One of the Australia's most recognised youth workers is hoping he can help to reduce unemployment and rising gang violence in western Sydney.

Order of Australia Medal recipient Les Twentyman today announced a new partnership between his Melbourne based foundation 20th Man Fund and training organisation Astute Training in Penrith.

"We're very excited to be in western Sydney," he said.

"Sport and education is our prime focus.

"We want to keep kids in classes and out of courtrooms."

The youth foundation has teamed up with training service provider Astute Training, youth public housing provider Evolve Housing and sporting clubs the Greater Western Sydney Giants, Penrith Panthers and Western Sydney Wanderers.

At the launch today, Twentyman addressed a group of western Sydney youth workers, training agencies, housing providers, politicians and sporting clubs.

"There are kids out there who are treading water and waiting to drown," he said.

"We need to throw a lifejacket to them which is the youth workers to save these kids.

"Youth workers are brokers, they broker young people who are disconnected and try to connect them up with services."

Mr Twentyman said many young people from low socio-economic pockets in western Sydney lacked positive role models in their lives.

"Youth workers can step into that void," he said.

"Sometimes if they [young people] don't have role models, the only role models are their drug dealers.

"That is going to be one of our big focal points, which is connecting with these kids and trying to work them back into mainstream education or training."

Based in Melbourne, the youth organisation has built a reputation for actively tackling gang culture and steering potential youth away from crime and into school or work.

It provides a number of services and programs, including counselling, education, sport and support services to at-risk youth in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

"One of the big issues facing Australia at the moment is disengaged young people," said Twentyman.

"That's why we're seeing unprecedented problems with street gangs, youth gangs, bikie gangs and also methamphetamines.

"We believe by giving to young people at an early stage, we have the opportunity if we have the resources, to shortcut them out of that life and hopefully into training then into a job."

Former Australian Matildas football player Danielle Brogan who was in attendance said it was important to provide the right support.

"Support is something and it's hard to come by," said the Sydney FC player.

"Give them a few targets in life and help them out with something they might be struggling with.

"We're happy to get out there and help these kids and hopefully show them some things they've never been taught before."

Source: ABC by Allan Clarke and Mohamed Taha. Original article.

Parramatta Council has been calling for the funding and Mr Robertson is also promising the establishment of the Western Sydney Economic Development Authority (WSEDA) if elected to work on building jobs in the west and with the Commonwealth on the “delivery of a second ­airport in western Sydney”.

The pledge comes after Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian confirmed earlier this month a Parramatta light rail project was “in the mix” for the government ahead of the next election but did not commit to any funding. Her comments came after plans announced by Urban Growth NSW included a map showing light rail through Parramatta.

Under Parramatta Council plans, one line would operate from Westmead through ­Parramatta to Macquarie Park and another from Parramatta to Castle Hill, with hopes a Parramatta-Bankstown line could be added.

Mr Robertson’s office said Labor would commit $20 million for a “detailed feasibility study into the Western Sydney Light Rail Network undefined a project that would connect Sydney’s major development centres, universities and new urban communities”.

“Importantly, the network will address the lack of cross-regional transport links in Sydney, especially north-south connections,” a spokesman said.

The Opposition claims the project could generate $5 ­billion in construction activity and 2500 jobs. It is also promising to ­establish WSEDA which would oversee economic, jobs and infrastructure growth across western Sydney and ­co-ordinate government agencies to deliver infrastructure.

“Western Sydney is a region of immense potential undefined but one that faces challenges,” Mr Robertson said. “Labor has already called for a western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek undefined a project that will be a catalyst to transform the region. A western Sydney light rail network is an exciting project that will ­provide much needed transport links across the region.’’

Source: The Daily Telegraphy by Andrew Clennell. Original article.

The federal government announced yesterday it planned to sell the government-owned private health insurer by next year.

But rather than use the ­proceeds to help with what ­Treasurer Joe Hockey has ­described as the debt crisis left by Labor, the government confirmed it would put the money into building things.

While many of the infrastructure projects being planned for western Sydney will require more immediate funding, larger projects such as the second airport undefined which has yet to go to cabinet undefined will now be partly funded from the proceeds of the Medibank Private sale.

Tomorrow Mr Hockey will meet state and territory treasurers to broker a deal in which he will tie future infrastructure funds to the sale and ­recycling of state public assets.

Sources said the federal government had set an example before the meeting by ­announcing it would use the money from privatising its own assets undefined such as Medibank Private undefined to put into the ­national infrastructure funding pool.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last month that the federal ­government would announce a $200 million-plus infrastructure package for western Sydney to ­accompany the airport.

However, it is expected that the infrastructure package to be announced in the May budget will now be significantly larger for western Sydney.

Finance Minister Mathias ­Cormann confirmed yesterday that the Medibank Private sale would go ahead in the 2014-15 financial year.

He said a scoping study had confirmed there was no longer a compelling case for the federal government to own the insurance provider.

He said the study also showed the sale would not necessarily result in higher ­premiums for its members.

“Medibank Private is a ­commercial business operating in a well-functioning, well-regulated competitive private health insurance market with 34 competing funds,” he said.

“There is no market failure in the (private) health insurance market.”

“The sale of Medibank Private will remove the inherent conflict currently in place where the ­government is both the market regulator and the owner of a large participant in the market.”

The federal government has appointed three new board members undefined Clayton Utz corporate lawyer David Fagan and experienced company directors Linda Nicholls and Christine O’Reilly undefined to oversee the sale.

The federal opposition has said it is opposed to the Medibank Private sale but admitted it was powerless to stop it because legislation already existed that would allow it.

Labor’s manager of opposition Tony Burke said the sale would wipe out dividends paid by the insurer to the government and reduce the ability to return the federal budget to surplus.

Source: news.com.au Original article. 

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The 2014 working year is back into full swing but despite research showing many Australians struggle to return to work after a break, few bosses do anything to jump start their enthusiasm.

And while money heads the Top Ten Motivators list for Aussie professionals, work/life balance and being valued and recognised at work come in a close second and third.

The national survey of 1,000 professionals was undertaken by Alliance Recruitment part of The Clarius Group, one of Australasia’s largest white collar recruitment groups, to identify hurdles to workplace motivation - as seen by professionals at the coal face.

According to the research, more than half of white collar workers find it hard to return to work after the Christmas/New Year shutdown and when they do return, less than 30 per cent of managers make an effort to motivate them.

Clarius Group CEO, Kym Quick, said employers who fail to motivate staff early in the New Year risk productivity and will lose key staff if they don’t tackle motivation.

“Most of us struggle to get back into a work rhythm after the holidays and come February we will see a dramatic spike in those looking for a new role,” Ms Quick said.

“The survey indicated that one-third of workers will look for a new job when they return to work so setting the tone for the New Year is critical and the best way to get some quick wins is to understand what motivates employees and find ways to enthuse and incentivise them.”

Ms Quick said while offering financial incentives to staff at the beginning of the year is unrealistic for many companies, bosses can inspire staff with other non-financial incentives. She suggests three actions employers’ could take.

• Organise early team event to kick-start team bonding and energise people
• Offer bonus ‘free time’ off
• Establish clear set of goals for each staffer

“Traditionally most companies celebrate with team events at the end of a year but we recommend holding an event at the beginning of the year where people can bond and start working together as a team again,” she said.

 “Managers should also ensure each staff member has set goals for the year ahead, has a professional development plan, and has some interesting milestones the employee can look forward to along the way.”

For further Information Please click here:

Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr John Chedid today welcomed confirmation that the State Government is seriously considering the Council’s proposal for a Western Sydney light rail network as a 2015 election commitment.

“This is great news for Parramatta and western Sydney – I’m delighted this much-needed project for our region is attracting vital support from the State Government,” Cr Chedid said.

“I plan to meet soon with Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian to discuss how we can work together with the Government and private sector to deliver the network as soon as possible  

“As Lord Mayor, I have been campaigning for this project for several years. Our Council has conducted a detailed feasibility study which shows the project is viable at a total cost of $1.7 billion.

“The network will link two of the nation’s fastest growing CBDs, Parramatta and Macquarie Park, and also the Hills district, which supplies 60 per cent of Parramatta’s workforce.”         

Cr Chedid said the network would be fast and frequent, with services coming every 10 minutes and every five minutes for stops within the Parramatta CBD

“It will address the two main challenges facing Western Sydney: creating jobs and catering for a fast growing population. By 2031, the network will support 180,000 jobs and 50,000 homes.

“The feasibility study has identified potential stops and routes along the network, which consists of two lines – the Macquarie Park Line and the Castle Hill Line.

“The Macquarie Park Line will connect Westmead, Cumberland Hospital, through Parramatta CBD, the University of Western Sydney, Dundas, Eastwood and Macquarie Park. “From Parramatta, the Castle Hill Line follows Windsor Road, to Baulkham Hills and through the Castle Hill Trading Zone to Castle Hill and interchange to the North West Rail Link.

“Both lines travel between Rydalmere and North Parramatta, across Parramatta CBD. This will strengthen the connections between employment and education, and support Parramatta’s growth.

“Our study recommends that the Macquarie Line be constructed first as it is expected to have strong patronage throughout the day and evening, from students and health workers at Westmead and the University of Western Sydney,” Cr Chedid said.

As part of its commitment to local business Bankstown City Council cordially invites you to attend the first of its 2014 series of industry forums, Manufacturing the Future. This forum will feature a keynote presentation by Professor Goran Roos, one of the most influential economic thinkers of the 21st Century, and a key advisor to governments, industry and academia on how our manufacturing sector can compete through innovation and productivity.

If you are a manufacturer, this is a must attend event. The only investment is your time - registration and a sit-down breakfast are complimentary, courtesy of Bankstown City Council and our event sponsors.

PLACES ARE LIMITED - CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY 

The event will provide you with: 

• An overview of the trends facing Australian manufacturing
• Insights into the challenges and opportunities facing your manufacturing business
• "How to" advice on improving innovation and productivity within your business
• Important and practical information on the assistance available to promote skills, innovation and competitiveness
• A valuable opportunity to network with other manufacturing industry leaders from across south-west Sydney

Following the keynote presentation will be a facilitated panel discussion, moderated by respected industry facilitator, Ian Frame. Besides Professor Goron Roos, this will feature:

• Prof Scott Holmes, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Development), University of Western Sydney
• Thor Morris, Assistant Director, Manufacturing & Transport Faculty, TAFE SWSi
• Peter Gustafson, MD Australis Engineering & Board Member of Southern Strength Agile Manufacturing Network (SSAMN)
• John Murray, State Director, Enterprise Connect

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY

If you have work colleagues, associates, suppliers or customers who you think would like to attend simply click here to forward this invite.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr John Chedid today welcomed the release of a white paper by PwC Australia which shows Parramatta has had higher economic growth than Sydney’s CBD.

The new research found Parramatta recorded 1.6 per cent growth compared to 1.1 per cent last financial year for the Sydney CBD.

“This result confirms Parramatta and Western Sydney’s place as an economic powerhouse, finding that growth in Western Sydney has outstripped that of Greater Sydney and the Sydney CBD for much of the past decade,” Cr Chedid said.

“Our growth rate of 1.6 per cent and gross output of $7,610m is a strong result for Parramatta and the wider economy of the region,” he said.

The research shows that Western Sydney’s economic growth outstripped the city centre for much of the past decade.

The white paper, which takes a suburb-by-suburb view of the economy, found that economic growth in Australia is uneven with key drivers including population growth and transport infrastructure.

“Parramatta’s population is forecast to grow by more than 40 per cent over the next two decades and Council is investing in key infrastructure to support this expansion,” Cr Chedid said.

“I am continuing to lobby for government and private sector support for our much-needed Western Sydney light rail project which will provide even greater potential for future growth.

“Work is already underway to complete a 12 km off-road pathway between Westmead and Meadowbank which will link key residential areas to the University of Western Sydney and Parramatta.”

Parramatta was last week ranked as the state’s most liveable suburb by an Urban Development

Institute of Australia (UDIA) report.

With a population of more than two million people, Western Sydney is home to one in 10 Australians, while Parramatta is the busiest transport hub in NSW, outside of the Sydney CBD.

PwC’s white paper can be downloaded here:

http://www.pwc.com.au/consulting/publications/australia-uncovered.htm