Latest news with #Hunter-based
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
The front line: Border Force search for locals to work at new international terminal
DO you have what it takes? As Newcastle Airport prepares to launch international flights later this year, the Australian Border Force (ABF) is on the hunt for Hunter locals to join the nation's border protection and customs service. With an influx of passengers expected, the ABF Newcastle District Office is set to carry out customs and immigration clearances required for travellers passing in and out of the new international terminal. Acting Assistant Commissioner East Rose Cracknell said she and the team are looking for people who have a keen interest in border protection and ABF functions, but want to live locally. "We are looking for people to wear the ABF uniform with pride. This is our opportunity to showcase the Hunter region and our capability to an entirely new cohort of travellers and visitors," she said. "This is an important support role for our officers, as we are often the first impression for international tourists arriving in Australia. "We pride ourselves in making that a positive experience." The roles on offer are casual and include a range of administrative and operational support duties, including processing passengers at Newcastle Airport and handling other support tasks. The new two-storey international terminal is expected to open in August, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass with views to the Williamtown RAAF base. Other features include a boarding bridge, a glass elevator, an underground baggage tunnel and duty-free retail. Jetstar announced it would operate Newcastle Airport's first year-round international route in June, with direct flights to Bali starting from October 21. Ms Cracknell said the opening of the terminal, with three international flights each week from October, means more officers will be needed on a casual, flexible basis. "As well as working at the airport processing passengers, you will also have the opportunity to support a wide range of functions," she said. "We are excited to offer these casual roles to Hunter-based residents and believe it will offer tremendous opportunities and open up a world of experiences for the successful candidates." DO you have what it takes? As Newcastle Airport prepares to launch international flights later this year, the Australian Border Force (ABF) is on the hunt for Hunter locals to join the nation's border protection and customs service. With an influx of passengers expected, the ABF Newcastle District Office is set to carry out customs and immigration clearances required for travellers passing in and out of the new international terminal. Acting Assistant Commissioner East Rose Cracknell said she and the team are looking for people who have a keen interest in border protection and ABF functions, but want to live locally. "We are looking for people to wear the ABF uniform with pride. This is our opportunity to showcase the Hunter region and our capability to an entirely new cohort of travellers and visitors," she said. "This is an important support role for our officers, as we are often the first impression for international tourists arriving in Australia. "We pride ourselves in making that a positive experience." The roles on offer are casual and include a range of administrative and operational support duties, including processing passengers at Newcastle Airport and handling other support tasks. The new two-storey international terminal is expected to open in August, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass with views to the Williamtown RAAF base. Other features include a boarding bridge, a glass elevator, an underground baggage tunnel and duty-free retail. Jetstar announced it would operate Newcastle Airport's first year-round international route in June, with direct flights to Bali starting from October 21. Ms Cracknell said the opening of the terminal, with three international flights each week from October, means more officers will be needed on a casual, flexible basis. "As well as working at the airport processing passengers, you will also have the opportunity to support a wide range of functions," she said. "We are excited to offer these casual roles to Hunter-based residents and believe it will offer tremendous opportunities and open up a world of experiences for the successful candidates." DO you have what it takes? As Newcastle Airport prepares to launch international flights later this year, the Australian Border Force (ABF) is on the hunt for Hunter locals to join the nation's border protection and customs service. With an influx of passengers expected, the ABF Newcastle District Office is set to carry out customs and immigration clearances required for travellers passing in and out of the new international terminal. Acting Assistant Commissioner East Rose Cracknell said she and the team are looking for people who have a keen interest in border protection and ABF functions, but want to live locally. "We are looking for people to wear the ABF uniform with pride. This is our opportunity to showcase the Hunter region and our capability to an entirely new cohort of travellers and visitors," she said. "This is an important support role for our officers, as we are often the first impression for international tourists arriving in Australia. "We pride ourselves in making that a positive experience." The roles on offer are casual and include a range of administrative and operational support duties, including processing passengers at Newcastle Airport and handling other support tasks. The new two-storey international terminal is expected to open in August, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass with views to the Williamtown RAAF base. Other features include a boarding bridge, a glass elevator, an underground baggage tunnel and duty-free retail. Jetstar announced it would operate Newcastle Airport's first year-round international route in June, with direct flights to Bali starting from October 21. Ms Cracknell said the opening of the terminal, with three international flights each week from October, means more officers will be needed on a casual, flexible basis. "As well as working at the airport processing passengers, you will also have the opportunity to support a wide range of functions," she said. "We are excited to offer these casual roles to Hunter-based residents and believe it will offer tremendous opportunities and open up a world of experiences for the successful candidates." DO you have what it takes? As Newcastle Airport prepares to launch international flights later this year, the Australian Border Force (ABF) is on the hunt for Hunter locals to join the nation's border protection and customs service. With an influx of passengers expected, the ABF Newcastle District Office is set to carry out customs and immigration clearances required for travellers passing in and out of the new international terminal. Acting Assistant Commissioner East Rose Cracknell said she and the team are looking for people who have a keen interest in border protection and ABF functions, but want to live locally. "We are looking for people to wear the ABF uniform with pride. This is our opportunity to showcase the Hunter region and our capability to an entirely new cohort of travellers and visitors," she said. "This is an important support role for our officers, as we are often the first impression for international tourists arriving in Australia. "We pride ourselves in making that a positive experience." The roles on offer are casual and include a range of administrative and operational support duties, including processing passengers at Newcastle Airport and handling other support tasks. The new two-storey international terminal is expected to open in August, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass with views to the Williamtown RAAF base. Other features include a boarding bridge, a glass elevator, an underground baggage tunnel and duty-free retail. Jetstar announced it would operate Newcastle Airport's first year-round international route in June, with direct flights to Bali starting from October 21. Ms Cracknell said the opening of the terminal, with three international flights each week from October, means more officers will be needed on a casual, flexible basis. "As well as working at the airport processing passengers, you will also have the opportunity to support a wide range of functions," she said. "We are excited to offer these casual roles to Hunter-based residents and believe it will offer tremendous opportunities and open up a world of experiences for the successful candidates."
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
One in five crashes: why drivers are urged to take care in school holidays
With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. As school holidays begin on July 7, motorists who plan to hit the roads should drive according to the weather conditions, which are typically adverse during the winter months, police said. In the July school holidays last year, eight people died in crashes, the same number as in 2023. Police data showed that almost 20 per cent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities happened during the 12 weeks of public school holidays. So far this year, 190 people have died on the NSW roads, 29 more deaths than at this time last year. Officers will be conducting enforcement patrols and operations over the next two weeks. Over previous holiday periods, Hunter-based highway patrol officers have warned drivers to be careful around known traffic pinch points, such as the M1 Pacific Highway at Hexham. In the 2024 Christmas holidays, police said heavy holiday traffic was expected across Heatherbrae, Hexham and Beresfield. The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay. With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. As school holidays begin on July 7, motorists who plan to hit the roads should drive according to the weather conditions, which are typically adverse during the winter months, police said. In the July school holidays last year, eight people died in crashes, the same number as in 2023. Police data showed that almost 20 per cent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities happened during the 12 weeks of public school holidays. So far this year, 190 people have died on the NSW roads, 29 more deaths than at this time last year. Officers will be conducting enforcement patrols and operations over the next two weeks. Over previous holiday periods, Hunter-based highway patrol officers have warned drivers to be careful around known traffic pinch points, such as the M1 Pacific Highway at Hexham. In the 2024 Christmas holidays, police said heavy holiday traffic was expected across Heatherbrae, Hexham and Beresfield. The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay. With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. As school holidays begin on July 7, motorists who plan to hit the roads should drive according to the weather conditions, which are typically adverse during the winter months, police said. In the July school holidays last year, eight people died in crashes, the same number as in 2023. Police data showed that almost 20 per cent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities happened during the 12 weeks of public school holidays. So far this year, 190 people have died on the NSW roads, 29 more deaths than at this time last year. Officers will be conducting enforcement patrols and operations over the next two weeks. Over previous holiday periods, Hunter-based highway patrol officers have warned drivers to be careful around known traffic pinch points, such as the M1 Pacific Highway at Hexham. In the 2024 Christmas holidays, police said heavy holiday traffic was expected across Heatherbrae, Hexham and Beresfield. The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay. With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. As school holidays begin on July 7, motorists who plan to hit the roads should drive according to the weather conditions, which are typically adverse during the winter months, police said. In the July school holidays last year, eight people died in crashes, the same number as in 2023. Police data showed that almost 20 per cent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities happened during the 12 weeks of public school holidays. So far this year, 190 people have died on the NSW roads, 29 more deaths than at this time last year. Officers will be conducting enforcement patrols and operations over the next two weeks. Over previous holiday periods, Hunter-based highway patrol officers have warned drivers to be careful around known traffic pinch points, such as the M1 Pacific Highway at Hexham. In the 2024 Christmas holidays, police said heavy holiday traffic was expected across Heatherbrae, Hexham and Beresfield. The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay.
The Advertiser
17-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Under review: spotlight on SPL's management of vulnerable people in sublet properties
INDUSTRY insiders say illegal boarding house operator Sanctuary Place Living is running homes that flout laws against restrictive practices involving people with disability and fall short of requirements for parolees. While the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is continuing its investigation into SPL, Corrective Services NSW has announced it is also reviewing the organisation and its suitability to provide accommodation to parolees. Sanctuary Place Living, or SPL, run by Michael Mason and his partner Jacqui Whiteford, lease properties throughout the Hunter which they sub-let to NDIS participants, parolees, and people on workers compensation, disability pensions and unemployment benefits. Their occupancy agreements include rules against "unauthorised" guests entering their rentals, including disability support workers who in many cases are NDIS-funded to work with people in their homes. To deny their entry is in breach of laws designed to ensure people with disability are treated with respect and dignity, and have choice and control over how, who and when their supports are delivered, disability service providers say. "This is a restrictive practice, when they cannot access supports in the home, if they are funded to receive that," said one Hunter-based support coordinator. Having worked with numerous people who live, or have lived, in SPL-managed homes, the woman said she was disgusted with the way the organisation treated some tenants. "The fee structure, the agreement that leaves them with no rights ... they can be moved at any time of day, with a text message, from nobody, just signed SPL, and they have to pack up and they're moved," she said. "They get no say in it, they are thrown together, there is no matching that takes place." This week several residents were forced to move from an SPL-managed property at Rutherford to which police were called on Monday when SPL staff turned up unannounced, demanding access to the property to retrieve furniture. The residents had been given less than one business day's notice that they were being relocated. The week before that, SPL moved 20 people out of homes in Elemore Vale. They were given five days notice but SPL staff turned up without notice with a removalist truck two days early, at 6am on a Monday (May 5), the Herald was told. A number of other SPL-leased and managed properties have been vacated in the past two months. Multiple property owners who have leased houses to SPL have said the organisation was regularly behind on rent and bills, and did not cooperate with reasonable requests to conduct routine house inspections. In contrast, SPL demands the right to carry out inspections at will, whether or not people are at home, including opening fridges and cupboards and going through personal belongings, sources say. "They just come in whenever they want to, whenever they wish," said one community support worker who did not wish to be named to protect her clients' identities. "They don't give them any warning. They turn their cars off and, when they get to the start of the driveway, they roll it down silently to sneak up on these people and give them no warning. "And they open the doors really quietly and go through their bedrooms. It doesn't matter if they're in there, it doesn't matter what they're doing. They let themselves in and they go through all their stuff." Some residents have had bedbugs in the mattresses they are provided with but are too scared to speak up for fear of being evicted or sent to the Alma Mater, she said. "Because that's what they've done to other residents living in their other homes that have had bedbugs," she said. "And at the Alma Mater .... the rooms are smaller than a jail cell. "We hear that they're being investigated .... Yet, these vulnerable people are still being taken advantage of. And no one's standing up for them. How can we stay silent?" In some houses where people pay between $335 and $370 or more per week for a room, some with an ensuite, SPL is set to make double the rent they are paying to property owners through their sub-lease arrangements, as well as in some cases also claiming a portion of tenants' NDIS-funded supports. In a statement to the Newcastle Herald, SPL said it did not engage in any unlawful restrictive practices. It denied it was running an illegal boarding house at Mayfield, the Alma Mater, and it denied robbing residents of rights under the Residential Tenancy Act. "Moreover, where appropriate, the circumstances of SPL's tenancy agreements have been determined by the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal to not constitute residential tenancy agreements," the statement said. "Moreover, no parolee has been moved from any residence without sufficient notice except in extreme circumstances where serious crimes have been committed or threatened, such as episodes of violence against other occupants." The City of Newcastle has confirmed SPL did not seek approval to run a boarding house at 88 Hanbury Street, Mayfield, a building now named 'Alma Mater', when it opened two months ago. Corrective Services NSW said following recent concerning reports about the operating practices of SPL, it is "reviewing its suitability as a place of accommodation for parolees". The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has also confirmed it is investigating concerns raised about SPL but is "unable to comment further". "Participants have the right to fair treatment, transparency, and quality services under the NDIS," a commission spokesperson said. "The NDIS Commission strongly encourages participants, their families, and advocates to report any concerns regarding unethical provider behaviour." INDUSTRY insiders say illegal boarding house operator Sanctuary Place Living is running homes that flout laws against restrictive practices involving people with disability and fall short of requirements for parolees. While the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is continuing its investigation into SPL, Corrective Services NSW has announced it is also reviewing the organisation and its suitability to provide accommodation to parolees. Sanctuary Place Living, or SPL, run by Michael Mason and his partner Jacqui Whiteford, lease properties throughout the Hunter which they sub-let to NDIS participants, parolees, and people on workers compensation, disability pensions and unemployment benefits. Their occupancy agreements include rules against "unauthorised" guests entering their rentals, including disability support workers who in many cases are NDIS-funded to work with people in their homes. To deny their entry is in breach of laws designed to ensure people with disability are treated with respect and dignity, and have choice and control over how, who and when their supports are delivered, disability service providers say. "This is a restrictive practice, when they cannot access supports in the home, if they are funded to receive that," said one Hunter-based support coordinator. Having worked with numerous people who live, or have lived, in SPL-managed homes, the woman said she was disgusted with the way the organisation treated some tenants. "The fee structure, the agreement that leaves them with no rights ... they can be moved at any time of day, with a text message, from nobody, just signed SPL, and they have to pack up and they're moved," she said. "They get no say in it, they are thrown together, there is no matching that takes place." This week several residents were forced to move from an SPL-managed property at Rutherford to which police were called on Monday when SPL staff turned up unannounced, demanding access to the property to retrieve furniture. The residents had been given less than one business day's notice that they were being relocated. The week before that, SPL moved 20 people out of homes in Elemore Vale. They were given five days notice but SPL staff turned up without notice with a removalist truck two days early, at 6am on a Monday (May 5), the Herald was told. A number of other SPL-leased and managed properties have been vacated in the past two months. Multiple property owners who have leased houses to SPL have said the organisation was regularly behind on rent and bills, and did not cooperate with reasonable requests to conduct routine house inspections. In contrast, SPL demands the right to carry out inspections at will, whether or not people are at home, including opening fridges and cupboards and going through personal belongings, sources say. "They just come in whenever they want to, whenever they wish," said one community support worker who did not wish to be named to protect her clients' identities. "They don't give them any warning. They turn their cars off and, when they get to the start of the driveway, they roll it down silently to sneak up on these people and give them no warning. "And they open the doors really quietly and go through their bedrooms. It doesn't matter if they're in there, it doesn't matter what they're doing. They let themselves in and they go through all their stuff." Some residents have had bedbugs in the mattresses they are provided with but are too scared to speak up for fear of being evicted or sent to the Alma Mater, she said. "Because that's what they've done to other residents living in their other homes that have had bedbugs," she said. "And at the Alma Mater .... the rooms are smaller than a jail cell. "We hear that they're being investigated .... Yet, these vulnerable people are still being taken advantage of. And no one's standing up for them. How can we stay silent?" In some houses where people pay between $335 and $370 or more per week for a room, some with an ensuite, SPL is set to make double the rent they are paying to property owners through their sub-lease arrangements, as well as in some cases also claiming a portion of tenants' NDIS-funded supports. In a statement to the Newcastle Herald, SPL said it did not engage in any unlawful restrictive practices. It denied it was running an illegal boarding house at Mayfield, the Alma Mater, and it denied robbing residents of rights under the Residential Tenancy Act. "Moreover, where appropriate, the circumstances of SPL's tenancy agreements have been determined by the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal to not constitute residential tenancy agreements," the statement said. "Moreover, no parolee has been moved from any residence without sufficient notice except in extreme circumstances where serious crimes have been committed or threatened, such as episodes of violence against other occupants." The City of Newcastle has confirmed SPL did not seek approval to run a boarding house at 88 Hanbury Street, Mayfield, a building now named 'Alma Mater', when it opened two months ago. Corrective Services NSW said following recent concerning reports about the operating practices of SPL, it is "reviewing its suitability as a place of accommodation for parolees". The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has also confirmed it is investigating concerns raised about SPL but is "unable to comment further". "Participants have the right to fair treatment, transparency, and quality services under the NDIS," a commission spokesperson said. "The NDIS Commission strongly encourages participants, their families, and advocates to report any concerns regarding unethical provider behaviour." INDUSTRY insiders say illegal boarding house operator Sanctuary Place Living is running homes that flout laws against restrictive practices involving people with disability and fall short of requirements for parolees. While the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is continuing its investigation into SPL, Corrective Services NSW has announced it is also reviewing the organisation and its suitability to provide accommodation to parolees. Sanctuary Place Living, or SPL, run by Michael Mason and his partner Jacqui Whiteford, lease properties throughout the Hunter which they sub-let to NDIS participants, parolees, and people on workers compensation, disability pensions and unemployment benefits. Their occupancy agreements include rules against "unauthorised" guests entering their rentals, including disability support workers who in many cases are NDIS-funded to work with people in their homes. To deny their entry is in breach of laws designed to ensure people with disability are treated with respect and dignity, and have choice and control over how, who and when their supports are delivered, disability service providers say. "This is a restrictive practice, when they cannot access supports in the home, if they are funded to receive that," said one Hunter-based support coordinator. Having worked with numerous people who live, or have lived, in SPL-managed homes, the woman said she was disgusted with the way the organisation treated some tenants. "The fee structure, the agreement that leaves them with no rights ... they can be moved at any time of day, with a text message, from nobody, just signed SPL, and they have to pack up and they're moved," she said. "They get no say in it, they are thrown together, there is no matching that takes place." This week several residents were forced to move from an SPL-managed property at Rutherford to which police were called on Monday when SPL staff turned up unannounced, demanding access to the property to retrieve furniture. The residents had been given less than one business day's notice that they were being relocated. The week before that, SPL moved 20 people out of homes in Elemore Vale. They were given five days notice but SPL staff turned up without notice with a removalist truck two days early, at 6am on a Monday (May 5), the Herald was told. A number of other SPL-leased and managed properties have been vacated in the past two months. Multiple property owners who have leased houses to SPL have said the organisation was regularly behind on rent and bills, and did not cooperate with reasonable requests to conduct routine house inspections. In contrast, SPL demands the right to carry out inspections at will, whether or not people are at home, including opening fridges and cupboards and going through personal belongings, sources say. "They just come in whenever they want to, whenever they wish," said one community support worker who did not wish to be named to protect her clients' identities. "They don't give them any warning. They turn their cars off and, when they get to the start of the driveway, they roll it down silently to sneak up on these people and give them no warning. "And they open the doors really quietly and go through their bedrooms. It doesn't matter if they're in there, it doesn't matter what they're doing. They let themselves in and they go through all their stuff." Some residents have had bedbugs in the mattresses they are provided with but are too scared to speak up for fear of being evicted or sent to the Alma Mater, she said. "Because that's what they've done to other residents living in their other homes that have had bedbugs," she said. "And at the Alma Mater .... the rooms are smaller than a jail cell. "We hear that they're being investigated .... Yet, these vulnerable people are still being taken advantage of. And no one's standing up for them. How can we stay silent?" In some houses where people pay between $335 and $370 or more per week for a room, some with an ensuite, SPL is set to make double the rent they are paying to property owners through their sub-lease arrangements, as well as in some cases also claiming a portion of tenants' NDIS-funded supports. In a statement to the Newcastle Herald, SPL said it did not engage in any unlawful restrictive practices. It denied it was running an illegal boarding house at Mayfield, the Alma Mater, and it denied robbing residents of rights under the Residential Tenancy Act. "Moreover, where appropriate, the circumstances of SPL's tenancy agreements have been determined by the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal to not constitute residential tenancy agreements," the statement said. "Moreover, no parolee has been moved from any residence without sufficient notice except in extreme circumstances where serious crimes have been committed or threatened, such as episodes of violence against other occupants." The City of Newcastle has confirmed SPL did not seek approval to run a boarding house at 88 Hanbury Street, Mayfield, a building now named 'Alma Mater', when it opened two months ago. Corrective Services NSW said following recent concerning reports about the operating practices of SPL, it is "reviewing its suitability as a place of accommodation for parolees". The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has also confirmed it is investigating concerns raised about SPL but is "unable to comment further". "Participants have the right to fair treatment, transparency, and quality services under the NDIS," a commission spokesperson said. "The NDIS Commission strongly encourages participants, their families, and advocates to report any concerns regarding unethical provider behaviour." INDUSTRY insiders say illegal boarding house operator Sanctuary Place Living is running homes that flout laws against restrictive practices involving people with disability and fall short of requirements for parolees. While the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is continuing its investigation into SPL, Corrective Services NSW has announced it is also reviewing the organisation and its suitability to provide accommodation to parolees. Sanctuary Place Living, or SPL, run by Michael Mason and his partner Jacqui Whiteford, lease properties throughout the Hunter which they sub-let to NDIS participants, parolees, and people on workers compensation, disability pensions and unemployment benefits. Their occupancy agreements include rules against "unauthorised" guests entering their rentals, including disability support workers who in many cases are NDIS-funded to work with people in their homes. To deny their entry is in breach of laws designed to ensure people with disability are treated with respect and dignity, and have choice and control over how, who and when their supports are delivered, disability service providers say. "This is a restrictive practice, when they cannot access supports in the home, if they are funded to receive that," said one Hunter-based support coordinator. Having worked with numerous people who live, or have lived, in SPL-managed homes, the woman said she was disgusted with the way the organisation treated some tenants. "The fee structure, the agreement that leaves them with no rights ... they can be moved at any time of day, with a text message, from nobody, just signed SPL, and they have to pack up and they're moved," she said. "They get no say in it, they are thrown together, there is no matching that takes place." This week several residents were forced to move from an SPL-managed property at Rutherford to which police were called on Monday when SPL staff turned up unannounced, demanding access to the property to retrieve furniture. The residents had been given less than one business day's notice that they were being relocated. The week before that, SPL moved 20 people out of homes in Elemore Vale. They were given five days notice but SPL staff turned up without notice with a removalist truck two days early, at 6am on a Monday (May 5), the Herald was told. A number of other SPL-leased and managed properties have been vacated in the past two months. Multiple property owners who have leased houses to SPL have said the organisation was regularly behind on rent and bills, and did not cooperate with reasonable requests to conduct routine house inspections. In contrast, SPL demands the right to carry out inspections at will, whether or not people are at home, including opening fridges and cupboards and going through personal belongings, sources say. "They just come in whenever they want to, whenever they wish," said one community support worker who did not wish to be named to protect her clients' identities. "They don't give them any warning. They turn their cars off and, when they get to the start of the driveway, they roll it down silently to sneak up on these people and give them no warning. "And they open the doors really quietly and go through their bedrooms. It doesn't matter if they're in there, it doesn't matter what they're doing. They let themselves in and they go through all their stuff." Some residents have had bedbugs in the mattresses they are provided with but are too scared to speak up for fear of being evicted or sent to the Alma Mater, she said. "Because that's what they've done to other residents living in their other homes that have had bedbugs," she said. "And at the Alma Mater .... the rooms are smaller than a jail cell. "We hear that they're being investigated .... Yet, these vulnerable people are still being taken advantage of. And no one's standing up for them. How can we stay silent?" In some houses where people pay between $335 and $370 or more per week for a room, some with an ensuite, SPL is set to make double the rent they are paying to property owners through their sub-lease arrangements, as well as in some cases also claiming a portion of tenants' NDIS-funded supports. In a statement to the Newcastle Herald, SPL said it did not engage in any unlawful restrictive practices. It denied it was running an illegal boarding house at Mayfield, the Alma Mater, and it denied robbing residents of rights under the Residential Tenancy Act. "Moreover, where appropriate, the circumstances of SPL's tenancy agreements have been determined by the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal to not constitute residential tenancy agreements," the statement said. "Moreover, no parolee has been moved from any residence without sufficient notice except in extreme circumstances where serious crimes have been committed or threatened, such as episodes of violence against other occupants." The City of Newcastle has confirmed SPL did not seek approval to run a boarding house at 88 Hanbury Street, Mayfield, a building now named 'Alma Mater', when it opened two months ago. Corrective Services NSW said following recent concerning reports about the operating practices of SPL, it is "reviewing its suitability as a place of accommodation for parolees". The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has also confirmed it is investigating concerns raised about SPL but is "unable to comment further". "Participants have the right to fair treatment, transparency, and quality services under the NDIS," a commission spokesperson said. "The NDIS Commission strongly encourages participants, their families, and advocates to report any concerns regarding unethical provider behaviour."
