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Whether it is a growing family buying a cosy abode in Parkes or a young professional looking to purchase their first home in Campbelltown, house hunters are set to save time and money with the launch of the new online Home Buyer Assistance Finder.

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On average, more than 1,500 first home buyers take out loans in NSW each month, and this new tool will make it easier to find out if they are eligible for government support.

In just 14 questions or less, the tool can work out a prospective homeowner’s eligibility for the First Home Buyer Assistance scheme, Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper and or First Home Owner’s grant.

People just need to answer questions about their budget, what type of property they are looking to buy, if they are a first homeowner and if they are an Australian citizen.

The tool will then provide information on the available schemes they might be eligible for, cutting the time and effort to find this information and understand the eligibility criteria.

The new tool is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to streamlining services so people can access the help they may need to get out of the rental market and into their own home sooner.

Access the Home Buyer Assistance Finder tool.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib said:

“Buying a home can be one of the most exciting times in someone’s life and we want to help more people get into the housing market.”

“I know for many it can seem daunting to navigate government schemes, so we want to take this stress out by putting everything in one easy-to-find online location and taking the guesswork out of eligibility criteria.”

“The new tool delivers on the government’s commitment to reduce barriers to the housing market for those who need it most.”

“Since becoming Minister, I have had a complete focus on how we can make dealing with Government easier, this is yet another example of making life easier for the people of NSW.”

The NSW Government has today launched a bumper bus driver recruitment campaign to address the driver shortage – completing the final of four urgent recommendations designed to improve driver recruitment.

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The Government has acted quickly to implement the Bus Industry Taskforce’s early recommendations to improve the reliability of the city’s bus services.

In just over four weeks the NSW Government has:

• acted to slash red tape to make it cheaper and easier to get a Driver Authority
• held a Bus Industry Summit with more than 100 industry leaders
• commenced work with bus companies to make temporary adjustments to improve reliability of timetables.  

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen launched the new campaign this morning at the Ryde bus depot after meeting with trainee and experienced bus drivers.

Region 7, which includes Ryde and Lane Cove, is the worst impacted by the driver shortage, with 99 vacancies.

New bus drivers are being urged to jump on board in the most targeted bus driver recruitment campaign to date, focusing on areas hardest hit by the driver shortage, including:

• Ryde/Lane Cove, Region 7 – 99 vacancies
• Inner West, Region 6 – 89 vacancies
• Northern Beaches, Region 8 – 58 vacancies
• Eastern Suburbs, Region 9 – 36 vacancies
• North Shore, Region 14 – 33 vacancies
• South-West Sydney, Region 13  – 13 vacancies
• Hills District, Region 4 – 12 vacancies.

The campaign will run until September and aims to attract new drivers to the profession, filling the 370 vacant roles across the city.

Real bus drivers are at the heart of the campaign that will appear on websites, digital media, social media, and radio. The campaign will encourage job seekers to find jobs in their arealaunch.

The Government has already made it quicker, easier, and cheaper for drivers to get their bus driver authority by:

• waiving the $70 application fee for the next 12 months
• allowing drivers over the age of 25 to apply if they hold a current unrestricted Australian driver licence, and have held any kind of Australian driver licence, or a nationally recognised overseas driver licence, for at least three years
• enabling electronic issue of documents
• scrapping duplicated paperwork requirements and streamlining the application process.

Safety is at the core of bus driver training, with new recruits undertaking wide-ranging training covering safe driving techniques and emergency response.

Since January 2023 there has been an 87 per cent increase in Bus Driver Authorities issued with 130 new drivers hired, and this campaign will build on this strong momentum.

The campaign will be in conjunction with what bus operators are already doing to incentivise more people to the role, such as referral bonuses of up to $6,000 for experienced drivers and up to $5,000 for new drivers. There are also employee referral bonuses, as well as operators assisting with driver onboarding costs – such as the cost of Driver Authority training and licence upgrades.

Bus Passenger Forums will continue later this month in Newcastle after the first forum kicked off in the Northern Beaches as the Government puts passengers first in delivering better bus services for the state.

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“We are seeing a solid increase in bus driver applications since the beginning of the year, and we need to ramp this up to deliver a better service for our communities.”

“We will be targeting areas that are experiencing the worst shortages like the Sydney’s northwest, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and the Inner West to get more people into the role.”

“This campaign is just one more step the Minns Labor Government is taking to be able to deliver reliable bus services across the State.” 

“We are getting great feedback from industry and passengers through the Bus Industry Taskforce and Bus Passenger Forums that will shape recommendations for the Taskforce to present to the Government.”

“Bus driving is a noble profession, and integral to keeping Sydney moving. The bus drivers I’ve been chatting to love their jobs and are wonderful advocates for the profession.”

Busways driver John Davis said:
 
“Having a job as a bus driver keeps me healthy and focused – its more active than an office job and is hands on, which I enjoy. Every day is different, and it allows you have a sense of freedom and to be outside.”

“I love interacting with the locals every day. They remember you and you remember them. The passengers are really sweet. It makes you feel good that you can be of service to people and your community.”

“If you need a healthy change in lifestyle, I definitely suggest becoming a bus driver. If you like being of service to the community, then this is the career for you!”

Find out more about becoming a bus driverlaunch.

The NSW Government is proud to announce $1.7 million towards the expansion of the Singleton Roosters AFC clubhouse and facilities that will include a permanent memorial element to acknowledge those who lost their lives in the Greta bus tragedy.

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The expansion will be jointly funded with the AFL and Singleton Council.

The investment aims to enhance community and social recovery efforts following the loss of several members of the club in the bus accident at the June long weekend.

Importantly, it will provide the club and the local community with memorial and a space to honour and remember their loved ones who lost their lives. 

The expansion, which the club has been planning for some time, will be a boost to the Singleton AFC clubhouse and precinct, ensuring the club’s sustainability and inclusivity for years to come.

Among the planned enhancements are new change rooms with shower facilities, storage spaces, umpire areas, a scorers’ box, first-aid room, toilets (female, male and accessible) and internal renovations of the existing building to upgrade the kiosk, kitchen and meeting room.

These upgrades will benefit the more than 22,000 Singleton locals who use the sporting facilities each year and will provide appropriate and accessible amenities for women and girls.

The upgrades will support the development of AFL in the Hunter by providing a venue capable of hosting future regional tournaments.

The funding for the club upgrade includes $1,700,000 from the NSW Office of Sport under the Partnership Program 2022/23 and $250,000 from the AFL’s Australian Football Facilities Fund. Singleton Council also plan to make a funding commitment.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“The Tragedy in Greta was felt right across NSW and it is appropriate that a commemoration is built to mark the loss of lives and their legacy in the community.”

“This investment recognises the emotional toll of the recent bus tragedy, providing a space for healing and unity within the Singleton community.”

“This clubhouse expansion will be a be of great benefit for the Singleton Roosters AFC and the wider community, empowering them to grow, host events, competitions, and gatherings that will enrich the social fabric of the region and help the local community heal.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Grassroots sporting clubs are the bedrock of communities right across New South Wales. The Singleton Roosters AFC’s clubhouse expansion represents the NSW Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting this local community as well as local sporting communities across the state.”

“The improved facilities, including new female change rooms, will create a more inclusive environment for the local community, promoting gender equality and encouraging greater participation of women and girls in Australian Rules Football.”

Dave Layzell, Member for Upper Hunter said:

“Five weeks ago an extraordinary set of circumstances rocked the Singleton community to its core, especially the Singleton Roosters AFL Club.”

“The outpouring of support for the ten victims and those who were injured, their families and friends has in itself been extraordinary – and on behalf of the Upper Hunter Electorate I thank everyone for their support.”

“I also thank the Premier for the NSW Government’s latest contribution to enhance facilities as Rose Point Park – a place where the spirt of those, who sadly will never return, will always be remembered.”

Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said:

“We’re extremely grateful to the state government for their ongoing support of the Singleton community. This project will expand and enhance an important community facility that goes to the heart of local sport in Singleton.”

“Our community has experienced unfathomable heartache and sadness over the last month since the bus crash tragedy, and with most of the victims having played for the Singleton Roosters Club,
I can’t think of a more fitting tribute.”

Head of AFL NSW/ACT Tiffany Roberson said:

“The AFL community has been greatly impacted by the tragic loss of beloved teammates and friends of the Singleton Roosters. The AFL’s contribution to the project acknowledges the tremendous impact those lost had on the club and broader football community.

“We thank the NSW Government, Singleton Council and AFL Hunter Central Coast for their leadership and support through this funding commitment. In the past month we have seen the strength and resilience of the Roosters’ footy community on display. Although it will take time, the upgraded facilities will play a small part in helping the Roosters heal.”

Singleton Roosters Club President Dylan Hixon said:

“Singleton’s heart remains broken, but we are buoyed by the outpouring of support from the entire community. We are grateful for the many heartfelt messages of condolence, well wishes and donations. If nothing else, this terrible tragedy has shown the good in people to rally around those doing it tough, particularly following unimaginable hurt.”

“The funding commitment for our upgraded club facilities will make a huge difference in supporting our participants and club members now and into the future. Thank you to the NSW Government and the AFL for being proactive in supporting a build which our club has been working on for a long time.”

“The Roosters look forward to continuing the legacy of those lost and remembering their amazing contribution to our community.”

Strengthening support for spontaneous volunteers who turn up to help in a crisis is a key focus of a new consultation being led by the NSW Government aimed at strengthening volunteering.

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Communities across NSW regularly band together to support each other through volunteering with emergency services organisations like the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS), and spontaneous volunteering when natural disasters hit.

While almost five million volunteers in NSW contribute around 1.5 billion hours each year, the face of volunteering is changing, with existing participants growing older or having less time to help, and the growing frequency of disasters is also increasing the demand for volunteers.

The consultation aims to improve understanding of when and how NSW residents sign up to volunteer programs, and why they choose to spontaneously volunteer in the face of a crisis or recovery. It will explore volunteer experiences, motivations and any barriers to joining, to help the Government enhance recruitment, retention and recognition programs.

The consultation will also inform approaches to supporting volunteer efforts during disasters to leverage support available on the ground.

Emergency services agencies including the SES, RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW are being consulted along with volunteers across the state, with all community members also able to have their say online.

The consultation follows the Independent and Parliamentary Flood Inquiries which identified a need to strengthen emergency services volunteering and will inform a report which will address:

• Emergency management volunteering in NSW and trends, including a particular focus in regional and remote NSW.
• Opportunities to better integrate spontaneous volunteers into the emergency management framework.
• How well-placed NSW is to meet projected future demand for emergency services volunteers, and additional actions that would assist.

People are encouraged to have their say by 4 August 2023launch.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Volunteering is essential to NSW’s emergency response, whether it be frontline volunteers working to protect life and property, or volunteers providing support to communities before, during and after a disaster.

“It is one thing to recognise the heroic efforts of these volunteers, but it is also important to ensure we are doing all we can to support them, boost their numbers and equip them to stand on the frontlines safely.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Volunteers are the heart, soul and backbone of local communities, particularly in times of natural disasters.”

“Volunteers are often the very first responders. Their commitment is often the very reason people are kept safe.”

“It is of utmost importance to me that we understand our volunteer ecosystem and ensure the right support is available, including education and training along with the right equipment for those who turn up to help.”

Minister with responsibility for Volunteering Jodie Harrison said:

“This work is being launched to answer a number of questions: what our state can do better to support existing volunteers, boost numbers, and embrace spontaneous volunteers who have assisted in the recent floods and bushfires.”

“I look forward to hearing about the experiences from those on the frontline and their ideas for the future of volunteering during emergency situations.”

More than 50 specialists from NSW firefighting and emergency service agencies are on their way to Canada as more than 800 fires continue to burn across the country.

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Marking the fourth deployment from NSW, this group will join an Australian and New Zealand contingent of more than 120 first responders departing this week, bringing the total number of deployed personnel to more than 700 this year.

Team members include arduous firefighters who will provide welcome relief to their Canadian colleagues on the fire front, along with incident management and specialist aviation support officers.

Canada has had more 3,900 fires burn through more than 9.7 million hectares since DATE which is almost twice the amount of bush and grass which was burnt in NSW during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

Following briefings in Sydney and Brisbane, NSW personnel will begin departing for Vancouver on Friday and Saturday. The deployment of the Australian team is coordinated through the National Resource Sharing Centre.

There are 22 firefighters from the RFS, 15 from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, eight from the NSW SES, and three from both Fire and Rescue NSW and Forestry Corporation NSW.

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said:

“We appreciate the support of our Canadian colleagues during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and it is with deep appreciation we continue to return the favour with our fourth emergency services deployment during this difficult fire season that Canada is facing.”

“I thank these men and women who are leaving their homes and loved ones to help their international colleagues battle this huge number of fires.”

“I wish them well, thank them for the hard work they will undertake in Canada and look forward to their safe return.”

Commissioner of the RFS, Rob Rogers said:

“Canada continues to see significant fire activity and the RFS is fortunate to be in a position to assist in coordinating the NSW contribution to the international response.”

“I thank those who are departing this week, along with those involved in the logistical task of organising this deployment, potentially of up to 42 days.”

“Continued international requests for Australian assistance are a testament to the professionalism, skill and experience of our fire specialists.”
 
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said:

“At the NSW SES, we know that protracted campaigns put incredible strains on human resources.”

“We’re proud to be able to offer the assistance of some of our most skilled members in this fourth deployment to Canada.”

“At short notice we’ve seen people put their hand up for this deployment – it wouldn’t be possible without the support of their workplaces, family and loved ones.”

Once again the Minns Labor Government has demonstrated their wrong priorities, failing the flood-affected communities of the Northern Rivers by failing to convene a single meeting of the Advisory Board of the Reconstruction Authority.

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and the North Coast Gurmesh Singh said the Government’s inaction was inexcusable, as local residents continue to suffer while they wait for help to arrive.

“Minister Jihad Dib told ABC Radio National today that ‘circumstances have changed’ and ‘a reset is important’,” Mr Singh said.

“The Minister also confirmed the worst fears of the community by saying that the total number of buybacks and home retrofits is now limited to just 2,000 homes.

“It is extremely disappointing that on top of all this, the Reconstruction Authority Advisory Board hasn’t even met yet.

“The Minister claimed today that the board is still awaiting appointments before convening. However, the previous Coalition Government appointed enough members for the board to meet in March this year – more than four months ago.

“The Federal Labor Government is responsible for nominating the remaining two members to sit on the Board and we’ve heard nothing from them either.

“I agree with Minister Dib this is not a blame game, but the flood-affected communities of the Northern Rivers expect certainty, better lines of communication and a higher degree of transparency moving forward.

“The Opposition are calling on the Minns Labor Government to commit to funding a full recovery package which doesn’t neglect housing, and which also supports the business and tourism sectors.”