From Susan's Desk
As the dust begins to settle from this year’s federal election, I would like to say thank you to everyone across the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury who has trusted me to continue to represent our community in Canberra, this time as part of the Albanese Government.
As people know, whether you voted for me or not, I take very seriously my responsibility to advocate for and represent the interests of our community. I have done it from opposition for years, and I will continue to do it in government.
I was very honoured to be named Special Envoy for the Arts by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This role is about supporting and promoting the arts, a sector I have already been a strong voice for. I look forward to working closely with the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, as we develop a cultural policy.
I will continue to support our own local community-based arts and entertainment, and I was pleased that my first arts event after being named Special Envoy was to attend the Blue Mountains Musical Society’s production of Chicago, showcasing some of the wonderful local talent that we grow here in Macquarie.
The new government that I am a part of has had a busy first three weeks; Prime Minister Albanese has attended the Quad Summit to reaffirm our support for a free and open Indo-Pacific; the Murugappan family has been allowed to return to Biloela; we’ve supported a pay rise for workers on the minimum wage in a submission to the Fair Work Commission; and Australia has strengthened its ties with the Pacific and in Indonesia. Plus, there’s been an urgent need to address the energy crisis we inherited.
There are a multitude of other issues that we will be moving forward on in coming weeks, however, I remind myself that elected MPs are still having vote counts finalised and declared, Ministers are still moving into offices, hiring staff, and getting briefings from departments, and that not everything will be sorted in the first few weeks.
Closer to home, I’ll be working to start delivering on the commitments the government has made to the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury. All our commitments are for this term of government – so over the next three years. Some will require working closely with another tier of government – as the Hub at Springwood and the Windsor Wolves' stand did back in 2010 - and others require community consultation. It goes without saying that I’d like to see them become a reality sooner rather than later and will be working alongside Ministers and relevant departments to achieve that.
I've also already asked for briefings from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government on the Great Western Highway upgrade - particularly Medlow Bath and tunnel option - Richmond Bridge duplication, Western Sydney Airport flight paths, and flood resilience projects in the Hawkesbury Nepean valley.
Parliament is due to return for its first two weeks sitting in the last week of July, and a budget will be brought down in the last week of October. Until then, I’ll be back out in the community, as I have been since the election, celebrating your successes and listening to your issues.
My team remains ready as always to assist all those who need help with federal matters, and you can always reach out via email to susan.templeman.mp@aph.gov.au or by phoning (02) 4573 8222 during business hours Monday to Friday.
Together, we can continue to achieve great things for our region.
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COVID Information
Last week, more than 7,000 new COVID positive tests were still being reported in NSW every day. The Australian Health Department has recommended that some people receive a winter dose of the COVID vaccination.
The Health Department has also stated this winter will be the first time Australia will be managing both COVID and the ‘flu season, and has encouraged people to get vaccinated against the ‘flu. NSW residents are eligible for free ‘flu vaccinations until June 30 at GPs (aged six months and over) and pharmacies (aged five years and over).
Mental health help
The Head to Health mental health support line and clinics are available in the Hawkesbury and Penrith to help those whose mental health may be suffering as the result of the pandemic. Call 1800 595 212.
If someone you know needs mental health support, the following services are available 24/7:
- Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline - 131 114
- Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
- Suicide call back service - 1300 659 467
- NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, please contact 000.
NSW COVID rules
The NSW Government is responsible for rules and regulations that will affect how we can move around in the community. To keep up with the latest information, visit the NSW Health website. Other relevant information can be found below.
- The Australian Government - here
- The Department of Health - here
- The NSW Government - here
- NSW Health - here
- Nepean Blue Mountains Health District - here
- Blue Mountains City Council - here
- Hawkesbury City Council - here
Flood update
Hawkesbury’s flood recovery centres at South Windsor and Wisemans Ferry have now closed, however specialist teams are still available to provide ongoing assistance for flood-affected residents. To reach out for help, contact Peppercorn on (02) 4587 0222 or Service NSW on 13 77 88.
The National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) has confirmed to my office that flood-affected residents can apply for both the Australia Government Disaster Recovery Payment and the NSW Disaster Relief Grant. The NRRA has advised the disaster relief payment is not immediate, and processing can take from three weeks to three months. Part of the process also involves an assessment of property damage, much like an insurance process.
Hawkesbury City Council’s flood waste collection service will end on June 30. Bookings can still be made online via this link.
Other assistance and grants still available include:
The NSW Upper House has held a hearing of its inquiry into the 2022 floods in Windsor. I appeared, as did other elected officials, and many residents spoke at the public hearing. It’s not too late to make a contribution, with submissions open until June 30. You can respond to the committee’s questionnaire here. Video recordings of hearings, where available, can be found on the NSW Parliament's YouTube channel here. The select committee's inquiry is different to the NSW Government's independent flood inquiry.
Renewing your passport
My office has seen a spike in calls from concerned locals who have booked travel but experienced long delays with their passport renewal. Media reports have outlined cases of people waiting 12 weeks for a passport as the department works through applications. Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts has confirmed a minimum additional 250 staff are coming on board to help process applications and a new call centre will also be set up to deal with phone delays, however it’s advisable that if you’re planning to travel, make sure you organise your passport renewal well in advance of booking.
NBN announcement
NBNCo has announced that eligible properties in Fibre To The Curb (FTTC) areas now have the option to pay to upgrade to Fibre To The Premises (FTTP). Suburbs that can immediately access the upgrade include Blaxland, Faulconbridge, Glenbrook, Hawkesbury Heights, Hazelbrook, Lapstone, Linden, Mount Riverview, North Richmond, Windsor Downs.
From July 4, the following suburbs will be added to the upgrade list: Grose Vale, Grose Wold, Kurmond, Kurrajong, Kurrajong Heights, Kurrajong Hills, parts of North Richmond, The Slopes, Springwood, Sun Valley, Valley Heights, Warrimoo, Winmalee, Woodford, Yellow Rock.
NBNCo has advised that to upgrade, you will need to sign up to a higher speed plan. More information is available here.
New ministry
A full list of the new Albanese Government Ministry is now available online.
My Aged Care
Older Australians can now access face-to-face My Aged Care services in the Katoomba Services Australia centre. The Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) can provide services including in-depth information on the different types of aged care services, checking eligibility for government-funded services, registering for My Aged Care, and making referrals for aged care assessments. Book a face-to-face appointment with an ACSO by calling Services Australia on 1800 227 475. You can also access My Aged Care either at myagedcare.gov.au, or by calling 1800 200 422.
Disaster resilience training
Habitat Humanity Australia is organising free chainsaw crosscut and weed management training for people in bushfire exposed areas in the greater Blue Mountains, including the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas as part of its bushfire resilience program.
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Business News
Flood recovery for business
Refresh, Rebound & Reimagine flood recovery and beyond is an interactive workshop featuring four inspiring speakers focused on providing tips and tricks to help small businesses get back on track and plan for the future post-floods. Organised by Western Sydney Business Centre in partnership with Business Connect and Hawkesbury City Council, the workshop takes place on June 24 from 9am to 4.30pm at Richmond Club. Register online or by calling (02) 4721 5011.
Grants News
Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee
Thank you to all those groups who submitted an Expression of Interest, successful applicants are being advised of the next steps by the relevant department. I know there were some groups who missed out and it is clear that if more funds had been available for our electorate, they would have been put to very good use.
Community wellbeing grants
Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grants of up to $5000 are funded through NSW Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health in response to the 2022 floods to support the mental health of those affected. A range of initiatives may be considered to support community-led wellbeing, including social connection events that bring the community together to build networks and friendships. Applications close July 10 and will be processed as they are received.
NSW WestInvest program
The WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round applications are now open. Organisations who were successful in the Registration of Interest process can now submit their application. Note this is a NSW program, not a Federal Government program. For more information, click here.
Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program
This popular program is back for another round. The program is designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage, involve people around the country in a wide range of activities highlighting the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel, and promote understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played in shaping the nation. Grants to a maximum of $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities. For more information, go to the Community Grants hub.
In the news
The Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury in the media:
- Waste not, want not: Damaged Labor Party signs used in the recent federal election are being recycled to help treat mange in local wombat populations
- $90,000 raised for flood-affected residents: An event run by Kurrajong Heights Bowling Club has raised money for those suffering the ongoing impact of the 2021 and 2022 floods.
Be social
You can keep up-to-date with all the news – including speeches, shared content and the latest from Parliament – via my social media channels.
Tune into YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/susantempleman
My Facebook page is www.facebook.com/susan.templeman
Join the conversation on Twitter @stemplemanmp
Out and about
Here’s a sample of some of the people and places I’ve visited in the last few weeks.
Clockwise from left: With one of my wonderful volunteers on election day at Winmalee High School; speaking with farming representatives Angela and Margaret about NSW Government changes to limit "pick your own" visitors on local farms; with NSW Upper House MPs Walt Secord and Penny Sharpe and local resident Rochelle at Greens Rd, Lower Portland, during the flood inquiry hearing; marking the extraordinary efforts of firefighters during 2019/20 at Warrimoo Bushfire Brigade with the presentation of National Emergency Medals.
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Keep in touch.
I hope this information has been useful. If there are specific issues you’d like information on, please do not hesitate to ask.
Kind regards,
Susan Templeman
Federal Member for Macquarie
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