City of Newcastle is incentivising talented and community-minded Australians to relocate to the city with a $10,000 grant available for up to 30 innovative and accomplished entrepreneurs.
‘New Move’ was launched today as an economic development initiative to attract people from Australia’s capital cities to relocate and invest in Newcastle, with independent economic modelling estimating the program could create up to 75 new jobs and $25 million in local economic output.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Move is an Australian first, adapted from the highly successful US Tulsa Remote initiative, that will help attract new skills and talent to Newcastle through the initial incentive of a financial grant, whilst also raising long-term awareness of the city’s diverse economic opportunities.
“Newcastle is an economic hub driven by innovation and skills and we want to share this fact with all of Australia,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Attracting talented people as an economic stimulus strategy provides great value for money, with independent modelling showing that attracting 30 entrepreneurs to the city through New Move will help create new local jobs and millions of dollars in economic output.
“The grant is one great reason to consider a move to Newcastle, however there are 10,000 more reasons why Newcastle is the perfect place for entrepreneurial, community-minded and innovative people to create impact.
“The global labour market is changing. COVID-19 has shown that people can work from anywhere in the world. Increasingly young professionals are choosing smaller, but well-connected cities, like Newcastle due to their superior lifestyle.
“We know people can be apprehensive about moving cities. New Move and the 10,000 Reasons campaign promotes Newcastle as a safe, welcoming location for Australia’s top entrepreneurial talent.
“Newcastle is home to world-class education, healthcare, and aerospace hubs, and an innovation ecosystem that supports start-ups. There’s no shortage of opportunities for talented and skilled people.
“Significant investments have recently been delivered that underpins Newcastle’s transformation, along with a pipeline of future city shaping projects including the reimagination of Broadmeadow sporting and entertainment precinct, John Hunter Hospital Innovation Precinct, University of Newcastle’s increasing presence in the CBD and the international expansion of Newcastle Airport.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, who chairs the City’s Strategy Committee, said that with technology evolving so rapidly, the business community needs people with specific skills.
“The injection of new skills and innovation brought by new talent attracted by New Move will help generate new economic opportunities with a flow-on-effect into increased local employment and opportunities for Novocastrians,” Cr Clausen said.
“Through an advertising campaign focused on Sydney and the nation’s capital cities, Newcastle will be showcased as a smart city and innovation hub supported by a vibrant culture and modern infrastructure.
“Newcastle is a gateway city – small enough to provide the charms of regional life but big enough to attract international investment and the best domestic and global talent.
“Talent attracts talent. New Move recipients will be asked to commit to be city ambassadors, helping further develop local skills, and activate our community to create future economic opportunities. In return, recipients will have access to co-working spaces, and networking events to build local business and community connections.”
The New Move program is targeted at a metropolitan audience and will provide 30 successful applicants, who meet the eligibility criteria, with a $10,000 relocation grant to be spent within the Newcastle local government area, in addition to a tailored program of ongoing networking opportunities and support.
The New Move program is funded by City of Newcastle within its existing economic development budget and was supported by a unanimous resolution of Council in December 2020.
Unlike previous regional relocation grants offered by other levels of Government, New Move is highly targeted and includes ongoing networking to ensure new residents have the best opportunity to deliver economic and social returns to the City.
Expressions of Interest are now open with an opportunity for applicants to explore and experience the local community, industry and culture at a weekend event taking place 9-11 April.
To find out more about New Move, visit New Move website and FAQs page.
Author: admin
DIGGING DEEP AT CENTRAL STATION
A major milestone has been reached in the construction of Sydney Metro under Australia’s busiest railway station.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance today visited Central Station where excavation has reached the bottom of the new Sydney Metro station box which is 27 metres below ground level.
“This has been an extraordinary engineering and construction achievement, delivering new Metro in the heart of our busiest railway station, while train services continued right around us,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government has supported jobs through the COVID-19 crisis, with work fast tracked at Central over the past year due to reduced customer numbers within the station precinct.
“Right now, around 5,000 people are working on Sydney Metro and about 50,000 will have worked on the City & Southwest project by the time services start in 2024.”
Mr Constance said the two underground Metro platforms at Central are being built differently to other Sydney Metro stations.
“We’re building this brand new Metro station at Central from the top down rather than bottom up, to deliver the platforms as quickly as possible while minimising the impact to commuters,” Mr Constance said.
“The two tunnel boring machines did not stop at Central but kept tunnelling through, which meant the final stage of excavating the station box was to smash through the twin tunnel sections from above using 14 excavators.
“More than 280,000 tonnes of crushed rock has been removed from the station box, enough to fill about 46 Olympic swimming pools.”
The 460-tonne steel structure of the new landmark Northern Concourse roof is also complete, with more than 500 louvres currently being installed on the eastern, northern and western ends of the roof, which was made in Kurri Kurri.
Excavation of the 19 metre-wide Central Walk underground link has reached about 75 per cent, and is on track to open in stages from next year. Central Walk will connect light rail customers with suburban trains, Metro trains, buses and regional services.
The work at Central Station is being delivered as part of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, which will see Metro rail services extend from Chatswood, through the city and beyond to Bankstown in 2024.
NSW PREPARES FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT ACROSS THE STATE
Five major vaccination hubs and 99 regional satellite sites will open progressively across NSW starting from Monday, 15 March, as the COVID-19 vaccination rollout stretches across the State.
These vaccination hubs and satellite sites will initially focus on frontline healthcare and border workers, and will eventually be followed by a wider rollout of the vaccine to the general public through the GP network.
The five major hubs and their linked satellite sites will open progressively from 15 March through to April and will be located at:
- Newcastle Hospital
- Wollongong Hospital
- Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
- Coffs Harbour Hospital
- Dubbo Hospital
The vaccine will be dispatched from the hubs to the satellite sites.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it has been great to see the enormous enthusiasm from those receiving and giving the jabs.
“NSW is on track to achieve its goal of more than 35,000 vaccinations in the first three weeks with thousands of frontline workers already receiving their first doses thanks to excellent work of our NSW Health staff in the three initial hubs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said it’s fantastic the rollout of the vaccine will be expanded into regional NSW, now including major hubs in Coffs Harbour, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.
“Regional NSW has endured a myriad of impacts from COVID-19 and with the vaccine now on its way, we will have the confidence and assurance we need to live fully and remain open for business,” Mr Barilaro said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said rolling out vaccinations to frontline staff in the regions is the next step to ensuring they are protected against COVID-19.
“Wollongong and Newcastle are particularly significant because we have frontline staff meeting overseas freighters arriving at ports and those staff obviously are at higher risk than others,” Mr Hazzard said.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the expansion is a major boost for the state’s frontline healthcare workers, especially those in regional NSW.
“An important aspect of the continued rollout is ensuring everyone at risk of COVID-19 has access to vaccination as close to their homes as possible,” Dr Chant said.
CCTV released as police investigate car fire – Edgeworth
Police are appealing for public assistance following a car fire in Edgeworth last year.
About 3am on Monday 23 November 2020, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were awoken by a large banging noise before they exited their home on Ridley Street, Edgeworth, and located their Ford Falcon utility well alight.
Emergency services were called and crews from Fire and Rescue New South Wales extinguished the blaze a short time later.
A second vehicle – a Hyundai Elantra – received minor smoke damage, while the Ford was completely destroyed.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation into the incident.
As inquiries are continuing, police have released CCTV footage of a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The man is wearing a hooded jumper, shorts and black joggers.
Man dies following two-vehicle crash near Singleton
A man has died following a crash near Singleton.
About 1.45pm today (Sunday 28 February 2021), emergency services were called to Putty Road, Putty, after two cars crashed head-on.
The driver and sole occupant of one of the vehicles died at the scene. The man has not yet been formally identified.
The three occupants of the other car have been taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Find out when it’s your turn with new advertisements to inform Australians about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout
The next phase of the Australian Government’s $31 million public information campaign begins today to inform Australians, with the vaccination program underway.
At the end of Friday after four full days of operation and Monday as a setup day, almost 30,000 Australians had been vaccinated, including 8,110 aged care and disability residents throughout 117 care facilities.
Both the state and territory teams alongside the aged care in-reach teams are ramping up their operations, with more vaccines being distributed across the country in the next week.
The initial advertising campaign, which launched on 27 January 2021, focused on informing the Australian community about the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s world-leading independent approval process.
The second round builds on these safety messages and informs the community about Phase 1a of the vaccination program rollout, which prioritises those who are the most at risk of serious illness from the virus.
The advertising is important, so people understand how the vaccination program is operating, how they can find out when it will be their turn and answer any questions they have about the vaccines. They can go to Australia.gov.au and use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker to confirm which phase of the rollout they will be in.
The campaign will continue to run across a variety of channels, starting with television, and continuing on radio, press, digital, social, mobile, search and in medical settings and shopping centres including billboards and signs.
There are two advertisements, one which is animated, and a second which features a registered nurse, Melanie, who explains the rollout and the current priority groups.
Special committees representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with a disability and the multicultural communities are consulted regularly to ensure messaging is clear, appropriate and disseminated through the best communication channels to reach all people in Australia.
Firearm and drugs located after crash – Cardiff
A man has been charged with firearm and drug offences after a crash at Lake Macquarie overnight.
About 3:50am (Saturday 27 February 2021), police responded to reports that a silver Kia Cerato, travelling west along Lowry Street, Cardiff, had crashed into two parked cars.
The driver, a 30-year-old man, was prevented from leaving the scene by several bystanders until police arrived.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
Police were informed that immediately after the collision the driver was seen acting suspiciously near a tree. A search of this area located a home-made pistol and a bag of ammunition.
A further search of the man and his vehicle located a quantity of methyl-amphetamine and alprazolam as well as more than $14,000 cash.
The man was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with the following:
- Negligent driving
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Possess unregistered firearm-pistol
- Possess loaded firearm public place
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit
- Possess prohibited drug
- Possess prescribed restricted substance
- Deal with property proceeds of drive <$100,000
The Marmong Point man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 28 February 2021).
Generous Aussies gave life and sight in 2020
A 2020 report on organ and tissue donation and transplantation shows that despite the significant impact of COVID-19, around 4,000 Australians benefitted from the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation from a deceased donor.
The Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Mark Coulton, said the 2020 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report confirms Australian generosity and willingness to give complete strangers a second chance through organ and tissue donation.
“This report shows that even when the chips are down and a global pandemic interrupts the national transplant program, Australian generosity shines through.
“Last year, despite the pandemic, some 1,644 Australians’ death provided the gift of life and sight to another Australian,” Minister Coulton said.
“We are very grateful to these Australians and their families for making organ, eye, and tissue donations possible.”
The report, released today, shows 1,270 Australian lives were saved through an organ transplant in 2020, due to the generosity of 463 deceased organ donors and their families. The report also shows 2,277 Australians received corneal transplants in 2020 from 1,318 donors.
“A corneal transplant can make a remarkable difference to someone’s quality of life.
“More than 23,500 Australians have thankfully received the gift of sight since the national program began in 2009,” Minister Coulton said.
Minister Coulton said it is important to also recognise the great power of tissue donation.
“Whether they gave heart valves to repair genetic defects in young children or skin grafts to help treat infection and trauma, the 290 deceased tissue donors in 2020 made a great difference to many lives.
“Last year, 182 living donors improved the lives of another Australian; predominantly by donating kidneys and in one case, a partial liver.
“Living donors make an incredibly generous sacrifice to improve the life of someone else.
“Organ transplants are not without risk to those who donate, and their act of kindness mustn’t be understated,” Minister Coulton said.
Last year, just 29 kidney transplants took place in Australia from living donors through the Australia and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange Program. This figure represents a 42 per cent drop compared to 2019.
Organ and Tissue Authority CEO, Lucinda Barry, said 2020 outcomes were primarily impacted by the program’s suspension due to COVID-19 concerns in early-March, with the program gradually returning in earnest from September.
“The reality is there were 210 fewer kidney transplants across living and deceased transplant programs, mostly due to the impact of transplant program suspensions,” Ms Barry said.
“These suspensions were a responsible reaction to concerns within the health sector for hospital capacity and transplant patient welfare as the global pandemic took hold in Australia.”
Minister Coulton said the report once again demonstrates the need for more Australians to discuss donation with their friends and family and to register as a donor.
“We need all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation, to understand what they and their loved ones wish, and to register to become a donor at donatelife.gov.au,” Mr Coulton said.
“It takes less than a minute.”
The 2020 Australia Donation and Transplantation Activity Report is available at: donatelife.gov.au/outcomes.
QUEENSLAND OLYMPIC BID’S BIG STEP FORWARD IS GREAT NEWS
Federal Labor congratulates Queensland on its bid to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games being named as the International Olympic Committee’s preferred candidate.
The Queensland bid will now be the only one in targeted discussions with the IOC, making Australia a clear favourite to continue its proud history of successfully hosting major international sporting events.
From the 1956 Melbourne Olympics to Sydney 2000, five Commonwealth Games and numerous world championships, Australia has proven we know how to set the stage and deliver world-class sporting events on a global scale.
New International Olympic Committee (IOC) hosting guidelines mean prospective Games hosts can reduce costs and use existing infrastructure.
A Queensland Olympics would deliver jobs, accelerate infrastructure development, and provide a boost to a tourism, trade and the economy, which have been hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If Queensland’s bid is successful, the 10-year lead-in to the 2032 Games would provide a great platform to engaging a generation of Australian kids in sport and help boost participation so more can enjoy the health benefits of an active lifestyle.
Federal Labor looks forward to continuing to work with the Queensland State Government, Council of Mayors South East Queensland, Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Federal Government, and other key stakeholders towards a successful bid and the benefits to be realised for sport, tourism, infrastructure, trade and the economy.
Rural health group providing expert advice on bush vaccine rollout
Rural and Indigenous health experts are meeting regularly to ensure rural communities continue to be central to the phased rollout of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The Remote Vaccine Working Group will provide advice to the Federal Government and identify issues as the rollout continues towards Phase 1B and beyond.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to every corner of the country was complex and that was why the Federal Government had a plan and was listening to expert advice from rural health stakeholders.
“COVID-19 case numbers in rural and remote areas have been low, but the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine into regional, rural and remote communities is a vital part of the Government’s vaccine strategy to ensure everyone in Australia is protected,” Minister Coulton said.
“The TGA has found the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to be safe, they are free, and you’ll be able to receive your vaccination near where you live.”
The vaccine demonstrates it will stop people becoming very sick – keeping them off ventilators and out of hospital.
Minister Coulton said the Working Group – made up of the Commonwealth Department of Health, the National Indigenous Australians Agency and state and territory agencies – draws on expertise from health representatives. Many of the health experts have also participated in Rural and Remote Health Roundtable chaired by the Minister since the start of the pandemic.
“The leadership and expertise of these professionals provide important voices to the Working Group to ensure the rollout is done in genuine partnership and enables all rural Australians to be vaccinated close to where they live.”
Minister Coulton said the rural health workforce and representative bodies had been integral in managing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We commend the efforts of our doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health workers in rural and remote areas,” Minister Coulton said.
“We genuinely appreciate the ongoing leadership of the rural health sector, and we are in this enviable position because of the care and advice this sector has provided us over the past year.”
The Australian Government is working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services, general practices, state and territory governments, Primary Health Networks, GP-led respiratory clinics and community pharmacies to ensure that Australians living in regional, rural and remote locations have access to a COVID-19 vaccination if they so choose.