Month: October 2023

City of Newcastle delivers flood improvements for University Drive

A $5 million project to reduce the risk of flooding on a major Newcastle roadway has been completed by City of Newcastle.

The work will significantly decrease the likelihood of University Drive at Waratah West flooding due to heavy rain by improving the flow of water through Boatman Creek.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, City of Newcastle Assets Coordinator – Stormwater Ben Lovell and City of Newcastle Asset Engineer Luke Jaszczyk celebrate the completion of the stormwater upgrade at Boatman Creek.

The low section of this busy road, which is a major thoroughfare to the Mater Hospital and University of Newcastle, was notorious for flooding during major wet weather events, causing road closures and damage to nearby properties. In 2020, ten people were rescued by the SES after a bus entered floodwaters at this location.

A 100-year-old brick arch culvert that was restricting the capacity of Boatman Creek and posing a blockage risk has now been replaced with a new sandstone channel. The upstream creek has also been rehabilitated to maximise flow capacity and channel durability.

A new cycleway pedestrian bridge located above the stormwater channel was also constructed as part of the project to maintain access for students and the community.

While the new upgrades won’t entirely flood-proof the area, the project will mean less disruption to traffic on this important road by reducing flooding frequency.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is continuing to invest in projects across the city that deliver modern infrastructure to help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.

“We are committed to delivering largescale stormwater infrastructure upgrades that ensure the safety of community and property now and into the future,” Cr Nelmes said.

“By replacing the culvert, upgrading the channel in Boatman Creek, and moving water away from people and properties, this work will reduce the impacts of flooding on lives, homes and businesses.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that the upgrade will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those living and working in the area.

“The construction of a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the embankment has also ensured the project maintains access to the University for students and continues to be an important link in our city’s wider cycleway network,” Cr Clausen said.

Funding boost to forensic mental health services in NSW

The NSW Government is making vital investments in mental health with an additional 109 forensic mental health beds to be delivered in NSW to ensure more people with severe mental illness can get treatment.

Expanding the existing NSW network of forensic and mental health units is a crucial step to improving the system as part of a $700 million investment in mental health services.

Forensic mental health units are a key part of both the mental health and justice system, which ensures people receive comprehensive mental health care when engaged in the criminal justice system as a result of their ill health.

There’s currently a total of 209 beds in forensic mental health units across NSW so the government is delivering a 50% increase to ensure NSW facilities have the capacity to meet people’s needs and help them get on the road to recovery.

This investment from the NSW Government is an important first step, which includes:

  • A new mental health intensive care unit (MHICU) located within the Forensic Hospital at Malabar (Freshwater Unit).
  • Additional low secure and medium secure forensic beds located within the mental health precinct at Concord Hospital.
  • Relocation of the Cumberland Bunya Medium Secure Forensic unit to Blacktown Hospital and the addition of new low secure forensic beds.
  • Relocation of the Morisset Kestrel Medium Secure Forensic unit to the New Maitland Hospital and the addition of new low secure forensic beds. This includes the relocation of the adult acute and older persons services previously provided at Morisset to the New Maitland Hospital.
  • The new beds will be delivered in Concord, Freshwater, Blacktown and Maitland over the next 4 years.

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

“The care provided in our forensic mental health units is vital in reducing the risk of repeat offending resulting from untreated mental illness and improves the safety of NSW communities.

“This investment will help to address statewide gaps in in-patient forensic services so that people get the right care, at the right time, in the least restrictive environment.

“We’re increasing the number of beds available in low, medium and high security facilities to ensure we can meet patients where they’re at and support their pathway to recovery.

“Our goal is to put people back on their feet and in the right head space so they can recover and transition back into the community to live meaningful, purposeful lives.”

Major rail projects track ahead during school holidays

The NSW Government continues to prioritise the future of our rail network, making major progress towards more reliable, resilient, comfortable and accessible journeys for passengers.

Commuters can now tap back onto the T3 Bankstown line after a two-week closure saw significant work completed in preparation for the line’s Metro City & Southwest conversion.

Approximately 500 workers were on site during this time, many around the clock, undertaking crucial track upgrades, installing security fencing and cables, excavating the future Bankstown Metro platforms and testing new infrastructure. The new pedestrian overbridge at Dulwich Hill Station is also complete and open to commuters from today.

Sydney Metro took advantage of the school holidays to complete this work, as train patronage is generally lower, meaning less disruption to passengers.

As Metro City & Southwest upgrades continue to ramp up, there will be additional closures and replacement bus plans during school holidays and weekend periods:

  • Wednesday 27 December 2023 to Thursday 25 January 2024
  • Saturday 13 April to Sunday 28 April 2024
  • the target start date for the 12-month closure of the T3 Bankstown line is between July and October 2024.

Transport for NSW is developing detailed plans to support passengers during the final T3 conversion period and the community will be informed well ahead of time.

Rail Repair Plan passes halfway mark

Just four months in since the launch on 4 June, the Sydney Trains Rail Repair Plan has hit 60 per cent completion, 10 weeks ahead of schedule.

With more than 1,150 high-priority defects removed across the network so far, Sydney Trains is on track to complete the 1,900 target ahead of the June 2024 forecast.

Weekend works were kept to a minimum over the Labour Day long weekend, to ensure the community could access major events including the NRL Grand Final.

Jo Haylen, Minister for Transport, said: 

“It’s fantastic to welcome commuters back to the T3 Bankstown Line, with services back up and running in time for everyone’s return to school.”

“Under our Rail Repair Plan, we’re ahead of schedule in 18 weekends of trackwork, set to improve reliability for passengers across our network and ensuring everyone has a smoother ride in 2024.”

“We know we still have a long way to go, but we’re pleased to see this progress. I want to thank the thousands of workers who have gotten us to this milestone, and passengers for their patience.”

Matt Longland, Sydney Trains Chief Executive, said: 

“This past month, our on-time running performance exceeded 92 per cent for the first time since May 2022, showing our hard work is starting to pay off.”

“While we are confident that the network will be more reliable with fewer incidents, it’s worth remembering this doesn’t mean there will be no issues. Our rail infrastructure is ageing and the network is complex.”

Compliance blitz finds 99% of pubs and clubs inspected in NSW free of outdoor gambling signage

A month-long compliance blitz has found nearly 99% of pubs and clubs inspected in NSW are now free of external gambling-related signage, as the NSW Government begins its statewide reform on gaming room advertising.

During the compliance program, Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) inspected over 1100 venues across 35 metropolitan and 8 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs). This represents just over 50% of all venues in NSW with an entitlement to hold gaming machines.

These inspections revealed 16 venues with prohibited external signage, which L&GNSW is investigating. This represents an overall compliance rate of almost 99%. 

This signage has been found to be triggering for those with gambling-related issues and were banned from 1 September 2023.

L&GNSW has directly communicated with industry on the changes, first announced in May, including issuing a compliance position paper and several communications on its website and to venues in the months and weeks leading up to the ban which came into place on 1 September.

Inspectors are currently assessing the instances of prohibited signage identified during the blitz, to determine the cause of delay in removing the signage. Those venues which are not able to produce clear evidence that the delays were caused by factors outside of their control will be fined.

L&GNSW Inspectors also identified some operators who have put in place signage in what appears to be an attempt to circumvent the restrictions. L&GNSW is investigating this signage and will determine whether further action, including enforcement or administrative action needs to be taken.

L&GNSW has clearly signalled those venues with existing non-compliant signage, or new signage that attempts to circumvent the restrictions in the legislation, will face escalated enforcement action, with a zero-tolerance approach from 1 December 2023. Failure to comply with these requirements carries penalties of up to $11,000, per offence.

Removal of all external signage is just one part of the NSW Government’s broader gaming reform to reduce harm including:

  • Reducing the cash input limit from $5,000 to $500 for all new electronic gaming machines from 1 July 2023
  • Capping the number of gaming machine entitlements in circulation
  • Banning political donations from clubs involved in gaming
  • Introducing Responsible Gaming Officers at venues with more than 20 machines
  • Expanding a third-party exclusion register to the whole state
  • Establishing an independent panel of expert stakeholders including industry, harm minimisation organisations, academics, law enforcement, cyber security and the union movement to oversee the cashless gaming trial and recommend an implementation roadmap for gaming reforms.

For more information visit Liquor and Gaming NSWlaunch.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Removing this signage for pubs and clubs is just one part of our commitment to reducing gambling harm in our community and I thank licensees and industry bodies for getting on board.

“We have been working positively and proactively with industry associations and venues across the state to educate, inform and support them through this process and ensure this high level of compliance.

“We welcome the positive impact this campaign has had on the exteriors of licensed venues which now solely feature advertisements for a diverse range of offerings such as food and beverage specials, live music and entertainment instead of signs designed to advertise the presence of gaming machines. It makes a noticeable difference to the amenity of our cities and suburbs.

“It’s great to see industry and government working together to prevent and reduce gambling harm in the community and we will continue to do so.”

Bumper October delivers trading hours bonanza for fans and pubs and clubs

Pubs and clubs’ patrons will be the big winners during October thanks to the NSW Government extending trading hours for venues that televise and support major upcoming sporting and cultural events.

A series of special event extended trading nights kicked off on the long weekend and will continue through until the Rugby World Cup final on 29 October.

Special event extended trading hours are made available under the Liquor Act 2007 for events that are of “regional, state or national significance.”  

Extended trading does not apply to takeaway alcohol trading times and individual trading restrictions and other special conditions on a venue’s liquor licence remain in force.   

Additional extended trading hours for 2023:

EventExtension
Bathurst 100010pm to midnight, 8 October for venues in the Bathurst LGA (specifically Abercrombie, Bathurst, Eglinton, Kelso, Llanarth, Mitchell, Mount Panorama, Orton Park, Perthville, Raglan, South Bathurst, West Bathurst and Windradyne)
Rugby World Cup 2023—Quarter-Final 1Midnight to 5am, 14 October to 15 October, statewide
Rugby World Cup 2023—Quarter-Final 25am to 8am, 15 October, statewide
South by Southwest Sydney10pm to midnight, 15 October for venues in Sydney and The Rocks in the City of Sydney LGA
Rugby World Cup 2023— Quarter-Final 3Midnight to 5am, 15 October to 16 October, statewide
Rugby World Cup 2023—Semi-Final 25am to 10am, 22 October, statewide
South by Southwest Sydney10pm to midnight, 22 October for hotel or club premises in Sydney and The Rocks (City of Sydney LGA)
Rugby World Cup 2023—Final5am to 10am, 29 October, statewide

More information on extended tradinglaunch.

More information about South by Southwest Sydneylaunch.  

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy Jonh Graham said:

“These big events, whether they are major televised sporting and motor racing fixtures or the first ever South by Southwest festival to be held in Sydney, are bringing people together and of course we want to support that as part of returning vibrancy to NSW.

“Local venues get a much-needed boost in numbers out of this and in turn boost their local and night-time economies.

“I’m very pleased that people attending South by Southwest will have the chance to see Sydney at its best after dark, with more venues able to open later as people walk between shows and venues soaking up the music, the ideas and the culture of an event being held for the first time outside its home city of Texas.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“This October is going to be huge for sporting and cultural events in NSW and we want to support fans and venues to enjoy a piece of the action.

“Our bumper October of extended trading kicked off with the NRL Grand Final. It was a huge success, with patrons able to celebrate for longer than usual after the final whistle at the same venues where they had been cheering on their favourite teams. 

“I look forward to NSW sports fans being able to enjoy extended trading hours at their favourite venues as they watch the rest of this month’s big sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Bathurst 1000.

“What’s more, audiences attending the wide mix of technology, music, film and cultural events on opening and closing nights of SXSW Sydney can continue the celebration with hotels and clubs in the City of Sydney LGA open until midnight.”

Fire and Rescue NSW works with multicultural communities to deliver key fire safety messages

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is continuing to work with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to deliver key home fire safety messages as the weather warms up.

FRNSW attended the Canterbury-Bankstown Safety Expo today, with firefighters from Arabic, Greek and Vietnamese backgrounds spending time with locals to discuss fire safety in their native language.

More than 27% of NSW residents were born overseas, and 1 in 3 households speaks a language other than English.

Engaging CALD communities through education initiatives is an important way FRNSW is preparing residents for any emergency, helping overcome knowledge and awareness barriers that might put these communities at risk of home fires.

While fires are more likely to occur during winter, the risk remains year-round with working smoke alarms and cooking safety perennial concerns for firefighters. 

As the weather warms up, residents living near bush and grass land are urged to be aware of the fire risk in their area and to heed the advice and warnings of authorities.

Barbecue use is more popular during warmer months, but it carries a heightened risk on hot days and residents are urged to observe limitations on barbecue use during total fire ban days.

Translated fire safety fact sheets and videos are available in several languages on the Fire and Rescue NSW websitelaunch where you can also book in a free home safety visit from your local station.

Minister for Emergency Services and Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said: 

“I can’t stress enough the importance of creating consistent messaging for people from all backgrounds.”

“Bankstown is home to people of diverse languages and backgrounds, and finding a way to reach communities in a way that is familiar to them is incredibly important.”

“I commend FRNSW for recognising this as an outreach opportunity.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Paul McGuiggan said:

“As an organisation we are fully committed to connecting to, and working with, multicultural communities to help prepare them for any emergency.”

“Explaining fire safety messaging in a way that simplifies the language used and the understanding of potential outcomes is crucial.”

“We need to make sure we are able to educate people from different backgrounds, in the language and concepts that make sense.”

The alternative vision to a divisive ‘Voice’

What are the alternatives to a Voice, and why hasn’t a vision of a united Australia been canvassed by leaders other than One Nation?

Let’s explore a vision that draws from the wisdom of our past while looking toward the future.

Our beautiful land is a canvas painted with the stories of both Aboriginals and those who came after. It’s a narrative of unity, struggles, and perseverance. We are one mob, not divided among races.

That’s a vision we would love to instill in our nation. Unity. A vision where all those who want to be a part of our Aussie culture can join if they respect who we are, and where we have come from.

Think of our country as a grand old tree, its roots deep in history, its branches reaching out to every Australian. Every leaf represents each one of us — unique yet part of the same tree. Every decision made at the top impacts the whole tree, right down to the deepest root.

Farmers are the best custodians of their land, and any farmer will tell you what you do to interfere with one branch or leaf has an impact on the whole tree.

Our founders envisioned a nation where decisions were made in unity. A land where every voice, whether from the busy cities or the vast outback, mattered equally. While we acknowledge the connection the Aboriginals have with this land, we must also ensure that in our quest to do right by one group, we don’t inadvertently silence others.

Imagine a grand assembly, a gathering of minds, where every Australian has a seat. From the young to the elderly, from the Indigenous to the immigrant. All with their stories, hopes, and dreams. While we listen to the songlines of our Aboriginal friends, we must also hear the dreams of a farmer in Geelong, the aspirations of a teacher in Perth, or the challenges faced by a business owner in Cairns.

Our grand assembly is Parliament, where members debate, discuss and hopefully listen. Where many Aboriginal folk, people from many races, and both genders are represented.

We must move forward with respect and understanding after the referendum is finished, cherishing our foundation while paving the way for an inclusive future based on us all being equal. Australia’s strength doesn’t come from sidelining any group but from uniting our diverse voices in harmony.

We need to ensure that the harmony of the Australian chorus isn’t disrupted. They believed in an Australia where tradition met progression seamlessly, ensuring a brighter future for all.

Man in Newcastle court on 45 charges

A man is due in Newcastle court today charged with 45 offences after allegedly exposing himself to school children.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Fitzwater to investigate multiple reports of a man exposing his genitals to children in the Merewether and Cooks Hill area.

As part of inquiries, detectives were patrolling the Cooks Hill area yesterday (Friday 6 October 2023), when they followed a vehicle to Robey Street, Merewether, and arrested the 65-year-old driver.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he has now been charged with 45 offences,

Intentionally do sexual act towards child between 10 to 16 years (21 counts)
Stalk person intent to cause physical or mental harm (22 counts)
Intentionally sexually touch child 10 years or older and under 16 years, and
Carry out sexual act with another without consent.
He has been refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 October 2023).

A number of items have been seized for further examination from both the vehicle and a home in the Newcastle area.

LABOR OFFERS LIBERAL SOLUTIONS TO IMMIGRATION CRISIS

Labor’s approach to Australia’s immigration system is too similar to the Liberal Party and leading to the same disastrous human rights outcomes.

“Secret transfers of people seeking asylum to Nauru is a disgraceful continuation of the last government’s war on refugees,” Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“They need to explain why they are exiling people to Nauru instead of ending the barbaric practice of offshore detention immediately.”

“Labor’s approach to asylum seekers is so flawed it may as well have been designed by Scott Morrison or Peter Dutton.”

“This Government was elected on a platform of change, not just to offer the same rubbish in a different bin.”

“The Nixon Report identified the massive delays in asylum seeker resolution – that needs to be addressed by actually investing resources into resolving claims quickly and fairly.”

“It also needs to be addressed by restoring massive cuts the Status Resolution Support Services, as Labor promised to do.”

“Labor should rule out using the Nixon report to remove people’s rights, ditch the Dutton law and order rhetoric and concentrate on making the visa processing system faster and fairer.”

SENATE INQUIRY EXPOSES AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION IN TURMOIL

Senate inquiry hearings into Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) funding mismanagement have exposed the Division is in turmoil.

A staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance has been identified, resulting in harrowing impacts on science staff and capabilities.

Damning evidence to the committee over the past two days includes:

  • Revelations of a $42 million AAD budget overspend with an admission from the AAD of “ongoing issues with Budget transparency”, resulting in cost cutting and budget restraints that have impacted the delivery of science in the Antarctic.
  • Distress from AAD staff who “dread” coming into the office and face extreme stress in “a hostile work environment where there is bullying and where funding is uncertain”.
  • Frustration from UTAS and other scientists that no field work has been conducted in Antarctica investigating critical marginal sea ice movements for over a decade.
  • Alarm from CPSU delegates and members about a “culture of secrecy”, project funding being used as a bullying tactic, and “at least half a dozen” current AAD employees who had felt pressured not to give evidence. 
  • Incredulity expressed by TasPorts on why the government didn’t listen to warnings dating back to 2018 that its $528m ice-breaking research ship – RSV Nuyina – which resupplies Australia’s three Antarctic stations and conducts crucial climate research was too big to safely pass underneath Hobart’s bridge to refuel.

The inquiry was initiated following the Albanese Government’s failure to set the record straight and address rising fears about what science programs will be axed as a result of a $25 million cut the AAD’s operating budget..

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said: 

“We knew going into this inquiry that certain matters relating to the AAD’s governance were dysfunctional, but I never could have imagined just how toxic the situation had become – especially for our nation’s Antarctic scientists.

“The AAD self-identified a shocking $42 million overspend and ongoing issues with budget transparency – and whether or not the Division likes to admit it, this has resulted in budget restraints that have impacted Australia’s delivery of critical science programs in the Antarctic.

“Deeply personal witness testimony to the AAD inquiry has been devastating and has indicated a staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance that has resulted in harrowing impacts on scientists and their critical work. People’s lives have been dramatically impacted by the dysfunction of the AAD’s workplace culture and historic poor decision making. 

“It’s now incumbent on the Senate to provide a strong majority report with recommendations that can fix this mess, and for the Government to listen and restore critical funding for Antarctic science programs, as well as implement long-term structural change. 

“MPs from across the political spectrum who attended the hearings were in solidarity about wanting to find a solution to this mess – but only the Government has the power to implement meaningful change.”