November 2024 – Page 4

Wee Waa community survey an important first step for Collaborative Care program

Residents of Wee Waa and surrounding areas are encouraged to share their experiences of primary health care through a community survey which is now open.

The community survey will help identify local health priorities and any barriers people are facing in accessing primary and community health services in Wee Waa.

Primary health care is the ongoing care that people receive from their local health practitioners. This includes general practitioners, allied health, and community health and wellbeing services. This ongoing care supports a person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing throughout their lifetime.

The survey is being conducted by the Wee Waa Collaborative Care project group. The Collaborative Care program is a community-centred approach to addressing primary health care needs in rural NSW. The program developed by Rural Doctors Network has been tested throughout regional NSW working in partnership with local community and health stakeholders.

With the support of NSW Health, the Collaborative Care program has expanded this year to include projects in Wee Waa as well as Liverpool Plains, Murwillumbah and Leeton. The expansion of the program will provide the support needed to identify new and innovative solutions to address the health and wellbeing of the Wee Waa community and surrounding areas.

The community survey is being supported by Narrabri Shire Council, Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Lands Council, local health providers and community support agencies. It is open until 15 December 2024.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“It’s important that we hear from the Wee Waa community about their experience of primary healthcare to help us gain a firsthand understanding of local healthcare needs.”

“The survey is open to all Wee Waa residents and seeks to capture a broad range of perspectives from people of all ages and backgrounds.”

“This is a crucial step in the Collaborative Care process and ensures that the voices of Wee Waa residents are at the forefront of shaping future health initiatives.”

“We’re expanding on the program to bring more Collaborative Care projects to the communities that need them the most.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler:

“Through this important initiative we want to build a clear picture of the primary healthcare needs of the Wee Waa community, based on real experiences.

“Our goal is to work collaboratively with local residents, council and healthcare providers to address gaps in primary care services and make healthcare more accessible for everyone in Wee Waa.

“Community feedback is essential in helping us provide health services that benefit residents and are the best fit for the community, including improved access to local practitioners and preventive care services.”

Justyn Walker, Collaborative Care Program Lead, Rural Doctors Network:

“Collaborative Care is designed to empower local communities to have a say in the healthcare they receive.”

“We believe local communities are the experts in their own needs. This survey is an important step in understanding the healthcare needs of local people in Wee Waa.”

Community feedback informs next phase of $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital

Hundreds of people, including community members, health staff and volunteers, local Councils and stakeholders have provided valuable feedback on the design of the new $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital, with the latest stakeholder engagement summary released today.

The NSW Government is investing $700 million in the new Rouse Hill Hospital development, the first major public hospital built in western Sydney in more than 40 years, to meet the future healthcare needs of the growing north western Sydney community.

The community had their say on the latest design for the project throughout August and September 2024, with 350 people attending in-person information sessions across Schofields, Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Blacktown and at Westmead, with a further 90 stakeholders briefed. Additionally, there were almost 600 responses from the community to an online survey.

Feedback is informing the next stage of design of the new hospital, with input received from a broad range of consumers, health staff, community members and stakeholders including Dharug traditional custodians, multicultural community representatives, interest groups and local organisations, local residents and businesses, local Councils and NSW Government agencies.

The feedback highlighted positive support for the delivery of a new hospital in Rouse Hill, with respondents interested in the hospital’s design, clinical services to be delivered and future hospital functions, as well as the patient, visitor and community experience.

The community was also interested in parking and access to the new hospital including proximity to public transport. As part of the project a new multi-storey carpark will be delivered, with the site location providing easy access to the Sydney Metro.

The project team has prepared a report about the engagement and answers to key queries by community members and stakeholders. The full report can be found here: Rouse Hill Engagement Report Nov 2024

The project team is now preparing an Environmental Impact Statement as part of a State Significant Development Application, which is expected to be lodged and placed on public exhibition in 2025.

Ongoing consultation with a broad range of stakeholders and the community is essential to the hospital planning, design and delivery process and will continue throughout the project.

The final scope for the Rouse Hill Hospital Development will be determined through the planning process but is expected to include:

An emergency department and primary access clinic  
Inpatient beds and day surgery services
Short stay medical assessment services  
Pathology, pharmacy, and medical imaging services  
Outpatient and ambulatory care services including paediatrics, renal dialysis and antenatal and postnatal services      
Virtual care and hospital in the home services 
Prehabilitation, rehabilitation and lifestyle medicine

 The new hospital will be future-proofed and built with expansion zones, to ensure capacity for additional health services in the future.

The full scope of health services will be confirmed when planning and design is finalised.

For information about the new Rouse Hill Hospital, including the stakeholder and community engagement summary visit: www.rousehillhospital.health.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Health Ryan Park:  

“I am delighted to see the interest the community is taking in their new hospital. This valuable feedback will help shape the new health facility to ensure it meets the healthcare needs of Sydney’s north west into the future.

“The new public hospital for Rouse Hill is a key priority for the Minns Labor Government and it’s exciting to see the plans taking shape. 

“The former Liberal National Government had a long history of undelivered commitments with this project dating back to 2015. The Minns Labor Government, myself and the Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby are getting on with the job of delivering this $700 million hospital for the community in North Western Sydney.”

Peter Primrose, Labor Spokesperson for Kellyville:

“The new hospital will bring public healthcare closer to communities around Rouse Hill, Tallawong, Schofields, The Ponds, North Kellyville, Riverstone, Box Hill and Marsden Park.”

Warren Kirby, Member for Riverstone:

“We want the new Rouse Hill Hospital to reflect the diverse community of Sydney’s north west and consultation with the community and stakeholders will be key to this.

“The Rouse Hill Hospital was promised for many years under the former Government, yet no work was done to make those promises a reality. It’s good to be part of a Government who is dedicated to supporting our growing community with the public health infrastructure we so desperately need.”

$15 million to future-proof rural and remote airstrips

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to increase the resilience of regional communities with $15 million to upgrade three key airstrips across regional New South Wales.

$15 million from the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust will be invested to upgrade airstrips in White Cliffs, Bourke and Deniliquin, increasing economic development opportunities and ensuring healthcare and emergency services are able to reach these communities into the future.

Upgrades will include increasing runways, lengths, widths and weight limits, meaning larger planes with bigger loads can be accommodated. Taxiway, lighting and line markings will also be improved to increase visibility and safety for pilots.

It is forecast that new, heavier aircrafts will increasingly be used for health and other emergency services to accommodate more patients, passengers and supplies. These upgrades will ensure that these communities can safely accommodate these services.

Further, the increased capacity of these airstrips will boost economic opportunities for the community as larger business services may be welcomed.

The selection of these locations follows a statewide audit of regional airstrips, which included consultation with local government, the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Flying Doctor Service, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Ambulance and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

A scope of work for each of the three airstrips has been developed with works on the projects expected to commence by mid-2025.

For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust

Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“Investing in our regional airstrips and aerodromes will help ensure rural and remote communities can continue to access the services they need, whether it’s health, emergency or business services, and especially in times of a critical incident when they are needed most.

“These upgrades are about making sure we are boosting service delivery to regional NSW and that we are building strong and resilient regional communities now and into the future.”

State member for Murray Helen Dalton said:

“Right now, many air ambulances can’t use Deniliquin Airport because the runway is too short and not stable enough. This upgrade will change that.

“I had been lobbying the previous NSW government about the dangerous situation in Deniliquin for a long time and I so commend the Minns Government for taking the communities fears seriously.”

“Deniliquin needs this runway year-round and especially during peaks times such as summer and during the Deni Ute Muster.

“People in rural NSW, and people visiting rural NSW, should be able to access the health care they need, when they need it.”

State Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:

“Air travel in regional NSW is vital for accessing specialised health services and increases economic opportunities in these communities.

“It also allows critical access to transport options when roads are closed from flooding in the Far West.

‘I welcome this announcement and any infrastructure investment in regional NSW.”

Bourke Shire Mayor, Cr Lachlan Ford said:

“The chance to upgrade the local runway to accommodate heavier planes would support health services and local businesses.

“Business is booming in Bourke, the opportunity to upgrade the Bourke airstrip will allow for larger aircraft to land to service the health and local business sectors, supporting the local economy, and local jobs.”

General Manager of Central Darling Shire Council Greg Hill said:

Upgrading the local airstrip would significantly improve access to health services for White Cliffs residents.

“Our community relies heavily on aerial medical services due to our location.

“The opportunity to work with the NSW Government to upgrade the White Cliffs airstrip to accommodate larger and heavier aircraft used by emergency services will significantly improve capacity to deliver life-saving care in our community.

Ground-breaking progress on Western Harbour Tunnel

Tunnelling for the third road crossing of Sydney Harbour is now more than 60 per cent complete, with the second stage of work on the Western Harbour Tunnel having passed above the Sydney Metro tunnel at North Sydney on its way towards Waverton.

Today marks the 12-month anniversary of the start of Stage 2 works from the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray, with 2.9 kilometres of twin three-lane road tunnels excavated by six roadheaders working around the clock.

So far, 5,800 people have worked on Stage 2, further enhancing the combined skills of the underground construction workforce in NSW.

Work on Stage 2 has recently passed underneath North Sydney and is progressing about 25 metres a week towards the harbour.

The 6.5 kilometre Western Harbour Tunnel is due to open to traffic in 2028 and importantly, will remain in public ownership.

As the first new road crossing of the harbour in over 30 years, the Western Harbour Tunnel will deliver time-saving benefits to motorists, with 20 minutes shaved off a journey between North Sydney and Sydney Olympic Park or Leichhardt.

The first stage of tunnelling work – twin 1.7km road tunnels to Birchgrove that connect into the Rozelle Interchange – is all but complete.

In late 2025, the largest tunnel boring machines ever to be put to work in the southern hemisphere will be assembled underground at Birchgrove and tunnel under the harbour floor to connect at Waverton.

Tunnel facts

Each roadheader can excavate 1,000 tonnes of rock per day – equivalent to the weight of three Boeing 747-200s
In a world-first, Transport for NSW, in partnership with Stage 2 contractor ACCIONA, is trialling a remote control roadheader
The team controlling the roadheader can remain 200 metres away from the rock face
A total of 666,000 rock bolts have so far been installed on both stages of the project

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“From WestConnex to Sydney Metro to the Western Harbour Tunnel, NSW has the premier underground construction workforce anywhere in the world and we want to thank the 5,800 workers for what they have achieved so far.

“At the 12-month mark of Stage 2, we are seeing great progress, with more than 60 per cent of the entire tunnelling task now complete and the project on schedule to provide the first new road crossing of Sydney Harbour in more than 30 years.

“Anyone who has crossed the harbour by road knows the system is constrained and the Western Harbour Tunnel will provide much-needed relief, slashing travel times by 20 minutes on a journey from North Sydney to Leichardt or Sydney Olympic Park.

More information about the design and landscaping of the public areas here

Meeting with the President of the Czech Republic

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with the President of the Czech Republic, His Excellency Mr Petr Pavel, today in Canberra.

This is the first visit by a Czech President to Australia in 29 years.

Australia and the Czech Republic are likeminded partners, our relationship is underpinned by shared values and a mutual understanding of contemporary global challenges.

Prime Minister Albanese and President Pavel reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, and reiterated this support would continue from both countries for as long as it takes.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Czech Republic’s increased engagement with the Indo-Pacific, as well as President Pavel’s continued advocacy for European engagement in our region.

Strengthening ties between partners like Australia and the Czech Republic allows us to respond to the shared security challenges of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

This was the first meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Pavel since he assumed office in March 2023.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“I am pleased to welcome President Pavel to Australia for this historic visit, the first by a Czech President in 29 years.

“Australia is fortunate to be home to a large and thriving Australian-Czech community.

“The relationship between Australia and the Czech Republic is underpinned by strong people-to-people ties and continues to grow to meet shared opportunities and global challenges.”

Appeal to locate man missing from Newcastle

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

Neil Westcott, aged 79, was last seen leaving Westfield Kotara Shopping Centre and walking along Park Avenue, Kotara towards Adamstown at 12.30pm today (Thursday 28 November 2024).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries to locate him.

Family and police hold concerns for his welfare as he lives with dementia.

Neil is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of thin build, with short grey hair and is clean shaven.

He was last seen wearing a cream/brown stripped wide brimmed hat, grey polo shirt with black collar, blue shorts, black socks, brown walking shoes and carrying black and white polka dot umbrella.

Neil is known to frequent Kotara.

Fourth person charged with allegedly fatally stabbing man in Hamilton

A fourth person has been charged following the alleged fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle earlier this month.

Emergency services were called to Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 2.40am on Sunday 17 November 2024, and found a 22-year-old man suffering multiple stab wounds. He died in hospital a short time later.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Mannum, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

During the investigation, a 27-year-old man, 33-year-old woman, and a 35-year-old man were each charged with murder. They remain before the courts.

Following investigations, about 5.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024), a 43-year-old man presented to Moree Police Station where he was arrested and charged with murder.

He was refused bail to appear before Inverell Local Court today (Thursday 28 November 2024) where he was refused bail again to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 4 December 2024.

Third person charged with allegedly fatally stabbing man in Hamilton

A third man has been charged following the alleged fatal stabbing of a man in Newcastle earlier this month.

During the investigation, a 27-year-old man and a 33-year-old man were each charged with murder. They remain before the courts.

Following further investigations, detectives attended a Silverwater correctional facility about 10.40am today (Thursday 28 November 2024).

He was charged with murder, affray, use etc offensive weapon in company with intent to commit indictable offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s).

A 35-year-old man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 28 November 2024).

Dutton & Labor have caved to Sportsbet, Greens will ban gambling ads

The Greens say both Labor and Peter Dutton have caved and failed on gambling ads, while their Bill honours the Peta Murphy Inquiry recommendations .

Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Labor has no excuse for failing to ban gambling ads and Peter Dutton’s fake vibes are no substitute for what is needed: a full ban on gambling ads as recommended by the Peta Murphy Inquiry and supported by 70% of Australians.

“Everyone can see that Labor have caved, but no one should fall for Peter Dutton’s trickery: the Coalition was in Government for years and did nothing. Both are captured by the lobby while problem gamblers keep losing.

“Australians lose more per person to gambling than any nation on earth. We could pass laws to ban gambling ads by Christmas with the Greens Bill in line with the Peta Murphy Inquiry recommendations – but both Dutton and Labor have sold out to Sportsbet and refuse to support it.”

Senators Mehreen Faruqi and Lidia Thorpe call for inquiry into racism in parliament

Senators Mehreen Faruqi and Lidia Thorpe have today moved a motion in the Senate calling for the Standing Committee on Procedures to conduct an inquiry into racism within Parliament.

See the motion here.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi:

“It’s been three years since the Set the Standard report, two years since the parliamentary behaviour codes were developed and 20 months since they were endorsed by parliament, but it seems to make no difference to how women of colour are treated in here.

“The highest office in this country should lead the way on safe and respectful behaviour but it is far from it. That’s why we are seeking a review of standing orders as recommended by the Jenkins review so we can finally move to eliminate the discrimination, racism and sexism that so many are subjected to and harmed by.

“The Senate refused to censure Senator Hanson when I was racially vilified, but they are quick to shut me down for calling out racism. Politicians in here really need a good dose of anti-racism training.

“In here, it’s easy to fling around racism and racist commentary without consequence, but if you dare call out racism or white supremacy you are shut down, silenced and gaslighted.

“If there is any workplace that needs unpacking of white privilege and white fragility, it is this parliament.

“Despite all the revelations of the past few years, parliament still has not reckoned with its whitewashed and exclusionary culture where discrimination against First Nations people, people of colour, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people is common in practice and policy.

“Just last week I was silenced in the Senate for calling out racism and white supremacy while speaking in support of Senator Thorpe. It seems those running this place have not really listened to what the Set the Standard report had to say about systemic inequality, entitlement and exclusion.

“I hope the Senate will support our motion so we can move forward with consistent enforcement of behaviour standards so this can be a safe workplace for all.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe

“Racism in the Senate chamber is routine. Senators dogwhistle and demonise people of colour in speeches, and racist sledging and comments have been made towards Senators of colour, myself included.

“The President and many senators don’t have a good understanding of what is and isn’t racist, and consistently fail to recognise or call it out.

“It was confronting to see that I was kicked off a parliamentary delegation to Fiji and Tuvalu because I dared to call out the King for the genocide of First Peoples, while a Senator who made appalling racist, homophobic and ableist comments online was dealt a more lenient consequence by the Senate.

“It shows that if you speak up and demand justice for First Peoples, you will be punished, while racism, homophobia and ableism are not treated seriously by the Senate.

“Discussions of racism might make people uncomfortable, but these are real problems that need to be openly discussed. It’s racist in itself to prevent these issues from being raised in the chamber, or forcing senators to withdraw.

“For young people of colour wanting to move into politics, the level of racism we see in this workplace is a major barrier and turn off.

“Racism is still frequently used as a political tool by the major parties. They use it to create fear and distrust for their political benefit, and those attitudes flow through to the rest of society. The Prime Minister and opposition leader frequently partake in racist dog whistling.

“This inquiry is about taking a stronger stance on racism and holding this parliament to a higher standard.

“It aims to ensure that the recommendations of the Jenkins report are being taken into consideration in relation to racism, and that codes of conduct are strengthened.

“Parliament is my workplace. Racism is called out in other workplaces, and it should be called out in parliament too.”