Container Deposit Legislation

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted unanimously by Council...

NOTICE OF MOTION: CONTAINER DEPOSIT LEGISLATION

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

Noting that
(i) The role of a councillor is to represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers and to provide leadership and guidance to the community (Local Government Act 1993, Section 232),
(ii) Council is obliged under its Charter to exercise community leadership and to properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development (Local Government Act 1993, Section 8),
(iii) Council unanimously adopted a resolution in this term (16 December 2008) acknowledging the significant environmental, economic and social benefits to ratepayers of adopting a Container Deposit Scheme in NSW and to lobby the Premier to implement such a scheme,
(iv) The Local Government Association of NSW adopted a resolution at its recent conference (23-26 October 2011) calling on the NSW Government to implement measures to avoid the creation of waste, such as legislation for Extended Producer Responsibility, in particular Container Deposit Legislation, and
(v) Council recently received a letter (see attached) from the Australian Local Government Association, Clean Up Australia and the Boomerang Alliance urging Council to make a submission to the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on Packaging

That Newcastle Council
(i) Makes a submission to the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on Packaging prepared by the Council of Australian Governments in support of a national Container Deposit Scheme, highlighting in particular:
a. This Council’s unanimous support for such a scheme
b. The savings that could be achieved by this Council in avoided collection, transport and recycling costs as well as other avoided costs (such as regulation, landfill and litter clean up)
(ii) Sends a copy of Council’s submission to the State Government asking that they support the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme.
(iii) Ensures that Council’s relevant contractual arrangements, including recycling contracts makes allowance for the possible introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme.
(iv) Invites Australian Local Government Association President Cr Genia McCaffery, Clean Up Australia founder and anti-waste campaigner Mr Ian Kiernan AO and Boomerang Alliance Convenor Mr Jeff Angel to speak to the Newcastle Councillors, relevant council staff and the public about how a Container Deposit Scheme would benefit our local community.

BACKGROUND
Apart from savings to Council, there are many other benefits which flow from a Container Deposit Scheme:
• an increase in the recycling rate of containers,
• the creation of jobs in manufacturing and maintaining/administering collection depots,
• money for voluntary groups and charities (by collecting and returning containers), and
• a reduction of litter in our streets and water ways.

In addition, people can make some money by keeping our environment clean.

Draft Wind Farm Guidelines

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted unanimously by Council...

NOTICE OF MOTION: Draft NSW PLANNING GUIDELINES: WIND FARMS

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

Noting that
(i) Council is obliged under its Charter to engage in long-term strategic planning on behalf of the local community (Local Government Act 1993, Section 8),
(ii) The NSW Department of Planning has released Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms “to ensure effective consultation with local communities and to deliver improved consistency, transparency and rigour in the planning assessment process”.
(iii) Public submissions on the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms close 14 March 2012.

That Newcastle Council
(i) Urgently write to the Department of Planning requesting that direct consultation with the Newcastle business, educational and research institutions and local community and Newcastle City Council Planning Staff and Councillors takes place prior to the close of the submission period for the Draft Guidelines.
(ii) Request an extension to the public submission period for the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms
(iii) Makes a submission on the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms.

BACKGROUND
The Department of Planning has nominated only three community consultative sessions to be held in Bathurst, Yass and Glenn Innes, yet the Hunter has also been nominated as one of the key areas for wind farm development in the Wind Farm Draft Guidelines: Community information presentation.

The Kooragang “wind farm” is mentioned as one of nine wind farms in operation across the state.

The flow-on benefits from wind energy production, as the most cost effective form of renewable energy, to the Newcastle community should not be underestimated.

Council has publicly stated that it is committed to developing strategies and programs to empower rate payers and business groups to effectively reduce their carbon footprints. The request reflects Newcastle’s aspirational goal to be seen as an innovation hub for the region.

Wind energy is an established technology that offers direct benefit to our manufacturing and service industries, research and development facilities and provides a sustainable opportunity to diversify away from our short term reliance on the mining boom. Sustainable jobs (eg wind turbines) necessitate the employment of many more people than coal related port industries.

The Guidelines have the potential to directly affect sustainable growth of employment opportunity and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

As Councillors we need to represent our constituents and call on the Department of Planning to openly and directly consult with our business, educational and research institutions and community members about the proposed guidelines.

Orica

At Council tonight I stood up for the people of Stockton with an urgenct motion which wasn't supported...

ITEM-34 NOM 20/12/11 - ORICA
MOTION: (COUNCILLOR M OSBORNE/THE LORD MAYOR)
Council condemn the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for lifting the prevention notice on the Orica plant and thus allowing the plant to open pat of its factory before appropriate air monitoring stations are installed in the Newcastle suburbs around the Port.

Councillors King, Jackson and Luke expressed concerns that the motion condemned a regulatory authority.

Councillor Claydon gave notice of a foreshadowed a motion.

Following a request from the seconder of the motion, the mover agreed to withdraw the motion.

Councilor Claydon brought forward her foreshadowed motion.

MOTION: (COUNCILLORS S CLAYDON/N NELMES)
Council receives a briefing from the EPA and the Newcastle Community Consultative Committee on the environment on the existing environmental monitoring arrangements in the Newcastle LGA and the NSW Government's committee to "urgently establish an industry funded network of environmental monitors for communities adjacent to the heavy industrial precinct of the Lower Hunter." (Media release, Premier of NSW the Hon Barry O'Farrell MO dated 5 October 2011)

Councillor Claydon spoke to the motion.

Councillor King requested the mover change the word 'receives' to 'requests'.

The mover accepted the change to the motion.

The Lord Mayor advised Councillors that the Consultative Committee had met on four occasions and Committee meetings were open to the public. The Lord Mayor said he had spoken to the General Manager regarding the Committee briefing Council early in 2012.

The Lord Mayor put the motion to the meeting and declared the motion carried unanimously.

Newcastle Port

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted unanimously by Council... (though the second part was withdrawn following an objection from Councillor Nelmes and others)

NOTICE OF MOTION: MAYFIELD SITE PORT RELATED ACTIVITIES CONCEPT PLAN

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

That Newcastle Council
1. As a matter of urgency, write to the Hon Brad Hazzard, Minister for Planning and the Hon Duncan Gay, Minister for Ports, stating that no decisions should be made regarding the Mayfield site Port-related activities Concept Plan until
a. Newcastle Council and the local community are fully briefed on the proposal,
b. The concerns of Newcastle Council and the local community are properly addressed,
c. A proper community consultative process regarding the former BHP Steelworks site at Mayfield has been carried out, and
d. The Newcastle Port Corporation’s overall Strategic Development Plan for the entire Port of Newcastle is released for public comment.
2. Writes to the Premier and all local State and Federal MPs to protest the way in which Newcastle Port Corporation has conducted consultative processes regarding the redevelopment of the former BHP Steelworks site at Mayfield and the planning for the Port of Newcastle.

BACKGROUND

The situation that Council has been left in a position where it is unable to comment on the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s draft conditions of approval for the Concept Plan for the former BHP Steelworks site at Mayfield is untenable.

Newcastle City Council represents the residents and ratepayers who live in the suburbs around the Newcastle Port and their concerns must be taken into account with the overall planning for the Port and individual development proposals.

A brief timeline of events follows.

A. 3 March 2011 – Council submission to the Department of Planning (Mayfield site Port related activities Concept Plan MP09/0096) seeking particular commitments from both the State Government and Newcastle Port Corporation regarding

1. Traffic and Transport Infrastructure including –
1.1 Traffic Impact
1.2 Future Transport Infrastructure
1.3 Local Area Traffic Management (LATM)
1.4 Upgrading Freight Rail Network and Level Crossings

2. Flooding, Stormwater and Water Quality Management

3. Contaminated Land including
3.1 Potential dedication of contaminated assets to Council
3.2 Environmental Commitments and Performance

4. Provision of Services

5. Section 94A – requesting that the proponent commit to funding and delivery of all new infrastructure, required upgrades to existing infrastructure and delivery of all identified mitigation measures in association with their proposed Concept Plan and noting that the Newcastle Port Corporation Concept Plan is not exempt from payment of s94A contributions.

B. 7 June 2011 – Councillors unanimously endorse a resolution ‘Newcastle Port Development’:

1. Newcastle Council:
(i) Calls on the State Government to work with the Federal Government to build a Mayfield portside rail line from the Sandgate junction to service the former BHP site before any proposed redevelopment occurs.
(ii) Calls on the State Government to work with the Federal Government to build the Tourle St Bridge, and Kooragang road network duplication, to service Kooragang Island, Stockton and Newcastle Airport.
(iii) Calls on the State Government to release to the public its Master Port Plan and to expedite an Integrated Port Planning Strategy for the port that would include proper consideration of the cumulative impacts of all the proposed port redevelopment on nearby residents, strategies to reduce this impact and proper consultation with residents
(iv) Calls on the State Government to install dust monitoring equipment to measure fine particulates (PM 2.5) in all suburbs in the Newcastle area that surround the Port and to make this monitoring data available to the Newcastle community.
2. Newcastle Council write to all relevant State and Federal MPs to enlist their support for these proposals.
3. Newcastle Council reiterates its support for the Newcastle freight bypass rail line to improve the efficiency of freight movements on the rail network and to improve passenger train movements in the Newcastle area. The Newcastle freight bypass rail line would stop the excessive delays at the Adamstown gates for example.
4. Newcastle Council invites the Newcastle Port Corporation, the Port Waratah Coal Service, Buildev and the Tinkler Hunter Ports group to address Council on their proposed plans for the redevelopment of the Newcastle Port.

C. 15 November 2011 – Submission from Newcastle City Council to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (15 Nov 2011 Development Assessment Team) which notes:

“As Council has not had the opportunity to review any documentation associated with this revised development scope it is not possible to ascertain if the proposed draft conditions are reasonable or adequate as Council has no way of understanding what the anticipated environmental impacts of the modified proposal may now be.

Accordingly, Council does not propose to offer any comment on the draft conditions”.

Webcasting

Finally Newcastle Council will move into the 21st Century.

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted by Council...

NOTICE OF MOTION: WEBCASTING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

That Newcastle Council
(i) Install the appropriate infrastructure to allow for the broadcasting of meetings via the internet.
(ii) Allocate the necessary funds in the December 2011 Quarterly review for the installation of the equipment
(iii) Allocate the necessary funds in Council’s Management Plan for ongoing costs

BACKGROUND

Newcastle Council has adopted The Newcastle Community Strategic Plan which reflects the community’s vision for the city and is a guide for action by Council.

One of the seven strategic directions outlined in the Strategic Plan is Open and Collaborative Leadership.

Council’s vision in this area is that we will have a strong local democracy with an actively engaged community and effective partnerships.

Through the development of the Council’s Strategic Plan, the community clearly told Council that they wanted decision-making in our City based on collaborative, transparent and accountable leadership and that this must be transparent, open, inclusive, accountable, fair and democratic. (see http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/about_newcastle/Newcastle2030/our_strategic_directions/open_and_collaborative_leadership)

Novocastrians want to be an informed and empowered community with the opportunity to make both individual and broader choices towards being a resilient, adaptable and civil society.

This motion fits neatly into this strategic direction.

A range of Councils across the state are already broadcasting their meetings over the internet. These include:
• Shellharbour City Council
• City of Botany Bay
• Lane Cove Council
• Warringah Council
• Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

In addition, Port Stephens recently resolved to webcast their meetings for an estimated upfront equipment cost of less than $20,000 and an ongoing cost of less than $10,000 per year.

Local Government Conference 2011

This is my report from the conference...

ITEM-1 CR 20/12/11 - COUNCILLORS' CONFERENCE REPORT - LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF NSW 2011 CONFERENCE


REPORT BY: COUNCILLOR M OSBORNE

PURPOSE

To report on the 2011 Conference of the Local Government Association (the peak industry body for Local Government in NSW) by Councillor Osborne

RECOMMENDATION

The report be noted.

WHO ATTENDED

Due to the population within the Newcastle LGA, Newcastle City Council is entitled to 7 voting delegates at the Conference. In addition to their quota for voting delegates, many councils send non-voting delegates as well as their Council’s GM and Senior staff.

Newcastle City Council resolved to have only one delegate (Councillor Osborne) for the Conference, which ran from 23rd to 26th October 2011 in Nowra.

DESCRIPTION

As the annual conference for the peak industry lobby group for local government in NSW, the key purpose of the conference is to decide on the policies and focus for the LGA for the coming year.

The agenda is set by the member councils by way of submitting motions for consideration by the conference.

The conference is an opportunity to ensure that motions relevant to Newcastle are adopted by the LGA and become a platform for their lobbying the State and Federal governments.

This year the conference also included electing the Executive who are to ensure the policies of the LGA are implemented. For the purposes of the Executive election, Newcastle is considered a country council.

The election of the Executive was carried out by the Australian Electoral Commission and included election for President, Vice President (from a country council), Vice President (from a metropolitan council), Treasurer, Vice President General (if required), Ten Executive Committee Members (10) (from country councils) and Ten Executive Committee Members (10) (from metropolitan councils).

POLICY

Councils from across the state submitted 226 motions for consideration by the 2011 conference delegates. Unfortunately the conference was marred by Council delegates not turning up and several times the proceedings had to be halted due to a lack of quorum. Motions that were not considered in the conference forum were referred to the newly-elected Executive for action in line with existing policy.

The Conference 2011 Business Paper, Updated Policy Statement, 2011 Late Motions, Record of Decisions and 2010 Action Report can be found on the LGA website (see http://www.lgsa-plus.net.au/www/html/3721-motions-and-business-papers.asp).

Examples of the adopted LGA policies relevant to Newcastle’s adopted Community Strategic Plan are given below.

A PROTECTED AND ENHANCED ENVIRONMENT

That the Local Government Association call on the NSW Government to place a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration until:

• adequate environmental protection and community engagement frameworks are in place that allow Local Government to respond to community and environmental concerns, and

• there is adequate scientific evidence to be certain that there will be no short or long term adverse impacts with regards to:

o ground and surface water systems

o drinking water

o agricultural and urban soils

o land health and value

o heritage

o metropolitan areas

o threatened species and endangered ecological communities.

That the Local Government Association of NSW calls upon the State Government to provide an effective and strategic policy response and funding stimulus in meeting the challenges of waste management and resource recovery, in order to address the current lack of consistency in policy and regulatory approaches and complete reliance on market forces.

That the NSW Government:

a) implements measures to avoid the creation of waste, such as legislation like extended produces responsibility (EPR) in particular container deposit legislation (CDL) to reduce waste production.

b) implements further measures to further reduce waste going to landfill by recovering more recyclable materials and by using waste levy funds to built and operate alternative waste technologies AWTs.

That representation be made to the NSW Government seeking that Councils should not have to pay the Section 88 Waste Levy (tax) on clean dirt and soil used for daily cover of garbage at landfills.

That the Local Government Association call on the Federal Government to:

• hasten the rollout of the National Television and Computer recycling scheme that requires importers or manufacturers to collect and recycle end of life televisions and computers;

• acknowledge the role councils are currently playing as interim collection points for E Waste and the costs associated with this role; and

• provide compensation for the cost shifting implications of providing this interim service from the date of the legislation (22 June 2011) until the National Television and Computer Product Stewardship scheme is in place.

A CARING AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

That the Local Government Association calls upon the NSW Government to establish a sustainably-funded collaborative network which will enable Local Government to deliver quality programs which support social inclusion and community well-being. The detail of the Collaborative Network and the program objectives and initiatives needs to be determined through further discussion with councils by the Local Government Association. The Programs may include:

• early literacy programs

• literacy programs, both print and information technology, for Aboriginal Australians

• community health programs such as immunisation

• access to welfare agencies through the provision of technologies such as email or facsimile in rural communities which enable clients to access those agencies

• access to other e-business and e-government portals

• youth development programs

• legal information access

• drug and alcohol information access

• access to health services information

• support for Broadband for Seniors and U3A

• support for other lifelong learning programs

• support for jobseekers who lack the access to home technology to complete online job applications

• access for learner drivers to practice for online driver assessment tests

That the Local Government Association make representations to the NSW Government for special funding for Local Government in order to make local buildings and public spaces more accessible for people with a disability to meet the new standards for access to premises.

That the Local Government Association of NSW calls upon the NSW Government to undertake a review of the Companion Animals Act 1998 and to amend the Act to provide for simultaneous micro-chipping and lifetime registration of pets. In the absence of this, Councils are required to utilise considerable resources to enforce and issue notices to owners of pets which are microchipped but not registered. The current situation has the potential for imposition of penalty for many pet owners as they are often under the impression that micro-chipping is also registration.

OUR SHARED VISION FOR NEWCASTLE IS FOR A SMART, LIVEABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CITY

Examples of the LGA policies adopted at last year’s conference and the follow up actions relevant to Newcastle’s adopted Community Strategic Plan are given below.

EXAMINING NEW FUNDING OPTIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

That the Local Government Association create a Taskforce to investigate new funding options for Local Government infrastructure including, but not limited to:

1. The creation of a municipal bond market for the purpose of financing Local Government infrastructure

2. Securing direct access to Federal infrastructure funding

3. The creation of a range of environmental taxes based on such principles as price rationing, quantity rationing and liability rules

4. Securing a guaranteed share of Income Tax and GST revenue.

ACTION

The resolution was sent to the Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean, the Australian and NSW Treasurers, the Hon Wayne Swan and the Hon. Eric Roozendaal for consideration. It was subsequently sent to the present Treasurer, Hon Mike Baird

Response from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer 24 February 2011

The Australian Government recognises the important role local government plays in providing essential local services and responding to the needs and priorities of local communities. The Government will provide local government with $1.5 billion in Financial Assistance Grants in 2010-11, growing to $2.2 billion in 2.110-12. The Government provides these grants to enhance local government’s capacity to provide services to the community. The Commonwealth has provided general purpose assistance to local governments since 1974-75. The funding is untied and can be spent according to each local government’s own priorities.

In regards to your concern relating to local government shares of GST revenue, under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations, the Commonwealth and the States have agreed that the Commonwealth will make GST payments to the States equivalent to the total revenue received from the GST. On this basis, any proposals to provide a guaranteed share of GST revenue to local government would require a departure from the current agreement between the Commonwealth and the States. GST payments to the States can be allocated toward each State’s own priorities, which can include local government.

Response from the Hon Mike Baird, Treasurer 9 June 2011

I note the resolution that the Local Government Association will be creating a Taskforce to investigate new funding options for local government infrastructure. I welcome the Taskforce and look forward to the results of the review.

As you will be aware, the Government is committed to establishing a Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme to assist local government address its infrastructure needs. I will be working with the Minister for Local Government on this initiative and look forward to engaging with the Association on this matter in the future.

REGULATION OF STREET LIGHTING PRICES

That the Local Government Association of NSW calls upon the Australian Government to undertake an independent review of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER)'s current approach to policy, regulatory and pricing determination of street lighting across Australia, in order to effectively protect councils and their communities from monopoly service providers, and to promote energy efficient and renewable lighting options as part of uniform mandated street lighting standards and pricing principles across Australia.

ACTION

The resolution has been sent to the Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan for consideration.

Response from the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer – 24 February 2011

Regarding your concern about the regulation of street lighting, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is responsible for the economic regulation of electricity distributors in the National Electricity Market under Chapter 6 of the National Electricity Rules. These rules are made by the Australian Energy Market Commission which is able to receive and review applications from interested parties requesting rule changes.

Prior to making a distribution determination, the AER is required to publish a framework and approach paper, which among other things, requires it to classify distribution services and the mechanism by which prices and /or revenues for these services will be determined. The AER considers public lighting services to be distribution services and has generally classified them as ‘direct control services’ on the basis that the distribution network service providers are currently monopoly providers of public lighting services and control over the prices for these services are therefore required. Once the AER has made a classification decision in relation to a service, it must then decide on mechanism by which revenues or prices are to be controlled and on what basis. In applying these criteria to public lighting services the AER has generally chosen to apply a price cap for the first year of the period and a price path for the remaining years of the period.

In regards to the promotion of energy efficient and renewable lighting options as part of the uniform mandated street lighting standards across Australia, the AER’s role is limited to considering how the distribution services should be classified, the control mechanism that is to apply to each service and to determine the charges that will apply to each service. The AER is unable to compel distributors the way in which they provide public lighting services, for example, the provision of energy efficient lighting.

HIGH SPEED RAIL

That the Local Government Association acknowledge the Prime Minister’s announcement of Sydney to Newcastle high speed rail study.

That the Local Government Association make a submission to the Federal Government urging it to undertake preliminary feasibility studies into the staged construction of a high speed passenger rail network on the east coast of Australia between Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra and Melbourne.

These feasibility studies should be address:

• Current and future service demand, preservation of corridors and location and number of stations;

• Environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of the range of route and train technology configurations;

• An examination of existing major highway routes;

• Comparisons to alternative options, including new and expanded airports and road networks;

• Options for the financing, governance and public ownership of the rail network;

• Options for providing a carbon neutral energy source to meet the trains electricity requirements;

• Previous studies including the 2010 joint AECOM / Infrastracture Partnerships (IPA) study

ACTION

The resolution was sent to the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese for consideration.

Response from Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister – 11 January 2011

Thank you for your letter of 13 December 2010 to the Prime Minister regarding the resolutions passed at the recent 2010 Local Government Association annual conference. The Prime Minister has asked me to reply on her behalf.

…

Your comments on the High Speed Rail Study have been noted and referred to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, who has portfolio responsibility for this matter.

Response from the Hon Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport – 4 February 2011

On 13 October 2010 I announced the Terms of Reference for the initial phase of a $20million high speed rail implementation study for the east coast of Australia (Attachment A). The first phase of this study, to be completed by July 2011, will indentify the requirements for the LGA Conference 2010 Page 21 Action Report implementation of a viable high speed rail network and identify strategic route and station options, including high-level costing. More detailed work including specific corridor alignment and patronage and revenue forecasts, will be completed for the final report which is due in mid 2012.

Late last year the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (my Department) invited tenders for the initial phase of the study, and I will shortly be in a position to announce the successful tenderer.

My Department is also establishing a reference group for the first phase of the study to enable key stakeholders to contribute and share information of relevance to this part of the study. The Australian Local Government Association has accepted an invitation to participate in the reference group.

Staff voting on Working Parties

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted by Council...

NOTICE OF MOTION: ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSTITUTIONS AND WORKING PARTY OPERATING PROCEDURES

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

That Council amend the Constitutions of all Advisory Committees and the Working Party Operating Procedures to ensure that
(i) the voting members of the committees and working parties do not include staff
(ii) the Coordinator (“chair”) of the Working Party be a Councillor

BACKGROUND

Council staff are technical, qualified people and their role is to advise the elected body.

As the former Acting General Manager recently said in a Laman St Working Party meeting it is an inappropriate governance model where the people giving the advice are then asked to vote on that advice and to possibly vote against councillors and/or the community.

The role of council staff (as public servants) is to provide “advice” on relevant policy matters, and then to “implement” policy decisions, not to “make” such policy decisions.

It is inappropriate for staff to be put in the role of “making” policy decisions.

Newcastle Greens say more than $6 billion should go to households

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
24 June 2011

Cr Osborne has backed the concerns of Australia’s chief scientist, Professor Chubb, that the climate debate in Australia “borders on the appalling” (SMH, 22 June 2011).

“The science backing climate change and pointing the finger at carbon pollution has been established for years”, Cr Osborne said

“It is only fair that the polluters should pay for their pollution.

“Experts such as Professor Chubb and Professor Garnaut agree that a price on pollution needs to work together with well-designed policies to bring on renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean transport.

“Around the world, pollution prices are in place in Europe, parts of the USA, India and New Zealand,” he said

Cr Osborne has called for households to get more than a half of the funds raised by a price on carbon pollution or more than $6 billion in the year 2012-13.

“I fully back calls by Greens Senator Christine Milne that households should be adequately compensated. This is particularly important for Newcastle, which according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, has almost 34,000 pensioners and almost 4,000 unemployed.

“These families need to be fully compensated for the effects of putting a price on carbon pollution”, Cr Osborne said.

Cr Osborne said that the Newcastle Greens will be distributing a pamphlet over the next week to give residents more information about the proposed package.

NOTES
Senator Christine Milne is leading the Greens negotiations with the Federal government.

ABS data can be found here

Professor Garnaut has estimated that with a carbon price of $26 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent would generate around $11.5 billion in potential revenue from the value of permits in 2012–13. (see Summary Report p18)

Infrastructure need upfront

My opinion piece published in The Herald today...

Many Newcastle residents feel short-changed by the State Government when they approve development without investing upfront in the necessary infrastructure to mitigate the development impacts.

With the State Government continuing to approve industrial development on Kooragang Island, it was surprising a few years ago that they chose to replace the old two-lane Tourle Street Bridge with a new two-lane Bridge, when for an extra $15 million they could have constructed a four-lane bridge.

Now, the already busy Cormorant Road is getting busier and a duplication of the Tourle Street Bridge and Cormorant Road is necessary. The price tag now is likely to be in excess of $50 million.

This infrastructure not only services Kooragang Island but also residents from Stockton and Port Stephens coming to the City and Newcastle residents going to the airport.

Where is the investment to beautify this important gateway to the City?

Newcastle residents will be severely impacted by the expansion of our Port unless the State Government invests upfront in the necessary infrastructure.

Newcastle Port Corporation has developed a Concept Plan for the redevelopment of a 90-hectare portion of the former BHP site.

This proposal includes seven new wharfs to support several cargo precincts. These include a dry bulk precinct; a general purpose precinct; a major container terminal with a trade volume of 1 million containers every year; and, a bulk liquid precinct for fuels and biofuels.

The Port Corporation’s plans as they currently stand would choke our roads.

The Port Corporation predicts that a significant amount of the goods to and from the Port would be by road - this will include 800,000 containers each year, 1,010 million litres of fuel and 3.1 million tonnes of other products.

Yet the Port Corporation seems to have ignored how this road freight will move through Newcastle (other than to specify that 60% of the cargo will travel to and from Sydney).

Will the freight traffic use the F3 freeway to Beresfield and the already busy New England highway and Industrial Drive? Or the shorter route down the Link Road and through the suburbs from Wallsend to Sandgate and then to Industrial Drive?

Either way, Industrial Drive will become grid locked under the Port Corporation’s proposal.

And there is nothing to stop the freight trucks travelling down our suburban roads through ‘rat-runs’. In fact the Port Corporation has not even looked at this possibility or made any commitment to fund the necessary Local Area Traffic Management controls to stop this from happening.

Once again Newcastle is being short-changed by State Government entities pushing development without providing the necessary infrastructure upfront to mitigate the impact on local residents.

When the Federal Government released its draft National Ports Strategy last year it recognised that local residents living near our ports would be impacted by future development unless investment in infrastructure occurred upfront.

One approach highlighted was the “early identification and land-use reservation of lands for major freight corridors”.

A regional freight rail bypass between Fassifern and Hexham and a freight hub in the vicinity of Beresfield has been on the drawing books for years. It was highlighted five years ago in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy.

But the State Government has not dedicated the route, let alone invested in the infrastructure.

Removing freights trains from our residential areas would not only improve the way freight gets to and from our Port, but improve the amenity for all residents along the line from Fassifern to Islington and provide the opportunity for faster and better passenger services as well as bringing to an end the excessive delays at the Adamstown gates.

A dedicated rail freight line direct to the former BHP site is also required.

This Mayfield Portside rail line would connect from the Kooragang spur line at Sandgate to the former BHP site and onto the Carrington rail facilities.

This would allow most imports and exports to our Port to be by rail and remove the significant impact that the Port Corporation’s current proposal would have on local residents.

Most of the freight (including all the coal to the Carrington terminal) would use this new Mayfield Portside rail line. This would significantly reduce freight movements past all our suburbs from Warabrook to Tighes Hill and improve their amenity.

Our local residents are impacted already by the operations at the Port, and they deserve better.

The Port Corporation has been sending millions of dollars each year to Sydney. Now it’s time for the State Government to invest upfront in this necessary infrastructure before any further development is approved.

Newcastle council pushes portside rail link

From The Herald...

BY BEN SMEE

INDUSTRIAL Drive would be choked by traffic if a container terminal was approved at the former BHP site without new road and rail infrastructure, Newcastle councillor Michael Osborne said last night.

The council unanimously supported a notice of motion by Cr Osborne, which called for the establishment of a portside rail link from Sandgate junction to the BHP site.

The motion also called on the state government to release its masterplan for the port of Newcastle.

Cr Osborne told the council meeting that a council submission on the proposed container terminal had said that "Industrial Highway would fail" because of the extra traffic.

"We're calling for infrastructure to be put in up-front for a problem that we know is going to happen," Cr Osborne said. "What needs to happen is they need to look at the port as a whole.

"I think it's a dumb idea for this city that we have this skew towards coal when we could be doing a whole lot of other things with our port and diversifying it."

Cr Aaron Buman said many concerns about traffic were unfounded because he did not believe the proposed contained terminal would be needed for 20 to 25 years.

Cr Buman said he had never seen "propaganda" like the brochures distributed in Mayfield before the March state election, which warned of thousands of daily truck movements through the suburb.

"I'd stand on my grandmother's grave to say there would be no traffic through suburban streets of Mayfield," Cr Buman said.

Councillors also backed a push for a duplication of the Tourle Street bridge and road upgrades on Kooragang Island.

"The Tourle Street duplication needs to happen before the port on Kooragang Island develops," Cr Osborne said.

Lord mayor John Tate labelled the Tourle Street bridge "an abomination".

The motion also calls for dust monitoring in suburbs around the port.

Newcastle Port Redevelopment

The following motion was adopted by Council tonight.

NOTICE OF MOTION: NEWCASTLE PORT REDEVELOPMENT
COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE
MOTION
1. That Newcastle Council:

(i) Calls on the State Government to work with the Federal Government to build a Mayfield portside rail line from the Sandgate junction to service the former BHP site before any proposed redevelopment occurs.

(ii) Calls on the State Government to work with the Federal Government to build the Tourle St Bridge and Kooragang road network duplication to service Kooragang Island, Stockton and Newcastle Airport.

(iii) Calls on the State Government to release to the public its Master Port Plan and to expedite an Integrated Port Planning Strategy for the port that would include proper consideration of the cumulative impacts of all the proposed port redevelopment on nearby residents, strategies to reduce this impact and proper consultation with residents.

(iv) Calls on the State Government to install dust monitoring equipment to measure fine particulates in all suburbs in the Newcastle area that surround the Port and to make this monitoring data available to the Newcastle community.

2. That Newcastle Council write to all relevant State and Federal MPs to enlist their support for these proposals.

3. That Newcastle Council reiterates its support for the Newcastle freight bypass rail line to improve the efficiency of freight movements on the rail network and to improve passenger train movements in the Newcastle area. The Newcastle freight bypass rail line would stop the excessive delays at the Adamstown gates for example.

4. That Newcastle Council invites the Newcastle Port Corporation, the Port Waratah Coal Service, Buildev and the Tinkler Hunter Ports group to address Council on their proposed plans for the redevelopment of the Newcastle Port.

BACKGROUND

Newcastle Port Corporation has developed a Concept Plan for the proposed redevelopment of a 90-hectare portside portion of the former BHP Steelworks site which includes seven new wharfs to support several cargo precincts. These precincts include:

• Bulk and General Precinct capable of handling non hazardous dry bulk products including grain, briquettes, and coke cargoes.

• General Purpose Precinct a flexible facility to handle and store cargo containers, heavy machinery, Roll On Roll Off and break bulk cargo.

• Container Terminal Precinct with a trade volume of 1 million twenty foot equivalent units per annum at final development.

• Bulk Liquid Precinct used for storage, blending and distribution of high quality fuels and biofuels.

Newcastle Port Corporation is predicting a significant amount of these exports will be arriving through Newcastle to the Port by road (see Attachment 1). Newcastle Port Corporation have predicted, that when the precincts are fully developed, each year 800,000 containers, 1,010 million litres of fuel and 3.1 million tonnes of other products will be transported through Newcastle by road

A significant amount of this material (including all the containers) would be kept off the roads if the State Government invested in a rail line on the Mayfield side of the Hunter River South Arm.

Buildev is developing plans for the other 60-hectare portion of the former BHP site, known as the Intertrade Industrial Park. The proposed developments for this site have not been released yet.

This Mayfield Portside rail line would connect from the Kooragang spur line at Sandgate to the former BHP site and onto the Carrington Coal terminal rail facilities, the grain terminal and the general wharf freight lines in the area (see Attachment 2).

The exact route would need to be determined by detailed investigation but it is important to note that much of the required corridor is currently vacant.

Most of the freight (including all the coal to the Carrington terminal) would use the new Mayfield Portside rail line. This would significantly reduce freight movements (including coal) past Warabrook, Mayfield, Waratah, Georgetown, Islington and Tighes Hill and allow for the revitalisation of these suburbs.

This rail line would also provide options for Steel River businesses and other commercial operators like One Steel and Koppers.

This proposal would mesh perfectly with the proposed freight rail bypass for the Region and the proposed rail freight hub in the vicinity of Beresfield.

Council should reiterate its support for the Newcastle freight bypass rail line because it will improve passenger train movements in the Newcastle area and stop the excessive delays at the Adamstown gates for example.

ATTACHMENT 1: NEWCASTLE PORT CORPORATION’S PROPOSED OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTING SIGNIFICANT ROAD FREIGHT MOVEMENTS


ATTACHMENT 2: POSSIBLE ROUTE OF THE MAYFIELD PORTSIDE RAIL LINE

Show us port masterplan: councillor

From The Herald...

BY BEN SMEE CIVIC REPORTER

GREENS councillor Michael Osborne is calling for the release of a state government masterplan for the port of Newcastle as part of a push to establish a freight rail link to the former BHP site.

Cr Osborne has tabled a notice of motion for tonight’s Newcastle City Council meeting, calling on the state and federal governments to link the BHP site to Sandgate junction by rail before any proposed redevelopment occurs.

The contents of the masterplan, which is expected to be placed on public exhibition later this year, have been a tightly kept secret.

Cr Osborne said a comprehensive planning strategy would be needed to help guide the development of the BHP site, Steel River, the proposed terminal 4 coal-loader, and other sites.

The Newcastle Port Corporation has concept plans for a container terminal at the former BHP steelworks site, while Nathan Tinkler-backed developer Buildev has flagged an application for a coal-loader there.

Cr Osborne said the plans also required a rail link.

"Newcastle Port Corporation have predicted that when the precincts are fully developed, each year 800,000 containers, 1010million litres of fuel and 3.1million tonnes of other products will be transported through Newcastle by road," Cr Osborne said.

"They need to put in infrastructure up front."

Cr Osborne’s said the portside rail plan would mesh perfectly with a proposed freight rail bypass, and a freight hub planned at Beresfield.

His motion also calls on the state government to duplicate the Tourle Street Bridge and to monitor dust in suburbs surrounding the port.

Cr Osborne also wants to invite the Newcastle Port Corporation, Port Waratah Coal Services and Buildev to address the council about their port plans.

A spokesman for Ports Minister Duncan Gay had not responded to requests for comment about the masterplan or the rail plan by the close of business yesterday.

Change on the books for Newcastle libraries

From The Herald...

BY BEN SMEE

LOCAL libraries could be closed and sold under Newcastle City Council's 10-year financial plan, which proposes spending $43 million to build three new multi-purpose libraries.

Under the council's 10-year-plan, which is on public exhibition, libraries at New Lambton, Stockton and Beresfield would be rebuilt or relocated with money raised from land rates increases.

The central Newcastle library in Laman Street would also be expanded.

But concerns have been raised that building the new multi-purpose facilities would likely lead to the closure of several of the city's smaller libraries.

The closures of Adamstown, Hamilton and Lambton libraries have been discussed internally, and a briefing document suggests the council expects to ultimately make $2 million from the sale of old library assets.

Newcastle councillor Michael Osborne described the plans as "crude and simplistic" and said he opposed the closure of any local libraries.

"It totally ignores the community that [attends] these libraries. A lot of people use Adamstown and Hamilton [libraries]."

The council emphasised yesterday that specific proposals for the city's libraries had not been finalised.

Future city director Judy Jaeger said the council wanted to build on the success of the Wallsend library, which moved to a new and larger building in 2006.

Ms Jaeger said book loans were up 166 per cent after the move.

"When you have a multi-purpose facility that has a meeting space, an exhibition space, people will use it," she said.

She said any decisions about libraries would be a matter for councillors.

Cr Osborne said the council should be looking at options such as working with the private sector or other council departments to revitalise the existing libraries.

Another Laman St development

Interesting letter recently received from a Council consultant...

Not all councillors angered

From The Herald...

BY MATT CARR AND TIM CONNELL

While a majority of Newcastle City councillors vented their frustrations over lord mayor John Tate yesterday, not all councillors shared their colleagues' strong views.

ALP councillor Sharon Claydon said calls for Mr Tate to step down after Ms Hyam's resignation were excessive.

"It's for the people of Newcastle to decide who their lord mayor is," she said.

"I'm absolutely not getting involved in what I regard as a contest of personalities and egos."

Cr Claydon said the community would ultimately decide whether Cr Tate should remain lord mayor.

"I'm not calling for his resignation. Have they [other councillors] thought through what that entails? It'll be up to the community to make those judgments at the right time."

Cr Tim Crakanthorp agreed with Cr Claydon.

Cr Michael Osborne agreed with other councillors' assertions that Ms Hyam was a major loss for the council, but he was not part of the call for the lord mayor to step down.

"I don't think there's any legal basis for it," he said.

"It's disappointing the lord mayor and general manager didn't have a better relationship, [but] I think there's always two sides to these sorts of stories."

Cr Nuatali Nelmes said after yesterday's councillor press conference that she was not calling for Cr Tate's resignation but had been disappointed by his tense relationship with Ms Hyam.

"I think that contributed to the general manager's resignation," she said.

She appeared to be backing away from her stance earlier in the day, when she joined six other councillors at a media conference at which a prepared statement was read, said to be on behalf of all 12 elected councillors. It said they were equally adamant that Cr Tate had to go.

Councillors Brad Luke and Shayne Connell, who were not at the conference, were unavailable last night.

Nobbys protest over gas drills

From The Herald...

BY DAMON CRONSHAW

A COALITION of environment and community groups protested on Nobbys Beach yesterday against plans to drill off Newcastle for natural gas.

Members of the coalition, called Hands Off Our Coast, gave speeches on the beach before about 80 people.

The protest was part of a global day of action on climate change under the 350.org campaign, which involved 7300 demonstrations in 190 countries.

Lake Macquarie councillor Phillipa Parsons, who leads the anti-gas coalition, said governments must begin the transition towards a "clean, renewable energy economy and away from the fossil-fuel economy".

"They need to stop subsidising fossil-fuel exploration such as proposed offshore gas drilling in Newcastle and invest more in clean renewables," Cr Parsons said.

Advent Energy, which is planning the drilling, said gas was a "transition fuel"as the economy converts to renewable energy.

Advent executive director David Breeze said gas-fired power stations produced up to 70 per cent less carbon emissions than coal-fired plants to produce the same amount of energy.

"We support renewables, but it's abundantly clear that renewable energy in the form of wind or solar power is not capable of meeting power demand," Mr Breeze said.

Cr Parsons described the comments as "absolute rubbish".

"It's propaganda from mining corporations, who stand to profit from continuing the fossil-fuel industry," Cr Parsons said.

"Moving to a clean, renewable economy is doable and the barriers aren't technological, they are political."

Newcastle councillor Michael Osborne said a transition plan had been prepared for Australia to move to 100 per cent renewables in 10 years.

"It's not pie in the sky, we can do it today if there is political will," Cr Osborne said.

The plan was in a report called Beyond Zero Emissions , which the University of Melbourne helped compile.

Vote in favour of show holiday

From The Herald...

BY JACQUI JONES

Novocastrians will have a day off on Friday, March 18, 2011, during the Newcastle Show.

Newcastle City councillors voted 8-4 last night in favour of the holiday.

Patriotism spurred Cr Shayne Connell’s decision.

‘‘It’s un-Australian to vote against an application for show holiday,’’ he said.

Colleague Tim Crakanthorp put an economic argument.

‘‘Many millions of dollars will be lost if this does not go ahead for local people and local businesses that get involved with the show,’’ Cr Crakanthorp said.

Cr Brad Luke was among civic leaders who argued the holiday should not go ahead.

‘‘Councillors, we talk about this each year, about being out of date and archaic,’’ he said.

‘‘One of the best attended shows in the Hunter is the Maitland Show. They don’t have a holiday for it.’’

Show organisers said the holiday provided a significant boost to attendance and economic benefits for the city.

Cr Scott Sharpe said a report to the council indicated that the day off was a problem for the business community.

The business sector said the day off was confusing for employers unsure about whether they were affected, and costly for those who granted it to employees.

Cr Michael Osborne suggested last night the council have a plebiscite at the next local government election, given annual argument in the council chamber.

The council will make an application to Industrial Relations Minister Paul Lynch to proclaim show day.

The Newcastle Show is scheduled from March 18 to 20, 2011.

Council to vote on sister act

From The Herald...

BY JACQUI JONES

Newcastle will forge links with its Japanese sister city Ube in November with a $38,000 three-day civic reception.

The Australian city is hosting the visit as part of 30th anniversary celebrations.

It comes after Novocastrians travelled to Ube in April.

A Newcastle City Council report said the sister city relationship was established in 1980.

Its purpose was to increase international understanding and foster world peace through communication and personal exchanges.

Councillors are being asked to authorise $38,000 spending on the Ube delegates' visit to Newcastle from November 21 to 23.

The itinerary includes civic functions, tourist activities and visiting the Kooragang Island coal-loader.

Meetings at the University of Newcastle, Hunter Business Chamber and Hunter Medical Research Institute are scheduled.

Cr Michael Osborne said $38,000 was a lot of money at a time when budgets were tight.

The council should consider partnering with other organisations to reduce cost.

"Certainly council should put some money in but the ratepayers shouldn't be carrying the full cost of these celebrations," he said.

Cr Bob Cook, who was a delegate to Ube in April, said the idea was feasible, but the council had to ensure the amount was covered.

"The cost isn't unreasonable in the scheme of things," he said. "There's a big benefit.

"These people spend quite a lot of money while they're here."

Cr Cook said cultural, education and business links between the cities would also be forged.

Newcastle council briefed on alcohol and violence plan

From The Herald...

BY JACQUI JONES

GETTING tough on crime and offering diverse activities for responsible patrons would be key to curbing Newcastle's alcohol-fuelled problems after dark, a civic investigation found.

Newcastle City Council is preparing an alcohol management strategy to deal with problems such as street violence and malicious damage.

Councillors were briefed last night on the new policy's progress.

Council place management services manager Deb Alterator said a workshop with 140 stakeholders and a survey netting 777 responses showed that the top three priorities were public safety, maximising night-time offerings and transport.

Key focus areas of the strategy would include increased law enforcement, expanding evening activities and reviewing bus, train and taxi systems.

"The purpose of our strategy being reduce alcohol-related harm and antisocial activities in the Newcastle local government area," Ms Alterator said.

Diversifying the night-time economy, reducing violence and property damage and restoring a public perception of a safe city were key goals, she said.

The council has made provision in its 2010-11 budget for some measures including $115,000 for new closed circuit television cameras, $5000 for signs in alcohol-free zones and areas and $35,000 to develop the alcohol management strategy.

Other planned actions are to develop guidelines governing liquor outlet density and trading hours, and improving lighting and pedestrian routes around the city.

Cr Michael Osborne suggested investigating the feasibility of a licensed premises levy.

"A lot of council resources will go into fixing problems that alcohol consumption is responsible for," he said.

Liveable city director Frank Cordingley said the strategy was a three- to four-year plan.

The council was focusing on things it could achieve now and would then advocate with other agencies and stakeholders for things that needed their support.

"The feeling is, get some runs on the board before we start looking at things like licensed premises levies," Mr Cordingley said.

Civic leaders counting the cost

From The Herald...

BY MICHELLE HARRIS

NEWCASTLE City Council will have to rethink its parking strategy and work out how to cover any holes left in its budgets from lost income after The GPT Group dumped its city redevelopment.

Lord mayor John Tate has called an extraordinary meeting of council for tonight about the issue.

In a mayoral minute, Cr Tate has called for an urgent report on the ramifications of the developer's decision on the council, its budgets and city planning.

Cr Tate said the council had intended to co-ordinate the maintenance of Cathedral Park with the rebuilding of King Street, which was now not a possibility.

The council would need to consider the cost of repairing the park retaining wall, as well as the maintenance costs of the King Street parking station, which the council was to sell to GPT.

It would also need to look at its parking management, including spaces and metering. Cr Tate said the council should also look at whether it had any money it could put towards the Hunter Street mall.

Greens councillor Michael Osborne said the state government needed to show "real leadership" and bring the community together around its plan for light rail in the city.

Cr Osborne said the government, Hunter Minister Jodi McKay and federal MP Sharon Grierson should meet with the council and other MPs to discuss plans for the city.

"There needs to be proper engagement with the community, including stakeholder groups, in order to gain the widespread community support that we need to progress the revitalisation of Newcastle," he said.

Ms McKay said yesterday she would be pleased to attend any roundtable meeting of leaders and she urged the lord mayor to also invite the NSW opposition's Hunter spokesman Mike Gallacher "to provide his input into the future of this great city".

City figs to get the chop

From The Herald...

BY JACQUI JONES

Chainsaws won out over community protest last night with civic leaders giving the go-ahead for Laman Street’s green cathedral to be cut down.

After more than a year’s consideration, most Newcastle City councillors agreed to have 14 Hills figs on the Cooks Hill boulevard removed as soon as possible.

They will be replaced next year with new Hills fig specimens, measuring about 3 metres high.

A packed public gallery held signs pleading for the council to save the trees and booed, hissed and heckled councillors who supported the figs’ removal.

Lord mayor John Tate and councillors Scott Sharpe, Bob Cook, Brad Luke, Graham Boyd, Aaron Buman and Mike King voted for all the trees to be removed and replaced.

Councillors Nuatali Nelmes, Sharon Claydon, Tim Crakanthorp, Michael Osborne and Mike Jackson voted against the proposal.

Cr Shane Connell was absent.

Council officers had advised that the trees should go because their deteriorating condition posed a public safety risk.

If the trees stayed, a gate, to be locked at 5pm, would be put up around parts of Laman Street, they said.

Councillors agreed that was not an option they could abide.

‘‘It’s absolutely intolerable and unacceptable ... the idea of caging up a civic space,’’ Cr Claydon said. ‘‘It just makes me want to weep.’’

Cr Crakanthorp suggested a staged removal, with four figs kept and others replanted.

‘‘These trees are held very dear to the community,’’ he said.

Cr Cook said this would produce an exceptionally poor result.

‘‘It will look wrong, it will be wrong,’’ he said.

He said removing the trees now and replacing them would provide a quality result.

‘‘It should be used as a symbol for what this council intends to achieve, the best for future generations,’’ Cr Cook said.

‘‘Let’s not do a quick, temporary patch-up job at our iconic location.

‘‘Let’s set a new standard that future generations will be proud of.’’

Cr Tate said it was about long-term benefit for the most prominent part of the city, near Civic Park, the library and art gallery.

Cr Nelmes disagreed.

‘‘I think we will look back on this as a council and realise we’ve made a mistake,’’ she said.

Detailed designs for Laman Street are expected to be presented to councillors by December.

Newcastle candidates grilled at forum

From The Herald...

BY STEPHEN RYAN

IT was a case of Sharon versus the rest yesterday when all seven candidates for the safe Labor seat of Newcastle went under the microscope.

About 40 of Newcastle's 88,000 or so voters attended a public forum at Tighes Hill Public School to hear what the candidates had to say on issues such as climate change and Newcastle's future.

Most of the candidates said a strong challenge to Labor would result in Newcastle having a bigger voice in Canberra.

Liberal candidate Brad Luke said Newcastle was "celebrating" the 35th anniversary since a member for Newcastle was appointed to a government ministry, while Christian Democrats candidate Milton Caine said he had lived in a marginal seat and seen what benefits it could bring.

Ms Grierson defended her and her party's record, but it was obvious from the cheers and applause that most of the residents wanted action on issues such as climate change and the expansion of Newcastle's port.

One resident was outraged that the port would continue to expand, bringing with it increased rail and truck movements.

Ms Grierson said she understood the community's concerns about truck movements and the impact of coal trains travelling through the city, but said that expansion would continue, and that the Labor Party supported the increased use of rail.

Earlier at the forum when candidates were asked about rail movements and the port, Ms Grierson said it was not in the Commonwealth's jurisdiction to which Greens candidate Michael Osborne responded by saying that such a comment was a "cop out".

He said coal train carriages should be covered, there should be increased air-quality testing and there needed to be greater investment in renewable energy sources.

Socialist Alliance candidate Zane Alcorn said the Hunter's coal industry needed to be "phased out".

Pedal peril: Newcastle cyclists feel unsafe

From The Herald...

BY JACQUI JONES

A SURVEY of Newcastle cyclists has found that almost half feel unsafe on city roads, with abusive and careless motorists and lack of dedicated bike lanes mostly to blame.

Off-road routes such as The Foreshore and Fernleigh Track are proving popular.

Newcastle City Council asked 784 people about their habits for the Cycling in Newcastle survey.

Councillor Michael Osborne said the feedback would help the council prepare a city cycling strategy.

Improving popular routes and creating more cycle lanes should be priorities, he said.

More than 42 per cent of survey respondents said they felt unsafe riding their bike, especially on major roads.

In the past year, 47 per cent were abused by motorists, 52 per cent were hit by opening car doors and 55 per cent had a near miss with a vehicle.

"There is currently a degree of resentment between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists," the survey report said.

Throsby Creek and the harbour foreshore, Fernleigh Track and trips between the suburbs and inner-city were popular routes.

Reasons for cycling included health and leisure, reducing one's carbon footprint, convenience and commuting.

Respondents said more dedicated lanes and off-road routes, better safety and road conditions, and increased driver awareness would encourage activity.

Daniel Chalhoub and Glenn Stojanow, of CFN cycling store, ride daily and said extra cycle lanes would not go astray, nor would education for drivers and cyclists to be aware of one another.

Projects such as Fernleigh Track were welcome, they said.

Covers for Hunter coal trains

From The Herald...

BY MICHELLE HARRIS

THE noise and dust from coal trains rumbling through the region could warrant new mitigation and prevention measures such as wagon covers, Newcastle lord mayor John Tate says.

Cr Tate suggests forming a committee bringing together residents and the industry to address coal transport concerns, particularly those of residents in suburbs such as Tighes Hill.

He said port terminals had dust-suppressant measures, but ones specifically for dust were needed to ensure air-quality during windy weather.

"It seems to me that the covering of the coal wagons is not an onerous cost to the industry," he said.

Cr Tate also questioned if sound-reduction barriers were still effective given the extra size and power of trains.

At a meeting last month, the Tighes Hill Community Group heard from Australian Rail Track Corporation representatives.

The representatives reportedly told the group that an environmental-protection licence governed its operations, and it had pollution-reduction plans in place.

Greens candidate Michael Osborne said he put a motion forward this year, which councillors did not support, calling for a report on coalmine impacts on residents, including coal transport.

Cr Tate said the motion did not suggest a course of action.

Train operator Pacific National or the track corporation did not comment to the Newcastle Herald.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said environmental responsibilities were taken "very seriously".

A NSW Minerals Council spokesman said Australian air-quality monitoring studies "have not found the potential for impacts on human health or amenity from dust emissions from coal either inside or outside of the rail corridor".

Fate of Laman Street figs draws near

From The Herald...

BY JACQUI JONES

KEEPING or cutting Laman Street's trees will be a matter of cost, but at what price is open to interpretation.

It is a question Newcastle City Council must ponder following advice that the figs are failing and should go.

The Newcastle Herald reported yesterday that 10 options were placed on the drawing board in a briefing to councillors on Tuesday night.

Capital costs ranged from $8000 to $4.9 million for everything from keeping to cutting all 14 figs.

Recurrent costs would be between $1000 and $60,000.

Life expectancy of the present trees was five to 15 years, while new trees might last more than 90 years, community planning co-ordinator Ian Rhodes said.

Cr Sharon Claydon suggested an economic analysis of the trees be considered.

A council spokeswoman said an arboriculture assessment known as the Thyer method put the value of all 14 figs at $68,586.

Cr Michael Osborne said the value was more than dollars.

Environmental factors such as stormwater benefits and habitat for endangered species should be taken into account.

The trees are already a costly consideration.

The art gallery and library report a 35 per cent decrease in visitor numbers since street access was limited because the trees posed a public safety risk.

The gallery had a $9000 decrease in income compared with the same time last year.

The council also spent $70,000 on a two-day community workshop, from which consultants developed a plan for revamping Laman Street and nearby Civic Park.

It envisaged underground building extensions, a two-storey car park, and opening former rail corridors for bikes and pedestrians.

Councillors will consider the plan and tree options next month.

Rhiannon launches Newcastle Greens candidate, Hunter to be at heart of 100% renewables shift

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
26 July 2010

At Newcastle foreshore today, Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon launched Michael Osborne as the Greens candidate for Newcastle and announced that the Hunter will be the heart of the Greens NSW push to shift from coal dependence to 100% renewable energy.

Greens candidate for Newcastle Michael Osborne said: “I am excited about diving into the Greens campaign in the Federal seat of Newcastle.

“Gillard’s climate change plan is nothing more than a talk-fest that will keep NSW and the Hunter locked into coal dependence. It is a plan to stall action for two years.

“Federal Labor has failed the people of Newcastle on climate change – they have stuck their head in the sand and defended the coal industry rather than providing the leadership needed to force a shift to 100% renewable energy.

The massive proposed Mt Piper and Bayswater coal-fired power plants, which will
together potentially add 4,000 MW of coal-fired power, would still go ahead under Labor’s do-nothing plan announced last week by the Gillard government.

“The Greens’ detailed plan to shift Australia away from dirty coal to 100% renewable energy powerhouse draws on our tremendous resources of sun, wind, wave and earth. For the Hunter this means a major boost to jobs growth and the local economy.

“Federal Labor has taken its eye off the ball and the development of renewable energy is uncoordinated and directionless. The Greens’ Safe Climate (Renewable Energy Infrastructure) Bill will give Infrastructure Australia new planning tasks to map renewable energy resource area and to create renewable energy development zones with streamlined approval processes,”said Mr Osborne.

Greens Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon said: “Michael is a passionate and knowledgeable candidate, with a long-term commitment to the people of Newcastle. He has a proven track record as a councillor on Newcastle City Council for 6 years.

“I am looking forward to working with Michael on the Greens campaign to shift away from coal-dependence to 100% renewable energy. The Hunter will be the heart of this work.

“The Hunter has six coal fired power stations and has experienced a six fold increase in open cut coal mining over three decades. A recent government report confirmed that the area experiences higher rates of asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Shifting to renewable energy would mean a healthy local environment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and more jobs in the Hunter. Research by the Centre of Full Employment and Equity at University of Newcastle identified a net gain of between 10,000 to 15,000 new jobs if the Hunter’s coal-fired power stations were phased out and local energy needs were met by renewable energy,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Institute seen as smart for region

From The Herald...

PLANS to establish an institute for energy and resources in the old BHP laboratories at Shortland were described yesterday as a significant boost to research and development in the region.

The federal government announced yesterday it would provide $30 million to Newcastle University for the $42 million project.

State Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay said the institute would play a key role in running the recently announced, $100 million Smart Grid Smart City project in Newcastle.

"It will have the potential to make a real and substantial contribution to sustainable energy use on both a national and global scale," she said.

Hunter Business Chamber chief executive Peter Shinnick said it was huge news when combined with the new, $90 million Hunter Medical Research Institute building, which is set to open in the grounds of John Hunter Hospital in 2012.

"It's created quite an interesting hub of research and development activity in the Hunter," he said.

"That attracts industry and that attracts business to the Hunter."

Newcastle Greens councillor Michael Osborne said it was a great opportunity to be at the forefront of renewable technology research, but said carbon storage research was a "waste of time" because the process was "never going to be cost-effective".

The general manager of Corky's Carbon Consultancy in Mayfield, David Cook, used to work at the BHP laboratories and welcomed the site's addition to the university.

He said the institute would complement the commercial field and help train people to work in the private sector.

"We've got to get smarter as a country and smarter as a region," he said.

"The more research we can do in town the better."

PM Gillard's first climate challenge: Cancel brown coal export deal to Vietnam

Prime Minister Gillard has been presented with an immediate challenge to show leadership on climate change, with Trade Minister Simon Crean due to formalise an agreement to export massively polluting brown coal to Vietnam in Melbourne this afternoon.

The Prime Minister must step in, cancel this deal immediately and instruct her Trade Minister to focus on export deals for renewable energy technology instead.

"You cannot be serious about climate action if you are willing to open up a whole new massively polluting export industry," said Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

"Prime Minister Gillard has the opportunity to stamp her climate leadership on this government and cancel the deal to export brown coal before it is signed, telling her Trade Minister to focus on export deals that will help the climate, not hurt it.

"Brown coal is the most polluting fuel we have. Pumping energy into transforming it into the equivalent of black coal will only increase pollution at home and overseas.

"We simply cannot afford to open up a whole new polluting export industry. Every tonne of this coal burned in Vietnam will come back to bite us with worse bushfires, drought, floods and more.

"One of the key climate failures of governments around Australia and the world has been to see one arm of government cancelling out the efforts of others.

"What use is working with Minister Wong to pass the bill to fix the Renewable Energy Target yesterday if Ministers Crean and Ferguson are going to more than cancel out the greenhouse benefits the next day?

"I and Senator Brown look forward to working constructively with Prime Minister Gillard and her government to get Australia moving forward on climate action."

Labor must seize new climate change opportunity, say Greens

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
24 June 2010

Today’s change in leadership gives the federal Labor government a new opportunity to take real action on climate change before the federal election, according to the Greens federal candidate for Newcastle, Michael Osborne.

“The political rot set in for Mr Rudd at the time he turned his back on what he called the great moral challenge of his generation,” Mr Osborne said.

“The crucial early test of Ms Gillard’s leadership will be how she seizes this new opportunity to respond to the challenge of climate change.

“I know that many voters in Newcastle were disillusioned with Kevin Rudd’s failure to take real action on climate change, and will be looking to Ms Gillard to pick up the pieces, and to work with The Greens to develop an effective national scheme to limit carbon emissions.

“Today’s change in leadership gives Labor just one last chance before the federal election to do this,” Mr Osborne said.

“Before the next federal election, Ms Gillard needs to announce a clear, science-based strategy based on rigorous but achievable emission reduction targets and economic restructuring packages that will help Australia and the Hunter Valley move away coal dependence and toward a more ecologically sustainable economy.”

“Federal Labor also needs to stand firm on the proposed super-profits tax on public owned non-renewable resources, which can help ensure that the Australian community gets a fairer share from the one-off use of these public assets.

“The super-profits tax is sound policy, and should be used to provide valuable public infrastructure and funding for economic restructuring in mining-affected regional economies, such as the Hunter,” Mr Osborne said.

“The super-profits tax offers the opportunity to create jobs through an investment in a sustainable future, and Labor needs to carry through with it, and not bow yet again to the pressure of large vested interests, many of whom donate to the Labor Party,” Mr Osborne said.