16 News – Page 320 – Newcastle and Australian News

Expanded program to help essential workers move to Northern Rivers

Essential workers will receive significantly more support to move and settle into the Northern Rivers thanks to a successful Minns Labor Government initiative, The Welcome Experience, being extended into the region making it easier for local organisations to attract workers to making the move.

Originally piloted during 2023 in Broken Hill, Muswellbrook, Bega, Walgett, Coffs Harbour, Corowa, Griffith and Goulburn, The Welcome Experience has been such a success it is now being rolled out to additional locations since September this year and is now operating in 55 Local Government Areas.

The Welcome Experience will now provide workforce support to the additional town locations of Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley thanks to a successful tender application from new host agency, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers.

As part of The Welcome Experience, host agencies help essential workers make the regions their home, forge social connections, access childcare and schooling options, join sporting clubs and even assist with finding job opportunities for partners.

Launched in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 665 essential workers and their families to move to regional New South Wales, including 346 health workers, 110 educators and 42 police staff.

The Northern Rivers can look forward to similar type success stories that have emerged after the program was rolled out to other regions over the last few months.

Host Agencies in new delivery locations such as Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Kiama and Inverell are now onboarding Local Connectors, plus engaging their local communities and gathering feedback to assist them to tailor the delivery of The Welcome Experience to meet specific needs of communities.

Among the new host agencies is RDA Murray, which has reported a positive stream of enquiries since September from essential workers considering the move to the Albury area.

RDA Program Manager for Albury Karin Willcox is already assisting two registered nurses and their children move to the region from New Zealand.

Karin has organised arrangements for the family ahead of their arrival, including airport pickup, car rental, childcare, schooling options, and even securing furniture for their new home.

Find out more The Welcome Experience

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Our Government is focusing on ensuring regional NSW receives the services it needs and attracting essential workers is critical to making that happen.

“If people get to hear first-hand info about schools or childcare, and that there is a good bunch of people in the local netball team, plus insights on cafes and places to fish, you are making them feel welcome.

“Recognising the area’s needs, the Government is pleased the procurement process has been completed to engage RDA Northern Rivers to set up services in five towns that will boost the attraction of essential workers.

“The Welcome Experience has a strong track record of warmly welcoming workers to regional NSW and encouraging them to build lasting connections in their new communities, and I look forward to seeing RDA continue this valuable work in the Northern Rivers region.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“I congratulate Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers on successfully tendering to be host agency for The Welcome Experience in towns across our region as this organisation has a track record of building capacity through strengthening networks.

“We need to attract and retain more essential workers as our population grows, and providing workforce support with relocations and settling into a new community for workers and their families is a no-brainer.

“Some councils provide new residents with a welcome pack to help them navigate their new surroundings, and this Minns Labor Government initiative is that concept writ large, offering a wraparound set of services specific to our region.

“The Welcome Experience’s pilot sites have been successful in helping hundreds of health workers, educators and police move to the regions, and I look forward to more success in Lismore, Tweed, Byron, Ballina and Richmond Valley.”

RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development Anthony Schreenan said:

“The Welcome Experience will support new essential workers through every step of the relocation process, from when they first consider the move, to when they decide to make their home in the Northern Rivers and build connections in the community,” Mr Schreenan said.

“We are so happy to be able to benefit from The Welcome Experience, the pilot showed that the key to retaining workers is welcoming them into the community, and that’s more than finding a house to live in and school for the kids.

“It’s becoming part of the local sports club, getting to know fellow parents, connecting with the people at your local and building networks of friendship.

“Our Local Connector will provide a concierge service, connecting with essential workers who are considering relocating to our region and providing information about the region, finding a place to live, access to schools and amenities, and services available.

Locations delivering The Welcome Experience:

Region	Location Government Areas	Successful Host Agency
Northern NSW	Glen Innes Severn and Inverell	Attract Connect Stay Glenn Innes
North Coast & Rivers	Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley	RDA Northern Rivers
Mid North Coast	Kempsey, Nambucca and Port Macquarie Hastings	RDA Mid North Coast
Mid North Coast	Coffs Harbour and Bellingen	Boambee East Community Centre
Hunter	Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter	Muswellbrook Shire Council
New England	Armidale, Tamworth and Uralla	RDA Northern Inland
Moree Plains	Moree Plains	Moree Plains Shire Council
Orana region	Bourke, Dubbo (incl Wellington) and Walgett	RDA Orana
Central West	Bathurst, Cowra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin	Skillset
Western NSW	Balranald, Broken Hill, Central Darling,	Regional Solutions Community Development
Far West NSW	Unincorporated Far West and Wentworth	Regional Solutions Community Development
Murray	Albury, Federation and Greater Hume	RDA Murray
Eastern Riverina	Temora, Tumut, Wagga Wagga	RDA Riverina
Western Riverina	Griffith, Leeton,	RDA Riverina
Southern NSW	Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy-Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee and Yass Valley	RDA Southern NSW
Bega Valley	Bega Valley	Bega Chamber of Commerce
Illawarra	Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven	Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra
South Coast	Eurobodalla	Bega Chamber of Commerce

Royal visit to Australia

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla have concluded an historic visit to Australia.

The Royal visit was The King’s first visit to Australia as Sovereign.

It showcased the very best of modern Australia, including our strong communities, scientific innovation and rich cultural diversity.

In Canberra, Their Majesties honoured fallen Australians at the Australian War Memorial, visited Parliament House and learned more about Australia’s unique environment and the impact of climate change on our ecosystems at the National Botanic Gardens.

The spectacular Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, the visit to the Sydney Opera House and the community barbecue in Western Sydney were highlights of Their Majesties’ Sydney visit, and gave them the opportunity to meet a wide range of Australians.

The King and Queen’s visit focused attention on important work being done in our community to improve the lives of everyday Australians.

The King met the Australians of the Year at the ground-breaking Melanoma Institute, and met Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives to hear about a range of community projects at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. The King also visited a sustainable NSW Homes community housing project which will soon provide 75 affordable homes to people in Sydney’s inner-west.

The Queen assisted volunteers at OzHarvest to prepare meals and spent time hearing from women’s safety advocates about their vital work at Government House.

To mark the Royal visit, the Australian Government made a $10,000 national contribution to Greening Australia on behalf of all Australians. Greening Australia is a national not-for-profit committed to restoring Australia’s diverse landscapes and protecting biodiversity in ways that benefit communities, economies, and nature.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“It was an honour to welcome The King and Queen to Australia for this historic visit, the first by a Sovereign since Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.

“Their Majesties met a range of extraordinary Australians who demonstrated the best of our great country.

“I look forward to meeting The King again in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.”

Prime Minister to attend 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Samoa from 24 to 26 October for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

This will be his first visit to Samoa as Prime Minister.

Encompassing around a third of the world’s population, the Commonwealth has a strong record of multilateral cooperation to promote human rights and shared values.

Australia is proud to support Samoa as host of a uniquely Pacific CHOGM — the first to be hosted by a Pacific island country.

Australia is pleased to have provided support for Samoa’s preparations for the meeting, including on security, logistics and policy development.

Australia’s priorities for CHOGM are closely aligned with Samoa’s, with a focus on our collective efforts to address climate change and the sustainable management of our oceans.

As well as investing in the resilience of Pacific partners, Australia is working with the international community to pursue security and economic opportunity in a net zero future.

Prime Minister Albanese will join representatives from more than 50 countries to work with Commonwealth members to address global challenges.

The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I am pleased to attend the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by a Pacific island country.

“It is a particularly special occasion to be in Samoa, together with so many Commonwealth counterparts and His Majesty The King, in the 75th year of the Commonwealth.

“Australia values the significant role Samoa plays in our region, and the close partnership between our two countries.

“I thank Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa for hosting this year’s meeting and welcome her leadership to elevate Pacific priorities and voices on the international stage.”

Royals visit a stark reminder to break the shackles of colonial legacy

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for the Republic, has commented on the arrival of the British monarchy to Australia, ahead of the Prime Minister’s parliamentary reception scheduled today.

Senator Faruqi:

‘It will come as no surprise that I will not be participating in any pomp and ceremony celebrating the monarchy, but I’d be happy to go to the airport to wish them a final goodbye in the hope that this is the last time the crown visits this country as rulers.

“Anthony Albanese and Labor may have given up on Australia becoming a Republic, like they have given up on tackling the climate crisis, the housing and rental crisis and justice for First Nations, but the Greens will keep fighting.

“The truth is, racism and colonialism are intertwined; and the monarchy symbolises an era that should be left behind for good, not celebrated.

“Preserving the British monarchy is to preserve white supremacy and the systemic racist structures that were built by the Empire and persist today.

“It’s time for Australia to embrace a Republic rooted in decolonisation and sovereignty for First Nations—a crucial step towards racial justice, truth telling and treaty.”

Proposed changes to drinking water guidelines for PFAS not low enough: Greens

The NSW Government should be strongly advocating for Australia’s drinking water guidelines to reflect global best practice after draft new guidelines released today still have Australia lagging behind the US on acceptable levels for some ‘forever chemicals’ says Cate Faehrmann, Greens NSW MP and chair of the newly established Upper House Inquiry into PFAS.

“Why should Australians accept a new drinking water standard that has levels of one forever chemical, PFOA, at 50 times what the US is prepared to accept? PFOA has recently been declared carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, so surely the only acceptable level is close, or at, zero,” Cate Faehrmann said.

“Australia is behind many other jurisdictions that have acted on the growing body of evidence about just how dangerous these chemicals are much sooner. It shouldn’t have taken a media investigation and negative headlines to get action here.

“Australia must now seize this opportunity and adopt the world’s best practice when it comes to identifying and removing PFAS from our water supplies. The NSW Government needs to be strongly advocating for this at the federal level.

“It makes no sense that new guidelines will set acceptable levels for some ‘forever chemicals’ higher than what the US allows. Why should we be prepared to accept higher levels of chemicals than people in the US?

“The public deserves to know on what evidence all decisions around supposedly safe levels are being made,” said Cate Faehrmann.

Universities need public funding and governance overhaul, not more job cuts

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education, has commented on the slashing of hundreds of jobs in the university sector with the latest announcement today by the University of Canberra, following recent job cut announcements at Macquarie University and the ANU.

Senator Faruqi:

“There is something deeply wrong with universities if hundreds of jobs are being cut while VCs walk away with million-dollar plus pay packets.

“Rampant casualisation, wage theft and enormous workloads were already crushing staff, and now hundreds will be without a job. It should be VC salaries that should be cut, not staff jobs.

“For too long, the corporatisation of universities has continued unabated, with disastrous consequences for staff and students. Staff and students are not expendable cogs in the wheels of a corporate campus.

“Universities are in strife, and the Labor government is going to make it even worse with their international student caps. Instead, they should be providing a big boost of funding to universities and overhauling university governance to put staff and students back at the centre of decision making.”

Wholesale digital reform needed to tackle & tax big tech corporations

Big tech and social media corporations should pay their fair share back to the communities they profit from, including for public interest journalism, according to the Greens and a Parliamentary Select Committee Report into Social Media.

The Greens are calling on the Government to stand up to tech giants like Meta and protect media diversity and public interest journalism in Australia via comprehensive regulatory reform. In additional comments the Greens are calling for an overhaul of ACMA powers, and the implementation of the News Media Assistance Program.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for Communications:

“A strong, diverse and trusted news media sector is essential for a strong and robust democracy. Australia needs to urgently address the lack of trust and sustainability of quality public interest journalism if we are to protect ourselves from the rampant disinformation and politics of division we are witnessing in the United States.

“Independent public interest journalism is a public good, but more is needed than just short term funding and grant programs.

“It’s clear that comprehensive digital and media reform is well overdue in Australia and we need stronger laws that deal with the toxic business model of these big tech corporations.

“It’s time for the Albanese Government to make these companies pay their fair share back to the communities they are profiting from, and too often, harming. We’ve seen this in countries like France and Canada and it should be part of the solution to fund the public interest journalism that’s been gutted by the tech giants.

“We also need greater transparency over how these companies use their algorithms and the data of everyday users.

“We need to fund quality, public interest journalism in Australia and ensure that a diversity of publishers, especially small, medium, regional and independent media are supported.

“ACMA’s powers are not fit for purpose in a digital age and comprehensive reform in this area is well overdue.

“A Commission of Inquiry into media regulation and diversity including the damaging impact the Murdoch media empire is having on our democracy is also warranted.

“While this is the first report of this inquiry, focused on the news media bargaining code and journalism support, the final report of the inquiry will deal with the harms of social media and the need for regulating the big tech giants.

“Labor & the Liberals should back the Greens’ call for a ban on big tech corporations harvesting the data of young people and targeting them with advertising and dangerous algorithms. The business model of collecting, selling and exploiting young people’s data to make massive profits must stop.”

Media diversity in Australia is now second-worst in the world, with experts calling for a levy on tech firms.

Wheels in motion to improve active travel along Parkway Avenue

The community is invited to have their say on a proposal to upgrade Newcastle’s cycling and pedestrian network along the heritage listed Parkway Avenue in Hamilton South.

The proposed improvements, between National Park Street and Smith Street intersections, includes both on-road cycle lanes, sections of off-road shared pathway, amendments to the roundabouts, as well as two combined pedestrian-cycling crossings across Parkway Avenue and the grassed median.

Corner of National Park Street and Parkway Avenue, Hamilton South

The project is being delivered by City of Newcastle, utilising $469,500 from the Australian Government Black Spot Program as administered by Transport for NSW.

Executive Manager Transport and Regulation Ryan Tranter said the cycleway and shared pathways would foster a safer and more accessible thoroughfare for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst linking schools with parks and residential areas.

“This project will provide safe, convenient connections between our shopping centres, favourite places to visit, and homes, inspiring people to walk and ride more often,” Mr Tranter said.

“We want to hear feedback from residents, high school students, commuters, and anyone who has an interest in the proposed improvements to Parkway Avenue.

“Feedback from the community is an important aspect of the process and I encourage everyone to have their say during the public exhibition period to help inform the detailed design.”

The project aims to maintain the heritage and character of Parkway Avenue including its uniform streetscape and retaining the grand median with iconic Norfolk pine trees, whilst providing more space for pedestrians and cyclists.

In alignment with City of Newcastle’s ‘On Our Bikes’ Cycling Plan, the project proposes designated cycle routes and slowing vehicles by adding speed cushions and realigning the kerb to narrow the lanes on approach of the two roundabouts.

New priority crossing points will also improve safety for pedestrians travelling in the area.

The new cycleway and shared path will complement City of Newcastle’s $2 million upgrade which is underway at Maud Street Waratah West, addressing safety and accessibility issues with a signalised crossing, improved alignment, kerb extension and shared paths.

Community feedback on the proposed concept plans is open until 5pm, Monday 18 November 2024 and will be incorporated as part of the detailed design stage.

To view the preliminary concept plans and complete the online survey visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay.

Securing a more vibrant future for Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter

The Minns Labor Government will hold an open tender process for the long-term lease at the Entertainment Quarter (EQ), Moore Park, with the aim to unlock the potential of the site through a world-class redevelopment.

Proposals are being sought that will deliver more visitors, more live performances, and more events at Entertainment Quarter, the former Sydney Showgrounds site.

The NSW Government is also seeking proposals that would deliver additional creative spaces such as a new indoor space that could host substantial audiences of up to 15,000 – 20,000 people, for live performances and public events.

The EQ is one of Sydney’s key entertainment and sports precincts, and a hub for creative industries, but it is currently underutilised considering its prime location between Centennial Park, the SCG and Allianz Stadium and its proximity to the CBD via light rail.

The NSW Government is determined to ensure EQ’s history as the venue for some of Sydney’s biggest events, including the start of World Series cricket and the old Royal Easter Show, is honoured in transformation to a world-class entertainment precinct that Sydney can be proud of.

The current lease over the site has a maximum lease term expiring in 2046 and while no decision has been made in relation to the existing lease, this open tender process will allow all parties to put forward proposals to redevelop the precinct.

The open tender process will commence in the near-term and will look beyond the next decade to a proposal that supports long-term investment, with the tender process to run through next year.

The tender process will seek bids that deliver on key precinct and infrastructure upgrades and support increased use of the precinct while supporting better integration with the broader sports and entertainment precinct and parklands while retaining the site as a public space.

Through a long-term lease we have an opportunity to secure the Entertainment Quarter’s future and deliver the revitalisation the site needs.

This builds on work already undertaken by the NSW Government with the announcement of Vibrancy Reforms set to be debated in Parliament this week, that are aimed tackling red tape that has destroyed nightlife and entertainment by bringing vibrancy back to New South Wales.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“The Entertainment Quarter is in one of Australia’s best entertainment precincts, however it is falling far short of meeting its full potential.

“We want to turn the EQ into a thriving world-class precinct, full of dining and entertainment options, complete with a brand new venue that can host between 15,000 – 20,000 for live music and public events.

“The new EQ entertainment precinct would provide another world-class venue for great home grown artists and international acts to perform at, like Cold Chisel and Dua Lipa who Sydney will be hosting over the next 6 months.

“From cutting through red tape that has decimated Sydney’s nightlife to getting visitors and entertainment back into the city with projects this like this, we’re focussed on turning Sydney into the best entertainment destination in the world.”

Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said:

“The Entertainment Quarter’s potential currently outweighs its offerings. In short, we want more entertainment in this precinct, more people visiting and much more activation of what has always been a special place in Sydney right back to the days of the Showgrounds and the heyday of the Hordern Pavilion.

“The creation of a live performance area that can host 15,000 – 20,000 people is central to this vision, particularly as the Minns Labor Government pursues its agenda to grow live music back from the brink.

“A revitalised Entertainment Quarter fits the objective of the Vibrancy Reforms we are enacting, the 24-Hour Economy Strategy and the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy Review. This place should be an experience that keeps visitors coming back again and again.

“I look forward to seeing the vision of the private sector to deliver on a much more ambitious use of this exciting site.”

Grants now available for councils to hire 1,300 additional apprentices and trainees

Councils across NSW can now apply for grants to employ hundreds more apprentices and trainees as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $252.2 million investment in securing the future of the local government workforce.

The Fresh Start for Local Government Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Program which will fund the wages of 1,300 apprentices, trainees and cadets over the next six years, is the largest state government investment in the direct hire of new apprentices in recent memory.

The program aims to support a 15 per cent increase in the local government workforce through new apprentices and trainees, starting with 1,300 new roles across metropolitan, rural and regional NSW councils.

The program has been designed so councils can determine their own workforce priorities and the types of roles they hope to fill – whether that’s more plumbers, childcare workers and carpenters, or mechanics, landscapers and planners.

Applications will be assessed on merit with the funding to be administered by the Office of Local Government.

Following an assessment period grants will be allocated to councils and the first round of apprentices, trainees and cadets are expected to start work in early 2025.

Guidelines for the grants are now available and all 128 councils, county councils and joint organisations are eligible to apply for round one of the funding.

Applications can be made to the Apprentice and Trainee program through the Office of Local Government. Submissions close 8 November 2024.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Apprenticeships provide opportunities for young people to learn a trade and work in a role where they can have a direct impact on their community.

“We need to create more of these opportunities across NSW to boost the capability of councils, reverse the trend of outsourcing and keep council jobs in councils where they belong.

“This significant investment by the Minns Labor Government will help ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital workforce which provides the services and builds the infrastructure we use every day.

“A stronger local government sector means stronger communities, so I encourage all councils to apply as soon as possible.”