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The NSW Labor Government is making it easier than ever for snow lovers to make the most of the ski season this year with an expansion of the Snowy Mountains bus service and roll out of a new SMS alert service.

Tickets are now on sale for the popular Snowy Mountains bus service, which is being expanded this year to include a Cooma via Berridale to Jindabyne service. 

The service, which continues to grow in popularity and carried out more than 80,000 passenger journeys completed in 2023, will this year run from 8 June to 6 October. Extra services will also be available during school holidays.

As part of the NSW Labor Government’s efforts to improve the ski season experience for all road users, Transport for NSW has also introduced a subscription-based SMS service that will send alerts when Kosciuszko Road or Alpine Way need to close due to parking at the ski fields reaching capacity. 

Customers who subscribe to the service will receive three text messages to alert them of road closures, before, during and after the closures are in place. 

Find out more information or subscribe to the SMS alert service. 

For more information on the bus service and ticketing options.

Minister for Skills. TAFE and Tertiary Education and Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“The Snowy Mountains bus service is as a safe and affordable alternative to driving, and has steadily grown in popularity, with 95 per cent of passengers surveyed last year saying they would use the service again. 

“This year we are excited expand the reach of this popular service and add a new initiative that will deliver important real-time messaging directly to customers when they need it most.

“Locals and regular snow visitors will know the frustration of arriving at the Kosciusko Road and Alpine Way intersection, only to be turned around. This new SMS alert system will now allow them to make more informed travel decisions before departure.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Snowy Mountains Bus allows a stress-free journey to the snow fields for snow goers. The service allows motorists, who might not be experienced in driving in alpine conditions, an alternative to ensure their families make it safely to the snow fields.  

“Increased services in 2023 led to improved safety, reliability and social and economic outcomes, and contributed to fewer journeys by car on roads impacted by ice and snow, a reduction in road incidents and reduction in vehicle recoveries performed in the alpine area.

“The NSW Labor Government is proud to invest in this new SMS alert service that gives motorists another tool they can use to better plan their journeys and avoid being inconvenienced this snow season. 

“Importantly, this service has been developed in response to feedback from motorists who told Transport for NSW they needed more notice of closures. I’m pleased we’re acting on that feedback and delivering an improved service that will benefit all road users.”

People across NSW are being urged to protect themselves against serious illness by booking in for their influenza vaccine ahead of the 2024 flu season.

The latest respiratory surveillance report shows more than 4700 people in NSW were diagnosed with influenza in the last 4 weeks, a 16% increase compared with the previous year.

NSW hospitals received 480 influenza-like illness admissions between the 6 January and 14 April 2024. This is compared with 284 during the same period in 2023.

The NSW Government is encouraging people to book in for the influenza vaccine through a local GP or pharmacist ahead of winter.

People who are considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine. Priority groups include:

• children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• people aged 65 and over
• Aboriginal people from 6 months of age
• pregnant women
• those with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity,
• severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.

NSW Health also recommends considering getting a COVID-19 booster at the same time as the flu vaccination.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s latest COVID-19 vaccine advice recommends:

• a COVID-19 vaccination every 6 months for all adults aged 75 years and over
• a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months for adults aged 65 to 74 years, and adults aged 18 to 64 with severe immunocompromise; these people can consider a vaccination every 6 months
• a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months can be considered for all other adults aged 18 to 64 years those aged 5 to18 years with severe immunocompromise.

Some steps to help protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 and flu include:

• stay up to date with recommended influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations
• stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and wear a mask if you need to leave home
• gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces
• talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan about what to do if you get sick, including what test to take, and discussing if you are eligible for antiviral medicines
• don’t visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you have cold or flu symptoms or have tested positive to COVID-19 or influenza
• consider taking a rapid antigen test before visiting vulnerable loved ones, particularly when COVID-19 transmission is moderate or high in the community.

More information on influenza and the COVID-19 booster vaccines can be found on the NSW Government website.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Influenza is highly contagious, and it can be life-threatening, especially for vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions.

“Getting the flu jab is the best way to protect yourself and the wider community.”

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Influenza has started to increase in some parts of Australia, and it’s expected to start to increase across NSW soon, so it is very important you get vaccinated to protect yourself and others as you don’t want to end up in hospital or put vulnerable community members at risk.

“Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccine and these are available through GPs for any age group, as well as through pharmacies for everyone aged 5 years and over.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said:

“Last year, we saw an increase in ED presentations among young children with some being admitted to intensive care with life-threatening complications from the flu. We don’t want to see a repeat this year, so we are reminding families to book their children aged under 5 years in for their free flu vaccine now.

“It is a very quick and easy process to book in with your local doctor or pharmacist who can also administer your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time if recommended. This simple act can help you and your family stay healthy this winter.”

The NSW Government has revitalised one of its key regional workplaces, following the completion of a $13.8 million workplace hub that consolidates three government agencies under one roof.

Employees from the Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW), Department of Customer Service (DCS) and Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) have moved into the freshly fitted out Maitland Workplace Hub in High Street.

The new hub is the base for up to 650 regional workers and provides flexible and agile workspace for all government employees visiting the Hunter region for work. The project has supported 40 construction jobs for local tradespeople and subcontractors.

The NSW Government’s central property agency, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) has delivered the Maitland CBD Workplace Hub as part of its ongoing work to consolidate agencies into modern, sustainable hubs.

By consolidating three agencies under one roof, the NSW Government has reduced the rent and associated costs from having multiple leases, while creating a modern working environment that will support enhanced collaboration and improve service delivery to communities in regional NSW.

Work is also underway to upgrade the building’s environmental credentials to achieve a 5-star NABERS energy rating and a 4-star NABERS water rating, which will support the NSW Government’s net zero emissions targets as it works to reduce its environmental footprint.

Find out more about the Maitland Workplace Hub

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This fantastic new hub provides high quality facilities for government employees who call this region home, and a place to work for visiting employees when they are in town for the day.”

“We have other regional hubs on the way in Dubbo and Coffs Harbour to continue to attract, support and retain talented employees from regional NSW.”

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:

“Quality workplaces like this ultimately lead to better service delivery and outcomes for the wider community.

“Reducing the number of commercial leases is part of our government’s work to address the state’s budget challenge.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The opening of the new government workplace hub is a win for the Hunter region. It means more jobs, more opportunities, and a brighter future for our community, helping lay down the groundwork for sustainable growth and prosperity.”

“We recognise the immense talent and potential of our rural workers, and the opening of the hub highlights our commitment to preserving local jobs and fostering economic growth in rural areas.”

“We strive to bridge the gap between urban and rural employment and this commitment will help decentralise opportunities and spread economic success beyond the metropolitan areas.”

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:

“This is a great boost for the Maitland community, as it keeps jobs in this area and will deliver economic benefits.

“The new fit-out provides 5,500 square metres of work space across two floors, and more than 250 underground and street level car parking spaces to support government workers based in Maitland.”

Hunter Mason Founder and Managing Director Matthew Callender said:

“We are delighted that along with leading the construction of the new Maitland Workplace Hub, we have supported 11 apprentices, 20 local tradespeople, and committed $850,000 towards Aboriginal participation in construction, which is an important driver for Hunter Mason.”

NSW is leading Australia’s post-pandemic visitor economy rebound, surpassing $50 billion in visitor expenditure for the first time in history in the year ending December 2023. This record-breaking contribution from both domestic and international visitors positions NSW as a leader in Australia’s post-pandemic visitor economy rebound.

Despite the devastating impacts of COVID-19, visitor expenditure had a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% over the last ten years.

The NSW Government has ambitious plans to drive that economic growth to even greater heights. To unlock our state’s full potential, the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 is being reviewed and evolving to showcase the best of NSW to the world by focussing on the diverse experiences on offer for visitors.

The Governments new tourism strategy seeks to improve cultural experiences for tourists while also expanding visitation to western Sydney and Regional NSW. The impending opening of Western Sydney International and Newcastle International Airports represents further potential for growth in the sector. The review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 presents a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of the visitor economy in NSW.

The strategy review will seek to formalise the NSW Government’s focus on experience tourism and ensure that the state’s approach to tourism, the NSW Government’s Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy (Creative Communities), the night-time economy agenda and the regulatory environments that underpin them, are in lockstep.

Destination NSW is inviting visitor economy stakeholders from across the state to contribute their insights and expertise.

Individuals and organisations are invited to join the conversation and share their perspectives by submitting written submissions online via Have Your Say which will be available in late April.

The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 was launched in 2021 and included a commitment to review it after three years.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“NSW has recently achieved a historic milestone, surpassing $50 billion in visitor expenditure for the first time ever. The visitor economy is going from strength to strength. With the looming opening of the Western Sydney International and Newcastle International Airports, it is a perfect time to reassess the opportunities in the sector.

“Three years on from the development of the strategy, not only does the tourism context in NSW look different, so does the policy direction of the new government.

“An experience tourism focus means thinking about not just bringing people here, but about what they do when they arrive and encouraging them to come back over and over again. Culturally-rich and vibrant communities are what keep people in NSW but they’re also what bring people here.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey have to take responsibility for the state of the New South Wales Budget, stop blaming everyone else for their budget blowouts and rule out further cuts.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said that before the election Chris Minns’ promises to union bosses weren’t going to cost anything – after the election they turned out to cost billions, and Labor chose to cut cost of living supports, funding for schools, palliative care, and infrastructure to pay for their union promises.
 
“Chris Minns must now rule out any further cuts to our schools, hospitals, infrastructure or services,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“The Liberals and Nationals Government had to deal with the GST redistribution, a once in a century COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and numerous global headwinds, but we still managed to maintain a strong Budget and the AAA credit rating.”
 
“Chris Minns keeps agreeing to Canberra’s demands – from housing targets to NDIS – without properly considering the implications, and then he refuses to pick up the phone to Canberra. He failed to do it on immigration, on infrastructure cuts and on GST.”
 
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope called on the Treasurer to take responsibility for the NSW Budget and stop playing the blame game.
 
“Daniel Mookhey is addicted to the blame game. He’s blamed WestInvest, the debt servicing arising from natural disasters and COVID-19, and now the GST system for losing NSW’s AAA credit rating,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“However, the Treasurer fails to mention the $9.5 billion blow out in unfunded public sector wage rises so far, with more to come as numerous other unions seek significant wage increases.”
 
“All the factors that led to the lower GST determination were known to the Treasurer – coal royalties, higher land prices and 2021 census data. His optimistic predictions of Budget surpluses were based on pretending not to be aware of these factors,” Mr Tudehope said.
 
“The Minns Labor Government is more focused on finding excuses than making the right Budget decisions for NSW.”