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.

Newcastle's Emergency Service Workers Say No To Relaxing Lockout Laws

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle emergency service workers are calling for the city's lockout laws to remain in place, fearing a spike in alcohol-fuelled violence if they are relaxed.

The Last Drinks Coalition, made up of police, paramedics, doctors, nurses and health sector workers, has made a submission to the independent review into liquor laws.

Cody Woods from the Newcastle Branch of the Police Association says even with the current laws, there's still a major problem with alcohol-related violence in the city, saying Newcastle has one of the highest rates of non domestic violence related assaults in the state.

In it's submission, Newcastle City Council is proposing to reward so-called well behaved venues by allowing them to trade for up to an hour longer.

Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes says Council wants to provide an incentive for venues as a way of encouraging the city's night-time economy.

The Last Drinks Coalition Wants To See Lockout Laws Maintained And Strengthened Picture: lastdrinks.org.au

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

$750k for Dixon Park SLSC

BY MATT JOHNSTON

A partnership between the New South Wales government, Newcastle City Council, and the Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club (DPSLSC) will see a raft of improvements for the club and its amenities on the Bathers Way walk.

Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, announced the $350,000 grant this morning alongside Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who added $250,000 from council. The remaining $150,000 will come from funds raised by the DPSLSC itself.

DPSLSC President Paul Murray said the club has seen a growth in membership and popularity as a venue since the opening of the Bathers Way coastal path. However, the renewed use of the site highlighted the 40-year-old amenities that are on offer.

Updates at the site are limited to the ground floor, where the changerooms and bathrooms will be upgraded and made more accessible for those with disabilities. A kitchen will be installed the increase the range of activities available at the venue.

Council will also be using this as an opportunity to create new storage areas for equipment.

Both Paul Murray and Scot MacDonald were pride to be to revitalising "iconic" elements of Newcastle's coastline. Modernising the facilities is key, given that a women's changeroom was overlooked in the original building plans 40 years ago.

Nuatali Nelmes she's happy to be contributing to new facilities which make sport more accessible and attractive to women.

Picture: Newcastle City Council

Labor To Control Newcastle City Council.

BY IAN CROUCH

It will be a new era on Newcastle City Council with Labor gaining the balance of power for the first time in 40 years.

The ALP picked up another two spots at the council elections to have six councillors as well as Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

The Liberal's only have one seat on Council, with party officials blaming the result on a backlash against the state and federal governments.

The final makeup of council is:-

Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes (ALP), with six ALP councillors, 4 independent, 1 Liberal, 1 Greens making up the 12 spots on council.

Ward One:

Emma White (ALP)
John Church (Ind)
John Mackenzie (Greens)

Ward Two:

Kath Elliott (Ind)
Brad Luke (Lib)
Carol Duncan (ALP)

Ward Three:

Declan Clausen (ALP)
Peta Baartz (ALP)
Andrea Rufo (Ind)

Ward Four:

Jason Dunn (ALP)
Matthew Byrne (ALP)
Allan Robinson (Ind)

Labor Holds The Reigns On The New-Look Newcastle City Council

Newcastle deserves better than what its got: Greens

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Greens candidates say the city deserves better than what it's got.

With local council elections just one month away, the Green's kick started their campaign yesterday with NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge alongside Greens voters and local Newcastle residents.

Lord Mayoral candidate Therese Doyle says it is particularly encouraging that state MP's like David Shoebridge stand up for Newcastle and what Newcastle deserves.

"They take a lot of heart from the fact that people like David Shoebridge stand up for their interest in the State Parliament because the State Government is not standing up for Newcastle's interests."

Therese Doyal has promised if she takes out the top job she'll involve the community in all decisions and ensure they are listened to by the state government. In particular, the debate over the Newcastle 500 Supercars race, which doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, and Therese says she'll keep fighting against it for Newcastle residents and the community.

Mayoral Candidate Therese Doyle, NSW Greens
MP David Shoebridge & Council Candidate
Thomas Levick.

David Shoebridge said the current council is giving the city nothing they deserve and everything they don't want and has some fighting words for current Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

"The Lord Mayor here in Newcastle has really surrendered the city to the State Government, she hasn't stood up when it mattered on Supercars, she hasn't stood up when it mattered on protecting the corridor and we need the strength of Councillor Doyle and hopefully with the Lord Mayor chains around her, really making sure Newcastle stands up to the arrogance of the state government."

Therese Doyle was a little more diplomatic towards the current Lord Mayor.

"Ahh... I have a different vision I believe to Nuatali. I would like to see some of the money we are spending here on the Supercars even spent on other projects. I would like to see us engaging more actively with supporting cultural arts events."

"There have been Greens on this council standing up for this community and the environment for decades. This is a chance to elect an even bigger team, to have a stronger influence on council and to make sure the community are being heard, not just those developers and those private interests that are picking off our parks, picking off our heritage. It's time the community really got a good listen to," said David Shoebridge.

The fight against the Supercars event isn't slowing down.

Big infrastructure spend for Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Councillors voted last night against giving themselves a pay rise and decided to instead put the money into infrastructure projects.

Council voted to adopt a $90 million works program including $54 million to renew aging assets and $26 million towards new footpaths and street upgrades, as well as storm water management in Wallsend.

In Wallsend Tyrell, Boscawen and Nelson Street Bridges will be replaced as a part of the flood mitigation program but there's no time frame yet on when the work will start.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is welcoming the commitment to fixing the long-running flood issues in the town centre which will ensure the town is prepared for the next flood.

"There has been over a million dollars worth of funding for Newcastle City Council for flood mitigation from the state government but I'll continue to lobby the state government on behalf of the council and the people of Wallsend to make sure that we can get some funding as well. If there's $90 million in infrastructure money obviously I'll be looking to council to use some of that to building bridges," said Sonia Hornery.

Council also approved their budget for the next financial year last night which will include an 8 per cent rate rise as approved by iPart in 2015, but they say it will feel more like a 7 per cent rise.

Newcastle Lord Mayor In Spotlight Again Over Expense Claims

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes is again being accused of spending up big at ratepayers expense.

The Daily Telegraph reports  Councillor Nelmes wracked up more than $30,000 on two council credit cards over the past two years on items like car washes, 26 bottles of wine, and smashed avocado brunches.

The Lord Mayor has previously been criticised for claiming child care expenses while on overseas council business.

However, Council Nelmes maintains the spending is all above board and falls under her council travel entitlements.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

Shocking Claims Of Bullying As Newcastle Councillor Quits

BY IAN CROUCH and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle Liberal councillor, Lisa Tierney has resigned saying she can no longer cope with the bullying and harassment allegedly dished out to staff and councillors by the city's Lord Mayor on a daily basis.

It is reported that Lisa Tierney was in Brisbane last night when she sent her letter of resignation to Council's Acting Chief Executive, Frank Cordingley just half and hour before the scheduled start of last night's council meeting.

Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes has strongly denied the claims but says she makes no apology for holding councillors to account for their attendance at council meetings, noting Cr Tierney had been absent on many occasions last year and has done the right thing in stepping aside if other commitments prevent her attending meetings.

Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn today expressed support for Mayor Nelmes, saying,"We've had no issues raised in the past...of any bullying or any harassment of councillors or staff; so I find [Councillor Tierney's allegations] quite surprising and believe it's just nonsense and a cheap shot on her way out by a disgruntled councillor."

Councillor Nelmes described the accusations against her as a thinly veiled smear attempt by the Liberal Party.

Jason Dunn further commented, “Whether it’s personally aimed at the Lord Mayor or more of a political stunt I don’t know, but it is a little coincidental now that we have an election date, all these stories are starting to leak out…my personal view is that it’s some sort of political campaign. It’s very disappointing when we’ve still got important work to do at Council.”

Lisa Tierney is also concerned about the amount of overseas travel taken by councillors, calling for the Office Of Local Government to suspend the council and conduct an investigation into her claims.

Lisa Tierney

Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes

Expenses Scandal a 'non-issue': Lord Mayor

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has responded to a story in Thursday's Daily Telegraph, saying revelations she spent $270 of ratepayers' money on childcare for her daughter is a "non-issue".

The Daily Telegraph story - which did not contact Ms Nelmes for comment - said the Lord Mayor took her young daughter with her on a council trip to Singapore last year.

While in the South-East Asian country, MS Nelmes paid $270 for a single day's childcare and used public funds to pay for it, which is within the $6000 annual limit Newcastle Council staff have for career expenses.

"I'm not unique as a working mother in a leadership role and this often blends carers responsibilities with work.  At no time did I ever seek reimbursement for my daughter's travel, I paid for it all myself," Ms Nelmes said.

"The only expense I claimed was related to her childcare expenses for one day."

She said she was forced to take her daughter on the trip since Council gave her little notice of the trip.

"It was in the school holidays and the only way I could go for those three nights was to take my daughter and I paid for her and I claimed one day of childcare expenses," she said.

"In my mind, I thought that was reasonable to make sure I exercised my duty."

Ms Nelmes called the article in The Daily Telegraph a "beat-up" and said it was detracting from the exciting changes Newcastle is experiencing.

She said the story was a "relative non-issue considering all of the great things that are happening in the city and all of the important issues happening around the world".

A Newcastle Council spokesman said council introduced an expenses policy more than a decade ago, which was aimed to "increase the participation by women and underrepresented groups in local government".

"Pursuant to clause 17 of the expenses policy, the Lord Mayor was entitled to and did claim for one day of approved childcare in Singapore," the spokesman said.

The Daily Telegraph spoke with a number of Newcastle councillors - excluding the Lord Mayor herself - including Liberal councillor Brad Luke, who said he probably wouldn't pass the pub test.

"I don't think the average person ... is going to be happy that while on an overseas trip on council expenses she not only took her daughter, but claimed childcare," he told The Daily Telegraph.