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Coercive control awareness – culturally and linguistically diverse campaign launched

The NSW Government is continuing to raise public awareness and understanding of coercive control, with an in-language campaign to raise awareness and understanding of coercive control among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities beginning today.

Developed by a specialist multicultural marketing agency, the campaign uses the image of a spider’s web to symbolise the interconnected pattern of behaviours which traps victims of coercive control.

This follows a broad advertising campaign which commenced at the beginning of May, which used the tagline “It’s not love, it’s coercive control”. In August 2023, a website was launched to ensure the NSW public had access to credible information on the subject.

Coercive control is insidious and can manifest in many ways. It is a pattern of behaviour which may include financial abuse, threats against pets or loved ones, tracking someone’s movements, or isolating them from friends and family to control them.

NSW is the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce a standalone dedicated offence of coercive control.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022 will criminalise coercive control in current or former intimate partner relationships in NSW starting from 1 July 2024. If found guilty, perpetrators can face up to a maximum of 7 years in prison.

The need to support community awareness of coercive control, including specific CALD support, was recommended by the Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control.

The NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team found about 97% of intimate partner domestic violence homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2018 were preceded by the perpetrator using emotional and psychological abuse as a form of coercive control towards the victim.

This campaign has been developed in consultation with community members and the CALD Communities Reference Group that provides advice to the Coercive Control Implementation and Evaluation Taskforce.

The advertising campaign is initially tailored for Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Mandarin speakers. Translated information for additional language groups will be added over the coming months.

A campaign tailored for First Nations audiences will launch next week.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Coercive control is an insidious abuse that can manifest in many ways, be hard to recognise, and look different in various communities.

“We also know that people from multicultural backgrounds are less likely to seek help due to cultural and language barriers, which is why we need to make sure our message is reaching them.

“The new coercive control laws will come into effect from 1 July and the government is committed to making sure all people in all communities understand this complex and dangerous abuse.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government is working hard to ensure all communities across NSW are aware of the new coercive control laws.

“We have acted on the recommendation from the Joint Select Committee to deliver dedicated outreach and tailored communication to our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“We need to make sure everyone from all walks of life gets the message loud and clear. Coercive control is a crime.”

Support Services

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Tenders called for next stage of Bar Beach repair work

City of Newcastle is moving forward with remediation and accessibility improvements at Bar Beach, inviting tenders for the next stage of rehabilitation works at the popular coastal destination.

The stretch of beach, and the Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club, suffered significant damage from huge swells in April 2022.

Since then, a staged program of works has been developed and is being delivered to ensure minimal disruption to beach users.

Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said City of Newcastle is continuing to address the significant storm damage and increase accessibility for emergency service vehicles, lifesavers and beachgoers.

“City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring all members of our community and visitors can continue to access Bar Beach, while delivering improvements to our valuable recreational areas,” Mr Thomson said.

“We worked with Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club to schedule the work outside of the busy summer season, with construction expected to commence mid-year following a tender process.”

The next phase of remediation work will concentrate on the southern end of the promenade adjoining Cooks Hills Surf Life Saving Club, including the reinstatement of a vehicle access ramp from Memorial Drive to the beach, and new stairs to enhance pedestrian access to the sand.

A wave deflector wall topped with a new walkway and handrail will be constructed to help protect the surf club and provide pedestrian access across the front of the building.

Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club President Michael Clancy said the ongoing remediation and enhancements are welcomed by the local community.

“Cooks Hill Surf Club and the extended community that we serve are looking forward to seeing the work underway in coming months, to continue remediation works and improve beach access for all,” Mr Clancy said.

Emergency works at Bar Beach were initially undertaken following the storm to enable use of the club house and facilities and provide temporary vehicular access to the beach.

Further work was carried out in 2023, including the construction of a temporary beach access ramp and upgraded balustrade fencing to replace temporary water-filled barriers.

City of Newcastle has received $1 million in funding from the Australian and New South Wales governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

City of Newcastle is continuing to work with coastal experts to develop a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the stretch of beaches between Nobbys and Burwood Beach. The CMP will consider the increasing exposure to coastal hazards and explore long-term management options for this highly valued and much utilised stretch of coastline.

Appeal for information following carjacking – Rutherford

Police are appealing for information as part of an investigation into a carjacking at Rutherford this morning.

About 6.10am today (Sunday 26 May 2024), a man left his vehicle in the driveway of a business on Racecourse Road, Rutherford, when an unknown woman got into his Mercedes Benz 4WD.

The owner was trying to remove the woman from his car when an unknown man – armed with a firearm – directed the owner to leave his car, and the woman drove it away.

The armed man then left in a Nissan Skyline sedan.

The owner was not injured and contacted officers from Port Stephens Hunter Police District, who arrived on scene a short time later.

As inquiries continue, police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 2012-model silver Mercedes Benz with NSW registration ETZ-43F and a 1990-model white Nissan Skyline with NSW registration EOW-76F.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is also urged to come forward.

Anyone who sights the vehicle is reminded not to approach the vehicle or the occupants and to instead call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Appeal to locate missing man – Newcastle PD

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s Hunter Region

Gavin Wellard, aged 54, was last seen in Broadmeadow about 5pm yesterday (Friday 24 May 2024).

When he could not be contacted or located, officers attached to Newcastle Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to him living with a number of health conditions.

Gavin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, medium build, short brown hair and unshaven.

It is not known what he maybe wearing.

Gavin is known to frequent the Broadmeadows area.

Anyone with information into Gavin’s whereabouts is urged to call Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

GREENS WA STATEMENT ON CURTIN UNIVERSITY ENCAMPMENT

Following powerful student-led collective action, we welcome reports Curtin University has committed to disclosing investments, research, learning and teaching ties with weapons manufacturers, foreign governments and the defence industry.

This is thanks to the incredible commitment of Curtin students who have been camping out on campus for the past 23 days and nights, a powerful and genuine act of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

However, it is disappointing Curtin University leadership has yet to agree to the student’s request to immediately cut ties with all weapons companies like Lockheed Martin, Babcock Australasia and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

These students are on the right side of history. Their rights to peaceful protest must be respected and protected by the university.

The Greens WA are in solidarity with students and staff peacefully protesting, and we look forward to supporting students in their next steps to achieve justice and a free Palestine.

We support Palestine’s decades-long struggle to live with dignity and self-determination.

City of Newcastle celebrates harmony during Reconciliation Week

Novocastrians can add their voices to reconciliation by joining City of Newcastle in a pop-up choir in Museum Park next week to sing the Warumpi Band’s famous anthem, ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’.

The free event on 30 May will run from 12pm to 1pm and be coordinated by local group, The Sum of the Parts, who’ll lead the rehearsal and provide sheet music, as well as a three-piece band.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is proud to support local events during National Reconciliation Week.

“City of Newcastle has a strong track record of leading the way when it comes to reconciliation, becoming the first Council to raise the Aboriginal Flag over a civic building under the leadership of former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week is Now More Than Ever and it’s a reminder to everyone the fight for justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue.”

Councillor Deahnna Richardson, a proud Wiradjuri woman, said events such as the pop-up choir were an ideal way to unite all members of the community in the journey towards reconciliation.

“National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia,” Cr Richardson said.

“Our pop-up-choir at Museum Park is part of a national initiative by Reconciliation Australia, which is encouraging communities across the country to lend their voices to reconciliation.

“Blackfella/Whitefella is a call for all people of all backgrounds and races to come together and stand up for change and we’re proud to be championing that message through this free community event.”

Reconciliation Week activities continue on 1 June with Newcastle Art Gallery and Aboriginal education group Speaking in Colour hosting a community drop-in workshop at The Olive Tree Markets.

Visitors can join a traditional weaving circle to discover Aboriginal methods and the importance of these practices, while also learning about the historical impact of Reconciliation Week on First Nations communities and discuss what needs to be done in the future.

City of Newcastle will also be represented at the University of Newcastle Reconciliation Ball which is being held on 30 May at the Great Hall, providing an opportunity for the community to connect to culture, Country, and each other.

The celebration will feature Minimbah Dancers, installations from the staff and students of the College of Engineering, Science, and Environment, as well as deadly local DJ Baker Boy and food by renowned Gamiliaraay Wonnorua Wailwan chef, Corey Grech.

National Reconciliation Week commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey, the 1967 referendum for Aboriginal recognition on 27 May and the High Court Mabo decision on 3 June 1992.

For more information visit the City of Newcastle website.

City of Newcastle offers $900,000 to fund fresh ideas

Community groups, residents and business owners are being given the chance to share in almost $900,000 from City of Newcastle to enhance the culture, environment, and economy of Newcastle.

City of Newcastle’s grants and sponsorships program covers a range of initiatives such as community support, sustainability, the environment and event sponsorship.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with a previous recipient of a City of Newcastle grants and sponsorships funding allocation.

Funding through City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate program will be allocated to projects that support the promotion, beautification and development of Wallsend and Hamilton, prior to applications opening for the City Centre later this year.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said funding can be used for a wide range of activities and projects.

“This is the community’s chance to secure grants for initiatives that improve our local way of life,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our grants and sponsorships program can also help to alleviate the cost of living crisis with funding for things such as social inclusion.

“Last year our funding helped Grainery Care maintain an Outdoor Foodcare Delivery Space, allowed the University of Newcastle to create an employment clinic for the newly arrived migrants and maintain a student grocery hub.

“Our environmental and sustainability grants helped Apnom, a sustainable technology developer, create a program aimed at saving energy while maintaining food security and community nutrition, assisted the Diocese of Newcastle with the operation of a community garden, and funded Newcastle’s first Community Textile Recovery Hub at Wallsend.

“Our Special Business Rate program is an important way of involving businesses and the community in the continued improvement of their local precincts.

“It’s played a part in the Newcastle Fringe Festival at Hamilton, Streets Alive Wallsend and the Wallsend Op Shop Trail.

“The funding for projects in Wallsend and Hamilton will be assessed on their impact, creativity, and innovation.”

Hockey NSW secured $20,000 from last year’s major events funding to host the Regional Challenge in Newcastle.

Competitions manager Nathan Walker said Hockey NSW is extremely grateful for the support.

“We’ve formed a great relationship with City of Newcastle that’s allowed us to bring premier events to the region and utilise one of the best hockey facilities in Australia,” Mr Walker said.

“The funding helps Hockey NSW grow existing tournaments and by strengthening our relationship we hope to attract world class events to the Newcastle International Hockey Centre in the future.”

Hamilton and Wallsend SBR funding expressions of interest open on 27 May and close 23 June.

Applications for the grants and sponsorships program open on 3 June and close 30 June.

Funding streams include Infrastructure Grants which target minor capital activities including Recreation Facilities Grants and Façade Improvement Grants.

Community Support Grants support community-based groups, sport and recreation clubs, and service organisations to enhance community services through Arts, Culture and History Grants, Social Inclusion Grants and Youth Climate Action Grants.

The Event Sponsorship Program provides a mechanism to promote active and vibrant spaces, attract local and out of region visitation and enhance Newcastle’s profile and reputation as an events city and includes General Sponsorships, Major Sponsorships, Incubator Sponsorships and Business Events Sponsorships.

Tourism and Economic Development sponsorships target activities and initiatives that provide economic benefit through enabling skills, innovation, vibrant places and spaces, and business event attraction.

To learn more about or apply for a City of Newcastle grant or sponsorship visit https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships

For SBR expressions of interest for Hamilton and Wallsend, visit https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/business/supporting-local-business-people/business-improvement-associations/special-business-rates-program

Empowering women to run for council

With voters heading to the polls for local government elections in September, the NSW Government is providing support to encourage more women to consider running for their local council.

The Office of Local Government and Women NSW have jointly committed $160,000 in funding for 2 women’s organisations to host a series of candidate information workshops targeted at underrepresented groups of women.

The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) NSW Branch and Women for Election will deliver workshops covering leadership skills, how to run a successful campaign as well as the roles and responsibilities of elected councillors.

Aimed at empowering women with the knowledge to run as candidates, these workshops will be delivered by women with lived experience as political candidates, as well as facilitators who have served or worked in local government.

They will be held at multiple locations in Sydney and in regional and rural areas to ensure women around NSW have access to these valuable training opportunities.

These will include dedicated workshops run by First Nations trainers to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to run for local government.

Providing funding for these organisations is part of a wider campaign by the Office of Local Government to encourage greater diversity in candidate representation at the upcoming elections.

The most recent Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report shows the number of female councillors rose from 31.2% to 39% at the 2021 Local Government elections.

The report also shows 3.9% of councillors were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, 10.1% of councillors were linguistically diverse and 4.2% of councillors were aged 18 to 29.

The Office of Local Government’s Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report can be viewed on the Office of Local Government website.

Find information about the Women for Election workshops .

Find information about the Australian Local Government Women’s Association workshops .

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“One of the real strengths of our state is the diversity of our communities, and we need to see this diversity better reflected in the make-up of our councils.

“A lack of confidence or information about what it means to be a councillor can hold a lot of people back from putting their hand up, especially women.

“We hope with this support, these workshops can encourage more women and people from diverse backgrounds to take the plunge and represent their communities in the elections this September.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“By increasing the number of women serving in local government, councils will better reflect the communities they represent.

“These workshops provide women with pathways to grow their careers in politics. We want to see more women elected to bring NSW closer to its goal of gender parity on councils and inspire the next generation of women in politics.

“Speaking from experience, being a councillor is an incredibly rewarding job, so I encourage women across NSW to get involved and consider running for election in September.”

CEO, Women for Election Licia Heath said:

“Extensive work was done in 2021 to inspire and equip women of all backgrounds to run in the local government elections, which resulted in an unprecedented lift in the number of women elected to councils in NSW.

“Women for Election are excited to build on that work in 2024. Our events in Western Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Tamworth will inspire women to see themselves as future political candidates as we run into the September council elections.

“Importantly, our partnership with the Turnstone Collective will see First Nations women getting access to dedicated training workshops to support their local government ambitions and campaigns.”

President, ALGWA NSW Branch, Cr Penny Pedersen said:

“For too long women have been underrepresented in local government – as mayors, councillors and in senior management.

“Given more women than men live in NSW, we must encourage and support a greater number of women to take their place in local government.

“ALGWA’s forums introduce women, many of them already leaders in our community organisations, to elected women councillors, who can pass on the detail of their election journey and the importance of their role in local government.”

Pilot program for Community Housing Providers takes flight

Today the NSW Government is launching a new pilot program to help 20 Community Housing Providers (CHPs) navigate the planning system to support the delivery of more affordable and community housing.

The Community Housing Concierge program will assist CHPs to build planning capability and efficiently work with the planning system to support the delivery of more than 3,600 affordable homes in the next five years.

Across NSW there are 169 registered Community Housing Providers (CHP) who oversee more than 54,000 properties.

Community Housing Providers deliver secure and affordable rental housing for people on very low to moderate incomes.

This pilot is part of the Government’s effort to assist CHPs as they have said they lack the necessary planning expertise to move projects through the planning system effectively.

As the Government continues in its efforts to address the housing crisis, Community Housing Providers have a major role to play by providing homes for those on very low to moderate incomes.

This Government has taken significant steps to improve and expand affordable and community housing services.

This has included a new bonus Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of up to 30 per cent and a height bonus of up to 30 per cent where a proposal includes a minimum of 15 per cent of the gross floor area (GFA) as affordable housing.

New affordable housing reforms are expected to increase the number of CHPs engaging in the planning space.

Find out more about the program

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This initiative will help Community Housing Providers deliver a strong supply of social and affordable homes in NSW so that more people have access to a safe place to live in a more timely way.

“By establishing a dedicated Community Housing Concierge, CHPs will have the necessary support to navigate the planning system and have a greater capacity to deliver more homes to those who need it most.

“The new service builds on our recent social and affordable housing reforms aimed at speeding up the delivery of more housing.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“Under the National Housing Accord, NSW has committed to deliver 377,000 new, well-located homes between 2024-2029. We want to see a good proportion of these as social and affordable homes.

“It means we need to work in partnership with Community Housing Providers to improve their capacity to deliver. The pilot program will offer end-to-end planning support to resolve issues and referrals between the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), councils and other State agencies.

“CHPs provide safe and secure housing and wrap around support for some of our most vulnerable. It is important that we are doing everything we can to streamline the planning process to help secure more approvals for social and affordable housing.”

Incentives to boost rollout of household batteries in NSW

The NSW Government will launch a new incentive to make household batteries more accessible and affordable for NSW residents.

Households and businesses with solar panels on their roofs will be able to buy a cheaper, subsidised battery to store solar energy generated when the sun is shining.

This will help get the most out of their solar, by allowing them to use it around the clock. It will also reduce their energy bills and boost the reliability of the state-wide electricity grid.

The new incentive is part of the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme and includes:

Between $1600 and $2400 off the up-front installation cost of a household battery for homes and business with existing solar.
For homes and businesses wanting to install solar, the incentive will be considered in the quote for a new solar and battery system installation.
A $250 to $400 incentive for connecting a battery to a Virtual Power Plant. It can be claimed a second time, 3 years on.

By connecting batteries in Virtual Power Plants, households and businesses can collectively share capacity across the energy grid.

The incentives will be available from 1 November 2024 and will be accessed through approved suppliers, which will become accredited over the coming months.

The expansion of the scheme follows extensive consultation with companies who specialise in the orchestration of household batteries, like Reposit Power in the Blacktown electorate.

Find out more information about the NSW Government’s household battery incentive program.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“More than 1,000,000 NSW households have solar panels on their roofs and adding a battery will see them benefit around the clock, not just when the sun is shining.

“We are bringing down the upfront cost of batteries for households and businesses to make them more accessible.

“This is a targeted action to support those with solar to take the next step to lowering their bills by using renewable energy. It also supports the state’s transition to renewable energy.”

Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said:

“This is a fantastic initiative for the households and businesses of western Sydney.

“Rooftop solar is already so popular and I know this saving will help people bring down their power bills and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Reposit Power CEO Dean Spaccavento said:

“The NSW Government’s expansion of the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme to include household batteries is a win-win for residents and the electricity grid.

“Home batteries are now playing a crucial role in a cleaner, more secure energy future for NSW and earning money for their contribution.

“Homeowners can maximise the benefit they get from a battery system at their home by shopping around for deals that offer guaranteed bill reductions for at least 5 years.”

Further information

What is a virtual power plant?

Virtual Power Plants group the power produced by rooftop solar and stored in batteries, so it can be released into the grid where and when it’s needed.
Energy from virtual power plants is released into the grid to address frequency and voltage imbalances, local disruptions or disturbances and keep the network stable. Read more about virtual power plants and why they matter.

What is peak demand?

Peak demand is when electricity usage is at its highest, such as in the middle of summer when millions of households turn on their air conditioners.
The electricity grid is designed to be capable to meet that peak demand.
If the level of peak demand can be lowered, we can reduce the amount of renewable energy infrastructure that needs to be built to keep the lights on.
Building only the infrastructure we need saves NSW money.