Category: Newcastle News

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has used the last day of the Parliamentary sitting to give a speech calling on the Morrison Government to rethink cuts to bulk billing incentives as doctors increasingly struggle with the pressures of COVID-19.
Ms Claydon told the Parliament that Newcastle was one of 14 areas nationally that were targeted by the Morrison Government to remove bulk billing incentive payments.
“It’s astonishing now to think that the Prime Minister started this year of 2020 with a fresh round of cuts to Medicare bulk-billing. The loss of that incentive payment is estimated to cost the Newcastle and Hunter region some $7 million,” Ms Claydon said.
“Doctors have already had to start making decisions about not bulk-billing those vulnerable people in our community. It’s already happened. And, indeed, I have lost GPs. I have had GPs’ surgery doors close.”
Ms Claydon warned that the pandemic was adding to the pressure for GPs.
“This is a time when our GPs are under even more pressure. Many of them are now reporting to me that they are doing a lot of unpaid work, calling people after hours who are trying to get advice and follow-up information around COVID-19 at the moment. Simultaneously, there’s been a reduction in the number of face-to-face visits to GPs.
“A doctor of many decades in my community, summed up the feelings of his colleagues when he wrote, ‘We feel that primary care doctors have been abandoned by the government and left to fend for themselves in the front line of this pandemic.’ – I don’t think I could have put it any better myself.”
Ms Claydon called on the Government to reverse the cuts immediately.
“At a time when this pandemic has really made abundantly clear the importance of strong, universal primary healthcare in this nation, it is astonishing that the government should even contemplate proceeding with this cruel scheme to cut bulk-billing incentive payments,” Ms Claydon said.
Ms Claydon said more than 3,000 Novocastrians had signed her petition against the Government’s bulk billing incentive cuts.

Contracts to build the latest stretch of Newcastle’s landmark Bathers Way Coastal Pathway and a drawcard skating facility at South Newcastle Beach will be open to tender from Tuesday.
Site preparation work and cliff stabilisation will soon begin, before separate contracts are awarded in July for the latest instalment of the Bathers Way’s signature broadened pathway and an adjoining skate park and bowl.

The $11.7 million project, which will begin in August and take around two years to complete, will re-activate South Newcastle Beach with a kiosk, new public amenities, landscaping, artwork, shade and seating, exercise equipment and viewing areas.
“Construction companies are now invited to bid for these two contracts to transform a long-dormant part of Newcastle’s coastline,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“By renewing the site’s infrastructure and building new facilities, we hope to revive South Newcastle Beach as a vibrant and attractive place to visit.
“Completed sections of the Bathers Way have prompted 50 per cent usage increases, with Merewether one of the busiest due to its additional facilities, and we expect to see similar impetus from this revitalisation project.
“Increased foot and wheel-based traffic will, in turn, increase surveillance and reduce anti-social behaviour in a wider boost for businesses in Newcastle East.”
Part of The Newcastle Beach Community Infrastructure Project, the upcoming works will better connect King Edward Park and Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club before the final Bathers Way sections, through the park and along Memorial Drive, are delivered.
The project is partially funded through the State Government’s Restart NSW Fund and has been guided by the Bathers Way Community Reference Group (CRG).

Community feedback in 2018 on the original concept plan, which had a skate bowl extending onto the beach, prompted modifications that garnered overwhelming support in further community engagement last year.
“It’s a fantastic area that will be activated by a myriad of user groups and individuals,” Bathers Way CRG’s Skate Community Representative John Bogaerts said. “The area has been dormant for some time so this upgrade will mean it meets the community’s needs and will complement the rest of the existing Bathers Way.”
While a separate tender and contract will be awarded for the skatepark construction in parallel to the main Bathers Way tender, the former will be novated under the latter when both are awarded.
In preparation, minor construction work will commence in June, including drainage, maintenance of the cliff face and preparations to extend the existing rock-catch fence.
Tender submissions can be made from Tuesday via https://www.tenderlink.com/newcastle/

A free wellbeing toolkit designed to help people navigate financial, psychological and public health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is now available to the community.
City of Newcastle has developed a COVID-19 Wellbeing Information Pack to support the community and local businesses through this challenging time.
The 34-page pack includes tips for boosting your immune system, like getting enough sleep and eating well; improving your mental health through mindfulness exercises; looking after your social wellbeing by staying connected with friends and family and more.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said COVID-19 had far-reaching impacts on almost every aspect of our lives, making access to resources like the Wellbeing Information Pack particularly important.
“Every one of us has been impacted by the coronavirus and we’re all doing the best we can to keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“City of Newcastle’s COVID-19 Wellbeing Information Pack contains useful resources to support the health of our community and connect people to the services they may need in this challenging time.
“We are living through history, so it’s OK to press pause and access the help you need to stay well – physically, mentally, socially and financially.”
The information pack links to support services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue and references trusted news sources whilst providing tips to limit media exposure to reduce stress and anxiety.
There are also home workouts for adults and children to try, particularly for those working from home and home-schooling, while the Pack also includes financial resources and a directory of domestic and family violence support services.
The COVID-19 Wellbeing Information Pack is available via the City of Newcastle website and will be distributed across the city’s community and business networks. The City’s Emergency Services Relief Guide can also be accessed online.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on City of Newcastle’s finances is forecast to be $18 million by the end of June.
The March Quarterly Budget Review Statement to be considered by the elected Council later this month forecasts that City of Newcastle’s income will fall by $17.849 million at 30 June, when compared to the most recent budget update three months ago.
The impact of COVID-19 on the City’s bottom line is furthered through the Council-approved $5.5 million community support program that commenced in April and runs until the end of June.
A second round of support measures in response to COVID-19 will be announced next month as part of the 2020/21 budget.
The overall impact on this year’s (2019/2020) budget is now forecast to be an $8.33 million deficit. This compares to a forecast $4.138 million surplus immediately prior to the state and nation-wide lockdown measures started in March to contain the spread of COVID-19.
City of Newcastle will fund the $8.33 million budget deficit via its existing reserves.
The $18 million reduction in the City’s forecast income for this year is spread across multiple areas of City of Newcastle’s services and includes:

• Reduced waste volumes to the Summerhill Waste Management Centre
• Loss of ticket sales from the closure of Civic Theatre
• Loss of bookings from the almost-complete closure of the Stockton Beach Holiday Park
• Reduced Newcastle Airport dividend
• Reduced income from investments
• Reduced parking meter revenue
• Reduced traffic infringements.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said despite the $18 million COVID-19 hit, the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability remained sound.
“Just like the majority of businesses and organisations in our city and region, our income has been significantly affected by COVID-19,” Mr Bath said.
“However, because of the prudent management of the City’s finances in recent years, we have the ability to get through this economic downturn, all be it with a budget deficit this year.
“Our focus over the remainder of this year and next year will be to carefully manage our finances in order to respond to COVID-19, as well as fund projects aimed at supporting the local economy.
“We know that in times of significant economic downturn, the most effective way of supporting the local recovery is to fund community infrastructure. It’s for this reason that City of Newcastle will not take its foot off the pedal of our capital works program, which this year will be a historic $100 million.
“In March, Councillors unanimously adopted a $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package.
“Among a broad range of support for our community, we have already initiated a $800,000 grants program to empower the community sector to support the most vulnerable, as well as offered interest-free rate deferrals for 15 months, and a 50 per cent discount to those small businesses renting a City-owned building.”
For the latest updates on the City of Newcastle’s response to the COVID-19 and changes to services, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Using offshore sand to save Stockton Beach will protect local homes and community land from the threat of coastal erosion as well as protect $2.5 million in public assets.
This is the finding of a cost benefit analysis undertaken as part of the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP), which concludes initial actions to address coastal erosion will cost $19 million over five years, in addition to the requirement for mass offshore sand nourishment which will take an estimated $21 million investment followed by $12 million in maintenance every decade.
Coastal engineers have recommended an initial mass marine sand nourishment campaign of 2.4 million cubic metres to restore the beach and protect coastal assets. It also identifies actions to take over the next 12 months to address immediate risks, while the NSW Deputy Premier’s Stockton Erosion Taskforce determines a legal pathway to secure the required volume of sand from approximately two kilometres offshore.
Research undertaken as part of the CMP has also found that 112,000 cubic metres of sand is being lost each year, far more than previously estimated.
Immediate actions include an initial sand nourishment program of 50,000 cubic metres from land-based (or other permissible) sources, while undertaking essential protection works to the ends of existing seawalls to address the imminent risk of losing both private property and community assets.
The draft Stockton Coastal Management Program is based on years of engagement with the local community, includes the latest expert engineering advice, and provides a way forward that has sand nourishment as the cornerstone of the program.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stockton CMP struck a balance between the needs of a sandy beach for the community to enjoy, and protecting coastal assets and properties from erosion.
“The call for mass sand nourishment for both beach amenity and asset protection has been very clear, and through cost-benefit analysis we’ve confirmed this option stacks up with a $2.5 million return on investment,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’re thankful the NSW Government and in particular the Deputy Premier has recognised the importance of this issue and has committed to using its many agencies to deliver a mechanism to get sand onto Stockton Beach.
“We are now at a critical point in delivering an outcome for Stockton which is why it’s so important for the community to have their say on the plan before it goes to the NSW Government at the end of June.”
Members of the Stockton Community Liaison Group (CLG), which was formed in 2018 and has met formally 21 times, stressed the importance of the public exhibition period.
Barbara Whitcher, Chair, Stockton Community Liaison Group, Stockton resident:
“It’s my hope that the Stockton CMP is considered by the broader community in context, that is City of Newcastle defining its preferred long-term management option while addressing what it can do now.
“Now is our chance to present a united front between the Stockton community and City of Newcastle so we can get the outcome we need,” Ms Whitcher said.
Simon Jones, President, Northside Boardriders, Stockton resident:
“I’m glad that the plan put forward is one which is focussed on returning the sandy beach that I enjoyed as a kid so as the next generation of Stockton can swim, surf, fish and make friends on the beach like we did.
“While the Stockton CLG represents a good cross-section of the community, it’s so important that the broader community takes advantage of this public exhibition period to have their say,” Mr Jones said.
Professor Ron Boyd, Professor Earth Sciences, Stockton resident: 
“The Stockton CLG has been providing technical background for the local community and also giving plenty of feedback to City of Newcastle on issues that are important to Stockton.
“My hope is that the Stockton community can achieve some agreement through the public exhibition process so that we provide a consensus position to City of Newcastle and as a result, generate a strong Coastal Management Program submitted to the State Government,” Professor Boyd said.
Callan Nickerson, Stockton Surf Lifesaving Club President and CLG member:
“While it has been a sometimes-frustrating process, City of Newcastle has listened and recognised the importance of the beach to Stockton’s identity and the wellbeing of the community,” Mr Nickerson said.
Every coastal council in the State is currently preparing a CMP in line with the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016, with a deadline of December 2021.
City of Newcastle will become one of the first to submit a CMP at the end of June, in line with a direction from the Local Government Minister.
The Stockton CMP is on public exhibition until 10 June 2020.
You can view the draft Stockton CMP at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/stockton.
Key facts:

• The Stockton CMP area stretches from the northern harbour breakwall to Meredith Street.
• Sand lost from the Stockton CMP area is now estimated at 112,000 cubic metres per year, which is far more than previous estimates.
• The required volume of sand for mass nourishment for the Stockton CMP area is estimated to be between 1.8 and 4.5 million cubic metres initially, depending on the sand source, followed by maintenance campaigns every decade, making marine offshore sand the only viable source.
• Existing seawalls at Stockton will be repaired, while also being extended at each end with minimal buried structures to protect private and public assets from immediate risk.

Key figures:

• Delivering the initial 50,000 cubic metre sand nourishment from available land (or other permissible) sources, protection structures, and other seawall maintenance and associated work is expected to cost $9 million in the first year and a total of $19 million over five years.
• Mass offshore sand nourishment is expected to cost $21 million for an initial campaign followed by maintenance campaigns every 10 years at $12 million.

A man will face court charged over the alleged online procurement of a child following an investigation by Strike Force Trawler detectives in the Lower Hunter Valley.
In March this year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Maitland.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sex acts he wished to perform on the teenager and shared sexually explicit material with her.
It will also be alleged that the man arranged to meet the girl in person.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at Waratah Railway Station about 10.10am yesterday (Tuesday 12 May 2020).
A subsequent search warrant was executed at the man’s home address, where mobile phones, tablets, a laptop and a hard drive were seized by officers.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to procure person under 16 years for sexual activity.
The man was refused bail and appeared via video link at Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 12 May 2020), and is next due to appear at the same court today (Wednesday 13 May 2020).
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has welcomed the announcement of almost $2.7 million in funding to the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle for ovarian cancer treatment research.
Ms Claydon said this is one of a series of projects supported under a Federal Government funding commitment that was secured by Novocastrian Jill Emberson before her death from ovarian cancer in December 2019 .
“The HMRI / University of Newcastle grant is part of the Federal Government commitment of $20 million that would never have come about if it hadn’t been for Jill’s tireless advocacy for increased funding for ovarian cancer research,” Ms Claydon said.
“Even when Jill was extremely ill and debilitated from this terrible disease herself, she never wavered in her fight for fairer funding for ovarian cancer research and treatment.”
Ms Claydon said the funding would allow HMRI and University of Newcastle researchers to undertake a drug repurposing project to treat forms of ovarian cancer that aren’t responsive to current treatments.
“This project has the potential to fast-track new ovarian cancer treatments by looking at the potential of existing drugs that have already undergone the extensive vetting and safety tests needed to secure approval for human use,” Ms Claydon said.
“It will use artificial intelligence to narrow down the field of drugs that show promise.”
Ms Claydon said the survival outcomes from ovarian cancer are still ‘diabolically low’
“Ovarian cancer has the lowest survival rate of any women’s cancer with only 46 per cent of women surviving after five years.
“Compare that to breast cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of more than 90 per cent now. That’s the benchmark we should be aiming for.”
Ms Claydon promised to continue Jill’s fight for greater investment in ovarian cancer in Canberra.
“Jill founded the Pink Meets Teal campaign to build a community of advocates calling for  fairer funding for ovarian cancer. I’m pleased to be able to do my part and continue Jill’s mission in the Federal Parliament.
“I will continue to raise this issue with the Government and call for the funding we need to secure the outcomes Australian women deserve.”

City of Newcastle is seeking support from State and Federal Governments for a dedicated Local Infrastructure Stimulus program, with funding for both large-scale infrastructure projects and a Local Government New Deal aimed at protecting jobs and delivering community infrastructure.
The move would bridge the gap between State and Federal Government COVID-19 stimulus packages and increase local employment by fast-tracking shovel-ready infrastructure projects.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said in times of crisis, local government was often the first to respond and rebuild at a grassroots level.
“As one of the single-largest employers in rural and regional communities, Councils like City of Newcastle are best placed to kickstart shovel-ready projects and get people back into the workforce,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Such a move, when supported by State and Federal stimulus, has the power to create legacy community infrastructure, sustain local services and employment and drive the local economy, as was the case during the early 1990s recession when the Federal Government formed the Local Government Capital Works Program.”
Priority projects previously endorsed by the NSW Government as key to significant job growth across Greater Newcastle include Coastal Management Planning and Erosion Management, particularly at Stockton Beach; flood mitigation works at Wallsend; the Greater Newcastle Light Rail Expansion; and affordable housing initiatives.
With a diverse workforce of more than 1,200 staff, City of Newcastle has been significantly impacted by Government-mandated closures and restrictions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 – particularly community and cultural facilities such as Newcastle Museum, City Gall, the Civic Theatre, the Stockton Holiday Park and Newcastle Art Gallery.
Ineligible to receive the $1,500-per-employee, per-fortnight JobKeeper subsidy, the City has opted-in to the Local Government (COVID-19) Splinter (Interim) Award, backed by the Office of Local Government NSW and United Services Union, to identify opportunities to retain and redeploy affected staff.
The Lord Mayor thanked staff for their commitment to serving the Newcastle community despite the disruption to day-to-day life.
“Staff have been exceptional in their effort to continue to deliver a high level of service for our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that the State and Federal Governments partner with local government to support shovel-ready projects that can grow our economy and support our workforce.”