Category: Uncategorised

Transport for NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service have partnered to launch a trial registration exemption for farmers to help rural firefighting efforts this bushfire season.

Farmers can play a key role in protecting their own or neighbouring properties in the event of a bush or a grass fire, particularly before emergency response personnel are able to attend the fire.

Now, during a trial period that ends on 31 March, the NSW Government is allowing farmers to drive vehicles they use for firefighting purposes unregistered within a 100km radius of their home.

Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) tend to be vehicles used to move around farm properties and not on public roads, and therefore may not be registered.

The legal use of these vehicles on public roads to attend nearby fires is an important change during the final few months of the bushfire season, and is something many farmers and rural advocates have been calling for.

The RFS has recognised the value of these vehicles and the important role farmers play in firefighting efforts in rural areas.

As well as staying within a 100km radius of the storage address, the vehicle must be maintained in a safe operating condition and have fire-fighting equipment permanently attached to be eligible for the exemption.

The trial will run until 31 March 2024 and will inform future options for FFFVs.

Find further information and nominate a vehicle for the trial.

Farmers can also contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit their nearest Service NSW centre.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The Labor Government is committed to exploring innovative solutions to help out with rural firefighting efforts and this trial will do just that.

“For the duration of the trial, farmers will see the removal of red tape that will allow them to ready vehicles for protecting land, property, stocks and crops.

“The mosquito fleet as it’s affectionately known, has been an incredible asset for regional, rural and remote areas and I am glad the Labor Government is supporting the farmers to continue their vital, life saving work.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Landholders in rural areas can play a key firefighting role and this trial allows us to test an arrangement that rural advocates have been calling for.

“February and March could be challenging months for bush and grass fires, and it is expected this exemption will make it easier for landholders to fight fires on or near their properties.

“This trial reflects our commitment to strengthening community safety and resilience, particularly in rural bush and grass-fire-prone regions.”

Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers said:

“Landowners with these vehicles and equipment play a critical role as initial responders to grass fires.

“This will lead to an even more integrated relationship between farmers and the RFS, leveraging all available resources and the expertise and dedication of farmers in safeguarding our communities.”

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs committee member Garry Grant said:

“Stopping fires as soon as we can to minimise damage and loss is the ultimate goal.

“The opportunity to take part in this trial will see the important relationship between the RFS and farmers develop even further.”JHUUUUUU

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib has congratulated the 17 emergency services personnel recognised in The Australia Day 2024 Honours List, acknowledging their commitment to keeping communities safe.

Twelve Australian Fire Service Medals and 5 Emergency Services Medals were awarded today, with the medals among the highest honours available to emergency services personnel.

The medals are awarded to recognise distinguished service demonstrated by leadership, dedication, commitment, and achievement.

The medal recipients are:

Fire and Rescue NSW

• Ms Sally Jane Foote – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Jamie Grant Loader – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr John Columba McGarvey – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Assistant Commissioner David John Lewis – Australian Fire Service Medal

NSW Rural Fire Service

• Ms Roberta Colbran – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Keith Thomas Driver – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Michael John Gilder – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Paul William Jones – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Barry William Myers – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr George Alfred Nicholson – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr John Thomas Page – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Barry Lawrence Richard – Australian Fire Service Medal

NSW State Emergency Service

• Mr John Andrew Gonzalez – Emergency Services Medal
• Mr Geoffrey Thomas Hanson – Emergency Services Medal

Surf Life Saving NSW

• Mr Andrew Maxwell McKellar – Emergency Services Medal
• Mr Brian William Wilcox – Emergency Services Medal

VRA Rescue NSW

• Mr Rodney James Coombes – Emergency Services Medal

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“It’s fitting to honour our distinguished emergency services personnel on Australia Day, when so much of what they do speaks to the Australian spirit of generosity and looking out for neighbours.

“Our emergency services personnel epitomise what it is to be Australian and I am incredibly proud of the men and women who have been acknowledged today with these honours, as well as the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping communities safe.”

It’s lift-off for Orange’s performing arts scene as work begins on the new $33.5 million world-class cultural hub for the region.

The new Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium project will include:

• A 275-seat auditorium (with capacity built in for additional 48 seats or additional stage);
• A 65-seat planetarium auditorium;
• 40 practice studios and rehearsal spaces;
• Front and back-of-house facilities including main lobby, bar and kitchen; and
• Office space, amenities and ancillary spaces.

The $33.5 million project is funded by $10 million from the Australian Government, $5 million from the NSW Government’s Creative Capital Funding program and up to $18.5 million from Orange City Council.

Construction fences have been erected around the site in the North Court, on the corner of March and Peisley streets, behind the Civic precinct.

Site preparation work has started and earthworks have begun this week to remove top soil and level the site ahead of excavations for the building’s foundations.

At its peak, there will be 50-60 people working on the site. Over the 18-month life of the project, between 500 to 700 individuals will be working on the project at different times.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

“All Australians, regardless of where they live, should have the opportunity to enjoy music, theatre and other performing arts. 

“Our investment in the new Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium will deliver a world-class cultural hub for the region.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“This development is a real win for the people of Orange and the Central West.

“Locals and visitors alike will enjoy concerts and presentations in state-of-the art surrounds.”

Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said: 

“I’m delighted to see the work get underway and the jobs flowing into the community.

“The construction company will source 80 per cent of contractors from the Orange area with only specialist trades coming from out of town.”

Australians have saved $250 million on cheaper medicines in 2023 thanks to the Albanese Government.

Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the introduction of 60-day prescriptions are working to reduce everyday costs for Australians.

On 1 January 2023, for the first time in the 75-year history of the PBS, the Albanese Government lowered the maximum cost of prescription medications listed on the PBS saving Australians more than $240 million in 2023.

Since September 2023, 60-day prescriptions have made selected PBS medicines cheaper for Australians with a range of ongoing stable health conditions, already saving patients over $7.2 million.

Almost 2 million 60-day scripts were dispensed between September and December 2023, and with the number of medications available as 60-day scripts set to rise to 300 by September this year the savings will continue to grow.

The Albanese Government also reduced the PBS Safety Net Threshold, so more pensioners and concession cardholders get free medicines, sooner.

This has reduced the yearly medicine costs for those 2 million Australians by as much as 25 per cent.

From 1 February 2024, Australians with advanced melanoma will have access to the combination medicine nivolumab with relatlimab (Opdualag®).

Opdualag will be listed for the first time to treat patients with advanced stage melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be removed by surgery.

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world with one person dying from melanoma every six hours.

Around 940 patients each year are expected to benefit from this listing. Without the PBS subsidy, they could pay around $315,000 per course of treatment.

At the same time, the Government is supporting local pharmacies to continue their crucial role in the healthcare system, especially in regional, rural and remote parts of the country.

Through the Regional Pharmacy Transition Allowance and the Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance, the government provided $26 million to eligible pharmacies between 1 July and 31 December 2023.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“We know Australians have been doing it tough, which is why we are providing cost of living relief without adding to inflation.

“Our cheaper medicines policy means over the past year Australians have saved $250 million on prescriptions – this is real cost of living relief, putting money back into people’s wallets.

“Combined with our tripling of the Medicare bulk billing incentive and opening of 58 Urgent Care Clinics across the country, we’re making it easier and cheaper for Australians to see a doctor.”

Minister Mark Butler said:

“Cheaper medicines have helped Australians save over $250 million on medicines in 2023, with more savings to come in 2024.

“With cheaper medicines we are supporting millions of Australians with chronic, ongoing conditions so they don’t have to choose between health care and paying the bills.  

“The listing of Opdualag will be life changing for Australians living with advanced stage melanoma. Instead of paying over $315,000 for treatment now the maximum they will pay is PBS prices.

“The Albanese Government is continuing to make medicines cheaper so that all Australians can access the medication they need regardless of their bank balance.”

Homicide Detectives have arrested a third man following an investigation into a home invasion and fatal shooting in the Hunter region.

About 10.50pm on Tuesday 27 December 2022, emergency services were called to Traders Way at Heddon Greta – about 20km east of Cessnock – following reports a man had been shot.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man; however, he died at the scene.

He has since been identified as 25-year-old Zachery ‘Zac’ Davies-Scott, known to many in the area as ‘Donnie’.

State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Roslyn, with assistance provided from officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District and Northern Region.

Police were told a group of people allegedly forced entry to the Heddon Greta home before Mr Davies-Scott was fatally shot in what is believed to be a home invasion gone wrong.

A 52-year-old woman also sustained minor injuries attempting to fight off the alleged attackers.

Other family members home at the time – including two children, aged two and four, and Mr Davies-Scott’s pregnant partner – witnessed the incident, but were uninjured.

Following inquiries, about 4.50am today (Tuesday 16 January 2024) strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – arrested a 25-year-old man at Elermore Vale. He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he is expected to be charged. A search warrant is being executed at a home in Elermore Vale.

Two men remain before the courts charged over this incident, while a 25-year-old woman was arrested on 5 January 2024, and charged with hindering the investigation, and possess a prohibited drug. She’s due to appear in Kurri Kurri Local Court on 23 January 2024.

Investigations under Strike Force Roslyn continue.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Wyee area.

Adam Bennett, aged 50, was last seen on Bushells Ridge Road, Wyee, about 4pm on Monday (15 January 2024).

When he was unable to be located, officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare.

Adam is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm – 170cm tall, of a thin build, with short brown hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, grey shorts and black thongs.

Adam is known to frequent the Gosford and Wyee areas.

Anyone with information into Adam’s whereabouts is urged to contact Tuggerah Lakes Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The NSW Opposition has called on the Minns Labor Government to stand up for NSW businesses and regions in the ongoing industrial dispute at the State’s busiest port that is causing millions of dollars of damage to the NSW economy.
 
Acting Leader of the Opposition Natalie Ward said Chris Minns has a chance to stand up for the thousands of people across NSW who will be impacted by the by the Maritime Union of Australia industrial action, by calling on the Albanese Labor Government to urgently intervene.
 
“Chris Minns needs be a man of his word – when Port Botany was previously under siege by protesters he said having it blocked would be ‘hugely damaging to our economy’. Now that the damage is coming from a union strike, Chris Minns needs to show us that he’s not just all words and no actions,” Ms Ward said.
 
Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Dugald Saunders said the disagreement between DP World and the Maritime Union of Australia is causing more than $25 million worth of damage in NSW each week and having a negative flow on effect to regional communities.
 
“Residents and businesses in the bush rely on the smooth flow of goods to and from Port Botany every day, and the last thing they need is industrial action crippling major supply chains,” Mr Saunders said.

 
“This is already being widely felt by our primary producers who need to be able to import and export their goods, with the delays not only costing time, but also devaluing perishable products like meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.
  
DP World already has a backlog of around 48,000 shipping containers nationwide, with delays on essential items ranging from two to eight weeks and set to worsen.
 
 
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope said Chris Minns and the federal Labor Government were running out of time before the escalating industrial action begins to have a serious impact on everyday consumers who will end up paying higher prices as a result.
 
“The Albanese Labor Government could have ended this strike with a stroke of a pen, by forcing both parties to the Fair Work Commission,” Mr Tudehope said. “Instead, the Labor Government are endangering our state’s economy and proving that they are under the thumb of union bosses.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the dispute will significantly impact freight which will have serious repercussions for regional businesses.
 
“DP World plays a big role in the port’s operations, handling containerised freight that carries everything from grain to fresh produce, meat, farming equipment and machinery,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“Port Botany handles more than 90 per cent of containers in NSW and this industrial action has massively blown out the time to move those containers and get vital supplies to our rural communities.

“This is costing the regions millions of dollars and if it is not rectified, it will start costing jobs. It’s a no win situation at the moment and the Government needs to step up and do something about it.”

Managing Director of Fletcher International Exports, Roger Fletcher says he has already seen four months of impact on his business.

“This dispute has been affecting our trade for longer than people realise, and the ramifications are felt every step of the way,” Mr Fletcher said.
 
“The farmers produce the lamb or sheep, which then gets transported to the abattoir for processing and is then packed by hundreds of staff, before it is taken to the port where it fails at the last step.
 
“It costs everyone involved all the way down the line. It isn’t fair on the farmers, it isn’t fair on our employees and it isn’t fair on our customers overseas, and quite frankly this is destroying Australia’s reputation.”

Parents across NSW can begin the process of saving on the cost of preschool thanks to a Minns government program to deliver fee relief for 3-year-olds in long day care.

The Minns government is delivering on its 2023-2024 budget commitment to make early childhood education and care more affordable and accessible over the next year, helping ease the cost-of-living pressures on households.

The 2-year trial will see an additional 64,000 families with 3-year-old children in eligible preschool programs in long day care centres receive $500 in fee relief, which came into effect on 1 January 2024.

It is part of a more than $100 million package of initiatives to invest in early learning and enhance the sector’s workforce, after opportunities in this important sector were missed by the Liberals and the Nationals.

Investment in quality early childhood education and care has lifelong benefits for NSW’s youngest learners and is a key to enabling parental workforce participation.

Families with children aged 4 or up who are enrolled in a preschool program at an eligible long day care centre will continue to have access to fee relief.

These cash savings are in addition to the Australian Government Childcare Subsidy (CCS) payments, which most families in long day care are eligible to receive.

Families need to complete a declaration form at their service to access the fee relief. Services will pass on the savings as a weekly reduction in fees.

From January 1, all NSW families could be eligible for:

• up to $500 per year in fee relief for 3-year-olds attending eligible preschool programs in long day care on top of their CCS payment.
• up to $2110 per year in fee relief for children aged 4-years-old and above attending eligible preschool programs in long day care on top of their CCS payment.
• up to $4220 per year for 3-year-olds to 5-year-olds attending eligible community and mobile preschools.
• 5 days a fortnight of affordable preschool fee relief for all children in Department of Education preschools.

For more information on the Start Strong Program Guidelines visit the NSW Department of Educationlaunch.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“More affordable preschool is a win-win for families across the state, as it helps ease the cost of living while also making it easier to earn a household income.

“This will mean more children can access early childhood education (ECEC), where they will also benefit from health and education initiatives that will provide them with the best start to their learning life no matter their post code or background.

“Research tells us that participation of 600 hours of quality ECEC in the 2 years before school has life-long benefits for children and supports them to be socially, emotionally and cognitively equipped as they transition to school.”

A man reported missing from Newcastle has been located.

The 31-year-old was last seen at a licensed venue on Wharf Road, around 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday 7 January 2024).

Officers from Newcastle City were notified and commenced inquiries to find him.

Following extensive inquiries the man was located safe at Waratah today (Monday 8 January 2024).

Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

A woman reported missing from Newcastle has been located.

The 35-year-old was last seen in Newcastle about 5.30pm Saturday (6 January 2024).

Officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Following extensive inquiries, the woman was located safe at Stroud yesterday (Sunday 7 January 2024).

Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.