Labor Commits $13 million for Glendale Interchange

BY JARROD MELMETH & MADELAINE MCNEILL

Federal Labor have today announced it will invest $13 million into the Glendale Interchange.

The money will go towards building the Pennant Street Bridge which would link Glendale to Cardiff. 

Lake Macquarie Council has also committed $6 million towards the project with Labor expecting the remaining $13 million needed to fund the $32 million project to be funded by the NSW Government.

The interchange is arguably the regions most strategically important infrastructure projects and has been a point of contention in politics since the idea was proposed by former Premier Bob Carr, 21 years ago.

In last years budget, the NSW Government said it was not going to fund the bridge over the rail lines between Cardiff and Glendale instead providing $360,000 in planning funds.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development Anthony Albanese was in the Hunter today to announce the funding commitment where he called on the NSW Government to provide the left over funds.

“Labor has consistently backed the Glendale Interchange because we see the value it will bring to this region.

“When I was the Infrastructure Minister, I ensured that there was $13 million in the Federal Budget for this project. However, immediately upon their election the current Liberal-National Government in Canberra scrapped the fund and in the process cut over a million dollars from the Glendale Interchange.

“This project has the backing of Federal Labor and Lake Macquarie City Council, which will contribute $6 million to the $32 million project. The interchange needs the backing of all levels of government and the Berejiklian Government should match Federal Labor’s commitment," Mr Albanese said.

The funding would help complete the first stage of the interchange, including the Pennant Street Bridge.

While work has been completed on the first section of roadworks, including the extension of Stockland Drive and Glendale Drive, there is no funding currently available to continue to the critical second section, the Pennant Street Bridge over the rail line in Cardiff.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy said it was important to keep momentum going on the project.

“Independent analysis has shown that for every dollar invested in this project by governments another $94 of private investment will be unlocked, creating up to 10,000 jobs for our region.

“I am pleased stage one has begun, but the real benefits lie in linking Cardiff and Glendale with the bridge over the rail line at Pennant Street," Mr Conroy said

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said all Hunter councils had identified the project as a priority.

“As well as the obvious benefits for Lake Macquarie, this project provides crucial connectivity for mining and energy businesses from right throughout the region to gain access to the Port of Newcastle.

“There is enormous potential for retail and commercial business as well, and this area is earmarked for significant housing growth," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said the project will deliver much needed jobs for our region.

“Major infrastructure projects are important enablers of regional economies over time but they also deliver a lot of jobs during the construction phase.

“Our region benefited from a number of major projects funded by the former Labor Government.  These included the duplication of the Tourle Street Bridge and the new University of Newcastle city campus.  The Glendale Interchange project would build on Federal Labor's strong record of delivering for our region," Ms Claydon said.

The announcement is the second major roads commitment from Labor for the Hunter, following Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson announcing yesterday to match the Liberals $1.6 billion commitment to extend the Pacific Highway from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace.

L-R: Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser, Infrastructure Minister Anthony
Albanese, Shortland MP Pat Conroy & Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon.

Maitland council election costing half a million dollars

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Maitland residents go to the polls on September 9th, with the election set to cost nearly half a million dollars.

Councillors were left gobsmacked after a quote from the Australia Election Company estimated the election would cost $497,633.

"It's very very expensive to run an election but its a cost that must be met, and I know that I'm possibly not alone when I say that computerised voting maybe bring it down a bit. Things have got to change," said Mayor Peter Blackmore.

The election in September will elect 12 councillors and one mayor by popular vote.

The high cost could be justified, Mayor Peter Blackmore says there is a lot involved with election preparations and manning polling stations on election day, and the money has to come from somewhere to pay for it.

Mayor Peter Blackmore believes another problem is that there are only two companies to choose from to run an election, which means competition, and therefore the costs are passed down to councils.

"We chose to go through the Australia Election Company instead of the normal process but its a case of if there's only two agencies that are competing, I think that indicates to you as to how much theses coast can be," he said.

Newcastle Councillor in the U.S. Campaigning for Clinton

BY JARROD MELMETH

As vote tallies begin to flood in the US, Newcastle councilor Declan Clausen is hoping his contribution to the Clinton campaign has made a difference.

The 23-year-old jetted off to the US last month in a bid to help the Democratic nominee secure victory in the district of Aurora, Colorado.

Declan Clausen says, campaigning foreigners help American voters realize the global significance of the election.

"Voters are particularly interested and intrigued by a foreign accent and are interested in having a chat. Also, I think come to a realization of the broader global significance of the presidential election, it's not just the future of America that depends on the result of today's polls but also has implications right across the world."

Cr. Clausen has been door knocking and phone calling, something which he says is a small role in the scheme of things but in a battleground district like Colorado it is important.

He believes this is to be an important election particularly given the competition between Clinton and Trump.

"Some of the issues we see in America are things I'm particularly passionate about there are very stark positions here between Trump and Clinton. Unfortunately, Australia has a habit of adopting the poor policy outcomes that are seen in the U.S. It's a really important election for Australia as well because it sets a precedent by which our policy could follow."

Polls close at 3pm AESDT. With the winner announced once, either candidate reaches 270 wins.

Newcastle Councillor, Declan Clausen

Caughlan Butts Heads with Lake Mac Independents

BY GARY LYSAGHT

The Lake Mac Independents party are a new group established to contest the upcoming local election on September 10.

Laurie Caughlan (standing) at a Council meeting [Image Source: Simone De Peak, via The Herald].

But the group has also been targeted by independent Mayoral candidate Laurie Caughlan, who has called them a splinter group determined to reduce the independent voice on Council.

“This is a political party, they are not independents and I think the sole aim is for political parties to attack independents,” Councillor Caughlan said.

Three members from the party will go head-to-head with Cr Caughlan over who will be Mayor, while also contesting with Liberal candidate Jason Pauling and Labor candidate Kay Fraser.

Lake Mac Independents Mayoral candidate John Gilbert has said Cr Caughlan is becoming concerned over his chances of election.

“I think he’s feeling a bit under pressure by us and these kind of outlandish claims are probably signs of desperation,” he said.

“We’re a stand-alone party, developed by local people who’ve lived here a long time and are determined to see this area prosper.”

However, Cr Caughlan has brought into question the legitimacy of the party’s independence, saying they might have ties to the Labor party.

“They’re former members of the Labor party, former members of the Christian Democrats and some of them handed out how-to-votes for the Labor party at the recent election.”  

Mr Gilbert denies the link made by Cr Caughlan and says the reality is “quite the opposite to what Cr Caughlan’s saying”.

McCloy: Donald Trump of the Hunter?

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Former Newcastle Lord Mayor Jeff McCloy has hit back at suggestions he is the 'Donald Trump of the Hunter'.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley likened the former Lord Mayor to the Republican nominee, when calling for limits on expenditure for local government elections.

Jeff McCloy says being compared to Donald Trump is simply ridiculous.

"On reflection I think Donald Trump's got a better head of hair than Foley; its just politicians having a shot thinking they can grow their own position or make up some sort of political point, but that's what they do and I don't take much notice."

Jeff McCloy says a cap on expenditure would make it harder for independents to run and unseat the two major parties in local council elections.

In his election campaign in 2012, Jeff McCloy spent $144, 000, including $60, 000 on newspaper and television advertising. He says however that he lost much more in his business with the time he dedicated to the council.

Labor also want to ban property developers from standing for council elections, something Jeff McCloy says is misguided.

"You are duty-bound to manage any conflict of interest. Now anybody can have potentially conflict of interest, you simply don't vote or be present on matters where any of your projects or whatever are discussed."

Hunter Seat Retained by Fitzgibbon

The Federal Seat of the Hunter has been retained by incumbent Joel Fitzgibbon.
 
The Former Agriculture Minister experienced a swing of 8.6% against him, the largest against Labor in New South Wales.
 
Mr Ftizgibbon believes he will remain at the forefront of the party.
 
"I think it's important that I play a leadership role in the new government,” said Mr Fitzgibbon, “we’ve got a rebuilding process ahead of us.”
 
Mr Fitzgibbon has held the Hunter seat since 1996, and says he will fight for Hunter residents to restore the trust Labor lost while in power.
 
He claims his opponent used dirty tactics to try and win votes.
 
Mr Fitzgibbon’s opponent, Nationals candidate Michael Johnsen, refutes Mr Fitzgibbon’s claim auguring that Labor.
 
“Have a history of trying to blame others for their own failings,” said Mr Johnsen.
 
Mr Johnsen said the new government will deliver lower living costs to Hunter residents, “the promises around getting rid of the carbon tax and mining tax will have a have a significant impact when that occurs.”