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Green tick for new city budget

City of Newcastle will invest $32 million into sustainable waste measures and deliver major infrastructure projects, cultural facilities and workforce development under a new budget adopted by Council tonight.
Delivering a $12 million surplus, the $297 million City budget features a strong focus on environmental outcomes via a $12.35 million organics recycling facility that will divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill and save ratepayers an estimated $5.5m in state levies over the next six years.
The 2019-20 budget also sees the City ‘balancing the books’ by not relying on reserve funds for any services or works projects, as adequate revenue is generated.
“The adoption of tonight’s budget formalises a sustainable financial blueprint for the next 12 months and beyond,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It offers significant investment in major sustainability projects, while still delivering essential projects and services that the community expects from local government.
“Forty per cent of our $81 million works budget is committed to environmental initiatives, including new waste facilities, improvements to recreational parks and continued coastal revitalisation.
“Our budget includes a $32 million investment in the expansion of the Summerhill Waste Management Centre, including the organics facility and a $6 million resource recovery centre which allow the City to generate new income from the sale of organic and other recycled materials.”
Other highlights of the newly adopted budget include:

$21.6 million investment in City parks and recreation,
$14.8 million on cultural facilities ($2.3 million on Newcastle Art Gallery, $2.3 million on Newcastle Museum, $8 million on Civic Theatre)
$13.8 million on road infrastructures projects; and
$10 million in library services and upgrades
$5 million towards replacing outdated fleet
$2.5 million on graduate apprentice and trainee recruitment.
$2 million on Smart City projects
$1.5 million towards improving development application processing

The Lord Mayor said the 2019-20 budget was a strong indicator of the City’s sound financial position.
“Financial sustainability is one of the foundations of good government and this budget will guide our revenue and expenditure balance over the next 12 months to help maintain our strong financial position,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The income and spending outlined in this budget will allow us to deliver the many essential services expected of the city as well as helping to deliver improvements to many areas of business.
“Delivering a surplus that equates to 3.9 per cent of our forecast income of $309 million ensures that we have the required financial flexibility to address unforeseen events, such as natural disasters.
Twenty-four submissions were made on 32 different matters in the draft 2019-20 Our Budget and draft 2019-20 Fees and Charges Register.

Council Update Tuesday 25 June 2019

Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 28 May 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
A LMM calling for the development of a Social Infrastructure Strategy – to fund, plan and deliver important social services that will help meet the needs of City of Newcastle’s increasing and diverse population – was supported by Council.
A LMM requesting the City write to NSW Government ministers regarding their policy on offshore sand extraction for the purposes of beach replenishment and nourishment – amid ongoing erosion at Stockton Beach – was supported by Council.
Ordinary Business
Adoption of 2019/20 Our Budget
Council resolved to adopt the 2019-20 Our Budget and 2019-20 Fees and Charges register.
Making of the Rates and Charges for 2019/20
Council resolved to adopt the 2019-20 rates and charges as displayed in full in the final 2019-20 Our Budget.
Interest on Overdue Rates and Charges 2019/20
Council voted to apply the full rate of 7.5 per cent interest a year on overdue rates and charges. Councillors also voted to adopt a 3.09 per cent fixed rate of interest on overdue rates and charges that are deferred against an eligible ratepayer’s estate for 2019/20.
Making of the Rate – Hunter Catchment Contribution and Commission for the year commencing 1 July 2019
Council voted to take a five per cent commission on levies collected from landowners on behalf of Hunter Local Land Services. The levy, known as the Hunter Contribution Catchment rate, is compulsory for relevant properties with a land value greater than $300.
Adoption of the Code of Conduct and its associated procedures
Council endorsed the 2019-20 Code of Conduct for Councillors, staff and volunteers, which was part of NSW Government reforms to consolidate all ethical standards for local government.
Adoption of Compliance and Enforcement Policy
Council endorsed the new Compliance and Enforcement Policy which provides information to all internal and external stakeholders and interested parties about the City’s position on compliance and enforcement matters.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council received the Executive Monthly Performance report for May.
Notice of Motions
Phase out of Glyphosate
Councillors supported a NOM to begin phasing out the use of the product Roundup because of its use of Glyphosate and instead to use alternative products where possible.
DA Committee
2 Parnell Place, Newcastle east – Alterations and Additions to Dwelling
A Development Application seeking consent for construction of a chimney, indoor garden and internal lift at 2 Parnell Place, Newcastle East, was approved by councillors.
70 and 72 Blue Gum Road, Jesmond – Modification to Multiple Dwelling Housing (42 dwellings)
An application to change the use of an already-approved development at 70-72 Blue Gum Road, Jesmond, from serviced apartments to dwellings, increase the number of dwellings from 36-42 and modify the development’s dimensions, was supported by councillors.

Statement on lease to male-only tennis club

City of Newcastle has written to Adamstown Rosebud Tennis Club advising that it will not consider renewing a licence to use the courts at Adamstown Park until the Club’s constitution is changed to allow women members.
The City determined late last year that the Tennis Club, as manager of the public courts, had been indirectly discriminating against women under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 NSW by providing its all-male membership with a discounted hiring fee, and refusing to extend the discount to anyone else.
This unfair arrangement, also a breach of the 2018/19 licence agreement, was brought to the City’s attention by one of Newcastle’s top tennis players, Emma Pollock, in a letter to Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, after Emma had been refused membership on account of not being a man.
Earlier this year the Club changed its pricing structure, in response to subsequent approaches by the City, to extend the discount to casual users of the courts.
But its refusal to date to amend its constitution to allow women to become members is considered unacceptable by the City of Newcastle on the basis that the facilities are public assets.
Below: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Emma Pollock

Accordingly, in a letter to the Club Friday, we wrote:
“It has been brought to the attention of the City of Newcastle that the tennis club’s constitution only allows for male members and precludes female members. This is not acceptable as it does not accord with the values of equity and non-discrimination which CN promotes internally and in the community.
“The purpose of this letter is to notify the tennis club that City of Newcastle will not consider offering a further Facility Licence and Management Agreement commencing on 1 July 2019, or thereafter, unless and until the tennis club amends its constitution to provide women members with the same status, rights and obligations.”
From Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes:
“I have been supporting Emma Pollock to seek a fair resolution. There is no place in our city for this type of discrimination. We are committed to addressing inequality and creating a caring and inclusive community. This includes making our city’s assets available for the enjoyment of everyone.”
From Emma Pollock:
“Late last year I became aware that I was unable to become a member of Rosebuds Tennis Association because their club’s constitution only allowed men to join. It was also brought to my attention that club members receive a heavily discounted membership rate that females would never be able to access. As a local tennis player and qualified coach, I am passionate about increasing participation in the sport and ensuring equal opportunities for all players. As such, I was extremely disappointed that this blatant gender inequality still exists in this day and age.
I reached out to the Newcastle City Council who have played an integral role in addressing the issue, communicating with Adamstown Rosebuds Tennis Association and supporting gender equality.
Tennis is a lifelong sport and should be made available to those who want to support and be part of their local club regardless of gender, age and skill level. I hope that bringing this issue to the public’s attention will encourage all sporting clubs across Australia to support fairness and gender equality.”

Aggravated break and enter – Thornton

Police are appealing for information after an aggravated break and enter in the state’s Hunter region overnight.
About 6pm yesterday (Monday 24 June 2019), a 28-year-old man was inside his home on Railway Avenue, Thornton when he heard a noise.
The man, who is legally blind, noticed an unknown man standing in the hallway before the offender pushed him into a wall and fled the scene.
Nothing was taken from the home and the man wasn’t injured.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cms tall, with a medium build and wearing a black hooded jacket.
Police are now urging anyone with information or who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area around this time to come forward.

Fifth person charged with drug supply offences – Newcastle

A fifth person has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into drug supply in the Newcastle area.
In February 2019, detectives from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Toocooya to investigate the supply of heroin in the Newcastle area.
To date, four people have been charged with more than 400 offences as part of Strike Force Toocooya, they remain before the courts.
Following inquiries by Strike Force detectives, about 9.20am yesterday (Monday 24 June 2019), detectives from Newcastle City Police District attended a home on Gould Road, Eagle Vale where they spoke to a 40-year-old man.
He was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
He was charged with supply prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity (x3), supply prohibited drugs on ongoing basis and supply prohibited drugs greater than commercial quantity.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 21 August 2019.

Police seek assistance to locate missing man – Maitland

Police are renewing their appeal for public assistance to help locate a man who went missing from the Maitland area yesterday.
Michael McGarity, aged 61, was last seen leaving Maitland Hospital about 1.30am yesterday (Monday 24 June 2019).
He has walked out of the hospital and was seen heading towards Telarah.
Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to medical reasons.
Today, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted an extensive land search around the Telarah and Maitland areas, with the assistance of the NSW Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue, PolAir and police trail bikes.
Mr McGarity is known to frequent the Newcastle and North Rothbury areas.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his left lower arm ‘TY’.
He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket and white T-shirt with grey jeans and navy-blue shoes.
Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police investigate fatal house fire – Singleton

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal house fire at Singleton overnight.
About 3.30am (Wednesday 26 June 2019), officers from Hunter Valley Police District were called to Brittliffe Close, after reports a house was well alight.
Officers from Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the house was destroyed.
An 11-year-old boy was located deceased inside the home.
NSW Ambulance paramedics transported a 31-year-old woman, and three young girls to Singleton Hospital.
Two girls, aged five, were pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
The woman and an eight-year-old girl were transferred to John Hunter Hospital where they remain in a stable condition.
Police and fire investigators will examine the home to identify where and how the fire started.
An investigation has been commenced and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Emergency services have praised the efforts of neighbours who came to the family’s aid.

LITERACY, NUMERACY STANDARDS TO BE LIFTED UNDER NEW PREMIER’S PRIORITY

The NSW Government will redouble its efforts to lift literacy and numeracy standards across NSW public schools to ensure students are given every opportunity to be their best.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian was at Panania Public School on Monday to unveil a new Premier’s Priority which aims to increase the number of public school students in the top two NAPLAN, or equivalent, bands for literacy and numeracy by 15 per cent by 2023.
Under the new Priority, an additional 18,700 students will improve their literacy skills and 13,500 students will boost their numeracy skills across NSW.
Ms Berejiklian said it was an ambitious target but one the NSW Government is confident will be achieved.
“We successfully achieved the 2015 Premier Priority of increasing the number of students in the top two NAPLAN bands by eight per cent by 2019 and now we have set the bar even higher,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are unashamedly for lifting standards in our schools and unlocking the massive potential of our young people.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell confirmed that the Government’s Bump It Up program, which identifies schools that have the greatest potential to lift their students’ performance in literacy and numeracy, will be extended to all schools across the State.
“Since introducing the 2015 Premier’s Priority, around 20,000 students achieved results in the top two NAPLAN bands for literacy and numeracy in the last year alone,” Ms Mitchell said.
“By 2023, we expect to see significant, tangible improvement in literacy and numeracy, right across the State.”
Panania Public School has participated in Bump It Up since 2016. The school now has 130 students sitting NAPLAN each year, with around 20 additional students in the top two bands of NAPLAN in 2018.
Ms Berejiklian will reveal her full Premier’s Priorities later this week.

City backs diverse events calendar

A historic rugby Test, an eclectic music festival and a legendary bikers’ charity ride are among a range of the events to be staged in Newcastle over the next 12 months with $180,000 funding support from the City.
The Wallaroos rugby team, which will play Japan at No.2 Sportsground in the national women’s first standalone match on Saturday 13 July, was among 17 recipients officially congratulated today for gaining support under City of Newcastle’s 2019/20 Event Sponsorship Program (ESP).
All successful ESP recipients at City Hall this morning

Newcastle Pride Festival celebrates sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter
“I want to congratulate all of our successful events,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at this morning’s presentation at City Hall.
“The quality and variety of this year’s applications was remarkable. I’m always impressed by the many fantastic events showcasing our city, big and small, and both new and well established.
“Over the next 12 months, we will welcome a range of major events kicking off with a celebration of women’s sport when we host the Wallaroos and Japan at No.2, which will hopefully be the first of annual Wallaroos fixtures here.
“It will be followed by the Newcastle Music Festival and Newcastle Pride festivals in August, with funding for both building on the back of their previous successes.”
Angus and Max Owens will ride in the King of Concrete event in December
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy accepting Rugby Australia’s cheque from Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy, a former sevens rugby specialist who was selected for next months’ Test on Friday, was all smiles collecting a $20,000 cheque on behalf of her teammates.
“It’s a great thrill to be in Newcastle to receive the funding from the City to raise the profile of women’s rugby here,” Murphy said, “and an even bigger thrill knowing I’ll be coming back in three weeks’ time to play a Test.”
ESP support was also extended to major cultural and charitable events.
More than 350 performers will play 34 gigs next month at multiple venues across the city as part of the fourth, annual Newcastle Music Festival, which received $10,000.
Darren Young and Stephen Meeks representing Newcastle Bikers for Kids, which is in its 40th year of service
The same figure will aid the 40^th return of the Newcastle Bikers for Kids convoy, which sees toy-toting motorcyclists snake their way from Stockton to Wickham, in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal on 1 December.
Other ESP recipients to benefit from the $180,000 in funding include:

Jets W-League side – Newcastle’s colourful tourism logo will be emblazoned across the team’s jerseys for prospective visitors to see on TV and live at stadia in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney ($20,000)
Newcastle Harbour Water Polo Festival – Three-day water polo event at Queens Wharf with men’s and women’s internationals between Australia and visiting Croatian and Hungarian teams 13-15 December 2019 ($20,000)
Oceania Para Triathlon – Olympic-selection paratriathlon and triathlons for the general public and corporate teams on Australia Day 2020 ($15,000)
Port to Port Mountain Bike Race – Four-day stage race attracting national and international riders from 21-24 May 2020 ($15,000)
Australian Bowl-riding Championships – National skateboard competition at Empire Park from 7-9 February 2020 (15,000)
Celebration of Cricket – Major junior cricket carnival in January 2019 ($10,000)
New Run – The popular festival, which offers runners a choice of marathon, 10km, 5km and 2kms, returns for the 14^th consecutive year 5 April 2019 ($10,000)
Combined Schools ANZAC Service – A nationally unique combined-schools event to commemorating the ANZAC spirit on 10 April 2020 ($8,500)
Australia Day Cross Harbour Swim – classic event that sees locals roll the arms over during a pause in shipping ($6,000)
Water Industry Operators Conference – 600 delegates will converge on Newcastle for the NSW water industry’s annual conference 4 April 2020 ($5,000)
King of Concrete – a state and national level bowl-riding competition at Empire Park on 7 December 2019 ($5,000)
Newcastle Pride Festival – Celebration of sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter from August 17-26 2019 ($4,500)
Unity in Diversity – annual festival last weekend in Hamilton celebrating Newcastle’s cultural diversity and spirit of inclusion ($3,000)
CN T20 Summer Bash – Elite T20 cricket competition at No.2 Sportsground from 15-23 February 2020 ($2,500)

More than 75,000 veterans using DVA online services

More than 75,000 veterans are now accessing assistance through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) online claiming platform, MyService.
The Department is currently undergoing the most significant reform in its history, to ensure veterans and their families have faster and easier access to the services they need, when they need them.
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester, said the Department’s transformation and initiatives like MyService are delivering real benefits for veterans and their families by reducing the red tape and making the claiming process simpler.
“MyService is a great example of how this Government is putting veterans and their families first, and moving forward to ensure they can access the support they need, with less paperwork and faster processing,” Mr Chester said.
“Moving to an online platform has allowed veterans to submit claims by answering as few as three to seven questions, compared to the 40 questions on some paper forms. In some cases, claims for common conditions are being approved almost instantly.
“The number of people using MyService continues to grow as more services become available on the platform. MyService now has more than 75,000 users managing their business with DVA online, who have submitted nearly 50,000 claims.
“Claims for treatment for mental health conditions are among those that are available for immediate approval.
“The Department is working closely with the veteran community to ensure that veterans and their families can connect with DVA and access services and support when, where and how they want.
“Significant improvements to the Department’s telephone system and face-to-face services have also been vital to support a holistic approach in delivering services to veterans and their families.
“The Government is committed to ensuring DVA continues to improve to better serve our veterans and their families. We are focused on putting veterans and their families first and have provided funding through to 2021 for the transformation program.”
To sign up to MyService visit the MyService website.