Newcastle News – Page 142

$60 million social housing boost for Newcastle

A $60 million pipeline of almost 150 new homes is set to be delivered for people in need across Newcastle over the next three years, starting with the completion of eight new units at Waratah West.

The project on Stannett Street will be ready for tenants to move into by the end of September, while construction has just begun on a new 20-unit redevelopment at Lambton.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the projects reflect the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering social housing for the region.

“Waratah West and Lambton are among twelve projects currently in progress with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation, which is set to deliver 148 new homes for people in need across Newcastle by mid-2025,” Mr Roberts said.

“We’re also beginning to see early works towards delivering new homes under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NSW Government and City of Newcastle, and we’re already talking to the community about a new project in Wallsend.”

The recently-formed MOU between NSW Land and Housing Corporation and Council is a partnership that will innovate the delivery of social housing in Newcastle and fast-track priority housing projects.

Mr Roberts said the agreement with City of Newcastle is a strong example of the kind of collaborative effort needed to ease housing pressures across the state, with Council committing $6 million towards the delivery of social housing in their LGA, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the NSW Government.

“We need to continue to work across all levels of government in order to keep pace with the growing need for social housing, and we applaud the leadership shown by City of Newcastle,” Mr Roberts said.

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said these new homes are much-needed to help house the region’s homeless.

“Tackling homelessness is one of the Government’s priorities. We are investing $17.2 million in homelessness services in the Hunter district, with $9.9 million of this being invested in the Port Stephens and Newcastle areas,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“Delivering social housing is the key to unlocking a range of services which put a roof over the heads of people who need it most and at the same time helps people lead more independent lives.

“We know that stable accommodation is vital for people to get back on their feet and access services and support to secure a brighter future.”

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is working closely with LAHC to increase positive social housing outcomes for the most at-risk people in the Newcastle LGA, thanks to the landmark social housing agreement.

“With sky rocketing inflation levels putting a strain on the everyday cost of living, thousands of families in our community are grappling with housing stress and are at risk of homelessness,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle is working in close partnership with LAHC to fast-track projects and it is exciting to be delivering the first homes to families at the end of September, under this historic partnership.

“Delivering social and affordable housing is a key priority of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan and the Newcastle Local Housing Strategy 2020, and today’s announcement is welcome news with another 150 new homes to be delivered over the next three years.”

To learn more on how the NSW Government is working with the City of Newcastle, please visit:https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/news/historic-agreement-to-increase-social-housing-in-newcastle-and-boost-jobs.

Man dies following shooting – Hamilton South

Police will speak with the media following the death of a man after a shooting in Newcastle overnight.

About 11pm (Tuesday 6 September 2022), emergency services were called to a unit on Fowler Street, Hamilton South, after reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, police located a 57-year-old man at the front door of a premises suffering a gunshot wound.

The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however, he died at the scene.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and have commenced Strike Force Alcheringa to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Initial inquiries suggest this is a targeted incident.

Woman reported missing from Maitland area located

A woman missing from the Lower Hunter Valley area has been found safe and well.

The 41-year-old was last seen in the Maitland area in late August 2022.

Officers from Brisbane Water Police District were notified of her disappearance by family members on Sunday 4 September 2022, after they were unable to contact her.

Following inquiries, the woman was found safe and well at Darling Harbour about 4pm yesterday (Monday 5 September 2022).

Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal.

School art competition to uncover creative visions for Newcastle’s sustainable waste future

City of Newcastle is inviting school students to share their visions for a circular economy as part of an art competition launched today to promote sustainability and resource recovery.

The winning entries will be showcased on two waste collection trucks and numerous public bins across the city, with the art competition designed to encourage conversations around repairing, recycling and reusing resources.

Cr-Adamczyk-at-Our-Lady-of-Victories-for-the-launch-of-Close-the-Loop-school-art-competition.JPG

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the community will soon be given the opportunity to have their say on City of Newcastle’s own vision for resource recovery, with Councillors to vote this month on placing the draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy on public exhibition.

“With the Summerhill Waste Management Centre at its heart, Our Sustainable Waste Strategy will provide a model of best practice for waste, recycling and resource recovery while also playing a key role in the region’s ability to address future NSW and Federal government targets,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The draft Strategy focusses on increased diversion and circular economy, envisaging a modernised Summerhill that will become a regional hub in resource recovery to maximise the value of material in residents’ yellow and green bins and decrease what ends up in landfill via their red bins.

“To reduce our impact on the planet, and get more value from limited resources, we need to shift to a circular economy where we return, reuse, repair and recycle to create minimal waste, save water and energy and keep those materials circulating for even longer.

“This school-based art competition is a fantastic way to engage the next generation in these important conversations while also encouraging broader community-wide feedback on Our Sustainable Waste Strategy.”

The competition is open to all schools within the Newcastle Local Government Area, with one primary and one secondary school winner to be awarded an iPad Mini and Apple Pencil each for their creative efforts.

All schools represented in the competition will also be in the running to win a workshop from GoCircular, which will assist the school to become more sustainable by joining the circular economy.

The competition closes on 23 September, with the two winners to be announced later this month.

For more details visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/ClosetheLoop

Appeal to locate woman missing from Maitland

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Lower Hunter Valley area.

Stephanie Norrman (also known as Stephanie MacPherson), aged 41, was last seen in the Maitland area in late August 2022.

Officers from Brisbane Water Police District were notified of her disappearance by family members yesterday (Sunday 4 September 2022), after they were unable to contact her.

Inquiries have since established that Stephanie spoke with a friend by phone on Wednesday 31 August 2022 and may have been in the Terrigal area at the time.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare as she lives with a number of health conditions.

Stephanie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall and of a thin build, and has sandy brown long coloured hair.

It is not known what she was last wearing.

She maybe driving a silver Hyundai i40 sedan bearing registration BU18VL or a black Holden Barina hatchback bearing registration CU28SX

Stephanie is known to frequent the Maitland, Terrigal and Wyong areas.

Anyone with information about Stephanie’s whereabouts is urged to contact Gosford Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Newcastle’s development boom continues to skyrocket

Merewether, New Lambton and Mayfield are Newcastle’s top three suburbs when it comes to renovations according to City of Newcastle.

$1.85 billion in new development was assessed by City of Newcastle (CN) during the last 12 months with more than 1,650 development applications (DAs) determined, in addition to state significant developments, which is up 25 per cent from just two years ago.

Homeowners in Merewether, Mayfield and New Lambton are improving their properties with residential alterations and additions, whilst Adamstown ($92.04 million) and Merewether ($61.78 million) lead the way in terms of the highest value DAs approved, including projects like the Merewether Golf Club seniors living redevelopment estimated at $76 million.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says development in Newcastle is showing no signs of losing momentum despite challenging market conditions.

“Significant levels of residential and commercial development continue to unfold right across our city, which is great news for the local economy, construction industry, and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle continues to be a hot spot when it comes to homeowners injecting cash into bricks and mortar, despite climbing inflation levels, stagnant wage growth, tighter borrowing conditions, and material and labour shortages.”

City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said Newcastle is growing in popularity as an attractive gateway city to live, work and play, which is driving the development boom.

“Through multiple market cycles, Newcastle is considered a steady growth area to invest in, with ongoing revitalisation transforming the city and making Newcastle a highly desirable location to both homeowners as well as developers and investors,” Ms Bisson said.

“Migration growth in Newcastle has increased seven per cent year-on-year since the start of the pandemic, with more people relocating from Sydney and Melbourne than ever before, and at a faster rate than almost anywhere else in Australia, driving development across the city.

“With millennials making up the vast majority of those relocating to Newcastle, the demand for residential housing remains strong with prices still cheaper than major Australian capital cities.

“The second half of 2022 is tracking just as strongly with some significant developments in the pipeline.”

Appeal to locate wanted man – Lake Macquarie

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted in the Lake Macquarie area.

Bailey Wallis-Ahearn, aged 22, is wanted on a number of outstanding arrest warrants.

Officers from State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad have conducted numerous inquiries into his whereabouts but have been unable to locate him.

He is known to frequent Toronto and the surrounding areas of Lake Macquarie.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm to 175cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair possibly with a beard and moustache.

If sighted, members of the public are urged to contact local police immediately, otherwise information about his whereabouts can be provided to Crime Stoppers.

Appeal following jewellery store robbery in East Maitland – Strike Force Malwood

Police are appealing for public assistance following a jewellery store robbery in the state’s Hunter Region last month.

Just before 9.30am on Wednesday 6 July 2022, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a shopping centre on Molly Morgan Drive, East Maitland, following reports of a robbery at a jewellery store.

On arrival, police were told a male approached the store and used a Toolpro multi tool emergency hammer to smash the glass of a jewellery cabinet, before fleeing the scene with three items worth approximately $107,000.

A crime scene was established, and initial inquiries were conducted by local police, before detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the matter under Strike Force Malwood.

As the investigation continues, detectives have released CCTV and an image of a male who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 167cm tall, wearing a black hooded jumper, black tracksuit pants, black balaclava, black gloves and white coloured Nike TN’s.

It is believed he was travelling on a red coloured trail bike with “#51” sticker on the left side of the bike.

Two charged after investigation into home invasion and public place shooting – Edgeworth

Two people have been charged following a joint investigation by detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Lake Macquarie Police District into an alleged home invasion and public place shooting in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.

Police had been told a 24-year-old woman attended John Hunter Hospital about 11pm on Tuesday 8 March 2022 suffering a laceration to her leg and head, after two men allegedly forced entry to her home in Edgeworth and slashed her with a machete.

Local police later attended the Laurel Avenue home and commenced inquiries, which were later taken carriage by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad.

Then about 9.10pm on Friday 8 April 2022, emergency services responded to reports of a public place shooting at a carpark on Arnott Street, Edgeworth.

A 27-year-old man was found suffering gunshot wounds to the right leg and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced investigations into the shooting under Strike Force Undola.

Initial investigations led detectives to believe the incidents were linked and allegedly involved members of the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

As part of ongoing joint investigations, strike force detectives have previously executed a search warrant at a Cardiff storage facility earlier this month, where a number of weapons, ammunition and a machete were located and seized.

Police also seized a number of items consistent with the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang during a subsequent vehicle stop conducted at Blackalls Park that same day.

Following further extensive joint inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Blackalls Park about 10.10am on Monday (29 August 2022).

A number of items relevant to the investigation were seized, including mobile phones and documents.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where she was charged with 12 offences, including special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, accessory after the fact of discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, conceal serious indictable offence, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, act with intent to influence witness, and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

She was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2022), where she was formally bail refused to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 25 October 2022.

A further two search warrant was executed at a home on Crestview Street, Gillieston Heights, about 7am yesterday (Tuesday 30 August 2022).

A 27-year-old man was arrested at one of the homes and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, accessory after the fact of special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, steal property in dwelling, and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday, where he was formally bail refused to reappear at Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 31 August 2022).

Investigations under both strike forces are ongoing, with further arrests expected.

University of Newcastle and Charles Sturt University sign Enforceable Undertakings after underpayments

The University of Newcastle (UON) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) are back-paying staff about $6.2 million and $3.2 million respectively, plus superannuation and interest, and have each signed an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

UON has admitted that between 2014 and 2020, it underpaid 7,595 employees a total of $6,269,241 owed under its applicable Enterprise Agreements and the Fair Work Act 2009. Individual underpayments ranged from less than $1 up to $65,449. The EU requires UON to back-pay all known underpayments, plus a total of more than $171,000 in superannuation and over $1,375,000 interest, by 31 October 2022.

CSU has admitted it breached its relevant Enterprise Agreements when it underpaid 2,526 casuals a total of $3,237,390 between 2015 and 2022. Individual underpayments ranged from $2 up to $58,229. Its EU requires CSU to rectify all underpayments, plus more than $628,000 in interest on wages and about $476,000 in relation to superannuation and related interest, by February 2023.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said both universities had taken the initiative to self-report non-compliance, fully cooperated to provide assurance on their remediation methods and committed to full backpayments.

“Under these Enforceable Undertakings, in addition to making full back-payments, these public universities must implement stringent measures including systems improvements and training to ensure ongoing future compliance for the benefit of all their workers,” Ms Parker said.

“University of Newcastle and Charles Sturt University have shown a clear commitment to acknowledging and fixing the various errors that existed in their systems and practices, and which they should have picked up. Both universities self-disclosed possible contraventions and then worked openly with the FWO on appropriate calculation and remediation methods.”

“The universities sector is a new compliance and enforcement priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman, reflecting our concern about systemic underpayment issues we are finding. We have previously announced investigations into 11 specific universities, commenced a Federal Court case against the University of Melbourne earlier this month, and we expect to be taking further enforcement action against other institutions.”

“The University of Newcastle and Charles Sturt University breaches are examples of why all universities must invest in governance and processes to meet all their employment obligations, including their own enterprise agreements. Universities’ staff, the public and we as the regulator expect them to get it right.”

The University of Newcastle (UON)
UON self-reported an initial underpayment to the FWO in 2020 after staff enquiries from casuals at its Conservatorium of Music revealed $64,600 in underpayments. It then self-initiated an audit of all employee entitlements under applicable Enterprise Agreements.

UON failed to pay correct overtime and penalty rates, underpaid meal allowances and failed to provide minimum engagement hours owed to casuals.

Underpaid UON employees performed work at all main campuses including Newcastle City, Callaghan, Ourimbah and Sydney and worked across various faculties, schools and business units.

The underpaid UON employees, including professionals, academics and teachers, were engaged mainly as casuals but some full-time and part-time staff were affected.

UON’s underpayments were the result of deficiencies in its payroll systems relating to interactions between overtime, allowances and penalty rates; and incorrect application of the clauses in the applicable Enterprise Agreements.

Charles Sturt University (CSU)
CSU self-reported its underpayments to the FWO in 2021 after it commissioned an external review of staff payments in response to widespread reports of underpayment in the higher education sector.

CSU’s breaches related to failures to provide minimum engagement hours for casual professional staff, and underpayment for teaching activities for casual academic staff, including for example failing to pay PhD qualified academics the higher qualified rate and failing to pay for required preparation time for lectures and tutorials.

The underpaid CSU casual employees performed work across all faculties, at all campuses, with the largest underpayments at the Wagga Wagga and Bathurst campuses. Its Computing and Mathematics School had the largest underpayments. The underpaid workers were engaged as academic, teaching or professional support staff.

CSU misapplied minimum engagement periods for casuals; lacked defined guidelines to ensure consistency in the application of minimum academic casual pay rates; and lacked system controls to identify timesheet entries inconsistent with the terms of its Enterprise Agreements.

Under their respective EUs, UON and CSU will provide the FWO with evidence of their system and training improvements to address the issues which led to the underpayments. They must also establish a complaints and review mechanism for underpaid employees.

The FWO’s investigation into the alleged underpayment of University of Melbourne casual academics is ongoing and is separate to the alleged coercion and adverse action that is the focus of its litigation. Some of the FWO’s other university sector investigations have been finalised with a formal caution, while most remain active.