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Concept design unveiled for Broken Hill’s enhanced mental health facility

The Broken Hill community has been given a first look at designs for the new purpose-built Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit which will provide a modern and contemporary therapeutic space for people with mental health needs, their families, carers and staff.

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said the new co-designed facility will be built on the Broken Hill Base Hospital campus in Thomas Street, and will provide safe and reliable care for vulnerable people now and into the future.

“Having a space which complements recovery and is close to other related health services is essential. The design of this facility shows the future of mental health care in Broken Hill,” Ms Jackson said.

“We want to ensure communities in regional areas have access to comprehensive facilities and services to provide elevated support for those with mental health needs.”

The Mental Health Inpatient Unit will be built to the south-west of the current facility and adjacent to existing community mental health related services which received positive feedback during the master planning process.

The proposed location takes into account key considerations including options for future expansion, proximity to the Emergency Department which is also being expanded as part of the Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment Project, and impact to hospital operations.

The new designs showcase the exterior of the building, including key features such as the front entry and main courtyard.

“Safe and secure outside spaces are an important consideration in the design, with the availability of natural light and fresh air, as well as Indigenous influenced landscaping, contributing to a therapeutic and culturally safe environment for all people in our community,” Ms Jackson said.

“Internally, the unit will be used flexibly to care for a range of mental health consumers including the most vulnerable and those with very high needs.”

FWLHD Chief Executive Mr Brad Astill said extensive consultation with staff, carers and the community, including Aboriginal representatives, has enabled the project team to take on feedback on various aspects of the building design to ensure it best supports clinical and staffing needs.

“Co-design has been crucial in providing valuable input into the infrastructure so that it meets the needs of Broken Hill and surrounding communities.”

“I encourage everyone in the community to view the concept designs and speak directly with the project team at a series of information sessions in July,” Mr Astill said.

Pop-up sessions will be held as follows:

Monday 10 July 2023, 3.30pm to 5pm  
Outside Coles Supermarket, South St, Broken Hill  

Tuesday 11 July 2023, 9am to 10.30am
Westside Plaza, 5 Galena St, Broken Hill  

Tuesday 11 July 2023, 11am to 12.30pm 
Main Foyer, Broken Hill Health Service, Thomas St, Broken Hill  

The Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment also includes a $10 million upgrade to the hospital’s Emergency Department, which will be reconfigured to better meet the critical health needs of the region and includes tailored treatment spaces for children and those requiring mental health services.  

Construction is expected to start in early 2024.

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build a small business

As people across NSW celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023, Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper met with an Aboriginal business owner in Redfern today to discuss the opportunities and challenges for building a small business.

Hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and small business owners across NSW have received free, culturally safe and inclusive business coaching and advice through the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative (ABAI).

Support is exclusively for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who own a business or are thinking about starting a business in NSW. The ABAI provides independent, tailored advice face-to-face or over the phone.

The free advisory services are delivered by independent Aboriginal advisors who bring their own lived experience, knowledge of small business operations and strong community connections to the coaching sessions.

The Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at every stage of their business journey by supporting businesses start-up, encouraging business expansion, providing access to training and building capacity through greater connectivity to NSW Government procurement.

Arts, recreation and construction are some of the top industries supported by the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative, with the majority of people seeking advice on business planning and start up.

The Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative is complemented by the Service NSW Business Connect program which has more than 100 independent business advisors, including multiple who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, who have experience running their own business and have qualifications in business-related disciplines such as business and commerce.

The program moved from Training Services NSW under the NSW Department of Education to Service NSW for Business on 1 October 2022.

Find more information on the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiativelaunch

Find out more information about Service NSW Business Connectlaunch or by phoning 13 77 88launch

NSW Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government is focused on removing barriers for small business owners at every stage of their business journey and is committed to seeing more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples build a small business.”

“The Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative provides free, culturally safe and inclusive business coaching and advice face-to-face or over the phone.”

“More than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across NSW have received independent, tailored advice from the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative and we want to see this number continue to grow.”

NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said: 

“We know that economic advancement contributes to Closing the Gap outcomes, which is why NSW specifically developed a fifth Priority Reform to focus on Aboriginal employment, business growth and economic prosperity – the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative supports this vision.”

“The NSW Government supports a flourishing Aboriginal business sector under NSW Closing the Gap Priority Reform 5 – Aboriginal economic prosperity, jobs and businesses.”

“Investing in strong Aboriginal businesses not only benefits all communities in NSW but creates lasting impacts in Aboriginal communities through wealth creation and employment.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing the $10 million over 4 years associated with the NSW Roadmap for Aboriginal Business Growth into strong partnership and collaboration with Aboriginal businesses in this state.”

Free train travel for Monday

Following yesterday’s chaos on Sydney’s train network, the Opposition is calling on the Minns Government to implement a fare free day next Monday to apologise to impacted commuters.

In February 2022 then Opposition Leader Chris Minns supported providing a fare free Monday following a shutdown of the train network during a period of negotiations with trade unions. [1]

Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said “the Premier and Transport Minister need to step up and be accountable for what occurred yesterday”.

In February 2022 responding to similar incident Transport Minister Jo Haylen commented:

“The lights are out across our train network, and they are also out in the Transport Minister’s office,”

“It’s clear there is no accountability. No one knows who’s in charge and passengers are yet again paying the price.”[2]

Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward continued:

“In the past week we have seen the Premier and Transport Minister on leave with looming industrial action hanging over the State, the transport system grind to a halt and no one from the Government bothering to front up and provide answers on what they plan to do about it,” Ms Ward said.

“The Transport Minister launched a review promising to ‘fix’ Sydney trains, yet all we have seen is commuters inconvenienced and now the train system unable to function as a result of a single person phoning in sick.”

“The job of Government is to ensure the trains run on time, not issue press releases and reviews, The Government has a lot to answer for.”

100 days of Labor Lies: Labor’s ribbon cutting takes the cake

Acting Leader of the Opposition Natalie Ward has called out the NSW Labor Government for spending more time in their first 100 days in office opening projects delivered by the former Liberal and Nationals Government than delivering their own election promises.

“The only list longer than Labor’s list of broken promises is their list of projects they’re taking credit for,” Ms Ward said.

“Labor Ministers need to spend less time swanning around cutting ribbons and taking credit for projects they often opposed, and more time getting their priorities right and delivering for the families and households of NSW.”

Projects the NSW Labor Government has taken credit for include:

  1. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in the redevelopment of Westmead Children’s Hospital
  2. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in new Shellharbour Hospital
  3. Announced beginning of testing under Sydney Harbour of new Metro line
  4. Opened a new sporting facility at Newport
  5. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in the redevelopment of Shoalhaven Hospital
  6. Expanded the Coalition Government’s inTouch urgent care service
  7. Opened an upgraded road at Heddon Greta
  8. Opened an upgraded railway station in Dubbo
  9. Opened a new domestic violence refuge in Penrith
  10. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in the Sydney Gateway project
  11. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s trial of the supply of the pill / UTI medication in pharmacies
  12. Turned the first sod on construction of a primary school in Gregory Hills
  13. Announced re-opening of Zig Zag railway
  14. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in Australia’s first pride museum
  15. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in the redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital
  16. Announced opening of new concourse at Central railway station
  17. Opened a new sporting facility at Heffron Park
  18. Opened the RPA HealthOne hub at Green Square
  19. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in social housing at Greenacre
  20. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in the redevelopment of St George Hospital
  21. Handed over 80 four-wheel-drive ambulances
  22. Opened a renal dialysis service at Hornsby, part of the Coalition Government’s investment in the redevelopment of Hornsby Hospital
  23. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in social housing at Parramatta
  24. Re-announced the Coalition Government’s commitment to a new Urgent Care Clinic in Long Jetty
  25. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in a new primary school at Liverpool
  26. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in new facilities at Liverpool West Public School
  27. Opened a new Acute Services Building at Prince of Wales Hospital
  28. Opened a new STRONG Medicine centre in Concord
  29. Expanded the Coalition Government’s Sustaining NSW Families program
  30. Announced milestone on new Metro station at Barangaroo
  31. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s transferral of Goat Island
  32. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s investment in the new Westmead Health Precinct
  33. Announced expansion of Coalition Government’s Single Employer Model approach to health care in regional NSW
  34. Announced milestone on Coalition Government’s redevelopment of the Sydney Fish Markets
  35. Lending of contracts for the Sydney Fish Markets
  36. Returned platypus to Royal National Park

To find out more about Labor’s broken promises and wrong priorities, you can visit www.laborsbrokenpromises.com.au

VALE CONSTABLE ANTHONY WOODS

All Australians join the family of Constable Anthony Woods in mourning. He was a young man cruelly robbed of his future. A husband, son, brother and uncle taken from his loved ones. An Australian who went to work and never came home.

Like all police officers, Constable Woods knew the risks his job entailed. Yet he bravely performed his duties, putting himself in harm’s way so others could be safe.

The hearts of all Australians go out to his wife, Emily, and all his family. We grieve with his friends, his workmates, and the broader police community, whose every member feels each loss so very deeply.

May Constable Woods rest in peace.

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL UPGRADE GEARING UP FOR TAKE-OFF

A funding agreement is now in place for the Australian Government’s $55 million election commitment towards upgrading international terminal facilities at Newcastle Airport.

The funding will support construction of an upgraded international terminal to increase the capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of international passenger and border processing at Newcastle Airport.

This will bolster air transport links and connectivity opportunities for the Hunter.

Transforming Newcastle Airport into an international gateway will generate significant economic benefits for local and regional tourism and trade sectors.

The terminal works at Newcastle Airport are scheduled for completion in 2024.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government wants to see regional centres like Newcastle grow and prosper into the future.”

“We are ensuring that every dollar that is invested has lasting benefits for the Hunter region.”

“We understand how important tourism is to the Hunter. And these upgrades will connect the region, and its incredible products, to the rest of the world.”

the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said:

“Making Newcastle Airport an international gateway will unlock greater opportunities for local tourism while better connecting residents to the world.”

“The project will also support significant employment and economic stimulus during and after construction, providing even more of a boost for the Hunter.”

Qthe Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson said:

“We are getting on with the job of delivering on our $55 million election commitment to contribute to the upgrade of international terminal facilities at Newcastle Airport.”

“The upgraded international terminal will be transformational for the whole Hunter region – for the aviation sector, for local tourism and for communities.”

FINAL REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO THE ROBODEBT SCHEME

Today, Commissioner Catherine Holmes AC SC has delivered the Final Report of the Robodebt Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission has found that “Robodebt was a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals. In essence, people were traumatised on the off-chance they might owe money. It was a costly failure of public administration, in both human and economic terms” (page xxix, Overview of Robodebt).  

The Albanese Government thanks Commissioner Holmes and her team for their dedication, professionalism and forensic work throughout the Royal Commission process.

The establishment of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme was a key election commitment of the Albanese Government.

This is another step toward delivering justice for the more than 500,000 victims of the former Liberal Government’s unlawful five year long Robodebt Scheme.

The former Government implemented the Robodebt Scheme in 2015. And, for almost five years, Liberal Ministers dismissed or ignored the significant concerns that were raised, over and over again, by victims, public servants, community organisations and legal experts.

The Robodebt Scheme only came to an end in 2020 after the Federal Court found that it was unlawful in late 2019.

Upon receipt of the Royal Commission’s Final Report, the Government has decided to release it to the public immediately.

The Report can be accessed at Publications.

The Government will now consider the recommendations presented in the final report carefully and provide a full response in due course.

To those who shared their stories with the Royal Commission and who campaigned tirelessly to raise the alarm bells about the gross betrayal that was the Robodebt Scheme – thank you.

Throughout the Royal Commission process we have seen courage, leadership and ethics on display from victims, their advocates and whistle-blowers.

We also acknowledge the individuals, researchers, stakeholder groups, expert witnesses, government and non-government representatives who gave evidence by way of hearings and submissions. This evidence has helped inform the Royal Commission’s report and recommendations.

Two men charged following three-day joy ride – Hunter Region 

Two men have been charged following a three-day joy ride in the Hunter Region this week.

Around 5am on Wednesday 5 July 2023, officers from Newcastle City Police District observed a white Hyundai Tucson on Harriet Street, Waratah, driving in a manner dangerous.

Checks on the vehicle revealed it was reported stolen during a break and enter at a Cameron Park address on Tuesday 4 July 2023.

Around 4.30am on Thursday 6 July 2023, the stolen vehicle was sighted by police travelling at speeds up to 180km/h on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga. 

A pursuit was initiated by officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command; however, was terminated due to safety concerns.

Around 7.30am that morning (Thursday 6 July 2023), police spotted SUV on Croudace Bay Road, Belmont, before it collided into a police vehicle and fled the scene.

A second pursuit was initiated before later being terminated.

The Hyundai was located shortly afterwards at Gari Street in Charlestown, where police were told two men were seen abandoning the SUV and running into nearby bushland.

With the assistance of the dog unit, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District located and arrested two men at Park Street, Charlestown, before taking them to Belmont Police Station.

An 18-year-old man was charged with take & drive conveyance without consent of owner and a 22-year-old man was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

Both men were also charged with breach of bail and subsequently refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Friday 7 July 2023.

Sex Crimes Squad detectives charge man with alleged online procurement of child – Strike Force Trawler

Detectives from State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad have charged a man following an investigation into online grooming in Newcastle under Strike Force Trawler.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.

Earlier this month, detectives began engaging online with a 64-year-old Wallsend man, who they will allege was using a social media platform to approach and groom young boys for the purpose of sexual activity.

Following subsequent inquiries, about 9am today (Thursday 6 July 2023), strike force detectives attended a service station in Wallsend where they arrested 64-year-old man.

A short time later, officers executed a search warrant an address in Wallsend, where a number of electronic devices were located. 

The items were seized to undergo further forensic examination.

The man was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with use carriage service-procure <16 years for sexual activity.

He was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today.

Inquiries under Strike Force Trawler continue.

PLIBERSEK’S 450GL BROKEN PROMISE RISKS BREAKING RIVER MURRAY

Environment Minister Plibersek is preparing the ground to break the Government’s election promise of delivering 450 gigalitres to the river Murray by 2024 under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. 

Greens spokesperson for Water and the Environment, SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Our river needs action, not delay.

“A delay on the 450 gigalitres is a broken election promise to every South Australian and risks breaking our river Murray. This water must be delivered before the next election – South Australians are sick of excuses. 

“Buybacks must be used now to secure the promised water, not a concocted delay designed to hide a broken election promise. That means standing up to the big irrigators in the upstream states.

“South Australia and our environment cannot afford another term of government where nothing happens to save the river. It’s been a wasted decade and the river needs more than hand wringing from Ministers about how hard the job is to do. 

“If the Environment Minister is not up to the job, the PM should step in at National Cabinet, put money on the table, and push Labor premiers to deliver the water that the river and South Australia needs and was promised.

“The Minister has found time to approve 3 coal mines in the past 2 months but now says she’s run out of time to deliver the water that was promised to the river Murray. We need less river-wrecking coal mines and more water.

“The CSIRO and MDBA Chair Sir Angus Houston have warned climate change will rob the river of between 20-30% of water inflows. With El Niño coming this summer, the 450 gigalitres must be bought and delivered to protect the river.

“The Government needs to stop passing the buck and start taking responsibility for protecting our river.”