Multi-million dollar Cessnock Airport upgrades welcomed by Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley owner

BY JARROD MELMETH

Cessnock Council says it will proceed with an almost $9 million upgrade of Cessnock Airport after receiving a cash injection from the state government.

$6.6 million has been awarded to the project by the NSW Government with the remaining $2.2 million to come from council.

The upgrades will see the widening and resealing of taxiways; provision of aprons and aircraft parking areas, improved fuel area access, runway rehabilitation, water and sewer connections, installation of non-precision GPS approaches for RWY 17/35 and an upgrade to the eastern terminal.

The project is being welcomed by neighboring Crown Plaza Hunter Valley owner Jerry Schwartz, who has been lobbying for upgrades to the airport for years.

Mr Schwartz says its a step in the right direction of his vision for a commercial operation.

"There are so many benefits to this and that is why I have been trying to champion the airport.

"Unfortunately, the only way to get to the Hunter is by car. There are no train lines, which is something I've certainly looked at. 

"By coming to the Hunter by air, it's only half-an-hour from Sydney. That makes it so much closer to Sydney and that much easier to get here. This would have major economic benefits for the region and would really unlock its potential," Mr Schwartz said.

There are conditions which come with the funding from the state government which means the project and all works must be completed by 30 June 2022. 

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent says he is excited to see this project kick off as it has the potential to create nearly 60 jobs and will be a welcome boost for the economy.

"Our tourism industry has been hit hard in recent times and this project will transform Cessnock Airport into one of the state's top airports for general aviation and improve the visitor experience," Cr Pynsent said.

Pictured: Aerial view of Cessnock Airport.

Tighes Hill and Mayfield poised for major developments

BY JARROD MELMETH

Mayfield and Tighes Hill are set to become home to a number of new retail operators.

Central Coast based Stevens Group have submitted the fresh plans for a service station and two take away food outlets at 51 Industrial Drive, Mayfield to Newcastle Council while the Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill light industrial area plans have passed Newcastle's Development Applications Committee and will now be voted on by councilors at next Tuesday's meeting.

The $18.6 million Tighes Hill mixed use development hopes to attract tenants in the form of but not exclusive to hardware, retail, gyms, childcares, and hospitality. The site has been unused for the best part of 10 years, and has a history of contamination as a former bulk fuel terminal and depot. The developer says the site has been cleaned up in preparation for the project.

In Mayfield, a $4.1 million plan has been lodged with Newcastle Council and if approved will be home to a service station and two take-away food outlets. The development application has sought 24/7 hours of operation.

Tighes Hill plans for a light industrial area.

Mayfield plans for service station and fast food.

DA Lodged for Significant Black Hill Project

BY JARROD MELMETH

New subdivision plans for two industrial estates at Black Hill have been lodged with Newcastle City Council and are hoped to drive development in the Lower Hunter.

The two parcels of land, with a combined area of almost 400 hectares, are owned by Central Coast company, The Stevens Group and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

The lodgement of the development application follows protest from surrounding residents who believe the proposal will have day-to-day impacts such as visual, traffic and habitat loss as well as posing a threat to the rural and recreational nature and character of the Black Hill area.

Stevens Group Director, Brett Harrod said the company is committed to ensuring environmental standards are met.

"If you look at any of our projects, we take a great deal of time, effort and energy to ensure that everything that we do is compliant with all of the codes.

"We also have an underlying philosophy in all of our projects that our sites and developments are something that we can be proud of," Mr Harrod said.

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery said while she welcomes the economic advantages the development will bring to the region, State and Federal governments must ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place before proceeding.

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.

Green light given to development despite exceeding height limit

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lake Macquarie Council has approved a development application from poultry company Inghams, to construct four grain silos at their Cardiff site, which will be almost 25-metres high, double the legal height limit for the area.

The land on the corner of Nelson and Durie Road has a prescribed height limit of 15-metres under the Local Environment Plan, while the proposed development is 28.5 metres in height including the replacement conveyor system which will be located atop the new silos.

It is understood the applicant submitted a written request to vary the maximum building height which was supported by council on Monday night.

The approval follows an incident in January 2017, where a silo collapsed damaging two other silos which were later demolished.

Lake Macquarie Cr Kevin Baker was the only councillor to object to the application due to the combustible nature of grain dust.

"Grain silos can be very dangerous. We were quite lucky we didn't have a significant explosion in the collapse last year. One thing we just have not really taken into consideration is, is this the right development in the right area?

"It may be permissible under the industrial zoning, but is having a large dangerous goods site adjacent to a train line and other buildings the right thing to do?

"I just do not think council has considered that in the best way," Cr Baker said.

The site at Cardiff Inghams for the proposed development.
Image: Google Maps.

Toronto foreshore development a boost for economic tourism: Mayor

BY JARROD MELMETH

A prime piece of waterfront land at Toronto could soon be the home of a commercial, tourism and residential hub after Lake Macquarie Council voted to prepare a development application at Monday nights meeting.

No confirmed details are available yet, but the development is believed to be as high as four to six storeys which, exceeds the two storey limit under the current local environment plan.

The land has been earmarked for decades with council purchasing property along Bath Street since the 1990's, for what Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says is for economic tourism.

"Last night it was council taking the next step and deciding to do a feasibility report. We have just recently spent $4 million on the streetscape in Toronto. A number of our town centres have not reached their potential and Toronto is one of them that needs an economic boost.

"We can see that people want to visit Toronto but we do not have enough accommodation for those people and this is a perfect opportunity to progress through the plans to provide that very necessary target for visitor tourism," Ms Fraser said.

The Coal Point Progress Association said in a statement "the issues around lack of community space, growing population, lack of public awareness and protection of the foreshore received little comment from the councillors, who appeared focused on the tourist population and not residents."

The vacant land between Bath Street and Victory Parade which could soon
be the home of the proposed development. Photo: Google Maps.

Warners Bay residents up in arms over new development

BY MICHAEL COOK

A development plan for a block of units in Warners Bay has caused a stir with residents voicing concerns over a number of aspects of the proposal.

The development application, which was lodged by Elk Designs is for four blocks of 34 units on Albert Street and has residents pointing to a number of instances where the proposal breaches development control plans including height restrictions and parking quotas.

Residents aired their complaints at Monday's Lake Macquarie City Council meeting, claiming the plan will have a negative impact on traffic, parking and floodwater in the street and is an example of over-development.

Council is still to consult with a number of internal departments as well as a panel of independent experts to advise on key aspects of the development application.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says there are a number of things to be considered at this stage of the application.

"It's in an area where Council is encouraging development.

"We would like to see residents living close to our town centres so it ticks those boxes.

"At this stage, it is still under assessment and we are processing community complaints," she said.

Warners Bay is the proposed site of a new development
Source: http://www.warnersbay.net.au/

Proposed residential phone tower on council meeting agenda

BY JARROD MELMETH

A proposed joint Optus and Vodafone tower in Whitebridge is on the agenda for tonight's Lake Macquarie Council meeting.

The tower has been hotly contested by residents who fear health risks from radiofrequency electromagnetic energy and a decrease in land value surrounding the development.

Over 120 public submissions against the proposal have been received by Council, including two petitions and a large number of proforma responses.

According to council documents, the application for the development proposes "the installation of a 35-metre high monopole, with mounted hexagonal headframe bringing the total height of the structure to 37.25 metres," which exceeds the current 15-metre maximum building height outlined in the Lake Macquarie Local Environment Plan.

The applicant company, Visionstream, have submitted a written request to Council asking to vary the maximum building height.

The development application also fails to strictly comply with the 5-metre street setback control under Council’s Development Control Plan.

However, the applicant has proposed planting a landscape screen, to "provide adequate screening of the development at street level."

Lake Macquarie Councillor John Gilbert said a development like this tower has no place in a residential neighbourhood.

"It is okay for them because it is not going right next to their own house or in their own neighbourhood, so of course they have got the "I'm alright Jack" attitude.

"I think that is unacceptable. I think we have got to take into account that every person has a value, every person has a right and every person has a right not to have those things next door to their house, especially when there are so many non-residential opportunities," Mr Gilbert said.

No objection has yet been raised by Council officers in departments such as, Development Assessment and Compliance (Aboriginal Heritage, Erosion/Sediment Control, Landscape/Urban Streetscape, Engineering, Building, Flora/Fauna); Waste Environment and Rangers (Contamination, Health, Noise); Sustainability (Air Quality); and Asset Management (Driveway, Traffic), which hinders predictions as to what the outcome will be.

Mr Gilbert believes the outcome of tonight's meeting is a toss of the coin.

"There seem to be councillors who feel it's okay and there are councillors who are, like me, against the development.

"So, it is really going to depend on what comes out of the discussion at the council as to which way people go.

"I will not be changing my stance, no matter what gets discussed. I'll be doing my best to make sure this does not go through," Mr Gilbert said. 

The proposed location of a 37-metre mobile phone tower. 

Port Stephens Council Approve Apartment Tower Twice the Height Limit

BY SARAH JAMES

Port Stephens Council have pushed ahead with the development of a 32 metre apartment tower at Church Street Nelson Bay, which is twice the current height limit.

Community residents are arguing the development will ruin the character of the area and make it difficult to enforce a sensible height limit in the future.

The controversial decision follows concerns from the Urban Design Consultative Group (UDCG), attached to Newcastle City Council, who said amendments would be needed in order to gain approval.

For development to occur which exceeds the height limit, there must be public benefit and outstanding design excellence, as per the the Nelson Bay Strategy (2012). 

Councillors John Nell, Geoff Dingle and Peter Kafer were unsuccessful in putting forward a plan for the development to be put on hold until a review of the Nelson Bay Strategy is published mid-year.

Nigel Waters from the Tomaree Ratepayers & Residents Association said the Council's decision has set a dangerous precedent for development in the region and defeated the purpose of community consultations.

"If counsel tries in its new strategy to impose some sort of sensible height limit in line with community expectations, then developers will be able to say 'well you approved one last year which was double the height limit, we want the same', said Mr Waters.

"...the public need to get behind this consultative process and make it very clear that we want not only sensible height limits but also a mechanism to actually control them. That's going to be difficult now that they've set this precedent."

Government Moves to Secure the Hunter's Future

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

The State Government have announced a blueprint for the Hunter as it looks to ensure the region will be able to grow by 30 percent over the next two decades.

Rob Stokes

Dubbed the Hunter Regional Plan, the project will help guide private development over the next 20 years, with hopes it’ll turn Newcastle into a metropolitan centre.

“We know that this region will continue to grow in terms of population,” Planning Minister Rob Stokes said while also calling Newcastle the “capital of the largest regional economy in NSW”.

The Government also announced the Hunter Region Special Contributions Plan to help spur development across the region.

“It can help developers and land owners to price in from the very beginning of their development proposals,” Rob Stokes said.

“This will provide certainty, clarity, it’ll help speed up the planning process.”

The plan is a levy, which was similar to the one used by the Government while it was revitalising Western Sydney.

“It’ll also put downward pressure on house prices by making it clear to developers the sorts of contribution they’ll be expected to contribute,” Stokes said.

The blueprint has been praised by local think tank Urban Task Force, with its CEO, Chris Johnson saying the plan was inevitable.

“Sydney can’t just always go up and get bigger, so we’re going to rely on Newcastle as a major centre into future decades,” he said.

“We’re very positive about strong growth, we believe this plan does deliver on that.”

“A lot is going to be in the detail of course and some of that will come out in the district plans.”

Morpeth up for the state heritage register

BY JACINTA LEE

The town of Morpeth could soon be registered as a state heritage site.

The Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group lodged an application with the NSW Department of Planning today, to help preserve the town's unique identity.

The street layout almost matches its original design from 1845, and conservationists are eager to keep it out of developers' hands.

"A lot of developers and people against what we're doing say we're against progress," Simon Brooker, President of the Conservation Group, says.

"Essentially, we're just trying to protect the valuable heritage of the town for future enjoyment."

Morpeth residents concerns over development sites

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Development plans for the former Morpeth Bowling Club site isn't the only cause for concern among residents in Morpeth.

A 50 - lot sub division is planned for neighbouring Raworth but residents fear it will increase traffic impacting residents safety.

It already hasn't been smooth sailing for the development which was originally rejected by council and has since been amended.

Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group President Simon Brooker says there isn't a lot to argue about with the site as it meets requirements, but recent developments do give cause for concern.

"The only thing that we're helping the local residents object to is that an additional application has gone in by the developer to reduce a number of lot sizes down to around the 400 metre mark. Again completely inappropriate for the area."

This will make the lot sizes significantly smaller than current residential lot sizes.

The former bowling club site continues to be a sore spot for the town which thrives as the second most visited region in the Hunter.

Residents and business owners fear a senior housing development will significantly detract from the rural setting of the town and also affect its high tourism rate.

Developers argue the Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group are completely against development of any kind, but Simon Brooker says, "We are not against development and we are definitely not against seniors housing, but it needs to be appropriately positioned and it should not impact negatively on the heritage and rural setting of the town".

Changes on the Horizon for Newcastle's CBD

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The west end of Newcastle is driving a huge boom of construction, with $700 million going towards the new high-rise housing hub.

This project is part of $2 billion going towards construction in the Newcastle area.

These new projects in Newcastle are set to have a combined value of $1.6 billion, and comprise of more than 3,000 apartments including 1,200 in the west end.

Hunter Director of the Property Council of Australia Andrew Fletcher says the construction projects will drive Newcastle's future economic growth.

"The construction projects will mean new jobs for Newcastle, it is extremely positive for the city " says Fletcher.

"We know that we have to cater for something like 10,000 new jobs and 6,000 new residents over the next 15 to 20 years."

Mr Fletcher believes that the state government's willingness to press forward with the light rail proposal in Newcastle has been a strong driving force for the construction projects.

"The government's commitment to the light rail for Newcastle has been the thing that sparked the private sectors interest in the city."

Andrew Fletcher
Source: The Newcastle Herald

Maitland's New Hospital Well on Its Way

Maitland's new hospital has past its first planning stage after the State Government pledged over 400 million dollars for the major project.

The hospital's planning will continue into 2016, with ground work expected on the Metford site before the next State election.

Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo says it's good the Government is acting on he hospital.

"There's been a lot of planning to date and there's been a lot of getting the site ready for this"

He says the Metford hospital will be built whilst old Maitland hospital is still in operation and "we'll decommission one hospital and then we can transfer or transition services from the old hospital and start the new one"

An artist's impression of the new Maitland hospital (image courtesy of The Herald).

The Government has confirmed new delivery suits, an intensive care unit and an additional CT scanner will all be part of Maitland hospital's transition to Metford.

But Maitland MP Jenny Aitcherson says their isn't enough information yet, "we need the release of the business case to the public and we need the date [of completion].  The date is the key here".

"We need this hospital, it's been promised for over five years now, its time for the Government to just deliver it".