Editors Picks
29 May 2024
URGENT CARE SERVICES DELIVER
SINCE mid-2023, NSW's Urgent Care Services have had over 55,000 visits, reducing emergency department pressure. By April 2024, there were 10,628 visits to GP-led services and 44,555 to Local Health District-led services. The NSW Government has opened 16 Urgent Care Services, with plans for 25 by mid-2025. Gregory Hills Urgent Care Service, open since February 2024, has had 580 visits, offering non-emergency treatment daily.
29 May 2024
SURGICAL WAIT LIST REDUCED
The NSW Government is reducing the surgical wait list by embracing short stay and same-day surgeries. The Same Day and Short Stay Joint Replacement Program allows patients to go home the day after surgery when appropriate. Based on research, this program supports home recovery with prehabilitation and post-operative care. Early results show promising increases in same-day surgeries, improving patient experience and hospital capacity. The pilot aims for faster recovery and reduced hospital pressure.
29 May 2024
CELEBRATING 11 BILLION RETURNS
RETURN and Earn in NSW has celebrated recycling 11 billion bottles, cans, and cartons since its 2017 inception. The scheme has returned $1.1B in refunds to the public and raised $54M for charities and community groups. It has helped alleviate cost-of-living pressures and supported organizations like Little Wings. The initiative, partnered with TOMRA Cleanaway and funded by the beverage industry, contributes significantly to Australia’s circular economy.
25 May 2024
OPENING OF BOX HILL’S FIRST SPORTSFIELD
HILLS Shire residents are invited to celebrate a major milestone in the evolution of Box Hill, with the grand opening of Brindle Parkway Reserve on Saturday 15 June.
The official opening of Box Hill’s first sporting complex will be marked with a plaque unveiling, free gelato, coffee and face painting.
Sporting organisations such as Cricket NSW Sydney Thunder, Box Hill Bears Cricket Club and Motiv8 Sports will be running interactive sports activities and Council’s Compliance team will be handing out free custom engraved dog tags.
Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Peter Gangemi said the opening of Brindle Parkway Reserve is a major win for the Box Hill community.
“Brindle Parkway Reserve is the first ever sporting complex in Box Hill, and the opening of this facility is a landmark event for the community,” Mayor Gangemi said.
“Providing parks, sportsfields and road upgrades to our new release areas is a top priority of Council and I am proud of the facility that has been built for our residents at Brindle Parkway Reserve.
“As an almost lifelong resident of Box Hill, I know our residents new and old are very excited for the opening.
“Brindle Parkway Reserve will provide new opportunities for residents to play sport, take the kids to the playground or go for a walk or picnic close to home. The reserve will become a place to gather, exercise and play for generations of residents and I hope to see many Box Hill and Hills Shire residents attend the opening and enjoy the celebrations.”
The new sporting complex features two rectangular turf playing fields that can be reconfigured into one cricket oval, a half-court basketball facility, two cricket practice nets, and a playground with picnic facilities.
The reserve also includes onsite parking with 128 spaces, pathways including a perimeter walking loop and an amenities building with accessible toilets, change rooms, kiosk, referee room, and storage as well as planting of native trees and landscaping.
There will be a generous, but limited supply of gelato and coffee. Attendees are welcome to bring their dogs under the condition they are on a leash at all times.
What: Brindle Parkway Reserve Opening.
When: Saturday 15 June 2024, from 12pm to 2pm.
Where: Brindle Parkway Reserve, Cnr of Terry Road and Cart Street, Box Hill.
JOURNEY from the past to the future at Parramatta North from Saturday 18 May to Saturday 25 May with a week of family-friendly events and innovative programming.
Some free events require pre-booking with tickets allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. We recommend pre-booking to secure your spot.
Celebrate Parramatta North is a week of family-friendly events and vibrant programming. Parramatta North is proud to host a week of programming to showcase Western Sydney as an emerging hub for innovation, arts and culture.
There will be a series of workshops, panels, talks, artistic performances and installations, all presented in partnership with key Western Sydney businesses and community groups, showcasing the breadth of innovation and possibility across the district and discover what the future holds for this place.
In addition to this week of always-on activity, free ticketed events are available from Thursday 23 May - Saturday 25 May 2024. Please refer to the ticketing links for each day to book your spot.
Date: Sunday 19 – Saturday 25 May 2024.
Location: 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta.
Event information
• Bring water bottles for use at the water refill station and bring eco-friendly shopping bags.
• Free parking is available at Parramatta Leagues Club after 9.00 am.
• Parramatta North is a Heritage listed site with uneven ground, wearing enclosed shoes is recommended. Please note some parts of the site are not fully accessible.
05 May 2024
BLACKTOWN MAYOR DIES ON CHINA FLIGHT
THE sudden death of Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, while on a flight home to Sydney from an official visit to China has shocked the community with tributes flowing for "a great servant of the city"..
“The Bleasdale family is shocked as with the many people contacting the council,” Blacktown Deputy Mahyor, Clr Quilkey said.
“It has been a shock for everybody here at the council, and many local people are saddened by his death. We are in touch with his family.”
Clr Bleasdale, 77, was leading a delegation on official visit to Laiocheng City in the Shandong province of China and Daegu City in South Korea as the countries among Blacktown City’s current Sister Cities.
Clr Bleasdale has served NSW’s largest council with more than 400,000 residents since 1996, representing Ward 5.
He was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) medal in 2010 for his long years of service to the Blacktown community, his many charity achievements supported and praised by peers and the wider community.
He was elected the city’s mayor in 2019 and has been among the esteemed members of the Australian Labor Party.
Clr Bleasdale was born in Liverpool, United Kingdom and survived by his wife Nina Bleasdale and their four children.
THE NSW Government is seeking applications for a new advisory council designed to improve understanding of issues affecting LGBTIQ+ people across the state.
Fulfilling an election commitment, the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council will provide a mechanism for ongoing community consultation and contribute to the development of a NSW Government LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.
The Advisory Council will provide ongoing advice to the NSW Government as it delivers on a range of initiatives and commitments designed to promote equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ communities.
These initiatives include:
Implementing new legislation to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices, supporting Qtopia, the permanent home for the LGBTQIA+ museum at the former Darlinghurst police station, through a $6.7M commitment completing a legislative review to improve equality and inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people, and referring a review of the Anti-Discrimination Act to the NSW Law Reform Commission.
The 16-person Advisory Council will reflect the diversity of LGBTIQ+ communities in NSW.
Applications are being sought from people over 18 years of age with respect, influence and status within LGBTIQ+ communities and a demonstrated commitment to cooperation, inclusion and diversity.
People from First Nations, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Applications can be submitted at www.nsw.gov.au/lgbtiq
The Minns Government is also establishing a Cross-Portfolio Committee on LGBTIQ+ Issues, bringing together senior government officials with community representatives, that will coordinate efforts across government and enhance collaboration and partnerships.
This Committee will work with the Advisory Council to develop a whole of government LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.
