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.

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." 

Newcastle Independents Aim to Push Ahead with James Street Plaza Redevelopment

BY SARAH JAMES

The Newcastle Independents have announced if elected, they plan on fast-tracking the revitalisation of the Hamilton business precinct and James Street Plaza.

Independent Lord Mayoral candidate Kath Elliot said the Hamilton Business Chamber have been trying to get the precinct upgraded for a significant period of time.

No major work has been undertaken on Beaumont Street since the 1989 earthquake, with the area being labelled by police as an anti-social hotspot.

Part of the plan to attract more foot-traffic includes building a new library to rival City Library and Wallsend.

 "There are nine existing libraries, and apart from the City Library and Wallsend they are of various sizes, and generally no longer fit for purpose in the modern technology world," Kath Elliot said.

Kath Elliott

Calls for floating pontoon at Carrington Boat Ramp

BY JARROD MELMETH

Ward 1 Candidate for the Newcastle Independents, John Church, is calling on Newcastle City Council to start work on installing a floating pontoon at the Carrington Boat Ramp.

Currently, the boat ramp is in good condition with a small sandy beach, but Mr Church believes it could be improved with a small floating pontoon.

"This would give local residents and boat owners much safer access to the harbour, particularly for passengers and their equipment.

"A good example of this is the new boat ramp that has been installed at Croudace Bay by Lake Macquarie City Council. It features a wharf which floats on some piers as the tide rises and falls but, it does provide easy access for people with boats and for loading passengers and equipment. The project is fairly low-cost and low maintenance," Mr Church said.

Mr Church also used the call as an opportunity to take aim at Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, over recent expense claims where it was alleged Ms Nelmes racked up a council credit bill of more than $30,000.

"We were all disappointed earlier this year to find out about the Lord Mayors expensive lunches, coffees, probiotic waters, overseas trips and assistance with babysitting.

"She even has a history of producing gold foil business cards, which we think is over the top and beyond what community expectations are.

"In my view, this kind of project is a better use of council dollars," Mr Church said. 

The floating pontoon at Croudace Bay. Source: Newcastle Star

Ward 1 Candidate, John Church.