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THE LINK - 27 August 2007
In this issue .....
Standards Australia-Climbing Wall DRAFT Standard
(back to topic list)
Standards Australia has released a draft of new standard for artificial climbing structures which is open for public comment until 27 September 2007. The draft standard (DR07324) specifies the minimum requirements for the design, construction, operation, competencies for support personnel, supervision levels, maintenance and testing of fixed and mobile artificial climbing and abseiling walls and associated components. It includes, fixed, indoor, outdoor, permanent, temporary and mobile structures (including inflatable climbing structures) and facilities used for climbing, abseiling and bouldering ...more
National Parks Bill to Provide Certainty to Tourism Operators (back to topic list)
The NSW Government has introduced a bill in the Parliament to provide surety to tourism and commercial operators in the national park system by ensuring leasing and licensing arrangements are consistent. Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water, Phil Koperberg, said the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Leasing and Licensing) Bill would facilitate tourism and business opportunities in rural and regional areas, including for Aboriginal people.
A meeting with a group of Blue Mountains Commercial Tour Operators is planned for next week, to discuss the proposed bill to ensure consistency in arrangements for tourism operators in the national park system. Possible dates/times are Wed 5th 9.30am or 1.30pm, or Thurs 6th 1.30pm. A copy of the Minister’s media release is attached ...more
Vict Dept Education Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors (back to topic list)
The Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors provides guidelines for planning and decision making relating to preparation and conduct of outdoor and adventure activities for Victorian Government schools. The guidelines should be applied for excursions scheduled for approval in Term 4, 2007, and all excursions requiring school council approval must apply these guidelines from January 1, 2008.
Where adventure activities form part of the program, relevant adventure activity guidelines are given, and if the activity does not have guidelines, recommendations are provided. Guidelines available:
| Abseiling |
Canoeing/kayaking |
Sailing |
Downhill & snowboarding |
| Horse riding |
Orienteering |
Rock climbing |
Cross country skiing |
| Sea kayaking |
Water skiing |
Windsurfing |
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Adventure activity guidelines under development:
| Base camping |
Bushwalking |
Cycling |
Challenge rope course |
| Rafting |
Indoor rock climbing |
Suba diving |
Snorkelling |
| Surfing |
Swimming |
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Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) Commitment to National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme
(NOLRS) (back to topic list)
Following feedback from individual leaders, government agencies, outdoor organisations and trianing providers, a review of all aspects of the NOLRS was conducted in 2006 and as a consequence a number of significant changes have been made to produce the second version of NOLRS or NOLRS MKII" ...more
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy Guidelines (back to topic list)
Have you a Drug and Alcohol Policy in place at your camp or organisation? The links provided aim to assist employers in developing a workplace drug and alcohol policy so that issues and conditions can be administered fairly, ethically and legally and to the benefit of both the organisation, clients and staff ...more
New Look New Direction for The Dukes (back to topic list)
The Dukes have a new look and a new outlook. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is expanding its training program, establishing more partnerships with other community based organisations and youth programs and working more closely with isolated, indigenous and marginalised youth ...more
Tourism Board Appointment (back to topic list)
Peter O'Brien, currently President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a former Deputy Chair of the Tourism Council of Australia, has been appointed to the Board of Tourism Australia ...more
Standards Australia-Halogen Lights and Thermal Insulation (back to topic list)
Standards Australia has announced new rules relating to the installation of thermal insulation and halogen downlights, after reports indicated a high incidence of house fires were a result of halogen lights being unsafely installed after insulation was fitted in roofs, or insulation being unsafely fitted after halogen lights were installed ...more
Kayak Trip Review (back to topic list)
An independent review of a school kayaking trip which ended in 15 teenagers being rescued off Victor Harbor has found preparations were below standard. New South Wales kayaker Ian Dewey, who conducted the review, found planning, risk and emergency management and communications systems were below the standards of the Education Department and Australian Canoeing ...more
Water Education in Schools? (back to topic list)
Can teaching water conservation in schools produce positive behavioural change, and if so, what makes an effective water education program? Recognising the important role schools play in long term water sustainability, Sydney Water developed an
education strategy for schools in 2006 in consultation with the NSW Department of Education and Training ...more
Benefits for Small Business Take Effect from July 07 (back to topic list)
From 1 July 2007, it will be easier for small businesses to comply with their tax obligations due to changes to GST registration thresholds and greater access to a range of tax concessions. Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, Peter Dutton, said most small business in Australia with an annual turnover of less than $2 million will benefit from the changes. "Eligible businesses will now be able to reduce their compliance costs by taking advantage of a range of concessions for GST, income tax, capital gains, pay as you go instalments and fringe benefits" ...more
Workplace Relations Fact Sheet for Employers (back to topic list)
Recent changes to the law require employers to give existing employees a copy of the Workplace Relations Fact Sheet by 20 October 2007. From 20 July all employees starting a new job must be given a copy within seven days of their start date ...more
Outdoor Council Australia (OCA) Project Officer-NOLRS (back to topic list)
The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fulfill the role of Contract Project Officer-NOLRS. The work to be undertaken is to finalise the second version of NOLRS, with the successful applicant to be available from late August to early September for a period of approx three months ...more
Cooba Sport & Education Centre-Outdoor Pursuits (back to topic list)
Cooba Sport & Education Centre in the NSW Snowy Mountains requires an enthusiastic, energetic person with experience or appropriate training in outdoor pursuits to join its team as a Program Director and Staff Development Officer ...more
Sport and Recreation Participation Statistics (back to topic list)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has updated data about sport and recreation, including information on who is participating in these activities, the amount of time spent, how much people are spending, who is employed and how much do they earn.Australian households spend almost $16 a week on sports and recreation products a week, and people in sports and physical recreation occupations were more likely to have a lower income than persons in the general working population ...more
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