Nelson Bay Road Duplication Delayed by Funding 'Backflip'

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The state government is accused of back-flipping on an election promise to fund the duplication of Nelson Bay Road.

Former Premier Mike Baird promised $67 million to the project in 2015, but Freedom of Information documents requested by Port Stephens MP Kate Washington have revealed funding won't begin until after the 2020-21 financial year.

Voters will now face another state election before the duplication is complete, and Kate Washington says she can't understand how the Berejiklian Government thinks it could regain local support.

"There is a state budget coming up. They have one last opportunity to do the right thing by our community and bring forward this spend so that the full duplication of Nelson Bay Road, as promised, is delivered." Ms Washington told 2NUR.

Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay says Premier Gladys Berijiklian needs to come clean and explain her role in the decision to delay funding.

"Premier Baird stood in Port Stephens and promised a full duplication, then failed to deliver." Minister McKay said, labelling the backflip an 'insult to the people of Port Stephens.'

Jodi McKay and Kate Washington. Picture: Marina Neil, theherald.com

Possible closure of Weston Fire Station

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There are strong concerns the fire station at Weston, near Cessnock, could close with the state government reportedly planning to join the station with Abermain.

The Abermain fire station is less than four kilometres down the road from the Weston fire station, but both have proven to be vitally important in recent bush fire emergencies in the area.

With ferocious fire ripping through Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta this week residents, firefighters, and local politicians alike, are expressing their concern of the potentially dangerous move.

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr is particularly concerned the state government is making cuts to resources the community need, and would suffer to be without.

"As recently as this week, we've seen those incredible fires throughout that area and we saw them less than two weeks ago and then less than two months ago again. It is just absurd that these cuts would be taking place in a place surrounded by bushland like Cessnock and Kurri and Abermain, and more broadly across the Hunter."

There has reportedly been little to no consultation with the community, let alone with fire fighters in the area.

"Mike Baird has announced his retirement, but the policies of Mike Baird live on and the minister who is enacting the policies of Mike Baird. or his government, which is to cut $22 million out of fire and rescue NSW staffing and fire stations."

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.

Urban Revitalisation of Newcastle stepping things up

BY TYLER FARDELL

In a major win for the revitalisation of the Newcastle city centre, NSW Premier Mike Baird has today announced big plans which will transform the CBD.

The University of Newcastle has secured two hectares of land at Honeysuckle and the adjoining former heavy-rail corridor and will work to expand its world-class research and industry facilities.

"This agreement is a game-changer for the Hunter. Not only will it significantly enhance Newcastle's CBD, it will greatly contribute to the massive construction jobs boom in the city-centre" Mr Baird said.

The developments, along with the new campus and innovation hub will ensure Newcastle becomes a highly developed and connected city.

Also announced by the Premier was a new and improved public transport network for the city, with a new time-tabling system that will link bus, ferry and light-rail timetables to ensure the best services for customers.

"Newcastle transport will guarantee better and more frequent transport options, giving Novacastrians the world-class transport they deserve".

Premier Mike Baird with Minister for Transport Andrew Constance and UON vice-chancellor Catherine McMillan

V8 Supercars set to roar into Newcastle

BY TYLER FARDELL

Newcastle is set to be the new home of the season ending Supercar championship race next year when it takes over from the Sydney Olympic Park circuit.

Premier Mike Baird made the announcement today alongside champion race drivers Mark Winterbottom, Chaz Mostert and James Courtney.

From left to right; James Courtney, Mike Baird, James Warburton, Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert

"The Hunter has thousands of Supercar fans who now have an event to call their own," he said.

"The Coates Hire 500 Newcastle will be the first Supercars race ever held in Newcastle and is another major event secured for regional NSW".

The exact route is yet to be decided but the preferred course includes a loop past Horseshoe and Nobby's beach, climbing past Fort Scratchley and into the East end through Pacific, Telford and Watt streets.

Aerial view of the proposed track

Newcastle CBD set for big changes

BY TYLER FARDELL

NEWCASTLE's city centre is set for some big changes following the governments support of an innovation project, aiming to turn NEWCASTLE into a 'digital precinct'.

A total of 9.8 million dollars has been committed by the state government with a further 8 million dollars coming from Newcastle city council, the University of Newcastle, Newcastle Now and Hunter DiGiT.

A new innovation hub is set to be developed, along with free public Wi-Fi, cutting edge smart parking and smart street lighting technology.

Premier Mike Baird visited Newcastle to announce the funding and praised the innovative project.

"The Hunter Innovation Project will provide a significant boost for Newcastle and capitalise on it's strong education and research sectors, the region's highly skilled workforce and diverse range of industries".

Artists impression of the 'Innovation hub' at the corner of King and Auckland streets
Photo source: The Newcastle Herald

New Plans to Preserve Newcastle Rail Corridor

BY BRIDGET GUNN AND JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Greens Councillors are set to put forward a motion at tonight's council meeting to zone the entire railway corridor as Special Purposes Transport Infrastructure.

The proposal will include allowances for open space transport modes such as pedestrian crossings and cycleways as well as pop up installations and cafes.

Councillor Therese Doyle says the imminent council amalgamations will take the zoning decision out of elected councillors hands.

"The problem with UrbanGrowth's proposal is that it puts development right across the corridor that can be used for public transport purposes, and if we go ahead with UrbanGrowth's proposal, there will be no turning back for Newcastle to have an efficient transport system," says Doyle.

"Premier Mike Baird promised that the decision on the re-zoning of the railway corridor would be up to Council, and we want to keep him at his word, but if we are sacked the only representative of Council that will be making that decision will be an un-elected administrator."

Councillor Therese Doyle and Greens MCL David Shoebridge
discussing the rail corridor plans
Source: The Newcastle Herald

Community Calls to Save Mambo Wetlands

BY GARY LYSAGHT

The Port Stephens community has continued to fight the planned sale of the Mambo Wetlands by the Department of Education.

A 'for sale' sign appeared on the grounds on May 6th, with the local Mambo Wanda Wetlands Landcare committee saying the weren't given a heads up beforehand.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has firmly opposed the Baird Government's planned sale of the property, saying it is vitally important it doesn't enter private hands.

FOR SALE: Wetlands to be sold [Photo: TRRA]

"There's enormous cultural significance for the local Worimi.  [And] ecologically, it is part of this complex ecosystem that forms [the Wetlands]," she said.

Local residents had the opportunity to have their say on Thursday 26th May with a local forum held at Horizons Golf Resort at Salamander Bay.

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli and Environment Minister Mark Speakman were both invited to attend the forum, with letters and email from Washington's office going unanswered.

The Wetlands' sale sign
[Source: Port Stephens Examiner]

A key concern for local residents is the local koala population which call the Wetlands home.

"We just simply can't afford it, for the sake of the koalas and all the other threatened species that live within that parcel of land," says Washington

"We need to, as a community, have a really strong voice and let the Government know that we do not want this land placed into private hands," she said.

The sale of the Wetlands would be another asset the Baird Government have sold off since the 2015 election, with up to $3 billion of public assets being sold as of 2016 since the Coalition victory in 2011.

Sold assets include Bligh House for $58 million and the Australian Technology Park for $263 million.

Money raised from the sale of buildings considered to be old or misused will be redirected to constructing new infrastructure and housing.

The State Opposition have been critical of the recent litany of public assets the Government have sold into private hands with Shadow Finance Minister Clayton Barr saying Premier Mike Baird was "addicted to the sugar hit" of selling off assets.

"Whether it is electricity assets or Government property, they are happy to accept the short-term gain and ignore the long-term pain," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

State Government to Debate of Port Stephens/Newcastle Merger

The State Government has set a time and date to begin debating over the legitimacy of a merger between Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils.

The debate will take place in NSW Parliament House on March 23

The debate will go ahead at 4.30pm on March 23rd after 10 000 concerned residents signed a petition shown to the Government.

It comes after months of fierce campaigning against the merger by Port Stephens Council, who were deemed Fit for the Future during an evaluation by IPART late last year.

Parliament had a similar debate surrounding two Council's in Sydney, who were also opposed to the merger.

During the debate, Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole said the decisions were based on evidence that suggested the merger was appropriate.

But Port Stephens MP Kate Washington objected to the claims, later saying "these processes had been completely thrown out the window and seen boundaries drawn, like Port Stephens and Newcastle."

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie said yesterday that a merger between Dungog and Port Stephens would be more appropriate, but Washington says Council has done to little to late.

"They should have been having these conversations earlier on in the process.

"Out Council had its head in the sand, thinking it was all fine.  But all along, the Government has been asking all Councils to have these discussions."

But Washington is adamant the debate later this month will be an eye-opener for Premier Mike Baird.

"I know it's gonna be a fiery Parliament on the 23rd of March.

"Its just an opportunity to bring it to the Premier's doorstep, and to show him the extent to which our community is opposed to this merger."

Image courtesy of Red Rubble (LINK).