Carolyn’s Pine Rivers News Feb 2010
State Member for Pine Rivers
Welcome back to school. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome students back from the summer break, particularly those beginning their ‘milestone’ schooling years
Moving from prep to Year 1 is no doubt an exciting step for those students, and I’m sure those Year 8s beginning high school are filled with anticipation.
I’d like to particularly welcome our prep students – those at the very beginning of their school days.
I hope it marks the start of a rewarding path to learning.
As part of our Toward Q2 vision, we are focused on delivering a world-class education and training system for all Queenslanders.
Reminder for new smoking laws
As of January 1 2010, it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child under 16 on board.
Police have the power to issue an on the spot fine of $200 for those people who don’t comply, in the same way fines are issued to people who talk on their mobile phones while driving.
First-home owner grant
The $7,000 state government first-home owner grant will only apply to houses worth less than $750,000 by mid-2010.
As of 1 January 2010, legislation will kick-in that will restrict the grant to homes worth up to $1 million, but the state government has committed to going even further.
We need to ensure that this grant is available for those who most need it.
No reasonable person would suggest that someone buying a first-home worth more than $1 million needs a $7,000 grant from the state government to get them started.
While measures passed in legislation to limit the grant to homes worth less than $1 million begins 1 January 2010, the government has now approved measures to further restrict the grant to homes worth less than $750,000.
The government will move to legislate the changes early this year.
For more information on the first-home buyers grant, including eligibility criteria and the application form, visit the Office of State Revenue website at www.osr.qld.gov.au.
Tough new pool laws take effect
Stage one of Queensland’s tough new pool safety regulations came into effect on 1 December 2009 and apply to all new residential swimming pools.
This means all new pools must meet the latest pool fencing standards, with clear and strict non-climbable zones above and adjacent to the fence.
Stage two starts in late 2010 and largely targets existing pools.
Stage one includes:
· the adoption of the latest pool fencing and CPR signage standards
· new provisions to allow temporary pool fencing for short periods of time
· mandatory follow-up inspections for new pools
· upgrading police reporting forms for pool immersion incidents
· the development of a Queensland pool register
Stage one of the Queensland Government’s swimming pool safety improvement strategy includes the development of a swimming pool register and analysis is currently underway to identify the most suitable register model for Queensland.
Queensland does not currently have a register, or accurate number, of swimming pools. It is anticipated pool owners will need to register their pool within a six month phase in period.
The swimming pool register is proposed to be implemented in stage two of the pool safety improvement strategy, expected to begin later in 2010. Once finalised, the register will hold information about swimming pools covered by the State pool safety laws.
The register will provide important support for the proposed point of sale and lease swimming pool safety inspection system, which is another stage two measure. The register may also be of assistance for any future review of swimming pool safety legislation or for any future pool safety campaigns.
For more information on the pool safety laws, please visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/poolsafety.
I’d like to particularly welcome our prep students – those at the very beginning of their school days.
I hope it marks the start of a rewarding path to learning.
As part of our Toward Q2 vision, we are focused on delivering a world-class education and training system for all Queenslanders.
Reminder for new smoking laws
As of January 1 2010, it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child under 16 on board.
Police have the power to issue an on the spot fine of $200 for those people who don’t comply, in the same way fines are issued to people who talk on their mobile phones while driving.
First-home owner grant
The $7,000 state government first-home owner grant will only apply to houses worth less than $750,000 by mid-2010.
As of 1 January 2010, legislation will kick-in that will restrict the grant to homes worth up to $1 million, but the state government has committed to going even further.
We need to ensure that this grant is available for those who most need it.
No reasonable person would suggest that someone buying a first-home worth more than $1 million needs a $7,000 grant from the state government to get them started.
While measures passed in legislation to limit the grant to homes worth less than $1 million begins 1 January 2010, the government has now approved measures to further restrict the grant to homes worth less than $750,000.
The government will move to legislate the changes early this year.
For more information on the first-home buyers grant, including eligibility criteria and the application form, visit the Office of State Revenue website at www.osr.qld.gov.au.
Tough new pool laws take effect
Stage one of Queensland’s tough new pool safety regulations came into effect on 1 December 2009 and apply to all new residential swimming pools.
This means all new pools must meet the latest pool fencing standards, with clear and strict non-climbable zones above and adjacent to the fence.
Stage two starts in late 2010 and largely targets existing pools.
Stage one includes:
· the adoption of the latest pool fencing and CPR signage standards
· new provisions to allow temporary pool fencing for short periods of time
· mandatory follow-up inspections for new pools
· upgrading police reporting forms for pool immersion incidents
· the development of a Queensland pool register
Stage one of the Queensland Government’s swimming pool safety improvement strategy includes the development of a swimming pool register and analysis is currently underway to identify the most suitable register model for Queensland.
Queensland does not currently have a register, or accurate number, of swimming pools. It is anticipated pool owners will need to register their pool within a six month phase in period.
The swimming pool register is proposed to be implemented in stage two of the pool safety improvement strategy, expected to begin later in 2010. Once finalised, the register will hold information about swimming pools covered by the State pool safety laws.
The register will provide important support for the proposed point of sale and lease swimming pool safety inspection system, which is another stage two measure. The register may also be of assistance for any future review of swimming pool safety legislation or for any future pool safety campaigns.
For more information on the pool safety laws, please visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/poolsafety.
Until next time
Carolyn
