Swansea E-News 

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


In local news, the NSW Liberal Government supported legislation to extinguish the Port Commitment Deed that will allow Newcastle Port to operate in a more fair and equitable way. I also provide an update on the red-light speed camera near Carters Road, and discuss Remembrance Day.


In state news, hundreds of seafaring workers face being locked out of their workplaces after Svitzer walked away from wage negotiations with the Maritime Unions. NSW Labor has also announced that it will deliver fairer rental rules for renters and owners.


In the community notice board you'll find information on the next Caves Beach Connect, emPowered Walk, What Were You Wearing exhibition, Swansea Disability Yarn Up, volunteer gardener position, Lake Mac Awards, the YES Hub, savings for pensioners, Swansea Mobile Shower and Orange Sky Laundry. 

LOCAL NEWS

Government Backflip on Port of Newcastle

Last week in Parliament the Perrottet Government announced it would support legislation to extinguish the Port Commitment Deed, removing the requirement for the Port of Newcastle to pay hefty fees if it developed a rival container terminal to Port Botany and Port Kembla.

The Port was privatised back in 2014 by this Liberal Government in the worst privatisation deal in our nation’s history. The Government's announcement is a full scale admission that privatisation does not work and in the end, it costs the taxpayers of New South Wales millions, potentially billions of dollars. I fully support the Bill as it will enable Newcastle Port to operate in a more fair and equitable way. It will lead to more job opportunities, and better results for farmers, businesses and communities.

Carters Road Red-Light Camera Update

You may have noticed that a red-light speed camera was recently installed near Carters Road, Lake Munmorah. Knowing how congested this road can get during school hours, I was was worried that locals would get booked when stuck in the intersection. I raised the issue with the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, who told me that motorists will not be issued fines if they have already passed the stop line when traffic lights have turned red. This is reassuring news for local parents who do the Lake Munmorah school run.

Remembrance Day

Last Friday was Remembrance Day. This is a time for us to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of the Australian service men and women who have served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Without their sacrifice, Australia would not be the country it is today. I had the pleasure of attending the Pelican Flat RSL Sub-Branch for a moving service on the day. I know that Swansea and Belmont RSL Sub-Branches also held lovely services. Thank you to all of our service men and women for their efforts in protecting our community.

STATE NEWS

Svitzer Towage Lockout

Hundreds of Svitzer Towage seafaring workers face being locked out of their workplaces after the company walked away from negotiations with the Maritime Unions. The actions of Svitzer risk unleashing chaos on the New South Wales supply chain, all in an attempt to cut workers wages by 47 percent. The fact that the NSW Liberal Government have backed Svitzer's actions is a complete disgrace. It is an insult not just to all workers but to the people of Australia. That is why I gave a Notice of Motion in Parliament condemning Svitzer for its approach and calling on the Transport Minister to support the impacted workers.

Fairer Rental Rules for Renters and Owners Under Labor

NSW Labor has announced that if it will deliver fairer rental rules for renters and owners if it wins government in 2023. The rules include:

  • Portable bonds: Labor will streamline the rental bond process to allow renters to directly transfer bonds from one property to another, while ensuring owners still have access to funds they may need.
  • Reasonable grounds for ending a lease: Labor will clearly outline the grounds on which a lease may be terminated and in effect bring an end to no-ground evictions. A Labor Government will work closely with stakeholder and advocacy groups to develop a list of reasonable grounds for an owner to end a tenancy, including minimum notice to vacate a property.

Renters across the state know too well just how anxious and challenging a process it can be to find suitable accommodation, never mind the significant costs associated with moving. These rules are a sensible cost of living measure to help ease the pressure on renters.

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD

Caves Beach Connect

The next Caves Beach Connect Business Networking Event is on Thursday November 24. Complimentary beer, wine & canapés will be available on arrival. Adam O'Connor from ROC & Bradd Morelli from Jirsch Sutherland will be talking about Managing Change in 2023. To learn more or to register for your FREE ticket, visit the Eventbrite website.

What were You Wearing Exhibition

What Were You Wearing Australia is a Newcastle-grown community organisation dedicated to eradicating sexual violence. The organisation is holding its annual exhibition at the Onwards Gallery Broadmeadow on Monday 28 November (4pm - 6pm) and Tuesday 29 November (1pm - 9pm). Entry is free. I encourage you all to attend.

Gardener Wanted - Hunter Volunteer Centre

The Hunter Volunteer Centre is looking for a volunteer to do gardening in Caves Beach. If you love the outdoors, have skills in using and maintaining landscaping equipment, and using mowers, trimmers and fertilizers, this role is for you. Call the Centre on 4929 4424, email info@hvc.org.au, or visit the website for more information.

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.

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. 

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. 

Get in Touch

Click here to email Yasmin Catley MP

Click here to visit Yasmin's website 

Shop 1

204 Pacific Highway

Swansea NSW 2281

PO Box 306

Swansea NSW 2281

Phone: (02) 4972 1133

Fax: (02) 4972 1494

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Authorised by Yasmin Catley MP, Shop 1, 204 Pacific Highway, Swansea NSW 2281.
Produced using parliamentary entitlements