The NSW Government has announced $6 million in funding for a number of public libraries across the state as part of the Public Library Infrastructure Grant program.
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said 26 local councils, including several in Sydney, will receive grants for projects this year to extend and improve public library buildings, spaces and information technology for local communities.
“This significant grant program is part of the additional $60 million over four years the NSW Government is providing to enhance library services and facilities across both regional and metropolitan areas,” said Mr Franklin.
“I am particularly delighted to see that this funding will transform library buildings and services for a number of communities. Good libraries contribute to community resilience with quality facilities, great collections, and access to the internet, and we are so pleased to help councils upgrade these critical services.
“A record $38.6 million will be provided to councils this year in support of libraries, with further increases to come next year.”
NSW State Librarian Dr John Vallance said the funds will enable councils to develop and improve library buildings and mobile library services.
“Two years of fires, floods and pandemic have left the people of New South Wales more in need of strong, safe, well-provisioned libraries than ever before. Public library funding is one of the State Government’s most significant contributions to the health of our communities.”
The Public Library Infrastructure Grants program is administered by the State Library of NSW on behalf of the Library Council of NSW.
All NSW councils were invited to apply for grants in August 2021. $24 million will be allocated under the program over four years.
Author: admin
Macquarie Pier brings Newcastle’s history to life
Newcastle’s iconic Macquarie Pier has received the final touches to its multi-staged facelift with a heritage walk for locals and visitors commemorating the city’s rich maritime history.
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott is spending the day in the habour city visiting one of the world’s largest coat export ports, as well as volunteers and veterans at Fort Scratchley.
“Novocastrians should be proud of their city’s rich history and this $1.85 million project is just another way we can pass the tales of the past onto another generation,” Mr Elliott said.
“From kids to history buffs, tourists to locals, this walkway with new signage and an interactive audio tour captures the importance of the harbour and maritime industries.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin MLC congratulated the Port Authority of NSW for this creative initiative.
“Stage 2 of the Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project provides the finishing touch on an iconic walk visited by hundreds of people daily,” Mr Martin said.
Port Authority CEO Philip Holliday said this project is about giving back to the people who live, work and enjoy the areas we operate around the Harbour.
“It’s been terrific to collaborate in developing this immersive audio tour and informative signs packed with historical facts and photos – we hope others love it as much as we do,” Mr Holliday said.
Local historians and archivists from Hunter Living Histories were consulted in the making of the audio tour and signage which explore everything from volcanic activity 300 million years ago that created Nobby’s Headland to the period when Newcastle was shelled in war time.
The interpretive signage and audio guide completes Port Authority’s overall revitalisation of Macquarie Pier.
In the first stage, the walkway was reconstructed with features such as a widened waterside footpath, a space for gathering and relaxing, sandstone seating and maritime-style fencing.
The Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project is jointly funded by the NSW Government in association with Port Authority of NSW, and has been generously supported with contributions from Port of Newcastle.
The NSW Government’s Newcastle Port Community Contribution (NPCC) Fund supports community projects around the Port of Newcastle.
First sod turned on $250 million Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment
Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Minister for Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor and Duty MLC for Murray Wes Fang have today turned the first sod on the new Clinical Services Building; the centrepiece of the $250 million Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment.
Deputy Premier Toole said the hospital redevelopment, due for completion in 2025, will deliver Griffith and the surrounding communities with state-of-the art health facilities and enhanced health services closer to home.
“The NSW Government is rolling out record investment for new and upgraded regional and rural health facilities to ensure our regional communities have access to the health care and infrastructure they need and deserve,” Mr Toole said.
“The new three-storey Clinical Services Building will boast an emergency department, maternity and paediatric services, as well as a new rehabilitation and aged care inpatient unit.”
Minister Taylor said the Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment was the largest health infrastructure project investment currently taking place in the district and would provide enhanced healthcare for Griffith now and into the future.
“Once this redevelopment is complete, all major health services at the Griffith Base Hospital will be housed under one roof, in the new, purpose-built three storey Clinical Services Building designed to support contemporary models of care,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The new building has also been designed to improve patient experiences and outcomes, and expand access to outpatient services including renal dialysis and oncology.
“It will also include a dedicated short-stay mental health unit for people aged 16 years and over, with four beds specifically developed for adolescents and young people.”
Mr Fang said today’s turning of the first sod on the new Clinical Services Building marks an exciting milestone for our community.
“This is a landmark project for the local region which will provide the community with improved access to expanded health services, and means people will spend less time travelling for specialist care,” Mr Fang said.
The state-of-the-art Clinical Services Building will include:
- an improved emergency department;
- significant increase in specialist geriatric and rehabilitation beds;
- new operating theatres;
- surgical, and medical inpatient units, including four beds to support patients experiencing mental illness
- maternity, medical imaging and paediatrics; and
- expanded outpatient services with more specialist clinics, renal and oncology services
Health services will continue without interruption during construction of the new Clinical Services Building.
Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2024-25, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
Along with Griffith, the NSW Government has invested in major health infrastructure projects in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District including the:
- completed $431 million redevelopment of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital;
- $30 million multi-storey car park at the Wagga Wagga hospital site;
- $50 million Tumut Hospital redevelopment; and
- New Tumut Ambulance Station, as part of the $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.
- $80 million investment in Temora Hospital and $25 million investment in Finley Hospital, recently announced in November 2021.
For news and updates on the progress of the Redevelopment, please visit: https://www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about-us/griffith-base-hospital-redevelopment
New Study reveals growing transport disadvantage for communities with specific/complex needs & the aged
Many Australians still struggle to get where they need to go, and a new multi-state study highlights the opportunities to get transport access right for our communities. Can technology help?
Access to transport is a basic human need that fundamentally impacts everyone’s wellbeing. Community transport is a critical element of our wider transport network that ensures suitable transport options exist for everybody, especially those with specific or more complex needs.
A new study reveals how emerging technologies can improve community transport by increasing access for clients, allowing better allocation of resources by providers, and increasing client choice with improved customer experience.
The study offers a foundational understanding of community transport operations across Australia, their critical role, and the challenges they and their customers face. It has clarified hesitations around technology, highlighting the advantages and the importance of reciprocal partnerships for technology adoptions.
The study was led by ITS Australia, the peak body in Australia for advanced transport technology, with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Public Policy and Governance leading the research effort. It includes input from departments of transport TfNSW, DOT VIC, DOT WA and TMR, and is supported by iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, the national centre for transport and mobility R&D.
The findings provide the clearest picture yet of the Australian community transport landscape and where there are opportunities to deliver services that meet everyone’s needs at both a system and service level.
This new research highlights how needs are still not being met in many places. It explores the options for improving the situation by having the right discussions and action, including integration and innovation in the community transport sector.
Investment in community transport reduces transport disadvantage, defined as ‘the inability to travel when and where one needs to without difficulty’. This seemingly simple objective is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve, especially for older people, those with a disability and people in rural and regional areas. Our ageing population (estimated to double by 2057) is just one reason why the number of people at risk of transport disadvantage will grow significantly over time.
The wider transport sector is currently undergoing a sustained period of change arising from technology, digitalisation, automation and access to data. New capability is creating ways of planning and delivering services that have the potential to meet everyone’s needs, including our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. There needs to be consensus and action to ensure that we minimise transport disadvantage and maximise opportunities for our communities.
Lee-Ann Breger, Programs Director, iMOVE said: “The ability to get around is key to any individual’s wellbeing as it enables them to access health services, to work and participate in leisure activities. In Australia, we have an increasingly ageing population, where 5% of the population has a severe disability of some kind, many of whom need support to get from A to B. We need to make sure that our CT networks deliver this.”
Susan Harris, Chief Executive Officer, ITS Australia said:
“This work offers excellent insights into how technology can support community transport and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As we advance this pathway, technology providers must be sensitive to the nuances of community transport, and partnerships are vital to getting this right. ITS Australia will continue working in this space to realise some of the benefits through a collaborative approach.”
Peter Lee, Senior Manager, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney said:
“In taking a strategic look at community transport and its context, our research really shines a light on a poorly understood area of transport to evidence the complexities experienced by service providers and their customers. In drawing attention to existing and emerging challenges and opportunities for community transport, we hope the research can act as a catalyst for action in policy, engagement, innovation and partnerships.”
The full report can be downloaded here: https://imoveaustralia.com/project/project-outcomes/community-transport-of-the-future
Upcoming webinar on this research on the 6th April, 2022: https://imoveaustralia.com/news-articles/intelligent-transport-systems/upcoming-webinar-community-transport-future/
Key points from the research
· Community Transport is more about the ‘Community’ than just transport – it provides the glue connecting users to vital services and social networks
· Community Transport (CT) users are a growing and complex stakeholder group with challenging needs and expectations – by 2057 it’s projected that Australians over 65 will make up 22% of the population.
· In 2020, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians published a report which found that 92% of seniors rated personal mobility as critical to health, social well-being and independence
· This is a complex and challenging ecosystem and technology has the potential to improve CT by increasing access for clients, better allocation of resources by providers, and increased client choice with improved customer experience.
· CT providers see many opportunities to work with transport technology providers, to partner on solutions that work for their customers and to utilise technology platforms that have the potential to scale to a wider user base.
· Opportunities exist for reciprocal partnering (with the risks shared by technology platform/provider and CT operators) to build adaptive fit-for-purpose products that work for CT clients and operators.
· CT’s complex funding structures play a significant role in how services are delivered.
TWU: “TIME TO END THE CARNAGE”: NSW GOVERNMENT MUST ADOPT LANDMARK ROADMAP TO END GIG EXPLOITATION
The NSW Premier has no choice but to clean up the deadly gig economy, says the TWU as it demands the NSW Government implement in-full the recommendations of a landmark Parliamentary report setting out a roadmap to end gig exploitation.
The report – the outcome of the NSW Upper House’s Future of Work Inquiry chaired by Daniel Mookhey MLC – recommends the NSW Government establish a powerful new tribunal to set enforceable, fair standards for all workers in the gig economy regardless of their employment classification.
It highlights Federal Government’s failure to regulate the industry leaves States to do the heavy lifting, noting that a fairer industrial system must enshrine gig workers’ rights to collectively bargain, recognition of the role of unions, and mandate improved transparency around rates of pay and data collection.
It also recommends the NSW Government consider removing a legislative carve out which excludes ridershare drivers and food delivery riders from the State’s successful owner driver and couriers laws. A determination set under these laws in February this year drastically modernised rates of pay for couriers and provided minimum pay and rights to gig-style Amazon Flex drivers – a world-first.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine heralded the Inquiry’s recommendations for creating a powerful model to lift industry standards.
“The fact this Inquiry was held in the first place is a testament to the scores of gig workers across NSW prepared to call out gig behemoths’ shocking exploitation and abuse. Workers are ripped off, denied basic rights like workers compensation, loaded up with deadly pressure, terminated without notice, injured and killed all because our industrial system out-dated.
“If adopted, these recommendations would finally bring NSW’s industrial system into the 21st Century. A tribunal with strong powers to set enforceable standards would help end the insecure work crisis undercutting secure jobs by setting gig workers up with fair rates of pay and conditions regardless of their classification. In the absence of a Federal system with teeth, it’s a model that should be considered by all jurisdictions, particularly as States like Victoria and Queensland review how they will tackle these very issues.
“The NSW Government has an opportunity to right its shocking betrayal of gig workers last year when it outrageously sided with food delivery companies to blame riders for a spate of worker deaths. It’s time to end the carnage: the NSW Government must adopt this clear roadmap to end the bloodbath on our roads”.
“The reality is that the Federal Government’s let gig exploitation rip across Australia, standing down as these Silicon Valley giants trash our industrial relations system and undermine the standards Australians rely on for good, secure lives. It’s clear the only job Scott Morrison’s worried about securing is his own – and Australian workers are being hung out to dry in the process”, Kaine said.
The Inquiry received submissions from and heard countless stories of gig workers being abused, underpaid fair rates and seriously injured on the jobs, and failures to report the workplace deaths of gig workers.
The gig model of exploitation is built around companies deliberately placing workers outside industrial protections so they can be loaded up with unsafe work. This pressure to make as many deliveries as possible or risk being terminated by an algorithm incentivises risk taking and increases the likelihood of serious injury or death.
Food delivery riders and the TWU recently called on the NSW Coroner to commit to inquests into the deaths of five food delivery riders killed in NSW in 2020, following reports a formal investigation was under active consideration.
One of those deaths – that of Burak Dogan – was covered up and not reported as a workplace death by UberEats because the company maintained Dogan wasn’t working at the time; even though he was logged into the app and receiving orders when he was killed.
Luxury Exports Ban to Russia
The Australian Government will prohibit the export of luxury goods to Russia, including wine, high value cosmetics and parts for luxury vehicles.
These sanctions target President Putin and his wealthy enablers, not ordinary Russian consumers. They are being undertaken in coordination with key partners to restrict the Russian elite’s access to such goods. The European Union and the United States already have bans in effect. Japan’s ban will enter into force today, and the United Kingdom’s ban is due to follow soon.
The Australian Government is deeply committed to imposing the highest costs on Russia for President Putin’s illegal and unprovoked war.
This ban follows our targeted financial sanctions on President Putin, members of his Government, Russian oligarchs, propagandists and disinformation operatives, as well as senior Russian military leaders. It also follows our ban on the export of alumina and bauxite to Russia.
The Australian Government reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine.
Labor lockstep with Liberal on tax to drive US-style inequality in Australia
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, says Labor’s appeasement to right-wing flat tax reforms and keeping tax breaks for trusts and property investors is a death knell for Australian egalitarianism.
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP said:
“Liberal and Labor are now in lockstep on tax cuts for the rich, sounding the death knell for social democracy. Liberal and Labor are marching Australia towards US-style inequality.
“With Labor now joining the Liberals in delivering tax breaks to the wealthiest, there will be less in the kitty for public schools and hospitals.
“Labor has sided with Scott Morrison in a conservative assault on Australian egalitarianism, keeping tax rorts that drive up house prices and funding more coal and gas.
“With Labor now joining the Liberals in a trickle-down nightmare, the only way to save Australia’s progressive tax system is to vote Greens.
“Heading to an election, I never thought I’d see a Labor joining with the Libs on a platform of flat tax, cash for billionaires to mine more coal and gas and tax breaks for investors to drive up housing prices.”
IPCC says it’s “now or never” to quit coal and gas – or last drinks for a liveable planet
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says 2025 must be the peak year for global emissions and that new investments in coal, oil and gas will take us past 1.5 degrees.
The findings of the latest IPCC report, described as the ‘final warning’, put both Australian major political parties at odds with the science and global consensus on targets and the need to cease all new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP said:
“It’s clear Liberal and Labor’s new coal and gas must stop.”
“The IPCC report makes it clear that we have all the technologies we need, but renewables and EV’s won’t be enough unless we also get out of coal and gas.
“Coal and gas are the biggest cause of climate change. The first job on climate is to stop making the problem worse, and that means no more coal and gas or it’s last drinks for a liveable planet.”
“Australia is a huge part of the problem, 3rd in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Russia for exporting fossil fuel pollution.
“This Liberal government and the Labor opposition both want to roll out 114 new coal and gas projects in direct contravention of the IPCC warning
“If you don’t have a plan to get out of coal and gas, you don’t have a credible climate plan.”
$40.6 million to support the mental health and wellbeing of Aussie kids
Australian parents will soon have access to new tools to better support the mental health and wellbeing of their kids, as part of a $40.6 million Australian Government funded Parenting Education and Support grant.
Well-known positive parenting educator, Triple P, will deliver this support through their Triple P – Positive Parenting Program which provides free, universal, easily accessible and interactive online resources.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the program will be available nationally and address different parenting needs as children progress through key development milestones from ages 0-11 years.
“A recent study found 65% of Australian parents were not confident they could identify signs of social or emotional problems in their children, and a similar percentage didn’t know where to get help,” Minister Hunt said.
“Giving parents and carers access to the Triple P resources will mean more confident parents and carers, and happier, more resilient children.
“It will give parents a better understanding of their children’s mental health and wellbeing, help them identify potential behavioural problems, and outline when and how to access help.”
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program will complement support provided to children and their families through the new Head to Health Kids Hubs and additional perinatal mental health screening and support announced in the 2021-22 Budget.
“We know that many mental health conditions develop at an early age and then continue throughout life, growing in their severity. That’s why it is so important that we act early and equip parents and carers with the tools they need to best support their children,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
Triple P was developed here in Australia and ranks number one on the United Nations’ list of evidence-based programs. It is used in more than 30 countries and has been shown to work across cultures, socio-economic groups and in many kinds of family structures.
The Triple P program also delivers specialist supports for parents of children with a disability, parents of children with health concerns, parents going through separation or divorce, and for both culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations parents.
Triple P International Country Director, Carol Markie-Dadds, said parents and caregivers play a major role in the long-term success of their children’s emotional resilience, mental health, and life outcomes.
“This Australian Government initiative means that all families will have free access to Triple P’s evidence-based, world-leading, Positive Parent Program, giving vital assistance to parents and caregivers to support their children’s emotional and coping skills – benefitting them now and into the future,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.
“Now more than ever, parents, carers and children are living with increased levels of anxiety and stress due to the pandemic, disasters, and global events. The program will give parents and caregivers the tools and confidence they need to support their children’s mental health wellbeing in these times of uncertainty and beyond.
“Positive family relationships are key to shaping a healthy and supportive environment in which children will thrive.”
The program will be supported by a national media campaign to promote parenting programs as a normal, proactive parenting option and to reduce the stigma of parents and carers asking for help.
The Morrison Government continues to make mental health and suicide prevention a national priority and continues to drive structural reform and real change to deliver better outcomes for all Australians.
Through the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Budgets, the Government is investing nearly $3 billion into the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to drive this reform.
As a result of these investments, funding for mental health and suicide prevention services through the Health portfolio have increased to a record $6.8 billion in 2022-23, more than doubling since 2012-13.
Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).
New agreement to deliver more mental health and suicide prevention services for Queensland
More than $260 million will be invested in mental health and suicide prevention support and services in Queensland over the next five years, following the signing of a landmark bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland governments.
The Commonwealth will provide $150.9 million and Queensland will invest more than $109.5 million to expand mental health care services to where they are needed the most.
New mental health services, particularly for people in the group known as the “missing middle”, and suicide prevention services, will be established.
The funding includes:
- $49.9 million to establish a network of new Head to Health adult mental health centres and satellites across Queensland with five new Head to Health centres and seven satellites. These new services will address gaps in the mental health system, providing more integrated, seamless mental health care for adults and older adults. These are in addition to Queensland’s first Head to Health centre that opened 20 January 2022 in Townsville
- $21.5 million to establish two new Head to Health Kids Hubs to improve access to multidisciplinary team care to children.
- $75.3 million to enhance headspace centres to increase access to multidisciplinary youth mental health services in Queensland, with the Commonwealth funding the establishment of 2 new headspace sites and Queensland providing funding for clinical in-reach into new and existing headspace sites.
- $78.6 million to expand and enhance existing universal aftercare services to support individuals following a suicide attempt and / or suicidal crisis.
- $9.4 million to ensure all people in Queensland who are bereaved or impacted by suicide can access postvention support services.
- $4.9 million to implement a Distress Intervention Trial Program to prevent and reduce suicidal behaviour.
- $10.3 million to improve perinatal mental health screening and enhance capture and reporting of national consistent perinatal mental health data.
- $10.5 million to support additional initiatives that address gaps in the system of care for the ‘missing middle’.
In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services.
The bilateral agreement will also build and support the mental health and suicide prevention workforce, including the peer workforce.
Everyday, millions of Australians come into contact with the mental health system. Almost half of all Australians experience mental ill-health in their lifetime, and around one in 5 people will experience a mental or behavioural condition each year.
Recent reports such as the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser’s Final Advice, have highlighted the need to reform Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention system.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said that this landmark partnership between the Commonwealth and Queensland, along with other Commonwealth support initiatives, will have a significant positive impact on the lives of many across the state, including young Queenslanders.
“It will help to save lives and protect lives.”
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said demand for mental health services has continued to rise.
“This is an important investment in mental health that will expand services to those most in need in Queensland,” said Minister D’Ath.
“This investment will complement the $1.8 billion that the Queensland Government spends to support mental health services every year.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said a key focus of the agreement would be helping to reduce the suicide rate in Queensland communities.
“As a result of this agreement, every Queenslander who is discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt will be provided at least three months of appropriate follow up care.
“We know the risk of suicide is greatest in the days and weeks following a previous suicide attempt, yet right now not everyone in this group receives follow up care. These people are amongst our most vulnerable and through this agreement we are committing to do everything we can to support them.”
The bilateral agreement will contribute to the landmark reform of the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system and forms part of the new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
The Australian Government is delivering structural reform and real change in mental health and suicide prevention, and has invested almost $3 billion towards the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan since 2021-22.
This brings the estimated health portfolio expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2022–23 to a record high of $6.8 billion.
Australians needing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au
Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.
If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).