Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...

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PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES 

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 

2007-08-09 

FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT 

QUESTIONS 

AND 

ANSWERS 

No. 158 

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009 

The Questions and Answers Paper is published at the end of each sitting day and will contain, by number and 

title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on that sitting day 

and any new questions. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is 

given; and, when answered. During any adjournment of two weeks or more a Questions and Answers Paper will 

be published from time to time containing answers received.


7028 

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 


Publication of Questions 

Answer to be lodged by 

Q & A No. 147 (Including Question Nos 7296 to 7330) 06 October 2009 











Q & A No. 158 (Questions—Nil) -

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1 SEPTEMBER 2009 

(Paper No. 147) 

*7296 DISCHARGE OF PATIENTS—WAITING TIMES—Mr Richard Amery asked the Deputy Premier, 

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney 

General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice 

President of the Executive Council— 

(1) After a patient has been cleared by a doctor to be discharged from a public hospital in New South 

Wales, do patients wait in a waiting area for their discharge papers to be processed? 

(2) (a) Does the Department of Health set benchmark times as an acceptable waiting time for such 

patients to be discharged, once given clearance by a doctor? 

(b) If so, what are these benchmark times? 

(3) Is a waiting time (for a patient's discharge papers to be processed) of five hours considered 

acceptable by the Department of Health? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Various strategies exist to manage patients waiting for family, medications or discharge letters. These 

range from waiting in the bed in their room, to a ward waiting room, to an organised discharge 

lounge or unit where the discharge processes are coordinated and finalised. 

(2) All Area Health Services have designated times the patients should be ready to leave on the day of 

discharge. No measure of the length of time patients wait after the decision to discharge is currently 

measured. 

(3) Waiting times for the processing of patients' discharge papers varies depending on the circumstances 

of each individual case. NSW Health is working with staff on improving communication with 

patients and carers to explain to them what is happening with their care; to improve the existing 

systems; and build new ones to assist in identifying and reducing delays. 

*7297 PORTABLE OXYGEN—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and 

the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial 

Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive Council— 

(1) Why is NSW the only state or territory that gives no assistance to the disabled for the acquisition of 

portable oxygen? 

(2) Would it not be practical to replace all home oxygen concentrators with portable concentrators? 

(3) Can the Minister advise what the waiting list is for the supply of home oxygen equipment in the 

Clarence electorate? 

Answer— 

(1) NSW does provide assistance with the provision of portable oxygen. The NSW Home Oxygen 

Service (HOS) provides respiratory equipment, including oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen 

to assist people to manage their respiratory condition at home. 

(2) The current Home Oxygen Contract expires in 2010 at which time the efficacy of including portable 

oxygen concentrators on the contract will be considered. 

(3) There is currently no waiting time in the North Coast Area Health Service (which includes the 

Clarence electorate) for people who meet the eligibility criteria for home oxygen therapy equipment. 

*7298 MONITORING OF UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Deputy Premier, 

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

In regard to the introduction of legislation requiring all underground fuel tanks to be monitored: 

(1) Is the Minister aware of the service costs for this monitoring and the added financial hardship this 

will place on already struggling small businesses? 

(2) Are there any subsidies or fee exemptions available for those small businesses facing financial 

hardship because of the introduction of this monitoring service? 

(3) Why is it necessary that the fuel tanks be monitored monthly instead of quarterly? 

(4) Has the Government undertaken any business impact or cost analysis study on the impact this 

regulation will have on small business? 

Answer— 

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(1) The costs associated for monitoring were raised by industry and considered during the consultation 

process on the draft Protection of the Environment Operations (Underground Petroleum Storage 

Systems) Regulation 2008. As a consequence, amendments were made to the draft Regulation prior 

to its commencement on 1 June 2008 to include staged implementation of the Regulation's 

requirements and a scheme of exemptions. 

Details of the types of exemptions and eligibility requirements are available in the UPSS Exemption 

Plan, which can be found on the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water's website. 

(2) Fee exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

(3) It is industry best practice to monitor tank levels daily and evaluate losses at least monthly. Leaks 

detected at the level required by the Regulation represent tank losses in the order of 500 litres per 

month. This represents a critical risk to groundwater resources and a financial loss to operators. 

(4) Yes, as part of the Regulatory Impact Statement process. 

*7299 HIGH RISE DEVELOPMENT—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 

Redfern Waterloo— 

In relation to high rise development: 

(1) What action has the Government taken since the exhibition period for the Ashington Group's 

proposed high-rise development at 33 Cross Street, Double Bay closed on 5 June 2009? 

(2) Is the Minister aware of continuing community opposition to the Ashington Group's proposed highrise 

development? 

(3) Will the Minister now reject Ashington's proposal and return the project to Woollahra Council for 

their consideration? 

Answer— 

(1) Since the exhibition period concluded, the Department of Planning has provided all of the 

submissions to the Proponent, and a Preferred Project Report has recently been submitted for 

assessment. This is available on the Department's website www.planning.nsw.gov.au. The 

Department has also engaged the NSW Government Architect to undertake an expert review of the 

Preferred Project Report. 

(2) Yes. 

(3) No. I have refused the development after a thorough and rigorous Part 3A assessment and referring it 

back to council would be inappropriate. 

*7300 COUNSELLING SUPPORT—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) What counselling and support has been provided to the DOCS caseworkers who worked in 2007 

with the parents of the child known as "Ebony" who were convicted of her murder and manslaughter 

respectively? 

(2) How many other caseworkers were there in the teams these caseworkers were part of? 

(3) What mentoring and support was available to these caseworkers in 2007? 

Answer— 

(1) Caseworkers involved in the matter of "Ebony" and their colleagues in the unit have been provided 

with a range of supports including a Critical Incidence Debrief, psychologists from the debrief were 

located in the office and were made available more informally, counselling was made available, 

access to the Employee Assistance Program was reinforced, internal support teams and support from 

all levels within Community Services were also made available. 

Staff working within the unit have accessed enhanced training and professional development 

opportunities including stress management and various trauma workshops. Casework Specialists 

have also provided practical supports to the teams at the unit managing the matter. Staff have been 

provided with legal support and communications through out the trial of the parents in recent 

months. 

(2) At that time there was an establishment of 19 child protection caseworkers in the unit. 

(3) Community Services recognises the need to continue to work towards promoting an organisational 

culture where anxiety and feelings of discomfort about families are openly acknowledged and 

managed in the context of a safe and supportive supervisory relationship. Community Services has 

been actively pursuing such a cultural practice change since launching the professional supervision 

strategy in January 2006. 

Mentoring was available to staff at the Community Services Centre through the Casework Specialist 

whose position involved on-the-job mentoring and role modelling. Caseworkers could access the 


7031 



Casework Specialist through their Manager or on an informal basis for advice on policy, procedure 

or to access informal professional support in relation to their role. 

It is acknowledged that working within the field of child protection is very complex, personally 

demanding and sometimes confronting work. In addition to Supervision, all allocated cases are 

reviewed by a Caseworker with their Manager at least once every three months. This is in addition to 

regular guidance provided by managers on active cases which occurs as needed. 

Caseworkers also have access to the Department's Learning and Development branch to access 

courses to aide professional development. 

Team and unit meetings and planning sessions also provide opportunities for support and mentoring. 

*7301 OUT-OF-HOME CARE CONTRACTS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) How many Out-of-Home Care contracts arising from the March 2007 EOI have been awarded to 

NGOs? 

(2) How much money is involved? 

(3) How many Out-of-Home Care contracts arising from this EOI have not been awarded? 

(4) How much money is involved? 

(5) What is the department's revised estimated cost of upgrading KIDS to the level required for an 

integrated service as recommended by Wood? 

(6) When is work on this upgrade expected to be completed? 

Answer— 

(1) To date 27 agencies have been or are being contracted and are developing their service according to 

set milestones to provide capacity for family preservation, foster care, kinship care and residential 

placements across NSW. 

(2) Out-of-Home Care program expenditure is contracted to $223 million in 2009-2010. 

(3) In April 2009, the Out-of-Home Care funding rollout was halted and funding negotiations with 15 

agencies were suspended pending the outcome of an Out-of-Home Care Review. This review was 

commissioned by Treasury, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Community Services and 

considered the impact of growth in Out-of-Home Care and examined areas such as policy, practice, 

contracting and effectiveness of current systems. As a result of the Review, a group of agencies were 

left with unfinished funding negotiations and were advised that until the outcome of the Out-of- 

Home Care Review was considered by Cabinet, negotiations would not progress. 

(4) In order to finalise the remaining Out-of-Home Care contracts, the Community Services' budget 

requirements to grow additional capacity of 625 placements by 2012⁄2013 has been projected at an 

additional $35 million annually. 

(5) The estimates for the KiDS Core Design Upgrade as previously scoped have not changed from those 

included in the budget papers of June 2009. 

(6) The original plan as outlined in the budget papers of June 2009 was to complete the Kids Core 

Design Upgrade by June 2011, delivered in three stages with the first due in mid-2010. 

*7302 MINISTERIAL LETTERHEAD—Ms Pru Goward asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

(1) Why hasn't the Premier replied to my letter requesting disciplining of the Member for Canterbury 

and Minister for Community Services for using ministerial letterhead in pursuit of non-parliamentary 

appointments? 

(2) Are there guidelines prohibiting NSW Ministers (and indeed, all Members of NSW Parliament) from 

touting for positions outside Parliament on parliamentary⁄electoral or ministerial letterhead? 

Answer— 

The Premier responded in writing to the matters raised in Ms Goward's letter on 9 June 2009. 

*7303 STATE WATER AND DWE OFFICES—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Minister for Water, and 

Minister for Regional Development— 

(1) Why has State Water relocated their office in Tamworth, effectively detaching it from the 

Department of Water and Energy Office (DWE)? 

(2) Will the Minister confirm if there are similar plans to do the same with the Leeton office of State 

Water? 

(3) How much will it cost to relocate the office of State Water in Leeton to another location? 

(4) Will these costs in (3) to relocate the State Water office in Leeton be directly funded by the NSW 

Government, or will the irrigators and water users of the area be required to fund these costs? 


7032 



(5) Given that there are plans by the NSW Government to amalgamate more than 160 Government 

agencies together into 13 super-departments in the near future, will this untimely decision be 

reversed by the Minister? 

Answer— 

I am advised by State Water: 

(1) In its recent restructure, State Water identified Tamworth as an area of growing importance which 

required the allocation of more resources, and consequently larger office accommodation was required. 

(2) to (4) The relocation will result in a saving of $8,000 pa in annual rent and provide better services to 

the local community. 

(5) State Water is a state-owned corporation and is not affected by the restructure of public sector 

agencies. 

*7304 MR T SMITH—REQUEST FOR MEETING—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Minister for Water, 

and Minister for Regional Development— 

(1) Why has the Director General of the Department of Commerce not replied to the 6 August 2009 

letter from Mr T Smith of Yass, in response to the Director General's letter (reference RML 

M09⁄3785 dated 22 July 2009) asking him to provide specific details of alleged occupational and 

health and safety concerns? 

(2) Given that Mr Smith has previously provided information to the Department with no outcome, will 

the Director General meet with Mr Smith as requested in his letter of 6 August? 

Answer— 

As the matter does not relate to the Water portfolio, I suggest that the Member direct her question to the 

relevant Minister. 

*7305 LIVING MURRAY PROGRAM—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 

Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

(1) Given the announcement by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority that it has received more than 100 

willing sellers under the latest water buy back offer, how much water has actually been bought by 

NSW under the Living Murray Program? 

(2) What was the security status of the water bought? 

(3) What was the amount expended by the NSW Government in purchasing this water? 

(4) How many more permanent water entitlements are required to meet the commitment made by the 

NSW Government to the Living Murray Program for 2009? 

Answer— 

(1) 128,520 megalitres of Long-Term Cap Equivalent (LTCE) water access entitlement have been 

purchased by NSW from willing sellers under The Living Murray (TLM) program to date. 

(2) TLM reports recovered entitlement on the common basis of megalitres of LTCE, which 

approximates the long term average allocation available to the entitlement. Most of the entitlement 

purchased by NSW under the TLM program is general security entitlement, with approximately 20 

per cent being supplementary access entitlement and only small volumes of high security 

entitlement. 

(3) Approximately $209 million has been expended by NSW in purchasing this water entitlement, with 

approximately $147 million of this total provided by the other jurisdictions as investment partners 

under the TLM program. 

(4) TLM has an overall target of 500,000 megalitres LTCE. NSW will achieve approximately 220,000 

megalitres LTCE through a mix of water purchase and infrastructure measures that are finalised or 

currently in progress. The other partner governments (Commonwealth, Victoria and South Australia) 

and the Murray Darling Basin Authority have projects in progress which are expected to recover the 

balance of the 500,000 megalitre program target. 

*7306 STEEL RESLEEPING—HORNSBY ELECTORATE—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for 

Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

Have any Rail Infrastructure Corporation new works allocations in Budget Paper No. 4 (2009-2010 

Budget) been targeted to "steel resleeping" in the Hornsby electorate? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 


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The projects listed in the question provide network-wide benefits. 

*7307 NEW LINE ROAD FUNDING—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) Has any funding been allocated to improvements⁄upgrades to New Line Road in the Hornsby 

electorate? 

(2) If so, what upgrades will occur? 

Answer— 

I am advised that around $900,000 has been allocated for the repair of a culvert over Georges Creek. 

*7308 COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND SERVICES CONSULTATION—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the 

Minister for Local Government, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health)— 

(1) How much will the cost be for Hornsby Shire Councils to enable the independent consultant 'Field 

Works' to call residents as part of council consultation regarding its community relations and 

services? 

(2) What other costs (for what actions) will be incurred in this process? 

Answer— 

I provide the following details in response to your questions: 

(1) Councils are established as independent bodies with a wide range of discretionary powers and are 

responsible to the community they serve. The Division of Local Government, Department of Premier 

and Cabinet does not collect this information. 

You may wish to consider seeking this information directly from Council. 

(2) See response to question (1). 

*7309 PROPOSED WHARF—CAPTAIN COOK’S LANDING PLACE—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the Minister 

for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

(1) What is the length of the wharf that was proposed at Captain Cook's Landing Place? 

(2) What is the depth of water in Botany Bay at this point? 

(3) What type of ferries could service this wharf? 

(4) What measurement of draught would these ferries draw? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

I refer the Member to my previous response to LA 6326. 

*7310 POLICE VISIBILITY—CARINGBAH SHOPPING AREA—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the Minister for 

Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and 

Minister for Rural Affairs— 

What plans are in place to increase the police visibility in the Caringbah shopping area as a deterrent to 

crime and antisocial behaviour? 

Answer— 

The NSW Police Force has advised me: 

Proactive patrols by both general duties and specialist officers of the Miranda Local Area Command 

frequently result in a strong and highly visible policing presence in the Caringbah central business district 

and railway station. For example, Miranda Licensing Police have over the past month conducted 

operations every weekend targeting licensed premises, alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour. 

*7311 REDFERN RAILWAY STATION—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 

the Illawarra— 

With respect to repeated Government promises to upgrade Redfern Railway Station so that it is safe, 

accessible and meets transport needs, including being a priority for the Redfern-Waterloo Partnership 

Project and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA): 

(1) Do 19,000 passengers use Redfern Railway Station each day? 

(2) Is Redfern the eighth busiest station in NSW? 

(3) (a) Did the Redfern-Waterloo Partnership Project work on a concept plan in 2002? 

(b) If so, what was the outcome of that work? 

(4) (a) Was $250,000 allocated for a concept design study in 2004? 


7034 



(b) If so, what was the outcome of that study? 

(5) Did the Redfern-Waterloo Authority call for tenders to "investigate the options for the redevelopment 

of Redfern Station" for the RWA and RailCorp in 2006, with consultants to be appointed by July 

2006? 

(6) Is the redevelopment of Redfern Station a priority in both the RWA's 2005 Human Services Plan and 

2006 Built Environment Plan? 

(7) Was the Redfern Station redevelopment included in the November 2005 Urban Transport Statement 

as a "Capacity and Service Improvement Initiative" to be completed by 2011? 

(8) (a) Have at least eight concept plans been developed for Redfern Railway Station? 

(b) If not, how many concept plans have been prepared? 

(9) Did the RWA announce in May 2008 that design work would begin soon? 

(10) When will designs for an accessible Redfern Railway Station be completed and what consultation is 

planned? 

(11) When will redevelopment of Redfern Railway Station commence and be completed? 

Answer— 

I am advised that physical accessibility at CityRail stations now exceeds the 25% target set for 2007 by 

the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, 

with 117 of the 307 operational CityRail stations being wheelchair accessible. It is estimated 75% of 

passengers now use accessible stations. 

The NSW Government will continue working hard to upgrade existing train stations to ensure our 

passengers have safe, modern and accessible facilities. 

More than $30 million in funding has been allocated to the design, planning and construction of 

accessibility upgrades, including Easy Access upgrades, across the CityRail network during the 2009⁄10 

financial year. 

Stations are being upgraded in a priority order as part of the Easy Access Program based on a number of 

weighted criteria including (but not limited to): patronage; strategic importance to the network; potential 

growth; bus services; car parking; shopping; walking access; access to medical facilities; access to 

educational facilities; tourism; rail interchanges⁄termination within and between lines; and proximity to 

alternative accessible stations. 

Specific questions concerning the actions of the Redfern Waterloo Authority are a matter for the Minister 

for Redfern Waterloo. 

I am advised that RailCorp and the Redfern Waterloo Authority jointly funded a study in 2006 to revise 

options developed in 2004, based on a land-based survey of the station elements to ensure accurate 

drawings and passenger counts. 

The upgrade of Redfern Station was shown in the Urban Transport Statement as a 2011 project. 

Construction is currently expected to take 3 to 4 years to complete, subject to staging. 

I am advised that RailCorp and the Redfern Waterloo Authority have identified a preferred option for 

development at the station, although the Redfern Waterloo Authority has requested that RailCorp amend 

a few elements of that option. I understand that this is currently being done. 

A community consultation plan is currently been developed. It is expected that community consultation 

will begin in 2010, once funding for the project has been secured. 

*7312 NUMBER OF FTE PEOPLE IN THE SES—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

What was the total FTE number of people in the SES as at 30 June 2009? 

Answer— 

Consolidated SES FTE numbers as at 30 June 2009 are not available. However, details relating to the 

SES position reductions as at 30 June 2009 are able to be viewed on the Department of Premier and 

Cabinet website. 

*7313 ROSEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Training, 

and Minister for Women— 

What is the scope of major capital works proposed for Roseville Public School as identified in the 

2009-2010 Budget Papers? 

Answer— 


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The Major Capital Works project announced in the 2009⁄10 State Budget and the Commonwealth 

Government's Building the Education Revolution project recently approved in Round 3 of the Primary 

Schools for the 21st Century component have been combined and will be managed and delivered as one 

project in order to leverage off their combined finance. 

The scope of work for this project is currently in the planning stages. Consultation with the school 

community is ongoing. 

*7314 FORMER ST IVES VEGETATION TIP SITE—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Minister for Planning, and 

Minister for Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for 

Rural Affairs— 

Regarding the former St Ives vegetation tip site off Mona Vale Road: 

(1) How often has the pumping station, which collects leachate effluent from the tip and returns it to 

ponds above the site, broken down in the last five years? 

(2) What monitoring is in place to ensure effluent from the site is not leaching into the Middle Harbour 

headwaters catchment, particularly when the pump breaks down and during heavy rain periods? 

(3) Is there any evidence that the leachate has bypassed the pumping station and entered into the Middle 

Harbour Creek system? 

(4) What measures are in place to ensure the leachate does not enter the system? 

(5) What controls are in place to ensure the holding ponds at the site do not become a breeding ground 

for mosquitoes? 

(6) Has approval ever been granted by the Government for the excavation works on the site which now 

contains the former vegetation tip? 

(7) Are there plans to connect the area to Sydney Water's sewer system? 

(8) If not, why not, given the potential for leachate to enter the Middle Harbour headwaters catchment? 

Answer— 

Although the former tip site comprises Crown land that is held under permissive occupancy by Ku-ringgai 

Council, regulatory compliance matters are issues for the Department of Environment Climate 

Change and Water. 

*7315 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

Regarding Freight Improvement Projects listed in the 2009-2010 Budget: 

In Budget Paper No. 4 at page 4-62 the following entry appears: 

Freight Improvement Projects - Various 

What is the amount under this entry that has been allocated to the Murrumbidgee electorate? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The projects listed in the question provide network-wide benefits. 

*7316 UNIVERSITIES SUMMIT—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

In relation to the NSW Government's Universities Summit held on 20 July: 

(1) How many delegates were invited to the Premier's Universities Summit? 

(2) How many delegates attended the Premier's Universities Summit? 

(3) Was the Premier's Universities Summit convenor Dr Mary O'Kane provided with financial 

remuneration for convening the summit? 

(4) If Yes to (3), what was the total amount provided to Dr O'Kane? 

(5) For the 3 hour summit, how much time was devoted to each of the following: 

(a) Climate change matters; 

(b) The global economic crisis; 

(c) Energy issues; 

(d) Challenges of an ageing population? 

(6) Where was the summit held (name and address of the site)? 

(7) How much did the summit cost and what were the costs for: 

(a) venue hire; 

(b) catering; 

(c) AV equipment hire; 


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(d) stationery; and 

(e) other miscellaneous costs? 

Answer— 

(1) Approximately 100 leaders from business, government and the university and research sector were 

invited to attend the Premier's University Government Business Forum. 

(2) I refer you to the Premier's Media Release dated 20 July 2009. 

(3) The NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer, Professor O'Kane, was not provided with financial 

remuneration in relation to the Forum. 

(4) Not applicable. 

(5) The main purpose of the Forum was to discuss opportunities for improved collaboration between the 

Government, industry and universities in building skills, attracting investment, promoting 

international engagement and building research concentrations. In this context, a two hour workshop 

was held to discuss challenges such as climate change, the global economic crisis, energy issues, and 

the ageing of the population. 

(6) I refer you to the Premier's Media Release dated 20 July 2009. 

(7) The total cost for delivery of the Forum was approximately $53,000 inclusive of GST. This included: 

(a) approximately $4500 for venue hire; 

(b) approximately $3000 for catering; 

(c) approximately $500 for Audio Visual equipment hire; 

(d) approximately $1460 for stationary, including working folders, program and discussion paper 

printing costs and note pads; 

(e) other miscellaneous costs of approximately $44,000 inclusive of GST. 

*7317 AGE DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHERS—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for Education and 

Training, and Minister for Women— 

In relation to the age distribution of teachers currently employed by the Department of Education and 

Training in NSW public schools, what is the total number of teachers in each of the following age ranges, 

broken down by gender (male⁄female) and employment classification (Full Time Equivalent, Part Time 

and Casual): 

(a) Under 25; 

(b) Between 25 and 34; 

(c) Between 35 and 44; 

(d) Between 45 and 54; 

(e) Between 55 and 64; 

(f) Over 65? 

Answer— 

(a) to (f) I am advised that at 30 June 2009, the age distribution of teachers employed by the Department 

of Education and Training in NSW public schools was as follows: 

Number of Permanent School Teachers (full time and part time) 

Age Male Female Total Total (%) 

Under 25 167 701 868 1.8% 

25 34 1 911 6 954 8 865 18.0% 

35 44 3 188 8 214 11 402 23.1% 

45 54 5 183 12 292 17 475 35.4% 

55 64 3 905 6 461 10 366 21% 

65 and over 85 289 374 0.8% 

Total 14 439 34 911 49 350 100% 

Number of Temporary School Teachers (full time and part time) 


Under 25 203 967 1 170 10.6% 

25 34 739 2 761 3 500 31.7% 

35 44 401 1 826 2 227 20.2% 

45 54 282 2 138 2 420 21.9% 

55 64 337 1 182 1 519 13.8% 


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65 and over 68 130 198 1.8% 

Total 2 030 9 004 11 034 100% 

Number of Casual School Teachers 


Under 25 189 792 981 10.2% 

25 34 489 1 594 2 083 21.6% 

35 44 336 1 545 1 881 19.5% 

45 54 396 1 539 1 935 20% 

55 64 648 1 564 2 212 22.9% 

65 and over 198 369 567 5.9% 

Total 2 256 7 403 9 659 100% 

As these figures are a snapshot of a point in time, they show the numbers of casual teachers employed on 

a particular day. The length of each casual engagement varies from 1 day to less than 4 weeks, and over 

the course of a year a casual teacher could be engaged once or have successive casual engagements. 

*7318 HUNTER WATER—ANNUAL REBATE—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for Water, and Minister for 

Regional Development— 

As current government policy sees retirement village pensioners miss out on Hunter Water's $199 annual 

rebate, will the Minister immediately fix this anomaly by acknowledging that these pensioners are 

"customers" through payment of water rates within their village levy? 

Answer— 

The NSW Office of Water is currently undertaking a review of pensioner concessions. 

*7319 PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE CRITERIA—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister 

for the Illawarra— 

Why does Category 1 of the Private Hire Vehicle Criteria for Unrestricted Private Hire Vehicles require a 

minimum wheelbase of 2,800 mm while Categories 2 and 3 require only a minimum of 2,700 mm? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Wheelbase restrictions were amended to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly hire car 

vehicles and to allow for the use of luxury vehicles as defined by the Commonwealth Government's 

luxury tax threshold. 

*7320 COMBINED-CYCLE GAS GENERATORS—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for Education and 

Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, 

Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

Given the 60% reduction in carbon emission from combined-cycle gas generators and their proven ability 

to generate base load power, will the Government insist on gas as the fuel for all new power generators in 

the State? 

Answer— 

The developers of all new power stations will make decisions about the technology and fuel type for the 

next power station in the knowledge that they will operate under the emissions cap set by the 

Commonwealth Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). 

*7321 ENHANCED PRIMARY CARE PROGRAM—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 

Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, 

Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of 

the Executive Council— 

In relation to the Enhanced Primary Care program: 

What is the total number of patients utilising this service in the Tweed electorate year to date? 

Answer— 

The Enhanced Primary Care Program is a mechanism whereby General Practitioners are able to refer to a 

range of Allied Health Services under Commonwealth Funding via the Medicare Agreement. 


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The North Coast Area Health Service does not collect data on the number of Enhanced Primary Care 

Program referrals received from GP's. 

*7322 TWEED COURT HOUSE—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, 

Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive Council— 

In relation to employees at the Tweed Court House: 

What are the total number of employees at the Tweed Court House in the following periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 

(c) Year to date? 

Answer— 

I am advised that the number of full-time equivalent staff positions has been 6.4 for these periods. 

*7323 AVOS IN THE TWEED/BYRON LOCAL AREA COMMAND—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister 

for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial 


In relation to AVOs in the Tweed⁄Byron Local Area Command (LAC): 

(1) What is the number of AVOs issued in the Tweed⁄Byron Local Area Command for the following 

periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


(2) What is the breakdown of AVOs issued for males and females for the following periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


(3) How many AVOs were breached in the following periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


Answer— 

I am advised: 

In relation to 2007 figures I refer the member to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research which 

publishes details with respect to AVOs on its website. 

Figures for 2008 and 2009 have not yet been finalized by the Bureau. 

*7324 CARLINGFORD LINE TRAIN SERVICES—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra— 

What is the Government's response to the Hills Shire Council's request that train services on the 

Carlingford line be increased in line with the massive population growth planned for the area around 

Carlingford Station as part of council's Carlingford Precinct Plan? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

NSW Transport and Infrastructure is working with the Hills Shire Council, the Department of Planning, 

RailCorp and the Roads and Traffic Authority to align public transport services with existing and 

anticipated future demand. In addition, NSW Transport and Infrastructure is participating in planning for 

the Epping Town Centre, which is a potential key destination for Carlingford residents in terms of access 

to Macquarie Park and the CBD via the Epping to Chatswood Rail Line and a potential future North West 

Metro. 

A Transport Blueprint is being developed by NSW Transport and Infrastructure for the Sydney 

Metropolitan Area Carlingford. This will map out the actions and strategies necessary to ensure our 

transport system continues to grow and adapt to change to achieve better transport outcomes for Sydney 

passengers and the movement of goods. The Blueprint will build on the networks and initiatives already 


7039 



in place or underway. The Blueprint will set the Government's strategic transport planning agenda for the 

next 25 years and will be developed alongside the major review of the Metropolitan Strategy - so that 

Sydney's transport planning and land use planning are inextricably linked. 

The Government has appointed an independent reference panel of experts to provide advice during the 

development of the Blueprint. 

*7325 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS COSTS—CURRAWONG—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for 

Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— 

(1) What costs have been incurred by the Department of Planning in the assessment of the heritage 

values and development proposals for Currawong since the Minister referred this matter to an expert 

panel in December 2007? 

(2) What proportion of these costs have been recovered from the proponent? 

Answer— 

(1) The Department incurred costs of $99,768 for the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel and 

$33,329 for the Ministerial Review Panel. 

(2) The Proponent was charged a project application fee of $134,687, which included fees for the 

Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel. 

*7326 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL—CAREEL BAY—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Planning, and 

Minister for Redfern Waterloo— 

(1) (a) Is the Minister currently assessing a development proposal submitted by Austral Monsoon 

Industries Pty Limited in relation to a site at Careel Bay in Avalon? 

(b) If yes, what is the current status of any development proposal? 

(2) (a) Has the Minister had any discussions with representatives of or agents for Austral Monsoon 

Industries Pty Limited in her role as Minister for Planning? 

(b) If yes, what were the nature of those discussions? 

Answer— 

(1) (a) and (b) The recent decision of the Land and Environment Court in relation to this matter means 

that the current application is still on foot. I understand the Department of Planning has asked 

Austral Monsoon Industries Pty Limited to confirm whether it wishes to proceed with the current 

proposal. As yet no response has been received. 

(2) (a) and( b) The Minister has not had any discussions with representatives of agents for Austral 

Monsoon Industries Pty Ltd. 

*7327 SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 

Minister for Women— 

(1) Has your department had any discussions regarding the grant of a lease, licence or any other right 

over Department of Education land at Narrabeen Sports High for the purpose of constructing a 

swimming pool complex? 

(2) If yes, what was the nature of these discussions and what is the current position of any discussions or 

negotiations? 

Answer— 

During negotiations for a lease that commenced in 2007 for the construction and operation of a 

gymnasium on land at Narrabeen Sports High School the lessee had considered including a pool in the 

facilities. 

Land at Narrabeen Sports High School has been leased to Pittwater Sports Centre for the construction 

and operation of a gymnasium and other associated facilities. A pool is not included in the facilities 

proposed under the lease. 

The lessee subsequently canvassed with the school the potential to construct a pool at a later stage. I am 

advised that the school community was not receptive to constructing a pool on the school site. 

I understand that there are no ongoing negotiations for a pool on the Narrabeen Sports High School site. 

*7328 PACIFIC HIGHWAY TRAFFIC VOLUMES—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Roads— 

In relation to the Pacific Highway and traffic volumes: 

(1) Has the NSW Government, together with the RTA, undertaken modelling for traffic projections 


7040 



along the Pacific Highway? 

(2) If yes to (1), what are the projected traffic volumes for the Pacific Highway for the next five years 

(2010-2014 inclusive)? 

(3) (a) What are the current traffic volumes for the Pacific Highway (the most recent data collection to 

date)? 

(b) On what date was this data collection made? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Yes. 

(2) The RTA has engaged traffic consultants to model traffic on the Pacific Highway multiple times in 

the past twenty years. There have been changes to the Pacific Highway and adjacent road network 

configurations since the most recent modelling was undertaken, which means that predictions for the 

2010 to 2014 period are not available from this modelling. 

The Federal Bureau of Infrastructure Transport and Regional Economics has produced a Working 

Paper (no.75) that provides traffic growth predictions for major roads including the Pacific Highway. 

This work covers the period 2005 to 2030. The predicted annual average growth rates range from 

1.38 to 1.89 percent depending on location. 

(3) (a) The number of vehicles per day on points along the Pacific Highway ranges from just under 

10,000 to over 50,000, with the average for the whole length being around 15,000 vehicles per day. 

(b) The latest broad traffic count survey was undertaken in 2007. 

*7329 TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT CENTRE—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Roads— 

In relation to the Transport Management Centre: 

(1) How many staff work at the Transport Management Centre (TMC) in Eveleigh? 

(2) What is the title of the highest-ranking staff member at the TMC? 

(3) For (2), how much is the current annual salary for this position indicating all extra benefits provided 

including complimentary extras, fuel allowance, and provision of a vehicle? 

(4) Who currently holds this position? 

(5) Where will the recently announced Transport Co-ordination Group (TCG) operate from? 

(6) How many staff within the TMC will work on the NSW Government's newly announced TCG to 

deal specifically with peak-hour congestion problems? 

(7) What will be the title of the highest-ranking staff member at the new TCG? 

(8) For (7), how much will the annual salary be for this position indicating all extra benefits provided 

including complimentary extras, fuel allowance, and provision of a vehicle? 

(9) Will this position be advertised? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Information on the Transport Management Centre is available from the RTA website (at 

www.rta.nsw.gov.au). 

The Transport Coordination Group brings together senior operational representatives from the Roads and 

Traffic Authority, CityRail, State Transit, the private bus industry and Sydney Ferries to oversee the 

morning and afternoon peak commuting periods in Sydney. 

This dedicated, experienced Group means that, during peak travel hours, our best and brightest are 

focussed on keeping transport services running smoothly. They're keeping an eye on what matters most to 

commuters, and that's improving their daily travel to work and home. 

These transport experts are monitoring traffic flows, observing patterns of delays and developing 

strategies to eliminate those systemic problems. 

When a disruption occurs, the Group ensures the blockage is cleared as soon as possible - getting 

replacement services out to commuters and aiming to provide fast, accurate and reliable information to 

passengers so they can make informed decisions about how to travel. During major disruptions, this may 

mean travelling by bus instead of ferry, or delaying travel while the problem is fixed. Good information 

makes for good decisions, and we owe that to commuters. 


7041 



*7330 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 

Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for 

Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

In relation to Major Works listed in the Budget under the State Development Portfolio: 

In Budget Paper No. 4 at page 4-54 the following entries appear: 

Information Technology Infrastructure - Various 

Regional Tourism Signposting Strategy - Various 

For each entry above: 

(a) What is the description, in detail, of each project; 

(b) Which NSW electorate(s) will receive funding for each project in 2009-2010? 

(c) How much funding will each NSW electorate listed in (b) receive for each project in 

2009-2010? 

Answer— 

Information Technology Infrastructure: 

The Information Technology Infrastructure referred to is for the implementation of the Department's wide 

area network to ensure the availability of information technology services to all departmental offices 

located in metropolitan and regional areas of NSW. 

Regional Tourism Signposting Strategy: 

The Regional Tourism Strategy includes such things as the "Welcome to state" and "Welcome to tourism 

regions" signs. The "Welcome to Tourism Regions" signs also promote the accredited visitor information 

centres across the state. The funding is not allocated to specific electorates. It is funding allocated to the 

implementation of state-wide initiatives under the Tourist Attractions Signposting program. 



*7331 BREASTSCREEN NSW—NEW FACILITY—Mr Richard Amery asked the Deputy Premier, Minister 

for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, 



(1) Has BreastScreen NSW recently established new facilities in Western Sydney to increase the number 

of women participating in the breast screening program? 

(2) If so, at what locations are these facilities situated? 

(3) How many of these facilities are situated in a public hospital? 

(4) How many of these facilities are situated in a private facility such as a retail store? 

(5) In relation to question (3) above, how many women have presented for a procedure at each of these 

locations since the facility opened? 

(6) In relation to (4) above, how many women have presented for a procedure at each of these locations 

since the facility opened? 

Answer— 

(1) to (6) I am advised that the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute has established the following 8 digital 

sites: 

Site Date opened Number of Screens since opening as 

at 20⁄9⁄09 

Auburn Hospital 21⁄04⁄09 846 

Blue Mountains Hospital 14⁄07⁄09 201 

Lithgow Hospital 13⁄09⁄07 1,426 

Mount Druitt Hospital 29⁄06⁄09 683 

Parramatta Myer 19⁄01⁄09 8,743 

Castle Hill Myer 21⁄09⁄09 0 

Blacktown Myer 19⁄10⁄09 (to be opened) 0 

Penrith Myer 06⁄10⁄09 (to be opened) 0 


7042 



*7332 AEROSPACE AVIATION AT BANKSTOWN—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Minister for Fair Trading, 

Minister for Citizenship, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts— 

(1) What advice was provided to Indian students who contacted the Office of Fair Trading regarding 

Aerospace Aviation at Bankstown? 

(2) How many complaints were received by the Office of Fair Trading from students training with this 

company? 

(3) Did the Office of Fair Trading refer this information to other Federal and State departments? 

Answer— 

(1) to (3) I am advised that students who lodged complaints with the Office of Fair Trading were given 

assistance in order to resolve the dispute in an attempt to reach agreement. In instances where Fair 

Trading were unable to negotiate a satisfactory resolution the students were provided with the option 

of the pursuing the matter through the Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal or seeking their own 

independent legal advice. 

During the period 1 January 2008 to 11 September 2009, Fair Trading recorded nine complaints for 

Aerospace Aviation Pty Ltd. Five of the complainants were made by international students. 

The complaints were managed appropriately in accordance with established complaint handling 

procedures and departmental protocols. No referrals were made to other State or Federal 

Departments. 

*7333 HOME INSULATION REBATE SCHEME—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Minister for Fair Trading, 


(1) How many complaints has the Office of Fair Trading received regarding the sales practices of roof 

insulation companies accessing the Federal Government rebate? 

(2) Why was this information not available to you for a media interview in early August 2009? 

(3) Should the review of the scheme by the Federal Auditor General identify traders in NSW who have 

acted inappropriately, will you initiate action against these businesses? 

Answer— 

I am advised by The Office of Fair Trading that as at 20 September 2009, 68 complaints have been 

received relating to the insulation rebate package. 

Fair Trading advised me that complaint levels did not indicate any significant increases in specific issues 

regarding roof insulation in early August. 

However, I asked Fair Trading to monitor the situation and to set up a referral service where complaints 

received about the rebate would be referred to the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water 

Heritage and the Arts and complaints about the installation of the insulation would be examined by Fair 

Trading. 

The Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts administers the Commonwealth 

Government's Energy Efficient Homes Package which involves the provisions of insulation for 

residential homes across Australia. 

The Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts considers existing fair trading 

legislation to be the primary means by which consumers who have accessed the scheme will seek redress. 

Unresolved complaints or those dealing with safety issues will be assessed by the Fair Trading Home 

Building Service. If appropriate, an on site inspection will be conducted. 

Where the trader fails to remedy any problem with the installation of the insulation at the request of a 

Fair Trading Inspector, a report from the inspector will be provided to The Federal Department of 

Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for consideration as to whether the trader should be removed 

from the installer register maintained by the Federal Government. 

*7334 PROVISION OF TRAIL BIKES—ALBURY LOCAL AREA COMMAND—Mr Greg Aplin asked the 

Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister 

for Lands, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

When will the Albury Local Area Command be supplied with their own trail bikes to combat the illegal 

use of trail bikes on Crown land and in other unauthorised areas across this rural electorate? 

Answer— 



7043 



The allocation of resources to Local Area Commands is a matter for the Commissioner of Police. 

Workload and other policing data are continually examined to ensure policing resources are allocated 

adequately. 

*7335 PROPOSED REDUCTION OF REGISTERED AND ENROLLED NURSES—ALBURY 

ELECTORATE—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the 

Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial 


In view of current proposals to reduce Registered and Enrolled Nurse working hours in the Albury 

electorate by 597 hours per week and to employ more Assistants in nursing: 

(1) What proposals are in place to ensure that at least two qualified nurses are rostered for duty after 

hours at smaller rural health facilities like Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook and Tumbarumba? 

(2) Has a risk assessment been conducted, as part of this proposal, to ensure these proposed reductions 

will not place patients at risk and to ensure the same level of care continues at these health facilities? 

(3) How many Registered and Enrolled nurse positions will be lost in the following health facilities: 

Tumbarumba, Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook and Corowa? 

Answer— 

The Greater Southern Area Health Service has a responsibility to work within its Budget, utilising the 

right numbers of staff with the right skillmix to meet the needs of the community. 

(1) The Greater Southern Area Health Service has ensured that one Registered Nurse and one Enrolled 

Nurse are rostered after hours where only two staff are on duty. 

(2) I am advised that yes, any changes to staffing composition are made ensuring that the health service 

is utilising right numbers of staff with the right skill mix to meet the needs of the community. 

(3) Greater Southern Area Health Service is currently in discussion with the NSW Nurses Association 

regarding nursing staff numbers across the Area Health Service. No final decision has been reached 

concerning any changes to skillmix or staffing levels. 

On 21 September 2009 the Director General issued a directive to each of the Chief Executives 

reaffirming the commitment to not allow voluntary redundancy offers to be made to frontline staff. 

*7336 TRAIL BIKE INFRINGEMENTS—ALBURY LOCAL AREA COMMAND—Mr Greg Aplin asked the 



(1) Are trail bike infringements recorded by the Police? 

(2) If so: 

(a) How many infringements were recorded in the Albury Local Area Command during the period 

1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009? 

(b) How many of these infringements were for illegal riding of a trail bike on Crown Land or 

Council Parks and Reserves? 

Answer— 


(1) Trail bikes are classed as motorcycles on the police database and not recorded separately. 

(2) The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) analyses NSW recorded crime statistics. I 

suggest the Honourable Member's questions are more appropriately addressed to the Attorney 

General, within whose portfolio the Bureau resides. 

*7337 UNDERGROUND PETROLEUM STORAGE SYSTEM REGULATIONS—Mr Greg Aplin asked the 

Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

Given that the Underground Petroleum Storage System regulations require all petroleum fuel traders to 

install underground monitoring wells by 2011: 

(1) Was consideration given to the costs facing small rural fuel providers in implementing this measure? 

(2) Was an assessment made of the number and location of small rural independent petroleum suppliers 

that might be unable to meet these costs and therefore close? 

(3) Was an assessment made of the impact on rural communities that stand to lose their only fuel 

supplier? 

(4) Have you or your Department approached the Federal Government for an assistance package for 

small independent fuel suppliers to assist with costs in meeting regulatory requirements to protect the 

environment? 


7044 



Answer— 

(1) Yes and the regulations were made flexible to allow exemptions and defences to ensure that those 

economic circumstances were considered at the same time as the environmental and public health 

issues associated with leaking petrol tanks. 

(2) The location of rural operators was reviewed. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and 

Water is not able to assess the financial viability of individual businesses. 

(3) This was considered when the regulation was developed and a scheme to enable exemptions was 

implemented. The scheme allows for the deferral of an operator's obligations in keeping with 

individual circumstances and business capacity and the risk to public health and the environment. 

Commencement of the obligation to install groundwater monitoring wells has been deferred until 

June 2011. Operators can also apply for an exemption from compliance with these requirements for a 

further year with provision for renewal after 2012. Exemptions are considered based on risk, and the 

nature of the exemption is determined by the proximity of the site to environmentally sensitive 

zones. 

(4) No. 

*7338 WATER SUPPLY—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Minister for Water, and Minister for Regional 

Development— 

(1) What is the response from the Minister to a University of Technology Sydney report which found 

there is a "one in a million chance" that reservoir levels will fall enough to warrant use of the Tillegra 

Dam? 

(2) What "internal modelling" carried out by the NSW Government predicts rainfall will increase by 

10% over the next 40 years? 

(3) Why have those documents not been made public? 

(4) Has the Government investigated the likelihood of Port Stephens residents in particular receiving 

water from the Tillegra Dam? 

(5) How is the desalination plant being funded - solely by Sydney Water ratepayers or water ratepayers 

across the state? 

Answer— 

(1) There have already been four independents reports confirming Hunter Water's figures are robust 

which take into account current storages, rainfall and projected population growth for the area. The 

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) determination confirms that there is no 

cheaper alternative to water security for the Hunter than Tillegra Dam. In fact, IPART engaged its 

own independent consultants, SKM, to analyse Hunter water's yield estimates and water 

consumption forecasts. The SKM report confirms that Hunter Water's system is in need of 

augmentation. 

(2) Rainfall trends in the lower Hunter are discussed in detail in Hunter Water's H250 Plan - Securing 

Our Water Future. 

(3) The H250 Plan - Securing Our Water Future is publicly available. 

(4) Water from Tillegra Dam will be released down the Williams River and transferred into 

Grahamstown Dam via Balickera Canal. Water from Grahamstown Dam is treated and transported to 

reservoirs throughout the Port Stephens area. 

(5) The cost of the Kurnell desalination plant will be recovered from Sydney Water Corporation's 

customers, across Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. 

*7339 SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Premier, and Minister for 

the Arts— 

What was the "significant assistance package to Swedish company Sandvik Mining and Construction" 

provided by the NSW Government to Sandvik for its business establishment in Heatherbrae, as indicated 

in Question Time on 25 June 2009? 

Answer— 

I am advised that the amount of assistance offered to Sandvik Mining and Construction is commercial-inconfidence. 

*7340 WIDENING OF NELSON BAY ROAD—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) Following the Government's Budget commitment of $1 million to the planning of the widening of 

Nelson Bay Road between Bob's Farm and Anna Bay, when is construction expected to begin? 

(2) Is funding available for construction to begin in 2009-10? 


7045 



(3) If not, is funding available for construction to begin in 2010-11? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

A construction timetable for the widening of Nelson Bay Road between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay has 

not yet been determined. The 2009-10 budget allocated $1 million to progress the design plans for the 

road widening. When the detailed design drawings are completed, funding for construction will be 

considered in future budget allocations. 

*7341 FISHING BUSINESSES BUY BACK—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Minister for Education and 



(1) How many fishing businesses were bought out under the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Parks 

(PSGLMP) buy out program? 

(2) What was the total amount spent in the buy back program? 

(3) How many fishing businesses in the PSGLMP were bought out under the program? 

(4) How many fishing businesses applied to be bought out under the program? 

(5) How many fishing businesses existed in the PSGLMP prior to the introduction of the program? 

(6) What type of entitlements has the department acquired as a result of the program? 

Answer— 

(1) 39. 

(2) $20.7 Million for the Port Stephens and Batemans Marine Parks Buy Out Program. 

(3) See (1). 

(4) 117 offered their fishing business to be surrendered. 

(5) N⁄A. NSW fishing businesses were not and are not restricted to a particular marine park. 

(6) None. Shares and associated entitlements were surrendered and cancelled. 

*7342 FUEL AT MARINAS—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, 

Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways— 

(1) How is the provision of fuel at marinas in NSW regulated, in particular with regards to price? 

(2) What laws, if any, are in place to prohibit external fuel providers from providing fuelling to vessels 

from a wharf or jetty? 

Answer— 

(1) The ACCC advises retail petrol prices can vary between locations in Australia for many reasons. I 

refer the member to the ACCC website. 

(2) Legislation and regulations regarding the restriction or distribution of fuel are available at the 

Parliamentary Counsel's website at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au 

*7343 REIMBURSEMENTS FOR USE OF AMBULANCES—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Deputy Premier, 




(1) In what other states and territories in Australia are NSW pensioners able to claim reimbursements for 

the use of ambulances? 

(2) Is the NSW Government looking at making this policy right across the country by negotiating with 

other states and territories? 

(3) If so: 

(a) Are more states and territories expected to come on board? 

(b) Which ones? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (3) All NSW residents who are holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Concession 

Card, and Commonwealth Seniors Card are entitled to free emergency ambulance services provided by 

the Ambulance Service of NSW in NSW. This includes emergency treatment not requiring transport 

services. 


7046 



The provision of emergency ambulance services to NSW resident pensioners are covered under 

reciprocal rights agreements with Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the 

ACT. 

The following restrictions apply: 

• Western Australia does not recognize the Health Care Concession Card, and 

• Victoria does not recognize the Commonwealth Seniors Card. 

NSW residents who hold a Health Care Concession Card and receive an invoice from the WA 

Ambulance Service or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Card and receive an invoice from the Victoria 

Ambulance Service are liable for the cost of the service. 

On 2 November 2006, the then Minister for Health announced that the NSW Government would pay for 

NSW resident concession card holders who had received an invoice from the Queensland Ambulance 

Service or South Australian Ambulance Service for emergency ambulance transport. 

*7344 BUS ROUTE 552—Ms Gladys Berejiklian asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

In relation to bus route 552: 

(1) Why did the Minister change the route of this service without adequate community consultation? 

(2) What is his response to calls from the community that the previous route be reinstated? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) The route used by Route 552 bus services has not been changed. Route 552 was introduced 

following extensive public consultation concerning changes to a number of routes operating in the 

Parramatta-North Rocks-Carlingford-Epping area. This resulted in Route 546, that previously 

terminated at Oatlands, being extended to Epping. Route 552 was introduced on a trial basis in 

response to concerns from residents in Prince Street, Oatlands. 

(2) Extension of Route 546 to Epping has been very successful, and reversion to the previous Oatlands 

terminus around Prince Street for Route 546 bus services is not supported. 

*7345 BUS ROUTE T66—Ms Gladys Berejiklian asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

In relation to bus route T66 in Sydney's north-west: 

(1) Is the Minister satisfied with the number of buses servicing this route? 

(2) What is a satisfactory number of passengers on such a service? 

(3) Is it acceptable that passengers stand in excess of 40 minutes to get to work? 

(4) What consultation process did the Minister engage in, in relation to the new timetable affecting this 

route? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (4) The Government is committed to meeting the transport needs of north west Sydney and 

continually monitors service levels. 113 Growth Buses are currently being delivered to Sydney's north 

west in a major boost to service levels. 

*7346 SCHOOL LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER—Mr Peter Besseling asked the Minister for Education 

and Training, and Minister for Women— 

(1) What effect on school support resources, staff or funding in the Port Macquarie electorate will result 

from the Department of Education and Training's plans to change the basis of allocating those 

resources to schools? 

(2) What safeguards are proposed to ensure that specific expertise of existing Support Teachers, namely 

Learning Difficulties, Behaviour, Autism and Integration, will not be lost as a result of these 

positions being converted into a single, generic teacher classification to be called School Learning 

Support Teacher? 

Answer— 

(1) The proposed School Learning Support Program is currently the subject of consultation with key 

groups including principals, parents, advocacy groups and unions which will continue until the 


7047 



middle of 2010, while the proposal is trialled. An evaluation of the existing School Learning Support 

Coordinator initiative is also currently underway. 

No decision about the future of this proposal will be made until the consultations, trials and 

evaluation are finalised. 

There are 20 public schools in the Port Macquarie electorate. Under the new model that is proposed 

for supporting students with additional learning needs, these schools would receive an overall net 

increase of positions and funds. 

Overall, the schools would have a net increase of positions and funds in dollar terms of $263,036. 

This staffing and funding resource would be directly allocated to schools and guaranteed for three 

years. 

Under the proposed new model, students with sensory impairment, physical disabilities, significant 

intellectual disabilities and complex high support needs would continue to be funded under current 

program guidelines. 

(2) Rather than a loss of specialisation, the aim of this proposal is to increase the level of expertise 

available directly within our schools by establishing a specialist teacher presence in every school 

across the State to support students with additional learning needs and their class teachers. The 

proposed new model does not seek to replace specialist teachers with generalist teachers but to place 

specialist itinerant teachers directly within schools under a single program, known as the School 

Learning Support program. 

This proposal would provide targeted training in the areas of autism, behaviour, motor coordination, 

speech language and communication, and curriculum access for students with additional learning 

needs. All teachers appointed to the School Learning Support Program will be able to access this 

training. Currently, more than one thousand teachers have undertaken part of this training program. 

Feedback from those teachers has been very positive. 

School Principals would determine the professional learning needs of staff and be able to provided 

targeted assistance where they think it necessary through professional learning funds allocated to 

their schools. 

In addition, Assistant Principals Behaviour and Assistant Principals Learning Assistance would 

continue to provide advice and support to schools. 

*7347 ALLOCATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCES—Mr Peter Besseling asked the Minister for Education and 


(1) Does the Department of Education and Training allocate its funding and other resources, including 

staff numbers, to schools based on student enrolment data for 1 August each year? 

(2) If so, what additional resources are available to schools that accept students expelled from other 

institutions after the assessment date? 

Answer— 

(1) The allocation of teaching staff in NSW public schools is determined by formulae based on student 

enrolments to ensure that resources are distributed equitably across the State. Anticipated student 

enrolments are submitted in Term 3 each year to allow the anticipated allocation of teachers to a 

school to be determined for the following year. 

NSW government school global funding allocations are determined on a school calendar year basis. 

Semester 1 allocations are calculated on anticipated student and staff numbers. Each school's actual 

teacher allocation and actual school administrative and support staff allocation for the school year is 

determined after the February census enrolment date. Semester 2 allocations are based on actual 

student and staff numbers. In addition, a washup payment is allocated to schools based on revised 

student and staff numbers as at 30 June. 

(2) Where student numbers increase during the year to a level that impacts on the staffing formula, an 

additional teacher allocation is made to the school. 

*7348 PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE—Mr Peter Besseling asked the Minister for Roads— 

What is the time schedule for the opening of sections of the Pacific Highway upgrade between 

Coopernook and Herons Creek, including the expected dates for traffic to bypass Moorland, Johns River 

and Kew? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 


7048 



Work is currently being undertaken on the Coopernook to Herons Creek upgrade. The project has been 

affected by five months of unseasonable wet weather which has caused some delays. It is expected that 

the project will be progressively opened with the final section opening to traffic around April 2010. 

*7349 INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN BY-PASSED COMMUNITIES—Mr Peter Besseling asked the Minister 

for Roads— 

(1) As a result of the Pacific Highway upgrade between Coopernook and Herons Creek, what was the 

RTA budget for upgrading infrastructure within the bypassed communities of: 

(a) Moorland; 

(b) Johns River; 

(c) Kew? 

(2) How much of this budget has been allocated and what projects has it helped support? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The RTA has been providing planning assistance to the local Councils in preparing for the bypasses, in 

line with the conditions of approval for the overall project. 

*7350 LYMES DISEASE—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the 



As chronic Lymes disease sufferers in Australia are currently required to travel to Germany or the USA 

to receive treatment: 

(1) Will the NSW Government recognise and treat Lymes disease sufferers in NSW? 

(2) Does NSW Health warn National Parks and Wildlife officers of the dangers of tick bites and the 

threat of contracting Lymes disease while at work from tick bites? 

(3) How many cases of Lymes disease have been diagnosed in NSW since January 1990? 

(4) What medical practices are in place to treat suspected Lymes disease cases in NSW? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Lyme disease is a tick-borne zoonosis caused by the spirochaete bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. 

Since the disease was first recognised in 1975 it has become the most frequently reported human 

tick-borne infection worldwide. It has been reported from every continent (except Antarctica) 

although doubt remains as to whether it occurs in the southern hemisphere in general, and in 

Australia in particular. People in NSW with Lyme disease that is acquired overseas are recognised 

and treated as appropriate. 

(2) No. Your question regarding information given to National Parks and Wildlife officers should be 

redirected to the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment. 

(3) Lyme disease is not a notifiable disease in NSW therefore exact numbers of cases diagnosed is not 

available. Occasional imported cases are recognised. NSW Health is not aware of any cases of 

confirmed Lyme disease that has been acquired in NSW. 

(4) Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics given orally or intravenously. These antibiotics are 

commonly available on prescription in NSW. 

*7351 CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST NUMBERS—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




(1) How many child psychologists are there currently at the Casino Community Health centre? 

(2) As one full-time child psychologist is on 12 months leave, when will this position be filled? 

(3) Is the Government aware of the backlog of referrals for children and families needing the services of 

a child psychologist in the Casino area? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (3) Casino Community Health Centre is funded for a 0.8 full time equivalent Child Psychologist 

position. Recruitment to this position is currently underway. 

As an interim measure, pending recruitment, arrangements are in place for urgent referrals to be seen by 


7049 



the Counselling Team at the Goonellabah Child and Family Health Service. 

*7352 ALLOCATION OF POLICE RESOURCES—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Minister for Planning, and 



(1) Have NSW Police developed a model for the proper allocation of police resources to areas of need 

and⁄or growth? 

(2) If not why not? 

Answer— 


Operational policing resources are continually reviewed and allocated in accordance with a range of 

criteria including workload, historical allocation, internal reviews, industrial agreements and government 

commitments. While geographical size and population are taken into account, these factors in isolation 

do not indicate the level or nature of policing requirements in a given area. 

*7353 LIGHTS ON GRAFTON BRIDGE—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


(1) Is the Minister aware that lights on the Grafton bridge are being left on during daylight hours? 

(2) At what time are the lights programmed to come on in the evening and switch off in the morning? 

(3) What energy saving policies does the Government have in place to ensure this wasteful practice does 

not continue? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) There are lights on the walkway, the road way and the railway section of the Grafton Bridge over the 

Clarence River. 

The lights on the roadway are the responsibility of RTA, and are maintained by Country Energy 

using similar practice as for street lighting. 

The lights on the railway are under the responsibility of the Australian Rail Track Corporation. 

The lights on the walkway are under the responsibility of the RTA. The RTA has contracted the 

operation and maintenance of the lighting on the walkway to a local electrical contractor. The lights 

operate by a light sensor and are programmed to turn off in daylight hours. The contractor tested the 

lighting system on 1 October 2009 and found no faults in the system. The lights were not found to be 

on during this day time inspection. 

(2) The walkway lights are programmed to turn on when lighting is inadequate rather than at a specific 

time. They operate by a light sensor to turn off in daylight hours. 

(3) Regular testing (once per month) is undertaken by the contractor to ensure the lights are functioning 

properly. 

*7354 VISITS TO SOLAR THERMAL ELECTRICITY GENERATORS—Mr Peter Debnam asked the 

Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

Since 23 September 2008, has the Premier visited any solar thermal electricity generator anywhere? 

Answer— 

No. 

*7355 VICTORIA ROAD COLLAPSE—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 

Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways representing the 

Treasurer— 

In relation to the Victoria Road collapse at Bellevue Hill: 

Given your advice there is no provision in the 2009-10 Budget for the cost of repairs to this road and 

your drawing of attention to a media release by Sydney Water entitled "Early views out on Bellevue Hill 

incident" (Question 6561), does this mean Sydney Water is denying responsibility for the collapse and 

the Government is withholding funding from Woollahra Council? 

Answer— 

I'm advised: 


7050 



Sydney Water does not deny responsibility for the road collapse at Victoria Road Bellevue Hill and in 

fact has accepted that a leak in its water main is likely to be the primary cause of the subsequent failure of 

the main and the road collapse. To the extent that Sydney Water is responsible for the incident, the cost of 

repairs will be met either from its insurers or from Sydney Water's own budget as appropriate. No 

funding will be required from the State budget for this purpose. 

Sydney Water has completed its work to replace the water main in Bellevue and Victoria Roads, Bellevue 

Hill. Woollahra Council has arranged for the road and footpaths to be fully restored. This work is also 

finished. 

Sydney Water continues to work closely with Woollahra Council, local businesses and the community to 

finalise all issues arising from the incident. 

*7356 NEW LAWS FOR GRAFFITI OFFENDERS—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

(1) Given the NSW Graffiti website says "NSW Premier Nathan Rees announced on 29 June 2009 that 

the NSW Government would introduce tough new laws to force young graffiti offenders to clean up 

their mess", what are these "tough new laws" and when will they be introduced? 

(2) Given the NSW Graffiti website also says "the NSW Government will amend the Young Offenders 

Regulation to mandate outcomes for graffiti offenders" when will the NSW Government amend the 

Regulation and what outcomes will be mandated? 

Answer— 

The Government is strongly committed to combating graffiti and continues to consider measures that 

may be effective in tackling this problem. It has introduced a number of laws such as the Graffiti Control 

Act 2008, which sets out a range of offences such as intentionally damaging or defacing property with a 

graffiti implement. 

The Honourable Member is also referred to Clause 20A of the Young Offenders Regulation 2004 which 

was inserted into the Regulation on 31 July 2009. Clause 20A requires graffiti offenders who undergo a 

Youth Justice Conference under the Young Offenders Act 1997 to take remedial action, such as removing 

graffiti or paying compensation. 

*7357 SUICIDE PREVENTION—THE GAP—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

What funding has been provided to Woollahra Council in the last two years for suicide prevention 

measures at The Gap in Watsons Bay and what additional funding has been allocated in forward 

estimates? 

Answer— 

The NSW Government currently targets funding at helping people at risk of suicide through a 

comprehensive range of early intervention and prevention programs. 

Services include both inpatient and community-based care for people with a mental illness as well as 

preventative health measures such as education, early intervention and support for at risk individuals. 

This includes: 

• Specialist Mental Health training for School and TAFE counsellors to help them better identify at 

risk youths and link them with local mental health services, 

• Universal depression screening for every mother within 12 months of the birth of their child 

• The Early Psychosis Program, which provides intervention for young people experiencing 

psychosis. 

Woollahra Council's proposed improvements to the Gap address a different sort of public safety issue, the 

responsibility for which lies principally with the local council itself. The Department of Planning has, 

however, provided a grant of $50,000 under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program for specific works 

contained in the Masterplan. The Gap Park Masterplan includes suicide prevention measures, however 

funding from Greenspace Program was provided to improve the physical appearance of Gap Park 

including a new entry, ramp, signage, and bushland restoration, in line with the Program's criteria. 

This funding was in addition to $31,000 previously allocated to Council in 2006 via the Metropolitan 

Greenspace Program to assist in the preparation of The Gap Park Masterplan. 

Applications for funding under the Program for 2009 have closed. It is expected that 2010 Metropolitan 

Greenspace Program will open in April 2010. 


7051 



*7358 INCREASE IN MINISTERIAL STAFF—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

Why has the number of ministerial staff increased by 13 from 228 in December 2008 to 241 as at June 

2009, and what is the increased cost of the additional staffing? 

Answer— 

Staff numbers reflect the addition of two Ministers to the Ministry in January 2009 and were funded 

within existing budget allocations. 

*7359 EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN CARE—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community 

Services— 

(1) How many children aged between 11 and 15 years inclusive and who are in Out of Home Care in the 

care of the Minister for Community Services do not attend full-time school? 

(2) If children in the care of the Minister do not attend school full-time, why not? 

(3) What other education packages are offered by DOCS to school age children who do not attend 

school full-time? 

Answer— 

(1) to (3) Issues around schooling are generally addressed by Caseworkers in conjunction with 

Education and Training Home School Liaison Officers who deal with issues of school attendance on 

a case by case basis. No consolidated data is held by Community Services. 

Community Services and the Department of Education and Training have a Memorandum of 

Understanding that provides a framework for a coordinated approach in responding to the needs of 

children and young people in out-of-home care. When school attendance is identified as a concern, 

every effort is made to engage the child or young person, together with their carer and caseworker 

and school staff, in planning to develop strategies to address the issues underlying the attendance 

problem. 

*7360 EDUCATION OF CHILDREN IN CARE—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Education and 


(1) How many children aged between 11 and 15 years inclusive and who are in Out of Home Care in the 

care of the Minister for Community Services do not attend full-time school? 

(2) How does the Department of Education monitor the attendance of children who are in Out of Home 

Care? 

Answer— 

(1) The data on school attendance collected centrally by the Department of Education and Training does 

not identify individual students or their care status, so information on the attendance of children in 

out of home care is not available. 

(2) Schools monitor the attendance of all students including students who may, or may not, be known to 

the school as being in out of home care. 

The NSW Government's Keep Them Safe: A Shared Approach to Child Wellbeing initiative, 

establishes Out of Home Care Coordinators to work with human service agency and regional staff to 

improve the educational outcomes for children and young people in out of home care. 

All children and young people entering out of home care in government schools will be required to 

have a learning plan developed for them. 

If attendance is an issue for a student in out of home care, strategies to address this, and to monitor 

attendance, would be part of the student's learning plan. Learning plans will be reviewed annually. 

*7361 HELPLINE CHILD PROTECTION CASEWORKERS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for 

Community Services— 

(1) Do all the Helpline Child Protection Caseworkers receive formal monthly professional supervision in 

accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Policy? 

(2) If not, why not? 

(3) If not, how is this situation being rectified? 

(4) If formal monthly professional supervision is not offered to all Helpline Caseworkers, is "informal" 

supervision offered as an alternative? 

(5) If so, please define "informal"? 


7052 



(6) Given that psychological injury was identified in the November 2002 Workplace Safety Summit as a 

key issue, what research has since been undertaken as a response and what action has been taken to 

alleviate such workplace injury? 

Answer— 

(1) to (3) Formal monthly professional supervision is part of Community Service's policies, and best 

endeavours are made to ensure that all Child Protection Caseworkers are supervised in accordance with 

these policies. 

(4) and (5) Managers interact with and provide feedback, support and casework guidance to the staff they 

supervise on a daily basis. This forms an aspect of 'informal' supervision and is generally in addition to 

formal monthly professional supervision. 

(6) Comprehensive research has occurred across the organisation resulting in the following initiatives 

being implemented: Emotional Resilience training offered to all new staff at the Helpline; the proactive 

management of workers compensation claims and developing safe and durable return to work plans; the 

implementation of Preventing and Managing Client Initiated Violence policy and procedures; the 

introduction of the Client Context Risk Management Tool for staff to use if there was a potential threat; 

and compulsory training for all caseworkers with face to face client contact in Preventing and Managing 

Occupational Violence. 

*7362 ROAD WIDENING WORKS—Mr Chris Hartcher asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) When will road widening on Avoca Drive, Green Point be completed? 

(2) When will road widening on the F3 at Berowra be competed? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) The project is currently scheduled to open to traffic in early 2011, subject to weather conditions 

during the period of construction. 

(2) In late 2009. 

*7363 MINISTER FOR CENTRAL COAST—Mr Chris Hartcher asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

As the new Minister for the Central Coast does not live or work on the Central Coast, will the Premier 

require him to attend the Central Coast at least once each week? 

Answer— 

The Premier became the Minister for the Central Coast on 14 September 2009. As the Premier announced 

on 16 September 2009, Mr David Harris, Member for Wyong, has been appointed as his Parliamentary 

Secretary for the Central Coast. 

*7364 COST OF THE CONSULTANT—Mr Chris Hartcher asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 

Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister 

for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the 

Executive Council— 

What is the cost of the consultant, whose appointment was announced on 31 August 2009 at Gosford 

Hospital, engaged to assess the need for a public oncology and radiology service at Gosford Hospital? 

Answer— 

I am advised that the information requested by the Member is commercial in confidence. 

*7365 REAPPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS—Mr Chris Hartcher asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

Will the Premier give an undertaking that Ministers who have resigned from the Ministry will not be 

reappointed? 

Answer— 

The Premier makes recommendations to the Governor to appoint the Ministry, in accordance with section 

35E of the Constitution Act. 

*7366 FIXED WATER CHARGES—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Minister for Water, and Minister for 



7053 



How much total revenue did State Water receive during (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09 from 

(i) high security and (ii) general security entitlement holders in the following areas: 

(1) Border; 

(2) Gwydir Valley; 

(3) Namoi Valley; 

(4) Peel Valley; 

(5) Lachlan Valley; 

(6) Macquarie Valley; 

(7) Murrumbidgee Valley; 

(8) Murray Lower Darling; 

(9) Toonumbar Valley; 

(10) Hunter Valley; 

(11) Brogo Valley? 

Answer— 

(1) to (11) Total revenue received by State Water from water charges is shown in its Annual Reports. 

*7367 BINALONG BYPASS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) What is the status of the proposed bypass of the village of Binalong on the Burley Griffin Way? 

(2) How much has been spent by the RTA repairing road damage on the Burley Griffin Way, within the 

boundaries of the village of Binalong, since the opening of the Bowning Deviation and the 

declaration of this road as a B-Double route during: 

(a) March to 30 June 2007; 

(b) Financial year 2007-2008; 

(c) Financial year 2008-2009? 

(3) Does the RTA have a preferred route for the Binalong Bypass? 

(4) Does this project have a projected start and finish date? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

A bypass of the village of Binalong is not being considered by the RTA at this time. 

Since the opening of the Burley Griffin Way as a B-double route, there has been no specific work other 

than routine maintenance carried out within the boundaries of the village of Binalong. 

*7368 RIVER RED GUMS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 

and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

(1) Which NSW national parks contain stands of River Red Gums that comprise more than 10% of the 

total number of trees? 

(2) Of the River Red Gum trees in question (1), what percentage of the River Red Gums in each of these 

national parks are considered to be: 

(a) in good health; 

(b) stressed; or 

(c) dead or dying? 

Answer— 

(1) The current estimate is: 

• Yanga National Park; 

• Kinchega National Park; 

• Kalyarr National Park; 

• Narrandera Nature Reserve; 

• Goonawarra Nature Reserve; and 

• Kemendoc Nature Reserve. 

(2) River Red Gum health will vary according to a range of conditions at any particular time, including 

drought and availability of water, and therefore can not be precisely provided. A study for the 

Murray Darling Basin Commission (2004) found that 50 to 95 per cent of River Red Gums in the 

basin were stressed. 

An estimate of the percentages for each park is provided below. 

Yanga National Park: 


7054 



(a) 20 per cent; 

(b) 50 per cent; 

(c) 30 per cent. 

Large areas of the park have recently received environmental water, which will significantly 

improve tree health. However, the change in condition has not yet been able to be estimated. 

Kinchega National Park: 




Kalyarr National Park: 




Narrandera Nature Reserve: 




Goonawarra Nature Reserve: 




Kemendoc Nature Reserve: 




*7369 POLICE ALLOCATION—EASTWOOD COMMAND—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for 



(1) How many police of the Eastwood Command are allocated to the Dural area over a 24-hour period? 

(2) How is the roster configured and what taskings are used? 

Answer— 


(1) and (2) The number of officers and vehicles deployed to the Dural area varies from day to day 

subject to priorities and demand. The Eastwood Local Area Command's roster is intelligence-based 

and ensures the Command meets its First Response commitments, allowing for the deployment of 

additional general duties and specialist police officers and vehicles as required. 

*7370 FIRE BRIGADE BUDGET ALLOCATION—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Emergency 

Services, and Minister for Small Business— 

With reference to New South Wales Fire Brigades new works allocations in Budget Paper No. 4 of the 

2009-10 Budget Papers: 

(1) What locations will receive funding for new "community-based mobile firefighting trailer units" as 

allocated? 

(2) What works are included in the "Greater Sydney area strategic program" allocation? 

(3) What fire stations will receive funding for the "replacement of extension ladder fire engines" 

allocation? 

(4) What fire stations will receive funding for the "replacement of specialist fire engines and rescue 

vehicles" allocation? 

(5) What fire stations will receive funding for the "replacement of station fire engines" allocation? 

(6) What fire stations will receive funding for the "station communication equipment maintenance and 

replacement" allocation? 

Answer— 

(1) Funding is allocated to areas according to risk-based methodology. All Fire Districts in NSW are 

being assessed to target high to very high risk areas. The establishment of a Community Fire Unit 

(CFU) is one of the options for treating a particular identified risk but is dependent on the 

commitment of members of the local community to staffing a CFU. 


7055 



The NSW Fire Brigades is currently targeting locations for CFUs in the following areas: 

• Shoal⁄Nelson Bay, 

• Blue Mountains, 

• Upper North Shore, 

• Northmead, 

• Sutherland⁄Cronulla, 

• Mittagong⁄Bowral, 

• Umina, and 

• Western Plains Zoo 

(2) The building of a new fire station at Baulkham Hills. 

(3) The City of Sydney will be receiving a 44 Metre Bronto ladder platform valued at $1.778 million. 

(4) The figures quoted in 2009-2010 budget relate to increases in the contract for specialist fire engines 

and rescue vehicles funded in previous financial years as well as minor specialist vehicles that are 

not be stationed at particular fire stations. 

(5) In 2009-10 funding has been provided for 16 new NSW Fire Brigades engines as part of its ongoing 

fleet replacement program. New appliances will be allocated to stations in accordance with 

operational requirements. 

(6) All fire stations are allocated a share of funds from this program. The specific disbursement to a 

station will vary according to the station configuration. It is estimated that on average $10,544 will 

be spent on each fire station during 2009-10. 

*7371 HOUSING NSW WORKS—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Housing, and Minister for 

Western Sydney— 

With reference to Housing NSW new works allocations in Budget Paper No. 4 of the 2009-10 Budget 

Papers: 

(1) What is classified as "crisis accommodation" as stated in the Housing NSW allocation? 

(2) Where will the "crisis accommodation" be located? 

(3) Where will the "social housing - new supply" be located? 

(4) What locations in the Hornsby electorate will have properties built from the "nation building - 

economic stimulus plan stage 1 - new supply" allocation? 

(5) What locations in the Hornsby electorate will have properties built from the "nation building - 

economic stimulus plan stage 2 - new supply" allocation? 

Answer— 

(1) Information regarding the Crisis Accommodation Program is contained on the Housing NSW 

website. 

(2) The Crisis Accommodation Projects will be located in various areas throughout NSW, based on the 

demand for crisis accommodation. 

(3) The new supply of social housing will be located in various areas throughout NSW, based on the 

demand for social housing. 

(4) Nil in Hornsby electorate. 

(5) Nil in Hornsby electorate. 

*7372 STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION RATE—Mr Kevin Humphries asked the Minister 

for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— 

What strategies are being employed by the Minister's department to improve the student attendance and 

participation rate in schools the Minister recently visited in the Barwon electorate: 

(a) Walgett; 

(b) Brewarrina; 

(c) Bourke? 

Answer— 

All schools in these three towns are meeting the Department of Education and Training requirements and 

guidelines regarding attendance and participation. In addressing and exceeding the requirements the 

schools have taken the following approach: 

• revised their administrative processes during 2008-09; 

• developed a range of intervention strategies for students who are not attending on a regular basis; 

• implemented revised curriculum programs to promote engagement; and 

• continued to work with the local community around issues related to attendance. 


7056 



The revision of administrative processes has led to improved systems for the monitoring of attendance, 

for referral processes to specialist support and better communication with parents. These processes 

include: 

• daily monitoring of rolls and by period in secondary school; 

• letters home to parents each week about unexplained absences; 

• personalised attendance plans developed and referrals made to Home School Liaison Officers 

and⁄or the Learning Support Team where appropriate; 

• Mobility Trackers submitted each term by the school to be investigated by the Home School 

Liaison Officer to account for all students enrolled in the school; 

• refined registration process of late arrivers including the implementation of the Late Interview 

Program (LIPS); and 

• reviewed processes for transition between classes with Secondary and Primary. 

In Walgett for example, new processes have been developed for tracking the whereabouts of students 

who fail to attend school. A Phone Intervention Program, which provides early contact with parents and 

carers when students are absent from school, has been implemented in Walgett and Bourke. 

These schools are implementing a range of intervention strategies to promote attendance which includes 

the development of personalised attendance plans, developed with students and parents, to address the 

particular needs of individual students. They continue to undertake home visits and to provide rewards 

for students with excellent attendance. 

In addition, school staff and police work co-operatively on Joint Attendance Strategy operations. An 

Attendance Mentor position has been established to work with students with attendance difficulties at 

Walgett. 

Curriculum enhancements are targeted at the key success factors of literacy and numeracy skills. The 

schools are implementing the Reading to Learn strategy, a research-based approach which has already 

proven successful in improving student outcomes in literacy. 

Aboriginal language programs have been implemented. 

A new approach to teaching in ways appropriate to Aboriginal students, the "8 Ways of Knowing", is 

being implemented in all three communities. 

Other strategies include: 

• a major curriculum restructure in Walgett where a middle school has been established to improve 

the transition from primary to secondary education; 

• access for students in Bourke and Brewarrina to the Girri Girri Sports Academy, a program 

designed to build confidence and engagement with school through sport for secondary students 

with poor attendance; 

• access to a wide curriculum delivered on site or through distance technologies; and 

• access to vocational education courses as part of their senior curriculum. 

All schools in Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke aim to work closely with their communities to improve 

the educational outcomes for students. This includes working with other government and nongovernment 

agencies and working closely with groups such as local Aboriginal Education Consultative 

Groups to develop strategies which can be supported across the entire community to promote attendance 

and engagement. 

*7373 INDIGENOUS TO NON-INDIGENOUS RATIO—Mr Kevin Humphries asked the Minister for 

Education and Training, and Minister for Women— 

(1) What is the ratio of indigenous to non-indigenous students who attend the following schools: 

(a) Moree East Primary; 

(b) Courallie High; 

(c) Mungindi Central; 

(d) Moree Primary; 

(e) Collarenebri Central; 

(f) Walgett Primary; 

(g) Walgett Secondary; 

(h) Brewarrina Central; 

(i) Bourke Primary; 

(j) Bourke High; 

(k) Coonamble Primary; 


7057 



(l) Coonamble High; 

(m) Moree High? 

(2) What are the trends over the last 5 years? 

Answer— 

(1) and (2) All schools are required to complete a census of students on the first Friday in August every 

year through the National Schools Statistics Collections. Information for New South Wales 

Government Schools is compiled by the Data Collection Unit and submitted to the Commonwealth 

in November - 2009 data will not be available until then. 

The data trend from 2004-2008 shows an increase in the percentage of Aboriginal students over the 

past five years for the schools queried that is consistent with the state average. 

*7374 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND FAMILY ARCHIVAL UNIT—Mr Kevin Humphries asked the 

Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

(1) Could the Premier please advise on any update regarding a proposal to develop an Indigenous 

Knowledge and Family Archival Unit in Moree? 

(2) Additionally, will the Government commit to developing the Knowledge Centres and Keeping Places 

across the State of NSW? 

Answer— 

(1) I understand that there has been a proposal developed for the Dhiiyaan Indigenous Centre, currently 

located in the Moree Branch of the Northern Regional Library, to become a stand-alone entity. Arts 

NSW has provided $20,000 in funding to engage a consultant to undertake a full concept and cost 

analysis of the Centre's plan. 

(2) I am also advised that Arts NSW is developing a NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy which 

will consider Aboriginal Knowledge Centres and Keeping Places. Not for profit organisations, cooperatives 

or trusts or local government authorities are generally eligible for funding under the Arts 

NSW Arts Funding Program for program costs, capital works and strategic development initiatives. 

*7375 BOX ROAD SYLVANIA—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the Minister for Roads— 

What is the result of the traffic study undertaken by the Roads and Traffic Authority to investigate the 

impacts of opening Box Road to through traffic at Port Hacking Road, Sylvania? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

A study identifying the impacts of opening Box Road at Port Hacking Road, Sylvania is currently being 

finalised. 

*7376 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS—CRONULLA ELECTORATE—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the 

Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports 

and Waterways— 

(1) How many motor vehicle accidents occurred in the Cronulla electorate in the 2007-2008 period? 

(2) How many were found to be of no fault? 

Answer— 

(1) This is a matter for the Minister for Roads. 

(2) The Motor Accidents Authority advise that for the 2007-2008 period, six compulsory third party 

(CTP) claims for no-fault benefits were lodged with NSW licensed CTP insurers relating to road 

crashes in the Cronulla electorate. 

*7377 WAGGA WAGGA BASE HOSPITAL—Mr Daryl Maguire asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




(1) How long did the Service Procurement Plan take to develop at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and 

what were the start and finish dates? 

(2) How long did the Project Definition Planning take to complete and what were the start and finish 

dates? 

(3) How long do you expect the part 3A planning application to take for the Wagga Wagga Base 

Hospital? 


7058 



Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) The Service Procurement Plan was started in January 2005 and ran for 12 months. The final report 

was submitted in January 2006. 

(2) The works for the Project Definition Plan started in August 2006 and ran for 14 months. The final 

report was submitted in October 2007, and included revisions to the Economic Appraisal. 

(3) The Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy Part 3A Project Planning Application is 

expected to be a six to nine month process to allow for lodgement, notification and exhibition, and to 

respond to any clarifications or issues raised. 

*7378 LOCKHART HOSPITAL—Mr Daryl Maguire asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 

and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister for 

Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive 

Council— 

(1) Has the Minister or his department received a copy of the "Service Plan" relating to the Lockhart 

Hospital and the Health Advisory Service Council's request that it become a Multi Purpose Service 

(MPS)? 

(2) If so: 

(a) When was the plan received? 

(b) When was receipt acknowledged by the Advisory Council? 

(c) How long can the committee expect to wait for approval of a MPS model? 

(3) How much will be required to complete a Service Procurement Plan for the proposed Lockhart 

MPS? 

(4) Has the Minister allocated funds to enable procurement planning to begin? 


(6) When can the Health Advisory Services Council expect a funding announcement? 

(7) Has the Federal Government been advised of the community's wish to establish a MPS? 

(8) Has the Federal Government sufficient funds for a MPS Development Plan which could include 

Lockhart? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes. 

(2) (a) and (b) NSW Health received the Lockhart Health Service Plan on 5 March 2009 and sent a letter 

to the Greater Southern Area Health Service on 11 March 2009 acknowledging receipt of the Health 

Service Plan. 

(c) NSW Health is awaiting Australian Government approval for the provisional allocation of aged 

care places for the development of an MPS at Lockhart. The Advisory Council will be advised when 

this is received. 

(3) The timeframe will be subject to the appointment of a Director of Project Planning. 

(4) Funding to enable procurement planning has been allocated. 

(5) N⁄A. 

(6) There are a large number of requests for capital projects across the State and each year difficult 

choices have to be made about which projects are undertaken within the available budget. It is too 

early in the planning process to give a timeframe for future works. 

(7) Yes. 

(8) This is a matter for the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing. 

*7379 WAGGA WAGGA POLICE LOCAL AREA COMMAND—Mr Daryl Maguire asked the Minister for 



(1) How much state revenue has been raised from traffic infringements within the Wagga Wagga Police 

Local Area Command? 

(2) How many police officers are stationed within the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command? 

Answer— 


(1) This question should be directed to the Treasurer. 

(2) Details of police numbers at Local Area Commands are posted on the NSW Police Force internet 

site, www.police.nsw.gov.au 


7059 



*7380 TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS—NEW LEGISLATION—Mr Daryl Maguire asked the Minister for 

Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial 


(1) Does the NSW Legislation (Ethical Clothing Trades Extended Responsibility Scheme) apply to 

imported textiles or other manufactured goods? 

(2) Can the Trade Practices Act be contravened by companies seeking confirmation that their business 

complies with the Act? 

(3) Is small business excluded from participating in wage claim hearings or impact of legislation to the 

industry enquiries? 

(4) If so, why? 

(5) How many businesses involved in textile manufacture have closed since the introduction of new 

legislation? 

(6) How many textile manufacturers have been fined under the new legislation? 

Answer— 


(2) The Trade Practices Act, 1974 is legislation administered by the Commonwealth. 


(4) N⁄A 

(5) The Office does not have a role in monitoring business closures. 

(6) The compliance activities of the Office of Industrial Relations are focused on education and 

voluntary compliance. 

While inspectors have identified 626 significant breaches of NSW industrial relations legislation 

during the current financial year, including 200 retailers not complying with either the voluntary 

code or the extended responsibility scheme, the parties voluntarily adjusted their practices to meet 

requirements. 

Follow up audits were undertaken to ensure that they remain compliant. 

*7381 BUSES USING WOOLLOOMOOLOO—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Transport, and 

Minister for the Illawarra— 

With respect to the buses using the Domain Car Park bus layover during peak travel hours in order to 

reduce CBD traffic congestion: 

(1) How many transiting buses are expected to travel from the CBD through Woolloomooloo to reach 

the layover, and return again through Woolloomooloo each weekday and on weekends? 

(2) What assessment has the Government made of buses using Palmer Street instead of residential 

Crown Street, and what reasons prevent this route being used? 

(3) What assessment has been done about having some transiting buses using the Domain Car Park bus 

layover stopping in Woolloomooloo in order to provide additional public transport? 

(4) What plans does the Government have to reduce noise and traffic impacts of transiting buses using 

the Domain Car Park bus layover? 

(5) What strategies does the Government have to address bus congestion in the CBD in order to prevent 

the need for buses to travel through residential areas to layovers such as the Domain Car Park? 

(6) What plans does the Government have to address the long-term need for mass transit options that can 

move larger numbers of people more quickly and efficiently than buses? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (4) The Domain bus layover Development Application, submitted to Council in October 2008 and 

still waiting final Council approval, clearly articulates the proposal including bus numbers, impact 

assessment and alternative access options. 

(5) and (6) The Premier announced the establishment of a new transport super agency NSW Transport 

and Infrastructure on 11 June 2009. A key priority for the new agency is the preparation of a Transport 

Blueprint for NSW which is due for release by the end of the year. The Blueprint will set the framework 

for future investment of transport in NSW, including mass transit options for the CBD. 

*7382 CROSS CITY TUNNEL NOISE IMPACTS IN DARLINGHURST—Ms Clover Moore asked the 

Minister for Roads— 


7060 



Given that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) recorded noise levels on 8 July at 25 Womerah Street 

Darlinghurst at 67 dBA in the day and 61 dBA at night, and that these levels are significantly higher than 

the 60 dBA day time and 55.5 dBA night time levels predicted for this property by 2016 as a result of the 

Cross City Tunnel noise impacts: 

(1) Has the RTA changed the noise levels it predicts for the property by 2016? 


(3) If so, what noise levels are now expected for the property by 2016? 

(4) What does the RTA identify as the reason for this already significant increase? 

(5) Has the RTA measured other properties on Womerah Avenue, Barcom Avenue, Oswald Lane and 

Craigend Street to determine if noise levels are increasing more than initial predictions for the Cross 

City Tunnel? 

(6) If so, what are the results? 

(7) Will the Government provide acoustic treatments to protect Womerah Avenue and Barcom Avenue 

residents from these higher than predicted Cross City Tunnel noise impacts? 

(8) Will the NSW Government reduce speed limits on Craigend Street, including up to the Cross City 

Tunnel entrance, to 50 kilometres per hour to reduce noise, given higher traffic speed increases noise 

impacts? 

(9) What action will the NSW Government take to protect local residents from increasing traffic noise 

resulting from the Cross City Tunnel? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement for the Cross City Tunnel provided noise 

predictions for both the ground floor and the first floor of 25 Womerah Avenue Darlinghurst. The 60dBA 

night-time 55.5 dBA daytime predictions refer to the more protected ground floor. Monitoring was not 

undertaken on the ground floor as the exposed façade is not a habitable area. 

The noise monitoring undertaken by the RTA in April and May 2009 was undertaken on the first floor of 

the property which is the most noise exposed. When the results are compared against the first floor 

predictions, the measured noise of 67dBa in the day and 61 dBA at night is 1.5 dBA and 3dBA 

respectively below the predictions for 2016 of 68.5 dBA daytime and 64 dBA night time. The noise 

levels are also less than those predicted for the property if the Cross City Tunnel had not been constructed 

(69.5dBA daytime and 65dBA night time). The RTA does not propose to revise the noise predictions for 

2016. 

The RTA has not measured noise levels at other properties in the area. There have been no noise 

complaints regarding the Cross City Tunnel from other properties in Womerah Avenue, Barcom Avenue, 

Oswald Lane or Craigend Street. 

*7383 EDGECLIFF TRAIN NOISE—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

With respect to train noise and train horn noise from the Eastern Suburbs Rail Line impacting on 

residents of densely populated Edgecliff: 

(1) What are the requirements for train drivers to sound their horn when entering or leaving railway 

tunnels? 

(2) How do these requirements differ between different times of the day? 

(3) What is the reason for these requirements? 

(4) How many complaints have been made about noise from trains and train horns from Edgecliff 

residents? 

(5) What assessment has the Government made of noise impacts on adjacent residents? 

(6) What noise measurement has been carried out to assess impacts on residents? 

(7) What action has been taken to reduce train noise impacts on adjacent residents in Edgecliff? 

(8) What action has been taken to prevent or mitigate noise from train horns being sounded around the 

Edgecliff Railway tunnel, including restricting the hours and locations where the horns are sounded? 

(9) What plans does the Government have to address these noise impacts? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (3) Under normal circumstances trains are required to sound horns when entering or exiting a 

tunnel, although this requirement is exempted on the Edgecliff viaduct by the placement of "No whistle 

signs". There is no difference in operations during daylight or darkness in this area. 


7061 



I understand that the general requirement to sound a train horn when entering or exiting a tunnel is to 

warn track workers of an approaching train due to the reduced visibility between persons on the track and 

train drivers. The exemption at Edgecliff has been in place for many years and was implemented to 

reduce the noise impact in this area. 

(4) Since May 2003, RailCorp has recorded 25 noise complaints from train line and 10 train horn noise 

complaints at Edgecliff. 

(5) and (6) During May 2008, RailCorp carried out noise measurements on the viaduct, adjacent to the 

track and next to the Domain Apartments. I am advised that the assessment results were within the range 

of typical normal railway operations. RailCorp also undertook a noise survey at street level (below 

viaduct level) at Rushcutter's Bay, towards Edgecliff. I am advised that these noise surveys were within 

the range of typical normal railway operations. 

(7) to (9) There is an exemption on the Edgecliff viaduct, with a "No Whistles" sign for the area. I am 

further advised that maintenance work to remove rail surface defects which can contribute to noise is 

scheduled to be carried out on 18 October 2009 in this area. RailCorp continues to investigate the best 

options for delivering both safety and performance as part of its normal rail and rolling stock 

maintenance schedules. Investigation into noise reduction technologies is also ongoing. 

*7384 NSW ENERGY REFORM STRATEGY—CONSUMER PROTECTION—Ms Clover Moore asked the 

Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary 

Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

(1) Given the recent 20 per cent electricity price increase permitted by IPART, and the possibility of 

future price rises from the transfer of electricity assets to the private sector, what consideration has 

the NSW Government given to: 

(a) expanding eligibility for energy rebates to all holders of a Commonwealth Health Care Card; 

(b) indexing energy rebates to the price of electricity rather than the Consumer Price Index? 

(2) Given the Government's stated aim of ensuring a competitive electricity market after the transfer of 

retail assets to the private sector: 

(a) What measures will the NSW Government take to ensure that public retail entities will not be 

sold to existing market players, thereby reducing competition? 

(b) What measures will the NSW Government take to ensure the two dominant market players, 

AGL and Origin Energy, will not get further market control? 

Answer— 

(1) Consistent with IPART's recommendation, the Government has brought forward the implementation 

of the Consumer Protection Package in response to price rises approved by IPART and the Australian 

Energy Regulator (AER) from 1 July 2009. This package of measures combined are worth $272 

million dollars over five years. 

As part of this new package, the Government has replaced the former Pensioner Energy Rebate with 

a new Energy Rebate of $130 per year. 

Further, this higher amount will be indexed by inflation. The Government has also extended the 

Rebate to three new categories of Health Care Card holders. 

In addition, the amount of assistance available under the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance 

scheme has been increased by $55 million over the next five years. 

The Consumer Protection Package contains a $125 million dollar Customer Assistance Policy 

(CAP). The Government has consulted with stakeholders on proposed measures for the CAP. 

Key measures proposed in the draft CAP include a medical cooling rebate, financial counselling 

services and an energy grants scheme to assist eligible householders to replace energy intensive 

household appliances with new, efficient appliances. The draft CAP proposed that health care card 

holders will be eligible for many of the assistance measures as well as pensioners. 

In addition, as part of its 2010-2013 regulated retail electricity price determination, IPART is 

required to provide advice to the Government regarding the impact of the determination on small 

consumers. 

(2) Information on the Government's Energy Reform Strategy is available at www.nsw.gov.au⁄energy 

*7385 NSW ENERGY REFORM STRATEGY—ENVIRONMENT—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for 

Education and Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, 

Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 


7062 



Given last year the NSW Government publicly stated that it intended to introduce legislation to ban NSW 

Government indemnity against carbon liabilities from sale and lease contracts as part of its previous 

proposal to restructure the electricity industry, with regard to the NSW Government's new proposal to 

transfer electricity assets to the private sector: 

(1) Is the NSW Government committed to excluding the following indemnities from any electricity asset 

sale or lease, including of the retail market, generation sites and generators' trading rights, in its 

proposed industry restructure: 

(a) Financial assistance to meet national carbon permit costs; 

(b) Assurances that the NSW Government will not work to reduce electricity demand through State 

action or through opposition to national policies; 

(c) Concessions or guarantees that allow for indemnity where it can be shown that security of 

supply will be compromised; 

(d) Support for free permits or Federal compensation for the costs and charges of auctioning carbon 

permits through the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme; 

(e) Support for "safety valves" (such as coverage, time of entry of a sector, future relief 

mechanisms) in the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme; 

(f) Any other type of policy or financial assistance from carbon liabilities? 

(2) Are all power generation sites to be included in the sale for coal or gas powered electricity? 

(3) What potential for the inclusion of renewable energy sites in the sale has the NSW Government 

identified? 

(a) What type of renewable energy would these sites be for? 

(b) What would be their generation capacity? 

(4) Given the need to move to low emissions and sustainable energy production, what limits will the 

NSW Government place on the development of new - or the expansion of existing - coal and gas 

powered generation sites? 

Answer— 

(1) to (4) Information on the Government's Energy Reform Strategy is available at 

www.nsw.gov.au⁄energy 

*7386 PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

(1) What was the total head count number of New South Wales public sector employees as at: 

(a) 31 December 2008; 

(b) 30 June 2009? 

(2) What was the total Full Time Equivalent number of New South Wales public sector employees as at: 

(a) 31 December 2008; 

(b) 30 June 2009? 

Answer— 

All public sector agencies report their staffing profile annually as part of their annual report. 

*7387 COST OF ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

(1) How many State Government advertising campaigns, in all forms of media, were conducted in the 

2008-2009 financial year? 

(2) What was the total cost of these campaigns in the 2008-2009 financial year? 

(3) How much of this cost was spent on television advertising? 

(4) What campaigns are currently under way? 

Answer— 

(1) to (4) Information relating to Government advertising expenditure can be found in relevant annual 

reports. 

The New South Wales Government has committed to cutting Government expenditure on advertising 

by 25 per cent from the level of the 2007-2008 financial year. 

A variety of advertising campaigns operate at any one time to convey important information to the 

community. 

*7388 PUBLIC SECTOR REDEPLOYMENT PROGRAM—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Premier, and 

Minister for the Arts— 


7063 



(1) What is the average length of time spent on the public sector redeployment program? 

(2) How many people who were part of the redeployment program were then paid a redundancy in the 

2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years? 

(3) What was the total redundancy amount paid to these employees in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial 

years? 

(4) Which department(s) is responsible for funding redundancy payments? 

Answer— 

(1) 71 per cent of registered excess employees seeking redeployment have been placed within 12 months. 

(2) and (3) Information in relation to this matter is held by individual agencies. 

(4) Each agency is responsible for funding its redundancy payments. 

*7389 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 

Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

Regarding NSW Police Force infrastructure listed in the 2009-2010 Budget: 

In Budget Paper No. 4 at page 4-50 and 4-51 the following entries appear: 

Radio Communication - Phase 2 - Various 

Fit Out of Vehicles for Additional Police Officers - Various 

Mobile Data Terminal Upgrade - Various 

Upgrade of Information Communications Technology Equipment - Various 

What is the amount under each entry that has been allocated to the Murrumbidgee electorate? 

Answer— 


Funding provided in the 2009-10 Budget for improvements to radio communications, mobile data 

terminals and information communications technology equipment are for statewide improvements to 

police systems. This funding is not allocated to specific Local Area Commands or electorates. 

Similarly, as the allocation to Local Area Commands of additional police officers attesting in 2010 has 

not yet been determined, it is not currently possible to estimate how funds for the fitout of vehicles for 

these police officers will be allocated to specific areas. 

*7390 TEACHER NUMBERS—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister 

for Women— 

In relation to teacher recruitment by the Department of Education and Training: 

(1) How many teachers were recruited by the Department of Education and Training (DET) in: 

(a) 2004; 

(b) 2005; 

(c) 2006; 

(d) 2007; 

(e) 2008; 

(f) 2009 (to date)? 

(2) What is the approximate number of teachers recruited by the DET that have left the profession after: 

(a) one year; 

(b) two years; 

(c) three years; 

(d) four years; 

(e) five years? 

Answer— 

(1) (a) 1,904 

(b) 2,201 

(c) 2,293 

(d) 2,956 

(e) 2,159 

(f) 1,989 (to September) 


7064 



(2) (a) to (e) As at 2008, resignations were as follows: 

After 1st year - 90 

After 2nd year - 59 

After 3rd year - 40 

After 4th year - 30 

After 5th year - 48 

*7391 PUBLIC SCHOOLS VISITED—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

With reference to the NSW public schools that have been visited by the Premier since 8 October 2008, 

would the Premier please provide the following information: 

(a) Name of NSW public school; 

(b) Date of visit; 

(c) Reason for visit? 

Answer— 

The Premier has a strong commitment to public education and has visited 33 public schools since 8 

October 2008. 

NSW has a world class public education system, and the Government is committed to further enhancing 

its quality. In the 2009-10 Budget, the NSW Government announced that a record $14.7 billion would be 

invested in school education and vocational training across NSW. This funding will go towards 

supporting the increase in school leaving age, with an additional $25 million over five years for new 

capital infrastructure such as new classrooms, along with additional funding for staff and other measures 

which will rise to around $100 million in 2012-13. 

Other commitments to be funded in the Budget include enhancing the quality and retention of permanent 

new teachers, investing in the new Bilingual Schools Program, and funding programs for students with 

disabilities, indigenous students, students speaking English as a second language and students in rural 

areas. 

*7392 CAR HOON LAWS—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


In relation to car hoon laws and charges in the Tweed electorate: 

How many people in the Tweed electorate have been charged under the car hoon laws, introduced in 

2008 in: 

(a) 2008; 

(b) year to date? 

Answer— 

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) analyses NSW recorded crime statistics. I 

suggest the Honourable Member's questions are more appropriately addressed to the Attorney General, 

within whose portfolio the Bureau resides. 

*7393 SEXTON HILL SPEED CAMERA—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

In relation to infringements in the Tweed electorate: 

(1) How many speeding fines have been recorded from the speed camera on Sexton's Hill with vehicles 

travelling not more than 15 km⁄h over the speed limit in: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 

(c) year to date? 


travelling more than 15 km⁄h over the speed limit but not more than 30 km⁄h in: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 



travelling more than 30 km⁄h over the speed limit but not more than 45 km⁄h in: 





7065 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 



travelling more than 45 km⁄h over the speed limit in: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


Answer— 

I'm advised: 

The following table provides the total number of fines issued in relation to the fixed speed camera located 

at Pacific Highway, Banora Point (Sexton Hill), broken down by speed band, for the requested calendar 

years. 

Number of fines by 

speed band 


speed band 


speed band 


speed band 

Year Under 15 km⁄h 15-30km⁄h 30-45km⁄h Over 45 km⁄h 

2007 5403 1106 34 3 

2008 1674 382 7 3 

2009* 594 107 4 0 

* The fines issued year-to-are limited to 30 June 2009, as new speed bands were introduced from 1 July. 

*7394 PAYROLL TAX COLLECTED—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

In relation to payroll tax collected in the Tweed electorate: 

(1) What was the total payroll tax collected in the Tweed electorate from postcode 2485 in the following 

years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 

(c) 2009? 


years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 

(c) 2009? 


years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 

(c) 2009? 

Answer— 

The amount of payroll tax collected is based on the registered address of the business. As some 

businesses have their head office in another location, it is not possible for the Office of State Revenue to 

accurately report on the amount of tax collected by postcode. 

*7395 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) Since she became Minister, has the Minister or her office assigned funding to any environmental 

projects after direct requests were made to her or her office without formal application? 

(2) If so: 

(a) What were the names of those projects? 

(b) Who made the direct requests for each project? 

(c) How much was each project worth? 

(d) What evaluation was done of each of these projects? 

Answer—

7066 





*7396 PENALTY NOTICES—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) How many penalty notices were issued to motorists for travelling in the North-West T-Way between 

January 1 2008 and September 1 2009? 

(2) How many of these penalty notices have been appealed in the courts? 

(3) How many of these appeals resulted in the fine being waived? 

(4) How many of these appeals resulted in both fine and demerit points being waived? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

These questions should be directed to the Treasurer who has responsibility for the State Debt Recovery 

Office. 

*7397 ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) Why have only one of the 10 environmental grants in the Auditor General's August 2009 report been 

independently evaluated since 2005? 

(2) When will independent auditors be appointed for the other nine grants? 

(3) Why did Government-held marginal seats receive 36 per cent more environmental grants than the 

State average from 2002-2007? 

Answer— 

(1) For the period between 2002-03 and 2006-07 reviewed by the Auditor General, only one program's 

evaluation fell within the period and had been completed. In 2008, the Environmental Trust approved 

a new evaluation framework for all its programs, consistent with the NSW Government's Guide to 

Grants Administration. The three other grant programs audited by the Auditor General are currently 

being reviewed. 

(2) Independent reviewers will be appointed in line with the Environmental Trust's and other grants 

programs evaluation schedules. Three programs have evaluations underway. 

(3) Decisions to approve or decline grant applications are based only on program-specific selection 

criteria. All applications to all the audited programs are independently assessed. 

*7398 MISUSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST FUNDS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, 


(1) Why did the Environmental Trust not pursue the Aboriginal holding company that used $5000 of a 

land restoration grant on a camera and computer, as reported by the Auditor-General in August 

2009? 

(2) Will the Trust begin action to recover the misused funds? 

(3) If so, when? 

Answer— 

(1) The Trust did not pursue this issue with the Aboriginal holding company. Even though the variation 

to the project was made without prior permission, the monies used for purchasing the computer and 

camera were seen to support the Community Development Employment Program participants in 

their training and work on the project, and contributed further to the capacity building of the 

Bandjalang Aboriginal community as a whole. It was determined that pursuing the return of the 

funds would have resulted in overall negative outcomes for the local Aboriginal community. 


(3) N⁄A 

*7399 SMIGGIN HOLES WATER SUPPLY—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) How many people in Smiggin Holes village reported gastric complaints in August? 

(2) (a) Was the water supply proven to be the source of the complaints? 

(b) If so, what had contaminated the water? 

(3) Which department is responsible for ensuring safe water supply in Smiggin Holes? 

Answer— 

(1) Approximately 300 people. 


7067 



(2) (a) There is no conclusive evidence that the water supply was related to the outbreak. Results from 

water samples taken on the morning of the reported illnesses did not provide a clear linkage to the 

Smiggin Holes water supply. 

(b) The water supply was interrupted on the afternoon of Wednesday 12 August 2009 causing loss of 

water to lodges in Smiggin Holes. During the process of restoring the water supply, the normal 

disinfection procedure failed, possibly allowing contaminants to reach the lodges. 

(3) The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. During the incident, the Department 

maintained close contact with lodge managers to provide information about the water supply and 

general health information, in consultation with NSW Health. The Department also supplied bottled 

water to lodges and followed-up with all lodges and affected guests. 

The Department has reviewed its operating procedures for water supply interruptions to ensure that 

this type of event does not occur again. 

*7400 POKER MACHINE TAX REVENUE—Mr Anthony Roberts asked the Minister for Finance, Minister 

for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways representing 

the Treasurer— 

What was the tax revenue collected from poker machines located within the Lane Cove electorate for the 

financial years ended: 

(a) 30 June 2006; 

(b) 30 June 2007; 

(c) 30 June 2008? 

Answer— 

I'm advised:The total tax revenue collected from poker machines located in the Lane Cove electorate for 

the financial years ending: 

(a) 30 June 2006 was $762,051; 

(b) 30 June 2007 was $952,735; 

(c) 30 June 2008 was $661,879. 

*7401 85 YEARS AND OVER DRIVING TEST—Mr Anthony Roberts asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) How many people in the Lane Cove electorate are required to undertake the mandatory "85 years and 

over driving test" in 2009? 

(2) What percentage of those people required to take the "85 years and over driving test" in 2008 were 

successful in retaining their drivers licence? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

In the period 1 January 2009 to 31 August 2009, 482 letters were sent to drivers aged 85 years or more in 

the Lane Cove electorate, advising them of their licensing options. In 2008, 78 per cent of aged drivers 

that attempted a driving test passed and retained their licence. 

*7402 COSTS OF USE OF ACT HOSPITALS—Mrs Jillian Skinner asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




How much has the NSW Government paid the ACT Government to treat NSW patients in ACT hospitals 

in: 

(a) 2007-08; and 

(b) 2008-09? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Finalisation of the quantum of payment to the ACT for 2007-08 is likely to require an audit of ACT 

records. This may take a number of months to complete. 2008⁄09 data is not due for exchange until the 

end of February 2010. 


7068 



*7403 CATARACT SURGERY WAITING LIST—Mrs Jillian Skinner asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




How many people will now have to wait for cataract surgery following the Federal Government's halving 

of the Medicare Benefits Schedule rebate from $600 to $300? 

Answer— 

NSW Health will closely monitor the situation when the change occurs in November 2009. 

*7404 OPHTHALMOLOGY WAITING LISTS—Mrs Jillian Skinner asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




What effect will the recent capping by the Federal Government of the Medicare Benefits Schedule rebate 

for cataract surgery have on the ophthalmology waiting lists in New South Wales hospitals? 

Answer— 

NSW Health will closely monitor the situation when the change occurs in November 2009. 

*7405 OBESITY TREATMENT—Mrs Jillian Skinner asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 



Council— 

In relation to a promise made by former Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, that there would be 

specialised medical surgical clinics across New South Wales to provide multidiciplinary medical 

programs and bariatric surgery for those who are morbidly obese: 

(1) Where are these clinics located? 

(2) Are all or any operational? 

(3) How many patients have so far been treated and how many are expected to be treated at each centre 

over a one year period? 

Answer— 

(1) to (3) I am advised that there are currently 5 clinics: 

• The Royal North Shore Hospital medical⁄bariatric clinic, which reviews 16 patients per week, 

• approximately 768 per year. 

• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Concord Repatriation General Hospital treat several hundred 

patients per year in their obesity clinics. 

• The Camden Hospital clinic, which commenced operation on 3 July 2009 and has seen 22 new 

patients up to 4 September 2009. It is anticipated that approximately 150 new patients will be 

seen each year at this clinic. 

• Westmead Hospital has a multidisciplinary obesity clinic. In 2008, 770 people were seen at the 

clinic. To the end of August 2009, 608 people had been seen. 

Of note, in 2008⁄09, 264 bariatric procedures were performed in 23 public hospitals across NSW. 

*7406 CRAVE BREAKFAST ON THE BRIDGE—Mr George Souris asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

In relation to Crave Breakfast on the Bridge: 

(1) Did the Premier make a public announcement yesterday that truck crews would take only 3 hours to 

lay kikuyu live turf on the deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? 

(2) How long will it take for crews to remove the turf and soil from the bridge? 

(3) How will the soil that will be left behind on the bridge deck be removed? 

(4) What strategy is in place to ensure that any remaining soil will not turn into slippery mud during wet 

weather? 

(5) Is it intended to use water to wash away any remaining soil? 

(6) How will harbour traffic be warned of cascading brown water from the bridge over a three hour 

period? 

(7) How will the Premier ensure the bridge structure and sub-deck will not be stained brown from the 

soil wash? 


7069 



(8) How will the Premier ensure that cartons, bags, plastic wrap, bottles etc will be cleaned up and not 

end up in the harbour? 

Answer— 

The removal of the turf and soil from the bridge will be carried out by the turf contractor and will take 

approximately 2 hours. When the turf is rolled back up the majority of soil is captured in a geo-fabric 

underlay that forms a barrier between the bottom of the turf and the bridge deck. In the event of wet 

weather this fabric also acts as a filter. Water is able to pass through but soil particles are still captured 

and held. 

After the turf is removed the bridge deck will be cleaned by RTA street sweepers, with little or no use of 

water, to remove any residual soil. Extensive testing of this operation has been conducted and it should 

not be necessary to wash the bridge after sweeping. 

A waste contractor has been appointed to the event and will having cleaning staff operating during the 

event. Once participants have exited the bridge deck a full clean up of the turf and other event areas will 

occur. All waste and recycling material will be removed from the bridge. 

*7407 CRAVE FESTIVAL—Mr George Souris asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

In relation to the Crave Festival: 

(1) In 2008, did the Premier announce that the anchor event, Breakfast on the Bridge, of the Crave 

Festival would be for 20,000, at $20 per person, include food provided by Australia's leading chefs 

and be served on tables and chairs? 

(2) Why did the Premier announce yesterday that the event would now be a bring your own food and 

drink sitting on the deck of the bridge? 

(3) Is it intended that the event will occur between 6.30 am and 8.30 am? 

(4) At what time will patrons commence to climb up to the bridge? 

(5) How long will it take for 20,000 patrons to be in situ ahead of a 6.30 am start? 

(6) Will the turf be fully laid before patrons commence their climb to the deck of the bridge? 

Answer— 

I am advised that information on Breakfast on the Bridge is available at www.breakfastonthebridge.com 

*7408 BREAKFAST ON THE BRIDGE—Mr George Souris asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

In relation to Breakfast on the Bridge: 

(1) What arrangements has the Premier made to enable 20,000 patrons, including 6,000 ballot winners, 

to gather and then climb up to the deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge carrying "eskies", bags and 

containers with food and drinks, plastic cups etc? 

(2) What special arrangements will apply for aged and disabled patrons, babies in arms or in prams, and 

others who may need assistance to gain access to the bridge decking? 

(3) How long will it take to assemble 20,000 patrons on the deck for the breakfast to begin? 

(4) What will be the duration of the entire event between bridge closure and bridge re-open? 

(5) Will alcoholic drinks be permitted at this "bring your own" breakfast event? 

Answer— 

I am advised that information on Breakfast on the Bridge is available at www.breakfastonthebridge.com 

*7409 SCONE AND ABERDEEN WATER SUPPLIES—Mr George Souris asked the Minister for Water, and 


As funding to the Upper Hunter Shire Council for the upgrading of the Scone and Aberdeen Water 

supplies had been approved by the NSW government last year, why has this funding not been provided to 

the Council? 

Answer— 

Council was advised that funding for the Scone and Aberdeen water supply augmentation has been 

included in the $1.1 billion Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program. The timing of this 

funding will be communicated to Council. 

*7410 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 



Council— 


7070 



Regarding Health Projects listed in the 2009-2010 Budget: 

(a) In Budget Paper No. 4 at page 4-38 the following entry appears: 

Local Initiatives 2009-10 - Various 

(b) In Budget Paper No. 4 at page 4-40 the following entry appears: 

Patient Administration System - Various 

(c) In Budget Paper No. 4 at 4-42 the following entry appears: 

Rural Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Strategy - Various 

What is the amount under the entry that has been allocated to the Oxley electorate? 

Answer— 

I am advised that the "various" works referred to are components of statewide programs. These programs 

represent initiatives aimed at improving services and infrastructure across the whole of the health system. 

*7411 ROZELLE MAJOR ROAD WORKS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Roads— 

In relation to the Rozelle major road works: 

(1) When did major construction work commence on the Iron Cove Bridge duplication and busway 

project in Rozelle? 

(2) What times during the day are the works occurring, indicating the dates and the differences between 

weekday and weekend times? 

(3) What were the average decibel levels during the times indicated in (2)? 

(4) How many affected Rozelle homes⁄individuals were offered 13 nights free hotel accommodation by 

the RTA? 

(5) What is the name and address of the hotel accommodation offered to the affected Rozelle residents? 

(6) What is the total cost of the hotel accommodation offered for these Rozelle residents? 

Answer— 

Major construction work on the Inner West busway project started on 12 July 2009. I am advised that 

standard working hours are 7am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 1pm on Saturdays, while night 

works take place between 7pm - 5am Sunday to Thursday. I understand that work may also occasionally 

be undertaken outside of these times with the approval of the environment representative. I am advised 

that noise measurements are taken adjacent to worksites for each workzone and compared with target 

noise levels. 

The RTA has also advised me that residents of 13 properties were offered temporary alternative 

accommodation. Where possible, hotel accommodation was selected in consultation with the residents to 

provide the least inconvenience and was located in the Sydney CBD, Haymarket, and Darling Harbour. 

The total cost for hotel accommodation to 1 September 2009 was $21,495.36. 

*7412 LEARNER AND P PLATE DRIVERS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Roads— 

In relation to Learner and P Plate drivers: 

(1) As of 1 September 2009, how many NSW residents currently hold: 

(a) a Learner Drivers Licence? 

(b) a Provisional (P1) Drivers Licence; 

(c) a Provisional (P2) Drivers Licence; 

(d) an Unrestricted Drivers License (gold); 

(e) a National Heavy Vehicle Drivers License (magenta)? 

(2) As of 1 September 2009, how many NSW residents have a suspended licence in the following 

licence categories: 

(a) a Learner Drivers Licence; 





(3) As of 1 September 2009, how many NSW residents have a cancelled licence in the following licence 

categories: 

(a) a Learner Drivers Licence; 





7071 




Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) (a) 257,083 

(b) 130,370 

(c) 250,084 

(d) 4,082,044 

(e) 341,815 

(2) (a) 861 

(b) 5,050 

(c) 4,970 

(d) 12,893 

(e) 1,122 

(3) (a) 1,177 

(b) 2,457 

(c) 2,840 

(d) 11,404 

(e) 901 

Note: 

• Licensing figures do not include rider licences. 

• Suspension figures include those for demerit point and⁄or excess speed, and police suspensions only 

(not medical grounds). 

• Cancellations include only those resulting from a court disqualification. 

*7413 HOUSING NSW PROPERTY IN TAREE—Mr John Turner asked the Minister for Housing, and 

Minister for Western Sydney— 

(1) Has Housing NSW recently sold a property at 13 Latham Avenue, Taree? 

(2) If so, was the property sold to a Housing NSW tenant? 

(3) If so, for how much was the property sold? 

(4) If so, what was the market value of the property? 

Answer— 





*7414 MANNING RURAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL—Mr John Turner asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




(1) (a) On the evening of Friday 14 August 2009, were there any beds available at Manning Rural 

Referral Hospital for the admittance of patients after receiving treatment in the Emergency 

Department? 

(b) If not, why not? 

(2) (a) On the evening of Sunday 16 August 2009, were there any beds available at Manning Rural 

Referral Hospital for the admission of patients after receiving treatment in the Emergency 

Department? 


Answer— 

(1) and (2) I am advised there were inpatient beds available on both occasions at Manning Rural Referral 

Hospital. 


7072 



*7415 REQUEST FOR HAZARD REDUCTION—Mr Ray Williams asked the Minister for Planning, and 



With respect to a repeated request by a resident of 2700D Bells Line of Road, which is a Crown Road 

adjoining Bells Line of Road, for hazard reduction to be undertaken to the sides of her road given the 

road is owned by the Government, when will hazard reduction be undertaken to remove the threat of 

bushfire to residents and their homes located on this road? 

Answer— 

The Land and Property Management Authority consults with RFS and other agencies in the development 

of the Risk Management Plan for the District. I'm advised that the current circumstances of No. 2700D 

Bells Line of Road do not warrant hazard reduction within the Crown public road that provides access to 

that property. 

*7416 RETENTION OF RAILWAY STAFF—Mr Ray Williams asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


Regarding the Minister's statement that railway staff will be retained at stations during am and pm peak 

periods, what is the explanation for the finalised Rail Corp staff review, which removes all staff from 

stations such as Mulgrave and East Richmond during pm periods, which both have numerous 

schoolchildren catching trains at these locations who will now be unsupervised and therefore have their 

safety jeopardised? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The aim of RailCorp's station staff review, agreed to by the union as part of the 2008 Union Collective 

Agreement, is to determine appropriate staffing levels on stations and provide a balance between the 

requirements of safety, efficiency and customer service, including for those customers with disabilities. 

The process for the review of staffing levels at station locations is outlined in the 2008 RailCorp Union 

Collective Agreement. It takes account of the various factors influencing staffing including customer 

service needs, passenger numbers, operational needs, the general context of the station and its working 

environment and efficiency considerations. It includes input from RailCorp management, the relevant 

Unions and the station workplace representatives. 

*7417 PAYMENT OF BONUS—Mr Ray Williams asked the Minister for Community Services— 

Why did Mr Ian Alchin, the Executive Officer of Children First Inc, in February 2008, receive $45,000 as 

a bonus, apparently made in recognition of the time and effort put into ensuring that the new Blacktown 

Road Child Care Centre was completed and opened, which bonus was paid from NSW taxpayers' money 

through a grant from the NSW Department of Community Services for the construction of the Child Care 

Centre? 

Answer— 

A formal complaint alleging a bonus payment to Mr Ian Alchin was made to the NSW Office of Liquor, 

Gaming and Racing which referred the matter to Community Services. 

The complaint was investigated including a full review of the disbursement of funds by Children's First 

Inc. 

It is customary and permissible under the funding arrangement for organisations like Children's First to 

levy from the funding provided an administration fee for the management of services. Once levied, the 

administration fee forms part of the organisation's funds to disperse how the Management 

Committee⁄Board sees fit. 

The review conducted by Community Services showed that the fee levied in this case does appear to be 

within the normal range and is not considered excessive. 

How an organisation funds and operates its management or administrative expenses is at the discretion of 

the Management Committee⁄Board. Control of the activities of the Management Committee⁄Board is a 

matter for the Association and its members. 




7073 



*7418 UPGRADE OF PUBLIC HOUSING—Mr Richard Amery asked the Minister for Housing, and Minister 

for Western Sydney— 

(1) Has the Department of Housing commenced a major upgrade of public housing in the Mount Druitt 

electorate? 

(2) Have the funds allocated by the State Government been supplemented by the Federal Government? 

(3) What are the amounts allocated by both the Federal and State Governments for Department of 

Housing upgrades this financial year? 

(4) What is the current estimate of the number of persons who will be employed to meet this increase in 

Department of Housing activity? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes. 

(2) and (3) As part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan the Australian Government has 

allocated $130 million to assist in reducing the backlog of maintenance. The NSW Government has also 

brought forward $200 million to supplement this and Housing NSW is contributing $140 million from 

existing budgets. 

(4) It is anticipated that the additional maintenance expenditure through the Nation Building Economic 

Stimulus Plan will support approximately 1,930 jobs across NSW. 

*7419 CEILING INSULATION REBATE—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 

Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

(1) How many residents in the Albury electorate have been recipients of the NSW Ceiling Insulation 

Rebate since 1 April 2007? 

(2) How many applications from residents in the Albury electorate are still under consideration? 

Answer— 

As at 15 September 2009: 

(1) 60 rebates have been paid. 

(2) 29. 

*7420 COMPLIANCE DIVISION—OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Minister for Fair 

Trading, Minister for Citizenship, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts— 

(1) How many staff are employed in the Compliance Division of the Office of Fair Trading? 

(2) What is the breakdown of the employment categories and number of staff in these categories? 

(3) How many staff, by category, resigned or left the Division during the financial years ending: 

(a) June 2007; 

(b) June 2008; 

(c) June 2009? 

Answer— 

The Office of Fair Trading advises me that: 

Compliance activities and responsibilities occur across many divisions under a whole of Fair Trading 

approach. This includes compliance advice at a consumer's initial point of contact right through to the 

resolution of a consumer complaint, the investigation and prosecution of illegal conduct as well as 

proactive compliance activities and programs undertaken throughout the state by a range of divisions. 

*7421 DIRECTIVE TO PUBLIC SERVANTS IN OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING—Mr Greg Aplin asked the 

Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for Citizenship, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts— 

(1) Was a directive sent to offices and agencies of the Office of Fair Trading this year directing local 

office staff not to speak to local electorate office staff or to the local member in relation to any 

enquiries? 

(2) If so: 

(a) Why was such a directive issued? 

(b) Who issued the directive? 

(c) Was this directive issued to all local offices for Fair Trading in NSW or only those in non-Labor 

electorates? 

Answer— 


7074 



I am advised by the Office of Fair Trading that the former Commissioner for Fair Trading issued a 

Commissioner's circular to all Fair Trading staff relating to the provision of information to members of 

Parliament. 

The Commissioner's circular was consistent with a circular issued by Premier J Fahey in 1992 

(M1992-32). 

*7422 REAL ESTATE FRAUD—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for Citizenship, 

and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts— 

(1) What action is the Minister taking to ensure elderly people are not victims of real estate fraud? 

(2) Is the Government considering any tightening of the law to ensure real estate agents cannot commit 

fraud or retain defrauded funds? 

Answer— 

The Office of Fair Trading advises me that: 

(1) Investigations into allegations of fraud are taken seriously by Fair Trading. Where sufficient 

evidence exists, appropriate enforcement action is taken including prosecution or licence 

disqualification. Recently a real estate agent was disqualified from holding a licence as a real estate 

agent and from being involved in the direction, management or conduct of a business of a licensee 

for 10 years as a result of breaching his fiduciary duty. 

Compliance programs are also regularly conducted which include the inspection of real estate agents 

trust accounts, auction programs and substantiation of selling price, particularly where a price range 

is advertised. 

(2) Real estate agents are already tightly regulated under the Property Stock and Business Agents Act 

2002 and the Property Stock and Business Agents Regulation 2003. 

The Regulation contains comprehensive rules of conduct to which agents must adhere. These 

enforceable rules cover issues such as fiduciary obligations; agents being required to act honestly, 

fairly and professionally with all parties to a transaction; and dealing with conflicts of interest. 

The Act contains comprehensive provisions to detect and address instances of fraudulent conduct by 

agents. For example, agents who receive trust money are required to have their accounts audited and 

submit the audit to Fair Trading. The Director General can also direct spot audits of agents' accounts 

and freeze them if necessary. 

The operation of the legislation is constantly monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure it is 

operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. In this process, provisions that regulate potential 

fraudulent behaviour are always under particular consideration. 

*7423 REVIEW OF STAYSAFE 30 REPORT—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 

Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways— 

(1) Has WorkCover conducted a review of the Staysafe 30 report? 

(2) If yes, what was the result of that review? 

(3) If no, does WorkCover intend to conduct the review and if so when? 

(4) If no review has been conducted, and it is not intended to be conducted, could the Minister please 

explain why? 

Answer— 

The Staysafe 30 report, released in May 1996, primarily concerns road and pedestrian safety issues. 

I'm advised WorkCover has considered the Staysafe 30 report and supports the initiatives taken by the 

City of Sydney Council as a result of the report's recommendations. 

*7424 MOTOR ACCIDENTS AUTHORITY—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


(1) Is the Minister aware that recent changes to legislation affecting the Motor Accidents Authority has 

meant some surgeons are unable to be paid because of the classification of patients under the new 

system? 

(2) Has the Minister considered any changes to overcome this inequity? 

Answer— 

(1) I am advised the changes to the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 which commenced on 1 

July 2009 have had no affect on the arrangements for surgeons to be paid. 


7075 



(2) The Motor Accidents Authority is working co-operatively with NSW Health to ensure area health 

services are provided with accurate information in relation to the recent changes. 

*7425 RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING—Mr Mike Baird asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


(1) What was the NSW Government's total expenditure on recruitment advertising in 2008-09? 

(2) What plans does the NSW Government have in place to reduce expenditure on recruitment 

advertising? 

(3) Will the NSW Government make similar changes to its guidelines on recruitment advertising as 

implemented by the Commonwealth on 1 July 2009? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The NSW Government implemented a range of recruitment reforms during 2008-09 that resulted in 

significant reductions to recruitment advertising expenditure. Reform initiatives include a recruitment 

freeze, suspension of metropolitan newspaper advertising and the use of online advertising as the primary 

medium for recruitment advertising. 

In 2008-09, the total media spend on recruitment advertising through the centralised NSW Government 

media booking arrangements was $10.3 million. This represents an estimated 40 per cent reduction 

compared to 2007-08. 

The NSW Government recruitment policies have delivered significant savings in recruitment advertising. 

The NSW Government Advertising Guidelines are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. 

*7426 ELIGIBILITY FOR MATERNITY OR PARENTAL LEAVE—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for 



Given your advice that foster parents have "temporary status" and so are not eligible for maternity or 

parental leave (Question 6904), why does the Department of Community Services consider their care 

"long term" and "permanent" when writing to foster parents? 

Answer— 

Please refer the question to the appropriate minister. 

*7427 FORMER SEAFORTH TAFE SITE—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 


Will the Minister provide a copy of the advice used to support her claim that "there's no educational need 

in that area" (Manly Daily 15-07-09) in relation to the former Seaforth TAFE site? 

Answer— 

Seaforth TAFE was closed in 1999 due to low enrolments and the constraints of its small size and 

position at a major intersection. 

The Northern Beaches are well serviced through TAFE delivery at other colleges of the Northern Sydney 

Institute of TAFE including the Northern Beaches College at Brookvale and at the Freshwater Education 

Centre. 

*7428 INCREASED RATES OF LAND TAX—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

Will the Treasurer outline the basis of his claim that the increased rates of land tax affect "less than 6% of 

land tax payers"? 

Answer— 

I'm advised: 

The November 2008 mini-Budget introduced a premium land tax rate of 2 per cent, commencing from 

the 2009 land tax year. The premium rate only applies to land tax payers with total taxable land holdings 

above $2.25 million. 

The percentage refers to an estimation of the proportion of tax payers holding land valued in excess of 

the $2.25 million at the time the mini-Budget was prepared. 


7076 



The proportion may vary over time as taxpayers' land holdings change and the number of taxpayers 

changes. 

*7429 OPERATOR FOR PHOENIX UNIT—MANLY HOSPITAL—Mr Mike Baird asked the Deputy Premier, 




(1) Has the Government issued an Expression of Interest for a new operator of the Phoenix Unit at 

Manly Hospital? 

(2) Why did the Government offer staff at the Phoenix Unit voluntary redundancies before issuing an 

Expression of Interest for a new operator? 

(3) How many staff at the Phoenix Unit have accepted voluntary redundancies? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) An Expression of Interest for a new operator of the Phoenix Unit at Manly Hospital has not been 

issued. The tender documentation is nearing completion. 

(2) Expressions of Interest for voluntary redundancy were invited across drug and alcohol services and 

were not exclusive to the Phoenix Unit at Manly Hospital. This was to assist the Area Health Service 

in planning for mapping personnel to positions throughout the course of the realignment of drug and 

alcohol services. Even where a staff member expresses interest in voluntary redundancy, there is no 

certainty that any offer of voluntary redundancy will be made to them. 

(3) No staff member working at the Phoenix Unit has received voluntary redundancy at this time. 

*7430 CORPORATE EXPRESS—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister 

for Women— 

(1) On what evidence does the Minister claim that "the bulk buying approach is saving us about $8.25 

million a year" (Ministerial media release 18-03-09)? 

(2) Has the Department of Education instructed schools to deal with Corporate Express instead of 

finding cheaper products from local suppliers? 

(3) Is the Minister confident Corporate Express provides a competitive price on school supplies? 

Answer— 

(1) From commencement of the Corporate Express supply arrangement in February 2009 spend data for 

office supplies shows $11,150,976 was spent, compared to the corresponding period in 2008 of 

$14,920,435. This equates to an annual saving of approximately $10 million as a result of the bulk 

buying approach for office consumables. 

(2) No. I have repeatedly informed schools that they should never knowingly pay more for a product 

than they can source themselves. If a school is able to find a cheaper equivalent product from a local 

supplier then they are able to buy the cheaper product, provided they contact the Department who 

ensures the product is equivalent and the school is receiving value for money. I am advised that in 

the overwhelming majority of cases this does not arise with Corporate Express as their products are 

cheaper. 

(3) Yes. 

*7431 PATIENT TRANSFER COSTS—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




(1) What was the total cost of transferring patients from Tomaree Community Hospital to other 

hospitals, x-ray services or otherwise via the NSW Ambulance Service in: 

(a) 2005-06; 

(b) 2006-07; 

(c) 2007-08; 

(d) 2008-09? 

(2) What was the total cost of transferring patients from Tomaree Community Hospital to other 

hospitals, x-ray services or otherwise via the Health Transport Unit in: 

(a) 2006-07; 

(b) 2007-08; 

(c) 2008-09? 


7077 



(3) What has been the total cost of providing the Health Transport Unit vehicle since it was introduced to 

Tomaree Community Hospital? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Tomaree is a level two rural hospital and patients are transferred out of Tomaree to referral hospitals on a 

clinical needs basis. That is, where a patient's condition warrants further assessment and⁄or greater 

interventional or diagnostic care than is available at Tomaree. 

Patients are primarily transferred to the Calvary Mater or John Hunter Hospitals where there are Staff 

Specialists in most medical specialties and very sophisticated diagnostic services available. 

(1) (a) $442,896. 

(b) $542,771. 

(c) $650,683. 

(d) $808,810 

(2) (a) and (b) The service commenced in September 2007. The 2007⁄2008 cost was $97,009. 

(c) $139,210. 

(3) Total cost of providing the Health Transport Unit vehicle since it was introduced to Tomaree 

Community Hospital has been $236,219 for the period September 2007 to 30 June 2009. 

*7432 CAR MODIFICATION LAWS—Mr Craig Baumann asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) What was the outcome of the 12 August meeting of the working party established to look at recent 

car modification laws (VSI 50)? 

(2) Who are the "industry, RTA and government representatives" in the working party? 

(3) When will the working party meet again? 

(4) Will there be amendments to VSI 50? 

(5) If so, what amendments will be made? 

(6) When will VSI 50 be introduced? 

(7) What community consultation has⁄will take place? 

Answer— 

(1) The working party held a very productive meeting to review the detail of VSI 50 and to identify 

areas of mutual concern. The RTA agreed to consider several suggestions made by industry 

representatives about how they might simplify the approval and notification process for 

modifications to suspension systems. The RTA also agreed to seek national comment on a proposal 

to allow ride height increases of up to 75 millimetres that consist of 50 millimetres suspension 

modification and 25 millimetre tyre radius increase. This suggestion, presented by the Australian 

Automotive Aftermarket Association, formed part of their response to a review of the National Code 

of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification currently being undertaken by the 

Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board. 

(2) The working party consists of Pedders Suspensions, King Springs, Eibach Suspension Technology, 

the Australian Automobile Aftermarket Association, The Motor Traders Association of NSW, the 

NSW and ACT 4 Wheel Drive Association and representatives from Safer Vehicles Branch of the 

NSW Centre for Road Safety and staff from the RTA Driver and Vehicle Services Branch 

(3) The working party will be reconvened once national responses to the Australian Automotive 

Aftermarket Association submission to the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board have been 

received and considered. 

(4) Unless there is national agreement to alter the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle 

Construction and Modification, there will only be minor amendments to VSI 50 that will simplify the 

way an owner must notify the RTA of modifications that raise or lower their vehicle by less than 50 

millimetres. 

(5) See (4). 

(6) It is anticipated that VSI 50 will be introduced late in 2009, including a transition arrangement to 

allow work currently in progress to be completed. 

(7) VSI 50 was developed as a response to the increased risk that raised or lowered vehicles may pose to 

drivers, their occupants and other road users. VSI 50 is based on advice from manufacturers about 

vehicle suspension design and policy about vehicle vehicle crash compatibility. It also included 

feedback that had been received by the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board during its 

public consultation phase for proposed amendments to the National Code of Practice for Light 


7078 



Vehicle Construction and Modification. In addition to those groups represented in the working group, 

the RTA also has or will soon consult with the Australian Street Rod Federation and the NRMA. VSI 

50 formalised the currently accepted practices for raising or lowering suspension heights that are 

being used in NSW. The major change imposed by VSI 50 is to require owners to advise the RTA of 

modifications made to suspensions that are less than 50 millimetres up or down. 

*7433 FINGAL BAY TO NEWCASTLE—ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICE—Mr Craig Baumann asked the 

Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

(1) Following the Minister's announcement on 10 August 2009 regarding an extra return bus trip from 

Fingal Bay to Newcastle, via Newcastle airport, what will the provision of this additional service 

cost the NSW Government in 2009-10? 

(2) How many jobs will this additional service create? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Information of this nature is subject to Commercial-In-Confidence provisions within existing bus 

contracts. 

(2) The service has commenced operation as a result of the NSW Government's investment in 300 

growth buses for Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Illawarra. The 300 new growth buses 

will mean 400 new jobs for bus drivers and 150 new jobs in the bus building industry, as well as 

sustaining 700 existing bus building jobs. These are in addition to the jobs created to maintain the 

buses, including mechanics and cleaners, as well as jobs in part manufacturing and flow on 

industries. 

*7434 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE—Ms Gladys Berejiklian asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 



the Executive Council — 

In relation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service: 

(1) What are the Government's intentions in relation to the future of the Royal Flying Doctor Service? 

(2) What is the Government's response to community concerns about speculation that the Government 

may not renew the existing contract? 

(3) Does the Government agree that the service provides outstanding care for people in very remote 

parts of the State in addition to regional NSW? 

Answer— 

I refer the Member to the Premier's response in the Legislative Assembly on 2 September 2009. 

*7435 CUSTOMER SERVICE CHARTER—Ms Gladys Berejiklian asked the Minister for Transport, and 


In relation to the Customer Service Charter commitment to provide customers with information about 

less crowded services and commit to upgrading the information every six months: 

(1) (a) Has this commitment been completed? 

(b) If not, when will it be? 

(2) How will the information about less crowded services be provided to customers? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) (a) Yes. 

(b) N⁄A 

(2) Customers are able to review the information on the CityRail website at www.cityrail.info 

*7436 LAYING OF 1080 BAITS—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 



(1) Is the Minister aware of the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA) laying 1080 baits in the 

Pillar Valley area of the north coast during the months of June, July and August of 2009? 

(2) If so, what quantity of baits and what amount of 1080 in each bait? 

(3) Could the baits be responsible for a recently unusually high rate of kangaroo and wallaby deaths in 


7079 



the Pillar Valley area? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes, in July. 

(2) Approximately 80 wild dog baits were laid. Each bait is manufactured with 6mg of 1080 poison. 

(3) No. 1080 wild dog baits are manufactured from meat. Kangaroos and wallabies do not eat meat. 

*7437 REQUEST TO MEET WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITIES—Mr Andrew Constance asked the 

Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— 

Why has there been no reply to numerous requests to the Minister's office seeking a meeting between the 

Bega and Bega West public school communities to discuss the merging of the schools onto the Bega 

Public School site utilising the Building the Education Revolution funding? 

Answer— 

I am advised that officers of the Department of Education and Training have held several meetings with 

community members from Bega and Bega West Public Schools and that members of those communities 

have been advised that the Department does not, in principle, oppose their decision to merge and combine 

their Building the Education Revolution funding. The normal processes for closure of a school are now 

being worked through. 

*7438 WORKERS COMPENSATION PREMIUMS—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, 

Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive Council— 

Will the Minister review the plight of primary carers who employ private household staff to assist with 

the care of loved ones with disabilities being subjected to higher workers compensation premiums as a 

result of legislative changes introduced in May 2008? 

Answer— 

The question does not fall within the Industrial Relations portfolio. It should be directed to the 

appropriate Minister. 

*7439 RABBIT NUMBERS—CONGO—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) Is the Minister aware of concerns of local residents of Congo about rabbits populating the adjoining 

national park? 

(2) Given the problems of rabbits, what is being done to rectify the problem? 

Answer— 

(1) I am advised that Congo residents are concerned about rabbits on all land tenures in their area. 

(2) The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) welcomes community action to develop a rabbit 

management plan to reduce rabbit numbers across all land tenures in the Congo area. A meeting of 

interested parties was held on 9 September 2009 and included representatives from NPWS, 

Eurobodalla Shire Council and the South East Livestock Health and Pest Authority. The Authority 

agreed to lead the development of a rabbit management plan and the NPWS will be an active 

participant in the program. 

*7440 RABBIT NUMBERS—CONGO—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Minister for Education and 



(1) Is the Minister aware of concerns of local residents of Congo about rabbits? 

(2) Given the problems of rabbits, what is being done to rectify the problem? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes. 

(2) Meetings have been held to address current issues with rabbit populations in the Eurobodalla Shire. 

Agreement has been made to implement a rabbit management program initially concentrating on 

known rabbit 'hot spots' including Congo. 

*7441 BOVINE JOHNE’S DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Minister for 




7080 



(1) What is the Government doing to review the Bovine Johne's disease control program? 

(2) Is the Minister aware of concerns that the control program is in need of revision due to poor science 

and inadequate diagnostic technology? 

Answer— 

(1) A review of BJD Management in NSW has commenced. The final date for submissions is 26 

October 2009. 

(2) One of the specific issues to be addressed by the review is the possible impact of new technologies 

on the program. 

*7442 PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH TEACHING POSITIONS—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Minister for 


(1) Is the Minister aware of a motion passed unanimously at the Narooma Public School Federation 

rejecting the department's proposal to abolish nearly 2,000 teaching positions which support students 

with special needs? 

(2) What is the Government's position? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes. 

(2) There is no plan to abolish any teaching positions. This Government is increasing the support to 

students with special needs with funding for special education increasing to $1.106 billion in the 

2009⁄2010 financial year. 

New positions, known as School Learning Support Teachers, are currently the subject of consultation 

as part of a proposed new program to be known as the School Learning Support Program. 

These proposals are currently the subject of consultation with key groups including principals, 

parents, advocacy groups and unions which will continue until the middle of 2010, while the 

proposal is trialled in two regions. An evaluation of the existing School Learning Support 

Coordinator initiative is also currently underway. 



*7443 WESTERN PATHOLOGY CLUSTER—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




(1) Is the Minister aware of concerns from GPs and VMOs about the Western Pathology Cluster and the 

reporting of results? 

(2) What is being done to rectify these concerns? 

(3) Are GPs and VMOs opting to use other services due to the performance of the public pathology 

service in Greater Southern Area Health Service? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) and (2) Correspondence was received in August 2009 from the Southern General Practice Network 

Ltd regarding the pathology services provided by the Western Pathology Cluster. 

In response the Western Pathology Cluster Executive formulated an action plan to address the issues 

raised. The Action Plan includes: 

• The establishment of a clinical feedback group comprising representative GPs from Greater 

Southern Area Health Services to validate and design decisions prior to implementation of any 

new system. 

• Communication strategies implemented by Western Pathology Cluster in the form of update 

notification and personal communications to doctors regarding issues raised. 

• Western Pathology Cluster Executive conducting operational meetings with the Executive of 

Greater Southern Area Health Services to ensure progression of agreed actions. 

To date, all agreed actions have been put into operation. While significant improvements have been made 

regarding the issues raised, the Western Pathology Cluster will continue to seek feedback from General 

Practitioners, to further improve the quality of results. 


7081 



(3) The Western Pathology Cluster has confirmed that a number of clinicians have in the past been 

authorized to use alternative pathology providers for specific reasons relating to their special areas of 

practice. 

NSW Department of Health Circular 2004⁄58 clearly states the process required prior to referring a 

pathology test for private patients from a Public Pathology Service to a Private Pathologist. 

Western Pathology Cluster provides pathology services to the public hospitals, category B Laboratories, 

of the South East Public pathology Service. The provision of pathology services to outpatients who are 

privately referred by medical practitioners is an additional service which benefits the community, 

particularly if a private pathology services is not readily accessible in rural areas. 

*7444 SOLAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

Given your advice that you established a NSW Solar Flagships Taskforce which convened a major Solar 

Energy Workshop on 7 July 2009 (Question 6932), what did the July Taskforce discuss and resolve? 

Answer— 

The aim of the workshop was to obtain the views of solar industry stakeholders on what the NSW 

Government can do to increase solar energy investment in NSW and, in particular, how to leverage 

Australian Government funding available under its Solar Flagships Program. The workshop was attended 

by stakeholders representing solar companies, energy retailers, financiers and representatives of 

government departments. 

Workshop participants were asked to consider a range of issues related to growing a solar industry in 

NSW, and to provide feedback on how the NSW Government could attract at least one Solar Flagships 

Program project to our State. 

These discussions have informed targeted stakeholder consultation and the NSW Government's 

submission on the design of the Solar Flagships Program. 

*7445 REPLIES TO CORRESPONDENCE—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

Given your advice that correspondence sent to the Premier is managed on the Premier's behalf under 

standing arrangements by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Question 6936): 

(1) Does the Premier personally read the emails sent to him on the internet on the page entitled "Talk to 

the Premier"? 

(2) Does the Premier authorise the replies? 

(3) If he does not, then who does? 

Answer— 

The Premier is sent numerous items of correspondence from different sources, including messages sent 

through the "Talk to the Premier" facility on the Premier's website. It is not practicable for the Premier 

personally to read and deal with each item of correspondence. The Department of Premier and Cabinet 

manages correspondence on the Premier's behalf under standing arrangements. Under those 

arrangements, some correspondence will be referred to the Department or to other relevant Ministers or 

agencies. 

*7446 FRUIT IMPORTATION—Mr Andrew Fraser asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 



(1) Have you made any representations to the Federal Government to stop the importation of apples, 

pears and bananas into Australia? 

(2) What, if any, was the Government's response? 

Answer— 

(1) Industry and Investment NSW (formally NSW Department of Primary Industries) has made 

representations to the Federal Government through the Federal Import Risk Analysis process on the 

importation of apples, pears and bananas into Australia. 

(2) This question should be directed to the Federal Government. 

*7447 WIDENING OF THE F5—Mr Andrew Fraser asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) How much money has the Federal Government provided for the widening of the F5 from Brooks 

Road to Campbelltown? 


7082 



(2) Has the Minister written to the Prime Minister or any other Federal Minister requesting funding for 

this project? 

(3) Has the Minister raised this issue at any COAG meeting? 

(4) If he has written or raised the issue at COAG, what was the result? 

Answer— 

I am advised that the Federal Government will provide $110.4 million, with the rest of the funding to be 

provided by the NSW Government. On 31 August 2007, the Federal Government announced a 

commitment to complete widening of the F5 between Brooks Road and Narellan Road, Campbelltown in 

partnership with the NSW Government. This commitment was included in the National Partnership 

Agreement on Implementation of Major Infrastructure Projects in NSW 2009-2014 signed by the Federal 

and NSW Governments in early 2009. 

*7448 NOTIFICATION OF CHILDREN AT RISK—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community 

Services— 

(1) With reference to the death of a newborn baby boy whose body was found wrapped in a towel in a 

vacant block of land at Belmont in December 2007, were the baby's siblings known to the 

Department of Community Services (DOCS)? 

(2) In the 12 months leading up to the discovery of the baby's body, were any reports made to DOCS 

about the family? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes. 

(2) Yes. 

*7449 OUT OF HOME CARE CONTRACTS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) How many Out of Home Care contracts with non-government organisations (NGOs) arising from the 

March 2007 submission of expressions of interest have been finalised? 

(2) What percentage of children who are in Out Of Home Care are now being case managed by NGOs? 

(3) How does this compare with figures for 

(a) 2004 

(b) 2005 

(c) 2006 

(d) 2007 

(e) 2008? 

Answer— 

(1) To date 27 agencies have been contracted or are being contracted. 

(2) As at March 2009, 15.8 per cent of children and young people in out-of-home care were placed with 

non-government organisations. Of these, approximately 25 per cent have had case management 

formally transferred to a non-government organisation 

(3) (a) to (e) Case management transfer policy was effectively introduced on 1 July 2008. 

*7450 STATISTICS ON PARENTAL AGES—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) Does the Department keep statistical information regarding the ages of mothers who have children in 

out of home care? 

(2) If so, what is the breakdown of this information by age or age group? 

(3) Does the Department keep statistical information regarding the ages of fathers who have children in 

out of home care? 

(4) If so, what is the breakdown of this information by age or age group? 

(5) In what percentage of out of home care placements are birth fathers in contact with their children? 

Answer— 

(1) This information is not available at an aggregated level. 


(3) This information is not available at an aggregated level. 


(5) This information cannot be easily extracted for statistical reporting purposes. 

*7451 RECURRENT FUNDING FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES—Mr David Harris asked the Minister 

for Community Services— 


7083 



How many Neighbourhood Centres receive recurrent funding in the Wyong electorate? 

Answer— 

The following Neighbourhood Centres in the Wyong area are receiving recurrent funding in the 2009-10 

financial year: 

• Toukley Neighbourhood Centre 

• Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Community Development 

• San Remo Neighbourhood Centre 

• Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre 

*7452 LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister 

for Redfern Waterloo— 

With reference to Minister Administering the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act works-inprogress 

allocations in Budget Paper No. 4 of the 2009-10 Budget Papers: 

(1) For what purpose is the "general land acquisition (five year rolling program)" allocation? 

(2) How many lots have been purchased as of the current date from the "land acquisition for north west 

rail corridor" allocation? 

(3) What suburbs were the lots purchased in? 

(4) What is the total legal cost of the acquisitions? 

(5) Were any lots purchased under the Land Acquisition Act? 

(6) If so, how many? 

(7) Which legal firms were retained on behalf of the Government in relation to "land acquisition for 

north west rail corridor"? 

Answer— 

(1) Purchase of land identified in Environmental Planning Instruments with the acquisition authority 

identified as the Ministerial Corporation (the Minister administering the Environmental Planning & 

Assessment Act 1979). 

(2) 46. 

(3) Cherrybrook, Kellyville and Rouse Hill. 

(4) $141 million for the acquisition of the land (including legal costs for the transactions). 

(5) All lots have been acquired by negotiation in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition 

(Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991. No lots were compulsorily acquired under the Act. 

(6) As per answer to Q5, no lots have been compulsorily acquired and therefore this question is not 

applicable. 

(7) Champion Legal. 

*7453 NEW POLICE FORCE WORKS—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 

Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Rural 

Affairs— 

With reference to NSW Police Force new works allocations in Budget Paper No. 4 of the 2009-10 Budget 

Papers: 

(1) Which locations are included in the "prisoner handling upgrades at 14 locations" funding allocation? 

(2) What Local Area Commands will receive funding from the "radio communication - phase 2" 

allocation? 

(3) What Local Area Commands will receive funding from the "roll out of tasers to first response police" 

allocation? 

Answer— 


(1) Newtown, Cobar, Nyngan, Warren, Wee Waa, Tumbarumba, Gundagai, Temora, Leeton, Surry Hills, 

Blacktown, Newcastle, Nelson and Laurieton. 

(2) and (3) This funding is statewide. 

*7454 CHILDREN IN ADULT WARDS—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




Regarding children placed in adult wards: 


7084 



(1) What numbers and how many in each hospital in NSW for 2005 to 2007 inclusive? 

(2) What numbers and how many in each hospital in NSW for 2008? 

Answer— 

NSW Health supports the provision of separate accommodation for children and young people in 

hospital. 

In outpatient settings, it is not uncommon for children and young people and adults to wait together for 

clinics in the same area. There are also times when either, due to physical location constraints, or due to 

service delivery issues (such as workforce) that co-location may be necessary. 

Area Health Services have reported that they have developed local policies, underpinned by a risk 

minimisation framework and compliant with relevant legislation, to protect the safety of children in 

hospital settings. Where co-location does need to occur, Area Health Services have developed processes 

to ensure that patients are moved to appropriate environments as soon as possible. 

The NSW Department of Health does not routinely collect data on children placed in adult wards. To 

provide the level of detail sought by the Member would, on this occasion, unjustifiably divert the 

resources of the Department of Health and Area health Services away from the exercise of their core 

functions. 

*7455 LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN—Mr Kevin Humphries asked the Minister for Planning, and 


(1) How long has the Moree Plains Shire Council been engaged in the Local Environmental Planning 

process? 

(2) How many times has the LEP been submitted to the Department of Planning for approval? 

(3) Why has the process taken so long? 

(4) What timeframe is expected for the release of the Moree Plains Shire LEP? 

Answer— 

(1) The Department of Planning received formal notification from Moree Plains Shire Council on 22 

November 2005 of its resolution to prepare a new Comprehensive LEP for the Local Government Area. 

(2) and (3) Moree Plains Shire Council has submitted the Draft Comprehensive LEP to the Department 

once. It was submitted in March 2009, but it was returned as it did not satisfy the Standard Instrument 

(LEP) Order, and Council's Growth Management Strategy which is meant to underpin and inform the 

LEP had not been completed. 

(4) It is anticipated that Council will resubmit the draft Plan to the Department before the end of 2009 

seeking approval for its public exhibition. It is hoped that the LEP will be on public exhibition before the 

end of 2009, or early 2010, depending upon when a suitable draft Plan is submitted by Council. 

*7456 WIND FARM PRECINCTS—Mr Kevin Humphries asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


(1) What are the proposed "wind farm precincts" and what are the designated areas across the State? 

(2) Is Coolah district a nominated area? 

Answer— 

(1) and (2) Six Renewable Energy Precincts are being established across NSW in areas with strong wind 

resources. These include: New England Tablelands; Upper Hunter; Central Tablelands; NSW⁄ACT 

border areas; South Coast; and Cooma⁄Monaro. 

The objective of the precincts is to provide help to local leaders and the community to maximise the 

economic opportunities of wind power, and to ensure development is appropriately located and 

designed. 

The Coolah district is located in the Upper Hunter Wind Precinct. 

*7457 BREACHES OF AVOS—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 



In relation to AVOs in the Miranda Local Area Command, how many AVOs were breached in the 

following periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


7085 




Answer— 

I am advised: 

There have been 279 in the period to June 2009. 

*7458 SUTHERLAND COURT HOUSE EMPLOYEES—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, 

Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive Council— 

In relation to employees at the Sutherland Court House, what were the total number of employees at 

Sutherland Court House in the following periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


Answer— 

I am advised: 

Staffing at Local Courthouses is adjusted from time to time to meet workload demands and ensure 

efficient service delivery. 

*7459 AVOS ISSUED—Mr Malcolm Kerr asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra 

representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the 

Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive Council— 

What is the number of AVOs issued in the Miranda Local Area Command for the following periods: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


Answer— 

I am advised: 

The member is referred to the website of the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research Local Government 

Area Crime Reports. 

*7460 HOME CARE WAITING TIMES—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Ageing, Minister for 

Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

With respect to waiting times for Home and Community Care (HACC) services to support eligible people 

remain at home: 

(1) Has the Home Care Service closed its books for inner city home support and is it not accepting 

referrals or assessing people who need help? 

(2) If so, how long have its books been closed to new clients and when will new clients be accepted? 

(3) How does the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care ensure that people needing help are 

assessed and get help when there is no waiting list? 

(4) What other options are available for aged pensioners who cannot afford private cleaning or home 

support services? 

(5) What assessment has the NSW Government made of unmet need for home care services? 

(6) What plans does the Government have to expand these services? 

Answer— 

(1) to (3) The Home Service of NSW does not close its books for people to access services. 

While Home Care is the largest provider of Home and Community Care Program (HACC) services in the 

State, there are over 440 non-government organisations funded by the NSW Government to provide these 

services. 

In addition to the HACC Program, there are a number of other funding programs that support the delivery 

of community care services to frail older people, younger people with a disability and their carers. 

Access and intake for Home Care is coordinated by the Referral and Assessment Centre (RAC). When a 

Home Care branch cannot provide service due to the number of people requesting assistance, the RAC 


7086 



provides the client, referrer and others involved, with information about contacting other support 

services. 

Home Care staff are continually participating in local HACC forums and liaise with key referral agencies, 

such as Commonwealth Carelink and NSW Health services to ensure that information on intake to Home 

Care services is available to any member of the community who requires assistance. 

(4) ADHC funds almost 600 government and non-government providers to provide HACC services. In 

the event that a particular organisation is unable to provide a requested service, clients can be referred to 

another service in the area, and be provided with information about the Commonwealth Carelink Centre 

(contact number 1800 052 222). 

The Commonwealth Carelink Centre maintains a comprehensive database containing community aged 

care, disability and other support services. This service acts as a central point of contact for the general 

public and provides advice and information to clients regarding which services are available in their local 

areas. 

(5) Service planning, including the assessment of service gaps, is conducted annually at the regional 

level. The planning process involves extensive consultation with all stakeholders and analysis of various 

data sets. 

Information on unmet needs is used to inform planning for services. For example, the regional planning 

for 2008-09 identified unmet need for personal care and domestic assistance services in the South East 

Sydney LPA, which covers inner city Sydney. In response, additional funding of $1.9 million was 

provided for HACC service expansion in this planning area in 2008-09. 

(6) There has been a steady increase of around 7% a year in HACC funding over several years. ADHC 

has completed the HACC Planning process for 2009-10 and 2010-11 and details of service expansion 

have been included in the Annual Supplements to the HACC Triennial Plan (2008-11) for these two 

years. The Annual Supplements are currently awaiting Australian Government approval. Planned HACC 

funding for South East Sydney LPA for 2009-10 is $62.8 million, and for the Inner West LPA HACC 

funding is $33.6 million. 

*7461 RTA NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAM—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) How many applications did the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) receive for treatment against the 

effects of very high road traffic noise on properties near noisy roads under the Noise Abatement 

Program: 

(a) last financial year; 

(b) the financial year for 2007-08; 

(c) the financial year for 2006-07? 

(2) How many of these applications received amelioration under the Noise Abatement Program? 

(3) How many of these applications were refused under the Noise Abatement Program? 

(4) Of those that were refused, how many were for residential properties that experienced noise levels of 

at least 65 decibels during the day or 60 decibels during the night? 

(5) How many applications did the RTA receive for treatment against the effects of very high road traffic 

noise on properties near noisy roads in the Sydney electorate under the Noise Abatement Program: 

(a) last financial year; 

(b) the financial year for 2007-08; 

(c) the financial year for 2006-07? 

(6) How many of the Sydney electorate applications received amelioration under the Noise Abatement 

Program? 

(7) How many of the Sydney electorate applications were refused under the Noise Abatement Program? 

(8) Of those that were refused, how many were for residential properties that experienced noise levels of 

at least 65 decibels during the day or 60 decibels during the night? 

(9) What plans does the Government have to expand the program to ensure that residents can be 

protected from very high levels of traffic noise? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) (a) 110. 

(b) 132. 

(c) 203. 

(2) 146. 


7087 



(3) 35. 

(4) None. 

(5) to (8) Figures are not organised by electoral areas. 

(9) $3 million funding is allocated for the 2009⁄10 financial year. 

*7462 TAFE TEACHERS—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for 

Women— 

With respect to Government proposals for TAFE teachers: 

(1) Will the Government pay wage increases for TAFE teachers only if teachers: 

(a) teach an extra 71 hours each year; 

(b) work beyond limits on weekly working hours; and 

(c) accept fewer hours for professional development? 

(2) Will these changes mean the loss of 500 full-time teaching positions across NSW? 

(3) Would these changes reduce expenditure by three times more than the value of the wage increase 

offered? 

(4) What is the Government's rationale for this proposal? 

(5) What assessment has the Government made of the impact of this ongoing dispute on TAFE programs 

and students? 

(6) What plans does the Government have to ensure appropriate wages and conditions that recognise the 

importance of TAFE programs and TAFE teachers? 

Answer— 

(1) No. This matter was the subject of arbitration proceedings before the Full Bench of the Industrial 

Relations Commission on 14-17 September 2009. The Government will abide by the outcome of 

those proceedings as determined by the Industrial Relations Commission. 

(2) No. There will not be a reduction of 500 full-time teaching positions across NSW. Such a reduction 

would be neither sustainable nor desirable. 

(3) No. The Department of Education and Training is only seeking to fund the salary increases above 

2.5% per annum. To do this the Department has sought further employee related reforms and cost 

savings measures that improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness of TAFE NSW to 

offset the cost of the salary increases above 2.5% each year as provided for in the Crown Employees 

(Teachers in TAFE and Related Employees, Bradfield College and Teachers in TAFE Children's 

Centres) Salaries and Conditions Award 2009. 

(4) The NSW Public Sector Wages Policy 2007, which was developed to ensure that all NSW public 

sector organisations meet the objectives of section 13 of the Fiscal Responsibility (NSW) Act 2005. 

(5) The Government has endeavored throughout 2009 to finalise this matter through available 

mechanisms and has engaged in extensive negotiation and conciliation proceedings. The Department 

and the union agreed to a process in January 2009 whereby the further employee related reforms 

required to fund the additional salary increases above 2.5% each year would be identified and 

finalised. 

(6) Under the TAFE teachers award permanent and temporary teachers and related employees receive 

salary increases of 4.4% from January 2009, 3.8% from January 2010, and 3.8% from January 2011. 

That is a 12.48% cumulative salary increase over the life of the award. These salary increases mean 

that NSW TAFE teachers remain the highest paid TAFE teachers in Australia while delivering the 

least amount of direct teaching hours. 

The salary increases delivered under the TAFE award and the reform measures sought are fair and 

reasonable and meet the community's expectation that salary increases will not increase costs to the 

community or reduce services. The outcome will help NSW maintain its position of delivering high 

quality educational outcomes to students. 

*7463 DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Premier, and Minister 

for the Arts— 

(1) What was the number of equivalent full time employees in the Department of Premier and Cabinet as 

at: 

(a) 30 June 2008; 

(b) 30 June 2009? 

(2) What was the number of contractors and consultants engaged by the Department of Premier and 

Cabinet: 


7088 



(a) during the financial year 2007-2008; 

(b) during the financial year 2008-2009; 

(c) as at 30 August 2009? 

Answer— 

(1) Information in relation to full time employees (FTE) is available in the Department of Premier and 

Cabinet annual reports. 

(2) Information in relation to consultants is available in the Department of Premier and Cabinet annual 

reports. 

Contractors: 

(a) The number of contractors during the financial year 2007-2008 were 182. 

(b) The number of contractors during the financial year 2008-2009 were 224. 

(c) The number of contractors as at 30 August 2009 were 103. 

*7464 WSN FACILITY—OPERATING HOURS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) What recent changes have been implemented to operating hours⁄business hours for the WSN 

facilities at Belrose? 

(2) What public consultation or local notification occurred prior to these changes being made? 

Answer— 

(1) WSN has reduced opening hours at Belrose on Saturdays from 8am until 5pm to 8am until 1pm and 

has closed the centre on Sundays, effective as of 1 August 2009. The facility was previously open 

from 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

I'm advised that other waste and recycling facilities are available to the public at Kimbriki and Ryde. 

(2) I'm advised that WSN informed its customers of the changes and alternative facilities through direct 

communication and signage at the Belrose facility as well as local media advertisements. 

*7465 JUSTICELINK—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra 



(1) How much is the JusticeLink projected to save NSW taxpayers per annum? 

(2) What is the total cost of this project to date, excluding training and implementation costs? 

(3) What are the projected total training and implementation costs? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Projected savings to the taxpayer and legal profession for JusticeLink are well in excess of the 

project cost. 

(2) I refer the member to the relevant Budget Paper. 

(3) Operational trainers are funded from the operational budget of the Attorney General's Department. 

*7466 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for Community Services— 

Regarding projects listed in the 2009-2010 Budget: 

In Budget Paper No. 4 at page 4-21 the following entry appears: 

Regional Caseworker Accommodation Upgrade - Various 

What is the amount under the entry that has been allocated to the Murrumbidgee electorate? 

Answer— 

For 2009-10, an amount of $0.4 million has been allocated to a project in the Murrumbidgee electorate. 

This project relates to Regional Caseworker Accommodation Upgrades in Condobolin. 

*7467 SUPPORT TEACHERS—SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for 


In relation to funding for Support Teachers for special needs children: 

(1) How many Support Teachers does the Department of Education and Training (DET) currently 

employ across NSW in each of the following roles: 

(a) Support Teacher Learning Assistance; 


7089 



(b) APLA; 

(c) STLA IR&IL; 

(d) Early School Support Teacher; 

(e) IM-Integrated; 

(f) IST Integration; 

(g) IST Behaviour; 

(h) ISTB-AP; 

(i) Outreach Teacher (Autism); 

(j) ED; 

(k) Special ED? 

(2) How many Support Teachers will be replaced with Coordinators? 

(3) Why is the DET abolishing these positions? 

(4) What is the new job description for Coordinators, including the breakdown of time that is expected 

to be spent in the classroom? 

Answer— 

(1) (a) There are 1,202.7 Support Teachers Learning Assistance. 

(b) There are 40 Assistant Principals Learning Assistance. 

(c) There are 71 Support Teachers Learning Assistance Intensive Reading and Intensive Language. 

(d) There are 64.3 Early School Support Teachers. 

(e) There are 70 IM Integrated Support Teachers. 

(f) There are 51.7 Itinerant Support Teachers Integration. 

(g) There are 215 Itinerant Support Teachers Behaviour. 

(h) There are 56 Itinerant Support Teachers Behaviour Assistant Principals. 

(i) There are 30 Outreach Teachers (Autism). 

(j) There are 7 Outreach Teachers (Emotional Disturbance). 

(k) There are 23 Outreach Teachers (Special Education). 

(2) No teachers will be replaced by Coordinators. 

(3) The Department of Education and Training is not abolishing these positions. 

(4) There is no new job description for Coordinators. 

New positions, known as School Learning Support Teachers, are currently the subject of consultation 

as part of a proposed new program to be known as the School Learning Support Program. 

Further details about the proposed role of these teachers is included in the presentation being used as 

part of the Department's extensive consultation process on the proposed School Learning Support 

Program and is freely available on the Department's website. 

In the proposed role statement for School Learning Support Teachers there is a focus on these 

teachers working in classrooms to support students and their teachers. 

These proposals are currently the subject of consultation with key groups including principals, 

parents, advocacy groups and unions which will continue until the middle of 2010, while the 

proposal is trialed. An evaluation of the existing School Learning Support Coordinator initiative is 

also currently underway. 



*7468 VISITS TO JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTRES—Mr Adrian Piccoli asked the Minister for Juvenile 

Justice, Minister for Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' 

Affairs— 

With reference to the Juvenile Justice Correctional Centres that have been visited by the Minister since 8 

October 2008, would the Minister please provide the following information: 

(a) Name of Juvenile Justice Centre; 

(b) Date of visit; 

(c) Reason for visit? 

Answer— 

I have visited the following juvenile justice centres (JJCs) since 8 October 2008: 


7090 



• Orana Juvenile Justice Centre at Dubbo on 13 October 2008 to view the progress of construction 

of the new accommodation unit. 

• Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre at Kariong on the Central Coast on 5 November 2008 to 

meet the staff and view the centre. 

• Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre at Airds on 1 December 2008 to inspect the Homework Program 

conducted by volunteers. 

• Frank Baxter JJC on 6 January 2009 to introduce the Justice Pups Program. 

• Emu Plains Juvenile Justice Centre on 16 February 2009 to inspect the newest centre. 

• Emu Plains JJC on 25 February 2009 to visit the centre with the NSW Ombudsman. 

• Frank Baxter JJC on 17 March 2009 for the official launch of the Justice Pups Program. 

• Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre at Lidcombe on 17 March 2009 to meet the staff and view the 

centre. 

• Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre at St Marys on 20 March 2009 to observe the ANZAC Day 

program. 

• Broken Hill Juvenile Justice Centre on 14 April 2009 during a trip to the far west of NSW. 

• Frank Baxter JJC on 20 May 2009 to inspect the Riding for the Disabled Program. 

• Juniperina JJC on 25 May 2009 to meet the delegation from the USA-Australian Political 

Exchange Council. 

• Reiby JJC on 6 July 2009 to announce funding to support the Australian Children's Music 

Foundation. 

• Riverina JJC on 29 July 2009 to attend the Annual Juvenile Justice Chaplains' Conference. 

• Orana JJC on 1 August 2009 to officially open the new Talbragar Unit. 

*7469 INDUSTRY SUBSIDY FOR COAL EXPORTERS—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for Water, and 


With the 2009 budget taking NSW into deficit, why does the Government plan to provide $20 million 

assistance to coal exporters over the next two years through an industry subsidy? 

Answer— 

The global economic recession is impacting the viability of some regional coal mines. 

The $20 million assistance package will protect more than 2,000 direct jobs in the Western and Gunnedah 

Coalfields from the global recession. 

The package will help the industry take advantage of export opportunities when coal prices improve and 

demand increases. 

*7470 INDUSTRY SUBSIDY FOR COAL EXPORTERS—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for Education 

and Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for 

Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

With the 2009 budget taking NSW into deficit, why does the Government plan to provide $20 million 

assistance to coal exporters over the next two years through an industry subsidy? 

Answer— 

The global economic recession is impacting the viability of some regional coal mines. 

The $20 million assistance package will protect more than 2,000 direct jobs in the Western and Gunnedah 

coalfields from the global recession. 

The package will help the industry take advantage of export opportunities when coal prices improve and 

demand increases. 

*7471 MANDATORY AIR QUALITY STANDARD—Mr Greg Piper asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


What steps are being taken to implement a mandatory air quality standard for PM2.5? 

Answer— 

The National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (Air NEPM) was amended in 

2003 to include two advisory reporting standards for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter 

(PM2.5). 

The National Environment Protection Council is currently reviewing the Air NEPM, including the PM2.5 

standards. Information on the Air NEPM review is available on the Environment Protection and Heritage 

Council website at www.ephc.gov.au 


7091 



*7472 LICENSED PREMISES INFRINGEMENT NOTICES—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister for 

Gaming and Racing, and Minister for Sport and Recreation— 

In relation to infringement notices for licensed premises in the Tweed: 

(1) How many infringement notices have been issued to licensed clubs in the Tweed electorate in the 

following years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


(2) How many infringement notices have been issued to licensed hotels in the Tweed electorate in the 

following years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


(3) How many infringement notices have been issued to licensed bottle shops in the Tweed electorate in 

the following years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


(4) How many infringement notices have been issued to licensed restaurants in the Tweed electorate in 

the following years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


Answer— 

Infringement notices under the Liquor Act 2007 are issued by both officers employed by the NSW Office 

of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), a division of Communities NSW, and members of the NSW 

Police Force. All such infringement notices are referred to the Office of State Revenue, NSW Treasury 

for appropriate processing and recovery. As the OLGR only maintains information on its enforcement 

activities and can only provide an incomplete response, this question would be better directed to the 

Treasurer. 

*7473 PRE-PREPARED FOOD—TWEED HOSPITAL—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Deputy Premier, Minister 




In relation to pre-prepared food and laundry services at the Tweed Hospital: 

(1) What is the total budget for pre-prepared food at the Tweed Hospital? 

(2) Who is current contractor for food and laundry services? 

(3) When was this contractor awarded and when will the contract expire? 

(4) Where are the contractors operations based? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) The budget for food at Tweed Heads Hospital is not identified by whether the food purchased is fresh, 

canned, chilled or frozen. The budget for food expenditure at Tweed Heads Hospital for 2009⁄10 is 

$940,858. 

(2) to (4) Food and laundry services to Tweed Heads Hospital are provided by Health Support Services, 

an entity of NSW Health. These services are not contracted out. 

The NSW Health laundry facility at Lismore, which has been managed by Health Support Services since 

January 2007, provides laundry and linen services to Tweed Heads Hospital. 

Food for Tweed Heads Hospital is obtained from a number of suppliers including the NSW Health food 

production facility at Casino which has been managed by Health Support Services since September 2008. 

*7474 SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS—Mr Geoff Provest asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 


In relation to special needs students in the Tweed electorate: 


7092 



(1) What is the total number of special needs students in the Tweed electorate? 

(2) What is the total number of special needs teachers in the Tweed electorate in the following years: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 

(c) 2009? 

Answer— 

(1) In government schools in the Tweed Electorate, there are 299 students identified with special needs 

in special classes or in regular classes supported through the Integration, Funding Support Program. 

(2) (a) 22.9 full-time equivalent teachers. 

(b) 22.9 full-time equivalent teachers. 

(c) 22.9 full-time equivalent teachers. 

*7475 COST OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy 

Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

(1) What is the total cost of the "Black Balloons" community awareness program? 

(2) How much is being spent on television? 

(3) How much is being spent on radio? 

(4) How much is being spent on print media? 

Answer— 

(1) The Energy Efficiency Community Awareness and Information Program has received funding of $15 

million over three years as part of the NSW Government's $150 million Energy Efficiency Strategy. 

$3.58 million has been approved up to September 2009. 

(2) $1,972,914. 

(3) $353,879. 

(4) $535,740. 

*7476 HOT WATER SYSTEM REBATES—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) How many rebates have been claimed for hot water heaters since the hot water system rebates 

program began? 

(2) Has demand for hot water system rebates increased five-fold since February 2009? 

(3) If the Residential Rebate Program is such a success, why is the Minister reducing the amount of 

funding for the program? 

(4) Why wasn't the reduced funding publicised in her August 25 press release about hot water rebates? 

(5) When will she announce the funding reduction? 

Answer— 

(1) As of 15 July 2009, 32,913 rebates for hot water systems have been paid. 

(2) Yes. 

(3) The commitment was and remains $100 million for the Residential Rebate Program. There are no 

reductions to the Program. 



*7477 BEHAVIOUR SCHOOLS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 


(1) How many students have been directed to study at a "behaviour school" in the last 12 months? 

(2) How many of these students were sent to a behaviour school for less than 3 months? 

(3) How many of these students were sent to a behaviour school for 3-6 months? 

(4) How many of these students were sent to a behaviour school for more than 6 months? 

(5) How many of these students were aged: 

(a) under 14; 

(b) 14 years; 

(c) 15 years; 

(d) over 15? 

(6) How many suspensions were there from behaviour schools in the last 12 months? 

(7) What were the periods of suspension for these students? 


7093 



Answer— 

(1) 0. All placements have been on the basis of an application endorsed by the student's parents or carers. 

(2) to (5) See above. 

(6) In 2008 there were 359 long suspensions from the 35 behaviour schools. 

(7) The periods of long suspension ranged from 5 to 20 school days. 

*7478 CASEMIX OR EPISODE FUNDING FORMULAE—Mrs Jillian Skinner asked the Deputy Premier, 




(1) What are the plans regarding use of Casemix or Episode Funding formulae to allocate resources to 

hospitals in NSW? 

(2) What variations will be applied to account for the different levels of care provided at individual 

hospital? 

(3) How will impacts, such as remoteness, community disadvantage and other variables, be dealt with? 

(4) Are concerns, such as those expressed by the NSW Nurses Associations that Episode Funding 

applied to Broken Hill Hospital will mean a cut of 37% to the budget, justified? 

Answer— 

(1) The Episode Funding Model has been a tool used across NSW Health since 2000⁄01. NSW Health 

modelled episode (activity-based) funding as a hospital budget-setting tool in 2008⁄09. In 2009⁄10, 75 

hospitals are receiving episode funding for their in-scope (acute and⁄or sub and non-acute) patient 

activity. 

(2) Under the NSW Health Episode Funding policy, public hospitals are grouped according to their 

patient and service profile. Hospitals in each peer group share the same general operational 

characteristics and are treated the same way for the purpose of episode funding. Peer hospital groups 

facilitate fair comparisons of efficiency, quality and other performance parameters between similar 

hospitals. 

(3) The criteria used for peer grouping of public hospitals include: 

• Size (number of beds, number of separations, casemix) 

• Specialisation, complexity of care (casemix index, range and number of different 

illnesses⁄procedures managed, proportion of surgical separations, patient transfers in (from 

another acute care hospitals, Outpatient surgeries) 

• Teaching status 

• Non-acute activity 

• Role 

• Geography 

• Characteristics of catchment population 

(4) No. Episode Funding has not affected the total funds allocated to Area Health Services. Each Area 

Health Service has determined the episode funding budget to be allocated to each of its in-scope 

hospitals according to that hospital's activity targets and peer group pricing for 2009⁄10. 

*7479 FUNDRAISING FOR ESSENTIAL HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT—Mrs Jillian Skinner asked the Deputy 

Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the 

Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, 

Vice President of the Executive Council— 

Given that the Royal North Shore Hospital Intensive Care Unit is one of the busiest in NSW treating 

serious accident victims, severe burns injuries and those patients recovering from major surgery: 

(1) Why is the Fundraising Department of Royal North Shore Hospital having to go to the public to ask 

for contributions towards essential bedside equipment such as a portable ultrasound machine that 

enables highest quality "on screen" guidance for insertion of life-saving tubing? 

(2) How much money has been raised since the launch of this request in May 2009? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Strong and healthy communities often wish to show their appreciation and regard for their local 

institutions including hospitals and schools by donating money to purchase extra equipment and 


7094 



many public hospitals raise funds to provide such 'extras' from the community via appeals, fetes or 

volunteer activities. 

Each year at Royal North Shore Hospital there are three or four fundraising appeals organised by the 

Fundraising Department. Each is for a specific purpose, usually a piece of equipment, as nominated 

by the General Manager after consultation with clinicians. 

This year's Tax Appeal (end of financial year) began in April⁄May 2009 and was for a light weight 

portable ultrasound machine to be used in the Intensive Care Unit. It is called the Sono-Site M Turbo 

and compliments other equipment already in use. 

(2) The tax appeal raised $84,000 and has now closed. 

*7480 PUPIL TO TEACHER RATIO—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Education and Training, and 


(1) What was average pupil to teacher ratio in government schools in the Pittwater electorate for 

enrolments in: 

(a) 2004; 

(b) 2005; 

(c) 2006; 

(d) 2007; 

(e) 2008; 

(f) 2009 year to date? 

(2) What was the average pupil to teacher ratio for the Sydney metropolitan area in: 

(a) 2004; 

(b) 2005; 

(c) 2006; 

(d) 2007; 

(e) 2008; 

(f) 2009 year to date? 

Answer— 

(1) The average student to teacher ratio in government schools in the Pittwater electorate for enrolments 

in: 

(a) 2004 - 17.8 

(b) 2005 - 16.6 

(c) 2006 - 16.9 

(d) 2007 - 16.6 

(e) 2008 - 16.6 

(f) 2009 - Statistics are not available until December. 

(2) The average student to teacher ratio in government schools in the Sydney metropolitan area for 

enrolments in: 

(a) 2004 - 15.4 

(b) 2005 - 14.9 

(c) 2006 - 14.7 

(d) 2007 - 14.8 

(e) 2008 - 14.6 

(f) 2009 - Statistics are not available until December. 

*7481 FUNDING OF UNAPPROVED PROJECTS—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) How many "unapproved projects" in the NSW government's State Infrastructure Strategy received 

funding in the 2009⁄2010 NSW Budget? 

(2) Upon what criteria does the government assess the "priority" of road projects to be given funding 

under the State Infrastructure Strategy? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Information on the State Infrastructure Strategy, including information on managing the infrastructure 

budget, major infrastructure projects in Sydney, and the State Infrastructure Principles is available on the 

NSW Treasury website. 


7095 



*7482 NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




What monies have already been spent in relation to the Northern Beaches Hospital including land 

acquisition, preliminary planning procedures and consultation? 

Answer— 

I am advised:- 

NSW Health Department records indicate that to the end of August 2009 almost $29.7 million has been 

spent in relation to land acquisition and project planning for the new Northern Beaches Hospital. 

*7483 SYDNEY BUSES—UNRULY PASSENGERS—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Transport, and 


(1) What procedures are in place to assist bus drivers and security guards who lose control of unruly 

passengers aboard Sydney Buses services? 

(2) Are there any plans to increase the amount of support being provided to bus drivers and security 

guards aboard Sydney Buses? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) and (2) State Transit works closely with NSW Police on strategies to boost safety and security on the 

Sydney Buses network, and to improve incident response times. This includes coordinated operations 

and exercises involving both Police and State Transit officers. State Transit also maintains regular 

liaison with local councils and hotel groups in working to improve safety and reduce antisocial 

behaviour on its buses. 

The Sydney Buses fleet is also being continually upgraded with the latest in driver and passenger 

safety, security, and vehicle monitoring systems, including the latest in digital CCTV security and 

vehicle tracking systems. As new and more advanced technology becomes available it is 

incorporated into the vehicles of the Sydney Buses fleet. This allows for targeting of immediate 

assistance to a bus at its exact location in situations requiring an immediate response. In addition, 

evidence from CCTV cameras is used by Police in finding and prosecuting offenders, as 

demonstrated in recent high profile cases in the local media on the Northern Beaches. 

*7484 ASBESTOS REMOVAL—MONA VALE HOSPITAL—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Deputy Premier, 




(1) When does the Government expect to announce a timeline for the completion of asbestos removal 

works to Mona Vale Hospital's maternity ward? 

(2) How long after the closure of the maternity ward in July did the renovations commence? 

Answer— 

(1) and (2) The Mona Vale Hospital Maternity Ward was temporarily relocated to Manly Hospital on 1 

July 2009. Specialist asbestos hygienists were engaged to develop a scope of works for the asbestos 

removal during July 2009. The tender process for the asbestos removal program was conducted in August 

2009 and a contract was awarded in September 2009. It is anticipated that asbestos works will commence 

in October 2009. The timeline for completion of the asbestos removal is approximately four months, 

followed by restoration works, all of which is expected to be completed by June 2010. 

*7485 COASTAL CYCLEWAY PROGRAM—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


In regards to the NSW Coastal Cycleway Program: 

(1) Which local councils have submitted proposals for the NSW Coastal Cycleway? 

(2) What is the assessment procedure for such proposals? 

(3) How have climate change and ecologically sustainable development been taken into consideration? 

(4) (a) Is the Minister aware of any areas where the cycleway will pass through sensitive coastal 

habitats? 

(b) If yes, where are these areas? 


7096 



(5) What opportunity does the community have to comment on development proposals? 

Answer— 

(1) Since the NSW Coastline Cycleway grants program began in 2003-04, 21 of the 23 eligible local 

councils have submitted proposals. These are: 

Tweed Shire Council 

Byron Shire Council 

Ballina Shire Council 

Richmond Valley Council 

Clarence Valley Council 

Coffs Harbour City Council 

Nambucca Shire Council 

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council 

Greater Taree City Council 

Great Lakes Council 

Port Stephens Council 

Newcastle City Council 

Lake Macquarie City Council 

Wyong Shire Council 

Gosford City Council 

Wollongong City Council 

Shellharbour City Council 

Council of the Municipality of Kiama 

Shoalhaven City Council 

Eurobodalla Shire Council 

Bega Valley Shire Council 

The two eligible councils that have not submitted proposals are Bellingen Shire Council and 

Kempsey Shire Council. 

(2) A six-step process for assessment of grant applications is outlined in the program guidelines. In 

summary, an assessment panel comprising representatives of the Department of Planning, the RTA 

and Bike NSW assesses applications on the basis of the assessment criteria specified in the program 

guidelines. The panel then makes recommendations for the Minister's approval. 

(3) Projects funded by the NSW Coastline Cycleway program must comply with a number of regulatory 

documents, including those listed in the program guidelines. A criterion for grant-funding is 

"adequate provision for environmental assessment". 

Climate change policy is a rapidly developing area. In the near future, local councils will be guided 

by the NSW Government's Draft Sea Level Rise Policy Statement and the draft NSW Climate 

Change Action Plan. 

(4) Most of the route of the Coastline Cycleway falls within the NSW Coastal Zone. Route planning 

seeks to avoid significant environmental impacts by using existing road reserves and similar 

easements where possible. Where the planned route passes through National Parks, only established 

public roads, fire trails and management trails will be used, in keeping with the current National 

Parks Cycling Policy. 

(5) Project assessment favours applications that are integrated into a local Bike Plan and that 

demonstrate community support. Where a DA is required for construction work, this is subject to the 

EP&A Act, 1979. 

*7486 RTA COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Roads— 

In relation to RTA committees and boards: 

(1) Of the 369 NSW Government committees and boards (as noted in the SMH on 20 July 2009), how 

many are administered⁄managed from the RTA? 

(2) What are the names of each of these committees and boards that satisfy (1)? 


7097 



Answer— 

I am advised: 

There are four committees or significant advisory groups that are administered or managed by the RTA. 

These committees ⁄ significant advisory groups are: 

• The Roads and Traffic Advisory Council. 

• The RTA Local Government Liaison Committee. 

• The Bicycle Advisory Council. 

• The NSW Road Freight Advisory Council. 

*7487 FUME CUPBOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister 

for Women— 

In relation to fume cupboards in the science classrooms at Wauchope High School: 

(1) Do the available fume cupboards meet Australian Standards? 

(2) If so, why were stickers placed on them 2 years ago to the effect that they did not? 

(3) If not, why have they not been replaced⁄upgraded? 

(4) When will they be replaced⁄upgraded? 

Answer— 

(1) I am advised that the fume cupboards at Wauchope High School met the Australian Standard at the 

time of installation. While the Australian Standard for new fume cupboards has since changed, the 

fume cupboards at Wauchope High School remain fit for use in secondary schools. 

(2) I am advised that the stickers were placed on the fume cupboards incorrectly. 

(3) I am advised that, as the fume cupboards met the Australian Standard at the time of installation and 

remain fit for use in secondary schools, there is no requirement for them to be upgraded. 

The Australian Standard applies more broadly to universities, industry and health facilities. 

Risks associated with the use of fume cupboards in the secondary school environment are minimised 

by the use of risk mitigation strategies, such as the Chemical Safety in Schools package and advice 

on the identification and use of fume cupboards. The Chemical Safety in Schools package was 

developed in 2000 with external consultants from the University of NSW and WorkCover who were 

aware of the science facilities present in NSW government secondary schools. For example, the 

Chemical Safety in Schools package prohibits the use of certain chemicals in the school environment 

and regulates access to others. 

I am informed that at no stage has the Department of Education and Training been advised that its 

fume cupboards represent a risk to the health and safety of any student or staff member. I am further 

advised that, due to the risk mitigation strategies in place in the school environment, the risk required 

to be controlled by school fume cupboards is significantly less than those found in industry, 

university and health facilities for which the standard fume cupboard is also designed. 

(4) A project to upgrade the Block E science laboratories, preparation area, chemical store and fume 

cupboard has been nominated for inclusion in a future minor capital works program. Funding for this 

project will continue to be considered against competing regional and state-wide capital works 

priorities. 

*7488 DSRD COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Education and 



In relation to DSRD committees and boards: 

(1) Of the 369 NSW Government committees and boards (as noted in the SMH on 20 July 2009), how 

many are administered⁄managed from the Department of State and Regional Development? 


Answer— 

(1) 12. 

(2) 

• Regional Development Advisory Council 

• NSW-Asia Business Council 

• NSW Manufacturing Council 

• NSW Medical Research Liaison Group 


7098 



• NSW Nanotechnology Policy Co-ordination 

• Screen NSW Board 

• Board of Tourism NSW 

• Tourism Planning & Investment Taskforce 

• Tourism & Education Taskforce 

• New South Wales Innovation Council 

• Regional Development Australia committees 

• Small Business Development Corporation of New South Wales 

*7489 SCHOOL LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAM—Mr Richard Torbay asked the Minister for Education 


(1) Will parents be better informed and consulted regarding how the proposed new School Learning 

Support Program will affect those students with mild disability and learning needs entitled to up to 

$6000 support under the current system? 

(2) What are the reasons for the proposed changes and will these students still receive support in 

mainstream classes at the same, or a higher, level than under the current system? 

(3) (a) How will the proposal to replace itinerant specialist teachers with generalist teachers based in 

schools produce better outcomes for students? 

(b) Will students still have access to specialist expertise if that is considered necessary? 

(c) How does the department propose to train the decision makers necessary under the proposed 

model to the level of competence that professionals have acquired over 5-10 years of education, 

training and experience, which is the basis of the current model? 

(4) How will the Department of Education deal with students moving schools and guarantee each 

student will receive the same level of support they received in the previous school, particularly in 

circumstances where they move to a school with an enrolment of less than 160, from a school where 

the enrolment is greater than 160? 

(5) Under the proposed model, how will the Department of Education maintain accountability to the 

various stakeholders including parents and students? 

Answer— 

(1) The proposed School Learning Support Program is currently the subject of consultation with key 

groups including principals, parents, advocacy groups and unions which will continue until the 

middle of 2010, while the proposal is trialled in two regions. An evaluation of the existing School 

Learning Support Coordinator initiative is also currently underway. 

The Department of Education and Training aims to provide all parents with comprehensive 

information about the proposed model. 



(2) The aim of the proposed new program is to establish a specialist teacher presence in every school 

across the state to provide greater in-school support to students with additional learning needs and 

their class teachers. 

(3) (a) The proposal does not seek to replace specialist teachers with generalist teachers but to place 

specialist itinerant teachers directly in schools. The proposed model will give school principals 

increased flexibility to use available resources to support the additional learning needs of students. 

(b) Yes. 

(c) Principals are responsible for leading decision making in schools. They have high levels of 

expertise and are supported by school education directors. This proposal supports principals by 

providing access to high quality professional learning for School Learning Support Teachers. 

(4) Under the proposed model, resources would be allocated directly to schools using a fair allocation 

formula that takes into account school enrolments and student learning need. As a result, a student 

enrolling with additional learning needs will have access to support in every school without requiring 

confirmation of a disability and without delay through administrative processes. 

(5) The Department has a range of accountability mechanisms in place that will continue under the 

proposed model. 

The progress of all students is monitored by the classroom teacher and reported to parents in 

accordance with the Department's Curriculum planning and programming, assessing and reporting 

K-12 policy. Parents and carers receive a plain English report of each student's progress twice a year. 


7099 



Every public school has a learning support team which addresses the learning needs of students 

through the coordination, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of education 

programs in the school. 

Every school produces an annual school report for the school community which provides a snap shot 

of the school's national testing results compared with state and like school group performance. 

*7490 COMPETITIVE GOVERNMENT SECTOR—Mr John Turner asked the Minister for Finance, Minister 



In the 2009-2010 State Budget an amount of $11,513,000 was allocated to the Myall Lakes electorate 

under the heading "Competitive Government Sector": 

What specifically will these funds be used for in the Myall Lakes electorate? 

Answer— 

I'm advised: 

Country Energy and Transgrid will be spending a total of $11,513,000 on electricity distribution and 

transmission projects in Myall Lakes. These agencies operate in competition with other agencies 

including those from interstate. Their individual project details are considered commercial in confidence 

and are not disclosed. A brief summary of their capital program is covered in Chapter 3 of 2009-10 

Budget Paper 4 titled Infrastructure Statement. 

*7491 TENDERS FOR BULAHDELAH BYPASS—Mr John Turner asked the Minister for Roads— 

With reference to the Minister's statement that tenders for the main construction contract for the 

Bulahdelah bypass were expected to be called for in July of this year (Question 6671): 

(1) Have tenders been called? 

(2) If so, have they closed? 

(3) If so, has any tender been accepted? 

(4) If so, what are the terms of that tender including the cost of work and date for completion? 

(5) What is the targeted completion date for the Bulahdelah bypass in the tender documents? 

Answer— 

I am advised that tenders for the main construction contract of the Bulahdelah bypass are expected to be 

called for in October 2009. 

*7492 NOISY MOTOR VEHICLE EXHAUSTS—Mr Ray Williams asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


(1) Does the Government require two separate reports of noisy motor vehicle exhausts to act on 

complaints of excessive noise? 

(2) What promotion of the reporting system for exhausts causing excessive noise does the Government 

undertake? 

(3) In terms of noise pollution from motor vehicles, is the overall noise a car generates considered or is it 

related solely to extra noise generated by modifications to engines? 

(4) How many infringements have been issued for exhausts causing excessive noise since the 

commencement of Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 based 

on two separate complaints? 

(5) How many infringements have been issued for exhausts causing excessive noise since the 

commencement of Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 based 

on observations from Government staff? 

(6) Are the designs of exhaust systems at the point of sale or fitment monitored and⁄or checked to ensure 

compliance with noise legislation? 

Answer— 

(1) No. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water investigates all reports of noisy 

vehicles. Reports submitted by a Department authorised officer or a NSW Police officer results in a 

Vehicle Inspection Notice being issued to the owner. This requires the vehicle to be taken to an 

approved facility for testing and inspection. If problems are found with the vehicle, they must be 

rectified in order for the vehicle to comply with the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise 

Control) Regulation 2008. 

(2) The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water encourages the public to report 


7100 



excessively noisy vehicles to the Environment Line on 131 555, the 

Police Assistance Line on 131 444, or local council. These contacts are available on the Department's 

website. 

The Department also regularly issues media releases promoting the outcomes of joint noisy vehicle 

operations with NSW Police. Media releases include information on how the public can report noisy 

vehicles. 

(3) Australian Design Rule (ADR) 83⁄00 specifies drive-by noise levels that vehicle manufacturers and 

importers must meet. This takes into account all sources of noise from a vehicle, such as tyre, engine, 

air intake and exhaust noise. 

ADR 83⁄00 also requires stationary exhaust noise levels to be established for vehicles in service. The 

NSW Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 prescribes 

stationary exhaust noise levels for vehicles used on NSW roads. The Regulation also requires that the 

noise level from a vehicle's noise control equipment must be no greater than the noise level of the 

original equipment fitted by the manufacturer. 

(4) When two separate complaints are received, a notice is issued to the vehicle owner requiring the 

owner to demonstrate that the vehicle exhaust noise complies with the legal limit. If the notice is not 

complied with, the vehicle registration is suspended. 

(5) 369 penalty notices have been issued by the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water 

since the commencement of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) 

Regulation 2008 on 1 March 2008. 

(6) The Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and 

Local Government requires vehicle manufacturers and importers to demonstrate that exhaust systems 

comply with Australian Design Rules (ADR) 83⁄00 in relation to drive by noise. 

The NSW Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 requires 

vehicle repairers to ensure that repairs or modifications do not make a vehicle's noise control 

equipment louder than the original equipment fitted by the manufacturer. Repairs or modifications 

should not result in the exhaust system emitting more noise than the stationary exhaust noise level 

specified in the Regulation for that model. 

*7493 INTERSTATE REGISTERED RTA VEHICLES—Mr Ray Williams asked the Minister for Roads— 

Why are several RTA vehicles in use on Sydney roads registered in a State other than NSW and have 

registration plates identifying them as interstate vehicles? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

All vehicles owned or leased by the RTA are registered in New South Wales. Contractors performing 

work for the RTA may have vehicles registered in another state. 

*7494 TRANSITION TO RETIREMENT PROGRAMS—Mr Ray Williams asked the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public 

Sector Reform, Special Minister of State— 

Given superannuation contributors Transition to Retirement programs have been available for some time 

now and NSW public servants have not had access to these programs if they contribute to the State 

Superannuation Scheme (SSS) and the State Authorities Superannuation Scheme (SASS), when will the 

Transition to Retirement programs be made available to all NSW public servants? 

Answer— 

The Department of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury are reviewing allowing SSS and SASS to 

participate in transition to retirement arrangements. 

*7495 WATER BUYBACK EMBARGO—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Minister for Water, and Minister 

for Regional Development— 

(1) Given reports in the media that the Victorian Parliament is likely to lift the 10% cap on the volume of 

water entitlements that can be purchased by licence holders outside of Victoria, will the Minister, as 

a matter of urgency, review the embargo on the further sales of water licences to the Federal 

Government Water Buy Back Scheme? 

(2) What specific conditions must Victoria meet before the NSW embargo will be lifted? 

Answer— 


7101 



(1) and (2) The lifting of the embargo took effect on 25 September 2009, following the signing of a 

Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW and Australian Governments in relation to the 

purchase of water for the environment. 

*7496 GRENFELL MPS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and 



(1) Will the Minister confirm reports from Grenfell residents that the Grenfell MPS does not have a 

VMO accredited to the facility? 

(2) How long has the Grenfell MPS not had a VMO available? 

(3) Given that frail and elderly patients have expressed their concerns that they have to travel long 

distances to Orange or Cowra hospitals for minor procedures that have to be performed by a medical 

practitioner, what action has the Minister taken to obtain the services of a relief or replacement 

VMO? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (3) Grenfell MPS does have a GP VMO appointed and credentialed to the facility. 

The GP VMO continues to provide services to patients in the acute area and the Emergency Department. 

The GP VMO is available On-Call for patients who present to the Emergency Department and are triaged 

as Category 1 or 2. The Rural Medical Call Service is utilised for Category 3, 4 or 5 presentations. 

The Greater Western Area Health Service continues efforts to recruit a locum to provide medical 

coverage for those patients not seen by the GP VMO. Recruitment action is also underway to recruit a 

VMO to an additional vacant position. 

*7497 LACHLAN VALLEY RAILWAY—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson asked the Minister for Transport, and 


(1) Given that the Lachlan Valley Railway Society is now effectively restricted to operating in the 

immediate area of the Cowra Rail Depot by the suspension of operations on the Cowra-Demondrille 

rail line, will the Minister support the proposal by Lachlan Valley Railway to obtain a licence to 

operate and control the sections of the line between Blayney and Demondrille and Koorawatha and 

Greenethorpe? 

(2) Will the Minister instruct the Department of Transport and the Rail Infrastructure Corporation to 

assist the Lachlan Valley Railway to obtain a copy of: 

(a) a report of the condition of the rail line between Blayney and Demondrille; 

(b) a report of the condition of the rail line between Blayney to Cowra, closed 2 years ago; 

(c) a report of the condition of the rail line between Koorawatha and Greenethorpe, closed several 

months ago? 

Answer— 

(1) and (2) The Government announced in the November 2008 Mini Budget that services would be 

suspended on up to 5 lines on the Country Regional Network. A decision on this was delayed 

pending the completion of the Expression of Interest for the provision of Grain Haulage on branch 

lines and the Federal review of the transport of grain. I have since been advised that unless 

significant major works were carried out on the line, its condition would reach a state where the risk 

of continued operations would be unacceptable. I support any serious proposal to make use of the 

Blayney-Cowra-Demondrille and Koorawatha-Greenethorpe lines. I have asked Rail Infrastructure 

Corporation to assist the Lachlan Valley Railway Society in any application for a licence it may be 

considering by providing it with access to the track so that Lachlan Valley Railway Society can make 

its own assessment of the condition of the track and bridges. 

I am advised that if the Lachlan Valley Railway Society wishes to pursue an arrangement to maintain 

the track and operate rolling stock on any non operational line it will need to obtain appropriate 

accreditation from the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator and enter into an 

agreement with the Rail Infrastructure Corporation. The Lachlan Valley Railway Society will also 

need to satisfy itself of the condition of the line and establish its own systems to ensure safe 

operations. 



7102 




7498 FERAL ANIMALS IN NATIONAL PARKS—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister 

for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

7499 INFORMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS OPERATORS—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Minister for 

Emergency Services, and Minister for Small Business— 

7500 GAMING MACHINE TAX REVENUE—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

7501 BEST PRACTICE PRICING—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for Water, and Minister for Regional 


*7502 HARBOUR BRIDGE VARIABLE TOLL—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Roads— 

(1) Has the Government done any modelling to see the impact that variable tolls on the Harbour Bridge 

have had on traffic and revenue? 

(2) If so, what is the impact? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The RTA modelled the potential impact of time of day tolling and has monitored traffic volumes on the 

Sydney Harbour Bridge and in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel since the implementation of time-of-day 

tolling. The result of this monitoring is available on the RTA website at: 

http:⁄⁄www.rta.nsw.gov.au⁄usingroads⁄downloads⁄todtolling⁄todtrafficvolumes_dl1.html 

7503 CHILDHOOD NURSING STAFF—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7504 FEES OFFICER POSITION—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7505 CLEAN-UP OF ASBESTOS—WALLAGA LAKE—Mr Andrew Constance to ask the Minister for 

Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

7506 TOMAGO RIVER EROSION—Mr Andrew Constance to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


7507 PET SCANNER—Mr Andrew Constance to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and 



7508 GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE NUMBERS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister 



7509 HIGH RISE DEVELOPMENT—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


7510 NETWORK INSPECTIONS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7511 PAYROLL TAX—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, 

Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways representing the Treasurer— 

*7512 EPPING TO CHATSWOOD RAIL LINK—Mr Victor Dominello asked the Minister for Transport, and 


(1) Since the conclusion of the free trial period, how many commuters on average have used the Epping 

to Chatswood Rail Link on a monthly basis? 


7103 



(2) What strategies are in place to reduce the number of vehicles parking in local streets resulting from a 

lack of commuter car parking at the stations on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link? 

(3) Since the opening of the railway stations, on how many occasions have the Easy Access lifts 

malfunctioned at the following stations: 

(a) Macquarie University; 

(b) Macquarie Park; 

(c) North Ryde? 

(4) Since the opening of the railway stations, for how many hours have the lifts been out of operation as 

a result of repairs carried out at the following stations: 




(5) Since the opening of the railway stations, on which dates have the lifts been out of operation as a 

result of repairs carried out at the following stations: 




Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) Around 8,500 customers use the Epping to Chatswood rail link on a typical week day since the 

introduction of the full fare. 

(2) The ECRL stations are seen as destination stations only and car parking is not a requisite as the 3 

stations are surrounded by business parks, shopping centres and the university. 

(3) to (5) I am advised that data on lift faults is available from April as follows: 

(a) 16 

(b) 12 

(c) 8 

(a) 41 hours 

(b) 33 hours 

(c) 56.5 hours 

(a) 

April - 2, 9, 11, 21 & 27 

May - 15 

June - 9 & 11 

July - 4 & 21 

August - 25, 26 & 27 

(b) 

April - 16 & 27 

May - 6 & 21 

June - 5 & 24 

July - 6 

August - 28 

(c) 

April - 4, 8, 23 & 26 

7513 FERRY SERVICES—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

*7514 PARENTING TRAINING—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) Has the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program - been evaluated? 

(2) If so, was the evaluation carried out by the Department of Community Services? 

(3) Have any other parent training support programs been accepted by the Department? 

(4) If so, are they used by the Department? 

Answer— 

(1) Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) has an extensive evidence base with over 80 evaluation studies 

undertaken internationally, including over 45 randomised controlled trials and 3 independent meta 

analyses. 


7104 



(2) No. An evaluation for the roll out of Triple P is being conducted by Nexus Management Consulting 

following an open tender process. 

(3) Yes, the Parents as Teachers Born to Learn (PAT) program. 

(4) PAT is delivered by Community Services Early Intervention Caseworkers to provide detailed weekly, 

fortnightly or monthly visit plans with parents of children from birth to three years. 

7515 GRANDPARENTS AS CARERS—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community Services— 

7516 POKER MACHINE TAX REVENUE—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

7517 TRAINS TO FESTIVAL—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

7518 SPEED CAMERA ON F3—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7519 INFRINGEMENT NOTICES FOR OFFENCES ON F3—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for 



7520 PLANNING ASSESSMENT COMMISSION—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7521 DRAFT CENTRES POLICY—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


*7522 WORKING PARTY FOR PREPARATION OF MASTER PLAN—Mr Brad Hazzard asked the Minister 

for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and 

Waterways— 

(1) When was the working party established to prepare a master plan for the White Bay, Glebe Island 

and Rozelle rail marshalling yards area? 

(2) Who sat on the working party? 

(3) Did that working party ever report to the Minister for Ports and Waterways? 

(a) If so, when and was that report made public? 


Answer— 

(1) to (3) This is a matter for the Minister for Planning. 

7523 WYANGALA DAM REVIEW—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Water, and Minister for 


7524 OOMA WATER INC.—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

7525 EMERGENCY SERVICES MERGER—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Emergency 

Services, and Minister for Small Business— 

*7526 HOUSING STRATEGY—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Local Government, and Minister 

Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health)— 

In relation to the development of the Hornsby Shire Council's "Housing Strategy", released for public 

comment on 16 March 2009: 

(1) Who was involved in the consultation between Council and the Department of Planning? 

(2) What was recommended? 

(3) Was the target figure negotiated? 

(4) Were there any barriers to this target? 

Answer— 

I provide the following details in response to your questions: 

I am advised that the Housing Strategy was jointly funded by Hornsby Shire Council and Planning 

Reform Funds from the Department of Planning. 

This question should therefore be directed to either Hornsby Shire Council or the Minister for Planning, 


7105 



the Hon Kristina Keneally MP. 

7527 PAYMENT OF OVERDUE BILLS—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




*7528 RURAL FIRE SERVICE ADVICE—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Emergency Services, 

and Minister for Small Business— 

(1) What is the procedure required to be followed by councils when Rural Fire Service (RFS) "advice" is 

requested regarding a LEP or other planning process? 

(2) Is this compulsory? 

(3) If not, why is it a choice councils may make? 

(4) Can councils have influence over whether the RFS does or does not complete a Bushfire Safety 

Authority? 

Answer— 

(1) Under section 117 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 the Minister for 

Planning issues directions that relevant planning authorities (such as councils) must follow when 

preparing planning proposals for new LEPs. Direction 4.4 - Planning for Bushfire Protection requires 

councils to consult with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) when preparing a planning proposal for a Local 

Environmental Plan (LEP) that will affect, or is in proximity to land mapped as bush fire prone land. 

(2) Yes. 

(3) N⁄A. 


7529 CAR HOON LAWS—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


7530 REVENUE RAISED—TRAFFIC INFRINGEMENTS—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for 



*7531 FIVEWAYS BUSES—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

With respect to transport links between the Fiveways centre in Paddington and the Edgecliff Interchange, 

which is the key local transport node with trains, buses, essential services and major shopping centres: 

(1) What analysis has the Government done to identify the need for public transport links between the 

Paddington Fiveways and Edgecliff Interchange? 

(2) What requests for bus services between the Fiveways and Edgecliff Interchange have been received 

from the local community and Woollahra Municipal Council? 

(3) Given that the 389 bus is the only link to the Paddington Fiveways at present and runs east⁄west 

between the city and Bondi Junction, what plans does the Government have to provide north⁄south 

bus services that would link Paddington Fiveways with Edgecliff Interchange? 

Answer— 

The Government has undertaken a major integrated network review of all the bus routes in the eastern 

suburbs, including those in the suburbs of Paddington and Edgecliff. I am advised that State Transit 

analysed feedback from the community on the changes proposed under the review prior to introducing 

the adjustments to the network on 26 April 2009. 

When designing bus services, in addition to carefully considering feedback from the community, State 

Transit has assured me that it considers developing trends and changing community needs, including 

travel patterns, bus route patronage, information on journeys to work, and land use developments. 

During the review of the eastern suburbs network, both bus users and non-bus users were given the 

opportunity to identify their bus travel issues and needs. I am advised that analysis of the responses 

showed no significant demand for a service to operate from Paddington Fiveways to the Edgecliff 

Interchange. 

I am advised that residents of Paddington Fiveways are already well serviced by existing bus routes 

linking to major centres within the eastern suburbs and to the city and beyond. State Transit has assured 


7106 



me that it will continue to monitor user demand on the eastern suburbs network and will make 

adjustments to bus routes in the region where the need exists. 

*7532 SYDNEY METRO PYRMONT STATION—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Transport, and 


Given strong community opposition to the demolition of heritage terraces on Union Street for the 

proposed Sydney Metro Station in Pyrmont: 

(1) What alternative sites for a station in Pyrmont is Sydney Metro looking at? 

(2) For each of these alternative sites, has Sydney Metro contacted owners of properties that will need to 

be demolished or acquired if the Pyrmont station is located there? 

(3) For each of these alternative sites, what are the benefits compared to the current "preferred" site? 

(4) What community consultation will Sydney Metro undertake in determining which site will be 

planned for the Pyrmont station? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Information on station alternatives is available in the Environmental Assessment documents which are 

available from the Sydney Metro website at www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au and from the Department of 

Planning website at www.planning.nsw.gov.au. 

While every effort has been made to minimise property requirements, it is inevitable that some existing 

property will be required to build the metro, for station entrances and to provide public access ways. 

Representatives of Sydney Metro have met with property owners of the preferred and alternative option 

outlined in the Environmental Assessment. 

Sydney Metro has run nine community information sessions in the CBD, Rozelle and Pyrmont areas - 

sessions have been held at Pyrmont and Balmain, with two sessions held in the CBD. This is part of a 

structured community consultation process that has been underway since the Preliminary Environmental 

Assessment was released in February. 

As well as face-to-face visits, phone calls and the community information sessions, Sydney Metro has 

also sent out information to residents and hosted an innovative web forum on its website. Comments 

from the community are welcome at any time up to and including the exhibition of the environmental 

assessment. 

*7533 NSW MARITIME WHISTLEBLOWER—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance, Minister 

for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways— 

(1) Was a whistleblower, Paul Bertram, from NSW Maritime recently temporarily stood down from his 

role? 

(2) Was this with his consent? 

(3) What reasons were given to him? 

(4) (a) Were all appropriate procedures followed? 


Answer— 

NSW Maritime staff issues are a matter for the Chief Executive of NSW Maritime. 

7534 PROCESSING TIME FOR SOLAR REBATES—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Deputy Premier, 


7535 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NSW MARITIME—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Planning, and 



7536 THE ANCHORAGE SHOAL BAY—STAY BY TEACHERS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for 


7537 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability 

Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

7538 JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for 

Juvenile Justice, Minister for Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting the Premier on 

Veterans' Affairs— 


7107 



7539 MORISSET HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for Education and 


*7540 MORISSET HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for Planning, and 



(1) Were three Morisset High School students transported to the school in the back of a police wagon on 

31 August 2009 and were six students delivered to Morisset High School in the back of a police 

wagon, prior to school hours, on 2 September 2009? 

(2) If yes, why? 

Answer— 



(2) N⁄A. 

7541 CUMBERLAND HEALTH AND PEST AUTHORITY—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for 



7542 RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENCES—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Education and 



7543 NSW OTITIS MEDIA SCREENING PROGRAM—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Deputy Premier, 




7544 LICENSED SECURITY PERSONNEL—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Gaming and Racing, 

and Minister for Sport and Recreation— 

7545 SPEECH AT EUREKA AWARDS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7546 BIOBANKING AGREEMENTS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


7547 SOLAR BONUS SCHEME TARIFFS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


7548 ELECTIVE SURGERY WAITING LIST—APRIL 2009—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, 




7549 ELECTIVE SURGERY WAITING LIST—IN MAY 2009—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy 




7550 ELECTIVE SURGERY WAITING LIST—JUNE 2009—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, 




7551 JAN MCCLELLAND—Mr Greg Smith to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra 



7552 HARBOUR BRIDGE CRAVE BREAKFAST COSTS—Mr George Souris to ask the Premier, and 

Minister for the Arts— 


7108 



*7553 POWER INTERRUPTIONS—NORTHERN SYDNEY REGION—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister 

for Education and Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, 

Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, and Minister for State Development— 

(1) How many power interruptions occurred in the Northern Sydney region during: 

(a) 2006; 

(b) 2007; 

(c) 2008; 

(d) 2009 year to date? 

(2) What was the cause of those power interruptions? 

(3) What was the average number of power interruptions across the entire Sydney metropolitan area 

during: 

(a) 2006; 

(b) 2007; 

(c) 2008; 

(d) 2009 year to date? 

(4) What measures is the Government taking to reduce the number of power outages in the Northern 

Sydney Region? 

Answer— 

I am advised EnergyAustralia's northern Sydney region includes parts of the Hills and northern districts, 

the northern beaches and north shore areas. 

(1) (a) 1,057 

(b) 1,339 

(c) 1,071 

(d) 804 year to date 

(2) The major causes of these power interruptions are as follows: 

• Third party impact. 

• Wildlife and vegetation. 

• Adverse weather. 

• Customer's installation. 

• Equipment faults. 

(3) Average power interruptions are reported as the System Average Interruption Frequency Index 

(SAIFI), which is a standard reliability measurement used for the electricity industry. SAIFI 

measures the average number of interruptions experienced per connected customer. Across 

EnergyAustralia's network in the Sydney metropolitan area, the SAIFI figures for the requested 

periods are: 

SAIFI 

2006 1.44 

2007 1.44 

2008 1.54 

2009 YTD 1.26 

(4) Over the next five years EnergyAustralia will invest about $8 billion in its electricity network - 

including more than $1.2 billion in renewing, boosting and upgrading the electricity network in the 

northern Sydney region. Some of the outcomes through this significant investment program include: 

• improved reliability and greater security of supply by meeting the mandatory design criteria; 

and 

• meeting reliability targets in the licence conditions through secure redundancy and asset 

condition. 

7554 CEILING INSULATION REBATE SCHEME—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


*7555 WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK—Mr Rob Stokes asked the Minister for Juvenile Justice, 

Minister for Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' Affairs— 

(1) Does the Commission for Children and Young People ever disallow an employee from taking a 

"Working with Children Check", even when requested by the employer and employee? 


7109 



(2) If yes, for what reasons is a "Working with Children Check" not undertaken in respect of such 

employees? 

Answer— 

(1) Yes. 

(2) The Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 allows the Commission to undertake 

"Working With Children Checks" in specified circumstances. The Commission cannot complete a 

Check that does not meet these statutory provisions. 

7556 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7557 RTA EMPLOYEE DEREK WAINOHU—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Roads— 

*7558 PORTS AND WATERWAYS COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister 


Waterways— 

In relation to Ports and Waterways committees and boards: 

(1) Of the 369 NSW Government committees and boards (as noted in the Sydney Morning Herald on 20 

July 2009), how many are administered⁄managed from NSW Maritime? 


Answer— 

(1) and (2) I am advised NSW Maritime's committees are listed in the NSW Maritime Annual Report. 

*7559 BUILDING REFURBISHMENT PROGRAM - NEW WORKS—Mr John Turner asked the Minister for 

Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and 

Waterways— 

Given your advice that under the Building Refurbishment Program - New Works, $34,000 has been 

allocated to the Myall Lakes Electorate (Question 7075), what project will the funds be allocated to? 

Answer— 

I'm advised: 

State Property Authority has allocated $34,000 in 2009⁄10 under the Building Refurbishment Program 

New Works for maintenance⁄repairs of the government building at 16 Arkwright Crescent, Taree. 

7560 FRIDGE BUYBACK SCHEME—Mr John Turner to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


*7561 CARS BOOKED IN BUS ONLY T-WAYS—Mr Ray Williams asked the Minister for Roads— 

How many car drivers have been booked for driving in the bus only T-way on the following roads: 

(a) Windsor Road, Rouse Hill; 

(b) Sunnyholt Road, Blacktown; 

(c) Mons Road, Westmead? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

The RTA does not collect this information. This question should be directed to the Treasurer who is 

responsible for the State Debt Recovery Office. 



7562 FRIDGE BUYBACK SCHEME—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


7563 ISSUING OF LAPTOP COMPUTERS—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for Education and Training, 



7110 



7564 STAFF REDUNDANCIES—GREATER SOUTHERN AREA HEALTH SERVICE—Mr Greg Aplin to 

ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce 



7565 IMPORTED CEILING INSULATION—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for 

Citizenship, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts— 

7566 STIMULUS PACKAGE—PORT STEPHENS SCHOOLS—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for 


7567 DETERMINATION OF BLACK SPOT—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7568 FLASHING SPEED SIGNS IN SCHOOL ZONES—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7569 TEMPORARY POLICE STATION—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 

for Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Rural 

Affairs— 

7570 AVOS ISSUED—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


7571 EXHAUST NOISE LEVELS—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

*7572 SPEED CAMERA INVESTIGATION—Mr Steve Cansdell asked the Minister for Transport, and 


(1) Has the RTA yet completed investigations into whether a speed camera is warranted on the northern 

approach to Broadwater on the Pacific Highway (Question 4026)? 

(2) If so, what was the outcome of the RTA's investigations? 

(3) If not, why has the outcome of these investigations by the RTA been delayed? 

Answer— 

I am advised that the Roads and Traffic Authority has completed crash investigations of the Pacific 

Highway, Broadwater. I am further advised that the investigation determined that road safety issues in 

this area are primarily related to heavy vehicles. As a result, a point-to-point enforcement length will be 

implemented in this area as part of the program implementing 20 point-to-point lengths over the next two 

years to target heavy vehicle speeding. This point-to-point enforcement length will extend from 

Woodburn to Wardell along the Pacific Highway. I understand that point-to-point enforcement is intended 

to supplement, rather than replace, police enforcement. Police enforce a wide range of offences including 

speeding and for the safety of road users police can still conduct enforcement within the point-to-point 

enforcement length. 

7573 NEW BRIDGE OVER SPORTSMANS CREEK—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7574 NEW BRIDGE OVER CLARENCE RIVER—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7575 REFUELLING INFRASTRUCTURE ON MERIMBULA LAKE—Mr Andrew Constance to ask the 



7576 FUNDING FOR PRINCES HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE—Mr Andrew Constance to ask the Minister 

for Roads— 

7577 REFORM OF POLITICAL DONATIONS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7578 NSW SOLAR FLAGSHIP TASKFORCE—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7579 2008 WORKFORCE PROFILE—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

7580 RYDE MOTOR REGISTRY—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Roads— 





7111 

7581 NSW POLICE EXPENDITURE—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 


Affairs— 

7582 DISABILITY CARE HOME—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for 


7583 SECTION 82 REPORTS—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community Services— 

7584 SIBLING GROUPS IN FOSTER CARE—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community 

Services— 

7585 CONVICTION RATES—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 



7586 CAR HOON LAWS—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


7587 CENTRAL COAST TRAVEL ROUTES—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7588 BEACON HILL LEFT TURN ARROW—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7589 IM AND IO CLASSES—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister 

for Women— 

7590 NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7591 CENTROC WATER SECURITY STUDY—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Water, and 


7592 WIND FARMS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 

Waterloo— 

7593 OLD TIVERTON SCHOOL BUILDING—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Education 


7594 REPLACEMENT OF FLUORESCENT LAMPS—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Education 


7596 POLICE REPORTING OF VIOLENCE—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Planning, and 



7597 RURAL SCHOOL FUNDING—Mr Kevin Humphries to ask the Minister for Education and Training, 


7598 CHARGES FOR BLOOD PRODUCTS—Mr Kevin Humphries to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7599 ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE—Mr Kevin Humphries to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7600 SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHERS—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7601 SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 

Minister for Women—

7112 



7602 WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE IN WAGGA WAGGA—Mr Daryl Maguire to ask the Deputy Premier, 




*7603 TUMUT TO COOTAMUNDRA RAIL LINK—Mr Daryl Maguire asked the Minister for Transport, and 


(1) Will the State Government re-investigate the reopening of the Tumut to Cootamundra rail link? 

(2) Is it possible that such a link from Tumut could terminate at Tumblong at a road⁄rail interchange? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

A number of studies have been undertaken since 1998 looking at the proposal to reopen this line. None of 

these studies have produced a financial business case to support reopening the line. 

The line's status is non-operational and there is currently no plan to change the status of this line. Rail 

Infrastructure Corporation is not planning any further investigation, however, the Corporation will 

consider any serious commercial proposal to upgrade the line to return it to operational status, including 

any proposal for operations between Tumut and Tumblong. 

7604 TUMUT TOWN BRIDGE—Mr Daryl Maguire to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7605 WILLIAM CAREY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BUS—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for 


7606 DIESEL MOTOR VEHICLES—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7607 PETROL/ELECTRIC HYBRID CARS—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7608 INFRINGEMENT NOTICES—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

7609 TRANSPORT PRIORITIES FOR THE HUNTER—Mr Matthew Morris to ask the Minister for 


7610 NEWCASTLE RAIL SERVICES—Mr Matthew Morris to ask the Minister for Tourism, Minister for the 

Hunter, Minister for Science and Medical Research, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health 

(Cancer)— 

7611 MINISTERIAL VISITS TO NSW TAFE INSTITUTIONS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for 


7612 MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY—GRIFFITH BASE HOSPITAL—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Deputy 




7613 HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7614 EMISSIONS OF RESPIRABLE SILICA—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 


7615 IMPACTS OF PM2.5 DUST—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 



Council— 

7616 CHILD-SIZED TOILET—DISABLED CHILDREN—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for Education 


7617 FUNDING OF PRESCHOOLS—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Community Services— 

7618 ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE CASES—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Community Services— 


7113 



7619 BED NUMBERS—TWEED HOSPITAL—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7620 GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY AT BLACKHEATH—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for 

Roads— 

7621 GATEWAY PLANNING PROCESS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7622 BRUSH TURKEY NESTING MOUND—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister 


7623 NURSES ACCEPTING REDUNDANCIES—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7624 ELECTIVE SURGERY WAITING LISTS—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7625 AMBULANCE STATION CLOSURES—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7626 RESURFACING OF PACIFIC HIGHWAY—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7627 “SALTWATER” DEVELOPMENT—SOUTH WEST ROCKS—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister 

for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— 

7628 NSW DEFENCE ADVISER—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

7629 HARWOOD BRIDGE PAINTING—Mr John Turner to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7630 HEAT PUMPS—Mr John Turner to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for 

Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral 

Resources, Minister for State Development— 



7631 INSULATION MANUFACTURING PLANT—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Minister for Education and 



7632 ALBURY WODONGA NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECT (AWNHP)—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the 

Minister for Roads— 

7633 SCHOOL RESIDENCES—ALBURY ELECTORATE—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for 


*7634 UNDERAGE DRINKING OFFENCES—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Minister for Planning, and Minister 


Affairs— 

How many infringement notices were issued for underage drinking in the Albury local government area 

and in the Corowa local government area in the following years: 

(a) 2005-06; 


7114 



(b) 2006-07; 

(c) 2007-08; 

(d) 2008-09? 

Answer— 

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) analyses NSW recorded crime statistics. I 

suggest the Honourable Member's questions are more appropriately addressed to the Attorney General, 

within whose portfolio the Bureau resides. 

*7635 SUPERANNUATION ADMINISTRATION CORPORATION—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for 


Waterways— 

Has the Superannuation Administration Corporation (Pillar) been successful in "winning new business" 

as forecast on page 11-28 of the Budget Estimates 2009-10? 

Answer— 

The Superannuation Administration Corporation has advised it is actively pursuing new business. 

7636 ATTENDANCE AT RELEVANT CORONIAL INQUIRY—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for 



*7637 ELECTRICITY RETAIL CONTRACTS—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Education and 



(1) Will the Minister confirm that State-owned electricity retailers are pursuing a passive retail strategy? 

(2) Will the Minister provide details of total retail contracts held for each of the retailers for the past 5 

years to the current date? 

Answer— 

(1) and (2) These are matters for the shareholding Ministers, the Treasurer and the Minister for Finance. 

7638 VERTICAL GRILLS SAFTY RISK—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7639 RAIL OPERATIONS BETWEEN COWRA AND DEMONDRILLE—Mr Mike Baird to ask the 


7640 NORTHERN BEACHES COMMUNITY SERVICE—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Ageing, 

Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

7641 MISSING PERSONS—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


7642 LOCUM DOCTORS—TOMAREE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Deputy 




7643 FORMER STEELWORKS SITE—MAYFIELD—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Planning, 

and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— 

7644 AGED CARE PROVIDERS—REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister 


Waterways representing the Treasurer— 

7645 CHILD PSYCHOLOGY POSITIONS—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7646 BETTER SERVICES AND VALUE TASKFORCE—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister 

for the Arts— 

7647 WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 


7115 



7648 SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLES—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

7649 DET FUNDING—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for 

Women— 

7650 UNPAID HOSPITAL BILLS—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7651 WEST RYDE DEVELOPMENT—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Housing, and Minister 


7652 WOOD SUPPLY AGREEMENTS—Mr Andrew Fraser to ask the Minister for Education and Training, 

and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister 

for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

7653 SUSTAINABLE YIELD OF BLACKBUTT—Mr Andrew Fraser to ask the Minister for Education and 



*7654 CARER ASSESSMENTS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) (a) Does the Department of Community Services complete carer assessments on all carers prior to 

the finalisation of a child's placement? 


(2) In how many instances was there a failure to conduct a carer assessment before a child's placement 

was finalised in: 

(a) 2007; 

(b) 2008; 


Answer— 

(1) (a) Community Services conducts assessments on authorised foster carers and relative ⁄ kinship 

carers prior to finalising a child's placement with them. 

(b) In an emergency, a child or young person may be placed with a relative or another person 

identified by the child, young person or their family who is not an authorised carer or who has not 

yet completed assessment as a relative ⁄ kinship carer. In these circumstances: 

• A check of the Community Services' database is conducted for references to the prospective 

carer 

• Information is obtained from Police with regard to criminal record information as well as any 

additional information about the person being a "person of interest" to police for reasons 

relating to the safety, welfare and well being of a child or young person. 

• A Placement Needs Assessment is undertaken as soon as practical to determine the best 

course of action for the child or young person. 

(2) There is no aggregated level data available which examines this issue. 

*7655 CHILD WELL-BEING UNITS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services— 

(1) How many child well-being units have been established and were operating as at 31 August 2009? 

(2) What arrangements have been made to enable the child well-being units to exchange information 

relating to reports of harm? 

(3) How many Regional Referral Centres have been established, with what staff and cost? 

Answer— 

(1) None - Child Wellbeing Units (CWUs) are scheduled to commence a trial and testing period in 

October 2009. 

(2) New provision in the Children Legislation Amendment (Wood Inquiry Recommendations) Act 2009 

will enable prescribed bodies, including agencies with Child Wellbeing Units to share information to 

assist with service delivery for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of a particular child or young 

person. Under Chapter 16A, one prescribed body may provide information relating to the safety, 

welfare or wellbeing of a child⁄young person to another if the information would assist with making a 

decision, assessment, investigation or service delivery. An agency may also provide information on 


7116 



its own initiative if it relates to the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or young person. The new 

chapter 16A captures non-government organisations and individuals, such as General Practitioners. 

The information exchange provisions are expected to be proclaimed in October 2009 to coincide 

with the start of the trial and testing phase for the CWUs. 

(3) NSW Health is responsible for the implementation of Family Referral Services - (formerly known as 

Regional Intake and Referral Services). A 12-month trial to determine the best model of operation 

will commence in three locations (Newcastle, Dubbo and Mt Druitt) in early 2010. Tenders for the 

three pilot locations close on 20 October 2009. 

7656 HEALTH SCREENINGS—CHILDREN IN CARE—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community 

Services— 

7657 VEHICLE NUMBERS ON F3—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7658 PAYROLL TAX—CENTRAL COAST POSTCODES—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for 



7659 MATERNITY PATIENTS—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 



Council— 

7660 MONA VALE HOSPITAL LEGAL ACTIONS—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister 




7661 MANLY HOSPITAL LEGAL ACTIONS—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7662 HOSPITAL DEBT—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the 



7663 SPEECH THERAPIST IN YASS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7664 CROWN LAND—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


7665 WATER FOR LIFE ADVERTISEMENTS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Water, and 


7666 FUNDING FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Education and 


7667 HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI RURAL FIRE SERVICE—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for 

Emergency Services, and Minister for Small Business— 

7668 DIAMOND GRINDING PROJECT—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7669 ACCESS TO BREASTSCREEN NSW—Mr Kevin Humphries to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7670 PUBLIC HOUSING—LIGHTNING RIDGE—Mr Kevin Humphries to ask the Minister for Housing, 

and Minister for Western Sydney— 


7117 



7671 VOLUNTARY LIQUOR ACCORD—Mr Kevin Humphries to ask the Minister for Gaming and Racing, 


7672 ELECTIVE SURGERY WAITING LIST—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7673 LICENSED SECURITY PERSONNEL—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Gaming and Racing, 


7674 LURNEA PRIMARY SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training, 


7675 MACQUARIE FIELDS HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 


7676 CASULA HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7677 CEILING INSULATION REBATES—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 






7680 FRIDGE BUYBACK SCHEME—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


7681 FRIDGE BUYBACK SCHEME—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


7682 NEWCASTLE CBD REVITALISATION—Mr Matthew Morris to ask the Minister for Tourism, Minister 

for the Hunter, Minister for Science and Medical Research, and Minister Assisting the Minister for 

Health (Cancer)— 

*7683 NEWCASTLE RAIL SERVICES—Mr Matthew Morris asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


(1) Is the Minister aware that the majority of Hunter members and the community oppose the cut to rail 

services into Newcastle CBD? 

(2) Is the Minister aware that all of the Newcastle revitalisation projects can proceed with rail services 

remaining? 

(3) Is the Minister aware that the Newcastle rail issue is not the transport priority in the Hunter? 

(4) Is the Minister aware that the downturn in the retail sector in Newcastle is not caused by the rail line? 

(5) Will the Minister support the Hunter rail services and retain the Newcastle service? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

(1) to (5) An independent community survey commissioned by the Government, together with public 

submissions on the Newcastle City Centre Renewal Report, revealed considerable community and 

business support for revitalisation of the Newcastle City Centre and the removal of the heavy rail line in 

Newcastle. 

On 4 September 2009, the Premier announced that the Government would allocate Crown Land at 

Honeysuckle for Stage 1 of the University of Newcastle's inner city campus, which is a key catalyst 

project in the Renewal Report. 

An independent economic assessment by property and economic advisors Urbis estimate an investment 

of $1.4 billion in the Hunter Region would be created through proposed revitalisation projects. 

The Premier's announcement on 4 September 2009 indicated that Government will undertake a detailed 

scoping study of transport arrangements to inform the revitalisation of the Newcastle City Centre. 


7118 



7684 ST IVES SHOWGROUND CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister 

for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, 

and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7685 WAITING LISTS—PUBLIC DENTAL CLINICS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Deputy Premier, 




7686 MEDICARE EPC AND TEEN DENTAL PROGRAMS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Deputy Premier, 




7687 FOREST COACH LINE BUS SERVICES—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7688 CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7689 EDUCATION COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education 


7690 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 



7691 YOUTH COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Juvenile Justice, 

Minister for Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' Affairs— 

*7692 REPORTING OF ALLEGED MISTREATMENT OF A CHILD—Mr Greg Piper asked the Minister for 


Given DoCS responsibilities for child protection, what policy governs a report to DoCS in respect of a 

parent's alleged mistreatment of a child, when the reporter asks that the report be formally recorded, but 

to prevent possible repercussions for the child specifically requests that DoCS does not contact the 

alleged offender? 

Answer— 

The safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child or young person, is the paramount consideration when 

deciding action to protect a child or young person from harm. Judgements about whether, and when, to 

interview the alleged perpetrator are made on a case by case basis taking into account factors such as the 

safety of the child. 

7693 DISPOSAL OF HOSPITAL WASTE—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7694 UNLICENSED LANDFILL AT MORISSET—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


7695 TWEED EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CLINIC—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Tourism, 

Minister for the Hunter, Minister for Science and Medical Research, and Minister Assisting the Minister 

for Health (Cancer)— 

7696 CONFISCATED ILLICIT DRUGS—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


Affairs— 

7697 HOUSING INSULATION PROJECT—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Housing, and Minister 


7698 ACTION AGAINST STAFF MEMBER—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister 






7119 

7699 THREATENING OF STAFF—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 


7700 PROTECTION OF LITTLE PENGUINS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister 


7701 BUS LANE—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister 

for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways representing the Treasurer— 

7702 TRAFFIC/SPEEDING INFRINGEMENTS—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7703 PAYROLL TAX—2111 POSTCODE—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 



Treasurer— 



Treasurer— 

7706 TRAFFIC/SPEEDING INFRINGEMENTS—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7707 ROYAL RYDE REHABILITATION SITE—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7708 ROYAL RYDE REHABILITATION SITE—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7709 ROYAL RYDE REHABILITATION CENTRE—Mr Anthony Roberts to ask the Minister for Planning, 


7710 AREA HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCILS—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 




7711 BREAST CANCER SCREENING PARTICIPATION RATE—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy 




7712 PALLIATIVE CARE UNITS—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7713 PART 3A APPROVAL—Mr Greg Smith to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 

Waterloo— 

7714 GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7715 "SPECIAL NEEDS" TEACHERS—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7716 DRAFT NATIONAL WASTE POLICY—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


7717 CONSULTATION REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Deputy Premier, 

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—

7120 



7718 PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION AND PRIORTY SYSTEM—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the 


7719 RURAL FLOODPLAIN, COASTAL AND ESTUARY MANAGEMENT—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the 


7720 "SALTWATER" DEVELOPMENT—SOUTH WEST ROCKS—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Deputy 

Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce— 

7721 UPGRADE OF MAIN ROAD 92—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7722 SAND DREDGING FROM COASTAL RIVERS—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Education 

and Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for 

Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

7723 LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD REFIT PROGRAM—Mr John Turner to ask the Deputy Premier, 


7724 COASTAL POLICY FUNDING TO COMBAT COASTAL EROSION—Mr John Turner to ask the 


7725 UNANSWERED CORRESPONDENCE—Mr John Turner to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 



7726 AHS OVERDUE PAYMENTS—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7727 HYDROTHERAPY POOL—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7728 EDINBURGH ROAD RIGHT-HAND TURN ARROW—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Minister for 

Roads— 

7729 EDINBURGH ROAD RIGHT-HAND TURN ARROW—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Minister for 

Roads— 

7730 WILLOUGHBY ROAD UPGRADE—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7731 AHS CREDITORS—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts— 

7732 CHATSWOOD-EPPING RAIL LINE—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7733 NIGHTRIDE BUS SERVICE—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 


7734 SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLES—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7735 PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKING—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7736 SOLAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7737 MARSDEN ROAD WORKS—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Roads— 


7121 



7738 MACQUARIE HOSPITAL—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Local Government, and 

Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health)— 

7739 BUSES—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

*7740 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister 

for Community Services— 

As the NSW Ombudsman Report "Review of a group of children aged 10 to 14 in out-of-home care and 

under parental responsibility of the Minister for community services", dated 30 January 2009, 

recommended that "DoCS establish a system for reporting on practice improvement strategies and 

outcomes in response to systemic issues identified in this and earlier reports concerning reviews of 

children and young people in out-of-home care": 

(1) Has any such system been established? 


(3) If so, has it been implemented across the whole department and what does it comprise? 

Answer— 

The Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW provided a systematic, 

considered and thorough examination of the whole child protection system and addressed issues such as 

improving and strengthening out-of-home care services. The Government's response to the Inquiry, Keep 

them Safe: A shared approach to child wellbeing, provides a package of reforms over five years, 

implementation of which is being undertaken with careful planning and coordinated management of 

change across a range of government and non-government agencies. 

Systemic issues raised in the Ombudsman's reports on children and young people in care, such as 

ensuring they have health and development assessments and individual education plans, providing 

cultural supports for Aboriginal children and improving supports to foster, relative and kinship carers, are 

primarily being addressed through Keep them Safe. 

*7741 CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community 

Services— 

Of all children aged 10 to 14 who are currently in out-of-home care under the responsibility of the 

Minister for Community Services, how many were originally reported to DoCS: 

(a) before the age of 1; 

(b) between the ages 2 to 4; 

(c) between the ages of 5 to 9? 

Answer— 

Of the children and young people aged 10 to 14 years in out-of-home care under the parental 

responsibility of the Minister as at 30 June 2008: 

(a) 41% were first reported to Community Services before the age of 1 year 

(b) 25% were first reported to Community Services aged 2-4 years 

(c) 15% were first reported to Community Services aged 5-9 years. 

7742 CHILDREN REPORTED AT RISK OF HARM OR NEGLECT—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for 


7743 SHOALHAVEN DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT—Mrs Shelley 

Hancock to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for 

Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, 


7744 NOWRA TAFE—Mrs Shelley Hancock to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for 

Women— 

*7745 SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES—Mrs Shelley Hancock asked the Minister for Transport, and 


What progress has been made with respect to the provision of seat belts on school buses, a review of 

which was announced by the former Minister for Transport, John Watkins? 

Answer— 


7122 



I am advised: 

NSW Transport & Infrastructure is undertaking an analysis of rural and regional school bus routes using 

the National Guidelines for Risk Assessment of School Bus Routes. Once completed this analysis will be 

used to implement a range of measures which target the specific risks associated with a particular route. 

7746 POLICE STATION IN THE CENTRAL SHOALHAVEN—Mrs Shelley Hancock to ask the Minister for 



7747 ACUTE CARE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS—Mrs Shelley Hancock to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister 




7748 OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS—Mrs Shelley Hancock to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate 




7749 RIGHT-HAND TURN INTO FLINDERS ROAD—Mrs Shelley Hancock to ask the Minister for 

Roads— 

7750 LINEAR ACCELERATOR FOR THE SHOALHAVEN—Mrs Shelley Hancock to ask the Deputy 




7751 AVOS ISSUED—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo 

representing the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7752 CONVICTION RATES—LOCAL COURTS—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Transport, and 

Minister for the Illawarra representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister 

for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President of the Executive Council— 

7753 MOBILE POLICE STATION—Mr Chris Hartcher to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


Affairs— 

7754 UPPER LACHLAN WOOD GUILD—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Premier, and Minister for the 

Arts— 

7755 NATIONAL MEDAL—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 



Council— 

7756 HORNSBY HOSPITAL—PROCEDURES ON CHILDREN—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Deputy 




7757 MENTAL HEALTH INTENSIVE CARE UNIT—HORNSBY HOSPITAL—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask 

the Minister for Local Government, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health)— 

*7758 RAIL CAR PARK AT BEROWRA—Mrs Judy Hopwood asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


In relation to the proposed increase in the size of the rail car park at Berowra, how much community 

consultation was undertaken, who was spoken to and how many responses were received from any 

circulars sent to residents? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 


7123 



A Review of Environmental Factors was prepared for the Berowra Commuter Car Park project in order 

to obtain planning approval. This was placed on public display from 21 August to 4 September 2009, and 

was exhibited at Berowra Library and at Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation offices. 

The Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation consulted the community about the Berowra 

Commuter Car Park project through: 

• One to one door knock consultation and letterbox drops; 

• Advertisement of the Review of Environmental Factors public display in local newspapers; and 

• Consultation with local councils and other non-community stakeholders. 

The Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation identified and consulted individuals, groups and 

organisations with an interest in the project, including: 

• Government Agencies including RTA and RailCorp; 

• Hornsby Shire Council; 

• Rail commuters, local residents and local businesses; 

• Emergency services and transport service providers; and; 

• Other projects⁄stakeholders in vicinity or who enquired about the project. 

The Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation received 16 responses from the community and 

stakeholders. These submissions are being considered prior to determination of the project. 

7759 NURSE REDUNDANCIES—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change 



Council— 

7760 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STIMULUS PACKAGE—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for 


7761 FLASHING SPEED SIGNS IN SCHOOL ZONES—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7762 HOXTON PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 


7763 INGLEBURN NORTH PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education 


7764 CASULA PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training, 


7765 CURRAN PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training, 


7766 GLENWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 


7767 GREENWAY PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 


7768 LURNEA HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7769 GUISE PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7770 SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7771 STIMULUS GRANTS—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister 

for Women— 

7772 SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHERS—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 



7124 



*7773 606 BUS SERVICE—Mr Wayne Merton asked the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

Does the Government intend to reinstate the former 606 bus service in the Hills area after receiving 

representations and complaints from the community subsequent to the recently introduced changes to 

such service? 

Answer— 

I am advised: 

Any changes to the Route 606 will be considered as part of the annual service review for Metropolitan 

Bus Service Contract Region Four. 

7774 TRANSPORT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra— 

*7775 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


(1) What percentage premium does the Government regard as reasonable to pay to increase Australian 

employment on construction projects as against using overseas consultants and equipment? 

(2) Has the Government considered investigating the building of infrastructure projects with an 

emphasis on slower methods of construction using Australian made equipment rather than more 

sophisticated foreign made equipment? 

(3) In calling tenders for infrastructure projects has the Government considered giving preference to 

tenderers who will use older equipment given a "make as new overhaul" using Australian mechanical 

workshops to increase local employment? 

Answer— 

I'm advised: 

(1) The principles the Government applies for construction, and all procurements, are value for-money; 

efficiency and effectiveness; probity and equity; and effective competition. No premiums are 

developed for separate outcomes. 



7776 NSW METROPOLITAN STRATEGY—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7777 RECLASSIFICATION—COUNCIL OWNED LAND—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for 


7778 PARENTS AS TEACHERS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and 


7779 STUDENT MIDWIFE POSITION—LEETON HOSPITAL—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Deputy 




7780 GRIFFITH INTERMODAL TERMINAL—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7781 COUNTRYLINK BUS SERVICE—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 


7782 CRITERIA FOR PROVISION OF PET SCANNER—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Deputy Premier, 




7783 TEACHERS AT KINGSCLIFF TAFE—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Education and 



7125 



7784 BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK—ANNIVERSARIES—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the 


7785 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LICENCES—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, 


7786 BAITING OF RATS AND RABBITS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for 


7787 ADDITIONAL DIALYSIS SHIFTS AT FORBES DIALYSIS UNIT—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the 

Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce 



7788 TRANSFIELD SERVICES PTY LTD—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Roads— 

7789 BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS PROGRAM—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Education and 


7790 CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS STATISTICS—SYDNEY BUSES—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for 


7791 WHITE BAY SHIP TERMINAL—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


7792 BUDGET PAPER NO. 4—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 


7793 STRESS RELATED LEAVE—RTA—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Roads— 



7794 GASTRIC BANDING IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Deputy Premier, and 

Minister for Health— 

7795 PROVISIONAL DRIVING TESTS—ALBURY RTA OFFICE—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for 


7796 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOUSING STIMULUS PACKAGE—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister 

for Housing, Minister for Western Sydney, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport— 

7797 CHILDREN (PROTECTION AND PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY) ACT 1997—Mr Peter Debnam to 

ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health representing the Attorney General, Minister for 

Industrial Relations, and Vice President of the Executive Council— 

7798 UPDATED STATE PLAN—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for 

the Central Coast— 

7799 STATE INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, Minister for the Arts, 

and Minister for the Central Coast— 

7800 WOOD SPECIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community 

Services, and Minister for Women— 

7801 HOME BIRTHS—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7802 PLACEMENT OF SIBLINGS IN FOSTER CARE—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community 


7803 RENAL SERVICES—HORNSBY HOSPITAL—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Deputy Premier, and 




7126 



7804 GASTROENTERITIS AT HORNSBY HOSPITAL—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Deputy Premier, and 


7805 CEILING INSULATION REBATE—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 

for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Minister for Energy, 

Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special Minister of State— 

7806 RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Gaming and 

Racing, and Minister for Sport and Recreation— 

7807 ST IVES SHOWGROUND—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 

Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Lands— 

7808 ICAC—REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Premier, Minister 

for the Arts, and Minister for the Central Coast— 

7809 KEY LEARNING AREAS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7810 TOUR OF ABBOTSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL BY PREMIER'S STAFF—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the 

Premier, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for the Central Coast— 

7811 CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister 

for Education and Training— 

7812 RELIEF OPERATOR—EMPLOYEE OR CONTRACTOR—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Deputy Premier, 

and Minister for Health representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Vice 


7813 AREA HEALTH SERVICE INVOICING—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health— 

7814 PROVISION OF TREATMENT FOR OUTPATIENTS—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Deputy Premier, and 


7815 POLICE VEHICLES—TWEED/BYRON LOCAL AREA COMMAND—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the 

Minister for Police— 

7816 INSPECTIONS BY OFFICE OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Deputy 

Premier, and Minister for Health representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, and 


7817 LAND TAX PAID—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, 


7818 PROTECTION OF SOUTH COAST BEACHES—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for 

Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the 

Environment, Minister for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, 

Special Minister of State— 

7819 REGIONAL FORESTRY AGREEMENTS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, 

Minister for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special 

Minister of State— 

7820 BULL MALLEE-WHITE MALLEE WOODLANDS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for 




7821 WARATAH PARK LEASE—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern 

Waterloo representing the Minister for Lands— 

7822 SEAGRASS FRIENDLY MOORINGS—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for 

Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways—

7127 



7823 SPEECH PATHOLOGIST—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7824 REGULATIONS APPLYING TO NSW ROAD USERS—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for 


7825 DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the 

Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for 


7826 KEMPSEY COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRE—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for 

Community Services, and Minister for Women— 



7827 YOUTH GANGS—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Minister for Police— 

7828 FATIGUE REGULATIONS FOR DRIVERS OF HEAVY VEHICLES—Mr Richard Amery to ask the 


7829 HARDWOOD PLANTATIONS—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for Education and Training 

representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State 


7830 BUILDING THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION—ILUKA PUBLIC SCHOOL—Mr Steve Cansdell to 

ask the Minister for Education and Training— 





7833 PROMOTION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for 

Education and Training representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources, 

Minister for State Development— 

7834 PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, Minister for the Arts, and Minister 

for the Central Coast— 

7835 RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, 

Minister for the Arts, and Minister for the Central Coast— 

7836 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, Minister for the 

Arts, and Minister for the Central Coast— 

7837 ANTI-GRAFFITI ACTION TEAM—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Vice President of the 


7838 GRAFFITI STRATEGY TASKFORCE—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 

for Health representing the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Vice President of the 


7839 GRAFFITI SOLUTIONS TASKFORCE—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 



7840 GRAFFITI SOLUTIONS PROGRAM—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 





7128 



7841 GRAFFITI REFERENCE GROUP—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 



7842 RAIL VANDALISM TASKFORCE—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7843 TEACHERS EMPLOYED ON A LIMITED CASUAL BASIS—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for 

Education and Training— 

7844 CASE PLAN FOR CHILDREN IN CARE—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community 


7845 CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for 


7846 COUNCIL PERFORMANCE REPORTING—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7847 STAFFING AT CESSNOCK CENTRE—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Transport, and 

Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Minister 

for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special Minister of 

State— 

7848 PERFORMANCE REPORTS INTO COUNCILS—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Planning, 


7849 ROADS IN POKOLBIN—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Commerce, Minister for Tourism, 

Minister for the Hunter, and Minister for Science and Medical Research— 

7850 WEST WALLSEND TRAM LINE—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


7851 SOLAR REBATE—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra 

representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Minister for Energy, Minister for 

Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special Minister of State— 

7852 CLOSURE OF FORESTS NSW PARKES NURSERY—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for 



7853 COWRA COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTRE—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for 


7854 YASS DAM UPGRADE—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Water, and Minister for 


7855 CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING A DISABLED STUDENT—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the 

Minister for Education and Training— 

7856 BOVINE JOHNE’S DISEASE—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Education and Training 



7857 HORNSBY HOSPITAL REDUNDANCIES—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Deputy Premier, and 


7858 ISSUING OF LAPTOP COMPUTERS—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7859 BLACKSPOT SITES—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

7860 PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC LIGHT PHASING—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Transport, and 

Minister for the Illawarra—




7129 

7861 VENDING MACHINES IN SOUTH EASTERN AREA HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITALS—Mr 

Malcolm Kerr to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7862 REMOVAL OF GRAFFITI ON CITYRAIL PROPERTY—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for 


7863 BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS PROGRAM FUNDING—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for 


7864 CASULA HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7865 MACQUARIE FIELDS PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education 

and Training— 

7866 PRESTONS PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7867 CAMPBELL HOUSE PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7868 MACQUARIE FIELDS HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7869 JOHN EDMONDSON HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7870 ILLEGAL DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister 


7871 TAXI ADVISORY COMMITTEE—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


7872 ALLOCATION OF COUNCIL AREAS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Planning, and 


7873 CONDOBOLIN HIGH SCHOOL—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7874 CASUALDIRECT—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7875 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7876 POLICE RESOURCES—TWEED-BYRON LAC—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Police— 

7877 REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Police— 

7878 SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Commerce, Minister for 

Tourism, Minister for the Hunter, and Minister for Science and Medical Research— 

7879 HAZARD REDUCTION BURNING—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Emergency 

Services, Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7880 ADVANCE NOTICE OF HAZARD REDUCTION BURNING—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the 

Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and 

the Environment, Minister for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector 

Reform, Special Minister of State— 

7881 SEWAGE CONNECTION CHARGES—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Water, and 


7882 HOME DIALYSIS—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7883 CLEANING IN HOSPITALS—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7884 CAMDEN OBESITY CLINIC—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health—

7130 



7885 LAND ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FOR MOTORWAY—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for 


7886 NSW HOT WATER SYSTEM REBATE—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Transport, and 

Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Minister 

for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special Minister of 

State— 

7887 STATE ROADS—MID NORTH COAST—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7888 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN TAREE—Mr John Turner to ask the Minister for 

Housing, Minister for Western Sydney, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport— 

7889 CLEANING OF GUTTERS—Mr Ray Williams to ask the Minister for Housing, Minister for Western 

Sydney, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport— 

7890 RURAL ROADS AND FIRE TRAILS—Mr Ray Williams to ask the Minister for Emergency Services, 

Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7891 CHARGES ON RETIREMENT VILLAGE RESIDENTS—Mr Ray Williams to ask the Minister for 

Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 



7892 NIGHTRIDE BUS SERVICES—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 


7893 EMPLOYMENT FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for 

State Development— 

7894 STIMULUS PACKAGE FUNDING—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7895 SHOALHAVEN COUNCIL SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTIONS—Mr Mike Baird to ask the 

Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports 

and Waterways representing the Treasurer— 

7896 OBJECTIONS TO LAND VALUATIONS—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for 


Treasurer— 

7897 RENT CHARGED TO SURF CLUBS—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 

for Redfern Waterloo representing the Minister for Lands— 

7898 IMPACT OF TENURE—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, 


7899 MANLY WHARF—Mr Mike Baird to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister 

for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways— 

7900 RAYMOND TERRACE POLICE STATION TENDER—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for 

Police— 

7901 AMBULANCE NUMBERS—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7902 COST OF HIRING/LEASING CARAVANS—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Fair Trading, 


7903 PUBLIC HOUSING BUDGET—PORT STEPHENS—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for 






7131 

7904 PUBLIC HOUSING MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURE—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for 


7905 PUBLIC HOUSING—PORT STEPHENS ELECTORATE—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for 


7906 RTA INSPECTIONS OF MOTORCYCLES—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7907 HOT WATER SYSTEM REBATE—Mr Craig Baumann to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 



7908 MEDICAL PRACTITIONER SERVICES—TOMAREE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL—Mr Craig 

Baumann to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7909 HENDRA VIRUS—Mr Peter Besseling to ask the Minister for Education and Training representing the 

Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development— 

7910 "GREEN REPORT" INTO CENTRAL SCHOOLS—Mr Peter Besseling to ask the Minister for 


7911 RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENCES—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for Education and 



7912 LICENSED PREMISES INFRINGEMENT NOTICES—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for 

Gaming and Racing, and Minister for Sport and Recreation— 

7913 YOUTH INFRINGEMENT NOTICES—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for Police— 

7914 CLARENCE/COFFS LOCAL AREA COMMAND BUDGET—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister 

for Police— 

7915 RENEWABLE ENERGY—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Minister for Energy, 


7916 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS POWERS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 



7917 MR BOB ELLIS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for the 

Central Coast— 

7918 CYCLEWAYS—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

7919 DENTAL SERVICES—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7920 RYDE DRUG, ALCOHOL AND GAMBLING SERVICE—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy 

Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7921 RATIO OF FEMALE TO MALE ENROLMENTS—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Education 

and Training— 

7922 BUNGONIA QUARRY AND HILLTOP RIFLE RANGE—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for 


7923 JOINT INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSE TEAM—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community 


7924 FUNDING TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7925 PENSIONERS WATER REBATE—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Water, and Minister for 

Regional Development—


7132 



7926 TEACHING STAFF RETIREMENTS—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

7927 WATER BALLOT—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Water, and Minister for Regional 


7928 FORESTS NSW RESEARCH—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Education and Training 



7929 HEALTH CORRESPONDENCE—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health— 

7930 QUANDIALLA POLICE STATION—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Police— 

7931 HORNSBY MOTOR REGISTRY—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


7932 NSW POLICE EXPENDITURE—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Police— 

7933 HORNSBY RAILWAY STATION—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 


7934 CEILING INSULATION REBATE—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 



7935 KURNELL DESALINATION PLANT—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Water, and Minister 

for Regional Development— 

7936 PARRAMATTA TO ROUSE HILL BUS TRANSITWAY—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for 


7937 ADDITIONAL BUSES FOR M2 SERVICE—Mr Wayne Merton to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7938 ALCOHOL ON PARTY BUSES—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Gaming and Racing, and 

Minister for Sport and Recreation— 

7939 EXPERIMENTS ON ANIMALS IN NSW—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Education and 



7940 PARTY BUSES—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

7941 JUVENILE CRIME DIVERSION—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister 

for Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' Affairs— 

7942 GENERAL COUNSEL OF NSW MARITIME—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Finance, 

Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Regulatory Reform, and Minister for Ports and Waterways— 

7943 NSW MARITIME WHISTLEBLOWER—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister 


7944 LEGAL COSTS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, 


7945 OVERHEAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS—TURRAMURRA—Mr Barry O'Farrell to ask the Minister for 


7946 AUDIT OF DOCUMENTS—REVIEW OF DWELLING YIELDS—Mr Barry O'Farrell to ask the 

Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— 

7947 NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK—Mr Barry O'Farrell to ask the Premier, Minister for the Arts, 

and Minister for the Central Coast—




7133 

7948 SYDNEY DUST STORM—PUBLIC HEALTH WARNINGS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for 




7949 PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS—JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTRES—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask 

the Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting 

the Premier on Veterans' Affairs— 

7950 DEPARTMENT-OWNED LAND AT STANHOPE GARDENS—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister 

for Education and Training— 

7951 SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSPORT SCHEME—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7952 WOMEN'S REFUGES—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for Community Services, and Minister for 

Women— 

7953 WOMEN'S REFUGES—Mr Greg Piper to ask the Minister for Community Services, and Minister for 

Women— 

7954 MAMMOGRAMS AT TWEED HOSPITAL—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 

for Health— 

7955 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST TWEED HOSPITAL—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Deputy 


7956 CONTROLLED BURNING—TWEED ELECTORATE—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for 

Emergency Services, Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7957 COST OF PROPERTIES—NORTH-WEST RAIL CORRIDOR—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the 

Minister for Planning, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— 

7958 AMBULANCE RESPONSE TIMES—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health— 

7959 DATA RECOVERY PLAN—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7960 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BEDS AT NEPEAN HOSPITAL—Mrs Jillian Skinner to ask the 

Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

7961 CO2 EMISSIONS—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra 

representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Minister for Energy, Minister for 

Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special Minister of State— 

7962 MONA VALE POLICE STATION—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Police— 

7963 MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 

for Health— 

7964 INFRINGEMENT NOTICES FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for 



7965 STRATEGIC BUS CORRIDORS—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra— 

7966 SYDNEY FERRIES PASSENGER JOURNEYS—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


7967 USE OF "E-BIKES"—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Police— 

7968 USE OF “E-BIKES”—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 

Illawarra—

7134 



7969 UNUSED RAIL CORRIDORS—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 


7970 TOILET FACILITIES FOR TRAVELLERS—Mr John Turner to ask the Minister for Transport, and 




7971 REPAIR OF NSW POLICE VEHICLES—Mr Richard Amery to ask the Minister for Police— 

7972 HAZARD REDUCTION IN ALBURY ELECTORATE—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for 

Emergency Services, Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7973 RESPITE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN ALBURY ELECTORATE—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the 

Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

7974 LANDSCAPING FOR THE HUME FREEWAY AT ALBURY—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for 


7975 RECTIFICATION WORKS FOR THE ALBURY WODONGA NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECT 

(AWNHP)—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

7976 ACCOMMODATION SERVICES IN ALBURY—Mr Greg Aplin to ask the Minister for Ageing, 

Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

7977 LORD HOWE ISLAND—Ms Gladys Berejiklian to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 



7978 CEILING INSULATION REBATE—Mr Steve Cansdell to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 



7979 PEAT ISLAND COTTAGES—Mr Andrew Constance to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for 


7980 LAND TAX REVENUE—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister for Infrastructure, 


7981 FUNDING FOR RESPITE BEDS—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for 


7982 GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, Minister for the Arts, and 

Minister for the Central Coast— 

7983 HAZARD REDUCTION BURNING—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Emergency Services, 

Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Rural Affairs— 

7984 SCHOOL COUNSELLORS—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7985 TICKET VENDING MACHINES—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 


7986 PPP/RTO FUNDING—Mr Thomas George to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7987 FAMILIES FIRST UNIVERSAL HOME VISITING PROGRAM—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Deputy 


7988 HOMELESS WOMEN—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community Services, and Minister for 

Women— 





7135 

7989 VISITS TO FOSTER CARERS—Ms Pru Goward to ask the Minister for Community Services, and 


7990 BEHAVIOUR SCHOOL OPTIONS—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

7991 CLAIMS ON INSURANCE—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for 

Citizenship, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts— 

7992 NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health— 

7993 MINISTERIAL OFFICE STAFF—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


7994 DRAFT CENTRES POLICY—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


7995 METROPOLITAN STRATEGY—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister for 


7996 DELIVERY OF INFRASTRUCTURE—Mr Brad Hazzard to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 


7997 ADDITIVES IN FOOD—Mr Kerry Hickey to ask the Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for 

Volunteering, Minister for Youth, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' Affairs— 

7998 FORESTS NSW LOGGING AGREEMENTS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for 



7999 CITYRAIL—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra— 

8000 SPEECH PATHOLOGIST IN YASS—Ms Katrina Hodgkinson to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 

for Health— 

8001 OUTREACH TEACHER—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

8002 BREASTSCREEN STAFF SHORTAGE—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister 

for Health— 

8003 NIGHTRIDE BUS SERVICES—Mrs Judy Hopwood to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 


8004 PROVISION OF SAFE CYCLEWAYS—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


8005 SUTHERLAND HOSPITAL—VOLUNTARY REDUNDANCIES—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Deputy 


8006 REPORTED SEX OFFENDERS—Mr Malcolm Kerr to ask the Minister for Police— 

8007 AUSTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

8008 GLENFIELD PARK SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

8009 HURLSTONE AGRICULTURE HIGH SCHOOL—Dr Andrew McDonald to ask the Minister for 


8010 CONSERVATION OF REYNOLDS COTTAGE—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Planning, 


8011 SAFETY—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health representing the 

Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Vice President of the Executive Council—


7136 



8012 CREDIT CARD “SKIMMING” IN TAXIS—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


8013 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS—Ms Clover Moore to ask the 

Minister for Transport, and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and 

the Environment, Minister for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector 

Reform, Special Minister of State— 

8014 AMENDMENTS TO CODES SEPP—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Planning, and Minister 


8015 RAILWAY STATION STAFFING—Ms Clover Moore to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for 


8016 LEGAL BRANCH—NSW MARITIME—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Finance, Minister 


8017 ALIKAT PRESCHOOL—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

8018 TEACHER NUMBERS—Mr Jonathan O'Dea to ask the Minister for Education and Training— 

8019 DEMOUNTABLE CLASSROOMS—Mr Barry O'Farrell to ask the Minister for Education and 

Training— 

8020 AUSTRALIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS RANK (ATAR)—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for 


8021 REGIONAL TOURISM FUNDING—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for Commerce, Minister for 

Tourism, Minister for the Hunter, and Minister for Science and Medical Research— 

8022 NARRANDERA FISHERIES RESEARCH STATION—Mr Adrian Piccoli to ask the Minister for 



8023 STATE-WIDE EYESIGHT PRESCHOOLER SCREENING (STEPS)—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the 

Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— 

8024 INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability 

Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— 

8025 REPORTABLE SEX OFFENDERS—Mr Geoff Provest to ask the Minister for Housing, Minister for 

Western Sydney, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport— 

8026 BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Transport, 

and Minister for the Illawarra representing the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, 

Minister for Energy, Minister for Corrective Services, Minister for Public Sector Reform, Special 

Minister of State— 

8027 STATE PLAN COMMUNITY CONSULTATION FORUMS—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the 

Premier, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for the Central Coast— 

8028 CLIMATE CHANGE FUND—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 



8029 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister 



8030 SWOOPING MAGPIES—Mr Michael Richardson to ask the Minister for Transport, and Minister for the 



8031 POLICE ASSISTANCE TO FIND ACCOMMODATION—Mr Greg Smith to ask the Minister for 

Police—




7137 

8032 NORTHERN BEACHES BUS PATRONAGE—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


8033 REPLACEMENT BUSES FOR MONA VALE BUS DEPOT—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for 


8034 TRAVEL TO CBD BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT—Mr Rob Stokes to ask the Minister for Transport, and 


8035 DSRD INTERNATIONAL OFFICES IN CHINA—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Minister for Education 

and Training representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister 

for State Development— 

8036 MANNING BASE HOSPITAL—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the Deputy Premier, and Minister for 

Health— 

8037 RESTRUCTURE OF RURAL LANDS PROTECTION BOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner to ask the 

Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for 


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