Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

Help make your local area shine

Every town has a few black spots where rubbish seems to appear from nowhere. The rubbish might be discarded by careless passers-by, washed up by tidal waters or illegally dumped.

Regardless of how rubbish ends up in our environment, something must be done about it.

For a number of years, Clean Up Australia's Rubbish Report has consistently indicated that people are dropping rubbish at the point of use. Transport sites, recreation areas and schools are common litter black spots.

Rather than taking rubbish home to be put in kerbside rubbish and recycling bins, people are littering.

This results in recyclable items such as glass (11.7% of total), metal (6.8% of total), paper (19.8% of total) and plastic (11.1% of total) being collected on Clean Up Australia Day.

As Australians we are fortunate to live in a country of diverse natural beauty with recreational facilities and public spaces that are the envy of the world.

As a result it is our responsibility to ensure these spaces in our own backyard remain clean and free of rubbish for the community to enjoy.

And there is no better time that the annual Clean Up Australia Day, which will be held on Sunday, March 7.

As part of the day I would encourage all residents to adopt a local litter black spot, clean it up and help Make Australia Shine.

Anyone can organise a Clean Up site. It's as easy as identifying a local park, the street you live in, a waterway or bushland that needs to be cleaned up.

The next step is to register your site with Clean Up Australia. To register, visit www.cleanup.com.au or phone 1800 024 890.

Once your site is registered you will be sent a free Clean Up Kit. Round up friends and family to help with your clean up. You can also attract extra volunteers via the Clean Up Australia Day website.

Larry Anthony MP
Federal Member for Richmond
Minister for Children & Youth Affairs
PO Box 6996 Tweed Heads South 2486 ph: 07 5524 2466 fax: 07 5524 9366
www.larry.com.au Toll Free: 1800 812 125 larry.anthony.mp@aph.gov.au

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Improved facilities for Ballina Early Intervention Centre

An Australian Government Grant of $19,704 has been allocated to Ballina Early Intervention Inc to improve facilities for children with disabilities.

The grant will be used to modify children's toilet facilities and to install a hydraulic change table at the Centre.

The grant has been made available under the Australian Government's Special Education Non-government Centre Support Program, which aims to improve the educational opportunities, learning outcomes and personal development of children with disabilities who are supported by non-government centres. Under the program, approximately $28.3 million will be provided to the States and Territories in 2004.

The grant will enable Ballina Early Intervention Inc to provide essential facilities to meet the needs of the children who attend the Centre.

Flood Protection Funding

Casino and Lismore will be better protected against flooding as a result of funding for flood mitigation purposes in 2003-2004.

Casino and Lismore are just two of the towns, regional centres and outer metropolitan areas set to share in over $1.03 million in a NSW statewide voluntary purchase and house raising scheme.

A further $100,000 has been allocated to Richmond River County Council for flood mitigation works in Lismore. This funding will enable the construction of new levees and the modification of existing levees to protect central and south Lismore.

The funding forms part of $3.36 million approved for NSW projects under the Regional Flood Mitigation Programme in 2003-2004 and builds on funding provided to these projects in the past.

The Regional Flood Mitigation Programme assists State and Territory governments and local agencies to implement priority, cost effective flood mitigation works and measures. The programme is delivered through partnerships between all levels of government, with the Australia Government contributing up to one third of approved project costs and State and Territory governments and local agencies meeting the balance.

Report available

The Australian Government report 'Every picture tells a story: Inquiry into child custody arrangements in the event of family separation' was released on December 29, 2003.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs received 1715 submissions, the majority of which can be viewed at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fca/childcustody/subs.htm. Copies of the report can be obtained from my office at 63 Molesworth Street, Lismore, or by phoning 1300 301 735.

Adult Education

A discussion paper 'You can too: Adult learning in Australia' has been released by the Australian Government as part of a consultation process on adult learning.

Written submissions will be accepted by the Department of Education, Science and Training up until March 5, 2004. Public discussions will also be held in capital cities and major regional centres in February and March this year.

To obtain a copy of the discussion paper and information about making a submission please contact my electorate office on 1300 301 735.