Month: March 2024

More than 50 years of service to the community has earned Father Nicolaos Zervas OAM the honour of becoming the 17^th Freeman of the City of Newcastle.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes bestowed the award on the 90-year-old today during the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church’s annual celebration for Greek Independence Day.

Father Nicolaos Zervas wearing his medal with wife Nina, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Sharon Claydon MP, Tim Crakanthorp MP and CN Councillors.

Cr Nelmes said Father Nicolaos’ selfless acts have benefitted multiple generations, from teaching scripture to children, through to volunteering with senior citizens.

“Father Nicolaos’ list of achievements spans decades, with a remarkable breadth of service to the community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“He has contributed to initiatives that not only advanced his local Greek community, but also across sectors of health and wellbeing, peace and justice, sport, and aged care, for all Novocastrians.”

Born in Greece in 1934, Nicolaos Zervas came to Australia in 1955. He initially opened a restaurant in Victoria, then one in Sydney, but his real dream was to become a priest.

After marrying his beloved wife Christina (Nina) in 1965, he was given an opportunity to move north where he was ordained by the Newcastle Greek community in 1973.

Twenty years later he was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his spirit of giving, volunteering with Meals on Wheels at Hamilton, the Northern Settlement Services, the Ethnic Communities Council and Lifeline.

Father Nicolaos is a founding member of Greek Day Care and a life member of Hippocrates Aged Care, Fronditha Aged Care Nursing Home and Newcastle Olympic Football Club.

Despite retiring from his role with the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in July 2021 he still regularly visits people in nursing homes and hospitals.

Father Nicolaos said he was proud to receive the honour of being named Newcastle’s 17^th Freeman of the City, a place he has called home for over 50 years.

“I was living in Sydney when I was given the option to relocate to Newcastle,” Father Nicolaos said.

“As soon as we arrived, I felt very at home, and I knew it was the place I wanted to work and raise my family in. 

“It is emotional to be recognised by the City of Newcastle in this way. The support of my wife Nina, my four children and 10 grandchildren has enabled me to keep giving back to the community of St Demetrios and the people of Newcastle and now, even in retirement, it has been my absolute privilege to do so.”

Father Nicolaos joins an impressive list of fellow Novocastrians to be awarded the Freeman of the City honour including former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings, Surfest co-founder Warren Smith and writer, philanthropist and passionate historian, Vera Deacon.

The Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Council will meet today to discuss the Commonwealth’s contribution to the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.

Ministers from the Commonwealth and all States and Territories will press their case for an increase in Commonwealth funding to support building more social housing and bolstering support for homelessness services who are facing unprecedented demand.

Our state is grappling with a housing and homelessness crisis. Every part of our housing system is under pressure and every lever must be pulled to meaningfully address the crisis.

The NSW Government stands ready to work with the Commonwealth as an equal partner but funding trends over the last 10 years need to be turned around if that hope is to become a reality.

Commonwealth funding has fallen from 0.52% ($2.08 billion) of the 2013-14 Commonwealth Budget ($398.3 billion) to be only 0.28% ($1.9 billion) of the 2023-24 Commonwealth Budget ($684.1 billion).

To retain the same relative share of the Commonwealth Budget as 2013-14 for 2023-24, that would require a 90% increase on the 2023-24 allocation.

Recent investments in social housing from the Commonwealth Government are a welcome start to help confront the housing crisis, but the job is far from done.

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, will attend to advocate for more Commonwealth funding and resources to help NSW address the housing crisis and work toward the National Housing Accord target.

Last month, the Productivity Commission reported that Sydney was at risk of becoming a city with no grandchildren, whilst an analysis by Homelessness NSW showed that homelessness has risen across 58 of the state’s 128 local government areas in the past year alone.

The face of homelessness is changing. We have people with jobs, long rental histories, and no previous history of homelessness unable to get access housing. This is the harsh reality that thousands of people across NSW are experiencing right now.

More people are facing a disproportionate amount of housing stress. Thousands of people across the state are grappling with the reality of being locked out of the housing market. Not only unable to buy their first home, but also struggling to secure or sustain a rental.

The NSW Government reaffirms its commitment to deliver more and better homes and increasing access to comprehensive housing and homelessness support services as a core priority.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“Since December we have seen a steady increase in people needing help to secure a safe home. There are more than 57,000 people currently on the social housing waitlist. We need to drive this number down by getting the delivery numbers up.

“Every report, every analysis, and each statistic say the exact same thing – NSW is grappling with a housing crisis. People are being priced out of their community, unable to live near their jobs or struggling to even secure a roof over their head.

“Access to housing is a basic need. I will continue to fiercely advocate for our fair share of Commonwealth funding programs. We need immediate action and bold reform to support the people of NSW.

“The best way to reduce homelessness is by building houses. But building houses takes time. NSW has a large number of people who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness. We need funding to help those people.”

The NSW Government today released the Interim NSW VET Review into the state’s vocational education and training sector.

A key election commitment of the NSW Labor Government, the Interim Report makes seven recommendations for rebuilding TAFE NSW and strengthening the wider vocational training sector.

The report is an important step in restoring TAFE NSW which has been badly neglected for more than a decade by the previous government.

Chaired by Dr Michele Bruniges AM, with the valuable support of Professor Verity Firth AM and Jason Ardler PSM, the Panel conducted an extensive consultation process over four months seeking input from registered training organisations, teachers, students, government agencies, peak bodies, industry representatives, local businesses, councils, and universities.

The Interim Report contains recommendations which the government will seek to immediately implement, including the development of a TAFE NSW Charter which will set clear expectations as part of the process of TAFE reform. The panel is expected to submit its final report to the government by the middle of 2024 when the NSW Government will consider all recommendations in full.

A copy of the Interim NSW VET Review can be accessed online: NSW vocational education and training (VET) review.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“The NSW Labor Government knows that to address the critical shortage of skilled workers, NSW needs a strong and sustainable vocational training system.

“Over the next decade, NSW will need thousands of skilled professionals across healthcare, hospitality, construction, and burgeoning sectors like renewable energy.

“This report underscores the pivotal role of TAFE NSW in helping meet the skills needs of the NSW economy.”

“I want to thank the VET Review Panel for its tireless work in leading this once-in-a-generation review of the NSW vocational training sector. This report sets the direction for an exciting future where TAFE – as Australia’s biggest training provider – rebuilds and provides the core for meeting our need for skilled workers.

The former Liberal National Government had an ideological fixation with running down TAFE and privatising training. Labor has stopped this, stabilised funding and will now embark on the rebuild. This report is the next stage in the NSW Labor Government’s plans to place TAFE NSW at the heart of the vocational training system.

“The NSW Government will consider the panel’s recommendations alongside the final report mid-year. Meanwhile, the government has begun work on crafting a new TAFE Charter, and I’ve asked TAFE NSW to fast-track work on a revised operating model that aligns courses with industry needs, enhances support for teachers and puts TAFE at the heart of communities.”

Chair of the NSW VET Review, Dr Michele Bruniges AM said:

“I’m proud of the extensive consultation process conducted by our panel, which ensured diverse perspectives were heard and considered in shaping these recommendations.

“I would like to thank the Stakeholder Reference Group for its continued support in working with the panel to improve the quality and accessibility of vocational training in NSW.

“As we move forward, our focus remains on delivering a final report that provides a roadmap for a robust and responsive VET sector.”

After just one year in power, the NSW Labor Government is delivering for communities in the Illawarra and the South Coast, making progress to increase healthcare access, invest in support services and pushing through important infrastructure projects.

Continuing on from record investments in the regions as part of the State Budget in September, the NSW Labor Government held the first Cabinet meeting in Wollongong in over a decade and remains committed to seeing the Illawarra and the South Coast reach their full potential, making vital investments to achieve this.

Improving healthcare access

• Improvements to wait times in public hospitals in the region, including a 27 percentage point improvement in the number of patients transferred from ambulances to the ED within 30 minutes at Wollongong Hospital.
• Expanded hours for the urgent care centre at Bulli Hospital to 7 days a week.
• Opened an urgent care centre in Dapto in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, which has seen over 2,400 patients since opening in December.
• Combined, these new and expanded health facilities have treated thousands of patients that could have ended up in emergency departments, easing pressure on our busy public hospitals and reducing wait times for those with less urgent conditions.
• Reducing the number of patients overdue for their elective surgery, thanks to hardworking staff and the Surgical Care Taskforce, seeing a 62% reduction in Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District as well as almost entirely removing all patients waiting longer than recommended in Southern NSW LHD, both in the 12-months since December 2022.

Delivering on key infrastructure and planning milestones

• $390 million investment to build a new Mount Ousley Interchange in partnership with the Commonwealth Government.
• Construction underway for a new network of mountain bike trails across the Illawarra and opening the Narooma and Eden Mountain Bike Trails.
• Train station upgrades at Dapto, Bellambi and Unanderra, improving accessibility and upgraded amenities for commuters.
• Work continuing for the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment and New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services project and on track to deliver the new Eurobodalla Hospital and plan for the new Batemans Bay Community Health Service.
• Secured $22 million to enhance Wollongong Hospital and $7.5 million to upgrade Milton Ulladulla Hospital.
• Opened Australia’s first commercial hydrogen refuelling station at Port Kembla and a hydrogen powered bus operating in Wollongong.
• Commenced work into $20 million feasibility study for Bulli Bypass.
• Planning is underway for additional south facing entry and exit ramps for the M1 Princes Motorway at Dapto.
• Commencement of planning for the Wollongong Health Precinct.
• Commenced construction of a new ambulance station at Fairy Meadow.
• Approved a $182 million upgrade of berths at Port Kembla Harbour to support steel production.
• Secured a site in Bomaderry for a $35 million Landcom Build to Rent project.
• Transformed Bega’s former TAFE site into a new 97 dwelling diverse housing project with 30 per cent of the homes to include much needed social and affordable housing.

Securing our education future

• $200 million to upgrade schools, including a new primary school for Nowra, and planning underway for a new high school at Flinders and new primary schools at West Dapto and Calderwood.
• Announced 100 new public pre-schools for NSW with ten in the Illawarra and the South Coast.
• Entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, through NSW TAFE, to explore “super TAFE” on the surplus BlueScope land.

Investing in support services

• Providing $2 million to create the first trauma recovery centre in the region to provide specialist care for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
• Increased funding for Women’s Health Centre’s in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
• Launched Midwifery Group Practice in the Eurobodalla at Moruya Hospital.
• Rolled out the Aged Care Outreach Service (ACOS) which saw 1,054 residents in the first 6 months, with 80 per cent able to be cared for in their home and not needing transfer to hospital.
• Opened aged care transitional beds at Figtree Private Hospital in partnership with Commonwealth Government, providing an alternative for older patients who will benefit from additional therapy services whilst waiting in a residential style setting following discharge from hospital.
• Opened the new Safe Haven service to support Bega Valley residents experiencing mental health distress.

Supporting our frontline workers

• 826 teachers and 620 school support staff who were temporary now made permanent across the Illawarra and South Coast.
• Permanently funded 1,112 fulltime equivalent nursing and midwifery positions across NSW temporarily funded by the former Government, including positions in ISLHD and SNSWLHD.
• Record pay increase for local paramedics, seeing an average wage increase of 25 per cent over four years, delivering professional recognition to retain our highly skilled workforce.
• Investing $700,000 in the successful Youth Employment Strategy programs in the Illawarra and Eurobodalla, supporting businesses and tackling youth unemployment.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“As the Member for Keira and the Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, I am proud of what our Labor Government is delivering for our region.

“The Illawarra and South Coast are both growing parts of the state in need of these vital investments to support our communities now and well into the future.

“There is still more to do, however I’m proud of the work we’ve done so far and I know we’re on the right track.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“Wollongong has been at the heart of the Minns Government since day one.

“Over the past 12 months, along with my colleagues in the region, we have been able to deliver and progress more than was done in the last decade.

“We still have more work to do as we continue to build a better future for Wollongong and its residents.”

Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:

“It is fantastic to be part of a Government that cares about the Illawarra and it committed delivering for our region.

“We have a lot more work to do to ensure our fast-growing area has the infrastructure it needs, and we are committed to building much needed schools, roads and hospitals that will serve our community well into the future.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler:

“I am proud to be part of a government that is investing in the Illawarra and South Coast.

“Upgrades to healthcare services, education, infrastructure projects and historic pay deals with our amazing teachers, nurses, and paramedics, just to name a few.

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job and putting people first.”

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:

“After more than a decade of neglect, we finally have a Government that is delivering for this area.

“I’m so proud we have delivered on promises to open Bulli Urgent Care Centre 7 days a week and on the $20 million feasibility study for Bulli Bypass.

“There is still more to do in the Illawarra but we are determined to continue to achieve for this area and across NSW.”

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:

“Representing the Bega Electorate is an honour and I am very pleased with the NSW Labor Government’s commitments to health improvements including opening a level 4 Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, Bega mental health Safe Haven, Midwifery Group Practice in Moruya, and working with the Commonwealth Government to provide an Urgent Care Clinic at Batemans Bay Hospital.

“In response to the housing crisis, our NSW Labor Government is planning to transform under-utilised government land at Bega’s former TAFE site into a new 97 dwelling diverse housing project with 30 per cent of the homes to include much needed social and affordable housing.

“This is a NSW Labor Government which is delivering on the Bega Electorate’s most critical social needs.”

Labor Spokesperson for Kiama Sarah Kaine MLC:

“I am proud to be part of a Government that is investing in both the community and community members in Kiama.

“From the Shoalhaven and Shellharbour hospital redevelopments, to upgrades at Bomaderry High School, and new public pre-schools planned for Nowra and Bomaderry.

“To the community members who work in our schools, and our healthcare system who now have permanent positions, and all our public service workers who are no longer subject to an unfair wages cap.”

Australians with cancer will receive more personalised and tailored care through the new Precision Care Clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital.

The Precision Care Clinic has brought together a team of Australian experts with international recognition to lead this game-changing research program.

The clinic will support the rapid adoption of precision medicine research into routine public healthcare.

Precision medicine is an emerging scientific area which treats patients based on their individual makeup and genes.

It takes into consideration their long-recognised clinical, lifestyle and environmental factors, strategically matching the right treatment or clinical trial to the right patient.

Cancer doctors and patients from across Australia will be able to seamlessly incorporate genomic results into care plans.

This will allow them to comprehensively consider all current and emerging treatment options and their potential implications, including targeted therapy, clinical trials and cancer risk management.

The clinic has been carefully designed to support healthcare professionals currently facing gaps and challenges in providing precision care to their patients.

This project is a partnership between UNSW School of Population Health, Prince of Wales Hospital & South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Omico, Cancer Voices NSW, Australian Catholic University, University of Sydney, and Macquarie University, to integrate precision medicine into routine cancer care.

The initiative is part of a 5-year commitment from the Australian Government to establish multiple precision care clinics across Australia through a $5.8 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund Rapid Applied Research Translation scheme.

Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler said:

 “The opening of this new facility is a major step towards changing the way we approach cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

 “This innovative cancer clinic will combine genomic research and implementation science to ensure the benefits of precision medicine are effectively translated into improved health outcomes for people with cancer across Australia.”

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“I am so proud that NSW Health is a major player in this innovative form of healthcare.

“This initiative will ensure that patients receive the most targeted and tailored care to produce the most optimal health outcomes.

“In addition to this, this program will also work to ensure that we can adopt this sort of cutting edge treatment to become a routine part of care.

“Clinicians and patients will be converging from across the country at this hub to access this precision care and incorporate it into their treatment plans.”

NSW Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“Investment in medical research programs like precision medicine is vital.  

“The Precision Care Clinic will see experts in precision medicine research approaching cancer diagnosis and treatment in a whole new way.

“Starting here in NSW at the Prince of Wales Hospital, this new approach has the potential to transform cancer healthcare in Australia.”

Director of Cancer and Haematology Services at Prince of Wales Hospital, Professor Boon Chua said:

“Prince of Wales Hospital is proud to be playing an important role in embedding precision oncology within our health services.

“Our patients will now be able to access their precision cancer information, advice and care all in the one place, without having to navigate their way through multiple clinics and specialists.

“The public clinic will provide formal processes that enable specialists in oncology and genetics to make evidence-informed decisions together with the aim of improving patient experiences and health outcomes.”

UNSW’s School of Population Health Scientia Associate Professor Natalie Taylor said:

“The research was motivated by the need to rapidly translate genomics-informed treatment and prevention strategies into publicly available healthcare, support clinicians to implement the latest precision research evidence, and improve care coordination for patients.

“The initiative is built on the latest clinical evidence and research, with careful consideration of the barriers that patients can face when receiving cancer care. It will be supported by a digital evidence-driven data platform which will enable clinicians to access rapid precision cancer treatment and prevention decision support for their patients.

“Researchers are working closely with doctors and their patients to ensure that their expectations and needs are captured and used to continuously refine the clinic. Designing the clinic together enables the patients to feel like they are contributing and not just a number.”

The NSW Government is today marking the start of main construction works on a new multi-million dollar upgrade at Darcy Road Public School in Wentworthville.

The upgrade of the Western Sydney school is the 23rd major public education project started since NSW Labor formed Government 1 year ago today.

The upgrade will mean 21 long-standing demountables can be removed and replaced with new permanent buildings and modern classrooms, new administration facilities, a new library, a new canteen, a refurbished school hall, an extension of the school’s carpark and upgrade to core facilities to support the growing population in Western Sydney.

In the last 12 months the Government has made progress with its long-term plan to address the school infrastructure backlog left after 12 years of Liberal and National government.

This includes announcing plans for new public primary schools in Sydney Olympic Park, Nirimba Fields, Tallawong and Nowra, and high schools in Tallawong, Gledswood Hills, Jordan Springs, Medowie, Googong and Melrose Park.

The NSW Government is also continuing work on the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history, after making a record $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools where they are needed most.

By scrapping the unfair wages cap and striking an agreement that saw teachers handed the largest pay rise in a generation, the NSW Government has also made major strides addressing the chronic teacher shortage presided over by the former government.

Under a Labor Government, teachers in NSW went from being among the worst paid in the nation to the best in just a few short months.

Reversing the trend of casualisation seen under the Liberals and Nationals, the NSW Government has also provided more than 16,000 temporary teachers and school-based support staff permanent employment.

A temporary school has been put in place to support Darcy Road students throughout the upgrade, with students relocating to their temporary classrooms in Term 4 2023.

Early pre-construction works have been underway at the site ahead of the start of main construction works.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The NSW government is committed to rebuilding the essential services and addressing the school infrastructure backlog. This is why we are making a record investment for urgently needed new and upgraded schools across the state, including Darcy Road.

“This targeted investment in growing communities will ensure every student in NSW has access to a world class public education, no matter where they live.

“There is still work to be done, but over the past year we have hit the ground running to strengthen our teacher workforce and ensure every student in NSW has access to a free, quality education.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“I am delighted to see works begin here at Darcy Road Public School – where this school is set to receive a massive boost as we significantly upgrade their facilities.

“Students here have been learning in demountable classrooms for years, and it is fantastic to see Western Sydney children will soon be learning in permanent classrooms.

“Our government is committed to fighting for students across NSW, so every child in the state can access a high quality education.”

Major works started in the last 12 months:

• Birrong Boys High School – upgrade
• Birrong Girls High School – upgrade
• Carlingford West Public School – upgrade
• Castle Hill Public School – upgrade
• Cecil Hills High School – upgrade
• Cumberland High School – upgrade
• Darcy Road Public School – upgrade
• Empire Vale Public School – flood rebuild
• The Forest High School – school relocation
• Gledswood Hills Public School – Stage 2 of upgrade
• Gregory Hills Public School – new school
• Manly Village Public School – upgrade
• Matthew Pearce Public School – upgrade
• Melonba High School – new school
• Melonba Public School – new school
• Murwillumbah High School upgrade
• Narrabeen Sports High School – upgrade
• Narrabeen North Public School – upgrade
• Neutral Bay Public School – upgrade
• Oran Park Public School – upgrade
• St Ives High School – upgrade of indoor sports centre
• Wardell Public School – flood rebuild
• Yanco Agricultural High School – upgrade.

The people of NSW are having to deal with higher rents, housing prices and everyday living costs after twelve months of the Minns Labor Government. 
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns and Labor are letting NSW down.
 
“Households and families are being let down – day to day expenses are sky rocketing and Labor has slashed cost of living support like Active Kids, Creative Kids, First Lap, Back to School vouchers and the Regional Seniors Travel Card,” Mr Speakman said.   
 
“Communities across the State are being let down – Labor has delayed and cancelled new road and metro projects and communities are feeling less safe. And our young people are being let down – rents are up, houses have never been less affordable and tax choice for first home buyers has been axed.”
 
“Chris Minns has been spending most of his time cutting ribbons on projects funded, commenced or delivered by the Liberals and Nationals rather than addressing the needs of hard-working families.
 
Leader of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders said regional communities have been left behind, as valuable dollars are ripped out of the regions.
“We always knew the bush would be worse off under a Minns Labor Government, and our worst fears have already been confirmed,” Mr Saunders said.
“In a year of the Minns Labor Government, vital programs like the Regional Seniors Travel Card, Resources for Regions and the Stronger Country Communities Fund have been sent to the chopping block.”
 
“Labor’s “fresh start” has also seen the head of the Department of Primary Industries sacked and the ‘local’ taken out of Local Land Services.”
 
After a year of Chris Minns and Labor – you’re paying more, households and families are worse off and Labor don’t have a plan to address the cost of living crisis.