The NSW Government has reaffirmed its commitment to halving rough sleeping across the state by 2025, injecting funds to help tackle the ambitious target.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward has announced the latest figures that show the Government’s record investment of $1 billion a year towards reducing homelessness is making a difference.
“Since March 2017, more than 450 people sleeping rough have been helped into long-term permanent accommodation,” Mr Ward said.
“We also know that 92 per cent of people previously sleeping rough in Sydney who were helped into housing in the two years to March 2019 have sustained their tenancies.”
“We have come a long way in breaking the cycle of rough sleeping across our state, but there is still much more to be done to meet the Premier’s priority.”
Mr Ward also announced a $300,000 investment, to help coordinate project delivery with the non-Government sector through the establishment of the End Street Sleeping Collaboration.
The Hon Graham West, who convenes the group of NGO’s and Government organisations under the landmark agreement signed last year, said it was a vital step forward.
“These funds lay the foundation for the Government’s pursuit of the ambitious targets that we have set in relation to homelessness,” Mr West said.
“It will help establish an office, board and working groups which will drive the collaboration of homelessness services and systems and help break the cycle of rough sleeping in NSW.”
The new body will also co-ordinate data on street sleeping and report on progress towards the Premier’s Priority.
The 2019-20 Budget delivered $1 billion towards a range of homelessness and social and affordable housing programs, which contribute to the Premier’s Priority to reduce rough sleeping across NSW by 50 per cent by 2025.
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$35 MILLION IN NEW LAND CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is entering 38 new conservation agreements with landholders in NSW to protect more than 9,300 hectares of environmentally significant land, including koala habitat.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the BCT is setting aside $35.9 million to support landholders in the Northern Tablelands, North West Plains, Murray, South West Slopes, Lachlan River and Lismore-Ballina.
“These 38 new BCT agreements will help landowners protect new conservation areas, threatened species, and pristine landscapes,” Mr Kean said.
“These landholders will earn from $21 to $423 per hectare per year over the life of the agreements to manage parts of their property to help protect native and threatened species.”
Through the BCT, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has committed more than $350 million over the next five years to help protect and conserve the environment, plants and animals.
In just over a year since being established, the BCT has now conserved more than 29,000 hectares of land through 133 private land conservation agreements.
Some of the landscapes being conserved include Grey Box Woodland, Sandhill Pine Woodland, Coolibah-Black Box Woodland, and Brigalow and Myall Woodland. In the Lismore-Ballina area, regionally important koala habitat is being protected.
“The response from landholders to these conservation tenders is overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Kean said.
“We have some of the most beautiful landscapes and pristine natural areas in the country. I want to make sure we are protecting our environment in NSW because I want to leave it in a better state than the one we inherited.”
Conservation tenders are just one way the BCT encourages landholders to protect parts of their land for biodiversity conservation.
For more information about the BCT, visit https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/
International honours for Smart City success
A brace of awards at the IDC Smart Cities Asia-Pacific Awards has confirmed City of Newcastle’s standing as a leading smart city.
The Smart City Infrastructure component of the Hunter Innovation Project (HIP) was announced outright winner of the ‘Land Use and Planning’ category among an illustrious field of contenders including Singapore.
The City’s Smart Moves Newcastle – Mobility Projects also shared top honours in the ‘Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Public Transit and Rideshare’ category with Chinese tech powerhouse Shenzhen.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the twin wins, which follow the Smart City of the Year Metropolitan prize in May, proved Newcastle’s modernisation wasn’t going unnoticed internationally.
“Of the seven Australian projects nominated as finalists in the 2019 round of the IDC Smart City awards, Newcastle was the only city to come away with wins,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It speaks volumes to our growing stature that we are mixing it with, and beating, established Asia-Pacific smart cities like Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Busan, Auckland, Taipei and Singapore.”
Now in its fifth year, the IDC smart cities awards honour the initiatives implemented by Asia-Pac cities to use technology to improve operations and better serve citizens. The awards are judged by IDC experts, an international advisory panel and a public vote.
This $7 million three-year HIP project forms part of the broader $17 million collaboration of smart city ideas, facilities and infrastructure by City of Newcastle, the NSW Government, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Now and Hunter DiGiT.
HIP has introduced smart city technology into the city’s public spaces, including communications networks connecting Australia’s largest installation of smart poles, smart lighting, free public WiFi and a soon-to-launch environmental sensor network, and Internet of Things (IoT) lab.
“The digital technologies and sensor capabilities enabled through the Hunter Innovation Project’s smart city infrastructure are a game-changer for the City,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This technology forms infrastructure capable of powering intelligent economic growth.
“It’ll help us manage our city based on data, and attract innovators, businesses and industries who want to be part of our digital revolution.”
The Smart Moves Newcastle – Mobility Project is using technology-enabled infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, smart bus stops and bike sharing programs, while introducing new modes of transport, including a driverless vehicle.
The project is funded by a $5 million grant though the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program and delivered with Transport for NSW, Keolis Downer Hunter, Bykko, and research programs by the University of Newcastle studying behaviours and prototyping new sensor technology.
For more information on the IDC Smart Cities Asia-Pacific Award, visit https://www.idc.com/ap/smartcities/
The Smart City Infrastructure component of the Hunter Innovation Project (HIP) was announced outright winner of the ‘Land Use and Planning’ category among an illustrious field of contenders including Singapore.
The City’s Smart Moves Newcastle – Mobility Projects also shared top honours in the ‘Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Public Transit and Rideshare’ category with Chinese tech powerhouse Shenzhen.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the twin wins, which follow the Smart City of the Year Metropolitan prize in May, proved Newcastle’s modernisation wasn’t going unnoticed internationally.
“Of the seven Australian projects nominated as finalists in the 2019 round of the IDC Smart City awards, Newcastle was the only city to come away with wins,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It speaks volumes to our growing stature that we are mixing it with, and beating, established Asia-Pacific smart cities like Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Busan, Auckland, Taipei and Singapore.”
Now in its fifth year, the IDC smart cities awards honour the initiatives implemented by Asia-Pac cities to use technology to improve operations and better serve citizens. The awards are judged by IDC experts, an international advisory panel and a public vote.
This $7 million three-year HIP project forms part of the broader $17 million collaboration of smart city ideas, facilities and infrastructure by City of Newcastle, the NSW Government, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Now and Hunter DiGiT.
HIP has introduced smart city technology into the city’s public spaces, including communications networks connecting Australia’s largest installation of smart poles, smart lighting, free public WiFi and a soon-to-launch environmental sensor network, and Internet of Things (IoT) lab.
“The digital technologies and sensor capabilities enabled through the Hunter Innovation Project’s smart city infrastructure are a game-changer for the City,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This technology forms infrastructure capable of powering intelligent economic growth.
“It’ll help us manage our city based on data, and attract innovators, businesses and industries who want to be part of our digital revolution.”
The Smart Moves Newcastle – Mobility Project is using technology-enabled infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, smart bus stops and bike sharing programs, while introducing new modes of transport, including a driverless vehicle.
The project is funded by a $5 million grant though the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs program and delivered with Transport for NSW, Keolis Downer Hunter, Bykko, and research programs by the University of Newcastle studying behaviours and prototyping new sensor technology.
For more information on the IDC Smart Cities Asia-Pacific Award, visit https://www.idc.com/ap/smartcities/
City wheels out first driverless vehicle
The future of automated transport has arrived in Newcastle with the City’s brand-new driverless shuttle bus unveiled today.
Wrapped in City of Newcastle’s branding, the 11-seater vehicle was revealed for the first time by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at Keolis Downer’s Hamilton depot, where rigorous safety testing will soon commence before passengers can enjoy the unique service along the harbour foreshore.
KD Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop with the Lord Mayor and KD’s Sue Wiblin.
The Lord Mayor said it was fascinating to inspect the driverless vehicle ahead of its initial 12-month trial.
“This is a major milestone for the city’s smart city journey, and I look forward to working with Transport for NSW and partners Keolis Downer on this unique opportunity to make the future of automated transport in Newcastle a reality as we transform the city into a living lab,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“The City’s vision for a smart, integrated transport network begins in earnest with the arrival of this new driverless vehicle, which we propose connecting with Newcastle’s integrated public transport network.”
“We are planning for passengers to be able to take in views of the City’s harbour along the proposed 2km loop service, from Watt Street along Wharf Road to Nobbys and back, making it very appealing to tourists. A larger circuit will include some of Newcastle’s other beachside destinations after a couple of months.”
KD Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop with the Lord Mayor and KD’s Sue Wiblin.
Keolis Downer New Mobilities Manager Sue Wiblin confirmed the trial was being developed in accordance with national and state legislation and regulations to ensure it met all safety standards.
“Over the next month, we will complete a rigorous safety testing program, on road and off road, to prepare the vehicle for customer services,” Ms Wiblin said.
“In-built computers and sensing systems capable of detecting obstacles, anticipating movement and evaluating risk of collision, are what sets this vehicle apart from the risks associated with human-controlled cars.
“These systems are capable of detecting vehicle movement and are also able determine the travel route, make decisions to slow down, brake and alternate the vehicle’s path if required.”
While the vehicle is fully automated, a chaperone, who will always be onboard during operations, will be able to stop the vehicle via an override system if required.
Testing will be carried out before the service is launched.
When launched, the trial will help gauge demand for driverless vehicle operations and assess their suitability in mixed traffic and transport scenarios in Newcastle.
Wrapped in City of Newcastle’s branding, the 11-seater vehicle was revealed for the first time by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at Keolis Downer’s Hamilton depot, where rigorous safety testing will soon commence before passengers can enjoy the unique service along the harbour foreshore.
KD Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop with the Lord Mayor and KD’s Sue Wiblin.The Lord Mayor said it was fascinating to inspect the driverless vehicle ahead of its initial 12-month trial.
“This is a major milestone for the city’s smart city journey, and I look forward to working with Transport for NSW and partners Keolis Downer on this unique opportunity to make the future of automated transport in Newcastle a reality as we transform the city into a living lab,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“The City’s vision for a smart, integrated transport network begins in earnest with the arrival of this new driverless vehicle, which we propose connecting with Newcastle’s integrated public transport network.”
“We are planning for passengers to be able to take in views of the City’s harbour along the proposed 2km loop service, from Watt Street along Wharf Road to Nobbys and back, making it very appealing to tourists. A larger circuit will include some of Newcastle’s other beachside destinations after a couple of months.”
KD Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop with the Lord Mayor and KD’s Sue Wiblin.Keolis Downer New Mobilities Manager Sue Wiblin confirmed the trial was being developed in accordance with national and state legislation and regulations to ensure it met all safety standards.
“Over the next month, we will complete a rigorous safety testing program, on road and off road, to prepare the vehicle for customer services,” Ms Wiblin said.
“In-built computers and sensing systems capable of detecting obstacles, anticipating movement and evaluating risk of collision, are what sets this vehicle apart from the risks associated with human-controlled cars.
“These systems are capable of detecting vehicle movement and are also able determine the travel route, make decisions to slow down, brake and alternate the vehicle’s path if required.”
While the vehicle is fully automated, a chaperone, who will always be onboard during operations, will be able to stop the vehicle via an override system if required.
Testing will be carried out before the service is launched.
When launched, the trial will help gauge demand for driverless vehicle operations and assess their suitability in mixed traffic and transport scenarios in Newcastle.
Nuclear waste dump process must be independent
The Greens have called for the process to select a nuclear waste site to be halted, and an independent, expert panel to take over, amid deep concerns about the sidelining of the community and Traditional Owners.
“Today’s revelations that Kimba is the preferred site for an expanded nuclear waste dump are deeply troubling,” Greens nuclear spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The entire process has been badly botched from the start, with community concerns ignored and the Adnyamathanha and Barngarla people sidelined.
“The Minister has serious questions to answer. He must clarify immediately whether a site has been selected and if the site will be expanded.
“The ongoing mismanagement of the process makes it clearer than ever that this must not be left in the hands of the Minister. An independent, expert inquiry needs to be established.
“South Australia is not going to just roll over and be the country’s dumping ground. This plan would lock generations of South Australians to nuclear waste. We are proud of our clean, green agriculture industry and beautiful natural environment. It must be protected.”
Minister Howarth’s Homelessness Gaffe Shows He Is Completely Out of Touch
Australian Greens Senator and Housing Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has called the Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Servicer, Luke Howarth MP, completely out of touch for his comments around putting a ‘positive spin’ to homelessness and housing stress.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Minister Howarth is completely out of touch if he thinks there is any way to positively spin the number of people who are homeless. What an incredibly insensitive gaffe.
“The fact that this Minister thinks that the housing crisis only affects a small number of people is very worrying. What about the more than 118,000 people who are homeless, the 189,000 people on public housing waiting lists or the more than a million Australians in housing stress.
“Instead of trying to spin the homeslessness problem, the Federal Government must show leadership in tackling the housing crisis by making an unprecedented investment in social and community housing.
“The Greens have a plan to build 500,000 new public and community homes through a Federal Housing Trust. Everyone has the right to a safe, secure and permanent home.
“Crisis accommodation is important but isn’t a long term solution. We need to build more affordable housing to ensure everyone has a roof over their head,” she concluded.
$35 MILLION IN NEW LAND CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is entering 38 new conservation agreements with landholders in NSW to protect more than 9,300 hectares of environmentally significant land, including koala habitat.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the BCT is setting aside $35.9 million to support landholders in the Northern Tablelands, North West Plains, Murray, South West Slopes, Lachlan River and Lismore-Ballina.
“These 38 new BCT agreements will help landowners protect new conservation areas, threatened species, and pristine landscapes,” Mr Kean said.
“These landholders will earn from $21 to $423 per hectare per year over the life of the agreements to manage parts of their property to help protect native and threatened species.”
Through the BCT, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has committed more than $350 million over the next five years to help protect and conserve the environment, plants and animals.
In just over a year since being established, the BCT has now conserved more than 29,000 hectares of land through 133 private land conservation agreements.
Some of the landscapes being conserved include Grey Box Woodland, Sandhill Pine Woodland, Coolibah-Black Box Woodland, and Brigalow and Myall Woodland. In the Lismore-Ballina area, regionally important koala habitat is being protected.
“The response from landholders to these conservation tenders is overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Kean said.
“We have some of the most beautiful landscapes and pristine natural areas in the country. I want to make sure we are protecting our environment in NSW because I want to leave it in a better state than the one we inherited.”
Conservation tenders are just one way the BCT encourages landholders to protect parts of their land for biodiversity conservation.
For more information about the BCT, visit https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/
Money for Murray-Darling must be frozen
The Greens have called for an immediate freeze on money for Murray-Darling water projects until the Auditor-General can review payments and water recovery.
“Last night’s Four Corners shows the rorting of taxpayer funds for the benefit of big business is not a thing of the past – it’s still happening. And it continues to harm rather than fix our most important river system,” Greens water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Two years ago Four Corners rocked the country when they shone a light on the scandalous use of taxpayer funds in the Murray-Darling. Since then, nothing has been fixed and big business continues to brazenly rort the system for their own benefit.
“Most of the $13 billion allocated for the plan has been spent and where is the water? The Auditor-General must be brought in to investigate immediately. We urgently need to get more water to the river, business-as-usual will only leave it high and dry.
“Despite continuing scandals and disasters in the Basin, the government continues to sit on its hands. They must take urgent action, stop the rorts and hold those responsible to account.
“Years ago, Barnaby Joyce bragged he was more interested in looking after his big irrigator mates than the River. Last night we saw that is exactly what he and his National Party mates have been doing.
“Basin communities, family farmers and Australian taxpayers deserve answers. The only way to get them is with a federal Royal Commission.”
Students in Distress: New Reports Shows Majority of Students are Impacted by Housing and Food Insecurity
Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Education, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to today’s release of the 2018 Higher Education Accommodation and Financial Stress Survey that shows high levels of student financial and psychological distress.
The survey found:
- Nearly two-thirds of international and domestic students (64%) work while they study and domestic students worked an average of 17 hours per week during the semester.
- Around half (53%) of students reported high to very high levels of psychological distress, which is significantly higher than the population prevalence of psychological distress, where 13% of adults experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.
- Three-quarters of students with a job (78%) reported that the number of hours they worked had an impact on at least one area of study.
- More than half of students (55%) reported that financial stress impacted at least one area of study.
- Around one quarter (26%) of all students in the sample reported that issues concerning being able to afford safe and secure accommodation impacted at least one area of study.
- A quarter of students (26%) are experience food insecurity and 15% reported experiencing hunger or not eating because there wasn’t enough money for food since enrolling in their current course.
Senator Faruqi said:
“These statistics demonstrate the Government has abandoned students to face a high cost of living and extreme stress on their own. Instead of focussing on studying, students are too often struggling to get by.
“As former academic, I have seen first hand the sacrifices that students make to study, including taking on second or even third jobs while they study. Students should be able to focus on learning, not on where their next meal is coming from.
“We know that rural and regional students that study in expensive major cities particularly face a huge burden in finding affordable housing that allows them the security of a roof over their heads while they study.
“We should all be concerned that more than half of students say that their studies are impacted by financial stress and a quarter experience food insecurity.
“It’s outrageous that students regularly go without food and other necessities while they study. They shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice their studies to work nearly twenty hours a week just to make ends meet.
“TAFE and uni should be free for all. We should urgently increase student payments like Youth Allowance by at least $75 a week and properly fund mental health services to give students the support they deserve,” she concluded.
SA leading the way on single-use plastics
The Greens have praised the South Australian Liberal government for continuing the state’s leadership on the environment with a ban on single-use plastics. They will continue to work toward a ban on single-use plastics at a national level with a Bill to be introduced to the Senate.
“South Australians are proud of their environmental credentials. We’ve led the way on renewables, and now the Marshall government is listening to the people and moving beyond single-use plastics,” SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“It’s well past time to act on this issue. With the extinction crisis looming, we know reducing pollution is an important step.
“For too long single-use plastics have been unregulated, choking our waterways, oceans, and beaches.
“This is real leadership. I will be writing to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to encourage him to follow the lead of South Australians.
“We will continue to work toward a nation-wide ban on single-use plastics with plans to bring legislation to the Senate in the coming months.”