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Government’s refusal to act has put Newcastle at risk: MP

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If there’s a COVID-19 outbreak in Newcastle, local state member Tim Crakanthorp will place the blame firmly on the NSW Government.

NSW Health confirmed on Wednesday 4 August that traces of coronavirus had been found at waste facilities at Shortland, Belmont and Burwood Beach, with two of those sites rated “very high”.

These plants cover more than 400,000 people across Greater Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

And, Birmingham Gardens, Shortland, Maryland, Fletcher, Minmi, Cameron Park, Stockton and Fern Bay were among the suburbs flagged by NSW Health as priorities for testing for anyone with even the mildest symptoms.

Mr Crakanthorp said the government’s refusal to close loopholes in the Public Health Orders may have resulted in the viral load of COVID-19 detected in the region’s sewage.

“The discovery comes just days after several thousand local Pfizer vaccinations were cancelled at the Belmont mass hub, including for essential workers, to allow the redirection of vaccine to Sydney HSC students,” he lamented.

“Due to it being allowed under Public Health Orders, workers including operators of food vans and rideshare drivers have travelled to the Hunter to work.

“At other times, Greater Sydney residents have travelled to local open houses.

“July’s pause on construction saw Hunter crews removed from jobs as Sydney teams were relocated out of lockdown areas, too.

“Additionally, due to Newcastle being less than 50km from the tip of the Greater Sydney zone, the mandatory testing requirement for workers travelling to the regions does not apply.”

The Newcastle MP admitted he was furious, despite raising issues with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard, the government’s refusal to act had put Newcastle at risk.

“Time and time again, I’ve broached the subject of the loopholes with the NSW Government,” Me Crakanthorp said.

“And, time and time again I have been fobbed off.

“Once again, this government has shown that they have little interest in protecting our region.

“They know what the issues are; and they need to outline what they will do to fix them.”

Ms Berejiklian said earlier today there were very “high rates of the virus” detected in the sewerage in the Hunter area.

“That suggests there could be undetected cases up around the region,” she added.

“I strongly recommend locals to get tested as soon as possible.”

Affected Greater Hunter areas

Shortland Facility: Shortland, Cameron Park, Minmi, Fletcher, Maryland, Birmingham Gardens, Wallsend, Callaghan, Sandgate, Stockton, Fern Bay and Mayfield West

Burwood Facility: Newcastle City area and surrounding suburbs of Dudley, Charlestown, Jesmond, Lambton, New Lambton, Mayfield, Elermore Vale, Wallsend, Kotara, Garden Suburb, Adamstown Heights, Kahibah, Highfields, Merewether, Waratah West, Georgetown and Carrington

Belmont Facility: Belmont, Warners Bay, Gateshead, Tingira Heights, Bennetts Green, Jewells, Redhead, Eleebana, Croudace Bay, Valentine, Marks Point, Blacksmiths, Pelican, Swansea, Swansea Heads, and Caves Beach

Public COVID-19 testing clinics

  • Belmont Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont. Follow signs on campus
  • Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital – Screening desk located inside of front entrance, Edith and Plath Street, Waratah
  • Cessnock Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 24 View Street, Cessnock
  • John Hunter Hospital – Adjacent to the Emergency Department, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights
  • Maitland Hospital – Health Services Unit, 560 High Street, Maitland
  • Singleton Hospital Drive-through Clinic – Follow signs at main entrance, Dangar Road, Singleton
  • University of Newcastle Drive-through Clinic – ICT car park, entry from University Drive, Callaghan

Private COVID-19 testing clinics

  • Adamstown Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 91 Victoria Street, Adamstown, enter carpark via Victoria Street. Please do not exit your car
  • Cessnock Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre car park, 88 Mount View Road
  • East Maitland 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Stockade Hill Carpark, Brisbane Street, East Maitland
  • Gateshead Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Harold Knight Oval, Pacific Highway (Entry via Willow Road)
  • Morisset Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 40 Ourimbah Street, Morisset
  • Nelson Bay Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 20 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay
  • South Maitland Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Maitland Showground, Blomfield Street (entry via Anzac Street), South Maitland
  • Wallsend 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 173 Nelson Street, Wallsend
  • Warners Bay 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Central Church, 290 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay

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