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Fatal two-vehicle crash – Hunter Valley 

A man has died following a two-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region.

Just after 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday 23 November 2023) , emergency services were called to the New England Highway, Ravensworth, following reports a ute and sedan had collided.

The driver of the sedan – a 60-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

The driver of the ute – a 57-year-old man – was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

GREENS SHARE LOCALS CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED TOOWOOMBA NORTH SOUTH TRANSPORT CORRIDOR

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters will visit Toowoomba today to meet with local residents and concerned community members opposing the Toowoomba North-South Transport Corridor.

The Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor proposes a transport route that will have adverse impacts on residents, on endangered wildlife, on First Nations heritage sites and on the environment generally. 

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said:

“We’re in the middle of a climate and an extinction emergency and yet federal, state and local governments keep bulldozing areas of significant environmental importance. 

“The Queensland government has said that the corridor is necessary to future-proof Toowoomba’s transport needs. Why is it that for the big parties the only solution to transport needs is yet another road? 

“Toowoomba, like all regional Queensland cities, is crying out for a modern, frequent, accessible and affordable public transport network. Instead the government proposes yet another road, which will have adverse impacts on residents, on endangered wildlife, on First Nations heritage sites. 

“The sacred site of Gummingurru was used for male initiation rituals until the 1800s when the Aboriginal people who lived in this area were forcibly relocated. It was handed back to its traditional owners, the Jarowair people, in 2000, but they’ve had no consultation about a giant road running alongside the site.

“Community members are clearly against this project, and yet, it was only after a huge outcry from local residents and conservation groups, that the minuscule two-week public consultation period was extended.

“Queenslanders are growing tired of Labor’s outdated policy solutions. With 32% of 18-34 year-old Queensland voters listing the Greens as their first preference, if in balance of power the Greens will make sure the next Queensland Government plans for more livable and connected communities, while looking after our natural environment.”

MORATORIUM ON CSG HUGE WIN FOR TOOWOOMBA

Toowoomba Regional Council has become only the sixth in Queensland to oppose development of new gas wells after farmer concerns about sinking soil and water contamination.

The Greens welcome the vote for a moratorium on coal seam gas projects from Toowoomba Regional Council as a huge win for farmers and the environment. 

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said:

“The unanimous vote by Toowoomba councillors is a huge win for Toowoomba farmers, the environment and the community.

“It sends a strong message legally that Council won’t approve any local-level permissions required for coal seam gas, and sends a strong message politically to the state and federal government that farmland, water and the climate are more important than private fossil fuel profits. 

It’s time for governments at all levels to say no to new coal and gas, and stop caving to the fossil fuel industry destroying the water, land and communities of regional Queensland.

“For over a decade I have had a private members bill to give farmers, traditional owners and other landholders the right to say no to coal seam gas and coal mining on their land.

“Labor should join the Greens in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Queensland farmers and regional communities to protect them from risky fossil fuel extraction and the climate change it drives. 

“The government cannot claim to be serious about “climate action” while continuing to support new fossil fuel projects in Australia.

“It’s long past time for the major parties to act on the science, not the demands of their coal & gas donors.”

RICHEST SCHOOLS POCKET $4.8 BILLION WHILE PUBLIC SYSTEM REMAINS UNDERFUNDED

With a new school funding agreement between the Commonwealth and the states and territories due to be negotiated in the new year, new analysis shows that Australia’s richest 100 private schools by parent fees and contributions banked $4.8 billion in 2021.

The total figure includes $776 million in funding from the Commonwealth and state governments – enough to fund the annual shortfall in the WA, SA, NT and Tasmanian public school systems.

Greens spokesperson on Education (Primary & Secondary), Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“It defies logic that when 98% of public schools are underfunded, rich private schools that are banking forty or fifty thousand dollars per student in fees and other contributions are still subsidised from the public purse.

“The quarter of a billion in annual funding these 100 super rich schools pocket from governments would be enough to close the combined annual public school funding gap in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

“That’s more than half-a-million kids being denied a fully funded education because governments are too afraid to stand up to private schools.

“Instead of simply closing the public school funding gap when it was elected, Labor postponed the new National School Reform Agreement by a year, initiating yet another review.

“We don’t need another review to tell us what the problem is: public schools are underfunded. It’s literally that simple. 

“Labor says any new funding will be ‘tied’ to targets. This sounds like weasel words to justify either not delivering 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard to all schools, or for attaching onerous conditions to desperately needed funding increases.

“Labor is in power federally and in every mainland state and territory. There is absolutely no excuse for them to not end decades of decline and deliver 100% minimum funding to every public school at the start of the next NSRA, in January 2025.”

Labor doubles down on failed energy policy

Labor’s decision to write a blank cheque on behalf of Australian Taxpayers to bring more renewables online is a glaring admission that its climate and energy policies have failed.

Labor’s decision to underwrite new renewable energy projects responds to a 40% drop in investment since Labor came to office, making its 82% renewables target to 2030 unachievable.

Instead of learning lessons from its failure, Labor is doubling down and it will be everyday Australians that have to pay the bill.

And how much will it cost? Labor refuses to say. In other words, it’s a blank cheque.

Instead of keeping Australians safe, building critical roads and rail and fixing its cost-of-living crisis Labor is doubling down on a ‘renewables only’ plan that has lost all credibility.

Labor’s 43% emissions reduction target, 82% renewable energy target, 89% electric vehicle target and the all-important $275 reduction in power bills are all set to fail.

This risks locking Australia into a path from which there may be no return, and future generations will be destined for energy poverty and energy insecurity.

Labor is failing on all counts when it comes to climate change and energy.

In fact, under Labor, electricity prices have hit record highs with families paying up to $1000 per year more on their bills.

Labor must abandon its reckless ‘renewables only’ ideology and adopt an ‘All-of-the-Above’ approach, as the Coalition has done, if it wants to cut emissions while keeping the lights on and prices down.

RBA Governor Cuts Through Inflation Spin

The independent Reserve Bank Governor last night confirmed that Australia’s inflation is being driven by domestic factors, is widespread and will be higher for longer. The Prime Minister and the Treasurer are now at direct odds with the RBA Governor with their view of inflation.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said this is an inevitable consequence this Government being distracted, out of touch with cost of living pressures, and out of its depth on the economy.

“Labor have announced more than $188 billion in new spending in just 18 months – more than $20,000 per household,” Mr Taylor said.

“Labor’s economic plan isn’t working with Australians suffering the worst fall in real disposable income in the OECD, collapsing productivity, and an economy that is going backwards on a per person basis.

“Australians deserve a government that puts Australians’ interests first.”

Labor’s decisions are making the pain of inflation worse:

  • Poorly managed migration that is making rents and housing unaffordable
  • Energy market interventions that aren’t bringing down prices and costing billions in taxpayers money.
  • Bad workplace laws that will remove flexibility for workers, raise prices, and make it harder for young Australians to get a job.
  • Broken promises on taxes – whether it is franking credits, retirement savings, personal income tax, or Australian companies – Labor are taking more money out of Australians’ pockets at a time they need it most.

In Governor Bullock’s own words, the inflation crisis is “homegrown”.

This inflation crisis is coming from Canberra. The Albanese Labor Government has no one to blame but themselves for being asleep at the wheel and distracted.

The cost of living crisis is what families are discussing at the kitchen table, but it’s clear that it’s not being discussed around Albanese’s Cabinet table.

City of Newcastle trials new technology to improve parking and safety

Innovative new technology is being trialled by City of Newcastle (CN) to help improve parking management and safety across the Local Government Area.

Licence plate recognition technology mounted to the roof of an electronic vehicle (EV) will assist CN parking officers detect vehicles that exceed timed parking restrictions or that are parked illegally.

With more than 6,500 customer requests received by CN each year relating to parking issues, the new technology will supplement foot patrols to improve the efficiency of parking compliance and enable staff to focus on other educational based activities.

In line with neighbouring councils in the Hunter, tickets generated will now be issued by Revenue NSW via Australia Post to the registered vehicle owner, rather than attached to windscreens by parking officers.

The new technology and streamlined process will play an important role in supporting safe parking and enforcement across Newcastle.

City of Newcastle parking officers are reporting an increasing number of incidents of aggressive and inappropriate behaviour from members of the public while undertaking their work on Newcastle streets. These new measures will help provide a safer working environment for staff.

Local business precincts are also set to benefit with improved short-term parking turnover and making parking more readily available for the community.

Neighbouring councils in the region have already rolled out similar technology and CN is trialling this technology with an EV car.

City of Newcastle’s ‘On the street’ Parking Plan 2021 and associated Parking Implementation Plan 2021 highlight the need to support enforcement activities currently undertaken by CN parking officers.

United Services Union (USU) Official Luke Hutchinson welcomed the trial for the safety and wellbeing of CN parking officers.

“This technology will provide improved workplace conditions for parking officers by decreasing their interaction with members of the public and better enabling them to carry out their work safely, in all weather conditions,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“City of Newcastle has the USU’s full support in taking action to address the challenges parking officers face in the workplace and look forward to the outcomes of the trial.

“The USU calls on all members of the community to treat all workers with respect especially when they are endeavouring to provide equitable access to the city for everyone.”

For more information visit City of Newcastle’s parking webpage.

Tens of thousands more fee-free TAFE places for NSW

The Albanese and Minns governments today announced a further 147,400 fee-free TAFE places will be available in NSW over the next 3 years, giving more people the opportunity to study for future jobs in areas where the economy needs them most.

The places are made possible through Commonwealth Government funding of $130 million, as the governments partner-up to address persistent skills shortages.

The investment also builds on the success of Fee-Free TAFE in 2023, which attracted record enrolments in NSW. As at 30 June 2023, there were:

  • over 20,700 enrolments in the care sector  
  • over 6400 enrolments in the technology and digital sector
  • over 5800 enrolments in the construction sector, and
  • over 5200 enrolments in agriculture.


Fee-Free TAFE has resulted in considerable savings for students in NSW. 

Students studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or a Certificate III in School Based Education Support could save up to $1600, and those looking to build a career pathway through a Certificate III in Individual Support could save up to $1450.  

The investment comes less than a month after a national agreement between the Albanese and Minns governments was reached that will unlock billions of dollars to build the skills and prosperity of NSW.

The landmark 5-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) – which will take effect from January next year – was developed under principles agreed by National Cabinet and will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in NSW vocational education and training sector.

The Albanese government is prepared to invest $3.8 billion, to support the Minns government to expand and transform access to the VET sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs.

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said:

“Fee-Free TAFE and VET has been such a success that the Albanese Government is committing to a further 300,000 places starting next year, with 147,400 of those places in NSW.

“This is a $128.9 million Commonwealth investment in skills and training in NSW and comes in addition to the National Skills Agreement which will see $3.8 billion invested into the state VET sector by the Federal Government.

“This is what genuine collaboration and partnership can achieve – real results for everyday Australians – and we couldn’t deliver it without the support of the Minns government.”

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan MP said:

“This is great news for anyone who’s been thinking of trying vocational education and training in NSW – they now have the opportunity to upskill for free in industries aligned to priority skill areas.

“And if you’re studying the Certificate III in Civil Construction, you could save up to $2100 in fees. Thousands of NSW students will have more money for essentials because of this initiative.

“Businesses across the state will also find it easier to find the skilled workers they need to fill vacancies – this program supports our state’s economy, our students and our businesses.”

Historic 3-minute metro journey under Sydney Harbour from the city’s north goes swimmingly

A transport milestone for the record books has been achieved, with a metro train completing the 3-minute railway crossing under Sydney Harbour, from North Sydney’s new Victoria Cross Station into the Sydney CBD.

The milestone journey was realised as part of a rigorous testing program underway on the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line, which has recently accelerated into the next testing phase involving multiple trains being tested at higher speeds.

Next year, turn-up-and-go metro trains will take passengers from Victoria Cross Station to Barangaroo Station in just 3 minutes and reach speeds of up to 100km/h in the Sydney Harbour metro tunnel.

Victoria Cross Station is 1 of 6 new city stations that will open in 2024 and will provide commuters with unrivalled connectivity when travelling between the bustling North Sydney business district and the Sydney CBD.

Progress to construct Victoria Cross Station is powering ahead, with the station more than 85% complete.

Work to deliver the station’s platform level built inside Australia’s largest railway cavern, 31m below ground, is now finished.

All 14 new lifts and 19 new escalators to take commuters down to the platform are installed with final commissioning being progressively completed. All 22 of the Opal gates across the 2 entrances are installed, ready for passengers.

Final touches to North Sydney’s newest transport hub will be made in coming months, including to station entrances and adjoining retail and public domain areas. All station works are expected to be completed by early 2024.

The construction of Victoria Cross Station has been nothing short of a logistical triumph requiring ingenuity from Sydney Metro delivery partners Lendlease. Workers built the station by manoeuvring all materials, supplies and equipment through the site’s only access point – an area of just 2.5m2, or the size of a standard garage door.

More than 5000 people have worked on the delivery, design and construction of the station, with more than 50,000 employment opportunities created throughout the life of the City and Southwest project.

About 15,150 passengers are expected to pass through Victoria Cross Station during the morning peak when it opens to the public. The station will take pressure off the existing North Sydney Station and provide fast and reliable transport service for passengers in the North Sydney business, education and residential areas. Once open, passengers will have fast metro travel times into the city from Victoria Cross, including to Barangaroo in 3 minutes, Martin Place in 5 minutes and Gadigal in 7 minutes.

Learn more about Sydney Metro Victoria Cross Station.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: 

“Seeing this incredible station today and experiencing the 3-minute metro ride under the harbour brings home how truly incredible this city-shaping metro will be when it starts into the Sydney CBD next year.

“World-class metro services will be the fastest express lane in town when travelling across the harbour from the city’s north.

“When Sydney Metro City and Southwest opens in 2024, metro services will move more people across the Harbour in the busiest hour of the peak than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel combined.

“Sydney Metro will extend the CBD, with the bustling North Sydney business district only a quick few minutes on the metro away from the city centre.

“Extensive testing has been underway on the City and Southwest metro line since April 2023 and so far more than 2500 hours and 12,500 kilometres of testing has been completed as we countdown to the opening of the next exciting stage of metro.”

GoodSAM set to improve cardiac arrest survival rates

Members of the community are being encouraged to sign up for the free GoodSAM app which could potentially save lives.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said NSW Ambulance bringing the GoodSAM program to the community will give people who are in cardiac arrest a better chance of survival by alerting nearby registered community members who are willing to perform chest compression – also called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – until paramedics arrive.

“This is an internationally recognised program which has improved survival rates for people who have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital,” Mr Park said.

“As we all know, every minute counts when someone is in cardiac arrest.

“By integrating with the Triple Zero (000) dispatch system, the GoodSAM app alerts registered volunteers that someone nearby needs CPR.

“The NSW Ambulance Emergency Medical Call Taker will step the volunteer through providing CPR, while paramedics are on the way.

“I am really impressed to hear that since the 6-week pilot began involving 1600 NSW Ambulance clinical and corporate staff 4 lives have been saved.”

NSW Ambulance Acting Commissioner David Dutton said research shows the first minutes after someone suffers a cardiac arrest are the most crucial to survival, and everyone can help.

“When someone goes into cardiac arrest outside of hospital, they only have an 11% chance of surviving, but the survival rate improves significantly if chest compressions begin in the first few minutes,” Mr Dutton said.

“For every minute that a patient is in cardiac arrest and does not receive CPR, their chance of survival drops by 7% to 20%.

“Anyone who feels able to provide chest compressions can join, and the more people who register to be a GoodSAM responder the better because it increases the odds that someone nearby can provide immediate CPR and save a life if someone is in cardiac arrest.

“I’d like to thank the NSW Ambulance workforce for getting behind this program and extend my appreciation to community members, staff and volunteers from our various partners, including other emergency services, NSW Government departments, volunteer organisations and NSW Health stakeholders, who have signed up in the lead up to today.”

In 2022, the NSW Government announced a $2.5 million partnership between NSW Ambulance and the GoodSAM responder app.

The GoodSAM app works by alerting registered responders when someone near them goes into cardiac arrest and a Triple Zero (000) call has been received. Responders can opt whether or not to accept the alert and respond, while at the same time, an ambulance is dispatched.

You can register as a GoodSam responderlaunch if you’re 18 years old or over, and able and willing to perform CPR. Chest compressions are easy and safe to do. You don’t need to have formal first aid or CPR training to sign up. A video is available on the NSW Ambulance website.