16 News – Page 1606 – Newcastle and Australian News

It’s time to build publicly owned High Speed Rail between Melbourne and Brisbane, say Greens

The Australian Greens will fund High Speed Rail in full, with the first step to create the Australian High Speed Rail Authority and make an initial equity investment of $1.6 billion for the first stages of planning and land reservation.
“For decades, Australians have dreamt about High Speed Rail along our east coast. It would be nation building at its best: big, bold and transformative,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson.
“Governments up till now have refused to take action because of risk aversion and capitulation to private interests, despite studies showing the feasibility, high public benefit and strong economics of High Speed Rail.”
“High Speed Rail will connect our cities with our regions, reduce carbon pollution, create tens of thousands of jobs and provide a return to the taxpayer.”
“The Greens will turn these dreams into reality, and fund High Speed Rail in full, built in the public interest.”
“In contrast, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese announced this week that the Labor party would support High Speed Rail with ‘private funding.’”
“It also appears the Morrison government is planning to hand over this nation-building project to a private developer, Consolidated Land and Rail Australia.”
“The CLARA project banks on developers making money from massive increases in the value of land along the route, building stations and new cities rather than building stations in existing towns like Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga.”
“This would mean instead of High Speed Rail unlocking the economic potential of our existing regional cities, these established towns would struggle to compete with the new cities built around new stations.”
“Construction of High Speed Rail stations both up and down the east coast and in the heart of our central business districts will immensely increase the value of surrounding land. Private developers who see their property values rise should not simply get a windfall gain. By using a variety of taxes and charges, they will be made to contribute to the overall cost of building the project.”
“High Speed Rail needs to be built in the public interest, not to line the pockets of private developers. For decades, Labor and Liberal governments have privatised our essential services, which are then run to maximise profit for corporate investors, not to serve the people.”
“Australia is the last continent without High Speed Rail except for Antarctica. Will the penguins beat us to it?”
Route details
Line 1: Sydney to Melbourne (2 hours 44 mins) with spur lines for Sydney to Canberra (1 hour) and Melbourne to Canberra (2 hours 30 mins).
Line 2: Sydney to Brisbane (2 hours 37 mins) with a spur line for Sydney to Gold Coast (similar time)
Options for value capture recommended by the High Speed Rail Study include:

Property taxes.
Sale of bonus gross floor area (GFA)
Property transfer (stamp) duties
Sale or lease of air rights over public road reserves, railway corridors and other property
Sale or lease of surplus development sites
Parking levies
Developer contributions
Special rates or taxes on a defined improvement district
Hotel taxes

The commissioned phase two report laying down a plan for rolling out the High Speed Rail Project in several stages can be found here. The Greens will implement the accelerated timetable envisaged in the report.

68 MORE TRAIN STATIONS TO RECEIVE ACCESS UPGRADE

A further 68 train stations will receive upgrades such as new lifts, ramps and footbridges to make them more accessible under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management has made it possible for the total investment in the Transport Access Program (TAP).
“We are committed to making public transport accessible for all customers, including those with a disability, the less mobile and parents with prams,” Mr Constance said.
“Currently more than 90 per cent of customer journeys are accessible but we want to make sure everyone can access public transport easily and with dignity.
“When we came to Government accessible public transport had been neglected. Labor was only doing two access upgrades a year and it would have taken them 90 years to upgrade all stations on the network.”
The funding to be delivered by the NSW Liberals & Nationals will supercharge the station upgrade program and include upgrades at Dapto, Faulconbridge, Tuggerah, East Hills, Point Clare, Moss Vale, Goulburn, Griffith, Dubbo and Queanbeyan.
Five stations between Sydenham and Bankstown will also become accessible for the first time as part of Sydney Metro, upgrades Labor has vowed to cancel.
“We have delivered 52 wheelchair accessible train stations since 2011 and we will deliver dozens more as we keep cutting through Labor’s backlog,” Mr Constance said.
“Our Government listened to communities across the state and we know accessible transport is key to good quality of life so we made these upgrades a top priority.”
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres welcomed the commitment to improve access at Kingswood station.
“This is a big issue for my community, which I have been campaigning for and I am so pleased we can make this station accessible,” Mr Ayres said.
The NSW Government is working to deliver safe, modern and accessible public transport infrastructure statewide. The program provides new lifts, ramps and footbridges across the network to achieve this.

Previously announced station upgrades
Rooty Hill Edgecliff Millthorpe North Strathfield Kingswood Hazelbrook Wyee Blayney Mittagong Clarendon Hawkesbury River	Wahroonga Taree Roseville Glenbrook Beecroft Como Bexley North Fairy Meadow Petersham Waratah
Additional station upgrades
Warrawee Canley Vale Birrong Dapto Wollstonecraft St Peters Blackheath Yagoona Banksia Ourimbah Lisarow Niagara Park Narara Lapstone Waitara Faulconbridge Towradgi Erskineville Pymble Stanmore Point Clare Tuggerah	East Hills Denistone Goulburn Normanhurst Thornleigh Bellambi Dubbo Armidale Griffith Moree Queanbeyan Grafton Narrabri Parkes Gunnedah Casino Wauchope Redfern Moss Vale Unanderra
Currently non-accessible stations being upgraded by Sydney Metro
Dulwich Hill Hurlstone Park Canterbury	Wiley Park Punchbowl

NSW AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS PARTNER TO BUILD AUSTRALIA’S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE CHILDREN’S CANCER CENTRE

Kids sick with cancer or needing emergency care are set to benefit from Australia’s first Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre and a rebuild of the Children’s Hospital at Randwick.
The $608 million investment overseen by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will transform cancer care, and add more than 50 per cent to the size of the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, with a new Emergency Department among the additions.
A funding commitment of $428 million from the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government, $100 million from the Commonwealth Government, $30 million from the University of New South Wales, $25 million from Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and $25 million from the Children’s Cancer Institute are contributing to the historic establishment of the Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre and redevelopment of the hospital.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said this significant investment was possible only because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“The Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre brings clinical care, research and teaching together in the one place. Importantly, that means better outcomes for kids and for NSW it cements our position as a world leader in care for children with cancer”, Mr Hazzard said.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said today’s announcement will give children for the first time the same level of integrated cancer care experienced by adults.
“If your child is battling cancer, you want to know that the latest research is translating into effective treatment as fast as possible. This Centre will ensure kids have that next level care with many experts working together on the same campus,” Mr Hunt said.
The investment in both the CCCC and the redevelopment of the Children’s Hospital is projected to create more than 6080 direct and indirect jobs.
“All of those jobs will be great for the area and for the economy and they build on the Liberals & Nationals’ strong track record when it comes to delivering health infrastructure. Our government has already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the State,” Mr Hazzard said.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the Federal Government is investing significant funding into medical research and this collaborative model is the exciting model of the future.
“Children will receive the finest possible care in both general medicine and specialist cancer treatment and research,” Mr Hunt said.
The project will be built over two levels. On the ground floor will be a brand new Emergency Department as well as new short stay units while above it will be the Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre, bringing the very latest in research from the laboratory bench to the bedside.
“For staff too, they will have all of the opportunities that come with having state of the art facilities so they can continue the wonderful work they already do looking after our kids,” Mr Hazzard said.
Today’s announcement is on top of the $720 million investment already announced for the redevelopment Prince of Wales Hospital also at Randwick, bringing the total value of the site works to $1.3 billion.
The Member for Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith, said when completed, the expanded Children’s Hospital would be integrated with a new Acute Services Building and the recently announced $250 million University of NSW Health Translational Hub.
“Randwick will host a Health and Education Precinct that will be the envy of the world. When you combine these substantial investments and the calibre of our health clinicians and academics, you can expect an incredible result,” Mr Notley-Smith said.
“Our community can have peace of mind that we have the very best healthcare available in the world, close to home.”

Greens say Axe pollie pensions when Ciobo and Pyne go

With at least half of the 20 retiring federal politicians set to receive a parliamentary pension, it’s time the pollies’ pension was axed entirely, say the Greens.
“While politicians elected after 2004 don’t receive a parliamentary pension, those elected before then – such as Ministers Pyne and Ciobo, rumoured today to be leaving politics – would get hundreds of thousands of dollars each year as a pension, for doing nothing,” Greens spokesperson for democracy Senator Larissa Waters said.
“These blokes will probably end up like their mate Joe Hockey – with a diplomatic posting and a cushy pension – all funded by the taxpayer.
“Politicians have their snouts in the trough, while ordinary people struggle with the cost of living, wages have flatlined and Newstart hasn’t increased for 24 years.
“It’s no wonder people think so little of politicians, when the rules are rigged in their favour. If they’re not doing the job anymore they shouldn’t be paid.”
Greens will request the Parliamentary Budget Office to cost the public money saved from such a move, and would move to apply those savings to people who actually need it, as part of our pledge to increase Newstart by at least $75 a week.
“In Budget week I’ll move for parliamentary pensions for MPs elected before 2004 to be scrapped, and will keep pushing on this issue if the Greens have the balance of power in the Senate after the next election,” Senator Waters said.
“Let’s give help to the people who need it. Not to those who’ve received generous salary and allowances while in the job and still want to collect after they leave the job.”

Former officer charged with sexual assault – Central Metropolitan Region

A former police officer has been charged following investigations into an alleged sexual assault.
Between July and August 2013, it’s alleged a woman was sexually assaulted by a police officer in southern Sydney.
The senior constable was on-duty at the time.
Following inquiries by the Professional Standards Command, a 43-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday (27 February 2019).
He was charged with sexual assault without consent and was given bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 20 March 2019.
The man is no longer a member of the NSW Police Force.

FIRST LOOK UNDERGROUND AT NEW MARTIN PLACE METRO STATION

Sydney’s new underground CBD metro railway stations are taking shape about 25 metres under the centre of the city where new platform caverns and pedestrian tunnels are being excavated.
The gamechanging Sydney Metro City & Southwest project is the first new rail line through Sydney since the 1970s and will massively cut travel times for commuters across the whole system.
The Sydney Metro projects in the Northwest, City & Southwest have also created more than 20,000 jobs, while the NSW Government’s record infrastructure program has created more than 100,000 jobs.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today met some of the Sydney Metro workers and had the first look at major construction work at the Martin Place Metro Station.
“It’s incredible to see the progress that’s been made by machines and workers underground with thousands of pedestrians moving aboveground,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Two roadheader tunnelling machines are working 24-7 to excavate the new Martin Place station, which stretches underground between Hunter Street and Martin Place.
“This project is really taking shape and when it opens, customers in the heart of Sydney’s CBD will be more connected than ever before.”
Mr Constance said the Martin Place metro platform caverns will be about 220 metres long, 16 metres high and 14 metres wide when fully lined with concrete.
“Roadheaders and about 95 workers have already excavated more than 166,620 tonnes of crushed rock at Martin Place – enough to fill about 26 Olympic swimming pools,” Mr Constance said.
“They are also digging underground pedestrian connections to the existing Eastern Suburbs Line, making it easier to get around our great city.
“This once again shows that only the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver Metro rail across Sydney.
“When Labor was last in office they announced 12 rail projects. They did not deliver a single one in full and they are already promising to cancel the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro upgrade.”
Sydney Metro will deliver a turn-up-and-go train service up to every two minutes to the four train stations being built in the Sydney CBD – Martin Place, Pitt Street, Barangaroo and Central.
Sydney Metro Northwest is on track to open in the coming months and is at least half a billion dollars under budget. It includes 13 Metro stations and 4000 commuter car parking spaces.
Metro rail is being extended from the north west, into the CBD and beyond to Bankstown in 2024, delivering Sydney 31 metro stations and a 66km standalone metro railway line.

Newcastle to host historic women’s Rugby Test

The City of Newcastle has secured another coup for women’s sport following today’s announcement that the Wallaroos Rugby team will play Japan at No.2 Sportsground in July.
The international fixture on Saturday 13 July will be the first of a two-test series against Japan and the first time the tourists have ever played in Australia. The second will be at North Sydney Oval on Friday 19 July.
The Wallaroos will play a Test against Japan in July at No.2 Sportsground. Photo credit: Stu Walmsley
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said today’s announcement continues the City’s success in securing elite-level women’s sporting events.
“Today’s news continues Newcastle’s evolution as a City synonymous with hosting major women’s sporting events,” The Lord Mayor said.
“We already have the runs on the board as a successful host City having staged two International women’s soccer matches in successive years which drew around 16,000.
“This latest announcement shows our continued campaign to stage more sporting events in this City is gaining significant traction, and I applaud Rugby Australia for selecting Newcastle for this match.
“This match, and others to come, will hopefully pave the way for a successful Women’s Rugby World Cup bid in future years to come.”

Media are invited to photo opp at No.2 Sportsground at 10am, Friday. Photo credit: Stu Walmsley
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “We look forward to welcoming Japan for an historic Test series against our Buildcorp Wallaroos in July, an occasion made possible thanks to the support of the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
“When we made our bid to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup last year, we announced that bidding for the tournament was just part of our commitment to grow the women’s fifteens game.
“We are committed to providing more high-quality fixtures for our Buildcorp Wallaroos and giving Rugby fans, particularly aspiring young girls, more exposure to the stars of our women’s game to inspire the next generation. This series is another step on that journey.”
Australia and Japan have only met once in a Test match in 2017 when the Buildcorp Wallaroos prevailed 29-14.
Fans can snap up early tickets to the historic Japan Series through the Ticketek website.
Meanwhile, Rugby fans buoyed by the news will also get the opportunity to see the NSW Waratahs in action when they play the Japan Sunwolves at McDonald Jones Stadium on 29 March.
McDonald Jones Stadium has been touted as one of many possible home ground venues for the ‘Tahs in the coming years while their regular ground – Allianz Stadium – is knocked down and rebuilt.

Revelations a road pricing inquiry will be shelved until after the election shows Morrison government has no plan or ambition in developing sound transport policy, say Greens

The revelations that the Morrison government will again delay an inquiry into road pricing shows they are willing to jeopardise sound transport policy and planning in favour of clinging to power, say the Australian Greens.
“The road pricing inquiry was announced three years ago and we’ve had zero movement since then,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson.
“As Australians make the switch to electric vehicles, we will need new streams of revenue to fund our transport systems. We need to ensure the proper work is done in preparation now, so that any road pricing regime or other revenue raising is not only in the public interest, but also equitable and just.”
“We also need to consider the intersection of road pricing with the increasing use of private toll roads where the revenue is going straight into the pockets of the private toll roads operators, particularly Transurban, which has just announced record earnings.”
“Road pricing and fuel excise is an area the government has acknowledged could take 10-15 years to reform. This inquiry has been on the cards since 2016. We need to get on with it now, we can’t wait any longer for a time when it’s politically convenient for the government of the day.”
“Road pricing isn’t something we can leave to the last minute.”

NEW FERRIES AND EXTRA SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS

Ferry customers are set to receive new vessels, more frequent services and a trial of On Demand journeys after the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government today announced Transdev has been awarded the contract to continue the operation of Sydney Ferry services for the next nine years.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the significant improvements across the ferry network will also save the state’s taxpayers $40 million over the life of the contract.
“We know Sydneysiders and tourists love the ferries, they are a wonderful way to get around this city. This new contract is all about delivering better services to make travelling on the harbour and Parramatta River even more attractive,” Mr Constance said.
“Customers are really going to be the big winners. We are already delivering around 3,400 weekly services and there are now plans to create more than 400 additional weekly services across the network over the next two years.
“This includes almost 280 extra weekly trips on the growing F3 Parramatta River route. That’ll mean wharves like Sydney Olympic Park, Meadowbank and Cabarita receive a service every 10 minutes during the busiest peak hour and every 20 minutes during the day and on weekends.”
To service this route at least ten new Parramatta River Class ferries will be ordered to provide additional capacity.
“We’ll also order three more of the popular Emerald Class ferries to support the growing demand across the harbour,” Mr Constance said.
Other improvements will include:

Improved frequency by merging the F2 Taronga and F6 Mosman routes for services every 20 minutes, compared to the current 30 minutes.
Rose Bay and Watsons Bay will see more services in the evenings on weekends, as well as expanded service hours on weeknights and;
Improved frequency in the off peak and on weekend nights for customers at McMahons Point and Milsons Point.

In great news for customers in the inner west, a trial of a new On Demand ferry in the Bays Precinct will start later this year using a new MiniCat vessel.
“The On Demand ferry trial will connect wharves like Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay to larger transport interchanges like Pyrmont and Barangaroo where they can join either a main ferry route, or jump on to a bus,” Mr Constance.
The learnings from the On Demand ferry trial will then be used to refine the service and potentially introduce additional On Demand zones.
Transdev Sydney Ferries, formerly operating as Harbour City Ferries, was awarded the contract to continue operating Sydney ferry services following a competitive tender process.
“Since Transdev took over running Sydney Ferries in 2012, On Time Running and customer satisfaction are the highest they have ever been and I’m certain the popularity of ferries will only grow.”
Since 2011, the NSW Government has created almost 400 additional weekly services across the Sydney ferry network. The new contract commences on 28 July 2019.

ICC SYDNEY CREATES 5000 JOBS FOR NSW ECONOMY

The NSW Liberals investment in ICC Sydney has delivered a significant boost to the NSW economy and cemented the State’s reputation as a world class events destination, with new figures released today showing the venue has created more than 5000 jobs (directly and indirectly) since its opening in December 2016.
According to a Deloitte Access Economics study, visitors who attended events at the venue in 2018, generated $820 million in direct expenditure for the State, up from the $785 million generated in 2017. The venue also welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors across 700 events in 2018.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello said the results demonstrated the remarkable success of the ICC Sydney since its opening a little over two years ago.
“The venue has enriched Darling Harbour, transforming it into an economic powerhouse, and put Sydney on the map as Australia’s number one destination for events and exhibitions,” Mr Dominello said.
“The figures speak for themselves – ICC Sydney is a big win for Sydney, providing visitors with world class events, and boosting the economy and creating jobs.”
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the 2018 results build on an impressive first year for the venue, with plenty more exciting events planned for 2019 and beyond.
“72 per cent of the generated expenditure in 2018 was derived from international and interstate visitors, resulting in over 1.57 million overnight stays in Sydney,” Mr Marshall said.
“The venue has already secured a further 1,300 leading major national and international events across sectors to 2030. This is great news and will create a huge economic stimulus for NSW into the future, with hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, tour and transport operators all set to benefit.”
The $1.5 billion development, which comprises an industry leading convention centre, exhibition centre and major entertainment theatre, is a key component of the NSW Government’s recent suite of infrastructure projects.
The ICC Sydney has been key to boosting international visitors to NSW. Since 2011 this boost in international visitors has helped NSW to add 611,300 jobs, more jobs than any other state. The NSW unemployment rate is now 3.9 per cent, the lowest rate since records began in 1978, and the lowest of any state. By comparison, the unemployment rate in the rest of Australia is 5.5 per cent.