John Mackenzie for Newcastle | Politician
John Mackenzie for Newcastle
Phone: +61 408 533 010
Reviews
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25.01.2022 Newcastle has a proud and unique industrial history. It is heritage worth preserving. There's one particular locomotive that is imperative to telling the railway story of the Hunter - Locomotive 3203. These locomotives were the backbone of the express passenger trains in the Hunter. The last of these was used on the Singleton Passenger train in 1971 - the last regularly hauled passenger train hauled by steam in the state. Right now, Locomotive 3203 is slowly falling into dis...repair in the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot, while the NSW Government weighs up their real estate options for redeveloping the site. We need to restore the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot - including creating a Rail Heritage Centre that retains the relevant rail heritage locomotives and carriages in Newcastle where they belong.
25.01.2022 Very pleased to see construction begin on this cycleway - it's been a long time on the drawing boards. I'm looking forward to the rest of the Council supporting the safety of families using this facility through a 30km/hr speed limit along this stretch.
25.01.2022 Supercars has failed to deliver for the city year on year, and have completely abandoned us at the one time we might have benefited from a tourism boost. The South Australian government's scrapped the long-running Adelaide 500 just last week, and clearly Newcastle should do the same. Tear up the Supercars contract, and let's promote events that reflect Newcastle in the 21st century as the culturally vibrant and creative city we are.
25.01.2022 This is the worst kind of cronyism. Your taxes being used to prop up this toxic industry. Gas doesn't stack up economically, environmentally, technically or against any criteria of public interest. Instead, it locks us into a climate death spiral, for no benefit outside a select group of shareholder mates.
23.01.2022 Very pleased to host this informative discussion with Dr Jo on construction waste and the circular economy. This is now the 11th installment of Greens on Screens, and they continue to showcase high quality political debate, thanks to the contributions from our impressive and generous guests!
23.01.2022 Another great Greens on Screens session last night on Anti-Poverty Week, and what we can do locally to address the economic fallout from the pandemic. Thanks to Chris and Charlotte for an informative discussion.
23.01.2022 The "Saving Victorian Businesses with Placemaking" report has the brilliant suggestion of developing 'parklets'. The plan proposed converting 1,000 on-street car park spots to parklets to set up furniture, seating and planter boxes. Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said, "Parklets are a triple treat that would help more people get out and enjoy our cities, reduce the risk of the virus spreading and give a bigger boost to businesses who have done it tough. Tables, chairs, installations and planter boxes could be used by businesses to create their own unique shop front, while bike parking can also be used to encourage more people to ride to their local strip.
21.01.2022 It might not be in the headlines right now, but we are still not doing enough in the face of the global climate emergency. We need to reduce carbon emissions to net zero within the next 5-10 years.
21.01.2022 Our city’s cycling-led recovery begins.
21.01.2022 Details in this story are shocking, and truly difficult to fathom. It is perhaps best said by Kelly Hansen from Nova for Women: "I have worked in this sector for 35 years. I am terrified," she said.... "I think that this is a humanitarian crisis and it is now going to be more visible to the wider community."
21.01.2022 Having a ball with the UON Greens on Campus in the Auchmuty courtyard. Here till 1, come and say hi!
20.01.2022 "I get why they did it, I just think that it was cruel." Supercars has fulfilled none of its promises to Newcastle. The negative impacts on residents and businesses have far outweighed the spurious claims of 'exposure' and tourism benefit. There is no justification for extending the Supercars contract, especially given that they have demonstrated how expendable they see our city. ... Watch this documentary and try to justify more Supercars through a heritage residential area.
19.01.2022 There are already over 100 suggestions on Council's plans for the future of Gregson Park. It is clearly a much loved part of the inner west. What would you like to see there? https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au///gregson-park-masterplan
19.01.2022 This Sunday, 14 March, is the International Day of Action for Rivers. This year, let's reflect on the ongoing injustice of Aqua Nullius in this country. For more than two centuries, First Nations people have been denied rights and recognition in water allocation and have been excluded from participation in the water economy. Water reform must recognise that First Nation peoples have an inherent right to cultural flows - quantified water entitlements that are legally and beneficially owned by First Nations.
18.01.2022 Pram ramps or kerb ramps? Regardless of what you call them, they are essential for kids on bikes, parents with prams, people who use wheelchairs or mobility aids and they support active transport for young and old alike. Why aren't they on every corner in Newcastle?
18.01.2022 This will be a great evening with two shining stars of The Greens.
15.01.2022 The scale of corruption under Trump is beyond comprehension.
15.01.2022 Our local homelessness services are at tipping point right now. Here’s some ways you can provide practical support (thanks Sinead).
14.01.2022 A quiet revolution is happening in our suburbs - the Buy Nothing Project. It's a platform for people to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through hyper-local gift economies. But (spoiler alert) it's actually about the connections and bonds we make with our real-life neighbors. Shout out Buy Nothing Newcastle (Inner West), NSW, Buy Nothing Charlestown & Surrounding Area, NSW, Buy Nothing Cessnock/Kurri Kurri & Surrounding Area, NSW, Buy Nothing Toronto & Surrounding Area, NSW, and Buy Nothing Waratah/Jesmond/Lambton Area, NSW. Spread the good word!
14.01.2022 What is the point of this environment minister?
13.01.2022 Great news! ** Movies on the big screen set to return to Newcastle CBD following closure of Tower Cinemas ** The magic of cinema is set to return to the city ce...ntre with the Civic Theatre installing a 7.5-metre-wide movie screen in the iconic main auditorium. Under two years since the closure of the Tower Cinemas on King Street, the return of films will re-activate the CBD, which has experienced major disruption due to COVID-19. The new 7.5 metre x 4.4 metre screen combined with the Civic Theatre’s state of the art sound system and individually air-conditioned seats, will provide a cinematic experience like no other in the region. Cinema and theatre have a long history in Newcastle’s CBD so City of Newcastle is pleased to offer both live performance and recent release cinema for the enjoyment of the community. After a period where COVID-19 has had such a devastating impact, it’s wonderful that through adding regular film screenings to our Civic Theatre program, we can take this positive step in our city’s journey towards recovery, and provide a boost to surrounding local businesses by attracting more people into the Civic precinct. The Civic Theatre opened in 1929, and although designed as a live theatre, it was leased as a cinema for the next 45 years. Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said locals are thrilled to experience something contemporary but screened in a venue with such historical links. We trialled bringing film back to the Civic Theatre in January with a season screening of a selection of the most acclaimed productions from London's National Theatre at the Civic Playhouse. It was so popular that film screenings in the Civic Theatre was the next obvious step, Ms Wallace said. Our new program features a variety of films that appeal to people of all ages and tastes, such as recent release features, documentaries, theatre productions and children’s films during the school holidays. We’re also working on securing shows to return to the Civic Theatre stage with the venue’s audience capacity lifted to 500 people from next month, the maximum number allowed under the current Public Health Order. We have made changes to how the Civic Theatre operates to enable people to experience cinema and live performance safely with physical distancing requirements and hygiene measures met under our COVID Safe plan. The Civic Cinema initiative is part of the Civic’s Beyond the Stage program of cultural offerings outside of the traditional uses of the Civic Theatre and City Hall. So far, this has included the Civic Bar Beats Friday evenings of live local music in our Theatre Bar, and lunchtime concerts at City Hall. Tickets for Civic Cinema are now on sale through the Civic Theatre Newcastle website.
11.01.2022 Enough already. March for Justice in Newcastle. https://www.facebook.com/events/1219861395077005
11.01.2022 This brilliant initiative represents a step-change in the economic future of the region. Great news.
10.01.2022 We need Newcastle Council to set a new standard of transparency and accountability. It’s about trust.
07.01.2022 Do you support using modern technologies like SMART drumlines and drones to reduce the impact of shark nets on marine life? The science is in on this. I know there is still reluctance in the community, but it's time to cut the nets. The nets should be replaced with non-lethal technology that better works to protect beach-goers and does not have such a negative impact on marine life.... What do you think?
07.01.2022 I’m a big fan of this uniquely Newcastle project on Kickstarter now.
07.01.2022 A big congratulations to Amy MacMahon, Greens for South Brisbane for her historic win in South Brisbane, and to Michael Berkman - Greens MP for Maiwar for retai...ning his seat of Maiwar with a massive swing. We’re still waiting to see what happens with the final count in seats like Cooper and McConnel but what’s clear is that our message resonated with Queenslanders they’re fed up with politics only working for big corporations and want to see a politics that works for ordinary people. The historic swings in these seats are the result of a massive people powered campaign with thousands of volunteers delivering our powerful message, chatting to people at their doors and on the phone. At the core of our platform is about ensuring that every Queenslander gets a share of our state’s enormous mining wealth. We’ve seen mining corporations export over $480 billion worth of resources offshore over the last 10 years and only pay 7% in royalties and it’s time for that to change. In that same period child poverty in Queensland reached 20% the highest in the country so we know Queenslanders aren’t getting their fair share. This election was about everyday Queenslanders vs mining billionaires. And Queenslanders are making their voice heard. Yesterday was just the beginning. Photo credit: Megan Keene keene-beans.com
05.01.2022 Have you joined the Newcastle Seed Library yet? It's a new community run initiative of Newcastle Libraries, individual community volunteers and community gardens across the LGA. It is like a regular library, yet for seeds.... The Seed Library is free for library members they are able to take home some seeds, just as they would borrow a book. After growing in their garden, they are encouraged to harvest and return seeds to the Seed Library for others to borrow. Great news: the Seed Library will be accessible from Wallsend Library from Tuesday 6 October 2020.
04.01.2022 Should Newcastle suburbs close off some roads on the weekend for play and street parties? Seems like a winner to me...
03.01.2022 The concept of an iconic stairway to link Christ Church Cathedral and Cathedral Park to the foreshore was developed by EJE Architecture in 2006. The combination of Council's redevelopment of the King St carpark and the third stage of the East End development presents a unique opportunity for this vision to be realised. At this stage, Council has done some initial feasibility assessment, but it hasn't gone out for public consideration and feedback. I'm interested - what to you think of the so-called 'Stairway to Heaven' concept?
03.01.2022 Today we have unveiled the Newcastle Greens campaign to contest all four wards and the Lord Mayoralty in the September City of Newcastle Council election. I'll be standing as Lord Mayor and Ward 1 Candidate, alongside lead Ward candidates Charlotte McCabe, Sinead Francis-Coan and Thomas Levick. We have a progressive platform to make Newcastle Australia’s most liveable city, under the banner of ‘Change for the Better’.
03.01.2022 The NSW Government has hand-waved through a series of serious changes to the financial contribution that developers make to provide for upgrades to shared community infrastructure and facilities. The reforms are the property developer lobby's wishlist. Now infrastructure contributions will only be required at occupation and not upfront, which means critical local upgrades will lag behind - it means that all the costs of new developments are borne by ratepayers, not the developers who stand to reap the benefits.
03.01.2022 BREAKING NEWS! The Disability Royal Commission has been extended until September 2023! The Australian Greens and our disability community have been calling f...or the #DisabilityRC to be extended, almost since the very beginning. It was so clear (especially through #Covid19!) that we need more time to tell our stories. After months of pushing for this extension, today we have succeeded! This is just another example of how powerful we are when we work together to make sure that #OurRoyalCommission works for us Follow along with Our Royal Commission by signing up here: https://greens.org.au/campaigns/our-royal-commission
02.01.2022 Reducing the speed from 40km/hr to 30km/hr on residential streets decreases stopping distance by 8 metres. It's the difference between life and death. At tonight's Council meeting, there is a proposal to decrease the speed to 30km/hr along the Junction to Merewether cycleway, and the conservative councillors are objecting. It is not a radical or a political position to think that everyone who leaves their home on foot or on a bike should be able to arrive home safely.
01.01.2022 Love this. #weareallbeekepers
