Month: September 2024

Hybrid Power and Propulsion System among Newcastle Engineering Award winners 

The region’s most innovative engineers and engineering projects have been named at the 2024 Engineers Australia Excellence Awards – People and Projects Newcastle, held at Merewether Surfhouse last night.


“Honouring the trailblazers of the engineering world, the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards celebrate both individual achievements and the broader influence of the profession. By recognising these contributions, we not only elevate their work but also lay the groundwork for the next generation to continue this legacy,” said Engineers Australia General Manager – Newcastle, Helen Link.

Local winners will go on to represent their division at the national awards’ gala dinner on 21 November at the Brisbane City Hall.

Newcastle Project of the Year
Hybrid Power and Propulsion System for Maritime Vessels – Ampcontrol
In collaboration with Ampcontrol, Steber International, and the University of Newcastle, the project designed, constructed, and demonstrated a 600kW hybrid power system for a 43-foot boat. This innovative solution addresses critical challenges in reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector, supporting the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The project’s collaborative approach and cutting-edge engineering solutions have set a high standard for the maritime industry, with the potential for scalable applications both locally and internationally.

Newcastle Professional Engineer of the Year: 
Amanda Kerr – AECOM

Amanda Kerr is recognised for her impactful career as an environmental engineer and leader. As AECOM’s Area Manager for the Hunter Region, she leads a team of over 100 engineers and scientists, delivering critical projects and driving sustainability initiatives. Her expertise in project management, health and safety, and environmental impact assessments has resulted in the successful completion of projects across various sectors. Amanda’s leadership in AECOM’s Sustainable Legacies strategy and her dedication to diversity and inclusion through volunteer work and outreach programmes have made her a highly deserving recipient of this award.

Newcastle Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year
Cameron Denecker – Aurecon

Cameron Denecker is recognised for his exceptional early-career achievements and leadership in engineering. As an Associate at Aurecon and a Chartered Engineer, he has managed complex projects, including a $90 million programme for the Department of Defence. His work on Aurecon’s modular bridge system has reduced construction risks and costs. His commitment to sustainability and diversity is evident in his projects, where he actively recruits graduates and Indigenous students while promoting inclusive work environments. He was also awarded the 2022 National Future Leader by the Australian Institute of Project Management.

Events like these are not possible without the support of our Excellence Awards category partners: 

•            Edith Cowan University – Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year 

•            Bluebeam – Professional Engineer of the Year 

•            Department of Transport and Main Roads – Engineering Associate of the Year 

•            Metecno – Project of the Year 

Engineers Australia:  As Australia’s national engineering body, we champion our 127,000 plus members, providing resources, connections and growth for high-value work in our communities.

Inmates from across NSW Prisons call for free phone calls and education rights in largest inmate only petitions tabled in NSW State Parliament

Inmates from across NSW Prisons call for free phone calls and education rights in largest inmate only petitions tabled in NSW State Parliament

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson has today tabled two inmate led, inmate only paper petitions in the NSW Parliament. The petitions collected the signatures of over 1,000 inmates from ten of the 32 correctional centres across NSW and call for NSW Labor to provide free phone calls and access to information technology devices so that inmates can access educational programs.

Education Petition

Currently, there are a limited number of Tertiary Education programs available for inmates in this state, but due to a lack of internet access, computers or email services, it is virtually impossible for inmates to enrol in these courses or complete their coursework. In 2016 the privatisation of Corrective Services Education resulted in an 86% reduction in qualified teachers in NSW Prisons, who still have not been replaced. The number of prisoners who reoffend within 12 months of their release date has increased from 20.8% in 2016 to 23.4% in 2022.

Phone calls Petition

In June 2023 NSW Labor scrapped a service which provided low-cost calls to mobile phone numbers, effectively increasing the cost of a ten-minute phone call from $0.25 to $2.59. Inmates currently receive $16-18 per week, meaning the cost of one phone call is now equivalent to approximately 15% of their weekly income.

Comments attributable to Sue Higginson MLC

Greens MP and spokesperson for justice Sue Higginson said, “NSW Corrective Services have been operating in the shadows for far too long. People on the inside are screaming out to be heard and now they are asking the Minister for Corrections to respond to their demands directly,”

“It can cost up to $100 a week for an inmate to stay connected to their loved ones. This cost is crippling to most people. To an inmate making less than $1 a day, it is a cruel and impossible price to place on connection,”

“Right now inmates in this state are suffering from “Disconnection Disorder”. They can’t connect to the people they love, because punitive policies in this state won’t let them,”

“Connection and education are two of the most effective factors in reducing recidivism. By denying basic access to technology and educational programs the Minns Labor Government is ripping away the path to rehabilitation inmates in this state have,”

“The voices of these inmate petitioners represent just a fraction of the daily calls begging for reform from inside the hellholes that our prisons. NSW Labor and Corrections NSW must take accountability for its appalling treatment of some of our most vulnerable people,”

“Pro-business” PM too busy sucking up to mining lobby to care about the environment

The Prime Minister’s “pro-business” comments at a CEO big business event overnight show he is backing big corporations over the environment, say the Greens. Last night marked the second CEO dinner the Prime Minister has attended in a week. 

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens manager of business in the Senate, spokesperson for Environment:

“The Prime Minister may think he is pro-business and pro-worker, but he sure isn’t pro- environment. 

“The Prime Minister is so busy trying to please the mining lobby and big business, that he’s given up on the environment. 

“Mr. Albanese used to care about the environment and climate, but now he doesn’t even want to talk about it. 

“It’s disappointing to see the Prime Minister backing big corporations over our environment and climate.

“Australians didn’t vote for another bulldozer in our Parliament or in our native forests. When Australia turfed Scott Morrison there was hope of a better, more collaborative Parliament. What we’ve seen recently is disappointing.

“The PM should spend less time with fossil fuel and banking CEOs and more time negotiating with the Senate crossbench to deliver outcomes which protect nature.”

The Government’s Nature Positive legislation is currently before the Senate with the Greens and crossbench calling for an end to native forest logging and climate damage to be considered in environmental approvals.

Greens ask when will Labor finally deliver on universal childcare

The Australian Greens have called on the Government to take immediate action on reforming Australia’s early childhood education and care system, following the release of the Productivity Commission’s report A path to universal early childhood education and care today.

Australian Greens Early Childhood Education and Care spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May welcomed the Productivity Commission’s support for a universal system that has been championed by the Greens for decades and said there’s no excuse for any further delay.

Greens Early Childhood Education and Care spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“The Productivity Commission report lays a roadmap on how to fix Australia’s broken early years education system and move towards universal childcare. Now the question is: When will Labor finally deliver? 

“With rents nearly doubling the rate of wages, food prices rising nearly 20 percent in the last four years – families need as much support as they can get right now. 

“The Albanese Government has had the draft report in its hands since 28 June. Every day that Labor delays implementing these critical early childhood education reforms, kids miss out on early education and parents miss out on important paid work.

“The Australian Greens welcome the report’s calls for all children aged 0-5 years to have at least 30 hours of care per week, increased access for the most disadvantaged and remote communities, removal of the punitive childcare subsidy activity test, and greater inclusivity. These are essential steps towards universal, early years education, which the government could implement today.

”But let’s be clear – early years education is a fundamental right and should be completely free, just like primary and secondary school.

“The Greens have consistently called for free, universally accessible childcare for decades, and while we recognise and support this critical pathway towards universal care as an immediate first step, we must go further.”

ACT GREENS PLAN FOR ADAPTING TO A CHANGING CLIMATE

The ACT Greens have released a plan to ensure our city remains beautiful, safe and livable as we respond to our changing climate. 

“With Greens in Government the ACT has become a global leader on climate action. We have cut emissions by over 40%, shifted to 100% renewable electricity, and committed to phasing out polluting fossil fuel gas,” said ACT Greens Leader, Shane Rattenbury.  

“But the reality is that our climate is changing and we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through more frequent heat waves, more intense bush fires, more severe droughts and increased intensity of rainfall events.

“We need to put in place measures across the city to adapt to the changing climate, and prepare for these extreme weather events. It’s important that we protect the most vulnerable in our community as we do this.

“With good preparation we can ease the impact of these extreme weather events on our community and make sure our city remains beautiful, safe and liveable. 

“The ACT Greens will take decisive action to prepare our city and our community for climate change. This means planting more street trees and changing the way we develop to keep our city cool, it means being prepared for heat waves and keeping our community healthy and safe as the climate changes, and it means being well prepared for extended bushfire seasons.” Mr Rattenbury said.

To build resilience to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, the ACT Greens will: 

  • Plant at least 20,000 street trees each year to increase urban canopy cover with a focus on suburbs with the least tree cover, ensuring tree species are climate appropriate and non- invasive
  • Bring back the iconic bus stop bunkers – or other types of climate ready, shaded and weather-resistant bus shelters across Canberra with a focus on areas where they are lacking.
  • Establish a Chief Heat Officer to coordinate responses to extreme heat events, and develop a Climate and Health Strategy.
  • Work with the community to trial and implement city cooling interventions, including active measures such as misting systems and awnings, or passive systems such as water features, street plantings, green roofs and facades
  • Increase funding for the Emergency Services Agency and ACT Parks and Conservation Service to reflect the increased bushfire risk, longer bushfire season and increased likelihood of severe weather events.

Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens, Rebecca Vassarotti said the ACT Greens will plant 20,000 trees across Canberra to protect our status as the bush capital of Australia and reintegrate the environment back into our suburbs.

“In a climate crisis, planting more trees isn’t just an option—it’s a crucial part of making Canberra a more liveable city,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“When we’re designing and building our future suburbs, the environmental infrastructure – the trees, plants and green spaces –  is just as important as the roads, the footpaths and buildings.

“But for too long, Labor has treated it as a second order priority, rather than a foundational element to building a sustainable and liveable city. 

“For years, developers have been given a free pass to make a quick buck rather than creating leafy, green, liveable suburbs – and we’re still feeling the impact now. 

“All this has done for Canberrans is turn our newer suburbs into hot, dry concrete jungles in the middle of summer. As the climate crisis deepens, these conditions are only going to become more extreme unless we take urgent action now.

“That’s why the ACT Greens will plant 20,000 trees each year to keep our city cool in the summer and maintain our status as the bush capital. 

ACT Greens Candidate for Yerrabi, Soëlily Consen-Lynch says Canberra needs a network of well-managed parks and waterbodies to cool the city, and believes the government should prioritise areas that currently have the lowest access to green space or are most affected by urban heat effects. 

“Our summers are getting hotter and so are our suburbs,” Ms Consen-Lynch said.

“The ACT Greens will work with the community to trial and implement city cooling interventions like misting systems and awnings, water features, street plantings, green roofs, which will help make our suburbs cooler and more liveable for everyone.”

Today’s announcement builds upon the Greens’ August announcement to pick up the pace on delivering equitable climate action, so that we meet net-zero emissions faster, in a fairer way, supporting those who need it most. 

The Greens’ comprehensive plans to  provide real climate leadership are detailed on the ACT Greens website.

TAFE NSW showcases in-demand agriculture careers at Henty Machinery Field Days

TAFE NSW is encouraging the next generation to take up an in-demand career in the booming agricultural sector by showcasing training pathways at the Henty Machinery Field Days.

It comes as the agriculture industry faces an ongoing skills shortage with Australia’s peak farming body, National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), saying TAFE NSW will play a critical role in ensuring the industry has the workforce to meet future demand. The NFF Roadmap outlines its vision to grow the agricultural workforce by 25 per cent over the next decade.

The iconic three-day event, which runs from 17 to 19 September, is southern Australia’s largest agricultural fair, featuring the latest in machinery and farm equipment, farm produce, agronomy, government and health services, and agribusiness.

TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre has had a site at the event for more than 35 years and this year’s is one of its largest ever.

The TAFE NSW site includes seven “junior judging stations”, featuring demonstrations and interactive displays in subject areas including beef genetics, sheep production, crops and pastures, animal studies, and wool.

Local high school and primary school students have been invited to participate in the stations and gain a deeper understanding of how a TAFE NSW agriculture course can lead to an exciting and rewarding career.

The TAFE NSW site at Henty also includes a shearing demonstration, horticulture display, domestic pet first aid demonstration, and two hi-tech virtual welders.

A host of TAFE NSW Certificate IV and Diploma agriculture students will be at the event to network with employers and industry heavyweights, as well as see the latest farm equipment, machinery and services.

According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the nation’s agriculture industry was worth a record $80 billion in 2022-23.

In July, the NSW Government announced it was helping futureproof the state’s farming industry and support regional economies by extending a program focused on upskilling the agricultural workforce.

AgSkilled is an industry-led training program designed to upskill and better prepare the agricultural workforce for fast-moving changes driven by innovation, research, and technology.

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

“It’s great to see TAFE NSW continuing to support Henty Field Days and help foster the next generation of agricultural workers.

“As a former Minister for Primary Industries and current member of an electorate that has agriculture baked into its DNA, I’m acutely aware of the importance of ensuring the agriculture industry has the workforce to meet future demand.

“Agriculture is a rapidly changing industry and whether it’s at the cutting edge of technology, working on the land, or in a lab, agriculture offers so many exciting career opportunities.

“TAFE NSW works closely with major agricultural employers to ensure training meets their changing needs, and Henty Field Days is a great opportunity to take the pulse of industry.

“The Riverina-Murray makes the largest regional contribution to agriculture production in NSW, and TAFE NSW has two specialist campuses in the region – TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre and TAFE NSW National Environment Centre.

“By investing in the skills and training of our workforce at these campuses, the NSW Government is ensuring our farmers and agricultural workers are well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre Head Teacher of Agriculture, Rob Harris said:

“I’ve been attending Henty Field Days with TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre for more than 30 years and this is one of the largest exhibitions TAFE NSW has ever had.

“It’s an ideal opportunity to showcase the many pathways available at TAFE NSW to get the real-world skills and knowledge to launch a career in agriculture.

“It also gives current students a close-up view of the changing face of agriculture and allows them to meet major industry employers.

“Our two local agricultural campuses are set on working farms, giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on skills and engage with the latest technology to get a running start to their careers.”

$33 million Agtech program expanded to support more farmers across NSW

The Minns Government is helping farmers across NSW boost productivity, improve on-farm technology and connectivity by expanding its innovative $33 million Farms of the Future Agtech program to 2028.

The Farms of the Future Program is designed to drive the uptake of state-of-the-art agriculture technology which is estimated to boost on-farm productivity by up to 25%, equating to a $3 billion increase in GVP per year.

Agtech includes new technologies and innovations that have the potential to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of agriculture.

It includes sensors and devices that enable real time monitoring of on-ground conditions such as weather, soil moisture and water supplies as well as devices, hardware and software that enable automation and robotics. 

The expanded Farms of the Future program, which previously targeted 11 LGAS, will now be open to all NSW farmers and will be more sharply focused on accelerating the adoption of Agtech and education around it.

The program will also focus on addressing key barriers faced by farmers in the take up of Agtech such as on-farm connectivity, digital capability, unclear benefits and poor user experience. 

Changes to the program include a broader education offering, ensuring farmers feel equipped with the knowledge and expertise they need to get the most out of Agtech on their property.

Changes to the program, which has now been extended to 2028, include:

  • Industry specific training courses which cover fundamentals right through to aspects of new technology.
  • Demonstration Hubs, located in 10 DPIRD research stations across the state, will allow farmers to witness firsthand how devices operate in real farm settings, observe the data collected, understand how farms use this data.
  • Agtech Alley which is a designated space for Agtech suppliers at major field days to connect directly with farmers.
  • Agtech Toolbox which is an extensive resource offering articles, case studies and how-to-videos.

Further information on The Farms of the Future Program is available here.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The changes to our Farms for the Future program are about helping more farmers understand and reap the enormous benefits of Agtech including increased productivity, better farm management and greater connectivity.

“Agtech provides more reliable and current information, helping farmers make better and quicker decisions that supports both productivity and sustainability.

“This transition to a broader state-wide program, will help farmers really embrace Agtech solutions and ensure they are supported every step of the way.

Case Study

Michael and Helen Payten: ‘Alfalfa’ outside Canowindra, Central Western NSW

Michael and Helen Payten run a mixed enterprise farm with 50% cropping and 50% pastures for sheep on their 1,180 hectare farm, ‘Alfalfa’ outside Canowindra.

They manage 3,500 breeding ewes and 100 hectares of irrigated lucerne, producing a mix of small and large bales.

Technology currently being used on Alfalfa and connectivity utilised includes spray advisory system, weather station, hay storage monitoring, fuel level monitor.

Michael Payten said:

“We have benefitted greatly from being involved in the Farms of the Future Program. There is great Agtech available, and this program gave us the confidence and momentum to adopt some new technologies.

“The spray advisory system we have installed is becoming a crucial factor in determining optimal spraying windows.

“It combines all the key data including temperature, wind, delta T, humidity & potential inversion layers and takes out the risk of poor spray outcomes, a win for both crop production and the environment.”

Helen Payten said:

“We’re very happy with the tank monitoring, complete with alerts. With four water supply tanks fed primarily by solar pumps, we were always anxious and constantly needing to check tank levels.

“With livestock needs and house water supplies dependent on the tanks, we now get early warning if there’s a sudden fall. It gives great peace of mind.”

NSW Government moves to protect horticulture industries from virus

The Minns Labor Government today issued a Control Order to protect NSW’s valuable tomato, capsicum and chilli industries by reducing the risk of the devastating tomato brown rugose virus entering the state.

NSW remains free of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, which was for the first time confirmed in Australia when it was found this August in tomato crops near Adelaide.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a highly contagious plant virus which could be a serious threat to Australia’s $5.8 billion vegetable industry and the $2.8 billion plant nursery industry.

The control order restricts high risk produce from entering NSW, including tomatoes, capsicums and chillies, from infested properties in South Australia.

Restrictions apply to other properties which are linked to the infested sites.

Plans are in place to eradicate the virus, which has been found in just four greenhouses on three South Australian properties.

The greenhouses are enclosed, which supports efforts to contain the disease and apply control measures to rid Australia of this threat.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with industry, international and national experts to maintain NSW’s disease-free status and safely allow continuing trade in fresh produce, seedlings and seeds.

Containment of the disease underpins these plans and extensive surveillance is ongoing in South Australia, NSW and other states and territories. 

The South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is responding to the confirmed detection, which was found in tomatoes.

Industry and home gardeners are urged to be on the lookout for signs of tomato brown rugose fruit virus and call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 if suspect plants are found.

Signs of the virus include:

  • mosaic and mottled patterns, yellowing, discoloration and deformities on leaves
  • fruit with yellow patches, marbling, brown wrinkled spots or uneven ripening.

Symptoms vary between plants and laboratory diagnosis is needed to identify tomato brown rugose virus, which is similar to other viruses from the same family.

More information is available from the NSW DPIRD website.

NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said:

“Tomato brown rugose virus is a serious threat to the state’s $115 million combined tomato, capsicum and chilli industries.

“The NSW control order is in place to protect NSW from the disease and allow industry to safely trade in fresh produce, seedlings and seeds.”

“Biosecurity is a top priority for the NSW Government and if problems arise in other states, we need to take swift and urgent action to protect our industries.

“I encourage all growers to look out for signs of the virus in tomato, capsicum and chilli crops.

“There is no risk to food safety or human health from eating tomatoes with the virus.”

More than 235,000 patients avoid ED through HealthDirect

The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Health Quarterly results show the NSW health system remains resilient in the face of unprecedented pressure.

There were 795,817 emergency department (ED) attendances in the April to June quarter, up 3.3 per cent from the same quarter last year and only marginally lower (1.8 per cent) than the record-breaking January to March 2024 quarter.

The NSW Government remains focused on expanding alternative care pathways outside of the hospital.

In 2023-24 more than 235,000 people who were assessed by HealthDirect received advice or referral to a health service avoiding a trip to the ED.

Despite significant pressure, many EDs have exhibited incredible resilience and even significant improvements in key performance indicators, including

  • Canterbury Hospital which saw an 18.9 per cent increase in the proportion of patients treated on time;
  • Moree Hospital which saw a 14.8 per cent increase in the proportion of patients treated on time; and
  • Liverpool Hospital which saw a 15.3 per cent improvement in the proportion of patients transferred from paramedics to ED staff.

The NSW Government’s comprehensive strategy to relieve pressure on EDs includes creating pathways to care outside of the hospital as well as improving patient flow inside the hospital, through:

  • $100 million for urgent care services and $171.4 million for three new virtual care services to divert hundreds of thousands of presentations from EDs;
  • Allowing pharmacists to provide consultations for low complexity conditions, relieving pressure on GPs; and
  • Improving patient flow within the hospital with $70 million for short stay units; $31.4 million for hospital in the home; and $53.9 million to deploy 86 patient flow officers in hospitals across the state.

The Minns Labor Government has also introduced the $189 million Bulk-Billing Support Initiative which will help stem declining bulk-billing rates, and foster greater access to GPs, and in turn, relieve pressure on our busy hospitals.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We are so grateful for the hard work of our dedicated hospital staff who are confronted with record demand.

“While our EDs grapple with unprecedented pressure, I’m really encouraged by the work being undertaken in creating alternative pathways to care outside of the hospital.

“This is almost a quarter of a million people who may have otherwise ended up a long time in a busy ED.

“We are undertaking a comprehensive and world leading range of measures to relieve our busy and stretched emergency departments.”

NSW hospitals falling behind under Labor

Independent health data released today by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) reveals that hospital emergency department performances in NSW are worsening, with over 69,000 people leaving ED before treatment began or was completed (a 13.3% increase).  

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said Chris Minns and Labor were letting our health system fall apart.

“We’re seeing record wait times, overcrowded emergency departments, and critical services being cut, all while Chris Minns stands by doing nothing. NSW families are paying the price for his failure to invest in health care, and it’s clear that under Labor things are only getting worse,” Mr Speakman said.

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane says everyone in NSW should have access to quality health care when they need it, but under Chris Minns and Labor that has never been harder. 

“After two years of Labor’s real cuts to the health budget, people in NSW are struggling. We have a health system that is stretched and a Premier that would rather fight with striking nurses than focus on improving health outcomes for the community.”

“Every day we are seeing the true face of Labor’s health mismanagement – from people sleeping on the floor of Blacktown ED, to cruel cuts to palliative care, to life saving dialysis being rationed in west and southwestern Sydney.”

The Liberals and Nationals built or significantly upgraded more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with a further 130 underway when we left office. Our last (2022-23) Budget saw more than triple the health capital spending and double the health recurrent spending of Labor’s last (2010-11) Budget.

Key Stats:

  • Fewer than 55% of patients are leaving emergency departments within four hours, the worst rate since Labor was last in government in 2010.
  • Over 69,000 patients are leaving emergency departments without treatment, a 13.3% increase.
  • 63.7% of all patients who attended an emergency department started their treatment on time – down 2.1 percentage points compared with the same quarter a year earlier.
  • 1 in 10 patients are waiting over 76 minutes to be transferred from an ambulance to ED staff — the longest wait ever recorded.