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Premier introduces new ‘Metro' style buses

18 September 2008

Premier Nathan Rees said today new high capacity ‘Metro' style buses would provide Sydneysiders with faster, cleaner, more efficient services and at the same time ease traffic congestion.

Mr Rees joined Transport Minister David Campbell and the Member for Balmain Verity Firth in unveiling the new Route 10 Metrobuses that will begin operating on a trial basis next month between Leichhardt, Kingsford and the city.

"These new Metrobuses, similar to those used in Europe and the US, are the buses of the future for high volume, short distance routes - if the trials are successful the buses will be introduced to other areas of Sydney," Mr Rees said.

"The pre-pay Metrobuses will carry more passengers at a greater frequency with a bus travelling every 10 minutes in peak hour and every 15 minutes during off-peak times, meaning there's no need for timetables.

"That means less waiting time, less boarding time and less stress in getting around the city."

Mr Rees said the 12 month trial will involve a number of different ‘Metrobuses' with varying seat arrangements and standing room capacity.

"All the Metrobuses come with the latest environmental and security technology, guaranteeing a safe, clean, green way to travel and the larger capacity will hopefully lead to fewer cars on our roads," Mr Rees said.

"We'll be talking widely to bus travellers, operators, industry experts and the unions during the trial to determine which buses best suit the needs of Sydneysiders.

"It's all part of my commitment to providing better public transport services for the people of NSW," Mr Rees said.

Mr Campbell said the buses will travel along the highly popular Parramatta Road and Anzac Parade corridors, via the new Mid-City Transport Interchange precinct in the CBD.

"This route will service major shopping areas, transport hubs, sporting venues, entertainment precincts and four universities," Mr Campbell said.

The new Metrobuses to be used in the trial include:

• 2 three-door Volvo ‘Bendy' Buses;
• 2 two-door Volvo ‘Bendy' Buses; and
• 1 two-door Scania ‘Long' Bus.

The trial will also be serviced by eight new Mercedes Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) buses.

The key components of the trial would be:

• New high capacity buses;
• PrePay ticketing - no cash on buses ensuring faster boarding times;
• A greener way to travel with each bus featuring low emission technology to reduce harmful gasses and powered by either natural gas or clean diesel.
• latest environmental controls;
• High frequency travel, so no need for timetables;
• On board next stop display and announcements;
• Simple route structure and bus stop numbering; and
• Maximum passenger comfort and safety - wheelchair accessible, air conditioned and, digital CCTV and enhanced security.

MINISTER URGES MUMS AND BUBS TO SLEEP IN THEIR OWN BEDS

State Plan Priority F6: Increased proportion of children with skills for life and learning at school entry

State Plan Priority F7: Reduced rates of child abuse and neglect

State Plan Priority F4: Embedding the principle of prevention and early intervention into Government service delivery in NSW

To mark National Child Protection Week, Minister for Community Services Linda Burney today launched new resources to encourage parents to put their babies to bed safely at the Mt Druitt Community Services Centre.

Ms Burney said although parents often sleep in the same bed with babies and young children, many are not aware of the dangers this presents if they are using drugs or alcohol.

"Research has been undertaken which found that between January 2005 and December 2007 35 babies died while sleeping in the same bed with either one or both parents. In a great majority of cases, the baby's parents had a history of drug or alcohol misuse," Ms Burney said.

"With 29 of the babies, all aged 12 months or younger, there was evidence of the dangerous combination of parental substance abuse and co-sleeping.

"This is a devastating loss for the families involved and it is our responsibility to make sure we learn from these deaths and make other vulnerable families aware of the risks of co-sleeping when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"So, to reduce the numbers of these tragic yet preventable deaths, the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) has developed the Safer Sleeping resources.

"These new resources will help frontline caseworkers educate vulnerable families about the importance of having a separate place for their baby to sleep.

"The Safer Sleeping kit includes posters, wallet cards, caseworker fact sheets and fridge magnets.

"These resources will become a vital part of caseworker's toolkits and will act as prompts for

discussion as well as leaving a take-home reminder for clients about the risks of co-sleeping."

Ms Burney said co-sleeping was often practised in Aboriginal families and DoCS has developed Safer Sleeping resources specifically targeting Aboriginal families.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the dedicated staff and management of Mt Druitt and Bankstown Community Services Centres who worked with DoCS Child Deaths and Critical  Reports on the co-sleeping project. Their commitment was commendable.

"Child Protection Week provides an important reminder of how precious and valuable our children are and provides the perfect opportunity to get the safe sleeping message out to families," she said.

Ms Burney added National Child Protection Week is an important opportunity to build community awareness of child abuse and neglect.

NEW SOUTH WALES CABINET

11 September 2008

The Honourable Nathan Rees MP
Premier, and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Carmel Mary Tebbutt MP
Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce

The Honourable John Joseph Della Bosca MLC
Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council

The Honourable John Hatzistergos MLC
Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Industrial Relations

The Honourable Eric Michael Roozendaal MLC
Treasurer

The Honourable David Andrew Campbell MP
Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra

The Honourable Verity Helen Firth MP
Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women

The Honourable Kristina Kerscher Keneally MP
Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo

The Honourable Joseph Guerino Tripodi MP
Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways

The Honourable Ian Michael Macdonald MLC
Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, and Minister for State Development

The Honourable Anthony Bernard Kelly MLC
Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Emergency Services

The Honourable Linda Jean Burney MP
Minister for Community Services

The Honourable Kevin Patrick Greene MP
Minister for Gaming and Racing, and Minister for Sport and Recreation

The Honourable Paul Gerard Lynch MP
Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

The Honourable Barbara Mazzel Perry MP
Minister for Local Government, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health)

The Honourable Graham James West MP
Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for Volunteering, and Minister for Youth

The Honourable Michael John Daley MP
Minister for Roads

The Honourable Phillip John Costa MP
Minister for Water, Minister for Rural Affairs, and Minister for Regional Development

The Honourable Dianne Virginia Judge MP
Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for Citizenship, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts

The Honourable David Lawrence Borger MP
Minister for Housing, and Minister for Western Sydney

The Honourable Anthony Paul Stewart MP
Minister for Small Business, Minister for Science and Medical Research, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer)

The Honourable Jodi Leyanne McKay MP
Minister for Tourism, and Minister for the Hunter

NSW Government provides better protection for animals in pet shops

Pet shop operators must now abide by strengthened animal welfare standards or risk significant penalties, NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

Minister Macdonald said RSPCA NSW, NSW Animal Welfare League and Animal Welfare Advisory Council had worked with the Pet Industry Association of Australia to further improve the animal welfare code of practice for pet shops.

"Minimum standards must be met for animals, including cats, dogs, rodents, birds and fish and failure to do so can result in a minimum penalty of a $200 on-the-spot fine," Minister Macdonald said.

"The NSW Government is committed to improving the animal welfare standards for pet shops.

"Animal cruelty regulations have been amended to recognise the revised code of practice.

"The RSPCA and Animal Welfare League have the right to issue penalty notices to pet shop operators failing to adequately house or look after animals on their premises.

"While the majority of pet shops already operate in a highly professional way and meet the new standards - these changes are aimed at bringing all retailers up to the same level."

Minister Macdonald said the revised code of practice includes many obligations for pet shops, including a ban on the sale of cats and dogs to people under 18 years of age.

"A three day cooling off period allows buyers who belatedly rethink their purchase the opportunity to return the pet and get half their money back," he said.

"Pet shops are obliged to vaccinate cats and dogs, meet water quality criteria for fish, supply nesting boxes and gnawing blocks for rodents, and cater for the special needs of bird.

"An environment that caters for the needs of all animals must be provided, including exercise, behavioural enrichment and daily attention.

"And it is now mandatory to supply written information to buyers on the care of their new pets.

"Customers must be informed about their new pet's lifespan and its dietary, shelter, social contact and exercise requirements."

Other mandatory requirements include:

• Pet shop workers to be adequately trained;
• Minimum pen sizes;
• Stricter food and water requirements;
• Having safe, secure, clean and comfortable enclosures that include a secluded and dark area where animals can retreat for rest;
• Having emergency procedures in place;
• Better record keeping, including information about where and when animals have been bought or sold.
• Implementing a disease prevention plan in conjunction with a veterinarian.

Guidelines have been added to the code of practice to encourage pet shop owners to take voluntary steps to help animals and meet best practice for the industry.

"Pet shop operators are encouraged to work with animal pounds and shelters to find new homes for homeless pets, and desexing of dogs and cats is encouraged to avoid unwanted breeding," Minister Macdonald said.

MEDIA RELEASE

State Plan Priority F6: Increased proportion of children with skills for life and learning at school entry
State Plan Priority F7: Reduced rates of child abuse and neglect
State Plan Priority F4: Embedding the principle of prevention and early intervention into Government service delivery in NSW

In her new role as Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney paid tribute to the state's foster carers at a Carnival Day to mark Foster Care Week today.

"It is a great honour to attend this important event and I am thrilled that one of my first duties as Minister for Community Services is to spend time meeting children in care and their fantastic carers," Ms Burney said.

"Foster carers are special people: they open their hearts and homes to children and young people who are unable to live at home," she said.

"Their commitment to helping others and supporting young people is inspirational. This Carnival Day gives foster carers as well as the children and young people they look after an opportunity to come together in a fun and relaxed environment."

Ms Burney took the opportunity at Carnival Day to express her vision as the new minister.

"In the few days I've been in this role I have already become aware of the level of knowledge, dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers. I've met staff at a Community Services Centre in Mount Druitt and at the head office and I look forward to meeting frontline staff across the state, in both government and non-government services.

"What is clear to me is that these people are utterly focused on providing care to our young people.

"My mission as Minister is to make sure that their efforts, under extremely difficult circumstances, are acknowledged and supported.

"I am also committed to looking at how we can do things better. The report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW, which will be delivered by retired Supreme Court Judge James Wood AO QC, will provide a new framework.

"Justice Wood's findings will impact on all agencies that deal with these issues and will set out recommendations for working together to improve the protection of children and enhance family wellbeing.

"Today, I stress that I am going to do my best for community services workers and the children and families they support."

The NSW Department of Community Services contributed $16,000 to the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) to host the event.

The carnival included music and dancing, jumping castles, an animal farm, free swing rides and a free barbecue. Hundreds of carers and children from around the state attended.

While opening the event, Ms Burney launched a series of fact sheets for children and young people in out-of-home care, as well as their parents and carers.

"The user-friendly fact sheets were designed by Community Services to help carers understand the special educational, health and recreational needs of kids in care," said Ms Burney.

"They also provide useful tips on how carers can help children and young people reach their full potential."

The Minister said the fact sheets included information to help kids in care understand things like case meetings, which can be very stressful.

"Children and young people in care are a particularly vulnerable group. These resources will help everyone involved in their care work towards achieving the best outcomes."

The Carnival Day is one of many events being held around the state to celebrate Foster Care Week.

"The Department of Community Services and non-government organisations will be holding morning teas, award presentations and family fun days during Foster Care Week - all of which give us an opportunity to thank carers for the critical work they do."

Foster Care Week runs from 14 - 20 September.

JOINT STATEMENT

MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES IAN MACDONALD

MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT CARMEL TEBBUTT

Australian first study tracks Sydney's wobbegong sharks

The NSW Government is supporting an Australian first study to unlock the secret life of Sydney's resident wobbegong sharks, with seven sharks born at the Sydney Aquarium today released into the water off Manly.

Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald and Minister for Environment and Climate Change Carmel Tebbutt said the sharks are being released at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve at Shelly Beach.

"This Australian first study will provide a fascinating insight and give our scientists more information to better understand these animals and the important role they play in our ecosystem," Minister Macdonald said.

"This release is part of a research project looking into the design requirements and ability of ‘no take' marine reserves to protect sedentary predators, such as wobbegong sharks.

"The research is also exploring the use of captive-bred sharks that can help replenish wild populations that may be depleted through fishing."

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Carmel Tebbutt, said wild wobbegong sharks at the aquatic reserve have been tagged with acoustic tags and their movements tracked over the past few months to understand their normal way of life.

"The captive-born wobbegong sharks have also been tagged, so fisheries scientists and volunteer supporters will be able to monitor how the introduced sharks interact with the local species," Ms Tebbutt said.

"New underwater acoustic receivers placed around the reserve will pick up the movement of the wobbegongs and provide a greater insight into this species, where they go and how they live.

"This is a fantastic partnership between the Departments of Primary Industries, Environment and Climate Change, the Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Institute for Marine Science."

Wobbegong sharks are a bottom-dwelling shark and found in the oceans off Australia and can reach up to three metres in length.

This species forms part of the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery and is sold as boneless fillets or flakes.

"A good understanding of the underwater lifestyle of a species is important to effectively manage any fish population, this helps to determine any changes in localised abundance of a species," Minister Macdonald said.

"Information on habitat use and residency patterns will provide us with a better understanding on the potential for protected marine areas to be reserved especially for exploited species."

The research has been supported by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney Aquarium Conservation Fund, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (part of the Integrated Marine Observing System), Defence Maritime Services, and Macquarie University.

SHOT IN THE ARM FOR MONARO TIMBER INDUSTRY: MACDONALD 

Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald today welcomed the formation of a new commercial relationship between Forests NSW and Willmott Forests Limited which will help secure the future of the Monaro timber industry.

"The Rees Government and Willmott Forests have signed off on a new agreement in which Forests NSW makes available to the company 4500 hectares of harvested plantation land for the next three years, " Minister Macdonald said.

"As well as providing the land for Willmott's exclusive use, Forests NSW will use its extensive forestry expertise to manage the plantations.

"This includes planting, maintenance, marketing and fire protection."

"The land that will be planted previously provided tree crops for NSW Forests to sell to the domestic and international timber industry."

Minister Macdonald said Forest NSW manages more than 30,000 hectares of softwood plantation in the Bombala area.

"This new agreement with Willmott Forests is a great opportunity for Forests NSW to build upon its commercial talents," he said.

"This arrangement further diversifies Forests NSW business and will strengthen the local timber industry at Bombala.

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said the new commercial arrangement was excellent news for the local community.

"This is a boost for the local community, helping to secure the future of our local timber industry," he said.

"This is an investment in a renewable resource that will have greater benefits for the region for years to come.

Forests NSW is looking to establishing similar commercial arrangements to further develop the softwood timber industry throughout NSW.    

SUPPORT LINE FOR INDIGENOUS VICTIMS OF CRIME

A free, dedicated telephone support service is now available to help Indigenous victims of crime in NSW, Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced today.

Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Government established the phone line to improve the access of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders victims of crime to counselling services and legal advice.

"The support line is staffed by a trained Aboriginal Contact Officer who offers a sensitive response to enquiries about counselling, compensation and the rights Indigenous victims of crime" Mr Hatzistergos said.

In NSW, victims of violent crime can apply for free counselling and up to $50,000 in compensation through the Victims Services branch of the Attorney General's Department.

"In many cases, Indigenous victims of crime are not aware of their entitlements," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The Indigenous support line officer will be able to provide preliminary information about the services available and can provide referrals to other agencies.

"The support line complements Victims Services' existing free-call services for victims of crime and will provide assurance for Indigenous clients that they are speaking to someone who understands the issues facing their communities."

The Indigenous support line operates weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm. The phone number is 1800 019 123.

More information about services for victims of crime is available at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs

NSW SHERIFF RECRUITS INDIGENOUS OFFICERS

NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos today announced the appointment of 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee Sheriff's Officers following a state-wide recruitment drive.

Congratulating the new recruits, who begin a 12-month traineeship next week, Mr Hatzistergos said they would provide an important link between Indigenous communities and the justice system.

"This is the first time the NSW Sheriff has specifically sought Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for trainee positions," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"I welcome the appointment of the 20 new recruits and wish them every success as they begin a rigorous training program."

"Indigenous sheriff's officers are best placed to understand the cultural identity of Indigenous people.

"I trust that they will also act as role models, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders who come before the courts."

Mr Hatzistergos said the state's 298 Sheriff's Officers play a pivotal role in our legal system.

"Sheriff's Officers uphold the security of NSW courts, manage the state's jury system, serve summonses and enforce writs" he said.

"The cultural experience of our new trainees will also enable them to help with Indigenous programs such as Circle Sentencing, where community Elders

participate in the sentencing of Aboriginal offenders."

Training of the new Sheriff's Officers will be held at Dubbo's Charles Sturt University campus and PCYC from September 22. They will also visit rural, regional and metropolitan centres to observe and learn from experienced Sheriff's Officers as they go about their duties.

The new officers will be deployed to Bankstown, Blacktown, Bourke, Broken Hill, Burwood, Campbelltown, Sydney's Downing Centre, Dubbo, Goulburn, Liverpool, Moree, Newcastle, Orange, Parramatta, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Taree, Wyong and Wollongong.