City of Newcastle will protect the RAMSAR-listed Hunter Wetlands by improving environmental management of the former Astra Street landfill site in Shortland.
The site operated as a tip from 1974, taking waste from across the Hunter including from the clean-up of the Newcastle Earthquake, before it was closed and capped in 1995.
The City has worked with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to monitor and assess the site, with expressions of interest called tomorrow, Saturday 12 September for contractors to enhance the 25-year-old capping and improve drainage.
Director Infrastructure and Property Ken Liddell said the project would protect the local environment and aid in future management of the 37-hectare site.
“City of Newcastle is committed to not only ensuring today’s waste is managed with the environment front-of-mind, but that historic sites like Astra Street at Shortland are not forgotten,” Mr Liddell said.
“Environmental management and monitoring standards have come a long way since 1995, which is why we’re investing in upgrades that will protect the local environment well into the future.”
The proposed works will commence in early 2021 and include final capping and reprofiling of the site, and drainage improvements to aid in management of surface water and sediment runoff.
The works are intended to maintain the local protected environment, increase and safeguard water quality of surrounding wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, increase biodiversity values, and promote long term native vegetation growth.
City’s New Year’s Eve Foreshore fireworks event cancelled
City of Newcastle will not proceed with its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks and concert event at Newcastle Foreshore due to the ongoing risks associated with mass gatherings and COVID-19.
The event attracted an estimated 30,000 people to the Foreshore last year.
The City has made the difficult decision in the interest of the community’s safety and will now focus on planning for smaller alternative celebrations.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said while a major event on the Foreshore will not go ahead, the City is investigating a once off different New Year’s celebration with a series of smaller events throughout the city, pending any public health measures in place in late December.
“The decision to not go ahead with this year’s fireworks and concert event is a sad one to make, but it has been made with our community’s safety in mind,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“As we have seen both in Australia and overseas, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to worsen quickly, so we naturally have concerns around the delivery of an event that attracts between thirty and forty thousand people into the Foreshore.
“Our New Year’s Eve fireworks event is one of the City’s most vibrant and exciting occasions with activities and entertainment for the whole family.
“Through liaison with key stakeholders including NSW Police, the City has determined that the transport of thousands of people into and out of the Foreshore precinct would almost certainly lead to pinch points constituting a mass gathering where social distancing is impossible to maintain.
“We look forward to announcing a different way to come together as a community and welcome 2021 with a variety of activations throughout the city and suburbs.
“This revised program will allow us to plan safer opportunities for the community to celebrate together with more space and smaller crowd numbers.”
Newcastle City Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey APM says the risk of large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic remains of a high concern.
“New South Wales Police will respond to whatever decision the council makes regarding the event.
“However, the dangers posed by moving tens of thousands of people into and out of the Foreshore precinct for the 9pm fireworks display remains quite high in the current pandemic conditions.”
City of Newcastle encourages Novocastrians to enjoy New Year’s Eve in a COVID Safe way and will continue to work with NSW Police to prioritise public safety.
With a high number of COVID safe businesses operating through the city, this cancellation will provide the capacity in the transport network for people to access hospitality venues safely and encourages celebrations in smaller controlled groups over the evening.
“We hope people come together to enjoy themselves at restaurants and bars as well as at smaller home gatherings on New Year’s Eve,” Cr Nelmes said.
The City will release more information about the 2021 New Year’s events soon.
Museum offers more to discover
Newcastle Museum is expanding its services and preparing for two new exhibitions after a period of reduced offerings due to COVID-19.
From Friday 25 September, Museum visitors will be required to use a smart phone to scan in via a QR code to provide their contact details for contact tracing purposes.
Not only will smart phones assist with keeping the community safe, people can experience the interactive attractions brought to life through their phones.
As with all of City of Newcastle’s facilities, careful planning has gone in to being able to safely reintroduce staff and visitors into the Museum space.
Visitors are asked to continue to practise social distancing, follow the floor markers and direction of Museum staff.
Due to safety reasons, the Museum’s interactive exhibitions Supernova, Mininova will remain closed for now and the BHP Gallery will close for refurbishment from September 25.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday each week and open on Mondays during NSW public and school holidays. Entry is free, with tickets to Questacon’s Colour Exhibition available online.
From 26 September, Fort Scratchley will also be open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday.
A series of Frequently Asked Questions are available at newcastlemuseum.com.au to assist the community with further information about the changes they may experience during their visit.
Take a trip down memory lane to help shape the future of Gregson Park
The community is invited to share memories, stories and ideas about Gregson Park to help guide the renewal of the historic park in Hamilton.
City of Newcastle has commenced community engagement on the Gregson Park Masterplan, focusing on values and aspirations to inform how the much-loved park is managed and renewed.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said community input is vital to make Gregson Park a place for locals and visitors to enjoy now and into the future.
“Gregson Park is steeped in history, so we want to ensure that as we plan for its future, we consider its past and pay tribute to the heritage of the site,” the Lord Mayor said.
“From its origins dating back to the late 1880s when the park was gifted to the community by the then Hamilton Council, Gregson Park has become an iconic part of Hamilton, and the broader City.
“We encourage the community to have a say on the future of Gregson Park through our online survey and share photos, ideas and memories via our online mapping tool. We’re also eager to hear what our community loves about the park and what could be improved.”
Chairperson of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Carol Duncan said the Gregson Park Masterplan would help shape the future of Hamilton.
“Hamilton is a unique, diverse and iconic Newcastle suburb with Gregson Park the green space at its heart, “Cr Duncan said.
“How Gregson Park is maintained, preserved and enhanced in the future will play an important part in how Hamilton as a suburb grows for the next generation, which is why we’re seeking feedback from a broad spectrum of our community.”
The Masterplan will consider the existing infrastructure at the park, community priorities for facilities such as the former bowling club site, a new play space and amenities, potential use of the park for events and activities, and heritage interpretation of the site.
Community input will help inform the development of the draft Gregson Park Masterplan which will be placed on public exhibition in early 2021.
Community Engagement is open until Wednesday, 30 September. To have a say or to share memories, stories and ideas, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/gregsonpark
$200M WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS HUB FAST-TRACKED
The development of a new industrial business hub in Eastern Creek will provide an initial 230 new construction jobs for Western Sydney while injecting $213 million into the economy.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government has approved the Concept Proposal and Stage One development of the 39 hectare Light Horse Interchange Business Hub.
“This business hub is a huge win for the people of Western Sydney with the creation of 230 construction jobs now and more on the way,” Mr Ayres said.
“The development of the full facility will create a further 1,000 construction jobs and up to 430 operational jobs once complete.
“This is the latest development to be approved under the NSW Government’s fast-tracked planning assessment program, aimed at keeping the economy moving and people in jobs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To date, the Planning System Acceleration Program has seen more than 80 projects determined, creating the potential for more than $22 billion in economic activity, almost 50,000 new jobs and almost 25,000 new homes and more than four million square metres of new public space, parklands and environmental conservation land.
The Light Horse Interchange Business Hub is one of nine existing or upcoming business parks located in the Western Sydney Parklands that together make up two per cent of the Parklands.
Revenue generated from leasing sites within the business hubs helps Western Sydney Parklands Trust manage and improve the remaining 98 per cent of the Parklands.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said a thriving Western Parkland City means more opportunities, more jobs and more choice for the people of Western Sydney.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in the nation and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring the Western Parkland City reaches its full potential,” Ms Davies said.
“By using vacant land with low recreational and ecological value, we can create and improve new recreation facilities and cycling and walking tracks while regenerating bushland and improving wildlife movement across Western Sydney.”
As a result of the fast-tracked approval, Stage One work – including site preparation and demolition of existing structures, remediation, provision of infrastructure and the subdivision of land – can begin within six months.
For further information visit: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/10631
LABOR BACKS CALLS TO FREE THE FLAG
On the back of a number of legal stoushes that have seen Aboriginal organisations charged or served with Cease and Desist notices for reproducing the Aboriginal flag, Labor has called on the Morrison Government to find a solution.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon spoke in the Federal Parliament on the issue yesterday, saying that Aboriginal people and organisations had been prohibited from using the flag, which has been copyrighted by a privately owned clothing company.
“Tragically, Aboriginal people are finding themselves unable to use this important cultural symbol because the licensing rights now belong to a private company, WAM Clothing,” Ms Claydon said.
“The idea that something so deeply symbolic as an official flag of Australia could be sold or licensed to a private company is profoundly troubling.”
Ms Claydon said WAM Clothing was a for-profit company founded by a Queensland businessman, Ben Wooster, who is one of two non-Indigenous owners.
“Mr Wooster’s previous business venture was Birubi Art, which last year made history for all the wrong reasons. Now defunct, Birubi Art was found to be misleading consumers and was fined a record $2.3 million for selling thousands of Indonesian-made items as so-called genuine and authentic Aboriginal art,” Ms Claydon said.
“Regretfully, WAM is now strongly enforcing its legal rights by registering ‘cease and desist’ orders for those who use the Aboriginal flag.”
Ms Claydon said the Aboriginal flag conveys deep historical meaning.
“The Aboriginal Flag was born out of resistance and struggle – it remains a powerful symbol of unity, pride and identity,” Ms Claydon said.
“No other official “Flag of Australia” is licensed to a private, for-profit company – a company that is clearly determined to stop the very same people this flag represents from using it without cost or the need for consent.”
Labor has called on the Morrison Government to step in and find a solution.
“The Aboriginal Flag is an iconic national symbol that should always be about people and pride, not profit,” Ms Claydon said.
“This amendment calls on the Government to do everything in its power to free the Aboriginal flag so it can be used by all Australians, while also respecting and protecting the rights of the flag’s original designer, Harold Thomas.”
Man arrested with 1kg of cocaine hidden in pants – Hunter region
A man has been charged after police allegedly located a kilogram of cocaine in his pants during an arrest in the Hunter region yesterday.
On Saturday (5 September 2020), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home at East Maitland following reports of a domestic-related incident.
Upon arrival, police spoke with a 30-year-old woman.
During a subsequent search of the home, police allegedly located and seized cannabis, methylamphetamine, steroids, cocaine, and more than $20,000 cash.
As part of further inquiries, about 12.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 9 September 2020) officers from the Northern Region Domestic Violence High-Risk Offender team and the Port Stephens-Hunter Proactive Crime Team attended an industrial shed on Giggins Road, Heatherbrae, when a man jumped out a side window and attempted to evade police.
The 31-year-old man was arrested a short time later when police noticed a large package hidden inside the man’s shorts.
The package was removed and found to contain 1kg of cocaine. It was seized for forensic examination.
A crime scene was established and a search warrant was executed at the industrial property, where police located and seized motorcycles, a car, methylamphetamine, cash, mobile phones and knuckle dusters.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with five offences including supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm (domestic) and deal with proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Thursday 10 September 2020).
Investigations are continuing and further charges are expected to be laid.
Australian Greens build anti-racism strategy to combat rising alt-right hate
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt, has today announced a portfolio redistribution that will see Lidia Thorpe and Mehreen Faruqi take on a new anti-racism strategy intended to counter Australia’s growing tide of far right nationalism and tackle systemic racism.
The move comes as Lidia Thorpe attends her first Greens Party Room meeting as a Senator this Wednesday and ahead of a fuller redistribution of portfolios by Adam Bandt on Thursday.
Victoria’s first Aboriginal Senator, Lidia Thorpe, will have the First Nations and Justice portfolios, focusing on breaking down the entrenched disadvantage that Aboriginal people face.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi will lead a newly created Anti-Racism portfolio, aimed at sharpening the fight against a toxic surge of the anti-immigrant fringe.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt said that the last two years have seen the far right emboldened in Australian politics, growing from a handful of anti-immigrant politicians to a well-organised, far-right coalition.
“These new portfolios recognise the scale of the challenge that compassionate politics has today,” Mr Bandt said.
“These new portfolios will sharpen the Greens’ fight for justice and put anti-racist work at the core of everything we do.”
“It’s no longer enough to just preach acceptance of diversity. We need to actively prevent hate speech through education, take action against media that uncritically promotes hate, improve standards in our parliament, and dismantle the racist structures that fail to deliver First Nations peoples justice.
“Lidia Thorpe and Mehreen Faruqi will help lead the way as the Greens fight for justice, take on racism and tackle the far-right.”
Senator Lidia Thorpe said despite the rising tide of racism, public support for systemic change is stronger than ever.
“Right now, we stand at a crossroads, as a nation and as a global community. People from all backgrounds are coming together, united by the conviction that no one’s identity or background should limit their potential, safety or their life expectancy,” Senator Thorpe said.
“Across the world, the Black Lives Matter movement has empowered the community to demand justice for First Nations people and people of colour.
“Australia’s continued failures towards First Nations people aren’t just the result of a few bad policy decisions. They’re systemic issues that have become entrenched through decades of inaction.
“If we’re to right these wrongs we need to fix the system. That means ending deaths in custody and the mass incarceration of First Nations peoples, righting the wrongs of the past and moving forward through Treaty, and reversing the entrenched economic inequality that this pandemic has highlighted.
“It’s time to address the systemic racism that cuts lives short and leaves Aboriginal people falling behind. A just Nation means justice for all, including First Nations people.”
Senator Mehreen Faruqi said that anti-racist advocacy and activism was more important than ever.
“Australia hasn’t yet grappled with being the country that raised the Christchurch killer,” Senator Faruqi said.
“We’re going to take the fight to the far-right and their cheerleaders in Parliament and the media to build a proactively anti-racist movement.
“For our country to become anti-racist at its core, we need strong hate speech laws, resources for quashing the far-right, a national anti-racism campaign and diversity in public life.
“The institutions that are meant to protect us haven’t just failed – they’ve become captive to the hate they’re meant to fight. Any nation where police officers feel comfortable with flashing white supremacist hand gestures is not one where people of colour can feel safe.
“Politicians who ignore or encourage the rise of the far-right do so at their own peril. I’m proud of the Greens record of anti-racist work alongside communities of colour.
“Australia’s colonial history and ongoing occupation has to be recognised and addressed head on. I’m looking forward to working with Lidia to do just that.”
The portfolio redistribution has also seen Senator Janet Rice take up the Multiculturalism Portfolio, highlighting how building a diverse and compassionate society is the responsibility of all of us, not just people of colour.
Greens announce new party room lineup to push for Green New Deal and compassionate pandemic recovery
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP has announced the lineup of his new Greens team, following Lidia Thorpe’s first Party Room Meeting as a Senator.
The reshuffle is the most significant since Adam Bandt MP was elected leader, reflecting new talent within Party Room and the rapidly shifting political context in the age of COVID-19.
Senator Lidia Thorpe now holds the First Nations, Justice and Sports portfolios, while the meeting also confirmed the creation of a new Anti-Racism portfolio to be held by Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
Senator Nick McKim holds the newly created Economic Justice portfolio, which will lead the charge against the critical levels of economic inequality laid bare by the coronavirus induced recession. Senator McKim will also take on the Treasury and Finance portfolios.
Peter Whish-Wilson is now Agriculture & Rural Affairs spokesperson, with his first-hand experience of being a grower in the climate crisis to provide valuable insight for the party’s pitch to those living outside the major cities.
Senator Rachel Siewert will take charge of the Health portfolio, formerly held by Richard Di Natale, in recognition of the inextricable link between community and health services.
Finally, Senator Janet Rice will lead on Foreign Affairs and Multiculturalism.
“This is the team we need to take on the unprecedented challenge created by the coronavirus crisis,” Adam Bandt MP said.
“With the Liberals avoiding discussion of anything other than COVID, and Labor siding with the Liberals on tax cuts and the climate crisis, this refreshed Greens team will bring in new perspectives and ideas, while also acknowledging the incredible work being done by all our MPs.
“If it wasn’t clear before the pandemic, it’s undeniable now. Business as usual has failed, leading to soaring economic inequality, a rapidly heating planet and a jobs crisis that has created Depression era-dole queues.
“We need to urgently implement a Green New Deal and this is the team to do it.”
The reshuffle is the most significant since Adam Bandt MP was elected leader, reflecting new talent within Party Room and the rapidly shifting political context in the age of COVID-19.
Senator Lidia Thorpe now holds the First Nations, Justice and Sports portfolios, while the meeting also confirmed the creation of a new Anti-Racism portfolio to be held by Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
Senator Nick McKim holds the newly created Economic Justice portfolio, which will lead the charge against the critical levels of economic inequality laid bare by the coronavirus induced recession. Senator McKim will also take on the Treasury and Finance portfolios.
Peter Whish-Wilson is now Agriculture & Rural Affairs spokesperson, with his first-hand experience of being a grower in the climate crisis to provide valuable insight for the party’s pitch to those living outside the major cities.
Senator Rachel Siewert will take charge of the Health portfolio, formerly held by Richard Di Natale, in recognition of the inextricable link between community and health services.
Finally, Senator Janet Rice will lead on Foreign Affairs and Multiculturalism.
“This is the team we need to take on the unprecedented challenge created by the coronavirus crisis,” Adam Bandt MP said.
“With the Liberals avoiding discussion of anything other than COVID, and Labor siding with the Liberals on tax cuts and the climate crisis, this refreshed Greens team will bring in new perspectives and ideas, while also acknowledging the incredible work being done by all our MPs.
“If it wasn’t clear before the pandemic, it’s undeniable now. Business as usual has failed, leading to soaring economic inequality, a rapidly heating planet and a jobs crisis that has created Depression era-dole queues.
“We need to urgently implement a Green New Deal and this is the team to do it.”
Health and medical research priorities to benefit all Australians
A national consultation process will guide the third set of the Morrison Government’s ground-breaking Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities for 2020–2022.
This consultation process will ensure the MRFF continues to target national health priorities for better health outcomes.
Determining future health priorities is about taking into account the burden of disease in Australians and the need to enhance the translation of research into clinical practice.
Australia’s health and medical researchers are world class and we continue to drive investment in ways that deliver the practical benefits of medical research and innovation to all Australians.
The landmark $20 billion MRFF is supercharging this growth in Australia’s cutting-edge health and medical research.
It is leading to new cures and treatments across Australia—saving lives and improving lives. The Australian public, organisations with expertise in health and medical research and innovation, consumer representatives, clinicians and health services managers are invited to contribute to the consultation.
Online consultation will begin today, 9 September with submissions to be considered by the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board.
There will also be targeted webinars and virtual roundtables on specific issues and themes to inform this third set of MRFF priorities.
Information about consultation activities will be provided on the MRFF website.
Interested stakeholders can receive the latest information, by subscribing to the MRFF newsletter (www.health.gov.au/using-our-websites/subscriptions/subscribe-to-mrff-newsletter).
The MRFF was established as an endowment fund to provide a sustainable source of funding for vital medical research and is the single largest boost in health and medical research funding in Australia’s history.