BUS TASKFORCE REPORT
THE FIRST report of the Bus Industry Taskforce has been released with the NSW Government giving in-principle support to seven key recommendations.
The taskforce was established to make recommendations to improve the quality and reliability of services, and to ensure that bus networks across the state meet community expectations.
Following June’s Greta bus crash, the taskforce’s terms of reference were urgently expanded to include safety management, seat belt use and regulatory arrangements for buses.
A second taskforce report is due on 10 October with a final report and recommendations due by May next year.
The Bus Industry Taskforce report is available at; www.transport.nsw.gov.au/industry/independent-reviews/bus-industry-taskforce
CAUTION URGED
The NSW Rural Fire Service is urging caution with hazard reduction burns as crews continue to be deployed to winter callouts.
August has already been busy with over 170 bush and grass fires across the state during the weekend of August 12-13.
Unfortunately, many fires were caused by escaped pile burns prompting an RFS reminder for landowners conducting these burns to monitor the weather conditions and have adequate firefighting resources on hand.
For more information on safe pile burning, visit: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/safeburning, and to keep track of outbreaks go to the Hazards Near Me app or the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me
CONGRATULATIONS, YASMIN!
Muswellbrook’s Yasmin Jimmieson has been named the NSW State Emergency Service Winner of the recent 2023 Rotary Emergency Service Awards announced in Sydney.
Yasmin is a member of the SES Muswellbrook and Armidale units, where she had held a variety of roles including acting deputy unit commander, administration officer, training coordinator and Community Capability Officer across both units.
The Rotary District of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) acknowledge and celebrate the selfless Community Service of Emergency Services Personnel whilst also supporting and funding important Rotary initiatives.
Yasmin Jimmieson has been deployed across the state to several communities affected by severe weather events as well as volunteering time to respond to emergency situations, organising and instructing unit training, community engagement events, attending training courses, and mentoring.
COST OF LIVING UPDATE
An additional online resource in now available after a state government Cost of Living hub was recently launched to help people cut costs and access financial or other support.
It has information from more than 80 government and non-government websites in one central place, along with guides and advice on how to save money and where to find various rebates and vouchers.
The Cost of Living hub focuses on seven key areas such as everyday essentials including food and groceries, housing, energy and utilities, managing money, health, families and care plus transport, driving and fuel.
You can start by claiming the savings you’re entitled to via the Service NSW Savings Finder tool or book an appointment with a Savings Finder specialist.
Visit the Cost of Living hub at: www.nsw.gov.au/money-and-taxes/cost-of-living-hub
FIRE ANT PRECAUTIONS
Increased seasonal demand for livestock feed has contributed to the ramping up of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of fire ants into NSW.
Restrictions have been in place for many months now to ensure that high-risk materials including hay, fodder, mulch, manure, soil, quarry products, turf and potted plants are not unlawfully moved into the state.
As the weather warms up and seasonal conditions deteriorate in some areas of NSW there is an expectation that more people will transport fodder across the border from Queensland.
The best defence is individual responsibility and to have everyone observe the rules around the safe movement of these materials, so it is important that everyone is aware of how they can help prevent the spread of these invasive pests.
Where appropriate, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the National Fire Ant Eradication Program will work with agencies such as NSW Police on enforcement activities, with the penalties for breaches of the Control Order ranging from up to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.
For more information on fire ants, visit the Department of Primary Industries website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/insect-pests/fire-ants or call the NSW Biosecurity Hotline on 1800 680 244.
EXPLORATION WELL REHAB
Santos has announced plans to undertake Plug and Abandonment works to finalise rehabilitation of the Brawboy 2 well in the Upper Hunter shire.
As the previous operator of Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 456, Santos proposes to conduct the activities before the end of this year.
The final works that are required to complete the rehabilitation of the well, which is located approximately 27 kilometres north-west of Scone, will take approximately two weeks to complete.
For further information on the Brawboy 2 well Plug and Abandonment works contact
6792 9035 or email energy.nsw@santos.com
NO SMOKING MEANS NO VAPING
NSW Health has clarified that vaping is banned in all areas where smoking is also banned.
The restriction applies to shopping centres, public swimming pools, public transport including buses and trains as well as train platforms and bus stops, commercial outdoor dining areas plus enclosed areas of restaurants, pubs and clubs.
A $300 on the spot fine can be issued for vaping or smoking in a smoke-free area.
For more on smoke-free laws, go to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/smoke-free-laws.aspx and for the facts on vaping: www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaping
BASIX EXEMPTION
Increases to the existing BASIX standards for construction of homes in NSW will take effect from October, however, transitional arrangements will be available.
Homebuyers, who sign a building contract for a new house or duplex before October, can apply to use the current BASIX standards.
The additional time will reduce the financial impact of complying with the BASIX increased standards for builders and house buyers who already have a signed contract for a new house.
New homes already under contract before Sunday 1 October would be exempt from new sustainable building (BASIX) standards until 30 June 2024.
BASIX standards were introduced in 2004, and increased in 2017, to improve the energy and thermal performance of homes, providing better comfort, and energy and water efficiencies.
The new standard cuts thermal energy use by at least 20 per cent and will save homeowners on power bills.
The NSW Planning Portal has more information: https://pp.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/BASIX-standards
FIRE SAFETY VISITS
Fire and Rescue NSW is encouraging seniors to book a free home fire safety visit.
People aged 65 years-and-over make up nearly 50 per cent of house fire fatalities prompting the call to book a visit as soon as possible.
Firefighters will come to your home to inspect smoke alarms and replace them for free, if needed.
It is vital to be prepared for a house fire, so have working smoke alarms throughout your home including in bedrooms and keep keys in doors and window locks in case of an emergency.
In the event of a fire - get out, never go back inside, call Triple Zero (000) and wait for firefighters to arrive.
Learn more at the Fire and Rescue NSW website: www.fire.nsw.gov.au by going to Fire Safety then click on Safety Visits.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Yancoal is taking applications for its Community Support Programs with initiatives that make a positive difference to local communities encouraged to apply for funding.
The Mount Thorley Warkworth (MTW), Ashton Coal and Stratford Coal Community Support Programs will provide financial assistance to local groups working in the areas of health, community, environment, arts, culture, education and training.
Upper Hunter Valley community groups can visit: www.ashtoncoal.com.au, Hunter Valley community groups visit: www.mtwcoal.com.au/page/community with Gloucester, Stroud and District community groups to visit: www.stratfordcoal.com.au/ or www.duraliecoal.com.au.
Applications for the Yancoal Australia Community Support Programs close 30 September.
ARK IS BOOMING!
More good news from the Barrington Tops after Aussie Ark’s pouch checking for the next generation of Eastern Quoll joeys.
The Species Recovery Unit had eight female Eastern Quolls to check and were excited to welcome 35 new little joeys into its insurance population this year.
The Eastern Quoll once inhabited most of south-east Australia from the east coast of South Australia through Victoria and up to the NSW Central Coast.
Aussie Ark has identified the Eastern Quoll as a key species as it plays an important role, scavenging on carrion on the forest floor and assisting in maintaining balance within their ecosystem, as a natural predator.
Aussie Ark has the largest insurance population of Eastern Quolls in Australia, protecting them from extinction and providing the Upper Hunter with a tourist drawcard.