Hunter Councils Introduce New Measures to Save Businesses and Residents During Pandemic

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A number of Hunter Councils have introduced new measures at Tuesday night's council meeting's aiming to provide further support to businesses and residents. 

Lake Macquarie Council is set to introduce support measures including; 

• A scaled commercial rent relief program that reduces or waives up to 100% of rent owed to Council by eligible business for a period of up-to six months.
• A rent relief program for Council’s residential tenants that provides a 50% waiver on rent for tenants significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency for a period of up-to six months.
• Financial Hardship Assistance measures for residents and businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, including waiving of interest on overdue rates and flexible payment plans.
• Updates to Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy to include businesses and landlords, and the waiving of credit card surcharges while Council’s Administration Building is closed.
• The waiving of lease fees for community organisations that lease Council-owned land/and or buildings for a period of six months.
•  A program to enable Council staff to assist community-based organisations, to help deliver critical community services.

“There has been a lot of hard work that has gone in to developing these measures and it’s wonderful that we can now begin to put them in place,” said Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser.

“We also know that our local businesses will be hit particularly hard. We have more than 13,000 businesses operating in our City, 98% of which are small businesses. They are feeling the impacts and there is no short-term fix for the current crisis, so that’s why the relief package will be in place for up to six months.”

The majority of the measures will be made available immediately, with the exception of the proposed rent relief package for Council’s commercial and residential tenants which is required to be exhibited for 28 days and once it has been endorsed by Council it will be backdated to the 1st of April 2020.

Maitland Council is also expanding their hardship provisions, suspending interest payments and debt collections.   

The Council will use similar criteria to the Federal Governments 'Job Keeper' program to determine who is eligible for payment plans to be set up on council payments.

Maitland Council is also working to relieve the rate burden on businesses, by removing the second tier of the CBD marketing and promotional rate that applies to all businesses fronting the levy. 

The Council also discussed introducing additional community grants, and plans to get the community back up and running again when the pandemic is over. 

"There'll be a time when communities need to come together again and reconnect, so we've been looking at things we can do to support business recovery through marketing and promotional efforts," Maitland Council General Manager, David Evans said.

"When the time is right for business to re-open,  we've been planning how we'll bring people back into Maitland, particularly Maitland CBD."

                                      Image Credit: Lakes Mail

Blueprint for the Future of Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A blueprint for the next 20 years of living in Newcastle has been created with everything from transport needs to housing.

The Draft Greater Metropolitan Plan has been released this morning looking forward to what the region should look like in 2036 and what challenges it presents.

Gary White, the NSW Chief Planner was in Newcastle this morning to announce the plan and said the city is a great example of one that has completely transformed from being just an industrial town.

"It's all about telling a story, a very exciting story about a city transforming itself from an industrial base into a new world economy over the next 30 years, it's a city which I believe will be talked about around the world as being an exemplary example of how a community transforms itself."

"When you start to hear things about cruise boats coming into your harbour when you start to hear about the strength that's coming out of the education sector, the strength that's coming out of health, your starting to see the front end of the very exciting process of the transformation of Newcastle," said Gary White.

The plan includes plans for the continued revitalisation of Newcastle, the growth of and our use of aerospace, and being strategic about the delivery of housing and jobs.

Local Mayors, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald and
NSW Chief Planner Gary White at Fort Scratchley this morning.

Gary White says looking forward it's important to think strategically particularly when it comes to jobs.

"We need to create jobs in the right sectors, the sectors such as education, the sectors such as health an also recognising that there's a creative economy and a creative manufacturing economy. There are sectors associated with defence, they're all emerging, they're all opportunities that are presenting themselves for our future community as we go forward."

Greater Newcastle is expected to grow to 700,000 people in 2036 with the potential to continue growing well past that date.

"I believe in 10, 15, 20 years time people will be very proud to say they've come from Newcastle because I think it will be an exemplary example of a city that has transformed itself into a modern economy," said Gary White.

The plan is on exhibition until February 28 next year
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Greater-Newcastle-metropolitan-planning 

Belmont TAFE sale 'likely'

BY MATT JOHNSTON

Shadow Minister for Skills Prue Car says "the hiring of a divestment portfolio manager is just the latest step in the government's agenda to sell or close TAFE campuses across the state".

 The new divestment portfolio, whose manager is on a $180,000 salary, has Belmont and Meadowbank TAFE campuses listed as likely candidates for sale according to leaked government documents. Minister Car says "the communities around those colleges have every right to be concerned about the future of those campuses".

Across New South Wales TAFE enrollments are down 175,000 since 2012, and 5,600 teaching positions have been slashed, according to Ms Car. "What we need to be doing is to be encouraging young people to get back into TAFE colleges, to be learning the skills they need to get good jobs".

"The Hunter is a community that greatly needs TAFE and greatly needs the skills that it teaches our young people... It'll be devastating for regions like the Hunter if we don't stop this trend [of sell-offs and lowered enrollments]."

In other towns like Quirindi and Dapto, where TAFE campuses have already been divested, replacement services are little more than shopfronts with an internet connection. "You cannot learn to be a baker or a carpenter or an electrician via a shopfront with computers. You need a TAFE college with a teacher and real-world experience."

https://www.facebook.com/TAFENSW/

Future for Liddell Power Plant

By MATT JOHNSTON

After weeks of heated negotiations that went all the way to the Prime Minister’s office, AGL has finally announced its plans for the Liddell power plant’s future. They’re sticking to their commitment to close the existing facility, which is slated for closure in 2022.

While it is “technically possible” to extend the life of the 45-year-old power plant, AGL Chairman Jerry Maycock argues “the costs of doing so in a way that ensures that the plant is even moderately reliable are certain to be substantial”.

The Shadow Minister for Energy Adam Searle says Labor supports the proposal to install a raft of new energy technologies at the site to make up the energy and jobs shortfalls. It’s hoped the mix of energy production options will ensure the region’s energy security going forward. “Energy security for NSW will depend on having a diversity of energy sources, not putting reliance on ageing infrastructure.”

While the replacements for the coal-fired plant aren’t yet set in stone, it’s expected renewables, batteries, gas, and upgraded coal will all play a part in keeping homes and businesses powered. “This announcement will give security to existing employees and offer them high-quality jobs for decades to come”, says Adam Searle.

“It gives certainty to staff that work at the Liddell power station, it holds out the prospect for new employment for more people when it comes to the creation of the new generating capacity, but also it provides for energy security.”

AGL's Liddell Power Plant - Photo: The Newcastle Herald

Another blow to train manufacturing in the Hunter

BY MICHAEL COOK and JESSICA ROUSE

The state’s new regional rail fleet may not be built by manufacturing companies in the Hunter, following the Berejiklian Government’s failure to commit to a local build.

The regional fleet manufacturing would involve renewing the aging Xplorer and Endeavour fleets as well as the XPT. The Australian Manufacturing Union (AMU) believes it would be an important opportunity to invest in the state's heavy manufacturing industries and particularly in Newcastle.

Union Secretary Tim Ayres is disappointed the government's failed on their promise to build trains in regional NSW yet again.

"Well this is another jobs disaster for NSW, the liberal government wants to send blue collar jobs offshore which is another multi-million dollar rail contract with no commitment for local jobs. Over the course of the last two years, the NSW government has sent $4 billion worth of train jobs offshore."

Putting the contract to Hunter manufacturers would be an opportunity to reverse the trend of lost jobs in manufacturing since 2011 and turn it around according to the AMU.

"The government's been out there telling anybody who'll listen that they're going to deliver this project inside NSW and have failed on that commitment. The story that the government is telling today is that they're going to build a maintenance facility in Dubbo is just another in a long line of broken promises and distortions of what it's really going to take to rebuild train manufacturing in NSW," said Tim Ayres.

The government has announced they'll build a maintenance facility in Dubbo, but the union wants more assurances jobs still won't be taken offshore.

"These tenders have not been let there is still plenty of time for the NSW government to make it clear to local industry that these tenders should be done on the basis of a Newcastle build and a regional maintenance centre so there's still plenty of time for the government to do the right thing here but yesterday's announcement was a very disappointing and it shows that they've just gone back to their bad old ways," said Tim Ayres.  

Phoney pledge by Lord Mayor: Kath Elliott

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A pledge by Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes to protect council jobs has come under attack from Independent Lord Mayoral candidate, Kath Elliott.

The Independents have described the pledge as phony, saying council is increasingly relying on contract staff to cover absentees and leave and is accusing Labor of doing a deal with the unions to get their financial support for the election campaign.

It comes as council staff enter negotiations for a new enterprise agreement, but the independents say it doesn't make sense with more and more contract staff being hired.

However, the United Services Union (USU) which represents a majority of the workers employed at the council, has called out Kath Elliott's claims her team will "retain and enhance" council services and "do what is right for workers". They say given her refusal to commit to not cutting jobs or outsourcing services it's a bit rich.

"There's a history with these conservatives and these independents when they run for council or run for office they say one thing and when they get in there they do something completely different. If they're serious about saving jobs and enhancing the opportunities for locals to work on council they are doing exactly what the Labor party is proposing," said Graeme Kelly from the USU.

The union is welcoming the current Lord Mayor's decision to sign the pledge and believe it's not too late for councillors to jump on board. Graeme Kelly says they're working with council to put a stop to outsourcing.

"Council jobs are always under threat and we're doing what we can to ensure that Newcastle City Council workers get some security and employment and that's why we're seeking these pledges be signed by the candidates who are running for office."

Image newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Pyne in Williamtown to announce RAAF Base upgrades

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne officially announced nearly $600 million worth of funding for upgrades to the E-7A Wedgetail project this morning at Williamtown RAAF Base.

The Wedgetail is considered one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the RAAF and is used extensively in the Middle East in the military effort against Islamic State.

The funding for upgrades to the Wedgetail will improve its early warning and control capabilities.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says our nation's defence is of top priority and we need to keep improving it to keep up with and get ahead, of our opponents.


"It is the most advanced and sophisticated airborne battle management centre in the world today and provides radar, communications, battlefield intelligence to our fighting forces and of course is serving right now in the middle east in Syria and Iraq,"

"We have to keep improving its capabilities and keep upgrading it and keep working out what our opponents might be trying to find in terms of weaknesses in the system, meeting those and then beating them down the track so this investment, this $600 million will mean jobs here at Williamtown, at Amberley and in Brisbane as a part of our ongoing commitment to doing as much of this increase of our capability here in Australia," said Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

Around 45 jobs will be created at Williamtown for the upgrade.

He says the Government is confident they can meet threats into the future, in addition to the upgrades for Wedgetail, a logistics centre for training, operations and skills was also officially opened today as a part of the Williamtown RAAF base upgrades. A joint strike fighter will be housed there by 2018.

The Government sees the RAAF Base as one of the most significant bases in Australia in terms of defence and will continue upgrading it to ensure it is fit for defence well into the future.

Major Changes Announced for Hunter Tafe

BY GABRIEL PARKER

Hunter TAFE will be folded into a single statewide institution as part of a plan to save on administration costs.

It follows an April report which found TAFE NSW spends up to 60 cents per dollar on administration and backroom tasks.

It's unclear what this will mean for Hunter jobs, but Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says it's a positive step.

"I think this is long overdue, TAFE of twenty, thirty years ago the people are comparing with doesn't exist anymore. The workforce is very very different, we all understand that. It is very much a services growth economy these days. That means different courses, that means different modes of delivery.  I think we should look on the positive side of this. I think we can have an a lot more nimble, a lot more competitive TAFE going forward" he said.

Scot MacDonald

68 new jobs for Williamtown RAAF Base

BY JARROD MELMETH

BAE Systems Australia has created 68 new jobs as the Company starts providing operational maintenance to the Royal Australian Air Force's Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter fleet.

The Hawk 127 is a tandem, two-seat jet, used to prepare the RAAF's fast jet aircrew for the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Super Hornet and, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The company is directly supporting the training of Australia's next combat aircrew, delivering all Hawk maintenance support on the flight line at the RAAF Base.

Under the new arrangement, BAE Systems is responsible for aircraft launch and recovery, rectifications, life support, stores and mission equipment, on-site management and deployed operations.

Operational maintenance was previously provided by the RAAF's 76 and 79 Squadrons. Transitions to the new arrangement started in October 2015 to ensure seamless change.

A Hawk 127 conducts an aerial display at Williamtown RAAF Base.
Photo courtesy of defence.gov.au

Layoffs at Scone Abattoir

A downturn in the Australian livestock industry has seen 155 workers losing their jobs at a Scone abattoir.

The JBS owned facility aims to combat the downturn by shifting from double to single shift work days, resulting in the layoffs.

Most of the workers came from labour hire firms (who outsource skilled and unskilled blue-collar workers) or are on temporary work visas.

Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union Secretary, Newcastle and Upper NSW Grant Courtney said the writing for the layoffs was written on the wall.

"When there's livestock downturn or when the market corrects itself, jobs are always lost and usually the areas that are dropped first are labour hire workers."

JBS has confirmed it is still committed to the future of its Scone operations.

Mr. Courtney said the focus should remain on keeping local workers.

"It's about career opportunities for local people, who are also looking for work."

"The company needs to have a look at itself and say "well okay, who are the people we should be keeping"."

"We want to make sure that there's a career path for permanent residents into the future."

It comes after the abattoir was sold by Primo to JBS in March 2015. At the time, New England MP Barnaby Joyce confirmed then Treasurer Joe Hockey had the authority to divest JBS of the meatworks.  

Image courtesy of Emma Brown, via ABC News (LINK).