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“ We can be a very good new story , and we are realising our power of social media .
“ Obviously when you come away from these meetings it does all sound positive , and you are told change will come .
“ But in the interim there is still going to be what I call ‘ wrinkles ’ in service delivery .”
I think families are often scared to talk to big organisations . They trust groups like us , they trust us with their problems and information . That ' s why we ' re here . To give people that . - NSW ICPA president Kate Treweeke
She said the 30 per cent preschool fee cut announced by Early Childhood Minister Leslie Williams last week would be “ a huge relief ” for many families .
But she also said there was no such thing as an isolated concern .
“ All these different issues … they build up and overlap . You ’ re fighting for better technology and infrastructure , a bit of help with transport costs for the kids … while dealing with a depressed cattle market , or floods , or drought …
“ It ’ s especially difficult if there is little access to mental health services in a community .”
Hold the line COMMUNICATIONS technology - or a lack thereof - remains the biggest issue for ICPA NSW members .
“ The services are there , but there are huge gaps ,” Mrs Treweeke said . “ We recognise that it happens in regional and metro areas too . But they get the attention first , always .”
The group has found that at least 20 satellite schools in remote areas were unable to use government issued digital whiteboards and had reverted back to chalk and blackboard .
The group said another key issue was the data drain in communities hosting mining developments .
Mrs Treweeke said groups had raised concerns that companies were hogging the local network and preventing regular residents from getting online in peak hours .
“ There are uni students who can ' t get on to do assignments , people who can ' t get their business work done … we ’ d love to see rules put in place on whoever is coming in to a town to provide some of their own telecommunications infrastructure .”
Help for disability Upper Horton member Sarnia Walker has six children - three identified with special needs . She has passionately campaigned for better early intervention programs and specialist services in the bush .
Mrs Walker said there was currently no travel allowance for children under four to access early intervention services .
“ If they are five years old and at school , then they can . But what if you want to get things started earlier ? That ’ s the key time to get things in place . But If you want earlier intervention , and you have to travel to Dubbo and back for it , you can ' t afford it .”
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