May 2021 – Page 5

MAJOR CONTRACT AWARDED FOR M6 STAGE 1

The design and construction contract has been awarded for the M6 Stage 1, which will connect President Avenue at Kogarah with the WestConnex M8 at Arncliffe via four kilometre twin tunnels.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said Transport for NSW awarded the $2.52 billion contract to CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors and UGL, in a joint venture with Ghella, which was one of three finalists for the tender.
“The M6 Stage 1 project will create more than 5,000 jobs, with construction expected to start in early 2022,” Mr Constance said.
“We are returning local roads to the local community, by allowing drivers to bypass up to 23 sets of traffic lights on the Princes Highway and reducing traffic on General Holmes Drive by 10,000 vehicles every day.”
“The M6 Stage 1 is expected to see a 40 per cent reduction in trucks on the Princes Highway north of President Avenue, which will be great news for the local community and local commuters.”
Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said: “We’ll deliver a new intersection at President Avenue and an upgrade of the busy President Avenue and Princes Highway intersection to improve capacity and network integration.”
Member for Oatley Mark Coure said: “Work is already underway on a $28 million investment in local recreational facilities. Around 200 jobs have been created through these upgrades which are creating great local spots for our local communities.”
Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman said: “The NSW Government is continuing to look to the future of the M6, with investigation and planning work well under way on a future Stage 2.”
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said: “The M6 Stage 1 will expand as Sydney’s south and the Illawarra grow into the future. It will start with two lanes in each direction but will be built for three.”
Expected travel time savings (when used with other motorway connections):

Kogarah to ANZAC Bridge – up to 15 minutes.
Miranda to Macquarie Park – up to 15 minutes.
Kogarah to south Sydney – up to 13 minutes.
Taren Point to Mascot – up to 12 minutes.
Kogarah to Sydney CBD – up to 8 minutes.

Around five kilometres of shared cycling and pedestrian pathways, connecting Bestic Street at Brighton Le Sands to O’Connell Street at Kogarah (including a new bridge over President Avenue) are also part of the project.
The M6 Stage 1 is expected to open to traffic in 2025.
Background:
Previously known as the F6 Extension, there’s been a reservation for this motorway corridor since 1951. When first planned, land was reserved for an above-ground motorway. The new M6 Stage 1 will be mainly underground along its four kilometre route.
Consultation on this design of the project has been happening since 2017, and after the M6 Stage 1 was formally announced in 2018, the Environmental Impact Statement was placed on exhibition between November and December that year. Planning approval was secured in December 2019.
Requests for tenders to build the motorway were made in May 2020 with work starting on the community recreational facilities in August 2020.
Community facilities:
The NSW Government has invested $28 million into open space around the future M6 Stage 1 motorway for the local community.
At Brighton Memorial Playing Fields, the improvements include:

An upgraded full size synthetic field and a new mid-sized grass field.
A new play area, memorial, lawn area, amenities building and lighting.
Increased car parking capacity.

The improvements also include a new pedestrian bridge over Muddy Creek, upgrades to West Botany Street Bridge and a relocated car park with increased capacity at West Botany Street.

Teen charged over alleged assault at soccer match – Kurri Kurri

A teenager has been charged following an investigation into an alleged assault at a soccer match in the Hunter region earlier this month.
About 8pm on Wednesday 12 May 2021, a 16-year-old player was allegedly punched in the face at the conclusion of a soccer match held at Birralee Oval in Kurri Kurri, knocking him unconscious.
The teen was transported to Kurri Kurri Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment where it was revealed he had suffered a broken jaw and underwent surgery.
Officers from Newcastle Police District were notified on Thursday 13 May 2021
Following an investigation by detectives attached to Hunter Valley Police District, a 16-year-old boy was arrested after attending Cessnock Police Station just after 3pm yesterday (Monday 24 May 2021).
He was charged with recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm and granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 15 June 2021.

Increasing transparency of home care prices for senior Australians

The Morrison Government is responding to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety by increasing transparency and information on home care prices.
For the first time information has been published relating to the median prices charged for common home care services to help people to make more informed decisions.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the information is a vital part of empowering senior Australians and their families to take greater control of their care.
“This new data will help to show senior Australians, their carers and family the median prices of common services across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas and by state and territory” Minister Hunt said.
“It gives those looking to access care a very important insight into what common available prices and where providers may be charging premium prices.
“We want senior Australians to be able to shop around for their care providers, knowing this will keep downward pressure on prices.”
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the information is compiled from aged care provider information as they are required to report their prices to the Government.
“As part of the early announcement in response to the Royal Commission’s report on 1 March, the Government included significant steps to improve transparency and comparability of pricing, and empower senior Australians with greater choice when it comes to their care,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Since 1 July 2019, all home care providers are required to publish their pricing information in a standardised schedule published on the My Aged Care website. This new data table gives greater visibility of median prices.
“Our Government has invested $200.1 million to deliver a star rating system, and as we progress to it we will see increasing levels of information becoming available to help guide choice, empowering senior Australians to vote with their feet in the hunt for affordable, high quality and appropriate care.
“We expect this information in the hands of senior Australians will encourage providers to enhance their service offerings, while also helping to put downward pressure on unjustified charges, in particular administration charges.”
The publication of the data table shows median prices for services including nursing, in-home respite, personal care, and cleaning and household tasks. It also includes pricing data for care management and package management.
The My Aged Care website already allows users to compare reported pricing at up to 3 providers, however this newly released data will provide additional scope for their decision-making.
The data is updated quarterly and can be found here.

City delivers new playgrounds in Mayfield and New Lambton

The Mayfield and New Lambton communities have celebrated the official opening of two upgraded playgrounds as part of the City’s annual playground improvement program.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that upgrades were part of a $1.4 million investment in playgrounds across the city in 2020/21.
“Our local parks and playgrounds are places that our community can come together to relax and interact,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I’m delighted that these two upgraded playgrounds at Dangar Park and Novocastrian Park are ready for play, and the turnout at our community openings demonstrate the importance that public spaces play within local neighbourhoods.
“The city’s vast array of playgrounds provide local children and families the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and engage in an active and healthy lifestyle.
“This year we have invested $1.4 million on playground projects including upgrades to the popular King Edward Park playground and Tighes Hill’s Gross Street Reserve playground which are both due to be completed by the end of June.
“We also delivered a new $1.2 million inclusive playground complete with seating, shelter and BBQ facilities in Mayfield’s Stevenson Park in November 2020.
“Our 2021/22 budget includes a $9.1 million investment in parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities including projects like the Wallsend Active Hub and Newcastle Ocean Baths.”
As part of the upgrade, the former Novocastrian Park playground was replaced with new features catering to a range of age groups including a rope climber, swings and a slide.
The newly upgraded Dangar Park playground was expanded to include a new climbing frame and rocker and a new larger swing set to replace the former set which was damaged during storms in 2020. These improvements will also cater to a broader age range of children.
Fletcher’s Kurraka Reserve is set to benefit from additional fitness stations which will be installed in the coming months and planning for a new active hub in Wallsend has also commenced.
Newcastle has 116 playgrounds across the Local Government Area and has an ongoing program of upgrading and renewing any aging facilities.

Firearms, drugs, jewellery seized, man charged after pursuit – Pt Stephens-Hunter PD

Firearms, drugs and jewellery have been seized after a man was arrested following a pursuit through the Port Stephens-Hunter region overnight.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District saw a Toyota Hilux utility being driven along Government Road at Nelson Bay about 11.15pm (Saturday 22 May 2021), and directed the driver stop due to him being wanted on outstanding warrants.
Police will allege the driver, a 38-year-old man, instead accelerated and a pursuit was initiated through the suburbs of Nelson Bay, Salt Ash and Medowie, reaching speeds of up to 130km/h.
Two police vehicles were allegedly struck by the utility in Ferodale Road, Medowie, which continued at low speed due to sustaining significant damage. No police were injured.
About 11.50pm the driver left the ute on Federation Drive and ran into bushland.
Assistance was sought from the PolAir with the crew locating the man hiding in bushland a short time late. He was arrested without further incident.
When the ute was searched police seized a homemade firearm, a starter pistol, methamphetamine, and jewellery believed to be stolen
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with three outstanding warrants including a conviction warrant, revocation of parole warrant and breach of correctives order.
He has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 23 May 2021).
Charges are pending relating to the pursuit and seizure of the firearms, drugs and jewellery.

Labour Force April 2021: Full-time employment at a record high; unemployment rate drops to 5.5 per cent

Labour force figures released today show there were 13,040,400 Australians in work in April 2021, with the level of employment now 45,900 (or 0.4 per cent) above its pre-COVID level in March 2020 and 902,500 (or 7.4 per cent) higher than the trough in the labour market recorded in May 2020.
Encouragingly, full-time employment rose by 33,800 (or 0.4 per cent) over the month, to a record high of 8,889,500 in April 2021, and is now 24,600 (or 0.3 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020. Part-time employment remains 21,300 (or 0.5 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020.
The underemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points over the month, to 7.8 per cent in April 2021, the lowest rate recorded since May 2014.
The level of unemployment in Australia fell by 33,600 (or 4.3 per cent) over the month, to 756,200 in April 2021, but remains 32,600 (or 4.5 per cent) higher than it was in March 2020.
The unemployment rate also decreased over the month, by 0.2 percentage points, to 5.5 per cent, but is still above the 5.3 per cent recorded in March 2020.
Labour market conditions improved for youth over the month, with the level of employment for the cohort increasing by 15,900 in April 2021. Encouragingly, all of the increase was due to a rise in full-time jobs for 15-24 year olds (up by 23,600). The youth unemployment rate declined by 1.1 percentage points over the month, to 10.6 per cent in April 2021, the lowest rate recorded since January 2009.
While Australia’s labour market recovery following the pandemic has beaten even the most optimistic of expectations, the Government remains acutely aware that more than 700,000 Australians remain out of work. This is why the Government has provided unprecedented direct economic support, totalling $291 billion, which has helped keep businesses afloat, saved an estimated 700,000 jobs through JobKeeper and has put Australia back on the road to recovery.
The Morrison Government’s 2021-22 Budget will help to cement Australia’s economic recovery and will secure our prosperity through measures including a further $15.2 billion in infrastructure investment, additional tax cuts for businesses and individuals, a further $2.7 billion to extend the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program and an additional $500 million to expand the JobTrainer Fund.
With a jobs-led recovery at the heart of the 2021-22 Budget, the Government is securing Australia’s future by rebuilding the economy and creating more sustainable jobs to ensure Australia continues to rebound strongly from the COVID-19 induced recession.

Youth unemployment falls to lowest level in 12 years

Latest workforce data shows more young Australians are in work, with almost 16,000 finding employment in April.
The youth unemployment rate has dropped 1.1 percentage points to 10.6 per cent, the lowest rate since January 2009 and one percentage point lower than in March 2020, before the pandemic hit.
There are now more than 1.9 million young Australians in work and pleasingly the number of 15-24 year olds in full-time employment increased by 23,600 in April.
The youth participation rate remains above the 68.2 per cent recorded in March 2020. Youth underemployment remains below the 19.2 per cent recorded in March 2020.
The Morrison Government is committed to getting even more young Australians into work through education, training, and employment programs.
The 2021-22 Budget includes:

$2.7 billion to extend and expand support for new apprenticeships.
$500 million to expand the JobTrainer Fund to deliver around 163,000 additional low-fee and fee-free training places over two years.
$481.2 million to expand the Transition to Work program to help disadvantaged young people make the transition into work or further studies.

In addition, under the Government’s Job-ready Graduates package, there are more Australians studying at our universities than ever before and more studying the courses that are most likely to get them a job.
In addition to these supports to get young people into work, the 2021-22 Budget will continue Australia’s broader economic recovery through a further $15.2 billion in infrastructure investment and additional tax cuts for businesses and individuals.
The Government is backing young Australians by creating more jobs and rebuilding the economy to guarantee our COVID-19 recovery.

Wickham Masterplan updated as the west-end transforms

A report recommending that the community be invited to have their say on an updated vision for Wickham, providing attractive public spaces, more connections and safety improvements will be considered at Tuesday’s Ordinary Council meeting.
The Wickham Masterplan was developed in 2017 in partnership with the community and guides the City’s planning decisions and delivery of urban renewal within Wickham. The updated Masterplan will guide the future redevelopment of land in the area and also deals with the challenge of mine subsidence.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Wickham Masterplan aims to protect Wickham’s suburban character while ensuring public facilities and infrastructure supported the growing population.
“Wickham is experiencing increased investor interest and has attracted new developments due to its proximity to the growing Newcastle West, new transport interchange and the harbour, along with the availability of larger sites zoned for mixed use,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The updated Wickham Masterplan steers future development and will influence the mix of land use, connectivity, the public domain and what is built throughout the suburb.
“Better access and connections to Wickham Park, improved cycleways and investment in community infrastructure will support the increasing local population.
“Planned urban renewal will deliver greater road and pedestrian links within Wickham and to adjoining areas, improved public amenity as well as buildings and infrastructure that reflect the area’s unique character.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the updated Wickham Masterplan supports the strategic relocation of Newcastle’s city centre to Newcastle West under its urban renewal strategy.
“Wickham’s role continues to evolve from a once semi-industrial area at the outer fringe of the Newcastle City Centre into an urban neighbourhood supporting the emerging commercial hub within Newcastle West,” Cr Clausen said.
“We look forward to hearing from the community and working with key stakeholders like Greater Lifestyles of Wickham during the public exhibition period.”
City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment Michelle Bisson said the updated Wickham Masterplan has revised the housing types within the Village Hub precinct and recommends an amendment to the Local Environmental Plan to facilitate a broader range of housing types, as has been raised in initial community feedback.
The updated Wickham Masterplan also deals more directly with the issue of mine subsidence. “Recent assessments by Subsidence Advisory NSW have found that the risks of subsidence from old mine workings in Wickham are more extensive than previously anticipated.
“Subsidence Advisory NSW’s advice is that a complex and expensive bulk grouting solution would be, required to remedy the undermined areas of Wickham, which would require State Government funding,” Ms Bisson said.

National Flu Vaccination Program Officially Launches

Seasonal influenza vaccines are now available through community pharmacy and GPs around the country, with a record supply to ensure everyone has access to the vaccine.
Approximately 5 million Australians have already had their 2021 flu vaccine, with over 20 million vaccines being made available through community pharmacy, GP’s and dedicated flu clinics this year.
It is important to get the flu jab from now to ensure you are protected at the peak of the season which is usually between July and September.
If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to call your GP, community pharmacy or other vaccination provider and organise your flu shot.
Whilst there have been record low cases of flu this year in Australia the timing, severity and length of the flu season varies year to year and it is not yet clear how hard influenza will hit Australians this year.
Both flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines protect against different viruses, both of which are potentially serious. Everyone aged over six months should receive a flu jab, and all adults should also receive their COVID-19 vaccine when it is scheduled.
The medical advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is that it is best not to have the flu and COVID-19 shots too close together. If you are due for the COVID-19 vaccine, or have just had one, make sure you leave two weeks between the vaccines.
Children under five, the elderly and people considered at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu can receive their flu vaccines free of charge through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The NIP offers a specific, enhanced flu vaccine to protect older people.
Flu vaccines under the NIP are now available from a range of providers including GPs, community health clinics and eligible community pharmacies in some states.
The Australian Government now requires all vaccination providers to report flu vaccination to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). You can check your vaccination history on your My Health Record or at my.gov.au.
This year, more than 9.4 million doses of flu vaccine will be available through the NIP and state and territory government programs, with a total of more than 20 million doses available nationally.
This is up from the total of 17.6 million doses available in 2020 and 13.2 million doses available in 2019.
For more information about flu vaccination in 2021, visit www.health.gov.au/immunisation

Further Strengthening the COVID-19 vaccine rollout through primary care

Community pharmacies in selected rural and regional areas will be activated to support Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout out.
Over the coming weeks community pharmacies in rural and regional Queensland will be the first to be brought on board following a proposal to do so from the Queensland Government.
This proposal follows a recent national cabinet decision (22 April 2021) where it was agreed that States and territories can choose to incorporate community pharmacies into their roll-out plans in rural and remote areas where there are no or limited other points of presence.
The Australian Government Department of Health is working with the Queensland State Health Department to ensure we have broad coverage of primary care sites across the State who are delivering the COVID-19 vaccine.
Up to fifty six locations have been identified by the Queensland Government where community pharmacies could be activated to vaccinate Australians. These locations have community pharmacies that have undertaken a robust Expression of Interest assessment process.
As additional vaccine supply is delivered over the coming months, additional community pharmacies will be brought on line to support an enhanced primary care roll out to ensure the broadest possible coverage for the community. Community pharmacy will play an important role in the ramp up of the COVID-19 vaccine in the second half of the year.
Bilateral discussions are ongoing with states and territories for additional engagement of general practices and community pharmacies.