Light Rail Class Action to Commence Saturday

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

At least 45 Newcastle businesses who have been impacted by light rail construction are expected to join a class action lawsuit to be launched against the state government tomorrow.

The legal action is being organised by Sydney councillor and small business owner Angela Vithoulkas, whose own experience with light rail construction along George Street prompted her to help Newcastle businesses facing the same plight.

"I've been suffering on the light rail construction route for three years," Cr Vithoulkas said.

"I completely understand the pain of the Newcastle business owners, they have been abandoned and ignored by the state government and I want to help them like I've helped hundreds of businesses in Sydney."

Many businesses in Newcastle's CBD have reported significant losses in trade owing to the effects of construction, including restricted access, limited parking and increased noise.

Struggling local businesses have repeatedly called for the same government assistance afforded to those in Sydney in the form of rent-relief, only to be told it wouldn't be coming.

Angela Vithoulkas says Newcastle businesses deserve more from the state government.

"They don't have hundreds of thousands of visitors coming in and out of their area every day like we do in Sydney to help us cope," said Cr Vithoulkas.

"They've given more to NSW, they deserve better."

Interested residents can join the class action at a meeting with Cr Vithoulkas tomorrow, but anyone who wishes to learn more before signing up is assured they can join at any time.

A legal team from Mitry Lawyers will also be present at tomorrow's meeting to provide extra information and advice for anyone considering joining the lawsuit.

Cr Vithoulkas says its a shame the state government hasn't learned their lesson on the impacts of these infrastructure projects on local communities.

"If their goal is to wipe out communities, then they're on track," she told 2NURFM.

"We want infrastructure, we want progress, but we want our small businesses to still be there when they're done."

The meeting regarding the class action will take place at Customs House on Saturday, August 11th, beginning at 12pm.

Image: The Herald

It's all About Building for the Future: Premier Berejiklian Thrilled with Newcastle Interchange

BY JESSICA ROUSE

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she's absolutely thrilled with the Newcastle Interchange and the progress the light rail project is making.

The Premier is in Newcastle today to present the political outlook for the Hunter at the Property Council's final lunch of the year, and while she was here she also inspected the progress on the $650 million-plus investment the government has made in Revitalising Newcastle.

Since the Revitalising Newcastle program started, the city's population has grown by 4.6 per cent and employment has increased as well, up 9 per cent.

Private investment has jumped too, with the project triggering $2 billion.

Revitalising Newcastle's Michael Cassell, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot
MacDonald, and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Premier Berejiklian said despite all of the hassles along the way, she's thrilled the government stuck to their guns and delivered.

"I remember people were complaining to me about why are you building the light rail and now people are saying we want an increased network, we want you to further increase the network so I remember at the time getting absolute criticism for announcing the light rail project,"

"I'm glad we stuck to our guns. It's going to be fantastic for Newcastle , but also the broader region. This is all about building for the future."

"I've learnt one thing about Newcastle, there is a minority of people that don't want to see things change because they've got vested interests, the vast majority of people want to see Newcastle move ahead and that's who we're batting for, those people who are invested in the future, invested in giving kids a go here in Newcastle and making sure Newcastle has the opportunity to become an even greater city - it is a great place already to live and work."

The Premier defended the cost of the light rail project after reports today suggested it was double the cost of similar projects across the state.

"There's no point taking down all of the wires from the heavy rail if you weren't going to do this, and I've heard some unfair criticism about the light rail project costing a bit more than other projects, that's because other projects have wire at the top of them like Canberra. We've chosen to make this wireless because we're preparing this for the future," said Premier Berejiklian.   

Image David Threlfo Twitter.

Light Rail On Track To Be Laid Over The Weekend

BY MATT JOHNSTON

Following the arrival of 12 kilometres of light rail track in Newcastle last Thursday, preparations are underway to have the track laid by the beginning of next week.A track slab will be poured at the intersection of Hunter and Merewether streets on the weekend, followed by the installation of the first tracks in the embattled project.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance is claiming this as an important milestone for the project. He's praised the team involved with the project for their hard work trying to maintain the works schedule. He says "it's all systems go" down at the site.

Mr Constance is claiming it as a win for the Berejiklian government, saying they're determined to just "[get] on with the job".

"It'll be a project that progresses very quickly, and at the end of the day,  the city is going to get a fantastic light rail project that is going to transform the community."

The work is "tracking along nicely", and although nothing can be guaranteed, Mr Constance is confident the rest of the light rail work will be delivered on time. He says this will not only benefit the wider community, but also the businesses that have seen a downturn in profit as a result of construction.

Both the Andrew Constance and Michael Cassel, program director for Revitalising Newcastle, are urging people to support the affected businesses. To show Novocastrains the CBD is still open for business, Revitalising Newcastle will be hosting a Christmas program that features rides and Christmas displays in Wheeler Place, story readings at Newcastle Museum, a treasure hunt, and Santa photos.

For more details, visit the Revitalising Newcastle calendar.

Photo credit: Revitalising Newcastle

It's an Absolute Disgrace: Newcastle MP on Leaked Light Rail Document

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's been revealed the cost of the Newcastle Light Rail project far outweighs the benefits.

A leaked cabinet report revealed to Fairfax and the ABC shows the decision to cut the rail line at Wickham was made before costing of the light rail project was carried out.

When the costings were carried out the document revealed the 2.7 kilometre track cost benefit is only 70 cents to the dollar and initially the body responsible for funding high-cost infrastructure projects rejected the plan because it benefits ratio was less than one dollar.

The cost also blew out to around $600 million, which is $220 million per kilometre of light rail track.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says there were clearly other options on the table, better options, which in the end would've been better for the city.

Image Transport NSW

"This report also indicates the government would've saved a heck of a lot of money if they'd done a cut and put the heavy rail underground and still opened up all of the city for a lot less money and gotten a much larger revitalisation bang for its buck."

A hypothetical plan to proceed with urban renewal without truncating the rail line had a benefit/cost ratio of around 2.4, meaning each dollar spent would be worth $2.40.

"This government is making the wrong decisions in terms of how they open up and renew the city and their own advice says that, but they choose to ignore it. It's no wonder they're not releasing these reports because they don't want to be called out and found out and they have been," said Tim Crakanthorp.

He adds, "This just shows the light rail was never a transport or an urban renewal decision. It was simply a political decision and it's an absolute disgrace that this government is spending this sort of money that gets a negative cost-benefit outcome."

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has also commented on the revelations today, stating the negative impact they originally believed the project would have on commuters, is now the reality.

"Unfortunately this confirms everything we suspected, but were hoping wasn't true - that the NSW Government's decision to shut the rail line wasn't made with commuters in mind at all," said RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens.

Hunter Street light rail construction to start next month

BY JARROD MELMETH

Light rail construction on Hunter Street will start from September 12 between Auckland and Darby Streets.

Works will include relocating essential services such as water, gas, electricity and telecommunications, civil construction work including road reconfiguration and laying light rail track on the road.

Traffic will be temporarily diverted around construction zones during the build, Honeysuckle Drive, Wharf Road and King Street will be available for road users to get around the city centre.

Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel says the construction area will be closed to ensure the safety of the construction personnel.

"It's also to ensure that we get through the zone as quickly as possible, we have elected to put diversions in place for traffic and will close that section of the road down.

On what is next for the light rail construction Mr Cassel says the project will progress through all of Hunter Street and Scott Street throughout the next 12 months.

"We are very cautious not to set very tight deadlines because as we have always said we are subject to weather and what we find in the ground and they are always challenging. We have worked hard to make sure the traffic diversions will work well; we have worked very hard to ensure there is ample parking for people who wish to drive into the city, but we are also improving public transport to give everyone an option.

"The light rail team has spent over a year laying the groundwork to ensure light rail construction will run as smoothly as possible. This includes creating new pedestrian and vehicle access points between Hunter Street and the harbour. It’s now time to get on with installing light rail tracks," Mr Cassel said.

Mr Cassel also reiterated the steps being taken by Revitalising Newcastle, to help surrounding businesses through the construction.

"We are ensuring that footpaths remain open and the entrances to all businesses remain open throughout the construction period. We are also putting on lots of planned activities to draw people back into the city, as well as lots of information and updates regularly on the best ways to move around the city," Mr Cassel said. 

Work in the Auckland and Darby Street construction zone is due to be completed by the end of 2017.

Light rail construction works at Auckland & Darby Streets Newcastle.

Construction on Hunter Street connection underway

BY BROOKE HEINZ

A new road designed to ease traffic caused by the construction of the Newcastle light rail is set to be completed "in the coming weeks", according to Revitalising Newcastle program director Michael Cassel.

Asphalt has been laid for the roadway, which links Honeysuckle Drive and Hunter Street at Worth Place.

While the Worth Place connection will temporarily close later this year to allow for light rail construction, once reopened the road will be a permanent link between the CBD and Honeysuckle.

A second, permanent connecting roadway at Steel Street will be constructed in 2018.

Budget blowout on Newcastle's light rail

BY JESSICA ROUSE

State Opposition Leader Luke Foley dropped into Newcastle this morning calling on the state government to come clean about the real cost of the light rail project.

The true cost of Newcastle's Light Rail project was revealed in leaked cabinet documents released over the weekend which shows the project's budget has been blown out by around $35 million.

When she visited the Hunter last week to speak with local businesses, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the project was in fact on budget and on time and anything to the contrary was rubbish.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley and Federal
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp

Luke Foley the documents prove the indisputable fact the project is neither on budget or on time.

"Stop telling porkies your own internal documents show its blown out by $35 million dollars already and you know she comes here, refuses to release any detail about costing but says trust me it's on budget. Well, I've released the information, I've released what they've kept hidden - $290 million dollars and rising for two and a bit kilometres of light rail."

Federal Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp sees it as a total disrespect for the people of Newcastle, particularly when the figures for the Sydney light rail project have been released.

"This premier (Gladys Berejiklian) was here last Tuesday and looked in the eyes of the Newcastle community and said this project was on budget. Well, clearly the evidence indicates that it is not. Now this government is not being transparent and it is not being clear and it needs to be clear on this particular issue."

Luke Foley says the government need to look to the future, just like Labor would if they were in power.

"We're not going to rip up the light rail track and close it down and indeed there needs to be a discussion about the future - there's not much point in delivering a light rail network for a big city that's just two kilometres long so we're interested in the discussion about where it might expand into the future and doing the proper planning work now."

Plan to boost apprenticeship numbers in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Shadow Minister for Skills Prue Car was joined by Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park today to announce the Labor Party's policy for apprenticeships in the Hunter.

The policy will see every construction project, such as Newcastle's light rail project, require 15 per cent of workers to be local apprentices.

Minister Car believes apprenticeships are in "free fall" under this government and that this new policy will see apprenticeship numbers jump right back.

"Employers are looking for apprentices and our young people are needing ways to get their feet onto the skills ladder and this will create opportunities right here in the Hunter for local apprentices, local young apprentices to get that start in the job market,"

"The jobs of tomorrow are definitely changing but one thing we do know is that youth unemployment is a growing problem and the stupidest thing to be doing is to make training less accessible for young people which is what this government is doing. Labor's plan will make TAFE more affordable and accessible and give our predecessors a start through infrastructure projects," said Minister Car.

The closer light rail construction comes, the more worried businesses get.

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There are renewed concerns for Hunter Street businesses as light rail construction looms in the Newcastle CBD.

Sections of Hunter Street will start to be closed off in September when work begins which is when most businesses say they're worried they'll feel the pinch.

Newcastle isn't the first city to go through the business upset with the plight mirroring some retailers on George Street in Sydney which has been a construction zone for around two years.

The government say they're prepared to adapt their plans if things go awry, but MP Tim Crakanthorp says even then a lot of small businesses just won't be able to survive.

Image www.newcastlenow.org.au

With up to 1,000 car parks disappearing and essentially one lane of traffic being taken away as well, Tim Crakanthorp just can't see it working for everyone.

"I think if you can stick it out for that period of time and only perhaps the bigger businesses can do that, there will be benefits at the end of it but then again they're also deeply concerned about the parking."

On the other hand, Program Director of Revitalising Newcastle Michael Cassel says they're doing as much as they can to ensure businesses don't lose out.

"We're doing a lot with businesses, we've employed precinct managers, we're working very hard to make sure businesses thrive through this period. We've got lots of activities, we're bringing more people back to the city during that period of disruption and we will pop out the other end with a much-improved transport system."

Light Rail Project To Begin This Year

BY IAN CROUCH

The state government has confirmed construction of the first stage of Newcastle's light rail project will begin in September.

The work will get under way in Hunter Street and will be completed in stages.

Hunter Street will be closed between Auckland and Darby Streets until the end of the year.

Although it will create disruptions for traffic, the government says the construction will be completed three months earlier than originally expected.

It's expected trams will start running on the line by early 2019.

Newcastle MP says affordable housing in rail corridor isn't enough

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Among the announcements made by the state government for Newcastle transport yesterday, was thirty affordable home units to be built on a section of the former rail corridor.

The housing would cater for low to middle income earners such as emergency service workers and teachers, but Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp believes while it will help them, it simply isn't enough to meet the city's housing needs.

Buying a first home is becoming more and more difficult, and the MP says even the government admitted thirty isn't enough.

"It's never been harder to buy your own home and this government has had six long years to address housing affordability. Thirty units is a drop in the ocean to address the crisis to date. The government has admitted that it is not enough and with the city growing rapidly we really need to see the rest of the plan."

Tim Crakanthorp also said while the government want to make cities better, they're not making it easier for people to live in them. Instead they're forcing first home buyers to buy outside of the city due to rising house prices and the limited number of housing available in the city.

Parking is a constant battle in the city and with around 280 spots set to go in the city centre when construction begins on the light rail, Tim Crakanthorp says the parking problem won't just stop there.

"The government still needs to reveal where commuters will be able to park at the interchange, unless they're right on the line, I don't think the number of people they're projecting will be going on it,"

"Good public transport needs to be safe and close and accessible and we need to expand this light rail if we want to get this kind of accessibility".

Newcastle CBD Business Owners Voice Fears Over Light Rail Construction

BY IAN CROUCH

It's feared Hunter Street Newcastle could be closed down block by block for up to 14 weeks at a time during construction of the city's light rail project.

The Herald reports Transport for Newcastle officials met with business representatives last week to discuss the building program.

It's estimated the light rail could take up to two years to complete.

Some shopkeepers have accepted the pending disruptions as a fact of life, while others say the government's plan is unworkable and could be the death knell for their businesses.

Artist's Impression Of Light Rail Down Hunter Street

Mike Baird quits politics

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Mike Baird and Andrew Constance in Newcastle in December. [Picture: Simone De Peak/The Herald]

State Transport minister Andrew Constance has named in the running to succeed Premier Mike Baird after he announced his resignation on Thursday morning.

Mr Baird made the announcement, citing the current health of his close family members, and being content with what his government has achieved as the main reasons for retirement.

“I said many times I didn’t want to become a career politician; I wanted to go as hard as I could for as long as I could, and then step aside,” he said.

During a press conference on Thursday, Mr Baird listed what he considered were the main achievements of the Liberal party since it entered government in 2011.

Being the first state to sign up to the Gonski needs-based school funding was singled out as particularly important for “getting our kids set up” regardless of where they came from.

Particular emphasis was also put on the changes to transport, including the Newcastle light rail, which Mr Baird said would drastically change the landscape of the city.

Mr Baird became Premier in 2014, after former Premier, Barry O’Farrell was forced to resign over political gifts.

Mr Baird said he entered politics to get stuff done, and he now believes he has.

“When I set out on the journey I was frustrated on why New South Wales was behind the rest of the country,” he said.

“I was frustrated that nothing ever got built, and I wanted to make a difference.

“As I look on that now I strongly believe that we have.  We have made a difference.”

The Liberal Party will meet to elect a new Premier and deputy Liberal leader next week, with Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian and Transport minister Andrew Constance on the shortlist to succeed Mr Baird.

Mike Baird when he announced his retirement on Thursday [Picture:ABC]

Mr Constance was heavily involved in the construction of the Newcastle light rail.

In April, Mr Constance told Novocastrians they should embrace the future possibilities the light rail can bring.

“The light rail project will facilitate and open up enormous opportunities as part of the activation of the city,” he said.

“Not only is the [the Transport for Newcastle mandate] the integration of the transport modes, but it’s also bringing in the pedestrian and cycling access.”

The popularity of Mr Baird began to drop after a laundry list of policies and plans by the state government were refused by the electorates.

The Nationals Party lost their stronghold of Orange during a by-election last year, which saw a 20-point lead wiped out and a member from the Shooters and Fishers Party being elected to the lower house.

It has been widely agreed that Mr Baird's insistence on the banning of greyhound racing across the state led to the defeat.

Council amalgamations were another widely-panned decision by the Baird Government, which wreaked havoc on

Hunter councils.

Port Stephens Council is yet to know if it will be forced to merge with Newcastle Council, or if it can merge with their preferred choice of Dungog Council.

Mike Baird visited Newcastle in December. [Picture: Ian Crouch]

Mr Baird remained confident that council amalgamations were a good thing.

“Council amalgamations, I strongly believe, will deliver long-term benefits for every member of New South Wales.  It will provide huge opportunities and much more competitiveness into the long-term,” he said.

When asked on Thursday whether he will return to the private sector, Mr Baird did not rule it out.