Regional Sports Facilities Program
Echo 30 September 2004
Regional Sports Facilities Program
This program provides funds to develop and enhance the network of major sporting
and recreational facilities that meets the needs of the general community and
may incorporate uses for talented and elite athletes. Applications are now open
until 30 November and can be obtained from my office for the Department of Sport
& Recreation website www.dsr.nsw.gov.au. Applicants are encouraged to contact
the Department's Manager of Grants on 9006 3776 to discuss their project prior
to making application to ensure it is eligible for consideration.
Office of Industrial Relations Online Services
The Office of Industrial Relations has produced a brochure on its online
services to assist in answering questions relating to pay rates, award
conditions and entitlements. The services on the website (www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au)
include -
Check Your Pay - helps users calculate wage and other entitlements, including
annual leave and long service leave.
Pay Rate Updates - gives the latest information on changes to NSW pay rates,
award conditions and leave entitlements by email. Select the wards you want,
change your choices or unsubscribe at any time.
NSW Awards Online - provides access to industrial awards and pay rates covering
nearly 1.5 million workers in NSW.
Electorate Functions
SCU Graduations - I was pleased to once again attend the Graduation Ceremonies
at the University last weekend to honour the Arts, Health & Applied Sciences and
Business students, which include 16 PhD graduates, the largest number in the
Uni's history.
Eltham School 120th Celebrations - this was a wonderful day of celebrating 120
years education at Eltham, with both past and present students in attendance.
Bexhill Open Air Cathedral - Following some extensive maintenance work,
including new turf and a sandstone foothpath, a rededication and consecration
service was held at the Open Air Cathedral recently. This work has further added
to the picturesque setting that this local attraction has become.
NLIS
The Nationals' have welcomed the Federal Coalition's significant boost in
funding of $20 million for the implementation of the National Livestock
Identification System (NLIS). $15 million of the NLIS funding will go to the
beef industry, and the rest will be shared between other sectors. Farmers, stock
and station agents and sale-yard operators in NSW have experienced a raft of
problems in getting NLIS off the ground. it is unreasonable to expect producers
to carry the full cost of devices in the implementation stage. The Federal
Government's funding injection will help cattle producers shoulder the cost of a
system that studies have shown to have a 25% public benefit. This commitment
shows that the Federal Coalition is serious about NLIS, and understands the
importance of ensuring food safety, access to overseas markets and the
management of any possible outbreaks. NLIS will improve the cattle industry's
disease and quality control, and in the current environment of ongoing animal
disease scares, it's vital we have a strong trace back system in place.
Train
Last week PriceWaterhouseCoopers released its independent report on the
feasibility for passenger and/or commuter services on the Casino-Murwillumbah
railway line as requested by Tweed Shire Council. The report indicated a
commuter train is affordable and realistic. This type of service has always been
the principal focus of the Northern Rivers Councils and community groups.
ALTAS & PSO Funding
Last week outside Parliament House large numbers of people gathered to let the
Carr Government know of its heartless decision to reform the programs and slash
funding. I supported those who made the effort to travel down from Lismore, in
particular, Theo McPherson, Zion Stewart, Julie Rose, Natasha Ulyatt, Toby
Gulliver and Mathew Wiggins, who were supported by three volunteers from
Realising Every Dream [RED] Inc. who came with them, that is, Carl Paola from
Ocean Shores and Luke Wiggins and Perry Libeau from Lismore. They asked me to
present a big heart, a metre high, to the Premier, which I have assured them I
will when Parliament resumes in three weeks.
