Category: NSW News

A life-changing package for NSW children and families has been announced today with a $376.5 million investment over four years in child development and family support as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Premier of NSW Dominic Perrottet said the Brighter Beginnings package will provide all children with a full suite of developmental checks before they start school and make the baby blue book digital.  
 
“The first 2,000 days of a child’s life are critical to their development and success and we want to ensure they get the best start possible,” Mr Perrottet said.   
 
“NSW is now leading the nation in providing the best developmental support giving families right across the state the brightest of futures.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said that 90 per cent of a child’s brain development happens before the age of five, which is why these reforms are so important for NSW’s future prosperity.  
 
“This is a long-term investment which will reap benefits for children, families and the economy today, and for many generations to come,” Mr Kean said 
 
As the Minister leading the initiative, Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said it’s clear that getting it right early in a child’s life has lifelong benefits for their future.  
 
“Almost half of all 4-year-old children do not get their recommended health and development checks, so making these available in every NSW early childhood service will open the door to brighter futures for thousands of children,” Ms Mitchell said.  
 
“The Brighter Beginnings initiative will also make a huge difference to outcomes at school, from behaviour to academic results.” 
 
“Knowing where children are developmentally and physically before they start school is so important, allowing any necessary support to be identified.” 
  
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said expanding the home-based antenatal service would make it easier for parents to access important health care information.
 
“We are bringing the Sustaining NSW Families program to more Local Health District across the state, so many more vulnerable families can be supported by free home visits by a specially trained clinical nurse,” Mr Hazzard said.   
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said making the Blue Book digital will make it easier for families to access and keep track of their child’s health and development information.
 
“This initiative is modernising how we support families at a critical time in their child’s life,” Mr Dominello said.
 
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said that more Aboriginal Child and Family Centres will help connect families with a mix of culturally safe services and supports for their child’s development.  
 
“Expansion of the Pregnancy Family Conferencing program will mean more vulnerable families will be able to access early engagement and interagency care planning, so they can remain together,” Ms Maclaren-Jones said.   
 
The Brighter Beginnings initiative is a partnership, led by Minister Mitchell, between the Department of Education, NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice, the Department of Customer Service, the Department of Regional NSW, Multicultural NSW, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet to drive transformational change in early childhood development.
 
Alongside the NSW Government’s Affordable Preschool Program, the Brighter Beginnings package includes:  

• $111.2 million to bring health and development checks to all children in NSW preschool settings in partnership with health professionals; 
• $98.7 million to continue and expand the number of Aboriginal Child and Family Centres across the state;
• $70.9 million to expand the transformational Sustaining NSW Families clinical nurse home visiting program; 
• $57.2 million to develop the clinical interface of the Digital Baby Book; and
• $38.6 million to make Pregnancy Family Conferencing available to more parents across NSW.

Families across NSW are set to save thousands of dollars on their preschool costs thanks to more than $1.4 billion over four years in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.  
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the program will ease cost of living pressures for families and ensure more children receive high quality early education, which is critical for a smooth transition to school and better educational outcomes for their future. 
 
“Preschool is where the building blocks for lifelong success are established so it is vital that quality early childhood education is more accessible for families in NSW, no matter what their circumstances or where they live,” Mr Perrottet said. 
 
“We’re committed to ensuring families across the state have a brighter future and less pressure on the hip pocket.”
 
From 1 January 2023, all NSW families will be eligible for:

• up to $4,000 per year in fee relief for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds attending a community or mobile preschool
• up to $2,000 per year in fee relief for 4 and 5-year-olds attending preschool in a long day care setting and
• the equivalent of 5 days a fortnight of affordable preschool fee relief for all children in Department of Education preschools.
•  
  The NSW Government will also invest $64.1 million for a two-year pilot to support more 3-year-olds attending preschool in long day care services.
   
  NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the evidence shows clearly the positive impact quality preschool can have on a child’s life outcomes and on the economy. 
   
  “Every $1 invested in early childhood education delivers a $2 boost to the NSW economy – it is a great investment for any Treasurer,” Mr Kean said. 
   
  Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that one of the biggest impacts we can have on educational outcomes at school is to improve early childhood education. 
   
  “A significant body of research shows that children who participate in quality preschool programs have improved lifelong educational, social and economic outcomes,” Ms Mitchell said. 
   
  “That’s why I’m so delighted to be continuing our support for community and mobile preschools. Families using these services are not eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, so NSW’s commitment to long-term funding relief is significant and genuinely needed.
   
  “We are also extending support to NSW families whose children attend preschool in a long day care setting, because at the end of the day what’s important is our littlest learners having access to great quality preschool programs.”
   
  The current Start Strong Free Pre-school Program is already providing $150 million in fee relief for children enrolled in community and mobile preschools across NSW in 2022. 

Ferry commuters in North Sydney will enjoy the benefits of a new modern wharf following a $7.5 million upgrade as part of the NSW Government’s $2.2 billion commitment to deliver accessible, safe and comfortable public transport infrastructure. 
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott today officially opened the upgraded wharf with the Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson, and highlighted the benefits that the Transport Access Program (TAP) will provide commuters.
“It is vital for a modern transport system to deliver infrastructure that is accessible for all commuters and is future-proof to meet the demands of a growing population, and that’s what the upgrade to the North Sydney ferry wharf does,” Mr Elliott said.
“These transport infrastructure projects provide a boost to the economy and associated industries. On this particular project more than 200 workers were inducted on-site, 210 tonnes of steel was used and more than 76 cubic metres of concrete poured.”
The Government’s upgrade to the North Sydney ferry wharf includes:

• a new accessible path leading to a gangway and covered floating pontoon;  
• customer seating;  
• weather protection;  
• a new accessible parking space;  
• kiss and ride zone; and  
• bicycle hoops.  
•  
  Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said she was thrilled with the package of works which provided a safer and more accessible wharf and importantly provided quicker and more efficient boarding and disembarking.
   
  “This upgrade is a positive outcome not only for local commuters but also for visitors to the area,” Ms Wilson said.
   
  “Seating for customers, protection from the elements and a kiss and ride zone are great upgrades which makes catching public transport much more attractive and easier for commuters,” she said.
   
  Commuters in the area can also look forward to more upgrades at Greenwich Point Wharf, South Mosman Wharf and Taronga Zoo Wharf.
   
  For more information about the North Sydney Wharf Upgrade visit nswroads.work/northsydney-wharf.

Families in NSW will save thousands of dollars a year on childcare costs thanks to the NSW Government’s landmark investment of up to $5 billion over the next decade to expand access to high quality, affordable care.
 
Under the reforms, a middle-income Sydney family with one child in full-time childcare that benefits from the investment is expected to save up to $3,900 a year, while the equivalent family living in regional NSW with two children in childcare is expected to save up to $7,800.
 
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said it can be hard for families to access affordable childcare, especially in Sydney, and this funding would transform the lives of families across the state.
 
“We know that childcare places are scarce in some postcodes, making it difficult for parents to return to paid work when they want. Improving accessibility to childcare by investing in supply will provide practical assistance to families with young ones,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“My Government is focused on building a brighter future for our state by helping people pursue their hopes and aspirations. That is what this transformational policy will do.”
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said investment in childcare is the best way to improve women’s economic opportunity, increase female workforce participation and close the gender pay gap.  
 
“Childcare costs impede the dreams of women across NSW because many women are only able to keep about 30 cents in each dollar they earn when they return to work,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Childcare shouldn’t be a postcode lottery. Improving the affordability and accessibility of childcare is once in a generation economic policy. This investment, delivered alongside the Commonwealth’s childcare reforms, is expected to see up to 95,000 women enter the workforce or take on more hours, driving down the gender workforce participation gap by up to 14 per cent within a decade.”
 
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this investment is expected to boost childcare supply, with a focus on increasing the supply of affordable childcare right across NSW. 
 
“This once in a generation scheme will mean women no longer need to choose between work or caring for their children,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“This package will help break the childcare drought by targeting areas with the least access to affordable childcare, which poses the highest disincentive to parents returning to work.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said early childhood education and care providers will be able to apply for funding to help deliver more accessible and affordable care.
 
“This is one of the most important things we can do to give children the best start in life, helping young children develop their social skills and open up lifelong opportunities from their earliest years,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“We will work with the sector on the detailed design of the fund to ensure it delivers the best outcomes for children, families and providers.”
 
The NSW Government’s investment will be made through the Affordable and Accessible Childcare and Economic Participation Fund, which will be established in this year’s budget. The Fund will:
 

• Provide grants to childcare providers to expand infrastructure and establish new centres,
• Target areas with limited access to childcare centres or where a shortage of childcare places poses the highest disincentive to parents returning to work,
• Complement the Commonwealth’s demand-side childcare policy framework through flexible supply side funding, 
• Invest $775 million over the next four years, and
• Trial new service models to meet the needs of modern families.

For more information go to https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/childcare-fund

More than 18,000 prospective early childhood teachers and carers will be supported to enter the sector or boost their skills thanks to a $281.6 million workforce package in the 2022/23 NSW Budget. 
 
The package includes early childhood teacher higher education scholarships of up to $25,000, VET scholarships of up to $2,000 and employer supplements for staff retention.
  
Premier Dominic Perrottet said NSW is leading the nation in implementing measures to address workforce supply issues and build a sustainable pipeline of early childhood educators and teachers for tomorrow. 
 
“This package will open new doors to attract, support and retain the best early childhood workforce in NSW, to create a brighter future for families and children,” Mr Perrottet said. 
 
“Early learning professionals are invaluable and we need more of them, which is why we are making a record investment in the early learning and childcare workforce.” 
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said a sustainable supply of early learning professionals is critical to make the NSW Government’s landmark childcare reforms announced today a reality.  
 
“The future of our State lies in the hands of the next generation. It is our responsibility to give them the best possible education from the earliest years,” Mr Kean said.
 
“If you are passionate about giving kids the best start to life, there is no better time than now to start a career in the growing early childhood education and care sector.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said this significant investment underscores the commitment of this government to the early childhood sector and will create lasting benefits now and into the future for NSW children, families and the economy. 
 
“I have had many conversations with early childhood teachers and educators, peak bodies, service directors, and stakeholders about the need to invest in our early childhood education and care workforce, and I am so proud that the NSW Government is delivering that support in spades today,” Ms Mitchell said. 
 
“Growing and supporting our workforce will help ensure our youngest learners develop strong educational foundations ahead of starting school and have the opportunity to thrive.” 

The 2022 HART Senior State Titles have concluded at the Campbelltown District and Camden & District Netball Associations, with four sets of State Champions crowned across the Opens, 17U, 15U and Men’s Divisions. 

The Senior State Titles is a flagship event within the Netball NSW pathway. For the past three days, the tournament has showcased the strength of grassroots netball with representative players, umpires and officials from all over the state coming together to take part.

This year the competition introduced Men’s Divisions for the first time, in the Opens category.

Campbelltown District Netball Association welcomed teams from Divisions 1 Opens and 1 & 2 of the 17U and 15U and Male team categories, while Camden & District Netball Association hosted Opens Division 2, and Divisions 3 & 4 of the 17U & 15U age groups.

The winners of Division 1 in each category have been crowned State Champions for 2022.

Below is a list of the winners and runners up in each division. For full fixtures and results please visit the PlayHQ Page and use the navigation menu at the top to select Divisions.

Netball NSW would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all winners, and thank every player, coach, official, volunteer and staff member for their contribution to the 2022 Senior State Titles.

In particular the organisation would like to thank both the Campbelltown District and Camden & District Netball Associations for their efforts, as well as HART Sport – Naming Rights Partner of the event – for their continued support. 

Opens Championship Division

Winners: Liverpool City
Runners up: Newcastle

Opens Division 2

Winners: Charlestown
Runners up: Young & District

17U Championship Division

Winners: Randwick
Runners up: Baulkham Hills Shire

17U Division 2

Winners: Bathurst
Runners up: Coffs Harbour

17U Division 3

Winners: Hastings Valley
Runners up: Brunswick & Byron

17U Division 4

Winners: Narrandera
Runners up: Eurobodalla

15U Division 1

Winners: Liverpool City
Runners up: Sutherland Shire

15U Division 2

Winners: Hills District
Runners up: Hastings Valley

15U Division 3

Winners: Griffith
Runners up: Southern Highlands

15U Division 4

Winners: Kiama
Runners up: Lower Clarence

Men’s Opens Division 1

Winners: Ku-Ring-Gai
Runners up: Randwick

Men’s Opens Division 2

Winners: Kurri Kurri
Runners up: Inner West

Spirit Award Division 1 & 2

Winners: Ku-Ring-Gai

Spirit Award Division 3 & 4

Winners: Wollondilly

A new $500 million commitment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget will bring faster rail a step closer, along with quicker and more reliable connections between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle.
 
The funding will go to the first stage of the Northern Corridor, helping build two new electrified rail tracks between Tuggerah and Wyong, new platforms and station upgrades, new bridges including over the Wyong River and safeguarding future fast rail connections to the north and south, subject to agreement with the new Federal Government.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government’s Fast Rail vision could slash travel times between Sydney and Newcastle to one hour, Sydney and Gosford to 25 minutes and Sydney to Wollongong in just 45 minutes.
 
“We’re committed to a rail network that helps shape our State’s growth for the next century, starting with improvements to cut delays and lay the foundations for making faster travel times a reality,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This investment will improve reliability and increase capacity in the rail network helping deliver better services closer to home for the people on the Central Coast as we plan a brighter future for the people across the State.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the project would help transform NSW.
 
“We’re committing $500 million towards early works, planning and further development of the line that will initially minimise delays and eventually allow high speed travel and drastically cut travel times,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This will create tens of thousands of jobs and significantly boost the economy.”
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said these upgrades will improve connections as part of the Government’s six cities vision. 
 
“Infrastructure creates opportunity. Faster and better connections between our great cities will improve reliability, improve travel times and ultimately improve quality of life for the many across our state,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“These infrastructure improvements have enormous productivity benefits for the whole community and pave the way for further investment down the track.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the NSW Government’s commitment for rail improvements on the Central Coast builds on a Federal Government commitment to this great part of the state.
 
“This investment will help improve the capacity and reliability of the intercity network, and will make journeys to and from our region faster and easier for Central Coast commuters,” Mr Crouch said.
 
“This is in addition to the $300 million investment in the state-of-the-art rail maintenance yard in Kangy Angy, which has helped create over 90 full time jobs for Central Coast locals. 
 
The NSW Government commitment is conditional on $500 million in matched funding from the Commonwealth Government that was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prior to the federal election.
 
Site investigations as part of the project are scheduled to commence before the end of 2022.

Essential health workers in four of NSW’s newest hospitals will have access to onsite extended hours childcare thanks to an $8 million investment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Onsite childcare services will be built at Westmead, Bankstown-Lidcombe, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven hospitals and the NSW Government will review its other existing and planned hospitals to look for other opportunities to ensure hospital staff have access to childcare facilities that suit their working needs.
                                                                                                    
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said this important initiative will provide our essential health workers with more flexibility helping nurses, doctors, allied health and support workers to balance raising a family with their vital work.
 
“This initiative is about offering more childcare options helping secure a brighter future for  our frontline workers and their families,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Our strong economy means we can invest more money in services, community amenity like this and take the pressure off households.
 
“This will help strengthen our frontline services by building what matters to make daily life better.”
 
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this boost will mean women and families no longer need to choose between work or caring for their children.
 
“It is so important that we support our healthcare workers so they can continue to provide the care our communities need,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said many nurses, doctors and hospital support staff do not work 9-5 and need flexible childcare that suits their hours.
 
“This is all about looking after the little ones of those who look after our loved ones,” Mr Kean said.
 
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said this investment will benefit the NSW Health workforce.
 
“I am sure these work-based and extended hour childcare centres will make it easier for our hardworking health staff to manage the day-to-day demands of balancing work and family responsibilities,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this initiative is all part of the government’s reforms to early childhood education and care sector.
 
“I want to see as many parents benefitting from childcare no matter their job or the hours they work,” Ms Mitchell said.

Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public sector workers across the State will be encouraged to share childcaring responsibilities between partners under an overhaul of the NSW Government’s paid parental leave scheme.

From October, there will no longer be a distinction between a ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ carer, meaning every mother and father in the public sector will be entitled to at least 14 weeks’ paid parental leave.

The NSW Government will also offer parents an additional 2 weeks’ ‘bonus leave’ if paid parental leave entitlements are more equally shared between partners.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new initiatives in the 2022-23 NSW Budget were part of the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the needs of modern families across NSW.

“While most parents across Australia are entitled to paid primary parental leave, only 12 per cent of those who take it are men,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Supporting all parents to spend more precious days with their newborn children helps them form bonds that last a lifetime.”

The NSW Government will also expand the window in which public servants can take paid parental leave from one year to two years after birth, and extend paid parental leave to long-term or permanent foster carers.

Treasurer Matt Kean said as the largest employer in Australia, the NSW Government hopes that private companies and other governments will follow its lead.

“Children don’t see their parents as ‘primary carers’ or ‘secondary carers’ – just as mums or dads,” Mr Kean said.                             

“Encouraging more dads to take up parental leave is crucial to supporting all parents to be able to choose to have a career, have a family or have both.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said strong parental leave entitlements play a major role in supporting women’s economic opportunity.

“These changes to our parental leave offerings will encourage more equal sharing of caring responsibilities right from the start of a child’s life,” Mrs Taylor said.

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said he hopes as many parents as possible take up the opportunity to spend time with their young children.

“The NSW Government understands the needs of young families and the benefits to productivity and performance that can be unleashed by supporting employees to balance parenthood with paid work,” Mr Tudehope said.

The ‘bonus leave’ scheme is one of the first of its kind in Australia and will apply where each parent (including parents employed outside the public sector) takes at least 12 weeks’ parental leave and exhausts any paid parental leave offered by their employers. Single parents will be entitled to the full 16 weeks of paid parental leave.

The paid parental leave reform comes following the NSW Government’s recent announcement that it will start offering workers in the public sector five days’ fertility leave, recognising the time demands of IVF and other reproductive treatments.

The 2022-23 NSW Budget is delivering a major boost to fire management in national parks through a $598 million investment, delivering 250 permanent jobs and critical infrastructure upgrades.
 
The NSW Government has also committed an additional $93.7 million to deliver the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to prepare for the impacts of climate change and capture new investment opportunities.
 
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the funding will maintain record levels of national park firefighters, and help communities develop stronger climate resilience.
 
“Climate change is happening now. Adaptation helps protect the things we value most from floods, drought and bushfires: it can save lives, livelihoods, homes and ecosystems,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This funding will help us translate cutting-edge science into real-world solutions to protect communities from the impacts of climate change.”
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in collaboration with the Rural Fire Service (RFS), conducts about 75 per cent of all hazard reduction burning in NSW.
 
“This significant investment of $598 million over 10 years for NPWS will secure 250 permanent jobs for firefighting and conservation roles, and deliver important infrastructure and fleet upgrades,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“This is a major part of our response to the Bushfire Inquiry, which resulted in a 20 per cent increase in NPWS hazard reduction targets in high-risk areas.
 
“This will ensure NPWS can increase hazard reduction activity, strengthen remote area firefighting capability, and is supported to continue its critical work protecting communities and the environment from the threat of bushfires.”
 
The funding boost will deliver:

• 250 permanent jobs from July 2023, including 200 firefighters and 50 roles to meet new statutory requirements for protecting Assets of Intergenerational Significance (AIS) across the national parks estate
• $27.7 million over four years to upgrade the radio network
• $4.5 million over four years for safety upgrades to the NPWS fleet

 
The need for special measures to protect AIS habitats, such as the Wollemi Pine, was another outcome of the Bushfire Inquiry.
 
“With more than 200 Assets of Intergenerational Significance already declared, this dedicated funding will deliver fire management, feral animal control and other measures needed to protect the most important natural and cultural assets in our national parks estate,” Mr Griffin said.
 
The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy will invest in best-practice climate change risk and opportunity assessments and planning, as well as embed climate change adaptation across Government decision making.
 
For more information on the Strategy, visit https://www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/nsw-climate-change-adaptation-strategy