Helping disengaged NSW youth get back in the game

Source: Government of Victoria 3

The Albanese and Minns Governments are partnering to connect disadvantaged young people with education, training and employment in NSW. 

Both governments are investing $5 million each into the Get Back in the Game Program – helping local organisations deliver specialist support to young people aged 15 to 21.

The funding, through the $100 million Commonwealth Outcomes Fund, will support around 1,400 young people a year who may not have reached their full potential. 

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Get Back on Track would help to tackle intergenerational disadvantage in communities across NSW. 

 “This is all about helping more young people get great training, get a great job and get ahead,” the Treasurer said. 

 “No matter who you are or where you live, you deserve a decent education and a decent opportunity to earn a good living and provide for your loved ones. 

 “We’re backing local organisations to give local kids the opportunities they need and deserve.

 “Programs like this one will help us tackle intergenerational disadvantage in communities right around Australia where a national approach on its own will never be enough.”

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said investing in local partnerships ensures Government funding is tailored to the needs of young people and their communities.

“The Outcomes Fund will give community organisations under the Get Back in the Game Program the flexibility to design and deliver services for young people that recognises where they are at and will get the best results they need,” Minister Rishworth said.

“I am excited to be partnering with the NSW Government on the program so community organisations can get on with their important work with young people across NSW.”

Minister Whan said empowering our youth is crucial for building a stronger future for NSW. 

“I’ve met some of the young people who have benefited from this program – it quite literally has changed their lives.  From being disengaged from school to building a career.  It is producing results for young people,” Minister Whan said.

“By investing in skills training and education opportunities, we are ensuring that no young person is left behind. This program will provide essential pathways for those who need it the most. Thank you to the Albanese Government for investing in this important program.”

Participants must be aged 15-21 and not be a current participant in any Commonwealth or NSW program or service supporting youth transitions to work or study.

The Get Back in the Game program is the last of the four projects to be announced from the first Expression of Interest process under the $100 million Commonwealth Outcomes Fund.

The Outcomes Fund gives providers the flexibility to tailor services to the needs of communities and young people. They receive payments when outcomes are achieved. 

The Fund aims to achieve service delivery and funding reform as part of the over $200 million Targeting Entrenched Disadvantage package.

Sue Watson, Manager of Yourtown’s Get Back in the Game program, said that the program funding will make a real difference for disengaged youth.

“Yourtown works together with young people to uncover and supercharge their strengths, providing the practical training, education and skills development they need to land a job and break the cycle of unemployment,” Ms Watson said.

“Our program creates pathways to help young people unlock their potential and achieve a bright future. This funding makes a real difference to these young people.”

Two arrested after caravan crash at Woodchester

Source: New South Wales – News

Two people have been arrested after a car and caravan crashed in the Adelaide Hills.

It will be alleged that about 2.20am today (Saturday 22 March), a man called police after his Nissan Patrol 4WD was stolen from his house in Finniss.

Police located the Nissan soon after driving east on Callington Road and pursued the vehicle. A second vehicle, a Great Wall station wagon towing a caravan then overtook the police car, sideswiping it as it drove past.

Both officers inside the vehicle were not injured.

The Great Wall station wagon and caravan then lost control and crashed on Callington Road at Woodchester, with the male driver running away from the scene.

The 35-year-old Wellington man returned to the scene soon after and was arrested. He will face numerous charges including endanger life, drive disqualified and illegal use of a motor vehicle, after checks showed the caravan had been stolen from Mount Compass.

The Great Wall station wagon was not stolen.

The Nissan returned to the scene and the driver, a 30-year-old Murray Bridge woman was also arrested.

She has also been charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, breach of bail and drive unlicenced.

Both people have been refused bail to appear in court on Monday.

Free legal service supports Canberrans in need

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Left to right: Care Financial Counselling and Consumer Law CEO Carmel Franklin and Care Consumer Law Principal Lawyer Agata Pukiewicz.

A free legal service that supports Canberrans involved in consumer or credit law disputes has received a funding boost ensuring it will be available for another year.

The Consumer Law Duty Service assists with disputes in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT). It is available to all Canberrans but prioritises helping people who may not be able to afford legal representation.

Canberrans can seek free legal advice and in some cases representation from the service when they bring their disputes before ACAT. This improves the access to justice for vulnerable Canberrans by placing lawyers at the same location as ACAT.

The free legal service can assist with issues between individuals and businesses including:

  • disputes relating to the sale of goods or services, and unfair contract terms
  • debt recovery (contacted by debt collectors, or served with legal documents about debt)
  • consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards or personal loans).

Care Consumer Law solicitor Agata Pukiewicz says that staff find fulfilment in supporting those who are most disadvantaged in the community.

“Our legal team consists of staff who are very committed to social justice and achieving positive outcomes for our clients, which brings a huge level of satisfaction and fulfilment,” Agata said.

“We help with fair trading and contract matters, including consumer protections under the Australian Consumer Law (consumer guarantees), unfair contract terms and misleading and deceptive conduct.

“We also deal with debt recovery and bankruptcy issues, where we assist clients who are pursued by creditors and debt collectors in relation to alleged or outstanding debts.”

Agata said the rising cost of living had increased the demand on the free legal service.

“Many Canberrans, even those previously living on comfortable household incomes, are now experiencing financial pressures and even hardship,” she said.

“We are observing an increase in home and car repossessions, with lenders more ready than before to take such drastic actions, and sooner. We are also observing more people owing several credit cards, payday lending and Buy Now, Pay Later debts, even to the extent of having to resort to Buy Now Pay Later products to meet most basic living expenses, such as grocery shopping.”

New funding has been provided by the ACT Government to local community organisation Care Incorporated to allow the service to be extended for another year.

The funding comes in response to the increasing need for legal support in relation to consumer or credit law disputes, and the challenges faced by people on low or middle incomes wanting access to this legal advice.

The service is available Monday from 9am to 4pm in the Legal Assistance Room at the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, 15 Constitution Avenue.

More information about the service is available on the Care Community Services website: carefcs.org/acat-duty-service


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WV Technologies brings new life to eWaste

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Canberra-based business WV Technologies saves more than 100,000 devices from ending up in landfill each year.

E-waste is being thrown away and piling up at an alarming rate across the world. As technology changes and improves, 40 million electronic devices are being discarded each year.

Canberra-born business WV Technologies is tackling this problem head-on and is a great example of circular economy in action.

Circular Economy

A circular economy ensures that materials and resources are captured and recirculated, adding value to products that were previously considered waste. Circular economies create jobs and reduce waste.

Through servicing a national group of business and government departments, WV Technologies saves more than 100,00 devices from ending up at the tip in landfill.

Computers, laptops, tablets and phones are sanitised, refurbished, and resold by WV Technologies, which helps reduce the impact of e-waste on the environment. Through its business model, WV Technologies contributes the same in energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction as removing around 40,000 households from the grid.

WV employs specialised staff to sanitise each device and destroys all data held before the device is resold.

“Some IT devices are recycled which does reduce the impact on the environment but if we can refurbish and reuse IT assets, we can be 40 times more effective in saving energy and resources,” Managing Director and co-founder of WV Technologies Kurt Gruber said.

“Alternatively, devices that are not suitable for refurbishment are broken down and recycled where possible, recovering maximum resources and minimising the amount of e-waste ending up in landfill.”

Managing Director and co-founder of WV Technologies Kurt Gruber.

Community and social benefits

Some items that are refurbished are put into a community laptop program to assist students at the Canberra Institute of Technology who may not be able to afford their own.

WV Technologies also employs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, at-risk youth and long-term unemployed.

To find out more about WV Technologies and its circular economy business in action, please visit the Everyday Climate Choices website: climatechoices.act.gov.au


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City Walk wins national design award

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

CRA has created “a thriving high street experience in City Walk”.

The ACT’s City Renewal Authority has been recognised in this year’s Australian Good Design Awards for its 2020 City Walk upgrades.

The project received the Good Design Award Winner Accolade in the Architectural Design category for its outstanding design and innovation.

City Renewal Authority Director Design and Place Strategy Lucy Wilson said the award highlights the ongoing transformation of Canberra’s main pedestrian-only shopping precinct.

“Our team has helped create a thriving high street experience in City Walk, featuring a mix of plantings, street furniture and public art,” Ms Wilson said.

“It has been wonderful to see the upgrades embraced by the community – our data shows it has contributed to a 340 per cent increase in evening visitation. Its popularity can be observed walking through the beautiful space, where crowds of people are now enjoying meals, being together and people-watching.”

Ms Wilson said the public could expect a similarly high standard from further planned upgrades in both Garema Place and along the rest of City Walk.

“We are now planning beautiful and functional new public spaces in City Walk from Ainslie Place to Allara Street,” Ms Wilson said.

“As evidenced by the 2020 City Walk upgrades, well-designed public spaces bring people together and encourage them to stay longer – that’s what we want for both City Walk and Garema Place.

“It’s great for social connection, for local business and – more generally – for our City Centre as the heart of Canberra.”

Initial design work for the next stage of City Walk upgrades is about to get underway, with public feedback and suggestions to be sought in early 2024. The works will also complement the upcoming Garema Place upgrade, with final designs on this project also due next year.

About the Good Design Awards

The Good Design Awards are the highest honour for design and innovation in the country and reward diverse projects across 11 design disciplines covering more than 35 categories and subcategories. For more information, visit the Good Design website.


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More housing, where Canberrans want to live

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The new Territory Plan makes changes to RZ1 zoning – allowing more dual-occupancy developments.

Canberrans will have access to more housing in suburbs where they may want to live, with the ACT Government reforms of the planning system aimed at providing more housing choices.

The ACT Government has released district strategies, the Territory Plan and design guides, that will support Canberra’s growth while retaining the elements that have made Canberra one of the world’s most liveable cities.

The new Territory Plan makes changes to RZ1 zoning.

Any Canberra block over 800sqm in an RZ1 zone will be able to build a second dwelling on their block up to 120sqm.

This will increase housing supply in existing suburbs to meet ever-growing demand.

Other requirements of the Territory Plan will apply to these new developments.

These include the mandatory site coverage provision and the requirement for soft landscaping and tree planting on blocks.

The new planning documents align with the ACT Government’s commitment to the National Housing Accord and the National Planning Reform Blueprint agreed at National Cabinet.

Planning reform is just one of several methods being used to address housing supply in the territory – one of the country’s fastest-growing jurisdictions.

The new documents incorporate significant feedback from the community and industry professionals, particularly regarding infill developments.

The final documents are being released to allow community and industry to become familiar with the new system ahead of transition.

The new system is expected to be in place from 27 November 2023, following Legislative Assembly approval.

Development applications must demonstrate how new developments meet the Territory Plan assessment outcomes. On specific development types, applications must show they respond to the design guidance set out in the design guides.

A training and education program will be rolled out over the coming months with key representatives from industry, the community, and other users of the new system.

More information about the new planning system and the finalised documents is available on the ACT Government’s planning website.


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New MRI machine at Canberra Hospital

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Michael Samuel, Director of Allied Health Medical Imaging at the Canberra Hospital.

Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at Canberra Hospital have been boosted with the recent installation of a new 3 Tesla (T) MRI machine.

The new machine will give Canberrans access to the latest medical imaging technology.

The extra power of the new MRI allows scans to be done at a greater level of detail. The time taken to complete scans can also be reduced, which improves the rate at which MRI scans can be processed and overall treatment times for patients.

This new 3T MRI machine comes following the recent installation of a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at Canberra Hospital and the expansion of medical imaging services in the community through the new Weston Creek Imaging Service.

The MRI replacement project is one of many infrastructure projects happening across the Canberra Hospital campus, including the Critical Services Building, the expansion of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, upgrades to Pharmacy and Medical Imaging services, and a new cancer research centre.

In the three months since the new Weston Creek Imaging Service opened, 1878 people have used the service instead of going to the Canberra Hospital, providing:

  • 589 CT scans
  • 464 ultrasounds
  • and 825 x-rays.

The imaging service at the Weston Creek Community Health Centre provides a great connection to the Weston Creek Walk-in Centre and a better option for non-urgent patients to get CT scans, ultrasounds, and x-rays without needing to go to hospital.

Canberrans are reminded that consumers over the age of 16 with a referral from a GP, specialist or allied health professional can walk in to get an x-ray at the Weston Creek Imaging Service if an on-the-spot appointment is available.

However, for CT scans and ultrasounds patients will need to make an appointment through the Medical Imaging Service at Canberra Hospital, so they can work out if the scan is right for this service. To book, call (02) 5124 2159.

The new 3 Tesla (T) MRI Machine at the Canberra Hospital.


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Garran Surge Centre deconstruction underway

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Following deconstruction of the Garran Surge centre, an improved oval will be returned to the community.

Work has started to deconstruct the Garran Surge Centre.

The purpose-built centre played a critical role in during the COVID-19 pandemic as a testing site, vaccination centre and COVID-19 treatment clinic for minor injuries and illnesses.

Once the centre has been deconstructed, an improved Garran oval will be returned to the community. The oval will include a new cricket pitch, modern LED lighting and a drought-tolerant playing surface.

The upgraded oval is expected to open for Garran Primary School students and public use by mid-2024.

In addition to the removal of the surge centre, the final Critical Services Building crane at the Canberra Hospital Expansion project has also been removed.

The two cranes that worked on the building were named Cranosaurus and Lightening McCrane by students from Garran Primary School. The flags from the cranes have been returned to the students.

Construction of the critical services building is moving at pace with more of the façade now visible as scaffolding is removed. Inside the building, installation of internal facilities is also progressing well.

For more information about the Garran oval restoration please visit: builtforcbr.act.gov.au


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My little big idea for Richardson

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Submissions have opened for a new initiative called ‘My little big idea’ which will see a project in Richardson receive up to $40,000.

The Tuggeranong community can now submit ideas to help improve Richardson as part of a new initiative from the ACT Government.

The new ‘My little big idea’ pilot program aims to involve the community in the decision-making process and up to $40,000 is available for ideas that could have a big impact in Richardson.

All ideas for improvements will be considered, with one winning idea to receive the funding to make it happen.

Potential ideas could include a street library, fitness or cooking classes, a playgroup, event, or series of activities.

A community panel and the public will have the final say on which idea will receive funding which will be shared in 2024.

The program will build on previous programs inviting input from Canberrans on what is needed in their suburb and explore how similar approaches can be used alongside existing budget consultation processes.

To learn more, submit an idea or join a community panel, please visit yoursay.act.gov.au


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Work begins to upgrade Tuggeranong Foreshore

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Artist’s impression of improved Tuggeranong Foreshore.

Work has kicked off on improvements along Tuggeranong Foreshore.

Upgrades to the foreshore between Reed Street South and Tuggeranong Town Park follow completed upgrades in recent years to Anketell Street, the laneways and pedestrian and cyclist improvements.

Upgrades the Tuggeranong Foreshore include:

  • improving the Tuggeranong Town Park playground with new play equipment and picnic spots
  • upgrading the existing Tuggeranong Town Park toilet with new, accessible features
  • improving the accessibility and safety of the foreshore path network, including path widening, removal of obstacles, new seating and upgrading lighting
  • renovation of the existing boardwalk to improve safety and accessibility
  • skate park works to address safety issues and rideability, such as minor resurfacing and replacement of damaged ramp surfaces.

There were more than 657 ideas from the local community during the feedback period last year. The upgrades will improve connections in and around the town centre, improve public access and safety and encourage the community to spend more time in public spaces.

Seven work zones will be set up to allow as much area as possible to remain open as work is carried out. A staging program is available online showing the anticipated start dates of each work zone.

The improvements to Tuggeranong Foreshore are expected to be completed by mid-2024.

More information about the project can be found on the Built for CBR website: builtforcbr.act.gov.au

To learn more about Canberra’s largest urban infrastructure improvement program, please visit the City Services website: cityservices.act.gov.au/bettersuburbs


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