Latest news with #JennyAitchison
The Advertiser
24-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Premier tours flood-ravaged Hunter region as disaster clean-up begins
Testers Hollow re-opened on Saturday, May 24, as the region recovers from historic flooding that has left residents cut off over the past three days. Areas around Gillieston Heights, which had been isolated when the water cut the roadway, were reconnected at the weekend, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said, but warned that the road to recovery was still ahead. SES deputy commissioner Daniel Austin said the service was tracking 148 ongoing emergency warnings across the Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast. Still, as skies cleared for the first time in days at the weekend, it was expected that number would diminish as the first stage of the multi-agency emergency response shifted to reconnecting isolated communities and returning evacuated residents to their homes. Premier Chris Minns said some 600 people had been rescued over the past three days, with SES crews tracking 864 incidents throughout the flood zone in the 24 hours to Saturday, 44 of which were flood rescues. Some 10,000 properties have been damaged, Mr Austin said, as 2400 volunteers and other emergency services work to assess the fallout. Ms Aitchison, the Maitland MP, said the state's road network had taken a beating in the weather, even as the recovery continued from the previous flooding disaster in 2022, but said parts of the M1 that had cut freight and transport were expected to be reconnected by 6pm Saturday. Areas about Maitland that had been isolated were gradually regaining road access. She urged residents to follow emergency services directions, avoid floodwaters, and follow transport directions as road crews work to clear the way. Premier Chris Minns said hardship grants would be made available for eligible residents displaced or impacted by the disaster, but it was unclear when applications would open. "When you have such a large number of people that are accessing this payment, we want it to be seamless," he said. "That takes a few days in terms of the technology and the system. It won't be long, but it is not today." As emergency services move toward clean-up operations across the disaster zone, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the number of incidents crews were responding to was gradually decreasing. "We are seeing the transition to the next stage, which is clean-up," he said. "We have seen inspired efforts today. "Last night, there was an Australian-first drop-off of medicine to a home that desperately needed it and had been cut off by the floods." "There were fodder drops in agricultural areas that have been affected." "We will be here for the long run. This is a strong, resilient community, and we'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them." The Williams and Paterson rivers were falling on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology said, as waters peaked at 0.66 metres at Belmont at Lake Macquarie about 7pm Friday night, May 23. Rivers fell below the minor flood level at Wollombi Brook, but major flooding continued downstream at Bulga. "River levels remain elevated along the Lower Hunter River, where minor flooding is occurring at Maitland and Raymond Terrace," forecasters for the Bureau said. "Small renewed rises are possible during Saturday as upstream flows from Wollombi Brook arrive." The details of this report are developing. It may be updated. Testers Hollow re-opened on Saturday, May 24, as the region recovers from historic flooding that has left residents cut off over the past three days. Areas around Gillieston Heights, which had been isolated when the water cut the roadway, were reconnected at the weekend, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said, but warned that the road to recovery was still ahead. SES deputy commissioner Daniel Austin said the service was tracking 148 ongoing emergency warnings across the Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast. Still, as skies cleared for the first time in days at the weekend, it was expected that number would diminish as the first stage of the multi-agency emergency response shifted to reconnecting isolated communities and returning evacuated residents to their homes. Premier Chris Minns said some 600 people had been rescued over the past three days, with SES crews tracking 864 incidents throughout the flood zone in the 24 hours to Saturday, 44 of which were flood rescues. Some 10,000 properties have been damaged, Mr Austin said, as 2400 volunteers and other emergency services work to assess the fallout. Ms Aitchison, the Maitland MP, said the state's road network had taken a beating in the weather, even as the recovery continued from the previous flooding disaster in 2022, but said parts of the M1 that had cut freight and transport were expected to be reconnected by 6pm Saturday. Areas about Maitland that had been isolated were gradually regaining road access. She urged residents to follow emergency services directions, avoid floodwaters, and follow transport directions as road crews work to clear the way. Premier Chris Minns said hardship grants would be made available for eligible residents displaced or impacted by the disaster, but it was unclear when applications would open. "When you have such a large number of people that are accessing this payment, we want it to be seamless," he said. "That takes a few days in terms of the technology and the system. It won't be long, but it is not today." As emergency services move toward clean-up operations across the disaster zone, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the number of incidents crews were responding to was gradually decreasing. "We are seeing the transition to the next stage, which is clean-up," he said. "We have seen inspired efforts today. "Last night, there was an Australian-first drop-off of medicine to a home that desperately needed it and had been cut off by the floods." "There were fodder drops in agricultural areas that have been affected." "We will be here for the long run. This is a strong, resilient community, and we'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them." The Williams and Paterson rivers were falling on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology said, as waters peaked at 0.66 metres at Belmont at Lake Macquarie about 7pm Friday night, May 23. Rivers fell below the minor flood level at Wollombi Brook, but major flooding continued downstream at Bulga. "River levels remain elevated along the Lower Hunter River, where minor flooding is occurring at Maitland and Raymond Terrace," forecasters for the Bureau said. "Small renewed rises are possible during Saturday as upstream flows from Wollombi Brook arrive." The details of this report are developing. It may be updated. Testers Hollow re-opened on Saturday, May 24, as the region recovers from historic flooding that has left residents cut off over the past three days. Areas around Gillieston Heights, which had been isolated when the water cut the roadway, were reconnected at the weekend, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said, but warned that the road to recovery was still ahead. SES deputy commissioner Daniel Austin said the service was tracking 148 ongoing emergency warnings across the Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast. Still, as skies cleared for the first time in days at the weekend, it was expected that number would diminish as the first stage of the multi-agency emergency response shifted to reconnecting isolated communities and returning evacuated residents to their homes. Premier Chris Minns said some 600 people had been rescued over the past three days, with SES crews tracking 864 incidents throughout the flood zone in the 24 hours to Saturday, 44 of which were flood rescues. Some 10,000 properties have been damaged, Mr Austin said, as 2400 volunteers and other emergency services work to assess the fallout. Ms Aitchison, the Maitland MP, said the state's road network had taken a beating in the weather, even as the recovery continued from the previous flooding disaster in 2022, but said parts of the M1 that had cut freight and transport were expected to be reconnected by 6pm Saturday. Areas about Maitland that had been isolated were gradually regaining road access. She urged residents to follow emergency services directions, avoid floodwaters, and follow transport directions as road crews work to clear the way. Premier Chris Minns said hardship grants would be made available for eligible residents displaced or impacted by the disaster, but it was unclear when applications would open. "When you have such a large number of people that are accessing this payment, we want it to be seamless," he said. "That takes a few days in terms of the technology and the system. It won't be long, but it is not today." As emergency services move toward clean-up operations across the disaster zone, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the number of incidents crews were responding to was gradually decreasing. "We are seeing the transition to the next stage, which is clean-up," he said. "We have seen inspired efforts today. "Last night, there was an Australian-first drop-off of medicine to a home that desperately needed it and had been cut off by the floods." "There were fodder drops in agricultural areas that have been affected." "We will be here for the long run. This is a strong, resilient community, and we'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them." The Williams and Paterson rivers were falling on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology said, as waters peaked at 0.66 metres at Belmont at Lake Macquarie about 7pm Friday night, May 23. Rivers fell below the minor flood level at Wollombi Brook, but major flooding continued downstream at Bulga. "River levels remain elevated along the Lower Hunter River, where minor flooding is occurring at Maitland and Raymond Terrace," forecasters for the Bureau said. "Small renewed rises are possible during Saturday as upstream flows from Wollombi Brook arrive." The details of this report are developing. It may be updated. Testers Hollow re-opened on Saturday, May 24, as the region recovers from historic flooding that has left residents cut off over the past three days. Areas around Gillieston Heights, which had been isolated when the water cut the roadway, were reconnected at the weekend, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said, but warned that the road to recovery was still ahead. SES deputy commissioner Daniel Austin said the service was tracking 148 ongoing emergency warnings across the Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast. Still, as skies cleared for the first time in days at the weekend, it was expected that number would diminish as the first stage of the multi-agency emergency response shifted to reconnecting isolated communities and returning evacuated residents to their homes. Premier Chris Minns said some 600 people had been rescued over the past three days, with SES crews tracking 864 incidents throughout the flood zone in the 24 hours to Saturday, 44 of which were flood rescues. Some 10,000 properties have been damaged, Mr Austin said, as 2400 volunteers and other emergency services work to assess the fallout. Ms Aitchison, the Maitland MP, said the state's road network had taken a beating in the weather, even as the recovery continued from the previous flooding disaster in 2022, but said parts of the M1 that had cut freight and transport were expected to be reconnected by 6pm Saturday. Areas about Maitland that had been isolated were gradually regaining road access. She urged residents to follow emergency services directions, avoid floodwaters, and follow transport directions as road crews work to clear the way. Premier Chris Minns said hardship grants would be made available for eligible residents displaced or impacted by the disaster, but it was unclear when applications would open. "When you have such a large number of people that are accessing this payment, we want it to be seamless," he said. "That takes a few days in terms of the technology and the system. It won't be long, but it is not today." As emergency services move toward clean-up operations across the disaster zone, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the number of incidents crews were responding to was gradually decreasing. "We are seeing the transition to the next stage, which is clean-up," he said. "We have seen inspired efforts today. "Last night, there was an Australian-first drop-off of medicine to a home that desperately needed it and had been cut off by the floods." "There were fodder drops in agricultural areas that have been affected." "We will be here for the long run. This is a strong, resilient community, and we'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them." The Williams and Paterson rivers were falling on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology said, as waters peaked at 0.66 metres at Belmont at Lake Macquarie about 7pm Friday night, May 23. Rivers fell below the minor flood level at Wollombi Brook, but major flooding continued downstream at Bulga. "River levels remain elevated along the Lower Hunter River, where minor flooding is occurring at Maitland and Raymond Terrace," forecasters for the Bureau said. "Small renewed rises are possible during Saturday as upstream flows from Wollombi Brook arrive." The details of this report are developing. It may be updated.
ABC News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Fines for driving into floodwaters
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison has reminded residents not to drive into floodwaters and stay alert to public transport changes.
Man of Many
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Electric Scooters Will Soon Be Legal in NSW, Here's Everything You Need to Know
NSW to legalise e-scooters under new safety framework. Proposed laws allow riding on shared paths, roads signposted less than 50km/h. Footpath use remains illegal; rules stricter than other states (Queensland, ACT). E-bike definitions, safety standards under government review. 1.35 million e-mobility devices used, about half linked to accessing transport. There are around 1.35 million e-micromobility devices in NSW homes, and the NSW Government is about to do its best to define their legal use. It seems the Minister for Transport John Graham and Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison understand that the vast majority of these devices are used illegally, so they've struck up a safety-focused framework for e-scooters and e-bikes to better regulate their legal use. The proposed changes to the rules were tabled in Parliament in early May 2025, but there's no date yet for when they will be rolled out to the public. It is currently illegal to ride an e-scooter on public roads and paths. 'They're known as 'micro' devices but e-bikes and e-scooters represent a major shift for our road and transport networks,' said Minister for Transport John Graham on the proposed changes. 'We believe a sensible set of rules will promote the health and lifestyle benefits of e-bikes and e-scooters while protecting the safety of riders and everyone else sharing the paths and roads with them.' E-scooters will still be illegal to ride on footpaths in NSW | Image: Unsplash Current E-Scooter Rules in NSW and How They Compare to Other States E-scooters are illegal to ride on NSW public roads and paths, but this hasn't stopped the predominately Chinese-made devices from becoming an extremely popular choice for commuters. Minister Jenny Aitchison estimates that there are more about 1.35 million e-micromobility devices being used in NSW, and almost half of those are used to connect with public transport. The police are responsible for the enforcement of e-scooters, and these are the current offences (and fines) for riding them in NSW: Ride a privately owned e-scooter on road or related area – motor vehicle rules apply Ride on road with speed limit over 50 km/h – $136 Ride on footpath – $136 Ride an e-scooter not in single file on roads – $136 Ride e-scooter whilst under minimum age of 16 years – $136 Exceed maximum operating speed limit of 20km/h – $136 Carry passengers – $136 Riding whilst under the influence of alcohol – motor vehicle rules apply Riding whilst under the influence of a drug (other than alcohol) – motor vehicle rules apply Use mobile phone whilst riding – $410 Fail to wear helmet – $410 Ride at night without appropriate lights and reflector – $136 It makes sense to balance the legal and illegal use of e-scooters, but Aitchison understands that it's hard to balance the safe and unsafe use of the devices. 'It is a difficult scenario, there's no doubt about that,' said the Minister. 'The option to do nothing is not there.' Other Australian states have more relaxed e-scotter laws, including: How Does that Compare to Victoria E-Scooter Rules? It is legal to ride an e-scooter in Victoria if you: Ride on: shared-use paths (not on footpaths), or roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h are at least 16 years old wear a helmet do not travel more than 20km/h do not use your mobile phone do not carry a passenger (dinking). The definition of an e-scooter in Victoria is important to note, and it can't be more than 45kg in weight or a maximum speed above 25 km/h when ridden on level ground amongst other definition-base rules. How Does that Compare to Queensland E-Scooter Rules? It is legal to ride an e-scooter in Queensland if you: Ride on: footpaths — 12km/h maximum shared paths —12km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise) separated paths—25km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise) bicycle paths — 25km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise) local streets — (50km/h or less and no dividing line) – 25km/h maximum are at least 16 years old keep left and give way to pedestrians travel at the right speed for where you are travel at a safe distance from a pedestrian so you can avoid a collision keep left of oncoming bicycles and other personal mobility devices Queensland has arguably the most relaxed laws of all states when it comes to e-scotters, but it's important to note the definition of e-scooters in this state as they vary greatly from others. They define the scooters by size, and they must be less than 1,250mm long by 700mm wide by 1,350mm high (or 700mm long by 1,250mm wide by 1,350mm high) and weigh less than 60kg. Interestingly, they're not speed restricted. How Does that Compare to ACT E-Scooter Rules? It is legal to ride an e-scooter in the ACT if you: Ride on: footpaths — 15 km/h maximum shared paths — 25 km/h maximum bicycle paths — 25 km/h maximum bicycle side of separated paths — 25 km/h maximum not permitted on roads unless there is no footpath, shared path or nature strip next to the road, or it is impracticable to travel on one of those areas any personal mobility device that travels more than 25 km/h is forbidden from travelling on paths The e-scooter rules in Queensland and the ACT make the proposed rules in NSW sound very restrictive and, quite frankly, backwards. Rides in both these states are allowed to ride on footpaths, shared paths, and bicycle paths, not roads. Meanwhile, the proposed rules in NSW would outlaw these shared areas and legalise their use on roads. If proposed laws are passed, it will be legal to ride an e-scooter in NSW | Image: Unsplash Proposed E-Scooter Rules in NSW The proposed e-scooter rules in NSW will legalise the use of these devices on public roads and shared paths, but they're still highly restrictive compared to other states such as Queensland and the ACT where it legal to ride them on footpaths. NSW Government will propose that e-scooters can be ridden on shared paths (identified by signs and/or pavement markings showing a pedestrian and a bicycle) with a default speed limit of between 10km/h and 20km/h. They will also be legal to ride on roads that are signposted at 50km/h, where they're limited to 20km/h. What happens when your 50km/h road turns into an 80km/h road? Well, these are the types of questions that the Minister for Transport John Graham will have to answer for before these propose laws are put into place. If proposed laws are passed, it will be legal to ride an e-scooter in NSW if you: Ride on: shared paths — 10km/h and 20km/h maximum roads — 20km/h maximum are at least 16 years old wear an approved bicycle helmet must have a bell, horn, or similar warning device must use the e-scooter lights when riding in darkness or hazardous weather conditions must not carry another person or animal on your shared e-scooter BAC limit of 0.05 applies when riding an e-scooter do not travel more than 20km/h It's unclear if e-scooters will be legal to ride on bicycle paths, but current NSW laws permit people using skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades. Trials have also legalise the use of e-scooters in bicycle lanes. We would therefore assume that the laws would permit e-scooters being ridden in bicycle lanes at the proposed speed limited of between 10km/h and 20km/h. The proposed rules would prohibit e-scooters from being ridden on pedestrian-only footpaths, but the government is reviewing the use of e-bikes and may revise footpath riding in the NSW Road Rules. 'Fat bikes' will fall under the definition of legal e-bikes provided they have not been modified | Image: Supplied / Dirodi E-Bike Laws Will Also Be Reviewed Next to the legalisation of e-scooters in NSW, the Labor Government will review the formal definition of an e-bike within NSW's road rules. Yet to be introduced, the new definition of legal e-bikes will stipulate that they must be pedal-powered primarily, building on the current laws that say a motor can't provide more than 200W of additional power. To those living on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, excitingly, this means 'Fat bikes' like those above will fall under the definition of legal e-bikes provided they have not been modified. Yew! 'We believe a sensible set of rules will promote the health and lifestyle benefits of e-bikes and e-scooters while protecting the safety of riders and everyone else sharing the paths and roads with them,' said Transport Minister, John Graham. 'We recognise the community's concerns, particularly around device modification, fire risk, discarded shared e-bikes and poor rider behaviour—which is why we're taking action.' With the new e-bike rules, the goverment will look to establish new safety standards and risk-based protocols to reduce the likelihood of lithium-ion battery fires. There's a cocern that these devices—mostly manufactured in China—could pose a safety risk as they're not made to Australian standards. Meanwhile, the government will also consider increasing the on-going investment in critical infrastructure to improve the future design of shared paths. 'Thousands of people in NSW are already making the shift to e-micromobility as a healthy,' said Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison. 'Cost effective and environmentally friendly way to move around urban and regional communities. It's pleasing we're able to progress this key reform.' Government statistic show that 47% of people use e-mobility devices to connect to public transport, 34% of them are used to replace car trips in Greater Sydney, 45% in Regional NSW, and the highest usage is among those aged 18-29, followed by 11-17, followed by 30-49 including working parents. More information about the incoming changes can be found at the NSW Government website, linked below.
ABC News
17-05-2025
- ABC News
Driver charged over '840kg of metal' shards allegedly spilled onto M1 motorway north of Sydney
A driver has been charged after an estimated 840 kilograms of metal allegedly spilled from his truck on a busy highway north of Sydney earlier this month. Hundreds of motorists were left stranded on the M1 Pacific Motorway between Wyong Road and Mount White on the Central Coast, after their tyres were damaged by the metal debris. NSW Police said more than 300 vehicles were impacted. The incident, which occurred at about 5:10am on Friday, May 2, prompted the closure of about a 30-kilometre section of the motorway and brought traffic to a standstill. At the time, officers spoke to the 46-year-old male driver of a "heavy vehicle tipper towing a trailer". In a statement on Saturday, NSW Police said he had been served with a Future Court Attendance Notice for drive heavy vehicle not comply loading requirements-severe. "… [It resulted] in an estimated 840kg of metal spilling onto the roadway over a distance of about 30km." It was hours before the road was reopened after a major clean-up operation, and NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison described it at the time as "an unprecedented situation". "It is very challenging because small pieces of metal are very difficult to pick up," she said. "If you can imagine, it's like trying to hoover up the highway." ABC Radio Central Coast was inundated with callers sharing their experiences. "It's just a disaster at the moment," a driver, whose tyres were busted by the debris, said. Another said he had driven slowly in case he had a flat tyre, but had managed to avoid any damage. "I got out when I got to Wahroonga [Sydney's north] and just checked my poor tyres," he said. "They were still round, still black and still up, so thank goodness they survived." The charged driver is due to appear in court in July.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Aussies warned of new ‘revenue-raising' speed cameras
Motorists in one Australian state are being warned about a potential speed camera overhaul, as average speed cameras begin targeting light vehicles for the first time. Drivers in New South Wales are being advised of two average speed cameras, which are now in warning mode for light vehicle speeding offences. The move marks a significant expansion of the system, which has previously only been used to monitor heavy vehicles in the state. Cameras on a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (near Port Macquarie) and a 6km section of the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai began calculating the average speed of all passing vehicles as of May 1. Avinash Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, has revealed there are plans to expand this trial so that all average speed cameras across the state will target all vehicles. 'It should also be noted that both areas are regional, so the cameras will disportionately target drivers in these locations,' Singh said. 'However, the plan is to eventually expand this trial so that all average speed cameras target all vehicles.' From July 1, the average speed cameras switch to full enforcement. According to the NSW Government, the decision to start trials at the two locations has been made due to their extensive crash history. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said her office was determined to bring down the road toll in regional NSW. 'Regional NSW is home to a third of the population but is where two-thirds of all road deaths happen,' she said. 'With the majority of road trauma occurring in our regions, we have chosen two regional locations to test the impact these cameras could have on road safety for all road users. 'I know this trial will be a change, particularly for regional people who travel through the areas where these two camera lengths are in place, which is why we are committed to ensuring that the community is aware of what we are doing.' However, Avinash Singh has slammed the expanded use of average speed cameras, calling it a 'transparent revenue-raising ploy' rather than a genuine road safety initiative. 'There has not been a spate of accidents in the average speed camera areas that would warrant them being expanded to target regular drivers,' Avinash said. 'It is difficult to see this as anything other than another transparent revenue-raising ploy to target drivers.' There were a combined total of six fatalities and 33 serious injuries between 2018 and 2022 at the two locations, according to the NSW government. NSW is currently the only jurisdiction that uses average-speed cameras to exclusively target heavy vehicles. The trial brings the state in line with Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, where the system has been successfully targeting all motorists on specific lengths of road. Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not currently use point-to-point speed cameras.
