Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Lifestyle attracts new residents

A recent survey of local residents has shown most new arrivals to the Ballina electorate have moved to change their lifestyle.

The survey of 850 residents who have been added to the electoral roll in the last five years showed 39% had moved to the Far North Coast to change their lifestyle, followed by 22% who had moved to be with family or friends. More than half (55%) of respondents nominated the lifestyle/environment as their main attraction to the region.

When asked to prioritise the most important issues, recent residents chose the environment (19%) as the most important issue, followed by employment (15%), affordable housing (14%) and personal fulfilment (14%).

The results show those who have moved to the area in the last five years, and responded to the survey, are appreciative of the lifestyle and environment offered on the Far North Coast. They are concerned not only about their personal needs and those of their family, but also about community issues like the environment.

Of those who had responded to the survey, 85% intended to stay in the region and 69% had already purchased a home or property. The 15% who indicated they were leaving the area were doing so as a result of employment issues (32%), housing affordability (25%), lack of infrastructure and services (23%) or family reasons (19%).

The survey also reflected the growth in retirees to the region. 35% of respondents had moved to the region to retire, and almost half of respondents (48%) were over 55 years of age. Clearly this has implications for health services both now and into the future.

When asked to nominate their highest level of education achieved, respondents indicated they had achieved a university degree (23%), a school certificate (21%), HSC (19%), TAFE (14%), university postgraduate degree (13%) or left school before the school certificate (8%).

51% of those who responded to the survey were married, whilst 36% were single and 12% were living with a partner.

The survey has provided an excellent insight into the expectations and characteristics of those who have moved to the Ballina electorate in the last five years.

I would like to thank all local residents who took the time to respond to the survey.

Tractor power rebate

Rebates of up to $200 are now being offered on a dollar-for-dollar basis for primary producers purchasing power take-off guards for their tractors.

Investigations of previous severe tractor incidents show that one in five may have been a result of the operator becoming hit or entangled in moving machinery. Power take-off guard devices reduce the risks associated with tractor usage.

Further information about the rebate scheme is available by contacting WorkCover on 131 050 or the Rural Safety Hotline on 1300 300 377.

Sports facility program

I encourage Northern Rivers sporting groups to apply for sporting facility grants under the 2005-2006 Regional Sports Facilities Program.

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 $30,000 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.

Eligible Northern Rivers organisations need to apply by November 30. Guidance notes and application forms for the 2005-06 Regional Sports Facilities Program are available from my office.

Office contacts

Address: PO Box 1018, Ballina, NSW, 2478
Phone: 6686 7522
Fax: 6686 7470
Email: Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George
Canberra Connection

Parliament resumed last week after an 11-week winter recess and will now sit on and off until December.

Local holidays

Today is proclaimed as a Local Government half-day holiday for Lismore Race Day together with Thursday, October 20, for Lismore Show Day. For further information contact the Office of Industrial Relations on 131 628 or visit www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au.

Pay-roll tax amendment

The Nationals/Liberal Coalition gave notice last week of the Pay-roll Tax Amendment (Supporting Jobs and Small Business) Bill 2005, which will exempt around 4500 small businesses from payroll tax, and give 22,000 other businesses relief of up to $15,000 each on their payroll tax bills. NSW remains the highest taxed state under Labor and Premier Iemma has failed to rule out new or increased taxes, with jobs and investment leaving NSW for lower taxing states like Queensland and Victoria. Raising the pay-roll tax threshold to match Queenslands $850,000 will deliver a boost to business in 2007/08, providing an incentive for our businesses to be competitive against their Queensland counterparts.

Review of the Tenancy Tribunal Act 2001

The Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal Act 2001 is being reviewed. The Act establishes the Tribunal and provides for its operation. An issues paper has been prepared to assist in the review and covers a wide range of topics including jurisdiction, re-hearings, appeals, member performance and procedure. Comments on the paper are welcome up to October 4 and may be sent to Project Manager, CTTT Act Review, Policy Division, Office of Fair Trading, PO Box 972, Parramatta, 2124. They can also be faxed to 9338 8929 or emailed to policy@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au. Copies of the issues paper can be obtained from my office or www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

NSW veterans certificates

On Monday, August 15, Australians celebrated and commemorated the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the end of World War II. This anniversary was such an enormously important event in the life of our community that the State Government has made a commitment to issue a special commemorative certificate to every World War II veteran in NSW. An application form with service particulars and contact details needs to be completed, so please contact my office to arrange.

Fair Trading telemarketing laws

During 2003/04 both NSW and Victoria amended its Fair Trading Acts to introduce provisions regulating the use of telephone marketing to sell goods and services. Each set of amendments was made in response to the recommendations of a review committee report and although the policy framework underpinning the laws is based on similar principles, specific statutory requirements differ.

Unlike door-to-door selling, telemarketing has not been regulated by the States before, and during the consultation period industry stakeholders drew attention to the cross-border nature of the industry and the difficulty they faced in complying with inconsistent legislation. A process for harmonising the laws was commenced. This involved:

• Granting exemptions on a consistent basis; and
• Identifying inconsistent or contradictory requirements and preparing a consultation paper outlining options for promoting further harmonisation.

A joint NSW/Victoria working party drafted the consultation paper Fair Trading Laws Relating to Telemarketing in New South Wales and Victoria - Options for Harmonisation. The closing date for submissions is October 14. Submissions may be sent to Project Manager, Telemarketing Law Harmonisation, Policy Division, Office of Fair Trading, PO Box 972, Parramatta, 2124. They can also be faxed to 9338 8929 or emailed to policy@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au. Copies of the consultation paper can be obtained from my office or www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

Office contacts

Address: PO Box 52, Lismore, NSW, 2480
Phone: 6621 3624
Fax: 6622 1403
Email: lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au