Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is introducing reforms to support restaurants and bars that want to trade later in locations that are not close by homes.

Under the proposed Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2024, approved by Cabinet on Monday, councils and consent authorities will have to consider a set of ‘Vibrancy Guidelines’ when assessing certain applications to extend operating hours.

This change would apply to food and drink premises situated on land which is 500m or more away from a residential property.

Guidelines will be developed alongside the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues following consultation with local councils, stakeholders, and the wider community.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Restaurants and bars that support countless jobs and provide wonderful things to do in our state being knocked over without considering the benefit they bring isn’t acceptable.

“This change will ensure that the great benefits local bars and restaurants bring to our suburbs are considered as well as legitimate concerns regarding local amenity.”

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“This is a common-sense change that brings more balance to the assessment process for extended trading. The NSW Government is committed to a vibrant economy after dark and entertainment and employment options for people at night.

“The recent example of Northern Beaches Council turning down The Joey at Palm Beach from extending its hours based on concerns from residents over 500m away – and separated by a 9-hole golf course – brought this issue into sharp focus.

“We have listened to the community as a whole and this proposed reform should send a clear signal to local authorities that they need to strike the right balance between legitimate concerns over local amenity and the imperative to encourage businesses to trade and communities everywhere in NSW to have more options after dark.

“This change will help state and local government work together to ensure local venues thrive.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“The proposed Vibrancy Guidelines will not override all other planning considerations, nor will they lead to applications being automatically rejected or approved. They are not designed to undermine local councils’ planning controls or decision-making.

“This bill will simply mean that vibrancy is a key part of the decision-making process.

“Sensible hours of operation for venues are critical for businesses to thrive, particularly those located outside of residential areas and centres.”

24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said:

“The NSW Government is committed to improving the operating environment for businesses whilst maintaining neighbourhood amenity for communities across the state.

“We look forward to working alongside councils to develop the guidelines.”

The Government’s response to violence against women needs to be holistic and far broader than just bail reform, but bail reform now is an important start.

The NSW Opposition will seek to introduce the Bail Amendment (Serious Personal Violence and Electronic Monitoring) Bill 2024 when Parliament resumes next week.

Our legislation will amend the Bail Act 2013 to implement the NSW Liberals’ and Nationals’ proposals to strengthen bail laws:

• Expand the use of electronic monitoring devices to bail on serious domestic violence charges
• Expand the grounds for stopping the release of alleged offenders pending review of the decision to grant the person bail
• Remove the power for registrars to determine bail for serious personal violence charges where bail is opposed, given the widespread audio-visual capacity across our courthouses enabling magistrates to make orders from centralised locations if necessary.
• These measures will improve safety for victims of family and domestic violence.

We invite the Government and the crossbench to act and to support our proposals. We wish to be constructive – we are more than willing to discuss and consider any amendments they suggest to our legislation and their own proposals.

People across NSW are encouraged to celebrate and recognise midwives for their contribution to the NSW health system this International Day of the Midwife.

Health Minister Ryan Park said midwives are highly valued for their incredible work supporting women, their babies and families at such an important time in their lives.

“I thank every midwife across the NSW Health system for their ongoing commitment to providing safe and high-quality midwifery care to keep mothers and babies healthy across the state,” Mr Park said.

“The dedication, skill and compassionate care midwives provide to all women and their families is remarkable, with midwives supporting the birth of almost 100,000 babies in NSW each year.”

NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said midwives play a vital role in helping to deliver safe, effective and collaborative maternity care in the state’s public maternity services.

“I’m very proud of the exceptional work of midwives in our services, making a difference in the lives of women, babies and their families every day,” Ms Cross said.

“Our midwives are passionate about providing woman-centred care to ensure women feel empowered to make decisions about their maternity care that meets their unique needs and achieves their desired health outcomes.

“Every year, we recognise the achievements of our nurses and midwives in the NSW health system through the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, so I encourage people to nominate an outstanding nurse or midwife when applications open tomorrow.”

In 2024, there will be a total of 9 awards, including 7 local health district and specialty network nominated awards, 1 consumer-nominated Healing Heart award and one colleague-nominated Healing Heart award.

Nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards close on Friday, 14 June 2024. 

Get more information on the NSW Health website.

A new collaborative model of care at Glen Innes Hospital will offer women continuity and personalised care from a known midwife, in partnership with a general practitioner (GP) obstetrician.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said the new model of care will be gradually rolled out to provide an additional safe and supportive option for local families wanting to birth close to home.

“I’m thrilled to announce the re-establishment of maternity services in Glen Innes with this collaborative model of midwifery care,” Mr Park said.

“Women and their families can gain reassurance with face-to-face and after-hours phone support from a known midwife throughout their pregnancy, and those precious weeks after a baby is born.”

Hunter New England Local Health District, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Elizabeth Grist, said a small team of experienced midwives will work alongside pregnant women to establish a safe and appropriate birthing plan.

“All pregnant women in Glen Innes will have access to this program, with their place of birth to be guided by risk factors in consultation with the GP obstetrician,” Ms Grist said.

“Our midwives are looking forward to forming close relationships with women in our community and helping to support them all the way through their birthing and postnatal journeys.”

Maternity Unit Manager for Glen Innes Hospital, Tracey Barnden, said strong international evidence demonstrates significantly improved outcomes for women and their babies when supported by midwifery continuity of care models, especially in regional settings.

“We know that woman-centred care throughout pregnancy by a known midwife reduces length of stay in hospital and improves maternal and neonatal outcomes. We’re proud to be able to introduce this collaborative model in Glen Innes,” Ms Barnden said.

Pregnant women are encouraged to see their GP for a referral to the Glen Innes Maternity service or contact the maternity unit directly for more information.

Wearing a seatbelt will be enforced by existing mobile phone detection cameras from July 1 as the NSW Government bolsters efforts to counter the rising number of road fatalities across the state.

The simple act of correctly wearing a seatbelt while in a moving vehicle has been a legal requirement in NSW for more than 50 years, but data shows 150 people died while not wearing one in the five years between 2019 and 2023.

On average, 15 per cent of deaths on NSW roads every year still involve seatbelt non-usage, with 36 people tragically lost last year.

The enhancement of the state’s world-first mobile phone detection camera network will allow for a July 1 start date to the cameras also enforcing the seatbelt laws for the first time, the NSW Government confirms today.

Unlike when other new enforcement technologies have come into effect, there will be no grace period of warning letters after the NSW Parliament voted against starting seatbelt detection cameras in warning mode when enabling legislation was passed last year.

Photos released from testing of the cameras show a small but persistent percentage of drivers and some passengers continue to flout the law and wear their seatbelt incorrectly, including with the sash below the arm.

Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras will go back into road safety.

As of midnight Thursday 2 May 2024, 124 have been lost on NSW roads, which is 16 more than the same time last in 2023.

The NSW Labor Government has introduced a number of measures to counter the rising number of road fatalities, including:

• The demerit point trial to encourage motorists who maintain a spotless record over 12 months to have a demerit point removed from their record.
• Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts.
• Last month we signed the National Road Safety Data Sharing Agreement to help support analysis of driver behaviour, and help the various state and federal governments work together to understand where the funding needs to go.
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months.
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same.

Today marks the start of National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, which aims to highlight the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

The theme for 2024 is All road safety is local – Drive So Others Survive.

For more information on National Road Safety Week.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Seatbelts save lives, it’s as simple as that. Wearing a seatbelt doubles a person’s chance of survival in a car crash and the NSW Government is doing everything we can to make sure the simplest safety feature in a car is being used by everyone.

“It has been a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt in NSW since 1971 and it is frankly disturbing that a small minority of people are still not heeding the message. If camera enforcement can convince those people to buckle up we can reduce the 15 per cent of deaths that involve a belt not being worn.

“Camera enforcement will be a significant step to reducing needless trauma on the roads that comes at the cost of families, loved ones and the first responders who routinely deal with unimaginable tragedy.

“I am glad to announce the July 1 start date to seatbelt camera enforcement as we remember road trauma victims during National Road Safety Week.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Despite five decades of enforcement and public awareness campaigns, on average more than 10,000 people a year are still fined by the NSW Police for not wearing a seatbelt. This has to change and we hope camera enforcement can be the catalyst.

“In the last five years, about 85 per cent of the deaths and 76 per cent of the serious injuries that occurred in crashes where someone wasn’t wearing a seatbelt happened in country NSW.

“Driving in the country brings with it different challenges to city driving – longer distances are often covered on higher speed roads and we know that although country residents make up about a third of the NSW population they sadly make up around two thirds of deaths on NSW roads.

“The start of enforcement of seatbelt non-compliance by our mobile phone detection camera program will also reach regional roads – nobody is above the law and we want to see every single person wear a seatbelt and wear it correctly every single trip.  We cannot overestimate how important wearing a seatbelt is to saving your life if the worst happens and you’re in a crash.

“This National Road Safety Week I’m urging all regional road users to make safer choices.”

The NSW Government will provide $230 million over four years as part of an emergency package to enhance support for domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) victim-survivors and expand programs that reduce the rate of violence against women and children.

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15.  

The NSW Labor Government is taking urgent action to address the unacceptable rate of violence against women and children, including implementation of NSW’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy – a new step in NSW’s approach to preventing DFSV.

The Government will also undertake further long-term reform to prevent domestic, sexual and family violence in NSW.

This work will be informed by the lived experience of victim-survivors and expert advice to government, including from leaders in the domestic family and sexual violence sector who engaged directly with the NSW Cabinet last week.

The package includes:

Crisis response

• $48m to roll out the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program state-wide and to expand the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service (IDFVS).
  • The Staying Home Leaving Violence program helps women and their children to remain safe in their homes after leaving a violent relationship. In 2022, a formal evaluation from the Gendered Violence Research Network at the University of NSW found this program effectively contributes to the long-term safety and housing stability of women and children who have left a violent and abusive relationship.
  • The Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service provides important case management helping people to navigate the services of government agencies and non-government organisations. This can include coordinating across police, courts, healthcare, child protection workers, housing providers and women’s refuges. The program works with both victim-survivors who have left a relationship and those who remain, focusing on maximising safety for this group of women and their children.

Improving the justice system for victims

• $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 four 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 two 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.

Early intervention

• $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).

Primary prevention

• $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 four years for the ‘All in’ early childhood pilot, to prevent domestic violence by teaching young children about healthy relationships.

Strengthening the sector

• $5 million for workforce training on the implementation of a newly developed risk assessment framework, and quality standards.
• $3.6 million to expand Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), which is the peak body for specialist services in New South Wales.

Research

• $5m in funding for research into perpetrators and effective interventions.

This package supports NSW’s commitments, alongside the Prime Minister and First Ministers across the country, at National Cabinet last week. First Ministers committed to sustained focus on stopping the homicides and achieving our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in a generation.

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

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been broken because of domestic and family violence. It is a blight in our communities, and it is a problem that deserves our government’s concerted attention and response.

“We are listening to leaders, organisations, victim-survivors, and communities from across NSW to drive solutions. Domestic, family, and sexual violence is preventable; we cannot accept the status quo.

“This funding announcement is an important step to doing better, to recognising that domestic violence supports need to be applied not just from a crisis response perspective, but with an eye to disrupting the cycle of domestic and family violence early and permanently.

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

“Our government is committed to seeing dramatic improvements in the rates of domestic, family, and sexual violence through a preventative approach, as outlined in NSW’s first dedicated whole-of-government domestic, family and sexual violence Pathways to Prevention strategy.

“There is no shying away from the horrendous statistics, and the tragic stories behind each one of those statistics.

“What we need to focus on, and what we are committed to achieving, is appropriate, ongoing, and all-encompassing wraparound support for victim-survivors, as well as ensuring we learn from their experiences and do better for communities across NSW.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“In the coming weeks we will confirm and announce the details of $45 million to improve bail laws and justice system responses, ensuring we are reviewing domestic violence supports and systems from every angle.

“NSW needs a coordinated approach across multiple fronts to disrupt domestic violence – that is what this suite of funding initiatives is designed to achieve.”

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This is important funding to expand and improve programs that stop cycles of violence, including by reducing reoffending.

“There isn’t any excuse for family and domestic violence. We’re ensuring offenders can access the specialised programs they need to help change their behaviour.”

The NSW Government welcomes the $1.9 billion federal investment boost recognising the significance of Western Sydney as the fastest growing region in Australia.

Continued federal investment in the region will improve quality of life for Western Sydney families and expand access to new jobs growing out of development opportunities around the Western Sydney Airport Precinct.

This funding underlines the importance of supporting growth in Western Sydney and builds on joint investments by NSW and federal governments in road and transport projects across the region.

Key project funding detail includes:

• The new $500 million federal investment in Mamre Road Stage 2 will add to the $253.6 million already allocated by the NSW Government for Stage 1 of the project.
• A $400 million federal investment to deliver priority sections of Elizabeth Drive upgrade. This builds on the NSW Government’s $200 million commitment for Elizabeth Drive safety and enabling works.
• A further $115 million federal government commitment for Mulgoa Road Stage 2 will allow the NSW Government to move ahead with upgrades to the pinch point.
• The new $500 million federal investment for Richmond Road, Garfield Road and Memorial Avenue will support the NSW Government’s existing $385 million commitment.
• A $100 million federal investment to deliver new infrastructure to support bus services to the WSI airport.
• A $20 million federal investment to support the delivery of the final business case for Stage 1 of the Western Sydney Freight Line.

The NSW Government also welcomes federal funding to continue vital projects such as Appin Road, Spring Farm Parkway and bus infrastructure for the future Western Sydney Airport.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“Today’s announcement is a game changer for Western Sydney. It builds on hundreds of millions of dollars invested by NSW to deliver overdue precinct roads that will meet the existing needs of local residents, while unlocking development and new places for people to work and live.

“We have developers ready to transform the region into modern employment, education and housing zones which are planned to attract 250,000 people.

“Today’s announcement will give investors the confidence they are looking for from government to begin making those plans a reality.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“We have been working closely with the Commonwealth government since the mid-year review to ensure NSW roads and public transport are in place to support Australia’s fastest growing region in our most populous state.

“The Western Sydney Airport Precinct is a once in a generation, city shaping program. Cities aren’t built overnight – they take time and investment. This Commonwealth funding ensures we can stage delivery to keep unlocking opportunities for community and industry in the Western Sydney Airport Precinct.

“This announcement means that what are essentially one lane each-way country roads like Elizabeth Drive and Mamre Road will be upgraded.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“I am glad that the Federal Government has listened to the people of Western Sydney and its surrounds and has prioritised the development of the region as a whole.

“Commitments such as today’s are vital to giving industry the confidence to co-invest and get developments moving — which is important for bringing jobs to Western Sydney.

“Importantly, the announcement includes $100 million in infrastructure funding to support new bus services to Western Sydney Airport and the emerging city of Bradfield.

“Funding will also go to continuing the critical planning work for key precinct road and rail connections, which will be crucial to establishing the next round of priority projects.”

Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said:

“This is a big win for passengers right across Western Sydney. I want to thank the Federal Government who have stepped up to help deliver the future bus services that will connect passengers in the West to the new airport when it opens in 2026.”

“Support for the Western Sydney Freight line isn’t just about growing the Aerotropolis precinct. It’s also about getting freight off our roads and onto our rails so there’s more space for Western Sydney drivers and less traffic.”    

“Cities can’t grow without the transport links that get people and goods from place to place. That is why this is such an important, city shaping commitment from the Federal Government to help deliver the transport links which will help the new city here grow.”

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis has delivered an address to the Industrial Relations Society of NSW annual conference in Wollongong where the theme is ‘A new hope: The next golden era of industrial relations’.

It’s a theme which encapsulates the spirit the NSW Government has taken over the past year delivering on the following:

• Scrapped the wages cap.
• Delivered public sector workers their biggest pay rise in over a decade.
• Tackled the scourge of silicosis by leading a national ban on engineered stone.
• Established a framework for a silica worker register to track and care for workers exposed to silica dust.
• From July 1 the re-established NSW Industrial Court will provide workers with access to workplace justice and improved workplace safety with specialist judges.
• Started the Respect at Work Advisory Council.
• Established a cooperative way of bargaining for the state’s public sector workers.
• Increased penalties for serious WHS breaches.
• Closed loopholes that allow businesses to insure against WHS fines as a cost-of-doing-business.
• Toughened criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers.
• Passed laws to ensure union and business representation on the icare board and put injured workers at the centre of care.
• Making SafeWork NSW into a standalone regulator

The NSW Government has taken enormous strides to fundamentally improve workers’ rights over the past year delivering on key election promises and providing more for employees across the state.

The Minister told the conference unions and public sector employers are already undertaking mutual gains bargaining training to encourage cooperative and constructive bargaining.

She added: “Working together we can move to a more cooperative approach to wage negotiations based on trust and good faith.

“This will ensure that the best outcomes are available to the people of NSW.”

In the coming months the NSW Government will fulfill other election promises:

• Legislating an industrial manslaughter offence.
• Reforms to give gig workers rights at work and access to the IRC.
• Ensuring local government workers have greater protections.
• Introduce a portable long service leave scheme for community sector workers.

Minister Cotsis told the conference the Minns government has made the repair of industrial relations and work health and safety a key priority of our policy agenda and it will continue to build a better NSW.downloadDownload as PDFprintPrint this page

Today the NSW Government held a special Cabinet meeting to hear from and draw on the experience of respected advocates for the prevention of domestic and family violence.

This was an important step in the NSW Government’s commitment to make sector informed investments into domestic and family violence, with all departments and portfolios of governments to be engaged in this response.   Cabinet was addressed by:

• Dr Hannah Tonkin the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner;
• Ms Christine Robinson CEO of the Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre (Wirringa Baiya) and member of the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT)
• The Honourable Marcia Neave AO Commissioner of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence; and
• Rosie Batty 2015 Australian of the Year and founder of The Luke Batty Foundation and the Never Alone Campaign.

Experts shared their experience in relation to the outcomes of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence and their implementation.

The NSW Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to taking urgent action as well as looking at long term reform to prevent domestic and family violence across our state.

The NSW Government is finalising an emergency package that will look at:

• crisis responses in NSW and frontline services;
• primary prevention; and
• early intervention.

We are also looking at reforms to the justice system to better protect victims.

We will consider all options. Nothing is off the table. We understand there are gaps in the system.

We know that crisis responses will not be enough. That is why we will also work on developing medium and long-term solutions to address domestic and family violence.

The NSW Government extends our sincere thanks to the advocates who addressed Cabinet and generously shared their experiences and expertise today.

We also thank all those across NSW who have lent their voices to this important cause, over recent weeks as well as historically. We know that we can and must do more – we also know we have a responsibility to listen and learn. We are committed to continuing to do both.

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

The NSW Government will provide $300,000 to a peak community group to research and implement innovative new strategies, aimed at helping older people to transition more quickly from hospital to aged care when they are medically ready to be discharged.

The collaborative regional project, led by the Community Industry Group (CI Group), will support the implementation of a volunteer coordinator program which will assist with transitioning older people into residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

The lack of available local RACF beds has been a major challenge in recent years, particularly in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, where despite the implementation of a range of strategies around 90 patients on average await residential care placement on any given day.        

Minister for Health Ryan Park has welcomed the collaborative project, which will also fund research to better understand and address the needs of longer stay older patients in hospitals.

“We remain committed to implementing initiatives aimed at reducing any unnecessary lengths of stay in hospital being experienced by older people waiting for RACF placement in the Illawarra region,” Mr Park said.

“Collaborative projects like these are important in addressing delays in discharging older people from hospital which can slow patient admission times.”

CI Group CEO Nicky Sloan said the organisation is uniquely placed to deliver regional collaborative projects to address this critical issue.

“This funding will enable us to work with local stakeholders including aged care providers, the Local Health District, the Primary Health Network, local Councils, Dementia Services Australia as well as the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver three important initiatives aimed supporting the discharge of older people into an aged care service,” Ms Sloan said.

In a phased approach, three initiatives will be rolled out by the CI Group, as follows:

• RESEARCH: Research into the drivers of discharge delays of older people into residential aged care facilities, as well as a review of the ability of aged care services to meet the needs of these older patients.  This research will be led by Professor Kathy Eagar and well-known aged care expert, Paul Sadler.
• TRANSITION VOLUNTEERS: The creation of a team of discharge support volunteers, to be known as the Supported Transition Assistance Response Scheme (STARS), to assist the process of transfer for each person from hospital to an aged care home or their own home.
• TASKFORCE: Establishment of a multi-agency regional health and aged care taskforce to oversee these projects and develop a regional health and aged care plan to address the ageing demographic needs.