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.

Library set for major upgrade

BY TYLER FARDELL

Newcastle city library is set for a major 1.3 million dollar revamp, ahead of the 60th anniversary of the War memorial cultural centre.

As part of the digital revolution Newcastle is currently experiencing, the Library will undergo some big changes to keep up to date.

A 'digital makerspace' will be developed in the upgrades and will include a range of new technology available to visitors, while another big change will be the creation of a children's zone.

The library will be closed from today until May the 8th, when a temporary library will operate until all the work is complete, estimated to be sometime around September.

Artists impression of the new look Library
Photo source: Newcastle Herald

Work begins to improve Richardson Road at Campvale

BY JESSICA ROUSE

One of the busiest roads in Port Stephens, Richardson Road at Campvale, will soon see major improvements with a $1.1 million upgrade.

The NSW Government has provided the funding which will see the shoulders of the road widened, the installation of roadside safety barriers to prevent motorists veering from the road, as well as minor drainage improvements.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says the improvements are aimed at improving safety along the 1.5 kilometre stretch of road.

"This one is more aimed at safety rather than congestion, but there will be improvements there and it is a very busy stretch of road. Port Stephens Council are undertaking the work on behalf of RMS [Road Maritime Services]."

Work on the road has begun and is expected to completed within 12 weeks, weather permitting.

The majority of the work is being carried out at night between 6pm and 6am to reduce the impact on motorists, with other work such as safety barrier installation being carried out during the day between 7am and 5pm.

A temporary 40km/h speed limit is in place.

Road Upgrade Could Have Huge Economic Benefits for Pokolbin Area

BY BRIDGET GUNN

A sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of the upgrade of Hermitage Road and cycleway through Pokolbin took place at 1pm today.

The project is a joint venture between Singleton and Cessnock Councils and should be a huge benefit for the area, says Singleton Mayor John Martin.

"Council will be doing a lot of work on the road and putting in cycle paths," says Martin.

"This upgrade will help with bringing tourists through the vineyards in the area, so it's a win-win for everybody, and its a great upgrade for Hermitage Road, particularly the cycleway that will go beside it."

Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane,
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent,
Cessnock City Council General Manager Stephen Glen and
 Singleton Mayor John Martin inspecting works in Pokolbin.
Source: The Advertiser