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The Minns Labor government has launched a new option to renew Working with Children Checks (WWCCs) online, the first of its kind in Australia and a step towards more digital identification solutions.

About 1000 WWCCs are renewed each day, and nurses, teachers and childcare workers are among the 1.9 million people in NSW who will save valuable time with the online renewal option.

The online WWCC renewal is the first major product being rolled out under the NSW Digital ID program and is a significant step in the NSW Government’s journey towards a convenient and secure digital identity for residents.

Online renewals remove the need to share copies of physical documents to prove an identity, using photo verification technology to securely verify a person’s identity and a liveness check to determine if a person is present in front of a mobile phone.

Service NSW will confirm the identity of a person by matching their live facial scan with the reference image associated with them, such as the photo that was taken when a driver licence was issued.

To preserve privacy and safeguard against fraud, photos used for verification are immediately and permanently destroyed after the real-time check is completed.

More than a million residents, or roughly 14 per cent of the state, do not hold a NSW driver licence but are holders of government issued photo cards. To make transacting with NSW Government even more inclusive for the community, those with a photo card will also be able to renew their WWCC online.

Renewing a WWCC using digital proof of identity is optional and people can still apply in-person at Service NSW. 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Being able to renew a Working with Children Check online will save a lot of time for our essential workers and remove the manual process of presenting documents in-person to prove their identity.”

“The new online option will particularly benefit the many hard-working social workers, teachers and health and childcare workers who live and work in remote areas who can’t conveniently get to a Service NSW Centre.”

“This is the first significant step towards a digital ID and sets the foundation for renewing other credentials online, helping residents access services faster, easier, and with confidence their personal information is protected.”

Minister of Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“The Digital Working with Children Check Renewal makes it easier for essential workers to keep their essential clearances up to date.”

“Our government wants to make life easier for the 1.9 million people with Working with Children Checks who are helping create a safer state for our kids.”

The Minns Labor government is urging all motorists to renew their commitment to safe driving as we head into the Christmas and the summer holidays.

The government can reveal 1.3 million NSW drivers remain eligible to have a demerit point removed from their licence within 5 weeks if they remain infringement free.

The 1-year demerit point scheme trial to encourage safe driving comes to a close on 17 January 2024 – meaning those who have maintained an offence-free record since 17 January this year will have 1 demerit point scrubbed from their licence.

The NSW Government announced in June that the trial would come into effect 6 months earlier than first flagged, allowing drivers who maintain a spotless record the chance to shed a demerit point sooner.

At that time there were 1.7 million motorists eligible, with almost 400,000 having since committed an offence that carried at least one demerit point.

The trial has been embraced by the public and the demerit offer will remain in place in 2024.

The government is urging motorists to use the demerit return as an incentive to drive safely as the road toll has risen significantly in 2023 across Australia.

In NSW in the 12 months to 14 December, 337 people have died on the roads – an increase of 61 compared to the same 12-month period last year.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The demerit point trial is all about reducing the road toll and this comes at such a critical time as we urge all drivers to be as safe as possible heading into the end of the year and the summer holiday season when lots of us drive long distances.

“Our message is crystal clear: drive safely and you’ll get a point scrubbed from your licence. The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads will be.

“I am deeply concerned by the number of lives lost on NSW roads. The road toll is rising in other states so this is a shared problem across the nation, but we must do all we can here in NSW to make sure everyone gets home safely to their family.

“The NSW Government is investing almost $2.6 billion road safety programs like seatbelt compliance via our mobile phone detection cameras, as well improved infrastructure, education and fund police operations.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Drivers across NSW are used to the stick approach, so the demerit trial is an important carrot for them to maintain a clean record over this last 5 weeks of the trial period.

“If all 1.3 million motorists drive safely and within the speed limit then we will see fewer deaths at a time when we must focus on turning the road toll around.

“Road deaths are particularly hard for regional communities where people may have life-long ties to their area.

“Sadly, the fatality rate per head of population for country residents of NSW is almost 5 times that of metropolitan residents.

“Simple acts such as wearing your seatbelt and putting your phone away could just save yours or another road user’s life.

“As you embark on holiday journeys and festive adventures, be the driving force behind safer roads. Prioritise rest by taking regular breaks, obey speed limits, and follow the advisory signs. If you’re planning to drink, have a plan B.

“Be especially cautious near curves and bends, where more than half of all rural road fatalities occur.”

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Get set for a safe summer on NSW roads

Holiday makers are reminded to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times, for road trips with minimum stress and optimum cheer this summer festive season.

Children and families at Bear Cottage will be treated to a Christmas surprise today, with an early visit from Santa Claus.

With Rudolph and the reindeer in final preparations for Christmas Day, Santa enlisted the help of his friends at Toll Helicopter and NSW Ambulance to make the trip from the North Pole onboard the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter.

The Hon. Chris Minns MP, NSW Premier and Dr Dominic Morgan, Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, will officially welcome the jolly man in red before helping him hand out presents to children with life-limiting illness and their families. The NSW Ambulance quintet will also be helping to spread the Christmas cheer, playing carols for guests.

Part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW, supporting 250 families a year and providing respite and end-of-life care in a home-like environment. The facility offers families an opportunity to take a break from the medical aspects of their child’s care and focus on creating lifelong memories.

This is the seventh consecutive year Santa has teamed up with the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter to make his special visit.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Bear Cottage is a special place for the children and their families who call it home.

“It is my privilege to be here with the children and families at Bear Cottage this festive season.

“I am so pleased Santa Claus is helping to delivering some festive spirit to these kids and their families.

“Thank you to Santa and the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter team for continuing their traditional Christmas visit from the North Pole to Bear Cottage.

“I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the team at Bear Cottage for supporting these families during 2023 at their home away from home.”

Dr Dominic Morgan, Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, said:

“NSW Ambulance takes great pride in helping others in need, and that’s why our critical care doctors and paramedics, along with the Toll/Ambulance Rescue Helicopter pilot and staff, are here today to join Santa in bringing a smile to the faces of children who are being cared for by Bear Cottage.”

“For our NSW Ambulance crews who work in the Toll/Ambulance Rescue helicopters, this mission is by far their favourite each year.”

“We are honoured to be a part of this very special visit and thank the staff from Bear Cottage for creating events like this that bring so much joy to these special families.”

Cathryn Cox, Chief Executive of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, said:

“We are incredibly fortunate across both Bear Cottage and our children’s hospitals to have so many people in the community supporting our patients and their families at this festive time of year.”

“Being away from home can be really challenging, especially around the holiday season, but events like this go a long way to ensuring those special memories can be made no matter where our families are.”

Narelle Martin, Nursing Manager at Bear Cottage, said:

“Santa’s visit is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year at Bear Cottage, all our children and families look forward to it.”

“The ongoing support from the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter, NSW Ambulance and so many others in the community really showcases what the festive season is all about.”

An incredibly rare Loggerhead turtle came ashore on the NSW Mid North Coast to lay her precious egg cargo, which has now been moved to safety by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s marine wildlife team.

Long sandy tracks led NSW National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff and NSW Turtle Watch volunteers to the nest that had been laid in a precarious position in the open last week. It’s the first known turtle nesting of the season in NSW.

With forecast king tides peaking at 1.95m on Friday and above 2m after Christmas, it looked more likely than not the eggs could be inundated or washed away.

The nest, carrying 139 eggs, was carefully excavated and the eggs were transported to a new nest site that perfectly replicated the original, well outside the king tide mark.

A group of dedicated volunteers and NPWS staff will monitor the site and protect it from predation and accidental disturbance.

If all goes well, the hatchlings should emerge at the end of summer. In NSW, Loggerhead turtle eggs typically take 75 to 90 days to hatch, depending on the temperature of the nest. 

Loggerhead turtles are listed as an endangered species in NSW and in the last 10 years, only 19 have been recorded nesting on our beaches.

Relocating eggs from a turtle nest is a tricky business and is only done when the original nest location is deemed non-viable or under threat. Marine turtle nests aren’t common and survival of the nest is never guaranteed, so these actions to intervene early will continue to give this nest a fighting chance.

Nesting marine turtles are known to lay more than 1 clutch each season, so beachgoers should lookout for distinctive tracks and immediately report sightings to NPWS 1300-0-PARKSlaunch or NSW Turtle Watchlaunch.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“It’s wonderful to see endangered Loggerhead turtles return to NSW beaches to lay their eggs.

“As an endangered species, every single egg is precious and represents hope for this species.

“The decision to move the nest to save it from forecast king tides demonstrates the commitment of volunteers and staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to giving this endangered species the best possible chance of survival.”

Families with young children in Sydney’s North West are set to benefit from significant upgrades that will see more than 100 demountables replaced with permanent facilities at Castle Hill Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School, Carlingford West Public School and Cumberland High School.

Schools in the area have been well over capacity for more than a decade as the population in the area soared under the former Liberal National Government, which failed to provide the necessary school infrastructure to the North West growth area during its 12 years in power. 

Construction has now begun on the long-awaited upgrades, which will see the removal of 19 demountables from Castle Hill Public School and another 22 at Matthew Pearce Public School.

There are currently 64 demountables at Carlingford West Public School and 26 demountables at Cumberland High School.

Of the demountables at Castle Hill Public School, 12 have been on site for more than five years and half are 20 years old. The demountables at Matthew Pearce Public School have been on site for at least five years, with some more than 25 years old.

The upgrade at Castle Hill will see the addition of a new three-storey building with 36 modern classrooms, as well as a new hall, canteen, covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and student amenities. It will also provide facilities for specialist support classes, and refurbished administration and staff areas.

The upgrades at Matthew Pearce Public School will deliver three new buildings and 24 new modern classrooms to replace existing demountable buildings. It will also provide facilities for specialist support classes, as well as a new hall, student amenities, and new outside of school hours care (OOSHC) facilities.

The upgrade at Cumberland High School will deliver 77 new and upgraded classrooms including spaces for wood workshops, visual arts, sport and performance, a new hall, library, play courts, canteen, and refurbished staff and administration facilities.

Carlingford West Public School’s upgrade will deliver 56 new classrooms, a new hall, library, play court, canteen, and refurbished staff and administration areas.

The upgrades at the four schools will provide core facilities catering to nearly 6,000 students combined, which will help support the growing population in Sydney’s North West. All four upgrades are expected to be completed by early 2026.

As part of its plan to address the backlog of essential services in the North West growth area, the Minns Labor Government is also fast-tracking new public schools at Tallawong and Nirimba Fields, and a high school for Melonba, all of which will open temporary facilities for students in Term 1 next year. The government will also build a new high school for Schofields/Tallawong to open in 2027.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring families in Sydney’s growth areas have the essential services they need, like quality local public schools.

“I am thrilled to see construction begin on these important upgrades at Carlingford West Public School, Cumberland High School, Castle Hill Public School and Matthew Pearce Public School, providing high quality permanent facilities to meet growing enrolment demand in Sydney’s north-west suburbs.

“We are delivering on our promise to provide communities with high quality public school facilities to enable students to thrive.”

The NSW Government has announced stronger employment protections are now in place for waste management workers employed by NSW councils and council contractors.

Changes to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 have been gazetted to ensure greater protection for the employment of waste workers when council waste management contracts go to tender. 

Currently, potential tenderers are not required to offer employment to employees of the current contractor or to preserve the existing terms and conditions of their employment.

This is also the case if waste management services are provided by council staff.

There are numerous examples in recent history of waste management contracts changing between service providers, and workers are offered an identical role with the new contractor but with lower pay and loss of entitlements.

The regulation changes now in effect mean tenderers for domestic or other waste management services must now offer employment to existing staff on at least the same terms as their current employer and with no loss to their entitlements.

Tenderers must also agree to award annual pay increases based on the applicable industrial instrument or the Local Government (State) Award, if one does not exist.

The Office of Local Government will support councils who have upcoming waste management tenders to comply with the new regulations.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“Most council waste workers have lived and worked in their local government area for years or even decades.

“They deserve to be treated fairly and know that they will not be left worse off if a council makes the decision to enter a new waste contract.

“These changes will prevent waste contractors from undercutting during tenders and winning contracts on the basis of paying workers less if their employer changes.

“This is an important change and will help ensure council waste services can continue to run smoothly and provide certainty to the essential workers who provide this critical service to NSW communities.

“Rubbish collection is an essential council service that keeps our streets clean and safe. It’s one of the three ‘Rs’ of local government.”