Two Hunter Locals Join Regional Youth Taskforce

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two young leaders from the Hunter have been selected as members of this year's Regional Youth Taskforce. 

Comprised of 18 members from across the state, the Taskforce will meet throughout the year to drive for policy change within the state government, and advocate for real outcomes for young people. 

The Hunter representatives are Jorji Taaffe from Merriwa, and Jessica Patman from Warners Bay. 

They're both seeking to tackle youth mental health in the region, and will drive policy change around their own special interests. 

Taaffe said she will be focusing on advocating for rural health. 

"I just believe we're lacking resources compared to our urban counterparts, and that's what I really want to change this year," she said. 

"If we have more resources here, it's going to be easier to get people back into the health system and address the lack of resources." 

Jessica Patman wants to bring mental heath and LGBTQI+ health to the forefront. 

"Research shows 75% of mental health concerns emerge before the age of 25, and currently within society, stigma and lack of  access to appropriate and affordable services is preventing a lot of young people from actually accessing support when they need it," Patman said. 

"I think there's also a lack of understanding around gender and sexuality and that's increasing narratives around stereotypes and is increasing discrimination further." 

"It would be amazing if LGBTQI+ youth could have more safe spaces within the Hunter where they could connect and socialize." 

Jorji Taaffe added how important it is to give back to the Hunter community. 

"I'm really excited to have been given this opportunity, not just for myself but for my community. By encouraging my peers and fellow students, I really hope I can make a change." 

Farmers hit back at Government Proposal

BY: ALEX MURRAY

A public forum was held this morning at the Wine Country Motor Inn with discussions of the government's proposed production and rural development policy and its protections for farmers.

The proposal is aiming to support sustainable agriculture and changes to planning particularly those requiring development consent. 

As Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot Macdonald says, "Primary production and managing rural development is vitally important to the Hunter." 

Although, the NSW Farmers Association is calling on the government to consider the restrictions placed on rural farmers in the development of the proposal and to have an understanding of their working conditions. 

Hunter Regional Manager of NSW Farmers, David Banham says: "The message is loud and clear from the people in the room today that there's still work to be done and it needs to be done properly."

"There was certainly discussion around the fragmentation of agricultural land and the minimum lot size which could be potentially changed or present issues." 

"It's a big change from the existing environmental planning policies we've got...including problems where certain farms won't be requiring development consent to go ahead." 

"We've identified some of the issues early on...but we're always looking for positive outcomes from these changes, we just need to need to ensure the planning department understand farming and the issues around it so they can create the right policies."