School zones back in force for Term 3

Motorists are reminded to slow down and remain vigilant with school zones back in force from Monday 22 July, as Term 3 commences in NSW.  
 
Sally Webb, Deputy Secretary of Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW said school zones are generally in place from 8 to 9.30am and from 2.30 to 4pm, and although Monday is a teacher development day at some schools, some students still return to school tomorrow. 
 
“Children can be curious and unpredictable on the road, so please look out for them when they are crossing, waiting to cross or as they get on or off buses. 
 
“Tragically, 23 children were involved in a crash in an active school zone last year, and five of them were seriously injured.  We don’t want more children to be hurt on our roads, so we need everyone to be responsible.” 

Ms Webb said drivers need to observe school zone limits and those who disobey road rules and gamble with the lives of children will face higher penalties and risk losing their licence. 
 
“We take road safety around schools very seriously, which is why we have over 1,450 trained school crossing supervisors at over 980 schools across NSW, to help students arrive to school and leave safely. 
 
“I also encourage parents and guardians to start teaching their children from a young age about how to be safe on the road. Remind them to Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road, and to keep checking until they safely reach the other side,” Ms Webb said.

For more information on school zones, please visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/schools/school-zones

Trains may run to a changed timetable. Buses replace some trains

Details

Monday 22 to Thursday 25 July

  • Nightly from 10pm to 2.30am, trains may run to a changed timetable due to trackwork between Strathfield and Central.
  • Wednesday to Friday, buses replace the 1.47am Central to Newcastle Interchange service from Central to Hornsby.
  • Buses leave earlier than the normal train timetable.
  • Replacement buses may be affected by driver shortages. We are doing all we can to minimise the impact to your journey and provide a safe service, however cancellations or delays may occur.
  • Plan your trip before you travel for up-to-date real time information. You can also subscribe to planned trackwork alerts.

Bus route92T9 Central, then Hornsby (Tuesday to Friday in that direction only)

Appeal to locate teen missing from Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teen missing from Newcastle.

Bailey Nelson, aged 13, was last seen in King Street, Newcastle about 2.40am today (Monday 22 July 2024).

When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for Bailey’s welfare due to his age.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, with a thin build and short brown hair.

Bailey was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket with a white zipper, khaki long pants and black shoes. He was carrying a black satchel bag.

Bailey is known to frequent the Jesmond and Kotara areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Demerit point scheme put under the spotlight by Taskforce

The Minns Labor Government has set up a taskforce, comprised of Transport for NSW, NSW Police and Revenue NSW, to crack down on drivers exploiting the demerit point system.

The Minns Labor Government has set up a taskforce, comprised of Transport for NSW, NSW Police and Revenue NSW, to crack down on drivers exploiting the demerit point system (PDF, 122.61 KB).

The Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce has been established to identify any fraudulent behaviour in the demerit point scheme, such as drivers racking up high numbers of demerits and those selling demerit points online, including on Facebook Marketplace.

It will investigate any gaming of the legitimate process for nominating another driver to take demerit points for an offence.

The NSW Government is beefing up the system to make it more robust after a recent high-profile case where a French national had more than 200 demerit points applied to his licence.

There are 6.9 million NSW driver licence holders, but the Taskforce will focus on a tiny fraction (0.005%) of drivers who have 20 or more demerit points.

The Taskforce will review the suitability of current penalties, suspensions and what extra measures are available to deter people who rack up extremely high demerits.

For example, a driver with 13 demerit points receives the same five-month suspension as a driver with 20 or more.

The Taskforce will also examine:

  • Who is eligible to opt for a good behaviour period in lieu of a suspension, based on how many demerits they have
  • The ability for a driver to be back on the road between suspensions. This can occur when, for example, a driver is first suspended for unpaid fines. When that suspension is lifted, a driver with excess demerits will then be served with notice to suspend but is able to drive in the intervening period before the next suspension starts
  • Better enforcement options in the case that someone owns a vehicle, does not drive it, but still receives the infringements associated with the vehicle
  • Rental companies accessing demerit balance or driving history before approving a rental

The Taskforce will initially run for three months and report its findings to Government.

In light of a rising number of lives being lost on roads across Australia, the NSW Government is committed to improving road safety to keep communities safe.

Earlier in the year, the Minns Labor Government closed the loophole left by the Liberal-National government to ensure all motorists driving on a foreign licence will now have a maximum of six months to convert to a NSW licence.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The demerit point system in NSW was designed more than 50 years ago and has been a key plank in improvements that have enhanced road safety over those five decades.

“The NSW Government has zero tolerance for anyone trying to subvert the system. There is one set of road rules and they apply equally to all.

“This is the right time for Police, Transport for NSW and Revenue NSW to come together to review the demerit point scheme and make sure it remains completely robust.”  

Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Tara Moriarty said:

“The demerit point system exists for the safety of every road user.

“Unfortunately, the NSW Police Force continue to witness dangerous driver behaviour every day on our roads, from speeding, to drivers using their mobile phones and not driving to the road conditions, these are serious offences that endanger not only the driver’s life, but those of their passengers and other road users.

“I want to make clear there is zero tolerance for anyone who tried to subvert the demerit and penalty system. This Taskforce will help ensure the penalties apply to all road users.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“The demerit point system is a key tool to keep drivers accountable for their behaviours on our roads.

“The system is in place to keep everyone safe. The NSW Government is committed to identifying and addressing any opportunities for exploitation that affect the operation of the scheme and put road users at risk.

“Acts like falsely claiming to be the driver and taking points for a fee are criminal and the Taskforce will examine ways to help identify and punish unscrupulous people who take advantage of the system.

“The Taskforce will also consider the most appropriate way for Transport for NSW, NSW Police and Revenue NSW to work together in the future to ensure that the demerit point scheme is fair and equitable for every NSW licence holder and continues to support road safety in NSW.”

FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTRE STUDY MUST ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS

The ACT Greens welcome progress on a northside birth centre feasibility study and stress the importance of a freestanding midwife-led option, separate to the hospital campus, to increase birthing choices for Canberrans.

Pregnancy and birth are cherished life experiences. The ACT Greens want all parents to have positive and fulfilling experiences as this improves outcomes for them and their family.

Greens MLA for Ginninderra Jo Clay, whose motion in the Assembly last year led to this feasibility study, said the current model of care focuses on or around hospitals, but our community wants a separate freestanding birth centre.

“Birth is a natural part of life. It is not an illness, but in Canberra, the vast majority of people currently have no choice but to give birth inside a hospital,” Ms Clay said.

“The community has been clear. We need an option in Canberra that prioritises keeping people out of hospital, reduces unnecessary medical interventions and better supports our midwives.

“Being able to access a hospital-based birth is sometimes necessary, but we need to enable healthy people who want to give birth elsewhere to do so safely and with support by a known midwife.

“We already have birth centres that are in hospitals. The freestanding option is what’s needed in Canberra to provide more choice for people giving birth.

“I’m confident the impassioned preference of midwives, parents and other experts for a freestanding birth centre will shine through in this feasibility study and deliver what will be a much-loved service for the Canberra community.”

Background

  • The ACT Greens included their 2020 election commitment to a standalone family birth centre as a priority in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement for this term of the Legislative Assembly.
  • On 7 February 2023, Ms Clay unanimously passed a private members motion committing the ACT Government to complete a feasibility study for a co-designed midwife-led facility, either located alongside or fully separate from the new northside hospital, by August 2024.
  • Also on 7 February 2023, Ms Clay tabled a petition with over 3000 signatures calling for a freestanding birth centre in the ACT.

GOOGLE ADS POLICY YET ANOTHER BARRIER FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTION AND CONTRACEPTION

Google’s updated health and medicines policy threatens to limit or stop Australian healthcare providers from advertising their abortion and contraception services unless they are certified by a US based, for-profit company. 

Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters

“Google has a bad habit of overstepping when it comes to Australia’s healthcare regulations. Unlike in the US, abortion and contraception is legal, telehealth is a vital part of our healthcare system, and people don’t need more barriers to information about either.

“Access to safe, legal abortion remains a postcode lottery in Australia, with different rules, costs and availability depending on where you live. The last thing we need in Australia is a US based company regulating our access to information about reproductive healthcare.

“MSI Australia suggests the cost to their organisation would be more than $4700 in registration and annual fees. That money would be much better spent supporting people to access essential reproductive healthcare.

“Abortion and contraception are legal, basic healthcare services. They should be safe, accessible and freely available everywhere in Australia, including on Google.”

City of Newcastle plans multimillion-dollar upgrades to support women’s sport

Three Newcastle sports fields will share in more than $3.3 million worth of upgrades aimed at encouraging increased female participation while also catering for predicted population growth.

Funded by City of Newcastle and the NSW Government’s Level the Playing Field Program, the projects will see Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park at Lambton receive new amenities buildings with female friendly change rooms, an accessible toilet, canteen, referees’ room and storage.

New LED floodlighting that meets modern standards for training and matches will be installed at Johnson Park and Pat Jordan Oval at Carrington.

Additional improvements to Johnson Park will include drainage, as well as the relocation and replacement of the existing playground.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the projects are all about planning for the future.

As part of City of Newcastle’s 10-year Strategic Sports Plan we want to renew and upgrade existing sportsgrounds to improve their functionality in order to meet the current and future needs of the community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“These upgrades will deliver benefits for our communities, and help prepare for the population increases forecast under the new housing targets set by the NSW Government and draft Broadmeadow Place Strategy.”

Preliminary work has begun on the project at Lambton, with the upgrade at Carrington expected to start in September.

Construction of the new amenities at Tarro will take place in 2025.

Newcastle City Junior AFL Club President Jon Clarke said the upgrade to Pat Jordan Oval will help to grow the game.

“This will create a safer, more welcoming environment for all of our players, but particularly for women who train at the ground,” Mr Clarke said.

“It will facilitate more training sessions and competition opportunities and cater to the growing female participant demand.”

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery welcomed the upgrades at Johnson Park and Tarro Reserve, which she said would make the grounds more inclusive for female players.

“I’m very pleased that Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park will receive these improvements, which will enable female players to have greater access to sport and recreational facilities,” Ms Hornery said.

“We’ve seen the immense success of our Newcastle Knights women locally, and on a larger stage the brilliance of our Matildas football team. These successes have inspired many young women to participate in sport. I thank the NSW Government for providing this funding.”

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the upgrades at Pat Jordan Oval will be well received by the local sporting community.

“Newcastle has some fantastic sports programs for women and girls,” Mr Crakanthorp said. 

“It is crucial that we encourage those programs to continue and grow so more local women and girls develop a lifelong love of sport and enjoy the benefits that it brings.”

NSW SES donates clothes through Uniforms 4 Kids partnership

Retired NSW State Emergency Service (SES) uniforms will be saved from landfill thanks to a partnership with Uniforms 4 Kids, a charity that will turn the former orange and blue uniforms into clothes and items for children and families in need.

Officially launched today, the partnership means donated emergency service uniforms can be turned into evacuation bags, children’s clothes, hats, pencil cases, library bags and soft toys.

The partnership is an opportunity for the NSW SES to help the communities it serves even further, while also supporting sustainability.

The charity relies on volunteers to cut, stitch and sew the items. It also partners with the New South Wales Police Force, Queensland Police Service, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Ambulance Victoria, Queensland Ambulance Service, Royal Flying Doctors and Australia Zoo.

Uniforms 4 Kids was founded in 2015 by Order of Australia recipient Yvonne Pattinson, who began recycling donated police uniforms for children in remote and rural communities.

To date, more than 55,000 items made by the charity have been donated to domestic violence shelters, remote communities, families and children in need throughout Australia and in countries overseas where the AFP and Australian Border Force provide assistance.

Anyone interested in getting involved can visit www.uniforms4kids.com.au

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Our dedicated SES volunteers do a lot for their local communities, and this partnership with Uniforms 4 Kids extends that ethos of helping people out.”

“This partnership will help ensure fewer retired SES uniforms go to waste, not only helping families who might need financial assistance during these challenging times, but also helping to reduce landfill.”

“Volunteerism makes the world a better place, and to have two volunteer organisations partner to improve the lives of the communities they serve is inspiring.”

NSW SES Acting Commissioner Deb Platz APM said:

“We’re proud to partner with Uniforms 4 Kids, which is a very worthy cause that will make a difference to the lives of others in need.”

“Not only that, but being able to give children evacuation bags made from old NSW SES uniforms will further develop community awareness and get families talking about what they may do, or pack, into the bag should they need to evacuate during a natural disaster.”

Uniforms 4 Kids Chairman Glenn Ferguson AM said:

“We are thrilled to have the NSW State Emergency Service partner with us to further deliver on our mission of creating unique clothing for children in need, no matter who or where they are.”

“By being able to repurpose donated uniforms for the good of others, we’re continuing the use of the NSW SES uniform to protect and serve communities, all while reducing waste.”

“Our dedicated sewing volunteers are based all over the country, with some groups formed in nursing homes, assisted living villages, church groups, or social groups, adding to the social impact we’re having.”

“Our team is made up of volunteers, and all monies raised go towards enabling the creation of outstanding and beautiful clothes.”