Latest news with #SoniaHornery
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Wallsend Library shut for day amid 'heightened violence and threatening attacks'
WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said. City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building". Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week. Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on. On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. "Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first. "It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said. "In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public. "We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend. "The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner." The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday. The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities. "Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said. "Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library." The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm. A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year. City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces. "While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said. "We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time." WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said. City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building". Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week. Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on. On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. "Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first. "It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said. "In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public. "We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend. "The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner." The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday. The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities. "Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said. "Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library." The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm. A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year. City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces. "While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said. "We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time." WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said. City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building". Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week. Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on. On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. "Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first. "It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said. "In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public. "We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend. "The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner." The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday. The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities. "Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said. "Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library." The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm. A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year. City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces. "While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said. "We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time." WALLSEND Library was closed on Tuesday after a wave of "heightened violence and threatening attacks" reached its nadir, the council said. City of Newcastle shut the doors on Tuesday. It said the closure followed repeated calls to police during the past week "following increased antisocial behaviour at the library, which has seen staff attacked with items, a security guard spat on, youths carrying knives in the street and people forcing their way into the building". Newcastle police said they have met with the council to discuss a joint response, but had been called to the library three times in the past week. Last Wednesday they were called after a boy entered and verbally abused staff before leaving the scene. On Saturday night, police were called after reports sticks and trolleys had been thrown on the road outside, speaking with a group of people who were moved on. On Monday night, police attended and were told a boy had used a rock to damage a glass door at the library. After a brief foot pursuit, they arrested a 15-year-old who was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. "Increased police patrols of the area are ongoing and discussions between stakeholders are continuing," a NSW Police spokesman said. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is understood to also have been in contact with Newcastle police. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Tuesday's closure was about putting staff and community safety first. "It is unacceptable that the behaviour of a small number of people is putting people at risk," Mr Bath said. "In the wake of a week-long campaign of increased antisocial behaviour, we have made a decision to close our library today for the safety and well-being of our staff and members of the public. "We've been working with the police, who have been incredibly responsive in this matter, but it's clear that more needs to be done in Wallsend. "The solution is not police permanently stationed at the library or on every street corner." The Newcastle Herald understands the library is likely to reopen on Wednesday. The council said other incidents, including vandalism, graffiti and smashed glass on the library's steps, ramp and in the overnight returns chute, had been reported to authorities. "Wallsend is an amazing community, but that can't prevent us from acknowledging that there is a safety problem that needs to be addressed," Mr Bath said. "Library staff are being threatened on an almost daily basis. With school holidays around the corner, our staff are rightly concerned about not only their safety but also that of people attending the library." The council had flagged security concerns earlier this year when it required library patrons to scan their cards to gain access on weekdays after 3pm. A security guard has been employed at the library for the past year. City of Newcastle director museum, archive, libraries and learning Julie Baird said libraries were designed to be safe and welcoming spaces. "While the vast majority of visitors use the library respectfully, it's disappointing that the troubling actions of a few within the community have necessitated this action to be taken," Ms Baird said. "We appreciate the support and patience of our library members at this time."
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Health Minister puts 'troubling' Calvary Mater maintenance mess at arm's length
A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess. Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients. Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks. "To me, it is simply not OK," she said. "I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter." The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog. Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond. However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep. "Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital. Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system. "The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards. "As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said. Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital. "These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said. A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess. Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients. Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks. "To me, it is simply not OK," she said. "I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter." The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog. Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond. However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep. "Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital. Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system. "The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards. "As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said. Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital. "These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said. A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess. Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients. Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks. "To me, it is simply not OK," she said. "I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter." The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog. Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond. However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep. "Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital. Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system. "The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards. "As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said. Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital. "These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said. A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess. Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients. Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks. "To me, it is simply not OK," she said. "I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter." The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog. Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond. However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep. "Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital. Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system. "The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards. "As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said. Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital. "These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said.
