Category: NSW News

The funding of integrity agencies is being put at arm’s length and agencies will receive an additional $228.6 million in new expenditure over 10 years to help them continue to deliver their valuable work.

New arrangements announced today by the NSW Government will safeguard the independence of the state’s five key integrity agencies and ensure they remain adequately resourced to maintain their key role in upholding our democracy.

Building on recommendations of a 2020 Public Accountability Committee Report and a 2022 report published by the Auditor-General, the NSW Government will implement a transparent budget management model for the following agencies:

• Audit Office of New South Wales
• the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
• the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission
• the New South Wales Electoral Commission
• the New South Wales Ombudsman’s Office.

Under the new model, the agencies have been permanently removed from the Department of Premier and the Cabinet Office financial management processes and excluded from efficiency dividends.

Other permanent measures to ensure agency independence include:

• a specialist integrity agency unit within NSW Treasury to manage representations of agency funding needs and provide agencies with information on their funding outcomes.
• the ability for agencies to review Treasury’s advice to Cabinet on funding bids and provide their own advice directly to Cabinet.
• transparent reporting of Cabinet budget decisions impacting agencies to the relevant supervising committee of the Parliament.

The upcoming 2023-24 Budget will include extra funding:

• $75.6m in additional net expenditure for the NSW Electoral Commission for the 2024 Local Government Elections over 2023-24 and 2024-25.
• $49.4m in new expenditure and $9.8m in new capital expenditure over 10 years for the ICAC to address both immediate and long-term operation and service delivery needs.
• $30.5 million in expenditure over 10 years for the Ombudsman to carry out additional duties prescribed in legislation and meet additional service requirements. 
• $21.1 million in expenditure over 10 years for the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to meet its growing remit and oversight activities.

NSW Special Minister of State John Graham said:

“$228.6 million in new expenditure to the State’s key integrity agencies will alleviate previous resourcing pressures and allow them to continue their work investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption and maladministration.

“This new model, along with new funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting our integrity agencies.”

The NSW Government’s first Budget includes planning for the GST ‘no worse off’ guarantee to be made permanent, to ensure every state and territory receives their fair share of revenue.

The guarantee was established after the GST floor was introduced in 2018 to make sure that all states and territories were no worse off and received a guaranteed minimum 70 per cent share of GST revenue.

The ‘no worse off’ guarantee requires the Australian Government to compensate states for shortfalls in their GST revenue share between the old and new distribution arrangements until 2026-27.

NSW is expected to receive around $3.8 billion in ‘no worse off’ payments over the next two financial years (2023-24 and 2024-25).

The end of the GST ‘no worse off’ guarantee would be disastrous for New South Wales. It is the money required to employ more than 8,000 nurses or teachers. The end of the guarantee would risk essential services and require the reintroduction of inefficient taxes.

Given the impact this would have on New South Wales, and the Australian Government’s commitment to essential services, it would not make sense for the no worse off guarantee to end.

Future NSW Budget planning will be made on the assumption of the continuation of the GST ‘no-worse off guarantee’.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“My focus is on making sure New South Wales gets its fair share of GST revenue. The ‘no worse off’ guarantee helps deliver critical services and infrastructure.

“All states and territories are in agreement that the guarantee should continue.”

The 2023-24 Budget begins the long-term work of rebuilding our social and affordable housing system, through a $224 million Essential Housing Package.

Over the next 12 months, the initial investment will begin to address the historic neglect of new social housing supply and trial innovative solutions to get people off the social housing waitlist.

The face of homelessness continues to change as we work through tackling the state’s housing crisis. We have seen an increase of young people, seniors over the age of 55 and those with no previous history of homelessness unable to get access to housing.

The Essential Housing Package will help strengthen the safety net for those experiencing housing insecurity and provide wrap around support and services for some of our most vulnerable.
 
The package includes crucial funding to extend access to temporary accommodation to create a better place for people in crisis, along with funding to specialist homelessness services that provide certainty and stability for the people who need it most.

After more than a decade of inaction and neglect from the former government we are committed to rebuilding our housing system. As a start, we’re delivering more homes across our state and improving specialist homelessness services.

New $224 million Essential Housing Package to support social housing and homelessness services will include:

• $70.0 million financing facility to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes, primarily in regional New South Wales, by funding initial land and site works.
• $35.3 million for housing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families through Services Our Way.
• $35.0 million to support critical maintenance for social housing.
• $20.0 million reserved in Restart NSW for dedicated mental health housing.
• $15 million towards a NSW Housing Fund for priority housing and homelessness measures.
• $11.3 million urgent funding to continue the Together Home program in 2023-24.
• $11 million emergency funding for Temporary Accommodation in 2023-24 to support vulnerable people.
• $10.5 million additional funding to the Community Housing Leasing program.
• $10.0 million for a Modular Housing Trial to deliver faster quality social housing.
• $5.9 million urgent funding to Specialist Homelessness Services to respond to increasing demand.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns said:

“Everyone deserves access to safe and secure shelter. This package will be a boost to social and affordable housing and will help break cycles of homelessness.

“This is an important first step as we better support people in some of the most vulnerable situations.

“We have a housing crisis in New South Wales, and we are working across the government to address the challenges.”

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson said:

“Today is another step in the right direction as we rebuild our housing system.

“We know there is more work to do but our focus is on directing more money to build social and affordable homes and ensuring everyone in NSW has a safe place to call home.”

Almost three-quarters of a million motorists will qualify for toll relief under the Minns Labor Government’s $60 toll cap, confirmed to begin on January 1.

Focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis for families, NSW Budget 2023-24 allocates $561 million over two years to the toll cap.

An election promise delivered, the toll cap will benefit an estimated 720,000 toll account owners, with motorists able to claim back spend above $60 a week via a quarterly refund from Service NSW.

A motorist in Silverwater will receive an average $475 back in 2024, while in Glendenning toll account owners will be able to claim an average of $540 cash back, $440 in Blacktown, $504 in Rosehill, $446 in Quakers Hill, $286 in Holsworthy and $199 in Gosford, according to Transport for NSW forecasts.

Kellyville and its surrounding suburbs are where most drivers by number will benefit, with 13,240 toll accounts to claim an average $399 a year each – or almost $5.3 million across the postcode in 2024.

The toll cap is expected to be accessed by 14 times as many motorists as was anticipated when announced by Labor prior to the election. At that time, an estimated 51,000 motorists were forecast to benefit under a $151 million plan.

The toll cap design will deliver most relief to suburbs in Sydney’s west that have been hit hardest by the former government’s policies that made Sydney the most tolled city in the world.

The NSW Government will also proceed with toll rebates for heavy vehicles using the M5 East and M8 tunnels, with implementation on track for January 1.

Trucks will receive a rebate for a third of their trip travelled on the M5 East and M8, costing $54 million over the two-year trial.

The NSW Government is currently undertaking an independent review of toll roads, led by Professor Allan Fels AO and Dr David Cousins AM who will report back with recommendations to make the system safer, fairer and more efficient.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“More motorists are going to access the $60 toll cap scheme than originally anticipated and I am very pleased to say more than 700,000 motorway users are now going to benefit.

“Motorists, particularly in western Sydney where access to public transport alternatives have been more limited than in other parts of the city, have been crying out for relief from the ever-rising burden of tolls on the family budget. 

“We know people are doing it tough and ‘toll mania’ is one of the most unpopular legacies of the former government.

“The Minns Labor Government’s $60 toll cap is part of ending an era in which government placed more emphasis on growing toll revenue than on helping people get around Sydney without breaking the bank.”

Opal fares will be subject to the annual price rise from Monday 16 October, with the NSW Government ensuring the increase is less than the rate of inflation and securing deals for commuters by slashing fares on Fridays.

Fares across the Opal network will increase by an average of 3.7 per cent – less than $1 extra per week.

The NSW Government has worked to relieve cost-of-commuting pressures by delaying the fare changes, and ensuring they are less than the latest annual Sydney consumer price index movement of 7 per cent in the June 2023 quarter.

Cheaper weekend fares will be expanded to include Fridays, meaning people will receive a 30 per cent fare discount on Metro, train, bus and light rail services. Passengers will be able to travel all day for no more than $8.90. Child/Youth and Concession passengers will have a Friday fare cap of $4.45 for all-day Opal travel.

There will be no change to the weekly travel cap which will remain at $50 for adults and $25 for concession card holders and children. Seniors and pensioners will continue to enjoy their $2.50 daily cap.

Half-price trips after eight journeys will stop when the fare change comes into effect. Opal data shows almost 90 per cent of passengers are not reaching this cap. With fewer people commuting to work five days a week, cheaper Friday fares will have a greater impact on a much larger number of commuters.

The Station Access Fee set by the Airport Link Company for using the Domestic and International Airport train stations will also increase by $0.94 for adults and $0.84 for Child/Youth, Concessions and Senior fares.

Find out more about Opal fareslaunch 

Fare estimates for multimodal trips can be calculated from early Octoberlaunch, ahead of the changes.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“Every weekend will soon be a long weekend when it comes to Opal fares, as we make Friday travel cheaper for everyone, trimming the cost of visiting the city be it for work, to shop or to enjoy a day and night out on the town.

“Weekend fares will apply on Fridays, meaning people can travel all day for no more than $8.90 and receive a 30 per cent fare discount on metro, train, bus and light rail services. Child, Youth and Concession passengers will have a Friday fare cap of $4.45 for all day Opal travel.

“We know people are having trouble paying the bills. That’s why we’ve made sure that the average fare increase will see an average difference of just $1 to a passenger’s weekly fare.”

Example fare changes:

	Current peak	New peak	Current off-peak	New off-peak
Parramatta to Central	$5.42	$5.72	$3.79	$4.00
Penrith to CBD	$7.24	$7.65	$5.06	$5.35
Cronulla to CBD	$7.24	$7.65	$5.06	$5.35
Chatswood to North Sydney	$3.79	$4.00	$2.65	$2.80

The beats of Australia’s best live music will radiate across Sydney and NSW when Great Southern Nights makes its return from 8 to 24 March 2024.

The NSW Government is partnering with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) to bring back the much-loved concert series, ensuring it proceeds over the next 4 years, starting with 300 live music gigs in 2024.

To celebrate, the NSW Government will be hosting a special ‘taster’ event in November 2023 that will feature 10 nights of live performances in Western Sydney and the Inner West.

Thelma Plum, Alex The Astronaut, Dami Im, Jet and The Temper Trap are among the artists taking to venue stages from 16 November 2023 across Parramatta, Penrith, Enmore, Marrickville and Newtown providing a sneak peek at the incredible showcase ahead for Great Southern Nights in March 2024.

Great Southern Nights 2024 is set to deliver more than 300 live gigs in venues across Western Sydney and Sydney’s inner city as well as shows in Wollongong, Wagga, Newcastle, the Northern Rivers and Tamworth.

Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham was joined by ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd at Waywards in Newtown to officially launch the return of Great Southern Nights, which included a performance by Great Southern Nights’ artist, Dami Im.

The event will return to the stages of NSW with a revitalised program, reigniting the state’s rich live music culture by attracting visitors through a shared passion of music.

The new format will focus on drawing visitors to 7 key music communities across NSW, helping to infuse energy into local districts, support jobs across the hospitality and entertainment sectors, and supercharge the state’s night-time and visitor economies.

From established household names to emerging talent and grass roots acts, Great Southern Nights 2024 will spotlight a diverse array of artists across 17 nights while inviting visitors to explore weekends away in Greater Sydney and NSW. 

Great Southern Nights will share the limelight with events such as South by Southwest Sydney, which will make its Sydney debut next month, as well as Vivid Sydney, the Sydney International Art Series, Sydney Festival and Sydney Biennale, solidifying Sydney and NSW’s stature as a hub for cultural experiences.

The 2023 Great Southern Nights preview program will take place from 16 to 25 November 2023. Tickets will go on-sale at 9am on 19 September 2023 via Great Southern Nightslaunch. Artists confirmed for the November program include Alex the Astronaut, Beccy Cole, Dami Im, Isabella Manfredi, Jet, Tasman Keith and 3% plus Guests, The Temper Trap, Thelma Plum and Thy Art is Murder.

The artist line-up and ticket sales to the 2024 Great Southern Nights event, which will be held from 8 to 24 March across Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and the Northern Rivers, will be announced this December.

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

‘Bringing back Great Southern Nights aligns with the policy direction the NSW Government is taking – we’re shifting the focus from destination travel to experience tourism with an emphasis on creating a cultural identity for the state.

‘We know that the music industry requires greater support to revive live music venues across the state and support artists and workers in the industry, which is why our government is committed to bring back Great Southern Nights over the next 4 years.

‘We have enormous potential here in NSW to create an immersive, unique visitor experience that combines the nation’s best natural encounters, great cuisine and local hospitality with a world-class cultural experience.

‘This is more than a series of live gigs – it’s a display of how the collective passion for live music can deliver rich cultural moments that resonate with locals and visitors alike to create unforgettable experiences.’

CEO of ARIA Annabelle Herd said:

‘We’re absolutely thrilled to bring Great Southern Nights back for another year and provide artists with an increasingly important platform to connect with new fans and long-term lovers of live music.

‘Globally, and particularly in the UK, markets are seeing a resurgence in the role of small to medium venues for breaking up-and-coming talent. Creating more of those same opportunities for our own recording artists to cut through and build new fanbases is critical at a time where content is increasingly saturated.

‘Enormous thanks to the NSW Government for valuing the significant economic and cultural contribution of Australian music and understanding the importance of keeping our creative industries thriving in cities and regional communities.’

Great Southern Nights’ performing artist Alex the Astronaut said:

‘It’s an honour to be a part of the Great Southern Nights program for 2023. It means a lot that the government is continuing to add bricks to a music industry that is still rebuilding itself. I can’t wait to put on a show.’

The Minns Labor Government has identified $1.4 billion in savings to fund historic teachers wage increases by cutting bureaucratic waste within the Department of Education.

The first Minns Labor Government budget will end the former government’s Local Schools, Local Decisions policy.

The savings needed to fund wage increases above the centrally-funded 4.5 per cent this financial year and properly recognise the value of teachers’ work will be met by removing waste and duplication and will instead get some of the state’s most experienced teachers back in front of students.

Getting executive teachers back into the classroom where their expertise is most needed is one of several steps the Minns Labor Government is taking to pay for the biggest wage increase for teachers in a generation and break the back of NSW’s teacher shortage crisis. 

These steps include:

• Redirecting a proportion of discretionary funds that had taken teachers off classroom duties to do admin, at a saving of $414 million over four years. 
• Reducing programs that don’t directly support schools, including failed recruitment initiatives and unnecessary communications contractors: More than 200 contractors and management consultants will no longer be required, saving $411 million over four years. 
• Applying a savings dividend across each corporate division of the NSW Education Department, saving $328 million over four years. 
• Removing duplication from programs in digital learning, communications and management systems, saving $250 million over four years. 
• Applying a one-off cost reduction through renegotiated commercial contracts in areas such as IT, telephony and travel, saving $45 million in the first year. 

Under the steps detailed above, the NSW Government will save $268 million in the first year of the new agreement, effective October 9, and $390 million in each of the three years to follow. 

The reforms go beyond funding the essential pay rises that will keep teachers in their vocation of choice – they will return the focus of schools to their core task of educating the future of our state.

Under the Heads of Agreement signed with the NSW Teachers Federation on Saturday, both sides committed to work together on an orderly process to spread teaching loads more fairly across senior teachers, and ensure there is a pathway for the state’s best teachers to be promoted while continuing their vital work of teaching.   

Teachers were informed in the last 24 hours of an immediate freeze on the recruitment of the non-teaching executive positions created under the former government, while the department reviews school staffing arrangements. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Paying our teachers is an investment in our state’s future – the education of our kids. Giving teachers the pay rise that they deserve is long overdue, not only is it a mark of respect but we need to recruit and retain more teachers. 

“There are savings to be had from within the system which we can direct back into paying teachers what they are worth. A qualified teacher paid a fair wage in our classrooms will reap dividends in educational outcomes into the future. 

“It is a responsible and sustainable use of our education budget that goes directly back into the classroom and teachers.

“Under the former Liberal and National Government thousands of experienced teachers were pulled off class, which exacerbated a teacher shortage crisis which to this day they deny even existed.”

“Principals were loaded up with unnecessary paperwork and were forced to turn to trusted teachers to help. Thousands of teachers were taken away from the classroom and put behind desks because schools were loaded up with paperwork.

“That has to change. We need our best and brightest teachers back in the classroom where they can really make a difference, applying their experience and skills to mentor teachers and teach our students.”

Sydney Marathon will create history this Sunday as the largest marathon ever held in Australia as the bid to become an Abbott World Marathon Major becomes ever important. If successful Sydney Marathon will join the pantheon of great marathons of the world, including New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Tokyo and Berlin.

This years event will host 17,000 registered runners more than doubling the previous record of 8,100 set by the Melbourne Marathon in 2019.

After last year becoming the first marathon in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve Platinum Label status, the Sydney Marathon is now in its second year of a three-year candidacy period to become a major marathon.

Adding to the historic event, this year’s field of elite runners will see the fastest marathon pack ever assembled for an Australian marathon, including 2022 Men’s World Champion, Tamirat Tola; 2023 Boston Marathon Men’s runner up, Gabriel Geay; 2022 Paris Marathon Women’s Champion, Judith Jeptum Korir and Australian men’s and women’s record holders, Brett Robinson and Sinead Diver.

Sydney Marathon is already recognised as one of the world’s best marathons and a bucket list event for recreational marathon runners across the globe, uniting people of all backgrounds to enjoy an unforgettable running experience in one of the great sporting event cities of the world.

Inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors would make it one of the most coveted marathon events on earth as these marathons are generally oversubscribed by running enthusiasts who aim to compete in all World Marathon Majors. In 2019 the Tokyo Marathon received over 330,000 applications for a field of 37,000. In the same year, the London Marathon received over 424,000 applications for a capacity of 56,000 runners.

Achieving World Major status would present an opportunity for the Sydney Marathon to attract the world’s elite runners and global media attention, along with tens of thousands of visitors each year to experience one of the world’s greatest running events, providing a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy.

This year, the Sydney Marathon is also enhancing its profile as a spectator event, with the inclusion of four spectator live sites in Pyrmont, The Rocks, Surry Hills, and Moore Park, offering entertainment, free coffee, food trucks, custom sign workshops, DJs, drag queen performances, prize giveaways and large screens broadcasting the marathon live.

The NSW Government through Destination NSW is proud to support Sydney Marathon’s push to become a World Marathon Major, which will not only create a world-class community participation event for the people of Sydney but will also have significant tourism benefits for the city.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We are excited to host the best recreational road runners from across the world in our beautiful harbour city.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“The Sydney Marathon is the sole remaining legacy event of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and continues our celebrated history of hosting major international sporting events in this city. No city in the world has a greater combination of natural beauty and iconic infrastructure for hosting a marathon than Sydney.”

“With so many incredible vantage points and entertainment hubs added to the event, the Sydney Marathon is going to provide a festival atmosphere for spectators and runners. I encourage Sydneysiders to get out on the course this Sunday, cheer on the runners, enjoy the community created by the Sydney Marathon and support its push to become a World Marathon Major.”

The Minns government is delivering on its commitment to establish a NSW Faith Affairs Council to improve our government programs, policies and services with our multi-faith communities.

The 16-member council will assist the NSW Government by identifying opportunities for greater collaboration between government and religious communities.

The council’s membership will reflect the religious diversity of NSW, with representatives from both larger and smaller religious communities to be included on the 16-member council.

Nominations will be assessed, and members appointed on the candidate’s ability for:

• Demonstrated respect, influence and status within their respective religious communities or relevant specialised field.
• Demonstrated commitment to inter-faith cooperation, inclusion and diversity, and the multicultural principles.
• Demonstrated understanding of NSW Government policy issues that affect a range of religious communities.
• Endorsement by their respective religious organisations.
• Endorsement by at least 2 religious organisations from other religious communities.

Invitations to apply for the NSW Faith Affairs Council have been sent to more than 260 religious community stakeholders.

Council members will have an initial 12-month term, with the opportunity for reappointment for a maximum of up to 4 years. A review of the council, including the terms of reference, will be undertaken after 1 year.

For more information, visit the NSW Faith Affairs Council websitelaunch.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The Minns government promised to deliver a NSW Faith Affairs Council, and just like with the Religious Vilification Bill, we have delivered.

“NSW is at its best when we are all working together towards the same goal. This council will allow for greater collaboration with our multi-faith communities and will help government to deliver better support in times of need.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on how we can deliver better government for our multi-faith communities.”

The NSW Return and Earn scheme is on the verge of reaching the milestone of 10 billion recycled cans and bottles at return points.

The NSW Government is encouraging households to help reach the mark in the next 24 to 48 hours, by taking their empty drink containers to their local return point.

Users have earned $1 billion in container refunds since the scheme began in 2017 and have raised $47 million for charities and local community groups.

Families and individuals are using Return and Earn to help with the cost of living, from funding new sports uniforms and swimming lessons, to offsetting everyday costs such as food and petrol.

More than 923,000 tonnes of materials have been recycled through the scheme. Reusing these materials instead of new products, has saved enough energy to power 110,000 homes for a year and enough water to fill 23,000 Olympic swimming pools.

Two out of every 3 eligible drink container supplied in NSW are now redeemed, increasing recycling rates and reducing the beverage industry’s reliance on virgin plastic, glass and aluminium. 

The Return and Earn network continues to grow, with more than 620 return points now operational across NSW.

Return and Earn is delivered in partnership between the NSW Government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, and is funded by the beverage industry. 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe: 

’10 billion items returned in NSW is a significant milestone that demonstrates Return and Earn is a circular economy success story. We are already thinking to the next billion and want to encourage every household to get on the Return and Earn bandwagon.

‘Drink container litter in NSW has more than halved. 

‘We need to continue reducing waste and emissions, and increase recycling, and programs like Return and Earn make it possible.’

Case study: Teen gymnast uses Return and Earn to raise $10K for competition

Thirteen-year-old elite gymnast Joshua Teelow has raised more than $10,000 by recycling drink containers through Return and Earn, and has used the money to cover the cost of travelling to training and competition.

Joshua gained a position at the Gymnastics NSW High Performance Centre in Sydney 5 years ago. The centre is 2.5 hours away from his home in the Hunter Valley.

His mother Jade Teelow said, ‘so far, he has competed at state and national level and is part of the Junior International Squad. He hopes to eventually represent Australia.’

But the costs were adding up, so Josh began recycling bottles and cans with Return and Earn in 2020 to raise extra money. 

‘His record in one trip to a Return and Earn point was just over $1300 and he now averages $800 every 6 to 8 weeks,’ said Jade.

‘We are very lucky to live in a small, supportive community where people and businesses collect cans and bottles for Josh.’

Josh is home-schooled and the fundraising has also helped him access additional learning opportunities.

‘Return and Earn has given Josh life skills including communication, time management, budgeting and banking, and responsibility,’ said Jade.

‘We both like how easy it is and the positive impact it has on the environment.’

Case study: Whip-cracking family recycles to fund competitions

Christie Jervis from Conargo is the proud mother of 3 champion whip crackers, 17 year old Brooke, 15 year old Jesse and 9 year old Beau, who all compete at a state level.

Buying equipment and travelling to competitions isn’t cheap, so the Riverina family started fundraising with Return and Earn to keep them cracking along.

Since discovering Return and Earn last year, they have raised a total of $900.

‘They began competing with a pair of cowhide whips, and it has grown from there. Now they have kangaroo whips, but hope to redeem enough containers to buy even better whips which cost around $1000,’ says Christie.

‘This would help them compete at a higher level.’

Collecting drink containers for recycling has also given the children a different perspective on rubbish. 

Christie says, ‘we see litter when we drive into town from our hobby farm and think, ‘there’s a dollar on the ground!’

‘We often pick up rubbish from a nearby creek or the side of the road. When you make a little money on the morning walk, you feel like you’ve achieved something.’