September 2020 – Page 3

NEW AMBULANCE STATION FOR GOULBURN

Goulburn now has a new ambulance station under the NSW Government’s record $122 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard, along with Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, officially opened the purpose-built facility.
“The NSW Government’s significant investment in new and upgraded ambulance stations for regional and rural areas is the single largest in the 120-year history of NSW Ambulance,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This new ambulance station is the latest of 36 new or rebuilt NSW Ambulance facilities across the state, 24 of which are in the rural and regional locations.”
Mr Hazzard said the new station will greatly improve emergency services for the southern region, providing local paramedics with a state-of-the-art facility and equipment.
“This project is an important step in the delivery of high-quality mobile emergency care to the people of Goulburn and surrounding areas,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The $122 million investment in regional and rural ambulance facilities is on top of a record $184 million for 11 new metropolitan Superstations, nine of which are already open, and one traditional station at Mona Vale, as well as a number of upgraded stations across greater Sydney.”
Ms Tuckerman said the new station would meet the emergency care needs of Goulburn and surrounds for years to come.
“The community can be assured that NSW Ambulance has the equipment to provide the best out-of-hospital clinical care to all patients across the region.”
The new purpose-built station on Bourke Street features:

Internal parking for up to eight emergency ambulance vehicles;
Administration and office areas;
Staff amenities;
Multipurpose meeting/training room;
Logistics and storage areas; and
Staff parking.

Ambulance stations operational under the RAIR program include Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Ardlethan, Harden, Molong, Griffith, Kiama, Berry, Bay & Basin, Toukley, Wauchope, Hamlyn Terrace, Bathurst, Pottsville, Yass, Rutherford, Bungendore, Birmingham Gardens, Cowra and Grenfell.
The 2019-20 Budget for the NSW Ambulance Service was more than $1 billion, including $27.1 million to employ 221 paramedics and control centre staff as part of a record 750 workforce boost.

COVID-19 update; two people charged; eight PINs issued

Two people have been charged and eight infringements have been issued since the last COVID-19 update.
About 6.15pm yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), a 45-year-old woman attended Maitland Police Station, where she allegedly became aggressive while intoxicated before coughing on an officer. She was arrested and charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, behave in offensive manner in/near public place, assault officer in execution of duty, and two counts of intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. She was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 18 November 2020.
– About 11am on 5 September 2020, police attended an unauthorised protest in Byron Bay. It’s alleged a 45-year-old man failed to move-on as directed by police. He was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with fail to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
– About 10pm yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), police attended a home on Bromide Street at Broken Hill after numerous noise complaints were received. Officers from Barrier Police District attended and issued the occupants a noise abatement direction. Police returned to the home later that evening after continuing to receive noise complaints. Officers seized the speakers before issuing two occupants a $1000 PIN for failing to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
– About 7.30am yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), police were called to Tyagarah Beach about complaints were received about a party that was taking place. Officers from Tweed/Byron attended and located more than 20 people at the party. Police were told approximately 500 people had attended the party earlier in the evening. Three people were issued $1000 PINs for failing to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19.
– About 12.20am on Saturday (26 September 2020), police stopped a car on the Sturt Highway at Hay. Police spoke with the occupants, who were from Victoria, and determined they didn’t have a valid permit to enter NSW. The three occupants were issued an $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 COVID-19.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Fatal fall – Newcastle

A man has died following a fall in Newcastle yesterday.
About 8.40pm (Monday 28 September 2020), emergency services were called to a hotel on Scott Street near Watt Street, Newcastle, following reports a man fallen from the fourth floor of the building.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died soon after.
The man is yet to be formally identified, however, is believed to be aged 37.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene, which was forensically examined by specialist police.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has commenced and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Initial inquiries suggest the incident is not suspicious.

Victorian restrictions

Easing restrictions in Victoria in a COVIDsafe way is vitally important so that more Victorians can get back to work and resume their normal lives.
Today’s announcement is a small but further important step in that direction. The removal of the curfew, the ability of sole traders to operate garden maintenance and related services and the improvements in supermarket capacity and manufacturing are all welcome.
It will be important that more be done in the weeks ahead to safely ease more restrictions.
We note that at similar case levels NSW was fundamentally open while remaining Covidsafe due to a world class contact tracing facility.
As many epidemiologists have encouraged, we would support Victoria in reviewing the trigger of five and zero cases with regards to the third and last steps.
As it stands this lockdown is already longer than that faced by residents in many cities around the world.
We remain deeply concerned about the mental health impacts of a prolonged lock down on Melbourne residents.
The Morrison Government has already delivered more than $27 billion in economic support to
Victorians during this crisis and we have extended JobKeeper for another six months which is estimated to see an additional $16.8 billion be paid to Victorians in the December and March quarters.
The Government will continue to support Victorians during these challenging times.

Leave extended for aged care residents during COVID-19

Senior Australians who have moved out of an aged care home during the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to benefit from the Australian Government’s emergency leave arrangements.
Under changes to legislation first implemented in May, residents won’t be penalised or disadvantaged if they temporarily move out of their aged care home during a crisis where it is safe and appropriate for them to do so.
The provision was immediately activated for the COVID-19 pandemic and was due to finish at the end of this month.
It is now extended until 30 June, 2021.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said the extension was another measure of support as the pandemic continues to impact communities, particularly in Victoria.
“Many permanent residential aged care residents want to temporarily relocate with family to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19, and the Australian Government supports that choice where appropriate,” Minister Colbeck said.
“By introducing this arrangement, we are giving senior Australians the option of staying with family for the duration of the emergency, without the extra worry about using or exhausting their normal social leave entitlements.”
Without emergency leave arrangements, permanent residents are entitled to be away from their aged care residence for up to 52 days a year for non-hospital related reasons — known as social leave.
Under normal circumstances, if a resident takes more than 52 days social leave, the Government does not provide its subsidy to the aged care home for that person for the extra days in addition to a resident’s normal contribution.
The cost of the government subsidy can then be passed on to the resident by a provider. Emergency leave prevents this from happening.
For aged care residents who do choose to take emergency leave, there is a national model of emergency support available through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
There are a range of care and services available, including personal care, nursing services meals, social support, allied health and therapy services, unaccompanied grocery shopping and transport.

Regional Tourism Recovery Package To Get Visitors Flowing Again

The Morrison-McCormack Government will inject $250 million into regional Australia, encouraging more Australians to travel and experience a home-grown holiday, boosting regional jobs and local economies.
The package include two measures announced today, a $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative to assist businesses in regions heavily reliant on international tourism and $200 million for an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the package would deliver targeted support for regional tourism.
“By investing $200 million in an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund we are investing $200 million in securing regional Australia’s future,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This Budget will set aside $200 million for projects to boost local infrastructure in regional communities, $100 million of which will be dedicated to tourism-related infrastructure.
“We know every dollar spent on building local communities is a dollar well spent and that is at the heart of our economic plan for a more secure and resilient Australia.”
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said tourism regions had been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and this would help them to bounce back firstly by attracting more Australians and then overseas visitors when our international borders re-open.
“Tourism is such an important job creator and driver of many regional economies. We want to make sure that our tourism regions are in the best possible shape on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Birmingham said.
“This targeted new fund will support internationally dependent tourism regions to adapt their offerings, experiences and marketing to appeal to domestic visitors in the short-term and be in the strongest possible position to welcome back international tourists down the track.
“The Morrison-McCormack Government’s billions in economy-wide support has provided a lifeline to many in the tourism industry, sustaining hundreds of thousands of tourism businesses.
“Increasingly we are targeting sectors hardest hit, with this regional support sitting alongside our $50 million business events program to get meetings, conventions and conferences up and running again, which is so crucial to the visitor economies of our capital and larger cities.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Jonno Duniam said regional tourism was the lifeblood of so many Australian towns and regional communities and this would help to get them back on their feet.
“Tourism will never be the same again, but there is opportunity in this challenge and the greatest opportunity is in our regions,” Assistant Minister Jonno Duniam said.
“Our $50 million package will help to realise this opportunity, it will assist in saving thousands of businesses and jobs in the first and worst hit regional tourism areas across the country.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino said BBRF Round 5 presents a great opportunity for regional communities to see the benefit of continued investment.
“BBRF has been such a successful program, with regional, rural and remote Australia reaping the rewards,” Assistant Minister Marino said. “Local jobs, local procurement, local upgrades and local wins – that’s what BBRF means to communities across the country.”
BBRF Round 5 will be delivered like its previous four rounds, with Infrastructure Project and Community Investment streams. Grant Opportunity Guidelines will be made available shortly, consistent with the existing BBRF framework, to assist potential applicants.

Residential development activity remains strong through COVID-19

Residential development activity in the Newcastle Local Government Area held strong in the 2019/20 financial year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic occurring throughout the final four months.
Of the 1,168 development applications (DAs) approved by the City of Newcastle in 2019/20, 947 of them were for residential development, valued at more than $271 million, excluding mixed commercial developments. This remained steady from the previous financial year, which saw 1,008 residential DAs approved from 1,281.
The value of residential DAs for new dwellings lodged rose from 33 per cent to 46 per cent as a percentage of the total value of all DAs submitted.
Manager Regulatory, Planning and Assessment, Michelle Bisson, said development activity had remained strong.
“While no industry has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic unscathed, the popularity of new residential dwellings and secondary dwellings continues to grow in the Newcastle LGA,” Ms Bisson said.
“The construction of secondary dwellings provides the community with a choice of more affordable housing, which is a major focus of City of Newcastle’s draft Local Housing Strategy 2020, which was on public exhibition until 21 September.”
Ms Bisson said solid development activity was still also evident within the inner-city.
“The $166 million in developments approved in the CBD alone in the last financial year, plus state government approvals including the University of Newcastle City Campus and ongoing building works, are sustaining many local jobs on the ground and continuing the transformation of our City.”
The diversity of development in the City is reflected in the top-three most valuable DAs approved in the 2019/20 financial year, including a 20-storey mixed use development in Newcastle West ($27.6 million), the adaptive reuse of a building as a boutique hotel ($24.3 million) and an eight-storey commercial development ($18.9 million), both in Newcastle.
While the suburb of Newcastle continues to attract the development dollar ($110 million), other popular suburbs were Fletcher ($49.8 million), Broadmeadow ($47.8 million) and Mayfield West ($40 million).

City unveils new community basketball courts

City of Newcastle has opened two new basketball courts near the corner of National Park and Parry Streets to activate the formerly unused corner of National Park.
The new basketball courts replace the long defunct tennis facilities and sit alongside the recently opened greenspace where the former bowling club building previously stood.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the continued revival of the space within National Park has occurred at the perfect time.
“Following the demolition of the former bowling club building, we created new green space in this inner city park for the community to enjoy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The addition of the basketball courts makes the location the perfect place for our community to get outdoors to participate in recreation and exercise as the weather continues to warm up.
“I’m pleased to say that the basketball courts have opened just in time for the school holidays and I have no doubt that kids and adults alike will be heading to National Park to shoot hoops over the coming weeks.
“Our outdoor spaces have been coveted by our community during the pandemic and continue to be important contributors to the wellbeing of our people.
The Lord Mayor said the long-term future of the area would be determined through community consultation on the upcoming National Park Plan of Management.
“National Park is a unique site in Newcastle and will play an important part in the liveability of our city centre as the population grows and the CBD moves to the west,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We’re looking forward to working with the community on the future of National Park, with engagement expected to start before the end of the year.”
National Park is one of Newcastle’s largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves, covering over 20 hectares and is currently home to a range of community facilities including sportsgrounds, netball courts, athletics track and high school.
The northwest corner of the park was formerly home to tennis courts and a bowling club, which was later occupied by charity Life Without Barriers until 2017.
In 2019 City of Newcastle commenced a process to provide safe public access to the northwest corner of the park, including demolishing the Life Without Barriers building and turfing the area for passive recreation. Investigations are currently underway for additional basketball courts at the site.
The National Park Plan of Management review is currently underway, with community consultation set to commence in November and a draft plan to be publicly exhibited in early 2021.
Head to the basketball courts map to find a complete listing of basketball courts throughout Newcastle.

GOSFORD SCHOOL SET FOR EXPANSION

A $2.8 million project to relocate the ET Australia Secondary College in Gosford is the latest to be approved under the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.
The existing school, which provides training and schooling to Year 7 to 10 secondary college students, will be relocated nearby within the Imperial Shopping Centre, while a new Year 11 and 12 campus is built at 125 Donnison Street.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new development will increase capacity from 170 to 280 students across two campuses, create opportunities for 40 new jobs and inject $2.8 million into the local economy.
“We’re using every lever at our disposal to keep the NSW economy ticking throughout the pandemic, and I’m very happy to see another shovel-ready project being given the green light,” Mr Stokes said.
“A bigger ET Australia Secondary College will cater for more students, provide more jobs and help breathe new life into the Gosford CBD.”
“The relocation of the existing school could also allow for the development of Gosford’s proposed regional library, which is earmarked for that location.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said it was a fantastic example of unused commercial premises being transformed for new and improved purposes.
“The development is now ready to get underway and will create 26 much-needed construction jobs and an additional 14 operational jobs once completed – on top of the existing 35 jobs that will be retained,” Mr Crouch said.
“The expansion of the school, which has been operating for eight years, will provide an alternate learning pathway for more students who need it.”
The ET Australia Secondary College is the latest to be approved as part of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program which is keeping people in jobs and the economy moving during COVID-19.
To date the program has seen 91 projects determined, creating opportunities for more than 50,000 new jobs, and generated more than $25 billion of economic investment for the NSW economy.

AGSKILLED 2.0 DRIVES INNOVATION IN NSW AGRICULTURE

The NSW Government has committed $15 million to upskill primary producers across plant-based sectors of the agricultural industry.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said AgSkilled 2.0 expanded on the success of the original program in driving the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of NSW agriculture through training and upskilling.
“AgSkilled 2.0 will continue to 30 June 2023 and has expanded the opportunity for training to a much greater range of plant-growing primary producers,” Mr Lee said.
“This expanded AgSkilled program will offer training across the key agricultural industry sectors of production horticulture, viticulture and rice growing in addition to the cotton and grains production covered in the original program.”
The original program delivered training to 5,227 people, over 849 courses across 189 locations to support cotton and grains farmers in regional NSW.
Mr Lee said the key to the program’s ongoing success was the engagement with industry to ensure training in agriculture is designed to be relevant, current and responsive to industry needs.
“This training increases the productivity and safety of existing workers in the sector and can offer career pathways for people to work in the agriculture sector,” Mr Lee said.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the expansion of the AgSkilled program would provide a boost for workers who wanted to upskill or are new to the agricultural workforce.
“These expanded opportunities are targeted directly at emerging needs and skill gaps that have been identified by industry, which means the State’s agricultural businesses can get a leg up when hiring skilled labour,” Mr Marshall said.
“Never before has it been so critical that we develop locally-based workers for the agricultural sector, so this will give them crucial training on the header, cultivating soil and plant health in the paddock, using new technology and more.
“Our farming businesses are the best in the world, and with programs like AgSkilled 2.0 they will have the workforce to match.”
The training is complemented by a range of other Training Services NSW initiatives to support regional NSW. For more information, visit www.training.nsw.gov.au