Thousands of students are now benefitting from faster, more reliable internet thanks to a $328 million investment by the NSW Government to connect every public school in regional NSW to fibre internet.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell were at Wattle Flat Public School in the State’s Central West today to mark the final 12 public schools in NSW to now be connected to fibre internet.
“The NSW Government is committed to offering the best opportunities to all NSW students no matter where they live – and that means have accessing to fast, reliable internet,” Mr Toole said.
“Partnering with Telstra has allowed us to move the remaining 12 public schools in NSW from satellite to fibre optic cable, ensuring much faster internet speeds for students and teachers.”
Mr Toole said the investment was driving improved communications right across regional NSW.
“We are not just improving the connection to the world for our school kids but for entire communities,” Mr Toole said.
“By investing in internet infrastructure to the school gate, we are bringing opportunity to previously disconnected communities.”
Ms Mitchell said the NSW Government has spent hundreds of millions connecting regional schools to high speed internet, upgrading classrooms with new hardware and providing students and staff with new computers.
“Improving the internet access in regional schools is not just about faster connectivity, but also about greater access to teaching and learning opportunities for students and staff,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This upgrade has seen an improvement to internet speed that will enhance teachers’ lessons, but also the opportunity for reliable video conferencing and professional development opportunities.”
Telstra Enterprise Public Sector Group Owner, John Ieraci, said the partnership was proof of Telstra’s commitment to investing in infrastructure across the country.
“We’re thrilled to have worked with the NSW Department of Education to ensure all students, regardless of where they live, will have access to the amazing learning opportunities that quality, high-speed connectivity brings,” Mr Ieraci said.
“In addition to the fibre rollout, this project has significantly upgraded the speed and capacity for more than 2,200 schools, delivering new learning capabilities and opportunities for students across the state.”
NSW Government has also invested $365.8 million in the Regional Access Gap to close the digital divide. This investment is delivering learning devices to students and teachers, smartboards and internet connectivity.
Author: admin
Helping more home buyers enter the market
Almost 115,000 dwellings and land lots have been approved across NSW in the past year, expanding opportunities for first home buyers to purchase their first home.
Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, 114,881 total dwellings and lots were approved through development applications.
Treasurer Matt Kean said that the NSW Government is committed to supporting first home buyers purchase their own slice of the Australian dream.
“The $2.8 billion housing package announced in last month’s Budget includes $729 million for the First Home Buyer Choice to reform stamp duty, a significant barrier to first home buyers getting a foot on the property ladder,” Mr Kean said.
“This is all about giving first home buyers a choice – a choice between paying an upfront stamp duty or an annual property tax.”
On a four-bedroom house sold in Leppington for $1.04 million with a land value to property price ratio of 36 per cent, a first home buyer would have a choice between an upfront stamp duty of $41,890 or an annual property tax in the first year of $1,537.
Under the First Home Buyer Choice, first home buyers who opt into the property tax will pay an annual $400 plus 0.3 per cent of the land value component of the property. The annual tax stops being paid once the property is sold.
The median time owner occupiers hold onto homes in NSW is 10.5 years.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the government
will do all it can to boost supply and give more people in NSW the opportunity of home ownership.
“The Government is investing almost $500 million to unlock land and accelerate infrastructure to boost housing supply, and we will use every measure we can to enable more people to own their own home sooner,” Mr Roberts said.
“We have paved the way for 23,000 dwellings through state-led rezonings including 7,000 rezoned lots in Glenfield and 3,000 in Rhodes, while planning proposals accounted for another 26,703 dwellings.”
The top three local government areas where lots and dwellings have been approved were:
Blacktown – 14,329
Sydney – 8,949
Parramatta – 8,633
The top three LGAs where rezonings were approved were:
Parramatta – 12,282
Camden – 9,410
Campbelltown – 8,022
Of the 114,881 approved dwellings and lots:
88,181 were in metropolitan areas
26,700 were in regional NSW
Japanese powerhouse Hitachi to attract innovation jobs to Western Sydney
The NSW Government has agreed to finalise the first private-sector tenancy agreement for the Bradfield City Centre’s First Building with global giant Hitachi, whose collaborative research model will attract advanced technology jobs to Western Sydney.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Japanese multinational would establish its Kyoso (collaborative creation) Centre alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) in the First Building in Australia’s newest city Bradfield, in 2023.
Mr Perrottet had a face-to-face meeting with Hitachi’s executives including the Vice President and Executive Officer, in charge of Regional Strategies [APAC] Mr Kojin Nakakita.
“This Japanese conglomerate Hitachi has recognised the value of establishing a presence in Australia’s newest city on the doorstep of the future Western Sydney International Airport and that will mean jobs and innovation in Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The Kyoso concept is about collaborative research between business, education institutions and government which aligns perfectly with the values of the AMRF, to bring industry and education providers together to test solutions to advanced manufacturing challenges and drive innovation”.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this is an exciting step forward in the development of Bradfield City Centre.
“Hitachi will be the first non-government tenant in Bradfield City Centre. This signals high confidence in the private sector for the vision of the Western Parkland City. It means more premium, high-skilled jobs and global career opportunities for the residents of Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
Hitachi’s Regional Vice President Mr Nakakita said: “Hitachi’s participation in Western Sydney reflects our confidence in the significant growth opportunities in NSW and Australia. We are delighted that Western Sydney will allow Hitachi to showcase our co-creation strategies and deliver our global capability and solutions, for the benefit of our customers and the community at large.”
The Hitachi agreement is a result of a public tender process and follows the NSW Budget commitment of $260 million to establish the Australian-first full scale AMRF, which will create new high-paying jobs of the future in Western Sydney and make Bradfield City Centre the national capital of advanced manufacturing.
Click here to download the current Bradfield City Centre flythrough video.
Flood recovery programs extended
Flood-affected communities are being further supported through the extension of a range of flood recovery programs to safely clear debris and hazardous chemicals from land and waterways.
Minister for Environment James Griffin said extending the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) flood clean-up programs helps the flood recovery effort.
“Already this year, the EPA’s Shoreline Clean-up Program has made enormous progress, removing more than 9400 cubic metres of flood debris from waterways around NSW,” Mr Griffin said.
“By extending these programs, we’re helping our flood-affected communities recover faster, and restoring our environment both on the land and in the water.”
Extended programs include the Shoreline Clean-up Program, the Submerged Debris Program, the Land Based program, and Agricultural Chemical Clean Out program.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said a safe and quick clean-up is critical for helping flood-affected communities get back on their feet.
“Continuing these programs will provide a much needed boost for communities cleaning-up after yet another flood,” Ms Cooke said.
“We know debris can spread far and wide after a flood, like we’ve seen in the Northern Rivers, which is why we’re pulling out all stops to get the clean-up complete, so the long-term recovery can begin.”
Members of the community can report flood debris in local rivers and beaches or seek advice regarding the removal of hazardous materials through the Environment Line on 131 555 or info@epa.nsw.gov.auor flood.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au
Labor to Boost Biosecurity Efforts in NSW to ensure strong Agriculture and Farming Industry
A Minns Labor Government will strengthen and secure the resilience of our Agriculture industry, by legislating and funding an Independent Biosecurity Commission, that will be headed by a new Biosecurity Commissioner who will provide independent advice and report to Parliament on an annual basis.
Besides the existential threat of climate change – biosecurity, weeds and pests present the most significant threat to the environment and a productive primary industries sector.
In 2014 it was conservatively estimated that the cost to NSW agriculture from weeds is approximately $1.8 billion annually.
NSW needs a stronger voice to tackle the threat of biosecurity.
The Government’s approach has been piecemeal, lacks transparency and coordination, and is disproportionate to the economic and environmental threat posed by invasive species.
The first task of this Commission will be to work with the Natural Resource Commission to develop a clear picture of the extent of invasive species and the damage they are doing to both the environment and the agricultural industry, so appropriate action can be taken to better protect NSW farmers.
NSW Labor will also:
- Direct $10 million to a good neighbour program to tackle weed and pest infestations on government land neighbours private property.
- Re-engage a Dairy and Fresh Food Advocate to look at supply chains, address food security issues and be a voice for farmers.
A Minns Labor Government will also ensure a strong and independent NSW Agriculture Commissioner to provide more protection for our best farmland, and ensure food security and a more sustainable and productive agriculture industry.
The current model lacks independence, and the teeth and resources to get the job done.
This commission will report back to NSW parliament and be tasked with addressing critical issues in the bush such as identifying and protecting state significant land and renewable energy projects.
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:
A strong agriculture sector underpins the success of our rural and regional communities – and our rural and regional communities underpin the success of our economy and our state.
“Today is an affirmation that a Minns Labor Government will work closely with NSW Farmers and more broadly the NSW food and agribusiness industry to make the most of the agricultural opportunities available to NSW.
“Biosecurity is the responsibility of everyone, and failures affect everyone.
“Regional NSW has had a difficult four years, moving from the grip of the worst drought in 100 years into a series of historic flood events. This in conjunction with the ongoing mice plague, biosecurity incursions such as Varroa mite and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 have had mammoth economic impacts on the bush.
“NSW Labor is committed to supporting regional NSW and we will have more to say on this ahead of the 2023 election.
Mick Veitch, Shadow Minister for Regional NSW, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for Western NSW said:
“Many of the policies we are announcing are ones which should already be in place, however the NSW Government have increasingly taken our regional communities for granted and not put in the safeguards necessary for their livelihoods.
“Today NSW Labor has demonstrated our commitment to making the bush more resilient and to working hand in hand with our regional communities.
“These announcements are a first step in what will be an ongoing conversation with an industry foundational to our states economic health.
Critical Analysis Uncovers Failings of ANU Vaping Review
A new critical analysis has found Professor Emily Banks’ Australian National University review of vaping came to flawed conclusions and failed to achieve its objectives.
According to a peer-reviewed analysis published today in Drug and Alcohol Review, the Banks review is at odds with global evidence which suggests vaping nicotine is an effective smoking cessation aid and is likely to have a major net public health benefit if widely available to adult Australian smokers. Of all advanced countries, Australia is the most hostile to vaping.
The critical analysis comes as the government is set to crackdown on nicotine vaping, which will seriously impact adult smokers who can’t quit smoking using the available treatments.
Key takeaways from the critical analysis:
1. The ANU review ignored evidence that vaping is an effective smoking cessation tool.
· Vaping has proven to be effective in randomised controlled trials and this is supported by observational data, population studies and declines in national smoking rates
2. The ANU study confuses association with causation in claiming that youth vaping causes teens to take up smoking.
· Evidence suggests the opposite – that vaping diverts more young people away from smoking than encourages them to smoke.
3. The ANU review focussed solely on the harms of vaping and disregarded the key question of relative risk – is vaper safer than cigarette smoking?
· The critical message for adult smokers is that switching to vaping dramatically reduces their exposure to toxic chemicals, reduces toxic biomarkers (toxins in the body) and leads to health improvements.
4. The ANU review did not consider the critical issue of the net public health impact of vaping.
· Vaping has the potential to reduce smoking prevalence and improve public health more than any other intervention.
Please find the article here, an explanatory blog here, and statements from the authors below. All the authors are available for interview.
A recording of my statement is available here.
“The Banks review ignored key evidence and was fundamentally flawed. It emphasised the small and potential harms of vaping but failed to acknowledge that it is a far safer alternative to smoking – the key issue for current smokers. It also ignored the compelling evidence that vaping is beneficial to public health overall and could save the lives of millions of smokers.”
– Dr. Colin Mendelsohn
Clinician and academic in smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction for 40 years
“The Banks review intended to examine the scientific evidence on vaping and provide guidance for future policy. However, we found several critical errors in their analysis, which meant the review’s key conclusions did not accurately reflect the science.”
– Dr Alex Wodak AM
Emeritus Consultant, Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
“The Banks review made a fundamental error in confusing association and causation, claiming that vaping increases the uptake of youth smoking. Even if vaping does lead some non-smokers to take up smoking, the overall impact is to significantly reduce smoking rates. Youth smoking continues to decline in countries where smokers are encouraged to vape, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand.”
– Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall
– Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, University of Queensland
“By disregarding much of the available evidence showing vaping is an effective quitting aid, the study erroneously concluded vaping was of little benefit to smokers. The overall body of evidence actually tells a very different story, and shows vaping is probably more effective than other quitting aids, often working where other treatments fail.”
– Professor Ron Borland
– School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne
Reference
Blog. The Banks review of vaping is flawed and misleading. 22 July 2022
Abortion should be available in public hospitals
Responding to comments by Anthony Albanese today around abortion, Greens spokesperson on Women Senator Larissa Waters said:
“I urge the Prime Minister to rethink his hasty dismissal of Labor’s 2019 position of requiring public hospitals to provide abortion services as a prequisute for Commonwealth funding.
“Abortions should be available through the public health system, and Albanese has the power to deliver that through using the federal funding lever. He shouldn’t avoid responsibility for it as he sought to do today.
“Access to safe, legal abortion remains a postcode lottery in Australia, with different rules, costs and availability depending on where you live. Some people are having to travel for hours at significant expense to access this basic healthcare service.
“The Health Minister should concurrently extend Medicare coverage to reduce out of pocket fees for abortion services performed in private practices.
“The Commonwealth can also facilitate access to medical abortions by allowing mifepristone to be prescribed up to two weeks later in gestation, in accordance with international best practice, and could also support nurse-led models of care for administering it. The Health Minister should also ensure that telehealth access is maintained.
“Including more long-acting reversible contraceptives on Medicare would make a significant impact in reducing unplanned pregnancies.
“The Greens support calls for national consistency on abortion laws, provided they are best practice. The Women’s Safety Ministers should work towards that goal, and also ensure that the National Plan to End Violence Against Women addresses reproductive coercion.”
Appeal to locate vehicles following aggravated break and enter in Swansea
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate two vehicles, as an investigation continues into an alleged aggravated break and enter on the state’s north coast this morning.
About 2am (Thursday 21 July 2022), two unknown males stole a black BMW sedan – with NSW registration CMF78E – from the driveway of a home on Lakeside Drive, Swansea.
As the vehicle drove from the scene, a silver Mercedes sedan – with NSW registration DNM95U – drove to the same address and two unknown males left the vehicle and entered the same home.
The males left the scene a short time later with a number of items, before returning a second time and disturbing the occupant.
The occupant – a 43-year-old woman – confronted the males before being threatened with a knife.
The males left the scene in the Mercedes, which is believed to have been stolen from an address in Greenwich between 11pm on Tuesday 19 July and 7.30am on Wednesday 20 July 2022.
The woman was not injured during the incident.
About 2.25am, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified when the drivers of the BMW and Mercedes failed to pay for petrol at a service station on the Pacific Highway, Swansea.
About 3.45am, the woman’s debit card was used at a fast-food restaurant on the Pacific Highway, Thornleigh.
Investigations into the incidents continue and police are appealing for anyone who may have sighted the BMW or Mercedes to contact police.
Greens to begin formal negotiations on climate bill
The Australian Greens Party Room has met and had its first discussion regarding the government’s Climate Change Bill and has empowered Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP to enter formal negotiations with the government on the Bill.
Areas of concern remain the adequacy of the target, the need for targets to be ratcheted up and for the bill to operate as a floor not a ceiling, the lack of enforcement mechanisms, and new coal and gas projects that would lift pollution.
Greens Party Room will continue to get updates on the negotiations, on the basis of which a final position on the bill will be reached in the coming weeks.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“The Greens will begin formal negotiations with the government on its climate bill, but we’re concerned that the government’s desire to open new coal and gas mines will make the climate crisis worse.
“Europe is burning and Australia’s environment is collapsing, but the government wants to open new coal and gas mines. You don’t put the fire out while pouring petrol on it.
“As well as the weak target that means more fires and floods, the Greens are concerned that the bill as drafted is a barrier to government lifting the weak 43% targets, isn’t ‘Dutton-proof’ against a future government that wants to lower the targets, doesn’t require government to actually do anything to cut pollution and allows more coal and gas.
“We will engage in good faith negotiations with the government, and we hope the government will drop its insistence on having a weak target and opening more coal and gas.
“The State of the Environment report and the Pacific Island leaders give the government all the justification it needs to do more. Our preference is to improve and pass this bill, but the government must come to the table.”
City of Newcastle set to open tender for inland pools
City of Newcastle (CN) is inviting tenders for the management of the city’s five inland swimming centres.
Acting Director City Wide Services Lynn Duffy said CN remained committed to ensuring the city’s swimming centres are affordable and accessible to all members of the community.
“With strong attendance figures and consistently satisfied responses from customer surveys, our community have told us how much they appreciate and enjoy our inland pools,” Ms Duffy said.
“This tender provides an opportunity to deliver an improved range of benefits for the community including greater access to inclusive aquatic programs and services reflective of Newcastle’s diverse population.
“We also remain committed to maintaining access to affordable high-quality public pools, particularly for families in the western suburbs.”
The tender process has been collaborative in nature. The United Services Union (USU) representative Luke Hutchinson said CN had been working collaboratively with the USU throughout the process.
“City of Newcastle has proactively engaged with the United Services Union regarding the new tender for the operation of their inland pools. We are satisfied with the approach being taken to date to ensure the best outcomes for staff and the community,” Mr Hutchinson said.
The tender will be open from 30 July to 6 September, with a report on the preferred tenderer to be prepared for the consideration of the elected Council before the end of the year.