Public Land Firewood Strategy must be practical

Source: Sykes media release

“The proposed new Victorian Firewood Strategy for Public Land must remove impractical and unnecessary restrictions imposed on firewood collection by the Brumby Government in recent years,” Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said this week.

In a statement issued by the Brumby Government, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the development of a new statewide strategy would;

1. ensure firewood collection from public land has a sustainable future
2. that people could conveniently access firewood
3. ensure an efficient and practical system for the pricing and distribution for commercial and non-commercial firewood sourced from public land
4. review the firewood sales system and make it easier to purchase licenses and permits
5. consider better ways to manage the collection of firewood from roadside reserves; and
6. consider the impacts on the environment, particularly the value fallen trees and branches hold as habitat for native species

The Victorian Firewood Strategy for Public Land is to be developed in collaboration with firewood managers, representatives of interest groups (government and other organisations). Firewood collectors and users and the broader public will be given an opportunity to input and identify issues during the development of the strategy. It is proposed a discussion paper will be released before the end of June for public comment and that the strategy will be completed by the end of 2009.

“I never cease to be amazed by the lack of forward thinking in relation to this issue,” Bill Sykes said. “The State Government proposed a Victorian Firewood Strategy back in 2002 and produced a discussion paper, with regional strategies developed within the North East and Bendigo regions. The outcome has been the implementation of impractical and unnecessary restrictions which should never have been enacted in the first place,” Bill Sykes continued. “Now this new strategy is looking at ways to address shortfalls in the current system.”

“One of the biggest issues raised in the aftermath of Black Saturday is fuel load reduction along roadsides. My office has received copies of a lot of submissions to the Bushfire Royal Commission from many areas of the Benalla Electorate and beyond, including Marysville, Goughs Bay, Mt Beauty, Boho, Tawonga, Lima East, Euroa, Strathbogie (and I could go on) – which identify major concerns with the lack roadside clearing in relation to fire safety,” Bill Sykes said.

“It is vitally important the statewide strategy provides a no-nonsense means of accessing wood from public land including roadsides,” he concluded.

For more information on the Victorian Firewood Strategy for Public Land visit www.dse.vic.gov.au or call 136 186 or email firestrat.publicland@dse.vic.gov.au.

Buffalo secret agenda

MP claims state wants to ‘lock away’ mountain to commercial activities
- source: Wangaratta Chronicle

THE State Government has a secret agenda for Mt Buffalo which involves the removal of all commercial activities, including the permanent closure of the iconic chalet.

That is the view of Ken Jasper (MLA, Murray Valley), who said this week that he has a real concern that the government plans to "lock away" the mountain as a national park.

"If this happens, it would be an absolute disaster for this 150 year old national park and the 99 year old chalet, as well as the region generally," Mr Jasper said.

"The continued procrastination by the State Government could result in the permanent closure of facilities."

Mr Jasper’s comments came despite the latest response from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, confirming that Mt Buffalo was a high priority for the State Government.

"The government’s recent actions don’t support, or even reflect, the minister’s latest comments," Mr Jasper said.

He said Mt Buffalo Community Reference Group, which was formed to assist with the redevelopment, was disbanded, almost 12 months ago.

"In September, the minister advised that the lessees, the Burbank Group, had been given until December 15, 2008, to reopen the chalet, but three months later, there has been no action, although Mr Jennings informs me that Parks Victoria has begun investigating all options to resume the lease.

"Just how long do lease negotiations drag on?"

Mr Jasper said that in a Parks Victoria media release dated February 26, 2008, chief executive Mark Stone announced that ‘having considered the findings of two recently completed reports on the needs and viability of the Mt Buffalo Chalet, Parks Victoria had entered into negotiations to try to secure a redevelopment of the chalet with the Burbank Group’.

"The chalet has been closed for more than two years and locked away behind a chain wire fence since August 2008, with disastrous consequences, both for the building which is continuing to deteriorate, and as an extremely popular long term attraction for tourists and locals in North East Victoria," Mr Jasper said.

"The government received some $6.5m in an insurance payout following the loss of Cresta Lodge in the 2006/07 bushfires and the question must be asked, what has happened to that money?"

"Another winter season is fast approaching and again there is no accommodation open on the mountain and no adequate visitor facilities."

Private Rail system costs more than owning it

Despite service, Connex coins it - The Age

The French own Connex

Despite an average of 20 cancelled trains a day, Connex still raked in $175 million in payments from the Government for services provided and in ticket sales.

in 2007 — it sent home $11 million in profits to its French parent company Veolia.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky has conceded it is no cheaper to keep privately operated companies running Melbourne's rail system.

But she says the Government wants the trains and trams kept in private operation, rather than returned to Government hands, because of the international expertise and innovation companies like Connex bring.

The government is totally out of step on this one.

• Where is the "international expertise and innovation" that Connex has brought?. The standard of service would not be tolerated overseas.


• Why is the state government purchasing both new and old trains rather than Connex?.


• Why did the state government buy back the country rail infrastructure?

  paid a total of $65 million

Also revealed in yesterday's Track Record report was Yarra Trams' poor performance. It was paid a total of $65 million, but had payments of $1.96 million deducted for running too many trams late.

The publicly operated V/Line was forced to pay $128,000 in penalties for late and cancelled trains.

Sykes: how the bushfire Royal Commission will work

Source: (State MP for Benalla) Bill Sykes Media Release

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has endorsed the establishment of a Royal Commission into Victoria’s bushfires.

“These bushfires have caused unprecedented harm to Victoria, not only through the loss of life, property and livestock but also through the emotional trauma caused to survivors and the families of victims. Now that the Royal Commission has released the terms of reference I encourage people to contribute to the inquiry,” Bill Sykes said.

The Commission, led by Justice Bernard Teague, will operate under broad terms of reference including the cause and circumstances of the bushfires, the prevention, management and communication of bushfire threats and risks, immediate management, response and recovery in the event of a bushfire, communication and equipment systems, land use planning and management, fireproofing of housing and other buildings and public communications and community advice systems.

The Commission has the scope to include any other matters deemed appropriate in relation to the 2009 bushfires.

Justice Bernard Teague has said the Commission will include first person accounts by bushfire survivors. These accounts will be collected during round table hearings at locations throughout fire affected areas to commence early March 2009.

“I encourage people who have been directly impacted upon by these bushfires to make every effort to attend these meetings. In the past week I have visited bushfire affected and threatened areas in Bonnie Doon, Strathbogie, Merton, Yarck, Eildon, Thornton, Alexandra, Myrtleford, Bright, Rosewhite and Mudgegonga and have first hand knowledge of the issues faced by people. I will continue to address these issues but urge people across the Benalla Electorate to also contribute to this important inquiry,” Bill Sykes said.

The Royal Commission will provide an interim report by 17 August 2009 to enable early recommendations to be implemented before the next bushfire season. A final report will be due by 31 July 2010.

Written submissions by the public have been invited by the Royal Commission with a submission address to be announced by early next week.

“I will be advising all media, community and professional organisations and agencies throughout the Benalla Electorate where they can send submissions to as soon as this information becomes available and to advise the dates, times and locations of all round table hearings,” Bill Sykes said.

To view the Terms of Reference visit http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/images/stories/media/mediareleases/160209_-_elizabeth_the_second_by_the_grace_of_god_queen_of_australia.pdf

Bushfires - Food for thought from Bill Sykes

Re: Bushfires – Food for Thought

1. Financial Assistance

The State Government have announced grants from the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal for people who have lost family members, lost their home or been severely affected.

I welcome these grants.

However at this stage the needs of people such as farmers who have lost their businesses have not been recognised.

This must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

2. Public Safety – Boundary Fences

Hundreds of kilometres of boundary and internal fences have been damaged or destroyed.

It is absolutely critical from a public safety perspective to immediately replace or repair fences bounding public roads otherwise further tragedies will occur.

All outer boundary fences need to be replaced or repaired urgently to contain stock.

The All Party Parliamentary inquiry into bushfires recommended that the State Government must at least pick up 50% of the cost of fences adjoining crown land.

Given the devastation caused by recent fires I believe that the Government should immediately meet 50% of the costs of fences bordering public land.

3. Emergency Housing

New Myrtleford based company Mod-Eco is able to produce excellent emergency housing for location ‘on site’ within a few weeks.

Use of these houses would be a ‘win win’ situation – in that appropriate housing would be produced as well as providing employment and a source of income for the community of Myrtleford and district, which has been hard hit by the drought, bushfires in 2003 and 2006/2007 and the closure of the tobacco industry.

Bill Sykes MP
Member for Benalla
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary
for Agriculture & Water

Greg's View of Todays News - 02/04/2009

• Back Paddock Chicken chucker charged over bizarre crime - Weekly Times Now

  NSW POLICE reckon they've seen it all after nabbing a man for allegedly trying to smash his way into a cafe using a frozen chicken.
  
  "Police will allege that the man smashed the shopfront window using a frozen chicken stolen from the butcher and a number of rocks," police said.
  "In the process the man suffered a minor injury to his wrist."
  The 20-year-old was nabbed early today after he called authorities seeking help for his injury.

• Comment: Whatever he was on, I want some of that! (Greg)
  

• In-flight confrontations can lead to charges defined as terrorism - Los Angeles Times

  Reporting from Los Angeles and Oklahoma City -- Tamera Jo Freeman was on a Frontier Airlines flight to Denver in 2007 when her two children began to quarrel over the window shade and then spilled a Bloody Mary into her lap.
  
  She spanked each of them on the thigh with three swats. It was a small incident, but one that in the heightened anxiety after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would eventually have enormous ramifications for Freeman and her children.

  • These domestic issues are as much about terrorism as WMD were about declaring war on Iraq. Sure, the airlines must maintain order on their aircraft and simply refusing passage should be enough to stop stupid incidents like this from happening.
    Invoking the law on terrorism is a waste of the court's resources and that of all those invoved.
    Maybe, the airlines should look at counselling their on flight crews - post by gnaylor

• Holding talks down tanks - Weekly Times Now

  AS VICTORIA sweltered in record temperatures last week, State Water Minister Tim Holding outlined why the Victorian Government had rejected recycled water, tanks and dams as options to boost the state's water supply.

  • I am all for desalination
    
    Cities located on the coast have the ability to opt for desalination to provide all of their water supplies. The argument of putting the salt back whilst removing the water is rather pathetic when you consider the volume of water in the sea and the amount of salt returned. In fact, the water removed drains back to the sea anyhow.
    
    I am against pipelines
    
    Transferring water from one catchment to another changes the balance of nature by reducing the available evaporation at the source thus dring out the micro climate in that area - post by gnaylor

• Former Australian PM still backs Bush

  • During a visit to Vancouver Monday, Howard said he remains convinced that his ideological mate’s reputation will improve over time.
  • Although the Bush administration acknowledged that Hussein had no connection to the 9/11 attacks, said Howard, “they thought there would be another attack and they saw Hussein as an agent-provocateur for another attack.”
  • Howard said it is a “great myth” that deregulation of the financial industry during the Bush era caused or contributed to the banking crisis and the economic downturn.
  • Overblown or not, there was a certain symmetry to Howard’s role in the Blair House dust-up. In 2007, Howard attacked Obama, saying his anti-war policies would be embraced by al-Qaida in Iraq.
    • What a disaster it would have been if John Howard had been re-elected as Prime Minister.
      With the global economic collapse underway, and a PM who believes that deregulation of the banks did not cause it, He would be having difficulty working with the man he dubbed a friend of Al Quaida. Thank God we learned in time! - post by gnaylor

• New Playground Architecture: Bye, Jungle Gym - TIME

  New York City–based architect David Rockwell has come up with some ingenious ways to amplify that familiar scene and, in the process, is bringing to the U.S. the most innovative playground design since child psychologists started fiddling with jungle gyms in the 1960s. Dubbed the Imagination Playground in a Box,

  • 
  • "You just open this thing up, and kids' fantasy worlds instantly kick in," Rockwell says. "They use the parts to build cities, houses, castles, spaceships, even sewer systems."
    • Sounds like this will become a fair-ground commercial entertainment unit that will pop up at country fairs and fundraisers. Looks good - post by gnaylor

• Students promised $15 lap top | Herald Sun

  INDIA has unveiled plans to produce a laptop computer costing just $US10 ($15) to help improve the skills of millions of students across the country.
  
  The laptops will be mass-produced as part of a Government-sponsored education scheme launched today in the southern city of Tirupati.

  • "Its cost will be $US10. If the parents want to gift something to their kids, they can easily purchase this item.''

    The laptop will reportedly have a two gigabyte memory and wireless internet capability, but officials have not publicly demonstrated a prototype - or yet explained how it can be produced at such a low cost.
    • This may well be the stimulus to revolutionise the Internet with "Cloud Computing" where software is provided online as a service to users.
      
      The downside of a $US10 computer is it's inherent disposability factor - who would even try to get one fixed. With the disposal problems of electronics, we have faced for years, they should be forced to produce a fully bio-degradable unit - post by gnaylor

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Wangaratta's Battle against fruit fly ‘lost’

Eradication program lacked resident support

Written by HARVEY DIKE. Wangaratta Chronicle 4 Jan 09

WANGARATTA is fighting a losing battle against fruit fly.

While the incidence of the pest is rapidly increasing, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is being ‘drawn away’ from the city by more pressing outbreaks in commercial orchards in Glenrowan and the border area.

A fruit fly awareness program, launched in Wangaratta early in December, has not been effective enough to stop the spread of the pest.

Bill Ashcroft, the DPI officer in charge of the fruit fly eradication program, said flies were widely distributed across the town, and that Wangaratta "has gone the way we expected it to go".

"It’s certainly not looking good for Wangaratta," he said.

"We are continuing with our blocking program there, but the demands for our services are more urgent in other areas.

"We recently ran out of the blocks because so many have been needed.

"Our eradication efforts in the city have not met with the full co-operation of all residents.

"We will continue to respond to reports of larvae discovery, but we won’t be able to deal with sightings of the fly itself."

Mr Ashcroft said there were several ways Wangaratta residents could still prevent a more serious fly infestation.

"Use common sense, and make sure the fruit from all trees is either used or destroyed," he said.

"Rake up fallen fruit, put it in a plastic bag and leave it in the sun for a few days.

"Alternatively, put it in a bag in the freezer, and once it is frozen, it can be put in a bin.

"If larvae is found and you’re willing to allow us access to your property, ring us on (02) 60304500 and we will deal with it."

Inquiry into shared government and community facilities

Source: Bill Sykes Media Release - 23 Jan 09

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed a new inquiry to look at the potential for increased sharing of government and community facilities across Victoria, however warns outcomes must not be at the expense of legitimate infrastructure developments.

“While I support and encourage the practice of multiuse facilities the implementation of such practices must not come at the expense of under resourcing justifiable new developments and initiatives,” Bill Sykes said.

The scope of the inquiry is to focus on the sharing of physical assets, including land. Public, government and community facilities could include school libraries, sport and recreation facilities, resource and technology centres, performing arts spaces, residential precincts and civic, health and child care centres. Part of the aim of the inquiry is to identify options to allow for increased sharing of facilities and to develop partnerships between facility owners, managers, operators, service providers and community groups.

“I recognise sharing government and community facilities can achieve beneficial social outcomes in rural areas, and in some cases provide valuable services for under resourced centres, however it is essential the practice of multi use facilities addresses and recognises the needs of individual interest groups,” Bill Sykes said.

The Victorian Competition & Efficiency Commission inquiry (VCEC) recognises the potential for the scheme to reduce the cost of developing and maintaining buildings and providing services and in addition that possible savings could be directed to other programs and initiatives.

“In principle I agree with this view,” Bill Sykes said, “but it is essential the sharing of government and community facilities does not become an excuse to under resource rural centres.”

The inquiry will consult with key interest groups and affected parties and a possibility of public hearings in the future.

The VCEC has released an issues paper to assist interested parties wishing to participate in the inquiry. To view the Issues Paper, register interest or lodge a submission go to www.vcec.vic.gov.au or contact the Victorian Competition & Efficiency Commission at sharedfacilities@vcec.vic.gov.au. Submissions are invited by 27 February 2009.

Drought Assistance - North East Victoria

Source: Parliamentary Member’s Statement 21/8/08

Things are looking pretty good in NE Victoria at the moment.

Good rains and mild weather have been ideal for the crops, pastures and trees and the Alpine Resorts are blanketed in over one metre of snow.

However, August has been relatively dry so far and people are worried that we may be heading towards yet another failed spring.

It is absolutely critical that we have heavy rains soon to fill our dams and provide water for the irrigators who are currently on zero allocation – that’s right, zero allocation.

Farmers, local businesses and local communities are financially and emotionally very fragile.
Increased input costs – fuel, fertilisers and chemicals have all increased 50 to over 100% in the past 12 months will mean the end of many farmers if we have another failed spring.

With this uncertainty playing on peoples mind the last thing they need is for the uncertainty about drought assistance measures.

We all welcome the Federal Government’s announcement this week that the Exceptional Circumstances status will be rolled over for another six months.
It is now critical that the State Government immediately announce continuation of assistance measures which it funds.

In particular, the Local Government municipal rate rebate and the irrigation water rate rebate must be continued.

It is also absolutely critical that the State Government confirms continuing funding for financial counsellors and mental health workers – to provide job security to existing employees who are doing such a great job.

This is a small measure in dollar terms but a very, very large measure in terms of getting people through the toughest time in living memory.

Bill Sykes MP

Sykes: North East Rail upgrade

Source: Bill Sykes Media Release 1.08.08

Benefits of the recently announced upgrade of the railway line between Seymour and Wodonga could be further maximised according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

In welcoming the proposed North East Rail Upgrade in Parliament this week, Dr Sykes highlighted three issues in particular that had been brought to his attention recently by constituents.

“First is the re-opening of the Glenrowan Railway Station. Things have changed since it was closed in the 1980’s. The population of Glenrowan and the surrounding area has increased as has the need for public transport as the population ages and the cost of fuel rises.

“Glenrowan is the hub of regional tourism with Ned Kelly as the focus with other attractions such as the Warby Ranges National Park and wineries and restaurants in both the Warby Ranges and the King Valley.”

Dr Sykes referred to the investment of millions of dollars of Local, State & Federal funding in Glenrowan including further plans to spend more on the provision of reticulated water and sewerage to facilitate growth of the Glenrowan community as a place to visit and to live.

“A functional railway station at Glenrowan is obviously a key part of the future of Glenrowan, especially given the recent announcement that the State Government plans to spend $20m on the rehabilitation of the nearby Mokoan Wetlands with the expectation of attracting 300,000 people per year”, he said.

He continued, “Another issue is the need to standardise the Oaklands-Benalla Railway line. Failure to do so will result in hundreds of thousands of tons of grain being transported by roads at great cost to local roads and to the grain producers.

“My colleague, Mr Ken Jasper, Member for Murray Valley this week led a deputation which discussed this issue with staff of the Minister for Transport. The response was encouraging but much more work needs to be done.

“The third issue is the strong desire of local people at Benalla to have input into the reconfiguration of the Benalla Railway Station. Discussion between Benalla Rural City and the Department of Transport on this matter are progressing satisfactorily.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I look forward to working with the Minister for Transport and Department of Transport staff to achieve the best possible outcomes on these issues.”

New information for home buyers and retirees

Source: - Bill Sykes Media Release - 23 July 2008

Two new booklets have been put out by the Australian Bankers’ Association as a service to members of the community.

The Planning for Home Ownership publication looks at the range of issues associated with buying a home, including how to decide on the property you want, how much you can afford, how to finance your purchase, and what is the right time to buy.

The process of both buying and selling will be covered, with advice on how to get the most out of your home once you have bought it.

Understanding retirement is another big issue facing Australians.

Life expectancy has increased dramatically; for example, a 55 year-old man today has a life expectancy of around 26.7 years, giving a total life expectancy of 81.7 years. A 55 year-old woman today has a life expectancy of around 30.4 years, giving a total life expectancy of 85.4 years.
That means there is a longer period in later life that needs to be funded, after a person finishes working.

The Planning for Retirement publication provides advice and information about what to expect and how to plan for it.

As the booklet says: “Like it or not, money is just as important in retirement as it is during your working life - perhaps even more so, as you no longer derive a regular income from employment. The good news is that by planning ahead, you can ensure that you are well placed financially to have the lifestyle you want and enjoy the final stage of your life.”

They are available direct from Bill Sykes office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla or by telephoning 5762 2100, or on line at The Australian Bankers Association website.