Home Warranty Insurance

Home Warranty Insurance

When Parliament resumes this week one item of importance is the matter of disruptions to the building industry and the issuing of insurance certificates. A number of local builders and industry associated tradespeople have contacted my office regarding the unsatisfactory position and hold up due to the transition to new insurance companies to provide home warranty insurance. The current state of affairs and disruption to building activities is very alarming and the flow on inconvenience to people wanting homes built and extensions carried out is extremely damaging to the trade. I would be interested to hear from local builders as the Coalition will be highlighting this unacceptable situation and requesting immediate remedial action from the Carr Government.

Search for Top Regional Inventor in NSW

Country inventors are being encouraged to enter into the inaugural NSW Rural Inventor's Award. The NSW Innovation Council is contributing a cash prize of $5,000 for the best regional innovation or invention for 2001. This year's competition is a pilot program for a possible annual award. For further details, please contact my office.

Wilderness Assessment Report

This report has been completed recently and results are available for viewing. The information outlines the assessment process, methods and proposed options for wilderness declaration. The report will be on exhibition for 8 weeks until 20 September 2001, providing the opportunity for public consultation. Information is available on the Internet: www.npws.nsw.gov.au and on display at both the Alstonville Regional Office and the Kyogle Area Office. Submission forms are available from my office.

Minor Capital Works for Local Schools

The Lismore electorate will receive $1,755,425 in minor capital works for schools during 2001/02. The list includes;

Albert Park
Barkers Vale
Casino High
Casino
Coffee Camp
Dorroughby EEC
Eltham
Eureka
Goolmangar
Goonellabah
Kyogle High
Kyogle
Larnook
Lismore High
Lismore
Nimbin Central
Richmond River High
The Channon
The Risk
Tuntable Creek
Urbenville
Wilson Park
Woodenbong Central
Wyrallah Road

9,250
45,000
670,000
88,000
35,000
20,000
10,000
60,000
15,000
11,000
150,000
100,750
20,000
50,000
35,000
30,000
120,000
30,000
15,000
10,000
40,000
60,000
94,000
37,425

Rural Teacher Watch

NSW National Party Leader, George Souris has called on rural and regional school communities to provide us with information on the provision of teachers, the length of teaching vacancies and the subject areas in which these vacancies exist. This is to establish a "Rural Teacher-Watch", as we are interested in becoming aware of which country schools are having particular trouble in attracting and retaining staff and to have the information so that we can ensure country children are not being disadvantaged. Any details will be treated confidentially and can be provided to my electorate office.

Forestry Jobs

Following indications that between 30 and 40 government jobs in State Forests' north-east region are set to disappear over the next two years, I met with forestry workers in Casino. Staff had recently been verbally advised that positions of the north-east region's staff would go over the next two years and these positions involved both clerical and field staff. Indications are that jobs would be mainly lost in Casino and Grafton. Rural communities such as Casino can not afford to suffer such large job losses. I will be calling on the Carr Government to abandon its plans to axe these jobs in this region.

Male Teacher Number Inquiry

A government inquiry into male teacher numbers was visiting Lismore, Ballina and Tweed Heads this week. With Public meetings being held at the District Office in Goonellabah yesterday and tomorrow at Murwillumbah. Should anyone wish to convey their thoughts or views to the Inquiry, they can do so by forwarding written approaches through my office.

Reports, Grants and Schemes

The following are available from my office upon request -
Country Athletes Scheme opened until 31 December 2001.
Coastal Lakes Independent Public Inquiry Draft Paper - closed 2 November 2001.