Fire crews battling grass fire at Bobs Farm

BY JARROD MELMETH

Firefighters are currently on the scene of a grass fire at Bobs Farm.

NSW Rural Fire Service have confirmed crews are working to contain the blaze which is burning south of Marsh Road.

The fire is in close proximity of some homes, which crews are ready to provide protection to should they require it.

Hunter MP urges action on koala habitat in Hawks Nest

 BY JAMES CARTER 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington is pushing the NSW government to buy land in Hawks Nest that locals consider to be a koala habitat.

Ms Washington has written to NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean with concerns that the sale could be catastrophic to local koala conservations. 

Local residents have reported frequent koala sightings at the site and in the letter Ms Washington is pressing the Minister to take action before the expression of interest ends. 

The six hectares of land has been advertised by Commercial Collective as a 'once in a generation opportunity' and is taking interest for the site until July 8. 

The land is adjacent to existing residential areas and is zoned for low and medium residential development and environmental conservation. 

Ms Washington says that maintaining the Koala population was crucial to Port Stephens. 

"People move to these areas, people Holiday in these areas, Port Stephens is renowned for its beauty because of its environment we must preserve this elements to ensure for the economy's sake let alone for biodiversity's sake, Ms Washington.

Image: Kate Washington MP Facebook

Raymond Terrace Library vending machine providing free period packs

BY JAMES CARTER

Raymond Terrace Library has installed Port Stephens first 'Share the Dignity" vending machine to provide free period packs at the press of a button.

The vending machine aims to reduce period poverty in the local community and support access to safe, hygienic menstrual products. 

The system dispenses packs of 6 tampons and 2 pads to ensure that community members have access to basic sanitary items during their menstrual cycle. 

Port Stephens Council Library Services Manager Kris Abbott says many people struggle to afford menstrual products each month. 

“[People] shouldn’t have to choose between purchasing food for their family or buying sanitary products and using something else as a substitute," Ms Abbott said

The machine is located in the Raymond Terrace Library women's toilet and can be accessed by pressing the green button. 

A 10-minute delay between dispensing packs prevents misuse of the machine.

Kris Abbott and Library Circulation Coordinator Nada with
 the Share the Dignity vending machine Image: Supplied

15 new police recruits for the Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter will share in 15 new police recruits after they were sworn in as probationary constables at a ceremony in Goulburn on Friday.

Lake Macquarie will receive six, Port Stephens-Hunter five, and Hunter Valley four who are among a total of 192 new recruits across the state.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott says the new recruits will bring a fresh boost to the Force.

"Congratulations to the men and women of class 347, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force at its strongest and most efficient.

"After eight months of world-class training, the attesting officers will join their stations next Monday and invigorate the policing capabilities of this state," Mr Elliott said.

The total 192 recruits consists of 137 men and 55 women, 21 were born overseas and seven recruits are Indigenous.

Pictured: The new recruits sworn in on Friday.
Image: NSW Police Force.

Bush Fire Danger Period Brought Forward In The Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunters Bushfire Danger Period has been brought forward and will commence on Saturday 1st September 2018, one month ahead of the usual commencement date.

Guy Baddock from the Rural Fire Service said the early start to the Danger Period is a result of the current drought conditions and elevated fire risk being experienced across the state.

"There are a number of fires in the Lower Hunter at the moment and we are seeing some erratic fire behaviour which is certainly uncommon for this time of the year.

The Bushfire danger period will run through to Sunday 31st March 2019, where fire safety permits are required for open burning activities including pile burning and hazard reduction burning activities.

Mr Baddock said significant penalties apply to those who light fires in the open without a permit.

"If you don't have a permit, lighting a fire is essentially an illegal act and you can face a penalty, a walking infringement notice or an infringement penalty," Mr Baddock said.

Whilst it is not the first time the Bush Fire Danger has been brought forward due to weather conditions, the RFS is urging people to be cautious and prepared during the bushfire season.

Recent fires at Salt Ash which burnt through over 2000ha.
Image: ABC.

Federal Labor Analysis Reveals $12 million Lost In The Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

A recent analysis conducted by federal Labor has found the Hunter region lost almost $12 million in funding during the Governments freeze on Financial Assistance Grants.

According to the Government's own estimates, its 2014 budget move to freeze indexation to FAGs cost local communities more than $600 million worth of services and infrastructure over the three years, with the biggest impact felt by councils in regional and remote Australia.

Financial assistance grants are provided by the federal government under the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 which are distributed among the States on an equal per capita basis. These funds are then dispersed among local governing bodies.

In what was described as a budget repair measure in 2013, the Coalition government froze the grants, which put a strain on spending, forcing councils to tighten their purse strings.

In 2017 the freeze was lifted by Treasurer Scott Morrison but Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says the damage has already been done.

"$12 million for an area like Paterson, means better roads, it means things that we all consider very important in our community, things like recycling and rubbish disposal. All the things that local councils provide for us in our everyday life.

"This is why we need to support local government. We need to ensure that it is properly funded. Local government really is the coal face of government in Australia," Ms Swanson says.

Pictured: Paterson MP Meryl Swanson.

Abbott vs Washington: Mambo Wetlands battleground for pre-poll

BY JARROD MELMETH

Independent Port Stephens councillor Jaimie Abbott has been officially endorsed as the Liberal Party candidate for the State seat in the March 2019 election.

In 2013, Cr Abbott unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Newcastle but managed a swing of 3.7 per cent to the Liberal Party.

Cr Abbott was elected as an independent east-ward councillor in the 2017 Port Stephens local elections.

Cr Abbott said whatever the outcome, she would still remain on Port Stephens council until the end of her term.

"When I first got elected, I made the pledge that I would always put my community first and nothing will change that. It is at the forefront of every decision I make on council," Cr Abbot said.

One of the major issues of contention for Port Stephens in the lead up to the March elections is the NSW Governments sell-off of the Mambo Wetlands at Salamander Bay, which Ms Abbot says she is a strong advocate for and will not be changing her stance on the issue under new leadership.

"I moved a motion at council last year, which was supported unanimously, which included compulsorily acquiring the site and I still believe that is the best way forward to make sure that we can return the land back into public ownership," Cr Abbott said.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said she congratulates Cr Abbott on the endorsement but does not know what to make of her position on the Mambo Wetlands.

"She is a Liberal Party member. She has claimed to have influence with the Premier. Why on Earth the land has not been returned to public hands yet? I don't know," Ms Washington said.

L-R: Liberal Candidate for Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott & incumbent MP
Kate Washington.

MP Labels Mambo Wetlands Buy-Back Plans "A Flop"

BY JARROD MELMETH

It has been two years since the NSW Government sold the Mambo Wetlands at Salamander Bay and six months since the Premier wrote to Port Stephens Council indicating that the government would explore its options for purchasing the site back.

In her letter, the Premier said the government was looking to purchase the land through the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme which is used to bring coastal lands into public ownership. The Department of Planning administers the scheme, which receives an annual budget allocation of $3 million for strategic acquisitions.

In Parliamentary question time, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington asked the Minister for Planning when the Department will make a determination on the application to repurchase the Mambo Wetlands site at Salamander Bay using the funding from the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme.

Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts responded saying the Department of Planning has offered to purchase the land but "at this point in time the owner of the Mambo Wetlands site has not accepted the offer."

Ms Washington said if the owner is not willing to sell it back, the government must use its powers to compulsorily acquire the land.

"The government could have already acquired the land. The government knew when they sold it off, how precious this land was. Once they did it they said it was a mistake. They are responsible for fixing their mistake and they have the power to do it," Ms Washington said.

In March, the NSW Labor opposition committed to buying back the land if it forms government in the March 2019 state election.

Mambo Wetlands Site at Salamander Bay.
Photo: Port Stephens Examiner.

Senate Inquiry into PFAS contamination underway in Williamtown

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE AND JARROD MELMETH

Williamtown residents living in the red zone will have the chance to address an inquiry into the federal government’s management of PFAS contamination in and around defence bases.

More than 50 residents are in attendance at the hearing in Williamtown where residents, action groups, politicians and a former RAAF Base Commander will be given time to speak to the committee panel.

President of the Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group, Lindsay Clout said while it is a step forward it has taken far too long to get here.

"It is just another indication of the disconnected and sloppy approach that has been taken so far. The federal government have not been treating it seriously and they need to get their act together. Today is a huge step for us to give them that information so that they can get their act together," Mr Clout said. 

The inquiry has received 64 submissions from residents and health experts as well as local, state and federal representatives, but only eight people who submitted have been given the opportunity to speak at the hearing. 

Mr Clout said he understands the time constraints on the committee if everyone was invited to speak.

"It is certainly difficult to cater for everyone, so what they have done is provided a cross-section. They have read through the 60-odd submissions and then chosen a mix so that the committee can hear from both our action group and from individuals," Mr Clout said.

In a submission to the inquiry, Williamtown resident, Michelle Sansom said she is "extremely upset" that the land where she grew up and has "an emotional attachment to" is now a contaminated wasteland "due to the carelessness of the RAAF Base." 

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who is sitting on the Committee said Williamtown has borne the brunt of the government's inaction  and neglect for too long.

Residents living and working near the Williamtown RAAF base were warned by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority in September 2015 that elevated levels of toxic chemicals had been found in the surrounding areas. Since this time over 90 PFAS sites have been identified around the country. 

Tuesday's inquiry into PFAS contamination at Williamtown.
Photo: Kate Washington.

Know Your Rights: MyHealth Record Opt Out

BY JARROD MELMETH

From this week, Hunter New England Health patients who do not want their medical records stored on the national My Health Record database have until October 15 to opt out.

Under the scheme, people's medical records will be stored on a national database, to be viewed by patients, doctors and other medical staff at any time.

My Health Record is set to come into effect by the end of the year, but patients are being warned about potential privacy and security issues, with a three-month window to say they don't want the Australian government to make an online medical file for them.

Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network Executive Manager John Bailey said he believes the system is more secure than a paper one.

"The system is built on military-grade security systems. The Commonwealth government have taken great cares to make sure that it is secure. Obviously, no system is absolutely secure and it would be a foolhardy person who said that it was.

"The reality of it is, it is much more secure than the paper record in a practitioners office and it is much more safe and secure than an exercise book that people are carrying around," Mr Bailey said.

For more information about My Health Record click here.

National PFAS Coalition Launched

BY JARROD MELMETH

A national coalition has been launched today to advocate on behalf of communities in Australia such as Williamtown dealing with the toxic fallout of per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS).

The Coalition Against PFAS (CAP) is a joint coalition of residents involved in class action lawsuits at Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine and will work to inform and advocate for impacted communities across Australia by highlighting the latest international news and research.

Coalition president and Williamtown resident Lindsay Clout said he hopes the coalition will provide support for those who are suffering.

"We have had contact with people from East Gippsland in Victoria; We have had contact with people from Western Australia; I have spoken with people from Bundaberg who just recently had this chemical discovered in their water supply.

"We want to get the information out there so these people do not have to go through the three or four years that we have gone through and Oakey has gone through in gathering all of this information so that we can understand the problem that we face," Mr Clout said.

The coalition is in talks with similar grassroots organisations in the United States who are experiencing similar circumstances which Mr Clout hopes will result in an international co-operation.

"People are recognising quite quickly through social media and the electronic media, who is out there and what we are doing. We have had contact from a couple of sources in the United States who are doing the same thing that we are doing.

“Our initial desire was to combine our resources to have a national front in Australia on this issue and what is unfolding today is that it is turning into an international front," Mr Clout said.

Signage erected by Williamtown residents. 

Lower Hunter homeowners urged to take up free asbestos testing

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lower Hunter residents are being urged to take advantage of free asbestos testing currently being offered for the next 30 days after loose-fill asbestos was found in a Glendale home.

On Monday the NSW Government announced its decision to expand the $278 million state-wide taskforce targetting loose-fill asbestos.

Loose-fill asbestos is raw crushed asbestos (unlike bonded products), which in the 1960s and 70s was installed as ceiling insulation in an unknown number of NSW homes. Over time, hazardous airborne fibres can move from the ceiling into living spaces. Earlier experiences in both NSW and the ACT have demonstrated that simply removing loose-fill asbestos from a ceiling cavity does not effectively remove the hazard.

NSW Fair Trading Executive Director Peter Dunphy said homes found to contain loose-fill asbestos do still have options available.

"This includes having your home purchased at market value by the Government as if it didn't contain asbestos.

"Our number one focus is removing this hazard from the community, while also protecting the biggest investment most of us will make in our lifetimes, the family home," Mr Dunphy said.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said there are fears of more homes containing loose asbestos due to the number of older houses in the area.

Free testing for loose-fill asbestos is available in Greater Newcastle, including Maitland City, Cessnock City, Port Stephens, Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie City local government areas.

For more information and to register for testing click here.

Image source: ABC news.

Salamander Bay land sale put on backburner

BY JARROD MELMETH

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer has formally withdrawn a notice of motion which sought to sell a parcel of land at 109 Foreshore drive, Salamander Bay.

The decision follows significant community interest where a survey on the plan received 172 responses against and 94 in support. Council also received a 366-signature from the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation group as well as 226 copies of a pro forma letter.

Mayor Palmer put forward the notice of motion at a council meeting last month to sell the parcel of land with proceeds of the sale going towards upgrading the Tomaree Sporting Complex.

In a submission to council Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association raised concerns due to the land currently used as a koala corridor from the adjacent Mambo Wetlands as well as being used as a recreational space. The association also believes proceeds from the lands sale "would not contribute a viable amount towards the Tomaree Sporting Complex."

East Ward Councillor John Nell who also put forward a notice of motion to reclassify the land from operational to community still holds concerns for the future of the site.

"The Mayor could raise this issue of the sale again at some point in the future. That is why I'm standing by my notice of motion to reclassify the land as it would inadvertently lock the site up for good.

"I think the community has spoken quite clearly. They do not want the council to sell anymore waterfront land," Cr Nell said.

109 Foreshore Drive highlighted in white.

Jimmys Beach falls further into the ocean

BY JARROD MELMETH

Following a chaotic weekend off the coast of Port Stephens, Jimmys Beach at Hawks Nest is one of the worst affected areas after a ship lost 83 containers spilling debris into the ocean on Friday.

MidCoast and Port Stephens Council are urging residents to leave the debris for the shipping company's contractor to collect, following a massive cleanup effort by volunteers over the weekend.

Newcastle based, Varley Group has been appointed by the insurance company responsible for the vessel to undertake the debris collection and removal.

The coastline of Jimmys Beach has also suffered severe erosion in two places along The Boulevarde again prompting calls from residents for government assistance.

Winda Woppa Association President Ken Garrard said the erosion has left residents with beachfront homes on edge.

"The most recent storm purely exacerbated the beach. We are concerned that we have not had any action to replenish the beach in between this storm and the last.

"Given that weather is entirely a risk situation, if we face another storm on this beach, it will cause damage to The Boulevard and potentially, if the storm is of sufficient intensity, will damage our homes.

"We have continued to see superficial and cosmetic band-aid solutions for the past 30 years. It is now time for some serious action," Mr Garrard said.

Jimmys Beach. Image: Charlie Holtom.

Buybacks for Red Zone residents ruled out ahead of federal budget

BY JARROD MELMETH

Tuesday night's federal budget may include a $73 million package to connect PFAS affected communities, including those in Williamtown, to clean drinking water, but any chance of the government buying back those properties has been ruled out.

The funding was announced within hours of the release of a report by the government's expert health panel which concluded that there is "limited to no evidence" linking human disease to higher exposure.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson has accused the government of reannouncing money which has already been allocated.

"Of that $73 million, $55.2 million has already been spent. I do not think the Turnbull government should be lauded for simply agreeing to stop contaminating peoples water and provide them with clean drinking water, which is a basic human right anyhow. There is so much more that really needs to be done here.

"I actually think it is really more about politicking. They have dropped a 400-page report via a difficult to find website on budget eve when people are very busy looking at budget items and working on what is going to be in and out of the budget. They have tried to really bring it in under the budget cloud," Ms Swanson said.

Williamtown resident Lindsay Clout said a buyback was something residents were really hoping for.

"They were hoping for some glimmer of hope that they would be able to be moved out, some level of compensation. The problem that we have got is the contamination stigma has destroyed house prices and there are hundreds of people that want to move away from this and they cannot get out because they cannot sell their properties. They are trapped," Mr Clout said.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson with Red Zone affected residents.

Hunter fishermen fear seismic testing will hurt industry

BY JARROD MELMETH

Local fishermen fear a lot of dead fish will be the fallout of seismic testing being conducted off the coast of Newcastle.

In January, Asset Energy was given the tick of approval by the Commonwealth regulator to blast the ocean floor about 30km off the coast. 

Newcastle Commercial Fishermen's Co-operative general manager Robert Gauta said the impacts to marine life have been proven by past testing.

"When they did this last time in 2010, we found that the ground that they tested was devastated, so the fish either moved away or the ones that were there died and some of the smell that came up with the nets was from the decomposing flesh," Mr Gauta said.

Meanwhile, world-famous sand sculptor Dennis Massoud will join the third protest in a month on Tuesday where he will construct sand-sculptured dolphins on Nobbys Beach as a symbolic gesture of the potential effects of seismic testing to marine life.

Event organiser Liss Finney said the group is trying to build as much momentum as they can before the next stages of testing begin.

"For Asset, this is just phase one with 2D testing. The next step for them is 3D testing which, is actually much more destructive and affects a greater area and then from then on, that is when the licencing for the oil and petroleum exploration happen," Ms Finney said.
 

Demonstrators at last Saturday's protest. Photo: The Newcastle Herald.

Unlawful drainage works threatening town water supply

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE & JARROD MELMETH

Controversial property developer, Phillip Lee is coming under fire from Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and MidCoast Council for alleged unauthorised drainage works at a 2400-hectare property in Tea Gardens, which has the potential to impact the towns water supply.

Fairfax reports that MidCoast council are aware of the works and the potential impacts on the drinking water aquifer, as the potential for prawn and oyster farming to come under threat.

Phillip Lees' company LDF Enterprise own the $22 million property on Viney Creek Road where the works have taken place.

Ms Washington said the property developer is a frequent environmental offender.

"Mr Lee, through his companies, now owns over 3000-hectares of land around Tea Gardens. What we have seen on another site is a proposal for a very large scale development that is currently under Land and Environment Court orders from what we have seen happen on that site already. Significant fines have been imposed but, they have meant nothing to Mr Lee and his company. This man owns a $40 million Point Piper mansion. The fines mean nothing and the response from the agencies needs to be fast and it needs to be fierce and so far we have seen very little," Ms Washington said.

Ms Washington said she will be raising the issue in Parliament on Tuesday.

"Out of sheer frustration, I will be raising this issue in Parliament. I sought a briefing from the Minister for the Environment in January and yet, I got no reasonable response. The agencies knew about this in December and yet an EPA representative set foot on-site just last week," Ms Washington said.

Aerial photo of the drainage works on Mr Lees' property in Tea Gardens.
Image: Domain.

Hunter Roads need more funding: Federal MP

BY JARROD MELMETH

Four key infrastructure projects in the Hunter have been highlighted as “desperately in need of support" in the federal Parliament on Monday.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon highlighted the Glendale Interchange, the Singleton by-pass, the Muswellbrook by-pass and the proposed Cessnock Ring Road as being ignored by both State and Federal Governments.

The new rapid build correctional centre in Cessnock is a particular issue the Hunter MP has taken aim at as he believes there has been a lack of physical and social investment to support the growth from the centre.

Mr Fitzgibbon said a combination of population growth and lack of infrastructure in the region is causing headaches for residents.

"The Hunter is doing very well economically and our diversity continues to grow and our economy is continuing to grow as well but we have got growing pains and these projects, most of these projects have been on the books for a decade. People know of the traffic gridlock every morning and afternoon. We need to get funding back into these projects," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Hunter infrastructure must improve to capture Chinese tourism, the Hunter Business Chamber says

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter Business Chamber says public infrastructure and mobile connectivity in the region must improve if we are to receive a share of the states $3.2 billion Chinese tourism boom.

The report, Getting Out There: Encouraging Chinese Tourism highlights the challenges faced by regional businesses in attracting those visitors and offers recommendations which can be adopted by Governments to capitalise on the Chinese tourism market.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes cited a lack of transport infrastructure to and from Sydney as well as the unavailability of high-speed broadband as the main challenges holding Hunter businesses back.

"Certainly, there is a growing number of the Chinese tourists that are coming to Australia who are independent travellers, who don't rely on a group tour for the entirety of their stay and who might find it difficult to get outside of Sydney. It is also about the quality of tourist accommodation when the tourist does get here.

"But, most importantly, we know from the research that they rely heavily on their mobile devices for communication and information and particularly in regional areas, we are not geared up as well as the capital cities are, in that respect to have information available but also have that infrastructure in place so that they can use those facilities that they are used to and comfortable with to be able to research their trip and make decisions about where they are going and what they are doing," Mr Hawes said.

Mr Hawes concluded saying that capturing the Chinese market is not as simple as just producing a nice brochure, but that "the approach needs to be multi-faceted."

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes. Photo: Newcastle Herald.

Fishing Ban Set To Be Lifted In Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

A ban on catching Kingfish in Port Stephens is set to be lifted tomorrow.

It came into force after 20,000 of the predatory species escaped from a fish farm sea cage last month.

Fishermen have reported catching legal size Kingfish on hand lines with bare hooks and no bait.

The fish is prized by Japanese sushi makers as the best in the world for sashimi.

The Mangled Fish Pen Destroyed By Rough Seas Last Month Picture therherald.com.au