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Tocal Road, Bolwarra Heights set for $1.9 million upgrade

Safer journeys for all motorists moving through Maitland are on their way with work starting on a $1.9 million upgrade to Tocal Road at Bolwarra Heights.

Jointly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads Program and Maitland City Council, work will occur between Maitland Vale Road and Lang Drive and include new drainage and pavement reconstruction to make the road safer for all road users, including heavy vehicles.

The project will involve resurfacing and widening 2 sections of Tocal Road to have wider 3.5 metre travel lanes in each direction, with a section of the road to be realigned to improve sight distance and safety.

The project will be delivered by Maitland City Council, with the council contributing $997,800 to the project and the NSW Government contributing $915,000.

This is part of the NSW Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to ensure regional communities have essential road infrastructure to allow them to pursue economic development, opportunities and jobs.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:

“It’s fantastic to see this project starting construction. Upgrading Tocal Road will improve the connectivity and safety for journeys between regional centres of Maitland and Dungog especially for heavy vehicles.  

“The Maitland area services a variety of industries from agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing, transport and construction, which will benefit from this upgrade. I congratulate council for getting this important work underway.

“Tocal Road is an essential freight route and this project will improve access for larger trucks. As these vehicles can carry more freight more safely, in fewer trips, the project will lead to more efficient journeys and less heavy vehicles on our roads.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“Hunter locals and visitors need to get from Maitland to Dungog and everywhere in between.

“Widening Tocal Road means a quicker, more reliable journey for freight and more drivers getting around the Hunter in safety.”

NSW Duty MLC for Upper Hunter Emily Suvaal said:

“The upgrade of Tocal Road will improve the connectivity and safety of transport across the regional centres of Maitland and Dungog and improve access for trucks transporting the produce, goods and materials that we rely on every day.

“I’m so pleased to see work starting on this project, it’s a great example of how the NSW Government is partnering with regional councils to prioritise upgrades to regional roads and improve journeys for our communities.”

Maitland City Council Mayor Philip Penfold said:

“This investment will significantly improve Tocal Road for the people of Bolwarra Heights and surrounding communities.

“Maitland is the fastest growing regional city in NSW and we’re investing in our road network so we can deliver for our community, now and into the future.”

Road works started in early April 2024 and are expected to take six months to complete, weather permitting.

NSW Government supports for people impacted by Bondi Junction incident

The NSW Government is reminding the community about the supports it has activated for people impacted directly and indirectly by the Bondi Junction incident.

Immediately after the attack, the NSW Government opened its support programs and has widened those through Sunday and today.

Currently:

  • Victims and families can access support through the NSW Government’s Victims Support Scheme with a dedicated phone line stood up for this incident. This service can be reached on 1800 019 123.
  • NSW Police have assigned a Family Liaison Officer to support each impacted family of the deceased.
  • NSW Health have specialist disaster-trained clinicians available at Bondi Junction today and tomorrow between 8am and 6pm, primarily around the Oxford Street Mall.
  • The NSW Mental Health Line has been boosted with extra staff and is available 24/7, with specialist staff available to speak to anyone affected by the attack. Call 1800 011 511.
  • Mental health services have also been activated for first responders.

The Victims Support Scheme provides counselling, financial assistance and a recognition payment to victims of an act of violence in NSW. 

A dedicated phone line for victims of the Bondi Junction incident has been established to access this scheme. The number is 1800 019 123 and is staffed from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Support is available through the scheme for the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have been affected by the violent acts at Bondi Junction.

The scheme support includes:

  • Counselling to help victims recover from the psychological and emotional impacts of a crime.
  • Financial assistance for immediate needs, for example health expenses resulting from the violent crime.
  • Financial assistance for economic loss to cover other expenses resulting from a violent crime, depending on their situation.
  • Assistance to pay for funeral expenses on behalf of family members of a homicide victim.
  • A recognition payment to acknowledge the violent crime.

In addition to the NSW Government support, Westfield is providing mental health and counselling support for their staff, retailers and customers by phone, online and in person.

General supports for the community are also available:

A temporary memorial is in place at Oxford St Mall in Bondi Junction, supported by NSW Government and Waverley council staff.

Sign the online condolence book in honour of those affected.

NSW Government to allocate further resources to Coroners Court following Bondi Junction incident

The NSW Government will allocate up to $18 million in additional funding to the Coroners Court allowing an extensive and timely inquest into the Bondi Junction incident.

The tragic events will be the subject of a mandatory inquest by the NSW State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan.

This funding will allow the inquiry to proceed with trauma-informed care for victims and families, including appropriate family liaison supports.

This allocation will give the court certainty and ensure other inquests and inquiries are not delayed.

It is expected the funding will allow an additional Deputy State Coroner to be appointed to oversee other inquests and inquiries during the course of the Bondi Junction inquest.

This is consistent with the approach taken following the Lindt Café siege.

The thoughts of our state and nation are with those impacted by this tragedy, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring victims and their families are supported over the days and months ahead.

Bondi Junction tragedy

Tonight we are shocked and saddened by today’s tragedy at Bondi Junction. The NSW Police have advised that the situation is now under control. 

Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones. 

The NSW Opposition expresses our gratitude to our police, health workers, other first responders and members of the public, and particularly to those who displayed extraordinary bravery in the face of tragedy. 

We pray for the speedy recovery of those in hospital tonight. 

Now, and in the coming days and weeks, it’s important that those affected by this tragedy receive the care and support they need. 

As a community we’ll need to come together to support those who have suffered injury, loss and trauma today. 

Iran’s attacks on Israel

Australia condemns Iran’s attacks on Israel this morning.

Iran has ignored our call, and those of many other countries, not to proceed with these reckless attacks.

Anyone who cares for the protection of innocent life must stand against these attacks.

This escalation is a grave threat to the security of Israel and the entire region. It risks greater instability and devastation across the Middle East. Australia continues to support regional security, including that of Israel.

Iran’s ongoing flouting of international law, its egregious human rights abuses and threat to international security is why this Government has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans, including Magnitsky-style sanctions, on 85 individuals and 97 entities.

Australia will continue to work with the international community to increase pressure on Iran to cease its destabilising actions and to prevent the conflict from spreading.

Australians in the region should monitor local media for public safety updates and follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

Fatal crash – Lake Macquarie

A passenger has died following a crash at Lake Macquarie overnight.

About 12.15am (Sunday 14 April 2024), emergency services were called to Freemans Drive, Cooranbong, following reports of a crash.

A Subaru Impreza was reportedly travelling northbound when it lost control and crashed into the rear of a Hyundai Santa Fe – a fully marked mobile speed camera vehicle – parked on the side of the road.

The passenger – a 18-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

The driver – also aged 18 – was freed by emergency services and taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. He also went mandatory testing.

The 43-year-old man seated in the Hyundai, suffered minor injuries and did not require treatment.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene which will be forensically examined by specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit.

An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Critical incident declared after man shot by police – Bondi Junction

NSWPF Commissioner Karen Webb will address the media after six people were fatally stabbed and a man was shot by police in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs earlier today.

About 3.30pm (Saturday 13 April 2024), emergency services were called to Westfield in Bondi Junction, following reports multiple people had been stabbed.

An officer attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended and was allegedly confronted by a man with a knife.

The man allegedly lunged at the officer, before he was fatally shot.

The officer conducted CPR until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics, who worked on the man; however, he could not be revived.

It has been confirmed the man fatally stabbed six people in the centre before he was shot.

The centre remains closed, and a crime scene has been established.

A critical incident team comprised of State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and the Central Metropolitan Region will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will also be subject to an independent review.

7 people have been confirmed dead.

LABOR REFUSES ACTION ON SCHOOL REFUSAL

The Greens have called on the Education Ministers Meeting to put action on school refusal at the top of its agenda, after Labor squibbed its response to a Senate report into the crisis.

The government has agreed or supported in principle two of the 14 recommendations in the Education and Employment Committee’s report into “The national trend of school refusal and related matters”, which was tabled in August 2023.

A national Lonergan poll commissioned by the Greens found that two in five families experienced what advocates prefer to call “school can’t” in the last 12 months.

Greens spokesperson on Primary & Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Parents, carers and advocates have been crying out for help and action on school can’t for years, but those cries have fallen on deaf ears.

“This is a national issue that requires a national response and Labor has thrown it in the too-hard basket.

“The inquiry’s report recommended a range of very basic measures to begin to address this issue and provide much-needed assistance to families in crisis – including developing a national action plan and providing funding for a peer support group – but Labor’s response will leave those families without much hope.

“School can’t is a crisis of exclusion. Students are being forced out of rigid, commodified and under-resourced educational systems that are not fit to meet their complex needs.

“Families experiencing school can’t aren’t able to access appropriate support for their children or themselves, and their physical health, mental health and financial well-being suffer as a result.

“The next Education Ministers Meeting must put this issue squarely at the top of the agenda.”

LABOR’S COAL AND GAS ADDICTION IS HOLDING CQ BACK

The Greens say that Labor must stop approving new coal and gas projects that divert critical skilled workers away from new industries, if regions like Central Queensland are to reap the benefits of the energy transition.

Labor yesterday unveiled its new plan for direct public support to speed up the energy transition. While legislation has not yet been circulated, the Greens have typically been in the Senate balance of power on similar bills before this Parliament.

Gladstone-based Greens spokesperson on Transition & Regional Development Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“When it comes to climate, Labor is speaking out of both sides of its mouth.

“They need to pick a lane. We can have an Australia powered by wind and solar and all the green jobs that creates, or a dirty coal- and gas-powered future that threatens us all.

“Skilled workforce shortages mean that we can’t choose both coal and gas and clean green jobs, and if Labor tries to do both, we’ll miss the green jobs boom and make the climate crisis worse.

“Public investment in renewables is a must. Leaving our energy and industrial future up to unaccountable mega corporations is precisely why we’re facing a global climate crisis.

“Many industrial centres, like my home of Gladstone, bear the scars of multiple boom-and-bust cycles caused by corporations chasing profits with no regard for the shattered communities they leave in their wake.

“That’s why the renewable transition needs to be government-led, with full and transparent community engagement, including the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners, and protections for workers.

“Communities like Gladstone know that coal and gas are on the way out, and thousands of workers stand ready to embrace the opportunities presented by the transition.

“Labor’s support for coal and gas is holding them back.”

Albanese lets the cement dry on Labor’s housing crisis

Australians already know the Albanese government will fall far short of its promise to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years, and new ABS data released today has cemented this, revealing approvals for the construction of new dwellings dropped to a twelve-year-low in February.

Labor’s housing crisis is just getting worse. With 20,000 homes required per month to meet the 1.2 million homes promise, it’s clear the 12,520 construction approvals confirmed for February just won’t cut it.

There is already so much evidence that Labor will not meet its 1.2 million homes promise by a mile, with an estimated shortfall of more than 400,000 dwellings, yet the Prime Minister continues to blatantly lie to Australians.

With first-home buyers at their lowest levels in over a decade, rents up by 26 per cent since Labor came to office, an extra $2,000 per month on an average mortgage, and now, overseas arrivals running at four times the pace of new home builds – Australians are being locked out of the housing market.

The Prime Minister must now wave the white flag and admit he’s broken another election promise and given up on home ownership.