Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today encouraged local residents to mark Carers Week 2014 and recognise the important part carers play in the community.

“Providing care to a loved one in need – whether it be due to age, disability or mental illness – is a role that many Australians will take on at some stage during their lives,” Mr Vasta said.

“Almost 2.7 million Australians fulfil a caring role, and Carers Week is a great time to stop and reflect on the role carers play in our society.”

Mr Vasta also said that applications are now open for the Government’s Young Carer Bursary Programme, which will support young carers to complete or return to education while continuing their caring role.

“There are over 300,000 young carers in Australia who look after people with disability, people with medical conditions, or older people in need of care,” Mr Vasta said.

“Young carers often have to juggle part time work, caring responsibility and study. Too often, when they are pressed for time, it is their education that is pushed aside.”

“With the new Young Carer Bursary Programme, the Government intends to make study a little easier for young carers.”

The Programme is being delivered with the support of Carers Australia.

“I encourage young carers in Bonner to consider applying for the Young Carer Bursary, which will provide up to $10,000 to 150 young carers annually for three years,” Mr Vasta said.

“I also encourage all residents of Bonner to consider participating in one of the many events taking place across the country as part of Carers Week, and to take some time out to discuss and learn more about unpaid carers and the role they play in our society.”

Carers Week 2014 runs from 12 to 18 October, and will feature morning teas, fundraisers and workshops across the country. For more information on Carers Week events, visit www.carersaustralia.com.au.

For more information on the Young Carers Bursary Programme, visit www.youngcarers.net.au.

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The Hon Julie Bishop MP

WARNING TO AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS OF KIDNAPPING RISK

I urge Australians to carefully consider their need to travel to locations where there is a high threat of kidnapping.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has reissued its kidnapping threat bulletin on locations around the world where there is a serious risk of kidnappings.

The ‘Kidnapping Threat Worldwide’ Bulletin identifies Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, eastern Malaysia (Sabah), southern Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and parts of North and West Africa as being areas of particular concern.  It also advises Australian travellers that some recent kidnappings have been ideologically motivated, resulting in hostages being killed for propaganda purposes. 

Journalists and humanitarian workers are especially at risk owing to the nature of their work.

I reiterate the Government’s long-standing policy to not make payments or concessions to kidnappers so as not to increase the risk to other Australians of further kidnappings.

The Government provides Australian travellers in difficulty overseas with consular assistance, in line with the Consular Services Charter. However, the Government may be severely limited in its ability to assist in areas where kidnapping is a particular threat, due to the inherent risks in these locations.

I underline that, having made a decision to enter a high-risk zone, it is the responsibility of the individual and their employer to undertake their own security assessment and implement their own risk management plan. The Australian Government is not able to provide security protection.

Australians travelling to areas where kidnapping is a particular threat should subscribe to receive updates to the Department’s country-specific travel advisories on www.smartraveller.gov.au, seek professional security advice and have effective personal security measures in place.

In addition, regardless of the destination, I encourage Australians to separately register their travel on the Smartraveller website and consider appropriate insurance options.

The Tingalpa Model Aero Club are hosting a 'Model Aero Expo' on 26th October 2014 starting at 9am. The event will be held at the Minnippi Parklands- Stanton Rd West, Tingalpa. For further information contact Will Sipma- 0409 852 694.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today invited Bonner locals to get involved in the 20 Million Trees Programme, with the first competitive grants round now open for applications.

“The 20 Million Trees Programme was a key Coalition election commitment and is a vital part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Government is investing $50 million over the next four years to re-establish Australia’s green corridors and urban forests through the 20 Million Trees Programme.”

“It’s an important part of the Government’s total investment in natural resource management, which amounts to over $2 billion over the next four years”

20 Million Trees projects can be carried out in either urban or regional Australia, on public and private land, where there will be a community and environmental benefit to the Bonner electorate.

Mr Vasta encouraged organisations, groups and individuals in the local area to apply for grants between $20,000 and $100,000 to help set up their own 20 Million Trees project. Grants are also open to schools, local councils, conservation groups and landholders.

“Funding can be used to re-establish native vegetation, and create greener spaces to improve the liveability of local communities while increasing and improving habitat to support our threatened species,” Mr Vasta said.

Applications for projects are now open and will close on 30 October 2014.

Project guidelines for the competitive grants round provide individuals and organisations with the information they need to apply for funding to start a tree planting project in Bonner.

The guidelines, along with more information about the 20 Million Trees programme, are available at www.nrm.gov.au/20-million-trees.

Applications under Round One of the Australian Government’s landmark $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund are now open, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

The new Fund will target projects that deliver priority economic development and small scale community infrastructure at the local level throughout Australia.

“This is a huge opportunity for local projects across Bonner to get their share of this major new investment in growth,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Fund will support a range of local and regional development initiatives that are designed to spur economic growth – from freight and transport projects, to convention centres and major multi-purpose sports and community facilities.

“The Government’s focus is on strengthening economies in Australia’s most disadvantaged regions and communities by improving productivity, economic opportunity, employment and workforce skills.”

The National Stronger Regions Fund will provide local community projects with between $20,000 and $10 million, covering up to 50 per cent project costs.

“Importantly, the Fund gives local communities the power to identify local projects to meet local needs, ensuring communities are investing in their own future,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Fund encourages partnerships, with project proponents engaging with the private sector, and possibly local and state governments.

“I urge all local community groups to get behind the National Stronger Regions Fund to ensure our region gets its fair share of this vital investment.”

Projects seeking funding will be considered in consultation with the Australian Government’s National Infrastructure Committee, which has a strong interest in, and commitment to, harnessing the potential of Australia’s regions.

The Guidelines for the National Stronger Regions Fund detail the type of project proposals sought, how to lodge an application, how assessments will be conducted, and critical programme dates.

To access the guidelines, and to lodge a Round One application, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would like to advise of upcoming safety improvement on the South East Busway inbound lane near Garden City .

Works will be carried out from Saturday 04 October 2014 to Sunday 05 October 2014 between 6am and 6pm, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Works will include raising three sunken manhole covers and improving the road surface.

During construction, minor traffic delays and speed restrictions on the busway and some construction noise can be expected.

Works will be undertaken during the day on the weekend to minimise disruptions to bus services.

Traffic controllers will be present on-site when required to direct buses and ensure safety of  bus operators, bus passengers and construction crews.

If you require further information on this project, please contact the Project Team on 3066 1351 or by email metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au during business hours.

Fri 26 Sept, 7.30 – 9.30 am, planting at Sandy Camp Road, Wynnum West (near Iona College)

Sat 27 Sept, 5 pm, Microbat Workshop at Cubberla-Witton Centre, Chapel Hill

Sat 4 Oct, 9 am – 12, Saturday Open Day at Sustainability Centre – Sustainable Living at rental property in New Farm

Sun 5 Oct, 11 am – 2.30, Richmond Birdwing Community Day at Oriel Park, Ascot

WED 8 OCT, 10 am, AGM & GENERAL MEETING FOLLOWED BY BBQ LUNCH – AT SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE (not the church) – RSVP please

Sun 12 Oct, 9 am – 2, Green Heart Fair at Carindale – helpers for stall please

Thurs 16 Oct, from 9 am, Arbor Day with Tingalpa State School – helpers please

Sat 19 Oct, 8.30 – 10.30 am, Habitat Creation at Minnippi with Port of Brisbane volunteers

Wed 22 Oct, 11.15 am, Healthy Waterways Report Card Launch at Kangaroo Point

Thurs 30 Oct, 12 – 4.30 pm, Chinese Environmental Leaders visit B4C

All enquires or for further information please either;

Phone B4C office: 3398 8003
Heather: 0410 840 343 
Email: b4c@bulimbacreek.org.au

Sustainability Centre – corner of Wright St and 1358 Old Cleveland Rd, Carindale.

When: Thursday, 2^nd October 2014 – 7am to 10am.

Where: Wynnum Golf Club, 64 Stradbroke Ave, Wynnum 4178.

RSVP: Register for free at www.citysmart.com.au/events/hemmant-lytton-industry-breakfast.

Local businesses in and around Hemmant and Lytton are invited to a free industry breakfast workshop at the Wynnum Golf Club on 2^nd October. Participants will learn how to reduce their energy and water usage, as well as lower their waste output, to improve their business’s efficiency and lower their utility costs.

Speakers on the day will include CitySmart CEO, Megan Houghton, and Chairman of Business South Bank, Barton Green, as well as local businesses that have made financial savings through energy and waste efficiencies, and representatives from Energex, the University of Queensland, Linde, CSR Bradford and the Rain Harvesting Group.

Participants go into the running to win one of two Level 1 Energy Audits.

Do you like animals? Or do you have pet that you love to pieces?  Why not join Pet City Mount Gravatt on Saturday 4 October 2014 for World Animal Day?  They will be cooking up a storm with pancakes in the morning from 8am and a BBQ for lunch.  What more could you want?  Join between 8am and 4pm for a delicious meal.

The Rotary Club of Wishart will be holding an Art Show on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October at the Community Hall, Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Logan Road, Mt Gravatt. This year's show follows on from the success of last year where nearly 30 paintings were sold. Once again, the People's Choice Award category will be held.

Proceeds from the artshow will help us to support the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) who provide medical treatment for children from developing countries and the Fred Hollows Foundation.