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The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Glass jaw and a keyboard': councillor aims fiery tirade at Newcastle MP over Horseshoe beach
LIBERAL councillor Callum Pull has had a crack at Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp in a fiery tirade over what he called the 'embarrassing' state of the Horseshoe beach precinct. The car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Cr Pull and his colleague Cr Jenny Barrie put forward a motion to Tuesday night's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to come to the table and fix the "dangerous eyesore". Just hours before the meeting, Mr Crakanthorp took to Facebook, describing Cr Pull's motion as not only "disheartening" but "disingenuous". "Transport for NSW has been conducting a progressive clean-up of the carpark, beginning last week," Mr Crakanthorp said. "The councillor's decision to raise this motion now that the site has been cleaned is opportunistic and disappointing." The post evidently did not sit well with Cr Pull, who suggested Mr Crakanthorp, "once crowned the whinger in chief of the NSW Parliament," deserves the new title of "professional buck-passer". "The Member for Newcastle has had two years to do something about it, and the moment that Cr Barrie and I did something about it, his response was to make a sulky Facebook post," he said. "Whilst I'm glad to see that the NSW government decided to start cleaning up this precinct after the notice of motion was submitted and published, if the Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp wants to take credit for the work of the past week, he also needs to take responsibility for the lack of action in the past two years. "You don't fix issues like this by sitting behind a keyboard with a glass jaw typing up a sulky Facebook post; only action yields results." Councillors unanimously voted to call on TfNSW to address safety issues around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council. A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve an agreement with TfNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500. The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago. Independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said efforts to resolve problems in the precinct had been under way for several months, particularly with Homes NSW liaising with rough sleepers in the car park. "Look, it has been a lot of work, and it has been an issue, and the fact that it got to this point is regrettable," he said. "But I think the citizens of Newcastle should be assured that I think it's going to be a whole lot better in a month's time, or two months' time, than it's been for a long time." With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles. In his Facebook post, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach are experiencing homelessness. "TfNSW, NSW Police, and Homes NSW have been working together to find a long-term and permanent solution for Horseshoe Beach and those living there," he said. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing. "I share the community's frustrations about the delays in this process, and that is why I went directly to the Minister to escalate this issue." TfNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required. This week, a TfNSW spokeswoman confirmed crews had cleaned the site on Friday and were working with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings in the car park. A report to councillors said the council has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take. The council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TfNSW to ask for the matter to be resolved. LIBERAL councillor Callum Pull has had a crack at Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp in a fiery tirade over what he called the 'embarrassing' state of the Horseshoe beach precinct. The car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Cr Pull and his colleague Cr Jenny Barrie put forward a motion to Tuesday night's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to come to the table and fix the "dangerous eyesore". Just hours before the meeting, Mr Crakanthorp took to Facebook, describing Cr Pull's motion as not only "disheartening" but "disingenuous". "Transport for NSW has been conducting a progressive clean-up of the carpark, beginning last week," Mr Crakanthorp said. "The councillor's decision to raise this motion now that the site has been cleaned is opportunistic and disappointing." The post evidently did not sit well with Cr Pull, who suggested Mr Crakanthorp, "once crowned the whinger in chief of the NSW Parliament," deserves the new title of "professional buck-passer". "The Member for Newcastle has had two years to do something about it, and the moment that Cr Barrie and I did something about it, his response was to make a sulky Facebook post," he said. "Whilst I'm glad to see that the NSW government decided to start cleaning up this precinct after the notice of motion was submitted and published, if the Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp wants to take credit for the work of the past week, he also needs to take responsibility for the lack of action in the past two years. "You don't fix issues like this by sitting behind a keyboard with a glass jaw typing up a sulky Facebook post; only action yields results." Councillors unanimously voted to call on TfNSW to address safety issues around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council. A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve an agreement with TfNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500. The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago. Independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said efforts to resolve problems in the precinct had been under way for several months, particularly with Homes NSW liaising with rough sleepers in the car park. "Look, it has been a lot of work, and it has been an issue, and the fact that it got to this point is regrettable," he said. "But I think the citizens of Newcastle should be assured that I think it's going to be a whole lot better in a month's time, or two months' time, than it's been for a long time." With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles. In his Facebook post, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach are experiencing homelessness. "TfNSW, NSW Police, and Homes NSW have been working together to find a long-term and permanent solution for Horseshoe Beach and those living there," he said. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing. "I share the community's frustrations about the delays in this process, and that is why I went directly to the Minister to escalate this issue." TfNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required. This week, a TfNSW spokeswoman confirmed crews had cleaned the site on Friday and were working with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings in the car park. A report to councillors said the council has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take. The council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TfNSW to ask for the matter to be resolved. LIBERAL councillor Callum Pull has had a crack at Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp in a fiery tirade over what he called the 'embarrassing' state of the Horseshoe beach precinct. The car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Cr Pull and his colleague Cr Jenny Barrie put forward a motion to Tuesday night's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to come to the table and fix the "dangerous eyesore". Just hours before the meeting, Mr Crakanthorp took to Facebook, describing Cr Pull's motion as not only "disheartening" but "disingenuous". "Transport for NSW has been conducting a progressive clean-up of the carpark, beginning last week," Mr Crakanthorp said. "The councillor's decision to raise this motion now that the site has been cleaned is opportunistic and disappointing." The post evidently did not sit well with Cr Pull, who suggested Mr Crakanthorp, "once crowned the whinger in chief of the NSW Parliament," deserves the new title of "professional buck-passer". "The Member for Newcastle has had two years to do something about it, and the moment that Cr Barrie and I did something about it, his response was to make a sulky Facebook post," he said. "Whilst I'm glad to see that the NSW government decided to start cleaning up this precinct after the notice of motion was submitted and published, if the Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp wants to take credit for the work of the past week, he also needs to take responsibility for the lack of action in the past two years. "You don't fix issues like this by sitting behind a keyboard with a glass jaw typing up a sulky Facebook post; only action yields results." Councillors unanimously voted to call on TfNSW to address safety issues around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council. A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve an agreement with TfNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500. The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago. Independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said efforts to resolve problems in the precinct had been under way for several months, particularly with Homes NSW liaising with rough sleepers in the car park. "Look, it has been a lot of work, and it has been an issue, and the fact that it got to this point is regrettable," he said. "But I think the citizens of Newcastle should be assured that I think it's going to be a whole lot better in a month's time, or two months' time, than it's been for a long time." With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles. In his Facebook post, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach are experiencing homelessness. "TfNSW, NSW Police, and Homes NSW have been working together to find a long-term and permanent solution for Horseshoe Beach and those living there," he said. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing. "I share the community's frustrations about the delays in this process, and that is why I went directly to the Minister to escalate this issue." TfNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required. This week, a TfNSW spokeswoman confirmed crews had cleaned the site on Friday and were working with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings in the car park. A report to councillors said the council has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take. The council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TfNSW to ask for the matter to be resolved. LIBERAL councillor Callum Pull has had a crack at Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp in a fiery tirade over what he called the 'embarrassing' state of the Horseshoe beach precinct. The car park and the nearby dunes have become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and are apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Cr Pull and his colleague Cr Jenny Barrie put forward a motion to Tuesday night's council meeting calling on Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to come to the table and fix the "dangerous eyesore". Just hours before the meeting, Mr Crakanthorp took to Facebook, describing Cr Pull's motion as not only "disheartening" but "disingenuous". "Transport for NSW has been conducting a progressive clean-up of the carpark, beginning last week," Mr Crakanthorp said. "The councillor's decision to raise this motion now that the site has been cleaned is opportunistic and disappointing." The post evidently did not sit well with Cr Pull, who suggested Mr Crakanthorp, "once crowned the whinger in chief of the NSW Parliament," deserves the new title of "professional buck-passer". "The Member for Newcastle has had two years to do something about it, and the moment that Cr Barrie and I did something about it, his response was to make a sulky Facebook post," he said. "Whilst I'm glad to see that the NSW government decided to start cleaning up this precinct after the notice of motion was submitted and published, if the Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp wants to take credit for the work of the past week, he also needs to take responsibility for the lack of action in the past two years. "You don't fix issues like this by sitting behind a keyboard with a glass jaw typing up a sulky Facebook post; only action yields results." Councillors unanimously voted to call on TfNSW to address safety issues around Horseshoe beach, signpost parking restrictions, and finalise a service agreement with the council. A report to councillors said City of Newcastle (CN) had not been able to resolve an agreement with TfNSW, which would ensure maintenance and management of the precinct, since the end of Newcastle 500. The council stopped all regulatory action in the Horseshoe beach area about 12 months ago. Independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said efforts to resolve problems in the precinct had been under way for several months, particularly with Homes NSW liaising with rough sleepers in the car park. "Look, it has been a lot of work, and it has been an issue, and the fact that it got to this point is regrettable," he said. "But I think the citizens of Newcastle should be assured that I think it's going to be a whole lot better in a month's time, or two months' time, than it's been for a long time." With no signposted parking restrictions in place, the car park is being used for short and long-term parking and has become home to rough sleepers living out of their vehicles. In his Facebook post, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach are experiencing homelessness. "TfNSW, NSW Police, and Homes NSW have been working together to find a long-term and permanent solution for Horseshoe Beach and those living there," he said. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing. "I share the community's frustrations about the delays in this process, and that is why I went directly to the Minister to escalate this issue." TfNSW told the Newcastle Herald last week it planned to replace "no overnight camping" signs, which were removed by unknown persons. The new signs will permit four-hour parking and the towing away of vehicles as required. This week, a TfNSW spokeswoman confirmed crews had cleaned the site on Friday and were working with NSW Police to identify owners of some personal belongings in the car park. A report to councillors said the council has made recommendations to TFNSW to address long-term parking in the area and has offered to make and install signage once TFNSW decides what actions it wants to take. The council will write to Mr Crakanthorp, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Jenny Aitchison and TfNSW to ask for the matter to be resolved.
The Advertiser
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Majority of Novocastrians back Rising Tide's push for People's Blockade, poll shows
YOUGOV polling commissioned by Rising Tide shows an "overwhelming majority" of Novocastrians support its push to hold the 2025 People's Blockade. City of Newcastle councillors will decide whether to approve or deny the group's application for an event licence to hold its 2025 People's Blockade at Richardson Park and Camp Shortland at an extraordinary meeting next month. The polling showed that of 310 Newcastle residents surveyed, 66 per cent supported the application, 21 per cent were opposed, and 13 per cent were undecided. Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said they expect the council to listen to the community and approve the application. "This polling shows that in a progressive town like Newcastle, people understand the role of protest in fighting for a better world, and see our protestival as an important cultural institution," she said. Ms Stuart said Greens, Labor and independent voters "overwhelmingly" support the event. "Even among Liberal voters, there is more support for our application than opposition," she said. "We suggest that deputy lord mayor Callum Pull would be well served to engage more actively with his constituents rather than continuing to use his office to broadcast his personal views on this issue." Liberal Cr Pull has been vocal in his opposition to the event, publicly urging the council to say no to what he has called "another series of damaging, dangerous and costly stunts". Cr Pull said Newcastle residents should be sceptical of the reported results of the polling. "The polling question that was put to respondents included absolutely no mention of the illegal activity, which has become the problem," he said. "For two years in a row, they have defied police orders and affected their own credibility. "I'll be keen to see what they have to say ... and whether they're going to try and con the councillors with the same false or empty promises that they promised the lord mayor last year." NSW Police have told Newcastle council the 2024 event was the "most dangerous event to public safety" since the People's Blockade began, resulting in 170 arrests and "stretching" police resources across the state. Participants in the poll were told Rising Tide conducts an annual protestival, which combines headline musical acts and non-violent protest at the port to pressure the government to fund local jobs as part of the transition away from coal. The poll then asked whether participants thought the council should approve the application "subject to appropriate conditions that would apply to a similar event", if they thought it should be rejected, or if they were not sure. The survey was conducted online between July 3 and July 10. According to the poll report, a majority of voters of all parties in the 2025 federal election supported approval. The report said that of those surveyed, 66 per cent of Labor, 49 per cent of Liberal, 86 per cent of Greens, and 64 per cent of others were in favour of the application being approved. Rising Tide and NSW Police will go head-to-head at a public briefing today with an opportunity to state their cases for and against the event licence application before the council makes its decision next month. A report to councillors ahead of the briefing said NSW Police and Transport for NSW opposed the council's decision to approve an event licence last year, seeing it as "inadvertently enabling illegal activity" and "contravening" a NSW Supreme Court ruling. YOUGOV polling commissioned by Rising Tide shows an "overwhelming majority" of Novocastrians support its push to hold the 2025 People's Blockade. City of Newcastle councillors will decide whether to approve or deny the group's application for an event licence to hold its 2025 People's Blockade at Richardson Park and Camp Shortland at an extraordinary meeting next month. The polling showed that of 310 Newcastle residents surveyed, 66 per cent supported the application, 21 per cent were opposed, and 13 per cent were undecided. Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said they expect the council to listen to the community and approve the application. "This polling shows that in a progressive town like Newcastle, people understand the role of protest in fighting for a better world, and see our protestival as an important cultural institution," she said. Ms Stuart said Greens, Labor and independent voters "overwhelmingly" support the event. "Even among Liberal voters, there is more support for our application than opposition," she said. "We suggest that deputy lord mayor Callum Pull would be well served to engage more actively with his constituents rather than continuing to use his office to broadcast his personal views on this issue." Liberal Cr Pull has been vocal in his opposition to the event, publicly urging the council to say no to what he has called "another series of damaging, dangerous and costly stunts". Cr Pull said Newcastle residents should be sceptical of the reported results of the polling. "The polling question that was put to respondents included absolutely no mention of the illegal activity, which has become the problem," he said. "For two years in a row, they have defied police orders and affected their own credibility. "I'll be keen to see what they have to say ... and whether they're going to try and con the councillors with the same false or empty promises that they promised the lord mayor last year." NSW Police have told Newcastle council the 2024 event was the "most dangerous event to public safety" since the People's Blockade began, resulting in 170 arrests and "stretching" police resources across the state. Participants in the poll were told Rising Tide conducts an annual protestival, which combines headline musical acts and non-violent protest at the port to pressure the government to fund local jobs as part of the transition away from coal. The poll then asked whether participants thought the council should approve the application "subject to appropriate conditions that would apply to a similar event", if they thought it should be rejected, or if they were not sure. The survey was conducted online between July 3 and July 10. According to the poll report, a majority of voters of all parties in the 2025 federal election supported approval. The report said that of those surveyed, 66 per cent of Labor, 49 per cent of Liberal, 86 per cent of Greens, and 64 per cent of others were in favour of the application being approved. Rising Tide and NSW Police will go head-to-head at a public briefing today with an opportunity to state their cases for and against the event licence application before the council makes its decision next month. A report to councillors ahead of the briefing said NSW Police and Transport for NSW opposed the council's decision to approve an event licence last year, seeing it as "inadvertently enabling illegal activity" and "contravening" a NSW Supreme Court ruling. YOUGOV polling commissioned by Rising Tide shows an "overwhelming majority" of Novocastrians support its push to hold the 2025 People's Blockade. City of Newcastle councillors will decide whether to approve or deny the group's application for an event licence to hold its 2025 People's Blockade at Richardson Park and Camp Shortland at an extraordinary meeting next month. The polling showed that of 310 Newcastle residents surveyed, 66 per cent supported the application, 21 per cent were opposed, and 13 per cent were undecided. Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said they expect the council to listen to the community and approve the application. "This polling shows that in a progressive town like Newcastle, people understand the role of protest in fighting for a better world, and see our protestival as an important cultural institution," she said. Ms Stuart said Greens, Labor and independent voters "overwhelmingly" support the event. "Even among Liberal voters, there is more support for our application than opposition," she said. "We suggest that deputy lord mayor Callum Pull would be well served to engage more actively with his constituents rather than continuing to use his office to broadcast his personal views on this issue." Liberal Cr Pull has been vocal in his opposition to the event, publicly urging the council to say no to what he has called "another series of damaging, dangerous and costly stunts". Cr Pull said Newcastle residents should be sceptical of the reported results of the polling. "The polling question that was put to respondents included absolutely no mention of the illegal activity, which has become the problem," he said. "For two years in a row, they have defied police orders and affected their own credibility. "I'll be keen to see what they have to say ... and whether they're going to try and con the councillors with the same false or empty promises that they promised the lord mayor last year." NSW Police have told Newcastle council the 2024 event was the "most dangerous event to public safety" since the People's Blockade began, resulting in 170 arrests and "stretching" police resources across the state. Participants in the poll were told Rising Tide conducts an annual protestival, which combines headline musical acts and non-violent protest at the port to pressure the government to fund local jobs as part of the transition away from coal. The poll then asked whether participants thought the council should approve the application "subject to appropriate conditions that would apply to a similar event", if they thought it should be rejected, or if they were not sure. The survey was conducted online between July 3 and July 10. According to the poll report, a majority of voters of all parties in the 2025 federal election supported approval. The report said that of those surveyed, 66 per cent of Labor, 49 per cent of Liberal, 86 per cent of Greens, and 64 per cent of others were in favour of the application being approved. Rising Tide and NSW Police will go head-to-head at a public briefing today with an opportunity to state their cases for and against the event licence application before the council makes its decision next month. A report to councillors ahead of the briefing said NSW Police and Transport for NSW opposed the council's decision to approve an event licence last year, seeing it as "inadvertently enabling illegal activity" and "contravening" a NSW Supreme Court ruling. YOUGOV polling commissioned by Rising Tide shows an "overwhelming majority" of Novocastrians support its push to hold the 2025 People's Blockade. City of Newcastle councillors will decide whether to approve or deny the group's application for an event licence to hold its 2025 People's Blockade at Richardson Park and Camp Shortland at an extraordinary meeting next month. The polling showed that of 310 Newcastle residents surveyed, 66 per cent supported the application, 21 per cent were opposed, and 13 per cent were undecided. Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said they expect the council to listen to the community and approve the application. "This polling shows that in a progressive town like Newcastle, people understand the role of protest in fighting for a better world, and see our protestival as an important cultural institution," she said. Ms Stuart said Greens, Labor and independent voters "overwhelmingly" support the event. "Even among Liberal voters, there is more support for our application than opposition," she said. "We suggest that deputy lord mayor Callum Pull would be well served to engage more actively with his constituents rather than continuing to use his office to broadcast his personal views on this issue." Liberal Cr Pull has been vocal in his opposition to the event, publicly urging the council to say no to what he has called "another series of damaging, dangerous and costly stunts". Cr Pull said Newcastle residents should be sceptical of the reported results of the polling. "The polling question that was put to respondents included absolutely no mention of the illegal activity, which has become the problem," he said. "For two years in a row, they have defied police orders and affected their own credibility. "I'll be keen to see what they have to say ... and whether they're going to try and con the councillors with the same false or empty promises that they promised the lord mayor last year." NSW Police have told Newcastle council the 2024 event was the "most dangerous event to public safety" since the People's Blockade began, resulting in 170 arrests and "stretching" police resources across the state. Participants in the poll were told Rising Tide conducts an annual protestival, which combines headline musical acts and non-violent protest at the port to pressure the government to fund local jobs as part of the transition away from coal. The poll then asked whether participants thought the council should approve the application "subject to appropriate conditions that would apply to a similar event", if they thought it should be rejected, or if they were not sure. The survey was conducted online between July 3 and July 10. According to the poll report, a majority of voters of all parties in the 2025 federal election supported approval. The report said that of those surveyed, 66 per cent of Labor, 49 per cent of Liberal, 86 per cent of Greens, and 64 per cent of others were in favour of the application being approved. Rising Tide and NSW Police will go head-to-head at a public briefing today with an opportunity to state their cases for and against the event licence application before the council makes its decision next month. A report to councillors ahead of the briefing said NSW Police and Transport for NSW opposed the council's decision to approve an event licence last year, seeing it as "inadvertently enabling illegal activity" and "contravening" a NSW Supreme Court ruling.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Navy's Ojas Tugboat joins fleet in Vizag
Visakhapatnam: The induction ceremony for the fifth 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Ojas, was held at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The tugboat, Ojas, is part of a contract for six 25T BP Tugs signed with Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata, in November 2021. These tugs have been indigenously designed and built by the shipyard in accordance with Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) rules and regulations. The tugs will provide assistance to naval ships and submarines during berthing and unberthing operations, as well as maneuvering in confined waters. They will also offer afloat firefighting support and have the capability to conduct limited search and rescue operations. The induction of Ojas and its sister tugs is a testament to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of the Government of India, promoting indigenous shipbuilding and self-reliance.
The Advertiser
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Meat in the sandwich': back-and-forth about Sonia Hornery derails Wallsend violence debate
COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency. COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency. COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency. COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency.
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Business owners to give their two cents on controversial rate scheme
BUSINESS owners who fork out to pay City of Newcastle business rates will have the chance to offer their two cents on a controversial scheme. Several submissions to a recent independent probe into the council raised concerns about the transparency of how Special Business Rate (SBR) funds are levied, allocated and spent. Some argued Business Improvement Associations (BIA) may not be the most appropriate bodies to oversee funds intended for local benefit. The BIAs are independent organisations responsible for the disbursement of up to $100,000 a year. That money can be used for strategic directions to promote local business, marketing and promotions, prioritising and managing beautification projects and coordinating community events aimed at encouraging business demand. Business owners have long questioned the value they receive and the costs of administering the scheme. Liberal councillors Callum Pull and Jenny Barrie at this week's council meeting moved a motion that will give business owners in SBR precincts in the city centre and Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend a chance to have their say on the future of the scheme. Cr Pull said the independent review reinforced the need for better engagement with businesses about the SBR. "Council will now oversee annual consultation with business owners in the SBR precincts, with much broader consultation occurring with the whole community each council term," he said. The SBR is an additional charge levied on businesses in the precincts on top of their standard commercial rates. The scheme has long been a point of contention, with some business owners questioning its necessity and others calling for it to be axed entirely. City of Newcastle made $65.9 million in business rates in 2023/24 from 15,489 active businesses, the second-highest sum of any NSW council. In 2024/25, the council said the cost to administer the scheme, including BIA governance and support, is $152,700. That figure is 10 per cent of total funds levied. The Davidson Business Advisory review of the council recommended that it require BIAs to undertake research with membership and the community annually, or at agreed regular intervals, to assess satisfaction, impact and present the findings to the council for consideration. As part of the council's decision this week, business owners will be asked annually whether they feel the scheme provides value for money and whether they think it should continue. A broad survey will poll community members, grant recipients, property owners, rate-paying residents and tenants on the value of retaining the SBR. Cr Pull said the survey should give the council a clear picture of the position of business owners on the scheme. "These won't be the only questions the council asks in their consultation, but they will be a crucial part of deciding the future of the scheme," he said. Reports were made to the Davidson review of SBR money being redirected to unrelated council promotions that do not directly benefit businesses. The funds, according to Newcastle council, are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and development of those business precincts. BUSINESS owners who fork out to pay City of Newcastle business rates will have the chance to offer their two cents on a controversial scheme. Several submissions to a recent independent probe into the council raised concerns about the transparency of how Special Business Rate (SBR) funds are levied, allocated and spent. Some argued Business Improvement Associations (BIA) may not be the most appropriate bodies to oversee funds intended for local benefit. The BIAs are independent organisations responsible for the disbursement of up to $100,000 a year. That money can be used for strategic directions to promote local business, marketing and promotions, prioritising and managing beautification projects and coordinating community events aimed at encouraging business demand. Business owners have long questioned the value they receive and the costs of administering the scheme. Liberal councillors Callum Pull and Jenny Barrie at this week's council meeting moved a motion that will give business owners in SBR precincts in the city centre and Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend a chance to have their say on the future of the scheme. Cr Pull said the independent review reinforced the need for better engagement with businesses about the SBR. "Council will now oversee annual consultation with business owners in the SBR precincts, with much broader consultation occurring with the whole community each council term," he said. The SBR is an additional charge levied on businesses in the precincts on top of their standard commercial rates. The scheme has long been a point of contention, with some business owners questioning its necessity and others calling for it to be axed entirely. City of Newcastle made $65.9 million in business rates in 2023/24 from 15,489 active businesses, the second-highest sum of any NSW council. In 2024/25, the council said the cost to administer the scheme, including BIA governance and support, is $152,700. That figure is 10 per cent of total funds levied. The Davidson Business Advisory review of the council recommended that it require BIAs to undertake research with membership and the community annually, or at agreed regular intervals, to assess satisfaction, impact and present the findings to the council for consideration. As part of the council's decision this week, business owners will be asked annually whether they feel the scheme provides value for money and whether they think it should continue. A broad survey will poll community members, grant recipients, property owners, rate-paying residents and tenants on the value of retaining the SBR. Cr Pull said the survey should give the council a clear picture of the position of business owners on the scheme. "These won't be the only questions the council asks in their consultation, but they will be a crucial part of deciding the future of the scheme," he said. Reports were made to the Davidson review of SBR money being redirected to unrelated council promotions that do not directly benefit businesses. The funds, according to Newcastle council, are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and development of those business precincts. BUSINESS owners who fork out to pay City of Newcastle business rates will have the chance to offer their two cents on a controversial scheme. Several submissions to a recent independent probe into the council raised concerns about the transparency of how Special Business Rate (SBR) funds are levied, allocated and spent. Some argued Business Improvement Associations (BIA) may not be the most appropriate bodies to oversee funds intended for local benefit. The BIAs are independent organisations responsible for the disbursement of up to $100,000 a year. That money can be used for strategic directions to promote local business, marketing and promotions, prioritising and managing beautification projects and coordinating community events aimed at encouraging business demand. Business owners have long questioned the value they receive and the costs of administering the scheme. Liberal councillors Callum Pull and Jenny Barrie at this week's council meeting moved a motion that will give business owners in SBR precincts in the city centre and Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend a chance to have their say on the future of the scheme. Cr Pull said the independent review reinforced the need for better engagement with businesses about the SBR. "Council will now oversee annual consultation with business owners in the SBR precincts, with much broader consultation occurring with the whole community each council term," he said. The SBR is an additional charge levied on businesses in the precincts on top of their standard commercial rates. The scheme has long been a point of contention, with some business owners questioning its necessity and others calling for it to be axed entirely. City of Newcastle made $65.9 million in business rates in 2023/24 from 15,489 active businesses, the second-highest sum of any NSW council. In 2024/25, the council said the cost to administer the scheme, including BIA governance and support, is $152,700. That figure is 10 per cent of total funds levied. The Davidson Business Advisory review of the council recommended that it require BIAs to undertake research with membership and the community annually, or at agreed regular intervals, to assess satisfaction, impact and present the findings to the council for consideration. As part of the council's decision this week, business owners will be asked annually whether they feel the scheme provides value for money and whether they think it should continue. A broad survey will poll community members, grant recipients, property owners, rate-paying residents and tenants on the value of retaining the SBR. Cr Pull said the survey should give the council a clear picture of the position of business owners on the scheme. "These won't be the only questions the council asks in their consultation, but they will be a crucial part of deciding the future of the scheme," he said. Reports were made to the Davidson review of SBR money being redirected to unrelated council promotions that do not directly benefit businesses. The funds, according to Newcastle council, are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and development of those business precincts. BUSINESS owners who fork out to pay City of Newcastle business rates will have the chance to offer their two cents on a controversial scheme. Several submissions to a recent independent probe into the council raised concerns about the transparency of how Special Business Rate (SBR) funds are levied, allocated and spent. Some argued Business Improvement Associations (BIA) may not be the most appropriate bodies to oversee funds intended for local benefit. The BIAs are independent organisations responsible for the disbursement of up to $100,000 a year. That money can be used for strategic directions to promote local business, marketing and promotions, prioritising and managing beautification projects and coordinating community events aimed at encouraging business demand. Business owners have long questioned the value they receive and the costs of administering the scheme. Liberal councillors Callum Pull and Jenny Barrie at this week's council meeting moved a motion that will give business owners in SBR precincts in the city centre and Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend a chance to have their say on the future of the scheme. Cr Pull said the independent review reinforced the need for better engagement with businesses about the SBR. "Council will now oversee annual consultation with business owners in the SBR precincts, with much broader consultation occurring with the whole community each council term," he said. The SBR is an additional charge levied on businesses in the precincts on top of their standard commercial rates. The scheme has long been a point of contention, with some business owners questioning its necessity and others calling for it to be axed entirely. City of Newcastle made $65.9 million in business rates in 2023/24 from 15,489 active businesses, the second-highest sum of any NSW council. In 2024/25, the council said the cost to administer the scheme, including BIA governance and support, is $152,700. That figure is 10 per cent of total funds levied. The Davidson Business Advisory review of the council recommended that it require BIAs to undertake research with membership and the community annually, or at agreed regular intervals, to assess satisfaction, impact and present the findings to the council for consideration. As part of the council's decision this week, business owners will be asked annually whether they feel the scheme provides value for money and whether they think it should continue. A broad survey will poll community members, grant recipients, property owners, rate-paying residents and tenants on the value of retaining the SBR. Cr Pull said the survey should give the council a clear picture of the position of business owners on the scheme. "These won't be the only questions the council asks in their consultation, but they will be a crucial part of deciding the future of the scheme," he said. Reports were made to the Davidson review of SBR money being redirected to unrelated council promotions that do not directly benefit businesses. The funds, according to Newcastle council, are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and development of those business precincts.
