Narrandera Argus WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2020 Your local independent newspaper – established 1880 Print Post approved – 100003237 $1.70 INC. GST DIGGING DEEP FOR ECONOMY Kim Woods Where possible, the projects been focused on the facility’s trans- NARRANDERA is entering a period must use contractors and suppliers formation with a large portion of of massive construction growth from the Narrandera Shire. the project already completed. for the next two years, set to change Overall, $30 million in funded Renovation of existing pool the face of the town for decades. projects are already underway or structures and the addition of new Local tradies and businesses are imminent across the shire to aquatic elements were distributed will bene t from the injection of employ a significant number of across two stages to best use the the $11.4 million Playground on trades and others across the work- space available. the Murrumbidgee project aimed force to stimulate a post COVID Stage one activities concentrated at developing tourism products economic recovery. around Olympic and Rampage pool and supporting facilities. Upgrades to the pools at Lake works, then worked westwards The project received $8 million Talbot Water Park will include new across the site to splash park in funding under a state government pumping, pipework and ltration, construction, toddler pool improve- Heavy machinery has moved into Lake Talbot Water Park to Drought Stimulus program, is made solar heating of the Olympic pool, ments and a new plant room. compete excavation and concreting work. INSET: Mark McLean, Total up of nine different projects and a new splash park, disabled access The second stage includes work Creations, Mayor Neville Kschenka and Member for Cootamundra comes at a time when the region- and additional shading. underway on the new wet decks Steph Cooke go over the plans for Lake Talbot Water Park. al economy is under stress from Since Total Creations’ arrival on and partial oor replacement for the site in early April, the company has Photos supplied. COVID-19. continued page 5 COVID-19 UPDATE Frost then sunny Legal assistance Cap on numbers MAX: 14°C MIN: -1°C DOMESTIC violence victim-survivors, this epidemic. This funding will help Aboriginal Australians and people victim-survivors get the advice they who’ve lost their jobs and homes as need to ensure perpetrators are held at local pubs a result of COVID-19 will be among to account, support them in escaping NEW rules have been introduced to pubs across those to benefit from a Commonwealth violent households and ultimately THUR FRI SAT SUN MON NSW to limit group bookings to a maximum of funding boost of more than $15.6 million help us save lives.” 10 people and cap the number of customers inside for NSW’s legal assistance sector. The funding package will also a venue to 300 people following a concerning rise in Member for Cootamundra Steph enable the legal assistance sector COVID-19 cases. 13°C 16°C 14°C 15°C 13°C Cooke said free legal services will to increase its ICT capabilities to receive a funding boost to help support deliver more services remotely and Tough new compliance measures will see dedicated -1°C 0°C 3°C 5°C 4°C Hygiene Marshalls patrol venues to keep customers - - 1-5mm - - disadvantaged locals impacted by the to reach more people across NSW. coronavirus pandemic. A total of $2.35 million has been safe and ensure the mandatory implementation of “COVID-19 has placed immense allocated to help legal assistance a COVID-Safe plan. pressure on families and households services transition to greater virtual Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new measures, across the Cootamundra electorate,” service delivery. agreed to by the NSW Australian Hotels Association, July – 21.2mm Ms Cooke said. The COVID-19 Project Agreement came into force on July 17. 2020 total – 363.6mm “Many people across our commu- is part of the Commonwealth Gov- “We are at a crucial stage of the pandemic in nities are facing job losses, tenancy ernment’s $63.3 million commitment NSW – we want venues strictly implementing their issues, financial insecurity and, horrif- to support legal assistance services COVID-Safe plans and customers abiding by the ically, the increasing risk of violence respond to the coronavirus pandemic. rules of the venue they are in,” Ms Berejiklian said. Narrandera Argus behind closed doors. The Government’s funding alloca- “It is critical people remember when they are at “This investment will help meet tion to the NSW legal assistance sector a venue they remain seated. This reduces the risk of the increased demand seen by our supports frontline services and ICT transmission.” ENQUIRIES hardworking legal assistance services. capabilities as follows: Under the new measures, pubs across NSW will be It will ensure vulnerable members of • Legal Aid NSW – $5.24 million to required to implement the following: Phone 6959 2222 our community know their rights and boost staff and respond to increases • The number of people per booking or table will 167 East Street, Narrandera get the free legal advice they need to in demand for its civil and family law, be reduced from 20 people to 10; or PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 get back on their feet.” domestic and family violence and child • A cap of 300 people in a venue at any one time; Attorney General and Minister for protection services, and more than • Compulsory COVID-Safe registration through the Prevention of Domestic Violence $1.26 million to support ICT enhance- Service NSW; www.narranderaargus.com.au Mark Speakman said that more than ments. • A dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall in or find us on Facebook 40 per cent of this funding will be direct- • Community Legal Centres (CLCs) distinctive clothing must oversee social distancing, ed towards frontline services helping – $4.34 million to increase frontline cleaning and hygiene at the venue; people experiencing domestic and service delivery capacity across the CLC – Large hotels with a capacity of greater than NEWS ROOM family violence. sector, and more than $1.09 million to 250 people are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Managing Editor “We have heard horrific stories from support ICT enhancements in the CLC Marshall on duty whenever the hotel is open. victims and advocates about domestic sector. Liz Lawrence – Smaller hotels with a capacity of less than violence perpetrated while victims • Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) [email protected] have been isolated alongside their – $3.68 million to bolster the capacity 250 are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall Journalists abusers due to COVID-19,” Mr Speak- of the ALS to deliver services includ- employed in peak periods (lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner 5pm to 9pm). Kim Woods man said. ing family and criminal law and child “In the last nine weeks alone five protection to Aboriginal and Torres • Paper sign-in will still be permitted, but hotels [email protected] women and one man have been tragically Strait Islander people in NSW. must create a digital record of patron names Claire Williams killed in domestic violence incidents ALS will also receive ICT funding and phone numbers (excel or word) to be across NSW. directly from the Commonwealth submitted within 24 hours; [email protected] “We all have a part to play in tackling Government. • Ensure all patrons provide their name and contact details accurately; and • Encouraged to strongly promote QR code sign-in. ACCOUNTS AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the NSW Government had worked closely with industry to Administration Manager Don’t drop the ball develop these new requirements which help keep Debbie Bock AUSTRALIA’S peak rural medical tions between states and into regional the community safe. bodies have warned rural Austra- areas, it is reasonable to assume “We all know how important it is for our venues [email protected] lians that, while most of the recent coronavirus could spread into more to stay COVID-Safe – we are in constant contact with COVID-19 cases have been in metro- rural communities in the weeks our members and will ensure they understand how politan areas, there is significant ahead” Clinical Lead for RDAA vital it is they comply with these new measures,” ADVERTISING potential for new cases to present and ACRRM’s COVID-19 Rural and Mr Whelan said. in rural communities in the coming Remote Response, Dr Adam Coltzau, Any business found in breach of the public Fran Macdonald weeks. said. health orders will be held to account and could face [email protected] The Rural Doctors Association “Indeed, some new COVID-19 a penalty of up to $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty or [email protected] of Australia and Australian College cases have already been confirmed may apply for each day an offence continues. of Rural and Remote Medicine have in a number of rural communities in On the spot fines can also be issued. Phone 6959 2222 urged those living in, and travelling Victoria and NSW. Liquor and Gaming NSW also have the power through, rural communities to ensure “We have also seen some people to enforce the following penalties: Fax 6959 2256 they don’t drop the ball on COVID-19 who visited the Crossroads Hotel • FIRST OFFENCE: $5,500 fine or relevant penalty and are being COVID safe at all times. at Casula, in outer Sydney, have now for breach of the Public Health Order. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR “With the recent re-opening of presented for testing in Queensland • SECOND OFFENCE: Business will be closed some state borders, increased school – so clearly there is potential for the for one week.