Swansea Channel Dredging to Commence this Month

In great news for our community, the dredging of Swansea Channel is scheduled to get underway this month after Transport for NSW received environmental approval and is now waiting on a licence from Crown Lands.

The dredging campaign will see the removal of 15,000 cubic metres of sand with a second campaign to take place in Autumn 2024.

For two years, this project was on the backburner under the former Liberal Government but the Minns Government is delivering on our promise to dredge Swansea Channel.

Energy Relief for Local Households

The Minns Labor Government has partnered with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver eligible local households $500 in energy bill relief and $650 for small businesses from 1 July.

The relief is available to households eligible for the:

• Seniors Energy Rebate 
• Low-Income Household (electricity) Rebate
• Family Energy Rebate 
• Medical Energy Rebate
• Life Support Rebate

For more information please visit.

Hunter Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence

Great to drop by Trees In Newcastle, a volunteer run, local community nursery.

Trees in Newcastle works to help preserve our local biodiversity and supports landcare projects.

Trees in Newcastle is located at Redhead and you can find more information here.

NAIDOC Week

The week is NAIDOC Week, which celebrates and recognises the proud history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This year's theme is 'For our Elders'. Elders have played a huge role across thousands of years of Indigenous culture, as knowledge holders, trail blazers, teachers and nurturers, and they continue to do so today

Events are being held across the community to celebrate NAIDOC Week and it was great to be a part of Lake Macquarie City Council's NAIDOC Week flag raising on Wednesday morning.

Active and Creative Kids Voucher Program

The Minns Labor Government has celebrated 100 days in office and the Government has hit the ground running to address the serious challenges facing NSW.

We were elected with a clear mandate to scrap the wages cap and sit down for a genuine negotiation with our frontline workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, firefighters and police.

Along with rebuilding our health and education systems in NSW and reinvest in our essential workforce – to put people back at the heart of government.

In just our first 100 days we have:

• Delivered the biggest pay increase for NSW public sector workers in more than a decade.
• Frozen politician and public sector senior executive pay increases.
• Transitioned 7,000 teachers and school support staff from temporary to permanent contracts.
• Cut admin work for teachers and increased numbers of school admin staff in schools.
• Began the transition to safe staffing levels in NSW hospitals.
• Expanded stamp duty exemptions and concessions to more first home buyers.
• Reformed rental laws by introducing a rental commissioner and creating a portable bonds scheme.
• Introduced new planning laws to deliver further housing supply and more affordable housing.
• Abolished hidden speed cameras in NSW.
• Began a comprehensive toll review led by Professor Allan Fels.
• Introduced a demerit point return scheme to reward safe drivers, sooner.
• Banned VIP Lounge signage from pubs and clubs.
• Introduced a bill to ban clubs and pubs with pokies from donating to NSW political parties.

This is just the start and we will work everyday to improve the lives of the people of Swansea and NSW.

John Hunter Hospital Incident

I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the worker who tragically lost their life on the site of the John Hunter Hospital redevelopment.

This is distressing for everyone involved and support and counselling is available for workers, staff and their families during this difficult time. 

My thoughts are with the family, friends and co-workers of the victim. Everybody deserves to arrive home safe from work and a WorkSafe NSW investigation is underway.

Community War Memorials Fund

The next round of the Community War Memorials Fund is now open and closes at 5pm on 25 July. $125,000 in funding is available for the protection and repair of war memorials. Funding is available to assist with a range of conservation projects including condition assessments, specialist cleaning and repairs, which are all important aspects of how we manage the places of commemoration that help us acknowledge our military history. Community groups can apply for up to $10,000. To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register. More information on the program and details for how to apply are available at the Veterans Affairs website.

Belmont & District Residents' Action Group

The Belmont & District Residents' Action Group is a local community group that advocates on behalf of Belmont and surrounding suburbs on a range of local issues. The group engages with local, state and federal levels of government. The group is seeking new members and if you would like to join, please contact Robin Gordon on robingordon1942@gmail.com.

Book Your Flu Shot Today!

Have you had your flu shot yet? With the flu season just around the corner, it is important that we protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of the disease by getting vaccinated. Priority groups, including children aged 6 months to under five years, people aged 65 and over, Indigenous Australians from 6 months of age, pregnant women and those with serious health conditions are encouraged to book in now for their free influenza vaccine. For more information or to book your vaccine visit the NSW Health website.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499 or Doris Lack (Vice President) on 0405 059 747.

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.