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Improving access to complex menopause care on the Central Coast

Women who experience severe or complex menopause symptoms will benefit from enhanced support, with the opening of Central Coast Local Health District’s (CCLHD) new Menopause Service.

The CCLHD Menopause Service is part of NSW Health’s extensive menopause network, which includes four menopause hubs and multiple referral sites throughout the State.

As a part of this network, the Central Coast-based service is designed to assist women whose menopause symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or who face additional complications from other medical conditions.

CCLHD’s Menopause Service is linked to Northern Sydney Local Health District’s Menopause Hub based at Royal North Shore Hospital, which means women can access a comprehensive approach to managing severe menopausal symptoms through a multi-disciplinary team of medical specialists, nursing and allied health professionals, physiotherapy, dietetics, social work and clinical psychologists.

General practitioners, specialists, and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care. Women are also able to self-refer for an initial appointment. GP referral is required for subsequent appointments and referral to the specialised Royal North Shore Menopause Hub. Referrals to the service can be made by emailing CCLHD-Menopause-Service@health.nsw.gov.au

For more information about the CCLHD Menopause Service and referral criteria, contact 4356 9300.

More information about NSW Health’s menopause services can be found here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/women/Pages/menopause.aspx

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Up to one in four women experience severe and debilitating menopause symptoms, which is why services like this one are so important.

“The opening of the CCLHD menopause service will improve access to care for women needing support for severe or complex menopause symptoms on the Central Coast.”

Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris:

“I’m pleased to see this service is now available on the Central Coast for local women experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms.

“To have access to this specialised care right here on the Coast has the potential to be life-changing for many women in our community and is a welcome addition to the Central Coast Local Health District’s service offer.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison:

“Women have identified menopause as a top health issue and managing it can be complex.

“The opening of a new Menopause Service in the Central Coast ensures regional women experiencing menopause symptoms who need specialised care and support can get it when they need it, including referrals to a Menopause Hub.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch:

“Where was this service when I needed it three years ago!? I know I was unprepared to deal with the symptoms of menopause when they arrived and it would have been great to be able to access a team of experts in our own community.

“It’s great to know that women on the Coast can now access these very important comprehensive services and we can self-refer for an initial appointment.”

Member for the Entrance, David Mehan:

“The opening of the CCLHD Menopause Service is an important step in advancing women’s health on the Central Coast.

“Offering specialised services for menopause ensures that women in our community receive the necessary support, education, treatment and care should they require it.”

CCLHD Menopause Coordinator Kelly Armstrong:

“Our nurse and physiotherapist-led service will work in partnership with the patient’s GP, to improve their quality of life and symptom management through menopause.

“We know for many women symptoms can range in severity and type. Women with severe and complex menopause symptoms often need specialised care from a multi-disciplinary team.  With the support of the Royal North Shore Menopause Hub, I’m thrilled we can now provide this life-changing service for women.”

Amplifying protection for the live music scene

Live music venues in NSW will gain extra protection against threats to their survival under new measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government.

As part of the second tranche of Vibrancy Reforms, which passed Parliament on Thursday, the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy is empowered to intervene if a significant music venue is at risk of closing its doors.

These are world-first legislative protections designed to ensure the health of the NSW live music scene and prevent closures that took away venues like the Annandale Hotel and The Basement and threatened the survival of venues like the Eltham Hotel.

The first ever census of live music in NSW, the State of the Scene report issued by Sound NSW in June, found there were 795 live venues across the state, with 55 considered “dedicated live music venues”.

A framework will allow venues to opt-in to a range of supports that can be deployed if a significant venue’s survival is under threat for reasons that can include noise complaints, vexatious neighbours or hostile landlords.

A significant live music venue is defined as one which hosts live, predominantly original, music as the key function of its business and is essential to the touring and live, local music scene in NSW.

The Minister will be able to deploy co-ordinated support from Sound NSW, the 24 Hour Commissioner, the Hospitality Concierge and the Business Bureau as a response to threatened venues that require assistance. 

The Vibrancy Reforms legislation also provides for the Minister to request mediation between a venue and another party to resolve a matter before it progresses further. At that point, a venue may agree that the public and its music fans be alerted that it is under threat.

The first tranche of the Minns Labor Government’s made it impossible for a single neighbour noise complaint to shut down a pub or licensed venue.

It also increased incentives for live music and live performance, with two hours extended trading and an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees for licensed venues offering live music.

The second tranche of reforms, which passed Parliament with unanimous support, has torn up baffling restrictions on licensed venues that include “no entertainment” clauses or dictate what genre of music or even how many musicians can play.

Property buyers will in future be notified they are moving into an existing entertainment zone to protect the intent of Special Entertainment Precincts and reduce the friction between venues and their neighbours.

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“The music-loving community has been forced to say Rest In Peace too many times to the foundational live venues that were the incubators of Australian music. We are not going to sit by and watch another Annandale Hotel unplug the music and dismantle the stage.

“In a cost of living crisis, we need a strong local music scene where people can enjoy live music without shelling out the hundreds of dollars it can cost to see the big touring international acts.

“Protecting our time-honoured venues is also about supporting the night-time economy. The NSW music census found live music provides 25,000 jobs and contributes $5.5 billion in economic output to NSW. We want to amplify that contribution to the economy.

“A state significant music venues framework is part of the rebalance, and it’s long overdue.”

GIRDER LIFTS FOR NORTHERN INTERCHANGE AS PART OF M1 MOTORWAY EXTENSION TO RAYMOND TERRACE

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has reached a significant milestone with the successful lifting of the first girders at the northern interchange on the Heatherbrae Bypass.

Motorists will see the interchange come to life after the lifting of eight bridge girders onto the northern interchange on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October.

The overbridge at the northern interchange will serve as the main direct access off the M1 Pacific Motorway, to the Pacific Highway and the townships of Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace.

When completed, the interchange will provide southbound motorists the option to continue into Heatherbrae using the local road network or take the new motorway across Windeyers Creek bypassing Heatherbrae.

The work to build the overbridge includes geotechnical investigations, relocation of utilities, drainage, earthworks, bridge substructure and superstructure, and pavement works.

The team has already lifted 62 of the 827 bridge girders into place across the project, with more than 70 per cent of the Heatherbrae Bypass workforce sourced from the Hunter Region, including 38 apprentices and 12 trainees.

The extension is expected to be open to traffic in mid-2028.

For more information and to sign up for regular updates on the progress of the M1 extension visit nswroads.work/m12rtportal.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“This is an exciting step forward for the M1 Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace project.

“Once complete, this project, together with the Coffs Harbour bypass, will provide the remaining major upgrades to complete a free-flowing route between Sydney and Brisbane with no traffic lights.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are proud to be working together to deliver the ‘missing link’ and strengthening our road network across the nation.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“This is great news for the 48,000 motorists from across NSW who travel on the notorious bottleneck on the Pacific Highway at Hexham.

“Combined with the Hexham Straight Widening project, this will significantly improve journeys for local motorists, visitors and the freight industry.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are delivering legacy infrastructure which will cater to the needs of our great state in the decades ahead.”

Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson:

“This is a vital missing link that I have pushed the Federal Government to support since 2016 and has been accelerated under the Albanese and Minns Governments.

“The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace will transform travel in this region by removing up to 25,000 vehicles a day away from key congestion areas, saving motorists around nine minutes off their trip.”

NSW Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington:

“It’s great to see the progress being made on the M1 Pacific Highway extension to Raymond Terrace.

“Once completed, this project will be a huge time saver for locals and visitors traveling in and around Port Stephens.

“The Heatherbrae Bypass will reduce traffic on our local roads, making them safer for everyone.”

Additional humanitarian assistance to Lebanon

Australia will provide a further $10 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected civilians in Lebanon.

Around 800,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon by the conflict between Israel and Hizballah. Emergency shelters have been overwhelmed and humanitarian workers killed.

Australia’s humanitarian assistance will be delivered through United Nations partners to address immediate and emerging needs, including access to food, shelter, healthcare and other critical services.

This will support international efforts, including through the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, convened in Paris overnight.

Since 7 October 2023, we have committed $94.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians impacted by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and to respond to the refugee crisis in the region worsened by those conflicts.

Australia has been clear in its call for ceasefires in both Lebanon and in Gaza. We continue to call for all parties to uphold international law and protect civilians and humanitarian workers.

We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Lebanon. Australians in Lebanon should leave. Australians in Lebanon can register on DFAT’s Crisis Portal or by calling the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“The conflict in Lebanon is taking a heavy toll on civilians, including women and children, with around 800,000 people having now been displaced.

“Australia and our partners continue to press for ceasefires in Lebanon and in Gaza. This additional contribution will help those in urgent need, through access to food, shelter and healthcare.”

Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected, and humanitarian personnel must be able to access all individuals in need of assistance.”

“Australia’s humanitarian funding will provide critical services for people displaced or affected by these conflicts and help protect the most vulnerable.”

Pacific Policing Initiative Steps Up at CHOGM 2024

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today joined other Pacific leaders to mark the first deployment of the new Pacific Police Support Group, part of the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), backed by Australia and endorsed by Pacific Island Forum leaders in August 2024.
 
More than 40 police officers from 11 Pacific countries are part of this deployment, providing security support for Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.  The deployment includes officers from Pacific partners trained at the PPI’s Pinkenba training hub in Brisbane.
 
The Pacific Police Support Group is a new multi-country police capability ready to respond to emergencies or assist during major events, at the request of a Pacific Island Forum Government.
 
Australia has committed approximately $400 million over five years to ensure the Pacific Policing Initiative delivers on the agreement by leaders that the security of the Pacific is the shared responsibility of the Pacific family.
 
The PPI is a Pacific-led initiative designed to strengthen policing capacity and coordination in the region. The PPI has three pillars – regional police training Centres of Excellence, the Pacific Police Support Group and a Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub, based in Brisbane.
 
In marking this first deployment, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that Australia will support the establishment of four regional Centres of Excellence under the PPI. The Centres of Excellence will be purpose-built to train police from across the region in a range of specialist capabilities.
 
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
 
“Samoa is the first Pacific island country to host CHOGM. Australia is proud to join our Pacific family to provide police and security support for Samoa as host.
 
“Two months since the Pacific Policing Initiative was endorsed by Pacific leaders, we are seeing it deliver for the region at CHOGM 2024.
 
“The Pacific Policing Initiative will play an important role in promoting regional security across the Pacific region.
 
This is about Pacific security, delivered by the Pacific, in support of Pacific sovereignty.”

Appeal to locate elderly man missing from Lake Macquarie 

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to search for a missing elderly man in the Lake Macquarie area.

George Linz, aged 98, was last seen on Silverdale Parade, Jewells, about 10.30am yesterday (Friday 25 October 2024).

When George couldn’t be located, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries.

Police hold concerns for George’s welfare due to his age and as he has limited mobility.

George is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of slim build, and with grey hair.

He was last seen wearing an apricot-coloured jumper, grey trackpants and dark-coloured sneakers.

Anyone with information on George’s whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Government delivers on its commitment to establish a LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council

The Minns Labor Government has today established the inaugural LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council, fulfilling an election commitment.

The council’s first priority will be to work with the Government to develop NSW’s first LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.

Members of the council will work closely with the NSW Government to provide insights and recommendations on issues affecting LGBTIQ+ communities.

The 16 inaugural members range from national trailblazers to local champions, and bring with them the expertise needed to establish the council.

Members were selected based on their experiences, expertise and dedication to advocating for LGBTIQ+ communities and will serve a two-year term.

Robyn Kennedy and Dr Justin Koonin have been appointed as the inaugural Co-Chairs of the council.

Robyn is a 78er, having protested in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and is highly regarded in the community for her decades of service to advancing equality and inclusion, including through roles with InterPride, Sydney WorldPride, Qtopia Sydney, and First Mardi Gras 78ers.

Justin has been the President at ACON since 2015 and is recognised in LGBTIQ+ communities for his leadership, expertise and advocacy as a long-serving Convenor of the NSW Gay and Lesbians Rights Lobby.

Also joining the council is Ian Roberts, the first openly gay professional rugby league player.

We congratulate all members who have been appointed to the council:

  • Robyn Kennedy
  • Dr Justin Koonin
  • Anna Brown OAM
  • Dr Morgan Carpenter
  • Danny Dalton
  • Brad Farrugia
  • Will Lawrence
  • Veronica Mason
  • Benjamin Oh
  • Dr Chris Pepin-Neff
  • Dr Victoria Rawlings
  • Ian Roberts
  • Nicholas Stewart
  • Dr Cris Townley
  • Kelly Young
  • Charlie Zada

This follows ongoing work by the NSW Government to progress reforms that ensure all members of our community feel valued, respected and equal.

The Minns Labor Government has already fulfilled our election commitment to ban ‘LGBTQ+ conversion practices’ through the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024, which passed the NSW Parliament in March.

The Premier also issued a formal apology in June to people convicted under discriminatory laws that criminalised homosexual acts, and this year passed legislation that meant more of these offences were able to be extinguished.

In September, the NSW Government supported all 19 recommendations delivered by the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes, which examined the unsolved deaths of LGBTIQ people and found shortfalls in historical responses by the NSW Government.

Earlier this month, the Government supported the amended Equality Bill which passed NSW Parliament after being introduced by the Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Penny Sharpe said:

“Establishing the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council is another step forward for LGBTIQ+ people in our state who deserve to be visible and heard. It will drive a more inclusive and equitable NSW.

“The council is testament to our Government’s commitment to ensuring that every person in NSW can live a life free from discrimination and prejudice.

“The diversity of expertise and experiences being brought together in this council is exceptional.”

Co-Chair of the council, Robyn Kennedy said:

“As a lesbian and 78er, I am honoured to serve as Co-Chair of this council. Our work will focus on ensuring that all LGBTIQ+ individuals in NSW are supported, respected, and have their rights upheld.

“This is what our community has always stood for through our decades of advocacy and resilience”

Co-Chair of the council, Dr Justin Koonin said:

“There are legal, social and health issues that continue to impact the human rights, safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people in NSW.

“As Co-Chair of the council I am looking forward to working with members to ensure the NSW Government has direct access to the communities’ experiences, ideas and solutions.

“I am proud to be part of a council that will work towards equality for all.”

SafeWork NSW inspectors launch blitz targeting scaffold safety

SafeWork NSW inspectors are out in force, targeting scaffold safety on construction sites across the state as part of their Scaff Safe 2024 campaign​.

Falls from heights remains the leading cause of fatalities on NSW construction sites, with falls from unsafe scaffolds a significant contributor.

In Newcastle, where the “Scaff Safe” campaign is being launched, a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being put at risk has seen the number of penalty notices more than double since 2021, while the number of falls from unsafe scaffolding has halved.

Across the state, the most common injury as a result of a fall from height was ligament, muscle and tendon damage or a traumatic joint injury with more than 5,200 incidents reported since 2021/2022.

Scaffold incidents commonly involve:

  • people falling from, or through, scaffolds that are poorly erected, incomplete or have been altered including having components removed by unlicenced workers, such as brickies, builders, painters,
  • people falling from scaffolds due to misuse, for example standing on rails or boxes, adding makeshift work platforms,
  • scaffold collapse or failure of components due to incorrect assembly, overloading platforms, or incompatible or overly rusted/rotted componentry,
  • objects falling off scaffolds and hitting people below,
  • scaffolds being struck by mobile plant/vehicles or being snagged by a crane, and
  • scaffolders being injured when unsafely erecting, adjusting or dismantling scaffold.

Inspectors will be visiting sites to talk with principal contractors and site supervisors about how to ensure their site is ‘Scaff Safe’, including verifying they have a plan in place to manage scaffold safety for each stage of the build.

Inspectors are taking a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk and can issue on-the-spot fines for not managing the risk of scaffolds, falls from heights and alterations by unlicenced workers. Individuals may be fined up to $900 and businesses up to $4,500.

Further information for workers, employers and licence holders about managing the risks of scaffold can be found at: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/scaffolding

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis

“It’s important employers understand their duties under work health and safety laws.

“Scaffold requires constant attention and coordination. It can kill workers when not built safely, with the main risks being falls from heights, falling components, scaffold collapse and contact with powerlines.

“SafeWork Inspectors take a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk around scaffolding and will issue on-the-spot fines to enforce compliance.

“All workers have the right to go home to their loved ones at the end of their workday.”

Tim Crakanthorp, State Member for Newcastle

“Scaffolds are a focus for inspectors for good reason. Falls from heights are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries on NSW building sites.

“Newcastle is proud to help lead the way in New South Wales when it comes to helping keep workers safe on our construction sites.”