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Grants fast-tracked for flood affected primary producers

Primary producers hit by storms and floods in NSW can access $15,000 immediately, through grants of up $75,000, as part of the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the grants are now available for eligible primary producers in the Local Government Areas that have been disaster declared for the February 2022 storm and flood event.

“We know it’s going to be a long road to recovery for our farmers, however this funding means they’ll have access to immediate support as well as in the crucial period of rebuilding ahead,” Mr Toole said.

“The NSW Government is wholeheartedly committed to supporting the recovery, and ultimately the survival, of farming communities impacted by this disaster.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders acknowledged the magnitude of the weather event and urged impacted farmers to prioritise safety, knowing financial support is available when the water recedes.

“Sadly, many communities remain underwater, herds and crops have been swept away and the full extent of the damage is yet to be revealed,” Mr Saunders said.

“We have expedited the availability of this grant to ensure primary producers can readily access financial support as soon as it is required.

“Those eligible for this grant can access up to $15,000 up-front to assist with the immediate clean-up and recovery costs, and if required, a further $60,000 to repair more extensive damage to their properties.

“This will ensure producers can get back on their feet and operational as soon as possible.” 

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said as we move from emergency response to recovery, work is already well underway to help communities get back on their feet. 

“The NSW Government is committed to making sure affected communities can recover as quickly as possible from this terrible disaster,” Ms Cooke said.

“This funding will help kick start the clean-up for farmers impacted by this disaster, many of whom still haven’t fully recovered from storms and floods in February, March and November last year.”

Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess and should consult with their local Rural Financial Counselling Service or apply for the scheme so that the RAA can determine eligibility.  

A full list of eligible LGAs can be viewed on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority’s (RAA’s) Declared Natural Disasters webpage.  

For more information, or to lodge an application, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au or call the RAA on 1800 678 593.

If you are a farmer or a member of the community requiring an emergency response regarding livestock or animals, call 1800 814 647.

New program set to expand defence and aerospace capabilities across regional NSW

The NSW Government is set to boost the state’s commitment to sovereign defence industry capabilities with the launch of a new $1.23 million Regional Defence Networks Program aimed at making it easier for local businesses to expand and supply to the defence and aerospace industry.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said that the three-year program will focus on driving business growth across four key regions: Western Sydney, Shoalhaven/Illawarra, Riverina-Murray and the Hunter.
 
“We know that procurement requirements and entering the defence market requires a deep understanding of the industry, so we want to do all we can to help existing suppliers grow, and support new players to enter the sector,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“This program is about helping businesses understand the defence supply chain and identify that their offering has value and need. We want to turn local businesses from being ‘Defence Interested/Able’ to ‘Defence Ready’.”
 
Following a competitive procurement process, Investment NSW, working with Western Parkland City Authority and Regional NSW, has appointed four partner agencies to deliver the program:
 

  • Ai Group for the Western Sydney region
  • Shoalhaven City Council for the Shoalhaven/Illawarra region
  • Hunter Defence Cooperative for the Hunter region
  • NSW Business Chamber for the Riverina-Murray region.

 
“These organisations have a deep understanding of the defence ecosystem in their respective regions, which is critical to achieving the program’s objectives and in turn expand NSW’s defence and aerospace capabilities,” Mr Ayres said.
 
Find out more about the NSW Defence and Industry Strategy at
https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/defence-nsw/what-we-do/nsw-defence-and-industry-strategy.

OPERATION FLOOD ASSIST 2022

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is continuing its support to the Queensland and NSW governments across a range of search & rescue and recovery tasks under Operation Flood Assist 2022.

Initial clean-up tasks involved cleaning mud out of houses, removing damaged furniture, removing debris to allow for vehicle access, and cleaning local infrastructure.

Personnel from the Australian Army’s 5th Brigade are undertaking a range of tasks in support of emergency services in northern New South Wales. They have been sandbagging, providing evacuation support, cleaning up the Lismore CBD and ensuring food supplies get to remote communities cut off by flood waters.

International students left behind again by discriminatory government

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has criticised the exclusion of international students and other temporary visa holders from the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Payment.

Senator Faruqi said:

“It’s cruel and unacceptable to use a person’s visa status to exclude them from vital financial support in the wake of disaster.

“Floods have devastated communities and people living in NSW and Queensland. Everyone affected should be financially supported regardless of their visa status.

“International students’ ineligibility for Disaster Recovery Payments smacks of Covid-era discrimination which harmed so many.

“During the pandemic lockdowns we saw international students neglected, abandoned and mistreated at every turn – excluded from critical schemes like JobSeeker and JobKeeper. Now, they are being locked out of disaster payments.

“The government has not learned its lesson and continues to treat international students as little more than economic opportunities to be exploited.

“International students must be supported and treated as full and valued members of our community.”

Australia’s best sports journalists honoured

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck has congratulated all 14 winners of the 2021 Sport Australia Media Awards.

Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise excellence in sports journalism, broadcasting and production and are the only dedicated sports media awards in Australia.

“Whether it’s covering the local competition or reporting from the world’s biggest sporting events, the media play a crucial role in telling stories and inspiring all Australians to get active,” Minister Colbeck said.

“As we continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, I am delighted to be able to reflect and celebrate the hard work and wonderful sporting stories that have been told in the past 12 months.”

“The finalists and winners again highlighted some of the key and important issues and moments in sport of the past year.”

Mr Colbeck paid tribute to Mike Sheahan who was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports Journalism.

Mr Sheahan was recognised for his lengthy and influential career as a sports journalist and writer having dedicated 40 years of his career to covering AFL.

He spent 20 years as chief football writer for The Herald Suns and won dozens of major Australian football media awards across all categories – news breaking, features and columns as well as writing two books.

“Mike has had an incredible media career spanning decades and is a worthy recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement award,” Minister Colbeck said.

“On top of his written work, he became a regular radio and television personality including 11-years hosting his own talk show Open Mike on Fox Footy, with his contribution to the game duly recognised having been made a life member of the AFL and having the media centre at AFL House in Melbourne named after him.”

Minister Colbeck also extended his congratulations to the journalists, producers, photographers and podcasters recognised as finalists across the 12 award categories.

“The incredible performances at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics topped what was a huge year in Australian sport in 2021.

“The work done in elevating issues of national interest and telling personal stories encourages Australians of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to get involved in sport.”

Mr Colbeck said the Australian Government is committed to supporting the sector as it recovers from COVID-19 and as momentum builds ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Sport has the power to drive positive social change and help all Australians lead happier, healthier lives. Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Sport Australia Media Awards and for your continued support of Australian sport.”

World Hearing Day – many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented

The Federal Coalition Government has invested more than $32,000 through the Deafness Forum of Australia to promote World Hearing Day today, to raise awareness about preventing hearing loss and promoting heathy ear care across Australia.

Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented, including hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds.

“As a doctor practising in regional Australia for three decades I saw the burden of preventable hearing loss in the community—for the individual and their families. It’s life changing and there ways everyone can protect their hearing,” Dr Gillespie said.

“About 3.6 million people—or one in six Australians experience some form of hearing impairment and for a third of these people, their hearing loss could have been prevented.”

Dr Gillespie said this year’s theme – To hear for life, listen with care – encouraged people to think about how they can listen safely in all situations, every day.

Dr Gillespie said the Federal Coalition Government is committed to raising awareness about hearing health and ensuring people have the information they need to avoid preventable hearing loss.

“To help achieve this, the Government has provided $32,500 to Deafness Forum of Australia to promote World Hearing Day 2022 across mainstream and social media channels nationally.

“This funding will get the message out to help people avoid preventable hearing loss and to take appropriate actions to help save their hearing.”

Supporting World Hearing Day and raising awareness about hearing health was identified as a key action under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Roadmap for Hearing Health.

This funding is in addition to the $21.2 million committed to implementing this Roadmap announced in the 2020 Budget.

Also coinciding with Hearing Awareness Week, is the online Rural and Regional Hearing Healthcare Workforce Summit on 3 and 4 March, which Dr Gillespie addressed today.

The summit will explore current and projected hearing workforce issues to inform future service planning and delivery in rural, regional and remote Australia.

The Federal Government funded the summit in support of the Roadmap for Hearing Health. 

Labor’s Community Battery Plan to Cut Bills and Emissions in Perth

An Albanese Labor Government will cut power bills for households, and reduce emissions, by installing an initial five community batteries across Perth. 
 
More than one in three Western Australian households have installed rooftop solar panels.
 
But very few have a battery, because it’s still too expensive. This means families aren’t getting the full benefits of rooftop solar, and it’s putting pressure on our electricity grid.
 
That’s why Labor will install an initial five community batteries across Perth: in Coogee, Dianella, Kinross, Port Kennedy and Stratton.
 
This commitment will allow local households to feed solar power into the shared battery during the day and draw from it at night – cutting electricity bills and emissions, and reducing pressure on the grid.
 
Local households who might be unable to install solar, like renters and people living in apartments, will also be able to draw from excess energy stored in the battery. 
 
Up to one in two households in these areas have rooftop solar. The areas have been selected in consultation with the WA Government.
 
All WA communities will be able to apply for a battery under Labor’s Power to the People plan, which will invest $200 million to install 400 community batteries across the country.
 
In WA, Power to the People will build on the trials already led by Western Power and Synergy.  
 
This is part of Labor’s Powering Australia policy to cut power bills, reduce emissions and create jobs by boosting renewable energy.
 
In contrast, after nine years of energy policy chaos under the Liberals, Scott Morrison is focussed on photo-ops and marketing tricks – and attacking Western Australians.
  
Communities across WA deserve better – an Albanese Labor Government that will cut power bills and work for a better future for all Australians. 

Morrison Government providing quicker and easier access to assistive technology for NDIS participants

The Morrison Government is improving the participant experience for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with easier access to assistive technology.

Minister for the NDIS Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC has announced an increase in the upper limit for automatic approval of assistive technology (AT) purchases. This limit has now increased from $5,000 to $15,000.

“I have listened closely to participants and their representatives, and what they have told me is they want a Scheme which is more person focused, with less red tape,” Minister Reynolds said.

“This is another example of the Morrison Government’s commitment to improving the NDIS and improving the participant’s experience.”

The changes will also assist many participants who currently have quotable AT under $15,000 in their plans. The NDIA will automatically approve the funding for these items so participants can access this AT faster.

This new measure is still subject to the necessary checks and balances to maintain the integrity of the scheme.

The most commonly purchased AT within the $15,000 price range includes manual wheelchairs, specialty beds and bathroom chairs/stools.

The NDIA has summarised these changes in an updated guideline and new participant factsheet, setting out what evidence participants need to provide and what to do before buying AT.

The NDIA has also created a new guideline and template on vehicle modifications and driving supports, which includes simpler and clearer information. These will help participants work with assessors to provide evidence for vehicle modification support requests over $15,000.

Exhibition celebrates 50th anniversary of protest movement that saved Blackbutt Reserve

A union-backed community protest movement that helped stop Blackbutt Reserve being cut in two by a new highway in the 1970s is being celebrated in an exhibition at Newcastle Library.

Power to the People, 50+ Years of Union and Community Green Ban Action celebrates the 50th anniversary of the “green ban” movement, which effectively saw union members refuse to work on construction projects that were deemed environmentally or socially undesirable.

May Day march along Hunter Street, Newcastle, in the mid-1970s, with Jack Mundey (pictured to the right of the Power to the People sign). Photo by Dave Marley.

Green bans were conceived by Builders Labourers’ Federation (BLF) NSW secretary Jack Mundey and were instigated at the request of, and in support of, residents’ groups.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition showcases an important time in history through the story of Jack Mundey and the green ban movement, and local Newcastle strike action to save Blackbutt Reserve and protect historic houses in the East End.

“Historical green bans demonstrate the value and impact that Newcastle’s communities can have when their passion and drive to protect our city’s rich natural and build environment is mobilised,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Power to the People 50+ years of Union and Community Green Ban Action explores green bans to save Blackbutt Reserve and Newcastle’s East End, both initiated by the BLF, Newcastle Trades Hall Council and over 25 community groups in the 1970s, which protected two extremely important features of Newcastle.

“Newcastle green bans were born in parallel with the Sydney bans from 1971 onwards, and the legacy of the movement cannot be underestimated as it led a shift towards ensuring heritage and conservation were central to planning and policy.”

While many of the green bans in the early 1970s were focussed on Sydney, the protest movement also made its way to Newcastle through the Newcastle Trades Hall Council.

In one of the most significant instances locally, a green ban was enforced to help community groups stop a NSW Government plan to bulldoze more than 15 acres of Blackbutt Reserve for a 1.2 km section of Highway 23.

The road, which was being built to link the Sydney-Newcastle Expressway near Windale to the Pacific Highway at Sandgate, would have also effectively separated an additional 40 hectares of land from the main Blackbutt Reserve site.

Power to the People, 50+ years of Union and Community Green Ban Action has been curated by Newcastle Libraries in partnership with Cross Arts Projects, University of Newcastle and Newcastle Trades Hall Council.

Celebrating the launch of the Power to the People exhibition were (rear L-R) Leigh Shears, Secretary of Hunter Workers (Newcastle Trades Hall Council), Suzie Gately, City of Newcastle Manager Libraries and Learning, Jo Holder, Manager CrossArts and exhibition curator, Sam Dagg, Newcastle Trades Hall Council and exhibition researcher, Diane Barrack, union activist and (front L-R) Judy Mundey, activist, and wife of the late Jack Mundey, Cathy Claydon and Kevin Claydon.

The exhibition draws on archival material preserved in collections held by Newcastle Libraries, the University of Newcastle, the Hunter Living Histories, and Newcastle Trades Hall and presents an eclectic mix of stories that depict community uprising over unequal planning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island heritage, social housing justice, heritage buildings, land rights and conservation.

It will be on display at Newcastle Libraries’ Lovett Gallery in Laman Street, Newcastle until Thursday, 14 April.

Weather warning for Newcastle’s coastline

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that a low offshore from the Mid North Coast continues to move towards the central New South Wales coast today. This system is currently weakening and will continue to weaken into the evening. A severe weather warning remains in place for gale force winds, heavy rainfall, damaging surf and an abnormally high tide for the NSW Coast, which may pose risks to Newcastle’s coastline.

City of Newcastle has implemented safety precautions in preparation of the east coast low forecast for this week.

Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for swimming, surfing and rock fishing at all beaches and at Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths during this period.

City of Newcastle has prepared and is monitoring its coastal facilities and assets along the Newcastle coastline including areas in Stockton which may be further impacted by coastal erosion. Please be aware that coastal erosion can change beach conditions dramatically and quickly.

City of Newcastle asks the community to follow safety warnings, to abide by all road closures and to drive safely in the forecast hazardous weather conditions. The high tide and large swell have forced the closure of a number of beach accessways at Stockton Beach. A current list of closures can be viewed here.

To stay up to date on weather warnings visit the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au and for information about any emergencies visit the State Emergency Service at www.ses.nsw.gov.au or phone 13 25 00.