Month: June 2021

Hunter Homeless Connect benefits from Lord Mayor’s prayer breakfast support

A local organisation that provides vital support to people who are experiencing homelessness or doing it tough is the beneficiary of the 2021 Annual Lord Mayor Prayer Breakfast.
Hunter Homeless received a cheque for $15,155 from Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes on Thursday after Newcastle’s church and businesses community united at the annual early-morning fundraiser at NEX Newcastle.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she was thrilled to present the funds to such a worthy organisation that contributes immensely to improving the lives of people every day.
“Hunter Homeless Connect does invaluable work connecting vulnerable people in our community with vital services and support.
“The funds raised will go towards the Community Services Directory and “Connecting the Hunter” program to allow Hunter Homeless Connect to continue to deliver on its mission during the pandemic and in the face of the current housing crisis.
“The Annual Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast brings together more than 400 like-minded people and organisations to celebrate shared values that benefit our community.
“These values unite us and help all Newcastle residents, irrespective of their background.
“By joining together in compassion, respect, tolerance, justice and equity we can achieve great things for our city.
“I thank Pastor Rick Prosser and Maria Thomas from Kingdomworks, and the many others who made this year’s event such a success.”
Chair of the Hunter Homeless Connect Jenn O’Sullivan said the financial boost will allow the local organisation to maintain its highly valued welfare programs and will provide opportunities to expand.
“We are so grateful to receive such incredible support from the Newcastle community through the Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
“Hunter Homeless Connect provides a dignified and practical way for people experiencing homelessness, to identify inclusive and welcoming environments, have access to services and connection to members of the community without judgment.
“From humble beginnings in 2009, the annual Hunter Homeless Connect Day has gone from strength to strength, providing direct, on-the-ground resources and support to those doing it tough such as food, clothing, bedding, phone cards, free haircuts and health services and much more.
“The Homeless Connect Directory helps people find community and government services, accommodation providers, food banks, emergency relief and financial assistance.
“Without the support of this event and the Newcastle community, Hunter Homeless Connect would not be able to be there for those most vulnerable in our community.”
The Annual Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is a gathering of churches, charities, businesses and community leaders. Since the event began in 2009, more than $100,000 has been raised for local charities.

Vice Regal visit to mark completion of Newcastle City Hall restoration

Australia’s Head of State will next week join City of Newcastle officials, key project stakeholders and esteemed guests in marking the completion of the exterior restoration works to Newcastle City Hall.
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (RETD), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley will travel to Newcastle on Friday morning for a civic ceremony, which will include a commemorative plaque unveiling and performances by the Australian Army Band Newcastle, the Marching Koalas youth marching band and the University of Newcastle Choir.
Project-manager-Matt-Bennett-and-Lord-Mayor-Nuatali-Nelmes.JPG
City of Newcastle has invested $20 million in the project, completed in stages under the Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan adopted by Council in 2008, including works to the clock tower and the building’s iconic sandstone façade to preserve this important piece of history for many more years to come.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it would be an historic moment to welcome Their Excellencies to Newcastle to formally recognise the project’s completion.
“Originally opened in 1929, Newcastle City Hall is a rich part of our City’s history and is one of our most unique and prestigious buildings, setting the scene for many special events such as weddings and school formals, as well as holding the former Council chambers where historic decisions have been made,” Cr Nelmes said.
“In 1977, under the leadership of the City’s first female Lord Mayor Joy Cummings, Newcastle City Hall became the first civic building in Australia to fly the Aboriginal flag, and last month the Torres Strait Islander flag was raised atop City Hall for the first time alongside the Australian, Aboriginal, United Nations, New South Wales, and City of Newcastle flags.
“It is wonderful to join with the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley to celebrate the next milestone in Newcastle City Hall’s history.”
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley said he was delighted to accept the Lord Mayor’s invitation to officially reopen City Hall.
“It is a pleasure to return to Newcastle after a warm reception in 2018, when myself, as the then Governor of New South Wales, and Linda visited Newcastle City Hall for the Australian Croquet Championships and Inter State Shield,” His Excellency said.
“Congratulations to the City of Newcastle and all organisations involved in the successful refurbishment of this state heritage-listed building, in which the form, detail and appearance of its iconic façade have importantly been retained.”
City of Newcastle worked closely with the NSW Government Architect’s Office and specialist heritage engineers and stonemasons to investigate the façade’s condition and explore repair options.
The project was completed in three stages following a successful early trial restoration to the eastern façade in 2009-2010, which provided critical information for the overall restoration about the original construction methods and techniques.
The ‘yellowblock’ sandstone used in the original construction of City Hall is understood to have originated from a quarry in Sydney’s North Bondi, now closed.
There have been several repairs to the façade over the years, including during the 1980s and structural strengthening of the clock tower following the devastating 1989 Newcastle earthquake, as well as interior refurbishments.
Fast Facts
  • Newcastle City Hall was opened in 1929 and has undergone several interior and exterior refurbishments to preserve its rich history.
  • City of Newcastle has invested $20 million in the project, which was completed in three stages following a trial area restoration from 2009-2010:
    • ​Stage 1: Clock Tower construction – 2014 to 2016
    • Stage 2: South and East façades construction, including the main balcony, porte cochere and vehicle ramps – 2016 to 2019
    • Stage 3: North and West façades construction – 2019 to 2021. ​
  • The overall scope of works across all stages includes:
    • Replacement of deteriorated stones that could not be retained
    • Repair of original stones
    • Repair of original timber doors
    • Replacement of exterior lighting
    • Reconstruction of vehicle ramps
    • Structural repairs to reinforced concrete floor and roof slabs
    • Replacement of flagpoles, including installation of two additional poles
    • Repairs to the clock mechanism and clock faces
    • Repairs to the copper pyramid and urn atop the tower.
  • Newcastle City Hall, along with the Civic Theatre, was listed on the State Heritage Register in September 2012.

Thank God It's Friday – new voucher program to turbocharge CBD economy hit hard by COVID

Businesses in the Sydney CBD heavily impacted by the pandemic will benefit from a new $50 million stimulus program that will offer 500,000 NSW residents four $25 vouchers for use towards dining and entertainment experiences.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers, which can only be used on Fridays, will boost the city economy, support jobs and bring fizz back to Friday in the city.
“We have listened to businesses and know that it’s time to make Fridays fun again and ensure the Sydney CBD doesn’t just survive but thrives,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This will be a targeted program designed to get more people back into the heart of the greatest city on earth and on the way through spend a little extra on retail and services businesses.
“It’s about making Friday’s fantastic and fun and at the same time helping the Sydney CBD which has been hit hardest by COVID with a reduction in CBD workers and the absence of overseas visitors for more than a year.”
Short term arrivals to NSW in April sat at just under 11,000 – a 96 per cent decrease on pre-pandemic averages of around 234,000 per month.
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the program, which is expected to go live before Summer, will again be delivered via the Service NSW app.
“The ‘TGIF’ voucher scheme will be a boon for businesses across the Sydney CBD. It will also be seamless for customers to access and use the vouchers, as there will be no need for them to re-prove their identity if they have already downloaded their Dine & Discover vouchers. Furthermore, there will no restriction on customers using multiple $25 vouchers for one meal or discover activity,” Mr Dominello said.
“The Service NSW app is fast becoming the backbone of our state’s digital service delivery. Mass adoption of the app enables us to switch on new digital programs, like the ‘TGIF’ vouchers, in a way that few Governments around the world are capable of doing.
“The program will be inclusive, with a non-digital option available to customers without a smartphone.”
Eligible businesses must be physically located within postcode 2000.
Similar to Dine & Discover, the program will be open to businesses in the dining and entertainment industries.

  • Customers will need to be aged 18 and over and will require a MyServiceNSW account;
  • Only one set of vouchers will be issued per person. Each individual voucher can only be used once, and vouchers can only be redeemed on Fridays;
  • The vouchers can be added together for a single purchase up to $100;
  • The vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco or gambling;
  • The same eligibility criteria will apply for these vouchers as for Dine & Discover;
  • Registration will be available through all Service NSW channels;
  • Further details, including how customers can register their interest for the program, will be released soon.

Suspicious hotel fire – Lambton

Police are investigating after a suspicious fire at a pub near Newcastle overnight.
About 4.40am (Friday 18 June 2021), emergency services were called to a hotel on Elder Street, Lambton, after reports part of the building was alight.
A neighbour extinguished the blaze prior to Fire and Rescue NSW arrival, with minimal damage sustained to the building.
Fire crews attended a short time later to fully extinguish the flames, while police extinguished a small grass fire a short distance away in Lambton Park.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District have established a crime scene, which is in the process of being forensically examined.
Police have been told three men were seen running from the scene a short time after.
The blaze is being treated as suspicious and police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the nearby vicinity between 4.30am and 4.45am to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Labour Force May 2021 – Unemployment rate drops to 5.1 per cent

Labour force figures released today by the ABS show that seasonally adjusted employment surged by 115,200 in May 2021, exceeding all market expectations, to stand at a record high of 13,125,100. Employment is now 130,400 (or 1.0 per cent) above its pre-COVID level in March 2020.
The vast majority of the rise in employment over the month was due to a robust increase in full-time employment, which rose by 97,500 (or 1.1 per cent) in May, to a record high of 8,965,200. Full-time employment is now 100,100 (or 1.1 per cent) higher than it was in March 2020.
Part-time employment also increased in May, by 17,700, to stand at 4,160,000, and is now 30,300 (or 0.7 per cent) above its pre-COVID level.
Female employment rose by 69,400 in May 2021, to a record high of 6,255,000, and is now 97,500 (or 1.6 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020.
Male employment also rose by 45,800 in May, to a record high of 6,870,200, and is now 32,900 (or 0.5 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020.The level of unemployment in Australia fell by 53,000 over the month, to 701,100 in May 2021, and is now 22,400 (or 3.1 per cent) below the level recorded in March 2020.
The unemployment rate also declined over the month, by 0.4 percentage points, to 5.1 per cent, and is now 0.2 percentage points below the 5.3 per cent recorded in March 2020.
The participation rate also increased strongly, by 0.3 percentage points in May, to 66.2 per cent in May 2021, and is above the 65.9 per cent recorded in March 2020.
Aggregate hours worked rose by 25.2 million hours (or 1.4 per cent) over the month, and is now 51.6 million hours (or 2.9 per cent) above the level recorded in March 2020.
The underemployment rate decreased from 7.8 per cent in April 2021, to 7.4 per cent in May – the lowest rate recorded since January 2014.
While Australia’s labour market rebound from 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’s 2021-22 Budget measures have been designed to cement Australia’s economic recovery and secure our prosperity through initiatives 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.
The Government has put in place a prudent macroeconomic policy framework to ensure that Australia continues to rebound strongly from the COVID-19 induced recession and creates sustainable jobs well into the future.

Superannuation Reforms Pass Parliament – Making your super work harder for you

The Morrison Government has today passed through the parliament landmark reforms to Australia’s superannuation system. These reforms will help ensure superannuation works in the best financial interests of all Australians by removing unnecessary waste, increasingly accountability and transparency, and providing more flexibility for families and individuals.
The passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Your Future, Your Super) Bill 2021 will save Australians $17.9 billion over 10 years.

  • Having your superannuation follow you, preventing the creation of unintended multiple superannuation accounts when employees change jobs. This will commence from 1 November 2021.
  • Making it easier to choose a better fund, with access to a new interactive online YourSuper comparison tool. This will commence from 1 July 2021.
  • Holding funds to account for underperformance, to lower fees and protect members from poor outcomes. The Government will require superannuation products to meet an annual objective performance test. Those that fail will be required to inform members and persistently underperforming products will be prevented from taking on new members. Members will be notified by 1 October 2021 if their fund fails this test.
  • Increasing transparency and accountability, with the Government strengthening obligations to ensure trustees only act in the best financial interests of members and provide better information regarding how they manage and spend members’ money in advance of Annual Members’ Meetings and through enhanced Portfolio Holdings Disclosure.

The passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Self Managed Superannuation Funds) Bill 2020 today will also increase the maximum number of allowable members in self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) and small APRA funds from four to six from 1 July 2021.
This will provide Australians with more flexibility and control in managing their retirement savings.
In addition, the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Flexible Superannuation) Bill 2020 will help boost the retirement savings of Australians by giving them more options to contribute to their superannuation.
The Bill extends the bring‑forward arrangements to people aged 65 and 66 for non-concessional contributions made on or after 1 July 2020. These changes complement previous actions by the Government to improve flexibility of the retirement system that allowed people aged 65 and 66 to make contributions without meeting the work test.
The Bill will cut red tape by removing the excess concessional contributions charge, which currently applies to contributions in excess of the concessional contributions cap. This will ensure that from
1 July 2022, Australians saving for their retirement are not financially disadvantaged by inadvertent breaches of the cap.
Australians will also be supported to make additional contributions to their superannuation to make up for amounts that they may have withdrawn due to COVID-19. From the 2021-22 financial year, individuals who released superannuation under the COVID-19 early release scheme will have the option of recontributing these amounts as non-concessional contributions, over and above the existing caps.
Together, these are the most significant reforms to superannuation since the introduction of compulsory superannuation in 1992 and build on the Government’s prior reforms which have included consolidating 3.3 million unintended multiple accounts worth $4.3 billion, capping fees on low balance accounts, banning exit fees and ensuring younger Australians do not pay unnecessary insurance premiums.
Through these measures, the Morrison Government will ensure the superannuation system works harder for all Australians by reducing waste, holding underperforming funds to account and strengthening protections around the retirement savings of millions of Australians.

Expanded PBS listing to save Australians around $120,000 a year

More than 800 Australians with stage IV advanced or metastatic kidney cancer will now have improved access to a heavily subsidised treatment through an expanded listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
From 1 July 2021, Cabometyx® (cabozantinib), will now be available as a first line treatment for Australians with stage IV clear cell variant renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It has been available as a second line treatment for patients with advanced RCC since 2018.
Taken once daily, the oral treatment blocks the action of proteins called receptor tyrosine kinases, slowing the rate at which the tumour grows and improving progression-free survival time compared with some other treatments.
Kidney cancer is the seventh most diagnosed cancer in Australia, with an estimated 4,000 Australians diagnosed in 2020. RCC accounts for 90 per cent of all kidney cancers and is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Cabometyx® can cost around $120,000 a year without subsidy, but will now be available for $41.30 per script, or as little as $6.60 for patients with a concession card.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,600 new or amended listings on the PBS.
This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.2 billion.
Providing the best quality care and support to Australians with deadly cancers is a high priority for our Government.
As part of the 2021-22 Budget we announced a number of measures to support our already strong national cancer screening programs and in April, we held a Ministerial Roundtable with Cancer Australia, the first step in the development of a visionary ten-year Australian Cancer Plan.
These initiatives consolidate Australia as a world leader in the early detection and treatment of cancer.

NSW Government announces new $28 million mission to tackle bushfire threat

The NSW Government will direct $28 million into research and development and promoting new and emerging industries and technology to better prepare the state for future bushfires.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Bushfire Response R&D Mission will receive $7 million per year for the next four years as part of this year’s 2021-22 NSW Budget to be handed down next week.
“The 2019-20 bushfires claimed lives, destroyed thousands of homes and cost NSW billions, this investment will go towards reducing the impact of bushfires and responding in the most effective way possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This focus on new technology to enhance planning, preparation and response will save jobs when a disaster strikes and boost jobs in new industries.
“NSW is unfortunately one of the world’s bushfire hotspots, so it makes sense that we should package our hard won know-how and take it to the world.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Gabrielle Upton said the establishment of R&D Missions will address long-term strategic challenges facing NSW, and was a priority action of the “Turning Ideas into Jobs – Accelerating Research & Development in NSW Action Plan” launched in January 2021 by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“R&D Missions tackle complex challenges that require the integration and translation of research and technology across government agencies,” Ms Upton said.
“This funding will help establish a Bushfire Technology Network, engage NSW small business to develop and commercialise bushfire technologies and ensure that new technologies are tested by frontline NSW bushfire services.”
The funding will also help address a number of recommendations from the NSW Bushfire inquiry such as establishing NSW as a major world centre for bush fire research, and technology development and commercialisation.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the NSW Government has committed to acting on the lessons learnt from the 2019-20 bush fires.
“Bush fire research is a key recommendation of the independent NSW Bushfire Inquiry and is crucial to ensuring that our emergency services can continue to have the best training and technology that will keep our state safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“The continued investment into research goes hand-in-hand with the NSW Government’s record budget for Emergency Services and continued investment into initiatives that address recommendations from the Bushfire Inquiry.”
Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, said the Bushfire Response Mission will have a strong focus on technology.
“The Mission will develop the use of real-time data from space, air and ground-based assets, ensure fire ground decisions made are based on information and computer-aided tools, and enable the use of equipment including robots to aid responders,” Mr Durrant-Whyte said.
“Technologies from NSW companies which prove themselves will attract interest from global markets.”
Chair of the Advisory Council David Gonski AC welcomed the Bushfire Response Mission launch.
“The impact of COVID-19 on economic growth makes the task to commercialise more R&D an urgent one,” Mr Gonski said.
“Focusing the commercialisation of technologies on solving one of our state’s greatest challenges is an excellent step in bringing together and promoting the relevant research and development efforts of the business, research sectors and communities across NSW.”
The NSW Government has committed a further $8 million in funding over two years to establish an Emerging Industry Infrastructure Fund.
This fund will target new industries where NSW potentially has a comparative advantage and where co-investment in joint infrastructure will both build on existing industry and attract global companies and investment into NSW.
Potential investments include the development of sovereign semiconductor production capabilities and the consolidation of NSW’s leading position in synthetic biology.

Sydney Harbour track laying on track

Track laying has finished in one of the Sydney Metro railway tunnels under Sydney Harbour, marking a major milestone in the Metro from Chatswood to the city to Bankstown.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance today inspected the completed tracks on the Blues Point side of the northbound tunnel, which is about 40 metres below the harbour’s surface.
The tracks in these tunnels connect the future Barangaroo and Victoria Cross (North Sydney) Metro Stations.
“Around 50,000 people will have worked on this incredible city-shaping project by the time services start in 2024, with about 800 involved in the tunnel fit out and 5,000 currently working on the project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It will take just three minutes to travel between the new Victoria Cross Station at North Sydney to Barangaroo Station using the tunnels, transforming the way we travel around our great city.”
Track laying in the southbound Metro harbour tunnel has reached 30% and will be complete by the end of July.
“The 800 metre-section of track in the northbound Metro harbour tunnel is complete, after 1,200 railway sleepers and 2,100 tonnes of concrete were installed,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 4,000 tonnes of Australian steel has been used for the 31 kilometres of tracks from Chatswood to Sydenham, including 200 tonnes under the Harbour.”
Sydney Metro line-wide contractors Systems Connect, a joint venture between CPB Contractors and UGL Limited, took over the harbour tunnels in December last year to lay the tracks and fit out the tunnels.
Metro trains will start running through the harbour tunnels in 2024, extending the North West Metro, into the city and beyond to Bankstown.
New stations are being delivered at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street and Waterloo, along with new underground platforms at Central Station.

Housing crisis can no longer be ignored

Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the national housing crisis can no longer be ignored, as new data reveals that residential property prices rose 5.4 per cent in the March quarter alone.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Australia is facing nothing less than a full-blown housing crisis.
“People just want a place to live and call home. That’s it. But for more and more people, this is like something of a fantasy.
“The Morrison government clearly has no plan — and no interest in developing a plan — to deal with it. It’s outrageous. Even backbench Liberal MPs are starting to speak up and call for policy change.
“The government must urgently act on the housing crisis. They can start with a big social housing build and by scrapping the tax loopholes that have turned housing into a big game for speculators and investors.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are stuck on public housing waiting lists. Hundreds of thousands are being priced out of an unaffordable, out-of-control housing market.
“The Greens have a plan to build one million homes over twenty years, scrap the unfair tax exemptions, and ensure everyone has a roof over their head,” she said.