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SearchArchives for February 2011
23 February, 2011
Leave to deal with
domestic violence
New leave entitlements for NSW PS staff suffering the effects of domestic violence have been announced by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
A Circular signed by the Director General of the Department, Brendan O’Reilly, sets out details of the leave which will apply across the PS.
According to the Circular, in June 2010 the NSW Government released the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan: Stop the Violence, End the Silence which includes employment support initiatives that enable employees who have experienced domestic violence to enter or return to the workplace.
It said employees who experience domestic or family violence would now be able to access certain leave entitlements and where those entitlements were exhausted the employee should be granted special leave.
The Circular, signed by Director General Brendan O’Reilly, said agencies should apply the following provisions: leave entitlements provided for in Sick Leave, Family and Community Service Leave, Sick Leave to Care for a Family Member (also referred to as Personal/Carers Leave) may be used by staff members experiencing domestic violence.
It said where the leave entitlements were exhausted, the employee would be granted five days of Special Leave per calendar year.
According to the circular, agencies will need to be satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that domestic violence had occurred and may require proof presented in the form of an agreed document issued by the Police Force, a Court, a Doctor, a Domestic Violence Support Service or Lawyer.
It said personal information concerning domestic violence would be kept confidential by the agency.
The Circular said a new clause would be inserted in the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 to reflect the above.
Steve Turner, assistant secretary of the Public Service Association said the Government had recognized the need to assist those suffering from domestic violence.
“Most sufferers of domestic violence end up losing their job because they can’t get enough time off work to organize new living arrangements,” Mr Turner said.
23 February, 2011
Call to toughen
tender terms
The Australian Institute of Criminology has called for tougher requirements in Government tenders to help cut down the incidence of cybercrime.
The AIC also suggests Departments and Agencies should play a greater role in helping IT companies design more security-protected products.
Senior research analyst with the Commission, Raymond Choo was quoted in ZD Net as saying there was a need to “cultivate a culture of security” within Government procurement services.
“[Government should] create an environment conducive for ICT service or content providers to achieve marketing and competitive advantages if they offer products and services with higher levels and more innovative types of security,” Mr Choo said.
“There will never be enough policing resources to investigate all cybercrime.”
Mr Choo said a “one-stop 24/7 reporting website” could be established to help feed better cybercrime statistics to law enforcement agencies.
He said this would also enable coordinated action by Government and law enforcement agencies and the private sectors to have a better understanding of the frequency and extent of cybercrime incidents.
He said the difficulties in prosecuting individuals for online crime stem from a lack of consistency of legal frameworks across countries.
In order for a conviction to be successful, alleged misconduct must constitute an offence in both the country seeking prosecution and that in which the alleged offence was made.
Mr Choo said countries should establish laws to outlaw the creation of networks used for illegal purposes to crackdown on botnets and distributed denial-of-service attacks,.
He said Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and United States have a relatively comprehensive legislative framework in place to deal with cybercrime.
Mr Choo said tougher measures should also be enforced to reduce abuse of the domain name system, including the creation of a stricter domain name registration regime, and ensuring domain names and IP addresses suspected of being used for cyber criminal activities were revoked.
23 February, 2011
Consolidation driving
data centre policy
Departments and Agencies have been advised that they will be expected to move their current data centres and computer rooms into two yet-to-be-built centres in Sydney and the Illawarra.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular notifying the requirement which is part of the Data Centre Reform Strategy.
According to the Circular, the Strategy aimed to consolidate all NSW Government agencies’ data centres and computer rooms into reliable, energy efficient and secure fit-for-purpose data centres.
It said by consolidating demand, the Government would avoid significant costs and drive efficiency savings as Government agencies consolidate their back-office functions.
The Circular, signed by Director General Brendan O’Reilly, said that on 10 November 2010, the State Contracts Control Board began a Request For Tender process to provide the data centre facilities and the RFT closed on 21 February 2011.
It said until the RFT process was complete, no Government agency may enter into a contract for data centre capacity for a period beyond 2011, or commit to undertake capital works on an existing data centre before December 2011, without the approval of the Director General, Department of Services, Technology and Administration.
According to the Circular, all Government agencies will be required to move existing data centres into the two whole-of-Government purpose built data centres by 31 December 2015 (subject to the terms and conditions of existing contractual agreements with the private sector for the provision of data centre services).
It said an “opt-out” principle would apply in relation to the new data centres, and agencies must seek approval from the Cabinet Standing Committee on the Budget to use other data centre arrangements.
23 February, 2011
Stronger target
for disability
A new target has been set for the employment of people with a disability in the NSW PS.
The target is 1.5 per cent by 2012-13.
According to a Treasury Circular 11/03, the target replaces two benchmarks Departments and Agencies previously reported against.
The circular also prescribes EEO reporting requirements for reporting years ending after 31 December 2010 and withdraws the previous circular NSW TC 10/05 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Disclosure Requirements.
The Circular said new EEO information to be included in all agency annual reports after 31 December 2010 reflected the new target for the disability employment strategy for the NSW PS of 1.5 per cent by 2013.
According to the Circular, Departments/agencies previously reported against two benchmarks: People with a disability: 12 per cent, data will continue to be collected for monitoring purposes but a benchmark level has not been set; and People with a disability requiring work-related adjustment: 7 per cent, the benchmark level has been replaced with the target.
The Circular said the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment had the responsibility of monitoring EEO in the public sector and reported annually to the Premier.
It said this was done using information provided by agencies and in agency annual reports, which required agencies to include their EEO achievements during the reporting year and planned outcomes for the following year.
The Circular said EEO annual reporting requirements differed from EEO Management Plans which were brief, high level, strategic documents setting out how EEO strategies would be communicated and implemented in an agency over a period of three to five years.
It said Section 122J of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 required that agencies prepared and submitted an EEO Management Plan.
The Circular said a model EEO management plan, which agencies could adopt and modify to suit their needs, was available at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Online Court
sure to appeal
A new service that allows parties to a court case in the Local Court to manage administrative matters online has been announced by the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Mr Hatzistergos said the revolutionary process was set to increase the efficiency of the justice system and save taxpayers millions of dollars.
“Online Court is a message board that enables parties to case manage administrative matters via the internet and be alerted by email when there is a development,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said Online Court would significantly reduce time and travel costs associated with bringing parties together in court for administrative matters that might only take a couple of minutes.
“The message board will be accessible 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, which will encourage the prosecution and the defence to communicate outside of the courtroom,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said Online Court would be trialled in the Downing Centre Local Court over the next 12 months and would be rolled out to other courts if successful.
Mr Hatzistergos said during the trial, Online Court matters would be limited to prosecutions brought by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) where the defendant was on bail and legally represented.
“The system will not be used for contested matters, such as bail applications, committal hearings or other hearings where witnesses are called – these proceedings will continue to be conducted in physical courtrooms,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said Online Court would initially operate in cases involving the DPP, Legal Aid and/or the Aboriginal Legal Service, and after three months, the court would consider extending it to include matters where a defendant had private legal representation.
He said Online Court would uphold the principles of open justice.
The Online Court is part of JusticeLink, a sophisticated internet-based case management system operating in the Local, District and Supreme Courts of NSW.
23 February, 2011
Single Department to
run Capital Territory
A review of the Australian Capital Territory’s 20,000-strong Public Service has recommended its nine Departments be amalgamated into one and then divided into “Directorates”.
The independent study by former senior Commonwealth officer Allan Hawke, said the single-Department structure would better reflect the city-state nature of the ACT and allow greater coordination between the many areas of the bureaucracy.
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the Government accepted the wisdom of the report in its totality and would immediately establish a high-level implementation taskforce within the ACT Public Service to work through each of the specific recommendations, advise on necessary legislative changes, timing and funding implications.
“I stressed at the outset that this review was about effectiveness, not about efficiency, and to that end I do not expect that there will be job cuts associated with the restructure,” Mr Stanhope said.
He said Dr Hawke had delivered a thoughtful and robust analysis of the structure of the ACT Public Service, which the Territory inherited from the Commonwealth at the time of Self-Government and which had remained much the same ever since.
“Dr Hawke’s review has found that while the ACT Public Service is in many respects a leader in its field, we would be better served - as a Government and as a community - by a public service designed to meet our own particular needs, taking into account the range of services provided to the community, and the kinds of challenges our city will face in the coming decades,” Mr Stanhope said.
He said the review came at a perfect time in the life of Canberra and was part of a suite of work by the ACT Government that included plans for a thorough review of the ACT Self-Government Act, the first comprehensive review of Territory taxes since Self-Government, and major improvements to methods of community consultation and feedback.
The Hawke review can be found in its entirety at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Parents survive
teenage parties
A new fact sheet has been developed by NSW Community Services to help parents ensure their teenagers’ parties are safe and fun and not hijacked by large crowds attracted by social media.
Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney said the Surviving Teenage Parties fact sheet provided parents with tips about online invitations, adult supervision, alcohol and drugs, and the after-party clean up.
She said parents must draw the line when it comes to uninvited guests and a “no invite, no admission” rule made it easier to control a party.
“Teenagers should also be warned about the dangers of posting details of their party on social networking sites,” Ms Burney said.
“If they want to use Facebook to invite people, make sure that the event they create is ‘closed/private’ and they are the only ones who can invite guests.”
She said the main factors that contributed to an out-of-control teenage party were a lack of adult supervision, drugs and alcohol, and uninvited guests.
Ms Burney said it was vital that parents sit down and talk with their teenager before the party and establish some strong ground rules.
She said parents should make sure their teenager tells their guests before the party that alcohol and drugs are not welcome, and police should be notified about the party, so if it gets out of hand, they are able to respond.
Ms Burney said tips for parents included: planning to host a safe party by agreeing on how many friends can be invited, being careful about invitations on social networking sites, and inviting adult friends or family members to the party to bolster the adult presence.
She said during the party make sure you are in a position to know what’s going on at all times, ban alcohol rather than trying to monitor what each person is drinking and make it clear that drugs will not be tolerated.
To see the fact sheet and for more tips visit this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
National push to
reduce violence
A National Plan to reduce violence against women and their children has been endorsed by all States and Territories, including NSW.
Federal Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis said the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 was a single unified strategy that brought together Government efforts to reduce violence against women.
She said the National Plan was the first of its kind to focus so strongly on prevention, including building respectful relationships among young people and working to increase gender equality to stop violence from occurring in the first place.
Ms Ellis said key actions under the National Plan included supporting local community action to reduce violence against women; commitment to support the inclusion of respectful relationships education in phase three of the Australian Curriculum; and, provision of telephone support for frontline workers such as allied health, child care and paramedics to better assist clients who have experienced violence.
She said other initiatives included: new programs to stop perpetrators committing acts of violence and national standards for perpetrator programs; and establishing a national Centre of Excellence to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to reduce violence against women.
Ms Ellis said the National Plan had been built from an evidence base of new research and extensive consultation with experts and the community, and set out a framework for action over the next 12 years.
She said that under the National Plan, the Australian Government would support a series of projects over the next three years to improve services for victims of domestic violence.
“We will also fund the Personal Safety Survey and the National Community Attitudes Survey every four years to track the impact of the National Plan,” Ms Ellis said.
The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 is available online at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Beef labels
beefed up
New food labelling laws requiring a more accurate description of beef have been unveiled by the Minister for Primary industries, Steve Whan.
Mr Whan said from 1 March 2011, the new in-truth beef labelling laws would provide a consistent way to measure beef quality by providing a clear indicator of the age of the animal at the time of processing.
“Beef lovers need to know they can trust the labels that come on the food they buy – that’s what these laws are all about,” Mr Whan said.
He said under the new laws, if a retailer uses age as a descriptor beef must now be described as: yearling, if it was processed at 18 months or less; young, if it is processed between 18 months and 2.5 years; intermediate, if it was processed between 2.5 to 3 years; mature, if it was processed between 3 to 3.5 years; and economy if it was 3.5 years or older at time of process.
“It’s no secret Aussies are passionate about their beef, but increasingly consumers want to know more about what they are eating,” Mr Whan said.
He said market research conducted on behalf of the NSW Food Authority revealed that: 89 per cent of consumers believed the age of beef at the time of processing could affect the characteristics of beef, and more than half (54 per cent) said they would like to have more information about the age of the animal at the time of processing.
Mr Whan said penalties for breaching the new labelling laws range from a penalty notice of $770 for an individual and $1540 for a corporation and the maximum penalty if prosecuted was $55,000 for an individual and $275,000 for a corporation.
Further information can be found at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Collecting staff to
come to Census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is recruiting staff to help run the 2011 Census, the 100th anniversary of the national count.
Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten said while Census night was not being held until 9 August 2011, the ABS had started recruiting for the more than 43,000 Census jobs that would be created.
He said those jobs ranged from Area Supervisors, to collectors, to back office staff.
Mr Shorten said the 3,500 casual jobs being recruited now were Area Supervisor positions, who would oversee the distribution and collection of Census forms to Australia’s 9.8 million households.
He said in April a further 29,000 collector positions would be advertised nationally.
“This is the 16th Census and marks 100 years of national Census taking in Australia by the Federal Government,” Mr Shorten said.
He said Area Supervisor positions had been created in every region of Australia to ensure that Australia was accurately counted on Census night.
“More than ever, Area Supervisors are essential to the success of the Census,” Mr Shorten said.
“They help inform planning for future resources and infrastructure and ensure other community needs are placed in their towns.”
He said this had never been more important in those communities that had suffered the devastating effects of the recent natural disasters.
Mr Shorten said Area Supervisors would receive between $4,300 and $7,500 for the part-time position and would be employed from 18 April until 7 October.
He said more information was available at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Maritime blitz finds
safety overboard
NSW Maritime has reported that failure to comply with essential boating safety equipment requirements was the most common infringement discovered in the recent statewide crackdown, Operation Blue Water.
NSW Maritime Chief Executive, Steve Dunn said NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers had carried out more than 500 on-water safety checks of boats during this offshore boating compliance campaign.
“While overall compliance was reasonable, it is important for all involved in the boating community to always be safe and responsible,” Mr Dunn said.
“NSW Maritime patrols the waterways statewide in an on-going bid to promote a safety culture.”
He said on-the-spot safety checks were part of this work and the most important safety item was the lifejacket and there must be one for every person on board, it must be of appropriate size and in good condition.
“New safety rules introduced last year have also increased the times when it is necessary to wear a lifejacket,” Mr Dunn said.
He said lifejackets must now be worn in a range of “heightened risk” situations which included: children under the age of 12 in a boat less than 4.8m; anyone boating alone, or at night, or on alpine waters, in a boat less than 4.8m; and all on board when offshore in a boat less than 4.8m.
Mr Dunn said NSW Maritime issued 33 infringements and 34 formal warnings statewide during Operation Blue Water.
He said in total, 12 infringements and 15 formal warnings were related to safety equipment.
NSW Maritime safety ambassadors Andrew “ET” Ettingshausen (re. trailerboat fishing) and ocean adventurer Pete Goss (offshore voyaging) offer safety advice for skippers at this PS News link.
General boating information, including more detail on lifejacket requirements, is available at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Broadband test
brought on line
A test site for community broadband has been brought online in the central west township of Wellington.
Minister for Rural Affairs, Steve Whan said following approval from Wellington Council, equipment had been set up on the Wellington SES tower to test and evaluate the wireless technology at the core of the Government’s Community Broadband Development program.
“This technology is capable of supplying wireless broadband access within a radius of up to 40 kilometres,” Mr Whan said.
“At the same time, work is also proceeding with the building of the first wireless infrastructure in Snowy Mountains region.”
He said increasing broadband access in regional communities was essential to ensuring those communities didn’t fall behind by making sure they had the tools to compete in a digital era.
Mr Whan said Snowy Mountains communities due to receive Community Broadband Development program coverage included: Adaminaby – Providence, Anglers Reach and Old Adaminaby; Berridale – Arable, Cooba, Glenelm, Avonside, Hill Top; Bunyan, Middle Flat, Binjura, Polo flat; Jindabyne, including East Jindabyne; Dalgety – Snowy Vineyard; Bombala; and Delegate.
“The program’s network operational centre at Newcastle has already been completed,” Mr Whan said.
“With this critical infrastructure for the entire broadband network finished we will now be seeing the program rolled out to communities.”
He said costs of delivering the infrastructure were kept to an absolute minimum using the not-for-profit model, enabling broadband services to be delivered to isolated and small rural communities for the first time.
Mr Whan said Wellington was selected as the trial site because it was one of the communities in the program that was easily accessible for technicians and currently had the required infrastructure to test and evaluate the technology.
He said testing at the Wellington trial site had started and the southern site was expected to be operational in the next few months.
23 February, 2011
COAG to fast track
economic reforms
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has decided to bring forward the deadline for introducing its Seamless National Economy (SNE) by six months to the end of 2012 and to start work on a future deregulation agenda.
Covering 36 areas of reform, including 27 business regulation reforms, eight areas of competition reform and ongoing reforms to improve processes for regulation making and review, the SNE agenda is a key element in moves to increase productivity, strengthen the national economy and create jobs.
Federal Minister for Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong, said the Business Regulation and Competition Working Group (BRCWG) - which she co-chairs with the Commonwealth Minister Assisting on Deregulation, Senator Nick Sherry - was well placed to meet the new completion targets and to take on added challenges.
She said bringing forward the SNE deadline reflected a shared commitment between Commonwealth and the States and Territories in the area of regulatory and competition reform to cut business costs, improve incentives, lift productivity and increase economic output.
Senator Sherry said COAG and the BRCWG were more than capable of meeting the challenges ahead.
“The (Federal) Department of Finance and Deregulation has estimated that 10 of the
27 business regulation reforms are worth about $3.5 billion per year to the economy as a whole, with $1.8 billion of this flowing to business,” Senator Sherry said.
“We’re keeping a strong focus on delivering the existing Seamless National Economy reforms, but also looking to the future by committing to developing a further deregulation agenda.”
He said the development of the future regulatory and competition reform agenda would involve identifying areas of regulatory and competition reform which have the potential to contribute to improving Australian productivity.
The BRCWG Report Card on Progress of Deregulation Priorities is available at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
Courts raise bar on
bail applications
A study of bail applications by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has revealed NSW Courts are taking a tougher stance on defendants.
Director of the Bureau, Don Weatherburn said the number of cases where bail was dispensed with had fallen substantially over the last decade.
He said the Bureau examined about 800,000 cases dealt with by the NSW Local, District and Supreme Courts between 1999 and 2008 and the percentage of defendants released unconditionally fell from 60.3 per cent in 1999 to 44.9 per cent in 2008.
Dr Weatherburn said during the same period, the percentage on bail at finalisation rose from 30.2 per cent to 42.1 per cent and, by contrast, the percentage of cases where bail was refused rose by only three percentage points.
He said to test whether the fall in unconditional release was due to a change in the profile of cases coming before the criminal courts, the Bureau examined the likelihood of unconditional release over time while controlling for other factors associated with bail being dispensed with.
Dr Weatherburn said three offences were used in the analysis: assault, property crime and property damage, and the Bureau found that a fall in the likelihood of unconditional release persisted even after controlling for sex, age, and Indigenous status; number, type and severity of offences; criminal history of the defendant in the five years prior to the index court appearance and whether the defendant had previously served a custodial sentence.
He said it was difficult to be certain about the reason for the fall in unconditional release.
“It may be that the general toughening of bail laws over the last few years has simply made courts much more reluctant to dispense with any requirement for bail”, Dr Weatherburn said.
According to the Bureau, the current findings provide some explanation for the rise over the last decade in the number of cases where bail has been breached.
23 February, 2011
Public land stays
in public hands
A new conservation reserve has been formally gazetted at Cranebrook as part of the Wianamatta Regional Park.
NSW Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Frank Sartor said the 181 hectare former Air Services Australia site was rescued by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments from development in 2009.
“This site protects some of Sydney’s most endangered species, including endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland,” Mr Sartor said.
“It will be an important part of the Wianamatta network of reserves managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which includes the former ADI site at St Mary’s.”
He said the Cranebrook site was a critical piece in the green belt which stretches from the former ADI site through to the base of the Blue Mountains.
“It is home to three endangered ecological communities including the Cumberland Plain Woodland and an estimated 10 per cent of the remaining Castlereagh Swamp Woodland,” Mr Sartor said.
“A total of 76 native animals have been recorded on the site including sugar gliders, eastern grey kangaroos, ring tailed possums and echidnas.”
He said the site also supported a diverse and abundant array of rare plant species, including the Nodding Geebung, Bynoe’s Wattle and the Juniper-leaved Grevillea.
“The property also contains a number of important Aboriginal archaeological sites,” Mr Sartor said.
Member for Londonderry, Allan Shearan said local residents and conservation groups had been concerned about what might happen to the site.
“This site is one of the key areas identified as a priority conservation land in the Cumberland Plain Recovery Plan and we are very pleased that we have been able to be able to add it to the parks system,” Mr Shearan said.
He said NPWS had already removed the majority of the rubbish left on the site over many years and fenced the site to stop illegal access and rubbish dumping and work had already began on important restoration and revegetation works.
It will be managed through the Plan of Management for Wianamatta Regional Park.
23 February, 2011
New complicity laws
to target groups
New laws to target organised crime, gangland activities and complicity have been recommended by the NSW Law Reform Commission and supported in principle by the Government.
NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos said law reform would better enable courts and police to prosecute criminals who break the law in groups.
“Legislation that clearly defines what behaviour makes a person complicit in a crime would help to improve consistency and transparency in this complex area of law,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“This major area of law reform will have application to a whole range of criminal matters that are heard in NSW courts on a daily basis.”
He said courts were currently guided by the decisions made by judges in past cases involving complicity – that is, the common law, and these cases were often highly complex and the LRC noted that the common law in this area was inconsistent, uncertain and unsatisfactory.
Mr Hatzistergos said stakeholders, including victims groups, police, the judiciary and the legal profession, would be consulted on the development of complicity legislation.
“There are difficult judgments involved in assigning criminal responsibility to a person who helps another person commit an offence, but does not commit the actual offence themselves,” he said.
“It is vital that we clarify this complex area of law to ensure we provide the right tools to our police and our courts to empower them to bring to justice criminals who commit their crimes in company.”
The LRC, chaired by former Supreme Court justice James Wood AO, has recommended the codification of complicity law be implemented in stages, due to the substantial amount of work required.
Mr Hatzistergos said the report recommended the following laws on complicity be codified: constructive murder (a killing committed by a person in the course of carrying out another very serious crime such as aggravated armed robbery); conspiracy; incitement; accessorial liability; and, joint criminal enterprises.
The full report is available at this PS News link.
23 February, 2011
June release for ProcureIT
The first of June has been flagged as the official release date of the updated IT procurement framework, ProcureIT.
Version three of ProcureIT is set to strengthen intellectual property ownership rules, reduce costs and speed up the contract process, according to Kerry Schott from the State Contracts and Control Board.
Dr Schott said it would help promote ICT investment in NSW while significantly reducing the cost of legal negotiations on every ICT contract, [meaning] less money spent on lawyers, by both government and industry.
Children’s units a year old
The four Child Wellbeing Units (CWUs) set up last year as a result of an enquiry into child protection recorded 44,000 contacts between January and December 2010.
The establishment of four CWUs in Health, Education, Police (NSWPF) and Human Services was an integral part of Keep Them Safe, the Government’s five-year reform plan.
The Police CWU reviewed all reports made by police officers where the children or young people were assessed as not at risk of significant harm under NSW child protection legislation.
They then provide referrals for vulnerable families to local services, to prevent the escalation of child protection issues and statutory intervention.
Since 24 January 2010, the NSWPF CWU had made a significant number of referrals for families across NSW.
New suburbs official
Wheeler Heights and Collaroy Plateau have received full suburb status after extensive public consultation.
The Geographical Names Board and Warringah Council sought community views on this proposal in recent months and more than 200 submissions were received, most overwhelmingly in favour.
Wheeler Heights and Collaroy Plateau will officially be suburbs and may share the same postcode as Collaroy, although that is a matter for Australia Post.
Collaroy Plateau and Wheeler Heights were previously designated as urban places within the address locality of Collaroy.
Hospital services expand
The new clinical service building at Liverpool Hospital has been officially opened.
The building has 2,500 addition rooms, purpose-built clinical facilities and a new ambulatory care centre/floor.
The opening of the clinical services building is the first milestone of a $390 million redevelopment to transform Liverpool Hospital into the largest tertiary facility in NSW.
Other features of the new clinical services building include: a second helipad for the hospital; a state-of-the-art interventional imaging suite; a purpose-built dialysis unit; and a purpose-built trauma suite.
Queens prompt traffic controls
Special event boating traffic controls are in place for the visit to Sydney of sister ships Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth.
A “moving” exclusion zone has been activated around the famous cruise liners as they navigate through the harbour, and applies to all recreational and commercial vessels.
Special event navigation controls include the following: all vessels to keep at least 500m clear of the bows, 60m clear of sides and 60m clear of the stern of the ships; commercial vessels must keep at least 30m clear of the Queen Elizabeth berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal; and all vessels must keep at least 60m clear of the Queen Mary berthed at Garden Island.
Free bus for Bankstown
A free air-conditioned shuttle bus service will being operating next month in Bankstown.
Up to 6,000 people each week will benefit from free public transport between destinations in Bankstown including the transport interchange, Centro Bankstown, Bankstown RSL and the Bankstown Sports Club.
The free service will operate as often as every 20 minutes per day between about 9am and 3pm on weekdays and 9am and 6pm on weekends.
The Bankstown shuttle bus will begin operating on Monday, 14 March.
Courthouse upgrade
The largest renovation of Liverpool Courthouse will begin this year.
The project will include improvement to security and technology and new facilities for court users, including people with a disability.
A new court registry will feature: an internet kiosk, enabling court users to browse resources online; display boards with information about legal resources and support services; a private consultation room for lengthy enquiries; and a split-level counter, with the lower level to accommodate people using wheelchairs.
The Sheriff’s Office will also be relocated into the registry area.
Sale paves way for Court
The construction of the largest NSW court complex outside of Sydney is one step closer after Newcastle City Council approved the sale of a site known as the Burwood Wedge to the NSW Government.
Securing the location for the court will enable architects to begin detailed design work on the facility, with construction planned to begin mid-next year and the project due for completion in 2014.
The project will deliver a 10-court complex that will be up to 20 per cent larger than Newcastle’s ageing court facilities at Church Street, and one of the courtrooms will be large enough to accommodate trials involving up to 10 defendants and a jury panel of up to 15 members.
Art Centre opens
The new Bankstown Art Centre has been officially opened, giving the Western Sydney’s arts community a major boost.
The new Bankstown Arts Centre will serve as an arts hub for Greater Western Sydney – catering for music, film, visual arts, theatre, dance, literature and new media.
The new Bankstown Arts Centre now has: a fully refurbished theatre; two new rehearsal rooms; three new project rooms; a new foyer; new exhibition space; a wet studio; workshop facilities; and new offices.
The centre will host several major projects including Arts Fest, events as part of the 2011 Sydney Writers Festival, community cultural development projects and working partnerships with other Western Sydney cultural institutions.
Memorial to Saint Mary
The Saint Mary MacKillop Memorial Wall at Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery has been officially opened.
A total of $250,000 was allocated toward the work by the Land and Property Management Authority through the Public Reserves Management Fund and NSW Treasury.
The Memorial Wall depicts the life and work of Saint Mary MacKillop and has been created as part of improvement works carried out to the cemetery by the Catholic Cemeteries Board.
The work has included the installation of fencing and signage around the Sisters of St Joseph burial sites, and enhancement of the memorial in that area.
Bullet database in use
The 3D Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) at the Sydney Police Centre is now in use by the NSW Police Force to help them solve gun-related crime.
IBIS is an electronic database of bullets and cartridge cases collected from crime scenes or from seized firearms, which tracks guns by the unique marks that they leave when a bullet is fired.
The 3D system will give police the ability to compare thousands of bullets in under an hour, a task that would take more than a year if done by hand.
The state-of-the-art 3D IBIS system is used by leading overseas law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Interpol.
16 February, 2011
Records points way
to digital future
A three-year strategy to convert State Records NSW into a state-of-the-art digital archives facility is to get under way this year.
State Records will commence the implementation of a digital archives solution capable of accepting, preserving and making available born digital records of the NSW Government as State archives.
State Records said the strategy was developed because many digital records could only be opened, and their contents properly displayed, by the software application in which they were created.
It said even widely accepted formats could not be read after a few generations of technological change.
According to State Records, the digital archives infrastructure implemented will complement and integrate with existing systems and processes for the management and use of paper based archival records in line with the State Records Act 1998.
It said it would conform to international standards and best practice for trusted digital repositories and would adopt common tools and approaches used by other Australasian Government archives authorities.
State Records said the digital State archives meant: improved government efficiency and quality of services as a result of keeping digital records in more accessible formats and ensuring they remained authentic and reliable.
It said it also meant the preservation of authentic and accessible digital records that document citizens’ rights and entitlements, environment and history, and seamless online access to digital archives in conjunction with digitised paper archives.
State Records said the implementation of a digital State archive for the NSW Government was just one element of the Future Proof strategy, which also aimed to improve digital recordkeeping.
It said digital recordkeeping standards had been developed for agencies in support of the first of this, and these standards establish clear benchmarks for the creation and management of robust, trustworthy and accessible digital records.
More information on the Future Proof strategy is available from this PS News link, or on Twitter at this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
Healthy new look for
Healthy Kids website
A new website to help parents and teachers encourage children to eat healthy food and exercise more has been launched by the NSW Health Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant.
Dr Chant said the Healthy Kids website was unique in Australia in terms of being a joint website for all the State Government programs and campaigns relating to sound nutrition and physical activity advice for children and young people.
“Since its launch, there has been significant progress in healthy eating, physical activity and obesity prevention initiatives in NSW as evidenced in the latest SPANS survey which suggests that childhood overweight and obesity is levelling out,” Dr Chant said.
“However the rates of obesity amongst children are still too high and we need to do more to reduce these rates.”
Originally launched in 2006, the Healthy Kids website recently underwent a major redesign to reposition it as the primary information portal in NSW for healthy eating, physical activity and prevention of childhood obesity.
Dr Chant said the Healthy Kids website was developed in response to the 2002 NSW Childhood Obesity Summit and was a priority in the NSW Government’s Plan for preventing childhood overweight and obesity.
The website was a joint initiative of NSW Health, the Department of Education and Training, and Communities NSW, as well as the NSW Division of the National Heart Foundation.
Dr Chant said the Healthy Kids website was aligned with five key messages for the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity, including: get active each day; choose water as a drink; eat more fruit and vegetables; eat fewer snacks and select healthier alternatives; and turn off the TV or computer and get active.
Dr Chant said the website had nine fact sheets for families to download and there were also five new fact sheets which have been designed specifically for children.
The Healthy Kids website can be accessed at this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
Consumers chart
top 10 complaints
The Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge, has revealed the top 10 issues of concern to consumers in 2010.
Ms Judge said residential building work complaints topped the 2010 list with 2,754 complaints, followed closely by whitegoods with 2,707 complaints.
“Fair Trading received a total of 41,811 complaints in 2010, compared to 39,970 in 2009 which is an increase of 4.6 per cent,” Ms Judge said.
“The good news is that the majority of complaints are resolved quickly, after Fair Trading intervention.”
She said more than 3,500 complaints were referred to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) and more than 4,000 were examined by Fair Trading investigators.
Ms Judge said the top 10 consumer complaints of 2010 were: residential building work, including major renovations; household electrical and whitegoods; automotive – used cars and motorcycles; goods, including furniture, furnishings and manchester; automotive repairs and servicing; travel and tourism; goods, including clothing, footwear and accessories; computer technology and hardware; professional services; and, automotive - new cars and motorcycles.
Ms Judge said it was important for consumers to know their entitlements when it came to refunds, returns and consumer guarantees.
“Every consumer should feel confident they are getting what they pay for,” she said.
Ms Judge said the new Australian Consumer Law which commenced on 1 January had created a clearer set of statutory consumer guarantees so that consumers better understood their rights.
She said consumers should use the following tips to prevent problems in the marketplace: know your rights and responsibilities; keep your receipts as proof of purchase; first always try to negotiate with the seller, in person and/or in writing; and be reasonable.
Ms Judge said if you encountered difficulties with a salesperson, ask to speak to someone more senior such as the store manager and remind them of your statutory rights.
She said if you encounter any difficulties in negotiating with the seller contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 for help and advice.
16 February, 2011
Land task force
to land job sites
A new Employment Lands Task Force has been set up to advise the Government on implementing the Employment Lands Development Program.
Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly said the Task Force was one of the key actions in the Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036.
He said the task force would comprise representatives from Government, industry and other experts, and would ensure adequate land was zoned and serviced for employment, and co-ordinate delivery and servicing of employment lands.
Mr Kelly said the announcement of Task Force coincided with the release of a new Employment Lands Development Program (ELDP) 2010 Overview Report, which was the first comprehensive Government analysis of employment lands across Sydney for more than a decade.
He said the report showed Sydney’s western suburbs had experienced a boom in employment lands growth, particularly to accommodate warehouse and distribution centres on large sites.
Mr Kelly said the findings of the ELDP Overview Report would be used by the NSW Government to implement the Metropolitan Plan, which included a key target for 50 per cent of Sydney’s new jobs to be in western Sydney.
“It’s vitally important that the NSW Government is aware of the state of the employment lands market to help encourage planning policies and infrastructure investment, which support jobs closer to where people live,” Mr Kelly said.
“Overall, Western Sydney was responsible for 79 per cent of the employment lands developed in 2009 for business and industry.”
Mr Kelly said the Employment Lands Task Force members included: Director General of the Department of Planning, Sam Haddad; Director General of Industry and Investment NSW, Richard Sheldrake; Director General of Transport NSW, Les Wielinga; Executive Director of Property Council of Australia (NSW), Glenn Byers; Chief Executive of Urban Development Institute of Australia, Stephen Albin; Executive Director of Sydney Business Chamber, Patricia Forsythe; GM Penrith City Council, Alan Stoneham; Director, Strategic Economics, Grahame Larcombe; and Managing Director, URBIS, John Wynne.
16 February, 2011
Learner drivers
on the fast track
The learner driver logbook system is to be re-evaluated over the next three years to make it fairer and more flexible.
Premier Kristina Keneally said a new package of reforms would ease log book requirements on families, encourage young drivers to take professional driving courses and provide free assistance to disadvantaged young people.
She said the Government would start work now on introducing the changes, which would benefit new and existing drivers on their L Plates from 1 July.
Ms Keneally said young drivers in rural, regional and suburban areas of NSW had expressed their concern about the ability to meet the requirement, and they wanted changes to the system to strike a balance between fairness and safety.
She said the package was designed to benefit the 100,000 people who successfully applied for their L Plates each year, and included: an across the board reduction in minimum log book hours for learner drivers from 120 hours to 100 hours; a further 20 hour discount for learners who get 10 hours of professional instruction; a three-year fund to provide 10 free one hour professional driving lessons for up to 6,000 disadvantaged learner drivers; and funding to organisations that made cars or supervisors available to disadvantaged learner drivers.
“This package will keep road fatalities down at the same time as easing the burden that log book hours can have on young people and families,” Ms Keneally said.
“Families have told us they want a learner driver’s log book system, but they want one that is fairer and more flexible – we have listened and we have acted.”
She said people already on their L plates would be able to take advantage of the new log book and driving hour requirements when they came into effect on 1 July.
For more information go to this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
Companies clean up
in cleaning contracts
Seven companies have been awarded 15 contracts to provide cleaning and maintenance services for NSW Government facilities across the State.
The NSW State Contracts Control Board (SCCB) announced the contracts which are to go to Broadlex Services Pty Ltd; Colin Joss & Co Pty Ltd; Menzies International (Australia) Pty Ltd; Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd; Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd; and ISS Facility Services Australia Ltd/ O’Donnell & Hanlon Pty Ltd in partnership.
SCCB chairperson Dr Kerry Schott said the 15 contracts are worth $2 billion over five years and covered 11 metropolitan and country regions.
“These are five year contracts with two, one-year contract extension options,” Dr Schott said.
“The contracts also include a review after the third year.”
She said the contracts provided services for more than 3,000 separate sites, including 2,421 schools sites and 187 TAFE sites, as well as police stations, court houses and Government offices.
She said the Board had decided that no one company could hold more than three contracts, therefore spreading the contracts across the industry.
She said the SCCB has awarded contracts for cleaning, maintenance or facility management (combined cleaning and maintenance) as below.
Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd won the contract for facilities management in Hunter/Central Coast, and cleaning in North Sydney and Western Sydney.
Menzies International (Australia) Pty Ltd was awarded the cleaning contracts for Illawarra/South East and Sydney.
Colin Joss & Co Pty Ltd won the maintenance contract for Illawarra/South East, while the maintenance contracts for North Sydney, Sydney and Western Sydney were awarded to Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd.
ISS Facility Services Australia Ltd and O’Donnell & Hanlon Pty Ltd were given the contracts for Facilities Management to New England and North Coast, as well as the cleaning contract for South West Sydney.
Riverina and Western NSW Facilities Management contracts were awarded to Colin Joss & Co Pty Ltd.
Broadlex Services Pty Ltd won the Cleaning contract for the Sydney CBD.
Maintenance in South West Sydney will be provided by the Construction Services Group, NSW Public Works, a division of the Department of Services, Technology & Administration.
16 February, 2011
Slick lickers sought
for olive oil tasting
The Minister for Primary Industries is calling for volunteers to join a panel to help evaluate the quality of Australian olive oil.
Minister Steve Whan said this was an opportunity for people to get involved in and learn about the olive oil industry.
“The panel is a service to the olive oil industry for the classification of olive oil samples to be graded extra virgin, or if defects are found, to lower grades such as virgin or lampante,” Mr Whan said.
“Olive producers who want to export their oil must have chemical and sensory test certificates to signify what grade of oil is being sent to overseas destinations and be accepted by most countries.”
He said therefore, an internationally recognised olive oil sensory panel was required and had been constituted at Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, to enable this certification to take place.
Mr Whan said it was the only sensory panel recognised by both the International Olive Council and the established competent authority in Australia - Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
I&I NSW cereal chemist Helen Taylor said the sensory panel was made up of volunteers, and from time to time it was necessary to replenish tasters.
She said at present, approximately 20 tasters were required.
“Potential panellists would be assessed for their aptitude to perceive positive and negative attributes of the aromas and tastes of olive oil,” Ms Taylor said.
“If selected, training will commence from Wednesday 2 March. It will continue every fortnight for 10 sessions 9am to 1pm.”
Expression of Interest forms can be obtained from Peter Olson on 0409 573 228 or peter.olson@ozemail.com.au, or helen.taylor@industry.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6938 1815, and need to be submitted by 18 February with interviews to take place on Wednesday, 23 February.
16 February, 2011
New disputes process
settles the argument
The resolution of minor planning disputes between ratepayers and their Local Councils have been simplified and streamlined under new laws now in force in NSW.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the new laws would enable the Land and Environment Court to settle disputes over proposed development applications concerning houses and dual occupancies through a straight-forward conciliation process if council knocked back plans or did not make a decision within a specified time frame.
He said the process would increase the number of simple residential disputes that could be resolved such as proposed roof renovations, garage extensions, room additions, carports and driveways, without the need for costly legal representation or witnesses.
“Considering 60 per cent of all development applications are for these types of applications, the new scheme provides great potential to make it easier for NSW homeowners to access the court system,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
He said the Land and Environment Court aimed to finalise 95 per cent of these types of residential development appeals within three months of them being filed with the court.
“The new process will begin with conciliation between the parties who are in dispute over a proposed small-scale development application,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“A Commissioner of the court will try to help the parties reach a mutually satisfactory agreement.”
He said if the parties were unable to agree after a reasonable period of time on the day of the hearing, the Commissioner would terminate the conciliation process and make a final decision.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Commissioner’s decision would be based on material discussed during conciliation (if both parties agree to this occurring) or after a hearing.
He said if a hearing was required, it would be held immediately after the conciliation is terminated.
The Land and Environment Court’s website (available at this PS News link) explained each stage of the process from the beginning to the final orders of the court.
16 February, 2011
Students’ art
in the frame
Artworks from some of the State’s most talented high school students have gone on display as 2011 ARTEXPRESS at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Minister for Education, Verity Firth said the showcase was made up of 44 of the best artworks by last year’s Higher School Certificate visual arts students and was part of a broader series of exhibitions taking place around the state under the ARTEXPRESS banner.
She said the work of 326 students, who had been selected from almost 9,800 HSC visual arts students, would be exhibited in Sydney and regional NSW over the next 11 months.
Ms Firth said five students from Warners Bay High School, near Newcastle, were among the NSW public school students whose work was chosen for display in the 2011 exhibitions.
She said the school’s visual arts faculty, which has taught 18 students whose work has been selected for ARTEXPRESS, won the Dobell Award for excellence in teaching and learning.
Ms Firth said the works show the depth of artistic talent in NSW schools.
“The exhibition showcases an outstanding collection of work representing a broad range of subject matter, approaches, styles and media,” Ms Firth said.
“The NSW visual arts course develops an understanding of the role of art in all forms of media, and in both contemporary and historical cultures.”
She said the following NSW public school students and teachers won awards as part of the ARTEXPRESS program: Ashley Green, Erskine Park High School, Excellence Award; Laura Wingrove, Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School, Digital Media Award; and Warners Bay High School visual arts faculty, award for excellence in teaching and learning.
Ms Firth said ARTEXPRESS was a joint venture of the NSW Board of Studies and the Education Department.
For more information see this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
Anti-smoking ads
hit big smoke
Locally developed anti-smoking advertisements are making their mark around the world, being adopted internationally by almost a dozen countries to urge smokers to kick the smoking habit.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer), Frank Sartor said new figures released last week showed the highly successful Sponge television campaign - developed by the Cancer Institute NSW - was prompting hundreds of thousands of smokers to ‘butt-out” around the world.
He said the campaign, which aired in Turkey in December, led to more than 200,000 smokers calling the Turkish Quitline service within the first month, and it had also made a significant impact in countries such as China, India, Russia, Georgia and Kazakhstan.
Mr Sartor said the Sponge campaign was one of five Cancer Institute NSW advertisements that had been broadcast in 11 countries around the world.
“Hard-hitting mass media campaigns about the health consequences of tobacco use are proven to change smoker’s behaviour,” Mr Sartor said.
He said in NSW the campaigns had helped contribute to a 5 per cent decline in adult smoking, more than 180,000 people, since 2003.
“When you consider countries like China where more than 60 per cent of the male population smokes and more than 30 per cent of the world’s cigarettes are consumed, these campaigns could have a colossal impact world-wide,” Mr Sartor said.
Professor David Currow, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW said more than 12 million people would be diagnosed with cancer and more than 7.6 million people would die from cancer this year.
“This is an alarming statistic but the reality is if we don’t do start raising awareness of cancer and promoting healthier lifestyles this figure will reach 26 million new diagnoses and 17 million deaths by the year 2030,” Professor Currow said.
“Public education campaigns will help but we also need to educate people that many cancers are entirely preventable.”
16 February, 2011
Infill plan saves
land and money
Building at least 70 per cent of Sydney’s new homes in existing suburbs over the next 25 years would save up to $11 billion, according to a new report prepared for the Government.
Minister for Planning Tony Kelly said a report from the Centre for International Economics (CIE), found that placing 70 per cent of new homes in existing areas would save $26,000 per dwelling in transport, social and utility infrastructure and environmental costs compared with building all new homes in greenfield areas.
He said the report, “The benefits and costs of alternative growth paths for Sydney – Economic, social and environmental impacts”, estimated these savings would total some $11 billion by 2036, when Sydney would be home to an additional 1.7 million people.
Mr Kelly said the report helped inform the NSW Government’s preparation of a new Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036, published in December 2010.
He said this plan supported at least 70 per cent of new dwellings in existing areas.
Mr Kelly said the CIE report also estimated that placing 50 per cent of new homes in greenfield areas and 50 per cent in existing areas would cost $5 billion more by 2036 compared to the Metropolitan Plan dwelling targets.
He said the report stated that the 50 per cent greenfield dwelling target scenario required greater costs for the Government to produce dwellings that are less valued by households.
“There are many good reasons why we should be planning for high-quality urban renewal and consolidation of centres,” Mr Kelly said.
“This includes the positive benefits of being able to place people close to jobs, homes, transport and services and creating a more vibrant city.”
He said the study considered the potential costs of different growth scenarios in terms of: transport, utilities, social infrastructure, and environmental.
The report was available at this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
Parenting program
comes of age
A positive parenting program offered to NSW families by Community Services in partnership with the Department of Education and Training, Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Housing NSW and NSW Health has reached the milestone of 1,000 practitioners in NSW.
Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney said the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) had helped thousands of families attending groups and seminars across the state, and learning from its unique approach to parenting.
She said Triple P was a practical program that provided simple answers to questions parents commonly asked about raising children and was based on a system of simple routines and small changes that could make big differences in families.
“More than 1,000 practitioners have been trained to deliver seminars and groups that have assisted approximately 8,000 parents and carers to raise their children so they can have the best possible start in life,” Ms Burney said.
She said the program had been delivered through schools, community centres and churches in city suburbs, country towns and remote locations and was also assisting community members from different cultural backgrounds.
“Triple P is almost always successful in improving child behavioural problems as the emphasis is on developing positive attitudes, skills and behaviours,” Ms Burney said.
“Bhutanese, Afghani, Vietnamese, Arabic-speaking and Cantonese-speaking families will be benefiting from the program in the next few months. The seminar and group materials are also available in Spanish and Turkish.”
She said Community Services delivered the Triple P as part of the Families NSW early intervention strategy, in partnership with the Department of Education and Training, Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Housing NSW and NSW Health, as well as parents, community organisations and local Government.
Ms Burney said Families NSW offered Triple P through seminars, small groups or a self-directed program.
For more information about Triple P and local courses, visit this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
New tourism profile
just the ticket
The NSW tourism industry now has access to the latest regional market intelligence published in the Regional Tourism Profiles 2009/10.
Minister Assisting on Tourism, Senator Nick Sherry said the profiles had been developed as a tool for business in 81 regions throughout Australia to give local tourism businesses the information they needed to drive investment and tourism development in their communities.
He said tourism businesses and investors should use the profiles as the first stop for information when planning future investments and marketing initiatives.
Senator Sherry said the profiles provided detailed tourism data on the 14 tourism regions in NSW including the number of arrivals, tourism’s contribution to local economies, consumer profiles and a breakdown of reasons for travel.
“Information in the profiles will assist tourism businesses get a better idea about where visitors are coming from and what they are doing when they visit the state,” Senator Sherry said.
“People who visit New South Wales for work, major events, study or leisure are important to the state economy - collectively they spent $23.5 billion in 2009/10, up from $22.7 billion in 2008/09.”
He said NSW business could use the data in the profiles to better target their investments, spending money where they were more confident of getting the best return.
Senator Sherry said that the data would be an important resource to help tourism businesses to direct their investments and recovery efforts after recent floods in the north of the state.
“In the wake of the floods, the Australian and NSW Governments partnered to provide emergency grants of up to $15,000 and loans of up to $130,000 to help the many affected businesses get back on their feet,” he said.
The profiles incorporate data from Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey and International Visitor Survey as well as data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The NSW Regional Tourism Profiles 2009/10 can be downloaded at this PS News link.
16 February, 2011
Funding green light
for green spaces
Twenty-six open space and trail projects around Sydney have received funding as part of a program to create a network of green spaces and trails across the city.
Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly said projects being funded included the construction of elevated walkways through bushland, a scenic foreshore walk north of Sydney, access steps to a popular scuba diving location and an innovative boardwalk over an existing seawall.
“This funding program is helping to realise the vision of an interconnected network of recreation trails from the city’s eastern shores to the base of the Blue Mountains,” Mr Kelly said.
“These recreation trails are typically either pedestrian and/or cycle pathways, often off-road, designed to link landscapes, natural features, facilities or urban centres.”
He said the funding had been allocated under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program (MGP), which, since 2006, had funded more than 182.5km of planning and construction of trails across the Sydney Region.
“The ongoing funding and implementation of the recreation trail program is a good example of the NSW Government both undertaking and delivering long-term planning for Sydney,” he said.
Mr Kelly said this year, Lane Cove Council was being committed to construct 1.5km of elevated walkways through Lane Cove Bushland Park, upgrade signage and undertake bush regeneration.
He said some of the other significant projects included: Hornsby Shire Council to create a 600m foreshore walk within McKell Park, extending from Brooklyn to Parsley Bay and to restore and conserve historic sandstone steps built during the Great Depression (1933-1935); Ku-ring-gai Council to undertake detail design work to provide off-road mountain bike cycling at Golden Jubilee Oval, Wahroonga; and Ryde City Council for detailed design of the strategic link between Bill Mitchell Park and Glades Bay Park.
Mr Kelly said funding under the MGP was provided to local councils on a dollar-for-dollar basis for specific regionally significant projects, which helped restore, conserve or enhance land in public ownership to provide high quality access and facilities for recreation purposes.
16 February, 2011
New angle for fishers
from artificial reefs
Three new artificial reefs have been approved for fishing grounds off Sydney, Newcastle and the Illawarra.
Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said the Sydney artificial reef would be the first deployed around 1.2 kilometres offshore from The Gap and 1.9 kilometres south-east of South Head.
“Its success will be assessed and monitored for an initial three-year period before two further reefs are deployed,” Mr Kelly said.
He said the Newcastle reef was proposed for approximately 3.6 kilometres offshore from Blacksmiths Beach and the entrance to Swansea Channel, and the other south of Wollongong around 2.4 kilometres offshore from Perkins Beach and 2.5 kilometres south of Five Islands Nature Reserve.
Mr Kelly said the 35 tonne steel structures would take up to six months to build, would be lowered onto the sea floor by a crane and would sit at a depth of around 28m to 38m with a lifespan of up to 30 years.
He said recreational fishing is an important leisure activity for approximately 17 per cent of the NSW population – around one million people – and provided social and economic benefits.
“These artificial reefs will create high quality fishing areas adjacent to heavily populated centres of NSW, supplementing existing natural reefs,” Mr Kelly said.
“Artificial reefs have been deployed in up to 40 countries around the world during the past three decades; and since 2005, a number of “reef ball” artificial reefs have already been deployed in NSW coastal estuaries such as Lake Macquarie, Botany Bay, St Georges Basin, Merimbula Lake and Lake Conjola.”
Mr Kelly said a total of 30 conditions had been imposed on the Industry and Investment NSW project including: development of an education and awareness guideline that includes information on identifying threatened or protected species, handling and releasing them, reporting the sighting, and the potential impact of disposing of litter and fishing gear near the reef.
16 February, 2011
Ticks ticked off
in pest warning
Stock owners and transporters have been warned to take particular care to detect cattle ticks in NSW following a rise in infestations in Queensland.
Regional veterinary officer with Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) Paul Freeman said people bringing livestock into NSW from Queensland needed to be on their guard.
“The floods in Queensland are likely to contribute to a spread of ticks in that State, so it is vitally important that transporters meet the strict movement regulations when bringing cattle, horses or other livestock into NSW,” Mr Freeman said.
“Call I&I NSW on (07) 5536 4714 or (02) 6626 1201 to find out the requirements before moving cattle, horses or other livestock from Queensland into NSW.”
Mr Freeman said producers who brought in Queensland cattle or horses were also advised to keep them in a holding paddock for a week or two as a biosecurity measure before allowing them access to the entire property.
“That way the animals can be monitored for ticks and if cattle ticks are found then the entire property is not quarantined – just the holding paddock,” he said.
Mr Freeman said cattle ticks were the most serious external parasite of cattle in Australia, and they could attach to cattle, horses and other livestock and transmit tick fever, a potentially fatal disease of cattle.
Mr Freeman said they were also a notifiable disease in NSW which means stockowners were required by law to inform the authorities of any findings on their stock.
“If we are able to get on top of an infestation early, the ticks are easier to eradicate from the affected property and the risk of ticks multiplying and spreading to other properties is greatly reduced,” he said.
Mr Freeman said there had been seven new cattle tick infestations in NSW so far this season, a low number compared to last season when 101 NSW properties found infested with cattle ticks.
16 February, 2011
Centre to stay public
The Stockton Centre site will remain in public ownership and the disability services will continue to be delivered on the site beyond 2018.
The families of residents at the Stockton Centre had previously raised concerns about the future provision of disability services from the Stockton Centre.
The NSW Government is still committed to the closure of the outdated Stockton Centre and its replacement with more appropriate accommodation on-site and in the Hunter region.
The Government will begin consultation with families of residents; future public access to the beach through the Stockton site would be guaranteed; and that important heritage buildings on site would be protected from development.
Food Authority names and shames
The Coffee Club outlet at Warringah is the newest member of the NSW Food Authority’s Name and Shame list.
The Local Court imposed a fine of $41,280 for seven breaches of food safety laws, including the failure to maintain clean premises, failure to store foods within safe temperature range and without risk of contamination, and failure to prevent the harbourage of pests.
The successful prosecution was a result of work carried out by food inspectors from Warringah Council.
The Name and Shame register, which is available at this PS News link, gives consumers the right to vote with their feet.
Opera House works start
A $152 million capital works program to enhance tourist and visitor safety at the Sydney Opera House is now underway.
The Vehicle Access and Pedestrian Safety Project (VAPS) is the largest single capital works program undertaken at the Sydney Opera House since its opening in 1973.
The project involves: the diversion of the Bennelong Drain, a stormwater drain servicing parts of the Sydney CBD; a new access road and loading dock; and remediation of the existing road to remove the kerbs.
The Sydney Opera House will remain fully operational throughout the project, with theatres, restaurants and guided tours open for business, however, the forecourt is now closed and is expected to re-open to the public in mid-2013.
Train carriages added
An extra 25 air-conditioned Outer Suburban Train Carriages (OSACRs) are to be built in Newcastle.
The investment of more than $100 million will increase the total OSCAR fleet to 221, and means the Government will deliver an OSCAR carriage every week from now until 2013, when the 221st carriage will roll into service.
The 130 OSCAR train carriages are already in service, carrying passengers on the South Coast, Blue Mountains and Central Coast Lines.
The new OSCARs will replace the older V-set carriages on outer suburban lines and will be built by local company UGL, at their manufacturing facility in Broadmeadow.
Oak Flats station opened
A new $17 million Police Station has opened in Oak Flats.
The new facility will house 320 NSW Police officers and will serve as the new headquarters for Lake Illawarra Local Area Command.
The three-storey station offers vastly improved customer service facilities for the public, ground-level parking, as well as a modern and effective working environment for the police and administrative staff.
This station will house: General Duties officers; Crime Management Unit; Detectives; Anti-Theft Unit; Highway Patrol officers; Local Area Command Administration; Radio Network Services; and VKG (Police Radio Operators).
Upgrade for Taree Courthouse
A $5 million upgrade of Taree Courthouse – its largest renovation since it was constructed in 1882 – has started.
The renovations will deliver better facilities to victims of crime and ensure the courthouse is equipped with the latest technological advancements to bring about fast and fair access to justice.
The additions made to the courthouse in 1980 will be demolished and replaced with a two-storey extension, which will include a new local court equipped with videoconferencing technology to enable magistrates to hear bail applications made from prison and evidence from witnesses all over the world.
Harbour plan
The Conservation Management Strategy for Wollongong Harbour has been completed after six months of investigation and research.
The strategy was prepared following guidelines provided by the NSW Heritage Council, and will help guide future decisions in relation to maintenance and new construction in the harbour.
The report tells the story of how the harbour was progressively developed from the early 19th century until recent activity such as the breakwater lighthouse refurbishment in 1999.
The final version of Development Guidelines for Wollongong Harbour was also released, describing where future development may be permitted in Wollongong Harbour and what form it should take.
9 February, 2011
Planning reforms
break new ground
The Department of Planning has reported a seven-day improvement in processing times for development proposals in 2009-10 compared with the year before.
In its Local Development Performance Monitoring report, the Department revealed the average processing time for the 71,550 development applications it determined to be 67 days.
It also revealed that Government Agencies cut their comment times to 43 days, down from 54 in 2008-09.
Minister for Planning Tony Kelly said that another big change shown by the report was a 56 per cent increase in the number of applications processed via the “fast-track” complying development approval system.
He said this system allowed projects such as new homes, home extensions or changing the use of retail premises to be approved in less than two weeks by an accredited certifier if they met a set design code.
“This report illustrates that major reforms implemented by the NSW Government are bringing down decision times,” Mr Kelly said.
He said the NSW Government began a series of planning improvements in 2008, which had included: introducing Joint Regional Planning panels; creating the NSW Housing Code; creating the NSW Commercial and Industrial Code; and removing some 1,300 unnecessary clauses.
Mr Kelly said key findings of the 2009-10 report showed: a total of 100,868 applications were processed, which was an increase of 5 per cent from the previous year; the number of fast-tracked complying development approvals increased to 14,315, with the total value of these approvals rising from $850 million to $2.98 billion; and State agencies took an average of 43 days to comment on referred development applications, down from 54 days in 2008-09.
The Minister said councils had also significantly reduced the time taken to process applications compared to the previous 12-month period.
“All of the five slowest councils from 2008-09 – Wellington, Manly, Parramatta, Hunters Hill and Palerang – have moved out of the bottom five through improvements in the efficiency of their assessment systems,” he said.
“I congratulate these and other councils who have improved their assessment processing and encourage them to keep up the good work.”
9 February, 2011
State Records
marks 50 years
State Records NSW is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011.
The official Government archive and records management authority, State Records is developing a special anniversary page on its website to mark the occasion, featuring an online exhibition showcasing 50 iconic items from its collection.
State Records said these “founding documents” had a serious side but also hold some real surprises.
It said there were records dating from the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 but there were other documents which reflected the diversity of the 60 plus kilometres of State archives.
According to State Records, the exhibition will allow people to find out more about the colony’s first hangman, a poetic surveyor, an ex-convict with a most unusual occupation, a very unlucky convict escapologist, a colonial ventriloquist, a blind busker, a very important land court case, a very un-Australian “dobber” and much more.
It said there were currently 21 images, together with transcriptions and a short interpretation, on the gallery and over the coming months more would be added.
In addition to the exhibition, State Records had commissioned historian Peter Tyler to write a history of State Records.
State Records said this would be published towards the middle of the year, and there was also a range of celebratory bookmarks and postcards, available in its reading rooms.
It said it was offering e-bookmarks and e-postcards from the 50th anniversary page, a virtual experience for those unable to visit the reading rooms.
The e-postcards feature buildings, such as Old Government House in Parramatta; people, such Thomas Buckley and Jane Thomas; and ships, trains and trams.
The link to the online exhibition in the digital gallery can be accessed at this PS News link.
9 February, 2011
Power sell-offs
on back burner
The Premier has ruled out any further privatisation of public assets in the State’s energy sector.
Premier Kristina Keneally said this ended the matter and ruled out any further privatisation of electricity assets by the Government.
“The NSW Government has delivered the biggest economic reform in a generation with the recent $5.3 billion energy reform transaction,” Ms Keneally said.
“We’ve put downward pressure on power prices by increasing competition in the retail electricity market and secured private sector investment in the next generation of baseload power.”
Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said that the second tranche of the energy reform process came to a conclusion last week with no bids received by the Government.
Following the Treasurer’s briefing, Ms Keneally said she put a recommendation to Cabinet that the NSW Government not proceed with any further privatisation of the State’s electricity sector before the election.
She said she also recommended that Cabinet rule out any further privatisation, such as an initial public offering (IPO), should the Government be returned in March.
Ms Keneally said cabinet had endorsed the recommendations.
“We have achieved significant reform and secured the State’s economic future,” Ms Keneally said.
Mr Roozendaal said it was now up to Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell to outline the Coalition’s energy policy and rule out a full privatisation of the State’s electricity generators and the “poles and wires” transmission network.
9 February, 2011
Circular pays off
on ex gratia rules
A new Treasury Circular has been issued reinforcing the policy that only Ministers can approve ex gratia payments.
Signed by Deputy Secretary of Treasury, Mark Ronsisvalle, Circular TC 11/02 confirmed Ministers could exercise this power as representatives of the Crown and the power could not be delegated.
The Circular said it did not change the existing policy but clarified it and replaced the previous circular NSWTC 05/05.
It said ex gratia payments may be made to persons who Ministers consider have suffered a financial or other detriment, which could not be remedied through recourse to legal proceedings, as a result of the workings of Government.
According to the Circular, payments which were made to meet legal liabilities or where legal advice was that the Government might be found liable to pay compensation, were not ex gratia in nature.
It said ex gratia payments were entirely discretionary in nature, and there were no formal or mandatory criteria for determining when or if such payments should be made.
The Circular said every case might be considered on its own facts and in its own context.
According to the Circular, when a Minister was deciding about payment, a relevant consideration was whether that action would have potentially wider implications for agencies or the Government.
The Circular said the manner of an ex gratia payment should ensure that no expectations, interests or rights were created beyond the individual case.
It said costs were met from the approving portfolio Minister’s existing budget and if the costs could not be met the Treasurer’s written approval must be obtained before entering into a commitment to pay.
The Circular said where legal action had been commenced or threatened, Ministers should consider taking steps to ensure the Crown was protected from further action.
The Treasury Circular can be accessed at this PS News link.
9 February, 2011
Schools learn lesson
in war on fat
The Department of Education and Training has noted that the numbers of overweight or obese school students in NSW is levelling out and suspects that programs to increase physical activity in schools and promote healthy eating may be the cause.
According to the Department, programs such as Live Life Well @ School (LLW@S) and the annual Premier’s Sporting Challenge may be having an impact.
LLW@S project officer Alex Shain said that over the last two years, more than 1,000 teachers from 450 primary schools had taken part in the Live Life Well @ School program, in which schools were given practical, effective tools for creating whole school change in physical activity and nutrition.
The Department’s PDHPE manager, Allan Booth, said the program strengthened the teaching of fundamental skills and opened pathways to participation in physical activity.
Mr Booth said this year the LLW@School program had been redesigned to include: two days of fully funded NSW Institute of Teachers accredited professional learning for department primary teachers; a series of ready-made online modules to allow the teacher to in-service staff back at school; and a $2,000 implementation grant.
He said the Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) showed more than 8,000 school students from 101 schools were measured for height, weight, eating habits, movement skills and fitness in early 2010 as part of the NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition survey.
Mr Booth said the results showed the overweight and obesity rate among students had stabilised at 22.8 per cent after a rapid rise during the years prior to 2005.
He said other key findings from the survey included: less than half of high school students eat enough fruit; approximately 70 per cent of boys and 60 per cent of girls spent too much time recreationally in front of screens; and almost 50 per cent of primary school students were driven to school and many students, especially girls, did not know how to run, jump, kick, throw or catch properly.
9 February, 2011
Tribunal all ears for
telephone hearings
The Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal has published a new fact sheet on its conduct of hearings by telephone.
Entitled Hearings by Telephone, the fact sheet provides valuable information for participants involved in hearings over the phone as well as helpful tips on how best to take part.
According to the fact sheet, regardless of whether you are the applicant or respondent, you need to organise your case to prepare for a hearing.
It said this included: writing down your issues; ensuring that all your evidence has been sent to the CTTT and the other party; preparing to be flexible and practical; focusing on what you want to achieve; and only agreeing to what is fair.
Hearings by Telephone also included guidelines for a hearing by telephone, and said to prepare for your hearing by telephone, you should: check the telephone was in a quiet room with no distractions; make sure you will not be interrupted during the call; and consider whether you want to use a telephone with a loud speaker.
It said mobile phones should only be used when the party could be certain of good reception, and parties who participated in a hearing by using an international telephone line would be required to telephone the CTTT and incur the costs of the call.
According to the fact sheet, the CTTT provided hearings by telephone as an alternative to face-to-face headings, which were held when parties or the Tribunal Member could not attend the hearing in person.
It said the CTTT might decide to hold a hearing by telephone where it was the most timely and effective way to hear the matter.
The fact sheet said a party might also request that the hearing be held by telephone and in such a case, the CTTT would consider: if a party was located 200km or two hours travel time from the hearing venue; if a party for health or personal reasons unable to attend in person; and whether there were insufficient matters to be heard at a particular heading venue.
To learn more about conciliation and hearings at the CTTT, read the
Conciliation Ten Top Tips and the Preparing for Hearing fact sheet available at this PS News link.
9 February, 2011
Law review to send
off sporting cheats
The NSW Law Reform Commission has been called on to conduct a review of the laws relating to gambling and cheating in sport.
NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos said the Commission would review the coverage of criminal law in relation to cheating at gambling in NSW.
“Situations may arise where a person is involved in cheating in sport, such as the practice of match fixing, but is not themselves directly involved in betting on that sport,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“It is important that our laws adequately cover this type of conduct.”
Mr Hatzistergos said the commencement of the review comes out of the work being conducted by the Chairperson of the NSW Law Reform Commission, James Wood QC, on the law of complicity.
Mr Hatzistergos said that according to Mr Wood there might be a potential gap in the law in NSW relating to: the position of sportspeople who throw matches or otherwise alter their conduct for gain; such as agreeing to matters that may affect spot or spread betting.
He said this could include where they had not been involved in the gambling themselves, but only received a payment.
Mr Hatzistergos said cheating in the context of unlawful gambling was also not currently covered in the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998.
He said in undertaking this inquiry, the Commission would have regard to the following terms of reference:
* the common law of conspiracy to cheat and defraud and its possible repeal;
* the scope of Part 4AA of the Crimes Act 1900 and s 18 of the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998;
* provisions in other jurisdictions, including the Gambling Act 2005 (UK);
* conduct directed at fixing results or individual events in the course of sporting and other activities which may be the subject of spot or spread betting; and any other related matter.
9 February, 2011
Ombudsman puts out
training calendar
The Office of the NSW Ombudsman has released its training calendar for February to July.
Courses cover affordable training on complaint handling, disability awareness, Aboriginal cultural appreciation, employment-related child protection, and more.
The Office of the NSW Ombudsman offers a range of quality training workshops based on 30 years of experience in assisting agencies and the public.
It said the interactive workshops provided participants with clear guidance and practical strategies to improve their skills and knowledge; and combined a range of effective skills-based activities with good practice frameworks which could be readily applied in the work place.
The Ombudsman’s Office said that included on the calendar for 2011 was Community Service Training, which provided information on the obligations under the Community Services (Complaints, Reviews and Monitoring) Act 1993 (CS-CRAMA).
The Act applied to all government and non-government community services provided, funded, licensed or authorised by Community Services or Ageing, Disability and Home Care.
The workshop outline included: frontline skills for complaint handling, for all community services staff; effective complaint management, aimed at community service managers, coordinators, team leaders and board members; and the Rights Stuff, which was developed specifically for people who use community services, their families, carers and advocates.
The Office of the NSW Ombudsman said it would also be holding workshops for Employment-Related Child Protection Training.
It said these workshops were designed for those who undertake and review investigations of reportable conduct allegations involving employees.
The course outline included: responding to allegation against employees and handling serious allegations, both of which were designed for heads of agencies, investigators, managers or supervisors.
The Office of NSW Ombudsman said it would also be providing general training courses.
For information and workshop dates or to register for a workshop visit this PS News link.
9 February, 2011
Survey slams
NSW jail rates
A study of imprisonment rates by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has found that NSW lawbreakers were being sent to jail at almost twice the rate of their Victorian counterparts but stayed in there for shorter periods.
In its report Why does NSW have a higher imprisonment rate than Victoria? BOCSAR finds the NSW rate of imprisonment rate to be 204 for every 100,000 people while Victoria’s is just 104.
Director of BOSCAR Don Weatherburn said the Bureau attributed the higher NSW imprisonment rate to four factors: a higher court appearance rate; a higher likelihood of conviction; greater use of imprisonment; and a higher rate of remand (47.3 per 100,000 pop on remand, compared with 19.3 per 100,000 pop. in Victoria).
Dr Weatherburn said the higher court appearance rate in NSW was likely to be due, at least in part, to higher rates of crime, for example the NSW recorded armed robbery rate was nearly double that of Victoria.
He said in other cases, the higher NSW court appearance rate was more likely to reflect differences between NSW and Victoria in policing or penal policy.
Dr Weatherburn said NSW, for example, had double the number of people appearing in court for breaching apprehended violence orders (2,976 for NSW v 1,057 for Victoria).
He said this difference was much too large to be plausibly attributed to a greater proclivity on the part of domestic violence offenders living in NSW to breach domestic violence orders, and the more likely explanation was that the number of domestic violence orders issued in NSW was much higher than in Victoria and/or that police in NSW were more likely to take action in response to an alleged breach of an apprehended violence order.
Dr Weatherburn said there were also several possible explanations for the higher proportion of defendants convicted in NSW and for the higher proportion of offenders imprisoned in NSW.
9 February, 2011
IPART taps into
water prices
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has determined the maximum prices the Office of Water will be able to charge for water management activities from between July this year and June 2014.
Chief Executive Officer of IPART, Jim Cox said the Tribunal estimated most users would face increases in their water management bills of between 4 per cent and 73 per cent per megalitre of entitlement in total over the next 3 years.
However, Mr Cox said, groundwater users on the coast and in the Far West and unregulated rivers users in the Hunter and South Coast valleys should experience reductions in their bills.
Mr Cox said the determination increases the minimum bill, which was paid by about 51 per cent of users, from $60 to $95 per annum; and, excluding meter service charges, around 84 per cent of licensees would face bill increases of less than $100 a year by 2014.
“These prices are significantly less than those proposed by the NSW Office of Water (NOW),” Mr Cox said.
Mr Cox said that IPART’s final water management prices were the same as the draft prices that were released for consultation in October 2010.
“Price increases vary between valleys and water sources,” Mr Cox said.
“This is because IPART has accepted NOW’s new and more robust methodology to assign costs to different valleys.”
Mr Cox said this had resulted in significant one-off price changes for some valleys; and changes to the amount of entitlement and forecast usage volumes for most valleys also affected fixed and usage charges.
“IPART acknowledges that the price increases are significant,” he said.
“In this determination IPART has set water management prices so that the increases in bills for most users should not exceed 20 per cent per year.”
Mr Cox said some stakeholders were concerned that despite these price increases, NOW might not deliver the relevant activities or improve its performance, but IPART had established a reporting framework for NOW which will improve the transparency of NOW’s service delivery.
The full report and fact sheets explaining the determination were available on IPART’s website at this PS News link.
9 February, 2011
Defence targets
western Sydney
A major new Defence manufacturing facility is to be built in Western Sydney.
Premier Kristina Keneally said the Government had secured advanced composite manufacturer Quickstep Technologies, with the company setting up a $15 million facility at Bankstown Airport.
She said Quickstep was moving its operations from Western Australia to NSW after securing a long-term agreement to supply aircraft components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) defence project.
“This is a major boost for the state’s defence sector and a massive injection into the economies of both western Sydney and NSW,” Ms Keneally said.
“This work will create up to 400 jobs as well as additional work for local sub-contractors including construction, logistics and supply chain positions.”
She said the Bankstown facility would offer the manufacturing capacity for Quickstep to potentially become the largest independent aerospace composites manufacturer in Australia.
“Importantly, attracting this business to NSW will further build the State’s advanced manufacturing and defence capabilities and add to our expertise in advanced composite materials,” Ms Keneally said.
“NSW offers a workforce with the specialist skills required to deliver such a large scale defence program, together with access to the large network of suppliers located in NSW and on the east coast of Australia.”
Member for East Hills Alan Ashton said this was a massive win for Bankstown and a vote of confidence in the region’s highly-skilled workforce, especially in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Quickstep’s Chief Executive, Philippe Odouard, said the move to Bankstown provided the company with a long-term lease over a manufacturing facility that offered the scale, resources and utilities needed to undertake large-scale JSF manufacturing.
“We are delighted to have secured this facility at Bankstown Airport, which has established aerospace manufacturing capabilities in place and access to a highly-skilled workforce,” Mr Odouard said.
9 February, 2011
Writing on the
wall for graffiti
The second annual Graffiti Action Day has been announced by the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Following the success of the inaugural event in 2010, Mr Hatzistergos said the day was one of community action to remove graffiti.
He said the joint initiative with Keep Australia Beautiful resulted in 4178 square metres of illegal graffiti removed from public and private property across NSW last year.
“Last year’s inaugural graffiti action day was a huge success, pulling together 800 volunteers to remove a total of 4178 square metres of graffiti from more than 230 sites,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“This year we are hoping to do even better and I would urge any community-minded individuals to sign up to lend a hand on May 15.”
Chief Executive Officer of Keep Australia Beautiful, Peter McLean, said Graffiti Action Day 2011 would be held on Sunday May 15.
“Graffiti Action Day puts the power back in the hands of the community, and everyone from community groups to businesses and local government can get involved,” Mr McLean said.
“While the event is open to everyone, this year we’re focusing our efforts on hotspots for graffiti vandalism as identified by police data so we can have the biggest possible impact.”
He said Keep Australia Beautiful NSW would work to establish partnerships with local councils to jointly fund graffiti removal and prevention activities as part of Graffiti Action Day.
Mr McLean said funding would be used to remove graffiti and also implement other methods such as landscaping, which were known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
He said CPTED was proven to be an effective anti-graffiti strategy; and together with Graffiti Action Day was an important component of the NSW Government’s comprehensive Graffiti Action Plan.
Mr McLean said to volunteer for Graffiti Action Day email graffitiactionday@kabnsw.org.au or visit this PS News link for more information.
9 February, 2011
Regulator dives
into water sales
A change in the rules for private irrigators in NSW to sell their water has led the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to warn suppliers that the trade must be free.
Chairman of the ACCC, Graeme Samuel said recent amendments to the NSW Water Management Act 2000 meant that there were no longer impediments to private water trusts and private irrigation districts in NSW complying with the Water Market Rules and the Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules.
Mr Samuel said the ACCC would now actively monitor and work with the NSW based trusts and irrigator districts to ensure compliance with the rules.
“The ACCC expects compliance by all operators as the rules have now been in full effect for more than 12 months and any adjustment period has now passed,” Mr Samuel said.
“Any irrigators who are concerned that their water supplier is preventing them from trading their water should contact the ACCC.”
He said the ACCC was responsible for enforcing compliance with the Water Market Rules and the Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules, which were designed to free up the trade of water access rights in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Mr Samuel said these rules facilitated trade by enabling irrigators to “transform” their share of the water entitlements held on their behalf by operators into separately held entitlements and capping the termination fee that irrigation infrastructure operators could impose on irrigators who wished to terminate their right of access to use the operators infrastructure.
He said Part 1 of the amendments to the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) enabled private water trusts and private irrigation districts to determine landholders’ water entitlements, and to then apply the NSW Office of Water to transform those water entitlements, which could then be traded.
It was likely that Parts 2 and 3 of the amendments will commence later in the year and be preceded by consultations with affected parties.
To assist irrigation infrastructure operators understand their obligations under the rules the ACCC has previously issued detailed guides to the Rules, available from the ACCC website, this PS News link.
9 February, 2011
Gas and coal plans
heating up
Public comment has been invited on the main issues to be addressed in a NSW Coal and Gas Strategy.
Minister for Planning Tony Kelly has released a scoping paper on the strategy saying it provided an overview of the industry and the main issues facing the main coal mining regions of the Hunter, Gunnedah and the Western and Southern coalfields.
Mr Kelly said global energy demand was expected to grow by up to 60 per cent over the next 25 years, and while the NSW Government was supportive of promoting renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, it was expected coal would continue to provide just under 40 per cent of this global demand.
He said coal seam gas methane was also expected to be an increasingly important energy source, with 30 per cent of the world’s energy to come from gas by 2030.
“This means we will need to undertake careful planning for the future of the coal mining and coal seam gas industries in NSW, due to this continuing international demand,” Mr Kelly said.
He said applications for new coal mining projects and expansions were already subjected to a thorough assessment process by the Department of Planning.
“However, given the scale of this industry, it is important that we seek public and stakeholder feedback on how to take a more strategic and holistic view of coal mining to help inform these assessments and other government action,” he said.
Mr Kelly said preparation of the Coal and Gas Strategy would be led by the Department of Planning, with assistance from all key Government agencies.
He said a stakeholder reference group had also been established.
Mr Kelly said the scoping paper would be on exhibition until Friday 15 April and could be viewed on the Department’s website www.planning.nsw.gov.au
Submissions can be sent to Coal and Gas Strategy, Department of Planning, GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001, or emailed to coalandgasstrategy@planning.nsw.gov.au
9 February, 2011
Statue at liberty in
Centennial Park
A rare statue of novelist Charles Dickens has been unveiled at Centennial Park.
Acting Director and Chief Executive of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, Marianna Preston said Dickens never visited Australia, but the “lost” statue, found by the NSW Dickens Society, was one of only two life-size statues of the author in the world.
“The rarity of statuary representing Dickens is due to an injunction in his will requesting that no public memorials be erected in his honour,” Ms Preston said.
“Centennial Park was home to this statue for about 80 years from 1891, before it was removed from the park and put in storage.”
Ms Preston said it then embarked on a journey to destinations known and unknown over a period of 40-odd years, losing its head in the process, and the NSW Dickens Society conducted a public campaign to locate the statue, which helped the Trust reclaim it and move into reconstruction mode.
“In partnership with the Department of Services, Technology and Administration’s Centenary Stoneworks Program, and with the hard work of its stonemasons and carvers, the reconstructed statue is looking as good as new, with head (and a full beard), a finger, quill and scroll all re-carved and attached,” Ms Preston said.
She said Sir Henry Parkes, a noted aesthete and correspondent of Dickens himself, played an influential role in having the statue chosen for placement in Centennial Park, into which he invested a considerable amount of time.
“The reconstruction was not straightforward, with the sourcing of the single quality block of high quality white marble from Italy proving problematic, taking over one year,” Ms Preston said.
“It finally came about because a NSW Public Works contractor was able to call on Italian ‘family connections’,” she said.
“The first two blocks or marble were rejected due to quality controls and only the third was approved,” Ms Preston said.
9 February, 2011
Green café to rock
in Sydney’s Rocks
A new exhibition and waste-free café to be opened in The Rocks has been welcomed by Minister for Lands Tony Kelly.
Mr Kelly said Greenhouse would showcase sustainable living and demonstrate how to use recycled materials in building design and how to produce food organically.
“The installation will feature a roof-top garden, on-site water collection and recycling, and a generator that reuses cooking oil to create its own energy,” Mr Kelly said.
He said the NSW Government was bringing this installation to Sydney in partnership with designer, Joost Bakker, to demonstrate to visitors a wide range of sustainable practices in an urban environment.
“Greenhouse was delivered to Campbells Cove in four 12m containers and will take around 14 days to construct,” Mr Kelly said.
“The cafe will use whole foods to make menu staples on site, including breads, pastries, pizza, yoghurt, butter and even tonic water.”
Mr Kelly said about 1,000 customers were expected to be served daily, with the cafe open from 8am to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10pm on Sundays.
“The menu will be based on what is available locally and in season, with diners encouraged to be more aware of the impact of our food choices on the environment,” Mr Kelly said.
He said the exhibition was in keeping with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority’s ambitious plan to green The Rocks and Darling Harbour, which last year saw energy consumption slashed by nearly 21 per cent and water use by 32 per cent against year 2000 levels.
Mr Kelly said the Greenhouse installation would be open at Campbells Cove from early February to the end of March as part of the Foreshore Authority’s program to provide dynamic visitor experiences.
9 February, 2011
GP Clinic for Grafton
The Grafton region is a step closer to getting a GP Super Clinic following an announcement that National Build Plan Group won the contract to construct the new facility.
The Clinic will be built on the corner of Clarence and Fitzroy Streets, close to Grafton town centre.
The facility will accommodate an additional six GPs, a range of allied health professionals and other services; as well as providing more than 24 consulting suites, treatment rooms and space to hold clinics and self-management courses.
Huxley awarded
TAFE NSW teacher Nicholas Huxley has been nominated for a lifetime achievement award by the Fashion Group International.
Mr Huxley, head of the Sydney Institute’s Fashion Design Studio, has trained many of Australia’s leading designers, including Alex Perry and Lisa Ho.
His nomination recognises his significant contribution to the Australian fashion industry, as well as his broader impact on an international scale.
The FGI Awards for Excellence will be held in Sydney on 18 March.
Busway opens
The $175 million Inner West Busway, which links western Sydney and the inner west has been officially opened.
The 3.5km Busway is a dedicated peak hour bus lane along Victoria Road through Drummoyne and Rozelle, which services 75,000 vehicles a weekday.
Construction of the Busway finished last week, two months ahead of schedule.
In total, the project has supported more than 200 jobs, and included: a 450m long and 16.6m wide bridge over Iron Cove; improved cyclist and pedestrian facilities through Drummoyne and Rozelle; and the new “Zipper” lane management system to increase peak road capacity.
Jump in new homes
The number of new homes approved for construction in NSW jumped almost 17 per cent in December.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed there were 2,848 homes approved, which was the biggest increase of all States and Territories and almost double the national rise of 8.7 per cent on the previous month.
Initiatives to boost construction in NSW have included: abolishing stamp duty for homes purchased off the plan costing up to $600,000; introducing a $20,000 per lot cap on local government imposed levies in most established areas; and rezoning enough land in Sydney to meet housing needs in new release areas for the next 10 years to ensure supply exceeds demand.
Hospital upgrade
A $194.3 million upgrade has been announced for Campbelltown Hospital and expansion of the Campbelltown Mental Health Service.
The Hospital is to receive $129.7 million for a new building and reconfiguration of existing facilities and the Mental Health Service will receive $64.6 million for a major upgrade.
The redevelopment is expected to deliver capacity for about 160 additional beds across the two facilities.
The new building at Campbelltown Hospital will provide more than 7000 m2 of acute services facilities, which are expected to include: a new medical and surgical assessment unit; expanded ambulatory care space; and new surgical wards.
2 February, 2011
Election staff needed
for poll positions
The New South Wales Electoral Commission has announced it is looking for people to work at polling places as election officials.
NSW Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry said working at polling places as election officials was a great opportunity for people looking for casual work to help in the administration of one of the State’s most important events.
“Returning Officers for the 93 electoral districts have been appointed but we are still looking for people to work at one of the 2,700 polling places throughout the state on election day,” Mr Barry said.
He said election officials issued ballot papers to electors and counted the ballot papers after the close of voting.
“This is a unique opportunity to work behind the scenes of an election and to be paid for it,” Mr Barry said.
“Election officials can earn over $300 by working on election day. Other rates will depend on the type of work and number of hours on duty.”
He said anyone interested in working as an election official on Saturday, 26 March could get further information and register their interest by visiting www.votensw.info or by calling 1300 135 736.
Mr Barry said for enquiries in languages other than English call our interpreting service on 13 14 50.
He said enquiries by people who are hearing or speech impaired can be made through the National Relay Service on 13 36 77.
2 February, 2011
Queen recognises
more for excellence
The Queen’s Australia Day Honours List recognised the dedication and commitment of a number of people in public service in NSW over and above those named last week as recipients of the Public Service Medal, Australian Police Medal, Ambulance Service Medal and Emergency Services Medal.
Governor-General, Quentin Bryce announced that the following had been awarded honours in the Order of Australia awards.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Emeritus Professor Kenneth Raymond DUTTON OAM AM,
Newcastle
For service to tertiary education as an administrator and academic and through contributions to the development of international engagement in Australian higher education.
Emeritus Professor Dutton is an academic, scholar and administrator who has already been honoured for his study of the French language and literature.
Professor Michael Leonard FRIEDLANDER AM
Rose Bay
For service to medicine in the field of oncology, as an academic and practitioner, to medical education and research, and through contributions to national and international cancer organisations.
Professor FRIEDLANDER has been Professor and Director of Medical Oncology at the Prince of Wales Hospital since 1990. He is current a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Royal Hospital for Women’s Gynaecological Cancer Centre.
Professor William David RAWLINSON AM
Riverview
For service to the medical sciences as a clinician, educator and researcher in the disciplines of virology and pathology.
Professor Rawlinson is the Director of Virology and Senior Medical Virologist in the Virology Division of the Department of Microbiology at the South Eastern Area and Illawarra Health Service. He is the Staff Specialist in Charge of Diagnostic Virology, Seals Microbiology at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
Bruce La Rue SANDER AM
The Oaks
For service to education, particularly through the implementation and development of innovative programs supporting youth, and to the community.
Mr Sander is the Principal of Bulli High Schoo in Wollongong,
Since 2006 he has actively sought to develop programs at the school including a Sustainable Energy Management Program; improved Information Technology Curriculum; a rebuilte Band Program; introducing the Duke of Edinburgh Awards; and developing innovative professional learning programs.
Professor Kevin William WHELDALL AM
Epping
For service to education as an academic and researcher, particularly in the areas of learning and behavioural difficulties, and through the design and implementation of innovative literacy programs.
Professor Wheldall is Professor of Education at the Institute of Human Cognition and Brain Science.
He has been Director of the Macquarie University Special Education Centre since 1990.
Geoffrey Paul YOUDALE AM
Turramurra
For service to civil engineering, particularly in the field of road technology, and to the community through leadership roles with Kidney Health Australia.
Mr Youdale is was a Professional Engineer with the Department of Main Roads (now Roads and Traffic Authority until 1995 when he took up teaching.
He was Consultant Lecturer on Pavement Management and Rehabilitation at the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education from 1996 until last year.
MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM)
Helen Rachel CAMPBELL OAM
Dulwich Hill
For service to the law, and to the community of Redfern.
Ms Campbell was Chief Executive of the Redfern Legal Centre from 2002 to last yyear when she became Executive Officer of Women’s Legal Services NSW.
Thomas Geoffrey CLEARY, OAM
Bilgola
For service to the law in New South Wales, and to the community.
Mr Cleary was a Magistrate, from 1985 until his retirement in 1999 then becoming an Acting Magistrate in the Local Court of New South Wales and part-time member of the Victims’ Compensation Tribunal until 2009.
Dr David Henry CLUNE OAM
Artarmon
For service to librarianship, and to the documentation and preservation of the history of politics, and to the Parliament of New South Wales.
Mr Clune was Research Manager at the Parliamentary Library of New South Wales and Parliamentary Historian until 2009.
He has authored and co-authored several books on the history of the NSW Parliament.
Judith Lorraine TERKELSEN OAM
Tweed Heads South
For service to children and their families in the Tweed Valley region.
Ms Terkelsen has been a Director and Teacher at the Tweed Valley Early Childhood Intervention Service (TVECIS), since 1984.
2 February, 2011
Back to school advice
line a grade idea
The Department of Education and Training has set up a telephone hotline to offer advice to parents and caregivers on the best ways to prepare for the new school year.
The hotline – 1300 738 338 – will be staffed until 16 February between 8.30am and 4.30pm weekdays.
Minister for Education, Verity Firth said back to school information was also available on the education department’s NSW Public Schools website.
She said the information included: tips for parents and students on starting pre-school, primary school and making the transition to high school; answers to frequently asked questions about uniforms, school fees and homework; and school term and holiday dates.
Ms Firth said Time to Start School – a family guide for preparing for kindergarten – was also available on the website.
She said the booklet covered everything from what to pack for lunch to helping your child prepare for their first day in the classroom.
Ms Firth said parents concerned about their child’s transition to high school could watch videos featuring helpful tips, or use the school checklist to make sure they’re organised.
She said more than 740,000 students start back at 2,231 NSW public schools from Monday, 31 January.
“This can be an anxious time, particularly for those parents who are sending their children to school for the first time, or who have children starting high school,” Ms Firth said.
2 February, 2011
Tourism on song
with Oprah
Enquiries from the United States about holidaying in NSW have increased dramatically following the broadcast of Oprah Winfrey’s “Ultimate Australian Adventure”, according to the Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay.
She said the NSW Government’s www.sydney.com website had seen a 33 per cent spike in visits in the few days since the shows aired.
“With three of the four shows focusing largely on Sydney and NSW, tourism operators around the State can expect to welcome more visitors from the United States and across the world,” Ms McKay said.
“NSW really was the star of the shows, with the State’s natural beauty and iconic landmarks featuring heavily in the last three episodes, including the two recordings at the Sydney ‘Oprah’ House.”
She said following the broadcasts in the United States and Australia, the Oprah specials now start broadcasting in up to 145 countries around the world.
Ms McKay said the global profile created for Sydney and NSW by the TV specials was expected to contribute to a major boost for tourism operators in the State.
“I’m advised that Qantas Vacations in the United States has experienced a 250 per cent increase in visits to their website, a 25 per cent increase in phone calls and a 30-40 per cent increase in quote requests, with much of this activity focused on Sydney,” she said.
“This is expected to lead to an increase in bookings of up to 20 per cent in January alone and this figure could go much higher in the coming months.”
General Manager of the NSW Tourism Industry Council, Geoff Buckley, said the tourism sector was ready to build on the publicity gained from Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure.
“The exposure being generated by the Oprah shows is fantastic for NSW tourism. The challenge now is (to) turn that exposure into actual business,” Mr Buckley said.
2 February, 2011
Praise floods in
for flood helpers
The Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney has thanked the staff of her Department and volunteers for their efforts helping flood-affected residents in Grafton and Tabulam.
She said she was inspired by how staff and volunteers had banded together to support their local community.
“People like Mary Mackney, Community Services Deputy Welfare Area Coordinator in the Northern Region who for 15 years has helped in close to 30 disasters,” Ms Burney said.
“Mary works all hours of the day and night during a disaster, undertaking roles ranging from visiting homes to assess damage to coordinating all the staff and volunteers working in evacuation centres.”
Ms Mackney said that she was blown away by the volunteers and the gratitude of the people who received help.
“Sometimes I’m organising to house people’s pets at their local vet; everything from rats to dogs [and] other times I’m organising staff and volunteers to manage the evacuation centre,” Ms Mackney said.
“Just last week I helped some pensioners who were affected by the floods by arranging new water pumps for their home.”
Ms Mackney said staff and volunteers from Anglicare, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and ADRA assisted Community Services disaster recovery officers with the evacuation centre in Grafton to help flood-affected residents.
She said all the staff and volunteers also provided emotional support that was important in times of disasters.
Ms Burney said Community Services administers disaster relief grants for essential household contents and structural repairs for residents on low incomes and with no insurance.
She said for more information about NSW disaster relief grants residents could visit the Grafton Recovery Centre in Prince Street.
Residents could also contact the Community Services Disaster Welfare Services Assistance Line on 1800 018 444 or visit this PS News link to find out if they are eligible for financial assistance.
For information about the Australian Government Disaster Relief Payment administered by Centrelink, residents should contact Centrelink on 180 22 66.
2 February, 2011
Ferries hook into
online service
Free wireless internet has been installed on 13 Sydney ferries.
Minister for Transport, John Robertson said all “First Fleet” ferries, including the Charlotte, Golden Grove, Scarborough, Friendship, Borrowdale and all Manly Ferries now offered free WiFi.
“Passengers will be able to check their emails, read the news and catch up with friends online while travelling across Sydney Harbour on a ferry,” Mr Robertson said.
“Last year we commenced a trial of free WiFi on the Manly Ferry and more than 140,000 people logged on, and took advantage of the service.”
He said as a result, free WiFi was being extended to nine extra vessels and almost 1500 extra services per week.
“Free wireless internet is now available to 70 per cent of all Sydney Ferries users,” Mr Robertson said.
“This is great news for regular commuters who’ll be able to use their commute to work to get things done - whether it be work, banking or checking movie times.”
He said the free WiFi access included 30 minutes or 30MB of download per device, for a morning and an afternoon session each day.
Mr Robertson called on the Opposition to commit to maintaining free WiFi on Sydney Ferries if elected.
He said ferries offering free WiFi included services from the following wharves: Balmain, Birchgrove, Balmain West, Woolwich, Greenwich, Milson’s Point, Kirribilli, Cremorne Point, Neutral Bay and Pyrmont Bay.
The extension of the ferry Wi-Fi comes as the NSW State Government trials free Wi-Fi service across Sydney Bus services travelling along the M10 commuter route.
2 February, 2011
New lease on life
for tenancy laws
New tenancy laws containing more than 100 changes affecting tenants and landlords have been officially launched by the Minister for Fair Trading, Virginia Judge.
Ms Judge said both the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and the Residential Tenancies Regulation 2010 began on 31 January.
“This is the biggest change to the State’s residential tenancy laws in more than 20 years,” Ms Judge said.
She said an estimated 1.6 million people currently rented properties in NSW.
“The new laws are relevant to most people at some point in their lives, whether as a tenant or a property investor,” Ms Judge said.
“The new laws are a result of more than 2,000 submissions and four rounds of public consultation with landlords, tenants, the real estate industry and the community.”
She said there were more than 100 amendments and there was greater clarity and certainty in the legislation.
Ms Judge said the changes were a win-win for landlords and tenants and, as a result, there should be a reduction in disputes.
Tenants’ Union spokesman Chris Martin said he welcomed the changes.
“The reforms are sensible, modest improvements that fix problems and omissions in the law,” he said.
Ms Judge said Fair Trading would be conducting a comprehensive communications campaign at many locations across the State to encourage tenants, landlords and property managers to become familiar with the changes.
She said the centrepiece of the campaign was a mini house that would feature at three major Sydney locations until mid February, along with mobile displays for regional areas and multi-lingual print and radio advertising.
Ms Judge said the mini house would be in Wynyard Park until 2 February, at Blacktown’s Westpoint Shopping Centre from 9 to 11 February, and in Church Street Mall at Parramatta from 16 to 18 February.
Information about the new rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants can be found at this PS News link.
2 February, 2011
Speeding drives
safety campaign
The second phase of a road safety campaign calling on motorists to consider the consequences of speeding has been launched with the help of Westmead Hospital neurosurgeon, Professor Brian Owler.
Minister for Roads, David Borger said the second phase of the campaign featured survivors of road trauma, their friends and families, witnesses and emergency service workers who had all been affected by speeding-related crashes.
“The new ‘I wish I wasn’t in this ad’ campaign will go to air and will demonstrate some of the consequences of speeding,” Mr Borger said.
“We launched the first phase of the campaign in December. These ads featured Dr Owler asking people to choose between causing serious injury to family or friends or not rushing to a destination.”
He said those featured in the new campaign had all been affected by a speeding-related crash, whether they were the victim, the loved one of a victim, a witness, or an emergency service worker.
Professor Owler, a NSW Australian Medical Association Councillor, said he gave his time to the campaign to help promote the message there were far-reaching consequences of speeding and unsafe driving behaviour.
“People forget a car or motorcycle crash creates a string of victims,” Professor Owler said.
“Paramedics and police have to deal with the carnage of the injured at the scene of a crash as well as witnesses who often suffer shock, while doctors and nurses deal with the injured.”
He said the victim’s loved ones could be highly traumatised by the event.
“As I’ve said before, and I’ll say again, everyone thinks road trauma won’t happen to them. I’m telling you – it can – and it does,” Professor Owler said.
2 February, 2011
Gallery report paints
a pretty picture
A new report showing the make-up of people visiting art galleries has been released by the Minister for the Arts, Virginia Judge.
The results of a three-year research project by Museums & Galleries NSW, the report reveals gallery-goers to be an extraordinarily diverse group.
Ms Judge said the report collated more than 7,000 responses from visitors to 41 public galleries.
“The data collected included information about age, gender, income, proximity to the gallery, who the audience comes with, how they heard about the gallery/exhibition and related cultural activities,” Ms Judge said.
“The key findings confirm that galleries offer an accessible form of cultural activity and entertainment for people from all walks of life.”
She said the research revealed that if you have 10 people standing in front of an artwork in a public gallery, it is likely that: at least one would speak a language other than English at home; at least two would be tourists; two would be under 35 and at least three aged between 35-54; and four would be from a household earning less than $40,000 and only two of them would be from a household earning more than $80,000.
Ms Judge said other research showed at least five would live within the gallery’s local government area; at least five would work (full or part time) and two would be retired; two would have finished secondary level schooling, and two would have a post graduate degree.
She said five would have been to that gallery more than four times in the past two years, but for three of them, it would be their first visit; two will have come with their partner, three by themselves, with the others coming with family and/or friends; and almost all of them would have rated their visit as “Good” or “Terrific”.
Ms Judge said the Guess Who’s Going to the Gallery? report is available from Museum & Galleries NSW at www.mgnsw.org.au
2 February, 2011
Respect at centre
of school program
Twelve public schools in NSW are to take part in a pilot program tackling homophobia in schools.
Minister for Education, Verity Firth said the $250,000 Proud Schools program aimed to build a culture of understanding and respect in NSW public schools through the professional development of school staff, student and parent workshops and the development of resources to assist schools build their capacity to support same-sex and gender questioning young people.
She said recent national research highlighted the impact of homophobic attitudes on young people, including the fact that about two in three same-sex and gender questioning young people reported they had been verbally abused, and that one in five had been physically abused.
Ms Firth said the research, conducted by La Trobe University, also showed that the majority of those young people were abused at school and that once the abuse had taken place they no longer felt school was a safe place for them.
She said young people who had been abused were also found to be three times more likely to think about harming themselves.
Ms Firth said bullying or abuse in public schools was not tolerated for any reason.
“That’s why the Proud Schools program aims to replace ignorance with understanding, intolerance with acceptance, and shame with pride,” Ms Firth said.
“Proud Schools recognises that for this change to take place whole school communities will need to work together, with parents and teachers playing a key role in identifying and addressing homophobic attitudes.”
2 February, 2011
Builder’s failure a
blow for Housing
Housing NSW has issued a statement defending its appointment of failed builder Perle Pty Ltd which went into voluntary administration on 13 January.
According to a spokesperson for Housing NSW, the process by which it engaged builders was exhaustive with all applicants required to pass an assessment process before being placed on a panel of pre-qualified builders.
“This involves an assessment of their financial capability, their experience and their capacity to undertake building work and of course their licensing,” the spokesperson said.
“As part of this process Perle outlined a range of projects which they had completed successfully.”
The spokesperson said however that the due diligence of Housing NSW went much deeper than that.
“In addition to the overall checks on the company,” the spokesperson said, “prior to the award of any individual contract a check is carried out on their financial capability to take on the individual contract.
“This check is carried out by independent firms which specialise in checking and reporting on the financial health of companies.”
The spokesperson said Perle Pty Ltd had successfully completed five projects during 2010 to a good standard and had almost completed a further three when it advised Housing NSW that it had entered into voluntary administration.
“Housing NSW had no prior knowledge of this”
The spokesperson said Housing NSW had paid its bills to Perle Pty Ltd promptly as it had throughout delivery of the economic stimulus plan, often paying bills within 2 or 3 days, which was a substantially faster rate than the industry average.
“Responsibility for the administration of financial matters and debts of the company now lies directly and legally with the appointed administrator.
“Housing NSW must comply with the relevant legal requirements and it was working constructively and co-operatively with the administrators.”
The spokesperson said Housing NSW advised all sub-contractors owed money by the troubled company to get in touch with the administrators, Rodgers Reidy.
It would now engage another builder to finish the three remaining projects.
2 February, 2011
No belting up for RTA
seatbelt campaign
The Roads and Traffic Authority is to launch a new road safety campaign targeting country males with the message that safety starts with wearing a seatbelt.
Minister for Roads, David Borger said the message being promoted in the new campaign was a reminder to “clip every trip”.
“Unrestrained vehicle occupants continue to be seriously injured and killed in crashes,” Mr Borger said.
“At least 19 per cent of vehicle occupant fatalities in NSW were not wearing a seatbelt and the non-use of seatbelts remains one of the four major behavioural factors associated with road trauma.”
He said that road statistics clearly indicated that rural drivers were less likely to have worn a restraint at the time of a crash compared to drivers in metropolitan areas.
“By focusing the campaign in known higher risk geographical areas (rural areas) we hope we will be able to reduce the number of fatalities and the severity of injuries where the driver (and/or passengers) has not worn a seatbelt during a crash,” Mr Borger said.
He said during the five year period 2005 to 2009, crashes on NSW roads resulted in the death of 302 people and 2,380 persons were injured as unrestrained vehicle occupants.
Mr Borger said approximately 75 per cent of unrestrained driver fatalities that occurred on country roads were country residents, meaning they were mainly locals, not travellers or tourists passing through.
He said RTA statistics showed wearing a seatbelt could increase a driver or a passenger’s survival by nearly 50 per cent and reduces serious injuries.
The Clip Every Trip seatbelt campaign will air from January 30 and again in May 2011.
2 February, 2011
Tank sellers sucking
in consumers
NSW Fair Trading has issued a warning to consumers to avoid dealing with two companies and a person selling water tanks in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Deputy Commissioner of Fair Trading, Steve Griffin said the warning related to Columbus Sales Group Pty Ltd, Aqua Conscious Pty Ltd and Christopher Bruce Smith of Columbus Sales Group Pty Ltd.
“Fair Trading has received more than 90 complaints from consumers who have bought water tanks or paid deposits and where the tanks have not been supplied by these companies,” Mr Griffin said.
“The companies do not have a dispute resolution process in place for handling complaints or enquiries.”
He said the companies and Mr Smith had not been able to demonstrate to Fair Trading that they had the capacity to fulfil orders.
“The companies and Mr Smith have continued to take new orders without the capacity to fulfil existing orders,” Mr Griffin said.
He said advertisements had been placed in a number of newspapers and company representatives had attended agricultural shows marketing the water tanks.
Mr Griffin said the websites for the companies were not active and consumers were unable to contact the companies via telephone or email.
“Consumers who have been affected should contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20, visit the Fair Trading website or any Fair Trading Centre,” he said.
“Consumers who have made payments via credit card should contact their bank to request a charge back.”
The public warning has been issued under Section 86A of the Fair Trading Act 1987.
2 February, 2011
Comment called on
shop trading rules
NSW Industrial Relations has called for public comment on proposed changes to the application process for shop trading exemptions under the Retail Trading Act 2008.
Executive Director of NSW Industrial Relations, Vicki Telfer, said that the proposed change would reduce the period for public comment on shop trading exemption applications from 21 days to 14 days.
“Currently, an application to trade on a restricted trading day must be publicly exhibited for at least 21 days,” Ms Telfer said.
“Only after the 21 days has elapsed can the Director-General make a determination on the application.”
She said shopkeepers were also required to submit their exemption applications at least 28 days before the restricted trading day falls, which usually meant most applicants tended to lodge their submissions very close to the cut off date.
“This often leaves only two or three working days for the Director-General to make a determination and inform applicants of the decision,” Ms Telfer said.
“In addition, the tight turn around on determinations leaves little opportunity for an applicant or an interested party to seek a review of any decision.”
She said reducing the period for public comment to 14 days ensured shopkeepers had enough time to comply with award notice requirements for staff rostering and meet newspaper deadlines for advertising trading hours.
“While NSW Industrial Relations encourages shopkeepers to submit their applications well in advance of the 28 day deadline, a reduction of the 21-day period for public comment will streamline the review process and ultimately aid decision making and notification,” Ms Telfer said.
She said comments on the proposed reduction of the public review period must be received by the close of business 14 February and can be emailed to shoptrading@services.nsw.gov.au or posted to: Executive Director, NSW Industrial Relations L23, 2-24 Rawson Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
For more information, visit this PS News link.
2 February, 2011
Disabled grants to
enable Councils
Local Councils have been urged to apply for grants under the Commonwealth’s new Accessible Communities program which offers up to $100,000 to make communities more accessible for people with disability.
The small infrastructure grants, which are open to individual Councils or consortia of Councils, will help improve the accessibility of public buildings and facilities for people with disability.
This includes making improvements such as access ramps, lifts, hoists and accessible public toilets, as well as community infrastructure such as playgrounds, swimming pools, libraries and town halls.
The Commonwealth’s Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas said people with disability and their carers deserved the same opportunities as other Australians in their local community.
“These grants will give Local Councils financial assistance to upgrade their public buildings and facilities so people with disability and their carers can participate in the local community,” Senator McLucas said.
The Accessible Communities program is part of an $11 million accessibility package to support the Government’s National Disability Strategy.
The Strategy will set a 10-year reform plan for all Governments to address the barriers faced by Australians with disability and encourage greater social inclusion.
Applications for grants close on 25 February. The grants must be matched by applicants with an equal or greater amount of funding.
2 February, 2011
Better food labels are
recipe for success
A report that makes 61 recommendations for improving food labelling in Australia and New Zealand has been welcomed by the Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan.
Mr Whan said this independent report was groundbreaking in that it was the first to take a holistic approach to reviewing food labelling law and policy since the current national regulatory system began.
“This Government wholeheartedly supports the aims of the Review and the opportunity to have provided input into it,” Mr Whan said.
He said the National Review of Food Labelling, or Blewett Review, led by former Federal Health Minister, Dr Neal Blewett, was initiated at the request of the Council of Australian Governments and the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council in an effort to improve the accuracy, truthfulness and consistency of food labelling.
“This is a complex matter that needs to be simplified in order to help people make the right decisions when it comes to safe and healthy food choices for themselves and their families,” Mr Whan said.
He said as the lead agency for food policy and regulation in NSW, the NSW Food Authority had long been committed to this issue and had been actively coordinating a whole of Government approach working with various Government Departments, partners and stakeholders.
“NSW is leading the way here, however we recognise that this, as well as food labelling in a broader sense, is a national issue that requires a coordinated national response,” Mr Whan said.
He said the need for a national approach to fast food labelling was one of the issues raised in NSW’s submission to the Blewett Report.
“I look forward to working with other jurisdictions and my colleagues on the Ministerial Council to achieve a practical coordinated national response to the Report’s recommendations by December 2011,” Mr Whan said.
Copies of the Final Report are available from the Review website at this PS News link.
2 February, 2011
Jervis bay buoyed
by new zoning plan
A new and improved zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park has been announced by the Marine Parks Authority (MPA).
Director General of the Department of Environment, Lisa Corbyn, said that under the new zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park, ocean-based sanctuary zones would be adjusted to better protect intermediate reef habitats.
She said commercial trawling would no longer occur at Wreck Bay or Crookhaven Bight and lift netting activities would be prohibited in Jervis Bay.
Ms Corbyn said about 80 per cent of the marine park, including key sites such as Middle Ground, Longnose Point, Crocodile Head and Moes Rock, would remain available for recreational fishing.
She said new zoning plans had also been finalised for Solitary Islands Marine Park, on the State’s North Coast and Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
Ms Corbyn said the new zoning plans were developed in response to new research findings, the outcomes of the zoning plan review in 2009 and detailed community consultation on the draft zoning plan in 2010.
“Zoning reviews are required under the Marine Parks Act, initially after five years and then at 10 year intervals,” Ms Corbyn said.
“They provide an opportunity to consider new information, including feedback on how the marine park is operating, so we can make sure conservation and sustainable use objectives for each park are being met.”
She said the changes relate to the zones and activities within the marine park only – there are no changes to the park boundaries.
Ms Corbyn said community consultation on the draft zoning plan for Jervis Bay Marine Park had been extensive, with 35 stakeholder meetings and community information days held.
A total of 3,064 submissions were received during the three month consultation period.
Detailed information on the new zoning plans are on the marine parks website at this PS News link.
2 February, 2011
Website feedback
The NSW Ombudsman is seeking public feedback on the redevelopment of his website.
The 2011 website survey is asking people to help by saying why they visited the website, how easily they found the information they needed and what gaps there might be.
Conservatorium listed
Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music has been placed on the State Heritage Register.
Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said it was considered a rare and intact example of an early colonial stable in the centre of Sydney.
It met six of the seven Heritage Council criteria for listing on the Register, including historical values, aesthetic values and rarity, he said.
Trumpeter James Morrison, members of bands such as Silverchair and Thirsty Merc, and even a Wiggle were among those who developed their musical talents at the Conservatorium.
Directories sent out
The 2011 Seniors Card Discount Directories have been sent out to more than 980,000 Seniors Card holders in NSW.
The five directories cover Sydney and surrounds; the Central Coast/Hunter; and the Northern, Western and Southern regions of NSW.
Each directory lists local offers available in their region and features discounts offered by more than 2,000 participating businesses at outlets, entertainment venues and transport operators.
More information on the NSW Seniors Card program is available by calling 1300 364 758 or at this PS News link.
Queen Vic transfer
NSW Health has awarded the contract for the transfer of the Queen Victoria Memorial Home to RSL LifeCare.
It had previously accepted a tender proposal for transfer of this facility by Moran Australia (Residential Aged Care) Pty Ltd, but as Moran and NSW Health were unable to reach a satisfactory agreement, the tender process with Moran has concluded.
A proposal from RSL LifeCare, the reserve proponent, has met NSW Health’s requirements. It includes plans to expand the existing facilities to bring the nursing home to full operation.
The transfer is subject to the approval of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing which is the regulatory body for aged care services.
Emergency upgrade
The 24-hour Maitland Hospital Emergency Department has received a $10 million upgrade, boosting treatments spaces and staffing levels for clinical and support services.
The new facility was officially opened on 27 January.
The expanded Emergency Department includes: acute adult treatment areas; resuscitation areas; dedicated paediatric treatment spaces; increased ambulance unloading area; and an assessment area for mental health patients.
The Emergency Department at Maitland Hospital treats more than 40,000 people a year.
Public reserve planned
Plans for a permanent public reserve at North Balgowlah have been announced.
Land for the proposed reserve was originally acquired by the Office of Strategic Lands for the construction of the Warringah Transport Corridor, but when that plan was abandoned, the land was rezoned for residential sale.
More than 70 per cent of the 12,470 square metre site is now being proposed for a permanent public reserve.
The Office of Strategic Lands will work with Warringah Council to rezone this area from residential to open space.
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