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Wollongong Hospital is significantly improving wait times through innovative use of the Short Stay Unit in the emergency department (ED), almost tripling the use of these beds in the past 12 months.

ESSA (Emergency Short Stay Area) operates like a ward within the ED itself – one designed to provide a short period of ongoing treatment and observation of a patient’s condition, avoiding an unnecessary hospital stay.

Wollongong Hospital is prioritising patients needing treatment for moderately complex conditions through the ESSA, freeing up beds in the ED for more seriously unwell patients and enabling the earlier discharge of patients who don’t require admission to hospital.

In the month of January 2024, almost 770 patients were treated in Wollongong Hospital ESSA, compared with 282 patients treated in January 2023. Performance has further improved in March, with 831 patients managed though ESSA.

In the 3 months to December 2023, 43,216 people attended EDs across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and the number of ambulance arrivals was 12,532, which represents the second highest quarter on record.

Despite this increased demand, ED staff achieved some remarkable results, including a 27.5%-point improvement in the number of patients transferred from ambulances to the ED within 30 minutes at Wollongong Hospital, compared with the same quarter in 2022.

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“These improvements have come about thanks to excellent collaboration of staff across ED, hospital wards, transit lounge, patient flow teams and multidisciplinary working groups.

“Together, they’ve implemented more robust analysis, better communication pathways and focused on the availability of transition-to-ward beds that better aligns with peak ambulance arrival times and maximised the efficacy of the short stay model of care within the ED.

“Collectively, these initiatives are having an impact.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“The innovations undertaken by frontline health staff at Wollongong Hospital to improve patient access to care is clearly working and I’m incredibly grateful for their efforts.

“The stronger focus on the use of the short stay area means people in our community are being seen and treated faster.”

Motorists in Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Marsden Park, Auburn and Merrylands are among the biggest beneficiaries of the NSW Government’s $60 toll cap.

Motorists are claiming an average $264 in cash back from the signature cost-of-living relief scheme that began on 1 January.

Drivers in Auburn ($600.51), Lakemba ($516.33) and Wiley Park ($465.87) have received some of the largest average toll relief returns during the first month of claims.

More than 47,600 claims have been lodged by drivers who are able to claim for the first 3 months of the toll cap period.

A total of $46.8 million is available to 350,000 toll account holders to be claimed after the first quarterly period.

Claims will open for future quarters on 9 July 2024, 9 October 2024 and 9 January 2025.

Get more information and claim Toll relief.

Top 20 suburbs ranked by total claim amount

Suburbs	Count of Claims	Total Claim Amount ($)	Avg Claim ($)
Baulkham Hills	706	$222,463	$315.10
Blacktown	659	$212,152	$321.93
Marsden Park	555	$196,844	$354.67
Auburn	324	$194,564	$600.51
Merrylands	445	$190,828	$428.83
Quakers Hill	496	$155,753	$314.02
Castle Hill	525	$153,210	$291.83
Kellyville	468	$134,130	$286.60
Greystanes	460	$129,795	$282.16
Lakemba	235	$121,337	$516.33
West pennant Hills	285	$100,813	$353.73
Glenwood	303	$97,365	$321.34
Bankstown	299	$96,948	$324.24
Schofields	295	$95,646	$324.22
Glenmore Park	381	$89,775	$ 235.63
Wiley Park	184	$85,720	$465.87
Punchbowl	217	$83,763	$386.00
Seven Hills	266	$83,013	$312.08
Melonba	196	$81,248	$414.53
Mascot	276	$77,782	$281.82

Minister for Roads John Graham said:  

“The $60 weekly toll cap is working just as it was designed – getting relief to where it is needed most.”

“This means much-needed dollars in the pockets of drivers across western Sydney, those areas where people have little other choice than to use toll roads and where public transport alternatives are not as viable as in other parts of Sydney.

“The NSW Government’s number one priority is delivering cost of living relief and I urge those drivers who are eligible for toll relief to link their toll account with Service NSW.”    

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:  

“The Labor Government’s toll relief scheme is helping households save money, and people can easily access this using the Service NSW website.”  

“There is a video on the Service NSW website which walks customers through the steps of the claim process. People need to link their toll account to their MyServiceNSW account, follow the prompts and submit a claim if eligible.”  

“Toll relief customers have found the online claim process seamless and accessible, and team members at Service Centres are also available to assist people or you can call 13 77 88 for assistance. I encourage people to jump online and make a claim.”  

The NSW Government is continuing to invest in meaningful action to increase support for victim survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence across the state, with the opening of a NSW Multicultural Centre for Women’s and Family Safety.

Committed to during the election, the NSW Government has partnered with Settlement Services International (SSI) and invested $4.4 million to establish the centre. This will increase accessibility to services and safety for migrant and refugee women by having holistic, well-informed and culturally appropriate responses to domestic, family and sexual violence.

The NSW Government recognises the unique needs of migrants and refugees whose domestic, family and sexual violence experiences are overlaid and further compounded by other factors, including social and institutional barriers that inhibit access and present challenges that services and systems must address and overcome.

With thousands of women to be assisted each year, the centre will be based in South Western Sydney but operate statewide, including outreach into regional and rural NSW.

Recognition of the need for specialisation of services is a key element of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32, with the plan highlighting the need for nuanced and cultural responses informed by the knowledge of and connection to communities.

SSI is a national organisation working with culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities in NSW with subject matter expertise in domestic, family and sexual violence.

This announcement follows the government’s commitment this week to provide $230 million over 4 years as part of an emergency package to enhance support for domestic, family and sexual violence victim-survivors and expand programs that reduce the rate of violence against women and children.

This package includes:

• $48m to roll out the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program statewide and to expand the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service (IDFVS).
• $45 million has been set aside to improve bail laws and justice system responses to domestic violence with measures to be announced in coming weeks. 
• Nearly $24 million for specialist DV support workers within the justice system.
• $2 million over 4 years to support the Domestic Violence Death Review Team and its work to deliver robust research around risks factors, trends and impact of service delivery.
• $2.1 million over 2 years to improve and continue the Corrective Services program EQUIPS Domestic and Family Violence, delivered to offenders in custody and under supervision in the community to prevent reoffending.
• $48 million to secure and increase funding for workers who support children accompanying their mothers to refuges. These specialist workers support them, including with education and mental health measures.
• Support of $700,000 for the NSW Domestic Violence Line (DV line).
• $38 million for the implementation of NSW’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy. The Pathways to Prevention: NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2027 will develop a range of initiatives to address the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence.
• $8.1 million over 4 years for the ‘All in’ early childhood pilot, to prevent domestic violence by teaching young children about healthy relationships.
• $5m in funding for research into perpetrators and effective interventions.

Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“This announcement is part of how we are coming good on our election commitment to close a service gap by providing a vital statewide service for migrant and refugee women and their children experiencing domestic violence.

“NSW and Western Sydney in particular is made up of diverse communities with unique needs that we must address to tackle the scourge of domestic violence head on.

“This is 1 of a suite of initiatives the NSW Government is implementing to respond to the ongoing crisis of violence against women.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“Domestic, family and sexual violence is an issue that impacts all communities. In order to properly address this issue we need to make sure we are delivering for all communities.

“The Multicultural Centre for Women’s and Family Safety will help deliver much needed services to our culturally and linguistically diverse communities in a manner that is accessible and respectful of their culture.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The centre would drive better support for diverse communities and deliver on an election commitment.

“Domestic and family violence is a scourge which stains all sections of our community and the response must be tailored to communities in all their diversity in order to be effective.

“Not only are women from multicultural backgrounds more vulnerable to abuse, sadly they are less likely to seek help due to a range of cultural and language barriers.

“This centre will bring together the state’s best minds in multicultural women’s safety to address immediate risks to women and children and create long term positive change for the whole community.”

Settlement Services International CEO Violet Roumeliotis said:

“The centre will address a critical need for migrant and refugee women and children.

“All communities in Australia experience domestic and family violence. But we don’t have equal access to support.

“The centre will collaborate with other services to address the diverse needs of migrant and refugee women and their children who are at risk of, or experiencing, domestic, family and sexual violence. It’s about creating equity and ensuring support is accessible to all victim-survivors, no matter their language, culture or visa status.”

The centre commenced operation in April.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au. 

45 community projects will share in more than $6.6 million in funding in the latest round of the ClubGrants Infrastructure Grants Program.

ClubGrants Category 3 directs profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects, while clubs receive a tax concession in return.

A total of $12.5 million in funding will be made available through the program this financial year, including to a women’s shelter, evacuation centre and an indoor futsal stadium.

This round of Infrastructure Grants includes sport and recreation facilities, disaster readiness projects, community infrastructure, and arts and culture-related works.

Key projects supported in this latest funding round include:

• $250,000 for Foodbank NSW & ACT to purchase a flat deck freezer trailer with insulated frame to help deliver more food relief to regional NSW. Foodbank already distributes more than 327,000 tonnes of food each week to community partner networks.
• $188,600 contribution to an evacuation centre in the grounds of Gooloogong Public School which will provide an essential venue in times of emergency for the community and surrounding areas. It will also provide a space for community family daycare throughout the year for local working families.
• $184,700 to refurbish the outdoor toddler play-therapy space at Karitane Early Parenting Service at Campbelltown.
• $93,500 to upgrade the gates and security system at the Great Lakes Women’s Shelter enabling staff to better respond to security breaches and improve accessibility for women staying in the shelter.

The Government’s review into the effectiveness of Clubgrants is ongoing as the Government continues working to improve integrity and public trust in government grants.

This is the first formal review into the scheme since 2013.

See the complete list of Infrastructure Grants Program recipients

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“These grants support local communities with projects that help rebuild community spirit by increasing participation in sports and recreation, encouraging participation in the creative arts and museums, and helping communities prepare for natural disasters.

“I am especially pleased that we have been able to support the Great Lakes Women’s Shelter to upgrade their gates and security system, which will help keep women and children escaping domestic and family violence safer as they try to rebuild their lives.

“I am also pleased that eight disaster readiness projects will receive more than $900,000 to help ensure communities are better able to withstand emergencies.

“We received a large number of funding applications in this round and I commend all of those who committed their time and energy into preparing such high-quality submissions.”

A Western Sydney primary school will soon benefit from the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active grants, as families across the state are encouraged to leave the car at home more often this National Walk Safely to School Day.

Data shows less than 25% of NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, down from 75% 40 years ago.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council has received a $600,000 grant to install a raised pedestrian crossing and shared pathways around Canterbury South Public School that will link to existing walking and cycling networks in the local area.

The Get NSW Active program delivers better walking and cycling connections along routes to schools across the state.

Over the last 2 years, more than 93 grants valued at $26 million have been provided to councils, including $6.6 million in Greater Sydney and $19.3 million in regional NSW. A further $10 million was recently added to the program, with successful applicants to be announced next month.

National Walk Safely to School Day is an initiative led by the Pedestrian Council of Australia with support from Transport for NSW, providing schools with information and classroom resources on the importance of road safety.

Transport for NSW also provides over 1400 trained school crossing supervisors at 970 schools across NSW, helping kids to cross the road safely. Its Safety Town website is a useful family resource for road safety tips and advice to help keep their children safe.

Get more information on the Safety Town program.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Today is an important reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing road trauma. Teaching our children how to get to and from school safely is extremely important.

“Sadly, in the past 12 months, 20 children aged 5 to 16 years were injured in active school zones.

“I’d like to remind motorists to do their part in making sure children are safe by sticking to the speed limit in school zones and watching out for kids.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen:

“We want to make it easier for kids across NSW to walk safely to school, every day. Even on rainy days like today, grab the brolly and slip on some gumboots if you can.

“That’s why we’re investing millions to make it safer and easier for kids to walk to school, so parents can leave the car at home.

“The benefits of walking to school for children are enormous, and today on National Walk to School Day, it provides a great opportunity for parents to talk to their kid’s road safety, and healthy life-time travel habits.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“Today is great day to commit to walking to school with your kids, which can come with extra challenges in rural areas, like traveling longer distances or higher-speed traffic.

“For kids living in the bush, sometimes they have to travel long distances to get to a school. Even if you’re driving from a far distance, I encourage parents to park nearby, hold your kids’ hands and walk the rest of the way to school.

“We’ll continue to work with the federal government and local councils to roll out critical safety infrastructure, as part of the $40 million School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program for Regional NSW.”

 Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said:

“I am excited that in just a few months’ time, students at Canterbury South Primary School will have a new, safer crossing and wider footpaths in the surrounding streets. The new paths will fill an important gap between the school gate and the Cooks River walking and cycling paths.

“This is a great example of council and government working together to get the best outcome for the community, and I know students and parents are going to love it.”

Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby said:

“Physical activity has many social, emotional, physical and mental health benefits.

“Regular physical activity, especially walking, can improve self-esteem and confidence, help concentration and improve overall fitness. And children who are physically active before school, perform better academically.

“But the most important message remains: Until they’re ten, children must always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road.

“Never just trust a green light. Always stop, look, listen, think, before crossing the road.”

The Central Coast community has been given a first look at Wyong Hospital’s new Palliative Care Unit, with an artist’s impression for the new facility unveiled today.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the new facility is being delivered as part of the $93 million allocated for capital investment in the NSW Government’s World Class End of Life Care program and will feature 12 palliative care bedrooms with ensuites, communal areas, meeting spaces, and flexible outdoor spaces.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring people with life-limiting illnesses receive the highest quality end-of-life care at the right time, and in the right place,” Mr Park said.  

“The new dedicated palliative care unit at Wyong will provide a purpose-built space for palliative care staff to deliver care and support to patients and families during what can be an extremely difficult time for all involved.”

Following extensive site investigations across the Wyong Hospital campus, the new palliative care unit will be located in an existing building at the eastern end of the campus.

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said the existing space will be extensively remodelled to make way for the new palliative care unit.

“It will provide privacy and space for patients and families, including individual and communal areas, outdoor spaces, and access to parking and other clinical services,” Mr Harris said.

“The new unit will be a valuable addition to Central Coast Local Health District’s existing palliative care services, including the palliative care unit at Gosford Hospital and in-home services to meet individual and family needs.

“This is an important milestone and I acknowledge the hard work of the community in advocating for this project.”

The schematic design for the new facility has been completed and is the result of extensive consultation with palliative care health professionals, carers, and community members, to ensure the best and most appropriate health outcome for the Central Coast community.

Construction timeframes will be confirmed once the detailed design phase is complete, and a builder has been appointed.

The NSW Government’s $93 million for capital investment in the World Class End of Life Care program will deliver new or redeveloped palliative care facilities across the state. Other locations to benefit from new palliative care services include Nepean, Orange, Tamworth and Westmead.

For more project information, including the latest design, visit the End of Life Care Program website.

The number of people sleeping rough in NSW has continued to rise with regional areas experiencing the biggest surge in homelessness in the past year, while metro Sydney has stabilised.

The challenge ahead is made clear by the 2024 Street Count, which found 2037 people sleeping rough compared to 1623 people last year. Street sleeping increase by 1% in City of Sydney and approximately 16% in Byron Bay – which now accounts for the largest number of street sleepers in NSW.

The NSW Government is working to address the worsening housing and rental crisis faced by so many people across the state.

Rising interest rates, cost of living pressures and a shortage of rental homes are just some of the factors that are continuing to drive homelessness and street sleeping.

The NSW Government and Homes NSW are taking action to address rising street sleeping and homelessness by:

• Addressing short term rental accommodation rules because we know the current rules aren’t working.
• Delivering more public and social homes and bringing vacant homes back online.
• Exploring modular housing that is good quality, fast and locally made to support local jobs.
• Properly supporting Special Homelessness Services (SHS) including extension to Specialist Homelessness Services contract from 2024 to 2026 and moving to 5 year contracts to create more certainty.
• Removing caps on temporary accommodation so people, especially women and children, have a safe place to stay instead of on the streets.
• Increasing support for victim-survivors, and expanding the staying home leaving violence program statewide, so victims are able to stay at home and avoid homelessness.

The NSW Government acknowledges there is much more to do to address homelessness and provide homes for people in need.

More than 300 local organisations partnered with the NSW Government to complete street counts in 400 towns and suburbs in 76 local government areas.

The 2024 street count was completed between Thursday 1 February and Friday 1 March 2024 and is published annually.

For more information about how the 2024 Street Count was done and the breakdown of results across NSW, visit the Communities and Justice website.

Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“I attended this year’s Street Count along with the CEO of Homes NSW, Rebecca Pinkstone and the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre team. I think it’s important our leaders and Government are on the front line to see first-hand how we collect this data.

“While levels of street sleeping have stabilised in Sydney, we are still seeing an unprecedented increase of homelessness in many of our regional towns. We don’t just need data to tell us this – our regional communities are feeling this every day.

“The sobering street count figures again paint a harrowing picture of homelessness and street sleeping across our state.

“We have been clear – we are looking at every single option to tackle the housing and rental crisis. This includes our wide-ranging review of Short Term Rental Accommodation rules which we are in the process of finalising very soon.

“We know the current Short Term Rental Accommodation rules are having an impact on homelessness and street sleeping, especially in our regions, which is why we are acting.”

Following the Opposition’s calls for the Government to stop hiding the homelessness figures they have been forced to release the 2024 street count figures.
 
The NSW annual street count reveal the number of rough sleepers has surged over the past twelve months under Labor.
 
The data collected during the street count recorded 2,037 people sleeping rough in February 2024, an increase of 414 people since February 2023.
 
Shadow Minister for Homelessness Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the 2024 street count numbers shows the Minns Labor Government was failing our most vulnerable.
 
“The Minns Government housing and homelessness crisis just keeps getting worse with a record 2,037 people sleeping rough recorded this year, an increase of 414 people since February 2023,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones.
 
“As the housing and economic crisis continues to escalate, there is a real risk more people will experience homelessness for the first time.”
 
“As winter approaches and the number of people sleeping rough increases, the Minister for Homelessness has turned her back on homelessness providers and refuses to provide certainty for critical funding.”
 
“The NSW Labor Government must act now and provide additional funding to support our already stretched homelessness services.”

Mrs Maclaren-Jones is also calling on the Minister for Homelessness to broaden the scope of reporting to encompass all types of homelessness, including nuances like couch surfing and other forms of non-secure housing, which is not captured in the street count.
 
“People are experiencing many types of housing stress, from rough sleeping to couch surfing and living in overcrowded accommodation. To effectively address homelessness, we must have accurate and timely data that shows the true extent of homelessness,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

To view the 2024 NSW street count results, visit www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/housing-reforms/homelessness/street-count.