As part of the City’s response to COVID-19 overdue fines were suspended for an initial 6 months. However our community is continuing to face challenges so we’ve extended the fee free period to the middle of next year.
Since the pandemic we’ve had more than 1,300 new library members and we’re constantly looking at ways we can continue to provide them with more. More access, more services, and more ways to connect.
Extending our fines free period is another way we can offer more to all Library members. Plus we hope it will encourage new people to join and discover all their local library has on offer.
Membership is free and open to anyone who lives, works or regularly travels in the Newcastle region. Find out more about becoming a member here or contact the Library team on 4974 5300
Seed library harvests new community partnership
Newcastle Libraries will harvest the flourishing momentum for home vegetable gardens with the launch of the City’s first free Seed Library today.
One of the unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a national surge in the number of people growing their own fresh herbs and vegetables at home.
Newcastle Libraries will help cultivate this trend further by offering a variety of free seeds that residents can ‘borrow’ from the library to plant in their own gardens.
Residents will be encouraged to share in the fruits of each other’s labour by returning seeds from their ensuing harvest to the library in order to help re-stock and expand the collection.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Newcastle Seed Library was an innovative community partnership project that would continue to flourish and grow as more people became involved.
“Gardening is a fantastic pastime with many benefits for your physical and mental health and wellbeing,” Cr Clausen said.
“Growing your own vegetables is also a fantastic way to teach children about the life cycle of plants, while learning new seed-saving skills yourself. The best thing is you don’t need a huge amount of space to get started, with many of the plants able to be grown in pots.
“City of Newcastle already has for years been collaborating with residents to successfully establish community gardens throughout the local government area. The Seed Library initiative takes that support one step further by offering free, easy to grow seeds that locals can take and plant in their own gardens.”
The Newcastle Seed Library will start with certified organic varieties including basil, tomato, zucchini, pumpkin and bush bean.
Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said residents were encouraged to stay involved beyond their initial library ‘loan’ by returning their own seeds to share with the community.
“Our motto is ‘borrow and grow, harvest and share’. Newcastle Libraries members are invited to take home the free seeds for their garden, grow and return the same variety after harvest, and add other varieties of seeds to the library too,” Ms Gately said.
“Sharing seeds through the Newcastle Seed Library will help preserve rare, tasty and historical varieties for gardeners in our community, while the return of successful seeds will allow us to develop a collection adapted to local conditions.”
The Seed Library is being piloted at Wallsend Library from 6 October, with additional branches to potentially be added depending on demand.
Locals will be encouraged to subscribe to the Newcastle Seed Library newsletter for free seed saving tips, while tutorials on the Newcastle Libraries website and regular free seed saving workshops will help them build skills and confidence to grow from seed.
For more information visit the Newcastle Seed Library website.
OUTDOOR DINING COMING SOON
Summer is coming and outdoor spaces are being opened up for alfresco drinking and dining just in time for the warmer weather with the NSW Government slashing red tape to allow quicker approval times for venues.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said government agencies are getting the “Alfresco Job” done, allowing the new measures to be rolled out first in The Rocks from 16 October and in the city from November 1 for a 12-month pilot.
“We have cut through red tape to make this happen in a very short timeframe,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re working with City of Sydney and Place Management NSW, the landowner for The Rocks, to condense what was previously a three-month process involving multiple agencies, into a single application that takes a week.
“An amendment to the Liquor Regulation will also allow expanded liquor licence boundaries to be approved in as little as three days – a process that previously took up to 51 days.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels will be able to apply for an outdoor dining licence without needing to get a planning approval, making things easier for business owners.
“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the hospitality industry so this solution will not only keep our communities safer, but draw people back into the city so we can support local business and boost the economy,” Mr Stokes said.
“What we’re doing is getting out of the way – making processes simpler and easier for business owners to quickly take advantage of our unbeatable summer climate and set up outdoor areas for patrons to enjoy.
“We are doing this by trialling policy changes that mean a planning approval will not be needed for restaurants, bars and cafés to extend their business to outside areas.”
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said while The Rocks and City of Sydney will be the first areas to take up the new outdoor dining opportunities, they won’t be the last.
“Councils across the State are being encouraged to examine how they can fast-track outdoor dining area approvals at their end while ensuring public amenity and safety,” Mrs Hancock said.
“We’re exploring introducing further changes so that all councils can take advantage of the new arrangements and implement similar streamlined processes in time for summer.
“By slashing government approval times, we want businesses and councils to work together to identify spaces for outdoor dining. For example, there might be an unused car park next to your premises, or some sunny pavement out the front of your restaurant – these could be perfect spaces to apply to use.”
Consultation is now open for feedback on the proposed changes to the codes SEPP to allow pubs, small bars and cultural venue with a food or drink outlet to participate in the outdoor dining trial in the City of Sydney.
NO BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
Six new bridges will be built and another five bridges modified in the Greater Parramatta area, as part of the Parramatta Light Rail works.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the bridges at Westmead, Parramatta, Camellia, Rosehill and Dundas will support dual-track light rail as well as an active transport link.
“Greater Parramatta will be revitalised over the next three years with much more than a new light rail network – there will be better connections between communities thanks to new walking and cycling paths,” Mr Constance said.
Work on the 11 bridges across the Parramatta region includes (see map attached):
- A former rail bridge at Kissing Point Road in Dundas converted to active transport alongside a new three-span bridge for light rail;
- Replacing the James Hardie Underpass in Camellia with a new bridge for light rail and the active transport link;
- Encasing support structures for Victoria Road Bridge and Pennant Hills Road Bridge in concrete for protection;
- Modifying the Adderton Road Bridge, Telopea, to support active transport;
- Replacing Vineyard Creek Bridge and Leamington Road Underpass, both in Dundas and recently demolished, with new bridges for light rail and active transport;
- Building a new two-span bridge for light rail and active transport across Parramatta River alongside the existing Bridge Road Bridge in the Cumberland precinct;
- A new 417-tonne steel arch bridge over James Ruse Drive at Rosehill (the biggest bridge construction on the project).
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said light rail will be incorporated into a number of historic bridges, with the 1839 Lennox Bridge in Parramatta’s CBD to support light rail and pedestrians instead of car traffic, and the Parramatta River Bridge at Camellia, built in 1895 and modified in 1995, widened to accommodate an active transport link.
“The upgraded bridge designs have been sensitively engineered to pay respect to the past, while supporting new technology and infrastructure,” said Dr Lee.
“We are also taking care to minimise the impact construction of the new bridges has to the local community, by using pre-cast materials that can be installed over just a few days.”
The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to open in 2023.
Operation Border Closure continues at NSW/Victoria border
Police are reminding the community that restrictions remain in place at the NSW/Victoria border.
Since midnight on Wednesday 8 July 2020, thousands of police officers from across the state have been deployed to support border crossings between NSW and Victoria.
While the NSW/Victoria border zone was extended on Thursday 1 October 2020, travel to these areas is only permitted for border region resident permit holders.
NSW Police are reminding all other NSW residents that anyone who travels to Victoria, including within the border zone ‘border bubble’, will require a valid permit to re-enter NSW.
The NSW/Victoria border remains closed, unless you have a valid permit.
Operation Border Closure Forward Commander, Superintendent Paul Smith, said police will continue to enforce border closures.
“We have had several reports of people attempting to travel from South Australia to NSW – and vice versa – via the Sturt Highway in Victoria, as this is the most direct route,” Supt Smith said.
“Anyone wishing to enter NSW from South Australia will need to do so directly, via an alternative route.
“If you attempt to travel into NSW via Victoria and do not have a valid permit, you will be turned around at the border checkpoint and refused entry to NSW.”
For more information about exemptions or to apply for a permit, please visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
COVID-19 update; Two CANs, eight PINs issued
Police have charged two people and issued eight infringements since the last COVID-19 update.
Officers from Monaro Police District stopped a vehicle on the Monaro Highway, Lords Hill, about 11am on Saturday (3 October 2020), after allegedly evading a checkpoint to enter NSW. The occupants, two men aged 41 and 52, were issued with $1000 PINS after being issued warnings the previous day for attempting to enter NSW at the Jungellic Road checkpoint without a valid permit. They were directed to return to Victoria. About 9.15pm the same day, the men allegedly tried to enter NSW again through a checkpoint at Hayden Bog and Lower Bendoc roads. They were issued with field court attendance notices for attempting to enter NSW for a third time and will face court at a later date.
About 10.45am on Saturday (3 October 2020), police attached to Barrier Police District were conducting border closure operations when they stopped a Ford Falcon sedan, travelling on the Sturt Highway, Balranald to conduct a permit check. Police spoke to the male driver, aged 24, and he was issued with a $1000 PIN for violating the conditions of his border permit.
Officers from Richmond Police District attended a licensed premises on Keen Street, Lismore about 7.50pm on Saturday and issued a $5000 PIN for failing to effectively implement a COVID-19 safety plan 2020.
Just after midnight on Sunday (4 October 2020), police were called to Malabar Headland after complaints were received about a party that was taking place. Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended and located more than 80 people at the event. The crowd dispersed and officers spoke to the organiser, a 31-year-old man. He was issued $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a required public health order – COVID-19 and an infringement for use park or part of park for other than which it is reserved. Inquiries continue.
Officers attached to Richmond Police District attended a licensed premises on Brighton Street, East Ballina about 7.30pm on Sunday, and issued a $5000 PIN for failing to adhere to venue operation laws. Police will allege no provisions were being made to effect proper social distancing within the establishment.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended a venue at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park about 6.45pm on Sunday and issued the manager a $5000 PIN after allegedly being unable to produce a COVID-19 safely
Sydney City Police attended a second venue at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park, about 9.30pm on Sunday. Police allege the manager was unable to produce a COVID-19 safety plan and was issued a $5000 PIN.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Greens call on Labor and Crossbench to oppose unfair, wasteful tax cuts
Greens Leader Adam Bandt says Labor and the crossbench must join the Greens in opposing tax cuts to the super-wealthy, warning that Scott Morrison’s COVID recovery budget looked set to supercharge inequality and create a ‘lost generation’ of young people.
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers refused to rule out supporting a fast-tracking of Stages 2 & 3 of the government’s $286 billion tax cut package, which overwhelmingly benefits people on higher incomes. Mr Bandt said with economists discrediting the Government spin that Stage 2 was ‘kinder’ than Stage 3, both should be opposed.
“The Government is choosing to create a high unemployment future. We must stand up to this government. Labor can’t roll over and vote with the government again,” Mr Bandt said.
“Blocking this handout for the super-wealthy would be Labor’s first step in fixing the mistake of supporting these tax cuts in the first place.
“Tax cuts mean nothing for the million people out of work in Australia, and will strip away money that could be invested in public housing, high speed rail and free childcare.
“We’re risking a lost generation of young people if the government doesn’t invest in nation-building, planet-saving projects with a jobs guarantee.
“A government that always demonised debt is now borrowing money to give a tax cut to super-wealthy people like Clive Palmer.
“Instead of giving handouts to big corporations and millionaires, we should invest in a Green New Deal to get to full employment, tackle the climate crisis and reduce inequality.”
100,000 new apprenticeship positions to lead the COVID-19 economic recovery
The Morrison Government will invest an additional $1.2 billion to support Australian businesses to employ 100,000 new apprentices or trainees as part of our COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
Starting tomorrow, 5 October 2020, businesses who take on a new Australian apprentice will be eligible for a 50 per cent wage subsidy, regardless of geographic location, occupation, industry or business size.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said apprenticeships are an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there is a skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers.
“During this pandemic the Federal Government has been focused on supporting and creating jobs as well as identifying the skills we need in the economic rebuild,” the Prime Minister said.
“Already 760,000 jobs that were either lost or reduced to zero hours as the COVID crisis hit, have come back into our economy. We want to continue to recover what has been lost and get young people into work.
“Whether it’s the manufacturing, housing and construction, arts or mining sectors – this new wage subsidy gives businesses certainty to hire and provides a career path to aspiring, young tradies.”
The subsidy will be available to employers of any size or industry, Australia-wide who engage an Australian apprentice or trainee from 5 October 2020 until the 100,000 cap is reached.
Under the new measure, employers will be eligible for 50 per cent of the wages for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for the period up to 30 September 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the measure builds on the existing $2.8 billion Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy that is helping employers to retain their apprentices and trainees.
“The Australian Government has already invested significantly to ensure that apprentices are retained where possible and supported to re-engage if they lose their job,” Minister Cash said.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the new measures we are announcing today will build on the already significant investment to support apprentices and trainees.
“Through the existing Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure, as many as 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices throughout Australia will continue to be supported,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
More information on the measure is available at: https://www.employment.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements
NSW PUBLIC SERVICE TO LEAD OFFICE RETURN
Public Servants across the NSW Government will begin returning to work in the office in coming weeks as part of a COVID Safe transition.
Flexible working arrangements, including staggered start and finish times, will be in place to allow as many workers to return to their offices in a COVID Safe manner, providing a major boost for the Sydney economy.
Due to COVID-19 public health orders and the application of the four-square metre rule the number of employees returning to work across Government will differ depending on the office spaces available.
As has been the case for the past few months, employees will be urged to travel outside of peak times where possible to help maintain social distancing on public transport and where unable to social distance to consider wearing a face mask.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said public servants returning safely to the office was an important step in the State’s recovery but warned we couldn’t afford to become complacent.
“The health and safety of the people of NSW has always been our number one priority, however we are also focussed on firing up the economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are now encouraging public servants to physically return to work in their offices in a COVID Safe way, which will help stimulate city-based businesses and create more jobs across the state.
“The Government will continue to review health advice and aim to ensure we keep people safe and at the same time allow them to return to their normal lives as much as possible.”
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said public servants returning safely to the office was an important economic signal for not just the State but the country.
“Our top-class health response and contact tracing has managed to help contain COVID-19 and we now need to begin returning our city safely to a more normal footing,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is an important step, and as workers return safely to the city it will help boost confidence and support businesses who have suffered over the past six months.”
Department managers will be tasked with ensuring staff follow a COVID-19 Safety Plan and utilise flexible rostering where possible to allow travel on public transport outside of peak hours.
These arrangements for returning to work will comply with the current Public Health Orders:
- The Gathering and Movement Order requires employers to allow their employees to work from home if reasonably practicable.
- While office gatherings are generally exempt from the public health orders, NSW Government offices adopt the 4 square metre rule voluntarily in line with COVID-safe practices.
The move follows the recent Summer Summit of business and industry leaders, organised by the Treasurer and Planning Minister Rob Stokes, which heard about the importance of CBD office workers returning safely to the city to help boost business.
TAFE NSW ACCELERATES VOLVO APPRENTICES
TAFE NSW has partnered with MSX International as the national training provider for Volvo apprentices.
Through the partnership, Volvo apprentices will study a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology in the state-of-the-art automotive training facilities at TAFE NSW Campbelltown and receive hands-on experience with Volvo’s advanced automotive software technology.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the agreement with MSX International is an example of how TAFE NSW is partnering with industries to bolster the practical skills of employees and maximise business potential.
“This is a significant step towards strengthening Australia’s automotive industry and building a pipeline of mechanics with specialised skills and knowledge to meet the needs of global companies like Volvo,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“An important aspect of the State’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan is to reskill, retrain and redeploy the workforce to industries where there are skills shortages and emerging employment opportunities.”
Minister for Skills Geoff Lee said the NSW Government was thrilled a global name such as Volvo has partnered with TAFE NSW to deliver state of the art training for apprentices.
“TAFE NSW’s reputation as a training provider enables partnerships such as this to be developed for the benefit of apprentices and industry. Partnerships create a unique opportunity to work together at the cutting edge of training,” Mr Lee said.
Volvo Managing Director Nick Connor said the training partnership is an integral part of the company’s future.
“Volvo is proud to provide our apprentices with access to leading industry training that will meet the skills needs of the automotive jobs of the future. Having Volvo apprentices trained on Volvo products, by highly-skilled TAFE NSW teachers, also ensures that the needs of our customers are always at the forefront of our business,” Mr Connor said.
MSX International Training Academy Manager Ian Roberts said: “The partnership between MSX and TAFE NSW has already seen more than 36 apprentices excel through this customised training program.”