Month: September 2024

From anime to celebrations of multicultural groups or science fiction flicker fests – film aficionados and local film festivals organisers across the state are set to benefit from a new funding program that supports opening nights.

The new Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund will offer grants of up to $5,000 for established community film festivals to bring communities together in country cinemas and suburban centres to celebrate and connect through film.

Culturally diverse, regional, emerging, and genre-specific communities will be supported to grow the reach and impact of their established film festivals through the new $200,000 program announced by the Minns Labor Government. The fund will assist film festivals across the state to host opening night celebrations for their community. 

The new program is designed to complement the existing funding available for film and community festivals in the state, including Screen NSW’s Audience Development Fund and other government support Destination NSW’s Regional Event Fund.

The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund will open for applications today, 11 September 2024. For further information visit the Screen NSW website at screen.nsw.gov.au

Minister for the Arts, Music and Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“Every June for the last 71 years, Sydney’s State Theatre rolls out the red carpet for the opening night of the Sydney Film Festival. We want to do the same thing and roll out red carpets for opening nights right across NSW for these community film festivals.

“Community film festivals are often run on small budgets, driven by the sheer passion of a community. We know rising costs are making it harder to put on events. This fund will help ease some of that burden, and allow these communities to continue to celebrate their stories.

“Film festivals with a strong community base have the ability to introduce and attract new audiences to the cinema, in an era of streaming from the couch. The opening night is an important moment to celebrate, as it presents an unmissable experience.

“This program is focused on enriching the experience of community connection, growing audiences and the appreciation of stories, and celebrating the way we see ourselves.

Polish Film Festival Director, Magdalena Ambrozkiewicz said:

“Polish Film Festival welcomes the introduction of this new funding opportunity. Film festivals like ours play a vital role in strengthening the cultural fabric of our community, ensuring diverse stories and traditions are celebrated and preserved for future generations. Government backing for such festivals is essential for sustaining and expanding these events, particularly in the face of rising costs and the ongoing challenge of recovering pre-COVID attendance levels. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Polish Film Festival this year, we look forward to continuing our mission of showcasing Polish culture and the rich narratives of Polish cinema to inspire and connect our community.”

Background

• There are over 70 different film festivals run right across NSW. The new funding program greatly expands the number of small film festivals receiving NSW Government support.
• New Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund offers grants of up to $5,000 for established community film festivals to engage with their communities via an Opening Night celebration, which is a key opportunity to maximise audience impact and reach.
• This new fund complements existing Screen Audience Development Fund grants, which range from up to $10,000 for a single year to $10,000 – $50,000 p.a. in multi-year funding.
• Eligible festival organisers will be able to apply for funding of up to $5,000 to cover specified costs outlined in their budget. Approved activities and costs may include:
• venue hire,
• equipment costs,
• marketing and promotion,
• subsidising tickets for select community representatives,
• AusLan interpreters
• transport and travel costs and other associated costs.

The Minns Labor Government has welcomed today’s release of the Productivity and Equality Commission’s latest housing report Review of Housing Supply Challenges and Policy Options for New South Wales.

This report was commissioned by Premier Chris Minns who tasked Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat with investigating and providing evidence-based recommendations about the barriers impacting housing supply, including in the construction industry.

The Commissioner was also asked to investigate barriers which are holding up the delivery of different housing and development types that are sought by renters and owner-occupiers.

The Review made 32 recommendations grouped into four key themes:

1. Free up construction capacity to build more homes quicky: Prioritise capital spending; rapidly remove barriers to density in the most feasible locations; and be sparing with subsidies for developers. 
2. Streamline the development process: legislate a mechanism to resolve bottlenecks, including after DAs have been approved; retain and improve infrastructure contributions; and create a pro-housing regulatory environment.
3. Help the construction sector to deliver: shift the migration intake and recognise worker skills; grow the construction workforce and build capacity; and support innovation and productivity. 
4. Ensure a diverse and equitable supply of homes. 

The NSW Government is now considering the report and will develop an action plan that will identify which recommendations the Government can take up immediately with a priority placed on recommendations that will help unblock bottlenecks and support increased housing supply.

The review builds on critical analysis by the Productivity and Equality Commission in previous housing reports looking into how density can be done well and ideas on better land use.

Today’s report provides new insight into why doing nothing is not an option. This follows the Commissioner stating in his last housing review, “If we don’t act, we could become a city with no grandchildren.”

The paper found that between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. 35,000 came to Sydney, but 70,000 left.

It also found that while Sydney has among the highest average wages in Australia, over recent years it has consistently lost population to other states and regional NSW.

While there is more to do, the Minns Labor Government has made bold strides to reform the planning system in NSW.

This includes:

• Creating fairer housing targets. We’re rebalancing growth with a focus on well-located homes close to existing infrastructure.
• $253.7 million to continue the overhaul of the planning system and planning reforms.
• The largest rezoning in NSW history and the largest ever investment in the state’s history with $5.1 billion dedicated to delivering social and affordable housing.
• An international pattern book design competition to support our low-rise and mid-rise reforms and fast track pre-approved designs.
• A land audit of vacant government owned land that will unlock 30,000 homes including 8,400 public homes built by the government.
• Established a $2.2 billion infrastructure fund to make sure key infrastructure is in place to support development.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to confronting the housing crisis head on and that means ensuring we have more supply.

The NSW Government thanks Commissioner Peter Achterstraat for the work in this latest report.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We won’t back away from the challenge ahead of us – building thousands of new homes near existing infrastructure for a generation of young people locked out of housing.

“The Commissioner warned in his last report that we’re at risk of being a city with no young people.  Doing nothing is not an option.

“This means honestly assessing the conditions we are working in, and thinking innovatively about what we can do better like this report does.

“I want to thank Commissioner Peter Achterstraat for the work on this report.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“As it cites in its foreword, this report is ‘about looking our housing challenge in the face – it is also about practical solutions.

“We welcome the latest insights from the Productivity and Equality Commissioner and look forward to working through his recommendations.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The NSW Government is confronting the housing crisis head on – and that means making sure we create changes to help increase housing supply.

“We’ve already introduced some of the biggest planning reforms in NSW history and are keen to consider and act on recommendations from important reviews like this from the Commission.”

The Lebanese Muslim Association will deliver an enhanced suite of community preventative health and wellbeing initiatives, thanks to a $150,000 grant from the NSW Government.

The initiatives include information campaigns, workshops, forums, referral pathways and health screening opportunities, across a range of areas including cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, cancer screening and early intervention, and obesity and healthy weight programs with a focus on children, young people and diabetes.

The funding will also help the Lebanese Muslim Association tackle vaping and shisha use in the community, enhance aged care and dementia programs, treat chronic mental health conditions, and create early childhood school readiness programs.

The Lebanese Muslim Association was founded in 1962 and has more than 1000 members. The Association funds more than 400 initiatives including the Australian Multicultural Aged Nursing Program and a free culturally and religiously sensitive community-based psychology service.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Lebanese Muslim Association has long been a pillar of the NSW community and provides invaluable health support to its many members. I’m glad this funding will help continue that service into the future.

“Sydney in particular has a large Muslim population, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring this community stays healthy.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper:

“NSW is proud to be one of the world’s most successful multicultural states. The Lebanese Muslim Association plays a vital role in our community, and this program is designed to promote well-being and raise health awareness in-language, ensuring our community stays informed and healthy.”

Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis:

“This is an important partnership which will enhance access to the latest health information that will help our diverse community members better understand the benefits of preventative health measures.”

Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib:

“The Lebanese Muslim Association has a longstanding record of supporting the community, and this funding will further enable that work by ensuring people have access to services that will benefit them.

“The Lebanese Muslim Association will work with the community to provide invaluable assistance to help access health support and care in their native language.”

Lebanese Muslim Association President Hafez Alameddine:

“With this funding support over the next 12 months, the Lebanese Muslim Association will implement preventative health and wellbeing measures to address chronic diseases such as diabetes within our community.

“These initiatives will provide essential resources and education to empower individuals to take control of their health, fostering a healthier and more resilient community.”

Applications are now open for the 2024 Anzac Community Grants Program.

Grants of up to $3,000 are available for projects that commemorate and educate local communities on the service and sacrifices of current and former military service personnel.

Activities that support the wellbeing of veterans in New South Wales are also eligible for funding.

The $100,000 program is open to individuals and not-for-profit organisations, including local government authorities, ex-service and non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Grants cover four categories: local community historical research and education; preservation or display of war memorabilia; public commemorative events; and support the members of the NSW veteran community.

The program has delivered more than over $560,000 in grants funding. since its establishment in 2015.

Last year the program funded a record 91 projects, including:

• The NSW Soldier On Veteran Community Program, which provides training and resources to veteran volunteers to deliver socially engaged activities and events in the Hunter, Sydney, and Shoalhaven.
• A brass memorial commemorating Aboriginal war-time service at the Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre.
• An upgrade of the war room at the Woolpack Inn Museum at Holbrook for the preservation and display of war uniforms.
• A memorial mural for Mount Warrigal Public School.

The 2024 grant round closes at 5pm on Monday 11 November 2024.

More information and details on how to apply can be found on www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/ACGP

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“I am pleased to announce the opening of the next round of the Anzac Community Grants Program.

“Honouring and commemorating the service and sacrifice of our ex-serving military personnel is a key component of the NSW Veterans Strategy.

“The Anzac Community Grants Program supports initiatives that recognise veterans’ service, educate the local community on our military history or make a positive impact to the welfare of veterans.

“There are so many incredible organisations honouring veterans through their passionate and dedicated work and I encourage them to apply.”

Ms Leisa Mooney from Mount Warrigal Public School said:

“Thanks to the funding from NSW Government, our school was able to create a remembrance mural, which has helped our school honour the strength, courage, and sacrifice of our service men and women.

“The mural will encourage rich discussion about Australia’s involvement in peacekeeping operations and war service throughout history within our classrooms and school community.”

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• Anzac Community Grants Program – 2024 Round

Community members interested in shaping the future prosperity of regional NSW are encouraged to apply to become part of the NSW Government’s Regional Development Advisory Council.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced important changes to how government funds are used to ensure they reflect the needs of regional communities and aim to deliver real outcomes.

The Advisory Council provides independent advice to the Minister for Regional NSW about investments made by the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust.

The NSW Government established the Advisory Council to offer independent advice that ensures projects and programs are evidence-based and that regional communities are at the centre of government decision making.

Up to seven members will be appointed for three years by the Minister for Regional NSW, based on relevant skills and experience in areas such as regional and rural economics, local government, regional planning and infrastructure, climate adaptation and resilience, and natural resource management.

The Advisory Council will also include at least one Aboriginal representative with knowledge and experience in economic development for Aboriginal communities.

An interim Regional Development Advisory Council was established in December 2023 and the new Council members will be appointed at the end of 2024.

This year the Council has been involved with the first phase of Development Fund investments totalling $35 million for initiatives that address immediate needs of the community and industry in regional NSW.

The Council has played a critical role in providing advice on renewing the Regional Development Act and that bill is now being processed in Parliament.

Expressions of Interest for the new Advisory Council open at 10am on 11 September 2024 and close on 11:59PM Wednesday 9 October.

For more information and to apply, go to: nsw.gov.au/advisorycouncil

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The Government has committed an initial investment of $400 million into the Regional Development Trust Fund and the Regional Development Advisory Council plays a key role in providing independent and expert advice to support decision making on those investments.

“Great work has been started by the interim Council and they’ve provided valuable advice in determining the first $35 million worth of investments covering food and beverage businesses, remote airstrip upgrades, Aboriginal economic development, and Western NSW workforce activation.

“I’d like to thank the interim members for their service to date and acknowledge the important work they have undertaken in reviewing the Regional Development Act, and guiding decisions for the initial investments from the Regional Development Trust.”