65

NEW MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF SYDNEY CENTRAL SYDNEY PLANNING COMMITTEE

Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today announced new State Government appointees to the City of Sydney's Central Sydney Planning Committee (CSPC). They will hold the positions until July 2011.

Chaired by Lord Mayor Clover Moore and established in 1988 under the City of Sydney Act, the CSPC assesses major development applications (worth more than $50 million) which come before the council.

"The CSPC is made up of seven individuals who assess development proposals and policy matters on their merit," Ms Keneally said.

SPEEDLY ONLINE JUSTICE TO IMPROVE LOCAL COURTS

Busy local courthouses will be hooked up to a revolutionary online computer system, increasing efficiency and ensuring swift justice, Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced today.

This month, 55 of the State's largest local courthouses will be given access to the new JusticeLink system, and will automatically share details on all criminal matters with other justice agencies and higher courts.

"Magistrates and registry staff working in local courthouses across NSW process hundreds of cases everyday," said Mr Hatzistergos.

"Despite having the heaviest workload in Australia, the Local Court of NSW has the lowest backlog, according to the Productivity Commission."

"To ensure that criminals continue to be brought to justice in a timely manner, and to reduce the chance of clerical error, it is important that information about court cases be shared between agencies electronically."

In 2008, more than 280,000 criminal matters were finalised in NSW local courts.

Mr Hatzistergos said as part of JusticeLink, court attendance notices will be downloaded from the police to the courts on an hourly basis, while the outcomes of court proceedings are transferred back to police twice daily.

Local Courts will also electronically share case files with the District and Supreme courts, which have already been connected to the system.

Mr Hatzistergos added that in coming weeks electronic information about fines and traffic offences will be instantly available to the courts, the Roads and Traffic Authority and the State Debt Recovery Office. Another 70 regional courthouses will be connected to JusticeLink in coming months.

In some higher courts, prosecutors and defence lawyers have the ability to log into a JusticeLink bulletin board, where they type their arguments. The judge is alerted to their posts by email and then logs in to make determinations.

Mr Hatzistergos said that while all substantial proceedings and trials continue to be conducted in courtrooms, JusticeLink had reduced the need for some basic procedural matters to be heard in court.

In a separate announcement, Mr Hatzistergos said a new law has commenced, creating a single entity known as the Local Court of NSW.

"Under the single Local Court of NSW, parties will be able to file papers or request information regarding their matter in any courthouse in NSW."

Victims of crime are being asked to have their say on how the law can be strengthened to better protect their rights, Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced today.

"We want to hear from victims of crime as well as the wider community on what works well and what can be improved with the NSW Charter of Victims Rights," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The Charter is now 13 years old and will be reviewed and revised to ensure it accurately reflects the needs and expectations of victims today."

Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Government led the way on protecting the rights of victims in the criminal justice system with the introduction of the Charter of Victims Rights into the Victims Rights Act in 1996.

"We are building on our strong record of protecting the rights of victims of crime and are committed to ensuring their voices are heard in all areas of government," he said.

"A revised charter may include performance standards for government agencies, supported with practical guidelines, to ensure victims are properly consulted and informed of decisions within a reasonable timeframe."

The review, being conducted by the Department of Justice and Attorney General, will examine how the Charter may be improved including whether the current definition of a victim is adequate under the Victims Rights Act.

Under the existing Charter, a person's immediate family are only regarded as victims if the person dies as a result of the crime.

The review is seeking submissions from victims, families and friends of victims, victims groups, service providers, lawyers and the wider community.

The NSW Charter of Victims Rights is based on the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.

"The Charter aims to promote and protect the rights of victims of crime and sets out how government agencies should treat and assist victims," Mr Hatzistergos said.

The Charter requires that victims are: treated with dignity, compassion, cultural sensitivity and respect; given access to welfare, health, counselling and legal assistance; informed of relevant police investigations and court processes; protected from the person accused of causing them harm; and entitled to claim compensation if they are a victim of assault.

To obtain a copy of the consultation paper on the NSW Charter of Victims Rights contact Victims Services on (02) 8688 5511 or email: vct [at] agd [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au. Submissions close September 4. An online survey is also available at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs

$284 million to target homelessness in NSW
August 2, 2009

The Australian and New South Wales Governments are providing an additional $284 million over four years to reduce homelessness in NSW, through the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Homelessness.
On Census night in 2006, over 27,000 people in NSW were homeless.

Federal Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek and NSW Minister for Housing David Borger today outlined new initiatives to help the homeless, rough sleepers
as well as individuals and families struggling during the global recession to keep a roof over their heads.

Ms Plibersek said the new initiatives are aimed at assisting people to break the cycle of homelessness and to help them obtain and maintain safe and secure
housing.

"In particular, there is a high focus on improved access to services for hard to reach clients," Ms Plibersek said.

"These include rough sleepers and those experiencing significant mental health issues, tailored programs for the young and the old, and a new centralised intake
service to streamline access across all NSW homelessness services and social housing providers.

"The National Partnership Agreement initiatives include the ‘Street to home' for chronically homeless people, the Nepean Youth Homelessness Project and support for the Homelessness Intervention Team to deliver 20 social housing
places.

"Through the NPA, we are working to make significant progress to reform public and community housing, provide additional support for people who are homeless
or are at risk of becoming homeless.

"There needs to be significant change and additional resources if we are to meet the targets set out in the White Paper on Homelessness: The Road Home ‘A
National Approach to Reducing Homelessness'.

"The Australian Government has made substantial investments to tackling homelessness totalling more than $7 billion across Australia."

Mr Borger said the NSW Government is radically changing how homeless people are helped and released a Homeless Action plan.

"Our aim with this groundbreaking plan is to help prevent people from ever becoming homeless but if they do then we will get them out of homelessness as soon as possible and once they have a home we will help them keep that housing so they need never experience homelessness again," Mr Borger said.

"It's a designed around peoples' needs rather than expecting people to find their own support from a number of different services. We have designed specific
solutions for different groups and different locations.

"This will go a long way to stopping people lurching from crisis to crisis and short term solutions."

Mr Borger said key actions in the first year of the Plan include:

• Providing 175 new properties for homeless people in key locations
around the State including western Sydney, inner Sydney,
Albury/Wagga and New England;
• Helping over 4000 homeless people or people at risk of
homelessness to access or maintain long term accommodation;
• Establishing outreach services to assist around 400 rough sleepers and chronically homeless people in inner Sydney and Newcastle.
These services include long-term accommodation and access to general health and mental health and drug and alcohol support;
• More help for women and their children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to domestic and family violence through the Safe Start Rental Subsidy Scheme, which will help more than 200 families, as well as long term accommodation and support in the Western Sydney, Illawarra and Hunter areas for almost 100 families;
• A new approach for people leaving out of home care, correctional and health facilities which means they leave straight to accommodation and support; and
• New tenancy support projects in the Richmond/Tweed and Mid-North Coast areas that will help around 700 families to maintain their tenancies.

"Both State and Federal Governments have set ambitious targets because we are determined to break the cycle of homelessness, through a mix of initiatives, and this investment will further build on the work we have achieved to date," Mr Borger said.

"We look forward to working with the Australian Government to make our contribution to the national goal of halving homelessness by 2020."

Courts fine dirty eateries

The courts have slapped hefty fines totalling over $37,000 on two North Shore restaurants and three Hills District eateries for being dirty and unhygienic, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said.

North Sydney Council successfully prosecuted two eateries for a total of 14 offences.

Dai's Golden Crown Restaurant in Military Road, Cremorne copped a $15,333 fine for five offences ranging from chronic build up of waste and dirt to vermin in equipment and shelving.

Neutral Bay Seafood in Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay got a $3,287 fine for nine hygiene-related offences.
Hills Shire Council successfully prosecuted the following three eateries for a total of 31 hygiene-related offences:

• Simply Irresistible Bakery, Windsor Road, Rouse Hill received a $5,492 fine for four offences including storing food on the floor of a coolroom.
• Mountain View Chinese Restaurant, Old Northern Road, Dural was fined $7,095 for 15 offences including presence of pests and dirty fittings and equipment.
• Beijing Duck Restaurant, North Rocks Road, North Rocks copped a $5,976 fine for 12 offences including storing meat in a sink and unsanitary cooking equipment and utensils.
"I commend councils for being vigilant and proactive in ensuring that food sold in their areas is as safe as possible," Mr Macdonald said.

"It's simply unacceptable for food retailers to ignore safety laws that protect consumers.

"Prosecutions are a last resort, but in some cases when critical failures have occurred or when proprietors have ignored prior warnings, that's when they'll end up in court."

Details of the prosecutions will be added to the NSW Food Authority's website.

NSW action plan to tackle homelessness
EMBARGO 5am August 6, 2009

Housing Minister David Borger and Community Services Minister Linda Burney will today officially launch NSW's Action Plan for homelessness at a forum organised by Homelessness NSW and the Australasian Housing Institute.

Mr Borger said on Census night in 2006 over 27,000 people in NSW were homeless.

"There is no question that homelessness services in NSW are working very hard to help many, many people and as a result of this care we have successfully held the rate of homelessness steady despite worsening economic circumstances," Mr Borger said.

"But it isn't enough, we need to reduce the numbers not just hold them steady. Homelessness needs a different approach, a new way of looking at and addressing the problem.

"That's why in NSW we are radically changing the way we tackle the issue.

"It's just not good enough to give homeless people a bowl of soup, they need doctors, dentists, counselling, relationship advice, job skills and a roof over their heads if they are ever going to be able to stop the cycle of homelessness."

Ms Burney said that homelessness is a complex issue that can't be solved by bricks and mortar alone.

"Many homeless people, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness, have led difficult and chaotic lives due to poverty, family breakdown and drug and alcohol addictions. They need intensive support and skills to rebuild their lives," she said.

"The plan is focused on early intervention to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place, reducing the time people spend in crisis situations, and once they are in accommodation, they are supported so they never become homeless again.

"Projects range from linking homeless young people with new education and employment opportunities to ensuring victims of domestic violence are not forced out of their own homes."

Mr Borger said the Australian and New South Wales Governments are providing an additional $284 million over four years to reduce homelessness in NSW.

"The investment by the Commonwealth, our new groundbreaking action plan and commitment to building a common ground type building model in Sydney are all focussed on giving homeless people the support they need to both find a roof and to keep it over their heads," Mr Borger said.

Mr Borger said key actions in the first year of the Plan include:

· Helping over 4000 homeless people or people at risk of homelessness to access or maintain long term accommodation;
· Establishing outreach services to assist around 400 rough sleepers and chronically homeless people in inner Sydney and Newcastle. These services include long-term accommodation and access to general health and mental health and drug and alcohol support;
· More help for women and their children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to domestic and family violence through the Safe Start Rental Subsidy Scheme, which will help more than 200 families, as well as long term accommodation and support in the Western Sydney, Illawarra and Hunter areas for almost 100 families; and
· A new approach for people leaving out of home care, correctional and health facilities which means they leave straight to accommodation and support.

Ms Burney said that all the research says that providing chronically homeless people with long-term housing and strong support services can help get them back on their feet and break the cycle of homelessness.

"I would like to acknowledge the vital role the homelessness sector plays in reducing homelessness and thank them for their part in drawing up this action plan," Ms Burney said.

"I'm confident the NSW Homelessness Action Plan will see the NSW government and non-government agencies work closely together to ensure fewer people suffer the misery of homelessness."

New system to help councils deal with complaints

People's concerns will be dealt with under a clear and consistent framework thanks to new complaint management guidelines that are set to be issued to councils around the State.

Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry said the new guidelines will help streamline the way councils handle complaints from their community.

"It is important council staff have clear guidelines on how to handle complaints from their residents and ratepayers," Ms Perry said.

"This will help them deal with any complaints efficiently and assist them in achieving the best possible outcome.
"Councils need to ensure everyone's feedback is getting an appropriate level of attention."

The new guidelines have been devised as a joint initiative between the Department of Local Government and the NSW Ombudsman and aim to help councils develop a comprehensive complaints policy.

Under the guidelines, councils should make it clear how a member of the public can provide feedback, staff should be trained in council's complaint handling policies and employee responsibility for complaint handling should be well-defined.

"It is essential that residents and ratepayers concerns are taken seriously, but that must occur within a reasonable framework," Ms Perry said.

The Guidelines encourage councils to look at the complaints they receive as a form of customer satisfaction research and act upon the findings.

"Feedback from the community can be very valuable and can help highlight to a council areas that need improvement," Ms Perry said.

"Councils should be carefully analysing any complaints to see if there are any trends and ways to avoid a problem occurring in the future."

The new guidelines are available at the Department of Local Government's website at www.dlg.nsw.gov.au