Independents slam Labor's Special Rate Rise plan for Maitland

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Independent Mayoral candidate for Maitland Philip Penfold has slammed Labor's plan to drop the Special Rate Variation if she's elected into the top job.

Mayoral candidate Loretta Baker has promised to put forward a proposal which will see household rates drop by around $100 a year, but there are fears that could lead to job cuts and a huge loss in funding accumulating to around $10 million dollars over the next council term.


Philip Penfold said it's easy to come and say it now to get some community support, but in the end the plan simply isn't going to work.

"It's very easy to come out and make political statements about rate cuts but show us your calculations, show us who is going to lose their job, show us which roads are not going to be repaired so you can justify why you have a reversal of your decision you moved two months ago."

The decision the mayoral candidate has reportedly flipped on was moved two months ago as the adoption of the Statement of Rating Structure which was stated as:

Council adopt the Statement of Rating Structure, as identified in the Operational Plan 2017/18 (which includes a general rate increase of 7.25%);

Philip Penfold believes if Loretta Baker's plan goes through there will have to be job cuts and a loss of funds to projects because council won't be able to afford it.

"For a lot of the council's expenses they are state government expenses the cost of the street, the cost of the waste levy the Labor party introduced. So it's expensive for council and its expensive for the community and it's important for a council to balance out the wishes and needs of the community and what those costs will be," said Philip Penfold.

"All Councillors I'm sure are open to adjustments in rates but any candidate needs to put forward what is their proposed cut then, if you're going to cut the income please explain where this $10 million dollar shortfall is going to come from and how you are going to account for it."

Mayoral Candidate Phillip Penfold and his team Image Philip Penfold Twitter

The race for Mayor of Maitland is officially on

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Local council elections are just one month away and Maitland has officially chosen their candidates for Mayor.

Among the candidates is John Brown for the Greens, Loretta Baker for Country Labor, Bob Geoghegan for Liberal and three independents Brian Burke, Ken Wethered and Phillip Penfold.

Mayoral candidate Phillip Penfold says he's confident, but there is some great competition.

"We've got six good people put their hand up to speak to be that civic leader for Maitland. I'm not taking this for granted, but my team of candidates and my supporters are going to work very hard over the next month to give our policies, give our positions and give people are fair choice moving forward."

Liberal are promising they'll get back to basics in Maitland and their Mayoral candidate Bob Geoghegan says he'll focus on rates, roads and rubbish.

"Council always has to focus on the main functions of council which are roads, rates and rubbish with the roads in Maitland there are certainly issues with roads, with regards to rates I think we have to always be very conscious of keeping the cost of living down particularly in this era of high electricity prices."

With current Mayor Peter Blackmore retiring from the top job at the upcoming election, the job is anybody's game.

Temporary carpark could become permanent

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Maitland Councillor Phillip Penfold is pushing for a temporary carpark at Greenhills East Maitland to be turned into a permanent fixture.

The 130 lot carpark is currently being used by workers for the revamp of the Stockland shopping centre, and has all the necessary drainage, guttering and asphalt to be permanent.

"The council a year or so ago organised a temporary carpark to be established for the construction of Stockland Greenhills - that will come to an end in a years time and they've done a great job with a field carpark and care of the drainage so that should be removed according to the agreement but I'd like to see that retained," said Phillip Penfold.

The license for the carpark expires in August 2018.

Phillip Penfold believes that with pedestrian crossings already available on Chisholm Road and Molly Morgan Drive, the space would be perfect for staff parking for those working in the new shopping centre.

"I would like to see us enter into a commercial agreement with someone as we move forward so that carparking can be retained and so the people of Maitland have as much available carpark on site at Stockland and at the Private Hospital," said Phillip Penfold.

Image hunterindependent.com.au

Off-leash dog park for Maitland

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An idea flagged by Maitland City Council a couple of years ago is finally coming to fruition, an off-leash dog park.

The Council has announced a $25,000 dollar enclosed off-leash dog area as a part of their Operational Plan currently on exhibition.

The park is proposed for a block of land on Morpeth Road in the old brickworks quarry where there is already a large enclosed playground.

There is the possibility of more works to be completed in the old quarry, with the potential for toilet blocks, car parking and more. Councillor Phillip Penfold says the dog area at least is due to be adopted next month as a part of the Operational Plan.

"I see in examples of locations around the state that you can provide some interesting aspects for dogs. I think that developing the parcel of land down there at Raworth on Morpeth Road is a fantastic place that can only be further enhanced."

Council is welcoming feedback from the community about the project as well.

"The draft proposal is out on exhibition and this is one element of a large plan moving forward. The intention is to provide the off-leash dog area in the 2018 -19 period. It's one thing people can comment on and if they'd like to offer their feedback it would be welcome for that feedback to be provided to council."

Raworth playground. Image CR Phillip Penfold Facebook page

Stage two of Maitland's Levee Project

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Maitland Councilors will tonight endorse the head construction contract for the second stage of the Levee Project set to revamp the city centre.

Stage two will see the construction of the Riverlink Building, an archway which will link the bank of the Hunter River with High Street and the city centre.

The Riverlink Building will include a large open walkway to the river, a cafe/restaurant and new toilet amenities which are desperately needed.

Councilor Phillip Penfold says despite the controversy surrounding stage one of the Levee Project, the revamp is giving Maitland a bright future

"It'll be an excellent revitalisation of the city centre and obviously after some controversy about stage one of the Levee, I think its been an improvement greatly, but once people see the completion of stage two, they will be wrapped in what we have designed for the future of Maitland."

Work is set to be completed by the end of 2017.