The Housing Industry Association has joined organisations across Australia in recognising the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, highlighting the critical importance of both physical and psychological safety in the workplace.

“HIA has long advocated for strong safety practices on site but reminds everyone that safety isn’t constrained to reducing physical injuries,” said HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin.

“This year’s theme for the international day, places a spotlight on psychosocial safety – ensuring workplaces support mental health, wellbeing, and respectful working relationships, which is an issue HIA says is increasingly important across the residential building industry.

“Psychosocial risks such as excessive workloads, unclear roles, poor workplace behaviours, and the pressures associated with project delivery can have a real and lasting impact on workers’ wellbeing. Preventing psychological harm must be treated with the same seriousness as preventing physical injury.

“HIA is encouraging the industry to take an active role in maintaining a mentally healthy workplace by being aware of psychosocial risks, speaking up when issues arise, supporting colleagues, and engaging with available training.

“In an industry as dynamic and demanding as residential construction, creating environments where people feel safe, supported and able to perform at their best is essential, not just for individuals, but for the strength and sustainability of the sector as a whole.

“As the industry continues to navigate workforce pressures and ongoing housing demand, HIA emphasises that prioritising both mental and physical health will remain fundamental to building a resilient and productive workforce.

“The HIA Charitable Foundation also partners with Beyond Blue to support mental health in residential building, and has raised over $1.3 million to fund mental health support services, research and education programs tailored to our industry.

“To reinforce our commitment, HIA has introduced a suite of new initiatives designed to better identify and manage psychosocial risks across our own operations. These include a dedicated Psychosocial Risk Management Procedure, a Psychosocial staff guideline, and access to targeted psychosocial safety training.

“Today is an important reminder that safe work is not just about hard hats and high-vis, it’s about ensuring every worker goes home not just physically, but also mentally well,” concluded Ms Martin.

Support the Goldfields community through The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal this year

The Salvation Army in the Goldfields is calling on locals to dig deep and get involved in the Red Shield Appeal this year, raising vital funds to support those in our local region who are doing it tough.

Australia’s largest and longest-running door-knock appeal is in its 62^nd year and aims to raise $41 million nationally, which funds life-changing community programs across the country.

“We know that people are doing it really tough in our community right now, as global uncertainty coupled with further increases in the cost of living locally puts an incredible strain on individuals and families. We know that many are on the edge of breaking point as they struggle to make ends meet,” said Major Warren Elliot, External Communications Manager for Victoria.

“That is why we are calling on those in the Goldfields to dig deep, get involved in the Red Shield Appeal, and be the hope our community desperately needs right now.”

The funds raised in the Goldfields for the Red Shield Appeal will stay in the local community and will be used to meet the needs faced by those who are struggling and need a hand.

“There is no better way to support those doing it tough than by donating or volunteering with us this year. We can’t do our work in the community without you, so we are calling on people to partner with The Salvation Army this Red Shield Appeal and see the powerful transformation that takes place when we come together to support our fellow Aussies in need,” Major Elliot added.

The Red Shield Appeal culminates in the Red Shield Weekend (May 30 and 31), and there are a number of ways to get involved throughout the month of May- volunteering by collecting at local shopping centres and other locations, door knocking, online fundraising, organising a collection at your workplace, school or sporting event and making a donation.

The Salvos across the country are aiming to recruit an army of 15,000 volunteers for the Red Shield Appeal this year, so please reach out to your local Salvos to find out more about volunteering opportunities by visiting salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal

Across Australia last year, through The Salvation Army’s network of over 400 centres and 2,000 services in areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more, the Salvos provided:*

• Assistance to one person every 17 seconds
• More than 1.74 million sessions of care to over 228,000 people in need
• Over 1 million nights of safe accommodation
• More than 1.4 million meals to those who accessed our homelessness services.

To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS. You can also donate at any Salvos Store.

Motorcyclists can now permanently use selected bus lanes along three key routes in central Melbourne.

This will help them avoid congestion and travel more safely.

Following a successful trial, motorcycles can now use bus lanes along:

• Eastern Freeway, west of Chandler Highway and Hoddle Street (westbound)
• Victoria Parade, between Hoddle Street and Nicholson Street (westbound)
• Victoria Parade, between Nicholson Street and Hoddle Street (eastbound)

Clear signage will show where motorcycles are permitted, making it easier for riders to know when they can safely enter a bus lane.

This will also mean fewer riders weaving through traffic – improving safety for motorcyclists and other road users.

Following a conclusion of the trial, an evaluation found there were no negative safety impacts for riders or other motorists, and no impact on bus travel times.

It also found riders are using these routes more often and feel more confident doing so.

Improving safety for motorcyclists is a key part of our Road Safety Strategy, which aims to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030.

Motorcyclists remain over-represented in road trauma, accounting for 21 per cent of lives lost in 2025 despite making up less than 4 per cent of registered vehicles.

This initiative is funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy, which is paid by riders and reinvested directly into safety improvements.

Since its introduction, more than $100 million has been invested into targeted initiatives including infrastructure upgrades, education and research.

Words: Liz Hancock, District Veterinary Officer, Warrnambool

Most producers would agree that 2025 was a challenging year for feeding livestock. With limited pasture availability, many animals were grazed in unusual locations and on unconventional forage sources.
It’s often in years like this that unusual disease events occur – as was the case for one unfortunate south west dairy farmer who experienced suspected lesser loosestrife toxicity.
In autumn 2025, after the afternoon milking, the farmer placed 120 mixed-age dairy cattle onto the only green feed available – a dried-up swamp. This area was usually underwater and had never previously been grazed.
The following morning, when the farmer went to collect the cattle, he found 12 animals dead.
The remaining cattle ranged from slow and trembling to apparently normal. The herd was immediately moved to a known safe paddock and provided with ad-lib hay and lick blocks, and local veterinarians were called.
Despite prompt veterinary treatment, the affected animals failed to respond as expected. With no improvement seen, the Victoria District Veterinary Officer (DVO) was contacted, and a Significant Disease Investigation was opened.
The local DVO and an Animal Health Officer (AHO) attended the property promptly. Necropsies were performed, blood samples collected, and epidemiological information gathered, including identification of plant species present in the swamp.
A local agronomist confirmed the presence of lesser loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolia), an annual spreading herb commonly found in damp or seasonally flooded areas such as swamps.
The plant has small, narrow leaves resembling rosemary, and produces pink, blue, or purple flowers, although flowers were no longer present at the time.
Samples were taken to the AgriBio laboratory in Melbourne for urgent analysis. The following day, results confirmed lesser loosestrife toxicity.
In total, 70 of the 120 cattle died, most within the first 24 hours of exposure.
Lesser loosestrife wasn’t identified in the rumen contents of the deceased animals so it couldn’t be definitively confirmed as the cause. However, the epidemiology, clinical signs, and pathology findings strongly suggest it was responsible.
The 50 cattle in the herd that survived have not since shown any clinical signs.
While this was a tragic outcome for the producer involved, it’s a strong example of how local vets, DVOs, AHOs, agronomists, and pathologists collaborate in rapid investigation of unusual livestock disease events.
If you notice sudden deaths, significant illness, or unusual clinical signs in livestock, contact your local veterinarian, DVO, or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
If you see unfamiliar or unusual plants in your paddocks, seek advice from your local agronomist.
Find out more about Agriculture Victoria’s emergency animal disease preparedness at Emergency animal diseases | Animal diseases | Biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria
Find out more about the Significant Disease Investigation Program at Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) program | Animal diseases | Biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria

The Victorian Budget 2026/27 invests a record $1.04 billion to rebuild, repair and resurface roads across Victoria.

That’s enough to get rid of 200,000 potholes, 200,000 graffiti tags, and much more.

This is the biggest roads blitz in the state’s history – with 70 per cent of the funds going to regional Victoria.

The state government’s investment will:

• rebuild, repair and resurface arterial roads
• maintain bridges and traffic lights
• deliver emergency roadworks
• mow, slash and spray grass and weeds along roadsides
• repair or replace signs

A $36.9 million blitz will clean up our 10 busiest freeways with rubbish and graffiti removal, mowing and more:
Monash Freeway

• Princes Freeway West
• Western Freeway
• West Gate Freeway
• Hume Freeway
• Calder Freeway
• Western Ring Road
• South Gippsland Freeway
• Mornington Peninsula Freeway
• Tullamarine Freeway

Crews are out on the network now as part of last year’s then-record investment in road maintenance. They have:

• repaired 187,000 potholes – equivalent to one every five metres between Melbourne and Sydney
• cleaned up 127,000m² of graffiti – equivalent to around 3,500 billboards completely covered in graffiti
• mowed 1,900,000 metres – the distance from Melbourne to Brisbane
• crews have also repaired or replaced 31,000 signs and inspected 13,600 barriers.

The state government is securing the raw materials needed to build more homes, schools and hospitals.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has approved three new Strategic Extractive Resource Areas (SERAs) in:

• Lang Lang (Cardinia Shire)
• Oaklands Junction (Hume City)
• Trafalgar (Baw Baw Shire).

These areas safeguard land for future quarries – making sure builders have access to the rock and sand needed to deliver the infrastructure Victoria needs.

Extensive consultation with communities, industry and local councils helped to shape these areas. Including refinements to boundaries and stronger assessment requirements.

These planning controls are about giving certainty about where quarries should be – and where they shouldn’t.

They protect critical resources from being built over as suburbs grow.

They also help ensure homes aren’t built too close to extraction sites.

Any new quarry will still need to go through the full approvals process.

Developments like homes, schools and shops will continue to be carefully assessed near these areas.

This decision supports the government’s Extractive Resources Joint Ministerial Statement, helping secure raw materials faster.

RSPCA Victoria has introduced a new look utility vest to further improve the safety of its Inspectors as they continue to investigate animal cruelty across the state.
The new stab-resistant vests are designed to enhance the uniform of the Authorised Inspectors, with a navy-blue colour, and ‘RSPCA INSPECTOR’ across the front and back to ensure easy identification by the public.
The latest change in safety measures comes as more than one in four animal cruelty reports investigated across the state can involve a ‘Violent Person of Interest’.
RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green said the new and improved vests would help improve Inspectors safety as they protect animals.
“RSPCA Victoria Inspectors routinely face dangerous or volatile situations that can escalate quickly while they are just trying to do their job,” Chief Inspector Green said.
“Our new vests look different to what Victorians know, but they are designed to improve the safety of our Inspectors while they are on the frontline investigating animal cruelty.
“Unfortunately, more than a quarter of animal cruelty reports in Victoria involved a reportedly ‘Violent Person of Interest’ in 2025.
“We will always operate under a safety-first protocol, and the introduction of these vests adds another level of protection as our Inspectors operate in challenging environments.”
RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said she was delighted to see the roll-out of the new safety vests.
“RSPCA Inspectors are skilled, authorised officers attending highly complex jobs almost every day, and they need the best protection to stay safe,” Dr Walker said.
“Investigating animal cruelty is a difficult task and our top priority is ensuring our frontline Inspectors investigating animal cruelty reports are kept safe and ensuring the state’s most vulnerable animals get the help they need.
“We estimate it will cost RSPCA Victoria over $12.8 million to operate the Inspectorate this financial year.”
RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate currently has only 26 Authorised Inspectors and is currently undertaking recruitment of additional Inspectors to allow for more jobs to be attended in pairs to further improve Inspector safety.
RSPCA Victoria is calling on the Victorian Government to fully fund the operating costs of the Inspectorate in this year’s state budget which will be announced on 5 May 2026.
RSPCA Victoria is forecasting an approximately 20% increase in animals seized by, or surrendered to, Inspectors this financial year, with this small team taking in over 1,700 animals since July 2025.

Compost as soil’s natural amendment and nutrient enhancer will again be in focus during International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), to be held from May 3-9 in Australia, supported by  ICAW Ambassador Costa Georgiadis. 

Soil is a vital foundation for agriculture and crucial to human existence. When soil is healthy, it supports  vigorous plant growth, sustains food production, and provides important ecosystem benefits like clean air  and water. Additionally, healthy soils play a key role in climate regulation, storing even more carbon than  all the forests around the globe.

Compost boosts soil health by enhancing its physical, chemical, and biological properties. It raises organic  carbon levels both by directly adding carbon and by supporting plant growth, which then deposits more  carbon through roots and residues. Additionally, compost enriches soil biology by increasing the variety  and number of helpful organisms that feed on organic carbon, making nutrients easier for plants to absorb.

Chris Rochfort, CEO of the Centre for Organic Research & Education (CORE) states: “By composting, our  community can help create healthier soil for our plants. Compost introduces beneficial microbes that prey  on harmful organisms and cut down on plant diseases, making the soil safer for planting.”

Compost is nature’s powerful tool to enrich the Earth in numerous ways:

• Reduces the amount of organic waste that goes to landfill, which when disposed to landfill breaks  down anaerobically and releases methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming  potential around 28 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.
• Improves drainage and aeration in the soil.
• Produces a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
• Retains soil moisture and reduces plant diseases/pests.
• Reduces heat island effects in urban areas.
• Increases resilience to the effects of climate change such as drought and extreme weather.

Mr Rochfort added: “Compost is one of nature’s essential building blocks and can help address many  pressing issues humanity faces today due to climate change, such as soil moisture loss and polluted runoff  entering our waterways. Beyond this, compost is a wonderful addition to soil, enhancing plant growth,  improving nutrient retention, and storing carbon. There’s no other product that matches compost in  versatility, and it can also help reduce your spending on fertilisers and extra water.”

ICAW is a week when Australians are urged to highlight the value and  advantages of composting within their communities. For 21 years,  CORE — a public charity —has led this international awareness  campaign exclusively in Australia. ICAW has contributed to reducing  organic waste going to landfill and at the same time improving  biodiversity in soils and building up resilience to extreme weather  events.

ICAW Ambassador Costa Georgiadis commented: “ICAW is an  important event that highlights the benefits of composting, and I would  like to congratulate the organisers for their efforts over the past two  decades in making this an event of national significance.

“The key to creating good compost is think like a microbe – they need  air, water and food. Get that right and the local microorganisms and  insects will transform your kitchen and garden waste into a rich and  healthy compost that can create healthier soil for your garden!”

Gippslanders will be at the forefront of training opportunities for Australia’s renewable energy future, with the establishment of a $50 million centre in Morwell to support workers into renewable industry jobs.

The federal and state governments have launched the Victorian Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence at TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell campus.

From the Centre in Morwell, training will be delivered across Australia’s TAFE network in renewable energy technologies, including smart grids and networks, and home electrification services, supported by a consortium including South West TAFE, Holmesglen Institute and Federation TAFE.

Investment in the new TAFE Centre of Excellence will focus on the construction of a $15 million renewable energy digital training facility at the TAFE Gippsland Morwell campus, while $10 million of upgrades will be made to the existing Electricity Supply Industry Training Centre at Holmesglen’s Chadstone campus.

The Morwell campus will be the anchor point for the Victorian Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence, leveraging industry connections and equipping the local workforce with the skills needed for a low-carbon future and the opportunities of Australia’s renewable energy future.

The Victorian Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence will:

• be a national leader in training to support the integration of renewable energy generation and storage assets into the electricity system;
• develop digitally-enabled classrooms, a research and innovation lab and industry responsive training programs;
• provide digital training and virtual reality technology to simulate renewable energy working environments, such as offshore wind and transmission infrastructure;
• focus on Energy Supply Industry (ESI) training and accreditations; and
• provide access to training with large-scale renewable energy equipment.

With calm autumn conditions across much of the state, communities can expect to see smoke in the air in coming weeks due to a mix of planned burns, private burns under CFA’s permit system, agricultural burns and smoke from wood heaters.

While current conditions are ideal for burning, weather patterns may cause smoke to linger over parts of the state overnight and through to early morning on some days.

FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said it is crucial fire agencies take advantage of favourable conditions when they present.

“Planned burning on public land is one of the tools FFMVic uses to keep Victoria safer from bushfires,” Mr Hardman said.

“With the current favourable weather and forest conditions this week, we are delivering as much planned burning as we can.

“Our climate is changing and that means finding the right days for safe and effective planned burning is becoming more challenging. Autumn typically provides our crews more opportunities to conduct planned burns, as the weather is more stable, and fire behaviour tends to be manageable and predictable.

“Reducing dry vegetation such as grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and small fallen branches means fires are less intense and slower to spread, making it more likely that firefighters can keep bushfires small and contained before they pose a risk to communities.
“We work closely with CFA, Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Bureau of Meteorology to keep the smoke impact from planned burns as low as possible. We make every effort to make sure favourable weather conditions reduce smoke drift into communities.

“We recognise that Anzac Day is a significant day for veterans and communities.

“We encourage everyone to plan carefully for possible smoke impacts, particularly anyone with heart or lung conditions, older people, people with diabetes, children, infants, and pregnant women.”

“Victorians can register to receive notifications of upcoming planned burns at the Planned Burns Victoria website.”

CFA Deputy Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic AFSM said with fire restrictions lifting across most of the state, landholders starting to burn-off on their properties should remain vigilant before igniting their burn and ensure conditions are safe to do so.

“You may see a large amount of smoke in areas where these activities take place, so we ask farmers to let their neighbours know who may be sensitive to smoke so they can take necessary precaution.

“Any burning activity must always have someone in attendance, with enough water resources to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.

“For greater awareness for emergency services and community members, burn-offs should be registered on the fire permits website or if you wish to start your burn-off immediately, register your burn-off by calling 1800 668 511.”

Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist Jen Martin said EPA understands smoke from any source, including planned burns and private burn-offs can cause health concerns.

“If you see or smell smoke outside, be prepared. You can check the daily air quality and find ways to reduce your exposure to smoke and on EPA’s website,” Dr Martin said.

“Your nose is also an excellent smoke detector. If you can smell smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your health.”

The Planned Burns Victoria website has details of all planned burns currently on the three-year Joint Fuel Management Program, visit  https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/.

To find out what can and can’t be done during fire danger period, visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

Check fire restrictions and register private burns at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511.

For tips about looking after health and reducing your exposure to smoke go to www.epa.vic.gov.au/smoke-and-your-health. To check the air quality in your area go to www.epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality.

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, with disasters becoming more frequent and severe.

The Victorian Budget 2026/27 will deliver an expansion to CFA’s rolling fleet replacement program.

An additional $100 million for new CFA tankers and pumpers to ensure the firefighting fleet can protect Victorians.

The Budget also includes $26.2 million for CFA station builds, planning, land acquisition and upgrades at:

• Lakes Entrance
• Barongarook West
• Charlton
• Nar Nar Goon
• Beveridge
• Dereel
• Mirboo North
• Kingston
• Woodvale
• Yarrambat.

Our volunteers deserve modern, safe facilities that reflect the vital role they play in keeping Victorians safe.

To back their incredible contribution – we will also deliver $22.4 million for more wellbeing support, training and new protective gear.

Supporting our forest firefighters

Our forest firefighters put themselves into dangerous situations to stop fire spreading.

We’re backing their work with a $217 million investment to:

• purchase 17 new assets including heavy tankers, dozers and graders
• deliver upgrades to the vehicle fleet
• secure the critical aviation fire fleet
• conduct more planned burns and fuel management.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Productivity in Canberra and proposed major reforms aimed at bolstering economic productivity by strengthening and building resilience across the rural freight sector.

ALRTA is the national peak body for Australia’s multi-billion-dollar livestock and rural road freight operators, linking farms, processors, saleyards and ports.

Recent geopolitical events have exposed disruptions and challenges with freight supply chains which have a ripple effect across the economy. This includes increased costs and suppressed output.

ALRTA recommends the Committee adopts these three significant industry reforms:

1. Establish a National Washdown and Managed Effluent Disposal Network for livestock and bulk agricultural freight, designed in collaboration with states and industry. Freight operators currently lose time and experience delays by having to detour for the cleaning and disposing of waste in vehicles due to irregular access to suitable cleaning facilities. It is recommended that new facilities are funded and built along priority corridors. A national standard would save time and improve compliance with biosecurity laws which is crucial when dealing with livestock and food.
2. Cut regulatory red tape. Freight regulations are complex and often duplicated between jurisdictions which creates unnecessary administrative burdens and stymies productivity. A nationally agreed package is recommended, that is harmonised and reusable, so operators and regulators stop re-proving the same facts and data in different formats across different states. This would enable faster decision making and reduce delays.
3. Establish a National Freight Workforce Resilience Package, built around competence and rapid redeployment. There is a truck driver shortage which impacts productivity by having less vehicles on the road. Employment and job growth is often constrained by slow training and qualifications processes, and inconsistent recognition pathways for drivers with pre-requisite experience. A national package is recommended that would prioritise consistent training and assessment and create a system that would reduce duplication and provide clearer pathways for drivers to onboard.

ALRTA Executive Director Anthony Boyle said the proposals would be a game changer for Australia’s crucial rural freight sector.

“The freight and logistics sector accounts for about 8.6 per cent of Australia’s GDP, which has an immeasurable impact on productivity and impacts all communities,” Mr Boyle said.

“The sector is currently burdened with unnecessary delays, time wastage and red tape, which impedes productivity and reduces certainty and confidence.

“These sensible and evidence-based reforms would strengthen industry resilience, boost productivity and provide everyday Australians with confidence that food and other essentials will be transported as quickly, safely and cost effectively as possible, with minimal disruption.

“These changes would unlock unrealised economic potential, improve investor confidence and bolster supply chain networks, which ultimately benefits all Australians.”

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) welcomes the Federal Government’s NDIS reform agenda but says the changes must deliver coordinated support for people with disability linked to a terminal (life-limiting) illness or risk worsening “bed block” in hospitals. 

PCA Interim CEO Simon Waring said the palliative care sector will seek to work constructively with government on the reforms, while ensuring the needs of people with life-limiting illness remain front and centre. 

“We recognise the Government’s commitment to strengthening the NDIS and improving its long-term sustainability,” he said. 

“These are significant reforms, and Palliative Care Australia wants to engage positively with government on how they are designed and implemented.  

“It’s essential people with terminal illness are not overlooked in the process. For this group, the key issue is not simply whether they can access the NDIS. It is whether they can get the practical, day-to-day functional support they need, when they need it, regardless of which system provides it,” Mr Waring said. 

PCA National Policy Director Josh Fear said the proposed shift away from diagnosis-based access and towards functional assessments would create uncertainty for many people with life-limiting illness. 

“People with terminal illness often have complex needs that can change quickly,” he said. 

“The NDIS can provide very important support for some people in this group, but it will never meet the needs of everyone. That is why reform must also address the longstanding gap in supports outside the Scheme – so the NDIS is not the only lifeboat in the ocean.” 

Palliative Care Australia is calling on governments to work with the palliative care sector on the design of alternative systems of functional support for people with disability linked to life-limiting illness who cannot access the NDIS. 

“This is an opportunity to build a better and more coordinated response, including through a new system of Foundational Supports and stronger supports through mainstream health systems,” Mr Fear said. 

“We want to sit down with government and contribute constructively to that work.” 

Mr Fear said the palliative care peak body would be advocating strongly on several key issues as the reform process progresses. 

“First, people with terminal illness must not be left in limbo as access pathways change,” he said. 

“Second, people whose health is deteriorating quickly need to have their support needs met rapidly, regardless of which system is delivering that support.  

“Third, clarifying the boundaries between the NDIS and mainstream services must lead to better coordination of care, and not more gaps, confusion or cost-shifting between systems. 

“If we don’t get this right, more patients will be stranded in hospital, adding to those who can’t be safely discharged right now.”  

Mr Fear said the community must have confidence that people with life-limiting illness are not forgotten as major changes are made to the disability system.  

“We call on governments to confirm that this group will be a priority. People with life-limiting illness should not miss out on essential support because they do not fit neatly into one system, or because broader cost pressures are being felt elsewhere in the NDIS,” he said. 

“Our message is constructive, but clear: we are ready to work with government on practical solutions, and we will continue advocating for a system that responds with flexibility and compassion to people with terminal illness and their families.” 

One of two houses from The Block in Daylesford which remain unsold has had a price drop.

Han and Can’s House 2, 4 Cedar Lane, Daylesford had a reserve of $2,990,000 but was passed in with a vendor bid of $3.1m during filming last October. It is now on the market at $2.9m. Emma and Ben’s House 1 at 5 Cedar Lane, remains listed with a $3m-$3.3m guide in the statement of information.