Drivers using the M4 Motorway off ramp at Church Street will be safer and face less congestion when new and extended lanes open ahead of tomorrow morning’s peak.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said the project was a key safety priority following a number of incidents near the eastbound exit to Church Street.
“We fast-tracked delivery of this upgrade before Christmas, which will keep traffic flowing and drivers safe as they exit this busy part of the M4,” Mr Constance said.
“The eastbound left turn lane is nearly 100 metres longer to help reduce traffic queues and improve the efficiency and safety of the off ramp, especially in peak periods.
“The upgrades will allow even more vehicles to pass through the traffic lights each time they turn green, reducing queuing on the Motorway.”
A new right turn only lane for motorists heading towards Woodville and Parramatta Roads has also been installed, further increasing the capacity of the off ramp where thousands of vehicles exit the M4 daily.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the upgrade work follows a safety review of the M4 Motorway and its surrounds.
“The Government looked closely at data like crash statistics and road user behaviour, which showed completing this work near Parramatta was a key priority,” Mr Lee said.
“Transport for NSW will continue monitoring traffic flow now improvements are in place. We urge all motorists to please drive to the conditions, indicate and slow down on approach to ensure you merge safely and legally onto the extended off ramp.”
A maintenance bay is also being installed on the southern side of the off ramp, to help repair crews respond to any issues on the Motorway. Work will also be carried out to make the road surface smoother, and improve signage and lighting.
NEW NESA LEADERSHIP TO GUIDE EDUCATION REFORMS
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell today announced Professor Peter Shergold will be the new Chair of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Board.
Chancellor of Western Sydney University and former head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Professor Peter Shergold AC, will take the helm of the authority responsible for curriculum, assessment, school regulation and teacher quality across NSW public and non-government schools.
Ms Mitchell said Professor Shergold’s experience is exactly what NESA needs as the organisation prepares to reshape the NSW Curriculum and support education reforms in 2020 and beyond.
“As NSW undertakes a review of the curriculum for the first time in three decades, and moves into the digital space for examinations and learning, the experience Professor Shergold brings from both the private and public sector will be vital,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Professor Shergold is well respected by education stakeholders and brings leadership credentials of the highest calibre to the role.”
“In addition to Professor Shergold’s announcement, we have also secured Paul Martin as NESA’s CEO and appointed six new board members,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I’m excited that the leadership of NESA includes more members with hands-on teaching experience including four school principals and CEO Paul Martin a former English and History teacher.”
Professor Shergold said NESA has a crucial role to play at an exciting time of significant reform in education.
“The delivery of the curriculum review in 2020 will provide NSW with a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise the school curriculum so our students, community and economy continue to thrive well into the 21st century,” Professor Shergold said.
“We know world-class syllabuses, assessment, teaching and school environments are the components needed for our students to achieve their very best.”
Professor Shergold will replace current Chairperson, Tom Alegounarias who is retiring after 30 years in education.
Ms Mitchell said Mr Alegounarias has had an extraordinary impact on education in NSW and will be remembered for many years to come as a passionate educator, policy maker, Chair of NESA and President of NESA’s predecessor, the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards.
“I wish Mr Alegounarias all the best for his retirement and I warmly thank the other outgoing Board members for guiding the establishment of NESA over the past three years,” Ms Mitchell said.
NESA Board members
* = new appointment
* Chairperson, Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chancellor of Western Sydney University
Mr Mark Scott AO, Secretary, NSW Department of Education
Mr Dallas McInerney, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Schools NSW
Dr Geoff Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Independent Schools NSW
Mr Denis Fitzgerald, Executive, NSW Teachers Federation
Mr Mark Northam, Branch Secretary NSW/ACT, Independent Education Union
* Mr Nathan Towney, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Newcastle
* Ms Christine Legg, Chief Executive Officer, KU Children’s Services
Ms Katherine Grace, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Stockland Group
* Ms Jude Hayman, Principal, Griffith Public School
* Dr Anne Wenham, Head of College, St Stanislaus’ College
* Mr Gary Johnson, Principal, Cherrybrook Technology High School
* Ms Jenny Allum, Head of School, SCEGGS Darlinghurst
* Mr Paul Martin, Chief Executive Officer, NESA
TREASURER TO PROVIDE UPDATE ON THE NSW BUDGET AT HALF-YEARLY REVIEW
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will deliver the NSW Half-Yearly Budget Review (HYR) on Thursday, 12 December.
The HYR is an update on the State’s finances and will be launched at a breakfast event hosted by the Australian Business Economists.
Mr Perrottet said the Review will outline the continued strength of the NSW economy, bolstered by an ongoing boom in infrastructure and business investment across the State.
“Six months ago we delivered another strong budget – but it’s been a tough six months for people in NSW, with the drought pushing rural and regional communities to their limits and bushfires ravaging the State,” Mr Perrottet said.
“These are issues that no amount of money can prevent but they demonstrate why it’s so important for us to maintain a strong financial position, to enable us to provide vital support in times of extreme hardship.
“We remain firmly in surplus, our net debt position is the lowest of any state, and we have been able to continue making record investments in schools, hospitals and transport.”
Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government has also laid the groundwork for the next wave of economic and productivity reform.
The Government has published a major Economic Blueprint, the Productivity Commissioner has released a discussion paper ahead of a Productivity White Paper and the Treasurer has established an eminent panel to conduct a Federal Financial Relations Review.
“We’re all about creating better opportunities for current and future generations and ensuring NSW remains the best place in the world for people to live and get ahead,” Mr Perrottet said.
The launch of the HYR will be followed by a media conference at 9:15am.
The HYR is an update on the State’s finances and will be launched at a breakfast event hosted by the Australian Business Economists.
Mr Perrottet said the Review will outline the continued strength of the NSW economy, bolstered by an ongoing boom in infrastructure and business investment across the State.
“Six months ago we delivered another strong budget – but it’s been a tough six months for people in NSW, with the drought pushing rural and regional communities to their limits and bushfires ravaging the State,” Mr Perrottet said.
“These are issues that no amount of money can prevent but they demonstrate why it’s so important for us to maintain a strong financial position, to enable us to provide vital support in times of extreme hardship.
“We remain firmly in surplus, our net debt position is the lowest of any state, and we have been able to continue making record investments in schools, hospitals and transport.”
Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government has also laid the groundwork for the next wave of economic and productivity reform.
The Government has published a major Economic Blueprint, the Productivity Commissioner has released a discussion paper ahead of a Productivity White Paper and the Treasurer has established an eminent panel to conduct a Federal Financial Relations Review.
“We’re all about creating better opportunities for current and future generations and ensuring NSW remains the best place in the world for people to live and get ahead,” Mr Perrottet said.
The launch of the HYR will be followed by a media conference at 9:15am.
City to bring emergency operations into 21st Century
Just a few weeks before the 30th anniversary of the Newcastle earthquake, a modern emergency operations centre proposed for the City’s new Administration Centre will be considered by Councillors at their final meeting of the year.
If approved next Tuesday night, the facility at 12 Stewart Avenue will provide a large, fully equipped space for emergency services and welfare agency personnel to manage responses to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, bushfires, floods, and other major incidents.
City of Newcastle Director of Governance David Clarke said the ageing existing facility at Tighes Hill was unsuitable for emergency operations and there was now an opportunity to build something fit for purpose at the new City Administration Centre.
“It has become clear that the City’s emergency operations centre at Tighes Hill doesn’t comply with modern standards and isn’t compatible with our partnering emergency services’ technologies,” Mr Clarke said.
“The proposed new operations centre would be activated during natural disasters or other emergencies and provide emergency services the best possible facilities to support the people on the ground responding to incidents.
“The sixth floor of our secure City Administration Centre is the best option for the new facility due to its central location, full range of amenities and access to backup power via onsite generators.
“Our City Library had to be used during the recent catastrophic bushfire event because the existing site at Tighes Hill is now 30 years old and lacks the required technology to lead a disaster response from. Equally, the City Library is not a suitable long-term solution due to its insufficient size, lack of emergency power and IT equipment.”
State Emergency Service’s Newcastle Commander, Ian Robinson, said the way emergency services respond to major incidents had evolved with technology and it was important to have the right facilities in place.
“We’ve come a long way from the days of having hard-wired telephones on the desk and using paper-based maps when responding to emergency situations, and the current facilities at Tighes Hill, for not only the Newcastle Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), but also the City of Newcastle SES Headquarters, which co-houses the EOC, are long overdue for modernisation, as neither facility adequately meet the current needs, nor the foreseeable future needs of the community in the face of an emergency situation,” Mr Robinson said.
“The City of Newcastle’s proposed new facility at 12 Stewart Avenue is an important step towards modernising Newcastle’s ability to adequately respond to an emergency situation, providing a modern, technologically advanced centre, from which the Local Emergency Operations Control Centre can oversee critical situations with confidence.”
The co-location of the Local Emergency Operations Control Centre at the City Administration Centre will allow for all necessary IT and audio/visual infrastructure, furniture and support facilities at a central location in Newcastle West.
City of Newcastle is required to provide a Local Emergency Operations Control facility under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act1989.
Fast facts
The emergency operations centre would feature:
- A 16-seat conferencing facility with wireless presentation, TV connectivity for news coverage, weather, traffic cameras, server and four 65-inch screens and mobile 86-inch screen
- An eight-seat, dedicated video conference room with a 65-inch screen, wireless presentation and network connectivity
- Capability to open to one 32-seat room or incorporate other areas, and breakaway spaces
- Eight dedicated workstations, 12-seat elevated bench seating, whiteboards and 86-inch screen
- Power and data including high-speed Wi-Fi access and multi-function devices capable of high-speed printing and scanning
- Kitchen area capable of providing meals during a city-wide blackout
- Two diesel powered-generators capable of indefinitely powering 100 per cent of the building load
- Uninterruptable power supply throughout City Administration Centre levels supplying communications infrastructure
- Onsite parking, secure access and secure toilet and shower facilities.
It is expected to cost $1.8 million to deliver the emergency operations centre, which would be operational by May 2019.
HISTORY MADE AS METRO COMPLETES HARBOUR TUNNEL
The first metro railway tunnel to be built deep under Sydney Harbour has been completed in an historic milestone for public transport in Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance today walked to the deepest point of the tunnel 40 metres below the harbour floor, meeting workers who built it.
“This is an engineering feat of historic proportions for our great city which will forever change how we get around Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Today we have made history walking deep beneath Sydney Harbour for the first time, inside one of two metro railway tunnels to be built as part of this mega project.”
Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Kathleen is digging twin railway tunnels under Sydney Harbour as part of Sydney Metro – Australia’s biggest public transport project.
The machine was pulled apart and its giant 90-tonne cutter head and front sections were barged back across Sydney Harbour where it is being reassembled to start digging the second tunnel.
The specialised TBM is named after Kathleen Butler, who played a vital role in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as technical adviser to engineer John Bradfield.
“It is incredible that Kathleen has already finished her first tunnel and we are able to walk through this crucial piece of infrastructure deep under the harbour,” Mr Constance said.
Metro trains will start running through the tunnels in 2024 extending the North West Metro into the city and beyond to Bankstown
Sydney Metro will have the ultimate capacity of a train every two minutes in each direction under the Sydney CBD and will be able to move more people across the harbour in the busiest hour of the peak than the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel combined.
CENTRAL SYDNEY CBD SET TO THRIVE
More office space, good design and high-quality public places are the cornerstone of plans to supercharge growth and investment in Sydney’s CBD.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes today announced the NSW Government’s in-principle support of the City of Sydney’s Central Sydney Planning Strategy.
Mr Stokes said the Strategy will guide Central Sydney’s commercial, residential and recreational future and will enable more jobs and growth while protecting the city’s iconic heritage and public spaces.
“Sydney CBD is Australia’s economic gateway to the world, generating nearly $110 billion each year. This strategy means we will deliver nearly three million square metres of new office space to ensure Sydney remains the commercial hub of the nation,” Mr Stokes said.
“The NSW Government has been working with City of Sydney Council to get the plan moving and provide much-needed certainty to industry that Sydney is open for business.”
Following negotiations between the City of Sydney Council and the NSW Government, three amendments to the Central Sydney Planning Strategy have been agreed to in-principle:
- Allow for up to 50% more floor space for development in the four tower cluster areas (near Barangaroo, Circular Quay, Central and Town Hall) that demonstrate design excellence;
- Encourage more office space in the CBD by removing the residential accommodation bonus instead of implementing a proposed 50% cap on residential accommodation; and
- Prepare a new development contributions plan to help fund the delivery of new public infrastructure to ensure the city retains its valued public and green spaces.
The in-principle agreement allows for the Council to prepare the changes to the draft Strategy and planning proposal, and place both on exhibition early in the new year.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the 20-year plan is the most comprehensive urban planning strategy for Central Sydney in 45 years.
“If we want Sydney to maintain its status as a global city and economic powerhouse, it’s vital that we balance the need for commercial floor space with residential development in the city centre,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“Central Sydney’s residents, workers and visitors are best served by collaboration between the City and the State Government. This plan strikes a balance between fostering new businesses and growth while protecting and enhancing the great public spaces that make our city unique.”
Two men charged with Grievous Bodily Harm – Merewether
Two men have been charged with Grievous Bodily Harm after an incident in the Newcastle area earlier in the year.
Just after 11.50pm on Saturday 2 February 2019, a 31-year-old man and his friends were in Jefferson Park, Merewether when a group of males, who had been at a function at a licensed premise across the road, approached them.
Two men within the group became aggressive and a physical altercation occurred.
The 31-year-old man was kicked in the head – sustaining a broken jaw.
Following extensive investigations, officers from Newcastle City Police Area Command identified two men who they will allege assaulted man.
About 7pm on Wednesday 27 November 2019, a 24-year-old Wangi Wangi man was arrested and charged with common assault, offensive behaviour and grievous bodily harm including malicious wounding. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 19 December 2019.
About 7pm on Sunday 8 December 2019, a second man was arrested. The 23-year-old man from Toronto was charged with larceny, common assault, affray and recklessly cause grievous bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 January 2020
Driver dies in head-on crash – Raymond Terrace
Crash investigators remain at the scene of a fatal crash in the state’s Hunter Region today.
About 11am (Sunday 8 December 2019), a head-on crash occurred between a Toyota Corolla and a Holden Astra on Richardson Road, near Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace.
The driver of the Holden Astra died at the scene. Two female passengers were taken to John Hunter Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The female driver of the Corolla was also taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory tests.
Officers from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District established a crime scene that will be examined by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Anyone who may have dash-cam vision of the crash is urged to contact police at Raymond Terrace Police Station, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man in court over firearm and weapons offences – Edgeworth
A man has been charged with firearms and weapons offences after seizing an explosive device from a property in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after midnight yesterday (Saturday 7 December 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District attended a property in Edgeworth, following reports a firearm with an expired licence was being stored at the location.
Police spoke with the occupant, a 35-year-old man, who surrendered the firearm, and conducted a safe storage inspection at the property.
During the search, officers allegedly located a gun safe that was not properly secured. They also located ammunition, cannabis, and an improvised explosive device (IED).
The Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit attended and rendered the IED safe.
The 35-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
He was charged with eight offences, including:
- two counts of possess or use prohibited weapon without permit,
- manufacture military-style weapon without a permit,
- manufacture firearm without a licence or permit,
- possess unauthorised prohibited firearm,
- possess or use military-style weapon without permit,
- not keep firearm safely, and
- possess prohibited drug.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 8 December 2019), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court tomorrow (Monday 9 December 2019).
Man charged over fatal fail to stop crash – Maitland
A man has been charged after a pedestrian was killed in an alleged fail to stop crash at Maitland last month.
About 11.30pm on Saturday 30 November 2019, emergency services were called to Flat Road, near the intersection of Paterson Road, Bolwarra, following reports of a crash.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a male pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle.
The 62-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The vehicle allegedly left the crash scene and was last seen travelling south on Paterson Road.
A short time later, police responding to the collision saw a Mazda BT50 utility travelling south on Belmore Road at Lorn.
Officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver allegedly failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
The low-speed pursuit through local streets ended on High Street after the vehicle mounted the footpath.
The 70-year-old driver underwent a roadside breath test, allegedly returning a positive reading.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.108.
The man was charged with drive with middle range PCA and police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly.
Following further investigations, a 70-year-old man attended Ryde Police Station where he was arrested.
He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – DUI, dangerous driving occasioning death – manner dangerous, negligent driving cause death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death (Crimes Act) and fail to stop and assist after impact causing death (Road Transport Act).
He was refused bail and is due to appear before Burwood Local Court on Monday 9 December 2019.