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News and Reviews

‘Build back better’ demands a strategy, funding & empathy

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‘Build back better’ demands a strategy, funding & empathy

 

LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin says thousands of flood-impacted local residents will be looking for much more than business as usual when the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation stands up in the region from this Friday, July 1.

 

Ms Saffin says she hopes Corporation Chief Executive David Witherdin will outline an over-arching strategy to ‘build back better’ which is fully supported by commensurate State and Federal funding, and requisite and empathetic to local communities’ needs.

 

“The grants and approach to date, with a few adaptions, do not match the magnitude of the disaster that engulfed Lismore, Murwillumbah and other towns,” Ms Saffin says.

 

“I’ve made practical suggestions in a briefing note to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and new Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt, pulling together my ‘advocacy asks’ since the February 28 flood hit us for six.

 

“At the very least, we must secure a joint NSW-Commonwealth Flood Reconstruction Package for the Northern Rivers. Guidelines and options need to be clear, flexible; the funding needs to be in the billions; and traumatised flood-survivors and locals need to be genuinely consulted and included in decisions impacting their futures.”

 

Ms Saffin today restates and shares some of the ideas she has put forward on how best to ‘build back better’, importantly informed by local community need.

Elements: Successive budget cycles commitment; voluntary house purchase/raising; land swaps; buybacks; relocations; increased Back Home grants for home owners/residential landlords with commercial landlords included; for tenants, an extension of the Flood Recovery Rental Support Program which expired on June 24;  road, river, land and landslip support; serious and sustained mitigation measures (NSW commitment per the Productivity Commission recommendation to match CWTH); housing — (able to buy fixed assets from disaster funding), $7.5 million for Landcom-assessed Lismore projects to enable 66 flood-free townhouses, go beyond pods to more permanent structures, built-in flexibility for grants type and criteria, change the disaster ‘no betterment’ criteria to effect ‘build back better’, farmers to get specific help on their farms, the grant to be made more accessible, a housing response that matches need, on site and less costly but more suitable than what is on offer.  For example, see the Rotary and BDC Global Group ‘pop up’ homes.

Frame: ‘Build back better’ must be the frame for recovery, reconstruction physical, economic, emotional and environmental. 3600 Northern Rivers homes deemed uninhabitable (March 2022), thousands of inundated businesses, Lismore: 3,000 businesses impacted, 18,000 jobs impacted, nearly 1,400 houses sustained major damage, 37 homes completely.

Preparedness-Adaptation: Resilience NSW to be superseded by establishing a NSW Reconstruction Authority, similar to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, have a package of grants and options ready before, not after the disaster and make the Northern Rivers the model for adaptation with mitigation and other measures.

Immediate humanitarian need – heating for winter: Coldest start to winter since the 1930s, flood-affected residents are cold.

CWTH/NSW ‘Build Back Better’ Reconstruction Package: A ‘build back better’ package 50:50. Everyone should be allowed to undertake betterment works, not be shackled by restrictive like-for-like replacement, such as for local councils repairing critical infrastructure. State needs to be able to use disaster funding to buy assets such as housing for flood-impacted households.

I have strongly advocated for a Northern Rivers version of the $741-million CWTH/QLD Resilient Residential Recovery Package, (requires a larger amount here) that has since March 2022 provided flood-affected Queensland homeowners with options including retrofitting, house raising and voluntary buy-back of homes at high risk from future floods.  Queensland scaled up Category A Structural Assistance Grants ($14,684 to $50,000). NSW Back Home Grant needs to be scaled up for all.

Commercial landlords and business structures eligibility: Targeted support packages for commercial landlords, who are not eligible for grants, to stand up buildings so businesses can reopen. Some own buildings in SMSF — grant eligibility needs to be blind as to business structure.  Private medical clinics such as GPs and specialist ones to be viewed as essential services for grant eligibility.

Employment and Economic support: Consider a tailored employment and economic development program. Northern Rivers RDA and the Regional NSW Business Chamber are ideally placed.

Rental support: NSW Labor has called for an extension of the Flood Recovery Support Program, which ran out on June 24, 2022. After 16 weeks, only 1,937 (16.5 per cent) of over 11,700 people who applied have received any support. The program has paid out $17.7 million, or just 7.1 per cent out of $248 million available.

Mitigation and Resilience Resources for Disaster Ready: 2014 Productivity Commission’s review of natural disaster funding found governments’ expenditure on resilience measures low and governments’ expenditure post-disaster reconstruction high.  It recommended Federal Government commit to pre-disaster resilience works of $200 million (they have) and states and territories to match it. Mitigation must be at the heart of ‘build back better’.  Government’s human security obligation demands it — it is inextricably linked to affordable-accessible insurance and now the CSIRO study. The extra funding committed to the study is welcome, but it must be clear in scope and approach before it feeds into the overall mitigation measures and must consider what works in other places, Netherlands, etc. An MOU among CWTH/State/Local governments to provide proper funding for priority flood mitigation projects already identified across the three catchments.

Flood reinsurance scheme Northern Rivers: Prior to the Federal election, I asked NSW Treasurer Matt Kean to urgently take up the issue with his counterpart. It is a point of entry and discussion.  The jury is out on the CWTH government-backed Northern Australia Cyclone Reinsurance Pool–backed by a $10-million government guarantee. The future of insurance for our region and mitigation efforts are key to reconstruction.

National Building Code: It contains three core principles, health and safety, amenity and accessibility and sustainability, but nothing on resilience which better speaks to flood resistant or flood ready.  (See QRA’s Flood Resilient Building) The NRCC must issue a good guidance note ASAP.

Rivers clean-up/river health: Further clean-up of our rivers, contaminated by flood debris and sewage, cannot wait.  An Environmental Recovery Package could fund this across the Richmond, Tweed and Clarence river catchments. (There is a joint $64 million for riparian restoration-no detail) See the NRJO’s Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative (NRWI) — a $150-million strategy over the next decade to enhance river health systems (some currently ranked D- and F).

Roads: Roads are subject to the no betterment clause under disaster management grants and that must change. The up to 15,000 kilometre take back of regional roads has to happen. Landslips: Landslips have severely disrupted everyday life for many residents, including local farmers who in some cases have had their access to farmland cut. Landslip repair has to be factored into recovery and reconstruction as programs roll out to repair roads, bridges and fencing.

BOM/SES flood forecasting, warnings, evacuation orders, SES: There is no faith in the BOM/SES flood forecasting and warning system. A review is not required but a fix is. We are told that agreements between the CWTH and State require the BOM to issue flood warnings.  This has been harmful to community. It is currently untimely, contradictory and confusing and too late and river gauges need to be in the right places, functioning, subject to proper maintenance, and a responsible agency.  Early Flood Alert systems: There is solid financial modelling that demonstrates the economic benefits of early flood warning. I know this because I like many others seek other sources. For example, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and other local knowledgeable people.

Review of off-farm income criteria and grants: The unfair off-farm income rule – farmers are ineligible if they make more than 50 per cent of their income off farm – does not recognise that it is common place for one partner to be working off farm so that they can farm! Secondly, at least half of the $75,000 primary producer grant should be available up front so farmers can get access to the funds they need to get going. Ideally, all grants should be available up front so that people do not have to become more indebted and some cannot.

Tuesday, 28 June 2022.

Media Contact: Janelle Saffin MP – 0418 664 001.

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News and Reviews

Two charged, following alleged historical child sexual assaults – Lake Illawarra PD

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Two charged, following alleged historical child sexual assaults – Lake Illawarra PD

 

Two men will face court today charged with historical child sexual assault offences, in the Lake Illawarra Region.

Detectivities attached to Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Coyed in October 2022 following reports a teenage girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted in the Illawarra region between January and October 2004.

Following extensive inquiries, about 7am yesterday (Tuesday 26 March 2024), investigators executed a search warrant at a home in a caravan park in Junction Road, Barrack Point.

During a search of the Barrack Point premises, police seized methylamphetamine and cannabis, prohibited weapons including an electronic stun device.

Police arrested a 53-year-old man at the Barrack Point premises and a 46-year-old man at a Barrack Heights home. They were both taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station.

The older man was charged with;

  • nine counts of aggravated sexual intercourse person between 14 and 16 years,
  • have sexual intercourse with person between 14 and 16 years,
  • four counts of sexual intercourse without consent,
  • assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
  • two counts of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis,
  • two counts of possess prohibited drug, and
  • six counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

The younger man was charged with take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage occasion actual bodily harm and three counts of aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years,

Both were refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 27 March 2024).

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

For more National Australia News, visit here.

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Renewed appeal to find missing man as police utilise high-tech drones – Western Region

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Renewed appeal to find missing man as police utilise high-tech drones – Western Region

 

Police have renewed their appeal for help from the public to find a man reported missing from Western NSW nearly two years ago.

In March 2022, detectives attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District established Strike Force Yurinigh to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of James Hunter.

James, who was 52 at the time he was last seen, lived in the Newcastle suburb of Tighes Hill and travelled to the state’s west for work including to rural properties at Dubbo, Mendooran and Dunedoo. He was also known to frequent Walgett and Lightning Ridge.

He maintained contact with family members, who last saw him in person in December 2019, when he was in the Newcastle area.

After failing to make contact with his family for several months, James was reported missing to police in July 2021.

Officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District commenced numerous inquiries and have conducted searches for James since that time; however he has not been located.

Inquiries have established James was last seen at a pharmacy on Macquarie Street in Dubbo on Friday 28 February 2020, but he has not accessed his bank accounts since then.

On Friday (22 March 2024) and Saturday (23 March 2024), 1700ha north-west of Mendooran was searched with the use of high-tech drones that carried out 52 flights.

Investigators with the use of technology will commence processing the 33,000 high resolution images captured.

In March 2022, his vehicle – a blue 2005-model Toyota Hilux ute was located on a property he was working at in Mendooran, and it was seized for forensic examination.

Police and family continue to hold concerns for James’ welfare, and are renewing their appeal to the community to come forward with any information that may assist detectives with their ongoing investigations.

James is described as being Caucasian in appearance, about 175cm tall, of a medium build with brown hair and eyes.

Anyone who has information in relation to James’ whereabouts or of relevance to the investigation is urged to contact Dubbo Police Station on 02 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

 

For more National Australia News, visit here.

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Deep Digging at April’s Nudge Nudge Wink Wink – Jason Digby + Embelina

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Deep Digging at April’s Nudge Nudge Wink Wink – Jason Digby + Embelina

 

Digging in deep on Sat April 6 – Only fools would miss April’s Nudge Nudge Wink Wink.

Two awesome Australian guest DJ’s Jason Digby, and Embelina join the Cunning Stunts residents DJs Lord Sut & Dale Stephen in the Shed at April’s Nudge Nudge Wink Wink: The Ultimate Party with a Conscience!

DJ Jason Digby one of Australia’s most revered DJ’s, makes his shed debut. Born in Melbourne and now residing in Byron Bay, Jason is celebrated for his distinctively crafted soundscapes characterised by seamless mixes and diverse styles spanning House, Prog, Vocals, Disco, and PSY – always deep and always sexy. With thousands of gigs over nearly four decades of experience and an extensive fan base through numerous residencies, international gigs, and support for major electronic touring artists.  His annual residencies at BALI’s famous KU DE TA and Double Six Clubs, appearances at iconic music festivals such as Reminisce, Hardware, Earthcore, Ministry of Sound and notable others, underscore his indelible impact on the scene Collaborating with renowned Melbourne DJ/Producer Gab Oliver under the moniker ‘Digby & Oliver,’ their studio work, signed to labels such as Zero Tolerance Recordings, Renaissance, and Baluns Records, has garnered critical acclaim, featuring prominently in DJ Magazine and the ARIA Dance Charts. Nicknamed ‘The Professor’ for his seasoned expertise and meticulous focus during sets, Jason Digby consistently leaves his audiences captivated and craving more with his electrifying performances, ensuring each show is a memorable experience.  Be there for a 2 hour closing set from Jason Digby electrifying for the first time in Nudge shed.

Welcoming DJ Embelina back to kick off the day, this DJ Queen brings a blend of deep, dirty house infused with disco vibes and funky hip-hop jams. With a professional career spanning Sydney, Gold Coast, London, and Europe, Embelina’s journey evolved from underground warehouse parties and private events to commanding stages at Sydney’s clubs, festivals, and prestigious residencies at top-notch nightclubs. Her move to London in 2004 marked a significant milestone as she collaborated with Paul Arnold from Fat! Records and held a residency at the esteemed nightclub, The End, sharing decks with renowned breakbeat DJs like The Freestylers and Soul of Man, as well as beatboxers MC Xander and Beardyman. After captivating crowds across Europe, Embelina returned to Australia, securing a Sunday residency at the iconic Gold Coast venue, Swingin Safari. Don’t miss Embelina in a two-hour sunset set, promising an unforgettable journey through the musical cosmos.

Cunning Stunts resident DJs Lord Sut & Dale Stephen stand as co-captains of sonic pleasures, curating unforgettable nights of dance. Their seamless mixes weave together irresistible selections of House, Balearic, and Disco, promising soul-stirring journeys that will move you to the core. Infused with their own edits and productions, their sets ignite free spirit dancing, joy and happiness.

Nudge Nudge Wink Wink is more than a party; it’s a FUNdraiser, providing essential connection, charitable support, and a warming of spirit for all who attend. Once you’ve given it a nudge, you’ll have to return. Wink Wink!Their events continue with their unwavering commitment to support locally based registered NFPs that are making a profound impact in our communities during these challenging times.

For the March and April 2024 events, they are donating to the important funding needed for the Mullumbimby District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC) to continue to deliver services to meet community needs as well as build individual and community capacity.

The MDNC provides access to a diversity of funded and unfunded services and programs including but not limited to Community Support/Emergency Relief, parenting support, specialist domestic violence services, support for homeless, financial counselling, Food Recovery programs, community meals and social inclusion activities. Many of the unfunded social inclusion activities, the work of the community meal (More Than a Meal) and Food Recovery enable soft access entry points for vulnerable community members to access additional supports and life changing opportunities.

You now have the option to donate, in addition to purchasing an event ticket, which also helps provide further support to this vital service. Through doing this, you become an integral part of the movement that uplifts, supports, and empowers those who need it most.

Nudge Nudge Wink Wink’s Season 8 runs from September through June on the first Saturday of every month! Nudge Nudge Wink Wink gives you an unforgettable experience of music, connection, and making a difference in the local community. Thank you for supporting what they do!

Final tickets may still be available – https://bit.ly/Tickets_Nudge_6_April  If the event is Sold Out – remember, the only legitimate site for purchasing any tickets available for resale is via Tixel.com.

To ensure you get advance notification of ticket sales for all their events, sign up to their e-newsletter here http://www.cunningstunts.com.au/subscribe/

Cunning Stunts have donated $403,18 so far, helping 39 local charities since December 2015. Let’s keep that impact growing! Funds are donated to locally based registered NFP’s assisting our communities during these challenging times. The April event continues, with a cumulative percentage of their profits being donated from both the March and April events to the Mullumbimby District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC).

For further information on Cunning Stunts:

Cunning Stunts have donated  $403,181 to 39 local charities through our events since December 2015. Byron Shire’s Community Event of the Year for 2020, Nudge Nudge Wink Wink, is a ticketed event on the first Saturday of the month, DJ’s playing in the best sounding shed in the Southern Hemisphere with funds continuing to be raised for local charities.

 

For more National Australia News, visit here.

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