Category: NSW News

The NSW Regional Woman of the Year 2024 is awarded to Theresa Mitchell this morning at a ceremony held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.

The award recognises the accomplishments of an exceptional woman living in regional NSW who inspires and advances their community, and contributes to the fabric of their local area.

Theresa Mitchell founded Agape Outreach Inc in 2009, a charity that focuses on assisting the homeless and those in need. Operating between Byron Bay in NSW and Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast in QLD, Agape’s activities include:

• Collecting rescued foods
• Preparing meals and food hampers for families
• Providing case management support
• Offering assistance with applications for people applying for disability insurance services
• Running a psychology department
• Offering access to showers and laundry facilities
• Conducting group training for basic life skills

With a dedicated team of over 240 volunteers and 5 paid staff members, the entirely community-funded organisation serves more than 1,000 people and rescues over 2 tonnes of edible food per week.

A further four outstanding women from Regional NSW were nominated for the award today.

Tsukasa Hiraoka, the founder of Wilba the Empowerbus, a new transport service in Dubbo and Bourke that’s creating employment opportunities and empowering communities. Tsukasa’s vision is to address transport disadvantage in regional and rural NSW by providing affordable, reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly solutions to existing gaps in public transportation, and helping residents access essential services.

Dr Skye Charry, who has practices, researched and consulted on sex discrimination law in rural contexts for almost 20 years. Skype co-founded S.A.C. Consulting Australia which provides bespoke gender equity programs to government, industry and the education sector in the bush and beyond.

Nicole Kiss OAM, founder of a not-for-profit auspice providing hospitals with burial clothing for babies. Her organisation now supplies more than 200 hospitals across Australia.

Rochelle Olsen, founder of The Baby Loss Mentor, her mission is to create informed, safe and understanding communities that recognise and address the unique challenges encountered when someone navigates life after baby loss.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“I’m proud to announce the award for Regional Woman of the Year to Theresa Mitchell today and congratulate the many fantastic women nominated for their inspiring work.

“The diverse achievements of these incredible women is a testament to their unique backgrounds. It is important awards like this acknowledge and celebrate women who are leading the long-term success of our regional communities.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Congratulations to Theresa who is our 2024 NSW Regional Woman of the Year. Your contribution to regional NSW is greatly appreciated by your community and you’re an inspiration to others.

“This award is the NSW Government’s way of showcasing the valuable work that regional and rural women do. Whether it is in charitable work, community outreach or challenging gender inequality – you are what make regional NSW the heartbeat of our state.

“The NSW Women of the Year Awards recognise the accomplishments of truly exceptional women and I look forward to following their journeys.”

Find out more about the finalists, recipients and watch the recorded livestream

After almost 12 months since being elected, the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig is continuing to demonstrate that the Minns Labor Government has no direction or vision for New South Wales.

During the Minister’s Budget Estimates hearing, he revealed another backflip, this time on the IPART review of the Council Financial Model in NSW he announced just four weeks ago.

The IPART review is still open for submissions on terms of reference, it was envisaged once terms of reference were agreed upon the review would take at least 12 months to conduct the review, yet instead of shortening the timeframe of the review, the Minister has detailed plans for an Upper House Committee on the matter.

“I have sought to find a chair who will take the poison chalice,” Minister Hoenig said today on the financial sustainability of Local Government in NSW.

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman said that since Labor came to power, Councils across NSW have been in financial and operational turmoil under a Minister who continues to contemplate rather than take considered action.

“The Minister, after 12 months, is still considering what direction to take – meanwhile the Local Government sector is left languishing, with no direction or support for the sector, which is burdened with uncertainty across the state – inaction from Labor is impacting communities,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“You have an IPART review which is still deciding its terms of reference and detailing that they will take another 12 months to undertake the actual review – and the Minister’s solution is another review entirely, a backflip all within a month of the original announcement.

Questions were raised in estimates about his choice in selecting the Upper House Committee for the review and why it wasn’t discussed with the portfolio committee. A pointed question was whether the Minister was hoping to achieve a certain political outcome with the upper house review, a point he denied.

“With the amount of Special Rate Variation requests across NSW, the Labor Government needs to address the bill shock being faced by communities across NSW.

The Minister stated he continues to advocate to the Federal Government for increased revenue for the Local Government Sector but highlighted the considerable tension between the Federal Labor Government and the NSW Government on the increase in the taxation income for both the state and the Local Government sector.

The Local Government Sector is looking for leadership, the Minister needs to turn off cruise control and start driving change.

Following today’s revelations that the Government has mapped all of the Inner West local government area for development up to six storeys, the Opposition is calling on the Government to make its mapping of the Low and Mid-Rise SEPP public, so the community can be fully informed about the Government’s intended changes to local communities in the biggest rezoning in Australia’s history.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said it’s clear that Labor’s approach to housing isn’t working.
 
“The Minns Labor Government planning reforms are falling apart because they arrogantly dumped important consultation with local councils and communities. To ensure full transparency, the Government should immediately release mapping prepared by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure which shows the impact of these changes and the Department’s definition of ‘well located areas’,” said Mr Speakman.
 
“In Budget Estimates last week, the Government conceded that they had done the mapping, and we’ve seen it referred to in their own briefing documents, but they refuse to share it with the people of NSW.”
 
“While we know from these internal briefings to the Minister that the entire Inner West is mapped for six-storey apartments; it begs the question of what impact Labor’s one-size-fits-all planning policy has on other communities across the State.”
 
Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Scott Farlow said that under-pressure Planning Minister Paul Scully continues to show a concerning lack of understanding of the impacts of the Minns Labor Government’s “one-size-fits-all” approach by claiming his own briefing documents are “misleading, fanciful and designed to scaremonger”.
 
“It’s ludicrous that the Planning Minister is now calling briefings prepared by his own department ‘misleading’. Chris Minns and Paul Scully should release the mapping of the Low and Mid-Rise SEPP so the community is fully informed about what the Government knows,” Mr Farlow said. 
 
“To address the housing crisis, the Liberals and Nationals believe in working with local communities to set housing targets, allowing communities to formulate their local controls and, if they refuse to do so within appropriate strict time limits, to impose state planning controls – not at the beginning,” said Mr Farlow.

The NSW Opposition is calling out the NSW Roads Minister John Graham for his complete lack of knowledge when it comes to Western Sydney roads investment.
 
This morning at Budget Estimates, Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward asked Minister Graham directly what new funding the Minns Labor Government has committed to the Aerotropolis precinct since coming to office almost 12 months ago.
 
In an embarrassing blunder, the Minister was unable to name a single project, before attempting to take credit for the upgrade to Elizabeth Drive and the M7/M12 Interchange both funded under the former Liberal and Nationals Government.
 
In a desperate pivot to maintain an appearance of any knowledge, the Roads Minister referenced his election commitment to upgrade 15th Avenue, which a department bureaucrat had previously confirmed to Parliament was only enough to plan for the upgrade.
 
The Minns Labor Government’s clear lack of investment in Western Sydney was further exposed when asked to detail the Premier’s statement that his Government was investing $600 million over five years on the Aerotropolis, the Roads Minister declined to provide any detail.
 
Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward commented “The Roads Minister’s eyes are clearly not on the road when it comes to investment in Western Sydney Roads.”
 
“People can’t drive on ‘plans’, they drive on upgraded roads. Upgrading roads requires investment and this Labor Government cannot name a single project they have provided delivery funding for.”
 
“Western Sydney communities be warned – there is a clear difference between planning and delivery funding for road investment. This Labor Government promises everything, but won’t actually build these roads.”

The NSW Government’s pharmacy trial has this month surpassed 12,000 total consultations, relieving pressure on GPs and making it easier for people to access basic medications.

The trial allows trained community pharmacists to manage urinary tract infections (UTI) and provide treatment medicines if needed, as well as resupply the oral contraceptive pill (the pill).

Since May last year, when the UTI stage of the trial began, to 15 February 2024, 11,296 consultations occurred across 937 pharmacies around the state..

Since September last year, when the pill stage of the trial began, 854 consultations have occurred across 342 pharmacies.

The trial first began in May last year with almost 100 pharmacies participating. It has now expanded to around 1,200 consented pharmacies across the state, surpassing the 1,000 pharmacies originally projected to participate.

The NSW Government will soon announce the expansion of the trial to include medications for the treatment of minor skin conditions.

The trial continues to undergo evaluation for efficacy, safety and ethical soundness.

Find your closest participating pharmacist

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We know that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find an appointment with a GP.

“Empowering pharmacists to safely prescribe and dispense basic everyday medications will save people time as well as relieve pressure on our GPs.

“It’s encouraging to see this trial is progressing well and the take up is better than expected.

“We want to ensure this is done safely, and we are determined to get it right.

“We are constantly assessing how we can deliver health care more efficiently as well as safely, and I am excited about the opportunities to expand this initiative elsewhere.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) ‘scholarships’ are now on offer to one million Australians, in a bid to increase the nation’s literacy of the technology estimated to be worth $4 trillion to the economy by the early 2030s.

The free ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ microskill course is provided by the Institute of Applied Technology Digital, a technology-focused institute at TAFE NSW, and the National AI Centre (NAIC), coordinated by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

The course will provide a non-technical introduction to AI fundamentals and is designed for people at the beginning of their AI literacy journey.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan today welcomed the announcement which is an ideal opportunity for workers seeking to upskill, those starting their career in AI, and small to medium business owners.

The microskill is available now through the TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology – Digital. Working in collaboration with TAFE NSW, Microsoft, Macquarie University, and the University of Technology Sydney, the Institute of Applied Technology Digital designs and delivers market-leading training that rapidly adapts to industry needs.

The two-and-a-half-hour course will cover:

• what AI is
• common AI terminologies
• the challenges and risks of using AI
• common misconceptions
• real-world applications of AI
• Australian AI case studies
• advice from industry experts to start your career in AI

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said:

“Artificial Intelligence is already transforming our economy, workplace, education system, and community. This is an exciting opportunity for people nation-wide to advance their AI understanding.

“It’s great to see TAFE NSW collaborating with the National AI Centre to provide students from all backgrounds with a start to develop their AI literacy, so they can access the jobs of tomorrow.”

Director, National AI Centre, Stela Solar said:

“SMEs make up over 98 per cent of Australia’s economy, and ‘Introduction to AI’ is their opportunity to learn how they can use this revolutionary technology to enhance their operations, services, and market competitiveness.”

CEO, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), Luke Achterstraat, said:
“Small businesses are a main source of innovation in Australia – they are entrepreneurs who try new ideas, test new products, and usually back themselves with their own capital.

“This microskill course will help build confidence and competency for small businesses as they navigate the AI landscape.”

The NSW Government will deliver a new co-educational high school in Liverpool by bringing together the two existing single-sex high schools into a brand new school build, following extensive consultation with the community.

Liverpool Boys and Girls High Schools, which are currently co-located on adjoining sites, will come together within the area’s new health and education precinct, as part of the NSW Government’s $3.5 billion commitment to new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.  

The brand new school will cater for up to 2000 students, with facilities including new teaching spaces and specialist facilities, a new library.

Community consultation, undertaken in 2022, found support for co-educational schooling in the area, particularly among future high school parents.

Among future parents surveyed, 56 per cent stated a preference for a co-educational high school, contrasted with 18 per cent who said they would prefer a single-sex school.  

The new co-educational school will offer an expanded range of subjects for students, with purpose-built facilities to deliver specialised pathways into health and higher education. 

In recognition of the preferences of some students and families, the co-educational schools will also provide opportunities for single-sex-focused classes and activities.

The new school will form part of the Liverpool Health and Education Sub Precinct, in collaboration with NSW Health, TAFE NSW and the Liverpool City Council.  

Planning for the new school build is underway, with concept designs to be shared in coming months.

As the schools come together, they will work with local primary schools to ensure a strong transition process from primary to high school for local students.

The NSW Department of Education will update the community as the project progresses. 

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

“This is a huge investment in a rapidly growing community, ensuring working families have access to a world class public education. 

“The majority of families in this area expressed a preference for co-education, with the increase in student population at the school to expand the range of subjects and extra-curricular activities available for students.

“For the new high school to be part of the new health and education precinct is exciting, offering more learning and career opportunities for students in the area.” 

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

“One of my goals as the local member has been to create pathways for our young people’s futures right here in Liverpool. Today’s announcement is a significant step in realising that vision.

“The consolidation of Liverpool Boys and Girls into a single, brand-new co-educational campus is an essential milestone in creating a ‘cradle-to-PhD’ education precinct in the Liverpool CBD.

“Liverpool’s population surge has caused us to assess the suitability of our existing local schools. This redevelopment is about creating state-of-the-art secondary schooling for our modern city.”

The NSW Government has partnered with Wagga Wagga-based company Zetifi to trial new wi-fi technology at Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool, providing visitors to the popular destination with free internet access.

Powered by solar energy, the wi-fi system uses satellite and cellular internet technology to keep people visiting the the Kosciuszko National Park site connected and able to call for help in an emergency.

In the past, mobile coverage at the site has been inhibited by natural features such as the steep Yarrangobilly River Valley and the towering Eucalyptus trees that surround the thermal pool.

The technology being trialled has been installed in an elevated location to leverage both satellite and cellular internet connections, transmitting internet via wi-fi to the thermal pool area. The wi-fi can easily be accessed by the public by scanning a QR code on the walk in.

The project was coordinated by the NSW Telco Authority and the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) as part of the NSW Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) program’s Connectivity Challenge.

The program aims to strengthen communication networks in regional and remote areas by supporting businesses to find solutions to connectivity challenges.

Find out more about the NSW SBIR program

Find out more about visiting the Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool walk

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“This is a terrific example of a technological solution improving safety and visitor experience in a remote area of Kosciuszko National Park which is popular in both summer and winter.

“It will benefit not only visitors to the spring-fed natural pool, but also rangers and emergency services personnel when they’re working in the area.

“The NSW Government is committed to improving infrastructure in our national parks to ensure a wonderful experience for people getting out and about in nature.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“This wi-fi trial helps visitors to the Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool stay connected, which is important over the busy summer period when more people will be making the most of this picturesque destination.

“This technology could make all the difference in an emergency when a call for help needs to be made.

“As well as assisting thousands of visitors to the people expected to visit the Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool over summer, the trial is boosting a regional business by enabling it to test and showcase its product.”

Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool wi-fi key data:

• Approximately 2,100 unique connections have been made since the free wi-fi trial began in December, an average of just over 40 connections per day.
• Peak usage has been during weekends seeing between 90-120 connections per day, compared to only 20-40 on weekdays.
• Since the trial began 400GB of data has been used, equating to almost 8GB of usage per day.

The latest round of the Investing in Women Funding Program opens today, with up to $1 million available to organisations to fund projects that advance the role, status and contribution of women and girls in NSW.

Eligible organisations can apply for grants of between $25,000 and $100,000 for annual projects, or up to $250,000 for multi-year projects. Funding is open to registered not-for-profits, local councils and private sector industry bodies working in partnership with communities and government.

Projects should aim to have lasting impacts on communities of women and girls in the areas of health and wellbeing, and participation and empowerment. 

House to Grow, a not-for-profit, was 1 of 22 organisations that received funding under the program in 2023. It used its $50,000 grant to provide a space for women to ignite their business ideas and kickstart their projects into market opportunities. Female entrepreneurs were also supported with business education.

Additionally, Surfing NSW received almost $100,000 to work with 53 affiliated Surf Schools across NSW to identify and provide a nationally accredited coaching certification, on-the-job training, mentorship and employment to 150 women. This boosted the number of women in the coaching network in regional areas and increased the opportunities for part-time and flexible work options to match the growing demand of those wishing to engage with surfing.

The Investing in Women Funding Program grant applications open 5 March 2024 and close 8 April 2024. Find out more information on the grant program and details on how to apply. 

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is committed to improving the lives of women and girls across the state. Through the Investing in Women Funding Program, we are working in partnership with organisations to deliver on the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026 to boost women’s economic opportunities and advancement, promote their health and wellbeing and support participation.

“This program is for women of all backgrounds and really sets the foundation for success for generations to come.

“Over the years, more than 100 organisations have received grants under the Investing in Women funding program and have used that funding to help women overcome barriers and empower them to take charge and achieve their aspirations.

“I urge eligible organisations to get their grant applications in and play a part in contributing to these important goals.

CEO at House to Grow Pilar Lopez said:

“We have enrolled over 200 women from different backgrounds so far in our Watering Women’s Tree Program, including participants with original ideas and other start-ups ready to grow.

“Our holistic accelerator program has played a significant role in the creation and development of more than 100 businesses in NSW, with some now operating on an international scale.

“The flexibility of this project has enabled women with family commitments, those with casual jobs or studying to pursue their projects, contributing to strengthening the female entrepreneurial fabric but is also fostering women’s leadership development and creating more sustainable women-led businesses and families.

“Our project aims to empower women entrepreneurs, enhancing their independence and security but also reducing risks such as exploitation and vulnerability to violence, thereby building a sustainable future for themselves and their families.”

Surfing NSW spokesperson Kathy Walton said:

“Through Surfing NSW’s coaching certification program, we’re proud to significantly enhance gender equality in surfing. By accrediting and mentoring women, we’re not just increasing female representation; we’re inspiring a new generation of women and girls to embrace surfing, both recreationally and professionally.

“Our initiative opens new doors for women in the surfing industry, offering them both training and employment opportunities to develop their life-saving and ocean education skills, and our programs have particularly been focused on the growth of regional surfing communities.

“Sadly 86 people have drowned in Australia since December 2023. Empowering 150 women with Surfers Rescue 24/7 techniques, CPR, First Aid and trauma response is at the heart of our organisation and programs. This not only upskills them as coaches but also equips them to save lives in and out of the ocean, enhancing safety within the surfing community.”

With the 2024 school year in full swing, the NSW Government has launched a new phase of its campaign to remind parents and carers of the critical importance of good school attendance as figures from 2023 show a promising lift above the improvement rates of other states.

Student attendance increased from 85.2% in 2022 to 88.1% in 2023, a nation-leading improvement of 2.9%, but schools are continuing to work hard to make further progress.

The Department of Education’s latest ‘Every Day Matters’ campaign aims to raise parent, carer and community awareness of the importance of attending school daily, showing how just 1 day off school can lead to students missing out and falling behind, academically and socially.

Research shows positive school attendance benefits students’ academic achievement, engagement and wellbeing, while students who attend school regularly are also more likely to experience positive health, social and economic outcomes after leaving school.

While school attendance rates have increased across the state, there’s more work to be done, and the NSW Department of Education is supporting schools with strategies to lift attendance across the state.

Parents and carers are encouraged to reach out to their child’s school if they have attendance concerns, so they can access support.

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

“A day or 2 away from school may not seem like a big deal, but missing just 1 day per fortnight adds up to an entire year of missed learning over a student’s school career.

“We have made good progress on lifting attendance in NSW since coming to government, but there is more to do.

“Unless your child is unwell, please send them to school. It’s the best thing you can do to ensure your child receives the best education possible.”