19 December, 2007
Premier Acts Early to Embed Prevention
Premier, Morris Iemma, has issued a Ministerial Memorandum to embed prevention and early intervention into Government decision making.
He said a prevention and early intervention program would deliver on a Government commitment in the State Plan and would be “critical” for the welfare of NSW.
“Prevention and early intervention is premised on the idea that stopping a problem from occurring - or acting early to stop it from getting worse - offers better, more cost effective social, economic and environmental outcomes for society than interventions later in the lifecycle of a problem,” Mr Iemma said.
“By focusing more on prevention and early intervention, we aim to increase life expectancy and productivity of individuals and communities, sustain our natural environments, and minimise demand for acute or crisis interventions over the long term.”
He said the new program would support people to participate actively in community life, improve their productivity, and lead to better life opportunities for future generations.
A program of shifting towards prevention and early intervention committed the Government to embedding the principle of prevention and early intervention into future policy development and program design.
“The Government has developed a Policy Framework on Prevention and Early Intervention to guide delivery of this commitment,” Mr Iemma said.
He said the move represented a major undertaking so would be trialled for 12 to 18 months before the Framework would be fully adopted.
“Initially, it will be focused on human services and criminal justice issues,” he said.
“As such, the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet will use the Human Services and Criminal Justice CEOs Forum to advance actions under the Framework. “The Framework will be applied more broadly as it is further refined.”
Mr Iemma encouraged all Ministers and Agencies to actively engage in shifting the focus of policymaking and resource allocation towards prevention and early intervention.
A summary of the new policy Framework appears on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website, attached to Memorandum M2007-20.
19 December, 2007
DPI’s Buffier Grows Into Development DG
The Director General of Primary Industries, Barry Buffier has been appointed Director General of the Department of State and Regional Development.
TheMinister for State Development, Ian Macdonald announced the move saying Mr Buffier had more than 25 years' experience in the public and private sectors which gave him diverse experience and a very strong commercial and customer focus.
"Mr Buffier has a terrific balance of public and private sector experience,” Mr Macdonald said, “and is one of that small group of senior executives with a successful track record in both sectors."
He said Mr Buffier began work as a regional economist in Tamworth, and left the Department of Agriculture in 1993 as Deputy Director-General to join Westpac, where he was General Manager for NSW Regional Banking.
He was appointed Director General of the newly established Department of Primary Industries in 2004.
Mr Macdonald said Mr Buffier had successfully managed the creation of a dedicated "super" Department to meet the needs of NSW’s diverse primary industries, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mineral resources.
Mr Buffier said his appointment as Director General of State and Regional Development was a tremendous opportunity to make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of NSW by promoting NSW to the rest of the world.
"I look forward to this exciting challenge and working with the Iemma Government and industry in my new role," Mr Buffier said.
Mr Buffier is a Churchill Fellow and a Commissioner on the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and Forests NSW.
He replaces Loftus Harris who retired as DG of DSRD in September after 10 years at the top.
19 December, 2007
Smartbuy Now Smarter
New functionality has been introduced to Smartbuy TRADE to streamline the raising of requisitions and the electronic Request for Quote tool.
According to the Departmnet of Commerce, the new arrangmnets will help meet business requirements.
“The enhancements made to the Smartbuy TRADE application are designed to provide a continued high level of usability and decrease purchasing cycle-times for your organisation,” the Department says on its website.
It says two main enhancements implemented in the latest release will allow multiple service line items to be added to a requisition and easier access to eRFQ loaded documents.
“A new button has been added to the requisition screen in Smartbuy TRADE to simplify the process of adding multiple line items for services.
“The button is a plus (+) icon. Simply click on the ‘+’ button on the requisition screen in Smartbuy TRADE to make a copy of the previously added line item “
The duplicated line item will then be able to be edited.
The Department said that a new folder category called ‘eRFQ Attachments” had been created as the default folder for all attachments loaded to add to an electronic Request for Quote.
“If a user creates an eRFQ and needs to attach a document (for example, attaching a Position Description for a Quote for a Temporary Staff member), the file will automatically be stored under the new ‘eRFQ Attachments” folder – making it easier for Smartbuy users to locate and add attachments to an eRFQ,” it says.
The enhancements are now available.
19 December, 2007
Timely Warning on End-of-Year Fun
Party-going employees are encouraged to have fun this Christmas but are urged to be careful not to go too far.
The President of the Anti-Discrimination Board, Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian, issued the caution, pointing out that this time of year was not called the “Silly Season” for nothing.
“Employees should have fun at their end of year celebrations,” Dr Kerkyasharian said. “But they should be careful not to go overboard.”
“Past experience shows that there is usually a rise in sexual harassment complaints after the Christmas party season,
“The combination of a social setting, a relaxed party atmosphere and alcohol can create high spirits which can quickly erode inhibitions and commonsense.”
He said office parties created an environment where people felt they could be less formal. “However, informality is not a licence to set aside the rules in a society where discrimination and harassment are not allowed” he said.
He said employees still needed to watch what they said at work functions and parties.
“A joke is a joke, but harassment and discrimination are not funny.
“Jokes based on race, sexual preference or disability can be very hurtful at any time.”
He said employers should be aware that they had responsibilities in safeguarding their employees’ welfare at work events.
“Social functions are considered to be an extension of the workplace and are treated as such under Anti-Discrimination legislation,” he said. “An employer can be liable if employees engage in inappropriate behaviour regardless of whether the party is held after hours or off-site.” He said staff had a right to feel safe and unthreatened at work and this extended to all social functions.
On behalf of the Anti-Discrimination Board, Dr Kerkysharian wished everyone an enjoyable end of year celebration and a happy and relaxing holiday season.
19 December, 2007
Police Plea for Bargain Review
A campaign has been launched by NSW Police to bring about a review of the State’s plea bargaining laws.
Police are angry that a series of plea bargains had reduced penalties against people who had attacked Police officers.
In a recent case, two killers of Glen McEnally received sentences of seven years following a reduced plea of manslaughter being accepted.
The President of the NSW Police Association, Bob Pritchard, said the Police were demanding a full review of the plea bargaining system with a view to fundamental reform.
“It is not just the treatment of those who attacked or killed police officers that
concerns us,” Mr Pritchard said.
“It is that hundreds of hours of preparation and investigative work by officers in a
range of other cases that is being traded away.”
He said Police around the State would convene workplace meetings to discuss the issue, lobby their local MPs and fly a blue ribbon from their police vehicle.
He said other action being considered included police prosecutors refusing to assist the
Director of Public Prosecutions in mention matters and prosecuting more cases in the local court
themselves rather than referring them to the DPP.
19 December, 2007
Energy Upload For Power Sale Plan
More details have emerged of the Government’s plans to overhaul the State’s electricity-delivery systems.
Premier Morris Iemma has announced the official response to the Owen inquiry into electricity supply which underpin plans to privatise much of the industry reported earlier this month.
Mr Iemma said the Government would accept Professor Owen’s key recommendations while still keeping electricity assets in public ownership.
He said the key points of the response were to:
* Lease out existing electricity generators to private operators while keeping them in public ownership;
* Retain EnergyAustralia, Integral Energy and Country Energy’s ‘poles and wires’ assets in Government ownership;
* Protect electricity consumers by regulating prices for households and small businesses until 2013 or until there was effective competition to keep downward pressure on prices;
* Maintain consumer protection measures for pensioners and other hardship measures;
* Guarantee job security for public sector electricity workers across the State; and
* Establish a Consultative Reference Group to test the impact of the reforms.
Mr Iemma said an Energy Co-ordinator would be appointed within the Office of Co-ordinator General, to assist commercially feasible energy generation projects, particularly renewable and low emissions proposals.
He said the exact structure of the sale and lease arrangements were yet to be determined but options included trade sales, a public offering or a combination of schemes. He said firmer decisions would be taken after discussions with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The decision was expected to save NSW taxpayers up to $15 billion by encouraging private investment in new baseload generation capacity by 2013-14.
“The money saved will be invested in a new NSW Intergenerational Fund to generate income sufficient to replace dividends from the State-owned electricity corporations,” Mr Iemma said.
19 December, 2007
Firm Line Taken On Flexibility
The NSW Opposition has drawn attention to an audit report on flexible working hours in the NSW Fire Brigades which it says puts the Brigades on notice to address the problem
According to the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Greg Aplin the Auditor General identified practices within the Fire Brigades which did not comply with the Brigades' Flexible Working Hours Agreement.
He said the Auditor General found that a number of employees within the Brigades had built up substantial levels of flextime credits which significantly exceeded the maximum accumulated hours allowed.
"The highest level of 'excess' credits held by an employee was 1,290 hours in May 2007,” Mr Aplin said. “This is the equivalent of 129 days based on the 10-hour day shift.
"Another employee was paid out over 600 flextime hours on separation from the Brigade.”
He said the findings were “indicative of poor management practices” and represented a “systematic manipulation of the system.”
"The Report also identified excess annual leave entitlements with numerous administrative and trades staff holding balances in excess of 40 days.”
Mr Aplin said there was also an issue with annual leave with many staff holding significant balances although required to use their full entitlement each year.
19 December, 2007
Special Celebration For Specialists
The Aboriginal Client Service Specialist program has celebrated its 10th anniversary with a dinner in Sydney.
Established in 1997 as a program for giving Aboriginal people better access to Court services, ACCS now operates at 17 locations across NSW.
All Aboriginal Client Service Specialists were acknowledged at the dinner.
Manager of Aboriginal programs at the Attorney General’s Department, Liz West, said the specialists broke down barriers between Aboriginal people and the criminal justice system.
“The program also plays an important role in the development of community based initiatives that seek to divert Aboriginal people from becoming involved in the criminal justice system,” Ms West said.
The Specialists present at the dinner received 10th anniversary commemorative badges from the Department’s Director of Court Services, Craig Smith.
“This celebration is to acknowledge the hard work, commitment and dedication of all Aboriginal Client Service Specialists and to acknowledge the outcomes and achievements of the program over the past decade,” Mr Smith said.
One of the Specialists, Kevin Griffiths of Condobolin, was awarded a Client Service Excellence Award at the 2007 Annual Achievement Awards of the Attorney General’s Department.
Assistant Director General at AG’s, Brendan Thomas said Mr Griffiths’s commitment and skills had led many Aboriginal clients to have greater trust and faith in the criminal justice system.
“All ACSS officers have been instrumental in improving relationships between the criminal justice system and the Aboriginal community and in doing so, this has resulted in improved access and quality of services to Aboriginal clients,” Mr Thomas said.
19 December, 2007
Child Supporter Gets Grown Up Award
The General Manager of the Commonwealth’s Child Support Agency has recognised the work of an officer from the Agency’s Newcastle office, in his inaugural awards program, presented recently.
Toni Brown has been honoured with an award for her work with stakeholders.
According to the GM, Matt Miller, Ms Brown was instrumental in encouraging major Australian organisations to take on the workplace-based Staying Connected program as well as forging new partnerships for the CSA with support groups like beyondblue and the Starlight Foundation.
Mr Miller said Staying Connected was an important outreach program that saved businesses money by helping to ease the personal stress of separation among participating employees.
Ms Brown’s award was one of 15 selected from 114 nationwide nominations and was presented at a ceremony in Sydney.
Mr Miller said the awards recognised excellence in delivering on Agency goals as staff worked to ensure parents provided financial and emotional support to their children after separation.
“I’m proud of the committed, passionate and professional team at the CSA who work tirelessly for separated families in this country,” Mr Miller said.
“It was wonderful to acknowledge Toni’s important contribution through this well-deserved award.”
Ms Brown said she loved working for the CSA. “It's the only job I've had where I can see, on a daily basis, that what we do makes a big difference for families,” she said.
“Growing up at The Junction, I never imagined that I'd end up working on national projects that create leading-edge services to support separated mums and dads.
“It's great to be recognised for Staying Connected as it was a collaboration with Newcastle's leading counselling firm - Interrelate Family Centres.”
Ms Brown said the CSA had more than 38,000 separated parents registered in Newcastle and surrounding areas.
Individual, Team and Manager awards were presented in each of five categories: Collection of Child Support, Customer Service, Community Connection, Communication and Organisational Capability.
19 December, 2007
Police Breathe Easy As RBT turns 25
NSW Police Force have marked 25 years of random breath testing in the State.
It is a milestone Traffic Services Commander, Chief Superintendent John Hartley, said had made a huge impact on operational policing.
“Random breath testing has allowed police to effectively target drink-driving across the State,” Chief Superintendent Hartley said.
“Since its introduction, police have been cracking down on drink-driving.”
He said the practice was introduced on 17 December 1982 following continued community outrage over alcohol-related crashes.
It followed a recommendation passed by the first ever NSW Staysafe Parliamentary Road Safety Committee.
The committee’s then-inaugural Chairman, and former Police Minister, George Paciullo, said he could not think of any other law in NSW that had the impact of RBT legislation.
“The 1960s, 70s and early 80s were the days when heavy drinking and driving was the norm and the culture of ‘let’s have one more for the road’ resulted in blood being spilt on our roads in horrendous proportions,” Mr Paciullo said.
“The measure’s exceptional degree of success could not have been achieved with universal community acceptance if it was not for the dedicated, courteous and competent way in which the NSW Police enforced it.
“They have conducted 57.6 million tests since day one,” Mr Paciullo said.
Since January 1998, there have been a total of 228,096 charges laid for drink driving-related offences.
In March 2002, the highest number of charges were laid to date, totalling 2466.
As of September this year, 17,287 charges have been laid for drink-driving related offences across New South Wales, with 23,672 over the full calendar year of 2006.
Chief Superintendent Hartley said RBT continued to be a major focus for police across the State.
“Police have a very strong message to anyone thinking of getting behind the wheel while drunk – don’t be an idiot, don’t drink and drive, or it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught.
“Drink-driving is illegal and all offenders will be dealt with under the full force of the law.
“People who choose to drink and drive are selfish, irresponsible and police will continue to crack-down on this illegal behaviour,” Chief Superintendent Hartley said.
19 December, 2007
Longer Line For Fishing Approval
The Department of Primary Industries has welcomed a six-month extension of export approval for the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery, conditional on the State introducing protection measures for the endangered grey nurse shark
Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett announced a six-month extension, saying he was “very concerned” about the impact the fishery could have on the future of the shark.
“I have agreed to allow an extension of export approval until June 30, but this is conditional upon NSW closing additional sensitive areas to fishing by May 2008,” Mr Garrett said.
“In particular, NSW must implement fishery closures of appropriate areas for grey nurse sharks at Fish Rock and Green Island, Manta Arch and the Steps/Anemone Bay.”
DPI said this Commonwealth’s decision showed it was on the right track in helping industry to achieve its goals and obligations.
“The NSW Government has implemented a series of measures to help protect the shark, including: listing the species as protected and threatened, declaring critical habitat areas with restrictions on fishing activities in those areas and implementing mandatory requirements for commercial fishers to report and interactions with threatened species,” the Department said..
Mr Garrett accepted that significant progress had been made to protect the shark.
“I have discussed the need for additional closures with the NSW Minister, Ian Macdonald, and he agrees to take action by May next year,” Mr Garrett said
“This decision is in the best interests of improving the ecological sustainability of this fishery and increasing of protection for grey nurse sharks.
“By the New South Wales Government’s own expert’s estimates, the east coast population of grey nurse sharks is between 460 and 760 individuals, following a period of severe decline over recent decades. My Department is conducting an independent population estimate in 2008.”
The Australian Government was also reviewing the adequacy of protection for the grey nurse shark in Commonwealth waters around the Cod Grounds Marine Reserve and Pimpernel Rock as a result of proceedings in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal earlier this year.
Export approval was granted for the OTLF in July 2006 under Commonwealth environment legislation until 14 December this year.
19 December, 2007
Fair Hearing For Fair Trading Plan
A Commonwealth proposal to introduce a single consumer law for the whole country has been welcomed by Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney.
Ms Burney said she was looking forward to discussing the draft Productivity Commission report with the new Federal Minister for Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen, as well as her State colleagues.
“It is pleasing to see the Commission has placed a strong emphasis on empowering consumers while recognising the need to protect disadvantaged and vulnerable consumers,” Ms Burney said.
“This inquiry began under the previous Commonwealth Government and the talk was of deregulation. By contrast, the draft report proposes clear objectives for consumer policy and stresses the need for a nationally coherent approach.”
Ms Burney said that Australian governments were already working towards nationally consistent legislation in a number of areas including finance broking and product safety.
“The Productivity Commission has proposed one national model for consumer legislation, but there are a number of models which can be explored to achieve the same outcome – confident and informed consumers participating in fair, competitive markets.
“I look forward to robust discussion and further consultation on the draft recommendations.
She said NSW had been a leader in consumer protection for many years.
“We have already implemented improvements or have plans on the drawing board dealing with areas like compliance and enforcement, consumer redress and education, and consumer tribunals, which the report covers,” she said.
19 December, 2007
Black Letter Day For Legal Centre
The Redfern Legal Centre has won the 2007 Human Rights Law Award.
The independent, non-profit community Centre in the inner suburbs of Sydney was established in 1977 and has been providing free legal advice, legal services and legal education to disadvantaged people, and the groups who advocate for them, ever since.
The award was accepted by the Centre’s Executive Officer, Helen Campbell who said the Centre had campaigned tirelessly to reduce inequalities and defects in the legal system and the administrative and social practices that impacted upon disadvantaged people.
She said the Centre operated on a very limited budget and relied heavily on volunteer labour and pro-bono assistance from legal professionals. Clients numbered in the thousands.
The award was presented as part of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Human Rights Medal and Awards program.
Ms Campbell said one of the Centre’s major achievements had been the coordination of the Redfern Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme, which aimed to ensure that women seeking a restraining order had access to both legal assistance and other support services they required such as housing, income support and counselling.
“The scheme is widely recognised as a successful model for providing women who suffer domestic violence with the support that they need,” Ms Campbell said.
She said a high proportion of the Centre’s clients were from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and many of its activities were concerned with domestic violence, disability discrimination, racial discrimination and Indigenous issues.
19 December, 2007
Tall Adventures For Tall Ships Show
The Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour is using an American teenager's "gap year" adventure more than 100 years ago to inspire a new exhibition.
In 1905, Fred Taylor, 19, was sent on a sea voyage from New York to Fremantle, Western Australia, to broaden his experience before starting university.
The Museum’s exhibition Tall Ship Adventure - A Young Man's Voyage New York to Fremantle 1905 is the story of his journey told through the photographs he took and excerpts from the journal he wrote.
According to the Museum, Mr Taylor boarded the four-masted barque Queen Margaret in New York on 10 September and in the course of his 15-week sea passage taught himself navigation, was placed in charge of the ship's slops and acted as the ship's chemist.
It said the vessel arrived in Fremantle on 23 December after which Mr Taylor left the Queen Margaret and returned to the US by steamer.
At the age of 85, Mr Taylor donated his Queen Margaret voyage journal and photographic negatives to the Maritime Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History which has assisted the Australian National Maritime Museum stage the exhibition by making them available in Australia.
Tall Ship Adventure - A Young Man's VoyageNew Yorkto Fremantle 1905 will be on view at the Museum, until 20 July, 2008. Admission is free and the Museum is open daily, 9.30 am to 5 pm (6 pm in January).
19 December, 2007
Warm Feelings at Fire Station’s 50th
Port Macquarie Fire Station has celebrated its 50th birthday with a gathering of NSW Fire Brigades firefighters, past and present.
The NSWFB Director of Regional Operations, Assistant Commissioner Mark Brown joined the Mayor of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Councillor Rob Drew, to pay tribute to the firefighters of Port Macquarie during an official ceremony held at the Hay Street station.
"The Port Macquarie Fire Brigade has changed significantly since it began in December 1957 when there were nine volunteers and one Dennis fire engine,” Assistant Commissioner Brown said.
“Today the station has 19 permanent firefighters and 14 retained firefighters who service the city of Port Macquarie and the surrounding area.
He said they had the latest in firefighting equipment and technology and were well-equipped to respond to a wide range of incidents including house fires, car accidents and incidents on the Hastings River and surrounding waterways.
The occasion held special significance for Senior Firefighter Steve McWhirter as his father Albert ‘Mate’ McWhirter was a member of the original Port Macquarie Fire Brigade.
Senior Firefighter McWhirter was a member of the first permanent crew to start work at the station in January 1999 and said he was honoured to be a part of the brigade his father helped to establish 50 years ago.
"I grew up with the brigade culture, so it was a natural progression for me to join the NSWFB as a retained firefighter and then to become a permanent firefighter," Senior Firefighter McWhirter said.
Mr McWhirter, who received the Queen's Medal in 1977, said that it was also a proud day for him.
"To see Steve here today, 50 years after it all began, is a real honour,” Mr McWhirter said.
“The NSWFB is a great institution and one that I am proud to have served with."
Assistant Commissioner Brown and the Area Commander, Regional North, Chief Superintendent Rob Lindsay, presented memorial medallions to the past and present firefighters.
The Director of Specialised Operations, Assistant Commissioner Graham Dewsnap unveiled a plaque recognising Port Macquarie Fire Station's achievements at the NSWFB Firefighter Championships. Firefighters from the station have participated in every State Championship since 1964 and have won the competition six times.
They won the inaugural National Firefighter Championship in 2003.
Assistant Commissioner Brown said the anniversary was an opportunity to thank all the firefighters who had served the Port Macquarie community since the Brigade was formed 50 years ago.
"Firefighters play a vital role in our communities both when emergencies occur and in preventing fires from starting in the first place," Assistant Commissioner Brown said.
A plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of the station was unveiled by Assistant Commissioner Brown during the official ceremony.
19 December, 2007
Alps Aim High With Tourism Hopes
A move to include the Australian Alps as a destination for international tourism has been kicked off with a high-level meeting on International Mountain Day.
The meeting, in Canberra, attracted more than 20 representatives from the Alps to put forward their claims for recognition.
Spokesman for the Australian Alps Region Steering Committee, Peter Jacobs said the proposal was very exciting.
He said if it succeeded, the Alps region would receive recognition under the National Landscapes Program and be marketed overseas as a tourism destination, along with other iconic Australian sites.
"The bid, being developed under Tourism Australia's National Landscapes initiative, has wide stakeholder support from throughout the region,” Mr Jacobs said.
"We are particularly concerned to ensure that any tourism in the Australian Alps national parks is sensitive and compatible with conserving the unique mountain environments and the natural and cultural values found in them.”
He said promotion of the Alps would be targeted towards the "experience seeker" sector of the market which was sensitive to the need to conserve the area’s unique values.
"The fact that the meeting coincides with International Mountain Day is a bonus.”
Mr Jacobs said International Mountain Day was an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world's mountains and highlands.
"The natural environments of the Australian Alps are already under a great range of pressures, not the least of which is climate change,” he said.
“We are developing a range of initiatives to help us deal with this problem."
He said climate change was the theme for this year’s International Mountain Day.
19 December, 2007
Ambulance OK to Ryde
Development approval has been granted for new $2.3 million Ambulance Station at Ryde.
The new facility will be built in the grounds of the Ryde hospital.
It will service a staff of 20 and six ambulances and be fully operational by August 2008.
Bus fares up
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has approved increases in bus fares for the Sydney metropolitan, outer metropolitan and Newcastle regions from 2 January 2008.
Fares will increase by an average of 3.6 per cent with single ticket prices going up by 10 to 20 cents a journey.
TravelTens are to increase by up to $1.60 and Bus and Ferry TravelPasses by no more than $2.00. The prices of rail-bus-ferry TravelPasses and DayTripper tickets will not change.
Service Survey
The Public Service Association is conducting a on its Rights at Work campaign and on the performance of the PSA.
Members can complete the survey on-line or on a hard copy downloaded from the PSA site www.psa.asn.au
Sydney Water Flush
Sydney Water has sold its head office buildings on the corner of Bathurst and Pitt Streets, Sydney, for $140 million.
The heritage listed buildings have been bought by Multiplex following a well-contested tender.
Sydney Water plans to move its head office to Parramatta in early 2009 and will lease its existing premises from Mutiplex until that time.
Privacy on Privacy
Privacy NSW has made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission on its Discussion Paper proposing to review Australian Privacy law.
The submission responds to the larger issues of structural reform and the importation of proposed Uniform Privacy Principles (UPPs) into State and Territory privacy legislation.
It also comments on the model for complaint-handling and the extension of the Privacy Act to include information relating to deceased individuals.
Privacy NSW also suggests binding rules for dealing with personal information relating to children and individuals who lacked capacity and for dealings with authorised representatives.
Photos finished
The winners of the Anti-Discrimination Board’s 30th anniversary Photo Competition have been announced.
Equal first place was awarded to Arthur Roy of Toukley and Cassandra Stericker of Ermington.
Mr Roy’s entry was a series on multiculturalism and harmony and to Ms Stericker’s a series showing her son enjoying the liberty swing in his wheelchair.
12 December, 2007
Electricity Sell-Off In State Power Play
The Premier, Morris Iemma has unveiled a $15 billion plan to privatise the State’s electricity services and power stations to raise funds for a new base-load power station and a range of infrastructure projects.
Mr Iemma said a condition of the sale would be a guarantee that the jobs and conditions of workers in the power industry were protected and that they be paid for transferring into the private sector.
The plan is expected to attract opposition from Government MPs and unions but followed the leads of most other Australian State Governments over recent years and a failed attempt by a former NSW Government in 1997.
Mr Iemma said privatising the electricity sector would help secure the State's future energy needs.
"It's the right decision for New South Wales,” he said.
"The decisions that we've arrived at today were not easy ones, not easy ones for the Labor Party and for the Members of the Parliamentary party as well as the Cabinet, but they are the right decisions.”
Energy Minister Ian Macdonald said the new proposal was different from the one he opposed 10 years ago.
“This is a more comprehensive package,” Mr Macdonald said, “and has embedded protections at all levels."
Under the plan, the Government would lease its power stations to private operators to ensure the assets stayed in public ownership.
The plan follows an inquiry into the State's power needs by Professor Anthony Owen which recommended the base load generator and suggested privatising the energy retail sector and selling or leasing the power generators to raise the $15 billion needed.
12 December, 2007
Police Re-Org Is Order of the Day
The Executive of the New South Wales Police Force.is to be revamped to realign management responsibilities at the top.
According to Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, the reorganisation will lead to more Police returning to the front line.
Under the new arrangements, the functions of the Commissioner’s Inspectorate will be divided between the Force’s two Deputy Commissioners and the Executive Director of Corporate Services; the Police Prosecution service is to become a stand-alone Branch under Specialist Operations Command while the general counsel role of Legal Services is to remain under Corporate Services.
Commissioner Scipione said there would also be a new reporting structure for several other commands.
“Since I took office in September my focus has been on ways we can better deliver services, both for the community and Police,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“What these changes will achieve will be a reduction in duplication and, in places, allow for uniformed officers to return to positions in the field.”
He said the final numbers would not be known until early next year when the new arrangements were implemented and positions filled.
Advertisements would soon be placed to fill Assistant Commissioner positions at State Crime Command, Counter Terrorism; Special Tactics, Professional Standards Command, Human Resources, South West Metropolitan Region and Education and Training.
“Offers have been made to officers in relation to other commands, and they are expected to advise me soon of their decision,” Commissioner Scipione said.
He confirmed that Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn would become Commander of Central Metropolitan Region following the promotion of Dave Owens to Deputy Commissioner.
“This was one appointment that couldn’t wait.
“With the onset of summer Central Met is one of our busiest Regions and demands strong leadership.”
Commissioner Scipione said the reorganisation was about renewal of the NSW Police Force and the appointments would inject new leadership and new ideas for better policing.
He said he was confident for the future.
12 December, 2007
Bus Drivers Wrapped In Christmas Tinsel
State Transit bus drivers in Sydney and Newcastle have entered the festive spirit with a competition to decorate a bus for the holiday season.
Acting Chief Executive of State Transit, Peter Rowley said the Christmas Bus of 2007 winner would receive $500 to donate to the charity of his or her choice.
State Transit is calling on the public to vote for their favourite decorated bus.
“The aim of the competition is to have some fun and generate some Christmas cheer for
both passengers and staff over the festive season,” Mr Rowley said.
“Each year, there are a number of State Transit bus drivers who decorate their buses with
tinsel and decorations, often dressing up in Christmas outfits, bringing a smile to their
passengers’ faces and helping to generate some Christmas spirit.”
He said State Transit had received a lot of positive feedback from passengers, complimenting bus drivers on their enthusiasm and for “making their day”.
“This year, the Christmas festivities coincide with the 75th Anniversary of Government
Buses in NSW so we are hoping that the competition will be bigger and better than ever,” Mr Rowley said.
“We are asking the public to provide feedback on the bus they believe to be the best decorated bus this Christmas.
“All feedback provided will help determine the finalists from each region, with a winner announced by a special guest judge on Tuesday 18 December.”
He said passengers would have an opportunity to travel on the finalists from each operating region when they operate the free Christmas Shopper Service on Christmas Eve in Sydney’s CBD between 10am and 2pm.
“A mix of new and vintage State Transit buses will operate this service in the lead up to Christmas from 17 to 23 December,” Mr Rowley said.
Feedback on the buses can be made via the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or at www.75.sta.nsw.gov.au. Voting closes Friday 14 December.
12 December, 2007
JPs Get Justice as Red Tape Slashed
Justices of the Peace will no longer need to obtain the Governor’s approval to be reappointed following administrative changes that cut bureaucratic red tape and the introduction of a JP Code of Conduct.
Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced the streamlined reappointment process saying it would make it easier for JPs to renew their appointments every five years and the Code of Conduct would uphold the integrity of the office.
“Justices of the Peace voluntarily provide an important service to the community and the NSW Government will amend the law to ensure they don’t get caught up in red tape,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“JPs will soon be able to renew their position through a simple administrative procedure, rather than requiring the approval of the NSW Governor.”
He said the Code of Conduct would remind JPs they were to behave courteously, must not charge fees for their services and were obliged to notify the Attorney General’s Department if they were convicted of an offence or declared bankrupt.
Mr Hatzistergos said an Acceptable Usage Policy would be published on the Justices of the Peace website to protect JPs from being exploited.
“The policy will help ensure users of the Justices of the Peace register behave reasonably and don’t overburden JPs with requests or contact them at unreasonable hours,” he said.
He said the improvements to the JP system followed a review of the Justices of the Peace Act 2002, which abolished lifetime appointments.
“Under the old lifetime appointments system, JPs were harder to find because they didn’t always inform the Department when they retired or moved premises,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The new system has enabled the Department to compile a more accurate register and anyone can now visit the Justices of the Peace website and find contact details for a JP in their area.”
The JPs website can be found at www.lawlink.nsw.gov/jp
12 December, 2007
Nuclear Waste Shines As Community Issue
The treatment of radioactive waste has been identified as a key community issue in research conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, ANSTO.
As a result, waste management is to be a key topic at this week’s bi-annual community discussion meeting to be independently facilitated in Sydney. A second topic will be how nuclear science is being used to tackle atmospheric pollution.
“It is important that residents have the opportunity to know how safely ANSTO manages its waste and publicly raise concerns,” said Andrew Humpherson, ANSTO’s General Manager, Public Affairs.
“ANSTO also wants to explain to people how nuclear science is being utilised to combat serious environmental issues like pollution and this is a key forum in which to do so.”
Mr Humpherson said one of the reasons for conducting the community market research was to find out what people wanted to know about ANSTO.
“ANSTO seeks always to be open and honest about how it operates and wants to provide the community the opportunity to come along and hear more about waste and pollution management as well as have their questions answered.
“There are many misconceptions about the nature of ANSTO’s waste and how it is handled so we hope that this forum helps alleviate any concerns and enlighten people about the stringent methods we use to ensure waste is stored and managed safely.”
To open the night, ANSTO’s Manager, Waste Operations, Lubi Dimitrovski, is to outline the kind of waste ANSTO creates, what the radioactivity levels were and how it was safely managed and monitored. This will be followed by a presentation by Dr John Dodson, Head of ANSTO’s Institute for Environmental Research, on the key role nuclear science plays in tackling atmospheric pollution.
After the presentations the audience will be invited to ask questions.
12 December, 2007
Research Cleans Up Hospital Workload
Public hospitals are gearing up for their busiest time of the year, a fact now supported by the first-ever study of emergency department attendances.
Health Minister, Reba Meagher released the findings of the study saying it was no surprise that public hospital emergency departments experienced their busiest time of the year over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
But she said the new study reinforced anecdotal evidence that emergency departments were at their busiest this time of the year.
“The study of emergency department attendance data for each summer holiday period between January 2001 and January 2006 shows there was 9 per cent overall increase in the number of emergency department visits each week during the holiday period compared with other times of the year,” Ms Meagher said.
“At a time when our emergency departments are experiencing significant increases in year-round activity, this sort of increase in demand at peak holiday times is particularly challenging.”
Patients who required short treatment recorded the highest increase (19 per cent) over patients treated in the ED without needing hospital admission (14 per cent), non-ambulance arrivals (12 per cent) and patients with less serious injuries (15 per cent).
The study also found that emergency departments across the State treated 313,456 patients over December 2006 to January 2007, an increase of more than 48,000 compared to the previous year.
Ms Meagher said public hospital emergency departments were often being used to ‘fill the gap’ over busy holiday periods when General Practitioner availability was lower.
“This study shows that the greatest increases were among those patients with less serious complaints - patients who might otherwise have gone to their GP or community medical centre,” she said.
“Area Health Services continue to work with the Divisions of General Practice across NSW to better manage demand across the public hospitals and GP facilities during holiday periods.”
Ms Meagher said although emergency department activity had increased over the holiday period, demand for elective surgery had reduced.
“The Christmas-New Year period is a very popular time for holidays and we generally find that people choose not to schedule their elective surgery during this time,” she said.
“This reduction in demand for elective surgery allows many of our hospitals to undertake vital maintenance work in operating theatres.”
Ms Meagher said two operating theatres at St Vincent's Hospital would be completely refurbished during the coming holiday period. She said other works would include air conditioning maintenance at Concord and Shoalhaven hospitals and essential work to be carried out at Liverpool Hospital's sterilising unit.
12 December, 2007
Heat on Firefighters After Graduation
Nineteen new firefighters have joined the ranks of the NSW Fire Brigades following a graduation ceremony at the NSWFB State Training College in Alexandria.
NSWFB Commissioner, Greg Mullins welcomed the new recruits which included an industrial scientist, mortician, accountant, mechanic and sheriff, all of whom elected to change careers.
“These men and women have undergone intensive training and I commend them all on meeting the stringent standards set by the NSWFB,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“These firefighters exemplify the skills needed to assist the community in a range of emergency situations, from fighting fires to dealing with hazardous chemical spills, gas leaks and rescuing people from car and industrial accidents.”
He said the graduates would be posted at fire stations across Sydney to strengthen fire and emergency protection and educate the wider community on fire prevention and community safety messages.
“I congratulate all the new recruits on their training achievements and graduation, and wish them well in their challenging careers with the NSWFB,” Commissioner Mullins said.
Six NSWFB firefighters and two civilians were also recognised during the graduation ceremony, receiving awards for courageous actions during bushfires in 2006.
“In November 2006, four recruit firefighters who had completed 14 weeks of training, and were under the supervision of their instructors, responded to a bushfire threatening homes in Molong to support the NSWFB and NSW RFS,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“Along with two civilians, in particular, the group worked tirelessly to protect the
lives of residents and their properties.
“I want to acknowledge their exceptional efforts under difficult circumstances.”
12 December, 2007
Audit Finds Rosters Are Out of Time
The Auditor-General has found that flexible rosters for front-line police have yet to be fully effective, despite being adopted in 1995.
The Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat found that the intention of using flexible work rosters to match officer numbers to workload demand and improve police working conditions had not been realised.
“Today, few elements of the 1995 flexible roster model are in practice in the NSW Police Force,” the Auditor-General said.
“Current rosters are neither consistent with the flexible roster model nor represent best practice.”
He said he was also concerned that the current roster pattern was not in the best interest of the health and safety of Police officers.
The audit found that instead of using the flexible roster system NSW Police were using blocks of 12-hour shifts with common starting and finishing times.
“(This) rigid work pattern increases the risk the Force may be unable to attend calls quickly, provide good customer service and protect the well being of its officers,” the Auditor-General said.
“Overall, the Force is not meeting its target for responding to urgent calls for assistance.”
He said that one in four complaints about the Police related to customer service including difficulties in contacting an officer and frustration at having to wait.
“The timeliness of investigations is also at risk when follow-up is delayed.”
He said the problem was not entirely the use of 12-hour shifts which were not bad in themselves, but rather the practice of block rostering.
“The NSW Police Force and the Police Association of NSW are both publicly committed to the flexible roster model,” the Auditor-General said.
“As this is the case, the Force should implement flexible rosters as envisaged in 1995.”
NSW Police welcomed the Audit report and said it was training roste
12 December, 2007
New Building Service To Service Building
A new publication targeting the home building industry has been added to the suite of online newsletters currently available from the Office of Fair Trading.
Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney said the Foundations newsletter had been introduced to inform the home building industry on legislative reform, operational issues and complaints, as well as current and future developments.
“Once subscribed to Foundations, licensees can also subscribe to news and alerts relating to their licence category,” Ms Burney said. “Training providers can subscribe to alerts on current training issues.”
She said the public could also subscribe to Foundations as well as a range of other online newsletters, and so far almost 40,000 people had.
Ms Burney said the newsletters were a way of keeping people in touch with the latest Fair Trading developments.
“I encourage consumers and traders to be proactive and make use of the information available to them.”
She said that in addition to Foundations, other online newsletters included Fair Comment which reported the latest scams and investigations as well as Fair Trading events and changes to laws; Property industry news that provided information to the property industry on, legislative reform and other topical issues; and What’s new, an email notification service alerting subscribers to new items and media releases on the Fair Trading website.
She said potential subscribers could register their interest by visiting www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
12 December, 2007
Pest Manager In Spotlight
A researcher with the Department of Primary Industries has gained international recognition for his work in improving pest animal management.
Principal Research Scientist with DPI’s Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Dr Glen Saunders was awarded the Graeme Caughley Medal at a function in Canberra recently.
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald said the award was presented by the Australian Wildlife Management Society to recognise outstanding contributions to the field of wildlife management in Australia and New Zealand.
“This is an outstanding achievement for Dr Saunders - and well deserved recognition for more than 30 years of effort in the field of wildlife research and management,” Mr Macdonald said.
“This medal is regarded as the most prestigious award for wildlife management in the southern hemisphere, and coincides with the 20-year anniversary celebrations of the AWMS.”
He said Dr Saunders had been instrumental in the development of Commonwealth and NSW State policy on best practice management of pest animals.
“He is regarded as a national expert on the ecology and management of feral pigs and foxes, and has also had extensive input into exotic animal diseases preparedness, and in setting policy for the humane treatment of pests,” Mr Macdonald said.
“(Dr Saunders) has worked closely with the extension arm of NSW Department of Primary Industries and also the NSW Rural Lands Protection Boards.
“He is highly respected by his peers and has strong associations with scientists and research organisations throughout Australia and internationally.”
He said Dr Saunders had supervised several Masters and PhD students and was an important mentor to other scientists.
“He played an integral part in the establishment of the Australasian Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, and is currently also working as Program Leader, Terrestrial Products and Strategies, within the CRC,” Mr Macdonald said.
“I am confident Dr Saunders will continue to make a significant contribution to this important research field for many years to come.”
Dr Saunders completed a Masters Degree on the biology and management of feral pigs in the High Country and a PhD from Bristol University on urban foxes and their role in the control of rabies.
He is currently the Chair of the Editorial Advisory Committee of Wildlife Research.
12 December, 2007
Overseas Bravery Rewarded at Home
Two firefighters from the NSW Fire Brigades have received awards from the Australian Federal Police for Conspicuous Conduct during last year’s riots in the Solomon Islands.
Senior Firefighter Michael Johnsen and Firefighter Peter Meier received their awards from AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty.
The pair were in Honiara training local people in airport firefighting techniques when the unrest occurred in April 2006 and, with the rest of their five-man team, were diverted away from training and onto the protection of lives and property as the situation deteriorated.
All five members of the team have now received their award.
NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins congratulated the firefighters on their
courageous actions, saying they acted in the finest tradition of the Brigade by stepping in and helping those in need during an emergency.
“They have done themselves and the Fire Brigades proud and are deserving recipients of the AFP award,” Commissioner Mullins said.
Senior Firefighter Johnsen has returned to his work in training as an Instructor of recruits
at the NSWFB State Training College in Alexandria and Firefighter Meier is a member of the firefighting team at the Kogarah Fire Station.
The ongoing security issues on the Solomon Islands prevented the airport fire training from resuming at the time but it has recently been completed.
12 December, 2007
Movember Charity Given Lip Service
Thousands of Public Servants, Defence staff and others embraced the men’s health initiative of Movember with a stiff upper lip, but few did so with as much gusto as the personnel at RAAF base, Richmond.
The initiative was informally supported by several groups at the base, including Air Lift Systems Project Office, maintainers from 33 Squadron, and members of the RAAF Base Richmond Officers’ Mess.
Leading the charge was highest ranking Officer on the base, Air Commodore Jack Plenty, who regrew his moustache after a 14-year absence.
Chief Movember organiser for the Officers’ Mess, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Miller, said, “This was our first year supporting the Movember charities, and with over $2000 raised before the end of the month, it has been a successful showing.”
About 30 members of the Mess each donated $5 for the honour of growing a moustache for the month.
“All of the boys approached Movember with great enthusiasm and maintained a strong incentive to keep their moustache growing, not only for their fellow ‘Mo Bros’, but also for the hefty fine against anyone who shaved off their moustache prematurely,” Flight Lieutenant Miller said.
More money was raised through the Officers’ Mess “Farewell Dining In Night” on November 16, along with a final “Movember Wrap Party” on November 29.
“Throughout the month, Mo Bros were also encouraged to collect a fine from anyone who criticised the quality or appearance of their moustache,” Flight Lieutenant Miller said.
“The pure shock value of the Mos, coupled with stagnant growth from several Mo Bros, ensured a plethora of criticisms from our peers and a steady flow of donations ensued.”
The men grew their moustaches to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, and depression group Beyond Blue.
12 December, 2007
Aussie Ambassadors Make Our Day
The NSW Australia Day Council has appointed six new Australia Day Ambassadors for 2008.
The appointees include radio hosts Adam Spencer and Jonathon Coleman, youth worker Father Chris Riley and TV presenters Erika Heynatz, Jacinta Tynan and Joanne Savill.
The new Ambassadors are to join more than 150 high achieving Australians to share their experiences and national pride with communities across NSW on 26 January next year.
Chairman of the Australia Day Council of NSW and former State Treasurer, Michael Egan welcomed the new Ambassadors and thanked those who had returned for another year of celebrations.
“The Australia Day Ambassador Program continues to grow from strength to strength since its inception in 1990,” Mr Egan said.
“It is one of our most successful initiatives and will be rolled-out right across Australia for the first time in 2008.
“This would not be possible without the unwavering support of our major sponsor Woolworths.”
Chief Executive and Managing Director of Woolworths, Michael Luscombe said he welcomed the opportunity to support the program on a national basis.
“It's incredibly rewarding for us to be involved with the Australia Day Ambassador program at a national level,” Mr Luscombe said.
“In particular giving regional communities the opportunity to meet and celebrate our national spirit with such inspirational Australians.”
There are more than 200 Australia Day celebrations planned in communities across the State and the Ambassadors are to take part in activities including officiating at citizenship ceremonies, delivering keynote addresses, judging local lamington competitions and entering wheelie-bin races.
12 December, 2007
Boat Show Floated By Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is calling on boat owners to register for its Classic and Wooden Boat Festival in March next year.
The Festival’s theme is ‘restoration’ and is to be held on 8 to 9 March.
The ANMM is planning to display more than 100 privately-owned heritage vessels including graceful yachts, streamlined speedboats, tugs and other workboats.
Registered boat owners would have the opportunity to showcase their boat in front of thousands of boating enthusiasts and interested visitors.
Networking with other classic boat owners is also to be a highlight of the event and vessels would be reviewed for possible inclusion on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels. The owners of the vessels also receive tickets to the special welcome barbeque.
Activities and entertainment are to include live performances, maritime demonstrations and presentations by maritime heritage experts.
Other amusements will include the deckhand's line-throwing competition; children's activities and crafts in 'The Boat Shed'; a festive marketplace with a display of boating products for sale; blacksmith, rope knotter, caulker and sail maker demonstrations; and a giant model boat display.
Vessel registrations are open until 1 February 2008.
A list of fees and register details are at www.anmm.gov.au
12 December, 2007
ASIC Hits Note With Unclaimed Melody
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is urging individuals to claim old bank deposits, superannuation benefits and other moneys sitting in a $458 million account of unclaimed funds.
According to ASIC, money owed to individuals and businesses ranges from $1 to more than $3 million – and searching for it has never been easier.
ASIC’s Deputy Executive Director of Consumer Protection, Delia Rickard said the Commission had recently expanded the options available to people to locate their lost funds and the range of unclaimed funds for which people can search has also increased.
“Now people can ring or email ASIC’s Infoline and speak to one of our customer service consultants who can conduct a comprehensive search for forgotten funds, including unclaimed money from shareholdings where the company has been unable to contact a shareholder, old bank accounts and forgotten insurance policies,” Ms Rickard said.
“Until recently, many Australians searching for forgotten money have done so by logging onto ASIC’s free online database at www.fido.gov.au and typing in their name, which they can still do.
“However, there is some information we are unable to publish online for privacy reasons, so we encourage people to use the Infoline service to check whether they are entitled to any unclaimed funds.”
Ms Rickard said ASIC wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to be reunited with their lost funds and encouraged anyone who suspected they may be entitled to unclaimed money to contact ASIC’s Infoline directly on 1300 300 630 or email infoline@asic.gov.au during business hours.
“Searching is free and there’s no cost involved in claiming your lost money – the only thing you need to do is provide proof that you are the owner or beneficiary.”
Ms Rickard said that Sydney resident and expectant father, Joseph Belbin, was reunited with $11,200 in October after discovering his name in the ASIC Gazette on the Internet. After contacting ASIC to stake his claim, Mr Belbin received his money within two weeks.
He said he was left shares in an airline by his father and was thrilled to find his name listed in the Gazette.
“I’ve used some of the money to pay a little off our home loan and the remainder has gone towards our new baby due at Christmas time,” Mr Belbin said.
Ms Rickard said in the last financial year, ASIC paid out $54 million in claims. The largest amounts waiting to be claimed are $428,000 from an HSBC Bank Australia Ltd bank account in NSW, $105,000 for a life insurance policy and $3 million from a company takeover.
For more information about unclaimed money, go to www.fido.gov.au/unclaimedmoney
12 December, 2007
Violence Awards A Close Tussle
A number of public and private services and programs have been acknowledged at the NSW Violence Against Women Prevention Awards.
The Awardees, recognised for dedication to prevent violence against women and support victims, included Rape Crisis Online, the WEEO WISER Young Women’s Peer Education Project, Expect Respect campaign and the Our Kids, Stay Safe, Stay Strong Activity Book.
Rape Crisis Online is the first online sexual assault service in the world and is a therapeutic response program for victims of sexual assault.
The WEEO WISER Young Women’s Peer Education Project is an education program which aims to reduce the likelihood of girls entering or staying in abusive relationships. Topics in the program include building knowledge, skills and attitudes to support non-violence.
The Expect Respect campaign is a social marketing endeavor aimed at preventing sexual assault and domestic violence in young people’s relationships.
The Our Kids, Stay Safe, Stay Strong Activity Book was developed in a partnership between the NSW Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council and Australia Council for the Arts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board. It contains activities such as drawing, reading, writing and puzzles to help educate children that any type of violence towards them is unacceptable.
Executive Director of the Department of Community ServicesCommunities Division, Sonja Stewart said the awards were important to acknowledge projects, organisations, businesses and individuals who raised awareness and helped to prevent all forms of violence against women.
The Awards were part of the NSW 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women, which was coordinated by the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit, Communities Division at DoCS.
12 December, 2007
Researchers to report
Human Research Ethics Committees have been reminded that their reports to the NSW Privacy Commissioner were now overdue under the provisions of the Health Records Information Protection Act 2002.
Privacy NSW required the reports by 31 August.
The Acting Privacy Commissioner, John Dickie said in order to monitor and appraise the reporting scheme and finalise reporting details for 200607, HRECs which had not supplied their reports should send it in at the earliest possible convenience.
12 December, 2007
Christmas winners at DWE
The Department of Water and Energy has announced the results of its “Design a Christmas Card’ competition among schools.
The winning entries will now become electronic Christmas Cards the Department will email to hundreds of individuals, companies and organisations bearing its Christmas greeting. It said that by sending electronic Christmas cards this year the Department would be able to donate the money otherwise spent on purchasing and sending paper cards to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
The winners and their designs can be accessed at www.deus.nsw.gov.au
12 December, 2007
Regeneration at Albury
A program of bush regeneration is targeting environmental weeds which have escaped from household gardens is underway on Nail Can Hill, near Albury.
The area is one of high conservation value but is being threatened by such invaders as
Tree Lucerne, Cape Broom, Bridal Creeper, Privet, Cotoneaster and Cootamundra Wattle.
The program is funded from $31,000 given to AlburyCity from the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust.
The regeneration project is expected to take three years.
5 December, 2007
Consumer Crackdown Is One Off the Shelf
A State-wide inspection of Christmas products by the Office of Fair Trading has discovered 147 non-compliant products as well as 27 non-approved electrical items.
Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney released the findings and reminded consumers to be extremely vigilant when shopping for gifts, especially when buying toys for small children.
The inspections covered 500 stores and markets across the State and included general product lines as well as toys, and electrical items.
Ms Burney said the inspectors’ discovery rate was slightly up on last year and of concern to Fair Trading.
Among the products of concern were 113 types of toys, including 66 battery operated toys for children under three, which could have presented potentially fatal inhalation or swallowing hazards due to small parts.
“The majority of the toys were found at discount variety stores and markets and have all now been removed from sale,” Ms Burney said.
“Sixteen products were either projectile toys or lasers that had the potential to cause eye injury.”
She said other non-compliant items inflatable toys filed with polystyrene beads; water yo-yos whose cords were strangulation hazards; candle decorations that re-ignited; and a bicycle helmet which did not comply with the Australian Standard.
Ms Burney said the past year had been a “tumultuous one” for toy safety and that Fair Trading inspectors would continue to monitor the marketplace in the Christmas lead-up.
She offered the following tips for buying toys for children:
* for young children look for large, easily grasped pieces, simple actions, and ensure they are sturdy enough not to break
* remember the general rule, the smaller the child, the bigger the toy
* always read the label and any safety warnings
* avoid toys with small parts, that is, if loose parts fit into a 35mm film canister do not buy it
*avoid cheap wooden and brittle plastic toys
* check for sharp edges or points
Ms Burney said that all the non-compliant electrical articles as well as 133 of the 147 general products detected were imported from China.
“The importation of products without first meeting Australian product standards is an issue of great concern for our State and country as a whole,” Ms Burney said.
“The fact that there is no system in place to stop these products at the border demonstrates the former Commonwealth Government’s failure to affectively address this issue.”
5 December, 2007
Freedom of Fees Is Vic FOI Reform
The State Government of Victoria has abolished application fees for Freedom of Information enquiries and ordered Departments and Agencies to place far more information on the internet for public access.
Premier, John Brumby, said new FOI laws in his State would put the “free” back into freedom of information.
Mr Brumby said under that under the changes, Victoria would be the only jurisdiction in the country to have abolished FoI application fees and that by providing more information on the internet, the Government hoped fewer people would need to use Freedom-of-Information avenues.
“The FoI Act was written long before the internet was a daily part of modern life,” Mr Brumby said.
“These reforms will bring Freedom-of-Information laws into the 21st Century and result in easier, cheaper access to a lot more information.”
Victorian Attorney-General, Rob Hulls said 10 Victorian Government Departments and the Victoria Police currently accepted FoI applications over the internet and the changes would add another 25 agencies, such as statutory authorities and hospitals.
Mr Hulls said under the new legislation Departments and Agencies would not only be required to publish certain information on the internet, they would also be required to keep it current.
He said the State’s $22 application fee would be abolished and Agencies would have the discretion to waive access charges of less than $11 that cover processing costs. He said however that Agencies would be given up to 30 days more to provide the information, enabling them more time to consult with other parties involved.
Mr Hulls said this was in line with recommendations from the Ombudsman.
In another move, Mr Hulls said Ministers would also open themselves to greater scrutiny because Conclusive Certificates, which were used by Governments to automatically exempt Cabinet documents from access under FoI, had been abolished except in cases of national security.
He said this meant independent umpires, such as Victoria’s Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Courts, would decide whether documents could be released or not.
He said the Tribunal would also be able to declare an FoI applicant vexatious, and stop them from making further applications without specific permission.
“This will stop prisoners, for example, making questionable FoI requests for no apparent purpose other than whiling away their time in jail and abusing the FoI regime,” Mr Hulls said.
He said Victoria received over 20,000 FOI applications a year, 97 per cent of which were granted in full or part.
5 December, 2007
Ombudsman’s Report Enables Disabled
An Ombudsman’s report into the deaths of people with disabilities in care has found there had been improvements over the past five years but that concerns still existed.
The Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, tabled the first volume of his report of reviewable deaths, covering of 98 people with disabilities who lived in the care of disability services or licensed boarding houses in 2006.
He found that 42 people died who lived in accommodation provided by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care; 40 died who lived in non-Government accommodation funded by DADHC; and 16 died who lived in licensed boarding houses
“The people whose deaths we review are highly vulnerable, and heavily dependent on disability and other services for their day-to-day care,”Mr Barbour said.
“Over the five years we have noted the work DADHC and NSW Health have undertaken to improve their response to the needs of people with disabilities.
“We continue to identify concerns.”
He said the NSW Ombudsman’s office was one of very few agencies in the world that had the responsibility of reviewing the deaths of people with disabilities in care.
His report noted that some deaths may have been be prevented if more effective systems were put in place to identify and manage risks. He said this was particularly so for people with disabilities who were susceptible to falls or had difficulty swallowing.
He said some of the people who died had lived in large residential Centres or institutions and had little contact with the community; some rarely left the service grounds; and some had had no access to the community for at least the 12 months before they died.
The Ombudsman also found that some of the people who died had serious health conditions but hospitals did not consistently undertake assessments to determine whether they could be safely discharged home.
For the third consecutive year, the reviews identified concerns about the first aid response of some disability services to health emergencies affecting the people in their care, including delays in commencing CPR.
“We have consistently raised concerns about the first aid response of support staff to health emergencies faced by the people in their care,” Mr Barbour said.
“Yet, there are currently no mandatory requirements for support workers in funded services to have first aid qualifications.”
He said, given the vulnerability of people with disabilities in care, this was “unacceptable.”
In his report, the Ombudsman made eight recommendations to NSW Health and to DADHC.
“We will closely monitor the progress Agencies make in addressing the issues raised by our work.
“This report emphasises the need for significant and sustained work on the part of DADHC, NSW Health, and non-Government services to ensure that people with disabilities in care receive the support and services that they need, when they need them.”
The Ombudsman’s full report can be accessed at www.ombo.nsw.gov.au
5 December, 2007
WorkCover Books New Publications Service
WorkCover is to unveil an upgraded publication service for workers, employers and the general public by February next year.
Chief Executive, Jon Blackwell said the new service would be speedier, more efficient, and lead to cheaper publications across the board WorkCover clients but would require the existing service to shut down in the lead-up to Christmas.
Mr Blackwell said the Publications Hotline had been closed from 30 November and would resume on Wednesday 19 December.
“WorkCover distributes over two million publications every year,” Mr Blackwell said, “ensuring that workers, employers and the public have access to essential information on Occupational health and Safety, workers compensation and injury management.
“We hope that the large number of regular customers and occasional users of our Publications Hotline will bear with us during this brief downtime.”
He said that from 1 February 2008, clients would receive their first publication free, would be able to order publications online and also benefit from cheaper prices for publications across the board.
Mr Blackwell said publications were distributed through WorkCover's Publications Hotline on 1300 799 003, the WorkCover website, 24 Statewide offices, the WorkCover Assistance Service, the Talk Safety CD and Public Service offices.
5 December, 2007
New Botanical Garden Plan Is Kids’ Stuff
A new garden for children is to be created at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens and parents are being invited to offer ideas for the design.
According to the Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Tim Entwisle parents can have their comments heard by completing an online survey.
He said the garden should be one to explore and fire young imaginations.
“Help us create a garden that is safe and accessible to all children, but one that challenges young minds,” Dr Entwisle said.
“The interest and ability of children to care for the environment and our planet will grow out of their love for the environment, gardens and plants in childhood.”
He said gardens gave pleasure, nurtured the soul, calmed the spirit and brought communities together.
“Plants are the source of life - they give food, clothing, shelter,clean air - our surivial depends on them.
“These are messages the Children’s Garden should embody.”
Dr Entwisle said that as the premier city in Australia, Sydney needed to offer its children their own garden.
“We’re hoping a pattern of visiting the gardens in childhood will have lasting personal benefits throughout a lifetime,” he said.
“Parents and adults are encouraged to give their ideas and help the Botanic Gardens create the inspirational Children’s Garden.”
The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Foundation was seeking donations to help fund the development and sustainablility of the Children’s Garden and Dr Entwisle said donations would be accepted individual benefactors or groups of benefactors.
Foundation Director, Pauline Markwell said the Children’s Garden would cover an area of the Botanic Gardens with established natural features – sandstone rocky outcrops and caves, large trees.
“There’s scope to create an environment where children can be enchanted, challenged and experience a sense of wonder,” Miss Markwell said.
“The garden could have canopy walks, tree houses and water features. We want to gently make the connections between plants, our lives and our survival.”
She said sustainable horticultural practices would be used: organic, no-low chemical usage and recycling.
“The garden will also be fenced and open for set hours for security reasons and have good coffee for mothers and minders.”
She said benefactors of the Children’s Garden would be recognised on signage, in Foundation Fellowship listing and publications, on the Trust website and other documentation.
To become a benefactor contact Pauline Markwell on (02) 9231 8308.
To take part in the online survey, go to www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
5 December, 2007
Auditor Finds Courts Setting Benchmarks
The Auditor-General has found that NSW Courts have a clearance rate close to, or above, 100 per cent.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos welcomed the auditor’s report, which he said confirmed the State enjoyed some of the best results for the delivery of justice of any State or Territory.
“The NSW Court system is the largest in Australia and handles more cases than any other jurisdiction,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The Auditor’s finding that NSW had some of the best results for Court timeliness compared to other States and Territories is extremely pleasing.”
According to the Auditor-General, NSW’s Local and District Courts had the lowest backlog of cases of all States and Territories over 12 months for non-appeal criminal cases and the District and Supreme Courts had the second lowest backlog of cases over 12 months for civil non-appeal matters.
He found that the average cost per matter in NSW District and Supreme Courts was less than the national average.
Mr Hatzistergos said Local and District Courts handled over 90 per cent of criminal matters, making the short backlog an even greater achievement.
“These results are also a testament to the hard work carried out by Court staff,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said the results reflected a report by the Productivity Commission which showed NSW District, Local and Children’s Courts were national leaders in the timeliness of cases.
“The Government is constantly seeking ways to continue the high performance of our courts.
“Current programs like installing Audio-Visual equipment and JusticeLink to electronically link every court in the state will help us retain our leading position,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
The Auditor-General also found positively for the giant Court development at the Parramatta Justice Precinct, saying the project was ahead of schedule without going over budget.
5 December, 2007
Police Pinch Customs For Joint Operation
A joint operation between NSW Police and the Australian Customs Service off the NSW coast has seen 26 vessels stopped and inspected for compliance with State and Federal laws.
Operation Sirius targeted all vessels in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone within 200 nautical miles of the coast between Ballina and Tweed Heads.
Similar operations were carried out during Operation Baker in September 2006 and Operation Imagist in April 2007.
During the operation, merchant vessels, small craft and fishing boats were stopped and boarded at sea.
Operation Sirius involved the Police Launch Alert and Customs Vessel, Roebuck Bay. A Coastwatch Dash 8 surveillance aircraft also provided assistance.
NSW Police Marine Area Command’s Inspector, Joe McNulty, said these operations strengthened the operational capacity of agencies involved in the policing and enforcement of Australia’s offshore maritime zones.
“The execution of the operation reinforced the effectiveness of the established relationship between the various agencies’ intelligence teams,” Inspector McNulty said.
Customs’ Manager of Enforcement Operations, Peter Hughes, said Customs Officers had the power to board a range of vessels, whether Australian-registered or foreign-registered, under the Customs Act 1901.
“This operation highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work together in investigating a broad range of illegal activity in Australian waters,” Mr Hughes said.
The Police and Customs teams made three arrests for illegal firearms and the possession of prohibited drugs (cannabis). Numerous fishing breaches were detected and would be investigated by fisheries authorities.
Operation Sirius was coordinated by NSW Police Marine Area Command and supported by Customs, NSW Police Tweed Local Area Command, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australian Federal Police, NSW Maritime Authority, QLD Water Police and QLD Fisheries.
5 December, 2007
Lights Light Up For Green Globe Awards
Nominations have been called for the 2008 Green Globe Awards.
Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water, Phil Koperberg said the awards were in their ninth year and were for all organizations and individuals working to make NSW more sustainable.
“There are 14 awards covering a range of water, energy and environmental categories,” Mr Koperberg said, “and for the first time we now have a category for small businesses.”
He said environmental management and water and energy efficiency had become critical
issues for business and individuals as awareness and understanding of climate change
grew.
“Most people recognise that we must find smarter and more efficient ways of doing
things for the sake of our planet and future generations,” he said.
“Across NSW, businesses are saving water, reducing emissions and becoming
increasingly sustainable in the way they operate.”
He said the only way to make a difference to the effects of climate change was through the combined efforts of business, Government and the Community.
The awards had evolved from 1999 when they were launched as a recognition award for participants in the NSW Government’s Energy Smart Business Program.
“The Green Globe Awards now showcase the best and greenest environmental success
stories across NSW,” Mr Koperberg said.
He said nominations would be open until Wednesday 19 December 2007 and should
be submitted to the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Winners will be announced at a reception at Parliament House in February 2008.
The Awards are judged by a panel of independent experts in the fields of energy, water and sustainability.
Past winners have been the Mirvac Group, Investa, Colliers International, Sony Australia, Darrell Lea and Country Energy.
More information is available from www.environment.nsw.gov.au/greenglobes
5 December, 2007
DPI Scientist Has Alternative Energy
A scientist with the Department of Primary Industries has been appointed co-leader of an international research program examining biofuels as alternatives to fossil-based fuels.
Dr Annette Cowie, who is DPI’s New Forests Program Leader, has been appointed to the International Energy Agency’s Bioenergy Task 38, which is examining the greenhouse gas impacts of bioenergy systems.
Dr Cowie has an international reputation for her work in greenhouse accounting including the research that supported the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme.
She was one of 40 participants at a meeting in Croatia last month that expressed doubt over the sustainability of some ‘first generation’ biofuel systems such as corn to ethanol and canola to biodiesel, currently operating in the United States and Europe.
According to Dr Cowie, such systems had small impacts on greenhouse gases and could even be of negative value when their other environmental effects, such as air and water pollution, were considered.
"Other biofuel systems such as sugar cane to ethanol in Brazil and oil palm grown in South East Asia for biodiesel have apparently greater greenhouse benefits,” Dr Cowie.
"However when indirect impacts such as deforestation and loss of soil carbon are considered, there is cause for concern."
She said there were also likely to be serious social implications caused by reduced international food supplies and increasing prices, particularly in third world countries.
Dr Cowie said biofuels produced from "ligno-cellulosic feedstocks" show much more promise, both in terms of greenhouse and other environmental and socio-economic impacts.
She said these feedstocks included sawmill residues, woody weeds, plantation biomass and energy crops.
“The aim of IEA Bioenergy is to improve international cooperation and information exchange between national bioenergy research and development programs.”
She said Task 38 developed and promoted standard methods for calculating greenhouse gas benefits of bioenergy systems, a major objective of which would be to help decision makers identify bioenergy systems that had the greatest greenhouse mitigation potential.
5 December, 2007
Planning System Back To Drawing Board
The Minister for Planning has announced an overhaul of the State’s planning system.
Minister, Frank Sartor has released a discussion paper outlining more than 80 proposed changes to update and renovate the planning system.
“These are the biggest improvements to the NSW planning system in nearly 30 years,” Mr Sartor said.
“We want to remove the clutter and create a strong, 21st century planning system in NSW.”
He said the move was aimed directly at families who wanted to improve their single biggest asset, the family home.
“Too many people feel the system is unwieldy and inaccessible and dread having to submit their plans because it could take months - or years - to resolve,” he said.
“I hope this package of improvements will benefit homes in every suburb and make life easier for families across NSW.”
He said 70 per cent of development proposals in NSW were for residential projects, with two-thirds of all applications worth less than $100,000.
Mr Sartor said the main proposals for change included:
* approving half of all development proposals within 10 days by making more use of complying development;
* expanding ePlanning across NSW;
* Faster, cheaper and simpler reviews of applications by a planning arbitrator;
* New targets to reduce the processing times
* Tailoring development application assessment to the size and complexity of proposals;
* Greater delegation to a new Planning Assessment Commission for determination; and
* a crackdown on building certifications.
Mr Sartor said the 83-point package was developed in consultation with working groups that included representatives of the community, Councils and the housing industry and the Department of Planning also collated feedback from its ‘New Ideas in Planning’ forum which attracted more than 600 participants.
The discussion paper can be accessed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au with comments posted online, emailed to planningreform@planning.nsw.gov.au or posted to Planning Reforms, Department of Planning, GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001;
It will also be on display at Department of Planning offices at Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle, Queanbeyan, Grafton, Wollongong and Dubbo, as well as many local Councils.
Comments would be received until Friday, 8 February 2008.
5 December, 2007
SES Training Gets Straight To Point
The Willoughby-Lane Cove State Emergency Service has signed a three-year contract with training company PolicyPoint to keep its volunteers’ emergency management skills up to date.
Local Controller of the unit, Brad Nathan said his team would use PolicyPoint to keep their theoretical knowledge alive, specifically in face-to-face training and ongoing revision.
“It’s one thing to gain a qualification, but revising and refreshing that theoretical knowledge is important, Mr Nathan said, “ as it keeps the knowledge alive.”
He said PolicyPoint helped the unit put its training time to best use by employing software :that is emailed to volunteers at scheduled intervals, reminding them of their revision requirements, with a link to the specified training module>
“This frees up our limited face-to-face training time for important practical training,” Mr Nathan said. “Members can do their revision when and where they like”
He expected the new training arrangement to make a measurable difference to the Willoughby- Lane Cove SES, by making its training process more effective and productive.
“Without training you don’t get competence,” he said. “We are going to make sure people maintain their competency – which means we’re simply going to be a better team.”
The unit is intending to switch over to PolicyPoint early in 2008.
5 December, 2007
Ambulance Uniform Injects New Style
The Ambulance Service of NSW has unveiled a new on-road uniform and introduced a change of name for operational ambulance officers.
The Service says the new uniform has been designed by on-road paramedics for on-road paramedics and is comfortable and protective enough to be worn in all seasons and environments. The name change will see operational staff referred to as “paramedics.”
Featuring cargo pants and a shirt that allows easy access to pockets, the new uniform includes baseball caps and beanies to provide relief from sunlight and cold weather and was introduced because the former uniform was not practical enough for on-road services.
The Service says the uniform has been upgraded over recent years to include an operational jacket with removable sleeves as well as belts, safety helmets, boots, shirts, thermal undergarments, wet weather jackets and pants, and safety vests.
It said that operational managers and paramedics working in offices will continue to wear the traditional white shirt and blue pants.
The new look and suitability of the uniform has been welcomed by on-road staff.
The new uniform was developed by a committee made up of operational and corporate staff and union representatives but all paramedics voted on the colour.
The Service said the introduction of the new uniform was complex with many considerations and decisions needing to be made including material, the tender selection process and ensuring the end product met operational requirements.
The uniform also needed to meet the Australian Standard for visibility, chromaticity and fire retardancy.
According to the Service, the name change will bring NSW into line with ambulance services around the world.
5 December, 2007
City Planners Set New Speed Limits
Planning applications lodged with the City of Sydney continued to be processed in quick time with the latest study revealing last financial year saw the best turnaround time in four years.
According to Chief Executive, Monica Barone, the City assessed 3,400 development-related applications in 2006-07, with a total value of more than $2.5 billion.
“The average processing time was a record 37 days,” Ms Barone said. “This compares with an average process period of 40 days for the total of 10,000 applications processed in the past four years.”
She said approximately 95 per cent of all development-related decisions were made by
City staff under delegated authority, without needing to be brought before Council for a decision.
“The City continues to work hard to improve its assessment processes on all fronts, and the current and sustained trend on DAs is a welcome case in point,” Ms Barone said.
“The City remains well below the average processing time of all Councils in NSW and remains one of the fastest in the State, while dealing with some of the biggest developments in the nation.”
She said the trend was a positive sign for the commercial and residential sector.
“But we are not about to rest on our laurels,” she said.
“All applications requiring public exhibition are included on the City’s website. These postings feature all associated documents for residents and stakeholders to view during the exhibition period.”
Ms Barone said the City was also working to publish an online database containing the decisions for all development applications since 2004.
5 December, 2007
Long Arm of Law Reaches Western NSW
Courts in north-western NSW have launched an outreach program to deliver face-to-face services to some of the State’s most remote communities.
Attorney General John Hatzistergos, welcomed the initiative saying every citizen of NSW was entitled to Court services but it was often difficult for residents of isolated communities to travel to a Courthouse.
He said Court staff from Walgett, Bourke and Condobolin were visiting remote communities once a month to provide services that would typically only be available at a Courthouse registry.
“Outreach services have so far been delivered to Collarenebri, Enngonia, Murrin Bridge, Trundle and Tottenham and more communities are expected to be added to the program as it gains momentum,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“While the court staff are not in a position to provide legal advice, they will give practical assistance on a range of topics including child support and criminal law procedures such as bail, sentencing and appeals.”
He said they ca help with Apprehended Violence Orders, explain how disputes could be resolved through mediation and explore the options available to community members who had outstanding debts or fines.
“By engaging remote communities, we hope to minimise the rate of defendants failing to attend court hearings.”
He said the program was supported by the Aboriginal Legal Service.
Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Government would continue to look at ways of improving access to the justice system.
“Court staff in Sydney are conducting a similar outreach program for homeless people, conducting seven clinics a week at missions and drop in centres across the city,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
5 December, 2007
Consumers’ New Deal From Fairer Trading
The Fair Trading Office has acted to make it easier for consumers to resolve problems following the purchase of goods or services by amending the Consumer Claims Act 1998.
Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney said the amendments would give consumers and suppliers clearer rights.
“These amendments will increase the timeframe for making claims at the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal and give consumers and suppliers clearer rights,” Ms Burney said.
“The current time limit for making a consumer claim is three years from the date the goods or services were supplied, or meant to be supplied.’’
Ms Burney said this period would be increased to three years from the date the problem with the goods or service first occurred.
“Many suppliers offer warranties of more than three years, especially on big ticket items like cars and electrical goods, and it is important that the Act allows consumers to pursue their warranty rights if they need to,’’ Ms Burney said.
“To ensure a supplier does not have the worry of potential claims hanging over them indefinitely, the amendments also include an overall ten year time limit from the date of supply for lodging a claim.’’
The review of the Act that led to the amendments also suggested the monetary limit for consumer claims at the Tribunal be increased from $25,000 to $30,000.
Ms Burney said that due to the rising cost of consumer goods, the previous limit of $25,000 was no longer considered appropriate.
She said the increase took effect on 1 September 2007 when the Government updated the regulations under the Act.
She also said that to make things fairer for suppliers, the Tribunal would be able to make orders between respondents in consumer claims.
Where a manufacturer or other person in the supply chain was found to be partly liable, an order would be able to be made for payment to the retailer so they did not bear the whole of the cost of reimbursing the consumer.
The laws are intended to take effect early in 2008.
5 December, 2007
Wollongong Plans Are Beachy Keen
The Department of Lands has called for Expressions of Interest to redevelop Wollongong Harbour and foreshore
Intending to capitalise on the harbour’s heritage and maritime strengths, the Department’s plans include enhanced marine, commercial, recreational and tourism facilities.
The redevelopment will enhance the working harbour’s commercial fishing industry with new cafés, restaurants, boardwalks, playgrounds and artwork.
Improving pedestrian links along the foreshore and open spaces is also on the agenda to make them more user-friendly for visitors.
In a bid to accommodate a mix of recreational and commercial vessels, additional moorings would be created with opportunities for charters, day cruisers and diving/fishing boats.
The Department is to work closely with the Wollongong Council on the development under the council’s Blue Mile Master Plan.
Public land is not intended to be sold under the redevelopment but leasing and investment opportunities for the private sector are to be explored.
Areas covered by the EOI would include Belmore Basin, Brighton Beach, the Continental Baths and Flagstaff Hill.
Expressions of interest close 22 February next year.
For more information about the EOI or the development, contact Natalie Heise on (02) 4920 5058 or go to www.lands.nsw.gov.au
5 December, 2007
House Trustees
Dr Grace Karskens has been appointed a trustee to the to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales with Penny Pike and Peter Tonkin re-appointed.
Their appointments will commence on 1 January 2008 and run to 31 December 2010.
Library collects members
Dr John Vallance has been appointed to the Library Council of New South Wales and Graham Bradley and Richard Fisher have been reappointed.
Their appointments will commence 1 January 2008 and conclude on 31 December 2010.
Opera House reappointments
Kim Williams, Renata Kaldor, Robert Leece and Leo Schofield have been reappointed as trustees of the Sydney Opera House Trust
Their appointments will commence on 1 January 2008 and run to 31 December 2010.
Innovation Council announced
Members of the NSW Innovation Council have been named by Deputy Premier John Watkins.
The 10 members who will advise the Government on ways of fostering innovation-led growth are Steven Harker (Chair), Catherine Livingstone, Professor Jonathan West, Dr David Skellern, Greg Smith, Mark ONeill and Public Servants Robyn Kruk from DPC, John Pierce from Treasury, Michael Coutts-Trotter of DET and the Director-General of DSRD, when appointed.
The Council will be supported by a secretariat within DSRD, headed up by the Director of Innovation Strategies, Todd Clewett.
Pay master appointment
Justice Roger Patrick Boland of the Industrial Relations Commission has been appointed as the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal until November 2010.
Allen to Wagga Wagga
Former NSW Environment Minister Pam Allen has been appointed to chair an administrative planning panel at Wagga Wagga City Council to consider developments which are bigger than the C ouncil's controls allow.
Ms Allan will also oversee the writing of a new local environment plan.
Bruce Brown has been appointed Chair of the State Water upgrade project following the resignation of Phil Betts.
The Chaffey Dam Upgrade Community Reference Panel has already met for the first time with Mr Brown as chair.
Four for Safety
Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney has announced four new appointments to the NSW Products Safety Committee: Associate Professor Lynne Bilston from the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute; Elizabeth Hanley from Standards Australia; Bryce McNair from Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia – Kidsafe and Dr Wendy Watson from NSW Injury Risk Prevention Research Centre.
Oliver moves at Health
Duncan Oliver has been appointed to South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra Area Health Service after his previous appointment to the Sydney South West Area Health Service.
New Magistrates
Michael Connell, Geoffrey Hiatt and Brian Van Zuylen have been appointed to the bench of the Local Court of NSW.
Mr Connell has been deputy director of the Local Court of NSW and a registrar of the Land and Environment Court of NSW and Mr Hiatt was Assistant Director of Court Services for the NSW Attorney General’s Department. Mr Van Zuylen has been Solicitor in Charge of Campbelltown Legal Office.
The three will be sworn in on 5 November 2007.
5 December, 2007
Checklist for fires
The NSW Fire Brigades have launched the Summer Fire Safety Checklist to better educate NSW households and holidaymakers about what they can do to enjoy a fire-free summer.
Produced in association with insurance company, AAMI the checklist explains how to be prepared to prevent a fire from occurring and to know what to do if there is an emergency.
Buses at 75
State Transit has reminded the community that it was celebrating the 75th anniversary of Government buses in NSW.
According to acting Chief Executive Peter Rowley it was on 25 December 1932 that first Government bus ran from Cremorne to Manly on a route known as route 144.
“Patronage doubled the next day,” Mr Rowley said, “and the bus operation has continued to grow.”
He said today State Transit operated more than 1900 buses in Sydney and Newcastle carrying 600,000 passengers a day on 300 bus routes.
An anniversary website had been established at www.75.sta.nsw.gov.au
Institute work
The Institute of Public Administration (NSW) is accepting applications for a newly created permanent part-time position of Membership and Sector Development Coordinator.
The job, which may become full-time, is to provide membership and sector development services through a strategic and managed communication and marketing framework. It will use information services to promote a strong participative membership as well as the high professional standing and public profile of the Institute.
Enquiries to Craig Boaden at IPAA on 02 9228 4023 or email craig@nsw.ipaa.org.au
Desalination committee
Sydney Water has called for nominations to its Desalination Project Liaison Group. Membership of the Group is open to community groups, businesses and the general public.
The purpose of the Group is to provide a forum for Sydney Water and its partners to work with representatives of the local community and open communication about the project, address community issues and provide feedback to members and the public.
Terms of Reference and Application Forms are available from the Sydney Water website or by calling 1800 685 233.
Nominations close 3pm, Friday, 21 December 2007.
Wheelchairs rolling in it
A six-month trial of incentive payments to wheelchair taxi drivers has been launched by the State Government.
From 1 December, drivers of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis have been eligible to claim $7.70 plus GST for each wheelchair passenger carried with the funds met from the Taxi Advisory Committee at no cost to passengers.
The scheme is designed to improve reliability and response times for passengers and to support drivers in achieving those improvements .
Comment on finance
Public comment is being sought on proposed national reforms to the finance and mortgage broking industry.
The NSW Office of Fair Trading has drafted a model Bill on behalf of all the States and Territories that promised to deliver to consumers the kind of service they expect when using a finance or mortgage broker.
Minister for Ms Fair Trading, Linda Burney said the draft Bill could be downloaded from www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au and submissions closed 15 February 2008
Book a winner
An activity book that teaches Indigenous children about their right to a safe family environment has won an award at the 2007 NSW Violence against Women Prevention Awards.
The Our Kids: Stay Safe, Stay Strong Children’s Activity Book received an award in the “Prevention Project” category and Minister for Community Services, Kevin Greene presented it to the Executive Officer, of the NSW Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council, Terry Chenery.
The activity book was supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board.