Environmental
Hazards Near Me updates to include severe weather warnings
Hazards Near Me updates to include severe weather warnings
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) has launched the inclusion of severe weather warnings as part of the Hazards Near Me NSW App and Hazard Watch.
Developed in partnership with the Department of Customer Service, the update to include another hazard will ensure more communities across NSW will be prepared during weather events.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said the expansion of the app’s hazards was timely given we’re in the middle of Storm Season, which runs from September to March and typically sees an increase in storm activity.
“Severe weather warnings and alerts are now available immediately on your phone or device. This is in addition to the warnings and alerts for fires, floods and tsunami that are already available on the platform,” Minister Dib said.
“We know February is typically the busiest month for the NSW SES, and in February 2023, the NSW SES responded to 9,288 calls to the State Operations Centre. More than 4,200 of those calls were for storm damage in communities across the state.
“This is why it’s so important to have severe weather warnings included as part of the suite of warnings available on the Hazards Near Me NSW app, Hazard Watch and the NSW SES website.”
Storm Warnings – City of Sydney NSW SES Unit
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York APM said it had been an incredibly busy summer for volunteers, and urged the public to download the Hazards Near Me NSW app.
“NSW SES volunteers have already responded to more than 4,600 incidents across the state since Christmas Day. The majority of those were for severe weather,” Commissioner York said.
“Just last week North Western parts of NSW were experiencing severe weather, which resulted in storm warnings and minor flooding.
“I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet downloaded the app to do so and be prepared for whatever hazard may impact your community.”
Department of Customer Service Executive Director of Government Technology Platforms, Reece Clementi said the app was a trusted source of information for the community to access warnings and advice during hazards
“If you are one of the more than four million people who already have the Hazards Near Me NSW App, update your watch zone notifications to ensure you are receiving relevant warnings in real time for fires, floods, tsunami and now severe weather,” Mr Clementi said.
The Hazards Near Me NSW App uses the nationally recognised Australian Warning System. There are three levels of warnings within this system including: Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warning. These same categories will now be used to keep communities safe and informed when severe weather is occurring nearby.
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
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NSW Government supports Northern Rivers green bin education
North East Waste has received an $89,700 grant from the NSW Government to help educate Northern Rivers residents about what types of waste can and can’t go into FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins. The funding aims to ensure that food waste and garden waste such as plants stays out of landfill. It also aims to keep green bins free from contaminants like plastic.
Earlier this year, North East Waste and its member councils (Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed) announced that Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins should now only be used for food scraps and garden waste. This means that materials like paper, cardboard and teabags do not go into green bins as they can contaminate the final compost made from the organic content.
North East Waste Education Coordinator Linda Tohver said the assistance from the NSW Government would help councils to continue promote the right message and increasing awareness in the community.
“The response from community has been positive so far, and we need to keep spreading the word,” Ms Tohver said.
“The messages are simple to follow and will help keep potentially harmful items out of our green bins so that we can create the best quality commercial compost from residents’ food scraps and garden waste.”
| What CAN go in your green bin | What CAN NOT go in your green bin |
| Fruit and vegetable scraps | Fibre-based products (bamboo, cardboard, paper etc) |
| Meat and bones | Paper towels, serviettes, tissues, napkins |
| Seafood and shells | Compostable or biodegradable products (excluding AS 4736-2006 kitchen caddy liners ) |
| Pasta, bread, rice and cereal | Vacuum cleaner dust |
| Eggs and dairy products like cheese | Washing machine and dryer lint |
| Loose tea leaves and coffee grinds | Pet poo and poo bags |
| Garden waste (leaves, clippings, weeds etc) | Tea and coffee bags |
| Council approved compostable kitchen caddy liners that comply with AS 4736-2006 and the paper used to wrap food scraps. | Treated wood and timber |
| Plastic |
For more information, visit here. The ‘Let’s Get our Scrap Together’ campaign is proudly supported by the NSW Government.
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Never bin your batteries – just B-cycle them
Advertorial by Newaste
Batteries disposed of in bins are causing fires in waste trucks and facilities across the country, endangering workers, damaging equipment and wasting a valuable resource that could otherwise be recovered.
To prevent battery fires occurring – Never bin your batteries!
Here’s how to dispose of batteries safely:
- Remove from appliance
- Tape terminals with clear sticky tape to prevent short circuiting
- Place in ventilated glass container and drop off promptly at your nearest B-cycle drop-off point
One of Richmond Valley Council’s Community Recycling Stations, located at the Council Administration Office in Casino where small quantities of handheld batteries can be dropped off for recycling.
B-cycle drop off points are available at many large local high street retailers. To find your nearest, visit bcycle.com.au/drop-off/
Alternatively, you can drop them at one of the regions 8 FREE council run Community Recycling Centres (CRC) or for very small quantities drop them at one of the 30 small council drop off stations (CRS) spread across the region in libraries, community centres and council administration centres. To find out more contact your local Council or visit www.newaste.org.au/crc
Community Recycling Centres (CRC)
This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy
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LAND NEAR DRAKE VILLAGE SITE RETURNED TO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY
The NSW Government will return a large parcel of land near Drake Village west of Tenterfield to the local Aboriginal community following a successful land claim.
A total of 104.4 hectares of Crown land across two adjoining blocks at the western edge of the village will be returned as freehold land to the ownership of Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council following the land claim by the NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC).
Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council have a right to lodge land claims on Crown land.
Land claims must be assessed against non-discretionary statutory criteria in the Act, including whether the land was lawfully used or occupied at the time of the claim, or was needed for an essential public purpose.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: “The return of this land to the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council will ensure the future of this important site can be put to productive use for the benefit of the local community.”
“Returning land to Aboriginal people provides tangible economic, social and cultural benefits to Aboriginal and broader communities and we are pleased to see a positive resolution for this land.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“The resolution of land claims such as this is a key aspect of Closing the Gap, empowering Aboriginal people and communities.”
“It delivers on several Closing the Gap targets including supporting economic participation for Aboriginal communities and maintaining the connection of Aboriginal people to land and water.”
The NSW Government will return a large parcel of land near Drake Village west of Tenterfield to the local Aboriginal community following a successful land claim.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“With the return of this land, we pay our respects to the Traditional Owners, the Ngarabal people, alongside the Jukembal, Bundjalung, Kamilaroi, Githabul and Wahlubul peoples who share a connection to the area. We are proud and privileged to share a rich local history.”
“Through acknowledging the past and our local Aboriginal communities’ connection to Country we will all benefit from deeper cultural understanding, which forms a stronger foundation for a more prosperous future.”
Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Michelle Nagas said:
“The approval of this land claim is very exciting. It involves a substantial block of land close to Drake Village which provides strong opportunities.”
“We will have discussions with the land council and consultations with the community on future use of the site.”
NSW Aboriginal Land Council CEO Yuseph Deen said:
“The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) congratulates the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council on the return of country to Aboriginal hands.”
“A key strategic goal of the NSWALC is pursuing economic self-determination, independence and prosperity for Our people.”
“Central to this is land acquisition and activation; securing the highest and best use returns and generating ongoing benefits fosters prosperity for Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Aboriginal communities.’
“This is particularly important in rural and remote areas of NSW.”
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