Shadow Minister for Sport Lynda Voltz and State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp have slammed the Berejiklian Government’s go-slow on the development of the Hunter Sports and Entertainment Precinct, with little progress made three years after the precinct was announced.
In July 2017 the then-Sports Minister Stuart Ayres unveiled a draft concept plan for the redevelopment of the 63-hectare site which included a multi-purpose area, multi-purpose fields and a consolidated sports facility, calling the area “a precinct of global significance”.
Despite repeated calls for the Government to get moving on the project and requests for updates from both the Opposition and the media little information has been provided. During Budget Estimates questioning this year the Government refused to provide a progress timeline, merely stating that it was still consolidating responses from its consultation period.
With Australia today learning it was successful in its bid for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Club, Ms Voltz said that Newcastle deserves the upgraded facilities to support these international events.
“Newcastle is in line to host round matches and a quarter-final, which is fantastic for the entire Hunter region,” she said.
“However world-class events need world-class facilities, and with the World Cup coming the Government needs to get moving.
“It will be disappointing if these upgrades are not finished before the Women’s World Cup, which would showcase Newcastle to the world events market and secure badly-needed jobs for the future.”
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said that the state’s second largest city deserved premier sports and entertainment facilities.
“It has been a staggering three years since the then-Sports Minister waltzed into Newcastle with some pretty pictures and a draft concept plan for the site, but since then the silence has been deafening,” he said.
“There’s no time like the present to move this forward, particularly with the World Cup on its way and large infrastructure projects critical to post-COVID recovery.
“It’s not good enough to say ‘we’re working it’ – show us what you’ve done, because having so little to show for three years of work does not instil much faith.”
Marine Area Command release of rehabilitated turtle
Today the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command helped release another rehabilitated turtle to its natural environment.
Two in court after woman allegedly forced into car, detained and assaulted – Lake Macquarie PD
Two people will face court today charged over the alleged detainment and assault of a woman in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.
About 11.30pm on Wednesday (14 October 2020), a 20-year-old woman, who has an intellectual disability, was travelling as a passenger in a car on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown, when it stopped at a red light near Ferris Street.
A Hyundai Elantra sedan pulled up alongside and the occupants of the vehicle – who are known to the woman – allegedly grabbed her and forced her into their car before driving off.
While she was being detained in the sedan, the woman was allegedly repeatedly assaulted and had her credit cards stolen.
Police will allege in court that the car drove to George Booth Drive at West Wallsend before it stopped and one of the passengers, a 38-year-old woman, dragged the 20-year-old woman out of the car and continued to assault her on the street.
She was then forced back into the car before she was driven to a home in Windale a short time later.
It’s further alleged that while at the home, the 20-year-old woman was forced into the shower and repeatedly assaulted while being filmed.
Officers from Parramatta Police Area Command were notified after the vision was put on social media, before officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation.
Investigators attended the home at Windale, where NSW Ambulance paramedics were treating the 20-year-old woman. She was then taken to Belmont Hospital in a stable condition.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Box Place, Gateshead, about 7.30am yesterday (Thursday 15 October 2020).
Several items relevant to the investigation, including a Hyundai Elantra sedan, were seized to undergo forensic examination.
A short time later, a 37-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were arrested at the property and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with nine offences, including:
- robbery in company,
- take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage,
- two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
- two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm,
- film person in private act without consent, and
- two counts of contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO.
The woman was charged with seven offences, including:
- robbery in company,
- take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage,
- two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
- two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, and
- film person in private act without consent.
Both were refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court today (Friday 16 October 2020).
Investigations are continuing.
Hotel fined $10,000 for COVID breach – Bourke
A hotel in the state’s north-west has been issued with fines totalling $10,000 after breaching COVID restrictions.
Western Region Licensing Police allege the licensee of the hotel on Mitchell Street in Bourke breached the Public Health Orders on Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October 2020, following a police operation in the town.
Officers from Central North Police District attended the hotel this morning (Friday 16 October 2020), and issued the hotel licensee with two infringement notices under the Public Health Act for “Fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 – Corporation”.
Each fine is worth $5000.
Central North Police District command, Superintendent Andrew Hurst, warned that officers would continue to ensure the Public Health Orders were being followed.
“It is the responsibility of everyone in this state to follow the rules and keep our community safe from the COVID virus,” Supt Hurst said.
“My officers will continue to monitor compliance within the command; anyone who needs information about the current Public Health Orders should visit the NSW Health website.”
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/latest-updates.aspx
Anyone with information about breaches of the COVID Public Health Orders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Man charged with 20 offences following theft investigation – Lake Macquarie PD
Police have charged a second man with 20 offences as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged break, enter and steal offences in the state’s Hunter region.
Last month, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District’s Proactive Crime Team commenced an investigation after reports of property offences occurring in the Dora Creek and Cooranbong areas.
Following extensive inquiries, with assistance from Tuggerah Lakes Police District, three search warrants were executed on Tuesday (13 October 2020), at properties in Woongarah, Morriset and Sunshine.
During the warrants, investigators seized a number of items, believed to be stolen, including six motorcycles, camping equipment, protective motorcycle clothing, a NSW Police uniform, 30 cannabis plants, cocaine, an electronic stun device, fireworks, ammunition and a replica pistol.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the Woongarah property and taken to Wyong Police Station, where he was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime, two counts of possess prohibited drug, possess prohibited plant, cultivate prohibited plant, handle explosive without authorising licence and possess unauthorised firearm.
The man was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Wyong Local Court on Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Following further inquiries, an 18-year-old man was arrested at Toronto Police Station just before 5.30pm yesterday (Friday 16 October 2020).
He was charged with 20 offences;
- four counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence,
- two counts of steal trailer,
- four counts of steal motor vehicle,
- two counts of larceny,
- enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse,
- possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit,
- two counts of possess prohibited drug,
- deal with property proceeds of crime,
- supply prohibited drug,
- possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, and
- not police officer wear police uniform.
The Sunshine man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 17 October 2020).
Investigations continue.
Two in court after woman allegedly forced into car, detained and assaulted – Lake Macquarie PD
a woman was allegedly detained and assaulted in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.
Two people – a 37-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman – have been arrested and charged to face Belmont Local Court later today (Friday 16 October 2020).
Rental Report Reveals Tenants’ Covid Struggle
Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that AHURI’s Renting in the time of COVID-19: understanding the impacts report, released today, has shone a light on the struggles of renters during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Renters are doing it very tough. The findings of this report confirm many of the fears we’ve had for renters throughout this crisis. Many are earning less, living precariously, and being refused rent reductions.
“The government needs a plan to manage the immense rental stress people are experiencing, and which will worsen as the government continues to withdraw income support.
“There were no measures in last week’s budget to address housing affordability or ensure that people will not have to go hungry to keep a roof over their heads.
“The government must reverse their cruel cuts to income support and invest in social housing to ensure accessible, affordable and sustainable homes for everyone who needs one.
“I call on the National Cabinet to ensure eviction bans are in place so this public health and economic crisis doesn’t leave more and more people in a homelessness crisis,” she said.
Liberals 'too busy' for ICAC – doing what?
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, says the Liberal Party’s continued excuses for not having a National anti-corruption body have become utterly farcical.
“More leaked talking points, more excuses. The Liberals have spent thousands of words justifying why there’s still no Federal ICAC, when it would only take a vote in the House to implement the Greens bill that has already passed the Senate,” Bandt said.
“This has been an issue for going on a decade, and there has been legislation before parliament for several years. It has also been more than 18 months since this government announced they were fully committed to a national ICAC.
“We could have a Federal ICAC passed on Monday. The Greens’ bill has already passed the Senate and it’s right there, ready to go.
“The excuse that the government is ‘too busy’ is utterly ridiculous. They’ve found time to attack the environment, jack up fees for uni students and weaken donations laws in the most recent sittings.”
“The debacle in NSW is proof positive of why we need a Federal ICAC. Dodgy behaviour by politicians doesn’t stop at the ACT border.”
Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Democracy, Senator Larissa Waters, said:
“The reason we still don’t have a federal ICAC is because this government has so many skeletons in the closet,” Senator Waters said.
“This week the NSW ICAC once again proved how effective corruption watchdogs are for sniffing out political stink.
“The sideshow of scandals plaguing the Morrison government shows the corrupting influence dirty donations have on decision-making.
“It’s been pork barrelling on steroids with Sports Rorts 1, Sports Rorts 2, the Shine Energy saga, and too many Angus Taylor incidents to count – and those are just the scandals we know of!
“The Morrison Government isn’t ‘too busy’ to implement a federal corruption watchdog, they just want to keep their hands in the political cookie jar.”
While the Morrison government has been ‘too busy’ to implement a federal ICAC, they have managed to find the time to:
• Change donations laws to allow political donations to be funnelled between state and federal branches, subverting stronger state donations laws (passed with Labor support).
• Ram through EPBC laws to weaken environmental standards, checks and balances before even receiving the final report from the review that they initiated.
• Legislating to massively increase the cost of university degrees
Nutrition key to health for senior Australians
Senior Australians have been encouraged to maintain a healthy diet as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way we live, work, study and socialise.
As part of National Nutrition Week, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, has urged people of all ages to eat well to boost their immunity and overall health.
He said this is particularly important for senior and vulnerable Australians.
“Eating well is at the foundation of our individual health but this can be challenging for many people during such difficult times,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Australian Government maintains the Australian Dietary Guidelines which provide evidence-based advice about the amount and kinds of food we need to eat for health and wellbeing.
“By following the dietary patterns recommended in the guidelines, we will get enough nutrients essential for good health.
“It will also help reduce our risk of chronic health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity down the track.”
Only one in 20 (5.4 per cent) of Australian adults and one in 17 (6.0 per cent) children aged 2-17 years meet the recommendations in the Australian Dietary Guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption.
Minister Colbeck praised the efforts of meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels, which plays a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of over 200,000 older Australians across 592 service locations.
“With the impact of the pandemic, the care and wellbeing of senior Australians has been a priority this year, and meals services and food security have become even more important,” he said.
More than 10 million meals every year are delivered with the support of more than 76,000 Meals on Wheels volunteers.
The Government provided an additional $59.3 million to enable more prepared meals, food staples and essential daily items to be delivered to seniors in need.
Meal deliveries are available through Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
“National Nutrition Week is a great opportunity for people to think about the foods they eat and ensuring they maintain a healthy and regular diet,” Minister Colbeck said.
For more information about the Australian Dietary Guidelines, see here.
To locate an Accredited Practicing Dietitian visit the Dietitians Australia website here.
More information about meal deliveries is available by contacting Commonwealth Home Support Package meal providers directly, or through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Taskforce looks to Hunter River for Stockton sand as City upgrades coastal protection works
Following a meeting of the Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce, City of Newcastle will meet with the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation, and Regional NSW to explore the possibility of using sand from the south arm of the Hunter River to replenish Stockton Beach.
Chair of the Stockton Community Liaison Group Barbara Whitcher spoke in support of the initiative at the meeting earlier this week.
“It’s encouraging to hear through the Taskforce the potential for relocating sand from the Hunter River to Stockton for short-term sand replenishment. This news was received well at today’s Stockton Community Liaison Group Meeting and we look forward to further updates.”
This progress is in keeping with The City’s work to access the initial sand for a beach nourishment campaign as approved in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020.
The news from the Taskforce meeting also coincides with a decision from the City to use ‘Kyowa Rock Bags’ as emergency works in place of existing sandbagging at the northern end of Stockton Beach.
The City’s investment in this technology is expected to offset the need for ongoing emergency response at Barrie Crescent and for the two buried terminal protection structures (Stone Street and Griffith Avenue) as approved in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020, saving the community $2.45 million and buying time for the Taskforce to achieve mass sand nourishment.
The rock bags are a patented flexible mesh product used for erosion protection which are more durable and sturdier than traditional sandbags. Initially, they will be assembled off site at the Ballast Ground in Stockton, before being installed at the Barrie Crescent section of beach.
The bags will provide up to 15 years protection which allows for a window of time in which mass offshore sand nourishment can be achieved, as outlined in the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2020.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Taskforce was making positive progress on achieving mass sand nourishment for Stockton Beach.
“It’s encouraging that the Taskforce is making headway on finding suitable sand sources for mass nourishment at Stockton Beach and we’re optimistic about the potential Hunter River south arm opportunity.
“Since June last year City of Newcastle has spent more than $3 million on emergency works associated with protecting coastal assets and property from erosion at Stockton Beach, including sandbagging and safety measures.
City of Newcastle’s Acting CEO Ken Liddell said that in the meantime, the rock bags will be a significant improvement on the sandbags currently in place.
“The innovative rock bag technology to be used at Stockton Beach will provide a range of benefits, not the least to provide further protection for the community and offsetting ongoing reactive emergency, and capital works costs.
“Upgrading the emergency protection to rock bags will provide greater protection to coastal properties while allowing City of Newcastle to reinstate a passive recreational area at Barrie Crescent Reserve,” Mr Liddell said.
The rock bags will be placed in the same location as existing sandbags, along the Barrie Crescent frontage from the northern end of the Mitchel Street seawall at Stone Street to Griffiths Avenue road extension.
City of Newcastle has also confirmed it will complete three coastal management programs (CMP) in 2021, including an updated Stockton CMP, a Newcastle Southern Beaches CMP taking into account the area between the southern Harbour Breakwater to Glenrock, and an Hunter Estuary CMP completed in partnership with Port Stephens and Maitland councils. The revised Stockton CMP will take into account the roughly three kilometre section of coastline north of Meredith Street not included in the Stockton CMP 2020, and include additional studies which were not possible to be completed prior to the NSW Government’s shortened 2020 deadline.
Community engagement on the CMPs is expected to commence in early 2021.