Waratah Super Battery

The Waratah Super Battery will be located at the old Munmorah Power Station site. This is great news for our community because not only will it deliver up to 150 construction jobs during its development and 10 to 15 ongoing jobs, but it will also open up an opportunity to turn the old power station into a renewable energy manufacturing hub on the Central Coast. This will mean good paying, highly skilled jobs into the future. My Central Coast Labor colleagues and I repetitively called on the NSW Liberal Government to locate the Battery at the site, because we know how vital it is to invest in energy.

Sale of Vales Point Power Station

The NSW Liberal Government is obsessed with privatising our energy assists, including Vales Point Power Station. Back in 2015, the Government sold the power station to Delta for just $1 million. As part of this deal, the Government agreed that it and tax payers would retain the site's remediation costs. Last month, Delta and the power station was sold to Czech company Sev.en Global Investments for over $200 million. While the former and new owner rake in profits, locals receive nothing but the remediation bill, thanks to the NSW Government. It is time for the Government to open its eyes and see that its privatisation obsession is burdening the people of this state. It must acknowledge that it was a poor decision to privatise electricity, and immediately sure up supplies and decrease power costs. 

Fish Kill Update

I continue to raise the community's concerns over the recent Mannering Park fish kill with the Government, and have sought an update from the Minister for Environment and Heritage and the EPA on the cause of the event. I understand that this is an issue of importance to locals and will continue to inform them on this matter. 

Salts Bay Road Sealed

It is fantastic that Lake Macquarie City Council have sealed Salts Bay Road and car park. Salts Bay is a popular swimming spot amongst locals, but in the past it has been difficult to safely access because people had to travel down the old dirt road. This is a project that I advocated to Council for, and it is a great win for our community. This week in Parliament I also gave a Notice of Motion calling on the NSW Liberal Government to support Council with sealing the track to Naru Beach at Marks Point. Like Salts Bay, Naru is regularly visited by locals and the access road needs to be sealed as soon as possible. 

Congratulations Swansea Surf Shop

Earlier this month, Swansea Surf Shop celebrated 20 years of trading. Running a small business is no easy fete, with the past couple of years being especially challenging on business owners. In spite of this, shop owners Daryl and Sharon have always worked hard to make Swansea Surf Shop one of the most popular retail stores in the local community. Congratulations Daryl and Sharon. 

NSW Labor State Conference

Last weekend I attended the NSW Labor State Conference. More than 800 delegates attended the event, and it was wonderful to hear from many of them. The highlight of the event was NSW Labor leader Chris Minns announcing that a NSW Labor Government will:

• Build the next Tangara trains in NSW creating at least 1,000 jobs. The first step in Labor rebuilding our local manufacturing industry and creating secure, good paying jobs
• Convert 10,000 temporary teaching positions into permanent positions to provide teachers with job security
• Invest $150 million towards hiring an additional 500 paramedics for regional and rural NSW
• Introduce enforceable minimum safe staffing levels in our hospitals
• End privatisation in NSW

While the Liberals are out of touch with the people of this state, Labor understand the issues that matter to them. In March 2023 NSW gets the opportunity for a fresh start.

Liberals Backflip on Hidden Speed Cameras

The NSW Government have backflipped on their policy and have decided to restore mobile speed camera warning signs. The original decision to remove warning signs for mobile speed cameras was announced in November 2020. Labor viewed this decision to be a revenue raising measure, with the removal of warning signs seeing an 834 per cent increase in the number of fines for low range speeding offences in just one year. Common sense has finally prevailed. 

Stuart Chalmers Celebration

The family of Caves Beach SLSC legend Stuart Chalmers invite the local community to a celebration of his life. 

The details of the event are as follows:

When: This Sunday 23 October, 11am start 

Where: Caves Beach SLSC (Upstairs) 

Stuart was a lovely man who brightened the lives of all who knew him. It would be great to see you all there on the day. 

Because We Care Luncheon

Come along to the Because We Care Boutique Central Coast Girls In Business luncheon. The event is on this coming Tuesday (25 October) at The Lakes Beach Surf Life Saving Club. All proceeds will be put towards the organisation and the great work they do in supporting local women. Purchase your tickets at the Sticky Tickets website. 

Lake Mac Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Lake Mac Awards. The Awards are a celebration of creativity, activity and inclusivity that aim to shine a spotlight on local quiet achievers who make Lake Macquarie a great place to live. Nominations close 12 December and can be made at the Lake Mac Awards website. Finalists and category winners will be recognised at a gala ceremony on 11 March 2023.

Let's Fish Lake Mac

Entries for this year's Let's Fish Lake Mac competition are now open. The event will run between 12 and 13 November, and there are more than $32,000 worth of prizes to be one. Swansea is home to many great fisherman, and I encourage all locals who are interested to participate. For more information and to enter visit the Let's Fish Lake Mac website. 

Public Consultation on Commercial Beach Haul Fishing

Public consultation on proposed changes to commercial beach haul fishing on Nine Mile Beach is now open until Monday. The current arrangement is beach hauling is not allowed along the 19 km stretch of coastline between the Hunter River (Newcastle) and the Wastewater Treatment Works at Belmont on Nine Mile Beach to the south. The proposed change would allow use of the GP hauling net during ‘mullet travelling season’ (March to August) along the 6 km stretch of beach between Redhead Point and Belmont Wastewater Treatment Works but exclude take of Mulloway pending and subject to the Mulloway Harvest Strategy that is being prepared. The community can have their say by completing the online form or emailing commercialfisheries@dpi.nsw.gov.au 

YES Hub

The YES Hub is back at Swansea Community Cottage. The Hub runs each Wednesday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm until the end of Term 4. High school students can attend a free 45 minute boot camp at Body 360. Free food, drinks and activities are also available. For more information contact the Cottage on 4971 1229. 

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. Regional seniors travel card: The regional seniors travel card provides eligible seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW with a $250 prepaid card to help ease the cost of travel. 
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.