QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - Parliament of NSW€¦ · 20/08/2013 · Publication of Questions Answer...

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

QUESTIONS AND

ANSWERS

No. 156

TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2013

(The Questions and Answers Paper published for the first sitting day in each week will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on the previous sitting and any new questions. On subsequent days, new questions are printed, as are questions to which answers were received the previous day. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is given; and, when answered.)

Notice given on date shown

4373REVISE

Publication of Questions Answer to be lodged by

Q & A No. 147 (Including Question Nos 4644 to 4652) 02 July 2013








Q & A No. 155 (Including Question Nos 4816 to 4879) 01 August 2013

Q & A No. 156 (Including Question Nos 4880 to 4889) 24 September 2013

4374Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 156— Tuesday 20 August 2013

28 MAY 2013(Paper No. 147)

*4644 TRADE AND INVESTMENT—PETROLEUM ROYALTY—Mr Primrose asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services—

(a) What was the net royalty collected for petroleum in 2011⁄12?(b) What is the estimated net royalty to be collected for 2014⁄15?

Answer— Please refer to response to Question on Notice 4646.

*4646 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—UNLEADED PETROL—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

(1)(a) Did the Minister for Resources and Energy or the Department of Trade and Investment,

Regional Infrastructure and Services receive or seek legal advice regarding the phase out of unleaded petrol prior to the decision announced on 31 January 2012 to reverse the previously legislated replacement of unleaded fuel with e10?

(b) If so: (i) What was the content of the advice received?(ii) On what date was it received?(iii) Who provided the advice?

(2) Did the Minister receive any advice which suggested that the phase out of unleaded fuel was not legally possible?

Answer— The Department seeks legal advice on a range of issues.

*4647 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—UNLEADED PETROL—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1)(a) Did the Minister for Primary Industries or the Department of Primary Industries receive or seek

legal advice regarding the phase out of unleaded petrol prior to the decision announced on 31 January 2012 to reverse the previously legislated replacement of unleaded fuel with e10?



Answer— The question raised by Mr Whan falls under the administration of The Hon Chris Hartcher MP, Minister for Resources and Energy, and should be directed accordingly.

*4648 DISABILITY SERVICES—LOCAL SUPPORT COORDINATORS—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services—

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Legislative Council Questions and Answers No. 156— Tuesday 20 August 2013

(1) Has the Minister for Disability Services or the Department of Family and Community Services removed the positions of local support coordinators in regional communities across New South Wales?

(2) How many local support coordinator positions have been removed?(3)

(a) Can the Minister confirm that local support coordinators were previously employed in Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Yass, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay and Nowra?

(b) Do these towns now have people in this position?

(4)(a) Is it the case that the role previously filled by local support coordinators was intended to be

filled by the Ability Links program?(b) What is the current status of this program?(c) Is it operating in the communities mentioned above?

(5) What assessment was undertaken of the impact on clients prior to the decision to discontinue the local support coordinator positions?

(6)(a) Is it the case that as part of changes to the Department's programs Emergency Response

Funding has ceased?(b) What is the current status of Supported Living Fund (SLF) packages in the South East region of

New South Wales?(c) How many packages have been made available?(d) What is the basis for the packages being allocated?

(7) How many applications for SLF packages in the South East region have been received by the Department?

(8)(a) Have all packages been allocated via a single assessment criteria?(b) Were any packages allocated or promised prior to others?(c) On what basis were these packages allocated?

Answer— (1) to (5) As indicated in the question, Local Support Coordinators will be progressively replaced with

Ability Links positions – this is not just a name change, the Ability Links program is fundamental to a person-centred world of disability services providing decision-support resources for those with disability. Ability Links NSW will provide enhanced supports compared with the previous role such as improving access to existing disability services, but also to mainstream services and engagement with local community. There have been delays in the original start date as previously announced owing to a market failure in the tender process in which the Government did not find a suitable organisation to provide the service that did not also have a conflict of interest within the industry. Ability Links will start in the Hunter to coincide with the NDIS launch and will be progressively rolled out across the whole state.

(6)(a) No(b) to (8) The Supported Living Fund (SLF) is a new type of accommodation support which enables

people with a disability, along with their family and carers to create living arrangements that suit the person's life and preferences. Over 100 packages were made available state-wide and a further 100 packages are planned for 2013⁄14. All recipients have submitted an application. The allocation of Supported Living Fund packages is determined through a publically advertised allocation process.

*4649 ROADS AND PORTS—BOLIVIA HILL—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—


In answer to a question without notice on 22 May 2013 the Minister for Roads and Ports said with reference to Federal funding for the Bolivia Hill improvement on the New England Highway "it was the New South Wales Government that submitted a funding proposal to the Commonwealth for this vital project".(1) On what date or dates did the Government submit funding proposals for this project to the Federal

Government?(2)

(a) Has the Government submitted a funding proposal for any section of the Barton Highway since March 2011?

(b) If so: (i) What proposals have been submitted?(ii) On what dates were they submitted?(iii) For which sections of the highway were the proposals submitted?

Answer— I am advised:(1) In September 2012, the NSW Government submitted a funding proposal for Nation Building Two

funding for realignment of the New England Highway at Bolivia Hill. The Australian Government announced an allocation of up to $80 million in the Nation Building program between July 2014 and June 2019. Subsequent advice has indicated that $10 million of this funding will not be available until after 2019.

(2) The NSW Government has not made a submission to the Australian Government for funding for the Barton Highway duplication. The NSW government would expect the Australian Government to fully fund the duplication of the Barton Highway.

*4650 TRADE AND INVESTMENT—UNLEADED PETROL—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services—

(1)(a) Did the Minister for Trade and Investment or the Department of Trade and Investment receive

or seek legal advice regarding the phase out of unleaded petrol prior to the decision announced on 31 January 2012 to reverse the previously legislated replacement of unleaded fuel with e10?



Answer— Please refer to response to Question on Notice 4646.

29 MAY 2013(Paper No. 148)

*4653 MENTAL HEALTH—PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES OFFERED IN WAGGA WAGGA—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Healthy Lifestyles, and Minister for Western New South Wales—

(1)(a) When was a consultant psychiatrist position for Wagga Wagga advertised?(b) In which media was the position advertised?

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(c) Were any applications received?(d) When will the next advertisements be placed?(e) In which media will the position be advertised?

(2)(a) Are local General Practitioners in Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas able to refer patients to

the psychiatric service at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital's mental health unit?(b) If so, what is the usual waiting time?

(3)(a) What was the annual cost of locum medical staff in the psychiatric service at Wagga Wagga

Base Hospital's mental health unit for 2011?(b) How much of this was incurred by the doctors?(c) How much of this was incurred by the locum agencies?

(4)(a) What was the annual cost of locum medical staff in the psychiatric service at Wagga Wagga

Base Hospital's mental health unit 2012?(b) How much of this was incurred by the doctors?(c) How much of this was incurred by the locum agencies?

(5)(a)Is after hours consultant cover to the psychiatric service to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital's mental health

unit provided by psychiatrists based on site in Wagga Wagga, or by phone from another place?

(b) If so, where?

(6) What were the average number of patients who received a face to face consultation with the consulting psychiatrist each day in: (a) 2011⁄12?(b) 2012⁄13?

Answer— I am advised:(1) Consultant psychiatrist positions have not been advertised as there have been no vacancies in the

consultant team for the Wagga Wagga Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit. Senior Registrar⁄Career Medical Officer (CMO) positions were advertised in September 2012 and December 2012. In line with all NSW Health recruitment advertising, the positions were advertised on Career One and NSW Health e-recruit. From the applications received, two appointments were made and have commenced. Further psychiatrist, registrar and CMO positions will be advertised from June 2013.

(2) The Wagga Wagga mental health unit is an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. As such, General Practitioners refer urgent patients for assessment to the Emergency Department and non-urgent cases to the Community Health Service via the central intake line. Treating psychiatrists can book planned admissions to the Unit. Patients also present to an Emergency Department or Community Mental Health Service, or are brought to an Emergency Department by Police or Ambulance. From there they are assessed as to their mental health and physical conditions. The mental health assessment determines whether they need admission to an acute psychiatric unit, or whether referral to a Community Mental Health or other service is more appropriate. As the Wagga Wagga mental health unit is an acute psychiatric unit, there are no waiting times. People are assessed as to the acuity of their condition and their risks, and if they are assessed as needing an admission, then a bed is located and they are admitted. On occasions, when the Wagga unit is full, the person will be transferred to another acute psychiatric unit in NSW.

(3)


(a) The annual cost of locum medical staff in the psychiatric service at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital's mental health unit for 2011 was $281,994 (for locum Registrars⁄Career Medical Officers).

(b) $254,715 was incurred by the doctors.(c) $27,279 was incurred by the locum agencies. Note: the locum medical staff in the psychiatric

unit were locum Registrars⁄Career Medical Officers, not consultant psychiatrists.

(4)(a) The annual cost of locum medical staff in the psychiatric service at Wagga Wagga Base

Hospital's mental health unit in 2012 was $290,779 (locum Registrars⁄Career Medical Officers).(b) $262,710 was incurred by the doctors.(c) $28,069 was incurred by the locum agencies. Note: the locum medical staff in the psychiatric

unit were locum Registrars⁄Career Medical Officers, not consultant psychiatrists.

(5) After hours consultant cover is provided on a rostered on-call basis, with the consultant psychiatrists providing the service by telephone.

(6) For both 2011⁄12 and 2012⁄13, the consultant psychiatrist on average saw between five and eight patients face-to-face in a day, including new patients, existing patients, consultation⁄liaison in a general (i.e. not mental health) ward, and Emergency Department assessments.

*4657 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How much did Sydney Water spend on the 125th anniversary of Sydney Water event attended by the Minister for Finance and Services?

(2) How much did Sydney Water spend on publicity materials relating to the 125th anniversary of Sydney Water?

(3) How much has Sydney Water spent on activities, media events, promotional materials and speaking notes or speeches for the 125th anniversary of Sydney Water activities?

(4) How much was spent on the novelty cake marking the 125th anniversary of Sydney Water as depicted in the photograph featuring Norman Bantin, Morris Nakhla, Lynne Addison, Managing Director Kevin Young, Robert Kirkpatrick, Minister for Finance and Services the Honourable Greg Pearce, Ken Young, John Faulkner and Jon Breen?

Answer— Sydney Water is proud of its strong history and achievements over the past 125 years and took the opportunity to hold an event to promote these achievements to staff and customers. The expenditure on activities for Sydney Water's 125th anniversary celebrations was 2.3 per cent of its overall marketing budget for 2012-13.

*4658 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER WEBSITE—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How much was spent to prepare, design, create and maintain the new Sydney Water website launched in March?

(2) How many people are employed full-time to maintain the new Sydney Water website? (3) How many people are employed part-time to maintain the new Sydney Water website? (4) How much has been budgeted to run and oversee the new Sydney Water website?

Answer— (1) 4.5% of Sydney Water's IT budget over the past three years was spent on the new website.(2) 0.03% of Sydney Water employees are employed full-time to maintain the new Sydney Water

website.(3) 0.07% of Sydney Water employees are employed part-time to maintain the new Sydney Water

website.(4) 1.3% of Sydney Water's annual IT budget is for ongoing operational costs for the website.

4379


Sydney Water's website provides a number of functions for the benefit of its customers, including: • secure bill payments • online postal address changes • claims for damages.

The website needs to be regularly monitored to ensure these functions are reliable and secure.Sydney Water is also required by law to provide and update certain information on its website. These requirements are outlined in the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and Sydney Water's Operating Licence, among others.

*4659 FINANCE AND SERVICES—TAP TRADEMARK—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How much was spent to prepare, design, create and maintain the new Sydney Water trademark known as "Tap"?

(2) How many people are employed full-time to maintain the new trademark?(3) How many people are employed part-time to maintain the new trademark?(4) How much has been budgeted to run and oversee the new trademark?

Answer— (1) $1.5 million over two years.(2) None.(3) Please refer to answer (2).(4) Budget not allocated yet for 2013-14.

*4661 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—PORT STEPHENS POLICE—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1) What categories of crime statistics are recorded for Port Stephens police?(2) Are crime statistics identified by suburbs, localities or post codes?(3) Is Anna Bay considered to be a crime "hotspot"?(4) How many of the following crimes were recorded in Anna Bay in 2012:

(a) Break and enter?(b) Assault?(c) Car theft?(d) Other vehicle incidents?(e) Domestic violence?(f) Alcohol related crimes?

Answer— Official crime statistics and criminal court statistics are reported by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

*4663 FINANCE AND SERVICES—LAND AND HOUSING CORPORATION PROPERTIES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1)(a) How many Land and Housing Corporation properties have been sold since March 2011?(b) What are the locations of those properties?(c) What price was received for each of the properties?(d)

(i) How much of the monies raised from these sales was directed to the maintenance of Land and Housing Corporation's properties?


(ii) If money was not directed to maintenance, why not?(2)

(a) How many properties for letting to tenants were bought with the funds?(b) If properties for letting to tenants were not bought with the funds, why not?

(3) How many Land and Housing Corporation properties are currently listed for sale?(4)

(a) How many Land and Housing Corporation properties have been sold without going to the open market?

(b) If properties have been sold without going to the open market, why?

Answer— (1)

(a) 1.13% of LAHC portfolio(b) Sales have occurred throughout New South Wales.(c) The sale price of properties depends upon a range of factors including size and location. Sale

prices ranged between less than $10,000 and more than $3 million.(d) (i) and (ii) Funding from asset sales is directed to capital maintenance, upgrading and new

supply programs, based on priorities and commitments.

(2) (a) and (b) Funding from asset sales is directed to capital maintenance, upgrading and new supply programs, based on priorities and commitments.

(3) As at June 2013, 0.22% of LAHC portfolio are listed for sale.(4)

(a) As at June 2013, 44% of these properties have been sold without going to the open market.(b) These properties have been sold or transferred at market value to Housing NSW tenants, State

or Local Government agencies to help meet Government housing initiatives. These initiatives include individual social and affordable housing programs for Family and Community Services (Ageing Disability and Homecare, Community and Private Market Housing and the Aboriginal Housing Office).

*4664 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER TV—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How much was spent to prepare, design, create and maintain the new Sydney Water TV?(2) How many people are employed full-time to maintain Sydney Water TV?(3) How many people are employed part-time to maintain Sydney Water TV?(4) How much has been budgeted to run and oversee Sydney Water TV?

Answer— (1) $0 for the financial year ending 2013. Sydney Water TV is hosted on Youtube, which is a free social

media network.(2) None. It is managed out of Sydney Water's existing marketing team.(3) Please refer to answer (2).(4) Please refer to answer (1).

*4665 FINANCE AND SERVICES—FLUORIDE—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How much fluoride does Sydney Water put into the water supply system?(2) How many letters a year does Sydney Water receive complaining about fluoride in the water?(3) How many letters a year does Sydney Water receive complementing or encouraging them to continue

to put fluoride into the water?(4) What are the three main reasons why Sydney Water puts fluoride into the water system?

4381


(5) Will the Government give a commitment that it will continue to put fluoride into the water system?

Answer— (1) NSW Health advises Sydney Water how to apply the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines to

manage drinking water.(2) 0.06 per cent of complaints received by Sydney Water relate to fluoride.(3) Sydney Water does not categorise complimentary letters.(4) Sydney Water puts fluoride in drinking water as required by NSW Health in accordance with the

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.(5) This is a matter for NSW Health.

30 MAY 2013(Paper No. 149)

*4666 EDUCATION—PROUD SCHOOLS PILOT PROGRAM—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) How much of the $250,000 made available for the Proud Schools pilot program has been expended as at 30 May 2013?

(2) Of the money spent as at 30 May 2013 on the development of the Proud Schools pilot program: (a) What are the specific items that have incurred expenditure?(b) What is the amount that has been spent on each specific item?

(3) What fee, payment or reimbursement has been made to Family Planning NSW for the work that they have been engaged to do regarding the development of the Proud Schools pilot program as at 30 May 2013?

Answer— (1) and (2) As at 30 May 2013, $238,656 has been expended on the Proud Schools pilot.

Expenses have been incurred for the position paper, consultation sessions, grants to pilot schools, conferences, evaluation and development of draft framework.(3) As at 30 May 2013, $93,300 has been paid to Family Planning NSW for initial development of a draft framework.

*4667 PREMIER, WESTERN SYDNEY—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer— Information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/announcements/ministerial_memoranda/2007/m2007-02.

*4668 REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES, TRADE AND INVESTMENT—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?



*4669 HUNTER, POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4670 ROADS AND PORTS—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Roads and Ports during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer— I am advised:Information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http:⁄⁄www.dpc.nsw.gov.au⁄announcements⁄ministerial_memoranda⁄2007⁄m2007-02 .

*4671 ASSISTING THE PREMIER ON INFRASTRUCTURE NSW, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer— I am advised that information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/announcements/ministerial_memoranda/2007/m2007-02.

*4672 CENTRAL COAST, RESOURCES AND ENERGY, SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer—

4383


Information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/announcements/ministerial_memoranda/2007/m2007-02.

*4673 ARTS, TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4674 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, TREASURER—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer— Information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http:⁄⁄www.dpc.nsw.gov.au⁄announcements⁄ministerial_memoranda⁄2007⁄m2007-02.

*4675 FINANCE AND SERVICES, ILLAWARRA—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer— Information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http:⁄⁄www.dpc.nsw.gov.au⁄announcements⁄ministerial_memoranda⁄2007⁄m2007-02 .

*4676 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, SMALL BUSINESS—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Businesses during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4677 AGEING, DISABILITY SERVICES—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services—


How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4678 LOCAL GOVERNMENT, NORTH COAST—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Local Government, and Minister for the North Coast—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Local Government, and Minister for the North Coast during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4679 FAIR TRADING—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Fair Trading—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Fair Trading during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4680 HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, MENTAL HEALTH, WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Healthy Lifestyles, and Minister for Western New South Wales—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Healthy Lifestyles and Minister for Western New South Wales during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4681 ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS, CITIZENSHIP AND COMMUNITIES—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Citizenship and Communities, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Citizenship and Communities, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?

Answer—

4385


Information on Department of Premier and Cabinet Memorandum 'Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying' can be found at http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/announcements/ministerial_memoranda/2007/m2007-02.

*4682 SPORT AND RECREATION—WORKPLACE BULLYING—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

How many cases of formal counselling have been initiated involving claims of workplace bullying between staff members employed in the Office of the Minister for Sport and Recreation during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012?


*4683 HEALTH—RESCUE HELICOPTER FOR THE CENTRAL WEST REGION—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) When will the 24 hour rescue helicopter service for the Central West region commence?(b) What funding will be allocated annually by the Government for this service?

Answer— (1) and (2) The Review of NSW Aeromedical (Rotary Wing) Retrieval Services Final Report prepared

by Ernst & Young made a number of recommendations on options for configuration of aeromedical bases. The Report was issued for wide stakeholder consideration from December 2012 to March 2013. Stakeholder feedback, including comments from the community, is under active consideration and will inform the Government's response to the Report's options and recommendations.

*4684 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SPECTRUM COMMUNITY OUTCOMES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) Has Spectrum Community Outcomes been instructed by Housing NSW to employ only Housing NSW residents as handypersons to help Spectrum maintain Housing NSW properties?

(2)(a) What positions are to be filled by Spectrum Community Outcomes under these arrangements?(b) How many positions are to be filled by Spectrum Community Outcomes under these

arrangements?

(3) What is the cost to Housing NSW of hiring Spectrum Community Outcomes to manage the maintenance of its properties?

(4) Does Spectrum Community Outcomes have workers compensation insurance?(5) What are the hourly rates paid to Spectrum Community Outcomes employees?(6) What qualifications do the employees have to be employed by Spectrum Community Outcomes?(7)

(a) What arrangements have been made for those employees currently employed by Spectrum Community Outcomes who are not Housing NSW residents?

(b) Are they still eligible to be employed by Spectrum Community Outcomes on the maintenance of Housing NSW properties?

Answer— (1) Land and Housing Corporation's (LAHC) Handypersons Program is a tenant employment program.


(2)(a) The handyperson⁄s.(b) Spectrum Community Outcomes can determine the number of positions required.

(3) The cost of the Handypersons Program Contract that engages Spectrum Community Outcomes is $112,917 per annum.

(4) Yes.(5) The Handyperson Program Contract requires the payment of award wages and full conditions that

the industry uses for the handypersons type of work.(6) The following eligibility criteria are applied to handypersons employed under the Handypersons

Program Contract: 1. The handyperson must be a social housing tenant; and 2. The handyperson must not live in the same estate where he⁄she will work; and 3. The handyperson must satisfy standard security checks and abide by the Statement of Business Ethics and Contractors' Code of Conduct; and 4. The handyperson must be suitably skilled; either hold a relevant trade qualification or have considerable practical experience; or 5. The handyperson must have a willingness to work towards gaining a relevant qualification or licence.

(7)(a) The Handypersons Program contract requires that contractors employ social housing residents

as a handyperson. LAHC does not directly employ Spectrum Community Outcomes' employees.

(b) The contract to employ a social housing resident applies to the handyperson position only.

*4685 EDUCATION—SCHOOL TRANSPORT- MEDOWIE—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) How many high school students residing in Medowie post code 2318 hold school bus passes?(2) How many students from Medowie with bus passes attend:

(a) Irrawang High School?(b) Hunter River High School?(c) Other public high schools?(d) Non-Government high schools?

(3) How much does it cost the Government to transport high school students from Medowie to their schools in other areas?

(4) What is the total expenditure of school transport in New South Wales for: (a) Government primary school students?(b) Non-Government primary school students?(c) Government high school students?(d) Non-Government high school students?

(5) How many staff are employed by the Department of Education to conduct demographic studies of educational needs in the state?

(6) How many students are enrolled at: (a) Wirreanda public schools?(b) Medowie public schools?

(7) How many student are less than eight years of age at: (a) Wirreanda public schools?(b) Medowie public schools?

(8) What is the required minimum number of students in an area to justify the establishment of a high school in that locality?

4387


Answer— (1) This question should be referred to the Minister for Transport.(2) This question should be referred to the Minister for Transport.(3) This question should be referred to the Minister for Transport.(4) This question should be referred to the Minister for Transport.(5) Six.(6)

(a) 574 students are enrolled at Wirreanda Public School.(b) 373 students are enrolled at Medowie Public School.

(7)(a) 214 students will be under 8 years of age at 31 December 2013.(b) 134 students will be under 8 years of age at 31 December 2013.

(8) The need to establish a new school is dependent on factors such as: significant new residential development, anticipated sustained demographic demand and maintaining the viability of existing school facilities.

*4686 WOMEN—MALE CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARD 2012—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) In November 2012, the Minister for the Status of Women announced Nominations for the Premier's Woman of the Year Award, the People's Choice Community Hero Award and the Male Champion of Change Award: (a) Did the Male Champion of Change Award go ahead?(b) If not, why?

(2) The media release issued on 7 March 2013 to announce the winners omitted the Male champion of Change Award category: (a) Was a written brief supplied to the Minister regarding the Male Champion of Change Award?(b) If so, will the brief be made public?(c) If not, why not?

(3) Will the Minister, the Minister's Office or Office for Women's policy supply the brief explaining the benefit of the Male Champion of Change Award?

(4) Did the Minister receive adverse correspondence about the Male Champion of Change Award?

Answer— The one-off Male Champion of Change category was withdrawn for 2013. This decision was made at the judging panel stage, as, unfortunately, an insufficient number of eligible entries were received for the category to proceed.

*4687 FINANCE AND SERVICES—KANGAROOS AT ST MARY'S SWEAGE TREATMENT PLANT—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) When was the last cull of kangaroos at St Mary's Sewage Treatment Plant? (a) How many kangaroos were killed in that cull?

(i) How many were male?(ii) How many were female?(iii) How many were joeys?

(b) Who undertook the cull?(c) How many hunters were used in the cull?(d) What happened to the carcasses resulting from that cull?

(2)


(a) When is the next cull to be undertaken?(b) How are the "cullers" selected and by what process?(c)

(i) Are they paid?(ii) If so, how much are they paid?

Answer— (1) Between July and September 2010:

(a) 52. (i) 26.(ii) 25 and one unconfirmed sex.(iii) 19.

(b) SCEC Pty Ltd, veterinary research, consulting and management services.(c) None.(d) All carcasses were disposed off-site at a licensed waste facility.

(2)(a) No further culls are planned.(b) A veterinary surgeon with experience in management of kangaroos was selected using

normal Sydney Water purchasing procedures. (i) Yes.(ii) $86,131.

*4688 WOMEN—PREMIER'S WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) In November 2012, the Minister announced nominations for the Premier's Woman of the Year Award, the People's Choice Community Hero Award and the Male Champion of Change Award, and nominations were only accepted online: (a) How many information technology problems were incurred from when nominations opened to

close?(b) What was the nature of the information technology problems?(c) How many complaints were received from members of the public about their difficulty

accessing the nomination and voting system?(d)

(i) Were information technology specialists asked to resolve the technical matters?(ii) If so, how many times were they called to fix this systemic problem?(iii) If not, why not?

(e) Will the Minister accept hardcopy applications when nominations open for 2014 Women of the Year?

Answer— There were no technical issues with the Department of Family and Community Services website. A small number of people had difficulty with their own technology and all were assisted to successfully enter their nominations.Web specialists were consulted regularly throughout the online nomination process, and in its development phase, to make sure the nomination process was as easy as possible for people and to resolve any issues.There is no evidence to suggest that the general public prefer to make a hard copy return.

*4689 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER TOILET REPLACEMENT PROGRAM—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1)

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(a) What is the current status of Sydney Water's toilet replacement program, which replaces single flush toilets with four-star dual flush models?

(b) Are there any plans to cut or abandon the program?

(2) How much was allocated to the Sydney Water Toilet replacement program in 2010-11?(3) How much was allocated to the Sydney Water Toilet replacement program in 2011-12?(4) How much has been allocated to the Sydney Water Toilet replacement program in 2012-13?(5) How much is going to be allocated to the Sydney Water Toilet replacement program in 2013-14?

Answer— The subsidised Sydney Water toilet replacement service last received dedicated funding in 2010-11, when it received approximately $3.9 million. The toilet replacement service is now part of the WaterFix service. The WaterFix program is allocated operational funding depending on the number of participating customers.

*4690 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER TOILET REPLACEMENT HEALTH RISK—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What advice has Workcover provided to Sydney Water about the health risks to staff replacing single flush toilets with four star dual flush models in relation to wall materials containing asbestos?

(2) How many complaints did Sydney Water received about this risk between April 1, 2011 until May 30, 2013?

(3)(a) How many installations have been stopped due to occupational health and safety concerns?(b) At which locations were these installations stopped?(c) On which dates were these installations stopped?

Answer— (1) I am advised that WorkCover has endorsed Sydney Water's approach.(2) Sydney Water has advised that no complaints have been received.(3) 0.001 per cent of installations in Sydney Water's area of operations were stopped since June 2011.

*4692 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—WINGECARRIBEE SWAMP—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1)(a)How much has the Government spent to remove invasive willow and blackberry species from

Wingecarribee Swamp in 2011?

(b) How much was collected in that year?

(2)(a) How much has the Government spent to remove invasive willow and blackberry species from

Wingecarribee Swamp in 2012?(b) How much was collected in that year?

(3)(a) How much will the Government spent to remove invasive willow and blackberry species from

Wingecarribee Swamp in 2013?(b) How much is expected to be collected in that year?

Answer— Blackberry and willow are treated with herbicide, not collected. The total area of Wingecarribee Swamp is 344 hectares.(1) In the 2010-11 financial year, $244,000 was spent to treat 97 hectares (42 hectares for blackberry and

willows, and 55 hectares for willows only).


(2) In the 2011-12 financial year, $169,000 was spent to treat 52 hectares for blackberry and willow. Weed control activity that year was hampered by wet weather.

(3) In the 2012-13 financial year, approximately $292,000 was spent to treat 68 hectares for blackberry and willow. This includes treatment of 20 hectares on the delta area, which has been identified as having high ecological value.

A study on the swamp undertaken over the years 2008-2011 indicated that the willow and blackberry density across the swamp has reduced significantly as a result of the weed control effort.

*4693 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER COMPENSATION—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1)(a) How much compensation and rebates have been paid by Sydney Water in 2010-11 for

interruptions to water supply due to main breaks?(b) What was the largest amount paid that year and where and to whom?





(4)(a)How much compensation and rebates have been paid by Sydney Water from January 1, 2013 until May

30, 2013 for interruptions to water supply due to main breaks?

(b) What was the largest amount paid that in that period and where and to whom?

Answer— Sydney Water's Customer Contract outlines the rebates payable to customers. In line with this, Sydney Water has paid the following rebates-(1)

(a) $1,123,213(b) $2003 to an eligible customer

(2)(a) $1,728,285(b) $1303 to an eligible customer

(3)(a) $1,937,913(b) $8574 to an eligible customer

(4)(a) $898,723(b) $8574 to an eligible customer

*4694 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SYDNEY WATER RECYCLING TARGET—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What was the rate of recycling for Sydney Water in 2010-11?(2) What was the rate of recycling for Sydney Water in 2011-12?(3) What was the rate of recycling for Sydney Water in 2012-13?

4391


(4)(a) Is Sydney Water on track to meet the 12 per cent target on recycling by 2015?(b) If so, what is the current rate?(c) If not,

(i) What is the current rate?(ii) Why not?

Answer— (1) 47.5 billion litres.(2) 46 billion litres.(3) Not yet available.(4) As was envisaged in the Metropolitan Water Plan, the greater Sydney region is on track to exceed the

target to increase water recycling in percentage terms by 12 per cent of total water demand. This target relates to all recycled water projects in the greater Sydney region, not only Sydney Water projects. Around 62 billion litres a year is currently being recycled.

*4695 HEALTH—GRADUATE NURSING PLACEMENTS WITH NSW HEALTH—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1)(a) How many 2012 nursing graduates, graduating with either a Bachelor degree or a Masters

degree, have applied for a position with NSW Health?(b) Of these graduates, how many were placed on the eligibility list for positions with NSW

Health?(c) Of the number of applicants determined to be eligible, how many have yet to receive a position

with NSW Health?(d) Is the Ministry of Health still actively attempting to place these applicants?

Answer— I am advised:NSW is currently employing a record 47,500 nurses and 4000 more nurses and midwives have been reported working in the system since March 2011. This year, more than 2000 graduate nurses and midwives are commencing their careers in the public health system in 112 hospitals across NSW. The Ministry maintains contact with persons on the eligibility list and Local Health Districts continue to employ from the list throughout the year.

*4697 ROADS AND PORTS—NELSON BAY ROAD—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) How many cars travel on Nelson Bay Road (MR 108) each day: (a) Between Williamtown and Fern Bay?(b) On Kooragang Island?(c) Between the junction of Lemon Tree Passage Road and Richardson Road?(d) On Nelson Bay Road in the Bob's Farm area?

(2) How many times have there been permanent alterations of traffic speeds on the Nelson Bay Road in the last five years?

(3) What plans are in place to upgrade the Nelson Bay Road?(4) What are the traffic predictions for Nelson Bay Road for each year between 2013 and 2018

inclusive?(5)

(a) Are there engineering design plans in place to upgrade Nelson Bay Road?(b) If so, which sections?

(6) Does the Government support former Premier Greiner's 1988 commitment to rebuild Nelson Bay


Road?(7) How many fatalities have occurred on Nelson Bay Road each year since 1993?(8) Will Roads and Ports be involved in any decisions to permit any new businesses to have heavy

vehicle access to the road before it is upgraded?(9) What plans are in place to improve the flow of traffic on Kooragang Island?(10) In what order will those sections of Nelson Bay Road not already dual carriageway be made dual

carriageway and when?(11) What is the present estimated time taken to travel the length of Nelson Bay Road?(12)

(a) Are there signs erected to indicate that $63 m is being spent on a six kilometre section of Nelson Bay Road between Anna Bay to Bob's Farm?

(b) Will this section of Nelson Bay Road be built to Pacific Highway standard?(c) What speeds will apply to this section?(d) How many driveway entrances are there on this section of road?(e) How much money has been allocated for property acquisition?(f) Will this section of road be build and maintained by a contractor?(g) Will the Government guarantee that there will not be a toll on this section of road?

Answer— I am advised:(1)

(a) The average daily traffic flow at Williamtown, north of Cabbage Tree Road in 2012 was 20,660 vehicles.

(b) The average daily traffic flow at Stockton Bridge in 2012 was 22,560 vehicles. The average daily traffic flow on Tourle Street north of Industrial Drive in 2012 was 27,460.

(c) Roads and Maritime Services undertook a ten day survey at Salt Ash, west of Lemon Tree Passage Road during February 2009. The average daily traffic flow was 10,300.

(d) Roads and Maritime Services undertook a two week survey at Bobs Farm, east of Cromarty Lane during June 2012. The average daily traffic flow was 14,740 vehicles.

(2) There has been one speed zone review on Nelson Bay Road in the last five years. This review was undertaken as part of the State Government's commitment to review the top 100 roads identified by the community through the Safer Roads website. This speed zone review resulted in two speed zone changes. The extension of a 50 km⁄h speed zone in Nelson Bay for a length of 240 metres and the extension of an 80 km⁄h speed zone (removing a 100 km⁄h speed zone) by 800 metres. These changes were implemented in August 2012.

(3) Information regarding the Nelson Bay Road upgrade is available on the Roads and Maritime Services road project website www.rms.nsw.gov.au⁄roadprojects

(4) Based on solely historical growth the daily traffic flow at Stockton Bridge permanent traffic counting station can be projected as 23,160 (2013), 23,640 (2014) 24,120 (2015), 24,600 (2016) 25,070 (2017) and 25,550 (2018).

(5) and (6) Information regarding the Nelson Bay Road upgrade is available on the Roads and Maritime Services road project website www.rms.nsw.gov.au⁄roadprojects

(7) For the period from 1996 to 2012 (provisional) there were 28 fatal crashes and 34 fatalities. The Transport for NSW crash database commenced from 1996. As at 13 June 2013, there has been one fatality on this road in 2013.(8) Development application will be considered by the appropriate consenting authority.(9) Roads and Maritime Services has recently upgraded Cormorant Road across Kooragang Island to extend the westbound lanes for approximately one kilometre and improved the approach to Industrial Drive. The planning is continuing for the future upgrade to provide four lanes between Industrial Drive and Egret Street, which would complete the dual carriageway between Mayfield and across Kooragang Island.(10) Information regarding the Nelson Bay Road upgrade is available on the Roads and Maritime

4393


Services road project website www.rms.nsw.gov.au⁄roadprojects(11) The estimated travel time for the 50.5 km trip from Government Road and Church Street roundabout at Nelson Bay to the traffic lights at the Tourle Street and Industrial Drive intersection at Mayfield West is around 45 minutes.(12)

(a) There are currently three (3) project signs erected along the route with the current project estimate of $63 million noted.

(b) The road will be constructed as a four lane divided road, which will be a similar standard to the Stage 2 section of Bobs Farm to Anna Bay.

(c) The project has been designed for an 80 km⁄h speed environment.(d) There are currently 54 driveway accesses along the length of the project of which 29 will be

upgraded.(e) No further allocation has been made as all properties required to enable delivery of the project

have been acquired.(f) The project will be built by a contractor and managed by Roads and Maritime Services.(g) There is no intention to place a toll on this road.

*4698 ROADS AND PORTS—RAYMOND TERRACE—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) Are there plans underway for upgrading the Pacific Highway from the F3 to Raymond Terrace including additional crossings of the Hunter River?

(2) If so, (a) What is the estimated completion date?(b) When will tenders be called?(c) What is the estimated cost?(d) What is the expected ratio of state and federal funding?(e) What are the current vehicle numbers a day crossing the Hunter River at Hexham?

Answer— I am advised:(1) Planning has started for the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway (F3 Freeway) to Raymond

Terrace. The proposal involves a 15 kilometre dual carriageway link bypassing Heatherbrae with an additional crossing of the Hunter River.

(2)(a) and (b) The timing of construction has not been determined.

(c) A review of the cost estimates was undertaken in 2010-11, including a cost estimate in the order of $700 million.(d) The ratio of state and federal funding has not yet been determined. All planning to date has been funded by the NSW Government.(e) A permanent traffic count station is located on the Pacific Highway just north of the Hunter River. Between the end of January and the start of March this year there was an average daily traffic volume in the order of 42,000 vehicles per day and an average weekday traffic volume in the order of 45,000 vehicles per day.

*4699 FINANCE AND SERVICES—NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) In relation to advertisements placed on May 10, 2013 in the Australian Financial Review, how many non-executive board positions are available from September 2013?

(2) What will be the rate of remuneration for those positions?(3) What will be the term of those positions?(4) How much was spent on the recruitment and advertising campaign for those positions?


(5) Was an executive recruitment agency employed to undertake the search? (a) If so, how much were they paid?(b) If so, have they undertaken an international or inter-State search?

Answer— (1) Three.(2) The Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Tribunal recommends remuneration for these

positions.(3) Three years.(4) The Sydney Water Act requires that Sydney Water advertises for nominations on behalf of the

Minister. The government rate for the placement of such advertisements is, on average, $3,870 per advertisement.

(5) No.

18 JUNE 2013(Paper No. 150)

*4700 ENVIRONMENT—SUPPLEMENTARY PEST CONTROL PROGRAM—Mr Foley asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage—

(1) Will the Minister for the Environment identify the specific components of the South Australian and Victorian pest eradication programs using recreational hunters which will be incorporated into the New South Wales Supplementary Pest Control Program?

(2) Is the Minister aware that such programs in Victoria use less than one per cent of the licensed game hunters in that state and are under the control of Parks Victoria staff?

(3) What scientific research, if any, regarding the impact of recreational hunters on feral animal populations, justifies the investment of $19.1 million into the Supplementary Pest Control Program?

Answer— I am advised as follows:(1) As in some national parks and reserves in South Australia and Victoria, the NSW supplementary pest

control program in national parks will be closely supervised by National Parks and Wildlife Service officers and will engage licensed and competent volunteer shooters operating under strict controls.

(2) I am advised that there are two different programs operating in national parks in Victoria. The partnership program with the Sporting Shooters Association utilises a very small percentage of licensed game hunters. The deer hunting program in eastern Victoria allows all licensed game hunters in Victoria to operate in selected reserves.

(3) On 4 July 2013 the Government announced a trial of supplementary pest control in 12 national parks. The details of that are yet to be confirmed.

*4701 ENVIRONMENT—SUPPLEMENTARY PEST CONTROL PROGRAM PEER REVIEW—Mr Foley asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage—

(1)(a)

(i) When will the peer review of the Supplementary Pest Control Program announced on 20 February commence?

(ii) When will its results be published?(b) What is the objective of this review?(c) Who will be conducting the peer review?(d) Who will be invited to participate in the review?

4395


(2) Will the Government carry out a financial value assessment of the $19.1 million Supplementary Pest Control Program, in comparison to professional programs already in place?

Answer— I am advised as follows:(1)

(a) The peer review of the Supplementary Pest Control Program is an ongoing process and has already commenced. Full details of the trial will be released prior to the commencement of the volunteer program in late October.

(b) The objective of the peer review process is to ensure the risk assessment and associated controls meet the highest standards for the ongoing implementation of the Supplementary Pest Control program.

(c) The peer review is an ongoing process, which has involved a combination of staff, staff union representatives, job and work health and safety experts, and independent specialists.

(d) Refer to (c) above.

(2) The trial announced on 4 July 2013 indicated that initially only 12 parks or reserves will be part of the program. There will be a review before any further roll-out of the program.

*4702 FINANCE AND SERVICES—CROWN LAND STOCKTON—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) Crown land at 147 Fullerton Street Stockton was previously the site of Stockton's only garage Rose's Garage: (a) What are the details of the lease arrangement for this piece of Crown Land?(b) Is there any clause or provision relating specifically to its use as a petrol station?

(2)(a) Is there a provision or time frame regarding its purpose of use?(b) If so, what are the details?

(3) As it has been leased, can the Minister for Finance and Services confirm if and when it will start being used as a petrol station?

(4) What assurances, if any, are there enclosed in the lease agreement to ensure that Stockton residents are guaranteed that they have a petrol station to access in their suburb?

Answer— This Question does not pertain to Finance and Services and should be directed to Hon Andrew Stoner MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services.

*4703 FINANCE AND SERVICES—HOMEBUSH BOWLING AND RECREATION CLUB—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(a) Is the site of the former Homebush Bowling and Recreation Club, Pomeroy St Homebush, Crown land?

(b) If so: (i) What are the current Crown lease conditions?(ii) Who is the leasee?

(c) If not: (i) When was this land sold from public holdings?(ii) To whom?

Answer— This Question does not pertain to Finance and Services and should be directed to Hon Andrew Stoner MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services.


*4704 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—FISHERIES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) How many positions have been cut in the Department of Primary Industries in the Hunter region over the period since April 2011?

(2) How many Fisheries enforcement officers are there in New South Wales?(3)

(a) How many Fisheries officer positions are located in the Central Coast and Hunter?(b) How many of those will be abolished?

(4) Where will the new Fisheries officers be located following the restructure of the organisation?(5) How many staff from the Cronulla Fisheries Institute are transferring, or have transferred to Port

Stephens?

Answer— (1) Across DPI in the Hunter region, 53 jobs have been removed, while 70 jobs have been created. A

nett increase of 17 jobs.(2) There are 100 established Fisheries compliance positions in New South Wales. While attempts are

made to keep all front line positions filled, there will be some vacancies at any given point in time due to resignations, secondments and other staff movements.

(3)(a) 21(b) 1 position, currently vacant, is under review

(4) Marine Park Compliance Officers will remain in their current locations. The locations for Fisheries Officer positions currently being recruited are Tuncurry, Taylors Beach, Ourimbah, Bathurst, Huskisson, Sans Souci and Narooma.

(5) Twelve positions have transferred from Cronulla Fisheries Institute to Port Stephens. Staff have commenced work in three of these positions and the remaining nine positions are in the process of recruitment.

*4705 HEALTH—PORT STEPHENS DOCTORS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) How many practising doctors are there in: (a) Raymond Terrace?(b) Tilligerry Peninsular?(c) Medowie?(d) Tomaree Peninsular?(e) Tea Gardens⁄Hawke's Nest?

(2) How many general practitioners are employed at Nelson Bay Hospital to provide after-hours services?

(3) What is the reason for not treating accident and emergency patients at Nelson Bay hospital?(4) What is NSW Ministry of Health doing to overcome this situation?(5) How many admissions were there at Nelson Bay Hospital in 2012?(6) What was the average time spent in hospital?(7) How many patients were transported by ambulance in 2012 from the Tomaree Peninsular to:

(a) Nelson Bay hospital?(b) John Hunter hospital?(c) Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital?(d) Newcastle Private hospital?(e) Lingard Private hospital?(f) Lake Macquarie Private hospital?

4397


(g) Hunter Valley Private hospital?(h) Toronto Private hospital?

Answer— The Minister for Health and Medical Research has advised:(1) and (2)Hunter New England Local Health District does not manage General Practitioners in private practice in the Port Stephens area. The local GPs do not have visiting⁄admitting rights to Tomaree Community Hospital. Tomaree Community Hospital is staffed 24 hours a day. There are four permanent doctors, and locum doctors fill shifts not covered by the permanent doctors.(3) and (4)Tomaree Community Hospital is a Level 1b non-surgical healthy facility, with a Level 2 Rural Emergency Department. Patients who attend the Emergency Department are triaged, treated, admitted or referred to another facility, in accordance with role delineation. (NB: A Level 2 role delineation emergency service generally manages minor injuries and ailments, with resuscitation capacity if required, prior to stabilisation and retrieval). Action is taken for all patients who attend the Emergency Department as the patient's condition requires.(5) and (6)There were 1027 admissions to Tomaree Community Hospital in 2012 and the average length of stay was 2.5 days.(7) In 2012, the Ambulance Service of NSW transported patients from localities in the Tomaree Peninsular to:

(a) Tomaree Community Hospital (Nelson Bay Hospital): 1,445 patients.(b) John Hunter Hospital: 561 patients.(c) Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle: 531 patients.(d) Newcastle Private Hospital: 8 patients.(e) Lingard Private Hospital: 3 patients.(f) Lake Macquarie Private Hospital: 25 patients(g) Hunter Valley Private Hospital: 13 patients.(h) Toronto Private Hospital: nil patients.

*4706 TRANSPORT—NORTH WEST RAIL SERVICE—Mr Primrose asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) Once the privatised North West Rail Service is in operation, will passengers using the Northern Line who wish to travel to Chatswood, North Sydney or Wynyard have to change trains at Epping?

(2) Will those wishing to travel to North Sydney or Wynyard also need to again change trains at Chatswood?

Answer— I am advised:There is any number of paths that commuters may choose to take now and this will continue into the future.

*4707 TRANSPORT—TRAIN SERVICES TO MACQUARIE PARK AND MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY—Mr Primrose asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

As the existing 13 kilometre Epping to Chatswood Rail Link needs to be re-engineered to meet the requirements of the privatised North West Rail Service, for what period of time will there be no train service available to Macquarie Park and Macquarie University stations?

Answer— I am advised:


The delivery program for this part of the North West Rail Link is subject to the return bids from the tenderers for the Operations, Trains & Systems contract.

*4708 PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—WHITEHAVEN'S MAULES CREEK MINE OFFSETS—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

(1) In regards to Whitehaven's Maules Creek mine offsets, when will the Department of Planning and Infrastructure's investigation into North West Ecological Services' allegations that Whitehaven provided false and misleading information by falsifying their offsets be finalised?

(2) Will the investigation involve independent field studies or simply rely on Whitehaven's word?(3) Will the investigation also capture Boggabri Coal's offset program?(4) If the Department finds that the Maules Creek Coal Mine approval was given based on false and

misleading information, will the approval be revoked or reviewed?(5) What independent verification process is the Government considering so that future decisions are not

based on false and misleading information?

Answer— (1) The Department is not investigating this matter.

The allegations were made in a submission to the then Commonwealth Minister for the Environment as part of the approval process for the Maules Creek Coal Project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in January 2013. You should refer your questions to the Commonwealth Minister.

(2) to (4) You should refer your questions to the Commonwealth Minister. (5) It is an offence under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for consultants to provide false or misleading information in any environmental assessment documentation.

*4709 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—LAND AND WATER COMMISSIONER—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What is the Land and Water Commissioner's salary?(2) What budget has been allocated the office of the Land and Water Commissioner?

Answer— Please refer to Question on Notice No. 4710 asked on 18 June 2013 by Mr Buckingham to the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services for response to this question.

*4710 TRADE AND INVESTMENT—LAND AND WATER COMMISSIONER—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services—

(1) What is the Land and Water Commissioner's salary?(2) What budget has been allocated the office of the Land and Water Commissioner?

Answer— The Commissioner currently works 4 days a week as a Level 3 Senior Executive Officer with actual salary in accordance with the most recent determination of the Statutory and Other Officers Remuneration Tribunal.In 2012⁄13, approximately $175,000.00 was allocated for salary, clerical support and travel related costs associated with the Commissioner's role.

4399


*4711 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—GENDERAL PURPOSE STANDING COMMITTEE NO. 5 COAL SEAM GAS INQUIRY—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) In relation to Recommendation 4 of the General Purpose Standing Committee No.5 Coal Seam Gas Inquiry: "That the NSW Government progress as a priority the project being undertaken by the Office of Water to assess the potential volume of produced water from the coal seam gas industry." (a) Is this assessment available? If so, please provide a copy.(b) Could the Minister for Primary Industries please provide a progress update?

Answer— The report is in draft form only. Its release will be considered at a later date.

*4712 FINANCE AND SERVICES—COMMUNITY HOUSING REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

In the 2012-13 Budget the Minister for Finance and Services allocated $210.2 million for routine repairs and maintenance in public and community housing, how much of this allocation has been spent on routine repairs and maintenance in public and community housing?

Answer— The final routine maintenance expenditure for the 2012-13 financial year will be published in the NSW Land and Housing Corporation annual report for 2012-13.

*4713 FINANCE AND SERVICES—VALUE OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

What is the actual value of repairs and maintenance to public housing stock carried out in the following financial years:

(a) 2010-11?(b) 2011-12?

Answer— Information regarding maintenance of properties is contained in the Department of Finance and Services annual report for that financial year and also in the relevant Family and Community Services (Housing NSW) annual reports.

*4714 FINANCE AND SERVICES—NEW SOCIAL HOUSING—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

In the 2012-13 Budget the Government announced it was allocating $141 million to build 852 new social housing homes and to complete 773 units that were started in previous years:

(a) How many of the 852 new social housing homes were started?(b) How many of the 852 new social housing homes have been completed and are ready to be

rented?(c) How many of the 773 units that were started in previous years have been completed?(d) How many of the 773 units that were started in previous years and completed are ready to be

rented?

Answer— Investments made over the 2012-13 year will be contained in the Department of Finance and Services annual report for that financial year and also in the relevant Family and Community Services (Housing NSW) annual reports.

*4715 FINANCE AND SERVICES—REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

What is the actual value of repairs and maintenance requested for public housing stock by tenants


through Housing NSW for the following financial years:(a) 2011-12?(b) 2012-13?

Answer— (1) Information regarding maintenance of properties is contained in the Department of Finance and

Services annual report for that financial year and also in the relevant Family and Community Services (Housing NSW) annual reports.

(2) Figures relating to 2012-13 will be contained in the Department of Finance and Services annual report for that financial year and also in the relevant Family and Community Services (Housing NSW) annual reports.

*4716 FINANCE AND SERVICES—CLEAN ENERGY SUPPLEMENT—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

From March 2013, the Clean Energy Supplement paid by the Commonwealth Government to public housing tenants has been included as "assessable income" with 25 per cent charged as increased rent:

(a) How much money will be raised by the Government from this decision?(b) How much of this money will go into maintenance and repairs for public housing?

Answer— (1) The NSW Land and Housing Corporation estimates additional rent of 1.26% per fortnight will be

collected as a result of the increased assessable income.(2) Funds from rental income are used to support maintenance and other operational costs.

*4717 FINANCE AND SERVICES—PUBLIC HOUSING TRANSFER TO COMMUNITY GROUPS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

Following on from the Government's transfer of 1302 public housing properties to community groups, when will the Government be transferring to community groups the remaining 1598 homes identified in the Auditor General's Report, Volume 5 2012 as still being in Government ownership?

Answer— I refer the Honourable Member to the answer to a question in the Chamber on 2 May, 2013.

*4718 FINANCE AND SERVICES—PENSIONER TENANTS OF THE LAND AND HOUSING CORPORATION—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

Will the Government automatically offset the full family energy rebate against rents of pensioner tenants of the Land and Housing Corporation's properties?

Answer— This Question does not pertain to Finance and Services and should be directed to Minister Pru Goward, Minister for Family and Community Services.

*4719 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—PENSIONER TENANTS OF THE LAND AND HOUSING CORPORATION—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

Will the Government automatically offset the full family energy rebate against rents of pensioner tenants of the Land and Housing Corporation's properties?

Answer— Unlike the previous Government, the O'Farrell Government is committed to providing targeted, ongoing assistance to help households and families struggling to manage the impacts of the Labor Government's legacy of power price rises.

4401


As the Member should be aware, the NSW Government's Family Energy Rebate is available to applicants who receive the Commonwealth Government's Family Tax Benefit A⁄B, administered by the Federal Department of Human Services. NSW households must therefore comprise dependent children.

*4720 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—GRAZING TRIAL IN MILLEWA NATIONAL PARK—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1) What is the projected length of the cattle grazing trial in Millewa National Park?(2) How many cattle are being grazed within Millewa National Park?(3) Which organisations or companies are involved in the trial grazing of cattle within Millewa National

Park?(4) Which orgnisations or companies have provided cattle to be grazed within Millewa National Park?(5) What steps are being taken to ensure that the cattle are not degrading waterways within Millewa

National Park?(6) What plans are in place to extend the trial grazing of cattle to other National Parks within New South

Wales?(7) How many National Parks and Wildlife Service staff have been, are, or are projected to be involved

in the administration of the trial grazing of cattle in Millewa National Park?(8) What was the total coast of the trial grazing of cattle in Millewa National Park?

Answer— This question should be addressed to the Minister for the Environment.

*4721 PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—PLANNING PRACTITIONERS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

(1) What steps are in place to implement the continuing professional development for Government planning practitioners recommended in the February 2012 Independent Commission Against Corruption report entitled "Anti-corruption safeguards and the NSW planning system"?

(2) Will such continuing professional development for Government planning practitioners be outsourced to the private sector?

Answer— (1) The White Paper, released by the Government on 16 April 2013, identifies the need for:

• a series of training sessions for practitioners and stakeholders in all areas of the new planning system, including details of how the system will work; and• ongoing learning and skill development of the planning profession. The Department is currently devising an Education and Training Program, informed by a broad needs analysis, to support these initiatives in consultation with the Planning Institute of Australia; Local Government NSW; and planning academics from universities across NSW.

(2) Professional development courses will be delivered by subject matter experts likely to include a range of state and local government planning practitioners; lecturers and researchers in planning and related fields; and potentially some private sector experts. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure will however, retain primary responsibility for the overall management and quality control of the training and education on offer through the program.

*4722 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—FERAL HORSE ACTIVITY IN STATE FORESTS—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What actions are being taken to protect Endangered Ecological Communities in Bago State Forest from the impact of feral horses?


(2) What steps are Forests Corporation staff taking to assist leaseholders in Bago State Forest to remove feral horses from their leases?

(3) What measures have been implemented to ensure all peatlands in Bago State Forest are protected from the impact of cattle activity?

(4) What measures have been implemented to ensure all peatlands in Maragle State Forest are protected from the impact of cattle activity?

(5) How many times have cattle from Bago State Forest been identified entering Kosciusko National Park during the following periods: (a) 2010-2011?(b) 2011-2012?(c) 2012 to date?

(6) What sanctions or penalties for breaches of the National Park boundaries have been issued by the Office of Environment and Heritage for cattle entering Kosciusko National Park from Bago State forest over the following periods: (a) 2010-2011?(b) 2011-2012?(c) 2012 to date?

(7) How many times have cattle from Maragle State Forest been identified entering Kosciusko National Park during the following periods: (a) 2010-2011?(b) 2011-2012?(c) 2012 to date?

(8) What sanctions or penalties for breaches of the National Park boundaries have been issued by the Office of Environment and Heritage for cattle entering Kosciusko National Park from Maragle State forest over the following periods: (a) 2010-2011?(b) 2011-2012?(c) 2012 to date?

Answer— (1) Forestry Corporation has in place a number of actions to protect Endangered Ecological

Communities (EECs) in Bago State Forest from the impact of feral horses. These include the development of resources for staff like mapping and a field guide and the delivery of training to staff in identification of Montane Peatland EECs. The Montane Peatland EEC is the subject of vegetation plot monitoring and remote camera surveillance monitoring and an exclusion fencing and monitoring partnership with the Riverina Australian Deer Association. Forestry Corporation is a financial member of the Australian Alps Liaison Committee (AALC) Feral Horse Working Group which is implementing a cross-state and tenure approach to feral horse monitoring and management

(2) Forestry Corporation has indicated to leaseholders in Bago State Forest that the corporation is prepared to participate in an integrated wild horse control program if it can be effectively coordinated at a landscape scale including private property owners, leaseholders and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; can be demonstrated to be effective in controlling wild horses; and meets all legislative standards in relation to program design, conduct, consultation and ethics.

(3) and (4) Forestry Corporation undertook internal audits of grazing permits over Bago and Maragle State Forests in 2009. As a result, permittees were required to develop fencing programs to secure grazing stock. The major grazing permit over Bago and Maragle State Forests was suspended at the beginning of 2011 pending negotiation of the fencing program and has not re-commenced.

(5) to (8) These questions should be directed to the Minister for Environment.

*4723 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—PROTECTIONS FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What provisions or policies does the Forestry Corporation of NSW have to protect whistleblowers

4403


against reprisals?(2) Where are these policies or provisions publically available?(3) If there are no policies or provisions to protect whistleblowers, what steps are being taken to

implement policies to protect whistleblowers against reprisals?

Answer— As employees of a State Owned Corporation, the staff of Forestry Corporation of NSW are covered by the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994. The legislation outlines protections against reprisals for whistleblowers. The Corporation's implementation of this legislation is reflected in the relevant Forestry Corporation policies and procedures approved by the Forestry Corporation Board. These documents are consistent with the requirements of the legislation and are available to Corporation staff. Members of the public can obtain copies on request.

*4724 TRANSPORT—BUSWAYS ROUTE PORT MACQUARIE—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) The new Busways route through Port Macquarie proposes replacing the Clarence St stop with a new stop at William Street: (a) Given concerns in the community that the William Street stop does not meet access

requirements for people with a disability, will the Government reinstate the Clarence Street stop?

(b) If not, why not?

(2) What action will the Government take to ensure the needs of elderly and less mobile commuters are met?

Answer— I am advised:As a result of the issue being raised by the hard-working Member for Port Macquarie, Mrs Leslie Williams MP, the bus service changes recently implemented in Port Macquarie are currently being reviewed.

*4725 TRANSPORT—WYEE STATION CLOCK—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

Wyee Station has a clock inside the passenger waiting area which is not visible to all passengers at all times, will a clock that is visible to passengers at all times be installed at Wyee Station?

Answer— I am advised:There are no plans to install more clocks at this stage.

*4726 TRANSPORT—LAWSON STATION—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) Documents released under Government Information (Public Access) indicate that Lawson Station will be upgraded under the Transport Access Program: (a) When will this work commence?(b) What work will be undertaken?(c)

(i) Will the station be made fully accessible?(ii) If not, why not?

Answer— Regrettably in 16 years of the former Labor government, Lawson station was not upgraded to provide accessibility for disabled customers. It was one of almost two thirds of the 307 stations on the network that were not wheelchair accessible when we came to government.


On 23 April 2012, the NSW Government announced a new Transport Access Program which will deliver accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure where it is needed most. This includes station upgrades, better interchanges, ferry wharf upgrades and commuter car parks.The Transport Access Program includes funding of more than $770 million over four years, which will see improvements at more than 60 locations, including a major accessibility upgrade at Wentworth Falls Station, which I announced on 24 May 2013 with the Member for Blue Mountains, Mrs Roza Sage.More work is underway to determine what projects come next, and Lawson Station will be considered as part of this program.

*4727 TRANSPORT—GUARDIAN TRAIN SERVICES—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

When will transit officers cease operation on the Guardian train services?

Answer— I am advised:The NSW Police Force manages security for the entire public transport network under the dedicated Police Transport Command. The Command will see 610 dedicated police officers patrolling public transport by the end of 2014. Further, 150 new Transport Officers will focus on fare evasion. The first tranche of Transport Officers commenced on 13 May 2013.Security functions across the transport network are transitioning to the Police Transport Command.

*4728 TRANSPORT—TAXI TRANSPORT SUBSIDY SCHEME—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) Following the 'Inquiry into the NSW taxi industry' the former Government committed to review the subsidy and consider the current cap on fares: (a) What is the status of this review?(b) When will the review be made public?

(2)(a) Given the concerns of the community about the current Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)

cap of $30, will the Government increase the TTSS subsidy to better meet the needs of people with a disability?


Answer— I am advised:The NSW Government recognises the importance of accessible transport for people with disabilities, particularly people using wheelchairs. I have requested Transport for NSW evaluate the incentives and subsidies which support the provision of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis to identify how services to customers can be improved.The Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme, including the level of subsidy, will be considered as part of this work.

*4729 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—NATIVE ANIMAL CONTROL—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What raw data methodology is used for population estimates for each of the following four species of macropods commercially hunted: (a) Red Kangaroos:

(i) Prior to 2000?(ii) Post 2001?

(b) Eastern Grey Kangaroos: (i) Prior to 2000?(ii) Post 2001?

4405


(c) Western Kangaroos: (i) Prior to 2000?(ii) Post 2001?

(d) Wallaroos: (i) Prior to 2000?(ii) Post 2001?

(2) How many non-commercial landholders permits being issued under s 121 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act (121 Permits) have been issued for the eradication of native fauna for the following years: (a) 2010?(b) 2011?(c) 2012?(d) 2013 to date?

(3) How many individual fauna have been poisoned by landholders using 121 permits over the following years: (a) 2010?(b) 2011?(c) 2012?(d) 2013 to date?

(4) How many individual fauna have been shot by landholders using 121 permits over the following years: (a) 2010?(b) 2011?(c) 2012?(d) 2013 to date?

(5) How many individual fauna have been trapped by landholders using 121 permits over the following years: (a) 2010?(b) 2011?(c) 2012?(d) 2013 to date?

Answer— The question raised by Mr Shoebridge falls under the administration of the Hon Robyn Parker MP, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage, and should be directed accordingly.

*4730 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION USE—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1) What official advice or guidance has been issued by Government agencies on the installation and use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in public places, their current legal status and any plans for review?

(2) How many CCTV cameras in public places in New South Wales are currently in use?(3) Are maps showing the distribution of CCTV cameras publically available?

(a) If not, when will they be made publically available?

Answer— This question should be addressed to the Minister for Local Government and the Attorney General, who coordinated the NSW Government Policy Statement and Guidelines for the Establishment and Implementation of CCTV (available online).


*4731 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—POLICE TASER TRAINING—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1) What management actions have been given to the individual police officers involved in the arrest of Roberto Laudisio Curti, for example, counselling, additional training in the use of physical restraint techniques, remedial training for supervision of Taser including minimum use of stun drive, correct use of defence spray, experience with other Commands in arrest techniques, or Commissioned Officer testing about Taser knowledge for supervisory control of subordinate Police?

(2) If no management actions have yet been initiated, what steps for additional training of the police officers involved in the arrest of Roberto Laudisio Curti have been taken?

Answer— The NSW Police Force has advised me:No formal management action has been taken in relation to the officers involved as this matter is currently being investigated by the Police Integrity Commission.


*4732 PREMIER—PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney—

(1) How many permanent staff employed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet are receiving a parliamentary pension?

(2) How many contract staff employed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet are receiving a parliamentary pension?

(3) How many ministerial staffers are receiving a parliamentary pension?

Answer— I am advised:The Department of Premier and Cabinet does not collect information about parliamentary pensions to which its staff may be entitled. The circumstances in which a former Member of Parliament will be entitled to a pension are, however, set out in the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1971.

*4733 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—PRIVATE NATIVE FORESTRY—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What is the process and criteria involved in listing species for inclusion on the appendix of the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice?

(2) What measures are there in the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice that will protect threatened species?

(3) How is the listing of species in the appendix to the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW determined?

(4) Why is the Gang-gang cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum not listed in the appendix in the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW? (a) Are there any plans to add the Gang-gang cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum to the appendix

to the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW ?(b) If not, why not?(c) If so, when will this occur?

(5) Why has the Government given the Diuris aequalis, Buttercup Doubletail, which is endangered and listed as vulnerable under the Federal Endangered and Federally Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, only the lowest level of protection under the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice for Southern NSW?

4407


(6) On what grounds was Gastroides sesamoides, Potato orchid⁄cinammon bells given a higher level of protection than Diuris aequalis , Buttercup Doubletail orchid?

(7) Has the Minister for Primary Industries received correspondence regarding populations of the Diuris aequalis orchid in Mount Rae forest?

(8) What steps have been taken to ensure that populations of the Diuris aequalis orchid in Mount Rae forest are protected?

(9) Past Ministerial statements and correspondence at the time of issuing of the private native forestry property vegetation plan for commercial firewood logging in 2007 indicated that any plants identified would be fenced off by the landowner: (a) Have any plants been identified following this?(b) What steps have been taken to monitor compliance with this statement?(c) What steps are in place to monitor future compliance with this statement?


*4734 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—RUFOUS SCRUB-BIRDS IN STYX RIVER FOREST—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1)(a) Were any of the seven surveys for the identification of Rufous Scrub-bird microhabitat done by

Forestry NSW carried out either on the periphery of the lowest class modelled habitat or outside the modeled habitat?

(b) If so, how many?(c) If so, why?

(2)(a) Were any of these surveys carried out outside the compartment, Styx River 502 itself?(b) If so, how many?(c) If so, why?

(3)(a) Were any of these surveys outside the State Forest?(b) If so, why?

(4)(a) Do these surveys comply with the requirements of the Threatened Species License?(b) If not, in which ways are they not compliant?

(5)(a) Were the microhabitat assessments for the Rufous Scrub-bird carried out after the Ecology Flora

and Fauna Report was done?(b) If so why?(c) Does this represent a contravention of conditions of the Threatened Species License?

(i) If so, how?(ii) If not, why not?

(6) What evidence is there that these micro habitat assessments were carried out in the highest class modelled habitat that was going to be affected by logging?

(7) What evidence was used to support the deletion of the records on Rufous Scrub-birds in Styx River State Forest Compartment 502?

(8)(a) Have the recent surveys caused any reconsideration of the deletion of the Rufous Scrub-bird

record?


(b) If so, what has this entailed?(c) Were areas of the Styx River Compartment 502 burnt just prior to harvesting?(d) If so:

(i) Why?(ii) Were any of these in areas of potential microhabitat of the Rufous Scrub-Birds?

(9)(a) Are the survey investigations and their results documented and open for public inspection?(b) If so, where?(c) If not, why not?

Answer— (1)

(a) No, targeted bird surveys and subsequent microhabitat surveys were undertaken within both classes of modelled habitat.

(b) and (c) N/A

(2)(a) No.(b) and (c) N/A

(3)(a) No.(b) N/A

(4)(a) The habitat assessment surveys were compliant with the requirements of the Threatened Species

License; however the original targeted surveys did not comply with the Threatened Species Licence.

(b) The targeted surveys were undertaken after the close of the nominated survey season. This is why Forestry Corporation undertook additional habitat surveys and applied the default condition 7bvii in the Licence to protect patches of microhabitat located within the compartment. This approach was deemed complaint by the EPA in its investigation of the matter.

(5)(a) No, the seven surveys used to delete the records assessed as unreliable were conducted

prior to completion of the survey report.(b) N/A(c) No

(i) N/A(ii) Compliance with the conditions of the Threatened Species Licence was determined by the

Environment Protection Agency (EPA) investigation.(6) The location of these surveys is provided in the pre-harvest survey. These locations were considered

to be the highest class modelled habitat to be affected based on habitat model maps.(7) The results of the seven microhabitat assessment surveys, site-specific assessment by FCNSW

professional ecologist and interview of the surveyor were used as evidence, as clearly documented in the pre-harvest survey report.

(8)(a) The recent surveys validated FCNSW previous decision.(b) N/A(c) Yes(d)

(i) To reduce bush fire hazard.(ii) The areas burnt included modelled Rufous Scrub-bird habitat, however, there were no

known micro-habitat patches burnt.

4409


(9)(a) Yes(b) FCNSW Wauchope Office(c) N/A

*4735 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, SMALL BUSINESS—INSPECTIONS BY THE NSW FOOD AUTHORITY—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) How many inspections have been made of the following sites by the NSW Food Authority: (a) Baiada Poultry at Beresfield?(b) Primo Scone?

(2) How many breaches have been identified at: (a) Baiada Poultry at Beresfield?(b) Primo Scone?

(3) How many penalties have been issued at: (a) Baiada Poultry at Beresfield?(b) Primo Scone?

Answer— (1) The response provided relates to the 2012⁄13 year.

(a) In that timeframe the Baiada Poultry abattoir at Beresfield has received a total of 5 audits and 9 inspections from the NSW Food Authority (the Authority).

(b) The Primo red meat abattoir at Scone is licensed with the Authority the majority of the operations conducted at the facility relate to the processing of export products. The Authority operates in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) where an abattoir is export registered. DAFF are the responsible agency for completing these duties. The Authority did not conduct any audits or inspections of this facility during this period.

(2)(a) Defects are raised during the audit process as Corrective Action Requests which identify areas

where improvements can be made by the business as part of their quality system. During the 2012⁄13 reporting period the Authority issued 26 corrective action requests during audits at Beresfield. This facility has been issued with 2 improvement notices where direct action was required to rectify defects identified during audit or inspection. In each case, further audits and inspections were conducted to ensure that effective actions were taken to rectify the areas of concern.

(b) DAFF has advised the Authority that no breaches have been made against the Primo abattoir at Scone. DAFF should be contacted directly if further information is required.

(3)(a) The Authority has not issued any penalties against the Baiada Poultry abattoir at Beresfield.(b) DAFF has advised the Authority that no penalties have been issued against the Primo abattoir at

Scone.

*4736 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS—RECOVERY OF WAGES—Mr Searle asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations—

(1) How many proceedings for the recovery of wages and other employment benefits have been instituted by compliance staff employed by the NSW Office of Industrial Relations since April 2011, both pursuant to the Fair Work Act 2009 and otherwise, on behalf of workers?

(2) How many such proceedings were finalised since April 2011?(3) What was the average length of time to finalise such proceedings since April 2011?


(4) How much was recovered in money terms for workers in connection with such proceedings?(5) How many penalties against employers were sought in connection with such proceedings?(6) How many penalties were imposed upon employers?(7) What was the financial value of those penalties?

Answer— (1) Since April 2011 NSW Industrial Relations has instituted proceeding in ten matters in accordance

with the Industrial Relations Act, 1996. NSW Industrial Relations is not authorised to institute proceedings pursuant to the Fair Work Act, 2009, this being the responsibility of the Fair Work Ombudsman.

(2) Four(3) 9 months average investigation phase and 7.5 months average prosecution phase.(4) $40,565.98(5) 13(6) 13(7) $13,000.00

*4737 ENVIRONMENT—STYX RIVER STATE FOREST AND THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage—

(1) What findings did the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) make in relation to the lack of qualifications and experience of the surveyor responsible for identifying Rufous Scrub Bird in the Styx River State Forest?

(2)(a) Is the failure of the Forestry Corporation to engage a suitably experienced and trained surveyor

a breach of the Threatened Species Licence?(b) If so, what actions have been taken in relation to this?(c) If not, why not?

(3)(a) What action was undertaken in relation to complaints of shortcomings in the Forestry

Corporation's March 2011 "Threatened Species Licence Pre-logging and Pre-roading Flora & Fauna Survey Report" for compartment 502 of Styx River State Forest?

(b) What investigation was undertaken into claims that the report falsely certified that then extant records of the Rufous Scrub Bird made by Forestry Corporation in 2007 did not exist?

(c) What investigation was undertaken into complaints that the report failed to identify that modelled habitat for Rufous Scrub Bird which occurs in the compartment?

(d) What action has been taken in relation to any shortcomings in this report?(e) Has the EPA made a finding regarding the reliability of this report in regards to the existence of

suitable microhabitat for the Rufous Scrub Bird in compartment 502?

(4)(a) What was the finding of the independent expert employed by the EPA regarding the survey?(b) Were any additional steps taken as a result of the findings of the independent expert?

(5) What consideration have been given to the reports of the three independent fauna surveyors employed by local conservation groups?

(6)(a) What guidelines governed the felling of numerous large old growth hollow-bearing trees in

areas mapped as High Conservation Value Old Growth Forest, Ridge and Headwater Habitat, and FMZ3B, along the tourist route Styx River Forest Way?

(b) If these trees were removed for health and safety reasons and therefore not subject to the Integrated Forestry Operations Approval, was any assessment of environmental impacts undertaken in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act?

4411


(c) If not, why not?(d) If so, what was the outcome of this?

Answer— I am advised as follows:(1) None.(2) The Forestry Corporation of NSW did not use the Rufous Scrub Bird surveys in complying with

licence conditions for the operations in Styx River State Forest.(3) The EPA requested the Forestry Corporation of NSW review and where required, correct relevant

flora and fauna survey records. The EPA investigated this matter and found that the surveys were inadequate. The EPA considered the report as part of its investigations and requested the Forestry Corporation of NSW undertake additional microhabitat assessments in compartment 502 of Styx River State Forest.

(4) The expert determined that there was potential for Rufous Scrub Bird habitat in compartment 502 of Styx River State Forest. Additional steps were undertaken.

(5) The independent fauna surveyors' reports were considered as part of the EPA investigation.(6) These matters are not regulated under the Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals. The Forestry

Corporation of NSW manages these matters under internal guidelines. The trees that were cut down for work, health and safety reasons were left in situ and not removed from the site. The EPA is not the appropriate regulatory authority for Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 matters.

*4738 PREMIER—SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney—

(a) Does the Government have a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace?(b) If so, under that policy:

(i) How can a victim of sexual harassment make a complaint?(ii) What support is provided to them?

Answer— I am advised:

(a) The policy on sexual harassment in NSW public sector workplaces is set out in the Model Code of Conduct, Chapter 8-5 of the Personnel Handbook and in the Harassment Free Workplace Policy And Guidelines, both available on the Public Service Commission website.

(b)(i) An employee who wishes to make a complaint of sexual harassment may use their

agency's grievance and dispute resolution procedures, or complain to the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW or the Australian Human Rights Commission.

(ii) Under the Model Code of Conduct, supervisors must take all necessary steps to prevent and deal with harassment and discrimination in their work area. An employee making a complaint may seek support throughout the complaint process from an appropriate human resources manager, their agency's Employee Assistance Program, or a relevant employee association.


*4739 LOCAL GOVERNMENT—THE COMPANION ANIMAL TASKFORCE—Ms Fazio asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Local Government, and Minister for the North Coast—

(1) Why was Dogs NSW not included in the organisations which have representatives on the Companion Animal Taskforce?


(2) What sitting fees, allowance or other monies have been paid to the Chair of the Companion Animals Taskforce, Mr Andrew Cornwell MP, the Member for Charlestown? Please provide a detailed breakdown of the monies paid including the date paid, reason for payment and the amount paid.

Answer— I am advised:Dogs NSW were a member of the Companion Animals Taskforce.The Division of Local Government did not provide any monies to the Member for Charlestown, Andrew Cornwell MP, for his role as Chair of the Companion Animals Taskforce.

*4740 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—THE COMPANION ANIMAL TASKFORCE—Ms Fazio asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) Why was Dogs NSW not included in the organisations which have representatives on the Companion Animal Taskforce?

(2) What sitting fees, allowance or other monies have been paid to the Chair of the Companion Animals Taskforce, Mr Andrew Cornwell MP, the Member for Charlestown? Please provide a detailed breakdown of the monies paid including the date paid, reason for payment and the amount paid.

Answer— The question raised by Ms Fazio falls under the administration of the Hon Donald Page MP, Minister for Local Government and Minister for the North Coast, and should be directed accordingly.

*4741 HEALTH—MUSWELLBROOK AGED CARE FACILITY BEDS—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) Has the relocation of the Aged Care Facility at the Muswellbrook District Hospital from its current location on the ground floor to the first floor resulted in a reduction of the number of onsite: (a) Medical beds?(b) Aged care beds?

Answer— There has been no reduction in the number of medical beds at Muswellbrook District Hospital. The General Ward has the capacity to accommodate additional patients.Muswellbrook Hospital management is implementing strategies to ensure the Hospital is able to maintain good patient flows during the relocation period.

*4742 HEALTH—MUSWELLBROOK AGED CARE FACILITY BED LICENSES—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) Will the relocation of the Aged Care Facility at Muswellbrook District Hospital result in a reduction of the number of aged care bed licenses from the current 18?

(2) Will a suitable location be found for the use of aged care bed licenses if they are not able to be used in the proposed new location of the aged care facility?

Answer— The Local Health District is currently in discussions with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, who will determine the future of the licences.

*4743 HEALTH—RESOURCES FOR REGIONS FUNDING MUSWELLBROOK DISTRICT HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

4413


(1)(a) Did the Minister for Health direct the NSW Ministry of Health or the Hunter New England

Local Health District to lodge a submission under round one of the Resources for Regions funding program for the upgrade of the Muswellbrook District Hospital emergency department?

(b) If so, on what date was this direction given?

Answer— The Local Health District was not directed to lodge a submission under round one of the Resources for Regions funding program. The Muswellbrook Emergency Department project was submitted as it is a top priority for the District under its Strategic Asset Plan.

*4744 HEALTH—AGED CARE BEDS AT MUSWELLBROOK DISTRICT HOSPITAL—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) Did the process to transfer 18 aged care beds to the non-government sector begin prior to the grant of Resources for Regions funding for the emergency department at Muswellbrook District Hospital?

(2) Before Resources for Regions funds were granted was the Minister for Health aware of plans to relocate the aged care facility in order to make room for the emergency department?

Answer— (1) As responsibility for aged care rests with the Commonwealth, the Hunter New England Local Health

District Board approved a recommendation to review remaining aged care services within the District's facilities. This occurred before funding was approved for a new emergency department at Muswellbrook.

(2) Relocation of aged care beds was noted as a potential challenge in the development of the new Muswellbrook Emergency Department within the Local Health District's grant application for funding under the Resources for Regions program.

*4745 HEALTH—EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MUSWELLBROOK DISTRICT HOSPITAL UPGRADE—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) Will the Minister for Health guarantee that all construction works for the upgrade of the emergency department at Muswellbrook District Hospital will be completed by the end of the 2013⁄14 financial year?

(2) Will any unspent funds be carried over into the future financial year in the event that the construction of the emergency department is not completed in the 2013⁄14 financial year?

Answer— Construction works will commence in October 2013, with an anticipated completion timeframe of within 12 months.

*4746 HEALTH—MUSWELLBROOK AGED CARE FACILITY TRANSFER—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1)(a) Has the process, which commenced in July 2012, to transfer the Aged Care Facility from the

state-operated Muswellbrook facility to the non-government sector been finalised?(b) If so, what was the outcome?

Answer— The District had previously been in negotiations with Little Company of Mary Health Care following an EOI process to potentially transfer its Muswellbrook aged care licences; however, on 24 May 2013 Little Company of Mary announced plans to build a new 60-bed high and low care facility at Brennan Park in


Muswellbrook. The company's proposal also includes 32 independent living units and a base for community care outreach services.The Hunter New England Local Health District is currently in discussions with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing who will determine the future of licenses.

*4747 HEALTH—MUSWELLBROOK AGED CARE FACILITY STAFF—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1)(a) How many full time equivalent staff are employed at the state-operated Muswellbrook Aged

Care Facility as at 20 June 2013?(b) How many staff are:

(i) Registered nurses?(ii) Enrolled nurses?(iii) Assistants in nursing?(iv) Non-nursing staff?

(c) How many staff are: (i) Permanent employees?(ii) Casual employees?(iii) Locums?

(2) Are staff of the Aged Care Facility included in the overall complement of staff at Muswellbrook District Hospital?

Answer— Staffing levels are a matter for Local Health Districts and will vary over time according to patient need.

*4748 HEALTH—MUSWELLBROOK AGED CARE FACILITY REDUNDANCIES—Ms Westwood asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) What advice has been provided to staff of the Muswellbrook Aged Care Facility regarding their future employment if the facility is transferred to the non-government sector?

(2)(a) If transfer to the non-government sector does not proceed will the Minister for Health commit to

continued funding for the current staff to remain in their roles?(b) If not:

(i) Will there be voluntary redundancies?(ii) Will there be forced redundancies?

Answer— There are no plans for transfer to the non-government sector.

*4749 FINANCE AND SERVICES—WORKERS COMPENSATION SCHEME—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1)(a) Has consideration been given to the handling of claims under the Workers Compensation

scheme by insurance companies with a view to identifying possible savings?(b) If so, what was the result of these?(c) If not, why not?

(2)(a) Would any workers be eligible for stress leave under the current workers compensation system?(b) If so, in which circumstances?

4415


(c) If not, why not?

Answer— (1) The claims handling expense forms part of the actuarial valuation of the New South Wales Workers

Compensation Scheme liabilities. Fees to Scheme agents form part of the claims handling expense.(2) Stress leave is not available under the workers compensation system. However, workers who sustain

a workplace injury that results in psychological injuries are included in the current legislation.

*4750 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—PRIVATE NATIVE FORESTRY PROPERTY VEGETATION PLANS—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What methodology and process is used to determine the granting of bio -certification to Private Native Forestry Property Vegetation Plans?

(2) What steps are taken under the Private Native Forestry Property Vegetation Plan process to meet the Native Vegetation Act 2003 requirement of protecting over cleared landscapes, for example where over 70 per cent of vegetation is cleared?

(3) What limitations are there, if any, that would prevent the introduction of stock into areas cleared and logged under a Private Native Forestry Property Vegetation Plans?

(4)(a) Regarding the requirement under the Private Native Forestry process that any area cleared under

the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice "is allowed to regenerate", what steps are taken to identify relevant land?

(b) Where land is so identified what steps are taken in relation to this?

(5)(a) Has grazing occurred in Mount Rae forest in areas being logged under Private Native Forestry

approval?(b) If so, what steps have been taken in relation to this?

(6) What consideration is given in Private Native Forestry approvals for commercial scale firewood operations to the increased carbon emissions generated by this?

(7) What consideration is given to the cumulative effects and scale of firewood approvals across New South Wales under Private Native Forestry approvals?


*4751 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—GUN SHOWS—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) Which gun shows, exhibitions or other public events did the Game Council attend at which members of the public were able to apply for an R licence from the Game Council in the following years: (a) 2010?(b) 2011?(c) 2012?(d) 2013 to date?

(2) How many applications for R licences were made at gun shows, exhibitions or other public events from the Game Council during the following years: (a) 2010?(b) 2011?(c) 2012?(d) 2013 to date?

Answer—


(1)(a) 2010 –

(i) Wild Deer & Hunting Expo(ii) Safari Club International Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Show(iii) Australian Archery Expo(iv) Hunter Valley Shot and Tackle Show(v) Central Western NSW Arms and Militaria Fair(vi) SSAA SHOT Expo(vii) Hunter District Hunting Club Expo(viii) Australian Deer Association Hunting & Outdoor Expo

(b) 2011 – (i) Safari Club International Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Show(ii) Australian Archery Expo(iii) Greengrass Antique & Modern Arms and Collectables Expo (Penrith)(iv) NSW Caravan Camping RV & Holiday Supershow(v) Australian Deer Association Hunting & Outdoor Expo(vi) Central Western NSW Arms and Militaria Fair(vii) Hunter District Hunting Club Expo (Cessnock)(viii) Shoalhaven Shooters Supplies Expo

(c) 2012 – (i) Wild Deer & Hunting Expo(ii) Safari Club International Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Show(iii) Australian Archery Expo(iv) Australian Deer Association Hunting & Outdoor Expo(v) SSAA SHOT Expo(vi) Central Western NSW Arms and Militaria Fair(vii) Shoalhaven Shooters Supplies Expo

(d) 2013 – (i) Safari Club International Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Show(ii) Australian Archery Expo(iii) SSAA SHOT Expo

(2) 2. Game Council NSW did not record this information.

*4752 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES AND PRIVATE NATIVE FORESTRY—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) Does the Private Native Forestry Property Vegetation Plan process require the developer to identify any Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) present prior to logging?

(2) What independent studies or reports are required to support identification of EECs under the Private Native Forestry process?

(3) When Private Native Forestry Property Vegetation Plan #0016 for logging in Mount Rae forest was approved in late 2007 what kind of forest was identified on this land by the proponent?

(4) What investigation was undertaken to confirm the kind of forest present on this land prior to the authorisation of logging?

(5) What investigation was undertaken to confirm the kind of forest present on this land after the authorisation of logging?

(6) Given a 2012 independent survey organised by the Environment Protection Authority identified Tablelands Basalt Forest on this land, what actions, if any, were taken in relation to the logging approvals given under plan #0016?

(7) Given Tablelands Basalt Forest was listed as an EEC on 4 January 2008 what steps were taken to reconsider existing approvals of land that contain this forest?

(8) What steps have been taken in relation to the developer's failure to identify Tablelands Basalt Forest on this land?

4417


(9) What actions will be taken in the future to improve identification of EECs under the Private Native Forestry process?



*4753 ARTS, TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—EMPLOYEES AT SCREEN NSW—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

What is the current number of full-time equivalent employees for Screen NSW?

Answer— Eighteen (18) full-time equivalent employees as at 30 June 2013.

*4754 SPORT AND RECREATION—FUNDING FOR THE NSW INSTITUTE FOR SPORT—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

How much money has been allocated by way of a Government Grant to the NSW Institute of Sport as part of the 2013-2014 Budget?

Answer— The NSW Government has allocated $9.66 million to NSW Institute of Sport via the Office of Communities as part of the 2013⁄14 Budget. Another $1.07 million has also been allocated from the Sport and Recreation Fund that is administered by the Office of Communities- Sport and Recreation. The total grant is $10.73 million.

*4755 SPORT AND RECREATION—SPORT AND RECREATION EMPLOYEES—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

(1) What is the current number of full time equivalent employees at the division of Sport and Recreation?

(2) What was the net cost of these services for the 2012-2013 financial year?

Answer— (1) Based on the March year to date Workforce Profile data collection , the number of full time

equivalent employees in Sport and Recreation, including staff providing administrative support to the Combat Sports Authority during 2012-13 , was 358.8 (including casuals) .

(2) Net employee costs for 2012⁄2013 was $31 million.

*4756 SPORT AND RECREATION—SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND FUNDING—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

(1) How much did the Sydney Cricket Ground receive in the 2012-2013 financial year from the budget for the Sydney Cricket Ground stand redevelopment works?

(2) How much will the Sydney Cricket Ground receive in the 2013-2014 financial year from the budget for the Sydney Cricket Ground stand redevelopment works?

Answer—


(1) $100 million(2) $33.5 million

*4757 SPORT AND RECREATION—COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

(1) Is the Community Building Partnership program administered by the Department of Sport and Recreation in 2013-2014?

(2)(a) Was the Community Building Partnership program administered by the Department of Sport

and Recreation in 2012-2013?(b) If not, who administered the program in 2012-2013?

(3)(a) Is the $23 million for the Community Building Partnership program identified on pages 3-6

Budget Paper No. 3 also identified on pages 3-13 of the same paper?(b) If so, under which item?

Answer— (1) No.(2)

(a) No.(b) The Office of Communities administers the Community Building Partnership program for the

Department of Premier and Cabinet.

(3)(a) No(b) Not applicable

*4758 SPORT AND RECREATION—SPORT AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND GRANTS—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

(1)(a) Of the $108 million spending for a range of sport and recreation programs noted on pages 3-6 of

Budget Paper No.3 2013-2014, which includes providing grants to peak sporting bodies and managing Government-owned or controlled sporting and recreation facilities, what is the amount allocated by the Government?

(b) What is the amount received through the sale of goods and services?

Answer— (1) $67.3 million.(2) $34.5 million from sale of goods and services (budgeted figure only, actuals may differ). Other

revenue sources include $6.2 million from grants and interest on invested funds (budgeted figure only, actual may differ).

*4759 SPORT AND RECREATION—FUNDING FOR SPORTS PROGRAMMES—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

(1) How much has been allocated for the Participation and Facility Programme in the 2013-2014 Budget?

(2) How much has been allocated for the Safe Shooting Programme in the 2013-2014 Budget?(3) How much has been allocated for the Sport and Recreation Events Programme in the 2013-2014

Budget?

4419


Answer— (1) and (3) These allocations are provided from the Sport and Recreation Fund and are yet to be

finalised.(2) $600,000

*4760 SPORT AND RECREATION—PANTHERS ON THE PROWL SENIORS PROGRAM—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

(1) How much funding did the Panthers On The Prowl Community Development Foundation Active Senior Citizens Participation Program receive in the 2012-2013 financial year?

(2) What were the objectives of this program?(3) How many senior citizens attended this program?(4)

(a) When was the program held?(b) Where was the program held?

Answer— A $10,000 grant was offered to the Panthers on the Prowl Community Development Foundation under the Sport and Recreation Participation and Facility Program 2012⁄13. However the Foundation did not accept the grant due to a third party not being able to fulfil their obligations in relation to the program.

*4761 ARTS, TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—SLATE LOAN FUND—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

(1) How many loans were allocated in the 2012-2013 financial year under the Slate Loan Fund?(2) What is the total amount of loans issued?(3) How many of these projects have been completed?

Answer— (1) Four (4)(2) $320,000(3) NIL

*4762 ARTS, TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS IN THE ARTS—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

(1) Are there any requirements for performer representatives who deal with child performers to undertake a Working with Children Check?

(2) Are there any requirements for performer representatives who deal with child performers to have knowledge of the Children and Young Person (Care and Protection Child Employment) Regulation 2005?

(3) Are there any proposals to include these provisions within the draft Code of Conduct as proposed under the Review of the Entertainment Industry Act 1989?

Answer— (1) Under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (the Act), persons engaged in child-

related work are required to have Working with Children Check clearances. Compliance with the Act falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Family and Community Services. This question should be referred to the Minister for Family and Community Services.


(2) Employers that employ children are required to comply with the Children and Young Person (Care and Protection Child Employment) Regulation 2005 (the Regulation). Compliance with the Regulation falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Family and Community Services. This question should be referred to the Minister for Family and Community Services.

(3) Administration of the Entertainment Industry Act 1989 falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Industrial Relations. This question should be referred to the Minister for Industrial Relations.

*4763 ARTS, TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING FUND—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

(1)(a) How much was allocated under the 2011-2012 Budget for the Advanced Development and

Marketing Fund?(b) What is the total amount of grants that were approved?

(2)(a) How much was allocated under the 2012-2013 Budget for the Advanced Development and

Marketing Fund?(b) What is the total amount of grants that were approved?

(3) How much has been allocated in the 2013-2014 Budget for the Advanced Development and Marketing Fund?

Answer— (1)

(a) $306,024(b) This is available in the 2011-12 Screen NSW Annual Report.

(2)(a) $279,600(b) $198,985

(3) $338,800

*4764 ARTS, TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—EARLY STAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

(1)(a) How much was allocated under the 2011-2012 Budget for the Early Stage Development Fund?(b) What is the total amount of grants that were approved?

(2)(a) How much was allocated under the 2012-2013 Budget for the Early Stage Development Fund?(b) What is the total amount of grants that were approved?

(3) How much has been allocated in the 2013-2014 Budget for the Early Stage Development Fund?

Answer— (1)

(a) $459,035(b) This is available in the 2011-12 Screen NSW Annual Report.

(2)(a) $419,400

4421


(b) $500,015

(3) $508,200

*4765 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL CERTIFICATION—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) What plans does the Forestry Corporation have to seek certification from the Forest Stewardship Council for native forest logging under its control?

(2) What category of certification will be or is being sought?(3) What is the likely time frame for commencement and completion of any certification process?(4) Are any actual or proposed applications for certification to be undertaken on the basis of the entire

state or for particular regions?(5) If certification is on the basis of particular regions, which areas within regions are to be targeted for

certification?

Answer— (1) No current plans.(2) to (5) N⁄A

*4766 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIREARMS DISCHARGE—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1) What is the minimum size rurally zoned land must be before someone can legally discharge a firearm on such land?

(2) What is the minimum distance someone must be from an occupied residence before they can legally discharge a firearm?

(3) What is the minimum distance from a public road or publicly used facility such as a river, camping area or parkland someone must be before they can legally discharge a firearm?

(4) If there is no minimum distance, what controls are there to ensure bullets do not enter these areas from firearms discharged on rural land?

Answer— The NSW Police Force has advised me:The Firearms Act 1996 (the Act) and its associated regulations currently do not prescribe any minimum distances in relation to the discharge of firearms on any land, rural or otherwise. However, firearms licence holders are required to undertake Firearms Safety Training Courses upon applying for a licence. These courses cover various aspects of public safety including safe shooting practices, trespass, safe handling of a firearm and legislative requirements in relation to the possession, use and safe storage of firearms. Legislative provisions of the Act allow for suspension or revocation of licences or permits if safety breaches are detected.The Crimes Act 1900 has offences relating to the dangerous use of firearms, including shooting in or near a public place and firing at dwellings or other buildings.

*4767 PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—BLUE MOUNTAINS ZONING—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

(1) Is the Lower Blue Mountains, Faulconbridge to Lapstone, included in the Metropolitan Strategy?(2) What strategies are in place for the provision of extra public transport options in order to cope with

the expected population increase under higher zoning densities?(3) What steps are being taken to address pollution and noise concerns of residents living adjacent to

roads that are expected to carry far larger numbers of vehicles as a result of the inclusion of the Lower Blue Mountains in the Metropolitan Strategy?


Answer— I am advised that:(1) I refer you to the Metropolitan Strategy available on the Department of Planning and Infrastructure

website.(2) The draft Strategy does not propose 'higher zoning densities' for the Blue Mountains City Council.

Questions relating to public transport options should be addressed to the Minister for Transport.(3) The Blue Mountains City Council is not a new inclusion in the draft Metropolitan Strategy. It has

been part of metropolitan planning for Sydney since the Sydney Region Outline Plan in 1968.

*4768 TRADE AND INVESTMENT—CROWN LAND TRUST BOARDS—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services—

(1) What training is provided to Crown Land Trust Boards to ensure they are able to meet their obligations as managers of Public Reserves and Crown Land? Please provide a complete list.

(2) What was the cost of training provided to Crown Land Trust Boards during the following periods: (a) 2011⁄2012?(b) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— (1) All appointed reserve trust board members are required to undertake the Reserve Trust Induction

Program. The training program is delivered in an online format and provides an overview of the key roles and responsibilities of community trust board members in managing Crown reserves. Supporting the induction program is the Reserve Trust Handbook which provides comprehensive information and guidelines on the responsibilities, duties and expectations of reserve trust boards. In addition, each reserve trust is assigned a regional support office. Local Crown Land offices provide ongoing support and advice to assist trustees in discharging their responsibilities.

(2) Data in relation to the cost of Reserve Trust training is not collected.

*4769 ROADS AND PORTS—ROADS AND MARITIME SERVICES AND ROAD TRAFFIC AUTHORITY CONDITIONS OF FUNDING FOR RAPHAEL GRZEBIETA—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

1.(a) Did Roads and Maritime Services or the Roads and Traffic Authority at any stage stipulate that

any research, consulting or other funding for the University of New South Wales was contingent on the appointment of Raphael Grzebieta to any position?

(b) If so, (i) What was the funding quantum or quanta?(ii) What was the name or names of the project or projects?(iii) What was the position to which Dr Grzebieta was to be appointed?

Answer— I am advised:(1) No.(2) Not applicable.

*4770 ROADS AND PORTS—FUNDING FOR RAPHAEL GRZEBIETA—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) Regarding research grants, consulting contracts and other payments for research, advice or consulting to the University of New South Wales involving Raphael Grzebieta made since 2007 by Roads and Maritime Services or the Roads and Traffic Authority: (a) What was the title of the grant or project?

4423


(b) What was the date the grant or project contract was signed?(c) What was the total payment of the grant or project?(d) What was the amount of the payment that was for salary payments for Raphael Grzebieta?

Answer— I am advised:Under an agreement entered into under the former Labor Government, between June 2007 and June 2013, funding totalling $1,182,000 was provided for the position of Chair of Road Safety at the University of NSW.Although Professor Grzebieta has held the position over that period, funding was not contingent on the appointment of him or any other particular individual.Transport for NSW no longer funds the Chair of Road Safety position.Since 2007, the former Roads and Traffic Authority funded the following research projects conducted by the University of NSW that have specifically involved Professor Grzebieta:

• Title: Motorcycle crashes into roadside and median crash barriers Commenced: 2008 Amount: $100,000

• Title: Rollover crash research infrastructure capacity building Commenced: 2009 Amount: $50,000

• Title: Safety Management systems for heavy vehicle transport Commenced: 2010 Amount: $200,000 over five years

• Title: Dynamic rollover occupant protection Commenced: 2011 Amount: $150,000 over five years

*4771 HEALTH—QUEANBEYAN HOSPITAL CAR PARK—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

During construction of the new Queanbeyan hospital car park the contractors 'Reed' went into receivership:(1) Was the full amount quoted for the construction of the car park paid by the NSW Ministry of Health

to the lead contractor?(2) Was any portion of the payment withheld or not paid due to the lead contractor going into

liquidation?(3) Is the Minister for Health or the NSW Ministry of Health aware of subcontractors who claim that

they were not paid for the work they undertook in constructing the car park?(4) Did the NSW Ministry of Health play any role in looking into the claims made by subcontractors that

they were unpaid?(5)

(a) Did the lead contractor make any declarations relating to payment of subcontractors?(b) If so, what was the nature of the declarations?

Answer— (1) to (5) Health Infrastructure's records demonstrate that the subject contract was paid out in full to

Reed Constructions Australia. Any arising issues concerning payment of sub-contractors and suppliers should be taken up with the appointed official liquidators.


*4772 EDUCATION—ST GEORGE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL DROP OFF POINTS—Ms Voltz asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) Due to the requirement for St George Girls High School to lock the rear school gates at 9am on Saturdays, what alternative drop off points have been arranged for parents to drop students at the front of the school given the occupancy of angle parking?

(2) How many parents have complained to the Department of Education of having been booked by Kogarah Council due to the requirement by the school that students enter at this point after 9am?

(3) Has the school requested Kogarah Council to police the dropping off of students after 9am on Saturday?

Answer— (1) Parents drop off their children at the two points of entry and exit (Palmerston Street and Victoria

Street) in line with local road rules. Saturday School students enter the school site before classes commence by two access points: • through a gate on Palmerston Street then a grill to the school's courtyard which remains open until 8.45am; or • through the front foyer of the school on Victoria Street. Students who arrive after 8.45am need to enter through this entrance as they need to sign in as late students.

(2) None.(3) No.

*4773 FINANCE AND SERVICES—WORKERS COMPENSATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2012—Mr Primrose asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) Since the commencement of the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 how much has been paid into the Scheme by employers?

(2)(a) How much has been paid to injured workers as weekly benefits?(b) How does this compare with the twelve months prior the introduction of this legislation?

(3) How many workers have had their weekly benefits reduced either partially or fully?(4)

(a) Of the workers who have had their weekly benefits reduced either partially or fully, in how many cases has this been a direct consequence of capacity decisions?

(b) In how many as a result of the transitional arrangements?

(5) How much has been paid to rehabilitation providers?(6) How much has been paid to treating doctors?(7) How much has been paid to employer, their scheme agents, legal or medical representatives?(8) How much has been paid to insurers as a bonus?(9)

(a) How much has been paid to each insurer engaged as a scheme agent of the nominal insurer?(b) How does this compare with the twelve months prior the introduction of this legislation?

(10) How many improvement notices have been issued to employers by WorkCover Inspectors, for a contravention of Chapter three of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998?

(11) How many workers are in the workers compensation scheme compared to the 12 months prior the implementation of the legislation?

Answer— (1) Since 1 October 2012, approximately $1.3 billion has been paid into the Scheme by employers. On

1 May 2013, the Government announced an average premium rate reduction of 7.5 per cent from 30 June 2013, which will return more than $200 million back to New South Wales businesses.

4425


(2) From 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013, approximately $369 million was paid in weekly benefits. Between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012, approximately $827.9 million was paid in weekly benefits. It should be noted that total weekly benefits paid is affected by a range of factors including the number of reported claims, the claims experience, and the number of existing claims being finalised over the year.

(3) In the period 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013, there was a net reduction in the number of claims on weekly benefits of 5,330. The number of claims that have had weekly benefits reduced partially for reasons unrelated to, or independent of, work capacity decisions is not available.

(4)(a) One.(b) None.

(5) From 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013, approximately $51.5 million was paid in occupational rehabilitation benefits. This is an increase of 5.6 per cent from the same period 12 months earlier.

(6) From 1 October 2012 to March 2013, approximately $37.5 million was paid to General Practitioners. This is a decrease of 7.8 per cent from the same period 12 months earlier.

(7) From 1 October 2012 to March 2013, approximately $222.7 million was paid in total Scheme medical expenses. This is a decrease of 9.7 per cent from the same period 12 months earlier. From 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013, approximately $44.5 million was paid in total legal payments across the Scheme. This is a decrease of 10.2 per cent from the same period 12 months earlier. Refer response to (8) and (9) below in respect of Scheme agent payments.

(8) The performance-based fees component of the total final remuneration amounts paid to Scheme agents will be calculated post the end of 2013, based on the actual Scheme results for the period. A portion of the total remuneration available in this period relates to incentive-based performance fees payable out of Scheme savings delivered.

(9)(a) This information is considered commercial-in-confidence under the individual Scheme agent

contracts. Refer to responses to (8) above and (9b) below for details of total fees available and paid to all seven Scheme agents.

(b) See answer to question (8).

(10) Since 1 October 2012, three have been issued.(11) From 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013 there were a total of 32,936 new claims made in the

Scheme, and there were 68,043 open claims as at 31 March 2013. Between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012, there were a total of 80,433 new claims made in the Scheme, and there were 71,589 open claims as at 30 September 2012.

*4774 LOCAL GOVERNMENT—INDEPENDENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PANEL ACTIVITIES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Local Government, and Minister for the North Coast—

(1)(a) What is the budget allocation and actual funding for the Local Government Review Panel's

activities for the following periods: (i) 2011-2012?(ii) 2012-2013?

(b) What is the funding budgeted for the Local Government Review Panel's activities in 2013-2014?

Answer— I am advised:Information relating to the Local Government portfolio budget allocations is available in the Budget


Papers.

*4775 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, WOMEN—UNAUTHORISED OCCUPANTS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) In regards to the findings from the amnesty on "unauthorised occupants" of public housing properties announced by the Minister for Family and Community Services in February 2013, how many of those identified as being "unauthorised occupants" were: (a) Carers of the head tenant? (b) Adult children of the head tenant? (c) Student children of the head tenant?

(2) What funds have been recovered? (3)

(a) Have these funds been reinvested into the public housing system? (b) If so;

(i) How much? (ii) How? (iii) Where?

Answer— (1) Public housing tenants declaring additional occupants, and third parties submitting allegations about

other public housing tenants, were not required to identify a relationship status to the tenant.(2) and (3) These questions should be referred to the Minister for Finance and Services.

*4776 FINANCE AND SERVICES—UNAUTHORISED OCCUPANTS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) In regards to the findings from the amnesty on "unauthorised occupants" of public housing properties announced by the Minister for Family and Community Services in February 2013, how many of those identified as being "unauthorised occupants" were: (a) Carers of the head tenant? (b) Adult children of the head tenant? (c) Student children of the head tenant?

(2) What funds have been recovered? (3)

(a) Have these funds been reinvested into the public housing system? (b) If so;

(i) How much? (ii) How? (iii) Where?

Answer— This Question does not pertain to Finance and Services and should be directed to the Minister for Family and Community Services (Housing NSW).

*4777 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, WOMEN—WATER CHARGES FOR HOUSING NSW TENANTS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) How many NSW Housing properties have individual water meters?(2) Are those water meters read prior to each water bill being processed?(3)

(a) Are water bills for individual meters sent direct to the residents by the relevant water authority?

4427



(4) Are there any discounts offered to tenants?(5) What is the process used to assess water charges for each residence?(6) Which agency is responsible for assessing water charges?(7) How often are water meters read?(8) Which Government agency or State Owned Corporation reads the water meters for NSW Housing

properties?

Answer— Public housing properties have either a separate water meter or a shared water meter.Water meters are read by the relevant local water authority prior to each water bill being processed and the account being sent to the registered property owner.The Water Usage Charges Policy is available on the Housing NSW website.

*4778 FINANCE AND SERVICES—WATER CHARGES FOR HOUSING NSW TENANTS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How many NSW Housing properties have individual water meters?(2) Are those water meters read prior to each water bill being processed?(3)

(a) Are water bills for individual meters sent direct to the residents by the relevant water authority?(b) If not, why not?

(4) Are there any discounts offered to tenants?(5) What is the process used to assess water charges for each residence?(6) Which agency is responsible for assessing water charges?(7) How often are water meters read?(8) Which Government agency or State Owned Corporation reads the water meters for NSW Housing

properties?

Answer— (1) 47 per cent(2) to (8) The questions are not applicable to the Department of Finance and Services. For properties in

Sydney Water and Hunter Water's area of operations, it depends on which jurisdiction each property falls within.

*4779 FINANCE AND SERVICES—HOUSING NSW PROPERTY VACANCIES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What are the locations and numbers of Housing NSW properties vacant during the months of: (a) July 2012?(b) August 2012?(c) September 2012?(d) October 2012?(e) November 2012?(f) December 2012?(g) January 2013?(h) February 2013?(i) March 2013?(j) April 2013?(k) May 2013?

(2) What is the longest period a NSW Housing property has remained vacant?


(3) What is the process used to match applicants with vacant properties?

Answer— This Question does not pertain to Finance and Services and should be directed to the Minister for Family and Community Services (Housing NSW).

*4780 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, WOMEN—HOUSING NSW PROPERTY VACANCIES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) What are the locations and numbers of Housing NSW properties vacant during the months of: (a) July 2012?(b) August 2012?(c) September 2012?(d) October 2012?(e) November 2012?(f) December 2012?(g) January 2013?(h) February 2013?(i) March 2013?(j) April 2013?(k) May 2013?

(2) What is the longest period a NSW Housing property has remained vacant?(3) What is the process used to match applicants with vacant properties?

Answer— (1) and (2) These questions should be referred to the Minister for Finance and Services. (3) Relevant allocation policies are available on the Housing NSW website.

*4781 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—BARWON DARLING SYSTEM—Mr Whan asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) Can the Minister for Primary Industries confirm that as a result of the water sharing plan introduced in October 2012 licence holders on the Barwon Darling system who do not have off river storage now effectively have stranded assets?

(2) How many licence holders are in this situation of not being able to effectively utilise their water licence?

(3) How many licence holders had been utilising their licences in the three years leading up to the introduction of the water sharing plan and how many had been unused?

(4) What is the quantity of water entitlement impacted by this situation?(5) Is the Minister considering or willing to consider an approach to the Commonwealth Water holder to

initiate a strategy of purchasing these licences from licence holders who do not have off river storages along the unregulated Barwon Darling River System?

Answer— (1) No. This is not the case.(2) Nil – refer to answer to Question (1) above.(3) In the three years leading up to the Water Sharing Plan approximately one quarter of licence holders

either used or traded water out of their accounts.(4) Not applicable – refer to answers to Questions (1)-(3) above.(5) Not applicable – refer to answers to Questions (1)-(3) above.

26 JUNE 2013

4429


(Paper No. 154)

*4782 EDUCATION—YASS HIGH SCHOOL—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

When will Yass High School be included on the Regional Priority List?

Answer— On 18 July 2013, the Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson and I announced additional new facilities will be included as part of the rebuilding of Yass High School following a fire in 2012.The new facilities include:

• Ground Floor: standard kitchen, commercial kitchen to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Standards, woodwork and metalwork to VET Standards, computer room and multi-purpose space for general learning;

• First Floor: five general learning spaces, staff study and a lift.• Landscaping around the building.

These new facilities will be delivered within the existing budget.

*4783 EDUCATION—DUVAL HIGH SCHOOL—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) When will the Duval High School be connected to the National Broadband Network?(2) Who will pay all relevant costs for Duval High School to be connected to the National Broadband

Network?(3) If Duval High School is not to be connected, why not?

Answer— The Department of Education and Communities has worked closely with staff of the National Broadband Network to assess the program's offerings, seeking to identify any potential benefits for NSW public schools.At this stage, the Department is not recommending that schools connect to NBN, as all NSW public schools currently have access to a centrally provided, secure and filtered internet connection. NBN services can't be integrated with the Department's existing network, so connections through NBN would be unfiltered and unauthenticated, posing child safety risks.The Department can see no demonstrable advantage in schools taking up NBN connections as they can only provide basic internet access, without the advanced network services delivered under the Department's current contract. Without these advanced services, technologies such as video conferencing and the delivery of rich digital teaching and learning objects will not be reliable.The Department operates one of the largest networks in the world, supporting more than 500,000 computers and 4000 video conference endpoints across 2660 sites, the majority connected via scalable, symmetric fibre.Schools have the option to take up NBN services at their own expense, and the Department is working with Duval High School to assess this option.

*4784 FINANCE AND SERVICES—REGIONAL RELOCATION GRANT—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

Since the commencement of the Regional Relocation Grant:(1) How many people have received assistance under the Regional Relocation Grant?(2) How many people applied for assistance under the scheme but were declined?(3)

(a) What are the post codes from which eligible recipients moved from? Please provide in table form.

(b) What are the total number of regional relocation grant recipients in each postcode? Please provide in table form.


(c) What are the post codes where eligible recipients moved? Please provide in table form.(d) What are the total number of regional relocation grant recipients in each postcode? Please

provide in table form.

Answer— Between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2013:(1) 2,303 regional relocation grants have been provided.(2) 217 applications were declined.(3)(a) and (b) The table below lists the postcodes to which eligible recipients have moved from and the total number of recipients in each postcode:

Postcode 2000, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 2029, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2079, 2080, 2081, 2082, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2089, 2090, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2096, 2097, 2099, 2100, 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2106, 2107, 2111, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115, 2116, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120, 2121, 2122, 2125, 2126, 2127, 2130, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2138, 2140, 2141, 2142, 2143, 2144, 2145, 2146, 2147, 2148, 2150, 2151, 2152, 2153, 2154, 2155, 2156, 2158, 2159, 2160, 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2165, 2166, 2167, 2168, 2170, 2171, 2173, 2176, 2177, 2179, 2190, 2191, 2192, 2193, 2195, 2196, 2197, 2198, 2199, 2200, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206, 2207, 2208, 2209, 2210, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2216, 2217, 2218, 2219, 2220, 2221, 2222, 2223, 2224, 2225, 2226, 2227, 2228, 2229, 2230, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2250, 2251, 2256, 2257, 2258, 2259, 2260, 2261, 2262, 2263, 2287, 2289, 2291, 2292, 2293, 2294, 2295, 2296, 2297, 2298, 2299, 2300, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2307, 2322, 2330, 2428, 2500, 2502, 2505, 2506, 2508, 2515, 2516, 2517, 2518, 2519, 2525, 2526, 2528, 2530, 2556, 2557, 2558, 2560, 2564, 2565, 2566, 2567, 2570, 2571, 2572, 2573, 2574, 2745, 2747, 2749, 2750, 2751, 2752, 2753, 2754, 2756, 2757, 2758, 2759, 2760, 2761, 2762, 2763, 2764, 2765, 2766, 2767, 2768, 2769, 2770, 2773, 2774, 2775, 2776, 2777, 2778, 2779, 2780, 2782, 2783, 2784, 2785, 2786, 2787.

No. of Grants 2, 3, 2, 4, 6, 8, 2, 1, 3, 7, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2, 2, 4, 7, 2, 1, 8, 2, 4, 2, 5, 1, 10, 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 8, 6, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 6, 4, 2, 5, 5, 3, 10, 6, 5, 1, 2, 2, 7, 2, 3, 1, 5, 12, 9, 11, 4, 8, 1, 5, 5, 5, 10, 8, 5, 5, 1, 7, 8, 3, 11, 11, 11, 6, 10, 2, 3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 1, 2, 5, 3, 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 23, 10, 30, 32, 3, 10, 5, 31, 19, 21, 4, 2, 2, 7, 10, 5, 1, 10, 5, 7, 1, 11, 28, 11, 13, 11, 3, 1, 7, 2, 4, 8, 4, 7, 1, 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 2, 7, 4, 4, 3, 10, 11, 9, 12, 5, 3, 3, 6, 5, 3, 2, 5, 8, 4, 5, 6, 8, 7, 15, 11, 2, 23, 44, 28, 29, 17, 10, 14, 4, 47, 11, 26, 22, 20, 75, 33, 18, 5, 4, 3, 10, 4, 2, 16, 18, 14, 11, 42, 6, 6, 6, 2, 1, 18, 10, 5, 4, 13, 8, 4, 16, 13, 11, 6, 23, 7, 63, 1, 1, 6, 42, 6, 8, 15, 27, 17, 13, 8, 6, 15, 25, 18, 16, 31, 1, 4, 15, 9, 27, 1, 10, 21, 22, 9, 4, 16, 3, 3, 3, 6, 8, 2, 21, 1, 15, 3, 9, 30, 4, 3, 18, 7, 3, 3, 10, 3, 3.

(c) and (d) The table below lists the postcode to which eligible recipients have moved to and the total number of recipients in each postcode:

4431


Postcode 2250, 2259, 2264, 2265, 2267, 2278, 2280, 2281, 2282, 2283, 2284, 2285, 2286, 2287, 2289, 2290, 2295, 2305, 2312, 2315, 2316, 2317, 2318, 2319, 2320, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2324, 2325, 2326, 2327, 2328, 2330, 2333, 2334, 2335, 2337, 2338, 2339, 2340, 2343, 2346, 2350, 2352, 2355, 2357, 2358, 2360, 2361, 2365, 2369, 2370, 2371, 2372, 2380, 2390, 2395, 2420, 2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, 2425, 2426, 2427, 2428, 2429, 2430, 2431, 2439, 2440, 2441, 2443, 2444, 2445, 2446, 2447, 2448, 2449, 2450, 2452, 2453, 2454, 2455, 2456, 2460, 2462, 2463, 2464, 2469, 2470, 2473, 2474, 2477, 2478, 2479, 2480, 2481, 2482, 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490, 2527, 2528, 2529, 2533, 2534, 2535, 2536, 2537, 2538, 2539, 2540, 2541, 2545, 2546, 2548, 2550, 2551, 2571, 2575, 2576, 2577, 2578, 2579, 2580, 2582, 2583, 2586, 2587, 2588, 2590, 2594, 2619, 2620, 2621, 2622, 2627, 2628, 2630, 2640, 2641, 2642, 2644, 2646, 2647, 2650, 2652, 2653, 2655, 2663, 2665, 2666, 2668, 2669, 2671, 2680, 2701, 2705, 2707, 2710, 2712, 2720, 2721, 2722, 2725, 2729, 2732, 2787, 2790, 2793, 2794, 2795, 2798, 2799, 2800, 2803, 2804, 2807, 2808, 2809, 2810, 2820, 2824, 2827, 2830, 2831, 2832, 2840, 2845, 2847, 2848, 2849, 2850, 2852, 2864, 2865, 2866, 2869, 2870, 2871, 2874, 2875, 2877, 2880.

No. of Grants 3, 6, 21, 12, 4, 2, 35, 21, 34, 20, 3, 34, 10, 2, 6, 40, 10, 6, 2, 37, 5, 11, 34, 13, 27, 21, 17, 19, 45, 23, 2, 3, 1, 7, 2, 2, 4, 7, 1, 1, 35, 1, 2, 5, 2, 1, 1, 5, 4, 1, 3, 1, 6, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 6, 3, 8, 4, 2, 1, 2, 23, 72, 23, 57, 25, 3, 13, 5, 40, 110, 21, 14, 6, 17, 3, 36, 18, 1, 5, 1, 13, 9, 2, 4, 5, 1, 2, 2, 3, 6, 11, 2, 21, 1, 1, 3, 5, 4, 16, 3, 3, 9, 1, 49, 28, 71, 24, 13, 20, 10, 12, 5, 52, 107, 17, 2, 6, 8, 12, 1, 2, 46, 37, 29, 21, 7, 29, 3, 6, 1, 6, 1, 9, 16, 1, 3, 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 7, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 17, 1, 2, 1, 3, 2, 5, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 10, 29, 1, 21, 62, 5, 4, 35, 1, 9, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1, 24, 4, 1, 1, 3, 7, 1, 4, 30, 6, 1, 1, 2, 2, 7, 7, 1, 1, 1, 1.

*4785 FINANCE AND SERVICES—REGIONAL RELOCATION GRANT—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How many people have received assistance under the Regional Relocation Grant in the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013?

(2) How many people applied for assistance under the scheme but were declined in the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013?

(3)(a) What are the post codes from which eligible recipients moved for the period 1 July 2012 to 30

June 2013? Please provide in table form.(b) Of those what is the total number of regional relocation grant scheme recipients in each

postcode? Please provide in table form.

(4)(a) What are the post codes to which eligible recipients moved for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June

2013? Please provide in table form.(b) Of those what is the total number of regional relocation grant scheme recipients in each

postcode? Please provide in table form.

Answer— Between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013:(1) 1,381 regional relocation grants were provided.(2) 124 applications were declined.(3) The table below lists the postcodes to which eligible recipients have moved from and the total

number of recipients in each postcode:


Postcode 2000, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026, 2028, 2029, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2062, 2063, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2079, 2080, 2081, 2082, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2089, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2097, 2099, 2100, 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2106, 2107, 2111, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115, 2116, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120, 2121, 2122, 2125, 2126, 2127, 2130, 2131, 2132, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2140, 2141, 2142, 2144, 2145, 2146, 2147, 2148, 2150, 2151, 2152, 2153, 2154, 2155, 2156, 2158, 2159, 2160, 2161, 2162, 2164, 2165, 2166, 2167, 2168, 2170, 2171, 2173, 2176, 2177, 2179, 2190, 2191, 2192, 2193, 2195, 2196, 2198, 2199, 2200, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206, 2207, 2208, 2209, 2210, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2216, 2217, 2218, 2219, 2220, 2222, 2223, 2224, 2225, 2226, 2227, 2228, 2229, 2230, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2250, 2251, 2256, 2257, 2258, 2259, 2260, 2261, 2262, 2263, 2287, 2289, 2291, 2292, 2293, 2294, 2295, 2296, 2297, 2298, 2299, 2300, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2307, 2322, 2330, 2428, 2500, 2502, 2505, 2506, 2508, 2515, 2516, 2517, 2518, 2519, 2525, 2526, 2528, 2530, 2557, 2558, 2560, 2564, 2565, 2566, 2567, 2570, 2571, 2572, 2573, 2574, 2745, 2747, 2749, 2750, 2751, 2752, 2753, 2754, 2756, 2758, 2759, 2760, 2761, 2762, 2763, 2764, 2765, 2766, 2767, 2768, 2769, 2770, 2773, 2774, 2775, 2776, 2777, 2778, 2779, 2780, 2782, 2783, 2784, 2785, 2786, 2787.

Number of Grants 2, 1, 1, 2, 5, 4, 2, 1, 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 5, 2, 1, 5, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1, 4, 4, 9, 4, 3, 1, 4, 3, 2, 5, 3, 3, 1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 2, 10, 4, 7, 3, 4, 1, 2, 4, 5, 5, 3, 2, 2, 1, 3, 7, 2, 5, 5, 7, 4, 8, 1, 1, 3, 3, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3, 2, 7, 5, 14, 21, 3, 3, 2, 16, 11, 10, 2, 1, 1, 3, 6, 4, 7, 3, 2, 1, 7, 20, 5, 9, 6, 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 5, 3, 2, 4, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1, 5, 1, 3, 2, 6, 7, 6, 8, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1, 3, 5, 2, 2, 5, 4, 4, 5, 7, 1, 13, 23, 22, 18, 11, 6, 11, 1, 29, 7, 11, 10, 15, 51, 15, 12, 3, 3, 2, 7, 2, 1, 9, 11, 8, 8, 25, 4, 3, 4, 1, 1, 13, 7, 4, 3, 6, 4, 2, 9, 10, 7, 4, 14, 6, 37, 1, 5, 28, 6, 6, 10, 16, 13, 7, 4, 4, 10, 15, 8, 8, 14, 1, 4, 14, 7, 19, 7, 9, 11, 4, 3, 12, 2, 1, 3, 2, 6, 1, 11, 1, 11, 2, 6, 21, 2, 3, 13, 5, 1, 2, 6, 1, 3.

(4) The table below lists the postcode to which eligible recipients have moved to and the total number of recipients in each postcode:

Postcode 2250, 2259, 2264, 2265, 2267, 2278, 2280, 2281, 2282, 2283, 2284, 2285, 2286, 2289, 2290, 2295, 2305, 2312, 2315, 2317, 2318, 2319, 2320, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2324, 2325, 2327, 2328, 2330, 2333, 2334, 2335, 2337, 2339, 2340, 2343, 2346, 2350, 2352, 2357, 2358, 2360, 2369, 2370, 2371, 2372, 2390, 2395, 2420, 2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, 2425, 2426, 2427, 2428, 2429, 2430, 2431, 2439, 2440, 2441, 2443, 2444, 2445, 2446, 2447, 2448, 2449, 2450, 2452, 2453, 2454, 2455, 2456, 2460, 2463, 2464, 2470, 2473, 2474, 2477, 2478, 2480, 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490, 2527, 2528, 2529, 2533, 2534, 2535, 2536, 2537, 2538, 2539, 2540, 2541, 2545, 2546, 2548, 2550, 2551, 2571, 2575, 2576, 2577, 2578, 2579, 2580, 2582, 2583, 2587, 2590, 2594, 2619, 2620, 2621, 2627, 2628, 2630, 2640, 2641, 2642, 2644, 2650, 2653, 2655, 2663, 2665, 2666, 2668, 2669, 2671, 2680, 2701, 2710, 2712, 2721, 2722, 2725, 2729, 2732, 2787, 2790, 2794, 2795, 2798, 2799, 2800, 2803, 2804, 2807, 2809, 2820, 2824, 2830, 2831, 2832, 2840, 2845, 2847, 2849, 2850, 2852, 2864, 2865, 2866, 2869, 2870, 2871, 2877.

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Number of grants 3, 4, 13, 5, 3, 1, 22, 8, 21, 12, 1, 24, 10, 3, 16, 7, 3, 1, 22, 5, 21, 6, 15, 18, 9, 11, 24, 15, 2, 1, 5, 1, 1, 1, 6, 1, 24, 1, 1, 4, 1, 1, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 1, 14, 46, 13, 33, 16, 2, 6, 3, 25, 62, 11, 9, 2, 13, 1, 19, 9, 1, 4, 1, 9, 4, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 1, 2, 4, 6, 1, 2, 9, 1, 29, 15, 45, 16, 10, 14, 7, 10, 1, 30, 68, 7, 2, 4, 5, 7, 1, 1, 34, 19, 16, 16, 6, 17, 2, 5, 4, 4, 8, 1, 3, 1, 3, 3, 3, 6, 1, 1, 1, 10, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 7, 22, 10, 37, 2, 3, 25, 1, 5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 15, 3, 1, 1, 1, 5, 4, 18, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 1.

*4786 TREASURER—COBBORA HOLDING COMPANY PRODUCTION OF ANNUAL REPORTS—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations—

(1) Has the Treasurer received an annual report from Cobbora Holding Company, as a public trading enterprise, for the years encompassing: (a) 2011?(b) 2012?

(2) If so, as the Government shareholder in Cobbora Holding Company, can the Treasurer advise why these annual reports have not been made publicly available?

Answer— (1) There is no statutory requirement for Cobbora Holding Company to produce an Annual Report.(2) Not applicable.

*4787 TREASURER—ACQUISITION OF LAND BY COBBORA HOLDING COMPANY—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations—

(1) Given that there was no additional allocation of funding to the Cobbora Coal Mine project in the 2013-2014 budget, can the Treasurer advise, as the shareholding Government representative, whether the Cobbora Holding Company will cease all land acquisition activities in the area?

(2) Can the Treasurer confirm whether the Cobbora Holding Company is continuing to acquire land in the Laheys Creek⁄Tucklan area?

Answer— As announced on 1 July 2013, the State has terminated its obligation to develop and operate the Cobbora Coal Mine. Cobbora Holding Company will continue to take all necessary steps to prepare the Cobbora Coal Mine for lease or sale to maximise value for taxpayers, including acquiring any land that is required.

*4788 ENVIRONMENT—MURRAY DARLING RIVER SYSTEM HEALTH—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage—

(1) What is the current state of health of the Murray Darling River system?(2) What water conservation measures has the Government implemented since forming Government in

2011 and are they adequate to supply both farmers and river systems in time for our next drought?(3) How confident is Government about preventing another outbreak of green and blue algae blooms in

the river?

Answer— I am advised as follows: Information on the health of the NSW stretches of the Murray Darling River system are summarised in the NSW State of the Environment Report, which is available on the NSW Environment Protection Authority website at www.epa.nsw.gov.au⁄soe⁄soe2012⁄chapter4⁄.


Information on the health of the Murray Darling Basin system more broadly is available on the Murray Darling Basin Authority website at www.mdba.gov.au⁄what-we-do⁄mon-eval-reporting⁄sustainable-rivers-audit.The Minister for the Environment is responsible for the management of environmental water licences held by the NSW Government, and environmental water allocations made under Water Sharing Plans. Environmental watering activities and outcomes across NSW are summarised in an annual report issued by Office of Environment and Heritage.The Minister for Primary Industries is the lead minister in NSW for the regulation of water management more broadly. Questions relating to water management in the NSW stretches of the Murray Darling River system should be directed to my colleague, the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP.

*4789 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—COAL TRAIN MOVEMENTS THROUGH THE BLUE MOUNTAINS—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

(1) Who operates coal haulage from the Western coal fields to the east coast via the Blue Mountains?(2) How many coal trains per day on average pass through the Blue Mountains?(3) How many coal wagons per day on average pass through the Blue Mountains?(4) How many tonnes of coal per year are transported through the Blue Mountains?

Answer— NSW Trade & Investment does not keep this information.

*4790 TRANSPORT—COAL TRAIN MOVEMENTS THROUGH THE BLUE MOUNTAINS—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) Who operates coal haulage from the Western coal fields to the east coast via the Blue Mountains?(2) How many coal trains per day on average pass through the Blue Mountains?(3) How many coal wagons per day on average pass through the Blue Mountains?(4) How many tonnes of coal per year are transported through the Blue Mountains?

Answer— I refer to the answer to Question on Notice LC 4789.

*4791 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—PERMITS ISSUED UNDER MINING ACT—Mr Buckingham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

(1) In the last five years who were permits issued to under sections 249, 250 and 252 of the Mining Act 1992?

(2) What was the purpose of the permits?(3) What was the terms of the permits?(4) Were there any contraventions of conditions of the permits?

Answer— Under Section 249 of the Mining Act 1992, two permits were issued to Hillgrove Resources Limited to enable the permit holder to carry out rehabilitation work in accordance with a direction under Section 240 of the Mining Act 1992.Under Section 252, one permit was granted to Austar Coal Mine Pty Limited to undertake an assessment of the environmental impacts of activities to be carried out under Consolidated Mining Lease No. 2 and Exploration Licence 6598.As the aforementioned permits demonstrate, permits are not intended to circumvent access arrangements between a titleholder and landholder nor do they allow for exploration, production or mining.

4435


*4792 EDUCATION—YASS HIGH SCHOOL STRATEGIC MASTER PLAN—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

Why is the Strategic Master Plan for Yass High School that was devised by architects not being pursued?

Answer— On 18 July 2013, the Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson and I announced additional new facilities will be included as part of the rebuilding of Yass High School following a fire in 2012.The new facilities include:

• Ground Floor: standard kitchen, commercial kitchen to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Standards, woodwork and metalwork to VET Standards, computer room and multi-purpose space for general learning;

• First Floor: five general learning spaces, staff study and a lift.• Landscaping around the building.

These new facilities will be delivered within the existing budget.

*4793 HEALTH, MEDICAL RESEARCH—BOWEL CANCER IN NEW SOUTH WALES—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) Does the NSW Ministry of Health differentiate between colon, colorectal and bowel cancer in terms of: (a) Obtaining data?(b) Formulating public health policy in New South Wales?

(2) How is the Government responding to the Cancer Institutes' 2007 report 'Bowel Cancer in New South Wales' which stated that "high meat consumption in particular, red meat may substantially increase the risk of developing bowel cancer"?

(3)(a) Is the Government undertaking a review into the link between excessive meat consumption and

bowel cancer?(b) If not, why not?

(4) Did any of the $9.6 million that the Cancer Institute of NSW identified was spent on research into colorectal cancer between 2007 and 2009 focused on the effects of excessive meat consumption on incidences of the disease?

(5)(a) Is the NSW Ministry of Health undertaking any investigations into why Australia has higher

bowel cancer incidence rates than most developed countries including the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom?


Answer— (1) The NSW Ministry of Health differentiates between "colon", "rectum" and "bowel" cancers. Data

is collected and reported by these categories through the Cancer Institute NSW. The Cancer in New South Wales Cancer Incidence and Mortality Report 2008 reports by these groupings.The Clinical Excellence Commission released the fourth edition of The Chartbook on Safety and Quality in Healthcare in NSW 2010 on 9 July 2012. The Chartbook 2010 presents data for a number of cancer surgical procedures, including both cancers of the colon and rectum.

(2) Attribution of cause and effect is very different to observing an association. Major international efforts continue to study diet and health outcomes, one of which is cancer. These are huge studies that run over decades. The NSW Government continues to monitor the emerging outcomes of these studies. NSW Health supports the advice contained in the NHMRC Australian Acting Guidelines (2013) as reflecting best available scientific evidence to provide information on the types, and amount of food, food groups and dietary patterns that:

• promote health and wellbeing;• reduce the risk of diet related conditions, and


• reduce the risk of chronic disease.(3) The State Government continues to monitor international efforts to better understand the factors

which may cause, increase the likelihood or protect from cancers. Studies such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition are large cohort ecological studies of diet and health with over half a million people having been recruited across Europe to participate in the study for the last twenty years.

(4) The NSW Ministry of Health, through the Cancer Institute NSW, continues to work towards reducing the impact of cancer on people in NSW. The Ministry of Health, through the Cancer Institute NSW, has invested more than $170 million in cancer research since 2004. This investment continues to attract and promote cutting-edge research and to continue to support work that is advancing cancer control in NSW. The Cancer Institute NSW invests in infrastructure and investigator-initiated research focusing on cancer genesis, cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment and improving the delivery of cancer care. These studies did not focus on the consumption of red meat.

(5) Epidemiological (ecological studies) are difficult studies to conduct especially when focussing on diet and lifestyle. The NSW Government, through the Cancer Institute NSW, is a foundation member of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, a global partnership underway to investigate why cancer survival rates vary between countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK. NSW delivers great cancer outcomes when compared to our peers around the world. The report released by the International Cancer Benchmarking Project highlighted that Australia (using data from NSW and Victoria) achieves the best survival rates for colo-rectal cancers and NSW has the best five-year survival rate for bowel cancer of 66.4 per cent in the Partnership.

*4794 EDUCATION—NEW SCHOOLS—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1)(a) Will one or more of the 29 new schools in the Infrastructure NSW 2012 State Infrastructure

Strategy for the next 10 years be located in the inner Sydney area?(b) If so, where will these schools be located?

(2)(a) How will the Department of Education and Communities address the imminent enrolment

constraints on inner Sydney high schools given that all current high schools near the inner city are already full or will be so by 2016?

(b) What consultation has been done with the Department of Planning on this matter?(c) What consultation has been done with the City of Sydney on this matter?(d) What are the details of these consultations?

(3) What has the Department of Education and Communities done to plan for the public education needs for the suburb of Green Square which has had an increase of 11,000 new residents since 2000 and is expected to attract 40,000 new residents by 2030?

Answer— (1)

(a) Yes.(b) Further consultation, planning and site investigations are required to identify a suitable site.

(2)(a) The Department of Education and Communities' current projections indicate that the high

schools servicing the inner Sydney area have sufficient teaching spaces to meet demand to 2017. The Department will continue to monitor and plan to meet projected high school enrolment demand in inner Sydney high schools.

(b) The Department continues to work with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure on a range of urban planning matters, including education needs in Sydney.

(c) The Department continues to work with the City of Sydney Council regarding education needs in the inner Sydney area.

4437


(d) The focus of consultation includes the impact of planning strategies, such as the draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney to 2031, Local Environment Plans and residential developments on the need for and provision of public education in the Sydney area.

(3) Based on current demographic projection data, there is sufficient capacity at surrounding primary and secondary schools to service enrolment demand in the Green Square precinct to 2017. The Department continues to work with the City of Sydney Council to review the impact of long term population growth on public schools and high schools in the Green Square precinct and to identify potential strategies to meet longer term demands.

*4795 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES—PUBLIC HOUSING VACANT BEDROOMS—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

Regarding the Minister's announcement on 26 June 2013 of a policy initiative to fill vacant bedrooms in public housing:(1) Within each Allocation Zone, how many social housing dwellings are estimated to have vacant

bedrooms?(2) Within each Allocation Zone, what is the estimated total number of vacant bedrooms?(3) What definitions or criteria have the Government adopted to define whether a dwelling has one or

more vacant bedrooms?(4)

(a) Will tenants be able to apply for an exemption from the policy?(b) If so, what will be the criteria for exemption?

(5) Will the application of the policy take into account length of tenure and tenants' connection to their home and community?

(6) Does the policy take into account the potential impacts on a tenant's wellbeing of being displaced from a social and physical environment and a community that they may have lived in for many years?

Answer— (1) and (2) There are over 17,000 large public housing homes in NSW with three or more bedrooms

which are only occupied by singles or couples. This means there are over 35,000 vacant bedrooms that could be used to house needy families on the waiting list. (3) Existing policies which outline how many bedrooms are able to be allocated to a household will be used to determine if a property has vacant bedrooms. (4) There are no exemptions. (5) and (6) Tenants will generally be offered a property in the area where they currently live, unless they can demonstrate a need to live in a different location.

*4796 ENVIRONMENT—NORTH COAST ACCOMMODATION TRUST—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage—

(1)(a) How is the North Coast Accommodation Trust (NCAT) auspiced?(b) Under what Act or Regulation is the trust established?

(2) Is the NCAT deemed a Government entity?(3)

(a) What are the objectives and operational priorities of the NCAT?(b) Where are they defined?

(4) What regulation and oversight applies to NCAT?(5) Does the NCAT operate under the Trust Handbook that applies to other Trusts in New South Wales?


(6) Does the NCAT produce an annual report or audit?(7) Are documents relating to its accountability publicly available?(8) How many parks are under the authority of the NCAT? Please provide a list.(9) What parks now under NCAT authority were previously managed by local government?(10) What are the dates when management changed for each of these parks? Please provide a list.(11)

(a) What is the annual income of the NCAT?(b) What is the breakdown for each of NCAT's parks?

(12) Can the Minister for the Environment clarify the relationship between the NCAT and North Coast Holiday Parks?

(13) Can the Minister clarify the North Coast Holiday Parks (NCHP) claim on its website that "revenue generated by the parks is invested back into the parks and the surrounding Reserves for the benefit of both visitors and the local community" and identify what expenditure has been undertaken by the NCHPs or NCAT for the benefit of the local community?

Answer—

These questions should be referred to the Deputy Premier, the Hon Andrew Stoner MP.

*4797 FINANCE AND SERVICES—DOMESTIC TRAVEL EXPENDITURE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What was the expenditure on domestic travel in the Finance and Services cluster, including total and broken down by departments and service groups for the following financial years: (a) 2011⁄2012?(b) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— All official travel within Australia and overseas is in accordance with M2009-04 "Official Travel within Australia and Overseas" available at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au.

*4798 FINANCE AND SERVICES—INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPENDITURE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What was the expenditure on international travel in the Finance and Services cluster, including total and broken down by departments and service groups for the following financial years: (a) 2011⁄2012?(b) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— Details of overseas travel are published in agency annual reports.

*4799 FINANCE AND SERVICES—TRAVEL EXPENDITURE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What was the expenditure on cab charges, taxi fares and other related expenditure in the Finance and Services cluster, including total and broken down by departments and service groups for the following financial years: (a) 2011⁄2012?(b) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— Taxi usage is undertaken within departmental guidelines and as outlined in c2009-02.

4439


*4800 FINANCE AND SERVICES—CREDIT CARDS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How many credit cards are currently issued to staff in the Finance and Services cluster, including total and broken down by departments and service groups?

(2) What is the total amount of expenses accrued on credit cards during the following financial years: (a) 2011⁄2012?(b) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— In relation to departments and agencies, details regarding credit card use can be found using the Treasury publication, Credit Card Use Best Practice Guide; Policy and Guidelines Paper 2005 available at http:⁄⁄www.treasury.nsw.gov.au⁄__data⁄assets⁄pdf_file⁄0020⁄3962⁄tpp05-1.pdf

*4801 FINANCE AND SERVICES—EXPENDITURE IN THE FINANCE AND SERVICES CLUSTER—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1)(a) In the 2011⁄12 financial year what was the total expenditure in the Finance and Services cluster

on entertainment and catering expenses including food, functions, special events, venue hire and other related costs?

(b) In the 2011⁄12 financial year how much did each department and service group in the Finance and Services cluster spend on entertainment and catering expenses including food, functions, special events, venue hire and other related costs?


on entertainment and catering expenses including food, functions, special events, venue hire and other related costs?

(b) In the 2012⁄13 financial year how much did each department and service group in the Finance and Services cluster spend on entertainment and catering expenses including food, functions, special events, venue hire and other related costs?

Answer— Information on entertainment and catering expenditure in the Finance and Services cluster is not held centrally.Expenditure on entertainment and catering is conducted in accordance with C2010-42 New South Wales Government Expenses Policy.

*4802 FINANCE AND SERVICES—MEDIA STAFF—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) In the 2011⁄12 financial year: (a) What was the total number of media staff in the Finance and Services cluster?(b) How many media staff were there in each department and service group in the Finance and

Services cluster?(c) What was the total expenditure in the Finance and Services cluster on media staff?(d) How much did each department and service group in the Finance and Services cluster spend on

media staff?

(2) In the 2012⁄13 financial year: (a) What was the total number of media staff in the Finance and Services cluster?(b) How many media staff were there in each department and service group in the Finance and

Services cluster?(c) What was the total expenditure in the Finance and Services cluster on media staff?(d) How much did each department and service group in the Finance and Services cluster spend on

media staff?


Answer— (1) Please refer to my answer to Question 2133.(2) For the Department of Finance and Services (excluding NSW Fair Trading which falls under the

responsibility of the Minister for Fair Trading) there were two media staff in 2012⁄13.

*4803 FINANCE AND SERVICES—OFFICE FIT-OUTS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—


on office fit-outs, refurbishment, furniture and other related costs?(b) In the 2011⁄12 financial year how much did each department and service group in the Finance

and Services cluster spend on office fit-outs, refurbishment, furniture and other related costs?


on office fit-outs, refurbishment, furniture and other related costs?(b) In the 2012⁄13 financial year how much did each department and service group in the Finance

and Services cluster spend on office fit-outs, refurbishment, furniture and other related costs?

Answer— Details of expenditure on office refurbishments for the Department of Finance and Services are included in the financial statements published in the annual report.

*4804 PREMIER—MINISTERIAL STAFF VACANCIES—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney—

(1) How many Government ministerial staff vacancies for each Minister have been advertised since 27 March 2011: (a) In the 2010⁄11 financial year?(b) In the 2011⁄12 financial year?(c) 1 July 2012 to date?

Answer— Please refer to the answer to Question on Notice 2147 - Government Ministerial Staff Vacancies.

*4805 ROADS AND PORTS—NEWCASTLE PORT CORPORATION—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

How many of the total number of staff employed within the Newcastle Port Corporation have been issued with a corporate credit card as at 26 June 2013?

Answer— I am advised:23.

*4806 ROADS AND PORTS—PORT KEMBLA PORT CORPORATION—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

How many of the total number of staff employed within the Port Kembla Port Corporation have been issued with a corporate credit card as at 26 June 2013?

Answer— I am advised:One.

4441


*4807 ROADS AND PORTS—SYDNEY PORTS CORPORATION—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

How many of the total number of staff employed within the Sydney Ports Corporation have been issued with a corporate credit card as at 26 June 2013?

Answer— I am advised:17.

*4808 ASSISTING THE PREMIER ON INFRASTRUCTURE NSW, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—HUNTER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

How many of the total number of staff employed within Hunter Development Corporation have been issued with corporate credit cards as at 26 June 2013?

Answer— Details regarding credit card use can be found using the Treasury publication, Credit Card Use Best Practice Guide; Policy and Guidelines Paper 2005 available at http:⁄⁄www.treasury.nsw.gov.au⁄data⁄assets⁄pdffile⁄0020⁄3962⁄tpp05-1.pdf

*4809 FINANCE AND SERVICES—QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE OF THE FINANCE AND SERVICES CLUSTER—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) Regarding accounts payable by the Finance and Services cluster for the 2012⁄2013 financial year: (a)

(i) What was the total number of invoices received?(ii) How many invoices were received by each department and service group?

(b)(i) What was the total number of correctly rendered invoices?(ii) How many invoices were correctly rendered by each department and service group?

(c)(i) What was the total number of invoices rejected?(ii) How many invoices were rejected by each department and service group?

(d)(i) What was the number of invoices paid?(ii) How many invoices were paid by each department and service group?

(e) What was the time for payment of correctly rendered invoices by each department and service group for: (i) Invoices rendered in less than 30 days?(ii) Invoices rendered between 30 and 45 days?(iii) Invoices rendered between 45 and 60 days?(iv) Invoices rendered in excess of 60 days?

Answer— Reporting on the 30-day bill payment policy formally commenced on 1 January, 2012. The quarterly performance report can be found on the Department of Finance & Services website.

*4810 ATTORNEY GENERAL, JUSTICE—QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND JUSTICE CLUSTER—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Attorney General, and Minister for Justice—

(1) Regarding accounts payable by the Attorney General and Justice Cluster for the 2012⁄2013 financial year:


(a)(i) What was the total number of invoices received?(ii) How many invoices were received by each department and service group?

(b)(i) What was the total number of correctly rendered invoices?(ii) How many invoices were correctly rendered by each department and service group?

(c)(i) What was the total number of invoices rejected?(ii) How many invoices were rejected by each department and service group?

(d)(i) What was the number of invoices paid?(ii) How many invoices were paid by each department and service group?

(e) What was the time for payment of correctly rendered invoices by each department and service group for: (i) Invoices rendered in less than 30 days?(ii) Invoices rendered between 30 and 45 days?(iii) Invoices rendered between 45 and 60 days?(iv) Invoices rendered in excess of 60 days?

Answer— I am advised:During the first three quarters of the 2012⁄2013 financial year, 604,797 invoices were received within the Justice Cluster and 562,225 invoices were paid on time (within 30 days). Figures for the final quarter are currently being finalised for release.The number of invoices received and paid by each department and agency within the Justice Cluster during the first three quarters of 2012⁄2013 is provided in the following table (with the exception of the Judicial Commission of NSW).

Department⁄Agency No of Invoices Received (July 2012-March 2013)

No of invoices paid within 30 days

Department of Attorney General and Justice

170,186 164,258

NSW Police Force 232,563 209,911 State Emergency Services 15,046 12,702 Ministry for Police & Emergency Services

1,514 1146

Fire and Rescue NSW 47,077 38,938 Department of Rural Fire Service 20,867 18,502 Legal Aid NSW 108,223 107,531 NSW Crime Commission 1,702 1659 Information & Privacy Commission 266 253 Office of the Director of Public Prosecution

3,905 3795

NSW Trustee and Guardian 3,448 3270 Total 604,797 562,225

Issues regarding invoices incorrectly rendered are resolved at a service group or business centre level prior to being processed.Quarterly performance reports on payments to small business suppliers for each cluster are published on the Department of Finance and Services website. Further details regarding accounts payment performance are published in the relevant annual report of each individual department or agency.

*4811 ASSISTING THE PREMIER ON INFRASTRUCTURE NSW, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—LANDCOM—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

How many of the total number of staff employed within Landcom have been issued with corporate credit cards as at 26 June 2013?

4443



*4812 ASSISTING THE PREMIER ON INFRASTRUCTURE NSW, PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE—SYDNEY HARBOUR FORESHORE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW, Leader of the House—

How many of the total number of staff employed within the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority have been issued with corporate credit cards as at 26 June 2013?


*4813 PREMIER—GOVERNMENT MINISTERIAL STAFF—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney—

(1) How many of the following have been offered to Government ministerial staff hired after 27 March 2011: (a) Redundancies?(b) Severance payments?(c) Other payouts?

(2) What is the total value of these payouts?

Answer— From time to time, changing needs and priorities in Ministerial Offices result in changes to the structure of an office. This can result in staffing changes that can give rise to a severance payment. Since 27 March 2011, there have been nine staff that have received a severance payment in line with the entitlements specified in the Ministers' Office Administration Handbook.There have been no changes to the policy or entitlements since the election of the O'Farrell Government.There have not been any redundancy payments or other payouts."

*4814 EDUCATION—PROUD SCHOOLS PILOT PROGRAM—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1)(a) On what date did the tender process open for the selection of an organisation to evaluate the

Proud Schools Pilot program?(b) On what date did the tender process close for the selection of an organisation to evaluate the

Proud Schools Pilot program?

(2) Who were the organisations that submitted a tender to evaluate the Proud Schools Pilot program?(3) Which of the organisations won the tender to evaluate the Proud Schools Pilot program?(4) What will be the fee, payment or reimbursement made to the organisation that won the tender to

evaluate the Proud Schools Pilot program?(5) What are the criteria being used to evaluate the Proud Schools Pilot program?(6) Which officers in the Department of Education and Communities were responsible for developing

the criteria to evaluate the Proud Schools Pilot program?(7) Did the Minister for Education approve the criteria being used to evaluate the Proud Schools Pilot

program?(8) On what date will the evaluation of the Proud Schools Pilot program be completed?


(9) Will the evaluation of the Proud Schools Pilot program be made public?

Answer— (1)

(a) 23 April 2012(b) 25 May 2012

(2) A number of organisations approved through the NSW Government Pre-qualification Scheme were invited to submit a commercial in confidence quotation to conduct the evaluation of the Proud Schools pilot.

(3) ARTD Consultants, a public consultancy firm that delivers services in evaluation and strategy.(4) $60,000.(5) The evaluation is looking at the effectiveness of the pilot in supporting schools to prevent and

address homophobia and to provide a safe and supportive environment for students.(6) Proud Schools was initiated by the former government.(7) The evaluation and its tendering process did not require Ministerial approval and as such it was not

sought.(8) The evaluation is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2013.(9) The evaluation report will be reviewed by the Department prior to any decision being made.

*4815 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—CARBON EMISSION POLICIES—Revd Mr Nile asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

In view of President Obama's new carbon emission policies, is it a fact that Australia only contributes 1.4 per cent to the worldwide carbon emissions?

Answer— This figure shows that our proportional impact is low given Australia is one of the 20th largest economies in the world, and yet the Labor Party continues to destroy our enormous natural advantage in the resources and energy sectors via a carbon tax.


*4816 ATTORNEY GENERAL, JUSTICE—LOCAL COURT IN WINDSOR—Mr Primrose asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Attorney General, and Minister for Justice—

(1)(a) Has the Government suspended sittings at the Local Court in Windsor?(b) If so, when will sittings resume?

(2) Is the Windsor Local Court the oldest continuously sitting court in Australia, with links to Governor Macquarie?

(3) How many matters were finalised at the Windsor Local Court in 2012?

Answer— I am advised:(1) The Chief Magistrate determines court sittings. Sittings have not been suspended at Windsor Local

Court.(2) Windsor Courthouse is the oldest purpose-built courthouse in Australia. The Courthouse was

designed by Francis Greenway, who was appointed by Governor Macquarie in 1816 as the civil architect and assistant engineer.

4445


(3) The Department of Attorney General and Justice maintain workload statistics by financial year. During the 2011-2012 financial year, Windsor Local Court had 2221 matters.

*4817 FINANCE AND SERVICES—WATER EFFICIENCY OF MULTI-UNIT PROPERTIES- RESEARCH PROJECT—Mr Secord asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How much is Sydney Water spending on the "Research Project: Water Efficiency of Multi-Unit Properties" which is currently underway?

(2) How many households or homes are participating?(3) How many staff are working on the project?(4) How much is being spent on consultants to carry out the research project?(5) How much was the total budget for the project?(6) Who appointed the consultants?(7) What is the purpose of the study?(8)

(a) How many $20 Woolworths vouchers have been distributed?(b) How many $20 Woolworths vouchers have been returned?(c) How many $20 Woolworths vouchers have been used by people participating in the research

project?

Answer— (1) Approximately $60,000.(2) Numbers are yet to be finalised.(3) One part time employee.(4) $0.(5) See response to Question 1.(6) See response to Question 4.(7) To investigate the feasibility of installing meters to measure water consumption in units in existing

low-rise multi-unit buildings.(8) None.

*4818 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION COFFS HARBOUR ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Coffs Harbour

electorate required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Coffs Harbour

electorate required to attend an incident in 2012?

(2) How many Firefighters were located at each station per shift in: (a) June 2011?(b) December 2011?(c) June 2012?(d) December 2012?

(3) What was the average response time from the time the call was received at the Communications Centre to the arrival at the scene in: (a) June 2011?(b) December 2011?(c) June 2012?(d) December 2012?


Answer— Fire & Rescue NSW has advised me:(1) The number of incidents responded to is published, by station, in Fire & Rescue NSW's annual

report.(2) I can advise that fire stations in the Coffs Harbour electorate are staffed by a mixed roster of

Permanent and Retained Firefighters. As at 30 June 2013, there was an establishment of 21 Permanent Firefighters and 78 Retained (on-call) Firefighters. Fire & Rescue NSW is working with local communities to attract and retain retained firefighters across regional locations.

(3) Due to technical issues, Fire & Rescue NSW was not able to provide data to a sufficient level of accuracy within the required timeframe. When Fire & Rescue NSW receives a Triple Zero (000) call, the communication centre dispatches fire appliances as appropriate. Interpretation of response times by station can be subject to misinterpretation, as station based resources may be responded to as primary or secondary responders, depending on the location and the type of incident. Response times can also be affected by traffic conditions as well as the quality of information received from the public, for example, incorrect addresses.

*4819 FINANCE AND SERVICES—WATER MAINS - MANLY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How many incidents of a leaking or burst water main in the Manly electorate were reported to Sydney Water in: (a) 2009⁄2010?(b) 2010⁄2011?(c) 2011⁄2012?

(2) How many of these incidents led to damage to roads or other infrastructure?

Answer— (1) The number of incidents of a leaking or burst water main in the Manly electorate reported to Sydney

Water were: (a) 74(b) 84(c) 47

(2) A large proportion of water mains are laid in or adjacent to roads. Approximately 40% of leaks from water mains have some impact on road infrastructure.

*4820 FINANCE AND SERVICES—WATER MAINS - HORNSBY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) How many incidents of a leaking or burst water main in the Hornsby electorate were reported to Sydney Water in: (a) 2009⁄2010?(b) 2010⁄2011?(c) 2011⁄2012?

(2) How many of these incidents led to damage to roads or other infrastructure?

Answer— (1) The number of incidents of a leaking or burst water main in the Hornsby electorate reported to

Sydney Water were: (a) 103(b) 131(c) 110

(2) A large proportion of water mains are laid in or adjacent to roads. Approximately 40% of leaks from water mains have some impact on road infrastructure.

4447


*4821 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION MANLY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Manly electorate

required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Manly electorate

required to attend an incident in 2012?




report.(2) As at 30 June 2013 there were 32 permanent firefighters in the Manly electorate.(3) Due to technical issues, Fire & Rescue NSW was not able to provide data to a sufficient level of

accuracy within the required timeframe. When Fire & Rescue NSW receives a Triple Zero (000) call, the communication centre dispatches fire appliances as appropriate. Interpretation of response times by station can be subject to misinterpretation, as station based resources may be responded to as primary or secondary responders, depending on the location and the type of incident. Response times can also be affected by traffic conditions as well as the quality of information received from the public, for example, incorrect addresses.

*4822 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION HORNSBY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Hornsby electorate

required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Hornsby electorate



(3) What was the average response time from the time the call was received at the Communications Centre to the arrival at the scene in: (a) June 2011?(b) December 2011?(c) June 2012?


(d) December 2012?


report.(2) As at 30 June 2013 there were 60 permanent firefighters in the Hornsby electorate.(3) Due to technical issues, Fire & Rescue NSW was not able to provide data to a sufficient level of

accuracy within the required timeframe. When Fire & Rescue NSW receives a Triple Zero (000) call, the communication centre dispatches fire appliances as appropriate.Interpretation of response times by station can be subject to misinterpretation, as station based resources may be responded to as primary or secondary responders, depending on the location and the type of incident. Response times can also be affected by traffic conditions as well as the quality of information received from the public, for example, incorrect addresses.

*4823 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION GOSFORD ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Gosford electorate

required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Gosford electorate





report.(2) I can advise that fire stations in the Gosford electorate are staffed by a mixed roster of Permanent and

Retained Firefighters. As at 30 June 2013, there was an establishment of 62 Permanent Firefighters and 36 Retained (on-call) Firefighters. Fire & Rescue NSW is working with local communities to attract and retain retained firefighters across regional locations.


4449


*4824 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION TERRIGAL ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Terrigal electorate

required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Terrigal electorate





report.(2) I can advise that fire stations in the Terrigal electorate are staffed by a mixed roster of Permanent and



*4825 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION THE ENTRANCE ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in The Entrance electorate

required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in The Entrance electorate



(3) What was the average response time from the time the call was received at the Communications Centre to the arrival at the scene in:


(a) June 2011?(b) December 2011?(c) June 2012?(d) December 2012?


report.(2) I can advise that fire stations in The Entrance electorate are staffed by a mixed roster of Permanent

and Retained Firefighters. As at 30 June 2013, there was an establishment of 52 Permanent Firefighters and 38 Retained (on-call) Firefighters. Fire & Rescue NSW is working with local communities to attract and retain retained firefighters across regional locations.


*4826 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—FIRE AND RESCUE NSW FIRE STATION IN THE WYONG ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1)(a) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Wyong electorate

required to attend an incident in 2011?(b) On how many occasions was each Fire and Rescue NSW fire station in the Wyong electorate





report.(2) I can advise that fire stations in the Wyong electorate are staffed by a mixed roster of Permanent and


(3) Due to technical issues, Fire & Rescue NSW was not able to provide data to a sufficient level of accuracy within the required timeframe. When Fire & Rescue NSW receives a Triple Zero (000) call, the communication centre dispatches fire appliances as appropriate. Interpretation of response times by station can be subject to misinterpretation, as station based resources may be responded to as

4451


primary or secondary responders, depending on the location and the type of incident. Response times can also be affected by traffic conditions as well as the quality of information received from the public, for example, incorrect addresses.

*4827 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, WOMEN—GOVERNMENT'S DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE FRAMEWORK—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) Which consulting firms were engaged to advise on the development of the Government's Domestic and Family Violence Framework?

(2) Were the successful firms selected by a competitive tender process?(3)

(a) What will be the total fees, payments or reimbursements made to the firms providing development advice?

(b) As at 27 June 2013 what have been the fees, payments or reimbursements to the firms providing development advice?

Answer— Details of consultants engaged by the Department of Family and Community Services are reported in its Annual Report. Consultants are engaged in accordance with NSW Government Guidelines.

*4828 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - MANLY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Manly electorate for

2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects was this allocation expended?

(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Manly electorate for 2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?


(a) $215,000(b) Funds were allocated to the following:

• A roundabout and pedestrian refuge at Darley Road and Ashburner Street, Manly. • Intersection improvements at Harbord Road and Abbott Road, Brookvale. • Installation of high friction surface on Frenchs Forest Road around Dalwood Avenue, Seaforth. • A pedestrian refuge on North Steyne, near Raglan Street, Manly. • School Crossing Supervisors.

(2)(a) $130,000(b) Funds have been allocated to the following:

• A roundabout and parking lanes at Oliver Street and Wyuna Road, Freshwater. • Improvements to the signalised intersection on Sydney Road at Woodlands Street, Balgowlah. • School Crossing Supervisors.


*4829 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - HORNSBY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Hornsby electorate for


(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Hornsby electorate for 2012⁄2013?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?



• Separating the through and parking lanes and installing a pedestrian refuge on Sefton Road, west of Dartford Road, Thornleigh.• Improvements to the signalised intersection at New Line Road and David Road, Cherrybrook. • Improvements to the delineation on the F3 Freeway at Brooklyn. • Installing a safety barrier on Quarter Sessions Road at Westleigh. • Installing a safety barrier on Brooklyn Road, south of Pacific Highway, Brooklyn. • School Crossing Supervisors.


• Installation of a signalised intersection at Edgeworth David Avenue and Balmoral Street and a median closure on Edgeworth David Avenue at Park Avenue, Hornsby. • School Crossing Supervisors.

*4830 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - GOSFORD ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Gosford electorate for


(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Gosford electorate for 2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?


(a) 2.293 million(b) Funds were allocated to the following:

• Council Road Safety Officer contribution. • School Crossing Supervisors. • Wisemans Ferry Road upgrade. • Decommissioned fixed speed camera safety work.

4453


• Central Coast Highway curve improvement. • Pacific Motorway crash barrier work.

(2)(a) $3.224 million(b) Funds have been allocated to the following:

• Council Road Safety Officer contribution. • School Crossing Supervisors. • Wisemans Ferry Road upgrade. • Decommissioned fixed speed camera safety work. • Pacific Motorway crash barrier work.

*4831 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - TERRIGAL ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Terrigal electorate for


(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Terrigal electorate for 2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?



• School Crossing Supervisors. • Safety improvements on Avoca Drive at Dunlop Hill.


• School Crossing Supervisors.

*4832 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - THE ENTRANCE ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in The Entrance electorate for


(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in The Entrance electorate for

2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?


(a) $666,000


(b) Funds were allocated to the following: • School Crossing Supervisors. • Decommissioned fixed speed camera safety work. • Pacific Motorway crash barrier work.


• School Crossing Supervisors. • Decommissioned fixed speed camera safety work. • Pacific Motorway crash barrier work.

*4833 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - WYONG ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Wyong electorate for


(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Wyong electorate for 2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?


(a) $458,000(b) This allocation was expended on School Crossing Supervisors.

(2)(a) $1.019 million(b) Funds have been allocated to the following:

• School Crossing Supervisors. • Mid-block traffic signals on Pacific Highway near Louisiana Road, Kanwal.

*4834 ROADS AND PORTS—ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVES - COFFS HARBOUR ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1)(a) What was the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Coffs Harbour electorate for


(2)(a) What is the allocation for road safety related initiatives in the Coffs Harbour electorate for

2013⁄2014?(b) On what specific projects is this being expended?


(a) $1.2 million(b) Funds were allocated to the following:

4455


• Intersection improvements to the Pacific Highway at Old Coast Road, Korora. • Bridge screening over the Pacific Highway at Lyons Road and Sawtell Road. • Fixed speed camera decommissioning works at Urunga. • Natural Disaster funding. • Replacement of raised pavement markers for delineation⁄guidance. • Planning for an upgrade on the Waterfall Way, east of the Pacific Highway. • Other road safety programs such as the Council Road Safety Officer Program, School Crossing Supervisors, speed zone adjustments and behavioural campaigns.


• Intersection improvements at Harbour Drive and Boambee Street, Coffs Harbour. • Intersection improvements at Orlando Street and Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour.• Pedestrian works on Mastracolas Road, Coffs Harbour. • Realignment of the Cook Drive intersection with the Pacific Highway in Coffs Harbour. • Natural Disaster funding. • Regional Road Repair works. • School Crossing Supervisors.

*4835 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—ENERGY REBATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

(1) The Government committed funding to 540,000 eligible families for a $75 Family Energy Rebate in 2012⁄2013 at a cost of $40,500,000: (a) Why was only $12,496,000 allocated in the 2012⁄2013 Budget?(b) Why was only $5,000,000 out of the $12,496,000 spent in 2012⁄2013?

Answer— Unlike the previous Government, the O'Farrell Government is committed to providing targeted, ongoing assistance to help households and families struggling to manage the impacts of the Labor Government's legacy of power price rises.The Family Energy Rebate is funded by savings generated from the reform of the distribution businesses. All eligible customers who apply for the rebate will receive it. The budget is indicative only - there is no budget cap.It should be noted that IPART has determined that NSW electricity bills would be $171 cheaper from 1 July if Labor scrapped its carbon tax - a tax which has the full support of the NSW Labor Party.

*4836 RESOURCES AND ENERGY—ENERGY REBATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Central Coast—

(1) The Government has committed funding to 540,000 eligible families for a $125 Family Energy Rebate in 2013⁄2014 at a cost of $67,500,000. The 2013⁄2014 Budget has allocated $18,970,000 for the scheme: (a) From where in the 2013⁄2014 Budget will the shortfall for the scheme be sourced?

Answer— I refer the Member to LC QON 4835.


*4837 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, TREASURER—STANDARD AND POOR'S CREDIT METRIC—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations—

Why did the Government not publish the Standard and Poor's credit metric in the 2013⁄2014 Budget Papers?

Answer— The 2013-14 Budget Papers did include relevant credit metrics in Table 1.6 on page 1-30 of Budget Paper No. 2.

*4838 SPORT AND RECREATION—NEW SOUTH WALES INSTITUTE OF SPORT—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation—

Of the total number of staff employed within the New South Wales Institute of Sport, how many have been issued with corporate credit cards as at 27 June 2013?

Answer— Corporate Cards have been issued to staff employed by the NSW Institute of Sport since 1999.The work environment of sports managers and coaches requires interstate and international travel which can require management of squad and athlete expenses.Each credit card issued has a credit limit, transaction limit and cash advance limit attached to it.All cardholders receive a monthly credit card statement for which they are required to provide receipts and explanation of the expenditure.The cardholder's credit card acquittal is approved by their immediate supervisor or manager.To ensure internal controls are strong, as part of our internal audit process credit card management is reviewed. As at 27 June 2013, the number of corporate credit cards issued to staff employed by NSW Institute of Sport is 22.

*4839 EDUCATION—EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS HORNSBY TAFE CAMPUS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

In accordance with the requirements of emergency management planning, on what days in 2012 were trial emergency evacuations conducted at Hornsby TAFE Campus?

Answer— A trial emergency evacuation was conducted at Hornsby TAFE Campus on 17 May 2012

*4840 EDUCATION—EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS GOSFORD TAFE CAMPUS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

In accordance with the requirements of emergency management planning, on what days in 2012 were trial emergency evacuations conducted at Gosford TAFE Campus?

Answer— Trial emergency evacuations were conducted at Gosford TAFE Campus on 5 March and 2 August 2012.

*4841 EDUCATION—EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS WYONG TAFE CAMPUS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

In accordance with the requirements of emergency management planning, on what days in 2012 were trial emergency evacuations conducted at Wyong TAFE Campus?

Answer— Trial emergency evacuations were conducted at Wyong TAFE Campus on 5 March and 2 August 2012.

4457


*4842 EDUCATION—EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS OURIMBAH TAFE CAMPUS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

In accordance with the requirements of emergency management planning, on what days in 2012 were trial emergency evacuations conducted at Ourimbah TAFE Campus?

Answer— Trial emergency evacuations were conducted at Ourimbah TAFE Campus on 21 March, 28 May and 27 June 2012.

*4843 EDUCATION—EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS COFFS HARBOUR TAFE CAMPUS—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

In accordance with the requirements of emergency management planning, on what days in 2012 were trial emergency evacuations conducted at Coffs Harbour TAFE Campus?

Answer— Trial emergency evacuations were conducted at:

• Coffs Harbour, Glenreagh Street Campus on 14 March and 12 September 2012• Coffs Harbour Education Campus on 24 January, 27 January, 14 March, 28 March, 23 April, 28

June, 11 July, 7 August and 22 November 2012.

*4844 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - MANLY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in the Manly electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in the Manly electorate?

Answer— (1) Based upon current data there are more than 190 children with special learning needs enrolled in

public schools in the Manly electorate.(2) As at the February 2013 census date 9077.618 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public

schools in the Manly electorate.

*4845 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - HORNSBY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in the Hornsby electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in the Hornsby electorate?


public schools in the Hornsby electorate.(2) As at the February 2013 census date 9258.96 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public

schools in the Hornsby electorate.

*4846 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - GOSFORD ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in the Gosford electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in the Gosford electorate?

Answer— (1) Based upon current data there are more than 1,420 children with special learning needs enrolled in

public schools in the Gosford electorate.


(2) As at the February 2013 census date 9006.189 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public schools in the Gosford electorate.

*4847 TRANSPORT—FREIGHT NOISE—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

What action is the Government taking to minimise freight noise on the Newcastle and Central Coast line rail corridor for residents?

Answer— I am advised:Transport for NSW is developing the Strategic Noise Action Plan for rail.

*4848 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - TERRIGAL ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in the Terrigal electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in the Terrigal electorate?


public schools in the Terrigal electorate.(2) As at the February 2013 census date 8481.599 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public

schools in the Terrigal electorate.

*4849 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - THE ENTRANCE ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in The Entrance electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in The Entrance electorate?


public schools in The Entrance electorate.(2) As at the February 2013 census date 8717.167 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public

schools in The Entrance electorate.

*4850 TRANSPORT—BICYCLES ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1)(a) Does the Government have plans to introduce racks, like those used in Canberra, to enable

passenger to travel with bikes on buses?(b) If not, why not?

(2) What action is the Government taking to support active transport use?

Answer— I am advised:(1) The Government does not have plans to install racks that enable customers with a bicycle to travel on

buses. Customers loading and unloading their bicycle would impact on the timely operation of bus services in busy traffic.

(2) The Government supports cycling as a sustainable transport option that promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps reduce congestion on our transport network.

4459


The Government is developing walking and cycling strategies which will set the strategic direction and priorities for future investment. The strategies will build upon the commitments outlined in the Long Term Transport Master Plan and include a range of initiatives to support an increase in the rates of walking and cycling.

*4851 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - WYONG ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in the Wyong electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in the Wyong electorate?


public schools in the Wyong electorate.(2) As at the February 2013 census date 10273.094 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public

schools in the Wyong electorate.

*4852 EDUCATION—SPECIAL NEEDS - COFFS HARBOUR ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) In 2013, how many children with special learning needs are enrolled in public schools in the Coffs Harbour electorate?

(2) In 2013, what is the total number of children enrolled in public schools in the Coffs Harbour electorate?


public schools in the Coffs Harbour electorate.(2) As at the February 2013 census date 8296.18 full time equivalent students are enrolled in public

schools in the Coffs Harbour electorate.

*4853 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, TREASURER—BUDGET ACCOUNTING METHOD—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations—

(1)(a) Using the accounting method applied in the 2012⁄2013 Budget Papers what were the actual

spending figures for Government Departments in 2012⁄2013?(b) Why have these figures not been made public?

Answer— (1) The change in accounting standard AASB119 had no impact on the spending figures for Government

Departments for 2012-13. Estimated spending figures for Government Departments in 2012-13 are outlined in the NSW Budget 2013-14. Actual spending figures for 2012-13 are not available until after 30 June 2013 and therefore were not published in the Budget that was handed down on 18 June 2013.

(2) The NSW Budget is a publicly available document.

*4854 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - MANLY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in the Manly electorate, in 2011⁄2012: (a) How many drivers were in this category?(b)

(i) How many undertook practical driving assessments?


(ii) How many were successful?(c) How many chose the option of a modified licence?


(a) 725(b)

(i) 219(ii) 216

(c) 62

*4855 EDUCATION—PERMANENT POSITIONS AT TAFE INSTITUTES—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) For each TAFE Institute, college, campus, section or other organisational unit which has seen a reduction in the number of full time equivalent positions since 1 January 2013: (a)

(i) What was the number of full time equivalent permanent positions at 1 January 2013?(ii) What was the breakdown of those positions by role, teacher, head teacher, co-ordinator

etc?(b)

(i) What was the number of full time equivalent permanent positions which have been removed since 1 January 2013?

(ii) What was the breakdown of the positions removed by role, teacher, head teacher, co-ordinator etc?

(c)(i) What was the number of full time equivalent casual positions at 1 January 2013?(ii) What was the breakdown of the positions by role, teacher, head teacher, co-ordinator etc?

(d)(i) What was the number of full time equivalent casual positions which have been removed

since 1 January 2013?(ii) What was the breakdown of the positions removed by role, teacher, head teacher, co-

ordinator etc?

Answer— (1)

(a) TAFE is unable to provide the number of full time equivalent permanent positions as at 1 January 2013 because it is not possible to run retrospective reports in the Department of Education and Communities' HR reporting system.

(b) Not applicable.

(2)(a) 228 full time equivalent permanent positions have been removed since 1 January 2013, 45 of

which are vacant positions.(b) The table below includes the breakdown of positions removed by role from Institutes.

Unit⁄Institute Head Teacher Teacher Coordinator Admin and Support

Managers Total

Hunter 9 (4 vacant) 9 1 4 (4 vacant) 3 26 (8 vacant) New England 3 1 4 North Coast 5 10 6 (1 vacant) 21 (1 vacant) Northern Sydney

20 (7 vacant) 29 (1 vacant) 2 (1 vacant) 19 2 (2 vacant) 72 (11 vacant)

Riverina 5 4 9

4461


Sydney 1 (vacant) 32 (1 vacant) 3 (1 vacant) 1 37 (3 vacant) South Western Sydney

3 (2 vacant) 8 (7 vacant) 3 (2 vacant) 5 19 (11 vacant)

Western Sydney

9 (5 vacant) 17 (1 vacant) 11 (4 vacant) 3 (1 vacant) 40 (11 vacant)

Total 47 (19 vacant) 108 (10 vacant)

8 (1 vacant) 47 (12 vacant) 18 (3 vacant) 228 (45 vacant)

(3) and (4) (a) TAFE does not establish casual positions. Casual staff are employed according to business

demand. This demand fluctuates across Institutes over the year according to their unique business needs.

(b) Not applicable.

*4856 POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES—CRITICAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING POLICE—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council—

(1) How many critical incidents involving police were investigated by the NSW Police Foce in each of the following financial years: (a) 2007⁄2008?(b) 2008⁄2009?(c) 2009⁄2010?(d) 2010⁄2011?(e) 2011⁄2012?(f) 2012⁄2013?

(2) How many adverse findings were made against police officers in critical incident investigations in the following financial years: (a) 2007⁄2008?(b) 2008⁄2009?(c) 2009⁄2010?(d) 2010⁄2011?(e) 2011⁄2012?(f) 2012⁄2013?

(3) How many disciplinary actions were taken against police as a result of critical incident investigations in the following financial years: (a) 2007⁄2008?(b) 2008⁄2009?(c) 2009⁄2010?(d) 2010⁄2011?(e) 2011⁄2012?(f) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— The NSW Police Force has advised me that critical incident investigations are carried out by the Regions as well as by other central Commands and there may be some overlap in the figures given below. It is also noted that the outcome of recent investigations may not yet be known, particularly in those cases that are before the courts.(1) Critical Incident Investigations:

Year: 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 to dateRegions 34 35 34 34 25 31 9Other Commands

N⁄A 3 4 5 1 7 0


(2) Adverse Findings: Year: 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 to dateRegions 5 2 3 0 4 4 2Other Commands

N⁄A 0 0 0 0 5 0

(3) Disciplinary Actions: Year: 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 to dateRegions 6 0 3 0 3 1 2Other Commands

N⁄A 0 0 0 0 0 0

*4857 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - HORNSBY ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in the Hornsby electorate, in 2011⁄2012: (a) How many drivers were in this category?(b)

(i) How many undertook practical driving assessments?(ii) How many were successful?

(c) How many chose the option of a modified licence?

Answer— (1)

(a) 519(b)

(i) 179(ii) 167

(c) 45

*4858 TRANSPORT—YAGOONA STATION TRANSPORT ACCESS PROGRAM—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(a) Will Yagoona Station be upgraded under the Transport Access Program?(b) If so:

(i) When will this work commence?(ii) What work will be undertaken?(iii) Will the station be made fully accessible?

(c) If not, why not?

Answer— I am advised:Last year the NSW Government announced a new Transport Access Program which will deliver accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure where it is needed most. This includes station upgrades, better interchanges, ferry wharf upgrades and commuter car parks.The Transport Access Program includes funding of more than $770 million over four years, which will see improvements at more than 60 locations, including a commitment to upgrade Bankstown Station.More planning and design work will now occur to see which projects will come next. Yagoona Station will be considered as part of this process.

*4859 PREMIER—CRITICAL INCIDENTS INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE INTEGRITY COMMISSION—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney—

4463


(1) How many critical incidents involving the NSW Police Force were investigated by the Police Integrity Commission in each of the following financial years: (a) 2007⁄2008?(b) 2008⁄2009?(c) 2009⁄2010?(d) 2010⁄2011?(e) 2011⁄2012?(f) 2012⁄2013?

Answer— I am advised that the Commission has conducted two investigations involving critical incidents during the relevant periods.During 2011-2012 the Commission conducted Operation Calyx, which concerned the death of Mr Adam Salter.During 2012-2013, the Commission conducted Operation Anafi, which concerned the death of Mr Roberto Laudisio Curti.

*4860 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - GOSFORD ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in the Gosford electorate, in 2011⁄2012: (a) How many drivers were in this category?


(b) How many chose the option of a modified licence?


(a) 964(b)

(i) 306(ii) 304

(c) 53

*4861 TRANSPORT—BUSES ON ROUTE 355—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

The State Transit Authority has indicated that accessible buses are not used on route 355 as there is a problem with the corner intersection at Wilson Street. Given that these buses are not accessible to people with a disability, mobility issues or prams:

(a) What is the timeframe for the introduction of shorter accessible buses on this route?

Answer— I am advised:State Transit is currently evaluating various buses with a shorter wheelbase. All buses involved in the trial will be low floor, accessible buses.

*4862 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - TERRIGAL ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in the Terrigal electorate, in 2011⁄2012: (a) How many drivers were in this category?(b)



(c) How many chose the option of a modified licence?


(a) 1038(b)

(i) 369(ii) 353

(c) 69

*4863 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - THE ENTRANCE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in The Entrance electorate, in 2011⁄2012: (a) How many drivers were in this category?




(a) 777(b)

(i) 279(ii) 275

(c) 41

*4864 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - WYONG ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in the Wyong electorate, in 2011⁄2012: (a) How many drivers were in this category?




(a) 768(b)

(i) 265(ii) 257

(c) 51

*4865 ROADS AND PORTS—DRIVERS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER - COFFS HARBOUR ELECTORATE—Mr Donnelly asked the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) In relation to drivers aged 85 years and over in the Coffs Harbour electorate, in 2011⁄2012:

4465


(a) How many drivers were in this category? (i) How many undertook practical driving assessments?(ii) How many were successful?



(a) 806(b)

(i) 248(ii) 235

(c) 71

*4866 TRANSPORT—NORTH WEST RAIL LINK TENDERS—Ms Sharpe asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) What action is the Government taking to ensure local content in all tenders associated with the North West Rail Link?

(2)(a) Given that the North West Rail Link will use more steel than the Harbour Bridge, does the

Government have plans to use Australian steel, rather than cheap steel fabricated overseas?(b) If not, why not?

(3) What action is the Government taking to ensure local companies are involved in the construction of new trains and associated work for the North West Rail Link?

(4)(a) How will the Government prioritise local content in any tender for bogies and rail carriages for

the North West Rail Link?(b) If not, why not?

Answer— I am advised:The project will ensure materials are responsibly sourced and adopt a sustainable materials procurement policy for construction.The procurement process will be done in accordance with NSW Government guidelines.

*4867 EDUCATION—PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED IN INNER SYDNEY AREA—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Education—

(1) Which public schools have been closed since 1996 in the inner Sydney area in the current muncipalities of: (a) Waverley?(b) Randwick?(c) Botany?(d) Sydney?(e) Marrickville?(f) Leichhardt?(g) Woollahra?(h) Ashfield?(i) Canada Bay?

(2) For each school closed in Question 1, what was: (a) The address of the school?


(b) The number of secondary students enrolled at the school when the school operated at capacity?

(3) Which public schools have been opened in the following municipalities: (a) Waverley?(b) Randwick?(c) Botany?(d) Sydney?(e) Marrickville?(f) Leichhardt?(g) Woollahra?(h) Ashfield?(i) Canada Bay?

(4) For each of the schools opened in Question 3, what is: (a) The address of the school?(b) The number of secondary students enrolled at the school when the school operated at capacity?(c) The number of primary students enrolled at the school when the school operated at capacity?

Answer— (1) and (2) The following schools were closed by the previous Government: Randwick North High

School, Maroubra High School, Alexandria Public School, Waterloo Public School, Forest House School (SSP), Redfern Public School, Camperdown Public School and Vaucluse High School. The number of students at these schools fluctuated. There is currently spare capacity across the existing inner city high schools to meet projected demand to 2017. (3) and (4) Given that public education has operated in New South Wales since 1848, to list the number of schools that have opened in inner Sydney, is a diversion of resources.

*4868 FINANCE AND SERVICES—HOUSING NSW SHORTAGES—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

Given the shortages of available Housing NSW properties, why has the Government cut the number of new social housing dwellings from 852 last year to only 276 this year?

Answer— NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) is developing a strategy to optimise the provision of public and community housing, given its available resources.Details of the new capital works and the upgrading and improving of existing social housing dwellings are available in NSW 2012-13 Budget Paper 2.

*4869 DISABILITY SERVICES—SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services—

(1)(a) As at 29 June 2012, 888 people were on the Immediate Need register for 24⁄7 supported

accommodation. Will the 900 new Supported Accommodation places announced in the 2013⁄2014 Budget address this demand?

(b) If not, how many on the current register will be offered places?

Answer— The figures that were announced detail more than 900 new places for supported accommodation in 2013⁄14. These places were a conservative cumulative figure over three years of Stronger Together 2 combining the Leaving Care, Community Justice and NGO Community Living programs. More than 300 new supported accommodation places are planned for 2013⁄14.

4467


*4870 HEALTH—ENABLENSW FUNDING—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) The 2013⁄2014 Budget Papers lists $4.4 million for Home Ventilation Program and $2.7 million for Prosthetic Limb Service within EnableNSW. What is the total funding for the 2013⁄2014 period, listing all Enable NSW programs?

(2) What was the annual budget for the 2012⁄2013 period?

Answer— I am advised by the Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research:(1) The 2013⁄14 recurrent budget for EnableNSW is $73.9 million managed across the following

program areas:PROGRAM 2013⁄14 Budget ($,000) Aids and Equipment Program 40,078 Specialist Equipment Essential for Discharge 1,421 Prosthetic Limb Scheme 12,227 Home Respiratory Program 6,094 Children's Home Ventilation Program 8,016 Adult Home Ventilation Program 4,224 Away from Home Haemodialysis Program 1,103 Isolated Patient Accommodation Assistance Scheme 717

(2) The 2012⁄13 recurrent budget for EnableNSW was $65.5 million.

*4871 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES—CENTRELINK—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

Regarding Recommendation 8.7 from the April 2013 Anglicare report Rental Affordability Snapshot 2013: Greater Sydney and Illawarra, which recommends: 8.7: Housing NSW establish an automatic notification system with Centrelink, similar to that of the Roads and Transit Authority and Australian Electoral Commission. Housing NSW would automatically receive updated contact details for all social housing applicants:(1)

(a) Does the Minister for Family and Community Services accept or reject this recommendation?(b) What were the Minister's reasons for accepting or rejecting it?

(2) Will the Minister investigate the feasibility of developing such a notification system in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government, taking into account the privacy considerations that may arise from the sharing of information between government agencies?

Answer— The Australian Government is currently undertaking a pilot scheme in Victoria whereby, with the written consent of the client, information on client addresses can be shared by Centrelink. This pilot is yet to be evaluated and Centrelink has not indicated whether any expansion of this service will occur. Housing NSW will review the results of the evaluation once finalised.

*4872 DISABILITY SERVICES—EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION SERVICES—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services—

(1) Were the confidentiality agreements signed between the Government and peak bodies within Early Childhood Intervention Services with regard to major reforms in the field of education support for children with disability aged 0 to 8 years intended to control debate and outcomes leading up to the implementation of Disability Care Australia?


(2) Will the block funding of Early Childhood Intervention Services, which includes early childhood intervention teachers, still be available to services once the full commencement of DisabilityCare Australia takes place?

(3)(a) Early Childhood Intervention teachers provided on-site support at local early childhood

education and care settings, in homes, schools and other public places, what will happen to the role of these teachers under DisabilityCare Australia?

(b) How will children with disabilities or developmental delays continue to be supported to access these specialist teachers?

(4) Currently, Early Childhood Intervention Services, provide Early Childhood Education and Care teachers and offer a range of supports including emotional support to families, information and advice, advocacy, services coordination, and identifying and addressing the needs of families of children with a disability: (a) Will these services continued to be funded by the Department of Ageing Disability and Home

Care once DisabilityCare Australia is up and running?(b) If not, how will these services offering a range of supports to families and children aged 0 to 8

years survive?

(5) Between 30 and 40 percent of young children under the age of 6 years do not have a specific diagnosis. Early Childhood Intervention Services offer a range of support services to this group of children with additional needs: (a) Once DisabilityCare Australia is fully implemented how will this vulnerable and potentially

disadvantaged group be able to receive supports?(b) how will these supports be funded?

Answer— (1) No.(2) By July 2018, all eligible residents across NSW will be covered by the National Disability Insurance

Scheme and the NSW investment in disability services will transfer to the Commonwealth Government as its contribution to the scheme.

(3) As part of the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the families of children with disability or developmental delay will have choice and control as to how they access their supports including early childhood intervention services.

(4) Families will have choice over what services they access. Early childhood intervention service providers will need to establish approaches that enable them to be a provider of choice for families given the opportunities that will arise through individualised funding, at the same time as the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NSW Government has funded Early Childhood Intervention Australia (NSW Chapter) to support practice and culture shift for these organisations and it is an important strategy to support Early Childhood Intervention Services.

(5) The NSW Government recognises the need to provide support to children with developmental delay that may not have a specific diagnosis, and this is reflected in the eligibility of both the current NSW disability service system and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NSW National Disability Insurance Scheme is funded jointly by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

*4873 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—NORTH COAST ACCOMMODATION TRUST LEGAL ACTION—Ms Barham asked the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1) Can the Minister for Primary Industries advise if Ministerial approval was given or if it is required for the North Coast Accommodation Trust (NCAT) or its park managers to take legal action against a community member?

(2) Is the Minister able to advise what information has been provided to her office in relation to the charge of 'Receiving and disposing of stolen property'?

4469


(3) Is the Minister aware of the matter related to the removable of barricades that had been placed on a public road without the procedural public notification process?

(4) Can the Minister advise if the barricades are owned by the NCAT or its managers or another entity?(5) Can the Minister advise if the costs involved in this action will be borne by the NCAT and or its park

managers?(6) What are the costs involved in this legal action including all travel and accommodation for experts

and witnesses and any legal representation costs ?

Answer— The question raised by Ms Barham falls under the administration of the Hon Andrew Stoner MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services, and should be directed accordingly.

*4874 FINANCE AND SERVICES—SOUTH NOWRA JAIL FENCE—Mr Shoebridge asked the Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra—

(1) What steps, if any, has the Department of Finance and Services taken in relation to recovering the cost of the installation of the South Nowra Jail fence from the contractor or other parties?

(2) If no steps have been taken, are any further actions being considered in relation to the failure of this fence?

Answer— The subject matter of the question falls within the administration of the Department of Attorney General and Justice not the Department of Finance and Services. The question should be referred to the Hon Greg Smith SC MP, Attorney General, and Minister for Justice.

*4875 TOURISM, MAJOR EVENTS, HOSPITALITY AND RACING—CITY TATTERSALLS CLUB—Mr Veitch asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

(1) What contact has the office of the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing had with the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) in relation to accusations of financial mismanagement by the directors and board of City Tattersalls Club?

(2)(a) Has OLGR conducted any investigations into the Club?(b) If so, what was the outcome of these investigations?

(3) The Registered Clubs Act 1976 (NSW) provides it is unlawful for a registered club to lend money to a member of the governing body of the club: (a) Is the Minister or the Minister's officer aware of any such breaches of this section of the Act by

the Club?(b) Will OLGR be investigating any such breaches?

(4) The City Tattersalls Club 1912 Act (NSW) states that; "no such borrowing, mortgage, issue of debentures, or sale or leasing of the said lands, tenements, and hereditaments in an amount, at one time or in one contract, exceeding $1,500,000 (annually adjusted) or in an amount, at one time or in one contract, that would result in the club's interest-bearing liabilities exceeding $5,500,000 (annually adjusted) shall be made without the consent of the majority of a special general meeting of the club called to consider such proposed borrowing, mortgage, issue of debentures, sale or leasing.": (a) Is the Minister or the Minister's office aware of any breaches of this section of the Act by the

Club?(b) Will OLGR be investigating any such breaches?

Answer— (1) An email complaint lodged with the Minister's Office on 6 May 2013 was forwarded to the

Compliance Branch of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing for consideration. The complainant


raised concerns regarding Club administration and possible breaches of the City Tattersall's Club Act of 1912 (Private Act).

(2)(a) I am advised that the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing has conducted four investigations

into alleged contraventions of gaming and liquor legislation at the City Tattersalls Club since May 2012.

(b) I am advised that no breaches of legislation administered by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing were detected during these investigations.

(3)(a) No(b) I am advised that the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing has conducted four investigations

into alleged contraventions of gaming and liquor legislation at the City Tattersalls Club since May 2012 and that no breaches of legislation administered by the department were detected during these investigations.

(4)(a) No.(b) The City Tattersalls Act 1912 (Private Act) is a Private Act. Where provisions of the City

Tattersalls Act 1912 (Private Act) are contained in the Club Rules and are habitually broken it may trigger inquiries to determine whether it may be appropriate to make a complaint to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority under the disciplinary provisions of the Registered Clubs Act 1976.

*4876 MENTAL HEALTH—PSYCHIATRIC BEDS AT CAMPBELLTOWN HOSPITAL—Dr Kaye asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Healthy Lifestyles, and Minister for Western New South Wales—

(1) Has Campbelltown Public Hospital had overflow beds for mental health patients at the privately operated Park Central Clinic in Campbelltown Private Hospital that are utilised when patients cannot be accommodated at the public facilities?

(2) Is the Minister for Mental Health aware that the privately owned Park Central Clinic in Campbelltown Private Hospital is no longer operating?

(3)(a) Will additional psychiatric beds or mental health beds be made available at Campbelltown

Public Hospital following the closure of Park Central Clinic?(b) If so, when will these beds become operational?(c) If not, where will psychiatric patients be accommodated when Campbelltown Public Hospital is

at capacity?

(4)(a) Will any additional beds for psychiatric patients and mental health patients be included in the

proposed upgrade of Campbelltown Public Hospital?(b) If so, how many?

Answer— The NSW Government is committed to improving mental health services across the State.Eight mental health beds at Campbelltown Private Hospital were temporarily publicly funded until 30 June 2013, to cover the period until South Western Sydney Local Health District's new 20-bed subacute Mental Health Unit at Liverpool Hospital became operational. The new unit at Liverpool was officially opened on 30 May 2013 and became fully operational on 10 June 2013. It will provide services to patients across South Western Sydney Local Health District.

*4877 HEALTH—RYDE MIDWIFERY GROUP PRACTICE COST SAVINGS—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

4471


(1) Despite the planned relocation of the Ryde Midwifery Group Practice currently operating at Ryde Hospital, does the NSW Ministry of Health still accept the findings of the 2008 Garling report which stated that "The Ryde Midwifery Group Practice demonstrated a considerable cost saving to the Area Health Service"?

(2) Was the decision to relocate the practice made by the NSW Ministry of Health or the Northern Sydney Local Health District?

Answer— I am advised by the Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research:Following further consultation, the Local Health District has decided that the Ryde Midwifery Group Practice will remain in its current location.

*4878 HEALTH—RYDE MIDWIFERY GROUP PRACTICE RELOCATION CONSULTATION—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) What community consultation has been undertaken by the NSW Ministry of Health regarding the planned relocation of the Ryde Midwifery Group Practice currently operating at Ryde Hospital?

(2) How many written submissions have been received regarding this issue?(3) How many community consultation sessions have been hosted by the Department?

Answer— I am advised by the Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research:(1) to (3) Northern Sydney Local Health District held two Ryde Aged and Surgical Wards Enhancement

Project stakeholder user group meetings. Consumer representatives including the Mums@Ryde group were invited and attended the meetings. Following further consultation, the Local Health District has decided that the Ryde Midwifery Group Practice will remain in its current location.

*4879 HEALTH—RYDE MIDWIFERY GROUP PRACTICE CAPACITY—Ms Cotsis asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research—

(1) How many beds are available for use at the Ryde Midwifery Group Practice currently operating at Ryde Hospital, as at 27 June 2013?

(2) Will the Minister for Health guarantee that the existing treatment capacity of the practice will be maintained: (a) While the relocation is underway?(b) When the relocation is completed?

Answer— I am advised by the Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research:(1) Two Birthing Rooms(2)

(a) and (b) Existing treatment capacity will be retained, although no relocation is currently planned.

20 AUGUST 2013(Paper No. 156)

4880 EDUCATION—THE JUNCTION PUBLIC SCHOOL—Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Education—

(1)


(a) Will the Minister for Education keep the undertaking given prior to the last state election by the now Member for Newcastle, Mr Tim Owen MP, to construct a new building at The Junction Public School?

(b) If so, when?(c) If not, why not?

4881 ROADS AND PORTS—THOMPSON SQUARE PARK AND WINDSOR WHARF RESERVE—Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Roads and Ports—

(1) Is it the intention of the Government to close the majority of Thompson Square Park and Windsor Wharf Reserve to public access for 20 months, excluding additional closures pre-construction and early works? (a) Will some areas of the heritage park be used to stockpile materials and for other associated

works?(b) If so, which areas?

(2) What assessment has been made of the likely impacts of this extended closure on local small businesses, in particular those relying on tourism?

4882 TRANSPORT—TRANSPORT STAFF UNIFORMS—Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) How much was spent on the design, manufacture and related costs of new transport staff uniforms in: (a) 2012⁄13?(b) 2013⁄14?

(2)(a) Were these uniforms manufactured in Australia from Australian materials?(b) If not:

(i) Where were they manufactured?(ii) From where were the materials sourced?

4883 ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE—THE ODOUR UNIT PTY LTD—Mr Primrose to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage—

(1)(a) Did the Environment Protection Authority engage The Odour Unit Pty Ltd to conduct an

assessment of odours in the Mulgrave and South Windsor area?(b) If so:

(i) What were the findings in relation to odours from Elf Farm Supplies Pty Ltd?(ii) When will the report be made publicly available?

4884 TRANSPORT—131500.COM ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS—Ms Sharpe to ask the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1)(a) Is information provided on the 131500.com site about alternate arrangements for commuters

with a disability or mobility issues during planned trackwork?(b) If not, why not?

(2)(a) Is information provided on the 131500.com site about alternate arrangements for commuters

with a disability or mobility issues in the event of disruptions to the rail network?(b) If not, why not?

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4885 TRANSPORT—STATION MANAGERS ON THE SYDNEY TRAINS NETWORK—Ms Sharpe to ask the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Transport—

(1) What qualifications and experience are required for station managers on the Sydney Trains network?(2) Is experience working on the train network a requirement for these positions?(3) How is the Government ensuring that experience in the Sydney Trains network is not lost during the

current restructure?

4886 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES—BEEBY PARK MONA VALE—Mr Shoebridge to ask the Minister for Roads and Ports representing the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business—

(1)(a) Was the Kitchener Park Management Plan 2009 adopted as a Plan of Management under the

Crown Lands Act 1989?(b) If so, when did this occur?(c) If not, why not?(d) What role did Crown Lands play in this?

(2) What concerns have been raised with the Minister for Primary Industries about the loss of amenity caused by this development for the local Girl Guides whose hall is adjacent to the site?

(3) Is the usage of the proposed car park as additional car parking for the Mona Vale Shopping Centre a use permitted by the Crown Lands Act 1989?

(4) Is the usage of the proposed car park as "Park and Ride" parking a use permitted by the Crown Lands Act 1989?

(5) What steps have been taken to ascertain the accuracy of the environmental report for the site from Pittwater Council?

(6) Is granting approval to this development on Crown Land consistent with Section 11 Principles of Crown land management in the Crown Lands Act 1989?

4887 EDUCATION—TAFE REVENUE—Dr Kaye to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Education—

In regards to TAFE, what is the financial breakdown between student fees and revenue generated from other fees collected for services rendered through the commercial course offerings to industry partners and the like? Please provide a financial breakdown by Institute.

4888 EDUCATION—AMALGAMATION OF WYONG GROVE PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH WYONG PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Kaye to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Education—

(1)(a)

(i) What consultation was conducted before the decision to amalgamate Wyong Grove Public School with Wyong Public School was taken?

(ii) Whom did the consultation involve?(b) If consultation was conducted, over what time frame did this take place?(c) How long had the NSW Department of Educaton and Communities been considering

amalgamating Wyong Grove Public before a decision was made?

(2)(a) What will the Department do with the Wyong Grove Public School land once the amalgamation

takes place?(b) Will the land remain under the control of the Department?

(3) Will there be any job losses among teaching or support staff as a result of this amalgamation?(4) Is the Department considering amalgamating any other schools?


4889 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES—QUEANBEYAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA PUBLIC OR SOCIAL HOUSING—Mr Whan to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Women—

(1) What is the total number of public or social housing units or houses in the Queanbeyan Local government area (LGA)?

(2) How many are managed by Housing NSW and how many by non-government bodies?(3) How many units of public or social housing were built being the number of additions to existing

stock in Queanbeyan for the following financial years: (a) 2009⁄10?(b) 2010⁄11?(c) 2011⁄12?(d) 2012⁄13?

(4) How many public housing premises were substantially renovated during the following financial years: (a) 2009⁄10?(b) 2010⁄11?(c) 2011⁄12?(d) 2012⁄13?

(5)(a) How many new premises will be built in the Queanbeyan LGA during the 2013⁄14 financial

year?(b) How many premises will be renovated in the Queanbeyan LGA during the 2013⁄14 financial

year?

David BluntClerk of the Parliaments

_________________________________________ Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales

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