Latest news with #WesternSydney
India Today
an hour ago
- General
- India Today
Australian University's groundwater initiative transforms 20,000 Indian villages
Western Sydney University's work on the MARVI project in India has reached over 3 lakh households in more than 20,000 villages across seven states. The project focuses on improving groundwater use and irrigation security through local management. In Rajasthan's Dharta watershed, the Village Groundwater Cooperative model, based on the '4S' approach -- Scrutiny, Store, Share, Sustain—is helping farmers manage shared water university is also training NGOs, government staff, and water professionals, supporting long-term water management and capacity building. These efforts contributed to Western Sydney's 9th place global ranking for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in the latest Times Higher Education Impact Professor George Williams described the repeated ranking success as proof of the university's role in delivering public good and effective community partnerships. He emphasised that the ranking measures real-world outcomes -- not just academic metrics .Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott also praised the MARVI program, highlighting its focus on female groundwater volunteers, known as Bhujal Jaankars, and its support for women-led water said the program empowers farmers to make informed crop choices based on water availability, reinforcing both community engagement and skill development.\HOW DID UNIVERSITY PERFORMadvertisement4th worldwide for SDG15 (Life on Land)7th for SDG5 (Gender Equality)8th for SDG13 (Climate Action) and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)9th for SDGs 17,6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 11 (Sustainable Cities)10th for SDG14 (Life Below Water) and SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)The THE Impact Rankings assess universities on teaching, research, operations, policy, and outreach -- all tied to positive societal and environmental workThis year's No.1 positioning underscores Western Sydney University's position at the forefront of universities applying knowledge to service communities and the planet.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey confirms Sydney's housing ‘Plan B' won't be in Tuesday's budget
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has definitely ruled out any announcement on the government's 'Plan B' for housing in next week's budget, after a $5bn proposal to turn Rosehill racecourse into 25,000 homes was shot down. Mr Mookhey will hand down his third budget since Labor's 2022 election on Tuesday, as NSW continues to grapple with a worsening housing crisis and the fallout from a summer marred by anti-Semitic attacks. Billions of dollars in spending has already been announced ahead of the budget, expected to feature the same fiscal restraint as the previous two years, including in housing, justice reform, and Western Sydney airport. The budget comes after a majority of members from the Australian Turf Club voted down plans in May to turn the historic Rosehill racecourse in Sydney's west into a first-of-its-kind mini-city with a Metro station. Premier Chris Minns has since said the state government was working on its 'Plan B', with reports the port of Glebe Island was being eyed for housing, but has so far remained mum on what that project would be. Asked about whether the 'Plan B' for housing near Sydney's CBD would feature in the budget, Mr Mookhey on Friday told NewsWire '(in) next week's budget, we will make progress in dealing with the housing challenge'. 'We will not be sort of announcing Plan B on budget day. But we're pretty clear that we need to build more homes.' Mr Mookhey said he was 'disappointed' in the failed sale of Rosehill. 'What it means for the state is that we do need to build more homes,' he said. A raft of policy measures has already been announced ahead of the budget to target housing, including making tax cuts to build-to-rent schemes indefinite and draft guidelines for the 'build-in-kind' scheme. Despite a damaging few weeks for the Treasurer, whose workers compensation reform measures were sent back for another inquiry amid fierce push back from the Liberals, Greens, and the unions, Mr Mookhey was optimistic. Asked about the message of the 2025-26 budget, Mr Mookhey said it was about the 'future of our essential services and the future of our economy', and touted the work of the NSW Labor government until now. 'It is about making sure that we are making the right investments to deliver the world class public services that people will expect, and to make sure that the NSW economy continues to grow so we can lift people's living standards, improve their wages and create jobs,' Mr Mookhey said. 'That's been what this budget has been about, and the reason why we can now make these investments is because we've made real progress in stabilising the state's finances. 'We've inherited a $15bn deficit, which we've made good progress in turning around. We can report now for the first time in years, the NSW government is back into cash surplus. 'We can say that the debt is stabilising. We've kept our promise to keep debt at below $187bn at this point in time. So, that gives us that platform for more progress.' The budget comes after the Western Australian budget on Thursday reported a $2.5bn surplus off the back of a 2018 deal that gave it an guaranteed share of the country's GST carve-up. Mr Mookhey previously said he would advocate to the Albanese government to reform the tax allocation, which he said cost the state government $12.6bn last year – for which the state was 'still recovering'. 'It's undoubtedly the case that that remains a challenge for NSW, and it doesn't matter whether there's a Labor treasurer or a Liberal treasurer, the state would have to be dealing with that. 'Which is why I am glad that here in NSW, we do have bipartisanship about the need for GST reform. 'But, in arguing for NSW's position, I don't talk down any other states and I accept the fact that every state will always argue for what they consider to be their interest. 'I'm simply saying that there's a simpler system, that more predictable system, a more certain system that is available, and we'll continue to argue our case for change.'
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
This western Sydney high-rise is smack bang in a city on the up and up
Penrith is a city on the rise. This will come as no surprise to those who follow the National Rugby League competition, where the all-conquering Panthers have won the last four premierships. There's more, however, to the Western Sydney powerhouse than rugby league glory, and the Pullman Sydney Penrith shows how the Nepean River community is changing. Opened in August 2023 as the city's first five-star hotel, the glittering new build on Mulgoa Road is a sign of confidence in Penrith's future, funded by the Panthers Group as part of a transformation of the Penrith Panthers precinct to create a modern business and entertainment destination. The hotel also looks to benefit from the 2026 opening of the Western Sydney International Airport (about 20 minutes away) by bringing a new level of luxury accommodation to travellers who will no longer need to head to Sydney's CBD for a five-star experience.
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Why we can't picture or name three of the four teenage males accused of gang raping a girl in Sydney
While Australians across the country have called for the four young men who allegedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl to be 'named and shamed' three won't be. This week police arrested and charged four males, aged 14, 16, 18 and 19, over the alleged horrific sexual assault on December 15, 2024 in Western Sydney. Only the 19-year-old, Adam Abdul-Hamid, can be named because of the ages of the accused. He was charged with five counts of aggravated sex assault - offender in company with other person/s. Many have asked why three of the males cannot be named and are being protected by media and shielded from the public. In New South Wales, the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 forbids the publication or broadcasting of the names of people under 18 involved in criminal proceedings. It was put in place to protect a juvenile offender's long-term reputation in the hope they will be rehabilitated and be able to re-enter society without the stigma associated with criminal charges. The public is never likely to find out who the three boys who allegedly committed the shocking gang rape are. 'The idea is that people under 18 deserve a second chance and should not have their reputations permanently damaged due to mistakes made in 'childhood',' Nina Funnel a journalist and survivor advocate said on 'And for petty, non-violent crimes, this may make sense. 'But when it comes to allegations of gang-rape, is the law keeping up with community expectations?' She explained there was a recent case of a woman in Sydney who was sexually assaulted by a teenage boy who was also charged with sexually assaulting up to six girls. He was younger than 18 when the crimes occurred so his identity was protected, but once he turned 18 he went on to be charged again with another offense but was found not guilty due to a hung jury. 'If a member of the public was to look him up, they would find a man who has no criminal record,' Ms Funnel said. 'There are other public interest and public safety arguments for naming convicted offenders. 'Specifically, when media do publish the names of men and women who have been charged with, or found guilty of, sexual violence, this can empower other victims in the community to come forward and report: both in general and specifically in relation to that named offender.' Hundreds of Aussies claimed the teenagers allegedly involved in the gang rape should be 'tried as adults' due to the severity of the alleged crime. 'Adult crime. Adult time. These creatures are old enough to understand their actions,' one person wrote. 'If they're old enough to sexually abuse a girl, they're old enough to be tried as adults,' a second commented. Others simply commented: 'Adult crime, adult time'. 'The 14-year-old and 16-year-old should be tried as adults,' said another. 'They are old enough to know their actions and have consequences - especially ones this bad.' What we know about the alleged offender we can name Abdul-Hamid, 19, was arrested at a Housing Department property on Monaro Place in Heckenberg, in Sydney's southwest, at about 6am on Tuesday. The former Sadleir Public School student had been working as a barber in Liverpool at the time of his alleged offending. A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia he was a 'pretty quiet' man and his family 'keep to themselves'. When she last spoke to him a year ago, Abdul-Hamid told her he was working at Westfield Liverpool - the same shopping centre where his alleged victim's ordeal began in December. Footage of Abdul-Hamid's arrest showed his family gathered outside the home as detectives escorted him to a police vehicle. One male family member was heard screaming 'why... why are you arresting him' as Abdul-Hamid was led away from the property. Other family members attempted to restrain the man as he continued to hurl insults at the officers. 'F**k your mothers,' the man said in Arabic before yelling 'all of you' in English. A woman was also seen using her phone to film police as they arrested the 19-year-old. 'I'll go this way, don't touch me. Don't touch me. Don't touch me or sexual assault me,' the woman said. As police loaded Abdul-Hamid into the back of the vehicle, the 19-year-old calmly told his family in Arabic: 'Don't say a word to anyone, yeah.' The woman echoed Abdul-Hamid's words and responded in Arabic 'don't say a word to anyone' before yelling in English: 'Don't trust these dogs, you can't trust these f***ing dogs.' Abdul-Hamid was listed to appear for the first time at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday morning following his arrest on Tuesday. Abdul-Hamid's solicitor Muhammad Tehsledar told the court he did not require his client to appear via audio-visual link when the matter was heard. Mr Tehseldar made no application for bail but said he would be making a release order application for Abdul-Hamid in coming days. Outside court, Mr Tehseldar said Abdul-Hamid maintained his innocence and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment. The case was adjourned to Campbelltown Local Court on August 13. What we know about the alleged gang rape In the December incident, the 17-year-old girl was allegedly approached by a 16-year-old boy at about 5.30pm at a shopping centre in Liverpool, 31km southwest of Sydney's CBD. The 16-year-old allegedly followed the girl to her car and she reluctantly let him inside before he began sexually assaulting her. A short time later, the male asked to be driven 5km to Wheat Park in Sadleir, to which the victim agreed on the understanding he would get out of the car when they arrived. At the park, two other males entered the car, and they also allegedly sexually assaulted the girl. A fourth male then arrived in another vehicle, and the alleged sexual assault continued as the girl was driven around. The six-hour ordeal ended at about 11.30pm when the males departed and left the girl in her car. 'The four of them acted together, creating fear on the victim, degradating her, whilst the others offended against her, and at times, there was more than one person offending against this poor young girl,' State Crime Command's Sex Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said. 'They haven't stopped at any point during that six hours and said this is wrong to any of their co-offenders. And that's the difficult part to come with, that four people could act together and keep going at that type of offending over such a long time.' 'They haven't stopped at any point during that six hours and said this is wrong to any of their co-offenders. And that's the difficult part to come with, that four people could act together and keep going at that type of offending over such a long time.' The teenager immediately contacted a friend who took her to Liverpool Police Station to report the attack. The other alleged offenders we can't name The two younger males faced a children's court that same month, while months of investigation led to the two older alleged offenders being arrested on Tuesday. Officers arrested a 16-year-old boy at a home in Condell Park in southwest Sydney, on December 20, 2024. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with 24 offences including nine counts of sexual intercourse without consent and eight counts of aggravated sex assault - offender in company with other person/s. Detectives arrested a 14-year-old boy at a home in Miller, also in Sydney's southwest, on the same day. He was charged with 10 offences including seven counts of aggravated sex assault - offender in company with other person/s. Both the 16-year-old and 14-year-old boys were refused bail and faced a children's court on December 21, 2024. At about 6am on Tuesday, detectives, along with the Public Order and Riot Squad, simultaneously executed two warrants at homes in Sadleir and Heckenberg - both in Sydney's south-west. Police arrested an 18-year-old man at the Sadleir property before taking him to Liverpool Police Station.
Business Upturn
a day ago
- General
- Business Upturn
Western Sydney Beats the World Four Years in a Row for Community Impact
New Delhi, Delhi, India: For an unprecedented fourth year in a row, Western Sydney University has emerged as the world's number one university for community impact awarded by the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. The University outranked 2,300 international universities in the evaluation process. The University's deep-rooted commitment to improve lives and safeguard the planet through local and global initiatives is gaining huge recognition across markets. Spotlighting India's MARVI (Managing Aquifer Recharge and Sustaining Groundwater Use through Village-level Intervention) project – a collaboration between the University and its valued partners, the transformative community-led program has been commendable. The mission works on improving the security of irrigation water supplies and enhancing livelihood opportunities for rural communities. The project has reached over 3 lakh households in over 20,000 Indian villages across seven states in India. The University is also actively involved in educating and training NGOs, government agencies, and Indian water professionals working directly on the ground, as part of our commitment to delivering world-class education and supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, 'Our University is youthful, diverse, dynamic and entrepreneurial. We reflect our community locally and globally, and we are part of it. These rankings recognise the work we are doing together to take Western Sydney – and our wider global partnerships – to the next level. We can all be proud of this result. Our mission is to ensure our students are successful, our teaching and research have impact, and we are contributing to stronger communities.' Highlighting the University's impactful work in India, Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AC, said, 'By training local women as Bhujal Jaankars – ground water informed volunteers – and promoting female leadership in village cooperatives, MARVI is helping communities make informed choices about which crops to plant based on the availability of water. As one of our flagship community-led projects in the region, Western Sydney University is deeply invested in this project. We are also committed to delivering world-class education that aligns with India's skill needs.' Sharing his perspective on this landmark achievement, Professor Williams says, 'Western Sydney University is showing the world the way. Universities around the world are being urged to return to their primary role as public sector organisations delivering public good. The Impact Rankings recognise that Western Sydney University is the world's best at delivering public good in the communities we serve. It's in our DNA.' Western Sydney University works in partnership with communities in Western Sydney and globally including in India and its offshore locations in Indonesia and Vietnam to deliver on its commitment to the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The rankings assess what universities are doing to improve lives based on the SDGs and assess our research, teaching, campus operations, policies and community engagement and outreach. These include climate action, gender equality, ending poverty, providing affordable and clean energy, reducing inequality, industry innovation and producing sustainable cities and communities. In addition to the overall world number one ranking, the University was highly ranked in the following categories: 4th in the world for SDG 15 Life on Land 7th in the world for SDG 5 Gender Equality 8th in the world for SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production 9th in the world for SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals, SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities 10th in the world for SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting their real-world social and environmental impact. Unlike traditional rankings, they recognise institutions for driving positive change in areas like health, education, and climate action. About Western Sydney University Advertisement Western Sydney University prides itself on challenging the traditional notion of what a university should be. We put students at the heart of everything we do. Embedded in the communities and region we serve, our university is fundamental to the economic, cultural and social life of Western Sydney – one of the fastest-growing, most economically important and most culturally-diverse regions within Australia. We have a network of sites and teaching campuses across Western Sydney and beyond. Western Sydney University has 50,000 students, 3,000 staff, and over 1300 International Indian students, and a strong cohort – both locally and globally – of more than 200,000 alumni. The University has a long and proud history of increasing higher education participation and opening educational opportunities to students who have the drive, ambition and dedication to succeed, particularly for individuals from diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds. At the forefront of education innovation, our programs are designed to help address Australia's current and future workforce needs, with our expanding short courses and micro credential offerings helping people rapidly upskill or reskill in their careers and stay competitive in a fast-changing workplace. The University has been named number one in the world for its social, ecological and economic impact in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings four years in a row. We are globally focused, research led and committed to making a positive impact on the communities we engage with. Click here for Media Contact Details Submit your press release Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
