Seven regional energy projects will share in more than $15 million of funding to support energy affordability and innovation thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Community Energy Fund.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the funding will unlock almost 17.2 MW in electricity generation and up to 17.9 MW / 39.3 MWh of energy storage, leveraging $36 million in private funding.
“These grants will help regional communities right across NSW take control of their energy bills and benefit from the economic opportunities presented by changes in our energy system,” Mr Kean said.
“The projects range from a community owned dispatchable solar and battery system at Goulburn to the installation of a 1 MW solar garden at Grong Grong in the Riverina, enabling low-income households and renters to access renewable energy.
“At Ewingsdale near Byron Bay, a grant will enable the installation of 5 MW of solar power and 10 MWh battery energy storage system. The DC coupled battery is a relatively new technology for Australia and enables excess solar energy to be captured more efficiently.”
“In a NSW first, a hydrogen energy storage system will be installed at Manilla alongside a solar-battery system to store renewable energy.
“Hydrogen has the potential to transform our economy and energy mix. World leading green hydrogen initiatives like the Manilla Community Solar project will play a critical role in developing this technology.
“These innovative renewable energy projects will help to make electricity more reliable and affordable for our regional communities.”
The RCEF is funded under the NSW Climate Change Fund to support community energy projects across NSW, improving energy reliability and affordability for regional NSW.
A full list of the successful applicants and projects is available https://energy.nsw.gov.au/regional-community-energy.
Author: admin
Police investigate suspicious blazes at Muswellbrook home
Police are appealing for public assistance after a Muswellbrook home was targeted in two suspicious blazes in the past week.
About 4.30am on Saturday 7 March 2020, NSW Fire and Rescue crews were called to a home on Bligh Street, Muswellbrook, after reports the front of the home was well alight.
Crews extinguished the blaze a short time later.
Then about 5am today (Tuesday 10 March 2020), neighbours contacted emergency services after the same home was fully engulfed in flames.
Fire crews extinguished the blaze a short time later, with officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District establishing a crime scene and commencing investigations.
The home was vacant on both occasions, with the building completely destroyed.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have heard or witnessed any suspicious activity in the area in the early hours of either Saturday 7 or Tuesday 10 March to contact Muswellbrook Police on 6542 6999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man charged over historical alleged sexual assaults of teenage girl in the Bathurst area
Unsolved Homicide detectives have charged a man over alleged sexual assaults, which were uncovered during inquiries into the suspected 1997 murder of Bathurst teenager, Jessica Small.
Jessica Small, aged 15, was abducted by an unknown man in the early hours of Sunday 26 October 1997 from Eglington, near Bathurst. She has not been seen or heard from since and a 2014 Coronial Inquest found that she had been murdered.
Detectives from the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide Unit are continuing to re-investigate the circumstances surrounding Jessica’s abduction and suspected murder under Strike Force Carica II.
As part of their inquiries, strike force investigators received reports a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her in the Bathurst area in the mid-90s.
Following extensive investigations, a 43-year-old man was arrested at Newcastle Police Station earlier today (Tuesday 10 March 2020).
He was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the girl, who was known to him, in 1994 and 1996, when she was aged 17 and 19.
The Bruinbun man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Carica II are ongoing.
A $1 million NSW Government reward remains in place for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible for Jessica’s disappearance and murder.
Govt ignoring frontline sector calls for additional funding to address domestic violence
The Federal Government did not consult with the peak community advisory group before re-announcing $20 million funding for a controversial loan program for domestic violence survivors, an initiative not supported by the sector, the Greens say.
AWAVA [Australian Women Against Violence Alliance] wrote to Women’s Safety Ministers ahead of the meeting last Friday with a key ask to fully fund the specialist services that improve women’s safety and hold men who use violence to account.
“The much-touted meeting of Women’s Safety Ministers is nothing more than a talk fest if it ignores calls from frontline services for additional funding for domestic violence prevention and support,” said Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on women, Senator Larissa Waters.
“Frontline services have been vocal in what they need — more funding for the Family Court, prevention and early intervention programs, specialist legal and support services, crisis accommodation and housing support to improve the family law system.
“We need an urgent investment of $5.3 billion for a new ten-year billion National Partnership Agreement on Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women between state and Federal governments.
“Anything less is a band-aid solution to the national crisis of violence against women.
“Following the meeting, Women’s Safety Ministers have also called for a COAG-level council focussed on domestic violence. It too will fail unless the Government listens to frontline services and provides sustained investment in improving women’s safety,” she said.
STATE-OF-THE ART MRIs OPEN AT NEPEAN HOSPITAL
Nepean Hospital patients will be among the first in Australia to access two next-generation MRI machines under a $6.5 million NSW Government project to improve imaging services.
Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard, joined by Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres, today unveiled the state-of-the-art Ingenia Ambition 1.5T and even more powerful Ingenia EIition 3T magnetic resonance imaging machines.
Mr Hazzard said the two world-class MRI machines are 50 per cent faster, and together will enable clinicians to scan on average 10 more patients each day.
“These state-of-the-art MRI machines also provide images with up to 60 per cent higher resolution than previous models, which means more accurate diagnostics contributing to better outcomes for patients,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The new MRI machines not only directly benefit patients but will also be used by Nepean Hospital researchers to conduct clinical trials as part of their research projects.”
Mr Ayres said patients across the Nepean Blue Mountains region will reap the benefits of the NSW Government’s $6.5 million investment to expand medical imaging at Nepean, one of the state’s busiest hospitals.
“Providing first-class, accessible medical services close to home is a top priority for the NSW Government, which is exactly what we are delivering today to this community,” Mr Ayres said.
Patients have a more comfortable experience inside the machines, which are quieter and have wire-free and contactless monitoring. Fast positioning technology also makes it easier for technicians to align patients in the machines.
The NSW Government has invested $10 billion to deliver more than 130 new and enhanced health facilities statewide since 2011, including the $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment. The NSW Government is also investing $10.1 billion more over the next four years, including more than $900 million for rural and regional areas in 2019-20.
Police investigate East Maitland armed robbery
Police are appealing for public assistance after an armed robbery in the Hunter region overnight.
About 8.45pm (Sunday 8 March 2020), a man entered a fast food restaurant on Lawes Street, East Maitland, armed with a baseball bat.
The man threatened an employee before he fled the scene with a sum of cash in an easterly direction along Lawes Street.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a short time later and established a crime scene.
The man was last seen wearing dark coloured clothing with his face covered.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the nearby area to contact Maitland Police on 4934 0200 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2020
Today we recognise the incredible contribution all women make to our society and the very long way we still have to go to reach gender equality in our country.The tragic and violent events of the last month have been a shocking reminder of the progress Australia still has to make towards true equality.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
Today we recognise the incredible contribution all women make to our society and the very long way we still have to go to reach gender equality in our country.The tragic and violent events of the last month have been a shocking reminder of the progress Australia still has to make towards true equality.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner in our country.
Today we are renewing our call for a national summit on violence against women and children.
This needs to be called out for what it is – an epidemic of toxic male violence and a scourge on our society.
These events do not occur in a vacuum. We recognise that gender inequality contributes to the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia.
Sadly, the Prime Minister has so far rejected our calls for a national summit on this issue. We hope that today he can recognise this would be a valuable thing for our nation and take forward our proposal in a bipartisan manner.
The fact is that under the Morrison Government, Australia is going backwards on gender equality.
Australia is now ranked at 44 out of 153 countries when it comes to gaps between men and women in health, education, work and politics according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.
After almost seven years of Government it is clear the Liberals and Nationals have not done enough to ensure Australian women are paid equally to men in the workplace.
The latest ABS data reveals the gap is 13.9 per cent, with women earning $242.90 a week less than men. This is a disgrace and it is far past time for this to come to an end.
Today we call again on the Morrison Government to help fix this gap by making companies with more than 1,000 employees publicly reveal how much they pay women compared to men. Only through taking this action will we see some real progress. Labor stands ready to support this important and urgent work.
Let’s use International Women’s Day to remind the Morrison Government that there are many benefits to forging a gender equal world.
Northern Connector to open to traffic and bust congestion
South Australians will be spending less time in traffic this long weekend with motorists able to access the new Northern Connector from Saturday morning, 7 March.
The $867 million, six-lane, 110 km/h motorway has created 480 jobs each year and will open up over 43 kilometres of non-stop corridor.
The Northern Connector will have three new lanes in each direction and offer drivers the opportunity to bypass the traffic on the existing route along Port Wakefield Road and the Salisbury Highway.
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the Northern Connector would help drive tourism and jobs in South Australia’s beautiful northern regions.
“The opening of the Northern Connector will reduce travel times for South Australians and interstate and international visitors who want to visit our beautiful regions like the Barossa, Riverland, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and beyond,” said Premier Marshall.
“The Northern Connector will be opening over the March long weekend so people heading north or home over the weekend will have a safer, smoother and faster journey.
“Projects like this not only create jobs during the construction phase, but they also help boost tourism in the regions and economic productivity which supports job creation.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Northern Connector was a game-changer for Adelaide motorists.
“This project is the next piece in the 78-kilometre North-South Corridor that will connect the South Road Superway and Northern Expressway,” Mr Tudge said.
“It also includes 16 kilometres of cycle and pedestrian paths, providing a safe space for all road users.”
South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the Marshall Government had built a $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works that would deliver more projects to reduce travel times and create jobs.
“The opening to traffic on the Northern Connector is only a few days away now and motorists will now have 43 kilometres of non-stop North-South Corridor between the South Road Superway and Gawler,” said Minister Knoll.
“This will improve safety and massively reduce the time people are stuck in traffic, particularly on the busy Port Wakefield road.”
The six-lane motorway will have a posted speed limit of 80 km/h for the first few weeks to enable driver familiarisation and completion of testing.
The Southern Interchange will be reduced to 60 km/h for driver safety.
Finishing works will also continue which may require some lane and speed restrictions, and a temporary closure, to ensure the safety of motorists and workers accessing the site. Advance notice will be provided.
The Australian Government has committed $694 million to the project, with $173 million from the South Australian Government.
COMMUNITY INPUT WANTED ON THE FUTURE OF PLASTICS AND WASTE IN NSW
The NSW Government is seeking community input on its ambitious plan to tackle the use of plastics, reduce waste and pollution and increase recycling across the State.
People will be able to give their feedback on the discussion paper until Friday, 8 May.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Environment Minister Matt Kean have empowered the community to help drive the comprehensive plan to better manage our resources and improve our environment.
“The community has high expectations and we need to make sure we put in place the best plans for the future. We know that we need to do a better job of dealing with our waste and delivering sustainable solutions,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Plastics Plan and 20 Year Waste Strategy will be key to ensuring that NSW is a leader when it comes to reducing waste, maximising recycling and protecting our environment.”
“We also want to make sure any businesses potentially affected by phase outs have enough time to adjust and source sustainable alternatives.”
Mr Kean said our waste industry needs to be sustainable, reliable and affordable, and we want to hear from as many parts of the community as possible, to ensure the strategies we put in place are practical and work for the people of NSW.
The NSW Plastics Plan discussion paper Cleaning Up Our Act: Redirecting the Future of Plastic in NSW outlines a clear pathway to reduce single-use, unnecessary and problematic plastics in NSW and help build our circular economy.
“It sets the stage for the phase-out of priority single-use plastics, tripling the proportion of plastic recycled by 2030, reducing plastic litter by a quarter and making our State a leader in plastics research and development,” Mr Kean said.
“Lightweight plastic bags are proposed to be phased out six months from the passage of legislation with other timelines to be determined after feedback from the public consultation process.”
The waste strategy canvasses options to reduce waste and increase recycling, outlines the opportunities and strategic direction for future waste and recycling infrastructure, and for growing sustainable end markets for recycled materials.
For more information on how to have your say visit yoursay.dpie.nsw.gov.au
WOMEN KICKING GOALS IN BUSINESS
Women are increasingly making their mark in decision making in NSW workplaces with females holding almost 40 per cent of managerial roles, compared to 35 per cent a decade ago.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said it was great to see women having such an impact in the workforce in NSW.
“The new numbers show that we are making great strides towards equal participation in leadership roles – and it’s so fantastic that we are talking about this on International Women’s Day,” she said.
“Female talent brings with it a broad range of real-world experience and I am delighted to see the increased opportunities opening up for women in management and business ownership.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said less than one in four startups in NSW had been founded by women.
“Our State has brilliant women in the startup space and we need to continue to provide the right support for them to flourish and inspire the next generation of businesswomen,” he said.
“The Sydney Startup Hub and its associated programs are an excellent example of the NSW Government’s commitment to help women in startups.”
Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope said NSW had one of the highest proportions of women in small business in Australia.
“Women also account for almost two-thirds of NSW Government sector employees.
“They make a valuable contribution to the workforce and it’s great to see these successes being appropriately celebrated today,” he said.
The NSW Women’s Strategy 2018-2022 aims to encourage more women into small business and includes workshops in regional and rural areas and to deliver Tafe NSW’s online education program to women.
One business that has benefited from NSW Government support is Super-Rewards,
a shopping platform which helps women grow their super balance by directing a percentage of their purchases to their superannuation.
Founder Pascale Helyar-Moray said government investment was helping to grow the business.
“Women retire with only enough superannuation for six years, which translates to about half of what men retire with and we saw that as a real issue,” she said.
“Since we started, we’ve had thousands of users sign up to the platform and we’re seeing hundreds of thousands of sales processed through the platform.”
The initiative launched in October with 100 retailers on board and that number has grown to 170.
Super-Rewards is a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2020 and Pascale has been nominated as a finalist in the Empowered Woman Awards of The Leadership Institute (ANZ).