Country Athletes Scheme & Country Coaches & Officials Scheme

Country Athletes Scheme & Country Coaches & Officials Scheme

The Country Athletes Scheme is designed to assist talented young athletes from country areas of NSW to gain access to training, coaching and competitions similar to those enjoyed by athletes from the city. The Country Coaches & Officials Scheme helps coaches and officials from rural areas to participate in educational courses that assist them gain or maintain required accreditation. Both schemes close 31 December and application forms and guidelines are available from my office orf www.dsr.nsw.gov.au

Firearms Draft Regulatory Impact Statement

The firearms industry and other interested parties are being asked to consider a Draft Regulatory impact Statement, which is the latest step in the Government's review of firearms regulations in NSW. This latest document is very important to anyone who holds a firearms licence in NSW. Now that this Regulatory Impact Statement has been prepared, public consultation will again be undertaken before new Firearms Regulations can be ratified in NSW. A copy of the paper can be obtained by contacting the Ministry for Police on (02) 8263 6200 or by contacting my office. Submissions close Friday 4 November

Land Valuation

The NSW Ombudsman has conducted a general investigation into the quality assurance measured employed to ensure the accuracy of valuations produced under the component method of mass valuation in NSW. The investigation also examined the handling of objections including the information provided to actual and potential objectors. This investigation has been completed and a report detailing the results is available for viewing at my office.

Tick Fever Inquiry Report

Mr Garry West, former Minister and Member for Orange, undertook an independent inquiry to address tick fever concerns. The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were:
Potential use of cattle tick fever vaccine. Introduction of Queensland cattle into NSW. Use of electronic surveillance to enhance existing border control. Advisory mechanisms into State Government.

Mr West conducted meetings with interested producers and groups of producers on the North Coast and received written submissions to the Inquiry. This week Mr West's report was tabled in Parliament and makes recommendations on each of the terms of reference. Comments on the report can be made until 16 December 2005. Comments can be sent to: NSW Department of Primary Industries, Attention Sally Spence, Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800. Copies of the report are available from my office or www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Tripodi Must Come Clean On North Coast RTA Job Cuts

The NSW Labor Government has been called upon to ensure job cuts from within the Roads and Traffic Authority do not delay the urgent upgrade of the Pacific Highway News that NSW Labor was slashing 300 positions from within the RTA followed on from Roads Minister, Joe Tripodi, signing up to the AusLink bilateral funding agreement. $2.493 billion in funding from the Federal Government is now available to the State for land transport projects over the next five years yet Mr Tripodi continues to cry poor. Minister Tripodi had also broken Labor's key election promises by delaying the construction on the Alstonville Bypass, the Oxley Highway and Grafton Bridge. Despite a 46 % increase in road funding under the AusLink agreement, the Minister continues to deceive North Coast residents by claiming the Commonwealth is responsible for the deferment of the vital projects.

Pink Ribbon Day - 24 October 2005

Cancer Council's Pink Ribbon Day is being held and I encourage you to support its endeavours. Funds will be raised through selling of merchandise to help change the lives of women affected by breast cancer. Proceeds will help the Cancer Council of Australia provide education, fund breast cancer research and assist those already affected by breast cancer.

Community Development & Resourcing Grants

Department of Housing is inviting applications for the 2005/06 Community Development and Resourcing Grants Funding round. These grants provide funds for small, one-off short-term projects of up to $5,000 to help public housing tenants to work together with tenant organisations, housing providers and other agencies to address local housing issues. Applications must be submitted on an application form, which can be obtained via www.housing.nsw.gov.au. Close 9 December 2005.

Environmental Education Plan 2006-09

The NSW Council on Environmental Education (CEE) invites all organisations and individuals who have an interest in environmental education to contribute to the development of the NSW Government Environmental Education Plan: Learning for Sustainability 2006-09. You can contribute by participating in consultation seminars being held around NSW from 28 October to 9 November 2005 and/or by making a written submission to the CEE by 5 pm Monday 14 November 2005. Further information available at website; www.environment.nsw.gov.au/cee.

Electorate Functions -

Lincs Office Opening - I was pleased to attend the Lincs office opening in Lismore, where the official opening was jointly performed by representatives of Lismore Challenge and Red Inc. This signifies a united team working together for the benefit of their clients from our area.

Kyogle Show - The Show Circuit continued with another successful show in Kyogle where exhibits were again of high quality. The officially opening was performed by Doug Hogan who, together with his family, has had a lifelong association with Kyogle and other shows within the region. During proceedings and on behalf of the Kyogle Show Society, I had the honour of presenting Mr Syd Gregory with a life membership badge. Congratulations to President Brian Hannigan, Secretary, Wendy Painter, all the Committee and the volunteers who worked to achieve another successful show.

Woodenbong Deb Ball - I was honoured to attend and receive the 11 debutantes at the recent Woodenbong Community Ball. The debutants together with their partners were a credit to themselves, their families and the Woodenbong community. Congratulations to Gloria Moffitt and her supporters on a wonderful evening.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast - I was pleased to be a part of a fundraising breakfast held at Parliament this week, organised to support the endeavours of the Cancer Council of Australia in its research and education.