Reids Reserve 

The current state of Reids Reserve is unacceptable.

One third of the reserve is fenced off due to the impacts of coastal erosion.

I wrote to the Minister about this issue. Whilst he acknowledged the problem, he blamed a lack of funding as the reason rectification works have not begun.

It is simply not good enough for the Government to establish the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office to manage coastal assets but not properly fund it to carry out this work.

I urge the Government to redistribute funding and carry out repairs at Reids Reserve as soon as possible. 

Swansea Dredge Update

It is great to hear that the Marine Infrastructure Delivery Office (MIDO) team has advised that they will place sand on Blacksmiths Beach, to replenish the beach as part of the upcoming dredging campaign.

This follows campaigning by myself and Bring Blacksmith Back, which is a community organisation consisting of local beach goers who have been concerned about the loss of sandbanks at Blacksmiths Beach and the impacts this has had on the surf break and coastal erosion.  

Dredging is expected to be completed by November. 

Let's hope that some of the sand can also be used to repair Redhead Beach that was damaged during storms earlier in the year. 

Ambulance Wait Times 

Lately we have been hearing tragic stories of people dying waiting excessive amounts of time for ambulances to arrive.

Only a couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by a constituent who advised me that her mother waited for over eight hours for an ambulance to arrive at her home and that she died within 10 minutes of being admitted to Belmont Hospital. 

It distresses me that residents across the state, including from the Swansea electorate are dying while waiting to get the medical assistance they so desperately need, because of the lack of funding and resources provided by the NSW Liberal Government. 

The Government must act as soon as possible to ensure that people can use our public health system, feel safe and receive the health care they need.

Fast and Loud Festival

The Lake Macquarie Fast and Loud Festival is due to finish this weekend.

Thousands of people have attended the festival so far, which commenced with the local round of the Offshore Superboat Championships on May 13.

This weekend's events at the Rathmines include the Australian Formula Grand Prix Powerboats, live entertainment, a classic car show, the Lake Macquarie Food and Wine Festival, motocross shows and Paul Bennet Airshow displays. 

 The Belmont Beers, Blues and BBQ Festival will also take place tomorrow at Ken Lambkin Reserve between 5pm until 10pm. 

The festival has been fantastic for our local community and I encourage you to go along to some of the events. 

Future of Work Event 

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Future of Work event at NSW Parliament, which was hosted by PwC Australia.

I joined Victor Dominello in addressing the event about how digitisation has changed government and workplaces. 

This is such an important topic as governments, employers and workers grapple with future working arrangements. 

Build our Trains Here!

First the NSW Liberal Government told workers that they are not good at building trains. Now, the Regional Transport Minister is claiming that people do not care that the Government is shipping jobs overseas.

The Hunter and Central Coast have a proud manufacturing history and workers deserve a Government that will support the manufacturing sector right here in NSW.

It is time for the Liberals to listen to local workers and ensure that we are manufacturing our trains and other goods here. 

Transport Data Breach

In July 2021, the Auditor-General was forced to redact parts of the Managing Cyber Risks Report as the potential risks to cyber security discovered were significant enough that Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains, and Cyber Security NSW feared the likelihood of an attack on their systems.

Now it has been revealed that the Transport for NSW authorised inspection scheme (AIS) online application was hit with a cyber-attack in early April. The application is used by vehicle examiners to conduct road worthiness inspections and the Department is now contacting examiners impacted. Transport has not confirmed how many examiners or drivers data was impacted.

The breach is the latest in a longline of data breaches to have occurred on Victor Dominello’s watch despite consistent warnings from the Auditor-General of the shortcomings of the Government cyber security policy.

Victor Dominello has consistently ignored calls from the Auditor-General to strengthen cyber security governance, controls and culture.

Victor Dominello loves to be front and centre whenever the Government announces its next digital initiative but when it comes to being accountable of cyber security failings, the Minister for Digital Government is missing in action.

Service NSW Digital Vehicle Registration Service 

Service NSW have introduced their new digital vehicle registration service that allows people to opt in to receive their rego renewal and reminders via email and alerts in the Service NSW app on your mobile.

Those who opt in will get rego reminders: 

6 weeks before your rego is due

2 weeks before it's due

The day after it’s due (if you don’t renew by the due date).

Those who opt in will no longer receive your rego renewal notification by post.

To receive your rego renewal notice via email visit the Service NSW website. 

Lake Mac Business Excellence Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, which celebrates growth, entrepreneurship and business success. 

Both individuals and businesses can be nominated for awards.  

Nominations close on Monday 6 June.

For further information and to nominate an individual or business, visit the Lake Macquarie City Council website. 

NSW Volunteer of the Year 

Nominations are now open for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. 

Volunteers can be nominated for one of eight categories, including: 

Young Volunteer of the Year

Adult Volunteer of the Year

Senior Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer Team of the Year

Club Volunteer of the Year

Employee Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer Leader of the Year

Not-for-Profit Voluntary Governance Award

Nominations can be made at The Centre for Volunteering website and close at 5pm on 17 June. 

I invite you to nominate volunteers from our local community. 

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