BY TYLER FARDELL
Industrial action by the Community and Public Sector Union has left many residents unable to access valuable services including Centrelink, Medicare and child support services.
The strikes are planned for Monday and Friday this week, with the union flagging for more action next week.
Customer payouts are not expected to be affected, although residents have been advised to delay any non-urgent business until sometime later in the week.
Customers are also encouraged to use online services instead through their myGov account.
General Manager for the Department of Human Services Hank Jongen has assured residents they are working hard to minimise disruption.
"We are focused on making sure staff are available to help people who are in financial hardship and need immediate assistance".
"We appreciate the community's patience during this time".
Monday, 5 December 2016
Alabanese Urges Turnbull Government To Get On With Glendale
BY IAN CROUCH
Shadow Federal Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese is calling on the Turnbull government to fund the completion of the Glendale Transport Interchange.
Work started last year on re-aligning Glendale Drive and extending Stockland Drive, however there's still no commitment from the state or federal governments to build the Pennant Street Bridge over the rail line at Cardiff or the interchange itself.
Anthony Albanese says the Federal Government must at least match Labor's $13-million commitment made before the July election.
"And I'm here to call upon the federal government to do the right thing and to fund the completion of the Glendale Interchange. This is a vital project. For every dollar invested there will be more than $100 returned to the national economy," he said.
Shadow Federal Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese is calling on the Turnbull government to fund the completion of the Glendale Transport Interchange.
Work started last year on re-aligning Glendale Drive and extending Stockland Drive, however there's still no commitment from the state or federal governments to build the Pennant Street Bridge over the rail line at Cardiff or the interchange itself.
Anthony Albanese says the Federal Government must at least match Labor's $13-million commitment made before the July election.
"And I'm here to call upon the federal government to do the right thing and to fund the completion of the Glendale Interchange. This is a vital project. For every dollar invested there will be more than $100 returned to the national economy," he said.
 |
| Anthony Albanese |
Friday, 2 December 2016
Newcastle Jockey Club Profits Soar
BY RACHEL STORER
The Newcastle Jockey Club has reported a strong fiscal position after the 2016 financial year, having made an underlying profit of $325,000.
Jockey Club chairman, Geoff Barnett said there was a number of factors contributing to the club's success, including government changes to the racing industry and renovations and restructures at the club.
"The board and CEO have done an excellent job during the past financial year steering the club and our financial results are reflective of that hard work," Mr Barnett said.
"Racing NSW also managed to win a case lowering the taxation on gambling in NSW and that's allowed for not only increased prize money across the state but also freed up money for clubs administration and general maintenance, which has helped enormously".
The Club's CEO, Matt Benson said that the upgrading of facilities, such as bars and infrastructure, is necessary to match the standard of the new Strathayr course proper, launching in March, 2017.
"Newcastle will boast the best track in Australia when the new course proper is unveiled in March, and our aim must be to complement that racing facility with premium options for racegoers - both members and the public alike," Mr Benson said.
It is agreed that the profits will help brighten the future of Newcastle Jockey Club, which chairman Barnett said is not just exciting for the club but also for the whole Newcastle and Hunter community.
 |
| Image: NJC |
The Newcastle Jockey Club has reported a strong fiscal position after the 2016 financial year, having made an underlying profit of $325,000.
Jockey Club chairman, Geoff Barnett said there was a number of factors contributing to the club's success, including government changes to the racing industry and renovations and restructures at the club.
"The board and CEO have done an excellent job during the past financial year steering the club and our financial results are reflective of that hard work," Mr Barnett said.
"Racing NSW also managed to win a case lowering the taxation on gambling in NSW and that's allowed for not only increased prize money across the state but also freed up money for clubs administration and general maintenance, which has helped enormously".
The Club's CEO, Matt Benson said that the upgrading of facilities, such as bars and infrastructure, is necessary to match the standard of the new Strathayr course proper, launching in March, 2017.
"Newcastle will boast the best track in Australia when the new course proper is unveiled in March, and our aim must be to complement that racing facility with premium options for racegoers - both members and the public alike," Mr Benson said.
It is agreed that the profits will help brighten the future of Newcastle Jockey Club, which chairman Barnett said is not just exciting for the club but also for the whole Newcastle and Hunter community.
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Hunter Drug Houses Can't Compare with Sydney
BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT
 |
| [Image: The Herald]. |
While the infiltration of houses using and manufacturing the drug Ice in Newcastle and the Hunter has increased in recent years, it’s still not something that is rampant throughout the suburbs, according to one real estate expert.
Hunter chairman of the Real Estate Institute, Wayne Stewart said while there had been increases in residential houses that were home to drug users and manufacturers,
it can’t compare with the levels of Sydney and Melbourne.
He said drug operators are coming out of the rural areas and into the suburbs to help avoid detection.
“They assume that by putting them amongst residential people that they won’t be noted as much,” he said.
“Whether it be just the user or whether it’s crime gangs, they are renting homes in domestic suburbs and turning those into places where they … produce the drugs.”
A study in the Medical Journal of Australia in February showed Ice use in Australia had tripled in the past five years.
Despite the jump, Mr Stewart said it still isn’t something that is talked about much in the real estate market by either agents or buyers.
He also said there is very little regulation around buying houses which used to house drug operations or those being sold nearby a lab.
“It’s not something that gets brought up in our day-to-day dealings with customers," he said.
“Until we start to see how it is going to affect the community it’s difficult to see what sort of remedies will be put in place."
Despite the new stats in drug use – as well as reports from the ABC that a Newcastle biohazard cleaning service was receiving daily calls about meth lab clean-up – Mr Stewart said it’s nothing he hasn’t seen in the past.
“I’d probably go back 30 to 35 years ago and we’ve had evidence of needles being found on properties and in the walls,” he said.
BREAKING! Surfer Attacked By Shark North Of Port Stephens
BY IAN CROUCH
The Hunter's Westpac Rescue helicopter has been called to Seven Mile Beach south of Forster where a man has been bitten bitten a shark.
Paramedics say the 62-year-old man was left with deep lacerations to his foot when he was attacked just after 9am near The Ruins campground, by what's believed to be a great white shark.
Police say he also suffered puncture wounds to his arm but managed to swim to shore and raise the alarm
It's reported the shark came up underneath the man's surfboard, snapping it in ha;lf.
The helicopter has landed on the helipad at Pacific Palms Bowling Club and will fly the injured man to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Seven Mile Beach has been closed until further notice.
Police from the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command are working with officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Hunter's Westpac Rescue helicopter has been called to Seven Mile Beach south of Forster where a man has been bitten bitten a shark.
Paramedics say the 62-year-old man was left with deep lacerations to his foot when he was attacked just after 9am near The Ruins campground, by what's believed to be a great white shark.
Police say he also suffered puncture wounds to his arm but managed to swim to shore and raise the alarm
It's reported the shark came up underneath the man's surfboard, snapping it in ha;lf.
The helicopter has landed on the helipad at Pacific Palms Bowling Club and will fly the injured man to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Seven Mile Beach has been closed until further notice.
Police from the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command are working with officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
 |
| The Injured Man Gives The Thumbs Up After Arriving At John Hunter Hospital Picture: Fairfax Media |
 |
| The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter Prepares To Transport Shark Attack Victim |
 |
| The Remains Of The Victim's Surfboard Picture: Fairfax Media |
BREAKING! Reward Increased In A Bid To Solve Lake Macquarie Double Murder
BY IAN CROUCH
The state government has increased the reward for information over the 2008 murder of a couple at Caves Beach as a fresh inquest begins in Newcastle today into their deaths.
The bodies of 50-year-old Robert Pashkuss and 41-year-old Stacey McMaugh were found inside a Macquarie Grove home at about midday on Sunday 6 January 2008 by Ms McMaugh's teenage son.
Despite exhaustive inquiries by detectives from Strike Force Chuter, the crime remains unsolved.
NSW Minister for Justice and Police, Troy Grant has today announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000.
A Coronial Inquest into the deaths of Mr Pashkuss and Ms McMaugh is due to resume today. Previous hearings have been held in March and June of this year.
The state government has increased the reward for information over the 2008 murder of a couple at Caves Beach as a fresh inquest begins in Newcastle today into their deaths.
The bodies of 50-year-old Robert Pashkuss and 41-year-old Stacey McMaugh were found inside a Macquarie Grove home at about midday on Sunday 6 January 2008 by Ms McMaugh's teenage son.
Despite exhaustive inquiries by detectives from Strike Force Chuter, the crime remains unsolved.
NSW Minister for Justice and Police, Troy Grant has today announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000.
A Coronial Inquest into the deaths of Mr Pashkuss and Ms McMaugh is due to resume today. Previous hearings have been held in March and June of this year.
 |
| Robert Pashkuss and Stacey McMaugh |
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Strata law changes set to benefit investors in the Hunter
BY JARROD MELMETH
More than 90 of the proposed changes to strata laws by the State Government come into full force throughout the State including the Hunter today, with investors set to benefit.
Strata title or Strata laws is the system for owning units and townhouses, which generally have a combination of private residences as well as communal spaces
Under the new laws, cigarette smoking will now be considered a 'nuisance', meaning people who only smoke inside their own units can be ordered to stop if it affects other residents.
A limit to the number of adults who can live in an apartment will now be in place, with fines for overcrowding to be raised to $5500.
Owners corporations will also have the power to invite local council parking inspectors into their car parks, in an effort to penalize "parking thieves."
The most controversial of the changes means that 75 per cent of owners in older residences will have the power to dictate the selling of the entire building to developers, regardless of objections from the 25 percent minority.
Minister for Innovation and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says the changes are a direct attack on people's property rights.
"The fact that somebody can come in and compulsory acquire another persons home reducing their property rights is just fundamentally wrong.
"The fact that the government is enabling developers to do that shows very poor judgment on their behalf and it shows that they are not in touch with the people of NSW and people living in strata.
"As of today, developers in New South Wales got their early Christmas present thanks to Premier Mike Baird, and I've no doubt they'll all be popping champagne corks." Ms. Catley said.
More than 90 of the proposed changes to strata laws by the State Government come into full force throughout the State including the Hunter today, with investors set to benefit.
Strata title or Strata laws is the system for owning units and townhouses, which generally have a combination of private residences as well as communal spaces
Under the new laws, cigarette smoking will now be considered a 'nuisance', meaning people who only smoke inside their own units can be ordered to stop if it affects other residents.
A limit to the number of adults who can live in an apartment will now be in place, with fines for overcrowding to be raised to $5500.
Owners corporations will also have the power to invite local council parking inspectors into their car parks, in an effort to penalize "parking thieves."
The most controversial of the changes means that 75 per cent of owners in older residences will have the power to dictate the selling of the entire building to developers, regardless of objections from the 25 percent minority.
Minister for Innovation and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says the changes are a direct attack on people's property rights.
"The fact that somebody can come in and compulsory acquire another persons home reducing their property rights is just fundamentally wrong.
"The fact that the government is enabling developers to do that shows very poor judgment on their behalf and it shows that they are not in touch with the people of NSW and people living in strata.
"As of today, developers in New South Wales got their early Christmas present thanks to Premier Mike Baird, and I've no doubt they'll all be popping champagne corks." Ms. Catley said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)