Wednesday, 23 August, 2023
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Health push Nar Nar Goon Fire Brigade members are taking it upon themselves to conduct what is believed to be a nation-first trial of an air filtration system in their station to combat concerns over hazardous air exposure. After showing signs the air quality at the station was poor, the brigade last week installed an American-manufactured filtration unit in their equipment changeroom, which has had an immediate positive response from members in the unit. The members, who have conducted and funded this trial out of their own pocket, hope success at the brigade will change the practices and standards set in Australian fire stations and address ongoing air quality risks. STORY PAGE 5
Libraries lag
For the love of books Bookworms from across Cardinia came together this week to celebrate Australia’s best authors and illustrators as part of Book Week. A festive parade at Bayles Regional Primary School saw a host of well-loved characters trace the school grounds to mark the occasion. BOOK WEEK PAGES 16-18
Lacey pulled out all of the spots with her Book Week costume. 354503
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows growth areas such as Cardinia are falling short when it comes to accessing library services. The statistics found Cardinia Shire has a rate of 1.68 libraries per 100,000 people - markedly lower than the Melbourne average of 3.2 libraries. By contrast, government areas with smaller, older populations had a greater number of libraries. The City of Yarra, which is about 30 per cent smaller than Cardinia and has about half the percentage of young people, has a rate of 5.46 libraries per 100,000 people. Despite the worrying statistics, council data shows the trend of library usage is up in Cardinia, with over 62,000 more books borrowed across the shire in 2022/23, compared with the year before. STORY PAGE 9
Pharmacy warning By Eleanor Wilson Community pharmacy customers may soon have to start paying for previously free services, as pharmacists scramble to offset costs incurred by the Federal Government’s looming 60-day dispensing rules. From 1 September, the 60-day dispensing policy will enable customers to collect two
months’ worth of supply for 92 PBS-listed medicines. With a long-term outlook to encompass 320 medicines, the scheme would effectively halve medication costs for about six million Australians suffering from chronic illnesses. But pharmacists claim the scheme will cut their dispensing and administration fees in half.
Now, fresh data from CommBank shows almost 80 per cent of pharmacies are considering placing a charge on previously free services to offset the impact of 60-day dispensing. Good Neighbour Pharmacy Pakenham pharmacist Matt Gauke is one pharmacist reluctantly considering ways to offset the losses incurred as a result of the policy.
While he plans to wait for the policy to be enforced before deciding on measures to tackle the cost impact, Mr Gauke said he has considered cutting staff hours and operating hours, along with putting a price tag on free services like blood pressure and diabetes checks, and delivery services. STORY PAGE 3
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