MEETING OF THE CITY TASKFORCE
The City Taskforce, a collaboration of 17 leading organisations and employers, chaired by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes City of Newcastle, held its fourth meeting today via Zoom. The Taskforce was formed to develop a collaborative approach to the City’s response to COVID-19, from crisis to recovery and beyond. City leaders focused their discussion on the first edition of The Newcastle Response, which highlights the challenges facing the community sector, as well as the forecasted impacts of the end of Government supplements, such as JobSeeker and JobKeeper, legislated to 27 September 2020. The Taskforce was also briefed on the Affected Industries Roundtable, facilitated by City of Newcastle on 4 June 2020, at which representatives from industries such as retail and hospitality, tourism, live music and arts and culture shared their experiences and local insights.
The Newcastle Response – Community Sector
City leaders endorsed the first Newcastle Response, forging their support as joint signatories to this powerful advocacy framework. The document presents case studies of the hardship and disadvantage Novocastrians have faced as a result of COVID-19, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and temporary visa holders, with many turning to emergency relief services for the first time during the COVID-19 crisis. The community sector is bracing for further demand if Federal Government social security payments fall back to an inadequate level. The Newcastle Response calls upon State and Federal decision-makers, to whom it is addressed, to develop policy measures that support the financial sustainability of the community sector and establish dedicated engagement with First Nations and disability organisations.
In addition to The Newcastle Response being circulated to State and Federal decision-makers, Director Regional NSW, Ms Alison McGaffin, will act as a conduit between the City Taskforce and State Government Taskforces to facilitate discussions and form recommendations.
Future issues of The Newcastle Response will cover the tourism sector, affordable housing, arts sector, mental health and international student advocacy. An immediate need to support the containerisation work of the Port, and its subsequent impact on other sectors across the city, was also identified.
Affected Industries Roundtable
Among the industries that participated in City of Newcastle’s Affected Industries Roundtable, including retail and hospitality, hotels, live music, tourism, arts and culture, and Business Improvement Associations, there was a strong appetite to use the City Taskforce’s joint advocacy as a springboard for collaboration and policy action.
City leaders heard how these industries expressed concerns for what lay beyond September, when support measures end. For example, licensed venues, if still unable to operate at full capacity by then, anticipate a second jobs crisis, which would have a flow-on effect to local supply chains. With the retail and hospitality industry being a large employer of young people in the region, and the youth unemployment rate for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie climbing to 18.7% as a direct result of the pandemic, this has the potential to impact young workers at the start of their careers for years to come.
Industry Response Program
City leaders received an update on City of Newcastle’s Industry Response Program, which opened today. Expressions of interest are being sought from industry groups, businesses, community organisations and collaboratives for funding that will enable city-shaping outcomes that target the hardest-hit industries and population groups.
The University of Newcastle and the Hunter Business Chamber, both of which have representatives on the City Taskforce in Professor Alex Zelinsky and Mr Bob Hawes, have volunteered to sit on the Assessment Panel.
Infrastructure remains a priority
Infrastructure projects remain a key priority and focus of the Taskforce, not only in terms of job retention, but also job creation. Collective support exists for a large and diverse range of infrastructure projects across the City, as indicated in The Newcastle Response. This includes the Newcastle Airport expansion, complementing the recent announcement of a Special Activation Precinct at Williamtown; Newcastle Art Gallery expansion; as well as the containerisation of the Port of Newcastle to unlock trade and retail opportunities.
Month: June 2020
HUGE NEW JOBS PRECINCT UNLOCKED IN WESTERN SYDNEY
Plans for a major industrial precinct on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney Airport have been approved today by the NSW Government, paving the way for a significant boost to jobs and investment in the region.
Approval of the $2.6 billion Mamre Road Precinct, one of 12 key precincts in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, will unlock 850 hectares of new industrial land and see the creation of new public spaces and conservation areas.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the green light for the Precinct is a significant step forward in securing Western Sydney’s future as a global hub for logistics and advanced manufacturing.
“We’re getting on with the job of building a new city around the airport well before the first plane takes off,” Ms Berejikilian said.
“This land release will provide opportunities for international and domestic businesses to invest in Western Sydney, enabling major warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and circular economy operations to be established.
“It will also bring a huge jobs boost to the region, creating opportunities for more than 5,200 jobs during the construction phase alone.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Mamre Road Precinct will also include 50 hectares of open space, including new cycling and walking paths that will open up previously inaccessible land to the public. A further 70 hectares of conservation land, including the Cumberland Plain Woodland, will also be protected within the Precinct.
“Not only does this rezoning secure much-needed productive industrial land, it also safeguards critical environmental areas and provides some fantastic new public spaces for the future residents of the Western Parkland City,” Mr Stokes said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the rezoning is another milestone in the transformation of the Western Parkland City into a thriving hub, with new jobs, homes, infrastructure and open spaces.
“We already have interested businesses from the transport and logistics, pharmaceutical and data storage industries ready to move into the precinct and capitalise on its future connections to local, regional and overseas markets,” Mr Ayres said.
The first industrial estates for the Mamre Road Precinct are expected to be occupied from mid-2021.
The Mamre Road Precinct was one of 24 projects included in Tranche 2 of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that is fast-tracking planning assessments to keep people in jobs and the economy moving during the COVID-19 crisis. To date, the program has created opportunities for more than 16,400 direct jobs and almost $11 billion worth of economic investment across NSW.
For more information visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/mamreroad
FURTHER RESTRICTIONS TO EASE ON SATURDAY
NSW will ease further restrictions from this Saturday, 13 June, with food courts allowed to reopen, the number of people allowed to visit homes increased from 5 to 20, and the number of people allowed to gather outdoors increased from 10 to 20.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said these changes are another step towards seeing NSW reopen in a COVID-safe way.
“NSW acted quickly to introduce restrictions to tackle the spread of COVID-19 and I am determined for us to move as quickly as possible out of them,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have been a world leader in dealing with COVID-19 and I want us to be an example on how to reopen an economy in a COVID-safe way.
“We will shortly have more to say on easing further restrictions across the state from 1 July, which will keep as many people in jobs as possible.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said every decision the NSW Government is making in relation to easing restrictions is informed by health advice.
“NSW has now gone two full weeks without detecting a single case of recent community transmission of COVID-19 – this is a testament to the hard work of the community,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The cooperation of the public and business, and our high rates of testing, remain our greatest weapons to stamping out community transmission so it’s vital people continue to come forward.”
Food courts must have a COVID safe plan in place when they reopen on Saturday, this will include:
- Abiding by the 4 square metre rule;
- A maximum of 50 people per separate seated eating area; and
- Enhanced hygiene and cleaning processes.
For the latest information please go to nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Woman refuses breath test while attempting to collect girl from school – Port Stephens
A woman who allegedly refused a police breath test has been charged after being arrested while attempting to pick up a young girl from a school in the Port Stephens area.
About 3.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 10 June 2020), a 60-year-old woman driving a Peugeot attended a school in the Port Stephens area to collect a nine-year-old girl who is known to her.
It’s alleged she hit bushes and small trees when parking, before exiting the vehicle to meet the girl.
School staff noticed the woman and attempted to stop her from driving away.
It’s further alleged she became aggressive and verbally abusive towards staff and police were called.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and requested the woman undergo a breath test.
When she allegedly refused, the woman was arrested and while being placed in the police vehicle, she kicked out towards a male senior constable. He was not injured.
The woman was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station, where she refused to submit to a further breath analysis.
She was charged with harass/intimidate school staff member attending school, refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis and assault police.
The Nelson Bay woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 31 August 2020.
Three charged after an investigation into drugs, firearms supply in Newcastle
Three men have been arrested following an investigation into the supply of firearms and drugs in the Newcastle region.
In May 2020, detectives from Newcastle City Police District and the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Bassy to investigate the supply of methamphetamine and firearms in Newcastle.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators and Newcastle City detectives – with the assistance of officers attached to Operation Utah – executed five search warrants in New Lambton, Mayfield, Hamilton and Sandgate from about 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 10 June 2020).
During the search warrants, police seized almost $30,000 cash, cannabis, LSD, MDMA, prescription medication, a laptop, mobile phones and other items.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at a home on Turton Road, New Lambton, and was taken to Waratah Police Station. He was charged with possess unauthorised firearm and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A 49-year-old man was arrested at a unit on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, and was taken to Waratah Police Station. He was charged with possess unauthorised firearm and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A 49-year-old man was arrested at a unit on Carrington Street, Mayfield, and was taken to Newcastle Police Station. He was charged with supply prohibited drug.
All three were refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 11 June 2020).
Newcastle City Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree, said this is a fantastic example of a joint operation between local police and State Crime Command.
“The collaborative effort between our detectives and the Drugs and Firearm Squad has been exceptional – working together to remove a large number of drugs and firearms off the streets.
“These arrests will dismantle some of the local supply chains throughout the Newcastle area.
“Newcastle City officers will continue to target those offenders who are determined to disrupt our community,” Det Supt Greentree said.
Investigations into Strike Force Bassy are continuing with more arrests expected.
Rio Tinto must sack boss and front Environment Committee: Greens
The Australian Greens have called on the chief executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Chris Salisbury, to resign or be sacked over the growing scandal regarding his company’s destruction of the sacred Pilbara site.
The Greens will also move for Rio Tinto and the Federal Environment Minister to be called before the Senate Environment References Committee.
“The mining industry in WA have a long history of disregard of First Nations peoples connection to their sacred sites and land. The Aboriginal Heritage Act in WA is so weak because of the mining industry influence and their agenda of prioritising profit and access to land over all else,” Greens spokesperson on First Nations issues Rachel Siewert said.
“This site was knowingly destroyed and someone must be held accountable. Rio Tinto knew this site was of deep cultural significance and should have been protected, not blown up.
“This time Rio Tinto have been caught out and they will be held accountable.
“This must be the last time this wanton destruction occurs. All laws must be strengthened to ensure this never happens again.
“I am deeply upset for the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people.”
“After this morning’s train wreck of an interview it is clear that Chris Salisbury needs to resign or be sacked,” Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said.
“Rio can not just wash its hands and move on. They can’t walk away from this. Responsibility rests at the top and they need to be held accountable.
“Continuing to obfuscate and pretend they didn’t know what they were doing is just further injury.”
Chair of the Senate Environment References Committee Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Greens will move for Rio Tinto and the Federal Environment Minister to be called before the committee.
“Rio Tinto needs to be held to account for what they have done and the Environment Minister has serious questions to answer about her involvement or lack thereof,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“It seems lots of people knew about this and nobody did anything to stop it.
“More than 40000 years of heritage and history has been destroyed. If it was Stonehenge or the Pyramids there would be global outrage.
“Every Australian should be angry that our nation’s history has been trashed in the name of corporate profit.
“This has happened on Sussan Ley’s watch and if we are going to stop such wanton destruction from happening again we need to know what went so wrong and what changes are needed to the law to make this type of destruction illegal.”
New And Stronger Energy Laws To Put Australian Families And Small Businesses First
The Morrison Government’s new measures to deal with misconduct in the electricity sector and ensure Australian households, businesses and industries get a fair deal on energy are now in force.
For too long, electricity companies have, in the words of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), “played a major role in poor outcomes for consumers”.
To address this, the ‘Big Stick’ legislation which holds the energy companies to account for misconduct comes into effect today, six months after royal assent and will drive down energy prices and strengthen supply.
The ‘Big Stick’ legislation will ensure reductions in wholesale costs are passed on to customers, while penalties will apply for anti-competitive behaviour or moves to manipulate electricity prices.
This new law comes at an important time, with an increased number of households and small businesses experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ACCC will be responsible for enforcing the legislation, and will have a graduated range of penalties at its disposal to punish misconduct ranging from public warnings and court ordered fines.
For the most egregious breaches, the legislation makes available two additional significant remedies:
- Treasurer-issued contracting orders that will require electricity companies to offer electricity financial contracts to third parties; and
- Federal Court ordered divestiture orders relating to misconduct in the wholesale market.
This legislation is part of the Government’s plan to deliver a fairer, more affordable and reliable energy system and a stronger economy for all Australians. This includes:
- Establishing an ongoing ACCC inquiry into the National Electricity Market to 2025.
- Introducing the Government’s Default Market Offer ‘price safety net’, leading to reductions in both standing offers and high-priced market offers for Australian families and small businesses.
- Getting rid of sneaky late payment penalties.
- Extending the Consumer Data Right to energy, to make it easier for consumers to switch energy providers to get a better deal.
- Progressing the Underwriting New Generation Investments program to improve competition and reduce wholesale prices.
- Establishing a new $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund, to support Government investment in new energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure.
More information about the new laws is available at energy.gov.au
READY, SET, GO – ADULT SPORT RECOMMENCES JULY 1
Adult community sport can recommence at the same time as 18 years and under from the start of next month, as the NSW Government lifts more COVID-19 restrictions.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee thanked the community for their patience during the pause on local sports and welcomed its return on July 1.
“Sport is the lifeblood of our community and it gives me great pleasure to say adult sports can return to their competitions at the same time as 18 years and under,” Mr Lee said.
“We have reduced the spread of COVID-19 to the point where further restrictions can be lifted. It is only because communities have followed the strict social distancing guidelines that this announcement is possible.”
Food and drink premises in stadiums can open subject to the same requirements that apply in other food and drink premises and pubs and registered clubs.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said, on the basis of health advice, crowds could not at this point gather in the stands.
“Today’s announcement is about a staged re-opening of the sports economy in a way that minimises the risk to the public. This makes a level playing field for sports stadiums, in line with the clubs and pubs re-opening to patrons,” Mr Hazzard said.
‘‘With no vaccine and no treatment for COVID-19 there is an obligation on all of us to continue to maintain physical distancing and good hand hygiene. The virus has not gone away.”
Stadium operators will be required to:
- Develop and comply with a COVID-19 safety management plan;
- Operate with restricted numbers (One person per four square metres and up to 50 people in each of the existing seated food and drinks areas, whichever is the lesser excluding staff members, on the premises.); and
- Keep contact details of persons entering the premises.
MAJOR BOOST FOR THE SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL NETWORK
Commuters will benefit from a faster travel time and more space on Sydney Light Rail, with more than 810 extra services added to the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.
There are now an additional 518 services a week, on top of the 294 services added on 18 May. Service frequency has also increased with services around every 4 minutes between Circular Quay and Moore Park and around every 8 minutes in the South East, between 7am – 7pm weekdays.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the new timetable will deliver end-to-end journey time benefits.
“Since the L3 Kingsford Line opened to customers on 3 April, we have used the quieter than normal period to make improvements to traffic signal phasing and the infrastructure and systems in place,” Mr Constance said.
“Since April, we’ve seen end-to-end journey times of around 38-40 minutes for both the L2 and L3 Lines.
“As the new timetable is bedded in, we will see further improvements to the end-to-end journey time with services running around 38 minutes on the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.”
The new timetable will provide another 26,900 spaces each week, supporting people returning to jobs and school while allowing for safe physical distance.
“There is also free temporary event-style parking at Moore Park, where people can drive then jump on a light rail into the city,” Mr Constance said.
On the L1 Dulwich Hill Line, a further 55 services have been temporarily added between 10am and 3pm to provide a consistent 10min service on weekdays.
For COVID-19 travel advice and to plan your journey, visit transportnsw.info
NSW GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES COVID SAFE CHECK FOR BUSINESSES
Businesses will be able to check, test and promote their COVID Safe credentials with the launch of the NSW Government’s online COVID Safe Check.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the online tool would help businesses get back to work safely.
“With the recent easing of restrictions thousands of businesses are reopening their doors and welcoming back customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have put industry specific information under the one roof, including downloadable badges for businesses with COVID Safe plans to display in their premises, so customers know they have the tick of approval.
“Customers can also use the tool to provide feedback in real-time. Feedback is sent to the business and, if necessary, to the regulator for action.”
Mr Dominello said the tool is simple to use, with more than 8,000 businesses having already downloaded a COVID Safety Plan template, which is stage one of the process and already available.
“Businesses need to complete three easy steps – visit nsw.gov.au, go through industry specific guidance, and register and download materials,” Mr Dominello said.
“Businesses will be told what they need to do to be COVID Safe. This may include physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping requirements. Once businesses have completed the above steps and finalised their COVID Safe plan they will be able to complete an online self-declaration.
“Businesses will also be provided with advice on how to integrate their COVID Safe status with Google Maps, giving customers a bird’s-eye view of COVID Safe businesses when searching online. This gives them peace of mind and an incentive for businesses to register.”
The COVID Safe Check will go live today and will be available at www.nsw.gov.au