South Australians will be spending less time in traffic this long weekend with motorists able to access the new Northern Connector from Saturday morning, 7 March.
The $867 million, six-lane, 110 km/h motorway has created 480 jobs each year and will open up over 43 kilometres of non-stop corridor.
The Northern Connector will have three new lanes in each direction and offer drivers the opportunity to bypass the traffic on the existing route along Port Wakefield Road and the Salisbury Highway.
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the Northern Connector would help drive tourism and jobs in South Australia’s beautiful northern regions.
“The opening of the Northern Connector will reduce travel times for South Australians and interstate and international visitors who want to visit our beautiful regions like the Barossa, Riverland, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and beyond,” said Premier Marshall.
“The Northern Connector will be opening over the March long weekend so people heading north or home over the weekend will have a safer, smoother and faster journey.
“Projects like this not only create jobs during the construction phase, but they also help boost tourism in the regions and economic productivity which supports job creation.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Northern Connector was a game-changer for Adelaide motorists.
“This project is the next piece in the 78-kilometre North-South Corridor that will connect the South Road Superway and Northern Expressway,” Mr Tudge said.
“It also includes 16 kilometres of cycle and pedestrian paths, providing a safe space for all road users.”
South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the Marshall Government had built a $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works that would deliver more projects to reduce travel times and create jobs.
“The opening to traffic on the Northern Connector is only a few days away now and motorists will now have 43 kilometres of non-stop North-South Corridor between the South Road Superway and Gawler,” said Minister Knoll.
“This will improve safety and massively reduce the time people are stuck in traffic, particularly on the busy Port Wakefield road.”
The six-lane motorway will have a posted speed limit of 80 km/h for the first few weeks to enable driver familiarisation and completion of testing.
The Southern Interchange will be reduced to 60 km/h for driver safety.
Finishing works will also continue which may require some lane and speed restrictions, and a temporary closure, to ensure the safety of motorists and workers accessing the site. Advance notice will be provided.
The Australian Government has committed $694 million to the project, with $173 million from the South Australian Government.
COMMUNITY INPUT WANTED ON THE FUTURE OF PLASTICS AND WASTE IN NSW
The NSW Government is seeking community input on its ambitious plan to tackle the use of plastics, reduce waste and pollution and increase recycling across the State.
People will be able to give their feedback on the discussion paper until Friday, 8 May.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Environment Minister Matt Kean have empowered the community to help drive the comprehensive plan to better manage our resources and improve our environment.
“The community has high expectations and we need to make sure we put in place the best plans for the future. We know that we need to do a better job of dealing with our waste and delivering sustainable solutions,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Plastics Plan and 20 Year Waste Strategy will be key to ensuring that NSW is a leader when it comes to reducing waste, maximising recycling and protecting our environment.”
“We also want to make sure any businesses potentially affected by phase outs have enough time to adjust and source sustainable alternatives.”
Mr Kean said our waste industry needs to be sustainable, reliable and affordable, and we want to hear from as many parts of the community as possible, to ensure the strategies we put in place are practical and work for the people of NSW.
The NSW Plastics Plan discussion paper Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the Future of Plastic in NSW outlines a clear pathway to reduce single-use, unnecessary and problematic plastics in NSW and help build our circular economy.
“It sets the stage for the phase-out of priority single-use plastics, tripling the proportion of plastic recycled by 2030, reducing plastic litter by a quarter and making our State a leader in plastics research and development,” Mr Kean said.
“Lightweight plastic bags are proposed to be phased out six months from the passage of legislation with other timelines to be determined after feedback from the public consultation process.”
The waste strategy canvasses options to reduce waste and increase recycling, outlines the opportunities and strategic direction for future waste and recycling infrastructure, and for growing sustainable end markets for recycled materials.
For more information on how to have your say visit yoursay.dpie.nsw.gov.au
WOMEN KICKING GOALS IN BUSINESS
Women are increasingly making their mark in decision making in NSW workplaces with females holding almost 40 per cent of managerial roles, compared to 35 per cent a decade ago.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said it was great to see women having such an impact in the workforce in NSW.
“The new numbers show that we are making great strides towards equal participation in leadership roles – and it’s so fantastic that we are talking about this on International Women’s Day,” she said.
“Female talent brings with it a broad range of real-world experience and I am delighted to see the increased opportunities opening up for women in management and business ownership.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said less than one in four startups in NSW had been founded by women.
“Our State has brilliant women in the startup space and we need to continue to provide the right support for them to flourish and inspire the next generation of businesswomen,” he said.
“The Sydney Startup Hub and its associated programs are an excellent example of the NSW Government’s commitment to help women in startups.”
Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope said NSW had one of the highest proportions of women in small business in Australia.
“Women also account for almost two-thirds of NSW Government sector employees.
“They make a valuable contribution to the workforce and it’s great to see these successes being appropriately celebrated today,” he said.
The NSW Women’s Strategy 2018-2022 aims to encourage more women into small business and includes workshops in regional and rural areas and to deliver Tafe NSW’s online education program to women.
One business that has benefited from NSW Government support is Super-Rewards,
a shopping platform which helps women grow their super balance by directing a percentage of their purchases to their superannuation.
Founder Pascale Helyar-Moray said government investment was helping to grow the business.
“Women retire with only enough superannuation for six years, which translates to about half of what men retire with and we saw that as a real issue,” she said.
“Since we started, we’ve had thousands of users sign up to the platform and we’re seeing hundreds of thousands of sales processed through the platform.”
The initiative launched in October with 100 retailers on board and that number has grown to 170.
Super-Rewards is a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2020 and Pascale has been nominated as a finalist in the Empowered Woman Awards of The Leadership Institute (ANZ).
MORE MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE FOR BUSHFIRE RAVAGED COMMUNITIES
The NSW Government today announced it will boost the number of specialist mental health bushfire recovery clinicians recruited since the crisis by nine, taking the total to 30 across the state.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Recovery John Barilaro said as our immediate response efforts now transition to the next stage of recovery, the ongoing effects of the bushfire crisis will also change the way people require mental health assistance.
“The bushfire clean-up and recovery is well underway across the state, but this is an emotional and trying journey for many,” Mr Barilaro said.
“As our immediate response efforts now transition to the next phase of recovery, the ongoing effects of the bushfire crisis will require mental health support now and for a long time into the future.”
Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor said the positions will be spread across all bushfire affected local health districts, as communities work towards stability.
“Nine new fulltime specialist mental health clinicians will now join the 21 currently being recruited to bushfire affected communities to make sure we are continuing to address those specific needs, now and into the future,” she said.
“We will not stop, as our attention now turns to targeting people and groups at risk, and those who need specialist care,” she said.
The total NSW Government investment for bushfire mental health stands at $15.3 million to support hard hit communities across the state.
People suffering from trauma or stress as a result of the State’s bushfire crisis should contact their local health service via the NSW Mental Health Line on 1 800 011 511
The Disaster Welfare Assistance Line is staffed with counseling support and can be accessed by phone on 1800 018 444
Man dies following crash – Tomago
A man has died following a crash in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 12.40pm (Sunday 8 March 2020), emergency services were called to Tomago Road, Tomago, after reports a Mitsubishi ASX had crashed into a tree after colliding with an Izuzu D-Max.
The Mitsubishi driver, a 75-year-old man, died at the scene.
The Izuzu driver, a 32-year-old man, sustained serious internal injuries and was airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The passengers, two women aged 66 and 26 and a 2-year-old boy, suffered minor injuries.
All were transferred to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command established a crime scene, with the Crash Investigation Unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision who were in the area at the time are urged to come forward.
Aboriginal ingenuity on exhibition at Museum
The skills, culture and adaptability of First Nations people will be showcased at Newcastle Museum when the improvisational genius of the famous Bush Mechanics is complemented by a display of locally made possum skin cloaks and weaving.
The hit ABC documentary series Bush Mechanics, which combined the mechanical resourcefulness of Central Australia’s Walpiri men with their humour and music, was a TV phenomenon in 2001.
Four episodes in which they replaced car parts with tree boughs and cleverly used other bush resources, such as mulga, spinifex and sand, as tools and spare parts, were watched by more than 3 million viewers.
An EH Holden they cut the roof off to use as a makeshift trailer, a Ford Fairlane adorned in a water-dreaming painting and a driver-simulator cobbled from random machinery and a computer monitor, feature among their handiwork in the Bush Mechanics exhibition from the National Motor Museum.
The old Holden lopped by the Bush Mechanics.
Specially commissioned art, displays showing their clever “nyurulypa” (good bush tricks) and an augmented reality app that explains the Ford Fairlane painting, feature among the exhibition’s interactive components.
“The City of Newcastle invests around $15 million in delivering cultural facilities in our city year in year out, and our Newcastle Museum plays a vital role in telling our stories and showcasing wonderful Australian talent like the Bush Mechanics,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
Joining the Bush Mechanics display, Cultural Resurgence will showcase woven and possum skin works created by local Aboriginal community groups, such as the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal lands council, the Awabakal Elders group and various school groups with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students and their teachers with local organisation Speaking in Colour.
“In all of these programs cultural enrichment is paramount,” Managing Director of Speaking in Colour Cherie Johnson said. “In all of these programs cultural enrichment is paramount.
“The diversity of individuals’ knowledge and abilities vary; however, we have found the hunger to learn and create is shared by all. Over the course of this program it is beautiful to watch the students become the teachers, sharing what they have learnt with their friends and family. We have witnessed generations share and work together on projects that many have not had the chance to do before.”
Walpiri-style driver simulator.
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said she was excited to have the two exhibitions on display together.
“Bush Mechanics, with its desert mob Walpiri way of solving problems and the local Speaking in Colour weaving and possum skin cloaks created by both young and old, allows us to celebrate the culture and ingenuity of our First Nations people,” Ms Baird said.
Bush Mechanics and Cultural Resurgence are free at Newcastle Museum until 30 May.
LOCAL SCHOOLS LOCAL DECISIONS TO BE FINE TUNED
Local Schools Local Decisions will be improved with schools earning the autonomy to make decisions around the allocation of funds and learning programs by hitting a range of numeracy and literacy targets.
There will also be changes to alleviate the administrative burden for principals as a matter of priority. This will allow schools to focus on what they do best – educating children.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there is room for improvement when it comes to our student’s performance across NSW.
“To ensure students receive the best education we must be able to enforce best teaching practice consistently across our schools,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Local Schools Local Decisions is a sound policy but we need to make sure it works as it was intended. Adjustments will make it easier for the NSW Government to provide support to schools that are underperforming.”
Schools will earn the autonomy to make funding, and educational decisions by hitting a range of targets, using criteria such as Bump It Up, HSC results and NAPLAN results.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is investing a record amount in education and the improvements to Local Schools Local Decisions will strike the right balance between autonomy, accountability and support for schools.
“Improving Local Schools Local Decisions is unashamedly about lifting performance in NSW through supporting evidence based best practice teaching and learning, Ms Mitchell said.
“It is fantastic that many schools have been able to excel under Local Schools Local Decisions, but other schools need more attention when it comes to improving outcomes. These changes to the policy will enable us to provide the support that these principals and teachers need.
“We want to help principals by removing unnecessary administration burdens and allowing them to spend more time leading their schools and supporting their students.”
The NSW Government will consult with education stakeholders on the reforms and will agree on targets with schools by the end of Term 4 2020. The changes will be implemented on Day one Term 1 2021.
Man charged after child abuse material found – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged with possessing child abuse material in the Lake Macquarie region yesterday.
About 9.30am (Thursday 5 March 2020), detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District executed a search warrant at a home on George Street, Holmesville, following reports a man was allegedly disseminating child abuse material over the internet.
Detectives spoke with a 49-year-old man and allegedly found child abuse material on his phone.
Following inquiries, computers, computer storage devices and mobile phones were seized by police.
The man was arrested and charged with one count of possess child abuse material.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 24 March 2020.
Stolen laptops, jewellery, car seized; two in court – Lake Macquarie PD
Police have charged two people and recovered jewellery, laptops and housebreaking implements when a stolen car was spotted in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District had been investigating the theft of a Kia Cerato from a Newcastle shopping centre on 24 February 2020, when the vehicle was spotted in Speers Street, Speers Point, about 11.30am (Friday 6 March 2020).
A 30-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man were arrested in the stolen car and were taken to Belmont Police Station.
When police searched the vehicle, they recovered jewellery and laptops, alleged to have been stolen, as well as housebreaking implements.
The woman has been charged with enter enclosed land and be carried in conveyance without consent.
The man has been charged with trespass, be carried in conveyance without consent, possess housebreaking implements, and goods in custody suspected of being stolen.
Both have been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 March 2020).
Officer injured following large party; man charged – Lake Macquarie
A man has been charged after a police officer was injured while dispersing a large party at Lake Macquarie last night.
About 10.15pm (Friday 6 March 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to a large party at a home on Bridgewater Close, Eleebana.
On arrival, officers located more than 100 people in the street, and a number of people proceeded to throw glass bottles at police.
One officer was hit by a bottle, sustaining minor injuries, and a police vehicle was damaged. Additional police attended and dispersed the crowd.
A man is alleged to have harassed a police dog, and attempted to incite the crowd to further attack officers.
The 21-year-old was arrested after allegedly failing to comply with a police direction. He resisted before being restrained and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with fail to comply with direction, behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, and granted strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 8 April 2020.
Police are investigating the incident and as they continue their inquiries, they would like to speak to anyone who has information on attendees of the party.