City of Newcastle has engaged specialists to carry out an updated flood study of the Throsby, Styx, and Cottage Creek catchments, to enhance current floodplain management and mitigate future flood risks.
The aim of early engagement is to inform the community of the study, identify concerns, and to build on the existing depth of knowledge about flooding in Newcastle by talking to flood affected residents, businesses, and community groups.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said City of Newcastle is committed to building flood resilient communities for current and future generations and encourages the community to share their personal experiences of flooding in their local area.
“The Newcastle community has experienced the impact and extent of flooding across the Local Government Area, and it is important that flood intelligence from the community is captured and included within the study,” Cr Clausen said.
“The results of the flood study will inform the Flood Risk Management Plans and improve the quality of City of Newcastle’s flood risk planning.”
“Residents, businesses, and wider community groups are urged to share their personal experiences of flooding in their local area, to deliver the best possible outcomes from the study and to enable smart floodplain management.”
The Throsby, Styx, and Cottage Creek catchments cover an area of 51 km² across the eastern half of Newcastle’s Local Government Area, generally characterised as land east of John Hunter Hospital.
“The flood study aims to define the extent, depth, velocity and flood hazard in the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek floodplains,” Cr Clausen said.
“These areas have a long history of flooding and are being investigated as a combined flood study. These catchments are steep around their perimeter, but drain to low-lying, flat areas, where it is difficult for floodwaters to escape.
“These catchments all drain to Newcastle Harbour leaving them prone to inundation during east coast lows when heavy rainfall combines with elevated ocean levels.
“Updating the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek Flood Study is the first step in updating the Flood Risk Management planning for these catchments.”
City of Newcastle has received grant funding support from the Department of Primary Industry and Environment to complete the updated Throsby, Styx, and Cottage Creek Flood Study.
Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay by 5pm Friday 2 July 2021 to have your say.
Author: admin
City’s new civic and community hub and COVID-19 response win state accolades
City of Newcastle has been recognised with two major awards at the New South Wales Local Government Awards in Sydney on Thursday evening.
The City’s COVID-19 Community and Economic Resilience Package, as well as its Community and Civic Hub, which includes the Digital Library, Council Chambers and Customer Service Centre, won first place in their respective categories.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the two awards were testament to the City’s leadership and staff’s unwavering commitment to serve and support the Newcastle community.
“The awards are an outstanding achievement and recognise City of Newcastle’s innovation and culture of continuous improvement,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle is leading the way with its digital transformation and ability to provide support to the community.
“The City Administration Centre’s flexible ground floor layout is a brilliant space to learn and master new digital technologies that are now available free to everyone.
“With state-of-the-art technology, the space has been designed to optimise the customer experience. Visitors flow seamlessly between Customer Service and the Digital Library and on most Tuesday nights, the space transforms into the Council Chamber. The new digitally connected Chamber has allowed the elected council to meet in hybrid formats (remotely and in-person) thanks to the new technology.
“The project has transformed the way these elements operate in a co-located environment.
“Whether people need to enquire about a DA, speak with a Customer Service representative or access the many hundreds of thousands of items in the City’s e-Library catalogue, the City Administration Centre offers a seamless experience for the community to get the most out of a visit.
“We are extremely pleased our city boasts the most digitally-advanced library in NSW for learning, whether it be for children or adults.
“I am equally proud that City of Newcastle’s Community and Economic Resilience Package was acknowledged for helping locals through the unprecedented impacts of the pandemic, especially our most vulnerable and at-risk community members.
“Among the first governments at any level to develop and activate a comprehensive plan for social and economic support, the City’s package has been acknowledged for its targeted and swift response to the needs of the community.
“Working with government and local partners, the $5.5 million response package delivered support across targeted programs at a time when it was needed most. The response included financial relief, business and community support, free online training packages and community grant programs.”
“The City’s support for small and media enterprises has been highlighted as national best practice and a model for all local governments.”
Community invited to help shape the future of Newcastle coast
City of Newcastle is inviting interested community members to join a working group to help with the development of the City’s Coastal Management Programs.
The group will help shape plans to enhance Newcastle’s dynamic and constantly changing coastal environment which is precious to its community and those who visit.
A Coastal Management Program (CMP) is a long-term strategy that sets a coordinated and adaptive approach to the management of coastal hazards such as beach erosion, shoreline recession and coastal inundation.
City of Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen encouraged people with an interest in ensuring the coastline and estuaries are managed and protected for future generations to submit an expression of interest to join.
“We’re looking for a broad group of people who are already engaged with our beaches and coastline to help to develop ways to ensure we enjoy these natural assets for years to come,” Cr Clausen said.
“Our coastline is loved by many people and in many ways and it forms a significant part of Newcastle’s identity as a liveable and sustainable global city.
“Newcastle is fortunate to boast some of the best beaches in the world and a spectacular coastline that provides countless benefits to both our local economy and our way of life.
“Our coastal management programs include long-term actions to help ensure we can manage these important areas, particularly in light of a predicted increase in coastal hazards.
“The objective of the Newcastle CMP Working Group is to provide strategic guidance on the preparation, certification and the review of Newcastle and Stockton Coastal Management Programs which are underway.
The first meeting of the Newcastle CMP Working Group will be held next month.
The formation of the working group follows the Love Our Coast Survey, which explored what the community values most about the city’s beaches and coastline.
Community members who are keen to be involved in the future management of Newcastle’s coastline and estuaries are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest before 19 June 2021.
Community tree planting greens city
The community has joined with City of Newcastle in celebration of World Environment Day by planting 5,500 native grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and trees in Jesmond this week to restore Newcastle’s urban ecosystems.
The 2021 United Nations World Environment Day’s theme of ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ has been acknowledged with community activities planned to enhance Newcastle’s urban forest.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said connecting with local school students and residents to plant a tree and learn about nature was a special way to mark the global event.
“Locals have volunteered their time and effort to create a pocket of habitat for local birds and other wildlife in Maclure Reserve, which demonstrates the value people place on greener public spaces,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Green spaces make our city ecologically richer, and a more beautiful and pleasant place to live.
“The City plants more than 300,000 tube stock each year, which makes a big contribution to restoring Newcastle’s diverse natural ecosystems.
“City of Newcastle has invested more than $1.3 million in caring for and restoring Newcastle’s bushland, creeks, wetlands, coast and estuary ecosystems so far this year and has committed $1.5 million in next year’s budget.
“Over the last four years City of Newcastle has invested $6 million in caring for our bushland, watercourse and wetland assets through design and delivery of on-ground habitat restoration works.
“In addition, the City invested $4.2 million in the street and park tree replacement planting program.
“The City cares for a wonderful array of natural ecosystems including 79 kilometres of creeks, 506 hectares of bushland, 65 wetlands, nine coastal rock platforms, 19 hectares of sand dunes along our 10 beaches, and over 90,000 street and park trees.
“These natural assets not only sustain our local biodiversity but also keep our city cool, absorb and store carbon, provide food and shelter for native wildlife, and keep our air and water clean.
“The greening of our urban landscape, by restoring urban forest areas, watercourses or wetlands has a positive impact on Newcastle and improves our community sense of wellbeing. It’s a win-win for the city.”
The urban forest planting events are another example of the City’s commitment to becoming an International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) City with Nature, recognising and enhancing the value of our natural surrounds, as well as our efforts to be a global local government leader in sustainability.
The Greater Bank partnered with City of Newcastle by donating new trees as part of its community tree planting program, which will see 20,000 additional trees established throughout Newcastle.
More community planting events are planned this month. Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/living for more information.
Healthy, wealthy and wise – NSW Intergenerational Report paints a fresh picture of NSW in 2061
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today released the 2021-22 NSW Intergenerational Report (IGR), a unique snapshot detailing how NSW will change over the next 40 years and the economic opportunities and challenges the State faces.
The IGR projects that by 2061 the people of NSW can expect to live longer lives, have more flexible career options and enjoy a higher standard of living.
It also identifies a range of challenges, such as a growing and ageing population, which will place greater demands on the state’s resources.
“The way things will look for the people of NSW in 40 years will be vastly different to the world today,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We are very lucky to live in one of the greatest places on the planet, but if we are to ensure the next generation enjoys the same levels of prosperity and opportunity that we have today it is vital we identify future challenges and work to overcome them.”
The 120-page IGR is produced once every five years by NSW Treasury and brings together key demographic, housing, workforce and economic forecasts.
It is designed to assist policy makers and the broader community plan for the future.
Key findings of the 2021-22 NSW Intergenerational Report include:
- Productivity is projected to become the biggest driver of our economic growth, increasing at 1.2 per cent per year over the next 40-years;
- By 2060-61, the fiscal gap is projected to be 2.6 per cent of GSP. While this is an improvement on the 3.4 per cent fiscal gap (by 2055-56) predicted in the previous 2016 IGR, this largely reflects modelling refinements and updated economic and demographic projections. This gap still indicates further action will be needed to avoid the State’s gross debt growing beyond sustainable levels over time;
- The NSW population will expand by around 40 per cent to 11.5-million people in 2061, up from 8.2 million;
- Life expectancy is projected to increase to almost 92 years for women and just over 89 years for men for people born in 2061, with the median age expected to be 44 years compared to 38 today;
- NSW will need up to 1.7-million additional homes by 2061;
- The jobs of the future will require a more highly skilled workforce and will be increasingly concentrated in the social services and business services sectors;
- Average full-time wages will be around $139,000 per year in today’s dollars (compared to $86,000 in 2018-19), with job growth fastest in business services and social services. Healthcare jobs will also increase in line with the ageing population.
Mr Perrottet said NSW had already started preparing for the future through innovative approaches such as the NSW Generations Fund (NGF). The NGF is a sovereign wealth fund which was created in 2018, to help keep debt at sustainable levels.
“The fund is projected to reach $430 billion in today’s dollars by 2060-61 or equivalent to 31 per cent of Gross State Product,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We have already taken steps such as setting up the NGF to help secure the future for future generations but there is still much more work to be done and the IGR will help ensure we make the right decisions at the right time,”
To view the full report click here
NSW Budget: $36.4M for mental health support in the bush
Regional and Rural communities facing ongoing adversity in the wake of natural disasters will have access to more mental health support than ever before.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor today announced a $36.4m package for Response and Recovery Specialists across regional and rural NSW will be included in the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Mr Perrottet said this announcement continues the NSW Government’s significant investment in mental health services, including a record $2.4 billion in last year’s budget.
“We know families and people have been doing it tough in these areas, facing drought, bushfires, COVID-19 and now a mice plague, and this package will offer continued mental health support to those in need,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We want to ensure people not only get help at the time of a disaster, but that it’s accessible during the recovery phase so communities can bounce back and people can rebuild lives.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said 57 Response and Recovery Specialists would ensure quality services were available at all times.
“When the unprecedented drought and bushfires were crippling our state, these counsellors were there to support communities and now they’re on hand to help those affected by other disasters like the mice plague too.” Mrs Taylor said.
The Response and Recovery Specialists provide mental health counselling, coordination with local services and communities and ongoing support to individuals and their families at locations of their choosing, whether at home or in the local cafe.
“The best thing about these extra 57 mental health specialists is people don’t need to go to their GP to be referred. They can access them through the mental health line or other local services.
“What’s unique about these roles is that the people that undertake this work as counsellors are members of their communities and they can provide local insight, as well as a friendly soft entry to mental health support,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This is particularly important for people who are so used to facing significant adversity that they may hesitate to seek help when they need it.”
NSW Budget: NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs receive funding boost
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Sport Natalie Ward and Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes today announced $16 million in funding, over four years, for the Surf Club Facility Program as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget to support the upgrade, restoration, or construction of surf life saving facilities.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Surf Club Facility Program played a vital role in ensuring our surf life saving volunteers had access to the facilities they needed to keep our communities active and safe.
“The NSW Government recognises the critical role Surf Life Saving Clubs play in communities up and down the coast in allowing people to enjoy our world-class beaches,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Whether you hit the surf every day or build sandcastles on the sand with your kids this funding will mean our life saving facilities are fit-for-purpose and our volunteers can continue to keep people safe on our beaches.”
The additional funding in this year’s Budget comes off the back of $3.5 million being awarded to 29 clubs through the 2020-21 Program. Grants are valued between $30,000 and $350,000 per project.
“These grants will help to increase participation across NSW by creating inclusive and accessible surf life saving facilities,” Mrs Ward said.
“I congratulate all the successful applicants in this year’s program.”
Highlights of the 2020/21 program include:
- $300,689 to Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club resurfacing works and redirection of public walkway and beach access.
- $302,406 to Redhead Surf Life Saving Club for upgrades to the club’s observation area, radio room and first aid room.
- $223,687 to Cabarita Surf Life Saving Club for upgrades to the club, including a new training room.
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club is part of the fabric of the Northern Beaches community.
“Warriewood surf life saving volunteers are on the beaches every weekend – rain, hail or shine – protecting our community,” Mr Stokes said.
“The grant of $300,689 will really help improve facilities so that our volunteers can keep beach goers safe here on the Northern Beaches.”
President of Surf Life Saving NSW, George Shales OAM, said safe, accessible and secure rescue facilities across the State remain a top priority.
“Surf Life Saving Clubs are often the hub of communities and our volunteer lifesavers require access to fit-for-purpose facilities so they can focus on saving lives. The funding will allow significant upgrades to surf club facilities to improve access for our 75,000 members,” Mr Shales said.
“We have 129 clubs across the State, volunteer surf lifesavers who performed over 2,500 rescues, 141,000 preventative actions and 7,000 first aid treatments last year.”
For further information about the Surf Club Facility Program, including the list of recipients visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP
Police investigate suspicious fire – Hunter Valley
An investigation is underway after two buildings were destroyed by fire in the Hunter Valley overnight.
About 10.20pm yesterday (Friday 4 June 2021), emergency services responded to reports of a fire on a property in Morpeth Road, Morpeth.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene; the blaze was extinguished by NSW Fire and Rescue.
Two buildings on the property were destroyed in the fire, while another was badly damaged.
All buildings were unoccupied at the time.
At this stage the cause of the fire is unknown; however, it is being treated as suspicious.
As investigations continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Port Stephens-Hunter Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Man charged over serious assaults – Hunter Region
A man has been charged after two men were seriously injured in two separate assaults in the state’s Hunter region.
About 8.50pm yesterday (Friday 4 June 2021), a 23-year-old man pulled into the driveway of his Woodberry home and was confronted by a man armed with a baseball bat.
The armed man assaulted the 23-year-old with the bat as he attempted to get out of his car.
He managed to free himself and ran inside his Dalwood Street property as the armed man damaged his vehicle with the bat before running from the scene.
The man suffered a broken elbow and was treated at hospital.
About 3.40am (Saturday 5 June 2021), a 24-year-old man was found at the railway overpass bridge on Railway Parade, Beresfield, suffering serious head injuries. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment. He remains in a stable condition.
Detectives from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District commenced inquiries into both assaults and arrested a 22-year-old man at a home on Fairfield Street, New Lambton about 2pm today (Saturday 5 June 2021).
He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage.
He was refused bail and will be appearing in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 6 June 2021).
The men are all known to each other.
National Cabinet Statement
The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
There have been 30,150 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 18.7 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
Globally there have been over 172 million cases and sadly over 3.69 million deaths, with 483,968 new cases and 10,553 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to expand. To date 4,786,362 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 143,659 in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, more than 750,000 vaccines have been administered in Australia. To date 19.9 per cent of the Australian adult population have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 56 per cent of over 70 year olds.
National Cabinet agreed on the imperative to work together to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians as quickly as possible.
Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group and Secretary of the Health Department provided a detailed briefing on the vaccination program, and acknowledged the significant increase in COVID-19 vaccination take up following National Cabinet’s recalibration of the vaccine rollout in April 2021. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on COVID-19 epidemiology, particularly in relation to the current outbreak in Victoria.
National Cabinet received an update on the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce from the Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Phil Gaetjens. The taskforce will continue to advise on gradual, risk-based increases to international travel, including exploring additional travel bubbles and increasing arrivals of skilled migrants and international students, while continuing to prioritise the return of Australians from overseas.
National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 9 July 2021 in Darwin, with all members attending in person.
Vaccination Rollout
National Cabinet agreed to refine the national vaccination rollout plan to maximise opportunities for Australians to be vaccinated over the second half of the year, as the supply of vaccines increases.
National Cabinet thanked Health Associate Secretary Caroline Edwards for her role in leading the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 health response and vaccination rollout. Ms Edwards has announced her retirement from the public service after a distinguished career over several decades.
As the vaccination program moves into the next phase Lieutenant General John (JJ) Frewen DSC, AM, will become the head of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce. Lieutenant General Frewen established the COVID-19 ADF Taskforce in 2020 and commanded military support during the Victorian second wave.
Commodore Eric Young will continue to have a senior leadership role in the Commonwealth Vaccine Operations Centre.
The National COVID Vaccine Taskforce will help ensure as many Australians are vaccinated as early as possible within the available supply.
National Cabinet further agreed that primary care will continue to be a principal delivery channel of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, noting the importance of developing this capacity for longer term use, supported by continuing expansion of state and territory-operated sites and other points of vaccination, particularly in the fourth quarter 2021.
The vaccination rollout will continue to prioritise vaccinations for people in Phase 1a through simplified and streamlined access at all state and territory-operated sites, including for example by providing walk-in access and no requirement to pre-book an appointment.
National Cabinet agreed to opening access to a COVID-19 vaccine to the following groups by 8 June 2021:
- people aged 40-49 years not otherwise eligible;
- all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 49 years;
- NDIS participants aged 16 years and over and carers aged 16 years and over of NDIS participants of any age; and
- temporary visa holders aged under 50 years who are currently in Australia and have been approved for return travel to Australia through the travel exemption process.
National Cabinet further agreed to not proceed with the identification of ‘other essential and high priority workers’ in Phase 2a, given the difficulty defining these populations and the expansion to people aged 40-49 years.
National Cabinet noted that the Commonwealth has released over 7.1 million doses to vaccine sites as at 31 May 2021. Under the vaccine rollout program, surplus vaccine doses are able to be surged into outbreak areas to increase opportunities for Australians to be vaccinated.
The Commonwealth reconfirmed that states and territories do not need to provision for second doses as the Commonwealth retains doses for second use. States and territories are able to administer all doses supplied by the Commonwealth.
Post Quarantine Testing Arrangements
National Cabinet asked the AHPPC to provide advice on post 14-day quarantine testing standards and arrangements to ensure nationally consistent standards reflect the latest medical advice.
Mandatory Vaccinations of Aged Care and Disability Workers
National Cabinet reaffirmed the importance of Aged Care and Disability workers being vaccinated as soon as possible.
National Cabinet indicated an in-principle disposition to mandating aged care and disability workforce COVID vaccinations, and has tasked AHPPC to provide advice on this matter as soon as possible.
National Cabinet noted that influenza vaccinations are able to be mandated under state public health orders and other similar state and territory legislative arrangements, based on health advice.
Domestic Vaccine Certification
National Cabinet welcomed the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate and the work of Services Australia and the Department of Health on the design and functionality for deployment. The certificate will soon be available through the Medicare Express app, with a future digital wallet version to be made available in July.
States and territories may consider the potential future value of COVID-19 digital certificates when considering automatic travel exemptions for interstate travel during state-determined lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Stand-alone Quarantine Facilities – Commonwealth Partnership Assessment Criteria
Today, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding to progress negotiations on Victoria’s proposal for an alternative quarantine hub.
The MoU formalises the principles agreed between the Commonwealth and Victoria to guide negotiations, including covering potential ownership of the facility, operating costs, and other key elements. The Victorian Government will be responsible for operation including operational costs and the Commonwealth will support capital costs. The MoU does not specify a site for the facility with both the Avalon site and the Mickleham site under active consideration.
The Commonwealth also tabled ‘Key Assessment Criteria’ the Commonwealth will use to assess any proposals for purpose-built quarantine facilities provided by state and territory governments seeking Commonwealth support.
Key considerations include that a proposal should be value-for-money, provide net additional quarantine capacity and work alongside (not supplant) hotel quarantine, meet the health requirements, and be for a national facility for use by all Australians. Further criteria include proximity to an international airport taking regularly scheduled international commercial passenger flights and close – within approximately 1hr vehicle transport – to a tertiary hospital, otherwise known as a principal referral hospital.
States and territories need to identify the most appropriate potential sites for quarantine capacity, reflecting their experience and the practicalities of an effective quarantine system that needs to bring together healthcare, logistics and law enforcement aspects to minimise risks.
Temporary COVID-19 Disaster Payment
National Cabinet discussed arrangements for the Temporary COVID-19 Disaster Payment. It was agreed that the Commonwealth will provide all of the funding for the demand driven program. This is on the basis that states provide all assistance to businesses, with the Council of Federal Financial Relations to consider a nationally consistent approach to providing support to businesses impacted by lockdowns.
The Commonwealth will enter into individual agreements with the states and territories on this basis to provide rapid support to those workers who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared COVID-19 hotspot and are therefore unable to attend work and earn an income as a result of state imposed health restrictions that last for more than one week.
Eligible recipients will receive up to $500 per week for losing 20 hours or more of work, and $325 per week for losing under 20 hours. They must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000.
The payment will be made in respect of the second and any subsequent weeks of restrictions, subject to a Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot being declared.
This support will be available for Australian citizens and permanent residents and eligible working visa holders. Individuals who are already receiving income support payments, business support payments, or the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will not be eligible for this new payment. To qualify, people will need to have exhausted any leave entitlements (other than annual leave) or other special pandemic leave.
The payment complements existing payments, including the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
International Passenger Caps
National Cabinet noted international passenger cap arrangements will be in place until 31 August, and will be revisited as circumstances evolve.
National Cabinet acknowledged the work of the states in facilitating the continued repatriation of Australians from overseas. In particular, National Cabinet welcomed the resumption of flights from India following a pause. The pause ensured that Australia’s quarantine system was able to be effectively managed with a significant reduction in positive cases.
Presentation by the Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors
Adrian Schrinner, Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors and Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, provided National Cabinet with a presentation on the economic impacts of the pandemic on capital cities.
National Cabinet recognised the importance of getting people back into Central Business Districts, noting that fewer people are utilising public transport and attending work in the office. National Cabinet called on businesses with global headquarters outside of Australia to ensure any restrictions on Australians workers are appropriate for Australian workplaces.
The AHPPC has been asked to consider the guidelines governing density arrangements that may be impacting a return to work and report back to National Cabinet.