State Government Rethinks Council Mergers

BY IAN CROUCH

The state government is rethinking its policy on council amalgamations, with the future of Four Hunter councils still up in the air.

Premier Gladys Berejikian is reportedly looking at plebiscites at the next local government elections, giving residents a say on whether council mergers should go ahead.

Voters may also be given a say on the possibility of unpicking mergers which have already gone ahead.

Newcastle is in line to amalgamate with Port Stephens Council, while a merger between Maitland and Dungog has also been earmarked.

Premier Gladys Berejikian

Tributes Flow For Respected Newcastle Business Leader

BY IAN CROUCH

Business and political leaders are paying tribute to former Hunter Business Chamber CEO Kristen Keegan, who passed away after a short battle with brain cancer.

The 46-year-old was diagnosed with the condition last year and died in hospital yesterday morning.

Former Premier Mike Baird has described Ms Keegan as an incredible women who changed Newcastle for the better for generations to come, while Hunter Business Chamber President, Richard Anicich said she was a passionate advocate for the region.

Kristen Keegan

Police Investigate Jesmond Shooting

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is undergoing surgery after being shot at Jesmond early this morning.

Police and emergency services were called to the Executive Villas on Newcastle Road at 1.45am to find the 27-year-old with a gunshot wound to his left thigh and left hand.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Detectives set up a crime scene and commenced a search of the area with the assistance of the Police Dog Unit.

A number of items were found and taken for forensic examination.

Police believe the incident was not a random attack.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Concern for Crown Lands with New Minister

BY LAUREN KEMPE

National Party Member Paul Toole has sparked concern from Labor MPs after being appointed as the fifth Minister for Crown Lands in six years.

The Department for Lands has recently had large scale cuts to jobs and resources under the Liberals and Nationals who are keen to increase the sale and transfer of Crown Lands in New South Wales.

Shadow Minister for Lands Mick Veitch says job cuts and shutdowns in crown lands offices could lead to a mismanagement of Hunter sites.

Veitch says, "The new Minister needs to address job cuts, rule out office closures, and bring in changes to the Crown Lands Act to ensure there is transparency in decision making and meaningful community involvement in the management of our valuable Crown Land estate."

The Baird government spent $490, 000 on the first stage safety works to re-open the Bogey Hole, which was done by Former Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald in December last year.

Last year Auditor-General Margaret Crawford released a report into Crown Land management, with Government subsequently allowing the Minister to transfer and sell Crown Land without considering the public interest.

Between 2012 and 2015, 97% of leases and 50% of sales were negotiated directly between the department and an individual.

However the Department for Lands has not provided consistent opportunities for the public and interested parties to participate in decisions about Crown Land.

Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has recommended the Department review its existing leasing portfolio to identify and resolve issues such as incorrect and outdated market rents, improve consultation with stakeholders for more involvement in decisions, increase transparency and provide more support to its staff.

The Department manages around 8,500 leases, of which 275 were classified as ‘high value’ (with an annual rental return greater than $20, 000).

Decisions on the sale and lease of Crown Land are not yet clear to the public.

Pictured: National Party Minister for Crown Lands Paul Toole

Tanya Plibersek visits St Mary's Catholic College at Gateshead

BY SARAH JAMES

Deputy Leader for the Opposition Tanya Plibersek and Member for Shortland Pat Conroy visited St Mary's Catholic College in Gateshead today to see how Gonski funding has benefited schools.

Schools across the Hunter region have been able to provide specialised support for students as well as employ more teachers under the Gonski scheme.

St Mary's Catholic College is one of two schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese which is planning to introduce Years 11 and 12 over 2018 and 2019.

The Director of Schools for the Catholic Schools Officer of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, Dr Michael Slattery, said this extra funding is needed to provide the required resources, infrastructure and teaching staff needed to expand the school.

According to Pat Conroy, these expansions are being jeopardised by the Coalition Government's plan to cut $140 million in funding schools in the Hunter region.

Schools in the Shortland electorate are to see to miss out on $33 million of funding.

It is feared cuts to funding will result in fewer teachers and less one-on-one attention for students who require extra help with their study.

"This Government is refusing to confirm that it will fully fund years five and six of the Gonski's needs-based funding reforms as they promised to do," said Ms Plibersek.

"Under this Government, every child in every school in every system in every state will lose."

William Arnott's Iconic Cooks Hill manor on the market

BY JARROD MELMETH

Arnotts is a brand we all know and love, and the Newcastle family home where it all began is on the market.

'Leslieville', the sandstone Victorian manor in Cooks Hill was built in the 1870's for the biscuit company founder, William Arnott and his family.

The home features a grand staircase, six bedrooms, eight fireplaces, and has been carefully restored by the current owners.

Selling Agent Rob O'Brien said the iconic house has an interesting history.

"The original William Arnott's Steam Biscuits Factory which stood adjacent to 'Leslieville is long gone, but this iconic family home with unique Australian Heritage saw the beginning of the biscuit company that grew to become an icon.

"It's easy to imagine the echoes of music recitals or a formal dinner party as the Arnott family welcomed members of the growing family and guests from far and wide," Mr O'Brien said.

The Arnotts Biscuit company began as a small bakery opened on Hunter Street in Newcastle in 1865, where locals and crews of ships that docked at the ports, ate the famous bread, pies and biscuits.

The Newcastle-born biscuits are now available in more than 40 countries around the world.

'Leslieville' is currently on the market via Expressions of Interest.

63 Union Street Cooks Hill. The former home of William Arnott.

Sun Safety Warning as Hunter Students Head Back to School

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

As Hunter children head back to school this week, parents are being encouraged to consider the safety of their children outside the classroom. 

A statement released by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) warns parents and schools need to ensure their children's eyes are properly protected. 

The College is encouraging a 'no hat, no sunglasses. no play' policy to maintain the safety of students whilst at school. 

To ensure maximum protection children should be wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian Standards for UV protection. 

A number of young children are showing the first signs of eye damage from ultraviolet light according to eye surgeons Dr Shanel Sharma and Dr Alina Zeldovich. 

Ophthalmologist Dr Shanel Sharma said that UV light effects eyes differently to how it affects the skin, with younger children at increased risk due to the development of their eyes. 

It is thought that schools have resisted introducing sunglasses as part of the uniform due to the lack of awareness and potential management issues such as loss and damage. 

Children need to be wearing a hat and sunglasses not only at school but during sport and other outdoor activities outside of school to be protected from the sun. 

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/