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The Advertiser
43 minutes ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Lake council demands support in Eraring closure to prevent economic 'death by a thousand cuts'
FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition". FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition". FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition". FAILING to prepare for Eraring's closure could hit Lake Macquarie's economy with "death by a thousand cuts", one of the city's councillors fears. Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to write to the federal Net Zero Economy Authority to deliver a jobs transition plan to soften the blow of the loss of some 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion from the local economy when Eraring power station closes. "We need certainty," Liberal deputy mayor Jack Antcliff said. "We are not a city with a BHP, or a Ford or Holden (plant), we are a city of thousands of small businesses and a city where an economic change is a death by a thousand cuts." "We don't want to get 15 years down the road and wonder where all those jobs went." Councillors and mayor Adam Shultz, who called the meeting, expressed concern that a poorly-managed transition would not only mire energy workers in uncertainty and job losses, but cripple the region's economy. West Ward councillor Jason Pauling, who likened the eventual wind-down of Eraring to the closure of the BHP steelworks in 1997, said it was incumbent on the federal government to "take responsibility for the industries it is looking to destroy". "We have a right to ask, and to demand, that opportunities are given to these job holders who will be affected," he said. The proposed jobs plan, if approved by the authority and the Fair Work Commission, would effectively require the power station to support employees to find new jobs as it winds down, and for six months after the station closes. Cr Shultz argued earlier this week that direct intervention was needed to soften the blow to the region when the station eventually closed. He said support needed to extend to supply and auxiliary industries that relied on Eraring for trade, making up some 15 per cent of the local economy. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," he told the Newcastle Herald on Friday. Last month, Authority boss David Shankey said the department was seeking clarification on whether the coal-fired power station would actually close as scheduled in August 2027, or keep operating beyond that date. The state government agreed last year to underwrite a two-year extension of the plant through to August 2027. However, it is possible the plant could continue running through to 2029. "The Authority's consultation process for Eraring is based on the closure date that Origin has provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator, which is August 2027," an Authority spokeswoman told the Herald Tuesday. "Any extensions to the date are a matter for Origin and we are not aware of any requests for extension to this date." During the meeting, the council acknowledged efforts by the station's operator, Origin, to support workers but agreed direct government support was needed to ensure the region's security into the future. "We must be realistic about this change," Cr Antcliff said. "This is a small step for us, but it is an important step as we push to federal government (to acknowledge) that Lake Macquarie is part of it; it was part of it in the 1980s when they built the plant, it has been powering the state for a long time, and this region deserves to power the state in different ways into the future." The energy workers' union, which has also confirmed it would pressure the federal government to approve a jobs plan for Lake Macquarie, told the Herald last week that workers were facing "deep uncertainty" about Eraring's eventual closure, but that a jobs plan was a "real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition".
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Mayor's plea: don't let the clock run out on Lake in Eraring closure
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Mayor urges united front to tackle antisocial behaviour on Fernleigh Track
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said it will take a "holistic approach" from different levels of government and stakeholders to arrest the rise of dangerous and criminal behaviour on the popular Fernleigh Track. Members of the community group Taking Back Our Paths will address councillors before Monday night's Lake Macquarie City Council meeting at the Morisset Showground about their safety concerns in using the public facility. A spate of frightening incidents has occurred on the Fernleigh Track this year. Cyclists, walkers and joggers have been abused and had rocks thrown at them. Last month a woman was grabbed from behind and knocked to the ground while running near Whitebridge. There have also been several vandalism incidents, including the theft of an Indigenous canoe sculpture from a newer section of the track at the Belmont Wetland. These incidents led to Taking Back Our Paths organising a community walk on May 4, which saw more than 1000 people participate along the 27-kilometre track at Adamstown, Whitebridge, Redhead and Belmont. Cr Shultz will use a mayoral minute on Monday to table a petition to the council signed by almost 5000 people, calling for action to make the Fernleigh Track safer. Cr Shultz hopes to bring Hunter state politicians, minister for women Jodie Harrison and minister for police Yasmin Catley together with representatives from the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie council and community groups to discuss initiatives to make the Fernleigh Track safer. "We want to collaborate and effectively create a safer environment," Cr Shultz said. "At the end of the day, when you're having multiple reports of unsafe or criminal behaviour, be it assaults, harassments, electric scooters, or trail bikes, it's just not on. "We collectively need to have a discussion and come up with strategies to try and mitigate and reduce the risks for people." The dangerous use of electric scooters and unregistered trail bikes on the Fernleigh Track has been an issue repeatedly raised with Cr Shultz by Lake Macquarie residents. Police have increased patrols on the track and CCTV cameras have also been touted as a possible deterrent to antisocial behaviour. Cr Shultz said covering a 27km track with CCTV cameras was not financially realistic. "Let's sit down and work out what we can do and how we can educate people and how we can try and mitigate some of the risks," he said. "Is that signage, additional patrols from police or additional education programs? I don't know. "But we've got to do something, and that something starts with having a conversation with the appropriate stakeholders." Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said it will take a "holistic approach" from different levels of government and stakeholders to arrest the rise of dangerous and criminal behaviour on the popular Fernleigh Track. Members of the community group Taking Back Our Paths will address councillors before Monday night's Lake Macquarie City Council meeting at the Morisset Showground about their safety concerns in using the public facility. A spate of frightening incidents has occurred on the Fernleigh Track this year. Cyclists, walkers and joggers have been abused and had rocks thrown at them. Last month a woman was grabbed from behind and knocked to the ground while running near Whitebridge. There have also been several vandalism incidents, including the theft of an Indigenous canoe sculpture from a newer section of the track at the Belmont Wetland. These incidents led to Taking Back Our Paths organising a community walk on May 4, which saw more than 1000 people participate along the 27-kilometre track at Adamstown, Whitebridge, Redhead and Belmont. Cr Shultz will use a mayoral minute on Monday to table a petition to the council signed by almost 5000 people, calling for action to make the Fernleigh Track safer. Cr Shultz hopes to bring Hunter state politicians, minister for women Jodie Harrison and minister for police Yasmin Catley together with representatives from the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie council and community groups to discuss initiatives to make the Fernleigh Track safer. "We want to collaborate and effectively create a safer environment," Cr Shultz said. "At the end of the day, when you're having multiple reports of unsafe or criminal behaviour, be it assaults, harassments, electric scooters, or trail bikes, it's just not on. "We collectively need to have a discussion and come up with strategies to try and mitigate and reduce the risks for people." The dangerous use of electric scooters and unregistered trail bikes on the Fernleigh Track has been an issue repeatedly raised with Cr Shultz by Lake Macquarie residents. Police have increased patrols on the track and CCTV cameras have also been touted as a possible deterrent to antisocial behaviour. Cr Shultz said covering a 27km track with CCTV cameras was not financially realistic. "Let's sit down and work out what we can do and how we can educate people and how we can try and mitigate some of the risks," he said. "Is that signage, additional patrols from police or additional education programs? I don't know. "But we've got to do something, and that something starts with having a conversation with the appropriate stakeholders." Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said it will take a "holistic approach" from different levels of government and stakeholders to arrest the rise of dangerous and criminal behaviour on the popular Fernleigh Track. Members of the community group Taking Back Our Paths will address councillors before Monday night's Lake Macquarie City Council meeting at the Morisset Showground about their safety concerns in using the public facility. A spate of frightening incidents has occurred on the Fernleigh Track this year. Cyclists, walkers and joggers have been abused and had rocks thrown at them. Last month a woman was grabbed from behind and knocked to the ground while running near Whitebridge. There have also been several vandalism incidents, including the theft of an Indigenous canoe sculpture from a newer section of the track at the Belmont Wetland. These incidents led to Taking Back Our Paths organising a community walk on May 4, which saw more than 1000 people participate along the 27-kilometre track at Adamstown, Whitebridge, Redhead and Belmont. Cr Shultz will use a mayoral minute on Monday to table a petition to the council signed by almost 5000 people, calling for action to make the Fernleigh Track safer. Cr Shultz hopes to bring Hunter state politicians, minister for women Jodie Harrison and minister for police Yasmin Catley together with representatives from the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie council and community groups to discuss initiatives to make the Fernleigh Track safer. "We want to collaborate and effectively create a safer environment," Cr Shultz said. "At the end of the day, when you're having multiple reports of unsafe or criminal behaviour, be it assaults, harassments, electric scooters, or trail bikes, it's just not on. "We collectively need to have a discussion and come up with strategies to try and mitigate and reduce the risks for people." The dangerous use of electric scooters and unregistered trail bikes on the Fernleigh Track has been an issue repeatedly raised with Cr Shultz by Lake Macquarie residents. Police have increased patrols on the track and CCTV cameras have also been touted as a possible deterrent to antisocial behaviour. Cr Shultz said covering a 27km track with CCTV cameras was not financially realistic. "Let's sit down and work out what we can do and how we can educate people and how we can try and mitigate some of the risks," he said. "Is that signage, additional patrols from police or additional education programs? I don't know. "But we've got to do something, and that something starts with having a conversation with the appropriate stakeholders." Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said it will take a "holistic approach" from different levels of government and stakeholders to arrest the rise of dangerous and criminal behaviour on the popular Fernleigh Track. Members of the community group Taking Back Our Paths will address councillors before Monday night's Lake Macquarie City Council meeting at the Morisset Showground about their safety concerns in using the public facility. A spate of frightening incidents has occurred on the Fernleigh Track this year. Cyclists, walkers and joggers have been abused and had rocks thrown at them. Last month a woman was grabbed from behind and knocked to the ground while running near Whitebridge. There have also been several vandalism incidents, including the theft of an Indigenous canoe sculpture from a newer section of the track at the Belmont Wetland. These incidents led to Taking Back Our Paths organising a community walk on May 4, which saw more than 1000 people participate along the 27-kilometre track at Adamstown, Whitebridge, Redhead and Belmont. Cr Shultz will use a mayoral minute on Monday to table a petition to the council signed by almost 5000 people, calling for action to make the Fernleigh Track safer. Cr Shultz hopes to bring Hunter state politicians, minister for women Jodie Harrison and minister for police Yasmin Catley together with representatives from the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie council and community groups to discuss initiatives to make the Fernleigh Track safer. "We want to collaborate and effectively create a safer environment," Cr Shultz said. "At the end of the day, when you're having multiple reports of unsafe or criminal behaviour, be it assaults, harassments, electric scooters, or trail bikes, it's just not on. "We collectively need to have a discussion and come up with strategies to try and mitigate and reduce the risks for people." The dangerous use of electric scooters and unregistered trail bikes on the Fernleigh Track has been an issue repeatedly raised with Cr Shultz by Lake Macquarie residents. Police have increased patrols on the track and CCTV cameras have also been touted as a possible deterrent to antisocial behaviour. Cr Shultz said covering a 27km track with CCTV cameras was not financially realistic. "Let's sit down and work out what we can do and how we can educate people and how we can try and mitigate some of the risks," he said. "Is that signage, additional patrols from police or additional education programs? I don't know. "But we've got to do something, and that something starts with having a conversation with the appropriate stakeholders."
