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The Hunter to have their say on local bus services

Bus passengers in the Hunter region will have the chance to speak with the NSW Government on what they want from their bus services on Friday 28 July.

As part of the Minns Labor Government’s Bus Industry Taskforce, the face-to-face forum will provide a much-needed opportunity for passengers and their representatives to have their say. 

The government will host the forum later this week and invites members of the public and representatives from community groups, local businesses and non-government organisations to come and provide their feedback and ideas.

This session will include small group discussions around participants’ areas of interest, such as the frequency, reliability or route of their local bus services, bus stop infrastructure, or how they get information about their service.

Everyone is welcome to drop into the session below but if you can’t make it on the day, you can visit the Bus Industry Taskforce and have your say about what is important to you at any time.

Hunter region Bus Passenger Forum details:

Date	Friday 28 July
Time	11am to 1pm
Location	The NEX Club, 309 King Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302

The taskforce will use community feedback in its advice to the minister on how to make bus services better across NSW. A summary report will be prepared so that people can see how their feedback will be used.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We know the community has a lot to say about the current state of our bus services and we want to make sure they are part of the decision-making process.

“It’s no secret we’ve inherited the mess of the former government’s failed bus privatisation experiment. What we need to do now is find solutions and engage with the community in meaningful ways to find those solutions.

“Commuters across the Newcastle and the Hunter region have been dealing with these service issues for too long and it is time passengers had their say.

“Your feedback will be considered, from frustrations over interchanging and frequency to discussions on bus stop placement, we want to hear it all.”

UFC fans get chance to secure tickets to ultimate Sydney Octagon experience

Fight fans from around Australia and the world can secure their spot at UFC 293 in Sydney when tickets go on sale on Friday.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper today joined UFC Executive Vice President David Shaw at Qudos Bank Arena to announce on-sale dates for tickets to the highly anticipated event on 10 September at which the UFC Middleweight crown will go on the line.

UFC 293 is expected to be a sell-out event, providing a boost to the NSW visitor economy and delivering Sydney valuable global exposure as a tourist and major events destination through UFC’s huge global audience.

UFC 293 will be the first of 3 Pay Per View events to be held in Sydney over the next 4 years, as part of a first-time agreement between UFC and the NSW Government.

The 3 UFC Pay Per View events are anticipated to inject more than $30 million into the state’s visitor economy over the 4-year period.

Hosting the UFC in Sydney gives NSW exposure to 900 million households watching around the world, all potential future visitors to the state.

UFC 293 will mark the return of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation to Sydney for the first time since 2017 and is the first mega Pay Per View event to be held here since 2011.

Tickets will be available for purchase for the public from 12pm Friday 28 July via Ticketek. Fight Club members will be able to buy tickets from 12pm Wednesday 26 July.

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“Sydney is gearing up to welcome thousands of passionate UFC fans in September for what is one of the most-watched sporting events of the year.

“Following a record-breaking Vivid Sydney and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, UFC 293 will be another shot in the arm for Sydney’s visitor economy and night-time economy.

“Australian and international visitors arriving for this Sydney showdown can visit Sydney’s many attractions and eat and drink in our world-class restaurants supporting jobs in the visitor economy.”

NSW Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper said:

“Sydney is undoubtedly Australia’s premier host city for world-class sporting events and UFC 293 adds another remarkable chapter to that reputation.

“Labor made a promise to bring 3 UFC Pay Per View events to Sydney because we know the value major global sporting shows like this bring to the state’s economy.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be offering thousands of UFC fans the chance to attend one of our biggest sporting spectacles and I encourage them to get in quickly so they don’t miss out on this event on home soil.”

$9.1 million boost to help flood-affected communities

The Albanese and Minns governments have launched a $9.1 million grant program for community organisations and non-government organisations as they help flood-affected regions on their road to recovery.

The NGO Flood Recovery Program funding will go to service providers and non-government organisations in the Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England districts as they continue to rebuild following the floods which began in August and September 2022.

The grants are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The grants will provide a range of support, including staffing costs to meet increased demand for help, operational costs, and funding to help people remain safe during recovery:

$6.5 million will go to community and volunteer-based non-government organisations across the Western, Murrumbidgee, Far West and New England districts.
$1.5 million will be allocated for administration and local support, including on-the-ground flood support officers deployed on the ground to support grant recipients throughout the life of the grant.
$1.1 million will be available for applications from current NSW Department of Communities and Justice service providers.

Find out how to apply herelaunch

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt said:

“We are providing support for local and non-government organisations as they help lift communities back on their feet after these disasters.

“This funding is another way the Albanese and Minns governments are investing in much-needed recovery services delivered through community-led social recovery programs across the state.”

NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“Flood affected communities have shown a great deal of resilience and courage dealing with the major flooding events of 2022. This funding will help deliver more support to people still struggling.

“Local services are crucial in supporting and strengthening communities during times of hardship. These grants will bolster their efforts in providing valuable assistance to families and businesses still recovering from the floods.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“While storms may last a few days, the recovery efforts can take several years, from rebuilding homes to re-establishing businesses.

“Once emergency services leave disaster-affected areas, community and non-government organisations play a crucial role in helping people recover and rebuild.

“It is important we support these on-the-ground organisations who assist NSW communities, and these grants will mean they can continue to provide vital services.”

Funding announced to help communities celebrate first Aboriginal Languages Week

Aboriginal communities across NSW are being encouraged to celebrate and showcase and their unique languages this October during the first ever Aboriginal Languages Week.

Aboriginal Languages Week will take place annually to coincide with the passing of Aboriginal Languages legislation into law on 24 October 2017. Events and activities will be supported by a new grants program of $250,000 administered by the Aboriginal Languages Trust.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said NSW is leading the way in recognising the importance of Aboriginal languages through legislation and providing significant funding for their revitalisation.

“Aboriginal Communities work tirelessly to keep their Languages alive, and the NSW Government is proud to support them in their endeavours,” Minister Harris said.

“Today I visited the La Perouse Aboriginal Community who shared with me the history of their language reclamation. I was humbled to hear the children in the Gujaga Pre-School and La Perouse Public School learning and speaking Dharawal and how happy and excited they were.

“That joy will be continued with Gujaga Foundation recently securing a NSW Government grant to continue this teaching of the Dharawal language to the next generations.

“It is these stories of hope and commitment we want to celebrate with these Aboriginal Languages Week grants and I encourage community organisations to apply.”

Grants of up to $5000 are available for eligible groups to deliver languages events and activities between 22 October and 29 October 2023. The grants, administered by the Aboriginal Languages Trust are now open and close on 23 August 2023.

In addition to funding local community-based activities throughout the week, the trust will be hosting its own events, including a free-to-the public NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Festival on the Saturday 21 October in Sydney.

This new grant round comes close on the heels of an announcement by the minister and trust of $3.9 million in grants going to Aboriginal Community organisations and groups to support languages revitalisation in 2022-23.

The Gujaga Foundation Limited received a grant of $60,000 to continue to deliver training to upskill Aboriginal community members to be employed as Dharawal Language and Culture tutors and teach in schools and learning centres, like the Gujaga Pre-School, across the cultural boundary area.

More information on grants and activities for Aboriginal Languages Week can be found on the Aboriginal Languages Trustlaunch website.

Liberal Pary Media Statement

The Liberal Party has appointed a Senior Counsel, who is conducting an independent investigation into matters raised in a formal complaint. At all times, the Party has respected the agency and wishes of the person who has come forward, to treat the matter confidentially. Public commentary on this investigation could deny procedural fairness to those involved in this process. The Party will not be making any further comment while the independent investigation is taking place and respectfully asks others to do the same.

Hydrogen Hub to be housed in the Hunter

The Albanese Government has taken a major step forward towards delivering a renewable hydrogen hub in the Hunter.

Signed agreement has been reached to invest $70 million to develop a hydrogen hub in Newcastle, which will create jobs and boost Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry.

This is the first major agreement struck in Australia that delivers a government investment commitment to a regional hydrogen hub.

Origin Energy in collaboration with Orica is progressing the development of the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub which will produce renewable hydrogen and create around 100 jobs.

Funding will build the infrastructure needed to produce up to 5500 tonnes of renewable hydrogen each year. Most of the hydrogen will be used by the Orica ammonia and ammonium nitrate facility to help make their products emission-free. Hydrogen will also be made available for refuelling hydrogen buses and trucks at the hub.

The project also aims to establish a pathway to export renewable hydrogen and provide more job opportunities in the region by expanding workforce skills and creating a new industry around renewable hydrogen.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said renewable hydrogen was an essential part of Australia’s renewable energy transformation.

“Investing in an Australian renewable hydrogen industry is investing in Australia’s future,” said Minister Bowen.

“Newcastle and the Hunter Region have been industrial and economic powerhouses for decades, making the Port of Newcastle an ideal location for a renewable hydrogen hub that can support decarbonisation of heavy industry in the region and connect our renewable resources to the world.

“This project is the next step towards using locally produced renewable hydrogen in Australia to reduce our industrial emissions and develop a renewable export future.”

Renewable hydrogen will be produced using a 55 MW electrolyser, which is over 5 times larger than the biggest electrolyser currently at final investment decision.

Federal member Sharon Claydon said this major investment will help establish Newcastle and the Hunter as a renewable energy hub.

“The regions that have always powered Australia are the same regions that will power us throughout the transformation to a decarbonised economy – but only with the right investment.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to supporting carbon intensive regions like ours to take advantage of the economic and job opportunities that come with more affordable and reliable renewable energy.”

Construction of the facility is targeted to begin in 2025 with operations expected to commence in 2026.

Hydrogen hubs help give the hydrogen industry its springboard to scale. They are locations where co-located producers, users and exporters of hydrogen share infrastructure and expertise, lowering the cost of production, encouraging innovation, enhancing skills and training, and creating jobs.

The Albanese Government is also investing to scale up Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry through the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program announced in the 2023-24 Budget, as well as investing over half a billion dollars in regional hydrogen hubs. These actions will drive further investments in hydrogen across other regions including Gladstone and the Pilbara.

The Albanese Government’s reformed Safeguard Mechanism puts industries like ammonia and chemical production on track to net zero emissions by 2050 and will continue to incentivise deployment of technologies like hydrogen and increased use of renewable energy.

The spotlight awaits Newcastle and Hunter students at this year’s Schools Spectacular

The state’s biggest showcase of public education’s creativity and performing arts is turning 40, and schools across Newcastle and the Hunter are joining the ‘Fabulous’ party.

Students from hundreds of schools across the state were chosen to perform at this year’s Schools Spectacular – the world’s largest amateur variety show and one of NSW public education’s flagship arts events.

Five students from Hunter School of Performing Arts and one from Rutherford Technology High School are among more than 150 who will perform as featured artists at this year’s Schools Spectacular.

The local schools whose students will perform at this year’s event include:

Hunter School of Performing Arts – 19 students
Lambton High School – one student
Maitland High School – 10 students
Rutherford Technology High School – 10 students
Scone High School – one student
Whitebridge High School – one student

They will join a cast of thousands of public school students from on stage at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 November for a ‘Fabulous’ display of youth dance and musical performances.

The theme this year is ‘Fabulous’ and celebrates a show that has wowed its audiences for 40 years since its first performance to celebrate the opening of Darling Harbour’s Entertainment Centre in 1983.

This year’s show will feature a 2,600-person voice choir, 2,300 dancers, an 80-piece symphony orchestra, the signing choir, stage band, specialist ensembles and VET crew all under the guidance of more than 600 teachers.

Executive producer, Richard Spiewak, said the one-of-a-kind production gives thousands of public-school students the opportunity to be challenged and engaged through the performing arts.

“The Schools Spectacular is just that – a spectacular display of the incredibly talented students and staff in our public schools,” Mr Speak said.

“To be chosen to perform at this world-class event is not only testament to their talent, but also an opportunity for students to nurture their love for performing while working alongside some of the finest talents in the entertainment industry.

“Congratulations to all the students who have been selected to perform at this year’s event – it is going to be fabulous,” he said.

Tickets for the 2023 Schools Spectacular will be on sale through Ticketek from Friday, July 28.

Schools Spectacular is produced by The Arts Unit at the NSW Department of Education and proudly supported by Telstra, NSW Teachers Federation, School Bytes, RODE, Smartsalary, Teachers Health, Steinway Galleries, Event Partners: Qudos Bank Arena, Seven Network and Ticketek.

NO MORE PUBLIC MONEY FOR POLITICAL DONORS

Greens leader in the Senate Larissa Waters will introduce a private members Bill when parliament resumes to stop political donors from being awarded Commonwealth contracts, including the likes of Big 4 consulting firms.

The Fairer Grants and Government Contracts Bill would ban political donations for 12 months before and after any contract tender or application was made.

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Democracy said:

“Money shouldn’t be able to buy government contracts, development approvals, political access or political influence. Yet it’s clear that’s what years of donations has been getting for organisations like PwC and the rest of the Big 4 and it’s legalised bribery.

“The Big 4 donated more than $4.3 million to both sides of politics over 10 years, and secured $8 billion in government contracts over that same time period – work that could and should largely be done by a strong, independent public service.

“When parliament resumes, the Greens will introduce a bill to ensure that organisations seeking government contracts or approvals are not able to donate to political parties for a year on either side of that application. The Greens would still like to cap all political donations at $1,000 per year, but we are proposing this Bill as an urgent measure that should receive multipartisan support.

“Trust in politicians and our democracy remains at an all time low. We need to do everything we can to ensure Parliament is more transparent, and ending dodgy donations is a good place to start.

“Stopping donations effectively buying lucrative government contracts, or environmental approvals, will encourage decisions to be made based on merit, and help reinstate public trust in our political system.

“Rather than relying on public relations exercises by corporate entities like PwC, Labor needs to show some leadership and put an end to these unfair and undemocratic donations, once and for all.”

Senator Barbara Pocock, Greens spokesperson on Public Sector said:

“Australians deserve a well-resourced public service that is not hollowed out by voracious private contractors, and that is making decisions in the interests of the community, not vested interests and big donors.

“It is only when we stop large political donors from using their donations promises to secure favours, like contracts, or approvals, or access to decision makers, that we will see our system work in the public interest.

“The Big 4 should not be able to further entrench their power and influence over government, and their profit margins, by making political donations, and certainly not when they are tendering for a government contract.”

UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA CONSENT EDUCATION AXING AN EMBARRASSMENT

Report from The Saturday Paper: Universities Australia have shelved a student-facing respectful relationships campaign because a minority of vice-chancellors among the 39 universities the body represents objected to its explicit nature.

Greens Senator Larissa Waters will pursue the matter directly when Universities Australia appear at a Senate Inquiry into sexual consent laws and education next week.

Greens spokesperson on Women, Senator Larissa Waters said:

“Universities have a clear responsibility to provide a safe environment for students, with 275 sexual assaults in a university setting each week, it’s clear they are failing.

“Reporting today suggests universities are also failing to provide the educational resources young adults need, because of the archaic mindset of a few old dinosaurs in charge of our tertiary institutions.

“Allowing the prudish nonsense of a minority of vice-chancellors to shelve a government-funded campaign is embarrassing enough, but Universities Australia attempting to hide the decision is outrageous.

“If Universities Australia don’t want to provide sexual consent education to the adults on its campuses, it should hand back the $1.5 million it was provided to do so.

“I will be pursuing this matter directly with Universities Australia when they appear before a Senate Inquiry into sexual consent laws and education next week.”

NSW Government investing $40.9 million to fast-track critical infrastructure in high growth communities

The NSW Government is investing $40.9 million to fast-track critical infrastructure for rapidly growing communities in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast where around 18,000 new homes are set to be built in the next three years.

The investment aligns with the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to getting more people into homes and ensuring the infrastructure is there to support them.

The funds will support road upgrades at Waterloo, Box Hill and Ryde, improved pedestrian connectivity in Parramatta, and a new sporting complex on the Central Coast.

The City of Parramatta, Central Coast Council, City of Ryde, The Hills Shire Council and Transport for NSW will be responsible for delivering the projects.

Construction is planned to start from this month.

The fast-tracking of these projects will ensure around 18,000 new homes planned in these high-growth communities will have the infrastructure needed in time for the arrival of residents.

NSW needs more housing to meet our state’s housing demands – along with our commitments under the National Housing Accord. All projects are expected to be delivered by mid-2026.

The fast-track infrastructure project funding includes:

Road intersection improvements at McEvoy Street and Botany Road in Waterloo ($13.5 million)
Pedestrian link through Parramatta CBD, linking Parramatta Square to Powerhouse Parramatta and the foreshore ($10.6 million)
Funding for a bridge over the Killarney Chain of Ponds at Box Hill ($8.2 million)
Investment for the construction of Colongra Sporting Complex on the Central Coast ($6 million)
Funding towards the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Parkes Street at Ryde ($2.6 million)

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I’ve made clear we need more housing supply, there’s no two ways about it.

“We are getting on with the job of delivering infrastructure to go alongside the new housing.

“The projects will help ensure these growing suburbs get the infrastructure they need and deserve.

“It is an important step, but we know our work to enable housing supply does not stop here.

“We are making progress, but this is a big task with a lot more work to do.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’ve inherited a housing crisis so we’re doing everything we can to fast-track housing delivery and get more people into homes quicker.

“We need all parts of the system and all levels of government working together, focused on delivering high quality homes with the right infrastructure and in places where people want to live.

“This includes the Housing and Productivity Contributions scheme I introduced to parliament last month, which will better connect new homes with jobs and infrastructure, like the projects announced today.

“These five projects are a great example of collaboration between councils and the state that will provide the infrastructure needed to deliver thousands of new homes for people in growing communities.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:

“This is such an important connection for Parramatta, providing pedestrian access from the river to four forms of public transport in the CBD.

“This link will provide a wonderful tree lined boulevard for pedestrians to move safely from Paramatta Square through to the new Powerhouse Parramatta and the river foreshore.”

Member for Heffron, Ron Hoenig said:

“These improvements at McEvoy Street and Botany Road will help to ease traffic gridlock that is already taking a toll on Waterloo and Alexandria as a result of WestConnex.

“We need to future-proof this intersection in order to get more housing supply where it makes sense.”

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:

“The sporting complex at Colongra is a gamechanger for the community.

“This facility will give local clubs a permanent home and provide local schools and the public with access to sporting fields, courts and greenspace.”

Visit NSW Planning for more information and a complete list of Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF) projectslaunch.