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62-54 shots win and
media@newsofthearea.com.au Not For Sale
By Marian SAMPSON
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CONCERNS have been raised around the potential sale of 615 lots of land within the Port Stephens Local Government Area.
This comes off the back of a newly launched Government Property Index which lists all land owned by the NSW State Government. The index includes National Parks, Crown land including foreshore spaces in Port Stephens, such as the parkland on Beach Road at Little Beach.
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington told News Of The Area, “Prior to the 2019 state election, Premier Berejiklian promised on national television that there would be no more privatisations.
“She said ‘No, no, no, and if we were we would have told you’.
“The Premier has broken that promise.
“And now, 615 parcels of public land in Port Stephens have appeared on a government website seeking privatisation proposals.
“Local school grounds are on the list.
“Precious public foreshore land is on the list.
“Parts of our local cemeteries are on the list.
“It’s a disgrace.
“Our community will never forget the Government’s terrible track record selling Mambo Wetlands to a property developer for $250,000, then being forced to buy it back for twice the price.
“This week in Parliament I sent a clear message to the Government: we simply will not put up with this.
“Port Stephens is not for sale.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin told News Of The Area, “This claim that there are 615 parcels of public land for sale in Port Stephens is just plain wrong, and the Labor party are lying to the public.
“Kate Washington is peddling another scare campaign.
“The Government Property Index is an online portal where the community is able to search for NSW Government-owned property and planning-related information in one online location.
“The public deserve to know what land in their area is public space and making this information accessible is simply about transparency.
“This increases transparency on what the government owns, and encourages more ideas on how the land could be better utilised. “For example, a Community Housing Provider might use the tool to identify latent government land which could be suitable for more housing to support vulnerable people.
“Or a community group might identify an unused property which would be better utilised as a community hall. “Having community input in regards to government land use is welcomed by our Government - even if putting this information in the public domain gives rise to a false Labor scare campaign,” he said. Perhaps this list is an opportunity for the community to identify land such as the hard fought for Mambo Wetlands parcel and to seek protections rather than having to fight for a future buyback.
q A concerned Kate Washington believes that the NSW Government is planning to sell off 615 parcels of land in Port Stephens. Photo: Marian Sampson.
Jet Ski Angst
By Marian SAMPSON
JET SKIS are a popular form of leisure craft, one that raises contentious issues.
These range from noise pollution to illegal operation of the craft.
The issues peak in school holidays when tourists flock to the region to access the Port with their craft which are banned on Sydney Harbour.
Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association (TRRA) has received reports on the increasing impacts of jet skis on marine animals including dolphins, whales, turtles and little penguins. These animals find it difficult to take evasive action due to the low underwater noise emitted by approaching jet skis.
There are also threats to swimmers on the many heavily used beaches around the Bay, and noise pollution affecting both residents and visitors.
TRRA President, Ben van der Wijngaart said, “TRRA recognises that most jet skiers are responsible members of their communities and that to obtain a license, operators must be aware of restrictions and responsibilities which apply to their craft.
“However, some users fail to observe the rules and more resources are needed to guard against erratic and high-speed manoeuvring and inappropriate operation in proximity to other water users.
“At this stage we are not calling for an outright ban on jet skis, but there needs to be a greater consideration of the residents and ratepayers and the impact on our huge water-based tourist and recreation industry focussed on marine life,” said Mr van der Wijngaart.
The organisation is seeking a review of jet ski operations on Port Stephens, examining existing rules and the effectiveness of their enforcement.
NSW Transport tells us that, “In restriction zones, PWC must not be used for 'irregular driving' within 200m of a river bank or shore. “This means they must be operated generally in a straight line within 200m of the shoreline.”
Irregular driving includes activities like; driving in a circle or other pattern; weaving or diverting and surfing down or jumping over or across, any swell, wave or wash with penalties applicable if the rules are broken.
In NSW PWC restriction zone rules apply to these waters (including tributaries): Avoca Lake; Botany Bay; Brisbane Water; Broken Bay; Bulbararing Lagoon; Cockrone Lagoon; Cooks River; Dee Why Lagoon; Georges River; Hawkesbury River; Manly Reservoir; Manly Lagoon; Narrabeen Lakes; Nepean River; Port Hacking; Prospect Reservoir; Terrigal Lagoon; Wamberal Lagoon; and the Woronora River but not on Port Stephens or the Myall River or Myall Lakes.
Interestingly, Jet Skis are also banned in Cape Byron Marine Park, however the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park has no such protection.
Kate Washington Member for Port Stephens told News Of The Area, “Since COVID hit our shores, the number of jet skis on our beautiful waterways has risen noticeably. With that, noise impacts and safety concerns have also risen.
“I’ve reported residents’ concerns to the Minister for Transport and Roads.
“Unfortunately the response simply recounted the government’s inadequate rules and a hotline residents could call.
“I thank the TRRA for their advocacy and look forward to meeting with them next week to discuss solutions to ensure everyone can safely enjoy our pristine waterways,” she said.
q Jet Skis are a fun way to explore a waterway - but some residents have concerns about the impact that they are having on the environment. Photo: Henk Tobbe.
Federal Budget Breakdown
By Tara CAMPBELL
ON 11 May 2021, the Federal Government announced the 2021-22 Australian Budget. This Budget is the next stage of the Government’s economic plan to secure
q Federal Treasurer and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Hon Josh Frydenberg announces the 2021-22 Federal Budget. Australia’s recovery after the global devastation of COVID-19. The Budget includes an additional $7.8 billion in tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners, an extension for the HomeBuilder construction period and New Home Guarantee and extending the temporary full expensing and temporary loss carry-back to provide an additional $20.7 billion in tax relief. The COVID-19 health response will be extended, with further investments in the vaccine program, with a predicted populationwide
their child’s sporting team. represent Australia on the For some the motivation More than 3.5 million world stage. for sport is competition (or 73 per cent) children Anja Hurdman told News but others go all out for participate in an organised Of The Area, “She is focusing enjoyment with 81 percent of sport or physical activity on 100m and 200m. those surfing doing so for fun outside of school hours with ‘This year her and enjoyment. 2.9 million (or 61 per cent) achievements have been 3 77 percent of sailors are Sports Mad Aussies playing an Olympic sport, with swimming the most popular for both boys and gold medals at NSW Country Championships and she was a finalist in U15 100m and also participating for fun and enjoyment, with 66 percent of those going paddling girls. 200m at Athletics Australia in kayaks or canoes also Involved In Olympic The report also highlights that there is a Summer Olympic or Paralympic sport Nationals in Sydney last month. being involved for fun and enjoyment. Sports like weightlifting, Sports participating in Olympic sports and also feel a lot of pride and are inspired by popular sport for men while swimming is the most popular sport for women. for everyone and every age. Sports like athletics, hockey, volleyball, swimming athletics, cycling, rowing and running are being taken up for physical health and our Olympic, Paralympic When it comes to Olympic and rowing have similar fitness. By Marian SAMPSON and Commonwealth Games team sports, football/soccer numbers of male and female When it comes to athletes further highlighting and basketball are played the participants, while over-55s our kids we are seeing WE’RE a nation of sport lovers and participants who are proud of and inspired by our Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes, with new data from Sport Australia showing four in five of us are proud of the athletes representing the nation at these global events. Sport Australia’s latest AusPlay report found that 10.4 million Australian adults play an Olympic sport and 1.8 million volunteer in Olympic that sport really is an essential part of Australian life.” It is also a ringing endorsement for Australia’s current bid to host the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics. Sport Australia Acting CEO Rob Dalton said the results show the Olympics and Paralympics impact us all, whether it’s playing a sport, volunteering or being inspired watching our most. “More men participate in shooting, rugby union and mountain biking, while more female participants enjoy equestrian, gymnastics and softball,” Mr Dalton added. The top three Paralympic sports are swimming, cycling and athletics making them the same as Olympic sports but in a different order. Mr Dalton said now is the perfect time to get involved in sport, either as a participant dominate sports such as golf, sailing, and shooting. 90 percent of Australian participating in sport or physical activity 10.4 million adults participate in an Olympic sport (51 per cent). Shari Hurdman is a local athlete who continues to train and hopes to one day swimming topping the sports for both boys and girls. Top Olympic sports for boys include football, basketball and tennis while girls favour gymnastics, football and athletics. sports. Olympians and Paralympians or volunteer adding that you
Minister for Sport, Senator compete. don’t have to play the sport the Hon Richard Colbeck said “Just over 7 million you volunteer in. the upcoming Tokyo Olympics Australians participate in “Sports such as rugby and Paralympics present athletics, swimming or cycling union, football/soccer, another great opportunity to each year, making them the gymnastics and basketball get Australians more active most popular Olympic sports,” have a higher number of and involved in sport. Mr Dalton said. volunteers who don’t play. In
“The report shows Athletics (including many cases, this could be a that Australians love running/jogging) is the most parent volunteering to coach vaccine program by the end of 2021. Additional support for disability and aged care residents has seen $30.9 billion brought in, whilst $2.3 billion will be set aside for improved and expanded mental health care and suicide prevention. Mayor of Port Stephens, Ryan Palmer spoke to News Of The Area about what the budget means for Port Stephens, “The main budget announcement for Port Stephens was the investment of $66 million to upgrade our airport to Code E status. “This is estimated to create around 4,400 jobs, deliver an extra 850,000 visitors to the Hunter region and add $12.7 billion to the economy over the next 20 years. “For Port Stephens, this means more employment opportunities for locals, more opportunities for our businesses to expand and thrive, and more investment in our infrastructure.” Mr Palmer said that this announcement unlocks the potential of the Port Stephens region, securing economic growth for generations to come. “I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Federal Government for their support, and everyone involved at Newcastle Airport and across the Hunter region for their hard work in making this announcement a reality,” Mr Palmer said. Alongside these additions, a Women’s budget, agricultural/ farm gate support and a resilient and secure Australia policy has been developed.
q Port Stephens athlete Shari Hurdman is collecting medals for sprinting, perhaps one day she will wear the green and gold and stand on an Olympic Dias.
