Become a firefighter

FIRE AND RESCUE NSW (FRNSW) is calling for community-minded men and women to consider joining the on-call firefighter ranks at Murwillumbah Fire Station.

On-call firefighters respond from home or work to fires and other emergencies and there are currently several vacancies for paid on-call firefighters at Murwillumbah Fire Station.

Captain Greg Hayes is urging residents from all walks of life to consider becoming a paid on-call firefighter.

“Your local fire station relies on people in the community to put their hand up to become firefighters — without that support, regional fire stations cannot survive,” he said.

On-call firefighters balance work and family commitments to respond to fires and other emergencies on an ‘on call’, part-time basis.

Captain Greg Hayes said training includes advanced first aid, heavy vehicle driving, and how to deal with emergencies such as fires, road accidents and hazardous material spills. Firefighters also educate the community on fire safety and prevention.

“Being an on-call firefighter does not mean that you have to be available every minute of every day,” he said.

“Sharing availability with other on-call firefighters can reduce any potential impact on work and private life.”

FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said on-call firefighters played a critical role in the delivery of fire and emergency services across regional and rural NSW.

“You don’t need to be superman or superwoman to be a firefighter — we want people who are reliable and keen to help others, especially local residents who are available to respond to emergencies during the day,” he said.

“If you’re a local employer, think about encouraging your staff to become firefighters. Not only will you be helping the community, but your staff will be trained in a whole range of skills.” For more information on becoming an on-call firefighter, contact the FRNSW Zone Office on (02) 5646 2100 or visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

The NSW Government is offering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy affordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

The offer is only available to households that live in the specified regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.

SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.

To be eligible you must:

- Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate

- Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years

- Own your own home

- Not already have a solar PV system

- Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card

- If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household

A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”

SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.

Want to find out more?

Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Offer is supported by the NSW Government.

Why is it important not to damage or disturb asbestos?

Asbestos materials become dangerous to health if they are damaged, disturbed or deteriorating.

When microscopic asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause diseases such as lung cancer, and other diseases which have no cure like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

All of these asbestos-related diseases contribute to approximately 4000 deaths in Australia each year.

The people at greatest risk of exposure are those that undertake repairs, maintenance, renovations and other work on older buildings and infrastructure which contain asbestos materials.

Asbestos containing materials that are sealed, undamaged and left undisturbed are unlikely to release asbestos fibres. Their condition should be monitored over time.

What is an asbestos assessment?

An asbestos assessment (i.e. asbestos survey, asbestos audit, or asbestos inspection) can provide information to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and reduce unexpected future costs when undertaking repairs or renovations.

An asbestos assessment usually begins with the assessor gathering background information, for example, information about the age of the property and details about its construction.

The assessor then conducts a physical audit or visual inspection of the property, including internal and external areas that are accessible.

Samples of suspect asbestos-containing materials may be taken for laboratory analysis.

How do I get an asbestos assessment?

Asbestos professionals who can assist with identifying asbestos include: licensed asbestos assessors and removalists occupational hygienists who have experience with asbestos persons who have undertaken a recognised training course in asbestos identification.

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In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a person must be licensed to carry out an asbestos assessment of a residential property. At the completion of the assessment, the assessor will provide you with a report that should include: the date of the assessment the address of the property the details of any identified or assumed asbestos-containing materials, including location, type of asbestos and its condition the results of any laboratory analysis of samples taken from the property.

An assessment report may also include photographs of identified or assumed asbestos-containing materials in the property, and advice on its management or removal.

In all other Australian states and territories, a person does not need to be licensed to carry out an asbestos inspection or assessment of a residential property to identify asbestos-containing materials (these requirements differ if the assessment is for ensuring a space is safe after asbestos removal).

You can find asbestos assessors by searching online for asbestos professionals in your area.