Latest news with #TimCrakanthorp
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Needles reportedly spotted at Horseshoe beach amid ongoing clean-up
Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353.
The Advertiser
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
From Dubai to Stockton, an international dredge sought for massive sand replenishment project
A dredge used to build islands in Dubai could be brought in for the massive job of putting more than a million cubic metres of sand on Stockton Beach - the first ever project of its kind to be undertaken in NSW. Stockton Beach Special Advisory Panel chairman Tim Crakanthorp said he was hopeful a tender for the project would be called in early 2026 following the state government's commitment of $21.5 million in last month's budget. Tuesday's panel meeting was updated on the status of several environmental studies that need to be completed as well as licences that need to be obtained before the project can be put to tender. The studies have been funded by a joint $6.2 million City of Newcastle - federal government funding package. "That money has paid for a great deal of research on whether to get the sand from offshore or on the north arm of the Hunter River," Mr Crakanthrop said. "The north arm does have a number of metres of very dark mud and silt associated with it, which will probably mean the beautiful sand underneath won't be easily accessed. We are looking offshore at this point to get the offshore sources of sand." It was initially hoped that sand could be pumped onto Stockton Beach in late 2026. However, Mr Crakanthrop said on Tuesday that the large number of variables made it difficult to put an exact timeframe on the project. "We're working as hard as we can in terms of the environmental impact study, in terms of the licenses. All things going well, we hope to get those done this year or early next year," he said. "We then put out a tender for the large dredge. They go around the world. If they are available and we get a good tender, we go from there. Unfortunately, we can't give a definitive time frame." Tuesday's meeting also saw the state government agree to actions in the City of Newcastle's Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program, which will help address coastal erosion in the longer term. The government will create a framework to deliver ongoing sand top-ups as part of a strategy designed to buffer the coastline from erosion. The government will also develop and implement an innovative coastal monitoring system to inform long-term sand and beach management. The extended CMP builds on $21.5 million allocated in this year's state to deliver mass sand nourishment identified in the original 2020 Stockton coastal management plan. With all actions in the CMP now assigned, the program will be put to City of Newcastle councillors for adoption before it is submitted to Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Environment, Penny Sharpe, for certification. Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the extended Stockton coastal management plan would establish a pathway for the delivery, funding and maintenance of mass sand nourishment, while planning and delivering urgent protection works for critical public assets in the short term. "I thank Mr Crakanthorp for his many years advocating for the needs of Stockton, and I look forward to ongoing collaboration that works towards resolving this community's coastal erosion issues," he said. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the agreement to allocate the outstanding actions to guide the long-term management of the iconic coastline. "Getting sand back on the beach has always been my focus, and I am committed to keeping the community updated on this project and ensuring my $21.5 million election commitment is used efficiently and effectively to deliver the best outcomes for the beach and for the Stockton community," he said. A dredge used to build islands in Dubai could be brought in for the massive job of putting more than a million cubic metres of sand on Stockton Beach - the first ever project of its kind to be undertaken in NSW. Stockton Beach Special Advisory Panel chairman Tim Crakanthorp said he was hopeful a tender for the project would be called in early 2026 following the state government's commitment of $21.5 million in last month's budget. Tuesday's panel meeting was updated on the status of several environmental studies that need to be completed as well as licences that need to be obtained before the project can be put to tender. The studies have been funded by a joint $6.2 million City of Newcastle - federal government funding package. "That money has paid for a great deal of research on whether to get the sand from offshore or on the north arm of the Hunter River," Mr Crakanthrop said. "The north arm does have a number of metres of very dark mud and silt associated with it, which will probably mean the beautiful sand underneath won't be easily accessed. We are looking offshore at this point to get the offshore sources of sand." It was initially hoped that sand could be pumped onto Stockton Beach in late 2026. However, Mr Crakanthrop said on Tuesday that the large number of variables made it difficult to put an exact timeframe on the project. "We're working as hard as we can in terms of the environmental impact study, in terms of the licenses. All things going well, we hope to get those done this year or early next year," he said. "We then put out a tender for the large dredge. They go around the world. If they are available and we get a good tender, we go from there. Unfortunately, we can't give a definitive time frame." Tuesday's meeting also saw the state government agree to actions in the City of Newcastle's Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program, which will help address coastal erosion in the longer term. The government will create a framework to deliver ongoing sand top-ups as part of a strategy designed to buffer the coastline from erosion. The government will also develop and implement an innovative coastal monitoring system to inform long-term sand and beach management. The extended CMP builds on $21.5 million allocated in this year's state to deliver mass sand nourishment identified in the original 2020 Stockton coastal management plan. With all actions in the CMP now assigned, the program will be put to City of Newcastle councillors for adoption before it is submitted to Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Environment, Penny Sharpe, for certification. Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the extended Stockton coastal management plan would establish a pathway for the delivery, funding and maintenance of mass sand nourishment, while planning and delivering urgent protection works for critical public assets in the short term. "I thank Mr Crakanthorp for his many years advocating for the needs of Stockton, and I look forward to ongoing collaboration that works towards resolving this community's coastal erosion issues," he said. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the agreement to allocate the outstanding actions to guide the long-term management of the iconic coastline. "Getting sand back on the beach has always been my focus, and I am committed to keeping the community updated on this project and ensuring my $21.5 million election commitment is used efficiently and effectively to deliver the best outcomes for the beach and for the Stockton community," he said. A dredge used to build islands in Dubai could be brought in for the massive job of putting more than a million cubic metres of sand on Stockton Beach - the first ever project of its kind to be undertaken in NSW. Stockton Beach Special Advisory Panel chairman Tim Crakanthorp said he was hopeful a tender for the project would be called in early 2026 following the state government's commitment of $21.5 million in last month's budget. Tuesday's panel meeting was updated on the status of several environmental studies that need to be completed as well as licences that need to be obtained before the project can be put to tender. The studies have been funded by a joint $6.2 million City of Newcastle - federal government funding package. "That money has paid for a great deal of research on whether to get the sand from offshore or on the north arm of the Hunter River," Mr Crakanthrop said. "The north arm does have a number of metres of very dark mud and silt associated with it, which will probably mean the beautiful sand underneath won't be easily accessed. We are looking offshore at this point to get the offshore sources of sand." It was initially hoped that sand could be pumped onto Stockton Beach in late 2026. However, Mr Crakanthrop said on Tuesday that the large number of variables made it difficult to put an exact timeframe on the project. "We're working as hard as we can in terms of the environmental impact study, in terms of the licenses. All things going well, we hope to get those done this year or early next year," he said. "We then put out a tender for the large dredge. They go around the world. If they are available and we get a good tender, we go from there. Unfortunately, we can't give a definitive time frame." Tuesday's meeting also saw the state government agree to actions in the City of Newcastle's Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program, which will help address coastal erosion in the longer term. The government will create a framework to deliver ongoing sand top-ups as part of a strategy designed to buffer the coastline from erosion. The government will also develop and implement an innovative coastal monitoring system to inform long-term sand and beach management. The extended CMP builds on $21.5 million allocated in this year's state to deliver mass sand nourishment identified in the original 2020 Stockton coastal management plan. With all actions in the CMP now assigned, the program will be put to City of Newcastle councillors for adoption before it is submitted to Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Environment, Penny Sharpe, for certification. Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the extended Stockton coastal management plan would establish a pathway for the delivery, funding and maintenance of mass sand nourishment, while planning and delivering urgent protection works for critical public assets in the short term. "I thank Mr Crakanthorp for his many years advocating for the needs of Stockton, and I look forward to ongoing collaboration that works towards resolving this community's coastal erosion issues," he said. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the agreement to allocate the outstanding actions to guide the long-term management of the iconic coastline. "Getting sand back on the beach has always been my focus, and I am committed to keeping the community updated on this project and ensuring my $21.5 million election commitment is used efficiently and effectively to deliver the best outcomes for the beach and for the Stockton community," he said. A dredge used to build islands in Dubai could be brought in for the massive job of putting more than a million cubic metres of sand on Stockton Beach - the first ever project of its kind to be undertaken in NSW. Stockton Beach Special Advisory Panel chairman Tim Crakanthorp said he was hopeful a tender for the project would be called in early 2026 following the state government's commitment of $21.5 million in last month's budget. Tuesday's panel meeting was updated on the status of several environmental studies that need to be completed as well as licences that need to be obtained before the project can be put to tender. The studies have been funded by a joint $6.2 million City of Newcastle - federal government funding package. "That money has paid for a great deal of research on whether to get the sand from offshore or on the north arm of the Hunter River," Mr Crakanthrop said. "The north arm does have a number of metres of very dark mud and silt associated with it, which will probably mean the beautiful sand underneath won't be easily accessed. We are looking offshore at this point to get the offshore sources of sand." It was initially hoped that sand could be pumped onto Stockton Beach in late 2026. However, Mr Crakanthrop said on Tuesday that the large number of variables made it difficult to put an exact timeframe on the project. "We're working as hard as we can in terms of the environmental impact study, in terms of the licenses. All things going well, we hope to get those done this year or early next year," he said. "We then put out a tender for the large dredge. They go around the world. If they are available and we get a good tender, we go from there. Unfortunately, we can't give a definitive time frame." Tuesday's meeting also saw the state government agree to actions in the City of Newcastle's Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program, which will help address coastal erosion in the longer term. The government will create a framework to deliver ongoing sand top-ups as part of a strategy designed to buffer the coastline from erosion. The government will also develop and implement an innovative coastal monitoring system to inform long-term sand and beach management. The extended CMP builds on $21.5 million allocated in this year's state to deliver mass sand nourishment identified in the original 2020 Stockton coastal management plan. With all actions in the CMP now assigned, the program will be put to City of Newcastle councillors for adoption before it is submitted to Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Environment, Penny Sharpe, for certification. Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the extended Stockton coastal management plan would establish a pathway for the delivery, funding and maintenance of mass sand nourishment, while planning and delivering urgent protection works for critical public assets in the short term. "I thank Mr Crakanthorp for his many years advocating for the needs of Stockton, and I look forward to ongoing collaboration that works towards resolving this community's coastal erosion issues," he said. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the agreement to allocate the outstanding actions to guide the long-term management of the iconic coastline. "Getting sand back on the beach has always been my focus, and I am committed to keeping the community updated on this project and ensuring my $21.5 million election commitment is used efficiently and effectively to deliver the best outcomes for the beach and for the Stockton community," he said.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Concern for MP safety after online terror group listing
The home affairs minister has expressed concern for the safety of politicians after an online far-right extremist group was linked to a plot to kill a state MP. The extremist group Terrorgram, which was listed as a terror organisation on Friday, was linked to a plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp in 2024. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the plot was one of the reasons for the group's formal listing as a terrorist organisation. Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison sentences of up to 25 years. Mr Burke said he was concerned about the potential for attacks against elected officials in the UK and US happening in Australia. "I don't want Australia to become a country where members of parliament can't move around freely and engage with the community. It's good for democracy," he told Sky News on Sunday. "Terrorgram has been shown to be a threat on our shores ... but (there was) as very direct attempted attack on an Australian member of parliament." The federal government says Terrorgram provides instructions to its members online through the chat platform Telegram how to conduct terrorist attacks, and has been responsible for inspiring events in the United States, Europe and Asia. The US branded Terrorgram a terrorist organisation in January. Mr Burke said while Terrorgram operated differently to other terrorist organisations, the group needed to be dealt with harshly. "What they're doing on that group is not just spreading a whole lot of racist forms of bigotry and other forms of bigotry. They then also share how-to guides on how to conduct a terrorist attack, encouraging people to do so," he said. "The fact that it's a different form of terrorism doesn't change one bit ... we need to act on it as seriously as we would if it were a group of people meeting in a room in a terrorist cell."
Perth Now
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Concern for MP safety after online terror group listing
The home affairs minister has expressed concern for the safety of politicians after an online far-right extremist group was linked to a plot to kill a state MP. The extremist group Terrorgram, which was listed as a terror organisation on Friday, was linked to a plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp in 2024. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the plot was one of the reasons for the group's formal listing as a terrorist organisation. Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison sentences of up to 25 years. Mr Burke said he was concerned about the potential for attacks against elected officials in the UK and US happening in Australia. "I don't want Australia to become a country where members of parliament can't move around freely and engage with the community. It's good for democracy," he told Sky News on Sunday. "Terrorgram has been shown to be a threat on our shores ... but (there was) as very direct attempted attack on an Australian member of parliament." The federal government says Terrorgram provides instructions to its members online through the chat platform Telegram how to conduct terrorist attacks, and has been responsible for inspiring events in the United States, Europe and Asia. The US branded Terrorgram a terrorist organisation in January. Mr Burke said while Terrorgram operated differently to other terrorist organisations, the group needed to be dealt with harshly. "What they're doing on that group is not just spreading a whole lot of racist forms of bigotry and other forms of bigotry. They then also share how-to guides on how to conduct a terrorist attack, encouraging people to do so," he said. "The fact that it's a different form of terrorism doesn't change one bit ... we need to act on it as seriously as we would if it were a group of people meeting in a room in a terrorist cell."
ABC News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Terrorgram linked to alleged plot to kill Labor politician
Violent racist organisation Terrorgram, which has now been formally listed as a terror organisation, has been linked to an alleged plot to kill NSW Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp. It is the first time the terror group has been linked to a plot in Australia. Jordan Patten, 20, was charged last year with a terror offence after police arrested him in Newcastle dressed in a commando suit one block away from Mr Crakanthorp's office. Police allege he had begun plotting to kill the MP that morning and was arrested just hours later carrying a hammer and knives. According to the Home Affairs Department, the alleged attacker said Terrorgram, which operates through encrypted platforms like Telegram, had played a critical role in his radicalisation. After the attack failed, the 19-year-old allegedly uploaded a 205-page manifesto that cited the 2019 Christchurch shooter as inspiration. The department said following the failed attack, Terrorgram members also posted advice and instructions for how prospective future attackers could avoid the same failures and succeed in carrying out "lone-actor" terrorist attacks. "The users explicitly advocated for individuals to carry out more successful attacks through the provision of this advice," the department said. The group has been linked to terror activity in the United States, Europe and Asia but has not previously been officially linked to a terror plot in Australia. The federal government moved to impose financial sanctions on Terrorgram in February, making it illegal to financially support or benefit from the group. Friday's terror listing makes it an offence for anyone to be a member of Terrorgram, associate with its members, recruit for the group or train with or fund the organisation. The offences are punishable with a maximum penalty of 25 years' prison. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC Radio National the listing would not be the final step, acknowledging the constant effort to stamp out terror groups online. "You never stop chasing these characters down, you never stop," he said. "This listing won't be the last thing we have to do against far-right white supremacist groups, there will be more."
