Monthly Archives: September 2019

Households have given the NSW Government’s cost of living programs the thumbs up, with $1.5 billion saved state wide since July last year.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman revealed the figures today and encouraged families in the region to check their eligibility for savings.

“There are more than 70 rebates and savings available across Government that could potentially save households hundreds of dollars a year,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“A total of $234,857 has been saved across the Goulburn electorate through Service NSW’s Cost of Living appointments.

“We are committed to easing cost of living pressure for families which is why we transformed Service NSW into a one-stop shop for household savings.

“Whether it’s a $100 Creative Kids voucher, a Senior Savers Card or a better energy deal, hip pocket relief is available.

“Checking your eligibility and making a saving is simple and easy and can be done online or in person at an appointment with a cost of living specialist at Service NSW.”

State wide milestones to date include:

• 29,491 cost of living appointments, saving customers $14 million, with an average saving of $550;
• 10,999 customers saving $4,376,805 through Energy Switch, with an average electricity saving of $440 and $134 for gas;
• 121,057 drivers saving $48,971,586 in free rego and 14,000 drivers saving $3 million in half rego;
• 608,367 FuelCheck app downloads
• 267,058 Creative Kids vouchers downloaded;
• 933,333 Active Kids vouchers downloaded.

Further information on the savings is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au

Foster and kinship carers across the region are being celebrated this week for the work they do providing vulnerable children with safe, loving homes.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said Foster and Kinship Care Week 2019 is an opportunity to recognise more than 18,000 authorised carers across NSW.

“There are many children and young people who need the safety, care and stability that most of us take for granted and we’re committed to finding them a forever family,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“Every day foster and kinship carers are doing an exceptional job parenting some of our most vulnerable children but the reality is we need more.”

NSW needs about 350 new carer households to meet demand.

The $7 million program, My Forever Family NSW, was established last year to recruit, train and support carers with 390 people referred for assessment in 2018-19.

My Forever Family NSW holds regular events aimed at recruiting a wide variety of carers – singles, couples, young and old.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said selfless and dedicated carers should be commended for the work they do.

“My Forever Family NSW is giving carers the support they need to ensure children reap the benefits of permanency in their lives,” Mr Ward said.

“We also recognise the importance of keeping Aboriginal children connected with their culture, their family and their community. If you’re an Aboriginal family interested in caring for a child, I encourage you to contact My Forever Family.”

For more information on how to become a carer contact My Forever Family NSW on 1300 782 975 or visit www.myforeverfamily.org.au

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman today joined Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram in welcoming the completion of stage 2 of Cunningar Road rehabilitation between Cunningar and Boorowa.

Mrs Tuckerman said the new heavy vehicle route would improve freight efficiency in the region.

“The NSW Government is committed to making it easier to move produce and product to port and plate,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“This $1.1 million Fixing Country Roads project has seen the stretch of road widened and resealed making it suitable for 25-metre higher mass limit vehicles.

“It’s created a new route for these higher mass trucks from Cunningar to Boorowa which will allow access to Cunningar and Boorowa silos and the Yass saleyards.

“The ability to use larger vehicles will reduce operating costs and increase productivity for carriers and lead to an overall reduction of heavy vehicles on local roads. The upgrade has also created safer zones for passing which benefits all road users,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Cr Ingram said Hilltops Council received more than $1 million towards the project as part of round three of the Fixing Country Roads program.

“This funding builds upon previous works on Cunningar Road supported by previous program rounds,” Cr Ingram said.

“I am very pleased with the progress of the Cunningar Road upgrade and what it means for the Hilltops community, especially local producers and heavy vehicle operators.

“Ensuring our road network is safe and efficient for heavy vehicle use is a priority.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said close to $2.5 million had now been invested in Cunningar Road through the Fixing Country Roads program.

“Together these projects are strengthening road networks for the region and making it easier and more efficient to move freight,” Mr Toole said.

Applications for the next round of Fixing Country Roads are now open.

“This is a great opportunity for our regional councils to deliver the projects that they know the local community wants,” Mr Toole said.

“Councils can submit a standalone application or partner with other local government areas on larger-scale projects that could help improve the efficiency of the freight task.”

The Fixing Country Roads program is part of the Restart NSW Fund which invests in infrastructure which improves the economic growth and productivity of the state.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman today announced the winners of the My Community Project with applicants now able to bring their ideas to life.

The electorate will benefit from two projects put forward and voted on by the local community, to be funded by the NSW Government’s My Community Project program.

The successful projects are:

• Moss Vale High School Community Café ($68,690) – The Café will create a professional environment where students can use their skills to cater for events.
• Moss Vale Golf Club ($162,730) – Upgrade the car park access and lighting for safer day and night time use at Moss Vale’s major community venue.

Mrs Tuckerman thanked all applicants and sponsors for taking the time and effort to develop their ideas and promote their projects along with the members of the community who voted.

“My Community Project captured the imagination of the community with people putting a lot of work into their ideas and it was great to see people get behind the projects that matter to them,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“These projects came from the community and were voted on by the community and I now look forward to seeing applicants and sponsors getting on with the job of rolling out these projects and the benefits they will provide to the local community.”

More than $24 million was made available, spread across the entire State, for projects valued between $20,000 and $200,000 that would make communities more liveable, cultural, accessible, safe, revitalised or healthy.

Acting Treasurer Damien Tudehope said My Community Project was a great example of real grassroots democracy in action and the projects chosen to receive funding reflected the wishes of the people.

“There has been a tremendous response to the My Community Project program with more than 61,400 people casting their vote through the My Community Project website across the State,” Mr Tudehope said.

“I congratulate the successful project applicants and urge those projects that were unsuccessful to see if they could be eligible to apply for other NSW Government funding from programs such as Community Building Partnerships, which is now open.

“My Community Project was made possible by the NSW Generations Fund, a sovereign wealth fund that helps maintain debt at sustainable levels, while sharing the benefits of its returns with local communities.”

For further information visit www.nsw.gov.au/mycommunityproject.

The region will receive greater support thanks to a boost to NSW Government funding for programs which offer vital education, advice and advocacy services.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, said The Salvation Army Moneycare Program (Goulburn Region Financial Counselling Service) will continue to provide vital services over the next three years following a community grant totaling $344,943 from the NSW Government.

“This program is designed to ensure that the most vulnerable tenants and homeowners in our community receive the information and support they need to protect their consumer rights,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“With this renewed funding from the NSW Government, the organization is able to continue to advocate for and protect this in our community who need it most.”

Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson, said the NSW Government is delivering approximately $21.3 million in grants for five critical community grants programs over the next three years, with over 50 per cent of funding going to services in regional NSW.

“The grants support consumers with advisory services, financial counselling, aged care accommodation support as well as support for vulnerable homeowners through the Home Building Advocacy Service and the Strata Collective Sales Advocacy Service,” Mr Anderson said.

“Further to this the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS®) which provides fee-free and interest-free loans of up $1,500, will continue to provide access to finance for people on low incomes, for at least another ten months, for the purchase of essential goods and services such as fridges, washing machines and some educational and medical expenses.”

Grant programs are generally run by non-profit incorporated or registered organisations operating within New South Wales, academic institutions and in specific programs, co-operatives, registered trade unions, government agencies, councils and suitably skilled individuals.

Further Information on the Community Grants programs can be found at: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/about-fair-trading/our-services/grants