Latest news with #SimonHayes


SBS Australia
23-07-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
SBS shortlists proponents to proceed to next stage for Western Sydney production hub location
SBS has today confirmed that it has shortlisted a number of the proposals received in response to its recent Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the future location of its planned new production hub and talent incubator in Western Sydney. The shortlisting marks a key milestone in the project, with the shortlisted proponents now invited to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, the next step in determining the final proposed location for SBS's new world-class production facility in one of Australia's most dynamic and diverse regions. The EOI process attracted a range of high-quality submissions from across Western Sydney. Each was carefully assessed against SBS's functional and strategic requirements, including the ability to support a state-of-the-art television, digital, and audio production facility, as well as strong alignment with SBS's mission to reflect and serve diverse Australian communities. SBS Chief Technology Officer Darren Farnham said: 'We're incredibly encouraged by the calibre of responses received and the shared vision for building a truly distinctive and impactful SBS presence in Western Sydney. This next stage brings us closer to creating a production hub that will amplify First Nations and multilingual voices, support new content partnerships, and foster the next generation of diverse media talent.' SBS Western Sydney Project Director Simon Hayes said: 'The shortlisted proposals represent exciting potential to deliver on our ambition for a vibrant, fully accessible, future-facing media hub. The RFP stage will allow us to further explore how each potential premises can support SBS's specialised and highly technical operational needs and community impact objectives.' SBS intends on selecting a preferred location in late 2025, subject to the outcomes of the RFP stage and various approval processes. This will support the submission of a detailed business case to the Australian Government later this year as part of the project funding consideration process. The new SBS Production Hub will become a home for more distinctive SBS content – spanning news and current affairs, First Nations storytelling, multilingual programming, and community-led productions – while also creating local employment and education pathways. More information on the SBS Western Sydney Production Hub project is available at: For a pdf copy of this media release, click here.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Roads so bad passengers ‘jolted awake' as they drive over border into Herefordshire
Herefordshire's ambitions to improve its bus services face huge challenges, not least from the state of its roads, a local operator has warned. Based on the Herefordshire/Shropshire border, Forest Coaches has been operating since 2019 – during which 'I have noticed roads in Herefordshire get steadily worse,' managing director Simon Hayes said. The difference between Herefordshire and neighbouring Powys is now so stark that passengers are jolted awake when crossing into England, he said. RELATED NEWS: Students forced to quit studies over transport woes MP hits out at cuts to Hereford train service New multi-storey car park 'recommended' for Hereford bus station 'Modern cars are incredibly good at soaking up shocks from poor road surfaces. Low-floor buses are not. Old people must hate travelling on them.' Besides the county's notorious potholes, unmaintained overhanging vegetation 'is even more of a concern', particularly in the dark, when strikes can not only cause costly damage to vehicles, but also give drivers and passengers 'the fright of their lives'. So there are strong disincentives for bus companies to invest in vehicles and services, he said. What are your thoughts? You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here. Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence. 'You need to have more vehicles so you can bring out a spare. But why spend £350,000 on a new bus to have it wrecked in turn?' The problem is compounded by a lack of drivers – a national problem made worse in the Welsh Marches due to the absence of large operators training up new entrants. Forest Coaches faces severe challenges, boss Simon Hayes says (Image: ROB DAVIES) Meanwhile, 'the average age of drivers in Herefordshire is around 65, when you are more susceptible to ailments', Mr Hayes said. 'More are hanging up their keys than taking them up.' Despite the Government's notional support for bus transport, it has for some years offered free training for new lorry drivers but not for bus and coach drivers, while bus and coach mechanics are also thin on the ground, he added. OTHER NEWS: Update on plans for new Herefordshire railway station Plans for new specialist factory revealed 'Explosive' power plant approved in sensitive Herefordshire spot Meanwhile regulatory changes from August will put the same accessibility obligations on bus hire operators as regular bus firms, adding further to costs, he said. 'This will force some operators out of business, probably including ourselves,' Mr Hayes warned. Herefordshire Council was asked how it plans to spend the £1.1 million it is due to receive from the Government to improve bus services in the county. It plans a strategic 'bus summit' later in the year.