REGIONAL HEALTH INQUIRY
THE NSW Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare in rural and regional areas following the publication of the findings and recommendations of a Parliamentary Inquiry.
The Government has listened and accepts that there is a need to do more to improve patient care with everything on the table when it comes to improving rural and regional health outcomes.
The recently established Regional Health Division of NSW Health will play a key role in the ongoing work to improve and deliver excellent patient experiences and outcomes for the people of rural and regional NSW.
In addition to improving patient access to care, NSW will work with the Federal Government to expand and integrate primary care models, including the GP workforce.
A formal response to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry will be handed down in coming months.
SINGLETON COUNCIL ELECTION UPDATE
THE NSW Electoral Commission has requested and received delegated authority to offer act of grace payments to candidates, groups and parties who participated in last year’s Singleton Council election.
Participants who incurred lawful electoral expenditure in respect of nominated candidates will be invited to apply for a payment, on a reimbursement basis, up to the amount of the legislated cap for the contest.
The Electoral Commissioner has also consented to pay the defendants’ legal costs for the recent NSW Supreme Court case into problems with the operation of the iVote system on election day.
Singleton council will not be required to pay for a new election with the date to be fixed by the Electoral Commissioner within three months of the final orders made by the Court taking effect last week.
FIREARMS REVIEWS
Specially licensed shooters will have renewed access to Category D firearms under planned legislation to be introduced by the Deputy Premier Paul Toole.
The NSW Government will make reforms to the current 12-month maximum licence period for primary producer Category D licences, providing additional options for two or five-year licences.
The proposed amendments to the Firearms Act 1996 and the Firearms Regulation 2016 will restore the ability of some primary producers and pest animal controllers to access and retain the fit-for-purpose Category D firearms they need.
A three month review of the NSW Firearms Registry will also be conducted to ensure that processes around the licensing of firearms are robust, timely, and efficient.
Former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie heads up the Firearms Registry review.
DAMS PART OF PLAN
The viability of a Hunter Water connection to the Glennies Creek Dam-Lostock Dam scheme will continue to be assessed as part of the NSW Government’s Lower Hunter Water Security Plan (LHWSP).
The NSW Government has commenced planning for a proposed two-way pipeline to connect Glennies Creek Dam and Lostock Dam.
Should the pipeline proceed, Hunter Water could connect to the scheme via a new offtake on the Paterson River.
Water security is at the heart of the new whole-of-government, 40 year strategic water plan that will provide confidence for communities and businesses in the Lower Hunter.
Analysis conducted while developing the plan confirms the region is more vulnerable to drought than previously thought, so improving the resilience of the water supply system is paramount.
To view the plan, visit www.hunterwater.com.au/waterfuture
REZ MILESTONE
Three groups have been shortlisted to tender for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone (REZ) transmission network which includes a portion of the Upper Hunter.
Energy Corporation of NSW will soon invite the shortlisted tenderers ACE Energy, Network REZolution and NewGen Networks to respond to a Request for Proposal with the contract to be awarded in 2023.
The network operator will be responsible for designing, financing, building, operating and maintaining the network infrastructure for the Central-West Orana REZ.
Meantime, the Department of Primary Industries is seeks feedback on the existing framework which supports the future growth of renewable energy and agriculture sectors.
The Minister for Energy and the Minister for Agriculture announced a taskforce to review the framework with public feedback based on the review’s main issues and terms of reference closing on 23 May.
For more information visit: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/lup
BASC VOUCHER DEMAND
Families are making use of the Before and After School Care (BASC) vouchers with more than 190,000 claimed since February.
The state government is providing one $500 voucher per child to every family for children aged 4-13 years attending a New South Wales school.
More than 860 BASC services are currently operating across NSW with a further 38 tenders to provide services currently open.
The vouchers can be accessed until 30 September through your Service NSW app, by visiting Service NSW or by calling 13 77 88.
Discover more at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/basc-voucher
IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
Crown land is set to be improved after the NSW Government set aside $17 million to upgrade and maintain facilities across the state.
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund supports upgrades to facilities like showgrounds, scouts and girl guide groups, pony clubs and PCYCs.
Applications are open to Crown land reserve managers and all showgrounds including those on freehold land for projects that can deliver social, cultural, environmental or economic benefits.
Applications for Crown Reserves Improvement Fund grants close on 3 June with further information at: https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/funding/crif
MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS
Full marks to Quirindi Rotary Club for this month’s mental health event with ABC Newcastle and Upper Hunter radio presenter Craig Hamilton.
A local increase in the level of general mental health and wellbeing issues prompted Rotary to organise the free event at Quirindi Royal Theatre on Thursday 26 May at 7.30pm.
Craig will share his own story of recovering from mental illness, tools and strategies for better mental health and reducing the stigma along with former local Alirra Robertson also participating in the discussion.