The Morrison Government has secured an additional one million Moderna doses from European Union member states to further bolster Australia’s vaccination programme.
The extra doses, along with the first shipment of the already contracted doses, will arrive within the next week and go directly to local community pharmacies across the country and into the arms of Australians.
This comes at the same time that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is now also recommending Moderna for everyone 12 years and older. In line with approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), everyone aged 12-59, including families, can access these doses from their community pharmacy.
The doses have been sourced by the Government from surplus vaccines destined for Spain, Czech Republic, Portugal and Bulgaria and will further bolster the community pharmacy vaccine rollout.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the extra supplies of Modena represented a family sized dose of hope.
“Families will now be able to go along together to their pharmacy to get their vaccinations,” the Prime Minister said.
“This additional supply also enables us to direct urgent supplies where they are needed most, and make up the final ground for everyone in Australia to be offered a jab, originally set back in January for in October.
“In October we’re going to have enough vaccines in the country to have offered everyone a jab meaning we’ll be able to take the next steps in our plan to safely reopen Australia.
“First thing’s first to take the steps to safely reopening – get vaccinated. The next few weeks are going to be critical to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to get the vaccine.
“As all these extra doses arrive in Australia we’ll see queues for vaccines cut at the more than 9,000 places you can get vaccinated. Mum, dad and the kids will also be able to go to their local community pharmacist to get vaccinated as a family all at the same time.
“These are doses of hope for families in particular as we move to reopen Australia safely.
“These additional Moderna doses build on four million Pfizer doses sourced from the United Kingdom, one million from Poland and 500,000 from Singapore.
“I’d like to thank the European Commission and partnering countries for their cooperation, and Sweden and Norway for their assistance. I also thank Moderna with whom we have also worked closely to secure this arrangement.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne said Australia’s network of diplomats had been working around the clock in securing agreements such as this.
“This agreement further demonstrates the important role our diplomats play and the strength of Australia’s bonds with European nations and the European Union,” Minister Payne said.
“Australia is committed to working with all partners across the world because our shared recovery from COVID-19 depends on it.”
The safety of the Australian people is the Government’s top priority and upon arrival the Moderna doses will undergo the same TGA batch release process as all other COVID-19 vaccines.
With the vaccine rollout program expanding throughout community pharmacies, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said local community pharmacies would begin to receive Moderna doses within a fortnight.
“These doses are adding additional capacity and will further ramp up the vaccination rate of young Australians,” Minister Hunt said.
“Australia’s vaccine rollout is continuing to hit record levels every day, with 22.4 million doses delivered nationally. Some 13.6 million people have had one dose, and over 41 per cent of the eligible population are now fully vaccinated.”
These doses plus Australia’s already contracted supply will be shared with over 3600 community pharmacies across Australia. Up to 1800 Pharmacies will begin to receive doses through the week of the 20th of September and the next 1800 pharmacies will follow shortly after.
Supplies will arrive later this week and go through standard clearing procedures with the TGA.
National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Trent Twomey said pharmacies across the country were ready to help even more Australians to be vaccinated.
“Community pharmacies have kept their doors open during bushfires, floods and a once in a generation global pandemic,” Mr Twomey said.
“Community pharmacies are now stepping up to vaccinate Australian families against COVID-19.
“I encourage all Australians to visit their local community pharmacy and roll up their sleeves to get vaccinated.”
Getting vaccinated at your local community pharmacy is easy and convenient.
So far approximately half a million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through community pharmacies across the country.
City to progress significant remediation of former Shortland landfill site
City of Newcastle will soon go to tender to remediate a former landfill site at Shortland where much of the debris from the Newcastle earthquake was buried.
The work will be brought forward following preliminary investigations that show the scale of work will be significantly more complex and costly than previously expected.
The former Astra Street landfill opened in 1974, taking waste from across the Hunter until it was closed in 1995.
Acting Director Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said City of Newcastle has been working with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on a plan to remediate the site and protect the nearby RAMSAR-listed Hunter Wetlands.
“City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring historic sites like Astra Street Shortland are not forgotten and we work closely with the EPA to ensure they’re adhering to modern environmental management standards,” Ms Rigby said.
“We have completed our preliminary investigations and finalised two detailed designs, which will improve the 20-year-old capping and drainage on the 37-hectare site.”
Ms Rigby said the detailed designs had allowed City of Newcastle to update their project estimates, with cost efficiencies and innovative methodologies to be explored where possible during the tender process.
“Following further assessments of the site, the cost of the remediation work is expected to significantly increase on initial estimates, which will need to be factored into the 2021 Budget,” Ms Rigby said.
“City of Newcastle will invite tenders from five companies identified during an expression of interest process to carry out the construction of these enhanced environmental safeguards, with work expected to get underway next year.
“This will include the final capping and reprofiling of the site, drainage improvements to aid in management of surface water and sediment runoff, followed by revegetation and landscaping.
“These works will allow City of Newcastle to help protect and maintain the local environment well into the future, safeguarding the water quality of surrounding wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, increasing biodiversity values and promoting long-term native vegetation growth.”
City's commercial kitchen facilities dish up support to charities
With the city in lockdown, City of Newcastle has handed over its unused commercial kitchen facilities to help charities prepare healthy meals for families struggling to get by.
Newcastle City Hall’s Executive Chef, Mark Rusev, is putting his culinary skills to use by preparing meals to be delivered to families at Ronald McDonald House.
The City’s commercial kitchen at the Fort Scratchley Function Centre has also been donated to Catholic Care Social Services where they will prepare 300 healthy meals each week.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle’s Civic Services Venues & Catering team reached out to local charities to offer up the City’s unused commercial kitchen facilities, to help charities meet increased demand.
“Many Newcastle families are experiencing financial difficulty and facing economic uncertainty as a result of the prolonged lockdown, placing immense strain on local charities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Due to current restrictions, our facilities’ commercial kitchen spaces are temporarily not operating, so our Civic Services Venues & Catering team came up with an initiative to open their kitchens to support charities who have either had to scale up due to COVID-19, or have been adversely affected by the lockdown measures.
“City of Newcastle team members have supported Ronald McDonald House in recent years by visiting the house to prepare meals for families, so this is a wonderful way of continuing our support in a COVID-safe way by cooking in our own facilities and delivering the meals.”
Ronald McDonald House Community Engagement Coordinator Kerryn Scully said she was appreciative of the City of Newcastle’s offer to cook meals for families staying at the House during the current lockdown.
“Families staying at Ronald McDonald House are finding it very difficult at the moment to simply pop down to the supermarket to purchase ingredients to prepare their own meals, as they need to remain extra vigilant to COVID-19 in order to protect their child undergoing vital treatment at John Hunter Children’s Hospital,” Ms Scully said.
“Some families stay with us for 100 days or more, so the cost of purchasing takeaway meals every night is an expensive option for families already under financial strain, and takeaway options are not always healthy.
“We are so grateful to our generous community and the City of Newcastle team for their kind gesture to prepare and deliver quality meals prepared by Executive Chef Mark Rusev. Our beautiful families are doing it extremely tough at the moment and this is just one less problem they have to face, allowing them to focus on supporting their child.”
Newcastle City Hall’s Executive Chef, Mark Rusev, is putting his culinary skills to use by preparing meals to be delivered to families at Ronald McDonald House.
The City’s commercial kitchen at the Fort Scratchley Function Centre has also been donated to Catholic Care Social Services where they will prepare 300 healthy meals each week.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle’s Civic Services Venues & Catering team reached out to local charities to offer up the City’s unused commercial kitchen facilities, to help charities meet increased demand.
“Many Newcastle families are experiencing financial difficulty and facing economic uncertainty as a result of the prolonged lockdown, placing immense strain on local charities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Due to current restrictions, our facilities’ commercial kitchen spaces are temporarily not operating, so our Civic Services Venues & Catering team came up with an initiative to open their kitchens to support charities who have either had to scale up due to COVID-19, or have been adversely affected by the lockdown measures.
“City of Newcastle team members have supported Ronald McDonald House in recent years by visiting the house to prepare meals for families, so this is a wonderful way of continuing our support in a COVID-safe way by cooking in our own facilities and delivering the meals.”
Ronald McDonald House Community Engagement Coordinator Kerryn Scully said she was appreciative of the City of Newcastle’s offer to cook meals for families staying at the House during the current lockdown.
“Families staying at Ronald McDonald House are finding it very difficult at the moment to simply pop down to the supermarket to purchase ingredients to prepare their own meals, as they need to remain extra vigilant to COVID-19 in order to protect their child undergoing vital treatment at John Hunter Children’s Hospital,” Ms Scully said.
“Some families stay with us for 100 days or more, so the cost of purchasing takeaway meals every night is an expensive option for families already under financial strain, and takeaway options are not always healthy.
“We are so grateful to our generous community and the City of Newcastle team for their kind gesture to prepare and deliver quality meals prepared by Executive Chef Mark Rusev. Our beautiful families are doing it extremely tough at the moment and this is just one less problem they have to face, allowing them to focus on supporting their child.”
Fostering safety and stability for children
People are being encouraged to shine a light on the life-changing work of foster and kinship carers by nominating them for a Carer Recognition Award to mark the start of Foster and Kinship Care Week.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said more than 18,000 carers across NSW have opened their hearts and homes providing safety and stability to vulnerable children and young people.
“Foster and kinship carers provide vulnerable children with a solid foundation on which they can grow and thrive,” Mr Henskens.
“During the pandemic, they’ve stepped up and taken on extra challenges like remote learning, and the Carer Recognition Awards are an opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary contribution and to say thank you.”
The NSW Government is strengthening support for foster and kinship carers, prospective adoptive parents and guardians through My Forever Family NSW, which provides information, education, training and support to carers.
My Forever Family NSW is also leading a renewed recruitment drive to recruit new adoptive parents, guardians and foster carers.
“We need more people to open their homes and hearts to children in out-of-home care either in a permanent or part-time way,” Mr Henskens said.
“The support you give now can last a lifetime and I encourage anyone who is up for a rewarding and life-changing experience to consider becoming a carer.”
To find out more about the Carer Recognition Awards and for more information about becoming a foster carer, visit https://www.myforeverfamily.org.au/.
“First Things First” – Australia launches next phase of COVID-19 vaccination communications campaign
The next phase of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination communications campaign launches today, reminding people that the first thing they need to do is get vaccinated.
With the arrival of millions more vaccines, easier access through an expanded network of GPs and pharmacists, and opening up the vaccination program to everyone aged over 12, the campaign kicks off this major ramp up of the vaccination program.
The First Things First campaign will air from tonight and encourages Australians to get vaccinated so they can start enjoying the things they are missing or to keep enjoying the things they love.
The campaign has two key themes, to speak to those who have been living in areas of lockdown and are looking forward to our first tastes of freedom again, and to those who are already enjoying the things we love to get vaccinated in order to keep them without the risk of lockdowns.
It mobilises all Australians to make the decision to get vaccinated. It particularly speaks to a younger age group.
The Australian Government’s comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination communications campaign is being supported with an additional investment of almost $50 million to extend the suite of elements through 2021–22.
The latest research shows the continuing positive trend in attitudes to being vaccinated. 81 per cent of people say they will be or intend to be vaccinated. This is extremely encouraging as we strive to reach the 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates as important targets in the phases for re-opening.
This campaign targets those who are still unsure to be vaccinated, as it will enable them to do things they enjoy, such as being with family, attending weddings, going to concerts and travelling.
To date, more than 66 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 and over has had at least one vaccine dose, and more than 22 million doses have been administered across the country.
We are setting vaccination records on an almost daily basis – and the next phase of the communications campaign will seek to keep this momentum going.
More broadly, committees representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with a disability and the multicultural communities are being consulted regularly to ensure the vaccination messaging is clear, appropriate and disseminated through the best communication channels to reach all Australians.
The communications campaign also supports on-the-ground engagement with the public, including information kiosks at shopping centres and events, and community in-reach activities with CALD and Indigenous communities.
First Things First campaign assets can be viewed at Australia.gov.au from 9am Sunday 12 September.
Classrooms preparing for students return
As students and staff are preparing for a return to face-to-face learning in NSW public schools next month, the NSW Government is ensuring that all schools are safe, clean and secure.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Department of Education is carrying out a systematic review of all learning spaces, including libraries and halls, to ensure all schools continue to operate in the safest ways possible.
“We are working with our schools to develop their specific return to school plans and implement the relevant on site restrictions; while this occurs we are also making sure each room is suitable for students return,” Ms Mitchell said.
The review will focus on ventilation in classrooms and also provide support to schools to adapt lessons to make full use of school facilities including outdoor learning areas.
“Most NSW public schools have openable windows. The review will ensure that all windows operate efficiently allowing natural ventilation, and that ceiling fans and air conditioning systems are operating effectively and serviced regularly,” Ms Mitchell said.
Schools with air conditioning systems are also being checked to ensure they are fully operational, and the frequency of filter servicing and cleaning will be increased.
“This is a mammoth task, as we have 2,200 schools in the public system with more than 50,000 learning spaces.”
“The health of students and staff has always been our priority and parents should feel confident their child’s school is well equipped to keep them as safe as possible,” Ms Mitchell said.
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have made significant increases in the cleaning of schools and distributed large quantities of additional hygiene and safety supplies, including face masks, hand sanitiser and surface wipes.
Advice and supplies will continue to be provided to principals to support ventilation, personal hygiene, school activities, mask wearing and cleaning to ensure they can operate their school in a COVID safe way.
The review is informed by the expertise of NSW Health and latest research including the NCIRS report: COVID-19 Delta variant in schools and early childhood education.
Schools double down on wellbeing during lockdown
Thousands of specialist staff are supporting the wellbeing and mental health of school communities during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government has been prioritising the mental health of students during the difficult lockdown period by ramping up wraparound wellbeing support.
“We know how difficult the last 18 months have been for our students, which is why there are more than 3,000 non-teaching staff available – including school counsellors, school psychologists, student support officers and a network of specialist facilitators, wellbeing nurses, school chaplains and school learning support officers – to make sure children feel as supported as possible while they learn from home,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We also continue to work closely alongside key mental health organisations such as headspace, Reach Out, Kids Helpline and the Black Dog Institute to provide evidence-based resources to our staff and students.”
Schools across the state are running workshops, “wellbeing days” and events to help students look after themselves and each other.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the holistic approach was designed to help students stay mentally fit and build resilience during tough times.
“This is all about empowering families with the tools they need to look out for each other, especially during this challenging time of home schooling,” Mrs Taylor said.
“These resources have been developed with leading youth mental health organisations to ensure we are equipping parents, carers, teachers and children with the confidence and knowledge of when and where to seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed or particularly stressed out.”
Ms Mitchell added the mental health and wellbeing of school staff during the remote learning period was also paramount.
“Our teachers, leaders and school staff have done a tremendous job during this difficult period, and the NSW Government has implemented a specialised mental health program called ‘Being Well’ to support our educators,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The ‘Being Well’ program is running workshops for staff to learn how to spot the signs of struggle amongst colleagues and find methods of improving their own mental health along the way.
“We have also introduced a series of ‘wellbeing check ins’ for staff to connect and share ideas on sustaining their wellbeing with colleagues and wellbeing coaches.”
The Care and Connect Hub also continues to provide practical and targeted support by age group – from pre-school to end of high school – with information and guidance on how and what students, families and staff can do to take care of themselves and others.
Links to wellbeing resources can be found
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/wellbeing/wellbeing-at-home
NSW Government Weekly Update – 10 September 2021
For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
ROADMAP TO FREEDOM UNVEILED FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED
- Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
- The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.
- The freedoms for vaccinated adults and those with medical exemptions include the following.
- Gatherings in the home and public spaces:
- Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
- Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
- Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
- Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
- Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
- Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
- Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
- Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
- Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
- Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
- Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
- Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
- Weddings, funerals and places of worship:
- Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
- Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
- Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
- Travel:
- Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
- Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
- Carpooling will be permitted.
- Masks:
- Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
- Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
- Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
- Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.
- Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.
LOCKDOWN LIFTED IN PARTS OF REGIONAL NSW
- Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.
- Local Government Areas (LGAs) still seeing COVID case numbers will continue to follow stay-at-home orders and will be monitored by NSW Health with updates provided as circumstances develop.
- For a list of freedoms available to people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have lifted, see the attached media release.
- For a list of LGAs where stay-at-home orders will remain in place, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/lockdown-lifted-parts-of-regional-nsw.
- For more information, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/
NSW QUEENSLAND BORDER BUBBLE REINSTATED
- Northern border residents will be able to cross the Queensland border from 1am on Monday 13 September for essential work and essential reasons with the reinstatement of the border bubble, following discussions between the NSW and Queensland Governments.
- The 12 LGAs included in the border bubble are Ballina, Byron Bay, City of Lismore, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Inverell, Kyogle, Moree Plains, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.
- Essential work means any work or volunteering that cannot be reasonably done from home and people crossing the border for essential work will need to have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. NSW residents are not able to cross the border for recreation or social visits.
- Residents will still require a Border Zone Travel (X Pass) to cross the border, which can be obtained at www.qld.gov.au/border-pass.
FULL HSC TO GO AHEAD
- All HSC students will get the opportunity to complete their studies in 2021, with the full complement of HSC exams to go ahead from 9 November 2021.
- The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has issued a revised timetable, with 110 exams taking place over 19 days, ending on 3 December. Students will receive their ATARs on 20 January 2022, with their HSC results released on 24 January.
- Strict COVID-safe protocols supported by NSW Health will be in place to protect students, exam supervisors and school staff when HSC exam start on 9 November 2021.
- 68,710 students are on track to receive the HSC in 2021, according to the HSC Enrolment Snapshot, which will be released on Monday by NESA.
- View the 2021 HSC exam timetable: https://www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/key-dates-exam-timetables/hsc-written-exam-timetable.
- View COVID-safe exam protocols: www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/covid-19-advice.
NEW LAWS SET TO TACKLE RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
- The NSW Government will introduce a bill in Parliament to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), adding religion to existing protected grounds of disability, sex, race, age, marital or domestic status, homosexuality, transgender status and carer’s responsibilities. These reforms will see NSW join other states and territories in making religious discrimination unlawful.
- In June 2021, the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to introduce a Religious Discrimination Bill to protect against discrimination based on religious belief or activity in key areas of public life into Federal Parliament by the end of this year.
- The NSW Government plans to await the passage of the Commonwealth Bill through Parliament before finalising the detail of NSW reforms, to enable it to consider the interaction of Commonwealth law with NSW reforms and to avoid constitutional inconsistency.
WESTERN SYDNEY FORUM TO KICK-START RECOVERY
- Plans to kick-start the State’s economic recovery will be enhanced and more targeted following feedback and ideas put forward by Western and South-Western Sydney business and community representatives at a virtual forum.
- Representatives from chambers of commerce, peak bodies and community organisations and local businesses outlined the issues people are facing on the ground and presented potential solutions to reignite our economy during the two-hour event.
- A range of ideas were presented at the forum including; a reopening package tailored to the region, upskilling young people for the post-lockdown economy, small infrastructure projects and housing affordability opportunities.
- Ideas and proposals put forward at the forum will help shape the NSW Government’s economic recovery efforts for Western and Southwest Sydney as well the rest of the State.
ZERO EXTINCTIONS TARGET SET FOR NSW NATIONAL PARKS
- Koalas, rock wallabies and the Nightcap Oak are some of the iconic species set to be protected under an historic National Parks plan to declare 221 sites as Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS) and set a target of zero extinctions of species on the NSW National Park estate.
- The new AIS have been identified as home to species at risk from feral animals, bushfire and climate change, and follow the first AIS declaration earlier this year to protect the ancient Wollemi Pines.
- The AIS initiative is a key pillar of the National Parks Threatened Species Framework, which will align NPWS with the global biodiversity agenda and position the agency as a world leader in threatened species conservation.
- An interactive map of all AIS sites can be found via https://ais-map-dot-npws-ais-portal.ts.r.appspot.com/map.
GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS RETURNS TO REBOOT LIVE MUSIC IN 2022
- The NSW Government is amping up the State’s live music scene once again with the return of Great Southern Nights in March and April 2022.
- ARIA-award winning indie pop artist Amy Shark and Yolngu rapper Baker Boy join Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins and Peking Duk as the first artists of the line-up, with shows to be held from 18 March to 10 April 2022.
- Following its hugely successful debut in 2020, Great Southern Nights will again create jobs and revenue for artists, venues and crew in Sydney and across regional NSW, highlighting the State’s rich live music culture.
- Venues can apply to be part of the Great Southern Nights program via the website. For information: www.greatsouthernnights.com.au.
$1.49M FUNDING BOOSTS FOUR COUNCILS AND THEIR COASTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS
- The NSW Government has announced $1.49 million in funding to four local councils under the 2020-2021 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to assist with increasing the resilience and health of coastal communities and their coastlines.
- The successful recipients are:
- Central Coast Council Awarded $644,560 to complete stages two and three of its Coastal Management Program (CMP) for Tuggerah Lakes Estuary, and $326,667 to complete stage two of a CMP for open coast and coastal lagoons.
- MidCoast Council Awarded $40,000 for a scoping study for Great Lakes, Karuah and Khappinghat estuaries, and $31,600 to review the current framework for management of Jimmy’s Beach.
- Maitland City Council Awarded $381,667 to review and reset the strategic direction of the management of the Hunter River Estuary by developing a CMP. This project will bring together Maitland City, Newcastle City, Port Stephens and Dungog Shire Councils.
- Georges River Council Awarded $66,666 to complete a detailed design for foreshore protection works required at Donnelly Park, Connells Point.
Major milestone for Warringah Freeway upgrade
The $1.18 billion design and construction contract has been awarded to CPB Contractors and Downer EDI Works in a joint venture for the Warringah Freeway upgrade.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the upgrade will reduce congestion and simplify the complex road corridor, which is used by up to 250,000 vehicles each day.
“This crucial upgrade will make the Warringah Freeway more efficient and reliable for the drivers who use it every day, and will pave the way for the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 15,000 jobs will be created during construction of the entire Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program, with about 600 direct jobs created for the Warringah Freeway upgrade.”
Early works are already underway with the main work to start early next year. Construction is expected to take approximately five years to complete, subject to the detailed design and construction program.
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said: “The Warringah Freeway upgrade is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to reduce traffic on our local roads, and it will help create better connections for our community to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said: “Community feedback has helped shape the Warringah Freeway upgrade, and the community will continue to be updated and involved as the entire Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program progresses.”
The Warringah Freeway upgrade includes:
- Upgrade four-kilometres of the Warringah Freeway, between High Street at North Sydney and Willoughby Road at Naremburn, to reduce the amount of merging required, and improve safety and traffic flow.
- Improve interchanges with Falcon Street at Cammeray and High Street at North Sydney, including a new northbound on ramp at High Street which will ease pressure on the existing ramp at Berry Street.
- Connections to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.
- Improved public transport links, with a continuous southbound bus lane from Miller Street to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Around 2.5 kilometres of new and upgraded cycleways and pedestrian paths, integrated with public transport networks, including the future Victoria Cross metro station at North Sydney
The community will continue to be updated throughout all phases of this project, with more information available at https://caportal.com.au/rms/wht
Celebrating 30 years of BreastScreen Australia
BreastScreen Australia is celebrating 30 years of service in the Australian community.
In just the six years alone between 2013 and 2018, BreastScreen completed around 5 million mammograms with approximately 44,000 cancers detected.
Australia’s survival rate following a cancer diagnosis is one of the highest in the world and reflects the high quality of Australia’s health system. This includes effective early cancer detection and treatment based on the translation of robust research.
Cancer is a major cause of illness in Australia and accounts for the largest burden of disease in our community. In 2021, it is estimated that 151,000 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women, with 1 in 7 likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime.
Breast cancers detected through BreastScreen Australia have a 54–63% lower risk of causing death than breast cancers diagnosed in women who have never been screened through the program.
The Australian Government remains committed to improving health outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia.
We do this through significant investment in early detection screening, access to low cost medicines and treatments through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and ground breaking medical research.
In the last 30 years, the Australian Government has provided ongoing funding to support the states and territories to operate the BreastScreen Australia program. From 2013 onwards the Australian Government provided an extra $120 million to expand the program to actively invite women aged 70-74 years.
We continue to make major investments in research projects across the nation to ensure BreastScreen Australia is able to adopt cutting edge techniques to give Australian women the best possible chance of early detection and survival.
The Government provides $1.5 million a year to support critical national research for BreastScreen, including the development of tailored screening to further optimise the early detection of breast cancer.
The St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research has received $2.26 million to work with BreastScreen Victoria and other experts to research the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast cancer screening technology.
Just as mammograms were a breakthrough medical discovery to aid the detection in breast cancer, AI will further advance that ability.
AI is expected to enable mammograms to be accurately read faster, supporting highly skilled radiologists to invest their time in analysing high-risk scans.
The University of Queensland (UQ) has received $2.8 million to undertake research into Whole Genome Sequencing in high-risk breast cancer patients.
This would enable treatments to be personalised and more effectively target specific cancers.
Personalised screening may allow screening to be adapted to match a person’s specific risk of breast cancer.
This may reduce exposure to unnecessary screening for women at low risk of breast cancer and free capacity for women at high risk to have increased screening to detect early abnormalities.
The funding in cutting-edge AI and genome research comes from the Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund which supercharges medical research for the benefit of all Australians.
The Government thanks the thousands of people—the radiographers, researchers, management and staff—who have contributed to the lifesaving work of BreastScreen Australia over the last 30 years.
BreastScreen Australia is a joint initiative of the Australian and state and territory governments and aims to reduce illness and death from breast cancer by detecting the disease early.
The BreastScreen Australia program provides free mammograms every two years for women over 40 and actively invites women 50-75 to screen.