The Australian Government is providing $10 million to establish a multidisciplinary national research network that will contribute to Australia’s preparedness and responsiveness to health threats from changing environmental conditions and extreme weather events.
The Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) Network will provide national and international leadership in environmental change and health research.
The national initiative will be comprised of researchers, practitioners, communities and policymakers who will work together to address themes such as urban health, bushfires, food security, heatwaves and other extreme events, and biosecurity.
HEAL network partners have committed more than $6 million in cash and $8 million in kind, in addition to the $10 million provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change.
The HEAL network is led by Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis, Professor of Global Health at the Australian National University, and includes 28 participating institutions. The network has strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and wide geographic reach for a uniquely Australian response.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt MP, said the network would develop the interdisciplinary, cross-sector, solutions-driven research needed to address local, regional, national and global challenges.
“Australians know from experience how we depend on working together to respond to global health challenges,” Minister Hunt said.
“The complex interplay of environmental change, extreme weather events, economics and public health requires a multidisciplinary, collaborative response that can inform future policy and practice.”
“The HEAL network will develop the evidence, capability and tools needed to protect and improve community health, strengthen health system resilience and reduce inequities and inequalities across communities and generations.”
NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso said resilience to environmental change, emerging health threats and emergencies is one of NHMRC’s strategic priorities.
“This network will help to protect the health of the Australian community and build a resilient and responsive health system, based on strong engagement and co-design with federal and state governments, the public health and healthcare sectors, charities, communities, business and industry,” Professor Kelso said.
With strong leadership, the network will also seek respectfully to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and culture with Western knowledge.
The multidisciplinary research network will include leaders in environmental/public health, health systems, economics, and climate, data and social science who will work together to assess and communicate environmental health risks, and develop practical integrated solutions to reduce their impacts and protect human health.
Author: admin
$1.27M to improve disability support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
A group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Australia are receiving a total of $1.27 million in grants to improve the delivery of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support services.
The $22,000 Indigenous Business Support Funding grants have been awarded to 57 organisations.
Awarded for the first time this year, the scheme was administered by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), which represents 143 community health organisations.
The grants are being provided as part of the Federal Government’s NDIS Ready project.
Minister for the NDIS Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the funding would strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in the NDIS – as well as increase the number of culturally-appropriate service providers.
“We can improve the lifetime wellbeing and quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability by ensuring earlier and better access to the NDIS,” Minister Reynolds said.
The funding will help Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) to build their national capacity to deliver NDIS services.
“The grants will improve access to reasonable and necessary supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability and improve their choice and control of those supports,” Minister Reynolds said.
Organisations will be helped to address challenges in registering and delivering NDIS services and/or engaging business or technical advice, to develop better systems of service delivery.
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chief Executive Officer Pat Turner welcomed the funding.
“These grants will enable the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation sector to expand into the NDIS, to provide additional essential supports for people with disability,” Ms Turner said.
Northern Territory grant recipient Danila Dilba Health Service will use the money to further its work in supporting people to access disability services.
South Australian West Coast Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Network Chairperson Cindy Zbierski said access to culturally respectful and Aboriginal-led disability services was vital to improving life outcomes and achieving equity.
“The funding gives us the opportunity to scope future Aboriginal-led disability solutions within our communities,” Ms Zbierski said.
Chief Executive Officer of Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Michael Graham said that the grant would also enable the service to operate its NDIS program within governance frameworks, and to expand it.
A list of successful applicants will be made available on the NACCHO website.
Small and medium businesses secure record number of Commonwealth contracts
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are supplying a record share of goods and services to the Australian Government, with the latest procurement statistics showing a $5.4 billion increase in the value of Commonwealth contracts going to SMEs.
In the 2020-21 financial year, SMEs were awarded 45,773 or 54 per cent of contracts with a total value of $18.7 billion, which is the highest level on record and the highest annual increase for SMEs, up from $13.6 billion in 2019-20.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the Morrison Government continued to back SME participation in Commonwealth procurements and continued to exceed its targets in regard to the proportion of contracts going to SMEs.
“Small and medium businesses continue to punch well above their weight in the highly competitive government procurement market,” Minister Birmingham said.
“SMEs are the engine room of our economy, and this strong performance is further demonstration of the huge economic and jobs contribution they make.
“We fully recognise that many small and medium businesses have done it tough during the pandemic. This strong SME performance is a shining light and is a testament to the quality of the goods and services that Australian SMEs continue to produce and deliver.
“Enhancing opportunities for small businesses to bid for and win work will be critical to our ongoing economic recovery and as our nation continues to open up.
“This outcome also reflects our ongoing commitment to boosting industry capability and ensuring a level playing field for Australian SMEs in Commonwealth procurements.”
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said that a series of changes to the Commonwealth procurement framework had helped to put more small businesses in the mix for government procurement work.
“We continue to cut red tape and reduce costs for small businesses within the government procurement market,” Minister Robert said.
“We’ve done this by changing the rules to allow for the direct engagement of SMEs for procurements valued up to $200,000, where the engagement provides a value for money outcome.
“This measure, as well as others like the greater use of whole-of-government panels to reduce the costs of tendering, 5 day payment times for e-invoices, and assessing the domestic economic benefits offered by suppliers for large contracts, are all about making it easier for SMEs to bid and secure Commonwealth contracts.”
For further information, please visit https://www.finance.gov.au/government/procurement/statistics-australian-government-procurement-contracts-
Solar farm anniversary shines a light on City's power pledge
City of Newcastle is powering ahead with its commitment to renewable energy, celebrating the success of its solar farm while also rolling out more rooftop solar systems at key facilities.
This month marks two years of operation of the five-megawatt solar farm, which was built at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre on a capped landfill site.
Covering an area of around five football fields, the solar farm’s 14,500 photovoltaic solar arrays are producing enough electricity to meet the equivalent annual power needs of more than 1300 Newcastle households.
The project is expected to save ratepayers around $9 million, after costs, over its 25-year lifespan, and ensures City of Newcastle is meeting 100 per cent of its power supply through renewable energy sources, in conjunction with a power purchase contract that sources electricity from the state’s largest windfarm.
Individual rooftop solar systems are also adding to City of Newcastle’s clean energy mix, with more than 800 kilowatts of photovoltaic systems installed across 16 key council sites including the City, Wallsend and New Lambton libraries, No.1 and No.2 sportsgrounds, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum, the City Administration Centre at 12 Stewart Avenue, the Visitor Information Centre and the Works Depot.
An additional 100 kilowatts are being installed this year, with systems recently commissioned at Fort Scratchley and Summerhill Waste Management Centre, while planning is underway to add a rooftop solar system to the Civic Theatre.
This commitment to renewable energy is among the range of strategies being implemented under the Climate Action Plan 2021-2025, which are designed to allow City of Newcastle to achieve its adopted target of net zero emissions for its operations by 2030.
Summerhill Waste Management Facility Statement
There is no agreement to take any waste from Sydney with Transport for NSW (TfNSW). TfNSW contacted City of Newcastle (CN) in September requesting a meeting to discuss future waste from the Northern Beaches Link project.
At that meeting we explained that in order for any waste to be considered for landfill disposal at the Summerhill Waste Management Facility it must meet our strict requirements set under the EPA’s Waste Classification Guideline for General Solid Waste.
We also stressed that any waste would need to be independently tested to confirm that it meet our strict licensing requirements.
TfNSW undertook from that meeting to come back to us when they knew with more confidence about the make up of the waste. To date we haven’t heard anything more.
A decision regarding the disposal of any material offshore would be made by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Free retail training to boost skills in recovering sector
The NSW Government is set to repeal Section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 while ensuring workers are still protected if they contract COVID-19 in the workplace. Changes to the Act were made in May 2020, when very little was known about COVID-19 and its transmission.
The amendments included a presumption that workers who contracted COVID-19 had done so at work. Premier Dominic Perrotett said workers will still be entitled to make a workers compensation claim if they contract COVID-19 in their workplace when the legislation is repealed.
“Now we know more about COVID-19 and its transmission, amendments under Section 19B of the Act must be repealed so the workers compensation system is both fair to employees and ensuring businesses aren’t hit with an unexpected spike in their insurance bills”, Mr Perrottet said.
“When the NSW Government originally made the amendments, we had little information about how COVID-19 was spread and whether it was more likely to be contracted in workplaces, and we certainly didn’t have a vaccine rollout.”
“Now that the economy is steadily reopening, we want businesses investing in new staff and higher wages, not inflated insurance bills.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the NSW Government is ensuring businesses don’t foot the bill for more than half a billion dollars in premium increases by repealing these amendments.
“Small businesses have been hit hard enough by COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years, so now would be the wrong time for them to be slugged with a massive, unexpected insurance premium increase,” Mr Kean said.
“If the NSW Government doesn’t repeal this amendment, we risk losing jobs just as our recovery is gaining momentum across our State.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the scheme could be hit with more than 25,000 extra claims over the coming year and small businesses could be slugged with an average increase in their insurance premiums of $950, if these changes are not made.
“Removing the automatic workers compensation entitlements will not remove a worker’s right to make a claim if they contract COVID-19 as a result of their employment. This right is retained,” Mr Dominello said.
“There is nowhere else in the world with automatic workers compensation rights due to COVID-19 that are as broad as those in NSW.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said recent estimates based on Doherty Institute modelling, indicate COVID-19 claims could cost the NSW workers compensation system up to $638 million over the coming year.
“The NSW Government is calling on the Opposition to support this legislation to give businesses confidence and certainty as we reopen our economy.”
The COVID-19 presumption, introduced by Section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, provides automatic workers compensation rights for workers who contract COVID-19 and who work in industries such as healthcare, education, retail, transport, emergency services, construction, disability and aged care, dining and entertainment.
“With this presumption wound back, workers can still make claims and insurers can focus on good claims management practices,” Mr Tudehope said.
The NSW Government will introduce a bill to repeal the automatic workers compensation presumption established under section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 this week.
New curriculum released in a digital first
New English and Mathematics syllabuses for the State’s youngest students were released today, marking a major milestone in the NSW Government’s Curriculum Reform agenda.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said students in kindergarten, year 1 and year 2 would be the first to benefit from the changes, following the first comprehensive review in more than 30-years.
“One of the most important things a government can do is provide a quality education and reform was needed to bring our curriculum into the 21stcentury,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The new approach will ensure our youngest learners are provided with a solid foundation to grow from, with a focus on literacy and numeracy skills.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said for the first time the curriculum is completely online and comes with explicit teaching examples.
“We heard clearly from teachers that navigating syllabuses was unnecessarily arduous,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The new online curriculum removes ambiguity for teachers, and comes with explicit teaching advice on an online platform. This will be particularly helpful for early-career teachers.”
Changes in the new K to 2 English and Mathematics syllabuses include:
- Simple, concise language which identifies key knowledge and skills.
- Easily accessed and navigated on a new Digital Curriculum platform.
- Clear expectations on student reading progression.
- Renewed focus on handwriting.
- New supports for students with significant intellectual disability.
- Emphasis on ‘reasoning’ in mathematics.
- Advanced counting strategies.
The reformed curriculum will be delivered to schools on a new Digital Curriculum platform, a $13.6 million NSW Government investment.
The new syllabuses are available at curriculum.nsw.edu.au. Implementation begins next year, with all NSW schools teaching the syllabuses from 2023. The NSW Government continues its work to deliver the new K – 12 NSW Curriculum by 2024.
Australian first to help save surfers' lives
A new fleet of drones will be deployed to help prevent shark attacks with custom first-aid kits and technology rolled out to surf clubs up and down the NSW coast as part of a new strategy to help save lives.
In an Australian-first, the NSW Government will partner with Surfing NSW to deliver shark attack specific first-aid training, life-saving technology and custom first aid kits to more than 160 board rider clubs and surf schools across the coast.
As part of the shark incident response program, up to 20 drones deployed to patrol surf events.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall made the announcement today and said Surfing NSW would receive $500,000 in funding to roll-out the revolutionary strategy.
“Sadly, most recent shark attack victims have been surfers, so this investment is about doing everything we can to ensure they get help quickly,” Mr Marshall said.
“Every surfer in NSW will now have access to first-aid training through Surfing NSW’s Surfers Rescue 24/7 program, while customised medical kits and training will be supplied to more than 110 NSW boardrider clubs and 55 surf schools.
“To help keep surfers even safer, an additional fleet of 20 drones will be used by Surfing NSW to patrol their events, in addition to our world-leading fleet of shark-spotting drones already delivered by Surf Life Saving NSW.
“NSW has the largest shark management program anywhere across the globe and this is just another tool to help keep swimmers and surfers safe at the best beaches in the world.”
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said partnering with the NSW Government would upskill surfers to ensure they had the knowledge and tools needed in dire situations.
“I think I speak for a lot of surfers in this state, when I say that we’re grateful for this support that will ultimately benefit all NSW surfers,” Mr Madden said.
“These skills and resources could prove life-saving, especially in remote regions where emergency services may be some distance away.
“Every one of us wants to make sure we have the skills and tools we need so that if the worst happens to one of our mates, we can do everything we can to save them.”
The NSW Government’s 2021-2022 Shark Management Program includes:
- The largest fleet of shark-spotting drones keeping watch over 50 beaches;
- 37 VR4G listening stations to detect tagged sharks;
- 170 SMART drumlines;
- The continuation of 51 shark nets between Newcastle and Wollongong; and
- The SharkSmart app and community awareness and education programs and shark research.
The NSW Government encourages beachgoers to be SharkSmart when entering the ocean and download the SharkSmart app. For more information, visit www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au.
$3 million boost for bush and border communities hit hard by pandemic
The NSW Government today announced $3 million in funding to boost COVID-19 response efforts for small rural and border councils to support their communities.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said NSW Partnerships: Local Councils Program – Stage 2 would provide grants of $90,000 each for 33 bush and border councils.
“While our State is reopening as COVID-19 restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, we need to ensure we continue to support our vulnerable communities hardest hit by the pandemic,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The grants, targeted at small rural councils and those adjoining state and territory borders, recognise the additional challenges they have faced during the pandemic such as resource constraints, isolation, the tyranny of distance, border closures and other cross-border impacts.”
Mrs Hancock said Stage 1 of the program provided funding to the former 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern in Sydney.
“Now I am delighted to extend financial support to our small rural and border councils and communities,” Mrs Hancock said.
“I also want to congratulate our councils for their dedication and commitment to continuing to support their communities during such unprecedented challenges.”
Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said the NSW Government is dedicated to supporting those in need during the pandemic and building community resilience.
“These grants will help ensure critical support for some of our most vulnerable living in our rural and border areas, including Indigenous communities, migrants, seniors, and people with a disability,” Mrs Ward said.
“These council-led initiatives could include caseworkers, bilingual workers, mental health support, communication activities to reach target groups, emergency meals, transport to vaccination hubs, and small business assistance, particularly in tourism and hospitality.
“As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease and our vaccination rates increase, it’s paramount that we have the right support in place across our rural and border communities to ensure no one is left behind.”
The program will provide funding to the following councils:
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Appeal for information – Kurri Kurri Industrial Fire
Police are appealing for public information following a large industrial fire in Kurri Kurri yesterday.
About 10.40am (Sunday 14 November 2021), emergency services were called to an industrial complex on Mitchell Avenue, Kurri Kurri, following reports of a large fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW have multiple crews on scene and are continuing efforts to extinguish the blaze.
The building is believed to have been unoccupied at the time and no injuries have been reported.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the incident.
Anyone who may have information or footage, including dashcam, from the area is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.