Welcome to the latest issue of my fortnightly e-newsletter. 

We have had a busy couple of weeks in local news. It was great to hear that the Albanese Government will address the local GP shortage by changing the Distribution Priority Area classification. I have joined Lake Macquarie City Council in calling on the Perrottet Government to fund an all-weather sealed road at the Swansea Heads Marine Rescue base. Yet again the Perrottet Government have failed to provide Cams Wharf, Catherine Hill Bay, Murrays Beach and Nords Wharf residents with frequent bus services. I met with DPI Fisheries at Swansea Heads to discuss solutions to excessive reaping at Swansea Heads. There is also now a flood recovery hub at San Remo and financial relief for residents with properties listed under the SES rapid damage assessment. 

In state news, the Barilaro saga continues. NSW is experiencing a chronic teacher shortage. There has been yet another manufacturing fiasco with our ferries. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald visited NSW Parliament, and Labor Shadow Cabinet lent a hand to the Rev Bill Crews Foundation with packing food hampers. 

In the community notice board you'll find information on the 2023 Seniors Festival Grant and Hunter Manufacturing Awards. How to book into the Kids Car Seat Safety 101 workshop, as well as details on the Swansea Mobile Shower Van and Orange Sky Laundry. 

More GPs for the Hunter and Central Coast 

Many locals have struggled for too long to book an appointment to see a GP because of critical shortages. This has resulted in many going without the medical treatment that they require. The Albanese Labor Government have committed to addressing this issue by changing the Distribution Priority Area classification, which will allow local practices to recruit more GPs from a wider pool of doctors. This is a great win for our community. 

Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue Needs All-Weather Road

The Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue base at Swansea Heads is one of the busiest in NSW, as it provides a state-of-the-art radio room to monitor transmissions to and from vessels and training facilities for volunteers. Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue also experienced a 10 per cent rise in assists from 2020 to 2021. Despite the vital role the base plays in keeping locals safe, and the fact that it is open 24/7, the gravel access road to the facility is in a state of disrepair, making it difficult for volunteers to attend the site. That is why I have joined Lake Macquarie City Council in calling on the Perrottet Government to fund the creation of an all-weather sealed road at the facility and provide ongoing financial support to council to maintain the road. 

Lack of Local Bus Services

Cams Wharf, Catherine Hill Bay, Murrays Beach and Nords Wharf residents do not have fair access to public bus services. Logically, these communities should be part of the Keolis Downer - Newcastle Transport Network, however, they fall within the Busways Contract Region, which services the Central Coast. The Route 99 bus is the only bus service that operates twice-daily in each direction via Catherine Hill Bay on weekdays, and only one northbound service and two southbound services on Saturdays. Because of this, local students and workers struggle to travel to school and work, with most relying on private vehicles for transportation. The NSW Government failed to provide funding to solve the lack of bus services in their latest budget, so I  have written to the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads urging for Transport for NSW to approve and fund additional bus services for these communities. It is time for them to receive the regular bus service they deserve.

Meeting with DPI Fisheries

Locals have continuously raised with me their concerns over reaping of marine life from rock shelves and tidal zones at Swansea Heads. As it stands, reaping quotas are managed by a bag limit system, however, there is no limit on the number of bags. This means it is possible for our eco system to be seriously impacted. I met with DPI Fisheries at the site to discuss possible ways to address the issue, which include the implementation of an Intertidal Protection Area and more signage to educate the public.

Flood Recovery

As the Central Coast community continues to clean up after flooding earlier this month, it is great to hear that three new recovery hubs have been opened on the Coast, including one at San Remo. The San Remo hub is located at The Epicentre, 28 Brava Avenue, San Remo and will be open Tuesday 2 August and Thursday 4 August. Make sure you drop in for a visit if you need assistance. Central Coast Council are also offering residents with properties listed under the SES rapid damage assessment an extra 2 months to pay their first 2022/23 rate instalment. More information on the clean-up and recovery efforts can be found on the Central Coast Council website. 

Barilaro Saga Continues

The Barilaro New York trade saga continues with newly released documents revealing that Stuart Ayres - Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Dominic Perrottet signed off on former senior bureaucrat Jenny West as the successful applicant, but later told parliament that no suitable candidate had been found. The documents were released as part of the parliamentary inquiry into John Barilaro's appointment to the role. As a result, Labor today recalled the NSW Legislative Council to address the Government’s secrecy claim over 180 documents regarding the appointment of former National Party Leader John Barilaro as the NSW Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas. The people of NSW have the right to see these documents and the Public Accountability Committee should also be able to use them in public hearings.

Teacher Shortage 

It is no doubt that NSW is experiencing a teacher shortage. I have had local teachers and parents share with me the extent of the issue. Regardless of the size of their school, teachers are constantly taking on extra duties and are working excessive hours per week. Students too have been negatively impacted by the crisis. They often have substitute teachers, meaning there is constant disruption to their learning. The Perrottet Government has failed to take action on the shortages. An inquiry has been established into the issue and I have made a submission on behalf of our community. I am continuing to run a survey on my website for you to share your stories with me.

Manly Ferry Fiasco

We have had nothing but issues with our state's public transport since the NSW Liberal Government shipped manufacturing jobs overseas. Most recently, further defects have been found in the overseas built Manly Emerald Class Ferries. To make matters worse, these defects can't be fixed doing normal repairs. We have the capacity to build our ferries, trains, buses and light rail right here in NSW, which is why Labor has committed to returning the ferries to service and rebuilding our local manufacturing industry.

Mary Lou McDonald Visit

Last week, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed NSW Parliament. Sinn Fein is Ireland's largest political party, with Mary being the party's leader since 2018. In 2020, Mary led the party to its most successful outcome in modern history. It was great to hear Mary share her experience in politics and to catch up with her afterwards. I am sure she will make a great Irish Prime Minister. 

Community Shadow Cabinet 

During Labor Shadow Cabinet, my colleagues and I had the pleasure of helping the Rev Bill Crews Foundation pack food hampers, before we met with community leaders to discuss the housing and homelessness crisis in NSW. The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation provides assistance to address the cause and effect of homelessness and poverty, as well as unemployment and have been doing so for over 30 years. Recent reports show that 51% of households in the Hunter and Lake Macquarie are living with housing stress. Therefore, organisations like Rev Bill Crews Foundation play a vital role in supporting our community. 

2023 Seniors Festival Grant

Not-for-profit organisations, charitable organisations, public companies and state-based local government organisations can now apply for the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program. The Program encourages seniors to enjoy new experiences, continue learning, stay active and connect to their communities. 

Applications close Monday 8 August. To apply, please visit the Seniors Festival website. 

Hunter Manufacturing Awards

Applications are now open for the 2022 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA). 

The HMA program inspires and encourages our region to secure its place as Australia's leading manufacturing hub. Manufacturers in the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast are able to apply, with applications closing Friday 19 August. For more information and to apply, please visit the HMA website. 

Kids Car Seat Safety 101

CALM Inc. have partnered with Kids Carousel Child Restraints Done Right, to deliver Car Seat Safety 101 at Belmont Neighbourhood Centre. The course will be held on Wednesday 17 August. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling CALM Inc. on 4950 3888. 

Swansea Mobile Shower Van

The Lions Club of Belmont's shower van visits Swansea Community Cottage every Tuesday from 10am. All are welcome to use the facility. 

Orange Sky Laundry

Orange Sky Laundry is also operating at Swansea Community Cottage. Drop into the Cottage on Thursday between 11am and 1pm if you wish to use the service. Last wash is at 12pm.