Month: November 2021

The NSW Government has taken precautionary steps in relation to quarantine arrangements for overseas arrivals following the introduction of additional national border security measures by the Australian Government.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new measures would help keep people safe as we work through this latest development with COVID.
“Authorities around the world are still investigating the risk posed by this new variant,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As a result the NSW Government will continue to put community safety first by taking these precautionary but important steps until more information becomes available.”
The new measures, which will take effect at midnight tonight, are:

• In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status;
• All travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice;
• All flight crew who have been overseas during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 14 days or until their departure on another flight that leaves Australia, consistent with the current rules for unvaccinated flight crew;
• Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the nine African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553;
• All unvaccinated travellers from any overseas country will continue to enter hotel quarantine.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said no cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in NSW to date, but urged everyone to stay vigilant.
“I remind the community that vaccination, social distancing and hand hygiene remain our best defence against COVID,” Mr Hazzard said.
Public health advice on quarantine arrangements and isolation requirements will be provided as soon as new information emerges on the risk posed by the new variant and the extent of its international transmission.
People can get the latest information by visiting nsw.gov.au.

Regional and rural communities across NSW will benefit from a more than $500 million investment in health that will deliver enhanced health services and more jobs closer to home.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the additional funding will help deliver more health services and infrastructure needed in the bush.
“We have delivered more than 110 health projects in regional NSW since 2011 with another 70 currently underway and we are continuing to get the job done,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our focus has always been ensuring rural communities get their share of health upgrades so staff and communities have access to enhanced services on their doorstep.”
The investment includes additional funds for a number of projects, including:

• $111.5 million for Cessnock Hospital redevelopment;
• $60 million towards the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, bringing the total investment to $260 million;
• $25 million for Finley Hospital;
• $6.4 million to expand Wyong Hospital’s Cancer Day Unit to deliver specialist cancer ambulatory treatment services, to complement the recently opened $200 million expanded Wyong Hospital;
• $6 million for biomedical equipment upgrades across the Western NSW Local Health District;
• $1 million for planning for a Wagga Wagga Health and Knowledge precinct.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the funding is on top of the $900 million rural infrastructure spend in 2021-22.
“We’re rolling out record investment for new and upgraded regional and rural health facilities to build on our vision to make regional communities the best place to live,” Mr Toole said.
“We are also backing in this infrastructure spend with new initiatives that help ensure we have the workforce needed in the regions to deliver the quality of care our communities deserve.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is making sure the millions of patients who access the health system each year have the health facilities that match their needs.
“We are building better health services across the state and we know we need to get the right health infrastructure in place so our medical professionals can provide the care and support people in the regions need,” Mr Hazzard said.

Disaster assistance is now available in thirteen additional local government areas of Blayney, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Port Macquarie Hastings, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle and Weddin following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021.
These areas are now included in addition to the initial declaration for the local government areas of Tenterfield, Forbes, Bathurst, Blue Mountains, Cowra, Lachlan and Moree.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the severe weather event caused significant widespread damage across NSW.
“Severe weather from early November has continued to impact a number of communities across NSW, including further flooding and storm damage across the State,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Significant rainfall and flooding in a number of areas has resulted in damage to major roads and residential properties.”
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon David Elliott said the event had required a significant response from the NSW State Emergency Services, including a number of flood rescues.
“The assistance being announced today will help ensure councils and individuals impacted by this event have the support they need to get back on their feet.”
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• Freight subsidies for primary producers, and
• Grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Applications are now open for a multi-million dollar funding boost for the state’s Surf Life Saving Clubs to ensure our iconic volunteers continue their vital work keeping people safe at the beach.
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the Surf Club Facility Program, worth $16 million over four years, will build, upgrade and restore surf life saving facilities.
“We have nearly 130 Surf Life Saving Clubs here in NSW which are the hub of our coastal communities,” Mrs Ward said.
“This support will allow significant upgrades, so the 75,000 club members across the state who do such important work volunteering at our beaches can focus on saving lives.”
The NSW Government has extended the Program to ensure volunteer lifesavers continue their world-class service with up to $4 million available in this round for projects including first aid rooms, education rooms and gyms.
Twenty-nine Surf Life Saving Clubs shared in $3.5 million funding in 2020/21.
They included Redhead Surf Life Saving Club at Lake Macquarie which received $302,400 for upgrades to its observation area, radio room and first aid room. Elouera Surf Life Saving Club also received $302,500 and Thirroul Surf Life Saving club was the recipient of $285,000.
Surf Life Saving NSW President George Shales OAM said safe, accessible and secure rescue facilities across NSW remain a top priority.
“Last year our volunteer surf lifesavers performed over 3,000 rescues, 143,000 preventative actions and 7,000 first aid treatments. The Surf Club Facility Program will improve the ongoing important community service our lifesavers deliver,” Mr Shales said.
Applications for this round of grants close on 21 January 2022. Up to $500,000 is available for each project. For more details, see: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/SCFP.

A spectacular week of live entertainment has been set for the world’s most scenic stage as the Cahill Expressway is transformed for the ELEVATE Sydney festival.
Thirty thousand free tickets are being made available for the six-day event, set to take place from New Year’s Day overlooking Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay.
Today the NSW Government announced a stellar line-up of more than 180 artists including Dance Monkey star Tones And I, Tim Minchin, Baker Boy, Electric Fields, Marcia Hines and The Wiggles.
It will transform the harbourside expressway, day and night for people of all ages. The event will also feature the biggest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said ELEVATE Sydney will help revive the spirit of the city, reminding the world why tourists travel from across the world to experience our lifestyle.
“The day after the fireworks, this event will begin the new year with a celebration of what makes our city great,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Nowhere else could you hold this kind of event, nowhere has our harbour, our setting or our weather – this is part of our ongoing vision for taking our city from good to great.
“This has been a tough time for hospitality and tourism, we’re committed to doing everything we can to get these industries back on their feet and ensuring that our people have the chance to enjoy the city again.”
Part of the NSW Government’s efforts to turbocharge the CBD’s recovery, ELEVATE Sydney will offer Sydneysiders and visitors the chance to experience entertainment spanning pop, disco, musical theatre, youth, family, sport and First Nations genres.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Industry and Trade Stuart Ayres said ELEVATE Sydney was part of the NSW Government’s plan to support recovery and showcase the state and Harbour City to the world.
“Getting more visitors to Sydney and regional NSW, giving them high quality experiences and offering a smorgasbord of events will propel us toward our goal of being the premier visitor economy and events capital of the Asia Pacific by 2030,” Mr Ayres said.
“We know visitors and locals alike are looking for unforgettable experiences to Feel New – and what could be better than immersing yourself in an event that brings together the power of wellbeing, dance, culture, art and community, set against one of the world’s most spectacular backdrops, Sydney’s magnificent harbour.
“This is a very special and exciting event which will not only elevate Sydney and NSW to a global audience but elevate our homegrown talent, economy and community spirit,” Mr Ayres said.
In an Australian first, the Skyshow will feature 500 choreographed drones over Sydney Cove as a natural amphitheater, creating a dazzling light display.  A boomerang, a waratah and a series of animations will tell a powerful story of Sydney’s past, present and hopes for 2022.
Specialists from Finland, Germany and the USA have travelled to Australia to train local operators in the drone technology.
The Cahill Expressway will be closed to traffic and pedestrians during ELEVATE Sydney, with public transport and alternate routes available for visitors and residents.
For further information on the program and to reserve free tickets from 2 December, visit www.elevatesydney.com.