Swansea Channel Dredging Gets Underway

I was thrilled to join the Minister for Transport last weekend to announce that the dredging of Swansea Channel is now underway.

Our community has waited a long time for this, and I am thrilled that the work is expected to be completed before the summer boating season.

This round of dredging will see 15,000 square metres of sand removed with a second round of dredging to remove the same amount of sand in Autumn 2024.

The Government is continuing to work on a 10-year-dredging strategy.

Bus Industry Taskforce Passenger Forum

It was great to see such a strong turnout from the community at the Newcastle Bus Industry Taskforce Passenger Forum.

I attended the forum and spoke with community members and the Minister for Transport about the state of our local transport network. We know the Liberal's decision to sell off our bus services has delivered fewer services and longer travel times.

The Taskforce will report back to the Minns Government with advice on improving bus services right across the state.

If you were unable to make the forum you can also make an online submission here

Colongra Sporting Complex

In great news for our community, the Minns Labor Government has committed $6 million to fund the Colongra Sporting Complex.

It’ll include sports fields, new netball courts, a canteen, play and skate areas. But most importantly, it means our local sports clubs will have a permanent home.

Work is due to commence in the next 12 months.

Crackdown On Organised Crime

The Government has set up Taskforce Magnus which includes 70 of the country's best detectives. An additional 30 police officers have been assigned to doorknocking and canvassing Sydney streets.

The Taskforce arrested and charged three individuals in the days after it was established and it’s just warming up.

The Criminal Asset Confiscation Team has also been established to target the ill-gotten, hidden wealth of senior organised crime figures. This squad will identify and investigate Sydney’s crime kingpins suspected to have profited from organised crime. It has the power to freeze and confiscate assets and use that money to come after more of them.

We said we’d make every resource available to tackle crime on our streets, this does just that. 

Energy Bill Relief for Local Households and Small Businesses

The Minns Labor Government has partnered with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver eligible local households $500 in energy bill relief and $650 for small businesses from 1 July.

The relief is available to households eligible for the:

• Seniors Energy Rebate 
• Low-Income Household (electricity) Rebate
• Family Energy Rebate 
• Medical Energy Rebate
• Life Support Rebate

For more information please visit.

Belmont & District Residents' Action Group

The Belmont & District Residents' Action Group is a local community group that advocates on behalf of Belmont and surrounding suburbs on a range of local issues. The group engages with local, state and federal levels of government. The group is seeking new members and if you would like to join, please contact Robin Gordon on robingordon1942@gmail.com.

Book Your Flu Shot Today!

Have you had your flu shot yet? With the flu season just around the corner, it is important that we protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of the disease by getting vaccinated. Priority groups, including children aged 6 months to under five years, people aged 65 and over, Indigenous Australians from 6 months of age, pregnant women and those with serious health conditions are encouraged to book in now for their free influenza vaccine. For more information or to book your vaccine visit the NSW Health website.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499 or Doris Lack (Vice President) on 0405 059 747.

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill. 
5. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
6. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
7. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
8. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
9. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.