Residents across Sydney will soon have access to new playgrounds, walking trails, and cycleways as part of a $19 million transformation of government-owned land.
The upgrades are the next phase of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s $50 million commitment in the 2019-20 Budget to create new and improved open spaces.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said communities in Beaumont Hills, Kogarah and Frenchs Forest are next in line to benefit from the investment.
“We want everyone in Greater Sydney to have better access to high-quality open space, given the significant benefits it brings to health and wellbeing,” Mr Stokes said.
Improvements will include $9 million for walking tracks and bike trails in Frenchs Forest; $6 million for a new running track or playground at Kempt Field in Kogarah; and $4 million to add nature trails to open space at Withers Road in Beaumont Hills, as well as pathways between Smalls Creek and Caddies Creek.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the remaining $31 million will be used to upgrade open space in Appin, Ermington, Hurstville, Leppington and Penrith.
“We are also investing $100 million to buy land across the State that will be transformed into parks and playgrounds for communities to enjoy,” Mr Perrottet said.
The announcement of park upgrades coincides with the release of the Greater Sydney Outdoor Survey, which found residents want open spaces that are free, inclusive, and able to be used for activities including walking, picnics, and barbeques.
Mr Stokes said the findings of the survey would help inform how money under the Strategic Open Spaces program will be spent.
“Sydneysiders love the outdoors – whether it be running, hiking, cycling or relaxing at the park with family and friends, so this funding will go a long way to maintaining and improving that lifestyle,” Mr Stokes said.
Author: admin
Final Farewell to HMAS Newcastle
Novocastrians are invited to farewell HMAS Newcastle when our namesake ship makes her final homecoming next week with a local woman at the helm.
A quarter of a century after her maiden call, HMAS Newcastle will arrive next Wednesday 12 June and set sail for the very last time on Tuesday 18 June, with Newcastle born-and-raised Naval Officer Anita Sellick in command.
HMAS Newcastle
Commander Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy. She assumed command of HMAS Newcastle early last year, completing the INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR 2019, and will have the honour of decommissioning the ship later this month.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s arrival and departure will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
To celebrate our association, the ship will exercise its Right of Freedom of Entry to the city of Newcastle at a ceremony and march through the streets on Saturday 15 June. The Right of Freedom of Entry was granted to the ship in 1995 and is the highest honour that a city can bestow on a ship or military unit.
“The association with HMAS Newcastle has been a long and significant one for our city,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
Below: Naval Officer Anita Sellick
“She was officially commissioned here in 1993 and her Launching Lady was Mrs Margaret McNaughton AM, the Lady Mayoress of Newcastle and wife of then-Lord Mayor John McNaughton.
“We’re proud of our history with HMAS Newcastle and proud to host an event to give her a fitting send off.”
Everyone is invited to view the march, which will form up in Laman Street from 9.40am before heading off around Civic Park to City Hall. The Royal Australian Navy band will be attending to provide a fitting escort to the ship’s company. Newcastle was the first major Australian fleet vessel to bear the name of a non-capital city.
The ship also maintains close links with us through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
“HMAS Newcastle and her amazing crew have worked tirelessly throughout their association to support the school community with both financial contributions and experiences,” Newcastle Senior School’s relieving Principal Deone Bennett said.
“The ship’s company have raised substantial funds, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities. And for this we sincerely thank member of the ship’s company past and present.”
Their final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace
HMAS Newcastle is one of four Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. In recent years she has been deployed in support of peacekeeping operations in East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Operation CATALYST in the Persian Gulf.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
Schedule of events
Wednesday 12 June – HMAS Newcastle arrives*
Saturday 15 June – Freedom of Entry March. All welcome.
March commences at 10am. The best vantage points to see the action will be Civic Park.
Tuesday 18 June – HMAS Newcastle departs*
*A seven-gun salute to fire from Fort Scratchley on arrival and departure.
A quarter of a century after her maiden call, HMAS Newcastle will arrive next Wednesday 12 June and set sail for the very last time on Tuesday 18 June, with Newcastle born-and-raised Naval Officer Anita Sellick in command.
HMAS Newcastle Commander Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy. She assumed command of HMAS Newcastle early last year, completing the INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR 2019, and will have the honour of decommissioning the ship later this month.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s arrival and departure will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
To celebrate our association, the ship will exercise its Right of Freedom of Entry to the city of Newcastle at a ceremony and march through the streets on Saturday 15 June. The Right of Freedom of Entry was granted to the ship in 1995 and is the highest honour that a city can bestow on a ship or military unit.
“The association with HMAS Newcastle has been a long and significant one for our city,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
Below: Naval Officer Anita Sellick
“She was officially commissioned here in 1993 and her Launching Lady was Mrs Margaret McNaughton AM, the Lady Mayoress of Newcastle and wife of then-Lord Mayor John McNaughton.
“We’re proud of our history with HMAS Newcastle and proud to host an event to give her a fitting send off.”
Everyone is invited to view the march, which will form up in Laman Street from 9.40am before heading off around Civic Park to City Hall. The Royal Australian Navy band will be attending to provide a fitting escort to the ship’s company. Newcastle was the first major Australian fleet vessel to bear the name of a non-capital city.
The ship also maintains close links with us through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
“HMAS Newcastle and her amazing crew have worked tirelessly throughout their association to support the school community with both financial contributions and experiences,” Newcastle Senior School’s relieving Principal Deone Bennett said.
“The ship’s company have raised substantial funds, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities. And for this we sincerely thank member of the ship’s company past and present.”
Their final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace
HMAS Newcastle is one of four Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. In recent years she has been deployed in support of peacekeeping operations in East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Operation CATALYST in the Persian Gulf.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
Schedule of events
Wednesday 12 June – HMAS Newcastle arrives*
Saturday 15 June – Freedom of Entry March. All welcome.
March commences at 10am. The best vantage points to see the action will be Civic Park.
Tuesday 18 June – HMAS Newcastle departs*
*A seven-gun salute to fire from Fort Scratchley on arrival and departure.
Union welcomes layout of City’s new admin HQ
United Services Union Organiser Luke Hutchinson has hailed office floorplans finalised by City of Newcastle to meet the city’s increasingly diverse needs from its future administrative base.
Space for all admin staff and ample meeting rooms will feature in levels 2-5 in the new West End office block, with additional training rooms slated for the sixth floor and a temporary customer service centre set to swing into operation in October.
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“We welcome a number of features included in the finalised floorplans,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“These include increased space for collaboration, sit/stand workstations for all workers, informal chat areas to increase interaction between staff, and adequate space for internal and external meetings, which has long been identified by our members as problem.
“The union strongly welcomes big improvements to dedicated staff training spaces at the new headquarters.”
Mr Hutchinson said the move would improve workplace conditions and overall staff wellbeing after a strong engagement process.
“Following consultation with our members, and representations made to the Lord Mayor, the USU was able to engage directly with CEO Jeremy Bath to work through some of the concerns and issues raised staff,” he said.
“We’re pleased to say that this was a really positive engagement and that several improvements have been made, including a USU Delegate’s appointment to the City’s internal consultative group.
“The USU will continue to work both proactively and collaboratively with City of Newcastle management and Lord Mayor Nelmes to ensure our members’ best interests are at the forefront of the move westward over the coming months.”
The 12 Stewart Avenue premises will accommodate all of the City’s 425 administrators, offering capacity for growth, and provide meeting-room flexibility previously unavailable in the City Administration Centre, City Hall and Fred Ash buildings.
Levels 2-5 have an identical layout, except for one corner tailored to support individual service units, and each comprises a 28-person meeting room that can also be expanded into a larger training facility.
Each floor from 2-5 will provide staff with:
Space for all admin staff and ample meeting rooms will feature in levels 2-5 in the new West End office block, with additional training rooms slated for the sixth floor and a temporary customer service centre set to swing into operation in October.
“We welcome a number of features included in the finalised floorplans,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“These include increased space for collaboration, sit/stand workstations for all workers, informal chat areas to increase interaction between staff, and adequate space for internal and external meetings, which has long been identified by our members as problem.
“The union strongly welcomes big improvements to dedicated staff training spaces at the new headquarters.”
Mr Hutchinson said the move would improve workplace conditions and overall staff wellbeing after a strong engagement process.
“Following consultation with our members, and representations made to the Lord Mayor, the USU was able to engage directly with CEO Jeremy Bath to work through some of the concerns and issues raised staff,” he said.
“We’re pleased to say that this was a really positive engagement and that several improvements have been made, including a USU Delegate’s appointment to the City’s internal consultative group.
“The USU will continue to work both proactively and collaboratively with City of Newcastle management and Lord Mayor Nelmes to ensure our members’ best interests are at the forefront of the move westward over the coming months.”
The 12 Stewart Avenue premises will accommodate all of the City’s 425 administrators, offering capacity for growth, and provide meeting-room flexibility previously unavailable in the City Administration Centre, City Hall and Fred Ash buildings.
Levels 2-5 have an identical layout, except for one corner tailored to support individual service units, and each comprises a 28-person meeting room that can also be expanded into a larger training facility.
Each floor from 2-5 will provide staff with:
- 80 ergonomic electric sit/stand work points with privacy screens, dual monitors, keyboard, mouse and task chair
- Three booths that each seat five people
- An agile collaboration space with screen and whiteboard and informal chat area
- Large breakout collaboration space with kitchenette, storage and informal seating for 12
- Large team workshop space to accommodate 12 staff or large-team meetings and stand-ups for 30-plus people
- Around 150 lockers for staff to store their caddy and personal items
- Five 1-2 seat quiet spaces for focused task work and discussions
- Utility area housing printers, bins and stationery.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said fit-out work would begin mid-June on the new offices that would conservatively benefit rate payers to the tune of $13.1 million over the next 25 years.
“Instead of three buildings and 13 floors in the Civic Precinct, all our administrative staff will be housed under one roof in the city’s new CBD, offering them several ideal places to meet with our myriad stakeholders,” Mr Bath said. “This will improve communication and decision making, which will in turn lead to better services for the community.
“This move is about increasing productivity and the capacity of staff through greater flexibility to provide even better services from modern offices. Twelve Stewart Avenue will also offer employees booths, quiet sections and team spaces to select in order to work better together and with hundreds of community members who are also integral to the city’s continued growth and success.
“Our new base utilises the best of modern design principles to improve our workplace culture and also offers easier access for people with mobility challenges just a stone’s throw from the Newcastle Interchange.”
Equinor crash shows we can’t risk the Bight
Equinor’s claims they can drill safely in the Great Australian Bight have gone to water after their ship crashed into their oil rig in Norwegian waters, the Greens say.
“A collision like this in the Great Australian Bight could spell disaster. The waters are rough and remote. The risk is too great, we don’t want an accident like this happening in the Bight,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“This collision comes after oil was found on the sea surface at the same rig last month. If they can’t drill safely in the calm, shallow waters in the North Sea, they cannot be trusted to risk the Bight.
“No amount of corporate spin will make drilling in the Bight safer. There is no amount of planning Equinor can do to avoid critical accidents or disasters.
“No company should be given the green light to drill in the Bight’s rough waters. The Greens, with the South Australian community, will continue to fight plans to turn the Bight into an oilfield, to keep our tourism and fishing industries strong, our beaches clean and avoid disaster.”
Invest in renewables and Newstart, not tax cuts, to solve today’s economic problems: Greens
Instead of locking in a spiral of economic inequality by green-lighting Scott Morrison’s flat tax system, the Labor Party should work with the Greens on a long-term plan to drive productivity and create sustainable jobs through investment in renewables and increasing Newstart, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.
“By supporting these tax cuts the Labor Party are going to make inequality worse and do nothing to set the country up for the future,” Di Natale said.
“Now is not the time for more tax cuts. Now is the time for a massive investment in public services and infrastructure that will work for the wellbeing of everyone in the community, not just the wealthy few. Now is the time to raise Newstart, so that people can live with dignity, as well as giving a boost to our local economy.
“The Government’s tax cut program that Labor is thinking about bringing forward will turbocharge inequality and hamstring future governments from delivering public services down the track.
“The Reserve Bank has been begging the Government to invest in productive infrastructure for the country, but instead, the Liberal and Labor parties have got themselves into a bidding war over who can hand out the biggest tax cuts.
“Instead of getting stuck in a race to see who can give away the money we need to pay for our schools, roads and hospitals the quickest, Labor should join the Greens in pledging to increase Newstart and putting in place a managed transition away from dirty, polluting fossil fuels like coal and gas and towards a clean, green, jobs-rich renewable economy.”
Greens call on new Environment Minister to invest in threatened species recovery for World Environment Day
The Greens are calling on new Environment Minister Sussan Ley to formally respond to the UN’s report on the global extinction crisis by using World Environment day to announce the Morrison Government will adequately fund threatened species recovery.
“Australia has one of the worst extinction rates in the world, yet the Government still has not responded to the UN’s harrowing report on the global biodiversity crisis. New Environment Minister, Sussan Ley has the opportunity to act on World Environment Day. She must put in place a properly funded recovery plan, of $200 million a year, to save our threatened species from death row,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Climate breakdown, land clearing, and invasive species are wreaking havoc on our natural environment. Australia has a major part to play in curbing the extinction crisis, by properly funding threatened species recovery. The new Environment Minister must listen to the science, and the experts, in dealing with this crisis.
“If we don’t act now, species like the plains wanderer, the Fleurieu Peninsula southern emu-wren and the Kangaroo Island dunnart will be lost forever. Koalas could be extinct in NSW in the next 30 years. We must commit to a way off the threatened species list that doesn’t end in extinction.
“The Greens took a comprehensive plan to save our threatened species to the election. We know, with political will, we can get out of this mess. That’s why we will continue to fight for our threatened species. New Environment Minister Sussan Ley can take strides toward a better future by responding to this report, and committing $200 million a year to threatened species recovery.
“Our birds, mammals, marsupials, marine and plant life are synonymous with life in Australia. We love our native wildlife and our natural world. We must restore and protect what we have left before it is too late.”
Attacks on press freedom must be investigated: Greens
The Australian Greens share the serious concerns held by ABC chair Ita Buttrose regarding ongoing attacks on press freedoms and the Government’s flippant response. The AFP raids on a News Corp journalist’s home and the ABC Sydney headquarters must be investigated.
“This is a very troubling start to this Government. The timing is all very suss, and the heavy-handed, intimidating operations are chilling. ABC Chair Ita Buttrose is right when she says a free media is important to our democracy. Journalists reporting in the public interest should not be treated like criminals,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“This is an attack on our democracy and an attack on those who tell the truth – the journalists and whistleblowers we rely on to keep our governments accountable.
“The Prime Minister says he’s not troubled – well he should be, the rest of us are.
“The Prime Minister needs to come clean with the Australian people. Who ordered these raids, who referred the journalists and who signed off the referrals? What was Peter Dutton’s role in all of this?
“Over the past 6 years there has been slide toward criminalising journalism. The Liberal and Labor Parties have together passed laws that attack the freedom of the press and whistleblowers, and this is where it has ended up.
“An inquiry can help us understand the chilling decline in freedom of the press, what protections are necessary for those that speak truth to power, and what we can do to restore this pillar of our democracy.
“This is why we need an urgent inquiry into the attack on press freedom and democracy in Australia. Australians have a right to know what their government is up to. They should have faith that the journalists working at our public broadcaster, reporting in the public interest, are not going to be treated like criminals.
“A Government that shows contempt for press freedom and whistleblowers is a dangerous government.”
Strike Force Raptor remove stolen kitchen fit out, seize drugs, weapons; former OMCG member charged
A former member of the Finks outlaw motor cycle gang (OMCG) will appear at court today after Strike Force Raptor seized drugs and weapons and removed an entire kitchen allegedly built with stolen products from a home in the Lake Macquarie region.
As part of investigations into a malicious damage last month, police from Strike Force Raptor North executed a search warrant at a home in Booragul about 8.30am yesterday (Thursday 6 June 2019).
During the search, officers seized 3.3g of methylamphetamine, prescription medication, clothing, two electronic control devices, and numerous items suspected of being stolen including cabinetry, kitchen appliances, ceiling fans, doors and other building materials.
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Toronto Police Station.
He was charged with 11 offences, including goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, possess prohibited drug (x2), destroy or damage property, possess instructions for manufacture of prohibited drug, and use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition (x2).
Police will allege in court that the man used stolen products to fit out his home kitchen and damaged a parked vehicle at Warners Bay on Friday 31 May 2019.
The man, who is a former member of the Finks outlaw motor cycle gang (OMCG), was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Friday 7 June 2019).
Man charged following pursuit with Porsche – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged with multiple offences following a pursuit in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Police will allege in the early hours of Wednesday 5 June 2019, a house on Hurn Street, New Lambton, was broken into, where car keys were located, and a Porsche Macan was stolen from the premises.
About midday yesterday (Thursday 6 June 2019), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District sighted a Porsche on York Street, Teralba and attempted to stop it.
After the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated and terminated soon after due to dangerous driving.
A short time later, the Porsche was sighted travelling through Cardiff, where it mounted a gutter and drove down a narrow grass laneway in-between houses, before crashing into a fence on Clinton Close, Cardiff.
A man exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A search was commenced with officers from Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Police Districts, the Dog Unit and PolAir and a short time later, a 24-year-old man was arrested in nearby bushland.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, disqualified driving, drive conveyance taken without consent, larceny, use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, negligent driving, enter inclosed land without lawful excuse, go onto running lines, possess prohibited drug and two counts of possess prescribed restricted substance.
The man was refused bail to appear in Toronto Local Court today (Friday 7 June 2019).
Three charged with 37 offences over nine armed robberies – Lake Macquarie
Between February and May 2019, police will allege in court that two men robbed nine bowling clubs and a golf clubhouse, while armed.
In two of the incidents, the man allegedly assaulted a cleaner with a hammer and a staff member with a metal pole.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with the assistance of specialist tactical officers, arrested a 24-year-old man at Fishing Point just before 7am yesterday (Thursday 6 June 2019).
Shortly after, detectives executed search warrants at the Fishing Point property, a home in Rathmines and another home in Bolton Point, where a second man, aged 36, was arrested.
A third man, aged 27, was arrested in Maitland later the same day, where all three were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with a combined total of 37 offences.
Investigations under Strike Force Bergs continue.