Category: NSW News

Dozens of new businesses have signed up to the NSW Seniors Card program to offer seniors discounts on everything from retail to travel and health services.
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said more than 140 new firms have joined the Seniors Card program, which will help ease cost of living pressures on seniors while providing a boost to many small businesses.
 
“This is one of several NSW Government initiatives to help seniors with cost of living pressures including toll relief and energy rebates,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The Seniors Card for over-60s has thousands of discounts covering groceries, tradies, holidays, insurance and services such as accountants and medical care. Businesses signing up to the program get more people through the door so it’s a win-win.”
 
Among the new businesses joining the program are dental surgeries, pubs and hotels, health and wellness centres and home cleaning service providers.
 
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the over 140 new additions join more than 6,500 businesses already helping ease the cost of living for seniors across retail, food and beverage, travel, and professional services.
 
“Each and every one are offering a range of discounts to cardholders, some even up to 30 per cent. This means seniors are able to take some pressure off the household budget and keep more money in their back pocket,” Mr Coure said.
 
“I encourage more businesses to sign up and open their door to more than 1.9 million seniors across NSW.”
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said that over 120,000 customers had already opted in for the Digital Seniors Card since its launch in April, with a customer satisfaction rate of about 90 per cent.
 
“Importantly, seniors will be able to make their dollar go further by accessing great discounts and savings, adding to the almost $7 billion NSW customers have already saved through the savings finder,” Mr Dominello said.
“We are working to improve and uplift the experience for all seniors across NSW through the Digital Seniors Card program and we will have more to share next month.”
 
For a full list of discounts available via the NSW Seniors Card, or for businesses to join the program, visit seniorscard.nsw.gov.au.
 
In addition to the NSW Seniors Card, there are more than 70 discounts and rebates available through the Savings Finder Program available on the Service NSW website. Those without internet access can make an appointment with a savings specialist at a Service NSW centre or by calling 13 77 88.

The NSW Government has released an Action Plan to guide the state’s legal assistance sector in their crucial work supporting the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
 
The NSW Legal Assistance Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025 has been developed with key stakeholders including Legal Aid NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT and Community Legal Centres NSW.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the Action Plan reflects the collective approach taken to realise strategic priorities identified by the sector and the NSW government in July 2022.
 
“The NSW Legal Assistance Strategy and Action Plan 2022-25 is informed by a significant partnership between the NSW government and the legal assistance sector which aims to break the cycle of disadvantage and ensure people in NSW can fully participate and prosper in their communities” Mr Speakman said.
 
“This Action Plan outlines a whole-of-sector approach ensuring our community’s most vulnerable members have access to justice. It has been developed in recognition of the valuable and crucial work the NSW legal assistance sector contributes to these goals.”
 
The Action Plan will inform the legal sector’s work over the remaining three years of the State’s current NLAP Agreement with the Australian Government, securing crucial funding for legal assistance in NSW.
 
Key commitments of the Action Plan include:
 

• A project to better identify and understand unmet legal need in vulnerable communities across NSW
• Providing responsive and culturally safe legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander client
• Supporting the establishment of an Aboriginal Women’s Advisory Network to guide Aboriginal-led and place-based solutions to address domestic and family violence.

 
The Action Plan has been developed in accordance with the National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-2025 (NLAP). The NLAP is an agreement between the Australian Government and all states and territories for Commonwealth funded legal assistance. 
 
Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP said: “The legal assistance sector plays a vital role in helping those in greatest need.”
 
“The Commonwealth Government is committed to supporting the legal assistance sector to deliver access to justice to Australians most in need,” Mr Dreyfus said.
 
View the NSW Legal Assistance Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025 here.

The NSW Government will contribute $15 million to repair crucial  Crown land features, damaged during the recent floods.
 
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said 62 local councils can now apply for a grant under the Crown Land Flood Recovery Funding.
 
“The February and March flooding  events were disastrous for many communities. The record rain caused landslides, erosion, roads to collapse and significant damage from overflowing rivers and creeks,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“This $15 million will be used to help clean-up, repair and restore smaller community assets on Crown Land,  such as parks, playgrounds, reserves, visitor and cultural sites and Crown roads, bridges, drains and other structures.”
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the funding will also ensure  local infrastructure in flood-affected communities is built back to a more resilient standard to help withstand future natural disasters.
 
“62 local government areas were impacted by this flooding and I encourage each council to make the most of this funding opportunity so  we can be better prepared for future severe weather events,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Applications are open until 14 October, after which they will be assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands to determine the amount of funding to be allocated to each local council.
 
Local councils can contact the Crown Lands Flood Recovery Program team on floodrecovery@crownland.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 886 235.

An innovative program that helps victim-survivors of domestic violence to stay safely in a home of their choice is being expanded to 14 additional local government areas across the state.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, said the expansion of the Staying Home Leaving Violence program would provide support to more vulnerable women across NSW.

“The Staying Home Leaving Violence program provides support to women and children who have suffered domestic violence by allowing them to stay safely and heal in their own home while the perpetrator is removed,” Mrs Ward said.

“Earlier this year I announced phase one of the expansion, including $20 million for 28 existing Staying Home Leaving Violence service providers to extend their service reach from 33 locations to 70.

“Today we’re announcing $12.5 million to deliver phases two and three, to deliver 11 new locations and trial the program in three additional locations, to help even more victim-survivors.”

Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the program is another example of the NSW Government expanding comprehensive services to support domestic violence victim-survivors right across the state.

“We know that being surrounded by a strong support network is incredibly important for victim-survivors, but the reality is, many women and children who have suffered domestic violence often find themselves forced to flee their homes, and this means they may also lose touch with their trusted network,” said Mrs Taylor.

“This program will allow more women and children across the state to stay closer to their family, friends, school and employment, while receiving support and the services they need to remain safe while they rebuild their lives.”

The Local Government Areas to have the program for the first time include:

• Mid-Coast
• Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter
• Armidale, Uralla and Walcha
• Canterbury and Burwood
• Georges River
• Sutherland
• Wagga Wagga and Junee
• Parkes, Forbes and Cowra
• Bathurst and Lithgow
• Mid-Western
• Queanbeyan-Palerang

 
Under phase three, the program is being trialled across three Local Government Areas where demand is lower, or where there are geographical barriers to accessing mainstream services, including the Blue Mountains, Lachlan and Weddin, and Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

The trial will include combining technological solutions and outreach services to deliver safety planning and case management support.

Support available to victim-survivors through Staying Home Leaving Violence can include improved home security, intensive case management, legal assistance, and financial advice.

The Staying Home Leaving Violence program has already helped more than 4,500 women and children to stay safe. The expansion of this program will help support an additional 2,100 women and children across the state.

For confidential advice, support and referrals, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63), NSW Rape Crisis (1800 424 017) or Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491). In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Construction has kicked-off on Australia’s newest city, Bradfield City Centre, a visionary undertaking that will create more than 17,000 jobs and accelerate a wave of new advanced manufacturing, research and innovation in Western Sydney.
 
Work is underway on the first building, a 3,840 square metre multi-purpose building that will house office, exhibition and event spaces, Hitachi’s Kyoso Creation Centre and the first stage of a new Advanced Manufacturing and Research Facility.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the 114-hectare Bradfield City Centre development is backed by a $1 billion investment from the NSW Government and will unlock a further $10 billion in private investment.
 
“We are building a world-class city centre that will supercharge the creation of jobs and economic opportunities across Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said. 
 
“This first building is the start of a game-changing and job-generating city centre that will transform Bradfield into a hive of economic activity for businesses and offer new services and attractions for residents across Western Sydney.
 
“With this new high-tech city located close to new airport, businesses will be able to manufacture products in Western Sydney and export to the rest of world, generating even more export dollars for our state.”
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said Taylor Construction Group had been awarded the construction tender to build the first building.
 
“This facility will bring high-skilled jobs and global career opportunities to Western Sydney residents, deliver shared high-tech manufacturing equipment and machinery with local Sydney businesses and fast-track development in areas like defence and space,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Beyond this first building, the NSW Government has committed a further $260 million to establish the largest Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility in Australia, right here in Western Sydney.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said Bradfield’s first building was given State Significant Development Application approval.
 
“Major international companies are turning their eyes to Western Sydney and our work in creating this new city,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“The first building will deliver 150 construction jobs and 60 new operational jobs once it is up and running.”
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the start of construction marked a monumental moment for the residents of the Western Parkland City who will experience the Bradfield City Centre come to life on their doorstep. 
 
“Families and communities in Greater Western Sydney are seeing first-hand the benefits of a Government that is building infrastructure to make life easier,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“Western Sydney residents will soon see this empty paddock grow into a thriving city centre with world-class transport infrastructure.”
 
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the sod turn on the first building marks the start of what will be an enormous jobs boom for Western Sydney.
 
“The Bradfield City Centre will grow and evolve in coming decades to become a major hub for jobs in Western Sydney, generating enormous economic benefit for the NSW economy,” Mrs Davies said.
 
Chair of the Western Parkland Authority Jennifer Westacott AO said the city is being designed for the future with inbuilt digital capabilities, smart technology and targeting net-zero emissions.
 
“This will be a truly a global city with a 24/7 economy and the beautiful parks, playgrounds and buzzing cultural life Western Sydney deserves,” Ms Westacott said.
 
“The Bradfield City Centre is being created by harnessing the region’s existing strengths to attract investment in manufacturing, agribusinesses and education and by leveraging the huge decisions the NSW Government has already made.”
 
The team is working to complete Bradfield’s first building by late 2023.  

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is adopting the new Australian Warning System as the official Storm Season begins, with an increased risk of damaging weather in the months ahead.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said while storms and floods are experienced year-round, the highest period of danger stretches from the beginning of October to the end of March.
 
“With Storm Season now upon us, there’s no reprieve for New South Wales communities and the SES, which has been engaged in operations in some parts of the State for almost 12 months,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The annual increased frequency of storms, strong winds and rain will coincide with a third consecutive La Nina, which means communities right across the State will remain on high alert. 
 
“News of more rain and wild weather is hard to hear, particularly for our flood-fatigued communities in the Northern Rivers, Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and Western NSW, but it’s important that we’re not complacent.
 
“For the first time the SES is rolling out an updated warning system, which will deliver more localised and targeted communication of risks, and clearer warnings about the action people need to take to stay safe.”
 
The new Australian Warning System includes the following three tiers of warnings:

1. Advice;
2. Watch and Act; and
3. Emergency Warning.

 
Warnings during storms and flood events will continue to be distributed through text message alerts, the SES website, SES social media channels, ABC radio stations and media outlets.
 
SES Commissioner Carlene York said volunteers have experienced their busiest year on record, responding to more than 50,000 flood and storm jobs in the 12 months to June 2022.
 
“It’s been an extraordinarily wet year and SES volunteers have been operational somewhere across the State every single day of 2022,” Commissioner York said. 
 
“We are heading into a period where there is a greater chance of storms and floods, and it’s essential to take simple steps now like preparing an emergency evacuation kit in case you need to evacuate your home.
 
“Making safe decisions including evacuating when you are told and not driving through flooded roads and causeways will help protect yourself and your family this Storm Season.”
 
The NSW Government is supporting the SES with a $132.7 million Budget investment in facilities, hiring new staff, acquiring more resources and restructuring the agency’s operations.

A new Potts Point apartment block will provide more affordable housing for people in need in Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF).
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the 15-unit block will help ease housing pressures for people at risk of homelessness in Inner Sydney.
 
“Partnering with non-government organisations to deliver social and affordable housing is the key to unlocking a range of services which allow people greater access to secure housing and at the same time helps them live more independently,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“We are not just building houses, we are working closely with residents to help them stay in their homes. Greater access to housing and supports pave the way for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure a brighter future.”
 
The 15 new dwellings, delivered in partnership with community housing provdider St George Community Housing (SGCH), consist of five studios, eight one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units.
 
SGCH Group CEO Scott Langford said these well located homes provide a springboard for opportunity and supports the key workers who keep our city running.
 
“Too often it’s key workers who are driven further away from where they work and study and out of their communities because they struggle to afford private market rental on low to moderate incomes,” Mr Langford said.  
 
“SGCH is proud to be working in partnership with the NSW Government, and others, to bring the capital and capability together to deliver more homes to meet the demand for social and affordable housing in Greater Sydney. 
 
“These new homes are energy efficient and will also help our customers by lowering energy bills and environmental impacts.”
 
The inner-city development offers close proximity to shops, transport and health services,.
 
It is a modern energy efficient building with a 7.7-star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, and includes common area space on the ground floor and a bike storage room.
 
SGCH plans to include some of the dwellings from this site as part of its 561 property pipeline under the NSW Government’s SAHF program, which has already delivered 426 new homes.
 
The SAHF is a key initiative of Future Directions of Social Housing in NSW and is on track to deliver 3,486 homes across NSW.
 
More information about SAHF is available at this link: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/about/reforms/future-directions/initiatives/SAHF/program-update

NSW Fair Trading has taken swift action to investigate and issue eBay with multiple Penalty Infringement Notices as a result of NRL Grand Final tickets appearing on the platform in breach of NSW ticket scalping laws.  

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said “To protect consumers, NSW laws require advertisements for the resale of tickets to specify the original cost of the ticket and a resale price that is no more than 10 per cent above the original cost.

“Fair Trading attended the offices of eBay in Sydney and issued a number of penalty notices for tickets being advertised contrary to regulations.

“NSW Fair Trading is actively monitoring other platforms where Grand Final tickets may be re-sold and will take similar actions where tickets are being sold contrary to NSW laws.

“Under the Fair Trading Act, corporations found breaching ticket reselling laws can be fined up to $110,000, while individuals can be fined up to $22,000.  

“Earlier this month, I published a public warning about the risks of ticket scalping at major events like the NRL Grand Final. If you have seen advertisements in breach of the ticket scalping laws please contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20,” Ms Mann said.

Fair Trading’s investigation is ongoing.

For more information about consumer rights and ticket reselling visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/buying-services/buying-tickets-and-ticket-reselling. 

The NSW Government is offering grants of up to $10 million for key infrastructure needed to progress new mining and processing projects to accelerate the critical minerals sector.

Stream Two of the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund provides between $2 million and $10 million for key enabling infrastructure, such as heavy haulage modifications, road upgrades, water or power upgrades, and processing facilities, to help explorers and mining companies set up and operate in NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for resources Paul Toole said the unprecedented investment would help secure an ongoing pipeline of critical minerals and high-tech metals into the future, positioning the State as a major global supplier.

“Critical minerals represent the future of mining in NSW and we are committed to supporting investment right across the board – from helping explorers make new discoveries and increasing processing capacity right through to the commercialisation of emerging technologies and applications,” Mr Toole said.

“The NSW Government announced in June it had allocated $130 million to activate the critical minerals and high-tech metals sector, setting NSW apart from all other jurisdictions.

“Applications for Stream One of the fund opened earlier this month, offering grants of up to $500,000 for important studies and research and development needed to kick-start early-stage projects. The grants we’re launching today support advanced projects by unlocking blockages through investment in strategic infrastructure.

“Enabling industry investment in critical minerals exploration and mining ensures our State is prepared for the increased worldwide demand, strengthens the future prosperity of NSW and provides a vital economic boost for regional economies.”

Critical minerals and high-tech metals include rare earths, cobalt, copper, antimony, and scandium, which are crucial to a range of current and future technologies, including defence, the manufacture of electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and more.

The Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund follows the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy launched late last year.

For more information about the fund go to: www.regional.nsw.gov.au/activation-fund

The NSW Government has announced a groundbreaking new approach to reward teaching excellence and attract more people to the profession, drawing on best practice around the world.  
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said evidence published today in an issues paper on the Rewarding Excellence in Teaching program sets out a compelling case for change. 
 
“We want a modern education system that recognises and rewards excellence in our classrooms, strengthens the practice of all teachers, and makes the profession more attractive as a career,” Mr Perrottet said.  
 
“This program is not about NAPLAN results, performance pay or rewarding tenure. It is about identifying and recognising teachers who go above and beyond in their teaching practice, and want to support and inspire other teachers to do the same.” 
 
The issues paper identifies that:
 

• NSW classroom teachers have limited options to progress in their careers without taking on formal leadership roles outside of the classroom.
• Effective teachers are more likely to stay in the classroom if they have can gain career progression from the chalkboard, including significant salary increases
• Keeping highly effective teachers in the classroom is the single biggest factor in improving student outcomes.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new approach will bring seismic long-term change to our education system. 

“We are not only looking at where initiatives like this have worked overseas, we’re also looking at past attempts closer to home to make sure that our Rewarding Excellence in Teaching program is world-class, stands the test of time, and makes the biggest impact where it’s needed – in the classroom,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“There are many options on the table regarding design and implementation of this ambitious reform – that’s why we’ll continue to hear from experts, teachers, principals, school leaders and all those involved in our school communities across the state.”

The paper looks at international models of rewarding excellence like Singapore and Washington D.C. as well as programs closer to home, such as those in Victoria and Western Australia, finding that many programs featured defined standards, specific roles, and higher salaries. 

Professor John Hattie, a world-leading expert on education outcomes and student learning who is providing independent expert advice on the reform, said initial consultation has been positive.  

“Conversations with stakeholders so far have been robust and constructive. I look forward to continuing these important discussions to ensure we keep the best teachers in NSW classrooms,” Professor Hattie said.   

The central aims of the program are to:  

• Create a more attractive career path for classroom teachers, while raising the status of the profession.     
• Leverage the skills of highly effective teachers to strengthen teaching practice across the public education system, for the benefit of all students.  

 
Once consultation is complete, a policy paper will be finalised before the program begins implementation in 2023. 
 
The issues paper is available at https://bit.ly/3r9UTQW.