March 2005 Media Releases
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Delay on Brigalow requires Premier’s intervention
31 March 2005
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, has called upon the NSW Premier, Bob Carr, to intervene in the debate over the future of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion given his Ministers’ failure to announce a decision by today’s deadline.
“All parties involved in the Brigalow debate recognise that a balance between ecological outcomes and jobs must be achieved but it appears the factional battles within Cabinet are beyond resolution,” Mr Draper said.
“In February, Minister Macdonald told workers at Gunnedah Timbers that he expected the decision by March 31.
“The Premier must now intervene and show leadership on this issue given his key Ministers are clearly unable to honour a commitment given to industry stakeholders that today would see an announcement detailing the future management plans for the Brigalow.
“Timber mill operators across the region need to know what to expect as the moratorium has locked up resources and adequate timber is rapidly dwindling in the tracts of forest available to them, he said.
Mr Draper said the silence on the issue was deeply disappointing and left Gunnedah Timbers, its 35 workers in Gunnedah and 15 in Baradine in limbo over the future of their industry, jobs and communities. The lack of a decision was equally concerning to apiarists, farmers and indeed the conservation movement.
“Reneging on such an undertaking engenders little confidence in the decision making process of this Government. This critical issue has languished unresolved for five years and it’s simply unacceptable for the Government to be still locked down in discussions at such a late hour.”
“The Premier must intervene as a matter of urgency as the delay is costing mills dearly. They are losing contracts, struggling to meet their remaining orders and face closure should a decision not be made public shortly,” he said.
Minister opens cheque book for youth and community housing services
31 March 2005
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, has welcomed a roll out of State Government funding for youth and community housing services in the Tamworth electorate.
Mr Draper said the NSW Minister for Community Services, Reba Meagher, had arrived in the region with an open cheque book announcing $14,800 to fund a strategy to help disadvantaged youth in Tamworth and Gunnedah enter the private rental market.
“I am delighted the Minister has recognised the value of this strategy put forward by Tamworth Youth Care Inc which plays a vital role in providing short and long term accommodation to some of the most vulnerable young people in our community,” Mr Draper said.
“In 2004 the refuge assisted 80 young people and in the first three months of this year has already provided crisis accommodation to 30 youths which shows the demand is increasing.
“This funding will help Tamworth Youth Care create a level playing field for youth in crisis who need to make the transition to long term housing but find it difficult to approach real estate agents and landlords for housing due to negative stereotyping.
Mr Draper also welcomed the Minister’s allocation of $6250 which will be shared between Tamworth Regional Council, Gunnedah Shire Council and Walcha Shire Council to stage activities and events in celebration of National Youth Week 2005 from 9 – 17 April.
“Youth Week is growing in importance to the region’s young people as it provides terrific opportunities to experience new activities, learn skills and just have some fun with their peers.
“It also provides young people with a powerful opportunity to communicate their ideas and issues to Government and community leaders,” Mr Draper said.
Photo: Peter Draper MP and the Minister for Community Services and Youth, Reba Meagher, listen to Tamworth Youth Care manager Peter Mudd explain the ways in which young people living at the refuge are helped into long term accommodation during the Minister’s visit to the home on 31 March 2005.
Homelessness on the agenda for Community Services and Youth Minister’s visit
29 March 2005
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, will host the NSW Minister for Community Services and Youth, Reba Meagher, during a visit to Tamworth on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mr Draper said he invited the Minister to the electorate to meet with local agencies and discuss issues relevant to her portfolio to which she was recently appointed.
“I specifically requested the Minister meet with the Tamworth Homeless Men’s Support Group and Tamworth Youth Care Inc both of which play an important role in meeting the needs of homeless people, particularly young men and teenagers, in Tamworth and Gunnedah,” Mr Draper said.
“I have also been lobbying the Minister to fund a strategy put forward by the Tamworth Youth Care Inc which seeks to break down barriers between homeless youth and the private rental market. The organisation’s manager, Peter Mudd, would also like the opportunity to speak directly with the Minister about broader funding issues,” he said.
Mr Draper said he believed a face-to-face meeting with the Tamworth Homeless Men’s Support Group staff would assist the Minister’s understanding of the increasing need in the region for crisis accommodation for homeless men and youth.
“The NSW Housing Minister, Joe Tripodi, was impressed with the networking and services being provided by the group during his recent visit, however, it is up to the Department of Community Services to provide funding for people who are homeless and in crisis through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program,” he said.
“I’m pleased the Minister is taking time to familiarise herself directly with local issues as homelessness is becoming an increasing challenge for agencies in the region,” he said.
The Minister is also meeting with staff from the Tamworth Joint Investigation Response Team (JIRT), which includes both police and Community Service officers, to discuss a proposal to co-locate the officers under the same roof.
Photo: NSW Minister for Community Services and Youth Reba Meagher during the visit with, from left, Tamworth Homeless Men’s Support Group President John Wallace and Manager Terry McBride with Peter Draper MP at the group’s accommodation centre, Minoa Lodge, in Tamworth on Wednesday, 30 March 2005.
Long-awaited Brigalow decision must protect jobs – Draper
29 March 2005
A decision on the future direction of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion should be delivered in the next few days according to advice given to the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, in the NSW Parliament last week.
Mr Draper said for the past five years or more the failure of the Carr Labor Government to announce what will happen in regard to long term access to timber resources in the region had created great uncertainty in many rural communities.
“It seems the Government has taken the easy option to date by bowing to pressure from Green interest groups and placing a moratorium on logging. The timber industry now deserves to know what the future holds,” Mr Draper said.
“Since being elected to Parliament in 2003 I have lobbied the Government on this issue and I am certain the concerns of industry and the Gunnedah Shire Council have been made clear to the decision makers.
“Gunnedah Timbers has invested heavily in updating its operations and has made an ongoing commitment to the industry. The company’s 35 workers in Gunnedah and 15 at Baradine must be a prime consideration when the final decision is made,” he said.
Mr Draper met with representatives from the region’s Green lobby and the Parliament last week and felt encouraged by the fact that the strong position put to Ministers who had visited Gunnedah Timbers appeared to be a primary consideration in the decision making process.
“I would like to publicly recognise the passionate representation put forward by the Paul family and thank them for enlightening ministers Knowles and Macdonald as to the importance of their business to the Gunnedah community,” he said.
“I would also like to mention the campaign waged by Gunnedah Shire Council on behalf of the timber industry and in particular the unceasing efforts of Mayor Gae Swain on behalf of the wider community.
“A very strong and logical case has been taken to the Government by many local people. I can only hope that common sense will be applied and the decision will result in a vibrant and viable timber industry with guaranteed access to suitable timber resources for the long term,” Mr Draper said.
Strategy seeks to break housing barriers for youth
24 March 2005
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, is calling on the Government to support a project that has the potential to increase accommodation options for homeless youth in Tamworth and Gunnedah.
Mr Draper has approached the NSW Minister for Community Services, Reba Meagher, with a proposal from Tamworth Youth Care Inc (TYC) to develop a Young Person’s Accommodation Development Strategy.
The Tamworth Youth Care Inc provides crisis and medium to long-term accommodation to youths aged 12 to 18 and also runs a young mothers’ supported accommodation project.
“The TYC has data which shows an increasing need among the region’s young people between 16 and 18 years for long-term affordable accommodation. Unfortunately there seems to be a general view among landlords and real estate agents that people in this age group are more likely to damage property and have trouble paying rent,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said TYC Inc manager Peter Mudd had approached him seeking support for the strategy which through networking and education aimed to break down this barrier between young people and the private rental market
“The Young Persons Accommodation Development Strategy would employ a co-ordinator who could liaise with government and non-government agencies to help get Tamworth and Gunnedah youth into private rental properties,” Mr Draper said.
“I believe this strategy has the potential to benefit vulnerable and unstable young people in our community by way of providing a permanent roof over their heads,” he said.
Mr Draper said if successful, the strategy would help ease pressure not only on the TYC but crisis accommodation providers such as the Tamworth Homeless Men’s Support Group which has identified a trend of increasing numbers of homeless young men and teenagers.
“I am urging the Minister to seriously consider funding this strategy which has the potential to help many young people improve their personal circumstances,” he said.
Education and Training Minister to seek community comment on school needs
24 March 2005
A demographic study by the NSW Department of Education and Training on the future provision of public education in Tamworth will be made available for public comment, the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, said today.
Mr Draper said he was informed of the study and subsequent draft report during a meeting with the Education and Training Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, yesterday.
Mr Draper convened the meeting to discuss the educational needs of the electorate and the Shadow Education Minister Jillian Skinner’s grandstanding on school issues, which made headlines last week but achieved little by way of progress.
“The Minister informed me a demographic study of Tamworth’s future education needs has been undertaken and is now with the Department. The draft demographic report which the Minister will consider once its finalised will form the basis of a discussion paper on the topic and will be released to the public through a community consultation process,” Mr Draper said.
“I was pleased to get an assurance from the Minister that she would follow the issue closely to ensure it was prioritised.
Mr Draper pointed out that Tamworth High, Bullimbal and Tamworth West Public schools needed significant investments to bring them up to the standard of modern education and he questioned the Minister regarding her position on a so-called ‘super school’ incorporating the three schools.
“The Minister is aware of the proposal for a super school but admitted she had no position on the matter. She is seeking a briefing from the Department on the implications of building such a facility,” he said.
Mr Draper also raised Gunnedah South Public School’s need for a hall and the Minister reiterated a commitment he received previously in the Parliament that a hall would be constructed in the current Parliamentary term.
Mr Draper invited Mrs Tebbutt to Gunnedah to turn the first sod for the hall’s construction.
“The Minister responded positively saying she would be pleased to do so providing the day suited her schedule,” he said.
Mr Draper has another meeting with the Minister on April 6 to discuss progress on the matters raised.
Small rural schools continue to suffer teacher cuts
23 March 2005
Small public schools such as Duri and Moonbi are suffering through teacher losses due to the inflexibility of the NSW Department of Education and Training, the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, told Parliament yesterday.
Mr Draper said Duri and Moonbi public schools had each lost their third teachers this year due to student numbers dropping just below the level required by the Department’s staffing formula which applies to ‘small rural schools’.
“The school communities are devastated. The departure has left two teachers including the principal at Duri and even though Moonbi found four students to enrol and boost numbers, it suffered the disruption of being without a third teacher for two weeks,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the classes at Duri now had as many as four student levels which placed enormous pressure on the teacher in charge and was simply unfair on the students.
“I have repeatedly raised the problems associated with the application of this formula to small rural schools and I shall continue to do so until the Department honours a commitment the Minister made three years ago to review it,” he said.
Mr Draper said Duri was recently compensated with the allocation of a casual teacher, however, she only taught four days-a-week and specifically the subjects of English and Mathematics.
“It only takes the departure of one student to trigger the loss of a full-time teacher. This has a massive impact on the quality of education the students receive, particularly those with learning difficulties, and on morale at small rural schools as there are often only two or three teacher staff in total.
Mr Draper said Duri Public School had managed to retain its third teacher for twelve months due to a drought exemption but the department removed the teacher even though the effects of the season were still being felt.
“Moonbi is particularly disadvantaged as the school lost their third teacher, re-arranged all the classes and then in a major disruption to students, reformed classes when student numbers increased enough to have a third teacher return” he said.
“It’s unacceptable for small rural schools to be placed under so much pressure when a common sense approach to staffing is all that is required. Schools are all lumped into the one basket and there is no consideration of the effect that losing a teacher will have, not only on the student body but on the community as a whole.
Draper calls on Opposition for funding commitment
22 March 2005
Today in Parliament, the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, called on the Opposition to provide a firm funding commitment to the construction of a new school in Tamworth incorporating Tamworth High, Tamworth West Public and Bulimbal Special schools on a green field site.
Mr Draper also asked Opposition Spokesperson for Education and Training, Jillian Skinner, to confirm the Opposition’s funding commitment to the Gunnedah South Public School hall.
“How much and when? If Mrs Skinner truly wants to help put pressure on the Government, we need more than her expression of interest in the problem,” Mr Draper said.
“I want the Opposition to give a firm commitment to both projects and make a detailed policy announcement confirming their financial backing,” he said.
Mr Draper has been pressuring the Department of Education and Training regarding the need for a new hall for Gunnedah South and has received confirmation it would be complete before the end of the current Parliamentary term. He is also meeting with the Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, this week to discuss a proposal for a new combined school for the city.
“If Mrs Skinner is serious about these issues, she will give a budget commitment, not just sympathetic words,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper also highlighted Mrs Skinner’s previous visit to Tamworth (at his invitation) during which she promised to raise the plight of small schools staffing numbers immediately upon her return to Parliament.
“Mrs Skinner is yet to utter a word on this important issue in the House,” he said.
Mr Draper said he would continue to pursue the under funding of education in NSW but pointed out it was important the Opposition also be held to account over the hundreds of “sympathetic” announcements its members were making across the state.
Tamworth’s road freight industry finds a hole in draft safety regulation
22 March 2005
Self-employed truck drivers should be included in a new duty proposed in draft regulation which aims to improve safety in the long haul road freight industry, a meeting in Tamworth was told today.
The meeting, held by WorkCover NSW to discuss the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Long Distance Truck Driver Fatigue Regulation 2004) was attended by representatives from McCulloch Bulk Haulage, Stockmaster, Ross Haulage, Carey’s Freight Lines, Timberline Transport and Kaytering Supplies.
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, was pleased local freight carriers took advantage of the opportunity to have a say on the draft regulation which is attempting to give industry more specific duties in terms of managing fatigue in two main areas.
“The regulation introduces a new duty on carriers to develop fatigue management plans (FMP’s) and for the first time the regulation will establish a chain of responsibility for the management of fatigue through to consignors and consignees such as major retail outlets,” Mr Draper said.
“Under the draft regulation, any major outlet (classified as having more than 200 employees) must be satisfied that freight delivery drivers are covered by FMP’s and their delivery timetable for the freight is not placing the driver at risk of fatigue.
M Draper said one of the major concerns identified at the meeting was that in its current form the draft regulation exempted self-employed carriers from the new duty as they were already covered by the OH&S Act which requires them to eliminate or control hazards in the workplace, including fatigue.
“A number of the carriers did not agree that self-employed carriers should be exempt from the new duty as it was these individuals who probably put more pressure on themselves or family members to meet delivery time targets due to tight profit margins and competition,” he said.
Mr Draper said he agreed the draft regulation left carriers and their drivers open to risk from other drivers such as self-employed carriers who were not required to develop fatigue management plans.
Mr Draper said local carriers viewed the draft regulation as not being overly onerous as in the majority of cases fatigue management practices were already in place.
“In general it seems carriers are already managing fatigue of their drivers and this regulation is viewed as creating a bit more red tape through the formalisation of fatigue management plans which will be developed in consultation with the drivers, “ Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the community and industry had until 15 April 2005 to make a submission on the draft regulation which would most likely be amended to take into account feedback from meetings such as the one held in Tamworth.
Meeting in Tamworth to discuss proposed safety regulation for truck drivers
18 March 2005
Long haul trucking industry employers and workers should attend a public meeting in Tamworth next week to discuss a proposed regulation to combat truck driver fatigue, the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, said today.
Mr Draper is urging those in the industry to have a say on the draft Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Long Distance Truck Driver Fatigue) Regulation 2004 which was recently released alongside a discussion paper by the NSW Minister for Commerce, John Della Bosca.
“This draft regulation is aimed at controlling driver fatigue and targets those people on both the dispatching and receiving end of goods which have been freighted by road over long distances, “ Mr Draper said.
“Mr Draper said under the regulation employers and carriers will be required to eliminate or control the risk of fatigue among their drivers while retailing, wholesaling and transport service consignors and consignees with more than 200 employees will also be required not to set unreasonable deadlines for the delivery of freight.
“There’s no question the pressure of meeting deadlines is a safety issue for truck drivers and it will be interesting to see whether drivers think this regulation will make a tangible difference or simply create a paper trail that makes investigating compliance in the industry easier for WorkCover,” he said.
Mr Draper said the meeting was scheduled at 9am -10am on Tuesday 22 March 2005, in the Russell Room at the Tamworth Services Club, 199 Marius St, Tamworth.
“Consultation on the draft regulation which is available on WorkCover’s website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au closes on April 15, 2005 so I would encourage industry members to get along to the public meeting and have some input,” he said.
Have a say on workers compensation premiums
17 March 2005
The Independent member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, is encouraging business owners to have a say on the NSW workers compensation premium system by making written comment and attending a public forum.
“The NSW Minister for Commerce, John Della Bosca, has released a discussion paper on proposed reforms to the system after spending the past 18 months consulting with industry on ways to improve it,” Mr Draper said.
“Now is the time for business owners and the community to comment on whether this scheme is working and how it has impacted on the way they do business.
Mr Draper was successful in having the Minister schedule a public forum in Tamworth later this month where WorkCover staff will outline the proposed reforms.
“I was greatly concerned to discover that none of the public forums WorkCover had planned were scheduled in the New England north-west region and I requested that the program be altered to include one,” he said.
Mr Draper is encouraging business owners to make use of this opportunity by attending one of two sessions at 2.30pm or 6.30pm on Thursday 31 March 2005 at the Country Comfort Motel 293 Marius St Tamworth. Registration is at 2pm or 6pm.
Mr Draper said has consistently lobbied the Minister to overhaul the workers compensation system, particularly the way premiums are calculated, due to widespread concern among the business community,
“Over the past 12 months I have received numerous representations from business people, particularly those in livestock processing, transport, manufacturing, farming and building industries and in small business, whose livelihoods have been threatened by skyrocketing worker compensation premiums,” Mr Draper said.
“Employers find the way premiums are calculated to be unfair as the system takes into account the employer’s history of workplace incidents which can be skewed by fraudulent claims or injuries sustained by workers during previous employment,” he said.
Mr Draper believes fraudulent claims should not be factored into the calculation and businesses should be rewarded for a good claims history with a generous discount on their premium.
“I am encouraging business owners and the community to read the discussion paper and make a written submission to the Minister on how the scheme is impacting on industry and how it could be improved,” he said.
The discussion paper and details on how to make a submission are available on the WorkCover website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au or from Mr Draper’s office.
Duri School office bearers
11 March 2005
The 2005 Duri Public School office bearers were appointed to office during a special assembly at the school on Friday 11 March 2005.
Peter Draper MP was invited to present the badges to students and is pictured with the Duri Public School Principal, Mr Kerry Kurtz and office bearers including (from left): Vice Captain Toby Johnson, Sports Captain Kyle Ridley, Health and Safety Officer Teagan Bielefeld, Sports Captain Jackson Peterswald, Sports Captain Madison Sippel, Library officers Sarah McKenzie and Sam Ison, Sports Captain Alexander Riley, School Captain Patrick Byrnes and Environmental Officers Tyson Peterswald and Jonathon Byrnes.
Lack of funding to control St John’s Wort is a worry
11 March 2005
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, has called on the NSW Government to restore funding for St John’s Wort control to local government authorities within the Tamworth electorate.
“The shire of Gunnedah is free of this noxious weed and the council is extremely concerned that unless remedial activity is continued, it will face an infestation as the neighbouring shire of Liverpool Plains is virtually inundated with St John’s Wort,” Mr Draper said.
“St John’s Wort has also been identified as a major problem in the Walcha area due to drought conditions eliminating competition from native or preferred species,” he said.
Speaking during a Parliamentary debate on proposed new Noxious Weeds legislation, Mr Draper said one of the biggest concerns for local government and weed authorities was recent cuts to funding for St John’s Wort control.
“The chair of the Northern Inland Weeds Advisory Committee and the New England Weeds Authority, Maria Woods, has expressed great concern that the Minister for Agriculture Ian MacDonald chose not to provide funding toward the control of St John’s Wort in the 2004/2005 financial year,” he said.
Mr Draper said the Department rejected a submission lodged on behalf of the region’s councils and Rural Lands Protection Boards for $98,000.
“The Government’s removal or reduction of funding sends the wrong message to those people who have been so vigilant in controlling this dangerous weed,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said he was concerned the Government was attempting to cost shift the management of weeds back onto Local Government.
A copy of the Hansard is available.
Crown roads rent offers some concessions but not everyone is a winner
10 March 2005
The agreement on Crown road rents between the NSW Government and the NSW Farmer’s Association will ease financial pressure on some landholders but those with small enclosures will be hit harder, Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper said today.
“Landholders with enclosure permits of less than 1ha would have paid $300 for a three-year permit under the former rent structure, whereas, under this new agreement they will fork out an additional $50 for the up-front rental payment,” Mr Draper said.
Under a deal brokered between the NSW Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, and the NSW Farmers Association, landholders with Crown roads on their properties will pay an enclosure permit rent of $350 up front for a three-year period, regardless of the size of the enclosure.
“I understand that concessions were made on both sides in order to reach agreement. It’s just unfortunate that smaller landholders will be squeezed of more funds and will lose out under this new deal which appears to favour the larger landholders,” Mr Draper said
Mr Draper welcomed the fact that the Crown road purchase price would now be based on the statutory land value rather than market value and that it could be paid in equal instalments over three years.
He said the previous sliding rental scale had also been improved with reductions in the amount of rent landholders would pay after the three-year period. Under the new deal, in the fourth year enclosure permits under 5ha will attract $350 per annum; EP’s Greater than 5ha to 20ha will attract $500 (instead of $750) and EP’s greater than 20ha will attract rent of $750 (instead of market rent).
“Landholders have been given some breathing space and the costs of purchasing the enclosures are more realistic than what was previously proposed, ” he said.
“Any landholders who still have concerns about the changes to enclosure permits should contact my office, or the Tamworth Rural Lands Protection Board for more information.”
Committee acts to restore hall and public amenities in Weabonga
10 March 2005
A bid to secure funding to install public amenities in the village of Weabonga is underway with the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, visiting the remote community this week.
On Wednesday, Mr Draper met with Weabonga Hall and Recreation Ground Committee secretary/treasurer Ruth White, in the village north west of Niangala to inspect the community hall and the state of its outdoor amenities.
“The Tamworth Regional Council is supporting this community by identifying ways of delivering improvements to the hall which has fallen into disrepair after years of neglect,” Mr Draper said.
“Part of this project are the historic hall’s original amenities which have not been functional for many years. The town needs public amenities and erecting modern facilities at the hall would meet the needs of both the visiting public and local residents.
Mr Draper said the hall was once the social hub of a village which had three hotels, a school, police residence and supported a population of about 1800 people due to gold mining in the area.
“The hall was in use as recently as two years ago but is currently off limits to the public due to a bird infestation and its general disrepair.
He said with assistance from the council and the State Government, however, the hall would be able to once again service the local population (of about 200 people) for social and community events.
“It would also provide an evacuation centre for rural residents during bush fires and a meeting venue for the local Rural Fire Service,” he said.
Mr Draper said the route to Weabonga from Tamworth up the Port Stephen’s cutting and beyond to Limbri and Kootingal was attracting increasing numbers of travelling tourists.
“The drive is scenic with historic buildings and picturesque landscapes. It’s proving to be increasingly popular on weekends due to the fact it’s a round trip.
Mr Draper said he would lobby the Government to consider funding a new amenities block on the hall’s recreation grounds to service the community need while the council was working closely with the committee to develop a restoration strategy for the hall itself.
Photo: Weabonga Hall and Recreation Ground Committee secretary/treasurer Ruth White, her husband Ross and Peter Draper MP inside the Weabonga Hall.
Health Minister receives message loud and clear
9 March 2005
The NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma is taking an upgrade of the Gunnedah Ambulance Station “very seriously” the Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper said today.
In Parliamentary Question Time, Mr Draper asked the Minister if he could advise the Gunnedah community whether their efforts to secure a new station had been successful.
Mr Draper had handed over 2300 letters signed by community members to the Minister ahead of a budget meeting he held with the NSW Treasurer.
“The Minister said he received the message loud and clear. Having inspected the ambulance station first hand and noting the letters, he said he was taking the upgrade of the station very seriously,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said he was happy with the Minister’s response as he gave a commitment that he would be in a position in the very near future to give advice on the results of the community’s effort.
“During his response the Minister took the opportunity to give a progress report on the $320,000 Gunnedah Medical Service which he opened late last year during a tour of the region.
The Minister said outreach specialist obstetric and gynaecological services would be provided at the centre for the first time in many years.
“As part of the Government’s strong and detailed plan to attract specialist doctors to rural NSW, for the first time in many years an outreach service in obstetrics will be provided at the centre co-located with rhe Gunnedah District Hospital,” Mr Iemma said.
Mr Iemma also informed the House that Aboriginal medical services had taken up residence at the Centre and had begun providing additional services.
Curlewis Golf Club funding
9 March 2005
The Curlewis Golf Club will benefit from an $1100 grant from the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, the Independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper said today.
“The 20-year-old club is the only active sports facility in Curlewis and relies heavily on volunteers for management and to keep the grounds maintained,” Mr Draper said.
“The club plays an important role in the community catering for both local and visiting golfers, the local Lions Club and charity groups such as the public school’s P&C Association, Miners Support Group and Legacy, by way of charity golf days.
Mr Draper said the club’s grounds equipment needed replacing and with the club’s finances somewhat stretched, the funding would help pay off a recently purchased multi-purpose tractor.
Contact: Curlewis Golf Club acting secretary Don Tunningley: Ph: 6744 1257
NIAS touch athletes receive State Representative Certificates
8 March 2005
Tamworth-based NIAS athletes Stephanie Halpin and Leica (pron. Lisa) Le Brocq will today receive recognition for representing NSW in the sport of Touch.
Members of the NSW Touch U16 side, Stephanie, 15, and Leica, 14, contested the national titles at the Gold Coast in October last year.
The team progressed through the competition defeating all teams with the exception of Queensland who they met in a nail-biting final. The score was locked at three-all until Queensland secured the match-winning try with just one minute left on the clock.
In recognition of their achievement, The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, will present Stephanie and Leica with State Representative Certificates on behalf of the NSW Premier Bob Carr.
The State Representative Certificates, which feature the State Coat of Arms and the Premier’s signature, recognise athletes who have reached the state level in any competitive field such as dance, sport, the arts or academics.
“I understand Stephanie and Leica were recently selected as part of the Under 20’s Northern Eagles (regional) team which will contest a national competition in Coffs Harbour this weekend,” Mr Draper said.
“They are obviously highly talented young sportswomen who will continue to achieve results with the support of NIAS, their parents and school communities. I congratulate both on their ongoing success,” he said.
Gunnedah still feels the sting of the Soil Conservation Service’s demise
8 March 2005
The impact of the Soil Conservation Service’s demise on Gunnedah was highlighted by the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, in Parliament last week, during a debate on whether or not the service should be reinstated.
“For many decades Gunnedah led the way in the effective management of natural resources, with severe soil erosion issues being the catalyst for the establishment of the Soil Conservation Research Centre in Gunnedah in 1946,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper told Parliament that through the research centre, Gunnedah had been home to a significant demonstration site of erosion control measures while a Soil Conservation Service regional office and a regional workshop had been located within the town itself.
“A staff of around 20 people once worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Gunnedah compared to the 30 staff now employed across the state by its reincarnation, Soil Services. Today one Soil Services operations manager and two plant staff work in Gunnedah,” he said.
“In its heyday in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, the Soil Conservation Service in Gunnedah was an extremely efficient unit with an emphasis on rural lands and looking after its soil resources.
Mr Draper was contributing to a notice of motion put forward by Upper Hunter MP George Souris calling upon the State Government to re-establish the Soil Conservation Service in NSW.
He took the opportunity to remind the House that in 1992, Mr Souris had voted against a bill introduced by the then Independent State MP Tony Windsor to re-establish the service as an administration office and to separate it from the Department of Conservation and Land management.
Mr Draper said he supported the move to reinstate the Service for the sake of proper soil management and the decentralisation of services from city to regional centres. However, Mr Draper told the House he held reservations as to whether reviving the entity as such was realistic given the ‘dumbing down’ of the service and the fact so many experienced staff had already been lost.
“The demise of the Soil Conservation Service in Gunnedah due to a series of departmental restructures over the years and the resultant attrition of staff, has been compared to a death of a thousand cuts,” Mr Draper said.
“The fear is that the expertise that still exists in a fragmented form will be lost as the long-term staff are now approaching retirement age,” he said.
Mr Draper said during the debate the Government maintained the service still existed, despite evidence to the contrary.
“That assertion is complete nonsense, all the Government need to do is look at the situation in Gunnedah where a once thriving service whose focus was the conservation and research of soil has been reduced to little more than an outpost presence.
A copy of the Hansard is available.
Tamworth Electorate’s 2005 Woman of the Year
7 March 2005
Gunnedah mayor Gae Swain has been selected as the 2005 Tamworth Electorate Woman of the Year, the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, announced today.
Mr Draper said Councillor Swain was a stand out nominee among several women who were nominated on the basis of their contribution to community, sporting achievements, volunteer efforts, charity work and business.
Through the award, The NSW Office for Women is marking United Nations International Women’s Day 2005 by recognising the achievements and leadership of women across the state both in business and their local community.
The United Nations International Women’s Day is held on the 8th March every year. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference of Women in Beijing. The largest conference held in the history of the United Nations and an important milestone for women around the world.
This day offers the opportunity to honour women for their contribution and is an important means of building the confidence and pride of all women, and encourages other women and girls by publicly presenting role models.
“I am pleased to announce that Gae Swain has been chosen as the Woman of the Year for the Electorate of Tamworth as the genuine passion she has for the betterment and prosperity of her hometown of Gunnedah is deserving of recognition,“ Mr Draper said.
“With a strong history in working for Gunnedah – rural and business communities, as well as for our people, Gae has dedicated an enormous amount of time and effort into rebuilding Gunnedah both socially and economically,” Mr Draper said.
“Gae has developed a reputation in both State and Federal Government hallways as being an ardent community (and rural) advocate who focuses on getting the job done. This ability has resulted in many doors being opened for Gunnedah and this region.
Cr Swain was the first woman elected as Mayor of the Gunnedah Shire Council and has been a local councillor for 14 years.
Married to sixth generation Gunnedah farmer, Geoff, Cr Swain is a mother of four, a grandmother and is actively involved in many community issues including natural resource management, community health and family.
Gae Swain’s committee representation include...
- Country Mayors Association
- Gunnedah Flood Plain Management Committee
- Gunnedah Nursing Home Association
- Gunnedah/Oxley Community Options
- Lake Keepit Community Reference Panel
- Lake Keepit State Park Reserve Trust
- Liverpool Plains Land Management
- NamoiROC
- Namoi Regulated River Committee
- NSW Country Libraries Association
- Namoi Groundwater Association
- Upper Namoi Waters Users Association
- Central Ranges Natural Gas Association
Recent presentations/representations during the past 12 months have included...
- Rural Doctors Network Including presentations in Coffs Harbour and Alice Springs.
- John Flynn Scholarship Scheme – on Scholarship assessment panel.
- Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund – Chairperson and strong advocate.
- National water conference – regional delegate
- 2004 National General Assembly of Australian Local Government
- 2004 Water Management Conference
- 2005 National Water Conference
- Gunnedah International Cup – event promoted to bridge the gap a between refugees and rural Australia.
The NSW Woman of the Year will be announced at a Premier’s Reception for International Women’s Day on Tuesday, 8 March, 2005.
Photo: The Tamworth Electorate Woman of the Year Gae Swain accepts her silver goblet from the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper at a presentation ceremony this morning.
$10 million coal mine for Werris Creek signals new era of economic optimism
3 March 2005
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, said the confirmation of a $10million coal mine in Werris Creek signalled a new era of economic optimism for the north-west region given the benefits of job creation and population growth it promised to deliver.
“The benefits of this project will resonate across the north-west with the economies of Werris Creek, Quirindi, Tamworth and Gunnedah and the villages in between standing to enjoy the stimulus of 70 new full time jobs based in the local area,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper extended his congratulations to the developers behind Werris Creek Coal Pty Ltd which is a joint venture between Whitehaven Coal Mining Pty Ltd and Creek Resources Pty Ltd.
“I would like to congratulate Keith Ross, the managing director of Whitehaven Coal Mining, and Graham Holley and Neil Brown, the principals of Creek Resources for exploring the mineral potential of the area and having the confidence to make such a big investment,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the proponents aimed to fill the mining positions locally but would also recruit experienced heavy equipment operators, engineers and mechanics resulting in an influx of skilled labour and their families into the region.
“I was delighted to hear Mr Ross, who is the Werris Creek Coal Mine venture’s general manager, state his aim was to source as many of the positions as possible from the district which includes Gunnedah and Quirindi. The venture will begin with a core base of trained staff but the company will continue to train local people to fill the positions,” Mr Draper said.
“The district can look forward to an experience similar to that of Gunnedah where the Whitehaven Mine attracted skilled workers and their families who bought homes, sent their children to the local schools and have since settled there full time,” he said.
Mr Draper said the Liverpool Plains Shire Council was also to be commended for supporting the project and working with the principals and the community to ensure issues of concern were addressed.
“The council is happy to have secured a commitment of $35,000 from the company which will be spent on the Werris Creek Rail Museum and a facility for youth in Werris Creek which will be developed in consultation with the town’s young people,” Mr Draper said.
“Mining has not taken place in Werris Creek for 40 years and Mr Ross is hoping the Werris Creek Coal Mine will provide a positive example of what a mining venture can offer a community through its presence. As the Whitehaven Coal Mining Company has shown in Gunnedah, coal can be a friendly and generous citizen,” he said.
It is expected the mine will be operational within three to six months depending on the progress of preliminary works such as road access and construction of a processing unit.
Gunnedah leads the way with ethanol-fuelled fleet
2 March 2005
Ethanol was the topic of discussion in the NSW Parliament today with a debate on biofuels gaining support from all members present.
The Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, said he was pleased to be able to contribute to the debate as it was a matter of the critical importance to the community of Gunnedah and to farmers in the north-west region.
“I supported the debate initiated by the Leader of the Nationals and called on the NSW Government to follow the strong lead of Gunnedah Shire Council in converting their fleet to a fuel blend that incorporates 10% ethanol into the mixture,” Mr Draper said.
“With a fleet of some 24,000 vehicles across the state, the NSW Government could play a significant role in supporting regional communities, while at the same time reducing the levels of harmful toxins produced by motor vehicles burning fossil fuels.”
Primary Energy managing director Mathew Kelly has devoted the past five years of his life trying to establish Australia’s first grain fed dry milling ethanol plant in Gunnedah and has received strong support from the Gunnedah Shire Council and the Federal Government.
“It is projected that the Gunnedah plant would inject over $1billion into the local economy in the first five years of operation,” Mr Draper said.
“It will also provide farmers in our district with a reliable market for their crops by consuming some 300,000 tonnes of primarily sorghum and wheat each year.”
“I was encouraged by the reaction of Government members present for the debate and I am urging the Government to support this industry which has proven ecological and economical benefits,” Mr Draper said.
Homeless men’s crisis looms in Tamworth district
2 March 2005
The NSW Government needs to act to avert a pending crisis in accommodation for homeless men in Tamworth, according to the Independent Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper.
Mr Draper has called on the NSW Housing Minister, Joe Tripodi, and the NSW Community Services Minister, Reba Meagher, to work together to provide accommodation solutions for the Tamworth district’s homeless men whose numbers are predicted to rise upon the sale of the Rex Guesthouse.
In a speech to Parliament, Mr Draper said the Rex Guesthouse predominantly provided accommodation to men who had no where else to go and the sale of the building due to personal circumstances on the proprietor’s behalf had the potential to displace around 25 residents.
“It is now imperative that services in Tamworth pull together to accommodate these residents,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper highlighted that the Tamworth Homeless Men’s Support Group was an accommodation option that was already operating to capacity. He said the group would require additional funding to expand its services and employ more welfare staff to be a viable alternative to guesthouse style accommodation.
“With its own accommodation filled to capacity, the group has real fears there will be no accommodation options beyond the banks of the Peel River for Rex residents. The Department of Housing in Tamworth has indicated it will monitor the situation, however, there is already a high demand for public housing and long waiting lists,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the Tamworth Homeless Men’s Support Group provided crisis accommodation and support within the Tamworth district and had impressed Mr Tripodi with its program during a recent visit.
“Last year the group supplied a record 8,578 bed nights of accommodation having received 650 applications for assistance. Unfortunately 176 men were turned away due to a shortage of beds. Closure of the Rex aside there is clearly a growing need for this service,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said it was critical for both Mr Tripodi and Ms Meagher to examine what they could do to meet the growing need for crisis accommodation for homeless men in Tamworth.
Services for people who are homeless and in crisis receive money for staff and administration costs from the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and the NSW Department of Community Services.
“I was pleased to enlist support from Parliamentary Secretary Graham West who is keen to address homelessness in his own electorate of Campbelltown and who pledged to ensure this issue was brought to the attention of the relevant ministers,” Mr Draper said.
A Hansard copy of Mr Draper’s speech follows.
NSW LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY HANSARD FULL DAY TRANSCRIPT
Proof
Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard and Papers Tuesday, 1 March 2005 (Proof)
TAMWORTH HOMELESS MEN'S SUPPORT GROUP
Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [6.35 p.m.]: Today I inform the House about a pending crisis in emergency housing for homeless men in the Tamworth district. On 11 March a landmark accommodation facility in Tamworth, known as the Rex Guesthouse, will be auctioned. The owner can no longer meet the considerable demands of providing a home to the 25 or so homeless people, mostly men, who rely upon the facility for bed, breakfast and dinner. The Rex Guesthouse, which was built in the 1930s, has been a home to those residents in the true sense of the word. Due exclusively to the dedication of its proprietor for the past 17 years, Marg Ryan, and her late husband, John, Tamworth has been fortunate to have the services of one of the last boarding houses of this kind in New South Wales. It is a place where people down on their luck can find low-cost accommodation and somebody who genuinely cares about their welfare.
Over the 17 years the Ryans have operated the Rex as a bed and breakfast, agencies, including the police, church and charity groups, have relied upon the boarding house to cater for people in need of overnight care until alternative accommodation arrangements could be made. Unfortunately, a developer will probably snap up the site, as it sits on a large piece of prime east Tamworth real estate. Being the last of its kind in Tamworth, this guesthouse-style accommodation has become a service of the past. It is a virtual certainty that the Ryans' legacy will not continue. The Department of Housing in Tamworth has indicated it will monitor the situation and attempt to fill the breach. However, due to the already high demand for public housing and a long waiting list, I do not believe the people displaced from the guesthouse will find their unique needs fulfilled through those channels.
For homeless men, an alternative to the Rex can be found through the Tamworth Homeless Men's Support Group, which provides crisis accommodation and support within the Tamworth district. The Minister for Housing, who met with group members during his recent visit to Tamworth, was understandably impressed by the group's program, its networks and the way in which it effectively meets community needs. The Minister expressed interest in exploring the group's program as a potential model for other communities. Since its establishment in 1991, the support group has assisted a vast number of men, women and children. The group has grown from a small volunteer-run service to three full-time workers. With its focus now on accommodating men and their dependent children, the group is constantly looking to the future and acting to meet this growing need. Understandably, it is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Rex's sale. With its own accommodation facility filled to capacity, it has real fears there will be individuals with no accommodation options beyond the banks of the Peel River.
Services for people who are homeless and in crisis receive money for staff and administration costs from the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program [SAAP], which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and the New South Wales Department of Community Services. Last year the Tamworth Homeless Men's Support Group supplied a record 8,578 bed nights of accommodation, having received some 650 applications for assistance. Unfortunately, 176 men were turned away due to a shortage of beds. Leaving aside the closure of the Rex, there is clearly a growing need for this service. The Tamworth Homeless Men's Support Group needs to acquire more accommodation units, which will require more staff to supervise them. Its main priority is to secure funding to pay additional staff. Without additional staff, the support, which is the key to the group's success, cannot be delivered and sustained.
The group is unable to handle more clients until it has more welfare workers. In addition, the group has identified a disturbing trend over the past 18 months. Alarmingly, the average age of clients is gradually dropping and the majority of men now going through this facility are aged 18 to 25 years. Also, their needs are becoming more complex, and staff are increasingly have to source alcohol, drug, mental health and counselling services. It is no secret that a proportion of the Rex's residents face similar issues. Mrs Ryan's ability to stand up to inebriated, unmotivated, unemployed, volatile or dishonest guests is as effective as her capacity to care for those incapable of looking after themselves
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People like Marg Ryan ho provide such services deserve support and recognition, and, although it is Tamworth's loss, her moving on in the wake of her husband's passing is understandable. It is now imperative that services in Tamworth pull together to accommodate these residents. It is critical for both the Minister for Housing and the Minister the Community Services to examine what they can do to meet this need, and to meet the growing demand to accommodate homeless men in Tamworth.
Minister Tripodi has experienced the situation at first hand and Minister Meagher will follow suit when she visits Tamworth next week. Failing to address this crisis would mean there is indeed nowhere for these homeless men to go and that the Government simply does not care. I note that Parliamentary Secretary West is at the table and is taking an interest in this issue. I know he has a personal, passionate interest in homelessness in Campbelltown. I am sure I can rely on him to emphasise the importance of this issue and to take a very strong message to the relevant Ministers.
Mr GRAHAM WEST (Campbelltown—Parliamentary Secretary) [6.40 p.m.]: I congratulate the honourable member on his contribution and on bringing the important issue of the plight of homelessness to the attention of the House. I undertake to ensure that his comments are brought to the attention of the relevant Ministers. I support his forthright fight for this service.
Private members' statements noted.
Hansard ends.
