As part of a $347 million national announcement Senator Kate Lundy has welcomed the announcement of an additional $74,000 in Community Care Grants for the ACT.

In addition, a further $80,000 in Flexible Care Grants will be allocated to the ACT.

The Community Care and Flexible Care Grants will help to establish new community and flexible services for groups with special needs. This would enable, for example, the purchase of essential equipment such as office equipment or motor vehicles or providing funds for staff recruitment.

Under the latest Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) the ACT has received 84 new aged care places to care for frail older Australians.

The aged care services include new residential aged care places – two-thirds of them high care places – and community care places will be provided to aged care facilities and community care services.

The Rudd Government has also allocated a record $51 million in capital grants – the largest single capital grant allocation by any Australian Government since the Aged Care Act came into effect in 1997.

“This funding reaffirms the Australian Government’s commitment to assisting those who are most vulnerable in our community, without a one size fits all model,” Senator Lundy said.

“Older Australians have told the Government that they wish to remain independent, in their own homes and in their communities. Community care services help many people stay at home instead of moving prematurely into a residential aged care facility.”

The ACT has also received:
• 54 Community Aged Care Packages that provide support services for older people with care needs living at home. They are designed as an alternative to low care residential aged care.
• 17 Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages which deliver care in people’s own homes equivalent to high care residential aged care, including the provision of nursing care; and
• 5 Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages for people who experience behaviours of concern and psychological symptoms associated with dementia.

The new community care places are in addition to the Home and Community Care (HACC) services provided to elderly and disabled people through the $1.2 billion in Australian Government funding that will be provided to the states and territories for 2009-10.

In April this year the ACT received an increase in funding for the Home Community Care Program of approximately $86 million over three years, an increase in annual funding from over $26 million in 2008-09 to over $31 million by 2010-11.

Additional information on the 2008-2009 Aged Care Approvals Round is available at http://www.health.gov.au/acar2008-2009

Decisions on aged care places are made independently by the Department of Health and Ageing. The aim of the process is to ensure that the allocation of aged care places best meets the identified needs of the community.

Media contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882
 

Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy has today welcomed the announcement by Attorney-General, Robert McClelland of the additional one-off funding of $6 million for legal assistance services.

The additional one-off funding will provide:
• $3.6 million for the development of pilot programs to build better partnerships and greater collaboration between all Family Relationship and nearby Community Legal Centres;
• $1.5 million for Community Legal Centres; and
• $916,000 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS).

Part of the community legal centre funding of $1.5 million will contribute to the establishment of a trial legal clinic for homeless persons in the ACT.

“Access to justice is crucial to social equality, particularly for those that are often least able to afford it.

“This trial clinic will help to ensure that homeless people in the ACT get the support they need and will bring us in line with other states such as Queensland and Victoria,” Senator Lundy said.

Media contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882
 

Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy has today welcomed the announcement that the Australian Capital Territory has been allocated $800,000 to assist in building new or upgrade existing community facilities such as libraries, community centres and sports grounds.

The new funding has been made available following the $220 million boost to the Community Infrastructure Program announced today by the Prime Minister at the second meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government.

The extra $220 million will be delivered as follows:

• $100 million shared between all of the nation’s councils and shires; and
• $120 million for larger Strategic Projects. All councils and shires will have the opportunity to compete for a share of this funding.

The extra funding will build on the projects already funded under the Community Infrastructure Program in the ACT, which includes Glebe and Eddison Parks.

The Government will start delivering the extra $220 million to councils and shires towards the end of 2009, giving councils the time to complete the existing projects funded under the Community Infrastructure Program.

Guidelines will be available in the near future. For further information: http://www.aclg.gov.au/cip/index.aspx

Media contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882
 

Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy, today welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment of $125,080 funding to support Woden Community Service and Barnados in Canberra. 

The ‘Protecting Australia’s Children’ program is aimed at developing the strength and resilience of children and families to prevent child abuse and neglect, and provide additional support to those children who have suffered abuse or neglect.

The funding was announced by the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, as part of a $3.1 million commitment to support 50 child protection projects nationally.

“The Government’s support will enable these organisations to further support children who are at risk of harm and their families,” Senator Lundy said.

The successful projects include an early intervention pilot led by Woden Community Services in collaboration with eight community organisations to test a case management and coordination model for children and families who are reported to the ACT Government child protection service.

“Such a case management and coordination model across local organisations with the cross over of information will assist in targeting prevention, early intervention and remedial services for children at risk in the ACT and Australia wide.”

Ms Macklin said the Australian Government is working with states and territories to develop new strategies to provide broad family support as well as more intensive, targeted services for those families which are in need of more help.

“It is our priority to identify children and families at risk and intervene early before a crisis develops,” Ms Macklin said.

A full list of the projects is available at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/families/funding/Pages/ProtectingAustraliaChildrenFunding-Further31million.aspx.

Media contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882
 

Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy has today welcomed Australian Government funding of $6,184,218 to the CIT campus in Bruce. This funding builds on $3.1 million investment CIT received earlier this month under the better TAFE Facilities Program. 

“This funding will pay for the construction of a new sustainable building at CIT’s Bruce campus, providing green jobs, practical hands-on training of sustainable skills in science and engineering; and up skilling of existing workers,” Senator Lundy said.

“The funds will be provided as part of the $200 million Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow element of the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund (TIIFT) for Vocational Education and Training.

“TIIFT will enhance TAFEs’ capacity to up-skill and re-skill Australians for a productive future. Projects under the TIIFT will particularly focus on skills for a sustainable future, including the emerging green skills sector, and industries affected by climate change.”

TAFEs across Australia will receive grants in the 2009–10 financial year to upgrade or develop infrastructure, plant and equipment to skill Australians for the future.

Senator Lundy said that the additional funding for CIT will provide a welcome boost to the Canberra region and will help to keep the region working.

“This will help to secure economic activity, assist in addressing the impacts of the economic downturn and increase the capacity of the local training sector over the longer term to meet future skills needs,” Senator Lundy said.

The announcement of funding through the Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow is the second element of the $500 million Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training.

The Australian Government announced in December 2008 that this funding is part of a $4.7 billion nation-building infrastructure package to support Australia’s economy.

The Bruce project is subject to final contract negotiations.

Media Contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882
 

Local organisations the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Communities@Work, Belconnen Community Service, Companion House, Marymead Child and Family Centre, Sing Australia and the Uniting Church will receive combined $705,000 in Australian Government funding over the next year. 

Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy today welcomed the additional funding for Canberra which is part of a $19.3 million commitment to the new Community Investment Program.

“I value the enormous contribution made by these local organisations to the ACT community and this funding will enable this contribution to continue,” Senator Lundy said.

“These community organisations have been very successful in supporting vulnerable children, families and their communities.”

“The projects funded provide on the ground, practical help for people facing social and personal challenges and will strengthen communities through locally developed initiatives.

The Community Investment Program was formerly funded under the Government’s Local Answers program.

Media contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882
 

Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis, Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy have today welcomed Federal Government funding of $3.1 million for Canberra CIT under the Better TAFE Facilities program. 

“The Better TAFE Facilities program is a $200 million investment by the Rudd Government to support the jobs of today and tomorrow.

“Investing $3.1million in our local CIT will ensure people in Canberra and the region can access the education and training they need in quality local facilities.

“The funding will allow CIT to refurbish the Reid kitchen, construct a machinery shed, ablution block and permanent Power & CIT Network access, replace benches, storage and shelving in six laboratories to create more flexible teaching spaces in Bruce, upgrade the Fyshwick Trade Skills Centre, build a training shed with slab and sand well, refurbish the Southside Auditorium and install collapsible seating to create a theatre for 90 students.

“These projects represent a win for local students, a win for local employers, and a win for the local economy.

“Local students will benefit from the improved teaching facilities, employers will benefit from the boost to workforce skills and businesses will benefit from the economic activity generated by these infrastructure projects.”

The Better TAFE Facilities initiative is part of the Rudd Government’s $500 million Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training.

Under Better TAFE Facilities, all TAFE institutes across Australia are eligible to receive a grant of between $2 million and $8 million to undertake maintenance needs, small capital works and equipment and plant purchase.

The Rudd Government announced the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training last December as part of a $4.7 billion nation-building infrastructure package to support Australia’s economy.

A full list of projects being supported under the Better TAFE Facilities element of the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/tlcfvet

MEDIA CONTACT: Rick Youssef (Ellis) 0434 539 516
Tony Hodges (McMullan) 0408 690 861
Annika Hutchins (Lundy) 0407 458 882

Former Olympic swimmer Craig Stevens and star netballer Susan Pratley urge schools to
join forces and win

It’s a long-distance food fight – New South Wales and ACT primary school students are being urged to stand in a city versus country challenge to prove who’s best at healthy eating.

The 2009 Sydney Markets ‘Fresh for Kids’ Canteen Campaign challenges schools from New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in a competition to eat the most fruit and vegetables.

The campaign, which rewards students for buying fresh fruit and vegetables at their participating school canteen, has encouraged almost 1.5 million children to eat more fresh produce since 2000. Last year, almost twice as many country schools as city schools took part in the challenge.

Marketing Programs Manager for Sydney Markets Limited Melissa Kolc said it was up to schools to make sure they were the healthiest eaters. Schools must register by 3 July to be eligible.

“For children aged five to 12, the school canteen is one of the only places they make autonomous food choices, so it’s the best place to establish a lifelong healthy relationship with fresh food.

“I challenge all schools in NSW and the ACT to register for the Canteen Campaign, which builds a team atmosphere and makes healthy eating fun,” Ms Kolc said.

In 2009, NSW Swifts player Susan Pratley, and former Olympic swimmer Craig Stevens have joined the campaign as Ambassadors.

Mr Stevens, a two-time World Championship gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist, said dieticians, doctors and trainers reinforced to him that only fresh food would give him the energy he needed to perform.

“Getting kids to eat fresh food is one of the most important steps in promoting health. Kids don’t have access to expert guidance, so rewarding them for smart food choices and being active helps to set the next generation on the road to a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

About the ‘Fresh for Kids’ Canteen Campaign
In 2009, the ‘Fresh for Kids’ Canteen Campaign will urge school students to ‘Join Forces and Win’, with prizes donated by The Walt Disney Company.

Join Forces and Win Canteen Campaign 2009 registrations close Friday, 10 July. The campaign runs from Monday, 10 August to Friday, 4 September.

Developed in 1997, Fresh for Kids Program was created by Sydney Markets Ltd to help school-aged children achieve a healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and participate in regular physical activity.

In 2009, the ‘Fresh for Kids’ Campaign will run alongside the Premier’s Primary and Secondary School Sport Challenge in NSW.

The Challenge aims to engage young people in sport and physical activity and encourages them to lead healthy, active lifestyles. The Challenge includes a range of initiatives with one common purpose – to have more students, more active, more often.

The 2008 ‘Fresh for Kids’ Canteen Campaign
• In 2008, 440 schools and 146,969 students participated in the Canteen Campaign.
• More than 160,000 pieces of fruit and vegetables were purchased over the four week campaign.
• Of the schools that took part, an outstanding 91% of canteen managers reported an increase in students buying fruit and vegetables.

How the 2009 ‘Fresh for Kids’ Canteen Campaign works
School students are rewarded with a token sticker each time they buy a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable from their participating school canteen.

When they have collected all four token stickers, they receive a Fresh for Kids finger projector. There are six coloured projectors to represent each of the Fresh for Kids Fruit and Veg Gang members.

They are then in the running to win one of five larger prizes donated by The Walt Disney Company., that will be drawn on Tuesday, 15 September 2009.

The Fruit and Veg Gang
‘Fresh for Kids’ Fruit and Vegetable Gang members include: Megabite Apple; Oscar Orange; Summa Strawberry; Tamara Tomato; Captain Capsicum; and Bazza Banana. These characters appear on the ‘Fresh for Kids’ multi award winning website (www.freshforkids.com.au).

Sydney Markets Limited
Sydney Markets Limited owns and operates Australia’s largest market and is recognised as a world leader in fresh produce and community market management.

For Further Information please contact:
Melissa Kolc
Sydney Markets Limited
Tel: 02 93256830
 

North Canberra Community Council Media Release

Date: 22 June 2009
Title: Majura Parkway Realignment EIS
Keywords: Majura Parkway, realignment, EIS, unnecessary, environmental impact, lack of transparency, consultation

——–

The Chair of the North Canberra Community Council (NCCC), Jochen Zeil, has called for more information on the proposed Majura Parkway Realignment and a public information meeting on the new road.

Mr Zeil stated, “The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) makes it clear that the real reason for the unnecessarily expensive and environmentally damaging major realignment of the Parkway is to enable a future Very High Speed Train (VHST) to connect to Canberra Airport. This would support the Airport’s plan to become Sydney’s second airport and a night freight hub.

“The community, including NCCC, has consistently argued that these Airport business plans will destroy the unique assets of Canberra as a liveable city.

“It would be better and cheaper to keep to the ACT Government’s original plan and upgrade the existing Majura Road route to Parkway standard,” Mr Zeil continued.

Mr Zeil noted, “The EIS states that upgrading the current route instead of realigning it would have: ‘the least impact on existing developments…, does not have significant ecological, cultural heritage or land management impacts and would …[reduce] the need for large amounts of capital outlay over a short period of time.’” [EIS Appendix M, p.3]

Mr Zeil called for a detailed and transparent triple bottom line analysis of a VHST corridor in the Majura Valley, including any proposed linkages with a freight hub for Canberra Airport.

Mr Zeil also described the EIS documentation as inadequate. “The EIS does not compare alternative options with the proposed realignment, but instead refers to previous studies that are not publicly available and that NCCC has been unable to access. ACT Roads, the proponent of the Majura Parkway proposal, has not held a single public information meeting on this major road project,” said Mr Zeil.

Mr Zeil concluded, “If the proposed VHST corridor serving an Airport terminal is the key criterion for the expensive Majura Parkway realignment, then there needs to be full and frank public discussion about such a proposal.”

Mr. Jochen Zeil, Chair of the North Canberra Community Council is available for media comment or interview.

—
Jochen Zeil
Chair

North Canberra Community Council Inc
PO Box 396, Dickson ACT 2602
www.northcanberra.org.au

Please note: NCCC is not a local government. If you have enquiries relating to government issues, we may be able to help point you in the right direction. However, the main contact for ACT Government enquiries is Canberra Connect at http://www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/ or phone 13 22 81

"There ought to be a university course. How to answer a woman!" Bob – baby boomer blues

If you’re looking for respite from your own life dramas, the Q’s Baby Boomer Blues will put a new perspective on life and love and all the joys and tribulations that go along with married life! This particular partnership is further challenged by a tropical holiday, a karaoke talent quest and a typhoon!

Baby Boomer Blues is an entertaining portrayal of married life and a baby boomer couple’s search for fulfilment. This tongue in cheek comedy focuses on their marital tribulations as Bob’s business fails and Carol takes over as the breadwinner. The unexpected role swap has surprising results for their marriage, further complicated by Bob’s quest for the meaning of life.
Theatre Australia says the play is original and exceptionally funny. Beautifully written and delivered.

Written and originally directed by Perth Theatre Company’s award winning late Artistic Director Alan Becher, baby boomer blues is Directed by the highly respected stalwart of West Australian theatre Jenny McNae, the production is supported by the creative talents of designer Steve Nolan, lighting designer Lucy Birkinshaw and sound designer Roly Skender. Acclaimed Perth actor Greg McNeill plays the role of baby boomer Bob.
 

Sessions 8pm from 26 June – 1 July; matinees at 2pm 27 & 28 June.
Tickets: $27 – $47 (Matinee 28 June $25) by phoning The Q Box Office on 62980290 or visit www.theq.net.au