John Hunter Roadworks Renew Calls To Expedite The Newcastle Inner City Bypass

BY JARROD MELMETH

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says while she welcomes traffic improvement measures at the John Hunter Hospital, only the construction of a second entrance and expedition of Stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will solve the major traffic issues.

The roadworks due to commence on Wednesday, July 18, will see the resurfacing of the road leading into the Hospital and down past the main entry. The works will also see the road alongside the front of the Hospital and main carparks turned into two way so that cars do not have to travel around the Hospital if leaving from the carpark near the Pathology Building.

Ms Hornery said while it won't stop the major congestion, it will hopefully ease some of the significant delays motorists experience.

"The solution is that we look at alternative roads being built as well. That means expediting the completion of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass from Jesmond to Rankin Park.

"It also means looking at how we can get commuters, staff, visitors and patients in the John Hunter Hospital off the road. This could be achieved through the re-installation of the free shuttle service that used to operate very successfully from Macdonald Jones Stadium.

"If the government were fair dinkum about easing congestion they would improve public transport so commuters from around the area can get to places like the John Hunter, the Mater and the University without being forced to drive because they have no alternative," Ms Hornery said.

The road travelling west at the John Hunter Hospital campus set to be
turned into two-way driving.

Push To Save Wallsend Fire Station

BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend Mp, Sonia Hornery is calling for the former Wallsend Fire Station to be given to the local Men's shed so it can be restored and re-purposed as a hub for the group.

Firefighters moved out of the 1921 building on the corner of Devon and Nelson Streets into brand new facilities on Summerhill Road last month.

The building is earmarked to be sold off and demolished because it contains asbestos and has a leaky roof.

Some residents want the building converted into a police station for the suburb, but Sonia Hornery says any new police station should be a modern state-of-the art facility.

She's written to Emergency Services Minister, Troy Grant asking him to consider allowing the Blue Gum Hills Men's Shed to move into the building and save it from demolition.

"I welcome community input, we should be asking the community what would be the best use of the sight, it's certainly in a beautiful, ample, prime place.

"One of the reasons the fire station was closed was that it wasn't suitable to be a fire station in the 21st century and unfortunately nor would it be suitable for a police station.

"It is an old dwelling, it requires a lot of work and a lot of love and it's a beautiful building which we want to see remain but used by the appropriate people.

"It's a matter of the state government ensuring the sight is available in community hands, selling off the station is not an option."

The Former Wallsend Fire Station Picture: therherald.com.au

Hunter MP's want Return and Earn fast-tracked.

BY JARROD MELMETH

The lack of Return and Earn collection points in the Hunter has prompted calls from the State Opposition for the government to fast-track the rollout of the scheme.

Three weeks after the launch of the scheme, the Hunter region has 11 of the 300 statewide collection points, which residents say has resulted in long queues and machines being out of service because they are too full.

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said piles of rubbish has been accumulating around the machines as they become out of order or too full.

"We certainly do need to, when we roll out these machines, be mindful of the fact that people will be waiting to utilise them, that they are accessible for people with disabilities and, that people do not leave rubbish behind. There needs be bins and other things provided with extra collections being made for the removal of the rubbish as well.

"Unfortunately, while it is a wonderful scheme some of the minor issues have not been thought out yet. They need to to make it comfortable and convenient for the community," Ms Hornery said.

Ms Hornery said she had also written to the Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton asking for machines to be installed at Stockland Wallsend and Stockland Glendale.

It was announced earlier today that the NSW Government has partnered with Coles which Ms Upton said will "mean more locations for people to return their empty containers and receive their refund.”

Photo: 2GB Sydney.

Hunter School Cleaners Fear For Their Jobs

BY ANNABEL ROBINSON

School cleaners are now in fear of losing their jobs.

The NSW Government is suggesting they will have to reapply for their jobs at the end of every contract as of next year. This will result in their accrued sick leave, recreational leave and long service leave becoming obsolete.

Cleaners current employment guarantees and conditions have been in place since 1994 and many cleaners fear that finding another job will be difficult as new contractors may not want to employ older people.

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery, will move a Notice of Motion today calling the NSW Government to provide cleaners with better job security.

School cleaners are valued in the community as they have provided us with their service for decades keeping our school environments clean and safe.

"There will be an increasing loss of jobs because the providers will employ less people and expect others to work longer and as a result our schools won't be clean," Sonia said.

Sonia says the only thing fueling the Government's actions is to save money on wages and this is truly unfair and she will be urging the Premier to take steps in protecting our cleaners jobs and conditions.

Reinstate Cardiff Station on New Express Train.

BY DANIELLE RIES

The new morning express train beginning November 26 will cut out approximately 26 minutes off the journey to Sydney but isn't stopping at Cardiff Station.

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison, along with Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, has this week launched a Notice of Motion by calling to add Cardiff Station as a stop on this new fast train.

Figures show 80 more commuters use Cardiff Station per hour compared to Broadmeadow Station, but despite these findings, Cardiff has been left out of the fast train service.

Jodie Harrison says the fast train will be a wonderful service, but Cardiff Station should be included.

"Cardiff Station is one of the busiest stations in the Hunter used by people who commute to Sydney for work and it's not being included as a stop for the new express train to Sydney.

"That express train will be a great service, it will reduce travel time by 26 minutes as against the current service, but Cardiff station really needs to be included so that the people can use that station don't lose out."

She also states commuters who regularly use Cardiff must swap trains in order to catch the Fast Train.

"I wrote to the Minister of Transport and the Parliamentary Secretary wrote back who said that instead of catching the 5:03am new express service from the Newcastle Interchange, that people who want to use Cardiff Station can instead get on the 4:53am service and change to the 5:03am service at Morriest or Wyong stations.

"We all know that people don't like changing modes of transport, they don't like changing trains and it will mean that people currently using Cardiff station for that service will miss out."

Cardiff Train Station
Credit- Leah Jay

Electoral Commission Withdraws Charge Against Wallsend MP

BY IAN CROUCH

The NSW Electoral Commission has withdrawn a charge against Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery over improper use of the electoral roll.

Ms Hornery was accused of using her position as an MP to access enrollment information about an elector who did not reside in her electorate.

It was alleged the Member for Wallsend used the information to write to a woman in the Charlestown electorate after the pair had argued on social media about the ban on greyhound racing.

In a statement issued on Monday morning, Sonia Hornery said she was pleased that the charge had been withdrawn by the Commission and dismissed by the Court.

"I have always considered that the charge against me to have no substance and that I had done nothing wrong," she said.

Ms Hornery also thanked the community of Wallsend for its support.

"I'm a defender of my community against the injustices and this process has sharpened my motivation to continue defending the battlers," she said.

Charge Withdrawn and Dismissed: Wallsend Mp Sonia Hornery

Hornery Case Could Be Dismissed

BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery could have her case for electoral roll misuse dismissed.

She's pleaded not guilty to gaining unauthorised access to the electoral roll to write to someone outside her electorate - charge which carries a $22,000 fine.

However, the prosecutor told Downing Centre Local Court yesterday, the case may be dismissed because it was very technical in nature.

The matter has been adjourned until September 25.

Wallsend MP faces court today

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is due to front Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court today accused of improperly gaining access to the electoral roll.

The Electoral Commission received a complaint from a woman who lives outside the Wallsend electorate after she received a letter from Sonia Hornery after pair had clashed on Twitter.

It's alleged the MP obtained the woman's address through the office of Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison.

MP's are only allowed access to the electoral roll in their electorate.

Sonia Hornery is expected to defend the charge.

Wallsend Mp Accused Of Electoral Breach

BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend Mp, Sonia Hornery has vowed to clear her name after being charged with improperly gaining access to the electoral roll.

It's reported the Mp contacted the office of Charlestown Mp, Jodie Harrison and sought help from a staffer to obtain an address for a member of the public who'd criticised her stance on the Greyhound Racing ban on Twitter.

It's alleged she then wrote to the woman, who lived outside her electorate, about the issue, prompting a complaint from the individual.

Sonia Hornery is due to face Downing Centre Local Court on August 28 and says she will vigorously defend the charge.

Beware of Scam Phone Calls

BY DANIELLE RIES

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has called on residents to be more vigilant regarding numerous reports of scam phone calls in the area.

The majority of these scam callers are overseas numbers pretending to be Telstra or other phone and internet companies asking people to transfer money.

Fifteen thousand two hundred reports were made to Scamwatch with a total of over 7 million dollars lost to these scammers.

Ms Hornery says people should take precaution when it comes to dealing with these types of phone calls.

"I suggest people hang up and call the company themselves to find out whether the concerns are legitimate.

"It's very rare that any company would ask for money to be transferred over the phone anyhow".

She also states people are reminded to not trust these types of phone calls.

"I hope people aren't caught by these scammers because it's almost impossible to recover your money. Because they're calling from places that are very hard to recall or find out information from overseas and it's very hard to track them down.

"That's the unfortunate outcome, and that's why we need to be prepared in the first place that we don't transfer money to anybody, especially over the phone".

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery.

Jobs set to be axed from Ausgrid at Wallsend

BY DANIELLE RIES and JESSICA ROUSE

There's more job losses on the cards for Wallsend with 30 jobs set to be axed from Ausgrid.

MP Sonia Hornery has expressed how disappointed she is with workers advised the 30 positions will be moving to Sydney. It comes after the government announced the sale of Ausgrid last year and trumpeted the fact the sale would lead to both better service and cheaper prices.

Whether the government can step in or not, Sonia Hornery believes they should because it is simply unacceptable these jobs are being lost.

"It's a lack of commitment by the state government to create jobs in an area that desperately needs more apprentices, more schools and more jobs. Not only is it a loss of thirty jobs, it's a loss of thirty skills and a loss of thirty persons experience because who knows where these people will have to travel to get jobs."

She is also worried that with thirty skilled workers being kicked out of Wallsend when there's a blackout or an electrical problem there will be no one local to fix it quickly.

"The government shouldn't be allowing Ausgrid to take another thirty jobs away from our community so the government should put a stop to these additional job losses in the Wallsend area. They should put a stop to it and they shouldn't allow it to occur."

More caseworkers needed for Hunter Community Services

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery welcomes news of an extra 42 caseworker positions being made available in Community Services but says these numbers aren't enough to get the job done.

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery

Her concerns follow a recent report which shows a 60% increase in the number of caseworker vacancies across the Hunter with a further 68% of children reporting to Family and Community Services not receiving face-to-face assessments.

Sonia Hornery says thousands of children are at risk of serious harm if they are not seen by a caseworker.

"For the 11,900 children that are at risk in the Hunter and New England area, there should be none of those children who are waiting long periods of time to get a face-to-face appointment with a qualified case manager," she said.

"That should happen within days instead of taking weeks or months or even years."

She says these caseworker positions need to be allocated to the Hunter to ensure those at risk are made a priority.

"We are jeopardising the health of our children by not making sure that we appoint all of the caseworker position vacancies back into the Hunter. In the Hunter/New England region more than 11, 900 children at risk of serious harm were not seen. These figures are the worst in the state."

According to Sonia Hornery, the State Government and the Minister for Family and Community Services are not taking this issue seriously.

"I don't think the government's been really serious about making sure that they've filled these vacancy positions all over NSW. One can only say that that's about saving money. This should be a commitment, a number one commitment about children safety for the State Government and the Family and Community Services Minister should be taking this matter much more seriously than she is."

Transport Timetable Still Not Available

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

Public transport users have been left confused with information on new timetables, routes and additional services still unavailable.

The new Newcastle transport operator, Keolis Downer is set to commence operating bus and ferry services from July 1.

State Member for Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery said they have received a lot of questions about what will happen when the new operators take over.

"They are taking over in a months time and yet we haven't seen any timetable matters yet, we don't know what's happening in terms of what routes will be considered, we have no information.

The lack of information has left many residents feeling insecure and uncertain towards public transport in the area.

Horney said there has been minimal improvement of services for those on the outskirts of the electorate.

"Our aim is for the people of Wallsend is to improve public transport services so we can get people onto public transport and out of their cars."

Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/

Vacant child worker positions in the Hunter a cause for concern

BY TYLER FARDELL and JESSICA ROUSE

There's a call for the Minister for Family and Community Services to fill a large number of vacant child case worker positions in the Hunter.

Recent figures show a 60 per cent increase in the number of vacant caseworker positions, and 68 per cent of children reported to Family and Community Services were not receiving a face to face assessment.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is leading the charge, saying too many vulnerable children are being ignored after $180 million was cut and 110 full-time positions were taken away in 2014.

"I understand that in the Hunter there are about 20 vacancies, which is about 8 per cent of the workforce, so 20 vacancies in the Hunter is a huge amount and it's basically fundamentally about cost cutting so we desperately need all of those case worker positions to be filled," said Sonia Hornery.

Family and Community Services has responded to claims the Hunter is struggling with a lack of caseworkers.

In a statement the service said:

More children than ever before who are at risk of significant harm (ROSH) receive a face-to-face assessment from a FACS caseworker. Caseworkers now see one in three children at ROSH compared to one in five children just six years ago. In some districts, FACS staff are managing to see one in two children. 

Caseworker recruitment is on-going with a focus on educating the community and prospective caseworkers about the role and the important work caseworkers do in the community.

Service NSW Centre Personal Data Privatisation

BY LAUREN KEMPE

The state government has announced new regulation allowing Service NSW Centres to be privatised in the Wallsend electorate.

Employees are currently bound by the Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998, but seven private companies have now been granted access to personal data.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery believes the privatisation and recent 25% cut to operating hours in the Service NSW Centres are a concern amongst local employees and the wider community.

"[Wallsend] is concerned that [the NSW government] is privatising a facility that's working very well, and personal information is being given to private companies. This information should be kept sensitive, private and within government hands," said Sonia Hornery.

Ms Hornery believes the government's outsourcing could also threaten the job security of numerous Service NSW employees.

"The motivation of the government is to outsource parts of Service NSW. Private organisations have different operational methods to the government alternative in terms of pulling staff. There would be job cuts to people with local knowledge within New South Wales within local offices."

The data includes Births, Deaths and Marriages, Driver Licence information, Vehicle ownership and registration details.

Image Credit: http://www.zdnet.com/article/service-nsw-takes-infringement-payments-mobile/

Staff shortages a real issue in healthcare

BY MICHAEL COOK and JESSICA ROUSE

A recent incident involving a local mother and her premature baby has highlighted the severe staff shortage issues in the state-wide Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service.

The NSW Health funded Service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, however, the vital work they do may be hindered if it is not fully staffed at all times.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is urging the government to fix the serious issue and is this week asking the government what actions they are planning to take to address the severe staff shortages.

"I'm hoping that the health minister listens and responds investigates staffing levels and improves staffing levels to make sure that we can adequately maintain the staff so that there are no shortages in the services anymore," said Sonia Hornery.

The Transport Service provides emergency treatment and stabilisation and inter-hospital transport for very sick children up to the age of 16 which is absolutely pivotal for many families.

"Some poeple may not be aware of what they do. I certainly wasnt until I got into theis job but if you have a sick child ora sick young person, you may well require this service so we need the staff to be able to operate it. Staffing shortages in healthcare just don't work," said Sonia Hornery. 

Review in Residential Group Homes

BY DANIELLE RIES

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has embraced the news of a review into the Premier Youthwork's operation of residential group homes in the HUNTER.

The review comes after it was revealed on the ABC program Four Corners children are being exposed to abuse and neglect within residential care centres across NSW.

Ms Hornery wrote to the Minister for Family and Community Services late last year calling upon the government to conduct an enquiry into these groups and potentially tear up contracts of those who were failing to complete their duties.

She says it's about time the government conduct a review into these groups.

"We're calling on the government to conduct a review of Premier Youthwork's and any other organisations that are affecting vulnerable people in our community.

"I've written to the minister for community services, and its high time that these privatised organisations undertake the same accountability that our public organisations do".  

Ms Hornery also says the review will the government see what needs to be fixed. 

"The review seeks to ensure that any private organisations that the government determines are allowed to have young people and vulnerable under their care that they undertake the same accountability that public organisations do.

"The state government will vigorously and enthusiastically ensure and audit these private organisation". 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery

Central Hunter Local Area Command receive lowest Police allocation.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling upon the Police Minister to review the allocation of new police recruits after its been revealed the Central Hunter Local Area Command will receive the lowest allocation in the state.

Out of the 178 new officers graduating today, only two will join the Central Hunter Local Area Command which covers Beresfield, Tarro, Maitland and Cessnock

Ms Hornery says crime is increasing due to the lack of allocated police.

"The problem for us in the western suburbs, and always in the western suburbs of the Central Hunter Command is that people don't see a visibility of police, and the crooks know that the police is invisible.

"Thats not because of the police efforts, it's about the fact that police are under rescourced and overworked".

Crime rates in the local area command have increased dramatically in the last few months, and Ms Hornery encourages people in this local command to always report a crime.

"Please always report crimes. It goes towards statistics, it makes the police aware of where the crooks are and where the patterns of crime are as well.

"If there was an end to all of this, it's about encouraging people to always report crimes. And that can be reported of course anonymously as well".

Image- Hunter Valley News.

Wallsend Flood Management Plan still hasn't commenced.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the April super storm but despite numerous studies, work on the Wallsend Flood management plan hasn't commenced.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery to call on the Newcastle Council to take action and expedite works for the plan.

The plan was adopted by the council in 2009 where it recommended the removal and replacement of bridge networks in Wallsend

Ms Hornery says the plan will help prevent flooding in Wallsend but won't stop it completely. 

"Rebuilding the bridges will not prevent flooding in Wallsend, but what rebuilding the bridges around Wallsend and the CBD means it allows the movement of the water from the canal to move faster through to the Hunter River which means that we just don't get the same impact of flooding, particularly down near the canal in Nelsons Street that we did 10 years ago". 

Ms Hornery also states that the residents of Wallsend will gladly welcome a new bridge network to help prevent flooding.

"What will happen to Wallsend if the plan isn't expedited, is that we risk losing premises, we may risk the loss of life, we certainly will lose businesses again if we don't rebuild the bridges soon.

"What we'd like to know is exactly when council will start with rebuilding the bridge and it will be well welcomed".

Wallsend flooding during the April Super Storms 2015
Credit- The Newcastle Herald

Call To Ease Traffic Gridlock Around John Hunter Hospital

BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling on the Health and Roads Ministers to do something to improve traffic gridlock at the John Hunter Hospital.

740 new car parks were added to the hospital campus in 2015, with thousands of extra car movements per day out of a single entry and exit location.


She believes the problem would be eased greatly if the Roads Minister ensured a full interchange is built as part of Stage 5 of the Newcastle inner-city bypass.


Sonia Hornery says the state government should also reinstate the free shuttle bus from McDonald Jones Stadium and the John Hunter to reduce  the number of people travelling to the hospital by car.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery