Newcastle’s network of active transport options continues to grow, with City of Newcastle finalising work on the Hunter Street Trial Cycleway project.
The cycleway, which stretches between National Park Street and Worth Place, runs on both sides of Hunter Street, separated from the road and traffic.
City of Newcastle received $525,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces program to deliver the cycleway and trial a range of safety measures.
The project trials a reduction to one travel lane on each side of the road to improve pedestrian safety and allow for parking to be retained, a reduction in the speed limit to 40 km/h, and safe buffer zones with plastic bollards.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the community has been clear in stating it would like to see more dedicated bike lanes throughout the city.
“Cycling is a genuine transport option for families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is essential and stands as one of the city’s Priority Projects,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Cycling on Hunter Street could be considered daunting for less confident riders. The project provides cyclists more room and safety.
“It’s important our cycleways and shared paths cater to all riding ability and this project achieves that. We hope it encourages more people to consider swapping their car for their bike when travelling around the city.”
Councillor John Mackenzie said cycling around the city is becoming increasingly popular, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During lockdown we have seen a massive increase in people dusting off their bikes and enjoying cycling. We know the main impediment to cycling is safety, and separated cycleways like this one on Hunter Street provide the best safety and amenity for new riders,” Councillor Mackenzie said.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said he was glad to see new cycleway infrastructure in Newcastle.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for more public spaces – and easy, safe access to it,” Mr Stokes said.
“Whether it’s new cycle lanes, pedestrian-only streets or wider footpaths, we’re committed to working with councils and communities to fund projects that can make life better for everyone – both now and once the pandemic is over.”
President of the Newcastle Cycleways Movement Sam Reich said he was supportive of the project and the measures being put in place.
“We’re extremely pleased with the concept of the Hunter Street Trial Cycleway as global experience has shown that one-way, physically-separated lanes between the parking zone and the curb are the safest on-road infrastructure for bike riders, and provide greater safety and amenity for pedestrians on the footpath as well,” Mr Reich said
“We have been advocating for this style of bike commuter safety infrastructure in the region for decades, and it’s gratifying that the concepts are now being seriously trialled.”
Delivery of the Hunter Street cycleway will soon be followed by completion of the first stage of the City Centre to Merewether Cycleway, which is a 1.1-kilometre shared path along Watkins Street, between Glebe Road and Merewether Beach.
All aspects of the trial will be considered as options for inclusion in the City Centre Revitalisation West End Stage Two development, which is currently in the detailed design phase.
To find out more information visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/cycleways
Bright young minds to participate in Future Innovators Summit
The Future Innovators Summit (FIS) will be held in Australia for the first time in December 2021, following City of Newcastle’s investment in the art/science event.
The FIS is part of an international series presented by Ars Electronica with collaborating cities around the world and will be held in conjunction with related activities delivered through the University of Newcastle’s FASTlab and local art technology studio Art Thinking.
The FIS is a program which provides innovative young people the opportunity to connect with likeminded changemakers with the objective of questioning, reflecting and activating issues to create a better future.
The Newcastle-based summit will focus on four key themes including ‘Future Digital’, ‘Future Education’, ‘Future Society’ and ‘Future City’.
During the four-day summit, participants will get together with facilitators, mentors and City of Newcastle representatives to consider and discuss topics based around the key themes, and audiences will be able to participate in conversations which will take place in an open environment.
The FIS seeks to activate a generation of changemakers and learn from the imagination and voices of our youth. Participants will share, exchange and be inspired in an environment that will allow future innovators to experiment and try new things.
An Expression of Interest process will be conducted with selected schools to invite students to participate in the FIS in December.
The FIS was first held by Ars Electronica in 2014 with the aim of promoting new visions of the future and has since become a unique program which has reached all corners of the globe.
City of Newcastle’s $25,000 investment, which has made it possible for Newcastle to host the summit, is part of the City’s commitment to deliver on the ‘Innovative People’ theme from the Economic Development Strategy, adopted by Council in May 2021.
The FIS is part of an international series presented by Ars Electronica with collaborating cities around the world and will be held in conjunction with related activities delivered through the University of Newcastle’s FASTlab and local art technology studio Art Thinking.
The FIS is a program which provides innovative young people the opportunity to connect with likeminded changemakers with the objective of questioning, reflecting and activating issues to create a better future.
The Newcastle-based summit will focus on four key themes including ‘Future Digital’, ‘Future Education’, ‘Future Society’ and ‘Future City’.
During the four-day summit, participants will get together with facilitators, mentors and City of Newcastle representatives to consider and discuss topics based around the key themes, and audiences will be able to participate in conversations which will take place in an open environment.
The FIS seeks to activate a generation of changemakers and learn from the imagination and voices of our youth. Participants will share, exchange and be inspired in an environment that will allow future innovators to experiment and try new things.
An Expression of Interest process will be conducted with selected schools to invite students to participate in the FIS in December.
The FIS was first held by Ars Electronica in 2014 with the aim of promoting new visions of the future and has since become a unique program which has reached all corners of the globe.
City of Newcastle’s $25,000 investment, which has made it possible for Newcastle to host the summit, is part of the City’s commitment to deliver on the ‘Innovative People’ theme from the Economic Development Strategy, adopted by Council in May 2021.
Full HSC to go ahead
All HSC students will get the opportunity to complete their studies in 2021, with the full complement of HSC exams to go ahead from 9 November 2021.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell today announced that students will be able to sit their HSC exams and receive their results in time for university offers to be made.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has issued a revised timetable, with 110 exams taking place over 19 days, ending on 3 December.
Students will receive their ATARs on 20 January 2022, with their HSC results released on 24 January.
Ms Mitchell said that after a disruptive and stressful year, students now have the certainty of the timetable and eight weeks to focus on preparing for their exams.
“Being able to sit all their exams safely is the best and fairest outcome for our HSC students,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Whether our students go on to university, vocational training or take on employment, it is important all of them are able to sit their exams and demonstrate what they know.
“I know that teachers, families and friends are supporting our HSC students every step of the way, and that the whole NSW community is wishing them well after a tough 18 months.”
Chair of the NESA Board Professor Peter Shergold said that providing a fair, equitable and safe opportunity for students to receive the HSC in 2021 continues to be at the forefront of every decision made by NESA.
“Revising the timetable to start on 9 November and deliver results on 24 January required the reconfiguration of a massive logistical operation involving over 100,000 people,” Professor Shergold said.
“I am grateful to the NSW Vice Chancellors Committee and the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for their support, and for working with us to deliver an outcome which will see students receive their results and their university offers in a timely way.”
Strict COVID safe protocols supported by NSW Health will be in place to protect students, exam supervisors and school staff when HSC exam start on 9 November 2021.
The protocols for a COVID-safe HSC require exam supervisors to be fully vaccinated and strongly encourage eligible HSC students to receive two vaccine doses before exams start.
Other safety measures include:
- Mandatory face masks for students and staff, indoors and outdoors
- Check-in and health screening protocols for students and staff
- Physical distancing between students and staff at all times
- Minimising mingling of student groups
- Keeping exam group sizes as small as possible
- Desks spaced a minimum of 1.5 metres apart and exam rooms well ventilated
- Hygiene marshals and regular cleaning of exam rooms.
An illness and misadventure process is available for students who are unable to attend an exam due to having a positive COVID-19 test result, or being a close contact.
68,710 students are on track to receive the HSC in 2021, according to the HSC Enrolment Snapshot which will be released on Monday by NESA.
View the 2021 HSC exam timetable: https://www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/key-dates-exam-timetables/hsc-written-exam-timetable
View COVID-safe exam protocols: educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/covid-19-advice
Western Sydney forum to kick-start recovery
Plans to kick-start the State’s economic recovery will be enhanced and more targeted following feedback and ideas put forward by Western and South-Western Sydney business and community representatives at a virtual forum yesterday.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet hosted the online forum which was introduced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope.
Representatives from chambers of commerce, peak bodies and community organisations and local businesses outlined the issues people are facing on the ground and presented potential solutions to reignite our economy during the two-hour event.
Mr Perrottet said the communities of Western and South-Western Sydney have shown incredible resilience in recent months and he is confident they will play a key role in driving the State’s economic recovery.
“We thank all of the participants for taking part in this forum where we heard a range of great ideas on how we can help kick start the region’s recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The Government will look at every single idea raised as we finalise strategies for our economic recovery, because we know if it works in Western and South-Western Sydney it will work across NSW.
“These areas are the heart and soul of Australia’s biggest city and it is imperative we get them pumping again as quickly as possible. We are all in this together now and we will come out together, too.”
A range of ideas were presented at the forum including; a reopening package tailored to the region, upskilling young people for the post-lockdown economy, small infrastructure projects and housing affordability opportunities.
Mr Ayres said with almost a quarter of our population living in the West and South-West of Sydney, its recovery would determine how quickly the rest of the city bounced back.
“These communities have been through an incredibly tough period and it’s really inspiring to see everyone working together to find the best ways of moving forward,” Mr Ayres said.
“Western Sydney is ready to bounce back strongly but we know it won’t just happen on its own, so the ideas raised during this forum will play a vital role in developing the strategies to make it happen.”
Other ideas put forward to reboot business activity included employment incentives and confidence-building initiatives aimed at getting more people back to work.
Mr Tudehope said small businesses would be front and centre of our economic recovery and the Government is committed to providing the support they need to get back on their feet.
“This is not just about recovery – it’s about making sure businesses come out of this stronger,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Western Sydney is the engine room of NSW, driven by thousands of hardworking small businesses. Turbocharging their recovery with innovative ideas and solutions is my number one priority.”
Ideas and proposals put forward at the forum will help shape the NSW Government’s economic recovery efforts for Western and Southwest Sydney as well the rest of the State.
Man charged following investigations into armed robberies – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged as part of investigations into several armed robberies in the Lake Macquarie area earlier this year.
Strike Force Woonooka was established by Lake Macquarie detectives to investigate five armed robberies at various service stations in the local area, which occurred between Thursday 10 June 2021 and Saturday 31 July 2021.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators executed a search warrant at a property on Thompson Street, Belmont South, about 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday 9 September 2021), where they arrested a 30-year-old man.
During the search, police seized a mobile phone and several kitchen knives.
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, and armed with intent commit indictable offence.
Police will allege in court the man was involved in armed robberies that occurred at a service station on Main Road in Cardiff on Thursday 10 June 2021 and Friday 9 July 2021, a service station on Main Road in Edgeworth on Saturday 12 June 2021, a service station on Collier Street in Redhead on Thursday 22 July 2021, and a service station on Warners Bay Road in Warners Bay on Saturday 31 July 2021.
He was refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court today (Friday 10 September 2021).
A 28-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were previously arrested and charged over their alleged roles in the robberies. They remain before the courts.
Investigations under Strike Force Woonooka are continuing.
Man arrested after barricade incident – Hamilton
A man will face court tomorrow following a barricade incident in the Hunter Region.
About 6.30am today (Friday 10 September 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District responded to reports of a domestic-related assault at a unit on Fowler Street, Hamilton.
A 24-year-old woman met with officers outside the unit and advised that a man known to her had allegedly entered the unit via an opened door about 3am.
Police were told the man assaulted the woman using a crowbar and she suffered minor injuries.
She advised police a female relative, aged 22, and two young children were still inside the home.
It will be alleged that the man was in possession of a crowbar and knife, and threatened police, refusing to allow entry.
Specialist officers, including Police Negotiators, also attended the scene.
About 9am, the younger woman and the two children walked out of the unit uninjured.
About 10am, the man walked out of the unit and was arrested.
The 26-year-old man was taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to John Hunter Hospital for assessment.
After being assessed the man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (domestic), assault occasioning actual bodily harm, use etc weapon to prevent lawful detention etc, aggravated break and with intent armed.
He has been bail refused to appear tomorrow (Saturday 11 September 2021) at Newcastle Local Court.
A Human Rights Commissioner should care about human rights
Lorraine Finlay had been appointed as the nation’s new Human Rights Commissioner. Formerly an upper house candidate for the West Australian Liberals and president of the state’s Liberal women’s council, Finlay was appointed to the role without it being advertised.
This could affect the Australian Human Rights Council’s “A status” with the United Nations.
Senator Lidia Thorpe, The Greens Justice and First Nations Spokesperson said:
“Lorraine Finlay’s appointment flies in the face of the United Nations Paris Principles, which require ‘a clear, transparent and participatory selection and appointment process of commissioners.’
“The Morrison government should be looking for the candidate with the most in-depth experience and expertise, instead of parachuting their mates who are clearly inappropriate for the role. If Finlay has any integrity, she should decline and step down.
“This is someone who wrote a book calling for Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act to be abolished, opposes gender-based quotas and called affirmative consent laws ‘dangerous’ in an interview with men’s rights activist Bettina Arndt.
“The Morrison government announced this on the same day that the Women’s Safety Summit began. So often, violence against women is the result of an abuse of power. This appointment is an abuse of power.
“People in this country deserve an independent, objective Human Rights Commissioner who won’t play party politics with people’s rights!”
Australia’s TRIPS waiver support takes far too long
Australian Greens International Aid & Development spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to reports that the Australian Government will support the waiver of intellectual property provisions on Covid-19 vaccines. The next meeting of the WTO TRIPS Council is on September 14.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This is a big relief, but it has taken far too long. This proposal came before the WTO almost a year ago and quickly amassed the support of dozens of countries committed to supporting vaccine production worldwide.
“Australia hindered global efforts while millions were infected with the virus across the Global South. It’s been completely indefensible behaviour.
“Now, after months of pressure from civil society and across the parliament, the government appears to have changed its tune.
“We now need a clear and unambiguous commitment from the government: not only that Australia will back the waiver but will endorse it wholeheartedly and work to get other hold-outs on the same page.
“Every month that goes by without WTO agreement on this matter, more people across poorer nations will unnecessarily get sick and die. It’s beyond time for global consensus and for Australia to pull its bloody weight.”
Two too many: second First Nations person dies from COVID-19
The second First Nations person to die from COVID–19 has passed away in Dubbo Hospital, this comes after an Aboriginal man in his 50’s died from COVID-19 on August 30.
Senator Lidia Thorpe, Australian Greens First Nations Spokesperson said:
“First Nations people have the right to live their lives without the negligent and incompetent Morrison government exposing them to disease,” said DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe.
“Our communities are in mourning. These deaths are completely preventable tragedies. The Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation warned the Morrison government 18 months ago about the consequences of COVID-19 in western New South Wales.
“They came with solutions, they came with strategies on how to prevent and contain an outbreak of the disease. They were ignored. No tangible plan was put in place to protect First Nations people in western NSW.
“The pandemic has thrown a spotlight on decades of failed government policies that have left First Nations people in poverty, in overcrowded housing and without access to a properly resourced healthcare sector. Our people are quarantining in tents and washing clothes in creeks, while Scott Morrison can fly himself to Sydney for Fathers Day.
“The Morrison government needs to close the gap between non-Indigenous and First Nations vaccination rates. Our children need to be included in vaccination targets. Failing to do this will put First Nations people in danger.
Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“Scott Morrison’s failure to get First Nations communities vaccinated is an indictment on his leadership through the pandemic.
“First Nations communities have been warning about the potentially disastrous implications of inaction throughout the pandemic. Their calls for a plan have fallen on deaf ears.
“When they needed leadership most, Scott Morrison was nowhere to be seen. If the primary goal of any government is to keep its people safe, Scott Morrison has failed.
“Communities have been torn apart by preventable deaths, and that should weigh heavily on Scott Morrison’s conscience.”
UK trade deal shows Australia dragging the world down on climate targets
Greens around the world have lambasted revelations that Australia has vetoed Paris Agreement climate goals being included in a trade agreement, and that the UK acceded to those demands.
But it’s not just progressive voices: UK Tory Lord Deben, who heads up an independent climate advisory body, decried Australia as “one of the recalcitrant nations” on climate action.
In defense of Australia’s position, Dan Tehan continued to beat the drum of technology that will prolong the reign of fossil fuels in Australia: gas and coal-derived hydrogen, carbon capture and small nuclear reactors.
With COP26 (the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow) fast approaching, it suggests Australia will continue to resist international pressure and seek once again to veto global climate action.
Greens leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Australia is lagging behind the UK, US and the European Union on climate, and now we’re dragging the rest of the world down with us.
“Refusing to sign the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement if it included climate goals shows just how far the Liberals are willing to go to placate their fossil fuel donors.
“Australia has sabotaged global climate talks in the past and Scott Morrison looks set to do the same at the Glasgow climate summit.
“With disaster after disaster unfolding across the world we need strong climate action before 2030, but instead Australia is gearing up to veto action at the Glasgow climate summit.”
The Greens’ Climate Policy:
- Net zero emissions by 2035 and 75% cuts by 2030, consistent with the science and the independent Climate Targets Panel.
- Lead the world on climate action by phasing out coal stations and exports by 2030 and legislating against new coal mines and gas fields.
- Achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030 and work towards 700% renewables, funding a massive investment in infrastructure that will transform our energy system over the next decade and grow a new export industry.
- Phase in 100% electric light vehicle sales by 2030, with subsidies to make them affordable for all
- Reduce bills by $200 a year by creating a publicly owned energy provider and subsidising investment in solar power and batteries.
- Build a multi-billion dollar clean energy export industry to replace coal exports.
- Invest in local coal and gas communities so they can attract the jobs and new industries they want, retain, upskill and ensure these local communities can continue to thrive.