22December2024

editor

Publisher
Michael Walls
michael@accessnews.com.au
0407 783 413

Tuesday, 19 November 2024 17:40

LIVE MUSIC FUNDING FOR DRIFTERS WHARF

POPULAR live-music venue, Drifters Wharf, in Gosford, has received $50,000 from the Federal Labor Government’s Revive Live Program.

The venue will use the grant funding to support five all-ages live music events during summer and attract national and local bands.

The program supported established live music venues or established music festivals to create a sustainable operating environment - to protect performance opportunities, and the development and discoverability of original contemporary music by Australian artists.

The Program also holds a strong focus on activities that improve accessibility at established live music venues or established music festivals, providing participation opportunities for audiences, and career pathways for musicians and music workers, with disability.

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP said: “The past several years has been challenging for live music events with COVID-19 and increasing operating costs.

“I am pleased that Drifters Wharf have been successful in securing support for its all-ages live music events over the coming months. I look forward to continuing to support the live music scene and venues across the Central Coast.”

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GOVT ENDS TICKETLESS PARKING FINE SYSTEM

THE NSW Government’s reforms to the ticketless parking fine system to require on-the-spot notifications have passed the NSW Parliament.

The changes end the ticketless system introduced by the previous Liberal-National Government in 2020. Under the ticketless system, instead of having the infringement notice left on the vehicle, the fine was sent by post, sometimes not being received until weeks after the incident.

Soon after the introduction of the previous government’s ticketless system, the NRMA and other stakeholders raised issues with the scheme, identifying that it removed transparency and making it more difficult for motorists to contest their fine.

In 2023/24, local councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines, a 49% increase over the 551,441 issued in 2022/23.

The Fines Amendment (Parking Fines) Bill 2024 restores fairness and transparency to the parking fine system by:

• Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to the vehicle.

• Requiring councils to take photos of offences and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers.

• Providing limited exceptions where an on-the-spot notification is not required, for example where it may be unsafe or hazardous for a ranger to do so.

• Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, where drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.

• Introducing data reporting rules to evaluate if further reforms are necessary.

A working group, which has representatives from stakeholders including Local Government NSW, has been established by Revenue NSW to inform the drafting of regulations and assist with implementation.

Even before the bill passed, several councils began proactively providing on-the-spot notifications to drivers.

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GREEN POINT MUM LEADS THE WAY

Afforadable groceries delivered locally

GREEN Point mum Michelle Mitchell is helping families access fresh, affordable groceries through her role as coordinator of the local Box Divvy Food Hub.

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