Greens call on PM to push to end global trade of wildlife

The Greens have called on the Federal Government to push to end the global trade of wildlife, backing the calls of conservation and animal protection groups including Humane Society International and World Animal Protection, who want the commercial trade and sale in markets of wild animals to be banned.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“If the Australian Government wants to really lead from the front on this issue it will call for an end to the global trade of wildlife, not just an investigation into wildlife markets.
“The science is well established on the link between wildlife consumption and the transfer of zoonotic diseases to humans.
“There cannot just be an investigation of wildlife markets in China or other countries like Indonesia as the Prime Minister seemed to be suggesting today. Ultimately the trade of wildlife for consumption and other purposes, which is a global issue including in Australia, must end.
“A push to end wildlife markets is welcome but it must be accompanied by a push to end the trade of wild animals, otherwise very little will have been achieved in the battle to prevent future pandemics like Covid19.
“The Prime Minister also needs to commit to looking at wildlife trade in his own backyard. The Federal Government needs to close the loopholes in our laws that allow our rare and endangered native animals to be traded for profit and ensure they are protected here where they belong.
“Ending the trade of wildlife would not only help keep the global community safe from future pandemics but also help protect the world’s precious wildlife for future generations.
“Wildlife trade impacts biodiversity, can cause diseases to be transferred between other wildlife species putting them at risk, drives poaching and trafficking and ultimately fuels the extinction crisis around the world.
“We cannot go back to the way things were before COVID-19, we must change our ways for the sake of our own health and the planet’s.”
 

Minister Taylor must come clean on source of dodgy document

The Greens have called on the Prime Minister to stand down Minister Angus Taylor until he can provide a full account of a doctored document used in a media attack by his office on the Sydney Lord Mayor.
“The Prime Minister has asked Australians for their trust in recent days but he has thrown integrity overboard by his failure to act on the ongoing, multiple sagas involving Minister Taylor,” said Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Democracy, Senator Larissa Waters.
“Despite promising to cooperate with the police investigation, the Minister declined to be interviewed directly about where the documents originated. What does the Minister have to hide?
“The PM was quick to stand down Senator Bridget McKenzie over her role in the Sports Rorts saga, but appears unwilling to act against Minister Taylor.
“From this document saga to allegations the Minister intervened to help out his family farm and failed to properly declare his interests, there have been serious questions around Minister Taylor’s conduct for many months.
“It’s high time he was stood down as a minister until these serious allegations can be resolved.
“Australia urgently needs an independent federal corruption watchdog with teeth that can investigate integrity issues.
“No more mucking about, the Prime Minister must bring on a vote on my National Integrity Commission Bill when parliament resumes in May,” she said.

Vision for Fern Bay and North Stockton adopted

A pedestrian-friendly town centre in North Stockton and a drawcard coastal walk from Stockton to Tomaree Headland are part of an ambitious planning strategy adopted by Port Stephens and Newcastle councils.
The Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy, which was guided by early engagement with the Fern Bay community and a workshop with Councillors from both Newcastle and Port Stephens, is a 20-year blueprint for the rapidly growing area between the Hunter River and Stockton Beach.
The strategy identifies North Stockton as the site of a future town centre and calls for new accommodation developments to support local tourism.
A neighbourhood centre to allow a smaller supermarket in the Fern Bay-Fullerton Cove area has also been included as a direct result of community consultation and will be facilitated by Port Stephens Council with a planning proposal.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy identifies opportunities to create a pedestrian-friendly town centre and mixed-use planning provisions that cater for diverse housing, connected open spaces and community amenities.
“Developed by both Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, the joint strategy is a fantastic outcome after a great deal of work and forms a strategic planning basis to follow along with landowners and the broader Stockton community,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“There are multiple large land holdings in the area that have potential to create positive outcomes for the community and we will work hand in hand with Port Stephens to plan for them in the years ahead.”
Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the decision marked the beginning of an exciting time for the residents of Fern Bay and North Stockton.
“This is a great outcome for these communities,” Mayor Palmer said.
“The creation of more housing, access to better facilities and more transport options will ensure this town truly thrives.
“It’s been a wonderfully successful collaboration between our Port Stephens Council and City of Newcastle teams, and we’ll continue to work together on the best outcomes for the Fern Bay North Stockton communities into the future.”
The strategy also recommends a ferry terminal at North Stockton, duplication of Nelson Bay Road with traffic lights at the intersection of Vardon Road, as well as other upgrades to paths, bus stops and transport.
Also key to the strategy are:

  • Attracting heritage and nature-based tourism including a coastal walk – featuring boardwalks and observation decks – from Tomaree Headland to Stockton
  • Improving access to useable open spaces and well-designed community facilities
  • Prioritising safe and convenient travel by walking, cycling and public transport
  • Growing a resilient coastal community with access to liveable and diverse housing

Last November, planning staff from both councils attended the Fern Bay Fiesta at Fern Bay community hall to provide information on the strategy.
City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council adopted the Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy at their Council meetings in March and April 2020 respectively. The Strategy will now be implemented in a coordinated effort between both councils, to achieve positive outcomes for the Fern Bay and North Stockton community spanning LGA boundaries.

Community invited to update cycling strategy

City of Newcastle is inviting Hunter residents to help shape the future of cycling in the city by taking part in an update of the 2012 Newcastle Cycling Strategy and Action Plan (NCSAP).
Anyone can have their say until 14 May by completing a cycling survey at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/YourSay before the updated NCSAP goes on public exhibition for further feedback later in 2020.
“We want to hear from cyclists to find out what’s great about riding around Newcastle, what could be improved and how more locals might be encouraged to get out and enjoy the city under pedal power,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We also want to hear from people who don’t ride, about what we could do to encourage them to start riding.
“We’ve delivered fantastic cycleway projects over recent years, such as the off-road path from Samdon Street, Hamilton, to Selma Street, Newcastle West; a shared path in Brickworks Park, Wallsend; and around Lambton Park to name just a few.  We know that the perception of lack of safety is a key barrier to more cycling so have also been trying to address several difficult crossings on cycle routes around the city.
“We are currently planning new routes for Hunter Street, Newcastle West, and from Merewether to the Junction as part of a perpetual program of development.
“We’re lucky to have a relatively flat city conducive to cycling, so we look forward to hearing from the community and updating our overarching strategy.”
The City is taking part in the phone-based Local Government Cycling Participation Survey in conjunction with the current engagement program to obtain additional data, particularly from non-cyclists.
In addition to infrastructure projects, much has been done to encourage greater participation in cycling by updating maps, running bicycle skills workshops and promoting gracious behaviour by path and road users.

City awards contract for cutting-edge recycling facility

City of Newcastle has awarded a contract for an advanced organics recycling facility as part of a 25-year commitment to revolutionise food and garden waste treatment.
The project at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre by Barpa Pty Ltd, in partnership with a company that has designed 120 composting facilities worldwide, will over 25 years:

  • Divert about 900,000 tonnes of food and garden organics from landfill
  • Slash greenhouse emissions by 900,000 tonnes, equal to eliminating 250,000 cars
  • Save ratepayers $24 million in operational costs
  • Reduce the section 88 levy paid to the NSW Government by $32.5 million

Onsite recycling of garden organics will begin at Summerhill in a fully enclosed facility in 2022 before food organics are added four years later, following comprehensive community consultation.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project would generate major environmental and financial benefits for the city and community.
“With food and garden organics accounting for around 30 per cent of waste streams, we are embarking on the largest waste commitment ever made by the City: to divert almost a million tonnes of organic material from landfill,” the Lord Mayor said.
“When properly processed into compost, recycled organics can be sold as fertiliser that improves soil quality and productivity, displacing artificial chemical-based fertilisers on crops, sporting fields and in public and household gardens.
“Initially diverting around 20,000 tonnes of garden organics from landfill each year, the Summerhill facility will grow in capacity to process around 50,000 tonnes annually.
“It will see us begin processing all food organics material instead of continuing to landfill them at a prohibitive cost. After paying more than $230 million in waste levies over the past 12 years, the organics recycling facility will save ratepayers $32.5 million over the next 25 years.
“We intend to start processing food organics in 2026 following extensive planning and community engagement. In the meantime, work is continuing on the development of a program to roll out subsidised worm farms and community compost bins across the city.”
Barpa’s proposal for a fully enclosed recycling facility, which will be the first of its kind in the Hunter, was recommended in favour of three rival bids.
Elimination of odours through longer composting times and superior ventilation technology and systems, together with bid partnerWaste Treatment Technologies’ expertise in breaking down biodegradable material and converting waste to compliant, marketable compost, gave Barpa the edge.
The organics recycling facility will lower carbon emissions by ending the costly transfer of garden organics to the Upper Hunter in up to 45 return truck journeys of 173km a week.
Manager of the City’s Waste Services Troy Uren said higher regulatory standards loomed large over such traditional waste practices and that the project also stood to save ratepayers many millions of dollars more in deferred landfill expansion, in addition to $24 million in operational costs, over a quarter of a century.
“Garden organics are currently trucked from Summerhill to a Ravensworth site that can’t process food organics, and at significant cost to the ratepayer in what was only ever intended to be a temporary solution,” he said.
Background:

  • While the $120 million operating costs of the facility amount to $26.5 million more than continuing to just recycle garden waste offsite at Ravensworth, $32.5 million will be saved from no longer paying a levy for food organics. This creates an overall saving of $6 million
  • This $6 million saving grows to $24 million with projected compost sales of up to $18 million, with scope to divert more waste from neighbouring councils and other commercial sources
  • Processing food organics will also defer the need to develop landfill ‘air space’ equal to 840 Olympic swimming pools, which would cost up to $18 million to excavate and prepare
  • The City of Newcastle received a $1.5 million grant from the NSW Government in 2017 for early planning and is confident of sourcing additional grant funding from both the state and federal governments
  • Even with construction costs, the organics recycling facility remains cheaper than landfill by more than $50 a tonne
  • The contract with Barpa has been divided into two stages – design and approvals and construction and commissioning

MORE JOBS & LESS CROWDING THANKS TO METRO WEST

The mega Sydney Metro West project will significantly cut crowding on three major train lines, take tens of thousands of cars off the roads every day and support the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs in Western Sydney.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance is calling on the community to have their say on the project as part of the first Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
“Sydney Metro West is truly a once-in-a-century project which will forever change how we get around our great city.
“It’s been almost 100 years since the Harbour Bridge transformed Sydney. Now this underground Metro is going to be the modern day game changer for our city, serving us for decades to come,” Mr Constance said.
By 2036, 3.2 million people will live in Western Sydney, accounting for about 50 per cent of the city’s population. Public transport demand will also increase, with a 36 per cent rise between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD in the morning peak.
The Sydney Metro West EIS outlines the benefits of the project on the city’s future growth including:
Cutting crowding on existing suburban train lines and stations
Sydney Metro West will ease crowding on the T1 Western Line, T9 Northern Line and the T2 Inner West and Leppington Line, with customers instead changing to metro rail for direct and faster journeys. The reduction in customers will allow Sydney Trains to have more capacity in the west and outer west.
The EIS reveals a 32 per cent fall in customer numbers on the T1 Western Line at Parramatta in 2036; a 36 per cent reduction at Strathfield; and a 35 per cent reduction at Redfern.
The project will also cut crowding by about 30 per cent at North Strathfield, Strathfield, Redfern and Burwood railway stations. This will result in less waiting time for customers and improved performance of Sydney Trains.
Cutting road congestion
The project will also bust road congestion with 83,000 fewer weekday car trips by 2036 and 110,000 fewer by 2056. It will also reduce traffic volumes on Parramatta Road and Victoria Road, improving the reliability of bus services.
Creating new jobs
The construction of Sydney Metro West will create more than 10,000 new direct jobs and 70,000 indirect jobs. Once opened the new line is expected to facilitate an extra 595,000 jobs due to the economic growth generated. By 2036 Metro West will ensure more than 400,000 people are within 30 minutes of the Parramatta CBD and an additional 250,000 people are within 30 minutes of the Sydney CBD by public transport.
Sydney Metro West will move more than 40,000 people an hour in each direction between Westmead and the Sydney CBD.
Faster travel times
The target travel time for Parramatta to the city is about 20 minutes, 10 minutes quicker than current rail journeys. Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta will be less than 6 minutes – about 18 minutes faster than now. And Five Dock to the city will take less than 10 minutes – about 35 minutes faster than the current public transport journey.
Major centres will also be serviced by significantly more trains. Parramatta currently has 56 trains an hour, but that will more than double to 116 with Sydney Metro. This means rail capacity at Parramatta will go from 65,440 customers an hour to 157,600 customers.
The tender process for Metro West has already started with the NSW Government calling for expressions of interest for the mega project’s first two major infrastructure packages – the delivery of twin tunnels between Westmead and The Bays.
The EIS reveals the new twin metro tunnels will be built on average 38 metres underground, the equivalent of a 13 storey building.
The community is able to provide feedback from today until 26 June. This is one of three EISs for the project due to its scale, and the community will have further opportunities to comment.

TECHNOLOGY KEEPS PARTICIPATION IN PLANNING SYSTEM DURING COVID-19

The NSW planning system will keep moving throughout COVID-19 to keep people in jobs and the economy moving, with all public hearings and meetings to be held online during the pandemic.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 has been amended today to set out the minimum requirements for all planning panels holding public hearings and meetings using telephone and video conferencing.
Planning and Pubic Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the amendment is vital to clarify the legal requirements for public hearings and meetings during the pandemic and ensure planning bodies can continue to operate without delay.
“A fundamental part of the planning system is ensuring people can have their say and be listened to, and we’re using technology to ensure that continues during the pandemic,” Mr Stokes said.
“We are also committed to ensuring decisions on development applications and planning proposals don’t come to a halt during the pandemic so we can keep our economy moving and keep creating new jobs.
“It’s important we are flexible during these unprecedented times and these changes will ensure the public’s voice continues to be heard on planning matters during this crisis.”
The Department of Planning Industry, and Environment; the Independent Planning Commission; Sydney district and regional planning panels; and local council planning panels will all benefit from the new process for electronic hearings and meetings.
Mr Stokes said the amendments to the Regulation also aligns with the broader digital transformation agenda of the NSW Government.
“This is another example of how we are modernising the planning system and using technology to make it easier for everyone to get on with business,” Mr Stokes said.
“We know our planning system will be a key lever in driving investment in NSW as we come out of this crisis.”
The move follows the announcement of the NSW Government’s new Planning System Acceleration Program, which will support jobs and economic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes fast-tracking project assessments, a new one-stop shop for industry to progress proposals stuck in the system, clearing the backlog of cases stuck in the Land & Environment Court and investing $70 million to co-fund vital new community infrastructure in North West Sydney.

NEW FREE COURSES TO SUPPORT NSW IN PANDEMIC

A total of 13 new fee-free TAFE NSW short courses are available online to assist anyone across the State who wants to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic, following an overwhelming response to the initial suite of courses announced earlier this month.
The NSW Government will use these new courses to replace those which have reached enrolment capacity to ensure there are still 21 accredited courses available for people to study through TAFE NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said around 85,000 people had enrolled in the fee-free courses since they were announced three weeks ago to assist job seekers and workers.
“The incredible uptake to the initial 21 fee-free short courses shows that while many businesses across NSW are in hibernation there is a strong desire to upskill and gain new qualifications during this challenging time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Some courses have reached their capacity for now so they have been replaced with new courses so that we can continue to provide opportunities for people to upskill during this time.”
The 13 new short courses include:

  • Leading Teams;
  • Digital Security Basics;
  • Build your Digital Literacy with Coding;
  • Create a Brand Presentation; and
  • Undertaking Projects and Managing Risk.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said more than 33,000 people who enrolled in the fee-free courses were studying at TAFE NSW for the very first time.
“The NSW Government is committed to providing opportunities for people to upskill so that they can get the promotion or job they want once this pandemic ends. I encourage everyone to use this time to increase their skills,” Mr Lee said.
Please click here for more information about studying fee-free courses at TAFE NSW.

STIMULUS PACKAGE DELIVERS NEW CLEANERS TO COMBAT COVID-19

More than 550 new and redeployed cleaners are boosting the State’s first line of defence against COVID-19 under the NSW Government’s $250 million cleaners’ package.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the fresh wave of cleaners had resulted in enhanced cleaning of vital public infrastructure including schools, TAFE and transport facilities.
“While these cleaners are improving hygiene across the State, this package will provide a much-needed social and economic boost across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Not only will this package support jobs and businesses, importantly it will also give the public the peace of mind that the Government is ensuring our public transport and education facilities remain as clean as possible at all times.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was on track to see the equivalent of 3,000 full-time cleaners on board by the end of June.
“The thousands of jobs being generated from our stimulus package is also keeping people in jobs, and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We’re hiring new cleaners, increasing the hours of existing cleaners and redeploying cleaners who would otherwise have lost jobs due to the temporary closure of some public facilities.”
The funding has helped Western Sydney company VDG Services, who are sanitising more than 550 State Transit buses daily in the eastern suburbs, keep a dozen workers in jobs after some clients cut back on cleaning.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said this was one example of the Government’s package making a meaningful difference in Transport, where cleaning efforts across the network have increased by over 83,000 hours since March.
“We’ve introduced a number of new measures to ensure our transport network is as clean as possible with crews working through the night to disinfect trains, buses, metro, light rail, ferries, depots and facilities ready for the morning commute,” Mr Constance said.
“People catching a train might see one of our flying squads get on at one station and wipe down the train before getting off at another station to get on another train to do the job again. Or those catching a ferry, might see one of our teams wiping down the Opal readers or cleaning the terminal, making sure people are protected.”
Transport for NSW has distributed approximately 185,500 litres of hand sanitiser to staff, while 300 hand sanitiser stations across all 165 stations on the Sydney Trains network are available for customers, with the expansion to ferry wharves underway.
Thousands of personal hand sanitisers and packets of disinfectant wipes have also been distributed to staff at all train stations, bus depots, work sites and offices, including our frontline workers.
Mr Perrottet said small and medium-sized cleaning businesses could apply for supplementary Government cleaning contracts to help fight the spread of COVID-19 through a new business portal.
“We’re recruiting small and medium-sized cleaning businesses to help existing contractors with the cleaning task, with more than 50 businesses pre-qualified and able to get to work as ready-to-go teams,” Mr Perrottet said.
A compliant application takes around three days to be processed, with businesses placed on a pre-qualified list for Government agencies to engage with.
Supplementary contracts available include;

  • General cleaning in low risk areas,
  • Enhanced cleaning for COVID-19 risk reduction,
  • Environment cleaning of facilities after a suspected COVID-19 diagnosis, and cleaning auditing services.

Registrations for supplementary cleaning contracts can be made here. More information about the NSW Government economic stimulus packages is available at nsw.gov.au.

NSW GOVERNMENT ROLLS OUT WEBINARS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

Small businesses doing it tough due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to sign up for free-of-charge webinars funded by the NSW Government.
The webinars are being run by small business advisory program Business Connect, and address key subjects to help deal with COVID-19, including how to create a ghost kitchen and how to maximise cashflow.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said there were more than 60 Business Connect webinars and they will provide invaluable information for businesses that are facing unprecedented conditions.
“We know small businesses are struggling at the moment and the impacts of drought, bushfires and now coronavirus have been significant,” he said.
“These webinars are run by small business expert presenters and they will give business owners insights into how they can make it through the current situation.
“A number of businesses have successfully managed to pivot their operation and some of these webinars will provide advice on how to do that.”
The webinar topics include:

  • Turn your restaurant into a profitable ghost kitchen
  • Maximising cashflow
  • Business disruption – innovation
  • Diversify your creative income
  • Reinvent your business in troubled times
  • Marketing to pivot your business

Some of the webinars are targeted at businesses in regional areas and some are in foreign languages to cater for multicultural businesses.
Business Connect advisors have assisted more than 28,000 businesses over the past three years, providing advice and skills training for small businesses.
As a result, business owners have reported increased confidence and stronger finances. Those businesses have also created and supported more than 15,000 new jobs since 2017.
The NSW Government announced on April 19 it was injecting more than $14 million into Business Connect to help small and medium businesses navigate this challenging time.
As part of the funding boost, $4.6 million was allocated to engage an additional 30 advisors to support businesses on top of $9.8 million to ensure the program continues for another 12 months.
To register: https://business-connect-register.industry.nsw.gov.au/Pages/SearchEvent.html