16 News

Greens supporting local residents on PFAS contamination and sand mining: Senator Mehreen Faruqi visiting Tuesday 22 January

WHEN:  TIME 2.30 pm Tuesday 22 January

WHERE:  Pauls Corner Saltash – public car park behind eastbound bus stop

WHAT:

NSW Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi will visit Port Stephens on Tuesday 22 January to hear first hand from local residents about their concerns over multiple threats in the Williamtown, Saltash and Bobs Farm areas, including PFAS contamination and a proposed massive increase in sand mining.

Senator Faruqi has been active on the Williamtown PFAS contamination scandal both as an MP in the NSW Parliament as Greens NSW Environment Spokesperson, and since taking over from Lee Rhiannon in mid 2018, as a Greens Senator for NSW. She also sat on the Senate inquiry into PFAS in and around Defense bases that focused on the issue at Williamtown.

Senator Faruqi said: “More than 600 local families continue to face an uncertain future, with their health and finances in doubt.”

“More than 3 years after the contamination was publicly revealed the federal government is no closer to resolving this issue and allowing people closure” she said. The government has decided that there will be no property buyback scheme which is unacceptable. There are no options but for compensation to include buyback. The government must take responsibility for the pollution.

“Unfortunately this is an issue that is not going to go away. It has become increasingly clear that PFAS has affected many more sites across Australia.”

 “The Morrison government must take responsibility for this crisis, but the urgent need for a national response plan must not delay financial assistance for local residents and businesses.”

As if the contamination was not enough, 25,000 people in the eastern part of Port Stephens face the prospect of a massive increase in sand mining. A major new mine on Council owned land in the contaminated area has already been approved and another huge quarry is proposed for nearby Bobs Farm. Both will clear valuable habitat, further congest already inadequate roads and negatively impact on local residents.

Senator Faruqi said “I call on the Berejiklian State Government to step in and protect the Port Stephens community from an unacceptable increase in quarrying activity.” She concluded.

A man has been charged over the alleged stabbing death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region last night.
About 10.45pm (Sunday 20 January 2019), police and emergency services were called to Leumeah Place, Bolton Point, after reports of a stabbing.
A 35-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he died just before midnight.
Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have established Strike Force Larkview to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Following inquiries, just before 7pm today (Monday 21 January 2019), a 32-year-old man was arrested in a fast food restaurant on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Glover Street, Belmont.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 22 January 2019

A man has died following a two-vehicle crash near Newcastle today.
About 11.20am (Monday 21 January 2019), emergency services were called to Medowie Road, Williamtown, following reports two vehicles collided head-on.
The sole occupant and male driver of a hatchback, believed to be travelling north, died at the scene.
He is yet to be formally identified.
The female driver and female passenger of the SUV, believed to be travelling south, are being treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Investigations continue.
Traffic diversions are currently in place, please check Livetraffic.com before driving.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Police investigating the alleged stabbing death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region overnight are urging a man who fled the home to come forward.
About 10.45pm (Sunday 20 January 2019), police and emergency services were called to Leumeah Place, Bolton Point, after reports of a stabbing.
A 35-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he died just before midnight.
Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have established Strike Force Larkview the investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
The Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said police were following several lines of inquiry but were keen to locate a man who was at the home at the time of the stabbing.
“We have spoken to a number of people who were at the gathering, including a man aged in his 50s, all of whom have provided significant information about the incident,” Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin said.
“At this stage of the investigation, we are keen to speak with a 32-year-old man who left the home prior to police arrival.
“He has been described to police as being of Caucasian appearance and 172cm tall.
“I urge that man to come forward and speak with investigators as soon as possible,” Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin said.
Inquiries into the matter continue and police have appealed for anyone with information about the stabbing to contact police immediately.

A man is in custody over the alleged stabbing death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region.
About 10.45pm (Sunday 20 January 2019), police were called to an address on Leumeah Place, Bolton Point, after reports of a stabbing.
A 35-year-old man had been stabbed at the location and was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital where he died just before midnight.
A man aged in his 50s is assisting police at the scene and is expected to be arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
Police are also searching for a second male in relation to the stabbing, who fled the scene.
A crime scene has been established at the location which will be examined by forensic specialists.
Detectives form Lake Macquarie Police District and State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have commenced an investigation into the incident.
Police are speaking to several witnesses and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Inquiries continue.

Two people, including a police officer have been charged over an alleged assault in the Lake Macquarie region.
It’s alleged the sergeant, attached to the North West Metropolitan Region, assaulted two men, aged 52 and 58, and a 49-year-old woman assaulted a 55-year-old woman during an off-duty incident at an address in Catherine Hill Bay in the early hours of Tuesday 1 January 2019.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, and an investigation was commenced.
Following inquiries, the officer was served with a Future Court Attendance Notice for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm yesterday (Friday 18 January 2019).
The woman was served with a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Both are due to appear before Belmont Local Court on Monday 18 March 2019.
Inquires continue.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has lamented the sacking of nearly 80 Australian seafarers, including some from the Newcastle-Hunter region, with the decision of BHP and Bluescope to remove two ships from service.
Ms Claydon said she was concerned that BHP and Bluescope had used the reduced scrutiny of the holiday season to quietly remove the MV Mariloula and MV Lowlands Brilliance from service and sack their Australian crew.
“This is a tragic day for the once-proud Australian shipping industry, and a grave loss for all the seafarers,” Ms Claydon said.
“I am especially concerned for the Novocastrians on board these ships – it’s their families and local communities that will wear the brunt of this despicable corporate greed.
“It’s a travesty to see these two Australian companies turning their backs on Australian workers and our proud seafaring legacy.
“I hold grave fears these workers will be replaced with foreign crews with workers being paid as little as $2 an hour.”
Ms Claydon said the Federal Liberal Government had been a key architect of the decline of the Australian shipping industry.
“From day one, the Liberal Government set about dismantling Labor’s protections for Australian workers and our local shipping industry,” Ms Claydon said.
“As a result we are now in the diabolical situation where there are only fourteen Australian-flagged vessels and hundreds of highly skilled Australian seafarers are out of work.”
Ms Claydon said she wanted the BHP and Bluesteel to sit down with the unions and find a way to ensure that Australian seafarers are used in the local steel supply chain, as they have been for the past century.
“Bluescope has no excuse not to employ Australian seafarers, especially when the company recorded a $1.6 billion profit in the last financial year,” Ms Claydon said.
“As the world’s largest island nation, Australia needs a strong shipping industry staffed by skilled Australian workers.”

Skating and Parkour activities for kids along with a smorgasbord of entertainment and a variety of tasty food will feature in Australia Day celebrations to be capped off with an evening fireworks display over Newcastle Harbour.
A range of fun family activities will be staged from 10am-2pm in the amphitheatre at the eastern end of Foreshore Park with Parkour lessons, skate boarding activities on mobile ramps and giant inflatables to keep youngsters occupied (see full line up below).

“Food, fun and entertainment will make up the Australia Day celebrations at Foreshore Park,” City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said.
“In addition to the Parkour, skate boarding and giant inflatables, the lunch time amphitheatre event will feature Brazilian dance by Capoeira Newcastle, the energetic youth band called – “Twisted Tongues” from Newcastle’s School of Rock and African Beats by ‘Bakoomba’.”
At 8.30pm, the fireworks postponed from New Year’s Eve will be let off from Stockton, offering a clear view right along the Newcastle Foreshore and from higher vantage points such the Obelisk.
“As soon as it is dark we will set off the fireworks which we had to postpone due to the wild winds and lightning that hit on New Year’s Eve,” Mr Bath added.
“Because we have only just received the necessary approvals for the fireworks, there isn’t time to develop an associated event. However, Honeysuckle, Queens Wharf and Darby Street businesses will be trading so there will still be plenty of locations where people can grab a bite to eat prior to the fireworks display.
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the revised date of 26 January would enable the fireworks display above the working harbour to still go ahead.
“This is a significant year for the port, marking 220 years since the first commercial shipment in 1799,” Mr Carmody said.
“The port has grown to become an internationally-significant trade gateway integral to the economic prosperity of our region, state and nation.
“In the Lower Hunter alone, activity within the Port of Newcastle contributes $1.6 billion and 9,000 jobs per annum.”
Public transport is recommended on Australia Day, but the Wright Lane, Throsby carpark and The Mall carpark will all be free.
Earlier in the day, the City will welcome more than 120 new Australians in the annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony at City Hall, when Australia Day award winners will also be announced.

The City will mark 70 years since the Australian Government first introduced Citizenship into Commonwealth law in 1949.
Just seven men were sworn in as new legal citizens that year, swearing their allegiance to Australia from Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Spain and Yugoslavia.
Today, Australia is one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world, having welcomed more than five million new Australian citizens to our shores.