Vinnies NSW can provide support during COVID-19

As the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt across NSW, many people experiencing poverty and disadvantage are facing additional financial pressure. At the same time, households accustomed to making ends meet are facing economic hardship for the first time.

You can call Vinnies on 13 18 12 or email vinnies@vinnies.org.au.

Vinnies provides:

• Food
• Clothes
• Emergency accommodation
• Domestic violence refuges and services
• No interest loans

Grant Opportunities

Extension of Quad Bike Rebates

In 2016, the NSW Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program was launched to address the unacceptable fatalities and serious injuries caused by the on-farm use of quad bikes. The program supports NSW farmers to improve safety practices through the quad bike safety rebate and free training package.

The NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate Program has been extended to June 2023 (updated June 2021).

• Farming operation is no longer an eligibility requirement. All small businesses registered in NSW who own a quad bike or side-by-side vehicle (SSV) to undertake work tasks are now eligible to access the rebate (updated June 2021).
• Businesses are encouraged to purchase SSVs as their first farm vehicle. First time SSV owners are eligible to access the rebate (updated June 2021).
• All farming businesses registered in NSW with the primary intention of generating income are eligible to access the NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate Program (from 14 April 2021).
• Any number of applications can be submitted to apply for a maximum of $2,000 per eligible ABN (from 17 February 2021).
• An additional $2.8 million in funding was announced to continue the NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate Program (from 16 November 2020).
• The rebate limit was increased to $2,000 and rebates at point of purchase were introduced for select operator protective devices (OPDs) and side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) (from 1 October 2019).
• The rebate includes one drone rebate only per eligible business (from 27 February 2019).

For more information please visit   https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/agriculture,-forestry-and-fishing-publications/quad-bike-pubs/quad-bike-safety-improvement-program-FAQs

Covid-19 Information

Friday, 10 September, 2021

Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.

For full details please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/lockdown-lifted-parts-of-regional-nsw

Know the facts about the COVID-19 Vaccination

Monday, 16 August, 2021

Due to the significant increase in COVID-19 community transmission new restrictions are now in place for all of regional NSW and Greater Sydney.

This means the whole of NSW is now under stay at home orders. You must stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse to leave.

Know the regional and rural restrictions

Thursday, 1 June 2021

From Monday 12 July, use of the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses. This includes:

• Retail businesses and supermarkets
• Individual shops within shopping centres
• Shopping centres will also be asked to display QR codes at entry points where practicable
• Gyms
• Offices, including call centres
• Manufacturing and warehousing
• Universities and TAFE
• Schools including teachers and visitors (such as parents and contractors) but excluding students/li>
• Businesses such as hospitality and hairdressers that were already using the Service NSW QR code will also need to ensure staff and visitors such as maintenance workers and delivery drivers check-in, when they resume services after the lockdown period
• Hospitality businesses will now need to extend the use of the Service NSW COVID-Safe check-in to all customers including takeaway orders.

Importantly, for visitors without a digital device, other check-in forms must be available.

Businesses that fail to comply with the new health order requirements may be subject to fines and in case of flagrant breaches, temporary closure orders.

The data captured by the Service NSW COVID-Safe check-in is only used for the purposes of contact tracing by NSW Health. It is deleted after 28 days.

Businesses who need to register for the NSW Government QR code can find the application form and more information at https://www.nsw.gov.au/register-your-business-as-covid-safe

Monday, 28 June 2021

Due to recent COVID-19 cases identified, NSW Health has updated capacity limits and face mask rules which apply from 6pm on Saturday 26 June 2021. The following Council facilities will require all visitors to wear a face mask indoors as a condition of entry:

• Customer Service Centre located in Belmore Street
• Junee Recreation & Aquatic Centre (not in the actual pool, but in the gym, stadium, group fitness room, reception areas and change rooms/amenities)
• Athenium Theatre
• Junee Library
• Junee Visitor Information Centre located at the Broadway Museum

Some of our Council facilities, including libraries and cultural facilities, also have reduced capacity.

For up-to-date information regarding Regional NSW and Greater Sydney COVID-19 rules and restrictions, visit the NSW Health website.

Council has COVIDsafe plans in place for its facilities and we would like to remind visitors to observe NSW health guidelines on social distancing, wearing masks indoor, checking in via QR codes, self-isolation and testing procedures, handwashing and personal hygiene practices.

Adoption of JSC Development Control Plan 2021

At the 16 February 2021 Council meeting it was resolved to place the Draft Junee Development Control Plan (DCP) 2021 on public exhibition for comment and feedback. The required period of public exhibition took place, and two submissions were received regarding various aspects and content of the DCP. These submissions were considered, and amendments made from feedback received together with a further internal review by Council staff.

Council adopted the Final Draft Junee DCP 2021 at it's meeting held on 20 April 2021.

The Junee Shire Council 2021 Development Control Plan 2021 can be found here.

Get Ready for Summer 2020

Aussie summers are iconic. They can also be tragic.

Each year, communities across NSW experience bush fires, home fires, floods, storms, heatwaves, power outages and other emergencies.

It’s important to be aware of and prepared for seasonal hazards, whether you’re at home, at work or away on holidays.

Get Ready for summer now in five simple steps:

1. Know your risk - think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you;
2. Plan now for what you will do - sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area;
3. Get your home ready - prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage;
4. Be aware - find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area and connect with NSW emergency services to stay informed;
5. Look out for each other - share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.

Find out more: https://resilience.nsw.gov.au/prepare.html

Have fun and stay safe.

Drought Community Support Initiative

The St Vincent de Paul Society is working with the Salvation Army to deliver the Australian Government’s Drought Community Support Initiative (DCSI) - Round 2 for eligible drought affected households.

Up to $3,000 per household is available to farmers, farm workers or farm suppliers/contractors who are struggling financially because of the drought. You must be over 18 years of age to apply, be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident, and live or work in an eligible Local Government Area.

Eligible households can apply for assistance by applying online at www.vinnies.org.au/droughthelp or by calling 1300 846 643.

Please note that only one DCSI payment, per round, per household, is eligible under the Initiative. Payments can cover expenses including groceries, vehicle maintenance, energy & utility bills, health & medical expenses.