Dedicated City of Newcastle volunteers have hit the streets for the first time since COVID-19 to offer a welcoming point of contact for visitors during the New Annual festival.
The passionate NEWCrew members were forced to take a break from their duties when the pandemic resulted in the postponement of events across the city.
But the volunteers are thrilled to finally be back in action as ambassadors for Newcastle during the City’s 10-day flagship cultural festival, having been debriefed on how to provide COVID safe assistance to visitors.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the NEWCrew program provides an opportunity to engage with visitors in a meaningful way, ensuring they have a memorable experience in our beautiful city.
“NEWCrew volunteers play an invaluable role in the delivery of events in the city, offering practical support to welcome visitors, answer their questions and direct them to various facilities while also sharing their knowledge about the event or the city itself,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Since the NEWCrew program was established in 2017 volunteers have given hundreds of hours of their time to act as ambassadors for Newcastle, ensuring we build on our reputation as gracious hosts to all who visit our region.
“It’s fantastic to see these dedicated volunteers getting back out and about during New Annual and I thank them for all their support of our flagship cultural festival.”
Newcastle resident Sue Slade began volunteering with NEWCrew around three years ago with a desire to keep busy and give something back to the community.
The retired disability worker, who also has a background in the travel industry, is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love of Newcastle with others.
“I love Newcastle and I’m a real people person, so it is not hard talking about our city to visitors,” Sue said.
“COVID put everything on hold and it’s been a long 12 months since we’ve been able to volunteer with NEWCrew, but it’s great to be back now to catch up with some of the other volunteers and be a part of New Annual.
“The festival’s program looks amazing, I’m really excited about being a part of it, telling people what is on offer and hopefully encouraging them to come back to Newcastle for other festivals, events or holidays.”
There will be plenty going on during the final weekend of the festival, with a full schedule of ticketed events and more than 20 free activities on offer including a sunrise meditation, a taste of France at The Station, a celebration of printmaking in Newcastle, Indigenous language, dance and storytelling sessions at The Pavilion of Sand and hands-on workshops with the Artist Open Studio Trail.
To find out more, book your ticket or secure you spot at a workshop visit www.newannual.com/
A range of opportunities for volunteering with City of Newcastle can be found at https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/get-involved/volunteer-with-us.
Month: February 2021
MAJOR WORK STARTS ON MEMORIAL AVENUE UPGRADE
Major work to ease congestion and improve safety along Memorial Avenue has started, with the sod turned at Kellyville today on the $224 million upgrade.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the NSW Government is committed to improving traffic times and is getting on with the job of delivering vital infrastructure.
“This major upgrade will improve congestion, safety and travel times for the 30,000 drivers who use Memorial Avenue every day,” Mr Constance said.
“Memorial Avenue is being widened to a four lane divided road, with shared pedestrian and cyclist paths, helping people better connect with the Sydney Metro stations at Kellyville and Bella Vista.”
“The upgrade also includes additional dedicated left and right turn lanes at the Windsor Road and Memorial Avenue intersection, and bus users will benefit from new bus priority traffic lights.”
Baulkham Hills State Liberal MP David Elliott said the Memorial Avenue upgrade would assist the community meet the future transport needs of Sydney’s growing North West.
“Residents are looking forward to the delivery of this much-needed upgrade to manage current and predicted increases in traffic and respond to residential and commercial development in the area,” Mr Elliott said.
Work will be carried out on weekdays (excluding public holidays) between 7am and 6pm, weather permitting.
During this time, road users are urged to drive to conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
The Memorial Avenue upgrade is expected to open to road users in late 2023. Once completed, Memorial Avenue will have a consistent speed limit of 80km/h.
BOOST FOR NSW INTENSIVE CARE AMBULANCE FLEET
Regional communities across NSW will benefit from a new fleet of state-of-the-art intensive care ambulances thanks to an $11.7 million funding boost by the NSW Government.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the 69 intensive care ambulances will carry the most advanced equipment, including upgraded life-saving defibrillators, to bolster the frontline emergency response across the State.
“Every second counts in the race to save a life and these highly specialised vehicles give paramedics the best chance when transporting a patient on extended trips to a major regional hospital,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Government is building a safer and stronger regional NSW, with 50 of the 69 ambulances being based in rural and regional areas, supporting those who live hundreds of kilometres from the nearest trauma centre.”
The intensive care ambulances will be rolled out to Western NSW, Southern NSW, Northern NSW, Hunter New England and Central Coast regions as well as metropolitan areas.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the new fleet is in addition to the 35 intensive care ambulances rolled out across the State last year.
“We will now have more than 100 of these highly specialised ambulances in NSW, the largest fleet of this type in any state or territory in Australia,” Mr Hazzard said.
“These specially equipped ambulances, operated by our fantastic highly trained paramedics, will give patients the best chance of survival before they reach hospital.”
The new vehicles carry cutting-edge equipment including upgraded monitor defibrillators, video laryngoscopes and mechanical CPR devices.
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan said the equipment will make a big difference for patients suffering trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke or breathing difficulties.
“The equipment also provides our paramedics with greater protection when treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients,” Dr Morgan said.
In 2020-21 the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in NSW Ambulance, including $27 million for 180 new staff, the third tranche of the 2018 commitment to recruit 750 more paramedic and control centre staff over four years.
Officer injured during arrest; man charged – East Maitland
A man faces numerous charges after a police officer was injured during an arrest in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 5pm (Thursday 18 February 2021), an officer attached to Port Stephens Traffic and Highway Patrol saw an unregistered road bike being ridden on the New England Highway, East Maitland, allegedly at excessive speed.
The motorcycle stopped in traffic and the officer approached the rider, who immediately lashed out, falling to the ground. As the officer attempted to assist remove the bike, he was allegedly punched in the face and chest.
During a struggle, the rider, a 39-year-old man, has continued to kick and punch the senior constable before he was arrested with the assistance of members of the public.
Further police attended to assist, and the rider continued to struggle with officers. In trying to restrain the man, an acting sergeant has suffered a dislocated shoulder. He was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, motor vehicle exceed speed more than 20 km/h, licence expired 2 years or more, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty, two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, use unregistered motor vehicle on road, other traffic offences and breach of bail.
The Maitland man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 19 February 2021).
Man charged with planning terrorist attacks in NSW
A 24-year-old man who is currently in Goulburn Correctional Centre has been charged by counter terrorism officers for allegedly planning acts of terrorism targeted at police, military personnel and corrective services staff while behind bars in NSW.
His charging yesterday by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) follows an investigation known as Operation Zellaer, which began in late 2018 into a number of people alleged to be engaging in terrorism-related activities. The 24-year-old was later found to be an associate of these people.
The man was also the subject of a separate investigation by the NSW Police Force’s High Risk Terrorist Offenders Unit (HRTOU), who had commenced an investigation into him concerning his eligibility for a supervision/detention order under the Terrorism (High Risk Offenders) Act 2017 (NSW).
As a result of that investigation, the man was placed on an Interim Continuing Detention Order, and evidence identified during this was referred to the JCTT.
In October 2019, the NSW JCTT, with the help of Corrective Services NSW, executed a search warrant on the man’s cell at Goulburn Supermax. The man was on remand for matters unrelated to terrorism at the time.
Police will allege evidence seized during the search warrant relates to the planning of acts of violent extremism within the community, aimed at police, military personnel and correctional staff.
The 24-year-old was charged yesterday with two counts of acts done in preparation for, or planning terrorist acts.
He is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court on 2 April 2021.
The man faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said any talk of acts of terrorism within the community was concerning.
“With the good work conducted by the NSW JCTT and NSW Police’s High Risk Terrorism Offenders team, this investigation uncovered alleged plots to harm the very men and women who our community members trust to keep them safe,” Assistant Commissioner Lee said.
“It shows why it is imperative for our officers to stay one step ahead of people who wish to turn to violent means to achieve their own ends. The AFP and our partners will tirelessly investigate and target this type of offending and bring perpetrators before the courts.”
NSW Police Force Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton, said the results demonstrate the full gambit of counter terrorism investigations in NSW.
“Our investigations teams are complemented by a range of specialist units, which seek to identify and disrupt potential terrorist plans by individuals or groups, monitor those at risk of radicalisation and detect those who seek to do harm within our community,” Assistant Commissioner Walton said.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
Woman charged with fraudulently receiving over $175,000 in benefits from the National Disability Insurance Scheme
A woman will face court after she was charged with fraudulently receiving benefits from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
In November 2020, detectives from Quakers Hill Police Area Command commenced an investigation into fraudulent activities allegedly committed by a woman aged in her 60s.
Following extensive inquiries, a 66-year-old woman was arrested at Waratah Police Station just after 8am on Friday 12 February 2021.
She was charged with deal with proceeds of crime money/property, obtain a financial advantage by deception, and breach of bail.
Police will allege in court that the woman submitted fraudulent invoices to the National Disability Insurance Scheme for services never provided to her and subsequently received $174,000.
The Wallsend woman was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court the same day, where she was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court today (Friday 19 February 2021).
Greens welcome AstraZeneca approval but say further diversity is needed.
The Greens welcome the news that AstraZeneca has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia.
“However we cannot put all our eggs in one basket. It’s clear with differing rates of efficacy and with new Covid-19 strains developing that we must continue to expand and diversify Australia’s vaccine portfolio”, Australian Greens spokesperson on Health Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“Australia needs to build a diverse portfolio to rapidly pivot to deal with new strains and to develop herd immunity, including securing deals with Moderna and more Pfizer doses.
“We should also be investing in the development of Australia’s capacity to locally manufacture vaccines and medicines that use mRNA technology. This would allow us to produce mRNA vaccines like Pfizer onshore in a publicly owned facility.
“We need to ramp up CSL’s capacity to start locally producing Novavax at the same time as AstraZeneca given the promising Phase 3 Trial data.
“It is essential that Australia supports our neighbours in the pacific region to receive timely and adequate access to Covid-19 vaccines. No one is safe until all of us are safe.”
Mr Morrison must stop playing games with Jobseeker’s lives and announce a permanent increase to Jobseeker
The Greens say a so-called employment insurance scheme is an appalling idea and that Mr Morrison is being cruel to people on the Jobseeker payment, drip feeding potential plans for the JobSeeker payment through media leaks.
“This so-called insurance scheme would make an already appalling system worse, further entrenching poverty and homelessness”, Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
“This concept is based on the assumption that has been disproven time and again, that poverty is an incentive to finding work.
“Saying that tapering down someone’s payment will incentivise people to find work is ridiculous and contrary to evidence.
“For a start you can’t find work is there isn’t enough jobs.
“We know that young people have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and we know that we have a cohort of people who are long term unemployed, older people who are discriminated against in the workplace and disabled people stuck on the Jobseeker payment all of whom would be severely adversely affected by this type of approach.
“Young people who have not had the opportunity to enter the workforce will be stuck in poverty.
“Before the pandemic hit the Government liked to spread mistruths that Newstart was a “transitional payment”.
“It’s simply false. In December 2019 the average time someone spent on Newstart was 298 weeks.
“December 2019 figures also show that 97,243 people were on Newstart for 1-2 years, 172,181 for 2-5 years, 153,619 for 5-10 years and 134,352 for 10 years.
“This is about the lives of 1.3 million and whether they are going back to living on $40 a day.
“Mr Morrison needs to stop playing games.”
https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/dss-payment-demographic-data/resource/1ab39d1b-328a-4311-8b35-ee13c3f0dfc7
We need a new approach to quarantine
The Greens say quarantine facilities need to be established out of cities and that facilities must be publicly funded and run.
“Our hotel quarantine system needs to be watertight. The UK, South Africa, Brazil variants are becoming the dominant variants in other parts of the world and we must keep these from getting out into our community”, Greens spokesperson on Health Senator Rachel Siewert said
“Governments need to publicly fund and run our hotel quarantine system and establish facilities outside of the city centres in regional areas such as Avalon, Melbourne Airport or Toowoomba which have already been floated.
“Some medi-hotels would continue to operate to support Australians arriving from high risk countries or those needing medical care.
“It is critical that the issue of aerosol spread of Covid-19 is addressed in all quarantine facilities. We must ensure all facilities are well-ventilated, with adequate airflow changes assessed by engineers as recommended by the experts, and that all quarantine workers have full PPE.
“We need a common sense approach to give people fresh air and reduce aerosol transmission of Covid-19.
“The Federal Government needs to step up. Quarantine is a Federal responsibility and needs to be funded as such.
“The bickering that has been occurring between the State and Feds on quarantine arrangements is not serving the community well.
“We need a public health response.
“People have a right to come home and we need to keep our community COVID free, the quarantine system as it stands can’t assure that.”
No clear evidence in Cashless Debit Card Evaluation
The Government’s long overdue Evaluation of the CDC in Ceduna, East Kimberley and the Goldfields Region: Consolidated Report has been publicly released over a year and a half after it was due.
“I can see why the Government has been holding on to this report and wouldn’t release it before the Senate debated the extension of the Card late last year. It has nothing definitive to back up the grand claims the Government has been making about this scheme for many years now.
“As I recall, the Cashless Debit Card was going to get people to find work, stop gambling, stop drinking and stop taking illicit drugs. Their evaluation supports none of these grand claims.
“The evaluation is quite clear that it is not possible to attribute changes in trial sites to the Cashless Debit Card alone.
“This evaluation is full of qualifiers like “complex findings” and that “the findings from this evaluation are mostly nuanced and specific, that is, they are findings that may apply up to a point and for some people, but not for others.”
“What the evaluation has found is that “the quantitative evidence suggested that under the current circumstances the majority of CDC participants would prefer to opt out of the CDC trial” and that “feelings of discrimination, embarrassment, shame and unfairness as a result of being on the Card were reported across all trial sites by a majority of CDC participants.”
“If the Government is going to make such significant interventions in people’s lives, then they need robust evidence.
“The evaluation itself notes the difficulty in evaluating the so-called trials because they were never set up to be properly evaluated. A point that was repeatedly made when the Card was first introduced.
“These trials were always about targeting First Nations peoples, stigmatising people on income support and those with addiction issues rather than addressing the underlying causes of disadvantage.
“The card is racist and discriminatory and should be abandoned.”
https://www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children-programs-services-welfare-reform-cashless-debit-card/cashless-debit-card-evaluation