Sykes: on school violence

Coalition supports school principals to combat school violence

Source: Sykes media release 20 April 2009

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has welcomed the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition policy to given principals the necessary powers to keep their school safe in the face of rising school yard violence.

Dr Sykes said, “Whilst the vast majority of students are well behaved, regrettably there has been a dramatic increase in violent incidents at schools with many offenders aged between 10 to 14. Victorian principals, teachers, students and parents need support to stem this upsurge in violence.

“On one hand the Premier claims to be tough on violence and on the other hand he is making it much tougher for principals to expel and suspend students. The rights of the offending minority are being put ahead of the best interests of the vast majority of students.

“The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition will give power back to school principals because schools, teachers and parents need support in stopping violence in schools”, Dr Sykes said.

Dr Sykes said the Coalition’s Safe Schools plan included:

• Giving principals the right to suspend or expel students at their own discretion. The Coalition will give principals more flexibility to manage poor discipline by giving principals the right to expel and suspend students for the appropriate length of time at their discretion. Labor is currently seeking to remove principals’ right to expel and suspend students following changes by the Department of Education that will cut the total number of days a Victorian student can be suspended from ten to three. Removing this power creates a bureaucratic barrier to schools enforcing discipline and reducing violence.
• Granting principals the right to ban dangerous items from school grounds and introducing legislation to support this right. Knives and other weapons are being used in Victorian schools to bully students and disrupt classes. Principals have a serious lack of clarity in their powers to control the introduction and use of dangerous items on school property. The Coalition will develop legislation confirming the right of principals to ban or confiscate items considered harmful or dangerous.
• Increasing punishment for offences such as assault and vandalism committed on school property by students or others. Increasing violence against students and teachers means a stronger approach to school violence is necessary. The Coalition will direct the Sentencing Advisory Council to immediately explore the introduction of stronger punishments for offences that occur on school property, including assault, vandalism and property damage.
• Investing in professional development for teachers to help maintain discipline in schools. Victorian teachers need help in dealing with difficult, disruptive and violent students. The Coalition will establish a $2 million professional development program to help train teachers, conducted by local and international experts in non-violent dispute resolution. This world’s-best-practice professional development will give teachers additional training and support to establish and maintain discipline in the classroom.

SCHOOL VIOLENCE: BACKGROUND

There were 1,227 reported assaults in schools between January 2006 and August 2008, an average of more than 12 assaults per week. The number of assaults in and around schools increased by more than 150 per cent between 2000 and 2005. Since 2000, the number of violent offenders aged between 10 and 14 has increased by more than 80 per cent. (Source: Victoria Police crime statistics)

Most available school disruption indicators increased substantially between 2007 and 2008, including aggressive behaviour (up 33 per cent), anti-social behaviour (up 11 per cent), student disappearances (up 46 per cent), school intrusions (up 13 per cent), school lockdowns (52, or an average of one per week) and sexual assault (244 reports).

Future water hope buoyed

Probe into underground supplies looks good for Wangaratta security

Written by Philip Nolan. - source: Wangaratta Chronicle

THE on-going concern about Wangaratta’s long term water security could soon be over.

This follows very positive early findings from a major study being conducted on the giant Murmungee aquifer, which runs through the Ovens Valley.

The first two stages of a major $350,000 study into the aquifer have produced results which have delighted Rural City of Wangaratta chief executive officer, Doug Sharp.

"It really has been very exciting," Mr Sharp said.

"There is still a lot more work to be done, but from what we are seeing so far, it would appear that the aquifer could provide us with the opportunity to secure the city’s water supply well into the future."

The study, which has received substantial funding support from both the state and federal governments, is being done in four stages.

The first stage of conceptual modelling was to map the aquifer and also to study its relationship to the Ovens River and other water courses.

This revealed that the aquifer was very large in size and had a high interaction with river levels, Mr Sharp said.

"In other words, it rises and falls at very much the same levels as the river," he said.

"There is a strong connection, and it is good news in that it is not just like a well, being continually drained."

The next stage of the study was focussed on water quality, and again the outcome was positive.

"The water quality if excellent, making it ideal for a verity of purposes, including food production," Mr Sharp said.

"The next two stages will include numerical modelling and scenario modelling, and then the whole project will be checked against climate change levels of high, moderate and low.

"It is hoped to have the complete study wrapped up by August this year, and I have to say that at this stage, it looks very promising.

"It is potentially another source of water available to Wangaratta and the region, providing us with the water security we need.

"It would prove very valuable in promoting the food bowl concept we are putting forward, as you do not have the evaporation, seepage and contamination that is part of a river system.

"It would enable us to make very efficient use of the water that is available.

"We originally looked at this as an alternative to Big Buffalo.

"It could well be that we have the solution to our water security concerns right underneath us."

Wangaratta’s buffer from crisis

New strategy to keep our economy ticking

Written by STEVEN BURKE. - Source: Wangaratta Chronicle

THE Federal Government is pumping billions of dollars into the economy to avoid a recession, and now Wangaratta is coming up with its own response to the world economic crisis.

The board of Wangaratta Unlimited has devised a draft strategy to try to minimise the effects of an economic downturn on the local economy.

And while full details of the strategy are still under wraps, Wangaratta Unlimited’s Graham Nickless said the board was pulling out all stops to help keep the local economy ticking over.

He said current projects, like Goulburn Ovens TAFE’s Technical Education Centre, the development of the Ovens Riverside Precinct and the impending arrival of Bunnings hold the rural city in good stead, but it was important to capitalise on major projects.

"We are trying to build some sort of buffer for the local economy," he said.

"In no way do we think we are insulated from what is going on in the world.

"The effects will cascade down.

"But we are trying to be on the front foot."

One of the ideas touted in the strategy will be a mentoring program, involving board members of Wangaratta Unlimited.

"It’s a time for leadership," Mr Nickless said.

"They are looking at roles they may be able to play with smaller businesses."

He said the strategy would focus on opportunities.

"Interest rates are the lowest they’ve been for decades," he said.

"Now is not the time to be timid."

Look who's coming

Bunnings’ $10m goods centre development to revitalise Newman Street

Written by SALLY EVANS. (Wangaratta Chronicle: 4 Feb 09)

BUNNINGS Warehouse is leading the charge on a new multi-million dollar bulky goods centre to be built in Wangaratta.

Plans for a 5000sqm Bunnings outlet, and three other major stores, have been unveiled for 1.9 hectares on the corner of Newman Street and Tone Road.

The hardware store is set to create between 50 and 60 jobs and to draw other major retailers such as The Good Guys and Office Works.

Bunnings chief operating officer, Peter Davis, said the company’s development represents an investment of over $10 million.

"We’ve had a long term commitment to having a strong presence in Wangaratta and we are pleased that we have finally found a suitable site," he said in a statement.

Rural City of Wangaratta council’s economic development manager, Graham Nickless, said a planning application lodged for the centre this week follows six years of trying to attract the national hardware giant to the rural city.

He said a retail audit in 2002 found a gap in retailers offering bulky goods, and a review last year reinforced the need for more hardware outlets in particular.

"It is fantastic to have investment of this type, and at this time with the global economy the way it is," Mr Nickless said.

"It sends a strong message that Wangaratta is a good place to do business."

Work is under way to clear the site, currently occupied by Francis Transport, in preparation for the bulky goods centre.

It is located next to 4.5 hectares of land that Mr Nickless said could be further developed for other major outlets.

"It’s going to revitalise that area which has been pretty run down for a while," he said.

"There will be some enhancement for Newman Street and a bit of a fill up for businesses already there.

"It’s a fantastic outcome for that area."

Viva Italia festival is on

Written by JEFF ZEUSCHNER. - Wangaratta Chronicle: 4 Jan 09

SPONSORS have come to the rescue and ensured Wangaratta’s inaugural Viva Italia festival will go ahead as planned on March 21 and 22.

Festival chairperson, David Lawson, in last Friday’s Wangaratta Chronicle, had made an impassioned plea for support - after the loss of two major sponsors - or the festival wouldn’t proceed.

Committee members last night agreed to push on, based on support in recent days from three local businesses.

But Mr Lawson said more sponsorship would be appreciated, and public support by purchasing gala dinner tickets was still needed.

"We’ve been very pleased with the support since Friday," he said.

"Wangaratta Travel Scene has come on board with $5000 to be the naming rights sponors of the Travel Scene American Express gala dinner, which has the Italian Idol Tenor competition on Saturday night at The Gateway.

"The Hume Building Society has also sponsored $5000 with naming rights for the gondola challenge, which is a key part of the events at Apex Park on Sunday.

"Sam Miranda Wines is also sponsoring $2500."

For ticket/sponsorship enquiries phone Mr Lawson on 0408 589754.

Councillors have no say on market move

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 22.10.08

Don’t blame us for lack of market consultation

Written by philip nolan.

THE Rural City of Wangaratta’s elected councillors have not had any input into the decision to force the city’s Sunday market from its popular Wareena Park location.

And the council has laid the blame for the lack of consultation with stallholders over the issue squarely at the feet of the market organisers.

The issue was not raised on the official agenda of last night’s council meeting at Tarrawingee, but quickly surfaced during public question time.

Three members of the gallery quizzed the council over the lack of consultation on the decision to move the market and also the reasons behind the decision.

Rosa Bandera asked why consultation on the issue had only been between the council and the organisers and not the stallholders.

She said that there was strong opposition to the planned move to Avian Park, and that 900 signatures opposing the move had been obtained in just four hours at the market last Sunday.

Andrew Smith said that the complete lack of consultation with stallholders had meant it was impossible to address the problems which council claimed were behind the need to move the market.

"It seems that the decision was just rubber-stamped by council with no opportunity to work through the problems," he said.

"Many people chose to walk to the market as a Sunday outing, but the council is now forcing them to use their cars. What is the sense in that?"

Lauren O’Neill asked why council had built the Market Pavilion at Apex Park if it was zoned the same as Wareena Park.

City mayor Roberto Paino said the decision to move the market had not come before councillors for discussion.

"It was an operational issue and was not discussed by councillors," he said.

City chief executive officer, Doug Sharp, said there "had been nothing to consult about".

"The temporary permit to run the market at Wareena Park was due to expire, and because of the zoning we could not issue a further permit," he said.

"This was not a council decision.

"There was simply no other option.

"We dealt with the organisers of the market in working out a solution, and it was up to them to consult with the stallholders.

"They are the organisers of the event."

Mr Sharp admitted that the zoning aspect of the Apex Park pavilion had been an "oversight" by council.

"However, in our coming planning review, that will change," he said

Bright ideas flow to help ‘battlers’

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 22.10.08

Car exchange scheme, weather refuge for pensioners mooted

Written by JACQUIE SCHWIND.

A CAR exchange scheme and an extreme weather refuge for pensioners were two bright ideas which arose from sessions designed to give people on limited incomes a chance to have their say.

‘Coffee Shop Conversations’, three sessions organised by Upper Murray Family Care and held at Wangaratta’s Idyl Book Café last week, were attended by a variety of people taking up the opportunity to informally chat about their financial difficulties and suggest ways financial hardships in the community could be addressed.

Session co-ordinator, David Newport, said those who came for a chat were almost an equal mix of men and women.

"There were about 15 individuals and some came back again for other sessions," Mr Newport said.

"The youngest would have been round about 30 and the oldest in their early 70s.

"There were some aged pensioners, a couple in public tenancy, others who were home owners having a bit of a struggle, a couple of self-funded retirees and at least one person in business, self-employed."

Suggested at the sessions was a community-managed car exchange scheme whereby eligible people could replace old vehicles in need of costly repairs with a restored, roadworthy and registered vehicle converted to run on gas.

It was suggested the scheme could be linked to a savings program to help meet future registration, maintenance and basic insurance costs.

Mr Newport was impressed by the concept, saying for many people it was an absolute necessity to have a car available.

"We’re a very much rural area, we don’t have any public transport options and a lot of people work casual shifts and work odd times.

"It’s such a universal idea, it would be really good to see how far we can push it."

Also raised was a weather refuge for pensioners - somewhere public they could keep cool or warm in extreme weather if unable to deal with temperatures or bear the cost of keeping heaters or cooling on all day at home.

"A number of people have noticed in the Wangaratta Plaza elderly couples sitting on chairs there for hours on end.

"It would be a nice way of making life civilised for people who need a bit of consideration.

"I’m going to put some of the ideas to my agency and a couple of networks and it might be worth advocating one of them as a future project."

Mr Newport said participants’ feedback about Coffee Shop Conversations was positive and he hoped the sessions could be repeated.

"It’s quite an easy and cost-effective way of reaching people.

"They thought it was very good, they had a really good chance to have their say and they would like to do it again in the future."

People who would like to be advised of, or get involved with, any future financial hardship discussions/projects can leave their name and number with Upper Murray Family Care, 57234000.

10 key projects for Wangaratta redevelopment

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 18.08.08

THE Rural City of Wangaratta is set to take on 10 major projects as part of what it terms phase two of the city’s redevelopment.

The projects, coming with multi-million dollar price tags, will be considered by councillors at the monthly council meeting to be held at Moyhu tomorrow night.

Topping the list is the ongoing develepoment of the Ovens River promenade and public square, while the upgrade of the Wangaratta Showgrounds and the planned new Centre for Learning Excellence are also prominent.

The other major infra-structure project listed is extensions to the Wangaratta Government Centre as a result of its growing popularity with government department tenants.

City chief executive officer, Doug Sharp, in his report to be considered at the council meeting, said that council was "now emerging out of what can be described as phase one of a civic rebuilding program".

"The projects that make up this phase have, or will have, a significant impact on the future of Wangaratta and region," he said.

These projects include the Wangaratta Government Centre, Wangaratta Library, Performing Arts Centre, HP Barr Community Centre, Children’s Services Centre, Sinclair Drive industrial estate, North Wangaratta industrial estate infrastructrue upgrade, Glenrowan Revitalisation project and the first stage of Ovens Riverside.

"There are compelling reasons to continue this momentum," Mr Sharp said.

"Apart from council’s desire to see Wangaratta region grow and prosper, a number of other drivers are pushing in the same direction creating an unprecedented and irresistible force.

"There has never been a better time for regional centres, but particularly Wangaratta, to push into another phase of development," he said.

Other projects on the Phase Two list include the rail trail from Wangaratta to Oxley, Wangaratta water supply security, Newman Street urban renewal, sewerage reticulation of Parfitt Road, car parking strategy and traffic management plan, and water and sewerage services to smaller townships.

"Each of these projects will require funding partnerships, a mix of funding options, cross sectional input and a multi-government approach."

Mr Sharp said that significant grant opportunities were available and council’s ten year financial plan would allow for continued involvement in capital works of this type.

"Council has significant capacity to borrow to meet a financial contribution, being well below its existing prudential borrowing limits," he said.

Mr Sharp will seek endorsement from councillors for the Phase Two listed projects at tomorrow night’s council meeting.

Wangaratta Pensioners to get a say

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 15.08.08

Wangaratta chosen to review Federal Government policy

Written by PHILIP NOLAN.

WANGARATTA’S large contingent of pensioners will have a unique chance for a direct say in future federal government pension policies.

The rural city has been named as the only regional centre in Victoria, and one of only three outside capital cities Australia-wide, as the location for a public session as part of a full review of the current pension system.

The review has been ordered by the Federal Minister for Families and Community Services, Jenny Macklin, a former student of the Wangaratta High School.

The review, to be headed by Dr Jeff Farmer, secretary of Ms Macklin’s department, is part of the government’s broader review of Australia’s future tax system.

A recent study has shown that almost 80 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over are surviving on the pension alone.

It found that Australia’s two million pensioners are worse off than seniors in most other affluent countries, with our pension rate below the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development average.

The average length of time for people to be receiving the age pension is 13 years and the single pension rate, at $173 a week, is only 60 per cent of the combined couple rate of $456 a week.

In announcing the review, Ms Macklin said that the vast majority of older Australians are on the pension and most have low levels of assets, with 30 per cent having bank balances of less than $1000.

She said the new review would investigate measures to strengthen the financial security of seniors, carers and people with disability.

These measures would include pension levels, frequency of payments and structure, and payment of concessions and other entitlements.

The community consultation phase of the review will involve public meetings in all capital cities and Newcastle, Rockhampton and Wangaratta.

The Wangaratta meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 23.

Written submissions will also be accepted.

Wangaratta’s punt on AFL dream

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 13.08.08

Council kicks on with plan to make showgrounds ‘elite’ sport precinct

Written by Philip Nolan.

THE plan to upgrade the Wangaratta Showgrounds to a multi-million dollar "elite" sporting facility is gathering pace.

A preliminary scoping study of what will be required is well under way, and initial talks have already been held with the Australian Football League to ascertain its requirements.

The Rural City of Wangaratta hopes to establish a premier regional sporting precinct at the showgrounds, with a view to regularly winning both Ovens and Murray Football League grand finals and also AFL pre-season matches.

This will be in addition to major cricket and other sporting fixtures.

However, a key component of the plan will be the removal of the existing cycling track around the oval, which has obvious implications for the Wangaratta Cycling Club and the Australia Day sports carnival.

Rural city chief executive officer, Doug Sharp, in confirming the progress on the project, said the council was "acutely aware" of the impact that the removal of the cycle track could have.

"We will be consulting very comprehensively with both the sports carnival committee and the cycle club to look at all options," he said.

"We are keen to know what the carnival committee feels about the future of the event, and equally, to establish what are the needs of the cycling club.

"They have both been, and continue to be, much valued organisations in the city."

Mr Sharp said the preliminary scoping study had already identified four key areas that need to be addressed to establish the showgrounds as "an elite facility and centre of sporting excellence".

"The lighting needs to be upgraded to AFL standard, a new multi-purpose facility is required, the viewing embankment needs to be enlarged, particularly along the river side, and the future of the existing cycling track must be looked at," he said.

"They are all big issues, and we are talking a multi-million dollar project, so it requires a lot of careful planning to get it right.

"Of course the whole project will depend of what funding would be available, and we would be looking at both government and AFL funding support, as well as the council’s contribution."

Mr Sharp said preliminary discussions had already been held with the AFL through Football Victoria, and the outcome was "encouraging".

"As a council we are very keen to make this happen. It has been identified as a major need for Wangaratta going forward and we look forward to seeing it develop," he said.

We’re not having enough children

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 11.08.08 ... archived 11.0808

City birth rate region’s lowest: higher cost of living is having impact

Written by HARVEY DIKE.

INCREASING costs of living are having an impact on the shape and make of local families, with the Rural City of Wangaratta recording the lowest birth rate in the North East region.

According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Wangaratta women have an average of 1.95 babies each, behind all other municipalities in the region.

Indigo Shire has the highest fertility rate, at 2.09.

However, the Wangaratta figure is around average when considering Victoria as a whole, and generally higher than many of its metropolitan counterparts - the City of Melbourne recorded the lowest rate in the state at 0.87.

A Productivity Commission report has indicated rent and mortgage costs, and day-to-day expenses is largely impacting on a couple’s decision to start a family - something that has been of some consideration for Wangaratta’s Meggs family.

The Meggs may be above the average, though somewhat unexpectedly - Cameron and his wife Kristie had always planned on having three children, but were a little surprised regardless by the arrival of their twins, Georgia and Ellie, five months ago.

"We had only planned on having two at the moment, but the second and third came together," laughed Mr Meggs.

The twins’ arrival has added some extra strain financially - particularly when considering costs of nappies and baby formula, which need to be bought in double.

"Then there’s petrol, going to mother’s group, or going to the doctor’s," Mr Meggs said.

"We also had to buy a wagon (upgrading from a small car) just to be able to fit all the car seats in."

The commission’s report also indicates the average Australian fertility rate is still below the population replacement rate of 2.1 - something which may raise alarm bells for those concerned about Wangaratta’s ageing population.

However, from a local perspective, Mr Meggs believes the population appears fairly balanced - after all, Northeast Health Wangaratta recorded 575 births last year.

"I know a lot of older people are coming into the town to retire, but there’s still a heck of a lot of babies being born," he said.

"I would be surprised to hear that the rates (between the two generations) are very different."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editorial Comment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That certainly isn't the case in the King Valley - five years ago, maybe! But today, there are littlies everywhere you look with the typical baby making family with at least three kids