Month: October 2021

Recently on local radio, the new Minister for Industry, Angus Taylor was pressed for answers on why the Minister for Resources, Keith Pitt has failed to deliver a verdict on the Petroleum Exploration Permit (PEP 11) extension.
Angus Taylor described Keith Pitt’s indecision as a “balancing exercise”.
But the only balancing act I see taking place here is the one in the Liberal National party room over PEP 11.
We know that in February this year, former NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, the other key decision-maker of the Joint Authority, came out strongly against renewing the PEP 11 permit.
Given Minister Pitt has been aware of Mr Barilaro and the NSW Government’s strong objection of this project for over eight months now, why is it taking Minister Pitt so long to make the final decision?
It certainly has many Novocastrians scratching their heads.
The Government’s ongoing delay and indecision has driven individual Members of Parliament, myself included, to lead debates, put Private Members Motions and voice our concerns on the floor of Parliament many, many times. The latest push will be in the form of a Private Members Bill when the Australian Parliament resumes on 18 October.
I was very pleased to second this Bill, to ensure that it will be presented to Parliament, but I expect the Morrison Government has zero intention of allowing members to actually vote on this bill.
As the government of the day, the Liberal National Party controls the legislative agenda, and as such determines whether they wish to throw their support behind a Private Members Bill like this one. It’s a historical fact that less than 2 per cent of Private Members Bills are successfully passed in the Australian Parliament.
If the Morrison Government permitted a vote on this Bill, would they grant the Liberal Party MPs whose electorates strongly oppose PEP 11 a “free vote”?
More importantly, if granted the opportunity, will those MPs who have come out against the permit themselves, be prepared to cross the floor to exercise their “free vote”?
In February this year the Australian Labor Party made clear our strong opposition to PEP 11 – this is a binding decision of all Labor members.  The Morrison Government, however, has zero appetite for leadership and is unlikely to adopt a position ahead of the introduction of this Private Members Bill in Parliament.
But we wouldn’t have to bring this Bill before the Parliament if the Minister responsible actually did his job and delivered a verdict in the first place.
It’s safe to say that the Morrison Government only has one agenda – and that has more to do with politics than public interest. 
The PEP 11 project is a thorn in the Liberal National Party’s side.
Keith Pitt knows that if he accepts the extension of the application, his party colleagues who publicly opposed PEP 11 are going to be met with significant political backlash in their own beaches.
The looming decision on PEP 11 is like staring down the barrel of Morrison Government’s re-election campaign. And this time, it’s locked and loaded.
Keith Pitt’s Sydney North Shore and Central Coast colleagues would most certainly have to explain to their constituents why they backflipped on PEP 11. Not an ideal circumstance for Scott Morrison whilst gearing up for an election, especially when the clock is ticking, and time is running out.
So, the real question is, when does this so-called “balancing exercise” simply become more than an act of political desperation, and rather a subversion of democracy?
Communities along our coastline have overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to PEP 11. This is a project without friends. The Minister knows this. His Liberal and National Party colleagues know this. And his leader, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, most certainly knows this.
Keith Pitt’s apparent inability to make a decision on PEP 11 says much more about this government’s determination to prioritise political interests over and above the collective concerns of our community.
Over 75,000 people along the coastline have signed petitions to stop PEP 11.
Just like his boss, Keith Pitt has failed the greatest test of leadership – taking responsibility.
Unlike the Morrison Government, Labor’s position on this proposal has always been crystal clear.
As Anthony Albanese has already stated, Labor won’t rest until this bad idea is 100 per cent dead and buried.
Can Scott Morrison and his Liberal National Party colleagues say the same?
 

Local coffee lovers will soon be flocking to Dixon Park Beach, with the arrival of a long-awaited kiosk in time for the busy Summer period.
City of Newcastle sought tenders to lease, fit-out and operate the Dixon Park Beach kiosk in August, with Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd named the proposed lessee.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that the revitalisation of the kiosk building at Dixon Park Beach demonstrates the City’s commitment to upgrading coastal assets.
“Newcastle’s beaches are world-renowned, and City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring these incredible natural assets remain accessible to our community and have the amenities required for a positive visitor experience,” Cr Nelmes said.
Councillor Carol Duncan said that the recent works have brought the space to life and the kiosk will soon become a regular stop for locals.
“The recent refurbishment of the Dixon Park Beach kiosk has transformed the building into a space which will become a vibrant hive of activity once it becomes operational later this year.
“Following a tender process, Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd was assessed as the proposed lessee and with such a stunning backdrop, I have no doubt that the kiosk will become a regular haunt for coffee lovers and a place for people to stop and enjoy our magnificent coastline.”

Public notice of the proposed five-year lease, with a further five-year option, to Sunnyboy Kiosk Pty Ltd commences today for a period of 28 days. Consideration will be given to submissions, before a lease agreement is enacted. It is expected that the kiosk will be operational by mid-December.
Work to prepare the kiosk for use commenced in 2020 and included the connection to power, water and sewerage infrastructure, and more recently saw the construction of a shade shelter and seating, and the renewal of the iconic Mark Richards mural.
Another coastal building which is also soon be enjoyed by the community is Shepherds Hill Cottage, with the final stages of renewal works underway. An expression of interest for the lease of Shepherds Hill Cottage also concluded in August and is currently under evaluation.
The refurbishment of the Dixon Park Beach kiosk and Shepherds Hill Cottage supports City of Newcastle’s Coastal Revitalisation program which began in 2010 as part of a long-term commitment to enhance Newcastle’s coastline.

City of Newcastle will continue to focus on the health and safety of our community as we take a staged approach to the safe reopening services and facilities from next week in line with NSW Government Public Health Orders (PHOs).
The NSW Government’s PHO comes into effect on Monday 11 October, now that NSW has reached the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target.
The PHO requires visitors attending public swimming pools to have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. From Monday, proof of vaccination will be required as a condition of entry to all City of Newcastle pools.
All adults (over 16) will need to show their COVID-19 certificate to pool staff to gain entry. A person under 16 years of age attending a public swimming pool must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult member of their household.
Several other City of Newcastle services will resume on Monday. Blackbutt Reserve will reopen its wildlife boardwalk and shelters, while Newcastle Libraries will commence a Reserve & Collect service where members can place reservations online and pick up their items from a library branch.
Library return chutes have reopened this week, and the Library 2U delivery service is operating where members can borrow up to five items via home delivery or collection.
The City will continue to take a measured, safety-first approach to reopening our facilities, with most services to resume closer to or after NSW reaches the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, noting that vaccination rates in the Hunter are behind the state average.
City of Newcastle is finalising COVID safe plans for all sites in accordance with the NSW Government’s latest PHO to ensure we can adhere to the required safety measures, which include one person per four square metres, mandatory mask wearing, and proof of full vaccination upon entry.
We will continue to monitor information as it is released by the NSW Government and appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as our staged reopening begins.

A transition to clean energy, developing solutions to grow a circular economy and connecting refugees to career pathways have received funding under City of Newcastle’s Community Support Grants Program.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the annual grants program will direct much-needed funds into developing opportunities in the local economy as the city emerges from a lengthy COVID-19 lockdown.
“Our community is recovering from the recent lockdown and City of Newcastle’s annual Community Support Grants Program, along with the Infrastructure Grant Program, will inject over $450,000 directly into the local economy including targeted support to create more jobs and build business opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We’ve supported a number of community-minded projects, including Hunter Jobs Alliance’s clean energy engagement initiative and a unique social inclusion project that will support our community post-lockdown.”
Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator, Warrick Jordan, said the Clean Energy Transition Community Engagement Program will prepare the community for the changes and opportunities that will arise as Newcastle transitions to clean energy.
“This financial boost will go a long way towards building understanding of how locals want to create a safe and sustainable future” said Mr Jordan.
Image: (L-R) Global Table Collective Coordinator, Ruth Anagnostis, Circular Economy Coordinator for Go Circular, Bianca Bartlett, Circular Economy Lead for Go Circular, Tim Baker, Hunter Jobs Alliance Coordinator, Warrick Jordan and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
The Global Table Collective, which provides opportunities for women from refugee and multicultural backgrounds, has also received grant funding. This initiative builds skills and experience in the catering of food from their countries of origin to build social connections and job readiness for a future career in the local hospitality industry.
Financial support has also been directed to Go Circular’s Hunter 100: Circular Economy Youth Leadership Project which harnesses young people’s passion to protect our climate by providing them with the skills, networks, and confidence to solve problems around transitioning to a regenerative circular economy. The program pioneers career opportunities for emerging students in the Hunter.
In August, City of Newcastle announced the expansion of the Community and Economic Resilience Package, which will see at least $10 million invested into the local economy and the creation of hundreds of local jobs through an expanded capital works program.
City of Newcastle has funded training initiatives across a range of areas through its NewSkills program, which aims to address a wide variety of industry specific skills gaps over the next two years.
To find out more about how we’re responding to COVID-19 visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19