Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Wollongbar TAFE funding cuts

Employees, teachers and students at Wollongbar TAFE recently held a rally protesting cuts to TAFE funding on the North Coast.

With a shortage of skilled labour locally, funding cuts to TAFE are an irresponsible and short-sighted cost-saving measure. The Carr Government's slash-and-burn approach to TAFE is having an effect on staff morale and student access to courses. Sadly, the costs to the community will be much greater in the long term.

I have therefore asked the Minister for Education and Training in State Parliament if he was aware of the recent rally, if he was aware of a motion of no-confidence at that rally, and if he can give assurances that there will be no more cuts to TAFE funding on the North Coast.

I will keep you posted with the Minister's response.

Sports program closes soon

Applications for the 2004-2005 Regional Sports Facilities Program close at the end of this month.

The Regional Sports Facilities Program provides an opportunity for local sporting organisations, community groups and local councils to access grants for publicly used recreational facilities. Groups can apply for grants of between $40,000 and $200,000 to construct new facilities, upgrade existing facilities, or provide support facilities. The grants are intended for major works and high level sporting facilities.

The program helps to enhance the network of sporting and recreational facilities in the local community, as well as providing sporting opportunities for a broad section of the community. The grants are provided on a dollar for dollar basis.

I urge eligible Northern Rivers organisations to apply prior to the November 30, 2004, closing date. Guidance notes and application forms for the 2004-05 Regional Sports Facilities Program are available from my office.

Churchill Trust applications

The Churchill Trust is now calling for applications for the 2005 application round. Each year the Churchill Trust awards about 100 Fellowships of approximately $20,000 each. The Fellowship includes airfares, fees and a living allowance.

Fellows spend about eight weeks overseas investigating topics that will benefit Australia and add to Australia's knowledge base. The applications are open to Australians 18 years and over for fellowships to be awarded in June 2005 for travel from September 1, 2005. Full details of the fellowships and application forms can be obtained from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust by contacting their National Office on freecall 1800 777 231 or at the website www.churchilltrust.com.au.

Closing date for applications with references is Monday, February 28, 2005, and I encourage local residents to apply.

NSW Consumer Week

November 22-26 is the NSW Department of Fair Trading's Consumer Week.

Consumer Week aims to increase the awareness of consumer protection in the community and this year will focus on 'Home Truths About Consumer Rights'. There will be a series of statewide promotional activities that aim to help NSW residents become more aware of their rights and responsibilities as consumers and traders. Further details will be available prior to Consumer Week.

On a final note

I was interested to read Police Minister John Watkin's letter to the editor a fortnight ago regarding highway patrol numbers. My issue with Northern Region highway patrols is highway patrol strength has not increased in the Northern Rivers area in the past decade and beyond despite a more than doubling of cars on the road.

Most importantly, highway patrol resources are not allocated equitably. The Northern Region (ie. Hornsby to the Queensland border) has 200 HWP officers but 69 of these (34.5%) are based in the Newcastle and Central Coast areas, which means that 34.5% of the resources are allocated to an area totalling approximately 3.5% of the region.

Clearly, with the increased use of the Pacific Highway on the far North Coast extra resources are needed to enable a more visible presence and the equity issue within the State needs to be looked at urgently. I have raised these issues in Parliament with the Police Minister.

I can be contacted by writing to PO Box 1018, Ballina 2478 or by telephoning my Electorate Office on 6686 7522 or faxing 6686 7470. For those on-line my e-mail address is Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George
Canberra Connection

Defensive Driver Training

It was indeed a pleasure, as a result of the Young Driver Forum that I organised in Lismore this year, to see students from St Mary's High School in Casino and Kadina High in Goonellabah gaining invaluable skills at the Safe Driver Training in Casino. I hope this will be the first of many training days to equip our young drivers with important safety skills and techniques, ensuring their care and protection whilst enjoying the privilege of driving and independence.

Lismore Police Station

I was heartened by the recent visit of a planning team from the Department of Commerce, who met recently with representatives of the Richmond Local Area Command.

My approaches to Minister Watkins highlighting the need for a new Lismore Police Station have received further acknowledgement through this deputation and inspection of local facilities.

I am hopeful the business plan being presented to the Minister at the end of the year will further strengthen the case and my call for a new police station in Lismore.

Children's Charity Appeal Walk

The support and sponsorship for this day was tremendous with the team of walkers raising $12,500 for needy Northern Rivers children. I decided to gather a group of friends to walk from 2LM in Goonellabah to Lismore Airport in order to support the beneficiaries of the appeal and especially four organisations in my electorate; including Jumbunna and Summerland Early Intervention, Wilson Park School and CASPA (the North Coast Children's Home). The community spirit was inspiring and wonderful, as was the generosity of the many sponsors.

Electorate Functions

Casino Relay for Life - relaying a message of hope. I attended the opening ceremony and was honoured to acknowledge survivors, carers and families. The success of this event is reflected in the fundraising efforts of many local participants.

Our Kids Melbourne Cup Luncheon ­- I joined with many supporters of the Our Kids project to attend this fundraising function. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all with organisers relaxing after the fashion parade to join with the rest of the Nation to stop and witness the great race.

Flag Presentations - I have had the pleasure of joining with Blue Hills College and Bonalbo Schools recently in joining with the school communities and presenting them with a new State flag.

Launch History of SCU - It was my pleasure to launch the Southern Cross University's History project last weekend and address the important role of the University within the North Coast community. Data derived in 1994 demonstrated that in the Lismore area alone, the university's presence generated more than 1,900 full-time equivalent jobs and flow-on impacts of an additional 1,380 jobs from expenditures of staff and students. The University plays a vital role in the economy of the North Coast, contributing vastly in educational diversity and essential research, which supports the various industries of our region.

Clunes School - I visited the students last week to enjoy listening and adjudicating at the school's speaking competition. Congratulations to the participants.

In fine voice... Clunes School students spoke extremely well at the school's speaking competition.

Wilson Park School Technology Conference - This conference, which demonstrated the use of technology and programs to assist and support lifelong learning of people with disabilities, was indeed impressive. I enjoyed being present and this conference was beneficial in the utilisation of technology for literacy, communication, numeracy and speech.

SCU 10 Birthday Reception and Gala Concert - I am looking forward to attending this celebration with the University community and special guest, the Governor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, this weekend.

I welcome and invite your feedback in relation to any of the above matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office regarding any matters on (ph) 6621 3624, (f) 6622 1403, by writing to PO Box 52 Lismore, e-mail; thomas.george@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au