The NSW Opposition has hit out at the Minns Labor Government’s reckless decision to add to teacher workloads while reducing critical supports, by removing assistant and deputy principals from their existing roles.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Minns Government is failing in its promise to deliver more teachers and is instead putting additional pressures on the current workforce which is already stretched thin.
“These roles were created to ease pressure on teachers, helping them to manage discipline in the classroom, support students with additional learning needs and to guide staff who are at the beginning of their teaching career,” Mr Speakman said.
“Instead of delivering additional teachers that the Minns Labor Government had promised, they’re just moving the numbers around, stacking more responsibilities onto classroom teachers at a time when we know that burnout is a massive issue.”
Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell also criticised the lack of action on the teacher shortage issue, with today’s announcement just a rehash of a last year’s announcement.
“Labor’s suggestion that these roles can simply be eliminated without negatively impacting teachers and students is self-evidently completely untrue, and undermines the complexity of our schools and the important roles these staff play,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The simple fact is that nothing has changed since the Labor Government’s announcement four months ago, and what’s more concerning is the Education Minister still hasn’t provided any detail on how assistant and deputy principals will be expected to split their workload between their teaching and support roles or what the impacts on schools will be.”
“The Minister needs to tell parents and school staff exactly which positions will be cut, and how this will affect students and learning outcomes.”
“The Minister today let the cat out of the bag, saying “our focus is to get costs under control” – an admission that this is really about the Minns Labor Government being unable to pay for its wages deal with the unions. Labor promised its pay deal would not cost the state anything, but now it is clear our kids will be the ones who pay the price.”
Raptor Squad arrest man over alleged armed affray – Newcastle
Raptor Squad officers have arrested a man in Newcastle following an investigation into an alleged armed affray last month.
About 4.40pm on Saturday 2 March 2024, officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were called to an address in Cranbrook following reports a man had been threatened with a knife.
Witnesses told police two men had been involved in an altercation, during which one man lunged at the other with a large kitchen knife before fleeing the scene.
Local police commenced initial inquiries, before the matter was taken carriage of by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad.
Following extensive inquiries, about 11.40am today (Monday 8 April 2024), a 25-year-old man was arrested in Bar Beach, Newcastle.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he is expected to be charged with use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, use knife in public place – cause person to fear for safety, and affray.
Inquiries are ongoing.
Appointment of Julie Bishop as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar
Australia welcomes the United Nations Secretary-General’s appointment of former foreign minister the Hon Julie Bishop as the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar.
Ms Bishop brings a wealth of experience to the role, and her appointment comes at a critical time as the political, humanitarian and security situation in Myanmar continues to worsen.
The people of Myanmar continue to demonstrate great resolve in the face of unspeakable violence and human rights abuses, and Australia remains resolute in our support for them.
The Special Envoy plays a vital role in sustaining international attention and supporting coordinated efforts towards a peaceful resolution in the interests of the people of Myanmar.
Australia will work closely with Ms Bishop as United Nations Special Envoy, ASEAN and the international community to deploy our collective efforts to build conditions for sustainable peace in the country.
We reiterate our call on the Myanmar regime to cease violence against civilians, release those unjustly detained, allow safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy.
GREENS CALL FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY OF GREAT BARRIER REEF COVERT MISSION
The Greens call for full transparency from Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Senator Nita Green and GBRMPA CEO Josh Thomas on their recent covert visit to UNESCO in Paris.
It comes as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority quietly released data late yesterday showing a shocking 75% of the Great Barrier Reef has again bleached – the fifth mass coral bleaching now recorded in the past eight years.
Transparency from the government about its mission to Paris is particularly important given the World Heritage Committee will meet in India from 21-31 July 2024 and decide whether the Great Barrier Reef meets the criteria for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“New data revealing three-quarters of the Great Barrier Reef has been bleached is shocking, and I have no doubt many Australians will feel a deep sense of despair hearing this news.
“It’s beyond any doubt the ‘outstanding universal values’ that saw the Great Barrier Reef inscribed as one of the greatest UNESCO World Heritage treasurers are in danger from warming oceans and consistent marine heatwaves, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
“Successive governments have gone to extraordinary lengths to stop an ‘in danger’ listing of the Great Barrier Reef by deliberately deceiving the world of the severity of climate change impacts on the reef, while at the same time approving massive new fossil fuel projects.
“It’s time for no more spin, deceit and distractions. The Greens are calling for full transparency of any recent lobbying of UNESCO by the Albanese government in relation to the Great Barrier Reef. We need trust in the Albanese government’s motivations and actions to save this greatest of natural icons.
“If the Great Barrier Reef’s key management body, GBRMPA, and its parliamentary envoy can’t truly advocate for securing the reef’s future, then who can?
“In 2023 the World Heritage Centre and IUCN declared the Great Barrier Reef ‘remains under serious threat’ and identified priority recommendations — many of which including mitigating the impacts of climate change — to avoid the natural icon being inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
“Mitigating the impacts of climate change is one thing, but the Great Barrier Reef can’t be protected from the political stupidity of prioritising new coal and gas over coral.
“Until the Albanese government stops opening new coal and gas, any claims we are on track to protect the Great Barrier Reef from an ‘in danger’ listing are duplicitous and need to be called out.
“If the Albanese government is serious about protecting the Great Barrier Reef it must treat the root cause of the reef’s decline, which is rising emissions from burning fossil fuels.”
Newcastle inland pools smash visitor records
With a month of the season remaining, City of Newcastle’s (CN’s) inland pools have already experienced their busiest summer in almost 30 years, attracting more than 410,000 visitors.
The total, which is a 33 per cent increase compared to the same time last season, comes just one year after BlueFit began operating all five of Newcastle’s swimming centres and is the highest annual visitation since the 1997/98 season.
Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre
Further cementing their popularity, customer satisfaction surveys conducted throughout the season by BlueFit found that 88 per cent of respondents are likely to continue using CN’s inland pools in the future.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said CN has prioritised investment in the city’s much loved community facilities to ensure they are inclusive and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
“We know visitor numbers were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but these statistics prove our pools are more popular than ever,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our five inland pools hosted 91 special events and carnivals across the summer, as well as six major events including the Australian Water Polo League Games, Diving NSW Country Championships and NSW Underwater Hockey championships.
“We’re committed to maintaining and investing in our network of inland swimming centres to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of the community.
“It’s part of our ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’ which includes accessibility upgrades and redeveloped changeroom facilities.”
Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre enjoyed a meteoric rise with almost 48 per cent more people choosing to cool off at the facility compared to the previous year.
CN’s first inland pool received its new $2.2 million grandstand just in time for Christmas to help accommodate more than 26,000 extra visitors across January, February and March.
BlueFit’s customer survey revealed that 95 per cent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the new grandstand, which now includes much-needed storage space and upgraded accessibility.
CN’s decision to relocate temporary tiered seating from Lambton to Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend during the winter of 2023 was well received, with new shade covers providing extra protection for visitors, schools, sporting groups and spectators.
Swimmers at Wallsend took full advantage with the centre receiving more than 11,000 extra visits by the end of March compared to last summer.
Ninety per cent of surveyed customers were impressed with the centre’s new accessible changeroom, which was completed in November as part of CN’s 20-year Inland Pools Strategy.
All five of CN’s swimming centres now provide accessible amenities, ensuring a more inclusive swimming experience for all members of the community.
The seating and shade were also welcome additions at Stockton Pool, which has already had 8,000 more visits than the entire 2022/23 season.
Mayfield Pool enjoyed a 24 per cent boost in swimmers until the end of March, with the customer survey showing a 97 per cent approval of its upgraded family changeroom.
December proved a peak month for Beresfield Swimming Centre, which received more than double the number of visitors compared to the same time last season, who were also able to enjoy a new playground, shade sail and picnic tables.
CN’s investment will continue this year with the installation of new heat pumps at Mayfield and Wallsend Pools.
Labor’s inflation is hurting Australian families
Today’s monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data is a reminder of the extraordinary financial pain that hardworking Australian families are experiencing because of the Albanese Labor Government’s bad policies.
Core inflation – the RBA’s preferred measure, the trimmed mean – rose to 3.9%, which is still well above the RBA’s target band.
Since Labor came to power the price of everyday essentials for Australian families have all gone up:
- Bread by 16.4%
- Dairy (milk) by 17.6%
- Rent by 12.1%
- Electricity by 16.5%
- Gas by 26.4%
- Education by 10.9%
- Insurance and financial services by 14.1%
These numbers are stark but they won’t come as a surprise for hardworking Australians who are at the coal face of Labor’s cost of living crisis.
Over the last two years of the Albanese Labor Government, Australians’ living standards have collapsed, and this government has no plan to restore it.
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Australians face highly uncertain economic times and the future looks grim under Labor.
“The Albanese Labor Government is patting themselves on the back, pointing to the headline figure of 3.4%. But core inflation has risen to 3.9%.
“This government keeps telling Australians they’ve never had it better. Well that just shows how out of touch Labor is.
“Speak to any ordinary Australian on the street and they will tell you that cost of living pressures have gotten worse since the 2022 election.
“The damage has been done to household budgets. Under this government, we’ve seen prices for the basic necessities like food, insurance and power, soar.
“The economy has shuddered to a halt. And instead of the government getting its priorities right, hardworking Australians have been left to do the heavy lifting.
“People are being stretched to the absolute limit because Labor keeps taking from family budgets to bolster its own.”
City of Newcastle moves forward with recycling options
City of Newcastle (CN) is investigating the development of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at its Summerhill Waste Management Centre to cater for waste collected from both its kerbside pickup service as well as from construction and demolition sites.
The Inert MRF will significantly increase the amount of waste the region can divert from landfill, with the majority of bulk waste dropped off by the public or picked up in scheduled kerbside collections, as well as the inert Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition waste streams, able to be considered for recycling.
CN Managing Director Waste Services Michael Allaway said CN was continuing to explore a range of sustainable solutions for managing waste in the region.
“We’re exploring all options to deliver responsible, environmentally sustainable, and commercially feasible waste and recycling operations to manage our current and future waste streams,” Mr Allaway said.
“The establishment of an Inert MRF will divert a significant amount of waste from being disposed of in landfill at Summerhill.
“We’re also continuing to progress approvals for a recyclables MRF as an option to process the recyclables from residents’ yellow-lid bins at Summerhill.
“A development application is currently being assessed by the NSW Government’s Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, who are expected to hand down their determination mid-year.”
Recycling from Newcastle residents’ yellow-lid bins is currently taken to the Summerhill Waste Management Centre before being transferred to iQ Renew’s processing facility on the Central Coast.
The arrangement was established following the sudden closure of the only Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the Hunter in 2020, which was at the time sorting recyclables for the majority of all local councils.
Mr Allaway said it was an appropriate point in time to test the market in this space, with CN now calling for tenders for a long-term recyclables processing contract.
“With the current recyclables processing contract due to expire towards the end of this year, we’re moving forward with a tender process,” he said.
“This will allow us to assess the potential to secure an arrangement that provides certainty around cost, resource recovery and commodity market exposures.
“We also have the option to extend our current contract with iQ Renew for another 12 months should that prove more favourable.”
Work on Rawsonville Bridge replacement project ramps up
The NSW Labor Government is pressing ahead with major improvements to heavy vehicle access, freight connectivity and road safety in western NSW by investing in construction of a new concrete bridge at Rawsonville, 21 kilometres west of Dubbo.
The existing timber bridge at Rawsonville was built in 1916. It no longer meets modern design standards and is unable to be used by heavy vehicles with higher mass limit loads.
By investing in the replacement of the ageing timber bridge over the Macquarie River, the NSW Labor Government will unlock more opportunities for economic growth in the Dubbo region while improving the safety of all road users and reducing travel times.
Early work for the Rawsonville Bridge replacement project will start on Monday 8 April, with preliminary earthworks to construct new approach embankments for the future new bridge.
The work will take about 10 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
The next stage of the project, inviting bridge construction tenders, is expected to take place around the end of 2024.
The preliminary earthworks will mean some changed traffic conditions for motorists in the area.
Work hours will be 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, weather permitting.
Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place during work hours on the Mitchell Highway at the intersection with Rawsonville Bridge Road.
The speed limit on Rawsonville Bridge Road will be reduced to 40 km/h during work hours and 80 km/h outside of work hours.
Intermittent single lane closures may be required on Rawsonville Bridge Road throughout the earthworks.
In addition, traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place on the Mitchell Highway at the intersection with Burrabadine Road during haulage of material from the stockpile at this site that will be used in the work.
All motorists are reminded to keep to the reduced speed limits, follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs throughout this work and allow up to five minutes of extra travel time.
Transport for NSW will continue to update the community as the Rawsonville Bridge replacement project progresses. More information is available on the Transport for NSW website.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“I’m proud the NSW Labor Government is investing an extra $6.4 million needed to get this job done.
“I recognise the importance of the project and all the hard work put in by the project team to get this estimated $18.9 million project shovel ready.
“Once completed, the new Rawsonville Bridge will deliver safer and smoother journeys for road users through wider lanes and better road approaches, increased load capacity for heavy vehicles, improved access for wide vehicles and reduced road closures.”
Dubbo Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence said:
“Used by local traffic, tourists and vital regional freight operators, Rawsonville Bridge is an important crossing of the Macquarie River that links the Mitchell Highway to the Dubbo-Burraway Road and the Newell Highway between the towns of Dubbo and Narromine.
“When the existing bridge is closed for maintenance, motorists are faced with a 45-kilometre detour to travel from one side of the river to the other. A new bridge will put an end to that frustrating inconvenience.
“We appreciate the patience of all motorists as preliminary work gets underway on this important addition to western NSW’s roads infrastructure.”
$62.5 million to accelerate infrastructure in growing areas
The NSW Government is set to turbocharge housing-related infrastructure in key growth areas across the state with a $62.5 million funding boost.
The State Voluntary Planning Agreement (SVPA) program, established in 2010 under the then NSW Labor Government, uses developer contributions to deliver state and regional infrastructure in growing areas.
The latest round of the program will support projects in 12 local government areas across the Lower Hunter, Illawarra, North West and South West Growth Areas, Wollondilly and the Central Coast.
This important infrastructure will support up to 135,000 new homes forecast to be built across these areas over the coming decade.
The $62.5 million in grants to councils and state agencies will go towards building and repairing roads, improving stormwater drainage, building new parks and improving local environments in growing communities.
Councils and state agencies from each area can now nominate projects for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to consider. Shortlisted projects will be assessed by an independent technical expert and reviewed by an internal DPHI review panel, with investment recommendations submitted to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for approval.
Since the program’s launch, over $220 million in contributions have been collected from developers and invested in 30 state and regional infrastructure projects supporting more than 70,000 new homes.
Successful projects to receive funding include an upgrade of Richmond Road in Marsden Park and acquisition of land for a new fire station in Cessnock.
This is another way the NSW Government is supporting the creation of more housing to address the crisis facing our state. If we don’t do something about supply, we are at risk of being a city with no young people.
To nominate a project, visit SVPA Funding Nominations, or visit NSW Planning for more information.
Projects nominations are open between Thursday, 4 April from 9am and Wednesday, 29 May 2024.
The 12 eligible local government areas and funding contributions are summarised below:
| Eligible collection area | Funding contribution |
|---|---|
| Central Coast Council | $4.04 million |
| Shellharbour City CouncilWollongong City Council | $6.3 million |
| City of NewcastleCessnock City CouncilLake Macquarie City CouncilMaitland City CouncilPort Stephens City Council | $21.2 million |
| Blacktown City CouncilThe Hills Shire Council | $4.45 million |
| Camden Council | $4.8 million |
| Wollondilly Shire Council | $21.64 million |
| Total | $62.5 million |
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“When new homes are built, it is important that the infrastructure to support those new homes is also delivered.
“Under the previous government, the gap between homes and infrastructure, in too many cases, was far too long. That’s why the Minns Government has reformed infrastructure contributions and is using the $62.5 million in State Voluntary Planning Agreement grants to close the infrastructure gap.
“This program is helping us maintain a rolling pipeline of infrastructure that supports new homes and jobs where these funds are collected.
“It builds on our $2.2 billion NSW Budget Housing and Infrastructure Plan announced in the last Budget and on key planning reforms introduced to accelerate the delivery of much needed housing in places where people want to live.
“I look forward to the projects funded under this program helping to make a real difference in our growing communities.”
Boosting the number of women in construction to benefit the industry
The NSW Government is continuing strong investment in the NSW Women in Construction Program, supporting work needed to progress a significant shift in the construction industry.
As part of this initiative, a number of projects are piloting increased targets for women in trades and non-traditional construction roles across the state.
Currently underway, the Women in Construction Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program has strategically funded 16 project officers on 19 government infrastructure projects across the state, including:
- Powerhouse Parramatta, Parramatta
- Wentworth Point New High School, Wentworth Point
- M7/M12 Integration Project, Cecil Park
- Sydney Childrens Hospital, Randwick
- Newell Highway Upgrade – New Dubbo Bridge, Dubbo.
The Project Officers directly support contractors and sub-contractors to achieve these targets, and will identify and report on progress, lessons learnt, issues, barriers, and develop strategies to achieve these targets. They also link workers with available training opportunities and resources, and connect with local schools and universities to work towards building a pipeline of workers.
Early reports indicate positive progress, with an increase in women’s participation on the pilot project sites. With a significant government investment of $117 billion into the infrastructure pipeline over the next 4 years, the need to diversity the construction workforce is not just a priority, but a necessity.
The NSW Government plans to leverage data from these pilot projects to assess the viability of implementing mandatory women in construction targets for all future government infrastructure projects.
For more information on this transformative program visit the Women in Construction website.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
“This latest proposal was developed using the success of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program which has demonstrated that all targets can be achieved and in a number of cases over-achieved.
“The current Infrastructure Skills Legacy target for women in trades is 2%. We are looking to increase this to 4% as part of this initiative.
“Recent data from Training Services NSW indicates that women in construction trade apprenticeships has already increased from 1% to 2.5%
“This is just one of many NSW Government-led initiatives aimed at delivering an increased take-up of trade apprenticeships and occupations in the construction sector by women across NSW.”
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
“We are committed to reducing gender segregation and attracting more women to male-dominated industries – and construction is one of them.
“The Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program is a key program to make sure we boost the number of women in the sector in a targeted way, by supporting their employment, upskilling and retention. Project officers embedded in NSW government projects will support this, as well as helping to improve the culture within industry to make it more inclusive.
“Lifting women’s participation in construction is not only the right thing to do for diversity in the industry but it plays an important role in addressing the current skills shortages.”
Lizzie Cox, Project Director at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre, John Holland said:
“With the help of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, John Holland Group, has achieved the target for women in non-traditional roles – which is currently sitting at 8% and is tracking well towards achieving the women in trades target.
“We are extremely proud that the project has also achieved the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program targets for the workforce participation of Aboriginal People, people under 25 and for local community employment.”