A group of North West primary producers are a step closer to unlocking their full business potential by expanding into farm-based tourism, thanks to an innovative NSW Government pilot program.
NSW Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope today joined 10 farmers at a property in Premer for the last of six workshops under the Agritourism pilot program, which has been underway in the Liverpool Plains Shire Council area since March.
“This program is all about mentoring and up-skilling farmers so they can innovate and diversify, with a particular focus on tourism expansion,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The farmers here today are in the final stage of developing their chosen venture, which includes everything from farm stays, Indigenous cultural tours, roadside stalls, on farm camping and wedding receptions.”
Mr Tudehope said farmers were doing it tough with the ongoing drought crippling the state, with those in the North West particularly hard hit.
“Initiatives such as the Agritourism pilot can help keep primary producers on the land while boosting regional jobs and economies. Agritourism is a growing sector. Between 2015 and 2018 an average of around four million tourists visited a farm in Australia each year – that’s an increase of more than 50 per cent in just over a decade.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said pilot programmes like these boost visitors and expenditure in regional communities when they need it most.
“Regional tourism in NSW directly employs more than 90,000 people, and we are committed to continuing to help grow opportunities for those who have helped generate record numbers of visitors to NSW this year.”
The Agritourism pilot – a joint partnership between the NSW Small Business Commission and Service NSW – will soon expand to include the Wollondilly Shire Council and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Local Government Areas.
Author: admin
GREENS DECLARE CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE STRIKERS
At the Australian Greens National Conference last weekend, the Australian Greens moved and passed a motion declaring a climate emergency, and a motion calling on people to join in the September 20 climate strike. Greens Deputy Leader and climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said it was now time for other parties and parliaments across Australia to join the Greens by demonstrating their unequivocal recognition of the scale of the crisis facing us.
“A climate emergency requires an emergency response. It means putting the climate crisis at the centre of all policy and planning decisions and mobilising the whole of government and society to protect Australia’s people and ecology,” said Mr Bandt.
“The Greens have declared a climate emergency and now the Australian Parliament must follow suit.
“If our politicians refuse to acknowledge we’re in a climate emergency, we’ll never act with the urgency and speed required to avoid this existential threat.
“Even BHP has acknowledged the climate crisis. When a multinational mining giant and one of the world’s top polluters shows climate leadership, the Australian Parliament can no longer refuse to act.
“By the end of the year, we hope to pass a motion through Parliament acknowledging the climate emergency.
“The Greens are also proud to support the growing climate strike movement and the September 20 strike in Australia and across the world.
“Greta Thunberg and the students all around the world who have joined her are demanding action from politicians and there’s no doubt that the mob in power in Australia are failing them.
“Over the weekend, the Greens reaffirmed that we back these climate strikers all the way.
“The Greens are encouraging as many people, students or otherwise, to turn out for the global climate strike on September 20.
“We are running out of time. On September 20, we will speak truth to power about the climate emergency and push for the action that the science and the students are demanding.”
BHP SHOWING MORE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP THAN MOST OF PARLIAMENT: BANDT
Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today welcomed comments by BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie, but expressed dismay that the head of one of the world’s most polluting companies appears to be taking the climate emergency more seriously than the Liberal and Labor parties.
Mr Bandt urged BHP to follow its strong words with real, durable action, noting that it was named one of the top 100 polluting companies in the world.
“BHP has joined the war on global warming,” said Mr Bandt.
“Multinational mining giants are now using the same language as the school strike for climate.
“I never thought I’d say the words that Liberal and Labor should take a leaf out of BHP’s book, but it sounds like BHP recognises the climate emergency as a clear and present danger, unlike the old parties.
“The Australian government must now follow the United Kingdom, France, Canada and others by declaring a climate emergency.”
TAYLOR'S 'OPEN MIND' ON NUCLEAR ENERGY IS FRIGHTENING: BANDT
Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that Angus Taylor’s comments that he had an “open mind” on the use of nuclear energy, following Barnaby Joyce’s push for nuclear, shows the energy debate in this country is getting hijacked by right-wing ideologues with a fixation on dangerous technologies like nuclear and coal.
Mr Bandt warned that lifting the nuclear moratorium opens Australia up to a Chernobyl-style meltdown in Australia.
“No-one who wants to keep Australians safe from global warming and nuclear meltdowns would have an ‘open mind’ on nuclear energy,” said Mr Bandt.
“The Minister took a tiny step forward by admitting pollution is rising in Australia, but he’ll take 50 steps back unless he closes his mind to nuclear power.
“The gap between fantasy and reality with this government is growing. On Sunday, the share of renewables in the NEM hit more than 43% yet on Tuesday, the Energy Minister is playing footsies with nuclear power.”
Press freedom under the microscope as Senate launches inquiry
Freedom of the press and whistle-blower protection will finally get the hearing they deserve as the Senate votes in favour of an inquiry to be chaired by Senator Hanson-Young.
“This week’s arrest of four French journalists highlights how badly we need to rethink press freedom in Australia,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Press and whistle blower protections have been steadily eroded and the government just wants to sweep this under the carpet.
“Today the Senate voted for an inquiry into press freedom and whistle-blower protection showing that there are some in our Parliament who care about a frank and fearless media.
“The raids on the ABC and a Newscorp journalist sent chills through the country. The erosions of freedoms in Australia must be wound back.
“The ability of citizens to speak truth to power must be maintained and that is why whistle blowers must be protected and journalists allowed to do their job.
“This inquiry will get to the bottom of what has gone on and ensure a future for a free press in Australia.”
Terms of reference
That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by the third sitting day of December 2019:
- disclosure and public reporting of sensitive and classified information, including the appropriate regime for warrants regarding journalists and media organisations and adequacy of existing legislation;
- the whistle blower protection regime and protections for public sector employees;
- the adequacy of referral practices of the Australian Government in relation to leaks of sensitive and classified information;
- appropriate culture, practice and leadership for Government and senior public employees;
- mechanisms to ensure that the Australian Federal Police have sufficient independence to effectively and impartially carry out their investigatory and law enforcement responsibilities in relation to politically sensitive matters; and
- any related matters.
Cycleways and green space for the West End
Separated cycle ways, new dedicated green spaces and wider streets to improve pedestrian and traffic flows will be built in the City’s emerging CBD following the adoption of the West End Stage 2 – Streetscape Plan.
The West End improvements were given the green light from Councillors last night after 85 per cent of those surveyed during the 28-day public exhibition period put forward their support for the plan.
How Denison Street could look under the new urban streetscape designs
Of those surveyed, 93 per cent said they supported an increase to green spaces, while 89 per cent agreed that better cycleways and public domain improvements – such as an increase in public art – were important to them.
Traffic improvements, alfresco dining options and the creation of ‘rain gardens’, self-watering, low-maintenance gardens designed to protect our rivers and creeks by capturing stormwater that runs off hard surfaces when it rains, also received support across the nine survey questions.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the results showed the public was behind the City’s vision for the future.
“It shows that there is a strong appetite for people to see our vision to create a vibrant, connected and liveable city, realised,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Together with our plans to upgrade Birdwood and Little Birdwood Park as part of Stage 1, we will create a safe, accessible precinct around the Newcastle Interchange where vibrant streetscapes will encourage more public and active transport use.
“Both plans will support the growth of Newcastle’s new CBD in the west and cultural precinct in the east.”
Steel Street, looking north, with wider streets and new-look paving
Five green spaces totalling an area larger than a football field will be built in the west to reduce the risks of a ‘heat island’ effect, which see built-up urban areas become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
A safe, separated east-west cycleway in the Stage 2 plan will stretch from Wickham Park to Union Street along Hunter Street’s southern edge, running between the footpath and a new island bus stop with greenery outside the “Spotlight” corner.
Another separated cycleway will run north from National Park to Honeysuckle along the western side of Steel Street better connecting the Junction and Merewether with the harbour foreshore.
New crossings will also be created for pedestrians along Hunter Street as part of the Stage 2 upgrades.
The City will update the community when the construction timetable is determined.
The West End improvements were given the green light from Councillors last night after 85 per cent of those surveyed during the 28-day public exhibition period put forward their support for the plan.
How Denison Street could look under the new urban streetscape designsOf those surveyed, 93 per cent said they supported an increase to green spaces, while 89 per cent agreed that better cycleways and public domain improvements – such as an increase in public art – were important to them.
Traffic improvements, alfresco dining options and the creation of ‘rain gardens’, self-watering, low-maintenance gardens designed to protect our rivers and creeks by capturing stormwater that runs off hard surfaces when it rains, also received support across the nine survey questions.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the results showed the public was behind the City’s vision for the future.
“It shows that there is a strong appetite for people to see our vision to create a vibrant, connected and liveable city, realised,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Together with our plans to upgrade Birdwood and Little Birdwood Park as part of Stage 1, we will create a safe, accessible precinct around the Newcastle Interchange where vibrant streetscapes will encourage more public and active transport use.
“Both plans will support the growth of Newcastle’s new CBD in the west and cultural precinct in the east.”
Steel Street, looking north, with wider streets and new-look pavingFive green spaces totalling an area larger than a football field will be built in the west to reduce the risks of a ‘heat island’ effect, which see built-up urban areas become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
A safe, separated east-west cycleway in the Stage 2 plan will stretch from Wickham Park to Union Street along Hunter Street’s southern edge, running between the footpath and a new island bus stop with greenery outside the “Spotlight” corner.
Another separated cycleway will run north from National Park to Honeysuckle along the western side of Steel Street better connecting the Junction and Merewether with the harbour foreshore.
New crossings will also be created for pedestrians along Hunter Street as part of the Stage 2 upgrades.
The City will update the community when the construction timetable is determined.
Council Update Tuesday 23 July 2019
Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 23 July 2019. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
A LMM requesting that a submission be made to the Joint Select Committee regarding Sydney’s night-time economy, was endorsed. The submission will refer to information relating to the City’s own progress in this area through the Newcastle After Dark Strategy.
A LMM congratulating former Newcastle MP Jodie McKay’s election as NSW leader of the Opposition, was endorsed.
Ordinary Business
Supplementary report – Public Exhibition of the Code of Meeting Practice
Council resolved to place a new Code of Meeting Practice on public exhibition for 42 days. The key change to the Code is to allow for an extension of time for Councillor speeches from three minutes to five minutes.
Exhibition of Draft Community Participation Plan
Councillors voted to place the Draft Community Participation Plan on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. The plan will outline how and when City of Newcastle (CN) will engage with the community across the planning functions it performs under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Adoption of Amendment to Newcastle DCP 2012 – section 6.02 Heritage Conservation Areas
Councillors supported a motion to amend Newcastle’s Development Control Plan. The amendments address matters relating to the classification of buildings within Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs). The new provisions will provide guidance on Development Application submission requirements when the development is within an HCA.
Special Business Rate Expenditure Policy
A new financial incentive scheme, known as the Special Business Rate expenditure policy, which allows businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups to apply for around $900,000 to attract more people into the City’s business areas, was supported.
Adoption of the West End Streetscape – Stage 2 Plan
Councillors voted to adopt the West End Stage 2 – Streetscape Plan which will deliver Safe, separated cycle ways, new dedicated green spaces and wider streets ensuring improved pedestrian and motorist traffic flows in West End.
Notices of Motion
Urban Heat Island Research Project
A NOM requesting City of Newcastle holds a public forum on research projects into the Urban Heat Island effect across Newcastle, and outlines possible actions that City of Newcastle may be able to take to mitigate urban warming, was supported.
Rehabilitation of Throsby Creek
A NOM requesting councillors be afforded a public briefing from a member of the Throsby Creek Government Agencies Committee and City Staff in relation to actions outlined in the Throsby Creek Catchment Plan, was supported.
Pollinator Planting Program
Councillors supported a NOM to receive a report on the options for amending the City of Newcastle Urban Forestry Policy and Street Tree Selection Manual. The report will help improve the provision of pollinator forage on City-managed land in Newcastle, including bees and native pollinators.
Public access audit of Automated External Defibrillators
A NOM requesting staff conduct and publish an audit of publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the LGA to determine the extent of current availability, and future needs, for AEDs at City of Newcastle facilities, was supported.
Gregson Park plan of management and enhancements
A NOM requesting a workshop for Councillors to outline the Plan of Management process for Gregson Park, including opportunities for the community to provide feedback regarding upgrades and future uses of Gregson Park, was supported.
Press freedom under threat as French journalists arrested reporting on Adani
Further police crackdown on journalists highlights importance of Senate inquiry into press freedom, Greens say.
“The arrest of journalists in Queensland today is incredibly alarming,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“A free press is a fundamental pillar of democracy and it seems, here in Australia, it is under threat. Arresting journalists for doing their job has eerie echoes of a police state.
“The impact of what is happening in the Galilee Basin will affect us all and it is imperative that the community debate and concern can be reported on.
“We urgently need a thorough examination of press freedom in Australia to ensure those who hold power to account are able to keep doing their job without fear or favour. The Senate has the opportunity to vote for just such an inquiry tomorrow.
“Australia’s international reputation is at stake when foreign journalists are arrested, held and charged for reporting what is going on in Australia.”
Terms of reference
That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by the third sitting day of December 2019:
- disclosure and public reporting of sensitive and classified information, including the appropriate regime for warrants regarding journalists and media organisations and adequacy of existing legislation;
- the whistle blower protection regime and protections for public sector employees;
- the adequacy of referral practices of the Australian Government in relation to leaks of sensitive and classified information;
- appropriate culture, practice and leadership for Government and senior public employees;
- mechanisms to ensure that the Australian Federal Police have sufficient independence to effectively and impartially carry out their investigatory and law enforcement responsibilities in relation to politically sensitive matters; and
- any related matters.
Re-introducing The Future Drought Fund
The Government will again seek to establish a new, secure, revenue stream to enable drought resilience, preparedness and recovery. The Government will re-introduce legislation to establish the Future Drought Fund (the Fund), which will grow to be worth $5 billion to support rural and regional communities.
In February, Labor abandoned Australian farmers and the rural and regional communities they support by voting against the Future Drought Fund. This despite their own Senators clearly supporting the Bill during the Senate committee inquiry into it.
Labor now have a second chance to do the right thing by Australian communities that are suffering the effects of drought by supporting this important legislation.
Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said that the Fund would guarantee a long-term source of funding to support important projects that will build drought resilience in Australia’s regions.
“The Future Drought Fund will support research, development and innovation to contribute to a sustainable and drought resilient agriculture sector in Australia,” Minister Littleproud said.
“If Labor decide to vote against this Bill again it will be one of the lowest acts I’ve seen in Australian politics. To politicise the misery of Australian farmers would be as low as you could get.”
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said that Labor needed to support the legislation, which would provide reliable and sustainable funding for drought relief and resilience projects into the future.
“The Future Drought Fund was announced in the 2018-19 MYEFO. We took it to the 2019 election. Labor needs to respect the wishes of Australia’s regional farming communities and support this legislation,” he said.
The re-introduced legislation includes amendments proposed in the House of Representatives by the former Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, and supported by Government and other Members of the House of Representatives crossbench.
The exposure drafts of the Future Drought Fund Bill 2019 and the Future Drought Fund Bill (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 and the accompanying draft Explanatory Memorandum are publicly available at https://www.finance.gov.au/australian-government-investment-funds/governance/.
Murray-Darling in the spotlight as Parliament set to debate Royal Commission
The debate on establishing a Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling will begin today in the Senate, with a Greens Bill to establish a commission of inquiry.
“This Parliament has a chance to get to the bottom of the Murray-Darling’s woes and ensure those responsible for its ill-health are held to account,” Greens water spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Like the Banking Royal Commission, the Senate’s support for a bill to establish a commission is an essential step in cleaning up the management of the Murray-Darling and stopping the rorts.
“Farmers, communities and ecosystems throughout the Basin are suffering. We know there are problems with the way it is being managed, and Australians deserve answers.
“Most of the money allocated for the Plan has been spent and the River is still in deep trouble. The only way to ensure we get the answers we need, and those responsible are held to account, is with a comprehensive Royal Commission.
“The South Australia Royal Commission began this important work but was hampered by the refusal of the federal government and other Basin States to participate. A million fish dead and revelations of ongoing mismanagement mean we must have answers.
“Our Bill will be before the Parliament today and I urge every Senator to do the right thing by the River, River communities and the environment and support a Royal Commission.”
Link to Bill: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1187
Terms of reference
(1) The Commission must inquire and advise the Parliament in relation to the following matters:
(a) any misconduct relating to, or affecting, the management of the Basin water resources;
(b) the legislative and administrative framework for implementing, managing and enforcing the Basin Plan;
(c) the impact that the implementation, management and enforcement of the Basin Plan has had on the environment, agriculture and communities that rely on the Basin water resources;
(d) the suitability and effectiveness of the existing legislative and administrative framework for the management of the Basin water resources, including any adverse effects that framework has had on the management of the Basin water resources (whether or not those effects are the result of misconduct);
(e) the allocation of funds by the Commonwealth and the Basin States to implement the Basin Plan, and the impact of funded projects (including water buybacks and efficiency measures) in facilitating environmental watering in the Murray-Darling Basin;
(f) the likely impact of climate change to the Basin water resources, and any appropriate measures to take to adapt those resources in light of that impact;
(g) any matter reasonably incidental to a matter mentioned in the above paragraphs.
(2) Without limiting paragraph (1)(a), misconduct includes any conduct of a person or body (whether or not a public agency):
(a) that adversely affects, or that could adversely affect, either directly or indirectly, the honest or impartial performance or exercise of a public agency’s functions or powers; or
(b) that constitutes or involves an offence against a law of the Commonwealth or a law of the State; or
(c) that constitutes or involves a contravention of a civil penalty provision under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State; or
(d) that would attract any other penalty under a law of the Commonwealth or a State, including a breach of a standard or licence condition; or
(e) that constitutes or involves breach of trust, fraud in office, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, oppression, extortion or imposition.
(3) The Commission is not required to inquire, or to continue to inquire, into a particular matter to the extent that it is satisfied that the matter has been, is being, or will be, sufficiently and appropriately dealt with by:
(a) another inquiry or investigation; or
(b) a criminal or civil proceeding.
(4) In inquiring and advising in accordance with subsection (1), the Commission may give priority to matters which, in the Commission’s opinion, have greater potential for harm.