Month: March 2025

City of Newcastle is asking the NSW Government to part fund a project worth up to $250,000 to help address anti-social behaviour on Beaumont Street.

The Community Building Partnership grant would deliver much-needed positive change to Hamilton Station Park with the proposed project featuring security and ambient lighting, upgraded utilities, as well as accessible seating and landscaping.

Ward Two Councillors Jennie Barry, Joel Pringle and Paige Johnson at Hamilton Station Park.Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said City of Newcastle has identified several elements that can be implemented to help create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all.

“This is a complex site that requires a collaborative effort between multiple agencies to make sustainable and positive changes to how the park is used,” Cr Kerridge said.

“We want to revitalise the park and make it a safer one too, while at the same time providing economic benefit for local businesses through positive activation.”

The NSW Government’s $41.85 million Community Building Partnership program awards grants for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

Executive Director Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said the proposal has been developed utilising the principles of crime prevention through environmental design to make the park a safer and more welcoming community space.

“The State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, made us aware of the grant opportunity, informing me that it represented a great opportunity to improve Hamilton Station Park,” Ms Jones.

“City of Newcastle organised cross agency workshops, attended community meetings and conducted consultation with students, members of the public and business owners to develop the plan.”

Another element of the proposal would be a dual-sided noticeboard featuring information about events and local support services on one side and the local Aboriginal cultural story on the other.

The area is known as Ahwar-tah Bulboolba, which translates to ‘flat it is, Wallaby Place. A place of sand flats covered in tea tree scrub and an abundance of wildlife.’

“The local Aboriginal community will be involved in the park improvements, interpreting and displaying artwork and the Indigenous history of the area, contributing to feelings of pride and inclusion,” Ms Jones said.

Other elements of the project include the removal of the park’s perimeter fence to improve sight lines and deter anti-social behaviour, the installation of a water filling station, as well as electrical connections and a hard stand that can be used for pop-up events.

Ward Two Councillors have backed the Beaumont Street project as part of ongoing efforts to improve community safety and wellbeing.

“We know crime prevention through environmental design can be successful in Newcastle, as we have seen with the renewal of Islington Park, which was at one time experiencing similar social and safety issues,” Cr Jenny Barrie said.

“City of Newcastle started work on improving the space in 2023 with the Hamilton Station Park Graffiti Management project, which began to reduce the incidence of graffiti vandalism on the walls and improved the visual appearance of the area.

“If we can make the park an even more welcoming and supportive environment it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors, and become a venue for outreach support activities and community events.”

Councillor Joel Pringle said the project takes into consideration the retention of urban green space and amenity in the space.

“The proposed plan maintains existing vegetation and addresses root protection for the iconic fig trees,” Cr Pringle said.

“It’s great to see projects like this that enhance our community spaces for all to enjoy.”

The park’s free community pantry is proposed to be relocated to a well-lit location closer to Beaumont Street and upgraded with a purpose-built structure to provide better protection from rain and sunlight.

Councillor Paige Johnson noted the Hamilton Station Park proposal is part of the ongoing collaboration to deliver improvements for Hamilton.

“There has been a lot of positive conversations with stakeholders on infrastructure needs for the space which will continue as the design for the project progresses, to get the best outcome for our local community,” Cr Johnson said.

Should the NSW Government provide the maximum $100,000 grant to the project, City of Newcastle will contribute $150,000, bringing the total to $250,000.

Each State electorate is allocated $450,000 to award grants for community, infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes.

Should the NSW Government commit less than the requested $100,000 grant funding then the project will require rescoping.

As part of the Minn Government’s plan to strengthen the State’s primary industry sector the Government is calling on stakeholders to provide feedback on the development of an industry-wide strategy designed to create a more resilient and skilled NSW primary industries workforce.

The consultation, which was a 2023 election commitment, is an important step in ensuring the NSW agriculture and primary industries have a workforce suited for the constant changes within the State’s $20 billion primary industries sector.

Consultation on the proposed NSW Primary Industries Workforce Strategy 2025-2030 has opened today, with key stakeholders across the agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry industries urged to review and provide advice and input into the strategy to ensure it is fit for purpose.

The proposed strategy identifies three key priority areas for government and industry to concentrate their actions, including improving business management, adaptability and innovation, fostering a diverse workforce accessible across NSW and building on careers and capabilities across the industry.

Your feedback via the Have Your Say website closes on 30 April 2025:

www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/primary-industries-Workforce-Strategy

NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tara Moriarty said:

“Once the strategy has been finalised, all industry stakeholders will have an opportunity to develop plans, initiatives and programs that deliver the shared vision for a highly skilled and versatile NSW agriculture workforce.  

“We’re pleased to launch this consultation today and I encourage all stakeholders to get involved.  This consultation will play a big part in helping coordinate workforce strategies between both government and industry.  

“It’s important to highlight the wide range of rewarding careers available in primary industries.  

“The NSW primary industry sector is full of opportunity and innovation and together, we can develop plans that support and sustain the workforce that is vital to the sector’s growth.”

NSW Farmers’ Association President Xavier Martin said:

NSW Farmers’ is pleased to see this election commitment come to fruition and take this key step in creating a more resilient and skilled workforce across the agriculture industry.

“We know farmers play a vital role in feeding and clothing people both here and abroad, and that’s why having a strong agricultural workforce strategy is so important. 

“We look forward to providing feedback to ensure the strategy is robust and relevant.” 

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will launch three new Community Outreach services next week to ensure communities on the Mid North Coast and in Northern NSW continue to get the help they need after Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mobile Recovery Outreach services can be found at the following locations and times next week:

• Dorrigo – Dorrigo Community Hall, 36 Hickory St, Dorrigo
  Tuesday 1 April from 10am – 4pm
• Bellingen – Bellingen Citizens Centre, 29-31 Hyde St, Bellingen
  Thursday 3 April from 10am – 4pm

Recovery Assistance Points will also operate at the following location and time next week:

• Chinderah – Chinderah Scout Hall, 2A Chinderah Rd, Chinderah
  Wednesday 2 April from 9am – 5pm
• Tweed South Community Hall – Corner Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads
  Monday 31 March to Wednesday 2 April from 9am to 5pm

The RA has helped more than 5680 people through Recovery Assistance Points and Community Outreach at Lismore, Tweed, Ballina, Maclean, Woodburn, Kyogle, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Coraki, Grafton, Coutts Crossing, Wardell, Yamba, Dorrigo, Bellingen and Nana Glen.

Services available at the Community Outreach points include help with the NSW Government’s Personal Hardship Assistance Payment and general recovery support.

Residents who have experienced lengthy power outages or evacuation orders are eligible for a Personal Hardship Assistance Payment of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five through Service NSW.

Service NSW has already distributed over $2 million in Personal Hardship Assistance payment to help people across the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW get back on their feet. 

Anyone who needs support can visit a Community Outreach Pop Up or Service NSW Centre to apply. You can also apply online through Service NSW at www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/northern-nsw-storm-relief-grant-individuals-march-2025;

Small businesses and primary producers in Local Government Areas included in the Natural Disaster Declaration may be eligible for concessional loans up to $130,000 and primary producers may also be eligible for transport subsidies of up to $15,000.

Applications can be made online via the Rural Assistance Authority – https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/ndrl;. Primary producers and small businesses can also call 1800 678 593 or email rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au for help with their applications.

Information on where to find help and the assistance available, including eligibility criteria for grants and how to apply, can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery;.

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“We are opening up these new Community Outreach pop ups to ensure people have access to the support they need when they need it the most. This is about making sure people can get back to their day to day lives as soon as possible.”

“Going through a storm like Alfred is a very traumatic thing, and recovery can often seem overwhelming. If you need help please come one of our pop up community outreach services or to one of our Recovery Assistance Points because the Reconstruction Authority is here to help.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“While the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have passed, we know that many people are only starting their recovery journey and some have never experienced anything like the recent storms, which is why we are operating these Community Outreach pop ups in new locations so people can access support services.”

“The Reconstruction Authority has been on the ground before, during and post Alfred, and will continue working with anyone who has been impacted until the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW has recovered.”

The Minns Labor Government is today announcing sweeping legislation that will ban all future public private partnerships being imposed on the state’s acute hospitals.

The legislation will protect hospitals which provide services such as emergency, surgical and inpatient services from any future government entering into such partnerships which limit public control over hospital services.

The Health Services Amendment (PPP Prohibition) Bill 2025 (NSW) will achieve this by preventing governments from entering into a Northern Beaches-style arrangement to build or operate an acute public hospital.

This law will honour the memory and legacy of toddler Joe Massa who tragically died in September last year.

The protection of the state’s acute hospitals will apply to any future government who seeks to pursue a privatisation agenda.

Health Minister Ryan Park will introduce legislation in the NSW Legislative Assembly to amend the Health Services Act 1997 (NSW) to this effect.

This legislation forms part of the Government’s broader response to ongoing community concerns in relation to the quality and safety of health services delivered at Northern Beaches Hospital, including:

• A parliamentary inquiry into the hospital;
• A review of the systems and processes surrounding paediatric care at Northern Beaches Hospital, led by the Clinical Excellence Commission;
• A roundtable to improve the accessibility of the REACH protocol (Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help is on its way);
• Requesting a coronial inquest; and
• A commitment to ensure Healthscope implements all recommendations of the Serious Adverse Event Review into Joe Massa’s death.

Premier Chris Minns:

“Today we are announcing that under ‘Joe’s Law’, NSW will ban all future public private partnerships being imposed on the state’s acute hospitals.

“As a Labor government, we believe critical public services like acute hospitals should remain in public hands, safeguarded from privatisation.

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering the healthcare that the people of NSW rely on to keep our communities safe.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“Today, we are announcing a ban on public private partnerships being imposed on our state’s acute hospitals.

“From the very beginning, we’ve adamantly opposed these sorts of arrangements – and we will continue to oppose them, now and into the future.

“What we are doing today is to deliver further protection of our hospitals – honouring the memory and legacy of toddler Joe Massa.

“Joe’s Law will mean that public hospitals which provide services such as emergency, surgical and inpatient services, will be protected under this government and from any future government that wishes to enter into such partnerships with private providers.

“Our major and local community hospitals should be run by the people.”

The NSW Opposition is pushing for strong and immediate legislative reform to stop repeat serious youth offenders from carrying out crime sprees across regional NSW.
 
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens will introduce the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Youth Crime) Bill 2025 in Parliament after in-depth collaboration between the Liberals and Nationals.
 
It will offer stronger measures than Labor’s changes to the Bail Act that were passed last week, by:
 

• Expanding the definition of repeat offences beyond serious break and enter and motor vehicle theft, to include all serious indictable offences like murder or sexual assault.
• Introducing electronic monitoring and a mandatory curfew as conditions of bail.
• Revoking bail if there is a breach of the bail conditions, if another charge is laid while on bail, or if there is any interference with the electronic monitoring device.
• Elevating the voice of victims in the court through the use of victim impact statements.

 
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Opposition bill builds on the Coalition’s efforts to strengthen Labor’s bill after the Minns Government refused to support any amendments.
 
“Chris Minns has been all talk but little action on youth crime — and regional communities are paying the price,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“This Coalition response draws on the work of Dugald Saunders, who has been listening carefully and regularly to our communities, and the direct advocacy of Opposition regional MPs. We now have a united position on how to achieve tangible change.”
 
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said this will provide swift and decisive action while leaving the door open to more reforms.
 
“Our residents are living in a constant state of panic and fear, as their homes are broken into, cars are stolen – and even worse, loved ones are hurt,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“We need an immediate circuit-breaker to stop repeat youth offenders from holding our communities to ransom and we will continue discussions with the Shadow Attorney General around potential changes to doli incapax along with diversionary programs.”
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said he will continue working with regional MPs on further measures, but these initial changes can’t wait.
 
“The Coalition wants to demonstrate clearly to the community that it understands the anxiety that is being felt and the need to enhance community safety,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Electronic monitoring for repeat serious criminal offenders will assist in deterring crime while these offenders are on bail, while mandatory curfews bolstered by this monitoring will help keep these repeat offenders off the streets and to stop them committing crimes until their matters are heard in court.”
 
Member for the Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said the Opposition bill builds on his initial private member’s bill.
 
“This crisis is the number one thing people in the regions are talking about right now and it’s becoming worse and worse by the day,” Mr Moylan said.
 
“Our team of Nationals MPs have been fighting to make their communities safe again, and we have been working hard as a Coalition to come up with changes that can actually deliver that.”