Lotterywest grant bolsters Surf Life Saving WA

Surf Life Saving WA will be able to build a new heliport facility for the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service at Rous Head in Fremantle, thanks to a Lotterywest grant of $1,356,392 presented by Premier Colin Barnett today. Mr Barnett said the grant would provide a much needed upgrade to current facilities. “The current sea […]

Gladys Berejiklian med rel: First new light rail vehicle on the tracks as customer trips pass 1.5 million

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced three brand new light rail vehicles would enter service for the first time this week, with more than 1.5 million trips now taken on Sydney’s expanded Inner West Light Rail network. The NSW Government has invested $38 million on 12 new state-of-the-art light rail vehicles for the Inner […]

Victor Dominello med rel: Grants encourage multicultural groups and young people to embrace the Anzac spirit

Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello today announced $60,000 in funding for 11 local projects which support multicultural communities and young people to commemorate the Anzac spirit and its influence on our history. The NSW Government’s Anzac Community Grants program encourages culturally diverse communities and young people to deepen their knowledge about the legacy […]

Pru Goward Media Release: GROWTH COUNCILS RECEIVE $25.5 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST

Minister for Planning Pru Goward was today joined by the Members for Hawkesbury, Baulkham Hills, Riverstone and Londonderry to announce over $25 million in infrastructure funding for local councils in these areas. Blacktown City Mayor Len Robinson and Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne were on hand to formally accept the new funding. “Recent figures […]

Minister for Planning Pru Goward was today joined by the Members for Hawkesbury, Baulkham Hills, Riverstone and Londonderry to announce over $25 million in infrastructure funding for local councils in these areas. Blacktown City Mayor Len Robinson and Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne were on hand to formally accept the new funding. “Recent figures show an estimated 1.6 million additional people are anticipated to make Sydney home over the years to 2031, with almost 1 million of those expected in Western Sydney,” Ms Goward said. “Sydney will likely need another 664,000 new homes by 2031, and councils play a crucial role in meeting this need at a local level.” Member for Hawkesbury Ray Williams said sustainable growth in Western Sydney required this kind of continued support – particularly given the region’s rapid growth. “Under this Government, these councils have received almost $70 million for infrastructure supporting new housing developments, which has included over $38 million for The Hills,” Mr Williams said. Member for Baulkham Hills David Elliott said the NSW Government played a key role in supporting councils with residential growth centres inside their local government area (LGA). “Developers contribute to the local infrastructure in the community where they are building as is appropriate, however by providing a ‘top-up’ the Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme helps keep housing affordable and enables councils to fund their infrastructure plans,” Mr Elliott said. The NSW Government allocated a further $60 million in the 2014-15 Budget for the Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme to continue supporting new housing development. Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the funding was good news for North West communities. “The Baird Government is working to ensure local communities and local councils are able to meet the challenges brought about by growth,” Mr Conolly said. Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett said this is yet another example of the Liberal and Nationals Government planning for NSW families’ futures by investing in infrastructure. “This important funding enables councils to deliver the essential infrastructure that goes hand in hand with a growing Sydney,” Mr Bassett said. Mayor Len Robinson said areas in the Blacktown LGA had already been identified by council to receive the funding. “Areas including Alex Avenue, Riverstone and Marsden Park industrial release areas will benefit from the new funding to Blacktown City Council,” Mr Robinson said. Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said councils would use the funds to deliver quality roads, stormwater facilities and parks in housing growth areas. “The Hills Shire Council is investing in a number of new release areas, such as North Kellyville and the Balmoral Road Release Area,” Dr Byrne said. To be eligible for funding, a council must have a development contributions plan reviewed and approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox today urged Malaysia Airlines customers planning to seek a refund on tickets purchased to make contact with the airline immediately, with the offer closing at midnight tomorrow. Mr Mason-Cox said Malaysia Airlines has issued a statement that the company will allow full refunds, even on non-refundable tickets, for travel […]

Most detailed map yet of Mars developed

Washington, July 22 (IANS/EFE) The US Geological Survey (USGS) has developed the most detailed map of Mars to date, which includes topographic and thermal information as well as data on the properties of the Martian surface. Images captured by the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet enabled the development of the new map, which […]

Deadly virus detected in camel barn

Dubai, July 22 (IANS) Researchers have detected genetic fragments of deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the air of a barn housing a camel infected with the virus. MERS is a serious viral respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus and can be transmitted by air to humans. For the study, researchers collected three air […]

MH17 victims’ bodies moved out of Ukraine rebel area

London, July 22 (IANS) A train with the remains of the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which crashed in Ukraine last week, arrived Tuesday in the city of Kharkiv, outside rebel territory. According to officials, the remains will be flown from a coordination centre in Kharkiv to the Netherlands for identification and forensic identification, BBC […]

Sania Mirza is Telangana’s brand ambassador

Hyderabad, July 22 (IANS) The Telangana government Tuesday appointed ace tennis player Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao handed over the appointment letter to Sania along with a cheque of Rs.1 crore as grant for training and to meet other expenses to participate in the US Open and other tournaments. The […]