NRSDC

NRSDC September Newsletter

Subject:

NRSDC September Newsletter

Send date:

2008-09-06 01:12:53

Issue #:

8

Content:

NRSDC

22 Cathcart St

Lismore NSW 2480

Phone: (02) 6622 3030

Email: info@nrsdc.org.au



NRSDC September Newsletter		Friday, September 5th


Dear [FIRSTNAME], From The President - September Margaret Barnes (Acting President) National Affordable Housing Agreement The Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments are about to negotiate a new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) which will include funding arrangements for public and non-profit housing and is to commence in January 2009. The draft agreement is due to be approved by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in the next few weeks. The December meeting of COAG is then due to finalise funding arrangements for the NAHA and other Specific Purpose Payments. This is a critical opportunity to urge the Federal government to commit to increased funding for social housing and new support for community housing. 'Australia Fair' is coordinating a national advocacy day for rental housing with the support of National Shelter, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the Community Housing Federation of Australia (CHFA) and Homelessness Australia (HA). The national advocacy day, to be held on 24 September, will provide an opportunity to lobby Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators on the need to substantially increase investment in public and non-profit housing. Shelter NSW is currently running a campaign aimed at increasing the funding for social housing. This includes a state wide campaign targeting specific housing issues. A regional consultation day will be held in Lismore on 22 October 2008. Their brief can be found through the following link: http://www.shelternsw.org.au/docs/fly08nahafactsheet.pdf In order to sustain and grow our social housing system it is crucial that additional funds are allocated to it. To achieve this, Cabinet must be convinced, so you may wish to send letters to the following members of Cabinet: The Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, Prime Minister The Hon. Wayne Swan, MP, Treasurer The Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs The Hon. Lindsay Tanner, MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation Contact details for NSW Federal MPs at the Commonwealth Parliament can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-state.asp Shelter has drafted a form letter which you can use or adapt to suit your situation: http://www.shelternsw.org.au/docs/fly08nahafederalmpletter-proforma.rtf Also contact NRSDC’s Affordable Housing Worker, Trish Evans, for further information. This is a major issue as housing provides a foundation for social and economic participation. Lack of stable and secure housing causes poor health, education and employment outcomes and increases poverty and social exclusion. Conferences/Events Nominate For The 2009 NSW Youth Advisory Council The Minster for Youth, the Hon. Linda Burney, is inviting young people to nominate themselves for appointment to the NSW Youth Advisory Council for 2009. Applications are particularly being sought from young people with experience and a keen interest in youth affairs. Read more Forum on Domestic Violence The NSW Domestic Violence Committee Coalition has announced the Black & Blue Campaign 2008. The forum titled “Understanding Why Women Die: Domestic Violence Homicide Review” will be held on Thursday September 18th 2008 from 10.00- 2.00 pm. It is being held at the Citigate Sebel, 28 Albion Street Surry Hills, a short walk from Central Station. Read more Reports/Information New Health and Welfare Report This bulletin, entitled Disability in Australia includes information on trends in prevalence, education, employment and community living, provides an overview of disability trends over two decades, including trends in need for and receipt of assistance with specific basic activities of daily life. Read more Invitation For Comment On Australian Compact The Australian Government as part of the social inclusion agenda is working to develop a new partnership with the not-for-profit Sector. Public comment is being sought. NRSDC encourages everyone to take the opportunity to contribute to this very important document. Comments are due by 17 September 2008. Read more Positions Vacant Lismore/Kyogle Family Planning Doctor - Positions Vacant NRSDC is looking to find a Family Planning Doctor to work with the Lismore/Kyogle Family Planning Service. The aim of the position is to provide a high quality clinical service in accordance with Lismore/Kyogle Family Planning Policies and Procedures and Family Planning NSW guidelines. Read more NRSDC Administration Officer - Positions Vacant Northern Rivers Social Development Council is seeking a part time Administration Officer/Executive Assistant. Read more Aboriginal Cultural Officers - position vacant Arts Mid North Coast is a regional arts and cultural development organization located on the Coffs Harbour Education Campus and covering seven Local Government areas across the Mid North Coast of NSW including: Great Lakes, Greater Taree, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Nambucca, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. This area also covers the traditional areas of the Woromi, Birpai, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr Nations. Read more Aboriginal Learning Partnerships At North Coast TAFE North Coast TAFE are renewing their approach to Aboriginal vocational learning programs for youth and adults. They have created the North Coast Aboriginal Learning Partnerships (NCALP) initiative and support team to steer future efforts in Aboriginal vocational learning, careers pathways, community capacity building, and workplace learning consultancy services. Read more Services Queensland’s Redress Scheme Deadline Extended The closing date for applications to Queensland’s Redress Scheme has been extended to 30 September, 2008. The scheme was set up to provide ex gratia payments to people who experienced abuse and neglect as children in Queensland institutions. Former residents of institutions covered by the Forde Inquiry, who turned 18 on or before 31 December 1999, are eligible to apply. Read more Cannabis Clinics In The Northern Rivers Recently established Cannabis Clinics on the North Coast are providing a range of support to the increasing number of local people who are experiencing health and lifestyle problems as a result of their use of the drug. Read more New Support Program for Older Parent Carers Richmond Community Options has a new support coordination program for older parent carers of an adult son or daughter with a disability, who need information about community services and preparing for their child’s future needs. Read more Respite For Older Carers Respite for Older Parent Carers provides a broad range of high quality, flexible, support responses tailored to meet the needs of older carers and their child with a disability. Read more Funding New Area Assistance Round The Area Assistance Scheme (AAS) is a regional community development program run by the Department of Community Services. It provides grants to local councils and non-government organisations for projects that improve community well being and how communities function. The AAS works within a whole-of-government framework to deliver its outcomes. Read more Funding For Local Domestic And Family Violence Committees On 1 February 2008 the NSW Premier, the Hon Morris Iemma MP, announced a new approach to tackling domestic and family violence. As part of that approach a new structure has been implemented across a number of agencies, including a new Violence Prevention Coordination Unit in the Office for Women’s Policy, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Read more Small Grants For Small Rural Communities A small grants program for small rural Australian communities will offer about $850,000 a year in grants to benefit people in rural and remote communities. Read more Workshops Free Parent Workshops In Lismore The NSW DET will be holding a series of 3 free workshops on how young Jarjums learn for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents, Grandparents, Aunties or Uncles. Read more Be Prepared For Fatherhood And Beyond Classes are starting for new and expectant Dads. Would you like to share experiences, have a laugh and learn practical fathering skills with other blokes? Come along to Lismore’s new classes for Dads. Read more Housing Campaign To Increase Funding For Social Housing As the National Affordable Housing Agreement is being finalised, it's time to urge the Federal Government to increase funding for social housing. NCOSS supports the current campaign by Shelter NSW aimed at increasing the funding for social housing. Read more Transport Creating Livable Communities Existing urban and suburban development patterns and the subsequent automobile dependence are leading to increased traffic congestion and air pollution. In response to the growing ills caused by urban sprawl, there has been an increased interest in creating more “livable” communities in which destinations are brought closer to ones home or workplace (that is, achieving travel needs through land use planning). Read more




NRSDC Website: http://www.nrsdc.org.au