Month: November 2023

Newcastle Ocean Baths pump tests signal progress toward swim-ready water

Swimmers are one step closer to being back in the water at the Newcastle Ocean Baths, with the testing and commissioning of the newly installed pump system about to kick off.

Water will be pumped back into the Baths during the two-week process, before the pool is emptied for the final touches to be completed. Construction work on the pool surrounds will also continue during this time.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Office, Robert Dudgeon, said this final stage of testing is a critical step toward reopening the Baths for swimmers.

“The testing that commences today will run for approximately two weeks to confirm everything is working as it should when the baths are filled with water from the ocean, and also to provide training opportunities for our staff,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“Once the testing phase is complete, we will drain the pool so that the finishing touches can be applied, and we will then re-fill the pool ahead of the recommencement of swimming.

“We know the community are excited to return to the pool, and it’s really important that we complete the required testing to ensure the pool is safe and ready for swimming.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said he looked forward to the Baths reopening soon.

“The Newcastle Ocean Baths have been a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years, so it’s exciting to have reached this milestone in their revitalisation,” Cr Clausen said.

“We anticipate swimming will be given the green light sometime next month and should be in a position to announce the reopening date in the coming weeks.”

The new pump system was recently installed in a purpose-built wet well next to the old pumphouse structure.

The pumps have the capacity to completely replace the water in the baths within six hours. This is a significant improvement on the old system, which was dependent on tidal movement to refill the baths after cleaning.

A series of preliminary tests were conducted on the new system with the specialised manufacturer in Europe, ahead of the equipment being shipped to Australia for installation earlier this year.

The remaining components of the system were sourced from a local Newcastle supplier, who will help CN maintain the new system moving forward.

Work to restore the bleacher seating is also nearing completion, including application of the iconic teal green colour while sections of the boardwalk are being lifted into place.

Progress is being made on stage two of the project, following community input into preliminary options for the pavilion buildings earlier this year. Principal Design Consultant Tonkin Zulaikha Greer is working to prepare concepts for the upgrade of the pavilion buildings, including the heritage façade.

The $9.5 million proceeds from the sale of City of Newcastle’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the Newcastle Ocean Baths stage one upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space and delivers vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live.

Western Sydney to join the State’s best swimming destinations

A new ‘beach’ in Penrith, soon to be added to the list of NSW’s most iconic places to swim, will ensure people in Western Sydney have a place to cool off over summer.

In 2020, Penrith earned the title of the hottest place on earth with residents sweltering under a baking 48.9 degrees Celsius and in any heat wave it can be up to 10 degrees hotter than the east.

But access to outdoor swimming spots for Western Sydney residents is limited. It’s 40km to get to Lake Parramatta, 63km to Bondi Beach and 75km to either Cronulla or Manly.

The beach will be open 7 days a week from late December to early March 2024 with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The same length as Bondi Beach, Penrith Beach will offer an unmatched waterside experience in the heart of Western Sydney where people of all ages and backgrounds can safely enjoy the water for free.

Lifeguard services and first aid will be available in the designated and patrolled swimming zone.

This is backed by a $1.7 million investment from the NSW Government for vital construction and safety work to get this major new swimming spot at Penrith Lakes ready to swim over the hottest months of the year.

The site will be managed by the Department of Planning and Environment after an agreement signed with Western Sydney Lakes.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Penrith Beach is a gamechanger that gives the people of Western Sydney all the benefits of living in the west, with the addition of easy access to their very own beach.

“This is about fairness. For too long Western Sydney locals were neglected as the Liberals and Nationals focused all their energy on investment in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“The Minns Labor Government made a decision to create this magnificent recreation facility to give Western Sydney residents their fair share with the same access to swimming as Sydney’s east.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“As temperatures rise, access to water near where you live has never been more important –regardless of age, ability, or postcode – everyone should have access to a safe place to cool off.

“Penrith broke records for being the hottest place on earth and another sweltering summer is ahead of us, so a place to swim is important to support public health.

“We’ve always said that communities need infrastructure to support their growth. We took this decision to support the people of Western Sydney.

“This is a location of which the people of Western Sydney can be proud and which will make the rest of Sydney a little bit jealous!”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“I have lived in the Penrith community for over 35 years, so I know what a sweltering summer’s day feels like here.

“Since the day I was elected I have been advocating that this gem is open up for our community.

“I know just how much local residents are going to embrace and enjoy this new swimming spot close to home over Christmas and the school holidays.

“It’s an incredible amenity for families and friends to come and cool off, with the backdrop of the beautiful mountains, and I’m so proud to see this project come to life.”

NSW Government responds to detection of Red Imported Fire Ants in northern NSW

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have confirmed the detection of three red imported fire ant nests – with surveillance ongoing – in South Murwillumbah in north-eastern NSW, 13 km south of the Queensland border.

This is the first fire ant detection in Northern NSW and presumed to be the most southern report of fire ants from the Queensland infestation.

The detection in NSW triggers the National Fire Ant Eradication Program response which is part of the $600 million eradication plan developed by the Australian governments.

The NSW Government is working closely with the Commonwealth and the Queensland Governments, plus Tweed Shire Council. Experienced teams are on site chemically eradicating the infestation across a radius of 200m from the found sites.

Following detection of the fire ants the National Plan releases four subsequent actions – eradication, control, tracing and communications.

NSW DPI are leading the control, tracing, and communications by implementing an emergency biosecurity order across a radius of 5km from the site in South Murwillumbah.

All businesses and residents within that radius are restricted in how they can move potential fire ant carrier materials without permission. The following types of materials are restricted: mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products.

NSW DPI Officers and detection dogs are working on determining the extent of the infestation, undertaking genetic testing of the fire ants, and searching all properties within the control radius.

To date, NSW DPI fire ant preparedness activities have involved stakeholder engagement and training to 67,000 industry and community stakeholders in the northern border zone of NSW, through face-to-face engagements, electronic direct mail and letterbox drops.

Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and range in size from 2 to 6mm. Their ant nests are distinctive mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40cm high, with no obvious entrance holes.

Red imported fire ants can damage electrical and agricultural equipment, sting people, pets and livestock, kill native plants and animals, and damage ecosystems beyond repair.

Those who breach the emergency biosecurity order could face significant penalties with fines for breaches reaching up to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.

Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales, Tara Moriarty said:

“We are prepared for this discovery of fire ants in northern NSW and have immediately implemented our response plan which is part of the $600 million national program.

“I have spoken with my counterpart in Canberra, Senator Watt, and local parliamentary representatives across governments so that we are all aligned and actioning our prepared plans.

“I am in contact with our teams on the ground who are enforcing the emergency control order, tracing where this infestation may have originated from and monitoring the immediate chemical eradication of the fire ants.

“Our teams are focused on limiting further spread, and encouraging reporting and compliance through a targeted communications campaign.

“Red imported fire ants are a terrible invasive pest, which cause serious social, economic, and environmental harm, which is why the Minns Government this year committed $95 million towards the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and as our fire ant response ramps up in northern NSW, I encourage everyone to continue to check their properties for these pests. With the Christmas cross-border travel season approaching, we all must be careful of what we’re moving and where.

“Finding fire ants early and alerting NSW DPI, just like the community member has done in this instance, will increase our chances of a successful eradication effort.

“We will continue to keep the community informed of progress and will continue working closely with industry, the local community and our state and federal counterparts.”

Fire ant information

For more information about red imported fire ants, visit the NSW DPI websitelaunch.

Residents and businesses in northern NSW should report any sign of fire ants to NSW DPIlaunch or call 1800 680 244launch.

Appeal to locate missing teenage girl – Hunter Valley

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from the Hunter Valley region.

Sophie Holden, aged 15, was last seen travelling in a white Holden Cruze, bearing NSW registration DZX 29U, driven by an 18-year-old woman known to her in the Paxton area – about 10km south of Cessnock – at 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday 25 November 2023).

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare.

Sophia is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm, thin build and has long brown hair.

She was last seen wearing glasses, white hooded jumper and grey shorts.

Inquiries have established that Sophia and the 18-year-old woman maybe travelling to Victoria.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

GREENS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THALIDOMIDE SURVIVORS

The Australian Greens are calling on the Health Minister to agree to re-open applications for the Thalidomide Survivors Support Program. 

Ahead of the long-awaited national apology, set for 29th November 2023, Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John is calling on the Federal Government to immediately re-open the eligibility assessment program, to ensure that any previously unrecognised thalidomide survivors are able to apply for the program and get the support they deserve.

Additionally, Senator Jordon Steele-John is backing the calls of thalidomide survivors to have the ongoing support payments indexed, to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens spokesperson for Health and Disability said:

“At a time as momentous as a National Apology to Thalidomide Survivors, it is very likely that some members of the Australian Community may recognise, for the first time, that they too had been impacted by Thalidomide. It is vital that there still be a pathway for survivors to get justice, recognition and ongoing support. The Greens are calling on the Federal Government to re-open the eligibility assessment program.

“The intention of the Australian Thalidomide Survivors Program was to provide a lifetime support package for survivors. It’s clear that without indexing those payments, the ability for survivors to get access to the services they need is getting harder and harder.

“The Australian Government have made a commitment to right the wrongs and are now ready to apologise. But an apology is only as good as the actions that follow. It’s beyond time for support payments to be indexed to keep up with the rising cost of living.”

GREENS CALL FOR FULL FUNDING ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the Greens are once again calling for full funding for frontline family and domestic violence services, and will continue to do so every day for the next 16 days, as part of the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism campaign.

Frontline services that provide emergency housing, wrap-around support, legal advice, education and prevention, counselling and healing, and long term affordable housing are essential to ensuring women and children can escape family and domestic violence.  

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women said:

“This month in Australia, six women were murdered in just one week.This is an epidemic, and it must increase the urgency of governments and communities to tackle violence against women and their children.

“First Nations women, women from culturally diverse backgrounds, women in regional areas, older women, LGBTIQ+ women, and women with a disability are even more likely to experience violence.

“Every year on this day we recommit to ending sexual and physical violence against women around the world, but frontline services are still underfunded and women and children are being turned away as a result.

“Enough with empty promises. Enough with ignoring the impact of financial insecurity and housing stress on women’s capacity to leave. Enough with underfunding the services women reach out to in a crisis. 

“The Government has said it wants to end violence against women within a generation but it’s not stumping up the funds to deliver that. The total federal funding commitment over the next five years is $2.23 billion, less than half the $5 billion the sector needs to ensure no one is turned away.

“Labor has spoken often about difficult choices in the lead up to the budget, but right now they are choosing to spend $313 billion on tax cuts for billionaires while baulking at $1 billion a year for women escaping violence. It’s worse than disappointing, it’s a betrayal.

“The housing crisis is felt even more acutely by women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. Women are forced to choose between abuse or homelessness, because there is nowhere to go. 

“Women on low wages or income support are especially vulnerable without the resources to escape violent situations. Yet this government persists with the cruelty of keeping income support payments like JobSeeker below the poverty line, and has the audacity to cry poor while dishing out hundreds of billions in tax cuts and investment property perks for the rich.

“Today, and every day for the next 16 days, the Greens are calling for full funding of frontline DV services. 

“The women’s safety sector has repeatedly called for a $1 billion per year investment to meet demand. Labor’s last budget provided less than half that amount for frontline services.

“Women deserve better than that, and $1 billion each year is a very small price to pay to end this ongoing epidemic of violence against women and children.”

Provider Finalised for Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Townsville

The Albanese and Palaszczuk governments are making it easier for Townsville residents to see a doctor with a provider for the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) finalised, following an Expression of Interest process.

Eastbrooke Family Clinic will be established as the Townsville Medicare UCC and is expected to start seeing patients in December 2023.
 
The Townsville Medicare UCC delivers on the government’s commitment to make it easier for people in Townsville to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the Townsville University Hospital.
 
The Townsville Medicare UCC will be open for extended hours, seven days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.
 
The Townsville clinic is one of the 11 Medicare UCCs across Queensland – located in Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Ipswich, LogaThe Albanese and Palaszczuk governments are making it easier for Townsville residents to see a doctor with a provider for the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) finalised, following an Expression of Interest process.
 n, Northern Brisbane, Murrumba Downs (Redcliffe), Rockhampton, Southern Brisbane and Toowoomba.
 
Toowoomba and Townsville Medicare UCCs are additional clinics established as a result of the strong collaboration between the Commonwealth and Queensland Government under the Primary Care Pilots program.
 
The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with Primary Health Networks and the Queensland Government to deliver the remaining Medicare UCCs, all of which will open this year.
 
Minister Butler said:
 
“The Townsville Medicare UCC will make a big difference to patients in the region who will be able to walk in seven days a week and get free urgent care from a nurse or a doctor.
 
“The clinic will ease pressure on the Townsville University Hospital, so that its hard-working doctors and nurses can focus higher priority emergencies.
 
“The Townsville Medicare UCC is just another way the Government is strengthening Medicare and making it easier to see a doctor.”
 
Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said:

“Townsville families deserve free, high-quality health care close to home – and that’s exactly what the new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will provide.

“I’m so proud that the Palaszczuk Government helped to deliver this facility, which will treat urgent, but not life-threatening, conditions and illnesses.

“This clinic, together with our $530 million Townsville University Hospital expansion, will ensure residents have access to Queensland’s world-class healthcare.

“This is another example of the Albanese and Palaszczuk governments delivering for Queensland.”

Senator Green said:
 
“The Townsville Medicare UCC will mean locals who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card.
 
“I know many Townsville families who have had to wait long hours at the emergency department for non-life-threatening issues.
 
“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on the local ED and be much more convenient for our community – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.

Protecting children from online harm – Coalition policy on age verification trial

A federal Coalition Government will invest in age verification technology to help protect Australian children from online harm.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said an elected Coalition Government will provide an additional $6.7 million, over two years, to the eSafety Commission to conduct a trial aimed at reducing the access of children to harmful online content, such as pornography.

“There are growing concerns of how extreme, offensive and denigrating online images can normalise unacceptable behaviour, particularly in relation to women and girls,” Mr Dutton said.

“Families spend an increasing amount of time online; we want to help parents protect their kids from the damaging impacts this sort of content has on our kids.”

Mr Dutton unveiled the commitment in Brisbane where he met with representatives of key advocacy groups; Bravehearts, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and Collective Shout.

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said the Albanese Government had been condemned for rejecting the recommendation of its own eSafety Commissioner for a trial.

“Labor’s decision to oppose an age verification trial was criticised by more than 45 top child and women’s safety leaders who wrote to the Prime Minister and Minister,” Mr Coleman said.

“The National Children’s Safety Commissioner expressed disappointment at the Government’s announcement, but the pornography industry welcomed it.”

“We’ve also learnt from an FOI this week that the Minister considered that conducting a trial would ‘unnecessarily distract’ industry from developing new codes.”

Mr Coleman said he would introduce a Private Member’s Bill into Parliament on Monday seeking to amend the Online Safety Act to legislate for the Minister to carry out a trial.

Newcastle Ocean Baths pump tests signal progress toward swim-ready water

Swimmers are one step closer to being back in the water at the Newcastle Ocean Baths, with the testing and commissioning of the newly installed pump system about to kick off.

Water will be pumped back into the Baths during the two-week process, before the pool is emptied for the final touches to be completed. Construction work on the pool surrounds will also continue during this time.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Project Management Office, Robert Dudgeon, said this final stage of testing is a critical step toward reopening the Baths for swimmers.

“The testing that commences today will run for approximately two weeks to confirm everything is working as it should when the baths are filled with water from the ocean, and also to provide training opportunities for our staff,” Mr Dudgeon said.

“Once the testing phase is complete, we will drain the pool so that the finishing touches can be applied, and we will then re-fill the pool ahead of the recommencement of swimming.

“We know the community are excited to return to the pool, and it’s really important that we complete the required testing to ensure the pool is safe and ready for swimming.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said he looked forward to the Baths reopening soon.

“The Newcastle Ocean Baths have been a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years, so it’s exciting to have reached this milestone in their revitalisation,” Cr Clausen said.

“We anticipate swimming will be given the green light sometime next month and should be in a position to announce the reopening date in the coming weeks.”

The new pump system was recently installed in a purpose-built wet well next to the old pumphouse structure.

The pumps have the capacity to completely replace the water in the baths within six hours. This is a significant improvement on the old system, which was dependent on tidal movement to refill the baths after cleaning.

A series of preliminary tests were conducted on the new system with the specialised manufacturer in Europe, ahead of the equipment being shipped to Australia for installation earlier this year.

The remaining components of the system were sourced from a local Newcastle supplier, who will help CN maintain the new system moving forward.

Work to restore the bleacher seating is also nearing completion, including application of the iconic teal green colour while sections of the boardwalk are being lifted into place.

Progress is being made on stage two of the project, following community input into preliminary options for the pavilion buildings earlier this year. Principal Design Consultant Tonkin Zulaikha Greer is working to prepare concepts for the upgrade of the pavilion buildings, including the heritage façade.

The $9.5 million proceeds from the sale of City of Newcastle’s Fred Ash building is helping fund the Newcastle Ocean Baths stage one upgrade along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space and delivers vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live.

Ribbons cut at Illawarra stations

Upgrades to Unanderra, Bellambi and Dapto Stations are now complete, providing rail commuters with greater accessibility.

All 3 stations were officially opened by Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Illawarra MPs today.

Three new lifts are part of the Unanderra Station upgrade, finally making it accessible to people with a disability, limited mobility, parents or carers with prams and passengers with bikes or luggage.

In addition to the 3 new lifts, the upgrade includes a new footbridge and stairs with canopies, new kiss and ride zones, accessible parking spaces and bus zones on both sides of Berkeley Road.

The existing station building has been upgraded with new family accessible and ambulant toilets, and new seating has been added with improved accessible paths.

At Bellambi, the old station building was removed and replaced with a new building that includes new accessible bathrooms. Wider and safer platforms were made possible by constructing the new building further down the platform.

The upgrades include a new entry ramp, 2 accessible parking spaces, a kiss and drop zone, a new bike shelter and upgraded lighting.

Commuters at Dapto will notice upgraded kerbs and ramps, a formal kiss and ride zone, a wider platform 1, re-levelled surfaces on platform 2 and a new accessible path to both platforms.

The upgrades include more accessible bathrooms, new seating in the waiting room and a water bubbler on the platform.

In a NSW-first, Bellambi Station has had VeloSTRAIL installed at the level crossing, involving hard-wearing rubber panels that fill the gaps between tracks. The product will also be installed at Dapto Station early next year.

For more information about station upgrades, call 1800 684 490launch, email projects@transport.nsw.gov.aulaunch or visit the Transport for NSWlaunch website.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“The Transport Access Program is transforming stations across our state, ensuring everyone has safe, accessible access to our train stations.

“The transformation of Unanderra and the small, but important, upgrades to Bellambi and Dapto will ensure that commuters with disabilities, parents and passengers with luggage or bikes are able to make the most of our public transport network.

“We’re expanding the benefits of this important program by investing an additional $300 million, to build even more accessible stations across the state.”

Minister Ryan Park MP said:

“These are brilliant new updates to stations across the Illawarra that my colleagues and I have campaigned hard for alongside our community.

“I’m so pleased to see these upgrades officially opened and to be able to see some of the finer details up close.

“The artwork concepts at Bellambi carry on from the work done at Towradgi, reflecting the stories and themes of significance to the local Dharawal people.

“Perforated metal screens along the access ramp depict the ray and Wobbegong shark, which are native to Bellambi Point and an important part of the story of Bellambi Point, which was recognised by Heritage NSW as an official Aboriginal Place in 2012.”

Member for Wollongong Minister Paul Scully MP said:

“The community was ecstatic to see the lifts at Unanderra Station officially opened earlier this year. To join the community in campaigning for this vital upgrade, and then to watch it spring to life, piece by piece, has been fantastic.

“I have had an enormous amount of positive feedback from the community about the lifts and improved access at Unanderra Station since they opened to the public – it’s great to see how happy people are that this station is finally accessible to everyone.

“The upgraded Unanderra Station features intricate design patterns on the lift shafts and footbridge that reflect the faulting and joint work of the sandstone cliffs and escarpment west of the station.  

“The dark strips on the side of the lift shafts mimic local waterfall features, and footpaths at the lift entrances also feature sandblasted artworks resembling Aboriginal meeting places, family and closeness.” 

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson MP said:

“It’s brilliant to see Dapto Station get the love and attention it needs.

“Making the platforms wider, adding shade and upgrading the footpaths is fantastic. Making it more accessible will ensure everyone can access our local train services.

“I’m excited to see VeloSTRAIL will be installed at the Bong Bong Road crossing in months to come. That will make the path easier to navigate for passengers, but also anyone else using the gap-free footpath to cross the rail line.”