Mayors want new health ministry
COUNTRY mayors want a new state government ministry of Regional and Rural Health, similar to the already established portfolio for Regional Transport and Roads, which gives specific attention to the provision of resources for those services.
The Country Mayors Association (CMA) says recent surveys of its members have identified health as a major issue for rural communities, and points to the fact that there are significant differences between health services provided to metropolitan areas compared with regional centres, and between those larger centres and small country towns and remote communities.
The CMA is encouraging residents in regional areas to “get behind this initiative” by contacting Premier Gladys Berejiklian with support for the proposed new portfolio.
As trends from around Australia indicate, one
ripple effect of the pandemic has seen house prices surge in regional areas as increasing numbers of people seek a more laidback lifestyle over the hustle of living in big cities. But it’s not only the new wave of those working from home who are taking up residence in regional areas; retirees are also continuing to realise the benefits of a quieter
post code.
With a strong regional footprint, the Oak Tree Group
is experiencing this spike in demand first hand. Amid this increased interest, it has also brought an increased sense of urgency, a clear shift in the mindset of seniors now bringing forward their decision to move to a retirement community. Peace-of-mind and an attractive lifestyle are just some of key drivers fuelling many seniors’ decision to turn to an Oak Tree village.
Amidst all the uncertainty of the pandemic, our retirement villages can offer security in both the physical and financial sense. The unique structure of
our model insulates owners from the volatility of the wider property market, while our fixed-fee arrangement provides budget certainty. Within the village, the gated
community provides a higher level of security, while the boutique size encourages familiarity with neighbours. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere will make you feel
right at home in next to no time.
Throughout the pandemic, the need to have both lifestyle amenities and a support network close at hand has been more prominent than ever. Having quality retirement options in regional areas allows seniors to settle in areas you know – where you’ve put down roots and have friends and family nearby – without the need to relocate. Maintaining a sense of social connection, particularly for seniors, has never been more important.
And with purpose-built recreation facilities and close proximity to nearby shops and services, you’ll have
everything you need to socialise with new and old friends, indulge your hobbies, try new things, and
generally spend more time doing the things you love within a safe proximity to home.
DUBBO was the centre of attention for positive social and environmental impacts as Local Landcare Coordinators from across the state congregated at the Hub of the West for the organisation’s first gathering in more than two years.
Members of the state-wide network of Local Landcare Coordinators spend much of their time working in isolation or small teams and Covid restrictions in 2020 saw the annual event cancelled.
Landcare NSW CEO Adrian Zammit says it’s the profusion and overflow of ideas at the gatherings that sparks a synergy of collaborative thought, which can then flow into on-the-ground action.
“These gatherings are critical in terms of bringing the Landcare community together in one spot,” Mr Zammit told Dubbo Photo News.
“It allows us to form social bonds and get to know each other on a personal basis and also to exchange ideas about what’s working really well and what’s not and collaboratively discuss what else we can do to actually empower Landcare.
“When you gather together you have a lot of conversations happening over morning tea, over lunch, over dinner, down the corridor, those sorts of conversations can’t be replicated using video-conferences so getting together is just so essential to be able to amplify those conversations that we have as a community.”
He said the informality of the organisation’s culture sparks so much in the way of innovation to quickly grasp fleeting opportunities and believes just like any other business, it’s really all about social connections and relationships.
“Once you form relationships, that’s the grease in the wheels that gets the ideas going and people then are just so willing to work together and that in turn generates ideas, it generates energy and positivity and things really get going,” he said, emphasising the outlook in this space is incredibly optimistic.
“Everybody’s obviously very upbeat. The countryside’s looking green but there’s a certain energy within the Landcare community to get things going,” Mr Zammit said.
“Apart from the breaking of the drought we believe Landcare is in a really good spot to take advantage of opportunities that are around with carbon markets and environmental goods and services as more and more focus is being put on the need to look after our environment and sustainable farming.”
He also believes the strategic landscape is evolving with many people in the mainstream having had a rethink of their priorities when it comes to an appreciation for healthy soils and hopes to make communities more resilient when it comes to providing local food and produce.
“I think we’ve had a number of events that really lined up the planets for us. The change of administration in the USA, the bushfires, the drought, floods, the mice plague, Covid...we’ve got everything lining up which has focussed the general community’s attention on the need to look after our environment,” he said.
“So now governments, big corporations, all need to really take care of how they are performing environmentally and socially.”
He believes Landcare NSW is now seen as an incredible, organic network that’s survived for so many years and now it’s building partnerships like never before.
“Before, we used to have to go to prospective partners to actually get anything done. Now partners are coming to us and that’s a real shift I’m seeing.
“Landcare is now building a particular structure and reputation and brand and people are taking note that this is a wonderful network of highly capable, highly skilled people with strong social connections that can get real work done on the ground.”
FORMER Dubbo resident Greg Warren has kept his spot in the shadow cabinet after a reshuffle by new state opposition leader Chris Minns.
Mr Warren, who grew up and went to school in Dubbo before joining the Australian Army said he was “humbled to join so many talented colleagues and remain as NSW Labor’s shadow minister for Local Government, Veterans and Western Sydney”.
Mr Minns said his new team offers a positive and energetic alternative to the tired, 10-year-old coalition.
“I have given our new team a challenge – let’s show the people of NSW what is possible in this State. Let’s be positive and optimistic,” Mr Minns said. “This team is the future of Labor in NSW. It represents a new generation with ideas, energy and innovation.”
The new Labor leader said education and early childhood learning will be elevated as a priority in the Shadow Cabinet with the portfolio held by Deputy Leader Prue Car.
Thirteen of 27 members of Labor’s frontbench are women. Jodie Harrison will serve as Shadow Minister for Women and for the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Former Leader Jodi Mckay appreciated the offer to serve but indicated a preference to stay on the back bench and focus on her electorate of Strathfield.
The new Shadow Cabinet elevates a number of young Labor MPS – Daniel Mookhey as Shadow Treasurer, Jo Haylen as Shadow Transport and Paul Scully as Shadow Planning.
The Minns Shadow Cabinet will include five Labor members elevated to the front bench for the first time – Anoulack Chanthivong, Steve Kamper, Rose Jackson, Courtney Houssos and Tim Crakanthorp. Michael Daley and Tania Mihailuk will also return to the Shadow Cabinet.