrary was rubbish.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley and Federal
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp

Luke Foley the documents prove the indisputable fact the project is neither on budget or on time.

"Stop telling porkies your own internal documents show its blown out by $35 million dollars already and you know she comes here, refuses to release any detail about costing but says trust me it's on budget. Well, I've released the information, I've released what they've kept hidden - $290 million dollars and rising for two and a bit kilometres of light rail."

Federal Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp sees it as a total disrespect for the people of Newcastle, particularly when the figures for the Sydney light rail project have been released.

"This premier (Gladys Berejiklian) was here last Tuesday and looked in the eyes of the Newcastle community and said this project was on budget. Well, clearly the evidence indicates that it is not. Now this government is not being transparent and it is not being clear and it needs to be clear on this particular issue."

Luke Foley says the government need to look to the future, just like Labor would if they were in power.

"We're not going to rip up the light rail track and close it down and indeed there needs to be a discussion about the future - there's not much point in delivering a light rail network for a big city that's just two kilometres long so we're interested in the discussion about where it might expand into the future and doing the proper planning work now."

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."

Affordable housing back in the spotlight

BY JESSICA ROUSE

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley announced over the weekend a future Labor government would mandate 25% of properties built on government-owned land be set aside for affordable housing, and it's a plan being welcomed by the St Vincent De Paul Society.

The society says the Hunter was well represented in a petition calling for more privately owned land to be made available for affordable housing. They had been calling for 15% of private development land be earmarked for affordable housing, which had the support of around 16,000 people.

"We actually promoted that we would like a commitment from state government for 15 per cent of housing developments to include affordable housing and for the opposition to announce that they are pursuing that promotion with 25 per cent, that's an excellent result," said Denise Lucus, the Society's Executive Officer for Maitland Newcastle.

Everyday in Newcastle the St Vincent De Paul Society helps thousands of people through a range of societal challenges including housing, support for people living with a mental illness, budget counselling and youth programs, migrant and refugee assistance and Denise Lucus says they frequently come across families on the "verge of losing rental properties because they just can't keep up with an unexpected bill arriving so we are often dealing with people on the verge of losing their tenancy".

However, on the flip side, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald is pouring cold water on Labor's policy commitment.

He says in April the government offered land and $3 million towards affordable housing units on the former heavy rail corridor in Newcastle, yet council is refusing to rezone the land.

"And immediately we had a council playing politics with it, we had the local Labor member Tim Crakanthorp come out and rubbish the idea so look you know my issue is who is actually in charge of housing politics? Is it Luke Foley or is it the people on the ground such as Tim Crakanthorp and the council? So there seems to be no hope of that policy being delivered," said Scot MacDonald.

Scot MacDonald added what Labor say they do, and what they actually do are two completely different things.

As with all things, the St Vincent De Paul Society say it is encouraging the Opposition has come up with the 25%, but "of course we need to wait now and see what NSW government will announce in the budget".

Calls for a ban on developers and real estate agents running in council elections

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Primrose has chosen Newcastle to announce Labor is putting forward legislation to ban developers and real estate agents from holding office on local councils.

The new legislation is being put forward in a bid to avoid the electoral donations scandal which surrounded the state election in the Hunter in 2011 and stamp out corruption or the perception of corruption in local government decision making.

The opposition believes having individuals who are affiliated in development or real estate given the power to make decisions on a council is a major conflict of interest.

"We're not saying that real estate agents and all developers are bad people, we're just saying that the conflict of interest is such that it's just not appropriate for them to sit and make judgements and decisions in relation to local government planning and other matters," said Peter Primrose.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, Shadow Minister for Local Government
Peter Primrose and Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes. Image Newcastle Herald

"The parliament has under both parties unanimously agreed to introduce bans on developers making donations at the council and state elections and yet despite the fact that that ban continues on making donations we're still allowing those same people to sit as  councillors in local government."

Banning property developers and real estate agents from running in local elections is one part of a three-point plan Labor has for the legislation, which also includes popularly elected mayors for four years to end horse-trading between parties for the position and give locals a say and also putting a cap on political donations.

Labor is calling for the cap to be placed on political donations and campaign spending ahead of the local council elections in September, less than 100 days away.

"At the moment, be it the leader of the opposition or Premier Berejiklian when they're running, there are limits on how much money they can spend but that doesn't apply at local council level so we are calling upon premier Berejiklian to introduce spending caps as recommended by the electoral matters committee," said Peter Primrose.

Newcastle schools didn't make the funding cut

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is calling for Premier Gladys Berejiklian to honour the Gonski funding agreement to schools before Newcastle lose more than $5 million from their budgets.

According to figures obtained by the NSW Teachers Federation under Freedom of Information laws, Lambton High will lose around $670,000, and Hunter School of Performing Arts will lose nearly $620,000.

Across NSW, more than $846 million due to be delivered in 2018-19 for public schools will be slashed under the federal government.

Tim Crakanthorp can't understand how the Premier can praise a government and a budget which means schools lose out.

"The Hunter is losing out and it's simply not good enough. This government is absolutely flush with money from huge stamp duty income as well as selling off our assets at bigger than expected sale prices. They really should be putting money into health and education," he said.

Tim Crakanthorp says as a father himself, he's very disappointed in the Government's commitment to Gonski.

Stockton Centre death taken to parliament

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has taken the death of one Stockton Centre resident and the hospitalisation of another to parliament overnight. 

He's calling on Disability Services Minister Ray Williams to explain how the terrible incidences could have possibly occurred not long after the two women moved into the group home.

The former Stockton Centre resident died reportedly suffering dehydration and the other disabled woman suffered serious health complications after moving into the home.

"I'm calling for the investigation to occur and for the government to stick to their commitment to have the same quality of care in both places," said Tim Crakanthorp.

"My greatest concern is that the same level of care that was occurring at the Stockton Centre isn't occurring at group homes which is a commitment that the government gave, so I'm going to be meeting with the minister [Ray Williams] to take this up with him."

AMWU demanding action on Hunter rail manufacture

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Rail workers and unions gathered outside the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle this morning before a Senate Inquiry got underway into the manufacture of trains in Australia.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union is demanding the Federal Government bring train building contracts back to the Hunter.

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee inquiry into the state of Australia's rail industry in Newcastle this morning heard evidence from local firms, expert witnesses and workers.

Image AMWU Twitter

"We felt that we got a very good and robust engagement with the Senate inquiry and we'll be continuing to campaign and lobby for our position to make sure the government and Malcom Turnbull do the right thing," said AMWU Assistant National Secretary Glenn Thompson.

The AMWU says $4 billion worth of local train building contracts have gone offshore and it needs to stop.

"State wise this government has been absolutely appalling with the $2.3 billion contract for 65 trainsets going to South Korea. Now Minister Constance should be called the employment minister for South Korea because he's creating a lot of jobs and a lot of apprenticeships in South Korea but not here in Newcastle and the Hunter," said Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

Tim Crakanthorp believes if a full proof policy is put in place, the Hunter will benefit astronomically with more jobs and quality products being produced.  

The Newcastle MP says 1200 direct jobs and up to 2800 indirect jobs are going to be affected after the government awarded a $2.3 billion contract for a South Korean manufacturer.

Demand for new railcars is expected to grow by about 11,000 in the next 30 years.

"The key is for the government to get a policy in place with the state premiers to ensure that we have a policy that we build all trains in Australia and of course the Hunter - where there have been 100 years of building trains - we'd be in prime position to benefit from such a policy," said Glenn Thompson.

There are already manufacturers in the Hunter, all they need are contracts.

"We have UGL who still do produce diesel locomotives but they haven't had a proper train contract for manufacture for some time and unfortunately we've lost many many skilled workers who've left the area because there simply aren't the jobs," he said.

Image AMWU Twitter

Newcastle MP says affordable housing in rail corridor isn't enough

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Among the announcements made by the state government for Newcastle transport yesterday, was thirty affordable home units to be built on a section of the former rail corridor.

The housing would cater for low to middle income earners such as emergency service workers and teachers, but Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp believes while it will help them, it simply isn't enough to meet the city's housing needs.

Buying a first home is becoming more and more difficult, and the MP says even the government admitted thirty isn't enough.

"It's never been harder to buy your own home and this government has had six long years to address housing affordability. Thirty units is a drop in the ocean to address the crisis to date. The government has admitted that it is not enough and with the city growing rapidly we really need to see the rest of the plan."

Tim Crakanthorp also said while the government want to make cities better, they're not making it easier for people to live in them. Instead they're forcing first home buyers to buy outside of the city due to rising house prices and the limited number of housing available in the city.

Parking is a constant battle in the city and with around 280 spots set to go in the city centre when construction begins on the light rail, Tim Crakanthorp says the parking problem won't just stop there.

"The government still needs to reveal where commuters will be able to park at the interchange, unless they're right on the line, I don't think the number of people they're projecting will be going on it,"

"Good public transport needs to be safe and close and accessible and we need to expand this light rail if we want to get this kind of accessibility".

State Government Silence on Newcastle Contamination

BY RACHEL STORER

A recent Macquarie University report has revealed that large parts of inner-city Newcastle contain soil with an alarming cocktail of heavy metals leftover from the city's industrial past.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, has called on the State Government to act but has been met with silence.

In January Mr Crakanthorp contacted the NSW Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, to discuss the serious issue.

"The main issue is that this report was released in January and it's now April and nothing has been done," he said.

"The government is dragging their heels on this issue and Minister Upton needs to realise the enormity of the issue at hand."

Mr Crakanthorp is calling for further studies to be conducted to provide more information to the residents of Newcastle regarding the risks they may face and how to manage contamination if required.

Mr Crakanthorp has said Newcastle does not want another "Williamtown debacle" but it appears that the state government is happier to ignore the existence of the report than deal with it.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp

Where are the documents for the Newcastle Light Rail!

BY TYLER FARDELL

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is under pressure to release key documents about the Newcastle Light Rail project, after concerns were raised about whether or not there will be a cost blowout.

The premier came under fire last week in Parliament over her involvement in the Sydney Light rail project, which had a cost blowout of around $550 million dollars.

The documents for the Light rail project, which includes the business case and project analysis, have not been released or shown to the public, despite numerous attempts from Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp to view the documents.

"The government has been transparent on this in Sydney but certainly not in Newcastle".

"I'm very disappointed that this government won't come forward and be clear on this particular issue".

Many MP's are weary of another cost blowout in Newcastle, after the transport interchange's final cost was $210 million dollars, despite the fact it was supposed to cost $70 million.

"There not being very clear at all, and that would be indicative of a serious cost blowout but there's no clarity around that".

Tim Crakanthorp

Calls to reinstate Scot MacDonald as Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A common sense approach is being urged to be used when the NSW government appoints the Hunter's next Parliamentary Secretary for the region.

Catherine Cusak resigned from the role yesterday, after sending a scathing nine page email to Premier Gladys Berejinklian which was leaked to the media.

Chair of the Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent, is calling for Scot MacDonald to be reinstated to the role.

Cr Pynsent believes Scot MacDonald is the obvious choice, and he isn't the only one calling for the former secretary to be reinstated.

"I've spoken to a number of mayors this morning and the consensus is this would be the best option for the wider Hunter," he said.

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore also supports Scot MacDonald returning to his position as he had 'supported us [the Hunter Joint Organisation] magnificently'.

There are concerns a representative with limited local knowledge could take on the role, which many agree wouldn't be good for the region.

Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Martin Rush is of the same opinion, sharing concerns around appointing a representative with limited local knowledge; especially when appointing Scot MacDonald would mean there is someone in the role who "already has a strong understanding of the challenges unique to our area".

At a media conference with Shadow Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe this morning, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp expressed the same views.

He said, "this government is divided and dysfunctional. Now, we need a minister for the Hunter at the cabinet table, to put a strong voice for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter".

Melissa Histon Announced as the 2017 Local Woman of the Year

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

This morning, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp appeared at Nobby's Beach Surf Life Saving Club to announce Melissa Histon as the 2017 Local Woman of the Year.

The founder of the "Got Your Back Sista" Charity was presented with the award for her work against domestic violence and her willingness to take a stand on the issue.

MP Tim Crakanthorp says Melissa's work made her stand out from the crowd.

"Melissa is an outstanding advocate against domestic violence in Newcastle and the Hunter. Last year she had a great event called 'I say No to Domestic Violence' which saw a huge amount of people come together at Hunter Stadium," he said.

"She takes a stand and encourages others to join her which is a wonderful thing."

Mr. Crakanthorp says Melissa is a worthy recipient of this title.

"She's the founder of the 'Sista Code' and tackles the tough issues of domestic violence and sex trafficking," he said.

"She's truly deserving of our 2017 local woman of the year."

Melissa Histon, 2017 Local Woman of the Year
[Image: Newcastle Herald]