31 March, 2010

Privacy on file for
information reform

The NSW Law Reform Commission has released a report recommending a single Office of the Information Commissioner be formed to take responsibility for administering Freedom of Information and privacy laws.
   The report, Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners, says the newly created position of Information Commissioner should head the office.
   It recommends the Office of the Information Commission include a Privacy Division headed by the Privacy Commissioner, who would also be a Deputy Information Commissioner.
   The Law Reform Commission (LRC) recommends the Privacy Commissioner continue to perform most of the functions currently entrusted to him under privacy legislation.
   “We believe that this administrative model will best achieve the objects of both FOI and privacy legislation and, in particular, strengthen privacy protection in NSW,” the report says.
   “By creating a single authority with an Information Commissioner who has overarching responsibilities, and a Privacy Division headed by a Deputy Information Commissioner responsible only for privacy, the authority can foster cooperative relationships with Agencies, ensure consistent and balanced advice is provided as well as ensure that the objects of both privacy and FOI are being met.”
   The Commission makes 18 recommendations in its report.
   It says merging the two offices would increase the level of statutory independence of the Privacy Commissioner and improve resourcing for Privacy NSW, which it said was currently under resourced.
   “An Information Commissioner responsible for the administration of FOI and privacy legislation will help ensure consistent and balanced application of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 where there is overlap with privacy considerations,” the report says.
   Other reasons given by the LRC for creating a single Agency were consistency and balance in results and potential operational efficiencies from integrating privacy and FOI.
   “Our preferred model for the integration of the Offices does not marginalise privacy, as there will be a separate ‘champion’ of privacy in the Office of the Information Commissioner,” the report says.
   While the report acknowledges there “could be a perceived conflict of interest and inherent tension” by having a sole authority responsible for disclosing Government information and protecting personal privacy, it says a responsible commissioner should be able to balance considerations under privacy and FOI legislation.
   “However, checks should be in place to ensure that obligations under both Acts are being met.
   A full copy of the report could be downloaded from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

31 March, 2010

Young take hold in
professionals award

Shari Martin from Corrective Services NSW and Sarah McGirr from the Department of Planning have been recognised at the annual CEO and Young Professionals Breakfast hosted by the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
   President of IPAA NSW, Peter Achterstraat presented Ms Martin with the Public Sector Manager of the Year award for her work as General Manager of Dillwynia Correctional Centre.
   Mr Achterstraat said the award recognised excellence in management, resulting in an outstanding contribution to the agency, the sector and the community.
   He said Ms Martin had been described as tenacious, passionate in her vision and goals and a strong advocate for both staff and residents in addressing the needs of the 200 female offenders at the Centre.
   Mr Achterstraat also presented Ms McGirr with the IPAA NSW Young Professional of the Year Award.
   He said Ms McGirr was a team leader in the Policy, Planning Systems and Reform branch of the Department of Planning and had been responsible for a suite of initiatives delivering innovative planning system outcomes across a range of natural resource areas.
   Mr Achterstraat said Ms McGirr had displayed the ability to effectively analyse issues, research options, consult, develop solutions and implement them, distinguishing herself as a young professional.
   He said the awards provided an opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and support those individuals who had made outstanding contributions to their Government agency, Local Government, the Public Sector in NSW and the wider community.
Mr Achterstraat said the IPAA NSW awards were unique in that they acknowledged and rewarded the best practice of individuals, rather than agencies or organisations within the Public Sector.

31 March, 2010

Circular going round
on reporting rules

Treasury has issued a Circular setting out its financial and auditing requirements for the 2009/10 financial year.
   NSW Treasury Circular 10/02, signed by the Deputy Secretary for Budget and Financial Management, Mark Ronsisvalle, applies to all Agencies submitting information to Treasury through the Treasury Online Entry System (TOES).
   In the Circular Mr Ronsisvalle said Agencies should meet with relevant stakeholders now to ensure the success of their year-end financial reporting plan.
   He recommended they schedule an internal review of the financial report before lodging it with audit to avoid errors.
   He said Treasury would not be allowing time extensions and urged Agencies to ensure they met the submission deadline.
   The Circular includes a checklist of tasks to help Agencies prepare their reports and a pro-forma for reporting any emerging accounting issues.
   Mr Ronsisvalle said the pro-forma must be returned to NSW Treasury by 21 May.
   Using the Circular to update the Financial Reporting and Audit Improvement Program, Mr Ronsisvalle said 15 Agencies were piloting elements of an early ‘hard close’ to improve the timeliness and accuracy of audited financial reports.
   According to the Circular, a ‘hard close’ is the preparation of a full set of accounts, notes, work papers and analytical reviews prior to the end of the financial year - for nine or ten months of it - to allow the Audit Office the chance to review it before 30 June and make the full-year process less onerous.
   The Circular could be downloaded from www.treasury.nsw.gov.au and supersedes NSW Treasury Circular 09/05.

31 March, 2010

Complaints are few
as Ombudsmen meet

NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour has joined around 40 other Ombudsmen and their equivalents at the first general meeting of the Pacific Ombudsman Alliance (POA) in Canberra, where he was elected to the Board.
   The event was hosted by the Australian Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman in tandem with the 25th anniversary conference of the Australasian and Pacific Ombudsman Region (APOR).
   Mr Barbour and Deputy Ombudsman, Greg Andrews also attended a conference for the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), where Mr Barbour and three other regional Ombudsmen led a plenary session discussing specialist functions for Ombudsman offices.
   The IOI is the only international grouping of Parliamentary ombudsmen and provides an opportunity for members to exchange ideas and experiences.
   Acting Commonwealth Ombudsman, Ron Brent also attended the POA event.
   Mr Brent said POA and APOR were forums for cooperation between Ombudsmen’s offices in Australia and the Pacific and developed Government complaint handling in the region.
   “As a group, we are committed to sharing our experiences in handling complaints about Government Agencies, fostering good public administration and developing a network of ombudsmen that is self-supporting and ultimately self-sustaining,” Mr Brent said.
   “We meet annually and collaborate regularly with ombudsman offices in neighbouring countries on investigations, training, staff exchanges, publications, managing rising complaint numbers and developing new and specialist functions.”
   Delegates from Australia (Federal and State), the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Hong Kong, Kiribati, NZ, Niue, Palau, PNG, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Timore Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu attended.
   Key items on the two-day event’s agenda included discussions on access to information, integrity frameworks, accountability tools and the anti-corruption role played by Ombudsmen in some countries.
   Outcomes included agreement to continue support for a non-legislative complaint-handling scheme being trialled in Niue with assistance from New Zealand and to support the new nominee Ombudsman in Palau by providing training and advice.
   Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan said the meetings would improve governance and strengthen accountability.
   A new POA Board was elected, with members including Mr Barbour; Mr Brent (Chair); Janet Maki, the Cook Islands Ombudsman; Beverley Wakem, NZ’s Chief Ombudsman; Chronox Manek, PNG’s Chief Ombudsman; and Wiriki Tooma, Secretary to the Kiribati Cabinet.
   Ms Wakem was re-elected as APOR’s Regional Vice President to the International Ombudsman Institute; Mr Manek and Hong Kong Ombudsman, Alan Lai were re-elected as regional representatives to the Institute.

31 March, 2010

Reformers court
Court reforms

Four consultation papers dealing with the plight of disadvantaged people involved in the criminal justice system have been released by the NSW Law Reform Commission.
   According to the Commission, the papers examine whether the law, practice and policy with regard to people with mental health and cognitive impairments is fair and up to date with scientific and medical knowledge.
   The Commission said the term “mental health and cognitive impairment” was broad and included people with a psychiatric or mental illness, brain injuries, dementia, and intellectual disability.
   The four consultation papers cover an overview of the issues raised by the reference; criminal responsibility and consequences; diversion; and forensic samples.
   The Commission said the four papers asked more than 160 questions, covering issues such as how should people with mental health and cognitive impairments be treated if they do not have sufficient understanding to be tried; in what circumstances should people with a mental health or cognitive impairment have a defence to a crime; and, what should happen to people found not guilty by reason of a mental health or cognitive impairment.
   According to the Commission, a fifth paper is planned covering issues specific to young people with mental health or cognitive impairments.
   The Commission was encouraging interested organisations, groups and individuals to make submissions on the issue of mental health in the criminal justice system before 28 May.
   Following on from the release of these papers, the Commission intended to undertake direct consultation with experts and the community.
   The papers are available on the Commission’s website at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc

31 March, 2010

New bus route is
big ticket item

The third of five metrobus routes has been officially launched by the Premier, Kristina Keneally.
   Ms Keneally said the new high frequency and high capacity metrobus route provided an additional 80,000 seats a week for people travelling between Sydenham and Mosman via the CBD and Enmore.
   She said Metrobus Route 30 would run every 10 minutes during peak hours; every 15 minutes during the off-peak periods; and every 20 minutes on weekends.
   “Passengers will get more services, more seats and travel in air conditioned comfort,” Ms Keneally said.
   “This is about putting fast and frequent services where they are needed.”
   The Premier said Route 30 was in response to public feedback which indicated passengers wanted a link between Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay, through Broadway to the inner west.
   She said the new route serviced Neutral Bay offices; three universities (UTS, Notre Dame and the University of Sydney); Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Chinatown, the CBD and connected with four separate train stations.
   “Route 30 improves passenger access to key precincts including the City CBD and Broadway, university campuses in Broadway and Randwick, and entertainment venues at the Seymour Centre and Enmore Theatre,” Ms Keneally said.
   “It will also connect with train stations in the City and at Central, Newtown and Sydenham, while providing a range of bus connections along the whole route.”
   Ms Keneally said Route 30 would initially be serviced by a mixture of the new, distinctively red, high-capacity, three-door ‘bendy’ buses as well as standard two-door buses.
   “We already have 150 bendy buses on order to be delivered over the next two years and the first of these buses will be dedicated to the new Metrobus routes helping bring them online as quickly as possible,” she said.
   Ms Keneally said nearly 3 million people had ridden on the Metrobus services since they began in October 2008.

31 March, 2010

Aerial beach flights
back in the swim

The trial of using aerial surveillance off NSW beaches to sight sharks is to continue next summer, using a mix of helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.
   Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan, said the trial would cover the 51 beaches included in the State’s Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program, which stretched along 202km of NSW coastline from Newcastle to Wollongong, during peak summer swimming periods.
   “The Government has a duty to do what we can to help protect beachgoers,” Mr Whan said.
   “For the first time, the trial will use a mixture of fixed wing and helicopter flights to allow a clear comparison between the two methods and determine the value aerial surveillance has to play in the future.”
   He said the trial was aimed at complementing the beach meshing program by exploring other measures that might improve swimmer safety.
   He said the trial would include surveillance on weekend and midweek days, and at different times of the day, to enable a more comprehensive assessment.
   He said sharks spotted would be reported from the helicopter direct to appropriate surf life saving bodies so that swimmers were notified almost instantly of any increased risk.
   Mr Whan said the Government would seek Expressions of Interest from companies interested in conducting the trial later in the year.
   He said the results would be used in conjunction with the data from the 2009/2010 trial to make a decision about future aerial shark surveillance methods.
   The Minister said during the 2009/2010 trial not one beach was closed due to a shark sighted from a helicopter.

31 March, 2010

WorkCover shows
its Facebook

Workers, employers, health and safety regulators and the broader community have been encouraged to join WorkCover on its new Facebook page.
   Chief Executive of WorkCover NSW, Lisa Hunt launched the page saying the use of social media such as Facebook would help get the safety message out.
   She said putting Work safe. Home safe on the social networking site provided WorkCover with an interactive medium to promote information, set up public forums and share news articles.
   “WorkCover is using social media to reach a broader audience to get the workplace message out,” Ms Hunt said.
   “WorkCover’s message is that every worker should come home safely.”
   “Work safe. Home safe. on Facebook provides Australian workplace health and safety regulators, employers, workers and their families with an online space where they can share ideas and reasons for staying safe at work.”
   Ms Hunt invited employers, workers, family members and organisations to become a fan of Work safe. Home safe. on Facebook and share experiences about why it was important to them to return home safe from work every day.
   “WorkCover NSW has support from other workplace health and safety regulators from across the country to provide information relevant for all Australian workers and employers,” she said.
   “Work safe. Home safe. will be highly interactive with regular discussions, multimedia content, news stories, surveys and links sharing workplace safety information.”
   Ms Hunt said to visit the WorkCover facebook site go to www.facebook.com/worksafe.homesafe

31 March, 2010

High marks given to
walk to school day

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular encouraging all Departments and Agencies to support this year’s ‘‘Walk Safely to School Day.”
   The Circular says the Day was an initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia and encouraged parents and carers to walk to school with young children in order to promote road safety, health, public transport and environmental objectives.
   According to the Circular, the national event, to be held on 7 May, played an important part in overcoming the worrying trends of childhood obesity and diabetes by promoting “active transport” and regular walking.
   By walking with young children to school, parents and carers would reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
   The Circular says that an important element in that was ensuring that children up to 10 years of age held an adult’s hand when crossing the road, helping them to develop vital road-crossing skills.
   It also pointed out that the initiative promoted a reduction in car dependency habits at an early age and highlighted the benefits of reducing the level of air pollution from motor vehicles and the level of traffic congestion.
   The Government encouraged all State agencies to support the initiative, particularly agencies involved in Education, Local Government, Health, Roads and Transport, Environment and Police.
   It said the PCA would be distributing promotional kits to all councils and primary schools in early March and further information was available at www.walk.com.au or by phone to (02) 9968 4555.

31 March, 2010

Support for payrise
right on the money

The NSW Government has lodged a submission with Fair Work Australia supporting an increase in the minimum wage.
   In the submission to the Annual Wage Review, the Government has called for the minimum wage to keep pace with the rising cost of living to ensure the lowest paid in the State don’t fall further behind.
   According to the submission, low paid workers in the national system have experienced a wage freeze since October 2008, but the economic outlook and strength of the economy meant that was no longer necessary.
   A spokesperson for the Government said workers likely to be affected by the Wage Review included cleaners, hospitality workers and childcare workers - people who relied on the award safety net and minimum wage to keep their heads above water.
   The submission suggested that one of the top priorities of the Minimum Wage Panel should be the establishment of a safety net of fair minimum wages that facilitated an ongoing recovery from the global economic downturn.
   It said an increase to the minimum wage that reflected the Consumer Price Index was both economically sustainable and responsible, which was why the Government was supporting a wage increase for all minimum wage earners.
   According to the submission, the Government believed the wage setting decisions of the Australian Fair Pay Commission between 2006 and 2008 had had a detrimental impact upon those who were dependent upon the minimum rates of pay.
   It said the situation had continued with the Commission’s 2009 wage setting decision, and that this year it was time to being the minimum wage into line with realistic costs of living.
   Fair Work Australia’s pay decision will take effect on 1 July 2010.
   A copy of the NSW Government submission to the Review was available on the Fair Work Australia website at www.fwa.gov.au

31 March, 2010

Acts out of step in
privacy routine

A report into the relationship between privacy and freedom of information legislation has been released by the NSW Law Reform Commission as part of its broader inquiry into privacy law.
   The report, Access to Personal Information, focuses on the competing policies of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) and the pending Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).
   The PPIP Act deals with individual privacy while the GIPA Act deals with the disclosure of, and access to, Government information.
   The Law Reform Commission (LRC) said some provisions of the GIPA Act were “unsatisfactory” in relation to the PPIP Act.
   “Where this is so, we have not hesitated to recommend that the GIPA Act should, in relevant respects, be amended or repealed,” the report says.
   “In doing so, we must stress that we have borne in mind that the GIPA Act is new legislation that seeks to achieve articulated objectives in opening Government information to the public.
   “Our recommendations seek, wherever possible, to further these objectives without compromising privacy protection in NSW.”
   The LRC said the two Acts should operate as a “seamless code” as much as possible.
   “There are many uncertainties and contingencies that currently affect the relationship between FOI and privacy legislation,” the report says.
   “These centre, in particular, on the future of privacy law in this State, which is unclear.
   “In our review of privacy law, we have stressed the desirability of, and the need for, uniform privacy laws in Australia.”
   The report made 17 recommendations dealing with definitions of privacy terms and proposed amendments to legislation.
   It also recommends the Federal and NSW Privacy Commissioners develop guidelines on the definition of “identified or reasonably identifiable” in relation to privacy legislation.
   Access to Personal Information was available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

31 March, 2010

Graffiti artists see
writing on wall

Planning rules are to be introduced requiring new public buildings and other infrastructure to be “graffiti-proofed”.
   Attorney General John Hatzistergos said under the proposal, planners would need to incorporate graffiti prevention techniques, such as paint-resistant surfaces, natural surveillance and “green screen” walls, into the design of buildings.
   “We know that good design can help prevent crime,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   “Good planning and design can remove the opportunity for criminals such as graffiti vandals to commit their crimes in the first place.”
   He said graffiti cost the NSW economy about $100 million each year and this was the latest initiative in the Government’s anti-graffiti plan, which so far had included tougher penalties for vandals, a spraycan ban for juveniles and clean-up orders.
   Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said the draft provisions had been released as part of the Review of the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), which would be on public exhibition until April 12.
   “The draft provisions have been developed to ensure that graffiti and crime prevention design principles are considered in the design and construction of all public infrastructure,” Mr Kelly said.
   He said the principles were based on the world-renowned Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which has been credited with not only reducing crime but also lowering the fear of crime in a community.
   Under the draft graffiti-prevention provisions, Mr Kelly said new public infrastructure would be designed to maximise sight lines and natural surveillance from neighbouring streets and buildings; reduce access to vertical walls and surfaces through design and landscaping; use colours that deter graffiti; and, incorporate a rapid-removal maintenance schedule
   The Minister said the public was welcome to provide feedback on the Review of the Infrastructure SEPP at www.planning.nsw.gov.au

31 March, 2010

Everyone invited to
Third Party party

The Compulsory Third Party (Green Slip) scheme is to be expanded to cover everyone injured in a motor vehicle crash, not just those hurt by negligent or ‘at-fault’ drivers.
   Minister for Finance, Michael Daley, announced the expansion, saying it would come into effect on 1 April.
   He said under the current Green Slip scheme the driver considered responsible for causing the accident isn’t covered.
   “Under this reform, the scheme is being extended to cover anyone injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident, regardless of fault, for up to $5,000 in medical costs and lost wages,” Mr Daley said.
   “It is estimated that roughly 4,000 NSW road users will benefit from this significant improvement to the scheme each year.”
   The Minister said a momentary lapse or error in judgement behind the wheel was all it took for an accident to occur and extending the scheme ensured all motorists, including those considered to be ‘at-fault’, had access to early treatment for their injuries.
   “These changes will hopefully encourage all injured people to access early medical treatment, which may lead to a faster and fuller recovery,” he said.
   “People injured due to the fault of another driver will still maintain their ability to claim above the $5,000.”
   Mr Daley said benefits under the scheme could be accessed easily by completing an Accident Notification Form (ANF), which provided a fast-track process to pay medical bills and reimburse lost wages up to a combined total of $5,000.
   He said information about the Green Slip scheme was available on the Motor Accidents Authority’s website at www.maa.nsw.gov.au or by calling its Claims Advisory Service on 1300 656 919.

31 March, 2010

Inspectors play part
in Royal Easter Show

WorkCover inspectors have been busy overseeing workplace safety arrangements for the 2010 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
   Chief Executive of WorkCover NSW, Lisa Hunt said together with the Royal Agricultural Society, WorkCover was working closely with businesses and operators at the Homebush Showground to make sure health and safety were top priorities.
   “Building on the success of last year’s co-operative effort … The RAS and WorkCover are working together to provide Workplace Health and Safety presentations to employers and workers, with an emphasis on young workers, during the ‘bump-in’ period,” Ms Hunt said.
   “Many people attending the Show will head straight for the thrills to be enjoyed on the Show rides and amusements.”
   She said WorkCover would conduct random inspections on rides and operator log books to ensure safety compliance.
   “Owners and operators of amusement devices must ensure that rides are installed and maintained in safe working order and have their log books available on request for WorkCover inspection,” Ms Hunt said.
   “Businesses taking on extra staff for the show, or interstate firms employing NSW workers, are being reminded that their workers compensation policies must be adjusted accordingly.”

31 March, 2010

Houses Trust trusted
with heritage house

The Historic Houses Trust is to take over the management and preservation of Throsby Park, one of the oldest country mansions in Australia.
   Minister for the Arts, Virginia Judge, said management of the 191-year-old property, near Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands, would be transferred from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to the Historic Houses Trust.
   She said the property would be made available for long-term residential lease in 2011 through the Trust’s Endangered Houses Fund program.
   “Throsby Park is a genuine rarity – surviving largely intact as it did more than a century and a half ago,” Ms Judge said.
   “Today, Throsby Park includes a furnished Georgian house, a weatherboard clad cottage and associated buildings and gardens on 75 hectares.”
   She said under the Endangered Houses program, the estate would be renovated and restored to allow it to be leased as a residential property.
   “The good news is that the property will continue to be accessible to the public on open days and proceeds from the lease will go towards other heritage projects.’
   She said Throsby Park, which was a symbol of early colonial Australia, was listed on the Register of the National Estate, the State Heritage Register and the Register of the National Trust.
   Acting Minister for Environment and Climate Change, John Robertson, said the Historic Houses Trust had a range of specialist skills and resources geared specifically to the management of heritage sites such as Throsby Park.
   “Historic Houses Trust has an excellent record for preserving and managing heritage sites around the state,” Mr Robertson said.
   “The NSW Government is working hard to find sustainable solutions to manage and protect our heritage and provide opportunities for the public to access and enjoy these important sites.”

31 March, 2010

Art competitions
in the frame

Entries in four major artistic competitions have been declared open with some of NSW’s finest artists, writers and dancers expected to apply for scholarships and fellowships worth a total of $125,000.
The Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship ($60,000), the NSW History Fellowship ($20,000), the NSW Archival Research Fellowship ($15,000), and the Robert Helpmann Dance Scholarship ($30,000) are among the most prestigious awards in their respective fields.
   Minster for the Arts, Virginia Judge, said the Government it was committed to delivering first-class works and arts and cultural activities for growing audiences across the State.
   She said NSW was home to 37 per cent of the nation’s creative workforce and those 150,000 people represented 5 per cent of the State’s total workforce.
   According to Arts NSW, the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art scholarship is one of Australia’s leading awards for emerging artists.
   It said the winning artist would gain valuable experience, through study, mentoring or internships with professional artists or residencies at recognised institutions.
   The Scholarship is presented by the NSW Government with the support of the Helen Lempriere Bequest (managed by Perpetual Limited) and the assistance of Artspace Visual Arts Centre at Woolloomooloo.
   Ms Judge said applications close on 3 May, with a shortlist of 12 artists selected to exhibit their work at an exhibition at Artspace.
   She said the Archival Research Fellowship was being offered for the second time and would help a NSW resident complete an innovative and quality research project that makes substantial use of the State Records Authority collection.
   Nominations for the history fellowships and Robert Helpmann scholarship are open to NSW residents until 27 April.
   Guidelines and application forms for each of the prizes are available on the Arts NSW website, www.arts.nsw.gov.au

31 March, 2010
Grand Prix revved up
The NSW Government is to approach the Formula 1 to discuss hosting the Australian Grand Prix at Homebush in Sydney from 2015.
   The Government’s strategy includes examining a night-time race as part of its formal bid to lure the even away from Melbourne, which has a contract with the Formula 1 until 2014.
   The Government believes Sydney can generate greater international interest in the race because of its high international standing and experience in successfully hosting other major events.

Added value on tickets
Rail passengers who purchase weekly and fortnightly tickets between 28 March and 3 April will have two days of travel added to their standard rail ticket for free because of the Easter long weekend.
   The initiative – a first for CityRail - recognises that most Railpass holders won’t use their tickets on the Good Friday or Easter Monday public holidays.
   It also means reduced ticket queues on the Tuesday following the long weekend.
   Similar arrangements will remain in place for other long weekends after the new MyZone fare systems starts on 18 April.

Scuttling off
The scuttling of the former Navy frigate, HMAS Adelaide, off the Central Cost has been postponed indefinitely because of court action.
   $6 million was spent preparing for the scuttling, which could benefit the local economy as a dive site.
   The Administrative Tribunal has listed the matter for mention on 23 April and hearing on 5 May and until then both parties have agreed to mediation.
   The vessel is currently at Glebe Island.

PSA contact change
The Public Service Association of NSW in Wollongong has a new postal address.
   It is now PO Box 986, Wollongong, NSW 2500.

Schools’ award
The Peninsula Community of Schools, which comprises 13 schools from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, has been presented with the 2009 Cohesive Community School Award.
   The 10 primary and three secondary schools were recognised for working together to promote social harmony and unity.
   Northern Sydney regional director, Jane Simmons congratulated the Schools for their efforts.

Zoo keepers name calf
Taronga Zoo’s new elephant calf, formerly known as Mr Shuffles, has been named Pathi Harn – the Thai word for miracle.
   The name was chosen by the zoo keepers and the almost 10,000 member of the community who voted on a choice of seven names.
   The calf was formally blessed in a naming ceremony by Buddhist Monks and Reverend Bill Crews of the Exodus Foundation.

Centrelink moves
Centrelink opened its new Customer Service Centre office at 57 Currajong Street in Parkes this week, having closed the doors for the last time at the Clarinda Street office last Friday.
   The new office provides a more comfortable environment, greater privacy, and easier access to information.
   The office will be open from 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays.

Engine for Morpeth
The Morpeth Fire Station has received a new $350,000 fire engine.
   The new truck can pump up to 3,000 litres of water a minute for firefighting operations and also incorporates a foam system to fight chemical, petrol and bush fires.

24 March, 2010

Premier joins dots
for Indigenous jobs

The NSW Government has pledged to create 2,229 new jobs for Indigenous staff in the Public Sector over the next four years in an effort to improve Indigenous employment opportunities.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally said the pledge was made under the new Australian Employment Covenant, a national industry-led initiative between the Federal Government and other State, business, community and Aboriginal leaders across Australia.
   Ms Keneally said the aim of the agreement was to break the cycle of unemployment and poverty among Indigenous Australians by drawing employers and potential employees together.
   “I am proud to be associated with this partnership with Australia’s business leaders who believe that economic independence brings about long-term change,” Ms Keneally said.
   In a Ministerial Memorandum the Premier said the new jobs would include cadetships, apprenticeships, positions in schools and school administration, Aboriginal Teaching Scholarships, residential care and positions in healthcare.
   “The 2,229 positions will ensure that NSW meets its commitment, under the COAG National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation, to a minimum target of 2.6 per cent Aboriginal employment in the Public Sector by 2015,” she said.
   Ms Keneally reminded Agencies they were required to develop an Aboriginal Employment Strategy by June 2010 and referred them to the recently launched Making It Our Business: The NSW Aboriginal Employment Action Plan 2009-2012, for guidance.
   The Premier praised the architects of the Australian employment Covenant– citing the work of mining industry leader, Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest for his personal commitment to the initiative.
   She said on a national level, the agreement aimed to overcome Indigenous disadvantage by creating 50,000 sustainable jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
    Ms Keneally said the national goal was ambitious “but achievable.”
    “This is about all Australians achieving their full potential,” she said.
   “I look forward to helping Indigenous Australians and communities take up these invaluable opportunities.”

24 March, 2010

Blind voters have eye
on secret ballot

A new system to allow visually impaired or blind voters to lodge secret ballots is to be investigated by the NSW Electoral Commissioner.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally said a third of Australia’s 300,000 blind or visually impaired people lived in NSW and the Government wanted to “make sure as many people as possible” could participate equally in the voting process.
   Ms Keneally said before the i-Voting system, blind and visually impaired people could only vote with the assistance of a friend or relative or through a large Braille ballot.
   “These changes are about streamlining our electoral process – removing red tape and enabling more people to participate in a fairer more accessible system,” she said.
   Ms Keneally said under the proposed $1.5 million i-voting plan, the Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry, would be given the power to explore a number of measures including internet voting and other secure and private methods to help blind or visually impaired voters.
   Mr Barry said he supported the introduction of remote access i-voting, which would involve voters using a personal computer with a secure internet connection.
   The Electoral Commission trialled Braille ballot papers for the 2008 local Government election, but they were deemed unsatisfactory for State elections as the ballot paper for the NSW Legislative Council would be about 67 pages long.
   The Premier said the proposed amendments brought NSW into line with the Federal Government which announced earlier this month it intended to make Australia the first country in the world to introduce a secret ballot for the blind.
   Ms Keneally said other amendments to the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912 included allowing a political party that registered under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 under a particular name to be registered under the same name in NSW; changes to party registration amendments; allowing T-shirts and similar items with political slogans to be worn without requiring authorisation.

24 March, 2010

Restructure takes
Circular route

Treasury has issued a Circular setting out new reporting arrangements for Agencies affected by last year’s administrative restructure.
   NSW Treasury Circular 10/01, which was signed by the Deputy Secretary for Budget and Financial Management, Mark Ronsisvalle, summarises the financial and annual reporting implications arising from restructure.
   Mr Ronsisvalle said the Government-wide restructures that took place were considered to have effect on1 July 2009, not from 27 July 2009 as originally advised by Treasury.
   “This significantly simplifies the year-end processes for Departments,” Mr Ronsisvalle said.
   He confirmed that Departments were abolished in the restructure did not need to submit annual reports for 2009/10.
   The Circular says Schedule 3 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 had been amended to reflect the restructure and Departmental name changes and Departments listed in the Schedule were expected to prepare financial and annual reports in accordance with relevant legislation.
   “Where a Department is responsible to a number of Ministers, the Department’s financial and annual report must be submitted to all responsible Ministers,” Mr Ronsisvalle said.
   “In practice, any one of the responsible Ministers can table the annual report in Parliament, as long as it is made clear that the Minister is tabling on behalf of all the jointly responsible Ministers.”
   He said Agencies that were members of a cluster were not excused from submitting financial and annual reports.
   “Clusters of strategically aligned entities are not separate reporting entities,” Mr Ronsisvalle said.
   “Separate legal entities are still required to prepare financial and annual reports.”
   The Circular includes a list of frequently asked questions and answers relating to the reports as well as an overview of the implications of the restructure.
   The Circular could be accessed at www.treasury.nsw.gov.au

24 March, 2010

Consumer program
buys into bush

A program of regional visits covering 16 locations across the State has been announced for 2010 by NSW Fair Trading.
   Fair Trading’s Regional Access Program (RAP) was launched in Parkes and Forbes and will target rural and regional areas to educate local consumers and businesses about Fair Trading issues.
   Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge said the Program had played a vital role in educating communities about Fair Trading services for the past 12 years.
   “Whether it’s home building, motor vehicles, retirement villages, refunds or trade measurement, Fair Trading is working hard to protect consumers and ensure that traders are complying with the law,” Ms Judge said.
   She said, as part of the Regional Access Program in 2009, 321 Fair Trading staff visited 15 towns across the State and 158 promotional activities were delivered to nearly 6,300 participants.
   Ms Judge said the Money Stuff program, aimed at teaching young people about managing their finances, was presented to nearly 1,000 teenagers at 28 schools.
   The Minister said Fair Trading officers also carried out over 2,200 targeted business inspections that resulted in around 500 breaches of legislation being detected.
   She said 550 builders and tradespeople were inspected and that only 56 breaches were detected, most of which were for unlicensed activity.
   Ms Judge said the Office hoped to build on this progress in 2010.
   “Fair Trading inspectors are visiting traders, checking motor vehicle licences and carrying out compliance checks at building sites in Parkes and Forbes,” she said.
   “Officers will also conduct trade measurement checks of fuel and liquor dispensers and test scales at supermarkets to ensure consumers don’t get ripped off.”
   She said the next RAP would be held at Tamworth from 3 to 7 May.

24 March, 2010

Conference talks
up call for papers

The Institute of Public Administration Australia has called for papers for its Annual National Conference and the International Conference on Public Administration, both being held in October.
   The conferences aim to bring together Public Service managers to discuss the major issues facing public administration today.
   The IPAA National Conference will see staff from Departments and Agencies across Australia meet with academics and others involved in public administration to learn about new developments, discuss issues and strengthen their networks.
   The IPAA said was particularly keen for proposals that adopt a comparative perspective and address the implications of research and practice for public administration.
   The International Conference on Public Administration (ICPA), to be held in Canberra this year, has a more academic focus and examines research relevant to countries in economic and political transition.
   The IPAA is seeking papers by academics and practitioners on the ‘Australian experience’, especially those that provide possible lessons or guidance for countries looking to establish or restructure public institutions.
   The conference will include a number of papers by scholars from Asia, Eastern Europe and the United States.
   The IPAA said following the Conference, accepted papers would be published with permission on the IPAA Conference website and that some papers may also be accepted for publication in the Australian Journal of Public Administration or Public Administration Today.
   Further information on submitting papers was available from www.ipaanationalconference.org.au

24 March, 2010

Extra numeracy
program adds up

A new program to provide extra training in numeracy for every Kindergarten to Year Two teacher in NSW has been announced.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally said the Targeted Early Numeracy program would see
1,000 teachers receive the training each year so they could identify and assist students having difficulties with numeracy.
   Ms Keneally said under the program teachers would be trained to deliver short, sharp numeracy sessions in 10 minute blocks using activities focusing on addition and subtraction.
   She said student progress would be monitored and teachers would be able to provide additional support to students who needed it.
   “We know early intervention is the key to a child’s education and development,” Ms Keneally said.
   “This program is a two-pronged approach. It sets the highest standards for numeracy in our schools and provides teachers with the skills they need to help develop the next generation of students.”
   The Premier said the Targeted Early Numeracy plan was part of the $117.4 million Best Start program which provides schools with information about their students’ needs and works as an early warning system to identify any problems early.
   The Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, said the intervention program would help to ensure all students were on track with numeracy by the time they finished Year Two.
   “These are the building blocks of learning and we are working hard to ensure our children have the skills to learn and reach their potential,” Ms Firth said.
   “This initiative is in addition to the Smarter Schools National Partnerships Program, a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and NSW Governments that is putting more than $1 billion in new funding into NSW schools over the next five years.”

24 March, 2010

Sowing guide grows
in popularity

Industry & Investment NSW has announced that the 2010 edition of its Winter Crop Sowing Guide is now available.
   The department said in a statement that winter crop growers relied on the annual guide to provide independent advice on choosing which varieties of cereal, pulse and oilseed varieties to grow and information to help with crop management.
   Pulse and Oilseed Specialist at I&I, Don McCaffery said the 2010 Winter Crop Sowing Guide included information on yield, quality and disease characteristics of the best varieties of wheat, barley, oats, canola, lupins, faba beans and field peas for NSW.
   Mr McCaffery said growers could evaluate all the important characteristics they needed to consider when choosing varieties to sow, including quality classification, sowing times, disease characteristics, seed dressings and marketing.
   He said growers could use information in the 2010 Guide to improve profitability by choosing the most suitable variety for each paddock and the best sowing time and matching the information to available markets.
   Mr McCaffery said the aim was not simply higher total production, but greater productivity from the resources invested in crop production, along with total sustainability of the farm business.
   The 2010 Winter Crop Sowing Guide provides updated technical information based on the latest research, extension and industry programs.
   The Guide was available from all I&I NSW offices and could be downloaded from www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

24 March, 2010

Chopper shark trial
facing the chop

Information collected by helicopter shark patrols over the summer period is being evaluated to determine if there is to be a role for the aircraft in future bather protection programs.
   Commissioned by Industry & Investment NSW as part of its Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) program last year, the helicopters patrolled 202km of coastline between Newcastle and Wollongong each weekend and public holiday during the holiday season.
   According to the Department, the trial included 51 beaches which were patrolled twice a day - three-hour flights were undertaken each morning and afternoon.
   Over the 15 patrol days, 210 Hammerhead sharks were spotted.
   The Department said there was one confirmed sighting of a great white shark on the Central Coast, but it was a great distance from any swimmers and was not near the main swimming area.
   Any sharks that posed a danger to the safety of swimmers were reported from the helicopter directly to appropriate surf life saving bodies to notify swimmers almost instantly of any increased risk.
   During the trial not one beach was closed due to a shark spotting from the helicopter.
   The Government said it had already implemented a number of measures including the SharkSmart advisory program to help to keep swimmers safe and would continue to review and assess existing and new techniques.
   It said the Shark Meshing program continued to achieve great success, with only one fatal shark attack on a meshed beach in the past 70 years.
   The Department said there are no safety guarantees when entering the ocean and urged swimmers to be mindful whenever they entered open waters.
   For more information on SharkSmart and ways to reduce the risk of an encounter with a shark at NSW beaches and estuaries, visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au

24 March, 2010

Vision for Sydney
is way to go

A formal consultation process on a long-term metropolitan planning strategy for Sydney has been launched by the Premier, Kristina Keneally.
   Ms Keneally said a discussion paper, Sydney Towards 2036, made up the first stage of an extensive consultation process that would review the city’s Metropolitan Strategy.
   She said the review would examine how Sydney could grow sustainably, maintain its status as a financial capital and remain an international destination while continuing to secure local homes and jobs, and protect the natural environment.
   “Sydney is changing – not only are we growing, but our house sizes are changing, our ways of life are changing, and our needs are changing,” Ms Keneally said.
   “We want to be plugged into the internet; we want close and accessible public transport; we want to be close to communities, close to our jobs, and many want smaller homes.”
   The Premier said an important outcome of the review would be how Sydney could adapt to reflect the changes while ensuring neighbourhoods and lifestyles were conserved.
   “Sydney’s population is expected to reach six million by 2036 – and we will need an additional 770,000 homes and 760,000 more jobs to respond to this growth,” she said.
   Ms Keneally said the discussion paper would look at integrating land-use with transport and infrastructure planning; urban renewal; and making Sydney ‘climate change ready’ by providing more jobs, services and homes close to public transport.
   She said consultation on the discussion paper would run hand-in-hand with the exhibition of the Metropolitan Transport Plan.
   She said after feedback had been received on the discussion paper and the Transport Plan a single Metropolitan Plan would be issued.
   Consultations close on 30 April and the discussion paper was available from www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au

24 March, 2010

Aboriginal contract
no secret business

A partnership between the Department of Education and Training and the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group has been renewed for another 10 years.
   Director-General of the Department, Michael Coutts-Trotter, signed an agreement with the Consultative Group to extend the partnership to 2020 and set out approaches to improve education and training outcomes for Aboriginal learners.
   Mr Coutts-Trotter said the agreement outlined priorities and focus areas such as providing opportunities for the active engagement and participation of Aboriginal communities in schools, TAFE NSW Institutes and Adult and Community Education Colleges.
   He said providing culturally inclusive learning programs for Aboriginal children before they started school and increasing Year 12 completion rates were also among the agreed priorities.
   Mr Coutts-Trotter said the ongoing relationship between the Department and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) existed to provide Aboriginal students with the chance to enjoy more choices, more freedom, better health and greater opportunities.
   “We must genuinely consult and collaborate with local Aboriginal communities to ensure that the work we are doing in our schools and TAFE Institutes is responding to the education and training needs of Aboriginal people,” he said.
   He said the agreement built on work undertaken during the first partnership agreement signed in 1999 to ensure Aboriginal people had a voice in setting goals for education and training.
   President of the NSW AECG, Cindy Berwick said the agreement recognised the critical need to work together across schools and TAFE colleges to achieve the aspirations and potential of Aboriginal learners.
   “The NSW AECG will unequivocally commit to working with the Department of Education and Training on the agreed priorities and supporting the translation of those priorities into practice at the regional and local levels,” Ms Berwick said.
   The Partnership Agreement could be found at www.schools.nsw.edu.au

24 March, 2010

Credit charges to
get shock review

A research project into the high level of bank charges passed on to credit card consumers has been announced by the Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge.
   To be led by Fair Trading in association with consumer group Choice, the study will target companies adding surcharges to credit card transactions that are well in excess of the charges imposed by banks.
   Ms Judge described the practice as a “rip-off”.
   “Businesses should be entitled to recover costs, but I don’t think it is fair for consumers to be slugged with charges on top just for using a credit card,” Ms Judge said.
   “I think consumers feel ripped off paying a fee on top of the price you are paying for goods and services, particularly if you are buying online and payment options are limited.
   “That’s why I am commissioning this research with Choice – to analyse business practices, quantify consumer impacts and compare these trends with international experience.”
   She said credit, debit and EFTPOS cards were part of the national payments system regulated by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
   Ms Judge said when a consumer used a credit or debit card a series of fees changed hands - the card issuer charges a fee to the merchant’s financial institution, which passes this fee on to the merchant, who may pass the fee onto the consumer in the form of a card surcharge.
   “Following adjustments to merchant fee arrangements in 2003, the Reserve Bank abolished the ‘no surcharge rule’, allowing merchants to recover the costs of card use and impose an additional ‘fee for service’ on consumers,” she said.
   Director of Communications and Campaigns at Choice, Christopher Zinn said while the intention of allowing a surcharge was to encourage competition and lower the costs of using credit cards, an unintended consequence had been that those with market power such as taxis and airlines had been able to charge consumers up to 10 per cent for the use of credit cards.
   “Choice believes a charge of one per cent would be more in line with their cost recovery,” Mr Zinn said.
   “In fact, Choice awarded Qantas and Tiger Airways a 2009 SHONKY for sky high surcharges of $7.70 per passenger on domestic sectors.”
   Ms Judge said further information on credit card fees could be found at www.fairtrading.gov.au

24 March, 2010

Meter running on
IPART taxi report

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released a discussion paper into taxi fares in NSW as well as flat fares between Sydney Airport and Sydney CBD as part of its annual fare review.
   In the Paper, IPART proposes an increase of more than 3 per cent for taxi services and outlines the potential advantages and disadvantages of a flat fare, such as the difficulties in setting boundaries for the CBD.
   The Tribunal said the discussion paper set out the processes of the review, gave a preliminary estimate of the likely increases and was the first step towards a comprehensive report on taxi services in the State.
   Each year IPART recommends new maximum fares to the Minister for Transport, with the review and subsequent feedback from interested parties important in ensuring that fares reflected the costs of providing taxi services.
   The 2010 discussion paper indicated IPART would recommend a fare increase of about 3.5 per cent in urban areas and 3.1 per cent in country areas.
   Depending on feedback from stakeholders, IPART will propose the increase be applied evenly to the individual fare components.
   IPART has also responded to the NSW Government’s request to consider a flat fare between Sydney Airport and the CBD.
   The Tribunal outlined a range of issues in relation to the proposal – including the different ways of implementing the fare, the costs in comparison to other modes of transport and its viability in comparison with other major cities around the world.
   IPART considered the different costs of fares during the day time compared to at night and traffic conditions at different times of the day.
   It said it was seeking feedback from stakeholders and interested parties before submitting its recommendations in relation to the flat fare in June.
   The discussion paper could be accessed at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au and written submissions will be accepted until 30 April at the same place.

24 March, 2010

Fire warnings put
heat on seniors

NSW Fire Brigades have issued a warning to elderly people to be careful of fire dangers around the home.
   NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins said research had identified a number of growing concerns in relation to house fires and older residents.
   Commissioner Mullins said it was a tragic fact that people aged over 65 made up one in three fire deaths in NSW, the majority of which occurred during the colder winter months.
   Commissioner Mullins said improving fire safety for seniors would be the Fire Brigade’s focus throughout Seniors Week, with firefighters actively working in their communities to help and inform elderly residents.
   He said a working smoke alarm and a home escape plan could greatly increase the chance of escaping a home fire.
   Commissioner Mullins said it was vital for the elderly to practice their escape plan, especially if they had reduced mobility.
   He said seniors who have difficulty hearing should consider installing special smoke alarms with flashing strobe lights and a vibrating pad that is placed under the pillow.
   “If older people need help with their smoke alarms, there is a special program called SABRE, the Smoke Alarm and Battery Replacement program, under which firefighters can change the smoke alarm batteries for elderly and immobile residents,” the Commissioner said.
   He said the Brigades responded to more than 4,800 residential fires each year, of which almost half were caused in the kitchen, often as a result of cooking being left unattended on the stove.
   Commissioner Mullins said there were nearly a million senior citizens in NSW alone and, with an ageing population, everybody had to be vigilant to try to reduce the potential for tragedy.

24 March, 2010

Digital re-scan gets
thumbs down

The Australian Communications and Media Authority, ACMA has warned that some Sydney television viewers may have to re-scan their digital receivers to pick up the new community TV service TVS on channel 44.
   Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said not all digital receivers would automatically detect the arrival of a new channel.
   Mr Chapman said ACMA was working with TVS to raise consumer awareness of the issue and provide advice on how and when to re-scan.
   “Many receivers will require a ‘re-scan’ or ‘re-tune’ every time a new channel is launched,’’ Mr Chapman said.
   He said manual re-scanning of digital services was usually done through the set-up menu for digital televisions or set top boxes.
   He said once viewers had accessed this menu they should choose ‘re-scan’, ‘store channels’, ‘re-tune’ or ‘replace’ and allow the set to automatically identify digital services.
   Chief Executive of TVS (Television Sydney), Laurie Paton said in some cases re-scanning might still not provide access to TVS because the home was not within the TVS coverage area.
   Mr Paton said TVS was only available from the Gore Hill transmission site so antennas pointing to other sites, such as Kings Cross or North Head, might not receive the TVS digital signal.
   “Generally speaking, if you can receive TVS via your analog TV you should be able to pick us up on your digital receiver,’’ Mr Patton said.
   He said other issues that might affect the ability to receive a digital signal included the quality of the external antenna and the cabling between the antenna outlet and the receiver.
   Mr Patton said TVS was a not-for-profit community television channel that was launched in February 2006.

24 March, 2010

Bright new plan for
after dark safety

A range of new initiatives and services designed to help people enjoy safer night-time entertainment at popular nightspots has been introduced for a 12-month trial.
   The Hassle Free Nights plan, which includes additional late night bus services, new rules on party buses and secure taxi ranks, will be trialled in Newcastle, Manly, Wollongong and Sydney’s CBD.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally said under the plan, NSW Police, local Government, transport providers, licensed premises, and local communities would work together to reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in popular entertainment districts.
   “All of us should be able to have a great night out without being hassled,” Ms Keneally said.
   “We are increasing the number of secure late night bus services from Hickson Road to Town Hall, Bondi to Kings Cross and Central, Wollongong to Thirroul, with four additional services for Parramatta.
   “We are also providing new secure taxi ranks in Kings St Wharf, World Square, The Rocks, Parramatta, Newcastle, Hamilton, and Wollongong - to help people get home safely.”
   The Premier said new laws aimed at reducing street drinking and tightening the rules for party buses, boats and karaoke bars would also be introduced.
   “We will also increase promotion of all late night transport services and provide information to venues across the State to promote the Secure Cab Taxi Voucher System and how hire cars can be engaged to provide late night transport services to patrons,” Ms Keneally said.
   She said other projects under the Hassle Free Nights plan included strengthening regulation of violent licensed premises; strengthening powers to regulate trading hours; introducing new Precinct Liquor Accords and standardised licensed conditions; and developing a new footpath strategy to improve crowd management outside venues.
   “The Government knows communities are unique and varied and that is why locally tailored solutions and conditions are being developed to meet specific needs of individual communities,” Ms Keneally said.
   She said the Action Plan would start from 31 March, with further information about the new laws, an online Hassle Free Forum and transport options available from www.hasslefree.nsw.gov.au

24 March, 2010

Forest study plants
seed of reform

An independent report into three Regional Forest Agreements in NSW has been released jointly by the Acting Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, John Robertson, and Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke.
   Mr Robertson said the report, which responded to the five-yearly review of the NSW Regional Forest Agreement, demonstrated the commitment of both Governments to work together to sustainably manage the State’s forests.
   The independent report, which was conducted by former Director General of the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, Scott Spencer, outlined 18 recommendations for the Federal and State Governments to consider.
   Mr Robertson said a formal response would be provided in coming months.
   “NSW is committed to Regional Forest Agreements, and we will carefully consider Mr Spencer’s recommendations alongside the Australian Government,” Mr Robertson said.
   He said the three NSW RFAs reported on were signed between 1999 and 2001 and provided for the conservation of areas, for ecologically sustainable forest management and 20 year certainty for forest industries and forest dependent communities.
Mr Burke said Regional Forestry Agreements were central to the ongoing sustainable management of major forests and forestry industries.
   “They are the absolute cornerstone of our national forest policy,” he said.
   The independent assessor’s report was available from www.daff.gov.au or www.environment.nsw.gov.au

24 March, 2010
Students lap up laptops
The first of more than 60,000 laptops to be distributed to Year 9 students in NSW public schools have been handed over as part of the 2010 rollout.
   Over the next two terms an average of 10,000 new laptops are expected to be handed out each week.
   In 2009 more than 66,000 laptops were provided to Year 9 students and by mid-2010 there is expected to be almost 130,000 of the computers in the State’s public schools.

Open Day is no con
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is holding its Open Day on 28 March when it will present one of the biggest schedules of classic and contemporary music concerts, displays and lectures on record.
   As part of the Con’s Open Day, a cello from the early 1800s that belonged to Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife will be played for the first time in 196 years.
   The Open Day will include mini concerts, an instrument petting zoo, roving minstrels, a treasure hunt and theatrical performances focused around Governor Macquarie and his wife Elizabeth.

Tourism awards open
Tourism operators in regional NSW are being encouraged to enter the 2010 CountryLink Inland Tourism Awards.
   Entrants to the Awards can be from tourism businesses, events, marketing organisations, clubs and individuals, with finalists receiving the opportunity to take part in the NSW Tourism Awards and the national awards.
   The winners will be announced on 24 July, with further information available from www.inlandtourismawards.com.au

Digital coverage extended
Legislation has been introduced by the Commonwealth to get a satellite broadcasting service up and running to allow all Australian residents to access the full suite of digital television channels.
   The Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2010 would create three new commercial television licence areas specifically for the new satellite service in Western, Northern and South Eastern Australia.
   The Bill is expected to improve the choice and quality of digital television services for those living in regional areas.

Regional Development online
The new Regional Development Australia (RDA) website has been launched to help people engage with their local communities and follow the work of their local RDA committee.
   RDA is a new national network of 55 committees which have been set up to work across all levels of Government to support the growth and development of regional Australia.
   The new website is intended to will keep people up-to-date with RDA news and information and could be accessed at www.rda.gov.au

Assault figures revealed
One in eight people recorded by police as having assaulted someone on licensed premises were security guards or other staff members according to figures released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
   Patrons and prospective patrons accounted for 77 per cent of the people who had assaulted someone, with a quarter of these assaults committed either by someone being evicted from the premises or by someone refused entry.
   The statistics also reveal that 62 per cent of the assault victims were patrons, while security guards and other staff accounted for 22 per cent.

Punt preserved
The Australian National Maritime Museum has provided the Clarence Valley Council with $5,000 in funding to help conserve Maclean’s Cane Punt.
The 64-year-old former CSR Cane Punt will undergo a ‘check-up’ by marine conservator Michael Staples after the Council commissioned him to provide a conservation plan for the vessel.
   When the plan is complete, the Council will seek additional funding to carry out any recommendations to help restore the punt.

Sea trunk restored
A 189-year-old sea trunk, restored with the assistance of a grant from the Australian National Maritime Museum, has been returned to the Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society.
   The trunk was the property of the maritime explorer Lieutenant Robert Johnston who commanded the Government schooner Snapper on its 1821 exploration of Batemans Bay.
   The wood and canvas luggage trunk, which was donated to the historical society 15 years ago, was restored by Bega-based conservators to prevent salt erosion and other deterioration.
   The trunk will go back on display in September to coincide with local history week.

17 March, 2010

Court throws book
at identity theft

A new program to help protect people who give evidence in Court from identity theft has been implemented in the Supreme Court.
   The Identity Theft Protection (ITP) Program will help keep the identities of witnesses, people giving evidence and accused people (where applicable) anonymous by replacing personal details and identifiers in Court transcripts with a series of ‘x’s.
   Personal identifiers include residential addresses, dates of birth, anniversary dates, Medicare numbers, bank account numbers, tax file numbers and driving licence numbers.
   Racial characteristics and nationalities might also need to be removed from transcripts and judgments if they could cause a person’s identity to be uncovered.
   According to an Information Sheet published by the Court, the identifiers that are anonymised would be listed in a Register of Substitutions and made available to the Presiding Officer and parties.
   The Information Sheet says that unless a judge otherwise directs, the judge’s staff and the Reporting Services Branch (RSB) must comply with the policy when preparing transcripts and judgments in Supreme Court matters.
   It says that under the policy, individual judges will need to issue instructions to RSB on a case by case basis to anonymise information in transcripts to meet legislative requirements.
   Before the policy was implemented on 1 March, these details were available in transcripts that were published or could be purchased by third parties.
   According to the Information Sheet the Supreme Court raised the issue of identity theft as a potential issue in producing transcripts in 2008 and recommended processes be improved.
   It said the Department of Justice and Attorney General introduced the new procedures in response to the concerns.
   The Information Sheet outlines the program and includes an example of an anonymised transcript and a Register of Substitutions.
   The sheet could be downloaded from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Eventful shakeup
for Events NSW

A major review of Events NSW and a revamping of the Government’s approach to festivals and related activities will see a new Minister appointed and a new Chairman of Events NSW.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally announced the changes saying the Government would “do what it takes” to ensure NSW kept its position as entertainment capital of Australia.
   “From now on, NSW will have a dedicated Minister and portfolio charged with attracting new events and retaining our best and biggest initiatives,” Ms Keneally said.
   “Major events generate $500 million for the State of NSW every year and provide huge entertainment value for families and communities.”
   She said the Minister for State and Regional Development, Ian Macdonald, would be responsible for the new portfolio of Major Events.
   She said a high level whole of Government Cabinet Committee – comprising the Minister for Tourism, Minister for Western Sydney (including Sydney Olympic Park), Minister for Arts, and the Minister for Gaming and Racing – would report to her.
   The Premier said the committee would support Mr Macdonald and help to guide the new competitive strategy and coordinate events.
   She also announced the appointment of business leader John Conde as Chairman of Events NSW.
   Ms Keneally said Mr Conde was currently the Chairman of Energy Australia, the Sydney Symphony Limited and the Homebush Motor Racing Authority Advisory Board.
   “Mr Conde is a highly experienced and respected business leader and we welcome his appointment to this important role,” she said.
   “We look forward to securing and attracting more events – adding to our impressive list.”
   Ms Keneally said among the events Sydney and regional NSW would be hosting this year were a writers festival, Bluesfest in Byron Bay and the Bathurst 1000.

17 March, 2010

Judge gives verdict
on CTTT result

About 74 per cent of disputes taken to the NSW Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal are resolved prior to, or at, their first hearing, according to a report from the CTTT on its activity in 2009.
   Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge, described this result as “fantastic.”
   Ms Judge said the CTTT played a vital role in helping consumers resolve disputes and proved an informal, low cost and accessible option.
   “The Tribunal helps people reach agreement through conciliation, a process that allows both sides to have greater control over the outcome,” she said.
   “If conciliation is not successful, a Tribunal Member hears and evaluates all presented evidence then issues a binding and legally enforceable order.”
   Ms Judge said the report showed a total of 58,312 applications were received by the Tribunal last year.
   It showed tenancy matters topped the list of disputes with 30,380 disagreements, while social housing was second with 12,984 and goods and services accounted for 6,658 disputes.
   Ms Judge said consumers could lodge a CTTT application online and would generally receive immediate advice about when and where their dispute would be heard.
   “The cost of applying is low, from $5 for pensioners and students, with a flat fee of $34 for the majority of matters. A fee waiver can also be sought for people experiencing financial hardship,” she said.
   “If someone in a regional area is two or more hours travel time away from a hearing venue, then a telephone hearing can be organised.”
   Mr Judge said the Tribunal sat at each of its eight registries and 70 other locations around the State.

17 March, 2010

Buses miss boat
on performance

An audit of how well NSW Transport and Infrastructure manages the performance of Sydney Metropolitan bus services has identified a need for improvements.
   The Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat said there were “major performance issues” with Sydney’s metropolitan buses and that the public deserved better services.
   In his report, Improving the performance of metropolitan bus services, Mr Achterstraat said people relied on buses to get around, whether it be to work, school or home.
   “Buses are vital for moving people and the public deserves good service,” he said. “Sydney metropolitan bus services need to be improved.”
   Mr Achterstraat said wide variations in service levels existed as privately operated services were less frequent and less accessible than publicly run services.
   “A survey last year showed that 1 in 4 bus users said they were left standing at the bus stop at least once a week and 1 in 3 wanted to catch a bus at times when the services had stopped operating,” the Auditor-General said.
   “This performance is not good enough.”
   He said there were disparities in the costs of operating metropolitan bus services with some regions costing just over $4 per kilometre compared with almost $10 per kilometre in others.
   “With bus contracts worth $5.6 billion over seven years, the public is entitled to value for money,” he said.
   “Contracts were directly negotiated with existing operators and not through an open competitive tender process.
   “This may prove more costly to the public.”
   Mr Achterstraat said improvements had been made since a review was conducted in 2004 but more remained to be done.
   “The 2004 Review of Bus Services in NSW has provided direction with its emphasis on new contracts, strategic corridors and a new bus network,” he said.
   “But NSW Transport and Infrastructure has no overarching business plan and has set few clear performance objectives in relation to bus services.
   “The absence of adequate performance reporting means that NSWTI cannot provide assurance that it has reliably and consistently identified and addressed all performance issues that need to be addressed.”
   Mr Achterstraat recommended NSWTI specify performance objectives for each contract region; hold bus operators accountable and penalise them for poor performance; strengthen self-reporting controls; publicly report operator performance; and conduct more frequent customer service satisfaction surveys.
   The report was available from www.audit.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Fine line drawn for
fine repayments

A new scheme to help low-income earners and other disadvantaged people pay off their Court fines has been announced by the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
   Mr Hatzistergos said under the scheme, recipients of Centrelink payments could have money gradually deducted from their welfare benefits until their fine was paid off.
   “Failure to pay Court fines can result in serious consequences such as the cancellation of a driver’s license, personal property seizure or additional fees, so it is important that disadvantaged people are given manageable payment options,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   He said recipients of Centrelink payments could have an agreed amount deducted from their welfare benefits each fortnight until the debt was cleared.
   He said the funds would be deducted using Centrelink’s free Centrepay service, which was often used by people receiving Government benefits to manage the payment of their rent, telephone, electricity and gas bills.
   “No one will be obliged to use Centrepay and welfare recipients will still be able to pay Court fines all at once if they prefer,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   The Attorney General said a separate initiative, the Work and Development Orders scheme, allowed homeless and mentally ill people or those experiencing acute financial hardship to pay off fines through charity work or by attending treatment programs.
   “The Work and Development Orders scheme is strongly backed by many of the State’s key charity groups including The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Youth Off the Streets,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   “This program introduced last year aims to address a phenomenon known as ‘secondary offending’, which occurs when disadvantaged people can’t pay their fines and descend deeper into the criminal justice system.”
   He said all notices of penalties issued by NSW Courts now included a Centrepay application form.
   The forms were also available from Courthouses or online at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Parents tutored on
choosing a tutor

Parents looking to arrange tutoring for their schoolchildren have been warned to do their own homework by the Deputy Commissioner for Fair Trading, Steve Griffin.
   Mr Griffin said the right tutor could complement the education provided by schools, but parents should be wary of bogus offers and exercise caution with overseas or interstate institutions promoting their services on the internet.
   “Read any contract carefully before signing and be aware of any cancellation conditions,” Mr Griffin said.
   “Ask how ‘guarantees’ of success can be substantiated and be careful of companies that rely on web-based communication and don’t offer telephone numbers or office locations.”
   Mr Griffin said NSW Fair Trading received 424 complaints about education services in 2009, mostly relating to refunds, cancellations, fees and unsatisfactory services.
   “A ‘Tutoring – tips for parents’ fact sheet can be viewed or downloaded from the Fair Trading website or copies can be obtained by calling 13 32 20,” he said.
   “I strongly recommend parents read this fact sheet before signing up for any tutoring service.
   “The fact sheet is available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi, Korean and Arabic.”
   Mr Griffin said parents should also check that any computer-based learning program software was compatible with their computer.
   “Make sure you have a fast enough internet connection if you opt for online tutoring,” he said.
   The Australian Tutoring Association’s Code of Conduct requires businesses to have a refund policy; fully disclose staff qualifications; avoid exaggerated or misleading claims, deceptive practices or high pressure selling; accurately report on the student’s progress; and interview prospective staff face-to-face and in person, including interstate staff.
   Mr Griffin said parents experiencing problems with tutoring services could contact Fair Trading or visit www.ata.edu.au

17 March, 2010

NSW Maritime floats
new safety resource

NSW Maritime has launched a new web-based resource to help boat owners and operators understand water-traffic rules better.
   The online resource was developed to improve safety and offers boaters an interactive experience to help them with a range of practical navigation information such as how to understand and use day-time and night-time navigation buoys and markers.
   The resource also provides a guide to waterway rules.
   In a statement, NSW Maritime said the website used animation to help boaters understand navigation marks by allowing them to view signals in daylight and night conditions.
   Users can also manipulate a variety of vessels, including motor boats, larger vessels and sailing vessels, to view their navigation lights at any angle.
   It said the online safety guide would be particularly useful for boaters interested in increasing their safety knowledge of night-time boating, by gaining a better understanding of the various colours and configurations of lights.
   It said the system of lights and shapes was based upon long-standing international maritime rules for safe navigation and it was important that skippers understood them and their responsibilities.
   The website includes interactive quizzes to allow boaters to test their knowledge of safe boating rules.
   The quizzes are linked to full explanations of the boating rules in the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook.
   NSW Maritime said the online navigation guide was the result of a safety partnership between NSW Maritime and Britain’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
   The Vessel Navigation Interactive Guide was available from www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Plans take sorrow
out of parking

Work has begun on expanding the first of 11 new car parks for Western Sydney, promising to add 3,500 parking spaces and make it easier for thousands of commuters to get to work each day.
   Construction work has already started at the St Mary’s Commuter Car Park and further expansions are expected to commence soon at Katoomba, Emu Plains, Quakers Hill, Seven Hills, Blacktown, Windsor, Schofields and Penrith.
   The first of the 11 new commuter car parks in West and North West Sydney opened at Wentworthville Station last year.
   The Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (TIDC) has revealed that in a few weeks work would be underway on a total of 17 car parks across Sydney and surrounds, with the majority due for completion later this year.
   In a statement, the TIDC said it was determined to make public transport more efficient and convenient and hoped the improvements would encourage fewer people to drive to work and contribute to a more environmentally sound and sustainable future.
   It said the Commuter Car Park Program aimed to provide the infrastructure needs for local communities and recognised the rapidly growing population in Western Sydney.
   Further information on the Commuter Car Park Program was available from www.tidc.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Floodgates open for
water price rises

Public Comment is being sought on proposed increases to bulk water prices.
   The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released a draft determination of prices the NSW State Water Corporation (State Water) can charge for bulk water from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2014.
   The prices aim to reflect the cost of providing bulk water services to customers who hold entitlements to high security or general security water on regulated rivers.
   Under the draft determination, increases in water bills for high security customers would be between four per cent in the Murrumbidgee to 85 per cent in the Gwydir Valley over the four-year period.
   Bills for general security customers are expected to increase by one per cent in the Murrumbidgee to 65 per cent in the Lachlan Valley over the same period.
   IPART said it would cap average bill increases for general security customers to 10 per cent a year for the North Coast, South Coast and Peel valleys.
   The increases are expected to generate revenue from State Water customers of around $250 million in total over the 4 years, up from $208 million in the 2006-10 determination period.
   State Water predicted its operating expenditure would increase by 8.7 per cent over the 4 years from $36.1 million in 2009/10 to $39.3 million in 2013/14.
   Acting Chairman and Chief Executive of IPART, Jim Cox said State Water needed sufficient operating and capital expenditure to deliver services and meet environmental and safety obligations.
   “State Water is forecasting increases in both operating and capital expenditures over the period to 2014 due mainly to expenditure required to meet obligations for emergency and security, dam safety and the environment,” Mr Cox said.
   He said IPART had also changed the method of forecasting water sales to reduce the risk of significant forecasting errors in future.
   He said IPART had considered the impact that higher water charges would have on farm costs and predicted customers who used 150 ML of water per annum would only be faced with a water bill that represented less than nine per cent of average total farm costs for each valley.
   Submissions on the proposal close 16 April. The draft determination could be accessed at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

ACCC report brings
airports to Earth

A report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has found Sydney airport to be the least customer-friendly of all the major airports in Australia.
   Releasing the ACCC’s annual airport monitoring report for the 2008–09 financial year the Chairman of the Commission, Graeme Samuel said Sydney airport’s performance was of great concern.
   Mr Samuel said the ACCC monitored Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne (Tullamarine), Perth and Sydney (Kingsford Smith) airports to ensure they don’t use their monopoly position to increase profits at the expense of passengers and airlines.
   The report highlights their performance in delivering services to airlines and includes a range of indicators including quality of service, prices, costs, profits and investment levels.
   Mr Samuel said the report on Sydney Airport showed it had increased profits by allowing service quality to “fall below that which the airlines reasonable expect.”
   “Airport users, including passengers and airlines, rated Sydney Airport last amongst the monitored airports for the fourth consecutive year,” Mr Samuel said.
   “While Sydney Airport was the only airport to report a fall in passenger numbers, its revenue and profit margins still increased.”
   Mr Samuel said airports typically charged airlines on a per passenger basis for using their facilities.
   “Sydney Airport also recorded the highest average prices at $13.63 per passenger, compared to the lowest of $7.96 at Melbourne Airport,” he said.
   “While airlines lowered their airfares to attract business in the current global economic slowdown, the airports appear to have enjoyed the security of guaranteed prices as well as benefiting from the airlines’ efforts to encourage travel.”
   The report also raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of parking at airports.
   “The indications are that car parking prices likely reflect an element of monopoly rent,” Mr Samuel said.
   “At least some car parking charges increased at all of the monitored airports during the 2008–09 financial year, or since then.”
   He said Brisbane Airport was the highest ranked airport in 2008-09 in respect of service by airlines and passengers.
   Mr Samuel said in their survey responses, airlines had consistently identified Sydney Airport as the least responsive of the airports as far as service delivery and quality over a sustained period of time were concerned.
   The report could be accessed at www.accc.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Old checks bounced
in new security plan

Character and security checks on people hoping to work with children are to be strengthened to bring them into line with new laws and to make them easier for employers to arrange.
   The NSW Commission for Children and Young People has reminded employers that the new rules will come into effect soon and the necessary forms and guidelines were available on the Commission’s website.
   The Working With Children Check legislation was recently expanded to help strengthen the processes around employers managing risks to children’s safety and wellbeing in their workplaces.
   The Commission said that as of 31 March, adults who volunteered their services to provide personal care for disabled children (such as volunteer respite care) and who were involved in mentoring programs for disadvantaged children would require a Working With Children Check before starting.
   Other changes included extending the Check to adults who lived with foster carers and family day care providers; the licensees of child care services; and students involved with training placements with the Department of Community Services.
   The Commission said the changes were part of the Government’s response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW.
   The Commission for Children and Young People launched a new, interactive Working With Children Check micro-site to enable quicker access to the forms and guidelines as part of a series of planned improvements to its online presence.
   The Commission said it would be contacting volunteer and carer organisations to help them with their new obligations and that the new forms and guidelines could be found at www.kids.nsw.gov.au

17 March, 2010

Tourism leadership
is ticket to the top

A survey of international visitors by Tourism Research Australia has shown NSW to be leading the national tourism recovery and keeping its crown as Australia’s “international tourism capital”.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally said new independent data showed the number of international visitors to NSW increased by almost 7 per cent last quarter and the number of nights stayed by visitors increased by almost 13 per cent.
   Ms Keneally said the survey showed NSW saw more than three times the national average increase in visitor nights last quarter.
   “This is fantastic news for the economy and for the tourism industry after the whole world experienced a tough 2009 after the Global Financial Crisis,” she said.
   “These results are a clear indication that tourism in the State is on the road to recovery.
   “It also confirms our $40 million tourism strategy is working to target the right markets.”
   Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay said much of the increase in visitor nights had been driven by the State’s ability to attract people for working holidays.
   “The number of international working holiday makers visiting NSW in 2009 increased by around 14 per cent, with the number of nights spent by these visitors up by 26 per cent to 6.4 million,” Ms McKay said.
   “Recent NSW Government campaigns targeting long-term visitors like this from key markets including the US, Europe and the UK are clearly paying off.”
   She said the survey showed NSW had also been buoyed by a backpacker boom, with more young international visitors.
   “Last year NSW welcomed more than 444,000 backpackers, which is 78 per cent of the total backpacker market visiting Australia,” Ms McKay said.
   She also welcomed an upturn in international business travel to Sydney and NSW, saying figures indicated the number of business visitors to the State increased by 2.3 per cent over the quarter and that they had stayed for longer.
   “Last quarter, NSW secured more than double the business visitors (103,000) and nights (1.1 million) of Victoria (56,000 and 588,000 respectively),” Ms McKay said.

17 March, 2010

Transport plan gets
push from paperwork

Important work preparing the way for the State Government’s $50 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan has already started with infrastructure declarations being made that will fast-track eight new train platforms and almost 10 kilometres of light rail.
   Amendments have also been proposed for the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) to streamline the delivery of commuter car parks and bus depots for 1,000 new buses.
   As a result of the changes, preliminary work on the light rail line would be able to be carried out without the need for a development application.
   The preliminary work included testing, surveying and other investigation work.
   According to the transport planners this would ensure the works were subject to a streamlined, efficient and legally certain planning assessment while at the same time guaranteeing public input.
   They said that under the critical infrastructure declaration, projects would still be subject to the same rigorous, open and transparent assessment; public submissions would still be received and considered; and costly and prolonged legal challenges would be avoided.
   Projects are to be assessed and determined by the Minister for Planning under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
   Smaller projects, including bus depots and commuter car parks, will be expedited under the Infrastructure SEPP.
   The Metropolitan Transport Plan was announced by the Premier last month and includes a Western Express CityRail Service from Sydney’s west and the Blue Mountains to the CBD; an expansion of light rail in Sydney with up to 20 new stations; 1,000 new buses; and additional commuter car parks.

17 March, 2010

Employment Expo
doing a great job

A jobs exhibition that will put more than 50 employers in touch with local job seekers and potential staff members is being held in Lismore this week.
   Acting Manager of Centrelink Lismore, Sue McNamara said the Keep Australia Working Jobs Expo had proven a great success since the Federal Government introduced it last year.
   Ms McNamara said the Expo provided a great opportunity for both employers and local job seekers as hundreds of full-time, part-time and casual jobs, as well as apprenticeships and graduate positions were on offer from more than 50 exhibitors.
   “The Lismore Jobs Expo is a practical way for employers, industry groups, recruitment and training providers as well as Federal, State and Local Governments to connect directly with local job seekers,” she said.
   “The expo’s a one-stop jobs supermarket where job seekers and employers can engage in person.
   “It’s about building relationships, seeing the qualities in people first hand and gauging what both employers and job seekers have to offer one another.”
   Ms McNamara said that Aussie Home Loans had registered as an exhibitor.
   Franchise Manager of Aussie Home Loans Northern Rivers, Sana Hosseini said the Jobs Expo would provide the mortgage broker with the opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of a career in the finance industry.
   “I believe the Centrelink Jobs Expo is a positive initiative which will help us showcase our local businesses to potential employees,” Mr Hosseini said.
   “Better yet, the Jobs Expo may provide local people with jobs, and that’s got to be good for all businesses in the region.”
   Ms McNamara said entry for exhibitors and job seekers was free and job seekers were encouraged to bring a one page resume to the expo, which would be open from 10am to 3pm at the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre on 19 March.

17 March, 2010

Child protection to
come from the art

New laws that clarify the distinction between art and child pornography have been introduced into the NSW Parliament.
   Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the new laws stemmed from the report of a working party on child pornography chaired by Judge Peter Berman SC.
   “The artistic merit defence currently contained in legislation poses a significant problem,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   “Currently a clear line does not exist between child pornography and art – a situation that is not ideal for the public or the artistic community.”
   The Attorney General said the new laws made it clear that if a Court determined that material was “child abuse material”, the fact that it was art could no longer be used as a defence against a charge of child pornography.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW laws adopted Commonwealth provisions in which the Court looked at the artistic merit of the material when deciding whether it was child pornography, rather than relying on the defence of artistic purpose being raised.
   He said the reforms also expanded protections for previous victims of sex offenders: allowing evidence to be given via CCTV and preventing cross-examination from the accused.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the new laws would reduce the trauma experienced by police, prosecutors and juries involved in child pornography cases by allowing the use of random samples to represent vast amounts of images, rather than analysing each one.
   These reforms provide greater protections to victims and save law enforcement officers and juries the trauma of examining every single disturbing item when a haul of pornography is uncovered,” he said.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the laws would also make it easier for police to prosecute cases where images were disseminated via the internet.
   He said the State’s move to toughen child pornography laws had come as a result of working with victims groups and members of the artistic community including the National Association for Visual Arts and Victims of Crime Assistance League.

17 March, 2010

Feds storm in with
flood support

The Commonwealth Government has announced a range of support measures to assist communities in NSW recover from the affects of recent storms and floods.
   Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland said financial assistance would be provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and would apply to the natural disaster declared areas of Wagga Wagga and Central Darling Shire.
   “Many people and businesses have been adversely affected and there has been extensive flood damage to roads and other infrastructure,” Mr McClelland said.
   He said funding would include assistance for the restoration of essential public infrastructure and relief operations including personal hardship and distress grants to low-income earners whose principal residence was damaged.
   Mr McClelland said concessional loans of up to $130,000 for small businesses and primary producers would be provided though the NSW Rural Assistance Authority and concessional loans of up to $25,000 for voluntary, non-profit organisations through NSW Treasury.
   The Attorney-General said there would also be road and rail freight subsidies of up to $15,000 to help primary producers transport livestock and fodder through the Industry and Investment NSW office.
   Mr McClelland said the Commonwealth, through Emergency Management Australia, would continue to work closely with NSW authorities, local Government and community organisations to ensure affected communities had all the support they needed.
   He said enquiries in relation to the grants should be directed to the NSW Department of Community Services on 1800 018 444, NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593, NSW Treasury on (02) 9228 5198 and Industry and Investment NSW office on 1800 814 647.

17 March, 2010
Court makes delay progress
The Supreme Court of NSW has made some progress in reducing lengthy delays in processing probate applications.
   The current average waiting time on straightforward grants of probate is seven to 10 working days while letters of administration and complex grants of probate take eight weeks.
   The Court said that by the end of March, when it would announce updated waiting times, straightforward grants would be processed in five working days and the waiting time on complex applications should be reduced substantially.

Education Week 2010
The Department of Education and Training has announced that Education Week 2010 will be celebrated from 2 to 6 August.
   The Department said the Week would focus on the theme ‘NSW Public Schools – leading the way’ and would showcase the Year of Learning Sustainability.
   Further information about Education Week and planned activities was available from www.schools.nsw.edu

Ombudsman stands up equality
The NSW Ombudsman has become a member of the Australian Employers Network on Disability (AEND), a not-for-profit organisation aimed at advancing the equitable inclusion of people with disability.
   The Network helps organisations build skills and confidence in relation to people with disability as employees, customers and other stakeholders.
   Joining the AEND supports the Ombudsman’s strategies set out in its Disability Action Plan.

Legal aid for seniors
Legal Aid NSW has joined with Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA NSW) to provide free or low-cost legal advice to older people.
   The Legal Pathways for Older People Pilot will be launched on 22 March with a free legal information forum on important legal issues for older people including looking ahead, family and finance, and legal issues for grandparents.
   Bookings for the forum, which will take place at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, can be made on (02) 9286 3860.

Creative kids at museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour is hosting activities for young visitors – aged eight to 14 years – in the upcoming autumn school holidays.
   The Stencil Art Workshops, which encourage young artists to create a “mythic creature” to add to a collective mural on display at the Museum, will be held on 6 and 7 April.
   Flip-book Animation Workshops will take place on 13 and 14 April.
   These workshops and others will be part of the Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids exhibition. For more information visit www.anmm.gov.au

GREAT address change
The Government and Related Employees Appeals Tribunal (GREAT) has moved to a new address: Level 1, 47 Bridge Street (just off Macquarie St) in Sydney.
   The Tribunal’s phone, (02) 9020 4750; fax (02) 9020 4790; and website, http://great.greattab.nsw.gov.au, remain the same.
   The Transport Appeals Board has also moved to Bridge Street.

10 March, 2010

Healthy response to
health reforms

The State Government has unveiled the three-step process it intends to follow before responding to the Commonwealth’s proposal to take over health funding.
   Premier, Kristina Keneally announced the process, saying it would prepare Ministers and officials for their talks with the Commonwealth.
   “This is a key part of our preparations for formal meetings with the Commonwealth,” Ms Keneally said.
   “It would ensure the position we take to the Council of Australian Governments next month is one that best reflects the needs of NSW families.”
   The Premier said the three-part Health Consultation Plan and Formal Response Agenda included a discussion paper on the possible implications of the national health plan on NSW funding, service delivery, and workforce.
   She said the second part of the plan was a half-day working seminar of up to 50 medical professionals and care providers to canvass key issues raised in the proposal.
   The final part of the plan was a public submission process that would be conducted through a new online forum.
   Ms Keneally said community members could make written submissions on the Commonwealth’s proposal and the State’s discussion paper.
   She said formal consultation with health experts, stakeholders and the community would begin this week (8 March) and that the State would continue to seek more information from the Federal Government on its plan.
   “We want to hear from those who deal with the challenges of our health system on a daily basis,” Ms Keneally said.
   “Their views will be critical to our discussions with the Commonwealth at next month’s COAG meeting.
   “We will do everything we can to provide honest feedback and input into the national discussion and secure the best possible outcome for the people of NSW.”
   She said the new website would be launched and the working seminar held within the next two weeks.
   Ms Keneally said work on the discussion paper had commenced and was being led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt with assistance from Minister for State Plan, Linda Burney.

10 March, 2010

Numbers’ up for
NSW Lotteries

NSW Lotteries has been sold to a private company for $1.01 billion.
   The State Government has accepted a binding offer to transfer NSW Lotteries Corporation to Tatts Group Limited, which will be granted an exclusive 40-year licence to conduct public lotteries (excluding Keno) throughout the State as part of the transaction.
   Under the financial terms of the agreement, the NSW Lotteries Corporation will transfer approximately $160 million in cash and other assets to the Government prior to completion.
   The Tatts Group would also pay the NSW Government $850 million cash as consideration for the licence and purchase of NSW Lotteries Corporation.
   In a statement, the Government said proceeds of the sale would be used for frontline services such as teachers, police and nurses, and would strengthen the State’s balance sheet.
   Tatts Group was selected as the new operator following a competitive bidding process involving domestic and international parties.
   The Government said all short-listed bidders were subject to rigorous probity and financial checks by the regulator, Communities NSW, in order to ensure a suitable party was selected.
   Communities NSW is expected to continue to actively regulate the conduct of public lotteries throughout NSW.
   The State Government said the transaction removed the inherent conflict of the Government as owner and regulator of NSW Lotteries and unlocked funds that could be redirected to other services.
   It said taxpayers would continue to benefit from the ongoing payment of duties from the sale of lotteries products, which totalled some $330 million in the last financial year.

10 March, 2010

Circular saves day
for emergencies

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular setting out the arrangements for using the telephone-based Emergency Alert system.
   Director General of the DPC, Brendan O’Reilly said the national system was now available in NSW and could be used to alert communities to emergencies via voice message on landline telephones and a text message on mobiles.
   Mr O’Reilly said the system would rely on the national Integrated Public Number Database, which could be used to alert people to an emergency or a likely emergency, or to conduct tests to make sure people could be contacted in an emergency.
   He said Telstra had been contracted to supply and maintain the alert for all States and Territories, but that issuing an emergency alert in NSW could only be authorised by ‘emergency management persons.’
   Mr O’Reilly said ‘emergency management persons’ in NSW were the Commissioners of the Fire Brigades, Police Force, Rural Fire Services and the State Emergency Service; the Director-General of the Department of Health; and the State Emergency Operations Controller.
   “Emergency Alert is available for use in significant and life-threatening emergencies and will play an important role in the comprehensive package of warning tools available to emergency services across NSW,” Mr O’Reilly said.
   “Frontline emergency service workers will continue to make decisions about the best methods of responding to emergencies and to warning those who might be in danger.”
   Mr O’Reilly said traditional warning methods such as door knocks and radio and television broadcast messages would continue to be used.
   He reminded residents that their emergency survival plans were as important as the warning systems available to emergency service workers
   Further information about the Emergency Alert system was available at www.emergencyalert.gov.au

10 March, 2010

Sun shines on
tan campaign

An anti-tanning media campaign developed for the Government’s Cancer Institute has won an international award for sun safety.
   Cancer prevention manager for Cancer Institute NSW, Anita Dessaix said the Sulzberger Institute award recognised the impact the Institute’s campaigns were having in Australia and abroad.
   “There’s nothing healthy about a tan has contributed to a change in teenagers’ tanning behaviours in the three years it has been on air in New South Wales,” Ms Dessaix said.
   “More teenagers in NSW are seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, using sunglasses and sunscreen than six years ago.”
   She said the campaign was having a far greater reach than just NSW thanks to licensing of the campaign and the popularity of social media.
   “Winning this award is proof that the message is cutting through,” Ms Dessaix said.
   She said the Sulzberger Institute sun safety video contest, which was created by a group of dermatologists, was judged on delivery of the message, marketing savvy and production quality.
   Ms Dessaix said the Cancer Institute, which was Australia’s first State-wide Government cancer control agency, was dedicated to controlling and curing cancer.
   She said its There’s nothing healthy about a tan campaign challenged the misconception that a tan was healthy by showing the damage that could happen to the skin even before there were signs of burning.
   “While the basic ‘slip, slop, slap’ message remains the same, the central task for the campaign is to make this message relevant to everyone, tackling the growing ‘it can’t happen to me’ mentality and the belief that a tan is healthy,” Ms Dessaix said.
   “When the campaign went to air few people were regularly taking even the basic steps to protect themselves from the sun with 31 per cent of people feeling more healthy with a tan.
   “The campaign is changing these behaviours,” she said.
   “As awareness of the dangers associated with tanning grows, young people are becoming more sun smart and less likely to desire a tan.”

10 March, 2010

Graffiti campaign to
draw public support

An online campaign to win community support for a crackdown on illegal graffiti has been announced by Crime Stoppers.
   Chief Executive of Crime Stoppers, Peter Price said the campaign aimed to encourage the community to provide information to Police to help them detect and prevent graffiti crime.
   Mr Price said graffiti crime included wilfully marking, spraying or writing on a surface without the owner’s consent.
   “It doesn’t matter whether the property is privately owned or belongs to the community, Council or Government; wilfully marking property without permission is a crime punishable by a jail term, monetary fine, and/or community service,” he said.
   Mr Price said graffiti crime cost around $100 million per year.
   He said the latest initiatives, which included broadening Crime Stoppers’ online presence, would make it easier for people to provide information about graffiti offenders.
   “With the assistance of Google, Crime Stoppers in NSW has developed a new website and online YouTube commercial to encourage people to tell Police what they know about graffiti crime,” Mr Price said.
   “It’s all about increasing our visibility online to report off line graffiti attacks.
   “Everyone has a neighbour, and if you know or think your neighbour is causing damage to property in the area we would very much like to know about it.”
   Mr Price said the public could contact Crime Stoppers anonymously online at www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au or by phoning 1800 333 000.
   He encouraged victims of graffiti crime to contact the Police on 13 14 44 or to visit www.graffiti.nsw.gov.au

10 March, 2010

Demand figures supply
leading economy

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its National Accounts figures which show NSW is leading the nation in economic growth.
   Treasurer, Eric Roozendaal welcomed the State Final Demand data which forms part of the National Accounts figures.
   Mr Roozendaal said the State Final Demand data was the “best, broadest and most up to date” measure of all Australian States’ economic performances.
   He said the data reflected total expenditure by households, businesses and Governments.
   Mr Roozendaal said the State Final Demand figures for NSW showed that economic growth for the first half of 2009/10 was 3.9 per cent, ahead of all other Australian States and well above the national average of 3 per cent.
   “NSW is leading Australia’s economic recovery phase out of the Global Financial Crisis,” he said.
   “This is more good economic news for NSW – the green shoots of recovery are continuing to grow.”
   Mr Roozendaal said economic growth was just 0.9 per cent in Queensland and 3.3 per cent in Victoria.
   He said the NSW economy grew by 2.4 per cent in the December quarter.
   Mr Roozendaal   said NSW retail sales had grown by 12.2 per cent since September 2008 compared to a national average of 8.4 per cent.
   The Treasurer said the Bureau of Statistics reported NSW private investment rose by 16.1 per cent in the December quarter 2009 and that on a trend basis, employment in NSW had grown every month since April 2009.

10 March, 2010

Staff freeze heats
up cutback debate

A freeze on Public Service recruitment for non-essential positions and possible caps on PS pay increases have been announced by the Government of the Australian Capital Territory.
   The belt-tightening follows cuts to the ACT’s share of GST revenue recommended by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
   ACT Treasurer, Katy Gallagher, revealed the recruitment freeze and suggested future payrises for the ACT Public Service could be held to 2 per cent a year. The Government had already offered 2.5 per cent in its current round of talks.
   Speaking to the media, Ms Gallagher said the $85 million reduction came as a “nasty shock” to the Territory’s Budget.
   “No other jurisdiction is being asked to accept a 10 per cent cut to their GST revenue,” she said.
   “We’ve taken some decisions in relation to the staffing freeze that’s been imposed on the ACT Public Service for non-essential frontline services, so of course that leaves out health and education and those areas where we need to continue to provide service.”
   The Community and Public Sector Union criticised the ACT Government for failing to consult with staff or unions before announcing the hiring freeze.
   In a statement, the CPSU said it was unclear which jobs were considered to be non-essential or how long the freeze would last.
   “While the CPSU acknowledges the extent of the financial issues the Government is facing, we are concerned that the hard-line approach they are taking will have a negative impact on staff and services,” it said.
   The CPSU said in a bid to recognise tough economic realities, it had lowered its wage increase demand from 4 and 4.5 per cent over the next two years to 3 and 3.5 per cent.
   “Unfortunately the Government is still only offering 2.5 per cent in the first year and 2 per cent in the second year,” the union said.
   “The Government needs to understand that the local service is not a magic pudding and they cannot continue to cut millions of dollars every time there’s budget pressures,” the union’s Vince McDevitt was quoted as saying in the Canberra Times.
   The ACT Public Service employs around 20,100 staff.

10 March, 2010

Red tape cuts
get green light

A report into ways the NSW Government can slash red tape for non-Government organisations has been released by the Co-ordinating Minister for Human Services, Linda Burney.
   Ms Burney said recommendations contained in the NGO Red Tape Reduction report were developed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in consultation with NGOs, peak bodies and other Government Agencies.
   She said the Government aimed to implement some initiatives to improve the tender process for NGOs by mid-2010.
   Ms Burney said these initiatives included introducing e-tendering and word limits for submissions; standardising insurance requirements; and reducing the amount of information required from NGOs when information had already been collected by Agencies.
   “We are confident that the strategies contained in this report will make it easier for NGOs to focus on their core business – delivering services to people in need in the community,” she said.
   “We’ve listened to the NGOs, who told us how the time and resources they spend on preparing funding submissions impacts on their core business of providing a valuable service to the community.
   “We understand the disproportionate impact of Government red tape on smaller NGOs.”
   Ms Burney said around 90 per cent of the Government’s funding to NGOs was administered by the Ageing, Disability and Home Care and Community Services divisions of the Department of Human Services NSW.
   “About $1.5 billion was provided to more than 2,600 NGOs in 2007/08 by Government Agencies including Health, Community Services and Ageing, Disability and Home Care,” she said.
   The Minister said other reforms contained in the report included standardising and simplifying contracts; establishing more pre-registration panels with automatic eligibility for providers with a consistent record of performance and reliability; and establishing a risk framework for NGO funding.
   Director of the Council of Social Services NSW (NCOSS), Alison Peters welcomed the recommendations.
   “NGOs constantly tell us about their concern with the level of bureaucracy, red tape and compliance requirements when working with Government,” Ms Peters said.
   “Any attempt to bring about greater consistency in Government processes and make funding and reporting easier will be a huge improvement.”

10 March, 2010

Higher education
goes up online

A new website to serve university students and their families in the way My School serves primary and secondary school students has been announced by the Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard.
   Ms Gillard said the ‘My University’website would feature information about institutions, courses and pathways and would showcase Australia’s higher education providers.
   She said it would include information on student-to-staff ratios, results of student satisfaction surveys, measures of graduate skills, graduate outcomes and fees.
   Information detailing access to student services and the quality of teaching and learning outcomes would also be available.
   “The Government wants students to use this data to make their choice about their university on the basis of information about quality rather than students having to rely on hearsay, inference from entry requirements or the perceived prestige of universities,” Ms Gillard said.
   “My University will provide a robust, consolidated and transparent source of information about all of Australia’s 39 universities.
   “Information will be provided in an easily accessible form for students and parents.”
   Ms Gillard said the website would help students decide which university to attend as the Government uncapped places from 2012.
   She said the new website was supported by universities and would be developed with their input.
   Ms Gillard said the website would commence in time for the new system in 2012.

10 March, 2010

Trucks targeted for
brake neck speed

New road safety measures targeting speeding trucks have been announced by the Minister for Transport and Roads, David Campbell.
   Mr Campbell said the new heavy vehicle safety measures, including point-to-point speed cameras and increased speeding fines, would come into effect this month.
   He said the new cameras would target speeding trucks that weighed over 4.5 tonnes by measuring the time it took them to travel a length of road.
   “If a truck’s average speed is higher than the speed limit for the road, the driver will be fined and incur demerit points,” Mr Campbell said.
   “Despite heavy vehicles making up only three per cent of vehicle registrations, trucks over 4.5 tonnes are represented in nearly 20 per cent of road fatalities across the State.”
   He said the first cameras to come on line would be on a 35 kilometre stretch of the Pacific Highway from New Italy to Harwood.
   He said by the end of 2011, cameras would be in place at 20 locations identified by road safety experts.
   The Minister said point-to-point speed cameras, which would be clearly marked at the start and end points, would not target cars or small trucks.
   He said aside from the point-to-point cameras, the new measures also included an extra one demerit point on top of current penalties for truck drivers caught speeding.
   Mr Campbell said there would also be fines of more than $1,000 and four demerit points for heavy vehicle drivers detected trying to avoid point-to-point enforcement by committing offences such as driving on the wrong side of the road, tailgating or turning their lights off at night.
   Further information was available from www.rta.nsw.gov.au

10 March, 2010

Spa guide bubbling
with safety tips

A new safety guide for spa-pool owners has been released by the Office of Fair Trading.
   Deputy Commissioner for NSW Fair Trading, Steve Griffin said spa owners and users needed to be conscious of the risks associated with spa suction outlets.
   Mr Griffin said the new guide had been produced in response to recommendations made by the NSW Coroner following an inquest into the spa-related death of an 11-year-old girl, Shannon Abby-Rose Rankin, in Forster in March 2006.
   “The major danger associated with spa pools is the risk of being trapped by the suction outlet systems, including active main drains in the floors of spas,” he said.
   “All spas should have two functioning suction outlets that are a minimum of 600mm apart.”
   The Minister said if the suction outlets did not meet these requirements, consumers should seek the advice of a licensed builder or pool builder.
   Mr Griffin said spa owners and people considering buying a spa in NSW should make sure the spa complied with Australian and international standards.
   “Check with the spa supplier or the builder to ensure the spa complies and if in doubt, have it inspected by a licensed builder or licensed pool builder,” he said.
   “Consumers should check they have lids securely attached by glue or screwed down in place so they cannot be removed.
   “Any spa suction outlet covers should be firmly and properly affixed using the manufacturer’s recommended parts.”
   To check licences and for the full spa pools safety guide consumer could visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call 13 32 20.
   Mr Griffin said the Swimming Pool and Spa Association could be contacted regarding spa compliance on 1800 802 482.

10 March, 2010

Accreditation plan
a credit to Councils

The system of accreditation for building certifiers is to be expanded to include those employed by local Councils.
   Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Barbara Perry said the changes were the first step towards one system of accreditation for all building certifiers – whether they worked for a Council or in the private sector.
   Ms Perry said having an all-encompassing system for private and Council certifiers would reassure the community that anyone who certified their building work had been independently assessed.
   “The Building Professionals Board’s new framework will set minimum standards for all certifiers in relation to qualifications, experience and professional development,” Ms Perry said.
   “All certifiers will work to the same code of conduct and will be subject to similar disciplinary procedures.”
   President of the Building Professionals Board, Sue Holliday said the changes would align the NSW building certification system with other States.
   “These changes get us on the front foot with national licensing reforms as they are advanced by the Council of Australian Governments,” Ms Holliday said.
   “They will formally recognise the skills, knowledge and professionalism of Council accredited certifiers.”
   She said expanding the accreditation system to include Council accredited certifiers had been in the works since the recommendations of the Campbell Inquiry into the Quality of Buildings (2002) and the Improving our Planning System discussion paper (2007).
   Ms Holliday said Councils had six months to ensure they had sufficient numbers of accredited certifiers to undertake all building certification work and that Council accredited certifiers would have a year’s free accreditation and reduced fees after this.
   She said a three-year transition period would allow time for all officers to be accredited and time for employees to graduate to more senior levels of accreditation.
   Ms Holliday said a new category, A4 – Building Inspectors, had been introduced to create a pathway for trainees to enter the industry.

10 March, 2010

Safety translations
set tongues wagging

A new WorkCover campaign to make NSW workplaces safer has been translated into 13 languages.
   Minister for Finance, Michael Daley said the Government’s ‘Homecomings’ advertising campaign had been translated into more than double the number of languages than previous campaigns.
   “However you say it, safety means the same thing in any language,” Mr Daley said.
   “This is the message we want to get through to every worker in NSW - whatever language they speak at home.
   “WorkCover’s radio and press advertising messages and media releases will target workers from the African, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Indonesian, Italian, Pakistani, Spanish, Sri Lankan, Turkish, Vietnamese and Indigenous communities in their own languages.”
   He said everyone had a right to return home safely at the end of the working day, but in 2007-08, a total of 30,000 workers didn’t, with 53 workers killed and 29,947 seriously injured at work.
   “We want to make NSW workplaces the safest in the world - and the figures show we’re making progress - but we believe we can do even better with the help of the families of workers,” Mr Daley said.
   “Over the next four months the WorkCover Homecomings campaign will aim to enlist not just workers, but also their families, in a major effort to reduce workplace injury and death.”
   The Minister said family members were major ‘influencers’ in the lives of workers.
   “To make sure the workplace safety message hits both work and home WorkCover will also distribute thousands of copies of Come Home Safely kits to employers and at community centres,” Mr Daley said.
   “The campaign runs from 1 March to 27 June, targeting blue collar males aged 35 to 49 years working in construction, the trades and trucking - and, of course, their families.”

10 March, 2010

Program dusts off
erosion study

The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water has teamed up with Griffith University to launch a community-based program to monitor wind erosion across Australia.
   Aiming to report on the impact of wind erosion and raise awareness of its effects, the DustWatch program will use high-tech instruments and reports from the community to build a weekly picture of dust activity.
   The Department and the University will report on the extent and severity of wind erosion by measuring dust concentration and observing visibility.
   They said the program aimed to highlight the effects of wind erosion on the landscape and the impacts dust can have on the community and the environment.
   The south-east DustWatch team, led by the Department’s Dr John Leys, is to provide a weekly report on dust activity across NSW by using data to build a picture of dust activity for the week.
   The DustWatch team will use measurements from the DustWatch node instruments, information and images from DustWatch volunteers, satellite images from NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, fire data, and meteorological data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
   The Department said the team would use solar powered instruments that monitor the dust concentration of airborne particles less than 10 microns in diameter every 15 minutes, and every minute when dust concentrations were above significant levels.
   Further information on how to become a DustWatch volunteer and access to the latest dust reports was available from www.dustwatch.edu.au

10 March, 2010

NBN raises sites for
broadband network

Parts of Armidale in the west and a coastal area in the south have been named as the first in NSW to be hooked up to high speed broadband as part of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
   Federal Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy announced the five initial sites jointly with the Chief Executive of NBN Co, Mike Quigley, saying they would be used to test the network’s design and construction methods as well as provide important information to assist in the scheme’s roll out.
   Senator Conroy and Mr Quigley said the other sites were in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, Townsville in Queensland and Willunga in South Australia.
   Minister for Commerce, John Robertson said 2,900 homes in each of the NSW sites - an area encompassing the University of New England campus and an area including Minnamurra and Kiama Downs south of Wollongong - would be among the first in Australia to access the high-speed fibre-to-the-premises networks.
   “Work on the new network is expected to start as early as July and householders should start to gain access to the network by early next year,” Mr Robertson said.
   “These test sites will help the NBN Co determine the final design and construction elements of the network to be rolled out nationally over eight years.”
   He said the final network would provide internet service coverage at speeds of 100 Megabits per second to 90 per cent of Australian homes and businesses.
   “This infrastructure is vital for the growth of our economy and to cement Australia’s standing as a global economic and technology leader,” Mr Robertson said.
   He said the Government had established an NBN Taskforce to work closely with NBN Co and ensure NSW was well prepared to take early advantage of the economic and social opportunities the National Broadband Network would bring.
   Senator Conroy said NBN Co chose the first release sites based on demographics, climate, existing infrastructure and terrain.
   “NBN Co will be using the first sites to test different construction techniques to suit different geographical regions across Australia,” he said.
   Senator Conroy said following the design phase, actual construction work on the test sites would be delivered in a staged roll out beginning in the second half of the year.
   He said NBN Co would consult with the communities about its plans during the design phase.
   Further information and maps of test sites were available from www.nbnco.com.au

10 March, 2010

New wills law is
dead giveaway

New inheritance laws that ensure spouses receive their partners’ estates have come into effect this month.
   Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos said the changes made to the intestacy laws simplified the legal process involving estates when a person dies without leaving a will.
   Mr Hatzistergos said that until now, the estates of people who didn’t leave wills were distributed between spouses and their children, but under the new laws, children would not be automatically included in the inheritance unless they were from a previous relationship.
   He said the changes reflected a Law Reform Commission survey which found 75 per cent of people with a will and who had a spouse and children left the whole estate to their spouse.
   The research found spouses and children shared in the estate in only 2 per cent of estates surveyed.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the survey found fewer than half of those who had children from previous relationships left everything in their will to their spouse - in about a third of cases they left their entire estate to their children.
   He said the new laws made administering an estate much simpler when people died without a will.
   “When people die without leaving a will, there is the potential for emotionally charged disputes and legal action as relatives fight over the estate,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   “To defuse disputes and simplify the process of dividing an estate, it is important that intestacy laws accurately reflect community attitudes with regard to who should benefit.”
   The Attorney-General said other key changes to intestacy laws would see cousins recognised as eligible heirs to the estates of people who died without wills.
   He said the entitlements of first cousins would come, in order of importance, after spouses and children; parents; siblings; grandparents; aunts and uncles.
   Mr Hatzistergos said intestacy was the default method of distributing someone’s estate and ideally people should have a valid will in place.

10 March, 2010
Extinct frog didn’t croak
A frog believed to be extinct for the past 30 years has been discovered in the Southern Tablelands by local Fisheries Conservation Officer, Luke Pearce, who saw the frog while surveying a stream for endangered fish.
   Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Frank Sartor said the discovery of the Yellow-spotted Bell Frog was as significant as discovering a Tasmanian tiger and that a breeding program would be critical to its future survival.
   Landholders who think they have seen the Yellow-spotted Bell Frog are encouraged to phone (02) 6229 7000.

Southeast surveyed
The NSW Government has joined with Geoscience Australia to conduct a major airborne geophysical survey over southeast NSW and the ACT.
   The survey, to be carried out by a low flying aircraft fitted with specialised instruments, will measure the earth’s magnetic field, gamma rays and digital topographic information to produce high resolution magnetic and radiometric data.
   Over the next four months, the aircraft will cover more than 24,000 square kilometres over the Eden, Bombala, Delegate, Cooma, Adaminaby, Tumut and Brindabella regions.

Chinese Army on the way
The Terracotta Army of China is to go on display in Sydney at the end of this year at the Art Gallery of NSW.
   The exhibition, The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army, will run from 4 December 2010 to 13 March 2011 and include 17 or more of the life-sized pottery figures of soldiers and horses.
   The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 and more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses have been uncovered since.

Post previews website
Australia Post has called for community feedback on its new website after launching a preview.
   The new site aims to cater for the entire community, with improved accessibility for people with disabilities.
   To view the site and make comments on its usability, visit preview.auspost.com.au

Pipeline in the works
The NSW and Federal Governments will jointly fund a $19 million pipeline to secure town water supplies for Lake Cargelligo’s 1,400 residents in the State’s Central West.
   Recent rain in the Murray Darling Basin has provided good flows downstream of Wyangala Dam, but storage levels in the dam have only risen from 4.2 per cent to 7.2 per cent.
   The Lake Cargelligo project involves the construction of a 29km pipeline from Merri-abba to Lake Cargelligo, and up to three 70m deep bores to provide water.
   Construction will start immediately and is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Workforce needs addressed
The National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce has released a discussion paper to generate conversation on how to address the workforce needs of major resources projects over the next five years and beyond.
   The Taskforce has encouraged interested parties to provide feedback on the paper and will consult with stakeholders to gather additional information.
   Submissions are due by 9 April with further information available from www.deewr.gov.au

Red Gums protected
Approval has been given for the establishment of more than 107,000 hectares of River Red Gum protected areas in the Riverina.
   The initiative was announced in response to the Natural Resources Commission’s December 2009 report of the River Red Gums and Woodland Forests in the Riverina bioregion.
   The Government agreed to adopt the NRC’s key recommendations, with the protected areas to include most of the Millewa Group of State Forests and Victoria’s Barmah region, which form the largest river red gum forest in the world.

Hospital plan given tick
The NSW Government has given planning approval for the latest stage of the $138 million redevelopment of the Nepean health campus, which includes a refurbished and expanded intensive care unit ICU ward and a new three-level hospital building.
   NSW Health Infrastructure has been given approval to build six additional operating theatres and pre- and post-operative areas; extra day only beds; two new 30-bed surgical wards to replace older style existing wards; and a 12-bed intensive care pod with six extra ICU beds.
   The project is expected to deliver new facilities for western Sydney residents.

3 March, 2010

Courts seek judgement
on new procedures

The NSW Supreme Court is seeking public comment on proposed new work practices for the Supreme, District and Local Courts.
   The Court has released a consultation paper outlining the draft practices.
   The paper says the introduction of the new Courts computer system, JusticeLink, created an “important opportunity” to review work practices to increase benefits for users and the Courts.
   JusticeLink provides a single database, interfaces and electronic services for the NSW Supreme, District and Local Courts.
   The paper proposes best practice work methods for the civil jurisdictions and a separate document would be prepared for criminal jurisdictions.
   Under the proposed new work practices, all legal practitioners would be asked to register as JusticeLink eUsers, filing would be by eServices and email would be the mandatory contact method for parties except for litigants in person, for whom it would be optional.
   The paper outlines the requirements for use of online Courts and all types of interlocutory hearings (online, telephone or in person) before a judicial officer or registrar.
   The new work practices cover documents that need to be changed, final hearings and e-filing of all documents filed in the courtroom.
   “It is envisaged that while the changes to work practices would be implemented as eServices products become available, some change should commence immediately,” the paper says.
   “For example, email as the primary contact method between the Court and parties should commence as soon as possible and a program to encourage legal practitioners to obtain JusticeLink registration should also commence soon.”
   The consultation paper looked at the effectiveness of service delivery systems and suggests current processes are causing costs and delay for litigants and not meeting user needs.
   “JusticeLink eServices present an opportunity to simplify processes and dispense with practices that do not add value,” the paper says.
   Feedback on the paper closes on 19 March. Further information was available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

3 March, 2010

Recordkeepers keep
records of risk

NSW State Records has issued a new Recordkeeping in Brief to help public offices manage the risks that may be involved in business systems.
   The new guide provides basic methodology for determining record-keeping requirements, assessing an existing system to ensure its compliance and developing remedial strategies for systems which do not meet the required Standard.
   The guide uses a checklist based on the requirements of the Standard on Digital Record-Keeping and includes examples of compliance in systems used in the NSW Public Service.
   Business systems can be assessed against the checklist to determine whether the business the system supports is subject to any recordkeeping requirements; how well the system is functioning as a recordkeeping system; and what action may be required to enable the system to meet recordkeeping requirements.
   According to State Records, managing risks and improving business efficiency are high priorities in business systems.
   It said organisations could place themselves at significant risk, incur unnecessary costs and deny themselves access to significant, reliable organisational information if they failed to make and keep business systems records
   State Records said identifying high risk business processes depended on the nature of the business and could be based on a number of identifiable criteria.
   These include any organisations which may have a regulatory, enforcement, health or welfare activity; those which impact on citizens’ rights, entitlements and wellbeing; those involved in the making of laws; those with processes that were open to potential corruption; those which made a significant contribution to the economy and; those dealing with significant records relating to Aboriginal people and heritage.
   The guide was available from www.records.nsw.gov.au

3 March, 2010

DHS strikes back
at disasters

The Department of Human Services is to assign experts from across its Agencies to support the victims of disasters following a successful trial program in early 2009.
   The new officers from Housing NSW and Ageing, Disability and Home Care will support colleagues from Community Services who, up to now, were the only ones deployed.
   Disaster Recovery Officers from across DHS were successfully deployed during the North Coast floods in 2009 to test the new capability.
   Coordinating Minister for Human Services, Linda Burney said the new officers would provide timely support to families and communities in crisis.
   Ms Burney said they would work alongside volunteers from the Salvation Army, Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul and Adventist Development and Relief Agency.
   “Providing swift and effective relief to disaster victims requires special skills and experience,” Ms Burney said.
   “Staff from the Department of Human Services are well placed to deliver this support as they work with families in crisis everyday.
   “Sharing disaster recovery responsibilities across Human Services Agencies will improve the range of skills at hand to assist victims while minimising the disruption to everyday services.
   Ms Burney said the initiative would strengthen the Government’s response to disasters and give families and communities the support they needed to get their lives back on track.
   She said Disaster Relief Officers would be deployed during times of crisis to provide advice and assistance to families affected by disasters.
   They will perform needs assessments, refer victims to support services and assess applications for financial aid, she said.

3 March, 2010

WorkCover puts new
website to work

WorkCover NSW has unveiled its new website and launched a Facebook initiative, Work safe. Home safe.
   The redesigned and upgraded website has a new search engine and fast-track menu, together with media releases, Safety Alerts and frequently needed information displayed on the home page.
   The website, which receives over a million hits a year, was revamped after WorkCover researched the preferred format for workers, employers and user groups when accessing information online.
   Chief Executive of WorkCover NSW, Lisa Hunt said all information had been revised and previous shortcomings in its online service had been rectified.
   Ms Hunt said Work safe. Home safe provided workplace health and safety regulators, employers, workers and their families to share their ideas and reasons for staying safe at work.
   “WorkCover is using social media to reach a broader audience to get the workplace message out,” Ms Hunt said.
   “WorkCover’s message is that every worker should come home safely.
   “I invite employers, workers, family members and organisations to become a fan of Work safe. Home safe. on Facebook.”
   She said the social media initiative would be “highly interactive” and include regular discussions, multi-media content, news stories, surveys and links sharing workplace safety information.
   New updated website was available at www.workcover.nsw.gov.auand the Facebook page was available at www.facebook.com/worksafe.homesafe

3 March, 2010

Consultation call to
talk the talk on PS

A Public Service union in Queensland has called for national consultation on the delivery of quality public services for the next 40 years.
   General Secretary of the Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU), Alex Scott made the call, saying the Commonwealth’s Intergenerational Report made it “crystal clear” that Governments needed to start their strategic planning now if they were to serve 36 million Australians in 2050.
   Since taxpayers will be paying for those services, Mr Scott said, they should all have a say.
   “It makes sense for Governments to take the time to have a considered, realistic discussion with our community about our perspectives as the future of quality Public Service delivery is charted,” Mr Scott said.
   “We are asking the Federal Government and the States to stand up for our community and to consult.”
   He said Governments needed to consult and stop looking for ways the private sector can profit at the expense of public service delivery and the community.
   He said there was a need for investment in the Public Service to ensure taxpayers would be able to access public health care, aged care, education and other vital services.
   Mr Scott criticised the trend towards short-term contractors and consultants, saying they led to poor organisational knowledge and lower productivity.
   “The intergenerational report confirms what the QPSU has been saying for some time – for Governments to be confident they are ready and able to deliver quality public services in the future it needs to invest now in keeping that capacity in-house,” Mr Scott said.
“As skilled labour access becomes more challenging, the only way future Governments can be confident in its quality of public service delivery is to build and continuously develop capability [and] to value its Public Sector workers.”
   He said Public Servants supported the Government’s focus on continuing to roll out infrastructure but stressed the need for it to be done efficiently, effectively and with the community’s interests in mind.
   “If Governments are going to get real about long term, strategic nation building to meet population growth and public service delivery, they must build real public sector capability within Governments to provide continuity to these infrastructure projects.” he said.

3 March, 2010

No audit lollipop for
school safety zones

An audit of road safety around schools has recommended the Roads and Traffic Authority work to improve community awareness, compliance and the effectiveness of school zone safety initiatives.
   The audit, Improving Road Safety: School Zones, looked at whether initiatives introduced by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), the NSW Police Force and the Department of Education and Training to increase road safety around schools had made a difference.
   Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat said the audit found a large number of NSW motorists ignored 40km/hour speed limits in school zones despite the RTA’s initiatives to improve child safety.
   “Only two out of 12 school zones surveyed saw motorists slow down to the speed limit,” Mr Achterstraat said.
   He said reduced speed limits around schools were first introduced in NSW in 1992 and that by the beginning of 2003, 40km/h school zones had been installed around all 3,154 NSW schools.
   “There has been a marked reduction in casualties around schools over the past 10 years for school aged pedestrians,” he said.
   “It is estimated that there are only 60 school age casualties each year in school zones.
   “But while this represents a reduction, it is still 60 casualties too many.”
   Mr Achterstraat said motorists either didn’t know they were in a school zone or they didn’t care.
   “Less than one per cent of school zones have speed cameras, so some motorists think they can thumb their noses at the speed limits,” he said.
   The Auditor-General said the RTA needed to increase awareness of individual school zones by ensuring signs were visible and locations were available to GPS users.
   He recommended all school zones with non-standard operating times should have flashing lights and that the RTA publicise the number of infringements in school zones.
   “We need to ensure that motorists know when and where they should slow for school zones, but if that doesn’t work there is no alternative but to get tougher,” Mr Achterstraat said.
   The Auditor-General recommended the RTA consider increasing fees for speeding in school zones with flashing lights and highlighted unsafe parking as another contributor to safety hazards around schools.
   The full audit report is available from www.audit.nsw.gov.au

3 March, 2010

Privacy week
goes public

Privacy Awareness Week 2010 is being held from 3 to 9 May and will give Agencies the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of privacy.
   The Office of the NSW Privacy Commissioner said Agencies could use the week to remind staff about their privacy obligations within the workplace and to educate individuals about how better to protect their privacy.
   Throughout the week a variety of programs and initiatives will be hosted by public and private sector organisations from across the Asia-Pacific region to promote awareness of privacy rights and responsibilities.
   Acting Privacy Commissioner Maureen Tangney said ‘privacy security’ was an important issue for members of the public and would be addressed by the focus of Privacy Awareness Week 2010, ‘keeping your identity safe.’
   Ms Tangney said an online self-testing toolkit would be made available to help people determine the likelihood of having their identity stolen.
   She said the toolkit will contain personal privacy risk areas such as wallets, online shopping and credit card safety to assess the risk of individual identity theft.
   The Privacy Commissioner said the toolkit would provide individuals with tips on how the keep their personal information safe, particularly in light of internet scams, credit card skimming and hoax emails.
   Other activities to take place throughout the week include the release of an information product to help consumers protect their privacy when using a mobile phone; a Privacy Impact Assessment module for the corporate sector; and the release of Case Notes highlighting recent examples of privacy breaches.
   Privacy Awareness Week is a joint Asia Pacific Privacy Authority initiative that commenced in 2007.

3 March, 2010

New register relates
to relationships

A new Relationships Register is to be set up in NSW to allow unmarried couples access to legal entitlements by proving they are in committed or de facto relationships.
   Announced by Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, the new Register will be modelled on others already in operation in other parts of Australia.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the Relationships Register would not provide for civil unions, but would reflect the serious commitment made by couples who chose to register their relationship.
   “Under current laws, it can be very difficult for couples who are in de-facto or committed relationships to prove their relationship for the purpose of accessing Government services, entitlements or records,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   “Couples who choose to register their relationship will be provided with one document that helps prove their relationship and will be spared the frustration of constantly having to supply Agencies with copious amounts of paperwork.”
   He said the Relationships Register would be managed by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and help create a unified and simple system of registration across Australia.
   “The NSW Government is also working to ensure there is reciprocal recognition of relationships registered in NSW with other jurisdictions that have registers in place.”
   To be eligible to register, one member of the couple must reside in NSW, both must be over the age of 18, and couples must be in a committed, exclusive relationship.
   Couples must not be married or in another relationship that is registered or registrable.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Register would be modelled on existing Registers in the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, with the Government planning to draft legislation to amend the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995, the Property (Relationships) Act 1984 and other relevant regulation.
   The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) welcomed the move, saying it was an important step toward recognising same-sex couples.
   Co-convenor of GLRL, Kellie McDonald said the register was not a substitute for full marriage equality.
   “A registration scheme for both heterosexual and same-sex couples provides a tangible and documented form of relationship recognition,” Ms McDonald said.
   “However, it still lacks the symbolic and universal recognition that comes with marriage.
   “Full marriage equality is extremely important.”
   She said the GLRL was pleased the Registry scheme did not require cohabitation as an eligibility requirement, as it would discriminate against couples who did not live together.

3 March, 2010

Online school is gift
for gifted students

A new program that creates an online ‘virtual school’ for gifted students in remote areas has been launched by the Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth.
   Ms Firth said the xsel program, an Australian first, allowed academically gifted students to remain at home, close to their family and friends, while they study.
   She said the program was in addition to the Government’s expansion of places available at regional selective schools.
   “The Government made the decision to expand the number of places because we don’t believe access to selective classes should be determined by geography,” Ms Firth said.
   “The xsel program is a fantastic innovation that will provide students in some of our most remote areas with the same opportunities as city students.”
   Laptops, interactive whiteboards, web streaming and video-conferencing will be among the tools offered to the 30 students enrolled in the program.
   Students will be taught selective level Maths, English and Science and spend half their day in the virtual selective classes and half in their local school.
   “We now have more than 24,000 students studying in selective classes from Year 7 to the HSC, including these 30 students from 17 different schools across western NSW,” Ms Firth said.
   “It’s a great example of technology changing education for the better and creating new opportunities for students in regional and rural areas.
   “More than 200 students applied to be part of this new program which demonstrates a strong desire in regional and remote areas to access selective education programs.”
   She said if the xsel program was successful it could be made available to other remote areas across the State.
   The schools participating in the program are located in a number of regional centres including Bathurst, Blayney, Broken Hill, Coonabarabran, Cowra, Dubbo, Lithgow, Molong, Mudgee, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Peak Hill and Wellington.

3 March, 2010

Committee votes for
voter enrolment plan

A Federal Parliamentary Committee’s report into NSW’s automatic system for updating the electoral roll has been welcomed by the Commonwealth Minister responsible for electoral matters, the Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig.
   Senator Ludwig said the national Government was considering amending its Commonwealth Electoral Act to pick up the NSW concept and address the 1.39 million voters who were known to be missing from the central electoral roll.
   He said a key recommendation made in the report was to allow the Australian Electoral Commission to copy the program that automatically enrols voters based on data received in other Government Agencies.
   He said the report also called for electors to be able to enrol on Election Day and to cast a provisional vote if they could provide suitable identification.
   Chair of the Committee, Daryl Melham MP said adopting the NSW Automatic Enrolment legislation would create a ‘Smart Roll’ system which operated around the idea that there were alternative ways for electors to be enrolled and to notify the Electoral Commission of a change in their details, particularly where such information has already been provided to other Government Agencies.
   “The introduction of flexible approaches which modernise electoral enrolment processes is a vital component for addressing the challenge of declining enrolment,” Mr Melham said.
   Senator Ludwig thanked the Committee for their “important work” and said he would consider their recommendations.
   The Committee’s report could be accessed at www.aph.gov.au

3 March, 2010

Smart buses get
green light

A system that links 2,000 buses to a special satellite-based priority management scheme promises to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of bus travel along a number of strategic bus corridors across Sydney.
   The Public Transport Information and Priority System (PTIPS) is part of a $295 million electronic package which enables buses to gain priority over other road users and create faster journeys public transport users.
   PTIPS is linked to a Global Positioning System (GPS) to effectively give buses the “green light” through the corridors and along high volume routes.
   The GPS and radio communication system delivers information about buses and their location, which is then used by the PTIPS to forecast the arrival time of the bus at the traffic lights ahead.
   The system can then give priority to late buses at traffic lights by altering the timing of the lights.
   More than 650 sets of traffic lights have the PTIPS system fitted and more are expected to be included as the plan rolls-out.
   Under the Metropolitan Transport Plan announced last week, 1,000 extras buses will be purchased for corridors and local routes in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast.
   This is in addition to the 450 buses announced by the Transport Minister in late 2008.
   Included in the $2.9 billion allocated in the plan to extra buses, strategic corridors and depots is the refurbishment of the historic Tempe Depot administration building and garaging infrastructure.
   Work on the depot is underway and when complete, it will house up to 80 red Metrobuses.
   In the past financial year, Sydney Buses recorded 192.8 million passenger boardings – including school student travel – which is up by 1.5 million over the previous fiscal year.

3 March, 2010

Trainees plug into
electrical training

An apprenticeship program begun by the forerunner of EnergyAustralia in 1910, has celebrated its centenary by taking on 150 new electrical trainees this year and making progress on a new state-of-the-art training centre at Silverwater.
   The new $75 million centre, jointly funded by the NSW and Federal Governments, includes energy-saving innovations such as electric vehicle charging stations, a 56 kilowatt rooftop solar system and a state-of-the-art tri-generation plant to assist cooling and heating.
   Minister for Energy, John Robertson said the new facility would showcase the latest energy efficient technologies and was expected to produce 60 per cent fewer carbon emissions when compared to similar buildings.
   Mr Robertson said that for the first time new apprentices would receive hands-on training in emerging smart grid technologies.
   “Apprentices at the new Learning Centre will have access to cutting edge renewable energy projects and gain an understanding of how clean energy solutions can support the grid,” he said.
   When completed, the Learning Centre will boast four computer labs, a customised workshop and machine shop, a 200-seat auditorium, a live substation simulator and four elevated work platforms.
   Over 3,000 people applied to be part of EnergyAustralia’s intake this year.
   The 150 recruits range in age from 16 to 51 and have been selected from areas including Melbourne, Coffs Harbour, Parkes, Wollongong and the Hunter Valley.
   The apprentices had previously received training as electrical mechanics, lineworkers, cable jointers or motor mechanics and include two female apprentices and 10 graduates from EnergyAustralia’s Indigenous Pre-apprentice Program.

3 March, 2010

New cycleways
push network

Three new cycleways in Alexandria are among the first paths to be opened as part of the City of Sydney’s plan to establish a 200 kilometre cycle network.
   Lord Mayor, Clover Moore and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese officially opened the cycleways, saying they provided an important link in the network.
   Ms Moore said the 3.1 kilometre two-way cycleways were located on Bourke Road and Mandible and Bowden Streets.
   “Building separated cycleways on these important local roads will not only increase safety and convenience for existing bike riders, but encourage even more Sydneysiders to take up cycling as a safe, sustainable and healthy option,” she said.
   Ms Moore said the cycleways were being jointly funded by the City of Sydney and the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
   “The City of Sydney is investing $76 million to build this cycle network, and we are pleased the Federal Government is supporting our plan with a commitment of a further $1.79 million,” she said.
   The Lord Mayor said Alexandria and Beaconsfield had the second highest percentage of residents cycling to work in the City of Sydney, with a 74 per cent increase in bike riders between 2001 and 2006.
   “We want to increase the number of people cycling - currently about two per cent of trips in the city are by bicycle, our plan is to increase that to 10 per cent by 2016.”
   The Bourke Road cycleway will link with another cycleway currently under construction on Bourke Street to provide cyclists with a seven kilometre corridor from southern Alexandria into the heart of the city.
   The City of Sydney opened its first separated cycleway on King Street in the City Centre last year.
   More cycleways are under construction while dozens more are being designed.
   The City’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan includes making cycling a convenient, safe and healthy mode of transport for short inner city trips.

3 March, 2010

Disability carers
willing and able

A two-week television advertising campaign calling on people to work in the disability and community care sector generated over 1,000 applications, according to Disability Services Minister, Paul Lynch.
   The $4.3 million ‘Carecareers’ campaign was established under a partnership between the State Government and National Disability Services (NDS) to help meet the challenges of an ageing population.
   Mr Lynch said that by 2014, demand for services would create 38,000 job vacancies in the industry.
   “This demand is being driven by an ageing population and the NSW Government’s $1.3 billion investment in disability services under Stronger Together,” he said.
   National Chief Operating Officer and NSW State Manager of NDS, Patrick Maher said carecareers aimed to support up to 750 hiring organisations.
   “Already, almost 700 hiring organisations are using the carecareers jobs board, talent pool and recruitment and advisory service,” Mr Maher said.
“This is a real partnership between Government, the non-government sector and the community to meet future demand and promote the sector as a rewarding place to work.”
   Mr Lynch said the advertisements featured three case studies of workers and their clients.
   He said one included the story of Ange McReynolds, an aspiring Paralympian whose life and gold medal quest is being supported by carer, Ken Halliday.
   The careers service could be accessed at www.carecareers.com.au or 1300 637 637.

3 March, 2010

NSW is winner in
gambling stakes

A population health survey has revealed that NSW has the lowest rate of problem gamblers in Australia.
   Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene said the NSW Population Health Survey found 0.4 per cent of the State’s adult population were problem gamblers, down from the previous rate of 0.8 per cent.
   “This study shows that gambling does not negatively impact on most NSW residents,” Mr Greene said.
   “In fact NSW has the lowest problem gambling rate in the country, equal with South Australia and Queensland.
   “These findings are very encouraging and we hope it’s a sign that our high-quality counselling services and strict harm minimisation laws are making a real difference.”
   He said Victoria had the highest rate at 0.7 per cent.
   The survey, which interviewed 9,400 people across NSW, found that 70 per cent of respondents had engaged in at least one form of gambling over the previous year, with lotteries the most popular form at 51 per cent.
   Mr Greene said other popular forms were raffles (44 per cent), gaming machines (25 per cent), and horse/greyhound racing (16 per cent).
   He said the survey found 95.8 per cent of NSW’s adult population were non-problem gamblers, 2.5 per cent were low-risk gamblers, 1.3 per cent were moderate risk gamblers and 0.4 per cent had problems.
   “The NSW Population Health Survey has been carried out by NSW Health since 2002 to evaluate health standards and access to services,” Mr Greene said.
   “We are only too aware of the devastating impacts on those who suffer problem gambling. That’s why we will continue to work hard to combat problem gambling.”
   He said a 24-hour gambling helpline could be reached at 1800 858 858 and further support was available from www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au
   Mr Greene said the problem gambling rate was calculated using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index to compare other Australian Studies.
   The NSW Population Health Survey Gambling Module results could be accessed at
www.olgr.nsw.gov.au

3 March, 2010

New asbestos guide
is breath of fresh air

New guidelines for the removal of asbestos from new homesites and renovations have been introduced, placing greater responsibility on some owners and builders to ensure the material is disposed of safely and lawfully.
   Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly said the provisions would ensure owner-builders met the same safe asbestos removal standards as licensed builders.
   Mr Kelly said the state-wide guidelines had been “urgently needed.”
   “It also ensures consistent standards are in place in all NSW Councils, which has not been the case since complying development was introduced in 1998,” he said.
   Mr Kelly said builders who complied with relevant NSW or Local Council guidelines would receive fast-tracked 10-day planning approval from an accredited or council certifier.
   He said the changes aimed to ensure public health and safety, while at the same time not stifling the benefits of undertaking home renovations.
   Mr Kelly said amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations specified that removal be undertaken by a contractor who is licenced under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
   The amendments also require applicants to enter into a contract with a licensed asbestos removal business; that landfill for the safe disposal of the asbestos be specified in the contract; and that applications for complying development certificates identify the amount of asbestos to be removed.
   Mr Kelly said the amendments would apply to all applicants receiving 10-day complying development certificates either through the NSW Housing Code, the NSW Commercial and Industrial Code or any relevant Council.
   “Local Councils have the power to issue an immediate stop work order if a suspected breach occurs with potential fines of up to $1.1 million,” he said.
   “These controls not only deliver regulation in Local Government areas where previously there were none, but they also go above and beyond many existing standards currently imposed by many Councils.”

3 March, 2010
Court updates cost site
The NSW Supreme Court has updated its website with information concerning the Manager, Costs Assessment and the Costs Assessment Process.
   The Court said the information would help users of the Costs Assessment Scheme by addressing frequently asked questions and explaining how applications were dealt with.
   The information was available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

Boost for junior doctors
Junior doctors will benefit from a new clinical education centre at Westmead Hospital.
   The Centre for Clinical Education and Training will provide medical graduates with access to computer simulations to help them practice new techniques.
   The Centre will help overcome a shortage of opportunities for junior doctors to test their clinical skills.

Curriculum out
A draft national curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 10 students has been released and covers English, mathematics, science and history.
   The draft is the first phase in the Commonwealth’s move to introduce a nation-wide curriculum for K-12 students.
   The senior secondary curriculum draft is expected to be released between April and June, while the second phase of the plan will see the development of a curriculum for geography, arts and languages.
   Public feedback on the draft, K–10 Australian Curriculum, could be submitted at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au until 23 May.

Search for top trainee
Nominations have opened for this year’s NSW Training Awards, which will recognise outstanding achievements by apprentices, trainees and vocational students and the organisations which train and employ them.
   The Training Awards have been running for 55 years, and include 15 award categories for 2010.
   Nominations close 2 May, with further information available from www.det.nsw.gov.au

Health rego overhaul
Legislation to establish a national system of registration and accreditation of 10 health professions has been introduced into the Federal Parliament.
   Under the proposed changes health professionals would not need to re-register every time they moved across State or Territory borders.
   Legislation is also required to be introduced into each State and Territory which New South Wales has already passed.

Baby hammocks hang in balance
A baby hammock sold by a Queensland company will be the subject of a safety review by NSW Fair Trading after two reported fatalities in the United States.
   No fatalities have been linked to the Amby Baby Hammock in Australia, however the device is widely used in hospitals and child care centres.
   If investigations show the hammock poses an unacceptable risk, Fair Trading would look at imposing an interim ban on their sale and use.

Hybrids beat weight gain
Hybrid cars are to be exempt from a rise in the charge levied against vehicles based on their weight.
   From 1 July this year, passenger cars weighing over 976kg will have their weight charges increased and added to their registration fees.
   However, the charge levied on hybrid cars will remain at $230 for personal use, and $374 for business users.

Soccer team heads to Cup
A soccer team comprising former refugees and new migrants has been given a one-off grant to support their goal of competing in the Football for Hope Festival in South Africa this June.
   Eight players aged between 15 and 18 will be part of the Football United team travelling to Johannesburg.
   The team, which is an initiative of the University of New South Wales, will compete against 31 other teams in the supporting event to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Barangaroo on its way
The redevelopment of the Barangaroo waterfront precinct in Sydney CBD has passed an important milestone with an authorisation for the $6 billion contract signed by the Premier and Minister for Planning.
   The authorisation is for the execution of the contract between the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, which manages the redevelopment of Barangaroo, and Lend Lease who won the tender.
   Models, pictures and plans for the site could be viewed at the Old Ports Centre on Hickson Rd. The project is expected to take 10 years to complete.

Privacy on file for information reform

Young take hold in professionals award

Circular going round on reporting rules

Complaints are few as Ombudsmen meet

Reformers court Court reforms

New bus route is big ticket item

Aerial beach flights back in the swim

WorkCover shows its Facebook

High marks given to walk to school day

Support for payrise right on the money

Acts out of step in privacy routine

Graffiti artists see writing on wall

Everyone invited to Third Party party

Inspectors play part in Royal Easter Show

Houses Trust trusted with heritage house

Art competitions in the frame

Premier joins dots for Indigenous jobs

Blind voters have eye on secret ballot

Restructure takes Circular route

Consumer program buys into bush

Conference talks up call for papers

Extra numeracy program adds up

Sowing guide grows in popularity

Chopper shark trial facing the chop

Vision for Sydney is way to go

Aboriginal contract no secret business

Credit charges to get shock review

Meter running on IPART taxi report

Fire warnings put heat on seniors

Digital re-scan gets thumbs down

Bright new plan for after dark safety

Forest study plants seed of reform

Court throws book at identity theft

Eventful shakeup for Events NSW

Judge gives verdict on CTTT result

Buses miss boat on performance

Fine line drawn for fine repayments

Parents tutored on choosing a tutor

NSW Maritime floats new safety resource

Plans take sorrow out of parking

Floodgates open for water price rises

ACCC report brings airports to Earth

Old checks bounced in new security plan

Tourism leadership is ticket to the top

Transport plan gets push from paperwork

Employment Expo doing a great job

Child protection to come from the art

Feds storm in with flood support

Healthy response to health reforms

Numbers’ up for NSW Lotteries

Circular saves day for emergencies

Sun shines on tan campaign

Graffiti campaign to draw public support

Demand figures supply leading economy

Staff freeze heats up cutback debate

Red tape cuts get green light

Higher education goes up online

Trucks targeted for brake neck speed

Spa guide bubbling with safety tips

Accreditation plan a credit to Councils

Safety translations set tongues wagging

Program dusts off erosion study

NBN raises sites for broadband network

New wills law is dead giveaway

Courts seek judgement on new procedures

Recordkeepers keep records of risk

DHS strikes back at disasters

WorkCover puts new website to work

Consultation call to talk the talk on PS

No audit lollipop for school safety zones

Privacy week goes public

New register relates to relationships

Online school is gift for gifted students

Committee votes for voter enrolment plan

Smart buses get green light

Trainees plug into electrical training

New cycleways push network

Disability carers willing and able

NSW is winner in gambling stakes

New asbestos guide is breath of fresh air