NCCHC

HOUSING NEWS

NCCH HOUSING NEWS

ISSUE 28 / SUMMER 2014

From our CEO—John McKenna

Dear NCCH Tenants, Well, what a busy time we’ve had leading up to the ‘silly’ season! After months of work, we published our An-nual Report, held our Annual General Meet-ing, celebrated our 30 Year Anniversary and very proudly launched our very own publica-tion! For those of you who don’t know, From There To Here … A Collection of our Sto-ries was written by NCCH Tenant Council-lor, Barbara Waters. I’ve included a photo of me presenting Barbara with flowers at the book launch. The book launch was held on 26 November in conjunction with our 30 Year Celebration at the Ballina RSL and was attended by over 80 guests, including NCCH Directors, Tenant Councillors, staff and tenants, as well as representatives of our support / pro-ject partners with whom we have worked closely during our 30 years of operation. I would like to thank the Mayor & Deputy Mayor of Ballina Shire—Cr David Wright & Cr Robyn Hordern (who is also an NCCH Director), as well as Cr Paul Spooner from Byron Shire Council who were some of our special guests at the launch. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Barbara for her efforts in putting to-gether the stories that make up From There To Here as well as the people who shared

their stories for the book—without whom, the book would not have become a reality. More photos from the 30 Year Celebration and Book Launch appear on page 4. Social Housing in NSW Discussion Pa-per and Premier’s Innovation Initiative On 18 November, the Minister for Family and Community Services Gabriel Upton released the discussion paper into the fu-ture of social housing in NSW. I attended the meeting in Sydney and came away with the clear impression that the Minister is seri-ous about looking for ways to fix the current issues in the system. Coupled with this is the Premier’s Innova-tion Initiative for Social Housing which is looking for innovative ideas to increase the supply of social housing or improving the housing system. NCCH will be responding to both requests with the Premier’s Innovation Initiative clos-ing on 30 January and the Discussion Pa-per closing on 20 February; so there will be considerable work to do between now and 20 February. Please see the attached letter with details of how NCCH tenants can have their say on ways to create bet-ter social housing communities. Until the next issue, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2015.

John McKenna

What’s in this issue? Page 2: * Grafton Office Update * Tweed Office News Page 3: * Property & Development Update * Finance Team Reminder Page 4: * NCCH 30 Year Celebration & Book Launch Page 5 & 6: * Tenant Council contributions Page 7: * Tenant Forums in 2015 * Copies of From There To Here * Community Noticeboard Page 8: * Community Noticeboard (cont) Page 9: * List of Emergency Contractors (Christmas 2014) Attachment: Letter to tenants

Everyone at NCCH would like to wish our tenants &

their families a very happy & safe

festive season, and a wonderful start

to 2015!!

NCCH offices will close for the

Christmas/New Year break from Christmas

Day and will re-open for business at

9:00am on Monday, 5 January 2015.

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Grafton Office Update

A warm hello to all our Tenants in the Clarence region! The Federal Government has released a smartphone application to provide quick and easy access to information about emergencies and disasters across the country, called EMERGENCY PLUS+. The app has been devel-oped to:

provide the caller with information about when to call Triple Zero provide the caller with information about who to call in various non-emergency situations State Emergency Service (SES) (132 500) Police Assistance Line (131 444) Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) Health Direct Australia (1800 022 222) National Relay Service assist the caller to dial the relevant number display the GPS coordinates of the phone's location that the caller can read out to the emergency operator. The app is free of charge and available for download from iTunes & Google Play Stores for iOS & Android devices. Other emergency-related apps There is a range of other publically available apps that claim to assist callers in an emergency. Some of these apps simply provide information about who to contact, while others claim to assist callers in requesting emergency assis-tance or to provide information about the caller’s location to an emergency service organisation. If you are considering using one of these apps, be aware that: not all of them can do what they claim and could delay emergency assistance the only way of contacting Triple Zero (000) is with a voice call—you cannot use SMS, email, instant messaging,

video calling or social media to contact emergency services via Triple Zero (000) apps are not able to automatically provide details of your location to Triple Zero (000) or an emergency service

organisation—however, you can read out your GPS coordinates to the emergency operator if they are provided on your smartphone.

You should not rely on any smartphone app as your only way of requesting emergency assistance. In an emergen-cy it is always best to call Triple Zero (000) direct. For more information on emergency-related apps, you can visit the Federal Attorney-Generals’ Department website … http://www.triplezero.gov.au/Pages/EmergencySmartphoneApp.aspx We wish you all a very safe & happy Christmas! From the staff in Grafton— Kris, Helen, Amanda, Jodie & Jelena

A cheery hello to all our tenants in the Tweed, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby and Byron areas! It was lovely to see a large turn out at our Tenant Christmas Party on the 10

th of December. We all enjoyed a delicious

Christmas lunch and had a good catch up with each other. Dane, Lisa, Kylie and Helaine would like to wish all our tenants a Happy and Safe Holiday Season and ask that if you are driving, please take care on the roads and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Best wishes from the team in Tweed —

Dane, Lisa, Kylie & Helaine

Tweed Office News

NCCHC

HOUSING NEWS

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Property & Development Update

Swimming and Paddling Pools NSW State Government legislation has been changed recently which covers all “excavations, struc-tures or vessels” that can be filled to a depth of more than 300mm, where it is primarily used for “swimming, wading or paddling. These laws may cover above ground & below grounds pools, spas, inflatable & portable pools & garden ponds. NCCH will not approve any request for a swimming pool at any of our properties. If you require further information, please contact your local NCCH office. Smoke Alarm Service Just a reminder that the Smoke Alarm Service for 2014/15 has commenced. Contractors will be getting in touch with tenants soon to organise a suitable time for the service to take place. Who do tenants contact if they have an emergency maintenance issue over Christmas/New Year? The list of contractors who will be available over the Christmas/New Year period is provided on the back page (pg 10). Please only contact contractors if you have an emergency maintenance issue. What is an emergency maintenance issue? Hot water system stops working Drains are blocked Water pipes burst Major water leaks The entire stove/oven stops working all lights are out in the property, or unable to secure property. The contractor will ask you what the issue is & will determine if it constitutes an emergency. For emergency help due to floods, storms or fires, please call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. Wishing you all the best over the festive season! The Property & Development Team — Chris, Andrea & Ben

MUST-DO’s when making payments at your bank or Australia Post

When making rent or non-rent payments at your bank or Australia Post, please include as your reference:

YOUR BANK ID NUMBER (not your tenant number) and

SURNAME (only if there is enough space).

This ensures that funds paid by you are received into your account and not into someone

else’s account by mistake! Merry Christmas from the Finance Team — Hariet, Tanya & Linda

A reminder from the Finance Team

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HOUSING NEWS

30 Years of NCCH NCCH’s 30

th anniversary celebration was held at Ballina RSL and was attended by tenants, staff from our three offices

in Grafton, Lismore and Tweed Heads, Tenant Councillors, Board Members, many visitors from far & wide, as well as the Mayor of Ballina and the Deputy Mayor of Ballina. Listening to the history of NCCH, it has come a long way since 1989 when it amalgamated with Tweed Valley Tenancy Scheme. It has done some remarkable work with the disabled and people in crisis; they are really recognised in the community housing sector. Launch of Book “From There To Here” by Barbara Waters This well-received as Barbara had done an amazing job. As I have now read it all, I am impressed with all the infor-mation and knowledge she has gathered about our clients. Good on you, Barbara!! Interesting video … How autism freed me to be myself I found an interesting video recently where 16-year-old Rosie King challenges stereotypes of people with autism and contextualizes the issue by asking us, “Why be normal?” Click here for the link to the video. Merry Christmas to you all and I hope to see you in 2015!

Marianne Payne

NCCH Celebrates 30 Years & Launches a Book!

2014 1984

Writing the Stories “From There to Here” is now launched, and I hope you are all enjoying the stories I have written. It was a much harder job than I had envisaged, as I needed to ensure that the de-tails of stories were correct, and I aimed to write them in the tenant’s own words so that you could understand what they had each been through and survived. It was so interesting to hear their varying jour-neys and sharing their joy and sadness, and I have ended up becom-ing friends with quite a few of my story people, which is a lovely addi-tion to my work with them. So I thank them all for taking the time to assist me to do the stories, and I have certainly developed since taking on this project.

Barbara Waters

NCCHC

HOUSING NEWS

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Contacting the Tenant Council If you would like to contact one of NCCH’s Tenant Council members, please give them a call on the numbers listed below. Please be assured that all calls are treated in the strictest of confidence.

Dolores (02) 6643 1209

Peter (02) 6624 2619

Barbara (02) 6672 1660

Marianne (07) 5524 3741

Tenant Council Contributions

Community Transport Services in our region Barbara Waters has investigated the various community transport services offered in the northern rivers region. Kate Geary, Quality Assurance & Proejcts Officer with Tweed Byron & Ballina Community Transport, provided the following information:-

Tweed Byron and Ballina Community Transport provides transport

options for the frail aged (over 65 or 50 years if Aboriginal), younger

people with disability, their carers and others who cannot access

mainstream transport, for example because of where they live. They provide a range of options including regular social and shop-

ping bus services, and individual transport for medical appointments and to meet other social needs such as

visits to the hairdresser and legal or Centrelink appointments etc. At least three days notice is required to

book individual transport. All services are door to door – you are picked up and returned safely to your home. Community transport

has a range of vehicles to meet people’s mobility needs, including a number of wheelchair accessible vehi-

cles. Tweed Byron and Ballina Community Transport prides itself on being friendly, caring, inclusive and profes-

sional. If you would like to know more about their services and to find out if you are eligible call 1300 875

895 or visit www.community-transport.org.au. Northern Rivers Community Transport provides a similar service in the Lismore, Richmond Valley and

Kyogle Shires, their number is 6628 6000 and Clarence Valley Community Transport, as the name suggests,

operates in the Clarence Valley and their number is 6645 3200.

2014 Rental Subsidy Assessment Well, we tenants have had a recent Notice of Rental Subsidy Assessment for 2014 and if your pension day didn’t fall on November 27

th, you could be a few days behind in

rent. It’s not your fault, nor is NCCH or Centrelink to blame. If you think about it, pen-sion day may be any weekday of your choice; however, all of us NCCH tenants have the same commencement date according to the Community Housing Rent Policy, and herein lays the problem for all of us. How to keep level or ahead with rent? As I see it, there are two ways:

(1) You pay more that your rental amount by a few dollars fortnightly;

(2) You have a deposit book and knowing there will be a shortfall when the new assessment comes due, you make up the difference. As many of us use the Centrepay facility the first way is easy. The second way requires that you know what the shortfall is, and for that you may need to contact your Tenancy Manager. It’s a bummer!

But you and I know we are fortunate to be in community housing with North Coast.

Dolores Close

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Tenant Council Contributions (continued)

Do the right thing. Be a good neighbour! Holiday time and you are rushed and stressed or have visitors. Have a care for other tenant neighbours who share the same drive way and access to their parking space or where a complex has less space than household units, and remem-ber tenants are not allowed to park in common areas including driveways. Avoid the stress and disharmony. How would you feel if someone thoughtlessly made access to your parking space difficult or unsafe? Visitors should be encouraged to park in the street and not take your neighbour’s space. NSW Community Housing Tenant Network Peter Harris & I are members of the NSW Community Housing Tenant Network and attend regular meetings in Sydney with fellow members of the Network. The tenant Network is supported by The Federation of Housing Associa-tions, and is open to tenant members of Community Housing providers. The aim of the Tenant Network is to provide a broader voice for tenant interests in community housing. The Network is an opportunity to share experiences – what works, what can be improved in individual tenant associations. I have included a photo of the Action Planning Committee taken at a workshop held in June this year.

Dolores Close

Peter Harris joins the Registrar General’s Advisory Board Another of NCCH’s hard-working Tenant Councillors, Peter Harris, was asked to join the Registrar General’s Advisory Board this year. Peter submitted an article (see left) for the Spring edition of The Network Times, the magazine of the Tenant Network, describing how he came be on the Advisory Board and what he hopes to achieve as a member of this group. Well done, Peter!

The NCCH Tenant Council would like to

wish all tenants a very

Merry Christmas and a safe & happy start

to the new year.

Dolores, Barbara, Peter,

Marianne and Marguerite

NCCHC

HOUSING NEWS

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Community Noticeboard

The dates have been set for next year’s NCCH Tenant Forums and we’d love to see you at one of them! Details will be advertised on our website and in newsletters. Tenants will also receive an invitation letting them know when a forum will be held in the area. So you can mark your calendars, here are the dates & locations:-

11 February—Ballina RSL 8 April—South Tweed Sports Club 10 June—Byron Community Centre 12 August—Evans Head (venue to be confirmed) 14 October—Maclean Services Club

NCCH Tenant Council—Dolores, Barbara, Peter, Marianne & Marguerite

NCCH Tenant Forums in 2015

NSW Family and Community Services is offering scholarships of up to $5000 to support women living in social

housing to start or continue training in a non-traditional trade. A career as a plumber, painter, vehicle mechanic, tiler

or horticulturalists isn’t just for men. Many women are now enjoying life as a tradie, and this may be a chance to set

yourself up for life.

Applications can be submitted online. Go to

www.communityhousing.org.au/

toolsforsuccess for further information and ac-

cess to the online application form, or contact

the NSW Federation of Housing Associations

on (02) 9281 7144 ext 207, or send an email to:

toolsforsuccess@communityhousing.org.au.

The second round of applications open on 5 January 2015 and close 27 February 2015.

Copies of From There To Here for Tenants

CEO, John McKenna, would like to issue every NCCH tenant with a copy of From There To Here as part of NCCH’s 30 Year Celebrations. If tenants haven’t received a copy From There To Here and would like one, please contact Julie on (02) 6627 5315 or send an email to info@ncchc.org.au and we will arrange a copy to be sent to you.

Community Noticeboard (continued)

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Applications for financial assistance for families suffering hardship The Right Start Foundation was established to achieve the fol-lowing objectives in relation to all persons in Australia diagnosed with DOWN SYNDROME, and associated anomalies, either ante na-tal or post natal, or to persons having the care and control of such persons: to provide medical and associated assistance;

to provide continuing emotional support, counselling & educa-

tion in the nature of life long learning. The Right Start Foundation, under the provisions of its Constitution, will provide a grant up to $5000 per annum to families who have a child with Down syndrome and who are suffering financial hardship, to assist that child with therapy and related expenses and/or equip-ment. Conditions of the Grant: For more information, contact the chairman Angus Cox by email in the first instance to angus@cmcox.com.au. Click here for the link to the online application form. SEND APPLICATIONS TO: The Right Start Foundation Grants PO Box 41 Picton NSW 2571

What Is The Start Together Program? Start Together focuses on each family’s strengths, capabilities and skills. Our Start Together team share knowledge, ideas and activities. Start Together Group Sessions: Are informal groups facilitated by our trained and professional staff, supporting each other while looking at topics such as: Early literacy

Early numeracy

Developmental milestones

Sharing your parenting experiences Who Can Use the Start Together Program? The Start Together program provides a flexible and accessible service to families with children under three years of age. We also encourage par-ents in the last few months and weeks of pregnan-cy to access this service. Who Can Use the Start Together Program? Start Together is a free service available in the Lismore, Kyogle and Richmond Valley Local Gov-ernment Areas. Other free services from Family Support Net-work include: Child, Youth & Family Support Program offering

practical & emotional support to enhance & strengthen parenting & family relationships for

families with children aged 0-17 years.

Parenting Programs such as Triple P, P5, 1-2-3 Magic, Engaging Adolescents, Kids Skills &

Aboriginal Triple P.

South Lismore & Nimbin Supported Playgroups are informal, safe & welcoming. Families can access information and support, share their experiences and enjoy early childhood activities together.

For more info please phone 6621 2489 or go to www.fsn.org.au .

Integratedliving has commenced servicing the Far North Coast area with their Staying Healthy – Eating Well Meals Service and Staying Strong with Telehealth Service. These services receive funding from the Commonwealth Government HACC Program and are aimed at keeping older people living in their own homes independently. The Staying Healthy – Eating Well Meals Service offers a wide varie-ty of meals to cater for individual tastes and diets, home delivered in the Far North Coast area including rural areas using our refrigerated van and all at very affordable prices. The Telehealth Services implemented by the program will enable persons to monitor their vital health signs and manage their health while remaining independent within their own home. The vital health signs and readings can then be provided to the individuals own Gen-eral Practitioner to support their ongoing treatment plan. It is also particularly valuable to persons who find it difficult to visit with their doctor regularly due to distance and transport restraints. The system is very user friendly and is supported by a Registered nurse who will assist with the setup, ongoing monitoring and advice. For further information about these services contact 1300 782 896.

NCCHC

HOUSING NEWS

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LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTRACTORS Christmas – 2014

Alstonville/Ballina/Casino/Evans Head/Lennox Head/Lismore Plumber: Laser Plumbing 0405 104 515 Electrician: Arthur Walker Construction 0410 577 325 Handyman/Glazier: Wayne Carter 0409 677 527 Bangalow/Byron Bay/Brunswick/Mullumbimby Plumber: Cape Byron Plumbing 66 80 9997 or AH: 0422 246 409 Electrician: Bangalow Electrical Service 0416 287 786 Handyman/Glazier: Trevor Walker 0410 577 325 Kingscliff/Murwillumbah/Tweed Head Coast/Tweed Heads Plumber: John Kirk Plumbing 0412 755 535 Electrician: Glenn Taylor Electricals 0412 508 406 Glazier: Malone Glass (07) 5524 9024 Grafton/Wooli Plumber: Terry Wright 0417 423 790 Electrician: Ken McGrath 66 42 4170 Handyman/Glazier: North Coast Multitrade 0428 999 057 Maclean/Yamba Plumber: Kim Nealon 0414 633 427 Electrician: Graham Watts 0418 660 889 Handyman/Glazier: North Coast Multitrade 0428 999 057

NCCH acknowledges the Bundjalung, Arakwal, Gumbaynggir and Yaegl peoples who are the traditional custodians of the land that comprises the Northern Rivers.

Lismore Grafton Tweed Heads South

Suite 2

31 Carrington Street

(PO Box 145)

Lismore NSW 2480

P: (02) 6627 5300

Shop 7 King Arcade

22 King Street

(PO Box 948)

Grafton 2460

P: (02) 6642 6244

Units 9 & 10

2 Blundell Boulevard

(PO Box 6423)

Tweed Heads South 2486

P: (07) 5523 0337

HOUSING our local communities since 1984 ABN: 97 002 685 761 Email: info@ncchc.org.au Website: ncchc.org.au

17 December 2014 Enquiries to: John McKenna (02) 6627 5315 Dear NCCH Tenant I am writing to provide you with information on how to comment on the NSW Government discussion paper about social housing. This paper was recently released by the Hon. Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Family & Community Services. The discussion paper talks about how the NSW Government can create better social housing communities, a fairer system of support and more opportunities for people. Some people in social housing will always need help because of their health, age or disability and the NSW Government will continue to provide for their care. The Minister is seeking better ways to support these people, while assisting others to become more independent through education and employment, where that is a good idea. Those on the waiting list also need help to find support. As a tenant of community housing, your feedback is sought on how to create better social housing communities. The discussion paper, an executive summary and fact sheet is available on the NSW Department of Family & Communities (FACS) website at www.facs.nsw.gov.au. You can also receive a printed copy of the discussion paper by calling the Housing Contact Centre on (02) 9612 6303. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so by:

Visiting www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au

Emailing socialhousingreform@facs.nsw.gov.au

Or sending letters to: Social Housing Policy Team Department of Family and Community Services Locked Bag 3002 Australia Square NSW 1215 Your response is requested by close of business on 20 February 2015. FACS will also hold forums in each district to ensure people have an opportunity to have their say. As details of the forums are confirmed, they will be available on-line at http://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/reforms/social-housing-in-nsw. If you require interpreter assistance in relation to the Discussion Paper or this letter, please contact our office on (02) 66275300 and ask for Julie Dukes. Yours sincerely

John McKenna Chief Executive Officer