Candidate Briefing Sessions Announced for Upcoming NSW Local Government Elections

Are you considering a role in local government? If you’re thinking about running for Council in the upcoming NSW Local Government elections, you’re invited to attend a candidate briefing session. The sessions are designed to provide prospective candidates with essential information about the responsibilities and operations of being a council member.

Former Lismore Mayor, Jenny Dowell, will host four candidate briefing sessions in the Tweed area during May and June. With extensive experience in local government, Ms. Dowell will share valuable insights and guidance for those looking to serve their community.

Ms. Dowell emphasised the significance of the role:

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“Being a councillor is an enormous honour but with that honour, there are big responsibilities. Communities expect and deserve all candidates to go into the election with eyes wide open.”

The briefing sessions will cover critical topics such as:

• The steps to becoming a candidate.
• The operational functions of councils
• The governance role of elected community representatives

Understanding these aspects is crucial for anyone considering entering the local government arena.

Session Details:

• Location: Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah
• Dates and Times:
  • Tweed Heads: Tuesday, 7 May
  • Murwillumbah: Tuesday, 4 June
  • Morning and evening sessions will be available on both dates.

Prospective candidates need only attend one session. These sessions are an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a part of local government and to prepare effectively for the responsibilities it entails.

Registration Information: To reserve your spot and for more detailed information, please visit here.

For more Tweed Shire news, click here.

Cameras to enforce seatbelt law across NSW from July 1

WEARING a seatbelt will be enforced by existing mobile phone detection cameras from July 1 as the NSW Labor Government bolsters efforts to counter the rising number of road fatalities across the state.

The simple act of correctly wearing a seatbelt while in a moving vehicle has been a legal requirement in NSW for more than 50 years, but data shows 150 people died while not wearing one in the five years between 2019 and 2023.

On average, 15 per cent of deaths on NSW roads every year still involve seatbelt non-usage, with 36 people tragically lost last year.

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The enhancement of the state’s world-first mobile phone detection camera network will allow for a July 1 start date to the cameras also enforcing the seatbelt laws for the first time, the NSW Government confirms today.

Unlike when other new enforcement technologies have come into effect, there will be no grace period of warning letters after the NSW Parliament voted against starting seatbelt detection cameras in warning mode when enabling legislation was passed last year.

Photos released from testing of the cameras show a small but persistent percentage of drivers and some passengers continue to flout the law and wear their seatbelt incorrectly, including with the sash below the arm.

Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras will go back into road safety.

Quotes attributable to State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“The key here is personal, family and community safety. This is the best position from which to start.

“Our government wants to keep us safe. Our government has a duty to keep us safe. And at times that calls for some tough love.

“If drivers are failing in your obligation to keep yourself, your passengers and your fellow citizens, we shall slug you hard.

“I cannot believe that in 2024 some people are driving without putting their seatbelts on. They are putting themselves and everyone they come into contact with at risk.

“The message is clear; belt up, buckle up or pay the price.”

As of midnight Thursday 2 May 2024, 124 lives have been lost on NSW roads, which is 16 more than the same time last in 2023.

The NSW Labor Government has introduced a number of measures to counter the rising number of road fatalities, including:

• The demerit point trial to encourage motorists who maintain a spotless record over 12 months to have a demerit point removed from their record
• Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts
• Last month we signed the National Road Safety Data Sharing Agreement to help support analysis of driver behaviour, and help the various state and federal governments work together to understand where the funding needs to go
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same.

Today marks the start of National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, which aims to highlight the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

The theme for 2024 is All road safety is local – Drive So Others Survive. For more information on National Road Safety Week visit here.

For more New South Whales news, click here.

$500,000 Upgrade Set to Enhance Nursing Training at TAFE NSW Ballina

The NSW Government is ramping up its efforts to meet the increasing demand for healthcare professionals in the Northern Rivers region with a significant $500,000 investment to upgrade and expand the nursing training facilities at TAFE NSW Ballina.

This funding boost aims to address the anticipated national shortfall of 123,000 nurses by 2030 by enhancing educational infrastructure and capacity.

The enhancements at TAFE Ballina Nursing Facilities include the addition of a state-of-the-art simulated nursing ward and a dedicated home care training room. These new facilities are designed to offer nursing students a more immersive and practical learning experience, preparing them for the realities of healthcare environments.

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Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, who recently visited the campus, emphasised the importance of the upgrade. “This investment will greatly enhance the training opportunities for our students, bringing simulation learning experiences up to the best practice standards,” said Minister Whan.

He noted that the upgrades would allow the campus to accommodate an additional 32 students per week across various nursing programs, including Certificates III and IV in Health Services Assistance and the Diploma of Nursing.

The project is set to begin construction in May and is expected to be completed by August 2024. The upgrades are not only a response to the growing healthcare needs but also a strategic move to support the largest employment sector in the Ballina Shire.

“The healthcare and social assistance sector is the largest employer in the region, and we are committed to investing in facilities, training, and industry-standard equipment at TAFE NSW to meet this workforce demand,” Minister Whan added.

He also highlighted that the investment would prepare local healthcare students for success and support the region’s critical skills needs.

This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the NSW Government to enhance the infrastructure at TAFE NSW, ensuring that it continues to deliver high standards of education and training to future generations of healthcare workers in the region.

For more local Ballina news, click here.