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Mangrove Mountain and Districts Community News
947
The Community News is a local newspaper publication, in a double sided A4 magazine style format of approximately 24 pages with 3000 copies.
Safety on School Buses![]()
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After some incidents on local school buses that led to children being injured, in 2024 I and other parents contacted our local MP’s to ask that buses on school runs be fitted with seat belts.![]()
Both Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford and Gordon Reid, Member for Robertson, referred the issue to Jenny Aitchison, the NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport.![]()
To paraphrase the response:![]()
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*Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 require all regular route services to be timetabled as accessible services.![]()
*Seat belts are not compatible with the needs of passengers who require the amenity of flip-down seats to accommodate trolleys, mobility aids, prams, and back rests for wheelchair users.![]()
*Local bus services did not pass the Transport for NSW risk-based assessments.![]()
*Even if the risk threshold was exceeded only dedicated school buses would be fitted with seat belts![]()
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An investigation by By Brandon Long and Liam McNally of the ABC found:![]()
WA mandated seatbelts on all school buses 20 years ago, but the rest of the country still allows children to travel unrestrained.![]()
Various governments have cited high costs and logistical challenges as a barrier.![]()
Vehicle standards introduced after the 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash will require seatbelts in all models by 2027, but key exemptions remain.![]()
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Now Queensland parents are pushing for compulsory school bus seatbelts and one Queensland mum pointed out: ![]()
"You can get into so much trouble with a kid not having a seatbelt in your car," Ms Crocker said.![]()
"Even a dog on the back of a ute has to be restrained, but we’re putting kids on buses that are travelling on the same road as big road trains."![]()
Check the full ABC story at:![]()
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-12/parents-urge-government-to-make-school-bus-seatbelts-compulsory/10...![]()
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A NSW program that ended in 2024 saw 82 additional dedicated school buses in outer metropolitan areas being retrofitted with seat belts.![]()
Let’s face it, the real reasons for not having seat belts fitted to all school run buses are cost and increased difficulty in co-ordinating bus operations.![]()
All users need seatbelts and large items should be restrained when buses travel on rural roads,.![]()
In taxis, wheelchairs are extremely well secured.![]()
Kids are used to wearing seat belts, they have been using them all their lives. If I’m slow in buckling up, my kids are quick to remind me.![]()
A risk-based approach just means that the Government is willing to accept a “small” number of kids being maimed or killed in exchange for savings in the budget.![]()
Why wait for a disaster?![]()
Keith Aranjo
Parents ask 'how can you put a price on a kid's life' in seatbelt push
www.abc.net.au
More than 20 years after Western Australia mandated seatbelts on all school buses, the rest of the country still allows children to travel unrestrained, often at highway speeds.
AGING WITH DIGNITY![]()
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The vision is to enable older people to stay in their community for all of life.![]()
Often in a rural community it becomes unsafe for frail elderly people to remain in their own home . There are obvious reasons why this may be so, isolation, lack of transport, disability, elder abuse to mention a few. However should that mean they must leave the community?![]()
What we need is somewhere reserved for local people where they can safely spend their senior lives.![]()
This would need to be in a central position, accessible to community.![]()
The vision is for a permanent care, respite, convalescent care unit with attached hostel/ boarding rooms for those more independent people [this could actually be a purpose built "share house"].![]()
A Central Mangrove situation appears to be the ideal, it is considered that a not for profit, community facility is most preferable. Permanent positions would have to be reserved for locals, otherwise it would soon become a "geriatric zoo". ![]()
This poses problems in that it is unwise/ uneconomical to have vacant assets.![]()
Suggested solutions:![]()
1. Short term rentals to university students from the caring professions, visiting doctors.![]()
2. Emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence.![]()
3. Overseas nurses coming to work in the area are finding it hard to get accommodation![]()
4. Holiday lets to family members from other places![]()
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To compliment this we also need "composite homes" widely scattered around the community to allow seniors to retire in the community but still stay involved. As I already hold money donated for this purpose we need to form a committee.![]()
A meeting will be held on the Thursday 26th June at the hall adjacent to Dr Anands surgery, in order to appoint the committee go forward with plans to allow older people to live with dignity in our community.![]()
It is anticipated that councillor Belinda Neil will be attending the following meeting in July.![]()
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Clara Jones
Rosemaree Pirrottina![]()
Our dog Rambo is missing. He wasn’t home when we returned from on Thursday night (05/06/25). Missing around Mangrove Mountain along Wisemans Ferry Road. ![]()
He is a Red Kelpie wearing a blue collar with a name tag. ![]()
Please phone 0419314550
Community News Issue 967 - dated 20/6/2025
Our little club needs you… CN920
Our little club needs you… Around 50 years ago a group of locals started the PKM United Soccer Club to provide an opportunity to put their fleet-footed skills into practice, to get fit and to socialise with others in the community. Now known as the Mountain Districts Football Club, the club has enjoyed sporting success over the years with many teams taking out premierships. Local children have moved up through the age groups, some becoming coaches and mentors themselves. The club is now in need of some help, requiring a Club Secretary and General Members to join the existing, very…
Mangrove Mountain Union Church Easter 2023
The community has gained access to the Mangrove Mountain Union Church for Easter services. Friday & Sunday 9.30am. In the mean time, negotiations to return the church to the community are continuing with a resolution nearing.
Mangrove Mountain & Districts Community News
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