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LOCAL EO VISITS
I would like the opportunity to meet residents of the southern area of the electorate and to hear of any State issues with which I may be able to assist. Recognising the significant distances and difficulties that would be imposed by travel to Toronto, my staff and I will visit the southern-most areas of the electorate including those below, on the following dates:
If you live in or near any of these areas and wish to arrange an appointment, please ring my office on 4959 3200 as soon as possible.
 If you need to be appointed as a JP, either within your local community or in your employment, click here to download an application form. 
Education Week is held each year in public schools across the state. You are welcome to visit the many activities and events in your local school, community or region. This year many schools and regions will be featuring their environmental initiatives, community projects, demonstrations, award presentations & achievements and joining in Reconciliation Week activities.
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Posted 28 April 2009
Volunteers - Everyday People, Extraordinary Contribution
Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, has welcomed National Volunteer week as a way of acknowledging those who help others.
"The last census found that 9,522 residents of the Lake Macquarie electorate did volunteer work through an organisation or group in the previous year," Mr Piper said.
"This is 18% of the population and it is a credit to those who give their time."
"With the theme of everyday people, extraordinary contribution, this year's National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to thank the tireless people whose efforts make such a difference to our community," Mr Piper said. "The results may be invisible to many of us, but they can be life-changing for others."
According to Mr Piper, there are too many volunteer groups in Lake Macquarie to name and they all make a valuable contribution to the way our society works.
"I offer my personal thanks to the thousands who help those around them."
Mr Piper said that anyone wishing to do volunteer work can visit www.govolunteer.com.au to look for local opportunities.
National Volunteer Week runs from 11-17 May.
Posted 28 April 2009 Pensioners still drowning in Hunter Water ripoff Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, is concerned that the weekend announcement of a $63 increase in rebate for water and sewerage charges for pensioners in the Hunter does not go far enough. Mr Piper wrote to Phillip Costa, Minister for Water, earlier this year requesting an explanation for the substantial variation between Sydney and Hunter pensioner rebates. "The Minister is supporting the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's proposal for a $63 increase over four years, a mere $16 a year extra rebate which leaves our pensioners way behind in terms of equity." "It increases the Hunter rebate to $199 next financial year, but still sees Hunter Water customers paying $87 a year more for their water and sewage connections than their Sydney counterparts." "But if that's inequitable, spare a thought for the thousands of pensioners living in Hunter retirement villages who get no rebate at all," Mr Piper added. Mr Piper has been following up a problem in which pensioners living in retirement villages with no separate water meters receive no rebate at all, although they pay full sewer connection and water usage fees through a village levy. "Following my inquiry to Treasury last September, I have just received a letter from Minister Costa sympathising with the pensioners' plight but referring the matter back to Hunter Water through the Department of Water and Energy." According to Mr Piper, the issue has been going around in circles for many years with lack of individual metering used as the excuse, even though it is the un-metered sewer connection fee which represents the biggest charge. "I proposed a simple accounting solution to address the problem, but Hunter Water and its State Government share holders continue to treat our region's pensioners with indifference," Mr Piper said. AUGER MINE PROPOSED FOR LAKE MACQUARIE Centennial Coal's proposed Olstan project near Blackalls Park would extract coal by auger mining, which is a process of drilling into coal seams often associated with open cut mining. The current proposal is based on a possible interpretation of underground mining operations allowable under the State Environmental Planning Policy prohibiting open cut mining in the city of Lake Macquarie. There has been a strong reaction from the local community over issues such as dust, noise, loss of bushland and damage to creeks. Information on the proposed auger mine is here. An example of an auger mining operation is at http://www.coalaugering.com/fassifern.pdf COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT EXPENDITURE Clubs that earn over $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue provide funding for community projects and services, and in turn receive dollar-for-dollar gaming tax deductions. Approximately $300,000 from registered clubs in Lake Macquarie is available to local community groups this year, with the closing date for applications being 1 May 2009. CDSE Guidelines and Funding Categories Full details on the operation of the scheme are contained within the CDSE Guidelines. Applicants should read the new guidelines to determine whether they are eligible for CDSE funding. There are two funding categories under the CDSE Scheme: |
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