Category: NSW News

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is continuing to work with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to deliver key home fire safety messages as the weather warms up.

FRNSW attended the Canterbury-Bankstown Safety Expo today, with firefighters from Arabic, Greek and Vietnamese backgrounds spending time with locals to discuss fire safety in their native language.

More than 27% of NSW residents were born overseas, and 1 in 3 households speaks a language other than English.

Engaging CALD communities through education initiatives is an important way FRNSW is preparing residents for any emergency, helping overcome knowledge and awareness barriers that might put these communities at risk of home fires.

While fires are more likely to occur during winter, the risk remains year-round with working smoke alarms and cooking safety perennial concerns for firefighters. 

As the weather warms up, residents living near bush and grass land are urged to be aware of the fire risk in their area and to heed the advice and warnings of authorities.

Barbecue use is more popular during warmer months, but it carries a heightened risk on hot days and residents are urged to observe limitations on barbecue use during total fire ban days.

Translated fire safety fact sheets and videos are available in several languages on the Fire and Rescue NSW websitelaunch where you can also book in a free home safety visit from your local station.

Minister for Emergency Services and Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said: 

“I can’t stress enough the importance of creating consistent messaging for people from all backgrounds.”

“Bankstown is home to people of diverse languages and backgrounds, and finding a way to reach communities in a way that is familiar to them is incredibly important.”

“I commend FRNSW for recognising this as an outreach opportunity.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Paul McGuiggan said:

“As an organisation we are fully committed to connecting to, and working with, multicultural communities to help prepare them for any emergency.”

“Explaining fire safety messaging in a way that simplifies the language used and the understanding of potential outcomes is crucial.”

“We need to make sure we are able to educate people from different backgrounds, in the language and concepts that make sense.”

Labor’s approach to Australia’s immigration system is too similar to the Liberal Party and leading to the same disastrous human rights outcomes.

“Secret transfers of people seeking asylum to Nauru is a disgraceful continuation of the last government’s war on refugees,” Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“They need to explain why they are exiling people to Nauru instead of ending the barbaric practice of offshore detention immediately.”

“Labor’s approach to asylum seekers is so flawed it may as well have been designed by Scott Morrison or Peter Dutton.”

“This Government was elected on a platform of change, not just to offer the same rubbish in a different bin.”

“The Nixon Report identified the massive delays in asylum seeker resolution – that needs to be addressed by actually investing resources into resolving claims quickly and fairly.”

“It also needs to be addressed by restoring massive cuts the Status Resolution Support Services, as Labor promised to do.”

“Labor should rule out using the Nixon report to remove people’s rights, ditch the Dutton law and order rhetoric and concentrate on making the visa processing system faster and fairer.”

The NSW Government held the annual Veterans Employment Roundtable at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park today focussing on collaborative communication to assist veterans transitioning from the Defence Force into private and public sector employment.

Around 1,200 Defence Force personnel transition to employment in NSW every year.

Minister for Veterans David Harris hosted public and private sector stakeholders along with veterans’ support and employment organisations to foster ongoing discussions and initiatives for veterans career opportunities after their service.

Roundtables have been held since 2020, with a focus on the work that government can do in partnership with private employers, to foster increased collaboration and supports to ensure veterans find meaningful employment.

This year’s Roundtable had a special focus on communication, and a key goal was to build opportunities between organisations to effectively share information about services and communications to reach and assist veterans in their job search.

Mark Bransdon, an Army Veteran of 22 years’ service, discharged in 2019 and is now the Learning and Development Officer at Campbelltown City Council. He shared his story with the Roundtable, highlighting the value to veterans transitioning to employment outside of the Defence Forces.

The NSW Government is committed to honouring our veterans and their families, and the NSW Veterans Strategy and 2023-2024 Action Plan ensures that the veteran community is supported. One of the strategy actions is the organisation of an annual NSW Veterans Employment Roundtable.

The NSW Government Veterans Employment Program leads the way in assisting veterans finding roles within the NSW public sector. For more information visit Veterans Employment Programlaunch.

Minister for Veterans, David Harris said:

“It was great to meet key leaders in the employment field to discuss how we can all work together and assist veterans with their job search and use the skills they have learnt while serving in the Australian Defence Force.

“Their unique skillset enables them to work in a range of sectors and contribute positively to the NSW economy and community.

“We understand it can be challenging for some veterans to apply for work after their service.

“Today’s discussions are a positive step forward to ensure our veterans have a clearer path and a smoother transition from military service to civilian life.”

Army veteran and Learning and Development Officer at Campbelltown City Council, Mark Bransdon said: 

“I have brought a lived experience to Campbelltown City Council with my transition.

“The hiring manager for the role I applied for was aware of the skills I learnt in Defence, that I could bring to the role. That made a big difference to my transition.

The opportunities moving forward are that we can share this information with other councils and organisations to make it easier for them to implement a program assists veterans transitioning.

“Councils are also a beneficiary as they employ someone with great skills that can add value to their organisation.”

The NSW Government has welcomed the appointment of 4 new members to the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board.

Malaemie Fruean OAM, David Giang, George Vardas and the board’s newest Youth Member, Polina Mycak, will each serve 3-year terms on the Advisory Board until 2026.

Ömer Incekara, was reappointed after serving a 3-year term and Esther Adeyinka was appointed to a general board member from the youth position to an additional 3-year term.

The merit-based selection process attracted more than 150 applications.

Minister Kamper thanked the outgoing Advisory Board members (Margaret Piper, Ken Hong, Sam Elmir and Grace Ho) for their committed service advising government on multicultural policy, improving equitable access to services for all people in NSW, and ensuring no one is left behind.

Chaired by Nick Kaldas APM, the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board provides advice and guidance on a range of matters relating to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Further information about the new members is as follows:

• Polina Mycak (youth member) – Polina Mycak is passionate about the promotion of multicultural principles. She is also a member of the Ukrainian Youth Association, and an undergraduate at Macquarie University studying psychology and arts, with an interest in cross cultural psychology.
• George Vardas – George is a practising lawyer, accredited mediator, and cultural heritage consultant. He has extensive experience advising on multicultural policy and working with multicultural groups to effectively campaign to bring about positive change.
• Malaemie Fruean OAM – Malaemie is a strong advocate for Pacifica communities and is well known and respected across Western Sydney. She is committed to sharing her knowledge and extensive experience in community engagement to increase cultural awareness.
• David Giang – David is Managing Director and Editor of Australia’s first and only Vietnamese language newspaper, Chieu Duong (The Sunrise Daily) – the only remaining Vietnamese print publication in Australia today. He recently founded the Independent Multicultural Media Association.

The following 2 members have been reappointed:

• Esther Adeyinka – Esther is passionate about making sure that diverse voices are heard and respected in decision-making spaces, particularly the voices of young, diverse women. She works as a lawyer in a commercial law firm and is also a small business owner
• Ömer Incekara – Ömer is passionate about community language schools and promoting multiculturalism. Ömer is CEO of an advertising agency and sits on several boards and associations. He is Chair of the Ataturk Scholarship and Director of the Australian Turkish Mutual Alliance (ATMA).

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“The Advisory Board has a vital role to play as a conduit between community, Multicultural NSW and the NSW Government.”

“Drawing on their community connections, cross-cultural understanding and lived experience, our Advisory Board elevates the voices of the wider community.”

“In partnership with Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta, I look forward to working with the new members and entire Advisory Board, to ensure future generations of NSW residents can enjoy the benefits of living in one of the world’s greatest multicultural states.”

Multicultural NSW Advisory Board Chair Nick Kaldas, APM said:

“Our vision is for a stronger NSW, using our cultural diversity as a vehicle to achieve cultural and economic prosperity.”

“We are committed to ensuring the views and concerns of all people are heard in government decision-making processes and that everyone has equal access to government services.”

“Through understanding our communities, we can deliver improved services, make better use of our cultural and linguistic resources and be more cohesive and resilient in response to challenges.”

The Opposition condemned a callous backflip by the Minns Labor Government on council demergers.

Local Government Shadow Minister Wendy Tuckerman said that before the election Labor was telling communities that it was going to help councils to demerge, and even passed a legislative amendment to ensure the Government paid the demerger costs.

“Since coming to Government, Labor and Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig have completely changed their tune on council demergers,” Mrs Tuckerman said. “The Labor Government is trying to backpedal as fast as they can from their own amendment, and the Budget handed down just weeks ago has no funds available for councils like Cootamundra-Gundagai that had already done the hard yards and been through the Boundary Commission inquiries.”

“The former Coalition Government set out a clear demerger roadmap, in consultation with the council and the local community, that guided the entire process – which has now been completely and senselessly discarded by Ron Hoenig.

“Instead of following the roadmap, which was near completion to delivering a demerged council, the Labor Government – true to form – starts another review.

“The Coalition Government’s had also announced in February that the legal path for demerging the council would likely require legislative change to facilitate the process after the March State Election,” said Mrs Tuckerman. “So, either the Minister wasn’t paying attention, or he is wilfully misleading the community and should apologise.”

“Despite having a roadmap that is almost complete and advice to urgently create new legislation, the Minns Labor Government will be returning the issue to the Boundaries Commission for the third time further dragging out this process and risking the Council’s ability to hold a demerged election in time with other councils across NSW.”

“The Minister needs to urgently fix this mess, and provide clear details on the demerger process, including timelines and what financial support will be provided.”

“I am devasted for the residents and the Cootamundra-Gundagai Council staff – this is yet another example of Labor saying one thing before the election and doing another after the election. This is a Government that just doesn’t care about regional and rural communities,” Ms Tuckerman concluded.

The Minns Labor Government has launched a $20 million trial grants program aimed at improving working families’ access to early childhood education and care when and where they need it most.

Offering providers a pool of up to $20 million over two years, the Flexible Initiatives Trial will provide grants to support existing ECEC services to expand and innovate, to better meet the needs of children and families and allow parents to enter the workforce or increase their hours.

New or adapted operating models will include:

• extending hours of care beyond traditional working hours  
• providing flexible pick-up and drop-off times    
• improved access to ad hoc care arrangements outside scheduled hours
• establishing new family day care services in remote areas.

The Flexible Initiatives Trial includes funding to ensure the workforce is supported to deliver flexible models of ECEC. It is one of a suite of ECEC programs to be delivered by the NSW Government in 2023-24, which aim to improve affordability and access.

As part of its recent Budget, the Minns Labor Government affirmed a $5 billion investment in the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund (the Fund) to boost the early childhood workforce and make ECEC affordable and accessible for more families.

The Fund will help deliver on new initiatives that directly support those who need it most –  children, families and the early childhood education workforce.

It will also be used to provide $500 per child of fee relief to 3-year-old children attending eligible preschool programs in long day care centres, effective from early 2024.

Additional programs will be made available over the coming months.

All eligible ECEC service provider types are invited to apply for the Flexible Initiatives Trial, with funding to support family day care services on offer for the first time.

Applications are now open for the first round of the program, and close on 1 December 2023.

Visit the NSW Department of Education website for more information, including the program guidelines, eligibility and upcoming information sessions.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Penny Sharpe said:

“Flexible early childhood education and care options are a critical need for working families, particularly for parents and carers who are in part-time, casual or shift work.

“The Flexible Initiatives Trial is part of the Minns Government’s commitment to improving access to early childhood education and care.

“Through the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund, exciting new initiatives are being developed to respond to the most pressing needs of the sector and the community.”

Emergency department nurses across NSW will gain valuable real-time experience with stroke care through new virtual reality (VR) training program being rolled out across the state.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park today officially launched the program, which will be rolled out across 27 hospitals in NSW, with a demonstration of the immersive training at Royal North Shore Hospital.

“Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency and this technology will help to improve outcomes for people presenting with stroke,” Mr Park said.

“Fast response and treatment of stroke is vital to saving lives and improving recovery.

“By simulating a real-time scenario, this training will give emergency nurses practise in how to handle those first critical minutes.

“A total of 27 VR headsets have been distributed to regional, rural and metropolitan hospitals, with a focus on smaller hospitals where staff may have limited exposure to stroke presentations.

“It’s really pleasing to see this innovative technology being used to train nurses.”

The stroke VR nurse training program will run in all regional local health districts, including the following hospitals: Tweed, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Moree, Armidale, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Manning, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, Blue Mountains, Goulburn, Cooma, Shoalhaven, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin, Moruya and South East Regional Hospital (SERH).

It will also run in the Sydney, Northern Sydney and South Eastern Sydney local health districts at Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, St Vincent’s and Royal North Shore hospitals.

NSW Health Deputy Secretary Clinical Innovation and Research and Chief Executive, Agency for Clinical Innovation, Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque, said the VR training is another innovative way the public health system is using technology to improve patient care.

“VR training gives patients and nurses access to best-practice stroke care, especially in regional areas where a local hospital does not receive the same volume of stroke patients as its city counterparts,” Dr Levesque said.

“This new training program complements the successful NSW Telestroke Service, which uses video consultation to provide people living in rural and regional NSW with rapid access to specialist stroke diagnoses and treatment.

“Telestroke is now operating in 23 hospitals across the state.”

The TACTICS VR stroke training program is a collaboration between the Agency for Clinical Innovation and the University of Newcastle Centre for Advanced Training Systems.

University of Newcastle Professor Rohan Walker said the VR nurse training follows Telestroke training already produced using the TACTICS VR platform.

“Health staff find the immersive, interactive and evidence-based training easy to use and it improves their confidence in best-practice clinical care,” Professor Walker said.

For more information on stroke care, visit the Agency for Clinical Innovationlaunch.

The state’s annual trout fishing season commenced on September 30, with rivers and streams in prime condition following the 4-month fishing closure. 

Great fishing across the NSW trout fishery is expected this season.

The annual closure allows trout to breed during the spawning season, to allow good recruitment and ensure we maintain our fishing assets for future seasons.

Consistent rainfall over the past few years has allowed for good natural recruitment, which bodes well for this open season.

NSW boasts an array of popular trout fishing locations, including a range of productive streams in the New England area, the iconic Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers in the Snowy Mountains, and the Fish River near Bathurst in the Central West.

It is important that all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence. It’s also a good idea that anglers take the opportunity to remind themselves about the fishing rules, to ensure our trout fishery remains viable into the future.

The NSW trout fishery is carefully managed to ensure sustainability while delivering socio-economic benefits.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Trout are an incredibly popular freshwater sportfish in our general trout streams, artificial fly and lure streams, and create fantastic opportunities for fishers.

“DPI’s Gaden and Dutton trout hatcheries have completed their breeding programs for the season, and we are working with local clubs and acclimatisation societies to organise stocking of trout fry and fingerlings.

“The wet conditions over the past few years have given a great boost to trout fishing and we look set for yet another bumper season this year, right across the state.”

The 2023-24 trout season is open through to Tuesday, 11 June 2024. A summary of fishing rules and regulations is available via the FishSmart Applaunch or by accessing the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guidelaunch available at NSW DPI offices, fishing fee agents or online.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing or suspected illegal fishing should contact the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536launch or report illegal activity online via the link.

The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park was the recipient of 3 significant objects today thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-branch.

The Henry Bull Honour Board, donated by RSL NSW, lists the names and enlistment dates for the First World War and is the first example of this type of board to be donated to the Anzac Memorial’s collection. It is made of an arched timber frame, with metal header lettering and gold script with carved pillars that frame the sides of the board.

It is a unique example of the large ornate honour boards that companies made to honour their staff who had served and died during the Great War.

Also donated by RSL NSW was the HMAS Anzac Ship Model. HMAS Anzac was launched as a Royal Navy destroyer in 1917 serving in the North Sea and English Channel, before being transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1919 and was named in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who had fought at Gallipoli.

This large ship model was built in about 1970 by Royal Australian Navy veteran, Vince Fazio, who had served during the Korean War on HMAS Condamine.

Redfern RSL sub-branch donated the Captain Alfred Shout VC Memorial Tablet. The tables is one of the earliest memorials in NSW that was unveiled to a soldier killed during the Great War. Alfred Shout was 1 of 9 soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli, where he was also awarded a Military Cross. The tablet was originally unveiled Darlington Town Hall in November 1915, prior to the evacuation of Gallipoli.

Minister for Veterans David Harris accepted the objects on behalf of the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial at a small event. The event also acknowledged Ray James OAM outgoing RSL NSW President for his outstanding service to veterans in NSW and for the donations to the Anzac Memorial.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“I would like to personally acknowledge and thank Ray James for his outstanding service, first as a veteran of the Vietnam War and then as RSL President and Trustee of the Anzac Memorial.

“It’s fitting that one of Ray’s last acts is to oversee such prized items being added to the Anzac Memorial collection. It’s an appropriate tribute to his enormous contribution.

“Thanks to RSL NSW and the Redfern RSL sub-Branch, the people of NSW will get to view these unique items when visiting the state’s premier war memorial.”

Local councils, community groups and government agencies are invited to apply for the latest round of the Flagship Grants program worth up to $400,000 per project to see local coastal waterways flourish. 

Applications open on 4 October and have previously been used to fund rehabilitation of coastal wetlands, among other vital projects.

Community organisations, local councils and natural resource managers across the state have until 15 November 2023 to apply for funding for their projects to improve habitat for native fish.

The Flagship Grants program builds on the existing Habitat Action Grants program and seeks to target much larger scale projects that require higher levels of funding assistance.

These grants offer a rare opportunity for regional fishing clubs or organisations to significantly improve fish habitats and fishing opportunities within their local creek, river or estuary.

Previous Flagship Grants have also included funding for:  

• rehabilitation of significant riparian lands / coastal wetlands (river banks, mangrove forests, saltmarsh), including addressing poor water quality from the disturbance of acid sulfate soils;
• removal or modification of barriers to fish passage including addressing floodgates, road-crossings and construction of fishways;
• re-snagging of waterways with timber structures; and
• environmentally sensitive bank stabilisation works, including riparian restoration where these works are identified and part of a large-scale remediation program.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“I am excited to support funding that enables long-term benefits to local fish habitats and recreational fisheries. I want to see as many submissions as possible.

“The Flagship Grants are supported with funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and are a great example of how recreational fishing licence fee funds are reinvested to improve recreational fishing.

“Ultimately, these Flagship Grants are about making sure we have functional fish habitats and happy native fish here in NSW.

Visit the Department of Primary Industrieslaunch for more information and to apply for this round.