A call for the scrapping of compulsory land acquisition for infrastructure like roads and pipelines in NSW is among another record number of policy motions up for debate at this year's Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW annual State Conference.
Hundreds of members will pack their bags in early May and head to Forster for the annual conference, where the association's policy positions for the next 12 months will be confirmed.
This year's conference is from 3rd to 7th May and will be hosted by Club Forster, where more than 600 delegates and observers are expected to participate. For CWA of NSW President Tanya Jolly, it will be the first conference she's presided over, having been elected at last year's event in Wagga Wagga.
"I can't believe 12 months have passed, but I'm excited to be leading my first state conference where our association's advocacy positions will be discussed and confirmed, and where our membership is able to have their say on where they think our priorities should lie," Tanya said.
There are currently more than 50 motions up for discussion - including a number of urgency motions - that cover the likes of education, health, the environment, agriculture, transport and telecommunications. It's expected among the urgency motions will be several related to the current fuel crisis and fertiliser shortages for agriculture.
One of the confirmed urgency motions is:
• That the policy of CWA of NSW be to advocate for the opposition of compulsory land acquisition by the NSW Government for all linear infrastructure - Walgett Branch
Other motions on the table this year include the CWA of NSW advocating for:
• The reform of consultation on large-scale renewable energy developments to ensure regional communities have real authority and influence over decisions, with engagement conducted under transparent, community-defined rules and free from non-disclosure agreements - Agricultural & Environmental Committee
• Timely access to emergency prefabricated shelters sited close to essential services and food-assistance programs to alleviate homelessness in Australia especially in rural and regional communities - Deer Vale Branch, Northern Tablelands
• The installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) into all NSW police vehicles located in rural and remote areas of NSW - Walgett Branch
• The prioritisation of the early delivery of fit-for-purpose road infrastructure to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions at known wildlife hotspot locations - Picton District Branch
• Improvements in funding the identification, planning, and mitigation of severe-weather risks, and work with communities and the Commonwealth Government to secure equitable access to disaster-risk-reduction funding, including the Disaster Ready Fund - Bermagui & District Branch
• The adoption of best-practice invasive pest-control methodologies consistent with those advanced by CSIRO and endorsed national frameworks for pest and weed management - Coonamble Evening Branch
• The mandating of formal training and local certification for all overseas heavy-vehicle licence holders before they are permitted to drive these vehicles on Australian roads - Agricultural & Environmental Committee
• A review of specialist medical fees and increase the Medicare rebate such that out-of-pocket costs for patients are substantially reduced - Uranquinty Evening Branch
• A review of the dependent classification for Youth Allowance and Austudy for young adults aged 18-22, so that parental income testing is removed, and independent status is granted based on living circumstances and financial self-sufficiency - Lismore Evening Branch
"There's more motions than ever up for consideration this year, which just reflects, I think, the times we are living in and the challenges we're facing. With that comes a realisation that rural and regional communities have to be even louder in our calls for a fair share of services and resources, and our association is committed to being at the forefront of that advocacy," Tanya said.
Officially opening this year's conference on Monday, May 4, is Richard Colbran PhD, CEO of Rural Doctors Network, which this year marks the 30th anniversary of its partnership with the CWA of NSW.
"It's wonderful to have Richard open this year's conference given the significant milestone we've reached with Rural Doctors Network this year. For the past 30 years the association has supported RDN with bush bursaries, and we've worked together to advocate on a raft of health service issues for remote, rural and regional areas," Tanya said.
"RDN is so important for country communities, in delivering programs and products to improve health and wellbeing in what are often under-resourced areas, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them into the future."
Following the official opening, there will be a series of business sessions, guest speakers, workshops, meetings, displays and award ceremonies across the four days.
To view the program and full list of motions, go to CWA of NSW AGM
