Southern Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track Opening

It was great to attend the official opening of the southern section of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track. This section of the track is 1.6km long, and runs between Hilda Street, Belmont South and Awabakal Avenue, Blacksmiths. The extension is the first stage in developing a 27km active transport route between Adamstown and Murrays Beach. This is a great addition to our local area that will encourage us to get outside, enjoy some fresh air and be active with our family and friends. It will be even greater when the northern section of the track, which will run from Belmont Lagoon and Cold Tea Creek is installed. The design of this section is due to be finished in October, and works are expected to be completed in October 2023.

Additional Bus Services for Catherine Hill Bay

I have been lobbying the NSW State Government for additional funding for transport services in the Catherine Hill Bay area. This community has lacked access to public transport services for too long, making it difficult for locals to get to school, work and appointments. I was pleased to hear from Busways that from this coming Monday, further services will be available for the community.

These services include:

• Route 99 departing Lake Haven Shops 7:08am will operate via Montefiore Pkwy, left Clarke St, right Lindsley St (7:38am), left Flowers Dr, continuing its current path to Charlestown Square.
• Route 99 departing Charlestown Square 3:15pm will operate via Flowers Dr, right Lindsley St, left Clarke St (4:01pm), right Montefiore Pkwy, continuing its current path to Lake Haven Shops.
• School Bus 2192 will operate via Flowers Dr, right Lindsley St, left Clarke St (7:31am), right Montefiore Pkwy, continuing its current path to Lakes Grammar and MacKillop College.
• School Bus 2710 will operate via Montefiore Pkwy, left Clarke St, right Lindsley St (4:53pm), left Flowers Dr, continuing its current path to Swansea.

Busways have informed me that students travelling to and from Carters Road are permitted to use the 2192 and 2710 services. However, they must tell the driver they wish to get off at Carters Road when boarding, and hail the bus in the afternoon. 

I will continue to advocate for further improvements to the network so that this community gets greater access to public transport services. However, these additional services are a great step in the right direction.

Mannering Park Fish Kill

Following the Mannering Park fish kill, I contacted the EPA to find out the cause of this alarming event. EPA advised that they attended the site with representatives from Council and Fisheries. Initial testing indicated that the fish were killed due to a black water event because of a lack of oxygen in the water. Early testing results showed nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the Lake were above guideline levels, indicating the lake turned over and the sediment was disrupted. Pesticide and ecotoxicology also showed that the water samples are not acutely toxic. Further information on the incident can be found at the EPA website. 

Harvey Norman Produce Awards

It was exciting to hear that the Central Coast was named Outstanding Region in the 2022 delicious Harvey Norman Produce Awards. The Awards have been running for 17 years and have become the country's most prestigious food industry campaign that celebrates quality Australian produce. The Outstanding Region award acknowledges places in Australia that have successfully established itself as an outstanding culinary destination. There is no doubt that the Coast is home to some of the finest Australian food and ingredients. Being named as this year's Outstanding Region is bound encourage many foodies to visit this wonderful part of the world. 

Freshwater Ferries are Back!

The NSW Liberal Government has wrecked our transport system with overseas built infrastructure that is plagued with defects. However, common sense has finally prevailed with the Government announcing that they will bring back the Newcastle built Freshwater Ferries to weekday services on the F1 route after months of failures on the overseas built Emerald Class Ferries. The Government's backflip proves that infrastructure like our ferries should be built here in NSW. Labor will continue to push for as many Freshwater Class vessels as possible to run on the F1 route and support local manufacturing. 

Budget Estimates

Budget Estimate hearings have once again kicked off in the NSW Parliament. The hearings are a key process for government accountability and transparency, as Ministers and senior public servants are questioned over the expenditure, performance and effectiveness of their agencies. During this week's hearings, Liberal Treasurer Matt Kean failed to rule out future privatisations, proving that under the Liberals our public assets are all on the chopping block. Budget Estimates will run until 7 September, with the inquiry for Customer Service and Digital Government taking place on Tuesday. As the Shadow Minister for this portfolio, I am interested to find out what Victor Dominello has to say about his agencies. 

Lake Macquarie City Council Grants

Applications are now open for the latest round of the Lake Macquarie City Council Grants. Individual grants worth up to $8000 are available to organisers of minor and major events that create, build and support local communities. Belmont Surf Life Saving Club, Newcastle Jets Football Club, and Lake Macquarie Music Society have all been successful in the past. Applications close 23 September and can be made at the Lake Macquarie City Council website. I encourage all who are eligible to apply.

Lake Mac Chemical CleanOut 

LMCC are inviting locals to spring clean their homes and safely dispose of unwanted hazardous waste at their upcoming Chemical CleanOut. On Saturday 3 September, from 9am to 3.30pm, locals will be able to attend the old Belmont Bunnings Warehouse site to surrender hazardous waste including paint, smoke detectors, gas bottles, pool chemicals, cleaning products, batteries. The Chemical CleanOut is a drive-through service and for safety reasons, no walk-ins will be accepted. It is recommended that containers with liquids are wrapped in newspaper and a plastic bag, then placed inside a bucket or tray, away from passengers. All containers must be sealed and labelled. Do not mix chemicals and, where possible, leave them in their original containers. For more information and full list of accepted items, call the Environment Line on 131 555 or visit the EPA website. 

Suicide Education Workshops

LivingWorks is the largest provider of suicide education training in the world, working closely with communities to provide free training around suicide alertness. In the coming weeks, they will be delivering a series of half-day safeTALK workshops in the following suburbs  from 3:30pm-7pm:

• Charlestown - 30 August & 15 September
• Swansea - 31 August & 13 September
• Maitland - 1 September & 14 September
• Newcastle - 6 September & 21 September
• Cessnock - 7 September 
• Singleton - 15 September

For more information on the program and to book in, visit the LivingWorks website. 

Gwandalan Lioness Fashion Parade, Show and High Tea Luncheon 

On Saturday 17 September, the Lions Club of Gwandalan Lioness will be holding a fashion parade, show and high tea luncheon to raise funds to assist those impacted by the Lismore floods. The event will be held at Point Wolstoncroft from 11am to 3:30pm. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased from Sandra Smith on 0452 341 951. 

National Disability Employment Conference

Resourcing Inclusive Communities are holding their National Disability Employment Conference at Novotel Parramatta on 14 and 15 September. The conference is for anyone interested in ensuring that stronger employment outcomes for people with disability are experienced. This is a great opportunity and I encourage those interested to participate. To register, visit the Family Advocacy website. 

Service NSW Saving Finder 

Did you know that you could be eligible for Government rebates and vouchers? More than 70 rebates and vouchers are available to help you save on everyday costs, including the Regional Seniors Travel Card, Toll Relief and Family Energy Rebate. Start saving now by visiting the Service NSW website.