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Alcoa Foundation
Outstanding Community Worker Award
The Alcoa Foundation Outstanding Community Worker Award has been designed by Alcoa Foundation and Our Community to recognise the contribution to the nation's life made by the women and men working in community groups.
In the community sector people work because they're committed to a vision - not so much for money and position. They are not complaining - there are other satisfactions in doing the work that they love, for causes that they believe will make the world a better place - but their work is largely unsung and unrecognised.
The Alcoa Foundation Outstanding Community Worker Award has been created to help redress the balance.
Nominate a community worker for an award - it's a great way of saying thanks.
For more information click here. |
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AUGER MINE PROPOSED FOR LAKE MACQUARIE
Centennial Coal's proposed Olstan project near Blackalls Park would extract coal by auger mining, which is a process of drilling into coal seams often associated with open cut mining. The current proposal is based on a possible interpretation of underground mining operations allowable under the State Environmental Planning Policy prohibiting open cut mining in the city of Lake Macquarie.
There has been a strong reaction from the local community over issues such as dust, noise, loss of bushland and damage to creeks.
Information on the proposed auger mine is here.
An example of an auger mining operation is at http://www.coalaugering.com/fassifern.pdf
Posted 09 April 2009 New Flashing Lights for Bonnells Bay and Fassifern Public Schools Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, today welcomed the announcement by Minister for Roads Michael Daley that flashing lights would be installed at two schools in the electorate. According to Mr Piper the Government has budgeted $46.5 million for flashing lights, with Bonnells Bay and Fassifern Public Schools being among 50 selected in the latest round of the roll out. "This is good news for local students and their families because nothing is more important than the safety of our children," Mr Piper said. "I welcome the new lights and look forward to further announcements by Minister Daley." "The installation of the next 50 sets will start in mid May and are scheduled to be completed by September, weather permitting," Mr Daley said. "Over 290 NSW school zones now have flashing lights, with another 25 zones to be announced later this year." According to Mr Piper, speeding through a school zone can have deadly consequences. "Tests show that flashing lights can help slow motorists down by an average of seven kilometres an hour when they enter a school zone," Mr Piper said. "It may not seem like a lot, but it could mean the difference between life and death for a child," he said. Posted 03 April 2009 GREG PIPER DEFENDS MORISSET POLICE STATION Following recent media speculation that the Morisset Police Station site might be sold, Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, spoke in Parliament last night about the need for a continued police presence in Morisset. According to Mr Piper, the Morisset area's population will grow by over 80% in line with the Government's Lower Hunter Regional Strategy. "This is vital data that cannot be overlooked when planning policing for this area," Mr Piper said. "Plans for regional growth should bring corresponding upgrades of police services and other infrastructure." "The major concern at Morisset is the level of staffing now and into the future." According to Mr Piper, the Local Area Commander has a difficult task in deciding how best to deploy officers to meet existing demands with less officers than the area deserves. "The concern is the number of officers he is working with and this is what really needs to be resolved, Mr Piper said. "Lake Macquarie Police are at half strength compared to the rest of the state." "I support Commander Rae in finding the best way to deploy his resources but I am strongly opposed to selling the site. This Station will be very valuable to the community, particularly as population rises." Mr Piper said. Posted 02 April 2009 GREG PIPER SUPPORTS "STOP THE CELL-OFF" RALLY Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, today stated his support for the Macquarie Street rally against privatisation of prisons in NSW. According to Mr Piper, the rally outside Parliament House today was one of the largest and most vocal ever. "I support the Public Service Association in its 'Stop the Cell-Off' campaign," Mr Piper said. "When courts impose custodial sentences the Government has a duty to both the community and prisoners to focus on rehabilitation. Turning imprisonment into a commercial operation bypasses this." "The introduction of Prisons-for-Profits would show inmates and their families that the Government has less interest in their welfare than the cost of running prisons." "The Corrective Services Commissioner's evidence in the Upper House inquiry on privatisation shows a history of poor management, but it does not justify the Government turning its back on those it has imprisoned." "It's right that the Government recognises the need to improve prison management, but it shouldn't pass the responsibility to a private operator with a profit motive." COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT EXPENDITURE Clubs that earn over $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue provide funding for community projects and services, and in turn receive dollar-for-dollar gaming tax deductions. Approximately $300,000 from registered clubs in Lake Macquarie is available to local community groups this year, with the closing date for applications being 1 May 2009. CDSE Guidelines and Funding Categories Full details on the operation of the scheme are contained within the CDSE Guidelines. Applicants should read the new guidelines to determine whether they are eligible for CDSE funding. There are two funding categories under the CDSE Scheme: |
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