Cessnock at Senate inquiry

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

The Senate inquiry into the decentralisation of federal government departments will hear from Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent on May 19.

Bob Pynsent

He will be putting forward why Cessnock should be considered as one of the possible locations for a department after the Turnbull Government announced it would be attempting to decentralise Canberra and Sydney.

Mr Pynsent was invited to the Inquiry after a mayoral minute in February, which called for the federal government to consider Cessnock as a preferred option.

"It's a great opportunity to publicise what a great place the Cessnock Local Government Area is to live in," Mr Pynsent said.

"To a federal department, it offers that affordability in regards to housing and a magnificent lifestyle."

Despite being invited to the event, Cessnock is still not guaranteed a department will move to the Lower Hunter, especially considering the proximity to the University of Newcastle.

However, Mr Pynsent remains confident that Cessnock will put on a good showing for the inquiry.

"To me, I'm still confident," he said.

He said the Hunter Expressway is a key piece of infrastructure that will also put Cessnock in a positive light.

"The connectivity to Newcastle and to Sydney is critical for the relocation of a federal government department," he said.

When the announcement was made, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce urged local governments from across Australia to put their hands up to be recommended.

"We have long believed that the government should consider shifting federal government departments out of the Sydney CBD to give people the choice of living and working in regional areas," he said.

"Regional Australia deserves the benefits of public sector employment just as much as any capital city.

"After all, regional Australia supplies the water, food, electricity and gas which powers our cities."

New era of waste management in Cessnock

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's a new era for waste management in Cessnock with an upgrade to the local waste facility with a new Waste Transfer System under construction.

The facility's construction began in January, and will allow residents to drop off items such as metals, garden organics, electronic waste, paints, oils and batteries with ease, to be recovered and recycled.

Waste Transfer System plan Image www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au

"This is big dollar business, third party licensed and monitored, and the greatest long term savings we can make is about the recapture of those resources that have a value and can be recycled and reprocessed to avoid landfill," said Manager of Environment and Waste Michael Alexander.

More often than not items which can be re purposed or recycled end up in landfill, instead of going to making a new product.

Michael Alexander says we need to get rid of the tip mentality and work towards a cleaner environment because "once it [rubbish] hits landfill, it's lost forever. It's certainly not the best environmental outcome, and this is just another step in that direction which compliments the services we already have".

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent believes the redesign will be of huge benefit to the community once it's finished.

"The redesign not only offers the community more resource recovery opportunities but also will deliver a facility which has increased safety, and convenience."

Lindsay Street will Remain the Only Entrance to Cessnock Gaol

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Cessnock Council has described themselves as “bitterly disappointed” after the state government decided not to open any additional entrances to the Cessnock gaol.

Inside Cessnock gaol's accommodation area [Image: Cessnock Advertiser].

It comes after the government announced the gaol would expand by one thousand new beds, bringing in new inmates and staff.

The government-conducted Review of Environment Factors concluded only one entrance was required.

Council has argued the increased traffic will drastically increase general wear-and-tear of local roads, while also increasing congestion.

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said ratepayers shouldn't

Bob Pynsent

have to foot the bill for the road repairs.

“It’s just not good enough, we got absolutely nothing out of the whole proposal,” he said.

“If it was a private developer they would have to make contributions to the road network.

“But because it’s the state government, they don’t put anything in at all and we as the ratepayers are covering those costs to road maintenance.  It’s just unfair.”

Currently, the only entrance to the gaol is via Lindsay Street, with the government report concluding the street was capable of handling increased traffic.

However, Cr Pynsent says the one road entry will affect more than just Lindsay Street.

“This is adding to the traffic, not just in Lindsay Street, but the traffic right through central Cessnock,” he said.

“It’ll effect Mountview Road, Wollombi Road, we already have traffic congestion at school times and this increase will only add to that.

“I’m disgusted that the REF does not refer to another entry point.”

Despite the disappointment, Council is still willing to work with the government to address the concerns of residents.

“[I’m] hoping to speak to the Minister,” said Cr Pynsent.

“He gave me a commitment on Monday [October 31, 2016] that he would listen to our concerns.”