If the NSW Government was serious about preventing “Fish Armageddon” this summer, it would secure water supply for native fish so they don’t need rescuing in the first place, Greens water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The NSW Government’s refusal to accept the findings of the Natural Resources Commission is outrageous. The findings show over-allocation of water in favour of up-stream corporate irrigators pushed the river system into severe drought three years earlier than it would have, leading to the fish kills in the Menindee Lakes and Darling River.
“They’ve had more than six months since those devastating fish kills to stop over extraction and lift the freeze on buying back environmental water so native fish can get the water they need to survive.
“Instead, they plan to rescue dying fish from the river when the heat sets in and the water stops flowing, which does nothing to prevent future fish kills.
“It’s time the NSW Government stopped working in favour of big corporate irrigators and started acting in the best interests of family farmers, river communities, the environment and native fish.
“Water must be returned to the River and we must have a Royal Commission to fix the management of the Murray Darling Basin before it is too late.”
Author: admin
History repeating: Morrison Govt again trying to hide truth on Great Barrier Reef
The Federal Government must accept the science pointing to the need for drastic emissions reduction to protect the Great Barrier Reef and actually take the necessary action instead of wasting time trying to influence UNESCO’s climate change policy, the Greens say.
“This looks a lot like history repeating itself when it comes to the in-danger listing of the Reef by the World Heritage Committee,” Greens Environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Australia has form when it comes to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying UNESCO to influence its decision making on the Reef so it can push ahead with climate-destroying projects like Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.
“If the Reef is to survive, the Morrison Government must accept climate change is the Reef’s greatest threat and they must stop stalling on meaningful action to drastically reduce emissions.”
Greens Oceans spokesperson and chair of the Senate Inquiry into the $444m grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said, “Australians are custodians of this international icon for the whole world”.
“We know climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Yet our emissions have been rising under the Morrison Government, and we are pushing on with massive new coal mines that will export global warming to the world,” Senator Whish-Wilson said.
“Our role as both custodian of this treasure and coal-plugger is a shameful conflict of interest that this government has gone to great lengths to hide and spin their way out of.
“As chair of the Senate inquiry into the $444m grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, I discovered the main motivation for this grant was to avoid an ‘in danger listing’, to avoid telling the truth about the tenuous future for the reef, and for more spin and greenwash to hide this government’s shameful record on climate action.
“Scott Morrison shouldn’t be trying to hide the truth, which is as plain as daylight: the GBR is ‘in danger’ whichever way you look at it, and the actions of his government have played a role in the unfolding tragedy we are seeing on this massive ecosystem visible from space.”
Ward boundaries under review
Under the NSW Local Government Act 1993, the City of Newcastle is required to review the distribution of voters across its Local Government Area Wards, and residents are now invited to have their say on proposed changes prior to next year’s Council elections.
Currently, the City of Newcastle has four wards, which each elect three Councillors, plus a popularly elected Lord Mayor, resulting in 13 Councillors.
Under the Local Government Act 1993, the total number of electors in each ward must not vary by more than 10 per cent with another ward.
Significant population growth across Newcastle means several wards no longer meet this threshold.
Councillors voted on Tuesday to place the proposed ward boundary plan on public exhibition for a 42-day period, with a further report to be prepared for the council following the consultation period.
Acting CEO Ken Liddell said extensive planning has gone into the proposed changes.
“When the boundaries of the four wards were drawn up around 25 years ago, the City of Newcastle was a very different place,” he said.
“Since that time, and especially following the last Local Government Election in September 2017, a significant level of development has taken place across the LGA.
“This has led to variation in voter numbers between the wards, which must be amended before the NSW Electoral Commission’s deadline of December this year.
“The process of redistributing voters is not a simple one, with a range of factors that need to be considered including natural boundaries, suburb boundaries, Census districts and future growth projections.
“We are confident the proposed changes represent the best way forward to rectify this situation, and will also ensure this process does not have to be repeated in the short term.”
Under the proposed redistribution, several whole or part suburbs will be moved into different wards in order to comply with the ward variation requirement. These changes will only be relevant when voting in City of Newcastle local government elections.
The proposed ward boundary map is now on public exhibition. A Community Discussion Paper has been developed to help community members better understand the review and any impacts of the proposed changes.
Both documents can be found on the City of Newcastle website, with hard copies also available from the Council Administration Centre and the city’s network of libraries. Submissions close at midnight on Thursday 10 October 2019.
Police appeal following carjacking and collisions – Highfields
Police are appealing for public assistance following a carjacking near Newcastle yesterday.
About 5pm Thursday (29 August 2019), a man was driving his Mazda 3 sedan in a southerly direction on the Pacific Highway, Highfields, when another man entered the car via the passenger door.
It is alleged the man demanded the driver, aged 89, give him his keys before the driver entered a service station and parked the vehicle.
The man then allegedly forcibly removed the 89-year-old from the vehicle and grabbed the keys before driving away on the Pacific Highway at speed.
Shortly after, a Mazda 3 was observed being driven erratically along Lexington Parade, Kotara, outside a shopping centre.
The car allegedly collided with five vehicles between Lexington Parade and Park Avenue.
The Mazda 3 was again sighted driving down Howe Street, Lambton, before crashing into an unattended parked vehicle and a second car waiting at the traffic lights near the intersection of Hobart Street.
Following the collisions, the man fled from the Mazda 3 on foot across Lambton Park and was later observed running through properties on Karoola and Fitzroy roads.
The man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged in his 30s, with a solid build. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded jumper and a white baseball cap.
The owner of the vehicle was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries including an abrasion and bruising.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have dashcam vision or any further information about the whereabouts of the men to come forward.
Green light for funding policy
Funding for projects to boost local business precincts is one step closer following the adoption of the Special Business Rate (SBR) Expenditure Policy.
Councillors voted last night to approve the new framework, which will guide the development of projects and events in the City Centre, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.
City of Newcastle Director Strategy and Engagement Brett Smith said the policy will pave the way for new activations to draw more people into local business areas.
“Newcastle is fortunate to have a range of unique business districts, each with its own special character and attractions,” he said. “This policy will help businesses harness the potential of their local precinct and promote its appeal to a wider visitor audience.”
Forty-six applications were received as part of the initial expression of interest (EOI), which invited businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups to apply for a share of $900,000 in funding.
A panel consistent with City of Newcastle’s current Economic Development grant panel, with the addition of an independent business representative, will assess applications against a range of eligibility criteria, including a requirement to demonstrate how the project will benefit businesses within the SBR precinct.
This process is expected to be completed by the end of September, followed by an announcement of the successful projects from this initial round of applications.
Funding of up to $500,000 for a single project or event in the Newcastle CBD is possible under the new program, with smaller grants of up to $15,000 available in Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton. Funds must be used for the promotion, beautification and development of the business precincts.
A second EOI will be held before the end of the year for the three smaller business precincts, with the aim of generating additional grassroots projects for further consideration.
To increase awareness of the program and provide support to applicants, City of Newcastle staff will host a series of information sessions across Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.
The SBR Expenditure Policy was placed on public exhibition for a three-week period and feedback received from the community was carefully considered before the policy went before councillors last night.
This included amending the draft policy to clearly reflect the legislative requirement that SBR funds are to be spent within the precinct from which they are collected.
The SBR Policy also guides the allocation of funding to the relevant Business Improvement Associations (BIAs). In response to independent recommendations to improve the use of SBR funds, local agency Purser Corporate Communication has been engaged to provide a range of support services to the BIAs.
Purser Managing Director Meg Purser said that the new BIA model provided opportunity for businesses to support growth and economic opportunity across the city.
“The revised BIA structure has been designed to enable a panel of business people to develop and manage promotional and marketing strategies, as well as beautification projects that enhance their precinct, attract business and encourage visitation,” she said.
FIRST DAYTIME LIGHT RAIL TEST TO CIRCULAR QUAY
Testing of light rail vehicles along George Street is now in full swing, with the first tram travelling the length of the street from Central Station to Circular Quay in daylight hours.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance boarded the first tram to make the journey during the day and travelled from the Martin Place stop to the end of the line at Circular Quay.
“This is an exciting day for Sydney with light rail vehicles making their way down the revitalised George Street,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is just the start of daytime testing along the length of the line and we can expect to see a lot more of it ahead of customer services starting before the end of the year.
“The new network will move up to 13,500 commuters an hour during peak time, replacing the conga line of buses which used to sit in traffic on George Street.”
Mr Constance again reminded the community to be aware of the changed environment in the area as tram testing becomes more frequent.
“Now trams are in the busy CBD day and night everyone needs to be aware, remove your headphones, get off your phone and remember to look both ways before crossing the road”, Mr Constance said.
“We’re now on the home stretch of this project and in December, Sydney residents and its visitors will benefit from a better connected city and a transformed boulevard.”
New trams hold up to up to 450 passengers, equivalent of up to nine standard buses. This means the new light rail network will have the initial capacity to move up to 13,500 commuters per hour during peak times (7am – 7pm).
Police appeal following fatal motorbike crash – M1 near Newcastle
Police are appealing for information to identify a motorbike rider after a fatal crash on the M1 at Killingworth, about 25km west of Newcastle this morning.
Police have been told that about 1.05am (Wednesday 28 August 2019), two motorbikes were travelling south on the M1 Motorway when one rider came off his Kawasaki Ninja, before he was hit by a car also travelling south after coming to a stop in the roadway.
The car’s driver – a 25-year-old woman – contacted emergency services, before she was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
The rider was unable to be revived and died at the scene. He is yet to be identified.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended the scene of the crash, and inquires are now being conducted by Newcastle Crash Investigation.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have been driving along the M1 around the time of the incident and witnessed or captured dashcam footage of the motorbikes to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Police would particularly like to speak with the rider who was riding with the deceased man.
Council Update – Tuesday 27 August
Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 27 August 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Revocation of Freeman of the City and Citizen of the Year awarded to Graeme Lawrence
A Lord Mayoral Minute to formally revoke the 2004 Citizen of the Year accolade and the Freeman of the City award on Graeme Lawrence was endorsed at tonight’s council meeting.
City of Newcastle Organics Recycling
A Lord Mayoral Minute requesting City of Newcastle explores opportunities to promote organic waste recycling within the community, was supported.
Population projections for the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area
A third Lord Mayoral Minute requesting the City write to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces asking for a review of the population projections for the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area, to ensure that appropriate planning is undertaken for service and infrastructure delivery for the community, was supported.
Infrastructure Priority List 2020 update
Lastly, councillors supported a fourth Lord Mayoral Minute requesting City of Newcastle prepares a submission for consideration for the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List publication, outlining projects of significance to the City of Newcastle, and the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (as outlined in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036).
Ordinary business
Ward Boundary amendments on public exhibition
Councillors voted to place the proposed ward boundary map on public exhibition for a 42-day period, with a further report to be prepared for the council following the consultation period.
Newcastle Writers Festival sponsorship
Councillors approved a three-year sponsorship deal for the Newcastle Writers Festival (NWF). Annual contributions of $40,000 will also go towards the delivery of the festival, which will result in almost all of the NWF events being staged within the City’s cultural facilities.
Adoption of Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy
Councillors voted to approve the new SBR framework, which will guide the development of projects and events in the City Centre, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.
Electricity Tender
City of Newcastle will set its sights on a 100 per cent renewable energy target after councillors endorsed a report tonight to tender for a new electricity contract.
ANZAC Day Sponsorship
An annual contribution of $75,000 will go towards City of Newcastle Returned Services League (RSL) Sub-branch to deliver the region’s major ANZAC Day commemorative events. The funds will be used to support the delivery of the Dawn Service at Camp Shortland, Newcastle East, the ANZAC Day March, Newcastle; and the United Service of Remembrance at Civic Park, Newcastle, for the next three years.
Notices of Motion
Outdoor Dining Policy
City staff will investigate opportunities to waive the application fees paid to the City by outdoor dining traders. A report will be prepared for the Council in response to the NOM that reiterated support for changes to the State Government’s Outdoor Dining Policy, which aims to streamline and simplify outdoor dining approvals, cut red tape for small business and local Councils.
Youth Mock Council
A motion congratulating the work of the Newcastle Youth Council on the Youth Mock Council held in May 2019, was supported. The Youth Mock Council, comprising of people aged 15 to 25-years-old, aims to provide strategic advice on issues relevant to young people to the Council.
Sexism and homophobia
A procedural motion to lay a Notice of Motion regarding sexism and homophobia on the table until the next council meeting, was supported.
Inner-city and Newcastle East cycleway
A NOM requesting the City undertake a detailed investigation, planning and design process to identify an appropriate route from the Hunter/Union Streets intersection to Newcastle East for the construction of a separated cycleway, was supported.
City sets sights on 100% renewable electricity target
A plan to source 100 per cent of City of Newcastle’s power from renewable generation could save ratepayers millions in energy costs over the next 25 years, a feasibility study has found.
The study, commissioned by the City following a Council resolution in April indicates cost savings of between $3.8 million and $4.8 million to ratepayers by sourcing power either directly, or via a retailer, from renewable sources.
The Council report also reveals widespread community support for a potential move to 100 per cent renewables following a survey of almost 1,000 Novocastrians.
With the City’s current electricity contracts due to expire on 31 December, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was the right time for the City to implement more sustainable, cost-efficient and eco-friendly forms of electricity generation from 2020 and beyond.
“It’s City of Newcastle’s aim to be a leader in renewable energy as part of our strategy to be a global smart city,” the Lord Mayor said
“Around 70 per cent of the respondents to our Winter Community Survey supported the City moving towards a 100 per cent renewable energy target, which sends us a strong message.
“The survey also identified increasing the use of renewable energy as one of the community’s highest ranked measures to reduce impacts on the environment.
“Our City is well positioned to take the next step towards achieving a 100 per cent renewable electricity target and we are already using half a megawatt of solar to power ten of our sites, including the Newcastle Museum.
“There’s an additional five megawatt of renewable energy generation that will soon be available via the Summerhill Waste Management Centre solar farm.
“Combined, this will provide for between 50-65 per cent of the City’s renewable electricity supply, which puts us on track to meet the 100 per cent goal we’re aiming towards.
“While it will be sometime before the national electricity grid fully transitions to 100 per cent renewable energy, the City will be looking to purchase enough renewable electricity to meet 100 per cent of its operational electricity requirements.”
As part of City of Newcastle’s operational activities, contracts for the supply of electricity for large sites, street lighting and small sites expire on 31 December 2019 and the recommendation proposed is that the City enter into a long-term agreement that provides for 100 per cent renewable electricity supply.
If adopted, City of Newcastle would follow the lead of other Australian organisations that have moved to 100 per cent renewable electricity supply including the University of Newcastle, University of NSW, CBA, Westpac, Monash University, Melbourne University, and also City of Sydney which is currently out to market.
Woman arrested following stabbing incident – Port Stephens – Hunter Region
A woman has been arrested and taken to hospital following an incident at Salamander Bay in the states Hunter Region today.
About 5.40pm (Tuesday 27 August 2019), a 26-year-old woman – who was allegedly armed with a knife – was walking along Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay with her 5-year-old daughter.
Near the intersection of Scott Circuit, the woman got into the back-seat of a car that was stopped and occupied by a man and his 15-year-old daughter.
The woman allegedly stabbed the man with the knife – that was covered by a protective sheath – causing minor lacerations to his shoulder.
The woman got out of the car and walked with her child towards the shopping precinct where she entered a supermarket. A number of staff and customers at the store ran outside and locked the doors while calling police.
The woman caused minor cuts and abrasions to a number of customers inside the store with the sheath-covered-knife before turning it on her child causing lacerations to her head.
Police arrived and arrested the woman without incident. She was taken to Mater Hospital under police guard where she is being treated for lacerations to her fingers and head and will undergo a mental health assessment.
Her daughter was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is being treated for lacerations to her scalp which are considered non-life-threatening.
Three men attended a local clinic for superficial injuries.
Investigations continue.