State Government Investing $25 Million to Fix Dungog's Roads

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The State Government is investing $25 million dollars to upgrade roads in Dungog.

The Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole visited Dungog on Friday to make the announcement alongside the NSW Nationals candidate for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell.

“This brand new $25 million funding package from the NSW Government will help Dungog Shire Council to tackle their $23.8 million maintenance backlog and get these roads back into prime condition, which this community deserves,” Mr Barilaro said.

Priorities for upgrades under the $25 million package will be determined by Dungog Shire Council in consultation with Transport for NSW.

“We know the roads across the Dungog Shire are not up to standard and a reliable road network is essential for a thriving region." 

“The NSW Government is righting Labor’s wrongs by reclaiming the management of thousands of kilometres of roads across the state to take the onus off councils and put it back on the Government.

“That process is underway, but it will take time, and in the interim, we will continue to invest in road networks across NSW, because an investment in local roads is an investment in the lives of the people who live in that community.”

Mr Toole said in the past 12 months, the NSW Government has invested more than $21 million in projects on Dungog’s local road network.

“Only last week, I was out near Vacy to see work underway on Summer Hill Road – one of four road upgrades we’re funding with more than $5.4 million from our Fixing Local Roads program,” Mr Toole said.

In the coming months, work will get underway on the first four of 23 ageing timber bridges on the local road network that will be replaced with modern structures, thanks to $16 million in funding through the Fixing Country Bridges program.

State Labor Announces Five Point Plan to Secure Mining Jobs

BY ISABEL EVERETT

State Labor's Upper Hunter by-election candidate, Jeff Drayton says if elected he'll immediately introduce a Bill in State Parliament, which he says will secure jobs and make workplaces safer for mine workers.

Mr Drayton announced the party's five point plan in Muswellbrook on Thursday. 

The plan involves; 

1.    Forcing mining companies to directly employ 80 per cent of workers on sites – Jeff and NSW Labor will require this as a condition of consent which apply to resource planning approvals.

2.    Imposing jail time for mining bosses that breach a new industrial manslaughter offence – Jeff and NSW Labor will create a new industrial manslaughter offence in law that will see individuals and companies prosecuted if they are responsible

3.    Requiring mining companies to engage in safe and fair workplace practices – Jeff and NSW Labor will include this as a requirement of the ‘fit and proper person’ test under the Mining Act 

4.    Ensuring labour hire workers receive the same pay as directly employed workers –  This will be imposed by a registration condition for labour hire companies on mine sites; and

5.    Delivering a local jobs test - when existing mines in NSW are moving towards greater automation of operations, a local jobs test will require them to:

•      Develop and implement a transparent Local Jobs Impact Statement on any proposed automation in mines that must include consultation with the workforce, their representatives and community representative
•      Meet a ‘No Net Job Loss Test’ at the mine as a result of automation
•      Include additional training for existing employees in any transitional arrangements, so they can retrain into new roles at the existing mine site
•      Locate control rooms and technical facilities associated with automated operations at the existing site or its immediate locality.

“Mine workers have been fighting for job security while mining companies cut permanent jobs and replace them with casual labour hire. We need to everything we can to restore permanent secure jobs to the mining industry," Mr Drayton said. 

NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “Too many mineworkers are working full-time hours for years, but without the benefits of full-time work - like job security and paid holidays.  How are people supposed to look after their families or pay off a mortgage without a secure job?" 

Labor’s changes will apply to planning conditions for new mines and for the extension and modification of existing mining licenses.

Image Credit: PV Magazine Australia

Labor Commits to Establishing Full-time NSW Dairy Commissioner

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

NSW Labor will establish a full-time Dairy and Fresh Food Commissioner if it wins the next State election. 

Leader Jodi McKay and Upper Hunter by-election candidate Jeff Drayton made the announcement on a visit to a dairy farm in Barrington on Wednesday. 

They were joined by Dairy Connect’s President Graham Forbes and CEO Shaughn Morgan and local dairy farmers.

 
Mr Drayton said Upper Hunter dairy farmers have been left to fend for themselves after the worst drought in the State’s history.  
 
“The Upper Hunter pumps billions into the NSW economy and all our dairy farmers have gotten in return is a part-time bureaucrat."

"The National Party promised to appoint a full-time, independent NSW Dairy and Fresh Food Commissioner but that’s not what they delivered." 
 
He says a full time commissioner would provide a strong, independent voice for the industry.   

“Industry and farmers need urgent guidance and support. They’re being short-changed by the Nationals’ watered down, part-time NSW Fresh Milk and dairy Advocate.”

 
Ms McKay said: “I grew up here in Gloucester and my dad worked in the dairy industry. I know the people and I know the area.”
 
“Labor’s NSW Dairy and Fresh Food Commissioner will become a full-time statutory appointment with legislated powers, independent of Government. That means they’ll advocate for dairy farmers. They’ll be frank and fearless in their recommendations to Government." 
 
In the first year, the Commissioner would develop:

• An effective mediation and arbitration process for NSW farmers, in consultation with local industry and the ACCC (in conjunction with the mandatory code for dairy)
• A truth in labelling policy for fresh food and dairy
• A model for a national standard to deliver consistency in testing, sampling and the calibration of equipment used in fresh milk production to ensure a fair farm price

The Commissioner would work with dairy farmers to review:

• Best practice business models
• Contracts and plans for long-term sustainability
• Competition and succession planning. 

Labor says they will also investigate ways to provide better access to the Farm Innovation Fund and develop a long-term research and development strategy for the industry.

Image: ABC 

Work to Start on $3 Million Trade Workshop in Scone's Town Centre

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The State Government plans to expand TAFE facilities in Scone with the construction of a $3 million trade workshop, and mobile training storage facility.

The announcement is the latest pledge in the campaign for the Upper Hunter by-election. 

The workshop will be built at the town's Connected Learning Centre, offering courses such as wool classing, horticulture, small motor maintenance, welding, animal studies, chemical skill sets, agricultural fencing, and chainsaw operations. 

“It'll deliver hands-on skills and meet industry demand for practical training and the mobile facility will extend training in agribusiness across the Upper Hunter," Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Thursday. 

The announcement follows the sale of Scone's TAFE campus to Racing NSW. 

Racing NSW CEO, Peter V'landys says the sale means the workshop can offer training in new fields, while they operate the TAFE Campus as an equine training facility. 

"No ones got anything to be frightened about, if anything they should be excited that this is going to be expanded dramatically," he said. 

"We knew that the number one career path here is thoroughbred racing, and we've got a shortage of staff. We've had to bring in staff from the Philippines in track work riding, so we've got a skill shortage, this will fix that." 

Construction of the new facility is projected to commence in late 2021 to support course delivery during Semester 2 2022.