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NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean has announced the Cans for Koalas recycling appeal as the new Return and Earn major donation partner, with the highly successful Bottles for the Bush appeal concluding.
From 24 February 2020 recyclers in NSW, QLD and NT will have the option to donate their 10c container refund by simply selecting Cans for Koalas on all Return and Earn reverse vending machines.
Mr Kean said the initiative from TOMRA would deliver crucial funding to WWF-Australia’s Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund which is providing ongoing care to wildlife in the wake of the devastating bushfires.
“This initiative provides vital funding to help wildlife recover from the fires, including helping to restore habitats and support the recovery of our beloved koalas and other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras and honeyeaters.
“Bottles for the Bush has been a tremendous achievement and really demonstrated how the spirit of generosity can support our environment, with over $1 million raised for our official Return and Earn donation partners in just over two years.”
Ryan Buzzell, President of TOMRA Collection Solutions Australia is thrilled to be partnering with WWF Australia on this crucial initiative to support Australian wildlife.
“We’re hoping the Cans for Koalas drive will prove just as successful as our Bottles for the Bush initiative, demonstrating the giving nature of Australians.”
“It’s an excellent opportunity for our generous recyclers to continue to donate their 10 cent refunds to help another important cause,” Mr Kean said.
The campaign will run until Sunday 23 August 2020. To find your nearest return point go to cansforkoalas.org.au or visit returnandearn.com.au

Surf life saving clubs in bushfire and drought affected areas across NSW will be prioritised for assistance, as applications open today for $4 million of funding.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said surf life saving clubs are vital community hubs.
“During the recent bushfires, surf life saving clubs up and down our coastline became places of refuge, as thousands were evacuated,” said Mr Barilaro.
“These clubs and the amazing volunteers who run them don’t just save people from drowning, they perform a vital role in helping our community in times of crisis.”
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said grants of $30,000 to $350,000 were available from the NSW Government for upgrade, restoration and construction projects.
“Surf clubs are a crucial part of our society and we need to make sure we protect and upgrade their facilities to keep them modern and versatile,” said Mr Lee.
“When bushfires or drought affect a community, the surf club is often the focal point which unites people and gives them a safe place to share their stories in hard times.”
“The benefits of surf clubs extend far beyond the beach so it is important we help upgrade these facilities so they continue to play their important role for future generations.”
In recent years the program has supported the installation of disabled access ramps at Maroubra Surf Lifesaving Club, clubhouse renovations at Warilla-Barrack Point Surf Lifesaving Club and the refurbishment of Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club.
Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving NSW Steve Pearce said ensuring rescue facilities across NSW remained safe, accessible and secure was a top priority.
“Surf Life Saving Clubs are home base for our volunteers, and this investment allows significant upgrades to improve access for our 75,000 volunteers,” Mr Pearce said.
“With 129 clubs across the State, volunteer surf lifesavers performed 3800 rescues, 197,000 preventative actions and 10,000 first aid treatments last year.”
All NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs are encouraged to apply.
For details visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP

The NSW Government is making sure we have a world-class TAFE and training system that delivers more qualified tradies for the workplaces of the future.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a Review of the system to be led by Mr David Gonski AC and Professor Peter Shergold AC.
“We want students to think of TAFE the same way they think of university, as a leading institution for furthering their education and gaining the skills of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“For some new high tech and high-end jobs, TAFE could become a better option for students than university.
“We need more tradies in existing trades, but we also need to prepare workers in new areas like 3D printing, robotics and other technology industries to provide the jobs of the future in places like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and the Sydney Tech Hub.
“This Review will consider initiatives like a HECS-style program for TAFE students, greater industry involvement in co-designing courses and making sure courses are as up-to-date as possible.
“In 2019-20, the NSW Government is investing $2.3 billion in the Vocational Education and Training sector to build a skilled and employable workforce, which includes approximately $585 million in funding from the Commonwealth.
“TAFE NSW is the largest VET provider in the country, with a budget of $1.85 billion in 2019-20.”
Some of the issues to be examined by the Review will include;

• Opportunities to resolve current skills shortages to benefit the State’s economy
• How TAFE NSW can better work with industry to meet future skills shortages
• Better integration of secondary, vocational and tertiary learning opportunities
• How findings can be implemented through exemplar projects, such as the Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

The Review will report to the NSW Government by July 2020.

Regional NSW is still in the grips of the worst drought on record with 99 per cent of the state still drought affected, despite recent rain in coastal areas and some inland regions.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro today spoke with farmers, families and business owners in Yass, Boorowa, Cowra and Orange about the drought and reassured them that they have not been forgotten.
The recent downpours were a welcome relief, but people need to understand that many parts of the state did not receive a single drop and that 99 per cent of the state, particularly areas like the Far West, Central West and Southern NSW, remain in drought,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The drought is not over, far from it, and I want farmers, families and businesses to know that, while there has quite rightly been much attention given to firefighting and recovery efforts, our focus and commitment to drought support and response has not wavered.
“I am looking forward to the day I can say the drought has broken but that day is not today.
“The recent rain has given a lot of communities hope for the future but for those who have missed out it is a tough pill to swallow. We will continue to stand by them until this drought breaks.”
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall said a further 50mm of rain is forecast on the North Coast for the coming week, following similar falls last week, however it will take months of sustained and widespread rainfall to break the drought.
“I’m sure many people have seen photos of green grass sprouting in some drought affected areas, but the reality is this recent growth is not that widespread and will provide only limited nutritional value for livestock,” Mr Marshall said.
“In farming areas, stored soil moisture levels remain very low, which shows the recent rainfall hasn’t provided the nourishing effect needed to improve conditions, while algal blooms and further fish kills remain a very real possibility across multiple regions.”
Mr Barilaro said as of February 2020, more than $1.9 billion has been committed to the Emergency Drought Relief package to help farmers and regional communities, on top of the $1 billion Safe and Secure Water program which is delivering water infrastructure that boosts drought resilience.
“We haven’t stopped and we won’t stop delivering for drought affected communities. Despite the bushfires, the bushfire recovery operation and despite recent rain, our commitment to regional towns suffering through this overwhelming drought is unwavering.”
For information about NSW Government drought support, go to droughthub.nsw.gov.au

One of the world’s leading experts on the mental health and social impacts of disaster will help lead long term recovery in the aftermath of NSW’s devastating bushfires.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor and Bega MP Andrew Constance were joined by Professor Alexander McFarlane AO on Friday, 21 February as they led a meeting with stakeholders working to deliver recovery efforts across NSW.
Mrs Taylor said the experience of Professor McFarlane will be invaluable, especially as the diverse needs of communities change over time.
“The mental health of the people in fire ravaged communities is incredibly important, we want to make sure that as people rebuild their lives, they also rebuild their sense of wellbeing,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Bushfire recovery is well underway across the state, with different communities at different stages, but each will need access to mental health support for a long time into the future.
“Health experts, agencies, local community leaders, and everyone involved in the critical bushfire recovery process have come together to ensure ongoing, unified and co-ordinated support is provided to make sure no one slips through the cracks.”
Professor McFarlane has guided bushfire recovery efforts for decades, working on the Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday fires, as well as international disasters.
Mr Constance said it is important that we get this part of our recovery right.
“I don’t want to see tragedy follow tragedy, I want anyone affected in any way, shape or form to seek out support, either through their own community group or privately through one of our amazing networks,” Mr Constance said.
“We all need fire care of some description and it may not be now or next week, but we will all need it, I don’t want anyone to be afraid to ask for it.”
The NSW Government has previously announced a recovery package that includes $11.25 million for additional clinical positions which will boost the capacity of mental health teams in fire-affected communities to support people experiencing mental health consequences as result of the bushfires.
An additional deployment of 76 existing health and mental health staff to bushfire affected areas commenced on 6th January, and continue to provide support to affected communities as needed.
Mrs Taylor has urged anyone suffering from trauma or stress as a result of the State’s bushfire crisis to contact their local health service.
The Disaster Welfare Assistance Line is staffed with counselling support and can be accessed by phone on 1800 018 444 
 
More help can be accessed via

• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511,
• Lifeline Australia on 131114, or Lifeline’s dedicated bushfire line on 13 43 57
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636,
• Mensline on 1300 789 978 or
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.