May 2021 – Page 14

Improving opportunties for home ownership

The Morrison Government is today announcing additional measures to help more Australians own their home sooner as part of the 2021-22 Budget.
This follows the successful HomeBuilder program which is expected to support more than $30 billion in residential construction with more than 120,000 Australians applying for the grant.
As part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Government will:

Establish the Family Home Guarantee with 10,000 guarantees made available over four years to single parents with dependants. The Family Home Guarantee allows them to purchase a home sooner with a deposit of as little as two per cent;
Expand the New Home Guarantee for a second year, providing an additional 10,000 places in 2021-22. First home buyers seeking to build a new home or purchase a newly built home will be able to do so with a deposit of as little as five per cent; and
Increase the maximum amount of voluntary contributions that can be released under the First Home Super Saver Scheme from $30,000 to $50,000.

The Morrison Government is also providing an additional $124.7 million in funding which will allow the states and territories to bolster public housing stocks, or to meet their social and community housing responsibilities under the 2011 Fair Work decision on Social and Community Services wages.
The Government understands the importance of owning your own home and the significant economic and social benefits home ownership provides.
Supporting more Australians to own their own home is part of the Government’s economic plan to secure Australia’s recovery.

Appeal for witnesses after serious crash – Hunter Region

A man has been taken to hospital following a crash in the Hunter Region yesterday.
About 2.30pm (Thursday 6 May 2021), a bicycle rider was travelling east on Arthur Street, Rutherford, when it collided with a Ford Falcon Utility travelling southbound on Weblands Street.
The rider, a 36-year-old man, suffered head injuries and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before he was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
The 39-year-old male driver was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
As Investigations continue; anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

GHB, cash seized; man charged – Newcastle

A man has been charged with commercial drug supply after GHB and cash were located at a Newcastle unit.
About 9am yesterday (Thursday 6 May 2021), officers attached to Hunter Region Enforcement Squad (RES), Northern Region High Visibility Unit and Operation Utah Hunter attended a unit on King Street, Newcastle.
Upon arrival at the building, police spoke with and arrested a 35-year-old man.
Officers executed a search warrant at the unit where they located and seized methylamphetamine, liquid gamma-Hydroxybutyric (GHB), more than $135,000 cash and mobile phones.
During the execution of the warrant, a 28-year-old woman arrived at the property and was arrested for a breach of bail offence.
Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station where the man was charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply commercial quantity prohibited drug and deal with the proceeds of crime, while the woman was charged with the breach of bail offence and possess prohibited drug.
The Nelson Bay man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 7 May 2021), while the woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on Monday 28 June 2021.
Investigations are ongoing.

Police release CCTV after ram raid at cinema – Lake Haven

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District are investigating following a ram raid at a cinema on the state’s Central coast earlier this week.
Just before 4am (Tuesday 4 May 2021), police attended Forrow Drive following reports of extensive damage to the front glass doors of the cinema.
A crime scene was established, and officers obtained CCTV of the incident.
The vision depicts a white Toyota Hilux table-top with a green canopy reversing into the doors. Two men are seen to remove a cash machine from the location and load it into the rear of the ute.
The men are described as both having large builds, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirt with their faces covered.
The Toyota Hilux has NSW registration CX37FQ and was stolen from Robertson Street at Carrington on Monday 3 May 2021.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and Police are urging anyone with information about to incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Drugs seized; man charged – Fullerton Cove

A man has been charged with commercial drug supply following a vehicle stop in Newcastle.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Friday 7 May 2021), police from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District stopped a car on Maitland Road in Sandgate.
Officers spoke to the driver, a 58-year-old man, before conducting a search of his vehicle.
During the search, police located and seized methylamphetamine and cocaine.
The drugs were seized, and the man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
A short time later a search warrant was executed at the man’s Fullerton Cove home. During the search, police located and seized further prohibited drugs, along with a large sum of cash, silver and gold bars, and silver bullions.
The man was charged with supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity (x2).
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday (10 May 2021).
Inquiries by local police continue.

Three men arrested over alleged shooting, break-in – Lake Macquarie

Two men have been charged and another arrested over their alleged role in a public place shooting and break-in at Lake Macquarie last night.
Officers were called to a house on Alhambra Street, Macquarie Hills, after reports of shots fired just before 6.50pm (Friday 7 May 2021).
A 49-year-old man inside the home suffered a graze to his wrist but didn’t need treatment. A woman was also inside but wasn’t injured.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Police were told an Audi hatchback was seen leaving the scene.
A short time later, about 7.25pm, police received reports of an attempted break-in at a club at Redhead involving an Audi hatchback; with three men allegedly seen leaving the scene in the car.
One of the men, aged 21, allegedly suffered a serious leg injury while allegedly forcing entry into the premises and was taken soon after to John Hunter Hospital, where he was arrested and remains under police guard in a stable condition.
About 9:50pm, police located the Audi hatchback driving on South Street, Windale, with assistance from PolAir.
The driver allegedly did not stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
Police will allege the driver drove at high speed from Windale to Merewether, before crashing into a gutter at Dixon Park.
The driver and passenger got out of the vehicle and ran from police.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, jumped into the ocean and swam away from police, returning to shore a short time later and was arrested.
During a search, police allegedly located ammunition and a firearm in a door compartment of the Audi.
Police located the passenger, a 19-year-old man, with assistance from the Dog Unit, at a home on John Street, Mereweather. The man was arrested, and police allegedly located ammunition on him. Officers also allegedly located a second firearm in the backyard of the property.
The firearms, ammunition, and car were seized for forensic examination. Police will allege the car was stolen from a carpark in Ourimbah about 1.50am on 1 May 2021.
The men were taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The 18-year-old was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety, two counts of possess unregistered firearm in public place, possess ammunition without holding licence, possess loaded firearm public place, fire firearm in or near public place, aggravated enter dwelling with intent -in company-not steal, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, and possess prohibited drug.
The 19-year-old was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety, two counts of possess unregistered firearm in public place, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, aggravated enter dwelling with intent in company – not steal, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
They were both refused bail and are due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 8 May 2021).
Inquiries continue.

National Cabinet Statement

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
There have been 29,897 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 17.1 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
Globally there have been over 155.6 million cases and sadly over 3.2 million deaths, with around 842,000 new cases and more than 13,000 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world. Sadly in India there were more than 400,000 confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date 2,554,531 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 81,000 in the previous 24 hours. Around 10 per cent of the Australian adult population have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 30 per cent of over 70 year olds.
The number of administration sites has expanded, with more than 5,000 general practices, general practice vaccination centres, Aboriginal health services and state clinics now administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Today, National Cabinet received a briefing from Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly on the vaccination program and current status of the outbreak in India.
National Cabinet agreed the imperative to work together to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians as quickly as possible.
National Cabinet will return to monthly meetings. The next meeting of National Cabinet will be on Friday 4 June 2021.
Recommencement Of Facilitated Commercial Flights
National Cabinet noted that since the temporary pause on flights from India commenced there has been a sustained reduction in COVID-19 positive cases originating from India in Australia’s quarantine system. The number of COVID-19 positive cases in the National Centre for Resilience at Howard Springs has fallen to 21, from more than 50 cases a week ago. Positive cases associated with previous facilitated flights from India are on track to reach zero by 14 May.
National Cabinet thanked the Indian Australian community in Australia and in India for their support and understanding during the temporary pause in passenger flights between Australia and India.
National Cabinet noted the advice that the Biosecurity Act 2015 Determination has been effective in stemming the flow of positive cases into Australia to ensure the safety of Australia’s quarantine system. The Determination was designed to be a temporary measure and the medical advice provided to the Minister for Health is that it will be safe to allow it to expire as planned on 15 May.
National Cabinet noted the agreement between the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory Government that facilitated commercial flights into the National Resilience Centre at Howard Springs will resume on May 15 with one flight per 7-9 days, with an estimated 1,000 Australians expected to return under these arrangements by the end of June. Vulnerable Australians will be prioritised on these flights. Passengers on flights will require mandatory PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT).
National Cabinet noted the New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland Governments’ offer to accept further facilitated flights from India in May, with mandatory PCR and RAT in place and within existing quarantine capacity. South Australia will consider the arrangements over the next two weeks.
Post 15 May, transit points into Australia will be monitored carefully to ensure that positive case numbers remain within manageable levels. In particular the Commonwealth Government will work with the Sri Lankan Government to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka and whether further measures including RAT may need to be put in place to address transit point risks.
The current pause on direct commercial passenger flights between India and Australia remains in place and will be reviewed by the Commonwealth Government next week.
The Commonwealth will also consider tightening Australian Border Force (ABF) outbound travel restrictions for Australians travelling overseas and continue the restrictions in place in respect of applications for travel to high risk countries. National Cabinet agreed to vaccinate essential outbound Australian travellers with ABF travel exemptions approvals. This includes only people travelling in response to the COVID-19 outbreak including in the Pacific; urgent medical treatment; national interest; critical industries and business; compassionate and compelling grounds; urgent and unavoidable personal business.
Passenger Caps
National Cabinet noted that future agreements on capped flights between jurisdictions and the Commonwealth will be discussed bilaterally.

Resumption of Indian repatriation flights to Howard Springs

Government chartered repatriation flights to the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs for Australians returning from India will resume on May 15, after the completion of the current temporary ban on re-entry, the Morrison and Gunner Governments confirmed today.
Since the pause on flights from India commenced there has been a sustained reduction in COVID-19 positive cases originating from India in Australia’s quarantine system.
The National Security Committee of Cabinet was advised yesterday that the pause was working and that this would allow the repatriation flights to resume after May 15.
The temporary ban will remain in place until that time, as intended.
The number of COVID-19 positive cases in the Howard Springs has fallen to 21, from more than 50 cases a week ago, and positive cases associated with previous facilitated flights from India are on track to reach zero by 14 May.
Repatriation flights into the Howard Springs will resume on May 15 with one flight per 7-9 days, with an estimated 1,000 Australians returning by the end of June. Vulnerable Australians will be prioritised on these flights.
An initial repatriation flight to Darwin will leave India on May 15. Two further repatriation flights to the Northern Territory from India will be scheduled during May.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the flight pause has given the quarantine system space to operate safely and to protect Australians from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the travel pause remaining in place until May 15 with no changes.
“The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage outside Australia’s borders and the temporary pause on flights continues to give our quarantine facilities time to reduce infection rates and reduce the risk of COVID escaping into the community,” the Prime Minister said.
“Closing our international borders and the use of quarantine for returning Australians has protected the health of all Australians during the pandemic and given us a way of life that is the envy of the world.
“I have written to state and territory leaders to invite their participation in receiving direct repatriation flights from India over the coming weeks to further assist the efforts in Howard Springs.
“I want to thank the Gunner Government, NT Health and our AUSMAT teams for continuing to provide safe and effective quarantine facilities at Howard Springs that is the best facility in the world.”
New measures will be in place for all resuming flights from India into the Northern Territory, which will require passengers to return both a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and a negative Rapid Antigen test before boarding.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said these measures ensure the Commonwealth and Territory Governments can continue to get Australians home from India safely, while ensuring the case load at Howard Springs remains manageable.
“The Territory always stands ready to help our fellow Australians and we were there to help those first Aussies home from Wuhan at the start of this pandemic,” Chief Minister Gunner said.
“There is a humanitarian crisis in India and we have the gold standard facility with the health care heroes the country needs at our Centre for National Resilience to help get Australians home safely.
“We are pleased with the drop in the active COVID-19 case load we have seen at Howard Springs since the temporary pause on re-entry from India, and our clinical advice is that it is now safe to resume flights.”
Commonwealth and Northern Territory health experts will assess the effectiveness of new pre-flight testing and isolation measures on infectivity rates in returning Australians on these May repatriation flights from India.
While Howard Springs has managed the current COVID-19 peak without a single breach, it was important to reduce the high rate of incoming active cases during the second half of April to avoid putting pressure on the facility and NT Health systems.
As a close friend and comprehensive strategic partner, Australia stands with India as it battles a surge in COVID-19 cases. More than 20,000 Australians have returned home on repatriation flights since the beginning of the pandemic. The Commonwealth and Territory governments are committed to continuing to get Australians home safely.
The Commonwealth Government’s Biosecurity Act 2015 Determination has been effective in stemming the flow of positive cases into Australia to ensure the safety of Australia’s quarantine system. The Determination was designed to be a temporary measure and the medical advice provided to the Minister for Health is that it will be safe to remove the Determination on 15 May.
The current ban on direct commercial passenger flights between India and Australia remains in place and will be reviewed shortly.
Restrictions on travel exemptions for Australians seeking to travel to India will continue.

Jobs boom takes off in the Hunter with Newcastle airport investment

The Morrison Government will upgrade the Newcastle Airport runway generating thousands of local jobs while creating new domestic and international travel and export destinations for Hunter and Central Coast residents and businesses.
The runway will be widened with a $66 million investment to accommodate longer range domestic and international passenger services as well as significantly increased large freight capabilities to benefit local exporters. This will maximise the benefits of works already completed on the terminal to upgrade international arrivals and departures processing.
Newcastle Airport estimates these improvements could create around 4,400 full-time jobs, deliver an additional 850,000 visitors to the region and add $12.7 billion to the local economy over the next 20 years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the airport investment was a game changer and would provide significant economic benefits for the Hunter and Central Coast community.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Hunter economy, its workers and businesses and will deliver a jobs boom for the whole region,” the Prime Minister said.
“This investment will also deliver hundreds of thousands of extra tourists to the region, spending money in local businesses, while exporters in the region will be able to access increased freight flights into new international markets.
“This funding leverages our significant defence investments at RAAF Base Williamtown, not only creating local economic benefits but also making it easier for the entire local community to travel domestically, and once open again, to travel internationally to many new locations.”
The upgrades to Code E status would mean larger aircraft like Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s could land in Newcastle, with twice daily international flights expected alongside increased daily direct domestic flights.
The work will be done alongside RAAF’s scheduled runway maintenance at the Williamtown base.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government was committed to the aviation sector and maintaining Australia’s aviation infrastructure, as part of its ongoing support to ensure the sector recovers and thrives.
“This is another example of the Government backing our aviation industry, including airports, to support planes in the air and jobs on the ground,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This has included close to $3 million in support to Newcastle Airport to assist with security screening costs, supporting half-price flights to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast through Qantas and FlyPelican and funding to maintain essential flights to and from the airport through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This has ensured activity is sustained at the airport and today’s announcement continues to back in this support to drive the economy and to maintain jobs for the Hunter region.”
The Department of Defence will ensure local businesses are contracted through a Local Industry Capability Plan.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Government is committed to position Defence to increase our strategic competition, now and into the future.
“The upgraded lighting and runway will ensure the airfield remains in line with modern industry aviation standards. This is critically important to support the operation of fifth generation aircraft into the future,” Minister Dutton said.
“The improved drainage will allow the Australian Defence Force to support operations through heavy weather events, such as seen in NSW with the recent floods.”
Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said this was a great initiative that would lift the capability of Williamtown RAAF Base and open up new international markets for tourism and trade, boosting the region’s economy.
“Our tourism operators know what an amazing asset the airport is and as we reopen flights within Australia and later to the world the Hunter and Mid North Coast are all set to benefit,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This project will reduce cost and travel times for air-freight movements benefitting our primary producers and attract more Corporate, Defence and Aerospace to the Hunter.”
Pending parliamentary approvals, construction is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2023.

City prepares locals for future jobs through ‘New Skills’ Program

City of Newcastle is helping local businesses gain the skills to make the most of Newcastle’s emerging new economic opportunities with a $385,000 investment in its New Skills Program.
From helping local businesses to embrace the digital age, developing ways to be more accessible or improve energy efficiency, the program aims to address a wide range of industry specific skills gaps over the next two years.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the New Skills Program will provide opportunities for people to learn new skills and innovation which is how we make businesses more competitive and encourage emerging industries which will create more local jobs.
“Newcastle’s economy is transforming, and we need to adapt to take advantage of the opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy is responding to the impact of skills gaps in the local workforce by delivering a program that invests in local people to acquire the knowledge and training to participate in the emerging economic opportunities.
“New Skills will assist residents to expand their knowledge and abilities through courses delivered by local organisations to address current and projected skills gaps and strengthen areas of rapid change.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said New Skills is an extension of the training support funding provided under the City’s $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package that targeted people and industries hardest hit by COVID-19, including young people and tourism sector.
“City of Newcastle has called on businesses to develop training packages that address the skills gap in the local economy, with a range of New Skills programs set to commence later this month,” Cr Clausen said.
“Target areas include identifying how businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors can build a more resilient business model and supporting emerging industries looking to establish in the region.
“Earp Distillery, Got Your Back Sista, Makers and Traders and Newy Rides are just some local organisations that have already benefitted from City of Newcastle’s investment in training programs to develop new products and services.”
This month a workshop series presented by Hunter Regional Business Hub is on offer, designed to upskill local businesses in new technologies to assist them to recover and reinvent themselves.
A Digital Basics for Small Business workshop will be held in Hamilton on May 17, highlighting techniques and tools to improve digital capability and online presence across online channels.
“The course is ideal for people and small business owners wanting to operate a business or new idea in the digital environment as it will explain how customers use the web to search and find what they want,” Digital Advisor Rochelle McLennan said.
“It will provide valuable insights and highlight opportunities to meet customer needs and increase online presence.”