Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has released its new Koala Strategy, backed by an unprecedented amount of funding and more than 30 actions to conserve and grow koala populations.

Environment Minister James Griffin said the five-year plan is a comprehensive roadmap that will help deliver the NSW Government’s ambition to double the number of koalas.

“This $193.3 million NSW Koala Strategy is the biggest financial commitment by any government to secure the future of koalas in the wild,” Mr Griffin said.

“In fact, this is the largest investment in any single species in Australia, and demonstrates how committed we are to conservation and achieving our goal of doubling koala numbers by 2050.

“We know there are multiple threats to koalas, including loss and fragmentation of their habitat, compounded by the impact of the devastating 2019–20 bushfires, as well as vehicle strike and dog attack.”

The Strategy focuses on conservation actions under four themes:

• $107.1 million for koala habitat conservation, to fund the protection, restoration, and improved management of 47,000 hectares of koala habitat
• $19.6 million to supporting local communities to conserve koalas
• $23.2 million for improving the safety and health of koalas by removing threats, improving health and rehabilitation, and establishing a translocation program
• $43.4 million to support science and research to build our knowledge of koalas.

“This strategy will better secure 10 climate resilient koala stronghold locations from the Southern Tablelands, to Campbelltown and Lismore, which will receive intensive action in the next five years to support the existing populations there,” Mr Griffin said.

“Some of these actions include preventing vehicle strike and dog attacks, and restoring and protecting 47,000 additional hectares of habitat.”

A key part of the Koala Strategy involves establishing partnerships with conservation groups and communities.

Projects funded by the new Koala Strategy include:

• Partnering with Taronga Conservation Society Australia to restore more than 5,000 hectares of Box Gum grassy woodlands around the Western Slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Koalas will be translocated to the site once the woodland is re-established.
• Partnering with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia to protect 500 hectares of high quality koala habitat on private land under conservation agreements across the Northern Rivers region through the Biodiversity Conversation Trust.
• Working with volunteer wildlife rehabilitators, vets and other partner organisations to enhance co-ordination of emergency response for koalas and other wildlife due to bushfire or extreme weather events.

“We all want to see koalas thrive in the wild for generations to come, and everyone, including land managers, local councils, wildlife carers, citizen scientists and the NSW Government needs to be involved,” Mr Griffin said.

“Protecting and restoring habitat will also support other threatened and endangered species, such as powerful owls and glossy black cockatoos.”

The Strategy will help to fill key knowledge gaps and fund priority scientific studies to support koalas, including chlamydia vaccine trials.

The new Strategy builds upon the previous $44.7 million NSW Koala Strategy, which protected more koala habitat, invested in fixing koala roadkill hotspots, provided wildlife care training and funded scientific research, among other things.

To read the Koala Strategy, visit: environment.nsw.gov.au/koalas

The NSW Government’s $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund has landed two new routes on the State’s runway to recovery, with Qantas announcing Sydney- Bengaluru (Bangalore) and Sydney-Incheon services. 

Qantas will operate four weekly return flights from Sydney to Bengaluru, India’s third largest city, commencing 14 September 2022. These will be the first non-stop flights between Australia and southern India by any airline. Qantas Group, including Jetstar, will also operate seven weekly flights from Sydney to Seoul, commencing 10 December 2022. 

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said South Korea and India were key trade and visitor economy markets for NSW, with huge potential for future growth.  

“The timing of the new Bengaluru route is impeccable, it follows the signing last week of the new Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which will create a multitude of opportunities for the visitor economy,” Mr Ayres said. 

“The new routes will bring a total of 11 flights from South Korea and India every week, providing 3277 seats into Sydney each week and supporting more than 360 jobs in NSW. 

“Prior to the pandemic, India was the fastest growing market to NSW, with Indian travellers spending an estimated $444 million in year ending December 2019.

“The majority of these visitors to NSW from India come to visit friends and relatives and there is a huge amount of pent-up demand after being separated for so long. 

“More than 77 per cent of South Koreans who visit Australia spend time in NSW and they spent an estimated $558 million in our visitor economy in 2019.” 

Mr Ayres said securing the new international routes was key to the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. 

“The NSW Government opened applications for the Aviation Attraction Fund program in February with the aim of building aviation capacity across the state,” Mr Ayres said.

“Sydney is the gateway to NSW, so supporting the return of airline routes through the Aviation Attraction Fund will be key to our recovery roadmap and achieving our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.” 

The Aviation Attraction Fund, managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, is open until 30 June 2023. For more information or to submit an application visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/aviation-attraction 

In a major boost for regional NSW, Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor has today announced the establishment of a new Regional Health Division for NSW Health.

Mrs Taylor said the new division will ensure there is a renewed focus on the health services and outcomes for people living in regional and rural NSW.

“The establishment of the Regional Health Division is a key step towards ensuring the public health system has the needs and expectations of the communities of regional NSW at its heart,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Everyday thousands of people receive quality care in our regional health centres, but we know that more needs to be done to address the issues facing health in regional areas, as highlighted by the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry, to ensure everybody receives good outcomes.

“The Regional Health Division will support the NSW Government’s commitment to bring a renewed focus on recruitment to key healthcare roles in regional NSW and to find innovative ways to support nurses, doctors, allied health practitioners, and the vital support service providers who work in healthcare facilities, to live and work in our regional communities.

“The Division will sit at the top level within the Ministry of Health and ensure strong advocacy of regional health issues, while also leveraging the strengths of our excellent, highly networked NSW public health system for the benefit of regional NSW.

“The Division will be led by a Coordinator-General for Regional Health, which will report directly to the Secretary of NSW Health, Susan Pearce, and support and provide advice to the Minister for Regional Health about issues concerning health in regional communities.”

In addition, each regional Local Health District (LHD) in NSW is establishing defined roles who will report directly and be a key interface with the new division to help deliver on its objectives. The division will have staff based in regional NSW.

The Regional Health Division will support the Regional Health Minister to:

• Support the swift delivery of the NSW Government’s regional health election commitments and the response to the recommendations of the NSW Rural Health Inquiry;
• Support and coordinate the development and implementation of a new Regional Health Plan;
• Provide a single point of contact and advocacy for issues that are common across the Regional Health environment, including matters of long term concern such as workforce attraction and retention, cross border issues and communication and engagement with communities, clinicians and stakeholders;
• Identify opportunities to enhance local access to health and other social services that support quality health outcomes, including IPTAAS policy and reporting and strengthening pathways to other social services;
• Integrate health, social and economic data, business intelligence tools, and stakeholder feedback.

Under the new Regional Health Division, local health districts (LHDs) will continue to deliver health services to their local communities.

Western Sydney will soon enjoy a greatly enhanced riverside walk and nature reserve thanks to work starting on a $13 million waterfront investment at Tench Reserve as part of the NSW Government’s $50 million Parks for People Program.
 
Tench Reserve in Jamisontown will see the creation of a new amphitheatre, inclusive playspace and improvements to the 7km River Walk stretching along the Nepean River, and is the first of eight new and upgraded parks to begin construction.
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the works would support a growing community in Western Sydney and deliver improvements to more than 11 hectares of regional open space close to homes.
 
“This is a milestone for the Parks for People Program as the first  to get underway, inspired by one of Penrith’s most beautiful natural assets, the Nepean River,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Along with the upgraded wharf precinct and improved amenities, the park will feature an inclusive playspace, better access to the water, landscaping and 80 new trees.”
 
Mr Roberts said Parks for People would create hundreds of new jobs from its $50 million investment in new open spaces, including in Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Parramatta, Penrith, Northern Beaches and The Hills.
 
Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said six of the eight parks in the program were in Sydney’s West and would support the Government’s priority of increasing the proportion of homes in urban areas within ten minutes’ walk of quality green, open and public space.
 
“We’re working in partnership with councils to set a new standard for high-quality public open space, with easily accessible places to relax, exercise, and connect with families and friends in the beauty of well-designed green spaces,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“The upgrades build a stronger connection between the park and the river and will support our vision of making the Nepean River precinct an exceptional destination for nature and recreation. Our investment in the river precinct has made it the beating hear of Penrith”
 
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said the Nepean River was the region’s greatest natural asset and a much-loved recreational destination for residents and visitors alike.
 
“Penrith City Council welcomes the upgrade of Tench Reserve through the Parks for People Program. The upgrade aligns with our vision of enhancing the natural environment and supporting active and healthy lifestyles through connections with the river,” Cr Hitchen said.
 
Tench Reserve is due to be completed in December 2022 with the other parks to get underway throughout the year.
 
For more information please visit dpie.nsw.gov.au/tench

In a major milestone, the new road surface has been laid on the WestConnex M4-M5 Link Tunnels paving the way for the completion of the 7.5km motorway.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the missing link between Haberfield and St Peters, will slash travel times and provide more reliable journey times for motorists.

“With the road paving, excavation and tunnel breakthroughs complete, the last of the roadheaders have packed up and left the M4-M5 Link Tunnels site, allowing us to move into the final stages of construction before we open to traffic,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Once complete, WestConnex will reduce travel times by up to 40 minutes between Parramatta and Sydney Airport by bypassing up to 52 sets of traffic lights.”

“This critical project will help transform Sydney’s road network helping more people get to where they need faster and take the pressure off our local roads with the new link having capacity for up to 100,000 vehicles a day.”

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the completion of the ‘missing link’ in the WestConnex will significantly reduce traffic and heavy vehicles on congested local streets like Parramatta Road.

“WestConnex is one of the most significant road infrastructure projects in the country, and it’s already having an impact on the lives of Sydneysiders by improving connections across the city,” Minister Fletcher said.

“More than 10,000 workers have been involved in the M4-M5 Link Tunnels so far, with around 40 per cent of them from Western Sydney.

“Today marks another significant milestone in the delivery of this project with the road paving having now been completed meaning for the first time, we are able to drive from one end of M4-M5 Link Tunnels to the other.

“The Morrison Government continues to work closely with the NSW Government to deliver city shaping infrastructure projects like WestConnex – the last stage of which will be completed next year.

“What this will mean for the people of Sydney is less time spent in traffic and more time with loved ones, and the ability to move around the city more easily for work, which has a positive economic and productivity impact.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the NSW Government is committed to transforming the way we move around Sydney.

“Our motorways play a vital role in getting commuters where they need to be, with a quicker and more reliable journey,” Mrs Ward said.

“The M4-M5 Link Tunnels form a critical aspect of our transport planning, taking the pressure off local roads and helping commuters spend less time behind the wheel and more time with their loved ones.

“Now we are entering the next exciting stage, fitting out the tunnels and getting them ready for drivers, who will be able to experience the full benefits of WestConnex when the project is completed next year.”

The countdown is now on to delivering the final piece of the 33km world-class motorway, with work also continuing on the Rozelle Interchange.

Transurban Group Executive for WestConnex, Andrew Head, said the first stages of WestConnex are already reducing travel times and improving safety and liveability.

“With 40 per cent of Sydney expected to live within five kilometres of WestConnex within the next decade, this project will transform the way we move as part of a mobility revolution across our city,” Mr Head said.

“We have already seen air quality improve by 10 to 15 per cent in parts of the inner west since the opening of the M4 tunnels, while travel times have reduced by up to an hour and safety has improved by up to 40 per cent.”

The M4-M5 Link Tunnels remain on track to open in 2023.

WestConnex also includes new parks, open spaces, urban artworks and 23 kilometres of new and improved pedestrian and bike paths.

For details on the WestConnex M4-M5 Link Tunnels, see https://www.westconnex.com.au/roads-projects/m4-m5-link-tunnels/.

The State’s strong economy and excellent financial management have been highlighted in a report from international credit ratings agency S&P Global.
 
S&P’s first biannual update of NSW underscores the strength of the State’s recovery and economic fundamentals, including a record low unemployment rate despite the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the report shows the NSW Government is successfully steering the State through COVID-19 and is helping the economy bounce back from the biggest downturn since the Great Depression.
 
“NSW is the only state in Australia with a triple-A rating and currently holds a double-A plus credit rating with S&P Global,” Mr  Kean said.
 
“S&P Global’s report highlights our State’s diversified economy, excellent financial management, exceptional liquidity and our record low unemployment rate.”
 
S&P Global downgraded NSW’s credit rating from triple-A to double-A plus in December 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic, with the Government supporting businesses and households with significant COVID-19 relief programs and health spending.
 
In February this year, NSW posted both its lowest unemployment rate since monthly records began 44 years ago, and the lowest unemployment rate among the states, falling to 3.7 per cent.
 
S&P Global’s report states the NSW economy is “maintaining momentum despite omicron bumps” and that “excellent financial management continues to support the ratings on NSW”.
 
“We expect a reasonably quick return to cash operating surpluses, supporting our stable outlook on the State.”
 

The NSW Government has announced $6 million in funding for a number of public libraries across the state as part of the Public Library Infrastructure Grant program. 
 
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said 26 local councils, including several in Sydney, will receive grants for projects this year to extend and improve public library buildings, spaces and information technology for local communities.
 
“This significant grant program is part of the additional $60 million over four years the NSW Government is providing to enhance library services and facilities across both regional and metropolitan areas,” said Mr Franklin.
 
“I am particularly delighted to see that this funding will transform library buildings and services for a number of communities. Good libraries contribute to community resilience with quality facilities, great collections, and access to the internet, and we are so pleased to help councils upgrade these critical services.
 
“A record $38.6 million will be provided to councils this year in support of libraries, with further increases to come next year.”
 
NSW State Librarian Dr John Vallance said the funds will enable councils to develop and improve library buildings and mobile library services.
 
“Two years of fires, floods and pandemic have left the people of New South Wales more in need of strong, safe, well-provisioned libraries than ever before. Public library funding is one of the State Government’s most significant contributions to the health of our communities.”
 
The Public Library Infrastructure Grants program is administered by the State Library of NSW on behalf of the Library Council of NSW.
 
All NSW councils were invited to apply for grants in August 2021. $24 million will be allocated under the program over four years.

Newcastle’s iconic Macquarie Pier has received the final touches to its multi-staged facelift with a heritage walk for locals and visitors commemorating the city’s rich maritime history.
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott is spending the day in the habour city visiting one of the world’s largest coat export ports, as well as volunteers and veterans at Fort Scratchley.
 
“Novocastrians should be proud of their city’s rich history and this $1.85 million project is just another way we can pass the tales of the past onto another generation,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“From kids to history buffs, tourists to locals, this walkway with new signage and an interactive audio tour captures the importance of the harbour and maritime industries.”  
 
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin MLC congratulated the Port Authority of NSW for this creative initiative.
 
“Stage 2 of the Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project provides the finishing touch on an iconic walk visited by hundreds of people daily,” Mr Martin said.
 
Port Authority CEO Philip Holliday said this project is about giving back to the people who live, work and enjoy the areas we operate around the Harbour.
 
“It’s been terrific to collaborate in developing this immersive audio tour and informative signs packed with historical facts and photos – we hope others love it as much as we do,” Mr Holliday said.
 
Local historians and archivists from Hunter Living Histories were consulted in the making of the audio tour and signage which explore everything from volcanic activity 300 million years ago that created Nobby’s Headland to the period when Newcastle was shelled in war time.
 
The interpretive signage and audio guide completes Port Authority’s overall revitalisation of Macquarie Pier.
 
In the first stage, the walkway was reconstructed with features such as a widened waterside footpath, a space for gathering and relaxing, sandstone seating and maritime-style fencing.
 
The Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project is jointly funded by the NSW Government in association with Port Authority of NSW, and has been generously supported with contributions from Port of Newcastle.
 
The NSW Government’s Newcastle Port Community Contribution (NPCC) Fund supports community projects around the Port of Newcastle.