SearchArchives for July 2008
30 July, 2008Election offices get vote of approval
The NSW Electoral Commission has opened 90 new offices across the State in readiness for the 13 September Local Government elections.
Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry, said the Returning Officers were located in 40 metropolitan and 50 country offices, 23 of whom had responsibility for more than one Council.
“These are fully trained officers, many of them with previous experience who are responsible for running elections in 148 Council areas on behalf of the NSW Electoral
Commission,” Commissioner Barry said.
“Because the majority of Councils are located outside the Sydney metropolitan area, most of our staff are based in regional and rural NSW.”
Commissioner Barry said the officers would be busy preparing for the candidate nomination process, processing postal vote and pre-poll applications and conducting the ballot paper draw when nominations closed on 13 August.
He said over four million electors would go to the polls to choose their Council for the next four years.
“It is important that people check their electoral roll details before the roll closes at 6pm on 4 August, especially those who have recently moved address and may now be living in a different Council area or ward than the one recorded on the roll,” Commissioner Barry said.
“There is no absentee voting at local elections so people have to vote in the Council or ward in which they are enrolled on Election Day.”
He said anyone who wouldn’t be in their Council or ward on voting day should consider voting early as postal voting would commence on 18 August and pre-polling would begin on 1 September.
He said electors could verify their enrolment through the NSWEC website and could update their information by lodging a form with the Australian Electoral Commission before the roll closed.
He said forms were available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au and at Post Offices.
Commissioner Barry said the website also had a Council search facility where electors could find their nearest polling place.
30 July, 2008
Annual Reporting changes in season
The Secretary of the NSW Treasury, John Pierce, has issued a Circular prescribing changes to annual reporting regulations that require all Agencies to post their Annual Reports on the internet.
Mr Pierce said other changes meant small Agencies need only report on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statements (EAPS) and the Government’s Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) triennially.
All Agencies must publish their Annual Report on their website (or other relevant website) as soon as practicable after the Report has been presented to Parliament,” Mr Pierce said.
He said the Report had to be the same as the one presented to Parliament and was to be posted online for a “reasonable” amount of time.
He said operational information relating to EEO, EAPS and WRAPP need only be included in small Agencies’ Annual Reports every three years.
“Reporting on these matters will only be required if the prescribed information about that matter has not been included in either of the last two Annual Reports of the Agency,” he said.
“Small Agencies may still report EEO, EAPS and WRAPP annually if they wish.”
The Circular defined a ‘small Agency’ as one that employed less than 200 full time equivalent staff on the last day of the reporting period.
Mr Pierce said the changes to requirements arose from annual report regulation amendments implementing recommendations from the Internal Government Red Tape Review.
He said the new reporting requirements were effective for reporting years that ended on or after 21 December last year.
The circular, and more information on how to calculate the number of full time equivalent staff employed by an Agency, could be accessed from www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
30 July, 2008
New sex plan has appeal
Progress towards equality of the sexes has stalled in Australia according to the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, so a new plan of action was needed and has been released.
Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has outlined a plan of action to build gender equality based on priorities such as paid maternity leave, tackling sexual harassment and bridging the gender gap in retirement savings.
“The stories and ideas that people shared with me during my Listening Tour have shaped my plan of action,” Commissioner Broderick said.
“We have more work to do if we want to ensure women and men live in a fair and equal Australia.”
Speaking at the launch of the listening tour community report Gender equality: What matters to Australian women and men, Commissioner Broderick identified five areas where she would be focussing her efforts to improve gender equality in Australia:
- Increasing the number of women in leadership positions, including a focus on supporting Indigenous women’s leadership;
- Balancing paid work and family responsibilities beginning with the implementation of a national Government-funded paid maternity leave scheme;
- Driving down the incidence of sexual harassment;
- Reducing the gender gap in retirement savings; and
- Strengthening laws to address sex discrimination and promote gender equality.
“I can announce that I have commissioned a national survey to track trends on the extent of sexual harassment in Australia.”
She said there would be concrete programs to address each of the issues on the agenda and progress had already been made in some areas.
She said she would continue pushing for the implementation of a national paid parental leave scheme as part of a broader focus on achieving greater balance between paid work and family responsibilities.
“A federally funded scheme is good for families, good for business and good for the community,” she said.
“It gives mothers the chance to recover from childbirth, establish breast feeding and bond with their babies.
“It also increases the number of women returning to work.”
Both the Federal Government and the Opposition welcomed the launch of the Listening Tour Community Report and the Plan of Action towards Gender Equality.
30 July, 2008
Rules ain’t rules at PS Institute
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (NSW) is to hold a ballot and Special General Meeting to consider sweeping changes to its rules.
Following a discussion paper prepared and circulated earlier this year and then advice from a legal firm, the Institute Council proposes to change its rules to reflect the practices and needs of a more modern Association. The rules were last modified in 2003.
Under the proposed changes the Institute would adopt a new preamble to its rules expressing its mission as, among other things, “connecting people and ideas to improve the public sector and inserting a number of new Objectives including becoming a “rich source of knowledge and information about public sector management and reform.”
Membership eligibility of the Institute would be broadened under the new rules with the Council given flexibility to determine membership categories.
Disciplinary provisions of the current rules would remain unchanged but would be simplified and a code of conduct, which is under preparation separately, is to be considered in a separate exercise.
The new rules set out the structure of the Council’s Executive which would see the Treasurer and Secretary reassigned as Vice-Presidents and the Executive Director’s position renamed Chief Executive Officer and appointed ex-officio to the 5-person executive.
The role of the Council would be more clearly defined to reflect its duties and responsibilities and the rules governing meetings and quorums would be simplified.
Minor changes to the way funds are managed have also been proposed, on legal advice.
Executive Director, Margie O’Tarpey has written to IPAA NSW members advising them of the final proposed changes and setting out details of the Special General Meeting which has been scheduled to be held in Sydney on 14 August.
More information about the rule changes, or the IPAA, can be obtained from www.nsw.ipaa.org.au
30 July, 2008
Centre on side with architecture award
A Government building has been chosen as the winner of NSW’s top architecture award, the Sir John Sulman Medal.
The new Bowden Centre at Mount Annan Botanic Garden has been honoured with the award, prompting the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Verity Firth to describe the building as an “inspiration, exemplifying how existing buildings can be transformed to become more environmentally sustainable.”
The Centre is an energy-efficient and semi-recycled building that was designed by architecture firm Kennedy Associates,
“The Bowden Centre’s design brief was to set a new benchmark for future buildings on the estate for ecological sustainability,” Ms Firth said.
“Kennedy Associates was creative in its approach, starting off by recycling the existing classroom already on the site.”
She said it was fitting that the design received the medal for architecture as it came at a time the community was becoming more conscious of the importance of preserving the environment.
“The Bowden Centre is not just aesthetically interesting, reflecting the beauty of its surrounds, but eco-friendly,” she said.
The Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Dr Tim Entwisle said the Award was symbolic of the future for Mount Annan Botanic Garden - innovative, sustainable and award-winning.
“Our aim is to become fully sustainable at all our Gardens by 2016 (our bicentenary),” Dr Entwisle said. “This means at Mount Annan Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden and Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
“The Bowden Centre is an excellent example of what can be achieved with a tight budget, but plenty of inspiration and creativity.”
Mr Kennedy it was an incredible honour to receive the award but making buildings more environmentally friendly was an important part of the future for architects.
“There’s no longer any doubt that the environment will be the driving force in all aspects of our world this century,” Mr Kennedy said.
“The NSW Government has a long tradition of setting the standard for architecture and especially public architecture.
“If ever there was a time for the Government to be again setting the benchmark and leading the field it is now,” he said.
The citation of the award, presented by the NSW Government Architect Peter Mould said, “This is a simple, elegant and intelligent building that demonstrates the important role architects can play in solving basic problems and elevating the response so that it is not only functional and sustainable, but delightful. It sits so calmly in its setting that it has a sense of inevitability.”
The Bowden Centre building’s environmental design incorporates such elements as natural cross-flow ventilation; timber and joinery elements from certified sustainable sources; harvesting of rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing; use of low voc emitting materials and unique ground coupled thermal management system to both heat and cool the building.
30 July, 2008
Planning changes seek development approval
Further streamlining of planning approval processes and greater autonomy for Local Councils are features of a new planning policy released by the Department of Planning for public comment.
An exposure draft of the Concurrences and Referrals State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP)has been issued by the Department and would remove more than 1,300 provisions from 237 planning instruments requiring comment or decision from a Government Agency.
Director-General of Planning, Sam Haddad said the release was part of the Government’s planning reforms to create a more efficient and transparent planning system, including for small scale development applications (DAs).
Mr Haddad said the SEPP was designed to streamline local planning without compromising good environmental or planning outcomes.
“In many cases we already have in place comprehensive guidelines or other assessment mechanisms which ensure important issues receive appropriate scrutiny and mean these referral clauses are unnecessary,” he said.
“As well, many environmental planning instruments unnecessarily state that applications should be referred to State Agencies, when this is already required under existing law.”
Mr Haddad said the aim of the draft SEPP was to remove duplications and strengthen the decision making powers of Local Councils, allowing them to work in an efficient and effective manner.
He said in many cases, by removing the need for consent authorities to obtain concurrence or referrals, the assessment process for DAs would also be streamlined, giving members of the public a faster decision.
Mr Haddad said the new ‘gateway’ process for the making of new plans would also help resolve contentious issues before the lodgment of specific development proposals.
He said the Government had already proposed to reduce processing times to 21 days for applications which still required comment from State Agencies.
Mr Haddad said if the response or concurrence was not received in time, the Council would be able to continue without Agency advice.
The exposure draft of the proposed SEPP is to be exhibited for public comment until 22 August.
Copies were available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au or at the Department’s information centre at 23-33 Bridge St, Sydney, during office hours.
30 July, 2008
DPI scientists have Eureka moments
Three scientists from the Department of Primary Industries have been selected as finalists in the prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
Director General of DPI, Richard Sheldrake, announced the nominations.
“Peter Kirkland is a finalist in the CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science with Glen Saunders and Trudy Sharp in the running to win the Voiceless Eureka Prize for Scientific Research that Contributes to Animal Protection,” Dr Sheldrake said.
“We are proud that NSW DPI staff have been recognised for their commitment to science.”
Dr Sheldrake said Dr Kirkland’s nomination acknowledged his contribution to veterinary virology and the diagnosis, control and eradication of serious animal diseases including equine influenza.
“His leadership has delivered scientific solutions to local livestock industries and he continues to play a major role in maintaining Australia’s lucrative international trade in cattle, sheep and goats,” he said.
Dr Kirkland is the president of the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.
Dr Sheldrake said the competition recognised the ground-breaking contribution Dr Saunders and Ms Sharp had made to developing the first best practice guidelines and decision making tools to improve the humaneness of national pest animal control.
“They have developed and published 43 standard operating procedures (SOPs) and seven codes of practice for the humane control of 10 pest animal species, including rabbits, foxes, wild dogs and feral pigs, which have been endorsed by RSPCA Australia and the NSW Pest Animal Council,” he said.
“National adoption of their recommendations required an extremely thorough process of consultation, amendment and agreement between Government and non-Government Agencies, animal welfare groups and technical specialists.”
Dr Sheldrake said the SOPs reflected a common-sense approach, had been written for everyone engaged in the pest animal control and could be applied across a diverse range of situations.
Dr Kirkland has been working at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Camden while Dr Saunders and Ms Sharp were based at the Orange Agricultural Institute.
The 2008 Eureka Prizes are to be presented at an award dinner in Sydney on 19 August.
30 July, 2008
No pay off in wage dispute
Industrial action being taken by Tasmania’s State Public Servants in pursuit of wages parity with other States is continuing with few signs it will be settled soon.
In a statement, Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Aird said the offer made to staff by the Government was fair and final, and allowed for a pay rise of between 20 and 29 per cent over the three-and-a-half year life of the agreement.
Staff have rejected the offer, saying they would still be behind their interstate counterparts. They have launched industrial action in pursuit of a better offer
The Community and Public Sector Union’s Tom Lynch told the ABC that situation had been brought about by the Government
“They have forced us into this industrial action,” Mr Lynch said, “and now they’re doing absolutely nothing to resolve it.
“They’re not even talking to us about it.”
He said the Government knew each offer it had submitted would be rejected.
“They have already delivered that for themselves. They delivered it for legal practitioners, for health professionals, for a whole range of people and they promised nearly two years ago to deliver to the rest of the Public Sector.”
He said the delays meant the Government would have to increase salaries by around nine per cent to bring them into line with the other States.
“You know the Government’s happy to take that money themselves and for the rest of the areas to get it but we’re going to back down on that,” he said.
“Our members are not going to do that.”
Mr Lynch said CPSU members in the Tasmanian State Public Service had worked hard to keep the State running in very difficult times.
“Now is the time when the good times in Tassie should be shared,” he said.
30 July, 2008
Braille ballots given the tick
In a first for Australian voters, the NSW Electoral Commission is to offer Braille ballot papers for electors with impaired vision at the 2008 Local Government elections.
Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry, said the Commission had been working closely with Vision Australia to arrange for ballot papers for the Council elections to be printed in Braille.
“However, we will have just four weeks to prepare the papers in this format before polling day so we have set a deadline of 5.00pm on 13 August for people to contact us with this request,” Commissioner Barry said.
He said electors must provide their name, address and preferred method of voting to the NSWEC to receive a Braille ballot paper.
The Commissioner said the ballot papers would be delivered to the pre-poll centre, postal address or polling place nominated by the elector.
An information campaign advertising the ballot papers began on 21 July, with further information available on how to apply for the papers available from www.elections.nsw.gov.au in HTML and MP3 audio format.
Commissioner Barry said the Enfield Vision Australia Centre would again be used as a polling place for low vision electors and the general public.
He said experienced Vision Australia volunteers and election officials would be available to assist electors with a variety of tasks from reading information to marking ballot papers (in accordance with the elector’s instructions).
Specialised equipment such as closed circuit television for magnification and contrast, magnifying glasses and specialised lighting would also be available at the centre.
Under its access to democracy initiative, the Commissioner said NSWEC would also provide hand-held magnifiers and user-friendly thick pencils.
Election information was available in alternative formats, including generic Braille and audio Elector Brochures, and Braille, audio and Easy English How-to-Vote Guides.
The NSWEC also provided a telephone typewriter service for the hearing and speech impaired through TTY 02 9247 3568, and an interpreting service for enquiries in a language other than English (13 14 50).
30 July, 2008
New car sale laws speed up paperwork
Changes to the laws covering motor car sales have led to the scrapping of six Government forms.
Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney said the result was to reduce the burden of red tape on the motor dealer industry.
She said dealers had been “bogged down” with too many different administration forms but from 1 August the six forms would go and the remaining forms simplified to reduce duplication and make them easier to understand.
“This is all part of the Government’s commitment to slash red tape and to make it easier to do business in this State,” Ms Burney said.
She said the proposed amendments to the Motor Dealers Act 1974 and the Motor Dealers Regulation 2004 followed recommendations from the Small Business Regulation Review Task Force.
“There are currently 3,699 licensed motor dealers in NSW,” Ms Burney said.
“Large or small, they are an important sector in the NSW economy and they provide jobs for thousands of people.
“These changes will mean more efficient processes and cost savings.”
She said changes would also be made to demonstrator vehicles with dealers soon finding it easier to handle them because they would now be treated the same as second-hand vehicles.
“The various forms and special statutory warranty conditions that applied to demonstrator vehicles will be abolished,” Ms Burney said.
“However, dealers can still market these vehicles as demonstrators and will be able to provide manufacturers’ warranties for them.”
She said dealers could continue to use the old forms for three months after 1 August, by which time they should have supplies of the new ones.
30 July, 2008
Councils get culture with diversity guide
A new service delivery guide for Local Councils that accounts for cultural diversity has been launched by the Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch.
The Guide has been welcomed as a “major milestone” by the Community Relations Commission.
Developed from a collaboration between the Commission and the Department of Local Government, the publication entitled Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism Locally, A Planning framework for councils, wouldallow Local Government to plan the delivery of services to the whole community.
The Guide also benefited from input from Local Government associations and the City Councils of Fairfield and Queanbeyan.
Chair of the CRC, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said the Guide completed the “unfinished circle” of planning for services that guaranteed the day-to- day needs of a culturally diverse society.
He said the State Government had been developing its Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement (EAPS) since 1983, a policy that called on all Government Agencies to plan and deliver services that were appropriate to, and recognised, the culturally diverse nature of the NSW community.
"The EAPS program which is administered by the CRC has now reached a very sophisticated level in key Government Departments and Agencies,” Mr Kerkyasharian said.
“Now it's time for Local Government to do the same.”
He said migrants and especially refugees, were in need of assistance from their Local Council from the day they arrived and settled into accommodation.
"They need this in the form of services which are appropriate, which are made available in the fairest and most equitable manner and are continuous.”
He said the implementation of the framework made NSW a place where there was consciousness of diversity and provision of services that fitted the nature of the community.
"It means that from the most basic needs at the street level up to sophisticated medical or legal needs, Local Government will be working in concert with the now well-established high level services provided by most State Government Agencies, tailored correctly to a cultural diverse society.”
Mr Kerkyasharian said the completion of the document came at the conclusion of a lengthy pilot project carried out by Baulkham Hills, Blacktown and Griffith City Councils and the Walgett Shire Council.
“I acknowledge the hard work they have all put into this project", Mr Kerkyasharian said.
30 July, 2008
Roundtable meeting for straight talks
A roundtable discussion is to be convened this week by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to explore key issues relating to the structure of CityRail fares.
IPART Chairman, Dr Michael Keating is to host the discussion which will cover the four key issues indentified in IPART’s discussion papers: Determining CityRail’s revenue requirement and how it should be funded; and Deciding on the structure and level of CityRail fares.
The Roundtable will be held tomorrow (31 July) and include representation from the Ministry of Transport, RailCorp, Action for Public Transport, the Commuter Council, the Council of Social Service of NSW, Western Sydney Regional Organisations of Councils (and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
Under the first of the four discussion topics, the Roundtable would look at a ‘building block’ approach to CityRail’s revenue requirements, identifying “blocks” of costs such as operating costs and depreciation.
The second part of the discussion would look at CityRail’s regulatory asset base, its costs and cost efficiency.
IPART said its preliminary view was that deprival value (equal to the lower of the economic value or optimised depreciated replacement cost) was the most appropriate approach for determining the regulatory asset base.
The third section is to revolve around external benefits and the degree to which passengers and taxpayers should fund the rail system.
Based on the notion that CityRail provides relief to NSW residents in the form of reduced traffic congestion, the organisation has estimated that passengers should pay 30 per cent of revenue requirements with the rest provided by taxpayers.
The final discussion topic is to be the fare structure of the rail services and whether the implementation of a distance-based fare structure would be appropriate, with a discount applying to periodical tickets.
IPART expected that many sub-issues would be discussed under each of the four headings, including the validity and appropriateness of financial figures, the inclusion of assets, fare discounts, electronic ticketing and cost savings.
Members of the public have been invited to attend the Roundtable, however participation at the table would be limited to the invited organisations.
After the organisations have been given the opportunity to speak, the Chairman will ask for questions and comments from the floor.
Further information on the Roundtable could be accessed from www.ipart.nsw.gov.au
30 July, 2008
Poster papers over cracks in society
A new poster to help police manage and respond to incidents of racial and religious hatred has been launched by the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, and NSW Police’s spokesperson for cultural diversity, Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas.
Commissioner Calma said the ‘TRUST’ poster, was developed as a tool to address some of the issues identified by the Muslim Community and Police during the Unlocking Doors Project.
He said the Unlocking Doors Project was a joint project between the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), the NSW Police Force and Victoria Police that brought Muslim communities and police together to discuss incidents of racial and religious discrimination and abuse.
“The ‘TRUST’ poster provides valuable guidance to police officers who respond to incidents of racial and religious hatred and abuse when it occurs in the community,” Commissioner Calma said.
Deputy Commissioner Kaldas, said the poster would be displayed in every NSW Police station to encourage officers to record all reports and offences and to refer victims to HREOC or the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB).
He said the poster was one component of the Police Force’s focus on recording and responding to prejudice motivated crime including racial, religious, homophobic, and political prejudice.
A comprehensive policy and training strategy would be released later this year to support officers in understanding and responding to reports from the community.
Commissioner Calma said the poster was a proactive tool that addressed prejudice against communities vulnerable to racial and religious discrimination, hatred and abuse.
He said it was one of a number of initiatives being conducted by HREOC over the next three years to help build trust between communities that suffered discriminatory abuse and the police.
A similar national initiative was the Community Policing Partnerships Program (CPPP) which invited Muslim communities and Police to establish viable projects to help build relationships and trust at the local level.
Nineteen CPPP projects were announced in April this year.
30 July, 2008
Huge fines on tap to wipe out water theft
New laws imposing fines of $1M-plus have been announced to stamp out water theft and improve river health in the Murray Darling Basin.
Minister for Water, Nathan Rees said water theft had replaced stock theft on the lowest rung of crimes among rural communities.
Mr Rees said as the MDB was suffering from the worst drought on record and decades of too much water extraction, water theft had a big impact on lawful users and the environment.
He said reducing water theft would result in fairer distribution of water resources to rural communities and to the environment.
He said individuals could be fined up to $1.1 million and be sentenced up to two years in prison for committing the crime, with a maximum fine of $132,000 for each additional day the offence continued.
He said corporations could face fines of up to $2.2 million and $264,000 for each day the offence continued.
“Long gone are the days of water being seen as a free commodity,” Mr Rees said. “The use of water comes at a cost and we want to make sure that users are not being unfairly disadvantaged by those few doing the wrong thing.”
Mr Rees said NSW was cracking down on water thieves using aerial surveillance and advanced technology to ensure all users in the MDB were getting their fair share or water. He said he recently announced a draft floodplain harvesting policy restricting the unrestrained capture of floodwaters to make more water available for the environment.
He said there had been a 40 per cent increase in funding earmarked to buy environmental water over the next 12 months to deliver water flows to the rivers and wetlands of the Murray Darling Basin.
Mr Rees said the Commonwealth would provide NSW with around $1.7 billion for water projects under the Murray Darling agreement to deliver water savings to the environment and improve supply reliability for users.
He said one project would facilitate the replacement of 6,000 existing meters producing efficiencies in the irrigation industry, improving river health and bringing water savings of 100 gigalitres a year, the equivalent of one fifth of Sydney Harbour.
He said other projects would include improving irrigation technologies, piping stock and domestic water sources and reducing evaporation and water losses.
30 July, 2008
First Fleet sails on to Library website
The State Library of NSW has uploaded its entire archive of documents and illustrations from the First Fleet onto the internet for public access.
In a world first, NSW Governor, Marie Bashir, launched the collection of around 450 original and historically significant documents and illustrations which would be available online.
State Librarian, Regina Sutton, said 11 First Fleet journals were the collection’s centerpiece and that library staff and volunteers had spent over 3,000 hours transcribing every page.
“Web visitors will be able to read these extraordinary first-hand ‘travel-diaries’ packed with fascinating tales of adventure that are now part of our folklore,” Mrs Sutton said, “such as the capture of Bennelong and the spearing of Arthur Phillip,”
State Library Curator and First Fleet expert, Louise Anemaat, said the journals were “deeply fascinating” and allowed people an insight into the major historical event.
Ms Anemaat said the highlight of the collection was Arthur Phillip’s first recorded words from the colony in a letter to friend and politician, the Marquis of Lansdown, where he described Sydney Harbour as the finest Harbour in the world.
She said the First Fleet online collection was part of the Library's new interactive website which would enable web users to make their own discoveries about Australia.
The website features over 120,000 primary resources relating to Australia’s heritage which have been progressively digitised with financial support from the State Library’s private and corporate donors.
She said other attractions in the First Fleet collection were handwritten letters, including a letter by First Fleeter Newton Fowell recording Arthur Phillip’s original intention to call Sydney ‘Albion’ which was the ancient word for Britain; the earliest visual records of the First Fleet arriving, the first settlement and the natural environment; Arthur Phillip’s written account of the first contact with the Indigenous population; and the first maps documenting the geographic features of the area.
The collection could be accessed at www.sl.nsw.gov.au
30 July, 2008
Garden plants seeds of good citizenship
A program to inspire disadvantaged young people to learn about gardening, conservation and the environment has been developed by the Botanic Gardens Trust.
At the launch of Youth Community Greening, the Executive Director of the Trust, Tim Entwisle said through the program, experienced educators would help young people create environmentally sound gardens at NSW schools and within community housing developments.
“Students involved in the program come from the most disadvantaged schools in the State – schools where a high percentage of the student population lives in community housing,” Dr Entwisle said.
“Youth Community Greening will provide learning, creativity and a healthy life for these students.”
He said participation often led to students becoming leaders for recycling and environmental initiatives within their schools and communities.
“The students’ gardens can include food plants, native plants (often done in cooperation with local Aboriginal artists and elders), bush tucker, sensory plants or plants that attract butterflies or wildlife,” he said.
“Some of the gardens are large and elaborate and others (often schools within cities that have extremely small school grounds) do all of their gardening in pots or planters.”
Dr Entwisle said the Youth Community Greening team visited schools to teach gardening related classes and to consult with teachers about planning and maintaining school gardens.
He said a new teacher inservice would provide information for starting, maintaining and utilising school gardens and garden clubs throughout the entire curriculum.
Dr Entwisle said the launch coincided with a milestone for Plunkett Street School.
“It’s been 22 years since, on Monday 28 July 1986, students from the same school planted seeds on Arbor Day in our Myrtales bed here at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens,” he said.
He said students from the school would first attend a Youth Community Greening lesson, then visit the same bed planted by the school students 22 years ago.
He said the Trust was grateful to the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, Roslyn Packer and a private benefactor for providing four years funding towards the Youth Community Greening project.
“During this time many disadvantaged schools will be able to seek assistance,” he said.
Dr Entwisle said Youth Community Greening worked in cooperation with Community Greening which was sponsored by Housing New South Wales.
The program’s funding depended upon the four year grant from the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation, with current funding pledged to June 2011.
30 July, 2008
Jeans day supported
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has reminded managers that this Friday (1 August) is Jeans for Genes day, a promotion that the NSW Government supports.
Director General of DPC, Robyn Kruk has issued a Circular encouraging Departments and Agencies to take part in the spirit of the event, which was a fund raiser for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.
The DPC circular can be accessed at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
Compo comparisons
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council has published the latest edition of its Comparison of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand.
The Comparison provides a background to the evolution of workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia and New Zealand detailing the schemes, coverage, benefits, return to work provisions, self insurance, common law, dispute resolution and cross-border arrangements.
Photo competition on
Entries for the Australian Museum’s annual Up Close and Spineless invertebrate photography competition are to close on 29 August.
The competition, which celebrates the world of invertebrates, is in its seventh year and was open to professional, amateur and student photographers.
Last year the competition attracted over 500 entries, with 46 selected for display at the museum.
More information on prizes and entry details was available from www.australianmuseum.net.au
Safety show coming
The Safety Show Sydney is to be held at the Sydney Showground from 28 to 30 October this year.
Billed as the biggest workplace safety event on the calendar, the Safety Show is to be held in conjunction with Sydney Materials Handling and was expected to attract more than 350 occupational health and safety specialists.
The shows follow Safe Work Australia Week and more information was available at www.thesafetyshow.com or (03) 9654 7773.
23 July, 2008
Day of Action to pay out on pay
The Public Sector Association of NSW has called a Day of Action on 30 July to protest against Public Service pay rates and troubled negotiations for a pay increase.
The PSA believes a 2.5% cap on NSW PS salary increases represented an effective pay cut, when viewed in light of the inflation rate.
According to PSA organiser, Les Carr, the object of the Day of Action was to roll back the Government’s “pay cut policy.”
Mr Carr said on the PSA website that it would do this “by making the public aware of services we provide and showing them the services which are at risk if employees' pay is eroded.”
He said the major activity of the day would be leafleting at public gathering places.
He said PSA members and those in other unions would also organise activities to would inconvenience the Government but which did not impact on the public.
“We are asking members to join us for pre-work and lunch-time leafleting,” Mr Carr said.
“And there will be a mid-morning media event in Farrer place, Sydney at which members are welcome.”
He said the PSA had been be assigned one of the Sydney CBD train stations to leaflet, after which they would leaflet Martin Place and Pitt St Mall.
“Members can also organise their own events and ‘annoying’activities,” he said.
“Delegates are asked to confer among themselves, among members, and with their PSA Industrial Officer/Organiser about possible activities.”
Mr Carr said Unions NSW was contacting regional Trades and Labour Councils and Rights at Work Groups to encourage them to join in the Day.
23 July, 2008
Volunteer work to pay for Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading has introduced a pilot volunteering program to allow staff a day off work to support a community-based not-for-profit organisation.
The program was officially launched by Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney, who said she was proud that the Office was one of the first Agencies to introduce the scheme, which could become whole-of-Government policy.
Ms Burney said the Government recognised that community engagement and volunteering built social cohesion and stronger, more harmonious communities.
“We have seen how corporate volunteering is growing within business organisations around the world and the Government is committed to facilitating similar opportunities for staff in NSW Government agencies,” she said.
Ms Burney said the pilot program would run until 31 December and followed a two-month internal survey to gain staff feedback on volunteering.
“We had an excellent response from staff,” she said.
“Out of 172 responses, 153 Fair Trading staff expressed interest in volunteering under the pilot program.”
Ms Burney said the positive response came as no surprise as helping others was “second nature” to Fair Trading employees who assisted consumers and traders on a daily basis.
She said Fair Trading staff located in suburbs and towns across the State would be encouraged to help their communities at a local level.
Under the scheme, staff would nominate an area they were interested in and their request would be matched by The NSW Centre for Volunteering with opportunities close to work or home.
“The survey also revealed how active Fair Trading employees are in volunteering,” Ms Burney said.
“Over 45 per cent of the respondents currently volunteer, well above the national average.”
Staff member in the Tweed Heads Office, Brendon Cox said he volunteered for a week every year at Camp Quality.
“I got involved because I’ve known people with cancer, and I wanted to give back to the community,” Mr Cox said.
“I think I get more out of volunteering than the kids do!”
Evelyn Goltz, who works for OFT in the city, has volunteered for the Warringah Pittwater Rural Fire Service (RFS) for the past five years in the catering unit as she enjoyed providing support for frontline firefighters while also enjoying social benefits.
Another RFS volunteer, Monica Clayton, worked at Grafton Fair Trading Centre and was the secretary for the local hall committee.
“I volunteer with the local hall because it’s a place that brings the community together,” Ms Clayton said.
“The hall was out of use for about 10 years until this committee was put together and now it is a real meeting place.
“Without volunteers the RFS could not exist,” she said.
23 July, 2008
Compo stats paint sorry picture
Figures released by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council have revealed that 16 out of every 1,000 Australian workers in 2005-06 were off work for a week or more on workers’ compensation.
ASCC Chairman, Bill Scales said the Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics Australia 2005-06 reported a fall in incident rates for injury and disease in all industries since 1997-98, however claims for respiratory diseases, mental disorders and cancers had been increasing in recent years.
“The Compendium is an annual publication that provides a detailed analysis of compensated work-related injury and disease among employees in Australia,” Mr Scales said.
“This is the fifteenth report released as part of the Compendium series.”
He said the Compendium and other statistical reports enabled the ASCC to provide the most accurate information available in the area of work-related injury and disease.
He said the preliminary data for 2005-06 showed the top three industries for fatalities were the transport and storage industry with 41, construction with 33 and manufacturing with 28. He said of the total 231 deaths compensated, 93 per cent were men.
Trend data results showed all industries experienced a fall in incidence rates of injury and disease between 1997-98 and 2004-05, with the greatest falls being in mining, 45 per cent; construction, 27 per cent; transport and storage, 20 per cent; agriculture, forestry and fishing , 19 per cent; and manufacturing, 18 per cent.
The report found the proportion of claims for employees aged 45 and above increased from 33 per cent in 1997-98 to 39 per cent in 2004-05.
Mr Scales said the feature article in the latest Compendium explored the factors that influenced the time employees were away from work due to work-related injury or disease.
“The feature article reveals that most serious workers' compensation claims lasted a relatively short period,” he said.
He said 52 per cent of employees who lodged a claim were back at work within 4 weeks, and three-quarters were back within 3 months.
“We can see through findings in the Compendium that notable improvements are being made in some areas and industries,” he said.
“However more can be done to improve safety at work and reduce work-related death, injury and disease.”
Mr Scales said it was time to make workplace safety a priority.
He said ASCC initiative, National Safe Work Australia Week, would be held from 19 to 25 October.
23 July, 2008
New program leads to APS leadership
A new study program to help groom future Public Service leaders has been launched for middle-level managers in Public Services across the country.
The Global Leadership Practices Program (GLP) is being presented by international consultant Yellow Edge in association with the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong in Shanghai and has been designed to enhance participants’ capabilities in line with PS leadership programs.
Yellow Edge spokesman, Andrew Simon said the program had been designed for high potential middle-level managers in the Commonwealth, State and Territory Public Services.
Mr Simon described the program as “groundbreaking” and said it would broaden personal and professional horizons to improve leadership and strategic capacities.
He said the Australia-China GLP program would concentrate on fostering a deeper understanding of leadership in a global economic and political powerhouse and provide insight into forms of Chinese leadership and their culture which could lead to new leadership methods in Australia.
Mr Simon said a two-day seminar would be held in Australia and a five-day Global Leadership Practices Residential module at the Leadership Academy Pudong in Shanghai.
He said the module in China would include a study tour to Blue Scope Steel headquarters in Shanghai, Chinese Government agencies, networking sessions with senior Chinese officials and a recreation and cultural program.
Mr Simon said there would be a one-day report-back session in Australia at the conclusion of the program.
He said the Global Practices Leadership Seminar would be held in Canberra from 24 to 25 September, the Shanghai module would be held from 13 to 17 October and the debriefing session would be on 23 October, also in Canberra. Registration for the course was $13,000 plus GST.
Further information was available by contacting Mr Simon on (02) 6273 0168 or emailing andrew.simon@yellowedge.com.au
23 July, 2008
PS strikes out at industrial action
Public Servants in the Tasmanian Government have launched industrial action in support of a wage rise.
Members of the Community and Public sector Union in the island State have imposed work bans focusing on the collection of Government revenue following a vote that rejected a 20.1 per cent pay increase over four years. The workers were holding out for an additional four per cent.
State Premier, David Bartlett said the offer from the Government was “very good” and blamed the union for its members knocking it back.
“It will see a Public Servant who's currently earning $40,000 by the end of the agreement earning over $50,000," Mr Bartlett said.
"Unfortunately, every day that now ticks by will see 15,000 public sector workers not access those pay rises. They will now be delayed, delayed by the unions.”
General Secretary of the CPSU in Tasmania, Tom Lynch said the main sticking point was that the Government’s pay offer would not bring pay parity with interstate Public Servants for about two-thirds of the State’s PS workers.
He said the planned industrial action would be a blow to the State Government’s revenue raising activities.
“We want the Government to hear loud and clear that public sector workers believe that pay parity should be delivered and should be delivered now and they will take action in pursuit of that," Mr Lynch said.
"One of the things that public sector workers do right across the board is raise money for the Government by collecting tax income from the public, or from billing private companies or collecting money from the Commonwealth Government.
"We've targetted a number of areas where that occurs to cut of the supply of income."
Premier Bartlett disputed the union’s pay parity claims saying the Government wanted to see evidence that the proposed increase would not lead to parity with interstate wages.
"Six weeks ago I asked the public sector unions to provide me in a letter with details of their calculations for their claims that we were not meeting parity,” Mr Bartlett said.
“They are yet to produce that data and I'm still waiting on the data and the ball is firmly in their court."
Mr Lynch said the unions had provided the Government with the information.
"Our analysis shows that Tasmanian public sector workers are 9 per cent behind their mainland counterparts," he said.
23 July, 2008
Electoral Commission bites the ballot
The NSW Electoral Commission has launched an information campaign to inform voters of their responsibilities in the 2008 Local Government elections.
Targeting the State’s 4.4 million voters, advertisements have been placed in metropolitan, regional and community language media across NSW.
Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry, said the campaign message was “Your vote is your voice in your local area. Be heard”.
Commissioner Barry said the first phase of the campaign urged voters to check their enrolment details before the roll closed on 4 August.
“The second phase will carry important information about pre-polling and postal voting arrangements and the third phase will actually remind people to vote,” he said.
Commissioner Barry said the NSWEC would be conducting the Local Council elections to the same standard as State or Federal elections and had produced a million information brochures for Councils that wanted a direct communication with electors or households in their Council area.
He said the brochure provided key information about the elections and linked a voter’s electoral information to local polling place information.
“All Australian citizens, over 18 who live in NSW are required to enrol to vote so it’s important to make sure you’re details are up to date,” Commissioner Barry said.
“If you’ve recently turned 18, moved house or if you’re just not sure what Council or ward you belong to, then call us or visit our website to check your details.”
He said the campaign would run from 21 July to 13 September and that candidates would have until 13 August to nominate for public office.
Enrolment forms were available at any post office, by phoning the Elector Enquiry Centre on 1300 135 736 or by visiting www.elections.nsw.gov.au
A telephone typewriter service for the hearing and speech impaired (TTY 02 9247 3568) and a number for enquiries in languages other than English (13 14 50) were also available.
23 July, 2008
Running mates needed to stand
Political candidates in the coming elections have been reminded they need an agent to manage their campaign funding from 1 August.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the first stage of a package of “sweeping reforms” to the state’s political donations system was now in place to deliver a more robust and transparent process.
Mr Hatzistergos said laws passed by the Government last month banned MPs, groups, candidates and Councillors from managing their own donations and personal campaign accounts.
“However, a limited exemption applies to those who raise less than $1,000 in donations and spend less than $1,000 on their election campaigns,” he said.
“In addition, a uniform disclosure threshold for donations of $1,000 will apply, as will a ban on certain ‘in kind’ donations of $1,000 or more.”
Mr Hatzistergos said anyone running for Council elections must comply with the new legislation and ensure all donations were managed by an official agent.
He announced changes to the Election Funding Regulation 2004 which have taken affect and complemented the new Election Funding Amendment (Political Donations and Expenditure) Act 2008.
He said the new regulation detailed the requirements for official agents and disclosure of donations.
Amendments made by the regulation prohibited people convicted of fraud or dishonesty from being appointed as agents; required details of expenditure and donation records to be kept; required parties, candidates and elected members to retain records for three years; and allowed the Election Funding Authority to grant official agents an interim exemption from training requirements.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Election Funding Authority was running public seminars covering issues such as the election timetable, nominations and groups, election advertising and how-to-vote material, public scrutiny of candidates, voting and formality, vote counting and the new Election Funding obligations.
Seminars would be held at Hurstville Entertainment Centre and Willoughby Council Chamners on 26 July and at Randwick Council Chambers on 5 August.
Further information was available on the Election Funding Authority’s website at www.efa.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 135 736.
23 July, 2008
Super RAP teams get super rap from boss
The Office of Fair Trading regional access program has descended on Broken Hill with what Minister Linda Burney said was a “super-large” contingent of OFT officers.
Ms Burney said the “Super RAPs” were a new initiative which delivered valuable information to the localities they visited, bringing with them “something for almost everyone.”
“Super RAPs were introduced this year so that inspectors and educators could visit large regional centres and undertake major compliance activities and information sessions in one hit,” Ms Burney said.
“The beauty of the Super RAP is that Fair Trading inspectors can blitz petrol stations, real estate agents, home building sites and motor dealers in one swoop because so many of the industries it regulates are located in large towns like Broken Hill.”
Ms Burney said Fair Trading would hold information sessions for local retirees, parents, high school students, businesses, the local Aboriginal community, Aboriginal community workers, home builders, prisoners, landlords and tenants.
“This visit is part of Fair Trading’s commitment to delivering services to regional NSW,” she said.
“Not only is this an opportunity to provide information to the community, but Fair Trading is also keen to gain feedback on local issues that affect consumers in Far Western NSW.”
Ms Burney said Fair Trading staff would be visiting the Broken Hill Correctional Centre to inform prisoners and their families about tenancy and credit issues.
“They will also visiting Willyama High School students to deliver ‘Revved Up’, an information session about buying that first car – where to buy, the risks involved and financing the purchase,” she said.
“Students will also be attending ‘Money Stuff’ to learn about topics such as refund policies, warranties and credit cards.”
Ms Burney said staff would visit retirement villages, seniors’ centres, preschools and day care centres as a part of the program.
Five free information sessions would be held during the week, with two more for the Aboriginal community and parents.
For more information visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
23 July, 2008
Nuclear talks get green light
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Lucas Heights is holding a community discussion to show the public how nuclear science was being utilised to combat pollution and climate change.
ANSTO’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Andrew Humpherson, said the topics up for discussion in the six-monthly gatherings would range from an introduction to ANSTO to the dismantling of the Moata reactor, a small 100 kilowatt research reactor that was in operation from 1961 to 1995.
Mr Humpherson said it was important for residents to understand what happened at ANSTO and what happened to reactors when they were no longer used.
“ANSTO seeks always to be open and honest about how it operates and wants to provide the community the opportunity to come along and hear more about our research and our new reactor as well as have their questions answered,” Mr Humpherson said.
“There are many misconceptions about the nature of ANSTO and what we do, we hope that this forum helps alleviate any concerns and enlighten people about the wonderful, groundbreaking research that is carried out at ANSTO.”
Mr Humpherson said the discussion would begin with a presentation given by ANSTO’s Chief of Research, Dr George Collins, to outline the type of organisation ANSTO was and the kind of research it carried out.
He said this would be followed by a presentation from Senior Advisor Government Liaison, Steve McIntosh, about the dismantling process for Moata.
Mr Humpherson encouraged everyone who was interested to attend the community discussion to allow any questions or concerns to be answered.
He said the session would include refreshments, and would be held on 28 July at the ANSTO’s Education and Tour Centre in Lucas Heights, NSW.
More information was available by contacting (02) 9717 9575 or visiting www.ansto.gov.au
23 July, 2008
Prison population is record cell-out
NSW prisons held the greatest number of serious offenders in their history last year, with Justice Minister, John Hatzistergos, revealing 671 were behind bars in the State.
“There are more serious offenders behind bars in NSW today than ever before,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“The rise of the overall prison population, and in particular serious offenders, has a direct impact on levels of crime, which are falling or stable in almost every category.”
Mr Hatzistergos said an offender serving 12 or more years was considered serious.
He said the 2007 Serious Offenders Review Council (SORC) annual report found the number of serious offenders had increased by nine from 2006.
He said the report found serious offenders made up 7.1 per cent of the 9,487 prisoners in custody at the end of last year while 10 years ago, the overall prison population was 6,726, and included 471 serious offenders or 7.0 per cent of the prison population. He said the SORC report showed three quarters of the serious offenders who applied for parole last year failed to be released from prison.
The report showed 26 per cent of the 118 serious offenders eligible for parole were released in 2007 and 32 per cent of serious offenders were granted parole in 2006.
Mr Hatzistergos said the Government had strengthened parole laws in 2005 so offenders who were denied parole had to wait at least a year before reapplying.
“The legislative changes also spared victims the anguish of unnecessary hearings by removing the automatic right of an offender to a public hearing,” He said.
“The State Parole Authority is also required to give reasons when it decides not to revoke a parole order when asked to do so by the Commissioner of Corrective Services or a Probation and Parole Officer.”
Mr Hatzistergos said offenders now required the approval of the Parole Authority and SORC before being granted parole unless exceptional circumstances were shown.
23 July, 2008
Health checks keep mariners ship-shape
NSW Maritime has upgraded medical testing requirements for marine pilots to bring them into line with national rail employees.
General Manager of Ports and Shipping with NSW Maritime, Tony Middleton said the new requirements followed a review, the first since 1971.
Mr Middleton said the review was set up in conjunction with the three NSW Port Corporations and the Australian Maritime Officers Union and had resulted in improved safety in NSW ports.
“In May 2007, NSW Maritime engaged a specialist in occupational medicine to develop a new Standard for Health Assessment for NSW Marine Pilots,” Mr Middleton said.
He said marine pilots’ health standards were based on those for seagoing mariners but there were key differences in the requirements for medical fitness and health between marine pilots and general mariners.
“For example, general mariners need to maintain a level of fitness commensurate with life at sea where there is no ready access to full medical facilities,” he said.
“Marine pilots have access to full medical facilities ashore. However, they are required to climb the sides of large vessels using rope ladders, often in rough conditions.”
Mr Middleton said differences such as these had not previously been taken into account during medical assessments for marine pilots.
“Under the new standard, the frequency of medical assessments will be considered according to an age-risk profile,” he said.
“This strategy will direct medical resources to where and when they are needed, and consequently result in improved health of NSW marine pilots.”
Mr Middleton said medical assessments under the new standard were expected to begin after some months of information, training and implementation support.
23 July, 2008
Arts letter paints picture of progress
The Director-General of the Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation, Carol Mills, has written to the NSW Arts Community to announce that planned reforms to the 2009 Cultural Grants program were ahead of schedule.
Ms Mills said a planned transitional period while the reforms were introduced would no longer be needed.
“The review of the Cultural Grants Program released earlier this year recommended reforms covering all aspects of the Program from its strategic framework, to application and assessment processes,” Ms Mills said.
“Given the scope of the suggested changes, it was at first considered necessary to operate through a transitional process.”
She said a recent review of progress revealed however that the process was well in hand.
“Having reviewed progress to date, it has now been determined that we will be in a position to introduce the major changes more quickly, thereby removing the need for organisations to go through a transitional phase.”
Ms Mills said the new program would introduce many benefits to the arts community including simplified application and assessment processes.
“The Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation is currently finalising the guidelines, application forms, assessment and contracting processes,” she said.
“Arts NSW will be advising other funding bodies, including the Australia Council, of the new arrangements so that there is no disruption to existing contracts.”
Ms Mills said the new guidelines would be released soon and applicants would be given six weeks to prepare and lodge their applications.
“During this period the Department will run briefing sessions in metropolitan and regional locations on the new process.”
Ms Mills said the material from these sessions would be available on their web site for anyone who was unable to attend.
She said organisations could now access regular updates at www.arts.nsw.gov.au
Ms Mills assured applicants that the Government was still committed to maintaining the level of funds available under the Cultural Grants Program and ensuring the arts community received effective Government support.
23 July, 2008
Councils rated in awards scheme
Judging is underway to find Australia’s most innovative Local Councils.
Entries for the 2008 Annual National Awards for Local Government have closed with 114 entries received from 71 Councils around Australia, with all States and Territories represented.
The entries will now be judged to determine the winners in each of the 10 categories by August, with overall national winners to be decided later in the year.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese said the judging process was independent of the Commonwealth Government and free from Ministerial interference.
“The Awards focus on building the capacity of Local Government,” Mr Albanese said.
“Each year, the National Awards identify Councils that have shown innovation and best practice in their chosen categories.”
He said the Awards, now in their 22nd year, encouraged councils to learn from the achievements of others and put in place similar initiatives in their own local communities.
“Award-winning councils may have developed innovative projects to combat climate change, improve access and services in regional communities, develop community health and well-being or increase participation for young people and women,” Mr Albanese said.
He said category awards were sponsored by various Commonwealth Government Departments according to their priorities and in 2008, the 10 categories for the Awards were:
- Innovation in Regional Development sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government;
- Increasing Women's Participation also sponsored by DITRD≶
- Natural Resource Management sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry);
- Local Greenhouse Action sponsored by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts;
- Strengthening Indigenous Communities sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs;
- Valuing and Promoting Quality Child Care sponsored by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations;
- Youth Engagement also sponsored by DEEWR
- Health and Wellbeing sponsored by the Department of Health and Ageing;
- Universal Design for Public Amenities also sponsored by DHA;
- Excellence in Alcohol Management also sponsored by DHA.
23 July, 2008
Water pipe bills are mains game
A draft report recommending a simpler and clearer system for calculating the costs to be paid by land developers for connecting water to their developments has been issued for public comment by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
According to IPART Chief Executive, Jim Cox, the developers paid only some of the costs of providing infrastructure to new developments and a major aim of the review was to achieve greater uniformity between Agencies and to make the calculations easier to follow.
He said the review looked at developer charges levied by Sydney Water Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation, Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council.
“There have been significant changes since our last Determination in 2000,” Mr Cox said, “such as the introduction of the Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX), which targeted reduction of water use in new dwellings; and a commitment by the NSW Government in the Metropolitan Water Plan for Sydney’s growth areas to be connected to recycled waste.”
Mr. Cox said IPART had reexamined developer charges taking those changes into account.
“It is expected there will be decreases on average in developer charges in the Sydney area,” he said.
He said charges would remain constant in the Hunter and Gosford areas and small increases would be made in the Wyong area as the 15 per cent discount introduced in 1996 was unwound.
He said changes to the assets that could be included in charges, how assets were valued, and how offsets were applied to avoid “double dipping” had been made to simplify the calculation of developer charges.
Mr Cox said double dipping occurred when the same costs were recovered through developer charges and periodic water and sewerage charges.
IPART has also proposed new rules for determining the boundaries of areas that could be included in Development Servicing Plans (DSPs).
Mr Cox said the boundaries had to be consistent with the boundaries of water, wastewater and stormwater systems.
He said IPART would establish a technical panel made up of members of the development industry and water agencies, to provide advice on policy issues.
He said the cap on Wyong Council’s developer charges of 85 per cent of the calculated amount would be phased out from 2009 until 2012.
He called for public submissions to be submitted by 15 August as the final determination by the Tribunal would take effect from 1 January next year.
Mr Cox said the report, Review of developer charges for metropolitan water agencies, was available from www.ipart.nsw.gov.au
23 July, 2008
Vineyard ID scheme is vintage DPI
The Department of Primary Industries is working on a new vineyard identification system to record the location and size of all vineyards in NSW.
In a joint effort with the Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) and Wine Industry Association, DPI was gathering information about local vineyards that would help better protect the industry from a serious disease outbreak.
Minister of Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, congratulated the consortium saying the Vineyard Identification System would produce a comprehensive record of vineyard locations throughout the State and enable a quick and effective response to disease incursions.
“Biosecurity preparedness is a vital component of all our primary industries today,” Mr Macdonald said, “and our valuable wine industry is no exception.”
He said establishing better systems for recording the location and size of vineyards would enable the Government and industry to prepare for and respond to serious pest or disease situations.
“I applaud the NSW wine industry for initiating this preparedness measure,” Mr Macdonald said.
He said the new scheme would be follow existing systems used to identify and trace livestock, based on property identification codes (PICs) and RLPB annual returns of land and stock.
“The PICs provide a unique number for every registered property together with details of the land and contact details for the owner/occupier,” Mr Macdonald said.
“Annual RLPB returns provide a means of collecting and collating data about how that land is used for agriculture - in this case for winegrape production.”
He said this year’s RLPB rate returns, which were currently being sent in, included an additional question about the total area of land planted to grapevines.
“This initiative is an excellent example of industry and Government working together to achieve better biosecurity preparedness for our valuable primary industry sectors,” Mr Macdonald said.
He said NSW was the second largest wine producing State and represented over 30 per cent of Australia’s $5 billion wine industry.
He said it produced about 26 per cent of the industry’s wine grapes and a third of NSW wine by volume.
23 July, 2008
Replica canoe sails into museum
The Rocks Discovery Museum has announced that a hand-crafted canoe made by local schoolchildren is to be one of its main, permanent features.
Chief Executive of the Sydney Harbor Foreshore Authority, Dr Robert Lang, said the canoe – or Aboriginal nowey – was made by Year 8 students from the Alexandria Park Community School and was a scale model of the traditional stringy bark canoes used on Sydney Harbour by the Cadigal people.
Dr Lang said the canoe-building project was the result of a partnership between the Foreshore Authority and Sydney’s Aboriginal community, aimed at paving the way towards a better understanding of Aboriginal culture, and was supported by State Forests of NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
“Nowey were originally used by the Cardigal people in the waters of Sydney Harbour for fishing, travel, trade and communication of messages and news,” Dr Lang said.
“The Rocks Discovery Museum is about interpreting this area’s original heritage and ensuring that the Aboriginal culture is a living entity.”
Dr Lang described the nowey as “beautifully crafted” and said it would take pride of place in the Museum as a symbolic piece that brought the past and the present together.
“The curriculum linked project is designed to revive ancient Aboriginal skills and engender pride, knowledge and understanding in the mostly Indigenous year 8 students, along with creating new cross cultural opportunities,” he said.
Dr Lang said the project adhered to Aboriginal customs, with male students largely responsible for making the nowey while the female students created their own role by documenting the process through film, interviews and a picture gallery.
He said visitors to the Museum could view the footage and see how traditional methods and materials were employed to build the nowey.
The nowey was fashioned from bark sourced from the Southern Coast and Maitland districts retrieved by traditional arborists.
Dr Lang said artwork produced by the students as part of the project was also on display.
The Foreshore Authority, The Tribal Warrior Association and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council provided assistance in securing resources, materials and locating traditional arborists and canoe builders.
23 July, 2008
PS thanked for WYD
Premier, Morris Iemma has thanked all NSW Public Servant volunteers who helped out at World Youth Day 2008.
Mr Iemma said the event was an “outstanding achievement” that gave NSW the opportunity to demonstrate its reputation as an international leader in event management.
“I am deeply grateful for the efforts of all of those who have supported the whole-of-Government effort,” Mr Iemma said.
Pay scales published
Pay scale summaries for over 400 of the most commonly used industrial awards have been updated and posted on the internet by the Workplace Authority.
The new rates take effect from the first pay period after 1 October and include the decision of the Australian Fair Pay Commission to increase the standard Federal Minimum Wage by $21.66 per week for all employees on 38 hours per week.
The new pay scales could be accessed at www.workplaceauthority.gov.au
Police hit the boards
The NSW Police Force is to join forces with the Outdoor Media Association to place urgent public service messages on outdoor billboards.
The digital advertising signs would be used for announcements about missing persons and road closures.
The project is to be a trial with the possibility that it could be extended nationally.
Cost assessors sought
The NSW Supreme Court is seeking legal practitioners with at least five years post admission experience to work as Cost Assessors.
The role would be for a period of up to three years and commence on 1 January 2009.
Applications are to close on 31 August with more information available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
BOCSAR papers extended
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has extended the deadline for papers for its 40th anniversary symposium by two weeks.
The Bureau has encouraged Australian researchers interested in crime, criminal justice or allied fields to present it with an abstract of their paper by 25 July.
Further information on the symposium, which is to be held from 18 to 19 February next year, or on how to submit a paper could be found at www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au
OFT sparks electrical blitz
The Office of Fair Trading has completed a successful blitz to check compliance with electrical safety laws by electrical contractors.
Following the blitz, OFT reported that the “overwhelming majority” of contractors were compliant, with contractors inspected and 873 Certificates of Compliance Electrical Work checked across Wollongong, Newcastle, the Sydney metro area and the Far North Coast.
Fifteen penalty notices totaling $16,500 were issued to contractors as a result of the blitz.
Planners called
The Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, has called for expressions of interest and nominations for the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) and the Building Professionals Board (BPB).
Duties for the PAC would include determining State significant major projects and providing advice on planning and development matters.
The BPB has entered a new phase in its operation, including implementing a series of reforms to improve the accountability measures and standard of conduct for accredited certifiers.
16 July, 2008
Review blows whistle for whistleblowers
The Commonwealth Government has begun a process aimed at developing model legislation that could protect whistleblowers in Public Services across the nation.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has been asked to look into PS whistleblowing and to report on the model laws that would protect Public Servants making ‘public interest disclosures.’
The move was announced by the Secretary of the Federal Cabinet, Senator John Faulkner who said the Committee enquiry would be the first step towards introducing best practice legislation to manage and deal with public interest disclosures in Government ranks.
He said the move was in response to an election commitment.
Senator Faulkner said whistleblowing was the term commonly used to describe the disclosure of corruption or misconduct.
He said whistleblowing protection was about ensuring that there were appropriate processes in place, and protections offered, to facilitate the making of such disclosures.
“The Committee has been asked to report by 28 February 2009,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The Government will consider the Committee’s recommendations with the aim of developing legislation implementing strengthened whistleblower protections during the course of 2009.”
The Chair of the Committee, Mark Dreyfus MP said in Australia there were no uniform laws to protect whistleblowers.
“Some protections exist at both the Federal and at the State and Territory level,” he said, “(But an) employee who ‘blows the whistle’ is currently only protected in a narrow range of circumstances.
“More effective and comprehensive protection for whistleblowers can increase the likelihood of public interest disclosures being made”.
He said the Committee had been asked to enquire into and report on issues such as:
- Who could make protected disclosures
- The types of disclosures that should be protected
- The conditions that should apply to a person making a disclosure
- The scope of statutory protection that should be available
- Procedures in relation to protected disclosures
- Such other matters as the Committee considers appropriate.
“The Committee will consider such evidence only to the extent that it may assist in general matters of principle, policy or public administration relevant to the terms of reference.”
It invited public submissions, based on the terms of reference, to be lodged by Friday 8 August 2008.
“Whilst the Committee prefers for all information to be on the public record, it may consider, on an individual basis, the receipt of confidential submissions.”
The Terms of reference for the enquiry are available from www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca
16 July, 2008
Aboriginal survey is PS business
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has announced it was reviewing progress in the implementation of its ‘Making it Our Business’ (MIOB) program which was intended to improve Aboriginal Employment in the NSW Public Sector.
The Department said it had worked with the Public Sector Workforce Office and Department of Aboriginal Affairs to develop an on-line survey designed to capture progress in the five key result areas of MIOB, which were:
- Recruitment
- Skills Acquisition & Career Development
- Retention
- Cultural Education, and
- Community Engagement
“It also offers Agencies the opportunity to provide feedback on areas of MIOB that have not worked well and therefore may require amendment.”
DPC said the survey could be accessed via: www.surveymonkey.com and agencies were encouraged to complete it and send it in.
“PSWO looks forward to receiving your Agency's completed survey with the view to enhancing guidance on Aboriginal employment through MIOB,” it said.
Assistance with the survey was available from Julie Moore on (02) 9228 3549 or via email at julie.moore@dpc.nsw.gov.au
16 July, 2008
Red tape cut from thin blue line
The NSW Police Force has adopted a streamlined Operational Police Program and modernised its IT systems to enable members to spend more time on the streets and less time in front of a computer.
Police have announced that by implementing the OPP they expect to cut red-tape and by upgrading IT, improve operational policing procedures.
“The primary goal is to streamline procedures by making best use of modern technology in order to get officers out from behind desks in police stations and back onto the streets, reducing crime and making our communities safer,” the Police said in a statement.
“Successful 21st century-policing depends increasingly on access to accurate and timely information.”
They said as an ongoing program of work, the OPP would oversee the modernisation and enhancement of existing systems to deliver a range of benefits to police operations including:
- Improved individual workload management;
- Reduced time spent processing custody and charge sheet details, completing manual and ad hoc processes and re-entering data into multiple systems; and
- Earlier release of arresting and escorting officers involved in the custody process through improved identification and screening.
Police said the new Operational Policing Program replaced the Mainframe Replacement Program which had successfully delivered its Core Policing and Computerised Incident Dispatch (CAD) projects.
16 July, 2008
Maternity leave a motherhood issue
A research project conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has added fuel to the debate over improved maternity leave arrangements for Australian mothers.
The survey, which involved over 3,500 women, showed women with access to maternity leave had a better chance of returning to the workforce after taking time off to have a baby.
Institute Director, Professor Alan Hayes, said there was a need to understand what happened in the months after child birth.
“What women decide to do at this time can have repercussions for their longer term connection to the workforce and financial security, as well as their own wellbeing and that of their child,” Professor Hayes said.
Data drawn from the Parental Leave in Australia Survey, part of the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children, represented the first up-dated analysis of maternal employment transitions in over 20 years.
The data found 2 per cent of mothers were in paid employment with a baby under one month old; 11 per cent returned to work by the time their child was three months old; 22 per cent were at work when their child was six months old, 44 per cent returned to work when their child turned one; and 54 per cent had returned to work by the time their child was 18 months old.
The study found women with access to a range of paid leave entitlements had the greatest chance of retaining their employment, as 83 per cent returned to work after 18 months compared to 77 per cent of mothers who had access to unpaid leave.
Around 50 per cent of respondents without access to any form of maternity leave returned to work over the same time period.
Professor Hayes said the participants were asked about their employment before and after having a child and about what type of leave they had taken.
He said the research found women who were not employed when pregnant had a slower shift into employment after having a baby, compared to women who were self-employed.
He said 84 per cent of women who were self-employed before having a child returned to work by the time their child was18 months, compared to 13 per cent of women who were not employed before having a child.
The report’s author, Institute Research Fellow, Jennifer Baxter, said some self-employed mothers were back at work three months after their child’s birth.
“Self-employed mothers may go back to work early because they don’t have access to any paid leave and they may need to keep their business going,” Dr Baxter said.
“Another factor could be that self-employed women have more flexibility and often work very short hours.”
Dr Baxter said by the time a child reached 18 months old, the majority of women who used some leave had returned to work, whether they had used paid or unpaid leave, or a combination.
She said a peak time of return to work was at the child’s first birthday which coincided with one year’s unpaid maternity leave.
“We found that more highly educated women tended to return to work sooner alongside those who were previously employed in the small business sector,” Dr Baxter said.
The study did not include all factors that influenced a mother’s decision to return to paid work.
“We know differences in attitudes are likely to be extremely important in explaining different patterns of return to work, most importantly, parent’s preferences for remaining at home,” Dr Baxter said.
A copy of the report was available from www.aifs.gov.au
16 July, 2008
OHS submission on safe ground
Former Occupational Health and Safety Officer with the Public Service Association of NSW, Terry Hannan has produced Unions NSW’s 70-page submission to the National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws.
Unions NSW believes employers would benefit from having common OHS Laws to comply with, as long as there was no lessening of workers' rights or OHS protections.
The “almost” retired Mr Hannan said the submission he wrote was based on the general principles of OHS, which included:
- Social legislation
- Promotion of the highest possible OHS standards for workers
- All workers’ rights to the highest level of protection gainst injury, illness and disease
- Managers taking responsibility for providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by eliminating hazards
- Protection of ALL workers, across gender and ethnicity and including those in large and small enterprises and the self-employed
- Protection from discrimination, harassment or payback due to raising health and safety issues
- Being based on the principles of industrial democracy including workers being involved in decision making processes, and
- Retaining the right to take collective action over health and safety matters including the right to cease unsafe or unhealthy work.
The unions NSW submission can be downloaded from the PSA website at www.psa.labor.net.au
16 July, 2008
Road campaign making inroads
Two staffmembers of the Hurstville Tax Office have joined forces to raise funds for the TrueLight Foundation through a gala event and raffle hosted by Channel 10 newsreader, Tim Webster.
Husband and wife team, Elizar and Ofelia Franco have been helping develop better support for surviving victims of road trauma in Australia following the tragic story of their niece, Jenny Franco.
Last year Ms Franco was dragged 150 metres by a car before being left for dead on the side of the road. She survived the incident, but found there was minimal support available for those living with impairments resulting from road trauma.
Ms Franco and her aunt and uncle have been working to develop better support infrastructure including access to respite, transportation assistance, emotional support networks and counseling, since the tragedy.
The wife of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Therese Rein, has lent her support to Ms Franco through a letter of support, saying it took “tremendous strength and courage” to overcome the physical and emotional adversity of road trauma.
She congratulated the family on their efforts to raise awareness of the issue.
“It takes even more strength and courage to see beyond your personal circumstances to extend kindness, compassion and support to others in a similar position,” Ms Rein said.
“I am sure that through your work with the Foundation you will encourage and inspire many others to realise their potential.”
The Gala is to be held on 26 July at Doltone House, Pyrmont, and is expected to be attended by Bulldogs rugby league player, Nick Youngquest.
Tickets are $150 per person and include a three course meal and drinks, live music, a comedian, dancing, a raffle, auctions and lucky door prizes.
Also on sale will be tickets to Jenn’s Raffle.
Jenn’s Raffle tickets have been limited to 500 at a price of $100 each, with the winner receiving a luxury holiday to for two to the Philippines.
Further details on the gala and the raffle were available by calling (02) 9799 2480 or by visiting www.truelightfoundation.org
16 July, 2008
Polls attract centre for vote people
An enquiry centre to assist voters with important information about Local Council elections has been opened by the NSW Electoral Commission.
The Elector Enquiry Centre would be staffed from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday as well as on election day, and was accessible by calling a toll free number.
NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry said the Centre would be supported by a website which was regularly updated with information so “no matter where you live, you can access the latest information about these elections”.
Commissioner Barry said during the State election last year, over 200,000 voters called the Centre to check their enrolment status, electorate information, pre-poll and postal voting arrangements and polling place locations.
He said the service could help electors from all Council areas with their enquiries.
“There are 148 Councils having elections,” he said.
“Some Councils have wards, some will have referendums and polls and others will vote for their mayor.
“For the first time at Local Government elections, electors can call our 1300 135 736 enquiry centre to get an answer on any election question.”
Commissioner Barry said the NSWEC also provided a telephone typewriter service for the hearing and speech impaired on TTY (02) 9247 3568.
He said the NSWEC website included a search function to allow electors to find the polling place nearest their home and that the electoral snapshot included in-depth information about Local Government areas, boundary maps, the Council’s structure and local demographics.
“A virtual tally room will also carry results of the Local Council elections from 7pm on election night,” the Commissioner said.
“This is a first for Council elections and is part of our decision to conduct these elections to the same high standard as a State or Federal election.”
Commissioner Barry said voters should check their enrolment details online before the roll closed on 4 August.
The election is to be held on 13 September, with 4.4 million residents expected to vote and further information was available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 135 736.
16 July, 2008
Amazon ranger on amazing journey
National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger at Ku-ring-gai Chase, Tegan Burton, has been chosen to travel to Brazil to help conservation efforts in the Amazon.
The newly formed NSW Protected Area Workers Association has finalised a formal partnership with the Amazon Conservation Team, leading to the visit.
The ACT is a non-Government Organisation working in Brazil and under the partnership, Ms Burton would assist with projects in the 4.2 million hectares of Amazon rainforest owned by Indigenous communities.
Ms Burton, who was instrumental in setting up the NSW Protected Area Workers Association as a professional organisation for people working in protected areas, said she was going to take equipment to Brazil to help an Indigenous ranger association whose members lived and worked in the Amazon.
She said she would take backpacks, Global Positioning Systems, binoculars, digital cameras, laptops and high frequency radios.
“I realised how well resourced we were in Australia compared to many other countries,” she said. “We might face challenges within our budgets at times, but at least we have budgets and uniforms.”
Ms Burton said she realised she wanted to try and help overseas colleagues while she was at an International Rangers Federation Congress in Scotland.
“I'm now going to Brazil in September to spend time with an Indigenous ranger association called APITIKATXI,” she said.
“For me the trip will be inspirational and a reminder that people from all over the world have a passion for protected areas, but are just operating in different environments.”
Ms Burton said she hoped to gain the trust of the rangers who lived and worked in the Amazon rainforest.
“It will be an amazing opportunity,” she said.
16 July, 2008
Schools stats data goes to top of class
A school-based statistical exercise run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has been acclaimed as the most successful of its type in the world.
CensusAtSchool, a student-centred online data collection and analysis project, was accessed by over 44,000 Australian students across the nation in years four to 12 between 29 January and 4 July this year.
The results from a questionnaire completed by all students were now available as randomised samples, giving teachers and students access to real, raw and relevant data about Australian students for analysis.
ABS’s Teacher Consultant, Ian Wong, said the project was a great resource for teaching students about data and statistics in a way that was educational and fun.
“For the first time students can directly compare their responses from other students across the globe where CensusAtSchool is run,” Mr Wong said.
“They are also able to compare data from the 2006 CensusAtSchool project to research what has changed over time. The possibilities are endless.”
CensusAtSchool included data on student lifestyle, habits and attitudes and “contains a goldmine of information”.
The questionnaire responses showed over 73 per cent of students had broadband internet in 2008 compared with 53 per cent in 2006.
They found on average, a student’s favourite takeaway was pizza or pasta, and that most traveled to school by car.
Over 95,000 random samples had been downloaded since the Random Sampler tool became available in July 2006.
Further information on the census and the students’ responses was available from www.abs.gov.au
16 July, 2008
Foxes outfoxed by Gardens blow-in
In a bid to discourage flying-foxes from roosting in some of the most valuable trees at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the Botanic Gardens Trust has installed an “inflatable man.”
Botanic Gardens Trust Executive Director, Dr Tim Entwisle, said the air powered windsock would not harm the flying-foxes and had already proved effective.
“We’ve put the first inflatable man near a Tree Waratah adjacent to the Spring Walk. Straight away the flying-foxes moved from this tree and a nearby Brachychiton,” Dr Entwisle said.
Dr Entwisle said the Botanic Gardens Trust was applying for a licence to relocate the flying foxes to reduce the risk to all trees, but a short term solution had been needed.
“By using the inflatable man I’m hopeful we can save up to 19 of our most vulnerable trees,” he said.
“However this is only a short term solution. The inflatable man is simply displacing the flying foxes to other areas of the garden.”
Dr Entwisle said the resilient trees had suffered permanent damage from the flying-foxes, but with some “love and care”, should continue to persevere.
“Most of the trees and palms being damaged by the roosting flying-foxes are the oldest in the Garden. If these trees area allowed to die, an irreplaceable part of our heritage and culture will be lost,” he said.
Dr Entwisle said the Botanic Gardens Trust had tried to allow the flying-foxes to coexist within the Gardens.
“Flying-foxes are important pollinators of eucalyptus forests and woodlands of eastern and northern Australia and we recognise the significance of their ongoing survival,” he said.
“However, the large number of flying-foxes now roosting has proved to be unsustainable – their numbers are estimated to be in the vicinity of 10,000 to 20,000. “
Dr Entwisle said the Trust wanted to discourage the flying-foxes from permanently roosting in the Gardens but not from feeding there.
He said the Gardens and a permanent flying-fox camp could not coexist as the trees would die and the flying-foxes would move on.
“The Botanic Gardens Trust is seeking approval to relocate the flying-foxes permanently from the Gardens and if approved, the disturbance to achieve this is proposed to take place around May 2009,” Dr Entwisle said.
16 July, 2008
Parklands pay-off in sponsorship deal
The Centennial Parklands Foundation has launched its ‘Sponsor an Animal’ program.
Under the program, members of the public can sponsor one of the animals living in Centennial Parklands, including turtles, possums, birds and flying foxes for $5 a month or $60 a year.
The program was launched at an Australian Wildlife Show with wildlife expert, Anthony Stimson.
Mr Stimson said proceeds from the sponsorship would go towards protecting animal habitats in the Parklands and preserving threatened species such as the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub.
He said the Centennial Parklands Foundation aimed to protect and preserve threatened species; improve pond water quality; manage pest species such as European carp; introduce native Australian bass into the pond system; plant wetland plants; nurture trees and shrubs; open canopies for insectivorous bats; and research Parklands’ inhabitants.
In 2007-08, the Centennial Parklands Foundation funded a number of projects to improve the habitat of the Parklands’ resident fauna.
It installed 20,000 native wetland plants; removed 2,200 kilograms of European Carp; released 10,000 Native Australian Bass fish species; and planted 800 trees.
The Foundation thanked Mr Stimson for helping with the launch and said children who attended the show had a wonderful time learning about animals and their habitats.
More information on how to sponsor an animal was available from www.centennialparklands.com.au
16 July, 2008
CRC makes progress with WYD pilgrims
The Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW welcomed the thousands of pilgrims to World Youth Day with an invitation to discover the true multifaith, multicultural nature of Australian society during their stay in Sydney.
Commission Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian said the welcome was brought to life in a multi-faith prayer meeting for global peace and social justice held during WYD week, which invited young people from all faiths to pray together with religious leaders for peace and justice all around the world.
"We want to demonstrate the concerns of young people about peace and the social injustices carried out around the world,” Mr Kerkyasharian said, “whilst showcasing the religious diversity of the Australian community.
"It will provide an opportunity for the young people of Australia, together with the international delegates of World Youth Day, to pray together as a united group.”
He said the pilgrims who attended the gathering would see that Sydney was more than an enjoyable tourist destination and was, in fact, a model of multifaith understanding, acceptance and harmony.
"This is a message that we should send to the world outside.
“The pilgrims as thoughtful and spiritual young people are the ideal ones to carry our message.”
He said prayers at the gathering were offered by Australian representatives of the Baha'i , Buddhist, Christian, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh and Zoroastrian faith traditions.
In addition, the Commission hosted a Did You Know? Exhibition which showcased the migration experience and history for the young visitors to learn more about the important role migrants played in the economic and social development of Australia.
"We are confident that the young people who visit Sydney for the World Youth Day will be inspired with the high level of harmony and unity that exists in our society which reflects the diversity of the whole world,” Mr Kerkyasharian said.
The exhibits featured contributions to the Australian culture by people from the Cambodian, Indonesian, Jewish, Sikh, Islamic, Buddhist, Italian, Chinese and Japanese communities.
16 July, 2008
Fishing study catches grant
A research team from the University of Wollongong has won a $1.5 million grant from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research to study marine fisheries in Indonesia.
The team, from the University’s Nattional Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, was led by fisheries scientist, Associate Professor Ron West and included experts in ocean law and policy, Professor Martin Tsamenyi and Dr Mary Ann Palma.
The CSIRO’s Marine and Atmospheric Research division and the Indonesian Ministry for Marine Affairs and Fisheries are to be collaborators in the research.
The four-year, nationally competitive grant will allow the team to develop a better understanding of the characteristics of district and provincial fisheries throughout Indonesia and to investigate new assessment and management approaches.
Associate Professor West said Indonesian fisheries were among the top five in terms of fisheries production, and were critical to Indonesia’s economic development and in providing food to millions of people.
According to 2004 data from the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation, around 4.5 million tonnes of marine fish, valued at almost A$3.3 billion, were harvested by millions of people in Indonesia using a wide range of equipment and boats.
FAO data showed that due to the many regency, provincial and national Government Agencies involved in fishery administration, “effective management is difficult to achieve”.
According to the UoW team, a result of this ineffective management was ‘Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated’ (IUU) fishing throughout Indonesian waters which confounded attempts to manage fish stocks.
“Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop effective assessment and policy frameworks to better manage Indonesian fisheries,” Associate Professor West said.
He said the research project aimed to look at different fishing methods used, the species captured, fished areas, unregulated fishing activities, licensing and regulatory framework.
Associate Professor West said a detailed survey of fish markets throughout Java, Lombok and Bali would be conducted, and policy options would be investigated with the goal of improving long-term sustainability.
“This project is likely to have significant impacts on marine fisheries in Indonesia,” he said, “such as improvements in the quality of fisheries data, stock assessments, fishery information; increased capacity in terms of fisheries management, particularly within provincial Government; adoption, broader dissemination and further refinement of resource assessment methodologies; and new policy and regulatory frameworks.”
He said the research was expected to lead to the establishment of more effective fisheries management; greater sustainability in fishing practices; improved food security; more sustainable catches; economic benefits to local communities; and increased government revenue.
16 July, 2008
Quitters winning in Council bans
The number of Local Councils banning outdoor smoking has doubled in the past 12 months according to a recent survey by the Heart Foundation.
The survey found that of the 109 Regional Councils, 20 per cent had now adopted smoke-free policies banning smoking in specific outdoor areas such as children’s playgrounds, playing fields and alfresco dining areas, compared to 10 per cent in 2007.
In the metropolitan area, more than half the Councils also had smoke free policies for the same types of locations.
A coalition made up of the Heart Foundation, the Cancer Council NSW, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) NSW and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia has called on the remaining Councils to follow in their colleagues’ footsteps and introduce smoke-free policies.
The Coalition encouraged Councils to use an online resource kit which it had developed to help them create their own smoke-free policies.
The Chief Executive of the Heart Foundation NSW, Tony Thirlwell said second-hand smoke in outdoor areas could present a health risk to the community and a recent study showed exposure to second-hand smoke could be just as high outside as inside.
“We are delighted to see a growing number of regional Councils taking this positive step and urge other Councils to follow suit,” Mr Thirlwell said.
Of the 46 Councils with smoke-free policies, 41 have banned smoking at children’s playgrounds and playing fields, making these the most common smoke-free areas.
Almost a third of the 24 smoke-free Metro Councils had banned smoking at alfresco dining areas or made their beaches smoke-free.
“The rise in Councils adopting smoking bans at alfresco dining areas is a particularly pleasing trend as this move has very positive health benefits for staff and patrons as well as strong community support,” Mr Thirlwell said.
The Tobacco Manager at the Cancer Council in NSW, Wendy Oakes, congratulated the Councils for taking real measures to protect the community against cancer-causing tobacco fumes.
“As the vast majority of people in NSW support smoke-free outdoor areas, we urge the remaining Councils to act upon their expectations,” Ms Oakes said.
AMA (NSW) President, Dr Brian Morton, said the figures were encouraging.
“These results indicate that communities are ready for smoke-free environments,” Dr Morton said.
“Implementing these policies show that smoking is no longer viewed as an acceptable social activity, either at a children’s playground or an outdoor dining area.”
The Heart Foundation survey of 152 Councils across NSW was carried out between April and May 2008, and was similar to a survey conducted in May 2007.
A copy of the online resource was available from www.heartfoundation.org.au
16 July, 2008
Green projects are corps promise
Nineteen new Green Corps projects in NSW have been announced by the Federal Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor.
Mr O’Connor said the newest projects were among 59 new ventures across the nation and would help participants gain new skills by helping conserve and restore NSW environment and heritage.
He said the Federally funded Green Corps program provided youths aged 17 to 20 with the opportunity to participate in projects to conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment.
“Many young people enjoy the outdoor activities of Green Corps and are keen to contribute to environmental regeneration and heritage restoration,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Green Corps enables them to work with people of their own age under the supervision of a qualified team leader and gives them training in recognised skills that are designed to lead to full-time work opportunities in related fields.”
Mr O’Connor said each team of youths would learn new skills, establish links with their communities and each individual would work towards a minimum of a Certificate I qualification in horticulture, conservation and land management.
The 19 new projects in NSW included constructing nesting boxes for wildlife in Lismore, foreshore restoration in Port Macquarie and Camden Haven and rehabilitation and restoration in Newcastle.
The other projects are to be located in Moruya, Uralla, Camden, Ropes Creek, Buronga, Shellharbour, Picton, Wagga Wagga, Bendemeer, Gosford, Broughton, Singleton, the Central Coast and Port Stephens.
Mr O’Connor said the Government had reviewed current employment services, including the Green Corps program, and had designed a “new, streamlined” employment services system that would provide tailored services for job seekers.
“Under the new Employment Services System which begins from 1 July 2009, Green Corps activities will continue as part of work experience for job seekers,” he said.
New Green Corps projects are to begin in August and more information was available from www.greencorps.gov.au
16 July, 2008
ACCC taps into water reports
Two discussion papers have been released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the proposed workings of the planned water market.
The Commission has sought public comment on the development of water market rules and on the development of water charges for bulk water suppliers.
It said the water market rules and charges formed key components of the Commonwealth’s Water Act 2007, which created new institutional and governance arrangements to address the sustainability and management of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Chairman of the ACCC, Graeme Samuel said the water market rules would ensure that policies or administrative requirements of operators of irrigation infrastructure who held a group water access entitlement on behalf of their member irrigators did not prevent or delay trade.
“The purpose of the water market rules is to free up the trade of water within the Murray-Darling Basin,” Mr Samuel said.
“A well functioning water market will contribute to improved water use efficiency as well as send clearer signals about efficient investment in water infrastructure assets.”
He said reducing restrictions on the trade of water would provide irrigators with greater flexibility in managing their water rights.
Mr Samuel said water charge rules which were applied consistently across the Basin would benefit water users.
“Bulk water charges that are cost-based and transparent will promote efficient investment in water infrastructure assets and facilitate the efficient functioning of water markets,” he said.
Submissions on the development of water market rules are to close on 15 August while submissions on the development of bulk water charge rules close on 18 August.
Copies of the papers and information on how to make a submission were available from the ACCC website www.accc.gov.au
Mr Samuel said the Water Act 2007 came into effect on 3 March 2008, and created new functions for the ACCC, including the development of water charges and water market rules and monitoring and enforcing its decisions.
16 July, 2008
Warning on phone scams
Fair Trading has warned mobile phone users to be aware of unsolicited calls and text messages as scammers target young people.
Minister, Linda Burney said in less than a year, the Office had received 500 complaints relating to telecommunications providers which often send simple trivia questions with the lure of winning a prize.
“By responding, you may have unintentionally signed up to a service you don’t want,” Ms Burney said.
She urged victims to contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Trainees for trains
RailCorp is accepting applications for 2009 apprenticeships for people with a genuine interest in the rail industry.
The organisation is hoping to attract 80 apprentices in a wide range of trades including electrical, mechanical and bodybuilding.
More information and application forms are at http://shortlist2u.com
Women wanted
Nominations for election to the Management Committee of the Public Sector Association’s Women’s Council have been called with all women members of the PSA eligible to stand.
The Women's Council has been meeting since 1930 and has accomplished a great deal in that time.
It is divided into electorates and meets monthly and more information about the vacant positions, voting process or council activities can be obtained from (02) 9220 0906 or email women@psa.asn.au
Capital corridor plan
A 25-year blueprint for growth along the regional corridor between Sydney and Canberra.
has been unveiled by the Planning Minister, Frank Sartor.
Mr Sartor said the region was expected to attract an additional 46,350 people by 2031, needing 25,200 extra homes and 27,800 new jobs.
He said most of the growth would be in Queanbeyan where the housing market saw cost increases of 25 per cent in the five years to 2007.
Interest in interest survey
Responses to the Office of Fair Trading’s survey on interest free deals offered by furniture and whitegood retailers have already revealed widespread confusion and sparked concern, with the deadline yet to be passed.
Over 700 responses have been counted and preliminary findings include 39% of people saying they weren’t told about high fees and charges that could apply; 44% saying they found he contracts difficult to understand; and 66% saying they did not read the contracts carefully.
The Office has warned consumers to be alert.
Metropolis Now
Over 1,000 senior Government representatives, business leaders and industry experts from more than100 of the world’s largest cities are to meet in Sydney in October for the 9th World Congress of Metropolis.
The meeting is to be hosted by the NSW Government and will explore the role of Sydney and Australia in the Asia Pacific region.
Illawarra business park
A proposed Regional Business Park in the Illawarra has been gazette as a State significant site to protect 24 hectares of conservation land.
The land, at Albion Park was also expected to deliver economic benefits to the region by creating jobs and encouraging business investment.
The Department of Planning is assessing a concept plan application for the site and more details can be found on Department’s website at www.planning.nsw.gov.au
Energy comments called
Comments are invited on the proposed NSW Energy Efficiency Trading Scheme being developed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Department of Water and Energy.
A discussion paper can be downloaded from www.dwe.nsw.gov.au/energy and comments submitted by 6 August.
All submissions will be considered in developing the Government’s final design of the NSW Energy Efficiency Trading Scheme.
NAIDOC art swamped
Celebrated indigenous artist, Deb Lennis, marked NAIDOC week in Centennial Parklands by taking a group of children on a Swamp Dreaming tour.
The Dharawal artist has been conducting the tour through the Park for many years and has delighted visitors with entertaining storytelling techniques including dreamtime stories and insights into different plant varieties and their uses.
Outreach reaches out
Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship have conducted an outreach visit to the Hunter region.
A spokesperson for DIAC said outreach trips were a great way for people in regional areas to sit down and discuss immigration issues face-to-face.
The spokesperson said the most popular topics related to citizenship, work visas, visas for family members and how to sponsor refugees.
Health Awards presented
The 2008 NSW Health Aboriginal Health Awards have been presented with the big prizes going to programs to improve renal health, encourage safe sex and reduce overweight and obesity in children.
The Minister's Award went to a Hunter New England Area Health Service program that made it easier for Aboriginal children to be active and eat well and the Enterprise and Resourcefulness Award to a Men's Health Screening and Referral Program in Walgett.
The Director-General's Award was presented to the Malabar Community Midwifery Link Service run by The Royal Hospital for Women and Bourke’s Judy Johnson and family violence activist Pam Greer were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Tenants’ kit strikes home
A new information kit has been released by the Retail Tenancy Unit of the Department of State and Regional Development.
Designed to test retail tenants' understanding of the retail leasing environment, the kit includes a CD ROM and gives detailed explanations on a range of topics of interest and value to retail tenants.
Copies of the kit can be ordered via email to the Retail Tenancy Unit at rtu@business.nsw.gov.au, or downloaded from www.retail.nsw.gov.au.
More information is available from (02) 8222 4800 or toll free 1300 795 534.
9 July, 2008
Unions go to work for PS conditions
A meeting of public sector unions in NSW has resolved to call on the Premier, Morris Iemma, to stand up for the Public Service against efforts to reduce pay and conditions.
Union delegates met recently to discuss ongoing issues with pay rates, Occupational Health and Safety issues, rights to industrial relations protection and to consider actions that could be taken in defence of current conditions.
The meeting, which was reported as “well attended” resolved to call on the Premier to stand up for NSW public sector workers by:
- over-turning the current restricted PS wages policy that amounted to cuts in take home pay;
- protecting NSW public sector workers from joining an inferior Commonwealth OH&S scheme that would see them lose some rights and protections; and
- retain the NSW Industrial Relations system.
“Unions NSW calls on all public sector affiliates to participate in a day of action on July 30th where members will be called upon to demonstrate the extent the public relies on services delivered by public sector workers,” the meeting decided.
In addition it called for the PS Campaign Committee to meet with the Premier to put its case against the wages policy, the OH&S and industrial relations changes.
“A further meeting of delegates to be convened to consider further action if the outcomes of the meeting with the Premier are unsatisfactory,” the meeting decided.
9 July, 2008
States take aim at red tape tangle
All State and Territory Governments as well as the Commonwealth are to join together in a concerted war against bureaucratic red tape.
A recent meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) saw across-the-board commitment to a Standardised Business Reporting (SBR) system which promised dramatic reductions in excess red tape.
The scheme would be paid for by the Commonwealth which has committed $243 million to it over four years.
In a joint statement, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Finance Lindsay Tanner said when fully implemented, SBR would save Australian businesses around $800 million annually.
“Current Government reporting requirements impose a major burden on business,” the Ministers said.
They said the introduction of SBR would be linked to a timetable that would ensure red tape was cut by July 2010 by removing unnecessary and duplicated information from Government forms and using business software to automatically pre-fill them.
It would also adopt a common business language based on international standards and align Government reporting with natural business processes.
They said it would provide a single online sign-on, form validation and confirmation of forms receipt for users.
“In March 2008 COAG agreed to the Business Regulation and Competition Working Group’s Implementation Plan which includes SBR as part of its ambitious new regulation reform agenda covering 27 initiatives,” the Ministers said.
“To ensure a real reduction in the regulatory reporting burden facing businesses, SBR will be monitored closely by COAG’s Business Regulation and Competition Working Group. This working group is co-chaired by the Minister of Finance and Deregulation and the Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy.”
SBR was being co-designed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Government agencies, software developers, accountants, bookkeepers, and other business intermediaries.
A Business Advisory Forum had been established to ensure SBR stayed in touch with the needs of Australian business. Comprising representatives from a wide range of peak industry and professional groups, the Business Advisory Forum would assist with consultation, marketing and strategy implementation. It would also provide a conduit for engaging industry and business segments in SBR design.
Further details about the COAG communiqué, the SBR Program, and the SBR Business Advisory Forum can be found on www.sbr.gov.au
9 July, 2008
Ambulance review goes for doctor
A review of the Ambulance Service of NSW has made 27 recommendations to improve the conduct, community education, structures, processes, management and operations of the Service.
The review, conducted by the Director of the Performance Review Unit in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Graeme Head, found while compared to other Australian jurisdictions the Ambulance Service was “relatively efficient” but many improvements could be made.
The review found Ambulance Service resources could be better allocated, particularly regarding the provision of non-emergency patient transport (NEPT).
“The Review has found that current arrangements for NEPT in NSW are inadequate,” the Review said.
It said the issue transcended the Ambulance Service and had implications for the entire New South Wales health system.
“The Patient Transport System is not adequately resourced to meet the demand for NEPT, especially in Sydney,” the review said.
“This results in emergency ambulances being used for routine patient transport work, affecting the cost structure of Ambulance Service operations without any measurable additional benefits for clients.”
To help combat the issue, the report recommended a tiered system of focusing resources on greatest need be adopted in the Ambulance Service.
Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the Service would look at the tiered system, which would separate the emergency response of the Ambulance Service from NEPT, admitting that NEPT was “something we could be doing better”.
Ms Meagher said the Ambulance Service was finalising a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s findings.
She said the Service was looking at the need for an ongoing public education campaign, reviewing all complaints policies and procedures, updating the Code of Conduct and introducing mandatory management training for all supervisors and managers.
Ms Meagher said the review also found the Ambulance Service “maintains a high standard of service against a backdrop of increasing demand”.
“Our ambulance service has maintained response times and continues to deliver a high standard of service to the community,” she said
Ms Meagher said the Government had accepted 26 of the recommendations, and would consider the remaining suggestion, which was that the Ambulance Service rescue function be transferred to the NSW Fire Brigade.
More information on the review was available at www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au
9 July, 2008
Returning Officers keep electoral gear
The NSW Electoral Commission has begun the countdown to the 2008 Local Council elections, dispatching tonnes of electoral supplies to Returning Officers across the State.
NSW Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry, said contractors at the NSW Electoral Commission’s warehouse in Sydney’s west had spent the past two months assembling almost 100 pallets of supplies to be sent to the Local Government Returning Officer.
“The shipment includes all the polling place equipment, forms and furniture needed to run the Council elections to the same high standard as a State or Federal election,” Mr Barry said.
“With less than three months to go until polling day, we have to make sure the local Returning Officer is set up in time so all the groundwork can commence before the roll officially closes and nominations open on 4 August.”
Mr Barry said in 2004 over 5,000 candidates nominated for public office, indicating they had a busy time ahead.
He said Returning Officers had taken possession of their premises on 1 July and would unpack equipment and set up offices before opening the doors to the public on 28 July.
“They can then begin their important role of liaising with Councils, accepting nominations, setting up pre-polling facilities and processing postal vote applications,” Mr Barry said.
“Early voting is important as there is no absentee voting at Council elections so people cannot vote outside their Council or ward on the day.”
The shipment of goods included 1.5 million envelopes, 430,000 labels, 133,000 electoral forms, 18,000 lanyards, 18,000 ballot pencils, 6,000 pencil sharpeners, 8,000 cardboard voting screens and 6,400 ballot boxes.
The NSWEC said it was still accepting expressions of interest from people wanting to work as an election official, and were particularly interested in young people and those who spoke a community language such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, Spanish, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog or Macedonian.
Further information was available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 135 736.
9 July, 2008
Elders wanted for Aboriginal program
The NSW Branch of the Institute of Public Administration Australia has issued a call for Aboriginal people in senior PS positions, or who had recently retired, to join a mentoring program to help advance the careers of other Aboriginal staff in the NSW Public Service.
According to the IPAA, there have been many requests for an across-sector Aboriginal mentoring program and anyone interested in taking part was urged to make contact.
“The Department of Premier and Cabinet initiated this project, is involved in the pilot and is supportive of an ongoing program,” the IPAA said.
The Institute said the trial program had been partly funded by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in partnership with IPAA NSW.
IPAA NSW intended to continue running the program “as long as there is interest”.
It said there were several programs being conducted within specific Departments at present, but none with access to qualifications, and none with an across-sector focus.
IPAA said a blended learning approach would increase participation from regional areas where many Aboriginal staff were located.
Mentors would be trained for free, but not paid for their participation in the program and the first face-to-face sessions would be conducted in Sydney on 7 and 8 August.
The course for mentors and mentees was expected to set ground rules for the mentoring relationship, establish and impart frameworks including timeframes, feedback and evaluation processes and communication strategies.
IPAA would provide support for both parties, have regular contact with both parties, and find a new mentor for the mentee should it become necessary.
A survey of over 7,000 employers found mentoring programs were one of a number of successful retention tools and a January 2008 report found one-third of employers were struggling to improve their staff turnover rates.
The Institute said there would be the opportunity for participants to gain a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment in 2 competency units towards the Diploma of Government (Management).
It said benefits for mentees included improved skills in communication, leadership, problem solving, people management, work/family balance and the development of talent and potential.
IPAA said mentors would benefit from improving their use of technology, contributing wisdom to others, learning from cross-sectoral networking and potentially receiving a nationally recognised qualification.
The Public Sector could benefit from the increased retention of Aboriginal staff and having more Aboriginal staff in senior positions.
“We are very excited about the potential of this program and hope you will join us in making it a success,” IPAA said.
More information can be obtained from Anne Rauch on 02 9228 5225 or anne@nsw.ipaa.org.au
9 July, 2008
Firefighters climb ladder of success
The NSW Fire Brigades have promoted 22 firefighters to the rank of Station Officer following a nine-week development program.
The new appointees will now have responsibility for leading fire crews and taking charge at fire scenes.
NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins, said the new Station Officers were taking a “major step forward” in their careers.
“With a minimum of nine years experience as firefighters, Station Officers manage fire stations, lead fire crews and command all types of emergencies as well as performing specialised management roles,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“The training they have received has equipped them to lead their colleagues and protect the community in any emergency situation.”
He said the broad skill sets gained during the development program covered leadership skills for emergency situations, human resources management and administration.
Commissioner Mullins said in order to graduate the officers had to pass a written exam and complete practical tests.
He said Station Officers had the expertise to respond to any incident which arose, including rescue situations, fires and other major emergencies, while also carrying out general management duties.
“Being a Station Officer in the Fire Brigade is both demanding and challenging and I congratulate each of the graduates for meeting the high standards to reach this rank,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“Their achievements show the enormous potential which exists to climb the ranks of the Brigades.”
The Station Officers have taken up positions at the following fire stations and sections of the NSWFB.
Daniel Agland - The Rocks; Scott Bear – Eastwood; Andrew Bickle - Macquarie Fields; Ross Bramich – HAZMAT; Grant Conrick - City of Sydney; Scott Donohoe – Wollahra; Ian Dupen – Liverpool; Christopher Forster - City of Sydney; Matt Gibson – Liverpool; Andrew Grimwood - Information Technology; Glen Groves – Randwick; David Inskip – Randwick; Thomas Leben – Campsie; Robert Lightfoot – Campsie; Robert Mason - Macquarie Fields; Zena Mehanna - Training College; Robert Moore - Chester Hill; Bevan Shearer - City of Sydney; Gregory Symonds - Fire Safety Division; Kieran Taylor - Training College; Michael Vallance - Kogarah and Michael Van Den Bout - Training College.
9 July, 2008
Radio coverage falls at Olympic hurdle
Sydney’s public radio coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games is to be restricted following negotiations of the non-commercial broadcasting rights.
Radio station 702 ABC Sydney will not share the full commentary of the games with the rest of the 59-station strong ABC Local Radio national network, following a decision by commercial radio rights holder 2GB.
Editor of ABC Radio Sport, Peter Longman, said station managers were “extremely disappointed” that they were unsuccessful in securing full access to the Games commentary for 702 ABC Sydney listeners.
“This breaks the hitherto long-held record of broadcasting commentary from every Olympics in the modern era to the whole country,” Mr Longman said.
While Sydney audiences would have Olympics news, results and reports of Games action through the 702 ABC Sydney teams, news and current affairs programs, they would be unable to access the daily live commentary to be broadcast from ABC Local Radio’s Grandstand sports team.
“We’re currently finalising technical arrangements for the Olympics and knocking out a metropolitan market such as Sydney from our national network presents major technical and scheduling challenges,” Mr Longman said.
“We’re pleased however that all Local Radio stations in regional NSW are not affected by the 702 ABC Sydney exclusion and will have full commentary coverage.”
Mr Longman said full reports and results would be available at www.abc.net.au/olympics
He said ABC Local Radio maintained a strong commitment to broadcasting a full range of major national and international sporting events.
Over the next few years audiences across Australia were expected to enjoy comprehensive coverage of the 2008 Australia/India Test cricket series, the Rugby League World Cup, the 2009 Ashes Test series and the World 20/20 cricket, among others.
9 July, 2008
Penguins suited to harbour breeding
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has asked Sydney residents to control their pets and take care on the water as the breeding season for the Harbour's endangered penguin population arrives.
Ranger at the Sydney Harbour National Park, Mel Tyas, said a recent dog attack and other injuries to the harbour’s tiny penguins highlighted the need for care.
Ms Tyas said the penguin population at Manly was particularly fragile and rules had been enacted to protect their critical habitat breeding area between 1 July and 28 February.
“Dog attacks and disturbances while they are returning to feed their young are the biggest threats to penguins anywhere,” Ms Tyas said.
“The critical habitat regulations in place to protect the endangered Manly population are there to protect them when they are most vulnerable - which is when parents are moving from the water to nests to feed their young, particularly at sunset when they return from the day's fishing.”
Ms Tyas said the birds spent much of their time away from their burrows hunting and could be seen swimming as far down the Harbour as Balmain.
“It's just amazing that these little birds are hanging on in a city as busy as Sydney,” she said.
Ms Tyas said the Manly population was the only surviving breeding colony on the NSW mainland, but that birds were beginning their breeding season on islands along the coast, such as Pittwater.
“It's really important if we want to help them survive, and encourage more to return, that people walking pets near coastal areas keep their animals leashed and watch them at all times,” she said.
“And if people are fishing, they should take their discarded line and tackle with them because they can often get caught around penguins' legs and flippers - and hooks can be ingested and kill the bird.
Ms Tyas said under the critical habitat regulations designed to protect Manly's penguins, it was illegal to approach a penguin, disturb a nest box, take dogs into the area at any time and to fish within the habitat area between sunset and sunrise until the end of the breeding season on 28 February.
She said Manly's little penguins were protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and anyone who harmed or disturbed the birds faced fines of up to $5,500.
Ms Tyas said anyone with information about injured penguins, or anyone who witnessed people ignoring critical habitat rules should call local park staff at the Sydney Harbour National Park Harbour North office on 8968 6300 or Environment Line 131 500.
She said more information on the critical habitats guidelines could be accessed from www.environment.nsw.gov.au
9 July, 2008
Time is the enemy in safe work awards
WorkCover NSW has extended its deadline for entries in its 2008 Safe Work Awards by an extra week.
Chief Executive, Jon Blackwell said a number of NSW business owners may have been too busy to put in the time to enter the awards so the deadline would be put back to 21 July.
Mr Blackwell said in previous years WorkCover had received a rush of last-minute entries.
“This extension will assist and encourage the businesses that have partially completed their entries not to give up, but to finish them within the new timeframe,” he said.
“Any business that has developed an innovative occupational health and safety solution or initiative – however simple - should consider entering the awards.”
Mr Blackwell said the annual SafeWork Awards showcased innovation and excellence and recognised best practice by highlighting industry achievement in workplace safety.
“The awards also provide an opportunity for local workplaces to receive state-wide recognition for their occupational health and safety achievements.
“Entries can include a specific project or a group of initiatives that have improved safety in a workplace, such as enhancements to equipment, a new work process or better communication strategies.”
Mr Blackwell said entries could address any safety issue specific to an individual workplace or could be an initiative that other businesses could use.
He said winning entries from the Awards were automatically submitted into the National Safety Awards held in Canberra.
Mr Blackwell invited employers and workers to submit written entries in five categories:
- Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System
- Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue
- Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business
- Public Sector Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management
- Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety
9 July, 2008
New code for JPs goes by the book
A new Code of Conduct for Justices of the Peace in NSW has been rolled out prior to its coming into effect on 1 August.
Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said all 85,000 of the State’s JPs would be required to abide by the strict new code which defined acceptable behavior.
Mr Hatzistergos said while most JPs were “upstanding” citizens, the new code would single out rogue operators who engaged in misconduct such as breaching client confidentiality, incorrectly witnessing documents and who advertised services in association with a business.
“Over the last two years, 22 JPs have lost office due to illegal behaviour, dishonest conduct or bankruptcy,” he said, “while since the beginning of last year some 90 JPs have been warned for not following correct procedures.”
Mr Hatzistergos said JPs played a valuable role in the community and it was important to ensure their reputations were not tainted.
“The code will not only clarify standards for JPs who are uncertain of their obligations, but will also be useful for members of the public who may be unsure of what to expect when seeking the services of a JP,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos said breaches of the code could result in JPs being removed from office.
He said the code covered prohibitions on charging fees, ensuring JPs did not profit from their office, confidentiality, information requirements and conduct guidelines.
Mr Hatzistergos said a revised handbook to explain the duties and procedures would be made available.
Further information on JPs could be accessed from jp.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/public
9 July, 2008
Long view taken of skills shortage
New South Wales has been urged to sponsor more skilled migration to meet labour market needs.
The Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, urged all Australia’s States and Territories to boost their use of State-sponsored skilled migration during a meeting of the Ministerial Council for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
“There is the capacity within the Federal Government’s permanent skilled migration program for States and Territories to sponsor overseas skilled workers in occupations in demand,” Senator Evans said.
He said the Commonwealth’s May Budget added an additional 31,000 skilled migrants to the 2008-09 Migration Program to help employers with the skills shortage.
“I will be encouraging the States and Territories to increase their use of State-sponsored
migration to better link skilled workers to the economic needs in their jurisdictions.”
Overall, permanent skilled migration will make up 133,500 places in the migration program, which totals 190,300 for 2008-09.
Senator Evans said last financial year’s skilled migration outcome totalled 108,500 places, which included a special allocation of 6000 extra skilled migration places announced by the Federal Government in February. About 7500 of the skilled migrants were State and Territory-sponsored visa applicants.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship figures from recent years showed that State and Territory-sponsored skilled migration formed less than 10 per cent of the overall skilled
migration program whereas employer sponsored migration was closer to 20 per cent.
He said skilled workers migrating independently continue to make up more than half the program.
Senator Evans said the Commonwealth would consider providing greater flexibility for States and Territories under the sponsorship program to enable them to sponsor more skilled
workers in areas of high demand.
9 July, 2008
Heater use a burning issue
The Office of Fair Trading has issued a warning to homeowners not to leave heaters on overnight.
Minister, Linda Burney, reminded people of the dangers of household heaters when announcing a recall by Woolworths of a potentially dangerous product.
“This is a timely reminder for people to make sure their heater is never left on unattended, particularly when there are children around,” Ms Burney said.
“The nights are getting colder and I’m concerned about the potential risk to people who may be leaving their heaters on all night.”
She said the Woolworths heater, branded ‘Home Collection’ had been voluntarily recalled by the supplier after three caught fire in houses in NSW, Victoria, and South Australia
“I understand that 12,500 of these heaters, which retailed for between $15 and $30 each, have already been sold to the public,” Ms Burney said.
“Woolworths has removed all Home Collection heaters model NSB-200J from sale.”
She said the Office of Fair Trading had advised the importer that the heater was potentially dangerous and had been busy negotiating a voluntary recall.
“We’re pleased to have negotiated a quick and successful outcome for consumers,” she said.
“Anyone who has bought this model of heater from Woolworths from March this year must check the brand and model and if it is the affected model, stop using it immediately.”
Ms Burney said refunds were being offered for customers who took their heaters back to the place of purchase.
She said any consumers who had problems obtaining a refund should contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 for further advice.
9 July, 2008
Planning news rises from flat amendment
The Director-General of Planning, Sam Haddad has described as “good news for apartment buyers” amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy SEPP 65 covering the Design Quality of Residential Flats.
Mr Haddad said the new policy promoted housing affordability while still ensuring high-quality apartment design. He said it stopped unreasonable planning refusals for apartments which met desirable ceiling and size standards.
“Until now, there has been potential for Councils to over-regulate ceiling heights and apartment sizes, potentially forcing up prices,” Mr Haddad said.
“There is no reason why individual Councils should be setting stricter standards for building matters that are already well regulated by the State and National Codes.”
Mr Haddad said the NSW Government’s Residential Flat Design Code was written specifically to improve the design outcomes for apartments.
He said under the changes to the SEPP, housing affordability considerations needed to be considered as part of the overall assessment and approval of residential flat developments or new local development control plans.
Mr Haddad said under the changes, consent authorities could not use their own local rules for ceiling height and apartment area as grounds to refuse development consent for residential flat buildings provided the proposal achieved the standards set out in the Residential Flat Design Code.
“Of course, there is nothing stopping developers voluntarily deciding to exceed the Residential Flat Design Code guidelines,” he said.
SEPP 65 and the associated Residential Flat Design Code were introduced in 2002 to improve the standard of residential flat design, and required that residential flat buildings were designed by architects.
The Residential Flat Design Code was a widely-used resource to enable Councils, planners, developers and architects to improve residential flat design.
It set broad parameters for residential flat design by illustrating the use of development controls and consistent guidelines.
Mr Haddad said Local councils were being advised about the changes.
9 July, 2008
Moree move pays off for Centrelink office
The northern city of Moree has been chosen as Centrelink’s main centre for its Indigenous services operations in northern NSW.
Centrelink’s Indigenous Services Unit Manager, Amanda Tootell, said the decision to move the unit to Moree stemmed from a need to bring Centrelink services to communities that would benefit from them most.
“The relocation will allow us even greater opportunities to enhance Centrelink’s Indigenous servicing and address social inclusion issues,” Ms Tootell said.
She said Centrelink’s Indigenous Servicing Team provided an important service to the north and north-west of the State.
“From our base here in Moree we now have a virtual team that extends across the breadth of northern NSW,” she said.
“The backbone of the team is made-up of specialist Indigenous Service Officers who work with Centrelink customers and local service providers and communities to ensure Centrelink’s Indigenous servicing is delivered at optimal levels.”
Ms Tootell said staff were located in Moree, Bourke, Walgett, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Tweed Heads.
“The team includes Allira Cutmore, our Remote Visiting Services Coordinator, and Coral Lena, who’s our Indigenous Employment Contact Officer,” she said.
Ms Tootell said her Unit’s role was to ensure Centrelink was working in line with the National Indigenous Employees Plan, its Indigenous Service Strategy and Centrelink’s Reconciliation Statement.
She said more information about Centrelink payment and services for Indigenous Australians was available from www.centrelink.gov.au or by phoning 13 6380.
9 July, 2008
Pedestrian campaign on a firm footing
NSW Police have launched a new advertising campaign warning pedestrians to be careful crossing roads when wearing headphones.
Police say recent growth in the use of portable media players and mobile phones had sparked a need for greater awareness to ensure they didn’t lead to a rise in pedestrian accidents.
Commander of Traffic Services, Chief Superintendent John Hartley, said although there had been no significant increase in pedestrian incidents to date, the growth and uptake of these new technologies posed a potential problem.
“The public need to be aware of the impact of these new technologies and the distractions they create – both pedestrians and motorists alike,” Chief Superintendent Hartley said.
He advised members of the public to be alert when crossing roads and exercise caution when using mobile phones and portable media players.
Chief Superintendent Hartley said such technologies could distract pedestrians from surrounding environments and block out warning sounds.
“The message to pedestrians is never cross a road while using headphones or a mobile phone,” he said.
“Pedestrians need to take responsibility for their own safety by using crossings, obeying road rules and being aware of their surroundings.”
Chief Superintendent Hartley said parents needed to educate and speak to their children about the potential safety impacts of these new technologies.
“Extra caution should be exercised in areas of high vehicle and pedestrian concentration such as near train stations, bus stops and in CBD areas,” he said.
He said in 2007, almost 80 pedestrians across the State died as a result of collisions with cars.
Chief Superintendent Hartley warned motorists not to use mobile phones or portable music devices while driving, unless they were hands free.
He said the campaign, ‘Watch for Cars When Wearing Headphones’, would be promoted online and through street posters and street press.
9 July, 2008
New land deal is landmark scheme
A national electronic conveyancing system with the potential to lower property transaction costs has been agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and the Minister for Finance, Lindsay Tanner, welcomed the move, saying a single national e-conveyancing system was a significant step towards creating a seamless national economy.
The system, to be operational by March 2010, would provide an efficient online national platform to electronically settle property transactions; lodge instruments with land registries; and meet associated duty and tax obligations.
The national e-conveyancing system would have to have the support of businesses, banks and lawyers to achieve cuts in conveyancing costs, which have been estimated at a possible $250 million.
Mr Rudd and Mr Tanner said the agreement to establish the system was only possible because all States and Territories cooperated.
“A national electronic conveyancing system will mean consumers across the country will use the same electronic system to settle all property transactions,” they said.
They said under the current system, every State and Territory had property conveyancing systems with different processes and procedures, based on an antiquated system of paper-shuffling.
The Department of Lands has supported the system and the role of COAG in facilitating agreement between the jurisdictions.
COAG has agreed to oversee the formation of a legal e-conveyancing entity and the introduction of the system.
The e-conveyancing entity would be owned by all State and Territory Governments.
“The new e-conveyancing entity board will be skills-based and include directors with banking, conveyancing, information technology and other relevant commercial skills, as well as directors with knowledge of State and Territory processes concerning land registries, duties and taxes,” Mr Rudd and Mr Tanner said.
The COAG agreement made it clear that a single national system was to be introduced, avoiding the danger of a network of state-specific systems that would not deliver the required efficiencies.
The e-conveyancing system would carry forward the National Electronic Conveyancing System (NECS) work program, and over the next 12 months Governments and industry would complete the program of requirements specification for the NECS.
Mr Rudd and Mr Tanner said the integration of the system with banking and legal software systems and work practises would help maximise cost savings for home and property owners.
9 July, 2008
PS to strike for pay
Tasmania’s Public Servants are planning industrial action after rejecting the Government’s latest a pay offer.
The State Government employees are seeking pay parity with their interstate equivalents but have yet to receive an offer they consider reasonable.
The PS union plans to scale up the level of industrial action in support of the workers’ claims.
CPSU backs women
The Community and Public Sector Union is to sponsor the fourth annual Going Public conference for women.
The conference, to be held from 20 to 21 November, is expected to help women network and provide them with professional and personal development tips.
Further information is available from www.goingpublic.com.au
SES salary updated
The notional salary for staff acting in Senior Executive Service positions and for other purposes has been updated.
A circular issued by the Department of Premier and Cabinet identifies the notional SES salary as the value of the total remuneration package less $13,744 for packages over $166,464 and the TRP divided by 1.09 for packages below that value.
The calculation is based on a determination by the Australian Taxation Office that sets the maximum contribution base for superannuation purposes at $152,720 a year.
Communications seminar
How Governments can communicate with the community during times of crisis will be the subject of a seminar organized by the State Services Authority (SSA) and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZOG).
Charlie Edwards, from the UK Think Tank, Demos, will explore society’s relationship to risk and what can be learnt from recent incidents including terrorist threats, pandemics, water shortages and floods?
The free seminar will be held in Melbourne on Wednesday, 23 July and more information is available from Bianca Davey on (03) 9651 2018 or at ssaseminar@ssa.vic.gov.au
Carbon captured by plant
A $5 million carbon capture plant has been commissioned at Lake Munmorah by the Mineral Resources Minister, Ian Macdonald.
The pilot facility will capture about 3000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year from the Munmorah Power Station using ammonia absorption technology developed in NSW by Delta Electricity and the CSIRO.
It will be the first time in Australia the technology has been used.
Police on bikes
NSW Police have been issued with shiny new mountain bikes in time for World Youth Day.
According to a spokesman for the Police’s Bicycle Patrol Unit, Superintendent Greg Rolph, the bikes would consolidate the reputation of NSW Police as an international forerunner in bicycle policing.
"Our training has been recognised internationally as world's best practice,” Supt Rolph said, “with aspects of our program being adopted by police forces from around the world.”
He said the new “Hawk' mountain bikes had reinforced frames and rims, as well as heavy duty tyres specifically designed for operational policing.
"The standard recreational models used by police have not been able to keep up with our operational demands," Supt Rolph said.
Members called
Expressions of interest for appointments to the EnableNSW Advisory Council have been invited.
To consist of nine to 13 members, the Council will provide advice to the Chief Executive, Health Support Services of the Department of Health on the development of strategic policies, plans and initiatives.
Applicants with clinical expertise, able to represent the interests of people with physical disabilities, with expertise in service delivery and Aboriginal health are being specifically sought.
EnableNSW administers the Program of Appliances for Disabled People, the Artificial Limb Service, the Home Respiratory Program - Home Oxygen Service, the Ventilator Dependent Quadriplegia Program and the Children’s Home Ventilation Program.
Applications close on 28 July, and should be emailed to Bronwyn Scott at
enable@hsupport.health.nsw.gov.au
Firefighters honoured
Eight firefighters have been recognised for rescuing three people trapped inside a blazing building in Redfern last November.
Firefighters Gregory Wettengel, David Wilkie, Kurt Ingle, Nicholas Baker, Scott Thomas, Kyle Mathiesen and Station Officers Brendan Cox and Kevin Conroy received the Commissioners Commendation for Courageous Action for their efforts which went beyond the call of duty.
The men rescued two women who survived, and one man who later died from serious burns.
Library shows map
The State Library of NSW is to become home to a rare map showing Captain James Cook’s discoveries of the east coast of Australia and New Zealand.
Inscribed with the name, ‘New South Wales’, the rare printed map is the first featuring the eastern coastline of Australia and the name that Captain Cook bestowed on it: New Holland
The Great Pacific Ocean map, as well as being on public display at the Library will be able to be viewed online at www.sl.nsw.gov.au
University open day
La Trobe University’s Albury-Wodonga campus is to hold an open day on Sunday, 24 August.
Prospective students and other interested visitors can check out the rance of services on offer.
The program includes student performances, cultural displays, health screenings, psychology testing and an innovative sustainability fair.
Events run from 10am to 3pm.
Portable licences
Tradespeople will be able to work in any Australian State or Territory without the need to apply for a new licence after the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a national licensing system.
The change will see 800 work-related licences reduced to 100 in areas like building, electrical and plumbing occupations.
A statement from the Federal, State and Territory Governments said Australia in the 21st Century could no longer operate as nine separate markets under the “cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming” old system.
New tax baggage for salary packages
The rules governing salary packaging in the NSW Public Service have changed following amendments to the Australian taxation law.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular advising of the changes, saying they applied to both SES and non-SES employees with ppackages and would take effect from the date of the Federal Budget, 13 May 2008.
“The 2008-2009 Federal Budget announced changes to fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemptions on certain work-related items,” the Circular says.
“Once the Federal Government legislation is passed, these changes will apply to items purchased after 7.30pm on 13 May 2008.”
It said as a result of the changes, all work-related items offered in salary packages could only be claimed if used primarily or business-related purposes.
“This covers laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and briefcases,” the Circular says.
“This is consistent with the existing rules applying to mobile phones.”
It said each NSW PS Agency should decide for itself whether to offer salary packaging of these items.
“ If your agency decides to offer these items, a declaration form will need to be signed by both the employer and the employee verifying that these items are primarily for work purposes,” the Circular says.
It says enquiries regarding the changes should be made to salary packaging providers.
“Further information concerning salary packaging arrangements is provided in Circular 2007-11 Salary Packaging Arrangements for Non-SES Employees.
“For SES employees, please refer to Circular 2005-29 Salary Packaging Benefits for Chief and Senior Executive Serviceand the SES Guidelines.”
It said all references could be accessed from the DPC site www.dpc.nsw.gov.au
More information was available from the Australian Taxation Office website, www.ato.gov.au
2 July, 2008
Commerce buys into procurement courses
The Department of Commerce has released its Procurement Certification Program Calendar for 2008.
Covering the six months to December the program reflects the growing role and responsibilities of purchasing staff and was aimed at increasing knowledge and improving skills in PS purchasing.
The program includes courses ranging from level one certification to level four and are based on understanding the importance of good purchasing, cost effectiveness, efficiency, the role of Government purchasing, ethics, internal and external networks, negotiation skills and how to secure high and low value items.
A professional competency based training course, the certification program was expected to develop the skill levels of people in purchasing roles and provide them with pathways for career progression.
The level one covered Purchasing Awareness, while Basic Purchasing Capabilities was the only level two course available.
Level three courses included Intermediate Procurement Planning, Communication and Negotiation in Procurement, and Intermediate Procurement Contract Management.
The level four courses covered Strategic Procurement Planning, Strategic Procurement Negotiations and Strategic Procurement Contract Management.
Students completing training and assessment through NSW Procurement Certification Training Program could obtain significant credits towards competencies contained in the Public Sector Training Package (PSPO4) and Business Services Training Package qualifications.
The courses were open to staff from all Government Agencies and other organisations registered to use Government Contracts.
Course materials reflected NSW policy and legislation and were delivered by experienced, registered trainers.
For more information visit www.dpws.nsw.gov.au
2 July, 2008
Science appointment is research formula
The NSW Government is to appoint a Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer in an effort to capitalise on the State's strengths in science, engineering, medical research and innovation.
Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth said the Government was looking for new ways to accelerate scientific research and make sure it was translated into high-skill, high-value jobs and industries for NSW.
Ms Firth said as well as the appointment, the Government would also invest in a world-first academic position in Engineering Innovation at the University of Sydney to attract the best and brightest young engineers to develop and apply their talents in NSW.
"The NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer will be a champion for the excellent science undertaken in NSW and a strategic adviser on the best ways it can be used to benefit business, society and the environment," Ms Firth said.
She said a key focus of the CSSE’s work would be to foster the quality and level of scientific activity in NSW and help target research and development capabilities so that they supported industry and skills growth in NSW effectively.
She said the NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer’s duty statement would include:
- championing science and scientific education in the community;
- providing expert advice to the Government on scientific and innovation policy matters;
- establishing a new channel of engagement between the Government and research groups, including universities; and
- being a key figure in advancing NSW interests in the National Innovation Review.
"The Warren Centre will create a unique academic space for the best and brightest young engineers to advance their careers right here in NSW," Ms Firth said.
"The Government's support for this initiative reflects our determination to see the best science turned into innovative new solutions for NSW businesses and public works."
2 July, 2008
Protection worker wins protection
A child protection worker has won an Occupational Health and Safety case after being stabbed by an angry parent at work.
The Public Service Association launched the claim against the Department of Community Services (DOCS), saying the Department’s OHS systems failed to protect the worker from a dangerous client.
The worker was stabbed by a child’s mother.
Assistant Secretary of the PSA, Steve Turner, said the ruling was a breakthrough in recognising the dangers faced by DOCS caseworkers every day.
He said office staff feared for their lives when a child’s violent mother walked into the DOCS office in Ballina with a knife and stabbed the case worker.
He said the decision was taken to prosecute DOCS to get the Department to do more to protect workers in dangerous situations.
Mr Tuner said hundreds of caseworkers were leaving the Public Service every year due to the stress and trauma of the role.
“We need to protect those who protect our State’s children,” he said.
Mr Turner said the attack showed the Department’s safety systems were unable to protect workers from violent clients in the office.
“DOCS caseworkers are already overworked so more staff leaving due to dangerous conditions will reduce the ability of DOCS to care for children in need,” he said.
“The PSA will continue to pursue the safety of vital public servants.”
- championing science and scientific education in the community;
- providing expert advice to the Government on scientific and innovation policy matters;
- establishing a new channel of engagement between the Government and research groups, including universities; and
- being a key figure in advancing NSW interests in the National Innovation Review.
"The Warren Centre will create a unique academic space for the best and brightest young engineers to advance their careers right here in NSW," Ms Firth said.
"The Government's support for this initiative reflects our determination to see the best science turned into innovative new solutions for NSW businesses and public works."
2 July, 2008
Costs revived for Ambulance service
Ambulance fees are to rise following approval of a new charges structure by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
The $256 emergency call-out and $2.31 per kilometre charges have gone up to $290 and $2.62 for the coming year, the last in which an IPART determination will be applied.
From1 July, residents of NSW and other Australian States and Territories that are party to a reciprocal arrangement will be charged 51 per cent of the actual cost of providing primary emergency ambulance services.
The Ambulance Service of NSW recovered 100 per cent of the cost of ambulance services provided to residents of States that did not have a reciprocal arrangement with NSW.
According to the NSW Ambulance Service it was one of the most highly subsidised in Australia.
In the 2008/ 09 financial year, the State Government provided $340.5 million of funding for the Ambulance Service, an increase of $24.2 million from the 2007/08 budget.
Non-emergency fees also rose, from $221 call-out and $1.37 per kilometre in 2007/08 to $228 and $1.41 for 2008/09.
No changes were made to existing exemptions from ambulance transport fees, with pensioners, health care card holders and veterans with an accepted war related injury still exempt.
The Ambulance Service of NSW fees were among the lowest in Australia, costing $421 for a 50 kilometre emergency call compared to South Australia’s $908, Victorian Metro’s $871.15 and Queensland’s $888.
2 July, 2008
PS pays respects to World Youth Day
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued an addendum to earlier Circulars detailing special leave arrangements for staff volunteering for World Youth Day activities.
The Department has reminded CEOs of the important role PS volunteers were expected to play in the success of the event and the special leave provisions put in place by earlier Circulars to encourage them to participate.
Up to five days’ special leave is to be given to officers, employees, ministerial employees and members of the Senior and Chief Executive Services in certain organisations for time taken off work to volunteer with the World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority (WYDCA).
Director General of DPC, Robyn Kruk has encouraged Public Service Agencies not covered by the arrangements to” provide similar special leave provisions to allow their employees to volunteer”.
Ms Kruk said staff who worked weekdays but volunteered on Saturday 19 or Sunday 20 July would be given an alternate day’s special leave and shift workers whose ordinary rostered hours fell on a weekend day which they worked as a volunteer instead would be granted leave for that day.
She said if an employee volunteered on a day he or she was rostered to take off, they would be given a alternate day of leave.
Ms Kruk reminded Agencies to allow staff to take leave and to provide flexible work arrangements during the World Youth Day events to reduce congestion in the CBD.
She said employers should direct their staff to the webpage for WYDCA volunteers, www.wydca.nsw.gov.au
2 July, 2008
Ethical investment right on the money
The Government of the Australian Capital Territory is to be the first in Australia to sign up to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.
ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope said by signing the Principles and not just “adopting” them, the ACT Government was publicly committing to ensuring that its investment operations incorporated environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
“The ACT Government also commits to evaluating the effectiveness and improving the content of the Principles over time and believes that this will improve the ability of the Territory to meet its financial commitments as well as better aligning its investment activities with the broader interest of society,” Mr Stanhope said.
“I am pleased with the decisions made by the ACT Government in respect of ESG-related issues and risks for the Territory’s investments,” he said.
“These issues are at the forefront of the approach being taken by investors in incorporating consideration of ESG issues and risks, particularly government financial investments.”
Mr Stanhope said the number of global signatories to the Principles had increased over the past 12 months from approximately 200 - representing US$8 trillion - to more than 350 - representing US$13 trillion.
“I am pleased that the ACT Government will be in among the large number of good corporate citizens who have already become signatories to the UNPRI,” he said.
“The ACT Government is committed to responsible investment practice, and considering ESG issues and risks in the investment process is in line with mainstream investors.”
Mr Stanhope said the six recommendations the ACT Government had agreed to were:
- Adopting a risk-based approach to the application of ESG issues to the Territory’s investment practices;
- Adopting principles for responsible investing as set out in the United Nations “Principles for Responsible Investment”;
- Monitoring the extent to which the Territory's fund managers and asset consultants were taking into account ESG issues in investment decision-making processes;
- Considering the appointment of a third party service provider to assist in the implementation of a risk based approach to ESG issues for the Territory’s investments;
- Requiring the Territory's fund managers to exercise their voting rights and report on voting activities; and
- Considering the engagement of a third party proxy voting service provider.
2 July, 2008
Tenancy laws move in to stay
The efficiency and effectiveness of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal have been enhanced under new laws passed by Parliament.
Minister for Fair Trading, Linda Burney, announced the changes to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) Act which she said would improve the Tribunal’s ability to deal with disputes.
Ms Burney said the Act provided the framework for the Tribunal’s operations and that her Department had undertaken an extensive review of the Act in consultation with stakeholders.
“The Tribunal was set up in 2002 as an independent body to hear disputes about retail transactions, motor vehicle purchase and repair, credit matters, real estate agents’ and conveyancers’ fees, residential tenancies, home building, strata and community schemes, residential parks and retirement villages,” Ms Burney said.
She said the Tribunal received over 64,000 applications every year and the majority of disputes were resolved within a month.
She said about 70 per cent were resolved within 35 days of lodgment.
“The review recommended a number of changes to the Act to improve the Tribunal’s capacity to deal effectively with disputes.”
She said some reforms passed by Parliament included changing qualification requirements for Tribunal members; establishing a committee to advise on member training, complaints and performance management; audio recording of Tribunal proceedings; creating a new Social Housing Division; and allowing for second rehearing applications.
Ms Burney said other miscellaneous reforms would streamline the Tribunal’s administrative procedures, allowing it to provide better services to the parties in dispute, especially when they were able to reach an agreement before their hearing.
A full brief on changes to the CTTT bill was available at www.cttt.nsw.gov.au
2 July, 2008
Website streams water progress
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has launched a new website to track the progress of $26 million worth of projects restoring the health of the Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands.
The Department’s Environmental Water Director, Derek Rutherford, said the NSW Wetland Recovery Program included individual multi-million dollar projects aimed at supporting the health of the areas.
Mr Rutherford said the program funded projects that would enhance the resilience of the wetlands through water efficiency, water purchase, research, the removal of wetlands weeds and management improvement.
“The new NSW Wetland Recovery Program website and information brochures will inform the community on how the many projects improve the health of these iconic wetlands,” he said.
“The website in particular will provide regularly updated information on the progress of each project; highlighting when key events and activities will be occurring.”
Mr Rutherford said key projects included research into grazing management and biological control of the weed Lippia; management of the Water Hyacinth weed in the Gwydir Wetlands; removal of willows from the Macquarie region; and an upgrade to Gradgery Lane, managed by Warren Shire Council.
He said over 6,000 megalitres of water had been purchased from willing sellers in the Macquarie and Gwydir valleys to help maintain a healthy environment.
“As the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes are important sites for both their ecological and agricultural values, it is important that measures are put in place to enhance the ability of the wetlands to respond to water flows,” Mr Rutherford said.
He said while the program focused on the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes, the projects undertaken would help develop recovery strategies for other important wetlands.
“The four-year Program commenced in 2005 and is jointly funded by the NSW Government and the Australian Government's Water Smart Australia program,” he said.
The NSW Wetland Recovery Program is delivered in partnership by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Department of Water and Energy, the Department of Primary Industries with the Central West and Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authorities.
The new website is available at www.wetlandrecovery.nsw.gov.au
2 July, 2008
Heated advice from Fire Brigade Chief
NSW Fire Brigades have warned homeowners to ensure they have a home escape plan following the tragic deaths of three people in house fires in the past month.
Commissioner Greg Mullins said despite statistics indicating people were getting the message about smoke alarms, only 22 per cent of NSW residents had a home escape plan.
“It’s encouraging to see that around 93 per cent of all NSW residents now have smoke alarms installed in their homes,” Commissioner Mullins said, “but it’s vital that you know what to do once the smoke alarm sounds.”
He said a home escape plan would ensure a safe evacuation of the house.
“You have only a few minutes to escape a fire, so every second counts,” he said.
Commissioner Mullins said throughout the month, NSWFB firefighters would be working with their local communities to raise awareness about home escape plans.
He reminded families and carers of people with mobility or medical problems to take them into consideration.
“It is important to develop an escape plan that is practical and addresses any limitations people might have in terms of their movement and ability to escape quickly,” he said.
“We encourage people who are elderly, or who work with older people or people with disabilities, to develop and practice a home escape plan.”
Commissioner Mullins said this would ensure the plan could be implemented safely and effectively and would identify any potential hazards.
He said it was important to identify two exits from each room, and a place to meet once everyone had safely evacuated.
“It is also vital to ensure that windows and doors in your home can be opened quickly so they can be used as escape points, without compromising the security of your home,” he said.
Commissioner Mullins said there were 10 ‘top tips’ for developing an escape plan.
- Draw a floor plan of your home on grid paper.
- Draw your escape plan, marking two exits from each room.
- Decide on a safe meeting place outside the house (for example the letterbox or neighbour’s driveway).
- Place the escape plan in a prominent position in the house (for example on the fridge).
- Discuss the escape plan with everyone who lives in the house.
- Make sure you develop an alternative escape plan for people with disabilities or mobility issues.
- Make sure that all windows, doors and fly screens can be easily opened from the inside in the event of an emergency.
- If you have pets, consider how you would get them out of the house if you needed to evacuate quickly.
- Have at least one smoke alarm per floor installed throughout the home and make sure they were working by testing them monthly and changing the batteries at least once a year.
- Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with everyone who lives in the house.
2 July, 2008
Coastal strategy waters growth
A strategy for growth and development for the Central Coast has been released, promising a sustainable future for the Gosford and Wyong areas.
The final Central Coast Regional Strategy outlined a sustainable approach to forecast population growth and aimed at protecting the environment and delivering jobs closer to home for the region’s residents.
Planning Minister, Frank Sartor said that taking water supply into account, the Central Coast region was expected to grow by around 100,000 people by 2031.
“The final Central Coast Regional Strategy strongly promotes the area’s key centres of Gosford and Tuggerah-Wyong,” Mr Sartor said, “complementing the existing Gosford City Centre Plan and plans for the new Warnervale Town Centre.”
He said Gosford had been identified as one of the six major regional cities around Sydney and the revitalisation of its city centre was an important factor in accommodating the region’s expected growth.
He said new greenfield developments would be located almost entirely in the northern part of the Wyong Local Government Area on land identified in the North Wyong Shire Structure Plan.
“The structure plan will be developed in conjunction with Wyong Shire Council and will be exhibited for public comment,” Mr Sartor said.
He said because one in four Central Coast workers commuted outside the region for work, the Strategy focused particularly on delivering more local jobs closer to home.
“The Strategy will support the plans for the new Wyong Employment Zone, which has the potential to create around 6,000 new jobs,” he said.
“The revitalisation of the Gosford City Centre will also deliver around 6,000 new jobs, while Tuggerah-Wyong, identified as a Major Centre is targeted for an additional 5,500 jobs.”
Mr Sartor said that due to the region’s water shortages in 2006, the draft Strategy released that year was based on population projections of 64,250 additional people.
“However, the draft also acknowledged that the region had the capacity to support higher levels of growth subject to the completion of a long-term water supply strategy.”
He said that strategy had been developed and adopted.
2 July, 2008
Boat comes in for marine command
NSW Police have taken delivery of a new $11 million patrol vessel christened Nemesis.
The new flagship of the Force’s Marine Area Command, Nemesis was built in Western Australia under a contract let in 2007.
Premier, Morris Iemma joined Police Minister David Campbell and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione on the final leg of the boat’s delivery voyage from Fremantle into Sydney.
Commissioner Scipione said the vessel would play an important role in major law enforcement operations and would be used primarily to patrol NSW ocean waters.
He said it would be a vital asset to ocean-based policing in NSW.
"This vessel significantly increases the Marine Area Command's ability to fight maritime crime," Commissioner Scipione said.
"It's at the forefront of marine policing technology in Australia and will play a significant role in ocean rescues, crime prevention and major operations,"
Head of the Marine Area Command, Superintendent Mark Hutchings, said the custom-built Nemesis was based on a Philippines Coastguard design.
"It is a tremendous asset for the NSW Police Force and will greatly assist in the Marine Area Command's charge of providing a 24-hour-a-day patrol and response to all the State's coastal waterways, and out to sea," Supt Hutchings said.
He said the craft could reach a sprint speed of 27 knots and had a range of 1350 nautical miles. It was equipped with satellite communication systems, night vision camera, desalination plant and could sleep a crew of 10 water police.
"The vessel is built to withstand storm conditions that can occur off the New South Wales coast," Supt Hutchings said.
"The delivery voyage from Fremantle to Sydney was an excellent test, with crew and boat experiencing 7-9 metre seas in Bass Strait while navigating through a strong low pressure system."
Supt Hutchins said the Nemesis would be based at Marine Area Command's Balmain headquarters but be capable of patrolling from Tweed Heads to Eden and hundreds of kilometres out to sea.
An official blessing ceremony for the boat would be held later this month.
2 July, 2008
Land management lands new report
New arrangements for managing huge tracts of land in the State’s rural west have been proposed in a report tabled in Parliament.
The result of a five-year review, the report recommends changes to the Western Lands Act to make it work better for leaseholders and their communities.
The western lands cover about 32.5 million hectares, or more than 40 per cent of the State. Around 9.4 million hectares of that area - 11 per cent of the State - is ‘unincorporated’ in that it has no direct Local Government.
The lands are generally west of a line from the Queensland border at Mungindi to Balranald near the Victorian border and most is Crown land administered under the Western Lands Act.
The review found the Act was generally working well, but recommended changing the law in several ways.
It suggested boundary fencing provisions be strengthened to ensure all stock were contained within a property and that easements of up to100 metres wide be created along the 600 kilometre long dog proof fence.
It recommended building a legal road network across all types of land in the western division; called for changes to be made to the terms of appointments to the Western Lands Advisory council; suggested clarifying the objects of the Act that included reference to Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage: and improving planning and development controls in the Unincorporated Area.
With the report tabled, in Parliament, work would now begin on preparing draft legislation following consultations with the Western Lands Advisory Council and other relevant stakeholders.
2 July, 2008
Water shortages attract allocaters
The Department of Water and Energy has announced its water allocation allowances for the coming year.
Deputy Director General of Water Management with DWE, David Harriss, said the “worst drought in living memory” was far from over with water availability in some areas remaining serious.
Mr Harriss said initial water allocations for many inland regions of the State such as the southern and central Murray Darling Basin were critically low, while coastal catchments had fared better.
“Across New South Wales total storage levels for State Water operated dams, excluding the Snowy, are just over 4 million megalitres,” he said, “roughly 21 per cent of total capacity.”
Mr Harriss said the upper Murray and Murrumbidgee storage levels were low, with opening allocations for general and high security irrigators in the valleys at zero and licensed water users relying on carryover or trade.
He said the prospects of receiving good rainfall in the near future had fallen as the Bureau of Meteorology said La Nina was neutral.
“As the autumn break in the weather failed to eventuate in the central and south-western portions of the State, additional water allocations in these areas are now dependent on rainfall and stream flows over the rest of winter,” Mr Harriss said.
“The provision of stock and domestic water also remains an issue west of the range and cannot be guaranteed for all systems.”
Mr Harriss said there was enough water reserved to meet critical human needs in towns for the Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys but that Councils and Water Supply Authorities should use it sparingly.
He said if water availability remained low, he expected severe water restrictions would be implemented throughout the year.
Mr Harriss said the Murrumbidgee, Murray and Lower Darling town water supplies would have an initial allocation of 50 per cent of entitlement but that the north-west river valleys of the State had done better.
“The Border River, Gwydir River and Namoi River valleys have full allocations for town water supplies, high security, as well as stock and domestic water users,” he said.
“Favourable conditions in the Peel River Valley will allow full allocations for town water supplies, high security, as well as stock and domestic water users. General security water users will receive 30 per cent as an opening allocation.”
Mr Harriss said the central-west valleys of the Lachlan and Macquarie rivers were subject to reduced initial allocations, with water utilities in Lachlan receiving 70 per cent of entitlement and stock, domestic and high security users getting 20 per cent.
“Water users in the Macquarie will fare a little better,” he said.
Mr Harriss said the outlook for coastal river valleys was more positive following above-average rainfall and severe flooding in some areas.
He said coast stores had generally shown an upward trend in total capacity over the last year, allowing full allocations for most coastal areas.
“The irrigators in the Hunter Valley have been fortunate in recent months with good falls leading to improved storage capacities allowing full allocations for all licence classes following several years of reduced entitlement,” Mr Harriss said.
“The Department of Water and Energy will continually monitor the situation so that any possible increases to water entitlements can be announced in line with normal procedures as soon as conditions allow.”
2 July, 2008
Innocent parties have day in Court
Blacktown Court has thrown open its doors to Sydney’s Sudanese community to inform them about the law and legal services in NSW.
Registrar of Blacktown Courthouse, Garry Northcote, said the open day would include a range of legal information seminars that would all be delivered in Juba Arabic, Dinka and English.
Mr Northcote said according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Sudanese community was one of the fastest growing groups in Australia.
“Western Sydney has a large Sudanese community, particularly in the Blacktown area and we want to ensure that language barriers do not prevent people from accessing our Court services,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to learn how the Court works, how to get legal help and to find out about the services available to victims of crime.”
Mr Northcote said people would learn about discrimination, their rights and the role of the Police.
Blacktown local resident and Chairman of the Equatoria Community Welfare Association NSW, Faustino Aboka said the Sudanese community was in desperate need of legal information.
“The NSW legal system is very different to the justice system in Sudan,” Mr Aboka said. “It is important that the Sudanese community attend the open day and learn about their rights and obligations under the law.”
The Sudanese singing group The Light of Christ was to perform at the event and a child minding service would be provided free of charge.
Other topics covered during the day included road safety and fair-trading.
The Open Day was 3 July, from 10:45 to 3:00 pm.
2 July, 2008
DECC logs on with firewood warning
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has issued a firewood warning, alerting people that the removing timber, including fallen timber, from national parks or nature reserves was illegal and could attract significant fines.
Coonabarabran National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger, Rebecca Cass, said the Wondoba State Conservation Area, Trinkey State Conservation Area and Kelvin Aboriginal Area had been hit by firewood collectors.
“The removal of trees can have a range of environmental consequences including soil erosion and loss of vital habitat for native animals, birds and insects,” Ms Cass said.
“Dead wood such as branches, logs and dead trees all provide essential habitat, including hollows for brushtail possums, barking owls, frogs and many other species.”
Ms Cass said the timber on the ground provided shelter and camouflage to help ground-dwelling animals avoid predators.
“With the cooler weather now here it is important for community members to understand that these reserves are a refuge area for native animals and those animals need shelter from the cooler weather as well,” she said.
“Significant penalties apply to anyone caught removing timber from a nature reserve or national park,” she said.
2 July, 2008
Nurse’s payrise
NSW nurses and midwives have won a 7.95 per cent salary increase over two years.
Minister for Health, Reba Meagher said since 1999 State nurses had received salary increases of over 59 per cent, and since 2002 the number of nurses in public hospitals had increased by over 25 per cent, with more than 42,700 nurses employed in April 2008.
IRC office move
The Parramatta registry office of the Industrial Relations Commission is to move from the Corner of George and Marsdens Streets to the Sydney West Trial Court Complex, 6 George Street, Parramatta.
The move will be effective from 7 July.
Art in the garden
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is to feature a new art exhibition called ‘Replant- a new generation of botanical art’.
The exhibition will showcase prints of Indigenous plants that survive extreme climate conditions such as monsoonal rains, dry weather and wild fires, and has been timed to coincide with NAIDOC week celebrations.
The free exhibition is to run from 5 July to 15 August, with NAIDOC week kicking off on 6 July.
Harassment training
A training course for community sector workers on bullying and harassment is being held by the Anti-Discrimination board this September.
The course will aim to identify discrimination and harassment that was against the law, explain how to advise people of their rights, how to develop local strategies to resolve clients’ discrimination and harassment and how the Anti-Discrimination Board functioned and handled complaints.
More information was available from www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au or by phoning the Board’s Manager of Education Services on (02) 9268 5519 or toll free 1800 670 812.
Cycling conferences
The Department of Environment and Climate Change and the NSW Premier’s Council for Active Living are to host three one-day conferences aimed at making cycling in NSW easier, safer and more convenient.
The key note address is to be given by Britain’s leading transport commentator, Christian Wolmar, who has served on various Government boards aimed at promoting cycling.
For more information or to RSPV, email OnYourBike@environment.nsw.gov.au
Medical advertising harder
Changes to medical practice regulations have introduced stronger rules for advertising medical services.
Minister for Health, Reba Meagher said the changes included in the Medical Practice Amendment (Advertising) Regulation 2008 would provide better protection for people contemplating cosmetic surgery.
Ms Meagher said the new regulations made it clear there was no place for “dubious” advertising to promote medical services.