Welcome Reprieve For 24/7 Calvary Mater Hospital Palliative Care Service

BY IAN CROUCH

The vital 24/7 Palliative Care service at the Calvary Mater Hospital will remain following representations to Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

It was feared the service would be cut back to a telephone hotline service after hours instead of having nursing staff on duty for home visits.

More than 400 palliative patients use the service and doctors and staff at the hospital were worried the rumoured cutback would take away the choices for patients on where and how they will end their lives.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp says it's a win for common sense.

"I met with the minister, local CEO of the area health service, also other advocates, and I think a lot of noise was made and we've finally had a win for common sense. Death is not limited to those hours and the minister certainly wasn't impressed with the situation either and so we have had a win. It's a terrific outcome," he said.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp

Labor Calls For Central Supercars Authority In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

The state opposition is calling on the Berejiklian Government to establish a central coordination authority in Newcastle to run the V8 Supercars event in November.

The government has week introduced legislation to have the event coordinated by Destination NSW through a host of committees based in Sydney.

Labor says this is in stark contrast to the Supercars event held in Sydney, where a Homebush Motor Racing Authority was set up to be a central touch point for the community.

Shadow Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Penny Sharpe has described the arrangements for Newcastle as a recipe for confusion and buck passing.

"People are worried that Supercars have been responsible for the consultation. We believe that this is completely inappropriate - people, need an independent, government organisation that's able to coordinate all of the different stakeholders - residents, businesses, and the event organisers, to make sure that this runs smoothly, but also to give them somewhere where they can actually have their complaints heard," she said.

Labor Mps Tim Crackenthorp and Penny Sharpe call for Central Supercars Authority In Newcastle

Constance Accused of Snubbing Business Owners - Update

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Transport Minister has come under fire for not meeting with business owners affected by the Newcastle Light Rail project.

Andrew Constance is in town today to inspect progress on the Wickham Transport Interchange.

He'll also attend a 100-dollar-a-head lunch .

However, Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp says businesses in the CBD deserve an audience with the minister as well, with many worried about future trade with the loss of 280 parking spaces outside their businesses.

However, Andrew Constance has refuted the Mr Crackenthorp's claim while addressing the media in Newcastle this morning.

"It's an outrageous claim by him. Anna Zeike (CBD Coordinator General For Newcastle) met with the business community and Tim Crackenthorp in the last couple of months and I will continue to meet with the business community, but I'm not going to meet with a political circus...we will work to activate precincts. That's why we'll work with individual business owners over individual concerns", he said.

Andrew Constance

Fears Over Newcastle Rail Corridor Rezoning Proposal

BY IAN CROUCH

 Some Newcastle councillors believe the rezoning of the heavy rail corridor could become a done deal if the state government gets its way with the proposed amalgamation with Port Stephens.

With a rescission motion to overturn a vote to take legal action against the government to try to stop the merger going ahead still to be debated, Labor and Greens councillors say the rezoning proposal could be out of their hands.

Newcastle Councillor and state MP, Tim Crackenthorp says the decision needs to be made by the democratically elected council.


"I've got grave concerns that the Premier said that the people would have the final say on development in the rail corridor whereas Newcastle Council will probably be amalgamated with Port Stephens and that final say will come down to a government-appointed administrator", he said

Tim Crackenthorp

Fears For Newcastle's Old Courthouse

BY IAN CROUCH

Almost 4 months since the opening of the new $90 million court complex in Hunter Street, there's still no word on the fate of the former courthouse in Church Street.

The state government announced the site would be sold under a tender process with the proceeds to go back into the NSW justice system.


However, nothing's been done and the historic building is starting to fall into disrepair.

Newcastle MP, Tim Crackenthorp has quizzed the government on when the sale is likely to go ahead, but the Attorney General referred the matter to the Minister for Finance Services and Property who is yet to respond.

Tim Crackenthorp says he doesn't want the courthouse to go the same way as the city's historic former post office, which is now derelict and dormant.

Tim Crackenthorp

Newcastle's Former Courthouse