NovoNews 005 by Central Coast Newspapers

NOVONEWS

ISSUE 005 AUGUST 2021

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Plan sparks wildlife fears

Newcastle is set to lose 226 affordable rental properties over the next six years due to the expiration of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. See page 5

NovoCulture

NovoSociety

A plan to rezone almost 600 hectares of bushland along Newcastle Link Road has raised concerns about the threat it poses to more than 50 different species of flora and fauna. See page 3 The proposed rezoning along the Newcastle Link Road would facilitate a housing development called Eden Estates Photo: Jo Lynch

Hunter enters snap lockdown In this series, we will dive into some of the Lord Mayoral candidates’ policies, priorities and plans. Find out what they believe are the city’s greatest assets, what they think needs improving and why they want to be your Lord Mayor. See page 7

NovoSport

Newcastle and the Hunter have entered a one-week snap lockdown as COVID-19 cases continue to grow in the area. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the Hunter and Upper Hunter regions would be placed in lockdown from 5pm on Thursday, August 5. The lockdown applies to Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook local government areas. The region was on high alert after three school students from Morisset High School in Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast’s Lake Munmorah Public School tested positive for the virus. A confirmed COVID case visited the Learning Lounge of the Auchmuty Library at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus on July 30 between 5pm and 11pm. The student is not an on-campus resident and had minimal contact with others during this time. Lockdown conditions will be the same

as those in Greater Sydney, including schooling from home. The lockdown will be in place at least until midnight on August 12. Newcastle residents with the mildest of symptoms are being urged to get tested after a high level of COVID-19 fragments was detected in Newcastle sewage. NSW Health announced on Wednesday morning, August 4, that its ongoing sewage surveillance program had detected fragments of the virus in a number of the state’s sewage facilities including those at Newcastle’s Burwood Beach, Shortland and Belmont. “These plants cover over 400,000 people across Greater Newcastle and Lake Macquarie,” NSW Health said. “None of these have known cases of COVID-19 living in any of the areas they serve. “NSW Health urges everyone in all of these areas to be particularly vigilant for the onset of symptoms that could signal COVID-19, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until

a negative result is received.” In particular, the Burwood Beach sewage treatment plant serves about 225,800 people from Newcastle and the surrounding suburbs of Dudley, Charlestown, Jesmond, Lambton, New Lambton, Mayfield, Elermore Vale, Wallsend, Kotara, Garden Suburb, Adamstown Heights, Kahibah, Highfields, Merewether, Waratah West, Georgetown and Carrington.

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

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Hunter enters snap lockdown

Meanwhile, Hunter residents experiencing difficulties securing appointments at the Belmont mass vaccination hub are asked to stay patient and not give up. The former Bunnings site reopened on July 19 as a NSW Health COVID-19 Vaccination Centre. While many have been able to get their Pfizer vaccinations at the new centre and reported a seamless process, many others have expressed frustration about glitches in the online booking system. And in a recent development, up to 40,000 Pfizer doses were redistributed from rural and regional NSW, including the Belmont hub, to south west and western Sydney to help vaccinate HSC students. Hunter New England Health was unable to say on Monday how many doses had been redirected to Sydney from Belmont but offered a reassurance that “those who have had a first Pfizer dose will receive their scheduled second dose. Those in priority groups 1A and 1B, such as healthcare or aged care workers, will also be unaffected”. Those with bookings that need to be rescheduled have been notified. More appointments will open up when more vaccines are available. HNE Health said it was working hard to respond to those who had contacted them about difficulties in the system. Its Facebook page carries comments on a range of experiences with the online booking system. “(I) was there this morning. Outstanding customer service. Quick and easy. A lot smoother than the first dose at JHH. Well done to all involved,” one satisfied customer said. Others were frustrated that they were unable to make a booking for the second jab and therefore could not complete the booking process for either

A charge of Novocastrians lined up to be tested at the drive-through testing clinic in Adamstown following the announcement.

vaccination. “If it’s imperative that we all get vaccinated why is it so difficult to get an appointment? You can choose a first jab but no appointments for a second,” one person said. Lead of the COVID-19 response for Hunter New England Health Elizabeth Grist said the team was pleased the community was following Public Health advice and seeking a vaccination as soon as possible but that patience was required. “There is currently significant demand for appointments at our vaccination centres, including the Belmont hub,” Grist said. “We appreciate the patience of our community and we encourage anyone who has not been able to secure an appointment to regularly check the eligibility checker as more appointments become available. “Please be assured that everyone who wants to be vaccinated, will be vaccinated, as the Australian Government makes more supplies available.

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Publisher: Ross Barry - Editor - David Abrahams Design & Production: Justin Stanley, Lucillia Eljuga Sub Editor: Gina Cranson - Journalists: Hayley McMahon Office: 2 Dick Street, Newcastle West 2302 - Phone: 0491 012 983 E-mail: editorial@novonews.com.au Website: novonews.com.au Social:

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“We want to thank the community for its understanding and patience.” Grist said that “the centre is currently providing Pfizer, and AstraZeneca will be available in coming weeks”. “The many GPs across Greater Newcastle are providing AstraZeneca vaccine. We encourage people to speak to their GP or visit the online eligibility checker for information on where to access it,” she said. The new centre at Belmont includes a waiting room that can hold 200 people, an observation room for 300 people, 35 vaccination bays, and has the capacity to vaccinate up to 20,000 people a

week. Because the centre has not yet taken delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine and a percentage of Pfizer doses have been redirected to Sydney, it is not operating at capacity. HNE Health has reiterated the need to make a booking, as opposed to walkins, in order to guarantee vaccination and make sure a COVID-19 Safety Plan is followed on the ground. To check your eligibility and to book a vaccination, visit the NSW Government website. Hayley McMahon and Gina Cranson

Which vaccine is for you? At the time of print, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended the Pfizer vaccine as the preferred vaccine for those aged 16 to 59 years, and that the AstraZeneca vaccine could be provided to people aged 18 to 59. If you are aged 40 or over you are eligible for vaccination. The NSW Government’s online eligibility check will guide you to find the most suitable clinic and to make a booking. If you are aged between 16 and 39, you may be eligible for vaccination, and the eligibility check will help you find out if you are. For those in this age group wishing to have the AstraZeneca vaccine, a recommended path would be to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss, and a subsequent vaccination booking may be organised. People under 16 years are not able to be vaccinated at this stage.

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

Plan sparks wildlife fears A plan to rezone almost 600 hectares of bushland along Newcastle Link Road has raised concerns about the threat it poses to more than 50 different species of flora and fauna. The planned rezoning would facilitate a housing development called Eden Estates. The City of Newcastle is expected to consider the proposal later this year. At the time of print, the Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC) and the Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC) had organised an online public meeting for August 4 to discuss the proposal to rezone 570 hectares of bushland from Wallsend to Minmi. HCEC coordinator Jo Lynch said there was an immense amount of flora, fauna and critical habitats on the site that the proposed rezoning and development would threaten. “There are over 50 flora and fauna species on the site that are listed as vulnerable or endangered, including squirrel gliders, bent-wing bats, powerful owls, flying foxes and native orchids,” Lynch said. “It is an essential habitat for squirrel gliders, which is a species we have been focusing on a lot. They need connectivity of bushland and hollow trees to survive. “We want to raise awareness over the

The Powerful Owl Photo: Rob Palazzi

The White-bellied Sea Eagle Photo: Rob Palazzi

570 hectares from Wallsend to Minmi Image: Jo Lynch

important biodiversity at this site and make sure that all checks are implemented, and the full picture has been assessed before the council just whisk it through. “The first hurdle is tackling the rezoning as this is the next step on the proposal. “Ideally, we would like to see the development that is planned for this site relocated to land that has already been cleared. We want to avoid clearing

established bushland wherever we can across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast electorates. “We know that there is a high demand for housing, but we must think twice about the need for land clearing when there are a lot of very vulnerable species endangered.” Lynch said they wanted to gauge the broader community’s thoughts about the proposal and if it was an issue people

were willing to take up further with the City of Newcastle. At the time of publication over 80 people had signed up to attend the online meeting. For more information on the development visit the Hunter Community Environment Centre website at hcec. org.au. Hayley McMahon

Call to keep Sydney workers out Hunter residents are concerned about Sydney construction workers being allowed to travel and work in Newcastle despite Greater Sydney building sites being shut down to lower the spread of COVID-19. The NSW Government announced last month that all construction, non-urgent maintenance and repair work on residential premises would be put on hold in Greater Sydney. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the decision was difficult to make but was a critical factor in preventing a further extension of the lockdown. State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery and State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp asked Berejiklian and NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard for “urgent clarification regarding workers travelling from Greater Sydney to Newcastle”. “Closing construction sites in Greater Sydney could lead to companies redeploying their workforces to sites located outside of Greater Sydney, including Newcastle,” their letter read. “The Newcastle CBD is currently experiencing a large amount of construction, and our communities are extremely concerned about the risk this poses. “If these workers pose a risk on sites in greater Sydney, they pose a risk on sites in regional NSW, including in Newcastle.” The Premier’s office gave an interim response, advising that workers from Greater Sydney could work in Newcastle

Sydney construction workers can travel and work in Newcastle and surrounding regions

and the Lake Macquarie area. As construction work cannot be done from home, these workers have a reasonable excuse to leave their residence and work on a construction site outside Greater Sydney. “The Newcastle Local Government Area has been COVID-19 free for almost 12 months, and one single case would have a catastrophic impact on the local economy,” Hornery said. “Many local businesses are doing it tough with the current restrictions, with some being forced to close their doors

for good, and others hanging on by a thread. “Until the Greater Sydney restrictions ease, local sites should be using local workers.” Due to the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Area being less than 50km from Greater Sydney, the workers would also not be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. “I have a couple of Sydney workers who were meant to be coming back to finish a job, but I’ve had to tell them not

to come,” an owner of a Newcastle construction company said. “We don’t want Sydney workers coming onto our sites. It only takes one case, and we are all shut down. So our plumbers, electricians and anyone working on our sites don’t want to risk that. “I can’t imagine very many Newcastle bosses replacing a local worker with someone from Sydney if there’s a risk of spreading COVID, but the bigger commercial companies who have construction sites all over the place, well they’ll be able to just move all their blokes up here. I don’t think that’s right.” At the time of print, most of the restrictions affected people living in the Sydney local government areas (LGAs) of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Cumberland, Parramatta and Blacktown. These had been identified as high risk for COVID transmission. At this time, construction is not permitted in the eight LGAs of concern. Construction workers from those areas are not allowed to leave their LGAs for work. But outside those areas, construction in non-occupied settings (no residents) is permitted. The number of workers on site is capped at one per four square metres. Tradies and cleaners can work in occupied settings if they don’t have contact with residents. Hayley McMahon

AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

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City offers rates flexibility in hard times Newcastle residents and businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 restrictions can access interestfree payment plans for the latest rates notice period. City of Newcastle extends support to the community affected by the latest restrictions by offering ratepayers flexible payment options from weekly, fortnightly, to monthly instalments. Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local businesses would see a slowdown in economic activity, given the restrictions and supply chain issues from the Sydney lockdown. “We understand that many people and small businesses in our community are facing an extremely challenging time,” Cr Nelmes said last month. “With 2021/22 rates notices arriving in mailboxes from mid-July, we encourage those experiencing financial hardship to reach out and contact City of Newcastle to discuss a payment plan. The next rates instalment is due on 31 August, so there is plenty of time to organise a plan.” Cr Nelmes said $1.6M in rates were deferred during the peak period of COVID-19 last year. Ratepayers can enter flexible and tailored payment plans. Financial planning and counselling assistance is also available through the council’s

Businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can access interest-free payment plans for the latest rates period

community welfare agencies. The City of Newcastle’s $5.5M COVID Community and Economic Resilience Package is also continuing, focused on creating economic opportunities by upskilling local talent and increasing business resilience. “City of Newcastle has invested $100,000 into e-Library resources under the Community and Economic Development Resilience Package,” Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said.

“We have also extended indefinitely our decision to waive library fines to encourage a more positive member experience and provide additional means for the community to access free resources for continued learning.” To help with upskilling the local workforce during the economic downturn, Newcastle libraries are offering members access to more than 8000 e-learning courses and 13,000 video tutorials for free. The topics range from resume writing,

skills for retraining, and how to start a business, all via an online learning platform. Ratepayers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance by contacting City of Newcastle’s Rates Team on (02) 4974 2307 or rates@ncc.nsw.gov.au. For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Pay Your Rates webpage. Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

Meeting Room Hire with a difference Our unique space has attracted a wide range of Newcastle businesses from the day we opened our doors. Once people get a glimpse of what is inside (often from having a sticky beak through the café window) they are eager to be a part of it. People generally want their business to soak up the Rethink Your Workspace vibe, so from early on we have agreed to share our space with others that love it as much as we do. We now also hire out our space for businesses and groups looking for the unique setting that Rethink Your Workspace offers. We have held all types of sessions in the space, including; workshops, team building days, think tank sessions, planning sessions, recruitment drives, and business collaboration meetings. We offer Full Day, Half Day & Hourly rates in a range of styles and sizes: There are 6 rooms and 2 boardrooms available for hire 5 days per week. A major drawcard for our space is our inhouse café, which offers amazing coffee and delicious food. We can organise catering for your meetings as well.

2 Dick Street, Newcastle West - 4962 4440 - rethinkyourworkspace.com.au

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

Affordable housing to disappear

Newcastle is set to lose 226 affordable rental properties over the next six years

Newcastle is set to lose 226 affordable rental properties over the next six years due to the expiration of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Several properties in the Newcastle area are part of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) discontinued by the Abbott government in 2014. NRAS was first introduced by the Rudd government and encouraged medium to large scale investment in affordable housing. The intention was to have affordable housing stock frequently added, so additional houses were built in replacement when contracts expired. Newcastle properties that are part of the NRAS have 10-year affordability commitments in their contracts and are due to expire in the next few years. The entire NRAS stock is to be handed over to the market by the end of 2026. The NRAS quarterly report reveals that Newcastle is set to lose 226 affordable rental properties over the next six years. Of those properties, 152 will expire in 2024 alone. As the demand for homelessness services increases, COVID-19 restrictions ramp up, and Newcastle finds itself in the middle of a housing crisis, the Newcastle Greens are calling on the council to deliver a 15 per cent affordable housing levy. Ward 2 Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe said they were “extremely concerned” with the lack of planning to address the issue.

“Councillors and council staff must be aware of this NRAS sunset clause, but there’s no commitment to replacing these affordable rental homes, let alone seriously tackling increasing the supply of affordable and social housing,” McCabe said. “The NRAS expiries are adding yet another layer of pressure to an already dire situation in Newcastle.” McCabe said the Greens were committed to creating a 15 per cent affordable housing levy on infill developments in the city’s high density and catalyst areas. “The council has had the ability to

implement this levy since February 2019 but have failed to put anything in place while we watch huge towers spring up across our city.” Lord Mayoral candidate and Greens councillor John Mackenzie said the council agreed to establish a levy scheme in March 2019, but it was yet to be applied. “We know that more than 7000 social and affordable housing units need to be built in by 2040 in Newcastle alone, but right now, fewer than 130 are in the pipeline,” Cr Mackenzie said. “The loss of NRAS units means that we are going backwards on housing

NRAS Quarterly report, March 2021

affordability.” Cr Mackenzie said the Newcastle region had the state’s largest gap in social and affordable housing. “More than 1900 households remain in a desperate situation on the waiting list for affordable housing in Newcastle, and we have unprecedented levels of turn away from homelessness services.” The Newcastle Greens announcement comes as they ready themselves for the local council elections, which have now been postponed until December in response to the state’s coronavirus crisis. Hayley McMahon

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Council erupts over Robinson report A string of controversial comments made by City of Newcastle Councillor Allan Robinson has been made public, leading to his exit from the Independent team and Labor’s call for Robinson and Independent Lord Mayoral candidate John Church to resign. A report on the October 2020 investigation into Robinson’s conduct has finally been released under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA). The report reveals complaints of Cr Robinson’s conduct dating back to July 2019. The independent investigation into Code of Conduct complaints exposed a series of comments made by Ward 4 Councillor Robinson towards fellow councillors. Labor councillors questioned the report’s delayed release. “Despite legal advice recommending the proactive release of the report under GIPA, Councillor John Church repeatedly moved to suppress the release of the report,” the Labor statement read. “The report exposes the weakness in the NSW Code of Conduct for local councillors. “The only recommendation from the independent investigation is a vote of condemnation by his fellow councillors and referral to the Office of Local Government (OLG).” Responding to the report’s release, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she had been subjected to “disgusting and

Code of Conduct complaints exposed many controversial comments Cr Robinson had directed at his fellow councillors

abhorrent misogyny and sexism” over the past nine years from Cr Robinson, which affected her and her family. Comments posted on Cr Nelmes’ Facebook page reflected constituents’ outrage over Robinson’s alleged behaviour and his Independent backing. The first openly gay councillor elected in Newcastle, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, told NovoNews that “the homophobic abuse” he had received from Cr Robinson was “unrelenting”. Cr Robinson was forced to publicly apologise to Cr Clausen in 2020 after an

NSW Anti-Discrimination Board process confirmed he had “used language and actions in formal council meetings and in the media that were homophobic, discriminatory and disrespectful”. “I can’t think of any other workplace in the country where this kind of conduct and behaviour is acceptable and that he still continues to get away with it,” Cr Clausen said. Cr Clausen said he and seven other Labor Councillors had called for the resignation of Cr Robinson. They also called for Lord Mayoral candidate and Councillor John Church’s

resignation after he failed to act despite having “repeated opportunities” to call out Cr Robinson’s alleged behaviour. “The release of this report isn’t a surprise to anyone on the council,” Cr Clausen said. “We have had access to this report for seven months, and Church has obviously been aware of Robinson’s conduct for a lot longer than that. “Given how long this has gone on for, the only way to seek some resolution is for the community to see exactly what is going on with their elected officials. Making the report available is part of ensuring that there is justice to this process.” Cr Church told NovoNews that Cr Robinson had left the Newcastle Independents team, and the team would soon announce a replacement Ward 4 candidate. “My view is, as a council, we need to improve the tone and quality of the debate,” Cr Church said, declining to comment on Labor’s calls for his own resignation. Cr Robinson told Newcastle Herald on July 28 that he regretted the comments “if it hurts someone”. He also told ABC News on July 30 that he would “continue to hold Labor councillors to account” and intended to run in the next election as a “rogue independent”. NovoNews approached Cr Robinson for comment but at the time of print he had not yet responded. Hayley McMahon

Communication firm closes

The Purser Communication team: Bob Purser, Grace Walters, Clare Wilkinson, the late Meg Purser, Georgia Hughes and Gracyn Endacott. Photo: Purser Corporate Communication

After almost 40 years of operation, Newcastle business Purser Corporate Communication will shut down following the death of Managing Director Meg Purser earlier this year. The well-known businesswoman and community leader died on January 14, aged 53, after a short battle with breast cancer. In a statement published on LinkedIn

on Friday, Meg’s partner Scott Mills thanked those people who had worked with and for the communication services firm over the years. “Meg has been honoured by so many people and named Woman of the Year in the Charlestown Electorate,” Mills said. “To have the City of Newcastle name a scholarship at the University of Newcastle in her name, means that,

while this is a sad time, we close the business with much pride in our achievements.” The Meg Purser Communications Scholarship will provide $5000 to a second-year undergraduate Communication student who demonstrates the same communityfocused qualities Meg was renowned for. She gained widespread respect and

gratitude for her efforts with the likes of Got Your Back Sister, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Hunter Breast Screen. Purser Corporate Communication was founded in 1984 by Bob Purser. Daughter Meg joined the business in 1999 after a successful career in the education, energy and advertising sectors. Lauren Freemantle

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

Lord Mayoral Q&A: Greens candidate John Mackenzie

In this series, we will dive into some of the Lord Mayoral candidates’ policies, priorities and plans. Find out what they believe are the city’s greatest assets, what they think needs improving and why they want to be your Lord Mayor. In this first instalment, we meet Greens candidate for Lord Mayor and Ward 1 Councillor John Mackenzie. John Mackenzie has been a Newcastle councillor since 2017. He is a social scientist and policy consultant. He has led participatory smart urban planning that supports Newcastle’s transition towards climate resilience and guides council initiatives like planning, climate, environment and urban forestry. Mackenzie is the chair of Newcastle’s Liveable City Committee and represents Newcastle on the Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel.

How long have you lived in Newcastle? Tell us about your history with the city.

We moved to Newcastle a bit over a decade ago. We were looking for a place for our family, and we settled here. We are very happy to have made this our permanent home. We have some young kids that are just getting on school age. It’s a great place for young families like ours, so we are definitely here for the long haul.

What are your interests outside of work? How do you manage your spare time?

Lord Mayoral candidate and councillor John Mackenzie

Well, there isn’t heaps of spare time! But I try and keep active. I also have some hobbies like bush regeneration work, which is a fancy way of saying weeding. I’m a bit of a homebody and spend a fair bit of time playing board games and other sorts of family activities. I try and keep my mind off politics now and again.

What did you get up to in your early career?

I started in academia. I was a university lecturer and researcher in the area of policy research and political science. That took me to various locations around the country, working on policy issues, particularly around natural resource management and some of the thorny issues with water management in Australia.

Even in your early career, you were focused on environmental matters. Is this what influenced you to become a Greens councillor?

I was pretty active locally on issues in the community, particularly around the fourth coal terminal (Port Waratah Coal Services Terminal 4) and some of the issues surrounding the health impacts of the coal train line. I live in one of the rail side suburbs, and we have been observing some of those local impacts. So it was a fairly natural progression to go from being someone who was organising in the community to being someone who could actually represent the community in the council chamber.

What do you think of Newcastle and its people?

When we decided to live here and make Newcastle our home, I think one of the main attractors was the good quality of life and the liveability of Newcastle. We have all of the opportunities of a large city with a small community’s natural beauty and social catchment. So I think those liveability elements of our city is worth cherishing and protecting.

If elected, what will be your number one priority? Can you outline a few plans and policies that you would like to see come to fruition?

There are two things that I’m particularly focused on. One is housing affordability. We have seen an enormous change in the housing market, even in the last 12 months. Newcastle has gone from being a place where Novocastrians could expect to afford a house to a place where buying a house is not necessarily achievable. The rental market is almost non-existent for working people, much less for students and young families. Our crisis accommodation services have never been so stretched. Looking at reforming housing into a more available and more affordable concept has to be the number one priority of the next term of council. The other aspect which I’m really focused on is preparing for the transition associated with climate change. We have done some really great work in Newcastle. We were the first council in NSW to go 100 per cent renewable energy, but that’s just the start. There

are so many other aspects of our transport and waste management sector that need to transform for us to become a carbon-neutral city by 2044. It’s no good arriving in 2044 and expecting things to have changed. The work to get there has to start now. The council has a key role at that local level in making those changes necessary for this city to get there.

What can be done at a local government level to make this city carbon neutral by 2044?

I think the role of local government is really about bringing together industries, the community, the unions and education institutes and start to map out the transition together. For example, the Greens have talked a lot about setting up a Newcastle Transition Authority. I don’t think the council drives that process, but I think what we do is create the opportunity for all of the stakeholders involved in the solution to come together and map out that pathway. We need to make sure that we are prepared for the decline of the coal industry. We need to make sure that we are moving towards industries with a sustainable future, and we need to make sure that no one gets left behind in that process. No single agency or institution can do that on its own. So, I think the council’s role is to take that leadership position and bring everyone to the table, where we can map out that pathway together as a community. Continued page 8

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What areas of the city do you think need significant improvement and attention?

I think this is an interesting question, particularly in the lockdown circumstances. These lockdowns brought people back to their local areas, back in their homes and back in their local communities. For some people, that was really great, they had lovely open spaces, cycleways and great local services, but that’s not true across the whole of the city. Some places don’t have good parks, playgrounds or open spaces, and I think people rightfully noticed that much more keenly than they had pre-COVID. So, we need to make sure that no matter your postcode, you have access to all of those quality of life improvements and amenities that make living in Newcastle so great. It shouldn’t just be for the people who live in the inner city, close to the CBD. Those kinds of services, facilities and amenities should be available to everyone in all of our postcodes. I think the balance has to be struck. We can’t have all projects focused on one area of the city. Don’t get me wrong, that’s still important. The city needs new infrastructure to meet the needs of the population, but it can’t be at the expense of maintaining our existing infrastructure.

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We can’t have doors coming off of the change rooms at our sports grounds in the outer suburbs but then have big flash new developments in the inner city. We need to get that balance right.

Q. asset?

What do you Newcastle’s

think is greatest

Newcastle’s greatest asset is its people. We have so much talent here and an extraordinary, entrepreneurial and creative community. We are attracting incredible young people to this city, so we need to make sure that we provide the right kinds of services and quality of life to support this. We need to make the most of that asset and hold onto the people and community that make this place better.

What are your reasons behind running for Lord Mayor?

I bring a particular approach to the council, which is around consensus. What I’ve learnt in the nearly five years that I’ve been on council is there’s a real opportunity for the Lord Mayor position to be someone who can bring together the diverse voices in the council chamber and work towards a better outcome for the city.

I think it’s important to recognise that we need to have different perspectives represented if we are to make this city as great as possible.

It could be assumed that being Lord Mayor would be a 24-hour job. Are you prepared for that commitment?

It’s the most extraordinary form of community service that you could imagine. It’s a real honour and privilege to be in that position and have that platform to help shape the city. At its best moments, the council chamber is a place where 13 people do their absolute best and hardest work to make Newcastle as good as it can be. In those moments, it is a wonderful place to be. I’m not pretending that it’s like that all of the time, but in some ways, you have to accept the theatrics and the argybargy because of the opportunities that it has. If all 13 of us are doing our absolute best work, then we are all helping improve Novocastrians’ lives.

How do you think you differ from your fellow Lord Mayoral candidates?

I think my approach is more around consensus building. My main goal is to recognise that everybody

in that chamber has been elected to represent the different views of the community. So I think more than anything else, it’s important to ensure that those views are represented, taken into consideration, and we have all reached an evidence-based, communitysupported solution together.

How do you feel about the elections being pushed back to December? Have your campaign plans changed?

I have no problem with it being moved back. Public health is number one, and we aren’t going to cut any corners regarding community health, safety and well-being. The most important thing that we can do between now and then is make sure that come December, we have a safe election, whether that be via postal or a longer period of pre-poll. Once we get that understanding, we will make sure that voters, volunteers and candidates know exactly what the circumstances are and the outcome is safe and fair. For more information on the policies, plans and priorities of The Greens or to learn about the rest of the team, visit their website. Hayley McMahon

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City park ready for action

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The new waterfront park in the Newcastle CBD

Novocastrians and visitors to the city have welcomed the new $4.2M Honeysuckle Park along Newcastle Harbour. Honeysuckle Park has been designed and delivered in response to community feedback on the Honeysuckle Public Domain Concept Plan released in 2019. Work on the park, which began in

October last year, is now complete and is part of a dynamic $55M infrastructure and public domain works program for Newcastle’s city centre. The park includes a shaded maritimethemed playground as well as wideopen spaces and complementary native plants. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the park was an amazing

open space for locals and visitors to enjoy. “It forms part of the city’s 11-kilometre harbour, and beach walk from Throsby Creek to Merewether Beach, which will be one of the best public walks in NSW,” Stokes said. Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said walkers, runners and cyclists would love the extension of the

waterfront promenade. “Opening more quality public space right on the waterfront is an exciting outcome for the Hunter community as we finalise the planning for Honeysuckle,” Martin said. Information source: Media release, Minister for Planning Rob Stokes

Change of plans for foreshore An updated vision for Newcastle’s Harbour Foreshore has been revealed, including a revised concept for Foreshore Park as well as new plans for the Wharf Road Precinct. The updated concept includes 4000 square metres of playspace at Foreshore Park featuring more picnic areas, a significant waterplay space, trees, gardens, and new cycleways. A cultural heritage walk has also been added, linking back to Newcastle’s Indigenous heritage. There are additional improvements and avenue trees proposed along Wharf Road and Tug Berth Lane, and a formal tree grove linking two new event spaces, The Grove and The Commons. City of Newcastle presented the revised concept to the Harbour Foreshore Community Reference Group late last month. Several key changes have been made to the preliminary concept plan. “This project is a great example of City of Newcastle working with our community to deliver its first regionallevel recreational park and flexible open space that meets the needs and wants of those who will use Foreshore Park into the future,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said. “In direct response to the community’s feedback, revisions to the concept for Foreshore Park include the relocation of

Cross section plan for the Wharf Road concept Photo: City of Newcastle

the inclusive Variety Livvi’s Place playspace and adjoining amenities, and provision for multipurpose rollerskating, scooting and performing arts area. “We’ve also developed a concept plan to turn the Wharf Road Precinct into a world-class harbourside esplanade,” Cr Nelmes said. “We are doing this by improving the Joy Cummings promenade, parklands, connecting pathways and cycling infrastructure, improving access to the area, and creating new opportunities for our community and visitors to make the most of the magnificent waterfront location.” Newcastle Councillor John Mackenzie

said he was looking forward to seeing the project progress. “We’ll continue to work with the Community Reference Group to finetune the concept designs ahead of the development of the draft masterplan for the site, which will be placed on public exhibition for broad community feedback later this year,” Cr Mackenzie said. A key aspect of the concept design is the inclusive Variety Livvi’s Place playspace delivered in partnership with children’s charity Variety. The Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund is giving $500,000 to the playspace project and a further

$300,000 will come from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play grant program. Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said backing projects like the inclusive playspace in Foreshore Park made it easier for locals and visitors to enjoy the city’s shoreline. “The Newcastle Harbour Foreshore is the heart of the city, and this project will give people even more reasons to come together and experience the port’s rich history and culture in an inclusive and accessible setting,” Martin said. Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

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Green light for gallery expansion

The gallery expansion is expected to inject more than $1M into annual regional revenue Photo: City of Newcastle

Newcastle Art Gallery will receive an injection of $35.6M to help expand the building and open up space for more art and international exhibitions. The 44-year-old building only allows 1 per cent of the collection to be exhibited over the course of a year. The gallery houses more than 7000 works valued at $115M. It is home to the most valuable collection in regional Australia, including works by Arthur Boyd, William Dobell, Donald Friend, Tracey Moffatt, Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Patricia Piccinini, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott and Brett Whitely. City of Newcastle committed $16.2M towards the expansion project, including $3.6M already invested. A financial report considered by Council late last month concluded a

fixed interest rate of less than 1 per cent presented a pathway to fund the expansion. “An expansion of the gallery has been discussed for 16 years, with more than $10 million raised by the community to support the project,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said. “I’m pleased to say that City of Newcastle staff have identified a funding pathway to more than double the size of this wonderful community asset and make our shared dream a reality. “With the current favourable economic conditions, including historically low interest rates, the time has come for City of Newcastle to make this project happen.” Significant funds are also being held in trust with the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Board for expansion, including a $10M bequest from Valerie

Ryan, a commitment to additional community fundraising of $2.5M and $500,000 from the Margaret Olley Art Trust. Council has evaluated various options, including using cash reserves and external loans with the various options compared to their Net Present Value (NPV). Estimates showed that borrowing up to $22.6M from NSW Treasury Corporation over 10 years at all-time low-interest rates outweighed the benefits of using their own cash reserves. City of Newcastle will continue to seek federal and state grant funding before taking out the loan, ensuring all available grant funding options have been exhausted. The approved development application includes expanding the gallery,

providing modern facilities such as a new café and a retail shop, a multipurpose and educational program space, improved display and a secure international-standard loading dock. An additional 1600 square metres of exhibition space will have dedicated areas for the gallery’s collection on the lower level. The upper level will cater to various travelling exhibitions, including international shows. The project is expected to inject more than $1M into annual regional revenue, attract more than 14,000 local visitors and tourists each year, and create 170 jobs, including 152 construction workers and 18 ongoing jobs on completion. A tender report will be submitted to council later this year, seeking approval to award a construction contract. Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

There will be an extra 1600 square metres to showcase more of the collection as well as touring exhibitions Photo: City of Newcastle

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Hamilton plaza set for rebirth

The “Microcosmic Mosaic” lighting display in the updated James St Plaza

The transformation Street Plaza on Beaumont Street complete after three construction.

of James Hamilton’s is nearly months of

Janice Musumeci from Hamilton Business Association Inc said businesses along Beaumont Street were looking forward to the plaza opening and becoming a hub for the community. “We’re already exploring ideas for how we can activate James Street Plaza for the whole community like live music spots and regular markets. It will be an

inclusive and versatile space,” Musumeci said. “Hamilton is already seeing great business growth, so this will be a great drawcard to bring people back to supporting local businesses.” Councillor Carol Duncan said the upgrade was a collaboration with the community and local businesses. “Through our ongoing conversations with business owners, we heard lots of ideas for improving this space and how it could be better utilised for the community,” Cr Duncan said in mid July.

“It is especially exciting to see the lighting display coming together, with installation under way.” In June, the University of Newcastle’s Future Art, Science & Technology Lab (FASTLab) put forward three lighting designs that each celebrated a different aspect of Hamilton’s history. Community members were asked to vote on a favourite design. The “Microcosmic Mosaic” proved to be the community favourite. This lighting design was developed into a full-length animation that will light up the plaza.

Along with the lighting display, Hamilton’s history is also reflected in the renewed plaza’s artworks informed by local historian and author of Hidden Hamilton, Ruth Cotton. Final works, including the final pavers being laid and the addition of street furniture, landscaping and artwork, were taking place at the end of July. The community will be able to access the new and improved James Street Plaza this month. Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

From left, construction manager Matt Hardy, project manager Bianca Field-Vo, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Councillor Carol Duncan, and Hamilton BIA chair Janice Musumeci at James Street Plaza Photo: City of Newcastle

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Uni teams lauded internationally

Out(fit) promotes and supports women and students seeking careers in built environment professions Photo: Sarah Crichton

Two University of Newcastle teams have been highly commended in the 2021 International Green Gown Awards, recognised for their meaningful community impact and dedication to creating opportunities for young women. The International Green Gown Awards are supported by the United Nations Environment programme and acknowledge exceptional sustainability initiatives undertaken by different universities worldwide. Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered, created by Professor Philip Morgan and his team at the University’s Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, was recognised in the Benefitting Society category. Morgan said the world-first lifestyle program targeted fathers and father figures to be the agents of change and help improve their daughters’ physical and social-emotional wellbeing. The program also engages girls to improve their fathers’ fitness and physical activity levels and parenting skills. “It was developed initially to address several issues that girls face regarding their physical activity levels, their proficiency in performing fundamental movement skills and their social and emotional wellbeing,” Morgan said. “Eighty-five per cent of girls don’t meet physical activity recommendations, and less than 10 per cent can perform those skills before they leave primary school, so it was integral that we created a program to address this.

“To be given a highly commended award when competing against every university across the world is absolutely amazing. This is a homegrown program from Newcastle on the international stage, and to even be considered as a finalist, we are just so thrilled.” Morgan said they had so many more exciting projects to take on, and the accolade was helping open the program up to further opportunities. “Any accolade and achievement speaks to the quality of the program and its impact,” he said. “So, this will give us more opportunity when we are recruiting or partnering with other organisations. They will see the esteem that this program and initiative truly holds.” The other University of Newcastle team to be highly commended in the 2021 International Green Gown Awards was the program out(fit). The Student Engagement category recognised out(fit) for being an outstanding example of how institutions can provide wider benefits to community groups beyond standard learning. The core mission of out(fit) is to promote and support women and students seeking careers in built environment professions like construction management, architecture and landscape architecture. Students, volunteers and mentors of the program come together and undertake hands-on projects across the Hunter region, focusing on spaces for women, children and underrepresented communities. Head of School and Dean of Built Environment and founding member of

out(fit) Professor SueAnne Ware said the program was about helping people in need and building female students’ confidence. “While we might attract several female students into built environment professions or uni programs, we started seeing trends where women were leaving the professions, or they were completing their degree and then not entering the profession at all,” Ware said. “In some instances, we just weren’t attracting enough females to the construction courses, so we needed to come up with a way to change that.” Ware said the program was structured around three separate missions. “Mission one is to improve our students’ confidence. Some of our students have never held a hammer, or they’ve never used a saw, so part of this program is about building their confidence and skilling them up,” Ware said. “The second is working for disadvantaged communities. Many communities in the Hunter don’t have access to design and build services, so we do a lot of volunteer work with women refugees and community organisations where we know our work will have a great deal of impact. “Third mission is all about volunteering, mentorship and sponsorship. We encourage past students to come back after education and volunteer, which gives them a chance to continue being impactful for communities in need but also to mentor new students.” The program also combats and addresses the difficulties some women experience when entering a built or

design environment, especially in a predominantly male profession. “Women don’t necessarily achieve the same level of pay or aren’t in those construction and architecture positions as much as we would like to see. Some of the behaviours in construction environments and design environments are not exactly forward-thinking either,” Ware said. “We are giving our students and volunteers a safe place to learn and be vulnerable, and when they enter the workforce, they will be able to demonstrate that they know just as much or even more than the tradies.” Ware said the mentors were also great with advice around dealing with misogyny and discrimination in the workplace. “We have really harnessed our students and volunteers with the knowledge to call out that behaviour when they see it, and not just the females but the males as well,” she said. “We have some fantastic male volunteers who want to be a part of this and change that culture.” Being a part of the highly commended list has inspired the team at out(fit) to get started with a digital platform providing educational resources and videos for people who can’t access oneon-one mentoring. “The award has been great in terms of getting what we do out there into the community,” she said. “It’s also helping us think about our future and the many other projects we can begin for the benefit of the wider community.” Hayley McMahon

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Creatives enlisted to boost business

Curious Legends Associate Producer Hannah Indigo and Head of Design Connor Fox operating the Banana puppet at Civic Park earlier this year (pre COVID-19 restrictions) Photo: Curious Legends

Innovative business projects are set to receive a funding boost from the City of Newcastle as part of a program focused on bringing vibrancy and increased visitation to the city. The Special Business Rate (SBR) program uses levies paid by business owners for the promotion, beautification and development of precincts in the City Centre, Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend. Applications for the City Centre and Darby Street funding round closed on July 31. There is $800,000 available for projects that will deliver the most creative and innovative ideas to boost local businesses. City of Newcastle recently approved four project proposals in the Hamilton funding round. Each project received a share of $50,000.

The successful Hamilton projects include a mini-festival held in Gregson Park by the Curious Legends, an interactive mural at Hamilton Hive by UP&UP inspirations, and a Beaumont Street footpath project by artist Paul Maher. Curious Legends CEO Mitchell Reese said he wanted to bring a performance to Hamilton that was like past productions they had brought to other suburbs. “We did an event earlier this year called Luminous Creatures in Civic Park. It was hugely successful, so we decided to do something similar for Hamilton,” Reese said. “We are currently in discussion with Newcastle Council and the Hamilton BIA (Business Improvement Association) about the final direction for this project. Currently, it looks like we’ll be creating a larger event in Hamilton at Gregson

Park this November for family crowds. “It will be centred around an evening performance of our new show, Curb. We’re aiming for live music, market stalls, food trucks, and of course, giant, illuminated puppets. “This particular production is also one we will be pitching to festivals, so really, the council is helping us launch it, and then we will be able to take it further.” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the SBR program provided invaluable support for the business precincts while bringing creative and innovative projects to the community. “City of Newcastle recognises the integral role and contribution of local businesses to the city’s economic development,” Cr Nelmes said. “The Special Business Rate program is an important way to involve local businesses and the community in the

development and promotion of their local business precincts. “The creative and innovative projects delivered with SBR funding add to the vibrancy and activation of Newcastle, while also driving increased visitation and expenditure.” Categories of focus include industry and business development, place activation and events, beautification and infrastructure development, and promotion. More than $1.6M was distributed through the SBR program in 2020/21 to 19 successful projects. Last year’s SBR funding generated a total economic impact of $5,821,261 for the city. For more information on the SBR program and funding opportunities, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au. Hayley McMahon

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Fostering business resilience and inclusion

L-R Clear Paws owner Scott Redman with trainee Makenah Wilkins, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and Clear Paws staff

City of Newcastle is investing almost $400,000 in training programs designed to help Novocastrians make the most of the area’s emerging economic opportunities. From assisting businesses to become more inclusive, to building resilience to market disruptions including COVID-19, the training programs seek to close skills gaps in the local workforce. Funded under City of Newcastle’s NewSkills program, the training will be delivered by specialist training providers through workshops, self-paced learning, intensive programs and mentoring over the next 12 months. NewSkills follows on from the City’s highly successful Product Development Mentoring Program. The program provided 15 businesses with training and mentoring on how to develop tourism products to sustain and grow Newcastle’s visitor economy. Among the training programs to receive funding is a 12-week course delivered by Flare Access on adapting a business to be more inclusive. Flare Access founder and occupational therapist Sarah O’Mara said she was looking forward to supporting Newcastle businesses with the confidence and know-how required to improve the access of their services and to create better awareness around disability, accessibility and inclusion. “Our 12-week program provides businesses with the tools and solutions needed to incorporate low-cost, highimpact inclusive practices, which break down barriers and enable both economic growth for businesses and social inclusion for the disabled community,

improving accessibility for all,” Ms O’Mara said. This type of training has been welcomed by Clear Sky Australia, which operates dog grooming boutique Clear Paws in Adamstown, a registered disability service provider that offers opportunities for people living with a disability to be supported and assessed in a variety of employability skills. Clear Paws owner Patrick Bellamy encourages more businesses in Newcastle to offer employment training opportunities to people living with disabilities. “It’s great to see City of Newcastle investing in programs that encourage local businesses to be more inclusive to benefit the whole community,” Mr Bellamy said. “Employment training opportunities for people living with a disability are very limited in Newcastle, so we made the decision to open Clear Paws, which provides a supportive caring environment for those living with a disability to develop employability skills. “People with disability bring a range of skills, talents and abilities to the workplace. We see Clear Paws as a launching pad for its participants to make the transition to employment.” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said investing in people was at the heart of City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy and was key to economic growth. “Business owners, workers and entrepreneurs with diverse skill sets will be better placed to capitalise on opportunities, invest money in the local community and create jobs,” she said. Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said City of Newcastle encouraged

economic diversification to further support local small business growth. “This investment in training through our NewSkills program will provide tangible benefits to the wider Newcastle community, whether it’s encouraging residents to turn their side hustle ideas into fledgling start-ups, providing the digital skills needed to drive automation, innovation and growth through technology, or making Newcastle a more appealing destination for residents and visitors by encouraging businesses to improve the access, inclusion and culture of their service for people with disability,” Cr Clausen said. For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s NewSkills webpage.

NewSkills funded training programs Springboard Digital Skills An eight-week education program on how to use software tools to streamline operations, innovate for long-term growth, and make data-driven decisions.

Level up Learning in Newcastle Microlearning platform to help deliver engaging and effective digital learning to Newcastle businesses, focusing on core areas including hospitality (customer service and wine skills), clean tech, energy skills and digital skills.

Future Fresh: Workshops for Small Migrant- and Refugee-Run Businesses To help small migrant- and refugee-run businesses recover from the effects of

COVID-19 and build resilience for future events through a series of ongoing, hands-on and engaging workshops focused on improving marketing, communications, business recovery and innovations.

Tourism Product Development Mentoring Program 2021/2022 Helping 10 local businesses through a mentoring program to elevate and optimise opportunities as the visitor economy returns across 2021 and 2022.

Side Hustle Bootcamp 2021 A 12-week intensive program for 15 Newcastle residents with a great side hustle idea who are having trouble finding the motivation, time and courage to make it a reality.

The City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge Crowdsourcing innovative solutions from Newcastle’s high school, TAFE and university students to problems posed by City of  Newcastle’s  teams, local businesses and community organisations from across the city.

Amplify Access Purposeful Profit

and

Achieve

A 12-week program teaching businesses how to open their doors to more customers and grow profits by transforming the access, inclusion and culture of their service for people with disability with personalised support and low-cost, high impact solutions. Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle

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Currie savours feature film foray

Filming on set with the crew including film-maker Jye Currie (second from right)

After winning international acclaim for his short film, Newcastle film-maker Jye Currie has wrapped up filming on his first full-length feature, which he plans to take to audiences across Australia. Beat follows Currie’s lauded short film Victim, which won 11 international awards. “We will be in the edit suite for the next five to six months,” said Currie, who wrote, directed and produced the film. “It feels like a dream come true; it’s just phenomenal. “Everyone who worked with me on the short film was stoked the full-length film dream came through into reality. To work on a feature film in your hometown alongside some of Australia’s best actors is a complete dream come true.” Like his short film, Beat was filmed entirely in Newcastle. The cast includes Alexandra Jensen, Rachael Carpani, John Wood, Alexis Lane, Ben Hall, Sebastian Szeszeran and Cleo Massey.

“The whole production took place here. We had actors come to Newcastle from across Australia. There were four from Victoria, two from Queensland, and around 15 actors from Sydney,” Currie said. “So, it’s a proper Australian film all shot here in the Hunter, which is just phenomenal.” Currie said he got lucky with the shooting schedule as filming had just finished before the COVID-19 outbreak began to worsen in Greater Sydney. Portraying societal issues through creative film is something that Currie is passionate about, and like his last film, which explored themes of domestic violence, Beat delves into a plethora of different themes. Currie said the film was a psychological drama that touched on the themes of suffering and suicide. “It touches on the themes of homelessness and fame with the story driven by classical music,” he said. “We follow a homeless man who plays

and performs classical music on the street. We jump between his life and a young woman who plays and performs at theatres but gets a rise through fame. “So, the film explores the contrasts between the two lives, where both characters go through very similar emotions, but some talent goes unnoticed because of social status and opportunity.” Currie said this film was also a complete contrast to his first short film, where budget and access to resources played a big part in production quality. “It was very different with the filming and production of this feature film. We had hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gear when the whole short film only cost us a couple of grand,” he said. “We worked with some amazing professional actors, some who have over 30 to 40 years’ experience. “We also had over 100 people working on this film, all contributing across multiple departments. So those factors all added to the overall production quality of the film.”

On set at Civic Park, Newcastle

Victim was pushed through the film festival circuit last year and wasn’t released for public viewing until recently. Currie said the distribution of his fulllength feature film would be approached differently. “We aren’t pushing it through the film festival circuit as hard as the short film. There will be a few bigger festivals that we enter, but we are mainly focusing on cinemas and streaming services like Netflix,” he said. “With this film, as soon as it’s ready to go, people can start watching it, and it’s just so exciting to be able to tell Australia this story.” Currie said the film would take around 12 months to complete, from start to finish. The release date is expected to be around December this year. While Australia awaits Beat’s anticipated release, viewers can now watch Victim on the Green Frog Productions website. Hayley McMahon

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Local artists vie for Kilgour Prize Three Newcastle artists are among 30 finalists in the $50,000 Kilgour Prize, which recognises Australia’s best portraiture and figurative paintings. The Kilgour Prize is a prestigious Australian art award administered by Newcastle Art Gallery and funded by a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour. Newcastle Art Gallery received 476 works from artists across Australia, which is an increase of more than 100 entries from 2020 and the highest number overall in its 16-year history. Merewether-based artists Nick Fintan and John Earle have been selected among the 30 finalists, as well as Carrington’s Gillian Adamson. She has been named a finalist in her first year of entering. “I’m beyond excited to be a finalist in the Kilgour Prize!” Adamson said. “There are some incredible artists who will also be in the exhibition, so I’m really looking forward to it.” Adamson’s entry, Jesus in the Wilderness, is a small painting of Jesus in a suburban backyard with a Colorbond fence and a Hills Hoist. “The work explores how the wilderness is depicted in the Bible as a place of temptation and where one could be tempted by the devil. “Today, the wilderness is seen as a place of healing and restoration. This work is seeking to find the appropriate modern-day metaphor for the wilderness. “I’m very inspired by my roots; my mother’s family are working-class Catholics from Newcastle, and I have a strong connection to the times and spaces they have occupied. “I’m fascinated by houses of my grandparents’ era and the use of religious iconography in the homes of that time. I’m particularly inspired by other people’s simple lives that have been well lived.” She said she hadn’t thought much about winning the prize and was more excited to take her grandma to Newcastle Art Gallery to view her work on the wall. Merewether artist Nick Fintan said he

All 30 finalists will be judged by a panel of experts, including Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, Campbelltown Arts Centre Head of Curatorial Adam Porter and Head Teacher of Fine Art at Newcastle Art School David Trout. Along with the top prize for most outstanding work, an additional $5000 is awarded to the painting voted most popular by the general public. Morton said the Kilgour Prize displayed some of the best contemporary Australian portraiture and figurative paintings. “The Kilgour Prize encourages Australian artists to pursue and push the boundaries of portraiture and figurative painting,” Morton said. “This year’s selected artists present diverse interpretations of the brief, resulting in a very dynamic exhibition with works focusing on everything from experiences in lockdown through to scenes of everyday life. “The quality of the works will make the selection process all the more difficult, but that is a wonderful challenge to have.” The exhibition will be on display from August 13 until October 31. People’s Choice voting is open until October 6. The winner will be announced on August 13, and the People’s Choice prize will be awarded on October 11.

2021 Finalists

Nick Fintan’s Kilgour Prize entry artwork of Newcastle artist James Drinkwater

was excited to be selected as a finalist, adding that the Kilgour Prize was a great way for artists to establish themselves and their artwork in the community. “My portrait is of James Drinkwater, who is actually another Newcastle artist,” Fintan said. “He and I were briefly at the same art school in Sydney, and when I moved to

The exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery is open from August 13

Newcastle with my family, I didn’t know many people here, so I contacted James to say hello and ended up painting a portrait of him. “Being selected as a finalist is very exciting. It’s all about being recognised by the community and by people that may not be familiar with your works. It really legitimises and reaffirms an artist’s work.”

Lisa Adams, Gillian Adamson, Matteo Bernasconi, Jackson Booth, Catherine Boreham, Julie-Ann Brown, Simon Brown, Daniel Butterworth, Emily Jayne Carroll, John Dahlsen, Archer Davies, Rachelle Dusting, John Earle, David Fairbairn, Nick Fintan, Christine Fontana, Miriam Fraser, Michael Lindeman, Nunzio Miano, Robert O’Connor, Nathan Paddison, Lori Pensini, Alice Pulvers, James R Randall, Zeljka Reljan-Music, Grace Kemarre Robinya, Paul Ryan, Jason Tolmie, Mick Turner and Mark Tweedie.

Gillian Adamson’s entry work titled Jesus in the Wilderness

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Uni classes continue online

The University of Newcastle’s City Campus Photo: haireena, Shutterstock.com

The University of Newcastle will continue its study-from-home mode at least until Friday, August 13. “All courses scheduled for face-toface learning will continue to be offered online, according to class timetables which remain unchanged,” the university website announced in late July, adding that the “minimal staffing model” for its Callaghan and City campuses would also be extended until that date.

“The safety of our students and staff is paramount, and we will follow the health advice to ensure the best possible student experience,” the university wrote when making an initial statement about online learning prior to the start of Semester Two. The extended period of online learning has come as a result of escalating COVID cases in Greater Sydney and the NSW Government’s prolonged lockdown. Class timetables remain in place, but

many practical and lab classes may not be reconfigured to fit the online delivery. Students are encouraged to reach out to their course coordinators to find out more information on their classes and expectations for the continued online delivery. Exceptions include cases of approved placements or practicums. Research students are also being encouraged to discuss the nature of their research activities with their

supervisors. Staff at Callaghan, City and regional campuses are encouraged to take advantage of the University’s COVID-19 paid vaccination leave. The University of Newcastle said it would keep staff, students and the community up to date with further changes, following the advice of NSW Health and the State Government. Information source: The University of Newcastle

Writers festival postponed again The Director of Newcastle Writers Festival has appealed to the community for support after the popular event was postponed a second time due to COVID-related logistics. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Newcastle Writers Festival was due to be held from September 24 to 26 this year, but its tentative postponement until April 2022 was announced on Thursday. “It’s disappointing because we hoped that by moving from our initial date in April [2021] to September that we were taking a safe option,” NWF Director Rosemarie Milsom said. “We were giving the country time to recover. Going on predictions from last year, we thought vaccinations were going to be a lot further along than they are.” The announcement came as NSW recorded 239 overnight COVID cases. In addition to the health risks of holding the event, which usually draws a crowd of 10,000, a number of Sydney writers were due to present at the festival, creating uncertainty as to whether they could travel to Newcastle. “It’s disappointing because it’s a lot of work,” Milsom said. “Creating a program with 120 writers is a lot and the program was done.” Festival organisers made the decision to postpone now rather than wait to see what happens in Sydney in August. “Unlike last year, where we were three weeks away from the festival and we

A NWF panel discussion held at Town Hall Photo: Liam Driver

had spent a lot of money, paid for accommodation and flights, here we decided to take a safer option.” Newcastle Writers Festival relies on ticket sales as its main revenue source. The event was cancelled in 2020, now marking two years without income. It has prompted Milsom to appeal to the community for donations. “We know people are doing it hard and we aren’t putting any pressure on people. But if people could spare some money, it would be really appreciated,” Milsom said.

Resources will be funnelled into a free online writing program for primary school students to be held on September 14. In previous years the program has attracted positive feedback from teachers and students. It will feature award-winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke and illustrator Graeme Base. Entries for the $5000 Fresh Ink Emerging Writers Program closed at the end of July. A separate ceremony to announce the winner is hoped to go ahead later this year. “COVID is a really good example of what books and writing can do. I think

we’ve all turned to reading in much higher numbers since COVID took hold,” Milsom said. “I think we rely on writers and storytelling to help lift us up, particularly when we feel like everything is gloomy. I think we are drawn to stories. They help bring us together and connect us as a community and I think that’s what the festival does so well.” Donations above $2 are tax deductible and can be made securely via the website. Lauren Freemantle

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Across

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

Rewriting the story: I don’t have time to cook

DANIELLE ABELL

GEORGIA LIENEMANN This is the second part in our sixweek series on the counterproductive stories we tell ourselves in the kitchen – those hurdles that mess with our mojo and prevent us from enjoying the process of cooking. This week we’re hearing from Danielle Abell from Lick The Plates and examining the belief that we ‘don’t have time’. Lockdown is an interesting time to think about time, because suddenly there is so much of it. All of our (often self-imposed) busy-ness is taken away, and we are left with just ourselves. And what are people doing more of? Being out in nature and cooking! Everyone is going right back to basics. It’s an amazing opportunity for many to unwind our nervous system (which has become so wired, constantly hearing and believing that there isn’t enough time). Do you feel like you have enough time for anything? Probably not! Well, let me tell you: It’s not true. We’ve been spun to believe this lie that tells us we don’t have enough time. It comes down to priorities and being present and grateful with whatever we are doing, without worrying that we won’t have time, or stressing that we didn’t get enough done. The reality is that our lives are very full and cooking has dropped down the priority list for many. And we spend most of our days totally frazzled unable to focus! Hacks are the best, but first let’s get real I can give you a stack of hacks, tricks and recipes to make cooking from scratch quicker and more efficient – and I will! But first, you need to get honest about your beliefs. Do you believe that cooking it is worthwhile? Did you grow up in a household where time spent cooking was valued? Many didn’t and unfortunately

mainstream society projects this belief back with the glorification of quick and instant results. But, maybe you are ready to see through that! Does ‘I don’t have time’ actually mean ‘I don’t have time to cook just before dinner’? The hour before dinnertime is notoriously crazy for anyone with kids. Hunger and tiredness are at a high. The kids want and need attention to reconnect after a big day (often a day apart), and then we try to cook dinner at the same time. Here are my top 3 tips to take the pressure off cooking dinner, so you can re-write the ‘I don’t have time’ story!

1. Cook one day ahead Stop cooking dinner in the hour before you want it to be served. Instead, cook at least a day ahead. The beauty of cooking dinner for the following night is a huge relief from time pressure. You don’t have a hungry family waiting for dinner to hit the table and you don’t need to finish every element. Here’s an example from my week. Note, this wasn’t planned – it just flows. On a night I have more time, I think ahead for a different dinner. Mon: Eat leftovers from the weekend and cook a tomato and veg packed pizza sauce for tomorrow. Tues: Spread pita breads with pizza sauce and lay out pizza toppings for everyone to make their own pizza. Wed: Make and serve Eggy Pasta (recipe below). Roast some pumpkin for a soup for tomorrow. Thurs: Make blender pumpkin soup and serve with bread (blitz roasted pumpkin, stock and seasonings in a Thermomix or blender and heat up). Roast a tray of assorted chopped vegetables for tomorrow (or at least chop them, ready to roast tomorrow). Fri: Cook some sausages and serve with reheated roasted vegetables. Sat: Cook a big pot of something: curry, slow cook, Bolognese, chicken

soup, etc. Dinner doesn’t need to be cooked right before it’s served. Now you can dance one step ahead of the game.

2. Learn how to use a slow cooker You just need a bit of time to load up a slow cooker – either one decent pocket of time (about 15 minutes realistically, including clean up), or a few tiny pockets. Start with a basic recipe for beef stew on a day that you have plenty of time, and start early in the day. By definition, you cannot make a slow cooked dinner quickly. You can prep it quickly, but you need to step away and let it do its thing for many hours. This forces you to take the pressure off cooking at the end of the day and totally debunks the ‘I don’t have time’ story. You have 15 minutes somewhere, and if you don’t, then break it into 5-minute chunks!

3. Dinner doesn’t need to be complicated Stop looking on social media at beautifully curated dinner plates because that’s not reality. Dinner can be ugly and doesn’t have to be coherent. It just needs to be tasty, real food, ready for your family to eat. Yes, social media can provide lots of inspiration, but there is a fine line between inspiration, overwhelm, and then decision paralysis. Fried eggs on toast is a great breakfast – and you know what? It’s a great dinner too. Make a list of your super quick dinner favourites, stick it to your fridge and keep adding to it!

Here are mine: • Sardines or tuna on toast/through pasta – make it tasty with plenty of salt and lemon • Eggs on toast • Fried rice (cook the rice ahead, whenever you have time, and store it in the fridge) • Eggy pasta

• Toasted sandwiches Recipe: Simple Eggy Pasta (Carbonara) Ingredients: • Pasta (as much as your family eats) • Frozen peas (optional) • Eggs (one per person) • Handful of grated parmesan/cheddar or tablespoon of nutritional yeast (optional) • Bacon, chopped (or ham as a substitute) • Salt and pepper

Method: 1. Chop up bacon and saute in a large pan. Cook to your liking and turn off heat once cooked. 2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in generously salted water. 3. Whisk eggs in a bowl with half a teaspoon of salt (less salt if using cheese), plenty of pepper and cheese/ nutritional yeast (if using). 4. About 3 minutes before draining the pasta, add your frozen peas. 5. Before draining, scoop out a mugful of pasta water and set aside. 6. Drain pasta and peas and pour into frying pan over the bacon and toss and let pan cool down to just warm. 7. Pour egg mixture over pasta and combine using tongs. Toss around on VERY gentle heat (or no heat at all) until the sauce is glossy. It will still be runny and that’s ok. 8. Add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it’s gluggy. Serve and enjoy! Danielle is an ex-picky eater turned food lover and founder of Lick the Plates. She is passionate about inspiring women to cook from scratch the oldfashioned way, but with modern equipment and techniques. She teaches cooking both face to face and virtually and sells Thermomixes, as the best kitchen tool to make it all possible. Find her at www.licktheplates.com and on most socials.

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN: KEEPING CHOOKS

CHERALYN DARCEY

One of my happiest childhood memories is of my mother’s bantam collection. I say ‘collection’ because this flock of birds must have featured just about every variant available at the time. When I opened the coop to collect the tiny warm eggs each morning, a rainbow flurry of feathers would burst out into the field, tumbling in the red earth with their chatter. So, I know, that apart from all the good they can do in your garden, chickens make delightful and engaging family friends as well.

Gardening with Chooks First of all, you need to be aware that although chickens love eating weeds and so can be the answer to your weed nightmares, they are not picky or careful when it comes to your treasured garden and would view your veggie plot as a smorgasbord. You will need to fence off areas of your garden that you do not want them in but don’t dismiss the fact that chickens are wonderful pest and weed controllers so let them free range over areas that are between plantings.

And oh, the poo! Chicken droppings are an on-tap fertiliser when you have chooks. In a small domestic set up you are probably never going to have too much but if you do? It’s something other than eggs that you can also share with the neighbours.

Got snails? Not for long with chooks on the job! Let them lose and they will happily collect them for you or here’s a great game a good friend of mine loved as a child. Karen’s mum would give her brother and her an old milo tin and ask them to collect the snails from around the garden for the chooks. She made it more appealing but paying one cent a snail but I’m not sure what the going rate today is. You could add curl grubs to the bounty as well!

Home Sweet Henhouse While you can make a chicken house yourself from scratch, there are kits and

even ready-made coops available starting from about $200 with the sky being the limit.

shade. ‘Somerzby Pet Products’ sell chicken coops and runs: somerzby.com. au

All sorts of designs and shapes can be found but don’t forget that your chickens will need an area to exercise in as well.

Which Chick for You?

An enclosed ‘chicken run’ is actually a legal requirement and provides protection for your chickens while giving them a place to spread their wings and scratch around the earth. Second-hand coops and runs are a consideration, but you will need to ensure that all parts are cleaned and disinfected before use. Built yourself or second hand, ensure that all materials and finishes are safe for your chickens. Non-toxic stains and paints are a must and check there is nothing that could catch or trap feathers, feet or beaks. The best structural protection is to bury chicken wire that is firmly secured to the bottom edge of runs and coops and continues completely under the ground of the area. This is to stop predators from digging under your structures and getting to your lovely chickens. As for space the general guide is 0.5m per chook in the hen house plus 1m in the run. You will want your chook house to capture winter sun and be provided with summer shade so situating under a deciduous tree is one option. I like the idea of a thick evergreen bush as it also has insulating properties and will provide winter warmth and chickens do like to feel cosy under protective branches. Avoid gum tree though as branches have the tendency to drop. Face the windows (wire covered) east or north and nesting boxes should be on the south side, so they remain in the

Hybrids are usually bred to be more prolific layers, but they have a shorter lifespan than most pure breeds and don’t lay for as long either. They are a consideration but so are the many pure breeds. Of these, Australorp are great layers and make excellent pets as their nature is very friendly. Other pure breeds to consider are Barnevelder, Cochin, Dominique and don’t forget Bantams which are miniature versions of full-sized breeds. Day-old Chicks are cheap, and they are cute, but you may end up with males as sexing is not always possible. There is extra care needed too as you will need to keep them warm with either a heating lamp/pad and you should keep them separate from other poultry as they can be rather nasty to them. Pullets are chickens that are under a year of age and the usual starter chicken that most people buy. At this age their sex and their laying ability has been determined. Another term used is ‘Point of Lay ‘chickens – these are around 18 to 22 weeks of age and are ready to start laying.

Feeding Your New Mates A balanced diet is crucial for everyone and that includes chickens. While they do love your kitchen scraps, weeds and pests, they also need a lot more to survive and this is where modern chicken feed comes in. You will need to feed either pellets, grains or a mash and then there is also ‘crumble’ which is basically crushed up

pellets. These mixes have the protein, minerals and vitamins that your chooks need to thrive along with the additional calcium for good eggs. Food scraps and foraging are part of the equation along with feed and happy chooks enjoy a little ‘scatter’ which is whole grains tossed upon an area for them to graze upon.

Chook Challenges Chickens are often accused of attracting vermin, disease and even snakes. While failing to keep your coop and run clean may attract pests, the answer is simply to be a good, clean chicken keeper. There are plants that are toxic to chickens so you will need to do your research but a few common ones you need to be aware of are: avocado, beans, the leaves of tomatoes and rhubarb along with generally toxic plants like trumpet vines, azaleas and daffodils. Probably the biggest issue you will face with chickens is that they really don’t like stress. They won’t deal well with boredom, sudden changes, aggressive coopmates or even changes in diet so all need to be managed by slow introduction sand/or the removal of stressors. ike any animal, they can become sick, diseased or suffer from a pest infestation so you need to be alert to changes in behaviour that might indicate an issue. An excellent book for an in-depth exploration of all aspects of chicken keeping, particularly in Australia, including a handy health section is: ‘Backyard Chickens: How to Keep Healthy Hens’ by David Ingham (no not that family!)

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

Surgeons welcome robot’s helping hand

From left, da Vinci Surgical Product specialist Ron Clayton, theatre assistant team leader Iffy Nasir, robotics coordinator Jessica Hartman, urological surgeon Dr Marcus Handmer, anaesthetist Dr Dane Lohan, registered nurses Maggie Adlington and Jennifer Slater and endorsed enrolled nurse Carissa Smith

The latest in robotic technology is helping expand surgeons’ human capabilities to perform minimally invasive surgery at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital. The Da Vinci Xi robot is a new innovative technology installed at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital to help surgeons perform complex urological and

gynaecological procedures. The first lucky surgeons to utilise the robot were urologists Dr Peter Chong and Dr Marcus Handmer. Dr Handmer said the robotic technology was positive news for the entire region. “It means Lake Macquarie Private can provide the full gamut of urology care for patients, including minimally invasive oncologic and reconstructive procedures

with robotic assistance, such as robotassisted prostatectomy, pyeloplasty and partial nephrectomy,” Dr Handmer said. Chief Executive Officer Sharon Rewitt said the new robot was an exciting milestone for the hospital and the community, who could now access it. “We are committed to our community, and we’re proud to invest in this latest

technology to give patients access to a broad range of medical treatment options,” Rewitt said. “This innovative technology will be available to patients at no extra cost, meaning our surgeons have the freedom to choose the appropriate surgical approach for each patient.” Information source: Media release, Ramsay Health Care

Stroke symptom awareness vital Newcastle resident John Duenzl is living proof that quick action is crucial in the survival and recovery of stroke victims. The 39-year-old father, who suffered a stroke 18 months ago, is well on the road to recovery. He has been helping spread the word in the lead-up to National Stroke Week about the importance of stroke symptom awareness. In December 2019, John and his family were holidaying in Nelson Bay and made a trip to the beach. “I threw a tennis ball out into the water for my kids to catch, but I ended up throwing it out way too far, so I swam out into the deep water to retrieve it,” John said. “As I spun around to return to shore, all of a sudden, I started going blind. “All the information in my brain was jumbled, my eyes were wobbly, my balance was out, my coordination started to go, and I couldn’t swim. I couldn’t move my arms to paddle, and I was struggling to tread water.” John was in 14-metre-deep water and a fair distance from shore. He knew he needed to call for help as quickly as he could. “I screamed out to my wife Trudi for help, who was on the beach with our four kids. Thankfully, there were people nearby who helped out as well,” John said. “They swam out to me and pulled me from the ocean before I drowned. Then, they laid me on the sand and called an ambulance. “Their quick response ensured I got to the hospital quickly and received timecritical medical treatment to stop the

Newcastle’s John Duenzl suffered from a stroke in 2019 and is now on the road to recovery

stroke’s attack on my brain.” John said a stroke was not something he was expecting as he was a fit guy and attended the gym regularly. “My particular stroke was different. My artery running from my heart to my brain actually tore and collapsed, which created a blood clot,” he said. “I didn’t have high cholesterol, and I took care of myself. I was always very active and at F45 five days a week, so I definitely wasn’t expecting it. “It is so important to be aware of the signs.” Between August 2 and 8, National Stroke Week is the Stroke Foundation’s annual awareness campaign to educate

people on the common signs of a stroke. Using the F.A.S.T test helps to save lives and reduces the chances of disability from a stroke attack.

• Face: Has their mouth drooped? • Arms: Can they lift both arms? • Speech: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? • Time is critical: If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away NSW Stroke Foundation State Manager Rhian Paton-Kelly said John’s

story demonstrated the importance of seeking medical help immediately. “We know the faster a stroke patient gets to the hospital and receives medical treatment, the better their chance is of survival and successful rehabilitation,” Paton-Kelly said. “John is making great gains in his recovery, and it is wonderful to hear he has returned to the activities he loves like skateboarding and surfing.” Paton-Kelly said National Stroke Week’s theme this year was United by Stroke and it presented an excellent opportunity to thank everyone who had a role in a stroke emergency. “Just as John found with his experience, a united effort can make all the difference in a stroke emergency,” she said. “That’s why more people who know the F.A.S.T message, the better.” John said it took him a while to get back into the water again but he wouldn’t let the stroke stop him from doing what he loved. “So, my eyesight returned, as well as my balance, I got my driver’s licence back, and I’m now really independent again. I’ve started surfing a little more now, and I also go spearfishing with my mates,” John said. “Getting back on the skateboard was basically sitting on it and going down the driveway for hours, and now I can finally carve again! “For some people, it may not sound like a big deal, but suffering from the stroke was very traumatic, and I’m still dealing with the emotional trauma. But to physically be able to do the things that I love again is awesome.” Hayley McMahon

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CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Why you shouldn’t rush into lodging your tax return WITH

Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine It has been anything but business as usual in the world of taxation. “The ATO has been very lenient throughout 2020, offering payment arrangements, deferrals of lodgements, remission of penalties and general interest charges, and generally trying to accommodate the difficult financial position many taxpayers found themselves in as a result of the lockdowns and impact of international and state border closures,” says Robyn Jacobson, a chartered tax adviser and senior advocate at the Tax Institute. “But as our economic recovery continues, the ATO is now shifting its focus onto debt recovery and collection, and following up outstanding lodgements, moving back to a ‘business as usual’ stance.” Given that state of play, here are some expert tips to help you navigate your tax affairs.

Do you research to choose the right method if claiming work from home. You can deduct costs of working from home using either the ATO’s 80¢ per hour rate, its 52¢ per hour rate or actual costs. “The 80¢ per hour rate might sound like the most generous but it covers all expenses that you might incur,” says tax expert Mark Chapman. You simply claim 80¢ for each hour you work from home, and this covers all your expenses, such as phone, internet, the decline in value of computer equipment and furniture, electricity and gas for heating, cooling and lighting. If your expenses fall outside this time frame, you can apply the fixed-rate method, which is a deduction of 52¢ for each hour you work from home, but this rate excludes the cost of your phone, home internet and depreciation of any computer equipment. These can be

claimed separately. “If you claim those separately, the 52¢ is often the better option,” says Chapman. But this will require a log of hours worked. The third option is the actual costs method. “Actual costs are the best option, but using that method means you have to retain proof of incurring expenditure like gas and electricity, cleaning costs, phone and internet, computer consumables, and

the cost of home office equipment,” says Chapman. Of course, it’s not a free-forall to claim regular household expenses. “You’ll not only need to keep a log of the hours you work from home, but also calculate what percentage of these expenses are work-related,” says Robyn Jacobson. “You can’t claim 100% of your internet bill if only 60% of your internet use is for work.” You can prepay some

expenses. Peter Bembrick, a tax partner at HLB Mann Judd, suggests prepaying expenses such as your income protection premiums (if held outside your super), management charges on investments and professional membership fees. “You can usually prepay deductible expenses for up to 12 months, so you can get those in early if you want deductions this year.” Chapman says there’s a reason 70% of Australians use

a tax agent to prepare their tax return – it’s complicated. “Get your tax return wrong and the comeback is on you, either with a lower refund or ATO penalties, and most people will find it far less stressful to simply pass on all their information to a tax agent and leave it to the agent to complete their return, safe in the knowledge that it will be accurate and complete.” M DAVID THORNTON

ASIC review of ethical products under way The corporate regulator has confirmed it is undertaking a review of ESG funds, analysing whether they’re as “green” as they claim to be. ASIC commissioner Cathie Armour says there is growing anxiety about the risks of “greenwashing”, partly driven by a lack of clarity about

labelling or a single, generally accepted way of defining them.. The review aims to determine whether “the practices of funds that offer these products align with their promotion of these products; in other words, whether the financial product or investment strategy is as ‘green’ or ESG-focused as claimed”.

This follows the regulator’s review of climate risk disclosures by large, listed corporates, which found disclosure had improved in recent years but also that some sustainability-related disclosures carried a “marketing” feel, Armour said. “Misrepresentation of such products poses a threat to a fair and efficient financial

system. Essentially, this misrepresentation distorts relevant information that a current or prospective investor might require in order to make informed investment decisions driven by ESG considerations.. “Addressing this threat will improve governance and accountability in the market.” In discussing the review,

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Armour also encouraged board members to look out for greenwashing and to ask themselves whether “disclosures around environmental risks and opportunities or their fund’s promotion of ESG-focused investment products accurately reflects their practices”. JAMIE WILLIAMSON

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Armour cited efforts by international regulators to stamp out greenwashing. For instance, the European Union’s taxonomy is seeking to define what can be considered sustainable or climate friendly, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission task force is aiming to identify gaps or misstatements in ESG disclosures.

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AUGUST 2021 ISSUE 005

Lunches that tick all the boxes

Researchers at the University of Newcastle are helping parents make healthy and simple food swaps in their children’s lunch boxes.

SWAP IT is a program developed and led by public health researchers including Dr Rachel Sutherland, Professor Luke Wolfenden, Dr Jannah Jones and Alison Brown. Four in five primary school students eat a packed lunch every day, which is more than 73,000 packed lunches in the Hunter New England region. The research found that 88 per cent of those lunch boxes had room for improvement as students were getting more than one-third of their energy from such things as cakes, muesli bars, chips and sugary drinks. Postdoctoral researcher at the School of Medicine and Public Health Dr Jannah Jones said parents were often blamed for packing unhealthy lunch boxes. “We listened to parents and heard about their challenges. They told us they needed swaps that were quick, easy and food-safe,” Jones said. “So, we didn’t start asking parents to cook Michelin star meals in the SWAP IT program. Instead, we gave them simple and frugal swap ideas directly to their phones. “We sent notifications to parents’ phones via their school’s communication app. Two-thirds of schools use such apps. These notifications provided practical swap ideas directly to parents.” Jones said 84 per cent of parents liked receiving the swap ideas as notifications on their phones.

Four in five primary school students eat a packed lunch every day Photo: SWAP IT

PhD candidate in the School of Medicine and Public Health Alison Brown said along with making the swapping simple, the program was also cost-effective. “Healthy swaps include things like swapping chips for popcorn or fruit strings for fresh fruit or veg. These swaps don’t have to burden time-poor parents,” Brown said. “A typical lunch box costs about $4 to pack. SWAP IT supports parents to

make simple, tasty and healthy swaps without costing parents an extra cent.” Public Health PhD candidate Matthew Mclaughlin said what parents packed for their children’s lunch boxes was important for students’ learning, behaviour and health. “Parents receive very little guidance as to what to pack in school lunch boxes. It can be very confusing, especially when we see up to 10 junk food adverts per hour,” Mclaughlin said.

He said the program worked to reduce the number of unhealthy foods being packed each day. “Our newly published research shows that parents can be supported to make simple swaps to what they pack in lunch boxes, to make them healthier,” he said. “The program didn’t blame parents; instead, it supported parents. We think this was the key to success.” Hayley McMahon

Valley zoo under new ownership Hunter Valley Zoo at Nulkaba has been bought by private wildlife operator Australian Wildlife Parks. Australian Wildlife Parks (AWP) consists of Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park and Mogo Wildlife Park on the NSW south coast. The addition of Hunter Valley Zoo, in a reported $10M deal, will make AWP Australia’s largest private collection of animals. Chief Executive Officer of Australian Wildlife Parks Tony Chiefari said the purchase would further strengthen NSW wildlife tourism. We are thrilled with the opportunity to further drive growth to the NSW regional tourism industry with Hunter Valley Zoo’s reputation as a must-visit destination in the region,” Chiefari said. “Similar to the strategy implemented at Mogo Wildlife Park, which has come off the back of its most impressive year despite bushfires and COVID restrictions, we will continue to build on our successful campaigns by establishing relationships with business, government and industry, as well as engaging our loyal Australian Wildlife Parks membership base.” Hunter Valley Zoo opened in 2007 and for the past 14 years has been a popular destination for tourists and locals. The zoo expanded over time under the previous owner Jason Pearson. It was transformed from an Australian-only

Zookeeper Chad Staples Photo: David Li Photography

collection to now housing exotic species including primates, American alligators, white lions, wolves, meerkats and capybaras. Zookeeper Chad Staples said he was

excited to bring AWP’s ethos of “Animals Always Come First” to the Hunter. “We look forward, together with the Hunter Valley Zoo team, to continue to deliver world-class care for the diverse

collection of native and exotic species at the zoo including lions, alligators, giraffes and koalas,” Staples said. Information source: Media release, Australian Wildlife Parks

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Running against family violence

The Caboose Girls are ready to run 1300km over the 19-day virtual event

A group of passionate Newcastle runners is participating in this year’s Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge, helping to raise awareness, funds and start conversations around family violence. Run Against Violence (RAV) aims to end the silence of family violence by starting healthy conversations. This year is the fourth annual RAV Virtual Team Challenge. Teams of up to 20 people will walk or run 1300km over 19 days in their local area. Women-only running group the Night Striders are based in the Newcastle and Hunter area and participate in the RAV team challenge every year. Karen McLaughlin, a midwife at the John Hunter Hospital and a midwife academic at the University of Newcastle, has been a Night Strider for around five years. “Unfortunately, some women don’t

feel safe to run by themselves, particularly in the evenings, which is how the Night Striders started,” McLaughlin said. “It’s great to be able to run as a group as there is always safety in numbers. Every year we participate in Run Against Violence and get quite a few teams together to raise lots of money for such a good cause.” McLaughlin said there were around 1000 Night Striders across the Hunter region. Several groups of 20 runners will participate in the team challenge. McLaughlin’s group is called the Caboose Girls, and starting from August 30, each team member will contribute 4km a day to make up the team goal of 1300km over the 19-day event. “Our team is called the Caboose Girls because we are always the slow ones at the back,” she laughed. “We run pretty slowly at around talking pace, so it’s nothing too serious, and if someone needs to walk, then we will

walk. We always go back and pick up the stragglers at the end so no one feels like they are on their own. “We are always keen to advocate for any kind of women’s rights movement or charity so it was important for us to participate in running against family violence. It’s not only a good way to be accountable for exercise and running but it’s also raising awareness about a significant issue. “Every one of us has been affected in some way when it comes to violence, whether it be a friend, family member or ourselves, so it’s a pretty important thing that we are doing.” In 2020, 3000 participants contributed to the RAV Virtual Team Challenge fundraising total of $120,000. This year’s goal is set even higher: 5000 runners to raise $180,000. RAV founder Kirrily Dear established the charity in 2015 and started the Virtual Team Challenge in 2017, which was in conjunction with her own solo run

from Broken Hill to Sydney, held over 19 days. Her 1300km solo run brought people together from across regional NSW, which started the nationwide movement. “Our job is to engage the broader community in conversations about family violence to reduce the stigma and the isolation of people who have lived with domestic and family violence,” Dear said. “When that stigma is removed, people then share their story, reach out for help. “We deliver awareness campaigns and community activities in order to create the platform for these conversations around family violence.” Dear said the virtual run equated to 1.7M steps. This is the number of Australians estimated to have experienced physical abuse before the age of 15. Team members upload their distances to an online tracker, which helps keep them in the competition while also tracking their progress across the virtual map from Broken Hill to Sydney. Registrations for the RAV Virtual Team Challenge are open and can be found on the RAV website. The challenge will begin on Monday, August 30 and will finish on Friday, September 17. Hayley McMahon

RAV founder Kirrily Dear

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