PERMANENT SCREENING CLINIC
BREASTSCREEN NSW has opened a permanent clinic at East Maitland providing women with access to free breast screening services all year round.
The new Stockland Green Hills shopping centre clinic is open five days a week and will deliver vital breast screening services for women aged 50-74 years.
Previously, local women relied on the BreastScreen NSW mobile breast screening van, which has visited East Maitland since 1995.
The van will expand the service to other communities in the Hunter and New England regions enabling women to screen every two years to detect breast cancer early, before it can be seen or felt.
Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM strongly urge all eligible women not to delay and book in a life-saving breast screen when it’s due.
BreastScreen NSW Hunter New England Manager, Kairsten Marley adding that around 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history making breast cancer screening important for all eligible women.
To book a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW call 132050 or visit BreastScreen NSW online bookings at: https://book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au
GREYHOUND INQUIRY SUBMISSIONS
Members of the public have until this Friday, 13 September, to make a submission to the Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW).
Experienced mediator and investigator Lea Drake has been appointed as an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission to lead the Inquiry.
Industry participants, stakeholders and the community can lodge submissions with information relevant to the Terms of Reference to ensure a viable and sustainable greyhound racing industry with the highest standards of integrity and animal welfare.
Hearings begin Monday 16 September at 80 William Street, Sydney and some sessions may be closed to the public.
Acting Commissioner Drake is due to report back to the Minister for Gaming and Racing by 13 December.
For the Terms of Reference and to lodge a submission visit
HUNTER PIPELINE CONSULTATION
Santos will host a round of community information sessions from Monday 12 October.
Santos is finalising the exact location of the Hunter Gas Pipeline taking into consideration landholder feedback and preferences, technical constraints and environmental factors.
All landholders located along the pipeline alignment are encouraged to take this opportunity to have their say and speak with Santos’ Land Access Advisors.
Drop-in sessions are on Monday 14 October at East Maitland Bowling Club 2-6pm, Tuesday 15 October, 2-6pm at Singleton Diggers in York Street, Wednesday 16 October Muswellbrook Workers Club 10am-1pm then 2-5pm Wingen Community Hall and Thursday 17 October Willow Tree Memorial Hall, 9am-12pm.
To get more information on the project or to check the pipeline alignment visit
www.huntergaspipeline.com.au or call 1300 427 546.
BUSHFIRE DANGER UPDATE
MidCoast Council is one of the 17 Local Government Areas (LGA) across the state to commence the Bush Fire Danger Period at the start of September.
Residents and land holders in the MidCoast Council area should now ensure they understand the rules around the use of fire.
Along with required fire permits, you must also notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intent to burn at least 24 hours in advance.
Know the risks for your area, have a bush fire survival plan and know what you will do if threatened by fire.
For more information, visit the Rural Fire Service website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au with further details on the Bush Fire Danger Period at: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
EnergyCo has committed to a Hunter-first principle to deliver the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP).
Currently in the planning phase, the project will construct a new overhead transmission line spanning around 100 kilometres as well as two new switching stations and works at the existing Bayswater and Eraring substations, with an anticipated start date of 2026.
The project’s guiding principle of Hunter-first means, where possible, the creation of opportunities to build on the Hunter’s diverse economic skill base and grow local jobs.
A local supplier database will be included in the procurement package to cover a diverse range of services when EnergyCo appoints the design and construction contractors and network operator.
Expressions of interest are now open for local businesses to be included in the EOI database: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/projects/hunter-transmission-project/industry
HEALTHCARE TRANSPORT SURVEY
Hunter New England Local Health District is asking for assistance to help improve transport services for healthcare.
Whether you live in regional or rural NSW or an urban area share your experience by completing the Transport for Health Community Survey online.
Have your say on how you travel to healthcare appointments – identify barriers and opportunities for improvement to non-emergency transport services.
Take the anonymous survey and share your story by 30 September at:
RURAL ROAD FOCUS
September is Rural Road Safety Month with the community urged to prioritise road safety on country roads.
An initiative of the Australian Road Safety Foundation supported by Transport for NSW, Rural Road Safety Month is now in its seventh year.
This year's theme is "Help sow the seeds of change; road safety starts with you."
According to the NSW Government, country residents make up about one-third of the state’s population, however, nearly two-thirds of deaths last year occurred on rural and regional roads.
Tips to improve road safety include Provisional and Learner drivers not using their phone at all - no streaming music, no Bluetooth, no navigation – the penalty is $410 and five demerit points.
When entering a roundabout, drivers must slow or stop to give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout and you must indicate your exit from the roundabout using the left blinker.
For more Misunderstood Road Rules go to: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/topics-tips/roadrules
DISABILITY COUNCILLOR CALL
Applications close on 29 September for six positions on the Disability Council NSW, the official advisory group to the NSW Government on all matters related to disability.
The Council wants to recruit people with the skills to support the group’s executive, especially in undertaking research, collaborating with stakeholders, and drafting position papers.
The Council meets four times a year in Sydney, but members can attend meetings online.
Being on the Disability Council NSW is not a ‘job’, but members are paid sitting fees to attend meetings and for travel, accommodation, and other reasonable requests as part of the role.
There is some work outside of the meetings, including reading papers and preparing reports, as well as representing the council at events and other committees.
For more information about the Disability Council NSW and to apply, visit the Council’s website: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/advisory-councils/disability-council-nsw/recruitment.html
MORE COUNCILLOR INPUT
As you head to the polls this Saturday to cast your vote in the Local Government elections, the NSW Government also wants your input on proposed reforms to the Code of Conduct system for elected councillors.
A discussion paper has been released proposing a complete rewrite and simplification of the Model Code of Conduct and new pathways for addressing poor councillor behaviour.
Proposed reforms would streamline the code of conduct down to two-three pages similar to the State Parliamentary code and outline clear expectations of behaviour for elected councillors.
There were 4,289 code of conduct complaints lodged over the last three years, with the new system proposing minor complaints about councillor misbehaviour be dealt with by a councillor’s peers and serious matters relating to conflicts of interest examined by the Office of Local Government.
Submissions close Friday 15 November with the discussion paper available from:
VAPING EQUALS SMOKING!
Do you know that vaping is banned in all smoke-free areas including cafes, libraries, all enclosed public areas and certain outdoor public areas?
Vaping is banned wherever smoking is banned and a $300 on the spot fine may apply under the NSW Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.
NSW Health Inspectors conduct regular compliance monitoring and enforcement activity and can enforce the ban on using e-cigarettes where smoking is not permitted.
To report a breach of the smoking/vaping ban, complete the online reporting form: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/let-us-know-reports-complaints.aspx or contact the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.
For support to quit, visit iCanQuit.com.au or call the Quitline on 13 78 48, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.
Commentaires