Monday, 18 November 2024 08:03
BEER BATTLE FINDS PEACE THANKS TO LOCAL MP
AFTER years of demand for full-strength beer to be served at the footy, fans will soon have even more to cheer for when attending events at Accor and CommBank stadiums in Western Sydney.
Currently, fans attending these venues in Western Sydney can only buy mid-strength beer, while fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium in Moore Park and the grandstand seating areas at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium can buy full strength beer.
Events longer than three hours including cricket matches tend to have different arrangements.
NSW Member for Riverstone, Warren Kirby recently launched a campaign to change this, calling out how unfair this “East versus West” divide is.
Following Mr Kirby's campaign, Venues NSW will soon offer full-strength beer as part of a new six-month trial across the three stadiums for the start of the 2025 NRL season.
The trial will be in place for match days of three hours or less, with full-strength beer to be available in general public areas.
This trial will provide fans with better variety with full-strength, mid-strength, light and zero alcohol options available during this six-month trial.
The success of the trial will be determined following consultation with NSW Police, liquor authorities, sport and entertainment partners and feedback from fans.
NSW Police will continue to work closely with the venues during this trial period to ensure the responsible service of alcohol (RSA) and RSA marshals will continue to be stationed at all outlets that serve alcohol in the Venues NSW network.
Patrons are also reminded that if you’re looking to drink alcohol you must not drive. Attendees of major events are encouraged to make appropriate travel arrangements, to always have a Plan B and to make the most of public transport included with all event tickets.
“This brew-haha is not about the strength of beer, it’s about fairness - people living in Western Sydney should be treated with the same respect as those in the Eastern suburbs," Mr Kirby said.
“It’s past time commonsense prevailed and people in Sydney’s West are treated the same as those the East.”
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Thursday, 14 November 2024 17:17
GOVT ENDS TICKETLESS PARKING FINE SYSTEM
THE NSW Government’s reforms to the ticketless parking fine system to require on-the-spot notifications have passed the NSW Parliament.
The changes end the ticketless system introduced by the previous Liberal-National Government in 2020. Under the ticketless system, instead of having the infringement notice left on the vehicle, the fine was sent by post, sometimes not being received until weeks after the incident.
Soon after the introduction of the previous government’s ticketless system, the NRMA and other stakeholders raised issues with the scheme, identifying that it removed transparency and making it more difficult for motorists to contest their fine.
In 2023/24, local councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines, a 49% increase over the 551,441 issued in 2022/23.
The Fines Amendment (Parking Fines) Bill 2024 restores fairness and transparency to the parking fine system by:
• Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to the vehicle.
• Requiring councils to take photos of offences and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers.
• Providing limited exceptions where an on-the-spot notification is not required, for example where it may be unsafe or hazardous for a ranger to do so.
• Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, where drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.
• Introducing data reporting rules to evaluate if further reforms are necessary.
A working group, which has representatives from stakeholders including Local Government NSW, has been established by Revenue NSW to inform the drafting of regulations and assist with implementation.
Even before the bill passed, several councils began proactively providing on-the-spot notifications to drivers.
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Thursday, 14 November 2024 17:03
FOOD, NOT FINES FOR HILLS CHRISTMAS APPEAL
HILLS Shire Library members with overdue library books now have a unique opportunity to have their fines waived as part of the Mayor’s 2024 Christmas Appeal and Library Fine Amnesty.
From Saturday, November 16, until Sunday, December 15, library members can return overdue books and have their fines waived in exchange for a non-perishable food donation. All donations will go to Anglicare’s Mobile Community Pantry.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said the donations provide affordable food options to individuals and families who need it most.
“This initiative supports a great cause and gives back to members of our community who are doing it tough,” Mayor Byrne said.
“It also offers Hills Shire Library members a chance to return long-overdue books. Recovering these books also allows other members of the community to enjoy the magic of reading.
“Last year, 2196 items were donated, and 167 lost books were returned to the libraries.
“Even if you don’t have an overdue library book to return, please donate to this worthy cause to help families who need it most and make their festive season a little brighter.”
Overdue books can be returned through the returns chute at any library branch during opening hours. Bring along an item from the list below to donate and present your library card or app to staff at the Customer Service desk at any of the Hills Shire Library branches in Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Dural and Rouse Hill.
Acceptable non-perishable food item donations include:
Christmas cake or pudding (500g or 700g).
Tinned ham or chunky soup (450g).
Tinned salmon or tuna (415g).
Tea (100pk).
Coffee (100g).
Packet of biscuits (no chocolate biscuits).
Dried pasta (500g).
Pasta sauce.
Long-life milk.
Long-life custard.
Tinned fruit and vegetables (425g).
Jam (500g).
Chocolate or chocolate-covered items will unfortunately not be accepted, as they are likely to melt.
For more information about the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal and Library Fine Amnesty, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Library
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